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CONTENTS OF REEL 118

1 ) Gardener's monthly and horticulturist, v.28, 1 886

li/lKJCi£ DQ4- QMPoAniift i

iwi i ^ v^fff i

2) Gardener's monthly and horticulturist, v.29, 1 887
MNS# PSt SNPaAg1 18.2

3) Gardener's monthly and horticulturist, v.30, 1888
MNS# PSt SNPaAg1 18.3

Title: Gardener's monthly and horticulturist, v. 28

Place of Publication: Philadelphia, Pa.

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THE

GARDENERS' MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

dp:voted to

HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

EDITED 1!Y

THOMAS MEEHAN,

STATE BOTANIST OY PENNSYLVANIA,

FORMERLY HEAD GARDENER TO CALEB COPE, ESQ., AT SPRINGBROOK, AND AT THE BARTRAM BOTANIC

GARDENS, NEAR PHILADELPHIA. GRADUATE OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW

(LONDON), ENGLAND. MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES.

AUTHOR OF "AMERICAN HAND-BOOK OF ORNAMENTAL TREES."

•• FLOWERS AND FERNS OF THE U. S.," ETC.

VOLUME XXVIII. 1886.

PHILADELPHIA :

CHAS. H. MAROT, PUBLISHER,

No. 814 Chestnut Street.
1886.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

THE

Portrait of C. M. Hovey,

Abies pungens,

Agrotis messoria— Onion Cut-worm,

Amaryllis Atamasco,

Amaryllis formosissima,

Amaryllis House at Veitch's Nursery,

American Plane or Buttonwood Tree,

Ampelopsis Veitchii on House Wall,

Beautiful Home Grounds,

Bedding Plan,

Begonias, New Double,

Bertrand Grape,

Calochortus venustus,

Carpet Bedding Diagrams.

Childs, Geo. W., Trees at Wootton,

Chionanthus Virginica,

Cineraria, Shuttlecock,

Colchicum autumnale,

Covering Raspberries for Wmter,

Crate for Plant Pots — Transportation,

Cypripedium Japonicum,

Eurycreon rantalis, Garden Web Worm,

Fringe Tree, ....

Gladiolus Saundersoni,

Glazing Without Putty, ....

Great Council Tree of the Senecas at Kanadesage,

Greenhouse Heating Apparatus,

Holland Bulb Medal. .

Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia— Old Building, Burned

Hyacinthus candicans,

Hyacinthus botryoides, .

Iris Germanica,

Little Amy and the Sweet Peas,

Lucy Duke Pear,

Mang;rove Forest,

Mosaic Bedding,

Namenlose Schiine Rose

Nepenthes Rajah,

Onion Cut-worm,

Phajus grandiflorus, .

Pig-nut Hickory,

Pin Oak,

Pitcher Plant, Nepenthes

Platanus Occidentalis,

Pruning Grape Vines, 4 cuts,

Residence N. P. Baily, Fordham-on-Hudson,

Residence Wm. Barton, Irvingtonon-Hudson,

Ridgeview, Irvington-on-Hudson, .

Rivers' Early Prolific Cherry, .

Ryder's Plant Crate,

Sarracenia Courtii, ....

Shipping Box for Cut Flowers,

Stove for Small Greenhouse,

Strawberry Plant from Pot, .

Training Raspberries, 5 cuts,

Trumpet Creeper as a Weeping Tree,

View from N. P. Baily's Residence,

Water Apple, ....

White Perpetual Flowering Stock Princess Alice,

Zinnia elegans robusta grandiflora plenissima,

New Tea Noisette,

881

Frontispiece
112
212

194
196
297
166
70
98
227

305

195

34.35
166, 242

198

359
194

190

237
338
181
198

195
266, 267

50
232

127

381

193

193
194

365

343
129

236

264

212

242

307
264

166

139
332

354
290

237
16

362

232

159
176

258

331
302

363
374

Gardeners' Monthly

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Volume XXVIII.

JANUARY, 1886.

Number 325.

Floy/er Garden and Plfasurf Ground.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

A correspondent calls our attention to an article
in the Garden of London, to some capital hints
on planting trees and shrubs. They are so ex-
actly in accord with our own teachings, and so
timely, that we cannot do better than adopt them
here as our •' Seasonable Hints " for January :

"The dotting style of planting trees is cold as
well as meager; nevertheless it has its uses- it
shows what individual plants can become under
difficulties. It also brings individual specimens
and species into the sharpest contrast. It has also
enabled cultivators to grow the largest number of
species and varieties within a given ^rea. Useful
as a school in which something may be learned
about trees, it is worse than useless as a means of
improving landscape effects ; nay, more, the dot-
ting plan mars every landscape on which it is
practiced What play of light, or shadow, or re-
pose, could be obtained by a series of dots, even
though they consisted of trees faultless in form
and symmetry } Trees so disposed might be en- '
joyed as specimens, but a pleasing landscape con- '
sisting of sohtary trees is plainly an impossibility.
iNot only, however, is the dotting style inimical to
landscape beauty, but it is also opposed to cul-
tural perfection.

"Trees and shrubs are gregarious by nature,
and if we compel them to grow in solitary iso-
lation, we must take the consequences; and we
do so in the form of slow and stunted growth in
summer, or of ruthless destruction by cold in win-

• * A \ ^^ ??^ ^°°^ ^^'^ ^'■^^^ ^o &^ow alone. Each
wind that blows beats against them with full force ;

the sun and dry air drain each leaf and bough of
Its rich juices, and, worse than all, the extremes of
heat and cold do their worst as regards the ex-
posed roots. This exposure of the roots to direct
solar and atmospheric influence is altogether un-
natural, and consequently injurious. But there is
no need to rest the case on such general state-
ments. It IS only necessary to trace the palpable
effects of the frost throughout our pleasure
I grounds, after an exceptionally hard winter to
I discover that the single trees are often cut down
while groups of the self-same sorts escape unhurt'
The seeming exceptions but confirm the rule

"These exceptional groups killed or injured
will be found in a lower situation or a moister
locality. In the former the air is colder, as cold
air will shoot down valleys into plains with as
much certainty as a stone will roll down a hill ; in
the latter the plants are also more tender. Ex-
cessive moisture may help growth, but it hinders
maturity, and it is maturity that enables plants to
withstand cold. Hence it follows that groups
may in such exceptional locaHties be cut down
while single trees at a higher level, if more
thoroughly matured, may escape. But let the
threefold conditions of soil, site, and maturity be
alike, and the results will be wholly in favor of
the groups. It is necessary, however, to bear in
mind that there are 'groups and groups.' It is
not only possible, but easy, to render groups ten-
der by overcrowding or over-feeding, and when
such is the case, groups may be swept away by a
frost that will hardly brown the leaves of a soli-
tary tree. It may be well to add that excessive
stimulation, from whatever cause, results in weak-
ness, that leaves the plants more liable to injury
from cold than more hardy treatment.

37/7

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[January,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

"The object, however, is to show that, the con-
ditions of growth being the same, Conifers planted
in groups endure winters better than those dotted
about singly. There is more than one reason for
this ; the tops are warmer and so are the roots.
Planters can scarcely realize the amount of shelter
that plants afford each other when planted in
groups. Most plants are crippled or killed from
the roots upwards, and not from the tops down-
wards. This is what kills isolated trees. The
best roots are often considerably beyond range of
the tops. Of course, the feeding roots sweep out,
and are, in ever-widening areas, in search of new
and better food. Just then the frost comes down
upon them with full power, and either paralyzes,
or kills them. Old roots might be frost-proof,
but young ones are not. The former deprived of
the latter are as useless as detached gas or water
pipes cut off from the mains. The collecting
roots being crippled or killed, the main ones be-
come useless, and the tree begins to languish and
die, or, in other words, is starved by the amount
of cold at its most sensitive extremities, which
planting in groups would have protected most ef-
fectually. There is another powerful inducement
to planting in groups.

•' The dead leaves may be left to protect the
roots along with the overshadowing tops. The
former, in many cases, would afford the better
protection. It is astonishing how many leaves
fall off Coniferae just before winter; whole bar-
rowloads of withered leaves lie under large trees
of Pinus excelsa, P. Sabiniana, P. macrocarpa,
and others. Under single trees these are, in most
cases, carefully swept or raked up, as so much un-
sightly litter, or are blown away by the wind. This
is simply to lay the most sensitive part of the tree
open to the cold. In a state of nature these dead
leaves accumulate to such an extent as to cover
the ground under the trees ankle deep. They de-
compose very slowly, and their texture, form, and
non-conducting powers are such that a very thin
layer of them forms a frost-proof barrier. I have
proved this, and no one who has not noted the
power of the tops above and leaves below to re-
sist cold could form a proper estimate of their po-
tency. In group planting there is no temptation
to remove the dead leaves, and the wind is power-
less to drive them out. Hence trees in groups can-
not suffer at the roots, and, as a rule, they winter

safely."

«-•-»

COMMUNICATIONS.

t )

CROCKING OR DRAINING POTS.
BY PETER HENDERSON.

Whenever a man sets out to instruct his fel-
lows, in gardening or anything else, if he fail
to practice as he preaches then he is certainly de-
serving of the sharpest criticism ; so that your
correspondent, "J. B.," of Fredericton, N. B.,
is perfectly justified in asking why I now use
drainage in flower pots, when in Practical Flori-

culture (which I wrote in 1868), without qualifica-
tion, and rather dogmatically, I denounced the
practice. That is now nearly eighteen years ago,
and I frankly admit that the larger experience of
the intervening years has convinced me that such
a sweeping condemnation of this method of pot
drainage was an error, which I have, to some ex-
tent, atoned for in some of my more recent works.
In the article on " Drainage," in Garden and Farm
Topics, published in 1884, I use the following
words :

•' Many years ago, in some of my first writings
on the subject of drainage in pots, I admit to
having taken rather too radical grounds against
the practice, because, in those days, everybody
almost used to * crock ' or drain the very smallest
pots. The absurdity of this soon became apparent
to me, as I found that, with hardly an exception,
for plants in pots up to the size of four inches, it
was worse than useless to drain ; and as all my
practice up to that time had been with pots but
little larger than four inches, I rather rashly
jumped to the conclusion that in our warm, dry
atmosphere, the European practice of crocking all
sizes of flower pots, might be wholly dispensed
with. But added experience showed that even in
our dry atmosphere, flower pots of four inches in
diameter and upwards, in which are grown roses
or other plants whose roots are sensitive to
moisture, had better be crocked or drained. It is
not pleasant to admit an error, particularly when
promulgated in print for the ' instruction* of others ;
but it is better to make what amend is possible by
making the acknowledgment, than to continue to
stick to opinions before given, when there is reason
to believe that these were formed in error."

Still, we do comparatively little crocking or
draining of pots. With ninety-nine hundredths of
our stock, whether grown in large or small pots,
no drainage whatever is used. But in new roses,
or other plants where the best growth is wanted in
the shortest time, we now believe it is best to use
drainage ; but when it is done at all it must be
done thoroughly. The mere placing a piece of
broken potsherd in the bottom of the pot, I be-
lieve to be of no benefit whatever. When we
now drain at all, we let the drainage occupy one-
third of the depth of the pot, be it large or small,
although we never use it in less than three-inch
size and rarely then. We first use a piece large
enough to cover the hole in the bottom of the pot,
and then fill over this with a size varying according
to the size of the pot, from the size of peas to as
large as broad beans, and then, above all, if the

drainage is to be of any value, we cover over this
with sphagnum, or, what is better, the thready
part of cocoanut fibre, so as to completely prevent
the soil washing down among the drainage. This
complete drainage not only allows the water to
pass off, but, what is.of equally great importance
it admits the air to the roots. The experience of
the past few years has caused many of us to
change our opinions very radically on this subject.
Less than ten years ago the best rose-growers,
when bedding their roses on benches, used eight
and nine inches of soil, placed on ordinary board
benches, with little provision for drainage. Now
the plan is to use only about four inches of soil,
placed on sparred benches, made with weather
strip three inches wide, leaving a space of nearly
one inch between, to admit the water to pass off
as quickly as it is poured on ; and although roses
were often grown well by the old method, yet, it
cannot be denied that better results are obtained
from the shallow benches, through which the
water passes off at once.

Jersey City Heights, N. 7., December, 1S85,

ever appearing again. I have known this plan of
removing weeds from lawns to be condemned by
some persons, but upon a close examination al-
ways found that the work was improperly per-
formed. Queens, N, K, A'ov. 4th, 1885.

[We are much obliged by this timely caution,
for we doubt whether it would be wise to treat a
hollow, even two or three inches, on the plan we
suggested. It only referred to very slight in-
equalities—say an inch or less.— Ed. G. M.]

MY EXPERIENCE WITH SOUTHERN
GROWN ROSES.

BY WM. C. WILSON.

INEQUALITIES IN LAWNS.
BY MR. CHARLES E. PARNELL.

In the Gardeners' Monthly for November
1885, under the heading of "Seasonable Hints,"
page 323, I noticed an item on filling in inequali-
ties on lawns. I do not desire to be critical, so I
trust you will pardon me for suggesting, that in
my opinion it would be far better to carefully re-
move the sod, then fill in with good rich compost ;
replace the sod and be careful to firm it down well
with the back of the spade.

As far as my experience has extended, I find
where the earth is placed in hollow places, and
grass seed sown, it will grow and do well enough
until hot dry weather sets in, and this causes the
young plants to dry up in a very short time.

When the sod is not covered more than two or
three inches, it may come through if the grass
sods have strong and vigorous roots, but where
the grass has been cut severely, it comes up so
slowly and irregularly that it is not safe or ad-
visable for any one to rely on its so doing, where
a satisfactory lawn is desired from the start. At
this season of the year when garden work is not
so pressing, it is an excellent plan to go over the
lawn carefully, and remove all perennial weeds,
such as dandehons, plantains, etc., by cutting
them out with a stout knife. If this work is prop-
erly done there is very little danger of the plants

Having for the last eight years purchased from
florists in Savannah, Ga., from five to ten thousand
Hybrid Perpetual roses every fall, would state
that I have had as good results with them as with
I any I have ever imported from Europe or else-
where. I received last year, about the first part of
December, ten thousand roses of all the leading
Hybrid Perpetual varieties from that section.
They were all potted, part of them were put in a
cellar, and the remainder in a cold greenhouse,
and I did not lose ten plants from the entire lot,
and they made as fine and vigorous growth as
any imported roses I had. Moreover, they were
all grown on their own roots, which is a very
desirable advantage. Mr. Gabriel Marc, florist
Woodside, L. I., who is one of the very best pot
rose growers in this section, has purchased from
florists in Savannah, Ga., for the last thirty years,
in quantities of from three to five thousand.
Hybrid Perpetual roses yearly. He has had as
good results with them as with any he imported
from Europe, which he does yearly in quantity. I
consider if the i:oses from the South when not
lifted before the first part of December and then
are handled with ordinary care, the results to the
purchaser of them ought to be as good as any
imported stock from Europe or elsewhere.

Astoria, Long Island, Dec. yth, i88s.

THE SWEET PEA, AND HOW TO GROW IT.

BY E. M. van AKEN.

Plant very early in the spring, or as soon as the
frost will allow of spading the ground four inches
deep, (the depth they should be planted) or deeper
if the soil is light. Don't wait for fair weather.
Use plenty of seed, so that they will not be more
than an inch apart. Hoe the earth towards the
vines a little, but do not form a ridge, and support

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[January,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

I I

when about six inches high, with brush five feet
in length. As soon as they commence to bloom,
mulch heavily close to the vines, extending a foot
on each side of the row ; this keeps the ground
moist and cool, which is just the condition they
require. In case of a drouth, they will need
watering, in addition to the mulching. If the
flowers are persistently cut before the seed pods
form, they will bloom until the frost kills them.
If seed is wanted, they may be allowed to go to
seed, but this lessens the amount of bloom, and
the vine finally matures and dies. As it is well for
one to grow his own seed, and be able to select
such varieties as are most desirable, a good plan
is to plant a few very early, as recommended, and
then make another planting the first of May.
These will come into bloom by the middle of July,
and the early planting may then be allowed to go
to seed. The Sweet Pea luxuriates in a cool,
damp soil, and in full sun, or at least should have
the sun part of the day.

If the above directions are followed, there is
no reason why any one should not successfully
grow the Sweet Pea.

Varieties. — Adonis, Butterfly, Scarlet Invinci-
ble, Blue-Edged, Crown Princess of Prussia,
Black, Scarlet, Pure White, Purple, White with
pink blush. Painted Lady, Fairy Queen, Pink
striped Mahogany, Purple and Maroon, Red with
purple striped. Pink and white striped, Lavender
and pink striped. Pink and Magenta striped. Ma-
roon with purple striped. Elmira, N. V.

some other plant between them that flowers at
at other seasons. We saw some very gay effects
from Chrysanthemums among Rhododendrons the
past season. Lilies are said to work well with
roses.

Acer macrophyllum. — The Oregon maple we
saw for the first time in flower under cultivation in
Philadelphia this year. In fohage and habit it is
superior to the Sycamore maple, its near neigh-
bor. Like all things from the Pacific coast, how-
ever, it misses the atmospheric moisture it so
much loves in its native place, and always gets
killed back more or less when young. When it
finally reaches a good height, it seems hardier.

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

•«-»»■

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Snowflake Tree. — The Canadian Horticul-
turist says this is the garden name in Germany
of our White Fringe. This is near the " Snow-
drop tree," which is Halesia tetraptera.

Combining Fences. — Since the idea of com-
bining shrubs too weak to form in themselves
protective fences, with a few strands of barbed
wire to give them the necessary force, a number
of plants are being named for use that had no
value before as hedge plants. Mr. Manning of
Massachusetts, has introduced the red " Osier "
or Dogwood, and we think it one of the best that
has yet been named.

Mixed Beds. — Much interest is given to beds
of Rhododendrons and other plants that flower
but once a year by putting in Gladiolus, Lilies or

White Coquette, or Coquette des Blanches
Rose. — A very beautiful white hybrid perpetual
rose, under this name, was figured in the Journal
des Roses for June.

A New Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia Courtii.
— In the old world, where people study to get as
much pleasure out of their gardens as possible,
they take special pains to suit the cultural condi-
tions to the wants of the plant. If in our country we
were to propose to cultivate those beautiful hardy
pitcher plants, which are the pride and glory of our
swamps, the answer would probably be : '• We
have no swamp." But the amateur Englishman
makes his swamp, and grows his plants accord-
ingly ; and intelligent Americans have to go to the
old world in order to learn how much interest
may be found in plants natural to their own wilds.
This is particularly true of that remarkable genus
of plants known as the Sarracenia or pitcher plant.
S. purpurea is so hardy that it is found far away
to the north, and many of the others are nearly as
hardy.

In England the demand for them is so good,
that one leading firm, Messrs. Veitch & Son, has
been led to work on their improvement, and the
one we now figure is a hybrid raised by them,
and which they have named after a very estima-
ble gentleman, well known as their traveling re-
presentative on this side of the Atlantic. We give
the following account of it in Messrs. Veitch'sown
words :

•• It was raised at our Chelsea nursery from S.
purpurea and S. psittacina, the last-named being
the pollen parent. Like those of both parents, the
pitchers are procumbent, but more symmetrically

disposed than in either, radiating from all sides of
the root stock as regularly as the leaves of a
rosette. In form and size, they are well nigh in-

nates abruptly, having neither the parrot-hke head
of S. psittacina, nor the crisped flap of S. purpurea ;
tlie wing is deep, curved above, gradually con-

termediate between those of the two parents; the tracting towards both extremities. In color, this
petiolar tube, which is much contracted at the hybrid is one of the finest yet obtained ; the young
base, gradually dilates upwards to the aperture ; I pitchers are bright crimson-purple from the mid-
the lamina or flap is turned upwards and termi- 1 die upwards, veined and reticulated with deep

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[January,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

If the above directions are followed, there is
no reason why any one should not successfully
grow the Sweet Pea.

Varieties, — Adonis, Butterfly, Scarlet Invinci-
ble, Blue-Edged, Crown Princess of Prussia,
Black, Scarlet, Pure White, Purple, White with
pink blush, Painted Lady, Fairy Queen, Pink
striped Mahogany, Purple and Maroon, Red with
purple striped, Pink and white striped. Lavender
and pink striped. Pink and Magenta striped. Ma-
roon with purple striped. Elmira, N. V.

some other plant between them that flowers at
at other seasons. We saw some very gay effects
from Chrysanthemums among Rhododendrons the
past season. Lilies are said to work well with
roses.

Acer macrophyllum. — The Oregon maple we
saw for the first time in flower under cultivation in
Philadelphia this year. In foliage and habit it is
superior to the Sycamore maple, its near neigh-
bor. Like all things from the Pacific coast, how-
ever, it misses the atmospheric moisture it so
much loves in its native place, and always gets
killed back more or less when young. When it
finally reaches a good height, it seems hardier.

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Snowflake Tree. — The Canadian Horticul-
turist says this is the garden name in Germany
of our White Fringe. This is near the " Snow-
drop tree," which is Halesia tetraptera.

Mixed Beds. — Much interest is given to beds
of Rhododendrons and other plants that flower
but once a year by putting in Gladiolus, Lilies or

White Coquette, or Coquette des Blanches
Rose. — A very beautiful white hybrid perpetual
rose, under this name, was figured in the Journal
des Roses for June.

A New Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia Courtii.
— In the old world, where people study to get as
much pleasure out of their gardens as possible,
they take special pains to suit the cultural condi-
tions to the wants of the plant. If in our country we
were to propose to cultivate those beautiful hardy
pitcher plants, which are the pride and glory of our
swamps, the answer would probably be: "We
have no swamp." But the amateur Englishman
makes his swamp, and grows his plants accord-
ingly ; and intelligent Americans have to go to the
old world in order to learn how much interest
may be found in plants natural to their own wilds.
This is particularly true of that remarkable genus
of plants known as the Sarracenia or pitcher plant.
S. purpurea is so hardy that it is found far away
to the north, and many of the others are nearly as
hardy.

•• It was raised at our Chelsea nursery from S.
purpurea and S. psittacina, the last-named being
the pollen parent. Like those of both parents, the
pitchers are procumbent, but more symmetrically

disposed than m either, radiating from all sides of nates abruptly, having neither the parrot-hke head
the root stock as regularly as the leaves of a I of S. psittacina, nor the crisped flap of S. purpurea •
rosette. In form and size, they are well nigh in- 1 tlie wing is deep, curved above, gradually con-

termediate between those of the two parents; the trading towards both extremities. In color, this

petiolar tube, which is much contracted at the hybrid is one of the finest yet obtained ; the young

base, gradually dilates upwards to the aperture ; pitchers are bright crimson-purple from the mid-

the lamina or flap is turned upwards and termi- die upwards, veined and reticulated with deep

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[January,

when about six inches high, with brush five feet
in length. As soon as they commence to bloom,
mulch heavily close to the vines, extending a foot
on each side of the row; this keeps the ground
moist and cool, which is just the condition they
require. In case of a drouth, they will need
watering, in addition to the mulching. If the
flowers are persistently cut before the seed pods
form, they will bloom until the frost kills them.
If seed is wanted, they may be allowed to go to
seed, but this lessens the amount of bloom, and
the vine finally matures and dies. As it is well for
one to grow his own seed, and be able to select
such varieties as are most desirable, a good plan
is to plant a few very early, as recommended, and
then make another planting the first of May.
These will come into bloom by the middle of July,
and the early planting may then be allowed to go
to seed. The Sweet Pea luxuriates in a cool,
damp soil, and in full sun, or at least should have
the sun part of the day.

If the above directions are followed, there is
no reason why any one should not successfully
grow the Sweet Pea.

Varieties. — Adonis, Butterfly, Scarlet Invinci-
ble, Blue-Edged, Crown Princess of Prussia,
Black, Scarlet, Pure White, Purple, White with
pink blush, Painted Lady, Fairy Queen, Pink
striped Mahogany, Purple and Maroon, Red with
purple striped. Pink and white striped. Lavender
and pink striped, i'ink and Magenta striped. Ma-
roon with purple striped. Elmira, N. V.

some other plant between them that flowers at
at other seasons. W^e saw some very gay effects
from Chrysanthemums among Rhododendrons the
past season. Lilies are said to work well with
roses.

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

EDITORIAL NOTES,

Snowflake Tree. — The Canadian Horticul-
turist says this is the garden name in Germany
of our White Fringe. This is near the " Snow-
drop tree," which is Halesia tetraptera.

Combining Fences. — Since the idea of com-
bining shrubs too weak to form in themselves
protective fences, with a few strands of barbed
wire to give them the necessary force, a number
of plants are being named for use that had no
value before as hedge plants. Mr. Manning of
Massachusetts, has introduced the red "Osier"
or Dogwood, and we think it one of the best that
has yet been named.

Mixed Beds. — Much interest is given to beds
of Rhododendrons and other plants that flower
but once a year by putting in Gladiolus, Lilies or

White Coquette, or Coquette des Blanches
Rose. — A very beautiful white hybrid perpetual
rose, under this name, was figured in the Journal
des Roses for June.

A New Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia Courtii.
— In the old world, where people study to get as
much pleasure out of their gardens as possible,
they take special pains to suit the cultural condi-
tions to the wants of the plant. If in our country we
were to propose to cultivate those beautiful hardy
pitcher plants, which are the pride and glory of our
swamps, the answer would probably be: " W^e
have no swamp." But the amateur Englishman
makes his swamp, and grows his plants accord-
ingly ; and intelligent Americans have to go to the
old world in order to learn how much interest
may be found in plants natural to their own wilds.
This is particularly true of that remarkable genus
of plants known as the Sarracenia or pitcher plant.
S. purpurea is so hardy that it is found far away
to the north, and many of the others are nearly as
hardy.

In England the demand for them is so good,
that one leading firm, Messrs. Veitch <5v: Son, has
been led to work on their improvement, and the
one we now figure is a hybrid raised by them,
and which they have named after a very estima-
ble gentleman, well known as their traveling re-
presentative on this side of the Atlantic. We give
the following account of it in Messrs. Veitch'sown
words :

" It was raised at our Chelsea nursery from S.
purpurea and S. psittacina, the last-named being
the pollen parent. Like those of both parents, the
pitchers are procumbent, but more symmetrically

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

disposed than in either, radiating from all sides of nates abruptly, having neither the parrot-like head
the root stock as regularly as the leaves of a of S. psittacina, nor the crisped flap of S purpurea-
rosette. In form and size, they are well nigh in- tlie wing is deep, curved above, gradually con-

■km

,,.1,11 1' I hi ■:

termediate between those of the two parents; the tracting towards both extremities. In color, this

petiolar tube, which is much contracted at the hybrid is one of the finest yet obtained ; the young

base, gradually dilates upwards to the aperture ; pitchers are bright crimson-purple from the mid-

the lamina or flap is turned upwards and termi- die upwards, veined and reticulated with deep

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[January,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

crimson-purple. They change with aj;e to a deep
blood-red with blackish purple veins, the reticula-
tions being particularly handsome and striking.

"The elegant habit of the plant and its rich
coloration, render it one of the most ornamental
of Sarracenias. It has received a first-class certi-
tificate from the Royal Horticultural Society (unan-
imous vote), and a certificate of merit from the
Royal Botanic Society."

Bourbon Rose, Madame Pierre Oger. —
Bourbon roses, not having the odor so popular
with cut-flower folk, are yet among the most de-
sirable for out-door decoration. No one would
want to be without the Hermosa, though it might
not be as fragrant as a Bon Silene. The Journal
des Roses gives a colored plate of the above-
named, and styles it a first-class rose. It is pale
salmon, with a 'tint of cream. It is a sport from
Queen Victoria, fixed by M. P. Oger, a rose-grower
of Caen, and named for his wife. It appeared in
1876, and was sent out by Verdier in 1878.

Princesse Stephanie Pelargonium. — This is
regarded as one of the best of the new race of
Liliputian Geraniums, of which we have now
Comte de Flandre, Comtesse de Flandre, Comte
de Hainaut, Souvenir de Louis Van Houtte, and
Princesse Clementine.

The little plants bear an enormous number of
very large heads, double as " daisies," though the
plants are only a few inches high.

Phacelia Parryi. — This remarkably pretty
annual, discovered a few years ago in Southern
Utah, by Dr. C. C. Parry, has at length found its
way to the seed trade.

Double Phlox Drummondii. — It is surprising
that this old favorite has so long resisted the en-
deavor of the florist to produce a double variety,
but it has given up at last.

New German Aster. — Among the novelties of
the coming season is a German Aster, four and a
half inches across, very double, with each floret
rolled up like a needle.

Japan Fringe Tree. — The Gardening World
illustrates Chionanthus retusus. The white flowers
seem to be in erect cymes instead of in loose pen-
dulous racemes ; and the petals are only about an
inch long, and blunt instead of tapering to fringe,
as in our species. It was introduced from Japan
by Veitch.

Souvenir de Victor Hugo Rose. — A colored
plate appears in the October number of Journal

des Roses. Unlike most tea roses, it seems to bloom
in clusters. It is a yellow rose, but with such
deep rosy edges as to appear like a red rose at
the first blush. It was raised by M. Bonnaire, of
Lyons, in 1884, from seed of Comtesse de Labarthe,
that had been fertilized by the old Regulus.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Ivy on Trees.— " S. T. W.," Forest Grove,
Oregon, writes : " It may be interesting to you and
some others to know that the English ivy blooms
here profusely, and that it is a famous honey plant.
A few days ago I picked a bunch, and to my sur-
prise found many of the flowers completely cov-
ered with a pure white sugar. The plant from
which it was taken grows on a large oak tree, cov-
ering the trunk for about twenty-five feet, and
bids fair before many years to entirely cover it.
From your knowledge can you say whether it
will finally kill the tree or not ? "

[The ivy does no harm whatever to trees, so
long as it is confined to the trunk and large
branches. If the ivy extends so far as to inter-
fere with the foliage of the tree which supports it,
then it is an injury. — Ed. G. M.]

Linden Arches. — •' H. L.," Boston, Mass.,
writes : " I have read several pieces in your
Monthly about hedges with wire fences, and I
want very much to know if you have ever made
a pleached alley, and if so, whether you used Lin-
dens, European or American, or Willows, Bay or
Golden, &c. ; or what tree you used, and how
much space one must allow for breadth of Lindens
or Willows each side of the walk; whether they
would be best trained on wooden trellis or wire
trellis ; also, how many years it would take to
grow them over the walk. How wide should be
the walk, how high the arch of trees ? I am made
bold to give so much trouble by the good-natured
replies I see in your journal constantly to similar
inquiries."

[The Editor has had no direct experience in
this work, and would be obliged if some corres-
pondent who has, would answer these inquiries.
There are, however, some general points that will
be well remembered. There is a tendency in
many plants to get naked at the bottom, and
keep all the foliage at the apex, hence the plant
employed for pleaching and arch training should
be of those plants that have a natural tendency
to keep the foliage to the ground. For small
arch work there is nothing of this character

superior to the Hornbeams, but the plant is too
low a grower for the larger archways that are so
effectually employed in Europe. These are
mainly of the European Linden. The American
Linden would do as well and better for our cli-
mate. As far as our memory extends, some of
the most successful specimens of trained Lindens
in our country, are at the Soldiers' Home, Dayton,
Ohio, though there may be others not remembered
just now. Wire ought to be good enough for
training on. The trees might be planted twelve
or fifteen feet apart. The height of the arch will
depend on the width of the avenue. If very
high it will be difficult to prune or train.— Ed.
G. M.]

Red Spider on Evergreens. — Mr. D. H.
Watson, Brenham, Texas, says: "In your Novem-
ber issue you mention that little, but great pest,
the red spider, and recommend a syringe as a
good means of destroying them. We have found
this a good remedy as they can't stand moisture ;
but the most effectual way that we have tried to
destroy them is by sprinkling sulphur all over the
tree or bush. With us they are sometimes very
bad on Retinosporas, and Cupressus pyramidalis
and horizontalis, but we have never failed to
destroy them by one good application of sulphur."

[To this excellent suggestion, we may add, that
the application will probably be the most eff'ectual
in a hot or sunny time.— Ed. G. M.]

yards away. The female in the bag, will some-
times drop to the ground, and march off" to where
there is more food,— but this cannot be many
yards. The female has no wings to fly with.
The male has wings, and flies, but this cannot ex-
ceed the colony. There is nothing more certain
than that persistence in cleaning off the cocoons
will destroy the whole crop, and leave one's trees
wholly free from their attacks.— Ed. G. M.]

Grass for Shade under Trees.—" M. B.,"
Kensington, Phila.: There are a number of
grasses that will do fairly well under trees, where
the ordinary lawn grasses fail, if the ground be
dry, but not very dry. The English sheep grass,
Festuca ovina is one of these, and the flat stemmed
blue grass, Poa compressa, is also good. We
have no grass seed catalogue at hand, but these
kinds can no doubt be had of first-class seedsmen.

The Basket or Bagworm.— "G. W. D.,"
Baltimore, says: "In your general remarks in
November number of Gardeners' Monthly,
you speak among other things of the 'bagworm'
plague. Although I have them picked off every
summer from my Arbor Vitae hedge, which they
particularly fancy during the time that they make
their appearance— though they are also found
on other plants— yet, every summer they appear
again, and in the same quantities. How do they
get there ? or rather, how are they propagated ?
a question I would like to see answered in
your next publication in order to prevent their re-
appearance—since an ounce of prevention is
better than a pound of cure— for it is a terrible
labor to pick the thousands of these pests."

[It must be that the "bags" are not gathered
up wholly, but enough left to form a new crop, for
they are unable to travel far. The female never
leaves the house in which she is born. The eggs I
hatch in the spring, and the little worms hatched, j
go out in the world on their own account, each '
to make its own bag. and cannot travel over many i

The Elm Beetle.—" Mrs. M. C. B.,*' Yonkers,
N. Y., writes: " I wish to ask you if there is any
way to destroy the worm that eats the leaves of
the elm, or if there is anything that could be put
round the tree to prevent the worm crawling up.
We have a large elm tree in front of our house,
and last summer almost every leaf was eaten. I
would be much obliged for any mformation you
can give me."

[The " worm " does not crawl up the elm tree —
no protection from that point of view is practicable.
The trouble comes from a small beetle, which
j flies up into the tree, deposits its eggs on the
leaves, which then hatch, and produce the " worm "
that works so great destruction. After a certain
time the " worm " crawls down the trunk of the
tree, in order to undergo in the earth the trans-
formations necessary to* reach again the beetle
state. It has been recommended to pile earth-
around the base of the tree, and then remove and
burn it, thus destroying the whole crop of travellers
down the trunk. This secures the tree, in a great
measure, the next year, from the descendants of
those which injured it this; but unless every
person who has an elm tree in the vicinity does
likewise, it is akin to the eff"orts of those who
would dip out the ocean with a bucket. The
beetle will come from other places next year. If
the beauty of the tree be worth the trouble, the
only sure method of preserving it is to get a pow-
erful garden engine, and force a solution of Paris
green or London purple over the leaves which
are being eaten by the worms. This destroys the
creatures at once, and saves the tree for the season.
—Ed. G. M.]

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[January,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

Greenhouse and House Gaedening,

SEASONABLE HINTS.

A lady wants to know whether there is any use
in watering plants in windows with warm water.
She thinks there is, but a neighboring florist tells
her that is " all nonsense." He "waters fresh from
the cold pump," and his plants are "good enough
for anybody." So far as we know the florist is
right, as far as good healthy plants are concerned ;
but if the idea be to hasten plants into a bloom-
ing condition, warm water will surely have an ad-
vantage over cold. Window plants are chiefly
desired for winter flowering. And in houses de-
voted to forcing roses or other things, it would be
a great advantage to use warm water if it could
be conveniently had. The same lady says she
finds great advantage in not filHng the pots to
within an inch of the surface, and then filling the
space tightly with moss, so that it is rounded up
under the plant over the surface of the pot. She
says she knows when the plant wants water, by
the color of the moss. This may do for an ex-
perienced plant grower ; but the fear would be
that some without experience would find the
earth get dry before the change in the tint of the
moss was observed, or that sometimes too much
water would be given. The chance of seeing the
soil itself is a great aid to the plant waterer. Still,
it will be that after the moss has been long enough
on the pot to permit of the roots of the plant get-
ting up from the earth and into it, that is, to have
the roots permeate the moss, the plants would do
very well. Roots do not want water so much as
they need moist air, and they get the best op-
portunity for this when pushing through damp
moss. The question of watering underlies most
of the success in pot plant growth or any other
kind of growth, and it cannot be too closely
studied by those who love to grow flowers.
Plants that rarely get dry are seldom healthy.
Saucers of water under pot plants are excellent.
This plan admits of letting the upper part of the
pot become dryer than otherwise, and thus the
soil is well aerated, while roots in the water will
get all the moisture the plant needs. Indeed, if a
plant has so many roots in a pot, that numbers
will go through into the saucer, the plant would i
in many cases be all the better for receiving water
in r.o other way.

The present season is one of the best for study-
ing the working of systems for heating green-
houses. In a large number of cases that come
under our observation from time to time, the cart
is evidently before the horse. Inventors of new
boilers or new methods of heating fix on one
principle that cannot be controverted, and the
apparatus so constructed gets no end of advo-
cates. A few years ago, heating by means of
many coils of pipe was very popular. The princi-
ple was that by dividing up the water into these
numerous small sections, it could be more rapidly
warmed. This was true, but friction, as an ele-
ment against rapid circulation, was forgotten, and
it was then discovered that a rapid circulation was
of much more consequence than rapid warming.

Besides studying the best heating apparatus,
the temperature of the greenhouse at this season
should be maintained at about 50^, allowing it to
rise loO or 15O under the full sun, and sinking iqO
or so in the night. Though many of our practi-
cal brethren differ from us, men, for some of
whose opinions we entertain the highest respect,
we do not recommend a very great difference be-
tween night and day temperature ; we think iqO
ample allowance. It is following nature, no
doubt ; but we would rather strive to beat nature.
She cannot make the specimens we do, nor flower
them so beautifully or profusely, and in many
other respects we think the practical gardener can
much improve on her red-tape notions and old-
fashioned courses.

-^-m-

COMMUNICATIONS.

PHAJUS GRANDIFOLIUS.

BY CLXTIVATOR.

How often one meets this old but useful subject
eking out an existence under conditions so unsuited
to its needs, that it is never able to reward the
owner with a single spike of its lovely blossoms.
\ It is classed among the Orchid family, is a native
I of Hong Kong ; and to develop its blossoms in
midwinter, should be treated to a temperature of
I from 55C to 60O. During summer (being its season
of growth) it delights in plenty of heat and mois-
ture. Lumps of fibry loam with the fine shaken
out, mixed with an equal proportion of old dry

--*<

COW manure, with plenty of broken crocks and known to do so before, although ^ered goo'd
charcoal. ,s an excellent compost in which to | plants. A plant of Oncidium incurvum potted in

^"^A^ '-!i^ , . J , , , "^^ ^^""^ '^^' ^P""S lias made bulbs larger than

An old neglected plant that had not flowered the imported ones, and is now throwing up some

for years was treated as follows during the past
season. As soon as signs of fresh growth had
begun in spring, all the old soil was shaken off
and the roots washed clean, then potted into com-
post as above. Water was given very sparingly
until the roots from the young growths began to
lay hold of the soil, l^he pot, a 7-inch one, is now
a mass of roots, and is watered almost daily with

very fine flower spikes. The Calanthes delight in
cow manure, and once used for them always will
^^- Sou/A Virginia, Nov, 20th, 1885.

N^,•^-•^5^^>,

Phajus granditolius.
manure water. The growths, three in number, have

ISMENE AMANCCESISA.
BY C. E. PARNELL.

The Narcissus flowered Ismene, I. Amancoesisa,
rare and very beautiful bulbous perennial plant,
belonging to the natural order Amaryllidaceae.'
It has an ^^^ shaped bulb from which some
three or more bright green leaves are produced
during its season of growth. The flower scape,
which attains a height of two or three feet, bears
from three to six rich yellow blossoms which are
about six inches across and delightfully fragrant.
It is said that this beautiful plant was introduced
from Brazil as early as 1808, but it is a native of
Peru, and it is said that it can be found growing
on the hills called Amanceos or Hamanches in the
neighborhood of Lima, where its beautiful and
delightfully fragrant flower? are said to be exten-
bively used by the Peruvian ladies as ornaments
for their hair.

This Ismene is a plant that can be easily culti-
vated and the bulbs should be planted in a nicely
prepared deep border about the tenth of May, and
as soon as the flower scape makes its appearance
it should be tied to a neat stake in order to prevent
it from being broken off by the wind. As soon as
the frost has destroyed the foliage the bulb should
be taken and preserved from frost and damp in a
manner similar to the Tuberose or Gladiolus.
Propagation is effected by offsets from the larger
bulbs, and they should be grown on carefully in a
nicely prepared border until they are large enough
to bloom.

The generic name was given in honor of
Ismene the daughter of Edipus and Jocasta, and

.1 • j^ _ _

* "^ fe'v/vi-iiio, iiiitc 111 iiuinoer. nave --v, v^«.i4giiiti ui j^uipus auu jocasia, a

leaves on two feet long, and each growth is throw- '^^ specific name in allusion to its native home.

ine UD a strnnrr «/-»,., ^.. c-^W.^ ...\^\ -\. :., . ^ y

ing up a strong flower-spike which in a short time
will amply repay us with their gay blossoms for
any extra care bestowed thereon.

Cow manure that has been well dried in the
sun during summer, we find excellent for a good

Queens, Z. /.

SOMETHING WORTH SEEING— STURTE-
VANT'S WATER PLANTS.

BY WM. T. HARDING.

Sfn^elsit' , ''r'"'''"'" !."'^"' "' ^'■°"" '" I ^' "^^ ^"gSestion of one whose ripened experi-
a ew hr^. sphagnum and cow manure with ! ence in matters floricul.ural. seldom errs. 1 took a

Dlanrs of thl" t I ""T^ "• ' •"'"" ''"°^" ""'P •" I^°^den,own. N. J., on September 3rd. ,885.
plants of th.s brought to bear two flowers on a \ to -see something worth seeing." Alighting from
sp.ke ,n such compost, which had never been I an early train at the railroad station, a L mfnute"

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[January,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

walk brought me to the "Aquatic Garden " of Mr,
E. D. Sturtevant. No sooner had I set foot upon
these interesting grounds, than I was cordially
greeted by the cheery proprietor, whom I knew as
a man after my own heart. As each well knew
the other's enthusiasm for the cultivation of aquatic
vegetation, we were soon on the plank together in
the middle of one of the large aquariums, where,
for the time being, I seemed to forget, and it is not
unlikely he did also, all other sublunary affairs.
Possibly, we were both influenced, or actuated,
with the "one touch of nature," which the poet
says, "makes the whole world kin." If the good
readers only knew my friend's predilection for, and
the writer's prepossession in favor of, such charm-
ing objects as then surrounded us, they would natur-
ally, or instinctively comprehend how enraptured
we may become at the sight of exquisitely beautiful
flowers, when their delicious perfumes fill the air,
and while thus gently stealing over the senses
captivate the heart.

A strangely fascinating interest seemed to center
among the lovely occupants of the aquarium,
whose serene beauty appeared to your corres-
pondent's vision more like celestial creations than
living vegetating objects of our mundane world.
Let those appreciative souls who have ever felt the
enchanting charm, whereof I write, fancy for a
moment the paradisical scene, where peerless
beauty reigned supreme, and brilliantly bespangled
the placid water with the most lovely, gorgeous,
and odorous flowers possible to behold, and they
will understand the inexpressible feelings the
grateful heart enjoys.

That a love of flowers is natural to civilized
beings, is an acknowledged fact no sensible person
disputes. And when patient industry and skill
combine to perfect or improve the natural graces
of flowers, in the manner my persevering friend
had done — whose indefatigable zeal for that branch
of floriculture is so well known — success is assured,
as was plainly demonstrated then and there. In-
deed, it would be as futile to attempt to "gild the
lily, or paint the rose," in brighter or fairer colors
than their own, as it is to accurately depict the
lovely Nymphaeas in their varied hues from bright
red, to rosy pink, rosy white, pure white, royal purple,
azure blue, delicate blue, and yellow. Individually
possessed, as are all the species of Water Lilies,
with a peculiar beauty of their own, it is exceed-
ingly difficult to decide which excels this, or sur-
passes that one, where all, without exception, are
absolutely superb. The blue and red varieties
being more uncommon than the other kinds, their

splendid flowers seemed to first catch the eye with
their conspicuous charms. Noted examples of
which are N. Devoniensis, N. rubra, N. Zanzibar-
ensis, and the unique seedling of the proprietors, in
honor of whom it is named N. Sturtevanti. Rising
a few inches above the large healthy leaves, many
of which exceeded two feet in diameter, were
numbers of magnificent flowers measuring over
twelve inches across.

These few kinds are merely mentioned as fair
specimens of what were under cultivation.. And
while dilating upon their remarkable attractions,
memory recalls the time, years ago, when the
writer first saw growing in Flinders river, Queens-
land, in distant Austraha, the beautiful large
blue Water Lily, N. gigantea, which is indigenous
to that and other rivers in that interesting colony.
And what particularly renders it noteworthy, is
the recollection of a serious disaster which befell
me, when the boat capsized in which we were
crossing the swollen turbulent stream, among the
greatest profusion of Water Lilies of this spe-
cies, which obstructed our passing through, and
where with the greatest difficulty I was rescued
from drowning. Also of much interest to lovers
of the beautiful, is the crimson Nelumbium Lie-
chardtianum, a most splendid species, I first dis-
covered blooming in the Ballone river, which is
so called after the name the aborigines know the
plant by. It is also a native of the same section
of continent, the peculiar flora of which has been
frequently described.

In addition to a large and choice variety of
Water Lilies, were Ponlederia, Sagittaria, Lim-
nanthemum, Trapa, Junca, Apongeton, Cyperus,
Nupae, Valisnena, Calocasia, Typhea, Zizania,
Phragmites, Trianaea, Azolla, Pistia, Limno-
charis, Hedychium, Papyrus, Ceratopteris thalic-
troides, Nelumbiums in variety, Ouverandra, &c.
Of the last-named, O. fenestralis, the Lace Leaf,
or Lattice plant of Madagascar, is a natural
curiosity, with which nothing else in cultivation
can compare in the vegetable kingdom. The
peculiar structure of its skeletonized leaves closely
resembles the finest samples of rare old point lace,
and may be considered one of the most interesting
plants of the collection.

The persecuted natives of that beautiful, and until
recently, flourishing island, (who were steadily ad-
vancing in civilization, having been successfully
raised from a state ofgross idolatry, through the ef-
forts of protestant missionaries, to a knowledge and
practice of Christianity, and continued to progress
therein, until a meddlesome European power,

■>

whose cupidity for so valuable a possession incited
•them to forcibly seize) make use of the Yam-like
roots of this singular esculent, which are said to be
palatable and nutritious.

As an experiment, Mr. S. had immersed some
six or seven nice plants of this curious genus, in
one of the large tanks in the open air, and which,
to all appearance, were doing as well as those sub-
merged in a tank under glass.

As yet, in my cursory remarks, I have scarcely
alluded to the Nelumbium speciosum, a stately,
odorous, and extremely beautiful aquatic. This
interesting and highly-esteemed plant, has from
remote times, been a favorite in the orient, and,
apparently through the efforts of Mr. S., it is as
hkely to become as popular in this hemisphere as
it is in distant lands. Adjacent to the spacious tank
I have more particularly noticed, is another of the
same dimensions, in which flourish in like manner
to the plants in the first one mentioned, fine clusters
of several species of Nelumbium and other aquat-
ics. From seed sent from Japan, this enterprising
florist has raised a vast number of seedlings, which
he is hopeful will produce something new. Al-
ready a lovely pure white seedling of his, a
charming novelty he highly prizes, has, to his great
delight, displayed its primal loveliness. During
the next summer, I trust my praiseworthy friend
will be well rewarded for his patient pains, with a
number of novelties among his seedling Nelum-
biums.

The next in order was to view the majestic
Victoria regina. which mainly occupied another !
large tank, and of which it is truly said, -this!
great Water Lily of the Amazon is the grandest of i
all aquatics." And yet, notwithstanding the many '
excellent descriptions the most accomplished and
racy writers have given of its regal splendor, they
nevertheless, with all their graphic powers, sig-
nally fail to properly portray its grandeur. Like
the magnificent spectacle of a tropical sunset, it
must be seen to realize how grandly gorgeous is
the glory thereof. To my flower-loving friends, I
would kindly advise them to pay a visit there during
the coming summer, and a pleasant chat with the
successful cultivator, who has for years made a
specialty of growing aquatics, and is consequently
familiar with all that is known about their manage-
ment; besides being well versed in the mythical
lore and fascinating legends,- with which the
historian, poet and novelist have surrounded
them, is an excellent treat, well worth walking
many miles to enjoy.

After examining with the greatest interest im-

aginable, more pretty things than I have men-
tioned, there was still reserved for my admiration
and astonishment, as a grand finale, I suppose, to
the many rare sights I had already seen. To give
an idea as a preface to the prospective pleasure
the gentleman had in store for me, I must quote
his own perspicuous language, verbatim, to wit:
"I have something specially interesting to show
you ; I thi^jk it is the most wonderful exhibition of
plant life to be found outside of the tropics. It
consists of a plantation of Nelumbium speciosum,
naturalized in a mill pond, over which I have
control, two miles from here. It covers about
half an acre, and the growth is most marvelous.
I measured one leaf yesterday, which was three
feet in diameter, on a stalk five feet high. And
many leaf stalks and flower stalks are six and
seven feet high. Some mornings there have been
1 more than one hundred noble flowers open at
I once." Inducements so irresistible were gladly
accepted, and in company with his brother-in-law,
the Rev. Dr. Pease, a missionary at the Caroline
Islands, then on a visit to his sister, Mrs. Sturte-
vant—and who happily proved to be one of the
most agreeable and intellectual companions pos-
sible—and while eagerly listening to his experi-
ence as a devoted missionary among the heathen,
and to his interesting description of the remark-
able fauna* and flora of the Islands, we pleasantly
made our way, in care of our smiling cicerone, to
view the the unparalleled flowery scene.

No cool September morning could possibly be
I more favorable for enjoyment than this was,
j especially after the intense heat which for some
' time previously had been well nigh unbearable,
and had been delightfully tempered with copious
and refreshing showers. The country roads and
lanes were gently winding before us, with the rain
washed grass bordering the sides of the wagon
way, and from which, in picturesque profusion,
grew many handsome wild flowers, bespangled
with dew. As prominent and conspicuous sym-
bols of approaching autumn, were several species

*The species of quadrafauna, indieenious to the group of
islands, are few in number, and small in size ; while the ava"
fauna is more extensive, and of brilliant plumage. There
is much arborescent growth, of a varied character, some
of which attains to fair-sized timber trees ; beneath which,
dense masses of graceful ferns closely cover the ground.'
The Artocarpus, or Breadfruit, and Cocoanut trees, bear
abundantly. Of useful herbaceous growth is the Pandanus
fruit, of which the natives distinguish sixty varieties, which
have an acid flavor ; while one species is decidedly sweet.
Tiic Banana too, freely yields immense croi)S of wholesome
fruit. But Yams, and Taro, a species of Caladium, are
mainly relied upon for the general supply of food.

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[January,

of Solidago. or golden rod; Vervain, Eupatori-
um, Achilla, Astragalus, Rudbeckia, Elecampane,
Vernonia, Gnaphalium, etc.; with some pretty
kinds of Asters, which were then in the zenith of
their glory. In this instance, these comely way-
side flowers were not "born to blush unseen."
As we passed along the road, from many a trellis
and arbor, about the cosy cottages and comfort-
able farm houses, came the fruity or venous smell
of ripe grapes; while the thrifty orchards were re-
dolent with the pleasant odor of mellow, rosy-
cheeked apples and peaches, which in the great-
est abundance were bending the boughs.

Through rural scenes like these where every-
body seemed prosperous and happy, we ap-
proached the romantic leafy spot among the
bushes— through which we made our way by de-
scending zigzag paths to a secluded dell through
which ran a clear brook, and by banking up
across its course, lower down, was formed a large
lake-like mill-dam. By the tree fringed margin
of which, in measured monotony, rumbled the
mill. Much amazed with the beautiful and as-
tounding sight so suddenly presented on reaching i
the bottom of the flowery glen. I silently looked
on for a while, unable to express my delight and
surprise which the scene occasioned. Our guide
having provided himself with a water-proof suit
to put on when gathering water flowers, which
are readily disposed of among the Philadelphia
florists—waded into the water among uncountable
numbers of large peltate, shield-like foliage, borne
on footstalks varying from three to five feet high
and above which, waved the many tall and
splendid rosy tinted floral scepters of the famed
Nelumbium speciosum. One of these, when laid
at my feet, measured over eight feet in length. It
was both interesting and amusing to watch them
while moving and swaying about, with the balmy
zephyrs wantonly playing among the sweet flowers.
The leaves gently yielding to the soft pressure,
seemed to gracefully bow. with more becoming
elegance and ease than either the polite Brum-
mell, or courteous Chesterfield were capable of, in
their true allegiance to the life giving sun-god
above, to which all mutually turned.

Convincing proofs were before me that I had
realized all, and even more than was promised,
and, as was to be expect 'd, I felt highly pleased
with what had seen. Their luxuriant growth
plainly ind.oated how thoroughly they were accli- :
mated, o naturalized, where they had passed '
through .wo severe winters unhindered. With
these facts before us, it is to be hoped we shall

1886.]

see a more extensive cultivation of them in the
future, as in any fair sized tub, tank, aquarium,
pond, or water hole, they may be grown.

In regard to this ancient and historical plant,
we may infer from the statement of such an ob-
servant and well informed person as was the late
J. C. Loudon, that " the holy Cyamus, or Pytha-
igorian bean of antiquity, is the product of the
Nelumbium, a stately aquatic, which abounds in
! all the hotter countries of the East,;^here the roots
are frequently used as food." That many senti-
j mental writers have often seen fit to laud the lovely
I Water Lilies is well known ; and that two of the
most popular authors of their time did not deem
these elegant flowers beneath their notice, is
evident, from the following remark :

*' The \vater lily in the liji^ht
Her chalis raised in silver bright,"

Was undoubtedly N. album, which Scott must
I have frequently found floating on the bosom of
many a pellucid pool, tranquil lake, or lonely forest
mere, so common to the sequestered glens of the
land of the heather bell and bonnie broom.

While another enraptured poet, possibly Moore,
than whom, none could discern and gather
"Fancy's briUiant flowers" more skilfully than
himself essays to unite in poetic wreaths with
the real ones. These were plentiful about the
remarkable waterfalls, picturesque cascades and
fountains in the Vale of Cashmere, celebrated
for its romantic beauty ; and who, when enamored
with the angelic charms of some eastern maid,
naturally invokes, as guileless witnesses to his
ardent passion, in poetic fancy, of course,

"The flowers of the valley all beiuling with dew,
And the sweet water lily of ex(iuisite blue ;"

AND HORTICULTURIST.

This lovely blue, star-like flower, travelers in that
country have oftentimes admired, I suppose, would
be N. stellata. And no more flowery theme, I
opine, could possibly be chosen than to extol the
transcendent beauty with so pleasantly suggestive
a name, as our native rosy sweet-scented aquatic
the famed Water Lily of Cape Cod, N. odorata
roseum, of which kind, Mr. S. grows largely.
And it yet remains for some gentle bard to softly
sound his lute, and sing a melodious lay to so fair
a flower.

In summing up these desultory remarks, I must
truly admit that the refulgent glory of the
Nymphaeas, Nelumbiums, and other interesting
plants, were, on the day I went to see them, too
beautiful ever to forget. And while penning my
impressions of them, in imagination, I see them
still as lovely as when I actually gazed upon them.

borne above, or floating upon the glassy surface of
the water, which glistened in the beams of the morn-
ing sun. The subtle shades of exquisite coloring,
which showed the marvellous touches of the Master,
no earthly artist could imitate ; and the beauty of
which, for want of proper language to express the
magnificence thereof, I am compelled to abruptly
close the subject. Mounf Holly, N. J.

STEAM HEATING A SUCCESS.

BY AN OHIOAN.

It appears to be a weakness with a good many
florists to multiply the number of feet of glass
they own, especially when bringing themselves
before their brother florists. E. Hippard's green-
houses as described by N. B. Stover, as containing
over 12,000 feet of glass, cannot (according to my
measurements a few days ago) be anything but a
mistake. I could not make out much more than
the half of this amount, but perhaps I cannot
measure so correctly as Mr. Stover. The ground
occupied by the houses covers only a space of be-
tween 5,000 and 6,000 square feet; and how 12,-
000 feet of glass can be put on this I know not.
Now, as to the price of coal, the meanest kind of
bituminous slack can be had on the track for one 1
dollar per ton of 2.000 pounds, and Mr. Hippard i
having no horse of his own, would have to hire \
the hauling, which would not be less than twenty-
five cents per ton ; this would make the slack de-
Hvered, ^1.25 per ton. I consider, however, that
for heating greenhouses, that at the very least one
ton of hard coal is worth two tons of soft coal,
even good lump coal, and certainly worth a good
deal more than poor slack.

Therefore, Mr. Chaapel, do not leave Pennsylva-
nia and come to Ohio expecting to have your
greenhouses heated for almost nothing. Although
Youngstown is right in the centre of a mining
district it costs just about as much to the florists
to heat their greenhouses here as it does in the
east.

It takes a certain amount of heating material
to heat a given amount of water sufficiently to make
steam, and I consider there is just as little waste
heat passes off from the Exeter heating apparatus
of Mr. Chaapel's as from the locomotive boiler
of Mr. Hippard's. And furthermore, from what
I have seen of both boilers, I consider that one
ton of hard coal in the Exeter boiler will pro-
duce as much steam as two tons of our lump
coal costing $2.00 per ton, will produce in the ,
locomotive boiler.

I know from considerable practice, that one ton
of hard coal in a Hitching's corrugated boiler will
maintain a higher temperature for the same time,
than two tons of our best block bituminous coal. '

There are two classes of people daily to be met
with. The one is continually trying to make out
how much can be accomplished without much
outlay. The other is just ihe reverse, making
everything cost much more than it really does.
The first is the more hurtful in the florist busi-
ness, and has been the means of making many a
one spend much time in trying to get something
for nothing.

[It has often been felt that a definition of "feet
of glass" would be very desirable, as the ex-
pression is very indefinite as it stands. Some,
and we think this is the general idea, understand
the square feet of roof surface, but we are told
others include the square feet of the glass sides-
and gable ends when there are any. Then there
I are some who mean by a thousand feet of glass,
a thousand square feet of earth surface covered
by glass. None of these definitions will tell just
what it is desirable to know when we talk about
heating, namely, the number of cubic feet of air
in the house the heating apparatus has to warm ;
but still the number of " feet of glass " gives an
approximation, and it is well to keep up the ex-
pression. But we should like an expression of
opinion whether it would not be better to have it
generally understood that "feet of glass" means
square feet of earth surface.— Ed. G. M.]

FIRE HEAT AND PLANTS.
BY N. ROBERTSON.

Although I write from a climate putting a severe
test on fire heat in its relation to plants, owing to
the long duration of its winters, some of my re-
marks may apply to those more favorably situated
than we are. The length of time we have to sub-
mit to artificial heat without any ventilation
makes it a point of consideration how far nature
will bear this without detrimental effects. I am
no admirer of strong fire heat for many plants
now subjected to it, but find in many cases that
a more moderate temperature is better. To argue
that fire heat and sun heat are two different
things, as regards plant growth, would be un-
necessary. Every plant grower must] be aware of
that. The one is accompanied bya^Jull cloudy
sky, the other with light and natural he ,Lso bene-
ficial as seen in all flowering plants, i ule sun,
few flowers, is the general rule.

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[January,

1886.]

My argument is that there are many plants sub- Then I say. avoid as much as possible this
jected to this forced heat because they are from a overstraining fire heat, and you will find the ad-
tropical climate, and will endure no other, live, vantage of it in the end ; remembering that much
and be in health. My experience has taught me of your success will depend on the care you take
a different lesson. I shall not enumerate the in watering. I may be thought conflicting with
many cases in which I have practiced with most the florists whose great aim is to supply the
favorable results. I will leave these trials for per- market with flowers, regardless often of the du-
sons themselves to find out. One point I may re- ration of plants, or with the propagator who must
mark is, that much of the success will depend on have heat to enable him to be successful. My
the manner in which water is applied. Those aim is only intended for those who grow plants for
plants must not be deluged with water so as to the decoration of their homes for permanent
make the soil cold and clammy. The soil used beauty. Supt Gov. Grounds, Canada,
in this state must not be of a close binding nature,
or your trials are sure to be a failure. No more
water must be applied than just sufficient. The
oft repeated " drain-perfectly " must be perfect.
One thing has proved to me, that if a plant

AND HORTICULTURIST.

STEAM HEATING A SUCCESS.
BY N. B. STOVER.

In reply to Mr. Harry Chaapel's communication

is much subjected to insects, this change will in November number of the Gardeners' Month-
greatly ameliorate that condition. What I pre- ly, I admit my communicaion was rather a query,
fer is. to grow my tropical plants in the sum- for the reason that I had not mentioned the price
mer, and then retain their beauty through the of fuel.

winter months. Continued forcing has a weak- j I certainly do not know what Mr. Chaapel's
enmg effect. Take the lower temperature boiler is capable of doing, or whether it is a fancy
plants, and subject them even to their native tern- ' or a common critter ; but this much I do know,
perature by the fire heat, and you will soon see that our boiler is by no means fancy, but on the
how they will succumb to all sorts of disease and contrary, a very homely looking thing that eats
msects. There is no doubt but the great outcry any kind of stuff you give it.

so frequently heard is caused by overstraining We used the past very cold winter ninety
nature's ability to perform her functions quicker tons of Saw-mill Run slack, at ^i.oo per ton de-
than she is able properly to mature them. Ever- livered at our place. This slack cokes over nicely,
greens are nearly always treated as ever-growers, and keeps a good hot fire for a long time, con-
due respect seldom being paid to a resting season, sidering the large amount of condensing surface.
In a climate such as ours, where our houses may We fired from one to every three hours, according
be said to be hermetically sealed for at least five to the state of the weather.

months of the year, with no possibility of venti- I have no doubt that many others of the readers

lation under our present system of ventilating, ' of the Gardeners' Monthly were as much sur-

opening ventilators causing cold draughts from the prised as Mr. Chaapel. at the low cost of fuel for

outside, would destroy any thing in close proxim- heating such a large amount of glass ; and I

ity to them, and above all things to be avoided. ' probably was more surprised than anyone. There

An excessive night temperature is probably is, and has been, quite a controversy in regard to

the greatest drawback. In many instances where I the heating of greenhouses by steam, for and

no night fireman is kept, in cold weather strong ' against. The general complaint is because the

fires are made up late in the night, so as to retain expense connected therewith, generally costing

heat enough until morning. When this fire burns more fuel than hot water; therefore I consider

up, a high temperature is attained, but by morn- ' our plan and fixtures a success.

ing It is down to almost freezing. Some will tell Our place is not very distant from Mr. Chaapel,

you nature often does this very same thing, but I and a call would no doubt give him quite a relief,

don't think they would consider it favorable to and better the condition of his purse a few hun-

vegetation. A strong night temperature I have a dred dollars. We will, or at least Mr. Hippard

great aversion to. Plants should have a quiet will, entertain him free of expense while staying

time of rest during the night, or exhaustion must here. ^400 for heating the same amount of glass

follow. All dimes, as far as I am aware, show a that we heat for $90. is quite a difference, and

decrease of temperature in a greater or less degree certainly I think there must be something wrong

^^ ^^"^^^' I somewhere. Youngstown, O.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Culture of Aquatics.— The efforts of Mr. E.

D. Sturtevant, of Bordentown, N. J., to make

popular the culture of water plants, has met with

considerable success, if we may judge by pretty

g tanks, occasionally seen. One of the most at-

^ tractive features of Fairmount Park last year, was

the water plants. Whoever has water may have

these pretty things, and tubs sunk in the ground

will do for those who have no natural ponds.

LOPEZIA MINIATA FOR CUT FLOWERS.— The

Germans make as much use of this lovely rose-
colored flower, as we do of Stevia or Alyssum. for
winter cut flower work. The smallest bunch of
flowers in that country is considered incomplete
without a few sprigs of Lopezia.

William Francis Bennett Rose. — Some
small plants flowered in France last year, and the
growers are inclined to go into ecstasies over it.

Red Spider.— Red spider, (Acarus telarius) is
a minute mite of microscopic size, and is first seen
with the naked eye as a red moving speck. The
genus to which it belongs (Acarus) contains an
enormous number of species, mostly parasitic in
their habits, either upon plants or animals. The
present species mostly begins to attack exotics
when they are young and tender. The female red
spider deposits its numerous eggs upon the under-
side of leaves; they are exceedingly small, whit-
ish, and scattered over the leaves. The larvse, as
hatched, resemble their parents save in size;
when mature they are of a dark brown color and
slightly hairy. Like spiders and mites in general,
they moult several times before reaching maturity.'
They spin for themselves silken webs, which
shelter them from weather and other influences.—
Gardening Illustrated,

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Insect on Smilax.— A correspondent from
Allegheny, Pa., sent us some insects a few months
ago, which in a note in the Monthly we said
might be the ordinary Black fly or Aphis of green-
houses. There were only a few, and fast to the
bottom of the bottle, and we could not get them
out without filling with water, and shaking them
up and out. We understand that another florist,
afflicted by what he believes the same insect on
smilax, sent a few to Prof. Riley, who pronounces
them a species of Haltica, an ally of the turnip
fly. Tobacco smoke would hardly destroy these,
as they would fall to the ground where the smoke |

would not be dense, and come up again. Prof.
Riley says insect powder is the best remedy.

Names of Night Blooming Cactuses "J.

i H. S." New Haven, Conn., notes: "In number for
October, page 299. ' W. P.' Oswego, N. Y.. seems
to have mistaken Cereus nycticaulis for C. grandi-
florus, and what he calls C. latifrons is without
doubt Phyllocactus Hookerii."

Variety of Farfugium.— Mr. R. L. Blair,
Des Moines, Iowa, writes: "In the August
Monthly, you say Farfugium grande is the only
variety worthy of cultivation. I send you by
mail to-day a box of leaves from a variety I have,
which I consider finer than F. grande, and of
equally as good growth. These leaves were cut
from a large specimen in a 1 2-inch pot. The mark-
ings of white, cream, and pink are very beautiful
and distinct, no two leaves being alike; some are
all white, some half white and green, others green
and white stripe. I should like to know the name."

[The inquiry in the August number had refer-
ence to species of Farfugium. The leaves sent
are still but a variety of F. grande, but yet are,
from a horticultural point of view, very distinct
from the old form. Instead of merely spotted as
that one is, these are full striped, or as the gard-
ener would say, variegated.- Ed. G. M.]

A Rose that will not Flower «*J. H.,"

Ardmore, Pa., writes: "I have had a Reina Maria
Henrietta growing upon a rafter in my green-
house for three years and it has not yet bloomed.
I pruned it the first year, and the second year I
did not prune it at all— at the present time it covers
a space twenty feet long on one side of the green-
house from the ridge half way down the side and
it is sending up six shoots about an inch in cir-
cumference. I would be obliged to you, or would
be glad to have some of your readers suggest some
mode of treatment that would cause it to bloom."
[No one can do more than guess at the stub-
bornness of this rose, except on general principles.
One would have to see in order to give special ad-
vice. In a general way, a rose only flowers freely
when it has an abundance of direct sunlight.
A house shaded by numerous thick heavy rafters!
or one that has numerous dirty "laps" to the
panes of glass, or one with a flattish roof that
permits only the direct sun's rays at mid-day,
these or other similar conditions would operate
against a free flowering.

Or there may be a too free vigor of growth
from some cause, and this would be against a
floriferous condition.— Ed. G. M.]

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[January,

1886.]

Fmu' and Vegetable Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS. and orchards from the pleasure which gardening

Xh„ „„ 1 u J ■ , affords, quite as much as from the mere amount

The people who garden simply to get something of - truck " the ground produces. Hence the Sea

to eat. m most cases will do better by buying what sonable Hints we give have quiie as much L do'

Rivers' Early Prolific Cherry,
they want from some pedlar, in market, or some | with questions of superiority in fruits and veee-
other place; but most of our readers have gardens j tables, as with the exact market value thereof.

AND HORTICULTURIST.

But we are not so sure that those who take
pleasure m superiority, are not also the ones who
make the most money, for there is always a good
demand for superior articles, no matter how much
the market may be glutted with poor fruit. We
make these remarks now, because, when in a
past year we recommended that an orchard of
apple or other fruit trees should have a good
dressing of manure at this season, especially if
the orchard be in grass, it was objected in one
quarter that a poor farmer could not afford to
manure an orchard. But there can be no question

twenty-five. An apple some years ago that
measured twelve inches in circumference, would
probably be characterized as being "some pump,
kins ; some brought to market here this year must
have exceeded this by two or three inches. Both
our farmers and our gardeners deserve great credit
for their enterprise in keeping even with the times

Our orchardists are, however, chargeable with
the very common fault of permitting their trees to
be injured by over-production.

I thought I was thorough enough this year
wl" 1"! f_"' °^" T'^' .^-'^'-^d P-- from a

but that to lead to the be Tec s wU^Ss Z Seel" U °"' °^" '^^'^^ hundred pears from a
land must be either naturallv ri.h n . I c f '^ '" •"yg^-'den to lighten the crop, but I

some artificial VertihlTn mr:r: ^^^^ ^°,"^^^^ '^""'^^^'^ ^"'^ «"^ P-s °n i

we frequently note. i„ sLe parts o7 the worfd laUer part of T "^7 '"°"^' '° ^^"'^^ '" *^«
where Pvpn fV,. .i:^... ... • .^ . . ' ^ ^^^^^' ^^"^^ P^^^ of August. It is questionable if th;<;

near thrkurrV. «^i j . ""^

where even the climate is just suited to a given
<rmt, yet those who would excel will take great
pains with their culture.
The cherry is an illustration. The English

pear though embraced among the early kinds
which are best ripened in the house, is not fre-
quently gathered sooner than it should be
Sheldon, Lawrence, and Winter Nelis, all have

wh!Jh n"'' '"'^ ^''°"" '" ^ '^^S« P°' « that,
which will give some idea of what we mean

Suppose we could get all the cherries we wanted

( eaf inr o ^. *„„ 1 . -

to eat, for a quarterfw,; : ; ^n t giTe I^ ^ ^ l^came oT ""f' ^^ '^^^" ^'^^^'^ -'^ ">«
<io lar for a bunch like these ? '"' '^"- ^ ' "d IZTLI T!" ^^^^-^^ ^ -on

dollar for a bunch like these ?

wh'l''! T \^^' ^^'"""^ ^''"y *™^ : but only those
who take pleasure in the art can do it.

(r..:t ^„ J 6'""iu, una tne

fruit seemed very promising. It was long and

smooth, shaped somewhat like a musk-melon, and
eft on the tree until the leaves ripened and the

COMMUNICATIONS.

WESTERN PENN^^ANIA NOTES ON

FRUITS.
BY A. H.

1 , , ^ - -- -v^v^.i aaouxucu a lemon

color and looked finely, but when opened most
of the specimens were discolored and decayed
and when not so, unfit to be eaten. Possibly in
another climate on a different soil they may be
much better. It ripens south in summe'r. her'e in

I think there is no department of fruit, in which

grapes T ha" ^'h ™°" ^^-^^-^^^'^ than in
grapes. I have tried some fifteen or twenty var-
ieties, and rejected them one after the other ; and
It makes one smile to look over old catalogues and
see the eulogiums bestowed upon them when they
were first brought out ^

yi\°!'r!^l^°!^^''^ P-'t'- -11, but some

With the exception of peaches which were an
entire failure, and some occasional apple orchards,
the fruit season here has been a very favorable one

with strawberries, first from the fir south S 1 1 a "' '^^ ^'"" ^°' ^^^'"^S 'he berries

then from home gardens unm the tier. oh ' °"'- ^*"'"^" ^""^ ^^d Wyoming aJe

to four and five' cents per quart' Priml and '' "h "°" '■ °""^' ^""^ "P^" '""''^ ^^^^ ^^^l but
Manchesters, that would o'nce Lve astoSed the j loeTnTset its tl'' '""u "^''"^ ^''''- ^"'''^'^^^
world, had to compete with several novelties the las^twll. ' '" "'°'' P^'^'^^le than

equally large and attractive, lately introduced tronj t Ir'J T" T"'" """'""'^^^ ^^^-^

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[January,

1886.)

■i

iii|

has ripened fully this year with me without fire
heat.

I wish some of your correspondents would give
some efficient remedy for thrip. One cannot use
burning sulphur on account of the foliage. To-
bacco smoke taints the fruit. I thought I had
nearly gotton rid of them last year, but this season
they came back in full force, entering I think
through the wire screens of the windows. Burn-
ing paper saturated with kerosene in a wire cup
attached to a long handle, and passing it rapidly
over the vines, 'avoiding the fruit, does very little
injury to the foliage, and destroys many of the
insects ; and they can be reached to still greater
advantage on a warm day when they congregate
at the apex ot the vinery to enjoy the heat. But
what the amateur cultivator wants is something
that does no injury to man, foliage, or fruit, but will
fully and successfully banish or destroy the insects.

I have, at writing, got all my out-door vines
trimmed to red wood ; laid down and covered
with leaves for the winter, and advise all of your
northern readers to do the same.

Meadville, Pa., Nov. 2nd, 1885.

II I

-»-♦-

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Strawberries in Buckets. — The New Haven
News says:

*' Portable strawberry beds are the latest in
the long list of inventions of the nineteenth
century, and in a few years every citizen who has
a little patch of garden, or a sunny spot on the
roof of his house, can raise strawberries all the
year round. These beds have three or four ad-
vantages over the old-fashioned style, which can-
not be over-estimated. All the disadvantages of
wind, rain and drought are done away with. Be-
tween Branford and Guilford is a back road that
is little travelled, and on one of the loneliest,
rockiest, and most generally forlorn clearings
lives the man who is destined to revolutionize the
market gardening of the future. He is an aged
negro rejoicing in the appellation of Caesar John-
son. A reporter, with a taste for the wild and
beautiful in nature, and who had saved up three
months' salary and hired a team and taken a
friend to ride, chanced to drive past the habitation
of Caesar, a day or two ago, and was surprised to
see the old man sitting in front of his house, re- !
garding, with an air of pride, three or four fine
specimens of strawberries.

"'Where in the world did you get those?'
he asked, as he drew up his animated quadruped,
and forgot all about his companion and the fact |
that horse hire goes by the hour.

"*I growed 'em,* said Caesar, as he calmly de-
voured a berry that would bring 25 cents in the
New York market.

You grew them ? How ? *

*' ' Yes, sar, I done growed them in buckets.
You jess come and see.'

"The reporter followed, and sure enough back of
the hovel, on a bench, stood twenty pails, each
with a flourishing strawberry plant. Some of the
plants were covered with blossoms, and on the
others the deep and delicately greenish white of
the ripe and unripe fruit, peeped from under
luxuriant leaves.

'• * You see dem pails is mighty handy to take
round,' explained Caesar as he held one up in
each hand for the news gatherer's inspection. ' I
done made a lot of them pails, and fill'em up wid
de blackest kind of wood dirt. Den once a week
I cuts a runner off an old plant, and puts it in a
fresh pail, and that way I keeps a fresh stock.
Dese old plants can stand de cold, so I leabs dem
out, until late in the afternoon, but the young 'uns»
dey looks kinder peaked if I lets dem be out, ex-
cept in de middle ob de day.*

••The roof of the house was mostly composed
of old sashes neatly glazed, and in the centre of
the garret floor stood an old wood stove, which
kept the temperature at summer heat. There
were more pails, each containing plants of dif-
ferent ages which Caesar explained would bear all
winter if he did not forget and let the fire go out.**

Meech's Prolific Quince. — It has become
the fashion of late years for some one who knows
to see nothing but old kinds of fruits in popular
new varieties. Out of so many old forms disap-
pearing, it would be remarkable if some of the
seedlings did not occasionally resemble some of
the original kinds. Indeed we are confident that
there is often no difference between new forms
and kinds popular a quarter of a century or more
ago. But what signifies this? If the old ones
get enervated, subject to disease, and dwindle out
generally, a seedling with health is desirable, even
though the old form should be exactly repro-
duced. We would give a great deal if some one
would give us a seedling of the old Butter pear
or White Doyenne, which would not crack, even
though every lineament of the parent were repro-
duced. Meech's Quince is going through this
ordeal, some good judges seeing no difference be-
tween fruit of this and the Champion. This may
all be, and yet the new introduction be a very
desirable kind. The proper place to decide the
value of a new introduction should be in the field
among the growing plants, and in comparison with
the kinds it is believed to resemble growing near
it, rather than by a plate of fruit at a country fair.

Miner's Prolific Strawberry — has been
found at the Agricultural College of Michigan, a
wonderful berry as grown here on rich soil and
with good culture ; productive, large, firm, quality
good. It equaled the Sharpless in size. During

AND HORTICULTURIST.

~ ^^ 19

the first two or three pickings the berrif^<; hnH 'hv i \ ' " —

^^ j^.^Miigs iiie oerries. nad

green tips similar to the Bidwell, but these colored
up well as the main pickings began.

Cherry, Molmanne DuKE.-The Revue HorH-
coe considers this a valuable late cherry, ripening
after Belle de Choisey. In France they have had
the fruit till the 15th of September. ^

The Jessica GRAPE.-This Canadian seedling
was noted in our columns last year, and is said to
liave given great satisfaction in Canada last year.

American Grape in EuROPE.~The planta-
tions of American Phylloxera.proof grapes in
^urope are getting to be enormous. We learn
by an Italian journal that at Sassara. in Italy
20,000 were set out in one spot.

The Industry GoosEBERRY._In the old world

- — ^-^^^^ivrci. — 111 iiie oia woria
I^V™! '' °^ '"' consequence than here, this •^" "" ^^^n winter. Such an"artrde witV'fiTnT
goes by the name of Wyndham's Industry, and "-""""^ f°r building would. I believe ^
some pomologisis are inclined to bastinado Amer- ^'^"''^■' ' ^^^'^^

w. .. ^ ..^.laiii a iimuscry, anc
some pomologisis are inclined to bastinado Amer-
icans for changing the name to disguise its Eng-
ish ongm. Not at all. but we cannot tolerate a
long name.

The Florence Cherrv. _ The Car^.n.n^
!!!rf „ .f " '^'' °''' E"^0Pean variety, and

heads in soil but of moderate fertility.

A New Bt;LL.NosE PEPPER.-h is said that a
new g,ant has been produced in the old world tlLt

broad. Good news for the lovers of pepper sauce.

1 HE S.-ILAMANDER LETTUCE.-This Variety is

sa,d to head under warm weather very well when
other varieties are disposed to run to seed

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Fruit Rooms._"E. W. VV." of Yantic Conn

:::s::-r'T'' --^^'^ '"'-' ^'^^^^

article on 'I- ru,tRooms.-andthegeneraIlyacceDted
P an ^ eserving pears and grapes int'o the e

, / !" :'?'r- ^-•'. - -'-.e with full di-

ciated.'

exac!''n.^'" '^7^- °' ''"'' "=^ '° °«"- '» others
exact plans of fruit rooms suitable to any one

person s wants, and hence it is not attempL in

books and seldom in periodicals in recem'ume"

^ ^ ^_. ..,„,. ana r I r'^""""'" ^'""''' P^'"^'P'" of use to

wonders that it is not more known. It is gi'v'en as I hr''^'^' "'"'^'^ " "'^^ ^e of service to give
forming- a hnnrh^fr...:. . . . s'ven as here. ^^ give

forming a bunch of fruit over five inches wide, and
with 2. cherries on the face view side of the bunch
Certainly i, this is a fair sample of its averag^
condi ion. It ought to be in American collections
as well as more freely in those of Europe.

The Cumberland STRAWBERRy._Mr. D M
Dunning after a good look through Rochester'

Sable'" ^""''r'^"^ ^' P°--'"^ 'he Toll
desirable qualities for all purposes in that section

who w^Ji 7 "°''' I' "" ^"'"' "^"-"'"g 'o 'hose
namel" f r C'!''^'^--^ ^^ -^ unweildly

Fruit houses are for preserving apples pears
or grapes, but chiefly the two former, and ;speci

vary somewhat in each case, and hence if one
would be perfect, he should have a separate house
or each class. If one be a fruit grow r on ^
large scale he would certainly do this, but in a
general way when we are asked how best to build
a fruit house, it is taken for granted that the in
qmrer is an amateur, who wants a house suited to
the wants of his family, and in which the products

Ot his {Tarr on ar.^ ^..^i j . ^ "uucib

__ wanted. It must be a <nrt r.f ^ :u

cut it down one-half.
The Jones Pear.-How long it takes for a good

wanted. It must be a sort of omnibus. Tapab l
of containing all his fruit of whatever ki^d
Now the enemies of the fruit-keeper are heat

SISture nnrl f,-r>c, 'n,./. ■■ ^ "rt, neat.

fk;_ . """s "^ "K^es lor a irood ° — ""jiiuilui wnatever t nH

thing to get well known is illustrated by the Jones ''^^ '^e enemies of the fruit-keeper a'; heat
pear. Here is a variety that is full worthy to rank ' '^°''^"'^- a-'d frost. The fruit room m,„t Z? .

autunin kind, and yet its name does not appear in ^° "'"'^'^ '"'''^- '^^ -" '-• " P"''""'^^

CAUUFLOWER, ChALO.V PERFECriON.-Those

who love pretty vegetables as well as handsome
flowers regard this as a creat adv;,nr» • , ""^
over older ^ir.^. r^uJ^^l ^"^^.^"^ '" heauty

«o n h „ , ^,^ being\;"ke;TMr
4,o If possible. No condensation of moislurl
must take place within the building, and ere
must be ..eans provided for ventilatio . that i o
let out the superabundant moisture ha. may
evaporate from the fruit, or admit colder air hoM
the temperature get too dry. The apple will bear
more moisture fV.o,, *u . ^^ ^^ "^^^

over older kinds. The s^Leir;; Cbril T '"'''"''"" ^^' '°° ^'■^- ^he ap^ le wi lb r
snow, and almost as smooth as ivory.'M '^^c tl" peTr" '^ sl' T ''t ''^'^^ '"' '^'^^P^ •■^-

P .the pear. Some fruit-keepers think darkness fav-

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[January,

orable to the preservation of fruit, but we have
not noticed any disadvantage in light, and should
certainly have light enough to see everything
clearly in the room.

In order to be safe from frost, some have ar-
rangements for a little artificial heat in very severe
weather, but to our mind it is better without. It
is very difficult to know just what the low tem-
perature may be, and we may sometimes have
the heat too high, or the temperature get too low.
This will be hable to occur, if even the owner
himself take in hand to watch the thermometer,
and much more likely if the matter is left to the
discretion of some employee. To make abso-
lutely safe against frost, it was at one time the
fashion to build the fruit room in part or wholly
below ground ; but they so often became too
damp and too warm, that few do this now, though
we do not know why it might not be made proof
against these dangers, if some judgment were dis-
played in the construction. The most approved I
method is to have the building wholly above j
ground, and to have double or treble walls. In |
climates where the temperature does not go much j
below zero, a well-constructed double wall, with
double doors and double window sash, would
be quite safe. P^or greater security, supposing
the walls to be wood, the inside faces of the
double wall should be lined with felt. The
roof also must be double, with a provision for
a ventilator, if it should be found necessary to use
one. This, however, may not be required, if win-
dows are so arranged that there can be a current
of air passed through now and then. Air, how-
ever, should not be given, except when the tem-
perature outside equals that within, or there will
be a troublesome condensation of moisture, which
is what we try to avoid. The interior should be
a mass of shelves on which the fruit is to be
spread, and so arranged as to be easy of access to
observe and to handle the fruit. The fruit may
be several courses thick on the shelves, even
heaped without injury, provided we secure the
best conditions for preserving them. Hay may be
placed over the fruit if there is danger of frost
penetrating ; but this should be avoided if possi-
ble, because a fruit house should be a show
house equal to a greenhouse of pretty flowers;
and there is no more beautiful sight in the world,
to which to invite a friend, than a well-ordered
fruit house, with every one of the varieties on its
own separate shelf, and presenting to the beholder
the most glorious reasons for its existence.

Of course, if the full measure of pleasure in fruit

1886.]

growing is not desired ; if we feel on a level with
the be*ast that perisheth, and only want to lay up
something to eat, in as cheap and secure a way
as possible, the fruit may be carefully selected to
see that no "specked" ones are included, packed
in barrels and "stowed away anywhere in a cool
place secure from frost," as the books have it.

We have given here a sketch of such a fruit
house as we have in our mind, though seen some
years since. Some of our readers may know of
something that would give some additional sug-
gestion for which we should be glad to make room.

A fruit house for preserving fruits on a large scale
by those who want to grow for market might also
be desirable to many, and though these must be
based on the principles we have laid down, there
must be later modifications in some fruit centers
of which it would be very interesting to know.

A Promising Seedling Peach.— A Richmond,
Va., correspondent says : " Noticing your remarks
on Mr. Shearer's 'Globe' peach, has inspired
me to mention a seedling that I have, which
might be judged by those capable of knowing, far
superior to the Globe. The description answers
very well for mine, except as to the size and
weight. Among the finest fruit gathered this
season, which is its second fruiting year, the tree
being four years old, were some which measured
eleven and three-quarter inches in circumference,
and weighed ten and a half ounces ; with the
balance of the crop correspondingly large. It has
a most delicious flavor, and is looked upon by my
neighbors as something of the extraordinary in
size and beauty. Unfortunately I have no fruit
left to send you. It ripens about the first of Oc-
tober. It has caused considerable interest among
some of our nurserymen ; but being only a florist
and not knowing its probable value as yet, I have
kept it out of their hands until I can learn more
about it. I would be glad to hear through the
columns of the Monthly, if, from what I have
written, you think it is a new variety, and if likely
to be a good one."

[Seedling peaches are so numerous that it re-
quires something more than " very good" to make
a new introduction popular. For a market peach,
one that will not easily decay by bad usage is a
good point, and there are many others that can
only be judged of by one actually growing the
tree, and comparing with other kinds growing in
the same vicinity. So far as it is possible to judge
from a mere description, the peach of our cor-
respondent seems of value.— Ed. G. M.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

FORESTR Y.

COMMUNICATIONS.

TEA CULTURE IN THE SOUTH.
BY MRS. D. WALKER.

In one of last year's numbers of the Gardeners'
Monthly, I gave an account of the success of
our tea plants, which this autumn are profusely
covered with bloom and buds. The bushes have
much increased in diameter, are perfectly healthy,
strong and vigorous, with dark heavy foliage.'
They seem impervious to drought and floods, and
vie with our native evergreens in beautifying the
garden.

Now, about planting the seeds collected last
year from our own bushes. The ground where
they were to be planted was thoroughly mulched,
the soil naturally being very sandy. The seeds
were dropped on the ground and left uncovered.
No further care was given, the weeds for the
whole of the past season not being removed.

At this time, there are a hundred or more fine
thrifty plants covering the spot ; proving, indis-
putably, that tea can be grown in this State, and
surely such an industry should not be overlooked.
What difficulty could there be in importing some
Chinese who are accustomed to the manipulation
of the leaves; and. in short, understand the proper
process of preparing the tea for market ?

Assam and other East Indian teas are largely
imported into Europe, and commonly drunk. !
There can be no doubt as to their excellent flavor.
While in England this summer, I drank Assam
tea every day, and thought it much superior to our
ordinary black tea, for which we pay (retail) $1.10
per pound.

Another fact is worth reporting. In England,
the duty on tea is twelve cents a pound; here
there is no duty, and good tea is far more expen-
sive than abroad.

Summerville, Charleston, S. C, Nov. 8th, 1885.

[This note is very acceptable as keeping before
the community a topic it is apt to forget. There
is no reason for doubt that the tea plant will grow
as well, and produce as good tea in portions of
the Southern sea-board States, as in China. The
whole question is reduced to one of cost of pro-
duction. The introduction of Chinese labor would
not help the question in the least. All experience

has shown that every new locality must be a law
unto itself. In the early history of vine-growing
in America, it was thought essential to import
vine dressers from the vineyards of Europe.
Their art was of no value here, and vine-growing
was not a success until we cut loose wholly from
the experiences of the old world. The most suc-
cessful vineyardists of to-day never saw the old
world. And this must be true of tea culture.
When some enterprising young man shall take
hold of the tea question, note well just where its
weaknesses are, and go resolutely to work to
strengthen these points, tea culture will be one of
the most profitable industries of the South. And
that person and that time will surely come.— Ed
G. M.J

THE SO-CALLED HARDY CATALPA.
BY T. T. LYON.

Under the above heading, the Monthly, in the
number for December, at page 371, refers to a
Bulletin (No. 7) of the Agricultural College of
Michigan, which alleges that Catalpas, bignoni-
oides and speciosa, and also Teas' hybrid, are
tender in Michigan ; and that the two former are
j about equally hardy. I will not undertake to
I question the statement, so far as their hardiness at
I so unfavorable a locality as the College Farm is
I concerned, farther than to say, that this is the
only locality in southern Michigan, from which
we have heard a complaint that C. speciosa is not
entirely hardy.

Forty years ago we planted and grew C. big-
nonioides for many years in eastern Michigan ;
and very rarely succeded in carrying it through
the winter unharmed ; and others in that region
on various soils, experienced the same difficulty.
There are now standing in the streets of this
village, within half a mile of Lake Michigan, in
a vicinity where the peach is a staple orchard
fruit, several trees of C. bignonioides, in a sadly
diseased condition, obviously from the effect of
our winters. On the other hand, we have, for the
same forty years, known a tree of C. speciosa,
which, the last time we saw it, (three years since,)
was in perfect health. We have also, for seven
years past, grown both speciosa and Teas' Hybrid,
and planted them here, in western Michigan, as
roadside and yard trees, as well as in nursery ;

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[January,

I I

and we have very rarely, if ever, observed any
injury whatever to either, attributable to the cold
of our winters. In fact a hundred or two of
speciosa and Teas' Hybrid, of two-year seed-
lings, stood through the unusually severe and
continuous cold of last winter, in nursery rows,
in a very bleak exposure, uninjured; and have
made a vigorous, healthy growth this past sum-
mer. Roadside trees of speciosa, three to five
years planted, have done equally well, showing
no injury whatever. Plymouth, Mich.

LARGE SASSAFRAS TREES,
BY DR. GORDON W. RUSSELL.

Some time since, Dr. G. L. Porter, of Bridgeport,
informed me of a large tree of this species growing
in the vicinity of that city. I have not seen this
myself, but he visited and has kindly sent me the
location and measurements of the two trees, which,
with his letter, are as follows :

*• Bridgeport, May 29th, 1885.

" Dear Dr.-By this mail I send a small box,
contammg some buds on the terminal branches of
the large sassafras tree ; the root and bunch of
undeveloped blossoms and leaves are from laree
bushes at its foot. The tree itself is not vet in
leaf. To-day we have seen a dozen or more sim-
ilar trees, but not as large as the tree of which 1
will make subsequent mention.

•'On the main road, over Holland Heights, two
and a half miles west of Bridgeport, on the south
side, half way up the hill, is a sassafras tree.
1^ our feet above ground its circumference is sev-
enty^eight (78) inches; the spread of its branches
IS thirty (30) feet, and its height is about fifty-five
(55) feet. ^

"About one mile northwest (and two miles
northwest of Black Rock), at the junction of Black
Rock turnpike and a cross road, on the land of
Andrew Nelson. Esq., is a similar tree, but of
larger size. It stands upon a hill-side, and is in-
cluded in a stone wall. Upon the lower or west
side, seven feet from the ground, and upon the
upper or eastern side, four feet from the ground,
the circumference is one hundred and ten (iio^
inches; the spread of branches is fifty-six ( c6
feet, and the height fifty-five (55) feet."

To most persons who consider the sassafras as

only a short or small tree, these dimensions are

wonderful, and probably are not exceeded by any

other specimens in the Stale. The largest of

which I have any knowledge, is standing in the

grounds of the Retreat for the Insane, in this city.

This is sixty-nine (69) inches in circumference at

three feet from the ground, and is about forty (40)

feet in height. It was probably planted, with

many other of the fine trees on the grounds, soon

after the establishment of the institution, a little
more than half a century since.

But I find, upon investigation, that the sassa-
fras attains occasionally a very large growth.
Michaux says, that while in the northern latitudes
" it is only a tall shrub, rarely exceeding fifteen or
twenty feet in height, yet. in the neighborhood of
New York and Philadelphia, it grows to the height
of forty or fifty feet, and attains a still loftier
stature in some parts of Virginia, the Carolinas,
and the Floridas, as well as in the Western States,
and in upper and lower Louisiana." Dr. Jacob
Bigelow says that it '* arrives in favorable situa-
tions, to a tall stature, and large circumference."
Emerson states that in Massachusetts. •' the sassa-
fras rarely reaches thirty feet in height and a foot in
diameter. I have, however, measured some which
were forty or fifty feet high, and nearly two feet
in diameter. One was growing in 1842, in West
Cambridge, which measured more than three feet
through at the base, and rose without a limb more
than thirty feet, with a trunk very straight and
slightly diminished, above which it had a some-
what lofty and broad head. It was nearly sixty feet
feet high, and had been growing by itself. It was
felled and its roots dug up. to allow a stone wall
to run in a right line. Such pieces of barbarism
are still but too common. A tree so beautiful
and lofty, and of such rare dimensions, such an
ornament to a bare hillside, sacrificed to the
straightness of a wall !" There are doubtless many
other large and beautiful trees in this State which
are annually sacrificed for as slight reasons as the
above.

It was stated in a newspaper item last year, that
there was growing in the northern part of Georgia,
a sassafras tree which was now twenty feet in
circumference, but I have not been able to dis-
cover any authority for it.

I should be glad to receive accounts of any
large or remarkable trees to be found in this State.

Hartford, Conn.

[These are fine trees for so far north. The Edi-
tor has no note of the largest trees he has seen
near Philadelphia, but is sure some must have
been nine feet round.— Ed. G. M.]

1886.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Hardy and the Tender Catalpas.—
Prof. Baily is catching it all round for his report
on the hardiness of the two Catalpas. and it is
even asserted that his plants are all of the one

kind— C. speciosa. However, the trouble all
arises from the effort of some Western men who
were eager to make out that C. bignonoides,
which stands in the Eastern States a temperature
of many degrees below zero, is a "tender" tree.

There is no doubt, we think, that when such
experienced foresters as Mr. Douglas tell us the
C. speciosa is hardier in some special localities
and a better forest tree than C. bignonoides for
Western planting, that these are facts. All the
trouble comes from a trade effort to belittle the
Eastern species, for which there was no occasion.
It is a case of one's own chickens coming home to
roost.

The Yellow Locust.— This is called false
Acacia in Europe. A correspondent of the Garden
wonders why the "rage" for planting this in 1
Europe, so prevalent some years ago. has died out
in the old world. In our country it is found use- '

less for any work where nailing is required. It
will not hold nails. It has no elasticity. It is
good for posts that are simply bored to hold the
rails. That is all.

Forest Destruction.— Fire is a great de-
stroyer in America, but storms of wind and rain
are forest enemies in other parts of the world. In
the immense plantations at Drumlanrig in Scot-
land, a tract containing 300,000 trees was destroyed
I two years ago. It is reported that it will take years
to clear the ground of the dead trees.

Timber of Austrian Pine.— The Garden
says that the timber of Austrian Pine is preferred
to Scotch Pine, by Austrian woodmen. It is a
rapid grower, and thrives at lower elevations than
the Scotch.

The Turkey Oak.— The timber of this species
is regarded as nearly valueless in Europe.

Natural Eistory and Science.

COMMUNICATIONS.

AMARYLLIS TREATiE.
BY MRS. FANNY E. BRIGGS.

Who has Amaryllis Treatse ?
In looking over the numbers of Harpers
Monthly for 1877. I chanced upon what seemed
to be Mrs. Treat's original description of the
Amaryllis that bears her name. After describing
her manner of exploring secluded nooks along
the banks of streams, and mentioning several
plants observed, she says :

"But my delight culminated in finding a beau-
tiful Amaryllis lily growing amid the dense thicket
in the soft, mucky soil along the banks of the
stream. The leaf is much broader and longer
than the old form of A. Atamasco, L. and the
flower finer and larger, and blooms some two
months earlier. Some of the largest leaves
measure two feet in length, and the largest flowers
five mches across, and five inches in length. It
commences to bloom in January, and continues in
flower till March. It bears transplanting to com-
mon garden soil, where it does not depreciate in
size of leaf or flower.

" ^^^^ y^ar I sent some three hundred bulbs to
the Botanic garden at Harvard to have it tested.

and the director writes me under date of Feb-
ruary 2, 1877: 'Your Atamasco hly is a splendid
thing, much finer than the old form, and is now
charmingly in flower, and very beautiful.'"

It will be seen at once that this description
differs from that given in the June number of
Gardeners' Monthly, and from that of the
dealers who offer the bulbs for sale, especially
as to the rush-like leaves. I enclose an illustra-
tion that differs also from that which appears in
the florists' catalogues. The flower stem is short,
rising only as high as the curve of the long, strong-
growing leaves, and the flower differs in shape ;
the lower part seeming almost cylindrical, the
upper spreading quite abruptly.

My limited personal knowledge is this : I have
grown the pink Atamasco many years, and
flowered bulbs of A. Treatae received from an
eastern dealer, three years, the flowers differing
from the pink in no point excepting color. The
foliage being scanty and small as shown in cata-
logues.

[Mrs. Briggs does well by calling attention to
this plant, for we ourselves begin to feel confused
as to the differences ; and it may lead to a better
diagnosis by some botanist more familiar with the
plants. We append herewith all that is said of
each in the last edition of Flora of the Southern

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

i
i

[January,

States, One certainly cannot tell from these
descriptions which is which, and in several points
Chapman's description is actually discordant with
Mrs. Treat's account of the plant.

"Amaryllis (Zephyranthes) Treatae, Watson.
Bulb small, leaves very narrow (a line to a line
and a half wide), thick, semi-terete with rounded
margins, not shining ; scape four to twelve inches
high; flowers three inches long, white, the
segments rather obtuse ; capsule broader than
long, its peduncle three to nine lines long. Low
ground, east Florida, (Mrs. Mary Treat,) April
and May. i

"Amaryllis Atamasco, L. (Atamascolily). Scape
terete, somewhat lateral, one flowered ; leaves
linear, concave, fleshy ; spathe one leaved, two-
cleft; perianth short stalked, bell-shaped, whi-ie
tinged with purple ; style longer than the stamens;
seeds angled. Rich damp soil ; Florida, and
northward; March and April. Scape six to'
twelve inc'hes high, commonly shorter than the
glossy leaves. Flower two to three inches long "
—Ed. G. M.]

1886.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

America under this name, and this may be the
one under culture in English gardens. There
still seems a need for some distinctive name for
this form. White Atamasco Lily will not do, as
the species named for Mrs. Treat is white also.

The Montreal Botanic Garden —A garden
I has been agitated since 1863. Since Prof. Pen-
hallow has been Professor of Botany in the Uni-
versity, the project has taken shape, and seems
now entirely successful. It' embraces tj acres ;
the arboretum takes of this 40 acres, 5 acres will
go for aquatics and similar plants. The plant
houses are to cover 216 feet by 90. There will
also be lecture rooms, library, and an economic
museum. The city furnishes the ground, leases
it to the Garden Association, and the citizens find
the money. The Horticultural Society is its chief
supporter. The Dominion Government, however,
appropriated ^1,000.000 to put the garden in a
good preliminary condition. The prospects at
present indicate that this garden will be one of the
most successful on this continent.

AND HORTICULTURIST.

2Sl

The Missouri Botanical Gardens. —- The
eminently public spirited citizen of St. Louis, Mr.
Henry Shaw, who proposes to give his celebrated
Gardens to the city on his decease, for the enjoy-
ment and instruction of the people for ever, has
not waited for the event of his departure— which
all hope may be long postponed— to inaugurate his '
generous gift. He has already founded a school
of Botany, endowing it with real estate which '
even now produces an income of over ^^^5,000 a
year. Prof. Wm. Trelease, an eminent botanist
among the younger class of men, has been placed
in charge, and inaugurated on the 6th of Novem-
ber. It has been made a department of Wash-
ington University. The whole movement so far
seems to indicate a bright future, and must be
highly gratifying to Mr. Shaw, the generous pro-
moter of the measure. The Engelmann Her-
barium, and other famous material will, it is hoped,
go to the charge of this new department of the
University.

Amaryllis or Zephyranthes Candida. —
When making the note on this subject for our last.
we were under the impression that this name was
given to the white form of the red Atamasco Lily,
but Mr. Sereno Watson calls our attention to the
fact that there is a very difl'erent species in South

The Mistletoe in Different Localities.—
The following notes from various correspondents,
show the trees which the mistletoe seems to favor
in different localities. We should be glad to have
information from other localities. It seems pretty
clear that a tree that may be a favorite in one
locality, may not be in another ; and the reason
for this may be discovered when we get a good
list of facts.

Mr. C. A. Oelschig—" About the mistletoe ques-
tion would say, that the parasite is found in and
around Savannah in abundance on oaks, espe-
cially on Water oaks. Last winter I found mis-
tletoe growing on a pear tree, and a few days ago
I was surprised to find one growing on an Olea
fragrans. which grows in one of the private gar-
dens in our city."

S. T. Walker—" In reply to 'Student's' inquiry,
as to the mistletoe growing on the oak, will say
that in Oregon it is about the only one it does
grow on. In fact, I do not recollect having ever
seen it on any other tree. It is, however, more
plentiful in some places than others. I am told
that in one place a mile or so from here, where it
used to be abundant, it has disappeared."

"A. M.," Pittsburg, Pa.— "Away back in Janu-
ary, 1863, after participating in the battle of Fred-
ericksburg and Burnside's 'Mud March,' the
writer, along with the rest of the old Pennsylvania
Reserves, went into camp at Belle Plains (about
midway between the Potomac and Rappahannock

Rivers), and there found his first specimen of mis-
tletoe. It grew on a Red oak, and he must
confess, that it was one Sunday morning that he
cut down the tree to get it. He afterwards saw
numbers of them through the same section, and
all on oaks."

Mr. D. H. Watson notes that in Texas, the mis-
tletoe apparently has no choice, as it is found on
almost every kind of tree. It is in Western Texas
that it is found so abundant on the Mezquite, and
hackberry, which, we suppose, in that part refers
to Celtis occidentalis— the sugar-berry or nettle
tree of further north.

Mr. F. L. Bassett, Hammonton, N. J.—" In
regard to the host plant of the mistletoe, I would
say that I know of one instance of its growing on
the Red maple. In all other cases, it has been
found on the sour gum or Nyssa multiflora."

[This note is interesting from the fact that the
oak is abundant in the same locality, but here it
seems not to be in favor with the mistletoe. Why ">
—Ed. G. M ]

The Curl in the Peach.— Recently we stated
that the balloon or bag plum came of the attack
of the same fungus that produces the curl in the
leaf. This, Mr. Worthington G. Smith, a noted
English mycologist disputes. He says the curl
comes from an attack by the Ascomyces defor-
mans as we have already stated; but that the
baggy plums are caused by Ascomyces Pruni •
another species,-A. bullatus, produces the blister
in the pear.

The Discharge of RivERs.-The amount of
rainfall over the catchment, or supply area of the
Delaware River, is 34.000.000 tons ; but the amount
that gets to the ocean is but 43 per cent, of this,
leaving 57 per cent, for evaporation and waste.

Cattle Poisoning by Eupatorium agera

as in old times they loved to talk childish things
to little children—that the grass was killed by the
feet of the fairies who danced all night over these
grassy floors. The appearances are now always
known as fairy rings. We have never known the
grass wholly killed in this country, but it is not
uncommon to see circles of grass several feet in
diameter where the grass is of a darker green than
the rest. This appearance can indeed be often
seen on lawns in early spring when the growth
first takes place. Mr. Worthington G. Smith, a
well known English authority on matters con-
nected with fungus growths, gives the following
note to the Garden in relation to the subject in
answer to a correspondent :

"These are caused by the growth of fungi, not-
ably by an edible species known as the P^airy
Rmg Champignon. The underground spawn
from which the fungi arise at first starts from a
centre, so that by the radial growth of the spawn
the rings increase in size every year. The growth
of the thick, black grass here mentioned is caused
by the decay of the previous year's growth of
fungi on the margin of the ring. These fungi
form a highly nitrogenous manure. The new
crop of fungi (generally to be seen in the autumn)
is outside the dark, rank grass ; this crop causes
the growth of the dark-colored grass in the fol-
lowing year. The ring of black grass is stated
here to be sweet ; Shakespeare says it is sour :

"Tlie nimble elves
That do, by moonsliiiio ;?reon, sour ringlets make,
\V hereof the ewe bites not. .

" By further observation you will find that Shake-
speare was quite right; herds and flocks do not
rehbh the rnnk, sour grasses of Fairy Rings, and
will not eat them."

P^iRE Blight in the Pear.— The December
American Naturalist has a paper by Prof. J. C.
Arthur, which is one of the most satisfactory we
have read for a long time, and is well worthy of
perusal by those interested in intelligent pomology.

toides.— A travelHng newspaper paragraph" says T' '^ ^"""^ ^'""^^ ^^^ Gardeners' Monthly took
that a hnrc** ri,-c^^o« <.i _ ^ I the stand that fire blight must of necessity be of

fungus origin, because it was not possible to intro-
duce any supposition on the other grounds of
climate, soil, modes of culture, &c., without the
proposition carrying with it its own refutation

that a horse disease "known as trembles," was
recently brought on "in Ohio" by colts eating this
plant. As Eupatorium purpureum. the "Joe Pye
weed," is eaten by cattle in these parts without in-
jury, and the common "Bone-set." Eupatorium, ,,
perfoliatum. is used as a tea in some cases by hu ^^^ evident that the cause, whatever it mi-ht

man beings, though refused as food by cattle from
Its bitterness only, it will be well to postpone giv-
ing the pretty Eupatorium ageratoides a bad
name, till further evidence be offered.

Fairy Rings.— In the old world it is not un-
common to see circles of grass two or three feet
in diameter, in pastures, with the grass wholly
dead inside the circle. The children were taught-

be, was local, and therefore induced by some
special influence operating on particular parts of
a tree, wholly independent of the plant itself. In
other words, some parasitic action must be the
acting power in inducing fire blight. Though
predisposed this way, we have not hesitated \o
criticise theories offered in its defence, because we
think nothing should be accepted as science, that
will not bear every attack. Professor BurriH's

»-*.'#»r ,'»<».

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[January,

1886.J

proposition that the disease was caused by the
presence of Bacteria, was fully in accord with our
prepossessions ; still we have not hesitated to point
out occasionally, weak points ; and quite recently,
in noticing another paper by Prof. Arthur, we had
occasion to observe that there was still left a doubt,
whether what was generally known as fire blight,
was the disease Prof. Arthur had in his mind. In
this paper he has made it clear, that it is the genuine
fire blight with which he has been experimenting,
though it is also clear that some diseases, or per-
haps forms of the real disease, but not the genuine
article, are sometimes confused. There is still
one point which the Professor does not seem to
have observed, and which we think very important
to a correct diagnosis of the case, and that is, that
the part attacked is really but a very small portion
of the branch -an inch or two in most cases— and
the rest of the branch is, as he states, killed simply
through the destruction in the ascent of the sap.
Usually the ringing of a branch, by which the sap
would be obstructed, would not result in an imme-
diate blackening of the leaves ; they would gradu-
ally wither, and finally die away brown instead of
black ; and this reflection would indicate that there
is yet something more than a mere cutting ofif of
the sap supply. Still, the candid reader will have
to admit, that the results of Professor Arthur
leave but little doubt that a species of Micrococcus,
allied to Bacteria, is at the bottom of all the
trouble. It is only its " ways and means " that are
yet to be found out.

AND HORTICULTURIST.

illli^

Male and Female Flowers on the Gingko.
—The tree of Salisburia adiantifolia, the Maiden
Hair or Gingko tree, which has fruited on the
grounds of Charles Wister. in Germantown, the past
few years, has been carefully watched this year,
without discovering any male catkins, and it is still
a question how the female flowers get fertilized.
There is a tree wholly male, profusely bearing
catkins, on the grounds of Mr. John Haines, half
a mile east; but it seems scarcely credible that
the wind should always blow exactly from the
east, to carry this pollen to the Wister tree at
just this time every year. There is yet something
to learn, evidently, about the behavior of this
singular Japan tree. Like all the yew family to
which it belongs, some trees are wholly male,
some wholly female, and others with both sexes on
the one plant.

Plant Life in the Arctics.— During this
short summer, the plant life of the Arctics grows
very rapidly under the constant stimulus of an

ever-shining sun ; and before the snow is ofif the
ground, flowers will be in bloom so near the
banks of snow that, with the foot, they may be
bent over against them. The vitahty in these
hardy Arctic plants appears phenomenal, and
they almost seem endowed with intelligence in
knowing what a brief time they are allowed to
spring up, blossom and bear seed. They com-
mence early, and hold tenaciously on to all their
growth after plants which we are used to seeing,
would be prone upon the ground. Middendorf
has seen an Arctic rhododendron in Siberia, in
full flower all over it, when the roots and the stem
were solidly encased in frozen soil as hard as ice.
On King William's Land, we had four nights in
July and thirteen in August, when the thermometer
sank to freezing; and yet I picked flowers in
bloom, to within the last three days of the latter
month. — Lieut. Schwatka, in Independent.

Hybridizing Indian Corn and Sorghum.— A
correspondent sends us the following as remark-
able. It is from a communication by Dr. E.
Bonavia, of Etawah, East Indies, to the London
Gardeners" Chronicle, page 736 of last year :

" In the same year I obtained a few seeds of the
Cuzco Maize of the Andes— a large white variety.
I managed to obtain a cross between this and the
native Maize— a very small grained yellow variety.
The result of the first crossed seed was encour-
aging. It produced a Maize of large size, of a
light yellow color. Further experiments with it
produced curious varieties. Some plants threw
out branches where the ears or cobs should have
formed ; others, among the head of male flowers,
on the summit of the stem, produced grains re-
sembling those of Sorghum, but larger. This
phenomenon led me to believe that the relationship
between the Maize (which is monoecious) and the
Sorghum, is more intimate than one would have
at first supposed. I had proposed to myself, to
make some further interesting, and probably use-
ful, experiments with this hybrid ; but a few
months' absence from Lucknow put an end to
them. On my return I could not find the seeds,
and the native gardener could not account for
their having been lost. Latterly I perceive that
Mr. Duthie, of the Saharunpore Botanic Garden,
has effected a similar cross. I hope he may be
more successful than I was, and that he may be
perhaps able to prove, that the Zea and the
Sorghum are not, after all, distinct genera ! With
regard to the original Cuzco Maize, nothing could
be made of it. It was evidently not suited to the
plains of India, its habitat being in the Andes."

We have to remember, that in the old world,
there does not appear to be the same knowledge
of the extent to which plants will naturally vary,
independently of hybridization, as exists in the
United States. Hybridization is, in these old-world

experiences, continually brought in to account for
phenomena which here we should refer to mere
"sporting," which is the every-day word for
natural variation. In our country, we continually
find Indian corn with small Sorghum-like grains
among the male flowers in the tassel ; and male
flowers from the ends of the cob, where only true
females should be. And this, and nothing more,
strikes us as the true explanation of the supposed
hybrid the East Indian gentleman supposes he has
found between Sorghum and Maize.

interior, by a ride on the surface of the glacier on
which a mass of earth with the plant had fallen,
perhaps a hundred years ago, for a glacier moves
very slowly. The incident, however, seemed to
suggest that the Dryas was a thoroughly arctic
plant, and its presence should imply arctic sur-
roundings in the past.— Ed. G. M.]

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Dryas octopetela.— H. Correvon, of Geneva,
gives the Gardeners Chronicle the following in
regard to this pretty alpine plant:

r'lP'f ,^^ °"^ °^ '^^ "^°^^ graceful of the plants
of the Alps. It is called • Swiss Tea,' because the
population of the alpine cantons make a drink
from it which with them takes the place of tea
It occurs everywhere in the region of the Alps
but it seems to prefer more particularly calcareous
soils. It IS hardly to be found above 7200 feet in
elevation, and its inferior limit appears to be about
4900 feet.

" Some horticultural books, on account of its
generic name, say that this species grows in the
woods, but this is a complete error. It is never
found in the shade, but always exposed to the rays
ot the sun, and on a stony soil, frequently lime-
stone. Often It IS found on rocks most exposed to
the sun, and where the rays penetrate into the fis-
aT^.?* a .^°",^"^"es in bloom a long time in the
Alps, and Its clusters, which extend so as to form

nJ;H^^\wu'^^'''^ °"^ "'^y ^'^ down, have flowers
nearly all the summer. The shining green of its
foliage, white and tomentose underneath, the
graceful form of the crenate and dentate leaves
produce a pleasing impression on the traveller
who visits the Alps : but when the immense tufts
of dwarf procumbent verdure are covered with

fhoTns''thf V'^' -^ '"^^^^ "''^ ^^^^ -i^hout its

he?n nln.if- ' '"' '' ^c^'J ^'■''^'''^' ^^^ cannot
help plucking some of them, and what traveller is

Jest'on'th ^'' "°^.-i^hed to lay himself down to
rest on these inviting tufts."

[The generic name, Dryas, was given most likely
from the leaves resembling an oak leaf, and not
because like its namesake the Dryads, it likes to
live m oak woods. Pursh found it on the White
Mountains in New Hampshire, but it has not been
seen since his time. It was probably left there by
some receding glacier. In Alaska the Editor was
examimng in Glacier Bay, one of the huge glaciers
of that region, and on a hugh pile of glacial drift
left by a portion of the edge of the glacier that
had recently melted away, the only plant for
scores of acres around, was a mass of Dryas
forming a carpet, such as described here, of about
three feet over. It had evidently been brought
down from nobody knows how many miles in the I

Grafting Hyacinth Bulbs.— A correspond-
ent from Lancaster, Pa., writes: "A Philadelphia
correspondent of your excellent Gardeners'
Monthly desires to know whether he could
take two crocus bulbs, yellow and purple, cut
them in halves, and place the cross sections of
half of the yellow and half of the purple together,
whether he would succeed in getting the yellow
and purple flower seemingly from one bulb.

"Darwin says in his book on Animals and
Plants, under Domestication, Vol. ist, page 474;
that, 'the author of Des Jacinthes impressed me
with the belief not only of his extensive knowledge,
but of his truthfulness. He says that bulbs of
blue and red hyacinths may be cut in two, and
they will grow together and throw up a united
stem (and this I have myself seen), with flowers of
the two colors on opposite sides. But the remark-
able point is, that flowers are sometimes produced
with the two colors blended together.'

•♦ He does not say whether or not the bulbs
were cut so as to divide the flower stem, but from
the fact that the two colors blended together, I
would infer that they were.

" I would not like to assert positively that your
correspondent could get the result he desires ; but
would advise him to try several experiments,
leaving the flower stem uncut in some, and cut it
in others. He might in this way find a method
that would be successful."

[It may be interesting to add, that the corre-
spondent who first made the inquiry, has been
moved, he tells us. to try the experiment. It is re-
markable that with roots so easily obtained and
divided, no one seems to have undertaken the
testing of the matter— Ed. G. M.]

Double Flowered CALLA.—Mr. J. H. Slo-
combe. New Haven, sends a pretty specimen of a
double calla. The plant, after starting to turn the
green leaf into a white spathe, as in the ordinary
case, changed its mind, lengthened its flower stalk
a little, and then tried to make another. Like all
irresolutions, both efforts are spoiled.

III!

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[January^

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

Lite RAW M. Travels and Personal Notes

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Twenty-seventh Volume of the Garden-
ers' Monthly.— It is a great pleasure to feel, in
closing our 27th and entering on our 28th volume,
that in all these many years we are receiving the
continued support of intelligent Horticulturists
everywhere. Our main object is to keep Horti-
culture in the advance. We do not propose to
ourselves to take a banker or storekeeper, who has
hardly knowledge of a blade of grass, and tell
him how he can make a fortune in a few months.
This task we leave to our able brethren of the
Agricultural press. Our mission is to enable hu-
manity to gather the greatest amount of pleasure
possible from rural pursuits. We have thus a
very broad field to work in. We embrace the one
who has to toil and sweat in order to get a miser-
able piece of bread and butter, and whose labors
by increased intelligence we would lighten; as
well as the millionaire who wishes to make* his
garden all that is to be understood by the bright-
est and best. We are glad for our own enjoyment
to know that the editorial work of twenty-seven
years is appreciated ; but we are the more glad on
the publisher's account that so many in sending
their own, or an additional subscription from a
friend, tell him how much they appreciate the
work. The following from a subscriber, "H. F.,"
Austin, Texas, is a sample of many :

"Every number has come to hand punctually
and its appearance is always hailed with pleasure.
In theory as well as in practice it is every thing
we could desire and is always read by me with
great interest."

Another-.' C. F. B.," of Galveston. Texas-
says : " I have only subscribed since August last.
It would have been worth several thousand dol- 1
lars had I subscribed five years ago."

The Seed Business in Philadelphia.— The

seed trade is said to be depressed, but there must

be good life in it yet. judging by the magnificent

buildmg recently erected at 1711 Filbert Street,

Philadelphia, for Wm. Henry Maule. It is 117

feet in depth, and five stories high, and will be

wholly devoted to Mr. Maule's business. Mr. M.

is one of the younger seed firms of the country,

but has managed to get in his comparatively short

career, the entire confidence of the community,
and all will rejoice at the evidence of his success!

Ignorance of Things Around Us. — Mrs.
Sarah K. Bolton says, in a very nice article on the
Isle of Wight, in the Independent :

"We pass Steephill Castle, of which Joseph
Paxton. who built the Crystal Palace, said- 'I
have visited nearly every place of note from
Stockholm to Constantinople, but never have I
seen anything more beautiful than this." Further
on IS Sandrock Hotel, described by Black in
' Madcap Violet," overgrown with ivy. the grounds
a mass of shrubbery. I asked an old man com-
ing up the hill with a wheelbarrow, the name of
the vines. •I don't know, mum,' he rephed to
each question. He had hved here from boyhood,
and had never asked the names of {he simple
things growing about him. How we shut our eyes
and ears to knowledge, and drift on hke pieces of
wood or stubble!"

Though Mrs. Bolton charitably introduces all
of us into the ignorant circle under the •• We," one
may incline to think she has the man with the
wheelbarrow chiefly in mind. Unfortunately she
may emphasize the " we " if she wishes. We need
not go outside of Boston, New York, or Philadel-
phia, to find people in silk and broad-cloth, and
who would feel insulted to be supposed to know
even what a wheelbarrow means, who would have
to answer, "I don't know mum," when asked the
names of the vines on houses they perhaps own.
Cleveland, where Mrs. Bolton Hves, may do better,
because they have little else but Virginia creepers
and Honeysuckles to learn the names of— these
being about all the "vines " in common use there.
Seedling Chrysanthemums from Mr. Raw-
son.— A very pretty bronzy yellow of the semi-
double class, exhibited at the New York show,
has been sent us by Mr. Rawson, of Elmira!
N. Y. Mr. Rawson is a great lover of Chrysan-
themums, and delights in efforts at their improve-
ment.

History of the Noisette Rose— Although

we have in the past given the history of the

Noisette rose, it is told in an interesting way in

the following from the Gardeners' Chronicle

which will bear repetition here :

•'The Noisette rose has a curious history, and,
although so thoroughly French in its name, owes
Its origin to America, for there lived about the
time when the great European wars of Napoleon

KT,

had come to a close a French nurseryman of the
name of Philippe Noisette, at Charlestown. in
South Carolina, who had hybridized the old Musk
rose with a rose called Champneys' Pink Cluster,
which he sent to his brother, Louis Noisette, a
nurseryman at Paris. Pink Cluster was the pro-
duct of the white Musk fertilized with the blush
China ; and John Champneys, its raiser, ought to
have some credit in the matter although he was
put on one side; and while Noisette is known,
Axru "^Pt"^^^'' except in America, is unknown.
When Louis Noisette introduced the rose it created
quite a furore in Paris. Its habit was so remark-
able, and Its perfume so pleasant, that everybody
was desirous of possessing it."

Punishment to Boys for Stealing Flowers.
—The London Gardeners' Magazine says :

"The stealing of a geranium, by a boy fourteen
years of age. resulted in a sentence of ten days'
imprisonment, pronounced by Mr. Barstow at the
Clerkenwell Police Court. Not many, we think, '
even amongst lovers of gardens, will approve of
the sentence ; but we can only judge the case bv '
the report." ^ \

In Philadelphia, such a boy would be sent to a '
reform school for a short time—a much better
plan to protect geraniums, we think, than the old
world style of the jail.

Love of Gardening in England.— A paper
before us, notes that at an exhibition in a com-
paratively small village in the Isle of Wight,
Shanklin, there were no less than 753 entries.'
That Mr. Charles Meehan was the judge, and that
notwithstanding in many cases the competition
was very close, the decisions gave general satis-
faction. What a commentary is this on the uni-
versal love of gardening through all classes of
the English people ! Nearly every house in the
village must have sent something to the show.

Benedict Roezl.— Few European botanical
collectors have been better known in America i
than Mr. Roezl, who recently died in Austria in '
his 62d year. A large number of plants bear the I
name of Roezelii in his honor. The writer of this '
first met with him many years ago, in a very
interesting manner. He was alone in a piece of
woods along one of the rivers in Missouri, and
examining minutely some specimens of what was
to him then a rarity, the true Chestnut oak,
Quercus castanea, of which he had found before
only a few scattered specimens in Pennsylvania,
when he observed a man kneeling by a spring!
and seemingly washing out a pocket handkerchief!
Advancing, the writer found the man engaged in
washing out the pulp from the fibre of a species
of nettle which grew there. The fibre was very
white, slender and strong, and the stranger was

very enthusiastic on the prospective value of the
nettle fibre. It proved to be Mr. Roezl, and the
meeting of two friends, who had long heard of
but never seen each other, in that lonely piece of
woods, many hundreds of miles from each others'
home, the reader may well imagine was a very
pleasant one.

Moses Cole.— The history of American garden-
ing will some day be one of the interesting branches
of general study, and it is well to place on record
notes of the departure of those who have been in-
strumental in advancing it in the different sections
of our country, as well as some account of their
successful work. As we go to press, we learn of
the decease of Mr. Moses Cole, long known in
connection with Georgia nurserymen. The nur-
sery interest of Georgia has grown to be one of
great importance, and possibly no one has had so
great a share in bringing about this great work
as Mr. Cole. By reason of advancing years, he
resigned his very successful nurseries at Atlanta to
younger hands about a year ago, after over 20
years of labor in connection with the trade. His
death occurred at Atlanta, on the 8th of December,
i as we learn by a brief note.

Louis C. Lyte.— Mr. Lyte was one of the old-
est of Pennsylvania nurserymen, having been
for many years the proprietor of the Smoketown
nurseries, near the town of Bird-in-Hand, in
Lancaster county. These were founded in 1840,
and always bore a high character. Thousands
of fruit trees in Eastern, Southern and Central
Pennsylvania, were originally propagated on
these grounds, and the enormous patronage
brought, what few modern nurseries bring, a con-
siderable degree of wealth to the proprietor.
, He was a man of sterling integrity, and like all
good men, took an interest in public affairs. He
was for a long time in service on the School
Board, and also for many years elected Justice of
the Peace. He died on the i6th of November, in
his 72d year.

Transactions of the American Association
OF Nurserymen, Seedsmen, and Florists.—
The proceedings at the Chicago meeting have re-
cently been issued in very neat form, and may be
had of D. Wilmot Scott, Galena, 111., Secretary.
It is a work of value to every one in the trade.

Report of the Forestry Commission of the
State of New York, Albany, 1885.— In 1884,
the New York Legislature appropriated ^5,000 to
be used by the State Controller in the employment

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[January^

1886.]

of experts to report a system of Forestry. He se-
lected Prof. Sargeant. D. Willis James. W. A.

excellence of its Transactions. As a general rule,
the magazine and the newspaper have superseded'

Poncher. and Edward M Sheoard Esq Th. "^""'^^^"'"^ ^"^ ^'^^ "^^^paper have superseded
members have taken no VnHr! .^ ^' '°''''^ publication : and what is worth knowing is

only t^:^;::^:.^ -^^-^^ 1 --"^ ^-^ ^'-'l- ^^-^ ^-- appears in mfny

The Commissioners do not seem to have done
anything for a system of forestry ior the State, but

volumes of Proceedings, is wholly stale by the time
it appears, and of little use for reference in after
times. It is different here, and what generally ap-

made a report, looking chiefly to the Dreserv.Hon , ''^' ^""^ ""^^^ generally ap-

of the Adirondack for' sts X -00^";;^^ .'!r " "l '' '''" ."'Ik' ^'^"^'^^ '^^ ^'' ^^"^^' ^"^
appointment of a Commission. Z ZTZTt ''! -^^7^^!^^"^ ^^, ^^^ ^'^^^^ ^^^^-^ of every hor-

appointment of a Commission, the first one to be
chosen in " 1866," the members to serve without
salary, but personal expenses to be paid; one
Forest Warden at a salary of not less than $3,000,
nor more than $4,500; two inspectors, salary be-
tween $1,500 and $2,500; one clerk, salary from
$1,250 to $2,000. Forestry rooms. &c., are to be
provided at Albany.

ticulturist. In this we notice that the Society has
been so fortunate as to get a paper out of Jackson
Dawson, of the Arnold Arboretum, on tree seed
sowing. Mr. Dawson is one of those enthusiastic
lovers of his profession who has no time for any-
thing but work for the love of it— no time for
writing, and how the Society got this valuable
paper out of him will ever be one of the mysteries

To give the Commission work to do two PilU nffU "- -^^ ever oe one of the mysteries

are prooosed • one - An Art f lu ^^^ ^^^ "^^ ^'""^ ^"- ^^^ experience of one who

•■ An Act for the speedy collection of taxes „n7h u * '""'""^ ^*'"^- '^^' °'^^^

forest lands in ceLnLns:"T„^;eSo:LckercX:«''^'^ ^^" ^^ °^ ^ ^^ '^^^ ^'^^ °f
region.

We have read this report very carefully, and feel
that the State will be well repaid in the facts fur-
nished. In regard to the recommendations, we see
nothing to change our views, that forestry efforts
in America should rather be in the line of planting
new forests, than in the preservation of old ones.
The report shows that in old forests, it is absolutely
impossible to prevent forest fires. By a staff of
officers and guards, such as the new laws pre-
scribe, some few fires will no doubt be prevented.
or ought to be; but the danger is but slightly corl
rected, and in spite of all. the forests will have to go
As to the appointment of a Commission, in order

Pruning and Training of the Vine.— An ad-
dress before the American Horticultural Society at
New Orleans, by E. Williams, of Montclair, N. J.

Our readers must not confound this with the

American Pomological Society, though the titles are

similar. This essay is one of the many useful papers

that will appear in the forthcoming volume. Mr. W.

H. Ragan, of Greencastle, Indiana, is the Secre-
tary.

This essay of Mr. Williams is profusely illustrated
and is made up from the actual experience of the
writer. It is in marked contrast with the contents
of many regular books on the vine, in which the
to obviate the evils of the elective principle 'that "^^^^^^^" ^^"S^^' "^^er get. in this country, be-
underhes American institutions, all experience ^j^'"'^ ^^'^ ^''''^ ^^^"^^^^^^°"s. nor. for that matter, in
shows that it is '• out of the frying-pan into the T ""^"^ ^'''^^' ^''^^^'' ^^ ^'^ ^"'^^ ^"^^ ^hat of
fire." They become in time, a greater mass of ^^^ P!"^^"'^' °^^^"^ ^^^^"'"^ ^"^ pruning, as usually
deadwood than the most famous old forest can ^^^^ ^" standard books on grape culture, scarcely

°"^^ ^^ a lifetime, if ever, has the oldest of us ever

present ; and withal dangerous and expensive toys

The Forestry question is a very difficult one to

bring under practical legislation ; butafterreading

this very intelligent report, we are more than ever

convinced that the only effective legislation will be

in the line of encouraging efforts by individuals or

companies in planting new forests, rather than in

sentimental and enormously expensive efforts to

preserve the old and half-rotten ones.

Transactions of the Massachusetts Hor-
TicuLTURAL SOCIETY, 1885. Part I.-W^e must

again congratulate this honorable Society on the I the each ^^ ""' "^

Lieiy on me i the reach of professional architects. Specifications

seen the like thereof in the whole world. At any
rate, American grape culture, as we have it in our
day has had very little aid from European experi-
ences, and is an outgrowth of American culture
and successes. Mr. Williams' essay is just in
this line, and on this account will be very welcome
to American vine culturists.

Homes for Home Builders.— By David W.
King. New York: Orange Judd Company, 1886.'

This IS a small octavo. 251 pages, furnishing de-
signs and working plans for country people out of

AND HORTICULTURIST.

and estimates of cost are given, with full notes on
cements, mortars, and building materialsgenerally.
The man who proposes to build, will find this an
excellent guide ; and the one who only hopes to
have a nice home some day, may profitably have
it in his library, to be on hand when consultation
will be a blessing to him.

The Struggle for Life.— This interesting
topic has been treated in a masterly manner by
Dr. M. T. Masters. It forms the 6th chapter of
its recent work on plant life, by Dr. Maxwell T. 1
Masters. So highly is it appreciated in Europe, '
that it has been translated into French, and the |
result, La luite pour T existence, by Dr. H. Fons- 1

ney, is now before us. Much of it is an epitome
of the many years of experiment by Gilbert and
Laws, which were tabulated by Dr. Masters.

Supplementary Notes on Restiace^.— In
the woods and marshes of South Africa and New
Holland, there are great numbers of grasslike
plants, of which we believe America has no repre-
sentative, which are intermediate between our
rushes and sedge grasses, and are known to
botanists as the order Restiacese. De-Candolle in
1878, issued a complete monograph. This work
of Dr. Masters will be essential to those who
have this work, as it brings the knowledge of these
plants down to the present time.

Horticultural Societies.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

State Horticultural Meetings.— After we
went to press in November, to get out our Decern-

fellow ought to have had. Then they are satisfied
to accept the decision that by competition they
mvited. But there are others who, if they feel
their articles did not get the premium they believe

loth of December, the last day our publisher
allows us to send in "copy," and the only notice
for January meetings is one from Mr. Engle of
the Pennsylvania Society. We are always glad
to help these useful bodies, if they will give us the
chance.

Exhibitors and Premiums.— Almost all our
exhibitions suffer at times from the withdrawal of
exhibitors whose presence is always welcome

and from that time forth " their good works are'
seen no more in all the land." Even these weak
brethren are worth caring for. and might be saved
if rules for judging were formulated wherever
practicable for the guidance of the judges. In
roses, dahlias, and some otherthings, the "points"
of a good thing have been defined and agreed on,
and this rule might be extended to other things.

who smart under a sense of iniusfir."'.t .^T"^^' i ^"^'"^'^'^^^^ ^^ Chrysanthemums.-A corres-

on which the Xfcoud rel^lr "^'"""^^^

What is or is not the •■ best ha f Ifrfn "^T'' i """'^ '°"'^ "°' "PP^^^ '" °"^ "°''« '°^ want of
thing, has a v r; indefi^'e LjanT , "' ' "Th ^h T "^^^^'"^ ^°" °^^^ "^'^ -'-'«
hundred men, what is "best L Th?r^' r ."r ^ T'''^' ^""^ ^^' ^' many persons subscribing in
will not be best in the esttltion of the „r «?'• ""'"J"'' ''°='°"' ^^"""°'-^' ^"'^'-^°' ^incin-
As it is now. one neve rotwha/is the "„„:; T{ ^7 °^'^^"^' ^^^ ^'h" P'aces perhaps, as in
on which committees make Iwards '''7?""*^ i P^ilade ph>a, we cannot put in a long list of

number of exhibitors, when disappointed ^'^n T l' ",'''"°" '" ^"^ ""^ '"''• '^""out put-
make allowances for this/ "^d telThat if ' thev be" do" W "" '"• '' '^ P'^'" "'^^ '^'^ ""-'
lose a premium to-day the^ think thev delrLt ' . Y' "'''"' ^"'"P' ''• ^" "^ ''y '° ^o

morrow they may get one given them thl!r„;>, i ^ "^ "'^'" " '° "°'^ ^ ''^ P°'"'^ °f "cel-

y g one given them that the other ! lence or novelty here and there that will be of as

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[January,

much interest to a reader in California as in Nan-
tucket.

It would be very pleasant if we had space to do
more, but we trust all our readers will appreciate
the difficulties that surround this question. The
local newspapers are the mediums through which
full lists of successful exhibitors should appear.

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's
Chrysanthemum Show.— Mr. J. E. Mitchell,
President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural So-
ciety, has issued a card of thanks to the press,
the public, the exhibitors, and to the distinguished
florists who visited it from abroad, for their ap-
preciation of "one of the most successful displays
the society has held for several years past."

Designs of Cut FLOWERs.~It is said that at a
recent great Horticultural exhibition, the judges
were puzzled whether a cut flower composition
was intended to compete in the bridal or funeral
department.

The State Horticultural Association of
Pennsylvania.— The annual meeting of this So-
ciety is always looked forward to by many, as one

founded by some of the best men of that day :
Dr. Chapman, Geo. Pepper, John Vaughn, Jos.
Hopkinson, Nicholas Biddle. Chas Chauncey,
Horace Binney, M. Carey, D. Landreth, D. Mau-
pay, Jno. McAran, and other public spirited
citizens. It has had for Presidents, Horace Bin-
ney, Jos. R. Ingersoll, Geo. Vaux, Caleb Cope, Robt.
Patterson, M. W. Baldwin, and other distinguish-
ed citizens. W. L. Schafifer, recently deceased,
occupied the chair for 17 years. In 1844 this
Society had a membership of 800 of our best
citizens, and after an uninterrupted and useful
life of over 40 years, its membership is now about
the same number, although our population has
increased about four-fold during that period;
had the taste for the beautiful in nature increased
in the same ratio among our people, this Society
should now have about 3,000 members ; this
would enable its officers to increase its attractions,
add to its library, publish its transactions, and in-
crease the moderate money premiums now offered,
and thereby stimulate our florists and others to
increased exertions in improving the products of
the garden and orchard. As this Society now de-
pends on receipts from membership to carry it on.

of great interest and pleasure. The endeavor has nn rnV ^^^^^^J/*-;" "-'^-^^^"^P ^^ carry it on,
u r 1 . ^. 1 lie cnueavor nas no more valuable Chr stmas present could be

been, of late years, to embrace in its scone all ' ^ .u ^ , . , picacm t.ouiu oe

I f J . • ^"iLi^dce m us scope all made, than ^3.00 wh ch constitutes a membershin

lovers of gardemng m any of its branches, as well ' for a year." memoersnip

as those who merely grow fruit for profit. It is a

At the spring exhibition of this Society, Tues-

Honicultura, Societ, as well as a Society of ,:r;^;::''l-Z'7rlZ^7s6i;:
market-men. There hac hp^n tV.^t-^f^>r. o« ;« ^ . ,. . _ __ ^' ^^ ' *^°"' ^"^

market-men. There has been, therefoie, an in-
crease of interest in the meetings, and those who

General Union of Holland for the Promotion of
the Cultivation of Bulbs, under the patronage of

feel pleasure in their specialties, must of themselves ! the Kin^ of the NeTh^lir nf. T 7 if^'
see that thev receive attention Th. ^...;.. ;. .. ^^ ^'"^ °^ ^^^ Netherlands, offers the followmg

see that they receive attention. The meeting is to
be held this year at Reading, on the 20th and 21st
of January; and the Reading people who are
fond of gardening will, no doubt, see that those
who come to help instruct them, are encouraged by
a good attendance of those from whom they may
expect to get some information in return.

prizes to be competed for by nurserymen, seeds-
men and florists only: Hyacinths, 50 named
bulbs, in 50 pots, forced in pots, first prize, Gold
Medal ; second prize. Silver Gilt Medal ; third
prize. Silver Medal.

In addition, the Pennsylvania Society has de-
cided to offer premiums to be competed for by

Railroad ti^ckets at reduced rates, maybe had ladies only : 12 Hyacinths, grown in glasses, first
of E. B. Engle, Secretary, Waynesboro, Pa. premium. Gold Medal ; second premium. Silver

Gilt Medal; third premium. Silver Medal. 6
Hyacinths, grown in glasses, first premium, Silver
Medal ; second premium. Bronze Medal.

2ist Of December, wholly too late to be of anv ^"'^ """"^ '^'''^'l '" ^''"^ '^^'^ ^" '^"'^
service to him in securing a •• Chr stmas prlnr P^^"^^""^%f^!^ '^^^ ^" -^ ^^ar it is likely to be
r. „ .r ^.__ ^ '-nnstmas present an unusually interesting occasion.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
— We received the following note from Mr. J. E.
Mitchell, President of this venerable body, on the

from any of our readers, or even a present for the
New Year. All communications should be sent
previous to the 5th of each month, if notice in the
succeeding issue be desired.

«*The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, found-
ed in 1827, is the oldest in this country. It was

iually interesting occasion.
In addition to these special attractions, there
will be premiums open to all contributors. A
very full list of premiums, for all sorts of pretty
things, has been issued and may be had of A. W.
Harrison, Secretary, Horticultural Hall, Broad
Street, Philadelphia.

^^-^ THE

Gardeners' Monthly

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEMOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Volume XXVIII.

FEBRUARY, 1886.

Number 326.

Flower Gardm and Pleasure Ground.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

There can be no question about the great beauty
to be derived from carpet bedding, when ju-
diciously applied. The proviso is very essential,
as misplaced beds, or wholly inappropriate designs
are frequently met
with. We must re-
member that a design
that looks pretty
enough when we see
all the outlines har-
monizing with each
other as we look
down on it drawn on
on a sheet of paper,
presents a very dif-
ferent appearance
when seen horizont-
ally as a flower bed
on the ground. The
design is everything

in a piece of carpet or mosaic bedding, and often
we can only see this design when we look down
on the bed from an upper window or some higher
elevation. In some grounds sunk gardens have
been prepared wholly for the display of these
styles of gardening, but there is danger of violence
'O good taste even here. The Fairmount Park

design is that of a sunk garden, but the effect is
wholly spoiled by the apparent fact that the
garden is sunk expressly to display the ornaments,
while true taste in gardening requires that there
should be something to ornament in the first place
before ornamentation begins. We can give a

certain admiration
to treasures exhibi-
ted in a jewel case;
but jewels are of real
value only as they
add to the beauty of
some pretty person.
A carpet bed there-
fore should rarely be
made for its own
sake ; but because it
will add a beauty to
the location, or in-
crease the interest of
a pretty garden.
In arranging for
carpet beds one must remember that gardening is
a combination of nature and art. and in gardening
taste requires that they shoilld so run together that
one may scarcely tell where one ends or the other
begins. Carpet bedding is one of the best possi-
ble devices for combining art and nature. It is
^ therefore always most effectual when used in con-

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[ February,

«|!

nection with garden architecture. We give with this
a very good design for a bed in connection with a
garden vase, piece of statuary, or to place pretty
close to a building under a bay window or some such
projecting ornament. In the latter case a pecuhar
artificial looking plant, such as an Aloe or Dra-
caena, would be of course more effective for the
circle than a vase or statuette. The narrow margin
has to be wholly of one kind of plant, which may
be of Echeveria, Centaurea, Leucophyton, Silver
Geranium, Gold Geranium, Golden Feverfew,

1886.]

COMMUNICATIONS.

AND HORTICULTURIST.

TREES AND HEDGES IN WASHINGTON.

BY M. H. LESTER.

In no city or town that I have visited are the
street trees in as good condition as here. I do not
exactly know who is responsible for this, but some
one or other has something to be proud of. There
are over 1,000 miles of trees, and one can travel

■ ^or n^iles on streets and avenues lined with the
or some other dwarf plant that may be chosen I same species, and the same age and plantine

without a break; not

to harmonize what
ever may be agreed
on. The fine pro-
jecting points may
be of one or several
kinds, and the
ground-work from
which they project,
and which forms the
posterior semi-circle,
be all of one kind.
Many variations may
be afforded by a plan
of this kind. For
beds formed wholly
of succulents of very
low growth, or simi-
lar plant, and which
may be set in the
bend of a curving
walk, the octo-point
star is very popular.
It is very easily made,
having a square for

its working outhne, the sides of which are divided
into two equal parts. Some put a slender
pyramidal plant in the center of such a bed, but
to our mind it is prettiest when the whole design
is but a gentle rise from the circumference to the
center, "ginger-cake" fashion. There are very
few flowering plants outside of the Zonale Perlar-
gonium class that are well adapted for carpet bed

long, tall, scraggy,
spindling things,
but strong, robust,
healthy trees ; and
the girl of the period
might say, " they
look just splendid,"
even now, bare and
naked though they
be.

I notice that as a
tree is planted, a box
is put around it, and
the tree secured to
this with thongs of
leather to prevent
any possibility of its
getting injured. This
has a great deal to
do with keeping the
lines so even.

A good many
species and varieties
are used— Maple, Acer negundo. largely planted in
some portions of the city ; in others Poplar (Populus
angulata or monillifera) ; in other parts a very
thrifty lot of Elms (Ulmus Americana), Button-
woods (Platanus occidentalis), also Linden (Tilia
Americana), and others, all healthy, and of good
shape.

Great care must have been taken to choose the •

trfede? ThTd f ,^ r'"r 'o °" "'°'''' ''"^ '""'^ ™°^' ^"''^'''^ ^^' '^^ different kinds.

ZHenfJ Tu "!''""'"• ''°^°"'^"^^'"^ "'^"^ ^""^^ •"-" -"e making holes a
shade o color as they may be when propagated short while ago, I noticed they filled up with
from cuttmgs. do pretty well .f kept well pinched ^ water. 1 thought that would be bad treatment
back to prevent them from running too much to , for anything unless Willow or Alder; but I saw
seed Carpet beds m general, require frequent some very pretty Poplars in the neighborhood.
Dmchine^ in order fn vf^x th^ K*»cf v^e,,Uo a. .1 .... _ » ^^^»

pinching in order to get the best results.

At the Agricultural Department grounds an at-

Some use for th.s purpose a pa.r of scissors or tempt has been made at grouping ; but I believe
sheep-shears. A plank on blocks at each end. is I had to be abandoned for want of pace. This is
used as a platform on wh.ch to work. a very praiseworthy object, as one can n^ ice

'.V

'•5

the habits of different varieties with so great
facility.

But the principal feature that gives the Agricul-
tural Department a different appearance from any
other of the public grounds around the city lies in
the hedges. Beautiful they are, both evergreen and
deciduous. There must have been some one
around there some time or other, and perhaps is
yet. that knew how to handle a hedge. An Osage
hedge at the rear of the grounds is also the street
boundary, and no picket fence could serve the
purpose as well.

Industrial Home School, Washington, D, C,
[The management and arrangement of the Agri-
cultural grounds is and has been from the first in
the hands of Mr. Wm. Saunders. The public lost
one of the most successful landscape gardeners in
the Union when the government was wise enough
to secure his services.

The trees of Washington have been wholly in
the hands of three gentlemen who are known as
"the Parking Commission." Mr. Wm. Saunders
above noted, Mr. W. R.Smith, of the Botanic Gar-
den, and Mr. John Saul, the well-known nursery,
man compose this body. No wonder the success
has been so great. -Ed. G. M.]

A BEAUTIFUL SOUTHERN NATIVE VINE
"COCCULUS CAROLINIANUS/' '

BY MRS. J. S. R. THOMSON.

Extract from Peter Henderson's " Hand-book
of Plants : "

"Cocculus Carolinus, derived from Kokkos
the systematic name of Cochineal, given to this

f rr's'^Tar 0°^' °l "'•^ species^ear scaS I
Derries. .Nat. Ord. Menispermacea. Anex-

heir'^fH- ' ?' ''™'''"g shrubs remarkable for
heir medicinal properties. With one exception

Coccu'usCarnI? ^" """^" °' "^« ^^^^ I"^es
t-occulus Carolinus. common in woods and thickets

in states from North Carolina to Florida is a
of ^h f " fl'"""" "'™''^^ remarkable for i°s racemes

scarle L"'^ ^°"°^^'* ^^ ='"^'«^« of St
f.<^.2^le'>ernes that remain on the vine all winter

uTtitllLrand "r °'' ''?""^"' "^''-bers unde"
cutivation, and will succeed well where there is
not more than lo^ or 12O of frost."

I feel it is presumption in me to try to add to

what has been so well told ; but, few compara-

t.vely, see either the plant, or. if they do. know it

under its true name, or know of the extreme ele-

gance of this altogether lovely native climber.

Others can write of exotic plants and bulbs,

out 11 I can induce my countrymen to plant and

cu tivate more extensively the many rare and

valued {m foreign countries), plants that we have

■n such abundance here, I will feel that I too de-
serve the "nation's gratitude." Who is it says-
"To the man who teaches us to grow two
blades of grass where only one grew," &c. ? So
I hope to obtain that same nation's gratitude I
fain must add a few words to description already
given above, hoping to gain for it more genuine
overs such as I am. Why is it that we all de-
light and exult so in the grandeur of our late Chrys-
anthemums? But because we know that stern
winter will soon blast all of our lovely summer
darlings, and only to those blest with means of
keeping them protected, will they gladden our
senses for many a long dreary month. That
thought enhances their value, and for this reason
Cocculus Carolinianus is doubly valuable, for even
the stern cold wintry blasts do not intimidate or de-
stroy it, but the severer the frost the more beauti-
ful do those same scarlet berries become. At
first they are a pale green, then pale rose, after-
wards a deep glowing scarlet ; and after severe
frosts the berries become transparent as glass
disclosing distinctly the seed through this trans^
parent veil. Before me now lie long graceful
pendulous festoons of this exquisite child of our
forests, filled with thousands of berries in all
stages, they not having yet at this date, Novem-
ber 3d, attained all of their full perfection. This
vine is tuberous and delights in cool shady situ-
ations, with rich sandy soil. Here, in our rich
bottom land adjoining water courses, it is found
in greatest profusion and beauty. Often for a
, space of 20 or 30 feet you will not be able to
j penetrate into it, for it climbs up every cane and
twig, and- festoons them with a grace indes-
cribable. The leaf is not its least attraction, in
shape very much like Senecio scandens or Ger-
man ivy, only crisp and satiny ; some as long as
three inches, and growing at regular distances,
one inch apart, all along the stem alternate At
every leaf is found the cluster of berries, never
less than three, from that up to one hundred In
some the clusters are full three inches long, by one
wide Just imagine it if you can; facing such a
thicket, with millions of these gleaming scarlet ber-
ries, and gneve as I do that all or more cannot eniov
the entrancing sight with me. I have sent many
clusters off this fall to my flower-loving friends •
and was told by a prominent nurseryman that it
was cultivated at the North under glass-he had of.
ten seen and admired it, but had never known its
name. Once I was out and found a vine growing
in a wild plum tree-6 feet high by 5 through-
which was loaded with this exquisite vine in full

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[February,

fruit. Be assured your correspondent did not
leave it there, but wended her way joyously home-
ward burdened with long branches, some 6 feet ;
and soon every vase and picture in her home were
decorated for the admiration of all beholders, and
loud and continuous were the praises it gained,
and so well deserved. I am enthusiastic, I know,
but I am not too much so, and earnestly ask our
kind Editor to bear me out in it, as he is well ac-
quainted with, and loves the many wildlings of our
fair South land.

I would like to ascertain if cochineal for com-
merce can be obtained from it. Its local names
here — two of them, both misnomers — are Bambo
and Wild Sarsaparilla. I copy from *' Chambers'
Encyclopedia," of an East India variety — " Coc-
culus indicus — name of a very poisonous seed
from East Indies, used in Britain notwithstanding
its prohibition by act of Parliament, to save not
only malt and hops in beer brewing, giving to
beer a bitter taste, but very deleterious in its
effects." Spartanburg, S. C.

[This plant well deserves cultivation for the
sake of its foliage and delicate habit alone. It is
quite hardy about Philadelphia. The Editor has a
plant in mind, that for a number of years was one
of many similar ornaments on a trellis that
covered the south wall of an old botanist's resi-
dence. But, as the plant is monoecious, there will
be no berries from a single plant in cultivation. —
Ed. G. M.]

NOTES ON THE PARKS AND GARDENS OF
CHICAGO AND ST. LOUIS.

BY H. NEHRLING.

Last summer (July, 1885) when I visited Chicago
and St. Louis, I spent much time in looking through
the parks and private plant-collections of these
cities. The most attractive park of Chicago is ,
Lincoln Park on the north side of the city, with its
highly picturesque landscape views, under super- \
intendence of Mr. H. J. DeVry, an eminent
German landscape gardener. Nothing can be
more impressive than the gigantic flower beds in
front of the greenhouses. There beautiful speci- 1
mens of carpet gardening may be seen. The air '
was filled with the fragrance of Iberis, Cheiran-
thus. Heliotrope, Mignonette and Sweet Alyssum.
Interesting were also the sub-tropical beds. I
have seen many greenhouses, but none so inter-
esting, so attractive and clean, everything so taste- ,
fully arranged, as the Lincoln Park houses in I
charge of Mr. Albert Dorl. Beautiful specimens '

were there of Cordyline indivisa, Dracaena ferrea,.
D. rubra, D. Brasiliensis, D. Haageana, D. con-
gesta, Crotons, Achimenes, Gloxinias, Peperomias
and Ruellias. Especially interesting were the
large plants of Alocasia odorata, A. violacea, An-
thurium magnificum, Philodendron pertusum,
Spathiphyllum cannaefolium and other foliage
plants. The sweet odor of Peperomia resedaeflora
filled the whole house. And now let us enter the
palm house. There is no large collection to be
looked at, but very beautiful specimens are to be
seen, and every plant is labeled by Mr. Dorl in
' such a way that the visitor can plainly read the
name. I have never before seen such nice speci-
mens of Seaforthia elegans and tree ferns, such as
Alsophila Australis and Blechnum Brasiliensis.
There the plant lover can see fine plants of such
palms as Livistona sinensis, Chamasrops excelsa,
Corypha Australis and many others. Strong plants
of Strelitzias, Marantas, Bananas, Ficusimperialis*
F. Alphzelli, Cycas revoluta, Curculigo recurvata,
Elletaria cardamomum, Pimenta aromatica, Aralia
leptophylla, Imatophyllum miniatum fthe last in
flower) may be seen. In this house is also a good
though not extensive collection of orchids, mostly
growing on blocks of wood hanging down from the
roof. I observed Phajus grandiflorus, Oncidium al-
tissimum, Lycaste aromatica, Epidendrum aromati-
cum, — last three in flower — Peristeria elata, and a
few others not named. Such a beautiful plant-house
which has so many attractions, and in which every-
thing is so tastefully arranged, with the immense
flower beds in front of it, must awake a taste for
flowers and ornamental gardening in due time.

On the northwest side of Chicago, we find Hum-
boldt Park, with its still lovelier landscape scenes.
The soil is here black and productive, contrary
to the pure sand of Lincoln Park. Trees and
shrubs look here much healthier. The green-
house, though crowded with many interesting
plants, is too small. A new and large one is
already built. Mr. G. Rahfs is superintendent,
and he is assisted by an eminent landscape gar-
dener, Mr. Karnatz. In the greenhouse of this
park I have seen a huge specimen of Philodendron
pertusum ; also Fourcroya interrupta, Dasylirion
acotrichum, and different kinds of Agaves and
Cacti. On the west side of the city is situated
Garfield Park, then comes Douglas Park, and on
the south side the most frequented South Park.
All these parks are highly interesting and every
one has its special attractions.

Mr. Dorl, the gardener of the Lincoln Park
greenhouses, told me : " If you like to see rare

1886].

AND HORTICULTURIST.

plants, go to Mr. G. VVittbold, Lake View." And
so I did. One fine morning I started. I was in
a great degree surprised when I looked this collec-
tion over and over again. I have never seen be-
fore such a variety of Aechmcas, Bilbergias, Til-
landsias and many other Bromeliads as here.
There the plant lover can also find a collection of
rare Dracaenas, Yuccas, Agaves, Cacti, Fourcro-
yas, Dasylirions and other plants. The collection
of orchids, though not large, is very interesting.
A large mass of Sobralia macrantha, a very
charming terrestrial orchid, attracted my atten-
tion especially. The large flowers were of a beau-
tiful rosy-violet color. Among flowering kinds I
noticed Lycaste aromatica, Saccolabium ampulla-
ceum, Dendrobium chrysotaxum, D. Parishii,
Odontoglossum Alexandras, Oncidium (?), Bras-
sevola (not labeled), Cymbidium aloifolium and
others. Beautiful specimens of Araucaria Bidwilli,
Aucuba japonica, Raphiolepis ovata, Murraya
exotica, Pittosporum floribundum, many Palms,
Anihuriums. Marantas, Ferns, Caladiums, Pbilo-
dendrons are to be found here. Mr. Wittbold, al-
though a plant dealer, publishes no catalogues.
In the first place he is an enthusiastic plant lover,
and many of his rare plants are presented by him
to the public parks.

I intended to visit the celebrated orchid collec-
tion of Mr. Chadwick and the collection of Cacti
of Mr. Schmidt, but I had not the time. Flowers
and bedding plants seem to grow much easier and
much more vigorous in the soil of northern Illinois
than they do in and around St. Louis. In Oak
Park, Austin, River Forest, River Side, and other
beautiful suburbs of Chicago, one may see fine
private gardens with lawns and flower-beds, orna-
mental shrubbery and fine street and lawn trees.

But St. Louis calls something her own that
cannot be found in Chicago or elsewhere on this
continent, namely, the widely known " Botanical
Garden," better known as " Shaw's Garden."
I am unable to describe this garden and its
plant-houses justly. Hoping that some one else,
better posted in the English language than myself,
will describe the riches and attractions of this gar-
den, I will only mention a few of the more inter-
esting plants. On the right hand of the main en-
trance I noticed a beautiful red-flowering magnolia
(not labeled), and on the grounds many vigorous
specimens of Magnolia glauca, large trees of Mag-
nolia acuminata and M. umbrella. Magnolia
glauca, with its pretty leaves and highly fragrant
flowers, should be grown more extensively in our
gardens. It is especially adapted for small gar-

dens, and looks very well in back of Rhododen-
drons and Azalea beds, and as single specimens.
In a small tank the magnificent Nelumbium speci-
osum flowered. There were other aquatics (Nym-
plK^as) in flower, but they were not labeled.
Very interesting is the large collection of Cacti
planted out on a wall fronting to the south, and
the very extensive collections of Agaves, Aloes,
Vuccas, Fourcroyas, Dasylirions and other succu-
lents. In the houses I noticed very fine specimens
of Anthuriums, Philodendrons, Ferns and Raven-
alia Madagascariensis (Traveler's Tree of Mada-
gascar), with large banana-like leaves. A very
large collection of Crotons was planted out in the
open air, also many palms, Clerodendrons, Dra-
caenas and hundreds of other shrubs and plants.
There were also good plants of Imatophyllum
nobile in the greenhouse, the only species I saw.
Shaw's Garden is worth traveling far to see its
treasures, and it can not be done in a few hours ;
it takes days and even weeks to see all.

Mr. Brown, 1301 Lami street, has a very large
collection of rare plants, especially palms. His
palm-house contains about 120 different kinds of
palms. There is a Caryota urens about 30 feet
high, Cocos Romanzoffianus 20 feet high, Licuala
grandis, probably the best specimen in the United
States, Elaeis guinensis, a pretty large Cocos
nucifera raised by Mr. Brown himself, Ceroxylon
niveum, Verschaffeltia splendida, an extremely
beautiful palm, and many small plants of rare
species too numerous to mention. Philodendron
pertusum (Monstera deliciosa). Ph. bipinnati-
fidum. Ph. pinnatum, Anthurium Andreanum, and
A. Scherzerianum, just going out of flower, A. crys-
tallinum, A. grande, Maranta Porteana, Dieffen-
bachia Leopoldii, Dracaena fragrans, D. Gold-
ieana, D. Lindeni and other not common plants
could be seen here in fine specimens. I noticed
also a very fine Pandanus ornatus, and Cyano-
phyllum magnificum, a grand and beautiful foli-
age plant. The collection of orchids contains
about 75 different varieties. A Bambusa arun-
dinacea in the palm-house was about 40 feet high
and extremely beautiful in appearance. There
were some fine plants of Zamia, Macrozamia
and tree ferns. Among the last I observed the
very rare Cibotium Chamissoi, and among the
commoner of the family several species of Al-
sophila, Dicksonia, Lomaria and Blechnum Brasi-
liense. The interesting Birds' Nest Fern, (Neo-
topteris Australasica) was also there. I think Mr.
Brown has probably the largest collection of
Nepenthes in this country. They find their place

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[February,

in the hot-house, a structure of their own. As
the collection is very large I will only mention a
few varieties, which attracted my attention more
than others : Nepenthes Mastersiana, N. am-
pullaria vittata, N. rubra, N. Meehaniana, N.
Veitchii, N. atrosanguinea, N. coccinea, N. bical-
carata. The temperature in this house in which
also some ferns, anthuriums, etc., grew, was very
high and the air humid and moist. Mr. Brown's
out-door grounds can only be termed sub-tropical.
The garden was decorated with fine specimens
of Pandanus utilis, Fourcroya gigantea, huge
Agaves, Latania Borbonica, Areca rubra, Sea-
forthia elegans, Corypha Australis and Phoenix
dactylifera. A large and very fine collection of
Crotons was planted around a large Cycas
revoluta, supposed to be the largest specimen in
the United States. (See July number, 1885, of
the Gardeners' Monthly, page 223.) Its
measures are as follows: Height with tub 12 feet;
the trunk is 7 feet high, by 4 feet 2 inches in the
largest and 3 feet in the smallest place in circum-
ference. I am much indebted to Mr. D. S.
Brown, who courteously showed me his extensive
collection of rare plants, and pointed out to me
the most interesting specimens.

About one block east of Mr. Brown's residence
we find another enthusiastic plant-lover, Dr. Arzt.
His noteworthy collection of plants is extremely
beautifully arranged. His conservatory is a glass
structure, resting upon a grotesque foundation of
rocks and stones from many parts of our country.
Underneath this plant-house are grottoes and
caves, all very artistically made. Among the
stones are growing different species of Cacti,
Echeverias, Sedums, Yuccas, Agaves and other
succulents. The greenhouse, or conservatory as
we may call it, contains mostly foliage plants,
especially the fancy Caladiums, Calocasias, Bil-
bergias, Crotons, Dracaenas and many others.

The smaller parks of St. Louis, such as Lafayette
Park and Benton Park, can not be compared with
the large parks of Chicago. They are similar to
Union Park of the latter city. But the very large
Tower Grove Park will certainly in a few years rival
with Lincoln and Humboldt Parks of Chicago.
We find in this park highly interesting landscape
views, and when we consider that this park is
only about twelve years old, we must say that
much has been done in a short time. Here we
find many trees that cannot be grown successfully
in Chicago, and which add much to the beauty of
this place, among which I mention the fragrant
Magnolia glauca, the magnificent Magnolia acum-
inata, the spreading Magnolia umbrella, the large-
leaved Magnolia macrophylla, the Tulip tree
(Liriodendron tulipifera), Platanus occidentals,
Ailanthus, Paulownia, all used here with good
effect. Friestatt, Mo.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

A Blue Anemone.— An Alpine species of Eu-
rope, Anemone Apennina, is said to be wholly
blue.

Special Ornaments in Flower Gardens. —
In European gardens many old plants are used
for novel effects. Last season, several prominent
grounds had pyramids of wire covered by Ivy
leaf Pelargoniums. The effect is represented as
charming.

Improved Sweet Peas. — A race with crimson
spotted flowers has been produced in Europe.

Abies pungens.— Probably the finest specimen
under cultivation of the Blue spruce of the Rocky
Mountains, is on the grounds of A. R. Whitney, at
Franklin Grove, Illinois. It is 22 feet high, and
13 feet in the widest spread of branches.

Greenhouse and House Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

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

Fuchsias may now be readily struck from the

young growth of the old plants, which will make
excellent blooming plants for the next summer
season.

Dahlias should now be brought forward. A
good plan is to shorten the extremity of the roots,
put them in six-inch pots and place in a warm
greenhouse. In a few weeks they will sprout

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

when they should be shaken out, divided with a
piece of root to each sprout, and separately potted
in four-inch pots.

Pansies are coming now into flower. They like
an airy frame, where they will not be roasted in
mid-day nor exposed to drying winds, and yet
have a free circulation of air and plenty of light.
Planted out in such a frame, and the old shoots
cut away as soon as the plant has done flow-
ering, they will keep healthy over till the next
season. Superior varieties can be raised from
seed. Choose those with the roundish petals, best
colors, and the first flowers that open, to raise
seed from.

Camellias will require rather more water while
growing than at other times. Just before they
grow is a good time to graft. Cut down the stock
cleft graft in the crown, wax, and plunge in a
bottom heat of 70O. A great many kinds may be
had on one plant by the bottle system— a shoot
about to grow is obtained, and attached to the
stock as in inarching, the end of the shoot being
put in a small phial of water suspended beneath
it. This plan does best, however, with half-ripe
wood in July.

About this time the lamentable inquiry usually
comes to the Editor, " What is the matter with my
window plants? some of them have done very
well, but this one or that one is yellow or sickly,
and looks as if it would die." We have often been
to look at the weaklings or sicklings, and have
generally found them suffering from too much
water or too much insect. But the former is
generally the trouble in window plants. If the
pots are badly drained, the water does not get
away, and for healthy plants the soil must dry
rapidly. If the plant dries so that it needs must !
have water at least twice a week, it is in a healthy
condition. The plant should never have water
when the soil is already damp. .

But what to do with these sicklings? Take'
them out of their old pots, wash the roots, trim the
weaker branches, and put into as small a pot as
the roots can be forced into. Let it remain there
till by good growth it shows it has good healthy
roots, then it may have more earth in a little
larger pot.

as this lady's conservatory is very small, I will
only name those that are distinct and easy of cul-
tivation, and not very expensive:

/ij://«j._Latania Barbonica, Kentia balmoreana,
Pha-nix rupicola, P. reclinata, Rhapis flabellifor-
mis, Seaforthia elegans, Euterpe edulis, Corypha
Australis, Chamserops excelsa, C. Fortuni, Areca
Verschaffeltii, A. lutescens.

Ferns.— Viens argyrea, P.serrulata, Platy cerium
alcicorne, P. biforme, Polypodium aureum, Ne-
phrolepis davallioides, N. exaltata, Onychium
lucidium, Lomaria gibba, Microlepia hirta crista-
ta, Gymnogramma chrysopylla, Davallia Moore-
ana, D. dissecta, Asplenium Belangerii, Adiantum
cuneatum (Maiden hair), A. trapeziforme, A. scu-
tum, A. gracillimum.

The above mentioned ferns are all distinct,
sterling varieties, and all easy to grow where there
is heat, with the exception of Microlepia hirta
cristata and Davallia dissecta. These two require
a bomewhat temperate corner.
Gardener to Mr. C. H. Clark, West Philada., Pa.

THE RED SPIDER—SO CALLED
BY A. VEITCH.

-•-•-•>

COMMUNICATIONS.

PALMS FOR A LADY'S CONSERVATORY.

BY ALFRED WARNE.

In answer to your correspondent, '• Mrs. J. G.
M.," regarding palms and ferns, I would say that»

At a meeting of the Society of Florists in Cin-
cinnati one of the speakers is reported to have
said, when the subject of plant enemies was under
consideration, " That it is customary to abuse
I and misuse the weak. This is the case with that
I small but beautiful insect, the red spider. Like
other spiders it is carnivorous and never ate a
plant in its life. Microscopic insects come to live
upon the plants, and the red spider to live upon
them. It is a friend, not a foe."
! This statement we regard as made up of fact
and fiction in about equal parts. It is true that
the spider is carnivorous and is in no way depen-
dent upon plant food for subsistence ; but the
creature referred to here is not a spider, but an
Acarus or mite, and lives exclusively upon vege-
table products. In zoological classification they
both belong to the class Arachnida, but the mite
is in the order Trachearia, the spider in that of
Pulmonaria. The function of breathing in the
two orders is different. In the mite it is performed
by air tubes distributed through the body, whilst
in the spider the air is admitted by spiricles situa-
ted on the abdomen, and which are lined by a
membrane plaited into numerous folds, which re-
semble gills. On these characters is founded the
sub division of the class into pulmonary and
tracheary Arachnidia.

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[February,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

But apart from all technicalities any one with a
good pocket lens might satisfy himself that the
pests of gardeners differ in important particulars
from the spider. The head and breast, or thorax,
of the spider is connected with the abdomen by a
slender cord, as in insects. It has eight eyes, and
the same number of legs, besides two short arm-
like projections, or palpi, with which to catch
and to hold its prey. The body of the mite is not
so divided ; is somewhat oval in form and taper-
ing to the head, which is terminated by a syphon
or sucker, with which to extract the juices of
plants. It has six legs, but by undergoing a trans-
formation similar to insects an extra pair is not
unfrequently acquired. The body is transparent,
with dark vein-like ramifications along the back
which we take to be the trachea. The aged fe-
males only are red, which may have given rise to
the popular name by which they are known. They
spin webs, but not so artistically as spiders do, as
they seem chiefly designed for nests, or, when the
workers are unmolested, convenient residences
for large communities; whereas the web of the
spider is not only a snug retreat in times of dan-
ger, but a base from which to operate against
enemies as well as a snare to entrap unwary flies
or other creatures upon which it feeds.

New Haven, Conn,, Dec. ist, iS8s>

I little sand may be added. In potting, use five-
inch pots. Three tubers may be placed in each,
near the edge, and then covered with one-half
inch of the soil above recommended. As the
tubers when received from the seedsman are
dried and wilted looking, it is best to sprinkle and
keep moist eight or ten hours before potting,
otherwise they are apt to push themselves out of
the soil when watered. After potting and water-
ing, they should be placed in a cool, moist place,
near the glass, and watered carefully until they
start to grow. Keep a lookout for snails, for, like
the peach borer, they have a " soft place in their
heart " for the root. The secret of success with
Ranunculus is in keeping them cool until the
flower stems show four or five inches above the
foliage. The night temperature should not ex-
ceed 45O to 50O. At this stage, it may be increased
to 60O, or iqO more by day, with sun. They re-
quire plenty of air on all favorable occasions.
Before the flowers expand they should be sup-
ported wiih light sticks. Like many other
flowers, the Buttercup will close up at night, and
if kept in the dark will not open. Therefore give
plenty of light at all seasons. After the flowers
have decayed, the plants should be thrown away,
as good tubers are easily and cheaply obtained.
It will not pay to keep them over for next year's
blooming. Maud P. (9.. Bucks Co., Pa.

RANUNCULUS AND THEIR CULTURE UN-
DER GLASS.

BY J. F. CLARK.

Ranunculus comprises an extensive genus of
herbaceous plants, giving name to the order
Ranunculaceae, better known as the Buttercup-
Crowfoot. In this order we have many other
beautiful plants, such as the Clematis, Anemone,
Delphinium and Paeonia. I will refer here only
to the cultivated species of Buttercups, Ran-
unculus Asiaticus, which afford the endless vari-
eties of Ranunculus grown by florists, namely :
The Turkish, Persian, and the double French.
The above may be classed as tender herbaceous.
Some of the varieties are truly magnificent, and
when well grown the flowers will measure from
2)^ to 3 inches in diameter. The flowers will last
from ten days to two weeks in perfection. Their
season of blooming is from March to May. For
symmetry of form, and brilliancy of color in
almost all of the hues known among flowers, the
Ranunculus is probably unequalled by any other.
For pot cultivation, use one-third well rotted cow
manure, one third good garden mould, to which a

VARIEGATA FICUS REPENS.
BY MANSFIELD MILTON.

Last June, when visiting the Cambridge Botanic
Gardens, Massachusetts, Mr. Manda, the Super-
intendent, showed me a sport of Ficus repens. It
is beautifully variegated with white ; not a dirty
white as often seen in variegated leaved plants,
but a clear striking white. About half the foliage
was white, giving it sufficient to make it attractive.
For decorative purposes, this will make a suitable
plant ; either grown into large specimens neatly
trained, or grown in small pots, it can be kept in a
compact bushy form, and will answer the same
purpose some of the Selaginellas are now used
for.

With sufficient to cover the back wall of a
fernery or orchid house, what a beautiful object it
would make. It appears to grow just as strong^ as
the type, and retaining its variegation as perfectly
as any variegated leaved plant. What Mr. Manda
intends doing with it I know not, but it should in
some shape be offered to the public, so that all
can get a chance to enjoy it. Youngstown, O,

NOTES FROM THE WHITE HOUSE AT

WASHINGTON.
BY M. H. LESTER.

I was just in time a day or so ago at the White
House conservatory to see President Cleveland.
Not the President himself, but a beautiful chrysan-
themum, pure white, raised by Hallock l^ Thorp,
and named for, and presented by them to, the
President. It is a beauty.

Things are well done here. Crotons look good ;
also Rex Begonias. Begonia rubra, Hendersonii
and Metallica are in large quantities for decoration
and cutting from. Medinilla magnifica in bloom
is a fine thing for this season of the year. Pan-
cratium ovatum is a fine thing — eleven flowers on
one spike. Centradenia grandiflora ought to be
in every greenhouse for winter blooming. I most
particularly admired two fine specimens of Phse-
nicophorium Sechellianum. and a Vanilla aro

There have been about seven hundred blooms on
that one spike, and it is still blooming. The spike
is now 2 feet 10 inches, with a branch spike of 2
feet. No doubt some people will think that is a
large spike, but when it is done blooming, I will
send it to the Editor of the Gardeners' Monthly.
I do not know how many more months that will
be, for I see that there are more spikes coming out
of that one. I think any one trying this old favor-
ite, will not be sorry for doing so. It does best
planted out, and trained on the roof of a hot-house,
giving each stem a different wire or string, and
keeping all lateral wood pinched out. I prefer
string, as it is more easily taken down, should it at
any time want cleaning ; but if the syringe is kept
at work when not in flower, I do not think it is
much bother to keep it clean. Lee, Mass,

[We asked a good gardener once, why he did
not grow Thunbergia Harrisii ? "Too much
bother," he replied, "to keep it clean of red
spider." But with the free use of the syringe, as
Mr. Norman uses it, there will be but little trouble

matica with beans on. La^lia anceps will shortly

make a good show. At the Botanic Gardens is the

best plant 1 ever saw of Ravenelea speciosa, which i

is the same as Urania Madagascariensis. Also | ^'°"' '^^' pest.-Kd. G. M.]

nicely in bloom is Laelia peduncularis, Oncidium

tigrinum and Odontoglossum Bictoniensis. Odon-

toglossum ornithogalum is not half so much grown

as it ought to be. It makes so much flower, and

its aromatic perfume is agreeable to most people.

FIRES AND STEAM HEATING.
BY REGILLIWRET.

THUNBERGIA HARRISIL
BY EDWARD NORMAN.

Would it not be better, in giving number of feet
heated, either by flue, hot water or steam, to have
it always understood to be "cubic feet ?" These
can be readily ascertained, no matter what the
shape of the roof. The rule for heating by hot
water, is "one foot of 4-inch pipe to three or

Why do not more gardeners grow Thunbergia four square feet of glass in the house (roof.
Harrisii.? I think everyone will agree with me | side and ends)." While by steam the rule is, "one
when I say it is the best stove climber there is. It I square foot of radiation, (say two feet, 2-
always looks nice, even when not in flower; and j inch pipe,) for thirty, forty or fifty cubic feet of
at this time of the year, when the stove is looking air, according to the temperature (outside) of
dull, its large clusters of pale blue Gloxinia-like where the house is located." North, less number
flowers attract the attention of everyone that | of cubic feet; South, greater number of cubic
comes in the house. The plant we have in our i feet.

stove, was planted out last February. It was
then about 2 feet high. It was planted close by

In making comparisons of heating, by either
method, the location and degrees of outside tem-

the hot-water pipes, in some good soil consisting of perature must be taken into consideration, also
two parts loam, one of peat and one of sand, with , the attention paid to firing.

a good sprinkling of bone dust. The plant soon
began to grow, and by August it had nine good

A great many seem to think that firing, is sim-
ply " firing " on* coal and taking up ashes, but it

stems 25 feet long. We then stopped them, and I is more than that. To maintain a proper fire, is

kept all lateral wood pinched off. About the
middle of November the flower spikes began to
make their appearance, and now we have a fine
show of over one hundred and twenty spikes in
flower. Last July a spike came out from the main

an art that most of us seem to forget, or have nev-
er learned.

Now, if steam is much the better heating me-
dium for dwellings, stores, halls, &c., where hu-
manity dwells; is a more gentle, equable temper

stem, and has kept on blooming ever since, ature, easier controlled, less attention required,

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[February,

more economical, why will not these points hold
good for its use in heating houses for living
plants ?

My experience with steam and " Dunning
Boiler" (self-feed), for the past two seasons, does
not make me wish to change back to hot water,
which I used ten seasons. Jan. 4, 1886.

NOTES ON ORCHIDS.
BY EDWARD NORTON.

Last spring some one wrote to the Gardeners'
Monthly, concerning Cypripedium insigne having
two flowers on one spike. This year we have
two spikes of C. Spicereanum, and three spikes of
C. Harrisianum bearing two flowers on a spike,
and all large fine blooms. The Spicerianum here
does remarkably well; small plants in four-inch
pots having five and six fine large blooms upon
them, and one plant in a seven-inch pot, has a
dozen flowers now open. At the time I am
wrinng (December 2d), we have sixty-seven fully
expanded blooms, which together with C. niveum,
Lawrenceanum, Stoneanum, and Harrisianum,
with about two dozen Phalaenopsis amablis, a
Vanda Sanderiana with a spike of eight flowers, a
dozen and a half spikes of Calanthe Veitchii,
vestita and vestita lutea, give Mr. De Witt Smith's
East India house quite a lively appearance.

Lee, Mass.

BAD PUTTY.— A CAUTION TO FLORISTS.

BY E. HOLLEY.

During the month of September I built a car-
nation house 46x21 feet, and glazed it with 10x12
double-thick glass, put in the 12-inch way. The
glass and putty I purchased in New York, of a
firm who make quite a point to supply florists with
the above materials. The glass was satisfactory,
but the putty, if such it could be called, proved to
be the vilest stuff any one could imagine,
although it was bought for a first rate article, and
said to be made from pure linseed oil. The
weather being warm, the putty worked very well.
My glazing was done in the very best manner, the
sash bars and rafters having been given two coats
of good paint. As soon as the frost began to ap
pear the putty began to bulge out from under the
glass, and now, January 4th, very much of it is
laying on the sash bars, or having dropped off up-
on the plants or ground. Had I used blue clay
fresh from the bank, I would have been in just as
good shape as I am now. There is no adhesion
to the putty. By taking it in your hand and rub-

bing it even slightly it has the appearance of
whiting and water. Last year I built just such a
house as the above, glazed it in the same way
exactly, and the putty is as perfect as the day it
was put on, but the putty was purchased from
another firm. I will have to submit to the un-
pleasant state of affairs until warm weather, and
then take out all of the glass and reset them,
which will be quite an expense, and all from be-
ing deceived in the quahty of putty. Should not
the party furnishing the putty which has
been the cause of this misfortune be held re-
sponsible for the additional expense ? If there are
any florists about the country who have been
caught in the same way, I would Hke to bear from
them, and any one wishing to know who the
parties are that sold me the putty will be informed
by dropping me a line. If there was any oil used
in this putty, and there did appear to have been,
it must have been of such a nature that the least
touch of frost decomposed it. Will some one ex-
plain how this putty is adulterated ?

Hudson, N. K

[We do not know what the law in relation to
adulteration is in New York, but in many states
it would be an indictable offence.

As a general rule law is expensive, and it is bet-
ter to suffer in silence than to enter into it.
Some day there may be associations into which
one may enter, employing counsel where the good
of one happens to be the good of the whole,
which could take up such things. Florists should
have one.— Ed. G. M.]

AN ECONOMICAL PLANT HOUSE.
BY MRS. J. S. R. T.

I have increased my area of plant houses, and
as economy was my very first consideration, I
searched and read diligently every thing bearing
upon that point. It is too soon to speak decidedly,
but so far what I have done has worked ad-
mirably. I wished to secure a house, strong, air
and water tight, no effort being made at show or
ornamentation, and feel I have, at a slight cost,
secured a house where my plants will be entirely
secure without artificial heat of any kind. My new
house is 15x35 feet, excavated full four feet of
earth ; above ground, sides 3 feet ; glass entire,
span roof, each side yi4 feet long. Not feeling able
to purchase hot-house sash, I obtained on reason-
able terms, many window sash, which from being
nailed in position cracked the old hardened putty
so that it leaked very badly. But I had a rem-

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

edyat hand, (found in a recent number of ^w.
Florist,) which now works well. I used one-third
each of putty, boiled linseed oil and white lead.
Oil and putty mixed first, adding lead to thin,
then strain. I had no Scollay-sprinkler, and
substituted a pint kerosene oil can. Think an
oil can with spring bottom would have been bet-
ter. With this it was rapid work to pass over
every particle of the old putty, pouring in liber-
ally where badly broken. This was done in fair
weather, which lasted until this mixture had
hardened ; followed on the fourth by a regular
equinoctial gale, hard beating rain, a furious
tempest, when to my gratification the sash only
leaked in four places. This was gone over again,
and now it is water tight.

As an added means of warmth and protection,
I have had a coarse white homespun awning ad-
ded. It took 115 yards, % yard wide, to make-
in four sections, each with pole tacked to its lower
edge, to roll upon as awnings to business houses
are done. To render transparent and water
proof, I used a receipt found in an old number of
Am, Agriculturist, viz. : i qt. pale unboiled lin-
seed oil, 4 oz. resin, i oz. sugar of lead, pulver-
ized ; heated in an iron pot, applied warm and
let dry ; give second coat.

This cloth has its upper edge tacked securely
under a roof-like projection, over ridge pole
(made to protect cloth when rolled up), having
previously screwed into ridge pole rings i^ in.
diameter, where it was secured strongly with small
ropes, which lay directly on the glass, until the
cloth was tacked in desired position. Then it was
returned to top and passed again through same
ring, from thence along under roof projection and
through similar rings until end of house is reached. '
A gentle pull suffices to start the pole to rolling
and continued effort lands it safely under the i
projection. So far so good. But how will I man-
age to get it to start back ? So thus far gentle
persuasion has not sufficed, and each time my
man servant has to mount step-ladder at each I
end and give it a vigorous push to dislodge it. !
But this takes time and patience, and I would |
like to be told how to get it down as easily as we
get it up.

I think cloth manipulated this way, would give
to many, unable to indulge in artificial heat, or
glass for hot beds, a safe and sure means of hav-
ing as many cold frames for half hardy plants,
for advancing tender vegetables, &c., as they
desire, and here South, almost as good coverings
to their flower pits as glass. I intend to test it in

a large violet frame, 4x20 feet long, to have them
the whole winter, removing cloth in summer and
allowing violets to remain all the time.

Spartanburg, S. C.

TEA ROSES, PAUL FLORET AND ROSALIE.

BY MANSFIELD MILTON.

For bedding purposes or as a pot plant I do not
know of a more floriferous variety than Paul Floret.
The flowers are large, full and very fragrant, pro-
duced generally singly on the end of every shoot ;
and as the plant has a very bushy habit there are
a great many shoots, and consequently an equal
number of buds. Upon a number of plants I iiave
growing in my rose bed I find but few blind
shoots, that is, shoots which stop growing without
forming a bud. The color is a reddish-salmon
with carmine centre.

Rosalie.— This beautiful production of Ellwan-
ger & Barry, although a miniature rose, is a little
gem and should be found in every one's garden.
The flowers are a rich rosy-pink, produced in
great abundance and forming for a pot plant a
compact bushy habit ; with me it has been very
free from mildew. Youngsfown, O,

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Florists* Designs at State Fairs. — At
State Fairs the •• Fat Woman," "Educated Hog,"
and similar monstrosities are the side issues that
usually attract the multitude, and add to the totals
of "gate money." The London Gardeners"
Chronicle quotes from our excellent young con-
temporary, the American Florist, its account of a
set of " floral designs " of the side show order at
one of our Slate Fairs, and suggests that the
Florist has evidently an up-hill task in educating
American taste in such matters.

The Chronicle does not know that these pre-
miums were offered by an Agricultural and not
by a Horticultural society. It is not usually re-
garded as the mission of an Agricultural society
to educate Floral taste. That should be work for
a Horticultural society. But even Horticultural
societies are often remiss in their duty in this re-
spect.

The Largest Cyclamens. — The largest Per-
sian cyclamen flowers ever produced in Germany,
were exactly two inches long. We believe we
have seen them this size in America.

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[ February,

Spotted Gloxinias. — A race of Gloxinias
with beautifully spotted flowers is among the re-
<:ent novelties offered by the seed trade.

New Tea Roses from an English Stand
Point. — This is the view that a correspondent of
the London Gardeners' Chronicle takes of new
Tea Roses :

During the last few years many new Tea roses
have been introduced, but some of the best of the
old varieties are so popular that they will hold a
high position for years to come. Niphetos, for
instance, as a white kind, is not yet equalled. De-
voniensis still reigns supreme in its lovely color;
Madame Falcot and Safrano are most beautiful in
the bud state ; Souvenir d'un Ami, too, has long
been popular, and its popularity has not declined.

In regard to the price of coal, Mr. Hippard pays
by the car load for slack 80 cents per ton, and is
delivered in the bin at the establishment at from
20 to 22, costing just about $1, and not ^1.25 as
stated by " Ohioan."

Mr. Stoever further suggests that if lump coal is
the cheapest, as " Ohioan " believes, one might
suppose the Youngstown works would use it for
their steam boilers.

We have had to condense Mr. Stoever's letter
because much of it has not reference to the matter
of what is to be understood as " feet of glass " in
calculating the work of a steam boiler, which was
the chief question raised in our columns.

Chrysanthemum, Mrs. J. B. Wilson. — Mr.

Still, with all the good qualities belonging to these __, , _ , ^. ^ r\ \ -^^^ •. t u^.r^

good old varieties^ we cannot ignore the new and ^^^^^r Coles, Claymont, Del., writes : I have

beautiful forms which have been so lavishly dis- sent you to-day, per mail, one bloom of my new

tributed in recent years. The best of them are Chrysanthemum (Mrs. J. B. Wilson). Will you

Anna Ohvier, flesh color; Amazone, lemon-yel- | j^jj^ji gj^g youj. opinion on it as to its merits in

low ; Belle Lyonnaise, Catherine Mermet, flesh- „ , _ . ., „ :> \/ n ^«« u„ i-u^

1 J , r- * J TvT ^ n Gardeners Monthly ? You will see by the

colored or salmon-rose ; Comtesse de Nadaillac, i ^^*^^*-*^ ^ J

orange and coppery-colored ; Hon. Edith Gifford, i weak stem that it is a flower from a side shout,

beautiful in bud ; La Boule d'Or, a fine pot rose,
golden-yellow flowers ; Madame Jules Margottin,
yellow with a pinky tinge : Madame Chedane
Guinoisseau, sulphur-yellow, fine form ; Madame
Lambard, very distinct ; Marie van Houtte, a very
pretty yellow kind ; Perle des Jardins, canary-
yellow ; Rubens, white, rose-tinted, fine. The above

hence the flower is not near so large nor has it the
substance that it would have from a main stem.
This is really a valuable variety for Christmas."

[This is of the semi-double class, with a flower
5^ inches over ; petals, 2^ inches long and ^
inch wide, with the single eye Ji inch in diameter.

are not strictly new. and we must add to them the I ^ , , .^ •., r„- ^ *;..^^ r^r r^;,^i, if ;c o

1.^^.1 V ^r....J\r- H'PUc. Color, white, with a faint tinge of pink. It is a

very fine bold flower of its class. — Ed. G. M.]

lovely Souvenir d'Elise.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Reine Marie Henriette Rose. — "Geyser"
says: "If 'J. H.,' of Ardmore, Pa., will treat his
" Reine Marie Henriette " the same as a La-
marque, or M. Neil, he will have plenty of blooms
and two crops each year. I have two, one in
house facing south, on back wall ; one in house,
span roof facing east and west ; both are doing
finely, and bloom profusely , the latter has had
many a crop of 300 and 400 blooms. It is a fine
rose — good color — but lacks much fragrance."

Steam Heating. — Mr. N. B. Stoever writes,
that he calculates the number of feet of glass by
the number of feet in the boxes used for glazing.
To Mr. Hippard's houses 250 boxes were used ; in
this way he calculates 12,000 feet. The way in
which the glass is used would enable 25,000 feet | pedium aucale has ever been crossed by any of

New Tea Rose, "Moonlight." — We received
recently a flower of a sport from Catharine Mermet»
which was as large and perfect as the original,
but of a soft subdued satiny tint that was neither
white nor pink. There have been several sports
from this rose recently, and just how far this may
differ from them we cannot tell. If they are Hke
this, " superb " will be the characteristic term.

The name pre-empted by the raiser of this is
very appropriate as coming after the very popular
" Sunset " of Mr. Peter Henderson, as well as from
the more subdued shade of color that separates
its " glamour " from the parent form. We should
recommend its propagation, leaving the question
of distinctness to future revelations.

Orchid Queries. — " J. R.," New Bedford,
Mass., writes : " You will oblige me very much
by letting me know through your journal if Cypri-

to be used in this way instead of 12,000. He be-
lieves that the proper way to understand " feet of
glass " is by the number of feet of glass used, and
not the amount of ground covered by glass or the
number of cubic feet enclosed by glass.

the tropical varieties, if so, what are the hybrids ?
Would like to know most easy way to get a stock
of Anthurium Warrackianium and the easiest
mode of propagating it. Will Coelogynes do bet-
ter in pans than baskets or blocks ? Can I flower

1886. 1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

it better in hot-house than cool, as I have been in I very few do well on blocks or in baskets, but even
the habit of flowering it in cool house ?" | these do better in po'ts.

[There have been no attempts recorded to use; Can some correspondent answer the query in
Cypripedium acaule in hybridizing orchids. I regard to propagating Anthurium ? We suppose

Coelogynes do best in pots of peat and moss ; a I division is the only way.— Ed. G. M.]

Fruw and Vegetable Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Nothing in gardening is so ill understood as
pruning. Those who preach prune not at alh
have no doubt seen some fearful illustrations of
bad work. Those who advocate pruning when-

system will, of course, prune according to the
rules comprising such system. As a general rule,
we can only say, excellent grapes can be had by
any system of pruning; for the only object of
pruning in any case is, to get strong shoots to push
where they may be desired, or to add to the in-
creased vigor of the shoot, which pruning supposes

ever the knife is sharp, have been taught in the

miseries of some neglected orchard. It is indeed ' will follow the act. increased size in the fruit it

safer to prune not at all, than to have a sharp : bears.

knife in the hands of an ignorant man. Much of Blackberries, raspberries and currants are also

the indifference the culture of the dwarf pear has | much assisted by having the weaker canes

fallen into, came about from the bad mistakes of | thinned out, and those left shortened a fourth or

ignorant pruners. It is not at all uncommon to fifth of their length. Gooseberries need thinning,

see a dwarf pear tree with all its young vigorous but not shortening.

growth cut away. Nothing but fruit spurs left.' If time can be spared for washing the trunks of

All the force is thus sent into the flowering condi- : the fruit trees, it is so much the better. It prevents

tion in the spring. The trees are mountains of 1 them from becoming hide-bound. Hide-bound

snow-white blossoms; but few fruit follows. A trees are often started by poverty or unsuitable

judicious thinning out of weak branches, so as to soil. Few soils can be too rich for fruit trees ; if

get a good form to the tree, is about all the pruning
required. If there is a tendency to produce an
over-proportion of fruit spurs, cut out a good por-
tion of them.

The apple often requires pruning when some-

fertilizers can be had cheap most orchards are
benefited by manuring. If the ground beneath
the trees be cropped with vegetables or farm pro-
duce, manure must be applied. The trees then
get some as well as the vegetables. If grass is

what advanced in years. The old stunted branches ' grown under the trees, unless the land is alluvial]

should be cut out now and then, whenever a young
and vigorous shoot is inclined to take its place.

and some food is brought down from the higher
land, surface dressing should be given every other

Peach trees especially love this sort of pruning, year. It is an excellent plan to have orchards in
The grape-vine, when trained on lattice work or grass, provided care be taken not to let the grass
treUises, is very liable to have its strong branches | starve the trees.

at the end of the vine; and the good pruner is If one has a specimen orchard of many varieties,
ever on the alert to get a young strong branch up in addition to the main one of a few varieties for
from near the ground. When he can get this, he main crops, he will have much pleasure. The
often takes out an older one weakened by age or trees are, of course, numbered regularly, and
bearing, and replaces it with youth and vigor. named in the orchard book in case a label gets

The rule in pruning grape-vines, is to shorten lost. But each tree is labelled for all. Look over
the shoots in proportion to their strength ; but, at this season, and see that all labels are legible,
if the advice we have given in former summer | As to vegetables, we cannot do anything with-
hints has been attended to, there will be little out deep soil, and plenty of manure, which the
disproportion in this matter, as summer pinching good gardener will always be on the alert to
of the strong shoots has equalized the strength of J secure,
the vine. Those who are following any particular j In the vegetable garden we have few hints to

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[February,

give to those who grow for profit. Few seldom ! ture in the stem, the most vulnerable part of a tree,
go into the vegetable business until they have ' It is true thai the color is " glary," but then the
had some amateur experience, and after this they 1 " new " soon wears off. In fact, the wash entirely
know how to make money better than we can tell disappears in three months. The wash with tem-
them. But the amateur may be benefited by \ pered color may be quite as good, but the result
what we say, and he can go into the profitable \ here with pure white has been so gratifying that

line afterwards.

In managing the vegetable garden, the highest

save in conspicuous places I should hardly care
to do •• better.** Lexington, Ky,

excellence should be aimed at. This is the chief j [It often happens that people who despise those
source of pleasure in a garden. If one can take who study '• Botany " as an aid to horticulture,
no pleasure in his garden ; if the watching of the I and know absolutely nothing about vegetable
beautiful processes of nature in furnishing him \ physiology, will talk the most learnedly when it is
food, and the many lessons they offer to teach, and I to bolster up some fancy. It would be hard for
which he in a thousand ways can so pleasurably these sturdy brethren to explain what they mean

and profitably apply, have no charms or attrac-
tions for him, he had better give up gardening ;
for, assuredly, in most cases— even to ninety-
nine in one hundred instances— the market gar-

by " closing the pores " in the stem of a tree.

Some years ago a gentleman near Cincinnati
obtained or applied for a patent for an improved
method of culture in fruit trees. The writer of

ceases to do this it should be abandoned.

-m-m-^-

COMMUNICATIONS.

LIME-^A^ASHING FRUIT TREES.
BY H. F. HILLENMEYER.

dener will bring the vegetables to his own door this saw the trees treated to Bolmar's process. It
cheaper than he can grow them. Amateur gar- consisted simply of hauling a cart load of earth
dening should primarily be pursued forthe lessons and banking it up under the trees, surrounding
it teaches, and the pleasure it affords. When it the trunk with the earth up to the first limbs. The

trees looked a lady dressed in the not very old-
time style when monstrous hoops made up the
fashion of the day. It was amazing how great
was the vigor and healthfulness of these trees, al-
though the earth of course " closed every pore "
in the trunks.

And then how terribly must a cutting of a grape
I have been a reader of the Gardeners' ' vine or other plant suffer with "every pore" be-
MONTHLY for many years and have often noted | neath the surface of the ground ! — Ed. G. M.]
your advice to whitewash the stems of fruit trees.
From other writers I have gathered the idea that
whitewash " closed the pores " and was highly in-
jurious. Whether to whitewash or not was thus
a debatable policy. Three years since, to deter-
mine definitely whether such an application would
prove beneficial or injurious, one hundred three-
years-planted apple trees were selected for the ex-
periment, the wash being applied about June 1st.

FRUIT AND FLORAL NOTES.
BY ROSE TERRY COOKE.

I observe that you and your correspondents
frequently have something to say about the peach
curl. Allow me to contribute a little bit of my
experience.

Last year I bought of Ellwanger & Barry some

It has been applied twice since with the most strong thrifty young peach trees, and set them
gratifying result. The stems of the trees bear the | out properly, for though I am an amateur, I know

gloss of exceeding vigor. There is not sign of
moss or lichen, no scale, scab or borer.

enough for that. They all flourished, but about
mid-summer the leaves crinkled up, and had un-

I have used other washes to achieve the same mistakable 'curl*' all over. I have great faith in
result, but neither soft soap, potash or soda wood ashes, and as we use a wood burning
washes impart such a splendid hue of health. furnace, have plenty of them. So I had the

Mr. Editor, continue your teaching. It is cor- ' ground about each tree well mulched with them,
rect, and those who follow it will be pleased with and slightly forked them in. The effect was
the result. The only point upon which I differ is surprising; in a very short time all those curled
in the addition of soot, etc., to soften the color of leaves straightened out, grew fresh and strong,
the wash. We use only the lime and a little gyp- 1 and never had another bit of curl to them all

sum to increase the adhesiveness. The clear
white reflects the heat and decreases the tempera-

summer. I find wood ashes very good for cur-
rants. I have almost exterminated the currant

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

worm from my bushes by an abundant mulch of
this kind; and my raspberries grow enormously
under the application of wood ashes every fall
and spring.

What is there about Rosa rugosa to make it
desirable ? I paid a dollar for one, on the recom-
mendation of catalogues, and I think any of our
wild roses more beautiful than this bristling,
single blossomed, coarse-leaved bush.

I have been experimenting on various straw-

plained that it killed their trees. Perhaps where

there is this risk the following from the Gardeners'

Chronicle may be preferred :

" Now is a good time for cleaning any trees that
may be infested with scale or mealy-bug. The
following mixture may be used : — 2 oz. of flower
of sulphur, 2 oz. of soda, y^ oz. of shag tobacco,
and a small quantity of lime, put in a saucepan
and boiled in a gallon of water for a quarter of an
hour. Allow it to settle, pour off the clear liquid,
and therewith syringe the trees well once or twice
during the winter. It will keep good for any

berries, ar>d accepted two out of the crowd for i T'" f '/ L. ih. . Z fZ ^ fi '°'' ^""l
_ .uij^. .,^, length ot time. 1 have also used parrafin mixed

my own use, the old Triomphe de Gand, and
the new " Prince of Berries." The latter is a sort
of idealized apple, it is so firm-fleshed, so high-
flavored and so sweet. But I had to prop up the
long stalks as if they were over-loaded apple the cow-shed."
trees. I never saw such growth of leaves and
fruit on any other berry.

Now that the season of catalogues is coming
in, do give a word in season to those believing
people who are every year cheated by traveUing
agents of various florists. My neighbor last year
paid one a dollar for one feeble plant of Am-
pelopsis Veitchii, while I sent to a florist and
bought five for a dollar. This is but a specimen
of the various frauds of this sort. I too was I
victimized last year by an "old soldier," a plea I
never can resist. I paid for blackberries with the
roots torn off, pear trees that apparently never
had those useful attachments, and sundry other
dead branches, the aspect of which not only
shocked my patriotic sentiment, but put a final
blow to my patience with *• agents." Not another
one will come inside my door.

[The Editor once heard just this vow made over
a bill for $96, when not $9 had been expected.

with water, say a wineglassful to a gallon of water.
This will clean the trees if repeated while growth
is at rest. Another plan that I have found to an-
swer, is to syringe the trees four or five times with
strong manure water as collected in a tank from

Raspberry, Hilborn.— This is a new Black
cap raised in Canada, and said to be of "very
superior flavor," and as large as any now known.

Pyrus Pollweriana.^— Every now and then
we have references to this famous French pear,
that is supposed to be not a pear, but a hybrid
between the pear and some other genera; and the
only reason for this supposition was that it was
sterile— never had any seeds in the fruit. It is
now well known that sterility is no mark of
hybiidity. Hybrids are as fertile as other plants.
Seedlings not hybrids are often infertile. But
the actual facts are now furnished by the Revue
Horticole for September i6th. Some seeds have
been produced and plants from them are nothing
but the ordinary common pear.

Pears in the Old World.— At the recent
Pear convention in London, there were 6,350
plates of fruit, and 650 varieties. 194 persons

The vow was registered in the editorial mind ! ^^j jj^^^re Diel, Marie Louise 155. and Louise
Inquiry was made, and the reply was this : " Con- jjonne de Jersey 732, Beurre Clairgeau 106, Vicar
found those fellows, one got an order for grape- ^g, Beurre Superfin 70 ; our favorite Bartlett or
vines out of me this spring." But the vower was Williams Bon Chretien is in the unnoticed list
not a lady. Still, we shall be glad to learn when i jj^^t had less than fifty admirers,
her good nature yields to the blandishments of the i

agent's mellifluous tongue.-Ed. G. M.] ! ^pple Trade with EuROPE.-The Pall Mall

I get everything far cheaper and far better, by ^^^^i*^ says that the American apple trade in
express or mail, from established and honest ^^"^°" '^^ ^^ enormous that a single dealer will
firms, who deal in flowers and fruits "in the ^ ^^^'^^ "°^^'"^' °^ ^^^^"gc^^^^g^^^ ^^ ^^"^ " ^^'^^o
original package." Winsted, Conn. ^^^''^^^ by next train." Is this a newspaper ex-

aggeration ?

Resistant Vines. — In California and some
EDITORIAL NOTES. other parts of our country the European grape

does fairly well, though everywhere the dreaded

Cleaning Scale from Fruit Trees. — In our insect. Phylloxera, may possibly come. We sup-
own practice we found nothing better than linseed pose it is pretty close at hand, even in the hitherto
oil for cleaning bark of scale, but some have com- \ exempt California, for we note that a leading

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[February,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

'« *

California grape grower, our well-known friend,
George Hussmann, of Napa, is propagating the
"American" kinds largely, and gives them the
very expressive name of "Resistant" kinds, a
name that deserves general adoption.

The Berckman's Grape. — It remained for this
magazine to point out the excellencies of this
variety, long after the death of Dr. Wylie its raiser.
It is a pleasure to note the increase of popularity
that it so well deserves.

The Cuthbert Raspberry. — This variety
which has obtained a strong hold in the favor of
customers, was found about fifteen years ago, as
an accidental seedling in the garden of Thomas
Cuthbert, Riverdale, on the Hudson river. New
York.

The Bartlett Pear. — The Editor has made a
misstatement as to the Williams who introduced
the Bartlett, or as it is in England, known as the
Williams' Bonchrcticn. Mr. Hovcy kindly cor-
rects the error in the following note to the Rural
New Yorker :

"It was originally described in the Transactions
of the Royal Horticultural Society in l8i6 (Vol.
II.) with a colored plate, and so far as any infor-
mation could be obtained at that time, • it sprang
up from seed in the garden of Mr. Wheeler, a
schoolmaster at Aldermaslon, in Berkshire, pre-
viously to 1770, as it was then a very young
plant.'

" It was disseminated by Mr. Richard Williams,
a nurseryman of Turnham Green, from whom
came its name of Williams's Bonchretien. It was
introduced into Boston in 1799 or 1800, into the
grounds belonging subsequently to E. Bartlett,
then Roxbury, and was known as the Bartlett
Pear, supposed to be a new variety until the late
R. Manning, of Salem, detected that the Bartlett
was a synonym ; but it was so extensively culti-
vated as the Bartlett that it was impossible to re-
store its original name."

Picking Blackberries. — In his essay before
the American Pomological Society, Mr. Granville
Cowing, of Muncie, Indiana, made a good point
in noting that the fruit of the Blackberry should
be kept in as dense shade as possible, from the
moment of picking to getting to market.

Season of Ripening Pears. — An English
grower of a hundred kinds, has been keeping
careful record of exact ripenings, and of those
well-known in our country, the Giffard was the
earliest and Olivier des Sevres the latest. They
run in order as follows: Giffard, S. du Congress,
Bartlett, d'Amaulis, Flemish Beauty, St. Michel
Archange, Superfin, Fondante d'Automne, Duch-
esse, Louise Bonne, Seckel, Urbaniste, Bose, Diel,

du Comice, Winter Nelis, Glout Morceau, Jose-
phine de Malines, d'Espercu, Easter Beurre, and
Olivier des Sevres.

The Chinese Yam. — An English firm, in a
catalogue "expressly designed for the American
market," asks, "has any American grower ever
tried this ?" Shade of Billy Prince, what a ques-
tion ! Still, as it is getting to be the fashion to
look to the old world for " novelties" there will
no doubt be a good run for it. The only satisfac-
tion is, that it will create a good demand for
American post spades in order to dig up the
crop. «

Coe's Golden Drop Plum. — This was dis-
covered in England first by an English gardener
named Gervais Coe, at Bury St. Edmunds, in
Kent. It is now getting to be an old variety, but
still holds its fame and maintains its reputation.

The English Gooseberry at Home. — Few
of our readers can have any idea of the en-
thusiasm with which a resident of Great Britain
views a gooseberry bush. At Cawdor Castle the
plants are ten feet high, and ten feet thick. The
slang phrase " How is that for high ? " might have
come from an admirer of a bush like these.

Destruction of Fruit by Bees. — The San
Bernandmo (Cal.) Index says:

"The case of Randall and Noyes against Gus-
tave Bohn, which was decided in Justice Knox's
court yesterday, is probably without a parallel in
the history of lawsuits. The plaintiffs are raisin
growers in the highlands seven miles northeast of
this city. Adjoining their vineyard, the defendant
has a bee ranch. The action was for damages
which the plaintiffs claimed to have suffered in
consequence of the frequent visitations of the de-
fendant's bees to their grapes. In support of their
claim, they introduced numerous witnesses who
swore that they had, in various instances, witnessed
with their own eyes the perforation and destruction
of plaintiffs' grapes, when alighted upon by the busy^
busy bee of the defendant. The latter, in turn,
introduced evidence to show the impossibility of
this condition of things. He proved by a score of
witnesses, that the bill of the insect is tubular and
not pointed, and can, therefore, be used only as an
extractor of sweets, not as a borer after them.
The evidence of the eye-witnesses of the plaintiffs^
however, had the weight with the jury, and they
accordingly returned a verdict against the defend-
ant for $75 and costs of suit, which amount to
over $60. The plaintiffs were represented by
Curtis & Otis, and the Hon. H. M. Willis looked
after the interests of the defendant. A stay of
proceedings has been asked for, and the case will
probably be appealed. It is one of interest to bee-
ranchers and raisin-growers, and is attracting
much attention."

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

The Soulard Crab Apple.— " Vixen." Balti-
more, seems mad, and wants to know : " Can any
one tell me whether in any single case, no mat-
ter how desperate, one solitary pleasure was ever
derived from Soulard crab ? The man that start-
ed it ought, in my estimation, be convicted of
treason ; and the old law that required a traitor to !
be hung, drawn, and quartered, should be re- j
vived especially in view of his speedy trial and
conviction. If he or any other chap can show
that one earthly benefit was ever derived by any
one planting it. I will take back my verdict, that
it is an enormous outrage on good nature ever to
have sent out such a thing, — and is it not time to
boycott those nurserymen who keep such disrepu-
table stuff in their catalogues. It is all very well
to say they did not send it out, and, as long as
there is a demand they must keep up with the

times, and so on ad nauseam, as we have had
dosed down us a thousand times. The keeping
for those who will have it, is a different thing
from advertising and pushing it by catalogue.

It is a scandalous outrage, that after I have had
this tree growing for years in a limited piece of
ground, hoping for something at least pretty if not
good, I should have the additional loss of chop-
ping it down and making a bon-fire. I could tear
out the seller's eyes, I could, though I am not
regarded usually as a vixen."

Waste Coal as Manure.— Mr. J. A. Price,
Scranton, Pa., believes that coal dust will make
an excellent fertilizer. Mountains of it, brought
from the mines as screenings, are piled up in the
coal regions. Its dark color is in its favor. Dark
soils are always more favorable than light ones
for many purposes, by reason of their absorption of
heat; and its carbonaceous properties ought to
give it additional value.

FORESTR Y.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Great Council Tree of the Senecas
at Kanadesaga (Geneva), N. Y., Nearly two
miles northwesterly from the foot of Seneca lake.
— On the Old Castle farm of Jerome Loomis, now
owned and occupied by his children, is a large
elm tree, known as the Great Council Tree of the
Senecas. This elm is in fact a double tree, the
two bodies branching just above the ground. Its
measurement, August 2ist, 1879, was '^s follows:
Trunk, just above the ground, but near the crown
of the roots, 25 feet; two feet above the last
measurement, or about three feet from the ground,
21 feet 3 inches; trunk of west branch, 13 feet 6
inches; east branch, 15 feet 2 inches; the last
two measurements being five feet from the ground.
Spread of the whole tree 120 feet.

This noble elm is situated just east of the ridge
on the farm on the east side of the old Pre- i
emption road, nearly half a mile distant and a
little east of north from the Old Castle, and
was situated in the midst of the corn-fields of the
Seneca Indians at Kanadesaga. A little to the
north of the tree was a large peach orchard, ,
which was destroyed by Sullivan's army, Sep-

tember 8th, 1779. This peach orchard in a few
years was again in a flourishing condition, and in
1797 one hundred bushels of peaches were sold
from it to a neighboring distillery. The same
year a farmer on one of the Old Castle farms sold
cider to the amount of one thousand two hundred
dollars, which was made from apples grown in the
old Indian orchard, the trees of which had like-
wise been girdled by Sullivan's army, but had
sprouted from the roots and were again in full
bearing.

The large apple orchards were around and near
the Old Castle, which was on the Crittenden farm,
and also on the farm opposite the Old Castle, on
the east side of the old Pre-emption road, then in
the possession of Major Sanford Williams, but
afterwards owned by Mr. Swales. Crittenden
and Williams each had a cider mill and were at
that time quite extensively engaged in the manu-
facture of cider, which found a ready market, as
there were none but Indian apple trees in ex-
istence, and of them but few scattering trees,
except what were on their farms.

Trees of wild plums, black mulberries, butter-
nuts, walnuts and hickory nuts were in abundance
in the immediate vicinity.

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[February,.

Under the eastern edge of the tree is a large
stone deeply imbedded in the ground, about four

in the same place where it was used and left by
them.

feet long and twenty inches wide. This stone had
a hollow scooped out towards one end, and was

An Indian orator once said : " We shall not
long occupy much room in living ; we shall oc-

used by the Indians for pounding corn in, and it is ! cupy still less when we are gone ; a single tree of

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

1m i"r.t :'!!' !'!''!:!'_''"■• ^f ^*^^^'''"^' °- ! ■- ^ -=^» ^^^en at the foot of Iron Mountain.

old elm under which the tribes used to meet, will
cover us all; but we would have our bodies
twined in death among its roots on the very soil
where it grew. Perhaps it will last the longer
from being fertilized with their decay."— /v-^/w
Conover's Early History of Geneva, 1880, p. 41.
[The above cut is from an engraving printed in
Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, Oz^oh^x, 1885,
made from a photograph taken by Jas. G. Vail
for Geo. S. Conover, in August, 1879, and which
has been kindly loaned us by the pubHsher.
During a gale of wind on the 14th of September,
1882, one of the large branches, comprising
about one-half of the tree, was blown off and it
has lost its pristine beauty and grandeur.]

Turpentine.— We see it stated in a Govern

It ought to pay well to cultivate the plant for the
sake of the root.— Ed. G. M.]

PiNUS PONDEROSA OF THE RoCKY MOUNTAINS.

— •' S. B. H.," Gordon, Sheridan Co., Neb. "By
mail to day I send you cone, seed, twig, sap wood
from live tree, and heart wood from dead tree, of a
variety of pine that is indigenous here. The tree
grows quite large, in some places three and
four feet in diameter and quite tall, and free from
knots. In the deep ravines young trees eight
mches in diameter, are frequently forty and fifty
feet high. The young trees in the open ground
are very beautiful ; when standing singly it is a
perfect pyramid of green, and although a fast
grower it keeps its shape and dense foliage, rival-
ling in its wild state any variety I ever saw in

ment publ.cat.on, that taking but one crop of I cultivated grounds.

ZT^Zr"%r" '""" ""'f " ?^ "''""' '""'<^ heart wood from trees that have been
aeaa trees readily mvitme- fierce fort^f^f fin^s: ^ ^ ■. "rtvc uccn

u ^- • iuviuiig nerce iores>t hres, , panlv burned, seems to remain buried in thf>

abound m turpentme d stricts." We were under .u r , • ^'^^cmam ouriea m tne

^u ' • ,. ""<^er earth for a long time w thout rotting- Can von

the impression that crops could betaken as of f^ii u . - wimuut rouing. <^an you

r . . I'lKcn, ab 01 tell me what variety it s ? The vountr nlants

sucrar. from trees in mnnv Qiir/-Acc,\r« coo e^«o t^^ . / u lo . xiic yuuuj, pianis

sugar, from trees in many successive seasons. Do
any of our correspondents know that the Gov-
ernment document is correct ?

Tulip Poplar Lumber.— There appears to be
a large demand for this lumber in Boston. About
300,000 feet that came over the New River
Division of the Norfolk and Western Railroad,
was delivered in a single week last year. It came
from the head-waters of the Guyandot and Big
Sandy Rivers in Virginia, and brought about I30
per 1000 feet.

Tea Culture.— Unless we are wise, Italy will
get the start of us in tea culture. A plantation at
Novaro has been so successful that the Italian
government is arranging to plant largely the com

ing year.

«-•-»

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

spring up everywhere, and seem indifferent
whether they have shade, sun, drouth or mois-
ture."

[This is the Colorado form of Pinus ponderosa,
and which Dr. Engelmann named variety Scopu-
lorum. The leaves and seeds are the same as the
Pacific species, but the cones are generally small-
er, and the whole tree less in proportion. About
four feet in diameter is the full size, and they sel-
dom grow more than fifty feet high.

On account of their smaller size than their
Pacific relative, the species will not compete with
it in timber culture, but for ornamental purposes
in eastern gardens it is far superior, as being free
from the pine leaf-rust, which destroys the lower
branches of California pines generally, and this
one in particular.— Ed. G. M.]

Value of the Pecan Nut.— "Walnut Hill,"
Cincinnati, Ohio, writes: "I think the flavor of
Ginseng.—" H. H.," Wilmington, Del., asks : the pecan nut. far superior to that of our English
"Will you please inform me, if you can, in the ; walnut. The only defect is the small size, and
next Gardeners* Monthly, where plants of ' extra trouble in getting the pecan meat frorn the

Panax quinquefolium (or Ginseng), can be pur
chased. It is a hardy herbaceous plant, native of
North America."

[So far as we know it is not under cultivation,
and in its wild state it has been nearly eradicated
by medical root hunters.

During a two months' excursion in the mount-
ains of North Carolina and Virginia, a few years
ago, the only plant seen by the writer of this, was

shell. What an immense stride in improvement
would be made if we could get a pecan as large
as a walnut ! As almost all fruits can be improved
by selection, I want to suggest to improvers of
fruits, nuts, &c., whether it would not be worth
their while to take the pecan in hand, with the
view, in time, of getting a nut as large as a wal-
nut?"

[No doubt improvers will be thankful for the

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[February,

hint, but still more thankful if •* Walnut Hill"
would undertake the improvement by selection
himself. There is no doubt, as he says, that
selection would give much larger and better nuts,
and there is no doubt an immense fortune for him
in the success of the experiment, provided he

lives long enough to fruit some half dozen gener-
ations of pecan nut trees. Each seedling pecan
tree is about fifteen years in coming into bearing,
so that he can communicate to our magazine the
results of his sixth selection in the looth volume
of our magazine. — Ed. G. M.]

Natural History and Science.

COMMUNICATIONS.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ECHOES.
BY REV. L. J. TEMPLIX.

Since coming to Colorado, I have had a little |
experience that is new to me, and that puzzles me '
not a little.

When I came here I brought some onions of |
the common button variety, that had for a number
of years behaved properly in Kansas, producing
sets and large onions alternately, as regularly as
the seasons came. The first year here they pro-
duced an enormous crop of sets, but the first of
August, before they were perfectly matured, there
came a severe hail-storm that beat them down
and bruised them considerably. The next year
when planted, a large per cent, of these sets,
instead of making large onions, sent up seed
stalks and produced sets. The past year the same
thing has occurred. But another strange thing
has happened ; the large onions set out last spring
seem to have also lost their instinct, and instead
of sending up seed stalks and producing sets, as
well-bred onions should, they simply divided up
and produced a number of onions, some of them
of large size, after the style of potato onions.

Another experience I have had that does not
correspond with the rules laid down in the books,
has been with some cabbage. A year ago last
spring I planted some plants of early cabbage —
Burpee's, No. 2, I believe. These were planted
on new " Park" land, that had not been thoroughly
leveled for irrigation. Some of them, planted in
some rows of small trees, did not receive sufficient
water and so did not grow much, and when winter
came on they were only good large plants. They
stood there all winter exposed to the weather, the
temperature falling as low as -26^. But they sur-

vived and came out all sound and hving in the
spring. The ground between the trees was cul-
tivated the past year, but that directly in the rows
was not disturbed, and so some of this cabbage
was left to grow, and strange to say, they made a
good growth and produced good solid heads of
several pounds weight. The high altitude and
rare atmosphere, or regular irrigation, or some un-
known cause, seems to have turned the heads of
these things till they forgot what they should do
under the circumstances.

Our tomato vines were affected with some dis-
ease during the past year that caused almost a
failure of that crop in this vicinity. About the
time the earliest fruit was half-grown the plants
assumed a dark, unhealthy appearance. The
leaves were dwarfed and the growth was very
slow and meager. A fair crop of fruit set on but
it did not grow to exceed one-half the ordinary
size. The fruit seemed to color without properly
ripening, having a sickly, translucent appearance
and lacking the fine flavor for which the tomatoes

of this region are noted. Canon City, Col.

[These experiences are very interesting. They

illustrate a point often dwelt on in our pages,
! that horticulture requires special study in almost
every locality in order to be adapted to these lo-
calities. The onion in most parts of the United
States, behaves differently to what it does in Great
Britain, where a bulb 12 inches round can be ob-
tained in a few months. It requires some knowl-
edge of why a cabbage heads at all, or an onion
makes a bulb, before the "principles" of their
1 culture can be adapted to occasions. The to-
' mato seems to have suffered from one of the
' forms of potato fungus — Perenospora. It would
be worth looking at with a microscope next year.
I— Ed. G. M.]

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

THE WILD PLANTS OF TEXAS
BY P. H. OBERWETTER.

In one of the last numbers of the Gardeners'
Monthly appeared an article on the wild plants
of South Carolina, by Mrs. J. S. R. Thomson,
which the writer of this read with much interest,
and at the same time it reminded him that years
ago he promised to write something similar, hoping
that it may be of some interest to the readers of
this magazine if they should happen to be of the
same turn of mind as the writer of this, for to him
nothing is so interesting as to read of the plants
and flowers of other countries. These notes are
jotted down for the Gardeners' Monthly.

It is presumed that everybody knows that
Texas is an extensive State and in consequence
its climate is diverse, hence the great difference in
the flora of the different sections. This difference
is more striking when the traveler goes from east
to west than from south to north ; for when the
traveler goes from Houston in south-east he finds
magnolias near the coast, and some other large
leaved evergreens which are not met with in the
interior and towards the Red river; otherwise the
flora has about the same aspect on its northern
limits as on the coast. But what a change is there
in regard to plants when a man travels from east
to west ! We need not go as far as the extreme
western part of the State, the counties of Presidio,
Pecos and El Paso, to imagine ourselves to be in
Mexico or California, but less than one hundred
miles west of San Antonio we meet in the canons
and on the mountains of the upper Nueces river a
flora so striking as we can only expect to find it in
the interior of Mexico.

In view of the large extent of country, the reader
will not expect that all remarkable plants of Texas
are even enumerated, less described; besides, the
deficient knowledge of the writer is a reason why
this article can only be very superficial. The
plants noted in this article grow mainly in the vi-
cinity of Austin, which is about in the centre of
the State, but occasionally plants from other parts
of the State will be mentioned. '

Starting from Austin some fine day in March
we travel to the north-west; at the distance of
four miles we come to the foot of the mountain ;
here the Colorado river leaves the mountains and
enters the undulating prairie country. Mount
Bonnell lifts up its head several hundred feet
above the river; neither ascent nor descent is pos-
sible from the river side, as indeed it is only one-
half of a mountain, half of it being torn away by ,

the Colorado river in past ages. So we make our
ascent from the other side. Arriving at the sum-
mit we have the splendid view in all directions as
usual on all mountains ; after having taken in
the view we look at and examine the plants
around us. The first plant that arrests our atten-
tion is the Sophora speciosa, which creeps up
from south-east side to the very summit. It is a
beautiful evergreen shrub, or when old a small
tree ; has obovate pinnate leaves, very rigid, and
' in March is covered with spikes of violet blue
flowers resembling the flowers of Wistaria, but up-
right and not drooping, but in one instance the
writer of this found a plant which had the flowers
bent over and somewhat drooping ; there is also
occasionally a pure white one. The flowers are
powerfully odorous. The seed is a large bean of
scarlet color, the size of a cranberry pole bean or
larger, borne in large rough pods. It transplants
very hard as its roots are not fibrous, but long and
few and like to run between the rocks.

But what plant is yonder gray-leaved bush
which selected its abode on and between the clefts
of rocks overhanging a steep precipice ? Leuco-
phyllum Texanum is its name. It belongs to the
order of Scrophulariaceae, and is a spreading
shrub from 5 to 10 feet high, evergreen, if its woolly
bluish green leaves admit of this appellation. It
is a very beautiful plant and flowers from May to
October at intervals a few days after a good
shower of rain, and a bush with its ashy gray
leaves loaded with thimble-shaped rosy purple
flowers is a beautiful object, and, unlike the pre-
ceding, it transplants tolerably easily. Close by
we find Maurandia antirhiniflora having estab-
lished itself in the clefts of rocks and hanging down
in graceful festoons loaded all summer with its
light blue flowers. Dodecatheon Meadia is met
on this mountain and has perhaps here its south-
ernmost habitat, but it is far more abundant a
few miles higher up in the mountains, where also
some other flowers belonging to the northern flora
are met, which will be mentioned later.

In the shade of some cedars, Juniperus Occi-
dentalis, we find in May or June a beautiful orchid,
indeed, the most beautiful orchid of Texas that I
know. The Editor of this magazine kindly
furnished me with its name, Bletia aphylla.
As the reader will perceive, it is a sister or
brother to some cultivated species, and, as its
name implies, it is without leaves, and I will give
as good a description as I can. The root is a
creeping rhizome, flat and white, with ring marks
around it resembling the insect called centipede ;

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[February,

1 886.1

to make this resemblance more striking there dan-
gle from the sides or edges of the rhizome, at least
in the floweiing time, numerous short bodies
which I believe are the annual roots. From the
end or point of this root-stock there shoots up in
spring the flower stalk without any leaves from
the root or on the stalk ; the leaves on the latter
are mere small scales or bracts. The flower stalk
grows about 12 inches high, half of the length is
densely covered with beautiful flowers of the size
nearly of Hyancinths, of the peculiar shape of all
orchids ; the color, deep purple with golden or
bronze lines. In addition to this the stem and bracts
have more or less the same color as the flowers ;
of the latter I counted twenty on a single stem.
On account of the pecuHar color of this flower and
the dry cedar leaves which usually surround it,
the plant is not easily discovered.

One mile farther down the river on the other
side there is a small canon or a mere cleft in the
rocks, one mile long. We penetrate this gorge.
The wagon road as it enters the same leads for
one hundred or more yards through a cave or un-
der an overhanging rock in a semi-circle. Just
where the road comes out from under the rock,
there bursts a large spring out of the rocks ten feet
above the road ; the water is deliciously cool even
in the hottest season. Ferns like such places and
are here in abundance— Adiantum, Aspidium, As-
plenium. Cheilanthes vestita. Higher up cactuses
hang on the rocks, Opuntia Rafinesquii. Here
we find the beautiful drooping fern Pellaea flexuosa.
On ledges of rock and in shady moist places we
find another beautiful orchid, it is Epipactisgigan-
tea. It has a leafy stem i to 2 feet high, with
leaves hke Lilium speciosum all along the stem
which terminates in a spike with up to twelve
flowers of a yellow color streaked with purple.
Here grows also a beautiful tuberous-rooted lark-
spur; it grows about 3 feet high and has a spike
of fine flowers of a peculiar blue color.

But we will return to our first place. Also along
the foot of the mountain and among rocks we find
during the summer months alow growing shrubby
plant of the order Malvaceae. It has flowers from
1 to 2 inches in diameter of a very pink color and is
blooming up to late in autumn. A straight and
upright growing shrub is abundant ; it has small
leaves and virgate branches, about 6 to 10 feet
high, and in summer long spikes of white, sweet-
scented flowers. Its name is Lippia lycioides.
In very bare places where the soil consists of dis-
integrated limestone the beautiful little Erythrcea
Beyrichi is found, also sometimes near springs. It

AND HORTICULTURIST.

belongs to the order Gentianaceae, and in flowering
time has more flowers than leaves ; the color is
rose. Its near relative, the old Lisianthus Russel-
Hanus, but now I believe called Eustoma Russelli-
ana, is sometimes here found, but more abundantly
in the prairies in wet places, where it lifts up its
panicle of splendid violet flowers from June to
September ; it is one of our most gorgeous plants.
A small tree of the Mimosa tribe is found also on
the summit of Mount Bonnell ; it has fine bipin-
nate leaves and in April rose-colored globular
flowers and grows from five to ten leet high.

In the ravine on the foot of the mountain grows
Sophora affinis ; it grows to a large tree in rich
soil, but in poor situations even as a shrub a few
feet high. It is deciduous with pinnate leaves,
and drooping clusters of sweet-scented flowers in
April, white with purplish pink. In the same lo-
cality with the preceding grows Cercis renifolia,
large shrub or small tree with kidney-shaped
leaves, and rosy purple flowers at end of February
or early in March. In the clefts of rocks we may
look for Oenothera macrocarpa with its very large
golden yellow flowers. Pentstemon Coboea is found
in nearly all dry and rocky places: its large flowers
appear in April. Another species, P. digitahs, is
met nearer Austin in sandy pastures. A perennial
sage grows in moist and somewhat shaded places;
it has heart-shaped leaves which are scented hke
musk and a long spike of dark scarlet flowers.
Commely na ccelestis is very ubiquitous in its habit ;
it is found in gardens as a weed as well asm rocky
places ; its bright blue flowers are unsurpassed by
any other I know. Tradescantia rosea, belonging
to same order, is found in many places along the
mountains. An annual Commelyna is also found
here with red, white and blue flowers ; the flowers
are large, but the plant is of very rank growth and
looks weedy.

A queer and strange plant is the Ephedra antisy-
philitica. It belongs to the Gymnospermae— the
same to which the pine and cypress are classified.
It is a drooping plant growing between rocks.
The stem attains the size of a man's arm, with
numerous long pendulous branches like a weeping
willow ; color of branches, dark bright green with-
out any leaves. A most striking and character-
istic plant— Bacharis angustifolia— lines the river
courses, and flowers in September with silvery
white plumes.

Amsonia longifolia prefers to establish its
home on the tops of mountains, and produces its
umbels of blue flowers in April. One of the ear-
liest, if not the very earliest flowers, is Anemone

Caroliniensis. It Hfts its red, white and blue
heads of flowers sometimes in January. Nema-
stylis geminiflora sends up in March, leaves resem.
bhng those of a Tigridia, and adorns itself in
April with pale blue flowers, some nearly white-
It belongs to the order Iridaceai. A very similar
bulb grows nearer the city of Austin in dry
pastures, but is not so tall— only 6 inches high, with
bright sky blue flowers— it is Eutsylis purpurea.

In many places we meet with Lantana camara,
gay with its changeable red and yellow flowers
from May to October. CaUicarpa Americana has
also its home at the foot of the mountains. Its
purple berries are very ornamental in autumn, and
the writer of this has several times found bushes
with ivory white berries instead of purple, and
transferred the same to his garden.

About half way between Austin and this moun-
tain is a single tree of Acacia Farnesiana. It is
scarce near Austin, but abundant at San Antonio
and south ; and when it produces its globular
yellow flowers in March, it perfumes the whole
neighborhood.

A little spicy plant is also met on the mountain
sides — the Pepper bush, Capsicum fruticosum. It
produces twice in a year — in July and again in
October — its crops of scarlet berries; these are of
a hot taste, much hotter than black pepper. The
birds rehsh it, and it is also gathered and dried
for the household; it is the main ingredient ofj
several Mexican dishes, as Chile con carne and
others, which are sold by Mexicans on the streets
of Austin.

On the side of the mountain we find also a
Four o'clock, and from Asa Gray's Forest, Field
and Garden Botany, I guess that it is Mirabilis
Wrightiana. It occurs even as a weed in ne-
glected fields ; flowers, purplish lilac. Now comes
again an evergreen shrub, Rhus virens. It is a
true evergreen with leathery leaves, not very high
— 4 or 5 feet — but spreading, and is embellished
in September, with small panicles of sweet-scented
white flowers. A little farther up the mountains
we find Aquilegia Canadensis, usually in moist
and shaded places, but occasionally a plant is
found in a little pocket of a boulder fully exposed
to the glare of the sun, and producing flowers in
such situations.

Chelone glabra has selected its abode in wet
places, and bears long spikes of whitish flowers,
striped and spotted with purple. Erythronium
albidum, a beautiful little bulbous plant, with
green leaves spotted with purplish brown, may be
found in secluded places early in March. Apios

tuberosa, which the Editor of this magazine named
for the writer, is very scarce. The writer found it
only in a single place here in the mountains.
Several kinds of Oenothera are met, but the
specific names are not known to the writer. They
are all tall and yellow flowering. Lobeha cardinahs
is abundant where it is sufficiently moist. A species
of Daslyrion with long leaves like rushes, takes
the edge of rocky ledges, and produces in April a
large panicle of white flowers. Here in this canon
—for the whole valley of this creek and its rami-
fications consists of narrow gorges — is also the
home of Clematis coccinea, now sufficiently known
not to need any description. Clematis Viorna
grows below the mountains, and is not found with
coccinea together in the same locality.

On our way homeward we notice a bulb, or
rather its leaves, in many places. The leaves are
bluish, flat, two-ranked and the bulb large, nearly
as large as the bulb of an Amaryllis. In summer,
after a good shower of rain, it sends up in a few
days a spike with a single flower 2 inches in
diameter, white, tipped on the outside with purple.
It is Cooperia Drummondi. A near relative,
j Cooperia pedunculata, dries up in May, and
I flowers in August or September, after the fall rain
has set in. At the same time with the foregoing,
we find in sandy Post oak soil around Austin, a
J pretty little bulb in flower, Habranthus Andersonii.
j It is bright yellow inside ; outside striped with
purplish brown. These three bulbs are classified
as Amaryllidaceae. On the side of low somewhat
rocky elevations, grows a Liliaceous bulb from i^
to 2 feet high, with a spike of lilac-colored flowers
in March; leaves long and on the ground. Nearly
in the same places, but more at the foot of the
hill, where there is an accumulation of fine light
soil, the flowers of Androstephium violaceum, an-
other little bulb, appear early in March, with red,
white and blue colors. Sisyrinchium minor is
a little perennial, herbaceous plant, much like
robust grass in appearance, and with a panicle of
blue flowers in March or April.

Near springs in wet ground, or along streams of
water, grow two species of Hibiscus— H. moscheu-
tos and H. militaris — about 5 feet high, with large
white flowers and purple centre. In rocky places
can be found Gilia rigidula, a very low-growing,
half shrubby plant with bright blue flowers early
in summer. Below Austin, in sandy soil grows
the beautiful Asclepia tuberosa, with its large
heads of orange-colored flowers. Still farther
down, some 10 or 15 miles, we meet with Pentste-
mon Murrayanum; while all along the Colorado

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[February,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

river, Phlox Drummondii is found in somewhat
sandy soil.

And now I propose to take the reader of this
magazine 200 miles away to the confines of Texas,
and to the canons of the upper Nueces river,
stopping on our way in two or three places. First
we make a halt at New Braunfels on the Guada-
lupe river. Here the Comal river rises, and after
a course of a few miles, mingles its waters with
those of the Guadalupe, below the town of New
Braunfels. The water of the Comal is very warm,
of an even temperature winter and summer, being
all from springs at the foot of the mountains.
Wherever the water is not too deep, or a foothold
offered, Caladium esculentum has established it-
self, giving to the landscape a charm peculiarly its
own. But the plant is not mdigenous there, for
the writer of this very well remembers when he
first came to New Braunfels, in the summer of
1854, that there was not a single plant to be found
in the river at that time. It was introduced there
about i860. A few miles above New Braunfels on
the Guadalupe river, in somewhat rocky soil,
grows a pecuhar plant, which, as far as I know, is
in Texas found nowhere else. The plant in
question is a shrub belonging to the order Ona-
graceae. The name given to me by a gentleman
in New Braunfels is Fendleria rupicola. It is. of
upright growth, branches long and thin, about 5
feet high, evergreen, leaves like myrtle leaves, and
to make the resemblance to a myrtle more striking,
has flowers like the myrtle, but larger. It flowers
in March, before or with the new growth. The
flowers are tipped on the outside with purple, and
resemble in other respects the flowers of the
Oenothera in having claws to the petals. It
transplants easily, and is worth a place in every
garden where it will thrive.

But we will resume our journey and stop at San
Antonio, where we find in the vicinity, the beauti-
ful Agave maculosa. This plant has a thick root
like a turnip. The root leaves are spotted with
brown, and in the heat of summer coil up some-
what, giving them the appearance of a bunch
of snakes. It flowers during summer or autumn,
when it sends up a stem 4 feet high, beset
with flowers of the size and shape of single tube-
roses. They are greenish when they open, and
bright pink at their best, turning to a dull purple
when they fade, with the fragrance of a tuberose.
But we go on travelling towards the west,
where the old wagon road from San Antonio to
El Paso crosses the dry bed of the Rio Frio.
Basaltic rocks have been lifted up ; in and be-

tween these rocks we find growing an elegant
, shrub about 9 feet high, with bright green leaves,
and the entire summer covered with racemes of
tubular orange scarlet flowers. It is Anisacanthus
Wrightii ; order Acanthaceae. We pass on
through the little town of Uvalde ; here we leave
the El Paso road and strike for the mountains.
Our destination is the East Canon of the Nueces.
We have not travelled far, we come to an elevated
ridge ; there the mountains rise in the distance,
two of them tower up at the very entrance of the
canon like sentinels. We travel up a few miles
and finally stop where a tremendous chalk bluff
(so the people call it, though I believe the rocks
are not composed of true chalk but hard lime-
stone), lifts up its head close to the banks of the
river. Our whole surroundings are now very
different from those in central Texas. Grass is
very often wanting in many places of the valley
of the canon. Its place is occupied by cactus,
several species of thorny shrubs, belonj^ing
mostly to the mimosa tribe. Yucca aloifolia in
every direction. A large Bromelia forming huge
tufts of long serrate leaves is very conspicuous.
If there were not some groves of pecan trees and
a few hackberries and elms with some other trees
with larger leaves, the contrast with central Texas
would be still more striking. Wending our way
towards one of the mountains, we pass through
the dry bed of a creek. A small close growing
shrub with scented leaves and spikes of purple
flowers arrests our attention; it is Salvia Greggii,
one of the most abundant bloomers I know. If
we chance to be here in March we find a nearly
prostrate or at least a low, round and bushy
perennial plant, with large umbels of long tubular
sweet-scented flowers of a creamy white color,
tinged on the outside with purple. Seeing the
plant at another season of the year, nobody
would expect that this insignificant looking plant
would produce such beautiful flowers.

Ascending one of the mountain ridges that line
the canon on both sides, we find on the very top
in dry black waxy soil, a beautiful herbaceous
perennial with dark green leaves, scabrous or
rough to the touch. It has scarlet flowers, and
the large bracts which clothe the entire upper
part of the stem and accompany the flowers, are
even of a more intense scarlet than the flowers.
I suppose you would be very eager to secure a
plant with roots, and attempt to pull up one of
them. You will be disappointed, for the shoots
of the plant break at the bottom like glass, if
roughly bent. This gives you a lesson. But

soon we discover another beautiful specimen of from the dead ferns of past ages, and from the
this plant. Taking now a pick or some other upper part of the rock bed, the rain water, stored
instrument, we carefully remove the soil around up in the looser ground above, oozes out and keeps
the plant, and find that it has a few long, thin, the peat below more or less moist. A still more
yellow, thread-like roots, very much like yellow beautiful fern than the last named grows here,
silk thread. Now you have secured the plant, Nothokena sinuata, also covered with downy
but you are not yet in port, for most likely on ' pubescens on stem and underside of fronds, of a
your way home the shoots will break off from the golden bronze color, the fronds leathery and
plant by the jolting of the wagon, and the mere thick, of a peculiar green on upper side, ever-
roots if planted will refuse to send up new shoots, green and a foot high. The next is Cheilanthes
All I know or can make out of this plant is that argyrca, like frosted silver underneath ; also ever-
it is a Castilleia, order Scrophulariae. I guess green. Cheilanthes viscosa has its nearly three-
this from its resemblance of Castilleia pallida, cornered frond finely cut as if it were moss.
and if the Editor could guess from the descrip- Climbing down the mountain side we find under
tion its name, he is politely asked to insert it here, the shade of some trees a creeping fern, with a
Several years ago I read in the Gardeners' leaf like a pecan leaf, bearing on its rhachis a
Monthly about a partial root parasite from flower stem, or rather a spore stem. But we will
California, also a Castilleia, and it may be this is leave the ferns and turn our attention again to
the same plant, for when digging up a plant there trees. In the dry river bed grows everywhere the
was always a thick root of some other shrub beautiful Chilopsis linearis, BignoniacecX. A tall
found at some distance under the surface, and tree with spikes of purple and white large flowers
the roots of this Castilleia seemed to feed on this during summer, and leaves like a willow ; there-
root. A beautiful shrubby Pentstemon comes fore called Willow Catalpa.

next. Pentstemon baccharifolia grows not over j On our homeward way we will stop at the little
one foot high, evergreen little shrub with serrate town of San Marcos, 30 miles from Austin, where
or crenate leaves, and spikes of coral red flowers the river of the same name takes its start. Be-
with some white. But is not there a fern growing sides Nelumbium luteum, which is very abundant,
on the very top of the mountain in the most our attention is arrested by a kind of sunflower
ordinary dry dirt and little rocky fragments, ex- growing in the water. It stands on the sides of
posed the whole day to the full glare of the sun ? ' the river where the flow of the water is not too
It is indeed a fern ; the circinate vernation of the swift. It is an upright plant with its roots in the
leaves betray it. It appears as if the dust of a mud or sand, opposite leaves, with lateral
whole year had accumulated on its fronds, but it branches at nearly every joint above the water ;
is not dust, and on examination we find that the from the stem and also perchance the branches
whole plant is woolly underneath and on the stem ; under water, shoot out roots which hang in the
the upper surface of leaves is of a beautiful water. The plant is about 4 feet above the water
glaucous green. It is Notholaena albida and is and full of large yellow sunflower like blossoms,
about 6 inches high. I though more beautiful than sunflowers are, and

A small Agave covers whole acres of land, the disk of the flower not so large, and if the
probably Agave Virginica, its leaves on the south Editor could guess from this description the
side all lifted up and bent over to the north, by botanical name, he would much oblige the writer
the action of the south winds, which blow here in by inserting it here.

spring and summer. This is the compass plant, of j Having finally come back to our starting point,
which newspapers sometimes bring sensational 1 will introduce a few more plants which have not
articles. been mentioned yet by me. Baptisia leucantha

For a descent down into the valley we select a

is a beautiful herbaceous perennial plant, oc-

somewhat steeper part of the mountain, as it is ' casionally found in the surroundings of Austin,
much easier to come down in such places than in sandy soil, with long pendulous racemes of
climb up. Nearly 100 feet below the summit of pale yellow lupin-like flowers in April. In the
the mountain there crops out a very solid and same soil grow also two fine chmbers of the
thick bed of limestone, sloping sharply down, and Leguminosae family — Clitoria Mariana, sub-
in places nearly perpendicular, facing north-east; 'climbing, and Lentrosema Virginiana, the latter
here is a wealth of ferns. Where the rocks are not , with long tapering spindle-shaped roots ; both
too steep, there has accumulated a sort of peat \ have large lilac colored flowers, with a white spot

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[February,

on the vexillum or standard, i. e., the upper leaf
of the irregular corolla. But in these two plants
the flowers have assumed somewhat the habit of
orchids. The flower when opening, from the
greater weight of the standard probably, turns
around and has the standard on its under side.

And now the writer of this talk about flowers
and plants thanks the indulgent reader of the
Oardeners' Monthly for the kind attention
given to him, hoping that he soon may read in
this magazine something about the flowers of
other states. Austin, Texas.

FIRE BLIGHT IN PEARS.
BY PROF. J. C. ARTHUR.

The December Monthly contains a statement
that my work of the last two years has not been
with the true, deadly "fire bhght," which fruit
growers so much dread. It was, however, set right
in the following issue, and to that correction I de-
sire to add the following testimony. Mr. Atwood's
letter was entirely unsolicited, and from the time
the article appeared till now we have had no
other communication. All the virus used for my
•experiments the first year (1884), and during the
following spring, was obtained in the first place
from Mr. Atwood— in fact he furnished the origi-
nal material for all the important results so far
pubHshed. The season of 1885, however, brought
an abundance of blight in our own orchard, and
it was no longer necessary to go elsewhere for it.
If there are any lingering doubts of the genuine-
ness of my work it seems as if this letter must
■<iissipate them :

"Geneva, N. Y., Dec. 2nd, 1885.

"My Dear Prof. Arthur: I have just noticed in
the Gardeners* Monthly, p. 366, the sugges-
tion that what you have been dealing with is not
the fire blight.

"In your defence I wish to say that for every
spring the last twenty years I have planted from
25,000 to 150,000 pear seedlings, raised a great
many pear trees, been here in the centre of pear
culture, and am able to speak of what I know
when I say, that the blighted wood 1 furnished
to make your experiments with was the genuine
fire bhght. Yours, Geo. G. Atwood, Salesman
and Manager Washington St. Nurseries."

Experimental Station, Geneva, A\ Y.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Plants on which Mistletoe Grows.— Mr.
Isaac Burk informs us that in many parts of
Southern New Jersey, the Red maple seems to be
the only plant on which the mistletoe grows, and

Dr. Brinton says that it is as often at least found
on the Red maple in Delaware as on any other tree.

The St. Louis Academy of Science. — In open-
ing the Shaw School of Botany, the Chancellor of
the Missouri Washington University, gave an ac-
count of the origin of this body, showing that it
arose rather from a feehng of its necessity to the
community, than an outgrowth of science itself.
Not one of the founders " knew enough of Science
to found a primary school, except Dr. Engelmann."
This was more than forty years ago.

Floral Barometers. — The Illustrirte Gar-
ten-Zeitung says that the flowers of the well-
known Spiderwort, Tradescantia zebrina, always
open their flower buds twenty-four hours before
rain comes. The plant is placed in a room where it
receives the full rays of the sun. When the plant
is in a flowering condition, buds follow each other
rapidly, and it is very easy to note the facts as
stated.

Rainfall per Acre People scarcely under-
stand by rainfall in inches, what this really means,
but an inch of rain means a gallon for every two
square feet, or 100 tons per acre.

Locusts in Mexico. — A correspondent of the
Friends' Review, writing from Matamoras says J
*• In their flight, the locusts always go due north,
and that they feed in divisions; one flock descends
to feed, and when they rise, they fly over and
descend beyond the flocks already feeding, and
so they continue as they advance. They start
on their journey about 8 A. M. in that region.
The people prevent them from descending, by
firing guns and making noises, when the creatures
think it best to move further on."

Cause of Astringency in the Pear. — Just why
some pears are astringent in some localities and not
in others, has never been carefully developed, that
we know of. Under the head of Glout Morceau,
Downing says: "sometimes astringent in heavy
soils." Notwithstanding the great weight attached
to any opinion by Mr. Downing, we have had some
reserve in accepting this, that soil had much to do
with the astringency. Recently we received some
remarkably fine specimens of this variety from a
correspondent at AUentown, Pa., but which had
the slight astringency referred to. We wrote to en-
quire the circumstances. Our correspondent says *
"The soil in which the Glout Morceau pear tree
is growing is a yellow stiff clay."

This certainly confirms Mr. Downing's opinion.
While we are on the topic, it would be well to re-
ceive notes from any one who has astringent

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

pears, of either this or other varieties, so that we
inay have some conclusive evidence from a num.
of cases, and perhaps definitely settle the relation
of soil to astringency.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Yellow Zephyranthus.— "G. R.," Beverly,
N. J., says: "Among some new Zephyranthus
bulbs obtained from a friend abroad, I have onfe
with a yellow flower, and would feel obliged if you
would give me the botanical name of it in your
next issue."

[There is no yellow Zephyranthus, so far as we
know. — Ed. G. M.]

PiNUS PONDEROSA, VAR. SCOPULORUM. — Mr.

S. B. Higgins, of Gordon, Nebraska, sends us
specimens for name, of a pine, native to that lo-
cality, which proves to be this species. We gave

him the name, and he inquires, " Is the Pinus
ponderosa hardy, and does it succeed in other lo-
calities besides where it is indigenous ? "

The normal or originally described form of Pinus
ponderosa does not do well under culture in the
East. It loses its lower leaves and branches very
early, through the operation of the Pine-leaf
fungus, and soon has a look of the shabby-gen-
teel. This form, variety scopulorum, does, how-
ever, remarkably well, and deserves a wider in-
troduction. Mr. Douglas has done much to bring
it into note, but much more is needed. Its merits
are so far beyond that of the original ponderosa
as an ornamental plant, that great care should be
exercised in avoiding confusion. It would be far
better to drop altogether the name, ponderosa,
when writing about it, and to use only Pinus
scopulorum, leaving to the critical botanist the
filling in of ponderosa, when critically treating of
the science.

Literature. Travels and Personal Notes.

COMMUNICATIONS.

A CHAPTER IN THE SECRET HISTORY OF

THE GLOXINIA.

BY W. D. BRACKENRIDGE.

The discovery of Gloxinia rubra, and its subse-
quent history, may possess some little interest to
horticulturists, about which there has long hung a
mystery.

During the latter part of the year 1838, while
acting as one of the naturalists attached to the
United States South Sea Exploring Expedition, we
visited Brazil, and during one of our botanical ex-
cursions in the vicinity of Rio Janeiro, and right at
the base of the Corcovado Mountain, I detected,
growing on wet rocks, a solitary plant of this
Gloxinia in company with vast numbers of G.
caulescens — of which then — and even now, I
consider it only a mere sport or variety ; for all
that Doctor Lindley described it as a distinct
species. Furthermore, that prince of horticul-
turists. Monsieur Louis Van Houtte, doubted its
nativity, as he had a special collector in that
•country, who had met nothing like it; neither did
I, during many extensive rambles in that paradise

or headquarters of the vegetable kingdom. The
color of the flower was what took my eye, and,
as a practical horticulturist, who had frequently
been manipulating varied species, so as to produce
intermediate varieties, it occurred to me, that a
cross between this and the few purple and white
flowered kinds then in cultivation, that something
good would be the result. That I was right in
my conjectures, witness the numerous beautiful
and delicately-marked hybrids that now adorn
our conservatories.

The foregoing is the pleasant part of its history.
This and what is to follow ought to have been
given to the public long ago, but at the time of the
discovery — and long afterwards — we were acting
under a gag law, as to the disposition of material
collected during that expedition. I had care-
fully estimated what it was worth, and could not
think of throwing it away. Thereby my scruples
about disobeying orders were overcome. So, after
having a drawing made of the whole plant, I
dried the flowers and foliage ; then packed the
root in a box, and dispatched it by the first ship
which left for the United States, directed to my
friend, Robert Buist, Philadelphia, who multiplied
it, and sold the whole stock, without reserve, to

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[February,

1886.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

Mr. Hugh Low, nurseryman, Clapton, London,
for the sum of forty pounds, sterling.

During the time Buist was getting up the stock
referred to, a person stole leaves from the original
plant, and handed them over to another plant
firm in Philadelphia, who also got up a stock, and
sold it to the Messrs. Young, nurserymen, Epsom,
England, who advertised it extensively. Then
began a warof crimination and recrimination, Low
accusing Buist of having deceived him in not
letting him have the whole stock ; while Buist was
accusing the party who supplied the Youngs with
the article. To end the matter, Buist had to refund
a part of the original amount paid by Mr. Low ;
not a cent of which— in money or any other con-
sideration—was ever received by me. I have
reaped all I desire, in being the medium through
which it reached the horticultural world.

[It may be as well to state, for the benefit of
those who may not know, that the Gloxinia is pro-
pagated from leaves. A leaf planted will make a
bulb from the end of the leaf stalk, and the bulb
makes a plant next year. The leaves in this case i
were cut from a plant sent for exhibition at one of
the meetmgs of the Pennsylvania Horticultural I
Society, as we were informed by the late Robert
Buist — Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Hardy Varieties.— It is beginning to be well
understood by fruit growers that "hardiness" as
a character for a fruit, has a very uncertain mean-
ing if taken in an absolute sense. A variety that
is hardy enough when it first appears, gets its con-
stitution run down and then it is not hardy. It
therefore, by no means follows that because a
stock of any given variety in one man's hand is
not "hardy," the same variety will not be entirely
hardy in the hands of another who has other
plants. Thus we have contradictory reports con-
tinually about the hardiness of grapes, raspberries
strawberries or gooseberries, and their freedom
from mildew, disease or frost bites. In most
cases the trouble comes from a weakened stock.
Methods of propagation, culture, or the secret
attacks of invisible fungi, will often weaken a
whole race, without any ill effect being visible to
even the trained observer, and the first evidence
is found in the plant being " not hardy " or in
some other way the kind is found to be "running
out." Even the Gregg raspberry was reported ,
last winter, as " not hardy " in some places. |

The Florists' Smilax. — This pretty plant,

botanically Myrsiphyllum asparagoides, had too

long a name for familiar use, so the florists took to

calling it Smilax. The leaves do look a little like

* a Smilax, though of course it is not a Smilax.

The English florists now use it for their cut-flower

work ; but they insist it is not a Smilax. and will

not have this name. They call it Creeping Myrtle.

But it is no more a Myrtle than a Smilax. In

America Creeping Myrtle is the small Periwinkle,

Vinca Minor. These tossing about of " common "

names by no one of any recognized authority, long

! before they are common, is a nuisance, as the

I facts now given well illustrate. Nomenclature

i becomes a Babel where no man knows what his

! neighbor is talking of.

j Turquoise Plant.— This is the common name
under which a grassy-looking liliaceous plant,

! common in cultivation, is now known in Europe,
and which botanists call Ophiopogon. The flow-
ers are not showy, but the peculiar violet-blue
berries are attractive, and have probably suggested
the common name.

Dr. Joseph Hooker.— This world-renowned
and esteemed botanist has retired from the Direc-
torship of the Kew Gardens. His son-inlaw, Pro-
fessor Thistleton Dyer, succeeds him.

Dr. Asa Gray.— Dr. Gray on the i8th of No-
vember passed his 75th birthday. It was made
memorable to him by a pleasant testimonial from
American botanists.

John Thomas.— We regret to learn that among
the early florists of St. Louis Mr. John Thomas is
among those recently deceased. He had been in
feeble health for a period of twelve years. His
death occurred on the 28th of October. He was
I among the first to welcome the appearance of the
Gardeners' Monthly, and continued a constant
reader to the last.

Reverend Moses D. Curtis.— To our readers
Dr. Curtis is probably best known by his little
book, " The Woody Plants of North Carolina,"
which was first issued in i860. Dr. Curtis died in
1872, but no extended account of his botanical
career and scientific services has ever been pre-
pared. This good work has now been accom-
plished by Dr. Thomas F. Wood, of Wilmin-ton,
in the proceedings of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific
Society, together with an excellent portrait of the
botanist. From this we learn that he was born
in Stockbridge, Mass., on May nth, 1808; went
to Wilmington, North Carohna, 1830, as a tutor

in the family of Governor Dudley ; returned to
Boston and commenced study for the ministry in
l833-'34; returned South in 1834, marrying in De-
cember of that year Mary De Rosset, daughter of
Dr. De Rosset, of Wilmington, and was ordained
as an Episcopalian minister by Bishop Moore, of
Virginia, in 1835. He took up his residence at
Lincolnton and commenced missionary work.
From 1837 to 1839 he was a teacher in the Epis-
copal school at Raleigh. Following his clerical
duties he dwelt in 1840 in Washington, removjng
the next year to Hillsboro, where he remained six
years. In April, 1847, we find him at Society
Hill, where he resided nine years. In 1856 he re-
moved to Hillsboro, where he died in 1872.

Scattered between these dry periods in the his-
tory of this good man are numerous personal notes
and reminiscences connected with his botanical
career, the whole making an extremely interesting
chapter of 31 pages, for which all who venerate
Dr. Curtis' memory will heartily thank Dr. Wood.

Orchid Grower's Manual— Sixth Edition. —
By B. S. Williams, London. Published by the
author.

One of the best proofs that orchid growing has
taken deep hold on the flower loving community,
is the appearance of a sixth edition of a large
and beautiful work like this, containing as it does
660 pages, and illustrations of 136 species, besides
numerous drawings and sketches of orchid
houses and matters pertaining to orchid culture.
It gives the whole history of the diff'erent or-
chids under culture, where they come from and
how they ought to be grown. This method of
treatment gives the work an interest to one who
may not have an orchid. It will indeed be an ex-
cellent work to give to friends when a nice pre-
sent is desirable, while as an aid to the orchid
grower it is invaluable.

The Vegetable Garden. — By M. M. Vil-
morin — Andrieux of Paris. Translated into En-
glish. Edited by Wm. Robinson, Editor of the
Garden^ London. Published by John Murray,
1885.

Mr. Robinson in the preface to this superb book
says that '' our best friends do not always get our
best attention ;" but our good friends, the garden
vegetables, will have no cause to complain, for we
doubt whether their jealous neighbors, flowers
and fruits, ever received such ardent attention as
the Vilmorins have given vegetables in the book
before us. It is a large octavo of 620 pages, and
with illustrations on nearly every page.

The American reader will miss his indispensa-
ble Lima bean and other favorites, and he might
wish that the book could have been so managed
as to cover American ground in other respects, as
well as the ground so ably occupied from an
European stand-point ; still, if he wants a library
worthy of the name, he will have to find a place
for this. Mr. Robinson, who as editor of the
French translator has done all English speaking
people a service, well remarks that though the
French original has been by him " newly done in
English," it is a work for America and Australia
as well as the "old house at home."

Besides being an indispensable work to the in-
telligent cultivator, the historical and other notes
will render the book as welcome to the general
literary taste as to those of a merely culinary dis-
position. It seems as if everything that could be
collected about vegetables is given here. Some-
times we fancy research has given more impor-
ance to some facts than they deserve. For in-
stance, speaking of our Indian corn we are told
under "uses," " The head or • cob ' is boiled and
served up, either entire or the seeds are taken off
and served up hke kidney beans. The heads are
also gathered when very young and small, and
before the flower opens, and are pickled in vine-
gar like gherkins." Possibly the young ears are
so treated to a vinegar bath, but the Editor of this
magazine never heard of it before, and if so, such
a use must be very local indeed.

The Art of Beautifying Suburban Home
Grounds.— By Frank J. Scott. John B. Alden,
New York.

If the wish is ever father to the thought, we
must take credit for the appearance of this beau-
tiful work, the suspension of the publication of
which by the Appletons we have so often re-
gretted. As recently remarked in our notice with
the portrait of its author, Frank J. Scott, it is a
work of which American horticulturists have
cause to be proud. Its influence on landscape
gardening must be very great, and now, when
there promises to be a revival in the lovely art, its
presence is particularly timely.

Gray's Botanical Text-book. Vol. H.
Physiological Botany. — By Dr. George Lin-
coln Goodale. New York : Ivison, Blakeman,
Taylor & Co. 1885.

When we read of Dr. Asa Gray, we think of
him as we all know him, an active man, busily
engaged in work, and accomplishing as much as
the youngest among us. We can hardly realize

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[February,

1886.]

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

the fact, when we take up the work before us, that
It is only a few years of half a century ago--'i842

received, that another had to follow in ,845 In i T'!:.!!'^^^^^^^^^ "In the southern counties

1857 the fifth appeared. Soon after this botany had
advanced to so great an extent that it was evident
that a very much larger work would be required,
and that the whole field would have to be gone
over, and the work reconstructed. The task be-
come too large for one man. Dr. Gray prepared
himself the portion of the science embraced un-
der Structural botany, and which was published

AND HORTICULTURIST.

of England there is a familiar proverb :

* ^ ^,^^6rry year a merry year ;
A plum year a dumb year.'

Which is explained in the Journal of Horticul-
ture, to mean, that 'cherries are never plentiful
except when their blossoms have a genial spring
and summer, and that an abundance of plums
carries an increase in the death rate.' In the
Westminster Review for January, 1881, may be

01 ""^ puuiiaucu yyesiminsier Keview for Tannarv tRSt n«^,r u

Goodale,and this is what we have be ore t. ^^^TT^.. Z'^:^.?^' "^?^^^ --^^-^ ^-

Goodale, and this is what we have before us to-
day, completing the new edition of Gray's Text-
book of Botany, or edition sixth.

Some idea of the vast progress made in our

this authority, has nothing whatever to do with
our adjective so spelt, but is connected with th4
French merise, and is a common provincialism
throughout the south-west of England, for the

l<nowledge of botany since the fir. appTaVn^e o , ^dTe /^.^Zr-ZL: ^Tt 'T'
tl. work n,ay be gathered fro. the fact, that N cherry fLl'Tr: sluSld. TheTIrri

while the second edition now before us was' com-
plete in 509 pages, the portion of the new devoted

authors of 'English Plant Names,' further re-
mark that there are various kinds of 'merries,'

Horticulturists of all cH«p<= in .h» England. The word ■ dumb has also nothing

will be thank uMo Pro ssos G-^^^^^^^ ' '' ''' '''""" " ''"' '"' " ^ ""

for the completion ofThTs IS ' A t' "■"'''°" ''"'"'°"' ^"'""'"'^ co,n^unis). The

grow cabbagerand potLIor' raJe ro^es'^r ' T'""? °' ''t '"'^"^ "°" '^"°'"" ^PP"-''
cash proL Of garLing^teTaX^ ^ \ t ^S' ^-^.I^ ^^ '^^J^^ ^ r^

plied by a study of the structure and life-history
of plants.

American Garden.- With the ist of the year,
the American Garden appeared as a $2 magazine,'

rhyme,) is also a good year for damsons ; that, in
short, the year which is favorable to cultivated is
also favorable to wild fruit."

[This explanation shows how scholastic acquire-

.- ,,..r..^,, y^urucn appearea as a $2 magazine, L ^ "'^ explanation shows how scholastic acquire-
but with a re-doubled bill of fare that we are sure ' "'^"^^ "^^y ^un away with one. Plum is not writ
will make it doubly acceptable to the readers. ^^^ "plumb" by the rustics of the we^f nf Tr„„

will make it doubly acceptable to the readers.
Dr. Hexamer, its former editor, has joined the
staff of the American Agriculturist,

Horticultural Art JouRNAL.-Mensing &
Sterher, Rochester, N. Y. This new candidate
for popular favor proposes to disseminate by
means of colored lithographic plates, correct
representations of new productions of the nursery,
seed garden and greenhouse. The first number

Wilder; Plum, Shippers' Pride L^berrv^L^^ '' '' ^ ^''^ ^-^" black

cocas; and the NiagL Grape" uT som^thtn^^ :^^^^^^^^^^ ^I^Z"' ^"' ^^^ '^^

after the style of the /riorist and Pomolo^ist that ' so thJn thV r V-^ ''^'^'' '^'^'' "^^^^

had a good run in England, until the adC; cing ' ame Me;ry':rnT^^^ ^'7' ^^- ^'^

years of its editor led to its suspension , rhT u " ^^^^'^"^ ^"^ '"^^"°" ^^^"^^ «f ^he

pension. 1 cherry when wild, nor to any form but this black

ten "plumb " by the rustics of the west of Eng-
land. When the said "rustics" write of the^
mason's instrument, the plumb-line, they write it
"plum-line." It is the scholarly people who
write "plumb-line," that write "plumb," when
referring to a plum tree, and because they think
the piece of lead that is shaped like a plum, was
so called from the resemblance, and not from
plumbago ; that is, lead.

It is perfectly true that Merry is used in many

one. Although it is the general opinion with
scholars that " Merry " is derived from' the French
cerise, it is but a shrewd guess, and the writer
takes no " stock " in it.

At any rate the relation of the Merry to the
cherry is so close that what affects one would
affect the other, and the dumb with the plum so
violent, that few will value the interpretation of
the Westminster.

The interpretation we should give of the rhymes
would be, that a year favorable to a good cherry
crop, would be favorable to good health, to merri-
ness ; and a good plum year, unfavorable, cold
and dumb in death.]

Mr. N. B. Stoever.— Mr. F. W. Beach, of
Richmond, Indiana, writes that he understands
"Ohioan" as casting doubts on Mr. Stoever's
"truth and accuracy." He knows Mr. Stoever
personally, and is sure he could not intentionally
make any wrong statement.

We cannot see that " Ohioan " expressed any
such an idea of intentional disregard of truth, or
we should not have passed the article. The whole
question involved is as to the idea intended to be
conveyed by a foot of glass, in connection with the
amount of work a heating apparatus is called on to
perform. On this subject our present correspondent
himself says :

"There seems to be a difference of opinion as to
the true way of calculating the amount of glass in
an establishment. I think it should be by the act-
ual amount of glass surface it contains, and not the
amount of ground covered. The American Flor-
ists' Association will no doubt settle this question
in their insurance department. While I have not
measured the actual dimensions of Mr. H's houses, !
and can not, of course, give the actual measure-
ment, I do not think Mr. Stoever has any reason
for over-estimating it ; and I surely do not believe
Mr. Stoever would be willing to falsify himself, for
the sake of enlarging another person's property on
paper."

It is, therefore, not "truth" or "veracity" that
is called in question, but a technical term that re-
quires definition. At least so we understood it.

such persons in their districts who keep a record
of their growth and send it to the Department. But
It is too true, that many of the Congressmen seem
to look upon these seeds as their own property.
They distribute them among their friends, who
decorate their grounds with their products, and
make no reports.

" The large appropriations made for the purchase
of these seeds, demand that all the people profit
thereby ; and much greater results would be gained
if all the seeds were placed in the hands, and dis-
tributed according to the judgment of, the Com.
missioner ; for he says that the one-third part left in
his charge are not sufficient to make exchanges-
with those who are working for the good of the
Department."

Sunday Work Connected with Gardening.

"J. B.," Fredericton, New Brunswick, calls atten-
tion to the large amount of wholly unnecessary
work often desired by employers of gardeners on
Sunday, in Canada and in the United States.

It is undoubtedly the interest of every person,,
outside of any ecclesiastical authority, to have one
day in seven as free from secular employment as
possible. Those who insist on any more labor
from their employees than is absolutely necessary,
are only aiding in forging a chain that may event-
ually bind themselves.

On the other hand, many who are lax in their
observances of a seventh day of rest from secular
work, are so in protest at the ecclesiastical author-
ity that assumes to control individual action.
While these different views prevail, unanimity of
action is practically impossible.

Distributing Government Seeds. — "W. C.
B.," West Philadelphia, well remarks : " We think
Commissioner Colman makes a just complaint
about the arrangement of the Department of Agri-
culture in its distribution of seeds. Two-thirds of
the seeds are annually distributed by Congressmen,
who are supposed to place them in the hands of

The Willow Oak.—" L. : " " Can you tell me
why the Willow oak is called Quercus Phellos ?^
My dictionary tells me * phellos ' signifies cork.
In what way is this oak connected with cork ? "

We hardly know why this name was given the
oak, no work at hand furnishes a clue. Gron-
ovius gave the name of Quercus Ilex Marilandica
to the tree ; and the Cork oak of Europe — the tree
that yields the cork of commerce — is a marked
form of Quercus Ilex, known as Q. suber. On the
revision of botany by Linnaeus and his contem-
poraries, it seems to have been the habit to retain
as much as possible the names adopted with the
literature of the past, and possibly this corkey
name, "Phellos," may have been given because
the species as indicated by Gronovius, was thought
to be related to the Cork oak of Europe. If any
friend can supply facts in the place of this guess,
a note thereof would be acceptable.

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[February,

Horticultural Societies.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Success of Horticultural Societies

It ought to be clear that the success of all societies
of this character depends on the information and
instruction to be derived by the members and
others who sustain it ; and the failures to maintain
an existence, come generally from a failure to in-
terest the public.

We have before shown that the failure to draw
exhibitors, comes as much from the failure of the
society to do them justice, as from any other cause.
An exhibitor in these days knows that there is very
little honor in "premiums" as things go. In a
large number of cases premiums are given because
the fruits or plants are the best in the room. Fre-
quently— too often — one can see better in the mar-
kets or street corners. Descriptive awards should
therefore be made ; and the society should not
think its duty done when the premium is paid, but
should take special pains to do public honor to its
successful exhibitor. First-class exhibitors do not
take the trouble to compete, when the " premium "
is the "be all and end all " of their effort.

But there is another view that we have not be-
fore presented, why descriptive awards should be
made ; and that is, the instruction of the members
and visitors. Nine out of ten do not know why an
award is made. They take no interest in the
awards, unless some personal friend is among the
lucky ones. It is a duty to those desiring instruc-
tion, that these descriptive awards should be made.

There should be in every society a " Committee
on Instruction." whose duty should include all
these matters. We are led to these remarks by a
passage in the address of the retiring President of
the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Mr. John
B. Moore. That society is one that is highly
prosperous, and the past year one of its especially
prosperous ones :

"Among the causes of this prosperity are the
lectures, essays and discussions conducted by the
society, which have been of a high order and
have given new ideas to the members and others;
have informed them of new methods of culture,
awakened an interest which is shown in the exhibi-
tions, and given the society a high standing in
other places. Much credit is due to the committee
on publication and discussion for their efficiency
in this work."

This is the experience of other societies that
have tried to make their exhibitions instructive.
The Germantown Horticultural Society, a local
society near Philadelphia, started some years ago
under excellent auspices. Its founder and Presi-
dent, John Jay Smith, brought to it the patronage
of the best people in the community. On his

I withdrawal under the pressure of advancing years,
i with only the premium plan to rely on, everything
went back, the society got heavily in debt, and it
was on the point of dissolution. Then a "Com-
mittee on Botany " was formed, the duty of which
was to give instruction to the members on what-
ever might be exhibited. This talk the chairman
of the committee always gives. The rooms are
always crowded to overflowing, and the Society
is out of debt and with a handsome surplus in the
treasury.

French Horticulture.— We learn from Mr.
Charles Joly, that there is to be a grand Horti-
cultural Convention in Paris on the 4th to 9th of
May next, in the Hall of the National Society of
Horticulture, 84 Grcvcllc street.

The subjects to be discussed are much as in
our conventions. Transportation Charges on
Plants and Trees by Railroads ; The Phylloxera ;
Horticulture in Agricultural Colleges; Influ-
ence of Age on the (2uality of Seeds ; Why do
\ Grapes Shank } Cause of the Disease known as
"White-root" in the Peach and some other fruit
trees ; Grape Mildew ; The Advantages of Bud-
ding Fruit Trees; What are the best Market
Fruits; What Fruit Trees or Shrubs desirable
for Food are best suited to poor soils; Chemical
Manures; Insecticides; Liquid Manure; Why
Seeds of the same age and sowing do not al-
ways sprout in the same time ; Why is there
Difference in the time of Flowering of Trees
raised from cuttings, and those raised by di-
vision of the roots; Hot-bed Materials; Diseases
of Zonale Pelargoniums; Angle of the Rafters in
Greenhouses; Advantages of different materials
in the construction of Greenhouses ; Steam and
Water Heating ; Barometers, Thermometers,
Hygrometers, &c., in Horticulture ; The Influence
of various soils on the open air culture of Trees. "
American Horticulturists in France at that time
will receive a cordial welcome.

New York Horticultural Society.— The
building known as Horticultural Hall, costing
$110,000, was not found light and airy enough,
and has recently been sold for $75,000— a loss of
$35,000, which has been borne by the bond-
holders pro rata. The society is looking for an-
other lot on which to erect a cheaper building.
Its roll of active members is 553 against 563 last
year.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society.—
The new President, Dr. Henry P. Walcott. gave
his inaugural address on the 2d of January. It
was very well received by the members, and his
presidency promises to be a very successful one.

IHE

GARDENERS' MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE. ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Volume XXVI II.

MARCH, 1886.

Number 327.

Floy/er Garden and Pleasure Ground.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

In preparing hints for the month, we have found
more difficulty about March than about any other
month in the year. We never forget that our read-
ers extend from the St. Lawrence to the Gulf of
Mexico, and that the same number which is de-
lighting some one in Lower California, is being as
eagerly scanned by some one in Massachusetts or
Maine. Hence we have never attempted a monthly
calendar of operations, but endeavor to suggest
such general thoughts as may be of service about
the time the magazine reaches anyone in any part
of the country. But the period which runs be-
tween March and April is just the period when we ■
find the most extremes. It is still ice-bound in
many places while in others the Spring flowers are
nearly gone. Still, the gardening preparations are
not over anywhere, even where begun for the
season, and therefore there is much which may be
said that may benefit all. !

First, this is the season above all others when
folks think, if ever they do think, that a little
gardening is a very good thing. There is not a
person doing business in a town or large city, but
wishes he was in the country among the surging
life of nature, and numbers do go out wherever
some place can be had within a short railroad ride
from their business places. Those who cannot,

still work up their little yards, and all do some-
thing with the pleasures gardening offers them.
, The misfortune generally is that entirely too much
is undertaken on the spur of the moment, and the
constant labor of a large undertaking soon takes
away the pleasure with which it began. We ad-
vise, therefore, every one who has the spring fever
on gardening, not to attempt too much. If he
thinks he can certainly care for and enjoy a half
an acre of garden, let him make one of but a
quarter; and if he has means enough to keep a
professional gardener, and is tempted to have
twenty or more acres and half-a-dozen men. let
' him make one of about ten acres, and half the
' number to care for the garden, and even then, ten
to one, he will in the long run find that he has all
he cares to enjoy. Lawns, flower beds, walks,
garden ornamentation of every kind, should be •
reduced to a minimum, but then properly cared
for and sustained. It should not be, how large a
garden ? but. how pretty a garden ? and it should
be a main idea with those who have to employ
assistance in gardening, to ask themselves not how
much work can we put on those we employ ? but,
how can we encourage them to maintain every
thing in first-class order? We have often seen in-
stances where one man is employed to look after a
small garden, and who is expected to look after
scores of things which all take time, and the

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[March,

garden looks bad, till the family begin to wonder give the balance to your neighbor who has none,
"however John employs his time?" Of course To make handsome, shapely specimens of
there is often reason for this wonder, for there are shrubs, cut them now into the forms you want,

shiftless employees as well as thoughtless employ-

and keep them so, by pulling out all shoots that

ers ; but the great lesson we wish to inculcate is, | grow stronger than the others during the summer
that much more pleasure will come from a small i season.

garden well cared for, than from the largest where The rule for pruning at transplanting is to cut
everything is ill done, and behind time. | in proportion to apparent injury to roots. If not

With March, in the Middle States, comes the much worse for removal, cut but little of the top
annual clearing up— the final dressing over the away. Properly pruned, a good gardener will not
grave of buried winter, and the planting of it have the worst case of a badly dug tree to die un-
with spring flowers and green things. The lawn j der his hands. In nurseries where these matters
is always the first consideration, for the "strip of | are well understood, trees "never die."
green grass "is often the vivifying germ which i Box edgings lay well now. Make the ground
warms the citizen's heartinto active lovefor country [ firm and level; plant deep, with tops not more
life. Much as the lawn plays a part in English [ than two inches above ground,
gardening, it is of much more account with us. Our Roll the grass well before softness of a thaw
heats render the grass particularly refreshing. ' goes away. It makes all smooth and level.
Our droughts are somewhat against our great sue- j Hyacinths, tulips, liliums, and other hardy bulbs
cess— but the charm of having it makes every | set out in the fall, and covered through the winter,
effort for its attainment desirable. \ should be occasionally examined, and when they

It is well to remember that good health is the ! show signs of active growth, must be uncovered ;
preservative of life, and that good, nourishing in this latitude this is not safe until towards the
food is the key to health. Healthy grass will keep ; end of the month,
green in a dry time easier than weak grass. This

COMMUNICATIONS.

IPOMCEA RUBRO-CGERULEA.
BY CHARLES E. PARNELL.

is why top dressings of rich fertilizing materials are

such an advantage to a lawn. Continual mowings, I

though the essential practice in making a lawn I

beautiful, weaken the grass, but the application ;

of good food helps it to recover. At one time the '

mowings were left on the grass, to make a fertilizer, I The reddish-blue Ipomoea, I. rubro-coerulea,

as it was said. This is not considered good prac- is a splendid half-hardy annual climbing plant,

tice now. The shade from the dead grass weak- belonging to the natural order Convolvulacese,

ens the living grass in a considerable degree, ' and is a native of Mexico, where the seeds were

though not perhaps to the same extent that mow- collected by Samuel Richardson, in the province

ing does. | of Guanaxuato. Mr. Richardson presented the

As this is the season for work, and not for long seeds to J. D. Powles, Esq., of Stamford Hill,
essays, we may, perhaps, crowd in a few brief England, who first flowered it, and then distribu-
hints from experience, especially as the reasons for ' ted the plant among cultivators. It is an annual
them have probably been often given in our pages, species of rapid, robust growth, attaining a height

Planting trees will require particular attention of some twenty-five or thirty feet by as much in
now ; but do not be in a hurry the moment the breadth ; this of course depending on the soil, situ-
frost is out of the ground. Cold winds are very ation, and the amount of care and attention be-
hard on newly set out trees. Wait till they are stowed on the plant. The plant has a smooth
gone. Always shorten in a little the shoots of all ' stem and alternate pale green acuminate leaves,
trees planted. They will grow the faster for it, and The flowers, which are very freely produced, are
are more certain to live. Evergreens should be of a fine purplish blue and in axillary clusters,
left to the last. ! each cluster producing from three to five flowers ;

Dig garden soil only when the ground is warm the time of flowering depending upon the manner
and dry. Do not be in a hurry, or you may get in which the plants have been cuhivated.
behind. When a clot of earth will crush to powder Where a large space is to be covered by a sum-
when you tread on it, it is time to dig— not before, mer climber, I know of nothing much better than
If perennial plants have stood three years in one I this Ipomoea, as it is of rapid growth and stands
place, separate the stools, replacing one-third, and our hot dry summer weather without sustaining

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

GARDEN AND SANITARY NOTES FROM
SOUTH CAROLINA.

BY MRS. D. WALKER.

any mjury, and moreover, is perfectly free from ; feet high, with at least one thousand flowers to a
all msect pests. 1 stalk, which are smaller than the Yuccas generally •

In order to cuhivate this Ipomoea successfully, purple outside, fine red inside ; bell shaped A
the seed should be sown about the middle of few flowers opening each day. which lengthens
March, m a well-drained pot or pan filled with time of full three months to perfect all of its
light loamy soil, placed in a warm moist situation : flowers. Stems and young buds are a purplish
as close to the glass as possible, and as soon as color, which renders plant quite showy "
the young plants are strong enough to han- 1 Think of a dwarf plant with 1,000 flowers simi-
die they should be transferred into three-inch lar to our Yucca filamentosa ; and I feel sure
pots similarly prepared. These young plants i many will desire it as ardently as I, and I hope

should be kept close and moist until well-estab- ! they may be equally as successful in the procuring
lished, then gradually exposed to the air, and as of it.
soon as the weather has become warm and settled
—which is about the middle of May— they can be
planted outside. Let the place where the plants
are to grow be dug to the depth of two feet, and
at the same time work in a liberal supply of; The unusual frosts which have visited our coun-
thoroughly decayed manure. Support should be I try in the early part of January have played havoc
given the young plants before they commence to ^ with our gardens. Plants always hitherto consid-
run ; and during their season of growth they ' ered hardy in this latitude are either killed out-
should be looked over occasionally, and the young right or so severely injured that their recovery is
shoots so trained as to cover the desired space, very doubtful. Camellias in full beauty cov-
As soon as hot dry weather sets in, a good mulch ered with buds and blossoms, are pitiable to be-
of coarse littery manure should be given and a hold ; every bud scorched as if by fire and the
thorough soaking. I trees browned and their stems twisted. Many of

Propagation is effected by seeds which are freely i our delicate roses are killed to the ground and the
produced and ripened from the earliest blooms, tops of the Euonymus hedges have turned white
The generic name is derived from "ips" bind- In short, there is no end to the destruction of our
weed, and " homoios," similar, in allusion to the shrubs and plants; yet, the tea trees are uninjured •
twining character of the plant; and the specific they are about the only evergreens in our grounds
alludes to the reddish blue color of the inflores- which have not succumbed in some measure to
cence. Queens, N, K, January 4th, 1886. | the cold, except the Gardenias, which appear in-

different to heat or cold, one of my large bushes
standing in an exposed situation not having
changed a leaf.

And now I must speak of our invalid strangers
I have just been the pleased recipient of the who have sought the balmy air of our village in
above plant, and, as I have never seen it written search of health. None have suffered, and Sum-
about nor ever heard of it, I will write and see if merville can boast of an immunity from sickness
others have. This plant is a native of Texas— remarkable in such a winter. Sheltered from the
200 miles from Austin. My plant was gathered east wind by live oaks and towering long-leaved
by "P. H. O.," who, in September number of pines, the rain may come and the rain may go.
Gardeners' Monthly, wrote "Amaryllis of the for the porous soil absorbs the moisture and the
South," and who has sent me many rare and numerous little water-courses carry off what the
beautiful bulbs, natives of Texas, since, but none sand cannot quickly enough receive. We cer-
which I can appreciate as I will the Hesperaloe. tainly do sometimes have deluges of rain, soon to

I will give his description and shall, I feel sure, if I be followed by blue skies and delicious sunshine

live, enjoy this rare and beautiful species. | days that are as heaven to the sufferer who basks

He says: " I send you to-day a plant of Hes- in the fragrant air or walks bravely forth day
peraloe Engelmanni (or H. yuccaefolia) or red after day amazed at the delightful climate,
flowering Yucca— a rare plant which I gathered That there is something marvelously healing in
several years since on the upper Nueces river, 200 the atmosphere of the pines we realize more fully
miles from Austin, Texas. A dwarf grower, but : each succeeding year, and in lung and throat dis-
when well established throws up a flower stalk 7 eases the cures here are numerous.

HESPERALOE ENGELMANNI.
BY MRS. J. S. R. THOMSON.

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[March,

1886.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

My family came to reside here most unwil-
lingly, but a member of it had been troubled with
a throat affection, which promised to become
serious, for over two years ; he had sought the ad-
vice of many good physicians North and South.
Finally he was advised by a Charleston doctor "to
live in Summerville ;'* his recovery was rapid and
he is to-day a healthy man.

A gentleman from Ireland brought introduc-
tions to Charleston — on his way to Florida. He
was told to visit Summerville, if only for a week.

I sent this variety in the fall of 1876, at once saw
the possibility of making it the parent of a new
race of giant Verbenas. His efforts in this direc-
tion have been remarkably successful of late
years, and a few days ago, when visiting his es-
tablishment, he showed me a large house filled
with the new strain of Mammoth Verbenas, all
descended from our old Beauty of Oxford, through
its remarkable descendant, America, which Mr.
Henderson raised two years ago. If the new set
of fourteen Mammoths which Mr. H. sends out

He came, with hectic fever, a hard dry cough and j this season equal Beauty of Oxford and America
panting breath ; had no great comfort in the , in size, with their great variety in color, it would
small wooden house where he boarded, and where ' seem that the limit in Verbena improvement has
the fare was as unlike as could be to the dainty been reached. I am sure your readers will thank
food of a wealthy home. After visiting Florida ' me for calling attention to this remarkable im-
he returned here at the end of a week looking de- provement in an old favorite flower, which has
cidedly worse than when he left, which he attribu- 1 been fast falling into disuse as a budder, but
ted to the fatigue of the journey in such a warm j which will undoubtedly get a fresh popularity
soft air, for thus he described the languor of the , from these new sorts. Chestertown, Md.

chmate. After some weeks he bought a horse,
hunted deer, etc., and remarked one day, "I
breathe here, and I haven't breathed comfortably
for two years."

If I remember rightly he came to Summerville
about the first of November, and left us for Europe

S^VEET PEAS.
BY HERBERT HARRIS.

Your number of January contains an article —
"How to Grow Sweet Peas." If it will be of any
in the middle of the following May— a well man, | service in your latitude, I will note my experience
and he writes, " I am quite well, have no trace of | for the past 30 years. My hedge of sweet peas
my former illness ; manage my own property," etc. i is always the admired of all admirers.

Our local physicians are very urgent in entreat- 1 Now as to seed, I use separate colors, always
ing their patients who reside in any of the North- ' giving the preference to white and scarlet ; the
ern States not to hurry away at the first breath of I mixed seed of most dealers being particularly de-
spring, but to remain with us till at least the mid- ficient of these varieties.

die of May, the heat being quite bearable till the
latter part of June. This, unfortunately, many

As soon as the frost is out of the ground (some-
times have even broken through a crust) I open a

will not do ; the consequences to the newly healed ; trench, say 18 inches wide and 20 to 24 deep

lungs we leave to the imagination of the reader.

Summerville^ S, C.

GIANT VERBENAS.
BY W. F. MASSEY.

length of spade, handle and all. This I wheel to
the other end of my ground, the object being ta
have it to fill up the last length of the trench. I
then put in the top spit of the next length and
same width, and also a good dressing of cow or
other strong manure, mixing well with what is al-
ready in the trench. Then the bottom of the last-
named length of the trench is thrown on top of the

Ten years ago while dining with a friend at
Waverly, Maryland, one of his sons brought from

the greenhouse a head of Verbena flowers, which | first soil, and if poor, mixing a little half-rotten
in size exceeded anything that I had ever seen. I stable manure through it ; and thus proceed
Its color was a brilliant rosy pink, and the indi- 1 through the length of the ground required. The
vidual florets were an inch in diameter. I was in- 1 condition of the soil will not allow for much
formed that it was a new seedling just raised by j dressing ; therefore, I draw a furrow about 6 inches
Mr. John Garvin, a florist then hving at Oxford, a in depth, endeavoring to have most of the loose soil
suburb of Baltimore. I at once visited Mr. G., thrown on the north or eastern side. This pro-
and made arrangements which resulted in the tects largely from cold winds. I then sow my seed

firmly in the furrow, leaving the soil around as
loose and rough as possible.

As soon as the plants are nicely up, I give them
a good sprinkling of slaked lime— commonly
<;alled quick-lime— and as they advance in growth
earth up as required. If the weather should be
very wet at any period of the growing season, I
give another application of lime. If, on the other
hand, a continuance of dry weather should occur,
a good watering should be given ; but it is seldom
necessary where the plant has a good depth of
soil wherein to feed. Removal of the seed pods
as they form, strengthens the plant and prolongs
a fine bloom. By above practice, I never fail to
have magnificent blooms of glorious color and
marvellous size.

An early English practice was, to sow very
early in pots, and plant out as soon as weather per-
mits ; but from comparative dates of blooming,
not more than four to six days was gained in their
flowering. I only adopt this last method in hand-
ling new varieties. Then by sowing early in pots
I am enabled to propagate from cuttings, thus in-
creasing stock of plants, which is very desirable,
as seeds of the new sorts are very expensive.

Nursery, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

new seedling being sent out under the name of
Beauty of Oxford. Mr. Peter Henderson, to whom

very thick, using about half pound of seed to every
20 feet of row ; cover with fine compost and tread

ACCLIMATIZING PLANTS IN TEXAS.
BY p. H. OBERWETTER.

The acclimatization of exotic plants is an inter-
esting undertaking, but it is rather an expensive
indulgence, because the catalogues of plant and
bulb dealers are so large that one's purse will be
exhausted before the catalogues are. The writer
of this has made some experiments to acclimate
exotic plants, particularly bulbs, and has some
more under trial and will make the result known
to the readers of the Gardeners' Monthly; but
he would like also to profit occasionally from the
experiments of others, and would politely ask
readers of the Gardeners' Monthly in the South
to send from time to time their success — and also
failures — to this magazine, that others may learn
wisdom, and, as the case may be, save money.
For the reader of th'S magazine should not only
be a consumer but also a producer. The Editor
can not make up the whole magazine and tell the
readers that this plant will grow here and the
other there ; this is left to the flower lovers to find
out for themselves. A few only of the Southern
States are represented by correspondents. Mrs.
Thomson, of Spartanburg, ably represents South
Carolina ; Texas is represented by Munson, of

I Dennison, in the north, Onderdonk in the south,
I but Mrs. Byers, of Houston, has been silent for
: a long time. But where are the other States-
Virginia. North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi?—
are there no florists in the South ? or do they keep
all that they find out for themselves ?

I have already let the readers of this magazine
know what Amaryllis are hardy in the South. I
have tried other bulbs and here is the report.
Several years ago I wrote in Gardeners' Month-
ly that 1 could not bring to flower Alstroemerias.
I had a plant which refused persistently to bloom ;
finally, becoming tired of it, I gave it away. A
friend of mine had exactly the same experience,
but he put his plant in the garden ; it established
itself and flowers every year and increases like a
weed; since that time I have it also in my garden.
It has the habit of sending up a few shoots in
autumn, but no flower shoots — these are killed later
by frost ; in spring again it commences to grow,
and at the end ul its growing season, which is here
in May, it sends up the flowering shoots and soon
after dries up to rest till autumn.

Another tropical bulb 1 cultivate in the garden
is Pancratium ovatum. This bulb is evergreen
with broad leaves. Cultivated as a pot plant it
flowers regularly in August with the new growth
of leaves. The leaves are of course in winter
killed by frost. I planted the bulb in the garden
in the summer of 1883, it flowered at its usual
time; in the summer of 1884 it produced no flow-
ers, but last summer the flower spike appeared
again ; but the plant waited till September when
rain set in.

Urceohna aurea is a fine plant, somewhat in
the style of Eucharis Amazonica. It bloomed
with me in October, 1884 ; I then set it out in the
garden as it did not produce new leaves with the
flowers, and 1 have no doubt that it will do well
in open ground.

PhiEdranassa chloracea and P. gloriosa are also
cultivated in the garden by a friend. They be-
come stronger apparently every year, and no
doubt will make themselves at home.

But now the failures. Failed entirely with
Ixias, Habianas and Sparaxis, and I venture to
say that Gladiolus does not thrive in this part of
the country. Bulbs become fewer and smaller
every year unless watering is resorted to. This is
because the interval is too short from the time when
it is warm enough to make them grow, to that which
it is too hot for them. Unless they are abundantly
supplied with water in the later stage of their
growth little enjoyment is derived from their cul-

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[March,

ture. The same may be said about Anemones
and Ranunculus. If these are planted in autumn
our alternate warm and very cold weather draws
them out too early and kills them. If planted end
of January they come into bloom so late that they

to the notice of horticulturists by those famous
cultivators, the Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea, near
London, who exhibited a specimen at a meeting
of the Royal Botanical Society on the 27th of May
1867. The original plant still occupies its position

o
>

•^^

E
<

suffer from heat and will need frequent watering on the house of Mr. Dominny, so long known for
in their flowering season. Atis/in, Texas, \ his faithful service with that firm. It is commonly

known as Ampelopsis Veitchii, the name under

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Japan AxMPElopsis. — It is now nearly twenty
years since this beautiful creeper was introduced genus Ampelopsis is regarded as distinct from

which it was then exhibited, but had been named
previously Ampelopsis tricuspidata, which is there-
fore the correct name. Only for the fact that the

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

Vitis— the true grapes— its name would probably
be Vitis Japonica, under which name it appears to
be described in Thunberg's Flora Japonica, His
description fits some of the varying phases of
this plant. He says it is called in Japan "Tsta,"
that is to say " The Ivy." In America it is com-
monly known now as the Japan Ivy. It is botanic-
ally a singular plant, the leaves being sometimes
in threes, sometimes merely three-toothed, from
which it gets the name— tricuspidata, and some-
times heart-shaped as described by Thunberg.
Another interesting fact is that it is only every
third leaf that has a tendril opposite to it, and
that third leaf has no axillary bud as in other
plants.

Its interest to horticulturists is universal. It
covers a wall or fence, and so smooth and evenly
that the famous English Ivy could do it no better.
The English Ivy however, claims the advantage
of being always green. Though this is not ever- Grafting the Salisburia.— A correspondent
green it takes on such a beautiful crimson and \ desires to know whether the Salisburia or Glnko

there it is now the custom to raise the plants yearly
from seed, as they do annuals; all the cuhivated
forms have been derived from the species Chamae-
drifolia, melindroides, teucroides, phlogi flora,
Tweediana, and paniculata, natives of Chili and
Peru chiefly.

An Early American Mowing Machine. —
According to the minutes of the American Philoso-
phical Society, John Jones exhibited at the meet-
ing of November ist, I77i,a plan whereby a num-
ber of scythes could be worked by one horse*, but
the details of the plan are not given in the note.
He exhibited a model of his machine on the
6th of December.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

orange color in the fall, that one is quite recon
ciled to the absence of foliage for a few months.
Its only known enemy so far is a disease similar

tree will graft at this time of the year (Jan. 19).

If the work is to be done on trees in the open
air, grafting cannot be done successfully till growth

to fire blight in the pear, in this that it only attacks | ^^^ commenced. In all grafting there is danger

the branch for a few inches in one place; but the
result is to make the whole portion above for
perhaps many square yards have yellow tinted
foliage, which, during the winter following dies.
Those who do not look deeply into phenomena,
then consider the plant "tender." Fortunately,
as in the case of the fire blight in the pear, it is
only the part above the point of attack that suf-
fers and sprouts from below come out and soon
cover the spot where the other has been killed.

The cut which accompanies this has been kindly
loaned, in order to illustrate our chapter, by Mr.
A. Blanc.

Tropical Bedding.— The employment of such
hot-country species as Dracaenas, Bananas, and
similar plants, for the summer decoration of
gardens, and which attracted such marked atten-
tion on the Centennial grounds at Philadelphia,
has not been continued to any marked degree,
probably because it takes less trouble to get up
the carpet or mosaic beds. But the effect is so
charming that those who can afford, should have

of the graft or scion drying out, unless there is
activity enough in the stock to furnish the moisture
that the graft requires. It is found best in all
grafting to keep the scion back a httle in order
that the stock may be certain to have the supply
the scion requires. In winter grafting the work
can be done if the stock is somewhere where the
temperature is above freezing point, so that the
active action of the stock be not wholly sus-
pended.

The Atamasco Lilies.— Mr. "J. H. S.," New
Haven, Conn., writes: " Zephyranthus Treatae
sold by florists has small, scant foliage, and blooms
at different seasons of the year ; I have it in
bloom now. It seldom has but one or two flowers
open at once ; increases readily from seed. Z.
Candida if crowded in a pan will give as many
flowers in August as there are bulbs, and is a use-
ful and beautiful plant. I have seen another
variety from Florida which I supposed was Z.
Atamasco, but have never grown it."

[This note is useful as showing that some one

more of it. In Europe enormous quantities of ^^^ ^^''^ently given the name of "Candida" to a
Dracana indivisa are used, and even for the centre ^°'''" °^ Zephyranthus Atamasco-a point as to

of mosaic beds a plant of this is usually employed.

which we had some doubts recently. The true Z.

Candida of botanists is something else ; and again.
The Verbena. — The disease that is so great a I it shows that a Zephyranthus very different to the
foe to the lovers of Verbenas in America, is just as one described by Mrs. Treat originally has ob-
troublesome in the Old World, and M.Duren says 1 tained wide circulation. — Ed. G. M.]

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[March,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

ture. The same may be said about Anemones to the notice of horticulturists by those famous
and Ranunculus. If these are planted in autumn cultivators, the Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea, near
our alternate warm and very cold weather draws London, who exhibited a specimen at a meeting
them out too early and kills them. If planted end ' of the Royal Botanical Society on the 27th of May
of January they come into bloom so late that they 1867. The original plant still occupies its position

'53

suffer from hea^ and will need frequent watering on the house of Mr. Dominny, so long known for

in their flowering season. Austin, Texas, his faithful service with that firm. It is commonly

-••»► known as Ampelopsis Veitchii, the name under

EDITORIAL NOTES which it was then exhibited, but had been named

previously Ampelopsis tricuspidata, which is there-

Japan Ampklopsis. — It is now nearly twenty fore the correct name. Only for the fact that the

years since this beautiful creeper was introduced genus Ampelopsis is regarded as distinct from

Vitis— the true grapes— its name would probably there it is now the custom to raise the plants yearly
be Vitis Japonica, under which name it appears to from seed, as they do annuals; all the cultivated
be described in Thunberg's Flora Japonica, Mis forms liave been derived from the species Chamae-
description fits some of the varying phases of drifoi;,i, melindroides, tcucroides, phlogillora,
this plant. He says it is called in Japan " Tsta," Tweodiana, and paniculata, natives of Chili and
that is to say " The Ivy." In America it is com- Peru chielly.

monly known now as the Japan Ivy. It is botanic-
ally a singular plant, the leaves being sometimes
in threes, sometimes merely three-toothed, from
which it gets the name— tricuspidata, and some-

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

An I^arlv American Mowing Machink. —
According to the niinutcs of the American Philoso-
phical Society, John Jones exhibited at the mect-

, , , J , ., , , , ing of Xovember 1st. 1771, a plan whereby a num-

times heart-shaped as described by Thunberg. ,_t f .1 111 111 / -i .

^ . . ^ . . . , . . , ^ ber of scythes could be worked by one horse, but

Another interestmg fact is that it is onlv every ,1 , , •, r ., , . • • 1

^x • ^ ^ e ^ i , •, • '. , the clctails of thc plau arc not given m the note,

third leaf that has a tendril opposite to it, and tt ,•,-., 1 1 r i- i- 1

.u ^ .1 • J 1 r 1 .,, , , . , ^^^ exhibited a model of his machine on the

that third leaf has no axillary bud as in other ^,, r ^^ 1

, , -' oth t t I'cccmber.

plants.

Its interest to horticulturists is universal. It ~ ^•»-

covers a wall or fence, and so smooth and evenly

that the famous English Ivy could do it no better.

The English Ivy however, claims the advantage

of being always green. Though this is not ever- C.kaitint; the Salisburia.— A correspondent

green it takes on such a beautiful crimson and desires to know whether the Salisburia or Ginko

orange color in the fall, that one is quite recon- ^^^^ '^'^^^ ^''^^^ ""^ ^^^^^ ^^"^^ ^^ ^^^^ >'^''^^ f-'^"' ^9).

ciled to the absence of foliage for a few months. ^^^^'^^ '^'^^^ ^^ ^° ^^ ^^'^^ ^" '^^^^^ ^" ^^^^ ^P^n

Its only known enemy so far is a disease similar ^'^'^' ^'"^^^'"^'^ cannot be done successfully till growth
to fire blight in the pear, in this that it onlv attacks ^^""^ commenced. In all grafting there is danger
the branch for a few inches in one place; but the °^^^'^ S^aft or scion drying out, unless there is
result is to make the whole portion above for --activity enough in the stock to furnish the moisture
perhaps many square yards have yellow tinted ^^'^^ ^''^ ^raft requires. It is found best in all
foliage, which, during the winter following dies. ^'^''^^'''Z ^^ ^^^P ^^^^ ^cion back a little in order
Those who do not look deeply into phenomena, ^^'^^^ ^^'"^ ^^^^^ "^^^ ^^ ^^^^''^'^ ^° ^'^^^ ^^^ ^"PP^^
then consider the plant "tender." Fortunately, ^^^^ ^^ion requires. In winter grafting the work
as in the case of the fire blight in the pear, it is ^^'^ ^^ ^°"^ ^^^^'^ "^^^^ ^' somewhere where the
only the part above the point of attack that suf- temperature is above freezing point, so that the
fers and sprouts from below come out and soon ^^^'^'^ ^'^^^'^^ °^ ^^'^ '^^^^ ^^ ''^^ ^^^">' '"'■
cover the spot where the other has been killed. pended.

The cut which accompanies this has been kindly Tm: Atamasco Liliks.— Mr. "J. H. S.," New
loaned, in order to illustrate our chapter, by Mr. Haven, Conn., writes: " Zephyranthus Treatae
A. Blanc. j sold by florists has small, scant foliage, and blooms

Tropical BEDDING.-Theemployment of such =»' '"fferent seasons of the year; I have it in
hot-country species as Dracsnas. Bananas, and '^'°°" "°^^- '' "«''*°™ '^" ^""^ °"<^ "' '"'° ^"'""'^
similar plants, for the summer decoration of "P'^" ^' °"" • '""eases readily from seed. Z.
gardens, and which attracted such marked atten- ""'^'^^ '^ "o^^ed m a pan will give as many
tion on the Centennial grounds at Philadelphia, """'"^ '" '^"g""' =^^ "^"<= ^""^ '^""'5' ^"'^ '^ =» "^<=-
has not been continued to any marked degree, f"' ''"'^ beautiful plant. I have seen another
probably because it takes less trouble to get up ^='"«^'y ^^'^ ^'"''"'^ "^^'"^ ' supposed was Z.
the carpet or mosaic beds. But the effect is so Atamasco, but have never grown it."

^1, _• *u 4. *u u a- A u ^A x^ IThis note is useful as showing that some one

charming that those who can afford, should have ^ &

_ r •* T T- ..•*.• r has evidently given the name of "Candida" to a

more of it. In Europe enormous quantities of ^ °

-Tk • J- • J J r *i, . form of Zephyranthus Atamasco — a point as to

Dracaena indivisa are used, and even for the centre .

of mosaic beds a plant of this is usually employed.

which we had some doubts recently. The true Z.

Candida of botanists is something else ; and again,
The Verhena. — The disease that is so great a it shows that a Zephyranthus very different to the
foe to the lovers of Verbenas in America, is just as one described by Mrs. Treat originally has ob-
troublesome in the Old World, and M.Duren says tained wide circulation. — Ed. G. M.]

INTENTrONAL SECOND EXPOSURE

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[March,

Gremhouse and House Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

This is the season when most plants will require
re-potting previous to iheir making their new sea-
son's growth. The difficulty always is to find the
increased room that re-potting requires. Usually
room* is made by turning out the bedding plants
into hot-bed frames, protecting them from frosts
at night by mats. Much may be gained also by
not increasing the size of pots, as pointed out by a
correspondent, but merely changing the soil;
where, however, plants are not shortened in pre-
vious to the re-pottal, care must be exercised in
shaking out the soil, or serious results may follow.
The ball of roots should be soaked in water, so
that the particles of soil may fall away easily from
the roots. The soil for potting, too, should be
nearly quite dry, and then rammed into the pots
about the roots very hard and tight. Immediately
after potting the plant should be well watered,
and placed in a close and partially shaded atmos-
phere till the roots take hold of the new soil again.
Where the roots are not much disturbed these pre-
cautions are unnecessary. In addition to dry soil
for potting it should be fibrous, that is, it should
have a good portion of old fine roots through it to
give a spongy texture. It is this which gives the
top soil of a pasture such value in the eye of a
good gardener for potting purposes, as the innum-
erable fine roots of the grass through it render it
particularly spongy or "fibrous" as the technical
term is.

As the plants potted grow, those intended to be
made stocky or bushy, should have their strong
shoots pinched off, which will encourage the
strength of the weaker ones.

The direct rays of our hot March suns are very
fatal to flowers, and they soon fade unless pro-
tected. A portion of the house should have its
glass shaded, and where it is desired to prolong
the bloom the plants should be removed under
it. A thin paint of sugar of lead on the outside is
the most permanent and best shading for glass.

Pansies are now coming into flower. They like
an airy frame, where they will not be roasted at
midday nor exposed to drying winds, and yet have
a free circulation of air and plenty of light.
Planted out in such a frame, and the old shoots cut
away as soon as the plant has done flowering, the
plants will keep healthy over till the next season.

COMMUNICATIONS.

PRIMULA FLORIBUNDA AND P. 0 3C0NICA.

BY GEO. W. OLIVER. •

Primula Jloribunda. — This charming floral gem
was first distributed to plant cultivators four years
ago by the late John Sadler, of the Royal Botanic
Garden, Edinburgh. It was raised from seed
sent by Mr. Lister — a former employe^' of the above-
named establishment — from the Himalayas. In
Europe it has already become a great favorite,
not only with botanical enthusiasts but also with
florists. In most respects its appearance is totally
distinct from, and with the exception of P.
acaulis and varieties, much more floriferous than
any other species in cultivation.

My experience with it is, that, although it is
perennial, it will repay the trouble to treat it as an
annual or biennial grown for winter flowering. It
seeds freely and if sown by the beginning of
August we have the plants in flower before Christ-
mas. The flowers are bright yellow, arranged in
whorls, there being sometimes as many as eight
successive whorls on a single stalk. As soon as
the seedlings permit of being handled, they should
be potted singly into thumb pots and shifted on
as they require it, using sandy loam until the last
shift which should be into six-inch pots, when a
goodly portion of thoroughly decomposed cow
manure may be added, potting very firmly.

P. obconica — we may safely predict, has also a
great future before it, it is extremely susceptible
to cross-fertilization and from what I have already
seen of its tendencies to improvement from that
cause, we may hope soon to see it competing for
popular favor with the well-known forms of P.
sinensis. It may be described as a capitate
species, but when well grown it sometimes as-
sumes the whorled form, sending up a second
truss from the center of the first umbel. The
flowers are white, faintly tinged with lilac and
beautifully fringed after the manner of some of
the varieties of P. Sieboldii, (Cortusoides amoena.)
It is a native of Japan, having been quite recently
introduced by the Messrs. Veitch, London, through
their late collector, Mr. Maries. The treatment
essential to its requirements will be found to coin-
cide with that accorded to P. sinensis and varieties.
U. S. Botanical Garden, Washington, D, C.

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

NOTES ON WINTER-FLOWERING
BEGONIAS.

BY CULTIVATOR.

toniensis may be termed perpetual bloomers. The
former is of compact growth with small foliage
and always covered over with pure white flowers.
The latter is a light pink and one of the very best.
Wherever flowers are grown during the winter Has a very pretty effect seen under gas light, the
season,eitherfortheembellishmentof the green- reddish green leaves being almost transparent,
house, the dmner-table or the parior, a few of the with red leaf-stalks. Schmidtii. a compact variety
best ofthese should receive a place, their droop- , with pretty metalhc foliage and white flowers, is
ing fuchsia-hke flowers claiming admiration, i very desirable. Rubra has dark green leaves
whether seen m the flower vase or drooping grace- with immense clusters of scarlet rose colored
fully from the parent stem. To see them at their flowers, and is one of the best winter-flowering
best they should be grown in a temperature of Begonias grown. Manicata and Sanguinea are
about 60O. Cuttings struck about the end of May, sometimes classed in the ornamental leaved sec
if well cared for. form handsome little plants in 5- 1 tion. but they are also beautiful flowering subjects,
inch pots by the end of the season, which I think bearing in the spring numerous panicles of pinkish

are always preferable
to the "lanky" speci-
mens so often seen.

The following are
some of the best
which we have found
amenable to culture
in small pots. Among
the scarlets, Fuchsi-
oides has no equal
when well grown,
but is a shy bloomer
unless treated to
plenty of heat. Is at
its best about the hol-
idays. The white va-
riety of this is very
useful in large pots
to cut from, but is
too gross a grower
for small pots. Saun-
dersonii is about the
first to bloom in the
scarlet section, be-
ginning in October

^0^7^

New Double Begonias.

white flowers on long
erect stems. As a
foliage plant the lat-
ter is beautiful, al-
most completely hid-
ing the pot in which
it is grown and form-
ing a complete globe
of olive-green leaves
with rich crimson
underneath. There
are several other va-
rieties well worth
growing, but not be-
ing under my care
at the time of writing
I have only noted
such as have given
me satisfaction during
the present season.
South Virginia,
[It will be a good
illustration of this
excellent article to
give a cut of the new

and continuing without intermission all winter if Double Begonias which are now attracting so
kept growing. This is one of the very best for much attention in Europe.— Ed. G. M.]

growing in small pots. Digswelliana is very much 1

like the preceding, but more round in the foliage,
and opens its flowers well. Metallica and M. in-
carnata are both beautiful in flower and foliage,
the latter showing up panicles of rich rose-colored

NOTES ON SOUTHERN GROWN ROSES.

BY W. C. WILSON.

My experience for the last thirty years in im-

flowers in beautiful contrast to the dark foliage porting Hybrid Perpetual Roses on their own
flowering in December. The rich metallic leaves ; roots, which I have done considerably from

of the former are in themselves useful in a cut
state, edgings to flower vases. This is a spring
flowering variety with rose-colored flowers covered
over with miniature glittering hairs, giving it a
beautiful rich appearance. Parviflora and Wei-

France, England and Germany, has been a com-
plete failure ; no matter what the age of the plants
was, or the prices paid for them, they never had
the vigor, constitution, or growth, of those that
parts of Georgia produce ; and probably in a

fCvHi

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[March,

great many more sections of the Southern States
like results could be obtained if tested. Parts of
Georgia seem to be some of the best known sec-
tions for that purpose. The mode of propagation
is so cheap, that when the grower gets in quantity
the sorts required for our Northern market, I con-
sider that it will stop shipments of roses from,
and perhaps send roses to Europe on their own
roots ; as I consider that good plants can be
grown for less cost in this, than in any other sec-
tion of any country that I have ever heard of.
When pruning in my Hybrid Perpetual Rose
houses, the latter part of November last, I sent
all the wood for cuttings to a florist in Savannah,
Geo. A friend of mine returned from that place
January 8th, 1886, and states that there was any
quantity of the cuttings rooted before he left there.
Cuttings are likely to make plants three to five
feet high, by next Fall. They are grown
as follows: the cuttings are planted in rows
about six inches apart with a space of about three
feet between each row ; and if the cuttings are
put in at the proper season and the ground kept
clean from weeds by a horse cultivator, (scarcely
any hand labor being required after the cuttings
are planted) they will have from 90 to 95 per
cent, to grow.

There is no other place that I have ever heard
of where the same results could be obtained for
the same cost ; and I consider that if the same en-
ergy, ability and capital were invested in a Georgia
rose nursery, that there is shown in some rose
nurseries in France and England, the results in
profits would be much greater, as they make better
plants in one half the time and are on their own
roots, which is generally preferred, except in very
few varieties. AsUn'a, L. /., ^an. 12th, 1886.

are about to add to our place, Mr. Hippard's novel
invention, that cannot help but become a neces-
sary article connected with steam heating. The
apparatus is an alarm bell which can be adjusted to
any pressure desired, by moving a weight; and
when it is set, say at one pound of steam or less,
and the steam comes below that pressure, it rings
the alarm and wakens the fireman who may have
accidentally fallen asleep, thus avoiding— unusual
occurrence — chilling or freezing the plants.

In regard to our establishment, we will say this
much. That we have 8,000 square feet of glass
surface. That we heat with a small 10 horse
power locomotive boiler. Attached to it we have
over 3.500 hneal feet of !}( inch gas pipe. Our
fuel is what is brought out of the mine, called run of
the mine ; and according to what we have thus
far used, we will consume about forty tons, at a
cost of $1.25 per ton, dehvered at our place.
However, our apparatus did not give us any satis-
faction whatever, and we commenced to correspond
with Mr. H. ; and he gave us drawings, but could
not get the results necessary, until on last Thanks-
giving Day we called upon Mr. H. at his place,
and went home with some points ; and have now,
we consider, as nice a working steam apparatus
as we can wish for. Everything is working like
a charm. We found Mr. H. a florist among
florists. For all of his trouble making drafts and
corresponding, he would not allow us to contribute
one cent towards his expense and trouble. Such
generous men are bound to win, if generosity has
anything to do with success.

Cumberland, Md„ January 30th, 1886,

STEAM HEATING.

BY BAPP & CO.

Since the columns of your valuable and in-
structive magazine are becoming somewhat inter-
esting in the direction of cheap greenhouse heating
by steam, we consider it our duty to offer in evi-
dence, our success and practical knowledge. In
regard to Mr. Stover's article concerning the
heating of Mr. Hippard's establishment at Youngs-
town, Ohio, we have this much to say. That we
have been to see his place, which we consider
one of the finest commercial establishments in
this country, not only in structure, but stock and
everything connected. The size of his place is,
we think, fully what Mr. Stover claims for it. We

HEATING SMALL GREENHOUSES.
BY HERBERT G. WALKER.

Many lovers of flowers would like to have a
small conservatory or greenhouse but are de-
terred by the expense and trouble of heating.
The following method of heating was related to
me by a gentleman who saw it in practical opera-
tion in a greenhouse about 15 by 20 feet in size.
He said the same plan was used to heat street cars
in one city in the East (I beheve it was Philadel-
phia), but it did not work so well, on account of
the street cars going up and down grades.

The plan was this : An iron pipe was put under
the benches and around three sides of the house,
the part farthest from where the heat is placed ta
be the highest and a regular fall all the way
around to the lowest end ; at the lowest end the
pipe is closed with a thin piece of sheet iron which

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

7S^

is placed so as to be over a gas jet or a lamp. In
the pipe is placed from a quart to a gallon of salt
water holding as much salt in solution as possible.
Both ends of the pipe must be closed. When the
water is heated by the gas jet or lamp it heats the
whole length of pipe. This method would be
splendid for heating pits, hot beds, etc. I expect
a four-inch pipe would be the best size.

I do not vouch for the above, but simply state
it for what it is worth, and would be glad to hear
from any one that has tried the plan. It is en-
tirely new to me but may be well known to some.

New Albany, Indiana,

THE CANNAS AS POT PLANTS.

BY JEAN SISLEY.

Several years ago I related in the Gardeners'
Magazine the history of the Canna. Since then
it has been more cultivated in private gardens,
but not, in my opinion, as much as it deserves.
Several very fine varieties have been raised in our
neighborhood ; and, what is worth noticing, by
artificial fecundation the size of the plants has
been very much reduced and the quantity and
size of the flowers increased.

The old and tall varieties are still very worthy
of attention as ornamental plants for the open
border, but the new dwarf ones which measure
about 3 to 4 feet in height are very fine as. pot
plants for indoor decoration, as they contrast with
all other sorts. All those dwarfs have been
raised by Crozy, of Lyon, who, since the introduc-
tion of the species from Brazil, in 1846, addicted
himself to their improvement.

The culture of those dwarf Cannas is very easy.
To succeed, stout parts of the tubers bearing a good
eye must be selected and potted about February.
They can be potted later, if required, as long as
the tubers are at rest. They must be put in the
smallest possible pots ; put on slight bottom heat
in a pit, or a two-spanned-roof house, that they
may receive much light, and be aired when the
weather permits and frost is not apprehended.

As soon as the pots are filled with roots they
must be re- potted in a larger size, without disturb-
ing the roots, and so on successively until they
show their flower spikes, when they can be re-
moved indoors or under a veranda. They can
also be used for table decoration, as the leaves
contrast handsomely with those of other plants.

The following are the best and most distinct to
my knowledge : Amiral Courbet, yellow, striped
carmine ; Betthe Suze, large, light yellow shaded.

light crimson ; Capricieux, reddish-purple, edged
yellow ; Commandant Riviere, light yellow spot-
ted, light red; Edouard Morren, light yellow,
shaded dark rose ; Madame Just, light red, edged
yellowish ; Olbius, bright red ; Tonkin, bright yel-
low, centres potted crimson ; Victor Gaulin, bright
red, shaded darker, which attains about 3 feet high
when in bloom. All these Cannas require good
watering, and when in a growing state with liquid
manure. Monplaisir, Lyon, Jan. 1886.

[In most parts of the United States they thrive
so admirably in the open air in summer that they
are seldom used as pot plants ; but these dwarfs
should make fine pot plants.— Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Vkiesia hieroglyphica.— This is one of the
most remarkable of variegated or foliage plants.
It belongs to Bromeliaceae or pine-apple family of
plants. The leaves are in shape like short and
blunt pine-apple leaves, but are continually cross-
barred with brownish violet figures that have some
resemblance to ancient hieroglyphics, whence its
specific name. It seems to have been introduced
into Belgian gardens from Brazil.

Japanese House Gardens.— Some time since,
' you figured two specimens of these from a work
brought home by Mr. Mosely. It so happens that
I have a Japanese pupil attending my lectures,
and who has been a frequent visitor at my house
for the last five years. With the help of this gen-
tleman—Mr. Nagai— I have inspected two of the
volumes which Mr. Mosely has been so good as
to send me. These books were described as a
"Treatise on Miniature Gardens," but they are de-
scriptive of aquaria which are introduced from
China. According to Mr. Nagai, the Japanese (at
least at this time) are inferior in their art to the
Chinese. Pekin is to the Japanese what Paris is
to the Germans, and, indeed, to the other nations
of Europe. As we look to Paris for the height of
good taste and fashion, so the ladies of Japan
dress themselves after the fashion of the Chinese
nobility.

These Japanese aquaria differ from ours in
many particulars. Ours are for the most part
formed of curiously-shaped limestone or slag
under water, or with only the upper part above
the surface, and they are placed under a glass
frame or in a large glass jar ; but in Japan a hard
stone in rock-form is used and placed in an earthen,
vessel full of sand. We use delicate water plants,,
lizards, molluscs, etc., which live in the water^

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[March,

while other people plant gay leaves, Begonias, etc.,
on the top of the rock above water. The Japanese
use, as already said, dry rocks; on the sand
around the rocks lie cleverly made boats, as the
sand is intended to represent water. The minia-
ture plants which are placed in various parts of
the rocks are planted by the Japanese very skil-
fully. Many Conifers, especially Sciadopitys verti-
cillata, Pinus Massoniana, and certain Thujas,
play a prominent part. The rocks, which are
scarcely i — 1>^ foot high, are often like large bar-
ren rocks, for they are generally formed accord-
ing to one regular rule, pierced with holes, and
filled up with water, as if they were mountain
lakes. In the large aquaria rocks are used, and
water also flows at their feet, as the rocks repre-
sent islands. Little ships sail on the water, and
various tall plants, such as Bamboos, Palms, and
the like, or small plants are planted at the water's
edge. Sometimes the rock is done away with,
and an old rugged tree, often a Conifer, occupies
most of the space, or the aquarium represents a
whole landscape, with rocks, trees, and little
houses. The rock may also represent a landscape,
with houses and little villages placed at the foot !
or at a certain height on it, and planted with
groves or single large trees. It will also be under- '
stood that, all things being on a small scale, little |
figures of men are also used. A great variety is '
to be seen on these rockworks, as the form of |
natural rocks is exactly imitated. As we recog-
nize in nature the form of the rocks, so also is it
in these clever miniatures. The various lime-
stones, slates, stones are easily recognized as tufa,
stalactites, and rocks full of water.

In the beginning of one of these books I find a
plate with Chinese in various attitudes, stags, &c.,
to be imitated in clay. This shows that not only
the Japanese, but the Chinese, are reproduced in
these aquariums. The next plate gives various
designs of buildings and temples, bridges with
men on them, boats and ships in the distance.
These also are Chinese, not Japanese, so that the
Chinese origin may be easily observed.

Finally, 1 must state that I have given the name
of aquaria to these rockworks, only in consequence
of the custom of placing them in rooms ; they are
not aquaria, according to the generally recognized
sense of the word. The Japanese term is untrans-
latable, the nearest approach to it is "miniature
rock gardens for rooms." They are just at
present so much the fashion in Japan that they
are to be found in the dwellings even of the poorest
classes.— A"'^r/AV/^ Berlin, in Gar. Chronicle.

The Lighting of Conservatories.— A small
pamphlet on " Petroleum Gas " has been forwarded
to us from Belgium, advocating the use of gas dis-
tilled from crude petroleum or from the tarry resi-
\ dues of mineral oils for lighting purposes, particu-
larly in horticultural structures and wherever else
, the fumes of coal-gas are more than ordinarily
obnoxious. According to the showing of the
writer, M. L. Jacques, engineer, of Seraing, near
j Lirge, the advantages of petroleum gas are many.
The distillatory apparatus required is compara-
tively small, simple, and cheap. The gas is not
\ more explosive in its nature than ordinary coal-
gas. In density it approximates closer to common
air than coal gas, so it is more easily led in any.
desired direction. It does not foul pipes or burners.
It burns with a pure, steady, white flame, with
eight times the illuminating power of an equal
volume of coal-gas. As mineral oil contains
neither sulphur, nitrogen, or oxygen, the gas pre-
pared from it is free from admixtures to which the
deleterious efTects of coal-gas are due. The gas
burns with about the same amount of heat as coal-
gas. Its composition approximates to c^ h^

that of coal-gas, freed from all impurities, ap-
proaching to c 2 H*. Carbonic acid is therefore
evolved in larger volume than with coal-gas ; but
as eight times less gas is needed to produce the
same amount of hght, the heating and deteriora-
tion'of the surrounding air are proportionately
less. A hundred kilogs. (220 lbs.) of crude petro-
leum give about 2,600 cubic feet, and the same
quantity of tarry residue of petroleum 1,900 cubic
j feet of gas. The gas undergoes no alteration at a
j pressure of ten atmospheres, so that it is well
adapted for storing by compression in portable
meters for use in railway trains, etc. M. Jacques
states that the town of Seraing, with a population
of 26,000, has been lighted for the past eight years
with this gas. The apparatus is worked by one
man, and supplies 22,000 cubic feet of gas in ten
hours, or double that quantity in twenty-four.
There are 46,000 feet of pipes ; the farthest lamp
is 3,300 feet from the works. A certificate from
the burgomaster shows that the cost to the town
in 1872 was 2^ centimes per burner per hour,
each burner, without reflectors, being equivalent
to fourteen wax candles. The same system was
adopted in the city of Neiuport-Bains last year.
Very favorable reports have also been received
from the large shipbuilding yards of Messrs.
Cockerill at Antwerp, and other pubHc and pri-
vate establishments where the gas has been intro-
duced. Dr. Jamain, of the Ophthalmic Institute

1886.]

AND HORflCLLTURIST.

at Li5ge, speaks highly in its favor. It gives a
very brilliant but very soft flame, he says, which
is explained by the large proportion of blue and
violet rays, always the coolest and most soothing
to the eye, which it contains. No particulars are
given of the apphcation of this mode of lighting
to horticultural purposes beyond the statement
that it has been tried in several large conserva-
tories and found to answer perfectly, and that in
one such instance a conservatory with an area of
640 square feet was lighted with ten burners.— i
Gardeners" Magazine, \

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Feet of Glass.— Mr. Hippard says : " I have
noticed the article published by you in January
number of Gardeners' Monthly as an editorial.
You have made a grand mistake when you say the
way in which the glass is used would enable
25,000 feet to be used in this way instead of
12,000. This is not the fact ; Stover says that we

could put on our lot 25,000 square feet of glass,
and any neighbor can truthfully say that our lot is
I half covered over with glass, thus making up-
wards of 12.000 square feet used to propagate and
grow our plants, —-or about one-half of our ground
covered by glass."

Diseased Roses.— " F. J. K.," Ottawa. Ills.,
sends specimens of what is known here as the
Black fungus or Black mildew. The leaves,
especially the young ones with the tender shoots,
turn black and die with a soft kind of rot. There
is no known cure for it, because the injury proves
fatal before its existence is discovered.

There is little doubt, however, that the plants that
get the disease have been weakened in their vital
powers before they get the fungus in its developed
state, because some varieties suffer so much more
than those with vigorous constitution growing un-
der the same conditions. The only cure therefore
hes in efforts to give these weak brethren the
benefit of those general laws of health which
those who have made plant life a study have ex-
plained to us.

iRviT AND Vegetable Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

In fruit growing, remember that fruits are like
grain and vegetable crops, in this, that they must
have manure to keep up the fertility. Unlike
vegetables and grain, however, their feeding roots
are mostly at the surface. It is best, therefore, an-
nually to top-dress fruit trees. If manure cannot
be had, any fresh earth from ditches or roadsides,
spread a half inch or so under the trees, will have
a wonderful effect. Indeed, we do not know but
that for the pear tree a thin layer of road sand is
one of the best of manures. We have seen apples
thrive amazingly with a coating of coal ashes.

Whitewashing the stems of orchard trees has a
very beneficial effect in clearing away old bark
and destroying the eggs of innumerable insects.
The white color is bad ; throw in a little soot or
some other matter to make it brown. In green-
houses sulphur has been found of benefit in keep-
ing down mildew. Possibly if mixed with the
whitewash in tree dressing, it might do good
against fire blight, and such like fungoid troubles.

Whatever may be said of birds and their evils
when the fruit is ripe, there can be but one opinion

about their value now. They have nothing but
insects to live on, and they eat them by the mil-
lions. Insects are a far greater scourge to the
fruit grower than birds ; it will be wise to encour-
age the birds. The English sparrow is now fully
naturalized in this country. Great complaints of
its graminivorous propensities are heard every
year; but this can be better guarded against
than the attacks of insects.

Many kinds of raspberries, especially in dry
soils, have a tendency to throw up innumerable
suckers. These should be thinned out. Three
or four canes are enough to leave in a "hill.'*
We like, however, to grow raspberries in rows,
where each cane may have a chance to enjoy an
independent existence of about a square foot of
soil for itself.

Deep rich soil, now so generally condemned
for fruit gardens, is of the first importance here.
Soil cannot be too deep or too rich, if we would
have good vegetables. It is indeed remarkable,
that in many respects we have to go very differ-
ently to work to get good fruits, than we have to
perfect vegetables. While, for instance, we have
to get sunlight to give the best richness to our

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[March,

fruits, our vegetables are usually best when
blanched or kept from the light. So also as we keep
the roots as near the surface as we can, in order
to favor the woody tissue in trees, we like to let
them go deep in vegetables, because this favors
succulence.

It is best not to sow tender vegetables too soon,
they get checked, and the last will be first. As-
paragus is one of the earliest crops to set out.
It was at one time believed that the varieties of
this would not come true from seed, and that
there was but one best kind. We are not so sure
of this now. Many plant them too deep and
fail; four inches is enough; rows 20 inches, and
plants one foot apart, will do. Make the soil par-
ticularly rich.

Celery for the main crop will do about the end
of the month, but a little may be sown now. We
have never been able to make up our mind
whether there is such a thing as an absolutely
sohd variety of celery ; or whether pithiness in
any degree depends on soil or culture. Certainly
we buy all the most approved " sohds " every
year, and never yet found one satisfactory through-
out. We cannot say which is the best of the
many candidates. .

Where new asparagus beds are to be made, '
now is the time; the ground should be rather I
moist than dry, and be trenched two feet deep, i
mixing in with it a good quantity of stable dung, !
and, if the ground be inclining to sand, add some ■
salt; the beds should be marked out four feet,
wide, and the alleys about two feet. If pegs are
driven down at the corners of the beds permanently,
they will assist operations in future years. Hav-
ing marked the positions of the beds and pro-
cured a stock of two-year-old plants, place them
on the soil nine inches apart in rows one foot
asunder, making three rows in each bed ; then
cover the whole with soil from the alleys and rich
compost a couple of inches.

It has been noted that the grape-vine thrives
amazingly when it gets into an asparagus bed.
These are generally elevated, and are thus dry ;
while the rich soil necessary for asparagus is also
good for grapes.

tion of thrip in his grapery. If "A. H." gets the
water in his pipes to nearly boiling pitch and then
paints them over with sulphur mixed with milk or
water, at the same time damping paths, walls,
etc., keeping the heat up in his pipes for two or
three hours, he will find a complete destruction
of both thrip and red spider, unless very badly
affected, when a second or third application may
be necessary. This operation however must not
be performed until after the fruit has passed the
size of ordinary peas. If the fruit has reached the
coloring stage sometimes a slight sediment may
be seen left upon the berry, but this will disap-
pear without causing any injury. If "A. H.'s"
house is heated by a flue great caution is neces-
sary, as sulphur applied to any over-heated flue
emits fumes fatal to vegetation.

S0U//1 Virginia, Jan. nth, 1886.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

COMMUNICATIONS.

DESTRUCTION OF THRIP IN GRAPERY.

BY CULTIVATOR.

"A. H.," in the January issue, page 18, wishes
to know of some efficient remedy for the destruc-

Prolonging the Pear Season.— A rose by
any other name will smell as sweet, says the poet ;
but there appears to be often the same smell when
it is not a rose, if what we read about the Bartlett
pear in a London paper be true. This pear is
known as the WiUiams* Bon Chretien there,
and, so we are told, it is so popular that long after
its season is over the dealers sell other kinds under
that name, and the poor imposed-on Londoners
do not know the difference. An American could
hardly be fooled so easily.

The Nevada Blackberry.— A Kansas gentle-
man is still pushing this as something very new,
I for which he expects to get a large price, and with
I the announcement that it is a native of the Sierra
I Nevada Mountains, and is wholly "owned" by
him. This seems to be what was once offered as
the Nevada "evergreen " blackberry, which has
been shown in our pages to be the cut-leaved
English blackberry, common in nurseries for the
past fifty years.

There is no native blackberry in the Sierra Ne-
vada Mountains that any one need hanker after,
except a form of the Black cap, Rubus leucoder-
mis.

Lida Strawberry.— Among the latest "truly
wonderful " introductions is the Lida. Judging by
a cut before us made by Blanc, and therefore not
likely to be exaggerated, it appears to be a good
one, notwithstanding the startling epithet quoted.
Usually in large-bunched strawberries we have
one or two large, and all the rest small. As this

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

is represented, there are at least half a dozen that
would be regarded as large. It is a pistillate.
There seems to be a reaction in favor of pistillates
by market growers who have land enough to put
some pollen-bearing variety between the rows. In
the old time trouble came from amateurs buying
pistillate kinds, forgetting or not knowing that
they had to get another kind to fertilize the first.

Improved Grapes.— It is remarkable that to
this day some of the best grapes we have are
among those that started the earliest in the race
for improvement. The Concord is to-day indis-
pensable everywhere, and this is true of many of
the hybrids of Mr. Rogers. At a recent meeting
of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Col.
Wilder said he could not agree with Mr. Woods
in regard to the value of the Rogers grapes ; with
him they succeed almost as well as any except the
Concord and Moore's Early, but his location is a
favorable one. The Lindley is superior in quality
even to the Delaware. Some seasons it may mil-
dew and others it will not, but we cannot dispense
with it.

Eating YRmT^.— Green's Fruit Grower quoits
the views of eminent medical authorities about
eating fruit, and of others equally eminent about
not eating it; and concludes that if we are to
follow the contrary opinions of the modern "medi-
cine man," we shall very soon bring up in a
lunatic asylum.

The Burke Peach.— Originated in Avoyelles
Parish, Louisiana ; average specimens measuring
12 inches in circumference, and selected specimens
have measured up to 14 inches ; and it is said to I
have reached to the enormous size of 18 inches j
around on the rich alluvial land of Bayou Rouge. |

It is high flavored and a remarkable keeper.
Ripe specimens have been kept eight days after
being picked. The peach is roundish oblong;
skin, pale creamy color and slightly shaded on
the sunny side with red ; flesh white, juicy, melt-
ing, sweet and vinous, adheres closely to the
stone : and when fully ripe peels like the banana.
Will ripen in the latter part of July in that part of
the world. The size more than compensates for
the lack of quantity.

Solid Celery. — It is still an open question
whether pithy celery is to be attributed to culture,
or circumstances of growth; or whether it comes
from some defect in the plant from which the
seed was obtained. We have given the matter
much thought during many years, and incline to
the belief that, as in a pithy turnip, it is wholly a

matter of cultivation, and not an inherited pe-
culiarity with the seed ; but we have no certain
evidence that this is the case.

Profits of Melons in Persia.— The Persians
and other Asiatics are very fond of melons. It is
regarded as the most profitable crop by the gar-
deners of Khiva. They get from 10,000 to 14,000
from an acre. They sell at about $2.25 per 100 ;
and the net product is generally about $300 an
acre— pretty good for a country where a little
money goes a great way.

The Berckmans Grape.— After another year,
we feel that this grape will yet have a wild run in
the North. It is as hardy and as free a grower as
the Clinton, which was one of its parents ; while
the quality is very little below Delaware. Our
friend Berckmans was fortunate in having so fine
a fruit named in his honor. We regard it as one
of the best of all the late Dr. Wylie's hybrids. It
is a great misfortune that the good work a man
does in pomology, not only brings him in little re-
compense, but even reputation does not come
often till he is gone.

The Bearing Year of Apple Trees.— As
well known, many kinds of apple trees bear only
in alternate years. By persistence since 1876, in
picking off apple flower buds, Mr. Asa S. Curtis,
of Stratford, Connecticut, induced a tree of Rhode
Island Greening to bear last year, when it should
have borne the year before.

Pears in the West.— It is not uncommon to
I read that the pear is a very unreliable tree to
plant in the West. It always seemed to us, that
this representation was started by some uncom-
fortable Jeremiah, and, once started, has been re-
peated in spite of so much evidence to the con-
trary. At the July meeting of the Montgomery
County, Ohio, Horticuhural Society, Mr. Hoover
spoke of a pear orchard containing ten or twelve
hundred trees, that had come under his observation,
and which had been planted some twenty-five
years ; and, although it had been greatly neglected,
many of the trees were still in excellent condition.

Rot in the Fruit of the Tomato.— Rev. M.
J. Berkely finds that the rot in the tomato is
caused by the same fungus that attacks the potato
tuber— Perenospora infestans. As with the potato,
the disease is less troublesome in America than in
England.

Daniel Boone Strawberry.— Mr. Little, at
one of the meetings of the Fruit Growers* Society,
of Ontario, Canada, said it was so large with him
that thirty berries filled a quart.

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[March,

Apple Twig Blight.— At a meeting of the ! Tomato.— Turner. This is perfectly smooth.
Farmer's Club of Lancaster County, Nebraska, as ' about six inches in diameter, so solid that it usually
reported by a correspondent of the Country GenA weighs i8 ounces, and. what is unusual in large
tleman. Prof. Bessey exhibited the Bacteria ob- ; varieties, is very productive.

tained from a diseased apple shoot, and which, by , Radish.-Y.2ix\\Qst Carmine. An oval and yet
inoculation will produce the disease again in ' tapering form, of a rich dark carmine color. Is
healthy shoots. j fit for use in three weeks from sowing.

"The question of a remedy was discussed at' il/^?/^;/.— Golden Perfection. This is an Italian
length. Mr. J. H. Masters, ex-president of the v'lriAt^'• th^ ci^Jr, ;e ^irv,^^f i -^ a .i. j

State Horticultural Society, gave his belief, and ^f^' the skin is almost white and smooth, and
said : • If a man will cut off every blighting twig ^^^ ^^"'^ ^^^^^^ ^"^^^'' ^"^ dehcious in flavor,
as it appears, and burn them, he can soon clear ! Melon. — Perfection Musk. Raised in Chenango
his orchard of blight.* And this was the opinion co., N. Y. Has a very thick mass of flesh, and of

t '^J^'t\ r>[''^-^''''^ '^/"^ J' "^"^V^^ borne sweet rich flavor. It is deeply ribbed and heavily
m mind that the disease extends much farther .. i ^o.yiv^

down the twig than is shown upon the exterior,!"^

and the juice taken from a blighted twig, eight ' Beans. — Stringless varieties are above all de-
inches below the apparent limit of the disease, sirable. Of those requiring poles, the Early Maine
was shown to be swarming with bacteria He and the Creaseback are said to be of this charac-
dwelt upon the importance of using a clean knife, ,^^ xh« u.cf ^f ah • n - ^. ^

or the disease would be communicated to healthy * ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ a German variety that has
wood ; the knife could be cleaned by dipping it ^^^^ found an excellent dwarf in our country,
into carbolic acid." ; The Wax Dwarf is a very profuse and early

Now, as we understand it, the germs of bacteria bearer,
are omnipresent, ever ready to start into growth ' Onion. — Mammoth. These have been raised
when circumstances favor their development. It is ^^ weigh over 5 pounds. It is reddish-brown,
conceded, we believe, that when these germs are ^<?^.— Evolution. One of Laxton's. Rather tall,
in a state of active development, and are then in ! °^^^ 3 ^eet high ; said to be a continuous bearer
the condition of virus, it will then, if actually intro- °^ ^^^S^ crops.

duced into a subject by inoculation, spread into I-itfia Beans.~Y>:\v\g. A pod has been raised
that new subject in a manner that the inactive 9X inches long, with usually about five beans,
germ itself would not do. It will therefore seem Cabbage.— Deep-head. A second early, with

to be good practice to wipe pruning knives as
Prof. Bessey recommends. But we cannot un-
derstand what is to be gained by cutting the twigs
off and burning them. If the spores are ever
present, burning a few will be hke baihng the

heads 10 or 12 inches in diameter.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Pear, Josephine de Malines. — *' T. H. P..''
ocean with a bucket. If the bacteria be in the ^ Dayton, Ohio, Jan. 18, writes: " I send you to-
sap that circulates through the tree, cutting off the i ^^^ ^^ "^^^^ ^ specimen of an old pear, Josephine
dead parts will not help that which is left. But i ^^ Malines, which I hope will reach you in good
we are open to enlightenment by those who know, order. I have had the tree many years, but never

before appreciated the fruit, though it has been a

Dana's Hovey Pear.— In a letter of Mr.
Charles Downing, recently published in Green's
Fruit Grower, he says if he were planting pears
for market, and found it desirable to plant Seckel,
he would take Dana's Hovey instead. It is larger

regular bearer of fair fruit. If you receive it in
good order I think you will agree with me, that it
is second to no pear but the Seckel. This season
they have kept well as the cellar room they are
in for a month past has had a steady temperature

and richer, and has better foliage than any pear i " '"^ ^^Z"""^" P^;

he knew. It ripened with him all through the ' ""^ ^"^ ^"^ ^^ ' ^"^ "^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^ ^^^ ""^^^ ^^^"-

month of December.

New Vegetables.— Z^////^^.— The Tomhan-
nock is said to retain its usefulness without run-
ning to seed for an unusual length of time. It
has been in use from June to September.

Corn.— Cory. Raised in Rhode Island, where
it has been found to come into market earlier than
any other variety.

ary. Please give in Gardeners' Monthly, sea-
son and characteristics of 'Jones" pear spoken
of in last number. I know nothing about it."

[The pear came frozen, but some we have had
in the past from Ellwanger & Barry, deserved all
the praise our correspondent gives it. The Jones'
pear is rather smaller than this, and is in season
end of Nov. and begining of Dec. in these parts.
^Ed. G. M.]

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

FORESTR 7.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

An Eminent Forester.— We see by an
English paper that "Mr. Robb. the eminent
American senator, and particularly versed in all
subjects connected with American Forestry, has
been received with distinguished honor by the
French Government, who has placed at his dis-
posal its whole official power, to assist him in the
investigations in forestry, that will no doubt prove
of such vast importance to the Western Hemis-
phere."

Every year we hear of some one or another
traveling over the earth "in the interest of Ameri-
can Forestry." till the whole thing has become a
farce, and, we think, needs looking into. We
never heard of this Mr. Robb before, distinguished
Senator though he is said to be. Can any of our
readers inform us where his plantations are situ-
ated, and what they consist of ?

American Forestry in Europe.— The work '
of Robert Douglas and others in setting out trees,
and taking the whole contract to care for them' i
for two or three years, is attracting great attention
m Europe ; and some of our great foresters, who
have gone over there to learn forestry, wonder
that they never heard of him or his work.

Those Hardy Cocoanuts.— By a casual ex-
pression we judge that the recent learned edi-
torial in a Philadelphia newspaper on planting
cocoanuts along the Jersey coast, was made up
by an "intelligent correspondent "—that is to say,
a wise reporter in a fifth story of a printingoffice—
from a paragraph in a London paper referring to
the fruiting of the Chili Pine, or Araucaria imbri-
cata. These fruits were said to be " twice the size
of the ordinary cocoanut." and the "intelligent
correspondent" aforesaid, who (in imagination)'
saw the trees along the coast, got "cocoanut" in '
his mind, and thus became a mixed being.

The Great Forestry Question.— Often the
Editor of a magazine like ours must be tempted
to cry " what is the use " and put down his pen in
despair ; yet time tells often that his labors have
not been without result.

Years since we started to show that the so-called
forest science, initiated by Marsh in his "Man and

Nature," was a complete farrago of nonsense. It
IS pretty well understood now that trees are a re-
sult and not a cause of climate. The hobgoblin
being out of the way, there was nothing left for
city foresters to worry about but the short supply
of timber in the near future. Thus it became a
practical question only, and trees will be planted
wherever it will pay to grow them.

Necessarily, as we then had to say, there was
nothing left but sentiment to care for the old for-
, ests. We cannot by all the legislation on the law-
yers' shelves prevent forest fires in old forests, and
the sooner these forests are gone and new ones
planted the better for all of us.

These views also are prevailing, and though we
personally get little credit, it is some satisfaction
to feel that the work has by no means been lost.
The very fact that the strange idea has become so
much a part of the general thought of the world,
till its parentage has been lost, is the more en-
couraging. Forestry says: "The writer who
says that our hope of a timber supply does not lie
in the direction of preserving the old forests, but
in producing the new, comes pretty near hitting
the nail on the head. Little good can come from
allowing timber to stand until it has seen its best
days and begins to decay and lose strength. It is
not the ' primeval ' but the young forest that needs
protection." This is not only our idea but the
exact language.

Forest Planting— Now that people are really
planting forests, it becomes the more important
that the system that will bring the timber into
profit with the least amount of labor in the short-
est time, should be clearly understood. In the re-
port of the Forestry Congress held in Boston last
year, just before us, we have an account of the
2oo.acre planting of Mr. Fay at Wood's Holl. He
commenced to sow seed 25 or 30 years ago, and
now some of the trees are " 50 feet or more " in
height. This would make an average of two feet
a year, which seems a very extraordinary rate of
growth. The forest is now "a dense body of wood,
in places almost impenetrable." To our mind
where there is now a dense body of wood almost
impenetrable, there will soon be a dense mass of
dead material easily inflammable. Notwithstanding
all this has been achieved with no more labor

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[March,

i886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

than sowing the seed, we should not be disposed
to regard the method as the cheapest and best.
Our impression is that most profitable forests will
be those that will have little dead wood till the
timber is fit to cut.

Timber Culture in Minnesota. — Mr. F. W.
Woodward, of Eau Claire, Wis., well-known to our
readers as an occasional correspondent and former
proprietor of the N. Y. Horticulturist, has a farm in
Minnesota, on which he has made some valuable
forestry experiments. He has already 38 acres,
and will plant in the spring 5 acres more. These
will be chiefly of Green ash, which he finds one
of the best for that high northern latitude. White
ash does fairly well, but one season when they
were weakened by a summer drouth of three
months, they were injured the following winter.
This has been frequently noted in lower and more
favorable latitudes, that a very light frost will kill
a plant that has been summer weakened, though
alter favorable summers they might have endured
the lowest temperature of that region. The White
ash, cut down by the winter of 1883, made a
growth of 3 to 4 feet from the ground, and proved
quite hardy the winter following.

At Eau Claire, Wisconsin, which is in 44O, a
high northern latitude, and the thermometer some-
times going 45O below zero, a White ash planted
in the spring of 1884, is now 7 feet high, and 2
inches in diameter; a Catalpa speciosa planted
in 1884, 7 feet high, and 21^ inches in diameter.
The ends of the shoots were killed three inches,
but they will shoot again and make straight stems.
Norway spruce made no growth last summer,
having been severly injured during the winter
previous.

Gentlemen like Mr. Woodward, who plant, and
intelhgently watch results, are benefactors in many
more aspects than in the actual forests produced.
They give us actual facts to work on.

Planting the Red Cedar. — It is proposed to
plant extensively the Red cedar in Bavaria. The
superiority of the wood of this tree (Juniperus
Virginiana) over all other kinds of cedar is well
known. — Garden.

Hemlock Spruce Bark Extract. — This sub-
stance, which is now much used for tanning, is
obtained from the bark of the Hemlock Spruce
(Tsuga Canadensis, Carri^re = Abies Canadensis,
Linnaeus), a tree 70 to 80 feet high, found over a
very extensive area in North America, extending
from Nova Scotia, Hudson's Bay, and New

Brunswick, through Canada and the United
States, as far south as North Carolina. The tree
yields Canada pitch, used for similar purposes as
Burgundy pitch in Europe. Oil of Spruce, or oil
of Hemlock, is also distilled from the leaves, and
used in medicine. The bark contains 14 per
cent, of tannin. In the southern parts of the
United States the stripping of the bark commences
in the spring, and continues during April and
May. In New York, Michigan, and Wisconsin,
the bark is collected in June and July, and further
north it is still later; that obtained furthest south
is said to be of the best quality. In consequence
of the demand for Hemlock bark, the forests are
said to be fast disappearing. The extract, which
has superseded the export of the crude bark, con-
tains from 18 to 25 per cent, of a deep red tannin,
which gives considerable weight and firmness to
leather. The following is given as the mode of
preparing the extract: — "The baric, in pieces ^
to I inch thick, and several inches long, is soaked
for about* 1 5 minutes in water at 93"^ Cent. (200^
Fahr.); it is then fed into a hopper, which con-
ducts it to a 3-roller machine, something like a
sugar-cane mill, through which it passes. Coming
out lacerated and compressed, it next falls into a
vat of hot water, where it is agitated by a wheel,
that the tannin from the crushed cells may be dis-
solved in the water; hence it is raised by a series
of buckets on an endless chain, somewhat in the
manner of a grain elevator, to another hopper,
whence it is fed into another 3-roller mill; here it
receives its final compression, and comes out in
flakes or sheets like coarse paper, and almost free
from tannin. The buckets are made of coarse
wire that the water may drip through during the
elevation. In order to avoid the blackening action
of iron whenever this metal is brought into contact
with the solutions, it is thickly coated with zinc.
The solution is evaporated to a solid consistency
generally by vacuum pans. About 2 tons of bark
are represented by one bar (of less than 500 lb?*)
of extract." The total production of extract is
probably over 10,000 tons annually, ranging in
value between ;^I7 and ;^23 per ton.

No returns are available as to the quantity and
value of the extract imported into Britain, as it is
included under barks and extracts used by dyers

I and tanners. Neither is there any record of the
cost of extraction ; the profits, however, must be

I sufficient to maintain a large plant and aconsider-

I able number of hands.

From the general use of the extract, it would
seem that it is applicable to most, if not to all.

Icinds of leather. It also has a medicinal value,
in consequence of its having similar properties
and effects to extract of Rhatany (Krameria trian-
<ira), and consequently applicable as a medicine
where that drug is applied— 7^//« R, Jackson,
Museum, Kew, in Gardeners' Chronicle,

Practical American Forestry.— If the plant-
ing of new forests go on as rapidly as it has gone in

Kansas, there will soon be no occasion for weep-
ing over the destruction of the old "tinder-box"
forests that nature gave us. The assistance of the
government of Kansas appears to have been very
successful in the aid of forestry, over 20.000,000
forest trees being under successful culture, and
there are about 150,000 acres of artificially planted
forest trees.

Natural History and Science.

COMMUNICATIONS.

NOTES ON THE FLORA OF THE SAND-
WICH ISLANDS.

BY W. D. BRACKENRIDGE.
NO. I.

In looking over a journal kept by me, during a
visit to the Sandwich Islands, some forty-five years
ago, I find several showy and otherwise interest-
ing plants noted, which are to my mind well
worthy of being introduced to our country. As
communication with these Islands is frequent
and easy— by way of San F'rancisco— the possi-
bihty of an inteUigent collector securing them
would not prove very difficult; and in order to
make it less so, I will designate the localities, as
near as I can, where the most desirable plants are
to be found.

The Islands comprising this group, are seven
in number— with a few detached clumps of small
size— the whole being of volcanic origin, moun-
tainous and rugged in outhne. Owing to trade
winds prevaiHngthe lee sides present a somewhat
grayish tint, and in, many districts are almost des-
titute of vegetation ; while the tops of the secon-
dary ranges of mountains, and the weather sides
are clothed with a luxuriant forest vegetation.
Again, the mountains Mouna Roa, and Mouna
Kea, on the Island of Hawaii— the first is 13,463
feet high, Mouna Kea 13,656 feet,— are both des-
titute of vegetation within 2,000 to 3,000 feet of
their summits. Even animal life can not long ex-
ist there. With these preliminary remarks, I shall
now notice some few of the most remarkable
plants which we met with.

The first and most interesting is a set of four

species of shrubby Geraniums. One of these, G.
cuneatum, [Hook.) detected by Menzies in Van-
couver's Voyage, is a shrub 2 to 3 feet high, bushy,
branches terminated with wedge shaped leaves i
to 1% inches long, 3 to 4.toothed at the apex,
silvery white pubescent on the upper side— often
on both sides, but sometimes glabrous; flowers
white, showing to advantage over the leaves of
the green variety. Found in great abundance in
open places, at an elevation of 4,000 to 6,000 feet
on the Islands of Maui and Hawaii, near the great
Crater of Kilauea.

2d. G. multiflorum {Gray) — A much branched
shrub, 2 to 4 feet high, with slightly pubescent
roundish, obovate bluntly-toothed leaves about i|^
inches long ; flowers profuse, of a pale purplish
color. Growing on dry hills, district of Waimea,
Hawaii.

3d. G. ovalifolium (<7r^^).— Shrub, 3 to 5 feet
high, leaves ovate, coriaceous, sharply serrate, the
surface presenting a chalky appearance, when
found in exposed places; flowers large, white with
purplish veins. Hab.: Crater of Haleakala, East
Maui, at an elevation of 8,000 feet.

4th. G. arboreum [Gray).— A large shrub or
small tree, 6 to 14 feet high. Much branched,
leaves membranaceous, slightly pubescent, oval
and sharply serrate, peduncles bearing 2 to 3
reddish-purple flowers which are very attractive. I
have seen plants of this so large that three or
four men could have hid behind it. The stems
are sometimes 3 to 4 inches in diameter. We
brought a truncheon of this home to the United
States. Hab. : Mountains East Maui, at an eleva-
tion of about 6,000 feet, in open exposed situations.

Pittosporum confertijiorum (Gray). — A low,
bushy tree, 20 to 25 feet high, leaves of a coria-

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[March,

ceous texture, ovate-oblong, crossed on the branch-
lets, smooth on the upper side, tomentose on the
other, with a fulvus wool. Flowers of a creamy
white, numerous in umbels, 3 to 4 inches broad,
very odoriferous. Of the twelve to fifteen species
of Pittosporums with which we are acquainted,
this bears the palm on account of its fine habit,
large, beautiful and fragrant flowers ; and then, it
is found at such an altitude as to warrant its prov-
ing hardy in our middle Atlantic and Southern
States. Farther North it is well worthy of a place
in our conservatories. Found in great abundance
on the margin of forests on East Maui, at an
elevation of 6,000 feet.

Broussaisia arguta {Gaud). — This is a large
shrub, 4 to 6 feet high, much branched, with oppo-
site ovate-oblong leaves 4 to 6 inches in length,
smooth on the upper and strigose-hirsute on the
under surface. Inflorescence terminal, composed
of a broad compound cyme, somewhat resembling
that of Hydrangea hortensis, to which it is closely
related. A common and very ornamental plant
found on the lower range of mountains behind
Honolulu, also on the Island of Hawaii.

Gunnera petaloides [Gaud). — This imposing
plant is rather rare, and only to be found on
elevated moist rocks, in situations almost inacces-
sible. It is strictly herbaceous, with round kidney-
shaped leaves 2 to 3 feet in diameter. Its general
appearance is that of a plant of Victoria Rhubarb.
Flower spikes 3 to 5 feet high, with crowded
branchlets and insignificant flowers. Found on
West Maui, Kauai and Oahu.

Agati tomentosa {Nuttal), — An elegant and
profuse scarlet pea-flowering plant, bearing a re-
markable strong resemblance to the A. grandiflora
of Desvaux, which we saw growing in the garden
of a missionary on Oahu; only our plant has a
more prostrate habit, extending on the ground 30
to 40 feet from the stock, and in having the under-
side of the leaves more tomentose. The flowers
are also smaller in the wild state. We found also,
a yellow-flowered variety. Both varieties are well
worthy of the cultivator's notice. Found on lava
plains east of the crater of Lua Pele, Hawaii.

Canavalia galeata (Gaud). — Here we have an-
other Pea flowering plant, having a habit very
much like that of Kennedya rubicunda, but a
much stronger grower. Grows among bushes
near the coast on the Island of Oahu.

Metrosideros polymorpha [Gaud). — A tree or
broad branching bush with scarlet flowers and en- j
tire leaves, varying from subrotund and pubescent
to oblong-lanceolate and smooth on both sides. |

Dr. Gray describes six distinct forms of this, and
to these he might very properly have added his
M. lutea and M. rugosa, as well as M. macropus
of Hook, and Arn. Of this plant we could have
collected many more foims, for all over these
islands, wherever you turn, specimens present
themselves, varying in form and consistency of
the leaves from anything you have met with be-
fore, causing one almost to arrive at the conclu-
1 sion that there is no such thing as species in na-
ture ; and were it necessary we could cite many
I instances similar to the above in other tribes of
I plants to bear us out. Taking the two extreme
I forms of this plant they would apparently form ta
! a closet botanist, two very good species, while the
intermediate forms would again afiford excellent
material for the species maker. There is a fornv
\ with yellow flowers found by me near Hilo Bay,
! Hawaii ; this is Dr. Gray's M. lutea; the natives
call it Ohea.

I Lobelias. — Of these there are not less than
j twenty kinds. Most of them are sufifruticose and
erect in growth ; some bearing long white or yel-
low flowers. The majority have long narrow en-
tire leaves. One kind we detected on the moun-
tains of Kaui had a simple stem 12 to 15 feet high,
terminated by a spike of lilac-colored flowers.
But by far the most interesting kinds met with
were on the mountains behind Honolulu, Oahu, at
an elevation of about 2500 feet.

Plantago Que lenianum [Gaud). — A shrub from
I to 6 feet high, with woody stems and branches
bearing broad seven-ribbed leaves in tufts, the
long flower spikes arising from below the leaves.
This plant is more singular than pretty. Found
on West Maui at an elevation of 6000 feet, also
behind Honolulu.

One of the most interesting plants of this group-
is the Argyroxiphium Douglasi, [Hooker) belong-
ing to the natural order of Compositae, the arrange-
ment of whose leaves resembles very much that
of Bonapartea or Yucca, only 'more compact and
very persistent, clothed with a white silky down
which glistens in the sun. This is only to be met
with on elevated and dry situations on Mauna Kea,
as high as 10,000 to 12,000 feet, where we have
met with it in such quantities that when viewed
at a distance resembled very much a flock of
sheep with their lambs. About the same eleva-
tion, but usually a little lower, we find that yellow
flowering tree, Edwardsia chrysophylla,(6'^//j^«ry)
which attains a height of 20 to 30 feet ; its stem a
diameter of 8 to 10 inches ; altogether this resem-
bles very much the E. grandiflora of New Zealand,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

but would, I think, be more hardy. Native name,
Mamani.

There are many other notable plants to be found
there, as an Exocarpus, very much resembling the
E. cupressiformis of Australia. This produces "the
cherry with the stone on the outside," as the
Australians say, and which they reduce to a con-
serve.

On the island of Hawaii there is a species of
Cyathodes, nearly related to a New Holland Epa-
cris ; very desirable. And in open glades grows
the Osteomelis anthyllidifolia, a spreading bush
nearly related to Mespilus, bearing clusters of
white astringent berries; also a Freycinetia, a
twin brother of Pandanus, only having a rambling
habit, forming almost impassable thickets on high
mountain ridges behind Honolulu, ascending to
the tops of trees on the other islands ; the sur-
rounding flowers are of a pale orange color. A very
ornamental plant.

Acacia Koa [Gray). This is one of the most
common forest trees of these islands, rising to the
height of 50 to 100 feet, with a trunk as much as 5 feet
in diameter, affording excellent timber for cabinet
work. The leaves are only pinnate in the young
plant ; in the adults the footstalks become dilated
into what is termed Phyllodia. and in this respect
resembles many New Holland species. And just
let me here remark in passing, that to my mind,
there exists a strong affinity between certain plants
of these islands with those of Southern Australia ;
as witness the above entire-leaved Acacia, the Ex-
ocarpus, Edwardsia. Metroscideros and Cyathodes.
Nor is this similitude less evident in the Fern
tribe, for we have here the arborescent Cibotiums,
representing Dicksonias of a similar habit and
structure ; while the Pelargoniums of Southern
Africa have their counterpart in the shrubby
Geraniums of these islands.

It is something remarkable, that no epiphytic
orchids have been found on the islands; and of'
terrestrial kinds only three very obscure sorts were
observed ; one having the habit of a Liparis, an-
other, that of Malaxis. j
The only food-producing plant, truly indigenous
to these islands is, the Tacca pinnatifida, found in
great abundance. From the tubers is manufac-
tured a kind of flour, said to equal the West In-
dian Arrow-root, most of which is exported. The
staple food of the natives, consisting principally of
Taro (Caladium esculentum), sweet potatoes and
bananas. Bread fruit did not appear to be relished
by them, as it is by natives of other groups of I
islands in the South seas. Govanstown, Md. I

THE UPAS TREE.
BY REV. L. J. TEMPLIN.

Among all the deadly poisons of nature, that of
the Upas stands pre-eminent for its terrible viru-
lence. Much of fiction has gathered around this
subject, and wonderful stories have been told
concerning this tree. About 1775. a I^utch sur-
j geon, Fcersch, who had traveled extensively in
Java, published an account of the Upas poison
valley. According to this author, such were the
deadly exhalations from the Upas tree, that no
living thing could exist nearer than fifteen miles
of the tree. That the whole country within a
' radius of this distance of the locality where the
trees grew, was a lifeless, barren waste, strewn
with the bones of animals, birds and human
beings that had inadvertently ventured within the
deadly influence. The poison was obtained, we
^ are told, in the following manner: Criminals, con-
I demned to death, were given a chance for life
and freedom, on condition of their procuring some
of the Upas poison. An old priest lived on the
confines of the "valley of death," whose duty it
was to prepare the Upas hunters for their duties.
1 and administer the consolations of religion to
I them before they started on their perilous journey.
Here they rested till a favorable wind blew towards
the tree, when, furnished with a leathern mask or
cowl, and a box to contain the poison, they set
out on their dangerous mission. If a man pos-
sessed a robust constitution and vigorous health,
he might return in safety ; otherwise not. The
priest stated, that in the thirty years he had offi-
ciated, only about one in ten who had gone forth
on this errand, had returned alive. Nearly all of
this has been proven to be pure fiction. No such
poisonous exhalations taint the air for miles
around, though the deadly character of the juice
of the tree has not been, and cannot be, exaggerated.
According to Thunberg, the famous Swedish
botanist, " the Upas tree, an evergreen, is easily
recognized at a great distance. The ground
around it is sterile, and looks as if it had been
burned. The sap is of a dark brown color, and
becomes liquid by heat, like other resins. Those
who gather it, have to employ the greatest care ;
covering the head, the hands, the whole body, to
protect themselves from the poisonous emanations
of the tree, and especially from the drops which
fall from it. They avoid even approaching too
near, and they provide themselves with bamboos
tipped with steel heads, having a groove in the
middle. A score of these long spears are stuck
into the tree, the sap runs down the grooves into

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[March»

the hollow bamboo, until it is stopped by the first
joint of the wood. The spears are left sticking in
the trunk for three or four hours, so that the sap
may fill up the space prepared for it, and have
time to harden, after which they are drawn out.
The part of the bamboo which contains the poison
is then broken off, and covered up with great
care." |

Again, this author says : " Persons passing
beneath the branches bare-headed lose their hair, j
A single drop falling on the skin produces inflam-
mation. Birds can with difficulty fly over the
tree, and if they by any chance alight on its
branches, they fall dead. The soil around is per-
fectly sterile to the distance of a stone's throw.'*
This poison is used to put on the arrow points,
and also in the execution of criminals. When the
point of a lance that has been dipped in this poison
pierces the skin the individual is " instantly seized
with violent trembling, then with convulsions,"
followed by death in a few minutes. The Upas is i
found in different parts of the East Indies, in
Java, Borneo, Sumatra and in the Celebes. The
leaves are figured in many books as those of
Antiaris toxicaria. Rumph describes it under the
name Arbor toxicaria. The tree grows with a
rather thick trunk 60 to 80 feet high with extended
spreading branches. The bark is rough and
knotty and of a brown color. The wood, which
is hard, has a pale yellow color, and is marked
with black spots. This tree belongs to the same
family with Strycnos Tiente, S. nux vomica, S.
Ignatii, S. Colubrina, from which the alkaloid
strychnine is obtained. These two poisons —
strychnine and the Upas poison— are the most
virulent of all poisons known. From the S. tiente
is obtained the Rajah Upas, or poison of princes.
This is a climbing plant that rises spirally around
the colossal trunks of trees, and over-tops them at
a hundred feet from the ground where they spread
their large, green, glossy leaves and hang their
fragrant clusters of white flowers in the air and
sun light. It is only in the root of this plant that
the deadly strychnine, the only active principle it
contains, is found, while that above ground is
harmless ; even the sap containing no dangerous
properties. Canon City, Col,

[Our correspondent is mistaken in classing the
Antiaris with the same family as Strychnos. The
last is an apocynaceous plant— the same family as
the common Periwinkle, and Oleander. Some of
these are very poisonous.

The Antiaris or Upas belongs to the same family
to which belongs the Mulberry and Osage orange

— Urticaceae — and few of these are noxious-
The Editor of this once had a plant of the Upas
tree under his charge for a year. It was between
3 and 4 feet high, and growing in a 12-inch pot.
He had to handle and care for it the same as other
plants. His " skull and cross bones " are still in
their proper places, nor does he know that he was
ever in the slightest danger of having them mis-
placed by reason of any deadly emanations pro-
ceeding from the plant. — Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Immediate Influence of Pollen on Fer-
tilization.—Prof. Burrill took the Crescent
strawberry, which is almost a pistillate. Along
side were placed some Sharpless, and some of a
wild variety with small dark-colored fruit and
deep sunken seeds, as different as one could im-
agine from the Sharpless. These two very differ-
ent kinds were used in this way to fertihze the
Crescent.

When the fruit was ripe, a box of Crescents
from near the Sharpless, and a box of Crescents
from near the wild ones, were placed before
several persons, without any one being able to de-
tect the slightest difference between one box and
the other.

This is one of the best tests we have heard of,,
unless there should have happened enough pollen
on the Crescents to fertilize themselves.

Winter in Philadelphia.— Philadelphia may
soon be classed among the tropical regions of
America ; when even Florida and Louisiana had
160 to 180 below freezing point, Philadelphia was
little lower; and at the worst during the recent
blizzard, the glass marked 6 below zero only for a
few hours. The steady temperature was about
from 40 to iqO above zero. The first week in
February, it was for several days about zero, but
vegetation does not seem to have suffered much.

I PiNUS SCOPULORUM. — Mr. Douglas writes that
he has experimented very carefully with the
Rocky Mountain variety of the Pinus ponderosa,
and finds it no more free from the leaf rust under
culture, than its relative from the Pacific coast.
He has seen the same, or a similar fungus, on the
wild trees in the Black Hills of Dakota.

I Killing Pernicious Weeds.— We have always
I contended that the alarm so often lelt about the
I introduction of noxious weeds, and which often

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

shows itself in the enactment of ridiculous laws by
Legislatures against them, is wholly needless. A
plant cannot possibly live over one season, if we ;
do not permit the leaves to mature, and a crop of ^
corn, with the clean culture that such a crop ought
to have, will destroy the most persistently in-
cHned. We have noted that the worst possible !
weed — the Horse nettle, Solanum Caroliniensis —
has been utterly routed by this method. But
it does good to keep people in mind of these
things.

We note in a recent issue of the Country Gentle-
man, that •' Mr. Nicol found nothing simpler and
easier for the destruction of couch than the cultiva-
tion of corn, thoroughly performed . He had a field
treated in the following manner with perfect suc-
cess : The ground was first manured and plowed in
autumn, as if there was no such thing as couch, using
sharp coulters. In the spring it was cross-plowed
and dragged till the first of June, when the corn
was planted in hills. It was cultivated both ways
once a week, and the couch kept under by hoeing,
with thorough tillage till the corn fully occupied the
ground. •' We have seen a twelve-acre field, which
was densely filled with couch, entirely cleared of it
by plowing or cultivating once a week the season
through, keeping the weeds constantly smothered
so that they could not breathe. But by whatever
way the work is undertaken, it will certainly fail if
done in an imperfect manner, and not completely
and thoroughly, and this is the reason that so
many complain that they could never succeed.**

Once the writer had two greenhouses, running
parallel, about 16 feet apart, and with banks of
earth against the wall to help keep out frost. Just
before winter this space was enclosed by glass,
and turned into a warm propagating house. That
winter, numerous •• lightning bugs '* were in the
house, hatched out months before their regular
season, presumably from larvae in the earth
banks, and by the artificial winter warmth. Men-
tioning the fact to an entomologist at the time, it
was not regarded as anything remarkable.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Comfort for Florida. — A correspondent of
a Philadelphia newspaper writes that the people of 1
Florida are many of them rejoicing over the
freezing of their orange trees, because it will de-
stroy so many insects. This sounds hke whistling
through a ghost-haunted graveyard. I

Accelerating Power of Heat in the Ap-
pearance OF Insects.— Professors Riley and
Lester Ward have a difiference of opinion, as to the
appearance of a seventeen-year locust so late as
October last. Dr. Ward did not see the insect,
but beheves he heard the song. Prof. Riley be-
lieves that sometimes a few will appear a year in
advance of the main army, or may rest till a .year
after; but that the appearance in these years will
be at the same season that the main brood appears,
and never as late as October. We supposed it
was conceded that creatures of this class could
appear whenever there was warmth enough to ac-
celerate, or lack of warmth to retard, no matter
what the season of the year.

Locality for the Ginseng. — "M. D.,'* says:
' " Your correspondent, * H. H.' will find Araha
(panax) quinquefolia under the forest trees on the
' well-known Goat Island at Niagara Falls. I saw
quite a number of specimens of the plant whilst
visiting there about the first of August, last year.
It is to be hoped that Goat Island's new owner
I will allow these and all other wild things to re-
i main, including of course the erect and fallen
trees and shrubs as well as the herbaceous stuff
that belongs beneath them. I may as well men-
tion that another Aralia, the species nudicaulis—
wild sarsaparilla— is very abundant in the woods
about Rochester, N. Y., and near it, in one par-
ticular forest, I remember, the diminutive and
1 pretty Onagraceous plant, Circeae alpina, which
I beheve is not to be met with near Philadel-
phia."

The Yellow Zephyranthus. — " J. H. S.,"
New Haven, Conn., writes : •• I have a yellow
Zephyranthus, called Z. ochroleuca; has glaucous
leaves about 10 inches in length, and as wide
again as the leaves of Z. Treatiae ; bulbs also
larger than the last named. This probably is the
variety, 'G. R.,' Beverly, N. J., wants to get the

name of.'*

[The correct name of this is Amaryllis chloro-
leuca, a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and
though we have never seen the flower, supposed
it was greenish white and not yellow. Is it very
yellow ?— Ed. G. M.]

Cocculus Carolinianus.— a botanical friend
kindly calls our attention to a slip of the pen in
the editoral note under Mrs. Thomson's article on
page 36. The word should of course have been
dioecious, not monoecious, when describing a
plant having separate sexes on different ones.

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[March,

Literature. Travels and Personal Notes.

COMMUNICATIONS.

THE SACRED LILY OF THE CHINESE.
BY MRS. FANNY E. BRIGGS.

Quite frequently I notice items in Eastern papers
and magazines concerning " The Sacred Lily of
the Chinese," some of them making quite a mys-
tery of it. One says "it is something like a Nar-
cissus," another gives its name as " Suey Sun,"
which it translates as " Water Angel plant," and
says it is found native in running streams.

I have seen many of these plants in all stages of
growth ; and all obtained directly from Chinamen,
were a strong growing, large-flowered, pure white
variety of Polyanthus Narcissus. The dry bulbs
may be obtained at almost all Chinese shops, and
Chinamen make presents of them to their cus-
tomers.

During a recent visit to Oregon I was so fortu-
nate as to find favor in the eyes of Doc Lee, and
received from him a fine large bulb with numerous
offshoots, together with the following directions:
*• Put him in watee, in dishee, put plenty locks
(rocks) alound him, him glow heap." I had not
then noticed the " water-angel " item, or I should
have questioned Doc as to the native habits of
the plant, but this is the usual mode of culture ;
but as the bulbs will not bloom again after this
treatment, I have put mine in earth, and may re-
port the resuh. The bulbs are globular, and very
large, some nearly 3 inches in diameter.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Gabriel's Trumpet. — This is the common
name of the Datura arborea, a well-known plant,
allied to the Stramonium, and popular on account
of its sweet white flowers. The flowers are truly
trumpet-shaped in some certain sense, but if the
one in the hands of the statue that ornaments the
entrance to some cemeteries, is an exact representa-
tion of the one owned by the original of the statue,
we can scarcely trace a great resemblance.

Early Wine Making in America.— At the
meeting of the American Philosophical Society in
Philadelphia, July 19, 1768, it was resolved that

the "Society would be obliged to any gentleman
that would communicate to them any method
of making wine of the American grape, without
sugar or water, or the best way of making it with
that addition ;" and at the meeting of September
20th •' a specimen was exhibited by Dr. Syng of
wine made of the small black American grape,
without water or sugar, in 1765. which appears to
be perfectly sound and delicious to the taste," as
the minutes of the Society of that date record.
This was no doubt the Vitis cordifolia, the species
that has given us the Chnton, so that this species
may be regarded as among the earliest to give
a good American wine.

A Potato Centennial.— Monsieur Eugene de
Duren, in the J^evue de /' Horticulture Beige,
thinks that Europe ought to institute a potato cen-
tennial, as well as America have its centennial to
commemorate the introduction of cotton. No
more precious conquest for humanity was ever ob-
tained over nature, he thinks, than that which
planted the potato on European soil, and it was a
conquest over human prejudice. Parmentier ut-
terly failed to overcome the obstinacy of his
French fellow-citizens against using the root, till it
obtained the patronage of royalty. On the 25th
of August, 1785. Parmentier offered King Louis
! XVI during a grand festival at the Tuileries a
1 bunch of potato blossoms. The king placed some
i of the flowers in his buttonhole, and then ate some
I of the potatoes in the presence of all the court.
Everybody ate them after the tubers had received
this kingly blessing, and their culture rapidly
spread through Europe. Mr. de Duren would
therefore fix this day for the date of the centennial
year.

It was of course known before this. They were
known to have been planted in Belgium by Phil-
hpe de Sivry in the sixteenth century, from some
tubers in 1587, sent from Italy by the Pope's Le-
gate, from roots introduced by John Carden from
Peru in 1580. The English seem to have had
their first roots through Sir Francis Drake, and
Ireland received its plants through John Hawkins
"on his return from Santa Fe " and by Richard
Greenville from Virginia. It was 1580 when Sir
Francis Drake landed in Plymouth, so that some-

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

where about that time will fix its introduction into
England, 1 580, the same year the English had them
from Virginia. John Hawkins brought his in 1565,
and Greenville in 1586.

Charles Lecluse— the Clusius of Botany — wrote
in 1588, after receiving two tubers from Philip de
Sivry from Belgium, " We eat them in Italy with
pork in same way we do turnips," and, " it is very
common on account of its fecundity in many Ger-
man gardens." This note with a figure of the
plant is the first mention in history. For all this
the culture as an article of food does not seem to
have made much general headway till a society
of gardeners at Bruges, known as the confraternity
of Saint Dorothy, took it in hand and made a free
distribution everywhere of the tubers. This was
in 1740. Dr. de Duren mentions also the names
of Van Sterbeck, and Antoine Verlinest, as others
to be everlastingly commemorated with those we
have already named, in any honors to be given to
the early introducers of the potato to Europe.

The Holly. — The London Gardeners Chron-
icle has the following notes on the Holly, to which
we add a few notes of the American species :

''The common name Holly, or Holme, is de-
rived from the Anglo-Saxon Holign, or, as some
writers assert, from the old Norse Hulfr. It has
also been called Holy tree, in consequence of its
use at this time of the year — a name easily cor-
rupted from Holly. The use of Holly is said to
have been • derived from the Romans, who were
in the habit of sending boughs to their friends
during the festival of the Saturnalia, which oc-
curred about the same period ; and the Oaks
being then bare of leaves, the priests obliged the
people to bring in boughs of Holly and evergreens.*

"The practice of decorating houses with Holly
seems to have been introduced by the early Roman
Christians, and this practice became, in course of
time, connected with the Christian faith. The
prickly character of the Holly leaf is suggestive of
its reputed power in driving away evil spirits, and
in many parts of the Continent Holly branches
are cut on Christmas Eve and hung up in houses
and stables for this purpose. The prickles of the
foliage, the blood red color of the berries, and the
word "holy," from Holly, are all suggestive of
Christian associations, and consequently opposed
to the witches or evil spirits.

In Germany the Holly is known as Christdorn,
as it is supposed to have formed part of the crown
of thorns used at the crucifixion of our blessed
Lord. Many curious superstitions are connected
with the Holly, both in this country and on the
Continent, and it is valued according to the abund-
ance or scarcity of the fruit or berries. The
present season is an exceptional one for its very
large crop, many of the finest trees, and even the
clipped hedges in the Royal Gardens, Kew, being
thickly studded, and in some cases, laden with

dense clusters of bright scarlet berries. The
Holly, besides being found in copses and woods
in this country, is found also in other parts of
Europe, from Southern Norway to Turkey and
the Caucasus, and also in Western Asia."

The American Holly is named Ilex opaca,
from the opaque or dull color of its leaves, in con-
trast with the bright shining green of the European
species. The berries are also of a duller red.
Like the European species, it is polygamous,
some trees bearing no berries, and all varying
with the season in fertility. In Philadelphia, it is
extensively used in Christmas decorations ; but the
absence of berries is easily supplied by working
in those of the deciduous Holly, Ilex verticillata,
which is very abundant in the vicinity. The effect
is just the same as if the evergreen Holly had
borne berries of its own.

Plant Collecting in the Tropics. — Mr.

Joseph Woodford recently gave the Massachusetts

Historical Society some account of his experience

as a plant collector in Honduras. One of the

difificulties was in getting native assistance. He

says :

"These countries, however, labor under serious
disadvantages. The inhabitants have no incen-
tive to labor for more than will produce their
daily bread, as there is no enterprise into which
they can put any surplus they may receive, and
consequently they are lazy, unambitious and care-
less, and but small areas of land are cleared for
cultivation. These small farms, when once sub-
dued and planted, yield crops all the year round,
so that the husbandman can continually gather
food for the subsistence of his family. When
Mr. Woodford was there, oranges were worth
fifty cents per hundred, bananas fifty cents per
bunch, cocoanuts ten dollars per thousand, and
lemons, limes, pineapples, etc., were equally
cheap. As these fruits are continually maturing,
a ship can be loaded with them at any time along
the coast. New Orleans, being only five days dis-
tance by steamship, is the most available large
market for perishable fruit. The country offers
an abundant field for an enterprising population.
Well-directed labor continuously applied is sure
to meet with a bountiful return in the natural pro-
ductions of the country. Yet it remains the lazy
man's paradise, and probably will until the en-
thusiasm of the live Yankee fills the land with
homes such as we have in New England."

Wood Laurel and Mountain Laurel. — Mrs.
Amanda B. Harris has recently published some
very readable and instructive papers of a literary
character on " Wild Flowers." She says Kalmia
latifolia is the Mountain laurel and is only to be
found in mountain regions. She has evidently
been misled by a misapplication of the name.
Mountain laurel is usually confined to the Rhodo-

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[March,.

dendron which does generally grow in mountain
regions. Kalmia is •• Wood laurel," and grows at
low as well as greater altitudes.

Incidental Advantages. — What one may do
has often advantages never foreseen. A miner, for
instance, goes into a dry and arid country, wholly
unfit for horticulture, and what he needs to sup-
port him has to be brought hundreds of miles; yet
when he has done all he can and deserts the place
because it produces nothing, that which he has
done enables thousands to live on it after he has
been obliged to leave it. Thus the early miners
in California had to leave after the precious metals
were exhausted, but the ditches they dug were
what the farmer wanted.

Many of these ditches which were constructed
at enormous cost in the heyday of placer mining,
now that the placers are all worked out, constitute
a perennial source of increase and wealth to the
husbandman, who has succeeded to the miner
and come to stay.

One of these ditches, called the Bear River
Ditch, is 70 miles in length, and cost 2,500,000
dollars to build, in the year 185 1 ; it carries about
3,000 miners' inches of water, or about 45 cubic
feet per second. It was constructed to bring the
water of the Bear river down to the rich placer
mines of Placer county, and was used for mining
exclusively, but not now at all. Running, as it
does, through the fertile foot-hills of that county,
it is a permanent guarantee of fruitfulness to the
vineyards ard farms which are being planted at
either hand, on lands which lie below the level of
the ditch.

Bergamo r Pears. — Tlie London Times says :
" Among fruit fanciers several incline to derive the
name of this favorite species of pear from the
Italian town of Bergamo, while a larger number
prefer Pergamos, laying stress on the fact that this
species was first introduced into Europe by the
Crusaders, which is no doubt the reason why in
some parts of Southern Europe they are still known
by the name of Syrian pears. But the geographer
Ritter more than thirty years ago pointed out
what seems to be a more probable derivation. A
fine and late ripening pear is much cultivated in
the neighborhood of Angora, and on account of
its lateness in maturing used formerly to be in
great favor at Constantinople. It was known as
Beg-Armud, or the 'prince pear,* and the Cru-
saders, who traversed all Asia Minor, brought
back with them the name and the fruit."

Correct Reports. — Every one who has any-

thing to do with pubhc life, and is liable to have
what he says or does reported in the public papers,
must have but Httle confidence in the "truths of
history." He will be apt to think that great man
who recommended his son to read novels rather
than history, because " we know they are not true,
while we do not know how much truth there is in
history," was nearly right. It is amazing to the
Editor of this magazine to find himself often
quoted as authority for all sorts of absurdities.
But this seems the lot of all. Only recently we
noted in an EngUsh paper a speech by Sir Theo-
dore Martin at Denbigh, warning those who would
see England a Republic that they were making a
grand mistake : " I had once an interview," said
he, •• with General Grant, who said to me, ' Noth-
ing amazed me more in England than that there
should be people tampering with the institutions
of England. We would give our ears to have
such institutions in America.' And this remark
was made to me by one who had been President
of America."

The absurdity of making General Grant wish
we would "give our ears" to have a monarchy
here, is too absurd for any refutation ; and when
we find a man with so little understanding as to
speak of a President of the United States as " the
President of America," we can readily understand
how such a mind should have wholly misappre-
hended what General Grant said. But for all
this there is no doubt but " Sir Theodore Martin's"
reminiscences of General Grant will get into some
history as veritable truth. So we smaller folks
ought not to complain when our views get dis-
torted.

Swindlers. — A very common dodge with
swindlers of the horticultural persuasion is to open
an account with some weU-known firm, and pay
promptly and well. Then they order of other
firms, and " refer to Messrs. So-and-so." A letter
is written and the reply comes, " He has always
dealt honorably with us." The goods go, and it
is ultimately found to be a mere dodge. We know
of one swindler who got thousands of dollars
worth from numerous nurserymen because he
promptly paid a few hundred dollars to a well-
known New York firm.

Covent Garden Market. — This famous place
of which all the world has heard, and so many
seen, and which rules the price of vegetables,
fruit and floral products over so large a part of
Europe, was part of a monastery, the convent
garden, and was given to the Earl of Bedford by

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

Henry VIII. Charles I. gave a charter to the then
Earl of Bedford to hold a market in the Covent
garden fields. In 1810 Parliament granted fur-
ther privileges, which established the market as it
is now. In 1828 the Duke of Bedford put up the
buildings as they now exist. Tolls are collected
on everything that comes to the market, and thus
an enormous income accrues to the Duke.

Live Seeds. — Last year a number of seedsmen
advertised that they sold "reliable" seeds; an-
other has gone further and advertises " live " seeds.
We do not know whether this is patented.

Origin of the Heliotrope. — Some very
funny stories go the rounds of the papers some-
times, one of which is the following in relation to the
Heliotrope. It reads as if it might have originated
in the fertile brain of Brett Harte:

"One day this botanist, Jussieu, was herboriz-
ing on the Cordilleries, when he suddenly found
himself inebriated by the most delicious perfume.
He looked around expecting to discover some
splendid flower, but perceived nothing but some
pretty clumps of a gentle green, from the bottom
of which little capsules of a faded blue color
were detaching themselves. He observed that
the flowers turned toward the sun, and he there-
fore gave it the name of Heliotrope. Charmed
with his acquisition, he collected some of the
seeds, and sent them to the Jardin du Roi. The
French ladies were charmed with it, and made of
it a floral pet. They placed it in costly vases and
christened it the flower of love. From thence it
soon spread to other parts of the world, and has
everywhere been greatly admired. One day, a
very charming woman, who doted passionately
on the Heliotrope, was asked what she could see
in this dull and somber looking plant to justify so
much admiration. • Because,' she replied, 'the
Heliotrope's perfume is to my parterre what the
soul is to beauty, refinement to love, and love to
youth.'"

Only an inebriated botanist could have seen any
more turning to the sun in the flower of the com-
mon Heliotrope than in any other flower, but
whether Jussieu was ever inebriated or not, he
had no chance to give this a new name, for it be-
longs to a family that has had Heliotrope con-
nected with it from the earliest times. Helio-
tropium was the name given to a Grecian plant
of antiquity, not because it actually turned
to the sun in the sense taken in the paragraph
quoted, but in connection with the Ovidian story
of Clyte and Phoebus. The sun (Phoebus) tried
to get the love of Clyte but failed. He tried and
tried, but still Clyte did not return his love.
Phoebus then turned his aff"ections elsewhere,
when Clyte, as in many cases of true love to this

day, discovered that she really did love Phoebus.
She did not reclaim the god however, and she
died of a broken heart. The gods, in pity , turned
the unfortunate girl into a flower — the Helio-
tropium. But this plant is applicable to the story
only in this way. It grows in Greece only on dry,
open spots, on which the sun (Phoebus) loves to
shine. But not the constant wooing of the sun
god brings the plant into flower till midsummer
— the summer solstice — when the summer sun
turns to go down hill agan. After midsummer
the plant flowers, but the sun which has wooed in
vaiVi has now turned away, and the blossoms may
be supposed to be looking regretfully after. This
is all the story — no turning with the sun un its
diurnal course — but in an allegorical sense with
its annual one. The same ignorance of the true
story of the Heliotrope has led to the association
of the common sun-flower, Helianthus, with it, and
many to fancy that it "turns with the sun" also.
But that name comes from the resemblance of the
flowers to old-fashioned pictures of the sun.

The "charming woman" story is also wonder-
ful. The interlocutor must have been " dull and
somber," or had a severe cold in the head, not to
have perceived that the fragrance gave it a charm
quite as much as any relation of beauty to the
soul.

It may be of interest as showing the difference
perhaps between English and French ladies that
while the latter have dedicated the flower " to
love," the former associate it with "cherry pie,"
which is the common name of the plant in Queen
Victoria's possessions. The common name with
the Peruvians is " Vanilla ;" whether borrowed
from the orchid bean of that name, or whether
the Vanilla bean is so called from the resemblance
of the perfume to that of the Heliotrope, we do
not know.

New York Experimental Station.— Report
of the Botanist to the New York Experimental
Station, January, 1886.

Nothing is more important to the horticuUurist
than the ascertaining of exact facts. Most of our
horticultural reports are filled with discussions on
which one speaker "believes" this, and another
speaker " believes " that— often beliefs of as contra-
dictory character as ever appeared in the ecclesi-
astical or political world. All these expressions of
belief have a value in proportion to the faith the
public may have in the good judgment of the
speaker.

But how much better is it to have worked out

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[March,

for us exact facts? Then each observer may |
form his own belief. It is such considerations as
these that give value to work such as this in |
which Prof. Arthur is engaged. We have in
this report, minute details of his work in tracing ;
the phenomena attending fire blight, spotting in '
quince fruit, rotting of tomatoes, rust and mildew
in lettuce, rotting of cherries and plums, disease in
clover leaf, and the fungus parasites on various I

weeds. i

The article on the cherry and plum rot is par- 1
ticularly interesting, from a prevalent belief that \
rot only follows the puncture of the plum weevil. !
That it does follow the puncture of the weevil is
very well known, and indeed, if rot did not follow
the puncture, the mere deposition of the egg
would not be so serious a matter. It is from
the well-known fact that rot does follow the ^
puncture of the curculio, that the belief prevails ;
that it is the only cause of rot. The fungus is, of
course, the cause of rot, even when punctured ; j
because the injured tissue would naturally be the |
food of such fungi as feed on organic matter |
having a low vital power. But this is not what is
meant when we say fungi is the "cause" of dis-
ease. When therefore. Prof. Arthur says the loss
of cherries and plums from rot before gathered, is
*' almost wholly due to the attack" of Oidium
fructigenum, we fear that those who held to the
theory of the curculio as the exclusive cause of
rot, will hardly be satisfied.

However, Prof. Arthur shows here that spores,
placed on cherries free (we infer) from curculio
marks, cause rot in the fruit. This is the great
positive gain to horticultural science by the Pro-
fessor's careful and admirable work.

The Botanical Gazette.— This magazine,
through which the leading botanists of the country
communicate their thoughts and discoveries, has
been considerably enlarged, and will, no doubt,
receive increased patronage. Dr. John M. Coulter
with Professors Barnes and Arthur as his assist-
ants, still continues chief editor. It is published
at Crawfordsville, Indiana, at $2 a year.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

SuEL Foster. — We learn from the Country
Gentleman, that this enthusiastic western horticul-
turist died in January. He was born at Hillsboro,
N. H., August 29th, 1811, and moved to Musca-
tine, Iowa, in 1837.

Decease of Some New York Horticultur-
ists.—From Mr. Barry's address before the West-
ern New York Horticultural Society, we learn for
the first time, of the decease recently, of Thomas
Wright, Dr. Farley and Josiah Salter ; all with
more or less of a national reputation, and all
worthy gentlemen to whom successful horticulture
in America owes much.

Drugs and Medicines of North America. —
No. 8 of Vol. I, is devoted to a full account of all
that relates to the Black Snakeroot, or Cicimifuga
racemosa.

Floral aid to Photographs.— Our corres-
pondent, Mr. Van Aken, of Elmira, has hit on a
very pretty idea by which the language of flowers
may be given effective value in connection with
the photographs of our friends. They can be so
arranged that any particular flower desirable may
appear garlanded about the picture, which may
thus be made to enter into any association that

we please.

Taking these sweet peas for example, one is re-
minded of the touching poem of Mrs. Howitt. The
sorrowing mother will not be comforted for the
loss of her dear one. The little brother of the
loved and the lost tries his hand at cheering her.
Only come and see the sweet peas now in bloom
that Amy planted !

" rut by thy work, dear mother,
Dear mother come with me,
For Tve louiul within the garden,
The beautiful sweet pea !

And bending on their stalks, mother,

Are roses white and red ;
And pale-stem m'd balsams all a-blow,

On every garden-bed.

Put by thy work, I pray thee.

And come out, mother, dear !
We used to buy these flowers.

But they are growing here !

Oh, mother! little Amy

Would have loved these flowers to see ;
Dost remember how we tried to get

For her a pink sweet pea ?

Dost remember how she loved

Those rose leaves pale and sere ?
I wish she had but lived to see

The lovely roses here !

Put by thy work, dear mother.

And wii)e those tears away !
And come into the garden

Before 'tis set of day !'

It was a tender appeal. And we have endeav-
ored to second it by placing a portrait of " little
Amy," as we imagine she may have looked, in the
midst of a garland of the flowers which she planted.
Even the most sorrow-stricken mother could scarce
shut her heart against some gleam of pleasure at
an association such as this.

Richardson County, Nebraska.— Prof. C. E.

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

Besseysays: "This county lies in the extreme
southeast corner of the State. It has long been

was so large that they sold for only a few cents a
bushel. The berry crop is usually good, but this

noted for its fine apples, which are annually ship- j industry has not been as yet fully developed.

" Little Amy " and the Sweet Peas.

ped in large quantities. Pears are not much ; Grapes grow well and are very productive, espec-
grown. Peaches produce a crop about once in ially along the bluffs of the Missourijriver. The
five years; two or three years ago the peach crop cold weather of the early part of January reached

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[March,

something more than twenty degrees below zero I favorable to the peach bud. The circumstances
in southern Nebraska, thus destroying all hopes of', outside of mere low temperature have been very
a peach crop in that region." | favorable, and we should not be surprised if the

[It is not the degree of temperature alone that peach buds are not found •• sound as ever. —
forms the sole climatic condition favorable or un- Ed. G. M.]

Horticultural Societies.

COMMUNICATIONS.

NORTH, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN
EXPOSITION, NEW ORLEANS.

BY J. E. W.

The Superintendent of Horticultural Hall, E. F.
IS^clson, is constant in his exertions to improve the '
already beautiful winter garden. Its beds of|
tropical and semi-tropical plants have made it the j
centre of attraction for lovers of the beautiful. j

The latest additions are from the nurseries of j
Mr. John Rock, San Jose, Cal. Plants from these I
nurseries were much admired in plant displays in ]
the exhibits at the World's Cotton Centennial last '
year. The present contributions from these nur-
series are mostly evergreens. They make a splen-
did addition to the winter garden. Magnificent
specimens of Date Palm, California Fan Palm,
the famous big trees of California, a collection of
Eucalyptus, the Japan Cypress, the famous Red
Wood tree, also Cedus Deodora and many other
attractive plants. The changes in the greenhouse
have not been great, although it is expected there
will be next month.

The Government Building if not the most at-
tractive portion of the Exposition is certainly very
instructive, affording as it does grand and exhaus
tive displays of the industries and resources of the
States and Territories of the Union. These dis-
plays far exceed those of last year. The govern-
ment displays of last year are missing, but it is a
question if the elaborate State displays do not
compensate for their absence, especially as the
wish is to show to our Southern neighbors what
we can offer them in exchange for their produc-
tions and thus inaugurate a more extended trade
with them.

The fruit displays in the State exhibits are cer-
tainly creditable. It seems to me that Arkansas
leads them all ; its present exhibits I think superior

to any individual State display in either Exposi-
tion. Apples in the green state embrace near two
hundred varieties, all splendid specimens, mostly
from the northwestern portion of the State. In
jars she has near one hundred varieties of summer
apples, also pears, Japan persimmons, grapes,
peaches, and a great variety of berries. To me
it is a great surprise to look at the magnificent
displays of fruits by all the newer States and Terri-
tories. It truly seems that the older States will
have to look out for their laurels in the fruit line.
Mr. I. Innenat has on exhibition in Machinery
Hall a machine for cleaning and preparing for
use Jute and Ramie taken in their rough state
from the fields where grown. It would seem that
he has perfected his machine ; if so he will really
be a second Whitney to the Southern States. The
cotton States use millions upon millions of yards
of jute bagging every year. The jute can be
made a very successful crop in the Southern States
I —the only difficulty is to sufificiently cheaply pre-
' pare it for use. With a machine that will properly
and cheaply do its work the South will have a new
paying crop and millions of dollars that now go
abroad can be kept in the country. What it
would do for jute it would do for ramie cloth firms
i which nearly rivals silk.

I It is fifty-eight years since I first came to New
'' Orleans. I have no recollection of seeing in that
' time such intensely cold weather as we have been
I having for the last few days. Ice in gutters, ice
everywhere. I fear for the orange trees and cane.

yan. I2th, 1886.

THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL

ASSOCIATION.

BY T. B. M.

This Association held a very successful meeting
at Reading. Mr. Calvin Cooper was again re-
elected President, and Mr. E. B. Engle, Secretary.

1886. 1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

The next annual meeting is to be held at Bethle-
hem. Over 100 new members were enrolled.
Much of the success of the meeting was due to
Ex-President Judge Stitzel and Cyrus T. Fox,
Secretary of the Berks County Horticultural So-
ciety. Prof. Buckhout of the State College, gave
an admirable address on the adornment of home
grounds, which will, no doubt, have a good effect
in stimulating gardening in purely farming dis-
tricts. An interesting discussion followed, partici-
pated in by A. W. Harrison, of Germantown, S.
B. Parsons, of Flushing, N. Y., Rev. W. W.
Meech, of Vineland, Col. McFarland, of Harris-
burg, and Josiah Hoopes. Mr. Parsons would
not plant a tree within 200 feet of a dwelling
house, though we do not know his reason. The
annual report of the General Fruit Committee,
Cyrus A. Fox, was one of the best features of the
meeting. Apples in Pennsylvania seem to be in the
"off" year, though many full crops were reported.
Pears, always a certain crop in Pennsylvania,
were more abundant than usual. Peaches are so
troubled by yellows, that cultivators are well nigh
disheartened. Plums are successful where intel-
ligent shaking is practiced, and the talk about
*• curculio proof varieties " deemed, as most people
now know, arrant nonsense. The quince is grow-
*ng in favor as a profitable market fruit. The cherry
suffered some from late spring frosts and the English
sparrow ; but on the whole proved a satisfactory
fruit. Grapes do well everywhere, and much
value found in paper bags for fruit.

Small fruits seems not to have been very satis-
factory last year to Pennsylvania fruit-growers ;
while the culture of vegetables seems to be more
successful and more profitable than ever before.
The taste for ornamental shrubs and plants is
growing amazingly. In storing and preserving.
the refrigerator and retarding houses around Read-
ing, have been found very satisfactory. Fruits
are kept till gluts in the market are over, when
fair prices are realized. Sunflower oil is getting to
be a profitable horticultural crop, being used by
paint factories instead of linseed. "Agents, who
sold anything for the true kind," came in for their
usual scoring.

Edwin Satterthwaite furnished some excellent
practical remarks on vegetable culture for market.

Dr. Funk, of Boyertown, gave an explanation
of his retarding house. He said that he is satis-
fied that a large body of ice is necessary to
achieve success. He built a house to contain 75
tons, which answered very well, but when he
needed the house most the ice was all gone. He

is now putting up a house, which will require over
600 tons of ice. This building is 40 by 45 feet,
constructed of stone, the walls being 20 inches
thick, every crevice being filled out with mor-
tar and spalls. Inside the wall is dead air space
6 inches wide, and then a space 3 inches wide
filled with ground charcoal. The cold storage
room \s Sj4 feet high in the clear, and the ice
chamber 12 feet high. At the front entrance
there is a solid door, opening into a vestibule
large enough to contain three barrels. The vesti-
bule opens into a packing room, from which there
are three doors 4 inches thick, opening into three
separate apartments, in which fruit is kept.
There can be no atmospheric change in the rooms.
There is an open surface above the ice chamber,
with caps over the joists to catch all droppings.

Mr. J. H. Bartram, of Chester county, being
called upon, said that his refrigerator house is only
16 feet square, and 16 feet deep, requiring about
100 tons of ice. It is partly in the ground, and did
not cost over $300. He then described its con-
struction after the manner of any ice house. The
general temperature is 37O.

Dr. Funk, in reply to further inquiries as to the
construction of the floor, said that the floor is of
simple construction of yellow pine, with about 4
feet between it and the ground. There is a mortar
floor underneath to keep out the rats. He is able
to put in a ton of ice a minute by means of an
elevator, worked by an endless chain, the ice
being in large cakes, weighing about 200 pounds
each, as the ice packs better in large masses.

Dr. Funk said that he used to have to sell his
Bartlett pears when ripe, for $1.50 a bushel. Now
he sells them about Christmas for $4.

Specimens of the excellent Reading pear, that
had been preserved in retarding houses, were on
exhibition.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. —
This body has gotten up a very handsome
schedule of its proposed work for the coming
year, copies of which may be had from the secre-
tary, A. W. Harrison, Horticultural Hall, Phila-
delphia. A new idea is a calendar on which the
date of monthly meeting nights is stamped in red,

Pennsylvania State Horticultural As-
sociation.— By favor of Mr. Cyrus T. Fox, the
energetic secretary of the Berks County Agricul-
tural Society, we have the full text of Mr.

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[March,

Shearer's essay on the history of fruit culture,
which was regarded as one of the most valuable
contributions to the meeting. He takes no stock
in the guess some give that the climate has
changed against the interests of fruit culture.
Fruit trees want feeding ; they do not get the food
they require as a general thing. The " degenerate
climate " has proved no match for his well fed
trees. He does not prune at all except for grapes.
There is no more favorable soil orchmate in the
world than the neighborhood of Reading for suc-
cess in apple culture. He grows Baldwin largely,
but chiefly because it keeps well with little trouble.
Forty trees to an acre is enough for the apple.
Keeps the ground clear of vegetation, by keeping
the cultivator at work till middle of July. Keep
out the borer, which is the chief enemy of apple
culture. He has never had a visitation of pear
blight. Pears require richer soil than apples.
His most profitable variety is Bartlett. The home
market is better than that of New York. The
Reading or Hock pear is not regarded as reliable
as it was fifty years ago. Peaches require even
richer food than the apple or pear, and the cul-
ture is profitable where people are not too san-
guine of success. He believes the peach yellows
hereditary in one part of his essay, and that it is
the result of starvation in another. In regard to
the borer he says :

" This can be successfully done by the applica-
tion of the following wash : 4 gallons whitewash,
2 quarts clay, 2 quarts fresh cow drippings, I quart
lye that bears an egg. Mix these ingredients to a
proper consistence with water. Remove the
ground from the top of the roots close to the tree,
and apply the wash to the exposed roots and to
the whole trunk of the tree, including the hollow
between the lowest branches Cover the roots
again with earth. The wash can be applied very
expeditiously by means of a corn-broom ; and no
special pains need be taken against splashing any
of the substance on the ground, for the women
will raise no objections to such mishap, and the
tree will eagerly appropriate the drippings, and
put them where they will do the most good. The
wash should be applied twice every season,
namely, about the end of May and the end of
August. I have found this an infallible protection
of peach and apple trees against the borer. For
apple trees one application of the wash every sea-
son is sufficient."

It is not good to keep the ground clear of vege-
tation for the cherry. It does best in grass. Low
land is its abomination. Grapes hke pruning be-
cause otherwise they overbear. New varieties are
yet desirable. He said :

" The perfect winter apple has yet to come. The
same may be said, even more emphatically, of the

pear. The wished-for apple must be large, red,,
of the finest flavor, melting, a more than good but
not an enormous bearer, a vigorous, healthy and
upright grower, hardy enough to withstand the
coldest winters, and must keep in an ordinary cel-
lar until a new crop has matured. These quahties
are partly possessed by many different varieties of
the apple ; but not until they are all united in
one. shall we have the true ne plus ultra, seek-no-
further apple.

" We are sadly in want of a pear that will keep
throughout the winter and spring, and be good for
use during these two seasons. We have na
variety that approaches these requirements in any
appreciable degree. Can we not with proper en-
deavors supply this need ?

" There are many good peaches, but they are
marf or less liable to suffer in our latitude from
the extreme cold of winter. Our efforts should be
directed towards hardening the trees. The * Globe "
peach, if I may be permitted to say a word about
it, possesses all the desirable qualities of a perfect
fruit. The tree is an upright, symmetrical, thrifty
and vigorous grower, and good bearer, the foliage
is healthy, and the fruit is very large, color yellow
with a red blush, and flavor of the best quality.^
It would be desirable, however, if the ' Globe,''
hke our best peaches generally, were more iron-
clad, the better to endure the extremely cold
winters to which the Northern States are exposed."

New York Horticultural Society.— Ar-
rangements are being made by which the much-
talked of roses. Her Majesty and the Bride, are
to be prominent features of the March meeting.

Western New York Horticulttural So-
ciety.—This excellent Society has held its usual
successful meeting, some account of which we
have received as we go to press, and from which
we expect to draw to the profit of the reader from
time to lime during the coming season.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society's
Lectures.— A programme of topics for every
week from January 2d to April loth, has been
issued by the Society, and may be had from the
Secretary.

Des Moines Floral Association. — Mrs.
Kate E. Waltz, writes: "The florists of Des
Moines and vicinity, met on the 3d day of Dec,
and organized what is now known as the Des
Moines Floral Association. Peter Lambert, the
oldest florist in the city, was elected President;
the next oldest, Mr. R. L. Blair, was made Vice-
President, with your humble servant. Secretary,
and Mr. E. W. Bergstrom, Treasurer. We now
meet first Thursday in each month, with member-
ship increasing and all greatly interested. This is
all for this time, but taking it for granted that you
like to hear from such, I promise you shall hear
from us whenever there is anything new to report.'"

THE

GARDENERS' MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEyOUD TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Volume XXVIIL

APRIL, 1886.

Number 328.

Flower Gardm and Pleasure Ground.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Our Southern correspondents seem very sad
over the unusual touch of winter they have exper-
ienced this season. They have been so full of
sympathy with those who are ruled by a boreal
hand, that their sorrowings are probably more
severe than they might be. To a Northern mind it
is the winter that gives the greatest charm to
spring. The revival that follows the bleakness of'
winter, has a pleasure equal to that which the '
spring itself gives. Only those who have gone
through a Northern winter can fully appreciate
the joys of spring. It was one of these that sings :

" Now is the high tide of the year, j

And whatever of life hath ebbed away
Comes flooding back, with a ripply cheer. |

Into every l)are inlet, and creek, and bay.
Now the heart is so fnll that a drop over-fills it, j

"We are happy now because God so wills it; 1

No matter how barren the past may have been, I

'Tis enough for us now that the leaves are green ;
We sit in the warm shade and feel right well j

How the sap creeps up and the blossoms swell ; |

We shut our eyes, but we cannot help knowing
That the skies are clear and the grass is growing ; 1

The breeze comes whispering in our ear, '

That dandelions are blossoming near. I

Joy comes, grief dies, we know not how,
Every thing is happy now."

Near all our large towns and cities, the spring
of the year finds a large number of new houses
being started or in the course of alteration or com-
pletion ; this brings the gardening question prom-
inently forward. There is generally some chance

of getting good advice from intelligent landscape
gardeners, but unfortunately few persons know the
importance of looking for one, or how to distin-
guish between a genuine landscape gardener and
a mere garden laborer ; hence it is that hundreds
and often thousands of dollars are uselessly spent
in remedying evils that come from the want of
this knowledge. Generally all the main work of
the landscape gardener is left to the architect,
who makes a pretty picture plan of the grounds,
but which is found to be in practice enormously
expensive or positively ugly. The location of
roads or walks, questions of drainage, and the
knowledge of how work will look when trees
and shrubs grow up, are matters that only compe-
tent landscape gardeners thoroughly understand.
When undertaking to build or improve, and one is
thinking of sending for an architect, it will gener-
ally pay handsomely to consult at the same time
with some landscape gardener, and let the archi-
tect's work and his go along together. But it is
very important to distinguish between a mere
grader, road maker, or •• practical gardener," and
a real landscape gardener.

In suburban landscape gardening there has
been a tendency of late years to abolish all line
fences and especially those which separate the
front yards from the street. This is of course only
in cases where the communities have emerged

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

I April,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

It*

from barbarism far
enough to forbid all
cattle running loose
in the streets. To our
mind the essential ele-
ment of home in its
best signification is
privacy, and a garden
to which one can re-
tire for a while from
the busy hum of the
outside world, is one of
the best features of
this domestic ideal.
If we wish friends to
enjoy our gardens as
well as ourselves, we
can admit them. Large
places often have the
rule that at stated
times the whole public
has the privilege of
the grounds. The only
ground on which we
can see the absence of
front yard fences abol-
ished is the public
spirit that sacrifices
the ideal garden for
the public benefit.
There can be no doubt
that the streets along
such lines are much
more attractive to the
general community
than when fenced out
of gardens as in the
general plan.

But there is not near
as much objection to
this plan when the
houses are on an ele-
vation. Some privacy
is then secured. The
domestic idea is not
wholly abolished ; and
while the stranger
" without the gates,"
or rather, traveling
along the roadside,

Beautiful Home Grounds.

may point with pride to the residences of certain places, by a picture in Mr. Frank J. Scott's new

citizens, the dwellers within may feel that they are edition of Beautiful Home Grounds, which the

homes withal. We have been struck with the force publisher has kindly permitted us to use. It may

of this argument for the fenceless idea, in elevated be some satisfaction to the author to know that

it has been the means of our partial conversion
to a system we have before been in no degree
favorable to.

April is a good planting month. There is not
much art in planting trees, though it is often much
of a mystery. Not to let the roots dry for an in-
stant between taking up and planting, everybody
knows, but everybody don't do it ; in fact, every-
body deceives himself. We have seen this dis-
tinguished individual leave the tops of trees ex-
posed to the sun, with a mat or straw thrown over
the roots, and think all was right—or heel in for a
day or two, by just throwing a little dirt over the
roots. This is a little good : but everybody's fault
is, that although this may be ten minutes of good,
he expects to get ten hours', or even ten days'
value out of it, and thus he suffors more than if he
had done nothing ; because he forgets that the
branches evaporate moisture from the roots in a
dry wind, and the juices go from the roots through
the branches, very nearly as well as directly to
the air from the roots themselves. So with heeling
in. The soil is thrown in lightly, or at most just
"kicked" down. "It is only temporary," very
few of the roots come in contact with the soil.
They can draw in no moisture to supply the waste
of evaporation, and thus they stay day after day
—everybody satisfied because he sees the roots
covered ; really worse than if they had been ex-
posed. We have no doubt that more trees are
lost from imperfect heeling in than from any other
cause whatever. Of course, if the tops be covered
as well as the roots, there is less waste of moisture
and more chance of success.

We approve of thick planting. Trees grow faster
for one another's company, and a place well filled
at once, saves many years of time to see them
grow. Those not wanted after the place has
grown some, can be transplanted to other parts of
the ground. Where thick planting is to be
adopted, of course care must be taken in locating
those permanently to remain. But the trouble
usually is that a thickly planted place is rarely
thinned. People hate to see a tree cut down. In
the public squares of Philadelphia the trees are
crowding each other till the whole square looks
like a crow's nest. Grass will not grow, first, be-
cause of the shade ; secondly, because of the
poverty of the soil, and thirdly, because of the
drought from so many tree roots; and though
the city of Philadelphia appropriates $25,000 a
year to improve the squares, one each year in suc-
cession, it would be as much as the commissioner's
place is worth to " cut down a tree." And this is

an example of what is often seen. The only
remedy is, to educate the pubHc to plant thickly
at first ; but to thin every few years till they are
of judicious width apart.

COMMUNICATIONS.

CROOKED TREES.

BY D. S. GRIMES.

I do not remember of ever hearing a word
spoken in favor of crooked trees, yet there is
something novel, striking and lovely in their
peculiar growth and varied outlines, that attracts
attention.

Their grotesque forms — sometimes bending over
a lake or stream of water, until their moss-covered
trunks almost touch the surface ; or back in the
forest reclining in a half prostrate position with
branches nearly reaching the ground ; or again,
where the bodies, though standing erect, are full
of crooks and kinks ; here a crotch formed near
the ground, and there a cluster of trees growing
out from the stump of a broken tree, forming the
foundation for such nice rustic seats. Yes, I
love crooked trees, because of their odd deformi-
ties, for they are original, and not copied.

I often wonder why people who have seen
natural forests, persist in planting all straight trees
in parks and lawns with the view to imitate
nature. It is quite dififerent with trees for the
street, for they are on "dress-parade." Street
trees should not only be straight, but stand in
a straight line, like a regiment of well-drilled
soldiers drawn up on review. It is also different
with trees planted for mechanical purposes whose
prospective value lies in the quality of the timber
produced. And in evergreens, whose natural
order and beauty is in a straight, symmetrical
form.

But, for parks and lawns, where an easy, natural
appearance is the object desired, all straight trees
with a rigid, set formality, in arranging and plant-
ing, is not admissible to good taste in landscape
architecture. They are too stiff and formal, void
of that easy, graceful variety so essential to good
effect. A group of shade trees set just so many feet
and inches apart each way, standing like so many
telegraph poles on their best behaviour, is a little
too " precise " for the present liberal ideas in land-
scape embellishments.

I love to see groups of trees where the
straight and crooked, the elm, the maple, oak, and
ash, all growing in irregular order, just as we see

lOO

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[April,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

loi

them in their native woods, where all apparent re-
straint and dull formality is thrown off, and where a
comfortable seat can be found against a leaning
tree, affording both rest and shade. How much
nicer it would look in planting trees near the
water's edge, to forget man, and imitate the god of
the forest, where a number of trees would bend
their irregular forms reflecting beautiful shadows
in the water, instead of a row of all straight trees,
set in such regular order that the first tree met,
indexed the form of all the rest.

It is the never ending variety of scenery in our
mountains and native forests, that attracts atten-
tion, and not the regulation monotony of the
plains. In arranging trees for ornament, study
to be original, and not to copy. Avoid sameness
and practice variety. Denver, Colorado,

[Excellent suggestions ; undoubtedly one of the
most pleasing drives in Fairmount Park is under
the grove of crooked Catalpas. The next interes-
ing drive is under a grove of very strait Ailanthuses.
Each derives advantage from contrast with the
other.— Ed. G. M.]

BULBS AND TUBERS FOR OUT-DOOR

CULTURE.

BY MRS. T. L. NELSON, OF WORCESTER, MASS.

Bulbs, tubers and corms, or hard bulbs, are
storehouses of food for the embryo plant, and
serve to nourish it until the roots start. In the
Northern States we have many indigenous lilies,
arums, but few of them are cultivated, because
they are preferred in their native haunts. If cul-
tivation would improve them it would be worth
while to transplant them to our gardens, but in
many cases it is almost impossible to make them
grow at all— much more to make them grow satis-
factorily. It is best, therefore, to let native plants
and bulbs alone, unless we have a place as nearly
as possible like that from which we take them.
The native lilies, Canadense and superbum, how-
ever, do well in cultivation, and will repay the
cultivator.

It would be of no practical use to speak m this
essay of spring-flowering bulbs, such as snow-
drops, hyacinths, crocuses, tulips and narcissi, as
these are, or should be, already in the ground. The
subject of bulbs and tubers is a broad one, but
this essay will be confined to such bulbs as will be
of use in our gardens in Massachusetts. We must
take special note of the country where our bulbs
are native, and endeavor to imitate the conditions
of sun, soil, and climate there. Like bedding
plants, many bulbs are benefited by annual change
of location in the garden.

Lilies are among the most reliable bulbs after
the bloom of the spring flowers is past. L. candU
dum (the common white lily) is one of the hardi-
est, but one of the most particular about the time

of planting. This must be done when the bulbs
are in a dormant state, about the last of August
or first of September. After that time they start
again, the leaves remain green throughout the
winter, and the bulbs will not bloom if disturbed
after they commence growing. L. longiflorum is
not as hardy as many of the species, because the
bulbs are liable to start in the fall if the weather is
warm. It is best to cover early with leaves or
light compost, as a hard frost after the bulbs have
started almost invariably kills them. They are
easily transplanted. L. auratum is quite uncer-
tain, even with the best protection. A few bulbs
may be planted every year, and the cost counted
as of bedding plants, for they are worth growing
if they afford one season's bloom. Some of them
will survive the winter and bloom again, but they
cannot be depended upon. All the varieties of L.
speciosum are hardy. Album proecox is a much
finer variety than albumo Rubrum ; roseum, punc-
tatum, Melpomene, and purpuratum are all desir-
able. L pardalinum (sometimes called Leopard
lily,) is fine and hardy. L. excelsum is of bright
buff color and one of the most beautiful. L.
Brownii is rare and costly, and from its peculiar
purple outside and the pure white waxen inside
presents a striking contrast to longiflorum and
others of that class. L. Leichtlinii, L. monadel-
phum and L. Parryi are fine yellow varieties. All
the varieties of L. Martagon (the Turk's Cap lily)
are good. L. Chalcedonicum (Scarlet Turk's
Cap) is one of the best. L. tenuifolium, one of the
earliest, if not the earliest, has slender stems and
fohage and a lovely scarlet flower with reflexed
petals. L. pomponianum verum is much like L.
tenuifolium, but a little more robust and blooms a
little later. There are many inexpensive varieties,
like Thunbergianum, umbellatum, and the varie-
ties of tigrinum, which are showy and perfectly
hardy. Lilies are easily cultivated, but they will
not thrive on low land, unless it is thoroughly
drained ; water at the roots or wet, heavy soil is
I fatal. The soil should be light and rich ; it must
be remembered that it is not the bulb that needs
I feeding, but the roots beneath. If annuals or
some light bedding plants are planted between the
I bulbs it will serve to keep the surface cool and

moist.

I The iris in its many varieties is one of the best
garden tubers. They increase rapidly, and all the

I varieties are hardy. The English, Spanish and

! German species are all good, but the Iris Kcemp-
feri, from Japan, is the best. The iris has a wide
range of color, and some of the blooms strikingly
resemble some of the varieties of valuable orchids.

' All of the family are of the easiest culture, only
requiring considerable moisture.

Herbaceous paeonies are reliable garden plants,
for they are never winter-killed. They are very
showy and especially adapted to lar^e gardens,
affording a succession of bloom all through the
early summer months. P. tenuifolia has small
blooms of a clear bright red, not unlike a rose,
and finely cut fohage.

Gladioli are by far the most valuable of all the
summer-blooming bulbs. They are easy to grow,
easy to keep, and exceedingly valuable for cut

flowers. If a spike is cut when there is only one
flower out, it will keep on blooming at least a
week. Gladioli are most effective when planted
in groups among low or medium-growing plants.
The foliage must be allowed to grow in order to
mature the bulb or corm which is forming at the
top of the old one, and if grown with other plants
the ripening foliage is partially concealed, and is
not unsightly, whereas a bed of gladioli with the
flowers cut off is anything but attractive. Water
is essential to their growth. Whenever the ground
becomes dry it must be watered so that the roots
beneath the bulb will be thoroughly wet. If one
wants a bed for cutting, it is just as satisfactory
and very much cheaper to buy a hundred or two
of first quality mixed bulbs ; but if only a few are
wanted, by all means get named varieties : Eugene
Scribe and Mary Stuart, pink ; Meyerbeer and
Phoebus, scarlet ; Nestor and Paotole, yellow, with
colored markings; Martha Washington, clear
lemon color; Beatrix and La France, white or
nearly so ; Leander and Baroness Burdette-Coutts,
mauve ; and Africaine, very dark, are some very
fine varieties, and none of them are very expensive.

Tuberous-rooted begonias are very valuable in
the garden. There are a great many varieties,
and here again, unless one wishes for a few, mixed
kinds do very well in the border ; but if only a
few are wanted, get named kinds, for. then a vari-
ety of color is assured. The singled-flowered
stand the rain better than the double, for the
former shut closer, and the rain cannot penetrate
the blossom. Tha flowers keep closed in cloudy
or rainy weather, so that one can tell pretty cer-
tainly whether it is going to rain or not by glan-
cing at a bed. Sometimes they are about half-
closed and undecided, but not generally. Mont
Blanc is the best white variety. Annie Laing is a
very fine kind, with large pale pink flowers, of
great substance. Countess of Kingston is a very
large, fine scarlet. Robusta perfecta and R.
perfecta rosea are very fine varieties. Pearceii
has beautifully marked foliage and bright yellow
flowers. These flowers need the sun only part of
the day. The tubers should be dug late in the
autumn, dried in boxes, and stand in a cool
place, giving them no water except when they get
too dry, and then only so that they shall not
wither. If kept too moist they will decay. They
need absolute rest when in a dormant state. They
are easily grown from seed, and the seedlings
bloom the first year, if the seed is sown early
enough.

Gloxinias can be grown very finely in a cold
frame, and planted out by plunging the pot. The
location should be the same as for tuberous-
rooted begonias, and they are easily grown from
seed under the same treatment. If they do not
bloom the first season the bulb will be of good
size and ea.sier to keep over winter. They require
to be kept dry while resting. A frame was left
unprotected during several heavy rains and the
first time it was expected to see the foliage entirely
spoiled ; but by putting on the sash and shading
with newspapers until dry the plants were saved
from all injury.

Some of the summer-blooming bulbs are better

kept in pots or tubs. There are many places in
the garden and about the house where a pot of
Vallota purpurea is very ornamental. Amaryllis
lutea is a hardy variety, blooming in early autumn
when yellow flowers are scarce. A. Hallii is a
lovely pink variety, blooming in August. The
Zephyranthes in all its varieties of pink and white
is desirable. They require no care beyond
planting in spring, digging up in autumn, and
storing in a dry place. A. Belladonna, major,
minor and alba, are all summer-blooming bulbs.
They flower in August and September, and require
entire rest after they have matured their foliage.
Amaryllis Johnsonii will bloom in the ground, and
is used by some to bed out in the summer by
keeping the bulb dormant through the winter.
Ismene calathina is beautiful in the garden, the
plant being fine without the flower. Choretis
albus and Pancratium calathinum, like all those
mentioned in this paragraph, belong to the Ama-
ryllis family, and require the same general treat-
ment.

The tuberose is as easily flowered in the ground
as any other bulb, but as it takes about four
months to bring it into flowering, it must be started
either in a hot-bed or a greenhouse; but if you
have neither of these, plant the bulbs, after the
ground is thoroughly warmed, in a sunny place,
and after they have started, give plenty of water.
When they are well budded, pot them in rich soil,
so that they can be removed to shelter when there
is danger of frost

Tritonia Uvaria grandiflora (Red-hot Poker)
and Hyacinthus candicans are two conspicuous
plants which form a fine contrast to each other.
Agapanthus umbellatus is one of the few really
blue flowers. It does well taken from the pot and
planted in the border. Caladium esculentum,
Richardia alba maculata (a very ornamental
species of Richardia /Ethiopica, our common
calla) and Amorphophallus Riveri are desirable
plants. The Tigridias (Tiger flowers) in the
different varieties are all showy. T. grandiflora
alba forms a beautiful contrast to T. conchiflora
and T. Pavonia. Milla biflora is quite new, and
has slender, rush-like foliage, and white tubular
star-shaped flowers, on long slender stems. The
dahlia is a very important tuberous-rooted plant ;
its only drawback is that it requires too much
room to grow it ; but there are places where such
plants are very much needed, and the pompons
and single varieties are especially desirable.

[This excellent essay was contributed to the
weekly meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society on February 13th. — Ed. G. M.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Diseases of the Rose. — The first of the diseases
of which M. de Thumen speaks is the most com-
mon and well known of the three ; it is a mould
which is caused by the rapid development of a
a mildew similar to that which affects the vine ;

102

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[April,

this external growth is known to botanists by the
name of Oidium leucoconium in the early stages
of its development, and under that of Sphaerotheca
pannosa when it has attained its mature condition.
It is known that this parasite covers the roses with
a white film, amid which are specks and spots of
a brown color; propagates very rapidly, and its
mischievous results are only too well known. On
the shrubs which it attacks the flowers are either
malformed or entirely abortive. All the varieties
are not equally liable to this disease, but certain
varieties are attacked with it every year. Happily,
sulphur is an excellent remedy for mildew in roses
as well as for Oidium on the vine ; only, in order
to be fully efficacious, the precautions which the
learned German prescribes as the result of his own
experience must be carefully followed. The
flowers of sulphur must be employed not once
only, but several times in the course of the sum-
mer. The application of the sulphur must be
made on a fine clear day ; when there is every
appearance of the fine weather lasting ; then
the work should be begun early in the morning,
in order that the sulphur may be subjected to the
rays of the sun for as long a time as possible.
Under these conditions M. de Thumen says that
he perfectly cured, last year, some infected rose
trees which subsequently flowered finely.

The second disease of roses to which this
observer alludes, is not so well known as the first
mentioned, nevertheless for several years it has
very frequently been seen in gardens. The Ger-
man gardeners call it brand (burning), a vague
term which is applied in Germany to many
diseases of vegetables. It is caused by a little
parasitical fungus, Asteroma radiosum. This para-
site causes specks of a dark greenish-brown on
the upper surface of the rose leaves, which are
often not more than a millimetre in diameter; but
which sometimes cover the whole of the leaf.
Soon after the appearance of these spots the leaves
fall, being in some cases still green, while in others
they have become more or less yellow. Asteroma,
not being confined to the surface of leaves as the
mildew is, but thrusting its filaments through their
tissues, the war against this parasite becomes
therefore very difficult. The great attention paid
to this by the well-known Berlin naturalist, Pro-
fessor B. Frank, has disclosed the fact that this
fungus produces a great number of excessively
tiny reproductive organs ; that is to say, the spores,
which are dispersed and spread by the rain and
dew. This water, bearing the spores, trickles
down the leaf-stalk to the base of the leaves,

where it deposits them on the bud which is formed
there, therefore the shoot springing from this bud
is necessarily tainted with the disease, with the
germs of which it was early infected. Whether
the plants thus infested with the parasite are placed
in another garden, or whether buds from the
diseased plants are budded on healthy stocks the
disease will assuredly be propagated. Thus con-
vinced of the impossibihty of deahng with the
parasite, which grows chiefly in the interior, by
any external remedy, M. Frank sees no other
alternative but not to make any use of the gardens
thus infected; but this would be a great barrier to
trade. M. Thumen, on the other hand, recom-
mends a solution of salycylic acid, which kills the
spores of the parasite. In many cases he advises
that the plants or grafts sent out from the nursery
in which this fungus exists should be plunged for
an hour in a solution of salycylic acid. The in-
fected leaves should be burnt immediately, and
the bushes should be syringed with salycylic acid
in early spring.

The third disease of roses is of less consequence.
It is due to a parasitical fungus, Caeoma miniatum
(Phragmidium subcorticium), which rarely appears
on the leaves, but more frequently on the leafstalk,
flower-stalk, calyx, or flower. It forms cushion-
like projections of an orange red color (.licidium).
The disease is usually not very fatal, but where it
becomes so it is better to burn the infected plants.
Abstract from an article in the ** Wiener Illustrirte
Garten Zeitung.'^—From Gardeners' Chronicle,

Drilling Rocks.— By means of a treadle,
worked by the foot, Minnis Haden, a colored
blacksmith, of Montgomery, Va., has invented
and patented a method by which one man can
hammer and hold the drill in blasting rocks, or in
many kinds of blacksmith's work.

Destruction of the Mole. —A Sunday-
school urchin thus informs his teacher : " One day
Billy come home holdin' a little mole by the tail,
which a bad boy had co't and guv him, and it was
alive. Wen my sister see him she said, ' O, you
crewel, crewel boy, thro it in the fire this minnit.' "

Dahlias. — The practice of pegging down ever-
blooming roses so that they will cover completely
the surface of the bed, is well known to produce
very pleasing results. It is said that pegging
down Dahlias proves quite as satisfactory.

Public Park for Kansas City. — It is pro-
posed to take a beautiful tract on Bush Creek,
south of the city, for this purpose.

1886.1

AN D HORTICULTURIST.

103

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

An Upright Elder. — This very pretty shrub
is known in France as Sambucus fastigiata and
S. columnaris, as well as by others of similar im-
port. It grows thick and upright like an Irish
Juniper. The varieties of European elder do not,
however, do well in the warmer parts of our coun
try, though thriving in the mountain regions.

New Polyantha Rose, Max Singer. — This
dwarf species of rose — "the dear little creature,"
we have heard it called, has given a variety in
France under the above name, resembling in size

Sweet Peas. — Mr. Van Aken says: '• t intro-
duce what I think will make a pleasing effect in
my sweat pea row the coming season, by planting
say 18 inches of the row to one distinct variety,
then 6 or 8 feet of mixed varieties, then another
distinct dab of a different color, and so on through
the row. Take, tor instance, for these dabs of dis-
tinct color, tie Adonis, Scarlet Invincible, Painted
Lady, White, Black, &c.

" I have a way of getting sweet peas in bloom
very early out of doors, by planting the seed in
flower pots in the house. Take any size pot, and
fill with good soil, and plant the peas about an
inch apart around the pot and near the edge, and

ders are coming in for it, from America.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

and color Bengal Hermosa.

White FLOWERED Water Chinquapin. — The j then, by placing a brush in the centre about 2
Yellow Lotus, or Water Chinquapin, Nelumbium 1 feet long, the vines will cling to this and give am-
luteum, one of America's famous water plants, | pie support. If planted in February, or the first of
has produced a white variety, which is receiving ! March, they will be nearly ready to bloom by the
marked attention from the cultivators of water i time the spring frosts are past; and may then be
plants in England. turned out of the pots and placed in the open

Rose, Her Majesty.-U is contended that this { ground. These will commence to bloom from 4
is the largest rose ever raised. It is one of Mr. ( to 6 weeks before the earliest spring planting in
Bennett's ; the whole stock being purchased by ' i^e ground.'

Charles F. Evans, of Philadelphia. It is a cross ! Improvements in Roses.— A California corre-
between the hybrid perpetual, Mabel Morrison, spondent says : " There is no flower with which
and Tea Canary. The wood is stouter than of ; so many experiments are being made as the rose,
any known rose. The flesh-colored blooms have both by grafting and by seed. By these means
measured six inches in diameter. European or- no less than fifty new roses have been discovered

during the past year, each of which is being plant-
ed in our different nurseries, and the most famous
among these iare the William Allen Richardson,

orange yellow ; Marie Van Houtie, yellow, chang-

The Winter AT Charleston.— A lady writes : ing to white, with rose spots; Alfred Colomb,
'•We have had a sharp experience of your brilliant carmine crimson, flowers very large;
familiar Northern rigors this winter, and as our Countess of Oxford, bright carmine with soft violet
houses in this semi- tropic clime are built to woo shade, flowers large, full and cupped; Elisa
the ocean breezes and to keep their occupants Boelle, pure white ; La France, latest variety, of
cool, we suffered greatly from the bitter blasts, which there are several, silvery rose centre, lilac
Early in January, we were revelling in myriads ^ose— distinguished from many other sorts, through
of roses and the spicy odors of the acacia and i ^g wonderful bloom, even leaves and delicious
fragrant olive. Suddenly a "blizzard" came, j scent; Marie Baumann, briUiant red ; Paul Ney-
swooping down from the northwest, and blighted ' ron, deep rose; Rosy Morn, delicate peach color,
all the beauty and bloom of our gardens. Orange j-jchly shaded with salmon rose; Julius Finger,
trees and shrubbery were killed, every flower and ' p^re white, lightly tinted with rose in the centre,
almost every green thing ditto, water pipes burst, Then comes the Bennett, which has long pointed
darkies frozen— body and soul as it were— energ es | buds, and is of a dazzHng crimson color, similar to
paralyzed and the whole community benumbed." ' ^^e Hybrid Gen. Jacqueminot ; also the American
Yellow Zephyranthus. — A correspondent Beauty, which produces immense dark pmk
says : " I think is botanically " Habranthus An- flowers on every shoot. It never clusters, and
dersonii; see page 55, February, 1885. P. H. therefore it can be cut with long stems.

Oberwetter, Austin, Texas, classes it as amaryll
idaceae; whilst in many foreign catalogues it is

"These are the principal varieties of the fifty
new roses which have lately been introduced, not

listed as a zephyranthes. Both are correct, as only to the gay worid of fashion, but also to the
until lately they were one and the same class.** I student and the lover of nature."

I04

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

I April,

Greenhouse and House Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

The question often is what to do with pot plants
in the summer ? The great majority of plants do
much better in the open air than under glass. It
is found by experience that many do much better
when taken wholly out of the pots, and set in the
open ground. But it requires some judgment to
select those that will stand such treatment. Those
which come up with matted roots do excellently
well ; but if the plant be of a kind which has but
a few wiry roots, they wither so much when lifted
in the fall, that it is better to keep them wholly in
pots. The Azalea does very well turned out, and
even the Camellia does very well, if care be taken
to keep down the red spider which works on them
badly if the plant be set in a sunny place. Almost
all soft wooded plants do very well indeed. Suc-
culents like aloes, cactuses, and century plants,
do very much better when set out in the open
ground ; and this is often a great advantage, as the
huge tubs these plants are often kept in all sum-
mer are dreadfully troublesome things for people
to handle. When only the plant is taken out of
the tub, and the plant lifted to set in the tub, it is
much pleasanter work, and then these succulents
can be so arranged that they make pretty effects
in the open air, and so do collections of other
plants, for that matter. On many grounds, the
large bed in which greenhouse plants are set out
to board during the summer is among the chief
ornamental features of the ground. Those plants
which it is desirable to keep in pots may be set out
where they can have the pots partially plunged in
sand, tan, or coal ashes, and these may be ar-
ranged in a sort of flower-bed fashion, that will
look neat. In our climate the summer heat is so
great that it is found these summer pot plants do
very well under the shade of trees, or on the
north side of a wall or fence where they will get a
little protection from the all day sun. Basket
plants all do well, suspended under trees or other
shady places, provided they can get a soaking of
water at least once a week.

What we have written of greenhouse plants is
of course equally applicable to plants from win-
dows or other places in dwelling houses.

COMMUNICATIONS.

STEAM HEATING.
BY GEO. LAING.

I have read with interest the articles on steam
heating of greenhouses, in your valuable columns.
I will give your readers my experience in that
line. To begin with : The boiler should be of
sufficient size so as not to crowd it. There is noth-
ing gained and fuel wasted by having the boiler
too small. It should have i square foot of fire
surface to 30 feet of glass, where the mercury
gets 20*^ below zero, or more. For distributing
the heat, ij^-inch pipe is the best size to use. It
should be distributed over the space to be heated
as much as possible. 2 feet 8 inches of ij^f-inch
pipe makes a square foot of heating surface ;
it will heat 5 feet of glass, and should be so ar-
ranged that half of the heating surface in each
house can be shut off in mild weather. The
steam supply to each house should be run about
18 mches from the ridge, this keeps the glass
thawed and lets the sun in sooner.

The main supply pipe from the boiler should
have }( of an inch sectional area to each 100 feet
of heating surface ; and be reduced in proportion
as the branch supplies are taken off. The ends of
the supply for each house should have a drip of
^-inch pipe connected to the return pipe below
water level of the boiler. The return pipes should
be one size smaller than the supply pipe, and drop-
ped below the water level at the nearest point pos-
sible. All the heating pipes and returns should
fall I inch in 10 feet to the boiler. At the end of
each coil put an automatic air valve to let the air
escape. An apparatus constructed with these
rules in view, cannot fail to give the possessor en-
tire satisfaction, and he can safely leave his fire
5 hours in the coldest of weather; and with a
saving of 25 per cent, in first cost, and use less
fuel than hot water.

These figures are based on practical experience
of myself and others in various parts of the
country. The sizes of boilers and heating surface
will admit of a reduction, 10,000 feet of glass and
over, where the houses are built close together.

At some future time, I will give your readers

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

105

some facts and figures on steam as a heating
agent in heating water in the original plant of hot
water p ipes.

/jM Ave, and Pierce Street, Milwaukee, Wis.

PERPETUAL CARNATIONS — DIANTHUS
CARYOPHYLLUS SEMPERFLORENS.

BY JEAN SISLEY.

In the last number of the Revue Horticole,
February ist, a very remarkable article was pub-
lished on the Perpetual Carnations in their present
state. But the writer says : " Where and how
was the culture of the perpetual carnations com-
menced ? Who is the horticulturist who first did
addict himself to it ? We do not know."

I therefore think that it may interest American
horticulturists and amateurs, to be informed, and
I, in consequence, send a copy of their history I
published ten years ago in the journal of our
horticultural society, which had not a wide circu-
lation.

According to several horticultural writers, the
carnation was cultivated more than 2000 years
ago ; but we know nothing of what was practiced
about those times — no more in horticulture than
any other science ; and as it is only since the be-
ginning of this century that the facts of nature
have been studied, we can only relate what has
been observed lately.

The perpetual carnations have been created, —
created, — at Lyon.

It was M. Dalmais, gardener of M. Lacene, a
celebrated amateur and founder of the first horti-
cultural society in Lyon, who obtained the first
real constant-blooming carnation, about 46 years
ago. He sent it out in 1844. under the name of
Atim, the produce of artificial fecundation of a
so-called species, known by the vulgar names of
Oeillet de Mahon, or of St. Martin, because it was
regularly blooming by the middle of November,
fecundated by Oeillet Biohon.

This first gain was successively fecundated by the
Flemish carnations, and about 1846, he obtained a
great number of varieties of all colors.

Mr. Schmitt, horticulturist at Lyon, followed
M. Dalmais and obtained several fine varieties
like Arc en Ciel, and Etoile Polaire, which were
cultivated for several years, but do no more exist,
having been superseded by more fine varieties.

But in 1850, a disease having destroyed his col-
lection. Mr. Schmitt abandoned that culture.
Soon after, Alphonse Aligatiere, the well- known
and zealous propagator, undertook the hybridiza-

tion of carnations, and in a short time obtained a
great success, and dotted that series with a great
many varieties, all particularly dwarf, and ob-
tained a great improvement by creating those with
stiff flower stems, about 1866.

We can thus say that Aligatiere has created a
new species.

He has also upset the old system of propaga-
tion— that of layering — and has proved that cuttings
is the best and most reasonable method, and justi-
fied my saying, that layering is the infancy of hor-
ticultural art.

Nothing, he has proved, is easier than propa-
gating carnations from cuttings.

The best time to strike them is January and
February, and the best mode is to put them in
fine sand on bottom heat at about 15O to 20^ Cen-
tigrades, or 60O to 70^ of stupid Fahrenheit, with-
out bell glasses, in a double spanned roof house.

The cuttings must be syringed every day and
the sand kept moist ; they will be rooted in 3
or 5 weeks, and must be planted out in April or
May, and will make fine plants to bloom in au-
tumn ; about September they can, those that have
flower buds, be potted, for indoor decoration.

Monplaisir, Lyon, February, j886.

LYCASTE DEPPEI.
BY ALPHA.

Mr. Deppe's Lycaste, L. Deppei, is a very
desirable epiphytal orchideous plant, having ob-
long lanceolate bright green leaves, from 18 to
20 inches in length, and which arise from the
summit of the pseudo bulbs. Its season of bloom
is during the late spring and early summer months,
and the flowers are produced on short erect stems.
In color, the sepals are green, spotted with purplish
red, while the small white petals are spotted and
striped with crimson on the inside. The labelum
or lip is bright orange, and the column of a creamy
white.

This pretty species is a native of New Spain,
where it was discovered and introduced into culti-
vation by Mr. Deppe in 1828, and in whose honor
the specific name was bestowed upon it. This
Lycaste is a plant easily cultivated, requiring
during its season of growth, a warm moist atmos-
phere, with an average temperature of not less than
60O; while during its season of rest it should be
kept rather cool and dry. It does best when
grown in a basket well filled with fresh
sphagnum moss, intermixed with bits of charcoal,
and suspended in a partially shaded situation. In

io6

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[April,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

107

placing the plants in the basket, it is well to keep
them a trifle elevated in the centre in order to pro-
tect the young shoots from injury by damp.

Propagation is effected by a careful division of
the plant, and this should be done just before the
plant starts into growth. The flowers of this, as
well as many other species of orchids, can be pre-
served for a considerable length of time, if the
plants are placed in a dry cool atmosphere as
soon as the flowers are fully expanded, care being
taken to moisten the roots occasionally.

ROSE, REINE MARIE HENRIETTE.
BY J. H. SLOCOMBE.

In the Jan. number of Gardeners' Monthly,
page 15, *• I. H.," Ardmore, Pa., asks how to treat
the rose, Reine Marie Henriette, to get it to bloom.
This rose requires a rest. If planted in a cold
grapery, or a greenhouse cold enough to keep it
dormant until February or March, it will then
break and bloom abundantly. Should be pruned
in the fall. A grand rose for the South, where it
can be wintered out of doors. There is nothing
of the Glorie de Dijon about it, as advertised when
first sent out. For forcing purposes in winter, I
believe it to be worthless. New Haven, Conn.

CHINESE NARCISSUS.
HY FRANCIS J. HEINL.

In an article in the March number headed
••The Sacred Lily of the Chinese," I notice the
Chinese Narcissus is spoken of. A Chinaman
brought to New York last winter some of these
bulbs and presented one to a friend, with the fol-
lowing history : That lily is a very large one ; it
grows up the Hoang-ho on the rocky, sandy bot-
toms, and when the water is high and the banks
overflow this plant blooms very much. It blooms
about the Chinese New Year's day, and we call it

the New Year hly. This bulb was given me in
the eariy winter. It was about 5 inches in diame-
ter, and rather conical. The bulb had grown in
sand ; was well preserved, and had a decidedly
unpleasant odor, but this may have come from
its shipmates or associations. I planted it in rich
sandy soil, in a 6 inch pot, setting it in a warm,
yes, a hot, place, and keeping it rather wet. In
thirty-two days after planting the first flower un-
folded. The flowers were much larger than a Poly-
anthus Narcissus, and, if possible, more fragrant.
There were, I beheve, eight stalks of flowers on

this bulb.

Had I known at the time that it was a Narcis-
sus I should have treated it differently, and might
have had finer flowers, but not so soon. The
' flower was not pure white, the cup being yellow,
while another bulb, from San Francisco, was
grown in water and had a brownish cup. This
second bulb was not an inch in diameter. I was
struck with the prolific and early blooming quaU-
ties of the plant. Jacksonville, Ills.

[There are no doubt many varieties of the Nar-
cissus with the Chinese as with us, and some prob-
ably very different from our own. As we under-
stand, any variety of the Narcissus is used as their
New Year flower. The title is not confined to any
one kind. — Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Seed Ornaments.— Ornamental work made of
fruits, cones, seed vessels and seeds, is growing
in favor, and the business gives employment to
large numbers of women and children.

Tea Rose.— The Bride. Under this name Mr.
May is now sending out the pure white sport from
Catharine Mermet, flowers of which were on ex-
hibition at the meeting in Philadelphia last fall.
It is said to be more productive than its parent.

Yrjjit Am Vegetable Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

to attribute it to other causes than rich soil.

Kitchen ashes, in which table refuse is thrown, is
The apple is our standard fruit, and may always an excellent top-dressing for apples. We like top-
be rehed on with reasonable care. The first care j dressing better than any other system of manur-
is good food. Some talk about too rich soil. We ing apple trees. Even nice ditch scrapings are
never saw the soil too rich for the apple. Where i good to top-dress with where nothing else offers,
any trouble arises in apple culture, it will be safe ! Apple trees are often starved in other ways than

by neglect to manure. The apple borer leads to
starvation oftener than poor soil. The supply of
food is cut off by every move the borer makes, j
They work at the surface of the ground. Look for !
them now. If you have no time, set the boys '
and girls to work. Say they shall have no apples ,
for Christmas or birthday presents if they do not. '
However, get the borers out somehow, if even by
wire and jack-knife. If not soon done they will
soon get out themselves, and give you more trou-
ble in the future. After they have left, whether by |
your invitation or otherwise, keep them out ; even .
though you have to lock the door after the horse
is stolen. Paper put on in May, and then gas- 1
tarred, will keep them out ; some say it will not, !
but it will. There is no doubt about it. One pa-
pering will last three years. The weakening of;
the tree by the borer is why the fruit drops off in
so many cases, and is small and scrubby in others.
With these cases attended to there will be little [

left to worry one but the codling moth. It should '
however be remembered that the larvae of the
borer live several years in the tree. At the end ,
of the season take the paper off and look for exu-
ding •• saw '* dust. After getting out the borer
cover again. It is because a few missed at first do
their work afterwards undisturbed, that the tar
paper plan has been thought of little use.

It is very hard, as occasionally noted, to give
" seasonable " hints in a magazine going over the
world as the Gardeners' Monthly does ; as its
summer is " seasonable ** in some quarters on the
same date that it is winter in others ; but it may
serve the interest of large numbers to note that j
grafting can be continued till the buds of the trees I
are nearly pushed into leaf. Sometimes, from a
pressure of other work, some valuable scions have
been left on hand too late to work. It may be in-
teresting to know, that if such scions are put into
the ground, much the same as if they were cut-
tings, they will keep good for six weeks or two
months, by which time the bark will run freely,
when the scions may be treated as buds, and will
succeed just as well as buds taken from young
summer shoots.

In planting dwarf pears, it is very important to
have them on a spot that has a moist subsoil,
either naturally or made so by subsoiling or mix-
ing some material with the soil that will give out
moisture in dry weather. Trees already planted
on a dry gravelly subsoil, should have a circle
dug out two feet deep, and two or three feet from
the tree. This should be filled up with well en-
riched soil. If the dwarf pear does not grow

freely, it is a sign that something is wrong. It
should at once be severely pruned, so as to aid in
producing a vigorous growth.

Strawberry beds are very frequently made at
this season, and though they will not bear fruit
the same year, are much more certain to grow,
and will produce a much better crop next year
than when left till next August. Though it is a
very common recommendation, we do not value a
highly manured soil. It should be well trenched
or subsoiled : this we consider of great value. In
rich soils there is too much danger of having more
leaves than fruit. Since, however, the plan intro-
duced by the Gardeners* Monthly some years
ago of layering strawberry plants into small pots for
transplanting, August and September setting out of
new beds has become very popular with amateurs.

A good hint for growing cucumbers, squashes,
or similar plants, is to put old sawdust or rotten
wood about them. We have not seen it with
melons, but it would possibly suit them also, and
those who have never tried cucumbers on strong
bushy stakes like pea sticks will be surprised ta
note how they enjoy it, and tomatoes do better
trained to stout stakes than any other way.

Speaking of rotten wood reminds us that the
raspberry, gooseberry and currant also enjoy it,
the currant especially.

For leaf-producing vegetables, such as cabbage,
celery, lettuce, nothing suits like soap-suds, or the
draining of a barn yard. These hints are of course
for amateurs who love superior products. They are
scarcely applicable on a large scale.

COMMUNICATIONS.

PEACHES IN FLORIDA.
BY DR. J. C. NEAL.

Our section is peculiar as regards fruit. The
peach, apple, etc., from the North either do not
grow, or become demoralized in some way.
Northern peaches do not bloom till May, then
drop their fruit. The Spanish or native Southern
kinds bloom in February and mature during our
rainy season, in July and August. The recently
introduced Chinese crooked and flat varieties
bloom in January and mature in May but are li-
able to short crops from the frosts of January, and
February ist to 20th, besides, both are very small.

We have two native varieties that are of fine
size, color and flavor, but they bloom from Febru-
ary 1 5th to March loth, and ripen August ist to 1 5th,
both •' freestones." The Chinese Flat Peen-to is a

io8

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[April,

1886.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

109

;

cling. Now, a hybrid ripening in May, a Peen-to
—flat peach— freestone, or a "Crooked" cling
hybrid would be great acquisitions, as well as a
hybrid between the " Indian Blood cling " and the
Chinese varieties. During the last ten years I have
made many experiments, and planted many peach
seeds, but as yet to no purpose. I am led almost
to conclude that the peach is self-fertilized, neither
Protero-androus or gynous. I have not been able
to find any authority in botany who knows more
about hybridization than yourself, and with this
preface and excuse I will ask : How shall I de-
termine if the peach is Proterogynous or not— Pro-
terandrous ? What is your belief or knowledge
as to the class referred to of the peach ? Is there
any difference in the ripening of the pollen in
cling or freestone ? Given a cling mother — Chi-
nese Plat— and a freestone father — Crooked or
Amelia — which will the hybrid resemble ? Would
a blood freestone from native freestone and blood
cling, or from honey freestone and blood cling ?
Which would I better use as the female element ?
Is there any law governing ? Is there any treatise
on the subject ? Archer, Florida,

[Whether the pistils mature before the stamens
(proterogynous) or the stamens before the pistils
(proterandrous) is solely a matter of climate or
season, and is not a definite character of the plant
itself. This we think has been proved by the
writer of this in the " Proceedings of the Academy
of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia,** though we
<io not know that the fact has been recognized by
European botanists ; certainly by none who have
written about the fertilization of flowers. A stamen
is excited to growth by a few warm days, while it
takes a regularly warm " spell " to start the pistil.
This is the reason why we often fail in getting
crops of hickories, walnuts, filberts and other
things when there are a few warm days in winter.
The stamens mature long before the pistils push.
Hence, when they do there is no pollen to fertilize
them. In the usual seasons, they both push to-
gether, or the flowers may be proterogynous.

There is no rule for the influence of either par-
ent. The same plant to-day may show a large
proportion leaning toward the male parent. Seeds
■of the same cross next year may have opposite re-
sults.—Ed. G. M.]

PICKLING CORN.

BY MRS. J. S. R. THOMSON.

I notice editorial remark below notice of M. M.
Vilmorin's work, "The Vegetable Garden," about
the American treatment of Indian corn : "Possi-

bly they are so treated, but I have not so seen, and
it must be very local." I know of no section but
this ; but here it is one of our most prized and
used vegetables next to cucumbers and young
musk-melons (here called " Mangoes ") for ajax
pickling. We plant purposely pop-corn to obtain
perfect miniature ears, which, culled as soon as
grains are formed and before they begin to harden,
are toothsome indeed. Spartanburg, S, C,

ASTRINGENCY OF PEARS.
BY J. G. R. KALB.

My soil, or rather subsoil, is a very compact
yellow clay and of course the surface soil has
much of the clay in it. Some years before the
war I had the Glout Morceau pear on quince to
come into bearing. The first few years the fruit
showed considerable astringency. I think I found
a single well-developed specimen in the years I
let the trees stand, to be free enough of astringency
to make it barely palatable, and I am not at all
opposed to a little astringency.

I had to move or destroy those trees as they
proved to be in the way. But in the meantime I
had some standards coming on in what I thought
rather better ground, but the fruit on them proved
to be, if possible, more astringent than the former.
They soon, however, died of blight, and I have
none of it since and have left that variety out of
nursery and orchard. In both plats of ground
and at the same time of the Glout Morceau's ex-
istence and bearing I had the Louise Bonne under
the same circumstances of treatment, etc. For a
few years, say three or four at most, the Louise
Bonne was fairly free of astringency, but it then
became rough and astringent so as to be almost
worthless. On the standards they were rather
slow bearing and the roots got down I presume
in the clay ; at any rate there has been no real
fine flavor about them, though the fruit was larger
and prettier than on the dwarfs. I find the Duchess,
too, more coarse (and astringent at times) than I
see and taste them from other places.

This matter of astringency in pears I read in
Mr. A. J. Downing's book, while he was yet ahve,
and as it proved so suited to my experience I set
it down as one of the unerring facts, and have
tried so to teach others. LovettswilU, Va.

[This is an additional evidence in favor of Mr.
Downing's view, that clay or heavy soil favors as-
tringency. It is yet worth while discovering in
what way clay soil acts on inducing astringency. If
the Glout Morceau, Louise Bonne or other pears

known to have this defect, produce fruit in heavy
soil free from this annoyance, the fact would be
worth recording, as it is by exceptions that we
often learn to account for the rule. — Ed. G. M.]

COAL DUST AS MANURE.
BY WM. T. HARDING.

In the February number of the Monthly Mr.
J. A. Price, Scranton, Pa., says " he believes that
coal dust will make an excellent fertilizer.** And
so do I. General as the belief has previously
been that coal dust and coal ashes was worthless
rubbish, and of no possible good in the garden or
field where vegetables are cultivated, and would
be better hauled away to fill up an unsightly hole
somewhere or repair the roads with, seems at last
has been proved a common error.

Of course it was admitted that its mechanical ac-
tion only upon lieavy clayey soils might be as bene-
ficial as so much coarse river sand would be, yet it
was very doubtful if it possessed any other value.
And I confess that for many years I entertained a
similar opinion, and would have wiUingly allowed
anyone to have removed it as a nuisance glad to
get rid of. Although we may long remain mis-
taken about many matters, sooner or later •♦ time
discloses all things," and even the virtue of coal
dust and ashes has at last been discovered, and
through the pages of this magazine made known
to all good men.

Late experiments have proved to me that either
on light friable loam or sandy land, even as sandy
as much of New Jersey soil is, it is one of the best
fertilizers I ever used. Wherever it was freely ap-
plied, either in the vegetable or flower garden, its
beneficial effects were remarkable. Carrots, tur-
nips and parsnips seemed to delight in it ; while
peas, beans, salsify and beets appeared to glory
in it ; and for such like things as potatoes, onions
and tomatoes, why they, like " Pardoe's pig, grew
fat and big " among it. And, talk of the flowers,
that tasted it, oh, " such beauties they did grow,"
and did indeed "astonish the Browns" when
passing by. Mount Holly, N. J,

THRIP AND OTHER GRAPEVINE INSECTS.
BY MR. DUNCAN RHIND.

"Cultivator" (page 78) recommends the Mead-
ville correspondent to use sulphur fumes in doses
strong enough to kill thrip. If he does he will
surely come to grief, as others have done before
him. This pest cannot be dealt with like mildew

or red spider. Such mild doses as would be quite
effectual for the one would have little or no effect
on the other. It may be possible we are not con-
tending with thrip. I am inclined to believe we
have the winged variety of the phylloxera, and if
it should be so, we have yet to find out a success-
ful remedy. There are five or six cold or heated
graperies herein Torresdale —probably the largest
house in the country is on the old Harrison place,
two hundred and fifty feet long, double span — and
all have had considerable trouble with the thrip
so-called. Several had their crop of fruit ruined.
The foliage all fell off before the fruit was colored >
and of course the fruit was worthless, and I pre-
sume the vines are considerably crippled. I
have succeeded in ripening the wood and saving
the crop of those in my charge. The house is
less than a hundred feet long, but very high. I
was told it was full of thrip, and had prepared ac-
cordingly by removing all loose bark, giving the
vines and house a good scrubbing with whale oil
soap. Still, they soon appeared by the thousand,
but I kept them in check by hellebore, dissolved
in water, applied by the syringe. It will destroy
them till they get to the second moult, after which
it does not seem to have any effect. The applica-
tion of hellebore must be discontinued two or
three weeks before the fruit begins to color, so as
to have it all washed off by the syringing.

I also used tobacco smoke, but it does not kill
the full grown insect, probably not the smallest
either, even when applied strong enough to injure
the foliage, but it stupefies them so that they drop
down. Then I open doors and ventilators, and
turn on the hose, wash them from the lower limbs,
and rake them into the soil. One of my friends
says he takes the broom and brushes them to
death. However, syringing has to be discontinued
when the fruit begins to color. So must tobacco
smoke be seldom applied after this stage, as the
fruit will taste of it. Then what ?

My plan for this summer's campaign is some-
what different. I give it, hoping others will try it
who know of no better. Vines thoroughly
cleaned as before. When pruned, a dressing ap-
plied to prevent bleeding ; painted them with a
mixture of whale oil soap, sulphur, tobacco juice,
yellow clay, and soot to color ; add water enough
to make a thick paint. House painted both inside
and out. Also a quantity of manure dug into
borders. Inside borders to be covered with to-
bacco stems.

The vines are now covered with straw and mats
to keep them from the sun ; as they are thirty-five

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[April,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

Ill

years old, and stout in proportion, and cannot be j
bent down and covered with soil, which is by far |
the best way. Ventilators are opened every morn-
ing and closed at night.

I do not think A. H.'s wire cup and kerosene
has anything to commend it, as the thrip begins
on the lower leaves and works upwards ; often the
lower leaves are dry as tissue paper when the
vine is green at top. Where can I send speci-
mens of insects to be identified ? Torresdale, Pa.
[Prof. C. V. Riley. Department of Agriculture,
Washington, D. C, will always be glad to receive
any insect that may be sent to him.

In the use of sulphur it is dangerous to use the
word " fumes," as many persons will understand
this as meaning that the sulphur must be ignited
as we produce the " fumes " of tobacco. This
would destroy all plant life as well as the insects.
But the sulphur placed under hot sun, or on pipes
or fiaes, and so warmed to a degree less than ig-
nition, gives off a vapor that insects do not like,
without being injurious to vegetation.

It is well to remember that there are two classes
of insects which the gardener has to deal with ;
those which eat, and those which simply suck the
juices of plants. Poisons like hellebore, or Paris
green are of no use to the sucking class like the
green fly, as they bore through the tissue, suck
the juices and thus escape. Potato beetles, cater-
pillars and the like, that feed on the foliage, of
course eat the poison also. The sucking insects
are usually reached through their breathing ap-
paratus, and it is here that the vapor of sulphur,
or the fumes of tobacco prove useful aids to us.
But in the case of the thrip, which falls to the
ground as soon as it smells tobacco, these reme-
dies are of little account. Cleaning off the rough
bark, and washing as recommended by our cor-
respondent, is excellent, as destroying large num-
bers of eggs. — Ed. G. M.]

cents per bunch. A Wilmington, Del., hot-house
also furnishes ripe tomatoes, for which 80 cents
per pound is asked. Winter hot-house grapes, it
is said, are about gone, and the spring production
will not be here until May. City-grown mush-
rooms are also on sale at 75 cents per quart.

Remedy for Vine Mildew. — The Proceedmgs
of the Agricultural Society of Bouches on the
Rhine says that in cases of vine disease— mildew
we suppose — where sulphur was ineffectual the
following was quite effective : " He therefore
mixed five hundred grammes of sulphur sublimate
with two hundred and fifty grammes of burnt Ume,
and two hundred and fifty grammes of carbonate
of sulphur, applying the mixture as far as possible
to the under side of the leaf."

Winter Nelis Pear. — This variety does not
prove a profitable pear generally in California,
and some orchardists are grafting their trees with
Beurre Clairgeau.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Forced Fruits and Vegetables.— On the ist
of February a reporter of a Philadelphia paper
found strawberries, of the Sharpless variety, grown
in a Wilmington, Delaware, hot-house, bring $7
per quart. They are also received from New York
State. Ordinary-sized cucumbers, from the Con-
tinental Hotel farm, raised in hot-beds, sell for
75 cents each. For New Jersey hot-house peaches
of not unusual size, the sum of j^i.50 each is asked.
The sales of these are said to be slow. Continental
Hotel hot-house asparagus is also on sale at 50

Frost and Peach Trees. — "Juvenal" writes:
'« I have recently become a subscriber to the Gar-
deners' Monthly, and am much pleased with
the intelligent manner in which all questions are
discussed, sometimes in a light wholly different
from that which I have been accustomed to in
other periodicals. I am surprised that so many
views, the opposite of which I have held, so easily
carry conviction with them. But I must crave
pardon for asking more light on some things. At
least on one, the destruction of peach buds ; you
say it is not the absolute degree of cold as marked
by the thermometer that kills them. In this sec-
tion we have been taught that lo^ below zero is
the destruction point. It seems reasonable to me
that there should be a fixed degree for identical
phenomena. We say that water freezes at 32O.
But we would not say it sometimes freezes at 30P,
sometimes at 20O, — * according to circumstances '
— why then should there be any variation in the
degree at which a peach bud should be killed ?"

[It would take a long story to give our corres-
pondent the reply he ought to have. We can only
say the facts show that there is no definite point
of the thermometer at which a plant parts with
life. For instance, frost gets in the greenhouse.
The gardener shades the house and syringes
freely with water, and the plants recover. If he
had not done so they would have died from frost.
Again, in the moist atmosphere of England broad-

leaved evergreens will live through the winter at
a much lower temperature than in the eastern
part of the United States. Again, a potato or tur-
nip frozen in darkness will not rot as soon as one
frozen in light, and the evergreen or European
Ivy will endure a low temperature on the north
side of a wall, while it dies on the higher tempera-
ture of the south side.

In brief, we come to look chiefly to transpira-
tion and not to mere temperature for the losses in
vegetable life. We know that plants transpire
more freely in light than in darkness, in a bright
sunshiny day than in one that is cloudy. Tem-
perature of course influences transpiration, but we
see that there are other agencies that may aid or
obstruct temperature in its work.

Our correspondent in his illustration of water
always freezing at 32^ makes the same mistake
that even eminent teachers make, in looking on
vital action as a mere physical question. A log
of wood or a fence rail, alongside of a bed of yuc-
cas or other broad-leaved living plants, will
*' steam" profusely under a burst of sunshine on

a spring day. The log will feel warm. But there
will be no vapor seen from the leaves and they
will feel cool. But a lot of dead leaves will
" steam " as well as the piece of wood. Again, on
a hot summer day a dead log will feel quite warm,
a living trunk cool. We see from these and many
similar illustrations that physical laws as they re-
late to inanimate nature do not operate the same
way when dealing with things of life. To make
some distinction, we call the loss of moisture when
it is the effect of vital action, transpiration. We
call the mere physical abstraction of moisture,
I evaporation. In matter deprived of life only the
' latter operates ; in living things both evaporation
I and transpiration are at work. — Ed. G. M.]

Pickled Indian Corn. — •' Mrs. E. J. D.,"
Nicholasville, Ky., writes : " Hundreds of small
ears of Indian corn are given a 'vinegar bath*
each year in this region. The ears are pulled for
this purpose when about two or three inches long,
exclusive of the husk. If you are fond of pickles
I would advise you to try Indian corn this sum-
mer."

Forestry.

COMMUNICATIONS.

SOME TREE MEASUREMENTS.

BY S.

I have been much interested in the occasional
notes on tree growth, which you give in the month-
ly. And I send the following measurements to
show the growth of trees planted in rich soil and
in private grounds. The locality is on the farm of
Isaac G. Smock, near Holmdel, Monmouth County,
New Jersey. The trees stand among many others
at wide spaces apart about the residence and in
grass, as the grounds have not been ploughed in
a half century. I cannot give the exact age as
they were set out at intervals shortly after 1859.
None of them can be more than 32 years old ;
and some of them are not yet 30 years from the
seed. I think that 30 years would be the average
age. The trees selected for measurement were
the more thrifty, although not much larger than
others of the same species in the grounds. The
measurements were made 2 to 3 feet above the
ground ; and give the circumference of the trunk

at that height. The height is not given as it is
not extraordinary in consequence of their spread-
ing out in showy tops rather than in stretching up,
as in closely planted groves.

Maple, Acer rubrum 71 inches

Sut^ar Maple, Acer Saccharinum 41 "

American Elm, Ulmiis Americana 60 "

Tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera 63 "

Sweet Gum, Liquidambar styraciflua 46 "

Linden. Tilia Americana 43 "

Black Cherry, Prunus serotina 62 •*

Locust, Robinia pseudo-acacia 48 "

Kentucky Cotfee tree, Gymnocladus Canadensis . 43 "

Weeping Will w, Salix Babylonia 48 "

Deciduous Cypress, Taxodium distichum 60 "

American Larch, Larix Americana 42 "

Balsam Fir, Abies balsamea 58 *'

Albany, N. V,
[Our forestry readers will thank S. for these
valuable figures. We should be glad to have
others. American forestry, now passing from in-
fancy to vigorous youth, will take all such
pleasures as friends can give them. And we can
learn from this communication how necessary it is
to have numerous figures, in order to strike an
average as a practical guide. For instance, rapid
grower as the Red maple usually is, it is some-
thing remarkable to have it outstrip the willow.
Indeed, the willow is so far behind, that it leads

112

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[April.

i886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

to another thought of importance in forestry | atmosphere of the Atlantic States, and dried out
figures, namely, the importance of individual ' in winter when there were keen cutting winds
strength of the tree taken for comparison. All j much below the freezing point. Mr. Douglas
who have had experience in tree raising, know ' discovered that the Rocky Mountain form was
that there is constitutional character in individual able to endure the roughest eastern winter; and

trees that affects their growth. Indeed, some al-
ways remain nothing but dwarfs, and. when se-
lected by the nurseryman, furnish the •• Tom

though the tree is too short, and too slow to be of
much use for forestry purposes in comparison with
the western one, it was every way preferable

Thumbs," " Little Gems," and other mmiature I by the cultivator of ornamental trees. Botanists

pets of his cata-
logue. In some in-
stances, extraordi-
nary individuals
will appear, and
possibly here the
Red maple may
have been of extra
constitutional vig-
or, while the willow
was below.

Again, as trees are
often very nice in
in their gastronom-
ic tastes, an indi-
vidual will, once in
a while, find itself
in •* clover ;" while
another, if it had the
power of thought,
would envy the
swine husks that
gave a thankful
meal to the Prodi-
gal Son.

There are so many
of these side issues
in gathering facts
for a good chapter
on comparative tree
growth, that we
cannot have too
many figures. — Ed.
G. M.]

tUwtf

"*/ ^>^ ^^^i<^'^^

' t »^

\"^c''H\^

'iS^^'i

*-#■»

Uir*^:,^

^^^^'■:^^^

^<y-.m Vm.

': ^W

■^■i.i^i:

:\*W

V.i,>...'<'' i>

■..ill ,

Abies pun gens.

came to look on the
tree as somewhat
distinct, and it ob-
tained the name of
Abies Menziesii
Parryana in many
quarters, through
Dr. C. C. Parry
having been the
first to introduce
the seeds to lovers
of pretty trees.

Finally botanists
went further, re-
garded the tree as
distinct enough to
have a name of its
own, and Dr. Ene:-
elman made it
Abies pungens; the
pungent or sharp
spruce. The leaves
are very stiff and
sharp-pointed, and
the short bases of
the leaf-stalks on
the older branches
make one look
sharp enough when
handling it. The
name is, therefore,
appropriate, and
yet in some sense
unfortunate, as

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Abies pungens. — In the early explorations of
the western part of our continent, a pretty spruce
was discovered and named Abies Menziesii. Sub-
sequently a species was found in the Rocky
Mountains, supposed to be the same. Cultivators
found the trees of different values.

The Pacific form would not stand the dry

there is already a Pinus pungens, so named from
its very prickly large cone, and some botanists
see no great difference between a spruce and
a pine. Still, Abies pungens is now the name
of the Rocky Mountain Blue or White spruce.
Some plants are much more gray or blue than
others, and Dr. Regel of St. Petersburg is inclined
to make still another species out of the very blue
form.

Cultivators will, we suppose, continue to call
the plant, Rocky Mountain Blue spruce, whatever

113

conclusions botanists may finally conclude its sent, I have been investigating this more fully. I

scientific name ought to be.

We believe the finest specimens along the Atlan

have seen seeds, cones, twigs (with leaves there-
on) and wood of the simon pure genuine Pinus

tic sea-board are near Boston, and the Editor has ponderosa, and with all due respect to friend
seen some very superior ones on the grounds of Meehan and others, who have expressed their
Prof. Sargent, at Brookline. These are all from , opinions, I am now humoring myself that the
seed collected by Dr. C. C. Parry in i860, and by pine in question, is removed so distantly in form,
some mistake were labelled for some time A. habit and habitat from P. ponderosa as to be an
Engelmanni. There is one in a Germantown \ entirely different species. Now, don't you be
garden, presented by Prof. Sargent some years ago. j angry with me for setting my opinion up against
which is 10 feet high, and beautifully proportionate, yours, for I am not prepared to do that yet, and
The Boston plants are probably better than that, do not know as I will in the future, inasmuch as
But the best perhaps in cultivation is the one on you are the only person who comes anywhere
the grounds of Mr. Asa Whitney, Franklin Grove, j near agreeing with me ; for all others to whom I
IlHnois — the tree brought from the Rocky Moun- ' submitted it, have pronounced it P. ponderosa
tains. The exact height we have not at this j positively, and pure and simple. Even Robt.
writing, but it is near 25 feet high. The accom- ! Douglas pronounced it P. ponderosa, in the face
panying illustration we have made from a photo- of the fact (as I understand it) that he has grown

tograph sent to us by Mr. Whitney. When it be
comes better known, it will be as much sought for

in Eastern gardens as the Norway spruce or White | grounds or in nursery.

P. ponderosa largely from the seed, and perhaps
has them at the present growing either on his

pme. We place it among our arboricultural
chapters, because it is as yet chiefly known as a
forest tree by Colorado travellers.

QuERCUS Pannonica.— The Garden says of
this oak :

" This is truly a noble oak, with handsome in-

" It is many years since I have seen a specimen
of the Pinus mitis, or Yellow pine, as we called it
in the East, but so far as recollection serves me,
the tree in question reminds me more of Yellow
pine than it does of P. ponderosa.

"Sorry to trouble you with this matter, and should

cised leaves, and one of the quickest growing oaks not have done so, except for the fact that you
in cultivation. The wood is said to be very en- ! kindly furnished me with your opinion thereon,
durable and valuable. The timber has been used i , • •. r i 1 j , ,.^^ ,

in old mines in Hungary for centuries, and with- i ^"^ ^ "'^^ '" P"^^"^^ °^ knowledge under difficul-
out showing decay ; as compared with our own ^^^s, has to make use of all available resources."
oaks, its growth when young is as two to one. [The pine is not Pinus mitis. We have to con-
There is also a good specimen in the Edinburgh ; fgss that the long sheaths at the base of the
Botanic Gardens. It is also known as Q. conferta.** N ,„ 11^^ ^r i^^„^^ .1^ „ j j n j

-,, , V . A J ^ J , bundles of leaves, the small cones and deflexed

We have seen th.s m Amenca, and find also ^^.^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ jj^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^

Iw'wVrW ''^ ''°''"'^''" ^'""' '''^''' ^^"^ '°"g-'^^^«d Pi"e °f the South.

than like the Pacific form of Pinus ponderosa.
Planting New Forests.— At the meeting of^ But we decided in favor of its being P. scopu-
the New York Horticultural Society, Mr. Barry lorum, principally because this very question of
took sides against so much public effort to preserve the relation of the Long-leaved pine to the Rocky
the old forests and said : " I believe with Mr. | Mountain plant, has been examined by Engel-
Meehan of the Gardeners* Monthly, that the | mann and other competent botanists, and pro-
right thing to do for both State societies and indi- nounced against. It would hardly be conceded by
viduals is to encourage planting. We have in them, that Pinus tseda could be found so far North,
our own State thousands of acres that might be But on the other hand we have to admit, that
profitably planted with timber trees, and every | the character, on which many species of pines are
farmer having such land will do well to plant a made are so slight, that in other genera botanists

few hundred or thousand trees every year."

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

The Long Leaved Pine of Nebraska. —
Mr. S. B. Higgins, Gordon, Nebraska, writes :
*' Since writing you at the time specimens were

themselves would hardly admit them to be of
sufficient importance to found a species on.

In this case, if the specimen had been sent to
us— a cone and branch merely as these were —
from the South instead of Western Nebraska, we
should have considered it a form of Pinus taeda. —
Ed. G. M.]

114

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[April,

Natural History and Science.

COMMUNICATIONS.

ZEPHYRANTHES.

BY H. NEHRLING.

Making the collecting of Amaryllidaceae a
specialty, I obtained also a few yellow flowering
species of Zephyranthes. Of this genus I have
the following species ;

Zephyranthes Atamasco and Z, Treaties. —
Both natives of the south-eastern portion of our
country. There is, however, no great difference
between these two species.

Z. Candida. — From Buenos Ayres. Very beau-
tiful white, similar to a white Crocus. Leaves are
thick, somewhat rounded, dark green. Blooms
the whole summer,

Z. tubispatha.—Yxom Mexico. White, large

flowers.

Z. r^j^^.— Native of the West Indies. Flowers
rosy red ; all the summer.

Z. carinata.—'EiOwXSx America. Beautiful white
and red. Larger flowers than the other species.

Z. ochroteuca.—Be2iUi\{[i\ orange colored spe-
cies.

Z. su/phurea.— Sulphur yellow flowers. Very

beautiful. There are others which I could not yet
obtain, such as Z. verecunda and Z. mesochloa.

Z. citrina^'xs another yellow species. I find |
the following description in " Botanical Magazine,
6605 :" "Bulb globose. Leaves, three or four ; '
developed in autumn simultaneously with the ,
flower ; narrow linear, bright green, about a foot
long. Scape ancipitous, 4 or $ inches long,
green, tinged with red-brown towards the base.
Spathe short, tubular. Pedicel under an inch
long. Ovary oblong, trigonous, green ; perianth :
with a funnel-shaped tube above the ovary, a \
third or half an inch long, and a bright yellow
limb an inch and a half long of six oblong sub-
acute conniventsegments under half an inch broad.
Stamens, same color as the perianth limb ; fila-
ments under an inch long, erect and equal ; an-
thers linear, half an inch long, their tips falling
considerably short of the tips of the perianth-seg-
ments. Style about an inch long, with a stigma
of three rounded lobes."

There seems to be much confusion among the
species of this genus. It would be a very good

work for Mr. Baker, of the Kew Gardens, London,
or any other botanist making the study of bulbous
plants a specialty, to give us a monograph of the
family Amaryllidaceae. Freistatt, Mo.

THE BAG-WORM, AND THE ELM-LEAF

BEETLE.

BY PROF. S. S. RATHVON.

I notice on page 7 in the January number of
the Gardener's Monthly, that some of your cor-
respondents still indulge in chronic complaints
about the two noxious insects I have named above,
and of course, they complain because they are
afflicted. Now this ought not to be, especially so
far as the matter relates to the insect first named —
the "Bag -worm." In the whole catalogue of nox-
ious insects I do not know of one that is more ac-
cessible, more conspicuous or easier managed than
the one just named. It does not make the least
attempt to escape, and could not if it would. At
the least interruption it immediately withdraws it-
self within its case, and unresistingly submits itself
to whatever fate may be impending ; and, if it es-
capes final detection, it must be from a want of
human vigilance ; and my main object in writing
this, is, to admonish all sufferers from the defolia-
tions of the Bag-worm, or whatever other name it
may be known by, that now is the proper time to
destroy it — now — when all trees except evergreens
are leafless, and these enemies in embryo, enscon-
ced in their spindle-shaped follicle, are so conspic-
uously dangling from their branches. As you
intimate in your reply the war against marauders
should be general and simultaneous. It is true
that on the Arbor Vitae they are not so visible as
they are on trees or shrubbery that shed their
leaves; but, if the matter is attended to from now
on to the middle of April, or even the first of May,
a united and vigilant effort must succeed. The
leaves of evergreens which form the outer cloth-
ing of their follicles become discolored as spring
approaches, and these faded masses are in positive
contrast with the living green of the trees, point-
ing out just where these stealthy enemies are lo-
cated. Although the larger number of these folli-
cles are the deserted habitaculi of the males of
last season, yet not one of them should be allowed
to remain. The pupa-shell of the female remains

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

115

in the case all winter, and this shell is filled from
top to bottom with eggs — 300 to 500 in number —
nicely packed in short silky fibers that she
rubbed from the hind end of her body in the pro-

sylviculturists and horticulturists "stick a
there."

Although these insects seem to have a prefer-
ence for the Arbor Vitae— at least in some localities

cessofoviposition; and no amount of cold can | —yet I have found them much more destructive
affect them, nor can the least moisture reach them, to a few other trees, especially the linden and the

or any bird dislodge them.

silver maple. It would be hard to say what tree

It is easily seen then, that if a single follicle, so they do not attack, except perhaps the peach,
charged with eggs, is overiooked, enough of the But in addition to the various species of conifera,
worms will be evolved to inoculate a very large ; I have observed them in great abundance 011
tree, or a pretty long Arbor Vit« hedge. True, locust, linden, maple, cherry, plum, apricot and ap-
they are subject to adroit insect parasites— several pie ; also on the roses, quinces, lilacs, walnuts, chest-
species of them— and no doubt many are destroyed ^ nuts, oaks and others. I think the largest number
from this cause ; still, they are so completely pro- i I ever saw together in one place, was in a small
tected, that they are better able to elude the attacks locust grove in York county, about forty years
of their parasitic enemies, than the naked cater- 1 ago.

pillars which have no protection. \ My attention was called to them here in Lancas-

On one or two occasions I have observed the ter. in the summer of 1849, by a gentleman who
exclusion of the young bag-worms from the eggs, had a fine apricot tree, the leaves of which be-
and it was to me an interesting sight. On one of ' came as crisp as if they had been scorched, about
these occasions the metamorphosis took place in the end of August, for several seasons, every year
my sanctum. I had two folHcles hanging on a , becoming worse, and he could not divine the
nail in the wall all winter, one of which was that j cause. I called his attention to the fact that those
of a female. The room was kept warm, and of j shriveled bunches of leaves were on the move
course, the evolution was premature, occurring in ' from one twig to another in search of fresh pas-
April. The young emerged from the mouth, or ture. After he knew the cause, it was not long
lower and open end of the bag, one or two at a before he gathered and made a general roast of
time, each one spinning his own silken cord. They them, after which his trees fully recuperated again.
were very Hvely, " paying " out the cord with great : I know no efl"ectual remedy but hand-picking,
alacrity. Wherever, or upon whatever they hap- and with a pair of garden shears attached to a-
pened to alight, there they soon began to construct ^ long pole, and worked with a cord, a pretty large
their habitaculi. Some of them alighted on the tree can be entirely cleaned.

wall and these constructed their small cone-shaped It is rather to be regretted that this insect has
houses out of scales of whitewash ; some fell upon \ been endowed with such a long scientific name„
the leather coverofa book, and these appropriated Thyridopteryx ephemasriformis, but that cannot
small scales of leather, whilst others fell to the now be helped. I devoted three or four seasons
floor, and for the same purpose appropriated small I to its special history, and followed it in all its^
scales of a rush carpet that covered the floor. These | transformations from the Qgg to larva, pupa, imago
juvenile follicles are not spindle-shaped, but cone- and to the egg again ; and in 1854, under the name
shaped and stand erect ; it is only after the inmates of Oiketicus Pennsylvanicus, I published my paper
become eight or ten days old that they become \ in the Pennsylvania Farm Journal, then pub-
pendant. On the 26th of May I hung a single \ lished at West Chester, Pennsylvania, but I was
folhcle on a quince tree, and on the same day , too late. My name was superseded by Dr. Harris,
they came tumbling out in rapid succession, to the who named it Oiketicus coniferum. from specimens
numberof one hundred or more, when I destroyed sent to him from Virginia, although I believe he
the remainder by throwing them into the fire ; in had never bred it; but, it appears that Dr. H.
less than half a day none could be discovered ; subsequently referred it to Stephens* genus. Thy-
butonthebranches.andundersidesoftheleaves.'ridopteryx. and changed the specific name, as

their little erect cones projected hke so many above.

small spurs, and if I had not known that they
were there, I probably would have overlooked

It has an interesting and remarkable history, but
I have neither time nor space to repeat it here.

them altogether. It, therefore, is important that I think I must have known it half a dozen years

the follicles should be destroyed before the young before I saw it on a coniferous tree.

reach that period of their development. Let Lancaster. Feb. i6th, 1886.

ii6

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[April,

VEGETABLE MILK.

BY REV. L. J. TEMHUN.

Every one is acquainted witli certain plants
that secrete a milky fluid in peculiar ducts known
as " milk ducts." The lettuce, silk-weed and su-
mach may be mentioned as well-known illustra-
tions In tropical countries there are numerous
trees that secrete a milky substance, which, how-
ever differs very widely in its properties in the
different species o» trees that produce it. From
some kinds the milky juice is bitter, nauseous and
poisonous ; but in others it is very pleasant and
aereeable to the taste, and very nutritious as an
article of diet. Among this class is found the
Cow Tree. This tree flourishes in Central and
South America. It is known by the name, Palo
de Vaca, to the inhabitants, but to botanists it is
Brosimum galactodendron. and is a member of
the fig family. This tree is said to grow on the
surface of the rocks, sending its roots downwards
with great difficulty. Its leaves are rather thick
and fibrous, having a dry bark-like appearance.
For many months of the year no showers fall upon
it and its branches look dead and withered. But
when the bark is pierced there is a copious flow
of sweet, nourishing milk. This is used exten-
sively by the natives as a drink diet, and it is said
they become visibly fatter during the season of
its most copious flow. The flow of the liquid is
most abundant at sunrise, at which time the na-
tives flock to the forests of cow trees, carrying
their pitchers to receive the supply of milk. Some j
drink it on the spot, while others carry it away to

their homes.

When left standing in the open air. a thin, tough
skin is formed on the surface, and as this is taken
off it continues to form for a considerable time.
This maybe kept and used as a cheese, for a week
or more. When placed over a fire a scum of
cream forms on the surface, which if removed
and the heat is kept up steadily, the milk gradu-
ally thickens to a paste ; then oily rings form on
the surface, similar to those that are seen on
cream that has been for some time over the tire.
Finally this fat portion envelops the whole mass,
which then exhales an odor precisely similar to
that from roast beef. Boussingault visited the
region where this tree is found and gives the fol-
lowing account of the results of a careful examina-
tion of the milk. In order that its resemblance to
cow's milk may be the more readily understood,
he gives a comparison ot the milk of the cow tree
with the cow's cream. He finds the vegetable
milk to contain : " ist, a fatty substance resem-

bling wax, fusible at 50O C. which represents the
butter of natural milk. 2d. a nitrogemzed sub-
stance very much analogous to cheese. 3d, sac-
charine substances. 4*. salts of potassium, sodium
and magnesium, together with phosphates." The
following gives his comparison of the ammal and
vegetable products :

Cow Tree Milk. Oow's Cream. ^ ^

Caserne, albumen. 1.7 ^^^J^V- '^"" ^ ,/. 58.2

Mineral, etc., matter ... 2.3 VVatei

Water 58.0 1

When the milk of the cow tree is kept in a closed
vessel for two months it separates into two parts;
one. a light yellow liquid with a slightly sour odor ;
the other, a solid, white and insipid, and that is in-
soluble in either water or alcohol. This is the
fat or wax found so abundantly in the milk. This
substance burns with a brilliant green flame. This
tree is found in Brazil, where it is sometimes called
Galactodendron duke, under the mistaken idea
; that it is a different tree from the one described
above. Another. G. clusia. found in that country,

furnishes a milk quite agreeable to the taste, but
! it is quite inferior to that already named, as it is
; difficult to purify it. and instead of wax it con-
I tains an unpleasant resinous substance. Other

trees furnish milk that is poisonous ; but of these

1 do not propose to speak at present.

Canon City, CoL

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Hawks and Owls.— The Pennsylvania legis-
tature. which a few years ago enacted that forestry
should be encouraged by allowing a man not to
pay for the repairs to the highways, provided he
would plant a few trees along the roadside fence,
has again distinguished itself by enacting that
counties shall pay fifty cents for every owl or
hawk destroyed. Since that act was passed, one
year ago (June. 1885). Chester county has had to
pay for ninety hawks and twelve owls, $75- The
Chester county people are protesting against the
stupid slaughter. Prof. Merriam, the ornithologist
of the United States Department of Agriculture,
expresses himself freely about the absurdity of this

law.

»The possibility of the passage of such an act
bv any legislative body, is a melancholy com-
ment on the wide-spread ignorance that prevails
even among intelligent persons, concerning the
food of our common birds and mammals, and is
an evidence of the urgent need of just such sys-
tematic and comprehensive investigations as this

1886.]

AND HORriCULTURIST.

117

department is now making on the subject of the
relation of food habits to agriculture.

" Of hawks and owls collectively, it may safely
be said that, except in rare instances, the loss they
occasion by the destruction of poultry, is insignifi-
cant in comparison with the benefits derived by
the farmer and fruit grower from their constant .

vigilance; for when unmolested, the one guards ; ^s true enough to appear yet; ai
his crop by day and the other by night." | that one may "live and learn;" for if written in

As to the real food of hawks, Mr. B. Harry I these latter times, the position that hybrids are not

necessarily sterile would be much more strongly
stated :

law. for the figures show the numbers slaughtered
in the interests of science have been large.

Origin of Varieties. — We recently came
across the following piece of manuscript written
many years ago by the Editor and misplaced. It

and it also shows

Warren, of West Chester, made the following re-
port in 1883 to the Pennsylvania State Board of
Agriculture:

''The Red-tailed Hawk [B\i\.to borealis).— My
examination of one hundred and two birds of this

" It is well known that in a wild state the com-
mon blackberry varies so much, that no two
botanists can agree as to what is a species. Some
species, revealed in eighty-one chiefly mice and make hundred, while others but a very few, and
small quadrupeds, also some few small birds ; nine, 1 class the species of the other botanists as simply

varieties of species. There has seemed to be no
way out of this trouble, as all parties assume that
there ought to be definite species somewhere.

"A Dr. Fochts in Germany, has, however, made
some discoveries, which he thinks will solve the
question. He has examined a great number of
these forms, and finds in many of them that the
anthers are entirely destitute of pollen. This is a

chickens ; three, quail ; two, rabbits ; one, ham
skin ; one, a part of a skunk ; one, a red squirrel ;
one, a gray squirrel ; three, snakes.

*• The Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus).
— Of thirty-six examinations which I have made of
this species, twenty-three showed mice and small
quadrupeds, grasshoppers and coleopterous in-
sects ; nine revealed frogs and some few insects ;
in two, snakes and portions of frogs were
present ; and from the remaining two small birds.

particles of hair and a few orthopterous insects 1 very interesting fact. Then he infers from this
were taken. ^ ! ^\^^<^ t^gy ^re hybrids ; but this may not be a fact.

*' Broad- IVin^ed Hawk iBui^oVQnnsyXw 2imc\is. ., . ^ u ^\^ c u- •« i? .-^r.^ f^ 0^^^;]..,^^

T , , ^- • ju ir r It IS too much the fashion in Lurope to attribute

— In twelve specimens examined by myself, four re- ^- '^ "-^^ " "^ ^ ^ ^ ^^ x^ u a

vealedmice; three, small birds ; four, frogs ; one. sterility to hybridization. Undoubtedly hybrids
killed the 22d of May this present year, 1882, was j are often mules; but not always— not any way
gorged with cray-fish, with which were traces of ^^ar always.

coleopterous insects. • n Th. I " This theory of Dr. Foch, 's assumes that there

** The Sparrow Hawk [Y2i\co'::^i^:irvtr\us). — The 1 ^ j u u u

stomach contents of twenty-nme of this species, , were originally a few species, and that they have
which I have dissected, showed in fifteen, princi- hybridized together naturally, and hence the var-
pally mice, with frequent traces of various insects ; jeties. The sterile anthers afforded the only proof,
six. grasshoppers; two coleoptera and grass- ^^^^^^ ^^^^ does not prove it is clear from the
hoppers; two. meadow larks; four, small birds — . ^ ,^ ,, • ^ir j •

sparrows. i observations of Dr. Horatio Wood given m our

•• G7f7/^r'j //iZ7£//^(AccipiterCooperi).— Of twen- ' journal two years ago. He discovered that the
ty-seven birds which I have examined, fourteen anthers in Dr. Houghton's Pear blossoms had no
showed the food taken to have been chickens ; ^^^ j^ advance of Fochu's discoveries. Wliat-
five revealed small birds— sparrows and warblers *^ , j .u- •. • i ♦u^f \* .r^^

-Dendroeca -two, quail ; one. bull-frogs ; three, ever may have caused this it is clear that it was
mice and insects; two, hair and other remains of not hybridization; for the Pear, Pyrus communis,

small quadrupeds.

'* Sharp -Shinned Hawk (Accipiter fuscus).— I
have dissected fifteen of these falcons. Six of
this number showed small birds; three, quail;
one, mice ; four, remains of young chickens ; one,
grasshoppers and beetles.

will not hybridize with other species of Pyrus so
far as known."

Geographical Range of American Grapes.
—Mr. T. V. Munson tells the Wine Grower \.\\:ii\
The'-Rough4egged Falcon (Archibuteo lago-l "A number of the faculty of the Geological
pus, Sancti-jfhannts).-Nine birds all showed I Survey of Canada have very kinm^^^

^ „r_-j._-^i \..l\..^\.. a^\A ^\r^^ determining the Northward distribution ot vitis

in America, and some doubtful points I settled for
them. One was, that they had classified certain
long-leaved forms of V. Riparia as Cordifolia,
and others with broader, more shouldered leaves,
as V. Cordifolia, and had put the limits of Cordi-
folia almost identical with V. Riparia. but their
specimens sent me showed they had nothing

their food to be exclusively field mice.

''The Marsh Hawk[C\rc\xs cyaneus Hudsonius).
Of eleven birds examined, five revealed mice ;
two, small birds— Dendroeca— three, frogs ; one, a
large number of grasshoppers, with a small quan-
tity of hair, evidently that of a young rabbit."

It is evident that it is no "sickly sentiment"
that induces the protest against the Pennsylvania

North of the Western Peninsula of Ontario but V.

ii8

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[April,

Rioaria and that it extends from Nova Scotia, in leaves and stems. When highly "^^p^^,^^, ^Jj^^^
hsS Northern range. Westward across the St. spots are found to be mm.aturejorests of^slender

Lawrence, up the Ottawa River, along the North
ern borders of Lakes George, Huron, and Su

stems growing up out of the surface of the leaves
and stems of the potato. These tiny stems com-

^Tno^o southern^ pin of Like Winnipeg, thence Znly branch and"swdi out at the ends into ellip-

so far are reported in British Columbia, though so
much milder than Manitoba and Canada East,
especially near the Pacific and on Vancouver's
Island."

The Editor of the Gardeners' Monthly in his
collections on the Pacific Coast, collected no
specimens North of the upper regions of the
Merced River, though no doubt it exists much
further North. We should be glad to have notes
from readers in Oregon and Washington Terri-
tories, as to localities where the wild grape grows
—or even British Columbia, if it really has been
found there.

Utilizing the Earth's Heat.— Natural gas
has been utilized, and there seems some chance
to heat our greenhouses by natural heat. It is
now tolerably certain that instead of fifty miles,
the molten portion of the earth may be reached at
ten. At Pesch in Hungary, a bore 951 meters,
finds the water 16 1^. In some of our Colorado
mines taken horizontally into the mountain sides,
the heat is so unbearable that men can scarcely
work.

A Hybrid Palm.— A hybrid between two dis-
tinct genera is figured in the November number of
I^evug Horticole. It was obtained by Mr. Denis, of
Hyeres, between the common Date palm. Phoenix
dactyhfera, and Chamaerops humihs. Mr. Naudin
gives it to neither genus, but makes it a new one
— Microphcenix Sahuti. The hybrid is fertile.

Burning Fungus Spores.— Referring to the po-
tato disease, an admirable treatise before us says:

" From what has been said it follows that the
parasite may often live over winter in the tops or
decaying tubers left in the fields after harvest.
Prudence would, therefore, dictate the complete
removal and destruction of such refuse. It should
be buried or burned."

There should be no objection to this. It is cer-
tainly no harm to burn fungus spores. But we
are incUned to think the recommendation prevents
students from looking into the cause of disease
from fungus operations. All that we may burn
on a whole crop of potato stems will be but as a
drop in the bucket, as compared with those that
escape the burning. As the same good treatise
says, speaking of the first appearance of the pota-
to disease :

"A critical inspection of the diseased tops shows
numerous small white spots scattered over the

These little spores are produced by milhons ana
are so small that a million could easily he side by
side on a square inch without crowdmg. When
ripe they separate from the stem by a jomt and
fall."

Such tiny organisms scarcely "fall," but are
borne away everywhere on atmospheric currents.
From their immense number we may regard
them as almost omnipresent when they once get
a foothold in any locality, and the burning of a
few million of no account whatever. Yet the di-
sease, virulent in one season, will often not ap-
pear the next or perhaps for many successive
years. Why ? Not because the spores have been
destroyed, but because the conditions for their
germination have been unfavorable. We may
never hope to *' stamp out " these plagues, but we
may hope to learn something about the favorable
conditions, and then perhaps control them.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Ginseng.— "Mrs. E. J. D." writes from Nicho-
lasville, Ky.. that this plant is still found in good
quantity in the mountains of that part of Ken-
tucky.

Mrs. J. S. R. Thomson, Spartanburg, S. C,
writes : " If ' H. H.,' Wilmington, Del., will send
me his address, I can supply his wants. Here the
herb is used extensively, not only by the ' cracker*
population, but by the better and more intelligent
class, as a tonic, whose medicinal properties are
considered very valuable."

Potato Rot.— Prof. Erwin F. Smith, Ann Ar-
bor, Mich., desires to know "Whether the potato
rot was present in Pennsylvania last year, and if
so, to what extent— part of the State in which
present ? and per cent, of crop destroyed by it ?
I am trying to get an idea of the extent of the
disease. Did you hear of it in any part of the

South ? "

[We did not hear of the potato rot any where
in the Atlantic States last year. If any know that
it existed, we should be glad to know.— Ed. G. M.]

Host of Mistletoe. — Mrs. Thomson notes,
that in Upper South Carohna, "I found it in great-
est abundance on our Swamp or Water oak. 2d,
on Persimmon. 3d, on White locust, (wild acacia)
and 4th, on White or Post oak."

1886.]

AN D HORTICULTURIST.

119

The Winter in South Carolina.— A lady Hance, who originally named the species, gives
writing from Spartanburg, South Carolina, notes China and not Japan, as its native country,
that the thermometer fell during the great storm, Mistletoe.— " Mrs. E. J. D.," reports that at
iqO below zero. ! Nicholasville, Kentucky, the walnut and the locust

Primula obconica.— " A. G.," referring to the trees, seem the chief favorites of the mistletoe,
paper by Mr. OUver, in our last, notes, that , We shall be glad to hear from other localities.

Literature, Travels and Personal Notes,

COMMUNICATIONS.

GESNERACEOUS BEAUTY.
BY WILLIAM T. HARDING.

The philosophic Bacon remarks: "God Al-
mighty first planted a garden, and indeed it is the
purest of human pleasures. It is the greatest re-
freshment to the spirits of man, without which
buildings and palaces are but gross handyworks."
The logical, and well-chosen language of so
profound a thinker, cannot fail to carry conviction
to the mind capable of comprehending the sage.
And many of his wise maxims are obviously as ap-
plicable to us, in our time, as they must have been
to the men of his generation. Admitting that our
ancestors were in some respects, less refined than
ourselves, yet there were notable instances of a
cultivated taste exhibited among individuals, in
times past, which if more closely imitated, or
adopted, would be no disparagement to us now.
And as regards the pure and genuine pleasures of
horticulture, in whatever age it was fostered, we
may reasonably suppose, it proved equally as
gratifying to those who could appreciate the an-
cient calling, in the days of yore, as it is enjoyable
to us in the nineteenth century. That they did
the best they could with what they had, and felt
as proud of their meagre collections of fruit and
flowers, as was possible under the circumstances,
is clearly evident, from what we are able to learn
about them. But of the lovely flowers I am about
to discuss, our forefathers knew nothing of before
1793. as the first representative, Gesnera acaulis,
from Jamaica, was not to be seen under cultivation
previous to that period; consequently, they did
not miss. them, as we should, were it possible they
should from hence disappear. And a well-known
author, in expressing her gratitude for the many
good things our Creator bestows, says : " Of all

the beautiful soul-stirring gifts God has created,
surely nothing can excel that of flowers. They
come like God's own words to tell us of hopes and
peace, and happiness, to draw our thoughts and de-
sires to ' the Better Land.' " And, with such happy
assurances as these, it seems but natural we
should love them as we ought. " So mote it be."
It is generally admitted by all recognized judges
of floral beauty, that the interesting members
which compose the charming family of flowering
plants, embraced in the natural order, Gesneracdfa,
are eminently worthy of all possible admiration.
Justly entitled as are the whole of this good-looking
group to our highest encomiums, my pleasant
task shall be to briefly describe their winsome
ways, as I remember them. And in so doing, I
propose to leave the beaten paths, along which
wiser, though possibly not happier ones, have pre-
viously passed over, and which usually led to the
greenhouse, hot-house or conservatory, where such
dainty and beautiful things are mostly found.

That within glass structures for many years,
they have often made glad the heart of man, and
never failed to give him a cheerful countenance
when yielding to their charms, is a fact, nobody
can deny. But for the present, I propose, if the
gentle readers will venture to follow, to lead them
out into the pleasure garden, among the trees and
shrubs, •' where harmless robin dwells with gentle
thrush," where the grass is smooth and green, and
from which spring the gay parterres, and there
show what excellent uses they may be put to in
decorating the grounds during the summer season.
If some suitable, picturesque part of the lawn
is chosen, where they can be nicely bedded out
in cosy spots, not much exposed to the sun, both
Achimenes, Tydeas, Gesneras and Gloxinias will
there bloom profusely, and thus make one of the
grandest shows imaginable.

I20

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[April

1886. 1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

121

Of the first-named genera, A. Eclipse, A. longi-
flora, A. longiflora alba, A. Williamsii, A. Pink
Perfection, A. rosea elegans, A. Parsonii, A. Am-
broise Verschafifelt, A. Gorgeana discolor, A.
Aurora; any, or all of the ten selected kinds, will
prove exceedingly effective when blooming.

Of the same kindred are the brilliant and free-
flowering Tydaeas, whose striking resemblance of
features, makes manifest the fact that they are
near kith and kin to the former, and, like ihem,
are extremely attractive. They are as conspicuous
in the beds, as they are remarkable for the won-
derful profusion of handsome flowers they produce
and carry through the season. In fact, they never
cease from blooming, after they once begin, until
unpropitious weather finally stops them.

And ten excellent kinds will be found as follows :
T. venosa, T. Alexandre, T. Bellona, T. tricolor,
T. Minerva, T. Ophir, T. Cynthia, T. Adonis, T.
Zenophon and T. Etna.

In close relationship to the two genera men-
tioned, are the rich, velvety foliaged Gesneras.
This truly magnificent group is fully equal in flori-
ferous beauty to any branch of the family under
notice. A selection of ten choice varieties is
herewith given, viz.: G. Duvalii, G. refulgens, G.
oblongata, G. densiflora, G. Exoniensis, G. Don-
kelaari, G. violacea, G. macrantha, G. nigrescens, |
G. Cooperii. In connection with these are several j
novelties of hybrid Gesneras, crosses between
Achimenes and Gesnera, and which are said to
be, if possible, more beautiful than the parents
from which they sprung, admirably combining as
they do the pretty features of their illustrious pro-
genitors.

Passing other interesting curios which claim
kindred with this highly ornamental race, such for
instance as the splendid semi-double Gesnera, or
the pretty little Eucadonias, through whose veins
course and commingle the life sap of Tydaea and
Gloxinea ; and the very attractive progeny result-
ing from such a distinguished alliance is consid-
ered extremely elegant.

There seems to be a natural affinity, in this
same natural order, for one genus to hybridize
with other susceptible ones, and when thus united
are apt to produce novel forms of progeny ; the
latest of which is described in the August number
of Monthly for 1885. It is there stated that "a
hybrid between Gesnera Donkelaari and one of
the common greenhouse Gloxineas has recently
appeared, and is to be known as Gloxinea ges-
neroides."

Speaking of the satisfactory results, in a flori-

cultural sense, I can well imagine how the unique
offspring of two such renowned beauties, as the
pretty cousins' Donkelaari so successfully joined
together, "must all the world delight," in some
measure or degree, with their superlative charms.
When the "Illustrious Stranger" arrives on this
side of the sea, like the rest of its handsome pre-
decessors, I can vouch for its being warmly wel-
comed among us. And after making a favorable
debut under glass I doubt not but what it will
eventually be found flourishing side by side to-
gether with its much admired congeners in beds
and borders about the lawn.

To succeed in producing the superb display I
am attempting to picture — out in the garden — re-
quires more patient attention, probably, than hor-
ticultural skill, and is thus simply brought about :
To begin with, procure from any reliable nursery-
man or florist who deals in such delightful things :
either the plants already grown, when time to
plant out, or the dormant roots of the species men-
tioned, or of other kinds* if they can not be had,
early in April, when they may be started to grow.
Plant them in well drained pots or pans, in a com-
post of thoroughly decayed leaf mould, light sandy
loam, and good peat, of about equal parts. Put
about six or seven roots into a 5-inch pot, and as
many as are required to furnish the beds, and
cover with soil about half an inch deep, water,
I and set them on a mild hot-bed, where, if kept
warm and moist, they will soon begin to grow.
I When the plants are an inch or so high remove
I them to where they will have more light and air.
And while thus encouraging them to grow they
will soon get strong and hardy enough to plant
out in the prepared beds or borders from about
the middle to the end of May.

The Gloxineas may be started into growth early
in March, with a single root placed in the centre
of each pot, and, according to the size of the root
or tuber, must the pot be in which it is placed to
grow, big or little, as the case may be. If placed
in a gentle heat under glass they will make nice
stocky plants in time to put out with the other
things ; when of course they must be cleanly and
carefully removed from the pots and properly ar-
ranged in the beds. And the same kind of soil
recommended to start them in, with the addition
of one part of old rotten cow-dung well incorpora-
ted together, will suit their somewhat fastidious
tastes, and make them grow vigorous and beauti-
ful.

Supposing the plain hints or instructions here-
with given are thus far carried out, choose some

mild day for the operation of transplanting, and from side to side, and planting some suitable
as the contents of each pot is deftly turned out ; climbing plants to be trained over it. Mahernias,
into its proper place, put under the leaves of each j Sollyas, Maurandias, Manettias, Eccremocarpus,
plant a thin layer of nice green wood moss, or I Myrsphyllum, Ipomoea quamoclit, Solanum jas-
sphagnum, from the swamps, which will not only | minoides, Tropaeolum tricolorum, T. Jarratii, or T.
serve as a mulching for them during the hot sum- \ peregrinum ; any of which will make an appro-
mer months, but will also keep their handsome priate draping for the basket handle. Thalictrum
hirsute foliage and flowers clean when watering adiantoides, Linum grandiflora coccinea. Sweet
or raining. Alyssum, A. Benthami-compacta. or A. Little

The cosy and comfortable appearance the fresh, j Giant, Anagallis grandiflora, Mimulus moschatus,
mossy green counterpanes give to the beds, over j or Oxalis rosea, make excellent substitutes for
which they are smoothly spread, is both neat and ; ferns and lobelias, and will give a pleasing variety
becoming. To visit them in the morning, and see \ of small growing plants, which present a most
them in all the fullness of their exquisite beauty, agreeable contrast to the larger leaved Gloxineas.
ere Sol dissolves the bright diamonds and pearls. Entertaining as the writer does the greatest ad-

which glitter and sparkle on their handsome foli-
age and superb flowers, is indeed a pleasing sight,
well worth rising early from bed to view ; especi

miration possible for all the favorites herein men-
tioned, the lovely sisterhood of Gloxineas, not-
withstanding the acknowledged charms of their

ally while the pretty feathered little choristers are , flowery kindred, bears the palm of beauty. And
sweetly chanting their matins to Aurora. And to invidiously single out their names, when all,
were these marvelously beautiful flower gems only without exception, in their various types of loveli-
capable of physical enjoyment, while so lovingly ! ness, merit equal praise, would seem unkind in
cared for, they would seem to be the happiest of me. Yet, however that may be, the sight of them
all things flowery in this our pleasant sublunary ' always reminds me of the vanished past, and in-
^orld. ' I their comely faces I seem to catch fleeting

Besides the plan suggested, there are other , glimpses of my youthful days "when we were first
pretty styles of tastefully making up beds of acquent." Mount Holly, N. J.

Gesnera, and Gloxinea in particular, as follows :
Having made a round, oval, or oblong bed, of
such a size as can be well filled with plants, com-
mence with, for a centre piece, a nice specimen
plant of Adiantum cuneatum, or A. concinnum

TREE AGENTS.
BY MRS. E. BONNER.

If, instead of saying " I should smile," I merely
raTu'm,and surround it with a row of Gloxineas. say I smiled when I read Rose Terry Cooke's
neatly mossed beneath their leaves; the moss to article in February No. of Gardeners' Monthly.
be laid on under each succeeding row until the I trust I shall not be accused of usmg slang,
planting is completed. Then follow a mixed , And if I should say as regards her experience
circle of ferns and blue lobelias. Lobelia erinus with agents, that four-fifths of all the women and
speciosa, or the Crystal Palace variety, every men too (corroborated by the Editor's statement)
second or third plant to be alternated with an .-had been there." it will only be set down agamst
Adiantum. Another circle of Gloxineas is next me as " a slip," and very expressive, though pos-
in order, to be followed by one composed of ferns sibly heard sometimes, in not over-genteel society,
and lobelias, as previously described, in as many \ I think I can improve on one sentence of the
consecutive circular rows until the bed is filled to | Editor's, and yet I am astounded at my own as-
the last circle, or marginal zone. In it the ferns surance. Speaking of the ladies, he says: "We

are to be omitted for an entire belt of dwarf lobe-
lias, and the compact habit of L. pumila grandi-
flora is a desirable kind for the purpose.

It is advisable to plunge the ferns in their pots,
so that they may be occasionally Hfted to break
off the roots which grow through the holes in the

shall be glad to learn when her good nature yields
to the blandishments of the mellifluous tongue of
the tree agent." I would merely insert, " does nc t
yield, " etc. It is time for us to begin to apply
ourselves to the task of gaining sufficient inform-
tion to place us above the possibility of being so

bottom should any of them grow too rank. They easily duped.

may thus be kept to the height required.

There is now in circulation, enough literature to

A handsome flower-basket bed may be readily educate the masses, so that they shall know for
formed by bending a rustic handle or bow across themselves what is genuine, and not be persuaded

122

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[April,

into buying a plant whose only existence is in a
beautiful colored plate. It may perhaps be said that
there are very many who cannot afford to subscribe
for magazines and papers, but all who can afford
to buy flowers, can surely invest a dollar in the
course of the year, and there are many instruc-
tive, chatty, little papers now published for even
less than that.

Then I would like to refer to florists' cata-
logues, and the instruction they impart. They go
their various ways •• without money and without
price," so far as the receiver is concerned, but
how to deal with the subject as delicately as the case
requires, makes me hesitate. Being interested, I
cannot point out the many handsome things thati
— like the colored plate of the tree agent, only have
their existence in the fertile brain of the florist — so
freely as I would otherwise do.

But in the main, they are doing a good work, '
which is apparent to any one who will take the
trouble to observe ; and the encouraging sign of
the times is, that each year the deceptions and ,
misrepresentations are giving place to true de- :
scriptions of plants and their mode of culture. |

One agent who has for four years past, bought [
miscellaneously of nursery and greenhouse stock, :
reports this year, that so far as florists' goods were ^
concerned, his sales were a failure. Too many |
catalogues had been distributed over the land for I
him to continue selling blue, yellow, red, and every ;
other conceivable color of primrose from the
same lot.

As a rule, florists alone, send out but few agents,
and there will be still less of it in the future.
They can reach their patrons more easily by
catalogues, and know there will be no misrepre-
sentations, except their own, consequently, there
only remains the *• Tree Agent " to combat.

This prolific subject will not be complete with-
out a bit of personal experience.

It seems to be the custom for nurserymen when
in convention (I want to tread lightly here too) to
adopt a form of catalogue which they all use.
They do so here, at least.

In the list of Jasmines in this catalogue, one
was described as having "golden variegated foli-
age, retaining its variegation under the hottest sun,
without scorching, a strong grower," etc., with
many other good points, too numerous to mention.

As soon as the catalogue fell into my hands and
I read this glowing description, 1 felt that "Life
would not be worth the living" unless I could
possess it. I wrote letters of inquiry to several
nursery firms, but could not find it. Then the

tree agent happily appeared on the scene. He
seemed a little surprised that I had his catalogue,
and knew what he thought was a profound secret
that they all used the same, but the knowledge
did not check his «'melliflousness." He tried to
palm off various things ; used all his eloquence,
which was not his strong hold so much as his per-
sistence, but I was invulnerable until it came to
this Jasmine.

It is said all men have their price, and if women
have too that Jasmine was mine ; at any rate I
"sold out."

When I called his attention to it, and asked him
if he had it, "Why, certainly he had.'* The mere
insinuation that anything should be in the cata-
logue that he did not have seemed to wound his
sensitive feelings.

I was happy to have the privilege of paying a
dollar for one plant, and waited its coming with
the pleasing anticipation that my search had been
rewarded, and that I would possess a plant which
had at least the merit of being rare.

In due time it came, and I was delighted. It
must be a large plant too, I mused, from the way
the stack of straw in which it was enveloped was
built out into a long cone-shape. I began eagerly
to unwind the cord and remove the straw. Finally
away down in the heart of it, was a little pot with
a little plant in it, the size to be in " harmony with
its environment." The plant was Jasmine " Poe-
tica" that we had grown for years, and had plenty
j to sell at twenty cents each.

! Such an experience is not productive of high
! and holy thought, but I must do myself the justice
to say that I wrote a very moderate letter to the
firm the agent represented, explaining the mistake
that had been made, and asking them to send the
plant I had selected and paid for. An eloquent
silence of some weeks followed; then another
elaborately wrapped package came, even larger
than the first. This was hopeful, and I began re-
moving the straw with a will. A little crevice
opened revealing a bit of variegated foliage which
looked familiar, and this time I got a large pot
with a small plant of Vinca Harrisonii in it.

I paid the expressage the second time, and wrote
the firm if they needed any more Vincas we would
be glad to furnish them at one dollar per dozen,
and if they found ready sale at the rate I paid
there was surely money in them. This happened
within the last year. "Thou, therefore, which
teachest another, teachest not thyself."

The vower is a woman this time. Please regis-
ter it in the Editorial mind. Xenia^ 0»

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

123

EDITORIAL NOTES.

even by a mistake, Congress by putting the post-
age so low as to make the business unremunera-
tive to the Government, and thereby called into
Proposed Increase of Postage on Seeds ! existence large business interests, it ought not,
AND Plants.— Before this reaches the eye of the while the treasury is overflowing, to endanger

reader it n.ay be that the question wiU have been | \l^raVrlr:l'/Ja"n"r Se^taUel ^r^do
decided. It will be useful, however, as showmg , ^^ prevent such a backward step will be done, but
that leading members of the Philadelphia delega- ihose who are likely to be injured by such legisla-
tion did not favor the change, and it may serve to tion should communicate with the committee on

direct thought should future attempts arise.

It did not seem to the Editor wise to join in the
general attack on the express companies, in con-
nection with this question. In some respects the
change proposed would be to their benefit, in
others to their loss, and it might be argued that
express companies had as much right to " protec-
tion " as any other class. It seemed to us that
the change was as much in the supposed interest
of country store-keepers as of the express com-
panies. Yet such an interest is wholly suppositious
for store-keepers while forcing their neighbors to
buy of them instead of sending for their ribbons
to the towns by mail, would feel nettled if com-
pelled to select from the limited stock of some
neighbor's garden seeds instead of sending by mail

for a greater assortment. ^^,^^^ ,^^ ^,^^^^^ ^^.^.^ ^ ^

But it seemed to us the proper course is always ! j^^ ^y^^ House. It is unnecessary for me to enter
to object to going backwards. No matter how mis- into details, as I am unfortunately pressed at this
taken the policy of a two-cent letter as against the time with very ?,-/ /amjly cor^^^^

Post-Offices and Post-Roads of which my imme-
diate colleague, Gen. H. H. Bingham, is a member.

•• Yours very truly,

Wm. D. Kelley."

"House of Representativks U S., ?
Washington, D.C., Feb. 22, 1886. S

"Thomas Meehan, Esq., Germantown.

"My Dear Sir— Your favor of the 1 8th inst. is
before me and contents appreciated.

•• I fully agree with you on the "Wilson Bill,'
shall do all in my power to defeat the measure, and
I am pleased to say I find many, enough, I think,
to defeat the bill, ready to join me.

" Faithfully yours,

" A. C. Harmer."

"Washington, D. C, Fehruaiy 28, i336.

"My Dear Sir— I have your favor of recent
date, and have duly noted its contents. I will re-
sist the passage of the legislation that is proposed
in the Wilson Bill, and feel confident that we can
defeat it. either before the Post-office committee or

shiUing letters of our grandfathers might be,
no one would think it wise to go back to that now ;
nor would it be wise to go back in this case. In
this light we addressed the following letter to the
gentlemen whose replies are appended : —

"Gekmantown, Phila., Feb. 26, i836

*' Very truly yours,

•• Henry H. Bingham.
Thomas Meehan, Esq., Germantown, Pa."

The Brotherhood of St. Dorothy.— " In-
quirer " says : " In your very interesting note on
the history of the potato you refer to the potato

.'Gekmantown. l-HiLA^rco. 20 xo.o^, .^ cultivation

"Mv Dear Sir— As a representative of mterests navmg nau us. m^i ^ ^^ / . . ^^^

largely affected by the Wilson Bill, increasing j given to it by a body of gardeners known in Ger-
postage on seeds and plants, I beg to enter a re- many as the Confraternity of St. Dorothy. I have
spectful protest against it. ' always been interested in the historic associations

"There are numerous arguments agamst ^^^ j , ^^^^ ^-^^ ^^.^ient per-

Bill but the recoen zed pnnciple that reforms wnicn imuc^ *iii ^ j^ ^ ^^^A^r^^ra

should never go ba^ckward^ surely ought to pre- , sonages, but am at a loss to know what gardeners
vail here. i have to do with St. Dorothy. We know why St.

"Innumerable branches of business, wholly I p^^j.^^^^^^ Q^Q^ge and St. Andrew have a place
created by the present rates of postage, will be 1 .^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^.^^^^ English and Scotch people,

'■"■:"ltt\S^SI?'the Go':?n^ment blundered by why S. Crispin is honored by shoemakers and St.
making the postage too low in the first instance, Cecilia by musicians, but none ot the i^ncycio-

1-. r' c u QQA nuirer' would be thankful."

"Washington, D.C., Feb. 20, 1886. quircr wuui ,- .^ ^„t. ^^ntJr*-

" Thomas Meehan. Esq.. Germantown, Pa. [We cannot answer this q-s^-n to ou^ emire

" Dear Sir— Yours of yesterday with reference I satisfaction. There may be something in German

to the proposed change of postage on plants, ^^ French tradition, outside of written history,

seeds and bulbs is at hand. ^ ,^ ^ ^^ intelligent French or German

" I know nothing of the prospects of the bill to ^^^^n oniy &

which you refer, and quite agree with you that if. gardener could explain.

124

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[April,

There is however a legend connected with
Dorothy, familiar no doubt to those who love an-
cient history, which may give some clue to the in-
formation " Inquirer " desires.

She appears to have been a native of Caesarea,
a Cappadocian city subject to Roman power, and
the centre of early success in the propagation of
Christianity. Two other celebrated Saints, Basil
and Gregory, were also Caesareans. Dorothy, ac-
cording to the legend, was one of the earliest con-
verts, and hved some time before the year 300.
She adopted the life of a celibate, which, for some
reason not clear from the story, angered the Gov-
ernor of the city, and she was imprisoned. Here
she was visited by a young man named Theophi-
lus, who endeavored to gain her hand. She put
him off by asserting that she was already engaged
to a heavenly spouse. He desired tangible evi-
dence of the fact. She prayed to Jesus to make
fruits and flowers miraculously appear, and the
Saviour at once answered her prayer. She gave
him these heaven-born fruits and flowers, and he
was so convinced of their celestial origin that he
not only withdrew his suit, but became a convert
to Christianity.

One who could obtain fruits and flowers in that
way surely deserves to be a patroness of gar-
deners.

A New Journal of Forestry. — At a recent
meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society
the Reverend J. B. Harrison said : " We need a
periodical which shall be devoted to the persis-
tent education of the people ; not by elaborate
aesthetic essays, but by short, sharp and incisive
articles, with iteration and reiteration. Here in
Boston is the place for a journal to be devoted to
this work. Nothing can be finally adequate to
this subject which does not provide for an advance
in civilization. We might make attractive forest
places near cities, preserving the sources of water."

Professor Edouard Morren. — Few men
distinguished as botanists have become better
known to horticulturists than Edouard Morren,
Professor in the Botanic Garden at Liege, Belgium ;
and his death at the early age of 53, and in the
full tide of his usefulness will be universally re-
gretted. This occurred on the 28th of February,
and he was buried in the family vault at Robes-
mont. His native place was Ghent, where he was
born on December 2d, 1833.

Beside membership in many scientific societies,
he had a full share of the public honors, which in
the old world are offered to men whose usefulness

in the arts or science become eminent. He was
an officer in the order of Leopold, Commander in
Roumanian Crown, Chevalier in the Legion of
Honor, and a number of others of this class.

Robert J. Donnelly. — Among those who
worked so ably to make Rochester eminently the
•• Flower city " of this continent, the name of
Robert J. Donnelly stands prominent, and his
death in that city on the 27th instant, will be
deeply regretted, not only in the city for
whose fame he did so much, but in many parts of
the Union where his trade reached, and where he
was so honorably known. His business embraced
everything in the nursery trade, and was, we
believe, one of the largest in the State of New
York. He was born in Montreal, 1824, and
settled in Rochester in 1839. He has been in ill
health for some time.

Prof. W. S. Clark.— The death of this gentle-
man during the past month is announced. He
was once President of the State Agricultural Col-
lege of Massachusetts, at Amherst, and will be
well remembered by many of our readers in con-
nection with some very interesting experiments on
plant Hfe made some years ago.

John Perkins. — Just as we go to press, we
receive word by telegraphic news that this well-
known nurseryman, of Moorestown, N. J., was
killed, recently, by an accident on the Penna.
R. R., at Riverton, N. J. Mr. Perkins must have
been pretty well into his threescore and ten, and
was well known in connection with the nursery
business, particularly as a large grower of peach
trees.

American Pomological Society. — Session
of 1885. From Charles N. Garfield, Secretary,
Grand Rapids, Michigan.

This comes to us with a singularly fresh odor.
In former times, essays written especially for it
have been given to the press, and the general
public was quite familiar with everything before
the volume appeared. This was as well when it
took nearly a year before the volume appeared ;
I now we have the fresh matter, and the volume
I itself fresh before the embers of the fire that pre-
pared it have scarce grown cold.

The worthy President Wilder could not be
present at the meeting, but the vitality manifested
in the matter, and manner of the appearance of
this volume must be very gratifying to him.

The committee seem to hav^ acted with com-
mendable conservatism. Notwithstanding the
legions of new fruits " brought out " since the last

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

125

meeting, the committees have thought but few
worthy of record. The chairman on Native
Fruits names only two of apples, two of cherries*
three of grapes, one peach, one pear, and eight
strawberries. The chairman of the Foreign Fruit
Committee reported that of the large number of
foreign varieties produced, not merely since last
meeting, but during the last six or eight years, not
one was worth naming. It would really seem as
if perfection had been reached, and there was
nothing for the new seedling man to strive for.

The essays and discussions are far above the
average, and we do not wonder that our Western
friends claim that the meeting at Grand Rapids
was one of the most successful ever held.

Portfolio of Rare and Beautiful Flowers.
—Mr. James Vick has issued foUo sized Utho-
graphs of a number of beautiful flowers, and the
pictures themselves are excellent specimens of the
lithographer's art. With the pictures are folio
sheets, beautifully printed, giving the literary and j
and other histories of the flowers. The "Port- 1
foUo " will make a beautiful ornament to a ladies' |
table, and is just the thing to entertain visiting
friends. It is pubhshed and sold by James Vick,
Rochester, N. Y.

Gray's Synoptical Floraof North America.
—Gratifying as it is always to botanists to have
any publication prepared by Prof. Asa Gray, the re-
ception of "Supplements and Indexes" to the
two parts already issued will not be without some
regret. The great hope of Dr. Gray's life must
have been to leave behind him a complete ac-
count of the flora of a country he has done so
much to develop. Years ago, in connection with
Dr. Torrey, a " Flora of North America" was be-
gun, but the immense number of new species that
came pressing in with the exploration of the terri-
tories led to an abandonment of the work before
the compositse had been barely completed. This
only took in for the most part the Polypetalous
plants. Mr. Sereno Watson undertook an Index
of this class, with references to where they were
described, and this was the next best thing to
bringing our knowledge down to date. Dr. Gray
then worked on the compositae, and these were
brought down to recent date. Finally the Gamo-
petela, or Monopetela as they would once have
been called, was undertaken, and these two parts
bring the flora of North America down to date,
leaving the dichnou3 class— a very large class-
as well as the monocolyledous, to be provided for.

If new plants or new treatment of old ones did

not interfere. Dr. Gray, though in his seventieth
year, might reasonably have hoped to finish the
work, but so much new appears that he can do
httle more than keep near perfect the work he
has done. To accomplish this, the present supple-
ment is issued. It adds 1 1 pages to Vol. 2, Part
II, that has recently been issued, and 70 pages to
Vol. 2, Part 1. Complete indexes with the plants
named in the supplement have been prepared.

Those who have already the two parts can buy
this supplement separately for $1. Those who
have not, can now buy the two first volumes with
all the new gamopelatous plants complete to date.
Even should Dr. Gray not be spared to complete
the whole work of the North American flora, it will
be a satisfaction to him to have done so well so
large a part of it. The two parts bound in one
may be had of the Curator of the Herbarium at
Cambridge for $$.

Annual Report of the Arnold Arboretum.
—By Director C. S. Sargent.

It is pleasant to note that the prospects of this
becoming one of the most valuable institutions of
the kind in the world, are drawing nearer. Peo-
ple who see nothing but the few score species in
woods or nurseries generally, have but a poor
idea of the number of trees and shrubs that are
in the world, and might be introduced. In this
report. Prof. Sargent tells how, if all the species and
marked varieties of trees, hardy in Massachusetts,
were set out with room for the final development
of each, 1000 acres would not hold them all.

It seems to us that the whole country is inter-
ested in this work, and not merely Massachusetts,
and it would be well if tree lovers generally were
to get a copy of this report if possible, and study
how they might aid in the work Prof. Sargent has
at heart.

* Catalogues of Seedsmen, Florists and
Nurserymen.— We have a large number of these
before us, showing remarkable enterprise and care,
and mostly furnished with beautiful illustrations.
We doubt whether any country in the world can
show so much accuracy and general value to the
purchaser as these exhibit. With these, in a
large number of cases, are letters calling attention
to them, and hoping they may prove worthy of
notice in the Gardeners' Monthly. They are
undoubtedly worthy ; but our hmited space for
notices of this immense number, places it wholly
out of our power.

This explanation is necessary, as we would not
have our friends think we do not regard them
worthy, because we are totally unable to respond.

126

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[April,

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Heliotrope, Vanilla. — **^ remarks: "The
common name of the Heliotrope with the Peru-
vians is • Vanilla ; ' whether borrowed from the
orchid bean of that name, or whether the Vanilla
bean is so called from the resemblance of the
perfume to that of the Heliotrope, we do not
Itnow."— Gardeners' Monthly, p. 91.

The name Vanilla, as applied to the Heliotrope,
was transferred from the Vanilla-pod, which is so
similar in odor to the flowers of HeHotropium
Europaeum, that it is largely used by perfumers in
the manufacture of extract of HeUotrope and
Heliotrope sachet powder.

"The late Latin word. Vanilla (adopted in Eng-
lish), is an alteration of Spanish Vainilla, a di-
minutive of Vaina, 'pod,' from Latin, Vagina,

'sheath.' The plant was so called from its im-
portant commercial product — its long, slender,
aromatic seed-pods."

[Ruiz and Pavon in the " Flora of Peru," say
the flower is commonly called Vaynilla ; the name
is evidently given to it, as our correspondent
shows, from the odor resembling that of the cele-
brated '* pod or sheath " of the orchid of this
name.

As regards its first introduction to English gar-
dens, it may be well here to quote from Miller's
"Gardeners' Dictionary." " It has a strong sweet
odor, of a very particular nature, resembling bitter
almonds. It grows naturally in Peru, whence the
seeds were sent by the younger Jussieu to the
Royal Garden in Paris. Mr. Miller had the seeds^
1757, from the curious garden of the Due d'Ayen
at St. Germain. It flowers here in England a great
part of the year." — Ed. G. M.]

Horticultural Societies.

COMMUNICATIONS.

DES MOINES FLORAL ASSOCIATION.
BY THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.

At a meeting of the Des Moines Floral Associa-
tion, March 4th, 1886, Mr. W. L. Morris read an
essay on ventilation, wherein he set forth some of
the errors in ventilating greenhouses. And one
or two points were mentioned which may be of
interest to some of the readers of the Gardeners'
Monthly. Mr. Morris says, in the first place,
many err in building a greenhouse, by putting in
as few ventilators as they think will possibly do,
when they should put in all they possibly could
use. But they should be small and as near the
ridge as possible, so that when opened the cold
air coming in would have as much chance as pos-
sible to become diffused and warm before it
strikes the plants, for I think a cold draught or
sudden change, as harmful to plant as animal
life, although they may not show it so plainly.
And many who are opposed to steam, are venti-
lating in a manner that causes more sudden
changes than steam heating. They do this by
having their vents so large or so few of them, that

in order to get the needed amount of fresh air»
they must make so large an opening that the
cold air rushing in to fill the vacuum left by the
warm air passing out, comes in in such volume
that it injures the plant by a draught or chill.

But with the fact before us, that cold seeks the
lowest level, and heat the highest, I think we
should have vents to introduce fresh air at the
floor. Thus, the warm air would pass out
above, and the cold air will remain near the floor
until it gets warm enough to rise. And so we
would have no cold air strike the plants ; no
strong draught, but a gentle circulation through
the entire house. I think every greenhouse should
have Hitchings' or some other ventilating appa-
ratus, whereby an entire line of vents can be
raised or lowered in a second, by the turn of a
crank. Thus more attention can be given in
changeable weather, and less time and labor re-
quired, than by the old way of a separate rod to
each sash.

Quite an interesting discussion followed the
reading of this essay, and more particularly in re-
gard to the floor ventilators. We should like to
hear from others on the subject.

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

127

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Grand River Valley, Mich., Horticul-
tural Society. — This society will henceforth
have meetings twice a month. At a recent
meeting it was resolved that nothing is known
of the cause of the Peach yellows, or of the cure of
the potato disease, though the cause is known.
The society is composed of very energetic material.

Mass. Horticultural Society. — The general
interest the whole community takes in the Mass.
Hort. Society is evidenced by its schedule of pre-
miums, which has no less than 647 items for entries.
As they have fourth and fifth premiums and none
less than three, we may conclude that they fairly
expect an average of three or four hundred separ-
ate exhibitors. We should be glad to know the
number of separate exhibitors who entered last
year.

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.— The
spring exhibition of the Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society was held on the i8th of March, and re-
sulted in a very pretty show. The gardeners and
amateurs seem to have been frightened out of
competition with the successful exhibitors of last
year, so they had the field in a measure to them-
selves. The chief interest settled on the Holland
Premiums for Hyacinths and other bulbs. The
Gold Medal for fifty Hyacinths was secured by D.

The Holland Bulb Medal.

Fergusson's Sons. In the absence of any definite
rules as to what constitutes a first class Hyacinth,
the work of a judge is very unsatisfactory. What
is a *' best" Hyacinth to one, is inferior to another.
It is to the credit of a large number of the ex-
hibitors of this society, that they are lenient to the
judges, and are generally satisfied with the awards
made. In these cases there was a certain some-
thing unnamable that made all feel the judges had
made fair decisions in spite of the difficulties of

their position. The Gold Medal set were of nearly
uniform height, had the heads from about few
under 6 inches long, and the strong stems well up
above the foliage. The leaves were comparatively
short and broad, from 4 to 12 inches long. The
plants grown in 4-inch pots. The Holland Silvtr
Medal, to Christian Eisele. These had an average
of shorter heads, the range being about 4 inches,
and the flowers were not thrown as far above the
leaves as the others.

First premium for twenty-five kinds of Hyacinth
was awarded to Mr. A. Warne. These were in 8-
inch pots. These were remarkable for the size of
the individual flowers ; the spikes were elongated,
and not in the dense masses noted in the plants of
other growers. The second best, to Mr. Ch. Eisele,
had the bulbs split, so that there would be two or
three small spikes as well as the one larger. This we
suppose would be looked on as a defect in a first-
class Hyacinth.

First premium for the best six plants of the old
white Lily, Lilium candidum, was awarded to Mr.
W. K. Harris. They were in 6 inch pots, about 4
feet high and with seven flowers. The first for
Lilium longiflorum Harrisii, to Griffin Bros. These
were about 3 feet high, with about six flowers on
' each, with the very large flowers having a tube of
I about 7 inches long. The best single specimen of
this variety, to J. W. Colflesh, had more flowers,
but more slender stems.

First six Tulips, to A. Warne, gardener to Mr.
Clarence H. Clark. Six kinds, six plants in a 6-
inch pot. The leaves were large and healthy,,
flower stems 8 to 10 inches, and the large 4-inch
flowers uniform in all the kinds. Mr. W. K. Har-
ris had second premium ; these were six plants,
six ot a kind, in 8-inch pots. These were not so
regular in growth, and size of flowers or strength
of stem, but the varieties were very distinct, which
was a good point. Duchess de Parma, Joseph Von
Undell, Rosamond, Cottage Maid and Grand
Duke were particularly distinct sorts. •

Mr. W. H. Harris, first, for six Amaryllis. These

were all of A. Johnsoni, in 8 inch pots, and had

from two to four flowers on each scape.

I First for Lily of the Valley, Mr. A. Warne.

These were in 8-inch pots, plants about 12 inches

i high, and giving about twenty-five spikes of flowers

I to each pot.

Of general flowering plants there were quite a
1 number of collections of Cinerarias. Without
' knowing the rules of the judges as to what would
' be regarded as "best" in these cases, we thought
1 also the decisions fair. The first twelve, to George

128

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[April,

Redford, were about 12 to 18 inches high, and the
flower mass about the same in diameter. There
were no novel colors among the flowers. The
second, to Thos. Fould, were not as compactly
grown, though very tine plants, and two pretty
double varieties among them gave additional at-
traction.

The best twelve Hydrangeas, Mr. W. K. Harris.
These were in lo-inch pots, about 2 feet high, with
about six heads to each plant, each head about 4
to 6 inches across.

There were not many competitors in Azaleas,
but the plants were healthy and well flowered.
The first twelve, to be confined to 6-inch pots, Mr.
W. K. Harris took. They ran from 12 to 20 inches
high, and were grown rather broad at the top, the
heads of flowers being about 18 inches across.
New kinds are usually looked for when the com-
petition is limited to the small pots. In this col-
lection. General Hartman, a white with red carna-
tion flakes, and Elize Zieber, with purple flakes,
and in each the lobes of the corolla large, round
and leathery, were very much admired.

The first six Azaleas went to Mr. A. Warne.
These were of various forms, some flattened at the
top, some hemispherical, but generally about 2
feet by 2, and with hundreds of flowers. He had
first premium for single specimen Azaleas. This
was of the variety, Stella, and was about 2^ by
4 feet high. It was somewhat oval in outline,
drawing narrower, and rather flattish at the top.
One variety in this collection — Mrs. Turner— a
flaky pink and white, with the upper lobe crimson
feathered, was much admired, as was also a per-
fect love of an unnamed kind, probably the old
Phoenicia, which was about 3 feet high by 2 at the
base, full of flowers from bottom to top, and show-
ing how well adapted this style of training is for
making pretty specimens.

First, for twelve plants of Astilbe or Spiraea Ja-
ponica, J. Kift and Son. These were about i foot
high, and with about a dozen spikes in each pot.

The first, for ornamental foliage plants, went to
Mr. A. Warne. A very rare plant here was
Araucaria Rulei. It has foliage somewhat in the
way of the common Norfolk Island Pine, but
shorter, or at least thicker, which made them seem
shorter. A very pretty thing also was a fern, Da-
vallia Mariesii, creeping over a conical block,
which its creeping rhizomes covered, from these a
dense mass of parsley leaved fronds proceeded.

A new contributor in flowering plants, Mr. John
M. Hughes, gardener to G. W. Childs, had a spec-
ial premium. The Chmese Primroses in this set

showed how much this fine old plant has been im-
proved in varieties of color and form. One was
nearly crimson. Only two orchids were on exhi-
bition, small plants of Dendrobium nobile and
D. macrophyllum. Grand floral designs, so abun-
dant when flowers are cheap, were scarce at this
dear season of the year. Mr. Charles Fox had a
" Funeral piece." It was a wicker basket about
4 feet high with begonias, ferns, palms, etc., plant-
ed around. Among the tall plants at the back
was a cross with the arms oblique somewhat,
Greek fashion, the flowers used being Cornelia
Cook roses, deutzias and other white flowers. At
the foot of the cross was a white lamb reclinmg.
It was made of white carnations with sweet alys-
sum for the nose and face. Certainly if ever floral
designs are pardonable it may be here, for the
carnations made an admirable curly fleece, and
the face of sweet alyssum could not be better
done. Among cut flowers, Mr. John Stewart, of
Washington, D. C, showed what had been done
to make variations in the pansy. He must have
had over a hundred varieties.

Grifftn Bros, showed by a nice lot of seedling
Carnations, that hopes of improvement still ani-
mate the floral breast.

Mr. Sturtevant, of Bordentown, New Jersey,
had cut flowers of the blue Water Lily, Nymphaea
Zanzibarensis. Cut roses were in some force, con-
fined chiefly to the kinds now popular with florists.
General Jacqueminot, from Lonsdale and Burton,
showed that notwithstanding the efforts made to
find something as good, it is yet without a com-
peer ; and the collections of Pennock Bros, told
but too well, that, with the exception of the Ben-
nett and Sunset, the Perle des Jardins, Bon Silene*
Niphetos, and similar veterans were still disposed
to dispute possession of the field.

Mr. May had specimens of the new sport from
the Catherine Mermet, called The Bride. It is
very beautiful, though not a pure white. It has a
slight lemon tint, somewhat in the style of the old
Devoniensis.

A collection of Zonale Pelargoniums by J. W.
Colflesh, had a first premium awarded. They
were very nicely grown plants, about 2 feet high
and wide, and had from eighteen to twenty heads
on each plant. It is rarely we see these better
grown.

There were numerous other good things by
worthy exhibitors ; our object in these notes is
simply to supply distant readers with some idea
of what Philadelphia exhibitors would consider
good exhibition plants.

THE

Gardeners' Monthly

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Volume XXVIII.

MAY, 1886.

Number 329,

Flov/m Garden and Pleasure Ground,

SEASONABLE HINTS. we have been wishing that some one would get

up a book of plans in cheap style, so that we

Mosaic beds, so much derided when the style could refer all inquirers to them. As if "a little
was introduced, seem to have touched a popular bird " had whispered the thought to them, Messrs.
chord, and instead of being laughed down are more ' George A. Solly & Son of Springfield, Mass., have

in vogue than ever. We have from time to time
given some sketches of beds, and designs for
filling them ; but so many continue to inquire,
and there is so much variety to choose from, that

gone and done this excellent work, and we have be-
fore us their *• Book of Plans " that meets the want
exactly. There are twenty- five folio sheets, with
several designs on each sheet, which can easily

til

130

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[May,

1886. 1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

13^

be worked out by any intelligent person ; and be-
sides the designs themselves, the sections of each
design are numbered in such a way that any
person can tell by the corresponding numbers
how to plant the bed ; each number of course
signifying that the same plant is to be used. We
give herewith a view of a bed which has been laid
off after a design of Messrs. Solly, which will show
how pretty a mosaic bed may be, and how well
they work in among the various elements in arti-
ficial gardening. ,

A key is furnished with the book, which gives a
list of plants suited to colors to go with the num-
bers.

This is not the period of the year to thin out
trees when they have become too thick on the
grounds ; but the autumn will soon be here, and
in view of the importance of the question, it seems
a seasonable hint to be given now. It is sur-
prising, in view of how much has been written ,
about it, so httle thinning is done. In our own
city of Philadelphia, where, if anywhere, one
would think the influence of the Gardeners'
Monthly would be felt, thousands of trees are
annually destroyed by the struggle with one an-
other, simply because of a sentiment that it is not
wise to destroy in an hour what it has taken a
quarter of a century to grow. Let any one note a
tree standing by itself-note it at this season,
when covered with foliage, note the branches ex-
tending, perhaps, fifty feet from the trunk, and
admitting a glorious current of cool air under it ;
and then note the score or two of trees crowded
together in a hundred feet lot, the branches
struggling upwards to get a glimpse of the sky-
forming an impenetrable mass through which not
a breath of air can stir, and he will see the differ-
ence. The owner often sees it; and instead of
thinning the trees, calls in the aid of the tree-
butcher who lops off the heads. The result is,
these large scars never heal, the wood rots, and
in a few years the trees have to be taken out at
any rate— the whole tree is gone. And then,
what do lopped trees look like ? They are out-
rageous in the sight of every person with even the
germ of taste. Street trees especially suffer from
this unseemly crowding. It is very well to put
trees about 20 feet apart at first, because we get
some shade and some ornament sooner than we
should do. It looks naked for too long a time, to
have small trees so set with the view to what they
will be in a quarter of a century hence. It is best
to set double the number of trees finally required,
with the firm determination to take out the half

ten or twelve years after; or that some one else may
do it, if we should ourselves be in another land.

COMMUNICATIONS.

AMARYLLIS (ZEPHYRANTHES) ATAMASCO
TREATi?E, AND CANDIDA.

BY MRS. J. S. R. THOMSON.

Again and yet again the question of the differ-
ence of the above-named AmaryUis, comes under
discussion. I have a genial adviser, who recently
wrote me this sentence : " Yes, write, but write
what you know, not what others have written
already," and as that is totally beyond my powers.
I wish to parenthesis this by explaining that this ar-
tide is only a compilation, with hope that by it, the
vexed question may be laid on the shelf. In
June Gardeners' Monthly, 1885. Mr. Meehan
kindly copies from Chapman's •' Flora of Southern
States," the description of A. Atamasco and
Treati in answer to my query " if there was any
difference at all, only creditable to difference to

locality."

**A. Atamasco (Linnaeus) —Scape terete some-
what lateral ; one flowered; leaves Unear, concave,
fleshy; spathe. one-leaved, two-cleft; perianth
! short, bell-shaped, white, tinged with purple ; style
' longer than the stamens ; seeds angled. March
i and April. Scape 6 to 12 inches high, commonly
shorter than the glossy leaves; flowers 2 to 3

inches long.

"^. 7V^a/^(Sereno Watson).— Named in honor

of Mrs. Treat of New Jersey. Bulb small ; leaves
very narrow, only a Une and a half wide, semi-
terete rounded margins, not shining ; scape 4 to 12
inches high ; flowers 3 inches long ; peduncle 3 to
9 inches. April, May." [Note from M. I. T. :
"Observe here a great difference in time of
flowering- Z. Atamasco in South Carolina, March
and April; Z. Treatae m Florida, April, May."]
[Note from Ed. G. M. : "The two are most
readily distinguished in the rush-like leaves of Z.
Treatae, which is found only as yet in Florida.
In beauty, we think the Z. Atamasco the prettier."
Extract from Ladies' Floral Cabinet edited by
C. L. Allen, January, 1886:

.1 z. TreatcB—K recent introduction, is the least
valuable of the known sorts. Page 36.

"Z. Candida (illustrated). — Native of South
America, completes the hst. Although last on list,
is first in real usefulness. Leaves semi-cylindrical
and rush-like, small, pure white, crocus-shaped,
upright flowers, freely produced, very pleasing

at time when delicate white flowers are scarce, four hours' sun during the day. When planted

August, quite hardy, native of Lima."

where they are exposed to the sun all day they

I take issue upon two points with Mr. C. L. lose that brilliancy of coloring which is so neces-
Allen: ist, as to its being more useful or attractive j sary for a good effect. If allowed to get dry at
than Z. Atamasco. First, because of the differ- the roots they also lose color. It is better to water

ence in shape of flowers. Where in Z. Candida
it is partly closed, same shape of crocus, and star

Caladium beds in the morning, as by so doing
they are kept warmer at night, and a more vigor-

when fully expanded, in Z. Atamasco it is a pure ous growth is the result. Care should be taken

true lily shape, and deserves well the name •* Fairy
Lily of the South." Second, comparing it to our
native variety. It may be of Lima also, but I
have about 500 bulbs dug for me from native
haunts in Mexia, Texas. The lady who col-
lected them, wrote me that she found also a
yellow zephyranthes. I think though, that is
identical with bulbs received from P. H. Obber-
wetter, Austin, Texas, as " Habranthus Ander-
sonii." He is far better authority than I, and I
feel sure will corroborate this statement. My

not to wet the leaves, as it has a tendency to take
color from them. The second week in June is
early enough to plant out. With the first signs of
frost in the fall they should be taken up and
placed in boxes, with a little soil round the bulbs.
They then can be packed away under a side table
near hot-water pipes. After the leaves have dried
off the bulbs should be taken out and cleaned,
then placed back in fine dry soil or sand, until it
is desirable to start them into growth for the com-
ing summer. I find, for bedding purposes, the

border of Z. Atamasco, 18 inches wide by 200 feet \ first week in May is early enough to commence ;

long, with bulbs almost touching each other, was

in flower last spring from the ist of March until and weak in the leaf stems, and in consequence

late summer, not so abundantly as in March,

if put in heat much earlier than this tliey get long

they are unable to bear the least wind or rain.

April and May, but sufficient to give me flowers j The following good old varieties are most suita-
sparingly the whole season. They then rested : ble for bedding, they always look well and form
until September. When the full roses began they j good contrasts : Beethoven, Wightii, Alfred Bleu,
also renewed their bloom and continued until : Myerbeer, Laingi, Bicolor splendens, Chantinii,
hard frosts came. Z. Candida I will note side by Donizetti, Triomphe de Exposition, Rouillard, E.

side this season. With me last year they flowered
profusely in my pit up to November, sent me in

G. Henderson and Argyrites. The last named
variety makes a splendid edging, gives a fine

August by my friend, already starting into growth, | finish to a bed, and it does remarkably well with
which, potted, commenced to flower in exactly | me. I believe all the Caladiums will do well
one fortnight's time. 1 notice that both are now i planted out with the exception, perhaps, of those
(some potted in pit) putting up leaves, and still with the yellow grounds. These are all very deli-
my Z. Atamasco is ahead in that. Those are the | cate, and I think would not stand out. I tried
bulbs that were trying to double themselves, of . some of the new varieties last summer and they
which I wrote, and whose seed, by advice of Mr. | proved very satisfactory. The sorts were as fol-
Sereno Watson, I have planted to note result. Seed i lows : Jupiter, Monsieur A. Hardy, Leopold Rob-

pods in these were four-celled instead of three, as
is usual. Spartanburg, S. C.

THE CALADIUM AS A BEDDING PLANT.

BY A. WARNE.

Why these plants are not more generally grown
for bedding purposes I cannot understand. Noth-
ing can be more beautiful than these plants with
their gorgeous fohage. They certainly would be
a great contrast, and, at the same time, would be
a relief to our close- clipped and somewhat formal
looking carpet beds. They do well in light, sandy

ert, Clio, Anabel, August Lemoine, Cupreum,
Madame M. Schaeffer and Perle de Brazil. These
are very fine and effective either for pots or beds.
Some of the corms of the above mentioned ones
were six inches in circumference when taken out
of the beds. I think this is a very good showing,
considering they were only side corms when
planted out. If these plants were given a place
in the parks and some of the large private estab-
lishments, they would soon become general favor-
ites. Outside of watering, they require very little
attention.

Before concluding my remarks about Caladiums,
I would hke to mention what appears to me a

soil, with plenty of well rotted manure dug in be

fore planting. Caladiums succeed best in partly | somewhat extraordinary strong growth of five

shaded places; that is, where they get but three or | bulbs of C. Chantinii ; the five were grown in a

132

THE GARDENERS' MOiNTHLY

[May»

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

133

12-inch pot, three years consecutively ; the circum-
ference of the bulbs varied from eight and a half
to twelve and a half inches, and their weight is
two and a half pounds, avoirdupois.
Gardener to Mr. Clarence H, Clark, West Phila,
[The superior culture apparent in the exhibits
of Mr. Warne before the Pennsylvania Horticul-
tural Society gives additional value to this com-
munication.—Ed. G. M.]

EXPERIENCE WITH BULBS IN SOUTH

CAROLINA.

BY MRS. J. S. R. THOMSON.

of black wire was entangled upon them. Euony-
mus and wild orange hedges will have to be
taken up entirely ; but this state of affairs will not
most likely occur again, the would be comforters
will say ; but who knows and who can tell why
this awful devastating cold came now, which has
so appalled and discouraged the dwellers of the
" Sunny South ?" Sunny South, indeed ! we are
more hke the Polar regions, any way, this winter.

Spartanburg, South Carolina.

EDITORIAL NOTES,

p. H. Obberwetter suggests we report upon our
successes and failures in acclimatizing exotic
plants, bulbs, etc., which suggestion I meet with
report of my failures this fall. Alas ! how many
successes to reward me i am yet to know. All of
last year I was busy collecting bulbs, plants and
tubers from Maine to California ; also sent an or-
der to Holland for bulbs with view of testing their
suitability to this chmate. Many I planted direct
in open ground, but others, such as Freezias,
Babianias, Lachenelias, Sparaxis, Ixias, Moreas,
etc., I potted in large numbers, with this result-
not one bulb left. Every one, even to Hyacinths,
first froze and then rotted. Of every one potted
under glass, but three Bermuda lilies and all
of my varieties of Narcissus, are gone ; Cyclamens
and Eucharis Amazonica also. In open air my
Galanthus nivea, or snow drops, a new flower to '
me. is now, March ist, in full flower. This
spring beauty I think is overrated ; with me stems
are not two inches long, but its pearly whiteness
and exquisite dainty beauty claims admiration.
Roman Hyacinths did not freeze in pit or damage
to any great extent. Those I have now both in
pit and out doors in profusion. These potted
bulbs were all stored in my old pit wherein I had
not for years recorded any losses. In open air I
planted Alstromeria, Cooperia, Habranthus, Am-
aryllis, etc., with result yet undecided. On Janu-
ary 9th to 1 2th thermometer registered 8, 10 and
12 degrees below zero, whilst to us the unusual
sight was seen of young people skating on ice
from 6 to 8 inches thick for full ten days. I am
or was the happy owner of over two hundred
named roses ; all are more or less injured, whilst
many are killed outright. Rustic arbors, which
aforetimes were covered with Marechal Niel,
Marie Henriette, Salfaterre and Le Marquise, all
dead, whilst trellises look like hundreds of yards

Chimonanthus fragrans.— " This dehciously
scented shrub has proved very disappomtmg this
year, and instead of the large examples with which
a portion of our walls are clothed being now
sheeted with the soft yellow flowers, they present
as miserable an appearance as they could do. In
other gardens the chimonanthus is in much the
same condition as it is with us, and therefore af-
fords but Uttle satisfaction. There was an ex-
ceptionally good display of flowers early in the
winter, but the severe frost we had at the begin-
ning of January completely destroyed them. The
destruction is, indeed, more complete this season
than for many years past, owing, as I believe, to
the flowers being saturated by the rain and melt-
ing snow. I did intend protecting them with can-
vas when the severe weather set in, but so many
other matters had to be seen to at the time that
the Chimonanthus was overlooked, with the re-
i suit here mentioned. Considering how very tew
flowers we have out of doors during the winter, it
; is rather surprising that some protection should
' not be afforded this shrub when in bloom. A
coping of glass or canvas, sufficient to throw off
the rains, and thus keep the flowers dry, would be
better than nothing, but to thoroughly protect the
bloom it will be necessary to provide sufficient
canvas or other material to cover the whole of
the tree, and to fix it in such a way that it can be
readily removed in fine weather. The complete
destruction of the flowers this season has induced
me to resolve to take some steps for their protec-
tion in subsequent years, and 1 would advise other
cultivators to do likewise."

The above is from a correspondent of the Gar-
deners' Magazine and is also a valuable hint for
our readers, as, though a Chinese plant, it is en-
tirely hardy in most parts of our country. If the
branches be cut in midwinter, placed in water,
standing in a warm room, they will open their
buds and fill the whole house with a delicious
fragrance.

Copper Beech Hedge.— There is growing at
Ashwelthorpe Hall, Norfolk (the seat of the Bar-
oness Berners), a hedge of Copper Beech. It is

about 70 yards long, 7 feet high, and from 3
to 4 feet thick. It divides the kitchen garden
from the pleasure grounds, and is both useful and
ornamental. It requires but little labor to keep it
in order, as it only needs trimming once a year.
It was planted fifty-two years ago, and to all ap-
pearance will last another half century. — T. B.
Field in Garden.

Lawn Grasses. — People laugh at the one who
buys " a pig in a bag." and yet they do just the
same thing themselves in a variety of ways, and
love to do it. If they are sick and require a few
cents worth of ipecac or sarsaparilla they prefer
to get it in the form of some celebrated " pectoral"
or *• universal remedy " at $2 a bottle.

Horticulturists, much as they may be supposed
to be protected by close contact with the simplici-
ties of honest nature, are no better than other
folks, and plank down their dollars for the few
cents worth when a mystery is made of it, with a
vim and an energy truly delightful. For years —
for a quarter of a century — the Gardeners'
Monthly has shown that the best lawn grass is
one kind of grass, pure and simple, that any one
may buy for a few dollars a bushel instead of the
most celebrated " mixtures " that may be offered
at double the price ; yet we find by a recent
statement of Prof. Beal, that one firm of seedsmen
sold last year '• mixtures " to no less than 70,000
orders. It seems almost incredible ; as the profits
on " mixtures " are enormous, and one might soon
beat Jay Gould or Vanderbilt on a trade like this.
A quarter dollar net profit on each order would
make $16,500 — a nice •' penny " on one item alone
in these hard times. Now Prof. Beal shows that
there is more profit in it than this. By getting
the "mixture" and analyzing it he found that it
was made up chiefly of Kentucky Blue and Red
top or Bent grass, with a trifle of white clover. The
Blue grass is offered by the same firm for $2.25
per bush.; the Bent grass for $4 00 per bush.; but
when the two are put together and it becomes the
"celebrated mixture," it is priced at $5 per bush.;
so that what you pay $3.12 for separately, together
you pay |i.88 more for. The 70,000 packages
were not of course bushels, but when we see the
enormous profit on a mere mixture, by the whole-
sale, we may judge of the enhanced sum on a

package.

Our seedsmen friends will, we are sure, be very
thankful to Professor Beal for making plain these
facts to the people, for if our efforts in twenty-five
years to get people to buy the one simple article

have resulted in getting 70,000 orders for mixtures
to one single firm. Prof. Beal's experiments will
probably result in doubling the number. Each
firm dealing in '• lawn grass mixtures " should
send Prof. Beal a handsome fee for the service he
has done them.

Cemetery Gardening. — In an admirable es-
say before the Massachusetts Horticultural Soci-
ety, Mr.. J. G. Barker gave his views as to the
proper ideas to rule in cemetery gardening, which
may be briefly summed up as follows:

•• First— There should be perfect security and
permanence in the title and against intrusion.

"Second — Insuring peaceful quiet and perfect
repose to all who may be brought within the
sacred limits.

"Third— The landscape should embrace a di-
versified surface of land and water.

" Fourth — The area should be covered with
green turf in broad stretches.

" Fifth— Shaded by umbrageous trees, singly
distributed at intervals or in open groups.

"Sixth —And reaching on either side to masses
of foliage of different hues, deciduous or ever-
green, according to the situation. The outside
boundaries should be concealed by these, and at
the same time, from various commanding emi-
nences, open and unobstructed vistas across the
demesne and to distant objects of interest, should
be carefully preserved.

" Seventh— Easy access to all parts of the
ground should be provided by smooth hard roads
and paths, kept in perfect order.

"Eighth— Above all, we should enjoin severe
simplicity and strictly good taste in the decoration
of the graves and the mementoes offered to the
dear departed ones.

•• Ninth— In the modern rural cemetery we want
' no selfish repellent and obtrusive fences as en-
! closures to our lots, ever decaying and ever re-
; minding us of the egotistical claims and preten-
sions of individuals in this common meeting place
of rich and poor, where all of us, from the highest
to the lowest, are at last reduced to a common
level and to a condition in which there is and
should be no respect of persons.

"Tenth— Lastly, and in connection with the
sentiments already presented, as appropriate ac-
companiments and conditions of the sacred pre-
cincts of the cemetery, let us carefully avoid an-
other great danger that is incurred in our desire
to pay due respect to the memory of our dead ;
let us avoid making such a sacred spot appear to
be only one vast advertisement of the stonecut-
ter's thriving trade. Instead of the constant repe-
tition o\ granite and marble, shaft and obelisk, or
pretentious mausoleum or cenotaph, some persons
will prefer to place a mass of native rock, partially
faced for an inscription. Others, again, will pre-
fer to mark * the spot most dear of all the earth
beside ' by planting a memorial tree to mark
the last resting place of their dear departed
friends."

134

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[May,

886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

135

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Magnolias Near Chicago.— Mr. Douglas
says : •' One might infer from the remarks of the
writer on Chicago and St. Louis Parks, that he did
not think Magnolia acuminata and Liriodendron
hardy in Chicago. 1 have both these trees on
my lawn, where they have stood over 20 years,
and have been perfectly hardy after the first three
years after planting. They are fine specimens,
thrifty and fine."

[We may add that Waukegan is a few miles
northwest of Chicago. — Ed. G. M.]

Hardiness of the Gladiolus in North-
eastern Texas.— Mr. D. H. Watson, Brenham,
writes: "I have just read the interesting letter
of Mr. Obberwetter in the March number of the
Monthly, and I beg to differ with him in regard
to the hardiness of the Gladiolus. Here with us

I don't think the Gladiolus could be desired to
thrive any better than they do. We have some,
the bulbs of which were planted several years
ago, and they are just as good, produce as fine
flowers, and are as thrifty as when first planted.
We give them no attention at all, never think of
watering them, and give them no protection. The
only culture they get, is when we clean the weeds
and grass away from them. They multiply
rapidly and seem as much at home as if they were
natives of the soil. I find that the original bulbs
were planted about 1 5 years ^go."

[The gladiolus is probably much hardier than
many people suppose. Gladiolus communis, a
native of the south of Europe, has endured the
winters of many years past in the vicinity of
Philadelphia, and the kinds that have produced
the garden hybrids, are natives of similar regions.
—Ed. G. M.]

Greenhouse and House Gardening.

COMMUNICATIONS.

BAD PUTTY.

BY R. S.

Your correspondent, " Hudson, N. Y.," in the
February number of your valued magazine, re-
lates his experience, and asks, " Will some one ex-
plain how this putty is adulterated ?'* I know
nothing of the particular batch he became the un-
fortunate possessor of, but have no doubt it was
such as is made and sold in large quantities, at the
present time, by those who set a higher value
on a money profit, than they do upon a good,
honest reputation of character.

Having been a manufacturer of paints and putty
for the past 50 years, I claim to know how they
should be made.

True putty consists of thoroughly well-dried
whiting and linseed oil— nothing else. To me, it
is a gratifying fact, that this is the only formula I
have used. The sharp competition of these days,
the great tendency to cheapen everything that is
sold, has led even the manufacturers of putty to

produce an article at less cost; and they have
succeeded by the use of finely ground marble,
white clay and hme-water, with a portion of oil
(either Unseed or menhaden), in producing, at
httle cost, a compound which they call putty, and
sell lor such. This marble dust putty has but
little adhesiveness, and is quite unfit for glazing,
as it is sure to drop from the sash. But, even if it
did not, there would be no economy in its use, it
being much heavier than true putty, /. <f., the gen-
uine, old-fashioned whiting and linseed oil article ;
a vessel which would be filled with 100 pounds of
this, would hold from 130 to 140 pounds of the
marble dust article. Common lime-water mixed
with linseed oil, in the proportion of 3 or 4 parts
of Ume-water to i part of linseed oil, forms a
saponaceous mixture, used instead of pure oil in
making cheap putty, and it is believed also in the
manufacture of cheap paints, which " perish (al-
most) in their using."

Just at this moment, a circular setting forth the
advantages of using an " improved paint oil,*' has
been placed in my hands. A single extract from
this circular will suffice: "Live and energetic

dealers in paints and oils, will find it a profitable
oil to handle" ^ * * "half the price of lin-
seed oil."

As long as people will insist upon having goods
for less than their value, they may look for these
cheapening adulterations. Philadelphia,

about the branches of trees in their native home ;
while the specific alludes to the fringed labellum
of the flower.

DENDROBIUM FIMBRIATUM.
BY ALPHA..

The fringed Dendrobium. D. fimbriatum, is a
rare and singularly beautiful epiphytal orchideous
plant. It is a native of Nepal, where it was dis-
covered by Dr. Wallich and by him introduced
into England in 1828.

It bears dark green lanceolate leaves, and the
very splendid rich yellow flowers are produced in
many flowered racemes, and the graceful manner
in which they are disposed, renders the plant a
very beautiful and attractive object. The sepals
and petals of the individual flowers are, when care-
fully examined, found to be very beautiful, and of
a rich orange color, the petals being waved and
slightly fringed, while the hollow and undivided
Up is margined with an irregularly torn fringe.

The plant can be easily cultivated by placing
it in a wooden basket filled with sphagnum moss,
intermixed with bits of charcoal to secure ef^cient
drainage, or else the plant will not thrive. The
plant should also be elevated some two or three
inches above the top of the basket, in order to
protect the young shoots from injury by damp
The basket then can be suspended from the rocf
of the house, and during the summer, which is its
season of growth, it should be given a moist at-
mosphere and an average temperature of 70^
or more if possible. As soon as growth ceases
the temperature as well as the supply of mois-
ture should be gradually reduced. In the
winter it requires an average temperature of about
55O and only enough moisture given to keep
the plants from becoming absolutely dry, and
in the spring both heat and moisture can be
gradually increased.

If the plants, when in bloom, can be removed
to a cool but dry atmosphere, and a little care
exercised as to keeping the roots moist, the flowers
will retain their beauty for a considerable length
of time. Propagation is effected by a careful
division of the plant, and this operation should be
performed just before the plant starts into growth.^

The generic name is derived from " dendron,"
a tree, and " bio," to live, in allusion to the habits
of the species which grow and entwine themselves

STREPTOSOLEN JAMESONII.

BY VALENTIN BURGEVIN.

Streptosolen Jamesonii, a rather new appearance
in the floral kingdom, is receiving a welcome from
all lovers of flowers, on account of its pecuhar
color and form. Well cultivated specimens of it
in bloom, I dare say are among the greatest orna-
ments in our greenhouses; it certainly will be
liked, and will undoubtedly be an indispensable
addition to a good collection of flowering plants
in winter. But as it is not generally known, and
it may not be known just how to grow it satisfac-
torily, so as to show its character, I intend to
ofl"er my experience for the benefit of all inter-
ested in growing plants. I set out some young
plants from cuttings in May, in the open air,
which soon grew to be bushy plants. I pinched
them in, with the idea of making them stronger
and more perfect, which operation we perform on
Bouvardias, Chrysanthemums, Heliotropes, Ste-
vias, Eupatoriums and many other plants ; but I
made a mistake. Some of my Streptosolens I did
not pinch in, but left only three or four shoots,
which grew quite strong, from >^ to 3 feet high.
They were potted in September, in rich loamy
soil, and, on account of their many fibrous roots,
soon started to grow again, and in about two
weeks were brought to a sunny exposure in the
house. With proper repotting and a moist tem-
perature, from 50O to 60^^, they develop their
beautiful numerous clusters of orange yellow,
tubular flowers, clusters almost as large as Hy-
drangea, commencing to flower the latter part of
January, and continuing to May. They offer a
precious show of charming blooms, far more per-
fect than the ones that have been pinched in.
The shoots intended to bloom need the whole
season's undisturbed growth. Nature not having
provided them with stalks quite strong enough to
hold up their exquisite heads, the principal points
in their cultivation are to leave a limited number
of shoots, and to skilfully aid them by proper sup-
ports. Judging from its excellent quahties, the
Streptosolen Jamesonii will be, in all probability,
a favorite with every cultivator of this class of

plants.

[This pretty plant is a near relative to the well-
known BrowaUia. Indeed, we believe it has
Browallia Jamesonii for a synonym.— Ed. G. M.]

136

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[May,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

137

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Dandelion as an Early Window Plant.
— Admiring a pretty collection of pot plants in a
lady's window recently the question was asked
which she admired the most. It was a surprise to
learn that it was the Dandelion. She had one
potted in the fall, and every day when the sun
shone it put out a wealth of golden blossoms. And
it was so easy to get to grow and to bloom. After
all, common as the Dandelion is, there are few
plants that can rival it in beauty and general in-
terest. Not only our lady friend, but poets of high
rank have sung its praises. We are reminded,
while writing, of the pretty verses of Lowell which
will meet a response in many a breast —

Dear common flower, that grow'st beside the way,
Fringing the dusty road with harmless gold ;

First pledge of blithesome May,
Which children pluck, and, full of pride, uphold,—

Tlii^h-hpartrd buccaneers, o'crjoycd that they
An Eldorado in the grass have foiind,

Which not the rich earth's ample round
May match in wealth,— thou art more dear to me
Than all the prouder summer-blooms may be.

How like a prodigal doth nature seem,
When thou, lor all thy gold, so common art !

Thou teachest me to deem
More sacredly of ever> human heart,

Since each reflects in joy its scanty gleam
Of heaven, and could some wondrous secret show,
Did we but pay the love we owe.
And with a child's undoubtlng wisdom look
On all these living pages of God's book.

A Purple Calla. — Some talk has been had
about a purple calla, or Richardia. There is no
such thing. Arum Palestrina is purple, and this
is the plant intended, but there are plenty of pur-
ple Arum. The Arum maculatum of English
hedge rows — the "lords and ladies " of the peas-
ants— has purple spathes, and our own Indian tur-
nip is often purple.

Putty. — Those who worry about putty for
greenhouses should remember that it is wholly
out of date. The best greenhouse builders never
think of it. Glazing without putty is the order of
the day.

Dwarf Amaryllis. — Those friends who are
calling attention to the merits of this exquisite
tribe of flowers, are doing good service to flower
lovers. Recently we saw a very pretty kind in the
window of a lady, that had a flower-scape of about
a foot high, and had four large flowers on the two
scapes. These flowers were about four inches
over, and of a reddish orange, with a green "star"
towards the base of the perianth or flower cup.
The upper (broad) divisions were recurved, the
lower (the central one very narrow) not recurv-

ing, and hence giving the flower an irregular
form, rare in Amaryllis. It is evidently one of
the many varieties of Hippeastrum bulbulosum,
and perhaps the one once known as a distinct
species under the name of Amaryllis rutila. Flow-
ering as this does in March, it is just the kind of
plant to be desirable for window plant growers.
We do not know that it is to be had in the florists*
trade, though our lady friend thinks among ama-
teur gardeners it •' ought to be common enough."
Its native home is Brazil.

Ceratozamia Mexicana.— The whole family
of Cycads, of which the Sago- palm is a well known
illustration, is very much appreciated by those
who love ornamental foliage plants around their
homes in summer, and as they are of very slow
growth large specimens always have a high value.
They seldom flower under cultivation, and hence
when one does it is always an object of great in-
terest to all " neighbors and friends." One of
these events in the Germantown neighborhood
during March was the flowering of Ceratozamia
Mexicana under the management of Mr. A. M.
Lawton, the intelligent gardener to H. H. Hus-
ton, Esq., who is adding to his garden attractions
quite a number of greenhouses and many rare and
interesting things.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

PoiNSETTA Culture. — "A lady" desires to
know how best to grow Poinsettas. If very large
bracts are desired, the plants may be cut down in
early spring. As soon as they have pushed a lit-
tle, shake out of the old pots, and reset in as small
pots as the roots will grow in. As soon as they
get established in these, repot in an eight or ten
inch pot, and set in the full sun and give plenty
of water during summer; early in the fall take to
a warm house. A temperature of 70^ gives the
best results. Whether large or small plants are de-
sired, they take a good heat when flowering, as
well as when growing, to get the best results.

Propagating Acacias.— A correspondent in-
quires " the best way to propagate the New Hol-
land Acacias, some of which are so much used in
cut flower work." She probably means Acacia
pubescens. But this and all others are easily
raised by cuttings of the roots, the same as Bou-
vardias are raised. Seeds can often be had, and
grow easily.

Fruit and Vegetable Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Whoever grows wheat or any other farm crop,
knows that the soil will not maintain its fertility
without manure. He knows that however rich a
virgin soil may be, it cannot long remain rich
without his artificial aid. Hence, an annual ma-
nuring becomes, in time, as necessary as an annual
sowing of seeds. How few remember this in
orchard management. The tree has to flourish in
the same soil for years,— or perchance after all the
best of the soil has been taken away by regular
farm crops, and then comes the " Wonder why
our climate will not grow trees as it once did."
Soils cannot well be too rich for fruit trees ; not to
have manure dug deeply in, but spread on the
surface. Possibly we suffer more from the apple
and plum borer than we one time did, but these
are so easily kept out by oil paper about the collar
of the tree, that excuses for not raismg fruit, on
account of injury to the trees by borers, is only
exhibiting one's laziness. Fire blight and plum
knot may be easily kept under, and the curculio
•• fixed " by Hull-catchers. The codlin moth may
be pretty well kept under by persistence in de-
stroying wormy apples, so that with the exception
of leaf blight and injuries from frost, there is
really no formidable obstacle to the way of suc-
cessful fruit growing. Leaf blight is not yet
mastered. If it is true, as appears probable, that
the fungus which produces the effect we see, can
only germinate in a high temperature, we may,
by taking steps to keep the great reflection from
our summer sun parched soil from operating on
the leaves, yet master this last great evil.

Grapes in cold vineries will now be of a size fit
for thinning. In those cases where the bunches
are intended to hang long on the vines, they
should be thinned out more severely than those
expected to be cut early. A close, compact bunch
favors mildew and early decay.

Fine, rich color is always esteemed as one of
the criterions whereby to judge of the excellence
of a fruit. Sun light is of first importance ; but
it is not generally known that this is injurious
when in excess. In a dry atmosphere, with great
sun-heat, where the evaporating process goes on
faster than the secretive principle, what should be-

come a rich rosy blush in a fruit, is changed to a
sickly yellow ; and the rich jet black of a grape
becomes a foxy red. Some grape-growers of emi-
nence, in view of the facts, shade their vineries
during the coloring process ; but others, instead,
keep the atmosphere as close and moist as possi-
ble. The latter course detracts from the flavor of
the fruit. The best plan is that which combines
both practices.

years.

Strawberries, when in grown hills,— the most la-
borious but the most productive method of grow-
ing them.— should have runners cut off as they
grow, and the surface soil kept loose by shallow
hoeings occasionally. Short litter, half rotten, as
a mulch, is also beneficial. Lawn mowings are
often applied, but with little benefit. Where they
are grown in beds, they should not be too thick,
as they starve one another, and the crop next year

will be poor.

Blackberries are not always ripe when they are
black. Leave them on till they part readily from

their stalks.

Gooseberries should have the soil, and even the
I plants, if it were practicable, shaded a little. Dry
\ air about them is one great cause of mildew.

Peas for a fall crop' may be sown. It is, how-
ever, useless to try them, unless in a deeply
trenched soil, and one that is comparatively cool
in the hottest weather overhead, or they will
i certainly mildew and prove worthless. In Eng-
land, where the atmosphere is so much more hu-
mid than ours, they nevertheless have great dif-
ficulty in getting fall peas to get through free from
1 mildew ; and to obviate these drying and mildew -
' producing influences, they often plant them in
deep trenches, made as for celery, and are then
much more successful with them.

138

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[May,

1886.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

^39

Cabbage and Broccoli may still be set out for
fall crops, also requiring an abundance of manure
to insure success.

Lettuce, where salads are in much request, may
yet be sown. The Curled Indian is a favorite
summer kind ; but the varieties of Cos, or Plain-
leaved kinds, are good. They take more trouble,
having to be tied up to blanch well. Many should
not be sown at a time, as they soon run to seed in
hot weather.

Endive is becoming very popular as a winter
salad. Now this is the time to sow. The Curl-
leaved is the most desirable. Sow it like Let-
tuce.

Celery for early use is often planted out this
month, though for winter use July or August will
be early enough. It is best to set out in shallow
trenches, for convenience in watering, the celery
being fond of hydropathic apphances. If the
ground has been deeply subsoiled, and the sub-
soil well enriched, the trenches may be near a
foot in depth, for convenience in blanching ; but
beware of planting down in poor, barren subsoil.
Many plant in double rows. Where very superior
celery is not an object, this will do, but the single
row system is the best for excellence. The season
is now arriving when the advantages of subsoiled
ground will be apparent. In such soil plants will
grow freely though there be no rain for many
weeks. Some of our best growers now plant en-
tirely on the surface, and depend on drawing up
the soil, or the employment of boards or other
artificial methods of blanching.

Cucumbers for pickling may be sown this
month.

Parsley for winter use may be sown now in boxes
of rich soil, and set in a cool, shady place till it
germinates.

Asparagus beds should not be cut after the
stalks seem to come up strong, or there will be but
a poor crop next season, and the beds will " run
out," in a few years.

The Swede Turnip or Ruta Baga should be sown
about the end of the month. A well-enriched
piece of ground is essential, as by growing fast
they get ahead of the ravages of the fly. Manures
abounding in the phosphates — bone-dust, for in-
stance,— are superior for the turnip.

Sweet potatoes must be watched, that the vines
do not root in the ground as they run, which will
weaken the main crop of roots. They should be
gone over about once a month, and with a rake
or pole, the vines disturbed somewhat from their
position.

COMMUNICATIONS.

THRIP IN GRAPERIES.
BY A. H.

I thank the contributors at pages 78 and 109 of
the Gardeners* Monthly, for suggestions on the
subject of thrip, in reply to my article on page 18.

As my grapery is a cold one, where fire is not
used in a stove more than half a dozen times
early in April, I have no heated pipes on which
to apply sulphur and milk ; and I have had ex-
perience enough with sulphur, both burning or
simply heated, to know how much, or how little,
under circumstances, it will accomplish. I have
stonewalks in my grapery and at periods when
the insects can be stupefied and made to drop
down, the use of a broom as recommended is a
proper one ; a great many of the thrip can be thus
destroyed. I always have my vines trimmed fully
in the fall, which I deem much better than prun-
ing in the spring ; they are also more easily cov-
ered after pruning; they are well washed with to-
bacco water and sulphur to keep off mice ; the
larger stems are wrapped with straw and the
branches bent down and covered with leaves.
About the loth of April, they are uncovered,
washed with soap-suds, suspended, heads hanging
until the buds begin to swell, and then tied up.

The wire cup, with paper soaked with kerosene
ignited, if handled properly, does less harm, and
accomplishes more than it gets credit for at page
no. It destroys thousands of the insects in the
autumn whose progeny would otherwise next year
amount to millions. MeadvilUt Pa.

MANAGEMENT OF GRAPEVINES.
BY J. GARDNER.

I am in charge of some twenty acres of vine-
yard, therefore am asked a great many times what
is my experience with bagging grapes as a pre-
ventive of grape rot. I say bagging is a perfect
nuisance, so far as my experience goes. Again,
many ask, what is the cause of grape rot ? I also
have asked that question, but nobody seems to
know, so I thought I would come to you for your
opinion ; also to give mine. Now, I have been in
charge of this vineyard twelve years, and at one
time had some three hundred varieties of grapes
in it. Out of all these only eight varieties were
subject to grape rot, and these have rotted but
four years out of twelve, and then only when
the thermometer has gone 12O to 15O below

zero. The summer following such cold I notice
the grape rot is sure to make its appearance.

Now, I claim that
the freezing of the old
wood is the cause of
grape rot ; for instance,
if you look around
you will find most of
the vines are pruned as is Fig. A, others again are
pruned with more old wood exposed, as in Fig. B.
I find that so much
old wood exposed to
our severe winters is
more than our vines
will stand ; that is, in
localities where the
thermometer goes 12O
to 15O below zero.

Now, if you cut through some of the old exposed |
wood you will find it is black from being frozen, i
My opinion is that the sap passing through the \
partly decayed wood is the immediate cause of |
grape rot. For example, last summer I had in
the same row vines that were pruned as in Fig. C,

and covered over
with some light
manure last win-
ter, that had not
a particle of rot,
and they ripened
five days earlier
than the vines
pruned as in Fig. D, with the old wood exposed
to frost, while the vines pruned with so much old
wood exposed
were badly injured
by the rot. Now,
Mr. Editor, if you
or any of your
numerous readers
of the Gardeners'

Monthly have had the same experience, or any
other, I shall be glad to hear it through the

Monthly.

With Ellwanger &^ Barry, Rochester, N. Y.

^o*

(From a letter to a friend )

FLORIDA ORANGES
BY LEWIS MAROT.

With the exception of 100 oranges sold in the
store, those two boxes were all I got from my
grove, out of about 3000 which the trees bore.
My neighbors in Tangerine have a feeUng that

whatever grows on my place— lemons, oranges,
guavas, or melons— they have a common interest
in, and in accordance therewith enjoyed all these
things while they lasted. I had hard work to
save the two boxes. 1 instructed my Philadelphia
doctor, C. C. Bolles, living on the adjoining ten
acres, to keep two boxes hanging on the trees un-
til they got to their highest point of excellence. He
labored diligently to that end, and when the two
boxes were picked there were none left. They
I were my first offering from a grove of my own
I planting and raising. The high appreciation of
j this "offering," coming from those with whom the
happiest period of my younger days was passed,
more than compensates for all the toil and expendi-
ture of raising the grove, had it been ten times as
great. I designed, by letting them hang as long
as possible, to have them true to the name of
" Florida oranges." A large portion of our fruit
is shipped before maturity, and I am glad I was
not disappointed in the result. This was before
the freeze. This fall I hope to send you more of
the same sort, from the same trees that stood a
test of cold never before experienced in this sec-
tion—18^ above zero.

But before many days, I will send a box of
blossoms, from the same trees, that will put to
' blush the liars of the North that are persisting in
doing all they can against the State, by proclaim-
ing that •' Florida has been frozen out, and that
all the orange trees are killed !"
! The damage to the orange tree is comparatively
small, and in many sections the trees are still
hanging full of delicious oranges that were un-
touched by the cold, and the groves as bright
and beautiful as ever. It is not to be wondered
at that the impression should have gone abroad
that the State was irredeemably ruined ; for many
of our people felt that way on the morning of the
third day of bitter cold. But that they should per-
sist in it, after abundant evidence to the contrary,
is strange indeed. The prices of land and groves
have not been depreciated, but on the contrary, in
many sections, have been enhanced, from the
fact that the trees will bear so much cold.

The planting of new groves is going on all
around, from young trees that stood in the nur-
series unprotected from the cold. The loss of the
oranges will be sadly felt. One of my neighbors
lost 1,500 boxes— had not picked an orange for
shipment. The whole lot was contracted for at a
good price, packed and delivered at the station ;
shipping to commence a few days after the date of
the freeze. I have about 4.000 young trees m the

I40

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

IMay,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

141

nursery, that are generally growing nicely. A
few small and weakly trees were killed. I have
sold one acre of land since the freeze at $60.
Pretty good price for a "dead country." I was
appointed by the county court, to appraise an
estate, a few days ago, and twenty acres of land
was appraised at $2,000. What dp you think of
that for a dead country ?

Business has been very dull here for some time
past, but as much in sympathy with the business
of the North as from cold. In McDonald we
have one good-sized house going up, and four
others planned, three of which are to be worth
from $1,500 to $2,500. A new station has been
located a short distance from us, a depot going up,
and about fifty or sixty acres being set out in
orange trees.

Next fall will probably bring us the largest in-
flux of visitors we have ever had. The travel this
way is now increasing, and things are shaping for
rather better times, though the change will be
gradual — probably may be worse before it gets
better. But a booming crop of oranges this iall,
as is shown by the condition of the trees, will set
things in good shape, and more money will be in-
vested here next winter than ever before. The
increase of patronage at the Jacksonville hotels,
has been at the rate of from 6,000 to 8,000 the
past five years.

There are now several millions invested in
hotels in Florida, and some of the houses have all
the conveniences ot Northern ones.
McDonald, Orange Co., Florida, March gth, 1886.

A NEW SPECIES OF GRAPE, AND THE
SCUPPERNONG.

BY T. V. MUNSON.

Recently I have identified a distinct species of
grape, first discovered in Florida by a Mr. Halsey,
about 1830, and sent to Rafinesque who described
as follows :

"Vilt's Floridana, or peltata (Raf.), Florida
Grape, — Petioles short and smooth ; leaves droop-
ing, ovate-cordate, acute (in outline) ; base sub-
peltate, split acutely, lobes approximated ; teeth
all round large, acute incised, straight-sided. Sur-
face smooth and green on both sides ; beneath
nerves reticulated prominently, with bearded axil-
las. Leaf very small i Yz inches long, by one broad ;
petiole half as long as leaf. The prominent net-
work of nerves beneath, instead of veins, as usual
in other species, is peculiar. Fruit unknown."

Since Rafinesque's time this species has re-

mained unobserved, or else confounded with V.
rotundifolia by botanists. Even Dr. Engelmann
seems to have had no knowledge of it.

Recently Mr. J. H. Simpson, of Manatee, Fla.,
an excellent amateur botanist, has re-discovered
it in Manatee county, Fla. I last year received
leaves of it from Lake Jessup, Fla., but took them
to be of V. rotundifolia, till lately, having received
fruit from Mr. Simpson ; I at once saw we had an
entirely distinct form, though closely allied to V.
rotundifolia. The cluster is about the same size
as V. rotundifolia, the berry only one-third to
one-half the diameter, with skin thinner and ten-
derer ; seeds small, one-third to one-quarter the
size in bulk of V. rotundifolia. Fruit more acid
with much less pulp. Wood warty and tendrils
simple as in V. rotundifolia, but the cuttings, as
tried by Mr. Simpson, grow very easily, while
those of V. rotundifolia will scarcely grow at all.
It seems to be confined to the southern portion of
Florida. Mr. Simpson finds this species com-
mon in Manatee county, while the V. rotundifolia
is not found. The two species seem to blend into
each other coming northward from the Manatee
River. This makes the number of species of
American grapes, worthy of such distinction, six-
teen, and puts two species into the warty wooded,
simple tendriled group, instead of one as hereto-
fore.

Just at this point let me make one point clear
as to Scuppernong and Muscadine, or rotundi-
foha grapes, in the South. Generally it is under-
stood that when the term, or phrase, Scuppernong
grapes, is used, that it applies to all cultivated
varieties of V. rotundifolia. The unguarded use
of the term, as in Mr. H. W. Ravenel's " History
of the Scuppernong Grape," (Gardeners'
Monthly for August, 1885, p. 238), wherein he
says, " All the cul ivated Scuppernong vines now
in existence are parts of that original vine found
in N. C. !" leads to confusion unless this is to ap-
ply purely to that variety very commonly called
Amber ; then he is correct. Scuppernong is one
of the common names for this class of grapes,
along with Muscadine as another. However, it
would hs^ve avoided the danger of confusion if
Amber had been used, as it applies to no other
of this class or species. There are other varieties
of this species (V. rotundifolia) in cultivation, all
or nearly all of which have been found wild in
one or another of the Southern States. Pee Dee
is another of same color as Amber, but later.
They are not amber, but of a dull rusty yellow.
Thomas, Flowers and Tenderpulp, all black, are

other varieties favorably known and largely culti-
vated. Flowers is the best to my taste of the lot.
All varieties of this are entirely free from every
form of disease affecting other species.

Denison, Texas.

[As to what is a species or what a mere variety
among grapes, there will be a difference of opinion
even among eminent botanists. In regard to this,
it is enough to say that few persons have given
such close attention to the study of the grape as
Mr. Munson, and his views will therefore be re-
ceived with great respect by botanists generally.
—Ed. G. M.]

REMEDIES FOR PEACH TREE BORER.
BY ERNEST WALKER.

To my item " Tobacco Stems and Ashes," page
323, November Gardeners* Monthly, 1885,
which I chanced across in reviewing some of the
back numbers of the Horticulturist— as is my
practice to occasionally do- the Editor appends a
note which suggests the form in which I should
perhaps have made my statement, as I am not
certain that ashes do positively destroy the borer,
though I had some grounds for thinking so, and
in my article only expressed my conviction.

I had experimented in casting clammy skinned
worms in tobacco and wood ashes. Fresh tobacco
ashes are the stronger, containing more and purer
potash. The common "earth-worm" placed in
it would writhe frantically ; the skin would grow
dark and give out a watery excretion. The ashes
adhering in this would soon coat the worm from
"head to toe" with the burning plaster. The j
skin now exhausted of its fluid secretion became
dry and darker, and in a few minutes all struggles
were over. In weaker ashes the results were simi-
lar, but prolonged in proportion to the strength of
the ashes. Hence the value and use of dry ashes
for dusting cabbages troubled with worms.

Now, when ashes are placed around the root of
a peach tree, to the borer it is in all probability a
repetition of the history of Pompeii, but in addi-
tion to this the rains dissolve the alkaline princi-
ple and flood the floors of his Httle domicile, so
that instead of wallowing in the dust he bathes in
the burning fluid. Weaker ashes would not have
the same active effect I first mentioned in the ex-
periment, but the skin of the borer is tender and
very susceptible to tanning; his mouth and
stomach are more tender, and could scarcely en-
dure the draught he would be compelled to take
in " a bath;" at the same time the bark, his food,

is rendered unwholesome for the time by even the
weaker alkali.

It would not be advisable to place the fresh
ashes about the roots of the tree, but ashes parti-
ally leached by exposure for some time to rains,
placed about the collum of trees and shrubs sub-
ject to borers, cannot injure them, and proves de-
cidedly beneficial. At the meeting of the Indiana
Horticultural Society, in 1883, I believe, this sub-
ject came up between some others and myself
privately, 1 suggested this remedy, when a gentle-
man immediately ejaculated, '• There ! you've hit
it ; that's the best thing I know of, and works
every time," and subsequently related his experi-
ence thus : •' Several years ago I planted out
several thousand peach trees. They did httle
good for several years. I discovered the borer to
be at the bottom of the trouble, and forthwith
catching a hint as to the virtue of ashes I distribu-
ted the heap lying in my stable yard among them,
placing a little mound about the stem of each
tree. The trees revived and have not been trou-
bled with the borer since, and to-day are healthy
and yielding profitably."

Another peach orchardist residing near New
Albany, Ind., related a similar experience, but
used hot water instead. He appHed this remedy
in the latter part of winter, before the ground was
warm, otherwise it might have been apt to scald
the roots. Having heated a large kettle full of
water, he passed through his orchard of some
thousand trees, pouring a quart around the collum
of each, and claimed his trees have since been per-
fectly healthy and free from the borer.

New Albany, Ind.

FORCING STRAWBERRIES.
BY THOMAS FOULDS.

In the June number of 1885 appeared my query
of growing strawberries under glass, which brought
forth many responses, and many have been in-
duced to try the experiment by reason of this cor-
respondence.

I presume you will admit me to answer in-
quiries through your valuable Monthly ; if so, I
' will be as concise as possible. Take up good strong
I runners as early as may be in the spring, plant
' them in boxes 3 feet long, 6 inches wide and 6
' inches deep, bottom perforated with holes to se-
' cure good drainage. Fill with well enriched soil ;
I if heavy, add about one-fifth sand. In a box of
i such dimensions plant four. Place them on a
i layer of ashes or coarse material. Water when

I4'2

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[May,

necessary, not allowing them to get dry. Nip off
the bloom and runners as they appear, and as
they grow stronger, water occasionally with weak
liquid manure, increasing to two or three times a
week as the plants develop. By the middle of
September they will have attained the highest
point of growth for the season, when water must
be given sparingly. If extreme earliness is de-
sired, remove them into a position where 6oO to
65O can be maintained during severe cold nights
with the foliage well up to the glass. I consider
the greatest importance to successful fruiting is
light and heat. This will be, in our latitude, about
the 1st of November. Give plenty of air on mild
days, with increased temperature as they start in-
to action, say from 55O to 60^, and so on until the
fruit is set, when on bright days 70O may be given
with benefit, frequent syringing is absolutely
necessary as the growth advances, to keep down
red spider. Watering with liquid manure will
again be in order, until the fruit shows signs of
ripening, when it may be withheld ; regulate the
size according to the quantity of the fruit on each
plant. This year my plants were in bloom by the
middle of January, and on Washington's Birthday
picked ripe berries. My varieties are the Sharp-
less, Crescent seedling and Cumberland. The
method is simple, and anyone may have them
who has the facilities, and the best teacher is
nature's own law. Hoyt, Montgomery Co., Pa.

of green fly. It is easier to keep an army at bay
than to turn it out after it has taken possession.
So, my motto always is, to keep such enemies at
bay, never let them get a firm footing. In this
lies the secret, if secret there be, of successfully
contending with the numerous insects which at-
tack hot-house plants in general. Anyone with
experience, knows how much easier it is to keep a
house clear of green fly than it is to get rid of it
after it has gained a footing there. I have always
found a well balanced atmosphere, in regard to
heat, moisture, and air, a powerful agent against
the encroach of thrip and red spider.

Mr. Rhind's plan of cleaning off the rough
bark and painting with such a mixture as he de-
scribes, is excellent; in fact, all well-kept grap-
eries should undergo such an operation annually.
I do not wish to discourage Mr. R., but perhaps I
may be allowed to state, that I know of a grapery
60 feet long •• lean-to " with a 25-foot rafter, in the
centre of which is a single vine of the variety
known as White Tokay and filling the whole
house. This was planted in the year 1783, and
has, I believe, undergone the operation of bark-
ing and painting annually ever since ; and yet it
was in this same grapery that the writer was first
impressed with the efficacy of sulphur "vapor"
as an antidote for thrip.

South Virginia, April 8th, 1886.

SULPHUR, AN ANTIDOTE FOR THRIP.

BY CULTIVATOR.

Mr. Rhind, page 109, takes exception to my an-
swer to "A. H.'s" inquiry for an effectual remedy
for the destruction of thrip. Probably Mr. Rhind
took my remarks, under the sense which the Editor
points out as dangerous. If so, I quite agree
with him, that anyone using sulphur in such a
manner would be sure to come to grief. But in
all my experience with it (yet I am open to con-
viction and invite criticism) I have never known
it to be in any way injurious to vegetation, when
apphed to hot-water pipes. In regard to its ef-
ficiency for destroying thrip, I can only say, that
I have annually kept large ranges of graperies,
clear of both thrip and red spider, through the
persistent use of sulphur, applied to the hot-water
pipes as described in my answer to •• A. H." But
let me not be understood to mean, that one applica-
tion is going to keep the grapery clear of thrip,
for the entire season, for it will not, no more than
one fumigation is going to keep a rose-house clear

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Close Planting of Grapevines. — How theo-
retical reasoning is often upset by practical experi-
ence is well illustrated by California grape grow-
ers. The late Mr. Briggs thought that vines
planted 12 feet apart would make better fruit than
closer, but it is found by results that when closer
planted the saccharine matter is increased.

The Evergreen Blackberry. — Botanistsknow
well that there is no *• native blackberry in the
Sierra Nevadas " fit to eat, and others who are
not botanists know well that this so called " Ever-
green " " Nevada " blackberry is only a variety of
the English species known as Rubus fruticosus.
But some of our Pacific friends who do not know
as much as they will some day are indignant at
the Eastern papers for telling them the truth. At
a recent convention, reported in the Oregonian,
Mr. Manning, an architect of Portland, but an ex-
cellent amateur gardener, said :

"They are as genuine an evergreen as the pine
or fir, the leaves remaining on the whole year.

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

143

making them very ornamental, and they make as
nice an arbor for winter as the grape does for
summer." He adds: "It is ridiculous to com-
pare them to the old cut-leaf blackberry, for one
bush of evergreen will produce more fruit than ten
acres of the other, and I am surprised at the Rural
New Yorker referring to them as such." They
will stand the Colorado or any other climate. A.
J. Fix writes that the blackberry in question 'Ms
as much an evergreen as the pine or anythmg
else." Mr. Offner says, •• they make a growth of
from twenty-five to thirty feet in two years and
are loaded with berries the full length."

It will perhaps be news to these friends that
this species is •• evergreen " here in Philadelphia
when the fohage gets under the snow as much
as it is in Oregon.

Potato, Charles Downing.— New and prom-
ising potatoes continue to be born, but hope seems
too often to get an early frost that blights it in the
bud. Charles Downing is the new star in the
East. It is said to be as early as Alpha, produc-
tive as White Elephant, and as agreeable as Snow-
flake. '• Long may it wave."

Endive Celery.— A kind of celery that grows

in dense tufts like Endive has appeared in France.
The leaves are so numerous, and grow so thickly
together, that they shade the leaf stalks, and the
plant is thus self-blanching. It could probably
be aided in this by tying a httle, or placing a
board over as in endive.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Preserving Hot-house Grapes for Winter
Use.— A correspondent from western Pennsylva-
nia says: " My crop of grapes from under glass
turned out better than I expected, and we have
the last of our Black Hamburghs and Muscat of
Alexandria grapes on our table to-day, in honor
of a deceased parent's birthday. This fruit has
kept in an upper room, laid on wrapping paper,
and well covered with the same. Though some-
what shrunken, both kinds are fresh and quite
palatable, with very little culling out. The ripen-
ing of the fruit and its keeping so well, I attribute
largely to thorough thinning at the proper season."

Forestry.

COMMUNICATIONS.

FOREST CONIFERiE OF THE ROCKY

MOUNTAINS.

BY ROBERT DOUGLAS.

Referring to specimens of Pinus ponderosa,

page 113. April number, P. ponderosa, sent me by

Mr. S. B. Higginson, Gordon, Nebraska, are in

no way different from the species as found in the

foot hills from New Mexico to Montana. This

same tree, as found in California, where it reaches

its greatest development, has leaves a foot long,

and very large cones. In the foot hills on the

the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, and

well up into the mountains toward the north, its

leaves are from 3 to 9 inches long, according to

exposure and quality of soil in which it is growing.

I have had three different specimens sent me in the

same package, from a gentleman in the Black

Hills, as three different species of pines ; but they

were all the same. The gentleman replied, telhng

me that I did not know anything about pmes.

When exploring in the Black Hills a year or two
afterwards, I inquired of gentlemen who were said
to know the most about the Black Hills conifers,
and was sent to different points to find the differ-
ent kinds of pines, which went by different names,
but found them all to be the same. No wonder
they were called by different names, and supposed
to be different kinds, for at different ages the tree
has a different appearance. We found large
forests of tall, slender, blackish-barked trees.
Other forests, all of a more spreading habit, with
their brown or cinnamon colored bark. Finally,
the fine species of pines that we went out to exam-
ine, after so many laborious days' travel, all
proved to be Pinus ponderosa. This Black Hills
country must have been subject to forest fires be-
fore the white man entered it, for undoubtedly
fires were the cause of these forests being of different

ages.

The Black Hills country resembles the hilly
part of New England more than any other coun-
try I have ever seen, and you can imagine one of
these hills having been swept by fire, say twenty-

144

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[May,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

five or thirty years ago, and not a tree left except
on a broken spot here and there where the fire
could not reach, and all this extent covered with
trees of the same age ; while beyond the stream,
where the fire could not reach, are the older trees,
quite different in appearance ; for you will bear in
mind that in this Black Hills country, or at least
in some parts of it, the trees spring up as they do
in New England, or in a moist climate, differing
wonderfully from Colorado in this respect.

Pinus ponderosa owes its reputation to the Cali-
fornia tree, where it is said to produce excellent
timber ; but the Colorado tree has no such claim.
Prof. Sargent and I examined the timber in the car-
penter shops in Leadville. In one shop we found
some pine lumber that worked nicely, but they
called it Chicago pine. That is the name they
give the White pine, as it had come from Chicago,
and carted up to Leadville after it lelt the railroad,
as the railroad did not reach there at that time.
At Deadwood, in the large Homestake mines, they
use the ponderosa and give it a poor reputation ;
but it is the only pine in the Black Hills. Pinus
tseda would no more stand the climate in north-
west Nebraska and the Black Hills, than a Florida
orange tree would stand there ; and Pinus mitis
browns here every winter, and loses the last year's
growth nearly every winter. Pinus ponderosa is
a dangerous tree here, as the fungus on the leaves
not only disfigures this tree, but "catches on'* to
the Austrian severely, and on the resinosa to a less
extent. We burned every one we had on the
place for this reason, and I do not know of a tree
left in the west. The largest tree I ever saw un-
der cultivation, was in the Cambridge botanic
garden, and it was a miserable tree, with a very
unsightly fungus on its trunk. If it could be
grown healthily and thrifty, it would be a beauti-
ful tree, but I do not think it can be on this side
of the mountains.

Possibly I am prejudiced against this tree ; very
likely I am. It has cost me between two and three
thousand dollars, and I know I will never get a
cent back, and this will prejudice a fellow some-
times. You may know of some ponderosas in the
East that are doing well, and making good
healthy trees. Waukegan, III.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Size of Ancient Trees. — How one may be
deceived in evolving a chain of facts is evident
from much that we read in scientific journals.

Here is an illustration. At Kinnened in Sweden
a boat was recently dug out of a bog. It was a
*' dug-out," and six feet across the edges. From
this the inference is drawn that the trees of that
region "must have been 20 feet in circumfer-
ence."

In Alaska the captain of our vessel gave us
"half a day "to follow the receding Davidson
glacier. The rest of the party took a round-
I about but water-worn way, but the writer of this
I thought he could save time by crossing the nar-
row but wood-covered peninsula that separated
the glacier's track from our landing place. It was
; a mistake. The immense thickets of Shallon three
I or four feet high, and the terribly prickly Panax
horrida, or " Devil's walking cane," took several
hours to get through. It was worse than an East-
ern blackberry thicket. The glacier's trail was
reached, but that was all. The others got to the
glacier's edge, but the unfortunate battler with
\ woods had to stand the laugh of the more success-
ful ones. But he had his reward. In his tramp

I ^^

' through the woods he found a " boat yard.'* The
Indians had all left to see the big ship and "trade,"
but there was their work in progress. The trees
' were of alder, which grow to an immense size for
alders on the bottoms. The logs in preparation
j were not measured, but from memory were be-
I tween two and three feet. But when finished were
j much wider than this. They were stretched apart.
! As was gathered from a half-breed afterwards, who
I spoke fair Enghsh, the logs after being hollowed,
I are filled with water. Red hot stones are then
j put in the water till the temperature is high. Then
i braces are wedged across, much as the butcher
' uses a gambrel to spread a sheep apart, and the
boat remains in that form when it cools. There-
fore the width of an Indian dug-out is no guide to
the width of the tree that furnished the log.

European Larch in Massachusetts.— At a
recent meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society, Mr. O. B. Hadwen said that he set out
some larches for ornament, and twenty-six years
after he wanted twenty sticks of timber 8 inches
by id, and could not get them except by resorting
to his ornamental trees, and accordingly cut out
alternate trees. The larch makes very stiff tim-
ber, which cannot be sprung.

The Distance Between Forest Trees. — In
Europe, where one might suppose such a question
would long ago have been settled, the proper dis-
tance to set forest trees is still a matter of dispute.
If set very close they starve each other as the

food necessary for one has to be shared by two ;
on the other hand if trees be set very wide there
is too much tendency to send food into side
branches and the trunk is low ; a tall straight
trunk is very essential to good timber. If a tree
could be wholly under a pruner's charge so that
any very stout horizontal branches could be cut
away, and the leader encouraged to grow strong
and straight, there would be no question about
the solitary tree having by far the best of it. But
this sort of manipulation is out of the question in
large forestry areas. It would not pay. The
great object then should be to plant so closely
that side branches will not be encouraged to any
great extent, and yet not so closely that the trees
will starve or smother each other.

Telegraph Poles.— In England the Norway
spruce is employed, known we believe in the En-
glish lumber market as " deal." Larches, of En-
elish growth, formerly employed, were found sadly
wanting in durability. In America cedar is used
where they can be had tall and cheap enough,
but nothing is found better than chestnut, cost
and durability both considered. Ten or fifteen
years is the average duration of an American tele-
graph pole. The English are talking of iron
posts, though it is conceded they cost four-fold
those of wood.

Birch-wood for Doors.— It is stated that
Birch is a good material for doors. A gentleman
recently had black Birch used for the foldmg-

doors of his new house against the architect's pro-
test. The result has so far been satisfactory. The
Birch in texture resembles Satin-wood, and is a
dark cherry in color. The doors are admired by
everyone who sees them. Although this is so,
the question of durabihty still remains to be tested.
Black Birch is not generally considered a lasting
wood.

We believe the above useful hint from Garden-
ing Illustrated, refers to our Sweet or Mahogany
Birch, Betula lenta. Our Betula nigra, we believe,
is seldom used and perhaps never exported.

The American White Oak in England. —
The Garden says that in England the American
White oak grows faster than the Enghsh oak.
This is remarkable, as in America, it grows slower
than most oaks, and the reputation the oak has of
being a slow grower, comes chiefly from experi-
ence with the White oak— Quercus alba. The
most rapid of all oaks in the vicinity of Philadel-
phia, is the English oak. The leading branches
always make two, and often three growths a sea-
son, and five feet is not uncommon for the annual
growth of the leading shoot.

The Garden regrets the difficulty of getting
acorns of the American White oak to England,
This has always been a trouble. They bear freely
only about once in two or four years, and sprout
immediately on falling. If Enghsh planters want
to try this plant in forestry, they should contract
in advance of some fruitful season, with some
American nursery to sow the acorns, and then
ship the plants the next spring.

Natural History and Science.

COMMUNICATIONS.

THE BAG-WORM AND THE ELM-LEAF

BEETLE.

BY PROF. S. S. RATHVON.

II.

The " elm-leaf beetle '* is not so easy to manage
as the " bag-worm," especially when the trees are
very large and high, and the bark is rough. As
you stated, in your reply to your correspondent in
the January number of the Gardeners' Monthly,
there is very little use spending time in providing
means to prevent these beetles from crawling up

the trunks and large branches of the trees, for
they seldom, if ever, resort to that process of get-
ting to their leaves. Notwithstanding their appa-
rent sluggishness when partially chilled, or when
very young, they soon become very deft flyers.
On one occasion I gathered about two hundred
of the pupae at the base of an elm tree, and put
them in a paper box, some 3 or 4 inches in length
and about 2 inches deep. On opening the box
three days thereafter, to notice what progress they
had made in transformation, fully a dozen of them
made their escape by flight, before I could close

the box again.

I saw the first elm-leaf beetles (Galeruca xan-

146

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[May,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

147

thomaloena) in Lancaster county, at least ten
years ago. They were brought to the March
meeting of the Linnaean Society by Mrs. Gibbons,
of Gordonville. and she reported that she found a
large number of them behind the screen of a fire-
place in her house. It is therefore certain that
these beetles hibernate during winter, and that, for
that purpose, they do not always go under ground
or under the bark of trees. For the past four
or five years, they have been exceedingly numer-
ous and destructive in and about Lancaster city,
and yet little or nothing has been done to arrest
their progress, other than the cutting down of an
occasional tree : and, perhaps, under the circum-
stances, nothing else could be done. When the
larvae (small bluish-black bristled worms) are
fully matured, they desert the leaves and slowly
crawl down the branches and the trunks to the
ground, and if they found loose earth or grass
there, they would no doubt pupate in them. But
here in Lancaster city most of the infested trees
had hard brick pavements beneath them. At
such places, the seams between the bricks, the
cavities around the bases of the trees, and the
gutters, were conspicuously yellow with their
pup« -piled up on each other, and they were
swept up and burnt and scalded by the pmt
measure ; but nobody attempted to spray them.
It seemed too big a job to spray great branching
trees 30 or 40 feet in height ; and yet where the
trees' are small, and it is desired to kill the larvae
on the leaves, thorough sprayings with Paris green
or London purple, would destroy the greater
number of them.

But they invariably come down from the trees
to pupate-at least the great body of them do-
therefore, if the earth around the bases of the trees,
was in some manner hardened, approximating to |
a brick or stone pavement, that great body might ;
all be gathered and destroyed, even on the largest |
trees. But when the trees are very tall, and the
bark is very rough, they don't by any means all
reach the ground. I have seen the cavities and
the fissures in the bark of such trees, filled with
their yellow pupae, as far up as my vision could
detect them. These would therefore require a
stiff brush on a long handle, or a powerful spray
with a liquid poison. Now, this requires perse-
vering labor; but, unfortunately, nothing but
labor will accomplish the desired end.

This insect has been introduced into America
from Europe, where it, at one time, was very de-
structive. More than half a century ago, in this
country, it made its first recognized appearance

at Baltimore, Maryland, on which occasion all the
beautiful elm trees in a public park had to be cut
down, and the branches burned.

The pupa looks as if it might be a desirable
'«tid-bit" for a small bird, but we have few small
birds where elm trees are grown, except the
English sparrow, and that bird "lets them severely
alone." It is not the English sparrow's nature, be-
ing a granivorous bird ; it therefore, is not; to be
held responsible. Two years ago there was a
sparrow rookery here not much more than a hun-
dred feet from a badly infested elm tree. There
were from fifty to a hundred sparrows hatching
and rearing their broods at the time the beetles
were pupating, and many of these birds were
going in and out all the time. Now, it is well-
known that even granivorous birds feed their
young on animal food, but these sparrows were
not known to appropriate any of these beetles—
their pupae, nor their larvae. To a small extent
they did attack the seventeen-year cicada last
summer, as it came out of the ground, and fight
about it too ; but dogs, cats, pigs, chickens, geese,
ducks, skunks, rats and mice did the same. The
sparrows fought about them because other animals

wanted them.

It is of some importance that people should
learn to recognize the elm-leef beetle when they
see it, so that when they find it in a state of hiber-
nation, they may at once know what to do with
it. Of course most of the damage is done in its
larva state, but when the beetle is found in au-
tumn, winter or early spring, and then destroyed,
the broods of the following summer will be greatly
diminished. In addition to its capture and de-
struction at the base of the tree, by some suitable
device, it has been recommended to jar the trees,
spreading sheets on the ground under them, and
then gathering the larvae and destroying them ;
but this remedy could not well be applied to a very
large tree, such as I have heretofore alluded to.
It is said that jarring is mainly depended on in
Europe, and probably in an ordinary sized tree it
may be effectual, but certainly not to very large
ones, where the branches overhang the roofs of a
house or other building, or extend halfway across
a street, or other vegetation.

The applications of liquid poisons, it is recom-
mended, should be made between the middle of
May and the first of June, when the larvae are
quite young and tender, if they are hatched at all,
but the spraying should be thorough, and the un-
dersides as well as the uppersides of the leaves
made wet with it. The Agricultural Department

at Washington city, under the supervision of the
entomologist, has demonstrated that London pur-
pie is the most efficient poison for the destruction
of the foliage-fiend of the elm, mainly because it
seems to injure the leaves less than the green.

A. Candida. They are evergreen, but will winter
well in a cool dry cellar.

Is not the " yellow Zephyranthes " mentioned
by *• G. R." in the February number, the Ama-
ryllis, or, more properly. Sternbergia lutea, a

There are three broods of these insects at least, bright yellow autumn blooming bulb — mentioned

in catalogues as A. lutea— and as hardy? But it
has not proved so with me, but in this latitude
must be taken up and kept over winter.

Hanover, Mass,

during the year, but the third one appears to be
the worst. It is, however, only a question of num-
bers, the earlier broods being comparatively the
least numerous, which is nearly always the case
with double or treble-brooded insects that hiber-
nate in winter.

If the elm-leaf beetle has no parasites infesting
it. it is at least preyed upon by carnivorous species

of insects, as well as myriapods, spiders, etc. I I was pleased to note your request in April num-
There must, however, be an immense number of, ber for your readers in Oregon and Washington,
them destroyed from meteorological and chmatic | and even in British Columbia, to report for your
causes, because those that survive the winter are I columns any wild grapes found in those regions.

GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE OF WILD GRAPES.

BY T. V. MUNSON.

generally, comparatively few. but those few may
become a multitude before the end of the season.

Lancaster, Pa,

NOTES ON AMARYLLIS.
BY W. L. F.

There seems to be some confusion and uncer-
tainty among correspondents of the Gardeners'

Please allow me to extend the invitation to those
hving anywhere on the great plateau between the
true Rocky Mountains and the Cascade and Sierra
Nevada Mountains, north of Arizona. So far, after
considerably inquiry and correspondence, I have
been unable to learn of native grapes in that vast
region, although I have samples from near Salt
Lake called •• wild grapes," but which seem the
offspring of something like the Clinton, and prob-

MONTHLY in regard to the several species of j ably introduced by immigrants from the East.

Zephyranthes, or. more properly. Amaryllis, as I
believe that genus is now made to include species
formerly known as Zephyranthes.

I have never seen or cultivated A. Treatae, so
can say nothing as to its distinctive characters,
but have had the A. Atamasco growing under cul-

Various species of grapes, including some foreign,
do finely when planted in protected places near
Salt Lake, and I see no cause why native species,
such as V. riparia, should not exist there in abund-
ance in the valleys and on protected hillsides.
There is a long belt of rich cretaceous and tertiary

tivation, and have also found it in its native | formation good for grapes stretching from south
haunts in Florida and Georgia, and have gathered : of Salt Lake northward to the Arctic ocean, and
specimens of a decided pink shade, though com- | which has a less rigorous climate than that of
monly white, or slightly pink shaded; the pink | Manitoba anywhere in it from 55O in British Co-
" Atamasco" mentioned by your correspondent, I lumbia southward. If it proves true that no wild
Mrs. Briggs. in the January number, is probably ' species of grape exist here, then I should conclude
that form, but there is a true species, A. rosea, a | that the uplift of the plateau with its mountain
native of Cuba, much larger and finer than the barriers on either side took place before the intro-
Atamasco lily ; it has deep pink flowers 3 or 4 ' duction by natural causes of grapes into North
inches across, and more spreading in form than j America, and that the mountain barriers have pre-

the A. Atamasco. It sends up a succession of
flowers in early summer.

The true A. Candida is a very different species
from either of the above, with terete fleshy leaves,
and smaller clear white flowers, about the size of
a crocus and commencing to bloom in August. It
sends up through September a succession of its
delicate flowers on slender scapes ; it is a native
of Peru. Both species are easy and desirable
bulbs to cultivate, and increase rapidly, especially

vented their spread to the present time into this
great mountain valley. I am anxious to have in-
formation concerning and samples of native grapes,
if there are any, in this isolated region. I have
samples of Vitis Californica. from Josephine
county, Oregon, on the Illinois River, and doubt-
less it exists on other tributaries as well as the
main Rogue River. I also have specimens from
the Upper Sacramento river, in northern Califor-
nia, as well as from San Diego county, in south-

148

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[May,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

149

ern California, showing considerable variation
from each other. So far, after considerable in-
quiry, have learned of no wild grapes north of the
Rogue river. Oregon, although sufficiently mild as
far north as Sitka to grow the Riparia. Have re-
cently received cuttings of V. riparia from Mouse
river and Turtle Mountains, in the territories of
Saskatchewann and Manitoba, which had passed
a temperature of between 55O and 60O below zero

unscathed.

It is by learning the natural habitats and char-
acteristics of the different species of grapes, or
other fruits, that we become enabled, possibly, by
hybridizing and selecting to get varieties worthy
of cultivation to suit every possible selection.

Denison, Texas,

EDITORIAL NOTES.

History of the Potato Disease,— It would
be a valuable fact could we locate the exact spot
where the potato disease first appeared. In Eng-
land it certainly appeared first in its most southern
point, the southern shores of the Isle of Wight,
in i84S- But the fact that it first appeared here on
the edge of its territory gives room for probabihty
that the inducing cause for spore germination
came "across the seas" somewhere. But there
seems no record anywhere of such experience.

In view, however, of the interest which seems
now to attach to this question, it may be well to
place on record that another disease was apparent
to the writer among potatoes in Alaska in 1883.
It was not virulent, but may become so hereafter.
The whole plant had a sickly, yellowish hue ; but
not enough to interfere seriously with its growth.
When it existed on one plant, however, it would
spread to another, so that in time there would be a
circle enclosing perhaps a dozen hills all of the
tint. The appearance was such as indicates root
fungus to the eye of an experienced nurseryman.

Sea-weed Paper.— Paper from sea-weed is a
growing industry in France. It is so transparent
that it has been used in the place of glass for
windows. Making paper from sea-weed is said
to be a flourishing art in Japan.

Graft-hybrids in ^ot\to^s,— Gardening Il-
lustrated says, that at a recent meeting of the
Royal Horticultural Society, Mr. W. G. Smith for-
warded specimens of hybrid potatoes obtained by
the method of introducing plugs with eyes of one
sort into other sorts. Dr. Masters observed that
both botanists and gardeners had questioned its

possibility, but that his own experiments, as well
as Mr. Smith's, had completely disproved the as-
sertion. Mr. Henslow remarked that a gentleman
in Warwickshire twenty-five years ago had tried it
by binding together two halves of a red and white
potato.and that the resulting produce was intermedi-
ate in color. Mr. O'Brien said that the attempts
to unite bulbs of lilies had as yet completely failed.
Mr. Darwin seems to credit the statement of
some one that bulbs of Hyacinths of different
colors, have been divided, grafted, and produced
flowers on one stalk of both kinds. We called
attention to this last fall and invited experiments.
If any made them, let us know with what results.

Blue Grass —Under this head, with the ini-
tials " S. D. v.." in Encyclopcedia Americana it is
said : "The most valuable of American grasses is
known as the Blue Grass (Poa compressa) which
springs up spontaneously on Umestone soil, and is
deemed to be the very best food for every kind of
cattle. The vast regions where it remains almost
an evergreen, are referred to as the Blue grass
regions, a term adopted even in official language."
As this has been so often corrected in our
magazine, it is annoying to find the error repeated
in a new standard work like this, a work aiming
especially to correct the errors of preceding
Encyclopoedias. Poa compressa. is the flat-
stemmed Blue grass, of value in agriculture chiefly
that it will grow in very dry soil, or partially
shaded situations. The species that gave fame to
the '• Blue grass regions " is Poa pratensis.

Blueberry Plants. — By an illustration we
note that some "Blueberry" plants, extensively
advertised in the agricultural magazines, are not
of the Vaccinium or Huckleberry family. The plant
is the dwarf June-berry of the West, a very good
fruit to have, but not the one the buyers expect to
get. Botanically it is Amelanchier alnifolia.

Immediate Results in Cross-Fertiliza-
TiON.— This subject is still one of interest, judging
by our exchanges. In the Farm and Garden,
Dr. Ayres. of Urbana, Ohio, instances in proof of
immediate influence, varieties of apples not usu-
ally russetted, producing fruit covered with rus-
set. But this simply proves a " freak of nature,"
and is well known to have no relation whatever to
"cross-fertilization" or to pollen influence in any
way.

Is THE Snowberry Poisonous ?— It is now
the white Snowberry's turn to get a bad character.
The British Medical Journal says, four children
•• suffered considerably " from eating them. We

have known some " suffer considerably " from eat-
ing oysters, and all sorts of things kill sheep,
cows and every other thing.

Crows Eating the Fruit of the Poison
Vine. — At a recent meeting of the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, the question be-
ing on the food of birds during the recent severe
snow storm, the chairman, Mr. Thomas Meehan,
stated that crows were seen greedily feeding on
the seeds or rather fruit of the Poison vine. Num-
bers of dead crows were found in the vicinity a
few days after the storm, but it was probably
owing to the severity of that terrible night than to
the Poison Rhus, for, though he had known of
skinpoisoning by those collecting the seeds, there
was abundant reason for the belief that the
Rhus was not poisonous when taken internally.
Some note of these remarks has appeared in the
public prints, and we have the following interest-
ing paragraph from Mr. N. P. Scudder. of the
Smithsonian Institution :

" I see by Science of March 5, a notice of your
communication to the Academy, February 23, re-
lating to the poison ivy, R. radicans. I was much
astonished to see my horse last fall eat in abund-
ance this plant without injury. At first I endeav-
ored to prevent his eating this plant, but soon gave
up the attempt and the horse had his fill, prefer-
ring the Rhus to grass."

We may add to this note of Dr. Scudder, that
cows eat the poison Ivy or Rhus greedily, and
some farmers attribute •' ropy " milk to this food.
This is however mere guess work, as this trouble
with milk often occurs in districts free from the
pest. We have known men in a spirit of bravado,
and to prove their pretended belief that the plant
•• would not hurt anybody," chew the leaves with-
out any injury resulting. That the plant will
poison people, is all too true, but just how it does
so is as yet a mystery.

The Maiden-hair Tree.— Of all coniferous
trees this (Salisburia adiantifolia) is undoubtedly
the one which, from its general appearance, has the
least resemblance to any other member of the tribe.
Yet. although totally devoid of resinous secretions,
entirely and regularly deciduous, and although its
leaves possess none of the characters peculiar to
either Pines or Firs, it certainly is a coniferous
plant ; an examination of its flowers, and especi-
ally of its fruit, and their comparison with the
same organs of the common Yew, will show that
it belongs to the same tribe. However, so great is
its difference from all other coniferous trees, that

its affinity to them would hardly be suspected on
superficial inspection, and it is also remarkable on
account of the singularity of its fohage, which
seems to unite the Coniferae with the Corylaceae.
It is the Ginkgo biloba of Linnaeus, and also of
Kaempfer, who first discovered it in Japan in 1690.
It is also the name under which it was introduced
into England about 1754, when EUis, writing to
Linnaeus in that year, mentions that Gordon had
plants of it.

The name of Salisburia adiantifolia, by which it
is best known to botanists, was not given to it by
Smith until 1796, and is the result of an alteration
of the generic name as first given by Kaempfer
and ratified by Linnaeus, who, in his *• Metissa,"
published in 1771, noticed it for the first time un-
der the name of Ginkgo biloba— Ginkgo being its
aboriginal name in Japan, from which country it is
generally given as a native, as well as from China.
But M. Siebold, who resided in Japan for a period of
seven vears, states that the inhabitants of that
country do not consider the tree as indigenous
there, but as having been brought at a remote
period from China. Bunge, who accompanied a
Russian mission to Pekin, also states that he saw
there an immense Ginkgo tree of prodigious
height and vigour, and whose trunk measured
nearly 40 feet in circumference. The popular
name in this country of the Maiden-hair Tree is
appropriate, inasmuch as its leaves resemble in
form the pinnules of the native Maiden-hair Fern
(Adiantum Capillusveneris) ; they are of the same
yellowish green color and texture on both sides,
and through their smoothness and the numerous
parallel lines with which they are marked they re-
semble those of a monocotyledonous plant. They
are somewhat triangular or fan-shaped, wedge-
shaped at the base, borne on stalks as long as the
disc and disposed alternately.

This is a sufficient explanation of the popular
name under which it is generally known in this
country. An excellent anecdote, in relation to the
peculiar name of *' Arbre aux quarante ecus," un-
der which the tree is known in France, and the
way in which it was introduced there, is given in
Loudon's "Arboretum," and runs thus: " In 1780
a Parisian amateur, named P(^tigny, made a voy-
age to London in order to see its principal gardens,
and among the number of those which he visited
was that of a commercial gardener who possessed
five young plants of Ginkgo biloba, which was
still rare in England, and which the gardener pre-
tended he alone possessed. These five plants

were raised from nuts which he had received from

ISO

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[May,

886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

151

rii

Japan, and he set a high price on them. How-
ever, after an abundant dejeuner and plenty of
wine, he sold to M. P^tigny these young plants of
Ginkgo, all growing in the same pot, for twenty-
'five guineas, which the Parisian amateur paid im-
mediately, and lost no time in taking away his
valuable acquisition. Next morning, the effect of
the wine being dissipated, the English gardener
sought out his customer and offered him twenty-
five guineas for one of the plants which he had
sold the day before. This, however, was refused
by M. Petigny, who carried the plants to France,
and as each of them had cost him about 120
francs or forty crowns, this was the origin of the |
name of 'Arbre aux quarante 6cus,* which to this
day has been applied to this tree in France, where
almost all the Ginkgo trees have been propagated
from the five which were thus imported by M.
Petigny ; he gave one to the Jardin des Plantes,
where for many years it was kept in a pot and j
preserved through the winter in the greenhouse :
until 1792, when it was planted out by M. Andre
Thouin, who gave the above relation in one of his
lectures."

From that excellent book, Veitch's " Manual of
the Coniferae," we also gather that "it is one of
the most remarkable and distinct deciduous trees
that adorns the parks and gardens of Great Brit-
ain. Its light and airy aspect, its peculiar fohage,
and the imposing dimensions it attains render it
also one of the most picturesque of trees." On ac-
count of the dioecious character of the Ginkgo its
fruits are not at all common in this country. The
first which flowered in England was a male plant
at Kew, as far back as 1795, ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^
bearing female flowers was discovered by De
Candolle in 18 14 at Bourdigny, near Geneva. Af-
ter that discovery being made by M. De Candolle,
cuttings of the female plants were distributed by
him from the Botanic Garden of Geneva, to the
different botanical gardens of Europe. But in
England, where it has been largely distributed, it
has been extensively propagated from the stool in
the establishment of Messrs. Loddiges, late of
Hackney, and which was a male specimen, which
accounts for the greater number of large trees
growing in this country being staminiferous or
male. The male catkins, which appear generally
in May with the leaves, are produced on the wood
of the preceding year and on old-spurs; they are
sessile, about i}i inches long, and of a yellowish
color. The female flowers, which are produced
in pairs and borne on long foot-stalks, possess this
pecuharity, that each of them is in part enclosed

in a sort of cup produced by the dilation of the
summit of the peduncle. Both forms require in
our climate to attain a considerable age before
they produce flowers. In China and Japan this
remarkable tree is cultivated for the sake of its
fruit, which in Kaempfer's time formed part of
every entertainment and was much esteemed.

The Maiden-hair tree has produced several va-
rieties, all of which appear to have originated on
the Continent. Thus, Ginkgo biloba macrophylla,
a variety found at Avignon about 1850, has much
larger leaves than the species, being nearly semi-
circular, and often measuring from 5 inches to 6
inches in diameter. The variety, pendula, has its
terminal branchlets pendulous, but this character
is no addition to the beauty of the normal form ;
and in the variety, variegata, the leaves are
striped with a pale yellow and indistinct color,
which does not render the plant any more valu-
able than the common form. A deep and natur-
ally moist soil is one in which the Maiden-hair
tree thrives most luxuriantly, and where it grows
from 70 feet to 100 feet high. — S. in Garden.

Parallel Habits in Different Animals.—
It is singular how closely the habits of the reindeer
and the buffalo approximate to each other. Each
have their treeless prairie, but seek the woods in
winter ; each have their woodland species ; each
separate when the time comes to bring forth their
young ; each mass together in their annual migra-
tions.—/'a^^f 167, Wild North Land, by W. F,
Butler.

Movement of Stamens in the Flowers of
THE Night-blooming Cereus. — We did not know
that there was any movement in the stamens of
the night-blooming cereus, though it has been
noticed in the common Opuntia, Portulaca, Purs-
slane, and alHed plants. The following note from
the Gardeners' Chronicle, is in relation to Mr.
Castle's recent work on cactaceous plants :

" We should gladly have heard more from the au-
thor regarding the movements of the stamens and
the process of fertilization, and further proof of his
allegation that the pollen and stigmas are mature at
the same time, in the majority of the species. If
this be really so, and not, as we suspect, merely
apparently so, we are at a loss to conceive the use of
the glorious colored petals, or the fragrance of the
night-flowering cereus. The movements of the
stamens in the latter plant are very marked,
without any external aid, such as a touch. In
olden days it was naturally supposed that this
motion of the stamens was a provision to secure
the deposit of pollen on the stigma of the same
flower, and so possibly it may be, but if so, of what
use is the fragrance ? So far as we know, no one

has recorded the condition of the stamens and
stigma in these plants, since the publications of
Darwin have shown the vast importance of cross-
fertihzation."

Echo only answers the question as to the use of
fragrance to a cactus. Suppose we say it is to at-
tract night moths to the honey secreted at the
base of the tube. It will take a pretty long-
tongued moth to get down the tube of some of our
cereuses. In latifrons and phyllanthoides, the
tube is often nearly a foot long. And then in
those very arid places, where these flowers '• waste
their fragrance on the desert air," there are scent-
less kinds, which ought to have as much need of
fragrance.

Travels of the Coffee Plant.— The Rev.
Henry Ellacomb furnishes a graphic account of
the narrow escapes the coffee plant has had in its
travels round the world. We have to premise,
for the benefit of the younger portions of the
human race, that, before the age of steam, it was
not an easy matter to transport planU over months
of ocean travel. A case on deck, covered by
glass, to preserve from spray, and as much fresh
water as could be spared from the scanty drinking
supply, were as nothing to the personal care re-
quired to guard from numerous accidents. After
all the trouble, and after it had been brought safe
to port, the plant might be lost by the gardener
having to guess at its habits or desires. Thus, the
first coffee plant introduced, after much anxiety,
into Europe, in 1703, died in the Royal Gardens at
Versailles. Subsequently the Burgomaster of
Amsterdam gave another to the gardens, and
from this plant numerous young ones were raised
by cuttings, one of which was placed by Antoine
de Jussien, in charge of Declieux, a French naval
officer, to take to Martinique. He got the plant
safely to its destination, but only at a great sacri-
fice to himself. The ship's supply of water ran
short, and only a small glassful daily, was the al-
lowance to all on board. Declieux shared his
with the plant in his charge, though suffering se-
verely by the want of it for himself. From this
plant, so successfully, yet, in some sense, so pain-
fully introduced to the Western Hemisphere, all
the original plants, and perhaps, indeed, all the
plants of the New Worid, sprung. A new species
has been discovered in Africa, during the few past
years, and called, from the American Colony, Li-
berian coffee. But in these days of rapid traveling
the seed can be carried in good condition for
hundreds of miles, and through E. S. Morris, who
has done so much to develop the material interests

of the colony, the plant has been introduced into
the New World, without a tithe of the anxiety
th;it marked the introduction of its famous ances-
tor.— Independent.

i lowering of Amentaceous Plants.— Near
Philadelphia, and other parts of the Union, hazel
nuts, walnuts, hickories and similar plants have
the male catkins brought forth early by a few
warm winter days. There is no pollen later when
the female flowers open. This season both are
simultaneous. A large crop of nuts is expected.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Unseasonable Texan Weather.— A corre-
spondent from Denison, under date of April 3d,
says: "A recent severe freeze here has greatly
damaged the prospects for a crop of peaches,
plums, apricots, pears and grapes, though all are
not killed, as I thought at first, after a partial ex-
amination. Apples, blackberries, and late leaf-
ing-out kinds of grapes are all right. Strawberry
blooms partly opened and killed. This is the
severest freeze of the kind noted here for fifteen
or twenty years.'*

Common Names of Plants. — A correspon-
dent sends us the following extract from the letter
of an English gentleman— indeed we have the
whole letter before us,— asking if we can identify
the plants named. We regret our inability, and
can only hope that some of our friends who decry
botanical names, and think common names so
preferable, will help us and our correspondent out
in the matter: "In your letter you say you are
not the largest nurseryman in the United States,
but that you have a good collection of rare things ;
the following plants I have had offered me from
America, but I would rather get them from one
known as you are. 1 only want American plants,
I I can get European here.

Queen of Heaven,

Bush on Fire,

Devil in a Bush,

Hell in a Blaze—
these are all California plants as I understand. I
want also a good collection of Bible plants ; what
can you supply ? You will understand what I re-
quire, and you may make up a bill to the amount
of $25. I do not expect old forgotten plants; but
such as are wholly unknown. Queen of Heaven
I am told is a very fine tree, also Hell in a Blaze."

I $2

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[May,

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

153

If'

Literature, Travels and Personal Notes,

EDITORIAL NOTES.

cases, which no doubt made legal proceedings a
necessity.

Pomiculture and Olericulture.— Dr. E.
Lewis Sturtevant, of Geneva, proposes that we
drop the words fruit culture and vegetable culture,
and adopt in their stead pomiculture and oleri-
culture. Following the manufacture of agriculture
for farming, horticulture for gardening, sylvicul-
ture for forestry, and floriculture for the culture of
flowers. Dr. S.'s suggestion may be pardonable.
But for our part, we are not ashamed of the good
old Saxon. When the Gardeners' Monthly
was projected, there was no end of propositions
from friends as to what its name should be. But
they were all " Horticultural this," or " Horticul-
tural that." "The adjective "monthly" had re-
cently been popularized as a noun by the Atlantic
Monthly, and it seemed to the writer of this, that
"gardener's" added to this, would be just as well
as the Latinized " Horticultural" term. We have
never had cause to be ashamed of our old Saxon
name, and hence take unkindly to Dr. Sturte-
vant's suggestions.

The Narcissus Fly. — In the old world this
insect is a great pest to the growers of this beauti-
ful tribe of plants. This insect is known to ento-
mologists as Merodon equestris. Dr. J. Ritzema
Bos has written a complete account, which, with
colored drawings, has been issued in pamphlet
form by the Teylerian Institute of Haarlem. We
are indebted to M. Krelage, the President of this
institution, for a copy of this profound work.

Liability of Transportation Companies. —
Judge Rumsey, of the New York State courts, has
decided in favor of Messrs. Spaulding for $993-25
and W. S. Little for I942.45. with near two years'
interest since the suits were begun, against the
Merchant's Dispatch Company. Spaulding's trees
were three weeks from Rochester to Vinton, Iowa.

These decisions seem like being advantageous
to nurserymen, and yet they lead to harassing reg-
ulations on the part of companies that often make
it almost impossible to do business at all. It is
best for all parties, that mutual understandings
and preliminary contracts and engagements should
supersede law. These suggestions are made
without a knowledge of the exact facts in these

Horticulture and Agriculture. — Professor
Reagan, of Depauw University at Greencastle,
Indiana, recently gave a pleasant paper before
the Illinois Horticultural Society, on the methods
pursued by him in teaching, as Professor of Horti-
culture. We do not desire to be over-critical in
remarks on this excellent paper ; but it seems im-
portant to note that just what is and is not horti-
culture, has never been well distinguished in many
quarters, and Prof. Reagan's paper is an illustra-
tion of this. And yet it is very well to get an
exact definition of each. Prof. R. says :

" Horticulture is an art, not a science. It is a
branch of agriculture and includes pomology,
vegetable gardening, landscape gardening, flori-
culture, the propagation of trees and plants, or the
nursery, forestry, etc.

" In aesthetic horticulture, the reward of our
labors is in the pleasurable enjoyment we feel in
its results. Our pleasure is proportioned to the
dec^ree of culture we enjoy. We designate those
who follow horticultural pursuits from this stand-
point as amateurs.

"Economic horticulture offers a more substan-
tial reward m her golden fruits. While those who
have a natural adaptability to the calling will
usually succeed best, there are many who follow
horticulture for the living they find therein."

We see from this the correctness of the position
we have often assumed, that the Western idea
of "horticulture"— horticulture as it is taught in
agricultural colleges-— is simply agriculture ; or, as
Prof. R. puts it, " a branch of agriculture." We
have no objection to pomology, as it is generally
understood, or market gardening, being classed
with agriculture ; but when it comes to landscape
gardening, flower culture, or the general work of
the florist or nurseryman, we should object to
agriculture's claim to its possession, even as a
" branch."

Nor do we think there is any necessity for
getting over the difficulty Prof. R. evidently feels,
when he incites agriculture to seize horticulture in
this unceremonious way, by the division into
" aesthetic horticulture " and " economic horticul-
ture." There is no more reason for calling one
who loves a garden, an aesthetic horticulturist.

than to call one who gets up a good fat hog re-
gardless of cost, an aesthetic agriculturist.

The simple fact is, that agriculture is that art by
which man seeks to get his living from the fields.
There is little "amateur" business about it, as
an amateur is here defined.

Horticulture is that art which seeks to beautify
the land, and especially the land which surrounds
our homes; to beautify it by plants, trees or
flowers, or by so modifying the earth and com-
manding the water and the sky, that we may aid
plants and flowers in their work. Indeed, as the
very names imply, horticulture deals with the gar-
den, and agriculture with the fields, and their
work is wholly separate ; of course there are times
when the work of each encroaches on the other.
There is water and there is dry land. But there
are also swamps where it would be difficult to tell
whether we should call the spot a lake or an is-
land. We do not on this account permit the sea
to call the land a branch of itself, nor the
land to claim the sea as a part of itself. Neither
can we allow the claim that horticulture is a branch
of agriculture.

John Gerard.— Our readers may know that ;
the most ancient English work on gardening that
has come down to our day is Gerard's Herbal.
The copy on the Editor's table is a large octavo of
1630 pages, printed in 1636, which is the third
edition, it having reached this in thirty-nine years
from the date of the first issue. Pulteny, in his
sketches, tells us that the work gained great re-
pute, and the third edition, for some reason or
other, is scarcely ever seen; hence the Editor's
copy holds a choice place in his hbrary. It is
bound in sohd leather, as if it might last for a i
thousand years yet. Thomas Johnson was the
Editor of this edition, Gerard having died in 1607.
Johnson was regarded as the best botanist of his
day. He was killed in the Cromwellian wars, or
rather died from a wound in the shoulder in 1644*
while attempting with others the relief of Baring
House. Mark Catesby, of South CaroUna, named
the Callicarpa in his honor, Johnsonia Americana,
in 1739, as Plumier had named the Gerardia for
the author of the work, but for some reason Lin-
n«us dropped the generic name and made it Cal-
licarpa Americana instead. It is to be regretted
that no plant now commemorates the name of this

very able man.

We have been led to these recollections by a
notice of Gerard in the London Spectator. He
was a Cheshire physician, but for twenty years

superintendent of the gardens of Sir Wm. Cecil,
the Lord High Treasurer, at what is now known
as The Strand, having his own garden in Holborn.
Lord Cecil probably bore part of the great expense
that must have been involved by the publication
of the ponderous work. Of his history the Spec-
tator notes :

" We now come to the second point, the notices
of flowers introduced into English gardens in
Gerard's time, and as we read those words which
so continually conclude the paragraph headed
'The Place,' 'this plant grows also in my garden,'
we wonder what must the dimensions of his herb-
arium have been! Here is the history of our
queenly White Lily, it is 'called Lihum album
Bizantinum. in EngUsh the White Dllie of Con-
stantinople; of the Turkes themselves. Sultan
Zambach. with this addition, that it might be the
better knowen which kinde ot Lillie they ment,
when they sent rootes of them vnto these coun-
tries.' The variety of lilies then known surprises
us; many came to Gerard through his • lomng
friend, master James Garret, apothecarie m Lon-
don.' To the Turks, also, we owe the Crown
Imperial, and that gorgeous denizen of our gar-
dens, the Red Lily. 'This plant groweth wilde m
the fieldes and mountaines many daies lournies
beyonde Constantinople. From thence it was
sent, among many other bulbs of rare and damtie
flowers, by Master Habran, ambassador there,
vnto my honorable good lord and master, the
Lord Treasurer of England, who bestowed it vpon
me for my garden.' The Day Lily, the Red Glad-
iolus, or Corn-flag, the Frittillary (called also by
Gerard 'The Ginnie-hen flower') were all known
to him, while the varieties of daffodils, squills,
hyacinths, and anemones are wonderful to read
of • The double white daffodill ' was sent to Lord
Burghlev from Constantinople; other bulbous
plants came from the Mowe Countries, as also
from France.' The ' rush-daffodiU' (rush-leaved
ionquiP) grew 'wilde in the waterie places of
Spaine.' From three kinds of tulips we learn that
'all other kinds do proceed,' tulips being then the
peculiar study of Master James Garret, who had,
by careful sowing of seed, procured an inhnite
variety.

•• Nor had the tables of our Elizabethan ances-
tors any lack ol fruits and vegetables. Several
kinds of peaches are enumerated in the ' Historie
of Plants,' as well as apricots, green figs, mulber-
ries, quinces, many varieties of apples (amongst
them the ' Pearemame '), cherries, pears medlars,
&c Among vegetables we naturally search
eaeeriy for the mention of the potato. Gerard
describes two species. The ^^t, he says, grows
in India, Barbary. and Spain, of which • 1 planted
diuers roots (that I bought at the exchange in
London) in my garden, where they flourished vn-
till winter, at which time they perished and rotted.
. The nutriment,' he tells us, ' is. as it were, a meane
betweene flesh and fruit.' The other kind (Bat-
tata Virginiana) has a still greater mterest for us
though we look in vain for its association with Sir
Ser Raleigh. Gerard received his roots from

154

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[May,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

155

* Virginia, otherwise called Norembega,' and they
grew and prospered in his garden. Both kinds of
potato are either ' rosted in the embers, or boiled
and eaten with oile, vineger. and pepper,' and
they 'may serue as a ground or foundation,
whereon the cunning confectioner or sugar-baker
may work and frame many comfortable delicate
conserues ! ' Though ignoring the connection be-
tween the great colonist and the potato, Gerard
does not fail to give him due honour. Witness this
quaint and suggestive passage in another place in
which he describes the Indian Swallow-wort: 'It
groweth, as before rehearsed, in the countries of
Norembega, and now called Virginia by the H. Sir
Walter Raleigh, who hath bestowed great summes
of monie in the discouerie thereof, where are
dwelling at this present EngUshmen, if neither
vntimely death by murdering, or pestilence, cor-
rupt aire, or some other mortall sicknes hath not
destroied them.' "

In regard to the potato, it may be noted that
though it is not unusual to find writers stating that
the first mention of the potato occurs in Gerard's
Herbal, Gerard himself, or at least this third edi-
tion, quotes Bauhin, another old writer as saying,
it was " first introduced from the Island of
Virginia, thence to France, from whence it
spread to adjacent regions." Bauhin further says
the roots are called Openanck in Virginia, Papas
in the vicinity of Quito, and by Joseph Acosta
in his history of India, Benzoni and Pape. In
Germany they were called at that time he says,,
Grubhngbaum. He speaks of a colored plate
having been issued by D. Scholtzius in 1590, un-
der the name of Pappas Hispanorum. There is
also a figure quoted from Mathioli's work, from a
sketch sent by Clusius. It is described by Math-
ioli as Solanum tuberosum esculentum, the two
first names being adopted by Linnaeus on the es-
tablishment of the binomial system. Mathioli's
work was issued in 1598.

Modern Palestine. — One of the finest tracts
of land in western Palestine is to be found in the
northwestern slopes of the range commonly
known as the hills of Samaria. The more I travel
over this country and examine its agricultural re-
sources the more convinced do I feel that it only
needs the introduction of capital and enterprise to
make it again, as it was of old, as productive, in
proportion to its area, as any of the most favored
regions of the earth's surface. It so happens that
the roads which lead the tourist to the spots which
specially attract him pass through its least fertile
and most forbidding districts, but even these
could be made to blossom as the rose with an or-
dinary expenditure of labor and capital, while the
greater part of the country, especially of Galilee,

which lies out of the beaten track, astonishes you
with its capabilities in respect of soil and other
natural advantages. Here, for instance, at this
wealthy village of Nusser El Fahen, we find our-
selves, in the centre of a rich but sparsely settled
district only waiting to be settled up. With an
elevation of one thousand five hundred feet above
the sea, from which it is distant about sixteen
miles, and of which it commands a full view, it
enjoys a cool and salubrious climate all the year
round. The romantic valleys by which the village
is surrounded are thickly planted with olive groves,
which contain over a hundred thousand trees and
are a great source of revenue. While too far
from the village for the protection of any crop,
the hillsides and summits are clothed with a dense
undergrowth of scrub oak, terebinth and other
shrubs, which are only prevented from becoming
forest trees by the charcoal burners, but their
quick growth testifies to the richness of the soil.
To the north the range extends for fifteen miles to
the base of Carmel. The woodland disappears,
and is succeeded by roUing chalk downs, afford-
ing magnificent pasturage and good arable land,
for it is well watered, and from its temperate and
healthy climate is called the " breezy land."

The villages here are small, few and far be-
tween, and there is room for a large population,
but the most tempting land of all is the tract be-
tween Nusser El Fahen and the sea, where the
oak trees which are scattered over the pastures
and corn fields attain a large growth and the
country presents the appearance of an immense
park. From an artistic point of view, the woods
and the farm lands are so combined as to form the
most perfectly diversified scenery, just where the
rolling hills slope gently down into the plain of
Sharon. It was across this country that our road
lay to Csesarea. which was our objective point,
first through the thick copse of the upper valleys,
and so out upon the park-like uplands, where the
whole population was out in the fields gathering
the crops, which strings of camels were conveying
to the village threshing floors. Here and there
was a money-lender from Acre or Beyrout squat-
ting under an umbrella to see that the peasantry
did not rob him of his share. This is a busy time
with these gentry, who are the bloodsuckers of the
Fellahin, to whom they advance money at ex-
orbitant rates of interest, while the latter, in revenge,
resort to every conceivable device to conceal from
them the real extent of the crop and to make the
proportion coming to them as small as possible. —
A correspondent of Salt Lake Contributor.

Andromeda. — Most of our readers versed in
horticultural botany, know that Linnaeus gave the
name, Andromeda, to a plant he saw in his northern
tour, because some circumstances connected with
the situation in which he saw the plant, reminded
him of the ancient story of Andromeda. As these
plants are well-known in America, which is their
chief home, we give a modern version of the an-
cient tale, as we find it in a floating " exchange:"

"When Cepheus was King in Ethiopia, his wife
Cassiopeia, who was herself a famous belle,
boasted that her daughter Andromeda was more
beautiful than the Nereids. The gods of those
days had precious little patience with human van-
ity, and the goddesses, particularly, were very
jealous of the charms of their mortal sisters. Ac-
cordingly, when the fifty submarine beauties who
answered to the name of Nereids heard of Cassio-
peia's impious boast, they were indignant, and
acting, it may be, upon the maxim, ' the greater
the truth the greater the libel,' they besought
Neptune, the ruler of the sea, to wreak vengeance
upon Cassiopeia and her fair daughter. Neptune,
who was always ready for a shindy, promptly pro-
ceeded to drown out the whole of Ethiopia. The
despairing inhabitants, driven from one refuge to
another by the advancing waters, went, after the
fashion of the time, to the oracle of Jupiter Ammon,
and the ungallant god told them the only hope
they had was in chaining Andromeda to a rock,
and leaving her there to be devoured by a sea
monster. The fact that the unhappy girl was a
princess did not avail to save her. and she was
dragged to the edge of the sea, chains were riveted
upon her wrists and ankles, and, fastened to a rock,
she was left to her awful fate.

" Presently the monster appeared advancing to
enjoy his feast. Sparks of fire flew from his dis-
tended nostrils as he eagerly snufl'ed the air, and
his eyes gleamed with ferocious delight when he
beheld his fair victim afar off, straining at her cruel
chains in an agony of terror. The monster swiftly
clove the waves, leaving a track of boiling foam in
his wake. Rigid with fear, and unable to with-
draw her eyes from the frightful creature, the
beautiful Andromeda stood, her arms extended by
the chains, and her feet immersed in the waves that
his approach had raised, while he paused a mo-
ment to contemplate his entrancing prey.

" But there were other eyes fixed upon Androm-
eda, and her charms had gone straight to the heart
of a champion of whose very existence she was una-
ware. The high-born and valorous Perseus was
just then returning through the air from his famous
expedition against the Gorgons. In his hand he
held the head of Medusa, the mere sight of which
was capable of turning the beholder into stone,
and which he had severed with a single stroke of
the diamond dagger, lent to him by one of the
gods. Perseus took in the situation at a glance,
and he was not the sort of person to be intimi-
dated by any kind of monster, especially when a
a captivating princess was to be rescued. Ac-
cording to one account, Perseus protected by

Pluto's helmet, which rendered him invisible, and
balancing himself for an instant like a hawk upon
the wings he had borrowed from Mercury,
swooped down upon the monster, and thrusting
the dreadful Gorgon's head in front of its eyes,
froze it into stone before it could close its jaws up-
on its shrieking victim.

" But the story we prefer to believe is. that Per-
seus met the enemy openly, in the sight of the
princess, and attacked him with the dagger only.
Then the sea was lashed into foam, and the noise
of the conflict echoed along the coast. Poor An-
dromeda was almost drowned in the surges rolled
up by the monster in his struggles. Finally Per-
seus got in a fatal thrust with his diamond blade
and the battle was over.

" Perseus then broke Andromeda's shackles and
bore her in triumph to her father's court. With
the death of the sea monster the floods retired,
and the Ethiopians prepared to celebrate the nup-
tials of their princess and the hero who had res .
cued her. But there was trouble at the wedding.
Andromeda had been promised in marriage to her
uncle Phineas. but she preferred the heroic Per-
seus to the man who had proved too cowardly a
lover to try to rescue her when bhe was exposed
to the jaws of the monster. Phineas went to the
wedding with a gang of ruffianly followers bent on
having a row. He got more than he bargained
for. Perseus was a hero of the first magnitude in
every respect, and with the aid of the Gorgon's
head he overcame all his enemies. The gods
were so well pleased with Perseus that they placed
him and his bride, upon their death, among the
stars, and gave them Andromeda's father and
mother, and even the sea monster, to keep them
company. And so they can all be seen shining
there to this day, as they were in the time of
Aratus.

Long I trow.

"For there a woeful statue form is seen,
Andronieila parted from her niotliers side.
Thou wilt not seek her in the nightly sky,
So brij^iit lier head, so bright
Her shoulders, feet, and girdle
Yet even there sue has her arms extended
And shackled even in heaven ; uplifted.
Outspread eternally are those fair hands.

" It gives one a clear conception of the antiquity
of these constellations when we know that they
must have been familiar to St. Paul, for he quoted
one of the opening lines of Aratus' great poem on
the skies in his speech to the Athenians on Mars
Hill. And they were as ancient as the hills in his
day.' This story of Andromeda, framed in the
stars, is older than the history of Europe."

Botanical Names.— Lady Ruthven, a well-
known English lady, protested that she had learnt
but two botanical names, Aurora borealis, and
Delirium tremens, and these she said, she could
not point out in her whole collection. But the
Sweet Williams and Primroses she knew every time.

Early Nursery in Maine.— Ephraim Goodale
had a nursery near where the town of Orrington
now stands. Efforts to fix the exact date of its
commencement have not succeeded, but it was

T56

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[May,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

157

5 ■

certainly between 1804 and 1812. Pear and ap-
ple trees were the chief articles dealt in. In an
advertisement without date, Mr. Goodale assures
his customers that his •' Pear trees are not subject
to lice." The varieties he offered were all foreign.

Algireta.— Under this Mexican name, " G. W.
H./' sends us from Albany, Texas, a specimen
which he says, '• bears a red berry, tart and very
nice eating— like a currant,— and with a lovely
wreath of golden flowers." It is Berberis trifoliolata.

Prices Paid for New Fruits.— Mr. Jacob
Moore received $500 for his Brighton grape, and
Mr. Rogers ^1500 for Salem. Few others who
have been fortunate enough to stumble on a new
variety, or persevering enough to raise seedlings,
ever made much.

* Florists and Amateurs.— A correspondent
of the Florist makes the good point, that while
florists who raise flowers are taxed for their busi-
ness, amateurs who sell flowers ought not to go scot
free. It regards this sort of competition as unjust
and unfair.

Killing Seeds. — The Florist notes that in
order to " sell cheap," some conscienceless seeds-
men will mix an old and common kind with a few
of the new or rare ones, but roast them first to
prevent detection. The customer thinks he has a
"nice lot" of the rare thing, but wonders why only
a dozen or so come up.

The Devil's Walking Stick.— This is the
popular name of the Araha or Fatzia horrida, in
Washington Territory. In the east its stronger
growing neighbor Aralia spinosa is known as
Devil's Club, Club of Hercules, and Angelica tree;
the leaves somewhat resembUng the herb Angelica.

Dr. Engelmann.— Dr. Gray, assisted by Prof.
Trelease, is collecting the works of this eminent
botanist— and these will be pubhshed, we believe,
under the auspices of his hfe-long friend, Mr.
Henry Shaw, of St. Louis. No better tribute
could be offered to the memory of this excellent
man than by a collection of this character, who
lived only that he might be of use to others.

Philip R. Freas, Editor "Germantown
Telegraph."— Few men have made themselves
better known in connection with agriculture and
horticulture in America than Philip R. Freas, until
the past two or three years Proprietor and Editor
of the Germantown Telegraph, who has recently
passed away in his seventy-eighth year. He was
a brilliant example of successful triumph over
adverse circumstances, and affords a striking il-

lustration of what may be accomplished by those
who dare to defy what seems to be an adverse fate.
A difficulty in hearing well deprived him in
early life of the full enjoyment of those social
pleasures so dear to the young— a deprivation the
full appreciation of which can only be fully meas-
ured by those who have similarly suffered. But
it led to those self-dependent habits which really
proved the foundation of his success.

At about the period of his entry into manhood,
he started his printing establishment, and his Tele-
graph, which, without a single week of intermis-
sion, he edited for over half a century. Yet,
through a large part of this time, he met with
domestic afflictions, and physical sufferings, enough
to weaken the bravery of the stoutest heart. He
had his bed-room attached to his editorial room,
and from his bed of suffering overlooked and
directed everything that was to appear in the col-
umns of his paper. Few of his readers knew,
while going over the genial good-tempered discus-
sions directed by his editorial pen, how full of for-
titude was the brave heart that never faltered in
the struggle against the shadows ; but insisted on
sunshine and light for everybody else, though the
dark pall was ever threatening to shut out the
cheerfulness from his own career. The thousands
whose hves his pen has brightened can never
know of the sacrifices made in their behalf by this
courageous and good man.

Outside of this personal obligation, agriculture
and horticulture are deeply indebted to him.
When he began the Telegraph with its admirable
agricultural department, agricultural literature
was in a very different state from now, when even
city papers believe they can be scarcely success-
ful without a " farmer's column " among the rest.
He was admirably fitted for the editorship of such
a department. Born and brought up on a farm
at Barren Hill in Montgomery county, not a half
dozen miles from where he lived and died, he
knew just what the progressive farming needed,
and he was just the man to lead in that line. He
was very fond of calling his beautiful garden in
Germantown, his Telegraph farm, and the little ex-
periments which he conducted there— the more
valuable for their limited extent, which induced
thoroughness— than they really appeared to be.

He had many honors offered him, which his
love for his editorial position led him to decline.
The writer of this happened to be with him when
a message from the President was received, ten-
dering him the position of United States Com-
missioner of Agriculture.

The career of Mr. Freas illustrates another
point not often as highly appreciated as it might
be ; namely, the advantage to a community of a
live newspaper. Germantown has had a name
and fame that it will never lose, because the Ger-
mantown Telegraph was successfully estabhshed
there. For a quarter of a century there has been

no legal Germantown. It is simply the Twenty- , ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^^

second Ward of the city o Philadelphia. ButU , ^^^ ^^^.^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^
is practically a city of itself yet-a city of 50.000 .^ ^^^^^ ^^.^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^.^^ ^^ agriculture
inhabitants-with four weekly newspapers, and an ^^^ ^^,^,^^^,^,^^ ^^^ his whole life was devoted
active, thriving business community ; and all in , ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^.^ knowledge of practi-

the main made such through the energy and! , j- .

ability of the Germantown Telegraph,

vision of his farm. In his successful agricultural
operations he felt a just pride, while, as already
noted, the beautiful home grounds are justly re-
garded as one of the best specimens of tasteful
landscape gardening in America.

Thomas M. Harvey.— Intelligent horticulture
has suffered a severe loss in this gentleman, whose

Samuel W. Noble.— The Pennsylvania Horti-
cultural Association has met with a double loss in

cal value to the arts he loved. He was a leading
officer of the Pennsylvania Fruit Grower's Society
—later the Pennsylvania Horticultural Associa-
tion, and indeed one of its founders. He was one

the death of this gentleman on the 22d of March, 1 of those rare men, who was •' never too old to
the day before that of his co-laborer, Thos. M. i learn "—indeed, if he had any weakness, it was too
Harvey. He had been for many years Vice strong a feeUng that what he had yet to learn was
President of the body. He was regarded as an j far in excess of what he had achieved, and this
authority on the nomenclature of fruits, especially modesty prevented him from being as useful as
on apples. His orchard at Jenkintown in Mont- one of his eminent acquirements might have been,
gomery County, near Philadelphia, at one time

had representatives of most of the leading kinds ;
his plan being, in order to test them, to graft where-
ever a branch would prove a success. In past
times, when Pennsylvania nurseries were scarce,
he had a small fruit-tree nursery in connection

Hon. John Welsh.— As President of the Board
of Commissioners of Fairmount Park, the decease
of this estimable gentleman demands a note in our
columns. This event occurred on the loth of
April, he being in his eighty-first year. He was

he had a small fruit-tree nursery in conneciion ^^ , ^^j^^^y Philadelphia's favorite son. An

with his orchard and farm, which did good service ^^.^^^^^^ successful merchant, he yet found time

in spreading good fruits among his neighbors and ^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^.^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ j^^

friends. Like his colleague in the association councils, and there is scarcely an associa-

Thos. M. Harvey, he was a modest member of ^.^^ ^^^ educational, scientific or charitable pur-

the Society of Friends, and only those who knew ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^.^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ gratuitous and

him well had any idea of the great breadth of ^^^^^^^^^^ services. It was always enough that

his intelligence, or the immense amount of good ^ ,.,,,,,,
which in a quiet way he accomplished.

Mr. Harry Ingersoll.— Readers of Down- . . „ • 1

ine's charming works, and other treatises on land- organized, with another successfully practical man
scape gardening, will be familiar with the name : of New York as its President Rev. DrBeUows^^i^
of ••Medary,"the country-seat of Mr. and Mrs. | was determined to get up a fair m Philadelphia,
Hatry Ingersoll, near Green Lane Station, of the for the benefit of the army in the field, ^t ^^s to
North Pennsylvania railroad, Philadelphia, and be on a grander scale than anything of the kind
will be sorry to learn of the death of Mr. Inger- in history. A delegation went to New York o
soil, which occurred on the 9th of April, he being consult with him on the details I ^^now sa d
in his 77th year. Mr. Ingersoll was a member of one delegate, '• an excellent gentleman, with plenty

anything was under the patronage of John Welsh,
in order to be pushed with enthusiasm by the
whole city. When the Sanitary commission was

the old Philadelphia family of that name, but en
tered the Navy in youth, and as a midshipman
took part in the Mexican war, for meritorious
services in which he was promoted to a lieuten-
ancy. Many years ago his only son was killed
by a railroad accident at Buriington, N. J. Since
when, with ample means they have devoted them-
selves to their beautiful grounds, and the super-

of time on his hands, who would act as President."
"A gentleman of leisure!" exclaimed Dr. Bellows.
"Avoid them as you would avoid the pestilence !
Gentlemen, you want no details from me. Go back
to your city. Hunt up your most successful business
man, who has not another moment possible to
spare. Insist on his presiding in this emergency,
and your success will be grand." John Welsh

158

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[May,

:886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

159

» f

1):

■ 1

was selected. It was the grandest affair that
history has recorded.

And there is the great American Centennial.
John Welsh, as its financial President, ensured its
great success. Though in his eightieth year, he
was again called on by his fellow citizens to lead
off on the local committee to receive the combined
British and American associations. The American
Association for the Advancement of Science has
always been a pet with the people. Cities try to
outvie each other in making the meetings in their
cities successes ; but no such success as that which
followed the Philadelphia meeting, was ever known.
His city has always delighted to honor him : so has
the nation. As United States Minister to England,
there was never a more faithful or respected repre-
sentative of the American nation.

As President of the Fairmount Park Commis-
sion he served his city in a double capacity.
There had grown up in certain quarters a feeling
that the people could not be trusted— that in some
sense universal suffrage was a failure. Hence, in
order to keep certain departments "out of politics,'*
Commissions were established, where the members
are appointed by the Judges, or in some other way,
except by popular election. The result has been
that the most offensively ruled political depart-
ments in the city are those which are governed by
these separate Commissions. When Mr. Welsh
was chosen Minister to England he wanted to
resign his position as President of the Park Com-
mission, but so great was the fear that a mere
politician might succeed him, that a powerful
pressure induced him to retain it during his
absence, thus serving his city in the double sense
we have intimated.

His home grounds at Germantown were very
beautiful, and gave to its owner a great charm to
his hfe. Not ten days before his death the writer
of this had a letter from him in relation to his work
on bis estate, which could not have exhibited
greater enthusiasm, though from one in the youth-
ful vigor of life with threescore years before him.
Such lives are rare and seldom appreciated to
the full extent, till the light ceases to burn ; but
the following darkness serves the purpose of mak-
ing the loss the more vivid, and leads to a fresh
crop of useful hves, born of the great example
that so lustrously shone before.

Transactions of the Worcester Co. Mass.
Horticultural Society. — The love of horticul-
ture and the *' money in the garden," are two very
distinct ideas, each of great value in their way,

but which should never be confounded. Yet
there is often danger from such confusion. The
Pennsylvania Horticultural Association often has
cause to complain that at the winter meetings, the
citizens at some of the places of meeting often
look on them with suspicion instead of welcoming
them with smiles, believing that it is a body whose
sole object is in getting the last dollar from them
out of a bushel of peaches, or the last penny on a
pot of plums. The secretary of this society in
his report has an eloquent plea for pure horticul-
ture, which it would profit the earnest members of
all horticultural societies to read.

Proceedings of New Jersey Horticultural
Society, 1885.— Besides many essays of unusual
interest, we have here a full exposition by Prof.
Arthur of his investigations in fire blight in the
pear. The observations confirm Prof. Beal's views
of the bacterial origin of the disease.

Connecticut State Board of Agriculture.
—Annual report for 1885. From T. S. Gold,
Secretary, West Cornwall, Connecticut. Mr. Au-
gur has a paper on saving fruit, that will interest
orchardists ; the other excellent articles and dis-
cussions relate chiefly to agriculture.

American Grapes.— Mr. T. V. Munson*s ad-
dress before the American Pomological Society, at
Grand Rapids, has been published in pamphlet
form. It is a valuable contribution to botany as
well as horticulture. Mr. M. has made a special
study of the grape family, and his opinions and
conclusions receive respect from his colleagues.

How to Grow Strawberries. — By George
Knapp. PubUshed by H. D. Watson & Co.
Greenfield, Mass.

Books on strawberries and other small fruits,
are common in every library, but they are usually
half filled with description of varieties; and, as
these praised by one grower to-day, are condemned
by the same pen to-morrow, render the books of
but little value a year or two after. Hence, there
is plenty of room for cheap books on strawberry
culture, though issued every year. This view is
forcibly impressed on us by this little quarter-dol-
ar, paper-covered book of 54 pages, which not
only gives a full description of all the varieties
talked about at the present time, with critical
notes of their comparative merits, but also full de-
tails of the newer modes of culture, not known to
the authors of the standard works.

It is, for instance, only in recent years, since
the Gardeners' Monthly pointed out the great
value of potting strawberries for transplanting,

over the old-fashioned plan of digging up the run-
ners straight from the plant, that the idea has
reached a point of general practical importance,
and we find no mention of it in the usual standards.

This little book is fully up with the times, and
contains all that the modern strawberry grower
will want to know. We heartily commend it to
all who love to grow this delightful fruit.

As a sample of the book, we extract the fol-
lowing about potted runners :

'•Though of comparatively recent introduction,
so great has been the demand for pot-grown
strawberry plants, that of itself it has grown to be
a most important feature of the nursery business;
being grown and set at a time when other plants
cannot be properly or successfully handled, it be-
comes a doubly profitable industry. The value of
potted plants is two-fold; by setting them the
grower is enabled to secure a fair crop the first
season after planting, and should circumstances
prevent him from obtaining his plants at the
proper season in the spring for planting layer
plants, he may set potted plants during the hottest
days of July and August with perfect safety.
When one is obliged to buy, it will not pay him to
set pot-grown plants only in small quantities,
when fruit is desired as quickly as possible, or for
home consumption only. Another advantage of
potted plants is tor experiment; if the planter
wishes to test a new variety, by setting a few
potted plants he may obtain sufficient fruit, the
following season, to enable him to judge with
some degree of accuracy, whether it will prove
worthy of extended cultivation with him.

••The price of pot-grown plants is about double
that of ordinary layers at the nursery ; to which
cost must be added that of transportation which,
in long distances, is quite an item. Those who
already have a bed of plants, may grow potted
plants from it after a Httle practice, at a small ex-
pense, by observing the following directions :

•• After the parent plant has thrown out runners,
prepare a number of two-inch pots, filled with
fine, light earth ; with a hand trowel make a hole
directly beneath the newly formed plant, sink the
pot in the hole to a level with the earth, force the
plant into the pot, being careful not to break it at
the crown, nor to cover too deeply. In from ten
days to two weeks the pot is completely filled
with well-grown and healthy roots; the runner is
then separated from the parent plant, the pot
taken up, and the plant removed from it, together

with the ball of earth adhering to the roots, and
planted. Figure i represents a potted plant

Fig I.

turned out of pot. When prepared for shipment,
the plants are wrapped singly in paper and care-
fully packed."

Fertilizers.— By J. J. H. Gregory. Mr.
Gregory is one of those members of the seed trade
of whom the profession may be proud. He is not
only a gentleman who has been eminently suc-
cessful as a business man, but is well known in
the walks of science, and to those who take a
pleasure in general intelligence in its broadest
sense. This combination of science and practice
is by no means common, especially among book-
makers ; and this fact renders this treatise on fer-
tilizers the more valuable. It is a paper-covered,
small octavo pamphlet, of 116 pages— paper-cov-
ered, we presume, in order that it might be sold
cheap and widely circulated, and thus do the more
; good. Yet one cannot but regret that a book so in-
trinsically valuable should not have been thought
worthy of binding and putting in regular library
shape. Paper-covered— pamphlet-like— books are
rarely preserved for any length of time. In this
Mr. Gregory tells how to compound formulas for
artificial manures — where the materials come
from, and where to get them in the cheapest form.

Directories. — The various sections of the
garden have developed into so many distinct in-
terests that special directories for each seems a
necessity. Mr. Tillinghast, of La Plume, Pa., pro-
poses to meet this by issuing separate lists of
seedsmen, nurserymen, florists and vegetable
I plant growers. It is a good idea.

Horticultural Societies.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Secretary Harrison of the Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society. — The Twenty-fifth

Anniversary of the election of Mr. Apollus Walcott
Harrison, to the position of Secretary of the Penn-
sylvania Horticultural Society, was made memor-
able by a pleasant little gathering at the close of

r I

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i6o

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[May,

the spring exhibition, in the course of which Mr.
Robert Craig with a neat speech presented him, on
behalf of the Society of Florists, with a gold-
headed cane. It was also the Nineteenth AnnU
versary of his service as Treasurer. Mr. Harrison
by his urbanity and devotion to his duties has
many friends everywhere.

The Holland Premium Hyacinths.— The
following were the chief varieties in the fifty of
D. Fergusson Sons, which obtained the Gold
Medal at the March meeting of the Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society :

S. White.. GrandierMerville

*' Red Pelisier

" Blue Princess Wilhel-

mina

♦♦ White . .La Plucelle d' Or-
leans

»«Blue William I

D. Red Koh-i-noor

S.White.. Voltaire

" Blue Lord Derby

" White . . Elfriedea

" Blue Lord Melville

i» ♦* Blondca

D. Red Prince of Orange

S. Blue Puneneraan

" Yellow .Ida

" Blue King of the Blues

»• " Baron Von Hum-
boldt

D. White . . Prince of Water-
loo

S. " ..LaVestale

*' Yellow .Fleur d' Or

S. Rosy.... Lady Grey .

»» Red Queen Victoria

Alexandrea
"White.. La Neige

** Rosy Tubeflora

p. Red Diebelts Sabolas-

kanser

S. " LaProphete

»» White..Baronnes8Von

Thail
♦* " ..Monteflore
" Violet... L'Unique

p. Bine Charles Dickens

8. Red Josephine

" White ..L'Innocence
"Yellow .Duke de Mala-

koff
" White . . Alb. Superbum

D. Red Noble Parmerite

S. Blue

. .Czar Peter
. .Grand Maitre
" Rosy ....Gigantea
»* Red Garibaldi

In the Silver Medal collection of twenty-five by
Mr. Warne whose collection was in six-inch, and
not in eight-inches, as stated by our reporter last
month, the following were most conspicuous:
Ida, King of the Blues, Gigantea, Cleopatra,
Mimosa, Macry, Czar Peter. Regulus, Double
Charles Dickens, Lord Macaulay. Garrick, Non
Par Merite, Casmus, Lord Wellington, Prince of
Orange and Regina Victoria.

In the class of twelve Hyacinths there were
General PeUssier, Sultan's Favorite, King of the
Blues, Mimosa, Charihus. Maria Theresa. Eclipse
and Ida.

Maryland Horticultural Society.— At the
March meeting Mr. Cook exhibited a number of
new seedling roses, which were regarded as highly
meritorious. Mr. Donald Grant, gardener to T.
H. Garrett, made an admirable exhibit of flower-
ing plants, ferns and orchids— the latter being out
in great force. From the greenhouses of Patter-
son Park a good exhibit of flowering plants was
made by Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Robert J. HaUi-
day made a large and handsome exhibit. Among
other exhibitors, as we note by a Baltimore daily
paper, were Messrs. Hoen, F. B. Coral, John
Down, E. Hermann. R. Cromwell, S. Feast &
Sons, J. Pentland, Miss Patterson, Miss Weidy
and Miss Hamilton.

Germantown (Philadelphia) Horticultural
Society.— At the April meeting there was exhib-
ited by Mr. Jamieson, gardener to R. S. Mason.
Esq., abeautiful specimen of Cymbidium eburneum.
in a I2.inch pot, with about a couple of dozen of
its large ivory-white flowers. Another interesting
plant was a specimen of Conoclinium ianthinum,
trained up to a single stem for about 4 ^eet, and
then suff'ered to make a round head. It seems
just the kind of plant suited to such a mode of
training. It was exhibited by Mr. Nelson, gar-
dener to Mrs. Chandler. A number of other in-
teresting plants were exhibited by other growers.
Though the articles exhibited at this local society
are never numerous, they are generally choice
and instructive to those who attend the meetings.

History of Orchid Culture in America.—
At a recent meeting of the Massachusetts Horti-
cultural Society Mr. E. L. Beard gave in full re-
view the History of Orchid Culture in America.
The papers prepared for the Massachusetts Society
are always of a high class, and Mr. Beard's effort
will rank among the best and give great value to
the transactions of the society when issued.

The Spring Show of the New York Horti-
cultural Society.— We have not received from
any friend notes of the New York Exhibition, but
the following from a correspondent of the Phila-
delphia Ledger may give some idea of what oc-
curred :

"The flower show was opened at the Metropoli-
tan Opera House this forenoon. The house is
floored over as for a ball, and every foot of space,
from the back of the orchestra to the drop against
the rear wall of the stage, has been utilized. At
the back of the stage is an arrangement of mirrors
so bedded in palms and moss that the perspective,
or the illusion, is very fine, and the arbors seem
to extend to vast distances. Hundreds of Florida
and Honduras palms, of a size and beauty never
before seen here, are a prominent feature. The
number of roses on exhibition is 85,000; bulbous
plants, 65.000 ; shrubs, about 20.000. On the main
floor are half a dozen immense pyramids, nearly
^o feet high, built up of potted roses, azaleas and
orchids. The celebrated hybrid perpetual rose,
• Her Majesty,' from Short Hills, N. J., has a table
appropriated all to itself. The flower is a pale
pink, measuring 6>^ inches across, and is sup-
posed to be the largest flower in existence. It was
fully open a week ago, when it was cut and pre-
served in a cold frame for the exhibition ; if the
air is not too warm it is expected it will last until
the end of the week. At the Broadway entrance
is a miniature Dutch garden, with an infinite vari-
ety of tuUps and crocuses, while not far from the
proscenium arch are to be seen orange trees in
full bloom."

THE

GARDENERS' MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Volume XXVHI.

JUNE, 1886.

Number 330.

Flowm Garden and Pleasurd Ground.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Among the many interesting ornaments to the
flower garden is a class of plants which may be
termed sand plants. They are plants with myriads
of hair-like fibres, which require a large amount
of moist air in order to properly perform their
functions. This they cannot get in ordinary soils,
especially those in which clay predominates. We
often find them in swamps,— not because they
love swamps for the water which the swamp con-
tains, for they do not grow in water wholly, but
for the abundance of moist air, which the silk-like
rootlets can profit by. A few strong roots go
down into the water, perhaps,— but the little capil-
laries referred to creep in among the swamp moss
on the surface, or in among the pores of rotting
logs, and there, out of the water, but in the moist
air, they luxuriate. Now we can cultivate these
plants in our gardens by imitating some of the
conditions. We can set the plants in ordinary
garden ground where the main roots can get good
security against drouth, and then by making a
frame around the plants— a sort of box without a
bottom, fill it with sand in and around the
branches, from which the young hair-like roots
will push into the sand. We have a friend who
takes great delight in this kind of culture. He
lately called our attention to a mass of the beauti-

ful rosy and sweet scented Daphne cneorum,
which had hundreds of flowers open in the first
week of May. Alongside of it was a beautiful
mass of the Bearberry, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi.
Then there were the Heaths of the North of Eu-
rope, the Hudsonias of the sea coast and many
other things that would make a succession of in-
teresting objects the whole year through. Rhodo-
dendrons, Azaleas and other plants, often found
difficult to thrive in ordinary ground, would grow
admirably under this treatment. Those who have
such plants not doing well, may try this plan at
this season of the year.

Towards the end of June propagation by bud-
ding commences. This is very commonly em-
ployed with the rose ; but ornamental trees and
shrubs may be increased in the same way.
Closely allied species must be chosen to work to-
gether.

The Mannetti stock suckers so much that it has
been found a pest rather than an advantageous
stock on which to bud the rose ; but yet budding
is so useful, giving us a chance to disseminate
rare kinds freely and cheaply, that some stock has
to be employed. The favorite of the English, the
Dog rose, is wholly unsuited to our climate. The
Prairie roses have been found excellent stocks.
Other roses take well on them, and they do not
sucker much. It is stout, very hardy, and it promises

l62

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[June,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

163

to be a very popular stock for rare roses. Some
have urged the American Swamp rose, Rosa Caro-
lina, as a good stock, and of late years many of
the standard roses that come to our country from
Europe are worked on it. But to our mind it is
even less adapted to our climate than the EngHsh
Dog rose. The most successful for dwarf roses is
still the Mannetti above noted. But great care
must be exercised to keep down the suckers or
they will kill the graft. Alter the graft has once
taken on a good head, there is not so much trouble
from suckers as in the earlier stages.

The rose bugs are apt to be very annoying at
some seasons. The best remedy is to shake them
off into a pail of water. The rose slug is often
very injurious to the leaves— completely skeleton-
izing them. All kinds of rapid remedies have
been proposed— whale oil, soap, petroleum, etc.,
but the best thing of all is to set a boy to crush
them by finger and thumb. It is astonishing how
rapidly they are destroyed by this process. This
is true of most of the larger insects. Hand pick-
ing or crushing is by far the best remedy. But
for all, people will ask for washes and remedies, and
tobacco water or the kerosene emulsions recom-
mended by Prof. Riley, are among the best things.

Peg down roses where a heavy mass of flowers
is desired. The side shoots push more freely ior
this treatment.

Cut off the flowers of roses as they fade, — the
second crop will be much better for the attention.
Seeds of all flowering plants should be also taken
off; all this assists the duration of the blooming
season. Dahlias and numbers of other flowering
plants are found to give good results under the
pegging down plan.

Propagation by layering may be performed any
time when strong vigorous growing shoots can be
had. Any plantcan be propagated by layers. Many
can be readily propagated in no other way. Cut a
notch on the upper side of the shoot, not below,
as all the books recommend, and bend down into,
and cover with rich soil. In a few weeks they
root, and can be removed from their parents.
Stakes for plants should be charred at the ends
before using, when they will last for years.

Flower-beds should be hoed and raked, as soon
as the ground dries after a rain. Loose surface
soil prevents the under stratum drying out. Peg
down bedding-plants where practicable. Split
twigs make the best pegs. In dry weather do not
water flower-beds often ; but do it thoroughly
when it is done. See that the water does not run
off, but into and through the soil.

Mow lawns often, if you would have them green
and velvety. It keeps grass weak, and small
creeping weeds are encouraged to spread and
crowd out the grass. To make up for this the
lawn should have a dressing of some fertihzer in
the fall. It encourages the weakened grass to
fight the weeds.

COMMUNICATIONS.

NOTES SUGGESTED BY A VISIT TO THE
GARDENS OF P. LORILLARD, ESQ., AT
JOBSTOWN, N. J.

BY WM. T. HARDING.

A celebrated wit, (Sidney Smith, I think it was,)
who evidently knew what was good, once fa-
cetiously remarked, that "God might have made
a better fruit than a strawberry, but for some
reason, did not." Be that as it may, few how-
ever, will attempt to gainsay the assertion who
understand how very useful a fruit it has become
in the hands of the skilful horticulturist, especially
through the winter and spring months, under
glass.

Our honored ancestors, poor simple souls, who
may possibly have imagined they were highly
favored with most of the good things of this
world, in their day, patiently groped about
where nettles grew, and among thorns in the
wood, for the few small strawberries they per-
chance discovered there ; or assiduously hunted
for them among the unproductive kinds, which
for convenience sake, had been transferred from
thence into the garden.

We learn from honest old "Tusser's Five

Hundred Points of Good Husbandry," written in

the time of " Our Good Queen Bess," that the wild

and inferior kind was then considered " excellent

good." This indefatigable cultivator, who, from

the inferences we draw from his famous maxims,

appears never to have eaten the bread of idleness,

but was always '• up and doing," knowing that

"the hand of the diligent maketh rich," seems to

have found a suitable job for good Dame Tusser,

too, and whom we may fancy was an industrious

and frugal woman, and thus gives directions how

his hopeful helpmeet should do it :

" Wife, into the garden, and set me a plot

Of strawberry roots, the best to be got ;

Such growing abroad, among thorns in the wood,

Well chosen and picked, prove excellent good."

Although so many eventful years have rolled
over the strawberry-producing world since then,
we sincerely hope our right worthy predecessor-

honest old Master Tusser, and his well-beloved
wife—who seem to have sensibly pulled to-
gether—both in field and garden, derived as much
real satisfaction in their day, when feasting upon
the meagre, wild wood strawberries, as their suc-
cessors are doing with the many improved varie-
ties they regale themselves with now.

That Shakespeare, who also refers to them,
during the reign of the "Virgin Queen," must un-
doubtedly have often picked them in their umbra-
geous habitats, in the woodlands of Warwickshire
and adjacent counties, we may naturally infer,
from thus alluding to them :

"The strawberry grows underneath the nettle ;
And wholesome berries thrive and ripen best,
Neighbour'd by fruits of lesser quality."

And to prove how uncommon a sight it was to

see strawberries under cultivation in a garden at

that period, Shakespeare remarks :

" Mv Lord of Elv, when I was last in Holborn,
I saw good strawberries in your garden there ;
I do beseech you send for some of theui. '

This poor and small fruit, about the size of or-
dinary cranberries, we may suppose, had a slight
strawberry taste about them, and some of the
odor ; and but httle more, when compared with
the deliciously flavored, large, handsome and
productive varieties under cultivation now. And
under the most favorable conditions possible, the
fruiting season of which must have been a brief

one.

The most skilful herbalist of those days, John
Gerard, who had charge of the botanical garden
of the College of Physicians in i 587, for the culti-
vation of rare plants of medicinal value, and was
maintained at the cost of " forty marks English
money " a year, alludes to only three kinds under
cuUivation in 1597; and which appear to have
been newly introduced from a wild state to the
gardens, such as they were at that period, and
thus speaks of them in the quaint phraseology of the
time : " Strawberries do grow upon hills and vally s,
likewise in woods, and other such places as be some-
thing shadowie. They prosper well in gardens ;
the red strawberry every where ; and the other two,
white and green, more rare, and are not to be
found save only in gardens."

If the mind's eye will only glance back to the
rudimentary strawberry beds of our forefathers,
and think of what poor miserable sorts they had
to make shift with, and then look at the thousands
of broad acres of them in various parts of the
country, of such splendid varieties as were never
dreamt of, even fifty years ago, they will be

Such a gradual state of development, or transi-
tion, from a lower to a higher type of plant hfe, as
has been slowly going on from the time Virgil.
Ovid, and Pliny first mentioned the fragaria, or
strawberry, until it has finally evolved into the
modern Keen's Seedling, Sharpless or Parry.
ought to convince the most skeptical, that the doc-
trine of evolution is not the myth or chimera they
would fain make us believe.

But oh, good reader, what a distance I seem to
have been wandering away from the noted gar-
dens of P. Lorillard, Esq.. Jobstown. New Jersey ;
where I ought to have begun, and ended all I
had to say about strawberries, when I commenced
to essay the subject. So, without further pre-
mising, I will say it was my good fortune to call
there, about the middle of March, when, to my
great gratification, I saw one of the finest displays
of forced strawberries I ever previously looked
upon in these United States. Certainly, Mr. John
Gardener, who so successfully manages this im-
mense establishment, has much to be proud of,
(modest man, as he is,} when able to demonstrate
his horticultural skill, in the effective manner he
does. For forced strawberries, without exagger-
ation I will candidly say, I never saw larger,
more evenly formed, or finer colored fruit before.
They were exceedingly heavy fruited, too ; while
their rich aroma, which was so agreeably diffused
not only in the forcing houses, but even outside,
for some distance from the sashes, plainly indi-
cated how perfectly ripened and dehciously

flavored they were.

Mr. G. informed me he began the forcing season
with twelve thousand pots of strawberry plants,
which had, of course, been prepared for that pur-
pose during the previous summer. The first to
ripen was Keen's Seedling, an EngUsh favorite,
from which fruit was gathered for Christmas day.
At the time of my visit, he was picking large quan-
tities of Sharpless. whose superior quaUties make
it one of the most reliable kinds to depend upon

for a sure crop.

My attention was called to a number of pots of
thrifty looking Parry strawberries, which from
their general appearance, gave promise of being
the strawberry par excellence, either under glass,
or on the borders outside. It seems to possess a
most desirable character, peculiar to that kind :
namely, the habit of throwing up a succession of
fruit trusses, which of course, will considerably
prolong the time of fructification. That it will
prove a valuable acquisition to the cultivator, no

:= at\r:oXfur;;oVes;' ;r:..y .ae. • ;ne .o.... who Unows anything about it. As a

1 64

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[June,

AND HORTICULTURIST.

first early kind, Mr. G. pronounces the Keen's
Seedling the best ; and with which he invariably

of this first-rate place, to attempt to flatter him, if
peradventure, his eye should ever fall upon these

beeins the season, as it sets its fruit well. It ap- \ observations; yet, cannot refrain from saying he
pears to take to the Jersey sand better, when I is unquestionably the best grower of Gardenias,
Planted out, than the Champion, an excellent early 1 1 ever enjoyed acquaintance with. These ex-
variety • and never fails to form good runners, in ; quisite flowers were perfection indeed, while he
time to pot for the next season's forcing. j atmosphere surrounding them, was laden with the

Seeing so much to admire under the sashes, be- i most subtle perfume imaginable. The Enghsh
sides strawberry growing, I can hardly conclude 1 wallflowers, too-and who ever thinks of theni with,
my remarks wuLut btiefly alluding to a few out fancying they smell them ?-were delightfully

specialties, equally worthy of notice.

Grapes of the Black Hamburg type, looked

permeating one of the many glass structures in
which they were blooming. The modest lily of

Mounl Holly, N, J.. March 2gth, 1886.

LAWN MIXTURES.
BY

Your article on Lawn Grass Mixtures is a little
obscure as to intent. But taking it for granted.

well both in pots and on the rafters. The I, the valley another sweet flower, with the unas-
bunches were of good size, and abundant. Of,suming Boronia megastigma of odorous fame,
nectarines and peaches, it would be impossible to ' were delightful to inhale. And what with the
speak too hicrhly of them, as such wonderful sights blending of other sweet posies, I cannot believe
are seldom s;en More vigorous or fruitful trees, , the famed •. Gardens of Gul in the Orient, could
rventure"^^^^^^^ would'indeed be difficult to ' possibly excel the smell of the roses, as we
find While some were lovely in their gay pro- , breathed the perfume in the extensive and gay
fusion of blossoms, others, again, were densely ' greenhouses of Jobstown.
covered with young fruit, in various stages of de-
velopment, from the size of peas up to that of nut-
megs, some thousands of which had already been
removed in the necessary operation of thinning.
Later on, a similar process will be again required,
so as to reduce the number to as many as the trees

'XT'reldeTmay form an idea of Mr. G.'s | from the tone of your article, that you desire
success in forcing. I will offer, as fair instances, the to warn your readers against purchasing lawn
produce of two';ees from among a number of grass mixtures at seed stores, for fear of being
simUar on s under glass. From a Lord Napier to use the mildest term, overcharged ; I wish to
nemr ne six hundfed beautiful, full-sized, per- say to you that you do the honest seedsman and
feet y ripen d. and most exquisitely flavored fruit, your readers a great injustice. People, part.cu-
t e gXred last year. While an Early Gross larly editors, should be -reful ^ow they wn e or
Mienonne peach ripened seven hundred as superb speak of matters, of which they know little or
fruftthe finest flavor possible to produce. The nothing. Because Prof. Beal found some red top
am; tree has now about a thousand as promising ' in a mixture that he purchased, is it equitable to
ruTt evenly spread over it, as one would wish to decide that all lawn grass mixtures are the same ?
lee Bol peach and nectarine are imported , You would think it a gross injustice if, because
rom England, budded upon healthy plum stock, some unscrupulous nurserynian had deceived his
Tucumbers snap, or Irench beans, asparagus, customers, you. Thos. Meehan should be rated
mushrols. omatoes. etc.. showed as good ex- in the same category. How did Pro . Beal de-
ri^Ses of culture as is usually seen growing in cide that Herds grass was m the mixture ? D d
tlS veLtable garden, during the summer months, he pick out the seeds and then plant them In
ThI beautiful •■ Queen of Flowers " was in all that way only could he decide positively. If he
helrosy splendor, and looked equally as charming sowed the mixture and found Red top growing in
?n every hue. or shade of color, in which she ap- , his lot, that would not decide >t, as the seed may
neared He brilliant robes are always becoming, | have been already in the ground. I believe very
whatever the fashion may be. While to her own few respectable seedsmen put Herds grass in their
TrSTover.her peerless fractions seem to have Ifwn mixture Of my ok e^.^^^^

no equal under the sun.

that there is not now and never has been, during

w'hen I see every hrng so well done around me, the more than 40 years that I have been connected

I S as if I ought to'say so; but I entertain I with the house of ' H ^\ '.''"" '^r

00 grea a respec' for the very efficient manager I in any lawn mixture sold by this house. Our

1886.]

mixture has always consisted of Kentucky Blue,
Green grass, which is the same seed grown in this
section, a little Perennial Rye grass, Sweet vernal
grass, and White clover, each one of first quahty.
sold for a number of years past at $3.50 per
bushel of 15 lbs., and all who purchase that mix-
ture get the worth of their money, the Gar-
deners' Monthly to the contrary notwithstand-
'„ Philadelphia.

[Our only intent was to emphasize the point
often made in our magazine, and never objected
to by our correspondent or any one. that one kind
of grass makes a better lawn than the acutest

mixture.

As to reflecting on the honor, integrity, or fair

dealing of such an honorable firm as the ,

such an idea could enter nobody's head. The
people evidently prefer mixtures. They pay more
for mixtures than for one single kind of grass.
They ought to pay more, because there has been
the labor and trouble of all the extra work. If
people will have it. there can be no reason why
they should not be supplied with it. and charged

accordingly.

It may be noted that Mr. has not a very

high opinion of Herdgrass as a lawn grass. Some
will «^urely differ from him. On rich clay soils,
especially near the sea. this makes one of the best
possible lawns. It is information of this kind that
ought to be obtained in the interest of gardemng.

Since writing the above we have a note from
the author, requesting us not to use his name or
refer to his firm. This accounts for the blanks.-
Ed. G. M.] ^^^

EDITORIAL NOTES.

165

Expenses of American Public Gardens.--
A debt of $135,000 encumbers the Cincinnati
Zoological gardens, and they will probably have
to be sold out. Philadelphia was in somewhat
the same fix, but subscriptions have been nriade
sufficient to tide it for one year over its troubles. ,
in the hope that something lucky may turn up. ,
Public gardens in many cities are bemg felt as
heavy burdens, beyond the ability of tax-payers
to bear All this comes about from two causes,
chiefly. One is. a want of capacity in the man-
agement to combine instruction with that pleasure
which ordinary minds appreciate ; the other is. a
want of capacity to understand that there is in-
struction and beauty to be had at small cost as
well as at extravagant figures. Whenever any
complaint is made that things are not as they

might be. the universal reply is. " give us more
money." Only think, that the tax-payers of Phila-
delphia give the Fairmount Park Commission
about a quarter of a million of dollars, and yet
the commission grumble because this amount is
so limited. They spend one-third of this sum in
employing policemen at enormous salaries. The
celebrated Kew gardens in England, cost only
$100,000 a year, and notwithstanding its immense
treasures, a dozen policemen keep the whole thing
in order. It is not difficult to see where our

weaknesses come in.

Improvement of Grounds.— At a recent
meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural Soci-
ety, Dr. Bowen proceeded to make some sugges-
tions for the improvement of country homes. The
first is. that the expenditure of money does not al-
ways bring a return in true beauty. He knew of
one lawn which is dull, flat and uninteresting,
though it has absorbed money enough to have
made an earthly paradise of every other place in
the village, had it been expended with good judg-
ment. This is well worth remembering by those
who desire nice grounds.

Single Roses.— Those which have already
gained popularity in American gardens, are gain-
ing ground in the favor of English flower lovers.

American Beauty RosE.-This is said by a
correspondent of the Flonst, to be a chance seed-
Ung. found on the grounds of Hon. George Ban-
croft at Washington, and sold for 75 cents, by
a cardener to George Field & Co. who were six
years before finding that the rose had any special

merit.

American Buttonwood, or American Plane
Tree —The true character of American trees is
rarely known, because in early life they have
been crowded by others, and it is only when by
the help of man a specimen here and there finds
itself for a number of years alone, that we get to
see its exact development. It is very rare to find
a low-spreading buttonwood tree, because m early
life they have lost their lower branches. We
give herewith one of the best specimens we have
seen It is growing on the estate of Mr. George
W Childs, at his country seat. " Wootton " near
Philadelphia. It is 80 feet in height, and is 10
feet in circumference 4 feet from the ground. The
lower side branches extend 43 feet from the trunk,
so that the head has a spread of 86 feet.

The English plane. Platanus onentalis. has a
rather more regularly spreading character than
the American, Platanus occidentahs ; and is free

i66

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[June,

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

167

from the peculiar mildew which so often destroys
the young shoot as it pushes from the bud, and,
by reason of the second growth renders the tree of-
ten knotty and unsightly. This tree has apparently
escaped this pest, and it is on this account that we
have been tempted to give it as a rare illustration
of a common tree.

brown and gradually drop off, and at last the
whole tree is affected. White pines and Balsam
firs are not affected I think you published at
one time a remedy for this disease, but do not
know where to look for it exactly in your maga-

zme.

[This seems to be trouble from Red spider which

Platanus occidentalism- American Plane or Buttonwood Tree,

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Red Spider on Evergreens.— A correspond-
ent near Boston Mass., writes: "There is some
disease attacking our Picea pungens. White spruce
and Norway spruce. I first noticed it on some
White spruce, that came from a pasture in St.
Johnsbury, Vermont. The lower leaves become

loves the Black spruces. Box bushes, and other
evergreens. Very large trees are indefensible.
Moderate-sized specimens may be dusted with
sulphur on a hot day, sprinkling with water first
to hold the sulphur. — Ed. G. M.]

Hardy Roses for Toronto.— The following
query reached the Editor on the 15th of last
month. It is only in rare cases that any inquiry

can get reply in the succeeding number that
reaches the Editor after the Sth of the month :

Snow-covered TREES.-Ruskin finds much
pleasure in studying the beautiful lines and fig-

aches the Editor after the 5tn ot tne monui . i..v...-».. ...... , « covered by

..Please let .e Unow through ^^ ^%^^^:Z^°":^J:'J::S^^ZyZc!^ of -^y-
.erof t^e G.HOEK.KS' Mos.„^^^^^^^ pecuha^ beauty under

roses would do best m ^.s locahty where t ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,. Mr. Van Aken sends us

temperature sornefmes falls as low - ^. b^low ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^.^^_ ^^,^„ „„ ,^, ,,, of

:::U rerth?i;,;:d;:;et:anr":rra^^ean.l^Ap.^ ^ eep>n.b-.rch .awes a par-

hardy enough and strong growing enough. Any , t.culady pretty object.

way, please let me have your opinion, and obhge | ^ Proliferous or Fasciated Lily.— Mr. C.

"Yours, Toronto." Ij po^er. of South Framingham. Mass., writes:
April .oth. . , I .. I send this day by express (paid), a box con-
[We believe there is little difference in the , ^^ ^ ^^ ^.^.^^ candidum, with twenty-
hardiness of any of the true hybrid perpetua ^ ^^^ s ^^^^^^^ ^^.^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^de-
roses. We have known the old Baron Prevost , j^j ;„ ^ ^t with four other
thrive remarkably well as a sub-climber, in a very velopea . 6 _ ,^^^

exposed situation. Those which have become
mixed with the tea rose strain, are more tender.

bulbs, and is unlike anything I ever saw. The
stem, as you will see, is flat, U^H 'n^h. Do you

• A. A-Vk /^ tjr\ TWi^ in

mixed with the tea rose strain, are more tender. , ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^.^^ continue to sport the same m
Some of the pure Noisettes will stand much se- ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ thinking it might,
verity, such as those related to the Old Champney , .^ ^^^^ ^ ^^^^ .^ ^^ asparagus bed. a plant which
and Musk cluster. The varieties of the old bem- ^'^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^.^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^j^d of a

pervirens class, such as Belmont aud I elicite | ^^^^^ ^^^ ^ .^^ ^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^ulb from
perpetuelle. are as hardy as our prairie roses. ^^_^j^ ^^^ ^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^ j^ubie one.

which are again as hardy as any rose can be. ! ^^^ ^.^^ „oducing the large head, the other
The Ay reshire roses are good and very ''aray | ^^^^.^ ^^^^^^ ^^.^^^ ^^^^^^j^^^ ^j^^^^ j,aifgro«,n,
ones, belonging to the species R. arvens.s | ^ ^ two spikes, with nine buds and

Nothing is hardier than the old Boursalt rose, and , and P ^^ ^^^^ _
few more beautiful. The Sweet Bner and Dog

rose, are admirable. It is a pity that these classes
of very hardy roses have been neglected by im-
provers. We are still left with only the varieties
of half a century ago to select from.

[This was a truly striking specimen. Probably
it would prove hereditary. The Lilium longi-
florum floribundum. is of this proliferous class,
and is constant.— Ed. G. M.

GREENHOUSE AND HOUSE GARDENING

COMMUNICATIONS.

A NEW ROSE PEST.

BY ERNEST WALKER.

It may be that what I allude to and shall at-
tempt to describe is known to some of the readers
of the Gardeners' Monthly, who represent such
a wide and varied experience. However. I use
the adjective ■' new." for the reason that .t was so 1
to me. and because on a reference to some of the
best treatises on the rose I did not find an insect
of this description mentioned among the enemies

of the rose. ■ ■„ „,

During the winter of 1884-85. dropping in at

one of the greenhouse establishments of this
vicinity, the proprietor called iny attention to the
singular behavior of some of the roses planted on
the benches for winter blooming, and asked me
to what source I might attribute the trouble.
Perceiving at once that it was not a disease of
the foliage and that it was not contagious, or of a
rapidly spreading nature. I *ent to work exami-
ning I pulled up some of the plants and found
the "heel" enlarged by a warty excrescence or
monstrous growth of the cortical tissue ; the mam
roots were in like manner affected. On pulhng
up the plants I had noticed in the soil adhering to
the heel and roots some small worms, and small
round holes bored in the bark here and there.

1 68

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[June,

Pulling open some of these warts I found the soft
tissue, as it were, filled with minute white grubs or
worms. On further examination I found these in-
sects in various stages of maturity, and traced
them to the full grown worm I had at first ob-
served, and that the small holes I had seen bored
in the bark were due to the skill of these little
workmen, which are a half-inch — sometimes ap-
proaching three-fourths of an inch— in length,
and in diameter about one-thirty-second of an
inch. The body is articulated, smooth, hard, of
a bony nature, and of a dull dirt color. The
head was small in proportion to the body and
provided with a pair of sharp mandibles. The
legs were numerous along the length of the body,
incurved and sharp pointed, seeming to charac-
terize the insect as some species of the "thousand-
legged worm." They evidently fed on the bark
of the roots, and boring into the tissue there laid
their eggs, while from the disturbance the bark
grew distorted into these warty excrescences
which became the nests of the young.

Some of the soil in which the roses grew was
unmanured, and in this the roses were not affected.
Others grew in a soil with cow manure in mix-
ture, and in this the roses were healthy also, while
the roses affected grew in a soil consisting partly
of cow manure in which were beech leaves that
had been used as bedding for the animal and
were not completely rotted.

So I inferred that the presence of these particu-
lar insects in the soil was due to the beech leaves
on which the eggs had been deposited and were
now hatched out by the genial warmth of the
greenhouse ; and, following out their inherent in-
stinct to multiply as well as to live, had gone to
work on the roses, eating and laying eggs in the
bark ; though possibly or probably this is not the
plant to which this insect is a natural enemy.

New Albany, Ind.

MIMOSAS— SENSITIVE PLANTS.
BY W. R.

The sensitive plants — Mimosa pudica and sen-
sitiva are interesting and beautiful children of
nature. As decorative plants, either for the con-
servatory, stage or dinner table, they can hardly
be surpassed. A few of them interspersed among
the flowering plants on the stage, have a charm-
ing effect, for besides the wonder raised in observ-
ing their tender leaflets shrinking and drooping at
the lightest touch or gentlest breeze, they are very
graceful and beautiful plants. The color of their foli-

age is wonderfully beautiful and fresh. They are
easily grown from seed and are deserving of special
attention from those who require a few plants for
table decoration. Germantown.

DENDROBIUM MOSCHATUM.

BY ALPHA.

The musk scented Dendrobium, D. moschatum,
is a very beautiful epiphytal orchidaceous plant,
and is a native of Pegu, where it was discovered
by Dr. Wallich and introduced in 1828. It is a
strong growing and robust species, the stems at-
taining a height of from three to six feet, and
having oblong linear blunt alternate leaves, while
the radicle flower stems are from four to seven
feet in height, half of which is upright, the re-
mainder being drooping, and on this part the nine
or twelve flowers are produced, they are very
splendid and of large size, being nearly four
inches in diameter when fully expanded. In color
the sepals and petals are of a rich crimson, fainfly
striped with creamy white, while the interior of
the labellum or lip is richly feathered with dark
crimson ; the rich contrast of colors giving it a
very striking appearance, and rendering it one of
the most desirable plants in cultivation. The
flowers emit a pleasant musk-like fragrance,
which is very perceptible towards evening and
from which circumstance the specific name was
bestowed upon it by Dr. WaUich.

As this variety is of strong, robust growth, it
should be grown in a pot, and given a compost
of two-thirds sphagnum moss and one-third
bits of charcoal well mixed. The best manner
of potting the plant is to procure a pot of
the required size, and over the drainage hole
place inverted one of a smaller size, about large
enough to occupy about one-third of the pot;
around and above this carefully place in a
quantity of broken pots about enough to half fill
the pot, placing the larger pieces in the bottom,
and gradually fill up with smaller. In potting,
place the plant in the centre of the pot and keep
it well elevated, about two or three inches above
the level of the pot. If necessary support the
plant by means of stakes. During its season of
growth it should be grown in a warm moist atmos-
phere of not less than 60^, and as soon as growth
ceases the supply of heat and moisture should be
gradually reduced, while during its season of rest
it should be kept both dry and cool in an average
temperature of 55^; when growth commences the
supply of heat and moisture should be gradually

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

169

increased. If the plants are placed in a dry cool
situation as soon as their flowers are fully ex-
panded, they will remain in perfection for a long
time, but care must be taken to moisten the roots

occasionally.

Propagation is effected by a careful division of
the plant, and this should be done just before the
plant starts mto growth. The generic name is de-
rived from "dendron," a tree, and " bies," life,
referring to the way these plants fasten to a tree
for support, and the specific alludes to the peculiar
fragrance of the flowers.

DISEASES OF PLANTS AND THEIR REME-
DIES.
BY CHARLES HENDERSON.

In undertaking a subject of such wide scope
and vital importance, I realize fully my unfitness
to instruct such a body of older and more experi-
enced men, but as every one's experience is of
some value, I trust you will not consider these ten

minutes wasted.

In my observation, very few plants are attacked
by insects or disease when in vigorous health. It
is only when the vitality is impaired, or the growth
checked by any cause, that they strike. Red
spider rarely troubles plants whcngrowing strongly,
and even the mealy bug seems to pursue his
ravages more vigorously when growth is slower
during the winter months. As instances of this,
we find that coleus are badly injured in mid-
winter by mealy bug. but outgrow their attacks in
spring and summer. Bouvardia is another case
in point, being one of the worst plants we have
for the mealy bug. yet when spring comes, and
plant vigor asserts itself, they seem to a great ex-
tent to disappear. Mildew attacks your roses when
a ventilator is raised carelessly on a cold raw day.
and the chilling air strikes down on the soft
growth, checking the flowing sap and leaving the
plant in a debilitated condition, which invites the
fungus known under this name. A marked in-
stance of this occurred in our place years ago.
We had a house filled with hybrid roses in full
leaf and just showing bud; the house was venti-
lated by old-fashioned square ventilators that slid
up and down. One afternoon they were carelessly
left open too long, and the plants under the open-
ings were slightly frozen. The frost apparently
did but little injury, but in two days the plants
that had been under the openings were completely
covered with mildew, while the rest of the house
was comparatively free from it. This showed

conclusively, that the affected plants were made
liable to the mildew by having their vitality
checked by the slight frost. Of late years, one of
the most annoying diseases attacking plants is
that affecting the carnation, and it is undoul)tedly
caused bv working our stock year after year at a
high temperature, which weakens the general
vitality, and the disease, be it a fungus or an in-
sect, quickly follows. In the fall of 1883. we had
a surplus of two varieties of carnations, and rather
than throw them away we "heeled" them in a
cold frame, putting straw mats on the glass in ex-
treme weather. They wintered well, and in March
we put in a few hundred cuttings of each. We
marked them, and last winter they were the best
plants we had, not one of them dying off, while
we lost hundreds of the same kinds in our regular
stock ; and I firmly believe that if this plan was
adopted of wintering carnations intended for pro-
pagation, that the - carnation disease " would dis-
appear. Another and perhaps more practicable
way of avoiding the difficulty we have practiced
for years; and that is, to propagate our young
stock as eariv as possible in the winter, and, after
they have become established, knocking them out
of the pots and putting in shallow boxes in cold
frames. This gives them some of the needed
rest, and the good effect is very marked. This
theory of weakened vitality being the cause, and
not the consequence of most plant diseases is, per-
haps, best borne out in the case of the "black
rust or verbena rust." It is a common mistake
for -rowers to use for planting out. such plants of
verbenas as have been propagated in mid-winter.
These plants are usually held in the same pots long
after thev become pot-bound, and consequently
are stunted, and perhaps diseased, when set out
Although they may appear to grow strongly at
first yet the taint is there, and when midsummer
comes, with its protracted spells of heat and
drouth, the vigor is gone completely, and the in-
sect producing the disease we call " rust appears
in myriads. The true plan is to use for planting,
the last propagated plants in spring, these sus-
taining no check, grow right along until midsum-
mer when it is necessary to cut them severely
back, and fork in a good dressing of manure as
close to the plant as possible, followed up by a
thorough soaking of water. This last, of course
if the ground is dry. which is almost invariably
the case in August. Plants so ^-^^^^f ^JfJ;
ously. avoid the fatal check, and give healthy cut-
tings when needed in October. The " rust ' that
is found on heliotropes, bouvardias, etc., is proba-

170

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[June,

bly the same thing, or in any case is produced by
the same cause. This is particularly noticeable in
heliotropes, as they become rusted at once if pot-
bound. The insect producing "black rust" is in-
visible to the naked eye, but under the microscope
somewhat resembles a cockroach in shape and
general appearance. When plants are affected, a
syringing twice a week with fir-tree oil is effective
in checking it, but as in everything of this kind,
prevention is the best remedy.

Celery Rust. — Although this is a little out of the
florist's line, yet a valuable lesson may be drawn
from the causes that produce it. The celery
•*rust " is occasioned by anything that injures the
roots, either an excess of rain or a drouth — either
cause kills the working roots, and the yellowing
up or "rusting" of the leaves soon follows. In
the open field this is beyond our control, but the
hint given is invaluable in operations under glass,
where watering is under our command. There is
but little doubt that nine-tenths of the failures in
rose growing for flowers in winter is traceable to
the working roots of the plants being destroyed by
being kept too wet or too dry.

Green Fly. — Of course we all know that this in-
sect can be destroyed by fumigation with tobacco,
but in cases where cut flowers are grown, particu-
larly roses, tobacco smoke will take the color out
of the buds, and to a great extent lessen their
value. The " fly " can be kept down by simply
spreading tobacco stems about the house, and
giving them a dash of water whenever you are
watering. The slight fumes that are constantly
arising from the tobacco will keep the green fly
entirely under subjection. We kept a rose house,
312 feet long and 20 feet wide, entirely free from
"fly" with a layer of tobacco stems, 10 inches
wide and 2 inches deep, running the full length of
the house. It is not safe to put the stems on the
bed where plants are growing, as sometimes there
are ingredients used in curing the tobacco which
will cause injury to the plants. I have known
several cases of this. The stems need renewing
every six weeks.

Mealy Bug-. — We have tried various emulsions
of kerosene oil for this pest but with indifferent
results. Alcohol, which is the basis of most in-
secticides for mealy bug, will do the work, but it
is too expensive for general use. The imported
preparation known as "Fir-tree Oil " is by far the
best and most economical remedy we have yet
tried. It kills the bug and its eggs and does no
practical injury to the plants. In using the Fir-

tree Oil or any similar insecticide, it is better,
when practicable, to dip the plants in the prepara-
tion. In my experience one dipping is as good as
ten syringings and much more economical. A
common error in the use of all insecticides is the
want of persistence in their use. It is much bet-
ter to use a weak application of any insecticide
frequently than a stronger dose of it at less fre-
quent periods. For example, we have always
found it more effective and safe to fumigate with
tobacco smoke our houses twice a week Hghtly,
rather than once a week and more heavily.

Rose Bug. — This most dangerous insect first ap-
peared in quantity about New York seven or eight
years ago, and probably you are all familiar
enough with it by this time. It is about as large
as a lady bug, but is brown in color. The perfect
bug feeds on the tops, eating the leaves and doing
some injury, but the great mischief is done by
the InrvcTe feeding on the roots. This is a white
grub about % in. long which is hatched in the
soil by the bug. Its presence at the roots is
quickly shown by the yellowing and dropping of
the leaves, which by the inexperienced, may be
attributed to the ordinary causes of over-watering
or too high a temperature, but if a plant is dug up
dozens of the grub will be found about the roots.
The only remedy seems to be to pick the perfect
bugs from the tops by hand. The Rose bug has
not done so much damage in the last few years, as
the now general practice of planting new stock
each year seems to have disturbed and prevented
their breeding.

Black Ants. — These symbols of industry will
cause considerable injury and annoyance in a
greenhouse if allowed to gain headway. They
tunnel the soil in pots and benches, and carry the
soil up the stems of the plants, and encrust with
it the mealy bug and scale, which they pretend to
devour but never diminish. They can be readily
exterminated by dusting the large runs of them
with Pyrethrum, applied with a bellows. It is use-
less to spread it around by hand, as they are
killed by breathing it, and it must be distributed
in fine particles. In the winter of 1883 our place
became badly infested with ants, and only the
persistent daily use of Pyrethrum for three months
exterminated them.

Mildew. — The only remedy we have ever used
for mildew is sulphur, either by putting it on the
pipes so that the fumes will be thrown off by the
heat, or in the liquid form as follows : i lb. lime
and I lb. sulphur in 2 gals, water ; boil this down

1886.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

171

to one gallon, and use a wineglassful of this to 5
gals, of water, and syringe the affected plants;
twice a week. This is particularly useful in sum- ,
mer when not firing, and is a certain remedy. It
has been recently suggested to use Unseed oil
mixed with sulphur for painting the pipes, it being '
claimed that in this way the sulphur would do no 1
harm to the plants. Now, while the linseed oil ^
may be a good thing to mix with the sulphur to I
make it stick to the pipes, it is certainly of no
other benefit. It is well known that sulphur
mixed with water alone is used on hot water pipes
in greenhouses and graperies, as an antidote
against mildew and red spider, without injury to
the plants. It has been our practice for years to
sprinkle the pipes with water and then dust the
sulphur on while wet, and I have never seen the
slightest injury to roses or other plants by this
manner of applying it. Many serious results have
occurred by burning sulphur in greenhouses or
applying it on brick flues, where the temperature ,
is perhaps 300O, but I never heard of injury to j
plants resulting from its being apphed on hot I
water pipes where the temperature is usually un-
der 200O.

Black Mildew or " Black Spot:'-\ have had
scarcely any experience with this, as we never
have had it on our place, except in a shght de-
gree on some hybrid Tea roses. I have noticed,
however, that it is most prevalent in rose establish-
ments where the stock is grown for propagation,
in shallow benches, in soil without manure. It is
almost unknown where the plants are grown for
cut-flowers, and consequently are hberally fed.
In all probabihty this continued starving leaves
the stock in such condition that it invites the
"black spot." There is a formula which is said
to check it, but it has been kept a secret by the

discoverer. . .

In conclusion, I would say that, in my opinion,
the ventilation of a greenhouse has more to do
with the health of its contents than any other one
cause This is particularly true with roses. If air
is given on a rosehouse, day and night during
July and August, there will be little trouble with
mildew, as the cool night air and the action of the
wind all tend to toughen the fibre of the wood and
leaves and give strength of constitution to the
whole plant, so that when the spores of mildew
and other fungoid diseases strike, they do not take
root but glance off harmlessly from the hardened
and fortified foliage. Jersey City Heights.

[Read before the American Society of Florists.
—Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES,

Flowering of Agave Americana at Auburn,
New York.— This is the century plant. In old
English greenhouses it took a century for a plant
to flower. In its native country it flowers in
about ten years, and, under culture, generally be-
tween this and a hundred, usually nearer the
hundred than the ten. This one blooming is in
the garden of Mr. George Casey, at Auburn, New
York, and is a matter of great interest with the
people there. It has pushed its flower stalk three
feet above the roof of the greenhouse, being in all
! about eleven feet high. It will probably be ready
!to open its flowers about July ist. Its present
I rate of growth is about three inches a day. It is
! believed to be about sixty-two years old. It has

i been in the family of the present owner about fifty

' years.

Having acquired its full growth, it finally pro-
duces its gigantic flower stem, after which it
perishes. This stem at maturity is surrounded
with a multitude of branches arranged in pyramid
form, with perfect symmetry, and having on their
points clusters of greenish yellow flowers, which
continue to be produced for two or three months
in succession. The native country of the Amen-
can aloe is the whole of America within the tropics,
from the plains, nearly on a level with the sea, to
stations upon the mountains at an elevation of be-
tween 9.000 and 10.000 feet. From these regions
it is sometimes transferred to other temperate

countries.

Independently of its beauty and rarity, this
plant is applicable to many useful purposes in
warmer chmes. Its sap may be made to flow by
incisions in the stem, and furnishes a fermented
liquor, called by the Mexicans, pulque. From
this an agreeable ardent spirit called vino mercal
is distilled. The fibers of its leaves form a coarse
kind of thread, and they are brought to this coun-
try under the name of pita flax ; the dried flower-
ing stems are almost an impenetrable thatch; an
extract of the leaves is made into balls, which will
lather water like soap ; the fresh leaves them-
selves cut into sUces, are occasionally given to
cattle, and finally the centre of the flowering stem
split longitudinally, is by no means a bad substi-
tute for a razor strop, owing to minute particles of
silica forming one of its constituents.

Amaryllis Belladonna. - This, one of the

most beautiful of all the family, rarely blooms.

We continually see plants without having seen a

I flower for years. A correspondent of the Garden

172

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[June,

tells how he treats it, and his experience may be

of value to American growers :

•• It is stated in old books that the easiest way of
flowering this AmarylHs in this climate is to keep
it in pots, which may be placed under a close
glass frame in August till it flowers ; after that it
should be plunged in the open border, or the pots
may be kept in an airy greenhouse during winter
and placed in a stove without water at midsum-
mer. This agrees with the practice followed many
years ago by an old gardener of my acquaintance.
He obtained imported Dutch roots as soon as they
could be had — about the early part of September,
and then potted them singly in 4^ -inch pots,
using a compost made up of loam, sand and
manure, in equal parts. Freshly imported bulbs
will be certam to flower, and when they have
done blooming they commence to grow ; they
were then shifted into good sized pots, using such
a compost as that just named. Then a few short
stakes were placed round the pots and matting
tied round them to keep the leaves from injury ;
then they were placed in any suitable spot where
plenty of light fell on them, and watered when re-
quired. In such a place the bulbs remained until
spring, when more space was afforded them, and
they were treated to plenty of light, water and
heat. As soon as the foliage began to decline
water was discontinued, but extra heat was given
and as much light as possible, and so until the
leaves had decayed, when the pots were removed
to a dry shed and there allowed to remain until
the blooming season came round again. As soon
as coming activity manifested itself, the bulbs were
placed in the. stove, and every one of them blos-
somed. To have extra fine specimens he would
sometimes place six or eight bulbs in a large pot,
and found that they flowered well and were highly
effective. I have heard many complaints that
this charming Belladonna Lily is very shy of
bloom, but this is surely a misconception, and
must result from unsuitable treatment."

A Basket of Pansies. — Among arrangements
of flowers for the sitting-room table, none have
truer charms than may be gained from a handful
of some simple flower placed loosely and easily in
a receptacle of quiet form and color, such as the
white china basket of Pansies here engraved.
Pansies should be largely grown for cutting ; they
last longer in water than most summer flowers,
and their varied markings, rich coloring, and vel-
vet-like texture make them worthy of the closest
examination. They have an almost human inter-
est from the varying expression of their innocent
face-like flowers, while not the least of their
charms is a delicate and delightful scent. They
should be cut long, with a liberal supply of stem
and leaf, when they will readily fall into natural,
easy bunches ; cut with the flower-stalk alone,
they are less easy to manage and never look or
last so well. — Garden,

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

New Variegated Myosotis.— A remarkable
variety called " Sensation " has appeared among
German florists. The leaves have two stripes of
clear white on each side of the green midrib,
which, in contrast with the blue flowers, give a
variegation that makes this Forget-me-not likely
to be a great favorite with cut-flower workers.

Leptosygne maritima as a Winter Flower.
— Mr. Thorpe thinks this California annual may
become popular for winter cutting.

Bismarckia nobilis — A new genus of Palms,
— Hildebrand & Wendland in 1880 dedicated this
new genus to Prince Bismarck, and a colored
plate now appears in the April Gartenflora, with
a full description of the species. It is a dwarfish
species, with something the general appearance
of our Pritchardia or Washingtonia filifera. The
seeds were collected in 1879 in West Madagascar.

Rose, Her Majesty. — It appears this new rose
is not without a rival. The Journal des Roses
says that it does not claim this, but presents itself
simply as the rival of Paul Neron.

Chrysanthemum, Boule De Neige. — Pure
white chrysanthemums are common, but the
English growers think they have a good thing for
all in Snowball. The flower is perfectly round,
about y/2 inches over, and the broadly ovate
petals placed so regularly over one another, that
one might regard it as a camellia if the petals
were broader. It was raised in France, where it
goes under the French name, Boule de Neige.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Thunbergia Harrisi. — A remarkable speci-
men.— Mr. Edward Norman, Lee, Mass., writes ;
«' When I wrote to you about Thunbergia Harrisii,
I promised to send you the large spike when it got
through flowering, so I have sent it with this letter.
There have been about 1, 500 flowers opened on that
one spike, and we have had several with 300 and
400 on. The plant is still in flower and not a sign
of red spider or mealy bug on it. Every one that
comes here wants to know how it is that we keep
it so clean. I tell them, nothing but clean water
and plenty of it."

[This was certainly a remarkable growth. The
piece of stem sent was about 5 feet in length, and
had hundreds of scars on its surface where flowers
had been. — Ed. G. M.]

1886. 1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

173

Yruit and Vegetable Gardening

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Watch newly planted fruit trees. If they have
but a few weak leaves only, it shows the roots
have been injured ; then prune them severely,
which will make them grow freely. It should be
a main object to make all transplanted trees not
merely have leaves, but have new shoots at the
earliest possible moment. If they are growing
very well, they may be allowed to perfect a few
fruits. Overbearing on a newly planted tree is.
however, one of the best ways of making it stunted
for years. Newly planted trees often suffer appar-
ently for want of water, when really there is much
moisture in the soil. This usually comes from the ,
earth not having been packed in tightly about the j
roots at planting. Unless the roots actually touch ,
the earth, they absorb moisture with difficulty. |
Hence a good plan in such cases is to pound the ,
earth with a heavy rammer round the trees. After
this practice it will be often noted that the earth
looks quite damp in the morning, where it seemed
hard and dry before. This is simply the pulveri-
zing of the soil so much insisted on by gardeners

of the old school.

Do not allow weeds or grass to grow rank about
newly planted trees, as they take moisture which
is all needed by the tree, while grass or sod kept
low keeps the surface cool, and takes little moist-
ure ; rank growth though it may keep down tem-
perature, drinks too much, and this is its objec ion
Stones around newly planted trees are excellent,
provided we are sure no vermin are harbored by
them. They keep cool and yet take no moisture

%Trkwberries. when grown in hilh-the most
laborious but most productive method of growing
them-should have runners cut off as they grow,
and the surface soil kept loose by shallow hoeings
occasionally. Short litter, half rotten, as a mulch,
is also beneficial. Lawn mowings are often ap-
pUed, but with little benefit. Where they are
grown in beds, they should not be too thick, as
they starve one another, and the crop next year

will be poor. , ^

Blackberries are not always ripe when they are
black. Leave them on till they part readily from
their stalks.

Currants are so easily grown as to require few
hims for their management. If they throw up
many suckers, take out a portion now, mstead of
waiting till winter to cut them away. The cur-
rant borer is a great pest, eating out the pith of
the young shoots, and causing them to grow
poorly, and bear but small fruit next year. Gummy
"fly paper" is, we think, the best thing to catch

i them. . , .

1 In the vegetable garden the hints g'ven last
month may still be regarded as seasonable With
most people the chief anxiety is to have plenty of
moisture in the ground. Except in small amateur
gardens artificial waterings are seldom resorted
to, except where some extra fine sample is desired.
In these cases-a tomato for instancc-a basin is
made around the plant, water poured in, and a
, few hours after the earth drawn in over the basin
1 By having this loose earth over the watered part
' the moisture will not dry out as it generally does
iwhen poured on at the surface. Indeed, loose
■ earth on the surface is one of the best means for
keeping the soil from drying, and hence in the
best wardens the hoe and the cultivator are kept
at work quite as much with this object as to keep
down the weeds.

COMMUNICATIONS.

THE SCUPPERNONG GRAPE-A CORREC-
TION.
BY H. W. RAVENEL.

Mr T. V. Munson, in his recent article in May
number of Gardeners' Monthly, after describing
I supposed new species of grape in Florida, uses
the following language : . . „i„„

.. lust at this point, let me make one Pf'"' 5'^ fj

IS used, t^.f .^^/PPi'^i* 'guarded use of the term
V rotundifolia. ine unguarucu ^y- Qmnner-
. ilf tJ \A7 RTvenel's ' History of the bcupper-

, variety very commonly called Amoer ,

174

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[June.

correct. Scuppernong is one of the common names
for this class of grapes, along with Muscadine as
another. However, it would have avoided the
danger of confusion, if Amber had been used, as
it applies to no other of this class or species."

This criticism astonishes me. In proof that my
use of the term, Scuppernong, as applicable to
one particular variety of grape, was not an •• un-
guarded " expression, I will state that I have been
familiar with the name all my life, and have been
cultivating it extensively for about forty years.
During that time, I have seen and read most of
the agricultural and pomological journals, in
which there are frequent allusions to this grape ;
also the catalogues of nurserymen who offer it for
sale. And now, for the first time, I hear that the
true name of this grape is "Amber," and that the
people in North Carolina who first found it and
gave it a name, and those in South Carolina and
Georgia, where thousands of vines are culti-
vated, are in error. All through the South Atlan-
tic States, as far as I have ever heard, the name,
Scuppernong, is applied strictly and exclusively to
one variety, and not to a class of grapes, as strictly
and exclusively as the name of Concord, or Dela-
ware, or Catawba, is applied to other varieties. I
never heard it called Amber. In fact, the name
of "Amber" is already appropriated to another
and very different grape.

There are only a few other varieties of this
species in cultivation, and they are all known by
specific names, as Flowers, Thomas, Tender-pulp,
Peedee, &c. — all dark colored, except the last.
When the term, Scuppernong, is used, it is always
intended to apply to that one white-fruited variety,
which, to claim purity of character, must be a
lineal descendant of, and by continued propaga-
gation, "parts of that original vine found in North
Carolina."

So I think I am justified in saying, it was not an
"unguarded " use of the term. Had I called it "Am-
ber grape," none of those for whom the article was
written would have understood me. Aiken^ S. C.

would inform you of a house in Baltimore con-
ducted by the chemical process, and a party from
Washington had 4,000 barrels of apples placed
there on storage, and their apples not coming out
satisfactorily, they wrote to me to ship them twenty-
five barrels last April just as they came from the
tiers, and notwithstanding the exposure of fruit in
shipping to Washington, they claimed that our
apples were twenty-five cents better as regards
scald and twenty-five cents as regards rot, mak-
ing the stock fifty cents preferable, and their apples
and our stock came from the same section of the
country. Then again, I heard of another party
putting a lot of apples in one of the chemical build-
ings. They came out in bad condition. Some
time ago (March, '86) I brought down to the store
a few apples that were put away in my building
in the fall of 1884, and they looked very well, es-
pecially in regard to style. I take pleasure in
sending you a lithograph of my country-seat where
one of my fruit houses can be seen. 1 also send
one to Hon. Marshall Wilder, Dorchester, Mass.

Philadelphia, Pa., April 8th, 1S86,

[Col. Wilder had some idea of preparing a paper
for the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and
to aid him we wrote to Mr. Hellings, to which the
above is a response. Col. Wilder did not have
the occasion, so we take the liberty of giving the
letter here. We may remark that Mr. Hellings is
one of the pioneers in the cold storage method of
preserving fruits, a subject which he has pursued
in the most intelligent manner from the earliest in-
ception of the idea to the present time. His ex-
perience is therefore of special value to us all. —
Ed. G. M.]

COLD STORAGE OF FRUITS.

BY N. HELLINGS.

Your letter of the 2d duly received, and will en-
deavor to give you the information you desire. I
have been successfully running the fruit house on
the banks of the Delaware river above Bristol for
many years, and I have put up quite a number of
buildings on a similar plan in other States, and in
my opinion ice is far better for keeping fruits than
a chemical process. To illustrate my statement I

THRIPS— LEAF-HO PPERS.
BY DUNCAN RHIND.

I forward Prof. Riley's reply to specimens of
insects sent to him, and you will please observe
he recommends the use of hellebore :

" U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Entomology, \

Washington, D. C, April 27111, 1886. \

"Mr. Duncan Rhind :

•• Dear Sir — The specimens you sent with your
last favor are not Phylloxeras, but belong to the
family known as Leaf-hoppers (Tettigoniidae).
The particular species is Erythroneura vitifex
Fitch, popularly known as 'Thrips,' and often
greatly injurious to the foliage of grapevines, es-
pecially in graperies. Application of hellebore is
a good remedy and has often been recommended
for this insect ; but there are a number of other
remedies known, e. g., dusting with lime, or
syringing with strong tobacco water, or soap-suds.

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

175

or diluted kerosene emulsion, etc., or fumigatmg
with tobacco. The latter remedy can. of course,
only be applied successfully m graperies.
" Respectfully,

••C. V. Riley, Entomologist."

The hellebore remedy is recommended in E. B.
ElUvanger's "Book on the Rose," as the rose
thrips aiid grape thrips are only different species
of the same family. The thrips eats the poison or
the poison eats the thrips. which amounts to the
same thing. However, 1 have used strong tobacco
water successfully for years on roses outside for
thrips; but hellebore for the slug.

In answer to "Cultivator's" suggestion that
thrips is the result of insufficient moisture in our
graperies, I would state that the facts do not bear
out the inference. One of the graperies which I
referred to in my former letter had a man (so the
gardener told me) continually syringing the vines.
Of course he prevented them from multiplymg
rapidly. His supply of water gave out, and his
vines were the worst infected of any I saw. Now,
had he syringed once, twice, or thrice daily, ac-
cording to the weather, and kept his borders al-
ways moist. I presume he would have had enough
water to carry him through the season, and of
course used some other remedy for thrips.

- Cultivator " combines red spider and thrips as
existing under the same conditions, which would
lead one to infer that he means thrips adonidum,
which is frequently found on Azaleas and several
other greenhouse plants, often along with red
spider ; which, if so, is altogether a different m-
sect, and foreign to the present article. As to his
persistent advocacy of the sulphur cure, as di-
rected by him in a general sweeping way, most
all the graperies infected are mere glass structures
without any manner of heating apparatus. How
then could we apply sulphur to hot-water pipes ?
Further, I should like to know who the practical
gardener is who would go to the expense and
labor of getting a boiling heat once or twice a ,
week all summer long to keep down thrips ? It ]
would never work. I admit sulphur is greatly
used by all in this profession, and I have used or
seen it used in the manner described by " Cultiva-
tor " for nearly twenty years, but it is not practica-
ble in the present instance. Of course all gar-
deners use it to keep down mildew in some form.
In looking over some of the back numbers of
the Monthly I found an article by a rehable and
first-class gardener, on Thrips (Mr. J. Peattie). on
page 113, April. 1882. The reading of which is
worth a year's subscription to any person who is

troubled with thrips. I would have been glad to

have remembered it. but. not requiring it at the

time it appeared, it was forgotten.

Torresdale, Pa.

FLORIDA FRUIT CULTURE.
BY dr. LORING W. puffer.

While visiting at Belleview. Florida, in Febru-
ary last. 1 saw in the garden of Mr. James Pen-
field half a dozen grape-vines of the exotic varie-
ties that were ahve to the tips of the shoots, and
this without the slightest protection. In this vi-
cinity, as well as elsewhere in many sections of
the State, the thermometer had previously showed
a temperature of 18O for three days. The soil was
the poorest in that vicinity, and the vines had
made but a feeble growth. Orange trees of one
and two years were many of them killed, it being
particularly true in impoverished soils or where the
land was naturally poor. I have not as yet been
able to account for the escape of the vines, except
on the theory of bottom heat, the temperature of
the water from the wells -from 30 to 70 feet deep
-being uniformly 65O. With the great amount
of moisture in the atmosphere I do not see how
the exotic grape can escape mildew, even with the
temperature and soil in a proper condition for
healthy plant growth. I should be pleased to read
of any experiments with the Hamburgh or the
raisin varieties. The great error in Florida fruit
culture just now appears to be in trying to raise
tropical fruits in a semi-tropical climate. Many
of the people there resident are so because of the
dan-er of living North, and their hopes, and many
time's their income or livelihood, depend on the
fruit crop. It is simply cruel, then, to hold out
hopes of success when the fact is that it is almost
a lottery. In short, it is gambUng with nature.

In the above I do not refer to orange culture.
Pine-apples were killed by the acre, and when
they had the best protection it was possible to
give. This was at Eustis, and in the heart of the
lake region. Florida is a State of great possibih-
ties but it will not do to rely on Providence too
much The climate will always make it a proper
popular and indispensable resort for the well and
wealthy, as well as invalids in the winter and
when touched by the master hand of the gardener
and florist will, in twenty years, in brilliant flora
beauty rival any spot on the globe. It must not
be supposed, however, that it will be the home
alone of the wealthy, for the industrious poor man
can get a living here with less labor than at the

176

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[June,

AND HORTICULTURIST.

-^n

North, for his wants are less. But I fear that I
will weary the reader. Brockton, Mass.

[The Editor may be permitted to endorse these
suggestions. Tropical plants should only be ex-
perimental, and the experimenter should be one
who can afford to lose. The orange and lemon
are not tropical fruits, but sub- tropical, and of
course just suited to a sub-tropical climate like
Florida. We should rather pin our faith on a
crop of tea leaves than on a crop of pine-apples.

The atmospheric moisture is just what suits the
foreign grape. It is the atmospheric moisture
which makes a cold grapery so successful, when
the plants do not thrive in the open air. The exotic
grape thrives tolerably well in Canada— though so
much further north than Philadelphia, where it
will not thrive at all— because the Canadian atmos-
phere is more humid. — Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Training Raspberries. — We are so accus-
tomed to see our small fruits grown in the profit-
js^9^^ and -loss style of

'f^\ "^

market gardens that
)^^^ only the few are
privileged to see how
tastefully they are
often trained and
cared for in the gar-
dens of real lovers
of fine fruit. It does not pay the mere market
man to take extra pains for superior fruit, as a
general rule— but it pays the amateur in pleasure
a hundredfold to produce something better and
nicer than his neighbors are
accustomed to enjoy.

In regard to the raspberry,
we seldom do more than
train them flat against trel-
lises, or bunch them together
against a stake. The Ger-
man gardener trains them in
innumerable ways, and finds
profit in aU. The illustra-
tions with this are from the
German Gartner- Zeitung,

I shows how they are ^

trained over a wire or slat arch ; in such cases, of
course, the plants are set on each side. Just how
they are tied for bending over the trellis so that
every part is covered, is apparent from the cut.

2 represents a training in U
shape. This extends along the
whole line, so that at the end of
the line, in spring, we look along
the hne as through a deep furrow.
In 3 we have the top simply
spread out by the aid of a hoop ;
the branches or canes being short-
ened a little.
4 represents the canes nailed
against a fence and trained fan-shape.

5 is a common form of garden culture. The
canes, b b, are bent over, which permits the young
canes, a, to grow up and get the full benefit of air
and hght. They
are usually short-
ened somewhat
according to the
earliness of the
fruit desired. If
the canes are cut
very short, as at c,
on one side they
will fruit later than
if shortened to the

proportion at c on the other side. If the rasp-
berry is shortened severely they become summer
or fall bearers. In kinds known as fall bearing

they have to be cut very low to get the full bene-
fit of the variety.

The Mildews of the Grape Vine. — The
Rural New Yorker, of January 30th and February
6th, gives a complete illustrated chapter on this
subject by Prof. C. V. Riley. The powdery mil-
dew is caused by a minute fungus called Uncinula
spiralis, which flourishes best in a dry atmosphere.
The foreign grape easily suffers, except when
growing in the moist atmosphere of a grapery.
The downy grape mildew is Peronospora viticola,
which flourish best in moist surroundings.

Phylloxera in France.— Prof. C. V. Riley,
in his annual address before the Entomological
Society of Washington, says that the French have
grown almost indifferent to the ravages of this
insect, since the introduction of the American vine

1886.]

fbT^cks for their own varieties. Hundreds-of ' and not many market gardeners have as yet
square miles are planted with grapes grafted on adopted this plan of securing profitable early
the resistant American stock. Yet they continue | crops-a matter somewhat surprismg. as there is
their absurd Phylloxera laws prohibiting imports no doubt al)out the certainty of remunerative
of all kinds of plants from America for fear of prices being thus reabzed, and that too, at a mini-
introducing the insect.

Some Remarkable Russian Apples.— Prof.
Regel, in the Gartenjlora, describes some very
remarkable Caucasian apples, one of them larger

mum cost, more especially in the shape of labor.
The plan of utilizing the front or side walls of
vineries and other houses, for affixing the frame-
work of shallow pits is undoubtedly a good one,

remarkable Caucasian apples, one of them larger ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^.^^^^ ^^ cheaply heated with a
and finer than the well-known Alexander. They ^.^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^.p^^ ^^ j^ narrow and
were cultivated by a gardener named Ramm, at , ^^^^^.^^^ ^^ ^^ forcing houses, no piping is needed
an elevation of over 3.000 feet, even in that cool ^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^y ^^ops. Any other kinds of pit or
country. He calls them Ramm's Caucasian Ram- , ^^^^^^^^ {,^^^s, are also available for strawberry
bour-Reinette, Ramm's Borschom Reinette, and , , r . ^^^ y^^^^^^ ^f the supplies, or

Ramm's Susser Aport.

culture, and if only the latest of the supplies, or

. those intermediate between the forced and open-

American Peaches in England.— Alexander air crops, are secured in frames, the gain in house
and Hale's Early, a correspondent of the Garden room and economy in labor is considerable,
says, are undoubtedly the best for affording the Those who have good room in their frame ground,
earliest supplies of fruit, whether in heated or un- and plenty of frames and lights at their disposal
heated houses, these being extra early and of good i might, without much trouble, convert some of
size and quality. True, the flowers are deficient their old hot-beds into suitable positions for a few
in pollen, but we experience no difficulty in setting beds of strawberries, and would not regret having
heavy crops, which make surprising progress. | done so. The beds, which may be made very

A/r o ^ive shallow, should have a good slope to the south

PARNELL'S PEACH ORCHARD. _ Mr. ^^^^^115^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^.^^^^^^^^^^

Georgia peach orchard is said to have cost $12,000,^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ .^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^p^

for the land, and to contain 150.000 trees, .^^e , ^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ .^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^
supposetherearefew,ifany,aslargem America. I ^^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^.^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^ ^ ^^.^^^^

The Seckel Pear in England.— Mr. William | height from the glass, and on this about 6 inches

Ingram tells the Garden that this variety, so in- i of good loamy soil may be placed. This when

dispensable to an American, "passes away too j completed allows head-room to the plants of not

rapidly, often turning soft before ripening," in \ 1^55 than 10 inches. If pits are employed these

England. may also be similarly prepared, a layer of half-

rntt^n manure well trodden down, and about 6
Winter Nelis Pear in Massachusetts.- o ten n^anure ^^^^ ^^

Fine specimens were exhibited at the meeting of -^^m depth J P J^^

the Massachusetts Horticultural Socety, on Janu- ^ ^^-^ prefer t y P ^^^^^^

ary 23d, for which a premium was awarded to
Andrew McDermott, the exhibitor.

History of Clapp's Favorite Pear.— At a
recent meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society Mr. Wilder said, in reference to the

every summer, as we find young plants produce
the earliest and finest fruit, and besides the old
plants are apt to become too crowded to be profit-
able. For this method of culture we also prefer
to lift the plants intended for the frames either
from beds where they were allowed to root natur-

oocieiy ivir. vvuuci oaiv*, **. -^- - 1 irom Dcub wiicic Lii^jf »tv.iv. «.x*>^"wv* .^ —

Clapp's Favorite pear, that when it was intro- 1 ^^^ ^^^ remain untouched all the winter and
duced, the Massachusetts Agricultural Club de- spring, or else from beds into which the young
sired to possess the control of the variety and give , pi^^ts were pricked out during the previous sum-
it his name, and authorized a committee to offer a ^^^.^ ^^ gj^her case we thus procure strong,
thousand dollars for the stock; but Thaddeus ^^^^^^ ^^^ well-rooted plants, which lift readily
Clapp, who raised it, preferred to have it dedi- 1 ^^^ quickly become established in their fruiting
. J _ :^ »«ri ^ Amir-^ c\^ thf» near is carved ^ T^,,».;«rr fV.ic wPf^t wp have lifted, from

cated as it was, and a figure of the pear is carved
on his monument in Forest Hills Cemetery.

Fruiting Strawberries in Frames.— Few
private growers are able or willing to devote frame
or pit room to the cultivation of early strawberries,

quarters. During this week we have lifted, from
a narrow border, and sent away sufficient well-
rooted plants from last year's runners to plant a
pit about 1 50 feet long and 6 feet wide, and yet
have abundance left.

178

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[June,

Those who have not a stock of plants thus pre-
pared. I would advise to at once layer the re-
quisite number in 3-inch or 4-inch pots, severing
them, and finally planting out before they become
much root-bound. A distance of about 15 inches
apart each way is ample for any sort, especially
seeing that the clusters of fruit must of necessity
be supported with wire hoops or stakes and mat-
ting well above the foliage, to enable them to
ripen properly and quickly. The planting should
also be done as firmly as possible, otherwise a
superabundance of foliage and not much fruit
will be the result. They also require to be kept
well supplied with water— should never be allowed
to become dry, in fact; while during severe
weather they may either be protected with lights,
or a mulching of strawy litter. In the spring they
may be kept somewhat close, forced, if necessary,
where there are pipes round the pits, or be allowed
to fruit naturally, so as to have them a few days
or weeks before those on warm borders are avail-
able.—W< /. M.» in Garden.

Solid Celery.— A correspondent of the Lon-
don Garden says:

"The cause of disappointment so often com-;
plained of in celery become hollow, is through the >
seed of worthless kinds being sold under the name
of a good variety, which latter can always be had
fairly true, if the right sources are gone to ; it is
usually the low-priced article that turns out disap- 1
oointine. Anyone who is anxious to make sure |
of always having some particular sort of celery
true need have no difficulty in doing so when they
have once got the sort ; if at planting-out time a I
dozen plants are put in anywhere in an open place
at about a foot apart, taking no further notice of
them after they have once begun to grow, except
iust seeing that they do not get smothered with
weeds they will give as much seed in the autumn
but one following as will suffice for a good-sized
garden for three or four years, in about which
time another supply should be provided.

We quote this because we have been under the
same impression for many years till recently we
have had reason to believe that it is not always
the fault of the seed or the kind.

Lilies as Vegetables.— Lily bulbs are among
the popular vegetables of Japan, all kinds arc
eaten— even those for which we have to pay a
dollar apiece.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

The Thrips.— " W. S.," Washington, D. C, a
correspondent who has probably had more ex-
perience with grapes under glass than any one on 1

this continent, kindly contributes the following
note: "If your readers who are troubled with
thrips in their graperies will simply spread a coat-
ing of tobacco stems on the floor of the house,
they will have no further annoyance, either from
thrips or aphidae."

Lichens Injurious to Fruit Trees.— A New
Jersey correspondent says ; " Will you please give
me the name of the inclosed moss, which I find
growing in company with unlimited quantities of
lichen on a lot of old cedars on the river bank in
front of my cottage. As these trees, knaried and
twisted as they are, are very necessary to me, I
have amused myself for a week past, scraping

\ the hchen off.

I " I know that the lichen is not regarded among
I botanists as a true parasite but as an epiphyte.
I But I am satisfied from my own observations the
I past week, that the lichen is almost as deadly in
its embraces as the mistletoe or the fabled Upas
tree itself— though possibly longer about it.

" Small hmbs, twigs and sometimes the entire
tree, if fairly girdled with the hchen, are dead in
most cases or dying. The lichen has a strong af-
finity for moisture and very retentive thereof—
trees on the river bank, more or less damp from
exhalations from the river, have much hchen upon
them— while the same trees (cedars) a hundred
yards back have little or none.

"On hfting a piece of lichen from the tree I
find the spot beneath invariably damp or even
1 wet and the bark discolored, and generally more
\ or less rotten or doted, penetrating in some cases
! to the wood. 'Tis, in my opinion, this wetting
' process that destroys the twig, limb or tree. But
i whether the hchen does it with ' malice prepense/
' as a lawyer would put it, I am not botanist enough

to determine.

" Will you please enlighten me on this point, for
I am not a little interested in the hchen."

[The old gardeners— whose practice was often
better than their reasonings— always insisted on
the advantages of scraping hchens from the bark
of fruit trees. But modern gardeners teach that
if fruit trees are properiy cared for they will
throw off hchens themselves. In other words, the
existence of lichens is a sign of bad health.
Scraping the bark or any other thing that " in-
jures or closes the pores," as these good people
say, is regarded as an evil. We have, however,
seen so much good result from slitting the bark of
hide-bound trees,— hme washing those covered by
hchen or moss,-and soap cleaning trees that

1886.

AND HORTICULTURIST.

179

were even in fair health, that, thou^jh our natural
tendencies are with scientific progress, we are
compelled to admit that the practice is good, and
therefore to believe that mosses and lichens may

have, as our ctMirspondent believes, some injurious
tendency, quite aside from the general belief that
they feed wholly on dead bark or other material.
—Ed. G. M.]

Forestry.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Tree Growth on the Plains.— From a re-

on American forestry sent forth with such " facts "
and quoted abroad as if it were the work of an in-
telligent investigation of the facts involved. If

cent paper on "Tree Planting on the Plains." by , we were to take the views of the "oldest inhabi-
Robert W. Furnas, we extract the following sta- ^ tants " on many other questions besides those on
tistics of the growth of trees, as shown by actual | forestry, the only wonder would be that the worid
measurement of trees of known ages. The meas- 1 altogether had not come to an end long ago.
urements were made at the uniform height of two Some of the •' younger inhabitants" have, how-
feet above the ground : ! ever, some tales to tell. Only " six years ago " an

\ "intelliuent " observer at Bcriin. New Hampshire,

b- =|i had an " unfailing brook that ran three hundred

Common Name.

Scientifi(3 Name.

White Elm Ulmiis Americana. .

Reel Elm ' . ", fulva......^.

Osaee Orange Madura anrautiaca.

Soft Maple Acer dasycarpum. . .

iVX p (i^ ■^

Box Elder.!! Nej-undo aceroides

Honey I A)cust'. '. *. '. '. '. '. '. '• '. . Gleditschia triacanthos. .

Black

Kentucky Coffee Tree.

Sycamore

Black Walnut

White

Shagbark Hickory.

Chestnut

Burr Oak

White "

" Ash

Green "

Cottonwood

((

White Pine!

Scotch "

Austrian Pine

2*2

Robiiiia pseud-acacia 24

Gvmnocladus canadensis 14

Platanus occidentalis 1 1J>

Julians nigra '^-

ti '• Z'Z

»' r»inf>rp;» .i-j

24V^

2«i/

o4->4
(1914
25l.t

' 81Vh
I 40^4

! 41V2
I (K)>ii
' 25' .s

433 r;

48 "
50V4

80
24K

cmerea

Carya alba -•

Castanea vesca, van Am. J 4 | ^4>

Quercus macrocarpa .... 22 6^.

" alba j"

Fraxinus Americana 22

" viridis 1 '-22

Populus monililera

Pinusstrobus

" sylvestris..
" laricis, var.

2:3
23
20
15
15

3214
80

78^i
98

22K

—American Naturalist.

The Drying up of Rivers.— Though the be-
lief that forests increase the rainfall has been given
up everywhere, except in Forestry Conventions,
there is still a clinging to the belief that they regu-
late the flow of springs. It would be of great
value to hydraulic science if some exact facts and
figures could be given— facts collected by men
trained in geological observation. Unfortunately,
the only •• science " that we have in the matter is
furnished by " some of the oldest inhabitants " in
various places, whose verdant memories tell them
that " something has gone wrong since they were
boys." It is pitiable to see a government report

.^^1 gallons an hour." Now it is "cut short in sum-
mer and in winter by drouth." Another speci-
men is this : " At Richmond, New Hampshire, in
1865, there was water power for four saw mills all
the year. Now the water has wholly disappeared."
Now every one conversant with geology knows
that these things are liable to occur anywhere,
even in countries that never had a tree at all. The
writer knows of a tract of country in which every
well went dry last year, and numberless springs
failed. But it was not referred to the cutting
away of forests, but to a huge railroad which cut
off all the supplies from the springs. Now nature
herself often does just what this railroad did, opens
new avenues under ground for the hidden streams,
and turns them away in other directions.

It would be very important to ascertain just
what influence forests have on our water supplies,
but to give in a government document mere street
corner gossip as forest science is putting science
in a degrading shape.

Spruce Fir Timber.— I have been talking to-
day with a wood agent, who has had considerable
experience in dealing with the diff'crent kinds of
home-grown fir, and his opinion quite bears out
what has been said about the usefulness of the
spruce. Indeed, to have spoken of the wood in
the way he did it almost leads one to the con-
clusion that "Yorkshireman" can never have
seen a really good spruce fir ; or if he has, the
Scotch fir in his neighborhood must be so extra-

i8o

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[June,

1886.)

AND HORTICULTURIST.

181

ordinarily good that he cannot appreciate it. At
any rate, to condemn the tree as "absolutely
worthless" is quite at variance with our experience
in the south. I do not advocate the planting of
extensive areas with spruce, as the purposes for
which it is most useful, would not consume un-
limited quantities, unless in some districts there
may be a steady local demand for special pur-
poses, such as colliery props. Judiciously planted,
however, spruce is .not a tree to be despised on
estates ^'hich suit its growth— V. in Garden.

The Western Arbor Vit^.— They are still
worrying in the Old World about the identity of
various trees which they have growing under the
names of Thuja Lobbii. T. Menziesii. T. plicata,
T. Standishii. T. Craigiana, and T. gigantea, and
Libocedrus decurrens. Americans have long ago
simpUfied the matter by dropping all the names
except those originally given by the first de-
scribers. The Western Arbor Vitse is therefore
simply Thuja gigantea, and the other in dispute,
the Western white cedar— Libocedrus decurrens.
The yellow cedar of the Pacific is Cupressus
Nutkaensis. or. as it is often called. Thujiopsis bor-

ealis.

Chestnut Lumber.— In some old buildings in
Europe chestnut has been found more durable
than oak. This is also American experience.
Chestnut is one of our most valuable timber trees.

Thuja gigantea.— The Larch having proved
an utter failure as a profitable timber tree in Eng-
land and Scotland, the Arbor Vitae of the Pacific
coast is getting into favor in place of it.

Tree Planting in Arizona.— Messrs. Douglas
have made an experimental plantation near Trini-
dad in the Texan Pan Handle. They beheve
that the absence of trees from these places is as
much from the tramping of buffaloes, and from
fires, as from any obstacle nature presents, and
have bravely undertaken to prove their faith by
works. We have no doubt but they will succeed.
Most of these dry lands hold water from the win-
ter snows, and when once trees get their deep
j roots into the moist substratum, why should they
; not Uve ?

! Water in Timber.— The amount of water

I present in freshly-cut wood is very different, as is

shown by the following table by Scheubler and

Hartig: Hornbeam contains i8-6 per cent, of

I water; Willow. 26 per cent. ; Ash. 287 per cent. ;

' Birch. 30-8 per cent. ; Oak. 347 per cent. ; Pine.

397 per cent. ; Red Beech. 397 per cent. ; Elm.

: 44-5 per cent. ; Larch. 48*6 per cent. ; and White

j Poplar, 50-6 per cent. Wood, when dried at 266^

F.. at which temperature all the hygroscopic

water is expelled, is composed of 50 parts carbon

(inclusive of one part of ash) and 50 parts of

chemicals.

Natural Eistory and Scimce.

COMMUNICATIONS.

SEEDLESS ORANGES.
BY W. C. B.

•

I recently examined an orange, the seeds of
which had all failed to develop. The core was
sohd. forming no carpels. I have seen oranges
in which some of the seeds had not developed, but
have never seen or heard of one entirely seedless.
Persons who examined this orange had never
seen one like it. This seems to have been a rare
specimen. ^^sf Philadelphia.

[The question of seedless fruits is a very inter-
esting one. The persimmon, grape, apple, pear
and other fruits often have individual trees that
bear seedless fruit. This they continue to do

year after year, and grafts taken from them will
perpetuate indefinitely the seedless variety. Now
as a general rule we know that if the flowers of
any of these plants do not get pollen for their
stigmas, they do not fruit at all. It is to be pre-
sumed, therefore, that these seedless varieties
really get pollen, or they would not develop fruit.
If we assume this to be a fact, then we have the
curious conclusion that some pollen is capable of
producing the fruit, but not capable of inducing

seed.

It is however by no means certain that it al-
ways requires pollen to produce seed vessels with-
out seed, for that is what seedless fruits practically
are. The Osage orange, and some kinds of ash,
and maple, will perfect empty seed vessels when
wholly free from pollen influence.— Ed. G. M.]

THE GARDEN WEB-WORM- EURYCREON

RANTALIS, GUEN.
Order Lepidoptera ; Family Pyralidae. |

BY PROF. C. V. RILEY.

Perhaps the most marked insect outbreak of the
year has been the appearance of Eurycreon ran-
taUs over a large area in the five States of Texas.
Missouri. Kansas. Nebraska, and Arkansas, and
also in the Indian Territory. It has attracted a
great deal of attention, and the damage done has
been very great. The principal crop to suffer was
corn, and a replanting was necessitated in many
instances. The general corn crop for the year, as
statistics show, has been larger than ever before,
the acreage having been widely extended ; but
the yield per acre in the States named was re-
duced, owing, largely, to the operations of this in-
sect.

Eurycreon rantaUs is quite a wide-spread spe-
cies, occurring all over the United States. It has
been captured in South America, and the original

Plate VI, Fig. 3-

description of the species was from a specmien
from Montevideo. It is also a very variable spe-
cies, and has been variously described under the
names of cnnisaUs by Walker.* of commums by
Grote,t and of occidentalis by Packard, t It is re-
ferred to the genus Nymphula by Guennee. and
Scopula by Walker, but properiy belongs to
Lederer's more restricted genus Eurycreon.

The moth (Plate VI. Fig. 3) ^^^s an average ex-
panse of iS*"". The general color is either orange
or reddish yellow inchning to buff, or more com-
monly a lighter or darker shade of gray, having,
in certain hghts, either a copperish or greenish re-
flection very similar to that on the well-known
cotton worm moth (Aletia xyUna). The charac-
teristic markings, as shown in the figure, are the
darker reniform and orbicular spots with a paler
shade between them ; two irregular transverse

"TTZx. of Lcp. Ins in Brit. Mus.. part xviii, PyraVules, p.

798 (1859). ... ,,„ ,,,^, .o-p,

t -Canadian Entomologist," vol. vui, p. 99, Ma>, 18.C.

X Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist., 1873, p. 261.

pale lines, generally relieved by darker shade,
most intense posterioriy on the anterior line and
basally or interioriy on the posterior line. The
terminal space may be either paler or darker than
the ground color. The markings are very varia-
ble, however, dark specimens (rantahs) having
them all well defined, paler specimens (communis)
less so. while in others (crinisalis [crinitalis. Led.])
the anterior line and inner portion of posterior line
may be lacking. Dasconalis, Walker, is probably
but a dark specimen and should be adde4 to the

synonymy.

The larva, which seems to have been unknown
prior to 1873, when we made manuscript notes
and descriptions of it. is also somewhat variable
in color, being either pale or dark yellow or even
greenish-yellow. It is marked with rather dis-
tinct jet-black piliferous spots, as illustrated in the

! figure. In the better marked specimens there is
a quite distinct pale double line along the middle
of the back and a single one at the lower side.

1 The piliferous spots are also more or less distinctly
relieved by a pale border.

The pupa (PI. VI. Fig. 3 d) is of the normal
brown color and characterized by the tip of the
body having two prominences, each furnished
with three stout short spines.

FORMER INJURIES.

This species has not before been prominently
treated of as a wide-spread injurious insect, though
I it has done a certain amount of damage in times
Ipast. In 1873. we observed it feeding in great
numbers for miles along the Neosho Valley, in
southeastern Kansas, skeletonizing the leaves of
Helianthus. Ambrosia. Amaranthus. beets, pota-
toes, and other garden plants.

In June and July. 1880. it again appeared in in-
jurious numbers in parts of Kansas, and Prof. F.
H. Snow wrote a short account of it for the issue
of the Lawrence (Kansas) Daily Journal, of July
28th, 1880 (reprinted in " Psyche," III. p. 127). in
which he gave a short description of the larva,
and stated that it fed on sweet potato, alfalfa,
beets, peas. Pig-weed (Amarantus). and Purslane

(Portulaca).

After its occurrence in i88o.Prof. E.A.Popenoe.
of the Kansas State University, published an arti-
cle in the Second Ouarteriy Report for 1880 of the
Kansas State Board of Agriculture, which gives
the best published account of the insect up to
that time, and in which the larva, pupa, and
' imago are described with sufficient care to obviate
further detailed description here. The cremastral
characters of the pupa (PI. VI. Fig. 3.^) which we

l82

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[June,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

183

have indicated, are characteristic, and any fuller
description of the larva should be comparative,
and especially with other allied larvae like that of
Botys marculenta, G. and R.. which very closely
resembles it.

June 27th, 188 1, we received two larvae of ran-
talis from Mr. W. C. Lang, of Maiden, Mo., with
the statement that the species did great damage to
cotton, and the same month it was received from
Lamar, Mo., as damaging corn and garden crops.

One of our correspondents, Mr. W. G. Robinson,
of Rosston, Cook County, Texas, more observant

and its next preference seemed to be Purslane.
Professor Snow also mentions Lamb's Quarter
(also called " Pig-weed " Chenopodium), as a
favorite food-plant. Prof. C. E. Bessey, writing
from Lincoln, Nebr., August iith, mentioned an
unusual abundance of these larvae upon Amaran-
tus retroflexus and A. blitoides. Another corres-
pondent mentions finding them the present year
upon the common Cockleburr (Xanthium strum-
arium), but this was probably due to their exces-
sive abundance and want of proper food. This also
is probably the case with the common Burdock

than others, has noticed the same worm for the , (Rumex). which is mentioned by another corre

last ten years in his county, where he states that
it appears yearly to a limited extent, feeding prin-
cipally on the •• Kerless" weed (Amarantus), but
that 1885 was the, first season in which he had
known it to do any damage to the cotton crop.

LOCALITIES OF DAMAGE IN 1885.

spondent. Professor Popenoe (loc. cit.) mentions,
among the weeds injured, Amarantus alba, Che-
nopodium album, Ambrosia trifida, Apocynum
cannabinum, and Grindelia squarrosa. He also
mentions the fact that they injured a bed of scarlet
verbenas.

, u .u- • * The cultivated plants injured during the year.

The first report of damage done by this insect i inecuiuvdic p j , ^ ^ .^ ^r.

• J T ^ ^^^ f^^r.^ T ! according to our own correspondents, ate aa loi-
the present year was received June 22d, from J. ^^^^ J> ^.^ u ^^i/.«

^ ^ -^ lows : Corn, cotton, cabbage, cucumber, melon,

squash, pumpkin, sweet potato, Irish potato, egg

M.Altoffen, of Independence, Montgomery county,
Kansas, and from that time until late in July we
were in constant receipt of letters concerning -it.
Specimens were received from the following locali

plant, tomato, beets, bean, pea, red clover, alsike,
alfalfa, orchard-grass, timothy, meadow oat grass.

ties : Texas : Cook. Erath. Denton and Hopkins j ™'"^t- ^"d apple-tree leaves
Counties; Arkansas: Crawford County; Mis- Thus >t appears to be able to feed on almost

, ,r A- • T J T- .inv nlant commonly grown in truck gardens, ana

souri : Jasper and Vernon Counties ; Indian Ter- 1 ^^y P^'^"'- ^""""^ "^ ^ , xt u

•'^V 1^ M. i upon a variety of forage plants. No one has men-

ritorv : Colbert and Econtuchka, Seminole Na- "F"'' '^ "'^ ^"-y f ^ , • , •. n

.^, , XT • XT u 1 ! tinned in fact, any plant upon which it will not

lion, and Vin ta, Cherokee Nation; Nebraska : 1 "O"^"' ^" ^'^^'' ^^^^ ^ . \^ ^^ ■ . -. a

uoii, duu V , ^ 1 A/i . ! feed. Professor Snow, in the article just cited,

Lancaster County ; Kansas: Cowley, Montgomery, I '^^"- ^^''''" . ^' , , ..■,- ^ ,^ .u^
Coffey, Labette. Cherokee. Crawford, and Neosho! gives the following food-plants additional to the

Coumies. Pro;. F. H. Snow, in the report of the above : Flax, tobacco, sugar-cane, castor beans,

Kansas State Board of Agriculture for the month lettuce, and onions

ivaiioa. w^t , 1 1 The sneries has been very eenerally referred to

ending June 30th. 1885, states that no less than 1 ^^^^ species nas oeen vcr> gc y

thirty-five counties reported more or less damage
from this insect. Those reporting the heaviest
damage were all situated in the southeastern quar-
ter of the State, and were, excluding the seven al-
ready mentioned. Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua,
Elk, Greenwood. Harper, Harvey, McPherson,
Reno, Sedgwick, Sumner, Wilson and Woodson,
thirteen in all. The remaining fifteen, which re-
ported slight damage, were Anderson, Barber,
Butler, Chase, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Lyon, Marion,
Pawnee. Pratt, Rice, Saline, Stafford and Wyan-
dotte.

FOOD-PLANTS.

as the " Web-worm," but as this is a very compre-
hensive term, we have called it the " Garden Web-
worm," as a means of distinguishing it from the
many other Web worms, most of which, however,
occur on shrubs and trees.

HABITS AND NATURAL HISTORY.

The full natural history of the species has not
yet been made out. The eggs have not been des-
cribed, the method of hibernation is not positively
known, and the number of annual generations has
not been carefully determined. Some of these
gaps we would have endeavored to fill up the pre-
sent year but that we were much away from the

There is no question but that the preferred food : office,
of this species is the foliage of plants of the genus Number of Annual Generations.— From our
Amarantus, called in different parts of the country! own observations and from what we have been
Amaranth, Pig-weed and Careless weed (corrupted 'able to learn from our correspondents, the first
into " Kerless weed " or " Karless weed "). This \ brood of moths is noticed from May 1st to May
was very noticeable in our observations of 1873. ' 7th in Texas, from May 20th to May 25th in Mis-

souri, and from May 20th to June 6th in Kansas.
If, as is altogether hkely, the insect hibernates as
a moth, then this May brood may be considered
as a second brood of moths, and as the adult off-
spring of the hibernating individuals. The larvae
of the May brood of moths are noticeable (/. e.,
full grown in numbers) from May 25th to June ist
in Texas, from June loth to June i8th in Missouri,
and from June 7th to June 15th in Kansas. An-
other brood of moths (the adults of the destructive
brood of worms) was noticed June 25th in Texas,
July lothin Missouri, and July 1st in Kansas.
The offspring of this last (third) brood of moths
were nowhere noticed as injurious.

The worms were reported in small numbers
July 15th from Kansas. August nth full-grown
larvae were received from Nebraska, from which
State they had not before been reported, and it is
possible that these individuals were the offspring
of a fourth brood of moths. More probably,
however, circumstances being apparently less
favorable to their rapid increase, they were the re-
tarded third brood of worms.

The statements which we have just made have
only a general bearing, and the same confusion of 1
generations was noticed, in all localities where the
insect occurred abundantly, which is always no-
ticeable in the undue development of any species.
Larvse of all sizes were working together in Texas,
and what we take to be the third brood of moths
was flying before many of the second brood of
larvae had ceased to work. From the facts at
hand it may be safely concluded that there are
normally four or five annual generations, and pos-
sibly one or two more under favoring circum-
stances. Dr. J. J. Kackley. of Chetopah. in writ-
ing to Professor Snow, says : •• * ^ * But few
of the webs contain more than one inhabitant. I,
therefore, do not think they are gregarious in their
habits, but the force of numbers drives them to
limited space. The wheat and oats appear to be
exempt from their ravages, and this may be ac-
counted for in consequence of the blades at this
time being well lifted from the ground, as they are
rarely found feeding upon the leaves of plants
more than 12 or 15 inches from the root. When
the top of the corn-plant is above this height the
central portion escapes, and the worms confine
their mischief to the lower blades of the stalks.
These lose their green luster and wither, remain-
ing sickly and pale ; but at the same time the
head is pushing forward in vigorous growth, and
does not succumb to death like the younger plants
of smaller stature. * * ^ "

Professor Popenoe gives the following account
in the 1880 article already cited :

"The following points in its history are the par-
tial result of my study of this insect. Although I
made careful search for the egg, I failed to dis-
cover it in situ, but it is without doubt deposited
on the lower side of a leaf, or low down among
the bases of a cluster of leaves, as newly-hatched
larvie are found in both these situations, from
which thev soon wander to other parts of the
plant. As' soon as it [the larva] besjins to move
about, it begins to spin the web. and this is in-
creased in extent as the movements of the larva
are extended. It is very active in all stages ot
growth as a larva, and springs aside quickly when
touched, sometimes throwing itself into a coil,
but more often running rapidly away. At least in
early life, the larva, when thrown off a leat, will
hancr bv a thread of silk. In case a single leaf
is of suf^cient size, as in the sweet potato, the
well-grown larva is generally found on the upper
side, in a shelter formed by drawing partly to-
gether the edge of the leaf by the silk of its web.
In this shelter it is usually found at rest during the
; day. hanging by its feet, back downward, to the
■ lower surface of the web. In other plants, scv-
eral leaves may be drawn together for a place of
concealment. If. indeed, the larvae are not par-
tially gregarious, they are at least not disturbed
bv proximity to each other, as several naay be
found, at times, in a common web, although 1 be-
lieve this is exceptional. As they are forced to
move to new parts of the plant for fresh food,
their webs are extended, until finally the entire
plant IS covered. The young larvae devour only
the surface and substance of the leaf on the side
where they are, leaving the veins and the opposite
epidermis untouched, producing a 'skeleton leaf.
As they grow older, however, they devour all por-
tions of the leaf, and often eat also the petioles
and tender stems. Opportunity J^^^ not been
eiven to determine the exact length of the larval
life of this insect, but judging from observations
made, this cannot greatly exceed a week. I ar-
ties livincr in the region where the insect was pre-
sent in g%at numbers give ten days as the length
of the time in which the chief destruction was ac-
complished."

On attaining its full growth the worm spins up,

i amid the debris on the ground at the base of the

I plant, in a delicate brownish cocoon of irregular

shape, and transforms to pupa, in which state it

remains from one to two weeks.

[The above is an abstract of the Report of the
Entomologist of the Department of Agriculture,
Prof C. V. Riley, concerning an insect that prom-
ises to be very troublesome to gardeners, and we
oive it that our readers may be on the lookout for
it It is destroyed by Paris green and London
purple. We cannot keep back these insects when
they insist on coming among us. But we can
. watch for their early presence and destroy them

i84

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[June,

before they do much damage, when we know what
to look for. It is in work of this kind that the
labor of the Entomological Division of the
Department of Agriculture has proved itself of so
much public utihty, and has become so popular
with the people.— Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Grape in America. — As there is just now
some interest manifested in the history of the grape
on this continent, it may be well to note, that they
were found very abundant on the coast of what is
now Massachusetts, in the year looi, when the
coast was discovered by Erickson, and his thirty-
six companions from Norway ; and it was on ac-
count of the abundance of grapes there, that what
is now America was named by them Vineland.
They also noted the existence there of the reed or
Wild rice, Zizania aquatica.

History of the Potato Rot. — Prof. Spalding
of Ann Arbor says that the potato rot appeared
in this country as well as in Western Europe in
1842, and 1845. He adopts the name of Phy-
tophttiona infestans for the fungus which causes
it. No wonder it is not so virulent in modern
times, loaded down with such a cognomen. When
it was so very severe, the fungus men gave it a
much lighter one. Prof. Edwin F. Smith finds
continuous rains favorable to its development.

The Botany of India. — To the botanist, India
yields, as the reward of plant-collecting toil, speci-
mens varying from such as flourish near the equa-
tor to those which thrive near the line of ever-
lasting snow, illustrating the chief natural families
of all parts of the world. Yet it has few distinctive
features of its own.

Nothing can be more wretchedly plain in ap-
pearance than the treeless, shrubless, shelterless
plains in the northern province of the Madras
Presidency, or in parts of the Deccan. In Western
India, and even in the southern slopes of the
western Himalayas, there are low ranges of hills,
denuded of vegetation, which have all the barren-
ness of Arabian or African deserts ; yet, other
portions of this wonderful country are of such fer-
tility as to yield even two or three harvests an-
nually.

The vegetation of India being so varied, we will
first consider that of the Himalayas, second that
of the great plains of the Ganges, etc., and lastly
that of the Deccan.

The European flora, which is diffused from the
Mediterranean along the high lands of Asia, ex-
tends to the Himalayas. Many species reach the
central parts of the chain, though but few are
found at its eastern end. From the opposite quar-
ter there has been an influx of Japanese and
Chinese forms, such as the rhododendrons, the
tea plant, and others, numerous in the east, and
gradually disappearing in the West.

At the greater elevations, the species which are
identical with those of Europe become more fre-
quent, and in the Alpine regions many plants are
found which grow in the Arctic Zone. In Thibet,
a Siberian type is estabhshed, some forms of
which are also found in the plains of Upper India.
Juniper and poplar are the only trees seen, except
fruit trees, which include apricots, pears and ap-
ples, growing up the mountain sides to 11,000 feet,
and grapes to 9,000 feet.

The shrubby plants include small forms of wil-
low, elm, honeysuckle and rose. Mosses and ferns
are very rare, but many European grasses and
sedges are found in the pastures.

In the moist regions of the east, the Himalayas
are almost everywhere covered with a dense for-
est which reaches up to 12,000 or 13,000 feet.
Many tropical types here ascend to 7,000 feet or
more. To the west, the upper limit of forests and
tropical plants is from 1,000 to 2,000 feet lower.

In Sikim, directly north of Calcutta, dense
forests of tall trees have a luxuriant growth of
under shrubs and are adorned with climbing plants
in wonderful profusion.

In the tropical parts large figs abound, with the
sal, so valuable for its timber, laurels, bamboos,
and several palms, and climbing over the largest
of these, species of calamus are found. This is
the western Hmit of the nutmeg. Plantains as-
cend to 7,000 feet, and pandanus and tree-ferns
abound. Other ferns, orchids, and climbi ng plants
are very numerous, with their varieties of splendid

foliage.

Various oaks are found within a few hundred
feet of the sea level, but are more abundant higher,
becoming very frequent at 4,000 feet.

At this elevation magnolias, cherries, apples,
maples, alders, birches, etc., also appear. At
6,000 feet the rhododendrons be^in, become abun-
dant at 8,000 feet, and from 10,000 feet to 14,000
feet form in many places the mass of the shrubby
vegetation which extends above the forests.

Of these wonderful plants, the most superb is a
tree from 30 to 50 feet high, having leaves 18 or
19 inches long, and only at the extremities of the

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

185

branches. One species has beautiful flowers 4/2
inches long, and as broad, in dense clusters;
some have white flowers; some are epiphytes,
growing upon magnolias, laurels and oaks, and
bearing from three to six white, lemon-scented
bells A'A inches long at the end of each branch.
Others, with small flowers, are traihng shrubs;
but the largest is a timber tree, from 50 to 70 feet
in height, covered with a blaze of crimson flowers.
Some species are narcotic ; the buds of others pro-
duce an oil much used for rheumatism ; some are
poisonous, even the burning of the wood as fuel
causing inflammation of the face and eyes; while
the flowers of others are used as food by the
natives, and the Europeans make them into a jelly
Passing westward along the mountains, we find
the trees of the hotter and drier parts of Southern ,
India. Ferns are rare, the tree ferns have disap-
peared, and but two or three species of palm, with
as many of bamboo, are found.

The outer ranges are mainly covered with im-
mense tracts of pine, rhododendron, oaks, and, in
some places, cypress. The shrubs comprise rosa
rubus, indigofera, viburnum, clematis, etc. Of
herbaceous plants, species of ranunculus, poten-
tilla, geranium, thahctrum, primula, gentiana, and
and many other European forms are common.

On the northern slopes and in sheltered valleys,
are the denser forests of alder, birch, ash, elm,
maple, etc., and still higher the common walnut,
horse-chestnut, yew. and several junipers.

Cultivation hardly extends above 7>ooo feet, ex-
cept in the valleys behind the great snowy peaks,
where a few fields of buckwheat and barley are
sown up to 11,000 or 12.000 feet.

Lower, rice, maize and millets are common;
also wheat and barley, with buckwheat and ama-
ranth, whose seeds are gathered as corn crops on
poor lands recently reclaimed from forest. Most
of the ordinary vegetables of the plains are raised,
and potatoes in the neighborhood of all the

English stations.

In Kashmir, the plane and Lombardy poplar
flourish though hardly seen further east ; the
cherry is cultivated in orchards, and the vegetation
is decidedly European.

One species of coffee is found in this range, but
its cultivation is very limited. Tea, however, is
more successful both in the east and west of the
mountains, and cinchona has been naturalized in

the Sikim Mountains. . ^ , • .

The total number of flowering plants inhabiting
the Himalayas amounts to 5.000 or 6.000 species.
— T/te Student,

Frogs in RocKS.-In the recently issued Pro-
ceedings of the Berwickshire (England) Natural-
ists' Club, Commander Francis Martin Norman,
the president of the body, goes over the ground
often investigated, as to whether frogs and toads
1 can be imbedded in rocks and thus Uve for ages.
1 Popular opinion in England has no doubt of it.
•Scores, perhaps hundreds are found, who will
testify that they have seen the creature hop out
; alive after the solid rock has been broken ; but
scientific people protest against any one believing
in such absurdity. Every hving thing, they con-
tend, must have something in the way of food to
produce animal heat, and must have oxygen be-
fore the food can be rendered available. Grant-
ing that some creatures can Uve long on little, we
cannot beheve that any can live for ages on none.
Thai these creatures are found in suspicious situa-
tions seems to be conceded; but the remark of
science is. that water with animalcuLx has proba-
bly found its way into a crevice, and. if water, of
course, air also. Commander Norman does not
believe that they would Uve long wholly without
food and air, and repeatedly desired to see a
case, should one be discovered. Fortune favored
him He was told one had been seen. He
saw the frog two days after it had been taken
from the rock. It was in no ways different irom
any modern frog, except apparently overgrown
and feeble in its motions. Though liberally sup-
pUed with food, it died in a few weeks after liber-
ation. About half the section of the frog's prison
house was saved, and this is figured in the Pro-
ceedings The other section was not saved by
ihe quarry men, and could not be found. There
was abundant evidence, and no question that the
frog came from that cavity. The cavity was six
feet from the surface of the rock bed ; on this rock
was eight feet of shale, and on the shale a sloping
bank of ten to twelve feet of earth. The frog was
thus some twenty-four feet beneath the ^-^-f^:
In this bed of limestone there were slight cracks
running down through it, every few feet apart
but no crack seemed to connect with the frog s
home in the section saved. There may have been
in the missing section. This want of aU the facts
makes the matter quite provoking tothe Comman-
der He cannot admit that a frog would hve long
under circumstances such as the facts so far in-
dicate; he prefers, therefore, to believe that, it
all were known, some fact, though now seemingly
improbable, would show that air and food were
accessible. Buckland's attempts to settle the
question are often referred to. His toads, m her-

1 86

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[June,

1886.]

AN D HORTICULTURIST.

187

metically sealed vessels, did not live a year. With
air, but without food, they died within two years.

may not come from the root, though we do not re-
call at this moment an instance. It is, however,
But, as Commander Norman remarks, the equally | remarkable that many variegated plants, which
careful work of Mr. Jesse, •' the well-known nat- have originated as sports, and which perpetuate
uralist," is seldom referred to. In a flower-pot, the " sport " by cuttings of the stems, lose the varie-
covered by glass, so that "apparently " no insect gation when propagated from root cuttings. This
could penetrate, and the pot sunk in the ground j is, however, by no means the rule, as Pyrus
beneath the reach of frost, they were alive at the ; japonica variegata comes true from root cuttings,
end of twenty years. Air and water could un- It was at one time beheved that even variations
doubtedly get in, and minute organisms both in | from seed might not come true from root cuttings ;
the air and water follow, and the creatures may ' but double bouvardias perpetuate themselves very
have been enabled to exist on them. The actual well in this way. Sports among fruits are very
facts recorded under Mr. Norman's own observa common, though fruit-growers have not recognized
tions do, however, show that the popular belief the fact to the extent that florists have, and thus
has good ground to stand on. — Independent. attempted to propagate the sport by grafting.

It is quite frequent to read of Russet apples com-
ing on trees of smooth-skinned kinds, or the re-
verse ; of sweet apples appearing on sour apple

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Host Plants of the Mistletoe.— As noted trees ; of long apples, or round apples where
last year, it is evident that the mistletoe, while normally we should find the reverse ; and the
preferring to grow on some plants in one locality ; nectarine, as is well known, originated as a sport
or in one age, seems to shun them in other places from the branch of a peach.

or other times. Hence, it is of great service to xhe underlying principle that produces varia-
knowledgc, if friends will send from time to time, tion, either in the shape of " sports," or from seed,
the names of the trees on which, in different locali- has never been revealed by any scientific man;
ties, the mistletoe loves to grow. Some have al- and the study oft'ers a rich field for some one.
ready kindly done so ; but there are many other We can see a very good reason why variation
places yet to hear from. I should be a governing principle in nature. In the

A lady in South Carolina now writes that in up- absence of variation, just imagine how impossible
per Georgia she has seen it grow very abundantly existence would be ! If every child were the ex-
and luxuriantly on the chestnut. This is the first act image of its parent ; if every human being
time this tree has been named as a host plant for were the exact counterpart of every other human
the mistletoe. It grows there on the oak ; but being, we could not tell one from the other,
species not named. Another interesting fact is, j No further illustration is needed to show that
that •' near Augusta, Georgia, on the borders of a variation is an essential principle in the fore-ordina-
lagoon about three miles fiom the city," she tion of nature. Even the acute Darwin could get
found it on a Black walnut. In the same place, no further than to assume that variation was a law
she met "a large cluster in fruit on a species of of nature ; and his theories of evolution have been
Ilex (Holly), its white translucent berries showing built on this assumption. But no one has the
in charming contrast with the scarlet berries and slightest idea of the underlying principle of the
glossy green foliage of its holly host." I thing. True, Mr. Darwin thought that 'domesti-

BuD Variations.— " E. L. E.," Omaha, Ne- cation," "climate," " environment," and other in-
braska, writes: "Will you please give some in- definite ideas covered by these terms, had an in-
formation in next issue of Gardeners' Monthly, fluence in determining changes in organic things;
in regard to sports ? Do they proceed from stem but we think we are not mistaken in saying, that
or radicle, or both? Do fruit trees ever produce with the progress of knowledge since Mr. Darwin's
them ? Can they be accounted for upon any time, the best students place very little value on
scientific principle ?" ' these circumstances as essential factors in change.

[This did not reach the Editor till the 19th. Com- They prefer to say that really nothing is known of
munications for notice in our " next issue," should the principles governing change. Variation be-
be received before the 5th of each month. ling evidently a necessity to existence, changes

Bud variations, as " sports" are termed in vege' would go right on, and did go on, long before
able biology, usually come from any part of the "domestication" entered the world; long before
stems or branches. There is no reason why they i man made his appearance here. — Ed. G. M.]

liTERATUM, Travels and Personal Notes.

COMMUNICATIONS.

TRAVELLING IN AUSTRALIA— THE FATE
OF DR. LEICHARDT.

BY W. T. HARDING. |

Please see page 157, Vol. xxiii, 1881, of the
Gardeners' Monthly, in which an account is
given of at last discovering the (supposed) re- '
mains of Dr. Leichardt, the distinguished explorer
and botanist, who, in 1848, was last heard from,
when trying to force his way to the Cougoon,
through the unexplored wilds of Australia. I

From recent advices from Cloncurry, in Queens-
land, which I enclose, we are led to infer that the
"bleaching bones," previously mentioned as hav-
ing been dibcovered in the "bush," were not those
of the once noble, and intrepid, though unassum-
ing, young German savant. Wherever the science
of Botany is recognized, and floral beauty finds
admirers, and the love of adventure meets encour-
agement, is the name of poor Ltichardt favorably
spoken of, more especially since his unaccounta-
ble disappearance.

Among my once numerous friends and ac-
quaintances in AustraHa. the most anxious and
painful suspense imaginable was manifested about
him. His indomitable perseverance, true gene-
rosity, probity and active goodness, endeared him
to all. Tears would dim the eyes of those who
loved him, at the mere mention of his name, and
his memory will be ever held sacred.

With but few exceptions, nearly all I conversed
with about their unfortunate friend seemed to
think he had either perished for want of water, or
had been killed and eaten by the wretched ba-
boon-like savages, who, in somewhat numerous
groups skulked and prowled about the immense
quantities of beautiful waving ferns that mingled
with dense growths of splendid flowering shrubs
and luxuriant herbaceous plants, so common to
those parts. In such like leafy tangles, where the
discomforts and perils which at times beset the
bewildered traveller in the pathless and almost
impenetrable scrub or low jungle— low, though
much taller than himself— where no friendly com-
pass is at hand to point the way, nor tree large
enough to chmb to take a bearing from, how
greatly perplexed and embarrassed he soon be-
comes, in his endeavors to find a way out, the

writer of this well knows from his own Australian

experience.

A friend, whom no one knows as well as the
writer, during the time he spent in Austraha, has
vivid memories of the fearful time he once passed
when trying to get through such a rank mass of
vegetation. It was wonderfully woven together
with Kennedyas and Sollyas, which he unwittingly
got ent.i ngled in when thinking to save several miles
in a long journey from the far interior to Sydney,
N. S. W. With hopes of considerably shortening
the distance, he unfortunately ventured to cross a
treeless scrub ; and, as the sequel will show, he
had reasons to thank God he ever got out again.
Weary and footsore with walking so many days,
he soon discovered he had made a mistake, as it
did not prove the •• short cut across" he expected.
After considerable floundering about for several
hours until nightfall, through every kind of ob-
struction possible to find in such a place, he began
to feel still more fatigued, and somewhat alarmed
' at the thought of being lost. So, with as much
I determination as he could muster, he still con-
' tinued to struggle on, without knowing which way
! he was wandering ; until at last, through excessive
fatigue and sheer exhaustion, he sank down in
utter despair among the close herbaceous growth
and thick green bushes that obstructed his vision.
' Completely prostrated as he was physically, there
! was not, however, any rest for him there. He
I was almost worried to death with the miUions of
! large, fierce, biting, stinging ants, which swarmed
I over everything, himself included ; and which, in
i defence of his life, he was compelled to keep
' fighting until the bright sun arose in the morn-

Half frenzied with pain ; stupid and feverish
from loss of sleep ; the sight of the beaming bush-
travellers guide seemed to give him fresh hopes
and vigor again. As soon as the cardinal points
could be made out he renewed the attempt to ex-
tricate himself; and, but a short distance from
where the miserable night was passed, he fortu-
nately discovered a clump of Charlwoodia con-
gesta, with stems sufficiently stout to mount high
enough to get a view of the park-like, open
forest before him, and which at about midday he

reached.

Had the person alluded to not been able to get

i88

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[June,

out of the frightfully confounding, distracting
bush. maze he seemed so hopelessly entangled in,
of course he would have perished there. And
such may, possibly, have been the unhappy end
of the lamented Dr. Leichardt. Mt. Holly, N. J.

[It is more than likely that the nervous shock
which one feels when the first idea of being lost
comes over him, has often much to do with the
determination of his fate. It requires much nerve
to retain presence of mind under these circum-
stances. The writer has had a nuhiber of these
experiences, and can testify that it is the easiest
thing in the world to feel " lost " and then come
near realizing it.

One unpleasant experience was on a mountain
top, which was the headquarters for his party for
a few days. Desiring to find a species of lily, of
which one of the others had found but a solitary
specimen, he undertook to make a day alone in a
wholly new direction. He carefully noted the
trees and landmarks through the forest on his
descent, making some artificial points where ne-
cessary. Nothing could be easier than to note
these on the return. About noon he had reached
a descent of perhaps 2,000 feet, when he was en-
veloped in a thick fog, which, with the deep
shade of the firs and spruces, made it almost like
night. When once you obtain the knowledge
that you have lost the points of the compass,
the feeling of utter helplessness is indescribable.
It might seem that all one has to do after going
down hill is to go up again. But a mountain side
is not like an ordinary hill — there are little ups
and downs, small plateaus, gullies to cross, and
other incidents which soon make one uncertain
whether he is going up the same hill he came
down. In the fog emergency referred to, it was
necessary to stop and think. He remembered
that near the top of the mountain he had passed
a strong spring, which was on his left hand. This
spring ought to develop to a fair stream, and must
run down hill. The plan was to be sure that
stream was on the left, and with the greatest care
to avoid turning and getting the left on the right,
to strike the stream, and then follow its course up
hill. This was done — but even when it was struck
there was the uncertainty that it might be another
that had taken its rise somewhere since the other
had been passed. But on this occasion it proved
correct. By nightfall the top of the mountain was
reached. The lesson it taught was, that in these
emergencies everything is suspected, and the
general uncertainty is what unnerves one. — Ed.
G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Ladies as Members of Learned Societies.
— At a recent meeting of the Massachusetts Horti-
cultural Society, Mr. Wilder said that we are very
much indebted to ladies for the improvement in
the cultivation of flowers. He spoke of the time,
very early in the history of this society, when it
was proposed to elect Mrs. Governor Gore and
Mrs. Griffith, of New Jersey, honorary members,
but some thought the proposition of doubtful ex-
pediency, because a woman made trouble in
Eden.

The trouble in Eden came from the laudable —
though in that case, perhaps, mistaken endeavor
to get the best everytime, — while her meeker hus-
band was satisfied to go jog-trotting along. It is
true she forgot the commandment, — but there is
no proof that her easily satisfied, and mean,
blame-on-her, worser-half, ever had sense enough
to think of the commandment, or anything else.
We always had an admiration for Eve, in spite of
the failure of this, the first great effort at improve-
ment in fruits, which she so daringly attempted.

It is surprising to find intelligent societies bogg-
ling over the admission of women. Some twenty
years ago the Academy of Natural Sciences of
Philadelphia, broke through old traditions, and
elected Miss Grace Anna Lewis, the well-known
Ornithologist, and other ladies, to full membership
in the body. The downfall of the institution was
predicted, and a number of esteemed gentlemen
resigned their membership. Ladies are now fre-
quently elected and no one thinks anything
strange of it. The institution is quite as pros-
perous as it ever was. In spite of this experience
other bodies, even in progressive Philadelphia,
still halt. Some two years ago. a lady with an
admirable scientific training, — indeed we might
say eminent in science, was unanimously elected
a member. The same lady was recently presented
for membership in the American Philosophical
Society — a society founded by the liberty-loving
Benjamin Franklin, and the woman-horror was
so great that there were 15 against to 14 for her
admission. Quite recently, at a meeting of the
Linnaean Society of London, a lady was discov-
ered in the visitors' gallery, where she had been
invited by a member. The old fossils were thun-
derstruck, and on motion of a member further
proceedings were suspended until the invitation to
the lady to leave the premises, had been carried
into effect. The world does move, but very
slowly in some quarters.

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

189

Western Names for Western Weeds. — '
Some new common names of plants, appearing to
have become common in the West, as noted by the
annual report of the Ohio Agricultural Station, are
worth recording here: Cursed Thistle— Cirsium
arvense; Wheat Thief, also Pigeon Weed —
Lithospermum arvense; Bird's Nest — Daucus
carota; Yellow Daisy — Rudbeckia hirta ; Sand-
brier— Solanum Caroliniana ; Carpet Weed — Mol-
lugo verticillata ; Batter Print, Pie Print, Velvet
Leaf — Abutilon Avicennae.

Latin Names for Garden Varieties. — We
have from time to time entered our protest against
the ridiculous habit of giving latin names to gar-
den varieties. But our English friends would not
fall in line. They even refused to receive ours
with good English names, but baptized them over |
again. We gave them Tom Thumb, and George
Peabody Arbor Vitaes, but they couldn't think of
admitting them into their collections with these
substantial cognomens ; they are something with
wonderfully long Latin names over there. But
thev are now getting about sick themselves. The
Gardeners' Chronicle says of a fern recently on
exhibition before the Royal Horticultural Society :

"A pretty garden variety of Pteris cretica was
shown at the last meeting' with so formidable an
array of Latin adjectives attached to it as would
necessitate at least two ordinary labels for its dis- 1
play. The committee decided, wisely as we think,
simply to call it Pteris cretica • H. B. May,' and
awarded it a certificate under that name. If Mr.
May prefers his Latin vocabulary there is, of
course, nothing to prevent him from calling his
plant what he pleases, but we venture to thmk the
general convenience will be consuUed if the va-
riety be henceforth known under the name by which
it was certificated, or as • May's variety." In any
case It is a pretty plant, well suited for decorative
purposes, and is described in another column."

History of the Orange in California. —
Orange trees were first planted in Cahfornia about
1820, by Franciscan friars, at the old San Gabriel
Mission in Los Angeles county. Many of these
old trees still bear excellent fruit. San Gabriel is
now the chief orange centre of California, having
probably half the bearing trees in the State.

An Early American Botanic Garden.—
The minutes of the American Philosophical So-
ciety, June 19th, 1784. record that a botanic
garden should be at once established, that " 200
feet of the Arch Street lot next the Observatory,"
should be at once prepared for planting, and
" Hopkinson and Rittenhouse " were appointed a
committee "to look out for a gardener." The

•• Observatory " at that time was where the grand
public buildings in Philadelphia now stand.

Prof. C. V. Riley It has been a marvel to

most reflecting people how Prof. Riley gets
through with so much original and very useful
work. But we are sorry to learn that it has its
severe price in broken-health, while there is so
much new around him he must investigate and
learn. The only course left is to order him away
form the tasks he loves. He will leave on the ist
of June for Europe. We fear, however, there will
be found something new under the sun, even in
the Old World ; and we can only hope men of
science there who will naturally seek to honor
him, will not place anything in the way of his
speedy return to us here.

John Brooks.— Mr. John Brooks, of whose
death at Pittsburgh on the 6th of March, we have
but just heard, was well known about Philadelphia
a quarter of a century ago for his remarkable skill
in growing the hot-house grape. When the pres-
ent Senator Cameron built the fine ranges of glass
on the family estate at Lochiel, at Harrisburg, Mr.
Brooks was the first gardener to take charge of
them, remaining in that situation about two years.
Since that time he has resided in Pittsburgh. Mr.
Brooks was a native of England, though many
years a resident in this country.

' Small Fruits.— By Wm. H. Hills. Boston : Cup-
pies, Upham & Co., Agricultural publishers. 1886.
This is a large octavo of 137 pages, and, though
we have seemingly enough works on this subject,
this is really one of the most original and interest-
ing books of the class that has come before us for
some time. The author is of the combative kind,
and strikes out right and left in a manner truly re-
freshing. The reader becomes imbued with the
same spirit, and, as there are innumerable "chinks"
in the author's armor, the combative reader can
enjoy the rare opportunity of thrusting in his lance
, as he goes along, feeling that the author ought to
; enjoy the fun" of the thing as well as himself.
Sometimes the free lance of the author does not
do injustice to himself. In his preface he states
that he does not attempt more than to aid those
'• who may wish to cultivate fruits for their own
tables, with their own hands ;" but it is really a
work by which the market grower may profit
quite as well. He tells us that it is no importance
to us in this year. Anno Domini 1886, to know
whether Pliny, Virgil or Ovid knew anything about
strawberries— a common protest with those who
decry classical history— but surely the same argu-

190

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[June,

ment might be used against the information as to
what Michael Keen did in 1806, of which he tells
us. He has a sharp thrust at some one who re-
commends to those who want to get something
very extra in the strawberry line, to put on manure
"three inches deep and then fork in," protesting
that it would cost between two or three thousand
dollars per acre. But if we are writing for the
amateur gardener we have nothing to do with the
broad acres, and surely some splendid results
have been had by just such a dressing of manure.
He insists that on all wet lands underdraining of
some kind "must be," while it is certain sure that
throwing the earth up into ridges and making sur-
face conduits will do just as well, and cost very
much less. Some nurserymen advertise that when
customers send orders for special varieties, they
should at the same time send word whether the
nurseryman is at liberty to substitute others in
case the stock has run out of some kinds particu-
larly desired. Every nurseryman knows that in
a great majority of cases the purchaser would
much prefer to have this done, than to send to a
number of places to get separate parts of one or-
der. What possible harm can there be in asking
beforehand whether such substitution is desired
by the customer or not ? The author thinks that
figures giving the size of a fruit are of no use to the
reader ; but surely there are some kinds that are
smaller than others, and figures giving the largest
size that any variety has been known to reach are
surely some guide. Quite as much so as drawings.
We have in this book an illustration of Albany
seedling an inch and a quarter wide, and of Prouty
two inches wide. Why not say " i J4 inches"
and •' 2 inches " as give cuts of these varieties ?

Aside from the criticism that the author invites,
there is a great deal wholly new to the literature
of small fruits that will make the work welcome
everywhere.

We give the following chapter on winter protec-
tion of the raspberry as illustrative of the practical
character of the book :

'•Many of the red raspberries, and some of the
Black-Caps, are killed back to the ground when
no winter protection is given. The foreign varie-
ties are all tender, and their hybrid seedlings are
not usually hardy. There are not more than two
or three varieties of marked excellence that can
be safely exposed to our Northern winters. The
Turner and Cuthbert are seldom injured, but even
these will yield larger and finer fruit when pro-
tected.

'• The covering of the raspberry need not be
heavy — only just enough to keep the plants in
place. Many are frightened when told that the

plants require protection ; but the labor is not half
as great as might be supposed. Soil affords the
best covering, and is always at hand. The method
is as follows :

'* First, run a furrow between the rows, to loosen
the ground, and let a shovelful of dirt be thrown
by the side of each plant, near its crown, so as to
raise a small mound over which to bend the canes.
This will prevent breaking by too short a curve.
Let a boy bend the canes over the mound, all in
one direction, and in line with the row, and hold
them while the shovellers, one on each side, throw
on dirt enough to keep them down, as represented
in the accompanying cut. In this way pass along
the rows rapidly, and complete the covering more
at leisure. The illustration shows at a glance the

method of bending down the canes, a represent-
ing the mound, and ^ a shovelful of dirt thrown
on the tips as a weight. The mark of cancella-
tion at c indicates the point at which the canes
should be pruned to give the plant a bushy form.
In the way here described a large " patch" may
be gone over in a day, and no labor will be better
rewarded, whether the variety be tender or half-
hardy. Slight protection will bring the plants
through the winter uninjured, and ensure larger
and better fruit. Some recommend turning a fur-
row up to the plants on either side, but this cuts
and exposes the roots too much.

" As soon as the frost leaves the ground in
spring the plants should be uncovered and tied up
to stakes. For removing the dirt from the bushes
a fork is preferable to a hoe or shovel. The treat-
ment of the raspberry should be such as to secure
mature wood before winter. For this reason the
application of manure in mid-summer, and culti-
vation early in autumn, thereby causing a late
growth, should never occur. Top dressing after
the leaves have fallen will do no harm, and the
whole ground should be thoroughly cleaned before
winter sets in."

Report of Forestry Division of the United
States Department of Agriculture. Vol 4.
Edited by Nathaniel H. Egleston.

The government reports on forestry contain an
immense amount of facts in connection with
American forests and forest planting, that give
them a great value as works of reference, and
make them almost essential in every forester's li-
brary. The present volume is at least equal in

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

191

this respect to any of its predecessors. The facts
collected this time relate chiefly to the Southern
States, the prairie and desert States, and the States
bordering on the Pacific. A distinctive feature is
a mass of correspondence digested, showing what
has been done in the way of planting, and what
kinds have been found the most successful in dif-
ferent places. This is the class of facts that will
be of the most benefit to American forestry. After
reading this report we are more than ever convinced
of the utter hopelessness of trying to preserve the
old forests, and the utter worthlessness of preserv-
ing them even if the task were within human power.

Horticulture and Landscape Gardening
in THE West. — Bulletin No. 12 of this Depart-
ment of the Michigan Agricultural College con-
tains a paper by Prof. L. H. Bailey, Jr., in which
a list of evergreen trees and shrubs that have been
found to do well at Lansing is given, and which
will be a very useful guide to those interested in
the ornamentation of grounds in that section.

Horticultural Art Journal — Published by
Mensing & Stecher, Rochester, N. Y., gives
monthly four small quarto colored lithographs of
trees or fruits that are popular or becoming popu-
lar with nurserymen and dealers, with the histories
of the same. It meets a want which the trade ap-
preciates, and seems to be a success, as No. 4 is
promptly on hand.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Thrips or Thrip.— a friend says : " Please ex-
cuse me for the liberty I take, of suggesting a
small matter connected with correct grammar in
horticulture, for some of the correspondents of the
Gardeners' Monthly. It seems desirable that
writers on horticultural subjects should not fall
into mistakes. Some writers make the word
thrips, the name of a small insect, in the plural
number, with " thrip " for the singular. (See p.
109, April number) The termination coming
from the Greek letter ps (x), cannot be correctly
changed by dropping the s for the singular, any
more than making len the singular for lens, or cut-
ting off a part of the x in box. Several other
scientific persons adopt the error, among the rest
Prof. Forbes, of Illinois."

[Our friend is certainly right. It should be
thrips whether singular or plural, just as we say ,
scissors or sheep ; and yet we are sorry that it j
must be so— sorry that wc are not permitted to
alter an adopted word, when it interferes with the

genius of the English language in regard to its
grammatical forms, and that thus it becomes neces-
sary for the grammarian in giving rules to note
exceptions so numerous, that in the end there is
really no rule at all. In the writer's younger days,
it seemed too bad that one could not say sheeps
when more than one sheep was intended, or a
scissor, when we meant only one scissors, that we
had to introduce a superfluous word in order to
explain our meaning — that we should have to say
a "pair" of scissors when we meant only one, and
a ••flock" of sheep when we referred to more than
one. And even yet, if he had a few men of mettle
to back him up, he would insist on saying
thrip when he meant only one insect, or the one
class, and thrips whenever the plural was in-
tended. And remembering that the " blood of the
martyr is the seed of the church," he might even
go further and risk the fate of a reformer. But it
is not so clear that the seed he might sow would,
after all, get a chance to develop, so a thnpb let
it be.

Heart Leaf Asarum arifolium. — Under the
above common name, a Southern lady sends a
leaf which proves to be the Asarum arifolium.
She gives the following interesting notes of local
history concerning it. The corn-beads referred
to, are the stony seeds of a grass called Job's
Tears, or Coix lachryma :

" From my earliest recollection, I have been
familiar with the plant, always under the name of
heart-leaf. I never knew any other. When a
child, playing with the little negroes of the planta-
tion, I delighted to find these brown, jug-shaped
blossoms, which we often tore open to "paint
with," the inner surface leaving a bright reddish-
purple stain on paper. The httle negroes desig-
nated the flowers as " geese and ganders," the
latter being white, longer and more slender than
the greenish-brown ones. I knew a Northern
gentleman long ago, who had a habit of keeping
the dried root m his vest pocket, for the purpose
of nibbhng it for its aromatic flavor. He seemed
curiously fond of it. My old colored nurse. Mam-
ma Nancy, who nursed me when an infant, and
is with me still, says that heart-leaves were used
on the plantation to apply to burns and sores from
scalding. She says that my father always culti-
vated the '• corn-bead " in the flower garden as an
ornament, and that the poor women of the coun-
try, as well as the negro women, would string
necklaces of the beads, or seeds, and put them
round their babies' necks for them to bite when
teething.

192

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[June,

Horticultural Societies.

THE

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Special Prizes for Hybrid Perpetual Roses
BY THE Massachusetts Horticultural Soci-
ety.— The following special prizes are offered for
Hybrid Perpetual roses at the coming Rose Show
of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, on
Tuesday and Wednesday, June 22d and 23d, 1886 :

Prize A. Best 24 Roses, different vars., named, value $"^0 00

" *» " " " " 2d Prize " 15 00

u B a Q n *' " '' " 10 00

41 (J* it 32 " " " " " 15 00

" D* " 18 " " " " " 25 00

»' e! " 6 " any 2 varieties, 3 of each, " 10 00

ii F »» 12 " " 4 " " " " 15 00

44 G* u 18 »' '* H *' " " " 25 00
" H. General Display of Roses grown in Open
Culture, all classes except Hybrid and

Moss.... " 15 00

" I. Best and best kept Design, Table Decora-
tion, or combination of Roses, in bas-
kets or other receptacles excepting

vases " 18 00

Second Prize " 12 00

amateur's prize.

Prize J. Best 24 named Roses, different varieties,

exhibited by an amateur value $30 00

Second Prize " 15 00

No person or firm can compete for more than
two prizes, and any person competing for the
amateur prize may duplicate varieties shown in
that class in competing for other prizes.

All roses competing for these special prizes, with
exception of Prize I. must be exhibited in boxes of
the dimensions named below, which will be fur-
nished by the Society on application.

Length. Breadth. Height.

For 24 Roses 4 ft. 1 ft. 6 in. Back of box Bin.; front 4in.
" 12 " 2 ft. 2 in. '' '• " '* " " *'

" 6 " 1ft. 6in. " '» " " " "

Two boxes of 12 each will be considered as
one of 24, or one of 12 and one of 6 will be con-
sidered as one of 18.

Special prize No. 137, in the Schedule, will be
a piece of plate instead of money.

Moss roses offered for prizes Nos. 1 53 and 1 54
may be shown in vases instead of boxes.

E. W. Wood.
Chairman of Com. for Establishing Prizes.

The Pansies from Washington. — It appears
that the pansies from "Washington, D. C,
were from Washington Street, Wilmington, Dela-
ware," as the following note reveals: "You in
report in Monthly, made a mistake in ad-
dressing the pansies from Washington, D. C.
I took the first prize for pansies with 96 varieties,
the largest flower measuring 2)^ inches, the
smallest 2}^ inches in diameter. I have them at
present that measure 3^ inches in diameter.
Please correct the error in your Monthly, and
oblige John Stewart, Florist,

" Eighteenth and Washington Sts.,

" Wilmington, Del."

American Nurserymen's Convention. — This
society, which has done so much to elevate the

nursery trade, and to place its extent and import-
ance in a proper light before the public, will meet
this year at Washington, D. C, in the Agricultural
Department rooms, on the i6th, 17th and i8th of
June. All information can be had of the Secre-
tary, D. Wilmot Scott, Galena, IlHnois.

Missouri State Horticultural Society. —
The summer meeting will be held at Louisiana,
Missouri, on the 8th and 9th of June. Mr. L. A.
Goodman, of Westport, Missouri, tells us that the
free entertainment for all the members will be of-
fered, and that railroad rates will be given on ap-
phcation to him.

National Grape and Wine Growers* Asso-
ciation.— The following letter is printed just as
received :

"Office of National Grape and Wine Growers' Associa- )
TioN, No. 24 Park Place, New York, April 24th, 1886. ^

" Editor Gardeners* Monthly:

" Dear Sir — Please make the following an-
nouncement in your paper relative to the Viticul-
tural Convention to be held in Washington. The
Convention of the vine-growers of the United
States, call for which was issued in February last,
will be held at the Agricultural Department build-
ings in Washington, opening on Tuesday the 18th
of May next, and continuing four days. The ex-
position of grape products, wines, raisins, etc., will
be held in an adjoining hall in the same build-
ings and at the same time. All exhibits from
Stales east of the Rocky Mountains should be ad-
dressed to Mr. Chr. Vander, 909 7th street, N. W.
Washington, D. C, the local member of the Com-
mittee, who has kindly consented to take charge
of the exhibits until they are placed in the exhibi-
tion hall. Addresses will be delivered before the
Convention by the Commissioner of Agriculture,
Hon. Norman J. Colman, Prof. C. V. Riley, and
some fifteen or twenty others prominently con-
nected with viticulture in the United States.

" Yours truly,

" B. F. Clayton,
" Chairman Committee on Organization.'*

[It is printed in order to show the stupidity in
common things exhibited by some who run con-
ventions. They write a letter to the Editor of a
monthly magazine, on the 24th of the month, which
letter reaches his table on the 28th, asking him to
insert a notice in the magazine which is to be
printed, folded, bound, addressed, mailed, and in
the hands of subscribers hundreds of miles apart
a few days later.

We should not care to comment on this stupidity
if it were a rare occurrence — such rarity would
make it a personal matter which has no place in
our columns — but it is not only common stupidity,
but the absence of the impossible notice renders
the Editor "stupid and indifferent to horticultural
progress " in the eyes of many whom it is our duty
to enlighten as we are now doing.

GARDENERS' MONTHLY

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Volume XXVIII.

JULY, 1886.

Number 331.

FLOYiER Garden and Pleasure Ground.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Every now and then a perfect craze possesses
people in behalf of some new thing. In our coun-
try half a century ago, there was a craze for a

There have been crazes in catalpa and other trees,
and crazes in roses and various flowers. In Europe
there was the great craze in tulips, and in some
respect the mania extended to hyacinths, and
other bulbous flowers ; and though there has been
a good deal of the commercial money-making spirit
evolved in all these crazes, the genuine love of

A.Bt.r iji'

Hyacinthus candicans.

particular kind of mulberry ; and later a craze on
new kinds of grapes, when even a single eye of
some one variety would sell for at least its weight
in silver, if not in some cases for its weight in gold.

^' ei>lH:

Hyacinthus botryoides.

trees, plants and fruits, has underlied them all.
In regard to the so-called Dutch bulbs, the genuine
love has been hearty and continuous, and so far
as our country is concerned, has stretched out its
arms, until bulbs of every character and variety
are being gathered within the floral circle. A few
of these are best planted in spring ; but, a large
number are hardy, and should be planted in

194

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[July.

1886.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

195

li 1

' I

autumn, and hence are quite in place under our
«' Seasonable Hints." The hyacinth, of course, is
easily elected President of the Bulb Repubhc. As
we buy them they have been subjected to treat-
ment. The little fellows are not permitted to
waste their substance, but the blossoms are picked

Colchicum autumnale.

off, till the bulb is large enough and strong enough
to make a large fine spike. Then we admire them.
This is why bulbs once flowering with us do not
do so well the second year. Americans could
make them come in again in a few years, if they
had the time to wait, and the patience of the Hol-
lander. Our time is supposed to be more valuable,
so the Dutch bulbs are bought. The size of a
bulb, is however, no criterion of its value. A first-
class bulb ought to have but one flower spike, and

Iris Germanica.

absolutely sure, of a first-class bulb ; and we are
left to the poor consolation of believing that the
highest price bulb is generally the best, and then
we have to " shut our eyes, and open our purse,
and see what luck will send us "—slightly varying
the nursery phrase. There has not been much
improvement in new races of hyacinths, as there
has been in other plants. During the American
Centennial in Philadelphia, a new species called
Hyacinthus candicans was introduced. It is well
worth cultivating for its own beauty ; and may be
the parent of a new class some day.

A remarkably pretty hyacinth, is the species
known as grape hyacinth, Hyacinthus botryoides,
of the older botanists ; though now Muscari race-
mosa. It has become wild in many places in the

this spike should be thrown well up above the
leaves. The bulb that sends the leaves up beyond
the spike is defective. Not always, however, is
this [the* fault of the bulb— the treatment by the
grower has a great influence. So far as we know
there^is^no method by which the buyer can be sure.

Amaryllis Atamasco.

eastern part of the United States, though worthy of
culture where it does not grow naturally. There
are white and other shades cultivated, in Europe,
as well as the blue so common here. Tulips, in
their various classes of early, single, double, parrot,
and others, are well known, as are snow drops
and crocusses ; while the narcissus in many classes
have jumped into notoriety as the craziest of all
the floral crazes of many years. The different
species have here been so hybridized and crossed,
that in the endless variety no one hardly knows
one from another.

The meadow saffrons flower even earlier than

the crocus ; even in the fall of the year of plant-

)<4ng if the season be favorable. A sketch of

one species, Colchicum autumnale, is herewith

appended.

In the Old World Anemone and Ranunculus
are very popular, but have not received the atten-

tion here that their beauty deserves. They do not
continue so long in bloom as other things, and this
may be a little against their popularity. The Iris
is rather a summer flower than a spring flowering
tuberous plant; but it is one of those that requires

communis and ramosus types that are tolerably
hardy, and are best planted in fall. These branch
more than hybrids of the pure gandanensis type,
as tiie illustration annexed shows.

In regard to Amaryllis, the most are from the

fall planting in order to secure the best success. . Cape of Good Hope and are not hardy ; but a
A number of species are native to our own coun- ! number are well adapted to be set out in the fall
try, and thrive well under culture. The Chinese i in American gardens. One of these, the Atamasco
or Kaempferi class has added much to our treas- ; or Fairy hly has had none too much said in our

pages recently, and the Jacobae Lily, Amaryllis
formosissima, is another hardy kind.

Of course those botanically inclined will rise to
remark that neither of these are true Amaryllis
now, but have other botanical appellations.

Then there are a large number of bulbs of our
own country, that are well worthy of culture, and

Gladiolus Saundersoni.

ures during the few past years ; but the German
Iris, of which we annex an illustration, furnishes
most of the variety that adorns our gardens.

We need not — for our readers surely — take space
to paint the virtues of the lily, but may say that if
set early in the fall in very rich ground, not less
than four inches beneath the surface, and in soil
not very dry, they will paint themselves more
superbly than we are accustomed to see them.
Among gladiolus there are some varieties of the

Calochortus venustus.

may be sent out in the fall of the year. There are
beautiful things among even so commonplace a
family as the onion, or botanically the genus
Allium ; and the Brodiaes, Calliproras and Calo-
chortus of the far west should by no means be
overlooked. The latter genus which comprises
the well-known Mariposa Lilies are particularly
handsome. The annexed illustration is of a spe-
cies that furnishes the most pleasing variety.

For the cuts used to illustrate this whole article
(except the last), our readers are indebted to Mr.
Blanc, of Philadelphia, the well-known artist, who
makes a specialty of floral and garden work.

The culture of bulbs, such as we have referred
to, has been more or less undertaken for years ;
but often without the success the gardener desires.
The common idea is that bulbs are generally found
in poor dry places in a state of nature, and natural
conditions should be followed by the cultivator, as
far as possible. But the experienced cultivator

196

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[July.

knows better. To have the best success he must
have very rich soil, very deep soil, very cool soil,
and soil that will never be tempted to dry out
when the first uncertain wooing of the spring sun
is attempted.

Amaryllis formosissima.

We are satisfied that dry, poor soil is the main
cause of fungus disease and difficulty of which so
many complain in out-door bulb growing.

1 tiful sight were the great clumps of Forsythia and
I Cydonia, or Pyrus Japonica. Some of the latter
' would actually dazzle one with their brightness,
I and such large clumps look so fine at a distance.
Does anyone know of a plant or flower that is not
the better for being massed ?

That great, big, white. Hawthorn-looking tree
turns out to be Amelanchier botryapium ; but let
no nurseryman get up a stock of this ; he could
not get rid of one in twenty years. " Its a wild
plant ; grows out in the woods ;" but nothing bet-
ter in its way ever came from China, or Japan,

either.

The varieties of Japanese maple are commenc-
ing to show their colors, and will be delightful in
a week or so. Inside there is a Pritchardia ma-
crocarpa, worth going a thousand miles to see ;
splendid specimens of Oreodoxa regia, Seaforthia
elegans, Thrinax argentea and elegans. Kentias
Balmoreana and Fosteriana, and Cocos of almost
every variety, i notice a good many Chamaerops
and Chamodorea in bloom, and several other
very interesting things. It is no w onder the place
is thronged with visitors all the time.

Georgetown, D. C,

COMMUNICATIONS.

NOTES AT THE GROUNDS OF THE DE-
PARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, WASH-
INGTON, D. C.

BY M. H. LESTER.

People who stay at home have the satisfaction i
of knowing that they often see things in better ;
shape than they would after making a long jour- j
ney. The full force of this was impressed on me, !
and noted for future reference, a day or so ago.
by a tour through the Agricultural Department
grounds. The display of tulips and hyacinths is
simply immense ; there is a somewhat corrugated
line of tuhps in mixed colors the whole length of
the large conservatory, and it is gorgeous ; then
there are beds of yellow and white and Bizarre,
double and single, and such great clumps, twelve
and fifteen flowers on a clump ; and the hyacinths
are famous. Just think of it! Thousands of
flowers of this description under the eye at once,
and great big clumps of paeonies, and patches of
Papaver orientale coming along to take their
place ; and goodness only knows what is com-
ing along as successors to these. I found the
varieties of magnolia that bloom together about
at their best. M. Lennii is a fine variety, with
large purple flowers of great substance. A beau-

THE AMARYLLIS IN THE SOUTH.

BY P. H. OBERWETTER.

Another year's trial of the Amaryllis confirms
what I wrote about a year ago, that this family of
plants deserves a greater amount of attention in
the Southern States than it has hitherto received. ,
But these plants have some ardent admirers all
over the South, and they need only a little push-
ing to the front to make them very popular, for
the ease with which they can be cultivated is not
the least point of their merit. And for the first
time, so long as I cultivated these charming flow-
ers, I have to report a few losses in last winter's
cold spell ; but the loss is rather due to careless-
ness on my part than to the tender constitution of

the Amaryllis.

I had about twenty different species and hybrids
planted in the upper part of my garden in a some-
what sloping situation. The heavy rains in
I autumn must have washed some soil away and
I brought a few of the plants too near the surface ;
then the very cold weather early in January made
I the frost penetrate to those bulbs that were not
deep enough in the ground, and if it did not kill the
bulbs, weakened them so that this year they made
a poor show. But the winter was characterized
by such a severe cold as we fortunately do not ex-

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

197

perience very often. And then I had twelve hun-
dred hybrid seedlings of Amaryllis growing in the
lower part of my garden, where the north wind
could not strike so hard — my garden is sloping to
the east. These seedhngs I had given last fall a j
thick layer of stable manure, and of these twelve
hundred plants I have not lost a single one ; but |
I had in my cold pit five hundred hybrid seed- j
lings of last summer, and I lost about half of these i
through frost coming in. I

This latter case is in my opinion a good illus-
tration of Darwin's theory of natural selection, for
it was strange how frost had picked plants in dif-
ferent parts of the boxes, and not merely taken '
those on the rim, so that I think those with a weak
constitution were killed while the robust ones sur-
vived.

Therefore I reiterate again that all Amaryllis
are hardy in the South ; it does not make any
difference whether the particular plant has a cata-
logue price of seventy-five cents or ten dollars ;
the cheapness does not make the plant hardier
nor the costliness more tender ; on the contrary,
my two highest priced bulbs, Amaryllis psittacina
and A. fidelio, which cost me nine and ten dol-
lars each, came out unhurt, while Amaryllis atro-
sanguinea, which is sold at seventy-five cents,
had suffered. Finally, I would advise those in-
terested to plant your Amaryllis in a sunny place,
not too wet, as this would no doubt be hurtful in
winter ; give at least 5 inches of soil on top of the
bulb, and as soon as the first frost in autumn or
winter has killed the leaves and stopped their
growth give a good, thick covering of stable
manure. This latter may in spring be hoed un-
der. With this treatment I have succeeded and
have cultivated my seedlings, only two and a
half years from sowing the seed, and many are
now large enough to flower. In conclusion I
would say, that I am pleased to notice the many
reports from the Southern States in regard to the
hardiness of different plants. Austin, Texas.

general impression among the correspondents of
the Gardeners' Monthly that the Atamasco
hly is white only, but Mrs. Thomson in her article
in June, '85, quotes from Peter Henderson's
"Hand Book of Plants:" " Zephyranthes.— One
of ihe best species is Z. Atamasco, generally
known as Amaryllis Atamasco, and in our cot-
tage gardens as ' Fairy Lily.' This species has
beautiful pink flowers which are produced in
great abundance throughout the summer."

I copy the following from Wood's " Botany "
(an old edition) : •' Amaryllis Atamasco.— Atam-
asco Lily. Spathe 2 cleft, acute; fls. pedicelled;
' cor. campanulate, with nearly equal petals, sub-
erect. Leaves, linear, a foot long ; scape, round,
6 inches high ; flowers, large, solitary, white and
I pink. Found in Pennsylvania, south to Caro-
hna."

I I will add that I have now the pink kind grow-
; ing side by side with Mrs. Thomson's white. Now,
! May 9th, the leaves of each are 6 inches long,
! and I can see no material difterence between
' them save that those of the pink have a darker
shade at the base, but not so much difference as
there is in the leaves of other flowers that are
! variously colored, as Balsams, Snap Dragons, etc.

La Centre, Washington Ter,
[This rosy pink variety is also the one which
has long been under cultivation in the vicinity of
Philadelphia.— Ed. G. M.]

AMARYLLIS ATAMASCO.
BY MRS. FANNY E. BRIGGS.

The " Pink Atamasco Lily " referred to in my
article in January number is not merely "pink
tinged," but a very bright pink. I have known
this plant for twenty years ; have received it from
Pennsylvania, Delaware and Texas, as A. Atam-
asco, "Atamasco Lily " and " Spanish Lily ;" cor-
respondents in Delaware and Texas expressly
stating that it was native. There seems to be a

THE FLOWERING ASH.
BY WM. FALCONER.

If you or any of your readers have flowering
plants of the genuine Fraxinus floribunda, will
you kindly tell me something about it ? We have
several specimens 10 to 16 feet high of F. Ornus,
the common flowering ash. They came into
bloom about the middle of May, were in perfec-
tion about the 20th, and on some of the trees the
flowers lasted in moderately good condition till
the end of the month. Several of the trees have
their trunks and branches a good deal injured by

borers.

Mr. Barlow in his beautiful grounds near here
has a large specimen of what he regards as F.
floribunda. It blooms at the same time and in
general appearance its flowers are like those of
F. Ornus. But its leaves are less ample, and the
leaflets narrower and more acuminate. Some
two years ago Mr. B. gave us a young plant, a
layer from his old one, and I have grown it in
rich, moist land, in our nursery patch. It has

198

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

LJ"iy»

1886. 1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

199

made vigorous growth. The leaves and leaflets
of this young plant are, except perhaps a httle
more acuminate, almost identical with those of
our F. Ornus. Youth, vigor and good living have
caused the change. Loudon says F. floribunda
blooms in April and F. Ornus in May and June.
[Fraxinus floribunda, of Wallick, is a Nepalese
plant, and believed to be a distinct species from
the Ornus of the south of Europe.— Ed. G. M.]

MANETTIA CORDIFOLIA.
BY D. F. W.

Last September I wrote you in regard to Man-
ettia cordifolia, published in your October number,
page 290, wherein the hardiness of this beautiful
plant was pretty thoroughly tested. I had not
then satisfactorily tested certain other conditions
of the plant, hence did not refer to them, though
your lynx-eyed and careful thinking editor in his
foot-notes caught the idea and nearly put at rest
any further experiment in the premises on my
part. There is, however, enough of the Scotch-
Irish element in your orator to "go ahead;" so I
continued and further experimented with the plant
during the past winter, noted for its long and con-
tinued hard freezing. It has had no precedent in
this region within the "recollection of the oldest
inhabitant." I left the plant without protection
during the long dreary winter, exposed to all
its severity, to take the chances "to live or die."

I had supposed that the crown buds might pos-
sibly be killed and the dormant root buds below
the frost-line would shoot forth new stems. On
examination, I found many of the crowns uninjured.
They were fully 6 inches below the surface, and
those that were injured threw out new shoots from
below.

The plant has put forth many vigorous and
healthy vines, some now (May iSth) 18 inches
high. Many of those coming from below the in-
jured crowns are not yet above the ground. Its
hardiness cannot be longer questioned in this lati-
tude under ordinarily fair conditions, and I believe
it can be grown in the open ground as ordinary
perennials, several degrees of latitude farther
north, with reasonable protection, if planted deep
in rich, friable and well drained soil.

I hope Mr. Parnell and others have tried, or
will try it in their section, and report their success
through the Gardeners* Monthly.

Nashville, Tenn,^ May 18 th, 1886.

[Over a quarter of a century ago, the writer of
this discovered that a choice greenhouse plant,

Akebia quinata, was entirely hardy. It eventually
became one of the most popular of hardy climb-
ing plants. It is always a source of gratification
to him to note the pleasure hundreds are receiving
from this lovely "vine," who would have been
deprived of this pleasure but for the fortunate dis-
covery. Surely if he who makes two blades of
grass grow where only one grew before, is a bene-
factor to mankind, one who makes thousands of
pleasure-giving things appear where none before
existed, may also lay claim to popular benefi-
cence. We are sure Mr. Wilkin may share in our
Akebia gratification, and in the Cobbettian bene-
diction, when he hands over to the hardy flower
garden this beautiful plant. It is a great advance
in the pleasure of gardening to rank the Manettia
among hardy herbaceous plants. — Ed. G. M.]

CHIONANTHUS VIRGINICA (FRINGE TREE)

BY CULTIVATOR.

This, though found chiefly in our swamps, is
equally at home upon the lawn, and is a gem
among deciduous flowering shrubs. Its long
racemes of pure white flowers seem to have a
charm about them which the most careless lover
of nature cannot help but admire. A plant of it
in the grounds here, planted against a background

of evergreens, is about 12 feet high and 25 feet in
circumference, and at the time of writing is in-
deed an object of admiration. I would advise
anyone contemplating planting shrubs to include
this in their hst ; and they will have better success
by buying from some reUable nurseryman than

by digging from the swamps. It is said that when
grafted upon the common ash it attains larger
proportions. South Virginia, May 6th, 1886,

HARDINESS OF THE GLADIOLUS.
BY MRS. FANNY E. BRIGGS.

The hardiness of the Gladiolus is referred to in
the May number. They will survive most win-
ters here without any protection. I have them
now 8 inches high from roots left last fall ; but it
is seldom that the mercury falls to zero, and the
coldest last winter was 160 above, and that only
for a few nights in January. Dahlias left in the
ground are often uninjured, and do better than
those taken up, but in neither way are they as sat-
isfactory as at the East. Though we have no
severe cold, there is little hot weather, and the
nights are always cool.

La Centre, Washington Ter,
[In Washington Territory the earth is probably
covered by snow in the winter which prevents the
frost from penetrating deep. Sometimes when an
Eastern winter is marked by early and deep snow,
the potato will Uve out all winter, though the at-
mosphere may be very low. It is usually bitten
when the hghtest frost reaches it.— Ed. G. M.]

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

ACTINIDA POLYGAMA.— This rather new and
and still scarce climbing plant, has flowered freely
in several places this year, and promises to be a
valuable addition to our already large list of cHmb-

ing plants.

The foHage and habit is very much Uke the
" Bitter-Sweet," celastrus scandens ; but the flowers
are in clusters of rather large, waxy white flowers,
sweet, and showy. Though we have many white-

flowered plants of the "Vine " class, there is some
peculiarity about the growth of this which makes
it attractive. It flowers in June.

Lilacs.— Besides the new hlac described by
Prof Sargent, there are two species long intro-
ducol, but still scarce, by which the " Lilac season "
may be prolonged to near midsummer. These
are from Eastern Asia, and are known in catalogues
as Syrinja Josikae. and S. Emodi. The former is of
a dark purple ; the last a light purple.

A New Lilac : Syringa japonica.— Prof. Sar-
gent tells the Gardeners' Chronicle :

" Mr. W. S. Clark, at that time president of the
Agricultural College at Sapporo, in Japan, sent to
the Arboretum, in the autumn of 1876, seeds of an
Oleaceous plant described by him as a small tree.
The plants raised from these seeds flowered last
summer for the first time, and proved to be Syrmga
japonica, a species well described and figured by
i Decaisne in his Monograph of Ligustrum and
Syringa, and a native of both Nippon and Yesso.
I "Syringa japonica has grown in cultivation
I with great vigor and rapidity, and already forms a
Ismail tree, 15 or 16 feet in height, with a clean
straight stem covered with thin, very smooth,
rather light-colored red bark, resembling that of a
young Cherry tree. The small white flowers,
almost entirely destitute of perfume, are borne m
immense compound panicles. 18—24 inches long,
and 16—18 inches broad. The plant flowers very
freely here during the first week in July, and re-
mains a long time in bloom.

"The leaves, unhke those of many Japanese
plants in this cHmate, fall early and without chang-
ing color; they are 5 or 6 inches long, acuminate,
cuneate at the base, coriaceous, strongly reticulate-
veined, quite smooth above, the midrib and
primary veins slightly pubescent beneath.

"This Japanese Lilac promises to be one of the
most magnificent of all flowering trees hardy in
this climate. It is perfectly hardy ; it grows with
great rapidity, and promises to attain a consider-
able size ; and it has the advantage of blooming
here after the flowering period of most trees and
shrubs has passed."

Greenhouse and House Gardening.

COMMUNICATIONS.

PROPAGATION OF ANTHURIUM.

BY GEORGE FREESE.

I have read in the February number of your es-
teemed magazine under the heading "Orchid
Queries," "J. R.." New Bedford, Mass., asking :
" Would like to know most easy way to get a

stock of Anthurium Warroqueanum, and the easi-
est mode of propagating it."

Anthurium Warroqueanum. hke the beautiful
Anthurium Veitchii. grows in the interior of the
RepubUc of Columbia, S. A., in warm, damp val-
leys, on the trunks of trees. They have never
been largely exported, as they are difficult to ob-
tain, because they grow in the dense forest, in-
habited only by Indians, and the places where

200

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[July,

they grow are known but to few collectors. The
propagation of A. Warroqueanum by division, I
believe, is an exceedingly slow process, and with
the A. Veitchii even very difficult. The best plan
to get a stock of them is to import them from their
native country.

Bogota, South America, March 30th, 1886.

CULTURE OF PERPETUAL CARNATIONS.

BY JEAN SISLEY.

When the cuttings rooted in a hot-house during
winter have been hardened in a pit or a green-
house, they can in May stand a long journey
without or with very little earth at the roots and
packed in damp moss. On arrival the roots must
be dipped in water, and immediately planted in a
very airy situation, shaded for a few days if the
sun is shining. They must be kept moist, and
when they are in a growing state watered from
time to time, at least once a week, with liquid
manure.

When they are about 4 inchd^ high they must
be pruned to about half their size to obtain side
shoots and flower buds. By this process they will
bloom in autumn. When the flower buds are
well formed they can, if destined for in-door decor-
ation, be potted in 6-inch pots and put on slight
bottom heat in a pit or a stove ; shut for about a
week and then aired gradually when the weather
permits for another week, and as soon as the
buds begin to expand they can be taken in-doors.

Of course, those destined for that purpose must
have a certain quantity of flower buds, and those
which do not bear a sufficient quantity must not
be potted, and kept for next spring flowering, and
potted in March or April. Monplaisir, Lyon,

gered by the formidable array of names presented
to them in catalogues. The following twelve
varieties are hardy, easily grown, free-blooming
and low-priced. They will make an excellent
foundation for a more extensive collection, and
will flourish in almost any soil. A rich, hght soil
is, however, the best.

Narcissus bicolor, yellow and white ; N. mos-
chatus, white and sulphur ; N. moschatus cernuus,
silvery white ; N. Pseudo-narcissus, sulphur and
yellow ; N. Incomparabilis, yellow and primrose ;
N. Incomparabilis albus aurantius, white and yel-
low, cup heavily stained orange-scarlet ; N.Leedsi
amabilis, white and lemon ; N. gracihs, yellow ;
N. poeticus, white, yellow cup, red margined ; N.
poeticus ornatus, white, scarlet margined cup ; N.
poeticus plenus, white, in form like a Gardenia ;
N. Tenuior (silver Jonquil), pale primrose.

Gertnantown, Philadelphia,

A DOZEN NARCISSL
BY R. SMITH.

The Narcissus has received much and well-
deserved attention of late years, and has now be-
come almost indispensable for spring decoration.
Its wealth of color, richness of perfume, and
beauty of form come to us when flowers are few
and the desire for them great. It is withal, one of
the best flowers for cutting purposes we possess.
Those who intend making selections of bulbs,
with next spring in view, should, "taking time by
the forelock," draw out their list some time this
month.

The varieties of the Narcissus now run up into
the hundreds, and many who wish a few are stag-

HINTS ON SELAGINELLAS AND THEIR

USES.

BY CULTIVATOR.

The few hints which I am about to offer upon
these, are such as we have practiced with such
satisfactory and beneficial results, that I heartily
commend them to all in possession of an ordinary
greenhouse ; feeling sure that they will be rewarded
with gratifying results for their labor.

Not only are Selaginellas easy of culture, but
they delight in situations where the generality of
plants would linger and die. Underneath the
benches of the greenhouse, or any place where a
certain amount of filtered light can reach them,
with plenty of moisture, they are at home ; thus
utilizing and beautifying such situations as are
often receptacles for rubbish. But although
moisture-loving plants, drainage and a free soil is
a point of paramount importance in their culture,
as, owing to the necessity of frequent waterings,
unless the superfluous moisture can pass off freely,
damping is almost sure to take place. Underneath
th^ benches we put cinders, broken bricks, or any-
thing to form drainage. That under the side benches
we slope from side of greenhouse to walk-way, and
that under the center bench we put in the form of
a ridge, thus making it slope to walk-way on both
' sides. Upon this is laid about four inches of rich
free soil. If a few bits of Selaginella Krausiana,
be now dibbled in a few inches apart it will soon
! take root and form a verdant bank ever fresh and
beautiful, and which even the dullest days of
winter have not the power to dim. The position

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

201

of pipes or flues in some greenhouses may not
admit of the above arrangement, but few can be
found without some nook to which the same idea
could be beneficially applied. I have recom-
mended S. Krausiana as it is one of the very best,
being of a hardy enduring character, and few
greenhouses are to be found without it. Under
the above treatment it makes luxuriant growth,
and will be found useful for many purposes. As
a covering for the top of pots used in house decora-
tion, if a few handfuls be taken up with some soil
attached it will thus form an immediate carpet of
the richest verdure. This combination with flower-
ing and bright foliage plants has a very pleasing
effect. There are also many more varieties well
deserving a place, and a collection of a dozen or
so varieties, will in themselves, form an attractive
feature in any greenhouse, exhibiting as they do a
considerable variety of foliage. Martensii and its
variegated form seems to enjoy the freedom of
being planted out by the high state of luxuriance
which it attains. This is very desirable for mixing
with cut flowers, standing fresh for a long time in
water. Then comes the lovely S. Coesia with its
rich metallic fronds, sometimes attaining a yard in
length. This makes a beautiful basket plant, the
fronds of which should be shorn close off every
spring, when it will commence to grow with renewed
strength and vigor. The same remark applies to
all dense growing Selaginellas, otherwise they soon
show signs of decay, and recourse must be had to
planting over again ; but if this cutting back is
annually attended to they will remain in good
condition, in the same position for years. S. Densa
and Poulterii are very desirable kinds of dense
habit; S. Krausiana aurea, a golden variety, should
be in every collection. Wildenovii, a variety with
fern-like fronds is very pretty. But it is a difficult
matter to make a selection of one better than
another, for they are all interesting and beautiful,
and one can scarcely go amiss in choosing a col-
lection. South Virginia.

plant of slender drooping habit, having small,
smooth, opposite ovate leaves ; and the small trum-
pet-shaped bright scarlet flowers, which are about
an inch in length, are produced from the axilla of
the loaves upon a more or less angular stalk so as
to fo m a loose panicle at the ends of the branches.
The Russelia is not as extensively cultivated as
its merits entitle it to be, for when well grown it
is one of the finest vase or basket plants we have
in cultivation ; in fact, to grow it to perfection as
well as to see it in all its natural grace and beauty,
it should be grown in a pot or basket and sus-
pended in a light sunny situation from the rafters of
the greenhouse. So treated the branches will be
enabled to droop and bloom without interruption.
The Russelia is a plant that can be easily
grown, where it can be given a light sunny situa-
tion, and an average temperature of not less than
55 , water being given whenever necessary. Dur-
ing the summer it should be given a higher tem-
perature, and a more plentiful supply of water,
both oveihead and at the roots. Frequent sy ring-
ings are of great b?nefit to this plant, as they not
\ only keep it clean but prevent the attacks of many
insect pests to which it is unfortunately very sub-
ject.

This Russeha is a plant that requires an abund-
ance of room for its roots, and should be grown
in a compost of two-thirds well-decayed sods,
one-third well-decayed manure, with a fair sprink-
ling of bone dust; and good drainage is also
a most essential point.

Propagation is effected by cuttings of the half
ripened wood placed in sand and given gentle
bottom heat, and if the young plants are liberally
treated and re-potted as often as necessary nice
specimens will soon be obtained.

The generic name is given in honor of Dr.
Alexander Russel. a celebrated Enghsh physician,
and the specific alludes to the rush-like branches
of the plant. Young plants can be procured at a
moderate price of any of our principal florists.

Queens, N. V.

RUSSELIA JUNCEA.
BY ALPHA.

The rushy branched Russelia, R. juncea, is a
twiggy, drooping, rush-like plant with greenish
branches which spring apparently from the base
of the plant, and which are covered with a great
profusion of trumpet-shaped scarlet flowers during
the summer months. ^ It belongs to the natural
order Scrophulariaceae, and is a native of Mexico,
from whence it was introduced in 18 12. It is a

CULTURE OF THE CYCLAMEN.
BY N. ROBERTSON.

Much has been written about this plant, but we
do not see it in collections as it deserves. When
we do, seldom is it with that strength and vigor
that it would have under proper cultivation. It
will always be a plant of considerable admiration.
For years I have fought hard with it, following
closely different methods of treatment, but never

202

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[July.

have reached anything like what I have produced
with the treatment of this last winter. The plan
I adopted this year was such a complete success,
bringing them beyond what my imagination had
pictured a good Cyclamen should be, that I give
the manner of treatment that others may follow
and experience the same gratification as I have.
I shall begin where the plant has done flowering,
about the latter end of March, where I put them
away in some quiet corner, giving moisture enough
so that they do not flag. There they remain un-
til the weather is warm enough to put them out-
side, about the first of June, in a bed where there
is sure not to be an over-amount of moisture, at
such distances as permit the hoe to be run
through at times. Let it be light sandy material.
Then perfect drainage will be sure. Some advo-
cate drying up ; some, to try and keep them in a
green state. I do neither, but strike between ;
leave them as planted to the mercy of the ele-
ments until the fall, before cold, wet weather sets
in, when they are taken up and potted in nice,
rich, light soil, the pots only lafge enough to give
freedom to the bulbs for a time. After they start
awhile they will require a shift, perhaps two, if
they succeed well. They are then put away in a
low span-roof house on the benches near the glass.
There they remain in a temperature not exceed-
ing 45° by fire ; it may go a little higher during
the day if the sun should come out strong. They
will soon start into growth, and by the month of
February they will be throwing up a plentiful
crop of flowers. In a house of this sort, and with
so low a temperature, syringing to keep the foliage
moist, so necessary, to the well-being of this plant,
will not have to be frequently resorted to, for con-
densation from the roof will do that for the most
part of the time. This low temperature keeps
them clear of the attacks of green-fly and red
spider, which they are so liable to. These, with a
sour tenacious soil, are most detrimental to the
Cyclamen. Before the flowers open I have them
removed into a show house kept not over 50^. If
the weather is at all bright, or the air dry, they
are frequently syringed under the leaves, as care-
fully as possible not to wet the flowers, which are
always well above the foliage in the more modern
sorts. This is continued until they have done
flowering. They bloom a long time if properly
managed. There are few things that will create
more admiration and add more to the beauty of a
house during the dull months of winter than a
quantity of well managed Cyclamens.

Supt. Gov't Grounds, Canada.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Flowers at the President's Marriage. —
Though every endeavor was made to have the
President's marriage private, and hence one has
scarcely a right to make pubhc any of the ar-
rangements, some of the persevering reporters
have violated the proprieties by pushing in, and
" gathering for the pubhc " what it was desired by
those the most interested to keep from the public
eye. In this way that has become public property
to which the public had no right. We give there-
fore an account of the floral decorations at the
marriage ceremonies, abstaining from any criticism
thereon, because it seems unfair to pubhcly com-
ment on what was desired to be a private mat-
ter :

•• The decorations of the Executive Mansion to-
night were of an elaborate character, and, in the
language of one of the oldest employees, 'it never
presented a handsomer appearance.* The various
public gardens m the city, and many private con-
servatories here and in other cities, contributed
their choicest plants and flowers to lend their
beauty and fragrance to the scene. Of course,
the Blue Room, where the ceremony was per-
formed, occupied the principal attention of the
decorators. Their work was certainly well done.
It was transformed into a veritable bower of
beauty. A stately group of tall exotic plants ex-
tended along almost the entire south end of the
room, concealing the windows and the south door-
way, and rising to within a few feet of the ceiling.
The larger plants included Eugenias and Arecas,
and among the smaller ones were crotons, mar-
antas and aspidistras. The foliage plants were
interspersed with a large variety of flowering
plants, such as the medinella magnifica, begonias,
hydrangeas, roses and late flowering azaleas. To
the right and left of the main entrance, from the
corridor, were two groups of flowering pelargon-
iums, fuchsias, orchids and palms. The centre
plant in each group was the royal Phcenicophorum
sechallarum. On the right and left sides of the
room were also two large groups of plants in full
bloom consisting mostly of roses, begonias and
hydrangeas. Two large kentiae balmoreamis in
these groups, with their long leaves, formed an
arch which stretched almost across the room. In
the hearth under the east mantel was a floral ar-
rangement representing a cheerful blazing fire.
It was composed of the Begonia rubra and Ian-
tanas. The floor of the hearth was laid in mosaics
of color made by althernantheras. On the mantel
above was a solid bank of cut pansies in various
bright colors, in which was written with white
flowers the date of the occasion, 'June 2, 1886.'
The letters were bordered with black pansies, and
the edge of the mantel was formed of the golden
selaginella. The west mantel sustained a solid
bank of roses, in which none but the choicest were
used, commencing with the delicate pink at the
ends and growing darker and richer towards the

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

203

centre, where was interwoven in white moss and
hybrid roses the monogram ' C. F.' The space
immediately under this mantel was banked with a
variety of crotons, astilbe japonica and the golden
selaginella. The two large mirrors above the man-
tels were draped and festooned with garlands of
mixed roses. The doors leading to the room were
also festooned with heavy garlands of roses in
different distinct colors, thin at both ends and
thicker toward the centre. Over the main en-
trance from the corridor was a beautiful floral
scroll in which the motto • E Pluribus Unum ' was
interwoven in immortelles.

"The decorations of the private dining-room
where the wedding collation was served were also
of an elaborate character. The main table decor-
ation was a full-rigged three-masted ship, com-
posed of pinks, centaurea, egana, roses and pan-
sies, displaying the word ' Hymen.' It rested on
a mirror representing a lake, the shores of which
were composed of different varieties of selaginel-
las and tiny pieces of coral. The surrounding
land was represented by banks of General Jac-
queminot roses. The national colors hung from
the main mast, and two small white flags, with
the monogram ' C. F.' in golden letters, hung
from the other masts. At either end of the table,
resting on mirrors, were handsome vases, contain-
ing long-stemmed hybrid roses. The mirrors
were festooned with asparagus tenuissimus, inter-
spersed with loose roses. In the corners of the
room and in the windows were groups of palms,
crotons, caladiums and some plants in bloom.
The four handsome sideboards were suitably dec-
orated with the choicest foliage and flowering
plants, and the mantel was a solid bank of roses.
" The East Room and the Red and Green Par-
lors were decorated in the style usual at receptions
and state dinners. The East Room presented a
particularly grand appearance with its groupings
of tropical plants, masses of exotics and brilliant
illuminations. Festoons of smilax were gracefully
suspended from the large chandeliers, and beau-
tiful garlands ornamented the four pillars, upon
each of which was conspicuously displayed a large
floral shield composed of choice white and red
roses, violets, chrysanthemums, etc., representing
the national colors. To the usual decorations of
the main corridor were added four astra groups of
palms and foliage and flowering plants."

Chrysanthemums for Exhibition. — About
the middle or end of May they are ready for their
final shift. I find 9-inch pots the most suitable ;
a few of the strongest I put into lo-inch and the
weakest into 8-inch, the latter being potted in
June. The soil I use for this potting is light
fibrous loam cut during the previous winter and
stacked. I spread on each layer of loam a layer
of fresh cow-dung and a sprinkling of bone-meal,
using a barrowload of cow-dung to four of loam,
and a 6-inch potful of bone-meal to a barrowload.
Should the loam be heavy I would use fresh horse-
droppings and a good sprinkhng of wood ashes

instead of cow-manure. This soil is chopped down

and pulled to pieces, picking out worms, and with

a 5-inch potful of soot to each barrowload, it is

then ready for use. The pots must be carefully

drained, using, if to be had, half-inch bones or

broken oyster shells for the top layer. In this

pottini: the soil should be made very firm, and

space left for a liberal top-dressing. Put a stake to

each plant, and if possible choose a place where

they will get the full benefit of the sun, and be

sheltered from the wind. Plunge the pots about

three parts of the way up in ashes in rows 3 or 4

feet a[)art and i|^ or 2 feet apart in the row, the

greater distance being the best if room can be

had. In June the plants generally make their

first breaks. Select the three or four strongest

and rub out the rest. The shoots that are left

should be allowed to grow unchecked, and in

about eight or nine weeks after they will set their

crown-bud, which, providing it does not come too

early, will make the exhibition flower. Should it

appear before the 12th of August pinch it out and

rub out all the shoots except one— this will grow

for three or four weeks, when another will set

again. Buds that set late in August or very early

in September come about right for exhibition.

Early in August top-dress the plants with equal
parts of loam and horse-droppings prepared as for
a mushroom bed with a Uberal addition of soot,
and repeat the dressing in about six weeks' time,
and in a week or so afterwards commence feeding
with liquid manure in a very weak state.

As soon as the buds are set, rub out the small
shoots clustered around it, and keep those and all
below it, rubbed out, so as to throw the strength
of the plants into the bud, which, by the way, is
usually insignificant looking at first. Gradually
increase the frequency of the application of the
manure-water, until it may be used at every other
watering, but always using it weak. A good way
to prepare manure-water is to put cow or sheep
manure, or both, in a coarse sack with soot, and
then put the sack into a tub or tank of water, and
stir it about, renewing it every fortnight. This
diluted state used alternately with house-sewage
suits them well, until they show color freely, when
it must be gradually discontinued, and when the
blooms are about three-parts expanded it may be
left off. It may be reckoned that it takes a full
month from the time the color of the first petals is
seen to finish a good solid flower. They should
be taken indoors late in September, or early in
October, out of danger from frost. An early peach-
house or vinery suits them very well, as by that

204

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[July.

time nearly all the leaves are off the trees. Put
them well up to the glass, allowing them as much
room as possible with a free admission of air night
and day, always guarding against frost and heavy
fog. During bright weather, when half or more
open, the petals of some of the incurved are apt
to reflex or turn back. When they do this the
flowers should be shaded from the bright sun. —
Gardeners' Chronicle.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Linseed Oil and Rose Mildew. — A corres-
pondent says: "In the Gardeners' Monthly,
No. 319, July, 1885, there was a remedy for rose
mildew. It was linseed oil and sulphur. Will
you please tell me how it must be used ?"

[Sulphur is mixed with linseed oil, and the hot-
water pipes painted with the mixture. — Ed. G. M.]

iRviT AND Vegetable Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS

It is well to remember that the great bulk of
garden fruits are natives of temperate climes, or of
altitudes that have cool soil and climate. Hence,
it is the long summers, dry atmosphere and over-
heated soil that enervate the constitutions of our
fruit and lead varieties to "run out," as it is
called, and not that there is any innate law that
prescribes a fixed limit of years for the existence
of a variety, as was believed about the beginning
of the century. To be successful with our fruits,
especially in the warmer States of our Union, it is
essential that we study to keep the soil in summer
as cool as possible, and that we plant the trees
where they will be the least exposed to a hot, dry-
ing atmosphere. All our systems of culture must
have an eye to these matters. Even summer
pruning has to be considered from this stand-point.
While the European teacher summer-prunes in
order to let in the light and the air, we need not
summer-prune for this reason. We have all the
light and air we need. We only summer-prune in
order to prevent branches growing where they are
not needed, or to throw the force of the sap into
branches that need this additional strength.

Summer-pruning in this judicious way is a very
important art to those garden lovers who wish to
excel in fine fruits. It is also well to remember
that letting in the light and air, by thinning out
leaves, spoils the color of fruits as a general thing.
The apple that ripens in sunshine, or at least in
light, has a rosier or brighter tint than one that
ripens in the shade of the branches ; but this is
not by the sacrifice of foliage. The absence of

leaves in the shadier part of the tree has much to
do — though not all — with the color of fruits. If
we cut off the leaves of the exposed branches the
apples will not color, no matter how much ex-
posed. Indeed, the coloring of fruits is rather a
vital, instead of a chemical process in which light
is involved.

These facts are noted here because it is not un-
common to find people taking off the leaves of the
grape in order that the sun may color the fruit.
Grapes color better under the shade of good
healthy foliage than when that foliage is removed.

In the vegetable garden it is of great importance
to know the native country and native conditions
of those we wish to grow. Those from temperate
climates grow well only in spring and fall. They
become diseased, usually by mildew, during our
long, dry and warm summer days. Those fond
of peas, fresh from the vine, may soon sow a few
if an autumn crop is desirable.

The lettuce is another cool country plant. It
can only be grown well in hot weather when in
verv rich and cool soil. For winter use, beets are
occasionally sown now, and also cucumbers for
pickling purposes ; but not often ; and, at any
rate, it must be attended to early in the month.
Tomatoes trained to stakes give the sweetest fruit,
and remain in bearing the longest; but many cul-
tivators, who grow for size and quantity only,
believe they have the best results when growing
them on the level ground. Celery is the chief
crop requiring attention. The great point is to get
short thick- growing varieties, as the long kinds
require so much more labor to blanch. There are
now a number of new candidates, and people

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

205

will try these varieties as they try new fruits.
After so many trials with different ways of grow-
ing them, those who have their own gardens —
amateurs, for whom we write— find that the old
plan of sinking the plants in shallow pits is about
the best. Trenches are dug about six inches deep,
and three or four inches of manure then dug in, of
which cow-manure is the best. They can be
watered better this way in dry weather, when in
these trenches, and it is so much easier to fill the
earth about them for blanching purposes than
when grown on the level surface. Soap-suds, as
well as salt in moderate doses, is usually a won"
derful special fertilizer for the celery plant.

Late cabbage is often planted in gardens be-
tween rows of potatoes, where it is an object to
save space. Some fancy that the cabbage is bet-
ter preserved in this way from the cabbage-fly,
which, they say, prefers the potato; but on this
point we are not sure. We do not think the cab-
bage does quite as well as when it has the whole
ground to itself; but of course a double crop could
not be expected to be quite so fine.

COMMUNICATIONS.

MILDEW AND ROT IN GRAPES.

BY NORMAN J. COLMAN, U. S. COMMISSIONER OF

AGRICULTURE.

1. Dissolve in 10 gallons of water five pounds
of sulphate of copper. Soak the stakes and what-
ever may be used to tie up the vines, in this solu-
tion, and, as soon as the leaves are fully formed,
thoroughly spray them with the solution, using for
this purpose any fine spraying apparatus. The
"cyclone nozzle" with fine aperture, described
and illustrated in Riley's Report as Entomologist
for 1883, is probably the best device for this pur-
pose. Repeat the operation occasionally, say
once in two or three weeks.

2. Make a mixture of Ume and water as one
ordinarily prepares white-wash. Apply this in the
same manner as No. i, using a nozzle with a
larger aperture. After rains the apphcation
should be renewed.

3. In 22 gallons of water dissolve 18 pounds of
sulphate of copper; in another vessel mix 34
pounds of hme with 6 or 7 gallons of water. Pour
the Hme mixture into the copper solution. Mix
thoroughly and the compound is ready for use.
Placed in conveniently sized buckets it may be car-
ried through the rows of the vineyard and applied
to the leaves by the aid of brooms or wisps made

of slender twigs, dipped into the compound and
then switched right and left so as to spray the
foliage.

This remedy is very highly recommended. It
is not necessary to entirely cover the leaves. Care
must be taken not to get any of the compound on
the berries.

4. The powder of Mr. Poudechard. This pow-
der contains the following ingredients in the pro-
portions given : 225 lbs. of air slacked lime; 45
lbs. sulphate of copper ; 20 lbs. sulphur (pow-
dered) ; 30 lbs. ashes (unleached) ; 15 galls, of
water.

These ingredients are compounded as follows :
Dissolve the sulphate of copper in the water;
when thoroughly dissolved, pour the solution upon
the lime which is surrounded by the ashes to keep
the liquor from spreading ; after 24 hours add the
sulphur, thoroughly mix the compound, ashes and
all, and sift through a sieve with meshes of )i ot
an inch. This preparation may be made several
months before it is required for use. Its applica-
tion i> made simply by dusting it upon the foliage
of the vines after a heavy dew or rain with any
spraying or dusting device ; that figured and des-
cribed in the Report of the Entomologist lor 1883,
being well adapted to this purpose. The conveni-
ence of application renders this powder especially
well suited for use in the larger vineyards.

5. The ordinary milk-kerosene emulsion (see
report of U. S. Entomolgist, 1884, p. 331,) with the
addition of from 2 to 5 per cent, of carbolic acid
and the same percentage of glycerine and then
diluted in 20 to 50 parts of water to one of the
emulsion. Spray on the under surface of the
leaves by means of a cyclone nozzle of small ap-
erture. This is known in France, where its use
has been attended with satisfactory results, as the
" Riley Process " — having first been proposed by
Dr. C. V. Riley.

The free application of the sulphate of copper
and lime appears not only to act as a preventive
against mildew, but black rot also. As a further
protection against the latter disease it is recom-
mended that Poudechard's Powder be scattered
over the grounds in the vineyard, especially where
all the trimmings and fallen grapes and leaves of
the previous year have not been removed.

Washington, D. C,
[These excellent suggestions have been sent to
us by Commissioner Colman, with the request that
those trying them will report to the Department,
so that the one found the most effectual be gener-
ally recommended. — Ed. G. M.]

206

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

IJuly.

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

207

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Grape Mildew and Grape Rot. — Col. Col-
man is desirous of getting all the information pos-
sible about these diseases, and has issued a circu-
lar of questions which he desires answered. Grape
growers have a vital interest in these questions,
and would do well to send for blanks. Referring
to these troubles, the Commissioner says :

*' Two very different kinds of mildew are known
to be injurious to the vine. One, the least injurious
but most conspicuous of the two, grows abund-
antly upon the upper surface of the leaf and is
prevalent in dry seasons ; the other is to be found
chiefly on the under surface of the leaf and its
development is favored by moisture. The first is
named the powdery mildew, the second the downy
mildew of the grape-vine. The one is Uncinula
spiralis, the second is Peronospora viticola.

" It has been shown that what is generally
known as " The Grape Rot " may arise from very
distinct causes, ist. From insects. 2nd. From
the downy grape-vine mildew. 3d. From a fungus
named Phoma uvicola. The last produces the
disease now specifically recognized as " The Black
Rot." It appears during the latter part of June or
in July, usually after protracted rains, fogs or
heavy dews Succeeded by hot weather. The first
manifestation of the disease is a brown spot with
a dark central point upon the half grown or nearly
matured berries. This spot increases in size and
intensity of color, and soon minute, shining pimples
or pustules begin to protrude above the epidermis,
finally the whole berry, still adhering to the vine,
shrivels and dries up, turns to an intense bluish-
black color, while the entire surface is roughened
with the little pustules above mentioned, in which
are imbeded the spore-forming sacs of the Phoma."

Newtown Pippin Apples. — These seem to be
still grown to great perfection somewhere in Amer-
ica, for the Londoners were boasting, on the
I St of May, with being still supplied with glorious
fruit of this variety.

Glout Morceau Pear. — How much climate
or locality has to do with success with different
varieties is evidenced by the fact that though it
does well hardly anywhere in America, it is the
leading and popular variety at the Cape of Good
Hope in southern Africa.

Apple, Dr. Jules' Gaudy. — As a general rule
apples raised in our own country are better than
those of foreign origin. But not always. Some
of our most popular kinds are European ; and then
the varieties are so numerous we seem to need no
more to choose from, either of European or Ameri-
can origin. But this new one is very tempting,
and those who are importing new kinds to try
might introduce it.

It is about four inches long by three and three-
quarters wide, and of the most lovely scarlet red
and yellow imaginable. It was raised, says the
Bulletin cC Arboriculture et de Floriculture, by
M. J. Hermans, of Herenthals, Belgium.

The Bark Scales. — Prof. A. J. Cook says of
these insects that are so troublesome to the fruit
grower :

" Parasites, mites and lady beetles all prey upon
these fell destroyers, but though efficient aids, they
are not always enough to exterminate the lice,
and then the trees fall victims to these ruthless
suckers. I have seen trees in all parts of our State
thus enfeebled or destroyed.

••The old remedy, soft soap, or a strong solution
of the same, will surely vanquish this enemy if it
is applied in early June and again three weeks
later. I have proved the efficacy of this treatment
over and over again. The trees at once put on
new vigor, and in a short time only dead lice
could be found. To apply this specific I know of
no better way than to use a cloth and scrub by
hand. To be sure, we can, if dainty, use a brush
like a shoe brush, but I like to go at it with a good
cloth, when, with sleeves rolled up, I make pretty
sure that no louse escapes.

•• For the past few years I have changed the sub-
stance by adding crude carbolic acid, which I
think improves it, especially if but one apphca-
tion is to be made ; and we know that at this busy
season the second application is apt to be ne-
glected.

•' I heat to the boihng point one quart of soft
soap to two gallons of water, and while still hot
thoroughly stir in one pint of crude carbolic acid.
This may be applied as before. This carbolic
acid mixture retains its virtue, I think, longer than
does the soap alone, and so is especially desirable
when but one application is to be made, as des-
cribed above.

*• Like the arsenites, so this carbolic acid and
soap mixture is of triple value. Not only does it
kill the dreaded hce but it also keeps off the
borers, which are also serious pests in the orchards
of Michigan. The old borers, Saperda Candida,
and S. cretata, are quite common and destructive
in our State, while the big-headed borer, Chryso-
bothris femorata, is even more prevalent and
harmful. I have demonstrated beyond question
that these enemies are surely kept away by the
same treatment, applied at the same time for
which we use it to ward off the scale lice. No won-
der, then, that our trees put on such new life and
vigor after this annual scrubbing."

The Strawberry Season in Philadelphia.
— Strawberries in considerable abundance ap-
peared from the South about the first of April.
They were chiefly Albany seedling, and only
average samples of this old kind. On the ist of
June the fruit growers of the vicinity of the city
began to bring in their crops. It was very inter-
esting to note the differences in prices. While the

Southern •• berries " were rather dull at 6 cents a
quart, wholesale, the finer home products found
ready sale at 20 to 25 cents. The best articles
are the most profitable.

Consumption of Wine. — Notwithstanding the
efforts of people on the one hand to decrease the
consumption of alcoholic liquors, efforts on the
other hand, seem to increase. A speaker at a
recent convention detailed his efforts to induce
the inhabitants of the village of Cordeha in Cali-
fornia, to abandon the use of tea, coffee, and other
beverages, and substitute wine. He had been so
successful that of the sixty heads of families com-
posing the village the use of these items had been
abandoned, and that he had sold to these people
for use in their families the enormous amount of
three hundred gallons of wine per month. The
monthly profit on this transaction, to the wine
company which the speaker represented was $90.

Italian Wines.— Though Italy is a huge grape-
growing country, its people have little idea of
business, and hence it is sent to the French to
work up, and send over the world. Nearly six
thousand million gallons— so say the figures— are
sent every year from Italy to France, for their
commercial men to handle.

Peculiar Fertilizers.— An exchange says:
"A peculiar fertilizer for potato fields has been
introduced on a Pomeranian model farm. Hitherto
herrings and potatoes have been known as a
palatable dish in family households. The manager
of the farm in question has hit upon the idea of
blending them from the start, by planting his
seed potatoes with a herring placed in every heap,
and with so decided a success as to cause him to
increase the area thus planted from twenty acres
last year to sixty in the present one. The expense
he calculates at about nine marks (about ^2.25)
per acre, which is cheaper than the cost of any
other kind of manure, and amply repays the out-
lay. As a matter of course it can only be employed
near the sea coast."

It would not do to plant a herring in a corn hill
in America. Every dog within twenty miles would
be off with one in his mouth before the planting
was twenty-four hours old.

Tomato Soup for the Sick.— Dr. Horatio
Wood, who stands among the leading physicians
of Philadelphia, and well known as the discoverer
of the active cause of diphtheria, gives the follow-
ing formula for a tomato soup suited to sick

persons :

•'A very elegant and cheap soup, suitable to
many cases of invalids, can be made according to
the following recipe. Of course, if vegetable

juices are contraindicated, this tomato soup is not
to be employed :

"Take three quarts of tomatoes, canned or
whole, and boil them until they are soft; then
strain through a colander, afterwards through a
flour-sieve, and reject the solid portions. Boil three
pints of milk, thicken it with three tablespoonfuls
of flour, then boil the liquid part of the tomatoes
over again, and then stir this boiling liquid mto
the milk ; put in a little butter; salt to taste."

Hop Culture. — In the famous hop gardens in
England they find that the best yield of hops are
not v/hen the vines grow in a wholly perpendicu-
lar direction. They have had a fashion of run-
ning strings from the top of the poles, and along
these strings the best hops have been gathered.
A later plan is simply to slant the poles, and this
plan has been found so good that it is coming
into general use.

Florida Tomatoes.— Very good tomatoes met
with ready sale in Philadelphia on the first of June
at from ^3 to S3. 50 per box of 24 quarts, whole-
sale.

Virginia Cabbage, — Chiefly from Norfolk,
wholesaled on the first of June in Philadelphia at
from 75 cents to $1.25 a barrel.

Uses of Onions. — A lover of the tearful bulb
has been giving the Gardeners Chronicle some
notes of his favorite, from which we give the fol-
lowing specimen :

" Big onions stew and bake well, and if served
up with condiments and melted butter they are
not to be cried over, and certainly may not be
sneezed at. There is a proverbial fondness for
sage and onions, if only stuffed into the body of a
certam carcase of bone and skin called goose,
and thence done to a turn by proper roasting and
basting with fat. A popular error is that sage
and onions constitute stuffing or flavoring for the
i goose ; real experience shows that the goose sim-
ply helps to flavor the stuffing, which is after all
about the only edible portion of the roast. Onions
sliced and fried with calf's liver or other strong
meats need the stomach of an ogre to thoroughly
render justice to. Still, if this be so there must be
many ogres walking our earth, for the dish after
all finds high favor in many quarters. To descend
to plain matter of fact, the onion is really most
favored as a flavoring vegetable, whether in soups,
broths, staffing, stews, or other food compounds,
and in many and various ways is so largely em-
ployed that it is in great request and forms an im-
portant and, we trust, a very profitable article of
commerce. Even yet there remains one very
favorite use for onions, and that is as picklers.
Only those familiar with the trade are aware of
the immense quantity that is in this country annu-
ally grown for this special purpose. Pickled in
salt they are afterwards scalded with boiling vine-
gar flavored with spices and then bottled for home

2o8

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

IJuly.

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

209

and foreign consumption. Pickled onions pro-
verbially assist the English husband to dine or
sup sumptuously upon his national dish — cold
mutton. This description of meat forms our staple
article at the dinner-table, and for that reason
there is ever an abundance of it cold in the larder.
English cookery is of so crude a kind that we
know of but one later method of serving up the
mutton warm, and that is in the form of hash —
literally a hash ; and as that may, indeed does,
become somewhat monotonous to both bachelors
and benedicts, and to serve the mutton up cold is
so simple and easy, the welcome pickled onion
helps to give to the otherwise dry and non-tempt-
ing meat a savory adjunct. Hence the enormous
consumption of pickles in this country."

The Codling Moth. — This is the insect that
gives us wormy apples. It is the greatest foe of
the apple grower. Professor Cook, of Lansing,
says the method of placing bandages round the
stems to allure the *' worms " to take shelter while
they undergo transformation, "signally failed,"
because he could not find any one " right in the
busy season " to kill the creatures in the bandages
at intervals of ten or fifteen days. He prefers
hogs in the orchard to eat the wormy apples ; help-
ing the wormy apples to fall with a forked stick.
The better protection is, he finds, in spraying with
London purple. It is dangerous after May or
June, and only when the fruit is of the size of a
small pea. It destroys other noxious insects as
well. After six years practice he says :

" The danger from this practice I have proved
to be nothing at all. The microscope and chemi-
cal analysis have both shown that all the poison
has been removed long before we wish to eat the
fruit. The wind no less than the rain helps to
effect this removal, as I have shown by putting
the poison on plants sheltered from all rains. Of
course we should not turn stock into an orchard
till a heavy rain has washed the poison from all
herbage under the trees.

" I am entirely positive that a knowledge and
practice of this remedy throughout our country
will save hundreds of thousands of dollars to our
fruit growers. It will serve to give us the fair,
perfect apples known to our fathers, but which
have become lamentably scarce in our modern
orchards."

Destruction of the Cabbage Worm — The
Gardeners' Monthly has always contended that
very much may be done by the hand in the des-
truction of insects, to much better advantage in
many cases, than by the numerous remedies that
aim to destroy them all at one fell swoop. We
have come to understand this very well in regard
to the Plum curculio, which we now shake off;
and the bag worm, which a boy gathers from the
evergreens, and does for. We are therefore pre-

pared to admire the following which we find in the

correspondence of the American Garden :

" But the true method for disposing of this
cabbage destructive is to catch the butterflies with
a net attached to a wire hoop two feet in diameter,
with a stale six or seven feet long. With such an
instrument a boy eight or ten years old can pro-
tect a field of an acre or more. The catching
them must be general, and operations must begin
with the appearance of the butterflies in the spring,
which cuts off the ancestry for the large progeny
in July and August. Growers can afford to em-
ploy boys for the purpose and then the crop is
sure to be of merchantable condition and quality."

Curing Tobacco. — Very few of the thousands
who use tobacco have any idea how much care
and skill is required to bring even a •• weed " like
this to the proper standard of excellence. The
Gardeners' Chronicle tells how it is done :

" It is recommended that the plants when cut
should be allowed to he an hour or two on the
ground, when the leaves will become wilted and
drooping, as this will be found convenient when
the next process, that of hanging them up, is per-
formed. For this purpose a wall nail is driven
into the stem, near and at right angles to the base
of it, thus forming a kind of hook, whereby each
plant may be hung to a number of stretched wires,
cords or other supports, in such a place as a large
vinery. Here the leaves will soon begin gradually
to assume the rich brown color proper to the com-
mercial article. The lamina or blade will change
first, and subsequently, the midrib and larger
veins ; but until these last become perfectly dry
this part of the process cannot be considered
finished, for if in the stripping and packing an im-
perfectly dried stalk is included, mouldiness will
assuredly set in and injure the sample. The foot-
stalk, if properly dry, should be sufificiently brittle
to be snapped in two on a hot day. The eye,
however, and touch will soon become sufficiently
practiced to judge when the leaf has attained this
state.

"The leaves must now be stripped from the
stalks, damped, and tied into bundles of a dozen
or more of leaves, by string towards the base of
the footstalk. These bundles, when flattened out,
will take a fan-shaped form, and are then techni-
cally called "hands." The damping process may
be done in various ways and should precede
bundle making, to avoid loss and disfigurement
owing to brittleness. Sprinkling with water is
dangerous, for if a leaf be packed actually wet,
mouldiness is likely to be the result. Some hours
in a damp cellar, or even out-of-doors when there
is no fear of rain, may suffice, as the leaf is exceed-
1 ingly hygrometric and sensitive to a moist atmos-
! phere. The bundles are now packed symmetri-
j cally in boxes or between boards, and heavily
weighted.

" The packed material should remain for some
months under shelter and in a moderately warm
temperature, such as may be afforded by a room
in the dwelling-house, or in the same glass structure

in which the drying process was effected, but a
really damp atmosphere will now be detrimental.

"A species of slow fermentation succeeds,
analogous to that of hay in the rick, and unlH this
has worked itself out, the tobacco is not fit for use,
in fact it is not proper tobacco at all."

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Forced Peaches.— -"J. F. C." sends us some
samples of Alexander peaches, forced under glass,
ripe on June ist. Very good for Pennsylvania.
But the chief interest is the size of this variety
when forced, weighing 33^^ ounces, and the very
superior quality. Usually, forced peaches are not
thought as good as open air fruit ; but these were
truly delicious, and would probably stop the
mouth of one praising even the much worshipped
strawberries.

The Nevada Evergreen Blackberry. — Mrs.
Fanny E. Briggs, writing from Washington Terri-
tory, remarks : " I have been observing the Ever-
green blackberry quite closely for the past two
winters. The leaves on the old wood — that which
has borne fruit — die in the fall, while those on the
new growth remain fresh all winter, no matter
how much exposed, and begin to die in the spring,
when new growth begins. Now (May 9th) some
are dead, some still fresh, on an exposed trellis,
where the new shoots are 6 inches long."

[This leaf confirms what has been before noted
in our magazine, that the so-called " Nevada '*
Evergreen blackberry is not a " Nevada " plant,
but the ordinary and well-known garden plant,
the cut-leaved variety of the commonest of Eng-
lish blackberries — Rubus fruticosus, or Rubus dis-
color of some authors. This species is a sub-
evergreen. — Ed. G. M.]

FORESTR Y.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Growth of the White Pine. — A Canadian
correspondent sends us the following from a local
paper, and asks if we can supply the information
desired :

" Within our own Dominion many varieties of
useful lumber are nearly extinct, and others rapidly
becoming so. The white pine is one of these, and
it is about it that a little information is required
from some of our readers.

"A gentleman in this city has received a com-
munication from the United States Department of
Agriculture, requesting some information about
thts noble tree. It is impossible to get any infor-
mation on anything connected with forestry in any
of our government departments, there being none
there, so we ask any of our readers who may have
any knowledge of the habits of this tree to com-
municate with the Capital.

" The information desired has principally to do
with the growth of the tree, its size, at a specified
age, four and a half feet from the ground, and the
kind of soil in which it flourishes.

" For instance, a tree being taken for observa-
tion, it is desired to know whether it is natural,
planted, or seedling growth ; also its diameter
four and a half feet above ground, its height, age,
and vigor. It is also desired to know something
of the surroundings, and the aspect and configura-
tion of the district in which the tree has grown."

[A tree recently cut down near Philadelphia,
was 23 years old, had been twice transplanted,
once when three years old and once when ten
years old, when it was left to grow in ordinarily
good farm land composed of a slightly sandy clay,
at an elevation of about 300 feet above tide water.
It was 40 feet high, and ii inches thick. This is
an average height of 20 inches, and an increase of
half an inch in thickness, yearly. Other trees
were growing near all this time, but not so close
as to do more than barely touch by the lower
branches when it was cut down. This may be
taken as a fair average growth for the White Pine
under any and all circumstances. When the
seed is sown, anyhow, and the trees suffered to
struggle, anyhow— or left with underbrush to
struggle with the trees for some of the food the
tree ought to have, — or if the tree be planted in
soil " too rocky or too poor to be of any other use
but for timber planting," as is so often recom-
mended for tree planters to choose, it would be
much longer. We may safely put it down for a
fact that a hundred acres of White Pine set about
12 or 14 feet apart on good farming ground, culti-
vated the first few years with corn or potatoes if
desirable, the chief object being to make the
ground pay for keeping down the weeds, would

2IO

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[July,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

211

fii

give in 25 years, 25,000 or 30,000 logs three feet
in circumference. In 50 years of good forest
culture after the great forest famine of which we
hear so much shall have arrived, we can have the
country reforested with logs six feet in circumfer-
ence.

It would pay to start it now ; pay any individual
speculator as an investment, if there were any
foundation for the near scarcity so often foretold.
A company that would plant a thousand acres
knowing that it would be worth a gold mine at 50
years, could always sell its shares to advantage
with every year of approach towards that fiftieth
year. The only reason it is not done now is be-
cause no one who has money to invest beUeves in
the statements made about the absolute scarcity
at the end of the half century.— Ed. G. M.]

Ages of Trees. —The Philadelphia Public

Ledger says :

"As the threat ages attributed to men have been
doubted, and with good reason in many cases, it
is not surprising to find the Prussian chief forester
denying that trees grow to be a thousand years
old. His researches put the extreme age of the
pine at 570 years ; of the larch at 429, the oak 410,
and the red beech 245. There is a hnden tree in
Wurtemberg which is shown by local chronicles
to be at least 438 years old, for in 1448 it was so
old that it had to have its branches propped up.
Seven horizontal branches are now sustained by
stone columns, but the trunk is a mere shell, sup-
ported by internal as well as external masonry.
It is said that the pine tree, although it reaches
the greatest age in a sound condition, decays more
rapidly when its decline sets in. The oak and
some other trees continue to vegetate when re-
duced to mere shells."

This is what the Gardeners' Monthly has
been contending for in connection with American
forestry, where trees have a less tenure of life than
in the more favorable climates of Europe. There
are in America, as well as in the Old World, indi-

vidual cases of trees, as well as of human beings,
going on to a great age ; but when we are asked
for the average duration of life in the trees of the
American forest, we may give in round numbers
twro hundred years as about the figure. For this
reason the efforts that are being continually made
for the preservation of our old forests, should be
transferred to the planting of new ones.

Forest Planting.— It is a pleasure to note
that the views of the Gardeners' Monthly in
regard to forest planting, are rapidly gaining
ground. Our old forests, with their wealth of fire-
inviting underbrush, are not worth preserving.
What we want forest associations for is not to save
brands from the burning that are predestined to
burn, but to encourage the planting and growth of
new forests, and to save reckless waste of good
material, when it is really being recklessly dealt
with. An able article in the Germantown Tele-
graph, of this tenor, suggests this paragraph.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Arbor Vit.e for Hop Poles. — " L. J. C,"
Wolcott. N. Y., writes: "Would you advise me
to plant cedar for hop poles? The nurserymen
here tell me that cedar trees will grow in seven
years up to about 2 inches in diameter at the butt.
Do you think it would pay as an investment?
They are paying as high as fifteen cents each for
a 3-inch hop pole in New York State. On account
of the scarcity of timber the price is advancing all

the time."

[By cedar the American Arbor Vitae is to be
understood, and no doubt it would make the best
of all tolerably fast-growing plants for the purpose
desired— and that it would grow to the size named
within the time specified.— Ed. G. M.]

Natural History and Science.

COMMUNICATIONS.

FRIENDLY LADY-BUGS.

BY PROF. S. S. RATHVON.

The inclosed " slip ** was sent to me by some
person unknown, mailed at Virginia City, Nevada,
March, 1886, without note or comment. I have

known the insect referred to for forty years at
least in this county and other parts of Pennsyl-
vania, but never saw it abundant, except upon one
occasion ; but a few are present here and there
every summer.

The occasion I refer to occurred about thirty
years ago, when the silver maple, linden, grape-
vines, etc., were severely infested by a scale in-

sect, known as the " Maple cotton scale," (Pul-
vinaria innumerabilis). A maple tree then stand-
ing— and still standing — immediately in front of
my own door, on N. Queen street, had a multi-
tude of the scales upon it, mainly attached to the
undersides of the smaller branches and the leaves.
There were also present in abundance the Chilo-
chorus bivulnerus — the larva, the pupa and the
imago — but it did not require a microscope to de-
tect them slaughtering the " scale." They belong
to the family Coccinellidae, or lady-birds : very
convexed ; shining black color, with a large blood-
red spot on each wing-cover, and the largest
specimens are fully a quarter of an inch long.
They underwent their transformations in groups
of ten or twenty, on the trunks of the trees. From
the fact that they were obtained in Florida, in the
case referred to, taken to San Diego, California,
and from thence to Nevada, and also that they
have been long known in Pennsylvania, New
York, Canada, Missouri and other Western States,
their cosmopolitan character may be approxi-
mated. The following year my maple tree had
very few of the scale insects on it, and none of the
lady-birds that I could discover.

The fact is, they are ravenous feeders, and 1
presume only visit such places in great number
where there exists a redundancy of food. I no-
ticed this phenomena also some years ago when
our oat fields were infested by the " oat-aphis,"
(Aphis avena). Half a dozen species of Coc-
cinellan were also present in very large numbers,
and both the imago and the larva continued their
slaughter from morning until night, and the year
following there were but few •' oat-aphis." I have
thought these facts may be of some importance to
those concerned, and hence ought to be widely
extended.

'* Last Saturday, says the Fresno Expositor, Mr.
J. H. Sewell, of the Central Colony, received a
small lot of bugs from his son-in-law, William B.
Atwater. of National City, San Diego county. The
first of these species were imported to San Diego
from Florida, and turned loose to prey upon the
scale insects infesting an orange orchard near
that city. They proved such prolific breeders
and waged such incessant war upon the scale as
to almost completely rid a ten-acre orchard of the
presence ol that much dreaded pest in a single
season. Mr. Sewell's daughter wrote to him in-
quiring in regard to the prevalence of scale in his
orchard near this city, and suggested the introduc-
tion of these little parasites as an infallible remedy.
The bugs Mr. Sewell received came by mail in a
httle tin cap box, and he immediately placed
them on a peach tree upon which the scale was
quite noticeable. He watched their movements

with a magnifying glass, and says that it was sur-
prising to see the little bug-ers get down to work
at once. No injurious effect has been noticed
either to trees or fruit where they have been em-
ployed at San Diego, and it is confidently claimed
that the mission of these little bugs is simply to
prey upon and destroy the pests that now assail
the orchards of California.

"The Secretary of the Board of Horticultural
Commissioners visited Mr. Sewell's place on
Wednesday and reports as follows: The scale
destroyer in the orchard of Mr. Sewell in Central
Colony, is one of the ravenous species of lady
bug — all ravenous destroyers of the scale insect.
It is the "twice stabbed" species, or Chilochorus
bivulnerus, and is able to keep at a good square
meal all day long when the sun shines warm. Its
larvae is also a voracious eater. It does not eat
vegetable matter, but in addition to the scale also
devours all species of aphis, and bark lice of every
description. It is a most useful insect, and has
done great good in many regions where it abounds,
and we are glad of its introduction here. An in-
spection shows that he has gone to work, is very
much at home, and is growing fat. We should
Uke to see him multiplied ^several myriads in our
orchards, and hope our glorious climate and pro-
hfic soil will increase his appetite and productions
a thousand fold." Lancaster, Pa.

[It may be of some interest to note that "when
we were boys," these useful and beautiful little
creatures were known as " Lady birds." It is
pleasant to remember how " we children " used to
get ihem on a straw and invoke, " Lady bird, lady
bird, fly away home, your house is on fire," &c.,
by which time the creature, having reached the
top of the straw, was to our great pleasure, ready
to obey the summons. But the solemn visaged
man of science has insisted that it is not " a bird "
but quite another thing, and that we must say
" Lady-bug." But they are not to have it wholly
their own way, for Prof. Riley insists that it is not
a bug but a "beetle."

«'Us boys" are glad to see the Professors at
loggerheads ; but unfortunately "Lady beetle, lady
beetle," will not work well into our old rhyme;
and moreover, as boys will be boys, we don't like
to have the dear " Ladies " associated in our minds
with bugs, beetles, and all such nasty things. If not
"birds," and they are to be associated with anything
that has wings, let it be the angels.— Ed. G. M.]

A YELLO^A/' ZEPHYRANTHES.
BY W. E. ENDICOTT.

You have published many interesting para-
graphs, during the past year, upon the genus
Zephyranthes ; and one of the points debated has
been the existence of a yellow species. I have
now in blossom a species received under the name

212

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[July.

of Z. sulphurea which is chestnut colored exter-
nally and deep chrome-yellow inside. I crossed
it last year with Z. Treatiae, making the latter the
seed-parent and have at present, seedlings of the
.two species and of the hybrid, and all three are
easily distinguishable from each other by the
foliage. Of course, the hybrid has not yet blos-
somed.

On plate 6605 of the Botanical Magazine is fig-
ured a bright yellow species, Z. citrina ; and the
accompanying text mentions still a third species
of the same color.

As to the generic name, I may add that the
highest court of appeal, the Genera Plantarum,
excludes from the genus Amaryllis everything
except A. Belladonna, restoring to the plants
under discussion their former name, Zephyranthes.

Canton, Mass.

THE ONION CUT-WORM.
BY PROF. C. V. RILEY.

The dark-sided cut-worm, (Agrotis messoria,
Harr.), order Lepidoptera, family Noctuidae, has
formed a new habit.

This insect was treated of in our last annual re-
port (p. 290) under the general head of Cabbage
Cut-worms, and is here refigured and mentioned
because of its appearance the past summer in
enormous]numbers in the onion fields of Orange
county, New York.

Our first intimation of the existence of this pest
was|through letter and specimens received June
nth, from Hon. G. W. Greene, of Goshen, in which
he stated that the worm was destroying the onion
crop in his vicinity and threatened extinction to a
large and growing industry. The annual value
of the crop in the vicinity of Goshen alone he
stated to be half a million dollars.

Mr. John B. Smith, and Mr. Thomas Bennett, a
practical gardener of Newark, whom we had en-
gaged for a short time to perform certain practical
experiments with insecticides, were sent to Goshen
to study the facts and surroundings, and in obedi-
ence to a request from Mr. Greene we sent him a
letter for publication giving him such knowledge
as we then possessed on the subject, and quoting
our general recommendations for the destruction
of cut-worms, as given in our last annual report
(pp.;298-30o).

HABITS AND NATURAL HISTORY.

It will be seen from what we stated of this in-
sect in our last annual report (p. 290) that it is a
very wide-spread species, occurring from the

Pacific to the Atlantic, as far north as Quebec and
as far south as Missouri, and that so far as we
then knew, it had the normal habit of the group,
i. e., was single-brooded, the moths occurring dur-
ing July and August, after a duration in the pupa
state of a month or more. This account of its
natural history was based upon observations made
in Illinois and Missouri, and we were much inter-
ested in ascertaining whether there would be any
departure from these habits in New York, especi-
ally in reference to the species being single or
double brooded, as much of the efficacy of any
practical recommendations would depend upon
the local facts.

We therefore made every effort to ascertain the
facts in the case, and, on the supposition that
there might be a second generation of worms, we
had Mr. Smith pay two other visits to Goshen,
one early in September and one early in October,
with a view of making additional observations.
Our office notes show that nearly full-grown larv«
were received from Goshen on June i8th and 26th,
from the onion patches, and that additional larvae
were received July 24th and 30th from Trenton,
N. J., where they had been feeding on cabbage.
The moths from the first lot of larvae (from
Goshen), issued July 25th, 26th and 29th, while
those from the second lot (from Trenton) made
their appearance August nth, 17th, i8th and 28th.
A few pupae, obtained the first week in September,
gave out the moths September 8th, 9th and loth.
This corresponds very well with our previous ex-
perience, the more northern latitude accounting
for the somewhat later appearances in New York
than in Illinois and Missouri.

At Goshen all the larvae had apparently trans-
formed by September 2d, the date of Mr. Smith's
second examination. This second visit was un-
dertaken in consequence of a report that a second
brood of worms had made its appearance and
was damaging the neighboring oat fields ; but, as
it turned out, this report arose from the presence
of the army worm {Leucania unipuncta) in the
oats. The onions had ripened and were largely
gathered, many fields having been replanted in
corn, oats or turnips in consequence of the dam-
age done to the onions by the worms. A more
careful search through the onion fields showed no
traces of the eggs, larvae or moths, but by digging
he found a few pupae inclosed in earthen cells
some 4 inches below the surface of the ground.
They were very scarce and he found no empty
shells to indicate that they had been more abund-
ant. The probabilities are that a vast majority of

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

213

the larvae fell a prey to Tachina flies, the eggs of \ habit may be to hibernate in the larva state, ex-
which were noticed on a very large proportion of ceptional chmatic conditions may bring about an
the larvse in June. ! exceptional hibernation of the moths. This would

A further examination at the beginning of Octo- seem to have been the case in this instance, more
ber failed to reveal any traces either of eggs, especially as the land in which they occurred has
larvae, pupae or moths in the vicinity of the rav- ■ for the last few years been planted to onions sea-
aged onion fields, save a few empty pupae shells | son after season. Unless the onion fields were al-
in the same locality where the pupae were found lowed to get quite weedy in the fall (which is not
in September. There had been at this time a the case) the larvae could not well develop so as
frost severe enough to form ice, and it is safe to to hibernate in any quantities in the field, and the
presume that the season for the development of methods of culture, as well as the condition of the
the species had at that time ceased. ! larvae in June and their absence in October, all

From the experience of the year it is evident to point to spring hatching. The worms had not
our mind that there was no second generation, been seen before, and the moths most probably
and that, therefore, the previous observations in concentrated on the fields in the spring. We have,
the West have been confirmed on this point, however, no records of captures of the moths later
Both Mr. Smith's examination and our own office than September loth.

notes are entirely negative in throwing further ; We regret not to be able to give a description
light on the method of hibernation, and, as we of the eggs or of the place of oviposition, but it is
know from our former experience that the full- not at all improbable that they are laid on many

different plants or even upon shrubs which the
larvae, on hatching, abandon.

In our last report the subject of remedies for
cut-worms was considered in a general way as
applying to all of the species there treated of. and
in this particular case, the circumstances being
more or less peculiar, our general recommenda-
tions must be somewhat modified to suit. We
have said nothing about the peculiar conditions
connected with this Goshen outbreak, nor have
we mentioned the remedies tried by the onion-
growers, as these are described both by Mr.Smith
and Mr. Bennett in their reports, which follow.

We believe that the crop can be grown success-
fully even in a marked cut-worm season by adopt-
grown larvae are found early enough in the sea- 1 ing the following measures:

son to injure the buds of fruit trees-the best evi- As a preventive we would treat the land early
dence that they have hibernated-and as the | in spring with a mixture of hme and ashes (pre-
larval hibernation is by far the most common | ferably wood ashes). This mixture should be
among the cut-worms, we are still of the opinion , spread hghtly over the land, after plowmg, and
that the species so hibernates as a rule, even in I harrowed in.

New York State. I I^. after the seed is sown and the plants have

This does not, however, preclude the hiberna- ^ begun to come up, the worms still appear and
tion of some of the later-developed moths, and the j threaten damage, we would employ the poisoned
fact that neither moths, eggs nor young larvae ball system described on pages 299 and 300 of our
were found in October must, we think, be ex- last annual report. This, in brief, consists m plac
plained on two grounds, (i) either limited and in- ing along the rows, at a distance of 15 or 20 feet
sufficient search, or (2) their occurrence in adja- apart, small bunches of fresh cut grass or other
cent localities or on other plants. There are no green plant (cabbage leaves where availaible),
fixed rules which can always be depended on in which have been previously sprinkled with dilute
the life habits of these insects, as exceptional oc- ; Paris green or London purple. By this means
currences, such as this wide spread injury to nearly all of the worms can be destroyed with a
onions around Goshen, are very probably due to minimum of trouble,
exceptional conditions. Thus, while the normal i If, as is very improbable, the worms should still

214

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[July.

appear in great numbers, by migration from sur- ; and has received the name of Phoradendron
rounding fields, we would sprinkle the fields at , flavoscens. It would be of interest to know whether
night while the worms are at work, with a dilute , it has been observed on fruit trees. The Editor

emulsion of kerosene. Mr. Smith shows that pure
kerosene has been tried at Goshen with the effect
of kiUing the worms and simply blackening, but
not killing, the onion tips. We are not satisfied,
however, that the free use of pure kerosene would
not seriously injure the plants, and we recommend
instead an emulsion as being safer and much
cheaper, while just as effective in killing the

never knew of a case. — Ed. G. M.]

-m-u-^

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The English Sparrow.— This terrible nuis-
ance to the fruit raiser and seed-grower is, hke
Satan, not without an occasional good quality.

, Prof. Ward thus tells of a slight advance in its
worms. The kerosene is emulsified with soap or , ^^^^^ character :

milk in order that it may be readily diluted with
water. For the proper preparation and applica

One small piece of good work the sparrow
did do last summer and that was, to practically

tion of the emulsion a good force-pump is needed, | extermintate the seventeen year locusts which ap
but beyond this no apparatus is necessary. The I peared in the parks in the city of Washington
Duiueyonui 3 pp • ,, , J„^„ ^« The London sparrows are reputed to read the
best formula for this preparation is that given on ^^^^^^^^^^^ ^nd this ability has probably been in-
page 331 of our last annual report. There is httle Merited by their descendants. Certain it is that
doubt but that by a thorough spraying of the immediately after the published declaration of
fields at night with this mixture the worms can be Prof. Riley that Cicadas were edible the best en-
^,,, ,,,ju J . er^ies of the sparrows were devoted to their de-
destroyed by wholesale, it should be used most , J^^^^-^^ Forsaking the streets they hung about

thoroughly at the points in the field where the ^j^^ parks from morning to night snapping up the

worms are first noticed to work, and from which luckless Cicadas as fast as they appeared. So

they spread to surrounding portions. The first | great was the destruction that the edges of the

u u 1- . u If -^i, .Ko rrt-oof walks were bright with a sparkhng border of

appearance should be watched for with the great- '*'^' *>- - ^. *• . ^.

est care, and should be followed by the most en
ergetic efforts to destroy them.

[The above is an abstract of a paper in the re-
cent report ot the Entomologist of the Department
of Agriculture, and refers to an insect doing an
immense amount of injury to the onion growers in
the Eastern States.— Ed. G. M.]

THE MISTLETOE : VISCUM ALBUM.
BY C. EISELE.

From time to time I read notices of this plant
in the Gardeners' Monthly. I do not understand
why this miserable parasite should be so much
made of. In Central Europe it is a great curse to
the arboriculturist; so much so that in many
localities any one who is negligent enough to let it

Cicada wings and scarcely an insect was left to
propagate the race."

MONTBRETIAS. — Coming to the front as rivals
of the Gladiolus, Montbretias hold a prominent
' place. They are Cape plants, and some of them
I have been regarded as gladiolus in times past.
Ixia, Tritonia, Freesia, Waitzia, and other genera
have also so close a family relationship with
Montbretia, that different botanists have placed
the same plant in different ones of these, and
the supposed genera are found to cross with one
another. The plant known in collections as Tri-
tonia aurea has been intercrossed with Mont-
bretia, and a pretty race ot hybrids have been
developed. Popular Gardening for June has an
illustration of one of these hybrids, known in cata-
logues as Montbretia crocosmiaeflora.

Rainy Seasons. — Some people do not reflect

have its own way on his trees (principally apple
trees) is subject to a fine, and many a fruit bearing that the water which comes down as rain must
limb is cut off in order to arrest its spreading and I first go up as vapor, and that, forests or no forests,
destroying other trees, for it will accompUsh this nothing can come down but what first goes up.

if not taken off.

I think the fruit growers should consider them
self lucky that this plant has not made its appear-
ance in this locality ; if once about it will spread

The central part of the United States has had
much more rain the past spring than ever went
up from its surface, but it has drawn on other
sections for what was legitimately theirs. Texas

very rapidly ; our birds know how to propagate it and other portions south have suffered severely by
faster than any gardener could. /»^/7^^^///^/a. j drouth, and a correspondent from Lyons, Wis.,

[The American Mistletoe is regarded by botan- tells us that in that section the drouth made short
ists as distinct from the European Viscum album, i work of his strawberry crop.

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

215

Transpiration and Evaporation. — When a
clod of earth dries it is said to be through evapo-
ration ; when moisture passes away from the sur-
face of the leaf in the regular operation of growth
it is called transpiration. In relation to these
terms Prof. Bessey says in a recent number of
the American Naturalist :

" It will puzzle any one to make out a good
reason for using two terms for the process of
water-loss in plants. We have it said that ' evapo-
ration • is the 'purely physical process,' while the
experiments show that what is called 'transpira-
tion ' is, after all, a physical process also ; and
when we are told, as in the last sentence above,
that 'life has a retarding effect on evaporation,'
the confusion of ideas becomes somewhat em-
barrassing. Why not use but one term, and that
the more general one — evaporation ? The fact of
modification or control of evaporation is so com-
mon a phenomenon in nature that we cannot re-
gard it as of great significance. Common salt or
sugar added to water retards evaporation.

"The mutual attraction of the molecules of
cellulose and water retards evaporation ; so does
the mutual attraction of the molecules of pro-
toplasm and water. Heat increases the rate of
evaporation, while a reduction of temperature
(other things being equal) retards it, etc., etc.
Why not call the loss of water in the plant what it
is—evaporation, and then discuss the several
modifying influences? Certainly such a course
would contribute to clearness and accuracy, and
would reheve the beginner of one of the difficul-
ties in vegetable physiology."

That hving things do evaporate moisture is cer.
tain. When a tree freezes dry during the winter,
or dries by the excessive warmth of summer,
evaporation must be charged with this result. In
this case it is simply a physical process, that
which is dryer absorbing that which is moister ;
an effort at equalization. But life— the principle of
life whatever it may be, and not merely " mole-
cules " of matter— resists this effort at drying out.
A live creature thrown on a spot where it can get
no more water, with a dead creature alongside of
it, will retain some moisture for weeks or until
it thirsts to death. The dead creature soon
dries up. On the other hand, a living creature,
though in an atmosphere filled with moisture to
the saturation point will still "transpire," still
have moisture pass away from the surface of its
body. Here the action actually opposes the
physical laws of evaporation. It seems to us that
the two terms serve a useful purpose at times,
though their lines do often run together.

Muddy Water.— As everybody knows, mud is
heavier than water, and when time has been given
to muddy water, the mud sinks to the bottom.

But why should mud ever be able to float ? The
following from the Independent shows how heavy
bodies may be lifted— Ijut long after they have
been lifted, and velocity is no power in the case,
mud will swim :

"Tlie power which water has to transport or
carry, is not usually appreciated. This power in-
creases as the sixth power of the velocity, so that
a stream flowing six times as fast as another will
be able to transport 46,656 times more matter.
The flowing data are often used l)y engineers in
calculating the scouring effects of water on the
bottoms of rivers. Fine clay is hardly affected by
a velocity of 3 inches a second. Fine sand is
raised by 6 inches per second, while a velocity of
8 inches will raise sand as coarse as Unseed. Fine
gravel is swept away at 12 inches per second, and
24 inches per second (i '( miles an hour) takes off
pebbles about i inch in diameter. When the
velocity gets up to 36 feet per second, or about 2
miles per hour— and this is about two-thirds the
rate of an ordinary walker— pieces of rock as large
as an ^'gg are carried ott.*'

The Gas-plant— Dictamnus fraxinella.—
The American Agriculturist notes that any one
may note the gas-producing emanations from this
plant by lighting a match under it at night. It is
one of the most beautiful of hardy herbaceous
plants, independently of this interesting character,
and easily grown.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Crinum amabile in Florida. — "E. K. T.,"
Providence, Bradford Co., Fla., under date of
June 3rd, writes: "I send you to-day, by mail,
the blooms, stalk, and leaf of a hly which I do
not find in florists' catalogues, and suppose it to
be entirely new. It is an evergreen and almost a
monthly bloomer. The leaves are very large and
heavy, and the growth dense, giving it a very
tropical appearance. Indeed the plant is as beau-
tiful as its pale pink blooms are. The bulbs are
immense ; some of them being five and six inches

in diameter."

[What a beautiful land Florida must be, with
such grand plants as this Crinum among its floral
adornments. After all there was a serpent in
Paradise, and we suppose Florida has its wicked
creatures as well as angelic beings.— Ed. G. M.]

Zephyranthes Treat .e. — A correspondent
says, and we are inclined to agree with the opinion
as to the fact, if not to the cause : " I am beginning
to think that Mrs. Treat's AmaryUis was only an
especially fine form of Atamasco, rendered so by
the warm rich mucky soil in which they were

2l6

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[July.

found, and that the kind that wants looking after
is the ' rush-leaved * kind that has been sent out
as A, Treatae."

Russian Olive. — "B. F.," Lincoln, Neb., says.
** Will you please inform an appreciative reader,
what is the Russian Olive advertised by some of
our nurserymen, as well adapted to our northern
climate ? I am interested in oil-producing plants.
Would it be safe to experiment with these ?"

It is well to '• experiment " with anything and
everything when knowledge is to be gained, and
when there is reasonable ground to warrant the
experiment.

As to what is the Russian Olive, we have no
knowledge. No olive is a native of Russia. It is
probably a mere new catchpenny name for some
old thing, that would not sell at all under the
name it originally bore.

Mertensia Virginica. — A Doylestown, Pa.,
correspondent, writing of a locality about nine
miles from there says of the common Lungwort :
*• Were you ever at Sacketts Ford ? If not, try and
get there another year early in May, to see the Mer-
tensia Virginica — I suppose it is — in bloom. It is
perfectly superb, and spreads over about an acre,
and with it in great quantity blooming at the same
time, is the wild white Dielytra.**

LiT-CHi. — •• F. J. H.," Jacksonville, Ills., writes:
** I send by this mail samples of a fruit highly
prized as a dessert by the Chinese. It is imported
by the barrelful, and is eaten just as it is, which I
believe is its natural condition. You will notice
the flavor would not suit Americans. It is said to

be a native of the colder parts of China, and I
suppose would grow in our country. It is a fruit I
had not seen before, and was attracted by its
oddity. If you are acquainted with it, I would be
pleased to learn the name."

[The Chinese name is given at the head of the
paragraph. Its botanical name is Euphoria Litchi,
or in some works, Nephelium Lichi. It belongs to
the natural order Sapindaceae, of which the horse-
chestnut is a familiar example. It would proba-
bly thrive in some parts of our country, but just
how much dry atmosphere and low temperature
it would withstand, would be matters of experi-
ment. We know of none having been made. —
Ed. G. M.]

Seedless Oranges. — "A. F. J.," Peoria, Ills.,
writes : " I notice a communication from • W. C.
B.' in the June magazine about seedless oranges,
wherein he says that he had ' never seen or heard
of one entirely seedless,' and those who examined
the orange had never seen one like it.

•' It was my good fortune to spend the past
winter in Southern California, mid the orange
groves and flower gardens of that favored land,
where they grow in large quantity a luscious and
rich orange called the Navel, entirely seedless
and a very dehcious fruit ; the best ones are prob-
ably produced at Riverside ; it was one of this
variety that ' W. C. B.* perhaps obtained, and not
knowing the variety considered it a ' rare specimen.*
The trees are produced from buds or by budding
and make a handsome tree,

"When 'W. C. B.' wants an orange as is an
orange let him get the Southern California Navel."

Literature, Travels and Personal Notes.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

An Early American Botanic Garden. —
The minutes of the American Philosophical So-
ciety, June 19th, 1784, record that a botanic
garden should be at once established; that "200
feet of the Arch Street lot next the observatory "
should be at once prepared for planting ; and
«• Hopkinson and Rittenhouse " were appointed a
committee " to look out for a gardener."

The " observatory " at that time was where the
grand public buildings in Philadelphia now stand.

Selling the Wrong Trees. — A suit has been
commenced in one of the State courts against a
prominent nurseryman, for $2000 damages. Plain-
tiff" alleges that in 1879 he purchased 300 cherry
trees from defendant, which were warranted
•• Early Purple Guigne," an early and choice
variety, but that after several years careful culture
he has discovered that they are not the kind repre-
sented, but some unknown and worthless variety.

The whole issue turns on the question whether
the seller did " warrant " the trees true to name,
or whether they were taken in the regular way of

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

217

the nursery trade, which is understood to be that
"every reasonable precaution has been taken to
have the articles true to name."

Pansies. — Ophelia told us that pansies "are
for thoughts." The lovely flowers have served
for thoughts in many ways. Very pretty thoughts
are expressed in the following lines, sent with a
basket of these flowers to Frederick Fraley, one
of Philadelphia's honored citizens, on entering his
eighty-second birthday, by the Rev. Jessy Y.

Burk:

" Pansies to 82 !

A tribute strange —
But stranger still, such opportunity.
Of most of human kind tlie heart is dust,
Its tumult stilled, its passions all at rest,
liong ere such venerable years are gained.
Some linger on a vegetative life,
In circles ever wider from the heart,
That slowly dies to all the outer world
And finds inglorious ease in selfishness.
But thou, O friend, in whom the living heart
Is most alive— to thee Heartsease I bring—
A fitting tribute to the peace it holds.
Heartsease in retrospect— these purple hues
A token of the toils and sorrows past
That only chastened— did not spoil the life ;
These sky like blues, an emblem of to-day,
Serene and calm, when all is well with thee,
And life is fragrant with the autumn fruits
Now ripened to the full : these golden tints
A symbol of the light in that fair land
Not far otf now, where fuller heart's ease blooms.

And so I bring

Pansies to 82 !"

The Philadelphia Park. Commission. — The
choice of members to the Philadelphia Park Com-
mission is not made elective, because mere politi-
cians and not those acquainted with the business
desired might be elected. So the Judges of the
courts are given the power to appoint. In the
place of the late Hon. John Welsh they have ap
pointed Mr. E. H. Fitler, the well-known wealthy
rope manufacturer, and a very able and prominent
pohtician. Mr. F. has never been known to have
any taste for, or interest in gardening. He is,
however, an excellent gentleman, and so far the
selection is acceptable to the people.

Park for Wilmington, Del — Eighty acres
along the beautiful Brandy wine, have at last been
secured for the people of Wilmington, the ordin-
ance appropriating money for the purchase having
passed the city council in the early part of the
present month. This has been an object of solici-
tude with Mr. Wm. M. Canby, the well-known
botanist, and an ex-member of the city govern-
ment, for many years past ; and it must be a great
comfort to his approaching threescore.

Poison Honey. — Some correspondents of the
JVeek/y Press are worrying its readers about the
honey from bees that collect from Kalmia flowers,
being poisonous. Mr. Williams, of Central Park,
is very earnest in cautioning people against this

poison honey, especially that collected from Kal-
mia angustifolia. He does not know of a case of
any one being poisoned through eating this honey ;
but he does know that 2200 years ago 10.000
soldiers are described by Xenophon, as having
been poisoned by Rhododendron honey, and that
in 1704, when Tournefort searched on the spot for
Rhododendrons he only found azaleas, and that
people told him some get mad on azalea honey ;
and further, that Mr. Abbott wrote in 1838, that he
"had witnessed similar effects to that which was
produced on Xenophon's army."

All this is very amusing in view of the fact now
recognized, that the " Rhododendron •' of the
Anabasis, is the oleander of our time ! It all goes
to show that people can " witness " any thing they
are looking for.

Till-: Onion in Literature.— At the November
meeting of the Summit County (Ohio) Horticultu-
ral Society, Mrs. Claypole gave an interesting
address on the Onion, from which we make the
following extract :

" It is plain by this time that our visitant is pos-
sessed with the idea that there must have been a
first onion behind all those of which he hears, and
that he will give us no rest until we can put it be-
fore him and say, * Behold, here is the native plant
which by wise cultivation has developed these
handsome bulbs which you see.' Be the search
for this first onion then long or short, it seems that
we must undertake it. Let us take the first step
in the inquiry. Shall we find this native plant,
this Allium cepa, this parent of all cultivated
onions on this continent ? No ; it has been sought
for. but America is not rich in species of Allium,
and Allium cepa is nowhere to be found. Cortez,
when relating incidents of his brilliant conquests
in Mexico, is reported by Humboldt to have said
that he saw onions in the market-place of the an-
cient Tenochtitlan, and that the Mexicans called
these onions xonacatl. But careful enquiry shows
that the name xonacatl does not apply to our cul-
tivated species of Allium. In the seventeenth cen-
tury only one single AUium was reported from
Jamaica, and that was our species— Allium cepa—
and it was in the garden with other vegetables
from Europe. Acosta, in his • Natural History of
the Indies,' says expressly that the onions of Peru
were brought from Europe. To Europe, then, we
must go on the track of the first onion. Any Eu-
ropean will tell us that onions have always been
cultivated there. But aware that our Visitor will
inquire into that • always.' we will see if we can
find out what it means, so far as England is con-
cerned. . T U

"Shakespeare mentions the onion. In tne
•Midsummer Night's Dream,' Bottom, a weaver,
giving final directions to Quince, the carpenter.
Flute, the bellows mender. Snout, the tinker, and
Starveling, the tailor— all humble folks, who are
about to present a play before the Duke and his

2l8

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[July.

party, after telling them to go home and attend
to this, that and the other, says :

" 'And most dear actors eat no onions nor gaiiic, for we
are to utter sweet breatli ; and I do not doubt but to hear
them say it is a sweet comedy.'

" When Helena, at the close of 'All's Well that
Ends Well,' finds at the same time her husband
and her mother, the old Lord Lafen exclaims :

'' 'Mine e\'es smell onions ; I shall weep anon,
Good Tom Drum, lend me a handkercher ; so ;
I thank thee ; wait on me home. 111 make sport with thee.

«'In the introduction to the 'Taming of the I
Shrew,' the lord, sending instructions to his page
to enact the part of wife to the old drunkard
whom they are about to befool, says :

" 'Bid him shed tears,

And if the boy have not a woman's gift
To rain a shower of commanded tears.
An onion will do well for such a shift/

" Enobarbus, comforting Anthony on the death
of his wife, Fulvia, says :
" 'The tears live in an onion that should water this sorrow.'

"And later the same Enobarbus exclaims on an
occasion when he deems it well to turn the current
of pathetic thoughts —

" 'Look, they weep, and I— am onion-eyed.'

"Now, I think it must be conceded that the!
joke connecting a mere show of grief with the use
of an onion is old and well worn — requiescat in
pace. But let us remember that at the time when
the potato was a newcomer into Europe, the onion
and its properties were so widely known, and so
famihar to all, that Shakespeare could rely on the
word to bring— even to the dull brains in the pit — |
a vivid picture of tears without woe.

" Shall we find our first onion in England ? No,
its name tells us that it is no native. Onion is
merely the English way of pronouncing the French
• oignon,' and by the French, at some time or
other, the bulb was brought into England.

" Chaucer, writing five hundred years ago, men-
tions the onion as a well known domestic vegetable.
Another three hundred years takes us back to the
Norman Conquest, and I think we may take
another two hundred and say that a thousand
years ago the onion was making its way into Eng-
land. A thousand years sweeps away the history
of England and leaves a small island torn with
the strife of its recent Saxon conquerors and har-
assed with sea pirates, Alfred striving to bring
unity from discord, and the dreaded Danes or Red
Shanks seizing more and more of the fertile land.
An island almost unknown to the nations on the
Continent who have enough to do to hold their
own from each other and foreign foes, but who,
nevertheless, not unmindful of seed time and
harvest, gather in annual crops of the juicy bulbs
we call the onion.

" Another thousand years and Britain is an
island lying far, far away from civilization. Vague
rumors of a land beyond the sea there may be,
but vagueness lends terror and makes the island
the home of monsters and ogres. And Europe ?
Misery untold. Wherever nature has been kind
war has laid waste. Rome is pushing her con-

quest on the Rhone, and hordes of hungry Teutons
are pouring into Gaul from the Northeast, while as
many Cimbrians are making their way into the
South through the passes of the Alps. Italy itself
is threatened, and fear of foreign invasion arrests
for the moment the strife of parties at home. And
yet somewhere in Italy some one is finding leisure
to cultivate the onion, and many varieties are
grown for the rich men's tables and gourmands
discuss the flavor and call their favorites by the
names of countries. The Cretan, Samothracian,
Cyprian and so on.

•• Two thousand years have taken us back to the
border land between history ancient and modern.
Another thousand and a few more and we shall
hear the groans of the Hebrews in Egypt as they
drag the heavy stones for the massive forts of
Rameses and Pithom or make their daily tale of
bricks under the sharp gaze of guards who stand
over them with rods. In vain they petition for
relief. The work is pressing. Useless are all at-
tempts at revolt. The power of Rameses is great ;
his vigilance leaves no loophole for escape. But
death, greater than Rameses, takes the mighty con-
queror and his son and Menephthah rules in his
stead. Then a successful conspiracy is made and
the Hebrews, under Moses and Aaron throw off
the voke of Pharaoh and defeat him on the shores
of the Red Sea and we hear the songs of triumph
of these emancipated slaves as they take their first

steps in freedom. ,

" But now unthought of difficulties appear— the
journey to the land of Promise is not one long
holiday of pleasure. Some present privations
seem harder to bear than the late fearful slavery,
and praising the good old times they revile Moses
and ask him bitterly, ' who shall give us flesh to
eat ? We remember the fish which we did eat in
Egypt freely, the cucumbers and the melons, and
the leeks and the onions and the garlic*

" And these onions whose flavor could be better
remembered than the hardships of tyranny ; can
they be of the same species as the onions exhibited
here? Certainlv they are, they are grown in
Egypt to this day and called now by the very
name used for them by masters and slaves when
Israel was there in bondage.

"More than this, the designs on the ancient
monuments show us often this very onion. For
the onion was highly prized by the Egyptians and
a variety was grown so excellent in all its proper-
ties that thev worshiped it as a divinity. Shall we
then find our first onion in Egypt? No, there is
no native plant there which could have produced
it and as long as we can find a trace of it m Egypt
it is a cultivated plant and highly cultivated too.
How long has it been cultivated there? Three
thousand years, four thousand, five, six, seven
thousand. Seven thousand years ago when a few
I wretched savages scattered over Europe were
tearing from nature and each other a bare subsist-
ence. in the Valley of the Nile the Egyptians were
enjoving a happy, peaceful and sometimes jolly
life.' The tombs of Memphis are covered with
pictures of feasts and games, dances and boat
tournaments ; poets are chanting verses and girls
are dancing with hair dressed up with plates of

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

219

gold. Seven thousand years have passed since
the building of the first pyramid. Yet even then
Egypt was an old country ; its people civilized ;
its architecture grand in idea and perfect in ex-
ecution ; its language not only formed but reduced
to writing ; its agricultural life was rich with oxen,
asses, dogs and monkeys, antelopes and gazelles,
geese, ducks, swans and slaves of Numidia.
Egyptian history begins before the building of this
pyramid perhaps three thousand years, and be-
hind that again there must be an immensely older
history, making the emergence of this civilization
from the savage life of the cave-dweller. Where
are we now ?

" Ten thousand years away from the life of to-
day— far away in Egypt, with the rich farmers on
the banks of the Nile. Whether or not we shall
meet our onion there, who shall say ? Some time,
in that remote past it was brought into Egypt, and
it was brought from India.

" History can tell us no more. The sacred
writing of the Hindus, the oldest records of the
Chinese, mention the onion, but always as a culti-
vated plant.

" If we would find our first onion we must leave
history and try some other line of inquiry. Let us
join the party of some exploring botanist, and with
him search Europe, Africa and Asia for a speci-
men of the native onion, which some time in the
long-forgotten past was deemed worthy of cultiva-
tion. Our search, like our history, gradually nar-
rows itself, until we find ourselves climbing the
mountains of Afghanistan and Beloochistan, and
exploring the table lands behind the Hindu Kush
Mountains. And there, in the birthplace of our
race, we find our onion — the Allium cepa — from
which have sprung all the onions grown all over
this wide world."

[It would add greatly to our knowledge if some
one famihar with Mexico would tell us what the
Mexican onions, as reported by Cortez, were.
There are several native species of onion, and
these, though very different from the garden
onion, might be capable of being improved, and
perhaps were improved ; or the onion of Cortez
may have been a species lost in a wild state, just
as our garden onion seems to have become long
before modern history began, though Mrs. Clay-
pole indicates that the original has been identified
in the mountains of Afghanistan.

As Mrs. Claypole says, the kind of onion known
to the Mexicans as xonacatl is certainly not the
European onion. Hernandez, who wrote on the
flora of Mexico, in 1790, says that the xonacatl is
a species of onion, with a two-cleft or "bifid root."
The term seems to be a generic one, representing
rather the odor than the bulb. Quahonacatl is a
shrub with leaves "like a lemon," but "with the
taste and smell of garUc or onion." There is an
immense field for inteUigent research as American
inquisitiveness presses on Mexico. — Ed. G. M.]

The Introduction of the Potato to Eu-
rope.—There has been an outburst of literature
in England on the sul^ject of the introduction of
the potato. A number of writers contend that
none of the names connected with the histories
had anything to do with it. One writer says,
mildly :

" Possibly, though hardly probably, there were
other return voyages of which we have no record.
If wc are to attempt to select a possible one at
all, this of 1586 is the most likely. It may be a
matter of no moment to decide what particular
expedition brought the potato, but so many his-
tories state Raleigh brought it from Virginia, it is
perhaps well to make clear that this is inaccu-
rate. All the various statements are made with
an air of accuracy which is without foundation,
and of authority to which they are not entitled.
In the absence of proof we can but surmise."

No effort is yet made to show that no such a

person as Sir Walter Raleigh ever existed, or to

prove that the "reign of good Queen Bess" is

wholly a myth.

Curator of Kew Gardens. — In 1864, Mr.
John Smith who had for so many years ably filled
the position of curator in these famous gardens,
resigned from age and infirmity. Another John
Smith, who was gardener to the Duke of North-
umberland, was appointed in his place, and fully
maintained the high character the gardens had
achieved under his former namesake. Now he
has had to retire from ill health. The first of the
name is still living. Mr. Nicholson, who has long
been an assistant in the gardens, has been ap-
pointed curator in Mr. Smith's place.

Useful Nurseries.— Mr. J. Wragg, in the
Iowa Homestead, make the good point that num- ^
berless supposed new things under new names,
but which are really old and common things at
very novel and astounding prices, might be readily
detected if parties would only send and keep for
reference the catalogues of leading eastern firms.
If the new name is not found there, it most likely
is of doubtful character. He names the nurseries
Hoopes Brother & Thomas and Ellwanger& Barry,
as among those whose catalogues should be re-
garded as authority on such questions.

Ambroise Verschaffelt. — Through the still
popular Coleus Verschaffeltii, as well as by many
other plants named in his honor, Mr. Verschaffelt
was well-known to American flower lovers, who
will be sorry to read the following which we find
in the London Journal of Horticulture :

" Many of our readers will regret to hear of the
death of M. Ambroise Colette Alexandre Verschaf-

220

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[July.

felt, better known perhaps by his familiar name of
M. Ambroise Verschaffelt of Ghent, which oc-
curred on the 1 6th inst, at his residence, 98 Chaus-
s^e de Courtrai. M. A. Verschaffelt was one of
the most prominent of the great Belgian nursery-
men, and his name was as 'a household word'
throughout the world of horticulture. The founder
of the vast estabhshment now directed by M. L.
Linden in the Rue de Chaume, he there carried on
an extensive trade for many years, till he re-
linquished it in favor of M. J. Linden, who was at
that time in business at Brussels. Since then M.
Verschaffelt has lived in retirement, though not in
idleness, for he still retained his love for horticul-
ture, and occupied his leisure in cultivating those
plants which commended themselves most to his
horticultural tastes. For a considerable time M.
Verschaffelt has suffered from a painful malady —
we believe cancer of the tongue — to which he suc-
cumbed. He was the founder of • L'lllustration
Horticole,* and besides holding many honorary
offices in Belgium he was officer of the Order of
Leopold, was decorated with the • Croix-Civique '
and the following orders — St. Maurice and Lazare,
the Legion of Honor, St. Anne of Russia, the
Medijie, Frederic of Wurtemburg, the Lion of
Zcehringen, Adolphe of Nassau, Grand Duke of
Hesse, and the Dukes of Nassau and Oldenberg.
M. Verschaffelt was born at Ghent, on the nth of
December, 1825, and was consequently in the
sixty-first year of his age."

Agricultural Reports Prof. Bessey says:

"Agriculture ha? been cursed by a greater amount
of very poor work under the name of experiment-
ation than any other of the great industries. Deal-
ing as it does with the soil, the atmosphere, plants
and animals, one would suppose that careful and
expensive experiments would invariably be con-
fided to men trained in one or more of the great
modern sciences — chemistry, physics, botany,
, zoology, geology, meteorology. That such has,
however, not been the case, is shown by an ex-
amination of the reports which have appeared
with more or less regularity ever since the agri-
cultural colleges and agricultural departments of
the State universities were organized. With here
and there an exception, such reports have con-
tained nothing which was of any value to a sci-
entific investigator in any field whatsoever."

Insects Affecting the Orange. — Report
made under the direction of Prof. Riley by H. G.
Hubbard. Published by the U. S. Department of
agriculture.

This is a volume of 220 pages, with illustrations
and descriptions of the insects injurious to the
whole citrus tribe, and with accounts of such
remedies as have come within the knowledge of
the Department. It is a work of very great value
to the orange grower.

Proceedings of the Michigan Horticult-
ural Society. — From Charles W. Garfield, Sec-
retary. This is the volume for 1885, and makes a
large book of 513 pages. This society has had
the wisdom to estabhsh auxiliary societies in differ-
ent counties of the State, and in this way is better
able to represent the condition of things over its
whole territory than where these aids are wanting.
A large portion of the volume is devoted to the
very interesting topic of forestry, and there is a
digest of the proceedings of the American Pomo-
logical Society, which was a matter of so much
interest to Michigan last year.

The Annual Report of the Pennsylvania
State Horticultural Association for 1885.
— Secretary, E. B. Engle, Waynesboro-, Pa. This
volume is illustrated by a colored lithograph of
the fringed petunias raised by Mr. Rupp, of Shire-
manstown, and plain lithographs of the Keim and
Cheese apples, Pennsylvania seedlings, which it
is one of the objects of the proceedings to illus-
trate.

Hints on the Heating of Greenhouses. —
By A. B. Fowler, Exeter, N. H. Mr. Fowler is
well known to our readers by his excellent con-
tributions on " Steam Heating." This is a pam-
phlet treating of hot water as well as of steam
heating, and will be found of great value to all
who may want to erect glass-houses of any kind,
as well as those who may wish to learn of the
great progress made in greenhouse heating.

Tommy's First Speaker W. H. Harrison,

Jr., publisher, Chicago, 1886. Not long ago •• our
baby " was desired by his teacher to choose some
small piece and recite. The whole library was
ransacked, but little suitable to a •• Httle boy " was
found. This little book was not there, or the
labor would have been easy. It is a defect in
modern education that while children are taught
to acquire knowledge, but little aid is given their
powers of distributing what they acquire. Re-
citing does just a little towards it. It practices
the memory, and that is some gain.

On Some Points in the Composition of
Soils. — By Sir J. B. Lawes, and Dr. J. H. Gilbert.
When agriculture does take rank with the sciences,
the honor will be largely due to the work of these
'• Rothamsted farmers." They have been making
painstaking experiments for over quarter of a
century, and many of them have set disputed
questions at rest. The present effort shows that the
fertihty of soils is dependent on the nitrogen it
contains.

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

221

Through the Yellowstone Park on Horse-
back.— By Geo. W. Wingate. New York: Orange
Judd Co. 1886. The wonders of the Yellowstone
is now an old story, and yet it is one or those rare
instances where it is not difficult to lend fresh inter-
est to a twice-told tale. It is only recently that one
may get easily to this wonderful spot, and true
interest in it therefore is only just awakening. This
book tells how best to get there, and to manage
best when one has got there, and what best to see.
It will be for many years an instructive and enter-
taining book to the thousands who will want to
see and study the stupendous works of nature
gathered together in the Yellowstone region.

The Law Concerning Farms, Farmers and
Farm Laborers, Together with the Game
Laws of all the States. — By Henry Austin,
of the Boston Bar. Pubhshed by Charles C.
Soule, Boston. 1886.

One of the last things for any sane person to do
is to go to law. But people need not buy this
book in order to learn how to get the law on a
neighbor, but they will do themselves good service
to know what the law is so as to avoid a trespass
on their neighbors' rights, or how to defend them-
selves if they are forced into law by the stupidity
of others. It is an extremely interesting book,
and will interest any one. It gives an abstract of
hundreds ol cases in every part of the Union,
that have any bearing on the work of the culti-
vators of the soil.

It has also the useful lesson of showing up the

uncertainties of the law. The following is what

is said of the right to pick fruit from overhanging

trees, of fruit falling into a neighbor's land, and of

the right to cut off overhanging branches :

" Where the farmer has a three growing near a
boundary hne, even if the roots extend and grow
into the land of his neighbor and derive nourish-
ment therefrom, so long as the trunk remains on
the farmer's land the tree is his property, and he
is entitled to all the fruit, notwithstanding some of
its branches may overhang his neighbor's land.
If the farmer is prevented from reaching over and
picking the fruit by the use of force by his neigh-
bor, the farmer may have an action for assault and

battery. , , .

" In a New York case, a lady (whose father
owned some fruit trees) stood upon the division
fence, and undertook to pick cherries from a hmb
of a tree which overhung the neighbor's land. The
neighbor forbade her, and on persisting, attempted
to prevent her by force, and did her personal in-
jury, for which he was obliged to pay her, through
the courts, one thousand dollars.

" If the farmer's fruit fall into his neighbor's
land, a question may arise as to his right to go

upon it to recover his fruit. It seems that the law
on this point is not settled, but the farmer would
probably have an implied license in law to enter,
if possible, without any damage to his neighbor.
"The adjacent owner may cut off the branches
or roots up to the Une of his land ; but, if he uses
them, he will be obliged to pay the owner of the
tree what they were worth.

" Where a tree stands upon the boundary line
between adjoining owners, so that its body ex-
tends into the land of each, they own the tree
and fruit in common, and neither is at liberty to
cut the tree without the consent of the other, nor
to cut away the part which extends into his land,
if he thereby injures the common property."

It is evident that the " law " in these cases is
not consistent. The neighbor would have the
right to cut off the roots of his neighbor's trees
that fed on his ground, but he has no right to
gather the fruit which were fed from the roots
growing on his own ground. He may not pull
the fruit from the tree, but he may cut away the
branches which bear the fruit. He may not pick
up the fallen fruit from overhanging branches, but
he may authorize another to pick up " anything "
lying on his property and he may take from this
person the fallen fruit. He may not cut down a
tree standing exactly on the line, because that
would kill the whole tree, but he can slice off his
half just up to the pith or median line of the tree
and kill it in that way if he wants to. When the
lady was assaulted for getting the fruit from over-
hanging branches, it is not clear whether the one
thousand dollars were paid as damages for injury
resulting from assault, or for preventing the owner
from getting her own. Altogether we may read
and read and yet get no understanding as to why
this or that is the law, or anything about the com-
mon sense of the thing ; but still it will be of in-
terest to know that this judge has decided this
in this way, or that in that, even though they may
seem contradictory, for it is on " decisions " that
lawyers often have to rest their cases. It is per-
haps well that they are contradictory, for any
side can then get one to suit.

Profits in Poultry. — New York: Orange
Judd Co. In these days a work that has *• profit'*
as part of its title, is bound to get a good patron-
age; and this book, with 256 pages and copious
illustrations, will no doubt have a good sale.
Pleasure, as well as profit, however, receives at-
tention, and the publishers believe that no poultry
raiser can peruse this volume without both profit
and pleasure — a belief in which the reviewer shares.

How TO Make Money Without Work —
This is the title of an unannounced book which

222

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[July,

many are looking for as soon to appear. We have
not heard the name of the author. A sale of at
least 100,000 in a few weeks is confidently expected.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Dock — not Burdock. — Mr. T. S. Gold, West
Cornwall, Conn., kindly corrects as follows : " Did
you copy an error or was it a slip of the pen when
you speak of the 'common Burdock ' as *Rumex ?'
The Burdock is Lappa and widely different from
the common docks, which are evidently referred
to as food for the ' garden web-worm,' page 182,
in notice of this worm taken from Prof. Riley's
Report on Entomology, which I have not at hand.
Doing our best it is hard to keep these common
names unmixed, but this is an appropriate and
widely recognized name.

*• This first day of summer finds vegetation well
advanced and everything promising."

[It is evidently a slip of the pen on the part of
Prof. Riley, who no doubt intended simply Dock,
when he wrote Burdock. The Burdock with its in-
curved prickly burrs which the children stick to-
gether in large masses is well known under this
common name. — Ed. G. M.]

The Eglantine. — A correspondent inquires
whether she is not correct insisting that the Eglan-
tine of English poetry is the Sweet-brier ? This
has been so often gone over in these pages, that
only for the inquiry it would hardly seem necessary
to revert to it. So far as poetry is concerned,
Milton's L*Allegro would seem to be decisive.
"Though the sweet-brier, or the vine, or the
twisted eglantine," is certainly decisive that this
great poet had distinct plants in his mind. We
never heard it doubted till meeting with the doubt
among American writers, that English authors
and Enghsh and French people, meant the dog-
rose, when speaking ol the eglantine.

The American Florist. — In our note on the
American Beauty Rose in our last, we referred to
the Florist, The American Florist was of course re-
ferred to, as there is no other magazine of the name
now — the English Florist and Pomologist having
stopped publication. Our neighbors might be
glad of the opportunity to shorten their title, as that
is the order of the day among the roses the florists
deal in ; but as they prefer the long name to the
short one, we cheerfully make the correction de-
sired.

New or Rare Plants.— A correspondent says :
•* Last fall I saw an ' Encyclopaedia of Gardening,'

pubhshed in London, in 1825, and was surprised
to see mention of things that have been offered as
« new ' within the last ten years ; also to see how
well known and how much used were our beau-
tiful native shrubs, especially azaleas, rhododen-
drons and other Ericaceae."

[Most of the Ericaceae delight in a moist atmos-
phere. They get more of this in England, and
hence thrive better there than they generally do
here in their native country. It does seem that
even among plants, as well as among human
beings, there is a longing for *• a better land " than
that in which they may be sojourners, and that
that longing may not be altogether an ungrounded
hope. These Ericaceous plants go in England
under the distinctive name of "American plants."
In respect to plants, we suspect that when Solo-
mon said there was nothing new under the sun,
he must have had them in view. Fashions change.
In gardening the things now "the rage" quiet
down in the near future. Not long ago there was
a great demand all over the world for •• new hot
and greenhouse plants." On the table before us
is a letter from a leading dealer in England stating
that the trade in them has almost wholly died out.
In a few years the introduced plants will also die.
But with the revolving wheel of time the taste will
come again, the plants will have to be re-intro-
duced, when they will be wholly *• new " to the
multitude.

Thrips. — " Vis-a-vis " writes : " I feel like join-
ing you in your half-hearted protest against using
thrips for the singular as well as for the plural, for
there is no real reason why we should adopt the
whole grammatical structure of a foreign word,,
when we want a new term in the English language.
Foreigners do not behave so critically when they
want to use an English word. I have before me
Loudon's Encyclopccdia of Plants and I find that
when our English word ' Jones ' becomes latinized
to represent a plant, it is not Jones-ia, but Jo-ne-
sia Africana. Nor do we always behave so criti-
cally. We have no rule; sometimes it is
one way, sometimes another. When we have
taken 'depot' to signify a railway station we have
saved the orthography while adopting the pronun-
ciation. In 'tardy* (tardif) we have taken the
French sound, and changed the spelling ; in
'tapis' (carpet) we take the spelling, but pro-
nounce it in Enghsh. If your readers would only
all agree that 'thrips,' plural, should be 'thrip' in the
singular, I believe custom would soon sanction it ;
but if we must say ' thrips ' in the singular, and still
'thrips' in the plural, I suppose we must."

1886.J

AN D HORTICULTURIST.

223

Horticultural Societies.

COMMUNICATIONS.

THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS.

BY JOHN BURTON.

The meeting of Florists to be held in Philadel-
phia this summer, will, I believe, be an event long
remembered by the commercial plant growers of
the country. The occasion being the second an-
nual convention of the Society of American
Florists, commencing Aug. i8th, and continu-
ing to the end of the week.

That these meetings are going to be of im-
mense benefit to the trade and horticulture in
general, there can be no doubt. There will be
essays by some of the most able men in the busi-
ness on a variety of subjects, followed by discus-
sions that cannot fail to be of interest to all lovers
of plants. But the time when the most free opin-
ions will be given, and perhaps most valuable in-
formation received, will be when small groups of
men are collected together in the morning or be-
tween sessions, each giving his experience in
some particular branch, and all hearing something
new and of interest to them. And this is a part
that will not be printed in the Secretary's report
of the meeting, making it all the more important
that all who can, should attend the convention.
For, while the annual report of the Society alone
is well worth the membership fee, some of the
most beneficial and pleasing events cannot of
necessity appear in it.

It is often said, if two florists meet they im-
mediately commence a discussion as to the merits
of one plant, or the correct treatment for another ;
and when they part each has learned something.
What then must be the result of this meeting
where there will be hundreds of such gatherings,
made up of representatives from all parts of the
country; and from the great interest shown in the
different sections there is every reason to believe
each State will be represented, and some by very
large delegations, making this, without question,
the largest gathering of florists ever held in
America.

The local committee of Philadelphia are mak-
ing strenuous efforts to give the delegates a re-
ception worthy of the city, and will, without
doubt, succeed, as they are receiving the assist-
ance of every florist in town. Perhaps one of the

pleasantest features between business hours, will
be a visit to Wootton, the country seat of Mr. G.
W. Childs, who has kindly invited the delegates
in a body to visit and take lunch with him.

Chestnut Htll, Philadelphia, June gth, 1886.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

American Association for the Advance-
ment OF Science. — The 35th meeting of this
body will be held this year at Buffalo, commenc-
ing August i8th. The different departments of
science have now grown so large, that members
in many cases can only care for their own special-
ties. The botanists have organized themselves,
and the Botanical club is regarded as one of the
most enjoyable of all the smaller bodies that go to
make up the grand constellation.

Germantown, Pa., Horticultural Society.
— At the June meeting of the Germantown, (Pa.)
Horticultural Society, there were exhibits of cut
roses, the best ever seen at any of the meetings.
As showing what sorts are considered the best,
the annexed is a Ust of those in the collection of
Messrs. Lonsdale and Burton, to which was
awarded first premium ; with one exception— hybrid
perpetuals.

Miss Hassard.
Louis Van Houtte,
Fisher Holmes,
Alfred Colorab,
Prince of Wales,
English Moss,
Gloire de Dijon,
Marie Baumann,

Anna de Dies>)ach»
Md'lle Eugenie Verdier,
La Roseire.
Francois Michelon,
Captain Christy,
Majjjna Charta,
Mad. Gabrielle Luizet,
Prince Camille de Rohan,

Marquise de Castellane, John Hopi>er,
Rev. J. B. Camm, Md. Isaac Perrier,

Paul Neyron, Baroness Rothschild.

The Sharpless strawberry still keeps its place as
the best for general culture, its ample, luxuriant
foliage ensuring a full supply of large fruit, in or-
dinary seasons, and of its flavor nothing but praise
can be said. At this meeting it was the leading
sort in every collection exhibited. Alongside of it
in many cases was the Captain Jack, a sort that
stands high in the estimation of the cultivators,
as well for its perfect form as for its general good
qualities. Boyden, Cumberland and Longfellow
are also favorites, the latter for its very superior
flavor. In the collection of vegetables exhibited
by John F. Turner, of School Lane, was a dish of
early potatoes grown from sprouted sets, as recom-
mended in the Monthly some years ago; the

224

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[July.

plan bdng to plant the sets with the sprouts on
instead of rubbing them off, as is usually done.
Mr. Turner says it has given him potatoes fit to use
at least two weeks earlier than usual. Those he
exhibited were from two to three inches in length,
while other exhibitors had none in their collections.
His assortment consisted of some thirty sorts, all
unusually well grown for the season, and hard to
beat, showing Mr. Turner to be a master hand in
the vegetable garden.

The Nurserymen's Convention — The meet-
ing at Washington was a great success. Some
three hundred members were in attendance. Col.
Colman's address of welcome was warmly ap-
plauded. The officers for next year are C. L.
Watrous of Iowa, President; M. A. Hunt of
Illinois, I St Vice President; D. Wilmot-Scoit of
Galena, Secretary, and A. R. Whitney of Franklin
Grove, Treasurer. As we go to press before the
conclusion of the meeting, we are unable to give
more than that next place of meeting is Chicago ;
or any proceedings, except that a resolution ask-
ing congress for legislation looking to the sup-
pression of oleomargarine was adopted.

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. — A
rose exhibition was held on the 8th of June, and
an excellent display made. The first premium
was awarded to H. A. Dreer, and the bronze
medal to Mr. Hughes, gardener to George W.
Childs, Esq.

Horticultural Society of New Mexico. —
Even this far-away part of our territory has grown
in wealth and intelligence to the degree that im-
pels it to take so great an interest in horticulture
as to start a horticultural society. Mr. Arthur
Boyle is President, and Mr. James K. Livingston,
Secretary. The quarterly meeting was recently
held at Santa Fe, and was well attended by the
leading ladies and gentlemen of the city. It has
members in nearly every county in the Territory.
The midsummer meeting will be held on July 2d.

In his address at the last meeting the President
explained that horticulture was only in a very
limited sense a branch of agriculture — and in no
greater a sense than that agriculture is, once in
a while, a branch of horticulture. The mission of
horticulture is one wholly distinct from that of
agriculture. While the field-culture of fruits and
vegetables, as a matter of profit and industrial
development, would engage a large share of the
oversight of the New Mexican Horticultural Soci-
ety, the society, he said, did not intend to forget
that horticulture was the art which beautified the

land, and especially the land which surrounds our
homes. It was not the agriculturist, he thought,
but rather the horticulturist, that could fervently
sing with the poetess :

" God raipcht have made the earth bring forth
Enough for great and small ;
The sturdy oak and cedar-tree
Without a flower at all.

He might have made enough, enough

For every want of ours—
For medicme, toll and luxury,

And yet have made no flowers.

Our outward life re<iuires them not,
Then wherefore had they birth ?—

To minister delight to man,
To beautify the earth.

To comfort man, to whisper hope,

Whene'er his faith is dim ;
For whoso careth for the flowers.

Will care much more for Him."

The Holland Premiums at the Pennsyl-
vania Show— Mr. C. Eisele, Philadelphia, says :
'• Allow me to call your attention to an error in
the May number of the Gardeners* Monthly,
in reference to the Holland Medals awarded at
the Spring Exhibition of the Pennsylvania Horti-
cultural Society. You mention a Silver niedal
awarded for twenty-five varieties of Hyacinths
to Mr. Warne. Now a mistake like this should not
occur in a magazine like the Monthly.

*• In the first place, there was no silver medal
awarded at all ; the first prize was a gold medal,
the second, a silver gilt medal ; the silver medal
was not awarded for the simple reason there was
no third competitor. Second, There was no
medal offered for twenty-five varieties, but for
fifty named varieties. Third, Mr. Warne could
not have been a competitor for the Holland Prizes,
even if he wanted to. for they were offered for
nurserymen, seedsmen, and florists only.

"The schedule for the Holland Medals as above
stated, were for fifty named bulbs in fifty pots, the
collection which took the gold medal had several
duplicates and some varieties were not named at
all. Did the judges overlook this point ?

[We have to regret that any error occurred ; we
can only say in extenuation that it is extremely
difficult for a reporter to tell "what is what" in
matters of this kind. Plants are crowded together,
no one can tell how many are " for competition "
or what number are mixed with them, merely to
" add to the beauty of the hall." A " first pre-
mium" set of hyacinths may be mixed up with a
lot of Jonquils or variegated plants, and the second
premium lot, perhaps among a lot of roses belong-
ing to somebody else a hundred yards away.
The visitor has nothing to guide him ; and as for
telling whether the varieties are wrongly named or
unaccessible places, that have to be hunted for
like as for a needle in a hay mow, and when found
illegible from age in many cases, render any
attempt at getting a list of names out of the ques-
tion. Mr. Eisele's plants were not like this, as he
is one of the more careful kind ; but so many are
that the only wonder is that the reporters or judges
are able to do as well as they generally do. — Ed.
G. M.]

IHE

Gardeners' Monthly

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Volume XXVIII.

AUGUST, 1886.

Number 332.

Flower Garden and Pleasure Ground.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

The gaiety given to gardens by the massing of
colored leaved plants would be sadly missed if
the fashion were abolished. Indeed, where mere
general effect in gardening is desired this system
of bedding has become almost indispensable. It
is very important that the points of the growing
shoots be kept regularly " nipped," and, when
flowering plants such as geraniums are employed,
that the flower clusters should be cut away as
they fade. It is the production of seed that ex-
hausts the vital powers of a plant ; an annual be-
becomes a perennial when not allowed to seed.

Those who desire to thoroughly enjoy flowers,
will have a rich treat in the herbaceous border.
It is a surprise that so few have this adjunct to
the garden. From early spring to winter there is
a continuous succession of flowers. We have a
friend who grows his in short rows, as a nursery-
man would do. The border is about 3 feet wide
on each side of a 4-feet wide grass walk, and
enough plants to make a 3-feet line are used. The
little rows are about a foot apart, and a label at
the end of the row near the line of the grass walk
tells the name of the plant in the row. We should
judge there are not more than a couple of hun-
dred of species in the border, yet on a run through
with him on the Fourth of July we jotted down

the names of sixty-four kinds in bloom, some, to
be sure, just going out and others just coming in
season. We give the list to show how great a
variety of bloom one can have at all times, even
in a comparatively small collection, in bloom at
midsummer: Hypericum prolificum (a dwarf
form), Funkia Sieboldii, Chrysanthemum sege-
tum, Senecio artemisiaefolia, Trifolium rubens^
Stachys Canadense, Spiraea vcnusta. Allium
Stellarianum, A. cernuum, Pentstemon Digitalis,.
P. barbatum, Omphalodes cappadocica, Stokesia
cyanea, Stenactis speciosa, Actinomeris helian-
thoidcs. Coreopsis grandiflora, Melissa patavina,
Silene inflata, Monarda didyma, Silcne saxifraga,
Lythrum tomentosum, L. salicaria, Statice planta-
ginifolium, Onopordon acanthium, Spiraea ul-
maria, Achillea rubrum, A. ochroleuca, Lysi-
machia quadrifolia, Centaurea alba, C. nigra, C.
ochroleuca, C. macrophylla, Hemerocallis fulva,
Betonica officinalis, Tanacetum globiferum, Sym-
phytum officinale, Veronica grandiflora. Cam-
panula pulcherrima. Geranium sanguineum, CaU
lirhoe involucrata, Linaria repens, Phaceliatenaci-
tifolia, Erysimum Peroffskianum, Gilia multicaulis,
Monarda purpurea, Aquilegia chrysantha, A.
truncata, Rudbeckia hirta, Hesperis matronalis,
(Enothera riparia, Sherrardia arvensis. Lychnis
coronata, Alyssum multicaule, Scabiosa colubrina,
Gypsophylla paniculata, Dianthus deltoides, Del-

226

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[August,

phinium formosum, Sedum acre. S. speciosum,
Lychnis chalcedonica. Opuntia Rafinesqui. Ve-
ronica grandiflora. I
We were told that no particular effort had been
made to get kinds that would flower at this sea-
son ; only such kinds '• picked up " here and there
as the opportunity offered. It is well to remember
that herbaceous plants generally love rich ground,
and those succeed best who give the herbaceous
border a liberal dressing of manure every year.
The autumn is the best time, as it helps to protect
from frost. Freezing in itself does not hurt, but
it is freezing in light that injures. Freezing in
shade is not near as harmful. If not allowed to
seed, there is no difficulty in keeping kinds a long
time. But some prefer to sow seeds occasionally,
as more vigorous plants ensue. Plants weakened
by overbearing often die out. This and poor
ground are two of the chief causes of the disap-
pearance of choice herbaceous plants of which
some occasionally complain.

Tow.'irds the end of the month, and in Septem-
ber, evergreen hedges should receive their last
pruning till next summer. Last spring, and in
the summer, when a strong growth required it,
the hedge has been severely pruned towards the
apex of the cone-like form in which it has been
trained, and the base has been suffered to grow
any way it pleases. Now that, in turn, has come
under the shears, so far as to get it into regular
shape and form. It will not be forgotten that, to
be very successful with evergreen hedges, they
ought to have a growth at the base of at least 4
.feet in diameter.

COMMUNICATIONS.

ENCOURAGING FLOWER-LOVE IN THE

YOUNG.

BY F. O. N.

mention. The same idea in a different shape
might be engrafted on our public school system,
by having an annual exhibition in evrery grammar
school of such plants as the scholars may have
raised or propagated themselves, and giving a
small reward for the best, and also for these ac-
companied by a history or description. The money
thus expended would be of far more use to the
community than much that is now spent upon
music, and other matters of questionable import-
ance. If some of the more wealthy members of
the Horticultural Society, or others interested in
floriculture were to add something in the way of a
premium, it would be an additional stimulus.
The plan is, I think, susceptible of much elabor-
ation in the hands of those capable of giving it
proper shape. Philadelphia, July 2d, 1886.

[Like our correspondent, we have often wished
more could be done to encourage a love of
flower culture among school children. One of
I the best means is to get the teachers, or officers
of school buildings, to care for flowers. In the
Philadelphia district we go into one school-house
and find no sign of a flower anywhere. In an-
other, window flowers will abound and the whole
place have a cheery look in consequence. In
this case the teachers love the flowers, and they
happen to have a janitor who will look after them
during the school holidays.

The Newton School in West Philadelphia is a
paradise of fl#wers. Complimenting the School
Committee on the beauty of the spot, they re-
marked that the whole credit belonged to the jan-
itor. •' He likes that thing, and we let him do it.'*
It seems to us, that besides the premiums to
school children, it would be a good thing to offer
some to janitors and school teachers. When they
get the love, it will soon pass to the children. —
Ed. G. M ]

The wider diffusion of a taste for agriculture, or
floriculture, than now exists, would have the effect
to elevate the moral and intellectual calibre of
the rising generation. In this connection, I would
suggest that at all colleges, agricultural or merely
literary, a piece of ground be set apart to be
divided into smaller plats, and placed at the dis-
posal of such of the students as may desire to
cultivate, and in such way as their taste or incli-
nations may lead them. These plats to be super-
vised or overlooked by some competent person,
and reports made at the annual commencement
of such as were found to be worthy of specia

FLOWERING OF THE HOVENIA DULCIS.

BY GARDENER.

On the grounds of the Misses Drexel, at Torres-
dale, Pa., there flowered for the first time the
above-named tree, in the month of June last. I
do not remember reading any account of its
flowering elsewhere in this country as yet, though
it may have done so, as it has been introduced for
some years. The specimen referred to is about
12 feet high, in bush form, and at the time re-
ferred to was full of flowers. The flowers are
small, yellowish white, numerous, and produced
in cymes, and may be said to be hawthorn scented.

1886.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

227

The large, shining green leaves are quite attrac-
tive ; and the character of the whole tree so un-
like anything commonly planted, that it is truly a
valuable addition to our list of hardy trees.

Philadelphia.

WEST LAUREL HILL CEMETERY.
BY MR. JOHN WOODING.

We do not read every day about the horticultu-
ral features of a cemetery. But there is often
more to admire than marble, slate and monu-
ments. Particularly is this the case with West
Laurel Hill Cemetery, which is situated on a
natural eminence, bounded by two railroads in a
triangular manner; on the west by the Reading
main line and south by the Schuylkill Valley,
and is about ten minutes' walk from the Phila-
delphia county line.

Living near this place for the last five years, I
often take a stroll through on a Sunday afternoon,
where I find hundreds of others. It is visited by
thousands of people during the summer months.
I think this cemetery deserves to be classed
among the finest and best laid out of any in this
part of the country. There are a great number
of once prominent people of Philadelphia buried
there, as the names on the tombstones testify. I
am surprised to see the number of bedding and
other plants used on some of the lots. To say
there are thousands is to speak moderately. One
lot which took my particular attention, and which
is worthy of special notice, seemed worth going
some distance to see. I have the authority of
Mr. John Albrecht, florist of West Laurel Hill,
who supplied the plants this year and set them,
that he used some four thousand plants. There
are fine carpet beds of different designs, two of
them Maltese crosses, and one an anchor, which
looks very beautiful. The plants used are Alter-
nantheras of different varieties and two kinds of
Echeverias. There are two beds of Euonymus in
variety. The whole is surrounded with a border
4 feet wide, full of roses and other plants. The
size of the lot is 42x64 feet, and is owned by W.
V. Lippincott, of Philadelphia. Mr. John Al-
brecht deserves great credit for the efficient man-
ner in which he has done his work. He now has
charge of the lot, and about one hundred others
of smaller degree. I do not think there is a lot
in this cemetery without flowers of some kind,
and the place is kept in remarkably good order.
There are about fourteen men employed, all
under the superintendence of Mr. F. S. Britton.

There are some fine large flower beds of various
designs, laid out by the cemetery company. One
bed I noticed, in the shape of an anchor on the
slope of a hill, is very effective. It contains Ger-
aniums, Coleus and Centaureas, with an edging of

Golden Feather. I suppose
this bed contains two thou-
sand plants. There is a
station at West Laurel Hill,
about fifteen minutes' ride
from Broad Street, Phila-
delphia, and the first thing
that strikes your eye on
alighting is a very peculi-
arly designed bed of flow-
ers, about 60 feet long,
something in the shape of
a tennis bat, containing
Geraniums, Centaureas
and two kinds of Coleus —
I suppose about two thou-
sand plants in all. It is
laid cut by the cemetery
company, and the plants
supplied by Mr. John Al-
brecht, who has recently
started a very successful florist's business near
here, and who tells me there is an increasing de-
mand for all kinds of flowers in the neighborhood.
Gardener to Mr. A. S. Roberts, Pencoyd, Pa.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Abies Alcoquiana. — This proves to be one
of the most beautiful of coniferous trees. The
purple buds on the new growth look like blossoms.
It is hardy as a rock, and seems so far free from
insect troubles. According to Dr. Masters there
are two species distributed under one name. The
one in our country as commonly grown would be
A. Ajanensis.

Good Pansies. — Passing a friend's garden re-
cently there they were in all their original loveli-
ness, the wild English pansies ! Small they were,
to be sure, but still lovely. The single blooms
were no larger than ordinary violets, but the pur-
ple upper petals were very distinct, and the lower
yellowish-white petals well set off the purple lines
that here and there stretched right through the
length of them. We had to admit that they were
miserable wild things, but still protest they were
lovely for all.

Yet we suppose the popular taste will be for

228

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[August,

large pansies— the larger the belter— and when
in the spring the successors to the earhest begin
to diminish in size, we shall have the request from
our fair readers to tell how to keep them from de-
generating. Vick tells in a recent number of his
magazine how to give them a good start :

*'A spot for pansies should be selected where it
is a little shady, at least in the middle of the day,
if such a spot is to be had, but if not, it can be
where it is fully exposed ; a place entirely shaded
is not desirable. A light soil made rich with well
rotted stable manure would be a place the plants
would delight in, but if the soil is heavy it can be
greatly improved by digging in plenty of the
same kind of fertilizer. Seed can be sown any
time the present month or the next to raise strong
plants before winter."

And we would add to this, that the way to keep
the spring flowers up to their full duty is to keep
on with the feeding Vick suggests. They are happy
diners. A lady of our acquaintance has her pansy
bed nearly as lovely this first day of July as it was
on the 1st of April, merely by giving a watering of
soap-suds once a week. Some help they get from
the cutting they receive. Hundreds of pansy posies
were cut to give pleasure to friends; and she
avers that the more were cut away the more
bloomed to make up for the cutting. In most
cases it adds to the freedom of flowering when
seeds are prevented from forming.

Flowers for Graveyards. — The New York
correspondent of the Philadelphia Ledger, refer-
ring to the Decoration Day ceremonies in New
York, says :

"Apropos of the day itself the Hour makes a
timely suggestion, namely, as a great deal of
money is spent in the decoration of the tombs,
why not use a part of it in making the decoration
permanent ? ' Cut flowers,' we are reminded,
'fade before they have lain twenty-four hours on
a grave or monument, and potted flowers, dropped
hastily, do not last much longer. For the money
that the flowers of a single grave often cost, a
handsome rhododendron, Japanese maple, or
some other hardy and long lived ornamental
shrub might be planted. The appearance of
prominent monuments, shortly after Decoration
day, is even worse than that of flower-strewn
graves in cemeteries, as every one will know who
may pass next week the Lincoln and Washington
statues in Union Square ; yet a little money would
provide low receptacles in which flowers would
bloom until December."

The Clammy Locust. — What a pity the locusts
are so subject to the attacks of the locust borer.
The Clammy locust, Robinia viscosa, is a pa^rticu-
larly beautiful thing when covered in June with its
numerous clusters of sweet rosy-white flowers. It
is remarkable that this species, discovered by

Michaux in the Carolinas, has never been found
wild since his time, and the species is now only
known by garden specimens. The one in our
mind while writing is in the garden of Ellwood
Johnson, at Germantown.

The Colorado Opuntia. — Last year, speaking
of hardy cactuses, we noted that Opuntia Missou-
riensis did not flower in Germantown. As if to
show it can, if it wants to, it has given a number of
its bright yellow blossoms. They bloom earlier
than Opuntia Rafinesqui, and thus prolong the
season of flowering of hardy cactuses.

Rose, Marechal Niel.— This is still one of the
most popular roses in France, but, judging by the
number of papers we read •• on the culture " of
this variety, it requires special treatment in order
to induce it to do its best.

The Japan Climbing Hydrangea — This has
not been found a good nurseryman's plant, as it
takes too long to get started on a rapid run, and
the American mind takes more stock in something
like the gourd of Jonah that will cover a house
top in a single night. Still it will have its turn
some day in popularity. We are reminded of it
by the following slip from the Gardeners' Maga^
zine :

** The climbing hydrangea has the merit of great
hardness, and will be found a useful addition to
the list of plants suitable for training up the stems
and covenng large wall spaces. It is said to at-
tain a height of fifty feet when able to obtain the
needful support. Upon this point I am not able
to offer an opinion, but judging from the rapid
progress it makes when planted in a border of
rich soil there would probably be no difficulty in
very quickly covering walls ranging from twenty
to twenty-five feet high. The flowers are at first
disappointing, for one naturally enough expects
heads of bloom approaching in size and effective-
ness those of the common hydrangea, H. horten-
sis and the well-known H. paniculata. The flower
heads are of large size, but as but few are sterile
they are exceedmgly thin, and less attractive than
could be desired. The trusses are very similar to
those of H. speciosa variegata, and the flowers are
white. The climbmg hydrangea will be tound in
catalogues under the name of Schizophragma
hydrangioides."

Large Roses. — Some one regards the size of

Her Majesty as something remarkable. It is cer-

! tainly a large and fine rose, but many of the well-

j known popular roses have reached 7 inches across

; in this vicinity this year.

i Destruction of Ants in Gardens. — At the

July meeting of the Montgomery county, Ohio,

! Horticultural Society, Mr. Ohmer off"ered the fol-

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

229

lowing as a remedy for the black ant. It is given
by Prof. Riley : " Bisulphide of carbon poured
into the entrances of ant colonies will break them
up very thoroughly. Pure kerosene oil, used
often, will have the same eff*ect."

Mr. G. R. Mumma says common salt, liberally
applied, will rout them. But in Florida they say
the black ant rather likes kerosene, and the purer
the better.

Roses and the Rose Beetle. — As a general
rule, the rose, mock-orange, many spiraeas, magno-
lia glauca, and many other things, have their flow-
ers utterly ruined by the rose beetle, entomologi-
cally known as Macrodactylus subspinosa, in
gardens near Philadelphia. This year they were
all in bloom and over before this pest appeared,

America. The Rose, Azalea, Lotus, Wistaria and
others are grown for ornament, and in a practical
way the flower garden is not far different from the
flower garden of America. Every Japanese
dwelling, whether in city or country, has its flower
garden ; and great care is taken to harmonize the
colors of the flowers, and make the garden attrac-
tive by introducing fountains and artificial rock-
eries. The dwellings are decorated inside by
numerous foliage and flowering plants. One of
the most common house plants is the Selaginella.
This handsome plant is used as a background, or,
it is so disposed among the flowering plants as to
make an attractive and pleasing display."

The Japan Burning Bush. — Euonymus japoni-
cus is growing in favor as a dwarf evergreen for

the flowering season of trees and shrubs being ; pots in window culture, and as a vase plant for
about two weeks earlier than usual. The insect | lawns, and the mere artificial departments of gar-
was not forwarded with the season as the plants dening.
were. They put in their appearance about the

I2th of June, but were not troublesome till about
the 15th.

Azalea amcena. — This Chinese and very
beautiful dwarf azalea is well known from the
peculiarity of having its calyx developed so as to
look as if the plant had two corollas, one set like
a cup inside another. A student at Swarthmore
College, near Philadelphia, sent us this spring
specimens found in a wood of the native wood
honeysuckle. Azalea nudiflora, that had the same
peculiarity.

Gardening in Brazil. — Every part of the
world has its special fancy, and in Brazil the cala-

dium is the chief delight of the gardener, and j^^^^j j^flu

Akeria quinata. — This plant continues to grow
in popular estimation as a climbing plant. Its
plum-colored flowers are deliciously fragrant, and
appear long before the honeysuckle makes an ef-
fort to perfume the surrounding atmosphere.

Japan Umbrella Pine.— One of the largest
specimens of the Sciadopitys in Europe is, accord-
ing to the Garten Zeitung, a fine specimen grow-
ing in the garden of Max Daniel Wolterbeck, at
Valkenburg, near Arnheim, in Holland. It was
planted where it now stands, in a very exposed
situation, twenty years ago, and it is a healthy
and beautifully formed tree. Moreover, it has
never sufl'ered in the least from frost or other cli-

forms no mean feature in ornamental gardening.
In the vicinity of Rio de Janeiro there are some
who boast of having over a hundred varieties in

ences. Of pyramidal shape, it is nearly

13 feet high, with a circumference of a little over
21 feet. Two years ago it bore for the first time
two ripe cones, and the seed produced fifteen

their collections. We only know of these pretty | seedlings. Last summer it bore only one ripe
things by the few kinds we see in hot-houses, or | ^^^^ ^^ should like to know where is the largest

and best specimen in the United States. The
Editor has a very pretty one 5 feet high, but there
are probably larger ones than this.

Large Pleasure Grounds Some of our pub-
lic parks are of great extent, but the best of these
will not compare with some of the private grounds

the large "Elephant's ear" or Tan yan which

grows in open grounds in summer, but this is

enough to indicate how beautiful a large collec-
tion in tropical gardens must be.

Ivy on Trees. — Ivy or any vine that runs per-
pendicularly up a tree does not injure it, unless

branches from the vine extend along the branches, | ^^ ^^^ qj^ World. Longleat, the seat of the Mar-
and by its mass of leaves smother the leaves of the | ^^j^ ^^ g^^j^^ jg enclosed by a fence sixteen miles
tree. Vines hke Wistaria that coil around a trunk : ^.^ynd. and embraces 5,000 acres. The carriage

do injure trees.

roads and drives through these grounds comprise

Japan Gardening.— Park's F/ora/ Magazine \ sixteen miles. The dwelling-house is so large
says : " Many of the plants cultivated in Japan | that 125 people have slept there at one time,
to-day have been introduced from Europe and I The highest class of gardening skill is required

230

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[August,

to manage gardens like these. Fruit forcing is
carried on very successfully. Hot-house grapes
for instance, require extensive glass-houses. One.
55 feet long and 30 feet wide, is wholly occupied
by the Black Hamburg, producing bunches
weighing sometimes 7 lbs. Another, 90 feet long
by 30 wide, has only four vines, which are so
trained as to occupy the whole space. These are
Muscat of Alexandria. These produce bunches
about 6 lbs. each. The other, 50 feet by 30, is a
house containing only five vines — two Lady
Downes, one Prince's Black Muscat, and one
Black, two black Alicante. Melons, or cante-
loupes as they would be called in our country,
have a house 40 by 30 feet allotted to them. But
only four plants are in the house. The branches
are trained over the whole extent, and bear from
early spring to fall hundreds of fruits. Separate
houses have peaches, figs, etc.

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

Alcock's Spruce.— The editor of the Rural
New Yorker prefers the Alcock spruce to the
Colorado Blue spruce. They are both so beauti-
ful, and so well adapted to culture in the Eastern
States, that it is hard to say which ought to be
preferred, but there are numbers who will surely
say that the editor of the Rural New Yorker is
not far wrong at the worst.

New Roses.— Mr. E. L. Taplin tells the Rural
New Yorker, after reviewing the claims of many
candidates for popular favor now in the field, that
"in common with one great horticulturist," he is
convinced "almost too many new roses" are
being introduced.

Gray's Lily.— Lihum Grayi, among a very large
collection in Philadelphia, seems the earliest of any
to flower. It was open on the 12th of June.

The Chinese Fringe Tree.— This has the
flowers in stiff heavy cymes, much as in the Lilac,
and is in striking contrast with its more slender
flowered relative, the American Fringe tree. Bo-
tanically it is Chionanthus retusus.

The Kamtschatca Rose.— This beautiful red
rose, which has been under culture near Phila-
delphia for nearly a hundred years, and which
proves to be not materially distinct in a botanical
sense from Rosa rugosa, recently introduced as
the •• Ramescs" rose, has at least the pecuhar ad-
vantage of flowering carher— at least earlier than

the white variety. It was the earliest of all in a
large collection of single roses near Philadelphia
this year, being open in the first week of May.
The rugosa was nearly two weeks later.

Pterostyrax mispidum.— Two distinct plants
are in nurseries under this name. One has nar-
I row leaves and looks as if it might not be distinct
from some Halesia. The true plant has large
leaves looking very much like those of the Witch
Hazel. The white sweet flowers will make this a
favorite among the stronger growing shrubs m
our gardens. It is a rather recent importation
from Japan.

Indigofera Dosua. — In gardens there is a
dearth of good ornamental shrubs to flower about
midsummer. Those which flower from old wood
are about over, while the fall flowerers, or those
which bloom at the end of spring growth, are
scarcely in season. A capital dwarf shrub for this
floral interregnum is Indigofera Dosua, an East
Indian plant of the Indigo family, which is pro-
fuse in its presentation of purple spikes of pea-
shaped blossoms. Besides its beauty it will in-
terest the "children," besides those of larger
growth who love to watch the singular ways of
nature, by the manner in which the keel jumps
back when any one touches it. It is supposed to
have some " advantage *' to the plant by prevent-
ing •• in and in " breeding. The disadvantage here
is, that it prevents our getting much seed at all, and
hence the plant is rather rare in our gardens from
the difficuUy of propagating, which has to be done
from shy-rooting cuttings. If those plants that
"desire cross fertilization " had remained satisfied
to produce seed in the good old-fashioned way,
they would have progressed better through the
world.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Varying Leaves in Ivy. — A correspondent
from Dunreith. Ind., asks : " Does the common
English ivy often bloom freely ? The form I have
in mind is largely planted in the forests in Eng-
land and Scotland, and the commonest seen in
this country. I recently saw a large old plant in
a 12-inch pot, growing at the end of an old green-
house—inside—that has sported into a different
leaf (sample enclosed), and different habit of
growth, shrubby, and not vining, and I am told
the sport, as well as plants propagated from it, are
very free bloomers, flower clear yellow, nearly 2

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

inches in diameter. I have a plant of the sport leaves often cease to be prickly. In the ivy the
about 15 inches high, in a 4-inch pot, not pot- usually halbert-shaped leaves often become al-

bound, that has several flower buds on it.

[All plants have somewhat different foliage

most round when the plant reaches the flowering
stage, and cuttings or grafts taken from flowering

when young than when mature. For instance, j branches maintain the round-leaved, shrubby con-
the honeysuckle, paper mulberry and holly are dition. It is not a sport, in the ordinary meaning

familiar instances. The younger leaves are pomt-

of that term, but a perpetuation of the flowering

ed and more angular. In the holly the mature I condition.— Ed. G. M.]

Greenhouse and House Gardening.

COMMUNICATIONS.

iERIDES VIRENS.

BY CHARLES E. PARNELL.

The dark, green-leaved air plant, .Erides vi- ,
rens, is a very beautiful epiphytal orchidaceous ;
plant. It is a native of Java, from whence it was '
introduced by Messrs. Loddiges of the Hackney
nurseries in 1842. It is a strictly stove plant, hav-
ing broad, thick, obtuse, glossy green leaves, and
produces its flowers in pendulous many-flowered
racemes. The flowers emit a rich and delicious per-
fume ; in color they are mostly white, blotched
and spotted with crimson and lilac. It flourishes
best in a very damp atmosphere during its season
of growth, and can be grown attached to a rough
block of wood by fine wire, provided the lower
port of the stem and roots are enveloped in sphag-
num moss. Or they can be grown best in wire
baskets filled with sphagnum moss interspersed
with broken pots. During its season of growth,
which is from June to October, it should be given
a plentiful supply of water, and a temperature of
from 65O to 85O. It should also be grown in a
shady situation, or where it can be protected from
the rays of the sun ; thus treated it will grow
rapidly and flower freely. In the winter season,
or from November to May, it can be exposed to
the sun without sustaining any injury, and it
should also be given a much lower temperature—
from 50O to 60O. At this season it should be kept
quite dry, almost to the suspension of water.
Propagation is effected by a careful division or
separation of the plant, and in doing this it is best
not to separate or remove any young branches
until roots have protruded from them, and after
separation give the young plants very httle moist-

ure until they show signs of growth. The young
plants require a similar treatment to that advised
for young plants.

The generic name is derived from " Aer," air,
on account of its deriving so visibly its support
from the atmosphere; and the specific, on account
of the pecuharly rich glossy green color its leaves
assume. Queens, N. Y.

HEATING SMALL GREENHOUSES.

•• Dear Editor — Could you inform me the most
economical way of heating a small conservatory
12x16 about 8 feet high? The building is de-
tachcd save a board fence on the north side,
though sheltered by houses on the east, west and
north. By so doing you will confer a favor on a
subscriber. Very truly yours,

•' Eugene J. G. Dailledouze."

Flatbiish, L. I.,N. Y.

Similar communications often reach us. It is
next to impossible to give directions that would be
applicable to each particular case. One of the
best ideas that ever came before the Editor was
given by a correspondent in the Gardeners*
Monthly many years ago. The idea can be
adapted to peculiar circumstances better than any
other one, and we think it will serve a good pur-
pose at this time to reprint the whole chapter. It
is by Loring W. Puffer :

«• I do not propose in this paper to advance any
particular theory as to the circulation of hot
water, but to confine myself to a few facts in my
own experience. Many persons are deterred from
building greenhouses because the heating appara-
tus must be either cumbrous or expensive, for it
has almost passed into a proverb, that houses less
than 50 feet in length, cannot be economically
heated by hot water. Having solved that problem
to my satisfaction during the past ten years, I

232

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[August,

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

233

herewith give you the result : The office or par-
lor stove for anthracite coal of to-day, is an im-
provement over the old cylinder cast-iron stove,
inasmuch as its peculiar construction allows a con-
tinuous fire to be kept for months, and when pro-
perly adjusted there is a perfect combustion of the
coal ; consequently no waste, no fires to rebuild,
while ten minutes* time daily will keep them in
satisfactory running condition. This improvement,
so far as I know, was introduced by one McGreg-
gor, some twenty years ago, and while very few

1. Damper to admit cold air and check draft. 2. Ash pit. 3. Revolvitij; p:rate, 12
inches in diameter. 4. Door to ash pit, with slide damper. 6. Damper tor direct draft.
6. Firebrick. 7. Boiler. 8. Smoke pipe. 9. Wrought iron collar on end of copper pii)e
—ends turned over. 10. Four-inch iron pipe ; top and base cast-iron- sheet-iron outside.
11. Cover. The water pipes are to be understood as radiating from the side instead of
the front, as shown by this section.

I have tested. Of course not much heat could be
generated, as combustion goes on very slowly.
But a good degree of heat can be maintained for
twelve hours. Now having used these stoves for
sixteen years, and withal, being a Yankee, I could
never build a fire in my flue without contrasting
the difference. The stove so simple, effectual,
and neat in its working. The flue at its best, be-
ing unsightly, dirty and ineffectual to a certain ex-
tent, and using more time than I could well afford
to spare. About ten or eleven years ago. having a

small propagating house
to heat. I found a stove
that would answer my
purpose, and cutting
some holes through the
shell, inserted a bend of
2-inch gas-pipe, commu-
nicating with a wooden
tank. This worked some
time quite effectually, but
the pipe clogged the fire,
and after some thinking,
I had patterns made, anc^
a boiler cast, which
should take the place of
the fire-brick, the size
being adapted to the
amount of heat required
for tank heating. This
worked effectually and
to my satisfaction until I
sold the house. This was,

I think, in the spring of
1863. Last fall I con-
cluded that I would apply
the principle in heating
my greenhouse, which is

I I feet wide and 32 long.
I secured the base and
top of a McGee stove, and
ordered a cylinder boiler
of No. 16 gauge, sheet
copper, made by a tin-
man. The boiler is 2 feet
high, 16 inches outside,
and 14 inches inside di-
ameter. The copper is
first riveted, and then
soldered. The space be-

tween the two shells filled

of these stoves are now in use, the principle in I with water is i inch. The boiler is lined with fire-
volved can be found in nearly all the modern | brick i foot high, leaving i foot exposed to the
stoves known by the name of McGee, Orient. Base , direct action of the fire. Fifty pounds of coal will
burner, Gas burner, and other fanciful names. It | fill the space to the top of the fire brick. If filled
consists essentially in a cast-iron cylinder, lined 1 to the top of the boiler, something over 100 pounds
with fire brick, and surrounded at a distance of j would be required. External and at about an
2 or 3 inches, with a sheet-iron shell. The heat inch distant is a sheet-iron shell, with smoke-
rising from the cast-iron cylinder to the top is de- I pipe at its base. The fire is entirely surrounded
fleeted back and down between this and the sheet- 1 by water, and the heat, after rising to the top,
iron shell and then finds access to the pipe, what i descends to the base of the boiler, and thence to

is not radiated by the stove, through the base of
the stove, and under and back of the fire to the
chimney. The amount of heat lost in the chim-
ney is not probably five per cent. A fire can be
kept for forty-eight hours without touching. That

the smoke-pipe— what has not been radiated.
When the boiler is working well, the smoke-pipe
will be about blood warm. Some heat is radiated
by the sheet iron shell, but by using a covering of
felt, that would be mostly retained. The tempera-

ture of the house during the night is from 40^"^ to
50O, commonly about 45°. and it never falls dur-
ing the night. On March 5th, with the tempera-
ture outside at icP below zero, and a driving wind,
with an expenditure of 75 lbs. of coal in the twen-
ty-four hours, the heat was steady at 45^, not
varying one degree, and using but 95 feet of 4-
inch pipe. The house contains 2700 cubic feet,
fronts south, and is not protected by other build-
ings. The boiler cost forty-two dollars. The
amount of coal used is from fifty to sixty-five
pounds daily. The fire does not go out for weeks,
and but for the fact that there is more or less slate
with the coal, it could be kept up from fall until
spring. An average of ten minutes per day will
keep it working. There is one flow and two re-
turn pipes. The end of the flow pipe is 6 inches
higher than the top of the boiler. It has always
worked to my perfect satisfaction, and although
only about 100 feet of pipe is attached, have no
doubt that it would work 300 feet, but of course,
using more coal. I send a rough draught of it;
should be pleased to show it to any one. One of
Hitchings' boilers that would do the same work
would cost about one hundred and fifty dollars.
P. S. — 1 am not a manufacturer of boilers."

A'orf/i Bridgewater, Mass.

THE OIL AND SULPHUR REMEDY FOR

MILDEW.

BY A. VEITCH.

Ever since it became known that oil and sul-
phur combined is a safe and unfailing remedy for
rose-mildew in greenhouses, several writers have
treated the subject as unworthy of serious con-
sideration. For reasons best known to themselves,
these writers take the ground that water is as safe
to use in this connection as oil, but how they reach
this conclusion does not appear, as no mention is
made of the means employed to ascertain the facts
of the case— from which we infer that greater
anxiety is manifested to condemn the practice
than to test its merits.

Precisely how much more influence oil has over
sulphur than water to prevent scorching, we do
not know, but that it has more cannot be success-
fully gainsaid, and, although unable to state the
nature of the difference, there are good reasons
for believing that some sort of change occurs be-
yond the power of water to accomplish. The facts
which go to prove this have been collected from
various quarters and are most convincing. Some
from personal observation, and others rest upon
the testimony of several of the best and most ex-
perienced plant-growers in the country. Amongst
these was the late W. Bennett, of Flatbush, who
informed me that in an extensive establishment in
New Jersey, over which he had some control.

there was a collection of rose-bushes literally in-
fested with mildew. At his request, the oil and
sulphur remedy was applied, and so strong that
he was apprehensive every plant in the house
would be destroyed. Instead of this, however, no
harm was done to a single healthy leaf, whilst the
mildew was utterly subdued. Quite a number of
similar cases could be stated, all tending to show
that there is greater safety in applying sulphur
with oil to heated surfaces in greenhouses than
with any other known substance. And there is
nothing more remarkable in this than the effect
that oil has in restoring calm to the waters of a
stormy sea, or its soothing effects when applied
to scalds and burns.

Another objection to this remedy was urged by
one of the speakers (whose name I cannot recall)
at the meeting of Florists in Cincinnati last sum-
mer. He said in substance, that he was at a loss
to know which of the two was the most offensive
—the mildew or the smell of the composition in
the house. Perhaps if this question were referred
to a dozen florists for settlement, who had tested
the remedy, ten of them would decide in opposi-
tion to this view. And the only reason we refer
to it here, is to express sympathy for those whose
sense of smell is so acute that, although affording
much pleasure, is at the same time the prolific
source of irritation and pain. The case of this
florist is not a solitary one, and the cause of an-
noyance is not always due to odors, in themselves
offensive, for we have known people made sick by
the odor of honeysuckle, wallflower, etc., and there-
fore it is well for this class to guard against ex-
posure, as it is just possible they may die at any
moment in either fetid or •• aromatic pain."

But this is not the way to look at measures, the
design of which is to mitigate or cure the maladies
to which both plants and animals are subject ;
but rather to regard them as means placed within
reach to master disease at whatever sacrifice of
temporary comfort and convenience. And more-
over, the full measure of virtue in the fumes of
sulphur and oil may not yet be adequately under-
stood, for if there is any truth in the rather gen-
eral belief that such diseases as catarrh, diph-
theria, colds, etc., are caused by minute organisms
—algal or fungal,— may not this remedy be good
in such cases ? I have been led to take this view
from remarks made by a florist who spent much
of his time in greenhouses the last two winters
where the oil and sulphur was freely used. And
during those winters he suffered less from colds
that at any former period. This may not afford

234

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[August,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

-35

sufficient evidence that it has either preventi\ e or
curative properties, but it does seem to show that
however offensive the odor might be to extremely
sensitive people, it is not to be regarded as in any
way hurtful. New Haven, Conn.

[The Editor has in mind a rose house suffering
from an incipient attack of mildew, and which
had been seriously infested the year before. On
the appearance of Mr. Veitch's paper recommend-
ing a paint made of oil and sulphur, put on the ,
hot-water pipes, this was done to this house, and
the effect in arresting the mildew was magical.
The odor was peculiar, but we never heard any
one suggest that it was annoying. To our mind
that communication of Mr. Veitch's was one of
the most valuable that has ever appeared in our
pares. — Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Destroying Cockroaches. — Usually strewing
powdered borax in the runs of cockroaches either
destroys or drives them away. There may be
situations where this may not be convenient to ap-
ply, when the following from the Gardeners' Maga-
zine may be useful :

«' Having suffered severely from the mischief
done by cockroaches, and seeing from the in-
quiries in the Gardeners' Magazine that these
pests are very troublesome elsewhere, I will briefly
describe the simple remedy that I have found
most effectual in getting rid of them. Cockroaches
seem to be particularly fond of dry crusts of bread,
and with a few of these and a biscuit tin I have
been able to get rid of them. I place a piece of
dry bread in a biscuit tin^ which is perfectly
smooth inside, and about 4 inches deep. I place
the tin with one side against a wall, where they
are the most abundant, or plunge to the upper
edge. I am, in fact, disposed to accommodate
them as far as possible, and make a ladder with a
few strips of wood, which will enable them to
reach the upper edge of the side of the tin. It is
not a matter of much consequence which course
is taken, as they will, in endeavoring to reach the
crust, tumble in, when, of course, they can be
readily destroyed by being dropped in hot water.
I have tried to poison these pests, and also to
catch them with the aid of a patent beetle trap ;
but have not found either so effectual as catching
them with crusts of bread and biscuit tins."

A Novelty in Window-plant Culture. — A
few days ago I had a special request to go and
call upon two lady friends of mine who reside a
short distance off. Their principal object was to
show me a very neat and handsome tuft of horse
chestnuts growing in a shallow dish, and placed
on the top of a small vase in the window. On the

first glance over them they presented by their
spreading palmated foliage the appearance of
some new introduction of this class of plants ; the
leaves were of a dark healthy green, most of them
consisting of five leaflets, on stems of 7 to 8 inches
high, with about the same number of plants. The
specimen when viewed as a whole was quite
unique, and worthy of imitation. The method of
management is so simple and easily performed
that it brings it within the reach of every one, and
adds to it a greater interest. The plan is, first to
procure a shallow galvanized dish, such as are
sold in the shops at id. or i^^d. each, or a large
saucer, into which place seven or eight of the nuts.
Cover them with moss, and moisten the whole oc-
casionally with water ; when showing signs of
vegetation give an increased supply. When they
attain the season's growth, such as when I saw
them, the dish under the moss was a mass of
strong, healthy roots. The progress of early
growth is similar to that of hyacinths in glasses;
and, although no flowers are produced, they are
much more effective as a window plant. — /. Web-
ster, Gordon Castle, in Gardeners Chronicle.

Roses in Beds or Benches. — Correspondence
in the American Florist seems to indicate that
whether roses flower better in solid beds or
benches depends as much on the man and condi-
tions of growths as the system. Kinds subject to
mildew as Cornelia Cook, Catherine Mermet and
Niphetos may do better in benches, as the more
perfect drainage is more favorable to health.

Winter Flowering Carnations. — In the old
world Souvenir de Malmaison is still the most popu-
lar with florists. They do not generally practice the
bench system as we do, but grow in pots. As fast
as the first full crop is over they throw away the
plants, and bring in a new set from the plants
stored in reserve.

Chrysanthemum Stakes. — Some day when the

millenium of Chrysanthemum culture shall have

been reached there will be no necessity for stakes ;

yet awhile they are desirable, and the following

from Gardening Illustrated will be of interest to

those who desire neatness where stakes must be

used :

" I will give particulars of a stake I have made
to support and train my Chrysanthemums for
show blooms. I get some strips of wood i inch
square, and cut them the required length, then
cut some strips of copper wire, 18 inches long;
one end of these strips I bend round in a loop. I
' then get a fine brad-awl and make five or six holes
J in the stake, and, taking one of the strips of wire,

pass it through the stake and bend the other end
round. It thus makes a support for two of the
shoots, and by fixing four wires and one single
wire at the top for the leading shoot I make a very
neat stake for training Chrysanthemums, and if it is
given a coat or two of paint it will last for years."

Carvings on Fungus. — The large, hard fungus,

called botanically, Polyporus, that pushes out like

huge brackets from some trees, the American Ag- \

riculturist notes, may be turned into pretty parlor 1

ornaments by carving on the hard upper surface.

Double Bouvardias. — The first double Bou-
vardia (Alfred Neuner) sent out in the spring of
1881, created some amount of surprise, many be- ^
ing inclined to think that the description of it was s
exaggerated, but when it flowered in this country
and was found to more than fulfil the expectations
formed of it, there was directly a great demand
for it, and before long it was extensively culti-
vated. The next addition to double kinds was ,
President Garfield, a pale pink flowered sort, but!
it never became such a favorite as the while-blos-
somed kind. Another American-raised variety is
Thomas Meehan. bright vermilion-red, but the I
blooms are small and not so double as those of
the two preceding. It is but little grown, and ap-
appears never likely to advance much in popular .
favor. The next double Bouvardias were sent out
by M. Victor Lemoine, of Nancy, and announced
by him to be the result of a cross between the
bright vermilion-colored B. leiantha and Alfred j
Neuner. The sorts were V. Lemoine, a vigorous
growing kind with bright red blossoms, Sang Lor- ;
raine with more of a scarlet shade, and Triomphe |
de Nancy, a salmon-red kind. These are all free
growing sorts, but as far as my experience extends
they do not retain their foliage quite so well dur-
ing winter as the older varieties. Another Con-
tinental form is Hogarthi flore-plena, of which,'
however, I possessed but a weak plant in the wm-
ter ; therefore its merits could not be fairly tested.
The few flowers that were developed, however,
promised well, being very double, but 'the color
does not suggest that of the old Hogarth, being
much paler. As the flowers of these double Bou-
vardias last in perfection much longer than those
of the single kinds, they are especially valuable
for use in a cut state, while their size eminently
fits them for the smaller arrangements of cut
blooms, such as sprays, buttonholes, etc. When
Alfred Neuner was first sent out a great deal
of correspondence took place as to the way in
which it should be propagated, some contending
that cuttings of the side shoots produced only
single blooms, while the tops of the main branches
bore double flowers. After many experiments I
was convinced of the fallacy of such a statement,
as, though a few single blooms were borne during
the first season, the percentage was just as great
among those struck from leading shoots as from
side branches. The single blooms no doubt arose
from the plant being a sport from Davidsom, a
single-flowered kind. It was, therefore, just a
case of reversion to the type.

The above is from the Garden, They do not

s^em to know in Europe that the Bouvardia is pro-
pagated by making " mince meat " of the roots.

Oleanders. — Cuttings of these root freely when
placed in bottles of water in a living room. The
double red and the single white are common in
cultivation. There are a number of other varieties
in Italy, though rarely seen in the New World.

Orchids for Cut Flowers. — The London
Journal of Horticulture says :

•' Many Orchids continue in flower for a great
time, either from the duration of the individual
flowers or their production in succession over an
extended period. Some, like Cypripedium in-
signe, last for a remarkably long time when cut
and placed in water, continuing frcbh for two or
three weeks. Dendrobiums of the nobile char-
acter are useful for cutting, as they can be cm-

! ployed in bouquets and buttonholes with great
advantage, though not lasting so well as the

i Cypripedium. To assist in the preservation of
flowers on the plants avoid an excess of moisture
in the air, and be careful not to damp the flowers

I when syringing. Some also remove the pollinia
to prevent tertilization, and where bees are num-
erous this is advantageous, as the flowers of most

\ Orchids fade almost immediately after fertiliza-
tion. The list appended gives the names of a
selection of the Orchids which continue longest

' in flower:

j "Orchids lasting eight weeks in bloom — Vanda
Sanderiana, Oncidium Jonesianum, andCcelogyne
ocellata. Lasting twelve weeks— Cypripedium
i Argus, C. barbatum, C. Spicerianum, Uendrobium
! Ueari, Lycaste Skinneri, and Masdevallia ignea.
Lasting thirteen weeks—Oncidium tigrinum, Odon-
toglossum cariniferum, O. Rossi majus, Sophnoni-
tis grandirlora, and Vanda coerulea. Lasting six-
teen weeks — Cypripedium Harrisianum, Calanthe
Regnieri, Epidendrum crassifolium, Lielia pumila
Day ana, Odontoglossum cordatum, O. bictonense,
Oncidium cucuUatum, O. incurvum, Masdevallia
tovarensis, PhaliJenopsis grandiflora, and Vanda
Batemani. Lasting twenty weeks— Epidendrum
radiatum, O. vitellinum majus, Odontoglossum
' maculatum, O. membranaceum, Oncidium flexuo-
' sum, and O. linguicforme. Lasting twenty six
' weeks— Uendrobium bigibbum, Masdevallia Nor-
' mani, Odontoglossum Uro Skinneri, and Phalifi-

' nopsis rosea.

••The Cymbidiums also last a long time, and
others could be named, but those mentioned will
suffice as examples, though one curious instance,
Masdevallia octhoides, deserves notice, as a plant
has been had in flower for five years."

Japanese Chrysanthemums. —The following
are well deserving of cultivation : Elaine, white ;
Dr. Masters', bright yellow and red, very fine;
Fair Maid of Guernsey, pure white, and very dis-
tinct; Hero of Magdala, blood red and orange
buff; James Slater, clear lilac mauve, very pretty ;
Nagasaki, violet, dark rose violet and golden disc,
sometimes spotted with white ; Belle of Japan,

236

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[August,

1886.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

237

I'*

bright magenta, tipped with silver; Cry Kang, of-
ange red; and Sir Hare Brock, fine chrome yellow.
Mr. Fortune makes mention of one curious fact
in regard to these Chrysanthemums. He states
that cross-breeding is not required to produce
variations among these curious forms of the Chrys-
anthemum, as each variety appears to possess
a capacity for producing curious forms, with-
out any necessity for cross-breeding. Once ob-
tain the blood, and the
multiplication of va-
rieties will commence
with the first genera-
tion.— Gardeners'
Record.

Orange and Lem-
on Trees. — A cor-
respondent who has
some seedling or-
anges, desires to know
if they will bear with-
out being grafted ; or
if they bear, whether
the fruit will be good
for anything.

A seedling orange
or lemon will bear in
time, and the fruit
may be as good or
even better than its
parent. Grafting — or
rather budding, for
these plants are sel-
dom grafted — is re-
sorted to in order to
bring the plant into
early bearing. A bud
from a bearing plant,
will give a bearing
tree at once, but a
seedling usually takes
many years to pro-
duce flowers or New Tea-Noisette Rose, " Namenlose Schone
fruit.

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

point in favor of a lasting character for the rose.
Deegan says that it has the beautifully formed bud
so essential to a good florists' rose. They are pure
white, except an occasional light blush in the
open air. In long continued dull weather it some-
times assumes a sulphury tint. When the flower is
fully expanded it assumes the saucer form of the
Souvenir de la Malmaison. The flower stalks are
long and slender, and though with the delicious

odor of the best tea
roses, it retains the
cluster-forming habit
of a Noisette. One of
its prominent traits is
a tendency to bloom
freely when young, in
which excellent char-
acter it compares with
Hermosa. In the open
air it continues from
early spring to Octo-
ber in constant bloom
in Thuringen. The
aromatic perfume is
deemed unequalled in
any white rose.

Deegan says in con-
clusion that when we
think how compara-
tively short is the sea-
son of one full cutting
of flowers on Niphe-
tos, Bon Silene and
Duke of Connaught,
and that the quantity
cut from this rose
during six weeks
scarcely varies from
day to day, the flor-
ist may readily be-
lieve he has a good
thing.

So far as we know
this rose has not been
introduced yet to our country, but from the charac-
ter of the firm and the description given, we believe
New Tea-Noisette Rose, "Namenlose it has merits worthy of the attention of our florists ;
ScHONE." — France and England have so far I and as in a matter of this kind early information
divided between them the honor of introducing ' will be appreciated, we have been to the whole
new roses that have become popular with the flor- cost of preparing this illustration for our readers,
ists. Here we have a competitor from Germany, The cut is a half size, and by the couple of dozen
introduced by the well and reputably known firm buds on four sprays illustrates the floriferous or
of Deegan, of Kastritz, Thuringen. The fact that Noisette character of the flowers. The true Noi-
it is introduced by a firm of this standing is a good settes usually have little fragrance.

Fruit and Vegetable Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS. question whether some such a plan as Mr. Ryder's

might not be considered with some profit.

It is often a subject of comment how long it takes It will be seen that the original intention was
the world to profit by a good idea, and the potting to include the growth of all plants intended for
of young strawberry plants, preparatory to setting summer bedding. The boxes are too large for
out in autumn, is a case in point. It is getting on to- strawberry runners that would be only a few
ward a quarter of a century since we made the first weeks growing in them, for they should be a little
suggestion in the Gardeners' Monthly, that it ••pot-bound" in order to take little room, and
would be well for those in the trade to prepare for | have little weight in travel, — and we think the
such a demand. At that time it was thought the | round form — a form like a box made for salve —
time would soon come, when the demand would 1 for all the waste of space in packing, better than
arise, and inventors set themselves to prepare for the square. Our object is not so much to com-
it, by schemes to get
the plants potted
cl\iefly. Among oth-
ers, our ingenious
friend. Dr. Ryder, of
Chambersburg, i n
Pennsylvania, in-
vented a very cheap
basket, costing al-
most nothing, which
the grower could
use and sell with the
plants without miss-
ing the expense. We
give here a sketch
of his invention.

But nothing came
c '^ rr 1 A Represents a section for a crate, with plants growing:. B Section of an empty crate.

Ot It. r ew people ^ pianta ready for transportation in sin^'le specimens. D Showmg position of ball with box

cp*»m#-H tn iinHpr open. E Tool with which to make holes in the soil to receive veneers. F Tool for setting

seemeu i u uiiucr- ^^^^^^^ boxes in open ground, fr)r layering strawberry plants, etc. H Showing shape of hole

stand that a plant made by tool, with method of drainage.

that cost a trifle

more than another, but gave a good crop of fruit a i mend this plan exactly, as it is to set inventors to

few months after planting, was as good as a cheaper improving on the idea, now that the "long-felt

one that took eighteen months to bring the full want " has arisen.

crop. Hence, when one had prepared the plants, Mr. Ryder says :

there were few buyers, and the labor was wholly •• Strawberry plants, etc., that have well filled

lost. This operated also against the use of the cheap the box with roots sufficient to hold the ball of

boxes. They were no use at all after being once earth together, will pack secure without the
J o veneer, and bemg square they pack close ana

set in the ground. But a small flower pot could ^^^^^ safely.

be used again, though the plant in it might have •• When strawberry runners are to be layered,
to be thrown away. So, regular flower pots are the plants being cultivated in rows and the
still in use for setting the runner in. But now ground in mellow condition, we use the tool or

fe dibble to make the impressions in the ground,

that every body understands the vast superiority ^^^^^ ^ second tool or plug a little smaller than
of potted plants, and even for large plantations ^ ^he first and made square at the bottom to press
only potted plants are found worthy of use. it is a ! the box flat down until they are even with the

238

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[August,

top of the ground, the soil shghtly compressed
outside, when the plug is withdrawn, and the
box is ready to fill with soil, all of which is per-
formed very rapidly. The point below the square
provides for drainage — as my experiments amply
illustrate."

It is interesting to note what a revolution this
introduction of potted runners has caused in
the whole field of strawberry culture, and how
changed have to be the "Seasonable Hints" in con-
sequence. The old boys can no doubt remember
the warm discussions about mowing of the leaves
of the strawberry in autumn, in order that the beds
might bear better the next year. In those days a
strawberry bed was like an asparagus bed in this,
that, once made, it was to continue a number of
years. The beds were solid mats of " sod," and
almost hke a lawn passed over by a modern mow-
er, after the annual mowing when the fruit was
gone. But who sees a matted strawberry bed
now ? The potted runner, if well potted, and the
bedded plants, if well bedded, will give the best
crop the next spring after planting. And thus it
comes about that those who strive for excellence
find it pays to have new beds every year. Those
who do not have the very best potted plants find
the second year's crop the best, but very few in
these days care to keep the same strawberry beds
for over three years. The *• third term " is not
popular with strawberry growers now. Rotation
in office prevails as a political dogma among
strawberry growers. One thing is certain, that a
first class potted runner, set out in August or Sep-
tember, the plants one foot apart, and the rows 18
inches, with every third row 2 feet from the others
to furnish a pathway for fruit culturers and fruit
gatherers, will, if the ground is made suitable to
the strawberry, in all probability do its best
for its owner the first season after setting out.

In old times it was a caution, not to make the
soil too rich for the strawberry. They would go
all to leaves it was found. Under the new system
it seems almost impossible to make the soil too
rich, so long as the manure is thoroughly incor-
porated with the soil, and the ground not a mere
rank manure heap. And a deep soil that will not
dry out when a few hot suns shine on it, with a
situation where there is an abundance of light,
and yet not exposed to the full rays of the sun-
light without heat — this is found to be the essence
of all that is good in modern strawberry culture.
The doctrine of the wearing out of varieties will
rarely get an illustration from the strawberry
grown under these conditions. The spotted leaf —
the fungus that interferes so much with the long

I continued vigor of any variety — may not be at-
I tacking plants that in the strictest sense we may

j call diseased. The philosopher may, with some
! show of facts, insist that the plants are healthy,
i and that the fungus is the cause of all the trouble,
, but we who have watched the course of cultiva-
I tion through the long years past, know that "some-
! thing is wrong " before the *' wearing out of the
variety " began.

COMMUNICATIONS.

A TREE PLANTING MACHINE.
BY WM. ZIMMERMAN.

By this mail I send you a copy of our tree
planter, of which you have heard through my
brother, and, as he says, expressed doubts as to
its working successfully.

I have a working model which plants matches,
as trees, in a box of sand, with a success that
demonstrates the answer to that most natural
question, •• Will it work ?" It will work, not only
as a tree planter ; but also, as a corn, or other
seed, or potato planter. In this statement are also
embraced celery, cabbage, beet and like plants,
and sugar cane.

When the work is light, as in corn planting, two
or even three planting wheels may be put on the
same machine and the result or amount of work
correspondingly increased.

The rate of work is about as follows : Moving
at the rate of only two miles an hour, and setting
one foot apart, in ten hours it will plant 105,600
plants; six inches apart 211,210; two feet apart
52,800; three feet apart 35,200. The machine
may easily be arranged to plant from three or four
inches apart to one or more rods at pleasure, set-
ting trees at any desired angle to the ground.

All you now want is a well tilled field to drive
in at one end and out at the other, with this
machine supplied with whatever you wish it to
plant, and your work will be done more thoroughly
and regularly than the most painstaking hand
labor ever could do it. The place filled by this
machine, in its kind, is like that of the reaper over
the sickle or sewing machine over the needle.

On first inspection you will be apt to think this
a very complicated machine, but the reason why
so many figures are given is, to show the parts
clearly in their different relation to each other,
and in some instances modifications are shown,
and in others again some of the parts are shown

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

239

enlarged for clearness of detail, so required in pistillate character requiring so much fertilization

patents.

IS an objection.

Thinking that it might be of special interest to Glendale, an unprepossessing, large topped,
you to know about a new invention relating to an 1 acid berry, matured May 24th, and yielded very
industry to which you have devoted your life, I ' heavily. In spite of its acidity, it can be utilized
have taken some pains to give you every point as a late berry.

that I thought you would be likely to ask for in- , Wilson's Albany can't be spared yet. It is
formation. I shall be very happy to answer any so firm and prolific that shippers cannot throw it
inquiry you may yet wish to make. I aside entirely, as none of the larger and sweeter

The work being about the same as that of a berries can equal it in firmness. This season it
good reaper, the cost of production will be about ripened with the Sharpless, a few days later than
the same, but owing to no competition the selling I the Triumph of Cumberland — usually it matures
price will be governed by other conditions. with or precedes the latter. The season has been

Chicago, Ills, \ too wet for an accurate judgment of the merit of

[There are numerous inventions to help horti- ' new kinds on trial in small lots.

culturists by those who know nothing of the busi-
ness, and hence amount to very little in practice.
But when such experienced and intelligent nur-

Raspberries commenced ripening June 8th and
are still on hand. The Cuthbert and Gregg are
the only varieties cultivated for market in this

serymen as the Zimmermans of Buffalo, tell us | section. Both of these have done well.

they have something useful, the name alone is : The Black Rot has improved its opportunity

sufficient to command respect. | and is sweeping the vineyards regardless of race

We have looked carefully over the diagrams ; or color. Red. white, blue and black fare alike.
s?nt with the letter, and can see no reason why \ Norton, Concord. Delaware. Brighton. Pockling-
the machine should not be a complete success. I ton— in fact, all varieties— are attacked by it.

As Mr. Zimmerman suggests, it is indeed the Two weeks since, the prospect was fine for an
marking of a new epoch in machinery well worth a \ enormous crop ; now it is doubtful whether there

standing with the era of the reaping or the sewing
machine. — Ed. G. M.]

SOME NOTES FROM RICHMOND, VA.

BY MAX.

Notwithstanding almost daily rains from May
8th to the end of the season, strawberries did very r^^^ EARLY RICHMOND CHERRY.

well in this section, yielding fairly and command ^ *«r.Trx-Trt,

... J lii GARDENe-R.

ing moderately good prices. Subjoined are notes
of a few kinds : In the vicinity of Philadelphia it would be hard

Crystal City ripened May loth and continued ' to find a more popular cherry than the Early Rich-
about ten days. Though a small berry, its earli- ' mond. There are two reasons for this. One is,
ness and flavor make it desirable where there is a i that owing to the immense number of robins-

will be a sound bunch left. It extends to all the
vineyards we have seen in this section.

Is there anything new or old about the ••woolly"
Aphis that you can tell us ? It is unusually prev-
alent on the young apple trees this summer. Has
the wet weather anything to do with it ?

Richmond, Va., July is 1^886.

home market.

Triumph of Cumberland ripened next in order.

which, by the way, have not been •• driven away
by the English sparrow" — it is next to impossible

commencing May 17th and continuing until June to get fruit from any of the sweet sorts. The
9th. For size, flavor and length of season, this other is, the character for regular bearing which
variety continues in the lead, retaining its size to \ it possesses. Besides this it is, comparatively, a

the latest picking.

small tree, fit for planting in small gardens where

Sharpless matured May 19th. A splendid berry; larger trees could not be allowed. Add to this
large, highly flavored, but too soft to bear trans- : the quality of its fruit, which, while tart, is not so
portation. For domestic use and home market it ' much so as to forbid its being eaten from the tree,
is among the best. I and is of the best for cooking, and there is a total

Manchester ripened May 22d and held on until i of good points equalled by no other well-known
June loth. A large, late, very firm berry; pro- j cherry. Philadelphia.

lific as Triumph of Cumberland. Its pronounced 1 [We may add to these excellent suggestions

240

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[August,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

241

that those who desire the best success with this
variety should graft it on the Mazzard stock. We
know of trees that are over 30 feet high, with
dense, well formed heads, loaded with fruit, a size
and beauty we never knew on thcMahaleb or on
its own roots. — Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Belmont Strawberry. — This is a very
handsome berry, being of a perfect egg-shaped
form. It is about 2 inches long by i}4 wide near
the base, with moderately scattered prominent
seeds. The fruit ripens evenly, and is of a dark
crimson color. It received the Wilder prize of ten
dollars in 1883 for the best four quarts of berries
of any kind that should have the finest form, color,
and general quality. It was raised by Heustis &
Son, of Belmont, Mass.

California Apricots. — The crop in Cahfornia
is very large this year, and numbers have been
successfully sent to the East. They were quite
abundant on the fruit stands in Philadelphia dur-
ing the first week in June, and excited great curi-
osity among numbers who had never seen an
apricot before.

Saunders' Hybrid Black Cap, No. 53— is
said by a correspondent of the Canadian Horticul-
turist to be one of the most productive raspberries
known. Three pints have been gathered from one
plant at a single picking.

G%\fting Quinces on the White Thorn. —
The pear grafts on the quince, and also on the
English White Thorn or Hawthorn Crataegus oxy-
acantha. A correspondent desires to know whether
the quince has been successfully grafted on the
White Thorn.

Large Strawberries. — Strawberries are sup-
posed to grow larger in the Old World than in
America. The Teutonia is believed to be one of
the largest varieties grown in France. Fine ones
of these are 6 inches round, and rather longer
than wide. It is, however, nearly as thick at the
apex as at the base, so that besides measuring
well there is a great deal of " meat " in the berry.

Origin of the Beurre Clairgeau Pear. —
Revue Horticole says this was raised at Nantes
in 1849 by Peter Clairgeau, a gardener, who sent
it to Belgium.

Cleaning Oranges. — The black smut which
discolors oranges grown in many orchards has
until lately been removed by washing the oranges

before boxing them for shipment. Until a few
weeks ago one shipper in Orange employed as
many as fifteen men at one time in washing and
drying the oranges. The operation was not only
expensive, but there was reason to believe that it
had a bad effect on the keeping qualities of the
fruit. Now, however, the fruit is cleaned in this
way : A barrel is swung on two uprights, and
through a trap door on the side a quantity of dry
sawdust and two or three boxes of oranges are
poured. The door is then closed and the barrel
revolved slowly for about fifteen minutes, when
the oranges are taken out, not only cleansed of
every discoloration, but polished and brightened
to a most tempting degree. One man can now
clean more oranges than five could by the wash-
ing system, and do it better. — Anaheim Gazette,

Early Asparagus. — The Rural New Yorker
notes that where the ground is covered to a depth
sufficient to keep out frost, with some rich material,
asparagus can be cut earlier than when it has to
wait for the frost to thaw out of the ground.

A Remarkable New Vegetable — A Tuber-
ous Mustard. — The natural order, Cruciferae, has
given us a number of our most esteemed vegeta-
bles. The radish, turnip and cabbage all belong
to this order, and all have varieties with tuberous
roots. Now the mustard, of the genus Sinapis,
another member of the order, has given us one in
the shape of a tuberous form. It is from China,
and is called Sinapis tuberosa in the Revue Horti-
cole where it is figured, resembling somewhat
small egg-shaped turnips. Its exact merits in the
culinary arts have yet to be ascertained.

Sowing Turnips. — The •* monthly calendars **
of agricultural papers are very much confused as
to the day of the month proper to sow turnips.
Our country is too large to make any definite time
safe. The best hint is, to sow as soon as the hot
weather is evidently over.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Pine Apple in Florida. — A correspondent,
who spent last winter in Florida, believes that the
Pine apple will escape freezing seven years in ten
as far north as Eustis, and can be raised with less
trouble than cabbages. A bed once planted will
yield for many years.

Murdochs* Biggareau and Rostraver Big-
gareau Cherries.— We have the following note
with fruit from Messrs. Murdoch : " This accom-
panies prepaid samples of two new cherries that

we expect to put upon the market in the Fall of
1887— Murdochs' Biggareau and Rostraver Big-
gareau. They ripen after our other good varie-
ties are gone, and we consider them valuable on
that account aside from their large size and fine
firm quality. We have no reason to doubt that
they are new varieties, but at the same time wish
your opinion on this point also. The Murdoch
Biggareau becomes almost black when fully ripe."

[It is next to impossible to pass with certainty
on the distinctness of cherries from others already
named, from samples on a plate. They are too
numerous to remember, and no system of classi-
fication has been found, as there has been among
plants, by which a reference to a " monograph "
will help us. It is safe only to say, that they ap-
pear to us to be distinct kinds, and they are large
and fine fruit, and we should not hesitate to put
them into the trade as good and desirable kinds. —
Ed. G. M.]

Woolly Aphis on Apples. Black Aphis on
Cherries. — We have before us two letters — one
from New York, talking of having to give up
cherry growing because of the Black Aphis, and
one from Virginia, similarly disheartened because
of the aphis on the apple tree. Each inquires, what
are we going to do about it ?

Now these insects can readily be killed ; but
the question for the nurseryman is, can it be done
cheaply enough to enable him to sell his trees in
competition with those who have no such labor to
spend in being free from these insect troubles?

There seems reason for thinking they can be
much more easily destroyed than people generally
believe.

It must be remembered that insects of the Aphis
family suck the juices of plants. Not eating as
beetles do, they cannot be destroyed by poisons

like Paris green. But they have to be destroyed
by closing their breathing apparatus. Oily liquids
will do this ; and in no form better than by kerosene
emulsions recommended by Prof. Riley and others.
The earliest of these methods was first published
in our magazine, contributed by Mr. Brown, of
Princeton, New Jersey. Twenty pounds of lime
and one gallon of coal oil, mixed with one hundred
gallons of water, is allowed to settle and become
clear. In this way oil will mix with the water,
and can then be used over leaves with a syringe,
or poured in around the roots of the young tree
when the insects are there.

If one has but a few trees, a syringe and a port-
able vessel of water would be all needed. But a
nurseryman with acres of trees could not stand
this expensive hand-labor. But why cannot a
water-cart arrangement, drawn through the rows
of trees, with a force pump attachment, or
even a gravity power be adapted, that would fully
answer all purposes ? Surely the brains that in-
vented a mowing or sewing machine, and has
now given us a tree planter, ought to be equal to
a task of this kind ?

We may add here that there has been a singular
neglect in American horticulture of the garden
engine for cultural purposes. In all first-class
European gardens a wheeled engine for forcing
water is deemed as essential as a wheelbarrow.
Some time since we advised a lady living near a
large city, who was annoyed by the skeletonizing
of the leaves of a favorite elm tree by the leaf-
beetle, to fire a solution of Paris green over the
tree. She wrote afterwards in reply that she could
not find a wheeled garden engine in any agricul-
tural implement store in the city. Syringes and
little hydropults were the best she could com-
mand.

Forestry.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

A Fine Pig-nut Hickory. — As we read in the
books, the Pig-nut Hickory is "a native of the
forests of the United States and Canada, usually
growing about 60 feet high, but occasionally
reaching 100." On the grounds of Geo. W. Childs,
the proprietor of the Philadelphia Public Ledger,
we saw one some time since, which on measuring

we found had reached the extraordinary height of
113 feet, and had a circumference, 5 feet from the
ground, of 12 feet. This grand monarch of its
race so impressed its majesty on us, that we have
taken its portrait, which we give herewith. It
will be seen by the stumpy character of some of
its upper branches, that it has seen its best days,
and that it is now on its dechne ; though with the
care it is getting from its owner, it will probably

242

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[August,

take over a hundred years yet, before it is finally : the former is Latin, the latter Greek. There are

gathered with ^he fathers of its race. I no hickories in any part of the world but North

It may be noted that the hickories are closely America, and it is to be regretted, perhaps, that

related to the walnuts, which have the scientific some name connected with our own country had

Pig-nut Hickory.

name of Juglans. Our hickories were also called not been thought of for them. The species, how-
Juglans in the early botanical history of our coun- ever, have English names, characteristic if not
try. Nuttall first perceived their distinctness and elegant.

made a new genus under the name of Gary a. | The present species is " Pig-nut," from, we have
Both names mean httle more than *' nut," but ' always supposed, the unshelled fruit resembling

1886.)

AND HORTICULTURIST.

243

the face of a pig. In most cases the husk remains
tight over the nut, and tapers down to the stalk
like the nose of a pig. This character is not how-
ever constant, and some pig-nut hickories split
the shell and permit the nuts to fall out, as in
other hickories.

The Best Forest Trees for American
Planters. — It must not be forgotten that America
is a large place ; when we talk of American for-
estry, we may have in mind any thing from a
palm to a pine tree. There are doubtless spots in
this large place where the native trees of England
or other places on the continent of Europe would
prove quite as profitable as they have been found
in Europe. In other places they may not do at
all. In some spots our native trees will be the
most desirable ; in other, the trees of Europe, or
even of Japan, will do better than our own. When
we read that this or that tree is no use for Ameri-
can forestry, it simply means that the right spot
has not been found for it. When the West smarts
under its general failure with the larch, it does
not do to say the larch is a failure in America.
But the failure proves that we may not expect to
take a tree, by nature an alpine, and have the
best success with it on low, rich prairie farm land.
As the man who despises book " larnin* " says, " it
is contrary to natur."

Alder Wood. — The Alder on the northwest
coast grows large enough to make canoes, and in
the north of Europe the species indigenous grow
to a large size. In our efforts at timber culture in
the near future there will be many wet spots in
the Northern States, or in elevated regions, that
will be just suited to this tree. It will be useful to
place on record the following, from the London
Garden, as to the uses of Alder timber :

"The Alder in the market, as regards price
generally, gets classed with the Birch and the
Poplar, and consequently does not command a
very high figure. For its class, however, it is a
very useful wood. According to old writers, it has
a quality which appears to bo but little regarded
at the present day, viz., that of enduring a long
time under water or in moisture. It is stated that
in the past 'it has been considerably used for piles.
Assuming its properties to be as good in this re-
spect as has been represented, there would now be
a great difficulty in getting a supply of wood large
enough for works of any magnitude, and whatever
it may be worth in this direction, it is more likely
to be used for small works of a private nature
than in anything where material would have to be
bought off the market. The Alder has been sug-
gested as a suitable wood to cultivate for pit and
mining props. Looking at the present position of
the supply of this commodity, it does not seem as

though there is much chance of Alder growing for
propping being successful ; the idea may be re-
corded for what it is worth for districts where
propping is not very plentiful, and where the soil
is not fit for the growth of the woods which arc
more commonly used. In the districts where they
arc required, Alder of a suitable size is sometimes
prepared for hop poles, but on the whole it is more
the wood for the turner than for any other handi-
craftsman. The smaller wood in the turning in-
dustry goes for bobbins, of which vast quantities
in the shape of cotton reels and similar articles

j arc annually consumed. Another use of a similar

I nature is the manufacture of brush backs. The
toy broom of the drawing-room and the scrub-

' bing broom of the scullery are alike prepared from
this wood. Another use of the Alder, which was
referred to some lime ago by a writer, is the manu-
facture of clog soles. Here, in the south, very
little of this work is seen, but for the soles of pat-

' tens it is occasionally cut up. For charcoal burn-
ing the Alder is regarded as of considerable value,

I and in some districts the better portions of the

1 wood are turned to account for the staves of dry
casks. As it has been stated, the wood is more
generally grown in the form of poles than in that
of timber, so the majority of the manufactures

I from it consist of small articles. Where the tree
grows to what may be regarded as a timber size,
the uses to which the Willow and the Poplar are
generally put would as nearly as anything repre-
sent what may be ventured upon with the Alder.
It is a wood which is spoken of as being used for
wheelwrights* work, such as the lining of carts and

i wagons, but where Elm is to be had, and at the
present prices, it certainly seems unadvisable to
use Alder. For work where a soft and non-split-
ting material is essential, it may now and again
be advantageous to use it, but the general hnes
upon which its admissibility may be determined
are those previously given."

I Forests in Ireland, — Ireland was once a vast
oak forest. It has been wholly denuded of tim-
ber. The climate has not changed. There is as
much rain as ever. But it is proposed to re-forest
portions for economic through not for climatic
reasons. It has been estimated that the cost in
that country for seedlings would be from $20 to
^25 per acre. For trees requiring holes, $30 to ^35
per acre. In about forty years timber fit for use
could be cut, and an acre estimated then to be

i worth $300 per acre.

I The Monterey Pine. — Pinus insignis does not
endure the winters of the Atlantic States, but finds
itself at home in the climate of England, where
great hopes were entertained that it would be

, valuable for forestry purposes. It proves soft —
but equal to Scotch Fir.

Larch Disease Whole plantations of larch

in Great Britain and Ireland have been destroyed,
i presumably by some fungus disease.

244

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[August,

Natural Eistort and Science.

COMMUNICATIONS.

GOPHER-ROOT.

BY DUDLEY W. ADAMS.

There is a very curious tree quite common in
this vicinity which I have never seen noticed, or if
I have seen it, it was so obscured by unintelligi-
ble name and description that I did not recognize
it. This tree is known among us simple rustics as
*• Gopher-root." This quite expressive but not
very elegant name enables us in our innocence to
understand what we are talking about, though
really it is not a root at all, but the wide spread-
ing branches of an underground tree.

This tree is practically without any trunk, it be-
ing so short that it does not reach to the surface
of the ground. The branches run as nearly hori-
zontal as the formation of the surface of the
ground will permit, and usually from 2 to 6 inches
below it. These underground branches send out
side branches and forks like other trees, but all
maintain their subterranean position. Some of
these trees have a total spread of branches of 80
to 100 feet. The leaves and blossoms are borne
on slender annual or biennial twigs that are
thrown up thickly from the younger branches and
grow to a height of 6 to 10 inches. Enclosed I
send one of the largest with leaves and blossoms.
It seems a pity that such a curious and worth-
less tree should lead a life of obscurity among
rustics with no name but "Gopher-root;" so if it
has not already a scientific name I would suggest
that it be called Gopherrootum Procumbens Sub-
terraneum Floridiana Adamsii. Such a name as
that would at once place the lowly tree on a high
scientific plane and all indefiniteness of nomen-
clature be removed. By the use of such a name
very tew people would ever learn to speak it, and
thus in the limited circle of scientists there would
be no confusion of names. Then another thing
occurs to me. When one of us poor plow joggers
is plowing and gets inextricably entangled in these
underground branches (from ^ to 2}4, inches in
diameter) there is nothing in our simple vocabu-
lary that will give full or even approximate ex-
pression to our thoughts. When thus entangled,
with a broken harness, and angry mule and a
thunder shower at hand, what a relief it would be

to pronounce that name with a ferocious accent
on the antepenult ! What effect the use of such
language would have on the mule is of no import-
ance, for mules are accustomed to a good deal of
rough talk in plain English, and if that does not
hurt them we need not fear damage from feebler
tongues.

Tangerine, Orange Co., Fia., June ig, 1886,

[Unfortunately this must not be an •• Adamsii,"
for Michaux is ahead with a prior name — Chryso-
balanus oblongifolius — Linnaeus having adopted
the generic name for the cocoa plum of the West
Indies. The name is Greek — Chrysos, golden,
and b^lanos, an acorn, or •• plum."

We never knew as much about the plant as our
correspondent's humorous letter discloses, and so
give it in full with his inquiry for its name. Wood
in his •• Class Book " tells us that " it grows in the
pine barrens of Georgia, Alabama and Florida,
and is a shrub with a slender prostrate stem or
woody rhizome, sending up short branches of 8
or 12 inches," and this is about all the account
that we know of in any published work.

The West Indian one is known as Chrysoba-
lanus Icaco, and is called the cocoa plum. This
is said to grow also in the Everglades, and to
make there a tree with dense, glossy, deep foliage,
with the fruit as large as a plum but varying in
color from milky white (cocoanut-flesh color) to
red and black. The fruit of this species is said to
be quite pleasant eating, but we know of no ac-
count of the fruit of this dwarf kind. — Ed. G. M.]

A RARE MONSTROSITY.
BY ERNEST WALKER.

Recently while admiring an unusually large
" spike " of the Yucca filamentosa and courting
the acquaintance of the Uttle dusty-millers which
haunt and seem to operate these fairy flower-
mills, I came across one of the less common forms
of floral metamorphosis and of prolification, one
type of which is where a pedunculate branch
springs from the head of a flower, as on the rose
for instance, where a branch rising from the cen-
tre of the flower is terminated by another rose a
few inches above the first one. This variation,
though less common, is by no means rare. They
often occur in the greenhouse, while the more

^ 1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

-15

ordinary forms of transformation are of as com- Peronospora was previous to 1845, and how it ex-
mon occurrence as single flowers. 1 isted ? It certainly did not exist on rotten potatoes

Something more of a rarity is when the " con- for there were but few about; and also how the
densed branch " attempts to develop the side vast mass of Peronospora that were in existence
buds, and produces flowers in the axils of its petals, the first ten years of the disease live now, and
This was the nature of the specimen we lately upon what do they feed since natural remedies
found on the Yucca. This flower consisted of a have been so effectually employed, not to destroy
double calyx, both fully formed and pure white, the Peronospora, but to restore the potato and to
A corolla with one additional petal, somewhat give the fungi no further work to do ? Where
crumpled and revealing a stage of development are they now ? If fungi be the cause of the disease,
midway between stamen and petal; the normal they ceitainly must be "blind to their best in-
number of stamens, six, and an ovary with one terests " in not now making further attacks upon
of its three prominent carpels missing. What we the delicious morsels that are all around them and
call double calyx may have been double corolla, are much more abundant than in 1845. No, it is
but there was the natural number of stamens pre- the carrion they want, and not the potato in its
sent. The most prominent feature, however, was healthy state.

the development of a pair of good sized and per- It was not the Peronospora that we had to con-
feet flower buds in the axils of two of the seg- tend with in the early times of the disease, but the
ments of the exterior calyx, and one at the base constitutional weakness of the potato which ihreat-
of the third sepal. [ened its destruction. The men who have been

Thus was produced a kind of compound mon- looking through the microscope have done noth-
strosity, exemplifying several principles of mor- ing toward the alleviation of the distress ; but the
phology — multum in parvo. The flower was also sympathizing practical men fought with debility
remarkable in some other respects. In the aug- and snatched the potato from entire destruction.
mentation of spirals in the flower this multiplication | Much has been written from time to time about
more commonly occurs among the andrcecium, the wearing out of races and I suppose it is a doc-
and in this kind of prolification, which in itself is trine which few will deny, for all nature is hasten-
rare, such buds are more commonly found in the ing to decay ; even the world itself is getting older.
axil of stamen or petal. 1 It is also an admitted fact that you may prolong

Nevertheless such pine-knots all help to kindle or cut short the existence of animal or vegetable
bright fires and throw light in the darker recesses life by the way it is treated ; and it will not appear
of nature's abode. They are not imperfections or at all wonderful to the thoughtful mind, on looking
blots upon the pages of nature, but punctuation back to the history of the potato and its treatment
marks to aid science in interpreting her wonderful during the last quarter of a century of its existence
manuscript. | before it succumbed to the disease, that it cer-

New Albany, Ind., June 20th, 1886. tainly could not much longer bear the immense

strain upon its constitution to which it was then
being subjected; in the shape of gross feeding;
its high cultivation ; its unnatural treatment; and
all the greed of the exacting cultivator with his
I see by your June number that in America as ' determination to have the "last pound of flesh."
in England a belief exists that the potato disease Even the quality of the sets that were then used
is caused by Peronospora infestans and not that for planting for the next season's crop, must have
the fungus is the effect of disease. This, the first produced the mischief in time if nothing else had
cause, had done its deadly work. Then the Per- accompanied it. Men who lived in those days
onospora as one of nature's scavengers, clears will not fail to remember the exhausted state of
away the dead matter. On the same principle the the sets that were used ; how the spears which
worms eat a dead body. Men of science still were the very vitals of the potato were run out
contend that from 1845 down this fungus is the and matted togeth-r, and the poor potato reduced
sole cause; though practical and experimental down to a skeleton and made to appear like pieces
men are against them ; and all the successful of dried sponge, instead of plump healthy sets.
experiments that have been brought to bear in Surely those who can remember these things must
endeavoring to cope with the disease militate confess that man and not " the worm " was the
against them also. I should like to ask where the ' cause. I venture to affirm that if we were to treat

CAUSE OF THE POTATO DISEASE.

BY C. D.

246

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[August,

1886.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

247

any other like kind of vegetable that is propa- ] I have always been thankful that I spent some
gated by the bulb or tuber, such as the tulip, the I years of the best part of my life in writing and
hyacinth, or the narciss, pretty similar results ' lecturing on this important subject, and battling
would follow. In fact, all vegetables and animals the various errors that prevented the public from
when pressure is put upon them like it was upon arriving at the real cause of this disease, thus
the poor potato, must, '• like riding a free horse to ! adding my mite to the enlightenment of the pub-
death." finally succumb to its treatment ; for all ' lie mind in reference to it ; so that at the present
ought' to be impressed with the important lesson | moment I am more than rewarded by seeing the
that if we break nature's laws, we certainly shall cultivators of the root all moving on in the right
sooner or later have to pay the penalty. j direction, and all taking care of the seed tubers.

It is now generally conceded that Americans and ' Planting at suitable times and in suitable soil, and
the English have had their labors richly rewarded, striving to preserve its health and vitality,— not
for by careful fertilization combined with patience taxing them to their utmost limits— and treating
and perseverance we have produced a new and them more in accordance with their natural habits ;
stronger race, which is not only more impervious and striving still, by adhering to natural laws to
to the disease, but, as a rule, is far ahead of the obtain a more vigorous and healthy progeny,
old worn-out sorts— both in quality and produc- I am exceedingly pleased to find that our united
tiveness— for where would you find in 1840 such efforts have been crowned with abundant success,
splendid sorts as the Beauty of Hebron and the 1 How difficult would it be now in this time of
White Elephant ?— sorts not confining their merits ; comparatively healthy potatoes to find the Per-
to one part of the season in particular, but to onospora, or even its resting spores in any quan-
every part,— and sorts too, that will always re- \ tity ? But if once more, through maltreatment,
ward the cultivator, both for quality and pro- we were to again break up the constitution of the
ducliveness,— besides the many other fine sorts potato and cause it to become debilitated and dis-
that follow hard after them, sufficient in number [ eased, we should soon find the fungus in sufficient
and variety to suit the different soils, and the dif- ; quantity to carry on the sanitary work as here-
ierent countries wherever the potato is grown. \ tofore, " for wheresoever the carcass is, there will

This indomitable perseverance of the two the eagles be gathered together."
nations has left the Peronospora infestans very : ^y^^^, ^s/e of Wight, England.

little to feed upon, and has almost chased it out of [The Editor may be pardoned for saying in re-
existence so far as the dead potatoes are con- gard to this communication, that it comes from
cerned. How different is it now to the first ten one who, without any capital but intelligence and
years of the disease. In good seasons it was bad good judgment, has become one of the best known,
enough, but in ungenial seasons, when the dis- in his own country, among successful nursery-
ease was hastened by inclement weather, the \ men. Near, if not perhaps on the grounds of
crops were scarcely worth digging, and when dug ! which he had charge in 1845, the potato disease
the tissue was so vitiated by traces of the disease, made its first terrible appearance in Europe, and
that it was rarely worth eating. But what a possibly no one gave the disease a more careful
marvellous revolution thirty years have produced ! study from a practical point of view, than C. D.
and all this time the poor Peronospora must have Every one at that time predicted the total disap-
been sadly beaten back, and terribly put about pearance of the potato from cultivation. C. D.
for want of its favorite food. I was then an enthusiast in his views that utter in-

I am pleased to find that my ol)servations are , difference to the quality of the seed potatoes—
in perfect accord with the essay read before the ' sprouting them in the cellars and planting the
American Society of Florists, and which appeard shrivelled pieces called sets, which had thus to
in the Gardeners' Monthly for June 1886, page make a new start with sprouts in life, had much
169. The first observations of the essayest con- to do with disease,— and contending that when we
tain the gist of the whole matter. He says : " very | should come to have more common sense views
few plants are attacked by insects or disease ; of preserving seed potatoes, potatoes would be as
when in vigorous health, it is only when the j abundant as ever again. Now, when he must
vitality is impaired, or the growth checked by any ' have passed his three score and ten, it is no
cause, that they strike." So that it is only sensi- wonder that he feels a glow of satisfaction, that
ble and right that wc should blame the real cause , his advice has been followed, and his pleasant
of the mischief. predictions have come to pass. — Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Strawberry Fungus. — The strawberry
fungus, Ramularia fragaria, which causes the mis-
named "sun-scald" on strawberry leaves, and
eventually causes varieties to "run out," is not
nearly as bad in the vicinity of Philadelphia as
usual. The cool moist season is unfavorable to
its development. In one respect " sun-scald "
comes near to a relationship to the disease though
a fungus is the actual agent, for it is the heat and
drouth of a climate or exposure for which the
strawberry was not intended, that first enervates
it, and gives the fungus a chance to grow. Fungi
will, we are convinced, attack the healthiest vege-
tation at times ; at other, low vital power encour-
ages fungus attacks, and thus it is with the straw-
berry and other Northern fruits in more Southern
climes.

A Fly-catcher. — A daily paper says : "A mos-
quito catcher (Drosera dichotoma) is amoni^ the
rare insectivorous plants in the Botanical Gardens
at Washington. Nature lost a big opportunity to
supply a long felt want when she failed to make
this style of flora indigenous to the Atlantic coast."

But nature was not quite so oblivious to Ameri-
ca's needs, for there are Droseras, or as they are
popularly called, sun-dews, along the Atlantic
coast, that catch mosquitoes and other insects as
freely as this Australian relative. Drosera filifor-
mis, abundant in New Jersey, is a veteran catch-
er, and understands its business thoroughly.

Non-bearing Strawberry Plants. — The
English gardening periodicals are still arguing
whether there really are bearing and non-bearing
strawberry plants ; some contending that their
strawberry beds occasionally become barren. The
English climate is probably more favorable to
the production of perfect stamens and pistils than
America. Here it would be comical for any one
to argue that there were not plants with sexes sep-
arate in the strawberry. Purely pistillate straw-
berries are among the commonest of experiences,
in a wild as well as in a cultivated state.

Seedless Fruits.—" Fruits of all kinds may be
grown without seed by reversing the cion — root-
ing the top end of the cion. To do this, you can
bend the cion to sprout down, and cover it with
dirt, and after rooting cut loose, and let the root
end be up. Apples are grown without cores,
peaches without seed, and grapes, plums, cherries,
blackberries, and every kind of fruit may be
grown without seed by simply reversing the cion.
Persimmons without seed are not to be excelled
by any other fruit in this country when dried. Ap-

ples cooked without cores are delightful. Grapes
have been raised for five thousand years without
seed. Peaches dried whole without seed would
be a hundred times better than those shaved up
and dried. The seeding of cherries has been a
great trouble to cooks."

As the above appears in a religious paper, the
Christian Advocate, we should say there is, after
all, a decided conflict between religion and
science. Any one who has ever had a raspberry
or gooseberry root from the tips, will know wheth-
er rooting at the top end of a •' scion " produced
seedless fruits.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Ai'Ples on a Grape-vine. — A Philadelphia
correspondent says: "The imperfect specimen
of an abnormal Ljrowth on a grape-vine I beg to
hand you, and am sorry that I could not hand it
to you in a better state of preservation. The fruit
herewith is one of a cluster of three, and in their
growing state were a fair specimen of apples.
Near by the vine stands an apple tree, bearing an
indifferent fruit and growing in clusters of two or
three apples, the same as appeared on the vine.
The fruit herewith became detached from the
upper joint of the vine."

[Entomologists who are well informed, and un-
derstand that these "hickory-nuts," "apples," and
other things on the grape-vine, are simply galls
from an insect, will smile at the suggestion that
the apple had aught to do with hybridizing; yet
eminent men of science have believed that smooth
apples are produced by growing near Russet
trees, and that apple trees will bear pears some-
times by the two growing contiguous. — Ed. G. M.]

Wild Flowers at Racquet Lake, N. Y. —
A correspondent, while ordering his magazine
sent for the summer to Racquet lake, remarks that
he knows of no spot " so rich in botanical treas-
ures." As our correspondent is a Jerseyman,
where flowers are varied as the stars in numbers,
New Yorkers should be proud of this compliment
to their little-lake region.

The Pipsissiva.— "Mrs. S. T.," Washington,
D. C, notes that the young seed vessels of this
plant, Chimaphila maculata of botanists, have "the
odor of young green peas."

Wild Sweet William.—" Mrs. S. F.," Wash-
ington, D. C, notes : " Please tell me the name of
the beautiful wild flower I send. Unfortunately it
has faded, but I suppose enough is left to answer

248

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[August,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

249

the purpose. I am from Central Alabama, where mentary on the habits of such plants as I knew
this beautiful flower does not grow ; for though best."

only a weed here, it is beautiful. I am no bo- | [The •• Wild Sweet William," to the Creeping
tanist of course, but a close observer and success- I Phlox, is a new popular name to literature, we
ful grower of plants — have read your • Native believe. The flower enclosed is Echium vulgare.
Flowers and Ferns,' with great interest. Before In the Old World, where it is indigenous, it is
me is the number with • Phlox reptans,* or as we known as Viper's Bugloss, and in Virginia, where
call it, ' Wild Sweet William,' one of our com- we found it several years ago, naturalized as

monest wild flowers, blooming in great profusion
when the 'bird-foot* (or, as we call it, 'crow-
foot) violet blooms. When I read your book
first, several years ago, I made a running com-

abundantly as the ox-eye daisy is with us, we
found the farmers calling it " Blue Devils." It is
too bad that so handsome a flower should receive
so disreputable a name.— Ed. G. M.]

Literature. Travels and Personal Notes.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Brief and Expressive Names for Fruits
AND Flowers. — Agricultural exchanges are still
discussing the propriety of short and expressive
names for fruits and flowers. It seems strange
that there should be any dispute about it. The
parent of a Spanish Prince may give the child the
names of all the holy saints in the Roman calen-
dar with those of all his illustrious ancestors
added. There is no disputing the right, but he
will be only Don Pedro first or second or so on,
when he comes to reign.

So the fortunate iather of a new fruit may
christen it Junkin's Noblest Triumph On The
Great American Continent Seedling Strawberry ;
it will become simply The Junkin, and even Junkin
without the definite article, when it comes to rule
in popular estimation ; if it comes to be a king at
all. "Strawberry," "seedling," "continent," and all
the items get rapidly dropped ; and when the Great
Junto— the American Pomological Society — comes
forth to welcome the new comer to royal honors,
to "Junkin" only is the homage paid. Some
who stand on abstract right can make a good case
that all this is wrong ; but for all this it ever will
be since Col. Wilder started the fight for brevity
and good sense. It is one of those cases in which
we think the poet's expression that " whatever is,
is right," comes down with full force.

Let whoever will give his " seedling" a name a
yard long. Let us not dispute his right. But the
one who favors his discovery with a short, sharp

and decisive name, will win the greatest battle in
popular favor, and become the popular hero.

The Rose of Sharon. — Following Miller, the
Althaea is generally regarded in America as the
Rose of Sharon. We give the folio wmg, from
Gardenini^ Illustrated, as showing that no one
yet seems certain what plant was referred to. It
has taken us nearly two thousand years to dis-
cover that the Bible has never been accurately
translated — and even since the last "revise" a
learned commentator has discovered that in cases
where the Bible reads " rose " it is just as likely
"reed" was the original word. Still, we are all
interested in these discussions, and love to note
what people say :

"The question put by * St. Michael's' was for
the botanical name of the ' Rose of Sharon.' We
must then first determine whether the St. John's
Wort or the Rock Rose is intended by that name.
With both 1 have been familiar from my youth,
and there is little doubt but that the name ' Rose
of Sharon* is popularly applied to the St. John's
Wort; that Mr. Miller is wrong in calling it the
Hibiscus Syriacus in his ' Dictionary of English
Names of Plants ;' and that the friend, Mr. Editor,
•at your elbow,' was right in insistmg that the
Rose of Sharon is the Hypericum calycinum ; it
is certainly so known in the trade. The Hibiscus
Syriacus is a very different flower, and belongs to
the Marsh Mallows, order Malvaceae, and is
synonymous with Althaea frutex. The next point
is the flower referred to by Solomon in his • Song
of Songs,' rendered in our authorized version —
'I am the Rose of Sharon." The first competitors
would seem to be the St. John's Wort, and the
Rock Rose, Helianthemum vulgare, a great quant-
ity of which grows in the plains of Sharon. The

Hebrew word Chabatsseleth, translated 'Rose,* is the pockets of pear growers as no pear has ever

never applied to the Rose propcr-the etymology | done. The Japan persimmon has found a con-
IS m favor of its signifying a bulbous rooted plant. I • , , .... , . , , xr

The Targum has Narcissus, the Vulgate rendering ^^'^'^'^^ ^°"^^ ^" Georgia-some fruit sent to New
being • flos campi,' flower of the field, whilst | ^'^^^ ^^st fall bringing $16 per bushel. The State
•Sharon' might be translanted 'plain' or ' field.' ! Horticultural Society was started in 1858, and has
In the revised edition of the Bible the rendering | given a great impetus to Georgia fruit growing,
is — ' I am a Rose of Sharon, a Lily of the Valley ;' 1
and if we adopt the Vulgate rendering, and read Introduction of the Moss Rose. — We have

it as — ' I am a flower ot the field, a Lily of the
Valley,' the Narcissus of the Targum is clearly the
flower intended, whilst the association of the

referred to many old authorities, and the results of
our search are that Parkinson in his " Paradisus,'*

Rose' with 'the Lily of the Valley ' imphes that ' published in 1629, Rea in his " Flora," published
some flower other than the Rose proper, the in 1^)65, and lianhin in his " Pinax," published
Hypericum, or the Helianthemum, is intended, in 1671, enumerate many roses, but the Moss is not

The Narcissus is plentiful in the Plain of Sharon
and elsewhere, and is a very favorite flower in the
East, and whilst it is uncertain what is really

among them. It was introduced or raised in Hol-
land probably at the close of the seventeenth cen-

meant by the Hebrew Chabatsseleth, the weight i tury, for Dr. Martyn, in his edition of Miller's

of opinion is in favor of a bulbous rooted plant,
and of such the Narcissus appears the most
likely ; and, though reluctant to give up my old
friend, the St. John's Wort, as ' the Rose of Sharon,'
I think it is not the flower referred to in the Song
of Songs."

"Gardeners' Dictionary," says it is in Furber's
catalogue in 1734. We have seen a copy dated
1727; it is entitled "Catalogue of English and
Foreign Trees Collected, Increased, and Sold by
Robert Furber at his Nursery over against the
Park (late at Kensington, near London." Faulk-
ner in his "History of Fulham" says that Mr.
Rench was the first to introduce the Moss rose
into this country, the original plant of which is
sup|)osed to have been brought from Holland.
Rench lived at South Field Farm, near Parson's

Editorial Compliments. — These are often
neatly put, though outsiders have reason to regard
them suspiciously. One of our contemporaries
publishes a letter " not intended for publication,"
in which the magazine is regarded as "the best
horticultural journal in the world ;" and the Editor
appends a note, no doubt •• not intended for publi- , <^-'-«". ^ f^rm possessed by his fan.ily for two
cation " either, that his correspondent is •• a scholar \ centuries. He was buried in Fulham churchyard,

J ^, M I where there is this inscription to his memory on a

and a gentleman. . , , . , • , ,

'headstone: "Under this stone are deposited the

Notes on the History of Fruit Culture in j remains of Nathaniel Rench, late of this parish,
Georgia.— The Augusta Or^«/r/^. celebrating its I g^j.^^.j^gr, who departed this life Jan. i8th, 1783,
one hundredth year, gives a history of the indus- ^^^^y^ j^, years." So he may have introduced the
tries of Georgia. In relation to fruit culture, we j ^^^^ before 1724. for in that year he was forty-two
learn that on the income of De Leon, De Soto and j ^^^^^ ^y^^ -pj^^ ^1^55 ^05^ ^^^s first portraited in
others in the Mississippi region, the Indians, nota- 1 ^^^^ '« Botanical Magazine," plate 69. It is des-
bly the Cherokees, were found to be first class ^^.j^^^ ^^ ^^^^ j^^g^^ muscosa, or Moss rose, and
fruit cuhurists. The apple and peach they ob- 1 ^|^^. p^^^^ -^ ^^^^^ December, 1788. Mr. Curtis
tained from the whites— these they planted and I observes that, though Miller thought it a distinct
cared for. They knew nothing of grafting, or S ^p^^j^^^ Linnaeus considered it only a variety of
propagating in any other way than by seed. The ' ^^^^ centifolia.— 7^«r«a/ oj Horticulture.
best Southern apples are varieties originating in 1

Indian orchards. The landing of the Spaniards Varieties of Perfume in the RosE.-In roses
in Florida brought the peach to the Indians. The there is a national interest ; their scents are espe-
Columbia is one of these Indian peaches, and ' daily interesting, and, I am sure, to none more so
Crawford's Early and Late are Northern peaches, | than to our lady gardeners, whose delicacy of dis-
mixed with the "Indian" or Spanish breed of crimination in matters of perfume will be of the

peach.

greatest assistance to us in discussing this subject.

The Warren grape was a chance seedling of ' The well-known perfumes of mignonette, musk,
Vitis aestivalis, found in Georgia fifty years ago, heliotrope, verbena, violet, orange-blossom, and
and is still unequalled by any newer discovery. \ others, are highly prized by most people ; but the
The Black July and Devereaux are also still in- ' same pecuhar scents are maintained by them all
dispensable-all first-class wine grapes. The Le : the world over ; while the rose, queen of all. is^un-

Conte pear is also a Georgia production, filling ' surpassed in the variety of its perfume. Having,

250

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[August,

during many years, given much attention to this \
subject, I shall now endeavor to make a classifica- '
tion of distinct types of rose scents; asking your
readers to bear with me in this, the first attempt
that has ever been made of this kind. I would
here enumerate some seventeen varieties, begin-
ning with the well-known Sweet Briar: i, Sweet ,
Briar, the garden variety ; 2, Moss Rose-bud
scent, common Moss and others'of that family ;
3, Austrian Briar, Copper, Austrian, and others of
that section; 4, Musk Rose, Narcissus, Old Musk, '
and others; 5, Myrrh-scented, Ayrshire, splen-
dens ; 6, China Rose scent, an astringent refresh-
ing scent, old monthly China and many others;

7, Damask Perpetual scent, Rose du Roi, &c.;

8, Scotch Rose scent, the early double Scotch ;

9, Violet-scented, White Banksia ; 10, Old Cab-
bage-scented, the well-known double Provence;
II, Otto Perpetual scent, Charles L(5febvre, Mad- :
amc Knorr, &c.; 12, true Perpetual scent, Cha- |
brilland, Pierre Notting, &c.: 13. Old Tea scent,
the old yellow Tea or Magnolia Rose, and others
— almost unpleasantly strong for some tastes ; 14,
Sweet Tea scent, Goubault, Devoniensis, Mar(5-
chal Niel, &c.; 15 Hybrid Tea scent. La France;
Bessie Johnson is closely allied to this; 16, Nec-
tarine or fruit scent, Socrates, Jaune Desprez,
Aline Sisley, Sec; 17, a new variety which I would
name the Verdier scent, represented more or less
by all the Victor Verdier hybrids, such as Eugc^nie
Verdier, Castellane, Countess of Oxford, Marie
Finger, and many others of recent introduction.
Some compare this slight but peculiar perfume to
that of apples ; I think it might be described as a
delicate rose scent, with a " suspicion " of turpen-
tine about it, pleasantly blended. The petals of
the highly-scented varieties have on their inner
surface minute perfume glands, or vesicles, con-
taining the highly volatile essence, under the mi-
croscope distinctly visible. Those on the foliage
of Sweet Briar and sepals of the Moss rose may
almost be seen by the naked eye. So that with
the microscope and good olfactory practice, the
interesting question, " Which are the sweetest
roses?" may be readily settled. To my taste, and
by the same rule, the following are the most deli-
ciously and powerfully scented of all roses, viz.:
La France, Goubault, Devoniensis, Marochal Niel,
Bessie Johnson, Madame Knorr, Pierre Notting,
and Charles Lc'ft'bvre. As a rule nearly all the
dark roses are sweet-scented. To unstop Nature's
finest bottle of rose-scent, remove the cap in hot
weather from a "pasted" full-blown bud of La
France, or even the Old Cabbage, and the flower

will instantly expand, throwing out a surprising
volume of fragrance. Roses after they have been
gathered a short time, appear to give off more
perfume. Again, roses blooming under glass usu-
ally give off more than those of the same kinds
blooming in the open air. — //. Curtis, in Garden,

The Sweet Locust. — No one would object se-
riously to a common or English name for plants,
if a plant once named would stay named ; but it
is found by experience that one person feels as
much authorized to give a common name as any
other, and hence a crop of new names rise every
year, that no one can keep track of. In the East
they have got to calling the Honey Locust "Sweet
Locust" — and only that we have to guess that
honey may be sweet, no one could guess what
they mean.

The Honest and the Rascally Tree Ped-
lar.— Mr. C. E. Barnes, in an admirable address
recently given before the Summitt County (Ohio)
Horticultural Society, draws a proper distinction
between the cheat and the fair dealer among tree
pedlars. In regard to the frauds, he makes the
same point we have always done, that it is no use
to try to help a man who does not read the papers.
It may, however, serve a good purpose to note
just how our ignorant neighbors are cheated. We
may laugh at them, as the cost does not come
from our pockets.

" Yet I would not have the tree agent entirely
wiped out of existence, because he is sometimes a
blessing. Many are indebted to his importunities
for much of the fine fruit that they have. The wily
tree agent who knows no law but to sell, makes
his raids upon those who do not attend horticul-
tural meetings or take horticultural papers. The
victim believing himself to be invincible, takes a
look at the highly colored pictures of fine fruit ; a
huge cluster of grapes — covering an entire page
— makes his mouth water. It is pronounced a
new thing, the best out. sure to grow, bears im-
mense crops every time ; price only $2 ; dog
cheap. After a little hesitation the order is given.
This process continues until he has subscribed for
a half dozen peach trees, a pear tree, a few early
apples, several cherries, a quince bush, two cur-
culio proof plum trees that are warranted to bear
tremendous crops every year, a dozen Lawton
blackberries, a Siberian crab-apple tree, which was
put in at two-thirds regular price to make even
change. To guard against any remonstrances
from the female portion of the household before
the fatal signature is made, a rose-bush with along
name is gratuitously thrown in. The transaction
finished, nothing more is thought about it until a
notice is received by mail that the goods will be
on a certain day at a certain station and at this
time and place his presence is demanded with a
given amount of cash, and that there will be no

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

251

delays on account of the weather. At the ap-
pointed time he breaks up his team, perhaps on a
nice day in April or May, when he is in a great
hurry to get his ploughing along, just to go alter a
small bill of trees. With maledictions in his
heart, vowing that the next tree pedlar that comes
upon his premises shall meet his reward in this
world, he arrives at the station, where he finds a
small bustling crowd and an atmosphere charged
with horticultural electricity. He exchanges greet-
ing with a neighbor who is in the same predica-
ment as himself, meets the urbane tree agent who
grasps him by the hand, enquires after his family's
health, prognosticates a bountiful harvest, receives
his pay, hands over the goods ; with a parting
benediction, sends him home rejoicing. Wiiat are
the results ?"

The Japan Varnish Tree. — Some years ago
Northern nurserymen used this name for the Kol-
reulcria paniculata, but the late W. R. Prince pro-
tested so strongly against it, that the name was
dropped. He thought, and properly, that this
name was appropriated by Rhus vernix. But in
the South, at this time, Japan Varnish tree means |
the Sycamore Sterculia — Sterculia platanifolia —
which is one of the most popular large growing
shade trees in that section.

The Bo-tree at Anuradhapura. — If the
stories about the original Bo-tree at Buddha Gaya
can be believed, it is said to have been planted by
Brahma himself. The Buddhists attribute it to
Dutugemunu, King of Ceylon. One account of
the transfer of the branch to Ceylon is as follows :
"At the time on which Dewenipiyatissa reigned
in Colombo (h. c. 306) one of the four branches
of the original tree in Dambadiwa is said to have
been surrounded by a yellow line, when it was
commanded by a son of the King, who had be-
come arahat. to depart to this island. Then, in an
instant, as if cut by instrument, it came through
the sky and was planted at Anuradhapura. Many
of the Sinhalese go on pilgrimage to the place and
think that the very tree produced from the mirac-
ulous branch is still alive, and that the other Bo-
trees in the island are derived from this source."
Here is another account : " Shortly after the build-
ing of the Thuparama dagoba had commenced,
some of the King's female relations expressed a
wish to become nuns. Mahinda accordingly sent
for his sister, Sanghamitta, who had entered the
order at the same time with himself. Taking leave
of her father, she brought over with her a band of
nuns and instructed the new disciples in the pre-
cepts of Buddhism, their principal occupation be-
ing the hearing and repeating of the sacred books.
Sanghamitta also brought over with her a branch

of the sacred Bo-tree, the tree then growing at
Buddha Gaya on the site of the present temple,
and then believed, not perhaps without reason, to
be the very tree under which Gautama had ex-
perienced that mental conflict which is called his
attainment of Buddhahood.

"That precious memorial of their revered
teacher was planted at Anuradhapura, a little to
the south of the Ruwanwella dagoba, and, strange
as it may seem, there it still grows. The tree
could scarcely have lived so long had it not been
for the constant care of the monks. As it showed
signs of decay, terraces were built up around it,
so tluit it now grows more than 20 feet into the
surrounding soil ; for the tree being of the Fig
genus (Ficus religiosa) its living branches could
then throw out fresh roots. Where its long arms
spread beyond the enclosure, rude pillars of iron
or masonry have been used to prop them up,
and it is carefully watered in seasons of drouth.
The whole aspect of the tree and its enclosure
bears evident signs of extreme age ; but we could
not be sure of its identity were it not for the com-
plete chain of documentary evidence which has
been so well brought together by Sir Emerson
Tennent." According to Tennent, *'The Bo-tree
of Anuradhapura is, in all probabihty, the oldest
historical tree in the world. It was planted be-
fore Christ, and indeed is now (or rather was
when Tennent wrote his book) 2147 years old.
Ages, varying from one to four thousand years have
been assigned to the Baobabs of Senegal, the
Eucalyptus of Tasmania, the Dagon-tree of Ora-
tava, the Wellingtonia of California, and the
Chestnut of Mount Etna. But all these estimates,
however ingenious, must be inferential, whereas
this age of the Bo-tree is a matter of record. Its
conservancy has been an object of solicitude to
successive dynasties, and the story of its vicissi-
tudes has been preserved in a series of continuous
chronicles amongst the most authentic that have
been handed down by mankind. Compared with
it, the Oak of Ellerslie is but a sapling, and the
Conqueror's Oak in Windsor Forest barely num-
bers half its years. The Yew trees of Fountains
Abbey are believed to have flourished there 1200
years ago ; the Olives in the garden of Geth-
semane were full grown when the Saracens were
expelled from Jerusalem, and the Cypress of Soma
in Lombardy is said to have been a tree in the
time of Julius Caesar: yet the Bo-tree is older
than the oldest of these by a century, and would
seem to verify the prophecy pronounced that it
will flourish and be green {ox q\q.\'.''— Ceylon Paper.

252

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[August,

Horrible Names for Innocent Flowers. —
At a meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society, Mr. Manning, the secretary said, that the
agitation of this subject was begun nearly forty
years ago, when "rules of pomology" were
adopted by this society. In 1867 similar rules
were adopted by the American Pomological So-
ciety. The improvement proposed by Mr. Wilder
was adopted by Professor Decaisne of the Jardin
des Plantes at Paris in his magnificent work, the
"Jardin Fruitier du Museum," commenced in
1858 ; but to Mr. Wilder belongs the credit of
first making it practical in American pomology.
The same principle has been applied to the no-
menclature of vegetables in the publications of
the society. Clark's Xo. i. Beauty of Hebron
and Early Rose potatoes becoming Clark, Hebron
and Rose ; and the speaker suggested that it be
applied also to the names of garden flowers and
ornamental plants, thus avoiding such names as
Ilex Aquifolium parvifolia conspicua argenteo-
marginata, or, not to take so extreme an instance,
Waterer's Holly is infinitely perferable to Ilex
Aquifolium var. Watereri. On this point he com-
mended to the attention of those interested a little
tract by Dr. Masters, editor of the London Gar-
deners' Chronicle, on the " Nomenclature of Gar-
den Plants."

Historical Jottings on the Mushroom.—
Our English word "mushroom" certainly comes
from the French, mousseron, and that again from
an old word of doubtful derivation, vet which is
possibly traceable to "mucus" in the Greek and
Latin, alluding therefore to the moist or slimy
characteristics of plants belonging to the mush-
room group. The Latin generic name — viz.,
Agaricus. points us to a region of Sarmatia, where
this and other species akin thereto grew plentifully,
probably do so at the present time. The English
seekers for mushrooms are aware that they may
be found in many fields and open parks, especially
in those where horses are turned out to graze ; and
the habit of the wild plant would justify its specific
name of campestris, though it also grows plenti-
fully in some places that are more secluded. The
"champignon" of the French and the "pratiole"
of the Italians suggest the same idea, and the
earliest historic associations of the mushroom at-
tach to Italy ; yet it does not appear to have been
cultivated by the Roman gardeners, but a dish
of mushrooms was made the vehicle of a dead-
ly poison by the vile Agrippina when she wished
to remove her husband Tiberius Claudius. A re-
mark made by Pliny shows in what estimation mush-

rooms were held amongst the gourmands of Im-
perial Rome. They regarded them as appetizers,
besides liking them for their own qualities of flavor.
" A dish of mushrooms," says he, "is the last de-
vice of our epicures to sharpen their appetites and
tempt them to eat inordinately." And again he
says, "there are some dainty fellows of such fine
taste, and who study the appetite to such excess,
that they dress mushrooms with their own hands,
that they may feed on the odor while they are
preparing the food." It is a singular circumstance,
that although the Italians of our time eat several
species allied to the mushroom we cultivate, that
is not grown by them, and is mostly avoided when
they are gathering edible fungi.

' The common mushroom is not, however, a plant
which can be referred to any particular locality.
It is found wild throughout Europe, even in the
cold Lapland, also in Asia as far as Japan, in both
Africa and America. This is easily explainable
by the extreme minuteness of the spores and the
fact that the air is ever full of them ; hence the
breezes waft them in all directions, and they settle
upon the earth or attach themselves to plants and
to animals. Frequently they are swallowed by
the latter, but these spores pass through the diges-
tive apparatus of some if not of all animals unim-

I paired as to their power of germination. Low as
the fungi are in the scale of life, they preserve their
distinctness, and the mushroom never degenerates,
although there are some varieties ; so it is always
separable from several poisonous species which
yet resemble it nearly. Thus it is easily dis-
tinguished from a toadstool with dark gills, that is
otherwise very similar, by the circumstance that
the gills change from pinky red to a dull brown ;
about the same time the cup, from being convex,
becomes flattened, while it also turns brown and
scaly. — London Journal of Horticulture,

1 Mistaken Addresses. — It is perfectly amusing
how our European friends get mixed up on Ameri-
can questions. In the official report of the Inter-
national Exposition at Antwerp, that has just come
to our table, the late Mr. Downing is spoken of as
"Charles Downing, of Rochester, New York,"
and Col. Wilder is made " President of the Horti-
cultural Society of central New York."

' Lf^ctures on Botany in the West.— One of
the most promising of the new generation of
botanists, Ernest Walker, recently delivered a
series of lectures before the class in botany, at
DePauw University, on the subject of " Plant

Propagation," which were both interesting and in-

1886.)

AND HORTICULTURIST.

253

structive. His talks embraced "The Nature of, Henry G. Russell, at Providence. He leaves a
Buds," "The Nature of Seeds," "Influences Aff"ect- widow with three sons and three daughters,
ing the Development of the Seed and its Prog- 1 Like most of the intelligent horticulturists, both
eny," and a systematic discussion of the "Methods of the past and present day, Mr. Nisbet was
and Means of Plant Propagation."

James Y. Murkland.— James Y. Murkland
died suddenly at his residence at Hackensack,

among the unselfishly public spirited men to

whom society owes so much. His sympathies

ran in the direction of succoring the unfortunate.

XT T xi- ^ L • TT , , , .,. r ^^^ fourteen years most of his spare time was

N. J., on the 16th inst. He had been ailmg for . . , , . *^ . ,

,, ,£ . . , ,. r y y given freely as a moral instructor m the state
the past hve or six years with disease of the lungs,

and there was no hope that he would ever re-
cover. Mr. Murkland was a native of Ayreshire,
Scotland, and about forty years of age. For
nearly twenty years he had been with the firm of
Young Si Elliott, seedsmen of New York, and was

prison. The philanthropic circles of his adopted
town will miss him very much, while practical
horticulture in America loses one of its brightest
ornaments.

Entomological Society of Ontario: Six-

a member of the firm at the time of his death. An teenth Annual Report. Mr. Wm. Saunders,
enthusiast in everything pertaining to horticulture, President, London, Ontario.— There is always nov-
and of more than ordinary natural abilities, few ^^^X i^^ P^ant studies ; but the insect world fully
had a more general knowledge of the subject, and equals the plant kingdom in having something
the pubhc is indebted to the enterprise and dis- "^^^ ^^^ i^s students. This particular society is
crimination used by him in disseminating many j very energetic in keeping up with the times, and
of the most popular plants now grown. Mr. Murk- ^e cannot imagine anything more acceptable to
land was the Secretary of the New York Horticul- ^^^^ northern entomologist than the report here of-
tural Society, of which he has been the head and ^^^^d. It has a full hst of the butterflies of Quebec,
front for the past eight years, and what success it ' contribution to the History of Certain
has had in the past has been largely due to his ' ^^^^^^ ^^, CoNiFERS.-By Dr. Maxwell T. Mas-

energy and well judged efforts. \ . j ^ a • ♦ 1 r »i t • <j •

^^ »j & ters. London: reprinted from the Linna^an Soci-

Few men had more warm friends than James p^^'^ lourn- 1
Murkland. Well educated, and generous to a' ^^^^ links 'that have marked the evolution of
fault, he possessed a genial sunny nature and ^^^ different forms of conifers have, in many
an infinite fund of humor, that even in his years ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^pp^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ -^ becomes
of failing health made him ever look on the bright ^^^y ^j^^^^^ ^^ ^^^j^g ^^^ ^^^^-^^^ ^^^^ another,
side of life. A truthful, manly fellow, of whose ; j^ ^^^ probably be a long time before there is
friendship any man might well be proud. Among ^^^j^j^^ j^f^ ^^ ^^j^^ ^^^^^ -^ ^j^j^ j^^^j^ ^j^^^ ^^
all the trade around New York and Philadelphia. ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^{5^ ^^^ Masters writes of Abies
no one was better known or more honored and ^^^^ji^g^ ^^^^ ^^^^ Eraser River Silver Fir ; Abies
respected than he. P. H. grandis. chiefly from the Columbia River and

John Nisbet. — Among the earlier of the most western slopes of the Rocky Mountains— to this is
valuable contributors and friends of the Garden- referred Lowiana, Parsonicana, and some others,
ERS' Monthly Mr. Nisbet held a prominent place. ! which, however, make distinct forms in garden
He was one of the most intelligent of the highly culture ; A. concolor, chiefly from the more south-
educated race of gardeners, of which the genera- 1 ern ranges of the Rocky Mountains ; A. sub-alpina,
tion passing away may well be proud. He was chiefly from the mountains from Alaska south-
born at St. Mary's Isle, Kirkcudbright, Scotland, , wardly— A. bifolia is referred to this; A. nobilis,
July i6th. 1816, and died at Providence, R. I., on mountains from Oregon southwardly— varieties
the 7th of June ; so that he had reached nearly , are made of glauca. magnifica and robusta ; A,
his 70th year. He married in March, 1842, and , religiosa, of the mountains of Mexico; A. For-
left Scotland a few days after. His first place was tuni. of China, which has been confused with A.
in charge of the grounds of Captain Comstock, at Jesaensis— this, by the way, is one of the cross-
East Providence. In 1845, ^^ ^^^^ ^"^ ^^^ beauti- 1 grained species that upsets botanical classification,
ful grounds of Mrs. Anna Jenkins. In 1857, we \ One time Picea (now Abies) was distinguished
find him at Henry S. Mansfield's, at Millville, 1 from Abies (now Picea) by having the cones sit-
Mass. Ever since 1862 he has remained in charge ; ting upright on the branches, and the cones faUing
of Mrs. Moses B. Ives' place, and her successor, j to pieces when the seeds were ripe. These were

254

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[August,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

25s

III

the firs-the permanent drooping cones formed 1 horses took pains to free emigrants' horses travers-
the spruces. This one has upright cones, and ing the plains. It was evidently not so interesting
leaves like a fir, but the cones are as permanent to the owners of the animals. Human beings
as those of a Norway spruce, which, except shorter could not show more good reason and subtle
and broader, they much resemble. Of the spruce judgment than these horses exhibited in their
family (now Picea) he refers to P. omorika, a Ser- philanthropic enterprises.

vian species, allied to P. orientalis ; P. Penke, | Rosen-Zeitung.— France has a magazine, the
allied to P. excelsa. The others referred to are | Journal des Roses, devoted wholly to information
Arthrotaxis laxiflora, Cephalotaxus pedunculata about the queen of flowers. Now Germany follows
and Pseudo Larix Kaempferi. Excellent plates of ! ^j^h a Rose magazine under the above title. It

each accompany the text.

is edited by C. P. Strassheim, and published at

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Catalogue of Books and Papers Relating ! Sachsenhausen, near Frankfort. The first number

TO THE Fertilization of FLOWERS.-Compiled was issued on the first of January.
by D'Arcy W. Thompson, of the University of
Cambridge. Published by McMillan & Co., Lon-
don. The interest manifested in the subject of

the cross-fertihzation of flowers may be illustrated Russian Olive.— Carpenter & Gage, Fairbury,

by the fact, that we have here the titles of 814 ^^^^ vfnie: "We notice a short article in the

papers given. Among the larger contributors to gardeners' Monthly on the Russian olive. The

this extensive literature we find W. W. Bailey ^^ ^^^j^^ Russian olive may not be a native of

,-..j _...u o \\, T T3««i ». , -r, ^yggj^^ The tree was introduced into this State

credited with 8 papers ; W. J. Beal 7 ; A. W. Ben
nett 26; Charles Darwin 19; F. Delpino 29; A.
Engler 7 ; Asa Gray 22 ; W. E. Heart 8 ; George
Henslow 12; F. Hildebrand 32 ; W. H. Leggett
8; F. Ludwig2i; T. Meehan 60; C. E. Morren
9 ; Fritz MuUer 18 ; Herman Muller 61 ; W. Tre-
lease 14. Six of these larger contributors are
American observers.

The Law of Field Sports. — By George Put-
nam Smith, of the New York Bar. New York :
Orange Judd & Co. One, though a sportsman,
would hardly believe his amusement to be subject

by the Russian Mennonites. While the tree is
very hardy, we believe it to be nothing more nor
less than the wild olive of Europe. The tree
grows to the height of 30 feet, its branches are
covered with sharp thorns, the leaves are a dark
rich silver color and are evergreen in the South.
The flowers are small, color dark golden, and
very fragrant. The fruit is small and worthless.
The tree is not only valuable as a hedge plant, but
is an ornament to the lawn. There are miles of
oUve hedges in southern Kansas that are a perfect

to so much law as is given in relation thereto in | barrier for stock. * B. F.' can see one of the trees
this book. It is enough to make a new beginner | on the post-office grounds at Lincoln."
afraid o! a gun, to glance over the pages. The , [if our correspondents will send us a small
veteran, however, will be glad to know first where [ piece in a letter, we will, with pleasure, give them
he is right, and the young beginner will have the 1 its correct name. Mr. Teas, of Indiana, sends us
chance to feel sure he is right before he goes ahead, i a piece which he says is the Russian olive, as sold

The Bridle Bits. — A treatise on horseman-
ship. By Colonel Battersby. New York : Orange
Judd Company. 1886.

Col. Battersby is famous as a rider. As a mem-
ber of Sheridan's corps in the army of Virginia, his

"in the West," and it is nothing but the common
Siberian pea of Eastern nurseries, Caragana ar-
borescens, and has nothing about it by which it
might honestly be termed an ohve. — Ed. G. M.]
Rhododendron and Azalea. — " Querist "

feats of horsemanship arc matters of record. The ' wants to know : " Why is it that some nurserymen
ist New York Cavalry got an expert reputation send out azaleas and label them rhododendrons,
under his control. He is just the one to tell about as occurred with me in an order this spring ? I
riding. The book is very pleasantly written, and wanted rhododendrons, and I received azaleas,
will interest those who care at all for horses, as Is this honest ?" He does not say what kind he
well as those who love to ride. Intelligent as the ordered. Botanists have dropped the name aza-
horse is, who would suppose that a wild horse lea because they cannot tell the difference— but if
would care to take pains to obtain freedom for the nurserymen follow the botanists they will get into
domesticated horse ! A pleasant incident narrated | trouble. They had better stick to azalea. The
* here, is the manner in which a band of wild I California rhododendron is an azalea.

Horticultural Societies.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Society of American Florists. — The
approaching meeting promises to be a grand oc-
casion. The brethren of Phihidelphia are spar-
ing no expense to make it memorable. The com-
mittees feel almost sure of an attendance of 700,
with a possible 1000. The motto of the city
•' Philadelphia maneto," will not be disgraced, for
no effort is being left untried to make the brethren
feel at home when they come here.

And outside of the physical comforts that they
may expect, the intellectual will not be over-
looked. The programme includes the opening ad-
dress of President Thorpe, and Mr. Peter Hen-
derson will tell of the progress of floristry during
the past forty years. Mr. Antonie Wintzel, who
probably knows more about rose varieties than
any one in America, will treat of Tea roses dur-
ing summer; Mr. John Henderson, on summer
Hybrid Perpetuals ; and Mr. Robert Craig, how
to prepare pot roses for market. Mr. Sackersdorff
will explain the fungous diseases of roses, and
Mr. May, the best way to build greenhouses.

Those who advocate hot-water for heating will
be heard through Mr. Carmody, while Mr. Taylor
will contend that steam has greater advantages ;
those who do not care for either can get comfort
from Mr. Hamilton's advocacy of flues. The
treatment of carnations will be diagnosed by Mr.
Tailby ; while our old friend, Taplin, who used
to tell the readers of the Gardeners' Monthly
so much about orchids, will now discourse on de-
corative foliage plants. This bill of fare ought
to be enough to attract a large and appreciative
gathering, but it will not be near all. Mr. Le
Moult will explain the whole art and mystery of
making up floral work, and will suit the action to
the word. He will make up his pieces of work as
well as speak his piece, and many think that this
instructive essay will alone be worth coming to
Philadelphia to see.

The American Nurserymen's Association.
— In the debate on the place of next meeting the
urgent demand of Texas was overruled, on the
ground that in summer it is "too hot." When a
member leaves home and gets caught in a warm
wave, he generally blames the •• hot place," for-
getting that if he had been at home it would have
been just as hot there. The writer of this has

been over every part of the United States in sum-
mer, from the mouth of the Saint Lawrence to the
Gulf of Mexico, and from the Arctic Circle to the
Lower California, and has found no place but
seemed the " hottest place on earth ; " unless he
was on a mountain top, or some special " water-
ing place " along the coast, where cool •• sea
brec'zes" sometimes successfully compete with the
hot wave from the land. In Southern places the
heat is longer continued than other places, that is
all. For a few days one might as well be in the
South as in the North. The writer has found a
more sweltering and oppressive heat in Canada in
August, than in Texas in the same month. The
Association will miss much profit if it does not
visit Texas some time.

The Royal Horticultural Society of
England. — Among the full foreign members in
the list just published are the names of Professor
Sargent, of Brookline, and Mr. Sereno Watson, of
Cambridge, Mass. Among the Honorary foreign
correspondents, are the following also from the
United States: P. Barry, the late H. B. Ell-
wanger, C. M. Hovey, Burnett Landreth, Robert
Manning, Thomas Meehan, Prof. Thurber, and
Col. Wilder.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society. —
Horticulture receives patronage from the best peo-
ple in the vicinity of Boston, and hence its exhi-
bitions are always among the l>est in the world.
We say, among the best in the world, for a friend
who has seen these exhibitions recently, and also
the great international one at Antwerp last year,
assures us that outside of Palms and some huge
foliage plants, the Massachusetts exhibitions
would carry off the palm. Our readers may judge
of the number of exhibitors in the class of straw-
berries alone, when it is noted that there were no
less than fifty-two premiums awarded. When a
new variety is introduced, and gets its reward
anong such a host, it is something to l)e proud of.
On this occasion one called " Gold," exhibited by
E. A. Wood, received the Society's Silver Medal.
Many old kinds still retain a foothold in these ex-
hibitions. The Jucunda was in several collections,
but we missed our old friend Hovey's seedling.
Mr. Hovey himself had, however, the first pre-
mium for the best forty-eight specimens of Charles
Downing, and Col. Wilder walked off with a
number of premiums for various kinds. The So-

256

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[August,

ciety offers premiums not merely for the "best
strawberries," but for the best in each popular
variety. This makes the competition more intelli-
gent and instructive. Cherries, on the other hand,

laceae), Cattleya Mossiae, with thirty-three flowers,
and Leucodendron argenteum (Silver Tree, from
Africa). Hon". Marshall P. Wilder has the new
Deutzia, Pride of Rochester; Schizophragma hy-
drangeoides, and the new rose named for him by

do not seem to excite Bostonians. Only two pre- the originator, the late Henry B. Ellwanger. John

miumswere awarded; one to Isaac Langworthy , C. Hovey has a collection of Richardson's new

.,,,,,„,, , * c T 1 i seedlmff paeonies and Edwin Fewkes a collection

for Knights Early Black, and one to S. Lock- 1 ^^^^^^^^j^Jj^ j^^^^^,^ j^^jp^.^^^^^ J. W. Manning

wood, Jr., for Black Tartarian. Forced peaches 1 ^^^ ^ j^rge collection of hardy herbaceous plants,
were honord in a premium to W. C. Winter, for, including Lilium pomponianum and Cypripedium

Earlv Crawford, and to the same for a fine plate spectabile. Mrs. L. P. Weston has also a good
' collection, which, by presence of one shrubby

of the r oster. plant, was, unfortunately, disqualified from com-

As in strawberries, so in roses. Premiums are j peting for the prize. Robert ^Manning contributed
offered for the best blooms of special varieties. , a fine specimen of Actinida polygama, a Japanese
Thus premiums were awarded six blooms of Al- 1 hardy climber, which attracts much attention.
, , J^ , . T^ J All ^ T T> i\/r ' Mrs. P. D. Richards brought an interesting collec-

fred Colomb, David Allan; second. J. B Moore , ^.^^ ^^ ^^^.^^ ^^^^^^^ including Habenar^ vires-

& Son. Six blooms of Baroness Rothschild, 1 ^^j^^ ^^^ ^^^^ humilis, a common wild rose, lately
David Allan; second, Mrs. Francis B. Hayes, j determined to be a distinct species. E. H. Hitch-
Six blooms of John Hopper, Mrs. F. B. Hayes; | ings also has a collection of wild plants, including

1 T Ti Tv/r o c c?- ui ^ r AT Rubus strieosus (the common wild raspberry),

second. T. B. Moore & Son. Six blooms of Mar- 1 ^\"J^"J ai..^i^ouo ^t i^„;„^;'

acv-uiiu, J . xj. i V, J • T T3 ! with beautifully variegated leaves ; Ilex laevigata,

quise de Castellane, the second prize to J. B. | Habenaria fimbriata, and a beautiful specimen of
Moore & Son. Six blooms of Merveille de Lyon, i Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel). Mr. Hitchings
William H. Spooner. Six blooms of Mme. G. | and Miss Mary^ L. Vinal have Epigoea repens
Luizet. Mrs. F. B. Hayes ; second, David Allan. I (^'^^^^S arbutus) in seed, in which condition it is
For the best twelve blooms of any other variety,
J. B. Moore & Son. for Thomas Mills; second, Da-
vid Allan, for Princess Beatrice. Special prize of-
fered by a member of the society for the best
twelve blooms of Merveille de Lyon, Warren
Heustis. Besides premiums for roses in every
conceivable form and shape.

But the great test of the interest taken by the

rarely seen.

Missouri State Horticultural Society.-—

Mr. L. A. Goodman, Secretary, sends a report of

fruit crop, June 25th, 1886, as follows:

•* I sent out requests for reports on the condition
of the fruit crop on or about June 1st. Many re-
ports were not received until late and are just
compiled. The prospect was never better for the
State as a whole, and if everything keeps favora-

cultivated classes in horticulture is always to be ^^^ *« will likely have the largest apple crop ever

, .... J r • • 11 J known in Missouri,

found in the plants exhibited ; for it is well under- 1 .. -phg winter injury to trees has not been as bad as

stood that one of the surest indications of culture expected, except to peach trees. • Our berries have

in a community is to be found in flower growing, come out much better than we thought they

The following from the Transcript, tells the story : , ^o^^^, and in most places paid well. The wonder-
^ ^ ' ful growth of all our trees will in most cases over-

" F. L. Ames fills a table at the rear of the hall ; come the injury by the winter. The twig blight
among his plants are the rare Laelia Schroederi | has injured the apple trees in many parts badly,
and Masdevallia Schlemmii, also new. The plant and, it is feared, the next crop, also, in some cases,
of Laelia purpurata in this collection, which took ' xhe pear trees are blighting and we fear the trees
the first prize for a single specimen, is a very fine are doomed in many places. The peach trees are
one. David Allan, gardener to R. M. Pratt, fills ! badly killed all over the northern part of fhe
a table with a large collection of orchids, among | State, but in the southern part the trees are in
which are several fine plants of Cattleya, a Mossiae, | splendid condition. The raspberries and black-
C. Gaskilleana, Dendrobium chrysotomum, Odon- ' berries which were injured are making a fine

growth and will be in good shape for next year."

American Institute of the City of New

York.— The Horticultural Department has issued

a schedule of articles to be competed for. which

rneVXchi'ErUra^Bo'trwTlhkn"^^ be had of John W. Chambers. Exhibition

toglossum citrosmum, etc. Between these two
tables is one filled with orchids from Thomas
Graves, gardener to E. W. Gilmore, and Moss and
other roses. John L. Gardner fills a stand near
the centre of the hall with a fine collection of flow-
ering plants, including several beautiful heaths,

Building, 3d Ave., between 63d and 64th. The ex-
hibition is to be from the 6th to the 9th of October,

prize for a specimen flowering plant — a large and

fine Rhynchospermum jasminioides, pelargoniums,

etc. From the Botanic Garden come Dracocc- ^^ amateur is defined to be the owner of any

phalum Ruyschianum Japonicum, with deep blue ' . , , . . i u- v • u ^ :«^

flowers, and hardy ; a plant of Leonteopodium articles who does not make his hving by growing

alpinum (Edelweiss); Jasione perenno (Campanu- them for sale.

llli:

Gardeners' Monthly

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEyOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Volume XXVIII.

SEPTEMBER 18S6.

Number

333'

Flower Gar'dfn and Pleasure Ground.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Whoever has travelled in the South at midsum-
mer must have been struck with the great beauty
of the old neglected fence-rows, covered with
Trumpet Creeper, and all ablaze with their fiery
red blossoms, — varied only by a few leaves here
and there and the moving shadows of the flowers,
as they trembled under the flutter of the honey-
sucking humming-bird, which in innumerable
hosts made their meals among the blossoms. We
get some idea of this scene of beauty from the cul-
tivated plant in northern gardens, where it is often
allowed to run over walls, trees, and other places,
making a fair show. It is, indeed, one of the most
esteemed of hardy vines in the northern part of
United States; as, aside from the beauty of its
flowers, it is one of the few plants that will adhere
to walls without nailing or trellising of any kind.
But few know how beautiful the plant is when
trained as a weeper, or, if desirable, over a wire,
to form an arbor. In this case there is nothing
that we know of that can compete with it in
beauty. To do this it is oply necessary to plant a
stake that will last several years alongside the
plant when set out. When the plant gets towards
the top, head it ofi", and cut away the side shoots.
By the time the post is rotten, the stem of the vine is
self-supporting. We annex (p. 238) an illustration

copied from the Gartner Zcituns^—\\\^ plant being
more popular for this purpose in Germany than
here, in its native land. In Japan there are some
closely allied forms, having larger flowers, but less
brilliant than those of our country. Wistarias and
other strong growing vines can be made into
"trees" or weepers in the same way.

With the month of September we begin to lay
out plans for the improvement of our grounds.
Heil)aceous plants, like varieties of fruits, usually
delight in being renewed from seed occasionally.
Save at this season those that may be particularly
desirable and sow early next spring. If sown now
some may bloom next year.

We may make up our minds now what trees to
thin out when the winter comes. In almost every
place trees are too thick, except where clumps of
trees are desired for landscape effect. Along streets
twenty feet is the space usually given. This is
well enough for the first ten years, but after that
forty is enough. A tree which spreads its branches
is always more graceful than a mass of branches
drawn up. And a tree which spreads aff"ords no
temptation to have its head cut off. Such trees
are bad subjects for the tree butchers that infest
the environs of all large towns.

In transplanting this fall do it as early as possi-
ble, that the earth may settle well about the roots
before winter sets in. All successful planting re-

258

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[September,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

259

ally depends on how soon the mutilated roots can Of evergreen hedges the most readily obtained
draw in moisture to supply the waste of evapora- are Norway Spruce and Scotch Pine, Hemlock,

tion ; hence if a tree
has been badly dug
and has few roots or
the roots appear dry
or weak, lessen the
demand on them for
moisture by cutting
away some of the
branches. In this cut-
ting take the weak
branches, and not
the strong and most
vital ones, as are
often stupidly sacri-
ficed, and above all
see that the earth is
tightly packed about
the roots; for. unless
the earth is in actual
contact with each
rootlet the work is
not perfectly done.
If there is a rootlet
which even by a
hair's breadth does
not touch the earth,
that rootlet might as
well not be there.
It is a very good
plan to lift the tree
up and down a little
before the earth is

Trumpet Creeper as a Weeping Tree.

Spruce, and Chinese
and American Arbor
Vitae, — but where
dwarf dividing lines
are desirable the
golden Rctinospora
and dwarf forms of
Arbor Vitae make
pretty objects. Of
deciduous hedge-
plants almost any of
the thick growing
shrubbery make
pretty hedges.

It is not necessary
to wait till all the
leaves are off before
planting. Cut away
whatever may not
be mature ; no mat-
ter if those of no
experience regard it
as barbarous to do
bo. No one regrets
it who once tries the
plan. Gardeners
lake the leaves off of
cuttings they make,
and a transplanted
tree is in much the
position that a cut-
ting is.

hammered in about the roots, so as to allow th •
earth to close in around the roots as much as

possible.

Hardy bulbs should be transplanted when
necessary in the fall, and the earlier in the fall
the better. They will do pretty well up to frost.
All this applies to Dutch bulbs as well as others.
Tiulbs like to be rather deep, and to have the soil
rather rich and rather damp. It is the low re-
claimed mud of Holland which helps their bulbs
quite as much as the skill of the Dutch gardeners.

We have said a good deal about ornamental
hedges in past numbers ; but not, perhaps, as much
as the subject deserves. Not only do they make
the very best kind of boundary fences, and form
in themselves beautiful objects, but they have a
great use in small places in breaking off long and
uninteresting scenery, and, by dividing perhaps
one grand view into innumerable parts, make a
small place seem very large indeed.

COMMUNICATIONS.

COLOR AND FORM IN TREES.
BY SAMUEL B. PARSONS.

Some time ago a paper was read before the
Massachusetts Horticultural Society, in which
variations in form and color of trees were
treated with contempt. It did not seem worth
while to answer it at that time, because it was
evidently the result of an idiosyncrasy which would
not be repeated. Now that an article has also
appeared in the New York Tribune of July 19th,
enunciating the same opinions, it may serve the
cause of true taste to criticise them both.

Let us first consider the earlier paper, which
says : *• We have a long list of Golden Oaks,
Golden Ashes, Golden Lindens, striped-leaved,
silver-leaved or golden-banded varieties, hideous

to any lover of nature. Looking upon these
sickly plants, each seems in turn more ugly than
its neighbor. All should be sent to the rubbish
heap together."

Does the writer think that these plants which he
anathematizes, are not works of nature ? By what
process did man produce them ? Does nature
always furnish plants of the unvarying green?
Does the writer realize the efifect of a picturesque
lawn, and cannot this be made by permanent
colored leaves as well as by short-lived colored
flowers ? Knight makes them both necessary.

"The bripfht Acacia and the vivid Plain.

The rich laburnum with its gjolden chain,

And all the variegated rtovverinj^ race,

That deck the garden and the shrubbery grace."

And again thus describes the colorless places
which our writer esteems the resulting efforts of
the highest combinations of nature and art.

" But wrapped o'er all in everlasting green,
Makes one dull, vapid, smooth, unvaried scene."

At Forest Hill Cemetery, near Boston, there
was, when I was last there, a Golden Oak of size,
with a tint not of faded yellow nor of yellow
bronze, but of a rich glossy, lustrous gold. In
May and June its beauty is at the best ; in August
it fades somewhat, and then through September
and October its color comes back to the sunlight
tint of June.

The soft rich lavender tint of the Abies pungens
has a charm for all who see it. An experience of
forty years has not made me insensible to the
beauty of foliage, and I never tire of looking at
them both. Yet these trees are among those
which our writer thinks " should be sent to the
rubbish heap." He would send the Golden Ash
to the same spot, and yet a recent writer in Woods
and Forests describes the beauty of the foliage of
this tree as " that of a cloud of clear lemon." So
the Golden Elm is striking for its rich golden
bronze, and the White Elm for its strong and con-
stant white variegation.

Let us see what else we should have to send to
the '* rubbish heap," under the rule above men-
tioned :

Golden Retinospora — a valuable acquisition
from Japan, and so admired that it is used for
hedges and also for window decoration.

Golden Yew — a brilliant evergreen, which makes
the charm of the grounds at Elvaston Castle, and
is universally admired.

Japan Maples — with all their charming varie-
gation of scarlet, carmine and gold.

Golden Catalpa, Poplar, Laburnum, Linden —
all of which are recognized for their beauty.

Variegated Ash — with a constant growth of
striking white variegation.

Oaks— with silver edge and green and gold

vanegation.

Variegated Arundo— well defined broad white
variegation ; very charming, especially when
grouped with Tritoma in masses.

Purple Berberry— valuable either singly or in
groups.

Purple Beech— well-known for its striking color.

Cornus sanguinea variegata— with a most
charming white and green variegation.

Purple Hazel — much admired and largely used
in the Bois de Boulogne, for planting in masses.

Prunus Pissardi— with its bright crimson leaves.

Variegated Althea— very striking white and
green foliage.

Golden Elder, Syringa, Spiraea— all very striking
shrubs when alone, and very charming in masses.

Variegated Viburnum — strong and unique, from
! Japan.

I Lonicera reticulata aurea, well-known as one
of the most valuable Japanese acquisitions.
I Abies alba aurea — a most beautiful and con-
stant green and gold variety.

Abies Alcoquiana — with its green and silver.

Picea Japonica — with its leaves of snowy white
on the under side.

Pinus Massoniana aurea — a most exquisite gold-
en variegation from Japan, called the Sunray Pine.

Golden-leaved Box — a most valuable acquisition
from Japan.

All the white and gold variegations of Juniperus
Biota, Thuja and Retinospora, some of which are
exceptionally fine.

All these and many others belong to the class
of plants of which our writer says, that " the only
thing which can be said in their favor is, that they
will die naturally in a short time."

These plants are growing well in my private
grounds, some of them for forty years, and show
no evidence of dying. I should be unwilling to
spare them, for they charm my eyes always.

The writer continues thus : *• There must al-
ways be exceptions, and nature has, in making
a change of color, sometimes given us valuable
contrasts, as in the case of the Purple Beech ; but
even the Purple Beech cannot be planted indis-
criminately."

Of course there must be judgment in planting,
but does not nature scatter with apparent indis-
crimination, her masses of gold and purple and
scarlet in October forests ?

He also writes : " Nor can much be said of that

26o

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[September,

1 886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

261

[■i*

class of horticultural productions known as weep-
ing trees."

I differ with him in this opinion, for I think
much can be said. The broad cathedral form of
my Weeping Beech, 50 feet high and 50 feet
broad, with a hving house for its interior, always
excites the admiration of visitors. My 'Weeping
Sophora is a graceful feathery mass of the softest
foliage, which always charms, and its moonlight
shadows are very beautiful.

The Weeping Hemlock is like an evergreen
fountain, and exceptionally graceful. The Weep-
ing Silver Fir and the Weeping Norway Spruce,
have each their own merits, and give that variety
of form which, with variety of color, make the
picturesque lawn which all admire.

I would not be unjust to the writer, for he evi-
dently has a very good opinion of nature when he
thus writes:

"Nature is very indulgent, and permits the
horticulturist to mould and shape her works into
various forms. The perpetuation of these mon-
strosities and vagaries, is no credit to those who
pander to the false taste which encourages such
productions."

Now I ought to feel very badly at this de-
nunciation, for I have been doing that thing for
forty years. I do not, however, suffer much, be-
cause I have an idea that nature, not I, made
these forms and colors, and that I honor her by
copying and perpetuating her work.

If I should feel very badly, however, I will think
of Alfred Parsons and other eminent artists, who,
whenever they visit my grounds, sketch gladly
the Weeping Larch with its weird and picturesque

beauty.

I may fairly conclude this part of my criticism
with an anecdote of that eccentric artist. Whistler,
in reply to an admirer who said : *• I see you
everywhere in nature." "Yes," said the artist,
"nature is very apt; she shows a decided im-
provement since I took her up." Our writer does
not quite take her up ; he only proposes to send
her works to the rubbish heap. I prefer to per-
petuate them.

The article in the Tribune is, perhaps, the more
dangerous, because it speaks correctly of many
th ngs, except form and color. So it was that the
author of the moon hoax, forty years ago, made
people believe the things they did not know, by
the correctness of his description of the things
they did know.

The writer's allusion to the work of Mr. Sargent
is very just. It is rarely more than once in a

generation, that a man arises with physical vigor,
trained mental ability, abiding enthusiasm and
the leisure that wealth gives, all devoted to arbori-
culture. The possession of these qualities is en-
abling Mr. Sargent to do a work, the full value of
which cannot now be estimated, but will be more
and more appreciated as the years roll on.

The writer in the Tribune states that foreign
trees will not succeed as well in this country as
native trees. If all that is not American is foreign,
the comparison is scarcely a just one, for all
American trees do not succeed well in all America.
The trees of the Pacific do not flourish on the
Atlantic Coast, and the converse is also true.
Prof. Gray tells us, that out of 66 genera and 155
species found m the forests east of the Rocky Moun-
tai ns, only 3 1 genera and 78 species are found west of
the mountains. There are wanting on the Pacific
the Magnolias, Tulip trees, Plane trees, etc., which
were found existing in the miocene age in Switzer-
land, and are now found in the United States.

There is much to sustain the theory that Europe
and America were once connected by a continent
which was the cradle of the human race. If so,
the trees were, doubtless, interchangeably the
same, showing only certain distinctions which by
long culture become fixed, and, reproducing them-
selves from seed, were recognized as species.
The difference between existing American and Eu-
ropean Beeches, Oaks, Lindens, Larches, and many
other trees, is not greater ihan between the Euro-
pean Purple and Weeping Beeches, the English
Purple and Golden Oaks, the common and the
Silver Linden, the common and the Weeping
Larch, and numerous others which the connoisseur
in trees will remember. In American Oaks, Wil-
lows, Poplars, Hemlocks, Spruces, Pmes, etc., there
is also greater distinction than between European
and American trees of the same families.

There seems to me, therefore, no reason in
making a distinction between European and
American trees for ornamental planting. The
Norway Spruce, Nordmann Fir, Austrian Pine
and other European conifers, become unsightly
after twenty-five years, and are fit only only for
destruction. So are the American Hemlocks, ex-
cept in hedges, and White Spruce and Larch and
other trees. So far as American experience in the
vicinity of New York yet goes, the Oriental
Spruce is the only European conifer which grows
more beautiful as it grows older. Among American
conifers only the White Pine becomes a stately
tree, but its brittle wood makes it hable to de-
struction by an ordinary ice storm. Those who

wish to enjoy conifers can be safe with them for
fifteen or twenty years, which is certainly better
than Coleus for three months.

It would be much more reasonable to make the
distinction lie between the different parts of the
United States, where the differences in soil and
chmate are greater than between Europe and
America in the same latitude. Natives of the soil
and climate of Massachusetts, may do better there
than trees from Kentucky and Illinois, and thus
through the whole range of trees and states.

The writer uses the Lombardy Poplar and the
Weeping Willow, as illustrations of the worthless-
ness of European trees. Our own Poplars and
Willows are certainly of less value, while none of
them can supply the place of the former for certain
effects, which all landscape artists recognize.

In matters of taste, every man is fairly entitled
to his own opinion ; but he is not entitled to stamp
as untrue, a world-wide recognition of beauty.

Thus the Tribune writer says, in alluding to the
admiration for unusual colors and shapes : " To
meet the demands springing from such notions,
nurserymen have been driven to raise and sell so
many trees whose sole merit is that they are pur-
ple, or golden, or silvery, or ring-streaked and
speckled, or that they can be warranted to grow
straight downward and never get an inch higher
than the stock on which they are grafted, or to
grow straight upward and as sharply conical as a
church spire. Fortunately, no eye has been hor-
rified at the spectacle of a wood full of these mon-
strosities."

Where are our October forests, of which all the
world, both artists and artisans, recognize the
beauty, when purple and gold, silver and scarlet,
wave their banners to show what "monstrosities "
they are ? Is beauty a thing of season only, or is
that which is beautiful in October, charming also
in August ? A recognition of the beauty of color
in flowers belongs to the whole human race. Is
color less beautiful when it comes in leaves ? Is
the brilliant tint of Jacqueminot rose to be desired,
and the wine-like ruby of the Japan Maple or the
Prunus Pissardi to be condemned ? Has the
exquisite color of Abies pungens no charm, and is
it a huge mistake of nature ? Green is not the
only color nature has given us, but in this color
alone, she has given us all the shades which our
author condemns. The light golden tint of the
Liquidambar stands in our forests by the side of
the darker Oak, and on the Alleghanies, the silver
Poplars throw up the white of their leaves against
a darker back ground.

Thirty years ago I planted an avenue of Tulip
trees. In the spring the new growth of these is
almost the color of the rising sun which gleams
through them, while in the middle of the avenue ap-
pears the more sombre foliage of an old White
Oak, a remnant of primeval forest, and which was
doubtless one hundred years old when Columbus
discovered America. On my lawn the light tint of
the \'irgilia mingles with the dark shade of the
Purple Beech. All these contrasts give me plea-
sure ; is my taste vitiated and is nature astray ?
I know that I am right, because I admire the per-
fect skill and taste of One who has strewn color
with lavish hand over our meadows and in our
forests. And having thus nature with me I may,
without presumption, assert that any landscape
artist is unworthy of his vocation who does not
recognize the value of color in landscape adorn-
ment.

1 have not touched the question of form, but our
author must be wrong when he stamps as unnatu-
ral all conical forms or drooping forms or dwarf
forms, and says that, "fortunately no eye has been
horrified by the spectacle of a wood full of these
monstrosities."

I would like to ride with him from Baltimore to
Washington or from New York to Albany, and see
the native conical trees which are strewn there in
so great profusion. I would like to walk with him
through the White Mountains, and see the fantastic
shapes which the Birch assumes, first shooting up
straight for twenty feet, then the whole top shoot-
ing off almost at right angles, or else bending over
in the form of a Roman arch. I would like him
to see a forest of American Larch ; and above all,
I would like to have had him with me in a walk I
once took through a tropical forest, that he might
see the fantastic shapes which many trees took
there.

The general denunciation of dwarf forms is also
wrong ; for there is no reason why the graceful
softness of the dwarf White Pine, or the delicate
refinement of the dwarf Hemlock, or the dark
beauty of the Spiraea crispifolia, should be con-
temned because they never reach one-tenth the
size of their brethren of the same family. Creep-
ing Juniper and Red Cedar are growing as brother
and sister in the same forest, and in many families
there are the little brother and the tall brother,
both of mature age.

The position of our writer is sound, "that our
own trees, as single specimens, have no superiors in
grace, dignity and nobility of expression ; " but
I would contend that European trees of the same

262

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[September,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

263

families are fully their equals, and are not exotics
in any other sense than that trees indigenous to
Ohio are exotic in Massachusetts. For arboriculture
Europe is as much a part of America, in the same
latitude, as the west side of Lake Superior is of the
east side.

For picturesque effect the American Beech is
desirable by the unique arrangement of its
branches, but in all else the European Beech is
the noblest, even when planted in America. I al-
lude now to large trees which are under my eye.
So it is with many other species. American de-
ciduous trees, fifty years old, within my observa-
tion, are not less healthy and vigorous than foreign
trees of the same species. Our writer then states
that American trees lend themselves more readily
to the production of " broad effects." What are
broad effects ? Is it massive planting ? and if so,
cannot that effect be produced as well by any of
the vigorous European trees ? He proceeds — *• In
every attempt at landscape gardening worthy of
the name, the individual tree has no value of its
own."

I happened to be reading this while riding on
the Pennsylvania railroad, and lifting my eyes, saw
a mass of forest, with a grancl old Elm standing
out from it like a leader in front of a host. This
tree certainly had an individual value. If indi-
vidual trees have no value of their own for land-
cape gardening, why does the true landscape-
artist select them so carefully ? Their very indi-
viduality is their value. By it he produces the
effect he desires. Our writer asserts that *• native
trees, when planted together, compose better than
when planted with foreign forms." What is meant

by •' compose ?" Is it not, like 'broad effects,"
a generahty, which sounds well to the uninitiated,
but conveys no meaning to the intelligent land-
scape artist, who composes his scene as the painter
composes his picture, by the perfect adaptation ot
his individual forms, giving them such colors as
nature gives, without thinking that he spoils his
picture.

My trees have been my friends for fifty years,
and under their branches my children and grand-
children have played. They are all vigorous in
root and foliage, whether born in Europe or Amer-
ica, and they all charm me, whether golden or
purple, whether spreading or conical, whether
drooping or creeping. I think their effect is •• broad,"
I think they all *' compose " well, and I should be
unwilling to consider any of them " monstrosities."

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

SriR^A Van Houttii. — A correspondent at
Guelph, Canada, inquires : ** If Spiraea Chamaedri-
folia and S. Van Houttii are the same ? If not
what is the difference ?"

[We do not know Spiraea Van Houttii. Does
any reader know the difference ? — Ed. G. M.]

The Gas Plant.—" D. K.," Flushing, L. I.,
N. Y., writes : •' In the July number you quote
the American Agriculturist as authority for the
statement that the Gas Plant, Dictamnusfraxinella
will blaze up if a lighted match be placed under
it. So it will — even in the day-time when in
flower — both the white and the purple. Place the
lighted match under one shoot of the plant at a
time, but not twice the same day or evening."

Greenhouse and House Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

Eggs and larvae of small insects get protection
in the wood work of greenhouses and conservato-
ries, and the best gardeners give all a thorough
cleansing once a year. Where neatness is a feature
of a plant house, a coat of paint is desirable. For
plant growing for winter flowers, white is the best
tint. There cannot be too much light to encourage
free blooming. Many have observed that when a
house is first built the plants bloom better than in

a few years afterwards. By that time dirt gets
between the laps, and often down the rafters, and
all tends to lessen the light in the house. Those
who grow flowers for profit and use rough lumber,
usually whitewash at this season. Sulphur is put
in the whitewash, and a Httle salt. It aids in de-
stroying insect life. In glazing use narrow laps —
not only because they collect less dirt, but also less
water. In broad laps the water freezes, expands,
and cracks the glass. Putty is now seldom used
on the outside. It is so apt to separate from the

wood a little, and then the house leaks. But it is
necessary to bed in the glass carefully, and tack
down with glaziers' brads, before painting the
rabets on the outside. For winter flowering a
roof with a steep pitch gives more light than a flat-
ter roof, — and it is stronger and gets more seldom
out of repair. It is noted by good observers that
broken glass is in proportion to the flatness of the
pitch. Furnaces should have a careful overhaul-
ing, and soot taken out of flues. Much of the
smoking at the first starting of a fire comes from
choking by soot. If a furnace does not draw well
at first, a bunch of shavings on fire at the mouth
of the chimney will generally give it a start. There
is much about the arrangement of a furnace to
task one's notions of good economy. As an actual
saving in the coal bill, large coal is cheaper than
small, — but small coal will heat up quicker. There
is also much waste in small coal, much going

The writer once made an estimate of the large
spaces under laps and cracks, through boards and
sashes, of one who " could not keep the house
warm," and it footed up two square feet.

It will not be long before Chrysanthemums are in
flower. The ladies may do well to remember that
there is nothing prettier in the world than a bunch
of these flowers set off with Mahonia leaves.

COMMUNICATIONS.

PITCHER

PLANTS— NEPENTHES.
BY R. SMITH.

The Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes) form the only
known genus or family of the botanical order
Nepenthaceae. They are wonderful and beautiful
children of Nature, and richly reward examina-

tion. There are about twenty members of the
through the bars unconsumed. The bars are best j family at present known. They are nearly all
set for moderate sized coal, and small coal kept on ! natives of the tropics of Asia — especially of India
hand to hurry up in emergencies. Ashes are and China. In the islands of Borneo and Su-

never wholly taken away from the stoke hole, as
when a fire is in good condition, and it is desirable
to keep it so, without much consumption of fuel,
a few shovels full of wet ashes is just the thing to
throw on the top.

There is nothing in gardening on which so much
can be saved by good judgment as in the manage-
ment of a greenhouse fire. At least one-fourth

matra, where Nature delights to bear some of her
rarest and most wonderful offspring, they are found
in shallow swamps in the greatest abundance. A
very beautiful species and perhaps the best known
of all the Nepenthes, N. distillatoria, is a native of
Ceylon. Two species have been found in Mada-
gascar.

Wherever Nepenthes are exhibited they attract
the coal bill may be saved by a sensible fellow in i attention. The writer has often seen crowds
charge, and yet not work as hard over it as a numb- | gathered round a few specimens on horticultural
skull. Wood is not often used for greenhouse I exhibition tables gazing at them with wonder and
work, except in comparatively mild climates. | interest. Certainly they deserve examination;
When used, good chunks covered by damp ashes I for with their fresh, bright green leaves, and richly
will smoulder and keep up a little heat for a long [ spotted appendages hanging so lightly, they are in-
time. It is very profitable to use in connection \ deed beautiful objects. Botanists, perhaps from
with coal when good solid chunks can be had | the scarcity of plants to examine, have not inves-
cheap. Coke is used where one is near gas works, I ti^^ated their habits and the functions of their
but it has to be had at low figures to be profitable, j various parts as they deserve, and much yet re-
It requires a larger furnace than coal does, and in I mains for explanation.

severe weather must have almost constant atten- 1 The pitcher like appendages from which the
tion, as it soon burns out ; but where there is a
large amount of glass to be heated, attention must
be constant at any rate, and coke may be used to
advantage. In heating, hot air absorbs less heat
than water, and water than steam — but the ques-
tion of rapidity of transmitting heat is of import- ' some botanists term the leaf, others only an ex-
ance. Hence, though it takes more coal to warm \ pansion of the leaf-stalk. The midrib of this
a cubic foot of water than of air. or more for steam | limb or leaf is prolonged, and from it springs a
than hot water, it is often cheaper to use these ; leafy expansion like a pitcher both in shape and
means of conveying heat, by the less time in which | capacity for holding water. The pitcher is sup-
they accomplish their work. Very much may be j plied with a cover or lid attached by a perfectly
saved in heating by looking after the waste of heat, i working hinge, which in the young plant opens at

name •• Pitcher Plant " is derived, are supported
by a stalk rising from the apex of the leaf, and in
some plants measure as much as twelve inches
long. The petiole or leaf-stalk is contracted at its
base, but higher expands into a flat limb which

■; V

264

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[September,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

265

the approach of morninj^ nnd gradually shuts as
the twilight passes into night. As the plant grows

the fluid is insipid, in others, sweet. When heated
or boiled an odor like that from baked apples

Nepenthes Rajah.

ol'^'er this lid remains constantly open. Inside the ri-cs, and when evaporated a residuum of minute
pitcher a watery fluid is secreted. In some species crystals of bir.oxalate of potash remains. The

fluid rises into the pitcher by means of small
glands or cells at the base, and is present in suffi-
cient quantity to drown flies and other small in-
sects which enter the goblet searching for nectar.
Some investigators assert that the plant draws
nourishment from the bodies of insects entrapped
in the pitcher. This, however, is disputed by
others. In some plants under the writer's obser-
vation, he noticed that the bodies of flies, gnats
and other insects quickly disappeared as if dis-
solved by the action of the exudation. It is ex-
ceedingly probable that Nature has supplied the
Nepenth with this means of procuring nourish-
ment, as the pitcher forms a perfect and success-
ful trap for the smaller kinds of insects, and few
of them succeed in escaping when once they have
entered the (to them) deadly goblet.

The species of Nepenthes chiefly cultivated in
hot-houses, as being the finest and most easily
grown, are N. distillatoria, N. ampullacea, and N.
Rafflcsiana. The latter is a very fine species, and
was discovered about forty years ago, in Singapore
by the Eastern traveller, Sir Stamford Raffles,
from whom it has received its specific name.

The largest and most beautiful Nepenth yet dis-
covered, however, is one found in Borneo some
years ago, and named by Dr. Hooker, of Kew
Ga*'dens, England, Nepenthes Rajah, in honor of
Sir James Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak when the
plant was discovered. The pitcher of this species
sometimes measures twelve inches long by six
inches broad. The stalk by which the pitcher is
attached to the plant is as thick as a man's middle
finger. It is a pity that no living plant of this
magnificent Nepenth has yet been brought to
America or Britain, but a dried specimen may be
seen in the Herbarium of Kew Gardens, which will
well repay a few minutes' examination, by those
who visit that realm of wonders more astonishing
and enchantinej than all the airy fancies of the
wonder-land of our forefathers.

4331 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia,

[The "Rajah" has been introduced by the fa-
mous firm of Veitch & Sons, of Chelsea, England,
and we give an illustration of it with the article.

No one seems to know why Linnaeus gave the
name Nepenthes to the genus, — the name being
Greek for a poisonous draught given in connection
with one of the stories connected with the famous
Helen of Troy. It was a sort of pleasant opiate,
that led the anxious head to lie down to pleasant
dreams. Whether the insects that find their fate
in these pitchers sleep themselves pleasantly away
to their final resting place, and may have given

the hint for the name to Linnaeus, we do not know,
or whether there has been anything in its history
to suggest the Nepenthine draught Ed. G. M.

COST OF SMALL BOILERS.
BY DR. J. H. PURDY.

The communication of Loring W. PufTer in the
August Monthly, relating to heating small green-
houses, is full of sound sense, and a good article
in every particular with the exception of the last
sentence, where he says, "One of Hitchings'
'boilers ' that would do the same work would cost
about one hundred and fifty dollars." This is
such a glaring mistake that it is due Mr. Hitchings,
as well as the readers of the Monthly, to set them
right in the matter.

Several years ago it occurred to me that if hot
water was a good heater of greenhouses, the same
method could be applied to the heating of my of-
fices, of which I have three in a suite, containing
in the aggregate, six thousand cubic feet, the
greater part facing north. I purchased from
Hitchings a No. 3 Base Burning Water Heater for
heating small greenhouses, paying him for the
same sixty-five dollars. 1 put it up in a little
room in one corner of \he office and attached five
hundred feet of \% inch gas pipe. I have always
been perfectly satisfied with its work ; the fire is
never out from fall to spring, and the temperature
can be kept up to 70^ or 80° at times when zero
or much lower prevails outside. The average con-
sumption of coal is fifty pounds per day. A small
base burner by Hitchings. warranted to heat a
conservatory of three thousand feet, costs forty-
five dollars, just one dollar more than the home-
made one of Mr. Puffer. I have purchased sev-
eral of these for my neighbors, and know the
price. They are as easy to operate as a parlor
stove and need very little attention, and while
there may be many others in the market equally
as good, my experience is limited to only one kind
which gives perfect satisfaction.

Seneca Falls, A\ V.

[The paper of Dr. PufTer was, as stated, a repro-
duction. Having been written many years ago,
it was not noted, as in justice it might have been
by the Editor, that the cost of these articles has
been much reduced of late years. — Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Iron or Steel Greenhouses. — A circular of
the Manly & Cooper Manufacturing Company,

266

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[September,

respecting iron greenhouses, leads us to in-
quire of our readers what has been the ex-
perience of any of them of late years. They
are in favorable use in some parts of the Old
World, but have never become popular here. In
old times, when the glass was puttied in, one would
readily believe, in our very cold and very hot
country, the expansion and contraction of the me-
tal would crack the putty and induce leakage, —
but, with the many contrivances for avoiding
putty, that might not be an objection now. Possi-
bly the heat would pass away too rapidly in cold
weather, through the conducting power of the
metal ; but if this be an objection, there ought to

but the deeper yellow Perles and Sunsets, have
become popular, and some recent funerals in high
society have even shown pieces made of the deep-
colored Jacqueminot roses.

•' Perhaps there is a change in the sentiment as
well as in the color. White flowers suggest the cold
cerements of the grave ; colored ones, the bright
fields of Paradise."

Glazing Without Putty. — In our May num-
ber we made the remark that the quality of putty
was of no consequence to greenhouse builders as
it is no longer used on the best work. This asser-
tion of ours has evoked a good deal of criticism,
and has brought us considerable correspondence,
and finding it impossible to answer all of the in-

*^ HELLIWELL^ PATENT IMPERISHABLE SYSTEM,

*-^*«

FULL SIZE
- SECTION

BRASS BOLT
AND NUT

JOS. PLENTY. . N.Y.

CLASS 2 O* TO 2 • d> WIDC
IN /\NY LENGTH OF S(^UAR£S

be the merit of durability to iron. Some years ago
the Resor iron conservatory, near Cincinnati, was
regarded as a great success. It would be interest-
ing to know if it still exists.

Colored Flowers at Funerals.— The fol-
lowing is taken from the advertisement of a Phila-
delphia florist in a city paper. It has ever been a
puzzle with intelligent people that black should be
a mourning color for dresses and funeral accom-
paniments, while the flowers should be purely
white :

•• It is noticeable that the popular taste is run-
ning more and more toward the use of colored
flowers in funeral pieces. A few years ago nothing
but pure white was tolerated. One day Pennock
Bros, sent out a pillow with a few Safrano buds in
it, only to have it returned by the indignant re-
cipient.

" Since that time, however, not only Safranos,

quiries in the usual way, we decided to devote an
article to the subject. The principal objections
to glazing without putty are summed up in a re-
cent work on •• Horticultural Buildings," by Mr.
Fawkes, of Crompton & Fawkes, London, Eng-
land, which we quote :

"In glazing without putty the glass usually
comes in contact with metal and a certain amount
of play is allowed — hot air has abundant oppor-
tunities to escape ; houses cannot be properly
fumigated ; crevices for the retention of water by
capillary attraction abound ; subsequent freezing
of this water, and constant breakage are liable ;
and the crevices also harbor insects ; and also the
possibility is precluded of placing a board or lad-
der on the outside of the roof, • and the cost is
greater than with putty glazing.*"

There are several systems of glazing without
putty in vogue here, one of which has been exten-
sively advertised, used on some important work»

i886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

267

and has had ample time to practically prove its
merits or otherwise ; another, which, although
largely used in England and elsewhere for some
years, has only recently been introduced in the
United States, and seems to us to be the most per-
fect system of putty less glazing yet invented ; as
the inventor has successfully met and overcome

every objection set
forth in the above
quotation. This
method of glazing
is shown in the cuts
accompanying this
article, which give
an idea of the con-
struction and ap-
pearance. Al-
though the glass
comes in contact
with the metal, the
sash bar is bent to

Showing the lap of the Glass.

A Top Light of Glass

H Condensation Bar

C Bottom Light

J> Space for Condensation

^> Metal Cap to Top Light

J*' Metal Bar with Double Gutters

G Metal Cap for Lower Light

such a shape that it has a great deal of elasticity,
while it can be screwed down so tight that there
is no play or rattle allowed to the glass, and it can
be made absolutely air tight, keeping in the heated
air and excluding all dust ; and for the same rea.
sons the house can be fumigated more readily
than if glared with putty ; the glass is in much
larger panes or lights, than usually used, giving
greatly increased light and offering fewer crevices
for the retention of water by capillary attraction
and consequently offering less opportunities of
freezing and breakage from this cause ; while the
elasticity of the shape of the metal, as before
mentioned, allows it to yield to a steady pressure
like the power of frost and afterwards return to its
original position; there are no crevices for the har-
boring of insects at the junction or lapping of the
glass, while the drip is effectually provided against ;
the bars are sufficiently strong to bear a ladder
on the outside of the roof ; indeed, with a few
short pieces of boards, a man can walk over any
part of the roof without danger. It is an old and
trite maxim that the best is the cheapest, and al-
though the first cost may be more than putty
glazing on wooden bars, we must take into con-
sideration the extra cost of large lights, 20x48
inches, over 9x12 inches, as usually used, as part
of this cost; then comes the fact that it is there
to stay, and to be at the end of twenty years as
good as when put on; while we all know the con-
stant source of expense our puttied roofs are are.
Our friend, J. N. May, Summit, N. J., is just
renewing entirely some houses built only about

seven years ago, and we certainly think that the
house of the future will be of light iron construc-
tion, well built and properly proportioned for ex-
pansion and contraction, and glazed with a system
of this kind, or better if we can get it.

So far as we can understand the system intro-
duced by Mr. Jos. Plenty, of 144 Pearl St., New
York, it is a great advance on others in existence.
We have obtained from him the cuts to illustrate
this article, and a reference to his publications will
give further information about it.

Aside from these methods of glazing houses, where
the best and the cheapest methods are desirable,
putty is rarely used, even by that class of unfortu-
nate florists who have to do their own work, though
it costs more than if they could afford to employ
others to give them the best methods on a larger
scale. They use a mixture of whitening and oil to
bed the glass on the rabets, so that there shall
be no space for the collection of moisture, which the
slight overlapping would otherwise make. The
glass is fastened by glaziers' triangular tin brads,
and then the whole upper space, usually finished
with putty, is neatly painted. We beheve the florist
would be considered very far behind the age, who
used putty on the outside of even a common hot-
bed sash.

Gas-tar on Hot-water Pipes.— Does any
one know why people gas-tar hot- water pipes?
This question is equal in importance to the one,
" how to get it off again ?" We note that in Eng-
land, the early fount of horticultural inteUigence,
the editors have to grapple with the same question,
—and one replies : " Paint the pipes with sulphuric
acid ; allow it to remain on 24 hours, and then
wash off with lime-water. Nothing short of this is
of the slightest use."

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Culture of Asparagus tenuisslmus.— "Mrs.
H. L. D.," Ketchum, Idaho, writes: "Will you
please give me information in next issue of Gar-
deners' Monthly in regard to soil, temperature,
etc., of Asparagus tenuissimus ? I have had one
two years and never saw one word pubUshed in
reference to its treatment. Mine will not grow.
The lily. Calochortus venustus, illustrated in July
number, grows wild all over this valley, as well as
an innumerable number of other plants."

[In this part of the world it thrives very well
treated as a cool greenhouse plant. It dislikes a

268

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[September,

high temperature. If the pot is well drained, it ' article on its culture has hitherto been given pro-
will take a large supply of moisture with seeming , bably is that it is generally considered very easy
pleasure. Any light, sandy soil seems suited to its to grow.

desires. If any of our correspondents have had It was thought, when first introduced, that it
special excellence in growing it, we are sure many would become famous among florists for cutting,
readers besides the lady who inquires would be like the Myrsiphyllum, or Smilax ; but it has not
glad to learn the particulars. The reason that no far advanced in that direction yet. — Ed. G. M.]

Fruit and Vegetable Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

We were telling an old amateur gardener re-
cently, whose back seemed almost breaking with
the heavy work of earthing up celery, that there
was little need of such hard labor in ihese days.
There were the self-blanching kinds and the kinds
that you could tie up and blanch, like endive or
lettuce, — and at any rate, the dwarf kinds, that at
most required but one or two earthings a year.
•• Bet your life they're no good," responded this
horny-handed son of toil ; and he went on with his
earnest task, piling up the earth till the row looked
like the steep, slated roof of a modern church. He
will so keep on, once a week, till the frost puts an
end to his task. Certainly some of the celery
work of these fond old-time growers is of a re-
markable character. Stalks as long and as thick
as one's arm, and with loads of clear, white, solid,
crisp material — stalks that they have spent a whole
lifetime in studying just how to produce— it is no
wonder the conservatives in horticulture are not
ready to lie down and die at once when a radical
shows his head.

In fruits as well as in vegetables, those who have
spent years in studying just how to do it look on in
pity at the one who searches for the royal road to
fruit culture — the road along which one may jaun-
tily saunter, gathering the ripe and delicious fruit
just as it is ready, with no trouble on his part but
to pluck and eat. We pointed out to one of these
old-fashioned gardeners a paragraph from a west-
ern paper— " Keifer Pear a Humbug,— tasteless
and useless even for hogs !" " Bet yer life I" said
this same old boy, " that one is too lazy to take
some trouble to have them good. I could show
plenty of pears in my garden not fit for hogs, if
I let them all be treated alike. Every kind of
pear has its distinct requirement — one you can

leave on the tree till it is ripe enough to eat, another
you must pick a week ahead if you want to have
a right good mouthful out of it. Some you may let
lie on a board in the sun, and it will give you per-
fection, while another kind will insist on being put
in a dark closet, or even wrapped in a blanket,
before it will be fit for any but a pig to eat. Any
body, as you know, can go to old man Keifer,
and he will give you one from his pear cellar that
will make you fear to eat a pear of any kind for-
ever after, lest the pleasure that luxury has given
you in eating a pear that is a pear, should be dis-
pelled. When a man says Keifer pear is a hum-
bug, it shows he doesn't know anything, or don't
care to take the trouble to practice what he knows
about ripening pears." There may be some truth
among this severe judgment. True it is that Mr.
Keifer, a plain old Alsatian gardener, and yet with
a thorough knowledge of gardening, obtained in
France and Germany, that is rare in our time, —
who is abundantly satisfied with his own share of
the world's goods, and probably never made a dol-
lar out of his famous seedling, — who does not care
whether anybody likes his pear or does not like it,
— he will give you a Keifer pear, as our friend
says, " from his pear cellar," that will make you
feel that you never knew before that a pear could
produce a fruit so lovable.

All these things go to show that gathering, stor-
ing, and ripening pears, is an art that cannot be
taught, and yet it is a branch of knowledge that
will often decide whether any one kind of fruit is
not fit for a pig, or one which the highest lady in
our land might be proud to set before her guests.

There would seem to be little new in the way of
practical hints from year to year; what is found
true once should be true for all time. But fruit
growing is a complicated affair. Things are only
relatively true, and, as circumstances vary, so do

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

269

rules. Take fall planting trees, fall pruning, plant- earth pressed about by the fingers," the " copious
ing of large or small trees, and similar questions. I watering" or •♦ puddling of roots," useful sometimes.

There has surely been great gain. Everybody
knew that, as an abstract question, it was best to
plant any kind of tree in the fall. The old argu-

just IS often kill the trees. The perfection of good
mor.ils in tree planting is, to do it when the ground
will powder and not paste — as soon as there has

BLANCHING CELERY.
BY DAVID N. MORGAN.

ments for it were good enough. It was said that been dirt enough put in to somewhat cover the
the ground was warm, roots healed, often new • rootb, pull the tree up and down a little to encour-
fibres would form, and the trees were just ready to ■ age the earth to jolt into every little hole and cran-
push into growth when the growing time came, ny, then fill in and pound down the earth as
This is all true. But in practice it was found that 1 tightly as possible. Prune out all the weak shoots
stems evaporated moisture in a drying time, as j and sliorten the stronger ones. This is good plant-
much as they would with leaves in winter. A tree ing, and unless a tree is dried up before setting in,
exposed to keen, frosty winds, is, therefore, at a | not one in a thousand has much chance of losing
disadvantage when it has lost many roots by trans- its life.

planting. So the rule came down to this, that And about large trees. They do just as well as
where the tree could be put where the roots would small ones, provided they are very healthy, and
soon heal, where the winter would not likely be are taken up with all the roots that can reasonably
very severe, where the tree itself had good roots, be taken, planted as we have described and pruned
and these not injured by too much drying before ^ in the same manner. After a tree has once come
planting, where shelter from drying winds could freely into bearing, and its growing powers thereby
be afforded, and so forth, it was a very good thing : checked somewhat, it has not tlie same chance as
to plant in fall. But when we look at the risks of a really growing tree -growing in the full sense of
spring planting. — the tree called into growth before the word -but until this time arrives the planter
new roots are formed, hot, drying summer winds, ' may safely use the larger trees.

summer drouths and other contingencies, the con- i ^••-

elusion of the observant man is that on the whole ^^^Tiv/fTTXTT^ArT^T^xTo

one season is no better than another, and "plant! COMMUNICATIONS,

when you are ready " has become the rule. But
progress has been made in getting some of the ad-
vantages without the risks. In fruit trees particu-
larly, now, many who want to plant in spring, buy I have for two seasons practiced the following
in the fall, and plant all temporarily thickly to- plan for handling celery preparatory for winter
gether, no matter if the stems are a foot or more keeping: I take a ball of strong cotton wick, and
deep in the ground, in some nook sheltered from gathering up the stalks of the end plant of a row,
drying winds. Here they remain till spring, shel- tie the wick around it. Then without cutting the
tering one another, as well as being sheltered, wick, take a turn around the stalks of the next
The advantage is that the wounded roots heal over, and each succeeding plant without tying, and so
and when replanted in spring, push into growth a continue till the ball is used up. When the end
couple of weeks before those then freshly taken of the wick is reached, I either tie it to the end of
up. Besides this, there is the great advantage of another ball of wick, or secure it around the plant,
having them on hand to plant just when you are When the celery is taken up, the wick can be un-
ready, instead of having them rushed in just as wound and preserved for future use. To me this
something else is sure to demand immediate atten- plan has been more effectual in keeping the stalk
tion. It does not take much time. Hundreds can together, and easier to follow, than that of pulUng
be thus thickly planted in a few hours. Even when earth to the plant. Camden, N. J,

trees come in spring, almost as much time has to
be taken in " heehng in " to save till we are quite
ready, and the imperfect manner of heeling in usu-
ally destroys large numbers, though " very care-
fully planted by an experienced person," as the I notice in the June number your quotation from
complaint to the vendor usually reads. \ a correspondent of the London Garden, wherein

And " carefully planted " has new meanings as the writer takes the ground that hollow or pipy
knowledge progresses,— as in treatment of animals ^ celery is always the consequence of using seed of
kindness is often cruelty. The " deep hole," " soft , some worthless kind. That this is true in general.

SOLID CELERY.
BY PETER HENDERSON.

270

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[September,

there can be no question, as a most extensive
practice in growing and testing the different kinds
of celeries well proves ; but our experience also
has proved that on stiff heavy soils the same
variety of celery will be specifically heavier than
on boggy soils formed mainly from leafy deposits.
I first discovered this some twenty years ago. We
had two places in which we grew celery, one, leafy
deposit and the other heavy clay loam, and in
marketing the crop, we found, which was nearly
of the same bulk, that that on the clayey loam,
was nearly one-third heavier than that grown on
the leafy mould soil. All giant or tall-growing
celeries should be avoided ; as a rule they are al-
ways more hollow, give twice the labor to work,
are inferior in flavor to the dwarf-growing sorts,
and under the same conditions, rarely give as
much weight of crop. No market gardener that
knows his business, ever grows the "giant"
celeries here now.

DOWNING'S EVERBEARING MULBERRY.

BY J. M.

There are but few persons who know what a
good thing this mulberry is. Owing to the efforts
made to introduce the Morus alba for silk-worm
culture, many more of this sort are met with than
of any other, and the general idea of what a mul-
berry tastes like, is founded on experience with it.
This is to be regretted, for the Downing's mul-
berry is an entirely different fruit from the alba.
While the latter is over-sweet, having what is
commonly termed a '• sickly taste," the Downing's
has a pleasant tartness which is very agreeable to
the palate, being besides, a much larger fruit.
Unlike the alba, which ripens its fruit all at once,
the Downing's continues to ripen for a long time,
commencing about the end of June and ending
towards the close of July, in the neighborhood of
Philadelphia.

Mulberries are often grown in bush form, but
in the case of the Downing's, at least, this is a
mistake, as when in tree form it forms a shapely
head, which together with its large leaves, make
it valuable as a shade tree. Philadelphia.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Bees Injuring Grapes. — It is still contended
that bees do not injure grapes or other fruits. It is
not denied that they eat the fruit, but '* something"
else must puncture the skin to enable them to do

so. If the •' puncture " does not hurt the fruit,
only permits the grape to be eaten that would
otherwise not be eaten, we do not see much value
in the argument. In this neighborhood we know
of vines that have had their whole product carried
away by bees, only those bunches being saved to
the grower that were enclosed in bags. It is not
how the •* puncture " is caused that worries the
grape grower here — it is the actual carrying off of
the fruit that troubles him so sorely.

Firming the Soil. — Considering that the best
farmers so long knew the advantage of rolling
their fields after seed-sowing, it was always a mat-
ter of surprise that the practice had never become
part of good gardening, and still more of a sur-
prise when Mr. Henderson's paper on firming the
soil appeared in our columns, at the objections
some made against it. Yet the evidences of the
value of such a practice could be stumbled against
almost any day. The American Agriculturist
recently gives an illustration of this, which is
worth repeating here :

" Peter Henderson, the author of * Gardening for
Profit,' in msisting upon the great importance of
firming the soil over seeds and plants, writes us :
• It was rather an amusing incident that first
brought to the attention of a truck farmer, of
Charleston, S. C, the importance of firming the
soil. It seems that a gentleman of color, having
the constitutional weakness for chickens peculiar
to some of his race, got into a hen-roost and
helped himself bountifully. In evading the high-
road, he struck a bee-line through a newly sown
turnip field, where he left tracks that led to his de-
tection. But these tracks did more. They showed
to Squire Buncombe, whose chickens had suffered,
that wherever the foot of the colored citizen had
fallen, there he had a " stand " of turnips, and no-
where else (for they had been loosely sown and
the weather was dry). The lesson was heeded,
and has been worth tens of thousands of dollars
to the farmers of South Carolina, who, it seems,
were never before sufficiently ahve to the import-
ance of firming the soil until the unfortunate negro
showed them the way.' "

Whortleberries. — Some time since we warned
our readers that the engraving attached to cir-
culars of some Western nurseries, regarding whor-
tleberries, was not a whortleberry, but the dwarf
June-berry. We note that Mr. Samuel Miller tells
the Rural World that June-berries are often sold
for whortleberries in the west. The people who
buy them are usually those who complain of too
much science in horticultural magazines.

Dwarf June Berry. — The selHng of the Dwarf
June-berry for the huckleberry, by some Western
nurseryman, is evidently due more to ignorance

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

271

than with an intention to defraud. Before us is a
catalogue of a nurseryman, who has a very good
reputation, at Plymouth, Indiana, who gives a
cut of his " huckleberry." He evidently does not
know that his picture is only the June-berry.

Price of Small Fruits. — In Philadelphia*
during the first week in August, the wholesale
price of blackberries was about 6 cents a quart ;
currants, 4 cents ; huckleberries, 6 cents; Southern
Damsons, 5 cents ; Virginia Concord grapes, 5 '
cents, and Southern Niagaras, 8 cents per pound. 1

Peaches in Philadelphia Markets.— At this
writing, first week in August, one of the heaviest |
peach seasons known is anticipated, 2,000,000
bushels alone being expected from Maryland.
Delaware expects to market less than usual. The
value of fine fruit, in comparison with poor stuff,
was well illustrated by the market rates during
the first week in August. While the average
"early" peaches were bringing 75 cents a basket
(two-thirds of a bushel). Mountain Rose sold
readily at $2.

Gooseberries in Washington Territory. —
The English gooseberry is found to thrive admir-
ably in Washington Territory. Some seedlings
have been raised which rival the imported varie-
ties. Puyallup Mammoth has a good reputation.

The New Strawberries. — Mr. E. Williams,
one of the most careful and conscientious of ex-
perimenters, gives to the Weekly Press an account
of his experience with a large number of the
newer strawberries. Something is deficient in
most of them. The older Crescent and the Jersey
Queen receive the fullest measure of his commen-
dation.

Niagara Grape.— These appeared in Philadel-
phia markets in company with Concords, from
South Carolina growers, on the 30th of July, and
seemed much appreciated. The wholesale price
of the Concords was 10 cents per pound. The
Niagara found ready sale at 12 cents.

Fay's Prolific Currant.— A correspondent,
residing near Philadelphia, and who has remark-
able success in currant culture, says : " My Ver-
sailles this year were the wonder of all beholders.
To say that they were as large as cherries is no
exaggeration, and the bunches are much longer
than the famed cherry currant. Fay's Prohfic
was not near as fine, but my plant is young, and
it may do better when older." We should be glad
to hear of the experience of others who have older
plants.

Golden Queen Raspberry. — This was found
on the grounds of Ezra Stokes, of Camden county.
New Jersey, among a 12-acre block of Cuthbert.
It resembles that variety in all but its bright color.
Like all light-colored varieties, the flavor is pre-
ferred by most tastes to the darker kinds.

Crimson Cluster Strawberry. — It is said
that berries of this variety have been produced
nearly seven inches in circumference. This is
very good for a round strawberry. The cocks-
comb-formed fruit we may sometimes find with
enormous figures, but with little actual fruit.

The Delaware Winter Apple. — This is a
variety being introduced by Mr. Corsa, of Dela-
ware. Besides being a remarkably good keeper,
having been found of good quality in June, it is
remarkable as an early bearer, trees but a few
years old bearing profusely.

This is a point that has not received the atten-

tention of those interested in profitable orchard

culture that it deserves. If one can get a full crop

i from an orchard in five or ten years, why wait

for those that take fifteen or twenty ?

Potato Disease. — This has been more virulent
than usual in Eastern Pennsylvania, this year;
but not so very destructive as it has been in some
seasons. Possibly an average of a fourth or fifth
of the foliage was destroyed, not, however, in
many cases reaching to the main stems. Still, there
was enough to give notice to people of smell,
that fermentation in the leaves through the fungus
attacks, was going on. And we shall probably
hear of potatoes rotting badly before the autumn
closes.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Transplanting Wild Blackberries. — •' F.
B.," Cannelton, Pa., has a very fine blackberry
wild ; also, a white variety with it, that he desires
to remove to his garden in fall. It will be very
important to separate them carefully, to prevent
mixture. To this end, the stems of each should
be marked now, and as soon as the leaves change
color in fall, dig them up and carefully wash out
the earth, so as to see certainly the separate root
attachments. If propagation is desired, dig out
as wide a space as possible ; as the plant is propa-
gated by pieces of the root, and every piece is of
value. Pieces about two inches long will do, and
these may be cut and set horizontally, at a depth
of two or three inches beneath the surface, in any
light soil where the water will not lie during

272

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[September,

winter. In wet soil, the pieces may rot. The
stems themselves, after the roots are cut away for
propagation, may be cut to the ground, and these
stumps planted in the garden, covering them with
earth or other material (to be drawn away in
spring), the object being to keep the plants from
being lifted out of the ground by frost.

Bacteria AND Pear Blight. — "A. N.," Chi-
cago, 111., writes: "In this State, pear blight has
always been very destructive. There are some
old trees, but millions have been swept away,
where these have grown.

" Perhaps after we know the cause, we may not
get the remedy. But we do not know that we
will not, therefore we desire to learn the cause
whatever it be. For my part, I have been in-
clined, of late, to the bacterial theory, and yet
there are some considerations that make me hesi-
tate. In one of your letters you told me, that the
fire blight is almost unknown in Germantown.
But I suppose the microscope could show myriads
of bacteria. Why don't these creatures plague
you as they plague an Illinoisian ? Do they hesi-
tate to tackle the Editor of the Gardeners' Monthly f
And. England swarms with bacteria, if we may
credit the scientific journals. Why don't they
bother the English pear-grower ? I believe nothing
of the kind was ever heard of there." To all of
which we can only say, that if it can be proved
that bacteria do cause the disease, it is no argu-
ment that they do not cause the disease, because it
is not seen in England. Still the freedom of England
under the circumstances, would be remarkable.

Fruiting of English ^azel and Filbert
Trees.—" C," Villa Nova, Pa., says: " Can you
give me information in regard to an English hazel-
nut tree or trees. The owner complains of their
never having borne, but this year they have quite
a quantity on. He got them from a tree which
he thinks came over from England, and he says
bore quantities of nuts, and wants to know why his
do not. They are in quite a clump, some of 1 5 to 20
feet high, and seem perfectly healthy. Would
summer pruning do them good, or is it the fault
of imperfect fertilization ?"

[The failure of the hazel-nut to perfect seed
some seasons in America, is due to imperfect fer-
tilization. A few warm days in winter, will bring
forward the male flowers (catkins), and they thus
mature, often many weeks before the minute fe-
male flowers are ready to receive the pollen.
When the latter is in bloom, there is nothing to
fertilize them with. This season, it is a matter of

record, that the male and female flowers bloomed
simultaneously ; hence the full crop. On the
writer's grounds, trees are loaded that had not a
nut for two years before. This fact has been
noted years ago, and is referred to in a paper in
the transactions of the Royal Horticultural Society.
The suggestion is there made, that when this
difference in time occurs, male flowering branches
at maturity may be wrapped in paper, kept dry,
and when the female flowers appear, be hung in
and among the trees. Then a crop of nuts follows.
—Ed. G. M.]

Seedling Cherry Specimens from J. G.
Burrow, Fishkill, N. Y.— It is not possible in
these days, when varieties are so abundant, to
give the value of a new one from specimens alone.
Merits must be comparative ; and only the com-
petitors, growing side by side, will furnish the
evidence required. In this instance. Late Duke
would be the probable competitor. The stems
are longer and more slender, which is a good
mark of distinction. The fruit is of about the
same size, color and flavor. The Late Duke,
however, we have never regarded as a very
abundant bearer ; this one seems to bear pro-
fusely. There are twenty cherries on the 6-inch
branch sent us. We are inclined to believe that
it has some superior merit to Late Duke, and if
this proves to be a fact, it will certainly prove a
desirable variety.

English Gooseherries. — A correspondent
from Taunton, Bristol Co., Mass., writes: "I take
the liberty to send you, by today's mail, some
sample gooseberries, for your opinion. From the
original bush, which was on my place when pur-
chased, forty years ago, I picked in July, 1884,
twenty-three quarts of green berries. This year,
the dry spell came just at the growing time ; still,
two weeks ago, from the old bush and three
smaller ones, I gathered forty quarts. The bush
has never failed to produce an abundant crop of
berries ; nor has it ever showed the least sign of
mildew. In fact, I should never have known that
gooseberries were afflicted with that blight, had I
not read of it in horticultural works.

" The berries I send, have had no special culture.
Such work is out of my line ; still I am confident,
had there been any, that the fruit would have been
very much larger. You will see they are not
quite ripe nor full grown now ; still you can judge
something about them. Is it a fruit worth any-
thing ? Is it more than ordinary ?"

[This is one of the race of English gooseberries ;

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

273

much larger than are usually seen in this country, ; see. by proper attention to the requirements of
but not larger, or as large, as the same variety j good culture, the English gooseberry successfully
would probably be grown in the old world. The gumn in every amateur garden that has any pre-
varieties there are so numerous, that it is impos- j tension to excellence.— Ed. G. M.l

sible to say whether or not this is a seedling differ
ent from one of them. It is most likely one that
has long been named and introduced from the old
world.

It may be v/ell here to remark, that an idea
prevails, that the English gooseberry always mil-
dews in America ; and so, when one gets a plant
that has not yet had mildew, the owner believes it
is either of the American race of gooseberries, or
that he is the lucky possessor of an English variety
that Will not mildew, that it must of necessity be a

Grafting Quince on the Thorn.— In our
last there was an inquiry about grafting the Quince
on the Crataegus or Hawthorn.

Mr. Thos. J. Edge, Secretary of the Pennsyl-
vania State Board of Agriculture, kindly fur-
nishes the following minute from the proceedings
of the State Board at a recent meeting at Blooms-
burg in this State :

Mr. H. H. Brown, of Light Street, P. O.,
Columbia Co., said : " I have succeeded very well
in raising the quince by grafting upon the White

newkmd. The fact is, the English gooseberry only , ,,„ .

_ij A V-- ... thorn. White thorn, as you know, will grow

mildews in America when It is grown in situations , , , ^ miuw, wm grow

^v...^ ..^ ♦^ 1 u * • M7L , anywhere. It does not need clay soil, but will do

expobed to a long hot summer s sun. Wherever] ,, , , . . »^u«. wm uu

the soil is cool, or the sun kept from the plants by
buildings or fences, the English gooseberry does
very well. In Canada, the northeastern parts of the
United States, or anywhere south in shady places

well on loam, gravel, or anything else. I have
one stock that has grown seven years, and it came
into bearing in three years. I have quinces this
way the second year after grafting. My mode is
to grow trees, say one inch in diameter, and then

at high elevations, it succeeds. In the coal reeions ,

^r u 1 • u .u • , ,• , cut them so that they are three or four feet hieh.

of Pennsylvania, where the miners are English, , , , , "'6»^»

^u • ^ A A *u i • r • r I • ^"^ ^^^ them sprout, and next year whip-erraft

thev introduce and grow the favorite fruit of their , ^ , , , . tpgiaiL

, . . J n- . .u -.u them. I have attempted cleft grafting, but after

old homes, and cultivate them with ^reat success. , , r , ■ • &• "•

the graft begins to grow it ' turns in the bark ' and*

lifts the graft out. I only succeeded in getting

one out of twenty in this way. The next year I

whip-grafted with complete success. I have raised

excellent quinces by this method."

Kelsey's Japan Plum.—" W. F. B.." says :
" If any disinterested person has fruited Kelsey's
Japan Plum, I would like a full report of it. If it'

Here in Germantown, a locality once settled by
Germans, but now chiefly in the hands of the
English and Scotch, or their immediate descend-
ants, the favorite English gooseberry is very suc-
cesful in the small shaded yards of the artisans ;
but it mildews when in the larger gardens of the
wealthy, where the extent permits an all-day sun
to heat the ground.

There is no reason why the English gooseberry will bear freely when the curculio destroys the
should not be grown in every garden. It is the European varieties and the quality compares
art of the gardener to suit his plant to the re- 1 favorably with them, I would like to graft some
quiremcnts of nature. He does not plant potatoes large trees, but if it is, like the American varieties,
just before frost, or set out egg-plants or tomatoes considered good because we cannot raise better,
at times when he would plant cabbages or sow I do not care to take much trouble about it."
turnips, and when they get frozen declare that ' [This plum is equal in quality to any of the
"they cannot be grown here." Yet he takes a goose- best of the European race. Like them, it will be
berry that requires a damp atmosphere, a shady attacked by curculio, and like them, it will be a
place, cool soil, and plenty of decaying vegetable ' very desirable kind to grow if the best modera
manure, and places it in the full sun, where only a methods of shaking or jarring the trees for the
sweet potato would grow without grumbling, and capture of the insect, be persisted in.— Ed. G. M.]
because it mildews now and then, it is pronounced Raspberries for Massachusetts. — '• W. H.

unfit for American fruit gardens.

F.," Wood's HoU, Mass., writes: "You would

We publish our correspondent's letter, because oblige * W. H. F.' very much if you would let
it shows how easily it can be grown, when the me know in your next number of the Gardeners'
right place is found for it. The dissemination of j Monthly, which are the best raspberries for an ex-
thc Industry, Triumph, and others of the English \ posed place ; give me two or three varieties."
race, recently, is doing much to make the merits •. [Any variety of the Red or Black cap raspberry
of this dehcious fruit known; and we expect to j would be hardy with you, so long as they were

274

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[September,

not exposed to hot dry suns. In such places they
get their Hfe power weakened, and are then " ten

one is desirable, Caroline. Of the Black cap
class, Souhegan is the most popular in that see-
der," and die in winter. Of the Red varieties. I tion, and, though the Gregg has not been widely
Franconia is the best for exposed places in Mass. ! grown in Masssachusetts, it is worth planting, we
Then you may add Cuthbert, and if a light-colored i think.— Ed. G. M.]

Forestry.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

American Trees for American Planting.—
A correspondent says : '• Note in N. Y. Tribune of
last Monday, July 9, a criticism of Sargent's notes
on trees, and the writer's own opinion of the worth-
lessness of foreign ornamental trees. The last
part of the article is very remarkable." 1

[Our daily papers have improved in many re-
spects of late years, — but in the matter of techni-
cal affairs they have generally deteriorated, and
have little or no influence. Smart young men,
fresh from the High School, will furnish an article
very readable, on any subject under the sun, on
five minutes' notice. They are perused with plea- |
sure one moment and the next forgotten. This \
particular paper with the •• Know-Nothing" title
quoted, is purely of this species, and only that it
has troubled our correspondent, who is an emi-
• nent tree-lover and tree-planter, it would hardly be
worth notice at this long date after printing.

The author of the paper tells us that •' no tree
will thrive under other climatal conditions than
those which prevail in its original habitat." One
would have to know what is meant by •' climatal
conditions" and "original habitat," and particu-
larly what is meant by " thrive," before affirming
or denying these propositions. We saw recently
a magnificent mass of English beeches, nearly a
century old, on grounds near Philadelphia, quite
equal to any of the same age seen in the North of
Europe. But perhaps they are not ♦• thriving " as
the author means; or in his estimation the " cli-
matal conditions" between Philadelphia and Nor-
way or England may be the same. Then we are
told that the Norway spruce is no good for Ameri-
can forestry,—" not half a dozen remain of those
originally used in the Central Park." The Central
Park is rather a limited locality to decide questions
of " American " Forestry.

Some have thought that Japan trees might be
useful in American Forestry, — but this gentleman
has no such an idea, because " they have not yet
been grown in sufficient abundance to serve any
economic purpose." If a few dozen trees can be
grown successfully "in Central Park," — grown ra-
pidly in soil that suits them, and the timber is just
what we want, — Why not grow a million as well ?
" The Larch was considered the timber tree of
greatest promise years ago." True, and if we take
an alpine tree from its rocky loves, and set it down
on the sea level, in a soil that it hates, why should
its removal to "America" be the sole cause of its
failure? " It will ^row quickly on thin soils, but
so will White Pine." Certainly ; no one will under-
rate White Pine. But there are certainly places in
"America" where Larch would have a better
chance to succeed than White Pine would; admit-
ting, ot course, that "Central Park" isnot "America."
The " Chestnut is superior to the Larch." No
doubt, when you have it on limestone soils, or
I soils just suited to it — for it is very nice in its exac-
! tions — but there are millions of acres in "America"
where first-class Larch could be had, that would
not give a solitary chestnut post. The statement
that "in the Eastern States the effort to acclimate

foreign trees looks like a waste of energy." Here
again it would be necessary to get a definition of
"acclimate." There are millions of foreign trees
growing in the " Eastern States," — we do not mean
Central Park merely — that seem to us as fairly
" acclimated " as any native trees.

The idea that an ornamental tree must be in
some of its features distinct from a common
tree that furnishes " fuel and timber," is not
by any means a prevalent idea. In fact, we
have never heard, in all our long experience, any
one object to a tree that had real beauty being
! planted on his grounds, because somewhere the
I wood was used for fuel or timber. This is simply

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

275

a specimen of " smart writing " and nothing more.
However, with " ideas like these holding sway," " it
is small wonder that in our parks and private
grounds more foreign trees than natives are to be
found." Have these "foreign trees" no use as
fire-wood or for timber, that they have been so
extensively planted ?

But, not presuming to deny what may be in
" Central Park," we are free to say that if any por-
tion of this continent may be considered "Amer-
ica " beyond its limits, the vast majority of trees
planted the past twenty-five years in our orna-
mental grounds have been American trees, — not
particularly because they are prettier or better
adapted to our soil and climate, but because we
are a practical people, bent on proving all things
and holding to that which is good, no matter where
its birthplace may have been.

The clause our correspondent refers to reads :
" As a rule it will be found in landscape planting
that American trees are best adapted to American
skies, just as truly as in economic planting Ameri-
can trees are best suited to American soil and
climate."

No one but a " smart writer " would suppose
" adaptation to American skies " was the chief
effort of a landscape planter. We are told that
" native trees compose better than when mingled
with foreign forms ;" that " our trees have no su-
periors in grace, dignity, and nobility of expres-
sion," and similar " highly written " trash. The
suggestion that the State colleges should plant an
arboretum, where only the trees of the State should
be grown, " and not another one," is very original,
truly.

It will, perhaps, not be considered wholly waste
of room to note this curious article ; for it will be
a good lesson to look to the technical magazines,
and not the "brilliant writing" of a daily paper,
for the information needed to make the arts and
sciences flourish.]

Douglas' Railroad Plantings at P'arling-
ton, Kansas. — ThQ Prairie Farmer gives an in.
teresting account of a visit to these forests, which
occupy 520 acres. Five miles from this is the
forest planted by Douglas for Mr. Hunncwell, of
Boston, who was formerly one of the managers of
the railroad company. The trees were set 4 feet
apart, like as in corn hills, 2,720 trees to the
acre. They were set in 1877-8. There are now
about 2,500 living trees to the acre. Catalpa and
Ailanthus are the kinds. The cost of attention to
bring a young tree to 4 feet high, is 2 cents. They

are kept clean like corn till large enough to
smother their own weeds. One man can work
from four to seven acres a day. In three years
the trees can take care of themselves. Four feet
apart is of course too close for permanent timber,
but thick planting is preferable because it makes
straight trunks, and it is believed that the struggle
for life will kill off the weakest as fast as it is de-
sirable that the stronger trees should get more
room. Some trees are already getting an advant-
age over the others. A thousand or twelve hun-
dred trees to the acre will probably be the ultimate
timber product. Eight-year-old Catalpas are now
20 to 25 feet high and from 4 to 6 inches in di-
ameter. Some White ash are smaller than the
Ailanthus or Catalpa. A small planting of Osage
orange is also making " a fair slow growth," but
the tangle of dead limbs from close planting
would probably make them dangerous spreaders
of a grand blaze in case of fire.

Forest Fires. — A daily paper remarks:

"Great forest fires are reported from various
parts of the country, and in every case it is stated
that nothing can save the woods except soaking
rain storms. New York is trying both prevention
and cure by the organization of a body of forest
wardens, but time has not yet shown whether they
can be made effective. It is certainly time that
something more likely to come than rain in a dry
season should be found for the suppression of
these widely destructive fires that deplete Ameri-
can forests."

In a large number of cases forest fires come
from locomotive sparks flying from the engine as
it drives through the forest. How much more
sensible would it be to employ laborers to clear
away the forests a few hundred feet on each side
of the track than to employ " wardens " at large
salaries to loaf around and watch for those who
" start fires." Or, where the woods are in no dan-
ger from locomotives, why not employ laborers to
clear out dangerous underbrush and dead trees
that start fires, instead of lazy " wardens," to hunt
up offenders against the laws. For our part, we
would sooner trust to a rain to put out a forest fire
when it once starts among dead brush, than to a
thousand high-salaried forest wardens.

Remove the dangerous material, and the danger
ceases. This is our forestry platform.

The Rosewood.— The leading tree that yields

rosewood has been supposed to be Jacaranda

mimosaefolia. The proceedings of the Botanical

Society of Edinburg give the following as the

latest information in regard to it :

" Brazilian Rosewood, which is the Rosewood
par excellence^ has been used in Europe for fur-

276

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[September,

1886.J

AN D HORTICULTURIST.

277

niture purposes, for at least 200 years, and if the
dates on some articles of this material, shown at
South Kensington, be correct, for nearly 300
years. Tables and cabinets were made of it long
before Mahogany was brought across the Atlantic.
According to a Brazilian official publication Rose-
wood trees are abundant in all the provinces on
the east side of the empire, from Pernambuco to
Rio de Janeiro. The exports of this wood from
Brazil have increased tenfold, within the last fifty
or sixty years, and now amount in value to about
^100,000 per annum. Notwithstanding its import-
ance, and the length of time it has been used in
Europe, the species of tree which yields it is not
yet known. In Brazil it is called Jacaranda-wood ;
but in that country, there are several Jacarandas
—the black, the purple, the violet, the white, and
the thorny Jacarandas, the species of which are
known, besides the rose Jacaranda, of which ap-
parently only the genus is known. At all events,
the botanical source of Brazilian Rosewood is not
known in Europe. According to the catalogue of
the Kew Museum, it is supposed to be obtained
from one or more species of Dalbergia. In East
India there are three dark heavy woods belonging
to this genus, well-known for their useful proper-
ties, which somewhat resemble, though they have
not the beauty of Brazihan Rosewood. These are
the Dalbergia latifoha, the D. sissoo, and the D.
cultrata. Indeed, the D. latifoha has been long
well-known in England as East India Rosewood.

*' Rosewood being known to be distinctly resinous
—a property which is well seen by lighting a
sphnter of it— a number of experiments were made
to determine the amount and character of the
resins and resinous coloring matters which Brazil-
ian and Honduras Rosewood, as well as two species
(Dalbergia latifoha and D. sissoo) of the Indian

woods referred to, contained. The results of
these experiments, which consisted in treating the
sawdust of the different samples with naphtha,
ether, and alcohol, showed that the character of
the resinous matters extracted from these woods
is nearly the same in all, and that there is no
great difference in their quantity. For example,
the naphtha extract was in most cases, about
l^ per cent of the wood, the ether extract
averaged nearly 4, and the spirit extract roundly
14 per cent. The total extract was rather higher
in the Brazihan than in the East Indian woods.
The naphtha extract has the characters of ordi-
nary Pine resin — viz., ready solubility in spirit,
and the highly characteristic odor when heated.
Both the ether and the alcohol extracts are very
dark colored, and the latter especially has a very
strong tinctorial power, one part in 100,000 of al-
cohol showing a distinct color in a test tube.

••The results of similar experiments with a few
other woods were given. A specimen of ebony,
curiously enough, scarcely colored the ether or
the alcohol, but its naphtha extract was consider-
able. Spanish Mahogany gave extracts not far
short in quantity to some of the Rosewoods, but
there is difference in the characters of the former,
most marked in their comparatively feeble tinc-
torial power. The other woods tried gave results
entirely different from those obtained from the
Mahogany, and still more with those got from the
Rosewood experiments."

Blue Gum in California. — One of the earhest
planted in the State was cut down at Santa Rosa
this summer, because it insisted on pushing a
house aside. It was 105 feet high, but exact age
not stated.

Natural History and Scimck

COMMUNICATIONS.

NATIVE LOCALITY FOR ROBINIA VISCOSA.

BY H. W. RAVENEL.

In August number of Gardeners* Monthly,
p. 228, in speaking of the " Clammy Locust,"
(Robinia viscosa) you say, •' It is remarkable that
this species, discovered by Michaux in the Caro-
linas, has never been found wild since his time,
and the species is now only known by garden
specimens."

This is an error. If you will refer to Vol. IX.
of the Tenth Census Reports, (1880) " Forest trees

of North America," by Prof. C. S. Sargent, (p. 56)
you will see his remarks under description of that
species, that it is— "very rare, and not re-dis-
covered until 1882, by the numerous botanists who
have visited, during the last thirty years, the locah-
ties where the Michauxs, father and son, dis-
covered the species." He gives as the locality,
••Open woods, slopes of Buzzard Ridge, altitude
4,500 feet, near Highland, Macon County, N. C.
I. Donnell Smith."

I will state also, that I have in my herbarium,
flowering specimens collected by Prof. L. R.
Gibbes, of Charleston, in 1881, in the very same
locality as cited above. Dr. Gibbes also sent me

mature seeds, but they failed to germinate. I have
also in my herbarium, a specimen (without fruit or
flowers) sent me by Dr. Chapman as having been
collected •* by I. Donnell Smith, in the mountains
of North Carohna," probably the same locality.

Aiken^ S. C, August 2d,

LEUCOPHYLLUM TEXANUM.
BY GILBERT ONDERDONK.

It is a wonder to me, why some horticulturist
has not preceded me in introducing this very de-
sirable shrub to the general public. My attention
was first drawn to it, in its native haunts on the
Neuces river, in Southwest Texas.

A broad-leaved evergreen shrub, never attaining
a height of over 6 feet, with leaves even more
silvered than the Deodar, with such a profusion of
purple flowers at short intervals, during the entire
growing season. I know of no shrub more capa-
ble of bright effects in ornamental grounds. Like
privet, box, or pittosporum, it can be sheared to
any desired form and compactness. Also, I find
that its blooming qualities are not at all impaired
by severe shearing. Whether sheared to a globu-
lar, pyramidal, conical, or any other form sug-
gested by the fancy, the contrast afforded by this
Leucophyllum with the various shades of green,
imparts an element of beauty to a landscape, that
is but feebly imitated by any other shrub in use.
It would make a fine border to a carriage drive.

As in its native habitat it is found only upon
soil so calcareous as to be quite barren, it has
been naturally presumed that it would not flourish
in the better soils sought by the horticulturists.
But experience proves that it will succeed in any
good soil that has proper drainage. I have it in
a rich sandy loam, where it outgrows any speci-
men that I ever saw in its native home. In fact,
soil and culture seem to help it as much as they
do any other plant.

I find no difficulty about transplanting it. I
"have not done with my experiments in its propa-
gation. I get my supply from the natural thickets,
about eighty or ninety miles below us in South-
western Texas.

I do not know how far north it would prove
hardy. Perhaps the Editor of the Monthly can
tell us. I should not be surprised to learn that it
would be successful as far north as Philadelphia.
I have never seen even the tenderest terminals in-
jured by the coldest snaps to which we are subject
in Southern Texas.

The leaves are valued by our Mexican neigh-

bors as a medicine, on account of their marked
effect upon the respiratory organs.

Nursery, Victoria Co.^ Texas.

[The Mexican name of this plant, Mr. O. in-
forms us, is pronounced " Sanesa." This signi-
fies " the tree that is of the color of ashes," that is
to say, silvery gray. The botanical name has
the same meaning, and is from the color of the
leaves. This name will be considered a hard
name, and only for the fact that the people who
give common names to plants, have not the
slightest respect for the writer who trespasses on
their prerogative, it might be suggested that
••Silver bush" would be a good common name for it.
•• Silver tree " will not do, as that is already appro-
priated by an African tree, Leucadendron ar-
genteum.

The plant belongs to the natural order Scrophu-
lariaceae, and to a section that seems to have its
central home in the islands of the South Pacific,
from whence the bhrubby Veronicas come. They
will hardly thrive so far north as Philadelphia,
though we know of no actual experiment having
been made. But there is no reason why Southern
gardens should not be ornamented by this beautiful
shrub. — Ed. G. M.]

•« DESIRABLE NATIVE SHRUBS OF SOUTH

CAROLINA."

BY MRS. J. S. R. THOMSON.

I have thought that an article upon some few
of our most desirable native shrubs might prove
interesting to some readers of Gardeners'
Monthly.

Our whole State has, according to Mr. H. W.
Ravenel, Aiken, S. C, of flowering plants: Ex-
ogens, 1,310; Endogens, 500; total, 1,810. Of
this list I am familiar with many, whilst others,
I grieve to say, are totally unknown to me.

Of all our beautiful varieties, I would select,
first, our mountain Azaleas. For years the re-
gion of their growth in the chains of the Blue
Ridge, was almost unexplored ground to many ;
but of late years the railroads have penetrated
their almost interminable fastnesses ; winding
through deep gorges, over wide chasms, unveihng
to the entranced gaze of all beholders, these won-
drous floral riches ; hills clothed in vernal green
and bewildering forms of beauty on every side.
Ferns in limitless profusion, vines climbing to the
tops of highest trees, orchids and shrubs ; which
distracts the mind— desire is so strong to obtain
some of all. These, if known to the cultivator, I

278

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[September,

know not, but unhesitatingly say they are well
worthy a place amongst the finest collections.

Foremost among these in beauty are the Azaleas,
four to six varieties ; but one that I will describe
in the words of others, my pen being incompetent
to the task. This is a Calendulacea of Michaux,
which Bartram in his travels calls Fiery Azalea,
and herewith read his glowing description : "This
epithet ' Fiery * I annex to this most celebrated
species of Azalea, as being expressive of the
appearance of its flowers, which are in general
color of the finest red lead, orange, or bright gold,
as well as yellow and cream color. These various
splendid colors are not only in separate plants,
but frequently all varieties and shades are seen in
separate branches on same plant. The clusters of
blossoms cover the shrubs in such incredible
profusion on the hill sides that, suddenly opening
to our view from out of dark shades, we are al-
most alarmed with apprehension of the woods
being set on fire. This is certainly the most
gay and brilliant flowering shrub yet known."
(From Rev. M. A. Curtis, Wilmington, N. C,
•'Woody Plants.") But I beg to add this to the
above so faithful description. The flowers are in-
dividually about i^ inches in diameter, i inch
tube, crowded upon the stem so thickly as to con-
ceal almost the abundant foliage, forming entire
clusters, often 8 inches diameter, never less than 3
inches. Imagine if you can, steeps crowned with
dense masses of this and other varieties, from 18
inches to 6 and 8 feet high, as far as the eye can
reach, mingled with hemlock spruce, rhododen-
drons, ferns, laurel and other of nature's darlings ;
'tis a true picture, not overdrawn.

Side by side mingled in beautiful confusion
grows the Sweet calycanthus or Carolina spice
bush — whose chocolate colored, tasseled-shaped
fragrant flowers fill the air with an indescriba-
ble odor, filling the senses to repletion with a
delicious languor. Chionanthus or Silver Fringe
tree (or Old Man's Beard) has pure white, long,
pendant fringe-like flowers, the fringe-like petals
often forming clusters from 6 to 12 inches long,
furnished with pale glaucous green, ovate leaves,
pale silvery stems. A few miles further south,
you find the Gelsemium sempervirens or Carolina
yellow Jasmines (so often confounded with Jas-
minum nudiflorum and other hot-house varieties),
an evergreen vine, not belonging to what I com-
menced to describe — the shrubs ; but so altogether
lovely and desirable, and as yet it seems so little
known that I add it here. This vine, I see by
Gardeners* Monthly, and in Catalogue of Mr.

Thos. Meehan, has been found hardy as far north
as Philadelphia, is an evergreen with sub-acute
satiny dark green leaves, ebony tinged stems,
which in late fall forms its next season's flower-
buds, remaining all winter unhurt ; which as
soon as our generally genial February suns be-
gin to warm mother earth, develop into lovely
long, graceful branches of golden trumpet, de-
liciously fragrant flowers, which are in shape
identical with Weigelia rosea, only smaller. Often
you cull a cluster 12 inches long. To describe
this, my best and prime favorite, as it deserves is
beyond my skill. It grows in greatest profusion ;
every branchlet that touches the damp, rich sandy
soil beneath it takes root ; clambers up and over
every twig and shoot ; from thence to tops of the
trees, and has the real jasmine odor. It has also
medicinal virtues which, in hands of ignorant
practitioners have time and again caused death.
" Halesia tetraptera, or Snowdrop tree," is also
worth cultivation ; flowers pure white, pendulous,
blooms before the foliage appears, in size and
shape of our Snowdrop — Galanthus.

In my rambles this spring I found a new shrub,
which awakened purest admiration. Stress of du-
ties prevented me from sending it to our kind Edi-
tor for name. It was on the edge of a brawling
brooklet, amid dense shade, with ferns as
a carpet, about 6 to 10 feet high, foliage
almost identical with our huckleberry, but
larger somewhat. But the attraction to me
was its myriads of pure pearl-white, star-shaped,
pendulous flowers and fragrant, about three quar-
ters of an inch diameter. Not one flower was
erect. But standing beneath this shrub and look-
ing upward, it was like the stars of heaven,
"which no man can number." The growth some-
what scrubby — looks like a slim growth would be
its habit. It was new to me, and name is earnestly
desired. Living, as I do, amongst so much beauty,
I am ashamed that so long I have gone forth as
one blind, and densely ignorant of names and
habits of our native plants, but now I am an eager
student, and hope to know more of my own desira-
ble plants. Spartanburg, S. C.

DURATION OF INDIVIDUAL PLANTS.
BY JEAN SISLEY.

A very serious question has been agitated since
a great many years: that of the extinction of
varieties by time. About twenty years ago, it was
discussed in our horticultural papers, and then
the great majority was in favor of the belief that

iSS6."|

AND HORTICULT URIST.

Z-Ji)

all varieties would be rendered perpetual by
grafting, or any other mode of propaj^ation.

I have always been of opinion, that all living
beings have received from nature a certain longev-
ity, and must, at its expiration, cease to exist.
But I am not quite convinced, that that limit can-
not be extended by grafting, or any other mode
of multiplication. It was discussed Sunday last,
at my table, by four eminent horticulturists. They
are all of opinion that the extinction must take
place some day or other, but they are divided as
to the possibility of prolonging the existence of
plants by artificial means.

As it is a very important question, particularly
for fruit treees, I call your attention, and that ot
your readers, to the subject, and should like to
sec it discussed seriously to obtain a conclusion.
I am of opinion, that if fruits were not renewed
by sowing, we should, after a while, be deprived
of those we now possess ; and that, if since the
beginning of this century, some people had not
addicted themselves to sowing, we should not
possess the excellent varieties of apples and pears
now existing.

If the question is settled about the extinction by
time, it is necessary to encourage sowing by selec-
tion. I suppose that no one knows the medium
existence (life-time) of fruit trees, and I suppose
that it has not been studied. We know, and
everyone knows, the duration of annuals and bi-
annuals ; but no one, I suppose, that of the so-
called perennials. Can it be done ? If so, I think
that the study ought to be undertaken as soon as

possible.

Notwithstanding what precedes, I am of opin-
ion that grafting has been a splendid discovery,
and must be largely practiced ; and also that the
influence of the stock on the graft, must be care-
fully studied and not neglected, because till now
a great many propagators have overlooked it,
and have sown the seed for stocks at random^
without attention to the natural and universal law

of variability.

Monplaisir, Lyons, France, July 8th, 1886.

[When our correspondent states that " no one
has been able to fix the medium of existence or
life-time of a fruit tree," he hits on the real essence
of the question. Unless we settle this question at
the beginning, the discussion may never end.

The advocates of limit say, that a tree cannot
live beyond the life-time fixed by nature; and
hence grafts or cuttings taken from trees that
have passed this life-time, will give only diseased
trees, which will soon die.

If the advocates of persistency point to a Red
Dutch currant that has been reproduced by cut-
tings for centuries, or the Bergamotte d'automne,
or some other old pear that has been grafted for
hundreds of years, still as healthy and as sound as
ever; or Jerusalem artichokes or sweet potatoes,
that year in and year out have been propagated
by sots, without once getting a renovation from
seed, and still going on as if they would do it for-
ever, the limitationists simply shrug the shoulder
and say : " Oh, yes ! they have probably not
reached the life-term allotted to them."

There is therefore no use in arguing till wc de-
cide what is " the life term ?" So far as wc know,
there is no such thing so far as plants are con-
cerned.

If wc are to take the question in a general way,
as i)ut here, " Is it possible to prolong the existence
of j)lants by artificial means," as involving the
whole question in dispute, every-day experience
in gardening shows wc can. There is nothing
more perfectly an annual than the sunflower,
Hclianthus annuus. A year is its "natural life."
But the writer of this well remembers that when a
boy, his father delighting in a very dwarf and very
double sunflower, and wishing to keep just that
kind, kept it for years by cuttings ; and we have
no hesitadon in saying that any one may keep a
plant of an annual sunflower going on in this way
for his whole lifetime, and his grandchildren or
great-grandchildren may condnue from where he
ceased. Florists continually propagate annuals
from cuttings, and keep the variety for years
without limit in that way.

We do not wish to cut off the discussion in-
vited by our friend. We would rather welcome
it, but as "our attention," as well as that of our
readers, is called to the subject, we unhesitatingly
record our sentiments as wholly against the limi-
tationists, though perfectly willing to be converted
should good evidence be adducced.— Ed. G. M.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Migrations of Plants.— Plants, hke human
beings, are continually extending the area of set-
tlements, and forms new to old localities arc con-
tinually appearing. Thus the local botanist never
feels that he has found all that is to be seen,
but goes over ground, looking anxiously for some-
thing, that he has often thoroughly explored.
Just now the botanists of Bucks County and
Philadelphia are rejoicing at the discovery in their

28o

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[September,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

281

limits of Archangelica atropurpurea, Asclepias j
obtusifolia, and Poa sylvestris. There is a large
number of good local botanists in this region, of
whom Dr. I. S. Moyer has a wide reputation. j

The Vanilla Bean. — This is the fruit of an
orchid, and is used to flavor ice cream. There
have been rather numerous cases of poisoning
from ice cream at picnics lately ; and it is be-
lieved in some high medical journals that the Va-
nilla bean is sometimes poisonous. It is much
more likely that some one is imitating vanilla,
and have poisonous ingredients used in the manu-
facture ; for it is only when large quantities of ice j
cream are furnished "cheap" that the poisoning
occurs.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES. I

Botanical Names and Common Names. — A
correspondent sends us a plant which he says is
the Gopher root, and asks for its botanical name, j
We wrote that Michaux had named it Chryso- i
balanus oblongifolius. In return, the following
bomb has exploded in our •' sanctum :" |

"Your kind favor of loth came while I had
some 'gentlemen from Africa' engaged in re-
moving some Chrysobalanus oblongifohus from a
piece of ground, for an extension of my lawn.
If one of them could pronunce that name, I am sure
he would be as much of a hero among his fellows,
as the Montana cow-boy who discovers a new
and particularly startling species of profanity.
Yes, that name is very good indeed. Michaux
did nobly for a man who was not aware of the
subterranean and agricultural cussedness of the
plant. The name is long enough and scientific
enough to answer the ends of science in this, that
it can never be used and so profaned by contact
with vulgar tongues, and mankind (of course,
scientists are not included in that mob), will con-
tinue to say * Gopher root * in one locality, and some
other root in some other locality, till the end of
time or of unmanageable scientific names. Of
course, we can all see that there is some confusion
among common names of plants, that it is desir-
able to remedy. How ? Supposing when the
American Pomological Society was organized
thirty years ago. it had attempted to clear up the
confusion in the nomenclature of our fruits by re-
jecting all common names, and substituting sci-
entific Latin, or Greek, or Sanscrit jawbreakers,
how much would they have accomplished ?

"Just about as much as scientific botanists have
in all time. They would have had a lot of very

select names that would be understood by a little
self-admiring circle of 'holier than thou* sci-
entists, while mankind would continue to buy and
sell, and grow and eat fruit, under the same old
confusion of names. A fruit or flower can never
become popular, that the people cannot pro-
nounce. Many of our best fruits are crushed by
the incubus of an unpronounceable name. When
Col. Wilder introduced Beurre d'Anjou, if he had
named it the Wilder, or Marshall, or any easily
spoken name in the language of the country, I
have no doubt it would to day be much more
widely planted. I firmly believe that to-day there
is not one person in a thousand, in the United
States, who could call for one of them at a fruit
store, or read aloud its name in a premium list.
Duchesse d'Angouleme went "lame" till it
sloughed off all of its name but Duchess, which
we can pronounce. MiUions can call for it now,
who would have to go hungry if compelled to
ask for it by the full name. So botany can never
be popularized in a foreign language.

" Why should a botany for the use of English-
speaking people say Ulmus instead of Elm ?
Why say Angustifolia instead of narrow-leaved?
Why say hirsute instead of hairy ? Why Quercus
instead of oak ? Such things work mischief in
frightening beginners at the threshold of their
studies. To see and hear beginners stumbling
and floundering among such a jargon of sounds,
is legitimate fun for their associates, and their dis-
comfiture deters the great majority from ever ex-
posing themselves to be ridiculed by their com-
panions. Supposing a little class does persevere
and conquer the monstrous difficulties of botanic
nomenclature, and gain a fair knowledge of plants.
When the members of that class go out into the
world, and mix and associate with mankind, they
must leave behind them all those painfully-ac-
quired names, and talk English, or justly expose
themselves to be ridiculed as pedants for intru-
ding their wisdom on associates, who cannot
comprehend a word they say. It is a shame, that
nearly the whole human race should be shut out
from an intelligent study of nature, to tickle the
vanity of a few so-called scientific donkeys. I am
now saying nothing against science. I am a
strong believer in the value of science. I believe
in English science for English-speaking people.
Here is a sample of the abominable foolishness
of using foreign terms in English literature. I
clip from an agricultural journal that pretends to
be giving instruction to its readers about applying
guano to orange trees :

" ' In general, a bag containing from 60 to 70
kilograms, is used per fanega ; but there are
some cultivators who use double this quantity.
The number of trees planted per hanegada varying
so much, some growers have adopted the rule of
putting about ^% kilograms to each tree; thus the
manure of each costs about 5 or 6 reals.'

" Now that is what I call 'clear, lucid and am-
biguous.* I suppose that this matter is of so
much importance, that (like botanical names) it
would not do to put in language that could be
understood. Doubtless, these scientists think we
judge their learning as the old Scotch woman
did her new preacher. Being asked what she
thought of the sermon, she said : " A wonder-
fully learned man — a most powerful discourse. I
couldn't understand a word he used.*

" I don't know as I will ever see the day, but I
have faith that at some time a botanist will appear,
who, in addition to botanical knowledge, will have
enough common sense to put his knowledge into a
shape so all of us who love trees, plants and
flowers, can drink our fill of the fount. God
speed the day !"

And now "we rise to remark" that no one ap-
preciates the desires of our correspondent more
than these same " botanists and scientists." Num-
bers of them— among them Professor Asa Gray —
have tried to send forth an English name along
with the scientific name, only to find that they do
not "take," — the people themselves insisting on
giving an English or common name — yes, a dozen
or more of them — to the same plant. When a
name does become common the man of science
uses it, and is glad to use it. Addressing the masses.

he would never say Quercus or Ulmus, but Oak
and Elm. And if " Butter and Eggs," " Fried
Potatoes," or any other familiar phrase should
really become common as a name for Narcissus,
he would use it just as blandly in common con-
versation as our friend will say " Gopher root."
Indeed, now that he has been laid under obliga-
tions by knowing that " Gopher root " is a common
name for " Chrysobalanus oblongifolius," it is
not likely the latter will be used except in cases
where "Gopher root" will not be as well under-
stood And we can all appreciate the point about
the commercial value of a short name. Possibly
the accident which changed the Pear, William's
Bon Chretien into the Bartlett, has much to do
with the popularity of that variety.

But it all comes down to " What are we going
to do about it?" Linnaeus, who named the plant
" Chrysobalanus," was a Swede, and was under
no obligation to give the plant an English name.
He might have called it the " Ginger-bread plant,'*
"Wilkinson's Glory tree," or "Love in the Ever-
glades,"— but the Swedes would have " set up'*
about this; for to them, "Wilkinson's Glory,"
"Ginger-bread," or "Love in the Everglades,"
would have been as much or more " harsh, un-
pronounceable, and pedantic " than even Chryso-
balanus.

Some day, when the English language becomes
the universal language of the earth, there will be
no difficulty about it. If the task is easy before
that time, there are hundreds of scientists who
would rejoice to know of it as cordially as our
correspondent and the Editor.

Literature, Travels and Personal Notes.

COMMUNICATIONS.

FREAKS OF TASTE.
BY N. ROBERTSON.

It is interesting to watch the fluctuations in tastes
and diversity of opinions as they go and come in
connection with flowers. So changeable are we
that at one time we are found admiring a plant,
and soon after passing it as unworthy of note.

1 have just been reading an article on the single
dahlia, in which the author says the dahlia was
accommodating in the hands of ambitious florists.
It doubled and doubled until it became as full,
formal, stiff, and gigantic as possible. But later
on a change occurred in popular taste. Double
flowers palled, and the more simple forms of them
were sought out. Fashion, very sensible for once,
declared in favor of the single daisies, asters, and
dogwood, and he might have added single dah-

282

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[September,

1886.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

283

I-

lias. Reforms were taken up in all directions, and
so he goes on. Now, the question is, are those
reforms wise or desirable to the extent suggested ?
Should we cast away our old familiar and favorite
flowers that have been held in high esteem for
many years in the past ? I am sure they will be
regarded for many years to come.

But my intention is not to find fault with plau-
dits of any flower ; merely to call attention to the
curious freaks that human tastes are subject to.
They turn and return to the same thing. A plant
at one time in the highest estimation, lost, revived
again with renewed honors a few years later.

To produce a double flower in any class has
always been the height of a gardener's ambition.
And double flowers have been appreciated by the
whole community. A double flower always took
precedence. There is no doubt this is an extreme
view. There are many single flowers which, for
distinctness of color and exquisite lines, will al-
ways be held in admiration. But in general,
double flowers, I think, will always have the
preference. Double flowers are extra efforts
of nature, and we may admire them just in the
same ratio that we admire an elaborate piece of
mechanical work from the hand of man. The
fact is that the simplicity of the design enables
many to trace and grasp wherein the beauty lies,
— whereas in the double forms the work is more
intricate, and requires a higher education to be
able to balance and distinguish the details of the
subject.

Single dahhas, I admit, are very beautiful in
their chaste lines and colors ; but when we look
into the double forms and note the more extensive
formation with the same distinctness, — their petals i
so regularly set, — we must allow them the prefer- |
ence. It may be (as it is) called stiffness by some, \
but I fail to see it in that light. For many years
past the perfect formation of a flower has been
the great criterion by which judgment has been
given of their merits ; and I am sure will hold its
own for many a day to come.

I do not wish to be thought as condemning sin-
gle flowers; but I do so when it is with the inten-
tion of degrading other old favorites, such as the
double dahlia. I only wish to show where such
notions will carry us, not only in this but in many
things. How often do we see plants discarded
for years, even lost, and yet reappear in popular
appreciation, as if they had never been abandoned.
Is fickleness a law of nature ? For the advance-
ment of the profession it is perhaps well it should
be so to some extent. There is an old saying

and often true, that changes are lightsome and
fools are fond of them ; but I would say it in
another form for this subject, changes are light-
some, and we all should be fond of them when
they do not detract from the merits of old floral
friends. Give us the single dahlia, I say, or any
other single flower. It need not interfere with
our love for the double ones.

Freaks of fancy are all the more curious be-
cause they have generally tended to detract
from their parent forms. At the present day
single roses are the applauded ; but who would
dare to place them on the same level or as
superior to the double ? No one will try this,
I am sure. •

There are many freaks of fancy just as curious
in regard to other matters in connection with
plants as this. When a new plant is first intro-
duced with the slightest deviation from its parent,
it receives signal praise over its predecessor, be-
cause it is slightly different, though without any
mark of superiority, just because it can be called
a new one, and for a time may carry one away
by mere novelty. But eventually novelty palls.
We appear to hold, as the Scotchman does, that
all new things are bonnie (pretty). This is not
always true when compared justly with the older
ones. The aspiration to acquire new things is per-
haps one of the best traits any one can have. I
love it because the effort gives you personal in-
sight into the merits of the novelty and enables
you to judge for yourself, and satisfies a craving
to see that which we have heard of. I have no
blame to attach to parties recommending novel-
ties. In many instances they may see beauty in
their productions which we cannot. It is thus in
every line we follow, and so we must put up with
it, I suppose, to the end.

Government Grounds, Canada,

EDITORIAL NOTES.

A Century Plant in Philadelphia. — One
of the century plants, Agave Sisalana, was brought
from Mexico by Rev. Dr. McCook, the famous
investigator into the habits of ants. It was
placed in a half barrel, and has now started to
bloom. Those who delight in these rare curi-
osities, may see it all the autumn at the Academy
of Natural Sciences, Nineteenth and Race Streets,
Philadelphia. The common century plant is
blooming in other places.

Telegraph Plant: Desmodium gyrans. —
The sensitiveness to touch of the well-known Sen-
sitive Plant (Mimosa pudica) and Dionaea is sin-
gular enough, but the movements of the leaves of
this Desmodium seem still more curious, and up to
the present have baffled our best observers. The
movement may be observed on a light warm day,
when the plant is standing in a temperature of
about 80O. The two small lateral leaflets may
then be observed to move upwards, and down-
wards ; first the one and then the other, now rest-
ing a moment, then starting again with a jerk.
The movement is quite spontaneous, the plant not
being perceptibly sensitive to the touch. Truly it
is a vegetable wonder, and deserves a place in
every warm greenhouse on that account. It is
easily propagated either by means of seeds or cut-
tings. It is a rapid grower, and, though it is not
handsome, still it is a graceful plant. It grows to
a height of about 2 ft. Any light soil will suit it,
and the higher the temperature in which it stands
the more perceptible are its movements. I do not
think it would thrive in winter in a temperature
lower than 55O. It is a native of India, and is a
member of the Pea family. — Gardening Illus-
trated.

The Health of Gardeners. — At a recent
conference held at the Health Exhibition, it ap-
peared from some statistics collected by Dr. Ord,
that gardeners had a better chance of life than any
other class, out of some eighty specified classes of
workers, with the exception of clergymen. If
1,000 be taken as the average standard number of
deaths within a given period, among all classes
taken together, then the number of gardeners who
die during the period is barely more than half the
average, 2. <?., 559; that of clergymen, who have
the best chance of all, 556 ; agricultural laborers,
653; farmers, 675; medical men, 1,125. The
highest death rate is among persons engaged in
hotels, 2205; innkeepers, 1521; brewers, 1361 —
significant figures these ! The proportion of medi-
cal men who die in a given time, though above
the general average, is less than might have been
expected from the harassing life they mostly lead,
and the special risks they xwxi. — Gardeners Chron-
icle.

Italian Name for Tomato.— The Itahans
call the tomato, " Pomodoro." Long, pear-shaped
varieties seem to tickle their fancy most.

Introduction of Dahlia and Camellia. —
The dahha was introduced to Europe from Mex-
ico in 1800. The camellia from Japan in 1739.

Killed by a Bee. — An inquest was held at
Torworth, near Retford, on the body of a farmer
named Newcome. It was shown that the deceased
in his garden was stung on the forehead by a bee,
and that he died almost immediately from the
effects of the injury. Verdict accordingly. — Gar-
deners" Magazine.

Nice, the Flower Garden of France. — Nice
is regarded as the flower centre of France, and the
prices that prevail there govern the floral com-
merce of the whole country. In March last they
got 16 cents a dozen for Safrano roses, 25 cents for
Lamarque, 20 cents for Dijon, 50 cents for Mare-
chal Xiel, Carnations, 15 cents a dozen, Camellias,
40 cents. These seem to be their leading flowers
though Violets, Mignonette, Golden Asters, and
Yellow Acacias, are among the quotations.

Ladies as Members in Scientific Bodies. —
Noticing the refusal of an eminent scientific body
to receive a lady to membership, and the action of
the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences m
receiving them to full membership, a Cincinnati
correspondent says that the Society of Natural
History of that city, founded on the plan of
the Philadelphia academy, not only has a very
large list of lady members, but some of them
have reached such scientific eminence as to be-
come officers in the body. The head of the de-
partment of Botany is Miss Nettie Fillmore, and
Mrs. M. C. Morehead, of Conchology. and Mrs.
Jos. L. James is the Secretary of the Botanical
Section. At least ten ladies, known to our cor-
respondent, were elected members last year. It
seems strange that the oldest scientific body on
this continent should be left to learn from younger
ones in a matter of this kind.

Vitality of Sago Palms.— It does not do to
throw these away when they appear to be dead.
The writer has known Encephalartos from South
Africa remain without showing any signs of life
for several years. Similar instances are on record.
In the Deutsche Garten Zeitung, Dr. Wittmack
gives an instance of the longevity inherent in trunks
of the genus Cycas. He says :

"In the nursery establishment of Mr. J. C.
Schmidt, at Erfurt, Germany, there have existed,
for the last eight years, two trunks of Cycas
media, having a height of 13 and 16 feet respec-
tively. These two trunks, forming a portion of a
large cargo brought from Queensland, were, on
their arrival in 1878, considered to be quite dead ;
but, for the sake of curiosity, they were, neverthe-
less, planted in the ground. Imagine the aston-
ishment of everybody concerned, at findmg that
these 'mummies' had suddenly returned to lite,

284

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[September.

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

285

their crowns ornamented with wreaths of thick
foliage, which is now completely grown, and af-
fords a most imposing sight !"

English Sparrows and Seventeen-year Lo-
custs.—It is supposed that the English sparrow
has learned to read, and has been perusing Prof-
Riley's statements that locusts are good to eat.
Not being versed in entomology, however, they
mistook cicadas for locusts, and fell to work at
them about London, as Prof. Ward says that they
did about Washington. The cicada has thrived
for centuries in spite of English sparrows, but now
they are becoming educated, the locust will have
to go.

Namenlose Schone Rose.— We have a com-
munication from a Maryland gentleman who saw
the Namenlose Schone (Nameless Beauty) rose
in Mr. Deegan's establishment last year, who
gives some very interesting facts in regard to its
history, which we hope to find space for next
month.

The Fruit Recorder.— This magazine, which
for eighteen years has done good service in the
cause of fruit growing, has passed into the hands
of the proprietors of Popular Gardening. It is
announced that Mr. Purdy will go on the editorial
staff of this excellent periodical.

The American Florist.— A note from our
excellent young contemporary, the American Flo-
rist, some time since reminded us that credits
would be more acceptable when given to the
"American Florist" than to the "A?n. Florist'' or
" Florist." We suggested that though we should
be happy to accommodate our friends, we won-
dered why, in these days, they had encumbered
themselves with such an unnecessarily long name.
In our mind " Florist" would have been just as
well, seeing there is no other magazine of that
name.

We are glad to note that they are falling in with
our views. In the issue of August ist we learn
that "Mr. May calls the attention of the Florist/'
that "the Florist dots not intend," and that "the
Florist in its seed trade department has," and so
forth; all of which indicates that the long name,
as originally adopted, is half repented of.

Many a magazine with a long name, if the owners
had to go over the job again, would, in these days
of short-loving names, crop their cognomens by
one-half.

Silk Culture. — Under the auspices of the
Women's Silk Culture Association, of Philadel-
phia, the culture of the mulberry and silk raising

generally, is becoming one of the great successful
industries of the United States.

The United States Congress has recognized the
utility of the efforts of these ladies, and has appro-
priated $5,000 to enable them to purchase and dis-
tribute mulberry trees to all who apply for them,
provided they will furnish satisfactory evidence
that the trees will be cared for till " fruition.'*

The ladies have issued a circular on which we
are invited to comment. We can only say that it
will be of great use to those entering into silk
culture, and as it is freely issued, new beginners
should send for one.

We think it much better to sow seeds or
plant seedlings than to raise from cuttings, as
recommended ; but this we comment on in another
place.

The Mulberry Silk-worm, with Instruc-
tions.—By C. V. Riley. Printed by the United
States Department of Agriculture.

With the newly awakened interest in silk cul-
ture this work is timely and useful. What is said
of raising plants from cuttings we think may stand
revision in some future edition. The mulberry is
subject to the attack of a species of Botrytis, a
fungus allied to that which attacks the potato and
the buttonwood tree ; and from the experience of
the Dr. PhiHp Physick's Cocoonery, at German-
town, near Philadelphia, the failure of which
caused the collapse of the celebrated "Morus
Multicaulis " boom, the disease may be commu-
nicated from the leaves to the insects which feed
on them. Propagation by cuttings, and especially
by layers, always has a tendency to weaken the
vital powers of a plant, and when to this is added
the stripping of the leaves (which have been
likened to the lungs of a plant), we can see how
susceptible the plant becomes to insect ravages.
Indeed, the multicaulis variety was nearly swept
out of existence by this disease. To our mind
nothing but seedling plants should be recom-
mended for silk-worm culture.

Transactions of the Massachusetts Horti-
cultural Society for 1885. — From Robert
Manning, Secretary.

Progressive horticulture owes a great deal to
its Massachusetts votaries, and especially those
resident in the vicinity of Boston. The interest
they show in their Horticultural Society is worthy
of all praise. The best citizens belong to it, and
they not only encourage progress among their own
members, but influence the whole public taste.
An excellent thought is a standing committee on

public gardens and grounds. Their annual re-
ports have much influence on the management of
the public parks, for the excellence of which Bos-
ton is so famous.

The Arnold Arboretum is a source of pride to
the whole country, and it will interest all our
readers to have the report of this committee, I
through Mr. J. L. Barker, chairman, which we
here append :

" Our next visit was on the 26th of August, to the
Arnold Arboretum, first stopping at the residence
of our Treasurer, by whom the Committee were
hospitably entertained. After a dehghtful drive
through the pleasant avenues of Jamaica Plain,
we found ourselves at the Arboretum of Harvard
College, which contains one hundred and sixty-
five acres of land, quite varied in character. This
is a portion of the well known Bussey Farm, in
that part of Boston formerly known as West Rox-
bury, and is within a few minutes walk of the
Forest Hills station on the Boston and Providence
Railroad, making it of easy access to visitors.
The location is such that the experiments here
made will be of great value to New England, and
of general interest to a large portion of the whole
country. The Arboretum is yet in its infancy,
having been commenced only in 1874, when the
seeds of the first trees were planted ; so that, ex-
cepting the older trees previously on the place, of
which there are many, a great portion are only
nursery plants, which on account of certain ar-
rangements made with the city of Boston could
not be planted in permanent positions until the
laying out of some of the roadways had been ,
completed. This being accomplished in part, the
commg spring will see many of the botanical
orders planted where they are to remain perma-
nently, the planting being as far as possible in
botanical sequence. Along the roadways will be
planted both native species and those of foreign
mtroduction, including all the varieties, so that
even one not possessing special botanical knowl-
edge can at a glance comprehend the arrangement
and see by comparison the plants which best en-
dure our chmate. The Arboretum will thus be a
Uving museum, where the nurseryman, gardener,
and private land-owner may come for trustworthy
information regarding all trees or shrubs, which
will save them the cost of personal experiments,
and of delays caused by unfortunate selec-
tions.

"The collection of Uving plants at the Arbore-
tum is richer in species than any other in the
United States ; numbering at the present time over
two thousand species and varieties of woody
plants. Many of these may prove failures ; but
it is the work of the Arboretum to show by living
illustrations what to select and what to avoid.
The collection is being continually increased by a
system of exchanges with botanic gardens and
similar institutions, both public and private, in
every part of the world within the temperate zone.
Experiments are also being made with seeds of
plants taken from widely different localities, with

the hope that additions may be made to our hsts
of hardy trees. This has already been done in
several instances, such as Abies concolor, Pseu-
dotsuga Douglasii, and several others ; the seeds
of those plants brought from the warmer parts of
the Pacific coast having proved of little use to us,
in our changeable climate, while seeds from plants
of the same species growing in Colorado under
conditions similar to those in New England have
produced plants which, so far, stand our climate
as well as our native trees.

" Besides planting the living specimens, there
has been established a Herbarium, containing an
abundance of specimens of woody plants, col-
lected from various parts of the world, and plants
of the same species from different localities, to aid
students and others in determining the names of
species and the effect of climate and location.
The re will also be a large collection of all kinds
of woods, barks, cones, and other tree productions
that may be of use in the arts or sciences. These
collections are already very rich in American
species, and require a great number of botanical
cases to preserve them. They are at present
stored in a house owned by Professor Sargent,
kindly loaned by him for this purpose until such
time as a proper building shall be erected on the
Arboretum grounds.

" The sources whence seeds are received from
time to time are recorded in a set of books kept
for this purpose. They are numbered in regular
order, and by a systematic arrangement notes
are made as to their hardiness, adaptability,
usefulness, etc., which in future will be of great
benefit m determining the history of these plants,
and will form likewise a history of the Ar-
I boretum.

" The records kept at the Arboretum show that
several thousand plants are annually exchanged
with individuals, botanic gardens, agricultural
colleges, and other institutions, not only in this
country but in Europe, Asia, North Africa, St.
; Helena, Japan, the Sandwich Islands, and else-
where. So wide a dissemination of plants must
be productive of good results.
i "The past season a Shrub Garden has been
' made comprising about two and one-eighth acres,
laid out in beds ten feet wide by two hundred and
seventy-five feet long, sufficient in extent for 1,157
species and 357 varieties. The shrubs are syste-
matically arranged, beginning with the order
i Ranunculaceae, and ending with Smilaceas ; and
i not only botanically, but as far as possible, geo-
graphically, American plants coming first. Here
any one with even a hmited knowledge of plants
can take notes of these growing specimens, which
will enable him to gain more knowledge than
months or even years of study from books or
catalogues could give, and will help him to make
such selections as he would hke to plant. All this
is done at the expense of the Arboretum, thus giv-
ing all who wish to avail themselves of its privil-
eges and advantages a real school of instruction
free of all cost ; and this will go on from genera-
tion to generation. No other such place is known
where such valuable information can be similarly

286

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[September,

1886. 1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

.287

I' I

obtained ; while Mr. Dawson, the skilful gar-
dener, is always ready to impart any knowledge
in his possession.

"There are spaces left open for undetermined
varieties, but the garden now contains 690 species
and 250 varieties, with the possibility that from
four to six hundred new species or varieties will
be added the coming year. This location was
mowing land, and was broken up only a year ago,
and it is really astonishing to note what has been
accomplished in so short a time ; we can look
upon this branch of the Arboretum work as one
of the noblest educational agencies existing in any
country.

•'Among the larger orders planted are fifty species
of Spiraeas and thirty-two varieties ; thirty-four
species of Clematis; twelve species of Euonymus
and nine varieties ; fifteen species of Rhamnus ;
fourteen species of Caragana and three varieties ;
forty-four species of Prunus and nineteen varieties ;
fifty-two species of Roses and eighteen varieties ;
nineteen species of Blackberries and twenty-four
varieties ; twenty-eight species of Philadelphus ;
twenty species of Ribes ; fourteen species and
seven varieties of Cornus ; twenty-one species of
Snowballs and three varieties ; thirty-one species
and eleven varieties of Honeysuckles ; twelve
species and three varieties of Huckleberries and
Blueberries ; sixteen species and five varieties of
Rhododendrons ; nine species and thirteen va-
rieties of Ericas ; and fourteen species and thir-
teen varieties of Lilacs.

"The use of the present grounds, however, is
only a temporary arrangement, the future de-
manding a larger and more permanent place.

(To be concluded in our next.)

How TO Handle and Educate Vicious
Horses. — By Oscar R. Gleason.

The Percheron Horse in America. — By M.
C. Weld ; In France. — By Charles Du Hays.
New York: Orange Judd Co., 1886.

These two works bring horse knowledge down
to the present time. It is remarkable that though
the horse has been a study for centuries, there is
always something new to learn about the noble
animal.

In reading these useful books, we were impressed
with the thought that has often occurred to us be-
fore, how much a study of one branch of science
absists another. Some years ago, when the specu-
lations about the cross-fertilization of flowers be-
came popular, the writer of this read a paper
before the American Association at Detroit, to
show that the whole speculation was founded on
an assumption that was far from being proved.
It was assumed that "in-and-in breeding " was an
injury to plants : and then that insects, by cross-
fertilization, were a material aid to them in main-
taining a healthy race. Without denying what is
certainly a fact, that many plants do not seed un-

less fertilized by insect agency, it was shown that
the plants that relied on them had a worse chance
than those that depended on in-and-in breeding;
and it was also shown that even the popular belief
that in-and-in breeding was an injury to animals,
was a popular delusion.

In the latter of the two books named, there is a
chapter on this subject, and the proof clearly
given that there is no deterioration of the races —
but rather, a strengthening — wholly confirming
the views of plant life in the paper referred to.

Mr. Thomas Bennett.— Mr. Bennett, whose
name is connected, by Prof. Riley, at page 212,
with the useful work whereby he is enabled to
give the history of the new onion cut-worm, is
said, in that article, to be of " Newark," New-
Jersey. Mr. Bennett resides at Trenton, not
Newark. As the Professor uses Trenton through
the rest of the paper, " Newark," in the first in-
stance, is evidently a slip of the pen.

William Gray, Jr.— Horticulturists all over
the United States who have knowledge of the
magnificent garden and grounds of Mr. Gray,
near Boston, will be pained at the recent revela-
tions and the suicide of their owner. This, the
second shock of that kind within a few years,
must be distressing everywhere to lovers of good
gardening.

«-•-»

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Hard and Easy Names. — A florist who is a
German does not think the English names of
plants any easier than Latin ones, and even the
English names used in florists' work worry him
considerably. He thinks Dutch names might be
adopted with great advantage by those who
think easy names a great desideratum. For
instance, he thinks the common phrase, " Flor-
ists' Supplies," a terrible word for any one to pro-
nounce, and he would substitute for this, Garten-
werkzengfabrik. While the subject of short and
easy names is up, this simple word may be worth
considering.

. Mr. William Nisbett. — "To the Editor of
the Gardeners' Monthly: In the August
number you have a notice of my father's death,
etc. My father's name was William ; you print
it John. Please to notice the same, and oblige,
yours respectfully, James Nisbett."

Pawtuckbt, R. I., August 2, 1886,

Roses in Egypt. — " B." writes : " I enclose a
slip that I have just enjoyed from a very readable
ladies* article on roses :

* Cleopatra, at one of her receptions to Marc
Antony, caused roses to be massed on the floor of
the hall to a depth of 18 inches. It was custo-
mary at great out-door festivals to float thousands
of roses on the placid lakes, and to wind garlands
of choicest blossoms around the trunks of trees.
In great and distinct varieties roses abound every-
where, even within the polar circle a variety is
found which blooms in the midst of snow and ice,
and the sledges of the Esquimaux, as well as their
reindeer and sealskins, are often decorated with
large, double roses. All along the coast of this
country indigenous roses adorn the marshes and
fields ; these differ in point of color and in the
number of petals, but are alike in odor and gene-
ral appearance, the five-petal pink rose being the
most common.*

** I find no fault with the lady's article ; it is
what any graduate of a modern college might
have written. But it reminds me of doubts I have

had in my classical readings whether the Egyp-
tians ever grew roses at all ? I cannot now recall
the passages, but I am sure there are some in the
ancient writings that imply that they imported
their rose flowers, as our country towns now get
them from the large cities. The Egyptian climate
now is unfavorable to rose culture, and I fancy it
must have been more so in the past.

" Again, we are finding that our translations are
not always correct. It is said that rose should
have often been translated ' reed,' and perhaps the
ancient roses of the Egyptians were not roses as
we have them to-day. My desire, however, is to
suggest that if they had real roses, and imported
but did not grow the flowers, their knowledge of
the art of transporting cut flowers must have been
great for that early time."

[We never heard of such a suggestion before,
and must leave it to those better versed in the
niceties of early Latin or Greek literature than we
are, to reply. — Ed. G. M.]

Horticultural Societies.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Society of American Florists. — This
institution has reason to be proud of the commem-
oration in Philadelphia of its second 1)irthday.
The number of intelligent men and women who
attended, representing the trade, all the way from
the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic, and from
Canada to South Carolina, was phenomenal. The
addresses were of a high order, and did credit to
the trade. They were all of a character tending
to practical value, except when they touched on
moulds, funguses, blisters, rots, and such like,
when it was found that the "opinions "of mem-
bers had to take the place of facts, and then no
one member seemed to agree with each other.

The exhibits also were made with a view to irn-
mediate practical value. Everything likely to be
of practical use, from the greenhouse itself to the
flower pot, or that would tend in any way to ad-
vance the art of the florist, had something to rep-
resent it and the whole exhibit was singularly in-
structive. And of the men and women in attend-

ance it is fair to say that it presented a more than
usual amount of intelligence and culture than is
seen in the average trade convention, and the im-
pression made on the citizens of Philadelphia was
exceedingly pleasant, and brought with it a greater
amount of attention and respect than usual.

The horticultural press was well represented.
Among others especially active were Popular
Gardening, Floral Cabinet, and of course Ameri-
can Florist, which, though with no connection
with the society, was yet, as a trade journal, the
outgrowth of the formation of the Florists' Society.

I Of the receptions of the meeting by the citizens

' of Philadelphia and its " Florists' Club," it does
not become us, perhaps, to speak ; but we believe
we voice the sentiment of the whole body of visit-
ors when we say that it was an occasion that will
be long remembered by its participants.

1 The entertainments given by the Florists' Club,
at Atlantic City, and that by Mr. Geo. W. Childs,
of the Public Ledger, at Wootton, his country seat,

' seemed particularly to gratify the guests. At the
latter there were one thousand one hundred pres-

288

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[September,

I"' >

ent, the greatest gathering of flower raisers and
flower lovers ever perhaps gathered together in our
country. Mr. Meehan was asked to welcome the
guests in behalf of the generous proprietor, and
Mr. Hendricks, of Albany, to respond for the
florists. These impromptu addresses were re-
garded as singularly opportune and worthy of
preservation, and if we can prevail on these
gentlemen to write them out for us, we will give
them in full in our next issue.

As our magazine goes to press before the con-
vention has fairly ended, we can only at this time
give this general sketch of it.

Management of American Horticultural
Societies. — Much is found commendable, by
English journals, in the management of Ameri-
can Horticultural Societies. The Gardeners'
Chronicle says :

"The fifteenth annual report of the Michigan
Horticultural Society, now before us, forms a sub-
stantial volume of over 500 pages. Its contents
fitly illustrate what is being done in most States of
the Union and in the Dominion of Canada, and
they offer for our use, on this side of the Atlantic,
an excellent model. Here if a society gets up one
or two shows in the course of a year, it is thought
to have accomplished its purpose. It has, perhaps,
contributed successfully to the enjoyment of a
large number of people, especially if, as is common
in the provinces, the horticultural display be as-
sociated with fireworks, bicycle races, and other
accompaniments more fitted for a country fair
than for a society which is supposed to have more
important aims in view** We have nothing what-
ever to urge against the recreation of the people —
quite the contrary ; only we allege that it is not
the proper function of a horticultural society to
provide it. A horticultural society exists for the
advancement of horticulture, and it goes out of its
way when it attempts to fulfill any other office.
In the United States, though, we doubt not, the
recreative element is not neglected, the horticul-
tural societies mean business, and do not mix work
and play, but work first and play afterwards. In
the case before us, we see the Michigan State
Horticultural Society has four meetings yearly,
and that it has associated with it numerous local
societies, which seem all to work on the same
general lines.'*

Georgia State Horticultural Society. —
The annual meeting was held at Fort Valley, in
the last week of July. Mr. J. H. Parnell, the
Peach King of the South, Dr. Hape, Dr. Brown, Dr.
Gary, Col. Geo. W. Waring, the Bishop of Florida,
Messrs. T. L. Kinsey, Samuel H. Rumph, and P.
J. Berckmans, President, were among the Southern
pomological celebrities in attendance. President \
Berckmans' annual address is to be published in
full by the Society. We hear much of our insect
enemies, but on this occasion. Prof. Willett, of
Mercer University, discoursed on our insect
friends. A strong point was made by Mr. Berck-
mans, that horticulturists should not be men of
business merely, but should be educators in the
higher branches of intelligence, il they would

have their profession stand well before the world.
A watermelon on exhibition weighed 66//^ pounds.
Among the pleasing incidents of a personal
character, was the presentation of an immense
ornamented cake to Mr. Berckmans, by the citi-
zens of Valley Fort. Another pleasant feature
was the great interest taken by all the best people

i of the town in the success of the Society ; and a

, local Horticultural Society will likely be the out-
growth of the State Horticultural Society. Mrs.

j W. E. Brown has one of the prettiest gardens in

i Georgia at Fort Valley.

I New York Horticultural Society. — It is
; proposed to hold a Chrysanthemum exhibition in
i November, at Cosmopolitan Hall, •• of which the
city of New York may well be proud." Very
high premiums will be awarded, and a guarantee
I fund of several thousand dollars has already been
; raised to insure the paying of the premiums. Mr.
j John Thorpe is Secretary pro tem., in place of
j Mr. Murkland, deceased.
I

]

California Nurserymen's Association. —

! The leading rkurserymen of the State have formed
an association, the objects of which shall be ta
promote the general interests of the members :
First — In the cultivation of acquaintance. Second

! — In an interchange of ideas with others engaged
in this avocation. Third — To aid in the protection
of our patrons from fraudulent dealings, and the
injurious results arising therefrom to the members

i of the association. Fourth — The exchange and
sale of stock. President, James Shinn, of Niles ;
Vice-President, M. Williams, of Fresno; Secre-

' tary, R. D. Fox, of San Jose ; Treasurer, John
Rock, of San Jose ; Executive Committee — James
Shinn (ex-officio), R. Williams, of Sacramento,
Gustav Eisen, of P'resno.

i Missouri State Horticultural Society. —
From L. A. Goodman, Secretary, Westport, Mo.
This is a full report of the meetings held at War-
rensburg and Butler, in 1885, and it contains a
catalogue of all the wild plants of Missouri so far
as yet collected, by Prof. S. M. Tracy, of Colum-
bia College. In addition there is an excellent re-
sume of the facts of interest to Missourians, col-
lected from various sources by the editor.

French Opinions of the Society of Ameri-
can Florists. — Journal des Roses has an
American correspondent who speaks in the high-
est terms of this new body. He believes it has
started out to do an excellent work. He notices
particularly the efforts of the body at its meeting
in 1885, to straighten out the synonyms of roses.
It describes in humorous vein the many false
names under which some roses are masquerading
in our country, and reflects especially on one^
which in France is a good young lady named
Antoinette Strozzio, should here in America, •* at-
tempt to personate a very respectable gentleman
named E. Y. Teas, who, equally with the rose it-
self, is refined and elegant." Mr. Teas will surely
pardon the lady, when she has been the means of
securing him this handsome compliment.

THE

Gardeners' Monthly

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Volume XXVIII.

OCTOBER. 1886.

Number 334.

Flower Garben and Pleasure Ground.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

The dear old-fashioned flower garden, which
consisted of little more than a two or three feet
border through or around a vegetable garden, is
still one of the best places to pass a pleasant hour
among outdoor flowers. Here are the Paeonias —
*' pineys" our mothers called them — Phloxes,
Sweet Williams, Hollyhocks, old hundred-leaved
Roses, and everything that is the sweetest and
best are gathered together. In these old gardens
there were few complaints about herbaceous
plants dying out. They never died. Why ? Be-
cause they had plenty of food. The borders al-
ways had plenty of top dressing in the fall of the
year. We have an idea that much of the diffi-
culty found in growing lilies comes from the pov-
erty of the soil. No better investment can be
made by those who love hardy flowers than to
give them a top dressing of rotten manure in the
fall of the year.

Many persons use fresh manure for protecting
roses and other half-hardy things. In this fresh
condition it contains much salt, and many things
are killed instead of being protected by it.

In hke manner it is not wise to put leaves for
protection thickly over plants. It holds moisture
and rots instead of protects, and often breeds mil-
dew which is as bad as cold. It is bright light to-

gether with frost that injures plants, and enough

leaves to shade is all that is required. This is

why evergreens, such as Rhododendrons and

Kalmias, suffer in winter so much. Something to

I keep off the sun is as beneficial as something to

I keep out the frost. For this reason the ground

I itself is a good protector. It has long been known

I that raspberries, grapes, figs, and similar fruits

1 can be taken care of by bending the branches

f.and covering with earth. Roses and many half

hardy things can be covered with earth and pre-

I served the same way.

Seeds of herbaceous or border flowers, if sown
before wmter, will bloom next year ; but these
also should have a few leaves or other material
placed over or they will be drawn out by frost.

Drawing out, however, only occurs badly in
soil that retains water. It is the water in the soil
that freezes, not the soil. Hence much attention
is given by gardeners to draining away all stand-
ing water. This is why carriage roads and path-
ways through grounds require draining. In
undrained roads, after frost the ice is pushed
up in the form of crystals, and one walking over
seems to be walking through snow. When walks
are well drained the ground is nearly as hard in
summer as in winter. One of the advantages
of a Telford road in this country is that the
water drains away better than in an ordinary

290

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[October,

1886. 1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

Macadam. In a Telford road large stones are
set edgewise, and only a few inches of broken
material are put on the surface. In a Macadam
road the whole is broken stone, the larger at the
bottom and in layers of smaller sizes until the
whole is finished. The arrangement of carriage
roads is one of the most important elements in
making a successful piece of landscape gardening.
There are few things more difficult in gardening
than this locating of a main road, and it is just
here that it requires the skill of a thorough land-
scape gardener. Any thick head may be able to

son river region. It is the residence of A. C.
Richards, Esq., at Irvington-on-the-Hudson. The
estate is known as •• Ridge View."

COMMUNICATIONS.

SOME NOTES ON THE CHINA TREE.

BY MRS. JENNIE P. TOOLE.

The China tree, Melia azedarach, is one of our
quickest growing and most valued shade trees.
Shall I venture to tell you more about it than

Ridge view, Irvington-on -Hudson. Residence of Mr. A. C. Richards.

make a well drained and good driving road. It is j
the direction so many fail in. Good architects
also often fail to be equal to the occasion of de-
signing a good country home. Three-story city
houses are often given for country houses, just as
if there were not land enough to spread out. In
our notice of the residence of Mr. Geo. W. Childs,
the pubhsher of the Philadelphia Public Ledger^
we noted among its commendable features, that
though very large, it was but two and a half
stories high. Annexed we give a cut of another
commendable house of this kind, from the Hud-

Gray does ? I say venture, because you, perhaps,
know the tree as well as I do. It makes beautiful
furniture, being striped a rich cream and dark
brown. A friend who had a bedstead made of it,
told me that bugs never came about it. House-
keepers use the ripe berries to put in sacks of
dried fruit as a guard — of course, taking them out
before cooking the fruit. The roots are put in the
drinking water of hogs as a medicine. In the
fall, when the berries first ripen, the robins get
drunk on them. During the war, shoe-blacking
was made from the ripe berries freed from stems ;

291

then reduced to charcoal and crushed to a and in quantity ornamental. But is not this

paste wth water and white of an egg. The the true Climbing Hydrangea and not the

bernes supplied the sugar and oil. And lastly. Schizophragma hydrangeoides ? What does Mr.

when we see the China trees budding, we Thomas Hogg say ? The plant is very hardy,

feel sure spring-time has come, for they are a

cautious family, and rarely ever let Jack Frost several years old before it attempts to bloom.

catch them. The tree is a favorite with Young

rather slow-growing at first, and I find it must be

Grays Lily (Lilium Grayi). —You mention.

America, as the green berries furnish just the p. 230: '- Lilium Grayi among a very large col-
animunition he requires for his pop-gun. I have \ lection in Philadelphia, seems the earUest of any
told you all this about one of our favorite shade i to flower. It was open on the 12th of June " So
trees, which does not grow so far north as this \ far as the earliest to bloom is concerned, I have
place. One variety is well-named, the Umbrella | not found it so. As a rule I have found L Sco-

China, for its habit of growth forms a perfect
umbrella. Talladega, Ala.

NOTES ON RECENT NUMBERS.
BY WM. FALCONER.

Amelanchier Botryapium, p. 196. — In the newer
parks and pretentious gardens, our leading land-
scape gardeners are dealing heavily in native ! lilies do not bloom year after year in the same
trees and shrubs, and the amelanchiers receive

vitzianum to be the earliest ; next L. tenuifoUum,
L. Davuricum, L. croccum, L. Thunbergianum,
L. Philadelphicum, L. parvum, L. Martagon, and
L. Columbianum. Lilium Grayi I have found to
come into bloom about the same time as L. pul-
chellum, L. Washingtonianum, L. pubescens, L.
Hansoni and L. pardalinum. But I find that

due attention.

Amaryllises in the South.— \ am glad Mr. Ober-
wetter, p. 196, calls attention to these as hardy
plants in the South of Texas. Among the thrifti

rotation, they sometimes vary several days ; thus

while L. Scovitzianum may be the earhest to bloom
this year, L. Davuricum or L. tenuifolium may be
the earliest next year, and so on throughout the
season. Some varieties of L. Thunbergianum are

est amaryllises I ever saw, were growing as ' much later in blooming than others.

hardy plants in druggist George's garden in Gal- | Japan Umbrella Pine, p. 229.— Our largest

veston. Amaryllises are easily raised from seed, : plant is exactly 8 feet high, 4 feet in diameter of

and begin to bloom when two to three years old.
Manettia cordifolia, p. 198. — Is not hardy here,
I have tried it.

spread of branches and perfect from the base up.
Pterostyrax hispidum, p. 230.— Our largest
plant is 8 feet high and 5 feet spread of branches.

Lilacs, p. 199.— Let me also add Syringa Amu- Its largest leaves are 9 by 8 inches across, and
rensis, white, fragrant, blooms end of June or its average ones 7 by 6 inches. It bloomed this
first of July. But the gem of lilacs is S. villosa ; summer and now is ripening seed.
I saw it in bloom at Boston last June. We have 1 Lndigoferas, p. 230.— The main drawback to
a fine specimen of S. Japonica, some 8 feet high, , these pretty leguminous shrubs as garden plants
it makes a very pretty and shapely little tree. , is that we do not find them rehably hardy.

Montbretias, p. 214.— M. Pottsii blooms spar- How to grow brides virens, p. 231.— Mr. Par-
ingly with me, but grows rankly. Prof. Gibbs ^ nell says, •• In the winter season, or from Novem-
told me it blooms abundantly with him in his ber to May . . it should be kept quite dry, almost
garden at Newport. M. crocosmiaeflora blooms to the suspension of water." •• The Orchid-grower's
freely and seedlings that I raised last year have j Manual," the text-book on the subject, says, "The
been in bloom all through this summer, planted species of /Erides require but little repose, and
out in the open border. I winter them in a frost- 1 the moss should always be kept damp."
proof frame. Spircea Van Houttii, p. 262.— One of the best

Litchi, p. 216. — NepheHum Litchi is not hardy and most profuse of early-blooming spiraeas. It
in the Northern States. looks to me to be a fine form of S. trilobata. It

The Climbing Hydrangea, p. 228. — I first saw grows freely and is perfectly hardy and extremely

this in bloom in Col. Marshall P. Wilder's garden
at Dorchester, Mass., some years ago. The
plant was running up the stem of a living pear
tree ivy-fashion. Since then I have seen it in
bloom several times. The inflorescence is not very
beautiful but the large masses are very striking

floriferous in our grounds.

"^ New Shrub,'' p. 278. — Mrs. Thomson's
description leads me to suspect that she discovered
a Styrax, probably S. Americanum.

Single Dahlias and other Flowers, p. 281.

Single as well as double-flowered dahlias are

292

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[October,

beautiful and desirable and our hearts and gar-
dens have room enough for both. Speaking of
single "asters and dogwood." By whom are
single "Annual " asters recommended or seeds of
them advertised for sale ? If you mean the hand-
some perennial species as A. laevis, A. speciosus,
A. Curtisi or A. Chapmannii, have you ever seen
them with double flowers ? I never saw a double-
flowered dogwood, did you? "At the present
day single roses are the applauded." Apart from
Rosa rugosa, to what species or varieties of single
roses do your refer, and by whom in America are
they advertised for sale ? I never saw a decent
double-flowered variety of R. rugosa, did you ?

Glen Cove, Z. /., N. V.

TUBEROSE BULBS FLOWERING AFTER

HARD FREEZING.

BY MRS. J. S. R. THOMSON.

I much fear that I intrude myself too often upon
the attention of readers of Gardeners' Monthly,
but this time I hope I have something of an ex-
perience to relate that will prove interesting.

This is my second season attempting to raise
the bulbs by field culture for trade. In my eager
readings, principally Peter Henderson's " Practi-
cal Floriculture " and " Field and Farm Topics,"
it is impressed upon us that failure to get bulbs
to flower comes from their having been kept in too
low a temperature in winter ; that the flower germ
was killed without injuring the bulb otherwise.
My first attempt was an inglorious defeat. Quot-
ing a purchaser of a few thousand bulbs, he
says, " Pardon my frankness, it is meant in kind-
ness, but out of nine lots purchased from South-
ern raisers yours was by far the sorriest lot of all."
This damped my ardor somewhat, but I was not
conquered, but determined to try and yet again
try to see where the secret lay ; was much exer-
cised in mind to find sufficient quarters to store
my excessive numbers of undersized bulbs and
sets for next season's experiment. I had finally
engaged a kind friend to store them in the large
basement of a public institution, viz.: "Asylum
for Blind, Deaf and Dumb," which is heated from
garret to cellar by steam, but failed to get them
there in time to avoid the intense cold of January
and February, 1885, so unexpected and altogether
unusual. Suffice it that our outdoor thermometer
registered 10^ below zero on five different days, and
repeatedly down to zero, which effectually killed
any expectation of having any sets or bulbs left,
as they were only bagged and barreled and then

placed in my basement, a place with every glass
window up, as in summer, and cold as — well, say
charity, for brevity. In early March I ordered
my man servant to go in, take them out and haul
outside of the village to throw away, as already
they were causing quite an offensive odor to ex-
hale therefrom. He came with the report that
there were great quantities not dead and rotting
but already sprouting. I therefore had those
separated from the bad and hopefully went to
work to try again. * I had previously been advised
by a kind friend to replant those undersized bulbs,
deep, and would then obtain the size required for
trade purposes, which advice I accepted only in
part, and he^e is the gist of my article. Those
identical small bulbs that passed through such a
terrible freeze are now in quantities in flower,
with many more showing the flower bud shooting
up. I had no hopes of getting any flowers from
these frozen bulbs, and ordered from another
raiser 300 bulbs for my own garden, and these
small undersized bulbs now have as long stems
and as fine flowers as those purchased. Who can
and will explain the why and wherefore of this ?
Is it a freak, or are others mistaken ? I ask only
for information. Spartanburg, S. C.

[Facts of this character are of great value to
the cultivator, and the thanks of tuberose growers
are due to the lady for so kindly furnishing them.
Too often explanations are taken for granted by a
whole community that should never have been
accepted ; and again explanations are received as
covering the whole ground, that are only partially
true. Now in regard to the belief that tuberoses
kept in a low temperature during winter will not
flower the next year, we think there has been
some foundation for this belief. It is said that
the flower germ is formed in the tuberose bulb
before it goes to rest in the fall ; that if it is dug
before it is inclined to rest naturally this embryo-
nic formation does not occur. If such a bulb is
planted in spring it starts at once to leaf growth
and makes no flowers. But if a bulb that has not
formed the embryonic flower be placed in a warm
place it will go on and form the little germs of
blossom, though the bulb is not growing in the
ground. This has been our understanding of the
value of warmth in winter to a dry tuberose bulb,
and not that the germ rots under a low tempera-
ture. If this view be correct it will be readily un-
derstood how a bulb may be kept through a very
low temperature all the winter and yet flower in
spring. If it had formed the embryonic flower
before storing, it would not need the higher tern-

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

293

perature to bring the flower on. We give these
views with some hesitancy, as it would be far pre-
ferable to have actual facts from those who, like
Mrs. Thomson, are observing and have wide ex-
perience.— Ed. G. M.]

MEXICAN POPPIES.
BY MR. CHARLES E. PARNELL.

The Argemons, or as they are popularly called.
Prickly Poppies, are a group of exceedingly showy,
free-flowering, hardy annual plants belonging to
the natural order Papaveraceae.

They are plants of free, vigorous growth, hav-
ing spinous pinnatifid, bright green leaves, which
are armed with slender prickles and marked with
white stripes. The flowers, which are very showy
{being from 2 to 3 inches in diameter), are freely
produced on long peduncles, both axillary and
terminal, during the summer months, the precise
lime depending upon the manner in which the
plants are grown ; while from their size, color and
manner of flowering, they bear so much resem-
blance to a poppy, that the popular name, prickly
Poppy, has been bestowed upon them.

The Argemons are plants that can be easily
grown, doing best in a deep, well enriched soil,
and as the plants spread widely, they require a
good deal of room to look handsome and properly
develop themselves. They are especially suited
for the mixed border, where, if properly grown,
will always attract considerable attention, on ac-
count of the large size and showy color of their
flowers. The seed should be sown about the last
of March or first of April in a well drained pot or
pan filled with light loamy soil ; sow thinly, cover
slightly, and place in a warm, moist situation, as
close to the glass as possible. As soon as the
young plants are large enough to handle they
should be transplanted into shallow boxes filled
with light turfy loam, and placed in rows an inch
and a half apart each way. These young plants
should be kept close and moist until they become
well rooted and growth commences, when they
should be removed to a cooler situation, and
where air can be freely given, and in this manner
grown on until the weather has become warm and
settled, when they can be planted outside. Or
the seed can be sown very thinly in a cold frame
in April, or on a nicely prepared border in May,
and the young plants very carefully removed to
the place it is intended they should bloom, as soon
as they are strong enough to handle. But unless
they are started under glass they will not flower

early. The following are the varieties briefly de-
scribed :

A. grandiflora (large flowering), grows about 2
feet in height and produces large white, very
handsome flowers.

A. Hunnemanni (Mr. Hunneman's), grows'
about 2 feet in height, and produces carmine and
yellow flowers.

A. Mexicana. (The Mexican Argemon.) This
is what is known as the Infernal, or Devil's Fig of
the Spaniards, and is similar in all respects to the
above named varieties, except in the color of its
flowers which are of a bright yellow.

Queens, L, /.

«-•»

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Russian Olive.— Messrs. Carpenter & Gage
send specimens of the Siberian Pea shrub — which
is correct — and is Caragana arborescens. The
Russian olive is the old Siberian Oleaster, and is
Elaeagnus Songarica, cultivated under the name of
Elaeagnus flava. It is closely related to the common
garden Oleaster, E. hortensis; the leaves and
branches are not scurfy as that usually is, but are
densely covered by star-shaped hair, and the
leaves are short and broad, instead of long and
narrow. The fruit is about the size of a small
cherry, olive-shaped, with a somewhat sweet pulp.
It is a very hardy and handsome bush.

A species from Asia, Elaeagnus parvifolia, is an
admirable hedge plant ; in our opinion standing
next to Osage orange and Honey locust. This is
known in Eastern catalogues as *♦ Silver Thorn.**

Red Aphis on Roses. — " W. H. G.," Erie, Pa.,
writes : *• I notice this year, on my rose plants, a
number of insects identical with the green aphis,
so far as appearances are concerned, except that
it is of a reddish color. Do you, or any of your
readers know anything about it ? It eats the
tender buds and leaves, just as the green aphis
does, and succumbs to the same treatment, viz. :
tobacco smoke, whale oil soap, etc."

[There are numerous species of aphis — green,
black and red. The red referred to by our corre-
spondent, is not a common enemy of the rose. It
will be well for the rose-grower to watch for it.
Powdered tobacco, or tobacco dust is good, where
the liquid cannot be applied. — Ed. G. M.]

Ivy on Trees.— •• W. C. B.," Philadelphia,
writes: "In Laurel Hill Cemetery there is a cy-
press about thirty feet high, the trunk and lower
branches of which are completely covered with a
thick growth of Hedera, to the height of fifteen

294

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[October,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

295

i<t'

feet. The branches of the cypress covered by
the Hedera are all dead, while the whole tree
from immediately above the Hedera is very
healthy. From a little distance, this tree presents
a very grotesque appearance, there being just
half of each growth, each being so healthy, and
the foliage forming such a contrast."

[The English Ivy, Hedera, like all other vines,

will smother the foliage of the tree it grows over ;
and wherever it gets the chance to grow over
foliage in this way, will necessarily destroy the
branches. So long as the vine is confined to the
trunk or main branches, no injury results to a tree
by having a vine grow straight up over it. When
it coils around a trunk, as in the case of a Wistaria,
it is a serious injury. — Ed. G. M.]

Greenhouse and House Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

The quantity of the so-called Dutch bulbs in
pots, for house decoration, has been surprisingly
small during the few past years, in comparison
with what is grown in other parts of the world,
though it is pleasant to note that it is on the in-
crease. It is pleasant to note it, for there are few
things in gardening that give so much pleasure
at so small a cost. When we speak of Dutch
bulbs, Hyacinths, Tulips and Crocuses are chiefly
referred to ; but there are numerous other bulbs
besides those specially cultivated in Holland, that
are quite as desirable as they. In our seasonable
hints recently, we entered more fully into this
matter; at the present time we revert to it in or-
der to note that they require richer food when
growing, than people usually believe. They grow
in water, it is true, where there is no food ; but in
this case, they have to feed chiefly on the food
stored up the year before, and are completely ex-
hausted by the time the flowering is done. This is
one reason why a Hyacinth that has flowered in
water, requires several years of growth in the
open ground in order to recuperate ; and even
then does not do so fully, unless prevented from
flowering for several years. When grown in pots,
the earth cannot be too highly enriched, we think,
though some people think manuring may be over-
done. In this connection, the following extract
from a letter from Holland, conveys some useful
hints :

"To be scary of manure is not the practice of
Holland. Sand and manure — manure and sand,
are the alpha and omega of all things. It should
be said, that, of course, the manure is in a very
decomposed state ; but a Dutchman relies on it
imphcitly, and the fields are enriched not only in
the first instance, when they are recovered from

some barren waste, but again and again, so that
fertility may not be impaired. A bulb, it is true,
does not like to lie in manure — it should be
cushioned in sand, and the roots should push
downwards into the rich provision from which
they get vigor and life. This tends also to keep
them from being ever burnt up in the summer. It
is when the rootlets have nothing proper to feed
upon, that they come too much to the surface,
and they cannot then stand the burning rays of
the sun.

"An emphasis should be put on the thorough
decomposition of the manure, but it cannot be
bad practice to use it in this way, when such good
results flow from it. Not to speak of Tulips and
Hyacinths, I saw fields and fields of Lilies, which
were perfectly innocent of shade, and yet doing
quite well after this fashion."

There has been much dispute, of late years, as
to what produces disease in Carnations and
P.oses, of which so many complain. That there is
fungus in connection with the disease is certain;
but the question is yet regarded by many as un-
settled ; whether the funguses are there as the guests
of the disease, or whether they are established in
housekeeping on their own account. No one
who has seen fungus sweep through a cutting
bench, can hesitate for a moment in his belief,
that the fungus caused the death of the cuttings.
Had fungus not got a hold there, the cuttings
would have lived. Still, a cutting for want of
roots, has a low vital power, and this low vital
power may have invited the enemy. A plant
with healthy roots would have resisted the fungus
successfully. The lesson from this is, that if we
would keep our plants from fungus diseases, we
must study the laws of health as they affect vege-
tation, and practice good culture. Of late years,
it is surprising how the laws of plant life are ig-
nored by florists, especially in the single item of
watering. Day in and day out, watering or syr-

inging goes on, whether plants need it or not. A |
plant should never have water when it does not |
want it ; and excellent drainage should be applied |
to carry water rapidly away. Roots want air as
well as water, and the soil should be somewhat
open, in order to permit air to circulate through it.
When the earth docs not dry rapidly, something
is wrong. It is no uncommon sight to see
benches of Roses, Carnations and other things
completely sodden, and the plants then die from
root fungus. They do not always get root fungus
in wet soil, any more than a badly-managed cut-
ting bench always gets into trouble from the same
cause. But one thing is certain, that where the
soil is sour or sodden, root fungus prevails to a
greater extent than elsewhere ; and when the
roots are injured, other fungi play havoc with
stems, leaves and flowers. When fungus does
appear, sulphur exposed to the hot sun, or a tem-
perature equal to a hot sun's ray, is among the best
remedies.

In the remarks so far, we have had in view the
culture of flowers in benches, as practiced in
florists' greenhouses, or in amateur greenhouses
where flowers are needed on a large scale. We
may as well condense for the smaller grower what
we shall have to say of potting generally. In
taking up things from the ground for potting, care
should be taken to have the pots well-drained,
with pieces of potsherds over the hole. The more
rapidly water passes through the soil, the better
plants will grow. Pots could be made without
holes, and the water would all go through the
porous sides in time ; but that is too slow a way,
so we make a hole to admit of its more rapid es-
cape, and we place the broken pots over the hole
to make a vacuum, which assists the objects of
the hole. In very small pots, or with plants
which have strong enough roots to rapidly absorb
all the moisture they get, and speedily ask for
more, " crocking " is not necessary.

COMMUNICATIONS.

THE AMARYLLIS.
BY H. NEHRLING.

Genus Hippeastrum. I always read with much
pleasure the various contributions on Amaryllis
in your interesting and entertaining paper, es-
pecially Mr. Oberwetter's in the July number. I
am an enthusiastic lover of this class of plants,
and collect all I can get for a reasonable price.
Since eight or nine years they arc my favorite house

plants. I made the acquaintance of a few hybrid
forms in the gardens of Houston, Texas, and New
Orleans, and was struck with their great beauty
and noble form. I tried to learn the name, but I
was told they were •' red lilies." At last I ob-
tained a bulb and brought it with me to Missouri.
It commenced to bloom in March in my window,
and now 1 ascertained myself that it was Amaryllis
Johnsoni, a hybrid of Hippeastrum vittatum. I
then bought every year a collection, at first as
many species as I could get, and later hybrids.
The species I received from Haage & Schmidt
(Erfurt. Germany), and the hybrids from the same
firm <ind also from France, Belgium, Holland and
England. It is a great drawback to the culture
of these magnificent plants to call all without dis-
tinction Amaryllises. They certainly all bear this
name, but this family comprises many diff"erent
genera. The most magnificent genus is Hippeas-
trum (the Germans call them •' Knight Stars"),
comnionly called Amaryllis, but Amaryllis proper,
of which Amaryllis Belladonna is the type, differs
from this genus. Next in beauty comes the genus
Vallota, then Crinum, Nerine, Brunsvigia,
Amocharis, Buphone, Cyrtanthus, Haemanthus,
Pancratium, Zephyranthcs and others. We at
present usually understand the various hybrids of
Hippeastrum under that name ; but it occurs in
many catalogues that inferior things are enumer-
; ated under the name of Amaryllis. So I received
; under the name of •• Amaryllis grandis " and *• A.
Olga " two Crinums ; but plants of this genus as a
rule are not to be compared with the glorious
splendor of the Hippeastrum tribe. The true
Amaryllis is a native of South Africa, whereas all
Hippeastrums belong to our own continent, to
tropical America. I have at present the follow-
ing species in my collection :

1. (rt) Hippeastrum aulicum, Herbert.

(//) H, aulicum platypetaluni, Herb.— Beau-
I tiful red flowers, glittering in the sunshine as if
covered with gold dust ; commonly three or four
flowers on a flower scape. This species is ever-
green and somewhat difficult to manage.

2. (a) H. equestre, Herb.— West Indies and
South America. Smaller than the other species.
Very beautiful red, with greenish yellow star in
the throat.

[b) H. equestre, fl. //.,— has double flowers.
Introduced to cultivation from the West Indies,
where it is grown in gardens.

3. H. bulbulosum fulf^idum, Herb. — Brazil.
Flowers four on a scape, beautiful vermilion,
throat yellowish within, greenish on the outside.

2)6

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[October,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

297

Of this species there are many varieties, such as
H. bulbulosum rutilum, orange with yellow throat.
Ofthis variety I obtained in Florida a few bulbs
for my collection. Others are : H. bulb, pulveru-
lentum, crocatum, ignescens ; all in cultivation
and easy to grow.

4. //. Pardinum, Hook. — Collected 1866 in Peru
by Mr. Pearce for J. Veitch & Son. The ground
color is creamy white or yellow and the whole
flower is spotted with red. There are various dis-
tinct varieties. A very beautiful one was figured
in •' Flore des Terres " (pi. 634), under the name
of " Reverend Dombrain ;" another kind in Revue
Horticole under the name of H. pardinum tricolor.
AH the hybrids of H. pardinum are very beauti-
ful.

5. H. psittacimim. Herb.— Brazil. Commonly
two flowers on a scape ; white, striped carmine ;
throat green, striped purple. Not so showy as
others.

6. H.RegincBy Herb. — Mexico and South. One
of the first known species in European gardens.
Ground color cherry-red, throat green. Very fine
and easy to grow.

7. H, reticulatum. Herb. — Brazil. Leaves short
and with a white stripe in the centre, therefore
easy to distinguish from other species. Flowers
rosy or violet colored, with darker veins and re-
ticulations. Not very easy to manage. From
this species Mr. B. S. Williams (Upper Halloway,
London) raised some of the finest Amaryllises in
cultivation. They are in form, color and growth
far superior to the mother plant, and indeed glori-
ous. All are easy to grow and usually flower in
autumn. One of these hybrids is Amaryllis, Mrs,
Garfield, of which a fine plate was given in the Lon-
don Garden, (yo\. xxii, April 7, 1883). Similar but
rather more beautiful is A. Mrs. William Lee, and
A. Comte de Germiny, with flowers from 6 to 8
inches in diameter.

8. H. solandrcEjlorum, Herb. — South America.
Flowers long tubed, greenish-white with a little
red ; very fragrant. Much finer is the following
variety : H. solandraeflorum conspicuum. Herb.
Flower scape 3 feet high with six to eight large
white, red striped flowers ; very fragrant. In Dr.
Rcgel's "Gartenflora " (1878, pi. 949) a beautiful
plate ofthis fine variety is given.

9. H, robusfum, Koch (A. Tettani S. A. Rou-
gicri). Native of the German colony Santa Cath-
arina, in Brazil, from whence this Amaryllis was
sent to Berlin by Dr. Blumenan, 1848. It is an
evergreen, strong growing, exceedingly beautiful
species ; has showy leaves. Flowers deep car-

mine. Blooms generally in the last week of De-
cember, and is called in Germany the Christmas
Amaryllis.

10. H. vittatum, Herb. — Brazil. One of the
best, and has proven very fruitful in raising hy-
brids. There are now thousands of named and
unnamed Amaryllises, all raised from this species.
j The flowers are white, with a red stripe through
the centre of each petal ; slightly fragrant. I have
I also a very fine variety, H. vittatum Harrisoni-
I anum, Herb., native of Lima. Flowers white with
I two red stripes. This species and all the hybrids
are easily managed. The cheapest of these are
I those with a red ground color, as they are apt to
produce more off'sets than the light-colored forms.
There are other Hippeastrums, such as H. Leo-
poldi, H. pyrochroma, H. calyptratum, which are
scarce in cultivation. Other species like H. am-
biguum, Herb., H. breviflorum, Herb., H. barba-
tum, Herb., H. stylosum, Herb., H. miniatum,
Herb., and H. glaucescens. Herb., appear to be
lost to cultivation.

I have the following hybrids in my collection :

1. Hipp. {Amary//is) yoAnsom'i, Herb. — Across
between Hippeastrum vittatum and H. Reginae.
Raised by Johnson in Lancashire, England, 18 10,
and a year later by Dean Herbert. This is the
common Amaryllis of our Southern gardens. It
is one of the best for the beginner, as it is easy to
flower, very fine and slightly fragrant.

2. H. [Amaryllis) Cleopatra. — Dark red, with
a clear white stripe. An exceedingly beautiful
hybrid.

3. A. oriflamme, — White, banded with salmon.
Fine form.

4. A. Prince of Orange. — Fine orange red ;
very showy.

5. A, Perle. — Sulphur white, with large salmon
stripes. The last two and A. Olga I received
from Nanz & Neuner (Louisville, Ky). They
have also many unnamed fine hybrids of A. John-
sonii.

6. A. Defiance, — An evergreen hybrid and one
of the finest in cultivation. Has large carmine-
red flowers with bars of white running through the
centre of each petal, and the whole flower lined
and penciled with white ; large, very fine formed
flowers.

7. A, Artemise. — Pure white with large vermil-
ion stripes.

8. A. Baffin. — Very dark red.

9. A, Clovis, — Fine transparent red with large
white stripes.

10. A. Phoebe. — Pure white, striped and striated

with carmine rose. The last five with A. ori-
flamme can be obtained of Hallock, Son & Thorpe
(East Hinsdale, N. Y.).

II. A. Rejulgens and (12) A. Atrosanguinea. —
Both very dark shining red, of fine form and tex-
ture. Cheap and very easy to grow. I obtained
mine from Mr. Saul, Washington, D. C.

13. A. Graveana. — Beautiful red; a very fine
hybrid. Advertised by Mr. Peter Henderson, New
York. Besides these I have fine unnamed col-
lections from Germany, Holland and France,
many of which have not yet flowered. 1 men-
tioned only those which can be furnished by some
of our leading florists.

1. Amaryllis Dr. Masters. — Flowers 6 inches in
diameter, perfect in shape, the segments recurv-
ing so as to give a bold appearance. A deep
crimson scarlet, colored to the base, with maroon
shaded blotches. This is said to be the finest
Amaryllis in cultivation, being unique both in
color and form.

2. A. Exquisite. — A fine, well-defined flower, 7
inches in diameter, of exquisite shape, carmine
scarlet, the larger or guard segments have distinct
white stripes, whilst the others are beautifully
flaked with the same.

3. A. Fascination.— One of the light colored
type ; flowers about 5 inches in diameter, segments

Amaryllis House at Veitch's Nursery, Chelsea.

Now I step to the finest hybrids in existence,
but I do not know how to find words to describe
their bright colors and fine forms according to
their merit. The varieties of which I now speak
were raised by Mr. B. S. Williams, Upper Hallo-
way, London. These hybrids have become so
popular in England that Mr. Williams found it
necessary to erect a special Amaryllis house, in
which thousands are grown at present. His mag-
nificent hybrids are the results of many years
careful labor and careful selection. If compared
with the finest continental collections, which sell
from $^0 to $240 a dozen ; they are cheap and are
far more beautiful. Indeed, I have seen no Ama-
ryllises that can be compared with these English
kinds, either in coloring or form. Every lover
of this class of plants should have at least a few
of the following sorts :

perfectly round, regularly flaked and barred with
reddish crimson.

4. A. Harry Williams. — A noble flower, about
8 inches in diameter, the segments about 4 inches
broad and well shaped ; the color is reddish pur-
ple, the centre of which is slightly flaked and
penciled with white. A distinct type.

5. A. Loveliness. — Flowers about 7 inches in di-
ameter, of rosy crimson color, white stripe in the
center of each petal and also white margin.

6. A. Mrs. Garfield. — A cross between H.
recticulatum and A. Defiance. Evergreen, leaves
robust, with a white stripe. The flower-scape,
which is thrown up about 2 feet, produces four
to five flowers 6 inches in diameter, of good form
and substance, and of a pleasing rosy-pink color,
netted and veined with a darker tint of the same
color ; there is a white stripe in the centre of each

298

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

I October,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

299

petal, producing a most charming contrast to the
numerous crimson scarlet varieties now so com-
mon in collections.

7. A. Mrs. William Lee. — In growth this hybrid
much resembles A. Mrs. Garfield, but the flowers

NAMENLOSE SCHONE ROSE.
BY EDWIN A. SEIDEWITZ.

Every year brings its novelties of Roses, few of
which are what they are represented to be.

are much larger and the color altogether richer. , through this fact one cannot complain that there
Similar is a new hybrid. A. Compte de Germiny, I *' "°^ ""^^^ confidence shown in a novelty,
the finest of this group. j Namenlose Schone, a novelty of this year from

8. Mrs. B. T, IVilliams. ^Fure white and of : ^^^^'"^"y '^ ^^e. to be tested by the trade.

fine form. j ^^ was in the fall of last year that, in my

9. A. Masferpiece.— Flowers 6 to 7 inches i ^^^^^^^ I reached the watering place, Kostritz. a
across ; sepals and petals broad, nicely recurved ; small town, beautifully situated in a fertile valley
color rich crimson-scarlet, with a violet shade ex- i ^" Thuringen. It was the widely known Dahlia
tending entirely to the base and not showing a ' culture of Kostritz that was the attraction. After a
particle of an eye. ^^^ minutes' walk from the station one comes to

10. A. Prince 7>^>&.— Flowers large, ground the es tablishment of Mr. Max Deegen, Jun., 11 ; en-
color being of a soft creamy yellow, which runs Bering, one is struck at once by great numbers of
down the centre of each petal ; the edges of the dahlias in hundreds of varieties. While admir-
petals are deep crimson and beautifully marked \ ^"& ^^^^ '• star of autumn," several sashes planted
with netted lines of the same color. with roses, in full bloom, drew my attention.

IT. A, Princess Da^nar. Petals of great Thinking them at the first glance to be Niphetos I
breadth, margined and veined with carmine- gave no further thought to them. Coming nearer

I saw that an error was made on my part ; instead
of Niphetos, quite a different rose was before me;
asking an attendant near by, the name of the rose,

scarlet, and having a light base ; one of the
finest forms and most brilliant in color.

12. A. Triumphant. — Flowers 6 inches across,
carmine-scarlet, segments perfectly round, with a ^^ replies : " that is the new rose that Mr. Deegen
light base flaked with white. j is introducing.'*

13. A. Unique.— Y.\ir2i fine form, petals broad, ' After a short time Mr. Deegen appeared, and
color deep bright scarlet, centre of the petals t)eing questioned in regard to the rose, spoke of
shaded with black, white markings in the throat. , its good qualities in the highest terms. Mr. Deegen

14. A. IVilliamsii.—FeiSils of great breadth and relates that this rose is not a true novelty in every
substance, ground color carmine-scarlet and hav- sense of the word, for it has been in his posses-
ing a broad white band down the centre of each sion for thirty-three years ; originally received un-
petal. Mr. Williams has raised many more named, among a lot of roses, hence the name,
beautiful hybrids, but these, I think, are the most " Nameless Beauty ; " the rose had been sent to
beautiful. There is another celebrated Amaryllis different authorities on roses in Germany to dis-
grovverin England, but I have not yet had an op- cover if there might be a rose corresponding with
portunity to procure some of his varieties As the one specified ; the rose was known to no one
soon as I know these hybrids from personal obser- ^"d for this reason it is introduced as a novelty,
vation, I will give an account of them in the , Two specimens are in my possession since last
Gardeners' Monthly. And now, dear reader, November — bringing them from Europe. The
I beg your pardon for this long paper. following observations have been made since my

Friestatt, Mo. , return. After a long trip of over two weeks, the
[The readers will rather thank than want to specimens were placed in a greenhouse ; after a
"pardon" the author of this excellent paper, few weeks, to my astonishment, (they were
Correspondents are continually asking the Editor brought over in pots in a growing state) a bud
for the names of their varieties, showing the want had set on one of its branches, showing at once
of just these descriptive notes as well as the wide- one good quality of the rose, budding after such
spread interest being taken m this beautiful tribe, rough treatment. The bud, half open, was small.
In the Old World particular attention is being finely shaped, white, with a yellowish tinge open:
given to their culture, and some nurserymen are , full, like the Souvenir de la Malmaison, sweetly
making them special branches. We give with 1 scented, even extremely so, slender carriage, in
this a view of the Amaryllis House, as it is called, short, the impression made was excellent,
at Veitch's Nursery, Chelsea.— Ed. G. M.] I In June the roses were planted out in a sash.

roots having settled, they began to grow and to
bloom, being at time of writing in full bloom. In
the open ground the color is quite different, its
color resembling more the Mrs. Bosanquet, a
flesh-color to the center, showing no sign of yel-
low at all.

Three or more buds generally appear on one
branch, habit is good ; dwarf and compact,
adorned with a fine foliage of light color and
glossy appearance.

In regard to worth for cutting purposes, I
would say, that for long stems it will not do as
well, but for design work, there is no rose of this
color better suited than this Namenlose Schone. All
in all, the rose makes a very favorable impression,
especially being such a free bloomer.

This rose will surely have a future, and it can

be recommended very highly to the trade and

public in general.

Annapolis, Aug. loth, 1886.

iESCHYNANTHUS PULCHER.
BY CHARLES E. PARNELL.

The pretty flowered /Eschynanthus, /E. pulcher,
is an epiphytal evergreen stove or warm green-
house plant, belonging to the natural order
Gesneraceae. It is a native of Java, and was
discovered and introduced by Mr. Thomas
Lobb, a collector in the employment of Messrs.
Veitch & Son, of London, England, in 1845. ^t is
a plant of trailing or drooping habit with slender
stems, which show a tendency to root at almost
every joint, and thick fleshy lanceolate leaves of a
dark green color, which form a striking contrast
with the bright scarlet flowers. When well-grown,
this forms a plant of rare beauty, and it is a most
profuse flowerer, blooming as it does throughout
several of the summer months. The flowers are
produced in axillary and terminal fascicles, in
color of a rich vermilion scarlet, with a trace of
yellow in the throat. This yEschynanthus is a
plant of the easiest culture, if it can be given suf-
ficient heat and moisture, and succeeds best when
fastened upon a log and cultivated in the same
manner as epiphytal orchids. It should be grown
in a partially shaded situation, or where it will be
shaded from the hot mid day sun. I have culti-
vated this plant in a very satisfactory manner, by
procuring a block of wood about a foot in length
and from 6 to 9 inches in diameter. At one end
a shallow hole is excavated, about 3 inches in
depth and 3 or 4 in diameter ; this is filled with

sphagnum moss, on this the plant is placed, its
roots covered with moss and the whole securely
fastened to the log by means of copper wire ; this
block is then suspended from the rafters of the
greenhouse, and the plant treated as above advised .
This /Eschynanthus should be given a tempera-
ture of not less than 58^ during the winter months,
and care should be used as to watering, yet do
not permit the plant to become absolutely dry.
During the summer the plant should be given a
liberal supply. Propagation is effected by cut-
tings of the half-ripened wood, placed in sand in
gentle heat ; when rooted, pot off into 3-inch
pots (well-drained) of fine chopped fresh moss and
place in heat ; and when the small plants have
made a considerable growth, place in blocks as
advised above.

The generic name is derived from "aischuno,"
to be ashamed, and •' anthus," a 'flower ; but one
cannot understand why this term should be ap-
plied to this handsome class of plants, as all of
them are deserving of a prominent place in all
choice collections. Queens, N. K

POTTING HYACINTHS.
BY WM. LYNE.

As the season for potting Hyacinths, etc., is near
at hand, and never having seen the method I
practice, in print, although others may practice it, I
deem it of some importance in the way of clean-
liness and convenience ; hence this communica-
tion, that others, if they choose, may avail them-
selves of it in preference to burying their pots
after planting. I first select such sized pots as
are suitable lor the different kinds of bulbs and
plant them in the usual way, treating Hyacinths,
Tulips, Crocuses, Narcissus, etc., all alike. I then
take pots smaller than the pots in which the bulbs
are planted, fill them with earth and invert them
over the bulb, pressing them down slightly ; thus I
secure the necessary darkness while the roots are
penetrating the soil, the weight of the pot and
contents preventing the bulb from rising, as is
sometimes the case.

I then set them in the cellar, or on the floor of
the greenhouse, or other convenient place, give
attention to watering, and upon inspection, which
is easily done, select such as are the farthest ad-
vanced, removing the upper pots, placing those
selected in the hght, pursuing the usual course ;
the Romans especially soon go into bloom.

Fort Wayne, Ind., Aug. 27th, 1886.

300

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[October,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

30 r

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Callas in Summer. — A wreath of Callas
formed part of the flowers used at the funeral of
Governor Tilden. They were grown by his own
gardener. Florists generally do not have callas
in bloom early in August.

Carnation from Wallingford, Connecti-
cut.— A correspondent sends us a flower of a
pale sulphur seedling that is 3 inches over, with
numerous petals, from a short oblique calyx. It
appears to be distinct from any other variety in

common use. Its value to the florist will depend
on abundance and continuance of blossoming,
fragrance, and other properties that a single
flower cannot reveal.

Euphorbia Jacquiniflora. — There seems to
be some disposition among florists to take again
into favor this old plant. Its brilUant scarlet
flowers are so exactly suited to many forms of longi-
tudinal work, that nothing can equal it. It was
not supposed to " pay," but it is found in the cut
flower business as in all others, that the best work
will always bring the best prices, and some flowers
are especially suited for the best work.

Fruit and Vegetable Gardening.

SEASONABLE HINTS.

In preparing our Seasonable Hints it is interest-
ing to note how much practical fruit culture ad-
vances. Practical men thought they knew some-
thing a quarter of a century ago, but no one
would give the same directions for culture now that
would have been given then. And we think we
advance faster than they do in the Old World.
Looking at some horticultural calendars, recently
issued in England, not one word is said about potted
strawberry plants, which have been found such a
great time-saver here. And in fruit tree culture
generally we find the same old-fashioned advice, not
to give fruit trees much manure, for fear of giving
a rank growth to them. In this country we have
outgrown this weakness. Provided all other ele-
ments of good culture are cared for, it is almost
impossible to give fruit trees too much manure.
Indeed, much of the trouble with fruit trees comes
from their being half-starved. A pear or apple
tree may have a foot deep of well-rotten — say one
year old manure, placed for yards wide around
the trunk under the branches, and it would be all
the better for it. Of course this would be too
much of a good thing. Such a dressing of manure
would never pay. But we are speaking of abso-
lute health to the tree, and productiveness in
splendid fruit. It is when fruit orchards are
deeply hoed, harrowed or plowed late in the au-
tumn and the soil is rich, that the trees suffer.
The >oung roots, nearly resting, are engaged in

storing nutriment in the buds and branches for an-
other year. When these roots are torn off the main
roots proceed at once to make new fibres, and with
this a new growth of foliage and length of branches.
Then this growth does not mature before winter,
and is more subject than healthy wood, to disease.
If the soil is poor the new roots do not push
much, nor is the growth much affected. This is
the only way in which poor soil for fruit trees is
ever an advantage. But it is a greater advantage
to let the fall roots alone, and give all the food
possible for the roots to work on.

No question is more frequently put to an editor
than, what is the best soil to plant fruit trees in?
There can be no specific answer to this question.
In a general way the answer might be, that any
soil that would grow good potatoes, corn, or any
vegetable crop, would be a good soil to grow a
fruit tree in. But even this does not wholly answer
the question, for in Massachusetts or Connecticut
one may plant apple trees quite successfully on
hills covered with boulders and loose rocks where
no one would think to get a vegetable crop ; yet
there are some soils better suited to some classes
of trees than others. The peach, as a rule, does
best in light soils ; the pear in heavy ones ; the
apple in a soil that is a mixture of clay and sand ;
while the cherry, we think, prefers a soil that is
made of broken stone. But it is not safe to
say that even these soils are better for the trees
named. We have seen, sometimes, excellent peach
trees in heavy clay. The pear and apple do well

in pure Jersey sand, and the cherry, usually de- ! pushed by interested parties, under a dozen dif-
lighting in high rocky ground, seems particularly 1 ferent names.

favored by a piece of low flat ground. j Good Varieties of Fruit to Travel-

So with culture. There are plenty of illustra- j Mr. Holsinger told the late meeting of the Kansas
tions where clean culture is found admirable, and Horticultural Society, that, whether a variety would
others where trees do much better in grass than travel well, often depended as much on the packer
when the ground is exposed to very hot sun. The I as on the variety. Speaking of raspberries, he
experienced cultivator comes to learn that success said, if one dead-ripe be put with the others, it
in culture comes from a study of little things that soon starts decay among the whole brotherhood,
tend to the health of the tree, and not so much Dead-ripe fruits should be carefully discarded in
from any general rule of soil or situation to fruit i packing fruits of this kind,
culture as a whole. These little things consist

Bacteria and Pear Blight Prof. Burrill,

decides that the Bacterian found in connection
with pear blight is no ordinary fellow, but a
species hitherto undescribed. He names it Mi-
crococcus amyvorus, as we see quoted in an ex-
change, though we have not his original descrip-
tion to hand.

The Fruit House of Ellwanger & Barry,
Rochester, N. Y.— Col. Wilder says that the

mainly in choosing soil that does not absorb heat
freely, as cool soil in America is essential in most
localities. The soil must not retain water long
enough to •' sog " it, nor must water run so rapidly
away that it will soon dry out. There must be
abundance of good food near the surface where
the fibres or feeding roots are, and these must
never suffer for the want of it. There is little else
to be said of choosing boil. There is much more
in choosing trees than in choosing soil. A cheap ! fruit house of Ellwanger & Barry, at Rochester,
tree is generally dear at any price. A new ven- i N. Y., is a building where walls and floor are lined
turer in peach growing recently showed the writer with straw and boards, with cellars underneath
two thousand peach trees that he had planted. , for storing fruit. When the mercury goes loO to
One thousand were trees about five feet high, | 12O below zero, a few, 3- or 4^, of frost get in, but
rated by the nurseryman as No. i trees. The | the boxes and barrels are all covered with straw
stock giving out. No. 2 trees were sent to make the : mats and are never reached by the frost,
balance. After one year's growth under the same | phylloxera in the Old World.-Iu spite
circumstances it was a remarkable sight in the ; ^^ ^^^ oppressive and absurd laws by which Am-
difference. The No. 2 trees were still puny and ; ^^-^^^^ horticultural products are practically ex-
poor looking in comparison with the No. i. The : eluded from the Old World for fear of introduc-
owner thought he might be able to make them | j^^^ Phylloxera, it is steadily on the march there,
catch up by giving them liberal fertilizing, but it ^j^^ j^^^g^ reports state that it has appeared in the
was a poor hope. The trees were smaller than ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^le ancient countries of Macedonia and
the others in the first place, because they had Calcedonia are now exclaiming— as they did in
poorer constitutions, or they would not have been ; ^^^^^ times- what shall we do to be saved ?" Now
small under equal circumstances. The constitu- 1 ^^atthey have it, perhaps also will they make laws
tion being poor, the tree can take no advantage ^^ exclude it.

. of the best food that may be given it. At least to 1 ^ „ ^

• 11 . . Pears at the Cape of Good Hope. — Every

but a small extent. ... , , t. 1 . r

locality on the globe has some spot more favora-
ble to some kinds of fruits than others. At the
Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, Beurre super-
fin and Glout Morceau have proved admirably
adapted, and an export trade to England is spring -
Increase of Fungous Diseases in the ing up likely to be very profitable to Cape of
South.— President Berckmans in his recent ad- Good Hope Pear growers. England is the market
dress, notes that the three past seasons have been j for them.

more rainy than usual, which he thinks may ac- 1 Profits of Apple Culture. — '• Is the apple
count for the remarkable prevalence of parasitic culture a good one ?" some one asks Mr. De Long,
fungi among fruit trees. I ^ ^qW known CaUfornia fruit grower. " Yes," he

Fruit SvNONYMS.—President Berckmans as- ! replies, " if you raise good apples." What an ex-
serts that some popular varieties of peaches are 1 cellent text is here for all fruit growers.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

'!■■

302

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[October,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

303

Dried Apricots. — This is becoming a very
popular article in California, and drying apricots
becoming a profitable branch of industry.

Apple Culture in Nova Scotia Apple cul-
ture is progressing in the province to such an ex-
tent that 100,000 barrels were received in England
last year. The Red Canada seems the variety
chiefly depended on.

Pine-apples in Florida. — Where the proper
localities are chosen in Florida, it would seem
that pine-apple growing is destined to be one of
the staple cultures of the State.

Water Apple. — It is over twenty years ago
since we called the attention of our readers to this
wonderful Pennsylvania apple, and yet little is
known of it to-day. One of its class, the Smith's
Cider, has managed to get a fair run, but it is a
comparatively poor grower, and nurserymen do

not like to keep it. The Water Apple is fully its
equal in everything that relates to popular charac-
ters, and is besides a good grower. We reproduce
a cut we gave of it at the time of first describing
it, in hopes that those interested in introducing
good apples to orchard planters may give it some
attention.

The Strawberry Kings.— People who enjoy
everywhere delicious fruit at very moderate prices,
scarcely stop to think of how much they are in-
debted to a few persevering men, who have set-
tled in various districts, and by studying improved
modes of culture produced abundance where be-
fore sterility reigned. One of these in Ohio is Mr.
M. Crawford, who does much good service as

Secretary of the Summitt county (Ohio), Horticul-
tural Society.

Reading the past summer in a Western paper
the following extract in relation to the enormous
business done in strawberries, we fancy we are
not mistaken in identifying this gentleman with so
much of the immense good to the whole com-
munity that has followed this splendid work :

"The Barnesville district of Ohio this week ex-
hibited its wonder in strawbery culture to the eager
eyes of visiting horticulturists, as our delegate has
reported. But its products are eclipsed by a belt
of territory lying along the Illinois Central Rail-
road, over which special thunderbolt express fruit
trains have been run on schedule time for thir-
teen seasons, until it now consists of 30 refrigerator
carloads per day, 22 of which go to the commis«
sion men of Chicago, whose 800,000 inhabitants
consume 435,600 quarts per day, at a cost of $15,-
000 for each train load, or about ^^350,000 for the
three weeks' season. This represents only a small
part of the traffic in the fruits of this country,
which is constantly increasing. The case and
certainty with which they may be grown is reason
why it should be done."

The Catawissa Raspberry. — When we read
here and there that this or that variety of fruit is
" no good,** we must remember that this is usually
from the market-growers* standpoint. The Cata-
wissa Raspberry would not earn its salt from any-
one who should plant it for market. But what a
glorious delicacy it is for the amateur! Plants
should be cut to the ground in the spring, and
very rich food given it. Through August and
September it will yield large quantities of rasp-
berries of the most delicious flavor. We know of
no variety that can compete with it in toothsome-
ness.

A New Raspberry, Rubus phcenicolasius. —
This is a very handsome Bramble, striking at first
sight from the shaggy crimson glandular hairs
with which it is so plentifully beset, and from,
which it derives its name {phcenix, red, lasios,
shaggy). The leaves resemble those of the Rasp-
berry, but are of a silvery white on the under
surface. The flowers are in terminal panicles,
the pedicels and elongated calyx-lobes densely
clothed with long crimson hairs, each tipped with
a small globular gland. The fruit is about the
size of a small Cherry, clear orange-red, shorter
than the persistent calyx-lobes. It is noteworthy
that while the fruit is unripe and green the calyx-
lobes fold over it, and thus protect it from the in-
cursions of birds, while the viscid hairs keep off
undesirable insect visitors, but when the fruit
ripens the sepals unfold, spreading horizontally,

forming a flat dish, on which the fruit is presented
for the attraction and appreciation of birds, who,
after regaling themselves, secure unwittingly the
perpetuation of the species by ejecting the seeds.
The plant is a native of Japan, and for a specimen
of it we are indebted to the Rev. Canon Ella-
combe, in whose garden near Bristol, it proves to
be quite hardy. — Gardeners' Chronicle.

Winter Parsley. — Many who sow Parsley in
autumn, do not have much success, because they
commence plucking the leaves too early. Wait
till the plants get strong. It is best to pot a few
old roots, and keep in a temperature of about 50O,
to get an early supply from. When these are
done, the seedling plants will be ready.

Large Tomatoes. — We do not know that there
has been placed on record, figures regarding the
largest Tomatoes ever raised. Mr. Jacob Prin-
cing, gardener to Fairmount Park Commissioner
Fitler, raised one 2 lbs. i oz. Can anyone beat
this record ?

Vegetables.— M. Van Hulle counsels us if we
would preserve the flavor of our vegetables, not
to wash them before cooking, if it can be avoided.
The vegetables, whether leaves, beans, or roots,
should have the dirt removed with a brush or a
cloth, or if washing be indispensable, it should be
done rapidly, immediately before placing them in
the saucepan. — Gardeners' Chronicle.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

The Black Aphis on Young Cherry Trees.
It is confidently asserted in England that one
quart of tobacco juice to two gallons of water is cer-
tain death to the Black Aphis. Our nurserymen who
suffer so much from this pest should devise some
easy method of syringing this decoction over
trees that are badly infested with it.

Peculiar Ripening of Pears.— "J. H. P.,"
Dayton, Ohio, writes : " A few words on the pro-
per ripening of pears in your last number suggests
that information from yourself, Pres. Wilder, or
other competent authority on that subject, in the
October number, would be highly appreciated.
For many kinds a good cellar, properly ventilated,
answers very well, but for others— Winter Nelis,
Lawrence, Beurre D'Arenbergh, and probably
many others — this does not answer with me, and

I, and doubtless many others, would be glad to
have the way that has proved successful.

[As noted in our last, there are little peculiar-
ities in pear ripening that can only be discovered
by the experience and observation of those who
pay close attention to each variety. One kind
loves to be gathered at a comparatively early
stage, while another insists on being allowed to
remain on the tree as long as possible. And even
these requirements, we fancy, will vary in the same
variety with different localities. It would serve a
very useful purpose if those friends who have dis-
covered the whimsicalities of these particular var-
ieties, so as to have the very best results from
them, would give their experience for the benefit
of lovers of good pears. — Ed. G. M.]

Apple Tree Disease in Kansas. — A corres-
pondent from Emporia writes : " I have been
much interested in studying the Fire blight which
has attacked quite generally and severely our ap-
ple trees through this State. Our orchards have
been such an attractive feature that we look with
grave alarm at the ravages of this disease. I
have been investigating with my microscope, and
notice the presence of •• Bacteri,** which, accord-
ing to Prof. Burrill, of the Illinois University, is
the cause of the blight.'*

Quince on the White Thorn. — "Allan,"
Richmond, Va., writes: "Tell your corres-
pondent of August issue that the Quince can be
budded on White Thorn, but don't succeed at all
in this section. Trees five years old are not larger
than a bush two years should be, and show no
vigor.'*

Soot A Louisville, Ky., correspondent says :

"When you Eastern people talk of "soot" do
you mean soot from the burning of wood, anthra-
cite coal or bituminous coal ? "

[Any one of them. In this part of the world
when one wants a little "soot" it is knocked out
of an old stove-pipe in which either anthracite or
wood has been burned. In bituminous regions
the scrapings of the chimney would be " soot."
Possibly in some cases one variety would be more
desirable than another, and when such is the case,
writers should take our correspondent's hint, and
specify it. Where no distinction is made — as, for
instance, in preparing a wash of sulphur, lime and
soot for fruit trees, we should understand that any
variety would do. — Ed. G. M.]

Improvement of the Grape in Texas. — The
following letter was not intended for publication,
but to keep the Editor posted on the work of grape

304

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[October,

improvement in Texas. But it contains so much
of interest to everyone interested in the success of
American grape culture everywhere, that we are
sure the writer will excuse the publicity we give
it. We may premise that few of the ordinary
varieties of grape are of any great account in
Texas, and therefore all efforts for great improve-
ments have to be re commenced from the be-
ginning. It is on this account that the experi-
ments being made by Mr. Munson, have a pe-
culiar value.

" Dknison, Tex., August 24th, 1886.

" I present you herewith samples of a few of my
seedling and hybrid grapes, which ripen from one
to two weeks later than Catawba, Norton's Virginia,
and Herbemont, and of course of no value in the
most northern States, but they fill a vacancy in
the South, which so far is without grapes, save
the tough-skinned Muscadines. These are mostly i
mere sprigs of clusters, from young vines just be-
ginning to bear, hence you can form but little
correct opinion of the clusters. We have had a
very long severe drouth, which has dwarfed the
berries, and my vines are on land in use for nine
years in various crops without any manure, with
very ordmary culture ; so you can form some idea
of what the grape would be with high culture and
age. You can judge of color and quality quite
accurately. I have had a succession of my seed-
ling grapes, since June 25th, and have this year
fruited several hundred ot my seedlings. 1 have
no vines for sale. I desire to be perfectly sure I
have made a true advance in any direction be-
fore I offer plants for sale, and hence I have
taken the liberty to send you these clusters to
taste, and to your pleasure to say what you choose
concerning them, which 1 know will be a fair in-
dex of the merits of my productions. Out of some
30,000 seedlings, with which I started, 1 have
continued to cull till I have a few I am not
ashamed to ask an esteemed critic to taste. I am
not seeking to rush before a much-abused public
with an untried novelty, or the result of an acci-
dental find in some weed-patch, but to make a
real advance in horticulture, under all scientific
and practical light bearing in this direction.
Years more of patient trial may be required to
find out whether I have anything worthy of
general attention. T. V. Munson."

[The grapes are of white and black varieties ;
the whites as a rule being rather better in flavor
than the dark-colored ones. The whites are
named Nellie, Onderdonk, Samuel Miller and
Matthews. The dark-colored are Texas, Meehan,
Carman, Husmann, Wine-maker, Maria and
Jaeger. Rogers No. i (Goethe), and 14 (Essex),
and a bunch of Herbemont, came with the others for
comparison. Herbemont is delicious; but the
other two of Rogers* seedlings are not equal in
flavor to the same variety as grown North, which
we believe is the usual behavior of all the northern

varieties. The seedlings are far superior in flavor
to these. The seedlings do not seem to us to be
equal in flavor to the Herbemont, though Jaeger
and Matthews are very close to it in this respect.
Of the black varieties, the Carman is nearest
Herbemont in flavor, though the Meehan is
nearer that variety in size of the bunch. The
mere flavor or size is, however, only a small part of
all that goes into the merits of a first-class grape.
—Ed. G. M.]

Variation in the Lindley Grape. — With
samples, we have the two following notes from
Mr. Lorin Blodgett, of Broad street. Philadelphia :

" I bring a sample of the growth of my Lindley
this year — hoping to meet you here. I leave it
here, after handling for four days, to show how
persistent the grapes are. The general growth
of the vine is greater than in any former year,
and it bears an enormous crop. Many hundreds
of the bunches show the apparent separation of
the two original varieties hybridized, and while I
cannot now find an explanation of the original
varieties hybridized, I assume that the smaller is
the European parent. It looks like the Delaware,
and my belief last year was that the Delaware
vine growing alongside and intermingled with the
Lindley caused the new departure, which was
then only on the side so exposed. Now the di-
vided bunches are more general, and among the
most lusty of the growing branches, and largest
bunches. It is certainly an anomaly, and an il-
lustration of the possibilities of hybridization. I
will send a larger box, possibly at the same time
to-morrow."

" August 25th, 1886.

•• I send from my house this morning a second
small box of Lindley grapes — Rogers' No. 9— put
up from picking last evening and an average of
five times as many picked. They are still not
fully ripe, but the sparrows are about, and I wish
you to see the peculiar separation of the two varie-
ties on the bunches as they have grown. I could
cut many growths of the vine 14 feet long and
well ripened this year. It was never more vigor-
ous, and altogether has a large crop of some thou-
sands of bunches."

[It must be a very interesting sight to see this
vine loaded with fruit, one-half looking like
bunches of Delaware, and the other half what it
is, Lindley, and some of the bunches with the
large sized berries of Lindley on part, and the rest
of the bunch with these half size berries like Dela-
ware.

Without a very wide experience, an observer
would be pardonable for believing that in some
way a Delaware would be answerable for the re-
sult.

But when we come to taste the small berries we
find that the flavor, as well as the color, are ex-

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

305

actly Lindley with nothing of the Delaware there,
and we also find that not one of these berries has
a seed. This explains the whole circumstance —
they are simply seedless Lindley s. Those who
have had experience with growing the foreign
grape under glass understand this perfectly. The
Muscat of Alexandria often produces seedless
grapes, and these are only half the size of the nor-
mal seed bearing berries. It looks just as if a
Sweet Water had
fertilized the Mus-

exception we believe has been found in this. The
description is from the Proceedings of the Ameri-
can Pomological Society for 1885, p. 17:

''Blue Seedling from J. B. Jones, Hern-
don, Ga. An accidental seedling now seven
years old, yielded its first crop fourth year.

cat, while
really it is im-
perfect fertili-
zation that
produces the
result.

The case is
an excellent
illustration of the fallacy
of a very prevalent opin-
ion that there is an im-
mediate influence of pol-
len on fruit by cross- fer-
tilization. Only from the
knowledge that comes from
wide experience, and the noting
the absence of seeds in these
berries, it would be quite rea-
sonable to quote this in favor
of that hypothesis.— Ed. G. M.]

The Bertrand Grape.— We
have received a bunch of this
grape which we thought so deli-
cious, especially in its juicy freedom
from pulp, that we are prompted to

introduce it by name to our readers. , ^ ,

We have been very chary in intro- Bertrand Grape, those sent to me last year, and the
ducine fruits to the community: merely because yield was upwards of two hundred perfect
they are new, deeming it an evil to add to an , bunches. It will be a valuable variety for
already overburdened list, unless something that J the Southern States and doubtless so for red
we regard a real advance should be offered. This wine."

Bunches medi-
um, loose, berries
medium, round,
blue black, pulp
dissolving, ex-
ceedingly juicy,
vinous and of
delicate aroma.
Skin thin, quality
best. Maturity middle of
August. Belongs to the
Cordifolia type of which it
is perhaps the best ofTering
brought to notice. Vine ex-
ceedingly healthy and vigor-
ous. Fruit has never de-
cayed or dried up."

To this we would add that
the berries are, in our esti-
mation, rather below medium, while
the size of the bunch is rather above
medium. Mr. Berckmans kindly
furnishes the following additional
note :

I saw the original vine this sum-
mer, but the foliage has more of the
yEstivalis than of the Cordifolia type, and
I would class it among the former type ;
the bunches were also much larger than

3o6

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[October,

Forestry.

COMMUNICATIONS.

THE USES OF OUR NATIVE TIMBER.
BY W. C. BUTLER.

The Live Oak is in great demand for ship build-
ing, but is becoming very scarce. Our matchless
White Oak is used for wagons, railway cars, furni-
ture and general framework. Rails and shingles
are made of Chestnut Oak, and Iron Oak makes
good fence posts.

The Hickories, Carya alba and C. glabra, are
used in the manufacture of wagons, railway cars
and tool handles. White, Blue and Green Ash are
used in im.mense quantities for wagons, agricul-
tural implements, cabinet work and interior finish-
ing ; it excels all other woods for boat oars.
Black ash is useful for coopering and basket
making. Poplar is largely used for panneling in
wagons and railway cars, and for household uten-
sils. White and Black Walnut are extensively
used for furniture and interior decoration. White
walnut is also made into shoes for use on damp
floors.

Chestnut makes the best and cheapest telegraph
poles, is largely used for railroad ties, sometimes
for interior finishing and in the South for fencing.
Thousands of cords of Cherry are annually manu-
factured into furniture ; it is easily polished, and is
stained in imitation of Ebony, Mahogany, Amar-
anth, Cocobola, etc.; it makes a handsome interior
finish, and is used for tools. The Wild Cherry,
Cerasus serotina, surpasses any of its species for
cabinet work ; it receives a high polish.

Mathematical instruments and tools are made
of Apple and Pear. Sassafras is used where bend-
ing is required. The Elm is used for hubs and
running gear of railway cars. Rock Elm is
largely exported to Europe, where it is used for
ship-building and wagon work. Most elms form
excellent timber. The dark colored portion of
the Sweet Gum so nearly resembles walnut that it
is often used as its substitute. The Sour Gum is
in demand for hubs. White Cedar, Cupressus
thyoides, is used for shingles, fences, telegraph
poles, building purposes, interior finishing and
wooden ware. Lead pencils, pen handles, etc.,
are made of Red Cedar. The Yellow Cedar,

abundant in Alaska, furnishes a timber for ship
building, in which the teredo worm does not work.
Arbor-Vitae, Thuja occidentals, is used for stakes,
poles, etc. California Redwood is used in its na-
tive Slate for building purposes, and in the East
for furniture and interior decoration. The tough-
ness and elasticity of the American Larch gives
it a value for spars for vessels ; it is also used for
fence posts and stakes. Spruce is used for frame
work of buildings.

Of the maples the Red is the most valuable, for
it furnishes the Curled Maple, so highly prized for
furniture, interior decoration and gun stocks ; the
plain part of this timber is also used for furniture
and for turning and wooden-ware. Sugar Maple
is used for interior finishing, furniture, ship build-
ing, shoe-lasts and saddletrees ; this species furn-
ishes the Bird's Eye Maple, so widely used for
furniture and interior finishing. The Soft or Silver
Maple is largely used for cheap furniture, flooring,
turning, wooden-ware, framing for machinery, and
shoe pegs. Baywood is extensively used as a
substitute for mahogany in the manufacture of
furniture and interior decoration.

Betula lenta, called Black, Sweet and Mahogany
Birch, is as handsome a wood as Honduras Ma-
hogany. It is used for interior finishing and
furniture. The Yellow and White Birches make
lasts and tool handles. Beech is used for tools
and framework for machinery. Sycamore is a
fine wood for interior finishing and furniture.
Linden is useful for furniture and carriage work
where bending is required, it being little liable to
crack or check. Ropes and bast matting are
made of the inner bark. Catalpa speciosa is ex-
tensively used for fence-posts, building purposes
and railway carriages. It is more durable than
White Oak for railway ties, and vies with Chestnut
for telegraph poles. Hemlock is used for frame-
work of buildings. The Cucumber tree furnishes
wood for ploughs and wagons, and makes the best
pump logs. In the Southwest wood of the Osage
Orange is preferable to all others for bows. It is
the most durable of all our timber. Wagon run-
ning gears and agricultural implements made of
this wood will remain in excellent condition for a
number of years without paint. Cottonwood is
used for furniture and interior dec orations, but to

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

307

—J- ^— J yrv ix^^tctr: *-_jH;*i#-^rr! *.■ •

no great extent, for, though a handsome wood, its !
interlocked grain renders it unprofitable for finely
finished work. |

The Willows, Salix Candida, S. viminalis, S. pur- \
purea, S. Russelliana and S. rigida, are used for
basket making. Basket Willow is imported in im-
mense quantities, not because our species are in-
ferior, but because there is not enough grown here
for our own consumption. No wood excels the

White Pine, Pinus strobus, is used in immense
quantities for building purposes, and makes excel-
lent ship masts. P. palustris is very extensively
used for building in the South. P. rigida. Pitch
Pine, is extensively used for flooring and ship
building. P. mitis, Yellow or Spruce Pine, and P.
resinosa, Norway Pine, are extensively used for
building purposes. P. palustris, P. mitis and P.
resinosa have a very rich and lively appearance
when used for interior finishing. The con-
clusion of the Eucalyptus controversy, as to
its timber, is, that in this country it is useful
for railroad ties and excellent for wharf
piles and ship building, as it is never at-
tacked by the teredo, but is not profitable
for construction, which requires much work-
ing, it being too hard and the grain too
much interlocked.

The barks of the Black, Scarlet and White

Oaks, Black, Silver and Golden Wattles,

Chestnut and Hemlock are used for tanning.

jgo4 Melon Street, Philadelphia.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Pin Oak.

Black Locust for fence-posts. Honey Locust is also
used for fencing. Hornbeam is useful for tools
and framework of machinery. Iron-wood makes
the best levers and derricks. The bark of the
Leatherwood is used for ropes and baskets. Dog-
wood is extensively exported to Europe, where it
is made into weaver's shuttles. Mulberry is used
for furniture and interior finishing, and is unsur-
passed for boat building, being very elastic.

Slow or Fast Growing Oaks.— It is sur-
prising that the Oak has had the reputation
of being a slow-growing tree. This reputa-
tion probably comes from the Old World,
where the growth of the English Oak is ac-
knowledged to be slow. In our country this
]^ species does better. It often makes three,
^4 and generally two, growths a season. Thrifty
branches generally have an annual length-
ening of 3 feet, and we have seen 5 feet as
a single season's growth. Our native oaks
all grow with fair average rapidity — the
White Oak only, in the Editor's experience,
being rather slow. The average growth of
a 25-year-old tree would be over 20 inches
a year, which is as much as most forest
trees grow. We give with this an engrav--
ing of a Pin Oak, which in Germantown, ir^
soil not by any rtieans rich, reached 20 feet
high in a growth of ten years— the first iew years
of seeding stage not being counted— and 20
inches in circumference.

Forestry. — Magazines of forestry seem unfor-
tunate. Forestry, an excellent magazine pub-
lished in Edinburgh and London, has ceased
pubhcation. There is a wide spread sentiment
that " something should be done to preserve and

308

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[October,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

309

renew our forests," but it is only a sentiment,
those who hold it for the most part prefering that
others shall find out what that "something" is and
also pay for the investigation. It comes down to
our teaching, that we must show that forest plant-
ing will pay a forest planter, before forestry will
become popular enough even for a journal devoted
to it to be able to exist.

The Tulip Tree in Europe. — The Tulip tree,
or Liriodendron, thrives very well in some parts of
the Old World. There are some beautiful speci-

mens on the grounds of the Chateau d'Eau, in
Normandy, the chief residence of the Comte de
Paris, before his expulsion from France, and
which were introduced from America by his
grandfather. King Louis Phillipe. In England
there are specimens 80 feet high and 12 feet in
circumference, notably at Taplow Court.

i Japan Method of Preserving Timber. —
Timber is soaked for several seasons in salt water,
j but the proportions of salt to water have to be
i very exact.

Natural Eistory and Science.

COMMUNICATIONS.

ADDITIONAL FACTS ABOUT THE MISTLE-
TOE.

BY G. ONDERDONK.

Mr. Eisele speaks of " this miserable parasite,"
as if it were to be dreaded here as in the apple
orchards of the old world. It has been on a
hackberry tree on my grounds, for more than
twenty-five years, has not spread to any other
tree that I know of, and has even confined itself
closely to the branches where it first began. I
should, indeed, be sorry to have it removed, as it
is one of the interesting plants in my collection.
I really intend its propagation, for sale as an or-
-namental plant, well becoming many grounds.
How tastes vary !

During the winter, 1864-65, in Lavaca Co.,
Texas, I came across a grove of what we call
Black Jack (a variety of oak), that I think had mis-
tletoe on quite every tree for several acres. I have
been in Southern Texas for thirty-five years, have
traveled considerably over it, and this was the
only considerable patch I have yet seen, although
there are scattering individual samples all over
the region — mostly upon* Black Jack and hack-
berry trees. I have seen it once or twice on Post
oak, but probably never on Live oak.

There was much about this great collection of
mistletoe, that would have interested almost
any observer. The fruit of some was of a dull
white, of others a waxy white, of others a clear
pearl white. The berries of some were as opaque
as wax balls, some were so nearly transparent
that the seeds were quite as plainly visible as if

they were not really enclosed at all, and there was
in the fruit of the thousands of different plants,
almost every degree of transparency. In one or
two instances, the berries were pyriform. There
were also many different sizes in both fruit and
foliage, in this general collection.

Making allowances for the possibly different
stages of maturity, and the differing vigor of the
plants, I could not reconcile the variety of appear-
ance with the idea of only one variety of the
mistletoe. It seemed to me that these differences
in the specimens justified a conclusion that this
parasite varied quite as freely as many fruits and
flowers. Nursery, Texas, July, 1886.

[The facts contributed by our correspondent
show how much there is to be learnt about even
the commonest things. We are quite sure others
in the regions where mistletoe grows, could furnish
much that would still be new in relation to this
curious plant. It seems almost certain from what
has been already brought out by correspondence
in our magazine, that the mistletoe has no special
favoritism for any plant ; and yet there are locali-
ities where it is found on a plant which it seems
to avoid in others. And the explanation of this
seems to be, that it is the circumstances that exist
at the time of the maturity or germination of the
seed, as they may affect distribution or germina-
tion that accounts for these differences. More
facts, as to the host plants of the mistletoe in dif-
ferent localities are needed, however, before these
and other questions are definitely determined. It
would certainly be worth noting whether it has
has ever been known to grow on the Live oak.
No doubt it does in some localities. — Ed. G. M.]

WILD PLANTS IN NEW JERSEY.
BY F. L. BASSETT.

I noticed in a recent number of the Monthly
some notes on the number of different species of
plants that were found in going a mile in New
York in comparison with California, and being
curious to see how New Jersey compared with
them I counted them on several occasions. The
greatest number found was from the little village
of Green Bank in Burlington county, one mile
along a road across the Mullica river into Atlan-
tic county, where I found two hundred and twenty-
seven. On another occasion, in a place with less
variety of soil, I found one hundred and ninety-
eight. I did not count some plants that had es-
caped, and I counted ferns and lycopods of which
there were six. Hammonton, N. J., Oct. yth, 188 S-

foliage like a whortleberry. I think she alludes
to the American Styrax of our Southern swamps.

Late of Summerville, S. C,
[The drawing sent represents the "grass of
Parnassus," the American representative of the ge-
nus Parnassia— P. Caroliniana. It is found in damp
places along the whole of the Atlantic slope of
the continent from Canada to Florida. By its
name it would seem that Linnaeus did not know
I that it had so high a Northern range. The writer
remembers it as abundant along the Niagara near
the falls. -Ed. G. M.]

WILD FLOWERS AND FRUITS OF CON-
NECTICUT.

BY MRS. W.

We have spent our summer holiday of seven
weeks among the Berkshire Hills where I have
been amazed at the immense quantity of fruit in
the vicinity of Great Barrington, Hillside, Winstead
and Sheffield. The cherry trees along the roads
were literally crimson with their weight of fruit,
more crimson than green. Currant bushes so red
that driving past we inquired of our driver "What
those red bushes were ?*' Plum and pear trees
so heavily laden with fruit that their branches
sway to the earth. Apples cover the ground
around the trees when they fall, and yet the trees
are beautiful with their wealth of fruit, golden yel-
low, crimson cheeked and purplish green.

I was deep in the heart of the mountains high
bush cranberries brilliant with their shining ber-
ries ; but I have found but few wild flowers to re-
ward my research. One single scarlet Lobelia
attracted my attention; it grew on a hillock of
pebbles and stones ; many small red flowers on a
pale green stem, the petals lighter in color than

usual.

The drawing of the flower I enclose is sent be-
cause no one among the farm people here knows
it name, though perfectly familiar with it. It
grows in great patches in low places among the
rocks. I have never found it in our Southern

woods.

In Mrs. J. S. R. Thomson's article of September
she mentions a plant, or rather shrub, bearing
small, sweet scented, star-shaped flowers with

ZEPHYRANTHES ATAMASCO— THE SU-

WANEE LILY.

BY H. NEHRLING.

When I traveled in Florida last April, I learned
that the people of the Suwanee region call this
fine Amaryllis the "Suwanee Lily."- It grows
most luxuriantly on the banks of that far-famed
river, and tourists are usually delighted to hear
the pretty flowers called by that name. I am in-
clined to beheve that many northern people only
know this Zephyranthes by the name of " Suwanee
Lily." I have seen two forms on the Suwanee —
a white one and a rose colored one.

Freisfatt, Mo., Aug. JOfh, 1886,

PRETTY WILD FLOWERS OF KANSAS.
BY THOMAS BASSLER.

Those of your r-aders that have been through
Kansas, know that we have a good country and a
varied flora ; but probably not many are aware of
how many of our floral beauties are well worth a
place in cultivated gardens. I will mention a few
found in short botanizing trips in the northern
counties, where some bluffs exist, and on these
may be found such beauties as (Knothera Mis-
souriensis and speciosa. The former has large
yellow flowers, that are from 3 to 4 inches in
diameter ; the latter has pure white flowers, that
are from i}4 to 2j^ inches in diameter, fading to
pink. They are very gay. The seed pods of the
former arc quite large, probably \ io lyi inches
long, and as broad; but in shape like to ovals
put together at right angles. Then the Callirrhoe
pedata is another very brilliant prairie flower;
also Pentstemon cobaea. Delphinium azurea and
others. Catalpa speciosa is in bloom in this
neighborhood, for the second time this year.

Geuda Springs, Kansas, Aug. 23d, 1886.
\ [The Editor has collected plants in most parts of

3IO

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[October,

Kansas, but has never gathered (Enotheraspeciosa
in the northern part of the State. It is probably
its northern limit. It is a very beautiful species,
and rare in cultivation. CE. Missouriensisis rather
common in gardens. The CaUirrhoe, one of the
Poppy mallows, is occasionally grown ; the whole
of them are easily cultivated and as our corres-
pondent says, well deserve it. — Ed. G. M.]

BOTANICAL NAMES AND COMMON NAMES.

BY W. F. BASSETT.

Your correspondent's fierce anathemas against
botanical names call to mind an anecdote which
I think is to the point and well illustrates the ne-
cessity of •' speaking English." A physician was
called to prescribe for a lad of §ome ten or twelve
years and requested him to show his tongue, which
elicited only a vacant stare, and the mother said,
" talk English, doctor," and to the lad, •• hopen
thy goblet and run out thy lalliker."

The fact is, these difficulties of language are all
relative or imaginary, and your correspondent's
article would be as incomprehensible in some
quarters as Latin names are objectionable to him.
I well remember my first impressions upon look-
ing through my text book of chemistry. I thought
it almost impossible that I could ever master the
*• unpronouncable " words and terms, but as I ad-
vanced, taking one thing at a time, no more trou-
ble or difficulty was experienced than with any of
the common branches of study when first taken
up, and I do not believe any young man, with
energy enough to accomphsh anything in life,
ever was or ever will be prevented by botanical
or scientific names from prosecuting any studies
which his tastes and occupation render desirable.

As far as the Beurre d'Anjou pear is concerned,
its lack of high color has had much more to do
with its loss of popularity than its name, and
when fruits are displayed for sale it is not neces-
sary that purchasers should call for them by name.
And more than this, I venture the assertion that
not one in one hundred of those who buy or sell
knows the name of the variety he handles.

It is very true that the botanist who freely uses
botanical names in conversation in general, is lia-
ble not to be comprehended, or thought to be dis-
playing his knowledge, and this is equally true in
every science ; and not only this, but, as the anec-
dote at the commencement of this article illus-
trates, every well educated man who mixes in all
grades of society must drop his dictionary words
and clip his enunciation, as well as adopt the

provincialisms of those he is talking to, or he will
sometimes fail to make his meaning clear or will
be credited with a desire to show his superiority.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Injury to Rice by Birds.— The United States
Department of Agriculture desires information as
to the extent of the injury done to the rice crop by
the Bob-o-link, and the Red-winged Blackbird.

The English Sparrow.— The EngHsh spar-
row, its habits, and general history since it came
to this country, is being investigated by the
Department of Agriculture, and it would gladly
send blanks to be filled to any applicant.

Antarctic Explorations.— Attention is again
turned towards Antarctic explorations, through an
address by Baron Von Muller on the i8th of Janu-
ary last, who points out that by estabhshing an
outpost at Auckland or Macquarie Island, and
the expedition aided by steam and electric bal-
loons, the problems connected with polar explora-
tions could, in all probability, be solved.

There seems a chance that the Australian Gov-
ernment will undertake the task.

Printing Letters on Fruit. — Three letters,
Y. O. R., were found on a pear, gathered from a
Le Conte tree on the grounds of Mrs. Homeister,
at Thomasville, Georgia. The lady is positive no-
body did it. It is certain, however, that with
letters cut in a piece of paper, as on a stencil
plate, and wrapped round a fruit, the sun will do
just that work.

Flowers of Figs.— The Editor of the Gar-
deners' Chronicle has never seen stamens or male
flowers in figs under cultivation in England. In
our own country, there are many observers who
have never found anything but female flowers on
them ; but for all that, the Editor of the Gardeners'
Monthly believes that it is not so rare as is gener-
ally supposed. He has seen male flowers, just
beneath the orifice in the upper portion of the fig,
frequently.

The Charleston Earthquake. — Among the
curiosities of the phenomena, was the sinking of
a piece of land about 8 feet square, on which was
a large peach tree growing, which was about i6
feet high. It went down perfectly perpendicular,
and the top branches were left just even with the
surface.

Scientific men who have been telling us the
cause of the earthquake, have distinguished them-

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

311

selves by showing how good observers may be
shallow generalizers. If the hot ball cooled
equally, there could be no contraction of the
earth's crust. It would remain an arch, no matter
how hollow the inside might be without a crack,
though the inner cavity might become more hol-
low with cooling. There might be a separation
of layers during the cooling, and the sudden sepa-
ration by this contraction might make earth
tremors. The unequal coohng might make the
surface crack ; but this seems not to be taken into
account. As water is a better conductor of heat
than air, the earth surface under the sea would
cool faster than the part exposed to the atmos-
phere, and this might cause a surface crack. The
same law on a larger scale, causes a lamp glass

to crack.

«-■-»

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Four-leaved Clover.— A New Jersey corres-
pondent writes : "What has gotten over the clo-
vers this season ? My daughter found this morn-
ing in about three-quarters of an hour 25 four- leaf
clovers and 10 with five leaves. Is not this very
unusual ? Is it probably caused by an excess of
vitality arising from the damp season ?"

[No one knows why a clover sometimes has
four leaflets. The moist season will scarcely ac-
count for it, for the four-leaved condition is not
more common in the moist climate of England
than in America. The fact is, that Nature is, like

other young ladies, not always willing to furnish a
reason for what she does. "When she will, she
will, and when she won't, she won't," is about as
near to a reason for some things as we can get to
it. -Ed. G. M.]

Blooming of the Sweet Potato.— A corres-
pondent says : " Did you ever see a sweet potato
bloom ? As largely as we plant them in the South
I have never seen but one ; I made a picture of
it. We had a friend who on one acre of ground
made 7,50 bushels of that very palatable vegeta-
ble."

[Never saw it blossom in the open air, but
plants grown in pots and kept in a hot-house will
bloom toward spring. It is one of the evidences
sometimes adduced of the fact that there is a bud
variation as well as variation from seed, that the
numerous varieties of sweet potato have originated
from changes in the roots without plants even
blooming. — Ed. G. M.]

The Odor of a Lilac Bud.—" Mrs. T." says :
'• If you want a most tantalizing suggestion, get
you to a Ulac in the early spring time while the
leaf-buds are still rolled up tightly, tear it open
and you'll get the very distinct odor of peaches
and cream."

Blue Mountain Tea.— A correspondent de-
sires to know whether this tea, made from the
sweet-scented golden rod — Solidago odora — and
which a few years ago was seUing readily in Chicago
for $1 per lb. still maintains its popularity there.

Can any Chicago friend inform us ?

iTERAWRE. Travels and Personal Notes.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Silk Culture.— The Women's Silk Culture As
sociation was organized in Philadelphia in 1880.
Its President, Mrs. Lucas, and the ladies associa-
ted with her, have had a worid of difficulties to
overcome in their efforts to promote this useful
industry, and deserve great credit for their perse-
verance. A much greater measure of success
has been theirs than usually falls to the lot of
those who endeavor to do good, and they should
have the praise their successful perseverance de-
serves.

It is said that there is an endeavor on the part
of some silk manufacturers to crush out the infant

industry, as they fear a tariff" on the product of
China and Japan may be put on, in order to pro-
tect the silk culture of our own country. This
rumor can scarcely be well founded, lor manufac-
turers generally find tariffs benefit them quite as
much as they benefit the workingmen in their
employ. If there is really any feeling against
American silk, it is probably for some other rea-
son than this. That which is cheaper and better
in home goods will surely find buyers over that
which is foreign. It might be worth while for
those who are interested in American silk culture
to find out what is the real reason for the indispo-
sition to buy American silk, if indeed such indis-
j position really exists. The writer of this was con-

312

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[October,

versing not long since with an eminent silk manu-
facturer, who seemed quite proud of the success
of the American silk raisers, and intimated any-
thing else than a disposition not to purchase it.

The Gardeners' Monthly.— As the season
for renewing subscriptions is approaching the pub-
lisher expresses a hope that the friends of the
work will kindly endeavor to send another sub-
scription with their own. The lovers of intellect-
ual gardening are scattered, and none of the
usual methods of advertising for circulation are
practicable unless the annual subscription price
were greatly increased. In all the long years
since the magazine was started it has relied solely
on the good will of its friends and the efforts of
its agents for increased subscribers and for con-
tributions to its pages. Its great success on this
mutual principle may be considered one of the
marvels of the age. There are always a few new-
comers into the charming walks of gardening who
do not know there is a Gardeners' Monthly.
Those who employ gardeners could make no
handsomer Christmas present than a year's sub-
scription to the magazine.

The plan of giving with our December number
a first-class portrait of some eminent living horti-
cultural author as a frontispiece to the volume
has proved popular, and adds to the permanent
value of the magazine. We have arranged to
have for our next the likeness of one of our well-
known horticultural editors, and which we are
sure no lover of American gardening will care to
miss.

Travelers at Hotels.— Horticulturists are
great travelers. It may interest them to know
that an American put up at the Adelphi Hotel at
Liverpool, leaving $2500 in a valise in his room.
It seems strange that an American would leave
money lying around loose Ukethat, but he said he
did. He said he locked the door, and gave the
key to the hotel clerk. He said some one opened
his valise, stole the money and locked it again.
Though there was no evidence but his unsup-
ported word that all these strange events occurred
the court decided that the money was stolen from
the room, and the hotel company had to point to
a printed notice in the room that they would only
be liable for $150. The jury granted the Ameri-
can $150. It is a striking evidence of how well
the word of an American will stand in an Enghsh
court of justice.

George'B. Thomas.— Mr. Thomas, of the well-
known firm of Hoopes Brothers & Thomas, came

near losing his life by being thrown from his car-
riage while crossing a railroad track. He was
found insensible before the arrival of an approach-
ing train. He is one of those intelligent men who
do honor to the nursery trade, and hundreds of
our readers will be glad to know that the prospects
for his final recovery are good.

Edward Pynaert.— A grand fete was given
last month at Ghent, in Belgium, in honor of Prof.
Ed. Pynaert, Editor of Revue cT horticulture Beige,
to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of
his election as Professor in the State School of
Horticulture. It was a grand affair, and we con-
gratulate our colleague on the well merited honor
paid to him.

The Missouri Botanic Gardens.— By one of
the visitors to the Florists' Convention it was a
pleasure to learn that, notwithstanding advancing
years, the generous proprietor, Mr. Henry Shaw,
was still enjoying robust health.

He has recently published by the aid of his in-
telligent gardener, Mr. Gurney, a catalogue of the
economic plants growing there, with the uses in
the arts and sciences to which they are applied.
It fills 53 pages, and is given freely to visitors or
others who may want to be instructed as well as
pleased by the interesting plants collected there.
A large number of extremely rare and yet famous
plants are in the collection, the famous Upas tree
being among them.

Apollos Walcott Harrison. — Following
close on the death of the admirable Secretary of
the New York Horticultural Society, Pennsylvania
meets with a similar loss in the death of Secretary
Harrison. He departed but a few weeks before,
in excellent health and spirits, to pay a brief visit
to his children in Europe, and died of inflamma-
tion on his return trip, in his sixty-sixth year. He
was among the earlier contributors to our maga-
zine, the many excellent papers under the signa-
ture of " Novice," having been from his pen. At
the meeting of the Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society, held immediately on the receipt of the
sad news, Mr. Thomas Meehan, the Corresponding
Secretary, paid the following tribute to his
memory :

IN MEMORIAM.

Though in the past, the Pennsylvania Horticul-
tural Society has been called upon to record the
expression of its losses, it has surely never experi-
enced a greater than by the death of its late Sec-
retary and Treasurer, Apollos Walcott Harrison.
For a quarter of a century he had been its brains
and moving spirit, punctiliously true to his trusts,
making hosts of new friends, and never losing an

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

313

old one. He joined the Society on the i6th of
October, 1880, entered at once into actual service
to aid the Society, and became its Secretary in
March, 1861. In December, 1873, ^^ ^^^ elected
Treasurer also.

He was born at Hartford, Connecticut, and was
a descendant ot the Harrisons famous in English
history, in connection with the struggle of Crom-
well against royalty ; and on his mother's side
with the Walcotts, another old English family
with numerous distinguished representatives in the
New England States. Previous to the Rebellion,
he was one of the leading perfumers of our city,
with a very large business all over the Union, but
especially in the Southern States. Though with
some aid from go(5d schools in his younger days,
he was, in a great measure, self-educated. He had
a knowledge of Latin, Greek, Italian, French and
German languages, chiefly ttirough his own un-
aided efforts. His chosen profession in early
life was a civil engineer, and he assisted in laying
out the earliest railroads in Connecticut. He was
passionately fond of art, and was among the first,
if not the first, to introduce chromo-lithography
into this country, employing his own lithographer
in connection with the perfumery business. This
fondness for his art has been inherited by his
sons, they taking rank at present among the most
eminent. Besides these, he leaves a married
daughter, Mrs. Fulton— also an artist of superior
merit. It was returning from a visit to the sons,
residing in Europe, that death overtook him. He
died on board the British steamer "Queen," on
the 22d of August, and after the failure of efforts
to preserve his body, was buried at sea on the 23d.

Without ostentation, Mr. Harrison was a quiet
but hard worker in numerous benevolent enter-
prises, public and private, and the excellent ser-
vices he rendered during the Sanitary Fair and the
Centennial, are still greatfully remembered by

many.

In view of his many virtues, public and private,
and as a faint expression of the great loss to this
Society, it is, therefore

Resolved, That in the death of its beloved Sec-
retary, the Society mourns one of its most efficient
officers and best friends, and unites with his
family in sincere sympathy with their distress at
the loss of an affectionate father.

Dr. Hance.— This gentleman, who was English
Consul at Amoy, in China, did more perhaps than
any one in recent times to make the world ac-
quainted with Chinese plants, and many flowers
have been named for him. He died in China on
the 22d of June.

John Stevenson.— Only recently did we hear
of the death of this excellent landscape gardener,
to whom so many of the pretty gardens about
Philadelphia are indebted for their landscape
beauty. He will be remembered by many horti-
culturists who visited the Centennial Exposition,
as he had charge of the laying out of the grounds
of many of the departments of the Exhibition. He

was a native of Scotland, but came to Philadel-
phia in 18 5 1, following his profession steadily till
a few days of his rather sudden death.

Transactions OF the Massachusetts Hor-
ticultural Society for 1885. — The Arnold
Arboretum (concluded from page 286).

"The coming year will also witness much pro-
gressive work on the Public Park, in the way of
planting : mostly of Coniferous trees such as Picea,
Abies, Larix and Pinus. These are to be planted
in single specimens and groups. Those of the
best known utility will be planted for perrnanent
effect, while unknown varieties will be so distribu-
ted that, in case they fail or prove unsuitable, they
can be removed without defacing or marring the
permanent planting ; the effect in landscape be-
ing also carefully looked after. It is the intention
to give the preference to American trees in large
groups and single specimens, while native shrubs
will be planted as an undergrowth of the larger
trees. For this purpose over sixty-two thousand
plants were collected last fall, comprising all the
best native shrubs in the New England States.
Many thousands were planted in the spring of
1885, the most noticeable perhaps being at a point
on the right of the entrance to the Arboretum,
planted with White pines to correspond with the
! magnificent Hemlock grove on the opposite side.
I Within the last five years miles of boundary belts
I have been planted, comprising all the native trees
as far as possible ; and a grove of Pinus resinosa
(the Red pine), to the number of fifty or sixty,
which in ten years will make a fine appearance.
This is one of the most beautiful American coni-
fers, and is well deserving of more general culti-
vation both for ornament and timber. A belt of
trees facing the shrub garden is worthy of especial
mention as containing many fine specimens over
twenty feet high, where eight years ago was a bar-
ren side-hill. The trees have certainly made a re-
markable growth, and show how many equally
unpromising locations might be utilized in a most
effective manner.

" There is a small span-roofed greenhouse de-
voted mainly to propagating trees and shrubs in
winter, by grafting, cuttings, and seeds ; from ten
to fifteen thousand are produced annually. In
spring they are placed thickly in boxes, and as
soon as established are allowed to harden off in
the frame ground. In this ground are several
deep pits where the plants are stored for the first
winter ; every available place is used, and a look
into one of the pits a few days ago revealed a sur-
prising quantity of young plants, which will take
their places in the nursery rows another season.

" Among the many promising trees our attention
was particulariy attracted by the following decidu-
ous kinds : Betula alba, several fine forms ; B.
nigra, B. papyracea ; Catalpa bignonioides, C.
Kaempferi, C. speciosa ; Cladrastis Amurensis ;
Fraxinus Americana— A remarkably fine forni of
this species, with beautiful foliage, bright and
shining above and glaucous beneath, was espec-
ially noticeable; F. Mandshurica, F. potamo-
phylla— This and the preceding are from North-

314

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[October,

ern Asia and Japan ; Juglans Mandshurica — This
tree was raised from seed eleven years ago, and
has borne several crops of fruit ; Phellodendron
Amurense — The Amoor Cork Tree ; one of the
two original plants raised from seed being pistil-
late, and the other staminate, seed was perfected ;
it is believed that this is the first that has been
produced in this country. Prunus Sibirica, Quer-
cus Daimio, Q. macrocarpa, Q. palustris, Q. Prinos,
Q. Robur (English oak)— Many beautiful forms.
Syringa Japonica— A very rare species of Lilac
from Japan, flowering in the middle of July ; the
trusses are a foot or more in length and pure
white ; it is a small tree rather than a shrub. Rhus
sp. — A beautiful species from Japan. Magnolia
sp.— A very promising species from Japan, which
seems to be more hardy than any we have here.
The seeds of this and the two preceding were con-
tributed by President Clark of the Massachusetts
Agricultural College Pyrus— There is a fine col-
lection of species from Northern Asia and Japan,
which are very beautiful in flower or fruit, such as
spectabihs, Toringo and baccata, and their varie-
ties.

"Of the Conifers we may mention: Abies
brachyphylla. from Japan ; A. concolor, from
Colorado ; this is one of the finest specimens in
the Arboretum ; A.Fraseri, A.balsamea var. Hud-
sonica; Chamcecyparis (Retinospora) obtusa and
C. pisifera, and their varieties. There is no doubt
that the many varieties of this plant in cultivation
came from these two original species. Juniperus
communis aurea; Picea alba— A variety known
in the nurseries as Maxwell's Golden Spruce ; P.
alba coerulea, P. Engelmannii, P. excelsa and its
many varieties; P. pungens and its varieties,
many of which are very handsome, and being
quite hardy promise to become very desirable for
general ornamental planting; Pinus Bungeana,
P. excelsa, P. flexiUs, P. Jeffreyii, P. Murrayana,
P. parviflora, P. ponderosa, P. resinosa. P. Stro-
bus and its several forms ; Pseudotsuga Douglasii,
the Douglas Fir or Red Fir of Oregon.

" Among the shrubs were many beautiful varie-
ties from all parts of the world, to give a descrip-
tion of which would take more time than our
hurried visit would allow, but we hope to add
many notes of the Arboretum collection in the
near future. In the meantime, those desiring
further information, are referred to the Transac-
tions of the Society, Part I, 1881, pp. 83-87, and
Part I, 1883, pp. 79-88, as containing a fuller ac-
count of many new shrubs introduced at the Ar-
boretum than can be found in print elsewhere.

"The following extract from the Bulletin of the
Bussey Institution will be of interest to all, even if
the facts are known to some : ' In the spring of
1872, the President and Fellows of Harvard College
received a gift of j^ioo.ooo from the trustees under
the will of the late James Arnold, merchant, of New
Bedford, Mass., for the purpose of establishing at
the Bussey Institution, a professorship of tree cul-
ture, and creating and maintaining on the Bussey
estate an Arboretum, which should ultimately con-
tain, as far as practicable, all the trees, shrubs and
herbaceous plants, either indigenous or exotic,
which can be raised in the open air at West Rox-

bury. At least two-thirds of the income of the fund
is to be accumulated until the fund amounts to at
least $150,000, and the Bussey estate (Woodland
Hill), in West Roxbury, passes completely into
the hands of the President and Fellows of Har-
vard College. A particular portion of the estate
has been specified as the site of the Arboretum, in
the indenture which defines the object and terms of
the gift— a portion which contains about one hun-
dred and thirty-seven acres, and is the finest part
I of the whole estate, as regards the variety of its
: soils, the beauty and variety of the trees already
i growing upon it, and the lay of the land. An Ar-
: boretum is intended to educate the public, as well
' as the special students who resort to it. When
I Woodland Hill comes into the possession of the
I President and Fellows, the Arnold Arboretum will
doubtless be laid out as an open park, with suit-
i able walks and roadways. It can hardly fail to
! become a beautiful, wholesome and instructive
resort, which will be more and more precious as
the population grows denser about it.*

" From still another point of view, the Professor-
ship of Arboriculture and the Arboretum are sub-
stantial additions to the University. The cultiva-
tion and preservation of forests will become, in no
long time, a matter of national concern. The
natural forests of the country are already rapidly
disappearing, and wood and timber, at no distant
day, will be scarce and dear commodities, as they
have long been in many countries in Europe.

'• In April, 1874, Mrs. Motley conveyed all her
life interest in the Bussey estate to the President
and Fellows of Harvard College, so that the whole
estate is now at their disposal. In 1872, the hrst
seed was planted for the Arboretum ; but at that
time, and up to the spring of 1879, much of the
work, such as the raising of plants, seeds and
cuttings done at the Bussey Institution, was for
the Botanic Garden at Cambridge, as well as for
the exchanges of the Arboretum. Since 1879, the
whole time has been devoted to raising plants for
the Arboretum ; and the number of new and rare
plants propagated has rapidly increased.

" In 1875, there were one hundred and twenty-
eight species raised. In 1877, Mr. Sargent wrote
that, judging from the immense number of letters
which were annually sent him, there was a
steadily-increasing interest felt in the Arboretum.
It was then but five years since its estabUshment ;
but its usefulness and influence were already evi-
dent, and to its influence could be traced the
planting during that year, of nearly half a million
trees in the New England States.

*' In December, 1882, an arrangement was made
with the Park Commissioners of the City of Boston,
which, without interfering with the scientific aims
of the Arboretum, will increase its local influence
by freely opening its collections to the public, and
by securing for it additional and greatly- needed
land, suitable and dignified approaches, and car-
age drives.

•• The objects of the Arboretum may be definitely
stated in a few brief words, that all can understand.
First, a school of Arboriculture for the study of
trees and shrubs and their uses for timber for or-
nament, and otherwise. Second, a museum of

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

315

living specimens of all ligneous plants that will
stand the climate at West Roxbury, planted and
arranged in botanical order. Third, a museum
for reference, containing a dried collection of all
ligneous plants, properly labelled with the time of
flowering, native location, and, if foreign, the
country where they are indigenous; also a full
collection of specimens of wood, bark, fruit, seeds,
etc. Fourth, a library containing all the best
works on Dendrology, for the use of students or
others interested in the science of tree culture.

'* In closing this somewhat lengthy, yet inade-
quate account of our visit to the Arboretum, we
must not omit to say that its success is due to the
untiring and indefatigable labors of the Director,
Professor Charles S. Sargent, whose large corre-
spondence, and thorough knowledge of all that
pertains to the duties of his office, have already
given to the horticultural world one of the grandest
educational institutions this generation has been
blessed with. We sincerely hope he may be as
successful in the future as he has been in the
past, in the introduction of so many of the most
beautiful trees and shrubs to adorn our parks and
gardens. We desire also to acknowledge the
courtesy and kind attention of Mr. Jackson Daw-
son, the gardener at the Arboretum, who so gen-
erously gave us his time and valuable informa-
tion which has enabled us to m^ke this report.

"The Committee award to Mr. Dawson a
gratuity of $20 for skilful propagation, and culture
of hardy trees and shrubs."

The Michigan Horticulturist.— This new
monthly magazine with its twelfth number changes
its name to American Horticulturist. Edited by
such an intelligent and devoted pomologist as Mr.
Charles W. Garfield much was expected of this
venture, but it has proved well worthy of Mr.Gar-
field's reputation, and horticultural literature is to
be congratulated in having so able a laborer in
the field.

First Annual Report of the Ohio Forest-
ry Bureau.— From Adolph Leue, Secretary, Co-
lumbus, Ohio.

One cannot but admire the disinterested
zeal with which so many good people follow
the " forestry question," though candor compels
one to say little seeming good follows so much
hard labor. Here for instance is a good illustra-

tion. Dr. Warder, the father of the American
forestry movement, was anxious his own State
should do something. Not till last year could the
Legislature be induced to do anything when the
" Forestry Bureau " became a fact. Three excel-
lent gentlemen, without pay except railroad ex-
penses, are working like beavers, and a Secretary
with but three hundred dollars gets up this report
of 314 pages. The State printer is the chief gainer,
and indeed to our mind the only gainer, for what
do we learn after all ? The Secretary himself
sums up the work: ist. Ohio, once a forest, has
only about 17 per cent, of woodland left — but
this surely everybody knew. 2d. That nothing is
being done towards preventing the cutting down
of what remains— this we also knew. 3d. That
the time has come when people should preserve
and plant. This also is no news.

The Secretary says that •' the difficulty is to con-
vince a legislative body of the necessity of due
I attention to forestry." That is exactly it. They
have charge of the people's money, and should
not spend it without knowing what it is to be
spent for. The Pennsylvania Legislature has aU
I ways held itself ready to aid forestry whenever
anything practicable has been presented to it, and
the only •• due necessity " ever presented to it was
that parties be exempted from repairing their high-
ways on condition that they planted trees along
the highways, to the extent of 25 cents per tree
planted, which recommendation the Legislature
promptly passed.

There is no recommendation that we see in
this long report that any Legislature could take
hold of. When the people can see that there is
money in tree planting, and that they will be
perfectly secure against forest fires, we shall need
no further legislation.

Drugs and Medicines of North America.—
By J. N. and C. G. Lloyd, Cincinnati. The June
number of this excellent serial is devoted to the
Magnoliaceae; and the tuHp tree, as one of the
order, is exhaustively treated, as well as its neigh-
bors, the true magnolias.

Horticultural Societies.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.—
The Florists' Convention was held in the Hall
of the Horticultural Society, on Broad Street, the

use of which was freely tendered by the latter

body.

At the last meeting a letter was read from Mr.
Krelage, of Haarlem, thanking the Society for the
honor of honorary membership.

3i6

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[October,

THE EXHIBITION.

The sudden death of Secretary Harrison but a
few weeks before the exhibition threatened to
throw everything into confusion ; but the horticul-
turists of Philadelphia seemed so impressed by his
loss as to make unusual efforts to carry out the
work the late Secretary Ipved so well, and the re-
sult was one of the best exhibitions held for a long
time. It was an excellent tribute to his memory,
and one which he himself would have loved had
he a choice of tributes under the sad circumstances.
So full was the exhibit, that it would take the
half of our magazine to do full justice. We can
only make such no'es as we think will interest
our readers everywhere, those of more local inter-
est having already been given in the local papers.

Cut-flower Work. — These seem to be the great
attractions with the multitude. We hardly know
how it is possible for the judges to give satisfaction.
The premiums are for the *' best design," and just
what this means is indefinite. Hugh Graham
& Co. had an exact copy of the '* old stone mill
at Newport," for which a special premium was
awarded. The walls were made of Hydrangea
paniculata, which gave an excellent representation
of stone, while lines of Asparagus tenuissi-
mus gave just the representation of moss in the
mortar crevices. At a little distance the repre-
sentation was perfect, and it certainly made the i
large hall in which it was, a central figure. If:
the premium had been for the " best design for
the ornamentation of a large hall," it deserved a |
first premium. La Roche & Stahl had first \
premium for a design which we should judge !
adapted to dinner table decoration. It was simply i
curving wires from about a 3-feet base, terminating
in a shallow vase of about a foot over, for flowers.
At a distance it had the outline of an inverted
goblet. All the flowers used to decorate the
wires and fill the vase were dark, except a few I
Niphetos roses. The second premium went to
Eisele Brothers. This was an old-fashioned eight. \
day clock, and would be very appropriate at a
golden wedding. In funeral designs, Craig &
Bro. had a "cross and crown;" these seemed to
be made up wholly of white carnations, white
tuberoses, and yellow and white roses ; but the
whole was rendered very effective by a back-
ground or wall of English ivy leaves. A small
design, but which called forth much admiration
from visitors, was from Anne K. Bissett ; it was
the " Rock of Ages." There was a large pyra-
midal rock of greenish material, with a cross of pure
white flowers ; but twined around and hanging over

the cross, was a wreath formed of bright colors,

such as are rarely seen in funeral designs. There

was the cold and cheerless cross, with the brighter

hopes of the Christian exemplified in the warmer

\ colors clinging to it. The hidden meaning of fune-

I ral emblems is so often obscure, that Miss Bissett

I received great praise for this clever expression of

I a happy thought.

I Cut Garden Flowers. — A great improvement
on the old style of Petunias, are the new double-
fringed edge kinds. Mr. H. A. Dreer had a first
premium for a fine lot of these. He had also a
special premium for Verbenas, which it is praise
j to say were as fine as they used to be in the
halcyon days of this famous flower. He had also
j geraniums, roses, cannas ; and Craig Bros, had
j roses and verbenas. Kreinberg had a collection
of pansies so large for September flowers, that
there were many " wonder how he does it ?" ex-
I pressed. The flowers were exhibited in glasses,
t and a frond of the Christmas fern behind each
bunch of flowers, showed the exhibitor to have
that true taste which the genuine florist should
possess.

Aquatics. — There were hosts of admirers around

the water tanks of E. D. Sturtevant, of Bordentown,

New Jersey. His flowers drew hundreds to see

the exhibition. He has succeeded in naturalizing

the famous Egyptian Lotus, and he had scores of

their beautiful red blossoms, with numerous para-

j sol-like leaves on stalks 5 or 6 feet long, giving

j one an excellent idea of the appearance of ancient

I Nile. Our own native yellow species bore it

company ; and there was a variety from Japan,

I with white flowers, but with a border of crimson

at the edge of the petals. The celebrated Victoria

regia occupied another tank, with a leaf between

5 and 6 feet across. A number of the blossoms

were also there ; but on this occasion, Egypt with

I her Lotus, bore away the palm of popular applause

I from the queen of the Amazon. Two Sagittarias

I —one single, with a dark spot at base, S. Mont-

vidiensis, and one a double form of the common

j wild one, attracted the attention of the curious.

I Pot P/ants.~These were fully up to the cul-

i tural attainments of last year, and the species of

' plants exhibited had little that was novel. Mr.

j Dreer's gloxinias were very attractive. He had

1 several hundred in 3 and 4-inch pots, and no two

I were quite alike. The spotted forms were much

I admired. For summer culture under glass, there

are few things more desirable. A huge Maranta

I zebrina by John Hughes, gardener to Mr. Geo. W.

I Childs, must have been about 8 feet high by as

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

317

much wide, including the tub it was grown in.
He also had a specimen of that graceful palm,
Areca Verschaffeltii, that was about 6 feet high.

Mr. Warne, gardener to Clarence H. Clark,
Esq., one of our best plant growers, among many
specimens that showed excellent handling, had a
Caladium Chantini, growing in a 14-inch pan,
that had about seventy-five leaves on it. Mr.
Warne had also in bloom a plant of Anthurium
crystaUinum which had eight leaves, each about
I foot by 18 inches. Dark green, with greenish-
white veins. The plant is attractive, but the flow-

uncommon aroid, Anthurium Sanderi. The leaves
were glossy green, and the veins white, with a
sagittate form like some others, but the edges of
the leaves were deeply crenate. Among the curi-
ous plants in Mr. Dreer's collection, Aralia
Kerchoveana, was striking from the deeply
toothed lobes of the palmate leaves, resembling
the leaves of a sweet chestnut. The variegated
fig, Ficus Parnelli, and the Majestic Melastome
Cyanophyllum magnificum, were in many collec-
tions, but were particularly attractive in- the col-
lection of Eisele Brothers. Craig Brothers, be-

ers are no great shakes. An Australian tree fern, sides the small pot ferns which were very grateful

Dicksonia Australis, with a trunk about 3 feet^high
and fronds about 3 feet long, was as handsome to
our mind as the lo-feet-tall plants we read about.
Tree ferns are always attractive curiosities^, and
a Blechnum Brasiliensis in the collection of Mr.
Nesbit, gardener to Mrs. D. Jayne, came in for
a good share of popular notice. Its stem was
about 2 feet high. A queer but rather ornamen-
tal foliage plant with square stems and mottled
pinky leaves in this collection, called Campylobo-
trys Ghiesbrechtiana, was attractive. Ferns are
always out in full force now-a-days. Mr. Chas.

in their numerous varieties to those who for want
of room could do no more than admire the huge
specimens of the roomy growers, had also a col-
lection of China Asters, showing how much they
have been improved of late. Among them was
a rich carmine tint which is rare yet. The speckled
and quilled forms were in great variety.

Fruits.— These were scarcer than in former
years. Messrs. Alburger Bros, had some re-
markably fine pears without the least speck of
fungus on the skin, very unusual for»Philadelphia
growth ; and Ellwood Johnson, of Germantown,

Ball had a nice collection, not so large and well ; had Seckel pears that were of enormous size— 12
grown as some in the first premium collection, but i inches round. Fergusson Brothers had numerous

they were of uniform size — in pans about 16x8
inches deep and the plants about 2x2 feet. Mr.
W. Joyce, who together with Mr. A. Warne, are

varieties of hot-house grapes.

Cacti. — One of the greatest '• cards " in the at-
tractions of the exhibition was an immense collec-

famous for their superior growth of Caladiums, | ^\q^ q{ Cacti from Mr. Blanc. He is receiving
had some striking specimens of some things we I j^g thanks of numerous lovers of these curious
have noticed before. There was an Anthurium [ plants, and, we may say, beautiful flowers, for the
leuconeurum, an aroid about 3 feet by 3 and | ^^q^q attention he is giving to introducing and
green instead of yellow nerves. There was a | propagating them.

pretty specimen of the nearly hardy Chusan palm, j Florists' Supplies.— Kxh & Sons maintain their
Chaemarops Fortuni, bushy and about 3x3 feet, j reputation for introducing many tasteful articles
The rather new Stag's Horn fern, Platycerium j ^f p^^^lor and conservatory utility in connection
Hillii, dark green instead of gray as in the com- ^j^^ cut flowers, and the growth of Uving plants ;
mon form, and among palms the singular Caryota I ^^^ Craig Bros, had much in the same Hne.
ureus, having its fronds cut up into small seg- 1

ments like green wings of butterflies. In this coU I Notes at the Florists' Convention.- Vic^
lection also was a specimen of the curious and toria regia.-The variety exhibited by Mr. Sturte-
celebrated Thief palm, Phoenicophorium Seychel- vant was wholly new. When the flower opens
larum. The stems and stalks of the fronds are for the second time it is much more dark and
covered with reddish black spines, while the broad brilliant than the older one.

recurved frond is not much unlike a green plaited Red Water Lily, -The red variety of the sweet
Japan parasol. Several growers had this rare water lily, as exhibited by Mr. Sturtevant, had
palm. The Fergussons* collections were rich in | much smaller flowers than those of the normal
Dracsnas and Crotons. To us one of the best Nymphica odorata. Some acute botanist might
novelties was Dracaena Lindeni. There was more look after distinct specific characters,
of yellowish-green than usual in this family, which ' Hot Water and Steam.— Thexe was an animated
have been in the popular kinds running mostly discussion as to the relative advantages of steam
into rose and brown tints. They also had a rather i and hot water. No final conclusion was reached.

3i8

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[October^

The Old fashioned Flues. — There were florists
at Philadelphia who still contend that more money
can be made in a given time from houses with
well constructed flues than with the best modern
contrivances with hot water or steam.

Old Patriarchs Present.— \\. did the convention
good to have with them S. S. Jackson, of Cincin-
nati, and Isaac Buchanan, of New York, both we
believe having passed three score and ten, but
both with the enthusiasm for the profession that
distinguished them in the olden time.

Cocoanuts in Florida.— Q.T.Y\^\A, of Monmouth
county, New Jersey, speaks in glowing terms of
the prospects for success of cocoanut culture along
the coast of Florida. All reports favor Mr. Field's
enthusiasm. There can be no doubt, we think,
that cocoanut culture is to be one of the profitable
investments in this remarkable State. They bear
in ten years, and yield from loo to 200 nuts an-
nually.

Fumigating Greenhouses. — Among the imple-
ments of gardening exhibited, the Excelsior fumi-
gator of Hermann Perhch for fumigating green-
houses attracted some attention. So far as we
can see it still continues ahead of any similar con-
trivance, and it renders easy what has hitherto
been one of the most disagreeable duties of the I
gardener. 1

Floral Designs.— It was noted at the Florists*
Convention that some of the very best effects pro-
duced were those in which no other flowers than
yellow roses, Maiden Hair ferns, and Lily of the
Valley were produced. Those versed in the art of
beauty pronounce this combination perfect.

The Victoria r^^iiz.— Sturtevant's flowers of the
noble Victoria still reminded the observer of 'Mr.
Caleb Cope's prediction, when floweringtthe plant
first in this country thirty-five years ago, that there
could not be any handsomer present to a bride
than one of these gorgeous blossoms.

Officers of the American Florists for 1886-7.

President, Robert Craig; Vice President, J. C.
Vaughan ; Secretary, Edwin Lonsdale ; Treasurer,
Myron A. Hunt. Place of next meeting, Chicago.

Origin of Hybrid Perpetual Roses.— Ur. John
Henderson told how the old June rose, or Hybrid
China, was crossed with the Bourbon, and this
gave them their semi-perpetual blooming charac-
ter.

Passing Away. Thomas Meehan, detected by
President Thorpe in the audience, was invited to
the platform. He referred to the sea of young
faces before him, which indicated that though
varieties might wear out, and individual florists

wear out and pass away, the love of flowers
abideth forever. It was a love that never died.

James Hendricks. — Among the ready-witted
intelligent speakers who gave life to the Conven-
vention, was James Hendricks, of Albany, New
York. As he evidently had grown gray in the
service, there were many inquiries as to where he
had been keeping himself these many years.

Flower and Tree /V^/arj.— President Thorpe
thought that the few common and yet high-priced
things introduced by the itinerant pedlars, do
good in the long run. They take floral light in-
to dark corners; and though it be but a rush
light, it awakens a desire for brighter things.

An Old Florist— Vt^iQT Henderson was em-
ployed by the late Robert Buist in 1844. He says
there are eight hundred florists now in America.

Women Florists.— There were many women
among the successful florists who invaded Phila-
delphia. Our correspondent, Mrs. Thomson, of
South Carolina, was among them.

New Rose, Geo. IV. 0//^j.— After Mr. Meehan's
address of welcome, and Mr. Hendricks' warm re-
sponse the audience became very enthusiastic in
praise of their generous host, Mr. Childs, and amidst
shouts of "he shall be our next President," Col.
Fitzgerald, Editor of the Philadelphia Item, made
an eloquent address, in which he suggested that
they need not wait lor that, but if anyone raised a
very beautiful rose or other flower next year, it
might be called the " G. W. Childs."

Florists at the Seaside.— AW the wisdom in the
world does not come out while sitting in a con-
vention. The day spent in going and coming to the
seashore, was regarded as one of the most profit-
able of the whole. There was a special train
containing over 600. Those who wanted to learn
passed around among the party, gathering in-
formation from scores of modest persons who
could never be induced to speak right out in
meeting,

IV. R. Smith. ~li was a great pleasure to num-
bers of his old friends, to have the Superintendent
of the United States Botanic Garden once more
among them, after having read his obituary in the
Washington papers last spring. He seems to
have entered from his narrow escape on a new
lease of life and vigor.

Bzldergias.—T>es\gns formed of living plants
are now in much demand for parlor and table
decoration. Mr. Charles Fox exhibited in bloom,
a plant of Bilbergia rosea. It is allied to the
pine-apple family, and works in beautifully with .
artificial work.

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

319

Garden Sash. — Joseph Plenty exhibited the
method he is introducing, and which we explained
in our last magazine, for glazing without putty.
The West Philadelphia Iron Greenhouse Com-
pany exhibited some of their work ; and a model
of one of Mr. May's greenhouses attracted much
attention.

HaiL — The florists discussed in one morning
various methods of insurance against hail, and it
was thought something feasible would grow out
of the discussion.

Old-time Florists. — Mr. Peter Henderson gave
some highly interesting reminiscences of the flor-
ists of the past. He modestly said little of his
own work. Few men have done more in our
country to make flower culture so general as he.

Tuberous Begonias. — Mr. Dreer exhibited a
fine collection of these very good bedding plahts.
They are still confined to red and carmine colors.

The City of Homes. — Mayor Smith, in welcom-
ing the florists, referred to the fact that there were
more people owning homes of their own in Phila-
delphia than in any other city of the world ; they
had therefore more interest in ornamenting their
grounds than in cities where most of the people
were simply tenants. In this way he accounted
for the general diffusion of pretty gardens which
so much attracted the attention of visitors.

Sales of Bedding Plants. — Artisans are great
buyers of these. President Thorp said that sales
were much interfered with through the labor trou-
bles of last spring.

Displays of Roses. — Dingee & Conard Co.
made an exhibit of an immense number of varie-
ties, and the manager of the company, Antoine
Mintzer, gave a list of those which in the firm's
experience they had found the best kinds to grow.

Hydrangeas. — These are almost indispensable
to the florist for work that is to keep some time
without fading readily, and they make excellent
pot and tub flowers. Mr. Warne, gardener to
Clarence H. Clark, had some fine blue ones on
exhibition. It is remarkable that no one has been
able to get the secret of obtaining blue Hydran-
geas, though Mr. Warne thinks iron does it. Na-
ture in this is like the old saying about some
ladies — when she will she will, and when she
won't she won't, and there's an end on't.

Rose Culture. — Mr. Craig's essay was regarded
as one of the most valuable in the convention,
yet it provoked a discussion, in which it was evi-
dent no general conclusion could be reached on
the cause and cure of fungus attacks.

Old and new Roses. — Among these the strong-

est recommended were very old kinds, which led
Mr. Meehan to remark that wearing out of varie-
ties did not seem to apply to the rose.

Lilacs in August. — It was a great treat to see
White Lilacs in bloom in August, but it was still
surprising to note that they were from small
stocky plants in 5 and 6-inch pots. Just how this
was all done Ernest Asmus, of Mine Hill, Long
Island, has the secret. Some florists wondered
how it would pay to take all this trouble to retard
plants till August, when there were plenty of
sweet white flowers blooming naturally at this sea-
son.

Hot Water and Steain. After a long discussion
between the champions of each method it was
considered a drawn battle.

French China Asters. — Denys Zirngiebel ex-
hibited some very» dwarf asters that were also very
prolific, and the florists seemed to regard them-
with great favor for summer blooming.

Agave Victoria regina — In Mr. Blanc's collec-
tion was a plant of this remarkably beautiful
agave. It is of a very compact growth, and the
broad white edges to the leaves give it a very
peculiar appearance.

Cattleyas for cut flowers. — Orchids are very
much in demand for the more expensive styles of
cut flower work. Seibrecht & Wadley, of New
Rochelle, had a collection showing how deservedly
this class may be prized.

Heat in Philadelphia.- — It so happens that when
some conventions have been held in Philadelphia,
there has been a "hot wave" over the whole
country ; but the conventionists declare the place
they meet in, to be the " hottest place in the
Union." When the Florists met in Philadelphia,
recently, they pronounced it the coolest place in
the Union. Let the Texans take heart. They
may yet get the convention there.

The Reception at Mr. Childs\ — One thousand
one hundred of the florists and their friends, were
entertained by Mr. Childs, at his beautiful grounds
at Wootton. When the party had assembled in
the woods near the house, Mr. Childs was loudly
called for. He asked Mr. Meehan to respond for
him, which he did, and Mr. Hendricks, of Albany,
responded ably on behalf of the florists. Many
have expressed a desire to have these two speeches
preserved, as well as the printed addresses. We
asked Mr. Meehan and Mr. Hendricks, if they
would write them out for our readers as far as they
could be remembered. Mr. Meehan has en-
deavored to do so, but Mr. Hendricks rephes that
he does not like to trust his memory. We en-

320

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[October,

deavored to get, at Mr. Hendricks* suggestion,
the stenographer's report ; but he properly replies
that that report was paid for by the Florists* Society,
and it would be injustice to other magazines, to
give his work to any florists* paper, in advance of
its appearance in the published transactions of
the Association.
Mr. Meehan said :

Ladies and gentlemen of the Society of American

Florists, and of the Florists' Club of Philadel-

phi a :

I have had the honor placed on me by my
friend, Mr. Childs, to express to you in his name,
the pleasure he experiences in having the company
of so large a number of the florists of the United
States, and their friends, present with him to-day,
and to welcome them, one and all to — if I were not
speaking for him, 1 should certainly say— these
beautiful grounds.

It was, ladies and gentlemen, a happy thought
that led you to select Philadelphia for this, the
earliest of your meetings after the birth of your
society, for this convention ; for everything horti-
cultural born in Philadelphia, has had a good
measure of renown. The most famous botanic
garden to-day of America, the first founded by
an American, Bartram, was established in Phila-
delphia; the earhest and still existing Horticul-
tural Society is in Philadelphia ; and, if I may be
pardoned, that I for once in my life refer to my
own work, the oldest existing horticultural maga-
zine in our country is in Philadelphia. Surely,
your meeting here will be an augury of long hfe
and usefulness. You will never regret that you
held your meeting here ; and it is the earnest hope
of the proprietor of these grounds, that your stay
shall be so pleasant that you may never forget
that you did come.

The citizens of this city of Brotherly Love never
forget the duty they owe to the earnest florists, who
have gone on before. I do not hesitate to say,
that one-half the pleasure Philadelphians enjoy, is,
in some way or other, connected with Park, gar-
dens or flowers. They owe immensely to your art.
Do not then be surprised that they welcome you
so warmly to their hearths and their homes. I will,
at least, say for the proprietor of Wootton, what I
know to be the fact— that a large portion of his
life-enjoyment comes from his love for flowers and
for gardening, which it is your peculiar mission to
encourage and to aid ; and that the welcome he
tenders you to-day, is, in a measure, the response
of his warm heart in gratefulness to the pleasure
floriculture has accorded him.

Somehow, it is strange that a love of gardening
unites men and women in the bonds of brotherly
love, to an extent that no other pursuit seems to
do. The standing sarcasm, that two of a trade
never agree, is not true of the florist. Yet I am
reminded, that if Grecian legend tells true, it was
not always so ; for a very sad event happened
at the time the cut-flower business was first inau-
gurated. It was, of course, many thousands of years
ago, and the business was founded by a woman.
Glyzera was her name. 'Twas she who first

wrought flowers into garlands, with which the
ancients crowned the heads of the victors in the
Parthian games.

It may have been gallantry that prevented the
young men of the early limes from competing,
but she in the innocence of her young heart un-
derstood that no one could possibly equal the
make up of her work. Certain it is that she en-
joyed a monopoly of the cut-flower trade. But
there came along a youth from Byzantium. I be-
lieve his father must have been the parent of the
modern Yankee, for this son did not need to learn
a trade. To see that something had been done
was enough for him to do it again. He made gar-
lands. The poets patronized him. Glyzera grew
jealous. Now just here I want to say I am con-
vinced the story must be a myth. There are hun-
dreds of young ladies in the cut-flower trade just
as handsome and popular as Glyzera ever was,
but who ever heard of one getting jealous ? But
jealous we are told she was, and that she gave out
thait this fellow. Lychnis — that was his name — was
just no man at all. Now Glyzera had a lover —
this part of the story may be true, for all cut-flower
ladies have hosts of them — his name was Satyrion.
What Glyzera said to him about poor Lychnis the
world never knew, but Lychnis was found dead —
dead by Satyrion's hand, and for yards around
the thirsty earth had drank in the young garland-
maker's blood. The poets cried to the Gods for
vengeance, "and Apollo made from this blood to
spring the Carnation or Florists* Pink. How good
comes from evil ! From this sad tragedy arose a
flower which in sweetness and light airy elegance
almost rivalled the rose ! And what a punishment
for the unfortunate Glyzera ! To know and to
feel that every carnation flower that she used was
part of the life-blood of one she had in life des-
pised. With such a terrible lesson as this at the
first beginning on earth of their business, no won-
der brotherly love prevails to the pleasant extent
it does. The outside world will not ask why it is
that the proprietor of these beautiful grounds
ofTers you the cordial welcome he desires to do to-
day. They will simply note that flower lovers
everywhere love one another.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me again say on be-
half of Mr. Childs, that he feels sure that the
hearty welcome everywhere extended to you by
so many of his fellow-citizens in the city of Broth-
erly Love will be long remembered by you, and
he ventures to hope that when in the distant future
you look back in review of the week's experience,
your visit to him at Wootton may have a pleasant
place in the happy scene.

The Chrysanthemum Show of the Pennsyl-
vania Society. — This will be held on the 9th,
loth, nth and 12th of November, and promises
to be one of the great^t exhibitions ever seen in
Philadelphia ; great efforts are being made by the
best growers to have something nice.

New York Chrysanthemum Show. — This will
be held on the 2d of November and following
days, at Cosmopolitain Hall, 41st and Broadway.
Mr. John Thorpe is Secretary for the time being,
in place of James Y. Murkland, deceased.

THE

Gardeners' Monthly

and

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Editod by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Volume XXVHI.

NOVEMBER, 1886.

Number 335.

Floy/er Garden and Pleasure Ground.

SEASONABLE HINTS. in gardens the tidy person keeps leaves and litter

nicely cleaned up, and this'material is what the

At this season of the year letters are apt to | wild trees love,
reach the Editor complaining that large trees on I There is generally*nothing whatever for the
lawns or in parks are giving out, and what can be ' nice lawn tree to feed on but the minerals it can

get from the soil. In Fairmount
Park, the parks at Baltimore,
and in those of Chicago, the
Editor has had his attention
drawn to the dying tops of com-
paratively young trees, and in
every case it was easy to see
that starvation was the cause.
It is difficult to get even good
gardeners to believe this. They
see that the lower branches keep
green, and if the dead tops are
cut away, noting the compara-
tively strong sprouts that result,
they feel that there must be
some other cause at work than
lack of food. But this does not
prove it. There is much more
waste of moisture from dead
done to restore them ? The longevity of a tree is | and dying branches than from the healthy living
largely a question of food. A tree which with ! ones, and cutting away these simply stops the
plenty to eat and drink may keep in good health | drain on the weak roots for a little while. If the
for two or three hundred years, is old and de- roots had been strong with good living, there

would have been no dead tops. So in a very dry

View from N. P. Baily's Residence. (See page 323.)

crepit at less than one or two hundred when it
grows where food is scarce. Now on lawns and

time or very cold time, the weakest branches

322

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[November,

suffer first ; and the weakest from poverty in food
or ^drink are always at the upper portion of the
trees or extreme ends of the branches.

Wherever it is practicable to do so, our trees as
well as our garden crops, should have a top dress-
ing^of compost manure, or fertilizers. If this can-
not be'done, some relief may come from
thinning out the trees, so
have less mouths in the
shape of roots
striving for ^
a share of

the leaves were firm enough to gather food from
the atmosphere, the roots get strength to put out
again.

At any rate our readers know that it is no use
to cut down noxious vines at this season. Wait
till they are sprouting in spring. They may pos-
sibly make a feeble attempt at
sprouting a second time, but
a second "disbudding "
in this way will be
certain death.
It is won-
derful how
much
bor
and

i<i^

-j^y^

,4y

Park Commissioners, to destroy the vines that
poisoned so many visitors. But it was found that
the more they chopped at them the more they
grew, — and for the hundreds of dollars spent,
thousands of new vines sprung up. The excel-
lent gentlemen forming the commission did not
know that the plants should be cut just at the time
the young leaves were forming. If not cut before

Residence of N. P. Baily, Fordham-on-Hudson, N. Y.

money is lost in gardening for want of a lit-
tle thought. Not long since we found several
men at work in a garden with hammers, drill
and fuse, to blow to pieces and remove a
large boulder in the way of a lawn. Two
men for half a day would have dug a hole
near deep enough to bury the rock two feet be-
low the surface. The same with stumps ; it is
often much easier to bury them than to haul them
long distances away. But the skilful gardener
would have added more rocks to the boulder and
made a rock garden, or gather the stumps into
some special piece of attractive work. When the
suggestion was made to the gardener in the case
of the rock blowing, the reply came that it was
not the spot for a rock garden. But the removal
of a walk to another place, or the planting of a
few belts of shrubs, would have made the spot ap-
propriate, indeed just the very thing for one of the
grandest effects in correct landscape gardening.

Another matter
of interest on
which our advice
is often sought, is
the destruction of
poison vines in
public places.
The city of Phila-
delphia made an
appropriation a
few years ago, at
the request of its

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

323

True garden taste indeed is more exemplified
in the saving of money and labor, by adapting our
circumstances to true art, than in expending thou-
sands of dollars in making one's grounds the exact
copy of some prettyplace that is popular elsewhere.

In all garden art it should be the endeavor to
make a gradual transition between that which is
evidently artificial and that which we would have
look wholly natural. Our gardener friend above
referred to was quite right in his view that a
piece of rock work, which is only pretty when very
natural, is wholly out of place on a neatly mown
artificial looking lawn. Yet we see this incon-
gruity in gardens with considerable pretensions to
taste. As an illustration of good taste we give here-
with a view of the country house and surround-
ings of N. P. Baily, Fordham-on-Hudson, N. Y.
The artificial looking Echeverias, Sedums and
Stone-crops in the last picture, and the regularly
placed Norway spruces in the first, are just the
things to make the transition scenes between
nature and art, and the employment of large shells,
vases, rustic work, or anything of this character,
helps largely to ease off the artificial lines.

COMMUNICATIONS.

ABELIA RUPERTRIS.
BY D. H. WATSON.

In Henderson's " Hand Book of Plants " he
describes Abelia as a small genus of greenhouse
plants bearing rose-colored or dark crimson flow-
ers, and that Abelia rupertris flowers profusely
in autumn and winter. In our grounds the Abelia
rupertris is a hardy evergreen ; it withstood the
severe cold of last winter without any injury at
all ; it also stands our severe droughts with im-
punity. The color of the flowers is pure white,
and it blooms profusely and continuously during
the entire summer and autumn. It is one of our
most desirable flowering evergreens for our dry
summer season. Brenham, Texas,

FLORAL TASTE.
RY VALENTIN BURGEVIN.

It is gratifying to note how the taste for floricul-
ture has developed and is increasing from year to
year and becoming universal. Therefore a few
words of encouragement and advice will not be
out of place and may help to stimulate horticul-
tural excellence more and more. From wealthy
gentlemen's pleasure grounds down to a laborer's

modest home, flowers are planted, and often afford
great delight. Of course where professional gar-
deners have charge of grounds and have sufficient
room under glass where plants can be raised, pre-
pared and fully established by planting time,
about the middle of May, the grounds are beauti-
ful from the start ; but where plants have to be
bought, and florists are forced on account of the
large competition to sell them for two or three
cents a piece, then plants are small and often
have a hard struggle for hfe, and Hkely one-half
of them perish or make a poor appearance up to
the month of August, especially if on high, cold
ground. If the weather be damp and cool, as we
have had it this season, or a drought sets in, the
poor plants have no color or shape, and such
flower beds are an eye-sore instead of an orna-
ment. It would be a great deal better if they
were sodded over. A few good flower .beds will,
undoubtedly, give more satisfaction than ever so
many poor ones. For those who cannot conve-
niently raise indoor plants suitable for planting it
would be better to choose hardy plants which
stand the winter and are an ornament as soon as
vegetation starts, such as yEgopodium podograria
fol. variegatum, the variegated Goat-foot ; Ciner-
aria stelleriana, Vinca variegata, both large and
small leafed ; the small constant Ribbon-grass,
Euonymus repens, Santolina, variegated Thyme
or Golden Feather.

The first named is, likely, the very best and
most reliable if properly set out, which is done by
planting two to three small roots about every 3
inches in parallel lines with the grass border 6
inches off. By removing the coarsest and imper-
fect leaves from time to time it will make a beauti-
ful border. The second year the spade needs to
be run down on each side to stop the plants from
running out of their places. It stands cHpping,
and new leaves start all summer. Plants from 5-
inch pots are the cheapest in the end. Geraniums
are probably the most reliable plants to fill out
the middle space. Such flower beds will repay
one's work in affording pleasure the whole season.
Long beds near to paths or roads on a curve or
gentle bend will not fail to produce a striking effect.
Broad strips of Alternanthera paronychoides
major on both sides nearest to the grass border,
a single row of Cuphea hyssopifolia next, and a
broad strip of Coleus Golden Bedder in the cen-
tre are, for those who have the facility to procure
suitable plants at planting time, of the best
they can choose. On a lawn large plants of
Agaves, Yuccas or Dracaenas properly distributed

324

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[November,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

32s

are indispensable. Vases and tubs skilfully
planted and set between large beds of all forms,
and a fountain near centre, will materially add to
the attractions. There are three things absolutely
necessary to procure .good flower beds, viz.: very
rich earth, established plants and skilful planting.
But ingenuity is the keystone of all operations.

Kingston, N, V,

spread his honor throughout the West ; and long
after he has passed away, there will be a flower—
the Queen of the West— still blooming to his
memory. New Albany, Ind., Sept. 6th, 1886.

QUEEN OF THE WEST GERANIUM.
BY ERNEST WALKER.

Considering all the qualities that unite to consti-
tute a good geranium, one of the best, as well as
most popular of this portion of the country is the
Queen of the West. It is an old variety, but time has
only estabhshed its merit, and in Western catalogues
it holds a place as one of the best of bedding gera-
niums. Its rival is the Madame Rompen, but
both varieties are distinct in color and habit, both
have the great desideratum of being remarkably
abundant bloomers, and in both varieties the in-
dividual flowers or florets are rather small and ir-
regular in form, which, however, is only to be
expected in these great bloomers. The Queen is
of strong, robust, tall habit, while the Madame 1
Rompen is dwarf, so that while both are justly I
prized, each has its individual merits and adapta-
tions. I

Mr. Rompen, of Louisville, claims to be the ;
originator of Madame Rompen, while the Queen
was raised by Mr. S. S. Jackson, at Cincinnati
O., in 1869. It is the best, and with the exception .
of Gen. Sheridan, is the only survivor of a set of |
seven varieties, which Mr. J. says, are the *• choice '
of fourteen hundred hybridized seedlings which
excited the admiration of all who have seen them i
the past two years ;" and in form, color and habit, !
they were pronounced the "finest yet introduced,"
by a number of prominent florists, who were I
among those who saw them. I am pleased to |
note this, for one of the first things I want to know '
on seeing a good fruit or flower is, who is its !
originator ; and these facts concerning the Queen
I had not known till a few weeks ago ; and be-
sides, as it is an honor to contribute something to
the genuine literature of a nation, so it is an honor j
to him who has added one gem, or one new charm, I
to the treasures of the garden. j

Mr. Jackson still resides in a beautiful home
near Cincinnati. The snow of years has settled
on his head, and he is one of Cincinnati's most
respected citizens. While honored there, the gera-
nium he has given the lovers of flowers, has

THE BEST NEW ROSES TO BE SENT OUT
IN FRANCE, NOVEMBER ist, 1886.

BY JEAN SISLEY.

Tea, Viv (and Morel (Bernaix). — Flowers large,
dark cherry red, slightly yellowish, lighter in the
centre when expanded. New shade. Very free
bloomer, fine trusses.

T., Madame Scipion G7^//<?/( Bernaix). — Flowers
large, solitary ; in buds, yellowish pink, when ex-
panded, fleshy rose, centre rosy yellow. Very
free bloomer. Very fine for cut blooms.

T., Docteur Grill (Bonnaire). — Flowers me-
dium size, large fine clusters, vivid yellow, cen-
tre light orange, shaded pink. Fine scent, free
bloomer.

T., Attraction (Dubreuil). — Flowers medium
size, full, petals slightly crinkled ; very vivid rose,
darker in the centre ; trusses of 5 and 6 blooms.
Very free bloomer, fine scent. Plants dwarf.

T., Duchesse de Bragrance (Dubreuil). — Flow-
ers full, very good shape, size of Persian yellow,
beautiful sulphur yellow ; plants vigorous ; extra
free bloomer ; fine scent. Very pretty.

T., Baronne de Fouvielle (Gonod). — Flowers
medium size, panicles of 3 to 5 blooms in spring,
and solitary in autumn ; fine in buds ; light rose,
slightly yellowish. Plants dwarf, but vigorous.

T.,Luciole (Guillot). — Flowers large, fine shape ;
vivid rose, tainted yellowish. Vigorous, free
bloomer; fine scent.

7!, Mademoiselle Elizabeth de Grammont
(Levet). — Flowers large, full, fine shape; vivid
rose, centre yellowish. Vigorous, free bloomer.

T., Madam Honore Defresne (Levet). — Flowers
large, very fine shape, fine dark yellow ; vigorous,
free bloomer. Extra fine.

Hybrid Remontant, Stephanie Charreton (Go.
nod). — Flowers large, fine shape, full ; centre, vivid
rose, and edged lighter and whitish. Vigorous;
panicles of 5 to 6 blooms, sometimes solitary.

H. R., Louis Rollet (Gonod). — Flowers large,
good shape, like Baronne de Rothschild ; foliage
very dark; very dark cherry red ; panicles of 3 or
4 blooms, sometimes solitary.

H, R„ Madame Desir (Pernet). Flowers me-
dium size, beautiful globular shape like that of
Centifolia; very full, solitary, dark vivid rose;
fine scent ; fine for cut blooms.

H. R., Orgueil de Lyon (Besson). Flowers
medium size, nearly full ; good shape, dark crim-
son, shaded lighter ; very free bloomers ; very fine,
and handsome for cut blooms.

H. R., Docteur Antonin Joly (Besson). Flow-
ers large, solitary, very fine globular shape, like
Baronne de Rothschild, but much fuller. Very
bright rose, slightly shaded yellowish. Strong
grower and free bloomer. Extra fine.

H, R., Madame Bois (Levet). Flowers very
large, fine shape ; fine delicate rose. Vigorous
and free bloomer ; first rate for cut blooms.

H. Tea, Madame Joseph Desbois (Guillot).
Flowers very large, full, fine shape, rosy white,
centre yellowish. Free bloomer.

Jle Bourbon, Madame Chevallier (Pernet).
Flowers medium size, fine, large panicles ; abund-
ant bloomer, very fine buds ; dark lilac pink rose.

Monplaisir, Lyons, France.

[Since this — sent to us in MS. by the author— was
in type, we note that it has already appeared in
another magazine, and its appearance here with-
out credit, will expose us to the charge of having
stolen it from our contemporary. We very much
regret that this explanation should be necessary,
as we have always endeavored to treat all our co-
temporaries with the strictest honor in this respect.
—Ed. G. M.]

will make good plants in a single season. These
two plants were the only ones, of any conse-
quence, brought from Socotra, by the expedition
sent out under the auspices, of the Royal Society,
of London, in 1880.

U, S. Botanic Garden, Washington, D. C

EDITORIAL NOTES.

EXACUM AFFINE AND BEGONIA SOCO-
TRANA— T\A/^0 SOCROTAN GEMS.

BY G. W. O.

Exacum Affine,—\i the individual plants of
this recently introduced annual would grow to
the same size and flower at the same time, it
would be a decided acquisition to the list of bedding
stuff; but it has a most erratic habit : plants under
the same conditions, growing side by side, differ
considerably in height, breadth and periods of
flowering. Single plants doUed over the rock-work
give most satisfaction. The color of the flowers is
violet-blue with orange-yellow stamens, the habit
of the plant resembles Ophelia corymbosa, to
which it is closely allied.

Begonia Socotrana—\s quite a novelty in its
way. It stands unique among this extensive
genus, but for a useful commercial plant, I am
doubtful if it will ever rank high, further than for
hybridization purposes. The bright emerald green
leaves are peltate, and the flowers are rose-
colored. The roots are tuberous, and when the
stem dies down, a goodly number of small bulb-
lets will be found attached to the parent ; these

The Expenses of London Parks and Gar-
dens.— The amount recommended for the care
and maintenance of the numerous parks and
gardens of London this year was $558,000, but
only ;j52o2,ooo were voted for the purpose. The
cutting down is not an index of failing interest in
public parks, but from a belief that much of the
money is ignorantly wasted.

Shade Trees. — Dr. L. W. Puffer tells the
people of Brockton, N. Y., that it is absurd to se-
lect a tree that will have a span of head 40 feet,
and then plant them but 10 feet apart. About
three times as many trees are set out along the
streets as should be set— all of which is as true
everywhere as at Brockton. Trees are also set
often too near dwellings. He thinks such cities as
Brockton should have a city forester to see that
trees are properly set and treated afterwards. On
account of the bad judgment of the early planters
many trees must now of necessity come down,
and he fears the city will soon be without street
trees of any kind.

The Grounds of Mr. Potter Palmer.— Mr.

Palmer's grounds along the Lake Shore Boulevard

have been surrounded by a high stone wall at an

I expense of $3,000. It has been suggested by a

I Chicago paper that a live hedge with barb wire

run through it, would have been just as protective

j and more ornamental, but this will depend on

I what particular style of gardening the wall is to

I enclose.

I Bananas as Foliage Plants.— It is remark-
! able that more use is not made of the Banana as

a plant for the summer decoration of American
' gardens. It has a much grander effect than the
I Canna, and luxuriates under our summer suns, —

especially if in rather damp soil.

j Water Lilies. — Mr. Sturtevant's water lily cul-

' ture at Bordentown, near Philadelphia, is getting

\ quite famous. A considerable party of lovers of

beautiful aquatics, known as the Lotos Club, made

a special railroad excursion there on the 9th of

September. The famed and deservedly admired

326

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[November,

Egyptan Lotus has been naturalized there, and
this alone is worth many miles of a journey to
see, — to say nothing of the wonderful Victoria
regia also in bloom at the same time.

The Golden Yew.— There is not much en-
couragement for silver leaved variegations in our
ornamental trees, — the white portions dying un-
der hot suns. But golden tints prove fast colors,
as the ladies say, — and the more we see of them
the more we admire. Again, while silver variegated
plants are usually more tender than the originals,
the Goldens are usually hardier. Among coni-
ferae there are now a large number of golden
kinds, but none are more beautiful than the Golden
Yew. It keeps very yellow— the brightest golden
yellow that one can desire ; and even when the
yellows fade somewhat, as all do at times, this
keeps bright longer than any other of the same
family. At this writing (July) they are very
bright in their glimmer of gold. Recently, on the
grounds of the late Robert Buist, of Rosedale-
we saw a large plant 15 feet or more high, over
which a Virginia Creeper had been permitted to
run and cover all except a foot or two of the Yew
branches that pushed up above the mass of vege-
tation formed by the vine. At first glance it was
taken for a plant of the Kolreuteria paniculata ;
but what appeared to be the graceful pendulous
branches and the early period of the year for flow-
ering, led to the curiosity that discovered the real
nature of the plant. Now, we cannot recom-
mend any one to spoil a fine plant of this Yew by '
allowing a Virginia Creeper to run over it, — and j
yet we are free to say that the unique beauty of I
this combination is enough to almost reconcile
one to such a sacrifice.

Abies amabilis.— A beautiful specimen of this
tree, some eight feet high, is on the grounds of
Mr. Caleb Cope, at Chestnut Hill, near Philadel-
phia. It is of the variety known as A. lasiocarpa.

The American Mist Tree.— According to Mr.

Falconer, in the Country Gentleman, this grows

much faster than the European Rhus Cotinus.

It is one of the rarest of American plants, for

though long ago discovered and described by

Nuttall as Rhus cotinoides, it has only just found

its way into cultivation. Mr. Falconer says:

«*Our largest plant is 6 feet high, of pyramidal
form, very branchy, and 6 feet in spread of
branches. We have several plants, now two
years planted, and they seem to be hardy enough ;
in some cases the tips of the young wood get
winter-killed. Its slender branches and narrow
leaflets are in striking contrast to that of the stout

limbs and large leaves of our common black
walnut or the English walnut."

The Smoke Tree.—" Bless the dear old Smoke
tree," says the Rural New Yorker, a sentiment
every lover of good hardy shrubs will echo, who
has knowledge of it. It should, however, be borne
in mind, that the plant belongs to the branch of
the Rhus family that is more or less dioecious, and
that, unlike the human being, it is only the female
that wears the beard. Seedlings therefore are not
so reliable as plants grown on their own roots.
There is a great variety of tints to the " Smoke,"
some being rosy red, and others green.

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

The Washington China Aster. — Among the
novelties offered in Europe for the coming season
is a variety of Aster called Washington. The
flowers have been produced four and a half inches
in diameter, and the petals are rolled up like
porcupine quills, with only a bare opening at the
apex.

Lespedeza bicolor. — We believe this is the
i accepted name of a pretty half shrubby, herba-
i ceous plant, originally introduced as Desmodium
penduliflorum. Whatever its correct name, it is
one of the best possible plants to grow under the
shade of trees, or in comparatively dry situations.
It is emphatically a plant for wild gardens, where
the garden is part woodlands. Almost all plants
of the Desmodium family are nemorine, and this
seems to be particularly a wood-lover.

New Hardy Rhododendrons. — In the Gar^
ten-flora, Prof. Regel figures and describes two
species, found in the Caucasus, in the district
where Rhododendron Ponticum grows. One is
pure white, and named R. Ungeri ; the other, with
medium-sized cherry red flowers, is described as
R. Smirnowi.

New Gazanias. — The Gazania Pavonia has
always been a favorite garden plant, and recently
has had more than usual attention, through being
found to do well in the open ground of an Ameri-
can summer. The Germans have turned their
attention towards its improvement, and several
new varieties are announced.

New French Rose, Clara Cochet.— Most of
the French roses introduced into England last
year have not yet succeeded in gaining golden
opinions, except Clara Cochet. Whoever sees
this exclaims, "well, that is a beauty." It is

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

327

bright rose color, carmine in the centre, of large
size and good form. It was raised by Lacharme.

Noisette, William Allen Richardson. —
Journal des Roses gives a colored plate and a
full account of this rose. It was raised in 1875 by
Madame Ducher, of Lyons, and sent out in 1887.
It was named for the well-known rose-lover of
Kentucky. It docs not flower freely when young,
but this weakness disappears when it surprises
everyone by the generosity with which it presents
its uniquely colored flowers. Any lover of yellow
roses, " could not desire a delicacy more suited to
his tastes." It is a very hardy Noisette, standing
the ''terribly rigorous winter of 1879-80" un-
harmed. It was obtained by cross-fertilization.
Reve d'or being its female parent.

Choiseya ternata. — This very sweet-flowered
evergreen is regarded as hardy in England. A
very healthy plant left out last winter to test was
entirely destroyed, though the circumstances were
rather favorable than otherwise. It will make a
nice tub plant, to be treated like an orange or
oleander.

A New Type of Single Dahlia— has been
secured by Mr. Cullingford, of Kensington, and
we direct attention to it as affording a change
that will probably be much appreciated. The
florets are narrow, pointed, slightly twisted, and
placed sufficiently far apart to make a " windmill."
The ultra florists will perhaps groan in reading I
our poor description, but we shall be greatly mis- ;
taken if they do not jump for joy when they see the
flower. Well, we advise them to look for it. and '
to be in no great haste to subject it to the old floral
rules. — Gardeners Magazine,

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Sanitary Influence of Trees.—" P. H. F.,"
Babylon, N. Y., says l " On the subject of the
sanitary eff"ect of our best native hardy forest
trees, as to planting in cities, etc., I have made in-
quiries from difl"erent sources and can find noth-
ing on the subject except the observations on Eu-
calyptus globulus. Should the subject be agitated
no doubt good would result. Any information
you may be able to give me will be thankfully re-
ceived."

[Trees, in common with vegetation generally,
have a sanitary influence by absorbing the car-
bonic acid from the atmosphere, which, in excess,
would be fatal to animal life. It is believed that
the atmosphere of the earth was at one time much

more highly charged with carbonic acid than
now, that much of it was taken up by metals
which thus became carbonates, and that the chief
mission of the luxurious vegetation which clothed
the earth's surface in the carboniferous era was to
clear from the atmosphere the large amount of
carbon the atmosphere contained, and which we
now have in the form of coal. If the carbon now
confined in coal, and which was once in the at-
mosphere, were to be let loose into the atmos-
phere, and with oxygen become carbonic acid, no
creature could live. One great mission of vege-
tation is to correct this.

But our correspondent evidently has in his
mind the influence of trees in removing disease
germs and making places healthy in our time that
are notoriously unhealthy. It has been thought
that the resinous odors given off by pine trees have
an influence on reducing epidemics, and that Eu-
calyptus, or Blue gum, has a similar influence.
But our experience with yellow fever showed it
worse in some pine districts in the South than
anywhere, and the miners in the Blue gum dis-
tricts of Australia suffer from fevers as bad if
not worse than where the Blue gum does not
grow.

The only point left is the statement that fever
prevailed in the Pontine marshes near Rome, and
that there has been none since the large planta-
tions were made there. Whether the fever has so
utterly left as represented we do not know, be-
cause it is every day experience that newspaper
statements are not usually given with that exact-
ness which science demands. Rapid growing
trees, however, absorb immense amounts of
moisture. They would make a marsh dry. If
any diseases prevailed from excess of moisture,
any rapid growing tree would have the same
effect.— Ed. G. M.]

Southern Buckthorn.— A correspondent from
near Jefferson City sends us a specimen for name,
which proves to be this plant, Bumelia lycoides of
botanists. It has not been found by collectors
north of this line we believe. It is a very pretty
small tree, and deserves culture. There was one
for many years in the Bartram Gardens near
Philadelphia.

An interesting fact mentioned by our corres-
pondent is, that it grows on limestone rocks where
there is scarcely any soil. Other collectors have
always reported it as growing in low or wet places
we believe.

Moles.— "J. N. B.," Red House Farm, New

328

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

London, Conn., writes ; " I, in common with my
neighbors, have been greatly troubled by ground
moles. They tear up our lawns and tennis grounds,
upset our plants in the border, etc., and do much
damage. Will you kindly advise me either by note
or through the pages of the Gardeners' Monthly,
the best way to treat the nuisance.? I have
used Isbell's Mole Trap, etc., but have not been
successful in this way."

[Those who would catch moles by trapping
must learn the art of distinguishing between the
regular run of the animal, and a mere feeding
ground. In the latter they do not return in the
paths they make while hunting for worms and in-
sects,~but in their runs they do. The traps must
be set to catch them on return. They often have a
run under a hard piece of ground to the softer feed-
ing places, and when such a track is discovered all
that are troublesome can speedily be caught.

They may be driven away by inserting tow
dipped in gas tar, into their runs. The sense of
smell is acute in these creatures; and annoying
odors can be detected by them for long distances.
An old Germantown gardener used to employ
dried herring, as better than tar.— Ed. G. M.] |

Stapelia Hardy in TEXAs.--"Mrs. Dr. H.."
Palestine, Texas, writes: "1 enclose a rough
sketch of a cactus, not native to this part of the
State, though perfectly hardy, and survived last
winter out in the yard. There were only two
flowers, and neither set any fruit. No spines on :

[November,

the stem, which is four-sided, notched sharply like
an old 'counting stick;* five sepals, five petals*
five stamens, a thick crown round the center,
color rich nankeen, with purplish brown specks
and lines. It stays in bloom several days, and
has a foetid odor which attracts flies. Blooms in
July and August."

[This is familiarly known as "toad-plant," or
"carrion-flower." It will be a matter of general
interest to know that it is hardy in that part of
Texas, and it may be hardier in other places
than it is generally supposed to be. Botanically
the plant is known as Stapelia. They are in nu-
merous species or varieties, and are originally
from the Cape of Good Hope. The one described
appears to be S. Asterias.— Ed. G. M.]

Plants and Trees at Pencoyd, Mont-
gomery County, Pa. —A correspondent says:
"In a hurried call on your correspondent, Mr.
Wooding, gardener to Mrs. Roberts, at Pencoyd,
I was much interested in a fine specimen of the
Pinsapo fir, Abies Pinsapo, as it is usually con-
sidered tender in this latitude. It was about 6
feet high and 3j^ feet wide. There was also a
nice specimen of the Cephalonian Fir. It was
also gratifying to note a greater sprinkling of new
or rare trees and shrubs than we can see in many
places. There are four large greenhouses, and
some huge Lemons and Australian tree ferns in-
dicated a genuine love of sound old-fashioned
subjects that always give pleasure."

Greenhouse and House Gardening,

SEASONABLE HINTS

In managing house plants, one of the difficulties

is the struggle with insects. There are now many

kinds of oils and washes sold by florists, that are

found very efi"ective ; but, when applied in the

usual way, are costly. But new inventions come

to the flower growers* aid. Light troughs are em-

ployed, with a spigot at the end, and the material

used in syringing can be drawn off and used over

and over again. In the trough a wire cradle is

hurg, on which the plants can be laid on their

sides, so that the operator may syringe the under

side as well as the upper side of the leaves. The

idea is so simple that anyone can make a syringing

trough for himself, if out of the way of a mechanic
who knows how. It has always been against the
use of hot water to destroy insects, that it took so
much for use. But on this plan the water can be
used over and over again, a little boiling water
being added when necessary to bring the tem-
perature up to 130 , which is the temperature at
which insects may be destroyed without injury to
the plants. Warm soap suds is one of the best
insect washes, and when mixed with tobacco
water is as good a wash as most things. Oil is
for hard-wooded things, but has to be used with
great caution, as it may clog the breathing pores,
and smother the plant. Some use it with water
in syringing. The oil, of course, floats on the

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

329

surface of the water, but those handy in the use of
the syringe know how to stir the water at each
insertion so as to draw in only a very little oil
with a good deal of water. There are plans for
mixing oil with milk or chalk before being mixed
with water, when it diffuses through the water
more readily than when used alone. Many of
these things have been made familiar to our
readers, Irom time to time, through our magazine,
but it is well to keep them in memory through our
seasonable hints.

How long it takes to get an idea into general
practice, has never been better exemplified than
in the work of Mr. Saunders, in showing florists
that warm water will flow better down hill than
up hill. Up to his time, it was an axiom that heat
ascended because it was warm. He showed that
it did not ascend at all in the true grammatical
meaning of the term. Heated air, or heated water,
would never rise a hair-breadth above the surface
of the earth, if left wholly to itself. It has no as-
cending power. But when you place a heavier
liquid near it, the heavier pushes the lighter out
of the way. It is ihe cold water or the cold air,
that makes the circulation, not the warm. Mr.
Saunders showed this over and over again in our
columns, and moreover showed, by a practical
test at Washington, that the sooner we gave the
cooler water a chance to gravitate to the bottom,
the more rapid would be the flow. The highest
point for the water should be right at the boiler,
and from there at once the pipes should fall regu-
larly. In other words, the only flow pipe should
be the boiler; all the pipes should be return
pipes. Although it is nearly a quarter of a cen-
tury that Mr. Wm. Saunders first undertook this
reform, it has moved slowly. But it is getting
more recognition of late, and though this excellent
gentleman has passed his three-score, we should
not be surprised that he lives to see its general
adoption, for when once there is a notable break
in old notions the disintegration is usually rapid.

In cultivating house or window plants, people
often worry as to how to keep them warm. The
thought rarely occurs that they may be too warm.
But great heat is often the cause of failure. Gas
is often charged with what high temperature does.
People often envy the windows of the poor.
Flowers of any kind seem to thrive. The com-
paratively low temperature has much to do with
it. Flowers like violets, roses, geraniums, fuch-
sias and many others, are better at a temperature
of 50-^ than they would be at 70^.

This is the time of the year when people who

love chrysanthemums think about starting plants
for next year. On this subject, a grower of prize
plants says, in the Gardeners* Magazine :

" In referring to the preparation of the cuttings,
I would strongly advise cultivators to refrain from
the too common practice of taking them off" below
the surface, with or without root. When they are,
so to speak, dug up, the plants produce a large
number of suckers in the course of the season that
are certainly not wanted. The right way in pro-
ceeding with the work is, to select short-jointed
shoots, and take off the tops low enough down for
the cuttings to be about three inches in length
when they have been prepared. Each one should
be cut clean through with a sharp knife, and have
the two lower leaves removed. When the cuttings
are prepared in this way, not only arc the plants
free from a large number of suckers, but they are
much dwarfer, as proved by those which form the
annual displays here, a fact especially worthy of
the attention of those who require the stock for
conservatory decoration. The cuttings are here
struck in large sixties, four or five in each, and the
pots used are clean and efficiently drained. An
inch layer of rather small crocks is put in
each, and this is covered with a little cocoanut
fibre refuse, to keep the soil in its place. For
filling the pots, we use a mixture consisting of
good turfy loam three parts, leaf mould one part,
and enough silver sand to keep the mixture open.
The pots are filled with this to within about a
quarter of an inch of the upper edge of the rim,
and care is taken to press it firm, and make the
surface perfectly level. Upon this is placed a
quarter of an inch layer of sand that is moderately
moist and can be pressed firm without being
sprinkled with water. The cuttings are inserted
equal distances apart round the sides of the pot,
and have the soil made firm about their base."

The time for making cuttings extends from No-
vember to February.

Much controversy occurs, as to the injury plants
in warm houses are supposed to receive from
being watered with cold water. We have never
seen the slightest mjury to the plant itself by cold
water, but it retards flowering. In cases where
the plants are required to bloom early, warm
water is a great advantage. Outside of this, the
ordinary pump water is good enough for watering.

COMMUNICATIONS.

DRYING FLOWERS FOR PARLOR ORNA-
MENTS.

BY DENNIS KENNA.

The Marsh Rosemary, or Sea Lavender, Statice
Limonium, is at its brightest on the salt marshes
now, reminding us that it is time to cut it for win-
ter bouquets. I have dried it by wrapping old

330

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[November,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

newspapers around a bunch and hanging it up
somewhere out of the way. Three or four thick-
nesses of paper will exclude the light, and after
two weeks it may be taken down to use with
grasses and the similarly dried flowers of Ever-
lastings, Bachelor's Buttons and Celosias. The
feathered and plumed Celosias dry easily, but the
Cockscomb is quick to rot, particularly if large
flowers are used.

A Bacharis halimifolia which I found near
College Point, L. L, supplied mc with beautiful
white flowers one winter, six years ago ; but the
shrub was winter-killed, for I could not find it the
next summer and I have never come across an-
other. Flushing, N. Y,

331

FLORAL EMBLEMS.

BY J. B.

At page 266 of the September number of the
Monthly you touch on the signification of flow-
ers, quoting from an advertisement from your city
paper in reference to colored flowers at funerals.
While I believe in sacred things being kept sacred,
yet we have to do with these things, and it is well
we should be impressed with their true meaning.
This leads me to inquire, to what end are all these
difl'erent designs, and the thousands of dollars
spent in flowers in the United States and Canada
yearly ? There may be some fashion in it, but
may we not hope the chief end is a spiritual signi-
fication based on our Christian religion, or to
shadow forth by outward forms certain truths in
the Bible ? I find from experience that cultured
people chiefly use flowers, both in sorrow and joy,
as a silent and practical way of expressing their
sympathy in sickness or death, or in love and es-
teem. But chiefly our work is sacred, as most is
funeral work. Taking this for granted the art be-
comes more dignified. If there be sermons in
stones there must be more impressive sermons in
these floral designs. For instance, the Cross— re
minding us of Him who suffered and died to make
an atonement for sin ; the Cross, Anchor and
Heart— emblematic of Faith, Hope and Charity,
the three chief Christian graces. The Cross and
Crown reminding us, without the one is taken up
the other cannot be secured ; they are combined
together. The Shield— reminding us of a spiritual
enemy, and we need armor. The Dove— Holy
Spirit. The Yoke— one of our Saviour's precepts
and examples. The Gates Ajar, and many more.
The Wreath— an emblem of eternity, or the Eter-
nal One. The Triangle -the Trinity. The Lamb,

the Square and Compass, the three Odd- Fellows*
links, all speak in silent language to those who
have eyes to see and ears to hear.

The Son of Man is called the Rose of Sharon,
and the Lily of the Valley ; and wc are compared
to a flower that springs up in the morning, in the
evening is cut down. Flowers are also expressive
of joy and always understood. Those in the Old
World who wished to do honor to their guests ar-
ranged flowers in every room as an expression of
joy and honor. Especially to the young are they
significant, and seem to charm with praises and
joy. What emblems of innocence are the white
daisy, the white rose bud, the Deutzia gracihs,
the double white primrose, etc.; in fact, all ages
rejoice in their sweetness and beauty, and all
poets have sung their praises.

I understand that flower services are very popu-
lar in England, and are becoming a regular
feature of Sunday-school work in Canada. The
children bring bouquets of choice flowers, pre-
senting them at the Chancel steps of the Episco-
pal Church. These beautiful offerings are after-
wards sent to hospitals, gaols, infirmaries, etc.
The address by the Rector usually describes some
lesson from the flowers, and so do the following
two verses of a hymn from a Church paper :

Great Father bless our simple flowers,
God speed the message that we send—

O, may they soothe some patient hours,
Tokens of this, the children's Friend.

Flowers are the smiles of God from heaven.

We give in love what love hath given,
These rose*i, children, come to tell

Their tale of thorns and iragrant bloom.
How He was pierced that loved you well,

How fragrance can outlive the tomb.

May His sweet patience still be yours.
The tender buds are perfect flowers, etc.

Fredericton, N, B.

ARISTOLOCHIA ELEGANS.
BY. G. W. O.

This new Brazilian flowered with us for the first
time a few weeks ago, and what a pleasing sur-
prise ! With leaves quite as small as those of A.
ciliata, the flowers in size come near those of A.
gigas. The leaves are nearly heart-shaped,
slightly glaucescent underneath ; the flowers,
borne on long stalks, are very conspicuous and
strikingly handsome. The concave surface of the
perianth is beautifully and uniformly speckled
with dark claret on a creamy white ground. This
species is very floriferous even in a young state,
and entirely free from the peculiar camphorous
odor common to other members of the genus.

U. S. Botanic Garden, Washington, D. C

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Substitute for Glass.— Light wire gauze,
coated with elastic varnish, is the latest kink.

Funeral Wreaths. —I am glad to be able to
agree heartily with " Veronica " on the subject of
floral wreaths and crosses at funerals. A custom
overdone often brings its own condemnation. A
few flowers or even sprigs of foliage upon the
coffin is quite a difl'erent matter, and should be

The Yulan as a Cut Flower.— The Chinese
Magnolia. M. conspicua, is found very useful for ; encouraged. Not only should the floral ofl-ering
cut flower work m England. It is planted against be emblematic, but its bestowal should be purely
south walls or fences m that country, and is al- i personal. Of course, all could not give Irom their
ways ready for Easter. « j , . , ,

own gardens, as too many have neither gardens

Vanda Sanderiana.— It is a comfort to know

nor flowers, but in most cases a mere handful is

that in many cases the orchids distributed at the | "^^^ difficult to obtain, and if only by purchase,
sale of Mrs. Morgan's eff"ects fell into worthy I ^^"^ be it so. A modern reformed funeral devoid
hands. Before us is a photograph of this fine | of the now stereotyped wreaths and crosses would
orchid, for which Mr. Charles F. Osborne paid j bardly lack sweetness or picturesqueness did each
$900. The flowers, judging by the scale, are 4 o"^ present carry a little bunch of something
inches across, and the plant evidently in glorious i l^^^Y or floral to cast as an ofl'ering upon the
health. coffin of the departed. Casting flowers upon the

Insecticide or Sulfo tobacco SoAP.-The """^ "•"''" '';°?^ '^y.'"= P''"!""^ ^"""^' '^
Rose Manufacturing Company, of New York, has i '"°''' ^.""'^'''^ "'^" '^^'"^ "f *! ^"'^ "°''"

prepared an article which seems to meet with gen-
eral favor. The most troublesome of all, red
spider, is said to be easily controlled by this mix-
ture.

upon the grave to wither and decay. Planting
growing plants that will produce beautiful flowers
upon graves is a pleasant custom and one that
cannot be too strongly advocated. Tending them
is a labor of love ; they are always emblematic of
Maiden Hair FERN.-The Maiden Hair fern | the "hope which springs eternal in the human

m use by florists is chiefly Adiantum capillus breast," and they enhven with their sweetness and

veneris. It is said that a new variety has been : beauty the habitation of the dead.-^. D., in

produced that is nearly equal in vigor and beauty Garden

to A. Farleyense. It is called Magnificum.

A New Method of Glazing Sash.— It is well
known that all glass now (both in portable sashes producing blooms for button-holes during autumn
and in fixed greenhouses), is simply imbedded in ! and winter, but it is essential that the best varie-
putty, and kept in place by glazier's points, no ties be chosen. A good selection would be, De-

BUTTON-HOLE RoSES FOR AUTUMN AND WIN-
TER.— Tea-scented roses are the most suitable for

putty being now used on top, as was formerly
done. It has been found that when the glass lays

voniensis (creamy white), Catherine Mermet
(rose), Eliza Savage (pale yellow), Isabella

on the sash.bar thus imbedded the putty soon rots Sprunt (white, with pale yellow centre), Madame
or wears out, and water gets in and not only ; Falcot (Apricot color), Madame Lambard (bronzy
loosens the glass but rots the bar as well. A most red), Marie van Houtte (yellowish white). Safrano

simple plan to obviate this is to pour along the
junction of the bar with the glass a thin line of
white lead in oil, over which is shaken dry white
sand. This hardens and makes a cement that
effectually checks all leakage. It is quickly done. ;
I have seen glass, so cemented, that has stood [
for ten years, still in perfect order, and it looked ,
as if it would stand for ten years more without!
further repair. This plan, which is but little |
known as yet, is of the greatest importance ; had
I known of it thirty years ago I would have saved
many thousands of dollars in repairing, besides
having the plants under this water-tight glazing
in better condition.— /V/^r Henderson, in Ameri-
can Agriculturist.

(fawn color), David Pradel (rose), and Niphetos
(white). — Gardening Illustrated,

Bricks of Cork. — The waste cuttings of cork
are now being employed for making bricks, which
can be used for walls, impervious alike to heat or
damp. The cork cuttings are reduced to powder
in a mortar, and mixed with lime or clay ; and
from this composition the bricks are made in the
usual way.

Cape Plants. — The Revue Horticole gives a
colored plate of the Burchellia capensis, or rather
a large variety of this very old plant, of which
even a colored plate will delight the heart of
those old-fashioned gardeners who can remember

332

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[November,

the time when the culture of "cape plants" was
fashionable. These flower through the whole
winter season, and there is possibly no branch of
gardening that could possibly give more pleasure
than their cultivation. It requires, however, a
skill that is rare in these days, as the intelligence
that formerly existed among gardeners in these
lines, finds better recompense in other pursuits.

The Ox-eye Daisy.— This introduced weed,
against the spread of which an attempt was re-
cently made to induce the Pennsylvania legisla-
ture to issue an "act," is getting so popular with
florists, that they will soon have to be "protected,"
rather than legislated out of existence. The
French are also fond of it. They call it the com-
mon Margaret.

A New Maiden-hair Fern, Adiantum Fra-
<}RANTissiMA.— Maiden-hair ferns, or Adiantums,
are very numerous ; but few can compete with it
in special beauty. But another unique one has
appeared, which seems to have some merit equal
to that of the Farley's Maiden-hair. Messrs. E.
G. Henderson & Son, of London, thus refer to it :

"In introducing for the first time this lovely
fern, which was raised in their establishment, E.
G. H. & Son have no hesitation in saying, that
never since the introduction of A. Farleyense, has
anything approaching such a charming variety
been introduced ; in habit it is all that can be de- |
sired as a decorative plant, the fronds rising well !
from the crown, terminating into a graceful curve, I
forming quite a plume-like frond, while the pinnae, I

which IS of moderate size, is beautifully cut, as in
the way of A. Farleyense alcicorne, and in a young
state; the centre of the same is of a golden-green,
verging off into a paler shade, and changing to a
deeper green as it approaches maturity; and in
addition, when growing, it is deliciously fragrant,
a few plants filling the house with a sweet perfume.
Either as a valuable addition to a collection, or
for exhibition or decoration, this remarkable
novelty is certain to become the most popular
Adiantum in cultivation. The fronds when cut,
last a length of time ; some which were cut as an
experiment, remained in perfection more than a
week in a warm room. Being of a vigorous con-
stitution, and of such surpassing elegance, it will
quickly supersede ihe old favorite, A. cuneatum,
for all purposes."

Narcissus Growing.— In the Channel Islands,
between England and France, there has come a
windfall in the recent fashionable turn for Narcis-
suses—they are grown by the hundreds of thous-
ands as tuberoses are here. But will the fashion
hold ? If it will, Americans might take a hand
in the trade. There is some doubt about its per-
manency over there. A correspondent of the
Gardeners' Chronicle ^di^s',

"The Narciss growing was at first somewhat
of a venture. Nobody would have dared to
prophesy, five years ago, that about every three
ladies out of five would take their revenge on the
youth who preferred his own image to their
charms, by wearing the posthumous emblem of
his existence in the bitter cold winds of February
and March. Yet so it is. Will what appears a
fickle caprice endure as a fashionable furore?
This is a question frequently put by the islanders."

Yrvit and Vegetable Gardening.

COMMUNICATIONS.

PROFITABLE PLUMS.
BY T. T. SOUTHWICK.

The practical results growing out of orchard cul-
ture of the plum seem to be demonstrated in this
market ; more plums being brought to market than
could be sold at any price, and large quantities re-
maining on the trees ungathered.

Fifty cents per bushel has been the ruling
price for good varieties until the latter part of the
season, when prices fell to 35c.

The Monroe is the favorite canning plum here,
and the one most abundant in the market. Its

light color, good quality, and its freedom from
astringency, cause it to be sought by the canners.
All that seems to be needed to obtain an abund-
ance of plums is to plant in orchards instead of a
few trees. Rochester, N, Y.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Wragg Cherry.— This is a variety be-
lieved to be of German origin, but which can be
identified with no variety under cultivation, and
hence has, like the Bartlett Pear, to bear the name
of its American foster parent till its proper nomen-
clature has been traced. We have a drawing by
Preslete before us. and this artist is well-known

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

333

for his fidelity to nature. One may fairly judge
from this picture, that the Wragg cherry is a very
productive and beautiful variety.

Florida Orange Crop.— Notwithstanding the
losses by the *' freeze,"— such a freeze as may not
occur again in a century,— the orange crop of
Florida this season is estimated to be fully two-
thirds as large as it was last season, and those
who have them expect to realize much higher
figures. There certainly will be no glut in the
market. *• It is an ill wind," and so forth.

The Tuberous Rooted Grapes. — Every-
thing new in relation to grape culture has an
especial interest to Americans, and hence we
called attention a couple of years ago, to the dis-
covery of some herbaceous species with tuberous
roots, which grew up like hop vines, perfected
their crop, and then died to the ground, and pre-
pared to start again in the same way next season.
They are natives of Cochin-China, a part of the
world that has not been well explored, and from
which we have now continually new things.
Whether our suggestion that some one try them
in our country has been followed or not. we have
no information. The next best thing is to note
what the rest of the world is doing in the matter.
We give the following from the Gardeners'
Chronicle, showing some experiments at Hong
Kong, in Southern China, which is about on the
same line of latitude as Southern Florida :

" Vitis Martinii. — The Superintendent in the
report of the Botanical and Afforestation De-
partment of Hong Kong, 1885, states that this
'new tuberous rooted vine from Cochin China,
fruited this year in Hong Kong for the first time.
The seeds were procured from the Botanic Gar-
dens, Saigon, in 1883. The seedlings were planted
out the same summer and made several shoots,
each of which died down in the winter. They
began to make fresh shoots about the middle of
April, 1884, and grew well during the summer,
but showed no inclination to flower ; and again
died down in the winter. Last summer they
started vigorously, and showed flower about the
end of May. Many of the bunches, however,
failed to develop fruit, owing apparently to im-
perfect fertilization, but there was a good average
crop of bunches on the canes irrespective of the
failures. The fruit was ripe in October, many of
the bunches weighing one pound each. The ber-
ries, when ripe, are jet black, and rather under
the average size of ordinary grapes. The seeds
are large in proportion to the size of the berry.
The flavor is a peculiar blending of sweetness
and acidity, very pleasant, but tending, in my
case, to leave a curious smarting sensation on the
tongue; others might not find this peculiarity at
all objectionable. The flavor might be altered,
as is well known, by varying the mode of cultiva-

tion, but the size of the seeds is likely to prevent
the grape becoming popular as a table fruit; it
may, however, be very well adapted for a wine
producer.'"

MooRfe's Diamond Grape.— It takes a long
time for a grape to get into the market, or to be
well known sometimes. This one was, we believe,
raised at the same time with the Brighton, by Mr.
Moore, of Brighton, New York. It is a cross be-
tween Concord and lona for the pollen. It is a
white grape, bunch as large, but berries rather
larger than Brighton. It is early and Mr. Moore
regards it as one of his best.

Improved Dewberries.— Thou ::^h the fruit of
this species ripens earlier than the ordinary black-
berry, little improvement has been made in the
usual wild form. But the Lucretia is said to be a
great advance on the original, and to be in every
way a desirable fruit. The Willson Early has
been supposed to have some relationship to the
Dewberry.

Classes of Pears. — We quote the following
from the Gardeners' Magazine, accounting for
the names various classes of pears have received :

" Bergamot is a collective name for a distinct
class of pears. A Bergamot pear takes its name
from Bergamo, a town in Lombardy, where cer-
tain kinds of small pears were grown, and became
famous for their sweetness.

" A Besi pear is a foundling, a wilding, a thing
without a history. Thus, Besi d' Hery was dis-
covered in the forest of Hdry, in Brittany. Besi
de Quessoy was found in the forest of Quessoy in
Brittany.

*• A Beurrd pear is a buttery pear ; therefore has,
or should have melting flesh.

*• Fondant is the equivalent of Beurrd, and
should indicate a melting pear.

'• Bon or Bonne might pass for good, but it may
mean large, unusual, extra fine in any way what-
ever.

" A Catillac is a reminder of an engine of pun-
ishment, ' parce que sa chair s* attache a la gorge
de celui qui la mange crue.*

" Colmar is the capital of the department of the
Haut-Rhin, France, sweetly situated at the foot of
the Vosges mountains. It is a great place for
manufactures, and also for pears, the variety
known as ' Colmar * having been grown there for
hundreds of years, and it probably is one of the
thirty or forty sorts the Romans were choice
about.

" Delice, m., and Delices f., imply delightful,
and it happens that all the pears having this pre-
fix are good.

" Doyenne refers to the deanery, and seems to
imply that the pear having such a prefix origina-
ted in the cure's garden. But Leroy knocks the
dean on the head by saying the name was given
to the pear known as Doyennd to indicate its ex-

334

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[November,

cellence, 'd'une chose de quality sup^rieure c'est
la doyenn6."

"Muscat as applied to a pear suggests that it
has a musky flavor.

*• Passe apart from a suffix means almost any-
thing, but in this particular connection it indicates
high quality, thus passe-fin, excellent fine cloth,
as in Cotgrave.

"A Rousselet is a red pear. A Rousseau is a
red-haired man. The verb roussir means to red-
den.

" Crasanne is a troublesome word as a prefix to
a pear ; it suggests the choke pear, which was
anciently so called.

"Calebasse means like a calabash, or a eourd
or a bottle.

"Wardens are long-keeping cooking pears."

Charles Downing Strawberry.— It is singu-
lar to note that while some varieties of fruit have
local tastes and soon have to be replaced by other
novelties, others do well everywhere, and defy
all attempts of the new upstarts to dethrone them.
The Concord grape and Charles Downing straw-
berry are two of these. Mr. Bull, of Concord,
will long be remembered for giving us the grape,
and the late Mr. Downer, of Kentucky, should not
be forgotten in our gratitude for this good straw-
berry.

Bidwell's Early Peach.— This is regarded as

one of the most profitable of all peaches in Florida. The n«t day tli; fig; wh^^h was green a'dTard

To begin with, they are turned every day, so as to
be equally exposed to sun and air, and if dew is
expected, they are covered over with mattting
during the night time. What is needed during
the drymg season is, not an excessive heat, but
steady sunshine and dry winds. It seems to me,
that here in California we could satisfy the most
exacting Turkish demands in this respect. When
the figs are sufficiently dry, the skin feels dry, but
the mside should yet be perfectly soft and phable.
The ripe and sufficiently-cured figs are now picked
out, and the others left to remain until ready. It
will thus be seen that the figs are not dried hap-
hazard on roofs or the ground, and then dumped
mto boxes and shipped. This I have known to
be the general practice in California, and still we
wonder why our figs are not any better. When
the figs in Smyrna are dried sufficiently, they are
by the fig-raisers assorted in three different sizes,
then sacked in sacks made of camel's hair— bar-
ley sacks would, on account of the fuzz, not do—
and then sent into Smyrna. The merchant who
has furnished the fig-raiser with his year's supply,
takes the crop out of his hands. The figs are now
again assorted, and are then ready to be packed."

In France, they have a plan for hastening the
maturity, which Dr. Eisen thus describes :

•; Less than two weeks before the expected ma-
turity of the fig, and when the eye of the fig be-
gins to color, a drop of pure olive oil is deposited
on the eye of the fig. This operation is always
performed in the evening, shortly before sunset.

and other points South.

Silver Leaf in the Peach.— In our country
we have a fearful disease in the peach known as
the yellows, because the disease gives a yellow
cast to the disease. No one feels certain he knows
the direct cause. They have a similar puzzle in a

shows softening and change of color, and the
maturity of the fig is henceforth advanced eight
days. This process is used only for table figs, but
IS not considered profitable for figs destined to be
dried."

In regard to packing he says:

"In packing, Smyrna excels both Portugal and

*..x,^ «a,»^ «. aimiiai puzzic in a *" t"*'-"-'*'6» -Jiiiyiuti cxteis Doin rortugal and

peach disease in Europe. It is known as silver ^P^^"- ^^ ^11 admire the way the Smyrna figs
leaf. ^^^ packed— it is the very perfection, and I believe

Figs.— From a pkper by Dr. Eisen, on fig cul-
ture in California, we learn that in the best fig-
growing countries there are three crops a year.
When the leaves die in the fall, a fig comes from
the axil, on the last year's wood, next year. Then
figs come out from the axil of the new leaf; and
later in the season, figs come from the ends of the
growing shoots. These do not always ripen.
The intermediate ones are the best, and furnish
the chief fig crop.

"When the figs are ripe, or sufficiently ripe to
be dried and cured, they in some varieties drop to
the ground, but in others again hang on to the

cannot be improved upon. When the dried figs
reach the packing houses, they are, as I said,
agam assorted by women, and then packed by
men. While packing, the hands of the packers
are constantly kept moist by sea water, which pre-
vents the sugar sticking to the hands. There are
two ways of packing: In the first, the figs are
flattened out m such a way that the eye of the
fruit IS placed very nearly in the centre, and the
stem very nearly opposite the same. The figs are
now packed in layers in boxes, in such a way that
the front margin of every fig just sufficiently
covers the stalk end of the fig next in front. The
figs are packed in straight rows the same in the
bottom, middle and on top. To keep every row
separate, and to prevent one row overlapping the
other, I am satisfied that they use a small frame of

tree, and must be cut off When th\Tf;^L ■ ' ■ ' ■ t ='*"?'?e° ^nat tney use a small frame of
in Smyrna, the fi^ are nick!?ani''.r,K^r" :.?"!„.*"•» partu.ons running longitudinally and

m Smyrna, the figs are picked and put one by one
without touching each other, on matting, or even
on the ground covered with cut grass or straw.
The figs are on this exposed to the sun for ten

or twelve days or less, according to'the" weather! ' ^I^S'become smoor-

vertically. The figs must first be packed in this
frame and slightly pressed. The frame is now
withdrawn from the box, and a heavy pressure is
applied, which causes the surface to flatten out

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

335

In regard to the flowers of the fig, the following
will have great interest, as it will account for a
difference of opinion among intelligent men, some
of whom insist that the cultivated fig is wholly |
pistillate, and never has staminate flowers :

"The fig itself is something more than a seed
vessel of a flower. The fleshy part is a thickened,
hollow receptacle, closed, except at the very nar-
row opening called the eye, situated at the top of
the fig. This receptacle on its inner side contains
numerous minute flowers, crowded together and
covering the whole of the surface of the cavity.
These flowers are male and female, or staminate
and pistillate. The female flowers occupy by far
the largest room, and all the lower part of the
cavity. The male flowers, again, the more or less
narrow zone, immediately surrounding the eye of
the fig. In the cultivated or edible fig the male
flowers are generally wanting or rather replaced
by barren scale-like leaflets. In the different
crops, the proportion between the male and female
flowers is quite different. The figs of the first
crop, or the bocorre are those which carry the
most male flowers. The second crop, or the • kar-
mouse,' carry lew, and the third or last crop carry
none but female flowers. As I said, except in the
wild or Capri fig, the male flowers are seldom de-
veloped. In the figs grown in California, and
which 1 have had opportunity to investigate, the
male flowers were always replaced by scales; this
has also been previously found to be the case in
Italy, and Proftssor Arcangeli states that accord-
ing to his own observations the two most generally
cultivated figs around Pisa, the Fico verdino and
the F. piombinese, never have any perfect seeds
developed, while the F. biancolino, which is con-
sidered a semi-wild species, has, among numerous
imperfect seeds, some which are easily germin-
ated."

In regard to dried figs of our markets having
fertile seeds, it may be remarked that McMahon's
American Gardener, written nearly a hundred
years ago, gives full directions for raising plants
from dried fig seed, which must therefore have

been fertile.

Dr. Eisen's pamphlet may, no doubt, be ob-
tained from the author at Fresno, and is well
worth perusing by all interested in fig culture in
America.

Garden Cats.— Attention is being given in
England to training cats to protect strawberry
beds and other garden treasures from the vora-
cious English sparrow. The cats wear collars,
and are tethered by light and strong cords. The
tethers are attached to comfortable cat houses
which can be moved about from place to place as
desirable. It is said a thoroughly trained cat en-
joys the life hugely.

A New Race of ^o^ia-TO.— Revue Horticole
says that a new and very valuable race of tomato

has been produced by Mons. Hippolyte Des-
champs, chief gardener to the Count of Boisgelin,
which is fully equal to President Garfield in good
qualites. It bears the name of Boisgelin Tomato.

Horse-radish Culture. — Mr. A. Hamman,
writing to the Florida Dispatch, says :

•'In the State of New Jersey, my former home,
I planted on moist soil, in banks 3 feet apart, 18
inches apart in the row. The average weight in
eight years was two pounds each, the average
price during the same time was 8 cents a pound,
or $1,600 to the acre; but I must say we used
from $350 to $400 worth of manure from a slaught-
er-house at $1.50 per ton to each acre. The plow-
ing, planting, cultivating, trimming, etc., was
worth $200 to $300, according to the season,
leaving a profit of $900 to 5^1,150 per acre. I
raised horse-radish alone, but it can be raised to-
gether with cabbage, beets or lettuce; if done in
this way the roots are not as strong or thick as if
they are when planted alone.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Potash as a Protection Against Peach
Yellows.— "F. M.," Vineland, N. J., writes:
•* Is it clearly demonstrated that potash is a pro-
tection against yellows ? I want to set out a large
orchard, and would gladly invest in a supply of
potash when planting, if that is all required to
make the peach orchard proof against the disease ?'*

It is by no means demonstrated, that a want of
potash in the soil is a safeguard against yellows.
There are plenty of instances where trees have
the yellows in soil over-abounding in potash.

It has been clearly demonstrated by Prof. Pen-
hallow, that there is a deficiency of potash in the
wood of trees affected by yellows ; but this may
be from the diseased condition of the tree, de-
priving the tree of its usual power to assimulate
what it ought to do ; or from properly using the
vital power over the potash element, and not
from any scarcity of potash in the soil itself.

Grape Mildew.— A French correspondent
says: "You most likely know, that after having
been invaded by the Oidium and by the Phyllox-
era, our vineyards are now subject to the mil-
dew. The Oidium is beaten by sulphur. The
Phylloxera, by the importation of American vines
as stocks, is prevented. But the mildew con-
tinues to annoy us very much. A remedy has
been used— a mixture of chalk and sulphate of
copper. But it seems very dangerous, as several
persons have been lately poisoned by eating
grapes which had been aspersed by that mixture.

336

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[November,

" I therefore beg you to let me know as soon
as possible, what is the remedy employed with
you? You would oblige me very, very much."

[It is remarkable, that though the mildew—a
small fungus named Peronospora viticola— is an
American pest, it is not so serious a trouble in its
own country as it is when it gets among the
French people. Years ago, when we had the
hot-house forcing system of propagating grapes in
vogue, the mildew was a matter of consternation
with grape-growers ; but since more attention has
been given to getting plants with sound constitu-
tions, we rarely have any correspondence seeking
for remedies. We fancy it has ceased to be a
very serious cause of trouble with us, though here
and there people suffer. All preparations of cop-
per are dangerous, as we all know who have to
use Paris green. — Ed. G. M.]

Minnehaha Grape.— Col. Wilder sends a
bunch of this seedling, a second cross of Rogers*
Muscat of Alexandria on the flower of Massasoit.
It is a white variety, and so far as we can see, in
no way inferior to some of the European kinds,
when grown in the open air.

It must be very gratifying to those who are so
patiently laboring in the work of improvement, to
find so much to encourage them to persevere.

Productiveness of the Lindley Grape. —
Mr. Lorin Blodget. Broad street, Philadelphia,
says: " I am greatly obliged by your generous
notice of my grapes. They are abundant yet,
and if I could send conveniently I would put up
a box in fine condition. My son picked twenty-
five pounds on Monday— all from the one vine of
Lindley, which gave us the first ripe grapes Au-
gust 7th. They never mildew, rot or decay from
any cause other than the birds.

•• I also have a seedling Eestivalis bunched very
much like your beautiful • Bertrand,' but mine is
not worth propagating, although good, bearing
twenty bunches this the second year. I do not
see any grapes in market from the New Jersey
vineries, or any locality southward. I believe the
Lindley would stand the climate perfectly and I
furnish a marketable grape far superior to Ca- 1
tawba."

j the Wild Goose originated with me some seven
years ago. This seedling in growth is precisely
I the same as the Blackman, so far as I can see,
and it has never bloomed, and I do not believe it
ever will. Some months ago I asked the above
question through The Texas Farm and Ranch,
and up to this time no one has given an afifirma-
tive answer, but the Horticultural Editor of Farrn
and Ranch agreed with me in the opinion that
the Blackman plum does not bear fruit. Now if
we are correct, should not the sale of this plum
be stopped, and that at once ? Are we as nursery-
men doing our duty to disseminate fruit trees
without first testing them ?"

Blackman Plum.— Mr. W. W. Stell, Paris,
Texas, says: "This plum is offered for sale in
almost every fruit catalogue I receive ; I wish to
know if any one has ever fruited it and what of
the quality of fruit, and at what age the tree
bears ? I do not believe it fruits at all ; am led to
this conclusion by the conduct of a seedling of

Quality of the Kieffer Pear.— •• B. F.":
We do not know that there is any good to be
gained by " inviting the opinions of eminent men "
on the quality of this fruit, for, as we have re-
cently noted, their opinions must necessarily vary
according to their facilities for managing the fruit.
It is certain that much depends on management.
So far as the Kieffer pear is concerned, it is well
known, on the testimony of a very able fruit com-
mittee at the Centennial Exposition, that the fruit
exhibited there by Mr. Kieffer himself were abso-
lutely delicious in every sense of the word, and
the award to him was made solely on account of
the delicious quality and the beauty of the fruit.
No one could have a word to say against the
" opinion " of this eminent committee. On the
other hand, other growers equally as eminent
have had fruit before them which we have just as
good reason to believe were absolutely worthless ;
but these pears had not been managed by Mr.
Kieffer. Of what use then are further " opinions ?'*
It is not only on this pear, but on every fruit, that
opinions of eminent men will vary according as
they know how to manage the special idiosyncra-
cies of a fruit or not. For instance, most of the
German-Pennsylvania farmers will assert that
there is no better table apple than the Smoke-
house. For our part we know that we have
tasted a Smokehouse apple which was as delicious
in flavor as any apple we ever tasted. Yet so
eminent an authority as Charles Downing, in his
large edition of " Fruits and Fruit Trees of Amer-
ica," says that it has only culinary value.

We are satisfied that while soil and climate
have a great deal to do with the character of a
fruit, the grower's own skill or facilities in the
proper management of a fruit after nature has
done her part has much to do with starting its
reputation.

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

337

Forestry.

COMMUNICATIONS.

FORESTRY— THE ADIRONDACK WILDER-
NESS.

BY THOMAS BENNETT.

Having spent part of three years in the great
Adirondack wilderness, N. Y., allow me to say a
few words in favor of these " grand old woods."

I am inclined to speak very highly of this place,
but different individuals take different views very
often of the same subject, and value things accord-
ing to their own measure of usefulness. Some go
there for health, some for sport and pleasure, and
some to get away from the great summer heat in
the lowlands. But there is now another item of in-
terest, I think, to which I would wish to call at-
tention by and by. It is very hard to portray the
beauties of this place and do it full justice ; it
must be seen to be appreciated properly. Cer-
tainly the landscape scenery is grand and very
beautiful, composed as it is of wood and water,
hill and dale. The vales consisting of chains of
lakes, the traveling is nearly all performed by
water. The sloping hills on either side present
the rich forest to the best advantage. Scarcely
any level land is to be seen.

The chain between Blue Mountain and Forked
Lakes consisting of Blue Mountain Lake, Eagle
Lake, Utowanna Lake and the Raquette Lake is
supplied with four beautiful little steamboats
which ply up and down every day during sum-
mer on these placid waters. The dark green
verdure of the dense old forest is very attractive,
and the work of the Great Landscape Artist who
laid out this public park will always be admired ;
and although the prospect is always the same,
wood and water, the eye never tires because the
scenery changes at every turn, and the outline of
these lakes is devious and ever varying. No
one need wonder why His Excellency Grover
Cleveland loves to visit this romantic place.

There is a nice mixture of deciduous trees
among the evergreens, the latter, however, mostly
predominate. The species of either are not nu-
merous, yet this detracts nothing from the scene.
Of the coniferous trees the'Balsam Fir or Balm of
Gilead species (Pinus Balsamea) is plenty and
much admired, not only for its shape, color and

beauty of outline, but also for the sweet and whole-
some odor which it exhales. The White or Wey-
mouth Pine (Pinus strobus), the Hemlock Spruce
(Pinus Canadensis), and the Black Spruce (Pinus
nigra), are the principal.

Bordering the lakes is found the American
Larch or Tamarack (Pinus pendula), and the Ar-
bor Vitae (Thuja occidentalis), in great plenty.
There are a few plants peculiar to the margins of
the lakes. These are the White Cedar or Arbor
Vitas, the Shad-bush (Amelanchier), two species
of Alder (Alnus) the Winter-berry (Prinos), two
species of Spiraea, very ornamental shrubs,
three Viburnums, one Mountain Ash (Sorbus
Americana), the Huckleberry (Vaccinium), " and
any quantity " of dwarf Laurel (Kalmia angusti-
folia). Great beds of prostrate Yew (Taxus Cana-
densis), are frequently met with, and its rich dark
green color looks very fine.

The principal deciduous trees are four species
of Birch (Betula), two Poplars (Populus), two
Beeches (Fagus) ; Ash and Elm are scarce.
Small loss for they are objectionable. The lack
of Oak and Chestnut is not perceptible, for their
place is well filled by fourspeciesof Maple (Acer).
Acer saccharinum, the sugar Maple, is the most
plenty of all the deciduous trees, and it appears
to me here is a very interesting point for the lovers
of forestry and all those interested in tree plant-
ing.

Let us now consider how this large piece of
public property consisting of about 6,400,000 acres
can be utilized for the public good. The lack of
trees on the Western prairies is felt as a great pub-
lic loss, and seems to retard the progress of coloni-
zation. Plans are being devised to establish trees
there, and great encouragement given to the
planters. Land for tree nurseries is demanded.
Now here it is — cheap and plenty — but the land
belongs to the State of New York, not to the
general government, some one will say. No mat-
ter, a compromise can easily be made. Now sup-
pose we allow one-quarter of the surface for water
and one-quarter for mountain tops and inaccessi-
ble places and one-quarter for uncongenial places
for trees to grow, still we have one-quarter for our
nursery or 1,600,000 acres of nursery patches to
be attended to, and whatever way you take it will
yield an abundance of trees almost spontaneously

338

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[November,

with a little attention. The nurserymen of the
U. S. cannot supply one-half the trees that should
be planted. I speak chiefly in favor of the Sugar
Maple, that valuable tree that will adapt itself to
almost all localities, is easily grown, and about
the safest to plant as a shade tree ; and again
look at its value as a sugar producing plant.
We find in the statistics of the last U. S. Agri-

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Cercidiphyllum Japonicum.

cultural Report for 1885 that over one-twelfth
of all the sugar produced in the United States
comes from the sap of the Maple tree (Acer sac-
charinum). Now I maintain that this tree can be
grown in the Adirondack wilderness so easily,
cheaply, with so little trouble and to such an ex-
tent, that many millions may be shipped annually,
and the supply is almost inexhaustible.

Trent on t N, J,

Forests and Climate. — An exchange, in-
spired by the last year's report of the New York
Forestry Commission on its table, says :

*• In Kansas, the plantings of the new settlers
have already carried the rainy belt farther west.
In California, the same cause has sensibly affected
the dry season, and it is now believed that
by the simple process of tree planting the
great dry basin of our American interior
may be rendered fertile, fruitful, and able
to sustain a great and thriving popula-
tion."

In the next year's report, it will be in
order to explain why the rainy belt re-
ceded so far East this season as to ruin
thousands of settlers.

Cercidiphyllum Japonicum. — At the
Centennial, the Japanese had specimens
of wood of a forest tree that seemed hith-
erto unknown, and yet bore evidence of
great value. The tree has since been im-
ported, and besides its probable value as
a rapid growing timber tree, it has great
beauty of an ornamental kind, and it
promises to have a great popularity.
The specimen illustrated made a growth
of three feet a year. It has rather
an erect growth, not unlike a Lombardy
poplar. The plant is said to belong to
the Magnoliaceae, but the leaves are op-
posite, about the size of those of an apple
tree, and turn to a bright purple in fall.
So far as it has yet gone, it has not devel-
oped any faults, and for beauty it has few
superiors, while it will, doubtless, in time
obtain some reputation in American for-
estry.

Trees for the Sea-coast. — The
Norway is the best of all the maples for
- resisting the salt spray from the ocean,
"^ and is almost equal to willows and pop-

lars in this respect.

The Silver Fir. — The fine specimen,
once so famous, growing on the old battle-ground at
Germantown, is now nearly dead. Planted in 1800,
after the battle of the Revolution, it reached 100
feet high in seventy-five years. In its own coun-
try it often grows larger than this. Griger says :
"In narrow valleys in the south of Germany, be-
tween the Swiss mountains and the Black Forest,
on rich friable, loamy soil, it attains the height of
150 feet, with a trunk 16 to 20 feet in girth.

i886.]

AND HORTIGULTURIST.

339

Forests in Japan.— There are about 100,000,. j of the common Birch, are destitute of foot-stalks,
000 acres in Japan, of which one-third is still and composed of simple undivided scales,
virgin forest.

Growth of the California Mammoth Tree
— This wonderful tree grows rapidly in England.
Some specimens about twenty years old are 40
feet high, according to the Gardeners' Chronicle.

In our country, it suffers severely from the attacks while the cabinet-maker is only too pleased to
of a fungus, that few escape, and most die quite P^^^^^^^e a log of it when for disposal."

"As regards quality of the timber produced in
this country, we have found it to be first-class, am-
ple opportunities having been afforded us of
judging it both in a rough and converted condition.
It is reddish in color, and beautifully marked
with lighter patches, close-grained, firm, and takes
a high polish. For carving, it is well suited.

young.

The Largest Douglas Spruce in England.
— It has been supposed that this noble Spruce
would not grow as tall in its own country as on the
western coasts of the New World. But the fol-
lowing from the Gardeners' Chronicle, alluding to
the pinetum at Dropmore, gives the following ac-
count of one :

The Hemlock Spruce in Europe. — It is be-
Hevcd that the Hemlock Spruce does not thrive
in Britain. It is, at any rate, seldom planted
there. Yet there are fine specimens. There is
one 100 feet high at the Duke of Devonshire's at
Chatsworth, says the London Garden.

I.Mi'ROVED Method of Preserving Wood. —
The improved French method of preserving wood

"The Abies Douglasi here of more than 120 by the application of lime is found to work well,
feet in height is another pet of the pinetum, and The plan is to pile the planks in a tank, and to
Its pride. It has ofifsprine around it. especiallv a I 1, 1 r • , i- i • , • 1

tree of 1835, growing by the carriage-drive. a cut- 1 P"^ °''^' ^^^ "" ^^>'^^* ^^ quicklime, which is grad-
ting from the original tree, and laden with heavy ' ually slaked with water. Timber for mines re-
branches bearing many cones. The original tree j quires about a week to be thoroughly impregnated,
carries us back to the days of Mr. Frost's honored | ^nd other wood more or less time according to its
master, Lord Grenville, the founder of Dropmore,
and the encloser of the roughs and wastes which
he supplanted by the present grounds 600 acres
in extent. Lord Grenville, being a Fellow ot the

Horticultural Society, sent to Dropmore some of
the seed which the Society had received from Mr.
Douglas. It was sown in 1827, and the big tree
was planted in 1830.

The Cherry or Mahogany Birch. — This tree,

native of the Eastern United States and Canada,

seems to be growing in popularity for its timber

in the old world, and it may be of interest to

American forest planters to examine how far its

culture may be worth encouraging in our country.

Gardening Illustrated says :

*• The Mahogany Birch, or Mountain Mahogany,
has been found well adapted for cultivation in
Britain, where it grows freely, attains to a large

thickness. The material acquires remarkable con-
sistence and hardness, it is stated, on being sub-
jected to this simple process, and the assertion is
made that it will never rot. Beech wood prepared
in this way for hammers, and other tools for iron-
work, is found to acquire the hardness of oak,
without parting with any of its well-known elasti-
city or toughness, and it also lasts longer. — In-
dian Forester.

A Gigantic Oak. — One of the sights of Paris
at this moment consists in the trunk of a gigantic
oak placed in an iron boat especially constructed
for the purpose, and moored in the Seine near the
Pont de la Concorde. According to M. Ch.
Thays, in the Revue Horticole^ this trunk was
found accidentally in the bed of the Rhone at La

size, and produces timber of excellent quality ; \ Balme as long ago as 1874, when, during a period
indeed, in this latter respect we are now fully I when the water was low, a branch was observed
convinced that it has few rivals amongst the sticking out above the surface. On closer exam-

ereneral run of our forest trees, for all this, few • ,- ^1 • r j *. a c u

p J J *i, • ^ -ii ^^^^ .,:fu ;„ ^«„ ination this was found to proceed from a huge

mdeed are the specimens one will meet with in any ^ ^

part of the kingdom, which is, no doubt, attributa- ' trunk embedded in the bed of the river. Not till
ble to a want of knowledge regarding its utility
for general planting in this country. Grown un-
der favorable circumstances, it attains a height of
50 or 60 feet, is of Cherry-like appearance, but
with darker bark, and cordate, finely serrated
leaves. A peculiarity, noticeable at least in the
trees here, is the mode of growth, which seems
jointed, as in a Bamboo, this being attributable to
the quick rate of growth, and non-production of
branches unless at the termination of each season's
shoot. The catkins, which are not unlike those

ten years later — 1883 — was the level of the water
again sufficiently lowered to enable the tree to be
exhumed. Five months were occupied in the
task of removing it from the bed of the river,
some 10 meters of sand and gravel having had to
be removed in order to liberate it. Ultimately on
March 25, 1884, it was brought to shore, where
the huge dimensions of the trunk were ascertained
as follows: Length, 31 metres = 101.7 feet; cir-

340

THE GARDE'NERS* MONTHLY

[November,

cumference at the origin of the roots, 9 metres ;
circumference at the level of the soil, 6 metres.
The actual weight of the tree is 55,000 kilo-
grammes. The age of the tree is estimated at
from 400 to 450 years. The boat, called the
Drysphore, or Oak bearer, is intended to trans-
port the tree from river to river, and we may per-
haps see it moored alongside Cleopatra's Needle,
whose adventures in a similar boat will be re-
membered by our readers.

[About 40 inches is a metre, and 2 lbs., 6 oz. a
kilogramme.]

The Colorado Douglas Spruce. — As well
known in our country, Mr. Douglas demonstrated
several years ago that while this form would not
make the timber tree that gives the Pacific form
such a reputation, for ornamental purposes it is
far superior. In England they call it the Blue
Douglas spruce, which may be a better name.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Forest Fires. — Mr. R. L. Lamb, Charles-
ton, S. C, says : '• I notice your opinion of the
Forest Wardens in the September number of the
<Gardeners* Monthly. I think that they would
prevent forest fires from destroying the forests
about as easily as I could prevent the earthquake
from knocking Charleston into a cocked hat. The
only way to prevent great forest fires is to set
them on fire every year which would consume the
<iead leaves and small underbrush. A small fire
every year would not injure the larger trees, but a
great fire once in tenor twenty years destroys all."

[On the grounds of the Editor, a railroad runs
through a piece of forest. It burns over from
locomotive sparks every spring when the thaw
comes. Frost seems to have the power of forcing
out gummy material from dead vegetation, which
easily catches fire. No injury has ever been
known to the forest trees from these annual fires. —
Ed. G. M.]

Hard and Soft Maples. — ** Dasycarpum "
says : " While crossing the AUeghenies en route to
the Florists' Convention in August, the conversa-
tion turned upon shade trees, and among them
maples ; and as there appeared to be some ambig-
uity as to whether the Red Maple was hard
wooded, it would be of value perhaps for you to
elucidate this point for the benefit of the public.
I also find the same uncertainty in regard to the
Cottonwood and the Carolina Poplar, some claim-
ing that they are identical and others the reverse."

[Soft Maple is generally understood to be the
common Silver Maple — Acer dasycarpum. Hard
Maple is given to Acer rubrum, the Red Maple,
and to Acer saccharinum, the Sugar Maple. No
one ever knows for certain which one is being
talked about, except after minute inquiry. We
believe most people refer to the Red Maple when
using the name Hard Maple.

The Cottonwood Poplar is Populus Canadensis,
the Carohna Poplar, Populus monilifera ; botanists
are, however, by no means clear that they are
not mere varieties of the same thing. But it is
very important for cultivators to keep the varieties
separate. The so-called Carolina Poplar is far
superior to all others as a street tree. — Ed. G. M.]

Natural History and Science.

COMMUNICATIONS.

BLOOMING OF THE SWEET-POTATO.
BY MR. H. W. RAVENEL.

One of your correspondents writes (October
number of Gardeners* Monthly) : Did you
ever see a sweet potato bloom ? As largely as we
plant them in the South I have never seen but
^ne, and I made a picture of it."

Vou do not state the locality from which your

correspondent writes, but I can say that in this

latitude the sweet potato blooms abundantly every

season — some varieties more Ireely than others.

But as common as are the flowers, mature seed is

extremely rare. The flower on casual inspection

I seems perfect, — the stigmas seem capable of per-

! forming their duties, — the stamens are there with

their anthers, but in every case I have examined

! the latter are destitute of pollen. I suppose this

is the defect. The flowers, however, in rare

cases, do fertilize. I have heard of perfect and

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

34»

mature seeds in this State, also Georgia and
Florida ; and I believe that some of numerous |
varieties have been raised from seed. I have rea-
son to think also, — as you suggest in your com-
ments,— that some owe their existence to bud or \
root variation. I have myself occasionally seen i
specimens which exhibited a well defined varia-
tion from others taken from the same vine. l

A few years ago I inserted in one of our local ;
papers an inquiry about the seeding of the sweet ;
potato, and requested the farmers around to look
into the matter and examine their potato fields.
In the fall, some were brought in which had
well developed capsules, and apparently per-
fect seeds. I also found some in my own potato
patch, but though these were all planted carefully
the following spring, they failed to germinate. I
sent some of these seeds to the Editor of the
Rural New Yorker^ but as I never heard anything
more of them, I presume they failed also. One
of our neighboring farmers two years ago brought i
me some specimens of a potato which was con-
fidently believed to be a seedling, as it was found
growing alone where no vines or roots had ever
been cultivated, and which came up as a seedling
would do, feebly at first, and strongly resembling
the common Morning Glory. I have cultivated
it for two years. It seems unlike any of the varie- i
ties in cultivation here. The vine, though very :
luxuriant, seems not disposed to run, but rather to j
grow thickly in bunches over the ground. It is |
early and very productive — flesh and skin white, I
of oval shape and attams a large size, but it is in-
sipid and without sweetness or flavor, not even ;
improving by keeping through the winter. It will
probably on this account, not meet with general
favor. ;

The sweet potato begins to bloom here about |
the end of August or early in September, and :
continues till frost. Imperfect capsules may be 1
seen every year after the flowers bud. They re- :
semble very much those of the Morning Glory. |

Aiken, South Carolina.

Mr. Hillenmeyer, Lexington, Ky., kindly contri- :
butes the following additional note : •' Flowers on i
this plant are, as your Southern correspondent i
observes, quite rare. In the autumn of 1883, how-
ever, they were frequently found in this locality.
July, August and September to the i6th, were quite
dry ; from that date out, through the month of
October the temperature was high with frequent
showers. The vines made a strong second
growth, the tubers kept poorly, but flowers were
quite abundant.

WILD FLOWERS OF THE ADIRONDACKS.

BY THOMAS BENNETT.

After a sojourn of nearly three months in the
great Adirondack wilderness, N. Y. State, I find
myself at home again, much improved in health,,
and on looking over my notes I have thought a
few remarks and suggestions on what I have seen
would not be uninteresting to you and your nu-
merous readers.

You tell us a good deal about forestry and
about cultivated beauties, and while you intro-
duce to our notice these *' gems of nature " you
have not forgotten the " wayside flowers." The
flora of this high table land is peculiar and inter-
esting, and it is surprising that but few seem to
take any great interest in it. The invalid goes
there to regain his health, which he generally
does (I speak from experience), in that cool, brac-
ing and salubrious climate. The sportsman goes
there with his rod and gun, longing for a chance
to exert his skill, dreaming of long strings of fish
abstracted from the waters of these numerous
lakes, or of successfully shooting the wild bear or
the timid deer. But whoever moves over these
placid waters cannot help admiring the rural
beauty of those lofty hills surrounding the lakes
which are wooded to their very tops, covered
with the most beautiful and luxuriant fohage and
which gradually slope in a dense mass down to
the water's edge.

In this communication I confine myself to a
mere outline of the vegetation with the few re-
marks I wish to make. The evergreens by far
outnumber the deciduous trees, and the giant size
of the former in some instances is very striking.
Here we are told are over ten thousand square
miles of wood and water, which would take a long
time to inspect thoroughly. I stopped the most
of my time on the Forked and Raquette lakes,
principally the latter, which are centrally located
in the great forest, and I took occasion to visit
the outlines from nearly every point of the com-
pass. The Raquette is said to be over 100 miles
in circuit.

There is an apparent sameness in the trees and
vegetation generally, yet there are localities where
one sort gains the ascendancy over others, but
not to their exclusion altogether. 1 took notes of
all the species I met, and at some other time may-
furnish them. The lack of tall creepers and
thorny plants is a striking feature of this place ;
another is, the prevalence of red berries or fruit
1 oyer other kinds. Red forms a pleasing contrast

342

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[November,

with green, and Nature, seemingly aware of this,
will not allow many shrubs or plants here that
do not bear red fruit or berries.

This seems the home of the red raspberry (Ru-
bus), but I could not determine the species ;
they grow very fine in this old wood soil. [R.
strigosus — Ed.] The wild cherry (Cerasus) as a
shrub has none but red, and the Elder (Sambu-
cus) is loaded with a profusion of red berries.
The dwarf Cornell that a short time before cov-
ered the ground with its white blossoms, now '
adorns the surface with its beautiful clusters of
red "bunch berries." The beautiful Viburnum;
lantanoides, everywhere present, shows its fruit in |
August in large bunches or clusters of red berries.
The Creeping Arum (Calla palustris), common in
low grounds, is covered, when its white lilies de-
cay, with beautiful bunches of red berries. The I
tall Smilacina (False Solomon's Seal) exhibits at i
every turn very large bunches of red berries ; the j
Wake Robin (Trillium), shows a very large red
berry or seed-pod ; the Prinos or Winter-berry, i
the Shad-bush (Amalanchier), and many others '
exhibit their beautiful red fruit in great profusion.
The wild plum is also red. Three species of,
Aralia grow here, and the Nudicaulis or Sarsapa-
rilla in great abundance. The Coptis, or Golden
Thread, so much used in medicine, is very plenty.
Many other medicinal plants and herbs are |
plenty.

The ground is covered in most places at all sea-
sons with most beautiful winter-greens and herba-
ceous creepers. Amongst the former Pyrola,
Chimaphilaand Gaultheria predominate. Amongst
the latter Chiogenes, or Creeping Snowberry,
grows everywhere on mossy banks ; also the
Mitchella (Partridge berry), and Linnaea borealis,
the last of which ever reminds us of that great
man, Carl Von Linnaeus, who has done so much
for botanical science. The Cypripediums and
four species of club moss, with two Selaginellas,
are very common. The American Pitcher Plant,
Hunter's Cup, or Side-saddle flower (Sarracenia),
grows in the swamps. The Indian pipe (Mono-
tropa) often peeps out, as it were, to greet the
passer by. I found no land in a state of nature
without its due amount of vegetation. The deep-
est swamps are everywhere covered with a species
of Andromeda (here called Sage-brush). The
large beds of Uvularia perfoliata (yellow Bell-
wort), so like beds of Lily of the Valley in appear-
ance, are very interesting, and I do not see why
they are not generally cultivated, and they are
u ell adapted to grow in the shade.

The beautiful Orchis, Habenaria orbiculata, is
often met with, and I have thought what a pity it
is that a collection of these native plants and
flowers, with thousands of others that might be
collected throughout the country, are not brought
and sown and planted in Central Park, New York,
where the teacher of botany might bring his
pupils at different times and show them the living
specimens, and where others interested might also
learn.

Would not this prepare the way for many of
our farmers to go into raising medicinal plants,
now so much called for, and which have to be
imported from foreign countries, and moreover
are now very strongly recommended to their no-
tice by our present Commissioner of Agriculture ?
Some may object and say the soil is not suitable.
It is not, for many sorts, it is true, but it is easy to
make a similar soil that will answer every purpose
by hauling a few sloop loads of peaty soil from
the Jersey flats between New York and Newark,
and when found too heavy by adding a little sand.
I am convinced that not only the plants of the
Adirondacks but thousands of others that can be
easily procured may be grown in Central Park,
New York, and I would respectfully suggest a
similar establishment in all the large cities of our
central States. Chambersburg, fiear Trenton, N. J,

THE MANGROVE.
BY R. SMITH.

The Mangrove (Botanical Order, Rhizophora-
ceae) is one of nature's most interesting and won-
derful products. There are about twenty species
of the Mangrove, all of which are natives of the
tropics. It flourishes on the seacoasts, and mud-
flats along the estuaries and at the mouths of large
rivers. In these places, its netted, intertwining
roots often form impassible barriers to the bold
explorer who attempts to invade, either by land or
water, the dark shadows of its abode.

Most of the species (like the Banyan, Ficus In-
dica,) send down auxiliary stems or roots from
their branches, and when fairly established, spread
with great rapidity, by means of these secondary
roots, along the oozy river-banks, and form dense,
dark, loathsome forests, among whose endless in-
terlacings huge purple and black crabs, slimy,
sleepy aUigators, and aquatic birds disport and
hunt their prey. The leaves are dark, glossy
green. The wood is hard and durable, but of no
commercial value. The seeds are enclosed in a
pod, and begin to grow while still attached to the

1 886. J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

343

parent. The thick radicle grows downward, the
young cotyledons or seed-leaves push forth their
heads, and about ten days after the seeds begin
to germinate, the fruit, with the young Mangrove
attached, falls into the muddy receptacle pre-
pared by Nature, startling with its splash innu-
merable birds, which shriek and wail as they
whir away through the gloom, and attract to
the spot some voracious alligator on the lookout
for a victim.

When the tide covers the^roots, few landscapes
can be seen more depressing and weird than when
sailing in a small boat among the mazes, and under
the numberlessleafy arches of a Mangrove
forest. The voyager who ventures with-
in the labyrinth, must use the greatest
care, or the bottom of his boat may be
torn out by a twisted, gnarled root, and
leave him at the mercy of the alligator,
whose savage eyes follow his every
movement.

When the tide recedes, a sickly odor
rises from the slime, bearing malaria in
its breath, and threatening the intrepid
mariner with delirium and death. The
natives of the countries where the Man-
grove grows, attribute all kinds of dis-
eases to the odor rising from its roots; but
there can be no doubt, that while ever
growing where the dread malaria lurks,
the Mangrove forest helps to sweeten the
air and lessen the death-dealing power
of the malarial vapor rising from the mud
in which it delights to flourish.

The Rev. C. Kingsley, in "Westward
Ho!" thus graphically and truthfully
paints a Mangrove forest:

••The shore sank' suddenly into a
low line of Mangrove wood, backed by primeval
forest. The loathy floor of liquid mud lay bare
beneath. Upon the endless web of interarching
roots, great purple crabs were crawling up and !
down. The black bank of dingy leathern
leaves above ; the endless labyrinth of stones
and withes — for every bough had lowered its
own living cord, to take fresh hold of the
foul soil below ; the web of roots which
stretched far away inland — all seemed one hor- 1
rid comphcated trap for the voyager. There
was no opening, no relief; nothing but the
dark ring of Mangroves, and here and there an
isolated group of large and small, parents and
children, bending and spreading, as if in hideous
haste to choke out air and sky. Wailing sadly,
sad-colored Mangrove-hens ran off across the
mud into the dreary dark. The hoarse night- |
raven, hid among the roots, startled the voyagers I

with a sudden shout, and then all was again silent
as the grave. The loathly alligators, lounging in
the slime, lifted their horny eyelids lazily, and
leered upon you as you passed with stupid savage-
ness. Lines of tall herons stood dimly in the
growing gloom, like white fantastic ghosts. All
was foul, sullen, weird as witches' dream."

Such is the Mangrove forest ;

"A pillared shade
Upon whose {xrassless^floor . . . ghostly shapes
May meet at noontide— Fear and trembling Hope,
Silence and Foresight— Death the skeleton,
An<l Time the shadow." —Wordsworth.

Germantown, Philadelph- 1

A Mangrove Forest.

EDITORIAL NOTES,

Bacteria, in their Relation to Disease. —
Prof. Burrill in a recent lecture at Chautauqua,
contends that it is fully demonstrated that Bacteria
cau5e disease and are not the product thereof.
We hardly know in what way this has been
demonstrated. The germs of these low orders of
vegetation exist everywhere ; this is conceded. They
germinate when the circumstances are favorable ;
this al50 is conceded. To say that they cause
disease is to say that they create the conditions
under which they vegetate, and this is not philoso-
phical. Still if it is " demonstrated " that this is a
fact, there could be no opposition to the accep-

344

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[November,

tance of the belief. Inoculation of a healthy Solidification of Oxygen was exhibited for
subject is not demonstration, as some tissue is , the first time at the Royal Institution, a few days
injured by the act, and this injured tissue may be since, by Professor Dewar. The solidification is
sufficient to start the foe. If any other demon- accomplished by allowing liquid oxygen to ex-
stration has been offered, it has not come under pand into a partial vacuum, when the enormous
the notice of the Editor. That fungous growth, 'absorption of heat that follows results in the pro-
after it has once started, will destroy tissue, has duction of the solid substance. Oxygen in a solid
been demonstrated, but the conditions that give condition resembles snow in appearance, and has
it the first start have not been made so clear. a temperature of about 200 deg. Centigrade below

Humble Bees and Clover.— The ^;;/^nV-^« j ^^^^^^^^^^^Point of water.— C^^r^^^^;-/ ^^^a^-/;!^.
Horticulturist says that " Prof. Shelton, of the ' Purslane.— The Germans, in olden time, were
Kansas Agricultural College, remarked some time fond of this as a vegetable, and tradition says that
since, that in * Kansas bumble bees are almost its presence as a weed in our country is due to its

unknown. It is safe to say that not one clover
head in a dozen ever knows the embrace of the
bumble bees; and yet we believe that nowhere
are such crops of clover seed grown as in this
State. Here every clover head which is allowed
to come to maturity is every year filled with seed
of the best quahty. Certainly our clover worries
along very handsomely without bumble bees.***
This accords with the experience of Mr.

escape from German-Pennsylvania gardens. We
fancy it would have found its way here to plague
the cultivator, if it had not come in the emigrant's
track. Boiled till tender, and then sauced, it is
said to be excellent eating ; but to enjoy it thor-
oughly, the American Agriculturist suggests that
it should be called by its French name *• pourpier
i Vert," and not by the vulgar name of "pussley."

Sugar in Oak Trees.— During August, the

Meehan.who, at the time when Mr. Darwin at- L,,: ;. V.v, -— ^—^unng .iugust, tne

1 1 1 . . , attention of the writer was attracted bv a stream

tempted to show that clover could not seed with- ^r i- „• . ,.^ , , , jturactea oy a stream

.„. v,„^Ki. K«o. ^o;...^ ..,. .u.. ;., A :.„ I of liquid that had oozed down the trunk of a

twenty-year oak, and around which bees and
butterflies were hovering in great numbers. The
sap came from orifices made by borers, and was
quite as sweet as that which is produced by the
Sugar maple.

The Spider Lily.— Mr. Berckmans says that
the Guernsey Lily, and the American crinum, C.
Americanum, are known by this name in some
parts of the South.

Fertilizing Flowers by Insects.— Those
who have written of this curious subject, the
agency of insects in the cross-fertilization of
flowers, love to tell of the mutual interests in-
volved. The insects want honey — flowers want
foreign pollen— so the plant receives the bee as a
welcome foreign trader. It receives the needed
pollen, and gladdens the heart of the busy little
merchant, who departs laden with the treasures
for which the flower had no use of its own. But

out humble bees, pointed out that in America,
humble bees did not enter by the fertilizing door,
but slit the tube of the clover flower near its base,
and carried off the honey without meddhng with
the anthers at all. They rather assisted by jarring
the flowers, in scattering the flower's own pollen
within the corolla, and hence favored self-fertili-
zation rather than crossing with others.

Shortia galacifolia.— Our readers will re-
member how much interest has been felt in this
curious plant, which was found by Michaux in
North Carolina, and never again till a few plants
were seen in another place by Mr. Hyams a few
years ago. Now Prof. Sargent has discovered it
on the original spot where it grew in Michaux's
time. It is one of the plants common to Japan and
to our country, that seem to be dying out ; and
yet individual plants seem able to hold their own.
Here are plants that have been able to maintain
their place in one spot for over half a century.

: in the little world of plants and ftowers, as in the
Disappearance of the Mistletoe.-A few wider intercourse among human beings, mutual
years ago, says Mr. Hillenmeyer of Lexington, interest is not always the basis of change. There
hardly a walnut tree in Fayette Co.. Ky., but are wretched instances of ignoble selfishness that
was full of Mistletoe. To-day a cluster of this | set all moral law at defiance-plants that are
plant is quite rare. A careful examination last i worse than cannibals, for they not only actually
winter of nearly fifty acres of walnut woodland, ; kill and eat the little traders that venture within
failed to discover a single cluster. In 1877 many their domains, but have not the higher motives
trees in this same tract were literally overgrown outside of mere love of a delicacy, which See-

with this plant. Why has it disappeared t

mann tells us the Fiji Islanders have, when

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

34S

tempted to dine on their celebrated dish of roast
missionary. Among the many instances illustra-
tive of this barbaric trait in plants, that have ap-
peared in print, a very interesting one has recently
been contributed by an English observer, Mr. A.
D. Webster. It relates to Arum crinitum, an old
and well-known Corsican plant, though in modern
times it has been given the dreadful name of He-
licodiceros muscivorus, the last, of course, in refer-
ence to its fly-devouring propensity. It is closely
allied to the well-known Indian turnip, of our
woods, but has a foetid odor similar to the skunk-
cabbage, to which it also has relationship. Mr.
Webster says the carrion-like scent is very at-
tractive to a large number of flies, which enter the
spathe, but never return. After being open for
two days, he has found as many as seventy two
captives, without counting the smaller creatures.
With a pre-disposition to believe that the insects
were destined to act as agents in fertilization, he
was amazed to find that the pollen was not in a
condition for use, till after the captured insects
were dead. These he found, lived long enough
to deposit eggs, which, by the time the pollen
matured had become httle •• wigglers," which,
crawling about the spadix, carried the pollen from
male to the female flowers. It is not yet quite
clear, whether the flower acts from pure vicious-
ness in this murderous course — in charity, we may
suppose the selfishness already hinted at, and be-
Ueve that in some way the nitrogenous material of
the insects is used as food, as in the case of pitcher
plants and Venus* fly-traps. Mr. W. charitably
looks on the "wigglers" as fertilizing agents, and
that the parents were captured that this good
might come. But as this is not cross-fertilization,
and the stamens in these aroids being usually
above the pistils, so that the pollen when dis-
charged would naturally fall on the stigmas below
them, there would really seem no excuse for this
murderous waste of life by an innocent-looking
flower. — Independent,

The Ladies' Bee.— There is not much doubt
that many people would engage in bee-keeping
but for one thing— viz. : the httle bee's weapon of
defence— its sting. Some people do not much
care whether they are stung or not, but with
others it is not so, and in certain conditions of the
blood a sting cannot altogether be despised.
Under these circumstances, it seems desirable to
inquire whether some bees are more peacably dis-
posed than others. The ordinary English bee is
generally tolerably well-behaved, but not always

so, and is occasionally perfectly furious, especially
if the wind is "beasterly." The Italian or Li-
gurian bee is good-tempered if kept pure, but that
is very difficult, and when they are crossed with
English bees they become perfect little demons,
and will fly, not only at the intruder, but oftener
still at innocent people at a distance. Moreover
—and here I am aware I am treading on delicate
ground — I do not feel sure that the Itahan bees
are altogether innocent about the introduction of
foul brood and other bee diseases into this country.
But I will pursue this part of the subject no
further, out of deference to our most noted bee-
keepers, many of whom hold the contrary opinion.

It is now generally conceded that the Carniolan
bee is the best bee for this country, and therefore
it seems to be the ladies' bee. This bee is an im-
portation from Carniola, in Austria. It is a most
amiable bee, and nothing seems to put it out of
temper. Almost anything can be done with them,
and this without smoke or veil. Moreover, if
they become crossed with ours, as they are sure to
be, the queen bee not being at all particular about
the nationality of her husband, the good qualities
seem to be increased rather than diminished. In
a pure state, their only fault seems to be a per-
petual desire to swarm, and that quality seems to
be restrained somewhat when crossed with ours,
while the amiable qualities are retained. They
are very energetic, and collect a large amount of
honey, and our climate seems to suit them well ;
but the Italians appear to want a warmer climate
than ours, and are more adapted for sunny Italy.

Many other races of bees have been introduced,
and as close breeding is not good, they may, and
probably have, improved the blood of our bees
generally, but they are much too fierce for general
use. Especially may this be said of the Cyprian,
Syrian, and Holy Land bees. I have many times
wondered how King Solomon (who said, "My
son, eat thou honey, for it is good") managed to
get his, and whether he ever was ^XMVi'^.— Agnes,
in Gardeners Chronicle.

Floating Islands.— The Editor of the Gard-
eners' Monthly in his younger days when an
active plant collector, was surprised once, on re-
turning the way he came through a piece
of woods, to find a sheet of water across his
path. He was on a floating island, and the wind
had changed. It was evident to his mind that he
had found one explanation of sunken forests,
aside from any violent convulsion of the earth's
surface— when the woods had received blowing

346

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[November,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

sands to add to the weight, sinking would be
inevitable.

The subject is worthy of more thought than it
has received from scientific people. Here is an-
other account :

347

"Writing of the mountain lakes in Wayne
County, Pa., one of which, he says, has at times
a distinct tidal movement, though 1500 feet above
the ocean level, a correspondent of the New York
Tzm^s says : ' Cajah Pond, one mile and a half
from the county seat and about 200 feet above the
village, is dotted with a number of little islands.
These islands are covered with trees, some of them
20 feet high, and a dense growth of thick-foliaged
bushes. The island bottoms are marshy, but the
soil is stiff enough to sustain the weight of the
fishermen who troll for pickerel from the islands
in the summer fishing season, and who are the
only visitors. In the summer these miniature
islands are pleasing variations in the beauty of
the scene the lake presents to the spectator as he
gazes upon it from the high ground that encircles
it. and if the wind happens to be strong and vari-
able, as it generally is on the lake, the visitor who
looks upon the little sheet for the first time can
hardly help being startled to see these islands
moving about from one point of the compass to
another as the wind shifts. On one day these
islands may be seen huddled together in one spot,
and on another day perhaps they will be seen
scattered widely apart. An island from which the
fisherman casts his line at one end of the lake to-
day will in all probability invite him to it from the
other extremity to-morrow. The largest of these
' islands was years ago partial to the lower end of
the lake, and hugged the shore there with only
slight changes in position day in and day out.
During a stiff and heavy wind one day this island
tacked first to one side and then to the other side
of the lake, moving slowly the while toward the
upper end, until it was floated against the shore at
that end, where it has remained ever since, moored
in some mysterious way to the marshy margin of
the mainland. These fair islands of Cajah Pond
although almost continually shifting their position'
are not so susceptible to the influences of the wind
as they were within the memory of persons born
within the present generation. Their area is per-
ceptibly increasmg. Apparently the roots of the
trees and undergrowth have thrust themselves'
down deep enough to act as anchors to these
curious natural craft. The writer has never heard
any scientific explanation of the processes by which
these formations are being slowly but surely aug-
mented and made more solid, but by these pro-
cesses whatsoever they are, the entire surface of
the lake will eventually be covered with this
slowly collected soil, until no evidence will remain
that a lake ever existed on the spot.' "

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Food of the English Sparrow.—" B.," Wil-
liamsport, Pa. : The English sparrow is properly a

graminivorous bird. But it has a warm place for
moths and beetles, and in so far it is an aid in
keeping down these pests of the cultivator.
Whether it is a greater friend than an enemy of
the farmer and fruit-grower, is a good one for a
debating society, because it can never be definitely
answered. The citizen who has had his trees
cleared of the measuring worm, or his elms of the
leaf beetle, will speak by the hour loudly in their
praise; while the lungs of the poor fellow who
has lost all his crop of some desirable seeds, or
perhaps his little strawberry crop by them, will be
exercised with equal strength in crying them down.
The Rose Rust.— "A subscriber to the Gar-
deners' Monthly" writes: "The foliage of my
j Hybrid Perpetual roses has been very much in-
jured by a rust, which you will see on the under-
side of the leaf enclosed. They have blossomed
well, but dropped their leaves early. I have
thought the difficulty might be owing to a very
dry summer. Can you suggest a remedy for the
trouble, should it appear next year."

[This is a distinct species of fungus from that
which produces rust on the blackberry and other
plants, and is known to botanists as Phragmidium
mucronutum. It is not likely that it will appear
so badly, if at all, next year, as, like all the fungus
family, it requires a nice combination of conditions
for them to appear. This season being favorable,
it is not likely the next will be favorable also. A
I wash of soap suds and sulphur has been found
useful in preventing its spread when it begins to
appear.

This form is by no means common, and if you

would send a good quantity for herbarium speci-

mens this year ; or next, if too late for this, to Mr.

I J. B. Ellis, Newfield, New Jersey, with your full

I address, he would be very much obliged for them.

I —Ed. G. M.]

I Acclimating Trees and Fruits.— A corre-

ispondent from Switzerland, St. John's County,

: Florida, sends us clippings from the Florida Dis-

patch and other papers, and says: "Can you

give me any facts, going to show that any plant,

j native of a hot climate, has become acclimated in

a cold climate, or vice versa ?"

The extracts read :

" I visited an old-time friend, Samuel Bowers,
at Cedar Rapids, Iowa ; he has been in the nur-
sery business thirty-five years. His fine orchard,
that had been his pride for years, all torn to pieces
by the cold the winter before, and much of his
stock in nursery seemed, even the Wealthys,
frozen half-way to the ground.

"Then one hundred miles further on, is Dudley

W. Adams, a man who has done more for that
country, in the way of pomology, than any other
man in the Northwest, his fine orchard of eighty
acres, hardly a tree left, and so I found it in all
that country, turn which way I would. The sad
disaster, nothing left but dead trees, with but few
exceptions, a Duchess, Wealthy and a few sour
crab apples (and often these kinds were dead),
were all that were left, and as 1 have said before
this, Iowa lost by frost that winter many times
more than our State did by the freeze of last
winter."

The next extract reads :

"I think Mr. Mott is mistaken, when he asserts
that there is no such thing as acclimating a plant.
Only a few years ago, apples could not be success-
fully grown in Minnesota ; thousands of trees of
the hardiest varieties then known had been sent
out, yet almost all froze out before reaching a
bearing age. In the face of all this discourage-
ment, courageous orchardists persevered in grow-
ing seedlings, until they have achieved success;
and to-day there are thousands of bearing apple
trees in Minnesota, although neither the soil nor
the climate has changed. If this is not acclima-
tion, what is it ? I could give other instances, if
space would permit."

A succeeding paper produces a correspondent

who says :

" I wonder about how much Mr. Tabor knows
about 'acclimating' apples in Minnesota; about
how much he knows about apple-raising in that
State, anyway. If he knows anything about it at
all, he knows that ten, fifteen, yes twenty years
ago, there was less trouble to grow apples in that
State, than it has been for the past three years.
He knows too, of the seedlings produced up there,
none of them have been any more hardy to with-
stand their terrible winters than the parent apple.

"The Wealthy, a seedling of the Oldenburgh (a
Persian apple), proved itself nearly as hardy as
its parent, and in it, Mr. Gidings gave to that
country a valuable acquisition.

" Then there are seedlings from the Siberian
crab-apple family, that some have proved them-
selves of value, but usually they die with frozen
sap blight."

It is extremely difficult to answer the question
put to us, because no one has any definite idea of
what accliniate means. In a general sense, it
signifies that a plant shall live and thrive in a
country wherein it is not indigenous. There are
innumerable conditions besides those which would
come under the head of climate, that would affect
the result. As the question is put by our corre-
spondent, acclimate seems reduced to a question
of temperature. Can a plant, a native of a hot
clime, be made to endure a colder one ?

We never knew a potato that a white frost would
not kill ; and it does seem to us, that we shall
never have a potato that a white frost will not kill.
We do not think that any amount of selection
would ever give us a frost-proof potato. And yet
as regards trees, it is undoubted that some varie-
ties are hardier than others. In rows of varieties
of apples in nurseries, some kinds will have every
tree injured, while other kinds will not have one
tree injured. We should have to decide that
trees native to comparatively mild regions, might
produce varieties that would prove hardier in a
cool country than the original variety ; though we
should not be disposed to think this elasticity ex-
tended over a very wide range of temperature.

Literature,. Travels and Personal Notes.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Getting Additional Subscribers for the
Gardeners' Monthly. — As stated in our last,
the extraordinary circulation the Gardeners'
Monthly has achieved in the past, has been
almost wholly due to the good will of its friends,
who love to hunt up one or two subscribers to
send with their own subscriptions. Lovers of gard-
ening are so scattered that ordinary advertising
will not reach them. The pubhsher hands us the
enclosed letter from a Canadian subscriber, for
which he begs to return his sincere thanks :

" ' Gardening is all a labor of love,' as you put it
in your very appropriate address to the florists, re-

ported in the last number. I should have very
much liked to have been there personally. I am
not acquainted with you, yet we all seem to be of
one family— the Monthly as a kind of binding in-
fluence. There are high and low degrees in the
family ; 1 am willing to take the lowest place, yet,
all men after our own heart. The family extends
a long way, but there seems to be a love for each
other. I have had several numbers of other papers
sent to me as samples to subscribe to, but I find
none to come up to my own good old Monthly.
I am an Enghshman ; it is said they hke anything
old or ancient. Well, 1 have known the Monthly
now for some sixteen years and I have no evil re-
port to give of it. As the years pass it becomes
to me more valued, because it has done me good.
I will call it my friend. I will try and do my best
towards getting some .new subscribers. J. B."

348

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[November,

The Standing of Nurserymen. — American
nurserymen can scarcely understand why English
nurserymen complain so badly about being over-
rated. American nurserymen do not think it pos-
sible to be over-rated— indeed they like to have
people think as well of them as possible. But
they sometimes think they are over-taxed. and
perhaps this is what their English brethren mean.

Destroying a Neighbor's Trade.— A funny
paper has the following :

"What's the price of sausages?" " Dvventy
cents a bound." "You asked twenty-five this
morning." "Yes; dot vas ven I had some. Now
I aint got none I sells for dwenty cents. Dot
makes me a rebutation for selling cheap, and I
don't lose noddings."

This seems too ridiculous to have a foundation

in fact, but such a circumstance was once brought

to our attention. A new grape was once famous,

and selling freely at $2 a plant. A country dealer !

managed to secure 100 for |ioo, and ventured to

advertise and push them in a certain locality. A |

jealous rival bought half a dozen for $g and ad- i

vertised them under his rival's card, at 50 cents I

each. Of course they all went in a few days, and j

he had no more to sell ; but it had the effect of \

making his rival look like being a very dear place i

to go to when he was asking $2 for what others

were willing to sell for 50 cents.

Type Writers.— And now a shout against
type writers arises in the land. A correspondent
of the Floral Cabinet is opposed to them except,
«' whenever it may be necessary to send ofT large
quantities of explanatory letters accounting for
the nonfulfillment of the promises held out by the
catalogues. In some establishments the work in
this department is simply enormous."

Selling Rare Seeds. — It has long been
charged that when some seedsmen have but a
limited supply of expensive seeds, they get cheap
kinds that resemble them, roast them to prevent
germination, and consequent detection, and then
mix with the rare kind. The grower is surprised
at the liberality that gives so much for the money,
and generally attributes the slender crop, to any- 1
thing than the real cause. An Australian corres- i
pondent of the Gardeners' Chronicle, stated that |
the seed trade of that country was fast passing |
into American firms, because of the prevalence of |
this trick among English houses. Messrs. James
Carter & Co., of London, write indignantly in re-
ply, and challenge the New Zealander to produce
a single proof, and utterly repudiates the charge
as against the London trade.*

Weeds.— How to define a weed continues to be
a subject of discussion in magazines and news-
papers. It seems to us a very simple matter. It
is a term having a relation to cultivation and
nothing more. The prettiest wild flower is a
weed when it springs up where man does not
want it. A wild carrot is a weed when it springs
up in our pansy beds, or fields of Indian corn,—
but when it grows in wild uncultivated places it is
as much a pretty wild flower as anything else.
If there were no gardens or farms there would be
no weeds. A weed, therefore, is simply a plant
which grows where the good cultivator does not
want it,— it is a plant out of place.

Those Apples in Paradise.— It is now con-
tended by those versed in ancient languages that
the " apple" of the poets in their visions of para-
dise need not have been our modern apple, nor need
the •' serpent " be one of those dreadful creatures
that modern humanity everywhere despises. It was
some good fruit, and some wily creature, and this is
enough. It is a pity that the older poets have not
had much patronage from modern readers; and in
the belief that with all the talk about Adam's early
experiences in the apple orchard few of our younger
people are famiHar with Milton's dream of it, we
give the interview of the serpent with Eve :

"Empress of this fair world, resplendent Eve,

1 was at first as other beasts that graze

The trodden herb, of abject thoughts and low

As was my food ; nor aught but food discerned

lill on a day, roving the field, I chanced

A goodly tree far distant to behold

Laden with fruit of fairest colors mixed

Ruddy and gold : I nearer drew to gaze ;
! When from the boughs a savory odor blown,

Grateful to appetite, more pleased my sense

Than smell of sweetest fennel.
I To satisfy the shnrp desire I had

Of tasting those fair apples, I resolved

Not to defer ; Hunger and thirst at once

Powerful persuaders, (luickened at the scent
j Ot that alluring fruit, urged me so keen,
I Temptmg so nigh to pluck and eat my fill

I spared not ; for such pleasure till that hour,
■ At teed or fountain never had I found.—
, To whom Eve, yet more amazed, unwary thus replied :
I * Serpent, thy overpraising leaves in doubt

The virtue of that fruit, in thee first proved :

Where grows the tree ? from hence how far ?

For many are the trees of God that grow

\xy. Paradise : and various, yet unknown

To us in such abundance lies our choice,

As leaves a greater store of fruit untouched

Still hanging uncorruptible, till men

Grow to their provision, and more hands

Help to disburden nature of her birth.' "

The Forget-me-not.— The Gardeners' Maga-
zine tells us that —

" The flower which we now call the * Forget-
me-not ' (a name which originally appertained to
the Speedwell) has become inseparably connected
with the flower, borne on the wings of the follow-
ing poetic legend : A knight and his lady-love,
wl\o were on the eve of being united, whilst
strolHng on the bank of the blue Danube, saw a
spray of these pretty flowers floating on the waters,
which seemed ready to carry it away. The af-

1886. 1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

349

fianced bride admired the delicate beauty of the
flowers, and regretted their fatal destiny. At this
point, the lover did not hesitate to plunge into the
stream. He soon secured the flowers, but the
current was too strong for him, and as it bore him
past his despairing mistress, he flung the fatal
flowers on the bank, exclaiming, as he swept to
his doom, * Vergiss mich nicht'

" 'And the lady fair of the kniglit so true,

Aye remembered his hajUess lot:
And she cherished the flower of brilliant hue.
And braided her hair with the blossoms blue,

And she called it Forget-me-not.'

A recent writer remarks that possibly the story
of the origin of the Forget-me-not's sentimental
designation may have been in the mind of the
Princess Marie, of Baden, that winter day, when,
strolling along the banks of the Rhine with her
cousin, Louis Napoleon, she inveighed against the
degeneracy of modern gallants, vowing they were
incapable of emulating the devotion to beauty that
characterizes the cavaliers of olden times. As
they lingered on causeway-dykes, where the
Neckar joins the Rhine, a sudden gust of wind
carried away a flower from the hair of the princess,
and sent it into the rushing waters. "There 1"!
she exclaimed, • that would be an opportunity for
a cavalier of the olden days to show his devotion.'
• That's a challenge, cousin,' retorted Louis Napo-
leon, and in a second he was battling with the
rough waters. He disappeared and reappeared
to disappear and reappear again and again, but
at length reached the shore safe and sound with
nis cousin's flower in his hand. • Take it, Marie,'
said he, as he shook himself ; • but never again
talk to me of your cavalier of the olden time.* "

" The Italians call the Myosotis, Nontiscordar
di me, and in one of their ballads represent the
flower as the embodiment of the spirit of a young
girl who was drowned, and transformed into the
Myosotis growing by the river's banks. Accord-
ing to some investigators, the Forget-me-not is the
Sun-flower of the classics— the flower into which
poor Clytie was metamorphosed— the pale blossom
which, says Ovid, held firmly by the root, still
turns to the sun she loves. There is rather a
ghastly legend connected with the Forget-me-not
which narrates that after the battle of Waterloo
an immense quantity of these flowers sprung up on
different parts of that sanguinary field, the soil of
which had been enriched by the blood of heroes."
All this is poetry, but we know of some very
cold prose connected with the flower. An Enghsh
gentleman gave his gardener the privilege of
showing visitors through the beautiful grounds,
and permitted him to take any largess that might
be given him freely, but on no account was he to
ask or hint that such feeing was expected. He
simply planted a bed of these pretty flowers near
the place of exit, and when, after giving his visitors
the names of every thing on the place, if they were
about to depart without his customary tip, with a
remarkably impressive fingering he would whisper,
** and that flower is the Forget-me-not, ma'am."

The Acacia at Masonic Funerals.— I re-
gret the neglect in not acceding to your request
earlier, to give th*; particulars I promised upon
this interesting subject. I may say that I had pre-
pared an article on the subject, which proved too
lengthy through my having dipped freely into
some voluminous notes on funeral trees ; this por-
tion I have now considered to send you on some
future occasion, which, if you think worthy of
your columns, you can then print. The custom
of planting an Acacia or sprig of that tree on a
grave, amongst the Hebrews, arose from the fol-
lowing circumstances. According to the Jewish
law, no dead bodies were allowed to be buried
within the walls of their cities. The priests were
forbidden to cross a grave, and the Jews always
avoided doing so, from a fear or belief that some
evil would happen ; they therefore placed a
branch or sprig of Acacia, to mark the spot where
a dead body was interred, and as the species
called A, nilotica, grew profusely about Jerusalem
this plant was largely adopted, and is the true
species required at the interment of a departed
brother by the Freemasons, whose rites and cere,
monies are of Hebraic origin. This species of
Acacia— which requires a warmer climate than
our own for its cultivation — must not be con-
founded with the totally different Robinia Pseud-
Acacia, an American plant, introduced into Eu-
rope some 250 years ago by M. Jean Robin, nur-
seryman to the King of France, after whom it
was named Robinia. It must have been intro-
duced about the same time into this country, as
Parkinson mentions it growing in England in
1640. Evelyn speaks of it in 1662. A few years
ago there was an ancient Robinia in the old ar-
boretum at Kew which had attained a circumfer-
ence of some 13 feet. The Acacia nilotica and its
allied species, A. Arabica and A. Seyal produce
the gum arabic of commerce. A. Seyal yielded
the Shittah, or Shittim wood of the Bible used in
' the manufacture of the Ark of the Covenant, as
well as the furniture for the Tabernacle. The
name Acacia is derived from the Greek— ^, neg-
i ative ; and Kams, evil, signifying free from evil, in-
nocent or incorruptible, probably from the wood
which was considered incorruptible. Pliny de-
scribes it as incorruptible and durable in water,
therefore useful for the sides of ships—" Quoniam
incorrupta etiam, in aquis durat ob id utillissima

navium costis." (Pliny, Hb. xiii., cap. 9.) An-
other purpose to which for ages the Acacia was

applied was making coffins in Eastern countries,
I especially for the kings of Egypt, and probably

350

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[November,

his was the same wth Joseph, the first record ex- 'else under ten guineas per plant. After cutting

TJ 5v.f ^° '■ ""^'"^ P'^"** '" ^ ''°^"- °' ^^ ^" i '^°"" "'« shoots which produced the White

old Bible (A. D 1 580) ,n my possession, Genesis | Moss, it threw up two weak shoots from which

chap. I : V. 26, says :_" They embalmed him I he budded. They flowered the second season from

and put h,m >n a chest m Egypt."-C^r</^«^r.' j the buds ; that was the birth of the striped Moss

Lhromcle. Rose_ ^ beautiful and delicate variety ; but when

Origin of Moss RosES.-It is now nearly three I grown strongly apt to go back to the original

hundred years ago smce the old Provence or Cab- parent. The first production of the single Mo=s

bage rose was introduced; and that it, or its j Rose, 1807, was a sport of nature. My father

more recently raised representatives, should still sent some plants of Moss Roses down to a nur-

find a place in our gardens is not to be wondered seryman of the name of Essex, at Colchester-

at. for all the varieties are deliciously fragrant, : on the receipt of a letter from that person I

perfectly hardy, and mostly of moderate or dwarf ; went with my father to see it when it was in

growth. To thrive well they should be grown on bloom ; I took some cuttings away with me to

their own roots, and they require rich soil and bud, and fetched the original plant away in the

!f P*"""'"^;, . . I following autumn to our nursery at Little Chel-

The Moss Rose, it is said, originated as a sport sea ; from there we sent out the first plants at
from the Provence rose (C. centifolia) ; it would five shillings each. On the first production of the
appear to have sported abroad. Mr. Cranston ■ old scarlet Moss Rose, which is a semi-double it
states that It wasintroduced from Holland in 1596, flowered on a plant given to his brother Mr
but as to Its origin no satisfactory account has been ! F. Shailer, of Cook's Ground and Oueen's Elm"
given. Some years ago, Mr. Henry Shailer, then ' Chelsea, 1808, nurseryman ; the firM production
of the Chapel Nursery, Battersea Fields, contribu- of the Moss De Meaux was from a sport of Nature
ted to the Gardener, Florist and Agriculturist,3.n horn the old De Meaux, in the neighborhood of

account of the first red Moss rose. He states that
it was first sent over with some plants of Orange

Bristol, but brought into a high state of perfec-
tion by the Messrs. Lee. of Hammersmith. In

trees from the Italian States to Mr. Wrench, then , regard to the birth of the Sage-leaved Moss
at Broom House, Fulham. This, according to Rose, that I must claim myself-it was a sport of
Mr. Shailer, was about the year 1735. It re- Nature. I discovered it on a Sunday afternoon
remained in that family nearly twenty years with- in June. 18 13. I sold the whole stock to Messrs
out being much noticed or circulated, until a nur- | Lee. It is a delicate shell like form and a beau-
seryman named Grey, of the Fulham Nursery. , tiful blush, now nearly extinct As to the
now Messrs. Osborn & Sons, brought it into note, first known production of Rose La Blanche
The White Mo5S,--T\i^ first production of the Unique or White Provence, it was discovered by
white Moss Rose, which took place in the year , Mr. Daniel Grimwood. of Little Chelsea, nur-
1788. was from a sucker or underground shoot, seryman. He was in Norfolk in July 1775 and
Mr. Shailer states: "My father. Henry Shailer. when riding leisurely along the road he perceived
nurseryman, of Little Chelsea, an extensive a Rose of great whiteness in a mill garden He

grower of Moss Roses (a fact which is set forth

alighted, and on close inspection discovered it to

in Faulkner's " History of Chelsea"), perceiving be a Provence rose ; he then paid a guinea to be
It to be a lusus natura from a stool of the allowed to cut a flower, and in cutting it he cut
red Moss, cut it off and budded it on the White off three buds ; he went to the first inn packed it
Provence, or Rose La Blanche Unique. The , up. and sent it direct to my father, who' was then
buds flowered the following season a pale blush ; his foreman, requesting him to bud it. which he did.
he budded them again the following season, and two of the buds grew. In the following au-
and it became much whiter; it was then figured tumn. he went down to the same place when for
m Andrews' - Rosary" under the name of Shail- , five guineas he brought the whole stock away ' he
er's White Moss. He then sold it at five guineas ! then made an arrangement with my father to pro-
per plant, a price at which he continued to pagate it, allowing 5s. per plant for three years
sell it for three years ; he then entered into a | at the expiration of which time he sold it out at

contract for its sale with Messrs. Lee and Ken-

one guinea per plant, my father's share amounting

nedy of Hammersmith, they taking as many to upwards of ^300. Mr. Grimwood sent the
plants as he could grow for three years at 20s. | owner of the mill a superb silver tankard. &c., to
per plant, binding him not to sell to any one the amount of £60, Lastly, comes the birth of

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

351

Shailer's Provence, or Rosa gracilis^ so named by pioneers, for there was little success of much con-
Messrs. Lee; it was raised from the seeds of the sequence till after the war for the Union. He set-
Spineless or Virgin's rose, sown by myself in 1799, I tied in Virginia about the time of the breaking out
and flowered in 1802. We raised numerous varie- ', of the struggle, and has, for years past, been re-
ties from seed up to 1816, and generally sold them siding at Castle Hill, in Nelson County, where he
to Messrs. Lee, who sent them out under their , died. He was a native of Bavaria, his father
own naming." j being connected with the wine department of the

From this interesting account, we learn that the I King's household. Besides his practical knowl-
roses fetched much more money when sent out in \ edge of grape culture, he was a highly-educated
those days than they do now. We also get infor- | gentleman, being well acquainted with most of the
mation as to the origin of some of the choicer roses j modern languages. At the time of his death he

was one of the editors of the •• Fruit and Grape-
grower.

of those ddiys. —Gardening Illiistrated.

A Gold Medal to Baron Mueller.— The
Society of AccUmation of France has sent a gold
medal to the well-known botanist of Melbourne,

A. Brackenridge.— We note by the city papers
of Baltimore, the death of Mr. A. Brackenridge.

AustraUa, for the great value his services have i but have had no particulars. Mr. B. is the son of

been to France and Algeria, by the introduction
of the Blue Gum trees, which his labors did so
much to effect.

Col. Wilder's Eighty-eighth Year. — The
adage that a prophet is not without honor, save in
his own country, would seem not to apply to Col.
Wilder, for he is honored at home as well as

Mr. W. D. Brackenridge, well known to our
readers. He was an enthusiastic lover of or-
chideee. and very much of the revival of the taste
which has made these curious flowers popular,
has been due to his work in dissemminating them.

Origin of Cultivated Plants [Origine des
Plantes Cultivees), By Alphonse Decandolle.

abroad. A dinner was given to him on the 22nd ! This work has proved so popular that this third
of September, commemorative of his 88th birth- j edition has been issued to meet the demand. The
day, at which he gave one of his usual pleasant ; author adds to this, six pages of additions and
addresses. A local paper says: "It was the corrections to the former editions. In regard to
heartfelt wish of all present, that he might live to the radish it is concluded difficult to believe that
celebrate, not merely such another occasion with it came to us from China or western Asia. The
the troops of friends around him, but a con- : Jesusalem Artichoke is believed to be a descendant
tinuous line of them to the line of a full century." I in some degree of Helianthus doronicoides. In
After all. Col. Wilder is not a prophet, for this regard to the origin of the potato. Prof, de Can-
is one who foretells what is to be in the future, dolle does not agree with Baker and Hooker that
His prophecies have been fulfilled, and he is now ' all the tuberous solanums. of South America,
simply reaping the rewards of good deeds, if ever | are of one species, and if they are, we are still

without any knowledge of the origin of the variety
— if we must not call it species — that gave us the

foretold, still happily accomplished.

Prof. C. V. Riley.— Prof. C. V. Riley has
returned from Europe much improved in health,
and as full of useful work as ever.

Jules Lachaume. — Horticultural visitors to the
American Centennial remember the curious col-
lection of Cuban plants exhibited by Mr. Lachaume,
and indeed in one way or another he is well known
to the horticulturists of the United States, as
Director of the Garden of Acclimatization, at

potato pure and simple. •' Changing a term in
nomenclature," says M. de Candolle, •' does not
alter the main points of the question." The sweet
potato is not indigenous to China, but its introduc-
tion to that country occurred in the sixteenth cen-
tury. Purslane, supposed at one time to be an
introduction from the old world, and which our
weedy garden plant may have been, yet seems to

have some claim to being also spontaneous in
Havana. He has received :for his distinguished ^^^^ p^^jj^^^ „f America. Lucerne is certainly
services to horticulture the distinction of Knight spontaneous in the lower regions of the Volga ;
of the Order of Isabella the Catholic. ^^^ Saintfoin is certainly spontaneous in Central

Louis Ott. — This estimable gentleman is well- Russia,
known in connection with the great success which The Vetch was certainly cultivated in Hungary
has attended the culture of the grape in Virginia, during the stone age. Chinese Tea is spontaneous
in which he may be said to have been one of the i in the Island of Hainan. Remains of Cloves have

352

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[November,

been found in a box of the sixth century in the
ruined castle of Horberg, showing that it was an
article of commerce at this early date. The Hop
is spontaneous in Japan and North America, as
well as in Europe. Seed of the Cucumber are
found in pre-historic ashes in Hungary. There is
also evidence of the Lentil and the garden Pea,
and common bean, Faba vulgaris, in the stone age
remains of Hungary. The Chick Pea was known
in China in the fourteenth century, though its
Chinese name indicates a western origin. These
are the chief additions to former knowledge.

Celery and its CuLTivAxiON.—By W. W.
Ramson. 1886. This is a small pamphet of 15
pages, evidently intended to present the merits of
a new variety, Ramson's Early Arlington, for
which it is claimed that it is " three weeks earlier
than the old stand-by known as Boston Market.
It blanches easily and quickly." This will be a
good point with lovers of chicken salad, to whom
chicken salad is no chicken salad unless veritable
celery is an ingredient therein. The pamphlet is
an excellent practical treatise on this vegetable.
Mr. R. believes that, to be profitable, the cost of
raising must be below $4. per 100.

Mr. R. seems to doubt the existence of the
larvae of the celery fly, as a cause of injury to the
plant. He believes that the insect is one of those
that simply follow decaying matter. We do not
know what is the insect that attacks the celery
about Boston, but that there is a fearful pest that
attacks perfectly healthy plants in some places, is
as well known as that the rose slug attacks roses,
or the Colorado beetle the potato.

Catalogues. — Anderson, H. S., Imported
Stocks, Seeds, etc., Union Springs, N. Y.— Be-
nand, E., Roses and Nursery Stocks, Orleans
France.— Berckmans, P. J., Fruits. Evergreens
and Roses. Augusta, Ga. — Curwen, John. Jr..
Plants. Bulbs, etc., Villa Nova. Pa.— Jongkindt
Conmck. A. M. C. General Stock, Trees. Ferns
etc., Dedemsvaart, Netherlands.— Lorenz, Chr.. I
Flowers. Seeds, etc., Erfurt. Germany.— Lovett.
J. T., Fruits, Trees and Plants, Little Silver. N. J.
— Meehan. Thomas. Ornamental Trees. Vines.
Shrubs and Fruits, Germantown, Philadelphia]
Pa.— Munson, T. V., Fruits. Small Fruits and :
Ornamental, Denison, Texas. — Welch Bros., I
Florists' Supplies, Boston, Mass.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Common Names.- Dudley W. Adams remarks :
*• The Editor of the Gardeners' Monthly says :
• And now we rise to remark that no one appre-
ciates the desire of our correspondent more than

these same botanists and scientists. Numbers of
them, among them Professor Asa Gray, have tried
to send forth an English name along with the
scientific name,' &c.

•• Exactly ! Another instance of the dense prac-
tical stupidity of scientific men. Prof. Gray made
a book and gave strictly first-class scientific names
suitable for very fine haired people only. Then
he condescended to tack on a 'common' name
adapted to the dull understandings of the Capilli
brassi. We common plowjoggers will admit in
private that we are inferior in intelligence and
education, but it is not pleasant to be so plainly
reminded of it in public. What we want is a
scientific name, in English, for an English speak-
ing people.

•' If it is necessary to have the name of a plant
in Greek for the good of science, why is it not just
as necessary to have the balance of the book in
the same language ? Then, if it is worth while to
translate any portion of the book into English,
why not translate the whole of it, including the
j names ?

I "When the Swede, Linnaeus, (how about
Michaux) named the plant Chrysobolanus oblongi-
folius, why did he not wrestle with his Greek
lexicon till he found out what Chrysobolanus
meant in Swedish, and then delve in his Latin
lexicon for the Swedish for oblongifolius, and then
write the name in the same language as his
book, so the Swedes could understand it ? Then,
when his book was translated in Greek, the Greeks
would see their beloved Chrysobolanus ; and when
his book was translated into Latin, the Latins
would embrace their familiar oblongifolius ; and
when translated into EngHsh we would compre-
pend the oblong-leaved coco plum and could
pronounce it. Why not ? You make light of his
naming it ' Love in the Everglades,' or • Wilkin-
son's Glory.' Well, it is funny. I will even admit
[ it is absurd, yes. ridiculous, in Sweden, where it
would certainly be equally, but no more harsh,
unpronouncable and pedantic than Chrysobo-
lanus oblongifoHus in the United States. Finally
you say. • When the English language becomes
the universal language of the earth there will be
no more difficulty about it.' Thanks ! Thanks ! !
" Now fix up a botany suitable for the whole
world, in the English language, for there are over
100,000,000 people now ready to begin and more
coming. ' Now what are you going to do about
it?' Are 100,000.000 people worthy of scientific
consideration when ' there is no difficulty about
it ?• "

IRREGULAR PAGINATION

I'HE

Gardeners' Monthly

AND

HORTICULTURIST.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN.

Volume XXVIII.

DECEMBER, 1886.

Number 336.

Flower Garden and Pleasure Ground,

SEASONABLE HINTS.

In making lawns it is more and more evident
that discrimination should be used as to the kind
of grass to be employed. Under the shade of
trees, where it is not very shady, but is yet rather
dry in summer time, there is nothing better ftian
the sheep fescue grass, Festuca ovina. Under
the same conditions, but more shady, the flat stem-
med Blue grass, Poa compressa. In low ground,
but not wet, the Bent grasses— species of Agrostis
— are excellent, as they also are for ground sub-
ject to slight salt spray. Where the situation is
not too wet and dry in summer or too cold in win-
ter. Perennial Rye grass is very good ; and for
general purposes, outside of the other special
cases, the Kentucky Blue grass, Poa pratensis, is
best of all. For the long hot summers of the
Southern Atlantic States no first-class lawn grass
is known ; the Bermuda grass we believe is the
only one that will at all keep a green smooth face
during summer, but this one will not bear close
mowing. If any better has been found, it is not
yet generally known. In sowing seed in the fall,
in the North where young grass plants may be
drawn out during a thaw, it is usual to sow wheat
or rye with the grass seed. The comparatively
heavy leaves fall on the small grass plants and

keep them in the earth. There is no other use for
wheat or rye, and it should not therefore be sown
on a spring-made lawn. The grass seed should
be sown as early in spring as it is practicable to
work the ground. Very well rotted manure or
some fertihzer is excellent to fasten the setting of
the lawn. Clover should never on any account
be sown with grass seeds for lawns, nor should
any other creeping thing that will dispute with the
grass the right to exist. Weeds of any kind that
are likely to seed should be drawn out by hand or
trowel. Few things pay better than to keep a
lawn weeded during the first year of seeding. To-
wards fall inequalities may be noted over the sur-
face. The lower places may have fine earth
spread over, neatly raked, and rolled over when
dry. The grass plants will come through the fol-
lowing spring. The result will be a lawn of which
one may be proud. Where it is difficult to get
grass seed to grow well sodding has to be resorted
to. It is not easy to get laborers to do this well,
except near large cities where the men have more
practice. As a general rule seeding will make a
better lawn, if we can afford to wait a year to
get it.

In trimming hedges the shears seldom get down
to the plane of the year before. For this reason
the hedge often becomes in time higher or wider

354

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[ December,

1886.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

355

than is desirable. In deciduous hedges this may 1 hedges. They are seldom used for protective
be remedied by cutting back to the ground at j fences because cattle and unruly boys can easily
this season. When spring comes a thick mass of | break through. But with the barbed wire we
sprouts will push out which can be nipped into ; may have protection with their winter beauty,
shape as the season grows. The hedge, as most Chinese and American Arbor Vitse, Norway
people know by this time, should be wider at bot- \ Spruce, Hemlock Spruce, Scotch Pine, White Pine,
torn than at top, so that the leaves may all get and in some cases Red Cedar, are the usual plants
as much advantage Irom light as possible. The for hedges north of the Potomac ; or south, in the
more shade at bottom, the sooner the hedge gets elevated regions where the frost is absent or light,
thin at the base. The beauty and effectiveness of ! the broad leaved evergreens are employed. The
a hedge is, to be as vigorous at the bottom as at ' Japan Euonymus is one of the best, though Pit-
the top. For deciduous hedges there are the En- tosporums. Gardenias, Oleanders, Chinese Tea,
glish and American Beeches, English and Ameri- and similar plants are often employed very effect-
can Hornbeam, Pyrus Japonica, Chinese and ively.

American Privet, Silver Thorn or Elasagnus, Buck- I In arranging for the beauty of one's garden there
thorn, Osage orange. Honey Locust and Berberry. 1 is more art in deciding the location for the trees
These have been well tried and are in general than in anything else. Indeed it is here generally
use. But since the introduction of barbed wire a that the most important part of the art of the land-
greater variety of shrubs may be employed for scape gardener comes in. In some places the trees
deciduous hedges. Two or three strands of barbed arc set with almost mathematical precision., each
wire may be stretched on temporary stakes over at any rate by itself. There is much in the beauty
the hedge, and the plants growing through the of single trees, and to lead us to desire that no
wire will sustain them when the posts rot away. ' part of the branches are to be interfered with by
This in a measure supplies the thorns the shrubs those of another ; but we cannot do without
may be deficient in, and makes the protection the groups or clumps, where it is a matter of little con-
the plants alone could not give. | sequence what becomes of the lower branches in

In managing hedges do not begin trimming too the interior of the mass. Then masses divide
early. The old fallacy that pruning strengthens views, which is one of the chief efforts of the land-
plants has been wholly exploded. It weakens scape gardener. If we see the building all at
plants ; is, in fact, a severe blow to their vital j once, it seems the same house no matter how we
power. Strong shoots appear after pruning cer- may wander around it, but when every view of a
tainly, because they get food for themselves that dwelling is flanked by its own separate set of
was intended for scores of others as well. It is groups distinct pictures are presented that one
therefore not wise to trim a young hedge at all for may almost believe he has a dozen mansions in-
several years. Take an Osage or Honey Locust, ; stead of one.

strong growing plants, for instance ; let them I In illustration of these admirable principles in
grow as they will for two or three seasons, accord- landscape gardening, we give on opposite page an
ing to the thickness of their stems ; when they are, illustration of the residence and grounds of Wm.
say 2 inches thick, saw them to the ground at this Barton, Esq., Irvington on-the-Hudson, N. Y.
season. Then the numerous strong shoots that : We see here the beauty of the single tree, the
will push up the following year will make a com- open lawn with glimpse of the house, the group
plete thick hedge 4 feet high in one season, of trees concealing part of the house, and we can
Where the barbed wire is to be employed as a ' readily comprehend how different the view of
strengthener to a weak kind of plant it may not | that house would be if we were on the other
be put up till this cutting down of strong plants | side of the group, as we are when on the main
for the final benefit of the hedge is resorted to.

Evergreen hedges, unfortunately, can not be
cut down when they become too large. They
will not sprout from the base. The only safe-
guard against getting too large is to keep them
cut rather lower than we should want them ulti-
mately to become, so as to provide for the future

drive.

What is true of the large mansion is true of the
humblest residence where there is any room for
gardening. We use there small growing plants —
shrubs— for groups, instead of trees. The writer
has seen grounds of not over a quarter of an acre
given an inexpressible beauty few could imagine

accretions. The barbed wire lines for the plants j by a little art in the arrangement of trees and
to grow through are very useful in evergreen I shrubs.

35<5

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[December,

COMMUNICATIONS.

DOUBLE FLOWERS.
BY F. L. BASSETT.

Is a flower any more beautiful for being double ?
Of course tastes differ, but I think not. True
beauty in anything is dependent mainly on form ;
form being aided often by color. The common
Chinese Wistaria with its pendent racemes of
papilionaceous flowers, is indeed beautiful, and
there is little to choose between the blue and the
white. But when it comes to doubling the flowers
— whatever it may be as a curiosity— as an object
of beauty it is a step in the wrong direction.

The prime object of a flower is reproduction.
Nothing Is more interesting and beautiful than the
various means employed to insure perfect fertili-
zation. The hydrangea with part of the flowers
large and showy to attract the insects to the in-
significant perfect ones, the orchids with their
many ways to lure the insects and prevent self-
fertilization, the kalmias with their spring stamens
that snap and throw the pollen when the corolla is
sufficiently expanded, or oftener when a bee or
bug disengages them, while in search of honey or
pollen; these are beautiful adaptations of nature
that her children may be fruitful.

In double flowers, all these are lost in the blind
aim at multiplicity and complexity which are
rarely ever beautiful. In the case of bedding
plants and flowers intended to be made up, double
flowers are sometimes excusable, for in that case
the form of a group, as a whole, is the main object,
and each flower loses much of its individiiahty in
order to give unity to the group.

Now, dear reader, look at a double petunia,
geranium, violet, or any of these monstrosities, and
ask yourself if their beauty is enhanced in any
way by being double. Little Silver, N, J.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

New Park at Wilmington, Del.— A com-
mission is now engaged taking the land for this
new park. Bonds at y/^, per cent, will raise the
money to pay for it. A Board of Commissioners
will have charge of the work, in which the zealous
promoter of the scheme, Mr. W. M. Canby, will find
a place.

Blue Gum Tree in Florida.— A correspondent
of the Florida Dispatch says trees 50 feet high, i
were killed by last December's freeze, and that it '
is useless to plant this tree anywhere in Florida. I

An Imaginative Garden.— D'Israeli, in his
novel of Lothair, thus sketches the garden of Lady
Corisande :

"It was formed upon a gentle southern slope,
with turfen terraces, walled in on three sides, the
fourth consisting of arches of Golden Yew. The
Duke had given this garden to Lady Corisande,
m order that she might practice her theory that
I flower gardens should be sweet and luxuriant, and
I not hard and scentless works of art. Here in the
I season flourished abundantly all those productions
^ of Nature which are now banished from our once
I delightful senses ; huge bushes of Honeysuckle,
! and bowers of Sweet Peas, Sweetbriar and Jasmine
i clustering over the walls, and Gilliflowers scenting
with their sweet breath the ancient bricks from
which they seemed to spring ; there were banks of
Violets, which the southern breeze always stirred,
and Mignonette filled every vacant nook. As
they entered now, it seemed a blaze of Roses and
Carnations, though one recognized in a moment
the presence of the Lily, the Heliotrope and the
Stock ; some white peacocks were basking on the
southern wall, and one of them, as the visitors en-
tered, moved and displayed his plumage with
scornful pride. The bees were busy in the air, but
their homes were near, and you might watch them
in their glassy hives. ' Now is not Corisande quite
right," said Lord St. Aldergonde, as he presented
! Madame Phoebus with a garland of Woodbine.
All agreed with him, and they sauntered and
rambled in the sunny air amid a blaze of butter-
flies, and the ceaseless hum of bees."

Kcelreuteria paniculata.— Old as this tree
is in the gardens of New York, Philadelphia and
Boston, it seems only yet becoming popular, as
its merits make it well deserved to be. Its panicled
spikes of yello\y blossoms give it a grand appear-
ance in July ; while its oriental foliage gives it a
charm at all times. In the fall, the rich orange
brown of the fading leaves makes one feel that if
this is a sample of all other Japan trees, some
Asiatic fall scenery may equal that of America.
There is a particularly lovely specimen on the
grounds of Mr. Caleb Cope, at Chestnut Hill. Mr.
Cope beheves that the locality has much to do
with the superiority of his specimen. It is shaded
in the afternoon, getting only the morning sun.

Wild Roses. — These are growing favorites, not
only for the delicate fragrance which most possess,
but also because of the great show which the
mostly red fruit makes in the autumn. One of
the largest in this respect is Rosa villosa, a Euro-
pean species. The fruit is as large as a pigeon's
tg%, and covered with bristly hair.

Caladium Esculentum. — With abundance of
manure and plenty of water, this makes a magnifi-
cent summer ornament in the garden. The Coun-
try Gentleman notes that on the grounds of D.

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

3S7

M. Dunning, at Auburn, New York, leaves last
summer stood 7 to 8 feet high, with blades 4 feet
long by 2 feet 10 inches wide. Has anyone been
able to excel this ?

Degeneration Through Culture.— It is a
well-known fact that grape culture in America got
a fearful set back on account of degeneracy pro-
duced by long continued soft-wood propagation,
and florists are now pursuing the same fatal course
with the rose.

In the Old World the Hollyhock was also

worked to death. As having a general be5.ring

on this forcing kind of propagation, we reproduce

from the Gardeners' Magazine what the editor

says of the Hollyhock :

"The revival of this noble flower has been more
rapid and general than we anticipated when we
first directed attention to the facts. All that we
have said about the injurious effects of the forc-
ing system of propagation that was formerly
adopted, and of the necessity for promoting
healthy growth irrespective of all other considera-
tions, whether of "improvement" or of haste in
making stock, is justified by what we now see in
the many places where the flower has obtained
reasonable attention. Haifa-yard of learned
nonsense about the anatomy of the fungus that
has endeavoured to strangle it is, we think, crushed
down to nothing by our advice to lovers of tlie
hollyhock " to make it grow." The advice has
been acted on, and the hollyhock has been saved.
It was formerly the rule to kill the plant by graft-
ing in a temperature of 80^, and by raising seed-
lings and striking cuttings in a temperature of 70^.
Those practices have been abandoned, and the
revival compels us to say, as we have said above
of the recovery of the potato, that the disease that
assailed it was in the nature of a punishment to
man for his unjust treatment of one of Nature's
choicest gifts."

Taxus adpressa.— This often goes under the
name of Japan yew in our collections ; but a cor-
respondent of ihe London Garden says it was a
chance seedling of the common English yew,
found in the nursery of Messrs. Dickson of the
Chester nurseries. It was named T. brcvifolia
when first sent out by Messrs. Dickson, but Mr.
Knight, of the Chelsea nurseries, named it T. ad-
pressa. The Oregon yew is Taxus brevifolia, so
that even as the Latin name of a variety, adpressa
should be retained for this curious and pretty
plant.

Wallflowers.— These are rarely seen now,
because they refuse to be hardy. But they are
admirable room plants. There is no odor from
any flower just like that which these flowers give,
and it is universally agreeable. It is the favorite
flower of Oueen Victoria, and large quantities are

grown in her gardens, for cutting to supply her
parlors.

Rosa polyantha.— According to M. Jean Sis-
Icy in Journal des Roses, this is not the original
name. It should be Rosa multiflora. R. polyan-
tha must be reduced to a synonym.

Rose, Her Majesty.— It is instructive to know
that a homely English farmer, Mr. H. Bennett, now
retired from the doubtfully profitable occupation of
corn growing, should have beaten both home and
Continental raisers by producing, not only for the
year the finest new rose, but also one which will
probably prove the best of a decade of years. We
are thankful that Her Majesty does not wear those
heavy habiliments of color which have marked so
many of our new roses of recent introduction ; on
the contrary, it is of a lovely soft flesh tint. Just
as A. K. Williams has proved to be the richest
colored and most beautiful rose of its class so far,
so will Her Majesty occupy that distinguished
position amongst fair roses — in iact, amongst regal
flowers the queen. On stands of many blooms
there has been such a ringing the changes upon
the Baroness de Rothschild and La France, both
very beautiful of their kind, that another new
rose belonging to their section is indeed a trea-
sure. Her Majesty, as becomes such a royal
flower, is large in size and beautiful in form ; and
it was noticeable, in spite of the expansion
caused by the heat, that she maintained her good
looks to the last. — The Garden.

Lilies. — Many pleasing associations are con-
nected with the Lily ; and it has long since been
adopted as an emblem of purity. The Rose has
been called the queen of flowers ; but the Lily,
since the introduction of the splendid Japan varie-
ties and others, may fairly claim to be its rival.
The whole tribe of Lilies are beautiful flowers,
while many of them are truly magnificent, com-
bining elegance of form, richness and variety of
color, and delicious fragrance. They are gener-
ally of easy culture, mostly hardy, and flourish
well in almost every variety of soil and climate.

Among the many fine species which have been
introduced of late years, none has given more
general satisfaction than the Japan Lilies— Lilium
lancifolium. They are perfectly hardy, and sue-
ceed well everywhere; strong bulbs bloom in
profusion, throwing up their flowering stems to
the height of 3 or 4 feet, and producing from six
to twenty flowers, according to the size and
strength of the bulbs. The flowers internally are
covered with a beautiful frost-like surface, standing

358

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[December,

out like crystals, and richly marked and tinted
with rose and crimson spots ; excelling in beauty
any description that can be given. In addition
to their great beauty, they are exceedingly fra-
grant. They bloom in August and September;
and their hardiness, easy culture, and elegance,
commend them to all admirers of beautiful flowers.
All the varieties of the Japan Lilies are perfectly
adapted to culture in pots. For this purpose, pot
them in a mixture of light turfy loam and leaf
mould.

The Lilium auratum, or Golden-rayed Lily, is
also from Japan. This is a most superb Lily, and
has been called the King of Lilies. The flowers !
are very large, lo or 12 inches in diameter, pure
white, studded with crimson spots, with a ray or
or band of golden yellow running lengthwise
through the middle of each petal. It is also very
fragrant. Strong, well-established bulbs will pro-
duce a dozen or more of these magnificent flowers.
It is perfectly hardy in the open ground ; and also
grows and blooms finely in pots.

Lilium Brownii is a noble, hardy Lily, with
very large, trumpet-shaped flowers, pure white in-
side, with a purple tinge on the outside, and quite
fragrant. A splendid Lily ; but as yet quite
scarce and expensive.

All the varieties of Lilium fulgens are very
hardy, and of strong, upright growth, blooming in
large heads or panicles of flowers, varying in
color from bright orange to deep orange-crimson
shades, and are remarkably attractive and highly
ornamental.

Lilium longiflorum is a most beautiful pure
white Lily ; also fragrant, and exceedingly fine
for planting in masses, growing about 18 inches
high; hardy, and bloom freely. They are very
cheap in price, and no garden should be without
them. They are sure to give satisfaction.

The Old White Lily is a universal favorite, and
needs no description.

Plant the bulbs about 5 inches deep. When
required to be removed, take them up as soon as
the tops fade, and plant again in fresh ground as
soon as possible.

A layer of 6 inches of well-rotted cow manure,
placed 5 or 6 inches below the bulbs, is the best
fertilizer I have tried for lilies.— C. M. Hovey.

Sawdust for RhododendrOxXS.— When I was
at Mentone, some six weeks since, Dr. Bennet
showed me some Rhododendrons, as a curiosity,
growing in his garden in the Maritime Alps. He
informed me that the peat in which they were

growing had cost him ^20 to obtain by rail from—
I think he said— Milan. I gave him the descrip-
tion of the Rhododendrons in the garden of the
late Mr. Cuthbert Johnson at Croydon, growing
entirely in sawdust. It must have been fifteen or
sixteen years since I first saw this experiment.
The Rhododendrons were then growing luxu-
riantly in a large bed of pure sawdust. As I was
interested in this mode I agam called ten years
afterwards, and Mr. Johnson again showed me
the result. He said, " You see on the right that
large bed of Rhododendrons with leaves growing
with great vigor, but there is not a single flower ;
on the left you see the plants covered with
flowers, and of a large size. Those on the right
are growing in oak sawdust, those on the left in
deal sawdust." If I am not right I must be cor-
rected by the editor of this journal, who is well
acquainted with these experiments. Turpentine
might probably be so prepared as to prove a val-
uable manure in the formation of the flowers of
many plants. Dr. Bennet said he should immed-
iately profit by my information, as there was an
abundance of deal sawdust in Mentone. — Cor, of
Journal of Horticulture.

Layering Roses with Notcheu Shoots.— This
method of layering has been applied with great
success to chmbing Roses, whose annual shoots
I are from 3 ft. to 10 ft. in length. When grown on
I a commercial scale the parent plants are set in
beds at a distance of from 4 ft. to 6 ft. 8 in. from
I each other, according to the variety. In the
j spring immediately following the plantation the
i parent plants are pruned down level with the
earth, in order to obtain a supply of healthy shoots
which will develop themselves during the summer
and autumn. When the cold weather sets in
these shoots are covered over with straw to pro-
tect them from the frost, not that it will kill them,
but it may possibly so alter the condition of the
woody fibre as to stop its growth and endanger
the success of the layering. In the month of
April or May, when the frost is no longer to be
feared, and the sap has commenced its upward
movement, we proceed as follows : We open round
the parent stock a trench about i ft. 4 in. wide
and 10 in. deep, the depth depending on the
quality of the soil. A shoot is then bent down to
the bottom of the trench, making it describe a
somewhat sharp curve. The shoot must be kept
in its proper position by a wooden hooked peg
about 8 in. long, and is notched half-way through
the wood at the bottom of an eye placed on the
under side and on the lowest part of the curve.

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

359

The hooked peg is driven into the ground over
the middle of the curved shoot, lar enough to
keep the layer firmly in its place, after which the
whole is covered up with mould. This operation
is repeated all round the Rose tree, as long, in
fact, as there are any shoots to layer. In order
to avoid the shoots crossing each other and be-
coming entangled, the shoot which presents itself
most naturally to the operator is the one chosen,
and a space of from 2 in. to 3 in. should be left
between each of the layers. The layering bemg
finished, the trench is filled up either with the
earth of the bed itself, if it be sufficiently light
and rich for the purpose, or, what is much better.

a compost made of equal parts of sand and well-
rotted leaves, or equal parts of sand and old night
soil well deodorized. When the hole has been
filled up to the level of the surrounding soil, a lit-
tle hillock of earth is formed round the layers so
as to keep in the water with which they are watered.
At the point where the shoot issues from the earth
a stick is thrust in vertically, against which the
shoot is trained by being tied with bast, rush, or
willow. The layers will have become sufficiently
rooted by the autumn, if during the summer we
give them the attention that all plants require to
make them grow luxuriantly. — J. Lachaumetin
Garden,

Greenhouse and House Gardening,

SEASONABLE HINTS.

A lady of the writer's acquaintance, who has
•fine window flowers, and a nice conservatory or
rather greenhouse attached to the dwelling-house,
finds no little pleasure in raising seedlings with
the view of getting new varieties of flowers. Every
one now knows enough of botany to distinguish

Cineraria, Shuttlecock.

the stamens from the pistils of flowers, and that
the pistils are the parts of the flowers that finally
develop the seed, and they know that the pollen
■dust which the stamens produce, applied to the

stigma or apex of the pistil, is the life-giving prin-
ciple without which no seed can follow. To ob-
tain new varieties it is only necessary that the
pollen of a distinct variety of one kind should re-
ceive the pollen of another, and the seedHngs that
result usually produce forms different from either
parent. In this way this lady raises pansies,
petunias, phloxes, geraniums, cinerarias, and
many other things, occasionally giving forms even
the money-loving florist might envy. Surely this
branch of window gardening might have more
imitators, and the pleasure which the growing of
flowers gives be highly increased. Very often
wholly new races are obtained by taking some
eccentric sport and raising young from it, for there
is generally a strong hereditary character in any
form after it has once been brought into existence.
Just now the cineraria is blooming, or will be
soon, in windows and greenhouses; and to illus-
trate our meaning we give a sketch from the
Journal of Horticulture of a new race to be
known as the Shuttlecock. The lower portion of
the ray corolla has been rolled up into a quill
form, as we see in some Chrysanthemums, giving
them a very novel appearance. Possibly this
was started by the grower of some plant of a
cineraria noting one corolla with this tendency,
or perhaps one whole flower, and saving the seed,
thereby fixing the hereditary character, after
which it would be easy to produce the race.

It is at this season more than any other that we

360

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[December,

1886.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

361

get pleasure trom pot-plants; and we hope that showed that they were in proper course of cultiva-
this seasonable hint may be the means of adding tion, by their luxuriance in blossom and leaf.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

to the pleasure which our readers take in window
plant culture.

COMMUNICATIONS.

TWO HANDSOME BEGONIAS.
BY ANNA GRISCOM.

On visiting the greenhouses of R. J. Halliday,
Baltimore, the other day, I found there a very in-
teresting collection of palms, ferns and leaf- plants.
Amongthe latter were two very handsome begonias.
One named the Fire King is a leaf-plant, though
the flowers are quite pretty being a rose-pink in
color. The stems of this plant when young, are
of a brilliant fire- red, and covered with a growth
of fine hairs which add to the curious effect.
Over the young leaves of a pale green brown
deepening in the centre to brown, there seems to
shimmer a glow resembling flame, while the whole
leaf, when just opening, is of striking fire-red.
When the plant is new to the beholder, the effect
is almost starthng. The stems are long in propor-
tion to the leaf and the outlines very graceful.

The second one has large pale green leaves,
shaded and tinted with brown, the nerves or
veins being of a bright green. A rich velvety
sheen covers the leaves, and gives to the plant a
distinguished and very elegant appearance. The
colors seem to change with the light, as if the leaves
were in motion. As the plant can be cultivated
to a considerable height, and is covered closely
with the leaves, it makes a valuable ornament to
the parlor or conservatory. The flowers are of
a light pink and grow in pretty clusters over it.
The name is Begonia Sogcensis. I saw, also, at
this estabhshment. the Paulinia thalictrifolia in '
bloom. The leaves are divided like the Maiden-
hair fern, but are small. The flowers are white.
and in shape like a forget-me-not, but much larger,
and grow in pretty clusters on rather a short stem.
They are fragrant, and when plucked with a leaf
or two adhering make a fairy-like bouquet. '

During the past summer, while cultivatincr seve- 1
ral varieties of begonias, I found they flowered
beautifully on being treated twice a week with a
weak solution of liquid manure. The tuberous I
rooted varieties were loaded with flowers, and
when these were sometimes broken off for bouquets,
new shoots appeared with marvellous rapidity. !
The young plants increased speedily in size, and

They were watered as freely as a Calla lily ; often
twice a day if the heat was excessive. Partly-
spent cow-manure was added to the earth in which
they grew. Baltimore, Md,

ONCIDIUM DIVARICATUM.
BY CHARLES E. PARNELL.

The cushion-lipped Oncidium, Oncidium divari-
catum, is a very pretty small but abundant-flow-
ering species, and when well grown a useful
plant. Its leaves are nearly oval shape, and of a
yellowish green color. The flower scape which
spiings from the base of the bulb, grows from i to
2 feet in height, and is erect about half-way up,
the remainder being drooping, and on this the
I flowers are produced. The flowers are very beau-
I tiful when closely examined, the petals being of a
\ bright yellow color. At the base is a trace of or-
I ange red, while the large flat yellow lip is spotted
1 with dark crimson.

I Its period of flowering is during the late spring
j and early summer months, and the flowers will
I remain a long time in perfection if the plant is
I placed in a dry cool situation as soon as they are
fully expanded, care being taken to moisten the
roots occasionally.

This pretty species is a native of Brazil, where
it was discovered by A. S. Heatherly, Esq., and it
first flowered in the gardens of the London Hor-
ticultural Society in May, 1826. It is one of those
orchids that can be easily cultivated, and docs
best grown in a basket filled with fresh sphagnum
moss, intermixed with bits of broken charcoal, and
suspended in a partially shaded situation. In
placing the plants in the baskets, keep them well
elevated in the centre, in order to prevent the
young shoots from injury from wet and damp.
During the plant's season of growth, it should
be given a warm moist atmosphere, and an aver-
age temperature of 65 -, while during its season of
rest it should be kept cool and dry ; only give
enough water to keep their leaves and bulbs
plump and firm.

Propagation is effected by a careful division of
the plant, and this should be done just before the
pseudo bulbs start into growth.

The generic name is derived from "ogkidon,'*
a tubercle, and is given from the peculiar excres-
cences observable at the base of the lip of all On-
cidiae, and the specific from the loose straggling
raceme of flowers. Queens, N. V.

Asparagus plumosus. — A correspondent re-
cently inquired for the best method of cultivating
this pretty plant. A contributor to Gardening
World thus responds :

••This elegant South African evergreen climber
may been seen in all its grandeur in the large con-
servatory at Clifton Hall, Nottingham. Mr. An-
derson, the able gardener there, procured the
original plant six years ago, and after growing it
in a pot for about two years, decided to make up
a border for it at the bottom of the back wall of
the conservatory. The border is composed prin-
cipally of lumpy sandy loam, a little peat, leaf soil,
and a dash of sand. This exceedingly handsome
specimen seems to thoroughly enjoy this compost,
as well as the shady position it occupies behind,
or partly under, large specimen palms and tree
ferns, etc. As a matter of curiosity, I ran the tape
round it about one foot from the ground, and
found it to measure 6 feet in circumference, and
about 30 feet high by 12 feet wide, trained up the
back wall to the top of the house, and its pretty
feathery growths are not only ornamental to the
conservatory, but most useful to cut for table de-
coration. Mr. Anderson does not go in for hand-
fuls, but generally for a bushel basket full at a
time, and, to fully prove its lasting qualities, I en-
close a specimen which I have had in a cold room
for the last three weeks without water. I have
omitted to say there are two of those fine plants in
the conservatory, which is a fair-sized house,
measuring 127 feet long by about 40 feet wide, and
both plants seem to enjoy their positions im-
mensely."

Preserving Flowers of Cypripedium in-
SlGNE.— The American Florist sd^ys of Cypripedium
insigne : ••The cut blooms may be kept in water
from four to six weeks in a cool room in good con-
dition."

COSMAS Bi-PINNATA.— This pretty plant, closely
allied to the single dahha, has been induced to
break into a variety of colors. An enterprising
Philadelphia firm of florists, Lonsdale & Burton,
made a good speculation by introducing them the
past autumn.

Manure for Chrysanthemums.— European
growers find guano one of the best fertilizers in
producing show chrysanthemums.

Japanese Chrysanthemums.— Some years ago,
Mr. Fortune sent home from Japan some exam-
ples of an altogether new race of Chrysanthe-
mums, which were exhibited by the late Mr. John
Standish when in bloom, and they created much
interest, and were undoubted floral sensations.
They are so distinct in character, as to be almost
altogether without the artificial barriers of ••prop-

erties set up by the strict florist, such as form and
substance, smoothness and color, and other con-
ditions implied in his general principle of quality ;
in fact, they are quite without the pale of these
regulations, and, indeed, their value to a con-
siderable extent lies in the fact that they are with-
out the range of the florist's laws, and the varieties
that may be said to mostly set these laws at de-
fiance are actually some of the most striking and
attractive of the new Japanese kinds, of great
value for conservatory decoration in late autumn.
TRey are both early and late in blooming, some
coming into flower early in October, others not
till the beginning of January, and thus an unusual
succession of one particular type of flower is se-
cured. They are quite as hardy as the ordinary
Chrysanthemum, but of much taller growth, and
because of their lateness in blooming should be
grown under glass to do them full justice, and
have their flowers large and finely developed.

They are certainly very novel in appearance,
and are quite distinct from the ordinary kinds of
Chrysanthemums. They must not be trusted to,
for the purpose of leaving small -specimen plants
anyone requiring those must look to the Pom-
pon varieties— for the tall growth of the varieties of
the Japanese section is an effectual barrier to their
use as small specimens. The habit of growth is
decidedly tall, and the best way to get good flow-
ers is to let the plants grow upright. They require
good cultivation when grown in pots, and should be
treated to manure water twice a week. As soon as
the flower buds appear, they must be reduced to
one on each shoot, and be grown very strong, to
get the flowers massive and full.. If the flowers
be kept as dry as possible— that is, protected from
the effect of damp— they will remain in bloom for
a long time. Those of our readers imperfectly
acquainted with this race of Chrysanthemums,
would do well to obtain a few for greenhouse and
conservatory decoration, for they will excite the
curiosity and admiration of everyone, their colors
being very striking, somewhat resembhng the
plumage of tropical birds, and others have the ap-
pearance of tassels made up of various kinds of
beautifully-colored silk, and others of narrow
strips of colored paper.

The propagation of the Japanese Chrysanihc-
mums is managed just in the same way as in the
case of the ordinary Chrysanthemums. Autumn-
struck cuttings make excellent plants, as they get
into growth early in spring, and lay the founda-
tion of good strong plants during the summer.
— Gardeners' Record.

362

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[December,

1886.]

AN D HORTICULTURIST.

363

A Shipping Box for Cut Flowers.— Mr.
Long, of Buffalo, has applied for a patent for a
new style of box for shipping cut flowers, of which
we give herewith an illustration.

It will be seen that the arrangements are made
for receiving and confining the water from the

Reservoir Shipping Box showing one side removed and zinc bottom partly

broken to show interior arrangement.

name, and the fact that he admits it was " name-
less," does not warrant the giving it a name.
When it comes on trial among American florists,
we fancy it is the new-fangled name in classic
Dutch that will be nameless, and the " Nameless
Beauty " will prevail.

The Culture of Tree Mig.
NONETTE.— It is very easy of cul-
ture, and by exercising a little
judgment in the sowing of a few
seeds at different seasons of the
year, and care in cutting away the
dead flowers as they appear, it may
be had in bloom in the conserv-
atory every month in the year.
It may be formed into various
shapes, according to the taste of
the cultivator. Some prefer grow-
ing it in the shape of a cone, with
one plant in the centre of a pot,
the stem of the plant tied to a

meltmg ice, and provision is made for ventilation. • neat stake, the side shoots regularly stopped

The hinged partition provides the needed slant and trained, and the flowers pinched off as they

for oblique packing ; the space beneath making a appear, till the plant has attained its desired

separate apartment for small flowers. It provides height and size. Others choose to have five

for either wet or dry packing ; and Carnations or six plants in a 32 or 24-sized pot, and when

which need dry packing, can be sent as safely in these are neatly trained they are very useful and

one of them as other flowers. Mr. Long says: never fail to be admired in the winter season and

Altogether the adaptability of this box is most onwards for several months,

striking, and especially in the resoect that the t u

most fragile and valuable flowers likfRosrvtl m ^?"''' ^ ^'" ""'' ^''''' ^'""^^^^

lev Lilv Tnlin. H v.. .r ^ m ' Mignonette plants, and as they are generally much

ley Luy, lulips. Hyacinths and Narcissus carrv oHrr.;Ko^ t n u • a j . -i 1 • . . .

nerfprMv «.;fT.^.,f \.J .- a • , admired, I will briefly detail their cultivation,

perfectly without heatmg or decaying— such com- ..

- ' ■ ° ' About the end of March, seed was sown in

mon faults in warm weather.

Daphne iNDicA.—This old-fashioned, sweet-
scented pot evergreen, is still everywhere popular.
It is kept loo warm as a general thing. A tem

several small 48-sized pots, placing three or four
seeds in each. The compost used chiefly con-
sisted of decayed turf pulled to pieces with the
hand, but not riddled, intermixed with horse

peratureoffrom45- to 55O is enough for it It 7 . T ' ^ ^'"^^"^ ^^^^ ^^^^^

isanadmir;,hl. rnL..! . ^^ e^o^S^or It. U , droppings passed through a fine sieve ; sand

ii» an aamiraoie room-plant, or for cool rnn<;prvra I u • j 1 1 1 ,

f^v;«c -TK • r. conserva- being added to keep the compost open. In a

tones. They are natives of China and reauire • * r .1 • j • • ,,. ^

about the «;;,rn^ t.mr... . n ^ mixture of this description, Mignonette seems to

aoouc tne same temperature as a camellia i *.u • n j , 1 r ,

^ camellia. | ^^rive well and bloom freely. When the seeds

Rose, Namenlose Schone — This grand rose were sown the pots were placed in a cold pit, and
for the florists, recently figured in our columns, ^^^ as soon as the seedlings were large enough to
has been sold by M. Deegen, the introducer, for I distinguish which were the largest and strongest
1.000 marks, or about $400 -a large figure in Eu- plants, the best were selected to remain, and the
rope. With the purchase, however, its new owner ! others thinned out, and thrown away. As soon
has thought proper to give it a new name— P^urs- ' as the pots were filled with roots, but before the
stine Leontine Furstenberg. As Mr. Deegen plants became pot-bound, these were moved into
frankly stated that it was not a new rose with him, ' 6 inch pots, and in this size single plants will form
but one that had probably been named though good heads of bloom, i/ occasionally assisted with
now unknown, his idea of calling it " Nameless j weak manure waterings.

Beauty" (Namenlose Schone), was a happy con- Some prefer larger-sized pots in order to grow
ceit. It IS just as good a name as if it had a extra strong plants, but I rather like 6-inch pots,

for they can then be placed in a small vase, and and a good everblooming kind would be nearly as
used occasionally for dinner-table decoration. I valuable. In some respects it would be more

When the plants were several inches high, a valuable, as its tendency to flower at a season
neat stake was placed to each to keep them erect, when Carnations are scarce, is a strong point in
The side shoots as they appeared, were carefully its favor,
pinched off near to the main stem, carefully Mr. Chas. Lorenz, of Erfurt, has succeeded in

leaving one or two leaves at the base of each sue
cessive shoot to strengthen the plant and keep I
the roots active. This I consider rather important,
as, if the plant were denuded of all its leaves as
the stem progressed, its health would become im-
paired, and premature decay would set in. Much
the same course was pursued until the plants had
attained the desired height.

As the plants became established, they were re-
moved from the cold pit, and placed on a bed of
coal ashes out of doors. They were stopped at
heights varying from 16 inches to 2 feet, and as
the flower buds appeared these were regularly
pinched out, to force the plants to form a neat
bushy head, until about the end of September^
when each was furnished with a profusion of
shoots, which were allowed to expand their bloom.
By pinching-off the decayed blooms, the plants
will continue to flower throughout the winter
months; but, to secure the perfection of fragrance,
they require both sun and air, and, consequently,
when convenient, should be placed in proximity
to the openings by which the air is admitted into
the houses. — C JR., in Gardeners" Record.

producing a perpetual flowering one, which, as the

NEW OR RARE PLANTS.

Desirable Improvement in Carnations.— j
When the Carnation was known as a florist's
flower especially grown for summer blooming, it
was cut up into numerous classes, such as Picotee, !
Bizarres, Flakes, and so on. The fringed-edged
class, which has given us our winter-flowering
kinds, were known as Picotees. The regular old-
fashioned clove-scented carnation, with its broad
and entire-edged petals, and often with broad
flakes of bright color going through each, has
nearly disappeared, through being but a summer
bloomer. Yet for a while it showed a tendency
in the perpetual direction, and we had, with some
popularity, tree carnations. If only some one
would take hold of them, and give us a race of
good free-blooming winter bloomers of this class,
some one's fortune would be made.

Perpetual Double White Stock, Princess
Alice.— In American cut-flower work, the White
Stock holds a place Uttle inferior to the Carnation,

White Perpetual Flowering Stock, Princess Alice.

illustration shows, continues to produce flowers in
succession from the top downwards, as long as
the plant lasts. In this case, the blooming season
continues open several months. We regard it as
one of the best boons to florists that has appeared

3^4

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

for some time. In fact, it marks much the same
era in floricuhure that inaugurated the winter-
blooming Carnation. If sown early, it will pro-
duce flowers in the open air from May till No-
vember or December.

Improvement in the Chrysanthemum.—
The first attempt at the improvement of the
Chrysanthemum was made in 1836, in Jersey, one

[December,

of the islands in the English Channel. This im-
prover was a baker by trade, but had a passionate
fondness for the flower. The Editor of this maga-
zine well remembers his first great improvement.
It was called Webber's Queen, but whether that
was the name of the baker or not, the writer can-
not say. It was quite as good as kinds now
' popular.

Fruit and Vegetable Gardening.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Proprietary Interest in New Fruits.— This
matter still continues to be a subject of discus-
sion in the magazines. Why cannot the inventor without ice, I have'ad^pVed 7 hous"e"built"in"a

attained; hence these apartments must be cool,
and constructed so as to exclude at pleasure the
external atmosphere, which starts fermentation.
After many years of experience, both with and

of a new fruit get the same protection from law as [ cool, shady aspect, with the door on the north
the mventor of any other novelty } The only | and with a thoroughly drained and cemented eel-
answer we could ever hear was that the inventor j lar, with small, double windows, which may be
of a new fruit cannot present to the patent office , opened or closed at pleasure. In this way I am
m language and by drawings the precise points i enabled to keep my late fall and winter pears until
on which he claims novelty, as inventors in other February or March in good condition. Apples
claims can. I m^y be kept at a lower temperature than pears—

Now there seems no way but for the grower to say 34O to 40O.
raise the fruits himself, and put it in the market, '

or to dispose of it to some one who will. But this ' Trade Views.— A correspondent of the Michi-
course does not amount to much, for it is the pub- ^^^ Horticulturist says that :
lie verdict that gives value to a new fruit The " Pomological Societies are largely made up of

raiser's own estimate only goes for so much in the ""I'Zl'"?^"' l^l 1^^ ''" ""^^ "''^ ^^"^^ '^"'^ P^^
, , ,^ . . TT r , r , scheme, in which they are pecuniarily interested,

whole opinion. Unfortunately after the public This may or may not influence their nerves
has the plant to decide on, it is too late to be of enough to sway their opinions,"
any service to the raiser, and it is chiefly here that ' ^^ far as we have seen, the great body of nurse-
the trouble comes in. If the raisers of the Con- rymen are remarkably free from bias in their dis-
cord grape and the Downing strawberry had not cussions at these conventions. We have known
distributed their plants their names would not be "^^n in the trade say nothing when they have
blessed by the thousands who are grateful to day. been unwittingly caught with a large stock of a
If any one can see any plan by which the P^or thing. But we never knew any one praise
raiser of a new fruit would get a fair recompense ^^^^^ ^^ knew to be unworthy, and we have even
for his good work, it would be a welcome sugges- known cases where men with large stocks of an
tion. Nothing practical has been suggested, article condemn it, when forced by circumstances
though the question has been for years before the ^^ take part in debate,
public.

Preserving Fruits. — Col. Wilder gave re-
cently an address before the Massachusetts Horti-
cultural Society, and concludes that the condi-
tions of success may be briefly stated as follows

The Peach Tree Borer in the Cherry. —
Our attention was called to a young five-year-old
cherry that had been nearly bored to death near
the ground. Not knowing what particular borer
attacked the cherry, specimens were sent to Prof.

The perfect control of temperature, light and C. V. Riley, at Washington, whose representative,
moisture. All experience shows that these condi- \ Mr. Howard, pronounces them /Egeria exitiosa,
tions must be complied with or success cannot be the peach tree borer.

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

36:

Early Peaches.— The American early peaches, novelty is better in some one point at least, or

Amsden, Downing, Red May, and others of that for some special purpose, than others existing, be-

class, are objectionable from having adherent fore we think it worth an extended notice in our

stones. The Bulletino della R. Societa Toscano columns. Hence such things as apples, pears,

di Orticultura says that Dr. Hogg and Precoce peaches, strawberries and raspberries, where the

argent^e, two that compare well with these in varieties are very numerous, or new ones easily
earliness, are pure free-stones. ! raised, it is not easy to produce a variety that will

Apple, Dickinson.- The original tree was ^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ °^ "'"^^ ^P^^^ ^^ ^^^ Garden-

planted by Mrs. Sarah Dickinson in West Chester, ers'^ Monthly.
Pa., some twenty years ago. It bears regularly,
is very productive, keeps long, is large, beautiful.

and of good quality. As figured in the Horticul-
tural Art Journal, it is 4 inches long, and
about as wide towards the base, becom-
ing conical towards the apex. It is
yellowish, though almost wholly cov-
ered with scarlet crimson flakes.

Blackberries and Apples in
Tarts. — A correspondent of the
Journal of Horticulture says :
*' Blackberries and apples are
excellent for mixing in tarts.
The blackberries impart a
sweetness or relish similar
to that of a handful of
raspberries to a quart
of red currants. We
consider either or
both good, separately
or together, and ev-
-eryone can have
them, as they will
grow anywhere and
might supplant the
Nettles and rubbish
only too common
about homesteads."

We illustrate
heve to be
the notice

to day a pear we be-
well worthy of the space
occupies — the Lucy Duke,
raised by Mrs. Lucy Duke,
of Beaufort, North Carohna,
from seed of a California pear.
It is a large brown pear, and re-
minds us very much of those ex-
cellent varieties raised by the
late Bernard Fox, of San Jose,
and which were figured by us
at the time, one of which, the
Barry, is working its way to
high favor. The quahty of
this is fully equal to those
excellent varieties. The
fruit from which our
drawing is made reached
us in the middle of
October. We would
hardly like to say
that the flavor is
equal to a first-class
Seckel, but one may
safely aver that it is
very little behind it.
It has the same rich
aroma that is so pleas-
ing to all lovers of

Pear, Lucy Duke.-Iu \ / ^^^ P^^^^' '^^^ ^P^^^'

an essay read before a West- V / "^^"^ ^"""^^ ^^^"^ ^'' J'

ern Pomological Society com- ^^._^^^. ^ Van Lindley, of Pomona,

plaint was made that Eastern horti- ^^^n^^.,^,**.^^ North Carolina,

cultural papers gave so little encouragement ^^j^hts of some Well-known PEARS.-At
to the introducers of new fruits to write up ^^^^ chiswick Pear Congress of last autumn, Mr.
their novelties, that new magazines were nee- , ^^ Cornu, of Jersey, exhibited samples of Uvedales
essary to open up a new field for them. So g^^ Germain at i lb. 10 oz., and of Catillac, the
far as the Gardeners' Monthly is concerned ^^^^^ q^^^^j. ^^^^ weights were — a Belle
this remark has some show of truth, for we are ^ngevine, 2 lb. 3 02.; General Todleben, i lb. 11
continually under the unpleasant duty of dechn- ^^ . g Louise Bonne of Jersey, \yi lbs.; 6 Pitmas-
ing cuts and descriptions of new fruits, not be- ^^^ Duchess, 7 lb.; and Beurre Clairgeau,4^ lbs.
cause we do not regard them good, but because

we think that many branches of pomology have j Hybrid Sand Pears.— The Horticultural Art
so advanced that mere goodness is no great re- ; Journal says that Conklin's Hybrid was obtained
commendation. We want to be sure that a I from seed of the Sand pear in 1856. It is of the

Lucy Duke Pear

366

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[December,

same general appearance as the Kiefifer. •' Passa- I In the catalogue of W. R. Prince & Co issued in
bly good, we think, better than Kieffer." j 1855. there are ninety-nine varieties offered.

Alexander Lucas PEAR.-Large pears are not , the Large Montmorency Cherry. By a
always good pears, but they are pnzed when the colored plate in the Canadian HorticuLi^l^.
two qualities go together. This new pear is often ! cherry seems a particularly showy kTnd Tnd
6 mches long and 15 inches round, and has a high i the scarlet crim.on rnw"! 1 ^ t

character in Belgium. ; ^^^l ^''""'^^ '°^°' ^' ^^'^ pleasmg. It ap-

i pears to belong to the same class of which the

The Largest Pears in the World.— Speak- Early Richmond is the type,
ing of the small islands in the English Channel

between France and England, the Gardeners'^ ^"^^^^^' ^^^^^ers' Everbearing.-A market
Magazine says : grower wants a fruit that will bear all at once, so

M nf fi^o f, ^ -oi ^ T . • , , ^^^^ without making " two bites at a cherry " he

the p?.^'forsupS is ?fTa'/s. fcu°U i '"\^. ^^' ^^^ ^^^"'^ -»° ''^ ^'^^^^^^ ^' °- - two
being both larger and finer flavored. Forty-five | P^^*^^"^^- ^"^ the most useful amateur fruit is
years ago, when Guernsey was exporting annually | '^^ °"^ ^^at will bear in succession and not all at
some ten thousand bushels of pears, Jersey was | once. This variety matures continuously from
sendmg away no less than 2,000 bushels in the the loth of Tnlv to th^ i.cf ^r c . u \
same period ; but now Jersey takes the lead both ! T T ^ I . September, though

in the matter of quantity and quality. The warmer, ^^^ "^wenng, like the ordmary cherries, open all

dryer climate of this island is more favorable to
the culture of this fruit. The Chaumontel is, in-

at one time. It is from a year-old seedling im-
ported from France by Mr. F. B. Wallis, and in-

fhe'woHd-^Thl" s"tP^f.r ^!l?.°l^" Pf:V°/ t-'i-ed by Mr. C. 0:Sau„de;s, of EvereU. Mass

the world. The same pear in France is not to be
mentioned on the same day, and the grafts intro-
duced into England {from time to time do not
retain the superiority for which the Jersey produce
is so famed.

" With respect to the extraordinary size some

A beautiful colored plate appears in the Horticul-
tural Art Journal for October.

The Currant.— Most persons know that the

,^ . j , , . ^ - , currant of the grocer, is a grape that produces no

times attained by this pear, Guernsey stands higher , seeds • ;inH W^nc^ \, ^.r./ """ces no

than Jersey, for a fruit grown at Laporte in that i ' 1 ! f. produces no seeds, the

island, in 1849, measured 6;^ in. in length, 141^ in. ! "^^"^^ ^^^ ^^^^X ^^If the size of an ordinary grape,
in girth, and weighed no less than 38 ounces. Jerl j ^^ is supposed that these facts arise from imperfect
sey does not appear to have produced any pear ; fertilization. A correspondent inquires why the

renf ^aTr^l^of gaT^^o^. ^T^ ^'^Yr'^^T^'V^''' "^ '^^"^ '' '^
which, he says, ' there is, perhaps, no more re- '^^"^^- ^"^ short, he wants to know the exact

markable instance recorded.' It occurred in the "leaning of imperfect fertihzation. The honest

season of 1861, when of five fruits obtained from answer to this is. that we do not know. Though

\^Vc^:^^^^^^;:tfl^l^.T:l:^.rt '^-urra„t has been known so long, we are n'ot
gether seven and a-half pounds. It is worthy of ^^^^^ o^ any scientific treatise on the method of
remark that in this case the tree, though usually ^^s fertilization— for we take it for granted there

prolific, bore only these five fruits. The pears in
question weighed respectively 32;^, 33, 31;^ and
21 ounces."

Cumberland Triumph Strawberry. This

must be some pollen influence in order to have a
fruit set at all. though it may not become of full
size or perfect its seeds.

variety is getting to be an old kind now. but j , ^^.^^^^ to the AcRE.-Three tons is about the
Mr. Albau^h says it is bv far the best v.ri.tv tn ^'^^'^'^ ^^^^^^^ ^^P°^^^^ ^^°^^ Cahfornia. The

Mr. Albaugh says it is by far the best variety to
grow in the South.

Strawberry Itasca.— This has been placed
before the public by Mr. J. W. Haynes. of Delphi,
Indiana, who claims that it is larger than Wilson,
Crescent or Captain Jack, and equally product-
ive ; 225 berries have been gathered from a year-
old plant.

Lists of STRAWBERRiES.—Complaint is some-
times made of the interminable lists of fruit in
modern catalogues. But our fathers were as bad.

vines were three years planted.

WoRDEN Grape.— At the recent meeting of the
American Horticultural Society, the Worden, Mr.
Hubbard said, was a larger, handsomer, and
more attractive berry than the Concord, and
ripened from a week to ten days earlier. Pur-
chasers tasting it, would call it a first-class Con-
cord. And Mr. Geo. W. Campbell said : *' I was
one of the first in Ohio to raise the Worden Grape.
It is larger than the Concord, jucier, and ripens
earlier than the Concord, but it has all the faults

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

367

of that popular grape, the skin being tender, thus
making it a poor shipping grape."

Muscat of Alexandria Grape. — Hot-house

grapes are getting to be quite a luxury in America •

as the ease with which Cahfornia fills the market

with open-air fruits gives people little desire to

raise them artificially. Still, out-door culture has

never given us fruit of as good quality, or as

early as good hot-house culture can produce them ;

and there are still a few amateurs who would not be

without a grape-house on any consideration. The

following hint from the Journal of Horticulture,

regarding the proper treatment of Muscats, will

have some interest :

"Shallow well-drained borders, where abundant
water could be given — where, indeed, the surplus
from each watering could at once be seen running
out of the borders, they being quite above the
level of the surrounding ground— seem to suit the
Muscat exactly, provided always abundance of
water be given when that is required, whether
from the borders being inside, or in dry weather if

outside.

" Nothing is more calculated to prove disastrous
to the welfare of Muscats, than too deep and ill-
drained borders. Much time, labor and expense
have been laid out on vine borders sometimes, \
which is very ill-requited, in regard to Muscats at
least, for the simple reasons that the borders are ^
made without enough drainage, and also too deep.
Give me a shallow border above the level of the
ground, an abundant supply of water, plenty of
good soil and manures to top dress with every
spring, and, other things being favorable, Muscats
will thrive and fruit as freely as can be desired." I

Remarkable Watermelons.— Messrs. J. M. |
Thorburn & Co. say that the (Emler's Triumph !
Watermelon has seeds so small that fifty-five will go
into a number 6 thimble ; and that the Volga Water-
melon, while hard and solid, has scarcely any
rind. They are introductions from the Caspian
country on the lower Volga River.

Old Orange Trees.— According to a writer in
in El Diario de la Marina, there is still flour-
ishing in the porch of the Convent of Santa
Sabina, in Rome, an orange tree that is said to
have been planted in A. D. 1200. Another, in
the Monastery of Tondi, is supposed to have been
planted by Sir Thomas Aquinas in 1278. In the
Moorish Alcazar, at Seville, Spain, exists one that
was planted during the reign of Pedro I, between
1350 and 1366. Others there are known to be
three hundred and forty years old.

The Uses of Oranges.— Owing to some unto-
ward circumstances in the European orange gar-
dens, there is occasionally a glut of fruit in the

English markets, and then the fruit will not keep
well. The glut will soon be past, and oranges
become dear. It happens that at the present
time, owing to the failure of certain kinds
of home-grown fruit in the past summer, many
English families have but small fruit stores, and
therefore it may be seasonable to suggest that
cheap oranges may be turned to some account
to help out until rhubarb and green gooseberries
are plentiful once more.

Orange Compote is one of the most elegant
and acceptable delicacies of its class. Take a
sufficient number of oranges, and to every six al-
low one pint of syrup, made as I have before di-
rected for compotes. Peel the oranges and put
aside half the peel, which must be freed as much
as possible of the woolly undercrust or pith, and
the peeled oranges must also be stripped of this
pith, which is easily accomplished if they are ripe
and sound. Divide the oranges into their natural
divisions without cutting or breaking the skin, and
when the syrup is thick and boiling, put them in,
and let them simmer for five minutes, when they
must be taken out and set aside. Cut up into
narrow strips the peel that has been stripped of its
' pith and put into the syrup, and boil it fast until
it is quite thick, and then pour over the oranges,
and when cold they are ready to serve. If oranges
are prepared in this way as a gift to a sick friend,
or to store as a preserve, proceed in precisely the
same manner, but when the divisions are taken
' out of the syrup, put them into jars and when the
' syrup is again boiled up and thickened, pour
' enough over to cover them, and tie them down
' while hot. Oranges preserved in this way will
keep good for any reasonable length of time.
! Orange Salad may be served with the dessert,
and should not be prepared until wanted. It
should be made of the finest St. Michael's oranges
and the deep red Maltese oranges in equal pro-
portions. They must not be peeled, but cut into
four, and then shced and piled edgeways on the
dish, to form a pyramid, the rinds all outwards,
and the colors well mixed. Sift over them a thick
coat of fine white sugar, and then carefully pour
over a little strong brandy or liqueur, maraschino
being perhaps the best.

Orange Jelly.— UdLv'^ng many times eaten this
delicious jelly, I was curious about the exact mode
of preparing it, but could neither obtain by hon-
estly asking for it the information I desired, nor
discover by my own experiments how to succeed
to my complete satisfaction. Any fruit jelly may
be made by stewing the fruit in its own juice with

368

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[December,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

369

sugar, and after straining and reducing adding
isinglass and cochineal ; but in the case of orange
jelly, M. Soyer's method is undoubtedly the best,
and he describes it as follows : Procure five
oranges and one lemon, take the rind off two of
the oranges, and half of the lemon, and remove
the pith, put them into a basin, and squeeze the
juice of the fruit into it ; then put a quarter of a
pound of sugar into a stewpan, with half a pint of
water, and set it to boil until it becomes a thick
syrup, then take it off, and add the juice and
rind of the fruits, cover the stewpan, and place it
again on the fire ; as soon as boihng commences
skim well, and add one glass of water by degrees,
which will assist its clarification. Let it boil another
minute, then add half an ounce of good isinglass,
dissolved in half a pint of water and run through
a bag ; pass the whole through a jelly-bag, add a
few drops of prepared cochineal to give an orange
tint, and then fill a mould and place it on ice ;
turn out as before.

Orange Sauce. — It is a great pity that the
English do not, as a rule, permit sweets to accom- j
pany meats, for when the combination is judi-
ciously managed, the result is delightful, and adds '
not only to the variety, but to the elegance of a
dinner. Amongst the many uses of oranges in
cookery, there is none more important than to ac- :
company any kind of roasted wild fowl, ducklings,
and even a pheasant or guinea fowl. With any
of these orange sauce is as appropriate as currant
jelly is with a haunch of venision, or with a saddle
of mutton that has been hung until it was not safe
to let it hang any longer, lest something worse
should happen. To make a nice orange sauce,
cut up one orange, peel and all, into thin slices.
Put the whole with the juice that has run from it,
and the juice pressed out of another orange into a
stewpan, with a good lump of sugar as large as '
a walnut, and let it simmer for five minutes. Then
strain off the clear syrup, and throw away the
rest. Add to it half a pint of strong white broth,
made from veal or chicken. The trimming's of
roasted poultry or game will make a capital stock
for this purpose ; but in any case it must be good,
entirely free from fat, and quite clear and strong,
without color or flavoring. Simmer the mixture
for a few minutes, skim with care, and add the
juice of an orange freshly pressed when it is
%tx\^di.~Gardeners' Magazine.

Japan Vegetables.— A remarkably interesting
paper was read by Mr. Kizo Tamari, Japan Com-
missioner, before the American Horticultural So-

ciety. He said that burdock roots were highly
esteemed as a vegetable in Japan, as were all
kinds of radishes. Turnips, and our "Tan-yan "
are also esteemed. Over seven millions of bushels
are annually grown. Sweet Potatoes, Chinese
Yam, Tiger Lilies, and Leeks are much used.
The Saga hispida, or Ivy Bean, is extensively
grown; over eleven milHon bushels being the
product. Egg-plants, cucumbers, gourds and
squashes are also used. The cabbage as we have
it, is unknown. A kind of chrysanthemum is
used as we use spinach. The yellow flowers of
the common chrysanthemum are also used.
Shoots of Aralia cordata and bamboos are used
as asparagus, and a species of Cryptotaenia is used
as celery. The shoots of the brake and Royal
fern are also used. The roots of the Nelumbium
sagittaria, and a tuberous Scirpus are also generally
in use. Some sea-weeds, notably Porphyra vul-
garis, are highly esteemed. " Entrenia Wasabi "
takes the place of our horse-radish.

WiTLOOF.— A few years ago, Messrs. Vilmorin
j introduced a new vegetable to be used as a salad

— an improvement of the common chicory — under
j the name of Witloof. It seems to be growing in

favor in the old world. Have any of our American

readers had experience with it ?

i The Beauty of Hebron Potato.— This Amer-
ican variety has become one of the leading kinds
for general culture in Great Britain.

Lettuce, Butterhead.— This is a new variety
introduced by Neidhardt, of Erfurt. It is claimed
for it, that it is remarkably hard, matures early,
and with good manure has given hard solid, cab-
bage-like heads, weighing one pound. The outer
leaves are light green, and the inner ones golden
yellow.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Horticultural Information. — "L. A. B.,"
Wisconsin, writes : *' I subscribe for a number of
papers, and have not found the right one yet. I
want to get hold of a paper devoting space to
vegetable gardening. Send me the Gardeners*
Monthly one year. I have just finished a very
good greenhouse, and am going to grow vege-
tables exclusively. My house is 100x20 feet,
heated by 850 feet 4-inch soil pipe, and one of
Weathered's No. 6 Heaters. I have used 12x16
* A ' double glass, and have spared no means to
make the house first class."

[We are always happy to answer any inquiry
that may be made on vegetable growing, or any

other branch of gardening. There are now so report all the new advances that books in general
many excellent practical books on gardening, that do not contain. A magazine has to have for its
it seems a needless waste of space to repeat in a motto the advice of some stores, •' If you do not
magazine what these cheap treatises contain. I see what you want, please ask for it." The
The province of a magazine is to keep ahead ; to ! Editor will always cheerfully respond. — Ed. G. M.]

Forestry.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

A Remarkable Linden Tree. — This is to be
seen in the grounds of the New Bath Hotel at
Matlock Bath ; and it is reported to be at least
300 years old, and the local records say, proba-
bly with much truth, that it is one of the largest in
the kingdom. When, and under what circum-
stances it was originally planted is not known.
The tree measures 300 feet in circumference ; the
branches sweep down to the ground, and are
propped up by strong supports in all directions,
and the points of the branches resting on the
ground impart to it a very unique apppearance.
Mr. Thomas Tyack, the proprietor of the New
Bath Hotel, is very proud of this arboreal wonder ;
and he informed us that he has frequently dined
between 200 and 300 persons under its branches.
Visitors to Matlock Bath should not fail to inspect
this really wonderful tree, which is carefully pre-
served by Mr. Tyack, and shares with the petri-
fying wells, the grand scenery of the Derwent
Valley, the veteran carp in the town pond, the
trout fishing in the Derwent, the warm springs,
etc., the honor of being one of the sights of this
charming Derbyshire place.— 7?. D.Jn Gardeners'
Chronicle.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Oregon Forests and Rainfall.— Mrs. Fanny
E. Briggs, La Centre, Washington Territory, writes :
"This region is covered with a heavy growth of
timber, mostly giant firs, with a dense under-
growth, save here and there a small natural
opening, and the clearings of settlers. Up and
down the Columbia it is the same ; the • continuous
woods' still skirt the 'Oregon,' as in the days
when it heard ' no sound save its own dashings.'

" Of the eight summers we have passed here,

four have been very dry, three or four months
without rain, or at most, only slight showers, and
vegetation suffers from drouth more or less every
summer.

"Now, if the presence or absence of forests is
the chief factor in determining the rainfall of any
given section, how are these facts to be explained
or reconciled ?

The Russian Mulberry.— An Illinois corre-
spondent writes : " In the Kansas Forestry Re-
port, page 32, 1885, I. Horner, Emporia, Kansas,
says :

•"The haidy Mulberry, commonly styled Rus-
sian Mulberry, is a cross of several varieties of
Mulberrv, the chief of which are the Morus alba,
Morus Tartarica, and Morus nigra. It was in-
troduced into South Russia, by the Russian Czar
about a century ago, and was imposed upon the
tree planters by the Russian Government, as the
tree to be most important on the list of trees
planted.*

" He goes on with a great deal more of its
history. Please give your views whether a mix-
ture from different varieties can be grown from
seeds, so as to preserve the best qualities of the
different kinds."

[Varieties produced, whether by crossing be-
tween two or more varieties, or by the natural laws
! of variation common to all species, have hereditary
' characters ; and, if the Mulberries were produced
as stated, there is no reason why they might not
reproduce their special characters from seed.

But the statement that this variety was ojbtained
by the method referred to is evidently a reckless
one, manufactured by the writer of the paragraph
quoted, or by some one equally reckless. No
elaborate attempts at crossing to get new varieties
were made a century ago ; and besides, the Morus
tatarica, which is the Russian form of the White
Mulberry, has been known as such long before
i the time of a •• Russian Czar about a century ago."

370

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[December,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

371

Natural History and Science.

COMMUNICATIONS.

NATIVE LILIES OF OREGON.
BY MRS. FANNY E. BRIGGS.

How many White Lilies are native of the
Pacific Coast ? Some four years since, I received
some bulbs from the Sierras described as '* white,
very fragrant ;" also one dug in the woods near
Oregon City, description same. I supposed them
to be identical, but there were differences in ap>
pearance and growth from the first, and this year
has still greater difference in flower.

The Oregon has flowers in general shape like
Candidum, of good size and firm texture, very
glossy, white, specked with chocolate dots. Those
from California are similar in shape, but the
divisions are much narrower, especially at base,
where they arc quite claw-like. They are un-
spotted, but have a conspicuous green line ex-
tending from the base of each petal half-way to
the tip.

The Oregon is altogether the finer Lily, and
stronger in growth, being still green and vigorous,
while the California by its side, died to the ground
more than a month ago. Both bloom in June,
the Cahfornia first.

received from a neighbor this fall. This tuber was
red like the rest of the crop for about one-third of
its circumference for its full length, while the other
two-thirds was a light clear yellow. This varia-
tion could not have been produced by pollen, as
even in the rare cases where the plant flowers, I
beheve it never produces seed. Philadelphia,

FLOWERING OF THE SWEET POTATO.

BY ISAAC BURK.

The inquiry of your correspondent of the South,
about the flowering of the sweet potato, reminds
me of a field I saw in full bloom in the summer of
1884, on the farm of Job Haines in Gloucester
County, New Jersey. It was particularly inter-
esting to rae, for I had been watching for nearly
fifty years, whenever I had the opportunity, with-
out ever seeing one before or since. The seed
was purchased from a farmer in the same county,
but I was unable to learn where he procured the
tubers. Others in the neighborhood had them to
flower profusely, but Mr. Haines unfortunately ran
out of the plants; and as none of the flowers pro-
duced seeds, I presume they have, like former
introductions, lost the habit of flowering.

Your remarks about bud variations were well
illustrated by a tuber of the red variety, which I

THE MISTLETOE PARASITE.
BY JOHN W. DUNLOP.

In your Gardeners* Monthly for October,
Mr. Eisele speaks of •• the miserable parasite, the
mistletoe." It deserves no such appellation, for it
is a very pretty plant and quite interesting. The
true mistletoe of England, Viscum albas, grows
sparingly anywhere. I have seen it on the apple
tree, but it is mostly found on the White English
Oak, and sometimes on other trees. So inter-
esting was it considered in London, in 1839 to
184 1, when I left there, that they were cultivating
it as a weeping plant, and it could be 'found on
sale at every good nursery.

Our American mistletoe is the Phoradendron
flavesens; looks very like its relative. It grows
plentifully along the western foot-hills of the
Sierra Nevada on the Evergreen Oak. Within
six miles of Sacramento, at Oak Grove Tavern 1
you will see acres of Evergreen Oak, that are
heavily loaded with it ; and I can assure you, I
would give much to have one of them growing in
my garden.

I used to wonder what attraction these parasites
had for the yellow-billed Magpie, Pica Nuttallii.

They are always found in abundance where the
mistletoe grows. It may be that they are after the
large acorns of the oak. Milwaukee, Wis,

BLOOMING OF THE SWEET POTATO.

F. J. VOGEL.

In another article, I see the question asked. Did
you ever see the Sweet Potato bloom ? Here you
can see them to perfection in bloom, as many as
ten or more on the ends of the vines, and they
mature their seed, which, when planted, will
readily sprout and produce invariable new varie-
ties. Will send you some of the seed when ripe.

The Sugar Cane here tassels, which is quite a
novelty, as it makes a fine plume, soft and silky to
the touch. Farther south it produces seed, so it
is said.

We have also a novelty in the Citrus family — a
variegated Orange and Lemon. The leaves and
young wood are beautifully marked white and
creamy yellow. This makes quite a contrast with
green of the other portions of the leaves. The
young shoots of the Lemon are of a purplish red.
The fruits are marked the same as the leaves.
The Orange belongs to bitter sweet class, and is
only for ornament. The Lemon is intensely sour,
and is only for ornament.

There are a great many flowers here, but none
of them gorgeous. The prevailing colors are
yellow, rose white, purple, blue ; very few mottled
in color. If acceptable, will give an outline of the
flora in this part of the State, South Florida.

Lake Maitland, Florida,

ACCLIMATING TREES AND FRUITS.

BY T. O'N.

You may reccollect, Mr. Editor, a severe winter
some years ago that destroyed many evergreens
in this neighborhood that were supposed to be
perfectly hardy, whilst more tender varieties were
unharmed.

It was the practice many years ago to sow
clover and Timothy seed together in the fall. Of
late years it is only safe to sow clover m the
spring, and then not too early. Gardeners and
farmers all over the country will tell you that
many of their modes of culture have to be
changed from time to time, and that many strange
things happen that the most experienced and in-
telligent are unable to give a reason for. The
variations in the atmosphere, the absence or excess
of some constituent, though the temperature may
be the same, and the consequent variation in the
condition of the soil, or the sap that feeds the
plant, may have something to do with these sports

in nature.

[This very suggestive note leads us again to
observe that we must agree on what we mean by
acchmating. As we have generally understood
the word it means so changing a plant's character
that it may learn to love conditions it would now
despise. But the note of our correspondent would
seem to indicate that by acclimating may be
meant the changing of the conditions to suit the
unchanging nature of the plant.

After all, there may be grounds for belief in

both views. We noted, recently, that we regarded
the production of a potato that would be frost-
proof a feat beyond the art of acclimation ; and
yet, if the belief of gentlemen who have recently
written in science publications in England be cor-
rect, that the modern potato is descended from
Solanum Jamesi, Fendleri, Maglia, or other tube-
rous South American forms, nature has already
performed that wonder, for the form known as
Fendleri is quite hardy in Germantown ; and
again, there can be no doubt whatever that
the Douglas Fir, of Colorado, is the very same
thing with that of California, yet the one from
Colorado is as hardy as "a rock" in Germantown,
while no one has ever been able to get a plant
from the Pacific coast through even a mild winter
in that place. Starting, as these must have done,
from exactly the same parentage, and yet diverg-
ing into two races, the one hardy and the other
tender, is all the evidence the most positive might
desire that plants can change their nature some-
times, and be in this way acclimated, as well as be
acclimated by the conditions changing to suit
their constitutions. — Ed. G. M.]

PRETTY KANSAS WILD FLOWERS.
BY THOMAS BASSLER.

To- day I add the names of a few more plants,
worthy of cultivation, to my list of pretty Kansas
wild flowers — to wit : Dicentra cucullaria, well-
known to most botanists and not needing descrip-
tion. Schrankia uncinata (Sensitive Rose), with
its little tuft of pink blossoms and sensitive
leaves. Ruellia ciliosa, in two colors, white and
light purple. Argemone grandiflora, a noble
plant, sometimes four feet high, with hght-colored
foliage and large white flowers ; they look very
pretty when many are together. Salvia azurea
grandiflora, sometimes stands three feet high,
with large blue flowers in thick terminal racemes
or spikes. Coreopsis tinctoria, with yellow rays
and brown centres, reminding me, when I first
saw them, of my grand-mother's garden in Penn-
sylvania. Liatris pycnostachya, and scariosa, —
both of which are pinkish purple, in long spikes,—
the heads of the first being very close together,
and when dried make it look like a plume; hence
its name— Kansas Gay Feather. The latter has
heads somewhat larger ; if dried in a certain way,
both make splendid winter flowers. Some of the
asters are very beautiful. There are many more that
I've seen but have not gathered or identified.
"Gray's Botany" will not do for thispart of the coun-

372

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[December,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

373

I'.'

try. I have seen several discussions about glazing
without putty, but none have spoken of my plan

letting the edges touch instead of overlapping.

1 have found that the house is kept warm as
easily, and leakage from rain no more than from
overlapping. Have others tried this plan ?

Geuda Springs, Kansas, Oct, nth, 1886.

NORTHERN LADY-BIRD— EPILACHNA

BOREALIS.

BY PROF. S. S. RATHVON.

This is the largest species of the true Lady-birds
(Coccinelhdae) that occurs in Pennsylvania, and it
seems to have elicited very little attention as a
destructive insect, for the reason, perhaps, that the
Coccinellans have been generally represented as
essentially aphidiphagous in their gastronomical
habits ; that is, they are said to feed almost ex-
clusively on plant-lice. (Aphids.) They are a
very common beetle ; perhaps, on account of
their size, better known than any other species of
their family. They are nearly or quite the size of
the " Colorado potato beetle," but more hemi-
spherical in form ; lemon yellow in color, and the
thorax and elytra well covered with large round
black spots. When taken in the hand they ex-
ude a clear yellow liquid of an unpleasant odor,
which appears to come from between the abdomi-
nal segments ; and the larva has the same habit.
A few of them are found every season, and they
are widely diffused; and, although they seem
scarcely to have provoked a complaint, yet from
what I shall have to say about them in this con-
tribution, it will be evident that they possess the
possibilities of destructiveness in no ordinary de-
gree ; at least to the great cucubitacious family of
plants. Both the larva and the imago feed on
these plants, and those, as well as the ova and
pupa, may be found there at the same time.

In the summer of 1842, I noticed this insect in
immense numbers on a wild and worthless cucur-
bitaceous vine (Sicyos angulatus) in Donegal
township, Lancaster county, and the whole plant,
although a vigorous one, seemed to be blighted ;
the leaves crisp, or wilted as if scalded ; and al-
most every leaf thus wilted, had on the under side,
from two to half a dozen of these lady-birds feed-
ing upon them. I did not notice either eggs,
larva or pupa, although they must have been
there at the same time. I would not have noticed
them in my recent observations, had I not lifted
up the leaves and looked beneath them. At the
above period this insect was catalogued as Cocci-

nella borealis, and generally supposed to possess
the carnivorous characteristics of the other species
of the genus ; being then a mere novice in
Entomology, I thought I might have been mis-
taken in the species, and hence I did not feel like
pitting my single observation against existing re-
j cords. Subsequently, however, on various oc-
casions, I found these insects in limited numbers
on pumpkin and squash vines, and at least once
on the cucumber ; I also obtained specimens of
the larva from which I bred the beetle.

About twenty years ago I captured between
four and five hundred of these beetles, in the
month of March, under the bark of an old tree
that stood in a field where corn and pumpkins
had been cropped the preceding year ; and they
were then in their winter hibernation. Perhaps
fifty of them had crawled out and were basking
in the sun, and the remainder occupied a deep
cavity under the bark. This established the fact
that this insect passes the winter under some con-
venient cover near the place where it had bred
during the previous summer, and would suggest
the idea of seeking for them and destroying them
in early spring.

The present season I have had this insect under
continuous observation, in all its various stages of
development, from the first of July until the first
of October, and I am satisfied it possesses the pos-
sibility of being as fatal to the Cucurbitaceae as the
Colorado potato beetle .is to the Solanaceae ; and
that when we form an estimate of the good quali-
ties of "Lady-birds," we must base it upon intelli-
gent discrimination.

We have on our limited premises, and for some
years permitted to grow, a few vines of the " Wild
Balsam Apple," (Echinocystis lobatus) one of the
most vigorous runners on friendly soil, belonging
to its order. About the first of July I noticed a
single specimen of Epilachna borealis on this
vine, and a day or two afterwards I noticed sev-
eral groups of yellowish eggs— from 20 to 25 in each
— from one cluster of which the young larva were
in the act of exclusion — small, feeble, hairy dots,
or bunches of dark, diverging bristles. I con-
cluded I would let them pursue their course un-
molested, just to notice their transformations, and
test their possibilities.

I had some difficulty in determining the actual
number of broods this insect was capable of pro-
ducing in one season ; but, from the fact the in-
dividuals of a single group, which I had under
special observation, passed through all their
transformatiojis from ova to imago within the

space of one month, I concluded there were not
less than three, although there appeared to be a
dozen. The female Epilachna, like the female
Doryphora, does not deposit her eggs all at one
time, in one place, nor on one day ; therefore, the
eggs, the larva in its various stages of growth,
the pupa, and the adult insect, may all be present
on the vines they infest at the same time, and the
second and last named, both voraciously occupied
in feeding upon the leaves. Each individual of
these three broods, if a female, is capable of pro-
ducing about one hundred beetles, and for the
time being the adult consumes as much as the
young. The larva moults five times (perhaps
oftener), and after each moult it becomes less
greenish and more yellowish in color, and after
the last moult it is lemon yellow, bristled all over
with yellow spines with blackish ends. It is then
nearly as large as the beetle itself; the eyes
black, and a sluggish and greedy feeder, without
apparent regard to approaching danger. But it
is always found on the under side of the leaf,
which, being wounded by its presence, wilts and
curls around it, affording it protection against
any thing that might be hurled upon it from

above.

The pupal period is from two to five days, ac-
cording to temperature, and it is about the same
with the incubation of the egg. The pupal trans-
formation is very simple— merely a fastening of
the caudal end of the abdomen to the leaf, a dor-
sal splitting of the skin and pushing it down to
the lower end, where it remains a brittling bunch
until the evolution of the beetle takes place; after
which the transparent integument and spines still
remain. The pupa might easily be mistaken for
a contracted last stage of the larva ; but on closer
observation the rudimental elytra and feet become
apparent, also the eyes, antennae, and a number
of dark dashes and dots, apparently correspond-
ing with the spots on the mature beetle. The
larvae are able to walk up a very smooth surface ;
some that I had confined in a glass jar walked up
not only the sides of the jar, but also across the
under side of the glass lid, and pupated there.
There is quite a distinction in the manner of feed-
ing between the larva and the imago. The
former eats off only the lower integument and the
parenchyma, leaving the upper integument and
nervures intact ; whilst the la'.ter eats the whole
leaf, or as much of it as it can before it becomes
too crisp. Wherever you see a wilting leaf
with a hole or two cut through it, by lifting up the
edges of said leaf you may find from one to a

half dozen great Lady-birds feasting on it ; and
thus they rapidly pass from one leaf to another,
ever seeming to be in pursuit of fresh provender.
Now, in regard to the injury they are capable
of inflicting on the vegetation they infest, it, of
course, don't amount to much so long as they
confine themselves to the vines I have named ;
but may they not, under favorable circumstances,
also attack those plants most nearly allied ? — the
cucumber, the muskmelon and the canteloupe for
instance — especially since they were accompanied
on the Echinocystis by Diabrotica vittata and
i2-punctata, the former of which is the notorious
"striped cucumber beetle." This companionship
may indicate a similarity of taste among them.
As before stated, they have long been known to
infest the pumpkin and squash families, but as these
latter are so rough and robust they do not seem to
have injured them much ; but that is merely a
question of numbers.

As to their possibilities, under my observations,
I can give you the sum and substance in a few
words. After this vine gets a good start we can
almost see it grow, and it continues to grow until ar-
rested by the first heavy frost in the fall. This season
the Lady-birds followed it up from the base, defolia-
ting or skeletonizing it as they ascended, and pre-
maturely arrested its growth. This plant will
grow as long as the main vine is intact and is
connected with the ground, but these beetles
headed it off, and caused its premature decay.
Only a small portion of its worthless fruit ma-
tured, and the pods were only half the size of
former years. This Lady-bird needs watching.

Lancaster, Pa.

THE MISTLETOE IN FLORIDA.

BY V. J. YOG EL.

Have noticed several articles in the Monthly,
as to the habits of mistletoe, and upon what trees
this parasite delights to grow in different sections
of the country. My observations so far have only
found it to grow upon the Hickory, Hackberry, Post
Oak, Willow-leaved Oak and Water Oak ; but most
luxuriantly upon the Hickory ; makes a bush 4 to 5
feet high, i;^ to 2 inches in diameter. The trees
here present an unique appearance, as it grows
usually at the tops of the trees— never on the
Magnolia or Live Oak in this part of South Florida.
Lake Maitland, Florida, October 25th.

[This is a very interesting note, as showing
that while it grows in other sections freely on the
Live Oak and Magnolia, it does not seem to be
favored bv the same trees here.

|htfc-lrrrf-.'-">~.aaBS

374

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[ December,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

375

The fact favors the suggestion made originally
by the Gardeners' Monthly, that the failure of
the mistletoe to take hold of some trees, is not
from any special antipathy ; but from local con-
ditions that favor the germination of the seed ;
and that a change in these conditions might make
the Oak in England the favorite of the mistletoe

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Zinnias.— Gottingen, in Hanover, seems to have
seen the first cultivated Zinnia over one hundred
years ago. The seeds came from Peru. The Pro-
fessor of Botany in the newly-estabhshed Univers-
ity (John Godfrey Zinn) figured it. He did not

Zinnia elegans robusta grandiflora plenissima.

in the time of the Druids, and unfavorable to it \ think it was a new genus, but, in those days when
^^^' \ they had but one name and a host of adjectives.

The matter is one of considerable interest; we described it as " Rudbeckia folius oppositis." Lin-
shall be glad to have further notes of the host naeus saw the distinction between the two, and gave
trees of the parasite from other localities. Has any- the name to its first describer. Thus we have Zinnia.
one seen it on a Pine, Spruce, Juniper, or other That species is now Zinnia pauciflora, and grows
coniferous trees ?J wild over the whole of South America from Peru,

extending north to Arizona. Other botanists had
considered it a Bidens — a common plant in our
northern swamps. These references show its re-
lationship. A strong point of difference is the per-
manence of the ray-florets. In other allied plants
they wither and fall away— as in the sun-flower or
aster, for instance,— here they remain, though los-
ing the lustre of the earlier stage. From this fact
they have obtained tne common name of " youth
and old age " — young flowers and faded flowers
remaining together to the end. The common name,
however, has not become common, probably be-
cause the botanical name is so easy— Zinnia is more
commonly its name than its expressive common
one. The gay kinds of our gardens come from
Zinnia elegans, a Mexican species, introduced to
England in 1796, but its great improvement by
florists has only been of recent date. The first step
was to produce them of a variety of colors— that is
to say, variety in the strap-shaped ray petals, for
the tubular petals of the cone-like disk, with the
anthers, were always retained of a bright yellow.
These tubular flowers were perfect— that is to say,
they had stamens and pistils, and each little floret
produced one seed. The ray florets had pistils
only, but with pollen, brought by the wind or in-
sects, these florets were generally fertile also.

Of late years florists have produced double zin
nias; but the doubling is not as in the rose or car-
nation, by the change of stamens to petals, but by
the little yellow florets of the disk splitting their
tubes on one side, opening them, and becoming
flat like the ray florets. The most remarkable fact
to the close observer is, that, while changing their
tubular character to the flat condition, they change
both sex and color. They have no longer stamens,
but are purely pistillate, as in the ray florets, and
are of the same tint. There are, however, usually

a few disk florets retaining the tubular and pollen-
bearing character, or if the flower is wholly pis-
tillate, pollen is received from other single or semi-
double heads— for these almost wholly pistillate
heads are usually productive of a full supply of
seeds, and the florists who have undertaken to im-
prove them find little difficulty in getting the char-
I acters they desire sufficiently hereditary for com-
mercial purposes.

! Among those who have undertaken to lead in
I the improvement of the Zinnia, the firm of Lorenz,
: of Erfurt— who gave us Gaillardia Lorenziana —
stands prominent. They have now a strain which
has flowers of an enormous size, and wholly double,
which we give as an illustration. They have carried
us back to ante Linnaen time, when the plant had
but one name and a string of adjectives. They caU
it •• Zinnia elegans robusta grandiflora plenissima,'
but we suspect our busy gardeners will shorten its
cognomen to " Lorenz' Zinnias," or Lorenz* strain.
American Mist Tree and Juglans rupestris.
—In our last, at page 326, there should have been
I two references to the Country Gentleman— one in
relation to the American mist tree, the other to the
California walnut, Juglans rupestris. Unfortunately,
the last heading was omitted, and the whole para-
graph given to the mist tree. The context will show
that the whole extract relates to the walnut, and
has no relation to the mist tree.
TheGroundsel Tree.— A correspondent writes

that this should have been Baccharis, and not
Bacharis, as given at page 330. We are glad to
find this spirit of accuracy pervading our readers.
The plant was so named from some association of
the plant with Bacchus, the god of wine : so that
we see how important it is to those who wish to
follow the history of plants, that the orthography
should be correctly rendered.

Liter A TUBE. Travels and Personal Notes.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Charles M. Hovey (see Frontispiece).— In
our annual presentations of a portrait of some
eminent hving author in American Horticulture as
a frontispiece to our annual volume, few will be
more welcome to the readers of the Gardeners'
Monthly than the veteran Editor. Charles M.

I Hovey, of Boston. Horticulture on this continent
'is probably more indebted to him than to any
living man. In the earlier part of the century,
J. C. Loudon was editing his Gardeners Maga-
' zine in London, a task which did wonders toward
' raising up an intelligent class of gardeners in the
I Old World, such as never before had honored the
I profession. Mr. Hovey determined to do as much

376

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[December,

for America, and in 1835, the American Gardeners'
Magazine made its appearance under his manage-
ment, the style as well as the name being an exact
counterpart of Mr. Loudon's venture. He was
fortunate in drawing around him an admirable
line of correspondents, who went into the support
of the magazine with zeal and intelligence remark-
able for the time. In the list are the names of
John Lowell, Ives, John Lewis Russell, Wm. Ken-
rick, A. J. Downing, Robert Manning, S. Downer,
B. V. French, Hon. H. A. S. Dearborn, S. Walker,
Michael Floy, Rufus Kittredge, Chas. Downing,
J. E. Teschemacher, M. P. Wilder, J. F. Allen, H.
W. Beecher, Peter Mackenzie, D. Haggerton, and
other names famous in horticultural history — names
such as would make at once the fortune of any horti-
cultural publication that could go on with them to-
day. With the third volume came a change in its
title, chiefly because other short-lived publications
were being issued under similar names. It then be-
came, in 1837, Hoveys Magazine of Horticulture,
maintained its influential existence for thirty-four
years, when it was bought by a Boston literary pub-
lication, •• Old and New;' which, however, died a
few years after. One of the greatest misfortunes to
the history of our gentle art is. that no indices to
some of these volumes were ever published. In
each volume there is simply a table of contents, not
in alphabetical order, but following the notation of
the pages. An index would at this time give the
work an immense value to the history of Ameri-
can Horticulture. The Massachusetts Horticultural
Society, which is rich and energetic, could render
no better tribute to their excellent comrade's use-
fulness than by prepanng an index of this series
of volumes. He is one ot the oldest living mem-
bers of this society. When he commenced this
work in 1835, we find the society had 500 mem-
bers—only five are left now to bear him company. I
Long before this he was a devoted flower-lover,
having at one lime as many as sixty varieties of
Chrysanthemums, among other collections of
plants. The culture of fruits in pots was a great
source of garden pleasure in the last generation.
In this he led off, having in 1833, exhibited grapes
eighteen months old from the cutting, with
eighteen bunches on the cane. We find him with a
list of thirty strawberries as early as 1830, and it
is only necessary to refer to the old favorite,
Hovey's Seedling, to show how ardently he went
into the improvement of this berry. Few, if any
variety, held the crown so long. For thirty con-
secutive years the records of the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society show that it gained the first

premium against the eff'orts of many other kinds
to take this high honor from it. As an author we
find him, in 1830, a contributor to the New Eng-
land Farmer, In 1848 he commenced his mag-
nificent work, the Fruits oj America, In these
two volumes one hundred and eight of our best
varieties were superbly painted. Since the dis-
continuance of his magazine his pen has been
still active in the cause, and contributions from
him are frequent, both in English and American
magazines. His grounds were only an acre till
1840, when he secured his present large area. In
five years after, he had collected 1,000 varieties of
pears, 400 of apple, 50 of plum, besides numbers
of others, many of which we find illustrated in
his magazine. As early as 1854, we find him ex-
hibiting 365 varieties of pears, which was thought
wonderful at that time. In order to test all as
they came out, they would be grafted on estab-
lished trees, so that in many cases several kinds
are from one tree.

Much of Mr. Hovey's success as an Editor was,
no doubt, due to the love of labor that he united
with his intelligence. His fiist greenhouse was
wholly the work of his own hands.

Numbers of the best new plants and fruits were
first introduced to the public from his nurseries
and seed house in Boston ; and many new seed-
lings of great merit, especially among lilies and
camellias, originated with him, and to this day are
articles of export to the old wodd. He had at
one time 200 varieties of camellias. Some of his
seedlings have had valuable premiums, and one
of the writer's pleasures was a glance at the house-
ful of treasures in the shape of medals and premium
memorials, with which horticultural societies had
rewarded his useful works. A large number of
beautiful varieties of trees and shrubs owe their
origin to him, one of which. Thuja Hoveyi, is well
known to all planters of choice evergreens. The
famous Massachusetts Horticultural Society has
honored him with the Presidency ; and it is no
small tribute to his energy and popularity in the
city of Boston, that during his term of office, the
membership grew from 500 to i.ooo, and $30,000
were received in donations. The published his-
tory of the Society states, that to Mr. Hovey's
perseverance and determination chiefly, the beau-
tiful horticultural hall became an established fact.
Not only by his writings and by his example,
has Mr. Hovey been a benefactor to American
horticulture ; but he has ever been a welcome
member of conventions and public bodies where
information had to be distributed, and where his

' ■ ' .-fl«>

1886.1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

377

earnest manner and fluent utterances always ob-
tained for him marked attention. 1
During the past six or eight years, he has
suffered by the loss of wife, three daughters,
daughter-in-law and four grandchildren ; but the
love of fruit and flower culture still affords him
consolation; that he may have health and strength
to enjoy them for some years longer with us, is the
fervent wish ofevery lover of American gardening.
Mr. Hovey was born in the old town of Cam-
bridge, October 26th, 18 10.

The Gardeners' Monthly from an English
Point of View. — The many friends of the maga-
zine will, we are sure, be pleased to know how
their favorite is viewed in the old world. The fol-
lowing from the Gardeners' Magazine, of London,
will, we are sure, interest them.

While appreciating the compliments paid to him
personally, the Editor feels that he owes much of
the success of the magazine to the generous sup-
port the publisher has received by friends inducing
neighbors to subscribe to it, and by the unpaid
contributions of so many friends from all parts of
the world, who have continually kept the Editor
posted on everything new that has arisen.

" The Gardeners' Monthly, edited by Thomas
Meehan, is published by Chas. H. Marot, 814
Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. It is a good paper
of what may be called the old-fashioned type, of
which the /'V^m/ and Floral IVorld arQ examples,
both superseded by weekly papers in this country.
To praise it would be a mild imitation of " gilding
refined gold," and we forbear, for it is enough to say
that it caters for many tastes, takes large views of
things, and brings to all questions sound knowledge
and good judgment, for the editor is a master of
the business who has seen much of the world."

Shortia galacifolia.— The finding of Shortia
galacifolia, the galax-leaved Shortia, on the
southern slopes of the Blue Ridge near the head
waters of the Keowee river, by Prof. Sargent in
September last, was an event of the highest in-
terest to botanists. Since Michaux in 178S carried
a dried specimen to Paris from somewhere in the
same locaUty, the plant, except for that specimen,
has remained unknown until a few years ago
when it was found growing in limited quantity
near Morganton, N. C. Botanists have gener-
ally believed that it would be found nearer the
scene of Michaux's labors, and Prof. Sargent was
fortunate enough to prove their belief well
founded. In the first week in November, Mr. F.
Boyntonof Highlands, who was with Prof. Sargent
when he found the plant, met with it again growing
in great abundance in another cove on the same

slope. This cove is called Bear Camp, and is
reached by exceedingly rough and steep trails, and
inhabited by a most primitive people. The fact that
this rare plant may be seen growing in profusion
will bo very welcome news to botanists.

Cyclamen. — This name is derived from the
Greek cyclaminos, meaning roundish, and was
suggested to Lobel from the form of its tuberous
root. There are six European species — C. Euro-
pium, native of Austria, Northern Italy and con-
tiguous countries ; C. repandum, much the same
line, but more Southern ; C. latifolium, Greece
and Palestine ; C. Neapolitanum, Switzerland,
Central Italy to Greece ; C. Graecum, which is
wholly Grecian ; Cyclamen Persicum is not very
different from C. latifolium, and the few other
species are not much better. The whole genus
is very much like each other.

Desiccating Garbage. — "A company in New
York City is endeavoring to perfect a process for
the desiccation of garbage, says a writer in
Science, with a view to utilizing the vast
quantity of city refuse now dumped into the sea
from garbage scows. The matter to be treated is
run through a shoot irUo one end of a revolving
cylindrical oven about sixty feet long by 10 or 12
feet in diameter. The oven, which is strongly
constructed of boiler iron, is enclosed in a brick
furnace, one end being higher than the other. A
fire in the furnace keeps an equable heat in the
oven, and the latter is slowly revolved by a steam
engine. The garbage or refuse enters at the el-
evated end, is thoroughly stirred and dried as it
slowly travels from one end to the other of the
revolving oven, and emerges from its lower end
desiccated and inoffensive."

We have here the germ of great usefulness to
agriculture and horticulture. In Philadelphia the
garbage problem has puzzled the authorities.
Until recently the material was contracted for by
owners of hogs, but the hoggeries have been sup-
pressed by the Board of Health, and, as the city
comprises the whole county, the authorities have
to pay enormous advances on old contracting
rates to get the garbage removed. When it can
be cheaply dried, like fruit or vegetables, it can
be hauled without offence to the country, and
either fed there to hogs or used directly as manure
for the land.

The Bouvardia.— Botany loves to honor other
branches of science as well as its own. Bouvard,
after whom, Salisbury, in 1806, made Bouvardia,
was an astronomer. It belongs to the Cinchona-
ceous division of Rubiaceae. They are Mexican
plants. B. flava was introduced in 1843; B.leiantha,
B. longiflora, and B. Humboldtii, are types of the

378

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[December,

different sections. In 1857, Parsons, of Brighton
in England, crossed longiflora and leiantha, and
gave us " Laura," Hogarth, and others. In 1867,
Lemoine, of Nancy, in France, made a long march
on thes*?. New York came with its white ones,
Davisonii and Vreelandii, in 1852, but it seems to
have taken some time to get them known in Eng-
land. The Kentucky work of Nanz & Neuner.
however, has made the greatest mark on the de"
velopment of the Bouvardia. They and Lemoine
still keep at the head of the work in improving
this almost indispensable florists* flower. The latter
firm sent out a number of varieties in 1884.

Improved Pansies.— The pansy became a flor-
ists' flower little more than 50 years ago. The
varieties then had names hke roses and carnations.
Lord Gambier was the name of the first pansy so
distinguished. George IV. was about the second
named kind. During the last ten or fifteen years
it has been found so easy to raise good pansies from
seed that they do not now receive distinctive
names.

The Ulster GRAPE.—Some specimens of this
were sent to the Editor by Mr. Caywood, but, be-
ing addressed to the publication office, did not
come to the Editor's hand till spoiled.

We have a standing notice in our columns when
space allows that matter for the Editor must be ad-
dressed to him at Germantown, and not to the ;
office of publication in Philadelphia.

History of Tobacco.— Sir Wm. Robinson.
Governor of Trinidad, has written a treatise on
the culture of tobacco in the West Indies, from
which the following is an extract :

"The history of tobacco in England is both in-
teresting and somewhat amusing. As every one
knows, or ought to know, we are indebted to Sir
Walter Raleigh for this popular product. In 1585
he introduced it into England, and having an eye
to business he persuaded • Good Queen Bess * to
give him a patent for the possession of Virginia,
from which excellent supplies have been, and are
still procured. The first tobacco plant grown in
Great Britain was imported from Virginia. Raleigh,
not satisfied with his property in America, ob-
tained from the Virgin Queen, in addition thereto,
12,000 acres of forfeited land in Cork and Water-
ford, on a portion of which the tobacco plant was
afterwards regularly cultivated.

" Raleigh was a courtier— a gentleman of posi-
tion and great influence— and it is not surprising
that the habit of smoking which he adopted be-
came very fashionable. We accordingly read in
one of his biographies that the ' ladies and great
and noble men * of Queen Elizabeth's Court
' would not scruple to blow a pipe sometimes very
sociably.' At Sir Walter's house in Islington, he
frequently entertained his guests with a • mug of

ale with grated nutmeg and a pipe,' and I have
no doubt that when in less prosperous times he
was confined in the Tower of London, he had
recourse to the grateful weed, though he may
have been robbed of his beer. Elizabeth's suc-
cessor, James I., ' was a Goth,' or, what to us smok-
ers is the same thing, an anti-tobacconist. He
was disgusted with the ' precious stinke ' of the
pipe and cigar, and did his 'level best' to put
down the habit of smoking amongst his long-suf-
fering subjects.

•' In 1604 (let this be a warning to colonial gov-
ernors), in a most unconstitutional manner, with-
out the consent of Parliament, he issued a warrant
raising the tax on tobacco from 2d. to 6s. lod. for
every pound value.

•• But if the memory of James I. is anathema-
tised by all smokers, his action was absolutely
mild when compared with that of Pope Urban
VIII., and that of the King of Persia and Czar of
Moscovy. The Pope threatened excommunica-
tion to all using tobacco in churches — certainly
an unseemly and intolerable practice, but the
King and Czar forbade its use under pain of
death, with the pleasant alternative of having
the nose cut off for enjoying it in the form of
snuff.

" But these potentates could not stem the tide.
James soon found this out, and, with an eye to the
main chance, cannily changed his tactics. He
saw there was * a tide in the affairs of man, which,
j taken at the flood, leads on to fortune,' so he took
to himself the pre emption of all tobacco imported.
He also decreed, with a view of putting money in
his purse, that only those holding his letters patent
should be allowed to import.

•' It is perhaps not generally known that Charles
the Martyr began his reign in 1625, to all intents
and purposes, as a tobacco merchant and monopo-
list. The fact remains, however, that all tobacco
not grown in Virginia and Bermuda was seized
for his benefit, and that 50,000 pounds of Spanish
tobacco were bought by himself and resold to his
subjects.

"Camden, in his 'Annals,' asserts that in the
reign of the first Charles tobacco was highly prized,
' both as a recreation and a health restorative.'"

"We smokers are much indebted to Lord Balti-
more for the fillip he gave to tobacco cultivation.
In 1633 ^^ emigrated to Maryland with 200 per-
sons, who were specially encouraged to cultivate
the industry which has been maintained there ever
since. Great quantities were grown in England in
the middle of the seventeenth century, but of course
the psalm-singing Rump Parliament prohibited its
growth. The smokers, however, were too strong
for Cromwell, and also for Charles II., who was
too vicious to permit his loyal subjects to indulge
in the little vice of smoking, if it is one.

"In i65o, by 12 Carl. II., chap. 34, Charles,
simply to increase his own pocket money and to
furnish means for his expensive habits, issued a
legal prohibition against the cultivation of tobacco.
Smokers were not to be daunted, however. He
could not put their pipes out, for the Yorkshiremen
pursued the industry with characteristic stubborn-
ness, and notwithstanding persecution and prosecu-

1886. 1

AND HORTICULTURIST.

379

tion, tobacco and smokers gallantly held their
own.

•' In 1782 a descent was made on the York cul-
tivators. All their stock of tobacco was seized
and publicly burnt, and the dealers were mulcted
in penalties to the amount of ^30,000. Even so late
as 1 831 were tobacco cultivators harrassed.
WilHam IV., of whom better things might have
been expected, in that year prohibited its growth in
Ireland. I think I am right in saying that at the
present moment great efforts are being made to re-
store its cultivation in the United Kingdom. Truly
it may be said, in reference to the " noxious weed"
— Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in Hits,

" Curiously enough, in the reign of George III.
the practice of smoking was well-nigh superseded
by the practice of snuff-taking.

"With reference to snuff, at that period, Wesley,
in his ' Poems on Several Occasions,' observes : —

' To such a heiglit with these is fashion grown
They feed their very nostrils with a spoon.'

Modern Rose Culture. — It seems that the
first impulse given to Rose culture in France was
at the commencement of the present century,
under the auspices of the Empress Josephine. At
that time it appears that Rose seeds, obtained from
all parts of the world, were sown annually. It
also appears that any new varieties raised in this
way were not purchasable, but exchanged for
other plants to such nurserymen as would under-
take to distribute them. At this time it seems
that there were eighteen hundred varieties of Roses
in France, but not more than two-thirds of that
number were considered to be worthy of cultiva-
tion. Standard Roses were quite as much in favor
then as they have been at any time since. It was
not an unusual sight to see them 18 feet high, and
sometimes from ten to fifteen sorts were grafted
on one Brier. — Garden.

Indian Ceremonies with the Camass.— At
a meeting of the Royal Botanic Society, Dr. Cogs-
well read a paper upon Camassia esculenta, the
Camass of the North American Indians, a Lila-
ceous plant, whose bulbs were once a staple food
of the aborigines of the western slope of the
Rocky Mountains. The season of flowering was
held as a high festival by the tribes that assem-
bled together to dig up the bulbs; the maiden
who had collected the greatest quantity being
estimated the most eligible for matrimony.

Arboris Multum in Parvo. — The Chico (Q^Xu
iormdi) Enterprise says that "there has been a
man around Chico for several days past selling,
or endeavoring to sell, cuttings of a peculiar tree.
It bears every month in the year, so he says, and
has a purple blossom, resembling a pansy. The
fruit resembles a lemon in size and shape, but is

pink in color. In taste it has the qualities of both
an orange and a watermelon. This wonderful
tree comes in different sizes, worth four and six
bits each, but we are told that there are few
purchasers." We suppose it must be true that
such a fellow has been around Chico, but the last
part of the last sentence discredits it. " Few
purchasers ! " Why, here in the East the bigger
the fraud the heavier the sales. But it may be
that the Chico people read the horticultural
journals. There are certainly some subscribers to
the Gardeners* Monthly there, and we found
the Pacific Rural Press, in almost every man's
house. This probably accounts for the failure of
the epidemic to buy the wonderful novelty, which
so often prevails.

Rumph's Willow Lake Nursery at Mar-
shallville, Georgia. — This fine Southern nur-
sery was only started in 1870, by Samuel H.
Rumph, then only in his sixteenth year, when he
planted some Peach trees. His first budded
trees were sold to the neighbors, with such en-
couragement, that he set out an acre for budding.
He sold every tree, and thus encouraged, he com-
menced the regular nursery business; the first
nursery in Middle Georgia. To-day his or-
chards and nurseries occupy 360 acres. One of
the varieties of peach he has introduced — the El-
berta— is a remarkably popular variety. He has
35 acres in strawberries, seUing both fruit and
plants. He is the first to introduce the raspberry
as a market fruit in that section. He has 5 acres
in these. The nurseries proper cover 60 acres,
all devoted to young fruit trees. The taste for
fruit culture has developed all around him, under
his successful inauguration .of the movement. A
neighboring farm has 50,000 bearing trees of the
Elberta peach. Another neighbor has now an
apple orchard, from which 2,000 bushels of apples
were gathered last year; and many others are
springing up.

The Late Mr. A. Brackenridge.— Mr. A.
Brackenridge, whose death was noticed in the
November issue, is succeeded in his business by
his widow, Mrs. Beatrice A. Brackenridge, and
Mr. Wm. McRoberts, an intimate personal friend
of the deceased, and a practical gardener. The
style of the new firm is " Brackenridge & Co."

Daniel B. Long.— This gentleman, one of the
members of the energetic firm of Long Bros., of
Buffalo, N. Y., will receive the sympathy of his
many friends in the loss of his wife, which hap-
pened on the 31st of October.

38o

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[December,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

38'

Horticultural Societies.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

Horticultural Hall, AIiss Schaffer's Mag-
nificent Gift.— At the regular stated monthly
meeting of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society,
on the i6thinst., a notable event in its history took
place. It was a red-letter day. On that occasion
the property was conveyed to the Society, in trust,
on the sole condition that the building should be
devoted to the use of the Society.

This gift is the munificence of Miss Elizabeth
Schaffer, as a memorial to the memory of her de-
ceased brother, the late President of the Society,
Mr. Wm. L. Schaffer. It comes to the Society
clear of all incumbrance whatever, Miss Schaffer
having paid off the mortgage of 575.000. discharged
a ground rent on 15 feet of the property adjoining
the building and purchased the stock held by the
present President, Mr. J. E. Mitchell.

When Miss Schaffer became her brother's sole
heir, under his will, she expressed a desire that the
hall should in some way become the property of
the Society, and various propositions were made as
to its transfer. Finally, on November i, 1886,
through her nephew. Dr. Charles Schaffer, Miss
Schaffer proposed to cancel the above incum-
brances, and then convey the property to the
Society, to be held by it, in trust, as a per-
petual memorial of her brother; provided that, if it
ever ceased to be held for the chartered objects of
the Society, or if the Society should cease to exist,
the property should revert to Miss Schaffer or her
heirs.

Resuming business, after the reception of Miss
Schaffer's gift, the following officers for the year
1887 were elected : President, Joseph E. Mitchell ;
Vice-Presidents. Caleb Cope, Isaac C. Price, Geo.
W. Earl, Robert Craig; Corresponding Secretary.
Thomas Meehan ; Recording Secretary, Edwin
Lonsdale ; Treasurer, W. F. Dreer ; Professor of
Botany, Charles Schaffer, M. D. ; Professor of Hor-
ticultural Chemistry, James C. Booth ; Professor of
Entomology, S. S. Rathvon. i

The meeting, which was an unusually full one '
—in anticipation of this occasion, as well as fori
election of officers— very promptly, properly and i
with great than^cfulness unanimously accepted the !
gift in a resolution offered by Mr. Price and by a
rising vote :

Whereas, Miss Schaffer having tendered to
the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society the hall
they now occupy, as a testimony of affection to
the memory of her brother, William L. Schaffer,
our late President, we desire to place on record
our high appreciation of her generosity and tender
to her our heartfelt thanks for thus placing this
time-honored Society on a firm basis by putting it
in possession of a building admirably adapted for
the purpose of holding our meetings and exhibi-
tions, and, when not needed for our purposes, is
well adapted for concerts and meetings, the rental
from which will enable the Society to increase its
premiums for flowers, fruits, vegetables, etc.,
and thereby stimulate a very useful class of
florists and others to increased excellence in their
various callings. It will also enable us to estab-
lish a reading-room and to resume the publication
of our transactions. It is therefore

Resolved, That we gratefully accept Miss Schaf-
fer's truly munificent gift, to be placed in the
hands of trustees designated by her brother, at
such times as may be most agreeable and con-
venient to herself ; and we hereby pledge our-
selves to carry out her wishes in every particular,
and will ever remember the interest she has taken
to carry out the wishes of her beloved brother,
whose many generous acts will ever be held in
grateful remembrance.

This occurrence marks a new era in the history
of the Society. May it be so inspiring that the
spirit as well as the letter of the conditions of the
donation shall be observed. As well in true grati-
tude and recollection of the generous donors, as
to insure the real permanent usefulness of the
Society ; rising, in emulation of the givers, above
mere mercenary considerations, to the feeling that
the object of the gift as well as the property is to
be handed down to the next following generation
as a trust unimpaired by the transmission.

This grateful occasion is closely associated with
reminiscences of the old hall burned to the ground
on the same site on Feb. ist, 1881. The muni-
ficence of Mr. Schaffer came to the rescue on
that occasion as that of his sister does in the pre-
sent one. He gave the use of the property to the
Society free of all rent for exhibition purposes, and
for its meetings. In the Gardeners' Monthly
for December, 1866, appeared a full page illustra-
tion of the first Horticultural Hall, then buildmg,
as it was to appear, and the following editoral
notice :

"We give as a frontispiece for the present
volume of the Gardeners' Monthly, a cut of
the new Horticultural Hall. It will be the largest

public hall in Philadelphia, and. as representing
Horticulture and its influence, will possess an in-
terest to all our readers, especially as the good
results of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
by its lectures and free competition to all the
country, members or not, renders the usefulness
of the Society more universal than is usual with
such local institutions."

In January No., 1867, appeared the following:

"The Hall of the Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society, now being built on Broad Street, will be
the largest Horticultural Hall in this country -and
probably in the world. The entire building is 75
feet front by 200 feet deep, and 60 feet high, being
as long as the upper saloon of the Chinese Museum
was before it was burnt, and 15 feet wider, with a
ground floor longer than that of the lower saloon
of the museum building. The hall will, therefore.

most successful held for many years. Particular
interest attached to it, on account of its being the
first annual one held in the new hall, and the re-
sult was looked forward to as a test of the success
of the idea. The Society is not blessed with many
active, working members, though with a very large
list of subscribers and well-wishers. The only
wonder is that with so few persons to interest them-
selves personally, so good an exhibition could be
gotten up.

" On the present occasion, the whole success was
due, chiefly, to the indefatigable chairman of the
Committee of Arrangements, Mr. J. E. Mitchell,
Messrs. James Ritchie, Robert Scott, H. B. Blan-
chard, W. L. Schaffer, Robert Kilvington, who
alone acted out of thirty-eight committee-men, Mr.
Newberry Smith, a volunteer, a committee of ladies
under Miss Percival, and the excellent hard-work-

Old Horticultural Hall. Built 1866-67. Destroyed by Fire February ist, 1881.

enable the Society to get up their autumnal ex-
hibitions on a scale of splendor fully equal, if not
superior, to those held in the Chinese Museum.

••The ladies of the Society will hold a grand
' Bazaar,' for the sale of horticultural, floricultural
and fancy articles, on the 29th of May next, in the
new hall, at which time the Society will also hold
its spring exhibition and competition for roses,
strawberries, etc., the whole forming a grand hor-
ticultural display and bazaar, the proceeds of
which will be devoted to decorating the hall. It
has not yet been decided when the formal opening
of the hall will take place, but early in the spring
of 1867, of which due notice will be given."

In November, 1867, appeared the following:

"Fenna, Horticultural Society. — The Annual Ex-
hibition was held on the 24th, 25th and 26th of
September, and was, in many respects, one of the

ing Secretary, A. W. Harrison. The Philadelphia
gardeners and nurserymen behaved well. Some
of them had magnificent collections.

••The great effort of the Pennsylvania Society is
to be cosmopolitan rather than local, — something
as the London Gardeners' Chronicle, referring to
this Society, recently expressed it — the analogue of
the English Royal Ilorticultural Society — the be-
ginning under the new auspices is a very fair one.

•• Our limits will not permit us to give a full re-
port of the many meritorious exhibitors, and articles
which swallowed up some six hundred dollars in
premiums. We can only give such items as we
think may interest our readers in all parts of the
world.

•• One of the most interesting facts learned was
that the new hall keeps things in good order. The
fruit and flowers, after three days' exhibition,
came out nearly as fresh as they entered."

382

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[December,

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

383

Then followed a list of the collections, premiums,
and those to whom they were awarded (which we
do not reprint here, as being too long for space or
general interest), and a description of the Exhibi-
tion itself.

In March No , 1881, appeared the following:

" Burning of Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia.
— A church adjoining Horticultural Hall, took
fire on February ist, and burnt out some $170,000.
The roof of Horticultural Hall took fire, and the
whole upper floor was destroyed. Some $50,000
of damage was done. The valuable library of
the Society was not removed, but escaped injury,
except a little from water. Mr. W. L. Schaffer,
the President of the Society, who, as our readers
know, now owns the hall, has not yet decided to
rebuild it immediately.

«* The church fire originated after the same old
story. The iron of the heater had but one course
of bricks between it and the floor joists. It is
amazing that bodies of men associated together
in churches and such like, to make people better
and wiser, do not see that knowledge of earthly
things is as important to human beings as things
spiritual. We will venture to say that if anyone
interested in the management of this church had
been a careful reader of a $2 horticultural maga-
zine, the body would not now be under the ne- |
cessity of raising $170,000 to repair damages, nor 1
would the Horticultural Hall have met with its '
misfortune. Our readers know that it does not \
require wood to be in contact with fire to burn in j
time. It may not burn this year or next ; but it ;
chars gradually, though the charring work is not i
seen ; and further, it should be known that heat i
confined is always more dangerous to adjacent 1
woodwork, than when the air has a chance to cir-
culate about it. I

" This beautiful hall is an illustration of the old j
adage, * Give a dog a bad name, &c.* About the
time it was building, a scurrilous sheet was refused
some advertising which it demanded. It at once
set forth that the building was * unsafe,* that its ;
' acoustics were bad,' that it was ♦ unfortunate.'
Respectable papers, not perfectly understanding
the real situation, followed in the cry, and the re-
sult has been, that while the building was'n every
respect as great a success as such buildings gener-
ally are, it came to be looked on as really having
something weak about it, with the natural result of
financial misfortune. It is indeed singular how
long a fictitious character of this kind can be made
to stick. The daily papers of the best class, in
their • Obituaries ' of the burnt building, had well-
meant notices of its • failures.' It is no encourage-
ment to its owner to rebuild under these circum- i
stances, and if Philadelphia does not in future '
have its fine hall for public meetings and so forth, !
to boast of, it will only be from the ill-advised
course of its respectable newspaper press, which
has been led unwittingly into a false track."

In February No., 1882, appeared the following:

" Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia, — This
beautiful building, destroyed through proximity to

I a burning church, a year ago, has been rebuilt by
W. L. SchafTer, President of the Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society, and was re-opened on the
5th of January. It is 200 feet deep by 75 feet
wide. The main hall for exhibitions is 140 feet
long, 70 feet wide, and 30 feet high. As a mea-
sure of safety to a large audience in case of fire,
there are seven doors leading from the building.

" A grand concert was given in order to test its
audiphonic powers, and it was pronounced a
cornplete success. Horticultural Hall was, with
all its supposed faults, an almost indispensable
building to Philadelphians, and one of which
they were always proud, and the congratulations
to the President of the Horticultural Society, in
the re-erection of the beautiful building were
on the re-opening numerous and sincere."

In July No. of 1882 :

" With the rebuilding of the hall by the Presi-
dent, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is
ready to resume its annual exhibitions, for which
it has always been so famous. It has just issued
its programme for the year. September 19th,
20th, 2 1 St and 22nd is the time set apart for the
annual exhibition. The premiums are very good,
$30 and $25 for the best twenty-five ornamental
plants and other flowers. Cut flowers, designs,
fruits and vegetables receive due attention. A.
W. Harrison, Recording Secretary, Philadelphia,
will furnish programmes to all applicants.**

And in November, 1882:

I " The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. —
j This time-honored institution resumed its annual
, exhibitions this season, they having been, as our
i readers know, suspended by the burning of the
j hall. It was, unfortunately, caught in the for-
I midable equinoctial storm, and hence the attend-
; ance of visitors was much below the numbers of
I former occasions."

j " Space will not permit of further notes. We can
only say that President Schaffer, Secretary Harri-
son, Superintendent Andrews and the committee,
deserve the thanks of Philadelphians for the very
great efforts to re-introduce the wonderful attrac-
tions of the olden time. The exhibits v/ere not what
they might be if they had the full support of the
many amateur ladies and gentlemen who abound
about the city, and who, in the old times, did so
much — but still there was room for encouragement,
and for the hope that the old enthusiastic times
would yet come again."

We delayed press as long as was practicable, in
the hope of presenting a portrait of the present
new building — the Phoenix which arose at the life-
giving touch of the late Mr. Schaffer, and now
the generous gift of his sister and the present fer-
tile occasion of these notes. But unfortunately
the cut was not at hand at last moment of waiting.

The Chrysanthemum Shows. — The annual
exhibits of these beautiful flowers are now held in
all the large cities. The grand ones in Boston,
New York and Philadelphia, have been particu-
larly attractive, judging by the space given to

notices of the exhibits by these city papers.
Usually the Secretaries send us some notes of the
special features ; but so far this season we have
not received any; and we presume, therefore,
there has been nothing specially new to chronicle.

In Philadelphia, the chief note of general inter-
est is, the better growth of the plants, and the in-
creased attention and success that seems to follow
the training of the plants as single stems ; or, as
they are termed, standards. There were several
collections of these, all showing great skill in the
treatment of the plants. These standards were on
stems 3 or 4 feet high, with heads 2 or 3 feet
through. In one case, the stem was 8 feet long,
and full an inch round. In some cases, the heads
were trained over almost invisible hemispherical
wire frames ; in other cases, the form of the head
was regulated by light twine. It is a very useful
style to grow Chrysanthemums, as the plants can
be arranged for decorative purposes, in connection
with lower-grown plants very effectively. We
have never seen standards before grown to such
great perfection.

The first premium in the grower's class for these,
was awarded to Mr. Wm. C. Pyle, of Lancaster,
Pa. In the amateur's class, the first premium was
awarded to Mr. A. Warne, gardener to Clarence
H. Clark, Esq. ; and the second to James Shaw,
gardener to the Friends' Asylum. Benjamin
Wood, gardener to James Hunter, Esq., had a
special premium for some fine specimens.

In the hne of bushy pot plants, it is pleasant to
note that advantage seems to have been taken of
our friendly criticisms of last year. There were
fewer and lighter stakes, less display of wires and
twine, more effort to preserve all the leaves, and
consequently, less naked stems. The plants al-
together had a much more natural look. In for-
mer exhibitions, it was not uncommon to see the
heroes of old-world shows shake their heads and
remark that " they can't do it here like they do in
the old country, you know." But there seemed
none of this old school about on this occasion.
The first premium amateur's collection was
awarded to Mr. James Shaw, of the Friends'
Asylum. These were in lo-inch pots, and grown
as depressed hemispheres. Some were about
6 feet wide, and 2 or 3 feet deep. They were so
grown that sticks or strings were scarcely visible.

The other successful exhibitors were Wm. K.
Harris, Karl Muller, Wm. Colflesh, Walter W.
Coles, W. C. Pyfer, Craig Bros., J. Kift &
Sons, Charles Fox, Thos. Foulds, gardener to
Wm. M. Singerley, Alex. Ker, gardener to Mrs.

G. Bullock, Fred R. Sykes, gardener to Mrs. H.
Ingersoll, Gordon Smith, gardener to the Misses
Morris, John Wooding, gardener to M rs. Roberts.
All of these had collections of more or less ex-
cellence, in many cases so ne arly of equal value,
that it is difficult to specify wherein one had
special excellencies over the other.

The premium for the best seedling was awarded
to Mr. W. K. Harris, who has already done so
much to improve the Chrysanthemum. It was
named John M. Hughes, after the popular gar-
dener to Mr. Geo. W. Childs. It must, however,
be excee dingly difficult to get much new that is
very distinct from the old. Hallock Sons and
Thorpe, of New York, had cut flowers of 168 vari-
eties on exhi bition, and Mr. Walter Coles had 115.

Outside of the Chrysanthemums there were a
few other exhi bits. C. F. Evans made one of cut
roses, that were rarely, if ever, exceeded in size
and healthful beauty. Among them was the new
white rose, Puritan. It is a very sweet pure
white — more of the pure hybrid perpetual, we
think, than in the usual classes of popular florists'
roses. It keeps its bud down in among the foliage,
and for those who like to have the bud set off by
the rose leaves, it will have attractions over all
others.

Successful Exhibitions.— One of the most re-
marka ble incidents of the times is the stupidity of
the managers of exhibitions in regard to the under-
lying principles of success. They are failing
everywhere , and each failing exhib ition cries aloud
for reform. The story of its ruin is clearly told ;
but the managers belong to that clas s which have
ears and h ear not, — eyes, but see not. Like blind-
eyed S amson, they hug the pillars of the temple
they have so long taken a pride in. They cannot
move on, without causing the old fabric to tumble
about their ears.

The latest farce is the Edinburgh International
Exhibition. The medal is of no value in itself. A
medal is quite as good as The Medal ; so the mana-
gers hit upon the ingenious plan of giving no medal
actually to anybody, — but only a printed certificate
with a picture of a medal, with " Gold medal "
printed across it. This suited the exhibitor just as
well as the real medal, — for all the exhibitor de-
sires is a chance to say that he had " a gold medal
awarded." In th is way the Society could afford to
be very liberal with premiums, — and they were
liberal. Out of 2,200 exhibitors 1,230 had awards
of premiums. The exhibito rs were elated with this
generosity, and made " grand exhibits." People
flocked to see it, and it was a ** grand success," —

384

THE GARDENERS' MONTHLY

[December,

that is to say, there was a surplus over expenses of
$100,000. But how long will this last ? When the
public finds out that any body can get " a gold
medal awarded," what value, even as advertising
dodges, will they have ?

We have been through this sort of thing all over
our land. Horticultural exhibitions have come to
be generally the merest farces, because the people
understand that the premiums awarded mean
nothing. The best exhibitors stay away because
the premiums amount to nothing. To prop up the
faihng exhibitions, the managers stoop to all sorts
of mountebank extras, in order to draw the ignorant
masses, and are thus able to boast of " financial
success." Newspapers and magazines are tired of !
noting the proceedings. At one time there was a
general interest attached to the successful exhibitor.
To know that John Smith got a first premium for
roses, meant something. It meant something to
the public, as well as a great deal more than some-
thing to John Smith. Now the magazine would be
thought much below par to waste space to an-
nounce that John Smith got first prize, Tom Brown
second, and Bill Jones third. It simply means that
these were best there, the pubhc well knowing that
the leading growers were not represented, and
that better "premium" plants could be bought for a
few cents at the street corners.

We have long contended that premiums should
be given only for excellence, and the point of ex-
cellence should be stated in the award. To get
the premium, not to excel, is the aim of too many
exhibitors.

The chief difficulty is to get judges equal to this
work. To give a fair award to a new or rare plant,
judges competent to tell a rare plant from a com-
mon one must make the award. Still, rules could
be formulated for the guidance of judges. Points
of excellence could be established. The path could
often be made so clear in this way that a judge,
though a fool, could not err therein. Then there
would be an inducement to the best exhibitors to
bring out their novelties— novelties in kind, novel-
ties in culture, novelties in superiority in every
sense. People go to exhibitions to be amused and
instructed. They get neither of these in common-
place things. But common-place things should
be welcome as exhibits. It is the highest awards
that should be discriminative. The best exhibitors
appreciate these, and especially would they ap-
preciate any effort of the Society to advertise their
excellencies for them. Without some care of this
kind, successful Horticultural exhibits will soon
be matters of history only.

Ohio Horticultural Society, Nineteenth
Annual Report.— From George W. Campbell
Delaware, Ohio. Secretary. One of the faults of
most reports of this character is the want of an
mtelligent index, which is here supplied, and we
may therefore say it has unusual excellence. The
secretary gathers from other sources whatever
may be of interest to Ohio, and thus the work is
really an annual of Horticulture, as well as the
mere proceedings of a State Society.

Illinois State Horticultural Society —
The winter meeting will be held at Jacksonville,
Illmois, on December 14-16. The city is one of
the most beautiful in the west, and is well worth
seemg, outside of the regular inducements which
the society offers. Besides the discussions which
are always participated in by some of the most
mtelligent men in the west, as an additional in-
ducement, the hotel and railroad rates have been
lowered, and a long list of premiums for fruits
and vegetables has been announced. A. C. Ham-
mond, is Secretary, and Arther Bryant, Princeton
Illinois, President.

The Columbus, Ohio, Horticultural So-
ciety.— This society has been very active this
season. Monthly meetings have been held at the
Board of Trade Rooms. Addresses have been
given by Professors Lazenby and Townshend, and
Messrs. W. J. Green, W. R. Parsons, B. Alwood
W. S. Devol, Mrs. O. W. Aldrick, George W.
Campbell, and others. W. S. Devol is Secretary
and J. M. West water. President.

SuMMiTT County (Ohio) Horticultural So-
ciety.—This society united exhibitions and pre-
miums with intellectual improvement, and the
autumn meeting held at the residence and grounds
of Hon. Frank M. Green, was a great success.
The ladies took most of the floral premiums.
Mesdames Green, B. Norris. Thomas Rhodes and
G. Denning being the chief successful exhibitors.
The Mademoiselles, however, successfully con-
tested with them in many respects, and Miss A. E.
Fenn and Miss Hoover had some of the awards*
In the discussion on fruits, it seemed that most of
the growers of apples could find no purchasers,
though there is a good demand for them in all the
market centres. The trouble evidently is, that
fruit marketing is not studied as fruit growing is.
In grapes, there is a vineyard of 3,000 acres at
Euclid ; on the ground. Concord brings 2 cents a
pound, Delaware 5, and Pocklington and Niagara
7. Early Victor has not been found as profitable
as Worden. The sparrow was reported as a
serious pest to the grain and fruit grower in that
section. Mrs. Crawford read a paper on the edu-
cation of children, in connection with the aid we
may derive from flowers in the effort, and Mr. L.
B. Pierce drew a contrast between the literature of
Horticulture and that of Agriculture. He thought
the Horticultural magazines were fast becoming
mere trade sheets, while the Agricultural papers
usually kept their columns measurably free from
advertising dodges. A new local variety of potato
called the Summitt, was extolled for size and
beautiful form.

INDEX.— VOLUME XXVIII.

Abelia rupertris, 323
Abies alcoquiana, 227
" amabilis, 326
" puDgens, 38, 112
Acacia, 85

Acacias, Propagating^, 136 [87
Acceleration, Heat, Insects,
Acclimating Trees <fe Fruits.
" Plants, Texas, 69 [316,371
Acer macrophyllum, 4
Acre, Grapes to the, 366
Actinidia polygama, 199 [308
Additional Facts, Mistletoe,
Addresses, Mistaken, 252
Adiantum f ragrantissima, 332
Adirondack Wilderness, 337

" Wild Flowers, 341
Advantages, Incidental, 90
.Erides virens, 231, 291
.Escliynanthus Pulcher, 299
Agata tomentosa,8i [ing,171
Agave Americana, Flower-

'* Victoria regia, 319
Agents, Tree, 121
Ages, Trees, 210 [152

Agriculture & Horticulture,
^' Conn. State Board, 158
** Dep't of, Grounds,

Washington, 196
** Reports on, 220
Akebia quinata, 229
Alcock's Spruce, 230
Alder Wood, 243
Alexander Lucas Pear, 366
Algireta, 156

Amaryllis, 295 [197, 309

" Atamasco, 24, 71, 130, 194,
Belladonna, 171
Dwarf, 136
formosissimus, 196
House, Veitch's, 297
in South, 196, 291
Notes on, 147
Tretae, 23, 215 [110, 130
Zephyranthes, 59, 87, 103,
Amateurs and Florists, 156
Ambroise Verschatfelt, 219
Araelanchier Botryapium, 291
Amentaceous Plants, Flow-
ering, 151
America, Grape in, 184
American Association Ad-
vance't Science, 223
As8.Nurserymen,Seeds-

men and Florists, 29
Beauty Rose. Ib5 [216
Botanic Gardens, 24, 189,
Buttonwood, 165, 166
Florist, The, 222, 284
florists' Society, 223,255,

287,288
Forestry, Europe, 81

Practical, 83
Garden, 62

Gardens, Expense, 165
Grape in Europe, 19
Grapes,158 [ical, 117, 147
" Range, Geograph-
Hort. Societies, ^
Horticulturist, 315
Institute, N. Y., 256
Mist Tree, 326 [71

Mowing Machine, Early,
Nurserymen's Associa-
tion, 29, 192, 224, 255
Orchid Culture,Hist., 160
Peaches, England, 177
Plane Tree, 165,166
Planting, Best Forest

Trees, 243
PomoLSoc.,124 [274
Trees for Am. Planting,

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American WhiteOak^ng.,145
" Wine Making, Early, 88
Ampelopsis, Japan, 70

*' Veitchii, 70
Ancient Trees, Size, 144
Andromeda, 155
Anemone, Blue, 38 [150

Animals, Parallel Habits of.
Annual Generations, Lepi-

doptera, 182
Anuradhapura, Bo-tree of,251
Antarctic Explorations, 310
Antidote, Thrip, Sulphur, 142
Anthurium Propagation, 199
Ants, Black, 170 [228

" in Gardens, Destruction,
Aphis, Black on Young Cher-
ry, 303
" on Apples, Woolly, 241
" Red, on Roses, 293
Apple, Crab, Soulard, 49

Culture, NovaScotia,302

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Profits, 301

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Dickinson, 365
Disease, Kansas, 303
Dr. Jules' Gaudy, 206
Trade with Europe, 47
Trees, Bearing Year, 79
Twig Blight, 80 [271

Winter, The Delaware,
Apples <fe BlackberrieSjTarts,
365
in Paradise, Those, 348
Newtown Pinpin, 206
on a »j rape Vine. 247 [177
Russian, Remarkable,
Woolly Aphis on, 241
Apricots, California, 240

'' Dried, 302
Aquatics, Culture of, 15
Arboris Multumin Parvo, 379
Arbor Vitae for Hop Poles,210

" •' Western, 180
Arches, Linden, 6
Arctics, Plant Life in, 26
Aristolochia elegans, 330
Arizona Tree Planting, 180
Arnold Arboretum, 125, 285
Asarum arifolium, Heart-
Ash, Flowering, 197 Heaf, 391
Asparagus, Early, 240
" plumosus, 361
" tenuissimus Culture, 267
Aster, New German, 6 [108
Astringenc;y, Pear, Cause, 58,
Atamasco Lily, 24, 71, 130, 194,

197, 309
Auburn, Agave Americana,

Flowering, 171
Australia, Traveling in, 187
Austrian Pine Timber, 23
Autumn Buttonhole Roses.
Azalea amoena, 229 [229

" & Rhododendron, 254 [301

Bacteria <fe Pear Blight, 272,
" Relation to Disease,343

Bad Putty— Caution to Flor-
ists, 42, 134, 136

Bag Worm A Elm-leaf Beetle,
114, 146

Bailey's, N. P., Residence,
321, 322

Bananas as Foliage Plants,325

Bark Scales, 206

Barometers, Floral, 58

Barton, Wm., Residence, 354

Basket of Pansies, 172
'* or Bag Worm, 7

Bartlett Pear, 48

Bean, Vanilla, 280

Beans, 80

Bearing Year, Apple Trees, 79

Beautiful & Common Names,
'* Home Grounds, 98 [310
" Southern Vine, 35

Beautifying Suburban
Homes, 61

Beauty, Gesneraceous, 119
" of Hebron Potato, 368

Bedding Plant, Caladium as,
'' Plants, Sales, 319 [131
" Tropical, 70

Beds, Mixed, 4
" Mosaic, 129
" or Benches, Roses in, 234

Beech Hedge, Copper, 132

Bee, Killed by a, 283
'' The Ladies', 345

Bees and Clover, 343
•' Destruction of Fruit, 48
" Injuring Grapes, 270

Beetle, Elmleaf, 114, 145
" Rose, 229

Begonia socrotana, 325

Bet^onias, Tuberous, .SI 9
" Two Handsome, 3W)
'* Winter Flowering, 73

Belmont Strawberrv, 240

Bennett, Thomas 286

Bercknian's Grape, 48, 79

Bergamot Pears, 90

Bertrand Grape, 305

Best Forest Trees, Am., 243

Beurre Clairgeau Pear, Ori-
gin, 240

Bidwells Early Peach, a34

Biggareau Cherry, Mur-
doch's, 240

Bilbergias, 318 [339

Birch, Cherry or Mahogany,

Birch-wood for Doors, 145

Birds, Injury to Rice by, 310

Hismarckia nobilis, 172

Black Ants, 170 [303

" Aphis on Young Cherry,
*' Cap Raspberry, Saund-
ers', 240
" Mildew or Spot, 171

Blackberries & Apples, Tarts,
" Picking, 48 [365

'' Wild, Transplant, 271

Blackberry, Evergreen, 142

Blackman Plum, 336

Blanching Celery, 209

Blight, Apple Twig, 80
" Fire, in Pears, 25,58
" Pear & Bacteria, 272, 301

Blooming of Sweet Potato.

Blue Anemone, 38 [311,340,370
" Grass, 148
" Gum, California, 276
♦' '* Florida, 356
♦' Mountain Tea, 311

Blueberry Plants, 148

Boilers, Small, Cost of, 265

Borer, Peach, in Cherry, 364
" Remedies, 141

Botanical & Common Names.
" Gazette, 92 [280

" Names, 155 [189, 216

Botanic Garden, Early Am.,
" Gardens, Missouri,24,312
" ♦' Montreal, 24

Botany Lectures in West, 252
'• of India, 184

Bo-tree of Anuradhapura,251

Boule de Neige Chrysanthe-
mum, 172 [Oj^e, 6

Bourbon Rose, Mad. Pierre

Bouvardias, Double, 235

Bouvardia, The, 377

Brackenridge, A., Death, 351
" & Co., 379

Brazil Gardening, 229

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Bricks of Cork, 831
Bride, Tea Rose, The, 106
Bridle Bits, The, 254 ( ers, 248
Brief names. Fruits & Flow-
Brooks, Jno., Death, 189
Brotherhood of St. Dorothy,
Brouassia arguta, 84 [88, 123
Buckets, Strawberries in, 18
Buckthorn, Southern, 327
Bud Variations, 186
Bug Mealy. 170

" Rose, 170
Bugs, Lady, Friendly, 210 •
Bulb Medal, Holland, 127
Bulbs & Tubers,Out-door8,100

" Hyacinth, Grafting, 27
in So. Carolina, 132
Tuberose, Flowering
after Freeze, 292
Bull-nose Pepper, New, 19
Burdock, 222
Burke Peach, 79
Burning Bush, .Japan, 229

'* Fungus Spores, 118
Burrow, J. G., Seedling Cher-
ries, 272
Butte rhead Lettuce, 368
Button-hole Roses, 331
Buttonwood, Amer., 165, 166

Cabbage, 80
" Virginia, 207
" Worm, Destruction, 208
Cacti, 317 [15

" "Night-blooming, Names,
Caladium iEsculentum, 356

" Bedding Plant, 131
California Apricots, 240
** Blue Gum, 276
" History Orange in, 189
" MammothTree,Growth,

339
" Nurserymen's A88'nj,288
Calla, Double-Flowered, 27

" Purple, 136
Callas in Summer, 300
Calochortus venustus,195 [379
Camass, Indian Ceremonies,
Camellia, Introduction, 283
Cannas as Pot Plants, 75
Cape Good Hope Pears, 301

" Plants, aSl [sirabie, 363

Carnations, Improvement De-

•* Perpetual, Culture, 105,

200
♦» Wallingford, Conn., 300
*' Winter Flowering, 234
Carvings on Fungus, 236
Catalogues, 352 [2.34

** Books on Fertilization,
'* Seed, Flower and Nur-
sery, 125
Catalpa, Hardy, So-called, 21
Catalpas, Hardy <fe Tender, 22
Catawissa Raspberry, 302
Cattle Poisoning, Eupatori-

um, 25
Cattleyas for Cut Flowers, 319
Cats, Garden, 335 [tion, 19
Cauliflower, Chalon Perfec-
Cause, Astringency in Pear,
58,108
" Potato Disease,245
Caution to Florists— Bad Put-
ty, 42, 134
Cedar, Red, Planting, 82
Celery and Cultivation, 362
Blanching, 269
Endive, 143
Rust, 170
Solid, 79, 178, 269
Cemetery Gardening, 133
West Laurel mil, 227

386

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[December,

1886.J

AND HORTICULTURIST.

Centennial, Potato, 88, 123
Century Plant in Phila., 282
Ceratozamia Mexicana, 136
Cercidipbyllum Japonicum,
338 [Stamens, 150

Cereus, Night-bl., Movement
Chalon Perfection Ca u 1 i -
flower, 19 [inia, 59
Chapter Secret Hist'y Glox-
Cbas. Downing Potato, 143
" ** Strawberry, 333

Charleston Earthquake, 310

•' Winter at, 103
Chelsea Amarvllis House, 297
Cherries, Murdoch's New, 240
Cherry Birch, 339

and Plum Seasons, 62
Early Richmond, 2o9
Florence, 19
" Large Montmorency, 366
MolTmanne Duke, 19
Peach Borer in, 364
Rivers' Early Prolific, 16
Saunders' Everb'g, 360
Specimens, Seedling, 272
»* Wragg, 832
•* Young, Black Aphis, 303
Chestnut Lumber, 180
Chicago & St. Louis Parks, 36
'* Magnolias, 134 [242

Childs, Geo. W., Hickory, 241
" " Reception, 319

Chimonanthus fragrans, 132
China Aster, Washington, 326
' Asters, French, 319
Tree, Notes, 290

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Chinese Fringe Trpe, 230

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Narcissus, 106
Sacred Lily, 88
Yam, 48
Chinquapin, Water, 103
Chionanthus Virginica, 198
Choiseya ternata, 327
Chrysanthemum Boule de
Neige, 172

" Mrs. J. B. Wilson, 44

•' Show, N. Y., 320 [320
'* Pa.Hort.Soc.,32,382
Shows, 382

" Stakes, 2:^4 [31

Chrysanthemum, Exhibitors,

** for Exhibition, 203

" Improvement, 364

" Japanese, 235, 361

•* Manure for, 361

" Seedling, 28
Clammy Locust, 228
Clapp's Favorite Pear, 177
Clara Cochet Rose, 326
ClarJc,Prof. W. S., Death, 124
Classes of Pears, 333
Cleaning Oranges, 240

" Scale, Fruit Trees, 47
Climate and Forests, 338
Climbing Hydrangea, Japan,

228,291
Close Planting Grape Vines,
Clover, Bees and, 344 [142

*' Four-leaved, 311
Coal Waste as Manure, 49, 109
Cocoa Nuts, Hardy, Those, 81
Cockroaches, Destroying, 234
Coculus Carolinianus, 35, 87
Codling Moth, 2U8
Coe's Golden Drop Plum, 48
Colfee Plant, Travels of, 161
Colchicum autnmnale, 194
Cold Storage, Fruits, 174
Colorado Douglas Spruce, 340

*' Opuntia, 228
Color and Form in Trees, 258
Colored Flowers at Funerals

266
Columbus, O. Hort. Soc, 384
Combining Fences, 4
Comfort for Florida, 87
Commission, Phila. Park, 217
Common <ft Beautiful Names
;* & Bot. Names, 280 [310
" Names, Plants, 151, 3o2
Compliments, Editorial, 2i9
Composition of Soils, 220 [143
Coniferae Rocky Mt., Forest.
Conifers, Historical, 253
Conn. State Board Agri., 158
" Wild Flowers AFruit8,309

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Consumption Wine, 207
Convalaria galeata, 84
Convention, Amer. Nursery-
men, 192, 224
Copper Beech Hedge, 132
Coquette des Blanches Rose,4
Cork Bricks, 331
Com, 80

" Pickling, 108, HI
Correction, Scuppernong

Grape, 173
Correct Reports, 90
Cosmas bi-pinnata, 361
Cost, Small Boilers, 265
Covent Garden Market, 90
Crab Apple, Soulard, 49
Crackiug or Draining Pots, 2
Creeper, Trumpet, as Weep-
ing Tree, 258 [271
Crimson (Jluster Strawberry,
Crinum amabile in Fla., 215
Crooked Trees, 99
Cross-fertilization, Immedi-
ate Results, 148
Crows Eating Poison Vine

Fruit, 149
Cultivated Plants, Origin, asi
Culture, Apple, N.Scotia, 302
" Aquatics, 15 [267

Asparagus tenuissimus,
Cyclamen, 201
Degeneration Through,
Florida Fruit, 175 [357
Fruit, Georgia, 249
Hop, 207

Horse-radish, 335 [200
Perpetual Carnations,
Poinsetta, 136 [Glass, 40
Ranunculus under
Rose, Modern, 379
Silk, 284, 311
Tea, 61

'* South, 21
Timber, Minnesota, 82
Tree Mignonette, 362
Tubers and Bulbs, Out-
door, 32 ['234
Window Plant Novel tv,
Cumberland Strawb'y, 19, 3(J6
Curator, Kew Gar«lens, 219
Curing Tobacco, 208
Curl in Peach, 25
Currant, 366

" Fay's Prolific, 271
Curtis, Rev. Moses D., 60
Cut Flower, Yulan as, 331

Flowers, Designs, 32 [15
" Lopezia miniata for,
" Shipping Box, 362
" Orchids for, 235
" Worm, Onion. 212 [377
Cyclamen, Derivation Name,
Cyclamens <fe Culture of, 201
" Largest, 43

Dahlia Introduction, 283
*' Single, New Type, 327
Dahlias, m
Daisy, Ox-eye, 332
Dana's Hovey Pear, 80 [136
Dandelion as Window Plant,
Daniel Boone Strawberry, 79
Daphne Indica, 362
Death, Brackenridge. A., 351
" Brooks, John, 189
Clark, Prof. W. S., 124
Donnelly, R. J., 124
Foster, Suel, 92
Freas, Philip R., 156
Gray, Wm., Jr., 286
Hance, Dr., 313
Harrison, A. W., 312
Harvey, Thos. M., 157
Ingersoll, Harry, 157
Lytle, Louis C, 29
Morren, Prof. Edw., 124
Murkland, Jas. Y., 253
Nisbet, Wm., 253, 286
Noble, Samuel W., 157
Ott, Lewis, 351
Perkins, Jno., 124
Some N. Y. Horticul-
turists, 92
Stephenson, Jno., 312
Welsh, Hon. Jno., 157
Degeneration in Culture, 357
Delaware Winter Apple, 271

387

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Dendrobium flmbriatum, 135

" Moschatum, 168
Designs, Cut Flowers, 32

" Florists', for Fairs, 43
Desirable Improvm't, Carna-
tions, 3(^3
" Native Shrubs, South
Carolina, 277 [126

Des Moines Floral Asso., 96,
Dessicating Garbage, 377
Destroying Cockroaches, 234

" Neighbor's Trade, 348
Destruction, Ants in Gar-
dens, 228
Cabbage Worm, 208
Forest, 23, 340
Fruit by Bees, 48
Mole, 102 [109, 138

•* Thrip in Grapery, 78,
Devil's Walking Stick, 156
Dewberries, Improved, 333
Diamond Grape, Moore's, 333
Dianthus caryophyllus sem-

perflorens, 105
Dickinson Apple, 365
Dictamnus f raxinella, 215, 262
Different Localities, Mistle-
Directories, 159 [toe, 24

Disappearance, Mistletoe, 344
Discharge of Rivers, 25
Disease, Apple in Kan., 303
'* Bacteria in Relation to,

343
" Fungous, South, In-
" Larcn, 243 [crease, 301
*' Potato, 148, 271
" '• Cause, 245
Diseased Roses, 77 [169

Diseases, Plants, Remedies,
*' Roses, 101 [Trees, 144
Distance between Forest
Distributing Gov't Seeds, 63
Dock— not Burdock, 222
Dr. Jules' Gaudv Apple, 206
Donnelly, R. J., Death, 124
Doors, birch-wood for, 145
Double Bouvardias, 235
'' Flowered Calla, 27
" Flowers. 3.56
" Phlox Drummondii, 6
Douglas' Railroad Planting,
Kan., 275
" Spruce, Colorado, 340
*' '* in England, Larg-
Dozen Narcissi, A, 200 [est,339
Draining or Crocking Pots, 2
Dried Apricots, 302
Drilling Rocks, 102
Drosera dichotoma, 247
Drugs <fe Medicines, N. Amer..
Dryas octopetela, 27 [92, 315
Drying Flowers, Ornaments,
'* up. Rivers, 179 [329

Duration, Individual Plants,
Dwarf Amaryllis, 136 [278
" June Berry, 270 [216

parly Am. Bot. Garden, 189
ka *i »t Mowing Machine,
Asparagus, 240 [71

Nursery in Maine, 155
Peach, Bidwell's, 334
Peaches, 365 [16

Prolific Cherry, Rivers',
Richmond Cherry, 2;^9
Window Plant, Dande-
lion, 136
Wine, American, 88
Earthquake, Charleston, 310
Earth's Heat, Utilizing, 118
Easy and Hard Names, 286
Eating Fruits, 79
Echium vulgare, Wild Sweet

William, 247
Echoes, Rocky Mountain, 52
Economical Plant House, 42
Editorial Compliments, 249
Eglantine, The, 222

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England, Am. White Oak in,
145
" Gardening, Love in, 29
LargestDouglas Spruce,
Peaches in, 177 [339

" Seckel Pear in, 177
Engelmann, Dr., 156
English Gooseberries, 272
*' ♦* at Home, 48

Hazel <fe Filbert, Fruit-
ing, 272
New Tea Roses, 44
Sparrow, 214, 310
'' Food, 346 [284

" " <fe 17-year Locusts,
Entomological Soc, Ont., 253
Epilachna borealis, 372
Eupatorium ageratoides Poi-
soning, 25
Euphorbia Jacquinifolia, 300
Europe, Am. Forestry in, 81
" '• Grape in, 19
" Apple Trade with, 47
" Hemlock Spruce in, 339
*' Potato Introduction, 219
" Tulip Tree in, 308
European Larch in Mass., 141
Eurycreon rantal is— Garden
Web- worm, 181 [215
Evaporation ATranspiration,
Everb'g Cherry, Saunders,366
" Mulb'ry, Downing's, 270
Evergreen Blackberry, 142
Evergreens, Red Spider on, 7,
Exacuni affine, 325 [166

Exhibition, Chrysanthemums
for, 20>
" Penna. Hort. Soc, 216
Exhibitions, Successful, 383
Exhibitors and Premiums, 31
" of Chrysanthemums, 31
Expenses, Am. Pub. Gardens,
16.5
" London Parks and Gar-
dens, 325 [Roses, 3
Experience in Southern
" with Bulbs in S. C, 132
Experimental Stat'n,N. Y.,9l
Explorations, Antarctic, 310
Exposition, New Orleans, 94
Expressive Names, Fruits <fe
Flowers, 248

Facts about Mistletoe, 308
Fairs, State, Florists' De-
Fatry Rings, 2-5 [signs, 43

Fartugium, Variety, 15
Farmers, Farms & Laborers,
Fu'-ciated Ldy, 167 [Law, 221
Fate of Dr Leichardt, 187
Fay's Prolific Currant, 271
Feetof (fiass. 77
Fences, Combining, 4
Fern, Muidi'ii-hair, 331

Egypt, Roiaes in, 287
:ide — '

Elder, Upright, 103
Elm Beetle, 7, 114, 145
EUwanger A Barry, Fruit

House, 801
Emblems, Floral, 330
Eminent Forester, 81
Encouraging Flower-love in
Endive Celery, 143 [Young,226

New, 332
Fertilization bv Insects, 344
" Imme<li:it'e l»oIlen, 86
Fertilizers, 159, 207
Ficus repens vancgata, 40
Figs, 334

*' Flowers on. 310
Filbert Trees, Fruiting, 272
Fine Pig-nut Hickory, 241,242
Fire Blight in Pe;irs, 25, 58

" Heat and Plants, 13
Fires and Steam Heating, 41

" Forest, 23, 275. 340
Firming the Soil, 270
Fir, Silver, 338

" Spruce Timber, 179
Floating Islands, 345 [92, 93
Floral Aid to Photographers
" Emblems, 330

and Fruit Notes, 46
Asso., Des Moines, 96, 126
Barometers, 68
Designs, 318

Taste, 323 [83

Flora, Sandwich Is' ds, Notes,
Florence Cherry, 19
Florida Blue Gum Tree, 356
" Comfort for, 87
Cocoanu*^s, 318
Crinum i mabilem, 215
Fruit Culture, 175
Mistletoe in, 373
Orange Crop, 139, 833

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Florida, Peaches in, 107
;; Pine Apple in, 240, 302
" Tomatoes, 207 [284

Florist, American, The, 222,
Florists and Amateurs, 166
" at Sea Side, 318

Catalogues, 125 [42, 134
Caution to, Bad Putty,
Convention Notes, 317
Designs, State Fairs, 43
Old, 318, 319

Smilax, 80 [288

Society, Am., 223,255,287,
Supplies, 317
Women, 318
Flower and Tree Pedlars. 318
" Double, Calla, 27
" Garden and Pleasure
Ground, 1, 33, 65, 97, 129,
161, 1^3, 22-5, 257, 289, 321!
353 r283

" Garden of France, Nice,

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Gardens, Special Orna-
ments, 38
Love in the Young, 226
Rose that will not, 15
" Stealir.jr. Punishment,29
Flowering a I tor Freeze,Tube-
rose Fiiilhs, 292
AgaM» .Americana, Au-

bnni, 171
Ash, 1!»7 [151

of AiiMMitHconus Plants,
" Hov<Mii:i diilcis 226
" Sweet 1* tato, 370
Winter, i 'aniMtions, 234
Flowers aJid Fruit of Conn.,
Wild, 309
at Funerals, Colore(l,266
at President's Marriage,

202
Brief Names for, 218
Cut, Orchids for, 235
Cypripedium, Preseiv-
Double, 356 [ing, 361

Fertilization, Books on,
for Graveyards, 228 [253
" Ornament, Drying, 329
Horrible Names for, '252
Male and Female, Glng-

ko, 26
Night-bl. Cereus, Move-
ment Stamens 150
on Fig". 310
Wild, Kansas, 309, 371
" Racquet Lake, 247
Flues, Old Fashioned, 818
Fly Catcher, Drosura, 247
*' Green, 170

•' Narcissus. 152 [325

Foliago Plants, Bananas as.
Food of English Sparrow,346
" Plants of Lepidoptera,
182
Forced Fruits & Vegetables.
" Peaches, 209 [110

Forcing strawberries, 141
Forest Conifers, Rocky
Mountains, 143
Destruction, 23, 340
Fires, 275
Mangrove, 313
Planting, 81. 113,210
Trees, Best for Ameri-
cans, 243
" Distance between, 144
Forester, Eminent, 81
Forestry, 21, 49. 81, 111, 143, 179,
209,241,274,306,307,337,369
American, 83
Bureau, Ohio, 315
Commission, Report, 29
in Europe, American, 81
New Journal of, 124
, Question, The Great, 81
Forests and Climate, 338

*' Rainfall, Oregon,
in Ireland, 243 [369

"■ Japan, 339
P'orget-me-not, The, 348
Form and Color in Trees, 258
Four-leaved Clover, 311
Frames, S.rawberry, Fruit-
ing m, 177

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Freas, P. R., Death, 156
Freezing after Flowering, 292
French Horticulture, 61
" Opinion. Am. Florists,288
" Roses, New, 324, 326
Friendly Ladv Bugs, 210
Fringe Tree, l98

•' Chinese, 230
" " Japan, 6

Frogs in Rocks, 184
Frost and Peach Trees, 110
Fruit and Floral Notes, 46
" " Vegetable Garden-
ing, 16, 45, 77. 106, 137, 173
204, 237, 26S. 800, 331, 364
Culture, Florida, 175

" Georgia Notes,249
Destruction, Bees, 48
House, EUwanger tfe
Barry, 301 [ing. 149
Poison Vine, Crows Eat-
Printing Letters on, 310
Recorder, The, 284
Rooms, 19
Synonyms, 301
Tomato, Rot in, 79
Trees, Li(!hens Injuri-
ous, 178
'' " Lime Washing, 46
Fruting English Hazel and
Filbert, 272
" Strawberries, France, 177
Fruits, 817 [Wild, 809

" and Flowers of Conn..
" Trees, Acclimatiiig,846

370
" Vegetables,Forced,llO
Brief Names for, 248
Cold Storage for, 174
Eating, 79

New, Prices Paid, 156
" Proprietary, 364
Preserving. 864
tSeedless, 247
Small, 189

Western Pa. Notes, 17
Fumigating Greenhouses, 318
Funerals, Colord Flowers at
Funeral Wreaths, 331 [266
Fungous Diseases, South,

Increase, 301
Fungus, Carvings on, 2:35
" Spores, Burning, 118
" Strawberry, 247

Gabriel's Trumpet, 88
Game Laws, All the
States, 221
Garbage, Dessicating, 377
Garden Cats, 335

Imaginative, 356
Notes, So. Carolina, 67
Sash, 319

Web-worm, 181 [189

" Varieties. I^atin Names,
Gardeners, Health of, 283
" Monthly, 291. 312. 347
'' " English View, 377

Gardening, Brazil, 229
" Cemetery, 133
'» .lapan, 229
" Love of, English, 29
" Sunday Work and, 63
Gardens and Parks, Chicago,
and St. Louis, 36
Ants in. Destruction, 228
Botanic, Early Ameri-
can 189, 216
House, Japanese, 75
Kew, Curator, 219
London, Expense, 325
Missouri, Botanic, 24
Montreal, Botanic, 24
" P. Lorillard, Notes, 162
Gas Plant, 215, 262 [267

" Tar on Hot Water Pipes,
Gazanias, New, 326
Geography, Am. Grapes, 117,
147 [tory, 2j9

Georgia Fruit Culture, His-
" State Horticultural So.,
288
Geranium, Queen of West,324
Geraniums, 83
Gerard, John, 153

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France, Nice, the PI. Garden German Aster, New, 6 [223
Freaks of Taste, 281 [of, 283 I Qermant'n, Phila, Hort. So.,

Qesneraceous Beauty, 119
Giant Verbenas, 68
Gigantic Oak, ;i39
Gingko, Male and Female
Ginseng, 51. 118 [Flowers, 26

*' Locality for, 87
Gladiolus, hardiness, 199

'' Texas, 134
" Saundersoni, 195
Glass, Feet of, 77
'* Ranunculus under, 40
" Substitute for, 831 [831
Glazing Sash, New Method,

" Without t'utty, 266
Glout Morceau Pear, 206
Gloxinia, Secret History, 59
Gloxinias, Spotted, 41
Golden Drop Plum, Coe's, 48
" Q,ueen Raspberry, 271
*' Yew, 325 [351

Gold Medal, Baron Mueller,
Good Pansies, 227 [Travel, 301
" Varieties Fruit to
Gooseberries, English, 272

" in Wash. Territory, 271
Gooseberry, English, at
Home. 48
•' Industry, 19
Gopher Koot, 244 [buting,63
Government Seeds, Distri-
Graft Hybrids, Pt)tatoes, 148
Grafting Hyacinth Bulbs, 27
" Quince on White Thorn,
" Salisburia,71 [240,273,803
Grand River Valley Horticul-
tural tSocie'ty, 127
Grape, Am. in Europe. 19
" tfe Wine Ass'n, National,
Berckmans', 4S, 79 [192
Bertrand, 305
in America, 184 [303

" Tex., Improvement,
.lessica, 19
Lindley, Productive,336

" Variation, 304
Mildew, 33.5
" Minnehaha, a36
" Moore's Diamond, 333
" Muscat-Alexandria, 367
" New Species, 140
'' Niagara, 271
" Scuppernong, 140, 173
*' Ulster, 378
" Vine, Apples on, 247
" " Management, 138
'» Vines,Close Plan ting, 142
" Worden, 866
Grapery, Destruction Thrip,

78, 109, 138
Grapes, American, 158
" " Geographical

Range, 117, 147
Bees Injuring, 270
Hot-house, Preserving,
Improved, 79 [148

Mildew and Rot, 205, 206
to the Acre, 366
Tuberous Rooted, 333
Grass, Blue, 148

*" for Shade under Trees,7
Grasses, Lawn, 133
Graveyards, Flowers for, 228
Gray, Dr. Asa, 60

" Wm. Jr., Death, 286
Gray's Bot. Text- Book, 61
'• Lily, 280, 291
" Synoptical Flora, North
American, 125
Great Council Tree, Senecas,
49,50
'* Forestry Question, 81
Green Fly, 170

Greenhouse <fe House Gard-
ening, 8.38, 72, 104. 134. 167,
199,281,262,294,327,359
Greenhouses, Fumigating, 318
'' Heating Small, 74
" •' Hints, 220

♦' Iron or Steel, 265
Grounds, Improvement of,165
'' of Potter Palmer, 325
*' Pleasure, Large, 229
Growing Narcissus, 332
Grow Sweet Pea, To, 3 [-339
Growth, Mammoth Tree,Cal.,
" Tree, on the Plains, 179

Growth. White Pine, 209
Gum, Blue, California, 276
Gunnera petaloides, 84

Habits, DiflPerent Animals,
Parallel, 150
*' Lepidoptera, 182
" Onion Cut-worm, 212
Hail, 319

Handsome Begonias.Two, 860
Hance, Dr., Death, 157
Hard and Easy Names, 286
" Soft Maples, 340
Hardiness, Gladiolus, 199

" *' Texas 184

Hardy <k Tender Catalp'as, 22
'* Cocoanuts, 81
" Catalpa,So-called,2l [326
" Rhododendrons, New,
" Roses for Toronto, 166
" Stapelia in Texas, 328
" Varieties, 60
Harrison, A. W., 159

' Death, 312

Harvey, Thos. M., Death, 157
Hawks and Owls, 116
Hazel, English, Fruiting, 272
Health, Gardeners' 283
Heat, Earth's, Utilizing, 118
'* in Philadelphia, 319
'* Insects, Accelerating, 87
Heating Greenhouses, Hints,
" Small, 74 [220
" Steam, 44, 74, 104
" '* and Fires, 41

" a Success, 13, 14, 63
Heart-leaf Asariim arifolium,
Hedge,Copper Beech, 132 [191
Heliotrope, Origin of, 91

" Vanilla, 126
Hemlock Spruce Bark, 82

" in Europe, 339
Hendricks, Jas., 318
Her Majesty Rose, 103,172,357
Hesperaloe Engelmanni, 67
Hickory, Pig-nut, Fine, 241.
Hillborn Raspberry, 47 [242
Hints, Seasonable, I, 8, 16, 33,
38, 45, 65, 72, 77, 97, 104, 106,
129, 184, 137, 161, 167, 173, 198,
199, 201, 223, 281, 287, 257, 262,
268, 289, 294, 300, 321, 327, 358,
359
Hints, Selaginellas and Their
Uses, 250 [room, 2.')2
Historical Jottings, Mush-
History, Clapp'a Favorite
" Conifers, 253 [Pear, 177
" Fruit Culture, Ga., 249
" Noisette Rose, 28
" Orange, California, 189
'* Orchid Culture, Am., 160
'* Potato Disease, 118, 184,

253
" Secret, of Gloxinia, 59
*' Tobacco, 378
Holland Bulb Medal, 127
" Prem. Hyacinths, 160
" " Pa. Hort. Show, 224
Holly, 89

Home Grounds, Beautiful, 98
Homes, City of, 319

•* for Home Builders, 30

Honest tfe Rascally Pedlars,250

Honey, Poison, 217

Hooker, Dr. Jos., 60

Hop Culture, 207 ("210

" Poles, Arbor Vitae for,

Horrible Names, Flowers, 252

Horseback,Yellow8tone Park

on, 221 [ica, 286

Horse, Percheron, in Amer-

** Radish Culture, 335 [191

Horticultural Art Journal, 62,

'' Ass'n Penna., 32, 94, 9,%

'• Information, 368 [220

" Hall, Miss Sc ha flfer'»

Gift, 3fe0
" •' Old Phila., 881
*' Meetings, State, 3l
'• Societies, 31, 64, 94, 126,
159, 192, 223, 255, 287,
315, 3 0
♦• " American, 288
♦' " Success, 64
" Soc, Columbu8,Ohio,384
" " Georgia State, 288

r,
Hi

3^B

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

Hort. Soc, Germant'n.Phila.,
223
" " Grand River Valley,

Mich., 127
" " Ills. State, 384
" " Maryland, 160

" Mass., 30. 64, 96, 127,

192, 255, 284, 313, 315

" Michigan, 220 [256,288

" Missouri State, 192,

" " New Jersey, 158

" »' ♦' Mexico, 224 [288

4 u »» York, 64, 96, 160,

" " Ohio, 384 '

" •' Penna.,32,95,127, 159,
224, 315

;; " Summit Co., O., 384
" '* West'n N. Y., 96 [158

[December,

" Worcester Co., Mass.,
" Royal, of Engl'd, 2o5
Horticulture & Agricult., 152
" and Landscape Garden-
ing, Western, 191
" French, 64
Horticulturist, Michigan, 315
Horticulturists, New York,

Death, 92
Hotels, Travelers in, 312
Hot House Grapes, Preserv-
ing, 143
" Water <fe Steam, 317 319
" '• Pipes, Gas Tar; 267
House Gardens, Jai>anese, 76
Hovenia dulcis, Flowering,
Hovey, Chas. M., 375 [226

" Pear, Dana's, 80
How to Handle Vicious

Horses, 286
Hr.TTiWe Pees & Clover, 341
Hyacinth Bulbs, Grafting, 27
Hyacinths,Holland Prem.,160
" Potting, 299
. Hyacinthus botryoides, 193
•' candicans, 193
Hybridizing Indian Corn and

Sorghum, 26
Hybrid Palm, 118

♦' Sand Pears, 365 [228,291
Hydrangea, Japan Climbing,
Hydrangeas, 319 [Us, 28

Ignorance of Things Around
■ Iraagmative Garden, 356
Immediate Influence Pollen,
.. T> ^ [tion, 148

,„ Results Cross-iertiliza-
Ills. State Hort. Soc, 384
Improved Dewberries, 333
" Grapes, 79
•* Pansies, 378
" Sweet Peas, 38 [as, 303
Inaprovements,Grape, in Tex-
i Grounds, 165 [363

" i° Carnations Desirable,
!. Chrysanthemums, 3eJ4
" " Rosefi, 103 [3£9

" "Wood Preservation,
Incidental Advantages, 90
Increase Fungous Diseases.
South, 301

T *^ Postage, Seeds <fe Plants,
India, Botany of, 184 [128

Indian Ceremonie8,Camas,379
;; Com, Hybridizing, 2b
• . " Pickled, 108, 111
Indigofera dosura, 230, 291
Individual Plants, Duration,
Industry Gooseberry, 19 [278
Inequalities in Lawns, 3
Influence Trees, Sanitary, 327
Information, Horticul'tl, 368
Ingersoll, Harry, iJeath, 157
Injuring Grapes, Bees, 270
Injurious to Fruit Trees
. Lichens, 178 '

Injury to Kice, Birds, 310
InMemoriam,312 [Names,2o2
Innocent Flowers. Horrible
Insecticide Soap, 831
Insect on Smilax, 15
Insects Affecting Orange, 220
'* Fertilization by, 314
" Grape Vine, 109

T !1 ?®*' ^"' Power of, 87
Introduction, Moss Rose, 249

Potato, Europe, 219
Ipomoaa rubro coerulea, 66

Ireland, Forests in, 243

Iris Germanica, 194

Iron or Steel Greenhouse8,265

Islands, Floating, 345

Ismene Amancoesisa, 9

Is Snowberry Poisonous, 148

Italian Name for Tomato, 283

" Wines, 207

" Itaska Strawberry, 366
Ivy on Trees, 6, 229, 293

J" Varying Leaves in, 230
apan Ampelopsis, 70
" Burning Bush, 229 [228
" Climbing Hydrangea,
" Forests in, 339
•; Gardening, 229 [ber,308
Method Preserving Tim-
** Plum, Kelsey's, 273
•* Umbrella Pine. 229, 291
" Varnish Tree, 251
" Vegetables, 367

" Chrysantbemums,235,361
" House Gardens, 75
Jessica Grape, 19
Jones Pear. 19 [go

Josephine de Malines Pear,
June Berry, Dwarf, 270
l/amtschatka Rose, 2;i0
■^ Kanadesaga, Council

Tree at. 49, 50
Kansas Apple Disease, 303
" City Park. 102 [las', 275
'' Railr'd Planting, Douir-
" Wild Flowers, 309, 371
Kelsey's Japan Plum, 273
Kew Gardens, Curator, 219
Kieffer Pear, Quality, a36
Killed by a Bee. 288
Killing Pernicious Weeds, 86

" Seeds, 156
King's Strawberry, The, 302
Koelreuteria paniculata, 356
I achaume, Jules. 351
^ Ladies' Bee, The, 345
Lady-Bird, Northern, 372
" Bugs, Friendly, 210
" Members, Learned So-
cieties, 188, 283
Lady's Conservat'ry Palms,39
Landscape Gardening, West,
Larch Disease, 243 [I9i

" European, in Mass., 144
Large Montmorency Cherry,
366
" Pleasure Grounds, 229
" Roses, 228
" Sassafras Trees, 22
*' Strawberries, 210
" Tomatoes, 803 ( Eng., 339
Largest Douglas Spruce in
*' Cyclamens, 43

" Pears in World. 366 [227
Laurel Hill Cemetery, West

•' Wood and Mountain, 89
Lawn Grasses, lS:i

'* JMixtures, 164
Lawns, Inequalities in, 3
Law of Field Sports, 2-54 [358
Layers. Rose, Notch Shoots,
Leaf-Hoppers— Thrips, 174
Learned Societies, Lady
Members, 188, 283

1886.]

AND HORTICULTURIST.

Leaves in Ivy, Varying, 230
Lectures, Botany, West'n, i?52

Leichardt, Dr., Fate of, 187
Lemon and Orange Trees, 236
Lepidoptera, Food-plants, 182
Leptosygnemaritimaas Win-
ter Flower, 172
Lespedeza bicolor. 326
Letters Printed on Fruit, 310
lettuce, SO
" Butterhead, 368
" Salamander, 19
Leucophyllum Texanum, 277
Liability of Transportation

Companies, 152
Lichens Injurious to Fruit
Lida Strawberry ,78 [Tree8,178
Linden Tree, Remarkable,369
Life, Struggle for, 81
Lilac Buds, Odor, 311

'' New, 199
Lilacs, 199, 291, 319
Lilies, 357
'• as Vegetables, 178

Lilies, Native, Oregon. 370
;; Water, 325 [197,309

Lily, Atamasco, 24, 71, 130, 194,
Chinese Sacred, 88
" Gray's, 230, 291
" Proliferous or Fasci-
;; Spider. 344 [ated, 167
" Kuwanee, 309

Lima Beans, 80

Lime Washing Fruit Trees,46

Linden Arches, 6 [336

Lindley Grape, Productive,
, ,." Variation, 304

Linseed Oil & Rose Mildew,

Lists of Strawberries,366 [204
Lit-che, 216, 291

Literature, Travels & Person-
?L^"J?^^' 28, 59, 88, 119, 152,
.187, 216, 248, 281, 311, 347, 375

Little Amy & Sweet Peas, 93

Live Seeds, 91

Lobelias, 84 [ent, 24

Localities, Mistletoe, Differ

Locality for Ginseng, 87
" Robiniaviscosa, Native,

Locust, Clammy, 228 [276

'; 17-Year, & "Sparrows, 284
" Sweet, 250
" Yellow, 23

Locusts in Mexico, 58

London Parks and Gardens.
Expense, 325

Long, Dan'l B , 379

" L'vd Nebraska Pine,113
Lopeziaminiata. 15
Lorillard, P., Garden Notes,
Lucy Duke Pear, 365 [162
Lumber. Chestnut, 180

'' Tulip Poplar, 51
Machine Tree Planting. 238
"■ Mad. Pierre < »gre Rose, 6
Magnolias near Chicago, 134
Mahogany Birch, 339
Maiden-hair Fern, 331

;; " '• New, 332

' *' Tree, 149

Maine, Early Nursery in. 155
Male and Female Flowers

Gingko, 26
Mammoth Tree, Cal., 339
Management Am. Hort.Soc's

" Grape Vine. 138 [288
Manettia cordifolia, 198, 291
Mangrove. The, 342, 348
Manure, Coal Dust as, 49, 109

1./' forChrysanthemums,361
Maples, Hard and Soft, 8^0
Mareschal Niel Rose, 228
Market, Covent Garden, 90
" Phila., Peaches in, 271
Marriage, President's, Flow-
ers at, 202
Maryland Hort. Society, 160
Mass., European Larch'in 144
*♦ Hort..Soc'y,80,W,96,'l27.
192,255,284,313 '

*' Raspberries for, 273
Max Singer Rose, 103
Mealy Bug, 170
Measurements, Tree, 111
Medal, Holland Bulb, 127
Meech's Prolific Quince, 18
Melons, 80

" in Persia, Profits, 79
Mertensia Virginica, 216
Metrosideros polymorpha, 84
Mexican Poppies, 293
Mexico, Locusts in, 58
Michigan Hort. Societv, 220
Mignonette, Tree, Cultiire,362
Migrations of Plants, 279
Mildew, 170

A Rot in Grapes, 205, 206
Black, 171
Grape, 335

Oil and Sulphur for, 233
" Rose, 201
" Vine, Remedv, 110
Milk, Vegetable, 116 [168

Mimosas — Sensitive Plants
Miner's Prolific Straw b'y, 18*
Minnehaha Grape, 336
Minnesota Timber Culture,82
Missouri Bot. Gardens, 24, 312
" State Hort. Soc, 192, 2,56,
Mistaken Addresses, 252 [288

-389

(»

((

Mistletoe Parasite, 214, 370
" Additional Facts. 308
" Different Localities, 24
" Disappearance, 344
" Host Plants of, 58, 118,

119,186,214
*' in Florida, 373
Mist Tree, American, 326
Mixed Beds, 4
Mixtures, Lawn, l&i
Modern Palestine, 154
" Rose Culture, 879
Mole, Destruction, 102
Moles, 327

Molmanne Duke Cherry, 19
Money without Work, 221 [366
Montmorency Cherry, Large,
Moonlight Rose, New Tea, 4-*
Moore's Diamond Grape, aS3
Monstrosity, Rare, 244
Montbrettias, 214, 291
Monterey Pine, 243
Montreal Botanic Gardens, 24
Morren, Prof. Edw., Death,
Mosaic Beds, 129 [124

Moss Rose, Introduction, 219

'♦ - Origin, 3,50
Moth, Codling, 208
Mountain Laurel, 89 [7i

Mowinff Machine. Early Am.,
Mrs. J.B.Wilson Chrysanthe-
Muddy Water, 215 [mum, 44
Mueller, Baron, Gold Med., 351
Mulberry, Downing's Ever-
bearing. 270
" Russian, 369
" Silk-worm, 284
Murdoch's New Cherries, 240
Murkland. Jos.Y., Death, 253

Muscat-AlexandriaGrape,367
Mushroom, History of, 252

Mustard,Tuberous,240 [ses,3
My Experience, South'n Ro-
Myostis, New Variegated, 172
Maine for Tomato, Italian,283
■' Namenlose-Schone Rose.

236, 284, 298, 362
Names, Botanical, 155
" '* <fe Common, 280

Brief, Fruits <fe Fl'rs, 252
'• Common <feBeautiful,3i0
" Easy and Hard, 286 (ii52
" Horrible, for Flowers,
Latin, for Garden Vars..
189
" Night-bl. Cactuses, 15
•; Plants, Common, 151, .852
'* Western, for Weeds, 189
Narcissi, A Dozen, 200
Narcissus, Chinese, 106
" Fly, 152

•* Growing, 332 [192

National Grape <feWine Ass'n
Native Lilies, Oregon, 370
" Locality. Robinia vis-

cosa, 276
*• Shrubs, Ro. Carolina, 277
" Timber, Uses, 306[ern, 35
•' Vine, Beautiful. South-
Natural History and Science.
23..52. 8.3, 114. 145, 180, 210
214,276,808,340,370

" Hist.OnionCu^worm,212
Nebraska Pine, Long-I v'd,113
Neighbor's Trade, Destroy-

ing, 348
Nepenthes Rajah, 2a3, 264
Nephelium Litchi. 291
New Bull-nose Pippin, 19

" Cherries, Murdoch's, 2<0
" Forestry Journal, 124
" Forests, Planting, 81, 113
" French Rose, Clara Co-
" *' Roses,324 [chet, .326
" Fruit. Prices Paid for,156
" " Proprietory Inter-
est, 3«4
*' Gazanias, 826
•' Genus Palms, 172
" German Aster, 6 [326
" Hardy Rhododendrons,
' Jersey Hort. Soc, 158
^" Wild Plants, 309
'• Lilac, 199

'* Maiden hair Fern, 332
Method Qlazlng, 331

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New Mexico Hort. Soc, 224
" Orleans Exposition, 94
or Rare Plants, 4, 108, 172,
_ 199,222,230,236,320,363
Park, Wilmington, Del.,

217, 236, 856
Pitcher Plant, 4, 5 [143
Potato, Chas. Downing,
Race Tomato, 335
Raspberry, ,302
Rose, Max Singer, 103

" Pest, 167
Roses, 230
Shrub, 278, 291
Species Grape, 140
Strawberries, 271
Tea Noisette Rose, 236
" Rose, Moonlight, 44
'* Roses, English, 44
Type Single Dahlias, 327
Variegated Myostis, 172
Vegetable, Remarkable,
Vegetables, 80 [240

York Chrysanthemum
Show, 320
" City, Amer. Insti-
tute, 256

Exper. Station, 91
Hort. Soc, 64, 96,
160,288
Newtown Pippin Apples, 206
Niagara Grape, 271
N ice,Fl. Garden of France,283
Night Bl. Cactuses, Names, 15
" " Cereus, Movement
Stamens, 150
Nisbett, Wra.. Death, 253. 286
Noble, Sam'l W., Death, 157
Noisette Rose, History, 28
'' New Tea, 236
♦• " Wm. Allen Kich-
ardson, 327
Non-Bearing Strawberry

Plants, 247
North, Central & So. Amer.

Exposition, 94
Northern Lady-Bird, 372
Notched Shoots, Rose Layers,
Notes, China Tree, 290 [358
Flora Sandwich Is'ds, 83
Florist's Convention, 317
Fruit and Floral, 46

'* Western Penna., 17
Garden and Sanitary,

S.C.,67
Gardens, P. Lorillard,162
Ga. Fruit Culture, 2-19
Grounds Dept. Agri.,

Wash'n, D. C, 196
on Amaryllis, 147
" Orchids. 42
Parks Chicago and St.

liOuis, 36
Recent Numbers Gar-
deners' Monthly, 291
Richmond, Va., 289 [73
Southern Grown Roses,
White House, Wash., 41
Winter Fl. Begonias, 78
Nova Scotia Apple Cult., 302
Novelty, Window-plant Cul-
ture, 234
Nurseries, Useful, 219
Nursery Catalogues, 125
" in Maine, Early, 155
" Rumph's, 379
Nurserymen's Ass'n Cal., 288

" Convention, 192, 224
. " Standing. 348
Nurserymen, Seedsmen and
Florists, Am. Ass'n, 29, 255

Oak, Gigantic, 339
" Pin, 307

" Trees, Sugar in, 314
" Turkey, 23

'* White in Eng., Amer., 14.5

" Willow, 63 [307

Oaks, Slow <fe Fast Growing,

Obituary, 29. 60, 92, 124, 156,157,

189, 253, 312, 318, 351
Odor ot Lilac Buds, 311
Ohio Forestry Bureau, 315

" Hort. Society, 384
Oil, <fe Sulphur Remedy, Mil-
dew, 238 [204
'* L.nseed ± Rose Mildew, I

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Old Orange Trees, 367

" World, Pears in, 47

" '♦ Phylloxera in, 301
Oleanders, 235
Olericulture, 152
Olive, Russian, 216, 251, 293
Oncidium divaricatum, 360
Onion, 80

" Cut- Worm, 212
Onions, Uses, 207
Ontario Entomol. Soc, 253
Opuntia, Colorado. 228
Orange <fe Lemon Trees, 2.36

" California, History, 189

'' Crop, Florida, 189, 333

" Insects Affecting, 220

'' Trees, Old, ,867
Oranges, Cleaning, 240

" Seedless, 180, 216

" Uses of, 367
Orchid Culture, Amer., 160

" Grower's Manual, 61

" Notes, 42

" Queries, 44
Orchids tor Cut Flowers, 235
Oregon Forests & Rain fall, .869
Origin Beurre Clairgeau
Pear 240

" Cultivated Plants, 351

" Heliotrope, 91

" Moss Koses, 1350

" Varieties, 117 [for, 329
Ornaments, Drying Flowers

♦* Seed, 106
Ott, Lewis, Death, 851
Out-door Culture, Bulbs and

Tubers, 100
Owls and Hawks, 116
Ox-eye Daisy, 382
Oxygen, Solidification, 344

Palestine, Modern, 154 [325
Palmer, P., Grounds of.
Palm, Hybrid, 118 [tory, .39
Palms for Lady's Conserva-
" New Genus, 172
" Sago, Vitality, 283
Pansies, 217
'• Basket of, 172
" Good, 227
" Improved, 378
" Wilmington, Del., 192
Paper, Sea-weed, 148
Paradise, Apples in, 348
Parallel Habits, Animals, 1.50
Parasite, Mistletoe, 214, 370
Park Commission, Phila., 217
*' Kansas City, 102
" Wilmington, Del., 217,

236,356
" Yellowstone on Horse-
back, 221
Parks, Chicago & St. Louis, 36
" London, Expense of, 325
Parnell's Peach Orchard, 177
Parsley, Winter, .303
Paul Floret Tea Rose, 43
Peach, Bidwell's Early, 834
Burke, 79
Curl in, 25

Orchard, Parnell's, 177
Promising Seedling, 20
Silver Leaf on, a34
Tree Borer in Cherry,364
" Remedies, 141
Trees and Frost, 110 [385
Yellows, Potash against.
Peaches, Amer., in Eng'd, 177
" Eariy, 365
'♦ Florida, 107
" Forced, 209
" in Phila. Markets, 271
Pear, Alexander Lucas, ;^6
Astringency, Cause, 58,
Bartlett, 48 [108

Beurre Clairgeau, Ori-
gin, 240
Blight & Bacteria, 272,301
Clapp's Favorite, Hist.,
Dana's Hovey, 80 [177
Glout Morceau, 206
Jones', 19

Josephine de Malines, 80
Kieffer, Quality, 336
Lucy Duke, 365
Season, Prolonging, 78
Seckel in England, 177

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Pear, Winter Nelis, 110

•' inMass.,177
Pears, Bergamot, 90
" Cape of Good Hope, 301
Classes of, 333
Fire Blight in, 25, 58
Hybrid Sand, 365
in Old Worid, 47
" West 79
" World, Largest, 366
Peculiar Ripening, 808
Season of Ripening, 48
Weights, Some, 365
Peas, 80

Sweet, 68, 103
" and How to Grow, 3
" Improved, 38
Pecan Nut, V^alue, 51
Peculiar Fertilizers, 207 [250
Pedlars, Honest <fc Riiscally,
Pelargonium Princesse Ste-
phanie, 6
Penna, Hort. Soc, 32, 95, 127.
159, 224, 315, 316, 32U
" State Hort. Ass'n, 32, 94,
95, 220
Pepper, New Bull-nose, 19
Perfume, Rose, Varieties, 249
Perkins, Jno., Death, 124
Pernicious Weeds, Killing, 86
Perostyrax hispidum, 230
Perpetual Carnations, Cul-
ture. 105, 200 rms

" Db'l White Stock, Alice,
Persia, Melons in. Profits, 79
Pest, Rose, New, 167
Phacelia Pnrryi, f.
Phajus grandiflorus, 8, 9
Phila., Century Plant in, 282
" Florists' Convent'nat,317
" Markets, Peaches in, 271
" Park Commission, 217
*' Seed Business, 28
" Strawberry Season, 206
" Winter in, 86
Phlox Drummondii,Double,6
Phoradendron flavescens, 214
Photography, Aid to, 92, 93
Phylloxera in Old World, 301
Picking Blackberries, 48
Pickling Corn, 108, 111
Pig-nut Hickory, Fine,241,242
Pine Apples in F'lorida,240,302
Austrian, Timber, 23
Monterey, 243

It
It

" Nel)raska,Long-l'v'd,113
*' Umbrella, J apan, 229, 291
» White, Growth, 209
Pin Oak, 307 [51

Pinus ponderosa. Rocky Mts.,
" '* var. scropulorum,

59, 86
Pipes, Hot-Water, Gas Tar
Pipsissiva, 247 [on, 267

Pittosporum, 83
Plains, Tree Growth on, 179
Plane Tree, American, 165,166
Plantago, 84

Plant, Century, in Phila., 282
Collecting, Tropics, 89
Gas— Dictamnus fraxin-

ella, 215, 262
House, Economical, 42
Life in Arctics, 26
Turquoise, 60 [27i

Planting, Amer. Trees tor,
'' Forest, 81, 113, 210
Grape Vines Close, 142
Machine, Tree, 238
Railroad, in Kansas, 275
Bed Cedar, 82
Tree, Arizona, 180
Plants and Fire Heat, 13
" & Seeds, Postage on, 123
" Trees, Pencoyd,Pa.,328
Blueberry, 148
Cape, 881

Common Names, 151, 352
Diseases <fe Remedies, 169
Foliage, 325 [186

Host of Mistletoe, 118,
Individual Duration, 278
Migrations of, 279
Mistletoe on, 58, 119
Names, Botanical and
Common, 151, 155,280

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Plants, Pitcher, 263
" Pot, Cannas as, 75

Sensitive— Mimosas, 168
Texas, Acclimatizing, 69

»' Wild, 53
Wild, New Jersey, 309
Platanusoccidentalis, 165, 166
Pleasure Grounds, Large, 229
Plum and Cherry Seasons, 62
" Blackraan, 336
" Coe's Golden Drop, 48
" Kelsey's Japan, 273
Plums, Profitable, 332
Poinsett a Culture, 1-36
Poison Honey, 217 [ing, 149
'* Vine, Fruit, Crows Eat-
Poisoning Cattle, Eupatori-

um, 25
Poisonous, Is Snowberry, 148
Poles, Telegraph, 145 [86

P«llen, Immediate Influence,
PolyanthusRose,Max Singer,
Pomiculture, 152 n03

Poinological Soc Amer., 124
Poplar (Tulip) Lumber, 51
Poppies, Mexican, 293
Popular Gardening, 284
Portfolio, Rare Flowers, 125
Postage, Seeds & Plants, 123
Potash vs. Peach Yellows,335
Potato, Beauty Hebron, 368
" Centennial, 88, 123
*' Chas. Downing, 143
" Disease, 148, 245, 271
Introduct'n, Europe, 219
Rot, 118, 184 [340, 370
»' Sweet, Blooming of, 311,
Potatoes, Graft Hybrid, 148
Potting Hyacinths, 299
Pot Plants, Cannas as, 75
Pots, Crocking or Draining, 2
Poultry Profits, 221
Practical Amer. Forestry, 83
Premiums & Exhibitors, 31
" Holland, Hyacinths, 160
" " Pa, Hort. Show, 224
Preserving Flowers, C. in-
signe, 361
Fruits, 364 [ter, 143

Hot-house Grapes, Win-
Timber, Japan, 308
Wood, lmprovement,3.89
President's Marriage, 202
Pretty Wild Flow'rs, Kas.,.309,
Price, Small Fruits, 271 [871
Prices, New " 156
Primula floribunda, 72

" obconica, 72, 119
Princess Alice, DoubleWhite
Stock, 363
" Stephanie Pelargonium, 6
Printing Letters on Fruit,310
Prizes,Special, H.P.Roses, 192
Product, Lindley Grape, 886
Profitable Plums, 332
Profits, Apple Culture, 301
" Melons in Persia, 79
" Poultry, 221
Proliferous Lily, 167
Prolific Quince, Meech's, 18
" Strawberry, Miner's, 18
Prolonging the Pear Seas'n,78
Promising Seedling Peach,20
Propagating Acacias, 136

" Anthurium, 199
l*roprietary New Fruits, 364
Pruning & Training Vine, 80
Pterostyrax hispidum, 280,291
Pub.Gard'ns,Am.,Expn'8,165

'* Park, Kansas City, 102
Punishment,Flow'r Stealing,
Purple Calla, 136 [^

Purslane, 344 [42, 134, 136

Putty. Bad,Caut'n to Florists,

" Glazing Without, 266
Pynaert, Edward, 47
Pyrus Pollweriana, 47

Quality Kieffer Pear, 336
Queen of West Geran-
ium, 324
Question, F* orestry. The, 81
Quercus Pannonica, 113
Queries, Orchid, 44
Quince, Meech's Prolific, 18
on White Thorn. Graft-
ing, 240, 273, 303

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390

THE GARDENERS* MONTHLY

[December,

Racquet Lake, WHd Flow'rs,
Radish, 80 [217

Railroad Planting.Kan.,275
Rainfall AForests,Oregon.369
'* per Acre. 58 [147

Range Wild Grapes, A.m.,1 17,
Ranunculus Culture under

Glass, 40
Rare Monstrosity, 244

*' Trees, Selling, 348
Rascally Tree Pedlar, 250
Raspberries for Mass., 273

" Training. 176
Raspberry, (Jatawissa, 302
" Outhbert,48
•♦ Golden Queen, 271
" Hillborn,47
'* New, 302 [Cap. 240

" Saunders' Hybrid Black
Recent Numbers, Notes, 291
Red Aphis on Koses, 298
" Cedar, Planting, 82
" Spider, 15

** '* on Evergreens, 7, 166
•* " So-railed. 39
" Water Lily, 317 [44, 106
Reine Marie Henriette Rose,
Remarkable New Veg., 240
" Linden Tree, 369
*' Russian Apples, 177
" Watermelons, 367 [169
Remedies* Diseases, Plants,

" Peach Tree Borer, 141
Remedy, Mildew,Oil and Sul-
" Vine " 110 [phur.233
Reports, Agricultural, 220

" Correct, 90
Resistant Vines, 47 [251

Rhododendrons and Azaleas,
" New Hardy, 32G
'* Sawdust tor, a58
I Rhus cotinoides, 826
Rice Injured by Birds, 310
Richmond Cherry, Early, 239

*' Va., Notes, 239
Ridgeview, 290
Riley, Prof. C. V., 189, 351
^r Rings, Fairy, 2.5

' Ripening Pears, Peculiar, 303

" Season, 48
Rivers, Discharge of. 25

" Drying up (»f, 179
Rivers' Early Cherry, 16
Robinia viscosa,NativeLocal-
Rocks, Drilling, 102 [ity, 276

'' Frogs in, 184
Rocky Mount'n Coniferae, 143
" " Echoes, 52

" " Pinus ponderosa.

Rooms, Fruit, 19 [51

Root, Gopher, 244
Rosalie Tea Rose, 43
Rosa polyantha, 357
Rose, American Beauty, 165
" Beetle, 229
" Bourbon, 6
" Buer, 170
" Culture. 319
" '* Modern, 379

*' Diseases, 101
" Geo. \V. Childs, 318
" Her Majesty, 103. 172,357
'• Kamtschatka, 230
" Mad. Pierre Ogre, 6 [358
" Layers, Notched Shoots,
" Mareschal Niel, 228
'* Max Singer, 103
" Mildew, Linseed Oil, 204
'' Moonlight, New Tea, 44
" Moss, Introduction, 249
" Namenlose S<'hone, 28rt,
" Noisette, 28 [284,298,362
" of Sharon, 248

Pest, New, 167 [44, 106
Reine Marie Henriette,
Rust, 316

Souv. de Victor Hugo. 6
Tea, The Bride, 106
that will not Flower, 15
Varieties Perfume, 249
White Coquette, 4
•' Wm. F. Bennett, 15
Rosen-Zeitung, 254
Roses and Rose Beetle, 229
" Beds or Benches, 234 '
•♦ Buttonhole, Winter, 331

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Roses. Diseased, 77
*' Displays of, 319

French, New, 324, 326
Hardy, for Toronto, 166
H. P., Origin, 318
" " Special Prizes. 192
Improvements in, 103
in Egypt. 287
Large, 228
Moss, Origin, 350
New, 230

" Tea, English,l24
Old and New, 819
Paul Floret <fe Ro8alie,43
Red Aphis on, 293
Single, 165
Southern Grown,'73
Wild, 356
Rosewood Tree, 275 [240

Rostraver Biggareau Cherry,
Rot & Mildew, Grapes,205,206
" in Tomato, 79
" Potato, 118. 184
Rubus phoenicolasius, 302
Rumph's Nursery, 379
Russelia juncea^l [177

Russian Apples, Remarkable,
*' Mulberry, 369
" Olive, 216. 254, 293
" Celery, 170
" Rose, 346

Sacred Lily, Chinese, 88
Sago Palms, Vitality, 283
St. Dorothy Brothers, 8i8, 123
Salamander Lettuce, 19
Salisburia, Grafting, 71
Sandwi{;h Islands, Flora, 88
Sanitary Influence, Trees. 327

" Notes, S. Carolina, 67
Sarracenia Courtii, New, 4, 5
Sash Glazing, Method, 331
Sassafras Trees, I^arge, 22
Saunders' Everb'g Cherry ,366

*' Hybrid Black Cap Rasp-
berry, 2J0 [SoS
Sawdust for Rhododendrons,
Scale,FruitTrees,Cleaning,47
Scales, Bark, 206
Schalfer's,Miss,Gift,880 [223
Science, Am. Ass'n Adv'mt of.
Scientific Bodies, T^ady Mem-
bers, 188, 2a3
Scuppemong Grapes, 140, 173
Sea Coast, Trees^tor, 338

*' Weed Paper, 148
Season of Ripening Pears, 48

*' Pear, Prolonging, 78

♦' Strawberry, Phila., 206
Seasons, Cherry & Plum, 62

" Rainy, 214
Seckel Pear in England, 177
Secret History, Gloxinia, 59
Seed Business. Phila., 28

" Catalogues, 125

" Ornaments, 106
Seedless Fruits, 247

'* Oranges. 180, 216 [272
Seedling Cherry Specimens,

*' Chrysanthemums, 28

" Peach, Promising, 20
Seeds & Plants, Postage, 123

'' Killing, 166

" Live, 91

" Gov't Distribution, 63
Selaginellas & their Uses, 20O
Selline Rare Trees, 318

'' Wrong " 216 r49,50
Senecas Great Council Tree, \

Sensitive Plants, Mimosas,168
Shade, Grass for, 7 1

" Trees, 325
Sharon, Rose of, 248
Shipping-box,Cut Flow'rs,362
Shoots, Notched, Rose Lay-
ers, 858
Shortia galacifolia, 344, .377
Show, Chrysanthemum, Pa.,

Hort. Soc, 32
Shrubs,Native.S.Carolina,277
Silk Culture, 281 311
Silver Leaf on Peach, 334

" Fir, 338
Sinapis tuberosa, 240
Single Dahlias, Ac, 281

" New Type, 327
Roses, 165

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Size, Ancient Trees, 144 [307
Slow and Fast Growing OaKS,
Small Boilers, Cost, 265
'' Fruits, 189

" " Price, 270 [74
" Greenhouses, Heating,
Smilax, Florist's. 60

" Insect on, 15
Smith, W. R., 318
Smoke, Tree, 326
Snowberry Poisonous, Is, 148
K Snowflake Tree, 4
Soap, Sulpho-Tobacco, 381
So-called Hardy Catalpa, 21
Societies, Hort.* Success of, 64
Society, Amer. Florists, 223,

255, 287
Soft and Hard Maples, 340
Soil, Firming the, 270
Soils, Composition of, 220
Solid Celery, 79, 178, 267
Solidification. Oxygen, 344
Some Notes, China Tree. 290
" Russian Apples, 177
" Tree Measurements, 111
Something Worth Seeing, 9
Soot, 303

Sorghum, Hybridizing, 26
Soulard Crab Apple, 49
Soup, Tomato for Sick, 207
South, Amarvllis in, 196, 291
** Carolina, Bulbs in, 182
" Garden Notes, 67
*' Native Shrubs, 277
** Winter in, 119
Fungous Diseases, 301
•* Tea Culture in, 21
Southern Buckthorn, 327

" Roses, Notos, 3, 73
Souvenir de V. Hugo Rose, 6
Sowing Turnips, 240
Sparrows, English, 214, 310

" Food, 346 [284
Sparrows <fe 17-year Locusts,
Special Ornaments, Fl. Gar-
dens, m
" Prizes, H. P. Roses, 192
Species, Grape, New, 140
Spider Lily, 344
Red, 15
" on Evergreens,7,166
" So-called, 39
Spiraea Van Houtti, 262, 291
Spot, Black, or Mildew, 171
Spotted Gloxinias, 44
Spring Show, N. Y. Hort.

Soc, 160
Spruce, Alcock's, 280
" Bark Extract, 82
"■ Colorado Douulas, 310
" Douglas, in England, 339
" Fir Timber, 179
" Hemlock in Europe, 889
Stakes, Chrvsanthemum, 234
Stamens, Night-bl. Cereus,

Movement, 150
Standing, Nurseymen's, 348
Stapelia Hardy in Texas, 328
State Hort. Meetings, 31
Stealing Flowers, Punish-
Steam and Fires, 41 [ment, 29
" & Hot Water, 317, 819
" Heatmg, 44, 74, 104

'» a Success, 13, 14, ft8
Steel or Iron Greenhouses,2«5
Stephenson, Jno., Death, 312
St. Louis & Chicago Parks, 36
Stock, Princess Alice, 363
Stoever, N. B., &3
Storage Fruits, Cold, 174
Strawberries in Buckets, 18
'* Forcing, 141
" Fruiting in Frames, 177
" How to Grow, 158
" Large, 210
'' Lists of, 366
*' New, 271
Strawberry, Belmont, 240
'* Chas. Downing, 334
" Crescent, 271
" Crimson Cluster, 271
" Cumberland, 19, 366
" Daniel Boone, 79
" Fungus, 247
" Itasca, 366
*' Jersey Queen, 271

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Strawberry, King»s, The, 802
" Lida, 78

Miner's Prolific, 18
Plant Crate. 237
»' Season, Phila., 206
Streptosolen Jamesonii, 135
Struggle for Life, 31
Sturtevant's,. Water Plants, 9
Subscribers, Gardeners'

Monthly, 312, 347
Substitute for Glass, 831
Successful Exhibitions, 884
SucGess,Steam Heating, 13, 14,
Sugar on Oak Trees, 344 [63
Sulfo-tobacco Soap, 331
Sulphur <fe Oil Remedy, Mil-
dew, 233
" Antidote, Thrip, 142
Summer, Carnations in, 300
Summit Co.,0.,Hort. Soc, 384

Sunday Work <fe Gardening,63
Sweet Locust, 250
" Peas, 6S, 103
" " How to Grow, 3

" Improved, 38 [370
Potato, Bloom'g, 311, 840,
William, Wild. 247
Swindlers, 90
Synonyms, Fruit, 301
Svringa Japonica, 199

Taste, Floral, 328
" Freaks of. 281
Taxus adpressa, 357
Tea, Blue Mountain, 311
" Culture, 51
'* " South, 21
•* Noisette Uose, New, 236
'• Rose, Bride, 106
•' *' Moonlight, New, 44
" Roses, New English, 44
'' " Paul Floret and
Rosalie, 43
Telegraph Poles, 145
Tender & Hardy Catalpas, 22
Texas, Gladiolus, Hardy, 134
" Grape, Improvement,303
" Plants, Acolimatizing,69
•* Staphelia Hardy in, 328
" Weather, Unseasonable,
'' Wild Plants, 53 [151

Things Around Us, 28
Thomas, Geo. B., 312

" Jno., Death, 60 [278, 303
Thorn, White, Quince on, 240,
Thrips, 178, 191, 222
'* in Grapery, 78, 109, 138
Leaf-hoppers, 174
Sulphur Antidote, 142
Thunbergia Harrisii, 41, 172
Thuja gigantea, 180
Timber, Austrian Pine, 23
" Culture, Minnesota, 82
" Our Native, Uses, 306
" Preserving, Japan, 309
" Spruce Fir, 179
" Water in, 180
Tobacco, Curing, 208
'' History of, 378
Tomato, 80
'' Italian Name for, 283
'* New Race, 335
" Rot in, 79
" Soup for Sick, 207
Tomatoes, Florida, 207

" Large, 803
Tommy's First Speaker, 220
Toronto Hardy Roses, 166
Trade Views, 864
Training Raspberries, 176 [215
Transpiration <fe Kvaporation,
Transplanting Wild Black-
berries, 271
Transportation Co's., Lia-
bility, 152
Travelers in Hotels, 312
Traveling in Australia, 187
Travels, Cotfee Plant, 151
Tree Agents, 121 [49, 50

** Great Council, Senecas,
Growth on the Plains, 179
Japan Fringe, 6

" Varnish, 261
Maidenhair, 149 [339
Mammoth, Cal., Growth,
Measurem'nts, Sr me, 111
Mignonette Culture, 362

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Tree Pedlars, 250
" Planting, Arizona, 180
*| *' Machine, !m
* Rosewood, 275
" Snowflake. 4

Tulip in Europe, 308
Upas, 85
Trees, Ages of, 210
" American,forAm.Plant-

II * i".^'^*

" Ancient, Size, 144

" and Fruits, Acclimating,

346, 370

" ♦* Hedges, Wash'n, 31

** "Pi'nts,Pencoyd,Pa,328

** Apple, Bearing Year, 79

" Best Korest, for Ams. ,243

Color & Form in, 258

- Crooked, 99

" Distance between,' 144

•* for Sea coast, 338

" Grass for Shade under,7

** Ivy on, 6, 229, 293

" Oak, Sugar in, 841

" Orange & Lemon, 236

" Rare, Selling, 848

" Sanitarv Influence, 327

" Sassafras, Large, 22

*' Selling Wrong, 216

" Shade, 325

Tropical Bedding, 70
•' Plants Collecting, 89

Trumpet Creeper, Weeping,
" Gabriel's, 88 [258

Tuberose Bulbs, Flowers
and Frost, 292

Tuberous Mustard, 240
'* Rooted Grapes, 3i3

Tubers and Bulbs, Out-door
Culture, 100

Tulip Poplar Lumber, 51

Turkey Oak, 23

Turpentine, 51

Turquoise Plant, 60

Turnips, Sowing, 240

Twig Blight, Apple, 80

Two Handsome Begonias, 360
'* Socrotan Gnms, 325

Type Writers, 348

Ulster Grape, 378 [291

Umbrella Pine, Japan, 229,

AND HORTICULTURIST.

391

Unseasonable Texan Weath-
Upas Tree, 85 [er, 151

Upright Elder, 103
Useful Nurseries, 219
Uses, Onions, 207

" Our Native Timber, 306
_" Selaginellas, Hints, 200
Utilizing Earth's Heat, 118
Walue of Pecan Nut, 51
^ Vanda Sanderiana, 331
Vanilla Bean, 280

" Heliotrope, 126
Variation, Lindley Grape, 301
Variations, Bud, 186
Variegated Ficws repens, 40

*' Myostis, New, 172
Varieties Fruit to Travel, 301

" Hardy, 60

*' Origin, 117

" Perfume, Rose, 249
Variety of Farfugium, 15
Varnish Tree, Japan, 251
Varying Leaves in Ivy, 230
Vegetable Garden, 61

" Milk, 116

" Remarkable New, 240
Vegetables, 808

& Fruits, Forced, 110
Japan, 368
Lilies as, 178
New, 80

Veitch's Amaryllis House, 297

Verbenas, 71
*' Giant, 68

Victoria regia, 318

Views. Tradfi, .'^04

Vine, Beautiful Southern, 85
" Mildew, Remedy, 110
'• Pruning & Training, 30

Vines, Resistant, 47

Virginia Cabbage, 207

Viscum album, 214

Vitality, Sago Palms. 288

Vresia hieroi^lvphica, 75

Walking Stick, Devil's, 156
Wallflowers, 857
Wallingford, Conn., Carna-
tion from, 300
Washing Fruit Trees,Lime,46
Washington China Aster, 326
" D.C.jAg. Dept.Notes,196

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Washington Notes, White
House, 41

" Pansies from, 192

" Terr'y Gooseberries, 271

" Trees and Hedges, 34
Waste Coal as Manure, 49
Water Apple, 302

" Chinquapin, White, 103

" in Timber, 180

" Lilies, 325

*' Muddy, 215 [367

Watermelons, Remarkable,
Weather, Texan, 151
Web-worm, Garden, 181
Weeds, 348

" Killing, 86

" Western Names for, 189
Weeping Tree, Trumpet

Creeper as, 258
Weights of Some Pears, 865
Welsh, Hon. Jno., Death, 157
Western Arbor Vitas, 180

" Penna. Notes Fruits, 17
West Laurel Hdl Cem't'y, 227

" Lectures on Botany in,

" Pears in, 79 [252

White Coquette Rose, 4

'* Flowered Water Chin-
quapin, 103

" " Stock, Princess Al-
ice, 363

*' House. Wash'n, Notes,41

" Moss Rose, 850

" Oak, Amer. in Eng., 145

•♦ Pine Growth, 209

" fborn,Q,uiiiceon210,278,
Whortleberries, 270 [803

Wild Blackberries, 271

'' Flow'rs,Adirond'ks,341
" & Fruits, Conn., 809

" " of Kansas, 809, 871

" " Racquet Lake, 247

" Grapes, Am., R;inge,117,

" Plants, N.Jersey,809 [147

" " Texas, 5i

" Roses, 856

" Sweet William, 247
Wilder, Col., 88th Year, 351
Wilderness, Adirondack, 337
Wm. A. Richardson, Noisette,
'' F. Bennett Rose, 15 [327

Willow Oak, 63

Wilmington Pansies, 192
•' Park, 217, 286, 356 [136

Window Plant, Dandelion as,
" '' Novelty, 234

Wine & Grape A8s'n,Nat'1.192
*' Consumption, 207
*• Making, Early Amer., 88

Wines, Italian, 207

Winter Apple, Del., 271
" Buttonhole Roses, 381
** Flowering Begonias, 73
" " Carnations, 234
*' Flower, Leptosygne

maritima, 172
" in Charleston, S. C, 103,
*' " Phila., 86 [119

" Nelis Pear, 110, 177
" Parsley, 308 [Grapes,143
" Preserving Hot-house

Witloof, 368

Wood, Alder, 243
*' Laurel, 89
" Preserv'g, Improv'd, 839

Woolly Aphis on Apples, 241

Worcester Co., Mass., Hort.
Soc, 158

Worden Grape, 866

Work, Money Without, 221

Worm, Bag or Basket, 7
'' Cabbage, Destruct'n,208

Wragg Cherry, 882

Wreaths, Funeral, 331

Writers, Type, 348

Wrong Trees, Selling, 216

Yam, Chinese, 48
Yellow Locust, 23

'* Zephyranthes, 59,
87, 108, 114, 130, 211
Yellows, Potash vs., 38-5
Yellowstone Park, Horse-
Yew,Golden,32.5 [back, 221
Young Cherries, Black Aphis
on, 308
" Flower-love in the, 226
Yulan as Cut Flower, 831

Zephyranthes, Atamasco,809
" Candida, 24, 130
" Treatae, 215 [211

" Yellow,59,87,103,114,i30,
Zinnias, 874

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