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LIBRARY

OF THE

MASSACHUSETTS

AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE

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CHAPEL

i!h^ CSard^n^r's p;0ntlrla

AND

HORTICULTURAL ADVERTISER.

DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE, ARBORICULTURE, BOTANY & RURAL AFFAIRS.

Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN,

KOKMEBLY HKAD QaRDBNBR TO CaLKB COPK, ES<i., AT SPBINGBROOK, AND AT THE BARTBAM BOTANIC GARDENS,

NEAR Philadelphia; Graduate ok the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London) England,

Member oit the Academy oP Natural Sciences. Author of " American

Hand-Book of Ornamental Trees," Etc.

VOLUME XV, 1873

PHILADELPHIA:
CHARLES H. MAROT, PUBLISHER,

No. 814 Chestnut Street,
1873.

t

".HAPEL

v, I s-

DEYOTED TO

Horticulture, Arboriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs,

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.
Old Series, Vol. XV. /AJVUARJ, 1873. New Series, Vol VI. No. 1.

HIIVTS EOR JANUARY.

HINTS FOR THE MONTH.

At the beginning of every new year we note
in our audience new features, among the many
old faces, to whom some little introduction seems
necessary. Be it known then that once on a
time there was a little plot of land much given
to gardening, which contained several millions
of people, and they were all willing and anxious
to do all things by rule and square. In those
days there was little science. No one cared to
know the reason of things. It was enough for
them to know that work was to be done, and to
do it. This little tract of land did not contain
more than perhaps 8000 square miles, about the
size of one of our average states, and as the sun
rose and set generally at one time, and spring
came in and spring went out nearly on the
same day — nay, even the sun shone, and the
rain fell, and the winds blew, pretty much all
alike at one time over every part of it, it was
very easy to set forth every day a job of work to
be done that day in the garden. Hence arose good
men who got up gardener's calenders, in which
all the work of a garden was mapped out for the
year — ^just what should be done on a certain day,
and what should not. Some of the descendants
of these men came to America, and of course
they wanted the same thing done here. But how
was this to be in a country where at one end the
snow has hardly began to melt, and at the other
end has ripe strawberries ! A calender is prepos-
terous I But besides this there is not the need in
these days for this preci.se way of working.
Science has pervaded the masses. They may not
call it science, but the general application of ab-
stract knowledge picked up here and there, is

but science applied. All people need now is gen-
eral suggestions, and what they have seen and
heard of before enables them to turn these sug-
gestions to a useful account. Thus we give in
these columns but seasonable hints, generally
timing them so much in advance, that any one
in any part of tbe Union may profit by some of
them.

FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

To raanj' of our readers the only ' ' pleasure
ground " they will have at this season is the few
pots growing in windows or plant cabinets. But
since the introduction of coal gas into our dwell-
ings, it is not so easy to grow plants well as in
former times. But as this gas is only lit up at
night, if provision be made for enclosing plants
from the fumes at night, they do pretty well.
This is accomplished very easily where there are
bay windows, by drawing curtains across, or by
having plants so arranged that cases can be
closed around them. New beginners in growing
window plants often ask us how often they
should water plants. The more fi-eely a plant is
growing, the more water will it require ; and the
more it grows, the more sun and light-will it need.
In all cases, those which seem to grow the fast-
est, should be placed nearest the light. The best
aspect for room plants is the south-west. They
seem like animals in their aftection for the morn-
ing sun. The first morning ray is worth a dozen
in the evening. Should any of our fair readers
find her plants, by some unlucky calculation, fro-
zen in the morning, do not remove them at once

2

THE GARDEjYEK'S MOJYTMLY. January,

to awarm place, but dip them in cold water, and
set them in a dark spot, where they will barely
escape freezing. Sunlight will only help the
frost's destructive powers.

It is better to keep in heat in cold weather by
coverino', where possible, than to allow it to es-

a third of the pots in which the ferns are to
grow with old pots broken in pieces of about
half an inch square, on which a thin layer of
moss is placed, before filling the pots, to keep out
the soil from choking the drainage.
In regard to the kinds of plants for windows

cape, calculating to make it good by fire-heat, ' and rooms, as a general thing bulbous or succu-
which is, at best, but a necessary evil. Where I lent plants do best. Those plants which in their
bloom is in demand, nothing less than 55° will native places of growth choose dry places, seem
accomplish the object ; though much above that ; also especially adapted to room culture if they
is not desirable, except for tropical hot-house ! have plenty of sunUyht. The old wall-flowers
plants. Where these plants are obliged to be ' and stockgillies are excellent for this purpose ;
wintered in a common greenhouse, they should j and there are few things superior to the modern
be kept rather dry, and not be encouraged much ! race of carnations, known as the perpetual or
to »row or they may rot away. ; tree carnation. The English, single and double,

After Cyclamens have done blooming, it is i and the Chinese primroses, together with the

usual, at this season, to dry them off; but we
do best with them by keeping them growing till
spring, then turning them out in the open bor-
der, and repot in August for winter flowering.

In potting window plants, the soil for potting
should be used rather dry ; that is it should be
in such a condition that it will rather crumble
when pressed, than adherecloser together. Large
pots— those over four inches, should have a
drainat^e. This is made by breaking up broken

whole race of violets are capital for window cul-
ture, where the room is not too warm — they do
not do well where the temperature is over 55°.
These last named plants, especially, as well as
many others, are liable to the attacks of the Ked
Spider, which is the great foe to window plant
culture. They arc so small as seldom to betray
their existence until some damage is done. The
first we know is a slight yellowish tint among the
healthy green of the leaves, and then a common

pots to the size of beans, putting them in the | pocket lens will decide whether the little insect

bottom a quarter or half an inch deep, and put
tin<^ aboul an eight of an inch of old moss or any
similar rough material over the mass of "crocks"
to keep out the earth from amongst it. Little
benefit arises from draining pots below four
inch, the moisture filtering through the porous
pots quite fast enough; and the few pieces of
" drainage " often thrown in with the soil placed
right over, is of little or no use.

Ferneries are now so deservedly popular, that
we must have a word to say for them at times,
though their management is so simple there is
little one can say. It is probably their ease of I manner,
management, and the great results obtained for
the little outlay of care that has rendered them
so popular. It should not, however, be forgot-
ten that the case in which they are enclosed is
not to keep out the air, but to keep in the mois-
ture, as ferns will not thrive in the dry atmos
phere of heated rooms. A few minutes' airins

is doing the damge. On primroses and violets
they usually keep on the under surface of the
leaves, and hence are very difficult to be got at.
We have found the best thing is the plan first
recommended some years ago in the Gardener^s
Monthly, to take warm water, say about 120° or
130°, just a little greasy, and with a little pow-
dered sulphur floating on it, and dip the plant in
for an instant only. It will rarely destroy a leaf
unless very tender, by growing too much in the
shade, while it bothers the red spider badly.
The Green Aphis may be got rid of in the same

FRUIT GARDEN.

There are few things connected with fruit
growing which gives greater pleasure than a
knowledge of the names of the varieties. Utili-
tarians may say with truth that of all the long

lists in the catalogues and in the books, the half
every day will, therefore, be of great benefit to ! of them are worthless, and of the other a dozen
them. Decayed wood, (not pine), mixed with I at most is all one need have. But there is a sat-

about half its bulk of fibrous soil of any kind,
and a very small proportion (say a tenth of the
bulk) of well rotted stable manure, makes a good
compost. Most kinds particularly like well-
drained pots. This is usually effected by filling

isfaction in a good number of kinds, and though
we find most men desirous to cut down their
lists to two or three kinds, they always hesitate
to do it, when the time for action comes. As
then people will have an " assortment "' of kinds,

1873.

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOMTBLY,

it becomes an important question how to label
them so that it shall be permanent, and yet not
take coo much labor and trouble to accomplish-
In planting, the trees of course are in some kind
or order, usually in rows, and a book should, at
once on setting out, be provided, and the names
entered therein in the order they run on the
ground. But we do not want to have the book
always with us, so must have labels attached to
the trees in some way. The cheapest and easi-
est is the Wilder plan with the zinc labels.
These are cut about four or six inches long and
from one half to an inch wide, and after being
put in water a day or so to oxydize, are written
on with a common lead pencil. It needs no
"chemical " ink. It is not very legible at first,
but blackens with age. We believe such labels
will last perfectly plain for fifty years or more.
The only trouble we have found is in the wear-
ing away of the holes through which the attach-
ing wire passes, by the wind. If some " eyelet "
of durable material could be stamped in the hole
for the copper wire to rub against, it would be
perfection. The wire must of course be loose
enough to allow of the branch increasing in size,
but even with this wires must be looked to some-
times, for wood does not grow as we all thought
it did a few years ago, by a downwai'd layer from
the leaves, which would naturally push out of
the way any foreign thing on the outside of the
bark ; but by the germination or budding out of
cells, and thus even a loose wire will be envel-
oped by the new growth of wood, as badly as if
it fitted tight, provided the wire be perfectly sta-
tionary. It is a good season to go over and ex-
amine the wires of fruit trees and attend to these
other labeling and naming matters ; of course
when the weather is sufficiently warm to allow
of it being done with comfort.

In young orchards some species of scale in-
sects are likely to be troublesome. These should
be killed by washing at this season. If the trees
be very badly infested, cut back the young shoots,
and the stouter branches can then be more
thoroughly done. Some people use weak lye for
washing, with good results ; we do not object to
some lime and sulphur going in with it. Old
trees are very much assisted by having the rough
bark scraped off of the trunk and main branches,
and then coated with a similar wash. ISTever
mind what people say about stopping up the
"breathing pores." Try it once, and you will
always want to repeat the practice. "
This is generally supposed to be the pruning

season. Orchard trees generally get too much
pruning. In young trees only thin out so as not
to have the main leaders crossing or interfering
with one another. Or when a few shoots grow
much stronger then the rest, cut these away.
Insist on all the branches in young trees growing
only on a perfect equality. On older trees which
have been in bearing a number of years, it will
often benefit to cut away a large portion of the
bearing limbs. By a long series of bearings,
branches will often get bark bound and stunted,
preventing the free passage of the sap to the
leaves. Tn such cases the sap seems to revenge
itself by forcing out vigorous young shoots a long
way down from the top of the tree. It is down
to these vigorous young shoots that we would
cut the bearing branches away. One must use
his own judgment as to the advisability of this.
If the tree bears as fine and luscious fruit as ever,
of course no such severe work need be done, but
if not, then now is the time.

And above all look after the nutrition of the
trees. Some people say that land which will
raise good corn will grow good fruit trees, which
is all right ; but they should add that like corn
they require regular and continuous manuring.
There are some parts of the country where corn
can be successively taken for half a life time
without manure ; on these soils we need not ma-
nure fruit trees, but in all others we must to
have good results. This is particularly essential
where trees are grown in grass, as both the trees
and the grass require food. Where trees are
grown in grass, we prefer top dressing in June
or July, but if it has not been done then, do it
now. Where trees are kept under clean surface
culture, the manure is of course ploughed or
harrowed in with the crop in the spring of the
year. To know whether trees require manure
or not ask the leaves. If in July they are of a
dark rich green, nothing need be done to them,
but if they have a yellow cast, hunger is what is
the matter. This of course is supposing they
are not infested by borers, in which case they
will be yellowish in the richest soil.

Yellowness will also sometimes come from
trees being in wet ground while they are grow-
ing ; but fruit trees should not be planted in wet
ground. At the same time if one has a piece of wet
ground desired to be used for orchard planting,
we would not underdrain it. We do not think
it ever paid any man to underdrain for an or-
chard. The roots in time, will very likely get
into the drains and choke them. We would

A

THE GARDEJ^EWS MOA^TMLY. January,

rather plongli the ground into narrow ridges, on ,
which plant the trees. This can easily be done j
by starting the plough on the line where the trees |
are to go, and then continuing to plough towards
this Une on both sides, until a breadth of twenty
or twenty-five feet is done. By another or sev- j
eral ploughings in the same beds, one can get 1
the tree line a foot or two higher than the ditch,
and in this way no surface water will ever be
able to stay about the tree. After the trees are
in, in succeeding years, tbe earth may be
ploughed towards the stems of the trees, which
will carry the beds still higher. The burying of
the roots by this process will not hurt the trees,
as the fibrous roots, which are the feeders, and
are the ones which suffer from water, come to
the surface with the increasing deposits. This
will not only be found to be a much cheaper plan
than underdraining, but the deep soil where the
trees are growing will be found to have a won-
derful effect on their growth. This plan is pop-
ular in some of the flat lands of the West. The
celebrated orchard of Mr. M. S. Dunlap, of the
Chicago Tribune, is treated in this way.

In regard to grapes we have a great partiality
to rich soil for these. Many so called failures
undoubtedly arise from exhaustion of the soil.
In this connection we must refer to Mr. Eiley's
valuable discovery of one very great cause of
failure— presence of numberless small insects —
the grape louse— feeding on the roots. One can
tell by an examination with a good lens whether
he is favored by a visit from these notables. If
he is he will not want to entertain them long.
But how to get rid of them is not yet well known.
In lawn culture, and in greenhouse pot culture,
we have found that lime water will drive oui all
forms of animal life. A lawn watered with lime
•water will be covered soon afterwards with my-
riads of "worms." Before people knew the
value of the earth worm, this was how they were
destroyed. Perhaps it may 'do for" the Phyl-
loxera. At any rate something will surely be
found out, which while inoccuous to plants, will
destroy the life of these minute pests.

VEGETABLE GARDEN.
There is nothing so much relished in early
spring as the first vegetables— it hardly matters
what they are. Many of these things can be
forwarded several weeks by the use of glass, and
considering how cheaply this may be had, it is a
wonder that more hot had vegetation is not in-

dulged in. Radishes, lettuce, asparagus, straw-
berries—these in particular can be forwarded by
simple frames, without the aid of manure^
although where this can be had, of course it is
an advantage. An asparagus bed, made in the
open ground, of such length and width that any
desired frame will cover it, may have rich soil
put over it inside the frame, several inches — even
six or more, and on this radishes and lettuces be
sown. The radishes will be in use before the let-
tuce is much interfered with, and the asparagus
will not find much in the road when it pushes
through. For this kind of cold frame it is best
o have the glass slope very much to the south.
If the frame be made, say two feet above the
ground at the back, and six or nine inches in the
front, it will be all the better. These cold
frames may be much aided by having an ever-
green hedge on the cold side. This will make a
shelter from the wind, and very much help the
earliness. A strawberry bed in the open ground
will yield fruit nearly two weeks earlier if a low
glass frame be put over the plants. A very little
heat tickles the strawberry, and will make it
laugh in delicious berryness. Even the planting
on a warm rich bank, sloping to the sun will
give us fruit considerably in advance of level flat
: ground.

I In getting ready for spring vegetables do not
} fear to pile on the manure. It is the rank rich
growth which gives the agreeable tenderness to
them, and without an abundance of manure this
\ cannot be done. Deep soil is also a great ele-
I ment of success. Though we do not favor sub-
soiling and underdraining for fruit trees, we
' regard it as very profitable in vegetable growing.
; In arranging new vegetable gardens, it is
always best to have it in a pnrallogram, as
whether it is to be worked by a plough or the
' spade, this form saves much time and labor.
Those who have not much money to spare, or
who are to grow vegetables on a large scale, will
want to use the plough, and for this of course a
i long narrow strip is preferable to a square. For
' this, one walk through the centre may be enough,
and box edgings, or even a narrow grass border
I may do to line the walk. This is a very good
arrangement for a farm garden. Along each
; side of this central walk may be the currants and
I gooseberries, and even garden flowers, a row
or so of dwarf pears and dwarf apples or straw-
berries, or other low growing things that would
; not do to grow in the land which we want to
' keep under the plough. At each end of the long

187S.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MONTHLY,

narrow strip, space could be left for the plough
to turn. The walk perhaps may be all of grass,
made level, and kept neatly mown. During the
year, as the euccessive crops are to be put in,
the digging fork will easily prepare the ground
once ploughed in spring, even in those neater
kept gardens where the plough does not enter,
the digging fork will be found to do fourfold the
work of the spade in the same time. But
whether the plough or spade be used, and in
whatever way the garden be laid out, we should
recommend the greatest care to have everything
neat and in order. It annoys us considerably
when asked to look at some friend's garden, to

see things slovenly and untidy. When we hint
as much— for we never hesitate to say in as kind-
ly a way as possible, just what we think of such
neglect, we are often reminded that it may be all
very well for fine people to have fine gardens,
and things kept nice, but they have a living to
get, and such work "don't pay." We get out
of patience with such people. As a general rule
it will be found that it takes no more time to do
things neatl}' than untidily. There never was a
truer saying than that lazy people take the most
trouble. There is no more excuse for a dirty,
untidy garden, than for going with one's clothes
torn, or flesh unwashed.

(] 0 M M U N I C A T I 0 N S.

NOTES FROM WESTERN PENNSYL-
VANIA.

BY A. HUIDEKOPER, MEADVILLE, PA.
PROGRESS.

As the evenings grow longer I find it pleasant
to bring the 'old and new" face to face, by
looking over the back numbers of the Garden-
er's Monthly^ noting the characteristic diffuse-
ness of young theorists, the compactness of ex-
perienced scientists, the change of opinions, and
the origin and development of new fruits. One
meets with a great many articles passed over
hastily at the time of publication, which are in-
teresting now in the light of a wider experience.

Then amid the suggestiveness of its pages I
wish to say that one cannot but be impressed
with the real character and dignity of the
Monthly, with its mild but firm criticisms and
general spirit of fairness. I am sure its readers
must feel and«catch its generous inspiration.

WHITE WASHING TREES.

If 1 had not already obtruded ©n its pages
more than my share of horticultural luaiter, I
would like to suggest that when you admitted
you saw nothing but bad taste to be urged
against white washing trees that it might have
been well to add that though a gray wash of
soot and sulphur might destroy lichens and
mosses, yet there is this superior advantage in
white wash, that it reflects and wards off^ the
sunshine, often detrimental to the trunks of
trees alike in summer and winter.

SPECIFIC HEAT IN PLANTS.

There was an article in the volume of 1870,
page 47, " on specific heat of plants," by Dr. L.
Fritsche, based upon observation in the Cana-
dian forests, in which he attributes the interval
of an inch or two between the trunks of trees
and the snow, to vegetable I heat, upon which I
intended at the time to express a doubt, but it
escaped me before I did so.

I have often noticed the same phenomena in
our western forests, but the cause of it was two-
fold, and neither the one in that article assigned
for it. When the wind is blowing strongly at
the time the snow is falling it will drive a cur-
rent of air around the tree that forces the snow
away from it. An other cause is the happen-
ing of a bright sunny day in the winter time>
when the solar heat reflected from the bark, or
absorbed by it melts the snow from about
it ; I do not wish to controvert the theory that
there may be such a thing as some vegetable
heat, but take away the agencies I have stated,
and you will find snow rest against trees all
winter without thawing or separating from their
trunks as indicated. I should be glad, as win-
ter is at hand, to have the observations made
which the writer of that article in the true spirit
of research calls for.

ROOT ATTRACTION TO MANURES.

I had occasion last week to tear down an old
vinery and to give away the vines. On digging
up the latter we turned up many an old bone.

THE GARDE J^ER' IS MOJ^THLY, January,

but failed to find that " historical" tendency of
the grape roots to interlace and fill uji the inter-
Btices with spongioles ; on the contrary, the
roots Tiad rambled free and far, apparently pay-
ing no attention to the bones. I am beginning
to think there is something in the doctrine, not
to make borders too rich, but to let the vines do
something towards " working for a living.''

COVERING GRAPE.

I trim and cover my vines always by the first
of November, as I think they are better covered
than to be exposed to the great changes of late
autumnal weather. If there is any objection to
this course I fail to discover it.

PRECOCIOUS BEARING OF VINES.

The precocity of bearing (in following season)
attributed to early pruning by an English jour-
nvl some years ago, Gardener^s Ilonthly, 1SQ7,
pige 368, may possibly be owing to the vine,
with surplus sap, doing some of its spring work
in the fall, may it not, instead of its being an
e2brt of enfeebled vitality.

I would that you were more accessible that I
might send you some specimens of fruit ; per-
hxps if I cannot do this the next best thing will
be not to trouble you with a surplus of individu-
al speculations.

PECULIARITIES OF FRUIT.

I send in a small box herewith, following
specimens :

A medium sized Winter Nelis Pear, to show
how early they will 9'ipen with us, notwithstand-
ing being wrapped in paper and kept in a mod-
erately cool room.

A few berries of Muscat of Alexandria grapes
to show how near they will ripen in a cold
grapery without fire heat.

A few berries of Gros Maroc, ripened in cold
grapery, I believe Mr. Buist considers this the
same as Black Morocco, but catalogues place
them as distinct.

[The fruits were very fine. In regard to the
ripening of fruits there is evidently something
more than latitude to be taken into account.
Early in October, Major Freas, of the German-
town Telegraph, sent us some Glout Morceau
pears, which in size and quality, including per-
fect ripening, rivalled anything California could
produce.]

HOT WATER BOILERS.

BY A. P. JONES, FOND DU LAC, WIS.

I have been reading an article on page 336,
Gardener'>s Monthly, on heating greenhouses.

and having had some experience in both ways
of heating mentioned in the said article, would
like to ask you some questions and give you
some of my experience ia both ways of heat-
ing by hot water and flues. I would like to
know what kind of a boiler your correspondent
used ; but I think it must have been a very in-
ferior one, that had to have a clear bright fire to
keep up a circulation. Now the question as to
which is the best and most economical boiler, is
of interest to every greenhouse man, more espe-
cially new beginners, and I would like to see it
more fully discussed in all our agricultural pa-
pers. But I do know that he must have had a
miserable affair of a boiler if it would not keep
up a circulation with as much heat as he says it
took to do it, if he could keep his flue warm
enough by banking his fire ; why did not the
boiler do che same ? Then again, I ask you how
water can absorb heat when it is contained in-
side of cast iron pipes ? would the pipe absorb
more heat with water inside than it would if it
was heated with hot air to the same degree ?
Now if the water takes the heat from the coal as
you say in the first place, why did it not do so
in the second case and not heat the chimney so
hot ? Then a heating apparatus must be very
small, or the heat would not get up and then
cool so soon. I have used a flue two winters,
and am now using hot water (one of Hitching's
Corrugated, No. 15, boilers,) and if your corres-
pondent wishes to hear my experience, I will
give it him cheerfully, and am positive that with
the coal that he used in one winter, I could heat
my house twelve winters. House, 54x15.

[We know nothing of the facts of our former
correspondent's failure with his boilers, beyond
what was given in his communication. We feel
that we can answer for our correspondent as
well as for our other readers, that they will be
very glad to have Mr. Jones' experience as of-
fered.]

PRIMULA SINENSIS.

BY MR. MANSFIELD MILTON, NORTHEASTON,

MASS.

The Chinese Primrose is known and admired
by all lovers of flowers. It has been so improved
by crossing and cultivation that some of its va-
rieties, especially the double ones, appear dis-
tinct species from the original; and its culture is
so simple that the occupant of a single room may
have his window adorned with its beautiful

1873.

THE GARDEJVER'S MO^'^TRLY.

flowers, as well as the owner of the best cared
for greenhouse.

For spring flowering the seeds should be sown
in August, in a seed pan or small box filled
with a soil of equal parts of loam, leaf mould
and sand, watering well before sowing the seeds,
covering them lightly with fine sifted soil, and
then cover the top of the pan or box with a
piece of wood which retains the moisture, and
hastens germination ; as soon as they ger-
minate, remove the covering and shade for a
few days. When the plants are large enough
for handling, put them singly into thumb pots,
afterwards shifting into three inch pots, and
finally into six inch pots, with a soil composed
of loam, leaf mould and well rotted manure.

For winter flowering most people sow the
seeds in March ; but I practice the following
method, deeming it more satisfactory. In Octo-
ber I sow the seeds and treat as previously de-
scribed, only I keep them in the three inch pots
until they flower. 1 then choose those worth
growing, pick ofi" all the flowers, pot them into
six inch pots, and towards the end of May put
them out doors, plunging them in some place
well exposed to the sun, and give a liberal sup-
ply of water during summer ; by fall they make
excellent plants, and commence blooming as
soon as taken into the house, continuing so all
winter. As double ones cannot be increased by
seeds, they have to be propagated by cuttings,
treating otherwise the same. I have sown a
good many packets of seeds advertised by nur-
serymen as "saved from the finest double flow-
ers," etc., not expecting to raise any double va-
rieties, but supposing them to be saved from
some superior strain I might get some excellent
single varieties ; I am sorry to say, however, I
was always extremely disappointed.

AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE LILIES.

BY P. DUCHARTRE.

Translated from the " Revue Horticole" of July 1st, 1S71, /or
tJie Gardener's Monthly.

In one of our former numbers we have spoken
of an article about the Lilies, published by M.
Duchartre, member of the Institute, in the An-
nals of the Central Society of Horticulture of
France. An account, as short as the one given
by us or even a much larger one, would be insuf-
ficient to do justice to the important work in
question, whose modest title, "Observations
about the genus Lily," does not indicate its
value. It is, one may say, the history of this

genus of plants, so interesting in many respects,
as complete as it can be made. What increases
the importance uf this work, but surprises no
body, is the impartiality shown by the author ;
the numerous researches he had to make to give
each his proper share of merit of showing the
successive increase of species introduced. It is
not necessary to add that the scientific part has
not been forgotten or that the citations made by
Mr. Duchartre are the results of close studies of
the best sources. We consider it, therefore, a
good thing, and intend to make known this valu-
able work by increasing its publicity. The genus
lily, (Liliura of Tournefort) of the family lilia"
cese, from which it has its name, is not only one
of the prettiest of the branches of Monocotyledo-
nous plants, but of all the phaenogameous or
flowering plants. The species forming it have
an elegant port, their flowers combine graceful-
ness and distinction of form, with a variety of
colors ; fulness of dimensions, and are nearly
always sweet scented. Besides this, the culture
of most of them is very simple, on account of
their hardiness under the climate of Paris ; and
the more tender ones require only to be shelter-
ed against frost and dampness during winter.
Notwithstanding that all these good qualities
are seldom found combined, the lilies have not
yet found in gardens the prominent place occu-
pied by other kinds of plants, certainly beautiful,
but in total, of less value. Besides the White
Lily, (candid um), which is the widest spread o^
all, the Marlaiion, bulbiferum and umbellatum,
already less common, nothing is found but three
or four fine species of Japan origin, while the
rest of the genus is only to be met with in some
botanical gardens, collections of amateurs, and
a small number of large commercial horticultu-
nii establishments, such as Messrs. Van Houtte,
in Ghent, Belgium ; Krelage, in Harlem, Hol-
land ; Laurentius, in Leipzig, Haage &

Schmidt, Erfurt, Prussia, (mem. of translator.)
It is hard to explain what is the reason of this
so little justified neglect.; perhaps we must look
for the motives in the slowness by which these
plants increase, giving very few offsets of bulbs,
and through seeds, very limited resources. In
the high prices asked for most of them, by the
large number, one is exposed to loss even with
an extended experience ; the difficulty to get
them even at high prices, and mostly in the in-
contestable fact that they are little or badly
known. It is therefore of the first importance to
get acquainted with them, and then to make

8

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJiTHLY, January,

their acquisition easier than it has been so far.
Concerning the necessity to get perfectly ac-
quainted with them, we must collect for that
purpose as largely as possible, species and varie-
ties, in order to bring forward large quantities,
and- in that way to see and make our study on
the five plant, to be in the end enabled to pub-
lish the result of our observations. Concerning
the second point, it is important to make out of
this a collection — in the first instance got up for
personal gratification and study — a centre of dif-
fusion, which could be reached without too many
diflaculties by those who would like to follow so
laudable an example.

This is the double object acted on by Mr. Max
Leichtlin, distinguished horticultural amateur,
who is at the head of a large industrial establish-
ment in Carlsruhe, Baden, Germany. Passion-
ate amateur of the lilies, he has tried for several
years to get together the species and varieties of
this fine genus, has for this end made us one of
his commercial correspondents, has set himself
n relation. not only with foreign countries, but
also with travelers and collectors of plants. The
botanical gardens of Kew and St. Petersburg
have assisted him from their rich stores— even
from their latest acquisitions, or given him the
means to extend the circle of his acquaintances ;
besides this, money was no object to him, and H
is known that he has spent large amounts tc c^et
hold of some lots of species very rare or new in
Europe. By these means he has succeeded in
bringing together the largest collection of species
and varieties of lilies existing anywhere, and is
enabled to make a perfect study of these plants ;
besides this, being very obliging, he helps others
in their studies. I, who am myself several times
under his obligations, am glad to find this op-
portunity to express to him herewith my best
thanks. This first point gained, Mr. Max Leicht-
lin has sought to obtain the other. In posses-
sion of his marvelous collection, he has come to
the decision to let others, who love these beauti-
ful, profit by it, by disposing of a part of the
samples he has succeeded in collecting by great
perseverence and numberless ways and steps.

We consider this good news for the amateurs.
Mr. Max Leichtlin has lately communicated to
me the list of species and varieties of lilies he
possesses, and on my request, has given the al-
lowance to publish it. In consequence, I profit
by his consent, and reproduce the list such as I
received it. By perusal, it will be seen how far
my correspondent has outrun the most renown-

ed horticultural establishments, and then how
largely and splendidly the genus lilies can be
represented in the gardens. But as this list is
only a show of the actual state of science of hor-
ticulture in this regard, I think it would be in-
teresting to accompany it by details, particular-
1}'^ historical, in order to show the gradual ex-
pansion of the knowledge of this genus lilium
trom Linne to our time. By so doing 1 give a
rapid view of the geographical distribution of the
species of this genus over the globe, but at the
same time I must observe that I have not the
pretention to say that my recital is complete. I
often take species as they are published, without
trying vigorously to investigate its value. A
discussion to obtain such a result could only be
reached by a more graphic exactitude, for which
I feel myself far from being competent.

Herewith is first the list of the collection of
Mr. Max L'ichtlin, such as I have received it ;
the historical details of the successive increase of
the species of lilies as the}' became known, will
follow afterwards as explanations and comple-
ment of these first indications. My correspond-
ent has added to the names of the plants, the
following signs of great utility :

The sign(!)placed before a name shows that the
decision of the specie is regarded by him as certain.
On <he contrar}', the sign (?) following a name,
snows that the determination of the specie or
variety should not be regarded as certain. With-
al that the name in question may be often found
in gardens, it does not guarantee the scientific
appellation. The names accompanied by an (N)
are new, either for the gardens or entirely. Mr.
L. has an (K) behind the names of lilies of par-
ticular beauty of form or color Sometimes the
name of plants are accompanied by the designa-
tion of the locality where they came from. In
that case it is to be presumed that a close scruti-
ny will show in them as many forms or distinct
varieties.

List of species and varieties of lilies, represent-
ing the collection of Mr Max Leichtlin, in Carls-
ruhe, Grand Duchy of Biden, Germany :
Lilium abchasicum, ?

" alternans, I Sieb. and Ve

" aurantiacuni, ?

" auratum, ! Lind.

" auratum, ! macranthum B,

" avenaceum, I Fich. R

" Brownii, ! Brow.

" I bulbiferum L

" ! Buschiauura Lodd.

187S.

THE GARDENER'S MOJVTHLY.

9

Buschianum grandiflorum R

Buschianum nanum

Californicum, ! Hort. N. R

callosum, ?

Camtschatcense, ?

Cauadense, L., of New Hampshire

Canadense, I L,, of Brentwood
" L., of Sheffield

" L., Superbura

candiduiu, ! L

'■ I fol. argenteo variegatis

I carniolicum Bernh

CaroUnianum, of Chester R

I Catesbfei, Walt. R

1 Chalcedonicum L

Chalcedonicuin, flore luteo
'' majus

" puuctatum, ?

Columbian um, ? Oregon

I concolor Salisb.

I cordifoliuni Thuub

I Coridion Sieb. and Ve

! croceum, Fuchs (and Chois)

croceum praecox

" fl. saturate N. R

I davuricum Gawl.

1 eximium Court.

I formosuni Ch. Lem.

formosissimum, ?

fulgens var. Leichtlinii, ?

giganteuni Wall.

I IJumboldtii Roesl. N. R

japonicum Thunb. ?

Jeffersbni, ?

latifolium, ?

I Leichtlinii D. Hooker

Leichtlinii splendens, ?

lilacinum, ?

I longiflorum Thunb.

I longitiorum de Lin-Kin

I " de liin-Kin praecox

1 " Takesima

1 '• Wilsonii R

I Martagon L

I '' album

I " Catauii, Vis. N. R

! " dalmaticum Maly.

! " maculatum splendens Leicht-
Un, N. R
" Superbura
■' tigrinum tardivum
" hort. varieties

I Mazimowizii Regel, N

I Monadelphicum Bieb

I pardalinum Kellogg, N. R
I parvum Kellogg, N
I Partheneion Sieb. and Ve
I Pennsylvanicum
peregrinum Will, ?
I Philadelphicum L
I " audinum Hook, R

" of Brentwood

" of Connecticut

" of Massachusetts

" of Orange Mountains

" Wansharoicum

pinifolium, ?
polvphyllum Royle, N
I pomponiura L

" majus

flavum, ?
" pandanoides, ?

" var. Hort. Engl.

I pontiCum C. Koch
I pseudo tigrinum Carr.
I puberulum Torr., N. R
1 pubescens Gernh.
! pumilum Red
I puniceum Sieb. and Ve
pygmaeum,?
Sanguineum, ?
Sieboldi, ?
Sinicum Lind., R
! Speciosum Thunb.
I Speciosum Kaempferi Zucc.
" punctatum

" " late maculatum, R

" atropurpureum R

" roseura Wilsoni, R

" rubrum

" " sanguineum Red. R

" Schrymakersii R

" Vestalis

I Spectabile Link Fisch.
" bicolor. ?

" maculatum, ?
I Superbura L

" from Connecticut

" " South Carolina R

I tenuifolium Fisch.
1 testaceum Lindl.
I Thunbergianum Roem & Schult
" atrosanguiueum

" aurantiacum

" aureum

" flora pleno R. N

" raarmoratum grandi-

florum

10

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^TKLY. January,

" Scarlatinum Leichtlin,

N. K

! Thomsonianum Lindl.

! tigrinum Gawl.

! " Fortunii
" erectum
" foliis variegatis N
" flora pleno K. N
" Splendens Lichtl. R

tricolor, ?

tubiflorum Wight R

I venustum Hort. borol

! "Wallichianum Roera & Schult

I Washingtonianum Kellogg N. R

I Wilsoni Hort. N. R

Lilies still w/'thout Name.

No. 3, 4, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 200, 201, 203 from
California.

No. 131, 164, 165, 166, received from the botani-
cal gardens of Kew.

No. 163, from Wisconsin.

No. 187, received from the botanical garden in
Berlin.

No. 23, 132, 134, received from the botanical
garden in St. Petersburg.

Martagon from Japan N. R.

Successive Increase of the Genus lAlies from
Linne to our time.

In the third edition of his "Species PlauLa-
rum," dated 1762, Linne indicated nine species,
composing the whole genus lilium, which
species are found again without change, even in
the order in which they are enumerated, in his
'Systema Yegetabilium," dated 1774, bearing
the name of F. A. Murray as its author, but to
the making up ot which book the great Swedish
Naturalist is known to have contributed.

Here are the names of the nine species, with
the indication of the countries given as their
home in the " Species Plantarum :"

1. Lilium caudidura, of Palestine, Syria and Ca-

diz, with two varieties.

2. Lilium bulbiferura, of Italy, Siberia and Aus-

tria, with seven varieties.

3. Lilium pomponium, of the Pyrenees and Si-

beria, with two varieties.

4. Lilium Chalcedonicum, of Persia and Paltina,

in Carniola, with two varieties.

5. Lilium Superbum, of Middle America.

6. Lilium Martagon, of Hungary, Switzerland,

Siberia and Leipzig.

7. Lilium Canadense, of Canada.
Lilium philadelphicum, Canada.

9. Lilium Kamtschatcens, Canada and Kamt-
schatka.
Concerning the characters by which Linne
distinguished these nine species, the four last
ones, most of which have verticillate (forming
rings) leaves, may be separated from the five first
ones, whose leaves are always scattered, that is
alternate or better in a spiral form ; two of them
have bell shaped, upright flowers, that is, wide
open and not rolled up on the outside ; these are
L. candidum and bulbiferum. The flowers of
the others are pending or reflected, rolled up on
the outside, or revolute ; these are L. pomponi-
um, L. chaledonicum and L. superbum. From
the two first ones the L. candidum is easily to be
recognized, the flowers being of s.^ pure a white,
that it has become proverbial and glossy on the
inside, while the L. bulbiferum distinguishes it-
self through its deep orange colored flowers, the
inside face of which is covered with numerous
little papillas or prominences. Besides this
developes in the axles of the upper leaves, as the
name indicates, very small bulblets, which might
serve for multiplying. Between the three species
with pending or recurved flowers, the American
one, the L. Superba, is a large, fine plant, whose
flowers are deprived of the inside prominences,
are red, passing to yellow, and marked by numer-
ous brown-black dots ; between the other tw(»
whose flowers have the same figure, and can
vary in color from the most deep red to yellow.
Linne makes the di.stinction that the one, L.
pomponium, has lineal leaves, that is, very nar-
row, sharp, hollowed out on the. upper face, in
the form of a prism of three angles ; while on
the other, L. chalcedonicum, the leaves are
wider, lanceolate, nearly' covering the whole
stem. Between the four species, most of which
have verticillate (forming rings) leaves, the one
is particularly remarkable by its reflected flow-
ers, most of purplish color, but often also found
of other shades, whose calyx is rolled up to the
outside turban shape, to such an extent that it is
commonly called the Turban lily, this is L. Mar-
tagon. Another one, the L. philadelphicum, is
easily distinguished on account of its upright
flowers of orange red color, turning to yellow in
the centre, where are many purplish black dots ;
have the b. pieces (?) slightly turned inside, and
ending in a long spur ; the flowers more or less
reflected, campanulated and slightly turned up
of orange yellow color, the inside marked with
many purplish black spots of the L. canadense,
are sufficient to distinguish this specie from L.

187S.

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJ^TRLY.

11

Cat»t6chatcense,with upright, small, campanula-
ted, bell-shaped flowers of dark purplish red
color, getting lighter and turning to yellow on
the base, where numerous little black spots are.
As it is seen by the indications which Linne
gives of the nativity of his nine species, five of
his plants are found all over Middle Europe, and
the others natives of Iforth America. It follows
that the eastern part of Asia and particularly
Japan, which has contributed since much more
than any other country to the increase of the
species of this genus of bulbous rooted plants,
were entirely neglected by the immortal botan-
ist, with all that is his. ''Amaenitates academi-
cae, (5d fasc, pp. 870-872) published in 1712,
Kaempfer had mentioned several lilies belonging
to that part of Asia, particularly those which
later received the names L. cordifolium, specio-
sum and tigrinum. But the Japanese species very
soon dispersed the dark in which Linne had left
them. Thunberg, who in his " Flora Japonica,''
published in 1784, was only pre-occupied by the
one idea to bring them all under the European
species, very soon found out how much forced
were the imitations so made by him. In a
memorandum entitled "Botanical observations
on the Flora Japonica," which he inserted in the
second volume of Transactions of Linnaean So-
ciety of London, he created, but only character-
ized them brietiy :

1. The L. cordifolum, ip. 332) the Sjire, Sjiroi
and Osjirsi of the Japanese and Kaempfer, which
previously figured under the name of Hemorical-
lis cordata,Thunb., in the flora Japonica (p.l43 )

2. The L Speciosum, (p. 332), the Kesbiako
or Konokko Juri of the Japanese of Kaempfer,
which was named L. superbum in his first work,
(p. 134).

8. The L. longiflorura, (p 333j, named by him
L. candidum in the Flora Japonica, (p. 133), or
the Tiakko of Kaempfer.

4. The L. lancifolium, (p. 333), whose name
was unfortunately transferred by all our horti-
culturists to L. speciosum, and thereby occasion-
ed a great confusion ; he had it in his flora the
L. bulbiferum. He is wrnncr to attach as syn-
onym, the Kenton or Qui Futi, of Kaempfer,
(Amoen. ex. p. 871) which can only be, it seems
to me, a species described later by Gawler, in the
Botanical Magazine, under the name of L. tigri-
num.

5. The L. maculatum, (p. 334,, which he
mixed up in his "Flora Japonica," (p. 135),
with L. canadense.

Thunberg, later on, took up with more care,
the same subject, and made the description of
the Japanese lilies a special writing, which ap-
peared in the 1st volume of the Memoires do
Pacademie imperiale de St. Petersburg, (1811,
under the title of "Examen Liliorum Japonico-
rum," (pp. 200-208, pi. 3, 4. 5.) In this new
work, which comprises eight species, he siieaks
more 'completely of the five species already men-
tioned in his first work, gives very badly exe-
cuted figures of three of them, (L. lancifolium
L. longiflorum, L. maculatum), and then de-
scribes or figures two new ones, under the
the names of L. elegans, (p. 203, pi. iii. fig. 2)»
and japonicum, (p. 205, pi. v. fig. 2). Persisting
nevertheless in his wrong tendency to refind the
European plants in Japan, he brings in this
work under the name of L. pomponium, L., the
lily which Siebold and Zuccarini in their Flora
Japonica, has described and figured 1035, as their
L. callosum.

ORCHIDE^ No. 8.

BY MR. JAMES TAPLIN, MANAGER TO GEORGE

SUCH, ESQ., SOUTH AMBOY, N. J.

DENDROBIUM PULCHERIMUM PERPUREUM.

This pretty little plant is a native of Sylhet,
and like all the fine species from that district,
requires a brisk heat during the growing season,
with abundance of moisture. Unlike most den-
drobiums which make shoots from two to eighj
feet long, this species seldom exceeds that num-
ber of inches, but the shoots on a well grown
plant will be covered with flowers the entire
length, and as it annually makes abundance of
shoots, it should be a mass of bloom, the sepals
and petals are white, edged with green, with a
bright'orange blotch in centre of lip, and beauti-
fully fringed ; the flowers last in perfection for
two weeks.

This is a very easy plant to grow, and may be
managed in a warm greenhouse, for it makes its
growth during our hot weather and Is at rest in
the coldest season of the year, when it may be
kept day or night— temperature of 50^ will not
hurt it.

This plant should be grown in a round wire
basket, and the shoots pressed round the out-
side, when they will root into the spagnum and
rough peat with which the basket should be
filled, and in a short time make a perfect ball.
This is the best plan for amateurs, as the plant
will not be so liable to suffer from neglect of wa-

u

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TELY. January,

tering in the growing season as when grown on
a block of wood, which is the system we adopt.
I select a hard block of oak and fasten the plant
to it by copper wire, with a little spagnum moss,
when it at once roots on to the wood and requires
no more attention, excepting abundance of water,
with slight shade during the growing season,
and to be kept dry from November until it shows
flowers about February, when it requires occa-
sional watering and plenty of light until the flow-
ers expand. It being a deciduous species, will
lose all its leaves previous to flowering. I
would strongly recommend this species to all
lovers of Orchidese— it is very pretty, easily
grown, and the plants are not expensive.

ERRORS EXCEPTED.

BY EDWARD H. BEEBE, GENEVA, ILLS.

I find copied in the November number of the
Gardener^s Monthly, Prof. Asa Gray's address
on the Distribution of Plants, and the sime
error, as it appeared in the daily papers of Du-
buque in August last. It was then said, and
now repeated, that "a relative of this is Podo-
phyllmn, our mandrake, a common inhabitant of
the Atlantic United States, hut found nowhere
else." "Somebody has blundered." Kot the
Gardener'' s Monthly— you. have followed cepy.

Prof. "Wood, in his Manual, says of Podophyl-
lum, '-in woods and fields common in Middle
and "Western States ; rare in New England. ' '
Prof. Asa Gray says in his Manual, (5th edition)
page 54, "found in Ohio by "W. C. Hampton,
with two carpels." I can confirm both of
these statements, for we know it to be common
in the "Western States. Prof. Graj^ says it is
found in Ohio, consequently it is found some-
where else besides the Atlantic States, and the
statement above is somebody''s error. Whose is
it ? In my paper in the same number, page 331,
the scourge of the apple tree bark louse is named
Chalcis "Aspidiatus Couchiformis." I would
state that this was the name given to the stran-
ger before it was scientifically christened, Dr.
W. Le Barron now calls it Chalcis Aphelinus
mytilaspidis. (We outsiders that are not very
buggy call it the bark louse chalcis for short.)

A full scientific description is giveu of the in-
sect by Dr. Le Barron, on page 360, vol. 2^
American Entomologist. I would state that in
1871, 1 made the attempt to colonize the Chalcis.
Doctor Le Barron furnished me with a number
of twigs taken from trees in Kane County, and
supposed to be infested with Chalcis larvae. The

twigs were taken to Galena, and tied upon trees
in three different orchards, the trees of which
had been carefully examined, and not a trace o f
a chalcis could be found ; the nearest point at
which they had been observed was in Lee Coun-
ty, eighty miles south of Galena. In July last,
fifteen months alter the twigs had been placed
upon the trees. Dr. Le Barron and myself dis-
covered the chalcis mark upon them — a few, only
got enough to prove that the chalcis was around-
We could find no marks except upon the trees
on which the twigs from Kane County had been
tied The presumption is that the experiment
of colonizing is a success. But we prefer wait-
ing until another year, expecting that they wil^
have increased sufliciently to enable us to find
the insect instead of his mark, and the absence
of the chalcis between the points where it is now
known to exist, some eighty miles, will go to es"
tablish the fact that it can be colonized and the
bark louse cleaned out.

[Our correspondent fails to perceive that when
Dr. Gray uses the term "Atlantic United
States," it is in contradistinction to States on the
Pacific coast. There are, however, several
errors of a typographical nature in Dr. Gray»8
address as given in our columns -not ours, but
errors made in the copy we used. We had not
at the time one from Dr. Gray himself, as we
since have. Some of the errors we saw and cor-
rected, but others escaped. At page 361, line
15, ' translated " should read tabulated ; next
line, "I ever'' should be Heer ; 364, line 5,
"print " should be fruit; line 15 from bottom
should be totality not "vitality;'' line 15 from
end of the article, " the " should be this. There
are other mistakes of a similar character, but on
the whole we have no doubt any intelligent mind
will see them, and that no great evil will follow.
We supposed that by following printed copy
from first class authority, we had the best se-
curity against error, but the best of us can fall,
it seems.]

THE CENTENNIAL WORLD'S FAIR.

BY W. L. AKEKS, JOHNSTOWN, PA.

What shall we do for the Centennialf Only
three more years for action, and yet so much to
be done ! Doubtless many of our leading horti-
culturists are plannincj and perhaps preparing for
the great display. But is isolated effort the best?
or could we, by organization and concert of ac-
tion accomplish greater results ?

The world has never witnessed such an event

187S.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJYTHL\

13

as this, it is altogether uew and distinct in the
history of mankind, and must exert a wonderful
power in melting down national asperities, and
bringing all the people of the world nearer to
each other in one great brotherhood. In view
of this great international feature of the exhibi-
tion, it has been suggested that gardeners and
nurserymen should unite in an effort to produce
a grand display of all the leading wood plants of
the world. But is it possible ? who shall say no?
The gardeners and nurserymen of this country,
united and aided by their correspondents abroad,
would be a wonderful power. Think of such a
meeting I All the oaks of the world brought in-
to one great family, and the pines I What a
glorious wondrous display they would make !
The old historic trees that have been connected
with the history of man from the days of his
creation, would salute those of the western con-
tinent, hoary with the thousands of years of
solitude they have witnessed. The idea is so
grand and so beautiful that practicability alone
comes in the way, and if no financial crisis
should intervene, such an approach towards
completeness could be made as would astonish
even those who are aware of the nature of the
task. It is sincerely hoped that the project may
not be considered altogether visionary, but may
have that consideration and discussion which it
is entitled to.

[This timely letter demands serious attention,
and our columns shall be cheerfully open to any
suggestions. Our impression is that horticulture
has been wholly ignored by the general commit-
tee, at least we have watched the proceedings
very closely, and if a committee on horticulture
has been appointed, their names have strangely
escaped us, and we shall be glad to be set right
by those who have the chance to know.]

INFLUENCE OF EXTKEME COLD ON
THE CURCULIO.

BY T. T. SOUTHWICK, DANSYfLLE, N. Y.

In seeking for some u-:eful lesson taught by
the last winter, it has occurred to me that
something possibly could be learned in reference
to the curculio and his works. The winter was
marked for long continued cold and almost en-
tire absence of snow. The soil froze to a great-
er depth and more solid than for years. -»-

The plum crop— I speak for this section of the
State — was the largest known for years. The
last good crop previous to the one referred to
was after a winter quite similar to the past win-

ter. The trees seldom or never fail to bloom
freely and set well, but the little " turk'' marks
them for destruction. The past summer I hard-
ly saw the mark of the curculio on plum or
other fruit.

The theory I draw from the facts is, that dur-
ing winter when the soil is much exposed to long
contined freezing, the frost penetrates to a depth,
and with sufficient intensity to reach and destroy
the pupa. In the foregoing facts, and they are
true, and they are, I think, the lesson learned,
would be to freeze the curculio out. On the
approach of cold weather to clear the ground un-
der and about the fruit trees from snow, and allow
the frost to penetrate the soil as deep as may be.
I think no harm would result to the trees, as
they do not suffer when the soil is naturally ex-
posed.

I do not make any positive assertion that
there is any positive connection between a cold
and snowless winter and a short crop ©f ''bugs"
the season following, but I think there is. What
do you think ?

[We are glad that Mr. Southwick has intro-
duced this matter, as it suggests a couple of
questions that we believe have not been settled
by that positive evidence which which is re-
quired to establish a scientific truth.

First, does the curculio hybernate in the
ground, — and in what state or condition ? As
we understand, the weight of evidence is against
the earth shelter of the curculio ; Imt entomolo-
gy is such a vast study, that only those engaged
in its special pursuit are competent to decide on
these disputed questions, and we .should be glad
to have the latest exposition of well ascertained
facts.

Secondly, will cold destroy hybernating insects
in any of their forms ? We know it is the gen-
eral impression that it will ; but some assert it
will not. " It is said" fishes have been thor-
oughly encased in ice, and kept so for some time,
but that the vital principle has been sufficient to
keep up the animal heat, and to keep out the
frost. Of course if they would lose their heat
and become thoroughly frozen, they svould die,
but it is said the vital principle is sufficient to
resist the freezing and keep things going till the
warm weather returns.

What we would like to know is, can "It is
said" be relied on ? who is he ? where did he try
his experiments ? and on what did he try them ?

We have found, unfortunately, that even emi-
nent scientific men are very often not to be fully

u

TSE GARB M JEER'S MOJVTSLY. January,

trusted in their facts. They adopt too readily
a part from other people to add to their own, —
when even a very full personal observation, like
a telegraph message, will bear repeating before
one can be sure it is true. It is a pleasure to
note that the area of careful original observers
is widening. We should like to hear from Pro-
fessor Riley on these matters. Few entomolo-
gists have more fully gained the public confi-
dence than he.]

HOT WATER HEATING.

BY W. SAUNDERS, "WASHINGTON, D. C.

Referring to your editorial, page 336. I would
remark that the heating of small greenhouses is
sometimes a perplexing question, especially
where the idea prevails that the old fashioned
flue is obsolete. The first cost of a hot water
apparatus is a large item when brought in con-
trast with the expense of building a moderate
sized house, without considering the necessary
waste of fuel connected with boilers when used
as exclusive heating mediums.

The most economical mode of heating a glass
structure of say 80 feet in length by 24 feet in
breadth, is by a
combination of
hot water and
the hot air flue.
A small boiler set
so as to form a
cover to the fur-
nace, is perhaps
the most com-
plete arrange-
ment of this kind;
such boilers have
frequently been

advertised in your columns. The furnace should
be placed near the centre the length of the house,
one end of the building being warmed by pipes
attached to the boiler, and the other end heated
by the flue. The piping may be increased at the
end farthest from the furnace as shown in the
sketch, and in all cases of laying hot water pipes,
the principle of a constant descent from the boiler,
or a high point as near to it as practicable,
should be strictly adhered to.

In localities where a boiler proper cannot
readily be procured, a coil of piping placed in
the furnace will answer as good a purpose, or a
simple bent pipe as figured at page 215, volume

7th, 6ardener''s Monthly, which can be cheaply
made at any plumbing establishment, will heat
200 feet of piping, provided the pipes are laid so
as to form a triangle, as shown at page 263 of
your September number.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

FOREIGN.

Death of Lady Hooker. — This distinguished
lady who assisted her husband, the late Sir W.
Hooker, in his scientific pursuits, died recently
at Norwich, England, aged 75. Mrs. Lindley,
widow of the distinguished Professor Lindley, is
still living in the same town.

Government Aid to Science. — In striking con-
trast to the action of some of our State Govern-
ments is the liberality which some of the be-
nighted governments of the old world show to
science. They seem to act on the theory that
the object of governments should be to do for
the people collectively what the jieople cannot
do for themselves in an individual capacity. In
Pennsylvania, Prof. Porter, at his own expense,
gets together a magnificent flora of the State,
but unless he consents to let it go as government
"pap'" to feed a public printer, the State will give

nothing towards
its publication.
On the other
hand, such an
old fashioned
government as
Spain has for a
number of years
past granted a
large sum of
money annually
to Jose Triana
to enable him to
publish the flora of Columbia. The result is one
of the most beautiful and valuable works in the
world. It was expected to be finished by this
time, but not being, the government has extend-
ed the grant to five years more to enable him to
do it. Our national government is a little bet-
ter than some of the States. It as trustee of the
Smithsonian Institution, did undertake t© issue
a valuable work on the lower order of water
plants by Dr. Horatio Wood. Some thousands
of dollars have been very well expended on it,
but wanting some thirty dollars more than has
been appropriated, it must wait for another
year.

1873.

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY.

15

New Onion— The Queen — The English papers
say that this is an extra early kind. '• If sown
in February it will produce onions from one to
two inches in diameter in four months." It is
also said to be a good keeper.

Expenditure of Force by Plants in Overcoming
Gravitation.— TJnder this head the editor of this
magazine contributed a paper to the Academy
of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, showing
how much vital force was spent by plants in
their erect growth, in opposition to the gravita-
ting power, which drew them towards the earth.

A practical use has been made of this law by
a French fruit grower, which is thus described
in a French magazine :

"An amateur horticulturist noticed that whenever a
pear produced upon his Espaliers (trees trained against
a wall) rested upon a branch, its size was always larger
than those which were not thus sustained. He sur-
mised that this difference was caused by the weight of
a fruit, when arrived at a certain size, causing the sap
vessels of the stem to be compressed, thereby prevent-
ing a large flow of sap, and consequently as full expan-
sion as when a fruit was placed in a position favorable
to receive all the nourishing sap.

Several experiments confirmed this opinion. A pear
grown upon a branch and not resting upon a support
measured on the 13th of September nine inches and
one-sixteenth ; another measured at the same date eight
inches and a quarter. This was supported by a piece of
board, allowing it a rest. On the 30th of September fol-
lowing, both pears were culled. The first had increased
but one thirty-second of an inch ; the othergained one-
quarter of an inch in measure."

The Bustic Orchard House. — This is the name
of a new idea in fruit culture under glass, origi-
nated in England. The house is simply a dou-
ble pitch glass structure, as in all greenhouses,
but the sides— about six feet high — are lattice
work. The fruit is said to be of much better
quality than when wholly enclosed in an ordina-
ry house.

Influence of Strange Pollen on the Form of
Fruit. — A few years ago we believed that pollen
did not affect the fruit, but only the progeny of
that fruit ; but facts that the editor and some of
our correspondents have observed and noted,
have gradually led us to a contrary opinion. We
recently offered a few thoughts on this very sub-
ject. The Gardener^s Chronicle has now the fol-
lowing confirmation :

" In reference to the influence of strange pollen on
the form of fruit, some interesting experiments are re-
corded by Maximowicz. The species experimented on
were L. davuricum and L. bulbiferum, and the plants
were kept in a sun-warmed apartment. The pollen of
each species of Lily was applied to the stigmas of the
other species, the process being repeated upon several
Individual plants. The result was that the capsules
borne by the several plants were found to have the form

characteristic of the pollen parent; while the form of
the seeds was intermediate between that of those of the
two parents. The subject was incidentally alluded to at
one of the meetings of the Scientific Committee some
time since."

Unity of Origin of Deodar and Cedar of Leb-
anon.— Dr. Brandis, in a paper read before the
British Association for the Advancement of
Science, read a paper in which he takes ground
that the Cedax's of the Himalayas, of Lebanon,
of Taurus and of Atlantis, have all sprang from
one original form, and are therefore but fixed
varieties one of another.

A Sensitive Oxalis. — The late Dr. Welwitsch,
of the Gardener-s Chronicle, tells us he discover-
ed in Angola, an Oxalis so sensitive that its
leaves would close by a mere foot-fall near it.
But the leafstalk does not fall as in the common
sensitive plant, but closes in over the crown
— going up instead of going down.

Portrait of Professor Gray. — The London
Gardener''s Chronicle has an excellent likeness of
this distinguished Botanist, with a brief account
of his life and great services to science :

" Dr. Gray was born at Paris, Oneida county, N. Y., in
1810; graduated in medicine in 1831, and became Profes-
sor of Natural History in the Harvard University, and
director of the Botanic Garden at Canabridge (Ma^.) —
oflices he still holds. In many of his works he has been
associated with the veteran Dr. Torrey, in, others with
Dr. Engelman, of St. Louis, and as a university Profes-
sor he is the colleague and associate of such men as
Longfellow, Holmes, Agassiz, ond others, who have given
Boston a world-wide celebrity. Dr. Gray is a foreign
member of our Royal and Linnean Societies.

How to Keep Birds from Strawberry Beds. —
An English correspondent of the Gardener'>s
Chronicle has his plants growing in long narrow
beds. He has a post at each end, a wire stretch-
ed to each, a ring on the wire, a string or light
rope on the ring, and a cat on the other end of
the rope. Pussy can walk up and down the bed
but nowhere else. The birds decrease in num-
bers, and pussy likes the job.

Succession of Forest Trees. — It appears Amer-
ica is not the only place where one set of trees
succeed another. When the chestnut trees of
Mount Cenis are cut down, Larches follow, but
the people of the old world do not look on it as
anything mysterious, or that the seeds of the
larch have been there since the creation of the
world.

Aubergines, — Under this name goes our long
purple egg plant in France, where it seems to be
very popular. Our English friends are debating
whether to eat it or not, *' so many of the Sola-
nacese being poisonous," but Mr. Forsyth in the

16

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJSTTHLY, January,

the Gardener s Chronicle, assures them that
thousands have ate egg plants for the past two
hundred years without being poisoned.

Betinospora obtusa.— This beautiful evergreen,
which has been found so thoroughly hardy in
the United States, is thus referred to by a cor-
respondent of London Gardener''s Chronicle :

" Said to grow in Japan to the height of from 70 to 100
eet, and from 3 to 5 feet in diameter. In this country it
Is already widely spread, thriving with less or more
luxuriance wherever planted, if in soil at all good, and
in a moderately sheltered situation. It appears to be
quite as hardy as most of our ordinary shrubs, and
where well established grows nearly as freely as does
the Cupressus Lawsoniana, forming an important addi-
tion to our finest lawn plants. Its foliage when in fine
health is almost of an emerald green, its branches are
spreading, the lateral ones, in two rows, spreading out
almost like a fan. Mr. Gordon, in the Pinelum says,
•It constitutes a large portion of the forests in the
mountains on the Island oi Nippon, in Japan. Its tim-
ber is white, fine grained, compact, and acquires, when
worked, the brilliancy of silk, and in consequence of its
valuable properties the Japanese dedicate it to the God
of the Sun ; and construct chapels and small temples
out of its timber, for divine purposes.' This beautiful
tree is called Hennak by the Chinese, and Fa-si-no-ki
(Tree of the Sun) by the Japanese.

^eto Canterbury JBel?.— Almost everybody
knows the Canterbury Bell. Large blue or
white flowers, and covering a pretty large plant
with large blossoms, there are not many new
plants showier than this old fashioned thing.
Lately this has been " improved." At the base
of the bell shaped corolla there is usually a green
five cleft calyx ; but in this new race the green

calyx segments have been developed into broad
petal-like processes of the same color as the co-
rolla, giving the plant a very unique and grand
appearance. But our readers must not look for
it in the seed catalogues as Canterbury Bell,
This is too vulgar, but they will see it as Cam,'
panula medium calycanthema alba.

Weeping Sequoia. — So far as we know the
mammoth tree of California does not succeed
except in a very few favored locations, such as
at EUwanger and Barry's, at Eochester, New
York. But it has found itself a home in En-
gland, except in a few places, where it seems lia-
ble to the attacks of a fungus, similar or the
same to the one which takes it oflF in the Eastern
United States. In England they are even get-
ting "improved" varieties, a "Weeping Sequoia
being among the latest announcements.

Improved Varieties of Straioberry. — We think
it hard that we cannot get out a new strawberry
that will hold ; but with every new attempt still
have to fall back on Wilson's Albany and such
old kinds. There may be a sort of satisfaction
in the feeling that they are no better off in the
Old World. In a recent paper by one of their
most distinguished strawberryists, we find the
most popular sorts still the very old ones. El-
ton, Black Prince, Alice Maud and Vicomtesse
Hericart de Thury are called the best. Frog-
more Pine and Eleanor, two old sorts, also get
much praise.

EDTTOE lAL.

PUBLIC PARKS.

It is to be supposed that the time may come
when the average public mind will be ruled by
common sense. We all know how it is now.
Though we know we shall be robbed, — though
we are absolutely certain our money will be
wasted,— we must go with the party whichever
it may be, and all the offices in all the details
must be filled with party men, rather than with
capable men, in order that we may be sure of
the party triumph next time. It is too much to
hope that party shall not rule. Indeed it may
be desirable that it shall rule, — but at least com-
mon sense should dictate that the details of every
day life should be removed far from its influence.
Then we may have public parks and public

grounds that will be a credit to us, and cost no
more than the figures honestly show. In the
meanwhile we may help the good time coming
by studying a lesson from what we have done.

The New York Central Park is the earliest of
these great efforts. The idea originated, we be-
lieve, with Downing and Mayor Kingsland,
chiefly. It took form, and plans were advertised
for. Over thirty plans were submitted, and the
one by Olmstead and Vaux selected. The work
was commenced in 1856, under a commission
nominated by the Legislature, and independent
of the city government. To the astonishment
of every one familiar with our " system," party
politics was kept out of this business till 1870,
The work, under the original designers, was

1873.

TJIE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTELJ.

17

honestly and creditably done. Whatever may
have been the opinions of men educated in the
various schools of landscape gardening, there
was no dispute about the work as a whole. It
was universally conceded to be a magnificent
piece of work, and one of the chief glories of the
State of Kew York.

All who have had experience in even local
landscape gardening know what it costs. A
few thousand dollars soon go when we haul a
little dirt here and cut it down there,— build
now this little bridge, and now set there the lit-
tle fountain, — and when we come to make the
good and substantial road — but here we may as
well drop the veil. But the Central Park Com-
missioners carried on this tremendous work for
fourteen 5'ears, at a cost of but $6,000,000— a
large sum to be sure, but really very little in
proportion to the magnitude of the design.

But in 1870 the long feared event came. The
local politicians got hold of it, and ruin ran
''like mad." We need not particularize here,
for the shame is already published world wide.
How bronzo statues were painted white ; how
the restored fossil skeletons of ante-diluvian
monsters were smashed to atoms ; how museum
buildings were ransacked and wrecked; how cow
yards and other common place objects were
erected where the most refined elegancies of art
previously found a home ; how trees generously
nature gifted, were trimmed to "bare poles,"
and gorgeous masses often year growing shrub-
bery cut away to let in the " light and the air,"
as well as to pay by a few days work for the
votes' hired on election day ; all this and more,
is it not too well known ? And to crown the
whole, two millions and a quarter of dollars spent
in eighteen months !

Happily this is ended now. The men who
conceived this noblework and carried it on so ably
and so honestly for ten years, are mostly back
to theirposts Buthow loag will it be? There is not
a New Yorker, poor or rich, but who is pi-oud
of the Central Park. No one seems to begrudge
paying for it. Nothing is too dear for this
whistle. But the number of those who know
what is true art, is but as a drop in the ocean
to those who do not. Por every one who
would select a portrait of Washington, by Peale,
there are a thousand who would rather admire
the "Father of his country'' on some swinging
tavern sign or hackney wagon ; and it is these
who form the average man lokich rules.

We need pursue no further the moral to

which these reflections point. Those who have
at heart the elevation of the masses, by furnish-
ing them true art for their education instead of
vile counterfeits, have to guard their cherished
objectagainst the ha'f educated prejudices which
culminate in a " popular vote." AVherever this
can be successfully done, we hope for good pub-
lic parks,— where it is not, we are in constant
danger of the repetition of the vandalism and
iconoclasm of the eighteen months of popular
rule in Central Park.

FRUIT-DRYING.

No subject has a greater interest to horticul-
turists, than what to do with their surplus
fruits ; and of all methods which suggest them-
selves, fruit-drying is the most practicable. But
the old system of sun-dryiug is too slow, and,
for the matter of that, too dirty ; while machine-
drying has been too cumbrous and too expen-
sive. We are glad, therefore, to give prominence
to a neat little affair, Avhich all may use, and
which is represented in the cut given herewith.

This machine is the offspring of the fertile
brain and the patent right of J)v. B. L. Ryder,
of the Horticultural and Plealth Institute of
Chambersburg, who has already contributed to
our pages many useful hints to his gardening
brethren. The fruit which we have seen dried
by the process, were as near perfection as we
think dried fruit can be. All kinds of fruit or
vegetables can be dried in a few minutes. We
do not go into jiarticulars here, as those who
vYish for further details will consult the adver-
tisements.

*•••*

EDITORIAL NOTES.

DOMESTIC.

Nailing Grape Vines to Stakes.—A correspon-
dent of the Ohio Farmer says he trains his viue»

18

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJYTHLY, January,

to the top of the seven feet stakes, and then
nat7sthe branches to the top, thus saving all tying
forever afterwards. This is, no doubt, an ex.
cellent idea, and it is a wonder no one has
thought of it before. He says he has applied
for a patent, and if granted, people shall be al-
lowed to drive the nails "on most reasonable
terms."

Pears in Canada. — We find in the Canada
Farmer the address of the President of the
Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario, in which
he says the Flemish Beauty is there preferable
to the Seckel ; Louise Bonne de Jersey is next in
value. Gray Doyenne is preferred to Sheldon ;
Glout Morceau " is A No. 1 ; " Beurre Diel r«-
ceives high praise, often so large and good as to
be mistaken for Duchesse. Elliott's Early he
thinks will supersede Doyenne d'Ete and Made-
leine as an early pear. It was raised by Judge
Elliott, of Amherstburg, Michigan. Onondago
thrives superbly on clay soils. Easter Beurre is
a noble pear ; Duchesse d' Angouleme is uncer-
tain, but excellent when well grown ; Bartlett is
everybody's favorite ; Brandywine is one of the
best of pears, and Beurre d'Anjou looking up ;
"Winter Kelis is a superb pear ; Belle Lucra-
tive is a splendid pear, but Fondante de Ma-
ines and Fondante de Comice are "splendider ;"
Lawrence the best pear for winter use ; Vicar,
uncertain ; Beurre d' Amanilis "too little known. ' '
Other pears named as doing very well are B.
Superfin, B. Bosc, B. Langelier, Delices de Har-
denpont. Ananas d'Ete, B. de Noel, (as a mar-
ket variety, ripeningat Christmas,) St. Ghislain,
Kingsessing, Clapp's Favorite, Josephine de
Malines, Baron de Mello, Graslin, Triomphe de
Jodoigne ; others are named, but these seem the
most highly praised.

The Gum Trees of Auttralia. — Most of our
readers who have followed Mr, Harding's inter-
esting account of Australian vegetation, will re-
member the gigantic Eucalyptus or gum trees,
little inferior to the great Mammoth of Califor-
nia. They are being freely introduced into those
countries where -they will thrive. Immense
numbers are being planted in Spain by the rail-
road companies, and in our own country Califor-
nia leads in extensive plantations of them. We
do not hear of them in the Southern States,
where it would do as well as in its own country.

White Grapes.— Dr. Parker writes to the Hor-
ticulturist that at Ithaca, New York, the Maxa-
tawney did not ripen when first introduced, be-
fore October 25th, now old vines mature the mid-

dle of October. He thinks highly of it. He
names Cuyahogo, Croton, Lydia and Rebecca
as all varying in quality with soil and season, —
the last named seems to be his favorite next to
Maxatawney.

Horticulture at the Michigan Agricultural CoU
lege. — Under the wise management of Prof. Beal,
horticulture progresses liere. Mr. Adam Oli-
ver, an experienced landscape gardener, has
heed engaged to lay out the grounds. Mr.
Whittel is highly spoken of for his abilities as
gardener ; an arboretum has been begun, and
the fruit departments are in a prosperous condi-
tion.

Apples for Southern Illinois. — At the Novem-
ber meeting of the Alton Horticultural Society.
Dr. Leng said the Ben Davis is now the first ap-
ple in esteem. He also praised Early Harvest,
Red Astrachan, Maiden s Blush, Dominie, New-
town Pippin, Gilpin, Pennock, Pryor's Rod,
Winesap ; would not plant Janet because the
markets are glutted with them. Mr. Redaker
liked Janet because it bloomed after the late
frosts, and he was thus sure of a late crop — val-
ued Smith's Cider. Dr. Hull valued Lady ap-
ple and Newtown Pippin. Remarking on the
above, the editors of Prairie Farmer say they
would add Primate Chenango Strawberry, Be-
noni. Limber Twig and Carolina Red June.

Number of Varieties. — The Country Gentleman
says :

There are more than a thousand named and desei'ibed
varieties of the pear raised in this country, in the gar-
dens of pomologists and others, and about iJOO varieties
of the apple. But few practical cultivators will want
more than a dozen of each.

This is true enough, but what troubles nur-
serymen, who have to keep on hand what the
public want, is to know which is that dozen
which the few practical cultivators want?

Culture of Peach Trees. — At a recent meeting
of the New York Farmer's Club, Dr. Trimble
said that Thomas Meehan recommended a man
in southern New Jersey to put his peach orchard
in grass. He took the advice. The trees grew
worse and worse, and the man had to move away
to keep himself from ruin. Poor fellow ! Mr.
R. J. Dodge very propei-ly replied that Mr.
Meehan did not merely recommend keeping
trees in grass, but he also insisted that they
she I be properly fed at the same time. When
this poor broken down peach grower reads Mr.
Dodge's explanation, he will probably joyfully
return and try it again. It is generally your
half idea people that give the most trouble. An

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY,

19

acquaintance of ours recently went to a lecture
by Charles Gr. Ames, the distinguished orator.
The speaker was discoursing, we suppose, on
love matters, for he is reported to have said that
"it was a mistake for couples to cease courting
with marriage," Our informant thought it a
horrible doctrine to teach that " married people
should go courting other people through life."
She was astonished at our suggestion that pos-
sibly married folks could court each other as well
as other people ! We suppose there always will
be some people who will never understand the
difierence between grass orchards starved and
neglected, and grass orchards kept up in fertili-
ty. For such we have hardly the charity our
friend Dodsje exhibits. We are generally dis-
posed to let them " run away or burst,'' which-
ever they please.

Grapes which Mildeto. — In what is called the
science of pomology, we have a difficult task.
The Seld is full of writers and thinkers who seem
unable to look beyond their own gate posts.
Here is a long article before us in which the
writer says the Croton and Senasqua is good for
nothing, and the Eumelan mildews worse than
any grape he has. The Martha is not only
worthless, but is positively a nuisance, the fruit
having a poor, bad flavor ; but the Delaware,
Creveling, and so forth, do not mildew ; these
are the kinds for people to plant.

We have been careful to keep such stuff out
of our magazine. We suppose that by this time
everybody knows that all grapes are as liable
to mildew and other diseases as are all men to
cholera or smallpox, — and that a grape usually
reputable will sometimes disgrace itself by bad
flavor, as that a tolerably good Christian may
once in a while have a very bad temper. This
kind of pomology has no charms for us. The
mere fact that some varieties do well and others
do not, or how they vary with varying seasons,
are well enough as /acts; they lead us to form ideas
of general character. But to imagine our little
experiences in a season or two, should be a gen-
eral rule for all others and for all time, is poor
pomological science.

Preparing Ground for Fruit Trees. — In one of
our issues last year, we remarked :

Some talk, in preparing an orchard, about making
"one large laole" for all the trees. This seems witty,
but it is an expense which very few orchards will ever re-
pay. Water is likely to staad in the deep holes we re-
commend : but in such cases we would, rather than go
to the expense of subsoiling the whole orchard, or ua-
derdraiuing, plant higher than they grew before— high-

er than the surrounding soil, mounding the earth, as it
were, above the level. No water will ever stand here;
and the money spent in making " one big hole" of the
whole orchard, or in underdraining, we would spend in
annual surface dressing the ground.

Commenting on this the Western Bural, one
of our most intelligent and respected western
contemporaries, says :

" The Western Rural has firmly advocated one large
hole for the trees in an orchard, that is, making the
whole plat of one uniform depth in tilth, and it has the
sanction of those who best know our prairie soils. The
advice has also been coupled with the additional state-
ment that to insure perfect success in extra deep plow-
ing, whether in the orchard or out, that it must be pre-
ceded by thorough drainage. The reason Is obvious. It
is to prevent the mortaring of soils, and other unto-
ward mechanical action."

For our part we do not understand how the
water will pass away more readily from "one
large hole" in an acre than from forty small
ones. But after all, the main suggestion intend-
ed to be conveyed was that the stereot3'ped ad-
vice to underdrain and subsoil an orchard two
feet deep, is a profitless operation in the vast
majority of cases. We think that by mounding
or ridging the soil, so that the trees can be plant-
ed higher than the natural ground was, and the
water drain away over the surface, the trees will
do just as well, and the results be in every way
as good, as by going to the enormous expense of
making "one large hole" all out of one acre.

Moreover, we believe that, notwithstanding

this century hallowed advice, few, if any, have

ever followed it. It is one of those things which

I book makers think ought to be accomplished,

j but which orchardists seldom do.

Who has underdrained and subsoiled two feel
deep an orchard of say several acres ? Will he
I please report the fact and the results. The de-
tails of such an experiment, extending over say
ten or fifteen years, would be read with great
interest by our readers.

The Benoni Apple. — In various quarters we
note the rising popularity of this rather old ap-
ple. In the southwestern and western States,
we have of late seen frequent notices of its good
behavior. The most recent is by a correspondent
of the Maine Farmer^ and shows how well it
does in the east. Some beautiful specimens
were sent to the Editor, who says of it : ^.

" In regard to the name of the apple we can give no
information, other than that it originated in Dedham,
Mass., and its good qualities have caused its culture to
be widely extended, although Thomas says it has not
succeeded well in all localities. It is a late summer
fruit, highly esteemed for dessert purposes, and Warder
says 'indispensable to the amateur.' It is possible,
could its history be fully known, that it might be found

%0

THE GARDEJ^EE'S MOJ^THLY. January,

to perpetuate some event in family history of whicli we
know nothing."

The Trophy Tomato. — Tbe Tomato varies very
much by soil, and by general health. To so
great an extent does this occur, that people of-
ten think they have the wrong kind, or tlat
there is no difference between one kind and an-
other. To get at the real value of a variety
we have therefore to look to its general behavior.
As a rule we believe the Trophy has given satis-
faction the past year. Tf care be taken in the
selection of the seed, weeding out sickly plants,
and by gathering only those fruit for seed which
are typical of the best virtues of the Trophy, it
may keep in popular estimation for years. We
believe it is only because care has not been given
in these particulars that other, once good, varie-
ties "ran out."

Underhill, Newson& Co., Kashville, Tenn., says
a prominent western agricultural paper, have
one of the " largest, best assorted and most re-
liable nurseries in the Southern States."

The Red MtpZe.— The Country Gentleman szys
that

"An English horticultural work says that the red
maple, so common in all parts of this country, is one of
the liandsomest of maples, on account of its scarlet
flowers in spring, its red fruit in early summer, and tbe
■red tint of its decaying foliage in autumn."
And this is just what we have been telling our
people over and over again for years past. The
time will come when this native tree will be as
popular for general planting as the ]!Torway
Maple now is.

The American Pomological Society.— -The Ex-
ecutive Committee have decided to fix September
10th, 11th and 12th for the meeting this year in
Boston. Although sixty acres of their good old
city is burned, we are pleased to learn that no
part of their disposition to welcome their friends
has been consumed by the devouring element.

but that the horticulturists are determined that
those who attend there this session shall class
their visit among the most pleasant reminis-
cences of their lives.

Boston Losses by the Fire. —So far as we are
able to learn, the horticulturists of Boston have
not been among the serious losers by the fire.
The names of Parker, Wilder & Co. were in the
published lists as among the very heavy suffer-
ers, but we are pleased to be able to say that,
except by failures, in some few instances, of in-
surance companies to make entirely good their
responsibilities, there will not be much loss.
Thi.s will be cheering news to Col. Wilder's
host of friends.

Tree Labels. — In one of our earlier numbers,
Prof. Page, of Washington, D. C, communica-
ted an interesting article, showing how mica
might be made to protect tbe writing on wooden
tree-labels, so as to make them last for many
years. We have often been surprised that this
excellent hint remained dormant. It required
every one to do the work for himself; but people
have too much to do, and if it could only be
done cheaply for them, it would be immensely
popular.

And nov/ we have it. Some samples from
Wood & Hall are very neat. The label consists
of a flat piece of brass, with the edges turned
down over a piece of mica, through which we
read the neatly printed label, as though we were
reading time from a watch dial-plate through
the glass. For durability and neatness, it is as
near perfection as it is possible to get.

If now some one will invent a plan by which
one may easily open and close a similar label, by
which we ourselves can xorite any name we need
beneath, absolute perfection of labeling will be
reached.

SCUAPS AND QUERIES

Propagating Bilbergias.— S. E. P., St.
Joseph^ Mo. : " Will you please inform me in
#?hat way Bilbergias are propagated, either by
seed or otherwise. I have a packet of seed from
which I very much desire to grow a few plants,
as they are difficult to obtain from florists ; also
whether the ' Hermannia' and 'Sparmannia' are
the same plant?"

[Bilbergias, like all the pineapple family to
which th'jy belong, usually propagate by suckers
which generally appear freely when the plant is
in flowering condition. The seeds will doubtless
grow readily in a moist stove heat of about 70'.

The Ilerraaunia and Sparraanuia are very
I different plants. The common Hermannia odo-
I rata is a dwarfish finely cut leaved, yellow flow-

187S.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJfTELY.

^1

ering greenhouse shrub, and sometimes called
Mahernia odorcua. Sparmannia africana has
large coarse Linden like leaves, and orange and
white flowers.!

the writers, but under no circumstances can we
enter into any correspondence on these matters.

The Pen Apple.— T. Z,, writes: "Some
three or four years ago, more or less, there was
quite a talk about a new apple which originated
somewhere in Pennsylvania, and I think Lan-
caster county. It was called " Pen'' apple, not
the old Wm. Penn. I believe it was exhibited
two or three times at the winter meeting of the
Pennsylvania Fruit Growers' Society, where it
was highly praised ; also I believe a premium
was offered and given at the annual exhibition
of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in
September, 1871. Can you or any of your rea-
ders give an}"^ further information as to its ori-
gin, character, &c., and has it really proved a
new and valuable variety ?"

[We have several accounts of this apple, and
have stated in former numbers what we know
about it, and should be glad to hear direct from
headquarters what they say of it.]

Grafting the Wild Black Cherry.— W.
T. J5., Hammonton, N. J., says : " I have se-
cured some young and thrifty wood of the Wild
Black Cherry, and would like to be informed in
the Monthly if there is any way to propagate it.
I can get good stock to graft on if that can be
done successfully. Can it be propagated by
grafting, budding or by cuttings, and if so, will
you please inform when it should be done and
mode of doing it ?"

[The Cerasus serotina is the cherry probably
meant. There has been no occasion probably
before to make the grafting of this desirable,
but by analogy in other cases, no doubt it would
graft or bud readily on seedlings of its own kind.
No doubt slit layers of young wood would also
root readily.]

Situations.— The past two months we have
been inundated by letters from parties wishing
"suitable men," or from others ofl'ering their
services for all sorts of purposes. It would re-
quire a couple of hours each day to answer these
letters. We have not these hours to give to the
subject. There are some personal friends who
have a claim on our time. We must try when
these come to us to serve them, more than this
we cannot do. If letters come we read them. It
it come in our wav we will d.i what we can for

Rules for Good Breeding.— A correspon-
dent remarks that a note he contributed to the
Gardener's Monthly some years ago drew hira in-
to a correspondence which consumed considera-
ble time, he had little ability to spare. No gen-
tleman writes to another without having personal
reasons for knowing that such correspondence will
he agreeable. And persons who presume to
write to perfect strangers w thout this know-
ledge, have no right to be offended when they
receive no replies. Knowing that many persons
do not understand these rules which prevail in
good society, we usually withhold the ful name
of many of our correspondents, except in cases
where we know it is perfectly agreeable to them.
If any one have anything to ask of our corres-
pondents, our pages afford the proper medium
for all legitimate enquiries.

To Correspondents. — We have to return
our best thanks to our numerous correspondents
for their many favors during the past year,
which, judging by the number of excellent com-
munications now on hand, bid fair to be conj
tinned for the future as in the past. We some-
times like to keep these on hand a Uttle while,
in order to have the chance of varying the con-
tents of each number. In case the favors are
not immediately used, we hope our friends will
not therefore imagine their favors are not valued.

We once in a while receive offers from parties
to write for "fiiir pay" for our magazine, but
the Gardener^s Monthly was established to afford
horticulturists a medium for communication one
with another, whereby all may learn. This is
the reason of the low price of the magazine—
two dollars a year. If we were to make it a mere
money speculation, the price would be four dol-
lars a year. We feel that we have a moral
claim on any good idea from our readers " with-
out money and without price." We do not ask
for long articles, such as high priced magazines
would expect to pay for, but good hints, and
perhaps brevity has the advantage.

Japan Evergreens.— -B. jB., Philadelphia^
says : " I do not see that any of you have given
a reason why the evergreens of Northern Asia
stood the extent of the past spring's severity
better than the American natives. Crack that
nut."

n

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJSTTELY, January,

[That is a "nut,'' Jand well worthy of the
study of those who are engaged in evolving the
laws of creation. There never was a better at-
tested fact than that all of the plants of Asia — de-
ciduous as well as evergreen, stood our last win-
ter comparatively uninjured, in the midst of the
terrible destruction among our own trees.

It has also been demonstrated by the Oarden-
er's Monthly correspondents that the physical
cause of the loss was the drying out of the
moisture in the plants faster than the roots could
supply it.

This reduces the question to this : why have
the plants of Asia a greater power of resisting
winter evaporation than so many of our own
trees ?

In connection with this subject may perhaps
be associated the fact that the plants of the Pa-
cific coast all do so indifferently in the Eastern
States, while the plants of the colder parts of
Asia do so well ; and further may be considered
the interesting fact so ably developed by Prof
Gray in his Dubuque address, that while the
plants of Uie Pacific coast rather favor the flora
of Europe ; that of the Atlantic States favor Ja-
pan. There is evidently here a mystery not al-
together beyond the solution of man ; and we
commend the whole subject to Mr. Darwin, Dr.
Gray or Prof Shaler of Harvard, who have op-
portunities in the line of their studies for some
interestiu'; discoveries.

Interpretations of the Postal Laws. —
As no one can tell the meaning of the postal
laws by reading them, we have had recourse to
the general office at AYashington. Post offices
through the country go b}' these iulerpretatious.
The decisions affecting horticulturists are :

Dealers in seeds must prepay two cents for
each fraction of two ounces.

Letters not fully paid must pay double the
prepaid rate which should have been paid, when
it reaches its destination.

' AU merchandize is limited to twelve ounces.
" The dealer in plants is on the same footing as
dealers in any other kind of merchandise. "

Chromos and engravings are not merchandise.
These may go in packages of 4 lbs., at one cent
for each fraction of two ounces.

Any matter contained in a sealed envelope
must paj' letter postage ; even cutting or notch-
ing at the end makes no difference.

Proof sheets of all descriptions, except of
bookf, must pay letter postage.

" There is nothing in the postal law to pro-
hibit the enclosure of printed matter in packages
of merchandise, p7-ouidecZ the postage is prepaid
thereon — 2 cents for each 2 ounces or fraction of
2 ounces.'' "We suppose under this decision one
might send packages of circulars or catalogues
to one address in this way.

Any writing, even an "alteration," subjects a
printed article to letter postage. Thjs will ne-
cessitate our catalogue makers to look sharp af-
ter the proof readers.

Manuscript for magazines, and all other
manuscript but hook manuscript, can only be
sent at letter rates.

Nothing must be written on the wrapper but the
address. If printed matter be sent, and "print-
ed matter'' be written on the wrapper, the whole
package is subject to letter postage, and the re-
ceiver pays double letter rates on the whole
thing. It used to be required to write on the
wrappers ''seeds," "bulbs," "plants,'' and so
on, as a guide to the postmaster to see whether
these things were so. It will be seen this is for-
bidden.

Packages of herbs and roots will only be for-
warded when the wrappers are so arranged that
the contents may be examined without destroy-
ing or injuring the wrapper.

Cards, circulars, and "&c.,'' whatever this
may be, go at one cent for each two ounces or
fraction thereof

Manuscript drawings are not to be considered
prints or engravings, and so must pay letter
postage. This will operate badly on our land-
scape gardeners and architects who have hereto-
fore sent their plans by mail.

Letters addressed to initials are to be sent to
the dead letter offices. This will operate against
gentlemen advertising for gardeners or garden-
ers advertising for places unknown to each other.
" Apply to J. B.," or "pro bono publico," or
any similar sign, will now have to be banished
from the newspapers.

Any wi'iting of any character inside a pack-
age of seeds, plants, grafts or cuttings, subjects
the whole package to letter postage. Thus one
may not write the name or in any way desig-
nate by any "character" the names of the seeds
or scions sent, unless such characters are printr
ed. Large dealers can print the names, but for
amateurs and others for whose use one would
suppose the law made, will find it troublesome.
One can perhaps cut out the printed letters or
figures in a newspaper or hand bill and wrap

1873.

TEE GARDEJfER'S MOJ^THLY,

^3

around each little piece of graft, and refer in a
letter to these letters or numbers.

Another decision says that the government is
not liable for any mail matter after it is out of
its control. There are many of us would like to
know whether it is responsible before it leaves. It
would be a good many dollars in some of our
pockets if it were Tiie Postmaster General evi-
dently thinks it is responsible by the form in
which this decision is given. We believe he is
wrong, but he ought to know best.

This close our " post office" chapter for to-
day. There are few matters more worthy of the
attention of horticulturists than this one of post-
age, and we feel we need no apology for the
space we devote to it.

Since this was written, Messrs. Harmer and
Townsend of the Pennsylvania delegation deter-
mined to get relief at once, but the difficulty was
to get rid ©f " routine." They enlisted General
Butler of Massachusetts in the cause, who, al"
ways distinguished in the ways of Parliamentary
law, got Mr. Townsend's bill an immediate
hearing. Now the rate and weight are put back
to last year ; but it is manifest from our abstract
of "decisions," that the whole code needs a re-
vision. Let horticulturists still keep the ball
moving.

Shepherdia argentea. — The Buffalo Berry
is the plant referred to by E. Y. T., Bichmond,
Jnd., in the following: "1 enclose twigs and
leaves of what I called Nebraska Currant, a na-
tive of a marshy place in Nebraska. It is said
to bear enormous crops of fruit almost exactly
resembling Red Dutch Currant, one kind red and
one yellow. I am told it has many seeds like a
currant. The plant looks to me like Black Haw.
Do 5'ou know from these what it is ?"

Express Charges. — We have expensive rea-
«ous for again saying to our correspondents, that
unless their packages are marked "paid thro',''
and the receipts marked "paid thro','' in like
manner the receiver has to pay again. If merely
marked "paid," the companies insist they are
only paid in part, and we very often have to pay
over again as much as the sender originally paid.
This is especially the case with the Ada7ns\

A Monthly Horticultural Paper.—/.
>Si., Walbridge, Puaski county, Illinois, was told
by a friend, and we wish we had hundreds of
such friends, thai the Monthly might suit him.

He says: " A monthly paper is almost unen-
durable to a western man, but the Oardener^t
Monthly may possess quality enough to bear
with it.''

[We hoped long ago that the taste for pure
horticulture as distinguished from mere agricul-
ture, would advance so as to warrant a first-
class weekly. When the time comes it will no
doubt be done. Those who wish for this thing
must work more for the " love of horticulture"
than most have been in the habit of doing.]

Delachampsia Roezeliana is the name of
the plant referred to below by a "subscriber.''
" Will Mr. Meehan please inform me the botan-
ical order of the enclosed, ' Delacampia carnea'
by florists?"

[It belongs to tke natural order of Euphorhid-
cecE, of which the common Poinsetta is an illu«-
tration. The flower, properly speaking, is in
the centre of the heart shaped flesh colored
bracts ; just as they are in fact in the Poinsetta,
where the crimson leaves are well known to be
but floral bracts.]

Value of the Gardener's Monthly. — la
accordance with our rule, we have no " free
list. '' We have always preferred a fair list of good
paying subscribers, than to boast of" our circu-
lation," when that circulation is half made up
of "dead heads," who hardly deign to read what
they do not think wurth paying for. Hence the
publisher feels gratified by the following note from
one of his " renewals :'' "I have free, three lead-
ing papers and a hard dry summer to contend with
and little time to read them ; but still the Month-
ly comes every time like a flower, fresh and gay,
and will always be found interesting, old or new.
I will not give it up. Enclosed is my subscrip-
tion for 1873. "

Lime and Ashes for Pears.— ^. H. S.,
Sus2)ension Bridge, says : "I have applied lime
and ashes when digging the pear trees in the
fall, consisting of bones and all sorts of rubbish,
in the spring close pruning and thinning out of
branches. Fruit wonderfully improved, especial-
ly the Seckel variety, which is now No. 1.''

Marblehead Squash. — Mi-. Gregory writes:
•'I send you a couple of pieces of my new
squash, 'Marblehead.' I find on an average
this new sort has a more flinty shell than the
Hubbard, of a different color, and is, as a rule, of

^4

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY, January,

a different shape, being flatter on the stem end,
and has a greater specific gravity ; it combines
sweetness and dryness mere, and keeps longer.
One capital characteristic is that it is perfectly
pure from all admixture with any other sorts,
and none but those who have undertook the
task of working a badly mixed variety up to a
standard of comparative purity, can fully appre-
ciate this. In size and yield it equals the Hub-
bard, I have tested scores of kinds of squashes
sent me from every part of the United State?
since first I introduced the Hubbard, but have
found but this and one other variety worthy of
being introduced as standard sorts."

[The above was not intended for publication,
but we like to help a good thing along — our
*' chief cook,'' to whom we referred this matter—
ind if she does not know, nobody does, asserts
that it is the best thing out. The editor agreed
with her at the eating.]

The Marblehead Squash. — Mr. Gregory
says : " I omitted to state when writing of the
specimen of squash sent on, that they must not
be confounded with a blue variety that some-
times grows with the Hubbard, which is a hy-
brid, and when planted by itself the fact is more
strikingly shown by the numberless sports that
come from it. It was made originally by grow-
ing a thin skinned blue variety along side the
Hubbard ; we used to call the thin skinned sort
the Middleton Blue. The new kind I send you
is on the contrary as i*emarkable for purity, be-
ing without exception the purest squash I ever
grew."

HARDY

Achillea
Anemone

Begonia
Centaurea

Chrj'santhemum

Coreopsis

Erysimum

Gentiana

Lychnis

Phlox

Plumbago

Plants in Bloom at Rhosynmynydd, the
suburban residence of J. P. Jones, Esq., Block-
ley, West Philadelphia, Pa. — October, 1872.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS.

ptarmica. Yarrow
japonica alba, Wind flower

rubra
Evansiana

Americana, Blue Bottle
cyanus

indicum var., Chusan Daisy
lanceolata, Tiekseed sunflower
Peroflrski3,nam
Andrewsii, Closed Gentian
dioica albo pleno, Bachelor's
paniculata, Lychnidca [Button
Larpeutse, Lead wort

Sedum

Japonicum, Stonecrop

variegata

BEDDING PLANTS.

Aloysia

citriodora, Lemon Verbena

Celosia

cristata, Cockscomb

Erythrina

cristagalli, Coral tree

Petunia

hybrida

Ruellia

formosa

Salvia

coccinea, Sage

splendeus

Verbena

charaedrse folia

Viola

tricolor, Pansy

SHRUBS IN FLOWER.

Cydonia

japonica, Japan Quince

Eleagnus

hortensis, Oleaster

Lonicera

Belgica, Monthly Honeysuckle

flexuosa, Chinese

Halleana, Japan

sempervirens, Trumpet

Spiraea

Douglassi

Rosa

(Hybrid Perpetual)

Baron Prevost

Geant des Battailes

Jules Margottin

(Bourbon)

Souvenir dc la Malraaison

(Indica)

Archduc Charles

Hermosa

Rose

(Indica fragrans)

Bougere

Cells multi flora

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

Abutilon

album, Chinese Bell

Adolphe Beraugere

nivium

striatum

Thompsouiana

vexilarium

grandiflorum

Ageratum

Mexicanum, Blue Mist

Asclepias

curassavica. Swallow wort

Bouvardia

jasmiuirtora

triphylla

Canna

indica, Indian Shot

Warscewiczii

Oestrum

regale

Clerodendron japonicum fl. pi.

Cuphea

Danielsiana, Cigar flower

platyc-enira

strigulosa

Cyclamen

hedersefolium, Sow bread

Daphne

odora. Spurge Laurel

1873.

THE GARBEJSTER'S MOJ^TRLY,

m

Eupatorium

Fuchsia

Geranium

Jasminum

Justicia

Malcomia

Olea

Oxalis

Passiflora

Plumbago
Primula
Eussellia
Salvia

Serissa

Solanum

Tricyrtis
Tropteolum
Thea
Veronica

fruticosum, White Mist

coccinea var., Ladies Eardrop

zonale, Cranu's Bill

grandiflorum, Jasmine

carnea

maritima, Virginian stock

fragrans, Olive

Bowii, Cape Sorrel

flabellifolia

floribunda alba

rosea
grandiflora

intermedia, Passion flower
Kermesina
capensis, Lead wort
sinensis. Primrose
juncea

coccinea, Sage
involucrata
splendens
foctida
flora pleno
albo marginrJta
jasminoides
variegata

hirta, Japan Uvularia
Lobbianura, Indian Cress
viridis, Tea [well

Andersonii, Shrubby Speed-

The Catalpa.— p. B. B., Des Moines, Iowa,
says: "The Catalpa grows three feet (3 ft.)
from seed the first year in Town. I have several
of that height (and one 37 inches) raised from
seed sown about April 20th, on old land 22 years
in cultivation, and never manured, the only pre-
paration being to fork it up eleven inches deep
and rake it fine.

"With other tree seeds 1 have had only tolera-
ble success. Better with Norway Spruce, Scotch
and White Pine than some others. Contrary to
expectation, I succeeded better with late than
early sown evergreen seeds. Winter comes ear-
ly and suddenly ; on the 12th of December I was
planting trees and shrubs, on the 15th it froze
up to stay."

[The Catalpa is not only a very rapid grower,
but the timber in durability is superior to Chest-
nut. The worst of this tree is that the terminal
bud gets killed when young, and as a side bud
has to make a leader, the trunk becomes some-
what crooked. But this could no doubt be
remedied by cutting back the young trees to the
ground when about three years old, when a very

vigorous straight trunk succeeds. We regard
the Catalpa as among the most valuable of all
our timber trees.]

Propagation of Gloxinias.— i2. S., Sf.
Louis, Mo., writes: "Will you please tell me
where Gloxinia seeds is to be bad, and how is
best to raise them ? I do not see the seed ad-
vertised". I have a small greenhouse attached
to my dwelling, and wish to grow some of these,
having been attracted by their beauty when
east."

[These are seldom i-aised from seed except by
hybridists who wish to raise new varieties.
They are propagated from leaves. These are
planted just as one would cuttings, and placed
in a close atmosphere with a temperature of
about 70, when a small bulb is formed at the
base of the leaf stalk from which a plant pushes
up next year.]

Pitch of a Greenhoitse.— J?io S., Balti-
more, Md., says : " I am about building a
small conservatory, and in reading up on the
subject see it recommended that the roof should
have an angle of 45^ My carpenter thinks this
entirely too steep, and as I have no gardener
who understands this matter— only a good fel-
low who looks after my horses, and by whose
aid I expect to manage the little conservatory, I
apply to you, seeing that you invite all to come
with their little troubles."

[We can hardly advise as to the pitch of a
plant house without knowing the width, aspect,
kinds of plants to be grown, and so on. It is the
fault of most books on this subject, that they
take these things into small account. 45° is
steep, but for winter flowering a house will get
more light, and plants will bloom better than in
a flatter angle. Steep pitches have also other
advantages. They are stronger, do not get out
of repair as soon, and less breakage of glass than
flat houses, and then the drip, which in our cli-
mate is very troublesome, from condensed moist-
ure inside, runs down the rafters and ribs of a
steep bouse, instead of falling about everywhere
in the other kind. Without knowing what cir-
cumstances of especial moment might interfere
to warrant another decision, we should incline
to say go on with your 45" angle.]

Pomology. -A correspondent asks -'why we
do not give more attention to pomology. Draw-
ings and descriptions of new fruits would make

t6 THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^THLY. January,

the Monthly particularly attractive to some of
■us, at any rate." We believe we give as much
attention to pomology as to any other depart-
ment of gardening. Indeed, it has more charms
for the editor than many other branches of hor-
ticulture ; but we must differ from friends, if any
there be who consider "Everybody's Pippin,"
^'Cute-eye's Beurre," "Amor's Lovely Ann,"
or "Puffem's Delight " as the essence of pomol-
ogy. We never had much weakness for this
style of literature ; and if we have any sins to
answer for, it is very likely to be that we did
give more attention to it in the earlier part of
our editorial life than it was worth. But we
notice that other first-class papers have profited
by experience, as well as we. The Bural New
Yorker, American Agriculturist, Country Gentle-
man^ Prairie Farmer^ and others which one time,
like the Gardener^s Monthly, delighted in "cuts
and descriptions of new fruits," are all now very
chary of them, leaving them almost wholly to
heads less gray ; and when one is necessary, it is
not unlikely they can find a cut to match
among the old stores on hand. Indeed, we are
quite sure we see "the same old cut" doing
duty over and over again for lots of "new
things." We keep our readers posted on all
that we feel satisfied is really new in fruit-cul-
ture, in its widest sense, but will not lend a hand
to the multiplication of hundreds of things
which are of no value in the end.

We are glad to find that not only our leading
magazines, but leading horticulturists, are ia
hearty accord with us. One of our leading
authors, commending our course in this matter,
sayj! :

"The fruit question is also a puzzle to me —
that is, to know when and where to stop, and
what to introduce and recommend, now that so
many new fruits are coming forward, and I am
sometimes almost disgusted with it, and think I
will have nothing more to do with it; but, as
people will introduce them and bring them be-
fore the public in catalogues and various ways,
I conclude that the better way is to find out
what is best, adopt it, and let the test go ; or,
at any rate, note it as unworthy."

Stoppage of the Gardener's Monthly.
— We are informed by a friend, that he intends
to " stop the Gardener\s Monthly'''' at the con-
clusion of his present subscription, because an
article, which the Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society thought worthy of one of its liighest

premiums, received no notice whatever in our
report of the October exhibition.

The October meeting of the Horticultural So
ciety was held very late in the month. If we had
waited till the end of the exhibition, we could
have given no notice of it whatever, as the pub-
lication of the Monthly at its regular time cannot
be put off for these things. The notes we made
were taken before the judges had examined the
articles on exhibition. Some things were thus
brought into the room nfier our examination was
made, which was a mi^lortune for the exhibitor,
but not, we think, our tault.

It would be a greater blow to our thousand* of
readers and to the publisher than it would be to
the editor, who would not care at all, to have
the Monthly thus summarily "stopped ;" and we
hope, for their sakes, that our injured friend
will kindly allow the Monthly to "go on"
again, after the explanation we have made.

White Scarlet sage. —A cei-respondent
says : " I like your suijgestion that the long
latin name for this new s ^ge is entirely too much ;
but then it seems so abaurd to say White Scarlet
Sage. How can a thing which is scarlet be
white ? Can you not give us something more
pleasing to the ear ?"

[This is rather an old objection for these cases,
and arises from persons not distinguishing be-
tween a mere name and the thing itself There
is a celebrated English judge by the name of
Scarlet ; but so far as we know he is never scar-
let except when he blushes. At all other times
he is classed with white men— yea ! a white
Scarlet. There be also Browns and Blacks,
and Whites all in the same race — white " Black ''
men and black " White " men. So also in pro-
fessions, a "Smith" rafjy be a gardener, and a
" Knight," who never took up arms iu his life,
but be the broadest of Quakers

One might as well quarrel with the name of
" Scarlet Sage " itself, for there are hundreds of
sages as scarlet as this one, and it has no right
t0 claim to itself the distinction of the Scarlet
Sage. Let our friends remember that a name is
but a sound. Its only use in life is to distin-
guish something, and when it does that positive-
I3', it is a good name.]

Sending Seeds and Trees by Railroad.
—2?., New York City, says: "I do not know
why you think the going back a half dozen years
in our postage laws was not intended to benefit

187S.

THE GJlRDEKER'S MOXTELY,

97

the express companies. You are altogether too
charitable, I happened to be in an express office
recently as they were changing loads, and the
uuniber of small parcels with our leading seeds-
men's brands, was astonishing.

I hear that the old stage coach companies are
taking heart at Mr. Cresswell's new postage law,
and have some hope of getting Congress to pro-
hibit certain goods from going by railroad.
With the railroad and post-office cut off, they

expect jolly times. It is hardly credible that
the Government will take so retrograde a step at
this ; but it is not at all unlikely that they may
abolish the three cent letter rate and go back to
the old six cent charge Retro, not progression,
seems the order of the day."

[Our correspondent writes seriously, but were
it not for our unfortunate experience with the
last postal law, we should -think he was in
jest.] -

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, ETC

The Fruit Eecorder. — No one magazine
can do everything well. It is always an advan-
tage when one specialty can be managed so as to
receive undivided attention. Purdy started a
paper to be devoted exclusively to small fruits.
It has proved a complete success, and we note
that he is seriously thinking of making it appear
twice a mojith.

Transactions of the Michigan State
PoMOLOGiCAL SOCIETY.— We are under obliga-
tions to Mr. C. J. Dietrich, Secretary, for a copy
of this handsome and useful publication, which
came to hand sometime since, —but got removed
to our library cases from the "book table" be-
fore we had examined its contents.

Transactions of the Illinois Horticul-
tural Society for 1872.— From O. B. Ga-
lusha, Secretary, auother handsome and useful
volume highly creditable to all concerned. .^1 30'
pays for membership, and membership entitles
to the report. The discussions and reports are
very fully given, and afford an excellent inside
view of pomology as it now is in Illinois.

Address Delivered at tiif: Opening of
Humboldt College, Springvale, Iowa, by
President S. H. Taft. — Nothing interests one
traveling in the far west more than the great
importance evidently given to education. The
bare necessities of life are hardly secured, — in
any new settlement, before the school house
goes up. and this often proves for some years,
the handsomest building in the town. But it is
not only in the mere matter of an education
which shall in time enable the student to gather

together the more easily dollars and cents, that
the western men concern themselves with, but
the love of truth for its own sake, call it science
if you will, but it amounts to the same thing,
seems to have a strong foot-hold among these
people Nothing surprises an eastern man more
than the knowledge of the sciences displayed by
the average of people he meets. The deeper know-
ledge would probably be found in a few select
eastern instances, but the general acquaintance
with these things is a western trait.

These suggestions occur to us in reading thi«
address. Here is a college which has started
out with the deliberate intention of outshining
Harvard, — aud this too on a tract of land which
fifteen years ago was but "a howling wilder-
ness." What is more to the point, they are
succeeding in getting towards that eminent po-
sition at a prettj rapid pace. Hnraboldt College
is already among the great and wonderful suc-
cesses of this wonderful west. May it have all
it desires. Wbat would this country have been
without Harvard V What wilt it be when we
have a score or so like it ?

Rennie's Illustrated Catalogue, Toron-
to, Canada. — Most catalogues are so very mach
alike, even in their excellencies, that it is seldom
we can find any with special points which will
permit of a special notice, but in this very large
and full catalogue we note sketches of several
agricultural implements, which appear to have
some merit, but which are not in use this side
of the St. Lawrence to any great extent.

VicK's Illustrated Floral Guide.— It is
a pleasure to handle so beautiful a catalogue as

^s

THE GARDEJVJER'S MOJVTBLY. January,

Mr. Vick alwa3'S issues,— and then independent-
ly of its value as a seed catalogue, it is filled
■with directions and hints for ornamenting
grounds, that it is equal to a good garden book
at the same time. There is a beautiful colored
plate of the new Japan Cockscomb, which is
scarlet instead of maroon, as in the common
kind. Tick's chromo this year is a collection of
Holland bulbs, very distinct from his former
ones, but quite as beautiful as any.

Appendix to Downing'sFruits.— Wehave
received this, which gives the fruits named and
described in various places since the appearance
of Mr. Downing's large book.

AVe find by this that during the past three or
four years we are enriched to the tune of one
hundred and fifty new apples, and fifty-nine new
Byuonyras, which, for " pomological" purposes,
are as good as new varieties. Grapes have be-
come disgusted, and give us only five new ones.
Peaches have shown more courage, and have
brought forth eleven. Pears give thirty-three,
but America furnishes but six of these. The
quince has but one improvement ; and the rasp-

berry but four. In the index we find named the
apple, grape, peach, pear, quince, raspberry and
"Susqueco," whatever class of fruit that may
be,— and shade of W. R. Prince ! no new straw-
berry I However, the other departments have
done their share. Mr. Downing deserves the
thanks of the whole community for his arduous
labors in keeping us in the run of all these new
things. But where is it to stop ? Are we to go
on this way for the nest few years '? if so we
shall have a "new" fruit for each member of the
community, when a man may not only sit under
''his own vine and fig tree," but have his own
variety also. But seriously, if this thing is to
continue we had better give up naming things
at all, and each sow seed for himself, for it must
be evident that if the majority of this immense
number of fruits was really worth naming, a
poor fruit in a lot of seedlings must be the ex-
ception rather than the rule.

Sequoia and its History, by Prof. Asa
Gray. — This is the Dubuque address of Presi-
dent Gray, issued in neat pamphlet ^rm by the
Essex Institute, Salem, Mass.

NEW AND HARE FRUITS.

The Duke of Buccleucii Grape.— After
what has already been said in favor of this
Grape, it may appear unnecessary to add any-
thing in its favor. I am, however, of opinion
that those who have spoken well of it in other
respects, underrated its keeping qualities. I am
led to say so from having on the 12th inst. seen
a bunch, of it at the Tweed Vineyard, in a good
state of preservation. Some of the berries were
showing signs of shrivelling, still the bunch was
in a presentable condition, and, considering that
it was ripe early in July, the flavor, to my taste,
was decidedly good. The Duke is undoubtedly
a strong grower, when compared with other
standard varieties growing side by side with it
Its superiority in this respect is very evident.
My visit to the Tweed Vineyard was of a hur-
ried nature, a circumstance I much regret, as
any one interested in Vine or Pine growing
could not fail to benefit by a thorough examina-
tion of Ihe various structures devoted at this
place to the culture of these fruits. The Lady

Downe's house is at the present time worth
going a day's journey to see. Fancy a span-
roofed house 200 feet long by 25 wide, furnished
on each side from floor to ridge-board with an
> extra heavy crop of Grapes, as black as Sloes,
and fine both in bunch and berry as regards size,
and you have a Grape picture not to be seen
every day.— J. H., Bray ton, in Gardener's
Chronicle.

Black's Early Peach.— Z. writes : "Your
correspondent will find an engraving and a full
description of Black's Extra Early Peach, by
Dr. J. Stayman, in the Pomologist and Garden-
er of 1871, September number, page 217. Also
a notice of it in the appendix to Downing's
Fruits and Fruit Trees, of 1872.'

[Wo now remember the introduction, and
that we were so much disgusted with the state-
ment that it was " Ion days earlier than Hales,"
' that we made no tote of it for the Gardener's
\ Monthhi as we generally do of "likely " things.

1873.

THE GARDEJ\rER'S MOMTBLY.

29

It is strange that all these wonders should be
just ten days in advance. Won't some one have
the goodness to vary this thing a little -nine, or
even nine and a half would be a change ; or if
ten is not to be the limit, let it be eleven, but in
any event do not keep the raise every time at
ten.]

smell fragrant, and taste most excellent. The
sample, Mr. Justice tells us, was taken from
trees of his own raising. He says he has been
very successful in raising fruit trees of various
kinds, and remarked incidentally that he found
more money in the cultivation of the soil than in
any other pursuit he had ever engaged in.—
Petersburg Messenger.

New Seedling Strawberry.— I have re-
cently received from G. Cowing, of Muncie, Ind.,
a box of his Seedling strawberry, containing
some of the largest berries I have ever seen. The !
fruit is produced in immense clusters, berries
frequently irregularly flattened, is of dark red I
color, firm texture, sprightly, not very acid fla- j
vor, and excellent. The plant is an extraordi- \
narily strong grower, and apparently more har-
dy than most varieties, and I hope will be a i
valuable addition to the small list of varieties
that are really adapted to general cultivation ;
but of course it will require an extended trial in
different localities to prove its general value.
Mr. Cowing is an intelligent amateur, who has
given many years to the cultivation of strawber-
ries, and selected this as the best from among
many thousand seedlings, and after years of
watching, has full confidence in its value. I
believe he has no plants for sale at present. — E.
Y. Teas in Country Gentleman.

Via Seedling.— We have received from ^[r.
W. T. Justice, of Lunenburg County, samples
of a fine looking apple called the Via Seedling,
for which he will please accept our best thanks.
It is a fall apple, in form smooth, round and
flattish ; color red, with numerous white specks ;

Brockworth Park Pear— This new En-
glish pear, which has already been noticed in the
Monthly, appears to keep up a high reputation
in England.

Alexander Peach.— We noticed some time
ago a peach raised by Messrs. Jabez Capps &
Sons, and by a plate now before us we find it
has been named the Alexander. If the colored
plate be correct, (and as it is made by Prestele,
we may assume that it is) it is the most beauti-
ful thing in the peach way we have ever seen. It
seems to have shaded stripes like an apple -and
almost as dark as a Pied Astrachan. Indeed,
except of course it is not as large, one might
suppose that an apple like the x\lexander, sug-
gested its name.

Delicious Pear.— A correspondent in north-
ern Maryland, sends us a box of Pears and a
letter, saying "don't publish,'' which is rather
a hard hint for an editor. There is perhaps no
harm in saying that at this date, December 20,
the pears are being eaten, and that they are
equal to Seckels, and are about the same size.
They are a seedling of that section.

mw AND MRE PLAINTS.

New Bicolor Geranium, "Pride of
Mount Hope." — It is a seedling of Messrs.
EUwanger & Barry, and a cross between Buist's
Beauty and the well-known Mrs. Pollock ; foli-
age large and of a brilliant yellow color, with a
broad chocolate zone. Unlike all other Bronze
Geraniums we have yet seen, this succeeds best
under the hottest sun; the bright colors of the
leaves do not appear on plants grown in the
ehade or under glass. Its vigorous habit and
highly colored foliage will make it, we think, a

very effective and valuable plant for borders,
edgings, &c. "It is certainly far more effective
than any tricolor or bicolor yet introduced,!' is
a reliable English opinion of it.

AcHYRANTHUS Casei — During the summer
of 1871, Mr. Case, of Kichraond, lud., secured a
Sport from Achyranthus Lindenii, very similar
in its markings to Achyranthus Aurea Reticu-
lata, but differing from Achyranthus Aurea Re-
ticulata in having perfect leaves, like the origi-

so

THE GARDE JETER'S MOJ^TELY. January,

nal Achyranthus Lindenii. It stood the sun
well during the past summer, retaining its color,
and every way proved, Mr. Case says, a good
bedding plant

New Magenta Primrose, Lady Madel-
ine Taylour (Knox)— Mr. Cannell, in his En-
glish Catalogue, says :— "Who, when they first
see the dear old English Primrose showing its
bright yellow bloom, can help but welcome it as
the herald of approaching spring, and feel that
stern and dreary winter has passed and gone,
and that the glorious and flowery summer is near
at hand ; but how much more is that beautiful
yellow emblem surpassed by the introduction of
the above splendid bright magenta colored vari-
ety, which valuable kind was raised in Ireland ;
its habit of growth and freeness of bloom is in
every way similar to the yellow variety, it is
figured in the Floral World^ and considered by
the editor of that periodical, who had a plant
submitted to him for inspection, to be one of the
choicest hardy gems of new plants this year.
A great acquisition for spring bedding.

Kew Hardy Hybrid Fuchsias.— Under
this head the English papers are advertising a
race of Fuchsias, as having "stood" the En-
glish " winters of 1871 and 'T2."> Of course they
will not stand the winters of the. Northern and
Middle States of America, but will be much more
hardy than the ordinary classes of greenhouse
Fuchsias. These originated with the writer of
this paragraph in 1841, with Fuchsia fulgens, a
tender Brazilian species as one of its parents ;
"St. Clare,'' the best selection of the seedlings
from this cross, being first in the field. These
later races have been raised between hardier
species, and will bear considerable frost, provi-
ded it be in an atmosphere not very dry, in
which frost is much more trying to plants.

The following are the names and characters of
some of these sub-hardy kinds :

Bland's Hardy H-sbrid No. 1— Is a per-
fect Glohosa in shape, and when its buds are
about to burst exceeds in this respect the old va-
riety ; free graceful habit ; flowers of a fine col-
or ; growth from 4 to 8 feet high.

Bland's Hardy Hybrid No. 2— A most
profuse blooming variety, medium size ; flowers
of bright color, evidently the result of a cross
with the old Gracilis; it grows up to quite a
bush, and is particularly attractive.

Bland's Hardy Hybrid No. 3— Somewhat

similar, but a very late, small, and abundant
bloomer. For a mild climate, and fine autumn
months in England, it is a most valuable out-
door variety.

Bland's Hardy Hybrid No. 4— Has the
largest blooms, and evidently a fine cross with
(rZobosa and Try Me '0; its large unexpanded
and perfectly round pods and small tubes give a
very striking appearance ; strong grower, and
a profuse bloomer. A fine out-door variety, and
for shrubs and hedges this must ultimately form
a conspicuous object in our garden decoration.

LoNGiFLORA {sjjecies). — This hardy variety
appears to have been introduced many years ago
into the garden of H, Doubleday, Esq., of Ep-
ping, Essex ; and although possessing great
beauty, strong vigorous habit, and produces
abundance of long pendulous blooms of the
brightest coral scarlet ; glossy and ornamental
foliage. It appears to be totally unknown in
this country, and in consequence of its long flow-
ers I have named it as above. It is certainly one
of the best hardy species that we possess, and
ought to be in every garden, says IStlr. Caunel,
whose language we use.

The Knowfield Beech. — Every one knows
the beauty of the Blood-leaved Beech. This new
variety is advertised in England at a high figure.
It is said to have stripfis of green and gold
through the regular blood colored leaves. The
little plants are ^5.00 each. It is said to have been
a sport from a blood leaved Beech, and has main-
tained its character under propagation. If it
comes out as it is represented, it ought to be one
of the finest things ever introduced.

New Dahlias.— 'Mr. Gerhard Schmitz, the
amateur Dahlia fancier of Philadelphia, still con-
tinues in the good work of improving his favor-
ite flower. We have before us a list of twenty-
four new ones for 1873. One thing we do not
understand is, why names should be so scarce
that two should have the same. Here we have
"Ceres, rose shaded white ;" and another,
"Ceres, orange shaded bufi"." Is this a typo-
graphical error, or what ?

Amaranthus salicieolius.— This new plant
of last year did not please in the early part of
the season ; but in the fall, when it changed the
color of its upper leaves, it became a great fa-
vorite.

187S.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TRLY.

31

HORTICULTUML NOTICES.

AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Fourteenth Session, to be held «( Boston,

Mass., on Wednssday, Thursday and

Friday, the 10th, llfh and 12th of

September. 1873.

Dear Sir :—

In view of making the next above-named
meeting a complete suceess, and with regard to
the probability of a large attendance, we respect-
fully ask of 3'ou to suggest a system of orders or
rules for its daily sessions.

If you have any special item upon which you
wish a discussion, please name it distinctly ; and
at the same time, state how much time, in your
opinion, ought to be occupied by it.

If you have any names of persons whom yeu
think should be on the Committees, please name
them and state the Committee upon which they
should be placed.

Please address your reply to F. R. Elliott,
Cleveland, Ohio, to be received on or before the
2d day of January, 1873.

Marshall Pinckney Wilder,
F. R. Elliott, President.

Secretary.

MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

The Fourteenth Annual Meeting of this Socie-
ty will be held at Jefferson City, on Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, January
7th, 8th, 9th and 10th, 1873. Delegates are cor-
dially invited from other State and local Horti-
cultural Societies, and a full attendance of the
Farmers, Fruit Growers and Gardeners of Mis-
souri is earnestly solicited, and all lovers of Hor-
ticulture are requested to be present and partici-
pate in the discussions of the meeting.

PENNSYLVANIA FRUIT GROWERS'
SOCIETY.

The Fourteenth Annual Meeting of this flour-
ishing society, will be held in the city of Read-
ing, Pa., commencing January 15, 1873, at 2
o'clock P. M. Visitors to the meeting are re-
quested to bring with them such fruits as they

may possess. New varieties of merit are speci-
ally desired, and improved horticultural imple-
ments will also be regarded as appropriate. Th«
following will be the order of business :

Election of OflScers ; Report of the General
Fruit Committee, &c.

Address by the President. New and unfin-
ished business.

The remainder of the sessions will be devoted
to discussions on the following topics, as report-
ed by the Committee on Business. Gentlemen
whose names are affixed to each, are expected to
open the same with a short essay or impromptu
address.

1st. What is the most economical kind offence
for farms, orchards, or gardens, and what is the
best method of treating live fences ? — Thomas
Meehan.

2nd, What is the best time t© plant fruit trees?
— T. B. Jenkins.

3rd. What is the best preparation of ground
for an orchard ?— H. M. Engle.

4th. What is the most profitable way of man-
aging a fruit orchard and garden ?— E. Satter-

THWAIT.

5th. What is the beet method of manuring
fruit trees ?— T. M. Harvey.

6th. What new or little known varieties of
pears or apples are believed to be worthy of more
notice ?— Tobias Martin.

7th. How does water benefit plants ; h®w do
plants feed ; and has science aidfed fruit-culture ?
—J. S. Stauffer.

8th. What method of propagating grapes pro-
duces the healthiest plants ; has grape-growing
proved profitable ; has any grape introduced
since the Concord, been generally reliable ; and
why have so many gaapes failed ? — F. F. Mer-

CERON.

9th. How can we best promote the interests
of fruit-growing ?— A. S. Fuller.

10th. Is it profitable to beautify one's
grounds ?— Chas. H. Miller.

11th. What are the most profitable modes of
securing fertilizers for the soil ? — William:
Saunders.

12th. What are the best methods of ripening
and preserving pears ?— Samuel W. Noble.

13th. Is underdraining profitable ?—H. T.
Williams.

S2

TEE GARDEJYER'S MOJ^THLY, January,

14th. What are the most troublesome weeds
to the fruit grower, and should there be laws en-
acted for weed extermination ?— Wm. Parry.

15th. Are there any advantages to be derived
from shelter belts around orchards ? — J. HiB-

BARD BaRTRAM.

Each member of the Society will be expected
to hand to the Secretary, at the opening session
a written answer to the following question, and
the result will be announced before the adjourn-
ment of the convention, viz : — What are the best
six AjDples, six Pears, six Peaches, two Straw-
berries, and two Grapes for Eastern Pennsyl-

Tania ?

» <

WESTERN NEW YORK HORTICUL-
TURAL SOCIETY.

We very much regret that we do not receive
notices cf the meetings of the various Horticul-
tural and Pomological Societies, to serve them by
a notice of the time and place of meeting in
these columns. There are some, we suppose,
which do not feel that any notice is of any value
to them ; but, on the other hand, we know that
there are others who imagine that when their
efforts are unnoticed, it is because the Garden-
er's Monthly is indifferent to their success, when
really it is the fault of the Societies themselves,
in not furnishing us with early information.

Just as we go to press, we receive the circular
of the Western Horticultural Society of New
York. It is to be held at Geneva, commencing
January 8th. People do not generally "get up
and go," but like to arrange their little trips a
week or two in advance. We hardly suppose,
therefore, that any of our readers will be able to
go after receiving this number ; but, to show
our new friends that we wish to serve them if
they will only give us the news in time, we ap-
pend below, as a matter of interest, the titles of
the subjects they intend to discuss :

FRUITS,

Apples.~l. What is the best way to keep
Apples for family use ? On shelves, in boxes,
barrels, &c., »&c.? 2. What new varieties of
Apples promise well ?

Pears. — 1. What are the best six market
Pears ? Discussion and ballot. 2. How late
«hould winter Pears be gathered as compared
with Apples, and what is the best mode of keep-
ing ? 3. Is the cultivation of the Dwarf Pear
becoming more successful in general ? 4. What
new varieties give promise of excellence and
value ?

Plums, Peaches and Cherries. — 1. What are
the best market sorts ? 2. What new sorts pro-
mise well ?

Small Fruits.— 1. Which of the small fruits
are most profitable for market culture ? 2. What
experience have we of the superior value of
small fruits with extra care of raising and pack-
ing for market, as compared with ordinary man-
agement ? 3. What new varieties of Strawberry,
Raspberry, Gooseberry, &c., promise well ?

Grapes. — 1. What does recent experience sug-
gest in regard to the proper distance for setting
Grapes in the vine^-ard V 2. What are the great-
est crops that vines can safely bear at different
ages ? 3. What is the experience of the past
year with the newer sorts— the lona, the Eume-
lan, the Rogers' Hybrids, the Arnold's Hybrids,
Uuderhill's, &c. ?

Nuts. — 1. Can any of the Nuts be grown here
with profit ?

Drying Fruits. — 1. Has there been any recent
improvement in the method of drying fruits and
vegetables, by artificial heat? 2. Is it likely
that the drying by artificial heat will greatly in-
crease the demand for fruits ? 3. Can Raisins
be successfully made from any of our Grapes ?

lasecfs. — 1. What insects are most injurious to
fruits and fruit trees, and how destroyed ? 2.
What is the best contrivance for destroying the
Curculio ? 3. What new facts have we relative
to the Codling Moth ?

ORNAMENTAL TREES AND PLANTS.

1. What was the cause of so much injury to
Evergreen trees in the winter of 1871 and '72 ?

2. What newly or recently introduced orna-
mental trees, shrubs or plants are worthy of
special commendation ?

3. What are the best six and twelve orna-
mental foliaged plants for garden decoration in
summer, especially fer ribbon-gardening ?

4. What are the best large foliaged plants for
what is called subtropical-gardening ?

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

1. What experiments have been made in re-
gard to thinning fruits, and results on crops,
prices in market and condition of trees ?

2. Is there any encouragement for the produc-
tion of new varieties of fruits and ornamental
trees, plants and flowers by hybridizing ?

3. Have we made any real advancement in the
improvement of fruits during the past ten years ?

4. Is it not the duty of nurserymen, fruit-
growers, «&e., to contribute more freely of their
experience to the horticultural press ?

DEVOTED TO

Eorticultwre, Arboriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs.

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

Old Series, Vol. XV. FEBBUARJ , 1873. New Series. Vol. VI. Nc 2

HINTS POU PEBRUARY.

FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

Ver3' few of our readers, except of those who
have been in Europe, know what standard roses
are. There is in Europe a species of wild rose
known as the Dog Rose, one closely allied to the
sweet brier, but which has a very hard wpody
stem. These are collected from the woods when
about one inch in diameter, and cut back to
about five or six feet from the roots. Near
where the head is cut off from three to five
shoots are left to grow during the next season,
and when the proper time comes in the summer,
these are budded with any kinds desired. Thus
they make heads on these straight *tift" stems,
and are tiien standard roses. In this country
no great success has followed their introduction.
In the first place the majority of our pretty va-
rieties are not hardy enough, and in the next,
the hot dry suns evaporate the juices so I'apidly
that not enough gets to the growing head. The
circulation up the stems becomes obstructed,
and while the head becomes weakened, the sap
which wants to get up the stem and cannot,
finds a vent in a crop of suckers, which still
more divert the course of the sap from the head,
and thus the plant we have grafted and cared
for, soon dies out. Many have often regretted
that we cannot have standard rosis here as they
have in Europe, and yet we now find Europe-
ans getting up an outcry against the whole
thing. For our part we feel that the standard
rose business has been overdone in the old
world, and should be sorry to see them succeed
here to the extent they are used there ; and yet
we like a little of this kind of art in our garden

arrangements, and feel that we have much too
little of it.

So far as the rose itself is concerned, the Dog
Rose as we have said, does not well suit our cli-
mate ; but it is said just as good stocks can be
made of our Prairie Rose. This is worth trying.
The Prairie Rose strikes as easy as the Manetti,
and it would not be hard to get up a good sup-
ply of them. Not only the rose, but many other
striking objects can be had by grafting things
" standard high," and in other ways. It is this
principle which gives value to the Kilmarnock
Weeping Willow and similar trees. Besides
this, much may be done by training up trailing
things to a certain height, and then leaving
them to take care of themselves. The trailing
junipers treated this way, make very pretty ob-
jects ; and the Chinese Wistaria is particularly
grand. While however we favor this artificial
style to some extent, one must be careful of too
much trimming and pruning Some places are
laughing stocks to every person of true taste —
every thing sheared and cut into one regular
formal shape all over the ground.

As a general rule evergreens please best when
they are close and densely clothed with foliage.
If one has thin open trees they can be made into
the most enviable specimens by a judicious use
of the knife. As soon as the frost has probably
departed is an excellent time to do this. Cut
back the growth of last year to within a few
inches of where it started from. It is very essen-
tial, however, to remember that the whole plant,
leading slioot included, must be done at one time.
It is particularly essential that the leader be
shortened. A new one will push, and generally

34

THE GARDEJYER'S MOJ^THLY. February,

■wrill grow straight ; if not, a little art will help
it. Several leaders will come out sometimes,
but of course all must be sprouted off but one.
By this sirai^le treatment, any dilapidated old
scrub may be brought to the perfection of beau-
ty, if it have not lost its lower branches, when
of course, it is beyond grace to restore. Prun-
ing of all kinds should be got through with as
soon as possible— the earlier this is done the
stronger will plants push in spring. Nothing
weakens trees or shrubs more than to be cut
.severely just as the new growth is pushing.

Rustic adornments very often highly embel-
lish grounds. These can be made of split wood
nailed to board frames. The worst feature is that
they rot away so soon in our climate as scarcely
to serve long enough for the labor. To guard
against this every part of the frame work should
be tarred or painted, and the pieces used for the
fancy work should be stripped of its bark, and
painted of various shades of color to represent
natural shades of bark. The effect is not so
striking as when the bark is left on, but we have
to sacrifice a little to permanence.

In those parts of the Union where frost is over,
February is the great planting month, but do
not plant immediately after the frost leaves the
soil ; wait till it dries a little, when you can
tread the soil firmly about the roots without risk
of rendt-ring it hard as it dries more. If circum-
stances make it necessary to plant in wet soil,
do not press the soil much until it gets drier. It
is important to have the soU well pressed about
the roots, but it injures soil to press it when
wet.

As soon as the frost leaves the ground, the
lawn should be rolled with a heavy roller, while
it is yet soft ; this will make it have a smooth
surface, take out many small inequalities, and
press again into the soil the roots of the finer
grasses which the frost may have drawn out.
Where new lawns have to be made next spring,
the seeds should be sown as early in March as
possible, and the ground should be prepared for
that now, if opportunity offers. For a good lawn
the soil should be loosened at least twenty inches
deep, and be well enriched with stable-manure,
where practicable, in preference to any concen-
trated preparations. Guano, super-phosphates,
&c., are well enough ; but they do not give the
soil that /i6re, or lend it that poi-osity by which it
retains moisture and air, so essential to perfect
yegetatior.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Grape Vines are of course all pruned and tied
up. Just as the buds are bursting the steel blue
beetle attacks them. Hand killing is the remedy.
Where Grape Vines are to grow fast, use twiggy
stakes or wire trellis for them to cling to. It is
as good as manure. Also in planting Grapes be
sure to have a dry bottom. The best security
against wet roots is to raise the soil above the
level of the surface. Also the drier the soil the
richer it may be without risk of injury. Organic
manures sour rapidly in wet places, and injure
fibres.

Remember to keep a sharp lookout for the
root insect— the Phylloxiera. It is impossible to
estimate the importance of this discovery. It is
believed that most of the failures arise from this
root insect, and the man who shall succeed in
discovering a cure will be one of the great bene-
factors to grape culture. We noted some time
ago that it could be drowned out. Forty-eight
hours under water will kill them ; but this can
be done only when the plants are ndt growing.
Forty-eight hours under water to a growing
vine will kill it as well as the insect. AVe hardly
expect much will be done in this way this year.
It will take the whole season for those who are
interested to become familiar with the insect.
They say that though so minute, it will rapidly
take every part of bark from the roots, leaving
them powerless to supply food to the plants.

The rule, in pruning grape-vines, is to shorten
the shoots in proportion to their strength ; but if
the advice we have given in former summer hints
has been attended to, there will be little dispro-
portion in this matter, as summer pinching of
the strong shoots has equalized the strength of
the vine. Those who are following any particu-
lar 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 ob-
ject of pruning in any case is to get strong
shoots to push where they may be desired, or to
increase, with the increased vigor of the shoot,
which pruning supposes will follow the act, in-
creased size in the fruit it bears.

Gooseberries and Currants should have their
weaker shoots thinned out, and a little of those
left, shortened. It makes the fruit much larger.
The foreign varieties mildew badly unless grown
where the roots will be moist and cool in sum-
mer, but not wet. All these mountain or high
northern races, want a cool summer soil. With

1873.

THE GARBEJ^EWS MOJ^THLY,

35

the exception of the Cluster there has not been j
much improvement on the Houghton's Seedling j
which is the most popular of the more hardy
American class Of Currants the Red and I
White Dutch and Versaillaise are we think still
the best.

Of Strawberries, Wilson's Albany remains the
n\ost peneraWy- popular ; deficient in flavor, as it
undoubtedly is. Of course they 'may be set
out now," if the spring has cojae, but such hints
are almost too stereotyped to be of service to our
readers. '

Of the Fruit Garden for February we may say
in a general way — Raspberries and Blackberries
may be planted towards the end of the month ;
they should be cut down to within a foot of the
ground at planting ; they will of course, not then
bear the next season after planting. But this is
a benefit ; no fruit tree should be allowed to bear
the same season. lu planting these have a care
of deep planting. Even two inches lower than
the roois are is often fatal. Plant on a dry day,
barely cover the roots ; but beat or press the soil
very hard and firm.

As to the best varieties of fruits to plant, that
is a question which a work, intended as ours is
for the whole TJnited States, cannot answer.
We are continually publishing fruit lists adapted
to the different sections in the body of our work,
and to them we refer.

VEGETABLE GARDEN.

In the Middle States, the work for February
will, for the most part, consist of preparations
for future operations, and particularly for deal-
ing with the manure question. All those kinds
that are grown for their leaves or stems, require
an abundance of nitrogenous manures, and it is
useless to attempt vegetable gardening without
it. To this class belong cabbage, lettuce, spin-
ach, etc. The other class which is grown prin-
cipally for its seeds or pods, as beans, peas, etc.,
do not require much manure of this character,
in fact, they are injured by it. Ic causes too
great a growth of stem and leaf, and the earli-
ness — a great aim in vegetable growing — is inju-
riously affected. Mineral manures, as wood
ashes, bone-dust, etc , are much better for them.
For vegetables requiring rich stable manure, it
is best that they have it well rotted and decayed.
Kothing has yet been found so well fitted for the
purpose as old hot-bed dung ; though to the
smell no trace of " ammonia " remains in it.

One of the most interesting parts of a vegeta-

ble garden is a hot bed for startiug seeds early.
The end of the month will be time enough for
those who have not command oi a large supply
of stable manure, as the very low temperature
we often get at the end of the month, soon ab-
sorbs all the heat the hot-bed possessed. It is in
any event best to put up the beds in the warm-
est and most sheltered spots we can find, and to
keep cold winds from the manure, by covering it
with branches of trees, or mats ; and the glass
should always be covered with mats at night.
Tomatoes, egg-plants, peppers and cucumbers,
are the first seeds to be sown this way. Cooler
frames can be ^^ot ready for cauliflower, lettuce,
beets, celery and Early York cabbage, a little of
which may be sown about the end of the month
for the earliest crops. The Cauliflower is a par-
ticularly valued vegetable, and no expense spared
to get them in perfection will be regretted when
one's efibrts are successful.

Thdse who have hot-beds will now sow Toma-
toes, Egg-plants, Peppers, and other vegetables
that can be forwarded by this means ; and those
who have not, will sow them in boxes or pans,
and forward them in windows. Every garden
ought to have at least a few hot-bed sashes to
forward early vegetables; for if they have no
means of applying artificial heat to them, the
siish.will of itself forward some things consider-
ably.

Many parties like to have Turnips sown in
spring. The only way to succed with them is
to sow as early as possible, and on a very rich
piece of ground, where they may grow speedily.
If they do not swell before the hot weather
comes, they will certainly run to seed.

About the middle or end of the month, or still
later at the Xorth— say the middle of March —
Celery and late Cabbage may be sown. Here
we usually sow the second week in March.

All gardens should have beds of herbs. They
are always looked for in the fall, and nearly al-
ways forgotten in the spring. Xow is the time
to plant Thyme, Sage, Mint, Balm, and other
perennial herbs, and Parsley and other seeds of
hardy kinds may be sown. When we say now,
it is of course understood to mean where the
frost has evidently broken up for the season.
Our readers in less favored climes will not forget
it when it does.

In the anxiety to have early crops, people often
work the ground while it is wet. But nothing
is gained, not until it will powder, when it is dug
is it fit for turning up.

36

TEE GARDEJ^EB'S MOJ^'THLY. February,

C 0 M M U IV I C A T I 0 N S.

NOTES ON SOME HARDY HERBACEOUS
PLANTS.

BY JOHN DUNCAN, LEXINGTON, KT.
THE LARGE LEAVED SAXIFRAGES.

S. Stiacheyi. — This well raai'ked species is fig-
ured in the " Botanical Register " under the
name of S. cilzata of Royle, which it is not. It
differs from true S. ciliata in having glabrous
leaves, and also in the circumstance that here
the leaves are sessile, that is without stalks.
The blossoms are arranged in good large pani-
cles, and present themselves in spring. The
corolla is white, or sometimes with a slight in-
fusion of rose color. The plant is a native of the
Himalaja Mountains, quite hardy in England,
and I expect will prove the same in this coun-
try when introduced, which it well deserves to be.
It is evergreen, admirably adapted to rookwork
decoration as well as pot culture, and its in-
crease and general treatment is the same as that
required to do justice to S. ciliata. I never
saw our present subject except at Kew Gardens,
Englan d .

S. purpurascens. — There are only five large
leaved species of the 2:»resent genus in cultiva-
tion, and this is by far most handsome, and
amongst the rarest of all. The leaves are ever-
green and quite destitute of hairyness on any
part, and in these two respects they may be said
to resem'ile the leaves of S crassifolia, but in the
kind uu(ii>r consideration the leaves are simply
ovate, the broadest part, of course, below the
middle, whereas in S. crasfiifnlia the leaveg are
obovate or inversely egg-shaped, the broadest
part being nearer the extremity than the base of
the blade. And besides, to the experienced eye,
the fiowers can yield important aid in distin-
guishing the kind before us from the one with
•which we have been comparing it. The blos-
soms come early in spring, and all their parts
are of a deep red or purple color, bright and
beautifu , and in this way even the peduncles
are tinted down tn the very base. A native of
the Himalayas, and probably would be hardy in
America to which it has not yet, I presume,
been introduced. As regards culture, propaga-
tion, etc., it should be dealt with according to
the details given below for S. ciliata.

S. ciliata - This far surpasses all its relatives
as regards foliao-e. and on this account forms one

of the most commanding objects that can be put
upon roekwork. An idea of what a good speci-
men of this kind is like, may be conveyed by the
fact that I have measured leaves two and a half
feet long, inclusive, of course, of the stalk, the
blade on such being from twelve to fourteen
inches across. It is not evergreen. The blos-
soms are in panicles, and coming early in spring
before the leaves, are not near so effective as
they would be were the leaves evergreen. The
petals, though uncommonly pile in color, are
nevertheless ver}'^ pretty. Branches arc pro-
duced plentifully, and by means of these it is
quite easy to increase the stock ; and the opera-
tion should be performed early in autumn or in
spring, after flowering is over. Almost any
kind of earth will do, but there must be no stag-
nant water. The best earth is a rich loam, con-
taining a good amount of leaf mould— and I re-
peat again, every care must be taken to have the
drainage good. A neglect of this precaution is
sure to result fatally, and may further lead to
the erroneous belief that this sort is tender. A
native of the coldest parts of the Himalayas, and
pretty common in the gardens of Europe.

S. ligulata. — It is not easy to see to what part
of the plant this specific name has reference.
An evergreen which flowers in spring, and does
so perhaps more freely than any allied sort. The
leaves are inversely egg-shaped, stalked, and
hairy along the edges only. This last character
separates our subject from S. ciliata, which,
strange as it may appear when one thinks of the
name, is hairy all over, and as /S. jjurpurascens
and S. crassifolia are completely destitute of all
hairyuess from them also. Also our subject may
be known from S. stiacheyi by the well defined
stalks, present here, but absent there. The
corolla of a rose is not unfrequently a purple col-
or, and the inflorescence a panicle. For partic-
ulars relating to culture, etc., see under S. cras-
sifolia. A native of the Himalayas.

S crassifolin. An old favorite, needing no
recommendation. The leaves are stalked in-
versely egg shaped, and without hairs, and also
evergreen. The fl )wers bloom out early in spring,
and are arranged in considerable panicles. The
corolla is very beautiful, the petals being each
about half an inch long, and of a rose or purple
color. Increase by parting should take effect

1873,

TEE GARBEJ^ER'S MONTHLY.

87

after the flowers fade. Does best in a stony,
well-dl-ained deep loam, and is fit for border or
pot culture, and looks admirable on rockwork.
A native of Siberia . There is a variety of this
species known as intermedia^ or sometimes cordi-
folia, and readily distinguished by the short
roundish leaves.

NERTERA DEPRESSA

This is an extremely peculiar little plant, and
is also at the same time exceedingly beautiful.
Its habit and size are about the same as that of
Sagina procumhens. The flowers are produced
very plentifully, but being small and green, just
the color of the leaves, it is not an easj' matter
for the uninitiated to detect them. The berries
are the principal ornament of our subject, and
they reach the zenith of their beauty in autumn.
They are about as big as the fruit of the English
mountain ash, colored pretty much like that,
but rather more delicate and pleasing, and made
so partly by a polished glistening surface. The
wonder is that all this happens on a plant no
bigger than a moss, and that the berries not un-
frequently form quite a dense mass, as the quan-
tity of blossom already referred to might lead
one to expect. Probably in this country, except
in the sunny South, it would not prove hardy,
because in the neighborhood of London, Eng-
land, in very severe winters, it required a little
protection ; but it deserves this and far more.
It is a native of New Zealand. I do not think
it has yet been carried to these shores in the
living state. What a gem it would be for a
Wardian case, or any similar place ! It is al-
most as readily increased as a Selaginella, and
delights in a rich loam. Either seed or partino;
may be resorted to for the purposes of miihi pli-
cation, the former to be sown in spring, aud the
latter may be done almost any time if care is
exercised

DRACOCBPHALUM.

D. peregrinum. — In this species the stem and
branches are of the same general character as
those of D. austriacum, but a distinguishing
mark may be found in the leaves, these being
lanceolate and irregularly toothed along the
edges. In the plant before us the blossoms are
purple, vnd about three-fourths of an inch long,
and produced in handsome racemes at the end
both of the primary and secondary shoots. In-
crease by parting by cuttings or by seed, the first
to be done early in the fall, and the second and
last in the spring. A rich deep loam. A na-
tive of Siberia, and would probably prove hardy

any where south of Boston, and well deserving
of introduction, if not already in the land. In
many European collections.

D. austriacum. — This is a most beautiful plant
— herbaceous in the sense that it dies dowa
every year, but the shoots are of a hard woody
texture, and grow almost a foot high. The
leaves are opposite, and cut into four or five seg-
ments. The flowers are large and handsome,
being an inch long ; purple for the most part,
and produced in terminal spikes. The lower lip
of the corolla is very delicately spotted, much in
the same way as the inside of the corolla of Dig-
italis purpurea, or English Foxglove. The blos-
soms exhibit during summer, and the species is
easily increased, either by cuttings or seed after
the manner referred to above under the other
sort. A native of Austria, and probably would
be hardy anywhere in the States south of Massa-
chusetts. Not very rare in collections in Eu-
rope.

SILENE ALPBSTRIS.

This beautiful plant grows about six in; hes
high. The blossoms seem almost whiter than
snow, so pure do they look when they first ex-
pand, and they are produced at the extremity of
the erect and slender shoots. Strictly herba-
ceous and almost evergreen. The stems are of
a red coloi', and the greater part of the plant is
viscid, to the discomfort, if not ruin ef any small
fly that may be in the way. I do not know a
more charmingly effective little mountain gem
than this. The flowers begin to display them-
selves early in summer, and do not like some
other flowers of other members of the genus ,
close and unclose again, but continue open
without intermission from the first expansion
until the fading cakes place. Oar lovely subject
can develop perfectly, either in a sunny or sha-
ded situation, and loves a deep, well enriched
loamy soil, enriched not by manure, but by de-
cayed leaves, peat, or such like. Also plenty of
moisture during the whole of the dry and warm
portion of the year. The rockwork is the near-
est approach to its native Alpine home that art
has yet discovered, and after growing in one po-
sition for a couple or three years, it should be
taken up and the earth renewed, when it can be
put back again in the same place. It does very
well on a border or in a pot, but stones should
always surround it. S viscida, a synonym. In-
crease by parting or seed. A native of Austria.

ss

IKE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TELY, February,

A GOOD LILIUM AUKATUM.

BY W. T,. AKERS, JOHNSTOWN, PA.

Dr. John Lowraan of this place has a plant of
the above variety growing in his grounds, wor-
thy of note in connection with those mentioned
by "J. B." in the November issue of the Gar-
diner's Monthly. It has remained in the same
position for several years, sending up but one
stem each season ; but increasing in size and
number of flowers each year. This season the
stem was full five feet high, and an inch in dia-
meter, with fifty-six flower buds —some thirty of
which were developed at one time, and all came
into flower during the season. It was a magni-
ficent spectacle, and filled the air with perfume.

ORNAMENTAL LEAVES FOR BOU-
QUETS.

BT G. C T., PHIL A.

R. M. in Gardener''s Chronicle, quoted in No-
vember Gardener''s Monthly., recommends Ber-
beris aquifolium as a border for bouquets. I
have for years used those leaves for bouquets,
and consider them equal to anything I know of
The evergreen fern, common about German-
town, is also a fine bordering.giving the bouquet
a star-like look. In the late spring and early
summer months I make great use of the j'oung
shoots of the Hornbeam. Their pleasing red-
ish brown hue and beautifully' crimped leaves,
have a fine effect in bouquets The leaves of
nearly all the Begonias can bo used. They are
striking and unique in bouquets. Few persons
seem to be aware of the great beautj- of leaves
and their value in floral decoration. I make
great use of leaves ; have even at times used
successfully the blades of our ordinary roadside

grasses.

. — » <

GAS TAR.

BY THOMAS OTTAWAY, MIDDLEBURG, OHIO.

I have been using Gas Tar for eight years on
greenhouse, staging, pit benches, cucumber and
melon frames, and never seen anj' damage re-
sult from it, but now I am told by Mr. Bundy,
that EUwanger & Barry, also Mr. Hooker, both
of Rochester, have lost piles of plants by it.

As regards Gas Tar, I believe it contains car-
bon and ammonia. Certainly there is nothing
injurious in that As an application there is
trouble when the aramonical properties are too
strong for vegetatinn. Twelve months ago I
built a new pit 40x13, divided it in the centre,
had all the woodwork well tarred over, and three

days after filled it with roses, geraniums, &c., in
cool part. The hot part was filled with tender
plants and general stock. Now I would like to
hear from other friends on this subject.

Gas tar I find the best thing I can use on
greenhouse benches for preserving the wood-
work ; water lime the next. I have used gas
tar on eight separate rooms. My plants always
grew and looked well, as other parties can testi-
fy My cucumber and melon frames I always
tar inside and out. I would like to see the par-
ties that had better luck. Never missed cutting
the first week in May since I have been growing
them. I have seen twelve cucumbers (Long
Greens) growing from one light at one time.
Surely gas tar did not hurt them.

[Gas tar often contains creosote, then it is dan-
gerous ]

• 4*««*

TREE CULTURE.
Theoretical and Deductive Philosophies about U.

BY A. HUIDEKOPER, MEADVILLE, PA.

A New Englander told me the other day that
a fellow coach passenger had called his atten-
tion to some white washed trees, remarking,
" that shows the fools are not all dead yet ; it is
strange that farmer don't know that the bark of
a tree is like the skin of a man, if you stop up
the pores of the latter the man will die.'' This
shows reasoning by analogy is dangerous, espe-
cially when we jump at the analogies. If the
critic had been put to it he would probably have
found little in common between the bark and
the skin, except that of position ; the functions
being quite different. He might as well have
said to a surgeon, do not cut oft' that man's mu-
tilated feet, they are to him what the root is to a
tree. Every body knows if you cut away the
roots of a tree it will die.

I picked up the other day an essay on Or-
chards, which I thought sensible until I came to
the advice not to scrape the loose bark from the
trees, because if nature had not a use for the
bark it would not be there. Now nature in
loosening that bark is making an effort to get
rid of it, and the scraper is an aid, not an antag-
onist of nature. A hostler would have smiled
if the lecturer had said to him, do not curry that
horse while he is shedding his coat, if nature had
not a use for that loosely attached hair it would
not be on the animal.

When I was full of boyish faith in what I
found in print, I came across the direction of
some theorist to prune fruit trees in June, be-

187S.

THE GARDENER'S MOJVTHLY.

39

cause being then full of sap, the wounds would
the sooner heal up. I applied the saw to some
(fortunatelj- worthless) seedling apple trees, and
found the sunshine on tlie exuding sap produced
canker and nearly destroyed the trees. In the
autumn I saw a Eambo apple tree split in the
centre with its weight of fruit. The half that
fell down was cut away, leaving a large wound
exposed to the frosts of the following winter.
Very bad theoretically for its recovery ; yet it
started next year with a healthy healing pro-
cess, which has gone on for thirty years, while
the tree has in alternate seasons been bearing
large crops of fruit. From this I concluded that
"an ounce of practice is worth a pound of
theory," and I have since done pruning that
seemed necessary in the autumn, as soon as
the main growth of the tree was over and the
wood began to ripen —not hesitating to cut away
limbs where they grew too thickly, or to shorten
in for a season a vine or the shoot of a pear tree,
when they were slender, in order to get a better
base, nor to advise my neighbor when his vines
had become a wilderness of self strangling com-
plications, to cut awaj' nine-tenths of the wood
that the residue might ripen and bear better
fruit. I even believed, that where an apple tree
had a tendency to shoot up to such an altitude
that a farmer could only look at its fruit, but
would be unable to come to it without the aid of
a balloon, that it would be well to cut off the en-
tire stem of such a tree six or eight feet from the
ground, and make it throw out strong laterals,
which would give an open head to the tree, and
place its fruit where it could safely be reached
with a ladder, when my settled convictions were
run into by something I saw in the Gardener''s
Monthly (1 cannot find it as I write) about '■ all
pruning being a shock to the vitality of a tree."
This would be a very popular gospel among
some of our lazy orchardists.

This elementary principle is reached, I be-
lieve, by deduction, the formula being as follows:
A tree can be pruned to death ; therefore any
pruning is a shock to its vitality. I use the for-
mula in a different way, thus : A plant can be
watered to death ', therefore any water is a shock
to the vitality of a plant, and I find the rule has
its limitations or contradictions in practice.
Knowing how eminently wise is the Gardener''s
Monthly^ I sought for some broader interpreta-
tion of its "shocking" theory, that I could sub-
scribe to, and I think I find it in the ambiguity
of its terms. Thus the '■^Monthly " teaches that

when a tree is transplanted, the top should be
shortened into a proper relation to the mutila-
ted roots. Neglect of this is death— observance
of it promotes growth. Now the vitality of a
tree consists in its life and development, and
the " shock " of pruning here referred to is akin
to the shock of a galvanic battery when applied
to a paralyzed limb, to which it is expected to
restore health}'^ circulation and its normal func-
tions. Vitality in plants and trees depends
largely on relations to sunshine and shade to
proper proportions of the top to the stem or the
top to the roots. So I suppose the '■^ Monthly '*''
u?es that word 'shock'' in a double sense;
constructively, when the pruning shocks a tree
into better conditions, and destructively when
the work is ill-timed or too radical. The doc-
tors tell us that a drug may be a narcotic or a
stimulant, in accordance with the quantity of it
that is taken. The Garderier's Monthly, I am
pretty sure, will permit us to cling to our faith
that pruning is beneficial or otherwise, accord-
ing to the good sense or the bad judgment that
may direct the arm holding the saw or the pru-
ning knife. Will it not ?

VARIATIONS IN NATURE.

BY C.

Just as I read thy paper on variation not
caused always by domestication, I was cours-
ing the memoirs of El Baber, the founder of the
Mongol dynasty in India, (16th century) a great
fighter, and a close observer of nature, and an
ardent admirer of pretty flowers. In one of his
military expeditions in the mountainous region
N. E. of Cabul, he found immense numbers of
wild tulips, of which he noticed twenty-five dif-
ferent kinds, and in one locality a hundred-
leaved tulip, which appears to have delighted
him much, both by its beauty and unusual form,
and also because it was found only in that one
locality of Umited extent. The art of man evi-
dently had done nothing in this case.

SHORT PURSES AND DUTCH BULBS.

BY B. W., LANSINGBURG, N. Y.

These few words are addressed to persons of
limited means especially, for the reason that a
supposition exists that t© enjoy the delights of
bulb culture necessitates the possession of a
very long purse well filled, and this supposition
frequently prevents that inquiry which would
prove the perfect falsity of the previous impres-

JfO

THE GARBEJ^EBfS MOJYTHLY. February,

sion. Thus many persons miss an innocent
pleasure, a source of much real enjoyment, and
pass the long, dreary winter without one flower
to cheer and gladden their sense of the beautiful.
To prove that a good collection of bulbs may be
obtained for a small outlay of money, and to.give
the names of such as are best calculated to grow
and bloom satisfactorily in the hands of the no-
vice, is the object of the writer.

We will suppose our readers to be familiar
with the fact that Dutch Bulbs are cultivated
in immense quantities in Holland, where peculi-
arities of soil and climate, and the scientific cul- i
ture given them, induce their fullest develop- j
ment. It is from Holland the world draws its j
supply of hyacinths, tulips, crocuses, narcissus, j
etc., and from Holland alone.

In selecting hyacinths, the bewildering con- i
fusion of names, the expansive lists of colors— i
dark blue, light blue, porcelain and lilac, red, ;
pink, rose and blush — requires considerable i
courage on the part of the beginner in bulb cul- \
ture to be attacked by him ; but he need not be
disheartened- nearly rtH good; some are better
suited to his purpose than others, and these are
equally found among the cheapest sorts as well
as among the higher priced. Of course we wish
"White, pink and blue, and for our white variety
let us have Grand Vainqueur. If we have one
or a dozen, we can find none superior to it. Its
especial recommendations are earliness, a tall
stem, and truss of large size, bearing no tinge of
color ; pure and stainless as new fallen snow.
For many years the writer has enjoyed its beau-
ty and sweet smell, thinking it each year more
beautiful than the year previous. In others of
different shades there are man}' of great merit at
a low price.

Crantatus for a light blue, is excellent. Al-
ways bearing a large truss, oftentimes an im-
mense one, of flowers, good in shape, and of
cerulean blue. It is fit to be the companion of
Grand Vaniqueur — and is, for they bloom at the
same time when planted together.

Charles Dickens, for a darker sort, is very su-
perior. Blue, of medium shade, with a darker
line through the centre of each petal ; sweet and
spicy in smell ; always sure to bloom. We must
indeed have at least one of this variety.

If we can afford another blue let us select
Prince Yon Lux Weimar. He is clothed in roy-
al livery, and worthy of a place in our collection.
We must have some pink kinds, for if but three
roots are purchased, one must be white, one

blue, and one pink, to be planted together. They
look very pretty grown in this way, and take
less room. Any of the following are as good as
the best. Mdl'e. Hodson Norma, Mdile. Zont-
man, and Bouquet Royal. The first named is
very good, having a rich bright color and deli"
cate fragrance. Norma has fewer bells to the
truss than most others, but what is lacking in
number is made up in size, each flower being
very large. Do not plant Bouquet Royal with
any of the others mentioned, as it blooms later
than they. Planting in groups we wish all to
bloom together, and did we expect Bouquet Roy-
al to bloom with Crantatus or Grand Vain-
queur, we would be disappointed. Any of the
hyacinths specified can be bought of the dealers,
at twenty-five cents singly or three dollars per
dozen. And should you mention that you were
making your first attempt at bulb growing, we
would not be surprised if upon opening your
parcel after getting home you found a little addi-
tion to your order, given by way of encourage-
ment to you from the kind hearted dealer— for
most seedsmen and florists are very kind of
heart. Perhaps goodness and tenderness are
exhaled with the fragrance which fills so large a
portion of their domicil. We have often thought
»o!

Hyacinths have been given the first place, not
because we think them so superior in beauty to
others, but because being so sure of bloom, so
brilliant of color and so sweetly fragrant, the
prefereuce is usually given them.

Polyanthus Narcissus, Tulips of some varie-
ties, and Crocuses also do well with window cul-
ture, and are not less desirable than hyacinths,
and as they are of low price, and so of interest
to the short pursed lover of flowers, we will con-
sider their merits at some future time.

Nothing has been said of cultivation, for where
our beginner is fully persuaded to try his luck
in bulb growing, he will find directions, which
are very simple, in any of the catalogues pub-
lished, and these he may procure without diffi-
culty—without money and without price.

"THE PARTERRE."

BY W. B. WICKEN.

The writer has seen many pleasure grounds,
which in many respects were laid out with taste
and propriety, but with an almost total neglect,
or at best, a poor attempt at the Parterre, which
if tastefully planned and executed, adds greatly
to the beauty and interest of any grounds.

187 3.

THE GARBEJ\''ER'S MOJVTELY.

Al

Beautiful colors, arranged and contrasted in
elegant and tasteful figures, in their combina-
tion, give an effect that is wanting when each
are separate from the other. There is often seen
on beautiful lawns, a circle described here, a
diamond shaped bed there, and yonder perhaps
a crescent, suggesting the idea they had dropped
from the sky, and had been let remain where
they fell, there being no attempt at symmetrical
arrangement or system.

It is evident that the beauty and pleasing
effect of any geometrical design is dependent on
the I'elative bearing of one line on the other, as

selves anywhere, but it is possible for us to make
use of this beauty in such a manner that we may
derive greater pleasure thereby. Of course some
judgment is required in planting, habit and
color considered.

It is decidedly not the object of this paper to
advocate laying out of pleasure grounds, with
walks and general features in a style of geomet-
rical precision. But there can be no place laid
out in whatsoever style to which the parterre
will not be an interesting and beautiful addition.
If at all possible, the parterre should be laid out
near the terrace or house, as its beauty is great-

there is certainly as much respective harmony
in form as in sound. Perhaps the accompany-
ing sketch of a few beds may help to demon-
strate the ideas of the writer, and perhaps may
set some of your fair readers thinking and plan-
ning, and so bring about a better state of things
next season.

There may be some impression that similar
beds would require an extra quantity of bedding
stuff to fill them, but there are many plants
that are planted in one corner or another and so
on, that miglit be planted here with heightened
effect. Of course flowers are beautiful in them-

ly enhanced when seen from some point above^
as the piazza, terrace, or house, then all the
shape in detail can be taken into the eye at once.

SUITABLE COMPOST FOR GRAPERY
BORDERS.

BY MANSFIELD MILTON.

The cultivation of the -grape vine has been
practised by all nations from their earliest ages,
and no fruit better repays good cultivation. Its
delicious flavor and health giving qualities
making it preferable to every other.

Although several species are indigeneous to

r^

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^^TMLY. February,

this country, and well-flavored varieties by hy-
bridizing and crossing been raised, still none
equal in flavor the different varieties of the Eu-
ropean species VUis vinifera Very good
hybrids have been raised from hybridizing some
of the American species with the European
species. We, however, believe that a greater
success will 3'et be attained, and varieties raised
possessing the hardiness of the American species
and the delicious flavor of the European.

As the European varieties cannot with any-
thing like success in the IsTorthern States, be
grown out doors, it is consequently necessary to
cultivate them under glass. We shall, therefore,
give a few remarks upon the compost best suit-
able for graper}' borders.

Turfy loam should constitute the main part of
the compost. The surface of old pasture, half
decayed sods, or any good fibrous loam that has
not been under cultivation for a good while
being the most suitable. The more fibrous loam
is, the more adapted it is for supplying for years
vegetable nourishment. If of an inert state
when put into the composition of a border, it
soon acquires that sour, deadened state so detri-
mental for suppljing suitable food for plants, j
especially grape vine roots, as they are very ira- '
patient in stagnant or inactive soil But if of a |
fibrous nature, it for years retains that life and
porosity so necessary for soil which has to be
undisturbed for years. Another evil to guard
against is chopping the soil too fine. We believe
in leaving it, (especially loam that is to be used
for a graper}' or any permanent border) in a
rather rough state. ^Ve have seen several bor-
ders with all the soil carefully sifted, one of the
most foolish ideas, as no one of ordinary olv^ f
vant qualities but knows the best of the soil is
taken out by sifting. Peat or muck in part is
very good for borders if not of too spongy a na-
ture, as it is then so apt for getting saturated
with water, especially if a large quantity of it is
used, and also converts the loam into the same
inactive state. If the loam is good there is no
need for using much peat, but if of a gravelly na-
ture peat may with advantage be more freely
used. Well decomposed leaf mould is better
than bad peat ; carefully clearing out all pieces
of wood, as they create a fungus, which prove
injurious to grape vine roots.

Manures for grapery borders are very numer-
ous, each having its advocate, but from personal
experience, and observing the results of the ex-
periments of others, we think but few are really

suitable. Plent}' of manures there are that for
a year or two create a most luxuriant effect,
then as quickly in effect decay. The principle
aim being to secure fertilizers not only suitable
for causing a vigorous growth to the vines, but
the essential qualities of which are of a lasting
nature.

The best animal manure for this purpose is
horse manure, which ought to be mixed with the
soil in a half decomposed state, for if allowed to
decompose, too much ammonia escapes— the
most important component of the manure, as
from it nitrogen is derived, which is the main
food for the grape vine The more ammonia
therefore that pervades the soil, the more bene-
ficial the results in procuring strong, healthy
vines and foliage. Unless the vines be possess-
ed of a strong constitution in the commence-
ment of their growth, they ever after show the
effects of early weakness

Cow manure does not contain so large an
amount of ammonia as horse manure, nor does
it possess so warm a nature. It is also slower
in action, and is apt for becoming a deadened
mass when used in large quantities, but when
mixed with horse manure, and well fermented,
it then becomes highly serviceable, and thought
by man}' when so used to be more beneficial than
horse manure alone.

Pig manure, although containing more ammo-
nia ihan either horse or cow manure, assimi-
lates the latter in other qualities, and therefore
should be used, mixed with horse manure.
Without being well decomposed it should not be
allowed to come directly in contact with the
roots, being so strong as to generally d.'-i.oy
them.

Crushed bones is one of the most useful ma-
nures there is for grapery borders. If crushed
into dust their effect is immediate, but not so
lasting as when broken into one inch pieces.
Not only do they supply vigorous growth to the
vine, but also contribute suitable nourishment
required for the enlargement of the fruit.

The dead bodies of animals in a crude state
have been extensively used in th.> formation of
borders. Few people using them once, and close-
ly observing the effect, will do so a second time,
and would advise those intending doing so to
abandon their intention. Dead bodies in their
crude slate are more antagonistic than useful as
food for vegetation, and not until an advanced
stage of decomposition has been reached can
plants derive any nourishment from them.

1873.

TEE GARBEJSTEWS MOJVTRLY,

AS

Those intending to ujjb them for border purposes
should decompose them before applying, by
burying in loam or muck until well rotted, and
mixing well by several turnings of the whole
mass. One particular part to be attended to is
mixing the soil for the border and manure tho-
roughly before either forming the inside or out-
side border. About one fourth of the whole
mass should be animal manure, and we have
advantageously used from eight to twelve bar-
rels of bones for the borders of large houses.

We deem about fifteen feet wide and three feet
deep sufficient for outside borders. Giving good
drainage, for unless all superfluous water is car-
ried off (allowing the compost to be of the best
materials) only a few years will be sufficent in
showing the evil effects of improper drainage,
or both vines and fruit

THE NEW VARIETIES OF GLADIOLUS.

BY GEO SUCH, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J.

I notice in the December number of the Oar-
dener''s Monthly, a short article taken from the
London Journal of Horticulture, in which com-
ment is made regarding the new varieties of
Gladiolus. The writer says, "From what I
have seen here and elsewhere, there is but little
new or good amongst them ; indeed some of
them are merel}- repetitions of the old sorts."

Allow me to say that this judgment is ex-
tremely unjust, and by referring to the Journal
of Horticulture for October 24lh, you will notice
that the Rev. Mr. Dombrain, one of the very
best authorities on the Gladiolus, says that " so
far from thinking the sorts sent out last autumn
the worst set we have had for some years, T think
them one of the best."

Having grown all the new varieties but one,
in ray own garden, the following impressions
may be of some value :

Antigone is certainly a very fine flower, being
tender rose color, flamed with crimson, and with
a very long flower spike.

Ariane has a white ground more or less blazed
with rose and lilac ; very handsome.

Alcyon and Arsinoe are good, but not very
remarkable.

Antitype is a showy and ver}' neatly shaped
flower, its general tone of color being cherry
tinted with orange.

Beatrix is admirable ; a pure white ground,
slightly marked with crimson lilac.

Celimene 1 do not so much like, however, as it

is a shade of red, to my taste, not at all pleasing.

Didon is a flower that Mr, Dombrain con-
siders only second rate, but as I saw it, no taste,
however critical,could fail to be pli^ased with it.
The throat of this flower is largely pure white,
gradually deepening towards the edges into the
most delicate lilac imaginable.

Jupiter is gorgeous, a dark and superb crim-
son, flaked with blackish crimson.

Minerva was the only one I did not see.

Ossian has a fine spike of rose colored flowers,
tinted with deep violet and carmine ; not sufltt-
ciently remarkable to be in the first rank, but
decidedly fine.

Phoebus is very fine indeed, throwing up a
flower spike of striking fire-red flowers, finely
lighted up with white.

Virginalis is exquisite, being very pure white
bordered with delicate rose color.

These few remarks I make in the spirit of jus-
tice merel}' as to the new varieties, and by no
means intending to make little of the older kinds,
many of which are of such superb beauty as to
be quite unsurpassable in their peculiar sections.

I am from time to time called upon by custom-
ers to name what I consider, say, the best dozen
kinds of Gladiolus, and it is a difficult matter to
decide. Not long ago, replying to a letter from
Boston, I named twelve that were all admirable,
and the gentleman to whom I wrote expressed
his surprise at not seeing the name of any one
of the latest novel 'ies mentioned in the dozen ;
but in reality there was no caus? for surprise,
the novelties being novel from the fact of being
distinct from the other kinds rather than as sur-
passing them.

Such fl')wers as Shakespeare, Mei/erheer, and
Madame Desporten -not mentioning others of
former years— have such claimsupon our admi-
ration as will enable them to securely hold their
own against all new comers. Shakespeare and
Meyerbeer especially, stand distinct from all
others, and to attempt a comparison between
these and others, whether new or old, would be
like attempting to compare a very fine peach
with a pear of equally fine quality.

THE TANYAH— SPROUTS.

BY J. I. CLOW, M. D.

As the season for preserving this valuable es-
culent for winter use is approaching, a few sug.
gestions, dictated by a long experience in their
cultivation and use, may not be unacceptable to
some of your numerous readers. As the fall up

u

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJs^THLY. Fehruary,

to this time (October 7*, has been unusually dry i
for this latitude, the roots hare made but little
progress toward maturity, but as we have just '
had a fine shower, and the prospect of more rain
is favorable, it is not too late for them to make
yet, as I have found that the roots make more
from this time until the top is killed by frost
than ill all the preceding part of the season ;
and under no circumstances should they be dug
until the top is entirely killed, for they continue
to enlarge their roots after the frost has killed
the leaves, and I never dig them until just before
Christmas, and sometimes not until January.

I accidently discovered a plan of raising
sprouts two winters since, which I have success-
fully employed, and for the benefit of those who
are fond of them I will now describe. In dig-
ging a patch, and after separating the small
roots from the large central bulbs, the latter
were thrown into a conical heap and covered
with dry weeds and dirt ; and as I had housed
those intended for eating in the potato house,
those in the heap were left undisturbed until
about the last of February, when, on opening
the heap it was found that the bulbs had sent
up large sprouts, which had penetrated the in-
terstices of the whole heap, some of them a foot
long and as thick as my wrist. By introducing
a knife and cutting them off near the crown of
the root I soon gathered a large mess, and had
them cooked by boiling and then dressing with
butter, pepper and salt, and all who partook of
them pronounced them a first-i-ate dish. We
continued to use them for a month Like Aspa-
ragus, as fast as you cut ©tl'the sprout it put out
again, and by the time you go over the bank the
first will be ready to cut again. Since that time
I have made a bed of the bulbs by placing them
on top of the ground, close together, as in ma-
king a potato plant bed, and after covering with
a thick coat of dry weeds or corn stalks covering
them with dirt five or six inches deep. The bed
should be made in a place exposed to the sun,
and if there was a coat of some fermenting sub-
stance, such as stable manure or cotton seed, it
would be still better.

I had a bed of four or five barrels last winter,
from which I used in February and March.
About the first of April the roots may be taken
up and planted in hills, and they grow as well
as if they had not been sprouted.

[We take the above in regard to the common
Caladium (Colocasia esculentem), from Our
Home Journal of New Orleans.]

EDITORIAL NOTES.

FOREIGN.

Tl e Hhuhnrb of Commerce. Prof. Baillon, in
the recent session of the French Association for
the Advancement of Science, says : Chinese and
Russian rhubarb appears to be the result of a
single species growing in Thibet, on a tract of
land so inaccessible that it has been but seldom
examined by Europeans. It is in latitude 40".
It is said that the Chinese have zealously guard-
ed this plant from stranger eyes ; but in 1868 a
plant reached France alive, which flowei'ed last
year. It is ^' ■proha.hly Bheuvi paJmcitum.''' It
is not herbaceous as in our species, but has " a
stem one to two feet long covered with a black
bark ; is soft, humid, and containing yellow sap
wood." The leaves resemble rather those of
our common castor oilplant, than the common
rhubarbs. The commercial article is not the
root as we have all along supposed, but "the
aerial stems and branches." It is found to be
hardy in France.

The Quinoa— Chenopodium Quinoa. The ion-
don Journal of Pharmacy says that in Mexico
this plant rates in agriculture in importance
with the potato, maize and wheat. On high re-
gions where rye and barley will not ri[)en, it is
the chief object of agriculture. It grows three
or four feet high, and bears an immense quanti-
ty of seeds. Its general appearance might be
likenencd to a gigantic spinage. It is used as
"mush," the meal not being tenaceous enough
to make bread. The leaves are eaten as spinage.

The Boldo. We note in our Western papers
that rising importance is being given to this in
medicine. It is Peumus boldus of Baillon, and
Boldoa fragrans of Jussien. It has a distant re-
lation to our sassafras.

Timber of the Yellow Cypre.^tf!. A correspond-
ent says that the timber of the Cupressus Nut-
kaensis has been found superior for ship building,
and is likeW to come into extensive use for this
purpose.

The Mammoth Sequoia in England. As recent-
ly noted, the wild plants of California are found
to be much more closely allied to the wild flora
of England than are the wild species of the East-
ern United l^tates. So when the trees and plants
of California are introduced to England they
find themselves at home, as they will not east of
the Rocky Mountains. A correspondent of the
Gardener's Chronicle says of the mammoth tree :

" One of the finest plants in England is said to be
at the Marquis of Huntley's, Orton Hall, in Hunt-

187S.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJfTHLY.

45

ingdousliire. Mr. Sharp reports it as beino; 36 feet ;
in height ; circumference of trunk at the base 5 feet !
8 inches ; circumference of branches, 45 feet. As is ,
well known, there are numerous others of nearl}'' ;
equal dimensions, as at Windsor, Bocounoc, »&c
In Scotland, there are several fine plants ; one of
the largest is at Dalzell, Motherwell, Lantirkshire,
the residence of Major Hamilton, M. P., which he
reports as measuring ' 35 feet Cinches in height;
its girth at 3 feet from the ground is 4 feet 2 inches ;
it was planted about 13 inches high, in November,
1857,' consequeutlj'' it must have made an average
growth of nearly 3 feet for the twelve years it has
been planted. There is a specimen of neai'Iy equal
dimensions at Murthly Castle. The best plant at
Castle Kennedy is about 18 feet in height, growing
in deep moss— a perfect cone, feathered to the
ground, and iu line health. Judging from some
specimens which I have seen in various parts of
Ireland, it is highly probable that it will, in that
humid climate, reach a size not to be surpassed in
any other parts of these islands."'

The PkyVoxera Vastatrix. Tliis terrible grape
enemy is imitating the goings on of the Colora-
do potato bug, in giving a preference to another
kind of food than that which first sustained it.
Though said to be an American insect, it is giv-
ing its most delicate attentions to the roots of
the hot house or European grape, and this to so
ardent a degree that it is becoming a fearful
scourge to the English grape grower. Some
graft the vine on American bottoms, under the
idea that the insect does not like so well its na-
tive root.

Roses for Greenhouse Flowering. The Gar-
denerls Chronicle^ in repl}- to a correspondent,
gives the following list of six climbing roses for
wall of greenhouse : Marechal Niel, Celine, For-
estier, Charles Lefebyre, Gloire de Dijon, Belle
de Bordeaux, Glory of Waltham. Six roses for
pots : Beauty of Waltham, Madame Victor
Verdier, Alfred Colombe, Madame Alfred de
Rougemont, Anna Alexieff, Madame Willer-
moz ; and in reply to another inquirer in regard
to

Gardener''s Situations in America, gives ano-
ther correspondent the following information,
for which we return our thanks :

" G. L. Advertise in the American Garclener''s
Monthly, published at 814 Chestnut Street, Phila-
delphia: or in any other of the American horticul-
tural journals."

Vegetable Gardening in Borne. In and around
all large towns, on account of the advautage of
cheap and abundant fertilizers, vegetable gar-
dening prospers. For some reason or other
there does not seem to be much of this kind of
gardening about the Eternal City ; but the sup-
ply is drawn from other regions a long way off.

The Rome correspondent of the London Times
wrote :

" I was yesterday in one of these, hard liy a gate
of the city. Pait of its boundary consisted of the
loop-holed wall through which tlie Papal Z-juaves
fired on the approaching Italian troops in 1870.
There was a glorious avenue of trees, interlacing
overhead, a vault of foliage hundreds of yards long,
a cool and delicious summer retreat. The damask
Roses bloomed in profusion, and happy, bare-headed
children were playing on the grass and in the shrub-
bery walks. It was like a warm spring day in En-
gland. At a cornei^of this pleasant domain I looked
over a gate into a large kitchen-garden, which, pro-
perly cultivated, might supply a small town. But
rhe Roman owner thought not of the advantage to
be derived from it. It contained a large bed of
gigantic Cabbages, rising rank amid a wilderness of
weeds, and it contained nothing else. While reflect-
ing on this deplorable insouciance and neglect, I
heard the railway whistle, and saw in the distance
the train from Naples, bringing crates of crashed
vegetables for to-day's market."

Tree Planting in the Public Streets. In Eng-
land street trees are generally the property of
the city, and are planted by the authority and
under the oversight of the city councils, instead
of being all left toindividual notion as here. The
city of Brighton has recently advertised for " five
hundred planes, poplars, limes, elms and syca-
mores, fifteen to twenty feet high, for this pur-
pose."

Neiv Peas. Our fever in the way of grapes
and potatoes, is about equalled by the English
in new peas. By the immense interest taken
there in new peas one might almost suppose all
England lived wholly on jjeas, and that it was
the pea, and not the turnip which paid the in-
terest on the national debt.

Christmas Trees. The idea of the Christmas
tree we have received from the Germans. It has
now spread to thf English. A i'l^'w years ago no
one thought there of the Christmas tree. The
Holly and the Mistlcto were all. Now the
Christmas tree enters largely into the annual
festivity.

Tuberoses. The climate of England is not hot
enough to bring the tuberose to flowering perfec-
tion though they will bloom there after being
once grown. Italy furnished the crop ; but
recently America supplies them largely, and our
roots are fouud of the highest excelletice.

Bud Variation. In an article in the Popular
Science Hevicw, Dr. M. T. Masters examines the
whole subject, and concludes by saying :

' To sum up, then, we may say that there is
no absolute difference between bud variation and

Jf6

THE GARDE J^ER' IS MOJ^THLY, February,

seed variation. The changes manifest them-
selves in the same manner and in the same or-
gans, in the case of buds or seedlings respective-
ly. The conditions, so far as we know, that
produce variation in the one are the same that
are effectual in the other. Lastly, apart from
the different mode of origin, there is no essential

difference between a bud formed as the result of
fertilization, {. e., an embryo, and one formed
without the direct agency of the two sexes, i. e.,
a bud."

The Gardener^s Chronicle and the Gardener^s
Monthly are credited with the leading facts
which have wrousht out this conclusion.

EDITORIAL.

FLOWERS IN WINTER.

Many would have the hixury of liowtrs in
winter, if they could do so without the heavy
expense which usually attends Lheir produc-
tion. To such there is a good opportunity in
the plan of growing half hardy plants in the
natural ground, under glass. This is the me-
thod generally adopted by florists in producing
the immense quantities of flowers now in de-
mand in large cities. The results in flowers are
wonderful, while the expense is comparatively
small.

In Philadelphia one of the largest cut flower
establishments is that of Pennock Bros. One of
the firm, A. L. Pennock, has a large quantity of
glass, devoted to winter flower growing at Dar-
by, near Philadelphia, and we dropped in one
day about the end of December, to see what we
could pick up for our readers. The glass covers
over three-quarters of an acre, and is on the
southern slope of a gentle hill. On three sides
of the square are the larger houses. In one are
planted out chiefly Camellias, and in the upper-
most— on the highest ground — the Roses. Of
the varieties of Camellias, the light kinds, chiefly
the cdd double white are grown. In the rose
house, Tea roses chiefly rule ; of these the most
popular are Saffranoand Isabella Sprunt. There
are also large quantities of the half tea, half
noisette rose, Marshal Neil ; but as a general
rule noisette roses do not flower as freely under
glass as tea roses, unless in situations fully ex-
posed to direct sunlight. The space between
the large boundary houses is filled by numerous
parallel low narrow houses— so low that one can-
not stand upright in them. They are made this
low in order to get the plants in the ground near
to the glass, which is essential to the production
of an abundant bloom.

Each of these houses is devoted to one thing

only. One has violets alone, another tree car-
nations, another mignonette ; and so on with
Poinsettas, Sweet Alyssum, Heliotrope, and the
other staple items which all winter bonqueta
and baskets must have. The whole of this mass
of glass is heated by four Pennock boilers— the
invention of bhe proprietor, and with which all
readers of our advertising columns are familiar.
In the construction of these boiler?, Mr. P. has
aimed to use every atom of heat from the coal,
so that none shall be lost, as so often is the case,
up the smoke flues. In one which we examined
here, the hot water pipes were so warm that one
could not bear the hand on them, while the
smoke flue, which rises direct from the furnace,
and is not carried around the houses, as is so
often done, was barely warm. The pipes are
carried through the houses in every direction,
and are laid along a few inches from the ground.
The houses and heating arrangements cost about
ten thousand dollars, but we believe have been
found very profitable. This immense mas.s of
vegetation, through its growing in the natural
ground, requires very little expenditure of labor.
Three hands manage the whole.

Intended solely for commercial purposes— to
make money, there has been no attempt here to
make things neat and substantial. No one who
wished houses for his personal gratification, and
to add to ihe attractions of his home, would
want structures exactly like these ; but with a
very little extra cost, any one might have an ele-
gant flower house, which would add immensely
to their winter pleasures. What, for instance,
could possibly be more interesting than a small
house of Roses, or of Heliotrope, or Bouvardia,
or Tree Carnations ; or anything which will
make continuous flower all through winter ?
There would be missing, to be sure, the charm
of variety which the mixed greenhouse affords ;

187S.

THE GARDEJYER'S MONTHLY,

47

but then the planting in the ground is a perma- j
nent thing. !

There is not needed any skilled knowledge in j
watering and general attention, for when one
thing alone is grown, one soon becomes familiar i
with all its wants. We really do not see why j
these open ground greenhouses— little winter j
gardens they may be called— should be confined
to florists. There is no reason why they should
not be on every place — even more common than
greenhouses and graperies.

REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE IN GRAPE
GROWINC;.

Opposite to Mr. Pennock's cut flower estab-
lishment at Darby, two young men named
Price have started in the cut flower growing
trade also, and have several houses well filled
with Roses, Heliotrope, Lilies, Spirtea Japonica,
and other popular flowers of this character. Be-
sides this they have a vineyard of about an acre,
in which are most of the rare and popular
grapes, growing in a state of luxuriousness rare-
ly seen. What is most remarkable is tbat while
such a usually delicate grower as Allen's Hybrid,
here grows with the luxuriance and vigor of 'a
weed," The Concord, which usually do^s so
well everywhere, is here the worst of the whole.
We could scarcely credit our eyes that the long
row of puny growth ever came from the Con-
cord, while the row nest to it, with the rankness
of a wild fox grape should be our old friend the
Maxatawney. This variety, the Brothers Price
informed us, is one of the most delicious of
grapes when grown on vigorous vines like these.

We have always insisted that grapes, as a

rule, can hardly have the ground too rich or too

dry in order to their greatest perfection. The

Messrs. Price believe especially in the latter.

The ground is naturally rolling, and water

would hardly lay long on it. Tn addition to this

there is a railroad cut of perhaps thirty feet deep

along one side of the square formed by the vin-

yard. But besides these drying advantages, the

whole is traversed by several well constructed

under-drains, which render it impossible that

water can remain in the ground long. But why

Is it the Concord gets no benefit from these

conditions ?

*•••»

EDITORIAL NOTES.

I

DOMESTIC.

Aga&siz on Darwin. At the winter meeting
of the Massachusetts State Board of Agricul-

ture, Prof. Agassiz laid himself out on Darwia
to a considerable extent. As reported in the
Cultivator^ he did give the author of the Origin
of species full and particular attention. It is the
misfortune of Darwin that the wits have hold of
him as they have of Horace Greeley, and what is
Darwinism and what is not is about as hard for
the public to understand as it would be were we
to read Mark Twain's explanations of " What I
know of Farming," instead of the original work.

It is pardonable when one of the mere public
mistakes the teachings of a great man, but
when a leader like Prof. Agassiz so errs, there
is no justification. We quote what is said in
reference to natural selection in regard to
plants :

"I do not know how animals originated ; a bril-
liant imagination that of Darwin ; a very necessary
faculty in the scientist. The sense I know too well
to misquote him. Hasty generalizing of observa-
tion is Darwin all over. Natural selection is out of
generation. Natural necessity, what is it ? Do we
find that only the strong beget families ? Observe
pL.nts at the foot of the White mountains, where
are large trees, and so up the summit, where they
are mere shrubs. The weak may and do survive as
well as the strong. Ignorance lies at the base of
the discussion. I did not mean to argue the ques-
tion, but to express my dissent from Darwin."

If the learned Professor had ever properly read
or understood Mr. Darwin's works, he would
know that Mr. Darwin never contended that
mere size was strength. Mr. D, knows quite as
well as Prof Agassiz that the large trees are
found at the base of the mountain, and small
bushes at the top ; and he contends that the
small bushes are hardier, and that it is because
they are hardier that they are found in these in-
clement places, to the exclusion of the larger
trees. "The weak may and do survive the
strong." Yes, but if there be war between the
two, the weak will not survive long, and it is
only in cases where there is this war — a strugyle
for life, as Mr. Darwin terms it, that he claims
for this prihciple any agency in regard to the
origin of species.

Whether Mr. Darwin's, generalizations are
wholly true or not is not the question here ; but
those who love trees and flowers are too much
indebted to this great man for the many natural
laws he has been the means of revealing to
them, to take patiently the insinuations of Prof.
Agassiz that he is a mere ignoramus, and ruled
mainly by a " brilliant imagination."

Postal Laics. We have not yet seen the bill
which has passed all branches of the Govern-
ment in regard to wostal relief, but no post-

Ji-8

THE GARDEJVER'S MOMTHLl. February,

master can act on it till the Postmaster General
has had the chance of making decisions on
" what it means. " We have already seen that
the attempt to. be guided b\' the letler of the law
instead of the spirit, led to all sorts of absurdi-
ties, and unless the law is worded so as to put
decisions out of the question, it is by no means
certain that there will be no mo:e trouble.

There is, indeed, one point on which there pro-
bably will be trouble, unless the law is worded
so as to avoid it. Merchandize must pay one
cent an ounce, and weigh not over twelve ounces.
II seeds or plants go for half these rates, and in
four pound parcels, how are the postmasters to
know whether the packages contain seeds or
merchandize ? Once we were not only allowed
but ordered to write '"seeds'" or 'plants" on
the outside, and this gave the cue to tke post-
master who could ' ' open the wrapper without
destroying,'' if he suspected things were not as
represented. Without this cue there is nothing
but to open every four pound package to see that
it is not merchandize. Of course this will not
be done, and all sorts of merchandize will steal
through under the seed law. But the Post-
master General has decided that any writing ex-
cept the address, subjects the whole package to
letter postage.

But there are many other matters of detail
which require looking to ; and it would be well
for some one to try, while we are about it, and
get up a sensible law— one just to the Govern-
ment, accommodating to the people, and easy to
be understood. Why, for instance, if one tinds
he has sold out an item in a catalogue, and runs
bis pencil through to erase it from the list to in-
dicate the fact, that should subject the whole
catalogue to letter postage, does not seem clear
to common sense, as the Government could not
possibly be injured. Why a name or written
number, or auythmg to indicate the name of
the plant, seeds or cuttings sent, unless printed,
should be forbidden, is equally incompraheusi-
ble ; and that small packages of seeds enclosed
under one wrapper— every little pinch and grain
must be in an "open paper," not pasted or
gummed to make it secure against getting into
the mail bag, seems of no benelit to any body,
nor ot any effect to any purpose but to obstruct
a branch of the postal service that one would
suppose the intention was to encourage.

Above all, these laws should be clear. Some
of our friends may think we have borne rather
hard on this matter, but other papers have had

more trouble to understand the rulings than we
have. The CinrAnnati Gazette says the Post-
master General himself is " bothered " to decide
things, and gives the following as a specimen of
some of his recent " rulings :''

" A postmaster is not permitted to make any
material change in the site of his postoffice with-
out affixing a two-cent stamp for every two
ounces He can charge double postage for sight
of the postmaster.

Shirts may be mailed at the rate of two cents
for every two ounces of shirt. If the owners'
name is on the shirt, letter postage must be
charged. This rule is indelible.

A subscriber residing in a county in which a
paper is printed, can take the paper, provided
he paj's in advance, and urges his neighbors to
subscribe. If he does not live in the county in
which he resides, and the paper is not printed in
the same countj' in which it has its press work
done, then the county must pay double postage
on the man — we mean a two cent county must
be affixed to every postage stamp— that is to
say, every two ounces of a man— we mean the
paper county — the — man— well, we must leave
this ruling to the discretion of the postmaster."

Japan Wax— Rhus Succednnium. This wax
is coming into extensive use, and is the product
of the plant we have named. If it could be cul-
tivated in the United States it would be of im-
mense value. The writer of this paragraph was
fortunate in raising two plants from seed of the
Perry expedition. One was left out to test, but
was killed by a Philadelphia winter ; the other
was sent to Mr. Berckmans, of Augusta, Ga.,
in 1859 or '00, but whether still in existence or
not we do not know at this writing.

Flora of California. Dr. Brewer is engaged
on this good work. It is in such a state of for-
wardness as to be probably ready for the press
by the end of the year. Prof. Gray and Mr.
Sereno Watson are lending a hand, so as to
hurry on the work to an early completion.

The Apple Worm in California. A few spe-
cimens of the Carpjocapsa pomana have at length
been captured in California. It is believed that
the present comparative immunity from eastern
insects, will not long last in the Golden State.

Zanthoxylon fraeineum for Hedges. We see
the prickly ash named as a hedge plant. It is
thorny enough, but surel}' it cannot everywhere
be as troublesome in the way of suckers as it is
wherever we have known it, or no one would be
found to say a word iu its favor.

187S.

TEE GABDEJ\rER'S MO,N'TBLY.

49

History of the Blood-Leaved Peach. The Ru-
ral Sun seems to imagine we gave the legend of
the origin of the blood-leaved peach, which we
found floating about in the newspapers, as a
matter of fact. It will be remembered the story
went that a dying General ate the peach from
the stone of which this tree sprung. The Rural
Sun shows that this could not be, as the battle
of Fort DonelsoH was fought amid the snows
of February, when peaches were not about.

We hardly supposed when we gave the cur-
rent story, that any one would take it in earnest,
much less have thought it worth while to '^' ex-
plode '' it. It seems like undertaking the
job of examining the facts in relation to the Red
Rose having sprung from the blood of Venus,
when a thorn pierced her foot in her hunt
through the woods in the search for Adonis.

As a matter of history, however, we should
like to know where the original tree did spring.
The Rural Sun, quoting the Rural Carolinian,
says it originated " in Mississippi in 1870.'' If
we are not very much mistaken, Mr. Hatch, of
whom we first heard of it, told us it grew at
Fort Donelson, so far in accordance with the
legend, and of course the only part we regarded
as true.

Single and Double Flowers. Some time since
the Rural Carolinian had the following para-
graph :

" Why do some of the seeds from a double flower
produce single flowering plants, while other seeds
from the same flo\fer produce double flowering
plants ? And why, further, do we sometimes get
nearly all double flowering plants from a planting
of seeds, when another planting from the same
package, made at another time, or in another place,
gives us nearly all sing flowers? This has occur-
red repeatedly in our own experience. For in-
stance, last year we had one of the finest displays
of double zinnias that we ever saw, but few of our
plants producing single flowers. This year, we
planted some of the seeds left over from the same
packages, some from the finest double flowers of last
year, and some also received from trustworthy
seedsmen. The results from all alike were, with
very few exceptions— not one in a hundred— single
flowering plants. Who can explain this ? Can not
our friends Berckmans, and Ravenel, or the accom-
plished editor of the Gardener's Monthly give us
some light on this point in vegetable physiology ?"

N'ot wishing to " take the job '' out of the
hands of the other friends named, we have left
this lie some time, but as they show no disposi-
tion to take hold of it, there may be no harm iii
suggesting that the papers on the " laws of sex,"
by the editor of this journal, explain the circum-
stance referred to. Ic is there seen that double

flowers are grades towards masculinity, and
that whether a seed germ becomes of one sex or
the other depends on the amount of nutrition it is
able to assimilate in a very early stage of life.
The lowest power of assimilation produces the
double flower.

In one capsule are many seed germs. Some of
these will not have the life principle so thorough-
ly incorporated in them as the others through a
defective supply of a certain kind of nutrition,
and will yield double flowers sooner than others*
Without perceiving this law as clearly as it has
been since demonstrated, those who have had t®
do with raising double flowers have yet often
approached it. For instance in raising double
stock gillies, seed being saved from single kinds,
it has been found that the first flowers formed
produce chiefly double flowers, and the last chief-
ly single. This is an experience of more than
thirty years. The reason is that on the first for-
mation of flowers, the plant is still devoting
much of its nutrition to plant growth. After
that is satisfied, it gives its whole attention to
perfecting seed.

It is curious to notice in the production o^
double flowers, how when nutrition fails, it effects
the male organs of a flower before the female. A
stamen for instance is a higher organized body
than a petal ; indeed it is formed out of a petaS
which in its turn is formed out of a leaf. But
when there is not power enough to turn the
petals into stamens — that is when the flower be-
comes double, as it is called— the pistil will never-
theless remain perfect. Hence we can often
raise seed from double carnations, double roses,
double hollyhocks, and so on, if we can only ob-
tain foreign pollen to fertilize them.

Whether or not any weakening influence on
the seed, a/ier it has once been fully formed, will
have any influence in producing double flowers^
we cannot say from our own experience; but there
used to be a belief prevalent among English gar-
deners that old seeds of the Balsam, or " Lady's
Slipper," would more certainly produce double
than single flowers.

OBITUARY.

LAWRENCE YOUNG.

This distinguished horticulturist died on the
23d of December, at Louisville, Kentucky, in the
eighty- second year of his age. Mr. Young was
not well known to our readers, as he ceased con-
tributing to the horticultural press with the pa|s

50

TEE GAREEJVER'S MOKTELY. February,

ing away of the jSorticvlturist from Downing, by
his death ; but most of us who are no longer on
the green side of life, will remember how much
profit in the years gone by we derived from
the writings and labors of Lawrence Young.
In the earlier years of the American Pomologi-
cal Society, Mr. Young took an active part in
its successful working, and the only time the
writer had the pleasure of his personal acquaint-
ance was at one of the Pomological Society's
meetings in Philadelphia, twenty years ago. It
was, we believe, the last he ever attended. In
his own immediate vicinity, however, he labored
eflfectively for horticulture up to the time of his
death. The Kentucky Horticultural Society is
one of the live societies of which we have much
too few : and very much of this useful activity
has been due to the influence of Mr. Young.

He was born in Caroline county, Virginia,
but from three 3 ears old was brought up in Ken-
tucky. He worked in early life on his father's
farm, educating himself in a great measurcj
finally becoming a school teacher. At length
he devoted some time to merchandize, and the
study of the law. At thirty he married, and
after finishing his university studies, again
opened a school ; but finally gave up all for farm-
ing and orcharding. When the Western Bural-
ist was started, he admirably edited the horticul-
tural department, and up to quite a recent date
contributed to other papers in his vicinity. He
was buried on Christmas day, and leaves three
sons and one daughter, besides a name which
will long endear him to the horticulturists of
what may almost be called his native State.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Noticing Advertisements.— We have oc-
casional offers of "good pay " if we will "notice"
advertisements in our reading columns ; and one
firm, very respectable of course, refuses to adver-
tise in the Gardener's Monthly because we will
not do so. Not one line that has ever appeared
ia the body of the GanZener's Monthly has ever
been paid for directly or indirectly, and we do
not mean that it ever shall be. At the same
time it is not fair that one shall have a free
notice and another none. Equal justice to all
our advertisers is our motto. We trust our
friends will spare us the pain of declining " no-
tices" We think every one reads our adver-
tisements, so that the notice is superogatory at
all events.

Subscribing to the Gardeners Month-
ly.— The publisher desires to thank the many
subscribers, who with their renewels have en-
couraged him by kind expressions of their regard
for the magazine. In this connection one of the
most gratifying events is the unusually large
number who on account of the war, misfortune,
or some other cause, had to cease subscribing to
the Monthly, have renewed again with frank con-
fessions of their feeling of loss by its non-appear-
ance all the long years. After all, the Monthly
is just what the subscribers themselves wish to
make it. If there be any topic neglected on

which any one reader desires information, a line
to the editor will always bring it, if in his power.

Boiling Locust Seed. — A correspondent
asks if it is proper to boil the seed of the yellow
locust before sowing. Boil the seed I What a
question ! He says he is told so. If they ever
grew after, the water must have been boiled on
the top of Pike's Peak, where they say water
boils at a temperature not so very many degrees
above the freezing point ! But we do not recom-
mend it here. Pour boihng water on the seed if
hard and dry, but do not boil in this part of the
world.

Plants in Bloom at Ehosynmynydd, the
suburban residence of J. P. Jones, Esq., Block-
ley, West Philadelphia, Pa,

NOVEMBER, 1872.

HARDY herbaceous PLANTS.

Anemone Japonica alba, Windflower

Chrysanthemum Indicum var. Chusan Daisy
Helleborus niger, Christmas Rose

Lychnis dioica fl.alba pleno, batchelor's

[button

evergreen herbaceous plants
that enliven the dreary winter walks in the plea-
sure grounds, by their curious and beautiful
foliase.

187S.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY

51

reptans, Bugle

variegata

calamus variegata, sweet Eush

alpina, Wall cress

variegata, "

purpurea

raaculatum, Wake Robin

barbatus, Sweet William

Caryophyllus, Carnation

plumarins, Pink

niger, Christmas Rose

candidum, Lily

variegata aurea

procumbens

elliptica, false Wintergreen
Andrewsi, Saxifrage (Irish)

crassifolia

sarmentosa, Wandering Jew

umbrosa, London Pride

virginiensis

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

Ajuga

Acorus
Arabia

Aubretia

Arum

Dianthus

Helleborus
Lilium

Pachysandra

Pyrola

Saxifraga

Serissa
Solanum

Abutilon

Ageratum

Asclepias

Bouvardia

Browallia

Cactus

Camellia

Cestrum

Cuphea

Cypripedium

Daphne

Eupat®rium

Fuchsia

Geranium

Jasminum

Justicia

Malcomia

Olea

Oxalis

Primula

Russellia

Salvia

striatum, Chinese bell
vexillarium "

grandiflorum "
mexicanum, Blue Mist
coelestinum, "
curassavica, Swallow-wort
triphylla
Jamisonii
speciosum

fl. alba pleno, Camellia
regale

Danielsiana, Cigar flower
platycentra, "

strigulosa, "

insigna, ladies slipper
odora, spurge laurel
fruticosum, white mist
coccinea, var., ladies eardrop
Zonale, var.
grandiflorum, Jasmine
carnea

maritima, Virginia stock
fragrans, Olive
floribunda rosea, Sorrel

alba "
grandiflora, "

lutea, ' "

versicolor, "

sinensis, Primrose
junca

coccinea. Sage
involucrata. Sage
splendens, "

Tropaeolum

Thea

Veronica

foetid a

Jasminoides

variegata

Lobbianum, Indian cress

viridis. Tea tree

speciosa. Speedwell

Andersonii, "
The garden rocket, (Hesperis matronalis fl.
pleno albo) or Dames Violet, an old favorite
hardy herbaceous plant of England and Ireland,
recently introduced here, is well worth a little at-
tention as to its culture. I will give ray experi-
ence with it. It being a true biennial in its
single state, (commonly called Gilliflower), of a
purplish red color, bearing seed and sowing itself
profusely. Therefore the subject of my remarks
being double flowered, and bearing no seed, it
requires to be propagated every year by side
shoots or cuttings off" the old plant in early
spring or fall. I found that when the plant was
well established, not being transplanted or
parted, it grew coarse and straggling, but by
parting the crowns every spring as soon as it
shows signs of growth, I have beautiful com-
pact spikes of its double white clove scented
flowers, rivalling the Pink or Carnation, and
very showy.

McArthur, Son & Co., Meridian, Miss.
— The publisher begs to return thanks to the
above firm for a complimentary notice of the
Gardener''s Monthly inserted in their nursery
catalogue.

Aralia sfinosa.— J.. F. S., Moline, Ills.,
writes: "I enclose herewith a few seeds for
name. They grew upon a small tree, perhaps
now about eight feet high, and at this time there
is not the sign of a limb upon it, they having all
fallen off", to come out again in the spring. The
limbs and the side limbs, or more properly
speaking, the foot stalks of the lea ves are attach-
ed to the tree by clasping around the stem or
stems, and when frosts come they loosen up and
fall to the ground. The body is covered with
short blunt thorns. Having been a subscriber
to the Gardener-'s Monthly from the beginning,
I take the liberty of addressing you. Please give
us a name and somewhat of its character. The
flower grew upon the extreme top of the tree ;
was not very showy, although large as a bucket,
and grew very much like the elder flowers."

[This is the Aralia spinosa, or Hercules Club.
Also called angelica tree. It is one of the most

5^

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MONTHLY, February,

striking objects one can possibly have on a lawn .
infei'ior in many respects to some tropical
plants yet more popular. It is liable to annoy
a little by suckers, and should be planted where
these will not be very objectionable.]

The Centennial Exhibition.— 3fr. Akers
says : " Mr. Morrell, who is Chairman of the
Executive Committee of the Centennial Commis-
sion, informs me that the Committees which will
be charged with the details of the exposition,
have not yet been appointed. He also assures
me that the great horticultural interest shall be
recognized in all its importance. This I can
well confide in, as I know him to be ardently
devoted to that interest himself."

[The committee to which we had reference was
the local committee of finance. Sub-committees
were appointed to represent every branch of
trade and all the professions. There were com-
mittees on agricultural implements, on seeds, on
agriculture, and so forth, but we believe no com-
mittee for horticulture. It was perhaps a mat-
ter of little consequence in this stage of the pro-
ceedings, as horticulturists are found in every
other calling, and besides these committees
were merely for the question of local finance ;
but we are very jealous of the position of horti-
culture in this great affair, and feared even this
small slight might be but the prelude to greater
ones. We do not want to feel that horticulture
is but the tail end of a seed shop.]

The Curculio. — A Johnstown, Pa., corres-
pondent says : " Mr. Southwick's experience in
regard to the curculio is fully corroborated by
results here. "We had a most extraordinary
crop of plums last summer. Hope the "little
lurk ''will stay frozen. He is getting another
good freezing this winter, only there is plenty of
snow to save his infant jacket.''

The Mercury in the Alleghany Moun-
tains.— A correspondent from Johnstown,
says : " The mercury in the thermometer made
the following record this winter : December
22d, ten degrees below zero ; December •24th,
five below ; December 25th, fifteen below."

Best White Azalea.— Jlf., Coudersport, Pa.
writes : "In this far away region, horticul-
turally considered, you may not expect to find
gardening highly appreciated, but it is growing
miore than you may imagine, perhaps. I think

I shall put up a small greenhouse myself, this
summer. Shall not have room for many articles.
I shall try to grow Camellias, and especially
want a real good white Azaiea. Which one
would you recommend tome ?"

[We think, taking all things into considera-
tion, perhaps the azalea indica alba is still the
best. Mr. Buist is one of the best authorities on
azaleas. If he thiuks there is a better, we should
like to know.]

Our Inquirers.— Our last number must
have been an unusually satisfactorj^ one, if the
small number of queries on hand this month be
any test. But we may say to our readers that
this column is always at their service. If one
want to know nothing of anything but grass or
cucumbers, still we are ready to tell even what
we mav know about these.

Canada Victor Tomato.— While sending
the engraving of the Marblehead Squash, Mr.
Gregory sends us a sketch of a new tomato, of
which he speaks very highly, as near the perfec-
tion of earliness and beauty. We know nothing
of it from our own experience.

When the Law goes into Effect.— So
many enquiries reach us as to when the new law
goes into effect, that we applied to the Hon. A.
C. Harmer, who, as we have before said, has
taken a warm interest in the matter, to get the
information for us. The following is the letter
in response to ^Ir. Harmer's query :

Sir : — Please inform your correspondent, Mr.
Thos. Meehan, that this Department, though not
officially notified, is advised that the President has
now signed the bill recently passed by Congi-ess,
whereby seeds, bulbs, roots and scions, are
classed with printed matter in regard to postage
and weight of packages— that is, one ceut for
each two ounces or fraction thereof, limited to
four pound packages— and the same is now the
law. Postmasters will be advised as soon as

1873.

TEE GAEBEJ^ER'S MONTHLY,

53

possible after the oflBcial notice from the Depart-
ment of State is received.

The same law provides that all third class
matter must be prepaid in full by stamps affixed
at the office of mailing, otherwise the same shall
not be forwarded.

Very respectfully,

J. W. Marshall,

1st Ass't P. M. Gen'l.
Hon. A. C. Harmer,

House of Representatives.
Since this was in type, '• effect'' has be taken.

The Herstine and Saunders Raspber-
ries.—It is our habit to give our readers all the
information to be had in regard to any horticul-
tural topic, whether the information accords
with our own experience or not. In regard to
the raspberries named above, our experience is
in favor of their extra productiveness, but Mr
Purdy says in his Fruit Recorder: "Judging'
from the crop and fruit on plants set one j ear
ago last spring, we cannot see wherein they ex-
cel either the Clark or Naomi, while neither of
them have shown so much fruit on our plants as
either of the last two named sorts."

from Illinois, twenty or thirty years ago. It was,
I think, two inches through ; it is now twenty-
five feet high, eight or nine inches in diameter.
Last June I cut a ring around it quarter of an
inch wide, leaving four points, (say eighth of an
inch), equally distant uncut to insure safety. It
did not heal over, but the sap run some, keeping
the lips of the wound wet and raw. The upper
lip enlarged some. Several of the top shoots
dropped their leaves early. What species is it
with so large a nut ? Will it bear next year
with the upper lip enlarged so little ?"

[In this section the large fruited varieties of
the hickories belong mostly to the shellbark,
Carya o2ba, though very often they belong to
Carija sulcata, which after all is probably but a
" development " from the shellbark species, and
not very far advanced at that.]

M ARBLEHEAD

Squash. — In a re-
cent number of the

Gardener^s Monthly
we had to speak fa-
vorably of this va-
riety from a sample
furnished by Mr.
Gregory. We now
give an engraving
furnished by Mr.
Gregory, which will
enable those who
grow it to identify the correctness of the variety.

Large Hickory Nut.— A Connecticut cor-
respondent says: "I planted a hickory nut

H. T. Williams.— Among the most welcome
visitors to the Fruit Growers' Society at Reading,
was Mr. H. T. Williams, editor of the well
known HoHiculturist. Mr. W.'s cordial suavity
of manner, and willingness to contribute all in
his power to the pleasure and instruction of his
fellow horticulturists, always make his presence
gratifying to the members of these societies. H e

reports the Horti-
culturist asm a flour
ishing condition,
and his new ven-
ture, the Floral
Cabinet, which by
some accident has
not come to our book
table, as being a par-
particular favorite
with the ladies of
the country. Few
men better deserve
success than Mr. Williams, and his very nu-
merous friends will be glad to know he is obtain-
ing it

NEW AND KARE ERUITS.

Seedless Apple. — /. Donaldson, Kittanning,
Armstrong Co., Pa., says: "I send yeu this
day two samples of a seedless apple, which I con-
sider a valuble acquisition to our list of Ameri-
can apples. It is a regular and prodigious

bearer, long keeper and vigorous grower ; it is
worthy of general cultivation, and saves much
time in preparing it for the table, as it needs
not to be cored. The flower is without petals,
and apparently without pistils. The quality of

5Ji,

THE GARBEJVER'S MOJ^TELY. February,

the apple is left for you to decide frdkn speci-
mens sent."

[We regard this as a valuable acquisition for
the reasons given by our correspondent. There
is no " core" to speak of. The flavor is excel-
lent, something akin to that of a Xewtown Pip-
pin, from which it may be a seedling. It is,
however, smaller than an average Newtown.

Besides its commercial value, it has some in-
tellectual interest. It is no wonder that it pro-
duces an "apple" without having perfect sexual
organs, for many things are known to do this.
The Osage Orange will produce seedless balls,
when there is no pollen near to fertilize it with.
The cucumber also does this. But this gives us
a capital illustration of the doctrine that a fruit
is but a bundle of altered leaves. We see that
the outside of the apple is made up of five leaves
which end in the usual 5 calyx sepals ; but the
union is so perfect that no one can trace any
distinction. When we cut an apple through,
there is always seen a fibrous incurved line mid-
way between the core and the rhind, termi-
nating in the calyx basin. In this we see that
this line is capped by five hard gland-like pro-
cesses, which are all that represent the petals ;
these are divided some distance, showing that
five leaves went to form the interior layer,
which is bounded by the fibrous line in the ap-
ple. Generally there seems to be a rapid ab-
sorption of the cycle or cycles which go to form the
stamens, — but the carpels — which form the set of
five divisions known as the core, usually takes a
new start, and make the core cavities. In this
case they are nearly abortive, something having
interfered with the nutritive process necessary
to their development.

pears for many years, some of which are valua-
ble acquisitions to the list of American varieties.
The " Pond' is of medium size, has a rich, su-
gary flavor, and would be highly esteemed by
those who prefer sweet pears to those of a sub-
acid or vinous flavor. — New England Farmer.

The Early Barnard Peach —Mr. Flagg
says : Two points in this confusion we think we
bave settled to our own satisfaction. First,that the
true Yellow Rareripe is a peach ripening a little
later than or with Early Crawford, a deeper col-
ored and better peach. Secondly, that Early
Barnard is a well marked variety, difteriug from
the Yellow Alberge in being of better quality
and having the dark brownish red color noticed
by Thomas. It ripens before Early Crawford.
But we confess to being at sea as regards the
Ye low Honest John.

Peakb's Fall apple is described as an Octo-
ber apple from South Carolina, resembling the
Rawle's Janet in tree and fruit. The Prairie
Farmer thus describes it : Shape flattish-conic.
An ordinary specimen of the present year meas-
ures 2|x2| inches. Calyx medium, rather open in
a shallow and small basin. Stem rather long and
slender, in a deep and open cavity. Flesh white,
brittle, very juicy, of a sprightly acid, and good
to very good in quality. Capsule rather small,
closed, with rather small brown oblong and not
plump seeds. Season here November rather
than October, and would probably keep through
December. A little farther North it would be-
come a Winter apple. Tree vigorous, but not a
strong grower thus far.

The " Pond Pear."— This is the name given
to a new pear by Dr. S. A. ShurtleflF, of Brobk-
line, Mass. The Dr. has been introducing new

Red Hawthornden Apple.— Though so
old an apple, the Hawthornden is yet a rare one
in collections, and merits notice here. The fol-
lowing correspondence will have an interest. It
is a very profuse bearer : "I notice an article
j in th Rural New Yorker, Dec. 7, concerning
I ' Red Hawthornden. ' Why do you call a white
j apple, with an occasional blush cheek, ' Red
Hawthornden ?' I have grown the Hawthorn-
den with great satisfaction for many j^ears. It
I is a great producer of very uniform fruit, and
sells well in market for culinary use, but is not
so good for the table as the Maiden's Blush,
I which it closely resembles. It relieves itself of
\ its surplus fruit somewhat prematurely, but al-
i ways perfects a Fall crop. But it is in no re-
; spect entitled to the prefix ' Red' to its old-fash-
I ioncd name. Better continue to call it plain
j Hawthornden, and then we shall understand
j what apple we are talking about.— I. D. G. Nel-

i SON.

I If our good friend will read the article to

which he refers, again, he will see that we were

quoting from an English journal a description

of a fruit known locally in England as ' Red

Hawthorntien ;' and if he compares that descrip-

1 tion with Downing's description of ' Hawthorn-

I den,' or the old ' White Hawthornden,' he will

' see some dissimilarity, although the two apples

may possibly be the same. But in England the

the apple is known as Red Hawthornden, and

as such we save it. — Rural Neio Yorker.

187S,

THE GARDENER'S MOJ^THLY.

55

NEW AND RARE PLAINTS.

The following new plants have recently been
illustrated in some of the European magazines.

Alternanthera AMABiLis—Amarantacese.
This is one of the finely-colored dwarf bushy-
growing foliage plants used for color massing in
geometrical gardening, and which has been so
remarkably beautiful at Battersea and elsewhere
during the past summer. It has considerably
larger and more richly colored foliage than the
species already known (spathulata, &c.); the
leaves are of an elliptic acuminate outline,
greenish in some stages, with the principal ribs
stained with red, but under free growth becom-
ing almost entirely suffused with rose color
mixed with orange, the midribs continuing to be
of a deep red hue. It is a native of Brazil, and
has been introduced by M. A. Verschaffelt.

Ampelopsis dissecta.— Vitaccse. A slender
and very elegant free-growing hardy climbing
shrub, furnished with long reddish branches,
which bear palmisected leaves having pinnatifid
segments, so that the leaves closely resemble in
form the fronds of Litobrochia pedata. It bears
small roundish, bluish, glaucescent fruits. Two
or three varieties of the plant have been intro-

bell-shaped flowers, vvhich are rosy purple exter-
nally, and almost pure white within. It comes
from tropical Africa, and has been raised and
flowered in the Glasnevin Botanic Garden.

cured, but the journey home was too much for
duced from China to the Jardin du Museum at them, and despite every care none reached En-

Paris.

Collinsia corymbosa . — Scrophulariaceee,
This pretty dwarf free-blooming annual is of a
much-branched habit, and has ovate-stalked
leaves, the upper ones becoming sessile under
the umbel-like inflorescence of numerous white
and li'ae flowers ; the lower lip is white, three-
parttd, larger than the grey-blue upper one, its
middle lobe is compressed or folded, while its
two lateral lobes are flat and spreading. Native
of Mexico, and introduced by Messrs. Ilaage &
Schmidt.

Crocus Scharojani.— Iridaceae. A pretty,
hardy, autumn-flower bulb, related to C. Su-
warowianus, and producing its blossoms before
the leaves appear. The flowers are of a deep
saffron color, and are developed in the early au-
tumn months. It is found in the western Cau-
casus, and has been introduced to the St. Peters-
burg Botanic Garden.

Dicentrantiiera macropuylla.— Acan-
thaceae. An ornamental stove shrub, with very
large obovate lanceolate leaves, and terminal
erect spikes a foot long, of handsome bilabiate

Primula japonica. —We have given before
notices of this remarkable Primrose. It will do
no harm to reprint w hat Mr. Cannell says of it
after another year of trial.

'Primxda japonica, which has been recently
figured in the Florist and Pomologist, Floral
Magazine and Botanical Magazine ; the opinion
of every-one who has seen it in blossom may be
expressed in one word " lovely 1" When exhibit-
ed before the Floral Committee of the Royal
Horticultural Society, it was voted a First Class
Certificate by acclamation.

The Florist says of it,—" Hail ! Queen of the
Primroses ; for so its introducer designates the
lovely flower we now figure, which is hardy as a
peasant, resplendent as a princess. It is just
ten years since Mr. Fortune met with it in Ja-
pan, a basketful of blooming plants having been
brought to his door ; they were, of course, se-

gland alive. Ever since that time, endeavors
have been made to introduce this lovely plant,
but till now without success, the seeds having
been found to loose their germinating power in
the course of transmission to Europe. At last,
however, perseverance has heeu rewarded, and
from seeds imported by Mr. Fortune, plants
have been raised in the establishment of Mr. W.
Bull, of Chelsea. Our gardens have thus se-
cured a perfectly new, thoroughly hardy, and
exquisitely lovely Primrose, one which is really
valuable on account of its intrinsic beauty. Of
the hardiness of the Primula japonica there can
be no doubt, since plants which have been stand-
ing all the winter, fully exposed, in the trying
atmosphere of London, are perfectly healthy,
and came into bloom about the middle of May,
some two or three weeks later than the plants
which had been potted and flowered under
glass."

Its Treatment, tfcc, by an Amateur.— This
hardy new Japan Primrose is one of those gen-
uine acquisitions to our floral wealth that occurs
only at rare intervals, and in the hands of hy-

THE GARDE JEER'S MOJVTULY. February,

bridizers it will probably become the parent of a
series of new varieties that will play an impor-
tant part in the spring decoration of the flower
garden. A Primrose growing to the height of
18 inches, and producing whorl above whorl of

amongst golden leaved Conifers must be accord-
ed to Mr. Maurice Young's Juniperus chinensis
aureus. The Chinese Juniper is well known as
one of the hardiest and handsomest of Conifer-
ous shrubs, and when we state that the norely

flowers of a rich magenta color, each flower : just referred to is the exact counterpart of its pa-
measuring from half an inch to an inch in diam- 1 rent, in all but its color, and that that color is
eter, is likely to reverse all our previous notions ; equal at least in richness of hue to any golden
of Primroses. The sentiment of humble beauty \ Conifer hitherto known, but little further men-
universally attached to the common Primrose tion of it is needed. We may however add,
cannot be applied to this variety, which may be from a recent personal inspection of the stock,
said to assume magnificent proportions. It is \ that it is thoroughly constant. Not a plant

pcur excellence, a plant for the amateur, for its
great beauty, its hardiness, and its free-seeding '
qualities, whilst its culture is of the easiest
kind. Strong plants should be at once planted |
in any deep rich garden soil, and although it is
believed to be perfectly hardy, it might be well, \
until a stock is in hand, to plant it where some |
slight natural protection is afforded. By mid- ,
winter the whole of the large handsome leaves |
will have decayed, and a few only of the small- ,
est will be left to mark the heart of the plant ;
this being its habit, no uneasiness need be felt,
but when in this state, should the weather be I
unusually severe, it may be well to invert a pot
or pan filled with dry leaves over the crown ; im-
mediately the weather moderates this must be
removed. A plant treated in this manner last
winter threw up a very strong flower stem in the
spring, and was altogether the finest we have yet
seen.

It produced eight whorls of its lovely flowers
in succession, one above the other, and from it
was gathered nearly a quarter of an ounce of
good seed. Coddling should be strictly avoided,
for the only failure of a good bloom we have
noted resulted from over carefulness ia the mat-
ter of protection. The most effective way of prop-
agation is by division of the plants after bloom-
ing, as it secures strong blooming plants for the
next season. In most cases every bloom spike
will cause the plant to multiply by two. "When
these off"shoots are] of a good size the plant
should be taken up and divided, each crown
with its own portion of roots. Replant in good
soil in a half shady border, from whence, when
the plants are well established, they should be
removed with large balls to the situation in
which it is desired they should bloom. *

amongst the entire stock shows the least ten-
dency to run back, but all, whether infants of 6
inches or adolescents of 3 feet high, appear in
the same aristocratic ' cloth of gold' array. * * *
Our notes indicate that the propagated plants
take on a close pyramidal habit, and have more-
over the twofold character of foliage which is
seen in the parent, and that the color of the
more prominent portions of the plants as bright
as the tint of a Golden Holly. Taking these va-
rious points into account, and coupling with
them the free-growing hardy character of the
plant, there is no exaggeration in pronouncing
this novelty to be one of the best and most de-
sirable of ornamental Conifers."

Perpetual Flowering Tree Carnation,
La Belle. — The forerunner of a new race of
varieties. The flowers of the purest white, are
very large and smooth, perfectlj^ double, and de-
lightfully fragrant, and are produced, all the
3'ear round, in such profusion that one or more
plants should be grown wherever cut blooms
are in request. — Gardeners'' Magazine.

Juniperus Chinensis aurea, Young's New
Oolden Chinese Juniper. — The Gardener's Chron-
icle says : "Certainly one of the foremost places

Thujopsis Standishii. — Introduced from
Japan in 1861 by Mr. Fortune, who discovered it
growing near Yeddo. It somewhat resembles
the T. dolabrata in its general appearance. Its
leaves are smaller, of a bright glossy green
above and dull glaucous color below ; its branches
are slender and pendulous. It is quite hardy,
and, like its congener, of slow growth, at least
when young, requiring apparently similar treat-
ment to T. dolabrata.— A. Fowler, Castle
Kennedy, in Gar. Chronicle.

PiNUS PARYiFLORA — This is One ot the pret-
ty, small-sized, coniferous trees recently intro-
duced from the northern parts of Japan, and al-
though not likely to prove of any value in this
eonntry for its timber, it promises to be of some

1873.

TEE GARDENER'S MOJfTHLy,

57

importance as an ornamental tree, particular!}^
in situations where a larger-sized one would be
inadmissable.

When seen in good health it has a pleasing
appearance, although it is rather stiff and formal
in habit ; its branches are horizontal and spread-
ing, its foliage is glaucous on both sides, twisted
and tortuous, and about two inches in length.
It is one of the fine-leaved varieties, but quite
hardy. A strong loam suits it best, but it
thrives well in most ordinary soils, preferring
an open if not exposed situation to close shaded
or confined ones.— 6rar. Clironide.

White Calycanthus. — Mr. Berckmans re-
ports in the Farmer and Gardener, that a whit«
flowered variety of the Calycanthus has been dis-
covered in middle Georgia. It blooms continu-
ously till frost. This sweet shrub will be in
great demand by the cut flower folks, as we
should judge it would force easily through win-
ter.

A Purple-leaved Birch has been found
by some one connected with the firm of Transon
Bros., Orleans, France, and is now under propa-
gation. It is a variety of Betula alba.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

An Old Apple.— In the window of the store
of Messrs. E. E. Laighton & Co., on Congress
street, is exhibited a genuine curiosity ; perhaps
the only one of its kind and age extant— an ap-
ple one hundred years oZcZ— the property of Mr.
Henry Shute, of this city. It was picked up in
the year 1772, the outside being carefully stuck
with whole cloves, so that no part of the fruit
could be discovered peeping through. The
grandfather of Mr. Shute, who died at the age
of 85 years, came into possession of this curiosi-
ty when quite a youth, and at his decease it
descended to the present generation The flavor
of the cloves even is still quite perceptible, while
the apple itself is plump and solid. Looking at
this remarkable specimen of fruit preservation,
we are reminded that a gentleman of this city
has a doughnut which is within a few weeks of
being twelve years old, kept as a relic of a dona-
tion party held in Stratham in 1861. It is in
good condition, and with care must last for many
years yet — Portsmouth Journal.

ly saturated with urine or sewer-water Saw-
dust thus treated may be used on partially ex-
hausted soils with great advantage.— Depart-
ment OF Agriculture

Utilization of Sawdust.— M. Gustave
Hueze says that, thovigh sawdust decomposes
very slowly, yet it may be economically used as
litter in stables, and left for several months in
contact with the solid and liquid excrement of
animals, which it readily absorbs. It may also
be composted with quick-lime and left in a hea]^
for about a year. Additions may be made to
this heap from time to time, but, when such ad-
ditions are made, the whole heap should be well
stirred. It will be improved by being frequent-

Maturitt of Peaches —In comparing our
notes, made during a period of fifteen years, as
to the periods of maturity of the leading varie-
ties of peaches, we find the variation small when-
ever the fruit crop was an abundant one ; but
when the yield was small the difference in time
of maturity has always been more marked, and
usually later than in good fruit seasons

On the 3d of August we had splendid speci-
mens of Amelia, a variety which we have seldom
kept as late as July 20th. Hale's Early com.
inenced to mature June 10th, and continued until
the middle of July, when the last specimens were
eaten. In 1871 the whole crop was gone on the
10th of June. Some seasons our Early York
matured before the Early Tillotson, although
the latter is conceded to ripen a week before the
former. These variations are, as before stated,
more marked when late spring frosts have in-
jured the fruit crop, and likewise upon the first
productions of a tree newly transplanted Many
persons complain of the behavior of Hale's Early
when first fruiting, its season of maturity being
sometimes lengthened for several weeks, instead
of embracing only a period of ten days. These
defects become less apparent when trees become
older, unless caused by climatic influences ; and
these causes not being generally known, have
occasioned the numerous controversies lately

68

THE GARDE J^EWS MOJVTELY. February,

circulated in the horticultural magazines. — P. J.
Berckmans, in Bural Carolinian.

Park Cities. — The plan of Ridley Park has
been confided to one of the ablest landscape gar-
deners in the country — Mr. Robert Morris Cope-
land, a Harvard graduate and citizen of Boston,
but now for a long time resident on the spot he
is improving. He knows well how to compose
his picture, arranging the groves and lakes in
the most beautiful sequence, leaving sites for
fine houses in the manner of pedestals for beauti-
ful statues, and shading with discreet and natural
veils the more utilitarian and prosaic features of
the scene. He has already had much experience in
the laying out of towns on novel plans adapted
to the situation ; his improvement of parts of
Newport has elevated his name into very proud
notoriety. At Martha's Vineyard he has built
a summer village known as Oak Bluflfs ; on Long
Island he has designed a beautiful city of sum-
mer worship for the Methodists, half encaoap
ment and half metropolis— a very Jerusalem for
loveliness ; he has established and designed an
ornamental village on the seashore at Duxbury,
near Boston ; and has planned another near
Grant ville, on the Boston and Albany Railroad.
He is also the author of an ingenious public plan
for the improvement of Boston with a constella-
tion of small parks and pleasure grrainds, skil-
fully arranged in the portions where land is
cheapest, and most available. Even in his tem-
porary residence at Ridley, the restless itch of
artistic skill has not permitted him to leave the
place without changing an eyesore into a master-
piece. A little judicious rustic work has trans-
formed the farmhouse assigned for his residence
into a beautiful vine-clad chalet, and he has sur-
rounded it with spacious and rare flower-beds,
which look like cathedral windows lying on the
ground. The railway-station, even, at Ridley
Park is a novel and interesting piece of architec-
ture, bridging the whole breadth of the road,
provided with elevators for the baggage and fan-
cifully sheeted with slate. — LippincoWs Maga-
zine.

Floriculture. —The Floral is the beautiful
garden spot in the field of horticulture. It is as
a paradise full of that influence which refreshes
and delights the physical senses, and elevates
the moral, the social and the spiritual nature.
It brings us nearer home — nearer rest— carries
us beyond the results of menial labors, and

teaches us that it is not on bread and meat alone
that we live. This garden of beauty, however,
does not encourage inaction, nor reward without
some labor. God requires of us no labor or duty,
which, if properly performed, is not only plea-
surable in the performance, but fruitions in
results. In assigning women to this depart-
ment in horticulture, requiring her delicate and
refined taste and judgment, we do not infer that
her presence or assistance would in any other
department be dishonorable. As man's auxili-
ary, her ability and circumstances in life must
suggest her labors and duties. But in this brief
essay we must confine our suggestions alone to
the influence of floral embellishments and adorn-
ments of home.

The education of woman cannot be regarded
as complete in all the refinements without a
knowledge of floriculture. What to her is a
knowledge of the dead languages if she cannot
converse with the living flowers ? What to her
is the French dialect if she cannot teach the
silent tongue of the flowret to speak ? What to
her to be able to count and appellate the stars
so far above, and blush in ignorance of the
names and structure of the smiling flowers at
her feet. In this respect the education of woman
should in no wise be neglected. No motlttr with
children under her charge, no wife with a hus-
band whose heart she deliulu.^ lu gladden, can
afibrd to be destitute of this knowledge of the
beautiful. As knowledge refines the feelings of
the soul, so do the feelings of the soul beautify
nature, and she who through this proper know-
ledge appreciates these beauties will find them
gathering about her. No difference how humble
her cottage or limited her means, like angels'
spirits or divine agencies, they will come to cheer
and felicitate her and hers, purifying and sancti-
fying the associations of her home. What would
life be ? What would home be without these
creatures of loveliness and perfume, or without
the faculty within us to enjoy and appreciate
them. In this we perceive and must acknow-
ledge the goodness of God.— Mrs. J. A. Blair.

The Wagexer Apple in Michigan.— The
Michigan Farmer says: "Here is the great
home of the Wagener apple, and we had a fine
opportunity to see it in all its various stages,
from first bud up to trees eighteen years old. On
this soil and in this section of Michigan this
apple not only seems to do well, but does well.
Here were trees on a farm close by that had been

187S.

THE GAEDEJVER'S MOJS/THLY.

59

set out eighteen years, and had borne every year
good crops since they first started. Last year
these trees had borne a good crop. This year
we saw them laden with fruit, and with a
healthy vigorous growth of wood, and the foliage
perfection. On the other hand, there were in
the nursery young trees growing about five feet
in height, this being the third year from the bud ;
at the top of the second year's growth there were
one or two clusters of young apples, and nearly
the whole stock of this variety at the same age
had thrown out flower buds. On trees of an
older growth there were fruit also, all going to
show that here was an apple that could be relied
upon to produce a crop at an early age ; and this
is a point not to be overlooked in this section of
the State where settlers are cutting their way
into the woods and making farms, and cannot
buy fruit even if they had the money to spare for
its purchase, which they have not. Mr. Husted
said he had tried many kinds, and especially the
Red Canada, and whether it was the soil or the
climate, or the treatment, he could not say, but
the stock was not successful. The reputation
and favor with which the Eed Canada, or
Steele's Red was viewed when he first established
his nurseries, caused him to devote to it a very
large share of attention, but it did not prove a
successful sort. It was diflficult to grow, and
especially difficult to get a well formed tree. It
was quite slow in coming into bearing, he
thought even slower than the Northern Spy, and
when grown the fruit was not perfect, like the
Esopus Spitzenburgh, The Wagener was just
the reverse, and a man might grow two orchards
of Wageners, and market the crops of one of
them before the Canada Red would bear an
apple. The Wagener was also a handsome,
compact upright growing tree, that might be set
in rows not over twenty feet apart. No apple
had given more satisfaction at the West than
this one. He had adopted it as a leading sort,
rather against his worst impressions, and after
having proved that it was adapted to the climate,
the soil and wants of the people of western
Michigan. The original Wagener tree at Penu
Yan, New York, only died out about two years
ago, after bearing full crops to the last, being
then about eighty ji^ears old."

excursionists, and looked after their safety and
comfort while on his road. Fifty or sixty mem-
bers and guests formed the party, and were de-
barked, literally, in the midst of a fifty acre
flower farm, radiant, just now, with acres of
Gladioli and Lily blooms.

There were eighteen acres of Gladioli in blos-
som. Perhaps our readers can imagine the mass
of gorgeous color which three hundred named
varieties, massed to this extent, would make.
Perhaps they may have some conception of the
adjectives used and the number of exclamation
points required to report what the Club and its
guests said on being pushed ofi" a plank into this
sea of bloom. Then, in addition to the three
hundred named varieties, there was a bed of
3.500 seedling Gladioli— among them as fine spe-
cimens as can be found among the three hun-
dred named varieties ; and several that will
become distinguished for their unique beauty.

Then imagine ten acres of Lilies, a large pro-
portion of which were in bloom. These embrace
also about 15,000 seedlings, most of which take
the form and characteristics of Tigrinum and
Fortunei. We saw here the only Leitchlinii in
bloom to be found in the country, it was said.

Fifteen or twenty acres are cultivated in Tube-
roses. John Henderson s new dwarf variety is
here— about half as tall in growth as the old sort,
and double— a decided acquisition, Mr. Allen
says.— Ku7-aZ New Yorker.

The Flower Farm of Mr. 0. L. Allen.—
The Central Railroad of Long Island very gen-
erously placed a special train at the disposal of
the Club. The Superintendent accompanied the

Peach Yellows in the South. -Peach
trees are never attacked by the yellows in this
section, the sickly color of their foliage is, doubt-
less, caused by their stunted and consequently
starved condition, and the presence of borers at
the roots. To guard against the latter, remove
all the worms you can discover under the bark
of the roots, apply a handful of lime or ashes and
afterwards hill up the trees as yeu would a hill
of potatoes. Leave the trees earthed up until
Novemler, when the cone of earth should be
levelled ; and repeat the hilling up every Spring,
before insect life becomes active.— P. J. Berck-
MANS in Farmer ajid Gardener.

Singular Variety of Cotton. -Dr. T. L.
Anderson, of Wilkes county, Ga., has developed,
by cultivation and careful sele«tion of seed, a
variety of cotton which is certainly a curiosity,
and may prove a very valuable variety. This
cotton is peculiar on account of its excessive
fruitfulne.ss and the manner in which the balls

60

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJVTBLY. February,

are developed. As described by the Washing-
ton Gazette, in growth and appearance, the weed
has the resemblance of the prolific varieties,
growing up in a somewhat conical form, though
we think the growth is more vigorous than these
varieties. The squares and blooms grow in
clusters, and very thick. A very large propor-
tion of the bolls are what we would call double
for want of a better word ; that is, two bolls are
produced from the same square. This tendency
to doubling is exhibited throughout the plant,
and stalk and limbs of many specimens seem to
take on the same characteristic, there being a
groove on each side, presenting somewhat the
appearance of a double-barreled gun. This
crowding of the bolls does not seem to diminish
their size, but they are generally very large and
healthy in appearance. Upon one stalk in his
field Dr. A. exhibits fifteen young bolls so closely
clustered as to be covered with a single open
hand. He has taken great pains during the past
two or three years to preserve the seed pure and
unmixed with other varieties. He has now
several acres planted in this cotton, and we wish
that his experiment may be of value to himself
and the cotton interests of the country. — Charles-
ton Courier.

The Monarch of the Park.— Near the

West State street entrance to the park, o» the
north side, stands a grand old elm, whose leafy-
boughs and long branches extend from the out-
side of the pavement, west, over to the sloping
bank in the park in an opposite directioH, coyer-
ing an area sixty-five feet in diameter, or about
195 feet in circumference. The elm is supposed
to have been planted some time between 1816 and
1820, by the late Gov. Shuak, who was then
clerk of the House of Representatives, after the
capitol was built, and has since that time, had
several narrow escapes from the attacks of
storms and tornadoes. The trunk is 8 feet 3
inches in circumference ; and has a heavy iron
bolt, with nut and plate through it, about eight
feet above the ground, where it had been split,
several years ago. At a point about fifteen feet
high it has anotlier iron rod and bands, and still
higher u^d, (probably twenty-five feet) it is again
secured with a stout iron rod and bands— which
brace the heavy branches, and prevents their
breaking oflf by the annual storms. The foliage
of the elm is very thick, of a dark green color,
and its shade is sought daily (except at this sea-
son ) by hundred s of visitors to the grounds. The
superintendent, Col. Reinehardt, has given spe-
cial instructions to his assistants to keep a con-
stant watch over the big elm. —Harrisburg State
Journal

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Rough Cork for Rustic' Work.— Some few
years since a company, owning large Cork for-
ests in Portugal, introduced for rustic work, and
other horticultural purposes, a quantity of Vir-
gin Cork. This first crop of the bark of the
Cork Oak (Quercus Suber) is very rugged and
uneven on its outer surfece ; it is, moreover, of
a dusky grey color, is frequently covered with
Lichens, and has altogether a weather-worn as-
pect : all which appearances recommend it for
the purposes for which it was introduced. Be-
■ides its uses, however, for growing Ferns and
Orchids upon, it is much used for imitation
work in aquariums, and its latest application
was for a similar purpose, but on a much more
gigantic scale, for in the pantomime which has
been played at the Crystal Palace, we under-
stand the rock-work was formed of this Virgin

Cork. The more general utilization of this
Cork in Europe must be a great advantage to
the owners of the Spanish and Portuguese Cork
forests, as, from the fact of the Cork being un-
even, comparatively hard, and full of boles, it is
useless for bottle corks. This virgin or original
bark, is usually taken from the tree when it is
about 25 or 30 years old, and it is removed with
much care so as not to injure the inner bark,
which, of course, would interfere with the for-
mation of the second crop, besides injuring the
tree itself. After the removal of the first crop
the following crops are taken off about every
eight or ten 3'ears, but the third and succeeding
crops are of the best quality, and conseqiiintly
the most valuable. A remarkably fine speci-
men of Cork, stripped in one piece from a tree
which grew in the Sierra Morena, Estremadura,

187S.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ\"TMLY.

61

has lately been presented to the Kew Museum.
"When we state that it is 5 feet 9 inches high'
and 8 feet 8 inchei? in circumference, it will be
seen that the tree from which it has been taken,
was of no mean size. — Gardeners' Chronicle.

Stovk and Greenhouse Plants.— For win-
ter and spring blooming the best are :

STOVE.

Franciscea confertiflora.
Eucharis amazonica.
Euphorbia jacquiniseiiora.
Stephauotis floribunda.
Gesneria exoniensis.
Aphelandra cristata.
Gardenia florida.

" citriodora.
Imatophyllum miniatum.
Poinsettia pulcherriraa.
Franciscea calycina.
Plumbago rosea.
Eranthemum pulchellum.
Clerodendron Balfourianum.
Impatiens Jerdonise.
Amaryllis, of sorts.

GREENHOUSE.

Lapageria rosea.
" alba.
Bouvardia leiantha compacta.
Acacia Drummondi.
Statice profusa.
Epacris Lady Panmure.

" Sunset.

" salmonea.
Richardia sethiopica.
Monochsetum sericeum multiflorum.
Epiphyllum Ackermani.
Camelias, of sorts.
Cinerarias, of sorts.
Azaleas, of sorts.
Cyclamens, of sorts.
Chinese Primroses.
Daphne indica rubra.
Gardeners'' Chronicle.

ticular action of the diflferent rays is now pretty
well known. The various-colored rays which
compose white sunlight, as shown on analysis
by the prism, are generally classed as the red
(including the ultra red), the yellow and the
blue (including the violet and the ultra violet)
rays. The principal effect of the last, or blue
rays, is chemical, actinic as it is termed, and
chiefly influences the germination of seed ; their
illumina'ting and heating powers are smallest,
instead of, as erroneously stated, their giving
"giving the largest quantity of solar heat."
The yellow rays, which have the greatest illumi-
nating power, influences the growth of the
plant, the decomposition of carbonic acid, and
the formation of coloring matter. The red rays,
the heating power of which is the greatest, in-
fluence fructification mainly.

As a ray of ordinary sunlight consists of rays
of all the colors of the spectrum, the effect ©f
blue glass is in reality to intercept the comple-
mentary rays— i. e., the yellow, red, and ultra
red, and it would consequently be more correct
to say that the sun cast a diminished portion of
yellow and red rays on evei-y leaf in the grapery,
instead of "cast a beam of violet light," as if
the violet were an addition to instead of a com-
ponent of the ordinary ray. If, therefore, the
eflfect of violet-colored glass should be to aug-
ment the growth of plants in the extraordinary
manner stated, it necessarily follows that the
influence of the other rays which are intercept-
ed by the glass— i. e., the yellow and red rays-
is to diminish vegetation, which is quite incon-
sistent with all experiment.

These facts are perfectly well known to physi-
cists and those conversant with vegetable physi-
ology. The chief practical result in this direc-
tion of scientific investigation is the introduc-
tion for conservatories of a glass colored green-
ish by the oxide of copper, which intercepts the
excess of the red or heating rays.— Spectro-
SCOPIST, in London Journal of Horticulture.

Chemical Powers of the Sunlight. — The
facTs stated in an article under this heading,
quoted in the Journal of Horticulture., if correct,
must be erroneously attributed to the cause as-
signed. The author is obviously ver^ imper-
fectly acquainted with the results of recent re-
search into the constitution and effects of light,
the influence of which upon vegetation has been
the subject of many experiments, and tke par-

AbsoPvPTIon of Moisture by Leaves.— Mr.

M. Cailletet has lately been investigating the
questiou as to whether the leaves of plants are
capable of absorbing water in a liquid state ; and
sums up the result of his experiments, by stating
that the fact seems to be demonstrated that a
plant growing in a humid soil and receiving by
Its roots the quantity of water necessary to its
normal condition, does not absorb the wati.r
which moistens its leaves, but that such absorp-

62

THE GARDENER'S MO J^TELl. February,

tion takes place as soon as the leaves begin to
wither, in consequence of the dessication of the
soil. In this way he explains the phenomenon
of certain plants maintaining a healthy condi-
tion without any contact with the soil, and even
absolutely isolated from all assimilable substan-
ces. Thus, a specimen of Pourretea a rootless
Bromeliaceous plant, maintained a healthy ex-
istence and exhibited considerable increase in
weight, while suspended for more than six years
in the air by a wire. N© moisture ever reached
it except that from the garden syringe, and yet
it was continually putting out new leaves and
flowering abundantly.

! . The Farm Laborer in PRrssiA — Prussia
has been the favorite theme for the eulogy of
English economists, yet what does Mr. Howard
(Bedford) tell us that he found near Cologne?
"The men, as in France and other parts of the i

Continent, sleep in the stable with their bullocks
and horses. The wages to farm laborers are
paid all in money, and are from Is. 2d to Is. 6d.
per day in summer, and Is. to Is. 3d. in win-
ter ;" and this after a rise of 25 to 20 per cent.
within the last 25 years, and amidst agricultural
operations on a splendid scale of expenditure.
On another Prussian farm, where Beet is largely
grown, and additional quantities bought for the
distillery, the wages throughout the year are Is.
2d. a day ; in the summer months the working
hours are from 5.30 A. M. to 8 P. M. The
woman get lOd. a day ; and in this district of
Germany, " there are a great number of small
holdings. ' In Prussian Silesia, life uses the
wretched laborer still more cruelly. In winter
he has 4d. a day, the spring raises him to an ad-
ditional Id., and he attains his climax in sum-
mer, when 7^d. to lOd. constitutes his share of
the rewards of the harvest. — Blackwood.

HORTICULTURAL NOTICES.

PENNSYLVANIA FRUIT GROWERS'
SOCIETY.

The annual meeting was held at Reading, on
the loth, 16th, 17th of January. The amount
of business transacted was very large, and from
time to time during the year we hope to avail
ourselves of much of the material that may in-
terest our distant readers. lu the meantime
the following from the correspondence of the
Philadelphia Press, will give an idea of some Of
the topics introduced and the manner of their
treatment :

The Fruit Growers' Society of Pennsylvania
is one of those institutions, of which we have
many in the State, which, beginning in an un- '
pretentious, modest way, has grown to be one
of useful influence, and to reach a commanding
position. Its scope originally was to aid the |
fruit growing interest ; but it has since taken in j
broader subjects, and now discusses all matters i
of a scientific and practical nature that have any ''
reference to the profitable culture of the soil. It |
is rather a horticultural society, in which fruit '
culture is the most prominent feature. Though
discussing pear culture for profit, a talk on roses

does not come amiss to these gentlemen ; and
essays on beautifying grounds seem as accept-
able as the ascertaining to a pennyweight the
exact figures which any given pippin can attain.

THE MEETINGS

are held in different towns in the State, and an-
nually grow in interest and the numbers who
attend them. Of late years the State has deemed
the proceedings worth publishing, and makes an
appropriation for the purpose, and the last two
volumes issued in this way have done credit to
the Legislature and to the Society. The mem-
bers are usually a liberal set of fellows in com-
municating their discoveries freely, and in utter
forgetfulness of all patent laws, and thus the
public become possessed of a large amount of
useful information without price, but at the cost
of money and time to the good old souls who
attend. On the present occasion the Reading
Railroad shared in the good work by a liberal
reduction in the rate of fare, much to the good
feeling of the members of the Society.

ONE GOOD THING

has resulted from the labors of the Society. Be-
fore its existence most of our best fruits were

1873.

THE GARDEJTER'S MOJ^TELY,

63

natives of other States ; now it is found that our
own seedlings are equal, and some superior, to
any outside productions. For instance, wher-
ever we go praises are heard of the Lawrence
pear, a Massachusetts variety, and whoever
plants thinks he must at least have one tree of
these. But this meeting developed the fact that
a variety raised here, known as the Reading
pear is a superior variety for winter use to this
celebrated Lawrence, and will no doubt, in time,
completely take its place.

THE CULTURE OF PEACHES.

An interesting discussion, started by Mr. Levi
Heist, of Lancaster, resulted in demonstrating
that there was no serious trouble in peach cul-
ture which could not be overcome, so as on all
occasions the peach should be healthy and toler-
ably productive. Overbearing was one great
evil, shortening the life of the peach tree ; and
this thinning out the fruit while quite young
would remedy. Borers in the stem near the
ground could be kept out by the use of paper gas
tarred on the outer surface. Fungus at the root,
one cause of yellows, could be destroyed by pour-
ing hot water, if the tree be small, about the
roots, or by adding caustic potash or gas tar to
the soil. The fourth evil— poverty— manure
cured.

IMPROVED APPLES AND PEARS.

Tobias Martin, of Mercersburg, introduced
the subject of improved apples and pears in an
admirable address. Most of our market apples,
he said, come from other States. These are such
as Rhode Island Greening and Baldwin, and
then our people plant these trees, but they are
not the best for us. The summer Rambo was
our best summer apple. He also named as the
best apples for Pennsylvania, Smith's cider, Im-
perial russet, York imperial, and Hubbardson's
Nonsuch. In pears he named among the best
Tyson, Brandywine, Kingsessing, Dana's Ho-
vey, Dix, Glout morceau, and Lawrence.

FOR CANNING PEARS,

Wr, Williams, of the Horticulturist, said the
Lawrence was the best he knew. Pears were
profitable for this purpose. Some not worth
eight dollars per bushel in the general market
had brought twenty dollars this way.

Mr. Engle, of Marietta, said the Howell was
another excellent pear for this purpose. The
demand for pears for canning was increasing,
but was not yet equal to that for peaches.
Glass is more expensive than tin for cans, but
seems most popular.

THE ANNUAL ADDRESS BT THE PRESIDENT,

President Hoopes' annual address gave an ac-
count of the progress of the year. He had the
past season examined the fruit gardens in Eu-
rope, and except in glass houses, saw no such
fruit as we can raise. We had the finest climate
for fruit in the world, but hardly knew it.

A FEW REMARKS ON FENCES.

Mr Meehan was called on to open a discussion
on fences. He referred to the growing price of
lumber, the improbability that individuals would
largely engage in timber raising, and the desira-
bility of Government fostering tree culture. He
thought live fences the cheapest, and named the
various kinds of plants adapted to hedge pur-
poses ; but he thought the perfect hedge plant
had not yet been found. With many defects,
the Osage Orange was the best. Too much kind-
ness was given it. It ought not to be cut while
young. Let it grow as it will for three or four
years, then cut to the ground and trim the sub-
sequent young growth to shape.

THE PREPARATION OF GROUND FOR
ORCHARDS.

The best way of preparing ground for orchards
produced an animated discussion, with some di-
vergence of views. Messrs. Ed. Satterthwaite,
William Parry, Williams, Engle, Reist, Paschall
Morris, Stauffer, and others participated. Some
thought the ground should be ploughed deep,
subsoiled, and under-drained ; others, that this
was too expensive to be profitable, and by ridg-
ing up the ground by the plough so as to keep
away the surface water from the roots, success
was as much assured. All agreed, however,
that in some way the roots of the trees must be
secured against water lying long about the roots
in the summer time.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FRUIT COMMITTEE.

Edwin Satterthwaite read the annual report of
the Fruit Committee. He thought the reason
for the immense crops of last year not yet well
explained, and thought it well worthy of a better
study from close observers, so that perchance we
might profit from the lesson for all time to come.

THE CODLING MOTH.

In the discussion on insects injurious to the
apple crop, it came out, that pieces of old shin-
gle, screwed loosely together, formed so attrac-
tive a nest for the codling moth, the apple's great
enemy, that it was no longer to be tUe dreaded
scourge it had been.

64

THE GARDE JVER'S MOJ^THLY, February,

PROFITABLE ORCHARDING.

On the question hew to make orchards

the

most profitable there was a difference of opinion.
Apples and pears are some years coming into
bearing, and what best to grow from the first
planting of ground was the question. Some
thought an annual manuring of the trees and of
the grass brought heavy and profitable crops.
Others would not grow grass, but grain. Wm.
Parry would grow raspberries and small fruits
between the trees ; had known as much as ^700
per acre to be had in this way before the apples
came t» bear.

THE BEAUTIFYING OF GROUNDS

Is it profitable to beautify one's grounds ? was
introduced by Mr. C, H Miller, of Germantovrn,
and produced a very animated discussion. All
seemed eager to agree that beauty was not only
mighty pleasing to the eye, but a capital thing
for replenishing one's purse in the case of a sale
of one's house and grounds, and many a farmer
will go home from this meeting with a determi-
nation to have his pig yard a little further away
from his front door than ever before.

UNDER-DRAINING.

In regard to the profit of under-draining, mem-
bers did not seem as enthusiastic for the practice
as they used to be. Swamps, they all agreed on,
were benefited ; but the English experience that
nearly all lands could be profitably underdrained
did not seem to be borne out by American expe-
rience.

GRAPE CULTURE

was introduced by Mr. Merceron, of Catawissa.
He raised a sensation by asserting that a seven
years' experience in not stirring the ground, but
growing grass between his grapes, had proved
it to be the best plan. The prices of grapes had
been downward for some years. They were
hardly profitable of late, and how to utilize the
surplus grapes was a question. Some thought
■of wine. Kev. Mr. Calder, of the Agricultural
College, hoped wine-making would be discour-
aged. Jellies, preserves, and other plans would
take large quantities of the surplus. Mr. Wil-
liams said grape vinegar had been found very
profitable. In regard to varieties, the Concord,
Clinton, Telegraph or Christine, Hartford, and
Ives, were named as still the best.

NOXIOUS WEEDS,

by Wm. Parry, brought out the fact that the
■Canada thistle and the horse nettle were the on-

ty very bad pests. Parry thought some judi-
cious legislation would do no harm in regard to
preventing their spread.

T&E CENTRE COUNTY FARM SCHOOL.

Kev. Mr. Calder was asked to give some ac-
count of the farm school in Centre county. He
explained the immense difficulties of the posi-
tion. Death and other misfortunes had re-
moved five presidents. He had been president
but eighteen months (about as long as the long-
est), and the frequent change of plans with
heads could not but be injurious. The institu-
tion was heavily burdened by debt, and original
errors which could not be immediately helped
now depressed the spirits of the trustees. But
they were determined time should mend these,
and they were being slowly mended, and it was
fast gaining public confidence. When he took it
there were but 37 students, now there were 150,
32 of whom were girls. They were not only
taught the higher branches of learning, but also
to work — and horticulture was among the sub-
jects ©f instruction. There had been a great
deal of adverse criticism, but he was sure the
public did not know of the immense difficulties
under which the institution had labored, or how
much with small means had been done to re-
move them. He felt it would not be long before
the institution would be one to do credit to the
State.

THE FRUITS MOST IN FAVOR WITH PENNSYL- •
VANIA.

In a rote to indicate which fruits were most
in favor with Pennsylvania fruit-planters, the
apples Smoke-house, Smith's Cider, and Fallo-
water received very heavy votes. Pears— Bart-
lett, Lawrence andSeckel. Peaches— Crawford's
Early, Crawford's Late, Old Mixon, and Smock.
Strawberries— Wilson' s Albany and Triomphe
de Gand ; and in grapes only the Concord had
any votes worth speaking of

THE NEXT PLACE OF MEETING.

In addition to the encouragement given by the
Reading Railroad, the hotel proprietors also re-
duced their rates of board, the Mansion House
being particularly attentive to a numerous body
of guests. The Library Company granted the
use of their splendid hall free of charge, and
the members generally were delighted with their
reception. York and Mechanicsburg, in Cum-
berland county, made a bid f«r the next .January
meeting, and the latter place was adopted.

ht ^nrAtntf% MmM%

DEVOTED TO

Horticulture, Arboriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs.

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

Old Series, Vol. XV. MARCH, 1873, New Series. Vol. VI. No. 3

HINTS FOR MAECH.

FLOWER GARDET^" AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

March is one of the worst times for a maga-
zine like ours to offer hints for the month. While
at the southern end of our " parish " the dutch
bulbs are almost out of blossom, and the rose
season well nigh come ; on our northern coast
winter "still lingers in the lap of spring," and
scarcely a snowdrop has handed its clear white
cup up from mother earth to our admiration.
But our hints are always to be taken as general,
rather than as special directions— and if in some
places the time should be gone by for any useful
action, what we say can be remembered, and we
hope they will profit some one next year, if too
late for this.

We have very little to chronicle this year as
especially new in gardening taste. There is pos-
sibly not so exclusive a regard for mere masses
of plants for the effects of their color as there
was. Flowers are more loved for their own
sakes than formerly ; and this will bring up
again the Hollyhocks, Chrysanthemums, Dah-
lias, Pansies, Pinks, Phloxes, Polyanthuses, and
other old fashioned things which the rage for
massing nearly drove out of sight. Still the
beautiful effects on the garden landscape pro-
duced by the newly introduced colored leaves
which continue to come, will keep the massing
style popular for many years yet. It is
found that a very slight variation in colors of a
leaf make a remarkable difference in the effect
when massed. Thus we may have two plants of
two kinds of Coleus together, and we see little
difierence betvveen them ; but when there are a
few dozen of each kind in a mass together, we

take in the aggregate of the diSference, and the
effect seems very striking. As these plants vary
very much from seed there will be room for
many unique effects in this way from them for
many years to come.

There have been some interesting and novel
features introduced into European flower gar-
dens the past year in the employment of dwarf
hardy shrubs as permanent borders for flower
beds. The little dwarf variegated Japan Euony-
mus, E. radicans variegata, for instance, makes
a charming border for Coleus, Achyranthus,
and such other things. Then the Golden Arbor-
vitses, Golden Yews, and so forth, by a little
shearing, such as we give box edgings, come
nicely into play with many brilliant colored leaf
plants. There is an additional ^ merit in this
style, that the beds do not look so naked in win-
ter as they do when annual plants alone are em-
ployed. The Ivy is very much- employed for
this purpose, and there are now so many varie-
ties of Ivy that a set of a score or more of beds
may be given a very varied appearance by the
means of Ivy borders alone.

So far as the general hints' applicable to the
every year management of the flower garden
department is concerned, the annual pruning
must be got through with as soon as possible.

Many delay pruning shrubber}' until after se-
vere weather passes, so as to see what injury
may be done, but with March all should be fin-
ished, taking care not to trim severely such
Shrubs as flower out of last year's wood, as for
instance the Wiegelia ; while such as flower
from the spring growth, as the Althea, Moc

66

THE GARDE JVER'S MOJ^TRLY. March,

Orange, &c., are benefitted by cutting back vig- ,
orously. :

Do not transplant extensively till the ground |
is warm and the buds are about to push. Many
things die by exposure to winds for a few weeks j
liefore they have warmth to push roots and i
leaves into growth. '

The rule for pruning at transplanting is to cut J
in proportion to apparent injury to roots. If!
not much the worse for removal, cut but little of '
the top away. Properly pruned, a good garden- I
er will not have the worst case of a badly dug j
tree to die under his hands. In a nursery, where |
these matters are well understood, trees " never
die. ' 1

Box edgings lay well now. Make the ground |
firm and level, plant deep, with tops not more
than two inches above ground.

If flowers have been growing in the ground
many years, new soil does wonders. Kich ma-
nure makes flowers grow, but they do not always
flower well with vigorous growth. If new soil
cannot be had, a wheelbarrow of manure to
about every fifty square feet will be enough. If
the garden earth looks gray or yellow, rotten
leaves— quite rotten leaves— will improve it.
If heavy, add sand. If very sandy, add salt-
about half a pint to fifty square feet. If very
black or rich from previous years' manurings use
a little lime, about a pint, slacked, to fifty square
feet.

If the garden be full of hardy perennial flow-
ers, do not dig it, but use a fork, and that not
deeply.

FRUIT garde:n'.

Take borers out of fruit trees, and wrap tarred
paper round the stem at the collar to keep them
out for the rest of the season.

"Wash the bark of trees, where not done, to
kill the eggs of insects, and soften the old skin
so as to permit it to swell freely.

For small places, a plentiful supply of Straw-
berries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Gooseberries^
and Currants should be provided, and the Grape-
vine by no means forgotten. These seldom fiiil
to do well. Strawberries do well on a rich, dry,
but deep soil. On banks that are not too poor
or dry, they seldom fail to do well, and are often
three weeks earlier than when on level soil. The
Blackberry also will do on dry, rich bank. We
mention this as there are often such spots in
small gardens which it is desirable to render use-
ful. Sd'awberries seldom do well in low, wet

ground. Raspberries and Gooseberries do better
there.

Of course all our readers know by this time
that deep planting causes the annual death of
hundreds of thousands of both Blackberries and
Raspberries. An inch under ground, and the
earth beaten or trodden firm, is enough for
these plants.

The Strawberry, where it has been covered
during the winter, should be uncovered as early
as possible in spring, that the warm spring suns
may exert all their influence on producing an
early crop. As soon as growth commences, a
sowing of guano has been found to be of great
benefit to the crop of fruit.

In planting fruit trees aim to have them so
that the hot dry sun will not have full eflTect on
the ground about the roots. The great heat in
this way injures the trees. Many who have trees
in gardens plant raspberries under them. The
partial shade seems to be good for the raspber-
ries, and helps the trees. Blackberries would,
no doubt, do well in the same situation ; and
Strawberries, it is well known, do not do badly
grown in the same way.

The gooseberry and\ currant also do well in
partial shade. In fact if you would have the
gooseberry and currant in great perfection, get
a lot of old brush wo -d and cover the rows close-
ly, so that the piau.s will have to push through
and you will be astonished at the growth and
healthfulness of the bushes. The decaying wood
also lurnishes an excellent manure for them.
The finest currants ever grown can be had by
mulching with old chestnut burrs, or even saw-
dust.

In fruit growing remember that fruits are like
grain and vegetable crops, in this, that they
must have manure to keep up fertility. Unlike
vegetables and grain, however, their feeding
roots are mostly at the surface. It is best,
therefore, annually to top-dress fruit trees. If
manure cannot be had, any fresh earth from
ditches or road sides, spread a half an 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 ama.
zingly with a coating of coal ashes.

Apple trees in orchai'ds are often so thickly
matted with branches, that none of the leaves
get their full share of light and air. This should
never have been permitted, but as it is, a vigor-
ous thinning should be efl:ected, though the axe

187S.

TtlE

GARDEJVER'S

MOJ^TEL Y.

67

and saw be called in to effect it. Sprouts wi'l
come out thick next summer, after such pruning,
but they should be torn out while green.

Peaches, is is said, grow too strong generally,
and should not be pruned ; but the same rule
holds good 'as with apples. Thin out all weak
or crowded shoots. Our experience is that if a
peach tree's constitution is not impaired by bad
treatment, it seldom grows too strong for its
own good.

Grapes that have become weak from age may
be renewed by layering down a branch some feet
just under the surface, and then cut back, so
that one good eye only be left at the surface of
the soil. The plant will then recover its good
appearance quite as well as by cutting down,
with the advantage of not sacrificing a year's
crop of fruit.

VEGETABLE GARDEN.

In the open ground Peas and Potatoes receive
the first attention. Then Beets and Carrots.
Then Lettuce, Radish, Spinach, Onions, Leeks
and Parsley. Beyond this, unless in more favor-
ed latitudes than Pennsylvania, little can be
done till the first week in April. There is
nothing gained in working soil until it has be-
come warm and dry.

Those who have no Spinach sown in the fall
should do that right away ; no amount of stable
manure but will be a benefit to it, though guano,
in even smallish doses, will kill it. Guano pro-
duces excellent Cabbage, mixed with the ground
while it is being dug for that crop. Cabbage,
by the way, may be put in as soon as the ground
is ready ; and Potatoes are better in before the
beginning of next month, if the ground is not
too wet ; many plant Cabbage between the Po-
tato rows.

Onions are better put in early, but the ground
ought to be dry, and trodden or beaten firm
when the sets are planted ; the ground ought
not to have rank manure — wood ashes and pure
undunged loam will alone produce an excellen,
crop.

Where new Asparagus beds are to be made,
now is the time ; the ground should be rather

moist than dry, and be trenched two feet deep,
mixing in with it a good quantity of stable dungt
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 perma-
nently,, they will assist operations in future
years. Having marked the positions of the beds
and procured 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.

To have Turnips good in spring they must be
sown very early ; they are hardy, and must be
put in as soon as the ground can be caught
right.

Parsley delights in a rich gravelly loam, and
should be sown very early.

Parsnips, another crop which should receive
early attention, also delights in a deep gravelly
soil, but detests rank manure.

Lettuce and Radishes continue to sow at in-
tervals.

Herbs of all kinds are best attended to at this
season — a good collection is a good thing.

The Carrot will thrive in soil similar to the
Beet ; lime is an excellent manure for it — we
use long Orange. Celery may be sown about
the end of the month, in a bed of very light rich,
soil, and Tomatoes, Egg Plants and Peppers
sown in pots or boxes, and forwarded. It is as
bad to be too early with these as too late, as they
become stunted.

In vegetable garden culture it must be remem-
bered that we have to operate the reverse of
what we do in fruit culture. A woody growth,
is what we require for fruit trees ; but we need
for vegetables a soft, spongy, succulent charac-
ter, the very reverse of this. For this end the
ground cannot be too deep, too rich, or too much
cultivated. The hoe and the rake should be
kept continually going, loosening the surface
and admitting "air and light" as the old books
used to say. There is not only an advantage in
this for the direct benefit of the plant ; but an
early use of these tools keeps down the weedp,
and thus we save labor. It is a great thing to
be " forehanded " in the weed war,

68

TRE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^TMLY.

March,

C 0 M M U IV I C A T I 0 N S.

AMERICAN HORTICULTURE.

Address delivered before the Germaniown Horticultural
iSociety, January, 1873.

BY THE PRESIDENT, JOHN JAY SMITH. ESQ.

[Condensed for the Gardener's Monthly.}

Mr. Smith, after returning thanks for the
honor of his election, put his audience in a good
humor by the anecdote of a witty old gardener,
who when asked after his health, said he had no
exact disease, but was afraid he had a little touch
of the complaint called Anno Domini I and that
it was probably this gardener's reckless son who
said the only botanical terms he ever could re-
member were Aurora Borealis and Delirium
tremens I

A large and attentive audience then listened
to an address, from a stage ebgantly decorated
with the rarest exotics, &c. :

PROGRESS

This country has something yet to do before
we entirely rival the planting and the gardening
of Europe, for which science, time, labor and
money have done so much. We began by cut-
ting down the forests with which the whole land
was covered. We are beginning to replant it
with beauty, utility, shelter and shade.

The condition of horticulture only 60 years
ago, may be inferred from the fact that there
were then very few greenhouses, and they were
mostly filled exclusively with lemon trees. Eu-
rope itself had made but incipient progress ; and
with our small culture, and the difiiculties of
importation, in sailing packets, but Utile ad-
vance in either theory or practice had been
made.

BARTRAM

had a commercial nursery, and was himself a
great pioneer botanist and amateur. The Ham-
iltons, at the Woodlands, near by, set a good
example. The Landreth brothers began to en-
large iheir open air and glass accommodations,
and did much to excite a taste for the improve-
ment of the garden. Thun came Pratt's private
establishment, including spacious gardens, at
one time under the direction of Mr. Buist, who
is still living, and who made of the whole estab-
lishmLut a fairy scene. With these exceptions
and McMahon's, we must close the catalogue of
accessible or even known places in our neighbor-

hood, where the few results of horticulture could
be studied. It marks the humble nature of our
comforts, when we know that ice in families, so
late as 1812, was an unknown luxury. We then
lighted our fires and our cigars by means of a
tinder-box and a flint. As to planting the trees
of other countries, that pleasing occupation was
almost unknown. To the many it W^as utterly
80. The Bartrams were supplying seeds of our
native trees to England, and perhaps to the con-
tinent of Europe, but they received little or
nothing from abroad.

Their plantation still contains the best evi-
dences of their love of nature ; but their speci-
mens it will be remarked from those still stand-
ing, were mostly American, some of them
brought by the elder brother in his saddle-bags
from southern climates. All this story is inimi-
tably told in

DR. DARLINGTON'S LIFE OF BARTRAM,

with its simple and yet enthusiastic correspon-
dence with Collicson, Fothergill, and Lord
Petre, a book not inferior, in its way, to Bos-
well'8 Johnson.

See what progress we have made in the brief
lifetime of a single person ! Let us go forward
with the h )pe of more progress ; we can never
hope to finish the work ; for the duties and plea-
sures of a garden are endless, and are constantly
increasing in interest. In this line, however,
beauty is only to be obtained by toil, but it is
toil conducing always to pleasure and to health,
and to what Bacon calls the "purest of human
pleasures."

BOTANY.

It should be the desire of every young garden-
er to follow the example of Bartrara, called by
Linnseus, the greatest natui'al botanist, and to
make botany a subject of his studious attention.
It will assist him in every attempt to improve
himself, and will be, in fact, his right arm. He
will be very apt to fail in the highest aspirations
of his profession if without the immense advan-
tages it affords. The only possible objection to
the botanist, and it is a very slight one indeed,
is that he takes his draughts of knowledgtf from
his herbarium rather dry !

2so man is thoroughly educated who has
ignored wb.at was so dear to Linnoeus, Darling-

1873.

THE GARDE JVER'S MONTHLY.

69

ton and Gray, We have in this place several
good botanists to refer to in difficulties. All
must admit, however reluctantly, that in our
floral concert, the botanist plays the first violin.
There is immense enjoyment in this science when
attained ; but Lessing declared that if he had
been offered between the possession of truth and
the pleasure of seeking for it, he would have un-
hesitatingly preferred the latter. Botany offers
the best illustration of this perhaps, that could
be adduced.

Let me hint to all young gardeners that there
is no such thing as luck. What does Richard
Sharpe say ? "Untoward accidents will some-
times happen; but after many, many years of
thoughtful experience, I can truly say that
nearly all those who began life with me have
succeeded or failed as they deserved.'' If this
be true of life, may it not also be said of the
greenhouse and garden cultivators ?

THE BEST PEOPLE.

The best people and the best trees are cynical-
ly said to be the scarcest and rarest. So it is with
precious stones. Diamonds are rare and dear,
but because diamonds and pearls, and taper-
ing rare pines are too expensive for the masses,
the masses sliould not despise elegance easily
attained. We need not forego the fragrance of
the hyacinth because a neighbor has a plant of
the Olea /j-agfrans cultivated at a heavy cost. In
all probability the hyacinth of our own cultiva-
tion will afford the greater pleasure to us.

As a converse to the proposition that the best
trees and the beet people are the scarcest, it may
be said with equal epigrammatical accuracy,
that the cheapest trees are the dearest. To be
very cheap they must be of rapid growth, and
rapid growth is followed by rapid decay.

GERMANTOWN.

This society is, perhaps, the opening wedge
which, by bringing together the leading minds
of the district, will inspire a determination to
improve our neighborhood, and while we put
our own shoulders to the work, induce legislation
for our just share of improvements. That we do
want a litcle more public spirit about our sur-
roundings must be evident to all. Successors of
the original German element, which was apt to
be satisfied with the necessaries of life, we are
purchasing and pulling down their tenemcni?,
or building on their pastures. We an\ in fact,
erecting dwellings suited to the more wealthy
period which has overtaken the country, and is
everywhere exhibiting the happiest results. If

we are true to the objects we propose to realize,
other results will surely follow, until our whole
region becomes an example of horticultural
beauty.

The speaker then alluded to the remarkable
trees around Germantown, and gave the follow-
ing account of the most interesting arboretums
around Philadelphia and in Geraiantown, that of

ALFRED COPE, ESQ.,

on the old York road, above Fisher's lane, which
contains one of the best selected collections of
trees and shrubbery, chiefly exotic, that can be
found in this part of the United States. This
collection embraces more than two hundred and
fifty species and varieties of hardy forest trees
and shrubs, and has been made with great judg-
ment. It is especially rich in specimens from
Siberin, Central Asia, China, Japan, and our
own far western regions. Although of too
recent origin to contain many large specimens,
it is highly worthy of attention from scientific
botanists, as well as from professional horticul-
turists, who will there find some of the rarest
and most interesting trees and shrubs of the old
and new worlds. I hand the secretary a list
prepared by Mr. Cope himself.

With the exception of the remarkable trees
named, our predecessors have left us but little to
admire in the way of fine productions. Occa-
sionally you meet with a large, old box bush,
and wonder who was good enough to plant even
that!

MR. COPE'S ARBORETUM.

It will doubtless occur to many of my hearers
that there is a vast difference between the future
of the work done at Fairfield and the work gen-
erally done in a plant house. That difference
consists in the fact of the arboretum planting
having a permanent character, and the cultiva-
tion of herbaceous plants a more temporary one.
Mr. Copb is preparing knowledge and enjoyment,
not only for to-day, but for all time. When the
hothouse has ceased its ornamentation, however
beautiful and valuable its results, and decay has
laid the structure low, the arboretum will have
improved. Its cui-ious and teaching treasures
will have attained their growth, and many of its
trees will have become like giants of the forest,
while the permanent, slow growing kinds will
have the appearance they put on in their native
habits.

Not that we would in the least discourage the
lover of the hothouse. Each has its great
merits, but where there is spac»\ we advise the

0

THE GARDEXEK'S MO^f'TELY,

March,

cultivator of the closer quarters to look some-
times out of doors, and see if he cannot find a
few spots for permanent growths also.

The two occupations and experiences harmon-
ize well together, and should, in fact, wherever
possible, be united in the same person.

MUSHROOMS.

The way to become useful as well as famous,
is to suppl}' some of the many unsupplied wants
of human beings. Who will not agree that
there is a lack of some desirable articles for the
table which might be sold in quantities, and
which almost every taste appreciates. To men-
tion one article — the Parisian market is supplied
■with abundance of fresh mushrooms. Every
bill of fare announces them, and everybody eats
them. How they are grown so abundantly is
told by William Robinson, in a little London
book. He goes so far as to say there is no difB-
eulty whatever, and he would undertake to pro-
duce them even in so inauspicious a locality as
an old shoe ! There are various places where
this desirable esculent can be grown ; there is no
reason why plenty should not be provided.
There is a gold mine in this to any one who will
raise a regular supply. The hotels alone would
take large quantities.

FIGS.

In a climate like ours, every addition to ils
luxury of fruits is to be studied. We cannot
have many of the productions of more southern
climes, but we can have some not generally
grown, by a little attention and thought. For
instance, ripe figs are very acceptable to many,
if not to most persons ; but how very few grow
them here. That it is perfectly practictible to do
so is shown in several places round us.

Mr. Smith then exhibited fine cones of the
Cedar of Lebanon, planted thirty-five years ago,
by himself, at Laurel Hill Cemetery, of which
he is the founder and President, showing that
in this latitude this noble tree may be acclimated.
He has done the same with the Magnolia Gran-
diflora, which blooms profusely with him. The
Franklinia, now Gordonia pubescens, is also
hardy at Philadelphia, and with the yellow
wood, Virgilia lutea, should be in every planta-
tion.

DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS.

The speaker in the course of his remarks allu-
ded with feeling to the decease of three remark-
able scientific residents of Germautown, who
have lately gone to their long homes ; two of
thorn ladies. Charles J. Wister was remarkable

for his extensive knowledge in all science, espe-
cially of astronomy and botany, having an
observatory of his own, and a garden of rare
plants. Margaretta and Elizabeth ^Morris ; the
one a writer of merit on insects injurious to vege-
tation, the locusts and the hessian fly ; the other
an accomplished botanist, the friend and coad-
jutor of Gray, and both the correspondents of
Agassiz and the companions of learned men.

[Mr. Smith might here, but for his modesty,
though we hope not for years to be classed with
the deceased, have said that he himself was the
successor of Downing in editing the famous Hor-
ticulturist, so that Germautown makes no mean
pretensions to be known as a seat of science. -Ed.]

■WHAT SHALL W^E PLANT?

is the constant enquiry of beginners. What we
shall not plant is almost equally important.
That we should employ trees and shrubs on our
home grounds, foreign to our own immediate
locality, is a general, though with slight reser-
vations, a universal rule. It is a truth that
seems even now startling. It was known long
ago, but Loudon enforced it to the popular mind,
his argument running thus :

FOREIGN TREES TO BE PREFERRED.

' In modern landscape gardening, considered
as a fine art, all the more important beauties
and eflects produced by the artist, may be said
to depeud on the use which he makes of foreign
trees and shrubs, for the principle is established
that all art, to be acknowledged as such, must
be avowed. This is the case in the fine arts.
There is no attempt to conceal art in music,
painting or sculpture ; none in architecture, and
none in the geometrical style of landscape gar-
dening. Why should there be an attempt to
conceal art in modern landscape gardening ?
Because, we may be told, it is an art which im-
itates nature. But does not landscape painting
also imitate nature ? and yet, in it the work pro-
duced is acknowledged to be one of art. Recur
to what is meant by the imitation of nature, and
reflect on the difference between repetition and
imitation. In the imitative arts, the imitation
is always made in such a manner as to produce
a totally distinct work from the thing imitated,
and never, on any account, so like as to be mis-
taken for it. In landscape painting, scenery is
represented by colors on a flat surface. In sculp-
ture, forms which in nature are colored, are rep-
resented in colorless stone. The intention of the
artist, in both cases, is not to produce a copy
which shall be mistaken for the original, but

1873.

THE GARDE.N'ER'S MOJYTHLY

71

rather to show the original through the rae-
diutn of a particular description of art ; to reflect
nature as in a glass. Iy[ow to render landscape
gardening a fine art, some analagous process
must be adopted by the landscape gardener. In
the geometrical style, he has succeeded perfect-
ly ; his straight lines, forms, and artificial sur-
faces, so different from nature, are at once recog-
nized as works of art. A residence thus laid out
is clearly distinguished from the woody scenery
of the surrounding country, and is satisfactory
because it displays the working of the human
mind, and confers distinction on the owner as a
man of taste and wealth. A place laid out in
the modern style, with the surface of the ground
disposed in imitation of the undulations of
nature, and the trees scattered over in groups
and masses, neither in straight lines nor cut into
artificial shapes, might be mistaken for nature,
were not the trees planted chiefly of foreign
kinds, not to be met with in the natural or gen-
eral scenery of the country. Almost everything
in modern landscape gardening, depends on the
use of foreign trees and shrubs ; and when it i^
properly understood that no residence in the
modern style can have a claim to be considered
as laid out in good taste in which the trees and
shrubs are not either foreign ones or improved
varieties of indigenous ones, the grounds of every
country seat, fro'.n the cottage to the mansion,
will become an nrboretum, diSering only in the
number of species which it contains."

We might illustrate this by a forcible example.
Suppose a man living in a pine woods should
make a pleasure ground, we should be tempted
to smile at him if he planted only the surround-
ing pine trees. His visitors would surely see
little beauty inside the territory.
( To he Continued. )

PEREGRINATIONS IN NEW HOLLAND.

BY W. T. HARDING, NONAKTUM HILL NUR-
SERY, BRIGHTON, MASS.

The good people of Armadale, New South
Wales, who had hitherto enjoyed peace and
quietness in their pastoral pursuits, secluded as
they were within a pleasant and romantic val-
ley, were one day aroused from their semi-repose
with the startling intelligence that they were
absolutely walking through streets literally paved
with gold. The gold fields of Uralia were adja-
cent, and Armadale being on the North Road,
370 miles from Sydney, and near to Trial Bay, on
the Pacific coast, rapidly changed from its former

quiescent state, to a stirring and busy town of
considerable importance.

Such exciting news, though doub ful at first,
was soon corroborated on the arrival of that in-
dubiatable personage who settles all doubtful
questions, "the reliable gentleman," who seri»
ously assured the bucolic plodders who earnest-
ly inquired, "are ye sure the news is true?"
with the affirmative yes, and as "seeing is
believing," exhibited specimens of "nuggets"
and "dust." Like a theatrical transformation
scene, everybody and everything suddenly
changed as the whirl of excitement spread more
speedily than their destructive bush fires, and
flashed the news from the centre to the circum-
ference of New Holland.

The first Australian gold was discovered in
the neighborhood of Bathurst, by a Mr. Har-
greaves, in 1851, and the excitement which ^o'
lowed was then at its height. The "gold fever"
became contagious generally, and during its
paroxysms so affected the people, that men like
maniacs, rushed from their legitimate callings
and went off instanter to the diggings. The
lonely shepherd and stockman, far in the wilder-
ness, left their flocks and herds to take care of
themselves. The skilled artisan and cunning
craftsman in the city, left their employment, and
side by side with the professional man, eminent
in science, the hoary headed "old lag," on
whose sinister looking features, convict was dis-
cernable, were eagerly delving for the hidden
treasure with the wildest enthusiasm. Ships
weri; deserted in the harbors, and left without
either captain or crew. Everything mundane
seemed topsy-turvy throughout the land, and
especially so in the sequestered little town of Ar-
midale. Strange as it may seem, the thirst for
gold and the thirst for brandy seemed unquench-
able. Nearly every house was turned into a
store or tavern, in which the shrewd venders
soon amassed fortunes and retired from business,
as becoming to Colonial gentlemen.

At the principal hotel, "The Jolly Diggers'
Retreat," they were keeping open house, the
bar-room door of that imposing edifice having
been removed, and placed under the wide spread-
ing boughs of a large blue gum tree. Eucalyptus
piperita, for a dance board, where a party of
lucky diggers had joined a jovial crew of run-
away sailors, who were heel and toeing it in their
bare feet, to the screechy tones of a weasy old
fiddle.

In years gone by, I remember seeing Cook, on

7^

THE GARDE JVER'S MOJVTELY,

March,

the London stage, as " William," in the play of {
"Black-e5'ed Susan," delight the happy play-'
goers with his matchless Sailor's Hornpipe, but |
never since then did I ever see such terpsichore-
an feats as were performed by " Jack ashore."'

0 ! departed shades of Paganini and thy inimi-
table violin, whose soul stirring strains wil'
never echo again. How blessed is thy spirit,
where no wicked bush fiddler, with the agonizing
wail of persecuted music, can awaken thy
slumbers I

1 have long since forgiven, though not forgot-
ten, poor Paganini the second, who I believe
" did his level best " as a professor of " the art
divine." No, worthy man, I entertain no un-
kind feelings toward thee ; I rather feel to pity
thee with all thy musical faults, and love thee
Still.

Such carousals were common to Australia in
those days. Ludicrous in the extreme were the
antics and vagaries of the jolly diggers and rol-
licking sailors. Some experts had shown their
skill as portrait painters, and had produced some
such striking likenesses as would have put the
"Old Masters " to blush if they could only have
seen them. A party of miserable blacks were
hanging around, whose naked bodies had been
painted, some in all the colors of the rainbow, in
a succession of stripes, after the fashion of a
barber's pole, while others, according to the
fancy of the artist, had some humorous pictures
delineated on their faces and bodies. As a fron-
tispiece, one pot-bellied fellow was ornamented
with a figure of "Neptune," trident in hand,
while another equally proud, was decorated with
an allegorical subject, namely, "Old Nick" on
the rampage. It has happily been my good for-
tune to see the celebrated portraits of the mem-
bers of the famous " Kit Cat Club," by Sir God-
frey Kneller, and the no less celebrated Gallery
of Portraits, by Hogarth, but never did I see
" the human face divine '' .so loonderfuUy painted
as were these of the sable ladies and gentlemen
in New Holland.

The veil of night was gently falling over the
setting sun, which gradually withdrew to the
eventide shades, as the rude and boisterous
revellers, one by one, succumbed to the potation
so freely imbibed, and were soon oblivious to all
the cares of life.

Bonniface, mine host of " The Jolly Diggers'
Retreat," was " all the worse for liquor," and
his wife was not much better. The only sober
one connected with the hotel was "Towser,'' a

sagacious and sullen bulldog, whose temper
seemed soured with the lax state of affairs.
He, " Towser," had assumed the responsibilities
of house keeper and bar tender, and sternly re-
fused to admit any one within. A more efllcient
hoKse Tceeper I never knew, as he sat grimly and
defiantly on the counter, growling vengeance
against all intruders. He reminded rae of that
ominous warning of Dante's: "abandon hope
all ye who enter here."

Footsore and weary as I was, I retired to rest
in an empty bullock dray, which luckily for me
was unoccupied, and proved a snug and cosy
little bed room, in which I slept soundly. When
morning broke, the gibbering savages, who had
figured so in the previous day's doings in all the
glorious colors the motley paint pots of Arma-
dale could produce, had brought in some other
sable "beauties without paint," anxious to be
similarly ornamented, and who I doubt noti
were made equally happy in due time.

We started in search of something to eat,
which having obtained, and laid in a fresh sup-
ply for the onward journey, we bid adieu to Ar-
madale and the jolly diggers therein. Taking a
southwesterly course for some distance, we
crossed the Peel River, which waters the rich
pasture lands of Liverpool plains. The soil is
very fertile, and is farmed to a considerable ex-
tent. Here Palms, the " Princes of the vegeta-
ble kingdom," as Linnaeus very appropriately
terras them, were numerous and strikingly beau-
tiful.

Generally adjaci nt to the sea beach are found
the Pandanas spirali«, or screw pine, as they are
commonly called, from their resemblance to a
huge pine apple plant ; of spiral growth. Some
unusually large specimens were here met with.
Old plants have a peculiar appearance, and are
remarkable for the large aeriel roots, which seem
to rise from the oarth, instead of descending to
it. Very oddly tliey seem to stand, propping up
to some thirty or forty feet high their inimense
crowns of handsome foliage. In cultivation they
are indispensable as hothouse ornaments, where
they have sufficient room to grow and flourish
in.

Of the singular family of marsupials which
abound in New Holland, the red-necked Kanga-
roo, Helmaturis ruficoUis, is perhaps the most
numerous and conspicuous. Here seemed to be
a favorite feeding ground, where they quietly
graze on the rich grasses which cover the allu-
vial plains. It is amusing to watch the gambols

1S73.

THB GARDENER'S MONTHLY.

78

of the young ones as they lightly bound with
surprising agility in their sportive play. They
are somewhat chary of the too near approach of
man, or rather that remorseless biped, sportsman,
(so called) who, when armed with the deadly
rifle, ruthlessly slaughters the poor inoffensive
animals. Poor timorous, meek looking creature,
there seems to be no guile in thy mild and come-
ly countenance, yet man, both white and black,
are at enmity with thee! The "Boomerang,"
that curiously shaped wooden weapon, when
thrown by the savage, whose practised hand di-
rects its eccentric course, is alike fatal when
within range. They seem to sniff the preda-
ceous blacks in the wind, who cunningly and
stealthily approach them lee- ward to cast their
death dealing missile. When one of them falls?
quick as lightning, and with incredible speed,
the remainder bound off with astonishing leaps,
to the fastness of the forest.

Serpents, of which 1 have a mortal fear, and
as ugly and loathsome as appeared the first one
after beguiling "Mother Eve,'' were more
numerous than I had hitherto seen them. Some
species have absolutely "the jaws of death,"
their bite is fatal, while others are more or less
dangerous.

I shall ever remember when at Toowoomba,
some eighty miles from Brisbane, a rich grazing
district, which reaches from the summit of the
great dividing range to the Darling Downs, how
near I was to a deadly black snake, which glides
about the tree tops with the same facility they
do on the ground. Singular as it may seem,
they appear to have a penchant for figs. I, too,
confess to a weakness of the same kind, and with
the permission of a friend, was indulging to my
heart's content in some luscious fruit on the
upper branches of a large tree in his garden,
when, to my horror and dismay, I beheld several
disgusting snakes wriggling towards me. I
vacated in a summary manner, at the peril of
broken bones.

The black and white wattle trees. Acacia affi-
nis and A. mollissima, seemed alive with wood
ducks, so named from their habits of perching
and roosting among the branches of high trees.
As I stood to gaze upon this fertile spot, teeming
with agricultural and mineral wealth, a splendid
crane, Grus Australis, stalked by without exhi-
biting the least symptom of alarm. It is a large
and stately bird, gay in its bright red hood,
which covers the back part of the head, and

meets like a fancy cravat or necktie round the
throat.

After being several days out, and still pursu.
ing the same course, we crossed a number of
small streams, and finally struck the Maquarie
River. While passing through the river region
we frequently met with large tracts of Marsilea
macropus, or Australian Nardoo. It is a sub-
aequatic. plant, and covers extensive fields in the
low or swampy grounds. The natives collect
and prepare it for food by pounding it to a mass,
which is then rolled into balls and covered with
hot ashes to bake ; when so prepared they seem
to relish it.

When the luckless traveler's appetite is sharp-
ened by hunger, almost anything that can be
swallowed to appease the craving for food is
greedily seized, as was a quantity of Xardoo,
found in a " gunya," or native hut, by the only
survivor of the ill-fated Burk's exploring party,
and which sustained the wretched man for two
weeks. Kewly baked Nardoo approximates
more to the consistency and taste of hot putty
than any other substance I can compare it to,
and is about as nutritious as a southern clay
eater's food, with which he regales his vitiated
appetite.

Vast and extensive undulating prairie-like
plains, which at intervals are varied by the wild-
est of earthly scenes, alternate with the impene-
trable jungle, scrub, and illimitable forests.

Some two or three hundred miles from the
coast, on the elevated table lands, is the great
wool growing region, where countless flocks,
spreading for miles, fatten upon the rich grasses
which roll like the billowy sea in deep smarag-
dine waves. There, too, horses and cattle
increase and multiply amazingly, and to such an
extent as to greatly diminish their value. Hun-
dreds and thousands may be seen herding
together.

As we strolled along the bed of a dried up
water course, which only flows during heavy
rains, we were led to a deep and romantic pass,
guarded on each side by grand old rocks, nearly
half a mile in perpendicular height, and seemed
as if riven asunder by some supernatural agency
or convulsive throbs of nature. Here we paused
to contemplate and reflect on "what aspects
old Time in his progress has worn " from the
beginning until now.

At best but a mere speck, an atom, on the
earth's surface-man seems indeed but a puny
creature, weak and feeble, when he looks arotind

7Jf

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ\'THLY,

March,

and feels bewildered with the stupendous and
wonderful works of Him " who laid the founda-
tions of the earth.'' This deep defile was about
two miles wide and sixteen in length. In the
bottom were several deep pools and minature
lakes, well stocked with fish, and literally cover-
ed with water fowl. IIow the fish had got there
was a puzzle to \ny inquiring mind, and a mys-
tery I could not solve — it seemed beyond human
ken.

Here I met with a solitary specimen of Phylo-
cladus rhomboidcs, remarkable as being the only
one I ever met with in Australia. In New Zea-
land I saw thousands of them. It is a hand-
some tree of the genus Taxacse, aud generally
known as the celery topped pine.

Some of the ponds were completely hidden
beneath the luxuriant foliage of the Nelumbium
speciiisum, or the Sacred Lotus. It is a beauti-
ful acquatic plant, nearly allied to the Nym-
pheas, or water liUes. In the lagoons and estu-
aries of the Murry, Darling, Warrengo and
Murrumbigee Elvers, they grow in vast quanti-
ties.

The history of the Sacred Lotus, has frequent
ly been given by modern writers, who quote from
Herodotus, Strabo, and Theophrastus, who each
mention it, and describe the religious associa-
tions connected therewith. It was held in the
greatest veneration by the heathenish devotees
of Isis.

The Egyjjtian bean of Pythagoras is supposed
to be the fruit or seed of the Nelumbium he al-
ludes to. The color of the flowers are light
pink, and in form are very beautiful ; both roots
and seeds are edible. There are about seven or
eight species in all, aud are widely dispersed
from India to Egypt, Australia, Malabar, Ja-
maica, the Caspean Sea, and several parts of
the United States of America. I planted some
Nelumbium luteum in Cleveland, Ohio, which I
procured at Sandusky ; and also in Fairmount
Park, Philadelphia, which I dug from a creek
flowing to the Schuylkill, at the Neck, hear the
city.

"Fair Flora" seemed to have chosen this
beautiful defile as a garden spot wherein to
grow her flowers, and had lavishly and profuse-
ly scattered them around. Some of her loveli-
est and fairest floriferous productions were ex-
panding iheir charms in all their native gran-
deur. The graceful Babingtonia camphorosma,
a perfect mass of prettiness, like coy beauties,
were peeping through their leafy bowers'; with

Boronias, blended Banksia integrifolia, a really
handsome shrub, and is to be found generally
under cultivation in the colonists' gardens ; it is
called the Australian Honeysuckle, and is re-
markable for the quantity of honey stored in its
pretty flowers. A more gayish beauty, in gay
attire, was the Grevillea robusta or silk oak. It
is a noble tree, often attaining to one hundred
aud forty feet high, and is a fine representative
of the order Proteacese, to which it belongs. The
varieties are numerous, and well known to the
practical gardener. They are a peculi:u- genus,
and well worthy a place in every conservatory ;
the flowers are mostly red, and are produced on
long spikes, often measuring from ten to fifteen
inches in length.

Some fine Dendrobium cassythoides, a climb-
ing orchid, allied to the Vanilla, had embraced
the trunk of a splendid Flindersia australis or
Australian Mahogany, a useful and beautiful
tree, the wood of which is valuable for cabinet
work.

This charming locality seemed to abound in
Westringea rosemarinifolia, so like a iiosemary
in habit of growth aud foliage, but unlike one in
its florescent state. Its flowers are a pretty pale
blue and very profuse. It is a very ornamental
evergreen shrub, aud grows to about eight or
ten feet high.

Sphenotoma capitata, with their dense
heads of immaculate blossoms, looked like
mounds of snow. Pultnoeas, and when I men-
tion them, it seems rather invidious to name
any in particular, as all that interesting family
are as pretty as they well can be. Their comely
garments of various shades of green, mottled
with golden clusters of flowers, are beautiful in-
deed. Here they seemed to surround us as we
gently stepped among them while passing along.

I noticed several terrestrial orchids, namely,
Prasophyllum fimbriatum, a kind more singu-
lar than beautiful, Pterostylis gibbosa, P. re-
flexa and P. graudiflora, with other interesting
kinds ; also fine specimens of Trichilia glandu-
losa, a very ornamental tree, growing from sev-
enty to one hundred feet high, of symmetrical
form.

The richest and softest of living carpets, Ly-
copodium densura, spread thickly beneath the
noble trees, flowers and shrubs, which adorned
this floral defile, where I could truly say "pure
emotion, kindled by the sweetness of nature,
sufficed to please'' the appreciative traveler who

187S.

TEE GAMBEMEB'S MONTHLY.

75

heartily thanked God for the boon of beholding
so fair a scene.

In all probability the Caucasian's foot had
seldom, if ever, brushed the dew from the grass,
or left its imprint on the soil of this primeval
glen, with its myriads of flovvers, where we wan-
dered at will.

As a fitting accompaniment to the romantic
scene, I watched the gambols of two Satin Bow-
er birds, Ptelorcorhynchus holosericeus ; the
plumage of the male bird is a beautiful black
satiii-like texture ; nothing could be more inter-
esting than the habits of the Bower birds, they
seem to exhibit a taste for architecture, and
weave together twigs, leaves and feathers, and
construct little arbors with them, to and from
which are neatly formed covered passage ways,
through which they run in and out after each
other, iu a very amusing and playful manner.
It is really laughable to see them meet and pro-
foundly and respectfully bow to each other. No
courtier, belle or beaux, however schooled in
etiquette, could possibly salute each other with
more grace of manner than do these singular
birds ; they seem the ver}^ models of Chester-
fieldian politeness. Their little love bovvers are
tastefully and cunningly constructed.

The ever present Turquoisine Parrots made
things lively above as they chattered incessantly
in the trees, while the lovely little zebra grass
parrots hopped about the grass and low bushes ;
its note is not so ear tortui-ing as are some of its
bigger kindred. This exquisite little creature is
one of the most interesting and beautiful of
cage birds, thousands of which are aunuallj'' im-
ported to England and various parts of Europe ;
see "Gould's Ornithology of Australia,'' pub-
lished in 1841, in which they are fully described.

Peeling assured that I should never return
again to " vievv those scenes so chnrming,'' which
everywhere presented some original and pleas-
ant features, and delighted the senses and filled
the heart with such earthly joys, I decided to
remain until the next day. Heaven knows
a poor horticulturist as I was, that 1 felt "as
happy as a king" and " as rich as a Rothschild"
in the sequestered arcadia where I camped for
the night.

My cup of bliss was filled to the brim, and the
nectar was sweet which the soul quaffed,, and
felt satisfied that there was happiness on earth.
The soft and refreshing night breezes were gently
playing among the trees, and wafted the " balm
of a thousand flowers'' fresh from the great labo-

ratory of nature, and which would have de-
lighted the olfactory organs of a Phalon, Lubin
or Rimmel with their exquisite perfume. The
twinkling stars, bright celestial gems, glittered
and sparkled in the blue arch above, like fairy
lamps lighting the sky.

Stretched on the ground, snugly wrapped in a
Wombat-skin rug, and with a Banksia log for a
pillow, thinking of beloved ones afar, and recall-
ing the poet's words,

" O'er the past too fondly wandering,
On the hopeless future pondering."

went soundly to sleep on a bed of flowers. Some
time near midnight I awoke with an idea that
somebody was touching me to see if I was asleep
or not. Perhaps some cut-throat, bush-ranger or
treacherous native was about to rob and murder
me. With the courage of the Cid, grasping my
gun, I sprang to my feet on the defensive, feel-
ing determined to do something to somebody,
but not a soul ceuld I see. "The sweet silver
light bonny moon," in full splendor, illumined
the forest with the light of her silvery sheen, so
peculiar to New Holland. Looking around for
the intruder, but a few paces from me, and evi-
dently more astonished than I, stood an inoffen-
sive littleWombat, which in its nocturnal wander-
ings had stopped to ascertain what usurper was
ensconsed within its fellow Wombat's skin. With
a hearty laugh at the poor animal, I bid him
good-night and went back to dream-land again.
Refreshed with sweet slumbers, we awoke
with the morning chorus of thousands of plum-
aged birds, whose unmusical notes seemed
strangely out of tune in the noisy burlesque of
ornithological carrols. After the .morning's ab-
lutions among Lotus and water lilies, we break-
fasted and traveled on. Leaving the middle of the
valley for the shady side of the lofty and rugged
cliffs, we were delighted beyond measure with the
many Ilelichrysum apiculatum bushes which
clung to'the steep face of the frowning rocks. As
a greenhouse plant they rank high among the rare
and beautiful. I suppose every practical gar-
dener remembc^rs Ilelichrysum odoratissimum
as "one among ten thousand." Running among
them were the most luxuriant Eustrephus lati-
folius, a pretty evergreen climber as I ever saw,
their light purple flowers are uncommonly beau-
tiful. The ornamental Ficus mutia, an ever-
green shrub, had accommodated itself in a fis-
sure at a considerable altitude, where it stood
all "alone in its glory." The curious green-
' flowering- herbaceous plant, Geitonoplesium

76

THE GARDEJ^^ER'S MOJ^TBLY.

March,

montanum, grew in masses on the scarped sides
of the rocks in pleasing contrast to its more
showy compeers. Goodyeria gracilis and G. iie-
terophylla, the former a pretty yellow flowering
kind, and the latter red, two as handsome her-
baceous plants as are to be met with, formed
handsome beds at the base, Keuuedya coccinea
and K. ovata, with several other beautiful ever-
green climbers, draped the projecting crags,
where they hung like curtains or screens of pret-
ty foliage and flowers.

As we neared the opening of this wildly pic-
turesque defile we had so happily rambled
through, we were delightfully surprised with
the number of Telopea speciosissima, so beauti-
ful and brilliant were they in the full blaze of
scarlet flowers. In the greenhouse, it is one of
the most conspicuous ornaments.

The most rugged surface man ever attempted
to pass over was before us. Ugly masses ef
conglomerate ironstone rock, varied with lumps
of sharp edged quartz, were scattered in every
conceivable way, as if to prevent our further
progress. Truly it was " a hard road to travel,"
but the.worst plague I ever encountered was await-
ing us further on. Our onward course, in the
direction we were pursuing, was abruptly check-
ed by a nettle brake, which stretched to a con-
siderable extent before us. A previous acquain-
tance with them bad taught me that nothing
mortal could ever be iuduced to face one a second
time after once experiencing the infernal torture
they are capable of inflicting.

Urtica gigas, the gigantic stinging nettle of
Australia, known as the "traveler's terror,''
and well named indeed, I do not i-emember
ever having met with a more terrible v&getable
monster than the subject under notice. Most of
the Monthly readers are well acquainted with
the common stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, and
have a lively remembrance of how keenly they
were made to smart when incautiously handling
them ; the sensation of pain, though sharp
enough, is of a very mild type when compared
to the torture inflicted by the Australian pest.
The fabulous effects of the baneful Upas tree of
Java, Antiarus toxicaria, could not possibly be
worse or more to be dreaded by man or beast,
than this diabolical nettle tree of New Holland

In a previous communication I alluded to
having seen U. ferox growing in New Zealand,
and fierce and formidable they were, but were
somewhat dwarfed by its gigantic compeers U.
gigas, the stings of which cause a maddening

pain, almost beyond enduring, the effects of
which are dangerous indeed. From forty to
sixty feet high is a usual size, with a stout tree
like trunk. The foliage is gigantic too, having
measured leaves of sixteen inches. The near-
est comparison to this horrid barrier I ever saw,
was a Cactus hedge, in Central America, the
thoughts of which stop my communication
with a shudder.

HOT WATER EXPERIENCE.

BY A, P, JONES F0>:D DU LAC, WIS,

According to your wish, I will give you my ex-
perience in heating greenhouse, I built my
greenhouse in the fall of 1870 — (54x16,) Put in
a flue for heating, 56 feet on the ground and 25
foot high chimney. The flue was 6 inches wide
and 1 foot deep inside. Then I had the fire-place
built 4 feet square, with two separate fire holes,
two doors and two grates ; then T put in a coil
of pipe in one of the fire holes for heating water
in propagating tank. Flue bothered all winter
by smoking— no draught, and by being a great
deal colder on farther end of house than at the
end nearest the fire hole— generally ten degrees
dilference, and could hardly ever get the farther
end of the flue warmer than blood heat. The
next winter, 1871, 1 rebuilt a part of my flue and
fire holes, put in a coil of pipe, (1 inch gas pipe),
instead of grate ; then I put in T's between my
grate and propagating tank, and run a pipe
around the house as far as the chimney and
back to grate ; this helped to heat house very
much, besides affording me means to regulate
the heat in tank by means of valves ; but the flue
would smoke in all damp weather, or when the
fire was first started.

I cannot tell how much wood I burned, as the
wood was used from the same pile that was used
in the dwelling house, but I do know that it was
a continual stream of wood, and continual firing
up ; especially the first winter, besides the dam-
age it must have been by its continual smoking ;
and I made up my mind that if I should have a
thousand greenhouses, that not another brick
flue should ever be built in them. Accordingly,
I commenced corresponding with all the manu-
facturers of heating apparatus that I could hear
of, and I at last decided on the one to get,
although not the cheapest, but the dearest one
that I had offered to me, and that was '^Hitch-
ings " No. 15, corrugated boiler, with 220 feet
3 inch pipe, and I can say with much pride and
confidence, that it works to perfection I In the

1873.

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJS'THLY.

77

coldest weather the thermometer does not vary
over 3 or 4 degrees in any part of the house ; and
I am using peat at twenty cents per 100 lbs., and
it takes from 75 to 100 lbs. per day when the
thermometer is 0 to 10 below zero outside to keep
the lemperature at 50 to 55 inside— water in
pipes at 140 to 150 ; and I intend to put another
greenhouse up, 60 by 14, to be heated by the
same boiler, as soon as I can make it pay to do
so. I have burned some coal this winter, but
find that it makes too strong a heat with the ap-
paratus that I now have. My greatest diflQcul-
ty is to keep the fire small enough, and to keep
it burning the longest, and I find that peat comes
the nearest to what I want until I have more
house or room to heat.

Now, Mr. Editor, I think it depends altogether
on the way the pipes are laid or arranged in
heating greenhouses, when they are less than
100 feet in length. I am positive that one, or
even two houses of 50 feet can be heated more
economical and better by hot water than by flue,
if the hot water apparatus is of the right kind
and properly arranged and set up.

I will send you a diagram of my boiler and
pipes if you wi&li it, and would say that I would
like to hear from some more experienced green-
house man upon this subject, as I intend to
make some alterations in my house, and perhaps
build more in addition to what I now have, and
am anxious to get all the information I can.

"We have had seven days here that the ther-
mometer was below zero, and went as low as 34,
and my greenhouse has not been below 48 F.
this winter, and shall consider my heating appa-
ratus all right until we get colder weather.

[Send plans and the cost. — Ed.]

CIECULATION OF HOT WATER. AS-
CENDING vs. THE DESCENDING
PRINCIPLE

BY CHAS. F. HITCHING3, NEW YORK.

In the Gardener''s Monthly for January, page
14, reference is again made to the principle of
laying the line of healing pipes in a greenhouse,
on a constant descent from the highest to the
lowest parts of the boiler, so that the pipes and
boiler form a triangle, with the boiler one side
of the triangle, as decribed in the September
number of the Monthly. It is claimed that the
most rapid circulation of water is secured when
the pipes are laid on this descending principle,
and consequently the most efficient apparatus.

Unquestionably water will circulate through
pipes so laid, but not with the same rapidity or

efficiency as it does when the boiler is placed be-
low the line of heating pipes in the usual man-
ner ; nor does the descending plan offer the same
advantages in locating the pipes within the
house, nor the same facilities in laying pipes to
convey heat from the same boiler to several
houses, or several divisions of the same house,
without obstructing the paths and doorways.

The circiilation of water is due to the differ-
ence in the density of two columns of water, the
one of water expanded by heat and contained
within the boiler and the ascending flow pipe,
the other the column of water within the de-
scending return pipe, which is at a lower tem-
perature and consequently more dense ; and the
rapidity of the circulation increases with the in-
creased height and greater diflerence in the tem-
perature of these two columns of water. This
being the case, it follows that the height of the
ascending and descending columns of water is
of the first importance. To secure this, the
boiler is placed below the level of the house
which it is intended to warm, and the flow and
return pipes carried upward from the boiler to
connect with the Iieating pipes within the house,
then from the point of connection with the ver-
tical pipes from the boiler ; the heating pipes,
both flow and return, should be carried round
the house, both on the same grade, either level
or with an ascent as they leave the boiler, as
may best suit the levels of the house. Any as-
cent to the line of heating pipes increases the
force of the circulation.

By the arrangement described, we have the
full effect of the height of the column of water
within the boiler and ascending flow pipe, at
the highest temperature and most expanded
state produced by the fire, opposing a column of
cooler water of similar height within the de-
scending return pipe, — water that has made the
entire circuit of the heating pipes and has been
reduced in temperature equal to the amount of
heat imparted to the atmosphere through which
the pipes have passed, and consequently has at-
tained the lowest temperattire and greatest
density when it enters the descending pipe to
add force to the current. Nor do the advantages
stop here ; when the boiler is set below the level
of the house which is to be warmed, the main
pipes leading from the boiler may be readily car-
ried below the level of the doorways and paths
with branch pipes rising at suitable points in
the house or in several houses near or adjoining,
and there connect with the several lines of heat-

78

TEE GARDICJVER'S MOJVTELY,

March.

ing jnpes, and the water will circulate through
all with promptness and certainty. It also ad-
mits of placing the heating pipes under the side
benches and near the floor, where the heat radi-
ated from them is most effective in warming the
house.

Thus ftn* I have endeavored to explain the ad-
vantages of elevating the heating pipes above
the boiler, and the necessity of making a quick
descent in the return from these pipes to the
bottom of the boiler.

ITow if we turn our attention to the descend-
ing plan, we find that the conditions necessary
to produce the quickest circulation are not so
fully carried out. The height of the opposing
columns of water is limited to the distance be-
tween the upper and lower pipes at the boiler,
this in practice cannot exceed two, or at most
three feet, without placing the upper pipe at an
inconvenient distance from the floor, and where
the heat from it would be less effective in heat-
ing the house. Then when the line of pipes is
laid with a gradual descent from the top to tlie
bottom of (he boiler, the force exerted by the de-
scending column of water is but little more than
one-half of that which is properly due to the
height of the column and the difference in 'tem-
perature of the two ends of the pipe, for the rea-
son that the water is reduced in heat and in-
creased in density gradually as it descends from
the high point through the line of pipes, and
when it has reached the end of the line and at-
tained the lowest temperature and greatest
density, it has already reached the lowest point
in the descent and ceases to exert force, so that
instead of the effective force due to the height of
the columns of water at the extremes of tem-
perature, we have only the force due to the aver-
age temperature of the whole line of pipe.

Even should we set aside the fact of the di-
minished force of the circulation, there still re-
mains the objections and difficulties in the ar-
rangement of the pipes to avoid obstructing the
doorways and paths. It would be impractica-
ble to follow this plan and carry the heating
pipes into several detached or adjoining houses,
or to regulate or stop off the heat from the pipes
in several divisions of the same house (as is fre-
quently done when pipes are laid in the usual
manner) without interfering with the doorways
and paths, and without waste of material and
heat.

To ray mind, there is not a single advantage

attending this plan, except perhaps the saving
in the depth of the boiler pit ; even in that re-
spect the advantage is doubtful, as there is an-
other and in some respects a better way of ac-
complishing that object when absolutely neces-
sary to do so.

FORCING BY NATURAL HEAT.

BY JAMES WEED, MUSCATINE, IOWA.

A writer in the Scientific American, of Novem-
ber ■23d. upon " Scientific and Mechanical Pos-
sibilities," says :

"Heat increases about one degree to every
fifty feet that we penetrate the earth ; shafts are
now sometimes sunk to a depth of 2,000 feet. It
is not within the possibility of mechanism to
bore 4,000 feet more. At that depth we should
find a heat of at least one hundred and fifty de-
grees, and in many places even greater than this.
Mechanical power could be obtained from the
steam and water forced up from this depth.
Heated water and steam from these wells could
be carried into our houses and warm our dwell-
ings to a summer temperature. Conducted in
pipes under the soil protected by glass, we could
cheaply grow in New England, all of the South-
ern and tropical plants and vegetables. The
snow could be kept melted from the streets of
New York, and all of the buildings warmed from
this spontaneous flow ; useful also for cooking
and other purposes.

The Garden of Plants in Paris is heated by
water from an artesian well 1800 feet deep,
which has a temperature of 82° Fah., and is
carried in pipes under the soil. A salad garden
at Erfurt, in Saxony, is heated in the same man-
ner, and is said to have yielded $60,000 a year to
the proprietor."

That the cost of artesian wells is not too great
to grow tropical plants in New England cheaply
by heat thus obtained, is not shown. Whether
the internal heat of the earth cannot be made
available for winter forcing, is a question worthy
of careful consideration.

In this locality a uniform temperature of 52°
is found at a depth of not more than twenty
feet, and probably it would be about the same in
the latitude of 42"^ from this to New England.

It would seem to be among "scientific and
mechanical possibilities'' to utilize this p^-oxi-

1873.

THE GAUDEJYER'S MO^'THLY,

79

mate internal heat, in securing to plant structures
a proper night temperature, which need not be
above 45° for greenhouses — the sun, in bright
days, giving a day temperature of sixty to eighty
degrees. This, cheaply accomplished, will it not
inaugurate a new era in winter gardening?

SMALL geee:n^house.

BY W. C. STRIPE, KEOKUK, IOWA.

Agreeable to promise I herewith hand you
apian and estimate of my greenhouse recently
erected. .It answers my fullest expectation, and
I am entirely satisfied with the operation of the
boiler, which I procured from Mr. Ellis of New
York. It has generally been supposed that the

erection of a greenhouse entails a great expense ;

mine cost as follows :

Brick work, $103

Carpenter work, 145

Boiler, 60

Pipes, 55

Incidentals, 50

Glass, 42

Total, ^455

I would not be without it for thrice the cost.
The furnace is charged at 6 P. M., and every-
thing is warm and comfortable next morning.

The house is 35x15 feet in the clear (inside).
The potting table is under the stage, the flue
running around one end, and the front, and
doubling on itself. It will work admirably and
to my entire satisfaction.

i//ve

80

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY.

March,

EDITORIAL NOTES.

FOREIGN.

The Chrysanthemum. This beautiful fall bloom-
ing plant maintains a high popularity in En-
gland. As a guide to some of the best varieties
still grown in England, we copy the following
from an article in Shirley Hibberd's Magazine:

" Not only are all the new and most popular kinds
represented," but old flowers which were at one time
held in high estimation, but arc now nearly forgot-
ten, had a place allotted them. Here was Etoile
Polaire, an incurved flower of the deepest yellow,
which is but little known, aUhough one of the best
in its color. Then there are also examples of Beau-
te du Nord, rich violet carmine, a glorious shade of
color; Madam Poggi, brownish crimson, wonder-
fully effective ; Prince Albert, another flower of the
richest shade of crimson ; Progue, Amaranth, Tri-
omphe du Nord, reddish chestnut and wonderfully
deep crimson, very large and showy. Of those
which are well known, Guernsey Nugget was rep-
resented by plants bearing flowers six inches in
diameter ; "Miss Isabella Bott, with flowers propor-
tionately large, as also were General Bainbrigge,
Golden "Trilby, which I sent out many years ago,
and which well holds its own against new comers;
Miss Marcheaux, Mrs. G. Rundle, which should be
grown in eveiy conservatory in the country for its
fine habit, freedom of floweriuii-, and the purity of
its flowers ; White Globe, Miss Mary Morgan,
Prince of Wales, Lord Derby, Prince Alfred, Venus,
and others too numerous to mention."

Hoio to get Pyramidal Grown Plum Trees.
Scott's Orchardist says :

" I have found that Plums are more difficult to
manage as pyramids than any other kind of fruit
tree. To overcome their seeming obstinacy, I found
that by leaving them ur-on short stems, eighteen
inches to two feet, and regularly taking them up
without cutting either the roots or l)ranches much,
replanting them on a hardened surface, merely cov-
ering the roots a few inches deep, they were as
manageable as the others."

Soil for the Paradise A^^ple Stocks. Scott says
in his Orchardist, that the Paradise stock is ad-
mirably suited to wet soils, where the common
stock will not do well Of these dwarf apples
he says :

" Dwarf bushes, on my Pommier de Paradis
stocks are useful iu small gardens, where space can-
not bespaied for large trees, and are easily managed
by thinning the branches and keeping them short
by pruning in winter, or Iw pinching them in once,
in summer, taking care not to pinch too close, as
then they will be a mass of unripened young wood
unfit to bear fruit ; however, when a tree begins to
get too gross, or to grow too much, take it up and
replant. This is an easy matter with trees upon the
above stock, as all the roots are near the surface,
and like the Quince, form masses of fibre by being
occasionally lifted. Apple cultuie, as pyramids or
dwarf busiics, is very interesting, and to amateurs
will be a source of pleasuie and amusement, but I
opine that the commercial cultivator will find his
€nus best served by growing tolerably large trees,

under which he can grow other crops, notwithstand-
ing what may have been said against his practice or
his want of knowledge as a fruit tree cultivator."

The Anacharis aJsinastrum. It seems to be
the fashion of travelers to put on airs and to cut
up generally when they get away fbom home,
and plants seem to do much the same. A water
weed, with the above long botanical name, does
not interfere much with our disposition of Amer-
ican waters ; but it found itself in England, and
there grew to such an enormous extent as to ob-
struct navigation in some of the rivers. Swans
were introduced to keep down the weed, but it
appears the people are now crying out to be
saved from their saviour :

"At a meeting of the Thames Angling Associa-
tion held recently, a resolution was passed request-
ing the chairman (Mr. R. J. Gilman) and the offi-
cers of the association to form themselves into a
sub committee, with a view to prevail upon the
authorities to reduce the number of swans on the
Thames, which belong partly to her Majesty, the
Queen, and partly to two City Companies. A letter
was addressed to the Lord Chamberlain by the
committee, from which we take the following ex-
tract : ' These birds, as is well known to all who
frequent the river, ;vre very destructive of the fish-
spawn. We do not desire their entire removal, but
only the reduction of their number. We would also
respectfully suggest that, while in their excessive
number mischievous here, a portion of them would
be useful and ornamental in otlier public waters.'
To this letter an answer was received by Mr. With-
ered, M. P., from the Lord Chamberlain's office, to
the effect that there had been no increase of late in
the number of her Majesty's swans, and that his
lordship had no control over those belonging to the
I City Companies. His lordship had given directions
that a gradual reduction should be made iu the
swans belonging to the Queen ; but he would ob-
serve that when some few years ago, upon a similar
complaint from the Thames Angling Preservation
Society, a considerable reduction was made in their
number, the weeds in the river increased so rapidly
that on the representation of many persons connec-
ted with the river, anglers amongst others, it was
thought that the number of swans should not be
greatly diminished. Mr. T. O. Wethered, M. P.,
has written to thank the Lord Chamberlain for his
answer, observing that whilst recognizing the use of
the swans in checking the growth of weeds, he re-
spectfully submits that the present number of birds
is excessive, especially in the neighborhood of Mar-
low. On the last occasion of the swans being num-
bered, there were 372 grown birds and 14.5 cygnets.
Mr. Wethered concluded by requesting an interview
with the Lord Chamberlain."

Ease Stocks for Grafting On. The Gardener^s
Magazine is not satisfied that they have yet
found the best stock. It thinks the choice will
lie between the Dog Rose, and the Itatian, as
they call the Manetti. Let our English friends
try our Prairie ilose and report on it. We sus-
pect it will be found iu this that America will

187S.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TRLY,

81

distance both England and Italy, The subject
is becoming quite an exciting one in Europe.

Liliuni Washingtonianum. This lily, not
many years ago named and described by Prof.
Alphonso Wood, is becoming rapidly popular in
Europe. Large consignments of bulbs from
California are being sold at high prices in En-
gland.

A Great Walker. We And the following para-
graph, in an English paper. The person refer-
red to was an emiiloyee of the father of the wri-
ter. As he has tr;iined one to walk so much
and a son to write, some ingenious calculator
might as well see how many times round the
world the editor's printed lines would reach :

"According to a local contemporary, some man
of figures has taken the trouble to compute the ex-
traordinary distance walked by Mr. WUliam Wheel-
er, a gardener of Brading, who has worked at West-
ridge, Ryde, for a period of fifty-one years, three
months and seven days, and has during the present
month left his employment. The distance from his
home to Westridge is six miles, and for the period
above mentioned he has walked there and back
daily (with the exception of two day's holiday year-
ly and one month's absence through sickness.)
This gives a total of 92,640 miles. Taking the cir-
cumference of the globe at 25,020 miles, it would
appear that he has walked a distance of four times
the circumference of the globe (except 4,440 miles)
in going to and from his work. But if only one
mile a day is allowed for walking about the garden,
&c., then his pedestrian feat would be increased by
15,928 miles, making a total of 108,568, or four times
the earth's circumference, with 11,488 miles to
spare."

Extraordinary Growth of Grape Vines. Some
of the French newspapers are analyzing General
Pleasonton's figures in his blue glass pamphlet.
A Monsieur De Jeune says that in five months
from the time of planting, the vines had grown
forty-five feet, which supposing they did not
start in a very rapid growth for some weeks
after planting would make a daily growth of

between four and five inches. He says there
were thirty vines, each with forty-five feet of
wood, which bore fruit the following year, and
he says "on the best authority," there was
estimated 12,000 lbs. of grapes. This is 343
lbs, to each vine. Supposing the odd five feet
was all that these canes were shortened, leaving
40 feet to bear, and that the nodes or eyes were
nine inches apart, and that two bunches were
left from each eye, it would give S^ lbs. to each
bunch of grapes. But as it is not likely he says
every bunch was exactly the same weight, some
less than this, he thinks many might have been
four or five lbs. The next year he says the same
canes produced ten ton— 22,000 lbs., this giving
an average of six lbs. to each bunch. He says
he believes, therefore, in blue glass, and we think
he ought to

There is no doubt but General Pleasanton had
a magnificent crop of grapes, and it is to be
regretted that so many figures were merely
estimated.

Colors on Plant Life. M. P. Bert, in the
Horticole Belgique, has been going over the ex-
periments of General Pleasanton, and after
detailing the different degrees of injury resulting
from various colored glasses, concludes by say-
ing :

"Lastly, all colors, taken alone, are detrimental
to plant Jife ; their union in the proportions consti-
tuting ordinary or white light is requisite to healthy
vegetation, and it therefore behooves horticulturists
to renounce the idea of employing colored glasses
or other colored materials for glasshouses and
garden frames."

A recent writer on the Dead Sea Flora says
he saw 'quantities of Maiden Hair flourishing
in a waterfall not more than twenty yards from
the Sea.'' In America he would probably find
considerably more of Jute in the waterfall than
Maiden Hair, or any other kind of hair.

EDTTOE lAL.

NEGLECTED AMERICAN TREES AND
SHRUBS.

In a letter before us, Dr. Hooker of the Royal
Gardens, Kew, expresses his surprise that after
examining American nursery catalogues, he
learns that but few of the many beautiful trees
and shrubs of America are systematically culti-
vated I But Dr. Hooker will doubtless be still

more surprised when he learns why this is. It
is not because these beautiful plants are not
appreciated, but because the most of our rarer
kinds of nursery stock is imported from Europe,
and we are of course unable to sell again what
they have not on hand to sell to us. In regard
to these native trees we have great difficulty,
A very large number of American nurserymen

8^

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^TRLl

March .

do not understand the business. They will graft
fruit trees -no country can produce men who
can equal American propagators in this line —
but when it comes to seed raising, or propaga-
ting rare trees and plants rapidly and cheaply,
they know nothing at all. There are not per-
haps, a score of nursery firms in America to-day,
which could take in hand a general assortment
of plants as an European nursery would, and go
through with tlieir successful propagation.

But there is yet another difficulty. The price
of labor — skilled labor is enormous ; and with the
heavy competition of European stock, very few !
American nurserymen can afford to pay for the i
intelligent labor necessary to raise this stock, if [
even they be convinced of the value of possessing i
it. It may be objected that surely the "score
or so" of intelligent firms referred to might be '
exceptions. They might show some attention !
to these neglected things. Still there are diffi i
culties. First, there are few chances of finding |
any one in the locations where the neglected !
things grow, who knows them and would get \
them. Secondly, if ihey can be had, it costs ;
enormously to get them, a* the average Ameri-
can man will not go out of his ordinary track to
do a job of this kind, unless he can make five or
ten fold his average day's wages. Perchance a
few individuals of a less grasping kind are found,
but these often go about the work honestly, but
so clumsily, that a very large bill for a very
small stock is the result, and the enterprise is
disheartening in the extreme.

One might think, however, that having over-
come all these obstacles, ar.d some desired rarity
obtained, then it would be easy for these few
intelligent firms to increase thein rapidly, and
then get a heavy sale for them. Alas ! No !
The American tree lover rarely visits an Ameri-
can nursery. He has no time for this. He is
fond of these rare things, and would gladly have
them. He reads about them in the books and
magazines, and wishts he could get them.
Though they may probably be grown by the
hundreds in his next door neighbor's nursery
grounds, he does not know it. Catalogues are
sent him, but he has no time to read them, or if
he reads, no time to make out a list and send for
them. So the matter goes, and at last the tree
agent comes along with his score or two of com-
mon things, the order is taken, and there is no
room for more. It is probably not far wrong to
say that not one hundredth part of the trees and
shrubs sold in the United States are between the

nurseryman and the customer direct ; and that
probably not one in a thousand who buy trees and
plants were ever in a nursery where trees and
plants are raised. One may go through some of
our most popular nurseries day after day, or
week after week, and rarely find a visitor inter-
ested in the subject, unless it be a peddler, dealer
or nurseryman on the lookout for saleable stock.
If people who like these pretty things were to go
to nurseries and thus persona ly encourage the
culture of them, they would be raised ; but those
who do the selling— who stand between the pro-
ducer and purchaser — know very little about the
things they sell, and of only a few common
things at any rate, and thus it is that there is
hardly any encouragement to the enterprising
nurseryman to introduce and propagate the
rarer kinds.

In the letter referred to. Dr. Hooker kindly
suggests that " probably the taste for these beau-
tiful American trees and shrubs is not highly
developed,'' but we think it is. It is not the
lack of appreciation, but the supposed lack of
time which keeps the nurseryman and his cus-
tomer forever apaii. Some of our most popular
trees and shrubs are Americans. The Hemlock
Spruce and the American Arborvitse are univer-
sally grown and planted by hundreds of thous-
ands ; and the Balsam Fir, and the White Pine
are also very popular ; but these would not be in
the demand they are, if they had not got into the
hands of dealers and pedlars, who "push''
them everywhere. The Holly, the Sweet Mag-
nolia, the Wood Azalea, the Rhododendron, the
ntimerous Androraedas, the Stuartias and
Franklinias, rare deciduous and evergreen trees
and shrubs, as well as beautiful native plants in
great numbers, are well known and appreciated
by the American people. But t lie difficulties we
have mentioned, and especially the difficulty of
getting the lovers of these things to go to nurse-
ries and let the raisers know of their regard for
these things, have hitherto been the great bar-
riers to their wide dissemination.

OBITUARY.

MR. SAMUEL FEAST.

We have only just learned that our good
friend has passed away, and beyond the simple
fact have no particulars of time or place. The
Feasts have been, we m.iy say, for several gen-
erations intimately connected with horticultural
Baltimore, and in connection with the Camellia,

1873.

THE GARDEJYEFJS MOjYTHLY

83

Prairie Roses, and other itatters, have a world
wide reputation.

He was one of the earliest friends of the Oar-
dener^s Monthly, and so continued up to the time
of his death. Last year he sent us sixty sub-
scribers, and always had a good word for us in
every way. It was not our good fortune to meet
him often enough to know him intimately, and
should be glad if some of his personal friends
would contribute a worthier sketch of his life
and services to horticulture.

character. At his death, Mr. Tucker was seven-
ty-one years of age.

LUTHER TUCKER.

After the Gardener'>s Monthly went to press
last month, came the news of the death of this
distinguished man. We do not refer to it now
as a mere matter of news, but we cannot let the
occasion pass by without reminding our readers
how much horticulture as well as agriculture is
indebted to the good friend who has passed
away.

The several notices which have appeared of
him tell what he has done for agriculture, and
truly this has been much. He was the father,
or at least one of the early fathers of our present
high grade of agricultural literature ; but even
this to our mind is not so great a subject for
gratitude as that he left us the Country Gentle-
man, which, as we have freely stated on several
occasions, is equal if not superior in ability to
any similar journal published in the old world.
It is one of those distinctively xlmerican insti-
tutions of which all of us have long been proud.
But we are not sure but we owe him as much as
the agricultural folks do. He was the original
publisher of the Horticulturist, under the editor-
ship of A. J Downing Whether he was the
instigator of this publication, or whether the
idea and plan were altogether Downing's, we
never knew ; but their naraeswent together with
the publication, and ceased together with Down-
ing's death. Hovey's Magazine had done much
to elevate American gardening ; but with Down-
ing and Tucker's Horticulturist, a seemingly
new class of enthusiastic friends of the cause
came into being ; and we all know that it is one
of the most marked eras in American garden
history.

But his interest in American gardening did
not pass away with his ownership of the Horti-
culturist. The Country Gentleman has been of
marked service to it. In those branches of gar-
dening in which almost every farmer may inter-
est himself, the paper has always borne a high

J. S. DOWNER.

Just as we go to press we learn, with regret, of
the death of Mr. J. S. Downer,of Fairview, Ken-
tucky, which occurred on the 10th of February.

So soon- following another of Kentucky's ener-
getic horticulturists, Mr. Laurence Young, his
loss will be the more keenly felt. For forty
years Mr. Downer has occupied a very promi-
nent position, and many of our best fruits owe
their origin to him. His experiments in the
cherry resulted in some hrst class varieties, some
of which are yet indispensable to a complete
list. Of late years he has been prominent in the
improvement of the strawberry. Downer's Pro-
lific, though now an old sort, is yet one of the
best ; and Charles Downing and Kentucky Late
grow in public estimation.

Mr. Downer was the type of honor, and in
his dealings with his fellow men, always com-
manded their esteem and highest regard.
Painstaking in all he undertook, his seedlings
when oflered to the public were taken hold of
without any hesitation, the public feeling satis-
fied that the name of Downer was a sufficient
guarantee of excellence of character. His opin-
ions in the American Pomological Society
always carried weight, through the great confi-
dence all felt in his intelligence and honor. At
the last meeting at Richmond, in Virginia, he
was among the most welcome of all the members
present ; and we well know that this announce-
ment of his death will be receiveii with sorrow
by his late associates there especially, as well as
by the whole horticultural public. Mr. Downer
was 64 years of age.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

DOMESTIC. .

The Commissioner of Agriculture. There has
been of late a species of attack on Commissioner
Watts, with which we do not sympathize. That
he makes mistakes is certain. His ignominious
dismissal of Dr. Parry, as we said at the time,
was one of these. His criticism of Dr. Parry's
language, also has provoked a fair retort by the
"want of perspicuity" in his own. In this
respect his reports are by no means good models
of the English language. There are also many
other matters which, if one were disposed to be

8Jf

THE GARDE JEER'S MO^'TMLY.

March,

critical, could very readily be turned against
this officer, some of which from time to time, it
seemed but our duty, in connection with some
subject discussed, to freely state. But of late
thQ opposition to the Judge has taken a very
puerile turn, and we feel as much disposed to
protest against this as to criticize real defects.
It is charged that his sons are appointed to
clerkships ; but if they are respectable, educated
men, and fit for the position, why not they as
well as any others ? And then he '■ distributes
seeds." That this is a waste in many respects
we believe, and have freely s^ated ; but he did
not inaugurate this, and if he were out to-mor-
row, we suspect his successor would have to dis-
tribute seeds all the same. But perhaps the
silliest attack was in the House of Representa-
tives, when Mr. Farnsworth supposed the Com-
missioner cooked the seeds of the department for
his own family table ! It was not bad when
another member responded that a former Com-
missioner had occasionally " made butter for
the Presidential table '' — and indeed the whole
matter reminds one of the attacks made on the
former Commissioners, ITewton and Capron.

But Mr. Cox furnished the climax He does
not like Latin names for bugs and plants— and
the Commissioner has been guilty of the great
enormity of using these in his annual reports !
After taking some trouble to select and pro-
nounce a few of v/hat seemed to be hard names,
Mr. Cox said in triumph, "now these reports
have been published at great expense, and this
information, sir, is of course, intended for the
common people.-' But why blamj ilr. Vx'aits
for Latin names ? He does not make them.
And if plants have no other, what is he to do ?
To be sure some things have common names,
and it is possible some Commissioner may be
found who will in such cases use these names.
Tben we may read in a Government report that
"about this time ihe 'Skunk Pot ' comes into
f.Dwer, to be succeeded by ' Eobiu-ruu-in-the-
hedge, followed by the • Ked-hot Poker. » Child-
ren may find in shady places the ' Preacher in
the Pulpit,' when it will be time to sow in good
garden soil the 'Devil in the bush ' Those who
have hany;ing baskets may put in the middle a
' Beef steak plant,' and around this set in a few
sprigs of ' Aaron's beard,' and to hang over the
edges a few plants of the ' Wandering Jew,' and
see that ' Forget-me-not ' be not forgotten. A
few pieces of 'Biow-me-up ' will give elegance to
the whole, and if in early spring a ' Dafly down

■ dilly ' can be contrasted with the ' Hoop petti-
coat,' it will have a cheering effect."
: The common people forsooth ! We are tired
\ of such stuff! Judge Watts is not a paragon ;
: but judging by the past Commissioners, he is
; much about "as good as they make them,'' and
i as good as they are likely to be made at $3000
j a year, unless some one can befound who expects
I to make the office subservient to some ulterior
! purpose.

i Oermantown HorticuUural Society. — It is not
I perhaps generally known that Germantown has
[ for the past twenty years been a part of Phila-
delphia, though originally it was a borough of
some six miles away. It is an older place than
old Philadelphia, having been settled by Swedes
and Germans before the Philadelphia colony
was formed under Penn, Being on high land,
and some two or three feet above the Delaware
River, and with the charming Wissahickon
scenery forming a part of it, it has always been
a popular place of resort for wealthy Philadel-
phians, as well as carrying on distinctive
branches of business of its own. Whatever
gardens old Philadelphia may have had they
have now mostly disappeared." Pratfs, Camac's,
Loiigstreth's, McArran's, Landreth's and others
have long since gone " into brick and mortar ;"
while McMahon's and some more have little
more than some of the old buildings, or here and
there a rare tree which happened to come into a
street line to mark the spots so once celebrated.
Indeed Germantown alone has managed to re-
tain anything of much moment of the ancient
garden character of Philadelphia. It was
thought a great credit to Germantown that Mr.
Robinson, the talented English Garden author,
should say of it, that it was the only place in all
his American travels, that reminded him of the
careful cultivated gardening of his own country.
Most of Philadelphia's leading botanists of the
past age either resided in Germantown or spent
most of their time there. Nuttall, McClure,
Collins, Haines, and others known in scientific
histor}', have all left the impress of their hands
on the old place. For a little while German-
town rested under a cloud, — but with the pass-
ing of its railroad — the first in the United States
— into the hands the Reading Railroad, and the
consequent increased accommodations and care
for the comfort of passengers, the grand old
place has again revived, and is prospering in
every line.

It is only meet ihit horticulture should pro-

187S.

THE GARDEJ^EB'S MOJVTHLY,

85

gress with the rest, and the new Horticultural
Society will assuredly become one of its leading
institutions.

From the considerations given, the address of
Mr. J. Jay Smith will possess more than a local
interest, — and we have, therefore, made full notes
of it for our readers in another column.

Capabilities of Kansas and Colorado. — Every
once in a while we meet with people east who
have somehow imbibed the notion that these far
away countries are very poor places, that it
hardly ever rains, and that trees " can't be made
to grow there." We never believed so much as
this,— but still it was a surprise to find on our
first view of Kansas and Colorado that the
popular view was so very far away from the
truth. There is not a richer soil in the world,
it does rain in most part of it, and where it does
not rain, irrigation is a cheap and efiective sub-
stitute,—and as for trees npt growing, they will
do as well as in an}'' part of the world.

Col. Dickinson recently took occasion to cor-
rect some of the misapprehensions regarding
these States, in some remarks before the Kcw
York Farmer's Club, which in the main we can
confirm from our own experience. He says :

" It is at all times, sir, a pleasure to correct a mis-
etatement, and particularly so when that correction
makes our position stronger in asserting that the
soil and climate of Kansas are as well adapted as
any, and better than that of many of the States, for
the production of all kinds of cereals, fruits, and
vegetables. I would further say, Mr. Chairman,
that there are some men who will never do well
anywhere ; if you would place them in Mahomet's
seventh heaven, they would want then a place
where somebody would wink their eye-lids for
them. They are not willing to work, and they
have looked to Kansas as a place where they can
live without any exertion ; they go there, and find
it a mistake ; then they complain. At the Soldiers'
Convention in Philadelphia a few nights since, there
was just such a man, and his voice was louder and
his words were plentier than the best men there.
He denounced Kansas as a place where a man could
not make a living. But when he sat down some
one got up and said that no wonder he found fault
with Kansas, for he had been trying for forty years
to live in Philadelphia without work, and was not
worth a sou-markee ; he tried Kansas, and as every
man there had to "root hog or die," he camn b;tc:k
to Philadelphia, where he could spong m-i a few
soft-hearted friends. In my opinion, no '>:>e man's
statement should be taken as a guide for auy section
or State. In the multitude of counsel and with
good judgment to discriminate, alone is there wis-
dom."

The lack of timber was the only drawback to
perfection. But even this is not without some
advantages. There is no forest to clear, no
stumps in the road,— and as trees will grow

there as well as anywhere when once planted,
all people have to do is to plant tlicm. The leg-
islature is encouraging it. A law of Kansas
says :

"Every person planting one acre or more of
prairie land, within ten years after the passage of
this act, witli any kind of forest trees, and success-
fully growing and cultivating the same for three
years, or one-half mile or more of forest trees along
any public highway, said trees to be so planted as
to stand at the end of said three years not more
than one rod apart, shall be entitled to receive for
twenty-five years, commencing three years after
said grove or line of trees has been planted, an an-
nual bounty of two dollars per acre for each acre so
planted, and two dollars for one- half mile for each
mile so planted, to be paid out of the treasury of
the county in whicli said grove or line of trees may
be situated. The bounty to be paid so long as said
grove or trees are cultivated and kept alive, and
kept in growing condition. That the County As-
sessor shall not assess lands planted and encumber-
ed with forest trees any higher than the lands ad-
joining on account of the said lands being so en-
cumbered ; and that any person planting an osage
or hawthorn fence, or who shall build of stone a
fence of the height of four and one-half feet around
any field, within ten years after the passage of this
act, and successfully growing and cultivating the
same, or keeping up the fence until it successfully
resists stock, shall receive an annual bounty of_|3 for
every forty rods so planted and cultivated, or built and
kept up— the bounty to commence as soon as said
fence will entirely resist cattle, and to continue for
ei.jjht years thereafter. Said bounty to be paid from
the treasury of the county in which said fence may
be situated."

Ame.rican Pomological Society. — Col. Wilder,
Secretary Elliott, and other good workers, are
busy with the arrangements for the meeting of
the Society next fall, in Boston. We have let-
ters from these gentlemen, Mr. Saunders and
others, all seeming enthusiastic in their efibrts
to make this one of the most valuable meetings
in the Society's history. Tlie President, Col.
Wilder, feels a personal pride in this meeting
near his own home, and is leaving nothing un-
done to make everything pleasant and agreeable
in every way.

Paper Fruit and Berry Baskets.— Wq believe
the Oardener^s Monthly has the credit of inau-
gurating the movement which resulted in the
attempt to make fruit baskets so cheap that they
could be given away, and thus save much trou-
ble in the return of crates and boxes to the fruit
grower. Siiil the id-a has not been wholly a
success. Baskets and crates have still to be re-
turned in large numbers.

In a recent issue of Purdy's Fna't Recorder ,
there is an account of a cheap paper basket
which can be given away, and is as good in

86

TEE GARBEJ^EK'S MOJVTELY.

Marchy

every way as any wooden one. Mr. P. says it
is an entire success.

Post-office JRuUngs. — Since our last went to
press, some new concessions have been made in
the Postmaster General's interpretations of the
law. We pointed out that by the rulings up to that
time we could not alter a figure in a price list,
unless it were a bona-fide procf sheet, without
subjecting the whole to letter postage. It is
now decided that we may alter when the print-
ed figures are manifestly not what they were in-
tended to be ; but no erasures or alterations,
other than corrections are to be allowed. If,
therefore, a nurseryman erases the name of an
article of which he may have sold all, the re-
ceiver must pay letter postage on the catalogue.

Then it was ruled that the numerous small
papers of seeds which seedsmen and others send
in boxes, or under one envelope, gummed
or pasted, must pay letter postage Not only
the one outside wrapper, but each little paper
beneath " must be open at the ends.'" This is
80 absurd, that if insisted on, there might as
well be no seed law. Few people would go to
the trouble of folding each little package so that
it could be open so as to be " examined without
destroying the wrapper.'' A patent has recent-
ly been taken out for "oiled muslin transparent
bags,'' and curiously enough the department
rules simultaneously, that " transparent muslin
bags" may be closed at the ends. Surely the
paper in use by most seedsmen is transparent

enough to show that it is really seeds and not
" merchandize," without attempting to compel
the whole United- States to throw all its trade
into the cap of one transparent bag firm.

There are yet some other matters we might
refer to, but cannot afford the space. The
whole of this post-office business has been a dis"
graceful piece of legislation. Mr. Cresswell
himself has been compelled to appeal to the At-
torney General for an interpretation of the laws,
for it is conceded to be past the power of the
most skilled grammarians to understand. It
would be best to repeal the whole thing, and
start anew.

Horticulturists and agriculturists probably
make use of the mail to a greater extent than
any other class. Wise post-office laws are so in-
timately connected with horticultural progress,
that we have felt warranted in going out of our
usual course in avoiding these questions. It
has been our pride that the Gardener'^s Monthly
should favor no religion and no politics. It ig-
nores "free trade'' and ' protection,''— it is
neither "Jew" nor "Gentile," — it sides neither
with the "north" nor with the "south,'' — it
seeks only to add to the horticultural pleasures
of tnan^ under whatever state or condition he is
found. In the present case we found a matter
which seemed to affect us all alike of every
shade of thought and opinion, and we trust some
sood has resulted from our work.

SCRAPS AND QUEl^IES

Errata. — In the article in the February
number, 'Short Purses and Dutch Bulbs."
"Crantatus" should read Orandatvs ; "Lux
Wiemer'' should be Sax Wiemer; "domicil"
should be domain.

Our February Number —From some cause,
which is a mystery to the editor, a very large
number of letters have been received compli-
mentary of the February number. On? enthu-
siastic friend wishes it was "double the size,
even though fourfold the price." It is probably
owing to the extra interest which has been groov-
ing the past year in the spirits of our correspond-
ents, who are aiding us generously with their

little hints and observations from every section
of the Union Such encouragement always puts
spirit into the dull soul of an editor. We have
quite a number of good things on hand from
valued correspondents, but still have abundant
room for more.

Plants in Bloom in the Greenbouse and
Conservatory at Rhosynmyuydd, the suburban
residence of J. P. Jones, Esq., Blockley, West
Philadelphia. DECEMBER, 1872.
Abutilon striatum, Chinese bell

" Thompsoniai:um, "

" vexillarium, "

" granditiorum, "

187S.

TEE GARDEMEWS MOJVTHLY.

87

Ageratum

Blue mist

coeruleum,

mexicanum, "

Indica narcissiflora
Hogarth

" Hendersonii
tryphylla

speciosum, Crab cactus
Jamesonii

Jap. alba pleno, Japan Eose
indica, Warscewiczii, Indian
regale [shot

Danielsiana, Cigar flower
platycentra, "

strigulosa, "

insigne, Ladies' slipper
odora, Spurge laurel
fruticosum, White mist
zonale, Crane's bill

" var.
grandiflorum, Jasmine
carnea
lineata

maritima, Virginian stock
tazzetta alba, Narciss
fragrans, Olive
grandiflora, Sorrel
versicolor, "
Drummondii, Phlox
sinensis, Primrose
juncea

coccinea, Sage

involucrata, "
splendens, "

T'letida
j isminoides

" variegata

Lobbianum, Indian cress
speciosa, Speedwell

" Andersonii
suspensura

Dwarf Evergreen Shrubs and Climbers that are
very beautiful most of the winter in the open
air, slightly protected from the full sun
and cutting winds by Pines, Firs, &c.
Akebia quinata

Andromeda pulverulenta
Japonica

" longifolia
" macrophylla
arborea variegata aurea, Box

alba
Japonica
microphylla
pyracantha, Fiery thorn

Azalea
Bouvardia

Cactus

Browallia

Camellia

Canna

Cestrum

Cuphea

Cypripedium
Daphne
Eupatorium
Geranium

Jasminum

Justicia

Lopezia

Malcomia

Narcissus

Olea

Oxalis

u

Phlox
Primula
Russellia
Salvia

Serrissa
Solanum

u

Tropaeolum
Veronica

Viburnum

Aucuba

Buxus

Cotoneaster
Crataegus

Daphne pontica, Spurge laurel

Eleagnus hortensis

" " aurea marginatus

Erica carnea, Heath

Evonymus Japonicus, Burning bush

" " variegatus, "

" macrohpylla,

radicans fol.argenteo marginata"

Gaultheria procumbens. Tea berry

Hedera Helix

'■ " dentata, Ivy

" " hihernica, "

" " " variegata,"

" " maculata, "

" " tricolor, "

Ilex Aquifolium, Holly

" cornuta, "

" opaca, "

Kalmia latifolia Sheep laurel

" glauca, "

Ligustrum sempervirens, Privet

Lonicera brachypoda, Honeysuckle

" " reticulata, "

" flexuosa, "

Magnolia grandiflora, Magnolia

" " ferru^inea, "

" angustifolia, "

Mahonia Aquifolium, Barberry

" Japonica, "

Beali,

" repens, "

Mitchella repens, Partridge berry
Rhododendron amoenum. Rose bay

" Catawbiense, "

" Cunningharaii, "

" maximum, ''

" ponticum, "

" punctatuii, " [cotton

Santolina chamaecyparissus, Lavender

Spartium scoparium, Broom

Vacciniura macrocarpon, Cranberry

Vinca minor aurea var , Periwinkle

major argenteo " "

Yucca filamentosa, Adam's needle

" angustifolia, Bear's grass

" glauca, "

" gloriosa, "

Shrubs with ornamental berries and seed pods

that hang on through the winter, that are
very beautiful things to have in the
shi-ubbery.

Celastrus scandens. Staff tree

Cephalotaxus Fortunii, Yew tree

" " masc, " [bower

88

TEE GARDE JEER'S MOJfTELY,

March,

Clematis grandiflora azurea, Virgin's

" " var., Virgin's bower

" Yirginiana, "

vitalba, Traveler's joy
pyracantha, Fiery thorn
oxyacantha, Hawthorn

" punicea, "

" rubra pleno, "
atropurpureus, Burning bush
procumbens, Tea berry
glabra, (prinos glabra), Ink berry
opaca, Holly

verticillata,(P.verticillata),Black
Helix, Ivy [alder

sempervirens. Privet
repens, Partridge berry
lanceolatus, Buckthorn
Symphoriocarpus racemosus, Snow berry
" vulgaris, Indian currant

one of which all the Union will be proud, shall
have to be sustained by such a handful of devo-
ted men.

Crataesrus

Eunonymous

Gaultheria

Ilex

Hedera
Ligustrum
Mitchella
Rhamnus

P. H. Foster, Babylon, K. Y.— The pub-
lisher returns thanks to Mr. P. H. Foster for a
kind notice of the Monthly in his nursery cata-
logue, which catalogue, besides the usual popu-
lar kind of fruits, has the names and descriptions
of some rare and valuable kinds.

Dendrobium, pulchellijm purptjrettm. —
This should have been the title of Mr. Taplin's
last paper on Orchid te?. The incorrect orthog-
raphy was the printer's fault.

Personal Acknowledgments.— The Edi-
tor's thanks are due lo the Practical Farmer,
American Farmer, and other journals, for kind
personal remarks in regard to the Editor of this
magazine, in connection with the Reading meet-
ing. When these compliments are paid to the
magazine, we regard them as much for our
readers and correspondents as for the editor, and
transfer them to our pages ; but in the present
case all the editor can do is to assure his friends
that he will at least, try to deserve the kind
opinions they hold ot him.

The Centennial Committee on Horti-
culture.—We understand that the reason why
horticulture seemed to have been overlooked in
the arrangements of the local committees, was
because it was understood that the Pennsylva-
nia Horticultural Society should take full charge
of this department of the national exhibition.
Under date of February 7th, a note from Mr. J.
E. Mitchell, Chairman appointed by the Horti-
cultural Society, we are informed that a finan-
cial sub-committee has at length been appointed.
The Horticultural Society is moving energetical-
ly in the matter, but it seems to us, sadly needs
the encouragement of our local horticulturists.
At the meetings for the arrangements, barely a
dozen attend. It is gratifying to feel as we do,
that this dozen are quite enough to see the pro-
ject through to success. It will be a grand suc-
cess, whether any more lend a hand actively or
not. But it seems a shame that the horticultu-

al branch of this affair, which we feel will be

Postal Laws. — A lady writing from Llewel-
lyn Park, Orange, Nhu Jersey, says: "I read
with interest what you said in January number
about postal matters, and agree with you in
thinking the laws rather imperfect as applied to
the transfer of miscellaneous articles. They are
subject to too much risk. For instance, I sent
off yesterday, some pressed specimens of the
Climbing Fern that I procured in Hartford this
winter. The package was carefully examined
and approved by the postmaster here, and that
would seem to be enough ; but at the other end it
is to go through the same thing, and some ruth-
less hand will perhaps, mash all the beauty and
delicacy of that most beautiful and delicate of
plants. Should not the power of endorsing such
packages be granted to the oflBces from which
they are sent, so as to secure them from farther
examination ?"

A Mysterious Letter.— Sometimes friends
not knowing the address of the publisher, send
their letters to the editor, and though on the
publisher's account, in which the editor has no
manner of interest, he is always glad to accom-
modate. Thus the following fell into his hands.
The letter was unpaid, and cost the editor ten
cents. Feeling assured that one who "never
takes unpaid letters,'' would not send any, we
suppose the whole thing a hoax, and wait further
information before giving the letter to the pub-
lisher : "Sir — Please send me specimens free,
as I wish to get or subscribe for a good paper.
Address, Wm. H. Cooper, Dorchester Station P.
O., Ontario, Canada. N.B. — Please prepay the
whole postages, as I never take unpaid papers
out of the P. O."

187S.

TRE GARBEKEWS MONTHLY.

S9

The Cold Weather.— Thursday, January
30th, will long be remembered as one of the cold-
est days the United States ever knew. At the
Germantown Nurseries, the lowest was 14'' below
zero, two lower than in the memory of its oldest
inhabitant. But letters from numerous corres-
pondents speak of various grades between this
and 45°, On the Hudson it ranged about 30"
below. In our vicinity we do not see that any
thing is hurt. What a lesson for those who are
studying the effects of cold on plant life ! So
much hurt last year, and the glass hardly to
zero ; and this year so little, and yet the glass so
lowl

Tree Planting in Iowa.— A Clinton cor-
respondent says : " We have had a terrible
winter here and north us. I fear for stock, un-
less thoroughly matured, and even then it is
hard to conceive of any fruit trees escaping with
the mereur}' at 45°, as in Northern Wisconsin
and Minnesota. I really fear that after the
destruction of those great pine forests, that
entire country will be inhabitable. Down here
I think we are planting out about as fast as they
are destroying, so we will probably be in shape
to meet the storm, which sooner or later must
come. ' '

riculture. There are thousands of just such
observations yet to be made which nobody has
seen yet. In the calla, a certain amount o^
growth and peculiar form of vigor has to be
obtained before flowers are formed. In the
strong callas, this point had been reached when
the plants went to rest last summer. With the
new growth, there was nothing to do but to un-
fold the' already pre formed bud, which was
nestling down in the concealed leaves near the
bulb. The second flowers are from the offshoots^.
which are about the same age as the younger
plants, and ought therefore to come in about the
same time as they do. ]

Flowering of Calla Ethiopica. — 'iily,"
Cincinnati, Ohio, says: "To me one of the
charms of the Gardener''s Monthly, is the many
interesting lessons we receive in regard to the
habits of our floral friends. They seem to be
always furnishing us fresh lessons of wonder at
the amazing beauty and order which all nature
seems anxious to teach those who are willing to
learn. I noticed a fact in my Calla lilies which
seems new to me. I have six very strong ones,
and ten weaker ones. The six large ones all
flowered about the same day together, between
Christmas and New Years ; but the smaller ones
did not flower at all, and I thought this would
be all the blooms I should have, but now, (Feb.
10th) all the small ones are showing flower, and
strange to say, the old ones are also going to
bloom again, and I do n©t believe there will be
a day's difference between the second flowering
of the old plants and the first flowering of the
younger ones. How is this ? There appears
just about two months between the two sets of
flowers.''

[One who has the gift of observing these
things as " Lily " does, will not fail to enjoy flo-

Calla "Lily."— JV. X., Oak Park, Ills.
writes : "I wish to ask one question, but shall
not feel hurt if you do not pay any attention to
it in the Monthly— it is this. Is the Calla a
lily ? I cannot think that it is, still I see it
called Egyptian Lily, Lily of the Nile, etc., in
catalogues of some that should know."

[Oar correspondent's remarks illustrate the
folly of those who would have no latin names for
plants, but all English ones ; for in time one
half the people would not know what the other
half talk about. As he remarks, the Calla is
not a lily, but of the arum, or as the botanists
would say, the aroid family, and very distinct
from the Liliaceous plants. But travelers in
Egypt have accustomed themselves to call the
Calla, the Lily of the Nile, and hence the absurd
term here of Calla lily. In diflerent parts of the
world other things are termed lilies. In Eng-
land the Cojnv'ivulus arvensis is very commonly
known as the lily.]

Strelilzia regina.— ^ E. B., Dover, New
Jersey, writes: "Please inform me in the
Monthly of the botanical family of the Strelitzia,
and oblige."

[It belongs to the Plantain or Banana family.
Notwithstanding the very great apparent dif-
ference between the flowers of this and the musa,
or Banana, the organic structure is very close.
The leaves will suggest an external resemblance
more than the flowers do.]

Treating Hyacinths after Flowering.
—A lady amateur, Cazenovia, iV. T., says :
" Will you inform a lady reader of the Garden-
er's Monthly, through its 'inquirer's column,' what
is the proper treatment for Hyacinths and Polyan-
thus narcissus in pots, after flowering? I have

90

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY.

March,

very fine ones this year, and would like to know
whether they will bloom again, and how to treat
the offsets."

[Hyacinths, as we get them from Holland, have
not been allowed to flower, and hence have much
concentrated strength in them, which they never
regain after once flowering. But they will pro-
duce some flowers another year, if well cared for.
As soon as the flower fades cut away the stem,
and give the plants all the benefit of light possi-
ble, and keep the soil rich by a light top dressing
of manure, and as soon as possible after the
ground opens and frost is certainly gone, plant
them in the open ground. The offsets will, how-
ever, make the best bulbs. Plant these in spring
in very rich ground, and in the fall replant again
in rich earth, picking out the flower buds which
it may make the succeeding year. The season
following they will approach the foreign bulb in
excellence. We have not so far been able to
equal the Hollanders in raising bulbs, but Mr.
Such was experimenting some years ago with
some hope of success.]

j In regard to time, " come and see " if the nur-
sery is neglected The editor says very little
about his nursery in the pages of the Gardener's
Monthly, because the magazine does not belong
to him, but to Mr C. H. Marot, and he feels he
has no more right to use its columns to his own
j personal interest than he has to allow any other
nurseryman to use it for his. He takes his place
along with the rest of his nursery brethren in
the regular advertising pagos. He gives one
afternoon a week to the Gardever^s Monthly, and
I for the rest of the week idles away his time at
home waiting for customers, perhaps sitting on
'. fern clad rocks, gazing in thoughtful reverie on
I the waters of the Wingohocking babbling at his
I feet, or in some other way equally pleasant,
' until some one catches his eye, who may possi-
bly need a bill of goods, or have some new thing
i in facts or philosophy to report to him.

Propagating Azaleas, Gloxinias, &c.—
/ /. B. H., JacZmnapo ?(.<!, Z?ir7., writes : "How
do you propagate Azaleas ? Can't you write
up Gloxinia and Achimenes culture, also Gesr,.-
ria '? I often wonder when you find time to edit
a paper and attend to a nursery too. Do you
work harder than other people, or do j'-ou neglect
your nursery ?"

[Cuttings of the half ripened wood, in a pot or
pan of sandy soil, sunk to the rim in a bed of
sand or earth which has a temperature of about
60". and under partial shade, will root in a few
wetks. Gloxinia, Achimenas, and the tuber-
ous rooted Gesnerias, are beautiful things, and
will never bring shame on the pen which
"writes them up." To raise the plants of the
bulbous kinds, leaves are planted under much
the same conditions as given for Azalea. In the
course of time, a little bulb will form at the
base of the leaf stalk, and next 5'^ear a plant will
spring up from the little bulb. The tuberous
rooted kinds increase very rapidly by their under
ground scaly roots or tubers. They like a turfy
soil, through which the water will rapidly drain
away, and must have a n oist atmosphere, with a
temperature of 60 or 70' to do well in. Towards
fall, as the leaves wither after flowering, the
roots are kept rather dry till the new growth
shows signs of starting when they are again put
into new soil, for a fresh season's t:rowth.

Portable Propagating Plant Cases. —
A lady amateur asks: "I wish to know
I whether yon know of any plant cases manufac-
' tured in this country, for forcing seeds and cut-
tings in the house. They are made in England,
and are mentioned in 'Window Gnrdening,'
by Williams."

[We do not know at the present tiim- any one
who makes these, as the descriptions so often
published, are intended to aid any handy car-
penter in puttinji them together. In the early
numbers of the Gardener's Monthly, Mr. James
Daniels advertised them. For some years past
he has been in Xorristown, Pa.,' we think still
in the florist business, and would no doubt make
them if ordered. I

Tomato Troubles. — "Subscriber since
1860," New York, asks : " The last two years
the crop of tomatoes has been remarkably small
in this section of our country. Nothing in our
market used to be as abundant as tomatoes— of
late years they com'? along sparingly. Worse
than that, they were but half ripe, and even
those that were fully ripe were watery and had
no flavor. Has the same been experienced in
other parts of this country ? I shall be sorry to
learn that tomatoes degenerate, following the
example of U. S. Senators. Another question.
I have eaten a good many varieties of the toma-
to, but never found one with the slightest differ-
ence of flavor. Are there any differently or
stronger flavored than the rest ?"

[Our New York friend starts a subject of

1873.

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJ^THLY,

01

which we had no kaowledge, for we had not
known before that the tomatoes were so bad in
New York market last year. We have not
heard that there was any degeneration particu-
larly last year, though we do know that the
tomato is one of the worst of all vegetables to
keep pure. Only by the most careful selection
of seed can any one variety be kept long from
degeneration.

As to how one variety excels another is also a
hard question. There is a great difference in
size of some varieties, and also in the smooth-
ness of their outline. Also are some more solid
than another ; but yet as we have said all these
will vary more or less in seed of the same kind.]

Cultivating Orchards.— When we have
recommended growing orchards in grass— not
neglecling orchards in grass — we have been met
onee in a while Avith the objection "possibly it
might do in the Middle States, but it will never
do in Western New York." As the letter from
which the enclosed is an extract, is ''private,''
we withhold the writer's name and address, but
we may say in connection with the reflections
given above that it is from Western New York :

'■'■If I would jjlant another orchard again 1
Mooxdd neither prune or cultivate so much, I
believe that if your teachings in regard to the
management of orchards would be more follow-
ed, fruit growing would be more profitable to
many than it is now. Having an orcliard in
grass and neglect seem inseparable with many.
From Chis notion I differ, for since I have my
orchard in grass I take more c;u-e of it then I
could do before, for in open winier weather it is
almost forbidden to walk in cultivated clay soil,
while in grass orchard, pruning, destroying
insect nests, &c., can be done with the greatest
ease and pleasure. This letter is not intended
for publication. I conclude with the remark

that I wish you would be able for many years
to come to conduct the Gardener''s Monthly, for I
have no paper which gives me so much instruc-
tion."

Nailing Tines to Stakes.— 3/r. J. fl".
Simpson, of Vincennes, Knox County, Ind., says :
"In your January number you mention that
some one in Ohio expected to get a patent for
nailing grape vines to posts and trellises. This
mode of fastening vines was explained to us free
rf charge at our State Horticultural meeting in
January, by a Mr. Tillinghast, of Indianapolis,
who adopted this method two or three years
ago.''

Rare Plants.— B. A. K., Concord, JV. R,
asks: "In your February issue for New and
Rare Plants, Golden Chinese Juniper and Per-
petual Flowering Tree Carnation— where can
they be obtained ? Can they be grown in this
climate with any degree of success ?"

[The tree carnation La Belle, and the Golden
Chinese Juniper were described in the English
works from which we quoted. We do not know
whether or not they are yet in this country If
not it is likely they soon will be. Enterprising
American tiorists are not long behind their Eu-
ropean brethren. R. Buist, Philadelphia, often
has new plants as soon as they are announced in
Europe.]

Raising Altheas. — T. P., Marietta, Ga.:
"Will you please tell me how tp propagate the
Althea. I raised some from seed a few years
ago ; but they flowered last season and are not
double like their originals. I suppose there
must be some other way to raise them."

[They grow by cuttings, put in in spring, or
by budding on other stocks in Jnne.]

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, ETC.

Pennsylvania Fruit Growers' Society.
— Annual report for the year 1872. Philadelphia
meeting

This is beautifully illustrated with lithographs
of the Reading Pear, — and the Fallawater,

Krauser and Smith's Cider Apples. It is the in-
tention of the Society to continue in each vol-
ume sketches and histories of all the leading
Pennsylvania fruits.
Former volumes have had expensive illustra-

9B

THE GARBEJ^EWS MOJVTHLY,

March,

tions of Insects, beneficial and injurious to the
fruit grower. The present has plates of some
twenty four of the leading birds of Pennsylva-
nia, with descriptions from the able pen and
pencil of Mr, Jacob Stauffer. Besides these
beautiful illustrations are the excellent reports
of the several committees, and such of the es-
says as were given in in writing. The Secreta-
ry's notes of the discussions are very meager,
and would have been better entirely omitted.
He does not seem to have caught well the spirit
of the speaker ; for instance, Mr, Carville (Car-
bell he is called in the report) made some high-
ly interesting remarks on fruit culture, — but he
is credited only with stating that when he " dug
and manured round an old apple tree, a vast
change was effected,'' a cause and an effect which
has followed one another for so many hundred
years, that if this was all Mr. Carville had to
say, it would not have been worth his while to
have spoken at all, or worth the Secretary's
while to have reported what he did say. Mr.
Eaton asks to be excused,— but from what he is
to be excused, the reporter does not say. Har-
rison is reported as wishing to "grow trees by
high fertilization, so vigorous that they may be
vigorous ;'' and also is credited with the won-
derful discovery that when "people are healthy
physicians are not needed." Meehan is made
to say that "old beets and such like offal" is a
good mulch for the gooseberry ; and that ever-
greens make "the ground" in which they grew
warmer, which is a very absurd thing for Mee-
han to say, and the Secretary would have been
justified in leaving such nonsense entirely out of
his report. Members are continually made to
say they agree or disagree with some other
speaker, but what it is they are to agree or dis-
agree with, is not visible through the report.

In spite of t his defect the Proceedings are of
great value. Paschal Morris, Editor of Practi-
cal Farmer, says of one of the meetings, that
it was worth .flO to be present,— but surely a
volume like this is worth alone the membership
fee.

The California Horticulturist. The second
volume of this excellent publication has just
closed, and we are sorry to learn that it has not
received the patronage which its merits deserved.
It has passed into the hands of Carmany & Co.,
publishers of Overland Monthly, and they pur-
pose to make it so valuable that no Western
horticulturist can afford to do without it. We
wish them every success.

The Eclectic Ruralist is the title of a small
periodical to be published at a cheap rate by Mr.
Geo. T. Fish, of Ptochester, 2Tew York. The
' object is to aid in the advancement of horticul-
tural knowledge, and at the same time keep in
view the interests of the nurser}' trade.

New Agricultural Papers.— On our ex-
change table we find two new agricultural
papers. The Shenandoah Valley Farmer, from
Martinsburg, Va., and the Farmers^ Advocate,
of Jackson, Tenn., both promising in appear-
ance and contents. The last name is already in
use by a Canadian paper, and it is to be regret-
ted that original titles cannot be found.

PuRDY's Fruit Instructor. — The value of
Purdy's Small Fruit Instructor, which has been
advertised in our columns, heretofore, may be
judged from the following subjects which it con-
tains. "Advice to new beginners;" "What
we would do with ten acres ;'' "Profits of small
fruits ;'' "Secrets in making small fruits profit-
able ;" " Marketing fruits ;" " Gathering fruit;"
"Wagons for drawing fruit;'' "Shipping fruit
that perishes quickly;" "Size of shipping
crates ;'' " Plan for laying out and planting a
twenty acre plot with fruit and vegetables ;"
"Plan for kitchen garden for fruit and vege-
tables ;" "Stands for gathering the fruit;"
"Protection from winds ;" "Raising new sorts;''
"Manures;" "Liquid manures." Strawber-
ries—Their profit — Time to set — Preparation of
the soil— To grow large fruit— Ta produce fruit
late in the season — Mulching material — Winter
protection — Taking up plant-s for setting — Large
and small plants— Growing plants for resetting
— Directions for setting— Care of plants after
setting — Crooked and straight rows — Different
modes of culture and varieties. The same of
raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseber-
ries and grapes. "Fig culture;" " Plan for a
drying house ;" Propagating plants from root cut-
tings, &c., &c. The work is finely illustrated with
plain, easily understood drawings, and is of such
a practical character that it should be in the
hands of every man who owns even a rod of
ground. Price only 25 cents.

Address, A. M. PuRDY,

Palmyra, N. Y.

The London Garden.— About a year ago,
Mr. W Robinson, well known to and esteemed
by so many of our readers through his books on

187S.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY.

9S

gardening, commenced the publication of a
weekly paper in London, called The Garden.
Though ordered several times through our regu-
lar importing sources, it only recently came to
hand. Mr. R. had the advantage of an early
love for gardening, and a continuous practical
experience as a gardener. This, vrith his culti-
vated literary and scientific attainments,
would lead the public to expect, a superior pub-
lication in the Garden, nor will they be disap-

pointed. England already has at least three, if
not more garden papers, that seem as near per-
fection as anything in this line can be. The
Gardener''s Chronicle, the Gardener^s Magazine,
and the Journal of Horticulture, seemed to cover
all the ground. But a perusal of the Garden
shows that Mr. Robinson has found a large un-
occupied tract, and he is cultivating it so well
that in spea"king of the superior English papers
on gardening, the four must go together.

NEW AND EAM FRUITS.

Apple— Illinois Pippin.— The Horticultu-
rist for Februarj' figures and descibes an apple
under this name, which promises to be a good
thing. It is rather large, flattened, yellow,
striped with carmine, with a white, sub-acid
flesh. In season in January.

Mr. Hammond of Warsaw, says it is likely to
be an honor to the State. It is superior in qual-
ity to Ben Davis and Willow Twig, and has
most of their good qualities. Tt flowers two or
three days before Rawles' Janet, ahd is a native
of Warsaw, Illinois, from seed sown by a Mrs.
Chandler in 183S.

The West Brooi^, or "Speckled " Apple.
— The following letter was received after the
writer of this paragraph returned from Reading,
Mr. Downing supposed it was identical with the
Fall Orange of Western New York. In order
to test the matter, the writer of this has a tree
of each in hs specimen orchard, and the growth
of the two is so widely different, that they can-
not possibly be identical, however near they may
approach in the appearance of the fruit :

"Apropos to the Reading Convention, which I
greatly regret that I caniiot attend, I beg to send
you a few last specimens of my ' Speckled, or
West Brook Apple'— slix apple unequalled in
productiveness, hardiness of tree, and general
excellence as a dessert market apple. I have
grown it for thirty years, often to the extent of
five hundred bushels (fi-om about 23 trees) in a
single year— and I have never met its equal. It
ranges from September to January in keeping,
as you see I have often before kept them until
January and February.

" I regret that it is not known in Eastern

Pennsylvania, and shall be glad to diffuse it to
any wishing grafts ; it would more than replace
the often failing Bellflower. Nor is it known in
Eastern New York or New England. Mr.
Downing made a great mistake in supposing it
identical with some New England variety — I
forget the name. It is abundant only where I
have myself distributed it, in Western New
York.

Very Truly and Respectfully,

LoRiN Blodget.''

The Pen Apple.— Our readers may remem-
ber that some years ago there was quite a sensa-
tion raised by the announcement that an apple
far superior to Baldwin in general characteris-
tics, had been raised in Lancaster Coufity, Pa.
Not from seed, but by a natural branching off
or developement, which is technically known in
the craft as " sporting." It was also said that
this apple was known as the Pen Apple.

Mr. Engle took the matter in hand last win-
ter, and went personally to the place of origin of
the Pen, and obtained specimens which he
brought to the meeting at Reading, and it turns
out that the " Pen " is not at all like Baldwin
but is a very different and inferior fruit. Those
therefore who have received these apples under
the name of Pen, have not the Pen, in all proba-
bility, but have a very superior article of Bald-
win.

We still think that there is enough difference
between the Lancaster County Baldwin and the
original to w'arraut a separate distinction, and
would suggest that as the name of Pen must be
dropped, it be known as the Lancaster Baldwin.

94

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^TRLY.

March,

NEW Km MEE PLATvTS.

Campanula turbinata. — For upwards of
two months this gem has been producing its
charming flowers in the greatest profusion in ray
London garden, and althoush now on the wane,
it is still very handsome, and the delight of all
beholders. It forms a dense compact tuft, never
exceeding 8 or 9 inches in height, blooms inclu-
ded. The flowers are large, erect, bell-shaped,
and rich dark purple. There is also a white
form, which resembles that described in every
respect saving color. I would ask why these
are not more grown, for they are perfect jewels
in the flower border. They come from the
mountain regions of Transylvania. — Journal of
Horticulture.

Delphinium nudicaule.— This species is a
new introduction from California, and to all my
readers who have not yet purchased the plant
my advice is, do so at once. Tt is dwarf in
habit, seldom exceeding 18 inches in height ; the
leaves ai'e somewhat small, palmately lobed, and
of a dark green. The flowers are large and free-
ly produced both in terminal and axillary spikes ;
the sepals and spurs are bright orange, and the
petals bright red. This plant, I think, cannot
fail to please every one when it becomes estab-
lished, its dwarf habit and brilliant color being
great recommendations ; but I cannot endorse
the views I have heard respecting its becoming
a good bedding plant. — Journal of Horticulture.

HORTICULTURAL NOTICES.

THE NORTH AMERICAN BEE-KEEP-
ERS' SOCIETY.

Bee-keeping has grown to be a great interest
during the past few years. Bee-keepers have
their separate periodicals, aud meet in Conven-
tions and discuss bee matters as enthusiastically
and intelligently as any other class of citizens do
their special fancies. We have before us the
report of the Bee-Keepers meeting held at Indi-
anapolis, last December, and find it replete with
interesting matter. Bee-keeping would seem to
be a branch of agriculture than of horticulture ;
and we find the speakers at this meeting class it
with stock raising and milk dairying. Yet flow-
er raising in connection with bee-keeping, brings
home the subject so nearlv to our own special
department, that we make no apology fur refer-
ring t© the interesting proceedings of this con-
vention here.

One of the questions discussed was : " Will
right management of bees develop peacefulness
of disposition, as we know wrong management
develops the opposite."

Dr. Bohrer, of Louisiana, thought not.

Dr. Lucas, of Peoria, thought they could.
They could be taught to know their keeper from
other people.

Mrs. Tupper thought it could only be done by
" natural selection " in breeding from good tem-
pered bees. But they could be taught to know
their owner.

Many joined in this discussion. It seemed to
be the impression that bees from home or over-
fed, did not care to sting, and thus the '-tamed "
bees often exhibited at fairs were accounted for.

In regard to bee feed it was decided that sugar
did not pay, nor make good honey if it would.

About wintering bees there was much said.
It appeared however that the advantage depen-
ded on location.

D. L. Adair, of Ky., said of course the man-
agement had to be adapted to the climate, but
housing could be advantageously adopted at the
South, yet bees wintered so well in the open air,
that very few would take the trouble to house
them. They could not be made to understand
that it was necessary. Mr. Moon had said that
if bees could fly but once in three weeks they
would not suffer from disease. In the South,
even as far north as Kentucky, there was seldom
a time but what bees could fly out that often,
yet in lSt58, the bee disease was very fatal there,
in some parts destroying all the bees over large
districts.

187S.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MO J^ TEL J .

95

I. Z. Smith, of Ohio, said he built a wintering
house 26x12 feet and 10 high, with double walls
filled in. Had an eight inch square hole at top
and bottoms for ventilations. Has in it fifty-two
colonies.

How should extracted honey be managed to
prevent souring ?

Mrs. Tupper never has had any extracted
honey to sour. Extract when nearly ready to
cap. Lets it stand twenty-four hours, then
takes off and puts it up. Dealers reject boiled
honey as not gocd.

How to bring back run away swarms seemed
to show that anything which confused the colo-
ny succeeded.

W. R. King, Ky., had stopped a valuable
swarm after they had gone three -fourths of a
mile, by throwing dirt among them. Ha^l seen
them brought down several times, by shooting
among them with a shot gun.

We have frequently '-brought down'' geese,
ducks, and before we believed in their value to
the tiller of the soil, the crow, and other birds in
this way ; but we should be afraid the bees
" brought down " in this way would be useless
for honey making purposes.

• What is honey ?''

1). L. Adair, of Ky. There is no distinct 'ub-
stance that can be called honey. Bees gaiher
anything that has enough sugar in it to give it
a decided sweet taste. Three kinds of sugar are
recognized, fruit sugar, grape sugar, and cane
sugar. They are all vegetable secretions and
differ but slightly in their constituent elements.
They only vary in the amount of hydrogen and
oxygen (which are the elements of water) and are
convertible into each other. As ordinarily gath-
ered from flowers, honey is a mixture of sugar
and other secretions of plants, and consequently
differs widely in its composition, depending on
the source from which it is obtained. The pecu-
liar scent and flavr of the honey is imparted to
it in the hive by the absorption of the musky
particles given off by evaporation from the
bodies of the bees, a scent that all bee keepers
will recognize who have opened a hive or walked
among them of a calm evening.

As to honey plants, Catnip was recommended ;
also Polanisia purpurea, and Dr. T. B. Hamlin,
presented a dried specimen of Vesicaria Lescurii,
a plant peculiar td the Ticiaity of Nashville, one
of the best early honey plants he knew.

I. Z. Smith, Ohio. All farmers could keep
bees with profit. He kept his bees as his hired

men. to work all the time, and he made it a
point to furnish werk for them. What was lack-
ing in natural forage he supplied by planting
honey crops. Alsack clover could be made very
valuable by cutting the first crop at different
times. It was valuable also as a forage crop.
Made good hay.

In regard to the Profits of Bee-Keeping, said
Mrs. Tupper, of Iowa, I met a farmer and his
wife coming out of Des Moines. He had re-
ceived $12 for 4 loads of corn while she had $25,
the proceeds of three hives of bees. Women could
make it successful whether men could or not.
It will pay in suburban homes, and even on the
house tops of cities.

And J. W. Hosmer, of Minn., said it was as
profitable as to raise milk and butter, and he
considered it an argument against keeping cows
to say that every body did not make it profitable,
as it was against bees to say every body could
not manage them successfully. Not one family
in a thousand in Chicago had honey, and not one
in a hundred even see it once a year.

Mr. Quinbys question was, "The cause of
the mortality among bees last winter, and can it
be remedied in the future.''

Mr Zimmerman. Too many old bees and
long cold winters were causes of the dysentery.
Let some of his bees fly in a warm room last
winter and saved them, while others wintered
with them that did not fly out died.

The next topic discussed was, " Is the Italian
superior to the little black bee ?"

The discussion was a lengthy one, and was
participated in by Dr. Lucas, Dr. Bohrer, Mrs.
Tupper, J. B. Smith, of Ohio ; Hoagland, of
Penna ; Dunlap, of Ills. ; H. A. King, of N. Y. ;
Disler, la.; Southworth, Ills.; J. S Hill, Ohio;
Zimmerman, Ohio; Shipley, Ohio; Allen, Mo.;
Dr. Hamlin, Tenn., President Clark, N. C.
Mitchell and other.

None of the speakers expressed a negative
opinion, though some contended that they had
been puffed too much and had virtues attributed
to them that they did not possess. The speak-
ers did not all praise them for gentleness, and
many agreed that in natural swarming they
were more likely to become intelligent in hiving
than the black bee. They were also accused of
having some other faults.

We have referred to but a very few matters
discussed in this convention, but they are enough
to show how wide is the field, and how interest-
ing is the subject of bee culture.

96

THE GARDEjYER'S MOJfTELY.

March,

MISSOURI STATE HORT. SOCIETY.

The Missouri State Horticultural Society met
at Jefferson City, January 7th, 8th, and 9th.
The reports of a few of the committees appointed
at the preceding annual meeting were listened
to with decided interest. The guess papers were
present as usual ; but only those that gave accu-
rate experiment and experience were accorded
attention. The discussion concerning the grape
preceded all others, and was led by George
Hussman. lie was closely and persistently
questioned by the members present, and very
many facts elicited of great value to the
vinyardist.

Besult. — That the Concord has proved itself
all in all the most reliable and useful grape for
Missouri. But it has been overplanted, and the
market is now so glutted that in this season
Concord's being only two to four cents a pound
in St. Louis. More varieties should be planted,
although the Concord should still head the list.
Martha is recommended as doing finely. Ives
useless. Goethe as standing the test, and rank-
ing next to Concord. Underbill's seedlings,
Croton and Senasqua as doing well so far.

The discussion on Apples was led by one of
our largest growers, O. H. Leah. For about
one hour he answered questions concerning dif-
ferent varieties, and their adaptiveness to the
soil and climate of the State.

Besult. — The Rawles' Janet is the standard of
quality and fecundity. But it has also glutted
the market, and does not pay for picking. A
score or more of varieties were named that are
especially good. Among these stand prominent,
Ben Davis, White Bellefleur, "Wine Sap. &c. A
superb show of apples was spread ©n the tables
of the Society.

The discussion on Pears was mainly led by
Rev. E. P. Powell.

Results. — Plant in well drained heavy soil.
Cultivate in the sod ; that is, grow them in
grass, but well worked about and thoroughly
mulched. Plant trees limbed low ; thin out
weak shoots in summer, and cut back the
remaining wood in autumn, till the tree gets too
large to manage. Every way grow the tree
slowly, and get ripened wood ; and protect the
roots from the effect of extreme changes of tem-
perature. In this way Mr. Powell had preserved
two orchards, one in Kew York, the other in
Michigan, from any traces of blight.

Judge Krekel discussed Cherries, as did the
•Chairman, Henry T. Mudd.

Besult. — Deal with the finest cherries very
much as with the pear. Slow growth and care-
ful mulching will preserve the trees in a healthy
condition.

It can hardly be said that any special person
led in the discussion of the wine The commit-
tee that retired with the social fluid had a pro-
longed session, and reported as men well
acquainted with the subject, Most of the pre-
miums went to Dr. Claggett.

Tuesday and Thursday evenings were occu-
pied with addresses by Rev E. P. Powell and
Prof. C. V. Riley. The first on Horticulture in
Cities ; the latter on Entomology.

The session was of much practical value to the
State, as it has tended to correct a tendency
to plant too few varieties, thus glutting the
market with a pet grape or apple, and reducing
the price below the cost of gathering.

The Society will hold its next session at Han-
nibal, in January, 1874.

SOMETHING LIKE PRIZES.

At the Annual Rose Show of the Mass. Horti-
cultural Society, at Boston, June 17th, special
prizes for Hybrid Perpetual Roses, offered by
H. H. Hunnewell. Esq. Open to all.
For the best six new varieties, never before ex-
hibited, S40.00.
For the best six named varieties, S20.00,

For the next best, SIO.OO.
For the best twelve of any one variety, $20.00.
For the next best, $10 00.
All roses competing for these prizes, to be ex-
hibited in boxes the same size as those compe-
ting for the Society's prizes ; the size of the
boxes for the six new varieties and the named
varieties, one foot six inches long, one foot six
inches broad, six inches high at the back, and
four inches high at the front.

Special Prizes for Roses, offered by 0. S.
Sargent, Esq. Open to all.
For the best twenty-four distinct named varie-
ties, three flowers of each, $60 00.
For the next best, S40.00.
All roses to compete for this prize to be exhi-
bited in wooden boxes to be four feet long, one
foot six inches broad, six and one half inches
high at the back, and four and one half inches
high at the front. The roses to be placed on a
neatly arranged carpet of moss. Regard will be
had to the manner in which the roses are
exhibited,

DEVOTED TO

HorticuUiire, Arhoriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs.

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

Old Series, Vol. XV.

APRIL, 187S. New Series,Vol. VT. No. A

HmTS POU APETL.

FLOWER GARDE;N' AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

Hero is a picture before us, which the artist
says is "the old, old stor3\" A trustful heart
has been drinking in the music of a sweet love
song, and both the singer and his one beloved
auditor both seem happy. It is indeed the old,
old story, but to thousands of souls it comes as
fresh and joyous as if their young morning of
life was the beginning of a newly created world.
And to us who love trees and flowers, gardens
and garden art, April brings the same old story
of faith and hope — of work to do. and trust to
enjoy the labors of our hands'. Digging and
raking, seed sowing and tree planting, planning
and designing — the same old story it is every
year ; but yet not the same, for flower garden
history, like the general world's history, never
repeats itself Our trees have grown larger, the
shrubs are bushier, the vines have lovingly cov-
ered every deformity, even our flower beds
will be somewhat changed, and the very plants
we grew in them not as the plants were last
year.

The flower gardens of the old world are
renowned ; but yet with some judgment we
might excel them, because in our hot climate we
can take advantage of so many tropical things
for out door decoration which they cannot grow^
besides most of what they rely on for their best
effects. Of these valued for their colored leaves
are the increasingly numerous varieties of Cole-
us, Irisene and Achyranthus, Alternantheras,
Dracoeuas, and the like. There has been also
much attention given to the silvery leaved
plants, which are almost essential in forming a

proper contrast with the more brillimt hues.
Centaurea ragusina, or as it is sometimes called,
C. candidissima, was the first step in this direc-
tion, unless indeed the old Cineraria maritima
can be said to have been in use for this purpose.
Now we have C. Clementei and C. plumosa,
Gnaphalium tomentosum, and some others,
which give us a variety in form and stature, as
well as keeping up for us the silvery hue.

While speaking of silvery hued leaves, one
may refer to the l)eautiful silvery plumes of the
Pampas Grass, which towards the fall of the
year give a magnificent appearance to a lawn,
especially if the plants are grown in very rich
soil. The Erianthus Ravennoe is also a very
striking grass of this character.

Of flowering plants which thrive well in our
climate, we have a good selection. The Gerani-
ums are amongst the best, although, botanically
they are not distinct from Pelargoniums ; yet it
serves a good purpose to retain the name as a
popular designation of an useful class in flower
gardening. There are now double varieties ; but
for flower gardening purposes, double flowers are
inferior. These varieties do not flower as freely
as the single ones. This has proved to be the
case with the Petunia, the Pansy, and other
things, and we suppose the rule will hold good
here. The Rose Geraniums flower somewhat
Steady throughout the year, and are indispensa-
ble for their delightful fragrance and elegant
foliage. The Verbena used to be the main reli-
ance for bedding— but the great ravages of the
verbena rust, has made it somewhat unreliable|;
and, although it is indispensable yet, it does not
take the front rank as formerly.

.9*^

THR GARDE JVER*S MOJ^THLY.

April.

In the class of scented flowers, the Heliotrope,
the Mignonette, and the Sweet Alyssum, com-
mand a prominent place. The last is liable to
suffer much from the cabbage-fly. A syringing
with water, in which a few drops of coal oil has
been spread, soon settles his business. There is
a variegated Sweet Alyssum which is very
pretty.

Lantaras are very desirable ; but to have the
best results from them, they should be planted
in poor soil. A very pretty species, trailing like
a Verbena, but not much known, is L. SeUoicii.
The varieties of Lobelia make fair bedding
plants if not put in too dry a soil, or too warm a
situation.

The old douhJe white Feverfew is one of the
most desirable of bedding plants. White flowers
can be cut from it all summer, and j^et have
plenty left to bloom. The Petur-ia, though of
no account for cutting, keeps up a brilliant show
the whole season. They do also very well in hot
places where little else will do. The singles give
the most flowers. For cutting purposes, the
Monllily or Tree Carnations are lovely things,
though they are ugly growing plants, and do not |
make much show on the grounds. The blue j
Ageratum is not very showy, but blooms so |
profusely, that every one likes to have it. I
The old Nierembergia gracilis is another not !
very showy plant, but flowers so well, and is so
satisfied with indiflerent treatment, that one
cannot let it go. The Gazania is curious, and
makes a brilliant show of orange and black on a
fine day, but is not well adapted to a hot place.
The little Ciqyhea platyccntva has rather too much
green for a show plant , but if the soil is not too
rich, gives fair satisftiction.

For late summer and fall blooming, we have
Gladiolus, (excellent for cutting for baskets and
plates of flowers*. Tuberose;-, (ditto), Chrysan-
themunis, Dahlias, and paiticularly the Scarlet
Sage, without which no garden is complete.
These are very well known and popular bed-
ding plants.

Besiiles these, there are some not so well
known but which will, perhai)s, become as pop-
ului- tor some purposes as the others The Ivy
Ger:iniunis are being much improved, and are
just the things for vases and growing over
mounds or elevated places. All the forms of
Sedums are also excellent for vases and dry
places- as are also several varieties of hardy
Cactuses, half haidy Ecbeveria-, and other suc-
culents.

i Aloes of many kinds suit the centre of these
vases and flower beds remarkably well. The
variegated Geraniums, and variegated leaved
plants generally, do only where protected from
hot suns. The common Perilla, with dark col-
ered leaves, however, does best in the full sun.
The shrubby New Zealand Veronicas flower mest
of the season, and are suited to many localities.
But perhaps if it be put in very rich soil it might
do better. Even England, which in some re-
spects may be regarded as the home of the Pansy,
and where so much use is made of some of the
varieties for bedding purposes, it is found neces"
sary to a continuous bloom to put a shovelful of
manure under each plant, in order to secure a
bloom long into the summer - ason.

The new hybrid Dianthutcs promise to be
amongst the most popular of bedding flowers.
The Bouvardia leiantha and other Bouvardias
are rather ragged growers, and seldom have
many flowers on at a time ; but one can cut for
ever from them, and new flowers rapidly suc-
ceed. The Viola cornuta does not make much
show, but blooms well in our climate all sum-
mer.

There is quite an excitement on new Clema-
tises as summer blooming plants. They bring
yet, very high prices, and have to be tested more
in our climate, though they will probably be a
success. In Clir3'santhemums, a great advance
has been made in the production of an earlier
class of bloomers. It has always been against
the Chrysanthemums that they have been a little
too late for decorative gardening. Lilies of all
kinds are also growing in popularity and cheap-
ness, and there are some double rose-colored
Feverfews that add much to the beauty of a
flower garden.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Grafting can be continued till the buds of the
trees 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 interesting to know, that if such
scions are put into the ground, much the same
as if they were cuttings, 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,

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOMTBLY,

99

either naturally or made so by subsoiling or mix-
ing some material with the ssil 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 enriched 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.

In Europe they find much advantage from
often taking up the dwarf Pear and replanting ;
and the result in this is to disprove the observa-
tion of Poor Eichard, who " never saw a tree,
or an oft removed family, which did so well as
those which settled be."

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 subsoilcd ; this we consider of great
value. In rich soils there is too much danger of
having more leaves than fruit.

Buds that were inoculated last fall should not
be forgotten ; but a.s .soon as vegetation has
pushed forth, the buds should be examined, and
all other issues from the old stock taken away.
It may also be necessary to make a tie, in order
to get the young shoot of the bud to go in the
way from which you would not hereafter have
it depart.

Above all, do not allow the month to pass
without posting yourself afresh on the various
methods recommended for destroying insects, or
preventing their attacks. The advantage of a
stitch in time is never more decided than in the
great struggle with fruit destroying insects. A
mass of information on this point lies scattered
through our past volumes, that will well repay a
careful reperusal for the purpose alone of refur-
nishing one's ideas in that line.

After Grape Vines begin to push watch for
any which may seem inclined to push out
stronger than their fellows, and pinch them
back. This indeed should be a rule with all fruit
trees. The object is to get all the branches of
the same uniform strength and vigor throughout
the tree, and this cannot be done where two or
three vigorous fellows are allowed to take to
themselves all the nutrition which the roots
supply.

VEGETABLE GARDEN.
South of Philadelphia, the more tender kinds
of garden vegetables may now be sown — beans,
corn, cucumbers, squashes, &c. — that it is not
prudent to plant in this latitude before the first
of May ; and tomato, egg plants, etc., may also
be set out in those favored places. Cucumbers,
squashes, and such vegetables can be got for-
ward as well as tomatoes, egg plants, etc., by
being sown in a frame or hot-bed, and potted off
into three inch pots. They will be nice plants
by the first week in May. Rotten wood suits
cucumbers and the squash tribe exceedingly well
as a manure.. Tomatoes and egg plants that are
desired very early, are best potted, soon after
they come up, into small pots. They can then
be turned out into the open air without any
check to their roots. Of course they should
be gradually inured to the open air — not sud-
denly transferred from a warm and moist air to
a very dry one.

Bean poles may be planted preparatory to sow-
ing the Lima Bean in May. Where bean poles
are scarce, two or three hoop poles, set into the
ground one foot from each other, aud tied
together at the top, make as good a pole, and
perhaps better.

Dwarf beans should have very warm and deep
soil— sow them only two inches apart. The
Valentine is yet the best early, take it all in all.
Peas should be sown every two weeks for a
succession— do not make the soil very rich for
them.

Lettuce, for a second crop of salad, should be
sown about the end of the month. The Drum-
head cabbage is usually sown for a summer crop ;
but the old kinds of Cos lettuce would, no doubt
be found very valuable in rich soils.

Early York Cabbage for early use should be
set out early this month. It is an excellent plan
to make the holes with a dibble first, where the
cabbage is to be set ; then fill up the holes with
manure water, and, after the water has soaked
away, set in the plants. It is rather more labori
ous than the old way— but the cabbage grows
so fast afterwards that it pays pretty well.

It is not a good plan to cut all the Asparagus
as soon as they appear. A few sprouts should
always be left to grow from each, to strengthen
the plants.

Celery, with most families, is an important
crop, and should be sown about this period. A
very rich, moist spot, that will be shaded from

100

THE GARBEJ^ER'S MOJ^'TKLY

April,

the midday April sun should be chosen— or a
box in a frame, by those who have the conveni-
ences.

Few things mark a well kept garden better
than an abundance of all kinds of herbs. Now
s the time to make the beds. Sage, Thyme and

Lavender grow from slips, which may be set in
now, precisely as if an edging of box were to be
made of them. They grow very easily. Basil
and Sweet Marjoram must be sown in a rich
warm border. Salsafy and Scorzonera like a
damp, rich soil.

0 0 M M U N I C A T I 0 N S.

FLORICULTURE IK PHILADELPHIA.

BY X T. Z.

Il has occasionally occurred to me that some-
thing is at fault with the florists of Philadelphia
and its vicinity. They have not increased the
taste in flowers that the standing of society here
might demand. Philadelphia, geographically,
is as well suited for the growth of exotics as any
other city on the sea-board ; her people have
more room about their dwellings, are as refined,
have more real wealth than any other large city
in the United States.

At the present time, the florists here are
somewhat behind the same class of men in
other cities east and north of us. Not a few
around New York, though brought up to some
mechanical branch, are proficient in the cultiva-
tion of flowers, and are classed among the suc-
cessful florists. They have studied to grow a
few flowers well, and they do it, so much so that
many of them are in comparatively easy cir-
cumstances, and most of them are approaching
that way.

But in taking a view of the florists around
the city of Philadelphia, we are debarred from
arriving at the same conclusion, for during the
last twenty years little or no progress has been
made. The same variety of ornamental plants
has, with few exceptions, been produced, and
the sales in the spring have not embraced a
large area of the city.

"We might, with proprictj^, suggest that this
economy in production has contributed largely
to the lack of progress. They almost invari-
ably heat their greenhouses with the old brick
flue, which, iu severe winters, is very hurtful to
vegetation, for should the plant escape being
dried with heat or saturated with moisture at a
distance from the fire, every plant in the house
is retarded in its growth by the fumes of sul-

, phur escaping from the flue, combined with a
: humid atmosphere. Any, indeed all of these,
I are evils that the gardener is unable to success-
full}' guard against where such an imperfect '
agent is used. To conduct the business of a
floriculturist with such inefficient means for the
production of heat, is disheartening in the ex-
treme, hence we find, too often, plodding and
grumbling in the place of successful enterprise.
To help my fellow workers out of this " slough
of despoud'' is the object of this article.

The Philadelphia florist is well aware that
those who use water to distribute heat, have
their establishments superior to those who use
the brick flue ; their houses ai-e apparently com-
fortable, their plants healthy, with no obnoxi-
ous gases to impair or destroy the flower. On
the other hand, those who still adhere to the
old system, use every device but the right one
to nurse and economize Iu support of this as-
sertion, I may remark that I made a few visits
among the florists a couple of weeks ago, and
found that those who clung to the brick flue had
lost as much by the fumes of sulphur and by
frost as would have put up a hot water appa-
ratus.

Most of them are well aware that labor con-
' sumes one-third of their sales, even under the
I most successful management ; another third
] goes for material, while the remaining third is
I all that is left for repairs, rent and profits ; this
. is without doubt the only safe basis on which to
I calculate. But by continuing the old method of
heating, one half is taken for labor, one fourth
for material, (they boast of this) and the balance
for rent. Profits and repairs are deferred till
next year, and they console themselves with the
thought that those who use the improved method
of heating are just so much poorer than them-
selves ; whereas the latter economize in labor

1873,

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLy,

101

nearly one-half, an important item in these
times of high priced and inefficient service.

It is my sincere desire to put the florists of
Philadelphia in the position they ought to oc-
cupy, and therefore I place before them my
views, the result of many years experience, con-
cerning the heating of greenhouses by the com-
mon air flue or distributing heat with hot water.

Before I describe the mode of heating, a few
remarks may not be out of place about the erec-
tion of a planthouse. Many plans have been
adopted, but most of them have very imperfect-
ly answered the purpose they were intended to
8erve. Some maintain that a house with the
roof at an angle of 35° or less is the cheapest
and best, and much easier to keep at a moder-
ate temperature than one with a greater angle ;
others approve of a low narrow house, as then,
the plant being so much nearer the glass, grows
better ; others adopt the large moderately high
house as the best. Of the three, the last is de-
cidedly to be preferred, being much easier to
manage. A house twelve feet from ground to
apex will contain nearly double the quantity of
air that a low flat or low narrow house would.
and may be considered the medium height a
house ought to be ; it has the disadvantage of
holding more air to warm ; but on the other
hand there is more to cool at night. Such a
house can be used from November to April with-
out giving air. The low house is easily warmed,
(or rather overwarmed) and requires as many
feet of pipe to keep it at the same temperature
as the high house, with this disadvantage, that
it cools much more rapidly. This may be looked
upon by some as a mis-statement, but it is
nevertheless correct. Nearly everybody will say
that a house containing 5000 feet of air can be
kept at the same temperature as one containing
7500 feet, and so it may if the area it covers be
one-third less ; but if both cover the same area,
there will be the same cool surface and less air
to cool. Hence I conclude that a house ten or
twelve feet from ground to apex is easier to be
kept at an equal temperature, with the same
quantity of fuel, than a low house, and without
having to admit cold air for nearly five months.

We will estimate the cost of putting up the
heating apparatus in two ways — water and the
common brick flue. A house 100 feet by 25 feet
by 11 feet would allow the walls to be 4 feet and
the roof 45'', making It a span roof. To keep
the atmosphere at GS"" or 70° — mercury outside
at zero— it will require 1000 feet of 4 inch pipe

(a fire surface of 4 feet G inches is capable of
making the water 180'' in the boiler, and per-
haps a trifle higher, which will keep the house
nearer SO'' than less) to keep the same tempera-
ture, which with the brick flue would require
four fires and four flues. The fire places would
each be 2 feet by 1 foot, altogether 8 feet of fire
surface for the boilers against 4 feet 6 inches ;
differenee in favor of hot water, 3 feet 6 inches.

But it will be said that the larger furnace will
consume more fuel in proportion to the greater
body of fire, and that if no flue be used from the
fire, there will be a greater draught. Let me
try the question by figures : —

The cost of 1000 feet of piping, )

&c., to be from ^20 to S350, \ $350.00

say the largest sum, )

Boiler, with necessary fixings |

in a plain, substantial man- )■ S60.OO

ner, put in place, ]

Labor, etc., for corapletiag the ) §245.00

S660.00

$500.00

I $160.

GO

same, •

Whole cost.
Each furnace and flue, plain and
well-built, will cost $50 00 ; at
the end of two years will require
rebuilding at half cost, $25.00 ;
and at the end of two years
more, renewal, $50 00, .f 125,
which multiplied by 4 gives

Difierence in favor of brick in sis
years,

But at the end of the six years, the flue be-
gins to be more costly than hot water, for the
only renewal required by the latter is occasion-
ally new fire bars or a pipe. If made of cast
iron, the waste is very little indeed, and may
last fifty years. With the former, the same
labor and cost are expended during the second
period of six years as during the first. It has, it
is true, its lower original cost to recommend it,
but its disadvantages are so many and so seri-
ous to the gardener, that the wonder is why he
has suffered so long without a murmur.

The saving by hot water may be estimated at
fully two-thirds in labor alone. Healthy plants,
plants in bloom just at the right time, are ad-
vantages worth far more than the difference in
the prime cost between hot water and air flues.

As an appendix to what has been said before,
a few general remarks may not be without in-
terest. Three or four days' absence of sun will
cause the atmosphere of the greenhouse to be-
come heavy and huuiid ; but the admission of a
little fresh air, or even one hour's sun, will re-

102

TEH GARI)EJ\rEE*S MOJVTELY.

April,

store it to its proper state. In the absence of
sunlight, carbonic gas increases, though not suf-
ficiently to injure vegetation ; but the brick-
flue, in very cold weather with a brisk fire, has
a red heat near the fire, and all the oxygen that
comes in contact with that part is converted '
into carbonic gas. Any person who uses hot air
for his dwelling, will tell you that in very cold \
weather the air which is shut in from the fur- }
nace causes a sensation of partial suffocation,
the air being overcharged with carbon and the \
oxygen proportionately diminished. In large
halls, if the warming be not thoroughly attended
to, and if the audience be numerous, many be-
come drowsy, this is occasioned by the carboni-
zation of the air before entering the hall. It is
the same with greenhouses and plants. The
makers of hot-air furnaces would but fulfil their
duty to society by producing an efficient article,
at a price that men of moderate means could
afford.

There are some low-pressure steam-boilers in
use, but with the small amount of knowledge
possessed by domestic help, they may prove
very dangerous, and so are not likely to be ex-
tensively used. The only improvement I can
suggest in the system of heating dwellings is,
that the furnace and air chambers be large
enough to give the required heat without put-
ting the former to a red heat, as is the case in
greenhouses where the air flue is used.

the same) in the pipes deposits a bluish-black
sediment very much like varnish, which dimin-
ishes the radiating power of the iron The ope-
rator puts this down to the insufficiency of the
boiler, because the house does not get warm as
quickly as before. To remedy this, it is neces-
sary to empty the boiler in summer, and allow
air to circulate through the whole for two or
three months, when both boiler and pipes will
perform their work as well as at first. The ope-
rator should be instructed by the mechanic that
puts them up, if the latter know his business as
he ought to know it.

To successfully warm a green-house, ?. e., to
produce an equable temperature, the pipes must
be placed with some judgment. If the house be
100 feet in length, and the water travel quickly,
the return pipe near the boiler will not be many
degrees cooler than the flow, and very few feet
more piping at the further end from the tire will
be necessary ; but should the pipes be so laid
that the water has a sluggish motion, or should
the boiler be of imperfect construction, the
lengths of piping will have to be materially in-
creased. However, to most of the boilers now
in use and for sale, that complaint does not ap-
ply. If the house be 200 feet long, it might re-
quire 25 per cent, more piping at the further end
from the boiler ; and for a general assortment of
hot-house plants, I would place my pipes in the
following manner :

^^

■^^

^^^:^

^^^^^^^-^

^^-<^

^^t;^,,^^

^,1^^ •^

^^*v^^^

.^i^^^

^"^^^J^

^^''^^

^^^-^^

ff^'-'g-

A

/J l^ ^-^i^

1 o

j.^.

o 1

a • • «

C

c

• • • •

Complaints have frequently been made by
those using hot water in greenhouses and steam
in factories, that the heating power of both
diminishes. That this is true there can be no
question. The gardener lays it to the boiler,
the factory owner to anything but the right
cause. Pipes newly used radiate boat very
freely, but in two years the water i.^leam docs

The figure represents the end of a span-roofed
house, 25 feet wide, and as long as the owner
might require. A is a table on each side of the
house, at a distance of 4 inches from the wall.
The usual way is to cover the table close to the
front wall in order to economize rooiu. This is
false economy, for during cold weather a stra-
I tum of cold air is generated under the glass to

1873.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOKTHLY.

10 S

the depth of about 12 inches at the bettorn of
the glass, and in this atmosphere nothing will
grow during cold weather. It is better for the
cultivator to have an opening as shown at a.
To convey the air so cooled to the heated air
under the table in the direction of the arrows.
When spring opens, that space may be occupied
at a time when comparatively no artificial heat
is required. Each table has a double bottom ;
the lower one of boards, tbe upper one of slate
Between the floors is one of the pipes to serve for
bottom heat for small plants or cuttings (&).
Under the table four pipes at a convenient dis- !
tance from the floor (c) ; making in all five pipes |
on each side of the house — three for the flow and
two for the return. The object in using two re- I
turn pipes is to regulate the heat, equalize the i
pressure aud to cause occasionally a slight vari-
ation in heat. j
At this writing, it is snowing ; mercury about ;
33 deg ; inside of 61 degrees at front wall. Nine '
inches below the glass 58 deg. This is a slight
Variation, but the house is five degrees lower i
than it would be if there were no snow : and the |
mercury at the lowest part of the roof is five de-
grees higher than it would be with outside at
zero.

In conclusion : What is the excuse for not
adopting the better method of heating green-
houses ? Is it the first cost ? Certainly not, for
the labor saved in one winter is fully one-eighth
of its cost. Is it the want of means ? That can
be overcome in one year. Is it the habits or
education of the man that prevent him from
doing himself a service ? This is the most likely
solution ; and if these few remarks be the means
of leading any one to exercise that faculty of
judgment, given to all in a greater or less de-
gree, the object of the writer will be answered.

THE WAGENER APPLE IN MICHIGAN.

BY MR. T. T. LYON", PLYMOUTH, MICH

I obst'-ve, with a degree of regret, an article
in your February issue, extracted from Michigan
Farmer, speaking very highly of the success of
the Wagener apple in Michigan. I regret this
not because this variety is believed not to be
successful here, but because I can see no reason
to believe it more successful than in^ many other
localities.

I have in ray orchards a number of trees of
Wagener, planted when it was first introduced ;
say about 184(3 or 1847, which I have had the

best of opportunity to compare with several hun-
dreds of other varieties, also in my orchards ;
besides which I have not failed to watch its suc-
cess in other localities in the State, and I have
become satisfied that what popularity it has
acquired has mainly arisen from its vigor and
I excellent habit of growth in the nursery, and its
; very early productiveness ; and my observation
' both at home and abroad has but confirmed ray
I early conviction, that its early and excessive pro-
I ductiveness, unless chocked by careful thinning,
I (which with us, is not to be hoped for), is infalli-
bly fatal to the proper growth and development
I of the trees, while it further results in inferior
size of the fruit, and on account of the short stiff
j fruit spurs, and the consequent crowding
i together of the fruit upon the branches, in the
actual crowding off of more or less of the fruits
in the process of growth, and as a result of the
; same habit, at the time of gathering, fully one-
half the entire crop is found upon the ground,
and consequently worthless except for cider.

Inasmuch as I have an intimate personal
knowledge of the circumstances under which
the article in question found its way into th
Farmer, I will take occasion to say that the nur
seryman in question, (Mr. Husted), has made
this variety a specialty, and no doubt he very
honestly believes it to be all that he claims, as
his personal acquaintance with it is believed to
have been mainly in the nursery. I am how-
ever well acquainted with the fact that many
who have been induced to p'ant it extensively
upon his recomraendation, already regret the
step. These plantations are mainly in newly
settled regions, and hence on virgin soils, on
which the tendency to wood growth will proba-
bly in part remedy the natural tendency of the
variety. Yet notwithstanding this, it is to be
feared that the experience of the next few years
will determine the extensive planting of this
variety to have been a mistake, so far as finan-
cial results are concerned.

Mr. Husted also takes occasicn to speak of
Red Canada as comparatively unsuccessful. It
is obviuus to all who may be familiar with both
varieties, that with its weak, slender habit of
growth while young. Red Canada can never be
either popular or profitable with nurserymen,
and had it not chanced to win popularity upon
top-grafted trees, it would in all probability have
been comparatively unknown among us as a pro-
fitable market fruit ; but coming into notice as
it did, when an extensive region which in the

104

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^I HLY.

April,

early settlement of the State had been planted
with seedling orchards were being regrafted, it
established itself !n eastern Michigan and in the
markets of the northwest, as beyond all compar-
ison the most profitable of our market apples.
In western Michigan the growing of fruit for the
market is a comparatively recent business, and
although in eastern Michigan, after a forty years
continuous acquaintance with Red Canada,
(generally under the spurious name of Steele's
Red Winter), fully one-third of all the recent
orchards are of this variety, it has been but
slightly known and sparsely planted at the
west, a fact largely to be attributed to the cir-
cumstance that it was known as ''Steele's Red
Winter;" and when trees were ordered from
Eastern nurseries under this name, such orders
were invariably filled with Baldwin, a fact that
beyond doubt has much to do with the general
distrust of foreign nurseries among our orchar-
dists.

Although I am not warranted in questioning
the allegation of Mr Husted, that Red Canada
is unsuccessful with him, I can confidently state
that it has been grown, but a few miles distant,
for more than fifteen years, and that those who
grow it claim that it is quite as successful as it
has proved at the east.

STOCK FOR CHERRIES.

BY ADDI,

May I say to your Mr. L. B., that experience,
two years in succession, proves to me practical-
ly, that either grafting or budding of our Cerasus
sylvestris, or what we know as our cultivated
Sweet Cherry, upon the wild common sort of our
woods, or Cerasus serotina is a waste of* time.
The buds or grafts will grow to three or four
leaves, and possibly a few will continue the first
season with five, but that will be their end.

IMMEDIATE EFFECTS OF CROSS FER-
TILIZATIOJT ON" SEED.

BY C. ARNOLD, PARIS, CANADA WEST.

In your February number, for 1871, I sent you
a sample of fruit, said to be grown upon the
branch of a tree that had for years previous (and
this year also) produced pears and pear leaves.
The appearance and taste of the pulp, in the
opinion of all who saw it and tasted it, being
apple. In my communication sent at that time
I remarked : "We all know that if we plant a
few grains of dark purple corn, and near by we

plant white sweet corn, that we shall find in the
fall both varieties of corn in the same ear." To
this, Mr. Jacob Moore, of Rochester, in the Au-
gust number of florticulturist, replies : " I differ
with him entirely. I don't know any such thing,
in fact. I am confident they will show no mix-
ture whatever the first year."

Mr. Moore's remarks appeared to me so very
dogmatic and uncourteous, that I did net consi-
der them worthy a reply ; but for the sake of ex-
periment, I planted last spring a grain of dark
purple corn, of a variety that I knew was not
grown, nor would be grown this year near this
place, and I now send you two ears, one all purple^
the other without a purple grain in it, but un-
mistakably composed of two other distinct vari-
eties. Both ears grew upon the same stalk and
sprung from this purple seed, and my sole object
in sending them, is to show you that I have
proved, beyond a doubt, the existence of a phe-
nomenon that most naturalists have called in
question, and no one that I am aware of, ha»
j ever before proved, viz : What has been termed
I superfcetation in the vegetable kingdom, or in
) other words, one seed being the joint issue of
j two males.

As stated above, both the ears of corn grew
upon the same stalk, and from the seed of a
I dark purple corn like that upon the large ear.
I This ear was allowed to be fructified by pollen
grown upon its own stalk. The pollen of this
purple variety was then ail removed and destroy-
ed. And as the silken pistils of the smaller ear
began to show themselves, pollen of a yellow
variety of corn was supplied, by suspending small
bottles filled with water and the stalk bearing
the pollen plunged therein, then after a short
time this yellow pollen was removed, and pollen
of a white variety of corn was furnished in the
same way. By examining the individual grains
upon the small ear you will observe that they
are yellow at the base and lohite upon the top.
You will then please remember the purple seed
from which the stalk and the two entirely different
ears grevv, and after a thorough examination, I
feel confident that every unbiased intelligent per-
son will agree vvith me that in corn at any rate,
two dilferent varieties of pollen can be made to
influence one seed, and that the pollen will have
au immediate effect upon the color of corn, if upon
nothing else.

Thus far I have confined myself to a simple
statement of the facts as they have developed
themselves. No doubt many persons who have

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOMTHLY.

105

given this subject but little attention, will say
that even if all this be true, of what practical
value can it be to horticulturists or agi'icultu-
rists. Upon a moment's reflection, however, I
think incalculable benefits will be obvious, pro.
vided fruits, flowers, cereals, and vegetables shall
be found to yield to the same influences in the
hands of skilful operators. There is one kind
of superfoetation that was observed by Mr. An-
drew Knight, of England, many years ago.
That is by using two kinds of pollen to the same
flower, he succeeded in producing different
kinds of peas in the same pod the first season.
The same thing occurred with me last year by
using pollen of Champion of England and Alpha
upon the pistil of Little Gem. The product was
three different kinds of peas in the same pod. In
sowing the seeds of a single raspberry or straw-
berry, the result will be similar. And in apples,
I have reason to believe the first mentioned kind
of superfetation is attainable, viz : One individ-
ual seed being the joint issue of two males. I
send you two apples, that in my opinion, point
very strongly in this direction Both apples
grew from seeds of a Korthern Spy, and
although pollen of Spitzenberg and AVagner was
applied to its pistil, I have always thought it
probable that pollen of a large yellow apple tree
that stood close by stole a march upon me and
furnished the yellow skin of the apple marked
No. 3. The other apple marked No. 4, seems to
give almost the fine flesh of Wagner, with the
spice and habit of tree of Spiizenberg.

It would be easy to conjecture a thousand
articles that might be improved by this process,
and no doubt many will suggest themselves to
your numerous readers. I will mention only one
other that I have had experience with that would
seem to be a good subject for such improvement,
viz : Wheat. The greatest difficulty that I
have had to contend with in crossing wheat has
been its tendency to sport and run into different
forms after being thoroughly crossed. To such
an extent has this peculiarity shown itself in
some instances, that a person who did not know
to the contrary, would have supposed on exam-
ining the straw and grain, that several varieties
of wheat had been sown. This has always
appeared to me strange and unaccountable, and
I believe was equally so to Mr. Knight in his
day. I now hope that this difficulty has been
overcome and that by selection and using pollen
of two different varieties of wheat to one pistil,
this difficulty will be overcome. Some three

years ago I determined to try this method of
crossing wheat, and although I must confess I
had at that time but little faith in being able to
place one embryo grain of wheat under the influ-
ence of pollen of two other distinct varieties of
wheat, yet the wheat produced by the operation
seems to me to strongly indicate it. At all
events its character seems perfectly fixed, and it
is so improved in productiveness, hardiness, and
quality, that the Ontario Agricultural Society,
after appointing a committee to investigate it,
awarded me a gold medal for producing it.

I am well aware that many intelligent persons
are of opinion that so soon as a pollen grain falls
upon the stigma, it passes entire and immediate-
ly into the ovary, and that it can then be influ-
enced by no other pollen. For my own part I
would much rather believe that each pollen grain
is filled with thousands of minute separate parti-
cles, each etheralized. It may be that some of
these particles of this fovilla, as it is called, may
exhaust themselves upon the stigma, and then
other particles may be supplied of another varie-
ty, and conjointly aid in the formation of one
individual seed. But my object in writing is
not to advocate or condemn any theory, new or
o^d, but merely to state facts as I have found
them.

I trust that you will submit the two ears of
corn to a thorough examination by the scien-
tists of Philadelphia, and then return the small
ear to me, that I may further experiment with
it.

I have put in two apples of another variety,
No. 1, to show that the several seeds in the
same apple will produce quite distinct varieties
of fruit. These three kinds all come from the
seed of one Northern Spy.

HOUSES OF S. B. PARSONS & CO.

BY X.

The following is a diagram of a range of houses
recently erected by S. B. Parsons & Sons, of the
Kissena Nurseries, Flushing, N. Y. They are
erected on locust posts with tinned valleys
between the houses and the sides bricked up with
brick on edge. There is a grade of two feet from
north to south, and three feet from east to west.
Each house opens by a glass door into the pro-
pagating house and packing room, thus enabling
the foreman to see at a glance the whereabouts
of the men, and also giving facilities for carrying
out plants from each house for packing, or other

106

THE GARDE JEER'S MOJ^TELY.

Aprils

purposes. Under the packing room is a capa-
cious cellar into which a trap door opens from
the front of each heuse. By this means stocks
in pots for grafting can be handed up from the
cellar witk great ease. Between the doors of
the greenhouses and in the potting room, and
also below the outside windows of the potting
room and potting benches, soil and pots are
passed on these benches from carts through the
outside windows, or can be carried in on a light
railroad track to run through the centre of the
potting shed and connect all the houses with the
playing ground. Thus stocks for grafting kept
in the cellar cau be handed up through the trap
doors into the grafting houses, and after being
kept close the required time, can be put en the

connecting these houses with valleys was bor-
rowed from England in 1859, and the first
houses in this country on that plan were erected
by S. B. Parsons, in 1860. It had since been ex-
tensively used, and is found to be an economical
and useful mode.

The healing apparatus was furnished and put
up by the Shawmut Iron Works, Cambridge-
port, Mass. The boilers, three in number, are
arranged side by side in the boiler room at the
lower end of the lean-to house, and are so con-
nected that either one can be used separately or
all in connection. But two are required to heat
the houses, the other being held as a reserve.
Each boiler has a heating capacity of about fif-
teen horse power, and is connected to an eight

GREENHOUSE WITH
BOILERS BENtATH.4G'^20l't

PROPAGATINCHOUSE 13Z x 14 ft

^

i

o

X

LtJ
00

o

00

CD

I

i

PACKING. AND POTTING ROOM WITH CELLAR BE N E ATM 147 x 17f L

W

OFFICE

railroad and run out to the frames in the plung-
ing ground. The potting room is heated by one
flow and one return pipe, which enables work to
be done safely in the coldest weather. The office
is also heated by hot water.

"Watering pots are very little used, and one
man in a few hours can water all the houses by
means of a hose connecting with a hydrant in
each house, to which the water flows -from a
reservoir on a neighboring hill. The mode of

inch main and return flow pipe with six inch
pipe, fitted with valves to shut off either boiler
if necessary. The main flow pipe passes through
the entire length of the lean-to, and across one
end of the upper house, at which point is placed
an expansion tank to receive the expansion of
water for the whole block of houses. From this
point the distributing flow runs back toward the
boiler room, and from it the branches are taken
for supplying the circulating pipes. These are

1873.

THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY,

107

also connected to the return flow which carries
the water back to the boilers to be re-heated
Each house has two sets of heatins, or circula-
ting pipes, which are so arranged that either or
both can be shut off, or so checked in their flow
as to regulate the heat to any required tempera-
ture. All the pipes are so arranged as not to
interfere with the grade of the walks.

Since i\\Q\ were erected the cold has been 22^
below zero, anl the houses were kept in a state
entirely satisfactory. During that extreme cold
the circulation was shut off from the large west-
ern liouse, and yet the temperature was kept
sufficient because the grade enabled it to gather
in heat from the other houses through the trench
which held the connecting pipes. '

AMERICAN PTORTICULTURE.

Address delivered before the GermTntonm HorticuUurnl
Society, January, 1873.

BY THE PRESIDENT, JOHN JAY SMITH. ESQ.

\ Oonden.'ied for the Gardener's Monthly. 1

( Concluded. )

NOT TOO OLD TO PLANT.

Many persons think they are too old to plant.
This is an absurdity. Men at even seventy do
not hesitate to lay up means for their children ;
then why not plant f®r posterity, and why give
up to self what was meant for mankind ? It is
founded on a vulgar error, on mistaken and pre-
judicial notions. Many trees only ten years
planted are known to be between thirty and
forty feet in height. At thirty feet, a tree, prac-
tically speaking, will effect all the general pur-
poses for which trees are planted. It will then
afford shade and shelter. It will display indivi-
duality of beauty and character, and confer ex-
pression on landscape scenery, while during all
the period of its growth, it will give pleasure and
inspire hope. Very many trees bear fruit in a
much shorter period than ten years.

THE USES OF TREES

is a large subject, on which time will not now
permit us to enter. One instance must suffice.
There is a variety of Gleditschia called horrida,
which has a tremendous crop of ugly spines
attached all over its body, thrice as numerous
and dangerous as the triacanthos. It is put to
a moral use. When a man has committed a
crime against society, he is stripped and sent to
the top on a ladder. The ladder being removed,
he gets down as well as he can. This mode of
punishment is said to be more effectual of

reform than even the famed Delaware whipping
post, and might be economically substituted,

THE PROBLEM OF AMERICA.

Our ancestors were too hasty in cutting down.
Hence our great problem in America is how to
replace what has been ruthlessly wasted. We
must provide shelter for the prairies, and with
our great stretch of sea-coast, we want to know
what trees will flourish near salt water, exposed
to pitiless winds; and we want information
regarding the suitability of different vegetations
in our variable climates. All this is being
studied and made known. I do not despair of
seeing the transactions of this society published,
containing such knowledge as this, and much
more that our young country is yearning to
know. Here is work for a horticultural society
to employ its extra means on experiments of
world-wide interest.

AN ACCLIMATION SOCIETY

is much required in America. Who shall say
that Germantown may not initiate it ? but with
aid from other kindred societies,

SUB-TROPICAL PLANTS

also afford a wide field for inquiry and instruc-
tion. The subject has been treated with effect
in a new work by a rising English writer, Wil-
liam Robinson, whose book should be in the
hands of every practitioner of horticulture. And
this leads naturally to the subject of

A HORTICULTURAL LIBRARY,

an acquisition we should not he slow in secu-
ring. To this a portion of the society's means
should be devoted. Very probably many mem-
bers have books to bestow.

THE LANDSCAPE GARDENER

The rule enforced by Loudon being as previ-
ously slated, if not always to its full extent, we
see the necessity of the gardener, the horticul-
turist, the nurseryman and the landscape gar-
dener ; for very few will undertake the importa-
tion of the plants or trees of each kind required*
We must have large magazines of plants, so to
speak, from which each can draw his limited
supplies.

The landscape gardener is appearing in
America wherever his services are demanded.
We have good artists among us in this line, and
perhaps a few pretenders. Sir .loseph Paxton's
will not be wanting as demand creates supply.
His art should always be called in where the
best permanent effects are desired. He can tell
to what size a tree will attain. Without him a

108

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

April,

few years must bring into roquisition the drraded
axe and the knife. If it is almost as difficult to
keep money as to make it, so we may say it is
more difficult to know what to plant than to
bring numerous specimens together. On the
subject of planting it is still well to remember
Cicero's advice : " When to build is the ques-
tion, a man should reflect a great while, and
perhaps not build at all ; but when to plant, he
should not reflect, but plant immediately."
Much time is frequently wasted and years lost
by not commencing with trees the first year your
property is in possession.

THE EDUCATION AGE.

We have had our Iron and our Golden Age.
This is emphatically that of Education. It is
now proposed that every human being shall have
an opportunity in life to rise with the world's
rising fortunes. Schools without individual
payment for instruction are formed almost
everywhere, and they are to teach apt scholars,
differing wonderfully from the old and mentally
idle Spaniards of California, all now unheard of.
No sooner had we secured possession of that
great State, then a mere terra incognita, than we
picked up gold by millions of dollars, found the
great trees and the Yo-Semite, and in the heart
©f the Rocky Mountains we are now surveying
a great

NATIONAL PARK,

more wonderful than anything related in the
Arabian Nights, with geysers more astonishing
than the long believed unique water spouts of
Iceland.

AMERICAN PLANTS.

From those once far off" countries we shall have
new introductions for the garden. We must
take care that Europeans do not surpass us in
these, as they have surpassed us in the skill with
which they cultivate what they call " American
plants," including one of our greatest and
most neglected glories, the Rhododendron. The
Yew grows more rapidly here than in England.
Suppose our predecessors of two hundred years
ago had planted Germantown simply with
cedars of Lebanon, Rhododendrons and Yews !
These alone would have made our district the
admiration of the world, and shall we, because
they grow but slowly, deprive our successors of
the next two hundred years, of this imposing
beauty — this joy ? Loudon immortalizes the
planters who introduced "Cedars" on their
domains. A Scotch Duke planted his bleak
hills with the Larch, and lived to see sbi-s

launched from the timber, and now the Larch
plantings are yielding immense profits, from the
demand for railroad ties. The Marquis of
Blandford, afterwards Duke of Marlboro,' did
not hesitate to pay enormous prices for every-
thing beautiful, and he is remembered for this
single act of bounty to his country, and for this
alone. Let us imitate all this.

ADVANCE IN HORTICULTURE.

All the good things of Europe have been, or
are to be, repeated in America. I have record-
ed but three or four greenhouses in Philadelphia
sixty years ago. A valued friend, who knows,
assures me there are now in Germantown alone,
seventy-five greenhouses, graperies, and plant
cases which deserve the name, besides uncount-
ed hotbeds and appliances for an early salad.
Twenty years ago I doubt if five could have been
found. This neighborhood, too. abounds in plant
structures.

The advance in horticulture is one of the great
triumphs of our age. This period of a few
decades has seen the products of the whole world,
once unknown and despised, brought to our
doors and cultivated. Manufactures and the
arts are vastly indebted to the garden for their
success. We have employed new grasses for
useful purposes, and even subdued the hard
trees of the forest for paper.

SIR WILLIAM HOOKER'S MUSEUM.

One of the very useful thing? done by the late
Sir William Hooker, was the formation of a
museum in which he collected all the plants and
their woods that are useful to manufactures,
adding, with singular success, every manufac-
tured product from each kind ; an institution
that it will be well to keep in mind in our city,
whore the products of the mill, the loom, and
the workshop, so predominate. It should be
side by side with the proposed art gullery, and
may be considered quite as usefu'.

THE NEIGHBOEHOOD OF GERMANTOWN,

as I have said, is replete with means of study.
We have some native advantages of soil, eleva-
tion and water. We have resources in conser-
vatories, greenhouses, plant cases, and garden?.
We have also celebrated botanical fields.

FIELD ASSOCIATIONS.

It is now the custom in Great Britain, the
fashion I might say, to form field associations
from the members of the various horticultural
.societies, to explore different neighborhoods for
new and curious plants. They are attended by

187S.

THE GARBEJ^ER'S MOJ^'TBLY.

109

both ladies and gentlemen, affording opportuni- |
ty for social intercourse, while teachini^ valuable j
information. Herbariums are thus formed, and 1
a taste for botany is implanted. The members
of this little band might with jTreat advantage
institute such an association. Let them at the
same time, caution their excursionists, when
they discover a rich placer of the fringed Gen-
tain, the untamed Epigsea, or a rare fern, not
wantonly to pull all up by the roots, leaving
nothing for successors. Some of the best botan-
ical grounds have suffered total extinction in
this way. The native Kalmia, which was for-
merly abundant in this vicinity, has mostly dis-
appeared. The Gen tain and Epigjea are such
favorites that we are doing our very best to ex-
tinguish the race. This association should also
set its face against the too common theft of the
tops of evergreens for Christmas trees.

If we are rich beyond the average, in appli-
ances for instruction, we are moreover fortunate
in being near to our co-workers, the great

PHILADELPHIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,

of which many of us are members. To all the
associates of that time-honored institution we
shall extend the cordial hand of greeting, hoping
that we shall often have the pleasure of acknow-
ledging their presence, as well as their contribu-
tions and good will, and not only so, but all
similar societies everywhere. When they may
have new, rare, or useful, or ornamental objects,
we shall always welcome these also to our exhi-
bitions.

These displays should present some great
beauty or novelty. In this rural neighborhood,
wliero almost every hou.seholder has space
enough fsr cultivation of some fruits or flowers,
we shall be expected to show results that cannot
be obtained in the closely packed city. We shall
not grudge them their triumphs, but will endea-
vor to outvie them.

I must refer you to

THE LITERATURE OF DOTANY AND GARDENING,

as well as to their poetry. Fortunately these
are extensive and entertaining, from Pliny and
Evelyn to Cowper, while but y^-terday Whittier
has given us a poem about G^rm lutown, Pasto-
rius, the Aloe, and all that.

We place Cowper among the most pleasing of
the poets for his delicate appreciation of the
delights afforded hy a garden. Who does not
remember the lines beginning,

" Who loves a garden loves a greenhouse too ?"

But there may be others who will listen to the
description of the labors and troubles inevitable
to the cultivator. They forcibly recall the care
and attention bestov,'ed upon the flowers and
fruits provided for thy table and ball room. They
should be conned by the belle of the dance when
she is carelessly holding the petals that have cost
so much :

" Grudge not, ye rich," &c.
THE BOOKS OF THE MASTER MINTDS,

the great explorers of nature, are full of anec-
dote and interest, of knowledge and of fact.
The whole world has been, as it were but yester-
day, explored for the benefit of the botanist and
culturist.

AN UNDEVOUT BOTANIST.

If it be a truth that "an undev"*"*; astrono-
mer is mad," shall we not also say as fiuch of
the undevout botanist ? For, when he studies
the mystery of the science, he must arrive at the
fact that in the entire range of even the inani-
mate world there is the most evident design — a
design running through the whole enormous
catalogue, so extensive that the life of man is
not long enough to understand it all. This con-
sideration cannot fail to lead him onward in the
sublime pathway

"From Nature up to Nature's God."
LOUDON

is our great leader. His works may be consul-
ted with advantage by even the best informed.

DOWNING.

In our country, Downing happily appeared
just after steam navigation rendered it possible,
nay, easy, to import into America 'the rare trees
and plaut.s of all distant regions. He inaugura-
ted the (r,i of fine planting, and may be still
consulted on his topics, with the certainty of
obtaining correct information. He has been
followed by apt student.s, well informed, and
with a genius for his pursuit. His premature
death will be long mourned as a misfortune.

Remembering the

FRUITS, LARGE AND SMALL,

we must not forget, also, that to this society is
entrusted the teaching as to what fruits are the
best. The best raspberry or strawberry to
plant, will continue to be of interest so long as
new kinds are brought forward. The best
peaches, the best grapes for indoor or outdoor
culture, are wants of everybody who has a gar-
den. This society must keep pace with the
knowledge of the day, and it must show each in

110

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJs'TBLY.

April,

its season the very best, not only for marketing,
for that is often only the best for looks or easy to
transport, but the best for private families in
respect to flavor and beauty, as well as produc-
tiveness. The public will look forward to the
exhibitions of the Germantown Horticultural
Society for facts and truths in these matters, and
T feel sure they will not be disappointed.
In Europe, and especially on the continent,

THE ROSE

assumes an importance as yet comparatively
unknown among us. This again is due partly to
climate ; but they employ art, by grafting or bud-
ding the finest kinds as

STANDARDS,

four feet high, on the Manetti, or Dog rose
stocks, ^.f.. e have then a living bouquet of unri-
valled '/Cauty.

Life seems to me worth taking care of when,
every day in winter, we can enter and enjoy the
fragrance and the beauty of a well kept conser-
vatory or rose house. Gardeners should prepare
such gratifications for themselves, for according
to late statistics, they are

THE LONGEST LIVED

of all the professions. A recent paper read to
the Institute of Actuaries of Great Britain, on
the influence of occupation on health, shows the
ratio of mortality per thousand persons from 25
to 60 years of age to be of gardeners, 10.4 ; ma-
sons, 17.6; beer sellers, 21.5 ; wine and spirit
merchants, 25 ; inn and hotel keepers, 27. Be-
tween the ages of 45 and 65, 32.2 hotel keepers
die for every 14.5 gardeners. Let the German-
town venders of poison take note of it. It seems
as if, I might say, there is, besides the reform
association, an old man with a scythe on his
shoulder close behind them. Against his deci-
sion they will have no vote of option, local or
otherwise.

GEIOIANTOWN IS "WAKING T7P —

this society is one evidence, while there are
several other indications. Our infant society is
not alone ; but we have an especial aid to this
new impetus, without which our efforts would be
much retarded, in

THE GERMANTOWN DAILY CHRONICLE,

a most valuable institution for all good purposes,
and already affording evidence that it will give
to all our righlly directed movements its sub-
stantial aid. We have also the Oardener''s
Monthly, edited in Germantown, by one of the
best botanists aud practical cultivators in Amer-

ica, which circulates everywhere, to the enlight-
eament of thousands. Then we have the long
established Telegraph., a weekly so well-known
for its advocacy of farm and garden culture, that
it is only necessary to name it as another evi-
dence of Germantown progression.

[Mr. Smith then gave a vivid description of the
additional pleasure to be derived from a know
ledge of plants, which, wherever seen, stand up
to shake hands with us ; and added that in an
imaginary raodel republic, no one should be
allowed to travel who could not distinguish the
families at least to which flowers belong, or
know at sight our principal botanical riches.
He closed with the following, which is so good
that we cannot omit it, and with a vote of
thanks to the orator and contributors, a very
pleasant evening closed :]

THE LADTEP.

There can be no man here who is not cheered
to-night by the presence of the ladies. "Woman's
rights are sometimes discussed, but there is at
least one right she shall never be deprived of—
the right to possess, to control, t© work in. and
to thoroughly enjoy a garden. They do not
require, and do not want defenders. In a new
translation of Aristophanes, by an English cler-
gyman named Collins, I Sud the following free
lines from the women's chorus of a Greek play,
which run so trippingly, and are so appropriate,
that with them I close these hasty remarks,
which have already detained you too l«ng. But
the subject is re:illy inexhaustible.

Without the presence and approbation of the
ladies, no Horticultural society, no garden would
be attractive. They are the best patrons of the
advanced gardener. They are the best of crea-
tion— our household gods, in fact the fairest flow-
ers we have, or can hope to see :

" They're always abusing the women

As a terrible plague to men ;

They say we're the root of all evil,

And repeat it agaui and again.

Of war, and quarrels, and blood-shed,
All mischief too, be what it may ;

And pray, then, why do you marry us,
If we're all the plagues you say ?

And why do you take such care of us.

And keep us so safe at home.
And are never easy a moment
' If ever we chance to roam ?

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY.

Ill

When you ought to be thanking Heaven
That your Plague is out of the way,
You all keep fussing and fretting —
" Where is my Plague to-day ?"

If a Plague peeps out of the window,
Up go the eyes of the men ;

If she hides, they all keep staring
Until she looks out again."

THE CURCULIO AND THE PEA BEETLE.

BY 8. 8. K.

At the late meeting of the Pennsylvania Fruit
Grower's Society, held at Reading, Penna., it
appears that Col. John A. Sheetz. of Womels-
dorf, stated "that he had discovered a remark-
able similarity between the curculio of the plum
and the pi v beetle, and from a microscopic ex-
amination, regarded them as the same.'' To
our apprehension, that "'discovery " was not a
ve\'y "remarkable '' one, for there is a mimicry
in the insect realm, through which a superficial
observer may readily confound one species with
anotlier, even belonging to different orders. But
when a " microscopic exarainatiou " is made by
one professing to study the distinctive charac-
ters of insects, we look for conclusions more
definite and reliable than those Mr. Sheetz has
come to.

The plum curculio and the pea beetle are no
more "the same " than a sheep and a goat are
the same, or a horse and an ass. It is a reflec-
tion upon the entomological researches of more
than half a century to make .'^uch a .statement at
this time. If they were the same we might soon
be rid of them ; for it would only require a uni-
versal consent to destroy all the infested peas
and such is the antipathy to the cure lio^ that
the country would cheerfully make the sacrifice
in order to destroy so formidable a foe to peaches
and plums as that insect is.

The statement hardly needs a refutation— the
two insects being so dissimilar in their stuctures
and habits ; and yet it was made so confidently,
and before such an intelligent body of men, in-
volving as it did, such an important interest,
that many of the members were taken "aback,'
and hardly knevv what reply to make. Of course
it is well known to the commonest observer that
the pea beetle passes its larval, pupal, and hy-
bernating periods within the seed of the pea, and
nowhere else, unless the life of a mature indivi-
dual should be prolonged into the winter follow-
ing its summer sojourn.

This is not the case with the plum curculio,
which it is just as well known, passes its larval
period in a plum, a peach, a cherry, or some
other kind of fruit, and its pupal and hyberna-
ting periods in the ground. But these two in-
sects dirter quite as much in their forms as they
do in their habits. They do not belong to the
same family, and therefore quite distinct.

The pea' beetle, (Bruckus j^isi), is the type of
the family Brachidoe^ a term derived from the
(ireek, which means to bite; and it has not the
extended proboscis, or snout, which distin-
guishes the plum curculio, nor yet its rough or
tubercular wmg covers. There are at least fif-
teen species of these bruchians known to Amer-
ican entomology, a'l of which deposit their eggs
in the germs of peas, beans, and other legumi.
nous plants. But there are several other allied
genera also destitute of the long snout.

(JurcuUo, which is Latin, and simply means a
corn worm, is the type of a large family of "snout
beetles," or weevils, [Curculionidce), but as a
distinctive genus, has now, so far as I know, not
a single species in this country. They are all
ruled out into other genera. In the time of Lin-
nseus, this term would have included the whole
three hundred species or more, now known to
American entomology, but not one of which is re-
tained in the original genus curculio. This term
has become popularized, and is mainly applied
to the in.sect that infests the peaches and the
plums, Conotrachelus nenuphar, and yet we have
twelve or fourteen species belonging to this
genus.

Practically speaking, therefore, we have at
least three hundred species of curculiaus, or
snout beetles, divided into some seventy-five or
eighty genera, without including any of the
bruchians ; and these vary in size from the head
of a small pin up to an inch and a halt or more
in length. They infest seeds, grains, nuts, fruits
and timber, as well as the leaves and stems of
vegetation. Each is organically adapted to the
substance upon which it feeds. Those which
intest the chinquapin and the chestnut, have a
rostrum or snout, long enough to penetrate the
fruit, in sftite of ihe defending spines. Each has
an interesting, if not a useful history, which
will probably never be written, and if writtePf
perhaps never would be read.

I regret that these things are not more gener-
ally read and retained, for no true entomologist
desires to monopolize the knowledge extant on
this subject, and hide it " under a bushel.'' JSTor

112

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLl,

ApTil,

do I desire to so magnify this subject that it will
discourage amateurs or others from investiga-
ting and exploring the deep arcana of the insect
■world. But I wish to impress the fact that the
scientific status of the plum weevil and the p 'a
beetle have been fixed long ago, and therefore
all speculations intending to identify them as the
same insect, are worse than useless, and is not
the kind of knowledge that the farmer and fruit
grower now most needs. Science has establish-
ed what these insects are, and when and where
to look for them, and it is left to those who
encounter them in their daily avocations to de-

termine what is the best remedy for their destruc-
tion, and how and where to apply it.

Col. Sheetz said that he found jarring the trees,
and syringing them with dilute carbolic acid,
effective remedies. This is good common sense,
and witheut disregarding other auxiliary reme-
dies, is perhaps, the best that has yet been dis-
covered. But if we can bring our fruit trees
into a profuse bearing condition, one need not
dread the curculio. There were as many curcu-
lios when I was a boy as there are now, but there
was immensely more fruit, and this insect pruned
it out.

EDITOE lAL

IMPROVEMENT OF FLOWERS.

Everyone knows how great, a variety a few
simple forms of flowers have given us. A
very few years ago we had but one or two Ver-
benas, Pansies, Gerauiuras, Fuchsias, Chrys-
anthemums, A«d-so-^rth,-^but how many we
have now needs no remark.

It is usual to speak of the vast changes in these
few simple flowers, as being the result of the
florist's skill. It is said that these numerous va-
rieties are the result of the florist's knowledge
in hybridizing ; and it is very common to give to
hybridization all the credit for the great change.
"We have to thank the florist undoubtedly ; but
it is rather the florist's care than the florist's
skill. It is Nature herself which changes. The
Florist does little more than say in which direc-
tion the change shall go.

It is recognized that Nature will change of
her own unaided power. Florists call these
changes "variations." There is no hybridiza-
tion required ; no peculiar soil or treatment
brings it about ; but all at once, and no one
knows wh}', some new form will appear, so far
as the human mind has yet discovered, inde-
pendent of any extraneous agency whatever.
Science has recognized this tendency to change
under the name of "Evolution;" and some
have endeavored even to account for the origin
of species by taking these known variations as a
basis, and running change back to an unlimited
degree.

However this may be, our purpose here is to
show our readers that this principle of inherent

change is possessed by all plants, independent of
cross fertilization, and that this principle is
really of more importince in the improvement of
our races of flowers than is generally supposed.

For instance, there was but one species of
Dahlia introduced. There vvas nothing to hy-
bridize with, yet b}' watching for Nature's vol-
untary changes, saving seed from these ad-
vanced individuals, and so on again and again,
we have brought the D.ihlia up to its present
stage. In the Dahlia there has been hardly the
attempt at hybridization, yet we see how nume-
rous and hovv striking have been the changes.
The original wild Dahlia, when first brought to
the notice of cultivators, had little more to re-
commend it than the wild asters of our woods
and fields

The Cineraria is another plant of which we
had but one solitary species to begin with, as is
also true of the Carnation, Heliotrope, Pansy,
Petunia, Hollyhock, China Aster and many
other things. There are allied species of some
of these known, but they had no hand in the
change we now see. In a state of nature these
things change just as much as they do under
culture ; but Nature does not select as man
does, and hence, they generally get crowded
out. Indeed, it has always seemed to the writer
that the principles of the struggle for life, on
which M*>» Darwin founded his theoi-y of natu-
ral selection to account for the origin of species,
would in as many cases operate against the con-
tinuance of new forms, as in favor of their pre-
servation. A single individual, though with

1873.

THE GARBEJfER'S MOJVTELT.

lis

Brobdignagian proportions, is likely to suc-
cumb if attacked at once by a thousand Lillipu-
tians.

So far as hybridization is concerned, we do
not owe very much to it in starting our first
variations in florists' flowers. The Fuchsia,
Pentstemon, Phloxes, Tropoeolums and a few
others were, it is true, of not much importance
as florists' flowers, until cross impregnation
was resorted to. But it is just as likely that if the
attempt had been made independent of this
cross practice, that just as striking changes
might have been found to result from simple
evolution with selection, as from the use of the
pollen of difiering forms in hybridization.

Our object in this paper is to encourage our
readers to try themselves and aid floral progress
in the evolution of new forms. There is no one
who grows a flower of any kind, but may pro-
duce something more striking than the horticul-
tural world has yet seen. It may be that we
have a plant growing which produces a long,
narrow petal, and we know if it were broad or
round how beautiful it would be. Sowing seed
from this we note among the progeny one which
has a little broader petal than another. Seed
from this again, and selecting again the broad-
est will in all probability produce the desired re-
sult. This is the way the Pansy was first
brought to its present perfection of form. In its
wild state, in English corn-flelds, the two upper
petals are much the largest, and often the two
lateral ones are less than the bottom one ; but by
gradually selecting from those which exhibited
an increase in the proportionate size of these
lower petals, the perfectly round ones so prized
by florists have been obtained. It is the same
in regard to the thick velvety petals, so much
admired in this flower ; color, markings, outline,
and so forth ; and it is in this way that we have
got so much more of value in floral variety, and
in the rare and beautiful form.

There is no mystery about it. Any one may
be an improver who so desires.

PREEZIKG OF THE SAP IN PLANTS.

If people would only reflect that very few
things are more than partially true, we should
have fewer errors in the world. Absolute truth
is rare yet in society, in politics, and in science
itself. "Principles" are brought forward on
which to establish law, which are only correct
" so far as they go ;'' but on the supposition that

they are wholly correct, get us into trouble all
round.

In Horticulture this is particularly the case.
One man institutes a set of experiments, which
result in a certain way, and all the world forever
afterwards applies this single experiment to all
sorts of things, in all sorts of times, and under
the most opposite circumstances. To-day, if we
are to discuss any question in vegetable physiol-
ogy, it is a rare chance if we are not referred to
Grew, or Hale, or Senebier, or Loudon, or
Knight, or Lindley, who made a few score of ex-
periments, in the long dim light of ages past.
No one worships these great heroes in science,
be they living or dead, more than we do ; but
we contend that common sense is a better guide
than the most inspired leader science ever bore
for us. In regard to the sap freezing question,
we found years ago that "authority" was
against us. We thought however we had placed
it in the light of common sense, and that the
world had followed us wholly by this time. But
it appears not wholly, as the following from the
New England Farmer shows :

"At the risk of being classed with the irreverent
radical, I feel obliged, notwithstanding my great
respect for the learned gentleman, to say that Presi-
dent Meeban and I differ in opinion on the matter
of the freezing of sap in plants. I cannot agree with
him that " the sap in plants, like the blood in ani-
mals, cannot freeze and retain life." From the
plant itself, a better authority, I get a different state-
ment.

"For instance : I have repeatedly taken gerani-
ums from my garden and potted them for the house,
after the succulent leaves bad been frozen stiff, and
those same leaves remained on the plants green and
healthy for months afterward. Here the sap was
surely frozen ; but cold water was freely showered
over the plant, and it came out uninjured. If the
tender geranium can thus live after the freezing of
its sap, it would seem likely that the oak and pine
can do it as well.

"As to the freezing of the roots of plants— who
doubts that the roots of the parsnips we leave in the
ground through the winter freeze with the ground
in which they are enclosed ? Do we not leave them
there because we believe freezing improves their
flavor ? It is no uncommon thing for turnips to be
frozen into the ground in the autumn— frozen
thoroui^hly to the heart— and yet when they have
afterward thawed gradually with the ground, and
been carefully harvested and stored where they will
not again freeze, they may the next season be suc-
cessfully used to raise seed from. It also frequently
happens that small turnips which are left in the
ground all winter where they grew, will, in the
spring, send out new leaves, and shoot up a seed
stem. In this we have evidence that the sap in the
roots of some plants may be frozen without destroy-
ing the plant ; and if the roots of these very juicy
plants may survive severe freezing, does it not seem

lljf

THE GARDE JEER'S MOJ^THLY.

Aprilf

at least as likely that the roots of any of our hardy
trees may be so constituted as to bear uninjured the
eflFects of frost?"

We like the tone of this communication. The
appeal to the plant suits us exactly ; but lest we
mistake the plant's language, let us first take
common sense. This great authority tells us
that life itself is but heat transformed, that with-
out heat there can be no life. When, therefore,
a plant is frozen — wlien, in other words, it has
lost its heat, for life cannot be sustained at so
low a temperature as 32 \ we think the living
thing must go. If therefore the plant tells us
" it is alive " after its internal temperature has
fallen below 32", we*prefer not to believe it, but
would rather imagine that its spirit has been
called up by some medium to answer for it.

Again, common sense tells us that water when
it freezes expands. If there be any who do not
understand this, let them put a bottle of water
out in the frost. It will burst. A turnip or par-
snip is mostly water, and if it really froze there
would be the biggest kind of expansion ; but a
parsnip three inches thick in the fall of the year,
will be found to be only three inches thick in the
ground, though the thermometer be at zero, and
we should therefore doubt whether the parsnip
told the truth if it said to us that it was frozen
through. But common sense still helps us fur-
ther. In all the liquids frozen through, we have
never been able to make a knife penetrate. If
any one doubt this, let him try the nearest icicle
hanging from tree or roof. But we never yet
saw the parsnip, however badly "frozen,'' that
we could not readily run a knife through and
through, though mostly water.

Beyond all this, every one knows that at the
fall of the leaf, there is no sap to speak of in the
maple tree. We may not only pierce the bark^
but cut a branch clear across, and only see the
faintest moisture. A frost follows at once. The
branches are "frozen solid," for of course if the
"roots protected by earth freeze, the unprotected
branches must have a worse ordeal. They
remain " frozen solid " till towards spring, when
though all nature is still " frozen solid," the sap
flows vigorously from the wounded stem. Now
common sense tells us that liquid will not flow
up through matter "frozen solid,'" and yet this
liquid somehow did flow up through the system
during this severe winter weather. I

Well all the great names may tell us the plant j
was frozen through--the plant itself may, as our
New England correspondent says it does, say it

is frozen through, but we prefer common sense,
and don't believe it.

But we have often been over this ground in
the Gardener's Monthly, and in these past arti-
cles, have shown that the plants themselves told
us a difierent tale from what they told to our
New England friend. But we thought in this
article we would appeal rather to common sense
than to isolated facts, and notice whether or not
it would have more effect than the other line of
argument seems to have had.

/ ^. OBITUARY.

I DR. JOHN TORREY.

I On the 10th of March, in the 80th year of his

j age, passed away the father of modern botany.

I In its earl3' history, America had many who did

I it honor ; but the botany of every age seems to

i be of a distinct character from that which pre-

I ceded it, and botany as it is now in our land,

I dates in a great measure from the ^omraence-

1 Ha©«t of Dr. Torrey's career. When the Whip-

I pie Exploring Expedition returned, the plant

I collections were determined chiefly by Dr. Tor-

j rey, and the result placed him at once, though

still young, among the leading botanists of the

j world. He was so painstaking and so thorough

I in his investigations, and his knowledge of plant

j structure and plant life through all its morpho-

! logical and physiological changes so complete,

[ that he was particularly apt in taking in the

best specific and generic character in his dis

crimination, and thus it came that a plant

named by Dr. Torrey was rarely found to belong

to any other position than that in which he had

placed it, and his names consequently, rarely

changed* ««• disturbed:

But the great charm of Dr. Torrey's career
was his personal character, which seemed to
attract others to him almost on a mere acquaint-
ance, and led them on to share his overflowing
enthusiasm in the pursuits he loved. It is very
questionable if we should have had an Asa Gray
if we had not first been blessed by a Torrey, and
in one way or anotlier, thousands can trace their
enhanced love of nature, and consequent increas-
ed pleasures of life, to the character and labors
of this good man. A poet says that when a
good man dies the angels weep. They love man-
kind, and they know how rare and how benefi-
cent to his fellows is a truly good man. Such a
character as Dr. Torrey's might well have sug-
gested such a thought jts^thts.
Though well nigh an octogenarian, he seemed

187S.

C}

~~TEE GARDEJ\rER'S MONTHLY,

115

so Btroug and active that it is hard to realize
that he is taken away. It seems but yesterday
that we could almost hear the sound of his voice
coming out of the letters of his clear and distinct
"hand writing. He had written for the writer's
photograph, and the letter was in reply. As a
general thing, we seldom publish private corres-
pondence, but this last note we ever received
from him is so overflowing with good will for all,
and so characteristic of the, enthusiasm of the
man, that we are sure his friends will pardon
us :

JVe?« Tor}:, October 12th, 1S72.
My Dear Mr. Meehan :— ";;;:

On my return from California and Colorado,
after an absence of more than two months, I i
found your esteemed favor of August 7lh, en- ;
closing a photograph of yourself. I shall place :
the latter in m3' album of botanists, of which I
have now a pretty large number. Please accept |
a carte of my own old flice, taken from a nega-
tive for which I sat in July last.

My late journey was the second I have made
to California, for I was there in 18G5 ; but I had
never till this season visited Colorado. On my
■way (accompanied by one of ray daughters)
' across the continent, I met at Cheyenne, Mr*
John Redfield and his daughter. They had just
come from Colorado, and were going to Califor-
nia, so we had their pleasant company for near-
ly a month. Mr. R., although an active busi-
ness man, is an ardent lover of natural sciences,
and especially of botany. A letter just received
from him, states that in his journey he collected
specimens of 570 species of plants, and brought
them home in good condition. He is a member
of the Philadelphia Academy Natural Sciences,
and you may be acquainted with him.

I collected pretty largely myself, and although
I found little that was new, I had great pleasure
in seeing and preserving a goodly number of my
old acquaintances. In Colorado I spent most of
my time in the mountainous part of the territory,
and visited Gray's Peak. Saw Dr. Parry, and
spent two days with him at Empire City, which
had been his headquarters for several months.
Two or three times a week he ascended some
mountain to collect herbarium specimens and
seeds.

Do you correspond with B61ander & Bloomer,
of California ? Both of them collect roots, bulbs
and seeds as part of their business.

I did not go to Dubuque, for to do so would
prevent my visiting the more interesting regions

west and southwest. You have probably read
Dr. Gray's address on the (' B g Trees.";

Hoping to see you next winter, or earlier, in
Philadelphia, and to have a good botanical talk
with you,

I remain, cordially yours,

John Torret.

P.S.— Don't you rejoice over Dr. Hooker's
triumph ?•

As tospecifyingall the work which Dr. Torrey
has done, it is so well known that it is unneces-
sarv. It is like painting the lily. It is enough
that we present the flower, and ask all to admire
its purity and fragrance. t

nON. SIMON BROWN.

Agricultural literature has met with a loss in
the person of Hon. Simon Brown. For years
past he has been one of the editors of the New
England Farmer, which by his labors, has
achieved a leading position among the agrioul
tural literature of the day. Like so many agri-
culturists and horticulturists rocently deceased,
Mr. Brown was as highly esteemed for his many
virtues as a man, as for the excellent influence
he exerted on progressive agriculture.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

DOMESTIC

Ten perature to Grow Mushrooms. In past
numbers of the Gar(1ener"s Monthly, we have
stated that the chief points in successful mush-
room culture is to be able to preserve an uniform
Jltmosphere as regards moisture and heat, and
that about Go^ is the temperature required. We
have heard it stated that a much lower tempera-
ture than tins is sutBcient. This winter we have
had an opportunity of observing the continuous
production of mushrooms naturally in a green-
house. Plunging a thermometer in the ground
tlie earth proved 02°, and the atmosphere at the
surface T2\ We still think about 65" is the
figure to aim at.

American Pomoloqical Society. We notice in
some quarters a disposition to urge on the
American Pomological Society a departure from
its legitimate work and enter the field of general
horticulture. The same class of persons have
been for years urging that we should add an
"agricultural department," a "household de-
partment," a "youth's department,'" and no
end of other "departments '' to the Gardener^s
Mofxthly.

116

THE GARDEJ^ER'8 MOJiTHLY.

April,

"We cannot enter here into the reasons why we
are compelled to dissent from the opinions of our
good friends, nor will we attempt to show why
it would be unwise in the Pomological Society to
depart from its chosen mission. But we will
say emphatically and briefly to the gentlemen
who have at heart the interest of the society,
don't make the change proposed.

Wliat are Good Flowers. In Europe, the im-
provers of florist's flowers feek to get races of
flowers on certain set standards. A perfectly cir-
cular outline is generally the first consideration.
All those which have not this character are gen-
erally discarded, no matter what other good
points they may have. In this matter we have
reference chiefly to the Dahlia, Pansy, Gerani-
um, Cineraria and Primula. Then the colors
are to be distinct when there are more than one,
not run into one another, as if one had been try-
ing to write with ink on damp paper. The Cin-
eraria and Pans}' particularly have been brought
to great perfection in these particulars.

Errors. Once in a while some friend calls to
our attention some error in some body's paper,
•which it is thought we ought to notice and cor-
rect. But we feel that we have blunders enough
of our own, and it is none of our business what
other people do. But when an intelligent cotem-
porary writes the Cryptomeria japonica as the
Crypiogamia japonka, the blunder is so amusing
that one may be excused a laugh just this one
time.

Post- Office Peculiarities. Among the papers
•which have ably aided us in our eflbrts for Post-
office reform, the New York Weekly Tribune has
been particulary conspicuous. Quoting some
remarks of ours recently, it pointedly adds :

" The Post-OflBce is the people's institution. It
is a necessity of their prosperity and happiness and
comfort. Its management should be plain and sim-
ple, and the price of its services should be as small
as possible. What it undertakes to do it should do
promptly, always manifesting a spirit of accommoda-
tion, and keeping clear of ungenerous suspicious.
The number of those who care to cheat the Post-
Office is very small, but the Department always acts
as if everybody had entered into a conspiracy to
swindle it out of a shilling or so."

Cut Flowers. Large numbers of people in our
Eastern towns, who feel that it is inconvenient
for them to grow flowers for themselves, now
have a basket or bouquet of flowers sent regular-
ly to their houses once a week from the florists.
It is a very pretty custom, and one which gives
perhaps as much real gratification as any one of
the many fancies "w^hicb society people indulge

in. A Xew York paper, noticing this growing^
fashion, says the following are some of the prices
which ruled there the past season :

"The following will show the prices paid for
leading sorts this winter : The price of a handsome
basket is from five to fifty dollars. Bouquets can
be made at from three to twenty-five dollars. Single
rosebuds cost twenty five cents, and carnations
twenty cents. Smilax is sold at one dollar a yard,
and violets by the dozen at twelve cents. One
spray of lilies of the valley costs twenty-five cents."

WhaVs in a Nctmef Some of our English
cotemporaries are joining with us in protesting
against the ten rod names some varieties are
receiving. One says he was looking at what he
supposed to be an old fiishioned Daflfodil, when
he thought he heard it exclaim : " Look at me !"
" They call me now Pseudo-Xarcissus aureus
maxiQius flore pleno sive roseus Tradescanti,
and have doubled my price accordingly."

The Poison Vine. "We have frequently seen
cows eat the young growth of the poison vine,
and never knew any harm result to the cow.
Some people however have an idea that " milk
sickness '' in children results from this milk,
but it may be but a supposition.

The following from the Pacific Bural Press,
shows that it has not resulted in injury whea ,
eaten there :

" Experiments with animals go to prove that
Poison Oak, (rhiis toxicodendron), may be eaten
with impunity- Indeed, we have frequently heard
it asserted by persons in California that they have
seen it eaten by men, with a view of its acting as an
antidote to its poison externally, or from mere brag-
gadocio. All Califoruians are aware of the violence
with which its juice acts when applied to the skin
of most persons, many being severelj' poisoned by
its slightest touch. It is also claimed that some
people are so sensitive to its action as to be seriously
poisoned by its exhalations, without any contact
whatever with either its juice or foliage. — Pacific
Bural Press.

New English Peas. Kecently we remarked
on the passion developed by our English friends
for new peas. They are quite excusable, for
there has been remarkable improvement in them
of late years. The English climate is more
favorable for the full development of the pea than
ours is, and those who have had no experience
in English gardening can scarcely imagine how
very fine they are. In order to give our readers
an idea of how fine these new peas are, and how
magnificently they grow in Europe, we give an
engraving from a jjhotograph taken in England
of Carter's " G. F. Wilson " marrow pea. Most
of the wrinkled marrow peas are late peas.
This one ranks with the very early kinds.

1873.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^'THLY,

117

lis

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTELY.

April,

Hot-Water Heativg. When a couple of years
or 80 ago, we tried to explain how hot water cir-
culated, and expressed our belief that gravita-
tion had more to do with it than any other prin-
ciple— though of course not alone — we had no
idea of starling such an interesting discussion as
has since taken place. Mr. Saunders has since
become the leading centre around which the
gravitating men have gravitated, and he de-
serves the honor, for he has attempted what so
few disputants do, the proving of his faith by his
works. In a local newspaper before us, we find
an account of his boiler erected on this principle.
The account says it has worked like a charm
this winter. The pipes are 2500 feet. At 340
feet from the boiler, one may get the St. Vitus
dance by accidentally sitting on the pipe.

Essay on Tree Culture. The Nebraska State
Horticultural Society offered a premium of $200
for the best essay on tree culture. This has
been secured by Mr. J, T. Allan, of Omaha, one
of the largest timber growers in that part of the
world.

The Madrona Tree. This is the Arbutus
Jdenziesii. Dr. Kellogg, in California Horticul-
turist, writes enthusiastically in praise of this
Californian tree. In its evergreen character, he
says it is the equal of Magnolia grandiflora. The
orange and red berries are delicious to the taste
— the white and blushing blooms are magnifi-
cent. Even the old leaves are grand when they
fade, changing from green to gold and purple-
It throws up " knees ' like the Taxodium diatich-
um. Reading this article made us feel a deep
regret that all attempt to make it like our Atlan-
tic climate has failed.

Drouth as a Fertilizer. Our agricultural
friends do not keep pace with their horticultural
brethren, in pressing advancing science into
their cause as they go along. Witness the fol-
lowing from the Country Gentlemen :

" B F. J. attributes the favorable condition of tlie
corn crop to the protracted drouths of 1870 and 1871,
and points to it as 'a piece of strong testimouy,
going to show that the tendency of plant food is al-
ways, except during a rainfall, toward the surface ol
the earth.'

"This may be; and fruitful seasons follow a
drouth, but only when they are favorable or rainy
seasons, showery and warm, like tlie present. One
drouth following anotl)er, as in the past two years,
shows little or no difference. Would another anr''
another added make the difference more clear V
Have we data to this effect ? On the other hand,
will not two or more favorable (moist) seasons in
uccession produce good crops ? Not so good the
last, pn bably. in consequence of material being
abstracted from the soil, which is less the case wheie

the growth is less as in a drouth, and may account
for the improvement, as land lying idle or ' resting'
is thought to improve.

" If the fertilizinc; matter is brought to the surface
by the heat, or the dryness of the land, or by any
other means during a drouth, it is clear also that it
may be carried further and escape, and there is no
question but this is the case where the soil is quite
dry and well heated In this light a drouth is a
damage ultimately, as though it may set loose unde-
composed matter, it will al«o lose some. We pre-
fer moist, growing seasons — avoiding extremes of
moisture— as they are not onh- the most productive,
but furnish material for enrichinij the land. Thus
what the rains bring down and the air furnishes to
the plant, increases the root material, the refuse of
the stem and the aftermath. Timely rains and
warmth are the great agents of ajirlculture. What
interferes with these must be a loss."

We think our readers have learned the lesson
so well that we never, never repeat it again. It
is that dry earth absorbs ammonia from the
atmosphere— wet soil docs not, therefore, a dry
time is particularly favorable to enriching a soil,
so far as ammonia will do it. This is the under-
lying principle of the fertilizing of soils by
drouth. This fiict is now so well demonstrated,
that "earth closets "' are the result.

Seventfen Year Locusts. Prof. C. V. Riley is
very anxious to get information about the ap-
pearance of the Cicadas, or so called 17 and 13
year locusts. It will oblige the editor of the
Gardener\s Monthly if any one who may get any
information this year will send it at once to Prof.^
R., at St. Louis. We extract from Mr. Riley's
report below by which people will see what he
wants to know :

BjtoOD wii. — Tredecim — 1859, 1873.

In the year 1873, and at intervals of thirteen yeara
thereafter, they will in all probability appear in
.Jackson county and around Cobden and Jonesboro,
in Union count}', south Illinois, in Kansas, Missou-
ri. Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi.

According to Mr, Paul Frick. of Jonesboro, they
were in Uni(m county. 111., in 1858, and he also
thinks it was a great year for them about 1833.
Those of 1858 were probably premature stragglers
of the 1859 brood, while Mr. Frick is most likely
mistaken as to the year 1832, since the Rev. George
\V. Ferrell, of Cobden, Union county, witnessed
their appearance at that place in 1838, and also in
184fi and 1859 ; and Cyrus Thomas has also record-
ed tlieii- appearance in 1859 in the fifth report of the
Illinois State xVgricultural Sfr-ciety, page 458, while
a paragraph in the Baltimore fMd.J Sun, of June
13, 18"9, says "the locusts have made their appear-
ance in • Egypt,' in southern Illinois, and cover
woods and orchards in swarms." This brood not
imiirobably extends westward into Missouri, for
several of the old settlers around Eureka, in St.
Louis county. Mo., recollect it being " locust year "
about the time of its last appearance, while Mr. L.
D. Votaw. of Eureka, and Wm. Muir, of Fox
Creek, Mo., both believe it was exactly nine years

187S.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOKTELY.

119

*go. or in the year 1859. Dr. Smith records it in
DeKalb. Qwinett and Newton counties, Georgia, in
1846 and '59; in the northern part of Tennessee,
also in 1846 and '59 ; in the whole eastern portion
of Missii-sippi from the ridge, which is 45 miles from
the river, on the west to the eastern boundary in
1830, '33, '46 and '59 ; in Carroll Parish, Louisiana,
in 1859 ; and in Philips county, Kansas, in the
same year.

By referring to brood XV, it will be seen that in
1846, or during the first year of the Mexican war,
this thirteen year brood appeared simultaneously
with a seventeen year brood in western Pennsyl-
vania and Ohio.

I have abundant proof of their appearance in
south Illinois, especially in Union county, in St.
Louis county, in Missouri, in Tennessee and Missis-
sippi, but not in Georgia or Louisiana.

BROOD VIII. — Sepetemdecim — 1855, 1872.

In the year 1873, being the same year as the pre-
ceding, and at intervals of seventeen years there-
after, they will, in all probability, appear in the
southeastern part of Massachusetts, across Long
Island ; alona: the Atlantic coast to Chesapeake Bay,
and up the Susquehanna at least as far as to Carlisle
in Pennsylvania ; also, in Kentucky, at Kanawha
in Virginia, and Gallipolis, Ohio, on the Ohio river.
This is the brood referred to in brood V. , and which
there is every reason to believe is the one recorded
bv Morton in his "Memorial," as occurring in
1633.

Dr. Fitch, in the account of his third brood, (N.
T. Rep I., p. 39), says: "The third brood ap
pears to have the most extensive geographical range.
Prom the southeastern pait of Massachusetts, it ex-
tends across Long Island, and along the Atlantic
coast to Chesapeake Bay, and up the Susquehanna
at least as far as to Carlisle in Pennsylvania ; and it
probably reaches continuously west to the Ohio, for
it occupies the valley of that river at Kanawha in
Virginia, and onwards to its mouth, and down the
valley of the Mississippi probably to its moutb, and
up its tributaries, west, into the Indian Territory.
This brood has appeared the present year. 1855, and
I have received specimens from Long Island, from

south Illinois, and the Creek Indian country west

of Arkansas," etc.

Tliere is every reason to beieve that Dr. Fitch,
in this account, has confounded this sepetemdecim
brood VIII., with the ereat tredecim brood XVIII.,
for it so happened that^ they both occurred simulta-
neously in 1855, but the exact dividing line of these
two broods is not so easily ascertained. Certainly,
after reaching the Ohio river, the septemdecim brood
extends beyond Gallipolis, Ohio,. for Prof. Potter,
in his "Notes on the Cicada decern septima,"
records their appearance at that place in 1831 ; and
Pr. Smith records their appearance at Frankfort,
Lexington and Flemingsburg, Kentucky, in 1838
and 1855. But I strongly incline to believe that
well nigh the rest of the territory mentioned by Dr.
Fitch was occupied by the tredecim brood, the
reasons for which belief will be fuund in the
account of brood XVIII.

Cicadas also appeared in Buncombe and McDow-
ell counties. North Carolina, in 1855, but until they
appear there again it will be impossible to say, pos-
itively, whether they belong to this septemdecim
brood VIII., or to the tredecit7ihvood XVIII-

Horticultural Journals. — Miss B. L. P. —
The Gardener's Monthly, Philadelphia, and
the Horticulturist, Xew York, are the principal
horticultural journals. Vou will also find much
horticultural matter in the American Agricultu-
rist.

Agreed, but don't ignore the Farmer and Gar-
dener, which has some claims upon Southern
horticulture. So says the Farmer and Garden-
er, and we extract its remarks for the purpose
of saying that no Southerner can afford to do
without the Farmer and Gardener, which, with
its horticultural department in the hands of Mr.
Berckmans, treats horticultural matters suited
to that section of the country in a way which
not even the best magazines of Philadelphia or
New York has the opportunity to do.

SCHAPS AND aUERIES.

Best Time to Cut Grafts. — S. asks :
" Does there take place any chemical change in
the sap of a scion remaining on the tree till mild
winter or early spring ; or is there any change
in the physical condition between say December
1st and March 1st ? I have often been told by
those who make orchard top grafting a business,
that they would much rather have scions cut in
March to those cut in early winter, no matter
how well the latter are preserved. Conversing

with a man who has, probably, set more orchard
grafts than any man in the United States, he
said twenty-flve years of extensive experience
had proved to him beyond doubt, that scions cut
in March, if not hurt by winter, were far better
than those cut in early winter, no matter how
well kept. Nurserymen think scions for root
grafting must be cut early. Spread a little ink,
friend Meehan, on this subject."

[We see here the importance of what is termed

ito

THE GARDENER'S MOJMTELY.

April,

"abstract scipnce." Those who believe that
the sap of trees remain frozen solid through the
winter, must of necessity, answer this question
negatively — that is that there is no change in
the sap, for vital action cannot go on when the
juices are frozen solid. The change from starch
to sugar is a vital, not a chemical process, and
the change of the starchy matter of the sugar
maple in the fall to the saccharine juice of !
spring must be the result of vital action going i
on in the unfrozen juices during winter. i

We see, therefore, that there is vital action in
vegetation during the winter, and thus under-
stand that it is quite possible for some difference
to be seen in the vitality of grafts as noticed by
our correspondent. We do not know from expe-
rience that it is so ; but it is evident from the
experience referred to, that it may not be alto-
gether an illusion.]

Gladiolus Bulblets.— TF. K. T., Barnes-
ville, 0. asks: "Will you please give through
the Garfkner's Montlily^ the best mode of grow-
ing Gladiolus bulbs from small bulblets.''

[Our own plan is to put them thickly in boxes
of earth, as soon as taken from the parent bulb
in the fall. Let them sprout as they may in the
cool greenhouse during winter, and then dibble
them out in spring.]

identifying roses as in strawberries or apples.
It is quite likely roses themselves take to vary-
ing a little at times independently of seeds. For
instance there is a Triumphe de Luxemburg
about Philadelphia, which is much better than
some others. Some florists regard them as dis-
tinct, but there is little doubt they are all from
one stock. Some think this improved Luxem-
burg is the same as Bonne Silene, but there
seems to us to be a slight difference. The fact
is for winter cutting, for which Bonne Silene is
so popular, any one of these roses will satisfy
any one.

Fruit Prospects at South Pass, Ills. —
P. E., March Isi, writes: "Peaches all killed
in Illinois, except a few at Villa Ridge, near
Cairo. The trees generally killed in the central
part of State. It has been a disastrous winter
for westei'u horticulture. Pears not injured
here, but reported so fiirther north. Mercury
went 35 and 40' below in central Illinois— here
it was 14°."

Address on Hedges.— i5. P., Camden^ N.
J. writes: "I have seen with some interest,
the remarks of Mr. P Morris in regard to your
address at Reading, on the hedge question. It
is a subject which we are all interested in about
here, and there was just enough reported to
make us wish for the whole. Cannot you give
it entire in the Garclener''s Monthly?''^

[The address referred to was given off-hand,
and we are, therefore, unable to meet our corres-
pondent's wishes. There was a phonographic
reporter present, hut in whose employ we do not
know. We suppose it \'^ill turn up some day,
and if so, will make a note of it for our corres-
pondent's benefit.]

Bonne Silene Rose. — A correspondent asks
whether we know this rose to be distinct from
Gouboult ? We have not seen this rose for
some years, but our impression is that it is not
the same. It is, however, difficult to decide a
question of this kind from memory, and without
the two plants side by side.

There is getting to be as much trouble in

Asbestos Roofing.— Cheap roofing material
is eagerly sought after by so many people, that
every new idea is welcomed when it promises
well. We have had our attention called to the
asbestos roofing material, introduced by Mr.
Johns, and believe from all that we have heard
of it, that it does not disappoint those who have
put their faith in it. It is said to be fire proof,
and this alone gives it advantages over many
articles in common use.

Wood Lice in Greenhouses. —-lies. D. E.
H., Middlehurg, asks: "Will you please tell
me through your Monthly, without giving my
name, how to rid my gre^^nhouse of the wood
lice, which trouble very much. At the time the
greenhouse was built, an old building was
removed to make room for it With all my
efl'orts. the bugs infest the house."

[They are easily caught by putting pieces of
boiled potatoes in flower pots, and some dry
sweet hay loosely over this. These traps exam-
ined once a day, will soon nlear a greenhouse of
the pest.]

Propagating Curley Wooded Forms of
Trees. — r. T. N'., Carthage, Ind., writes:
" Cannot curly walnut^ or other kinds of curly
timber be propagated by budding or grafting
young stocks of such trees with buds or grafts

1873.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

121

taken from trees that are known to be curly ?
Such timber is very valuable, and walnut being
a rapid grower, a supply could soon be produced
if there is any known way of propagating trees
that have the trait of growing in that peculiar
way. I was led to make such an inquiry by ob-
serving that the wood of the Summer bon Cre-
tain pear tree has always a similar twist,
whether from graft or bud, so far as my know-
ledge extends.''

[We have never been able to form a theory
which satisfies us completely as to the cause of
curled grain in trees. We can, therefore, offer
no opinion in advance of experiment, as to the
probabilit}'^ of success. It is, however, as our
correspondent suggests, a matler well worth
trial, and we should be glad to know that some
one is testing it.]

The Grape Berry Moth. — A " Kew Sub.
scriber,'^ — the post-office name illegible— asks :
" Can you or any of your correspondents give
me any information in res^ard to habits of the
insect, the maggot of which is found in grapes
in the fall. It seems to be on the increase in
the vineyards of the Hudson river, and if it con-
tinues to increase at the present rate, grape
growing as a business will have to be discon-
tinued. I have not heard of it in any of the ag-
ricultural or horticultural journals of the day,
and hope you or some of your correspondents
will be able to inform me (through Gardener''s
Monthly) of its'habits, and the means of its de-
struction. When it first appeared it confined
itself to one ior two trellises, aflfecting all the
fruit, but now has spread over the whole vine-
yard. What is the root insect, Phyllexera, you
speak of in February number ? I have not heard
of it. I need not say I am a new subscfiber.

[This is the Grape Berry Moth, which, with
its larva, is represented in the figure 1.]
Fig. 1

ITS NATURAL HISTORY

may be given as follows : About the 1st of July,
the grapes that are attacked by the worm begin
to show a discolored spot at the point where the
worm entered. (See Fig. 1 c) Upon opening
such a grape, the inmate, which is at this time
very small and white, with a cinnamon-colored
head, will be found at the end of a winding
channel. It continues to feed on the pulp of the
fruit, and upon reaching the seeds, generally
eats out their interior. As it matures it becomes
darker, being either of an olive-green or dark
brown color, with a honey-yellow head, and if
one grape is not sufficient, it fastens the already
ruined grape to an adjoining one, by means of
silken threads, and proceeds to burrow in it as
it did in the first. When full grown it presents
the appearance of Figure 1 6, and is exceedingly
active. As soon as the grape is touched the
worm will wriggle out of it, and rapidly let itself
to the ground, by means ©f its ever ready silken
thread, unless care be taken to prevent its so
doing. The cocoon is often formed on the leaves
of the vine, in a manner essentially characteris-
tic. After covering a given spot with silk, the
worm cuts out a clean oval flap, leaving it
hinged on one side, and rolling this flap over,
fastens it to the leaf, and thus forms for itself a
cozy little house. One of these cocoons is rep-
resented at Figure 2 &, and though the cut is

[Fig. 2.]

Color, (a) honey yellow.

" [The color (a) is deep brown, pale buff and slaty ;
(b) is olive green, or brownish.]

sometimes less regular than
I shown in the figure, it is un-
doubtedly the normal habit
of the insect to make just such
a cocoon as represented.
iiMi Sometimes, however, it cuts
b two crescent shaped slits, and
rolling up the two pieces,
fastens them up in the middle as shown at Fig-
ure 3. And frequently it rolls over a piece of
the edge of the leaf, in the manner commonly
[Firj. 3]. adopted by leaf-rolling larvse, while we
W ' ^ .ave had them spin up in a silk hand-
kerchief, where they made no cut at

m^^M^i In two days after completing the
cocoon, the worm changes to a chrysalis. In this
state (Fig. 2 a), it measures about one-fifth of
an inch, and is quite variable in color, being
generally of a honey-yellow, with a green shade
on the abdomen. In about ten days after this
last change takes place, the chrysalis works
itself almost entirely out of the cocoon, and th©

U2

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MONTHLY.

April,

little moth represented at Figure 1 a, makes its
tscape.

Mr. Riley, who prepared the cuts illustrating
this insect, writes to us that it is, in all probabili-
ty, like so many of our worst insect foes, an im-
portation from Europe. It was first defcribed
in this country by Dr. A. S. Packard Jr., as
Penthina vitivorana., but subsequently proved to
be the European Eudemis botrana, TV. V. ;
treated of in European works under the synon-
yms of reliquana and vUisana. He also says
that, according to the observations of Dr. Hull,
the second brood of worms make their cocoons
under the sheltered places afforded by loose bark
and stakes, and that they may be allured and
destroyed by means of rags or other traps, as in
the case of the apple worms

Rare Foreign Grapes.— i?., AugusUi, Me.:
" Will you have the kindness to give me some
more definite and reliable information concern-
ing the following foreign grapes than can be
found in the catalogues. I desire to know the
American experience as to their season, quality,
productiveness, and health in cold vineries, as
compared with the Black Hamburg as a stan-
dard of excellence : Due de Magenta, Golden
Champion, Trentham Black, Golden Hamburgh,
Muscat Hamburgh, Royal Ascot."

[Will some of our grape growers who have had
the experience kindly respond.]

under the shade of quite large trees ? Moat of
our New England cities are well shaded with
elms and maples, bordering the lots. A hedge
running from tree to tree would be much shaded
at the ends."

[2^0 plants do very well under the shade of
trees. Pyrus japonica and the Silver Thorn are
the best.]

The Father of the Postal Seed Busi-
ness.—We cordially endorse the following by
Mr. F. R. Elliott : '

" I believe it is part and parcel of your life to
give credit, in your public writings as well as in
your private life, to men for the good thej have
done, or the item valuable they have inaugura-
ted. Let me suggest, therefore, that when from
the time the postal laws come up, you insert
this, my belief, that B. K. Bliss, formerly of
Springfield, Mass., now of New York, was the
first to make a specialty, and so draw attention
of the public to the value of transmission by
mail at a cheap rate, of seeds, plants, etc. 1
think it well to keep these little items — if so we
may call them, of men's acts, before the people,
that during one's life they may see and know of
the appreciation. Is it not better so than a
record after death ?''

Hedge Plant for the Shade.— 5 , Au-
fusta Maine: "Will any hedge plant do well

MUHLENBECKIA COMPLEX A.— Dr. H. G. W.y

Mathawom, N. Y, This is the name of the
plant referred to by this correspondent : " Will
you oblige me by naming the enclosed plant in
your journal ? It puzzles the gardeners here^
and some in New York, Mr. Flemming inclu-
ded. It is a climbing perennial, and bears clus-
ters of waxy white flowers, and I should judge
it to be half hardy.''

[In old catalogues it was known as a Polygo-
num. It is closely allied to this genus. It is a
native of Australia. The flowers are not white
but green, but after flowering, the green sepals
become succulent and of a waxy white. This
change always interests students in botany. Iq
the centre of the waxy cup, is a ti'iangular black
seed, like buckwheat, which is also a Poly-
sronum]

Pyrus Japonica as a Hedge Plant. —
B., Augusta, Maine, asks: "What do you
think of the Pyrus Japonica for an ornamental
hedge ? It is hardy with us as a shi-ub.''

[One of the best hedge plants in the world for
beauty and eflectiveness. The only drawback
is that it is too slow for fast people, requiring
nearly double the time that most other hedge
plants require.]

Swindlers. — We have received the following
from W. A. B., Zanesville, 0.: ''As the swin-
dling operations of luen acting as tree agents are
on the increase, I think it would be well if nur-
serymen would give such names publicity, and
thus protect others. I warn all parties to keep
clear of men traveling under the names of * *
* * * * * hailing from Sago,
Ohio.''

[We have striken out the names, but yet pub-
lish the letter, in order to add a word on thi3
subject. We feel as heartily as anyone — indeed
we do not know but we have greater reasons in
dollars and cents for the feeling than hundreds
who read these lines— the want of some means
of protection against horticultui-al swindlers,

187S,

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TELY.

123

but cannot make up our minds that the publica-
tion of names in the Gardener's Monthly is the
proper way to reach the matter. Here in Penn-
sylvania, the law tells us it will take the whole
responsibility of punishing criminals. It not
only tells us how we are to proceed in criminal
cases, but tells us it will punish us if we take the
law iuto our own hands and punish the criminal.
It says to us in eflfoct, " you wou'd have a pretty
state of society if individuals are to be judge,
jury and executioner." There is at the present
time an editor in Philadelphia under sentence
because he stated a fact in his paper, which the
court decided ought to have been given in a
court of justice, and not in a newspaper. It is
not for us to question the wisdom of these laws.
but as we know it is the law, we have to abide
by it.

Now it seems to us the best way to guard
against swindlers of this class is for the horticul-
turists of a neighborhood to do as farmers do
against horse thieves— form an association to
prosecute offenders. It is not fair that one or
two men should have the burden in time and
money of ridding a neighborhood of these swin-
dlers. It is to the interest of the whole neigbor-
hood that they. should keep the place pure in its
reputation. At Springfield, Ohio, for instance,
there is a person flourishing who has for years
been preying unmolested on the public, and the
result is that the whole horticulture of Spring-
field suffers in public estimation. There is no
doubt but the Springfieldians on the spot could
catch the fellow if they had a mind to, but it is
no one person's business, and so the whole have
to suffer— an orL'anization could do it.

Philadelphians have set some such an exam-
ple. The wine plant men were once driving a
good trade, but a few farmers combined to pro-
secute, and a conviction with six months in jail,
for " selling as wine plants what they well knew
were but rhubarb plants, with intent," and so
forth — to get forty dollars per hundred for what
was worth but five — completely broke up the
•'wine plant " trade.

With every desire to aid our friends in their
fight with the swindlers, we do not see that we
can aid them in the publication of names. In
the co-operative plan of prosecution, we see the
only chance.]

Heating a Plant Case.— Dr. H. C. W.,
Maihawom, N.^Y.: "Is there any device for
heating an enclosed window garden ? It is shut

off from the room on account of coal gas, which
makes it too cold for plants to thrive."

[Tn cases like this it is not unusual to heat a
miniature boiler and pipes with a gas or lard oil
jet. The gas light must of course be entirely
secured from the plants, or the fumes will injure
them. A pipe must bring fresh air from the
outside of the case to feed the light, and another
must convey the fumes away. In one case we
have seen a simple " drum " heated in this way
by a gas jet without any hot water arrange-
ments, and it answered perfectly.]

Sweet and Sour Apples. — A correspond-
ent sends us an elaborate argument founded on
"laws of vegetable physiology," from some
paper he does not name, to account for the phe-
nomena of sweet and sour apples on the same
tree, or even in the same fruit. We have read
it over and do not understand it. We doubt
whether the writer of the paragraph understands
it himself; and we doubt whether anyone of our
readers would make anything of it- and we have
no room to merely "fill in a column." There
is indeed no need of any theory of "blending of
sap from scion with stock to account for it " —
as the Ehode Island Greening, generally a sour
apple in the Atlantic States, is nearly always,
indeed so far as we can say from our own experi-
ence, is always sweet on the Pacific, "blending
of blood " notwithstanding.

Book on Flower Cultivation.— P. B.y
New Castle, Pa., writes : " I wish to ask a
favor of you. Is there such a book published in
America or Europe as a botany on flowers, or
"Floral Botany'' in the English language?
One that would be a great help to a young flo-
rist. I have Gray's Botany and Lessons, but it
is not the book that I would like to have. I
would like to have a work giving the name, des-
cription, picture of flower, and cultivation of all
the different plants and flowers at present in
cultivation. If you know of any such, you
would greatly oblige me by giving me the name
of the book, where it can be had, and the proba-
ble cost of the same, and oblige.''

[There is no such work. Loudon's Encyclo-
poedia of PlanU is the nearest approach to it.]

Rochester Seed Firm.— -F. B.,Corpusdris-
ti, Texas.— The person you refer to is Jas.Vick,
Jr., one of the most honorable men in the seed
trade.

nA

THE GARDEJVER'S MONTHLY.

April,

NEW AND RAEE PLAINTS.

New Japan Cockscomb. — The old cocks-
comb is an universal favorite. It used to be one
of the stock things which the gardeners of the
old school loved to grow. The effort was to get
them as dwarf as possible, and then the flower
as long and wide as they could be induced to
grow. Still it was simply a "show" plant.
The flowers could not be cut or made much use
of when taken from the parent plant. One mag-
nificent head and that was all.

Japan, which has given us so many good
things, now sends us a kind which is as hand-
some in color as the old kind, but divides itself

'M

up into a large number of small bunches. This
will allow of cutting if desirable without sacrifi-
cing the whole plant. The cockscomb is easily
raised from seed, after the weather gets warm,
but requires very rich soil to develop itself pro-
perly. To get the best results, a rather humid
atmosphere is the best, and for this reason,
although they are very beautiful in the open
ground, they never are quite so fine as when
grown in a hot-bed frame.

"We observe in Carter's advertisements that it
is known as Celosia japonica, but whether a dis-
tinct species or not from the old one we cannot
say. Our illustration gives an idea of its branch-
ing character.

Double Flowered Zonale Geraniums.
— Mr. Jean Sisley, who has had such remarka-
ble success in raising double zonale geraniums,
is a wealthy amateur of Lyons, and one of the
leading ofiicers of the horticultural society of
that great French city. Last year he was fortu-
nate in producing a double white of a first-class
character. A French nurseryman is now send-
ing out a new set raised by Mr. Sisley last year.
They are :

Aline Sisley, which is a white of the style of
the single Madame Yaucher.

Asa Gray. This is after the fashion of Gloire
de Corbery, and is said to have made a sensa-
tion at the Exposition Universelle of Lyons.

Charles Lyell. This has a coppery ground,
and shaded on the edges to a white. " Thia
color is the admiration of all the leading horticul-
turists who saw it at IStr. Sisley's."

Jeane Alegatiere Brilliant rosy lilac. After
the style of Victoire de Lyon.

Exposition de Lyon. A cherry magenta of
great brilliancy, also after the style of Yictoire
de Lyon.

Last spring the French had in the market
several other first class double geraniums which
ought to be now ready for sale by our own
florists. The best of these were Charles Darwin,
Francois Aries Dufour, Erailio Castellar, Kose
Pur, Deuil de Strasbourg, and Alba plena, which
is, we note, advertised by Mr. Buist.

Jeane Alegatiere and Exposition de Lyon are
not Mr. Sisley's seedlings.

Xothwithstanding the very low prices at
which things are sold in France as compared
with our country, find the large number of
people who purchase novelties of this character,
these new doubles sell there in large quantities
at S2.50 each.

SiLENB VIRGINICA.— For the introduction of
this really beautiful plant we are indebted to
the unwearied energies of the Messrs. Backhouse
& Son, of York, who deserve the thanks of the
horticultural world for their endeavors to popu-
larize and foster the love for herbaceous plants
amongst the rising generation of amateurs and
gardeners. This Silene attains a height of from
1 to 2 feet. It is a native of the United States
of America, and is familiarly known as the

187S.

THE GARBEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

125

"Fire Pink," from the brilliant appearance of
its large, deep crimson flowers, -which are pro-
duced throughout the months of June and July.
To succeed well with this plant it must be placed
in a somewhat shady situation, and the soil
should consist of about two parts good leaf
mould to one of light loam, with the addition of
a small portion of sandy peat. — Journal of Hor-
ticulture.

OSMANTHUS Ilicifolius.— This lovely shrub
is not well known, although it cannot now be
classed among the novelties. It deserves a note,
for amateurs who take an interest in hardy
shrubs may properly consider the world a blank
so long as they are without it. In botany it is
allied to the privets, in aspect it is allied to the
hollies. But there is no green holly so elegant
and lady-like as this osmanthus, and its leaves,
which are of a rich green color and highly
polished, suggest to a fanciful observer, not
wkat a holly is, but what it ought to be. It
grows fast, and makes a remarkably elegant
dark green bush, distinct from every other ever-
green in the garden, Shepherd's Holly included.
As to hardiness there can be no doubt, for my
plants have stood three years on a damp border
of heavy clay under a wall which screens off the
sun all the year round, except for an hour or so
in the morning, from the beginning of May to
the end of July. The variegated Osmanthus is,
in my opinion, scarcely worth growing. — Gar-
dener's Magazine.

Thymus Citriodorus Aureus Margma-
TUS (Lemon-scented Gold-edged Thyme), raised
by Fisher Holmes & Co. — An exceedingly pret-
ty Thyme, of au erect-growing but much
branched habit, with large obovate leaves,

which are of a very bright dark green in the
centre, and with a broad rich golden yellow mar-
gined variegation ; is very handsome and attrac-
tive. It will prove very affective for edging
flower beds, borders, or riband planting, and
for growing in masses on banks, or in other
varied forms ; it may be grown as bushes or py-
ramids for winter bedding, having proved per-
fectly hardy. Altogether, it may be considered
as one of the most charming bedding plants
known, and with the additional delicious fra-
grance of the sweet-scented Lemon Thyme.

It was exhibited at the Koyal Horticultural
Society on June 21, 1871, and received a first-
class certificate ; also at the Eoyal Horticultu-
ral Show at Nottingham, a first-class certificate.

Dahlia Emperor Franz Joseph. — It is
the grandest acquisition of a variegated foliage
Dahlia ever introduced into this country. It is
of a free growing and branching habit ; foliage
bright green, with a beautiful silver-white mar-
gin ; grows about two to three feet high, and
gives a most wonderful contrast when planted as
an outline of a Dahlia group.

CoLEUS Chameleon.— It is one of the finest
new Coleus, of various colors, somewhat change-
able, blotched, and margined with white, yellow,
dark crimson, green, rose and magenta colors ;
strong habit and growth ; good for bedding, and
an admiration for the conservatory and green-
house.

Iris itherica. — This rare and beautiful Iris
has recently flowered in the collection of the
Bellevue ISTurseries, at Paterson, New Jersey.
Mr. Chitty, the Superintendent, is very enthusi-
astic in getting together valuable, rare, and
beautiful things.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

The Jonathan Apple South.— A South-
ern paper, we forget which, says of this variety :
" It is really astonishing how slowly some of our
best fruits are working their way into the favor
of Southern fruit growers.

The Jonatlian Apple is a marked illustration
of the general distrust with which all Northern

emanations are received, however much their in-
trinsic excellence may entitle them to our esteem.
We have been practically acquainted with this
variety for a quarter of a century in the South,
and have studied its character closely as devel-
oped in other sections, and have yet to see or
hear the first objection made to it as a fall and

126

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJ^TELY.

April,

«arly winter fruit. So far as a large and long
experience goes, we believe it sucoeeds just as
well in the South as it does in the West, and bet-
ter than it does in New York where it originated.
"Of course it ripens earlier here, in September,
or about the time of the Boxbury Russet, Hub-
bardson, Nonsuch and Tauncon— and like the
two first requires good soil and culture to bring
out all its good qualities. One chief reason of its
unpopularity no doubt is that in the nursery,
the tree is a miserable grower— but in the
orchard it makes a fine tree and bears large
•crops of sound, handsome, long k';eping (after
gathering) fruit, which for quality is excelled by
no other variety with which we are acquainted."

The Flora of Colorado.— Captain W. W.
Nevin, a distinguished member of the newspa-
per press of Philadelphia, thus writes of the
flowers of the plains abutting the Rocky Moun-
tains, near Colorado, Pike's Peak :

THE FLORA of THE PRAIRIE,

which wantons in a bewildering brilliancy and a
beautiful luxuriance, which recalls the efflores-
ence of the tropics. Whole acres of the golden
coriander, the blue larkspur, the scarlet cactus,
or the black and yellow sunflower, make the
prairie gorgeous, and yet hormonize with each
other as thoroughly and artistically as if some
student of effects had planned their planting.
Indeed, the plains often look like some garden
planted to produce its effects by the massing of
colors.

It is wonderful to see how every flower of
home is reproduced here, and what are the new
ones I cannot tell. The contributions of Colorado,
however, to the national flora must be regal.
The nameless beauties of hill and plain are
countless. Several distinguished botanists have
been making collections this summer, and their
enthusiasm is boundless. Their stories of new
discoveries I shall not imperil my character for
veracity by repeating.

I cannot give any better idea of the floral
wealth and luxuriance of this country than by
making a list of the flowers gathered yesterd.iy
evening in a single walk by two or three of us,
none of whom were professional, or even ama-
teur botanists, and whose pleasant labors were
therefore, by no means exhaustive of the field.
All these flowers, I must repeat, grow within
half a mile of our hotel, which is a specially
favored spot, it is true, in the way of beauty.

being situated just where the prairies roll up and
break against the foothills of the mountains.
There are here in profusion wild roses, the wild
clematis, wild heliotrope, violets, blue gentian,
the wild jessamine, cacti, pale pink in single
flowers, and again flaming in huge piles like
burning bushes, strawberries, wild bergamot,
the larkspur in every variety and shade, portu-
laccas in profusion, the brilliant coriander, dai-
sies, buttercups, forget-me-nots, prairie pinks,
sunflowers, poppies, tiger lilies, the graceful
eglatine, wild geraniums, beautiful in the grace
of leaf and flower, the statuesque yucca, chaste
and stately ; a brilliant scarlet flower of peculiar
grace, drooping and lovely, known as a cypress,
the real blue bell of Scotland (campagnola),
ferns, primroses, verbenas, foxglove, four-o'-
clocks, the fresh brilliant morning glories (con-
volvulus), wild cherries, Missouri currants,
gooseberries, the widow's tear— that rustic sar-
casm— the sweet columbine, the white-fringed
spirea, and the queenly fleur-de-lis (iris). All
these are the glories and pride of the Springs, to
say nothing of the fairer flowers which pay
eighteen dollars a week for the privilege of bloom-
ing on the piazzas and adorning the croquet
grounds.

It must be borne in mind, too, that many of
these flowers are repeated in an infinite variety
of shade and species, and that some of them, as
the rose and ferns, represent whole famiUes.
And this wealth of beauty covers the whole Ter-
ritory— whether it be plain, prairie, mountain,
or park country. Sometimes you can ride for
days over rolling hill and grazing land, richly
and brilliantly carpeted as far as the eye can
reach with ever-changing hues. When swept by
the winds the fields often seem to tremble as
under a kaleidoscopic shower of color.

Nor is the vegetable wealth of Colorado mere-
ly ornamental. Currants and gooseberries and
strawberries grow everywhere wild, as do also
grapes of many varieties. Professor T. C. Por-
ter, recognized authority on botany, has discov-
ered near Canon City three distinct varieties of
indigenous potatoes, and he, in common with
every student of the natural sciences, is in rap-
ture over the bounteous promise of this land.

It is worth while knowing who are enjoying
all this waste of beauty.

THE FAVORED QUESTS

of this first great Western reception of Flora
held at these Springs of Colorado, curiously
enough, came this year from two or three main

187S,

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TRLY.

197

localities. Of these Philadelphia leads, Pitts-
burg comes next, and then Chicago. This from
the East. Of course, nearly one-half of the
transient visitors come from the "West itself, i.e.,
west of the Missouri river. These guests gen-
erally come bringing their own equipage, men-

age, and servants, and camp out in tents. Their
neat domestic encampments— their brilliant little
bivouacs — their parked trains and horses, teth-
ered by the guardian lariat, relieve the prosaic
details of hotel life, and lend the pleasing charm
of novelty to the scene.

POREIGN COKEESPONDENCE.

HORTICULTURAL OBSERVATION'S IN
ENGLAND, No. 3.

l^t'Wtoin. Abbot, Devonshire.

1 cannot refrain from addiag my testimony to
others, of the geniality of the climate, the salu-
brity of the atmosphere, the fertility of the soil,
and the beauty and variety of the scenery in
this part of England. The crop of grain just
harvested has been more than an average one,
and for three weeks during the time they were
getting it in, there was not a shower of rain.
In some places two good crops of grass have
been cut off the same meadows, consequently
hay will be reasonable in price the coming win-
ter. We hear complaints all the time of the
potato-rot. There are a good many diseased,
but on high land there are pretty good crops —
price in the market this week, twenty-eight cents
per twenty lbs.

The " American Rose " is becoming a favorite
here — scarcely any rot amongst them. Read a
report from a grower yesterday, who from three
lbs. of seed, dug eighty lbs. Those that have
them are keeping them for seed.

There are also in this district some very fine
crops of ruta baga and mangel wurzel. The
favorite variety of the latter grown is the
"Champion Orange Globe." The many agri-
cultural, horticultural and cottage garden exhi-
bitions held here, tend materially to foster a
taste and excite a generous rivalry among the
.people. Premiums are offered for the best kept
flower and kitchen gardens. Competent judges
^o round and examime them a few days before
the show, and you would be surprised and
pleased to see how skilfully some of them are
laid out, planted and kept. They would do cre-
dit to any professional gardener.

The little flower gardens at the various rail-

road stations are also a pleasing feature. At
this station there is a small greenheuse for pro-
pagating and keeping the plants in winter. On
a sloping green bank, are seventeen beds cut la
the turf, filled with scarlet and var. Pelargoni-
ums, Calceolarias, Lobelias, Fuchsias, Agera-
tums, &c., and scattered between the beds are
forty-five standard roses, many of them now in
full bloom. Trained on a fence at the back are
various climbers. Across the way, in a nursery,
is a regal plant of the Pampas Grass, (Gyneri-
um). Over fifty spikes of its beautiful, graceful
silvery plumes are out now.

Eernmouth is a pretty little place — a favorite
resort for health seekers and bathers. A flower
show was held here a few weeks ago, which was
well patronized. The plants were exhibited in
tents on a lawn facing the sea. There was a
fine collection of scarlet and variegated Pelargo-
niums. Two of the best in the bronze section
were A. H. Wills and Sultan. Three of the best
in the tricolors, Sophia Dumaresqtie, Sir R Na-
pier and Lady Callam. The best silver leaf,
Almo ; an extra fine pink variety with white
eye, (Rose Rendatler) a splendid trusser. The
Fuchsias were fine, also the Ferns ; among the
latter, Adiantum concinnum, three feet through ;
do. A. Farleyense, nearly as large ; Neottopte-
ris australacia, (fine) ; Lomaria gibba, a
noble plant of Caladium, Prince Albert Edward,
veined and marked with crimsan ; also C. Chan-
tinii ; Scuttellaria macciniana, is a showy plant,
scarlet tube and upper lip, lower lip yellow ;
Croton longifolia, and two noble specimens of
C. picta, Allamanda Hendersoni, Yucca alioe-
folia variegata, ^schynanthus refulgens ; also
a very fine plant, well flowered, of Lapageria
rosea.

The show of fruit was nothing extra, except-
ing Cherries and some fine specimens of Necta-

128

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TELY.

April,

rines and Gross Mignonne Peaches. A good |
show of Potatoes — among them Breeze's Prolific, |
do. Peerless. Best Cabbage, Enfield Market and
Sutton's Imperial — the latter particularly fine. |

A fine collection of Roses from Messrs. Carter
& Co.'s nursery, at Torquoy. This firm, I find,
carries away the palm in this part of the coun-
try. They had a fine seedling, " Bessie John-
ston," on exhibition, which will be quite an
acquisition to rose fanciers ; also, John Hopper,
Leilia, Eeine de Blanche, Duke of "Wellington,
fine dark, Alfred Colomb, Madame Rothschild,
Zavier Pluto, Charles Lefevre and Pierre toll-
ing, good, and the finest box, thirty-six blooms,
of Marechal Kiel I ever saw.

I have seen some very fine Dahlias in various
places. The following are some of the best,
ranging in colors from white to black : Redan,
Formosa, Admiration, Prince of Wales, Leah,
Peri, Mephistopheles, Criterion, Monarch, (splen-
did dark), Goldendrop, JuHa TVigalt.

Passed through Powderham Park the other
day, the seat of Earl Devon, eleven miles from
here. The castle is situate on elevated ground,
near the centre of the park, which is ten miles
in circumference, and contaiHs some magnificent
specimens of forest trees, evergreens, &c. I

thought the Elms in Kew Haven and the Con-
necticut valley were grand, but these surpass
them. One English Oak, whose branches
touched the ground, I measured the outer cir-
cumference seventy yards, an Elm over eighty
do. ; also a grand old cork barked oak, a Cryp-
tomeria perfect in shape, fifty feet high, circum-
ference eighty-one feet. Trained up on the
mansion walls were Magnolia grandiflora, cover-
ed with buds and bloom right up to the roof ;
Eugenia myrtifolia. Lemon Verbena, Oleanders,
Lamarque Roses. Right in front a large geo-
metrical flower garden brimful of flowers, with
perfect specimens of Irish Yews, fifteen and
twenty feet high — one Auracaria imbricata,
eight feet round the stem ; also s©me fine Se-
quoia gigantea, over twenty feet high, Cupres-
sus macrocarpa, &c.

On an eminence near the castle, is a triangu-
lar tower called the Belvidere, seventy-five feet
high ; from the summit you have a grand pano-
ramic view of the country for miles around,
including Exeter, (only six miles off), with its
famed cathedral, the river Exe, villages, ham-
lets, &c. This noble estate I believe has been
in the Devon family for many centuries.

J. W. W.

HORTICULTUEAL NOTICES.

PHILADELPHIA ACADEMY OF NATU-
RAL SCIENCES.

At the meeting of the Academy on February
18th, Mr. Thomas Meehan said that as was
well known, the Violet and the Balsam, (Impa-
tiens), produced two distinct form of flowers —one
with a corolla and the other without, and the
former producing the last class underground.
It was remarkable that these secretly produced
(cleistogenous) flowers, in which there was no
opportunity for anything but self fertilization,
should be more fertile than those which had the
most abundant opportunities of aid from wind,
insects, and other favoring influences.

The Catalonian Jasmine of our greenhouses,
was another illustration of this phenomenon.
He had observed, and no doubt others had often
done the same for many years past, that there
was a great tendency to a supposed abortion of
the flowers in this plant But this year he had
some plants which failed to produce a single per-

fect flower. To his astonishment, these plants
were covered with developing seed vessels, while
in the plants producing perfect flowers there was
no sign of any such tendency. On examining
these impei-fect flowers, he found a miniature
corolla was formed, but so closely twisted
together that it could not open, and always
remained inside the calyx segments. The pistils
in these flowers were differently formed from
those in the perfect flowers. The last have
the two segments of the divided pistil coiled
in spiral manner — the former has no appear-
ance of any division, but seem united into a
small cone. In many cases the style was
somewhat flattened, and there appeared to be a
stigmatic surface along each edge. It appeared
from his examination that there was very little
pollen in the anthers of these flowers, and the
apex of the pistil was pushed beyond them, and
the idea occurred to him that possibly fertiliza-
tion might occur along the apparent stigmatic
surface referred to.

DEVOTED TO

Horticulture, Arboriculture, Botany and Bural Affairs,

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

Old Series, Vol. XV.

MAY, 1873,

New Series, Vol. VI. No. 5

HINTS POR MAY.

FLOWER GARDEN AKD PLEASURE
GROUND.

Flowers in pots and tubs, for adorning roads
and gardens, now spring like lovely butterflies
from their winter's hiding places. Cellars give
forth their treasures, and barns, pits and green-
houses bring forth their lovely things each after
its kind.

This branch of gardening has not been enough
valued. . There are many things which do not
well endure our winter, that are truly beautiful
when a little protection is afforded them ; but
because they are only half hardy, are not grown
at all. The following are well worthy of being
grown in this way :

Magnolia fuscata, Pittosporums, Cleroden-
dron Bungei, Hydrangea, Figs, Oleander, pink
and white ; Pomegranate, single for fruit and
double for show ; Bignonia Capenses, Bouvar-
dia triphylla, Oranges, Lemons, Laurel, Bay,
Laurustinus, New Zealand flax, Mahonias, par-
ticularly M. Darwinii, Euonymus japonicus.
Aloes, Agaves, and others. In very cold cli-
mates. Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots and Plums
might be grown in this way, and would not only
charm the eye during the flowering season, but
add their mite to more material pleasure, in a
way agreeable to most persons of taste, if not of
refinement.

Flower-gardening, as we have often said
before, afibrds scope for many pretty fancies,
besides arrangement of color, which, in the
hands of a person of taste, render a garden a
paradise of enchantment. Borders and edgings
of Ivy, Periwinkle or variegated plants, may be
made to appear as frames to the pictures of pret-
ty flowers enclosed by them, "Waves and fringes

of green may be led along through a large flow
er-bed, and the various divisions formed be filled
with its own color, making a natural and living
bouquet ; difierent colored gravels may be cho-
sen for paths between beds ; difierent shades of
green may be made by the selection of grasses
of different hues, where grass walks are employ-
ed. Old stumps or I'oots may be occasionally in-
troduced in the centre of beds, and covered with
green vines, or flowering climbers, as taste may
dictate ; rustic baskets and vases, and even in
many instances where artificial styles prevail,
the topiary art may be called in, and good effects
result from the use of the knife and shears on
certain plants.

To grow flowers well fresh soil is very impor-
tant. Have a care that the roots of neighboring
trees do not get into the bed ; they rob it and
dry it, and the flowers dwindle and die. If beds
are near trees, go round the bed once a year
with a spade and cut of all the rpots that may
have strayed into the bed. This is very impor-
tant in beds of evergreen shrubs, like Mahonias,
Euonymus and Bhoclodenclrons, which like shade,
but not dry, impoverished soil.

Leaf mould is good for flowers if two or three
years old, and very much decayed ; when but
half rotten it is an injury. Rotten sod is the
best soil for flowers, and cow manure, which
has lain two years to rot, the best fertilizer.
Where rotten sod is not easily obtained, the
edging parings of walks may be preserved in a
heap for flower purposes.

In planting out flowers don't take them at
once from the hot house to the open ground, set
the pots out for a few days in a cold frame, with
plenty of air, or under a tree in a sheltered place.

ISO

THE G^ItBEJS''EB'S MOJ\'TELY

May,

Before turning them out of pots, water ; and
when set in the earth, press the soil very hard
about the (lower roots. If the ground be dry,
the earth cannot be pressed too hard.

Don't make the beds very high, or the rains
in summer will run off too rapidly. After
smoothing the surface peg down the plants as
much as possible so as to cover the surface soon.
The plants also push out side shoots easier.
Where small twigs can be had, split and double
them like hair plus, for pegging down ; where
these are not at hand, small pieces of bast mat
or twine, doubled and dibbled in the earth by
the ends, make very fine pegs.

In this climate, hothouse plants often make
noble bedders. The Chinese rose Hibiscus, is
a first class thing, making a gorgeous show all
summer. The Geranium also, is getting im-
mensely popular. The tree Carnation is also in
much request. The Madagascar Periwinkle,
rose and white, is also now often seen in beds
and masses.

Climbing plants grow faster on trellis than if
left to themselves ; stick them iu as soon as the
climbers are set out.

Tuberoses, Gladiolus, Tigridias, Dahlias, and
other bulbous things which cannot be put out
till the ground gets warm, ought not to be kept
out of the earth any longer than necessary. It
was once supposed they thrive best in poor soil
— an error ; they love rich food.

Mow lawns very earh' the first mowing, or at
every subsequent mowing, the lawn will look
brown. A thin sprinkling of salt is good for the
lawn, just enough salt to see the grains on the
surface, about a quarter of an inch apart. An
overdose will destroy the grass. Frequent roll- \
ing is one of the best ways to get a good close I
Bod. When coarse weeds get in the lawn, hand j
weeding is the best remedy.

FRUIT GARDEN. j

In this part of the world the Black Knot ou '
the Plum and Cherry commences to work in i
May. A mere sappy abrasure, green and spon-
gy, first appears above the bark ; cut it out and
burn as fast as it appears, It is no use to cut it
out after a month old. Fire blight in the pear,
and mau)'^ other diseases of fungoid origin may
be kept down by watching for their first appear-
ance and cutting away, or by u.sing a lime and
sulphur wash, as recommended by Mr. Saun-
ders.

I Watch all young fruit trees against bearing
' too abundantly while young, and the first season
; after planting. There can be no objection to
! the ripening of one or two fruits on a tree the

i first season of setting out, in order to test the

I => ■>

; kind, or to administer to curiosity, if the tree be

! otherwise growing freely. If little growth is

j making, no fruit at all should be permitted. It

is a better practice to disbud or take out soon

' after shooting all shoots that are needless to the

j perfect shape of the tree, than to wait till fall or

winter. The pruning knife need then only be

j used to shorten a branch in to where several

' branches ai"e desired to push, or to induce a

j more vigorous growth from the pruned parts.

In the gooseberry, raspberry and stra^^berry

also, no more shoots should be suffered to grow

than will be required to" bear the next season.

Where water can be commanded, there is
nothing so profitable as to well soak the soil
about small fruits ; first about the time that
they have set their fruit. Much of the value of
this operation, however, will depend on the na-
ture of the soil. The advantages are least in a
tenacious, and greatest in porous soil. It is
said that an animal derives most benefit from
food when it is hungry before it begins to eat —
it is certainly so with plants. Water applied to
soil already wet is an injury; and water never
has so telling an advantage on vegetation as
when everj' leaf is about to wither up for want
of it. A plant that never seems to want water
is in a very doubtful condition in regard to its
health.

In summer pruning or dis-budding, it is also
worth while to watch for shoots pushing strong-
er than others, and always take them out. Thi*
is the only way that shoots of equal strength can
be encouraged iu ever}' part of the tree. This is
particularly true of grape vines. If a shoot once
get the start of the others in strength and vigor,
the others will gradually get weaker to the
other's increasing luxuriance.

We gave in a former volume the pith of what
we considered the philosophy of vine pruning,
and as we have not yet seen anything to add to
or take from what we then expressed, we repro-
duce the remarks here.

As to the best system of pruning grapes, there
are several " schools," all contendiHg that their
views are "decidedly best." In such cases, we
have generally found there is much to admire in
them all — situations and peculiar circumstances
deciding the point in each individual instance

1873.

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJYTHLY,

181

There are a few points incontrovertible to insure
success, and it matters little what system of pru-
ning is followed so that they are secured. Eirst,
a healthy set of roots of the previous year's
growth is essential to produce vigorous start of
growth the year following. Secondly, after
starting, these roots can onl}- be kept vigorous
by encouraging an abundance of healthy foliage,
to be retained on the vine as long as possible.
Thirdly, the leaves of the first growth are at
least of double the value to the plant than those
frorq secondary or lateral shoots, they should,
therefore, be carefully guarded from injury.
Fourthly, checking the strong growing-shoots
strengthens the weaker ones, equalizes the flow of
sap to every part of the vine, and insures regular
and harmonious action between all the parts.
Any system that secures this, does all that is
necessary for the general health and vigor of the
vine ; and where some special objects are desira-
ble, such as dwarfing, particularly early bearing,
productiveness at the expense of longevity, spe-
cial means must be employed to bring them

about.

*•««*

VEGETABLE GARDEN.
In the cultivation of garden crops, the hoe
and rake should be kept continually at work.
Weeds should be taken in hand before they are
barely out of the seed-leaf, and one-half the usu-
al labor of vegetable gardening will be avoided.

Iloeing or earthing up of most garden crops is
of immense advantage in nearly every case. One
would suppose that in our hot climate flat cul-
ture would be much more beneficial ; but a fair
trial, say on every other row of a bed of cab-
bages, will show a great difl'erence in favor of
the earthed-up plants. It would be easy to ex-
plain the reason of this, but in this column we
try to confine ourselves to " hints," and leave
reasons to our other departments.

Cabbage, Cauliflower and Brocoli, are now
set out for fall crops, and Endive sown for win-
ter salad. Lettuce also for summer and fall use.
This, however, must be sown in very rich soil,
and in a partially shaded situation, or it will go
to seed. Peas. Beans, and other crops should be
sowed every two weeks. They do much better
than when a large crop is sown at one time, and
then have too many on at one time to waste.

Melons, Cucumbers, Corn, Okra, Squash,
Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Lima Beans, Pepper,
Egg-plants, Tomatoes, and other tender vegeta-
bles that do well till the sun gets high, and the
ground warm, should go into the soil without
delay.

Bean poles should be set before the beans are
planted ; and near cities where they are compa-
rative high priced, their ends should be charred.
This will make them last some years. Try also
short stout poles for cucumbers and tomatoes.
They do remarkably well this way.

COMMUNICATIONS.

STRAWBERRY CULTURE^tS-thfflO.
BY M; B. bateham:, painesvtlle.

The extraordinary cold weather of December
and January destroyed nearly all the chances for
any crops of raspberries, blackberries and cher-
ries, except Morrellos, in most parts of Ohio,
and doubtless in several adjacent States. Straw-
berry plants were generally so protected by
snow as to escape serious injury, hence this fruit
will be almost the sole reliance of our people for
the first part of summer, with little else but cur-
rants to follow until apples and grapes appear,
as peaches of course are out of the question. It
is therefere quite certain that strawberries will
be regarded as more of a luxury, and bring high-

er prices in our markets than for several years
past, and as a consequepce, a fresh impetus will
be given to the culture of this fruit. Then, too,
the old question will be discussed by the grow-
ers : Whiit varieties shall loe plant ?

I think it will be admitted that Ohio has done
as much as any other State in the production of
new and fine varieties of strawberries, and in
teaching the best modes of culture. Still it is
true here, as elsewhere, that in spite of all the
progress that has been made in the matter of
varieties, the old Wilson, with its admitted in-
ferior quality, is j'et the staple supply of our
markets, and the sole kind in a majorit}' of pri-
vate gardens. Like the Concord among grapes.

139^

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJSTTHLY.

May,

it is regarded as the berry "for the million,'?
because it is of the easiest culture and the surest
to produce a crop.

At the same time, it is true that with the
growth of our cities in population and wealth,
and the increase of intelligence about fruits
among the people, there is more discrimination
made by the buyers in regard to quality, and
i3etter prices than formerly are obtained for
superior fruits, so that the growers are finding
it for their interests to plant the best varieties
and give them the best of culture, and then send
the fruit to market in the best manner. This
■was the lesson so plainly taught and so clearly
demonstrated by our lamented friend, the late J.
Unox, of Pittsburgh, whom we claimed as an
Ohioan, though of late years he lived over the
border of our State. His motto, as everybody
Iknows, was plant the hest varieties on the best
-soil and give the hest of culture, then you will
obtain the best prices, and find the highest satis-
faction in the business of fruit growing. Many
of the etrawberi'y growers of this country owe
fnore than they are aware of to the teachings of
Sfr* Knox. Let us keep his memory green, for
we have no^ many such wise and genial teach-
.ers. ''

TJbe best school of strawberry culture in our
State, for several years past, has been the
grounds of Mr. Louis Ritz, of Plainville, near
■Cincinnati. For a dozen or more years, Mr. R.
has been engaged in collecting all the approved
varieties of this fruit that he could find or hear
<©f, in this country and in Europe, then testing
them in his grounds with different modes of cul-
;tnre. He has also experimented largely in grow-
ing new varieties from seed, and although the
required standard of excellence is now so high,
at is the opinion of experienced judges that he
3ias two or three varieties which have now been
five or six years on trial, that give promise of
much value. The finest of these has been named
Dr. Warder^ in compliment of the worthy Presi-
dent of our State Horticultural Society. At the
late annual meeting of this society, Mr. Ritz, by
request, read an essay on small fruits, which
■was of considerable interest.

ON VARIETIES OF STRAWBERRIES.

BY LOUIS RITZ.

What varieties to plant will depend on your
soil and your market ; for distant shipment the
list is very limited, while for home markets there
.are many sorts that will, with fair treatment,

I make ample returns. It is best not to rely on
j any one kind, however good it may be, as one is
! not always able to command a sufficient number
[ of pickers, or your markets may be glutted just
I at the time the bulk of your crop comes in.

For distant shipment, we have for earliest the
I Princess of Wales, which ripens a few days after
I the Downer's Prolific ; it is firm, large, showy
; and of excellent flavor, though of foreign origin,
it grows on the hill system, in a well enriched,
heavy clay soil ; strong and vigorous, is quite
productive, and commands a very high price in
' market, as it has to compete only with soft ber-
ries. But I would not advise its planting, ex-
cept where good culture is given ; and I may
mention here, that foreign varieties will do bet-
ter if annually renewed, a plan that is generally
adopted on the continent, and I incline to think
: that our native sorts would likewise yield better
returns, if this plan was adopted.

Next we have the Wilson and Seth Boyden,
maturing about medium season, both very pro-
ductive on the matted row plan ; the former
. yielding a larger amount of fruit, the latter,
I however, commanding a much higher price in
market. The Seth Boyden is not reliable in
I light and sandy soil. Mr, Wm. Parry, of New
Jerse}'^, informs me that in 1871, the Seth Boy-
den surpassed any strawberry crop he ever
raised ; very perfect, large and productive. But
I this year he had ten acres of light, sandy soil in
! strawberries, all of which looked well until the
fruit began to form, when the severe draught set
I in and the Seth Boyden suffered most, the Chas.
j Downing least, while Wilson and Kentucky
j were only moderate crops. The Seth Boyden in
my grounds has always given satisfaction,
! neither suffering from extreme heat nor cold.
i Mr. Samuel Miller, of Missouri, and others
j attest to the same fact, and say it is \vith them
I all that is desirable in a strawberry.

For late market there is the Jucunda, wher-

I ever it does well, as in Belmont county and some

I other localities in this State, and the Triomphe

de Gand, both requiring hill culture ; the latter

in compact, rich soil, well mulched, being one of

the best paying varieties.

For home markets there are besides the Nica-
nor, which grown broadcast, is of no account,
but cultivated in hills, yields a very early and
large crop. I picked one season from 500 stools,
830 quarts. Berries are rather above medium
size, and of a peculiar, to most palates, very
pleasant flavor.

187S.

TRE GARDEJVER'S MOMTRLlL,

13S

Burros New Pine. A great bearer, in matted
rows, annually renewed ; its fine light color and
excellent flavor, make it a favorite everywhere,
and it will bring in Cincinnati twice as much as
the "Wilson, if the berries have been properly
handled.

Charles Downing. Another large, bright red
and regular shaped berrj', having made many
friends during the last two years ; will only do
well in stools, buf yields then heavily ; rich
sandy loam is its favorite soil, and Mr. Parry
considers it his second best berry.

Lady of the Lake. An old favorite of mine,
and worthy ef more attention than it has thus
far received, as it seems to stand neglect even
better than the Wilson. Mr, Scott, of Massa-
chusetts, for the last thirty years the most ex-
tensive strawberry grower in the JTew England
States, has informed me that the Lady of the
Lake yields with him 40 or 50 bushels more per
acre than the Wils®n, or about 200 bushels
actual count, which averaged him i<9 50 in Bos-
ton market.

Fillmore, which Mr. Knox used to style his
second best berry, has to be kept in stools, and
gives in strong, rich loam, an abundant crop of
large berries.

Agriculturist does not succeed everywhere,
but should be grown where it does.

Green Prolific. Yielding in hills a very large
crop. It has averaged with me, some seasons,
two quarts to the stool, and is, on account of its
color, very saleable in market. It is the only
variety which will live and give satisfaction in
the warm, sandy soil of our Miami bottoms,
where neither the "Wilson nor any other sort ever
outlived a single season ; it will, no doubt, do as
well in other similar localities.

Kentucky, which, in matted rows, hill or
broadcast, seems to do equally well ; and in ap-
pearance, size and flavor, a most excellent
berry. I picked this season from a bed of 1200
feet, plants covering the bed, which had not
been worked or manured for three years, over
four bushels of the largest berries.

These varieties are named in the order of their
maturity, commencing with the earliest. Some
of them will of course, do better in one locality
than another, and every grower has to find out
by experiments on a small scale, which are the
best for his own region or soil, taking always in
consideration that the largest berries of a bright
red color sell best. Whoever has the great desi-
deratum of the strawberry vine, a well drained.

rich deep, and above all, a moist soil, can grow
any variety to perfection.

Most of the varieties named will do equally
well for the home garden. Lovers of fine fruit,
however, should not do without the Lennig^s
White or the President Wilder, and for the epi-
cure, who does not mind time, labor or cest^
there are numerous other sorts, combining the
highest standard of excellence, size and flaTOr.

But my list of varieties would be incomplete
without mentioning the Ida and the General
Meade, and more particularly the first. Mother
earth seems to grow them spontaneously for
those of her favorites who like to reap without
sowing. Let those who are afflicted with this
failing, try the Ida, Plant it close enougk for
the runners to cover the ground the first season,
and they will afterwards take care of the weeds
themselves.

And now a few words about new seedling
varieties, some of which promise a bright
future :

1. The Col. Cheeney I saw for the first time ia
fruit last summer at Barnesville, in what I con-
sider one of the regions best adapted to small
fruit culture in our State, of which fact our Bel-
mont county friends, I am happy to add, seem
to be fully aware. The berries on exhibitiou
were extremely large, of fine showy appearance,
fair taste, but rather soft. In productiveness
the Col. Cheeney appears to rival the far-fanaed
Mr. jSTicaise, as the berries were few and far
between— it certainly took a-good many plants
to fill a few quarts. I suppose the plant to be
pistilate, as by far the larger number of berries
were small and of no account.

2. Black Defiance. Raised by Mr, Durand
from the Green Prolific and Triumph, It is a
strong, healthy grower, and seems to have many
good qualities, but with me the fruit stems are
so short that the berries cannot be kept clean ;
this, however, may be a defect in the soil, as it
is highly spoken of in the Eastern States,

3. Monarch of the West. Plant very strong
and healthy, fruit large and handsome. I leam
from Mr. Wm. Parry, that it is the largest and
finest strawberry he has ; foliage remarkably
strong and vigorous, standing the past hot and
dry summer without injury, when the Wilson
and other sorts were nearly ruined. The fruit
is firm, delicious and handsome, selling at $1
per quart in Philadelphia, when the Wilson sold
at twenty-five cents.

4. Maiikla. A seedling from Triomphe de

ISA

THE GARBEJ^EWS MOJ^TELY.

May,

Gand ; a large, handsome, strawberry, firm and
quite productive. Mr. A. S. Fuller recommend- i
ed it as a market berry, though deficient in fla-
vor, while Mr. Charles Downing, who has j
repeatedly visited the original plantation, speaks |
very highly of it, and says that the Matilda (ac- i
cording to his taste) will class ver}'^ good or best. |
The berries sell about one-third higher than j
"Wilson's, while there is only a little difference in !
the yield.

5. And last, but not least, the Dr. Warders.
If this berry will show during the next six years
as bright a record as it has through the past,
(and I have no doubt it will), then it cannot fail
to occupy as prominent a position among straw-
berries, as its godfather, our noble president, so
deservedly occupies amongst horticulturists. In
another year we will hear more from it, as it is
being largely planted in New Jersey, Missouri,
Kentucky and other States for market purposes.

The actual yield with me of 200 feet on the
matted row plan, without winter covering or
manure, was two bushels and twelve quarts of
such berries as I exhibited here in Zauesville
and other localities, without counting what was
taken off by visitors.

To show the relative value of strawberries in
market, I may mention that the following varie-
ties ranged on the same day in Cincinnati at

50 cents for Jucunda.

40 cents for Triomphe de Gaud and Seth Boy-
den.

30 to 35 cents for Kentucky and Agriculturist.

20 cents for Charles Downing.

10 to 15 cents for Wilson's Albany.

TAR ON HOTHOUSE AND GREEN-
HOUSE STAGING.

BY W. BENNETT, GARDENER TO O. BREWER,
ESQ., NEWPORT, R. I.

Eighteen months ago my emploj'cr built three
ranges of houses here, and being advised to tar
the stages to preserve the wood, to our mis-
fortune it was all well tarred ; two span roof
houses, the wood work all being tarred before
fixed. As soon as the houses were filled in with
plants, and we commenced firing, we soon found
out the dangerous effects of tar. The plants
began to look sickly, the leaves became black-
ened and dropped off' ; consequently the whole
of the stages was removed -every particle that
had tar on, and replaced by new. I then filled
these two liouses again with a general collection

of stove plants and orchids, &c., when they soon
began to make new leaves and assume an
healthy appearances.

The other range, which is a hothouse and
greenhouse, the staging all being fixed before it
was tarred, consequently the man when putting
the tar on the staging, spilt a quantity on the
pipes. Now after having the whole of the sta-
ging removed from these two houses, and put-
ting new staging in, we feel the evil effects of
the tar as soon as the pipes become heated.
Last fall all the leaves come off in two or three
nights, both in the hothouse and greenhouse,
and the plants had to be cleared out again, and
the few common jilants I left in during the win-
tor are nearly dead.

The following plants are what suffered most :

GREENHOUSE PLANTS.

Acacias, Boronias,

Camellias, Adenandras,

Aphelexis, Pimelias,

Hederoaias, Diosmas,

Trcmandras, Dracophyllura,

Chorizemas, Croweas,

CoK-eas, Taxonias,

Myrtles, Oranges,

Ericas, Polygalas,

Kennedyas, and a host of others.
.«;tove plants.

Marantas, Paudanus,

Crotons, Dipladineas,

Clerodendrons, Ixoras,

Cyanophyllums, AUamandas,

Dicffenbachias, Francisceas,

Stephanotes, Palms — some varieties

nearly killed.

Anthureums, Eueharas, &c.

Last winter I moved some Vandas into the
stove, on account of being more heat there than
in some of the other houses, which were show-
ing flower spikes ; to n\y surprise, in three days
the flower spikes turned black and withered
away, Cypripediums and Cattleyas, Oncidiums,
Aerides, Saccolabiums, Phaloenopsis, all lost
their leaves in that house, and would have died
had I let them remain there. For instance, an
old plant of Justicia carnea, which has been in
the house all the winter, continually keeps drop-
ping off at the joints, and I believe the plant
will be quite dead by the spring.

Now we are quite sure the tar is the cause of
all our trouble, and unless we can remove the
evil, we shall never have a liealthy plant in these
two houses. For instance, a plant not only

187S.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TBLY,

135

requires its roots and stem, but its leaves to per-
form its functions ; but strip a plant entirely of
its leaves, and its vital actions for the time
cease. In my opinion, tar is dangerous to plant
life ; however, I have found it so here. I should
be pleased to hear from some of your correspond-
ents if there is any remedy for removing the tar
from the pipes.

NOTE ON CELOSIA JAPONICA.

BY MRS. F.

A subscriber to the Gardener^s Monthly, who
saw at the floral exhibition of the "Western New
York Fair last fall, the new Japan Cockscomb,
Celosia Japonica, which is being introduced this
season by Mr. James Yick, of Rochester, N. Y.,
writes to the editor as follows :

As regards the beauty of this novelty, it must
be seen to be fully appreciated. Imagine a plant
growing from two to three feet high, very
branching ; the stalks of which are of a bright
scarlet or crimson, and every branch, however
small, terminating in a comb, or rather a clus-
ter, consisting of an immense number of combs,
having the appearance of the finest scarlet or
crimson silk velvet ; ruffled and crimped into
large heads in a most delicate and beautiful
manner.

The foliage is also very fine, being of a dark,
changeable crimson, green and bronze, which in
sunlight gives to the plant a most splendid ap-
pearance. This certainly is no "*S/wri," but a
true and distinct variety, entirely new, and alto-
gether different in habit from the old varieties.

LAELIA ANCEPS.— No. 9.

BY MR. JAMES TAPLIN, MANAGER TO GEORGE
SUCH, ESQ., SOUTH AMBOY, N. J.

This is a verj' desirable plant for any collec-
tion of Orchidese ; in fact it is frequently grown
by those who grow but few other varieties of
choice plants, it being one of the species which
is easily grown by any one possessing a green-
house for winter flowering plants. This being
a Mexican species, does not require a stroi^g
heat, but would in time be so much weakened
by a high temperature that few or no flowers
would be obtained.

This plant may be grown either in a pot, has
ket, or on a block, but the pot or basket is the
best in this climate. We grow the plants in
frame, three parts filled with broken pots, and

the remainder filled with the fibre of orchard
peat, keeping the plants in a night temperature
of from 50" to 56^ in the winter, and place them
in a open greenhouse with air day and night in
summer, shade from bright sun during the heated
weather, and expose to full light in autumn.

The plants flower froni December to January,
and last in flower more than a month, so that it
flowers at a very desirable season, when choice
flowers are scarce and always in request. The
flowers are about four inches across ; beautiful,
very lilac and deep purple. It lasts for a long
time when cut and placed in water in a moder-
ate heated room.

RURAL IMPROVEMENTS.

BY WALTER EL-DER.

Nothwithstanding the many books published
upon the culture of fruits and vegetables, our
horticultural magazines are mosth' taken up
with things to eat; their foreign readers will
think that "we Yankees" are awful people for
"stuffing our kites."

The love for the beautiful and fragrant in or-
namental gardening is fast spreading among our
wealthy citizens. Almost every family wishes
for a rural retreat of their own, so as to improve
it to suit their fancies. Our seedsmen, florists
and nurserymen are using their best endeavors
to further their desires. It is astonishing to see
the numerous new species and improved varie-
ties of annuals, biennials and perennials of great
beauty and delightful fragrance.

The same is the case with ornamental trees
and shrubbery. The great increase and surpass-
ing beauty of ornamental vines is also very en-
couraging. Those having rural estates to im-
prove, need onl}- to visit our commercial gardens
and examine the various stocks therein, to choose
suitable plants for their embellishment. But in
planning and directing the improvements, we
quote a sentence from the Philadelphia Public
Ledger : "Ji is necessary to have a man who un-
derstands the business.'*^ Such a man will repre-
sent himself, and not carry bundles of script to tell
what he can do; nor will he ride upon other peo-
ple s shoulders to get up in the world.

We earnestly beseech all our commercial gar-
deners to encourage rural improvements, rather
than discourage them, in commending suitable
men to direct the works, independent of their
"being regular customers.'' No man can buy
all he needs from each individual dealer. A

136

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJYTBLY.

Maz/,

man's qualifications should be the mar^-— his
doings will be sure to bring trade to the firm.
He may save ten times the amount of the price
of his hire in his direction. He will make selec-
tions of nursery stocks as will flourish upon the
soil and exposure of the place, and will set them
out in a way to insure their thrifty growth, and
give the most pleasing effect. Every place will
require a plan to suit itself. A pleasing diversi-
ty can be made upon very small grounds. Ever-
green hedges make the most beautiful and last-
ing enclosures for small grounds. Perhaps some
large grounds may be belted with trees, many of
them being evergreens for winter shelter, and to
shut out the vulgar stare.

Several species of fruit trees are highly orna-
mental upon a fine lawu. The Cherry, Pear,
Peach, American and Spanish Chestnut trees,
&c., are all beautiful, and their fruits valuable.
The number of individual species and varieties
of deciduous trees and shrubs are vast, and their
diversity surprising ; so it is with flowering
plants, their splendors are dazzling, and their
sweet perfumes are charming. Our rural and
suburban improvements have made rapid strides
within the past twenty years, and I feel assured
that the ensuing twenty years will quadruple the
past in the extent and gorgeousness of their im-
provements.

PRUNING IN JUNE.

BY L. J. TEMPLITSr, KOKOMA, IND.

I have become so much accustomed to accept-
ing the teachings of the Oardener''s Monthly, as
sound doctrine, that I feel somewhat surprised
to feel compelled to dissent, from anything found
in it. But I find I sometimes have to disagree
with those who are my best friends, and who
are also competent to teach me on almost all
subjects. The spirit that pervades the pages of
the Gardener s Monthly, both editorial and com
municated, assures me that any effort to either
discover or communicate truth, will be not only
tolerated, but encouraged.

In an article on tree culture, in the February
number of your magazine, I find among some
very good things, that we should do well to take
heed to a fling at pruning fruit trees in June, as
a theory fit only for boys who are full of faith in
what they see in print. Now I believe that
aith, even when found existing in boyhood, is a
good thing, and departing from the faith of
childhood has led many a man to his ruin ; but
fortunately or otherwise, I had no faith on the

subject of tree pruning till after boyhood had
fled forever, as my thoughts and studies all led
to different fields of knowledge, and when I was
led to investigate the subject of tree culture, I
first became prejudiced in favor of winter and
early spring pruning, and it was only after seve-
ral years of both study and practice that I
became convinced that for certain purposes in
pruning, June is the best possible season of the
year.

I presume that everybody will agree that a
single fact is hardly sufficient to either establish
or overthrow a general principle. Mr. H.'s ex-
periment in pruning in June does not necessari-
ly prove that it is folly to prune at that season.
The trees may have been in bad health, or some
other unknown cause may have produced the
evil.

In the fall of 1865 I pruned a young orchard
in the month of November. The previous sum-
mer had been one of excessive wet ; the follow-
ing winter was a very cold ohe. The weath£r
up to the time of pruning, and for some time
after, was mild and fine, but the result was that
a large number of the trees died, and the trunks
of those that survived were generally as black as
tar, below the wounds made in pruning. Now
I do not think it was the season altogether that
produced all this evil, but think perhaps it was
caused by a combination of unfavorable influen-
ces with which I was at that time unacquainted.
For seven years past I have pruned somewhat
extensively, both in orchards and nursery, and
have observed with considerable of interest the
experien- e of others, and have arrived at the fol"
lowing conclusions :

1st. If the design is to increase the vigor of a
tree and produce a large, strong wood growth,
pruning should be done as early in the season,
after the fall of the leaf, as we can be sure thai
it will not be followed by excessive freezing.

2nd If it is desired to check excessive wood
growth, and throw the tree into bearing, pru-
ning should be done late in the summer— say
latter part of July and during August.

3rd. When the wish is to merely thin out sur-
plus and improperly placed branches, and regu-
late the shape of a tree, and leave it, so far as
vigor is concerned, in statu quo, it should be
pruned at the time it has fairly commenced to
make its most vigorous growth for the season,
whether it be in May or June.

These opinions have been formed not only on
the facts as they have presented themselvi. s to

187S.

THE GARBEJfEWS MOJVTELY.

137

I^EGLECTED PLANTS.

BY JOHN TUIiLY, ROSED ALE NURSERY, PHILA-
DELPHIA.

Passiflora Princeps racemosa. This
charmino; old plant is one of the many all-but-
forgotten in the race for novelties. It is a stove
climber, of easy culture, and this, coupled with
the beauty of its flowers, should make it a gen-
eral favorite. What can have a more pleasing
effect in one's stove than these beautiful I'aceums
of scarlet flowers hanging from the rafters. By
the following treatment I had it in bloom for
nine months in the year :

In front ef my house, and immediately under

my mind, but the nvhy and wherefore of these
results have been carefully inquired into, and :
every effect so traced to its cause, that I con- !
ceive it would not be a hard task to show that :
the above conclusions are based upon sound .
physiological principles. This is a question of
great practical importance to myself and thous-
ands of others— too important to be laughed out
of company, and if my conclusions are erronous,
no man would rejoice more than myself to have
the error pointed out ; but to make this plain,
will, perhaps, require something more than a
simple intimation that such opinions are based
exclusively in childish credulity,

I will not at this time, ask to occupy your val-
uable space by going into an investigation of the
scientific principles involved in these questions,
as this might be considered theorizing, which is
estimated very lightly by some, but shall con-
tent myself with giving some experimental testi-
mony.

In 1866 I had a young orchard that I began
to prune in February, and continued at intervals
till August, and those pruned in June, did bet-
ter, healed over sooner, than any pruned either
before or after that period. In 1871 1 began to
renovate an orchard ten years old, that had been
trained according to the absurd fashion of low
heads which prevailed at that time. It took a
great deal of cutting and trimming, but I was
determined, and persevered ; the result was that
every wound made in June— the time the work
was done, began at once to heal over, and by the
time growth stopped in the fall, every place
where a branch had been cut oft", had a beautiful
ring of new bark and wood, of from one-third to
one-half inch in width all around it, and still
they are doing well.

my hot water pipes, I excavated a pit, from two
feet to two and a half feet deep, and about two
feet in width. For drainage I put in about
eight inches of coarse lime rubbish ; I then filled
my pit with a compost of one-half rough flbry
loam, one-fourth turfy peat, with a free admix-
ture of well decomposed cow manure and fresh
water sand. I put in my plants in February,
placed a board between the m and the pipes ; by
the middle of June they were to the top of my
stove and showing bloom.

I have grown Passiflora quadrangularis very
successful in this way. I also planted it early
in February, took it up to the roof, fertilized my
flowers as they exijanded, and by the end of
August I had fine large oval fruit fit for dessert,
some swelling, and plenty of beautiful flowers at
the same time ; it acts as a shade for the plants
in summer, and in winter it will bear to be
spurred like a vine. I have grown that beauti-
ful scarlet trumpet flower, Bignonia Cherei, in
the same manner, with great success. At the
Rosedale iNTurseries, Philadelphia, there is a
plant of Bignonia venusta grown in a similar
manner, and 1 am sure it has well repaid the
trouble bestowed on it some years ago, for it is
at present literally covered with its fine clusters
of beautiful bright orange-colored blossoms,
which one will not often see at this time.

INFLUENCE OF EXTREME COLD ON
THE CURCULIO.

BY PROFESSOR RILEY, MISSOURI STATE
ENTOMOLOGIST.

It is with difliculty that I find time now-a-
days to write anything fugitive ; but as you
have expressed the desire (p. 14) to hear my
opinion on the above subject, I will give it,
however briefly.

1st. In a-suming that the Plum Curculio (for, I
lake it, no other is intended) hibernates in the
pupa state in the ground, Mr. Southwick starts
out with a mistaken premise, which, of course,
very materially weakens his conclusion, that
"when the soil is much exposed to long con-
tinued freezing, the frost penetrates to a depth,
and with sufficient intensity, to reach and destroy
the pupa."

2d. Prolonged experience and experiment have
convinced me that this insect invariably hiber-
nates in the perfect beetle state, either above or
just below the surface of the ground. This is a
settled fact, and there can be no good reason

138

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

May,

given for doubting it. I have invariably found
that the beetles issue from the ground long before
the frost sets in, and have kept numbers all
through the winter, and found them at that
season in their winter quarters out of doors.
(For details see 3d Mo. Ent. Rep. pp. 11-13.)

3d. Intense and continued cold in winter is
not so apt to destroy insect life as constant
freezing and thawing. Once torpid, most insects
may be frozen solid with impunity, and our !
little Turk is as tough as anj^ of them. Re- \
peated freezing and thawing is far more prejudi- !
cial than continued freezing, and if we are to '
attribute the scarcity of the Curculio in 1872 to i
anything at all, I should prefer myself to attri- i
bute it to the unprecedented heat and drought
of the summer of 1871 ; for it is an established !
fact that excessive heat and dryness will destroy \
many Insects which transform underground, if j
it occur at the time they are undergoing such I
transformations.

[As a matter of interest we quote what Mr. !
Riley says of the Curculio in the third report of
the Missouri Entomologist. — Ed. ]:

"I shall not here repeat what has already
been published about this insect ; but shall con-
fine mj' remarks principally to the unsettled and
mooted points in its natural history, and to the
new discoveries that have been made since the
appearance of mj' first Report. I am glad to be
able to sa}- that I have forever settled the prin-
cipal question, namely, as to its being single or
double brooded. Authors have, from the begin-
ning, held different views on this subject, and
this fact should not surprise us, when we bear
in mind that they reasoned simply from conjec-
ture : nor will it surprise us when we under-
stand the facts in the case. The facts that
fresh and soft Curculios are found in this lati-
tude as early as the last of June, and that they
still come out of the ground in August, or as
late as September, and even October in more
northerlj^ latitudes, are well calculated to mis-
lead ; while it was difficult to imagine an insect
living ten months before ovipositing, without
dwindling away through the action of its
enemies. But in the beetle state, the Curculio
has few, if any enemies, and in my former
writings on this subject, I have shown that the
other facts do not in the least prove the insect
to be double-brooded. Among those whose
opinions commanded respect, from their pro-
found entomological knowledge and general
accuracy, was Mr. Walsh, who, during his last

years, strenuously contended that this insect
was double-brooded. For several years I have
entertained a different opinion, believing that it
was single brooded, as a rule, and only exception-
ally double-brooded ; and the facts so fully bear
me out in this opinion, that were my late asso-
ciate living to-day, I should bring forth the
testimony with a feeling of triumph, for he was
not often in the wrong ! It is worthy of remark,
however, that Mr. Walsh's first impression, as
given by him in the year 1867*, was that this
insect is single brooded ; his first opinion thus
coinciding with what I have now proved to be
the facts in the case. In my first Report I have
reviewed the experiments which led him to
change his opinion, and have shown that they
did not warrant his final conclusion.

The many words that have been penned in the
discussion of this question would fill a volume ;
but one stern fact, one thorough experiment, is
worth more than all the theories that were ever
conceived, or the phrases that were ever writ-
ten on the subject. At first it seems to be a
very .simple question to settle, but the fact that
it remained unsettled so long would indicate the
reverse. Judge A. M. Brown, of Yilla Ridge,
at my suggestion, endeavored in the summer of
1869 to solve the problem by imprisoning the
first bred beetles and furnishing them with
plucked fruit. Dr. Hull partially performed a
like experiment, and T did the same myself; but
we were met by the advocates of the two-
brooded theory with the objection that such a
test was of no value, as the Curculio would not
deposit on plucked fruit or in confinement ; and
to add weight to their argument they could cite
us to numerous instances among butterflies to
prove that many insects really will not deposit in
confinement. But, as we shall see. the3' placed
too much confidence in the instinct of ilrs.
Turk when, from such premises, they made
these, deductions apply to her.

As I proved over and over again, the question
could not be solved with any more certainty, by
confining beetles to living boughs containing
fruit, as the boughs could not well be covered
with any substance through which the beetles
would not gnaw their way out. So I deter-
mined last spring to build a frame over a large
tree and entirely enclose it in stout gauze, that
would neither let a flea in or out, much less a
Curculio. Having accomplished this before the

♦Practical Entomologist, Vol. II, No. 7.

1873.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOKTELY,

189

blossoms had fallen off the tree, I awaited with
pleasurable interest the result from day to day,
from week to week, and from mouth to mouth ;
engaging a competent person to watch, when,
from necessity. I was obliged to be away. It
were worse than waste of time to detail here the
many interesting observations made on this
tree which I had under control, or to enumerate
the many other experiments which I conducted
in other ways, or the innumerable facts obtained ;
and it will suflSce to give in a summary man-
ner the results— premising only that every pre-
caution was taken, and no expense spared, to-
prevent failure ; that the experiments were
satisfactory beyond my expectations, the results
conclusive bej'ond all peradventure, and that I
can prove every statement I make. To sum up
then -. — The Plum CurcuUo is single brooded, and
I have a number- now alive ^vh^ch were bred
during the latter 2x0-1 of Jane from the first stung
peaches. (At the time the printer is ready for
this Report the beetles are still alive and flour-
ishing— February 24th, 1871.) But, as there
seem to be exceptions to all rules, so there are
to this ; yet the exceptions are onl}'^ just about
sufficient- to prove the rule, for as far south as
St. Louis not more than one per cent, of the
beetles lay any eggs at all, until they have lived
through one winter ; or in other words, where
one female will pair and deposit a few eggs the
same summer she was bred, ninety-nine will live
on for nearly ten mouths and not deposit till the
following spring. In more northern latitudes I
doubt if any exception to the rule will be found.
''As to the other mooted point, namely,
whether this insect ever hibernates under ground
in the larvse state, I am perfectly satisfied that
it never does, but that it passes the winter inva-
riably as a beetle, under all sorts of shelter in
the woods ; generally, however, near the surface
of the ground. Indeed, it often makes for itself
a hole in the ground, seldom, however deep
enough to more than barely cover its own body.
In short, there is very little to alter or modify in
the established facts in its natural history,
which I have already published. The egg,
instead of being 'oval,' as there stated, would
be better described as ' oblong-oval,' measuring
exactly 0 03 inch in length, and being nearly
three times as long as wide. It should also be
remarked here, that when depositing the eggs in
apples, the female often neglects the usual
symbol of Mohammedanism, which she so invari-
ably inscribes upon stone fruit ; and that where

this mark is made on apples, it more easily be-
comes obliterated.

" During their beetle life, these insects feed
continually, just as long as the weather is mild
enough to make them active. While fruit lasts,
they gouge holes in it, and after peaches have
gone, apples are badly attacked. They also
gnaw lar^e holes in the leaves, and when
nothing else presents, will feed on the bark of
the tender twigs.

'•The beetles often make a peculiar creaking
noise (a fact not mentioned before of this
species) by rubbing the tip of the abdomen up
and down against the wing-covers.*

" Let us be thankful, therefore, that there can
no longer reasonably be difterence of opinion, or
discussion on these questions, which, though of
no very great practical importance, were yet of
great interest to us all. ' '

*A great many different beet lesbelongins to widely dif.
ferent families liave the power of making a stridulating
creaking noise, and though the instrument is found
upon different ]iarts of the body in different species, yet
it is always made after one plan, namely, a iile-like rasp
and a scraper. In Darwin's new boolc (Descent of Man
pp. 383-73) an interesting account of the different meth-
ods emploj'ed will be found. Every entomologist
knows how commonly tliis creaking noise occurs in
the Long-horn beetles, and that the rasp is situated on
the mcsothorax, and is rubbed against the prothorax.
In the Burying beetles (Necrophorid.^;) these rasps
are si mated on the fifth abdominal joint, and are
scraped by the posterior margin of the elytra. In the
Dung-beetles again it is variously situated upon differ-
ent portions of the body. Dr. Fitch (10th Ann. Rep*
p. 12i lias noticed the creaking noise by the Three-lined
Leaf-beetle (Lcma Irilincala) which i.'s produced by the
same motions as those witnessed in ourCurculio; but
in this instance, as in all other stridulating Chrysome-
lidse, the rasp is situated on the dorsal apex of the
abdomen known as the pygidium, ahd is scraped by
the wing-covers ; while in the closely allied Curculio-
nidae which have this power the parts are completely
reversed in position. Any one who will take the trou-
ble to carefully examine t.ie wing-covers of our Plum
Curculiowill find on the lower apical edge of each, a
horny, slightly raised plate, about a third as long as the
whole wing-cover, and transversely and obliquely
ribbed by numerous parallel ridges. There is also a
longer cord or carina near the sutiiral edge which may
help to intensify the noise. The dors il apex of the
abdomen or pygidium forms a yellowish and rough"
ened plate, with the sides horny and eraarginate. .so
that wuen the abdomen plays up and down, these
horny edges grate or scrape at right angles against the
rasp.

In .some instances the stridulation is possessed prin"
cipally by one sex and serves no doubt as a sexual call;
but with our Ciirculio as with most other stridulating
beetles, both sexes seem to share alike in the power,
and it then no doubt serves as a mutual call, or is used
under the inflnence of distress, fear, or even pleasure
for I have always more particularly noticed the noise
of an evening when the CurcuUos were most actire
and preparing for their active night work.

IJfO

TEE GARDENER'S MONTHLY.

May,

SMALL PIPES IN HOT WATER HEATING

BY L. B. G., ROCHESTER, N. Y.

In Garclener'>s Monthly, Vol. VI, p. 53, you
discourage the use of small pipe in the fire.
Last fall I built a small propagating house, and
to heat tank I suspended the boiler, holding two
gallons, over the fire. I found when the furnace
was banked I coidd not obtain sufficient heat.
I then made a boiler 10 inches long by 3 inches
in diameter, to receive flow and return pipes,
to the bottom of which I attached 1| inch gas
pipe, which drops through the fire nearly to the
bottom of the grate : to keep up circulation in
this pipe I placed inside a j inch tube, reaching
from near the bottom of the gas pipe nearly
to the top of the boiler. I now get as much
heat with a dull fire. The boiler works so well
that I thought of using such an arransrement on
a larger scale iu a propagating hou.se I am about
to build. How can pipe in the fire give out
when it will not get much hotter than the water V
Do you think a small saddle boiler would answer
better ? I notice houses here with both buck
and cement flues leak gas badly on dull days.
In a house 80 feet longj 11 feet wide, would it
not be better to run the flue forty or fifty feet,
and heat the balance with water V Suppose clay
or tile pipes had one end coated with pitch, then
the joints butted together and cemented with
mortar, similar to the collar illustrated in Gar-
dener\^ Monthly, Vol. V, p. 86, would not the
pitch by preventing the mortar from adhering
to the pipe allow the pipe to expand, and yet be
sufficiently tight to prevent leakage ? I enclose
clipping from Scientific Americayi relating to the
same subject :

A. B. says : —The henting pipes of a greenhouse
are common sewer tiles, composed of lime and
gravel, tlie end of each joint slipping into the next
one. I find the heat or cold expands and contracts
them, bieaking the cement that I put them together
with, consequently permitting the smoke to escape
and fill the greenhouse, to the no small detiimeat of \
the plants. How can I obviate this evil, and is I
there any kind of springy ctmeut with which I t
could join them? 2. What is the force per square ■
inch of freezing water? 3. The news dealer i
charges me 8 cents for the Scientific American, that
is 14.16 per year. Does $o sent to you include
postage ; if not, what would the postage be ? An- j
swers : 1. As an expedient, we suggest that 3'ou <
cover the joints with a band of thin sheet tin, the ends
of which you can lap and bend over with your
fingers with sufficient tightness. 2. The expansive 1
force of water in freezing has been estimated at
thirty thousand pounds per square inch. 3. The
postage on the Scientific American is 5 cents a I
quarter or 20 cents a year, payable by the sub- '
sci iber.

Perhaps these inquiries are answered in Gar-
dener^s Monthly, 1862, for which Vol. I have just
sent. As I have neglected to take the Monthly
for the past five years, I find myself behind the
times in regard to new improvements. The
volumes I have I would not exchange for the
best book in the country, and will soon .send for
those I have neglected to take.

I ORCHARD CULTURE.

j BY G ZIMMERMAN, BUFFALO. N. Y.

In your editorial of the January number, the
: remarks on " Preparing ground for fruit trees,"
i will be valuable to all those who wish to plant
! an orchard on land which is not naturally
I underdrained.

The general opinion is, that such land is not

fit for successful fruit growing, which seems to

be true to the observer who passes through the

country and sees the difterence between orchards

I planted on sandy or gravely knolls and hill-

; sides, and those planted on level clay land,

I managed in the ordinary way, viz : of constant

plowing and cropping between the trees.

I have in ray mind two orchards, both within
four miles of Baf!\ilo. the planting and managing
of which with the results, may give light on
the question.

The one belongs to an old German, who never
reads any paper or book but his Bible, but
whose keen observation and shrewdness make
him, in my estimation, one of the best fruit
growers I ever knew.

His trees are all planted on the surface, then
plowed up several times, so that the beds on
which the trees stand are at least two feet higher
in the middle than the side furrows. He then seeds
it down, keeps it mowed, and never plows again,
but give the trees an annual dressing on the
surface, either of compost or stable manure,
which he covers with creek sand, to which he
has easy access. The trees are among the best
I ever saw. His mode of pruning, too, shows
more knowledge than the work of most farmers,
for they generally do too much. He is well
known to the fruit dealers in Buffalo for his fine
fruit, more esijecially the cherries, which is a
favorite fruit with him ; next in his estimation
is the apple.

That he realizes large profits from fruit grow-
ing is clear by what he said a year or two ago,
when buying as usual a number ©f apple trees,
^" If I were only 50 years old instead of over 70,

1873.

THE GARDEJ\^ER'S MOJSf'TELJ

IJfl

I would come with the hay-rake and get wagon
loads. '>^

The other is an orchard of about twenty-five
acres, and was planted abeut twenty years ago,
on a piece of rolling land of a light sandy loam,
mostly new at that time, the whole well under-
drained and otherwise prepared, as is recom-
mended by the best writers on the subject. The
owner is a very sensible man, of a liberal char-
acter, who never hesitated a moment to make
an outlay when the success of the enterprise
seemed to require it ; the whole orchard was
kept in the highest culture, and vegetables grown
between the trees. The result was, the trees
grew vigorously in the extreme, but several
times the blight made sad havoc among the
pear trees, and even a number of the apple trees
were badly afiected, but these mishaps could
not shake the enthusiasm of our friend — new
trees were procured, and the vacancies filled as
fast as made ; but this excessive growth had a
more serious fault ; the fruit, although fine, was
very little in quantity, making the difference in
the balance sheet from year to year larger on
the wrong side. Unfortunately, too, for the
orchard, it happened that about that time
(when trees were expected to bring good returns)
that a tree carpenter (as you so fitly call them)
saw the orchard, and I presume expressed the
opinion that these trees are not properly
pruned, and would not bear. They must have
the shape of an inverted umbrella, so that the
air and sun can get in. This seemed reasonable ;
the pruner got the job, and he did it thoroughly.
The centre of each tree was cut out down to a
few of the lowest tier of branches. Dwarf and
Standard, Apple and Pear trees, were all treated
alike. The consequence was, that this expen-
sive orchard was half ruined, and did not pay
the owner any better afterwards. It lost its
charm for him, and a few years afterwards was
«old to a market gardener, who now cuts down
one lot of trees after the other, and threatens to
cut down all the apple trees if they do not soon
bear better.

These two orchards are not over three miles
apart : the one which is made and managed
with comparatively little cost brings the shrewd
owner such satisfactory results, that he says :
^'- nothing pays him so well as his orchard.'^ He
has an experience of over thirty years' fruit
growing on the same place.

SPECIFIC HEAT IN PLANTS.

BY G. DROBISCH, COLUMBUS, OHIO.

Is there any specific heat in plants ? From
time to time I have seen this question discoursed
in different papers, and always read the argu-
ments, for and against the existence of such,
with great interest, yet without being fully con-
vinced as to which is the true theory.

In your January number, page 5, I see a
short notice on the subject by a correspondent,
in which he refers to a former article, by Dr.
L. Fritsche, and in which he explains in a very
plausible way the phenomena on which Dr. F.
based the existence of specific heat.

I consider myself entirely incompetent to give
any opinion as to which is the right explanation
in the mentioned case, as I never observed those
facts under the same circumstances, but I will
give you my experience, in making an observa-
tion which spoke much in favor of vegetable
heat.

Four years ago, in the latter part of February,
I noticed one morning after a cold night a heavy
fog or dew deposited all over the surrounding
landscape, forming a peculiar coating of frosted
particles of the finest texture, and formation on
trees, shrubs, and vines, giving them a very
interesting appearance. The weather remained
very dull and cloudy all morning, preventing the
bright rays of sunshine to break through even for
one minute, yet the temperature rose gradually
towards noon, without reaching actual thawing.
At 12 o'clock at noon, I noticed, in passing a
number of grape vines, this fine frosted coating,
which rested on them in the morning, had dis-
appeared wherever the vines - had any life
in them, but on the extreme ends, which
were of matured growth, and consequently
winter killed, and also on the dead tendrils all
over the vines it remained on. This was cer-
tainly a very strange phenomena, and surprised
me very much, and in trying to §nd any expla-
nation for it, I could come to no other conclusion
but what this could only be specific heat in the
vines, which caused the thawing of this fine
frost. Had it been the effect of exterior heat, I
should suppose it to thaw first where deposited
in smallest quantity, that is, on the fine tendrils
and the slender tips of the vines, but the fact of
being just the reverse, and to see all the tendrils
still covered with frost, while the live canes to
which they were attached were thawed off, made
it most striking that this was to be attributed to
some other agency.

u^

THE GARBEJSTER'S MOJTTELY.

May,

I have never since been able to make the same
observation again, and I think it was owing to
the peeuliar weather and temperature at that
time, for if the temperature had been any lower
I don't suppose the specific heat of those vines
would have been strong enough to thaw that
frost, and again at a higher degree (which it
reached an hour later) it would have thawed off
so suddenly at once, without giving any oppor-
tunity of making any observation at all.

In the above, I simply state the facts as I
found them, and should like to have your, and
some of your readers, opinion on the subject,
whether there is any other explanation for this
phenomena.

HISTORY OF THE BLOOD-LEAVED
PEACH.

BY A LADY SUBSCRIBER, VICKSBTJRG, MISS.

Seeing in the Qardener'>s Monthly for Febru-
ary a desire expressed to know where the
"blood-leaved Qen. Tilyhman Peach tree" did
spring, I wrote out to Mr. DeHebron, at Bovina,
for the correct history of it, and I take the
liberty of enclosing his reply. I have one of the
trees growing finely. It certainly presents a
very singular appearance when in bloom, the
flowers being very large and nearly white, and
the foliage dark red. I enclose a twig. I hope
this information may prove as acceptable as it
is reliable.

Dear Madam— Your letter was received a
few days ago, and in reply I take pleasure in
giving you a full statement of the General
Tilgham Peach tree. It was found at Champion
Hills, in Hinds County (near the spot that Gen.
Tilgham was killed) by my nurseryman, Mr. P.
T. Connor.

Mr. C. belonged to Cowan's Battery, and was
present when the General was shot. In 1866,
Mr. C. took » stroll over the battle-field, and
near by the spot where the General died, in a
cluster of briars, this singular, peach tree stood.
He brought it to my nursery, and it still bears
its bloody appearance.

Yours very respectfully, John L. Hebron.

[Our correspondent has our best thanks for
this note. She says her peach has large whitish
flowers ; ours is small and deep pink. The twig
pushing into leaf also seems to have broader
leaves than the one sent to us before. Are
there two kinds ?--Ed.]

ANEMOKE JAPONICA ALBA.

BY R. "W., LANSINEURGH, N. Y.

Mr. Duncan's notes on hardy herbaceous
plants, in your February number, were very
good, and called attention to some worthy of
more consideration than they receive, particu-
larly the saxifrages, but I was disappointed in
finding no mention made of the anemone japon-
ica alba. There is no herbaceous perennial in
my garden I value so highly as I do this, and it
is a matter of surprise to me that it is not more
fully appreciated. When in bloom, loaded with
its snowy blossoms, it never fails to excite the
admiration of those who see it, and during the
summer its tufts of leaves are always bright and
fresh, presenting none of the weediness common
to many plants in general cultivation. This
plant undoubtedl}'^ possesses the very qualities
which place it foremost among hardy herba-
ceous plants, viz : great beauty and perfect
hardiness. In conclusion, allow me to quote Mr.
Robinson, who, in his '-Parks and Gardens of
Paris," says: this beautiful autumn bloomer
should be in every garden where a hardy flower
is valued," and I fully agree with him, and
trust those who have not the anemone japonica
alba will be persuaded by these words to add a
root or two to their flower border. The addition
will certainly not be regretted.

THE TUPELO AS A PIEDGE PLANT.

BY W. M. NOBLE, BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

You say at some Society's report in the July
Monthly, t\mt the perfect hedge plant had not
been found. Triie, but in the search, let me
offer to your consideration " Xyssa sylvat-
ica Tupelo Gum or Pepperige tree." I have
never seen it named, but I think it will be
found as hardy, handsome, and impenetrable as
any other plant. As a fence plant, I believe it
has a Ucitural growth and aptness, which, with-
out the shears no other can boast.

I know a natural pepperige hedge near here,
never shorn, growing up twelve feet high, beside
a stone wall, on a high and dry bank, which no
creature could break through. The very hori-
zontal or depending branches and style of this
tree, fits it by nature, to interlace its wiry shoot
into a ready formed hedge and stout barrier.

The foliage and form of this tree is striking
and attractive in every season. Its winter spray
is stout, yet gracefully depending, and of a pleas-
ing grey. The bright and glossy leaves of its

1873.

THE GARDE JEER'S MOA^THLY

iw

summer form, rival the richest verdure of the
season. In autumn, no foliage but that of the
scarlet maple can rival the rich and enduring
tints, which glow upon and adorn the woodland
drapery.

It should be much oftener sought for — the
arboretum on the lawn, clustered with others, or
standing alone, its spire-like form yields a rare
and stately beauty.

Cut out its leader when twelve feet high, and
the whole strength of its vegetation crowds into
the lower depending limbs, and quickly makes
of this a lovely weeper. I have seen such. The
shoots, which push up so vigorously in most
trees when so treated, only shows in this after
a long interval, during which the depending
branches extend and perfect its new form.

I confess, so strong is this weeping tendency
of the Tupelo, that I look, ere long, to find some
sport therefrom, which has taken the form of a
persistent weeper.

HOT WATER BOILER FLUES.

BY W. B. WICKEN.

The writer is by no means one of those who
believe there is nothing like the "good old
times," but it is his intention to write a letter
in favor of the old and now-a-daya despised Flue.

There are men of small means starting into
business who cripple themselves too much by
putting in expensive hot water appai-alus, when
properly constructed Hues would answer equally
as well, and could be furnished at mucli less
expense.

And for more pretentious structures than
the commercial florist would build, the flue
could be made available. There are many who
would build small conservatories, but are deterred
by the consideration of expensive hot water
apparatus. An objection against the flue in
this case may be urged against its unsightly
appearance, which could be easily met by a little
ingenuity ; the flue could be built under the
floor of the house, and covered with ornamental
open iron work, as is often done where pipes are
used in such places.

Some would say the heat from a flue is more
drying than that from hot water, and is not so
healthy for the growth of plants, but in either
case the heat radiated is a dry heat, as there can
no moisture pass through the pipes ; the one

advantage the pipes have in this instance, is
that the heat is radiated from a surface of lower
temperature, and does uofc decompose the atmos-
phere to such an extent as does the superheated
flue, but that fault can be counterbalanced by
having on or near the flue pans of water, with
large evaporating surface. Too often flues are
built too narrow, and the draught too rapid,
thereby consuming more fuel than is necessary,
and overheating the material of the flue.

The writer's idea of a good flue would be one
somewhat of more capacity than those in ordi-
nary use, and with a slower draught, giving a
larger heating surface and radiating heat at a
lower temperature, and consequently consuming
less fuel ; another advantage the flue possesses
(and will not admit it is a valuable one) it can be
left without attention from four to six hours
longer than can a boiler.

Flues are certainly as economical iu point of
fuel as hot water apparatus, if not more so.

The writer wotild not wish to be understood
to claim that flues are belter in every case than
hot water apparatus, but believes in many cases
flues are entitled to consideration as answering
equally as well, and being cheaper than heating
by hot water.

t THE MELIA AZADERACK— A CHOICE
! TROPICAL PLAITT.

' BY F. T.

I

While on a recent visit to the commercial
I establishment of James Ritchie, exotic florist, of
I Philadelphia, who grows one of the choicest and
' varied collections of tender exotics,- and has been
famous for a third of a century past for a plenti-
ful production and artistical arrangement of cut
flowers to public and private entertainments, a
pretty plant in bloom, attracted my attention,
and got its name as MeXia azfAderack. It is of
I neat habit and lovely blossom, of lilac color and
sweet scented, and in bloom in early February.
I I predict for it a wide distribution among the
i admirers of beautiful tropical plants. There
; were about two score of plants on the shelf, and
; all being in flower, made a fascinating show. It
I is yet rare, and comraonl}'- called "Cuban

I Lilac."

i

i [This is the China tree, a popular ornamental

I tTee in the South.— Ed.]

lU

TEE GARBEJ^ER'IS MOJ^TRLy.

April,

EDITOR lAL.

IMPROVED CUCUMBER.
In its wild Persian home, the cucumber would
hardly know the improved varieties of English
gardens. Even our readers accustomed to the
wagon loads of " short pricklies '' which abound
in our markets, can have but a faint idea of the
beauty and perfection of form to which garden-

they are highly prized, and the gardener who
expects to get a first-class situation there,
must be sure not to omit from his advertisement
that he is well acquainted with the growth of
cucumbers. Even if the cucumber were not
valued as a delicate article of food in these old
world establishments, a cucumber house would

MARQUrS OF LORNE CUCUMBER.

ers bring them, who have them under glass cul-
ture. There are some who cannot eat cucum-
bers—indeed now and then are individuals who
affect to regard them as fit only for hogs ; but
such are not the great mass of the people, as the
enormous quantity raised and sold in the United
States abundantly testifies, as well as does the
fact that in every aristocratic garden in Europe

still be esteemed as much for the interest attached
to its culture, and the really attractive show
it makes, as for the mere production of fruit
itself.

Where houses are not constructed especially
for cucumbers, they are grown in hot beds, made
of stable manure, and only those who have been
through it all know with what enthusiasm the

1878,

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MONTHLY.

U5

fir.'^t seed leaves are received, and how the plants'
growth is almost hourly watched, until from leaf
to (lower— from the opening of the flower to the
artificial setting of the fruit — from the first set-
ting until through hollow glass tubes they have
been made to grow straight and slender, and
covered with a lovely waxy bloom.

The properties of a good cucumber are, that
it should be long, two feet if it likes, not very
thick, two to three inches is enough— be almost
round, that is to say with the ribs or ridges near-
ly obliterated ; and the end which is nearest the
parent stem should start with the thickness it
Is to have all the way through, that is it should
not be bottle nosed. Then the seed should be
small, and the space to be occupied by the seed,
confined to the smallest possible compass. When
to this there is a mild flavor, the perfection of
cucumber growing has been reached.

We give with this, an illustration of the Mar-
quis of Lome, one of the most celebrated of the
new English varieties. It not only serves to
show off this fine variety to advantage, but it
gives a general idea of what we have written in

this chapter.

» — «

PULVERIZING THE SOIL.

All of us admit that when our very ancient
forefathers turned up the soil with a stout
crooked log, drawn by a steady old ox, there
was considerable room for improvement. Indeed
there has been a great advance. The plough
and the spade sing a merrier song, and by their
aid, happiness has been added to thousands.

But it is worth while occasionally to ask our-
selves whether we have gained from nature all
she will give us. For our part we firmly believe
we have not learned by cultivation to get from
her the half she is willing to bestow.

We know that it is not pleasant to lead off in
opposition to popular sentiment. Generally it is
not till long after a man is dead that the truth
he taught comes to be recognized as just the
thing to enter into a general creed. Most people
shrink from the ridicule and the combat which
the enunciation of a new truth is sure to bring
forth, and rest satisfied with simply recording
their facts and observations for other men to
make use of; but those other men seldom c©me,
and thus hundreds of valuable facts are thrown
on the great public sea, which are not like that
proverbial bread, which, cast upon the waters,
returns after many days.

Now the Qardi&neY''s Monthly has faitli in pro-

gress. It does not believe we have learned all
that is to be known of the best culture. It has
braved, and is willing to brave any amount of
ridicule for what it believes to be true. It has
lived to see many of the principles for which in
the past it battled, accepted as valuable general
truths, and in the fuTture, it hopes to know that
many more have been added to the list.

Well just now we want to ask our readers
what is the use of the continual upturning of
the soil which so much ground receives ? Why,
replies one, only plant on two inches of soil, and
along side set out the same things on soil six
inches or a foot, and note the difference. Th s
is true, but we do not ask what is the use of deep
soil— this we know all about, but after you have
it deep, why turn it topsy turvy every year, as
if the world were naturally made wrong side up ?
We must remember that by the aid of the Oar-
dener's Monthly, we now know that there are
two distinct sets of roots in plants, as distinct
from one another in their functions as the leaves
are from the branches, and that while one set of
roots are like branches in this that they are mere
supports and conductors of fluid ; the real work-
ers, or providers of plant food, are the numerous
small fibers, which like the leaves, perish when
their year's work is done. We further now
know that the surface soil, when dry, absorbs
nutritious gases from the atmosphere, and that
it is at the surface that the small fibers feed.
Now the bottom soil can never, under any cir-
cumstances, be as good for plant food as the sur-
face, and the fibres do not go there to feed ; yet
we year after year turn the surface down, where
there are few fibres to make any uSe of it. We
know much more now than we did fifty years
ago about the advantages of surface manuring ;
but even those who have learned this lesson, dig
and plough so as to bury deep the manure
beneath the surface of the ground, and all
because they think the soil needs an annual
loosening before crops will grow.

Now there have been, time and again, facts
given which prove that all other things being
equal, the solid soil has the advantage over the
loose soil. Stephens, in that magnificent work,
the " Book of the Farm," tells how it was found
by careful experiment, that wheat sown after the
land had been suffered to be long enough ploughed
to become packed and solid, always yielded much
better than when sown on the newly loosened
soil. Mr. Downing, a quarter of a century ago,
in the Horticulturist, gave numerous facta to

U6

THE GARDEJVER'IS MONTHLY.

May,

show that garden vegetables and small fruits
yielded better on the compact soil of alley ways,
than in the loosened soil of the beds between.
The best plant cultivators in pots, use dryish
soil, and then pound it in as hard as a blunt
stick can make it ; and about Philadelphia, the
most successful tree planters ram the trees into
the earth with a rammer, precisely as they
would a post. All along our public highways,
we find trees which have to push their feeding
roots among the hard rocky bed of the road, or
under the flag-stones of pavements making
growths which the same kinds of trees never
make in the looser ground* of gardens which the
sidewalk bounds. In fact without going more
into detail here, we may briefly express our
opinion that thousands of dollars, and the sweat
of ten thousand brows are annually wasted in
digging and turning up ground which would
have borne just as good crops without it.

Of course there are thousands of cases where
the surface must be turned under. There is
grass, and there are briars ; weeds, long strawy
litter, and rough stuff of many kinds. There are
rows of trees to be planted, corn stalks of last
year — in short, lots of good reasons why the sur-
face should at times be turned over, but we want
to enter our protest against the act being any
special benefit to the soil itself, or of any benefit
to the roots which are to collect food in it. They
want rich soil, and would sooner go into the
pores of a solid bone to find it than into the
loosest soil without manure.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

DOMESTIC

The Japan Gold Banded Lily. We wonder
whether the Japanese do anything to Lilium au-
ratum to make them bloom extra strong? As we
generally see them they never flower as well
after the first year. The Hollanders pinch out
the flowers of young Hyacinth roots, and when
we get them they are thus extra strong. They
never do as well any succeeding year as the first.
Do the Japanese do something the same with
this prince of Lilies ?

Orchid Culture in America. The cultiva-
tion of these curious and beautiful plants is very
much on the increase in this country. It is
found that many of them at least do not require
such expensive arrangements as was thought
necessary years ago. The newest idea is to
grow them in connection with grape culture. It

is said that the hothouse grape and the orchid
generally agree very well together.

Complimentary. Our thanks are due to the
Faryners'' Home Journal, of Louisville, and the
Western Farmer, of Madison, Wis., for kind
personal noticts.

Piling on the Agony. There is a certain man
at Springfield, Ohio, who has perhaps fleeced
more nurserymen in the Union than any other
living man, but who always manages to keep
" strictly within the law,'' so the Springfieldians
say. Not long since he got a New Yorker into
his net, and refused to opeu the mouth — by a
letter to say he was alive, that he might find
his way out. Our X -w York friend started for
the Buckeye State U> learn what the matter was.
Arriving at Springfield, he learned that the
" fruit farm '' was some distance out. He
started for his Mecca. On the road he met a
" gentleman " in a wagon and inquired the way,
stating he was a stranger and from New York.
The "gentleman' gave the required informa-
tion, but added that he happened to know the
"proprietor of (his wife's) fruit farm " had sin-
gularly enough started for New York that very
daj, on a bill paying expedition I Sad and sor-
rowful our weary traveler looked back on distant
Springfiold, and enquired for some way to get a
ride. The wagoner was not going exactly there,
but would take New York to the station for fifty
cents. This was paid. Happening to tell his
disappointment in the car on his return, he had
an eye opener in the news that the man who
brought him in was the man he was in search
of!

P.S.— Fifty cents has been added to the claim
against the husband of the celebrated fruit
farm

A New Hitch in the Postal Law. Lentil the
present mysterious mass of matter called the
"revised postal code," is utterly swept away,
and some common sense enactment substituted,
we hoped to let the queer thing die peacefully.
But here comes the Postmaster General with
another " What is it ?'' in the shape of a deci-
'sion, which affects horticulturists severely.

The Postmaster General got so bothered in
his eflForts to make any Enghsh out of the law in
regard to partly unpaid postages, that he gave
it up in despair. He thought the language said
that a letter partly unpaid must pay double the
pre-paid rate on delivery ; but whether it was
to be double the amount actually pre-paid, or
double the amount which ought to be pre-paid,

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

147

no one ever knew. Finding the English lan-
guage of the postal code too much for him, he
called in the Attorney General, whose know-
ledge of English led him to a different conclu-
sion. It was not "double the pre-paid rate,"
but the unpaid part only.

But now the Postmaster General is sure that
if this is so, the code only "says letters," and
therefore, all matter of ''the third class," not
being letters, must pay "double the pre-paid
rate." Our readers therefore must be sure
that their seed parcels, cuttings, circulars and
so on, are fully paid, or their innocent corres-
pondents will have some pretty heavy bills to
foot for other people's inadvertence.

The Springfield Republican gives vent to its
feelings on the subject in this wise :

"The postal department claims the right to charge
double rates on anything not absolutely and specifi-
cally forbidden by law, and there is no knowing
where its ingenuity will break out next. There is no
law against running the mails through a hay cutter
and charging three cents on every separate particle
of the chaff, and we may come to that some day."

For our part we only express a regret that a
knowledge of the English language does not seem
to be at all necessary to men sent to make laws
for a great nation like this.

The Brussels Sprout. Of the various forms
into which the original wild cabbage of the Eu-

ropean coasts has developed, the Brussels sprout

is one of the most singular. It throws up a
straight stem two or three feet high, and after
forming a small head on the top, produces a
large number of small hard cabbages, about the
size of an ordinary orange, all along the length
of the stem. They are
deliciously sweet, and are
very much grown in En-
gland. They are not as
popular in America, indeed
so fewknowanythingof them
that we have thought this
account will be like descri-
bing a new thing to many.
The seed requires to be
sown about the same time
as the common late Drum-
head cabbage.

In order that our readers
may have a better idea of
how they grow, who have
not seen them, we give the
accompanying illustration.
There are many good va-
rieties. This one is known
as Scrymger's Giant, and

is esteemed as the best now grown in the old

world.

SCRAPS AND aUERIES.

Azalea indica alba — Mrs. A. E. F., Can-
and'dgua, JV. T., writes: "In the February
number of the Gardener's Monthly, I notice an
inquiry as to the best white azalea. Noticing
also that you recommend the Azalea Indica
Alba as being the best, and having one of that
kind in blossom, among other plants in my bay
window, I take the liberty to send you a stereo-
graph taken from it.

" I obtained the plant last spring after flower-
ing, from Mr.* John Cadness, Flushing, Long
Island. Although less than two feet in height,
it has now sixty-five buds and blossoms, many
of which are semi-double ; and is also making an
abundance of new growth for another season.''

[This makes a beautiful stereograph. The
flowers are remarkably large and fine. We have

rarely seen larger flowers, though under the
hands of the best gardeners.]

Propagating Shrubs.— J". JV., Tidioute,
Pa., writes : "I wish to inquire the method of
propagating shrubs. The best season, whether
under glass or out doors is the best, and in fact,
the general manner as practised by nursery-
men."

[There are scarcely two kinds of plants that
are propagated in the same way. Some are
grafted, others layered, some inarched, some by
cuttings ; and some which are raised in one way
will not grow by the other. Then some will not
do out of doors, and some only that way. Others
must be operated in the fall, others in spring,
and some during the growing summer time. If

148

THE GARDEJTER^S MOJ^TELY.

May,

our correspondent will specify any one particu-
lar thing we will gladly help him.]

Name of Plant. — T. M.^ Hartford, Con-
necticut, says : "I have enclosed an orchid
bloom, of which I will thank you for its name.
It has been in bloom about five weeks. The
pseudo bulbs are from nine to eleven inches
long, and the leaves from five to seven inches in
length."

[The crushed and almost shapeless mass seems
to be Epidendrum ciliare.'\

Late Spring. — A Johnstown, Pa., corres-
pondent says, under date of 2Gth of March ;
" Winter still lingers with us. Last week we
had six to eight inches snow, which melted away
on Sunday. To-day we have five or six inches
more, and mercury at 29'"

Growth of Plants in the Islands of
THE Delaware River. —J. D. K., says : " I
have been surprised since living here at the
growth of fruit on reclaimed marsh land. At
the pea patch islands, (Fort Delaware) pears and
grapes fruit profusely year after year. Pruning
or no pruning, cultivation or sod, it is all one ;
and the site is below tide laud, but properly
drained. Fine hedges abound in the same
region."

Old Apple Seed. —" Pomo3o(/y," Blooming-
ton, Ills., writes : " I find a difference of opinion
among nurserymen as to whether apple seeds
will grow when one year old. I should be glad
if you would insert an inquiry in the Gardener's
Monthly as to whether any one can say of his
own knowledge that apple seed a year old grew
to any considerable extent. Of course four or
five per cent, is not what I want get at. Will it
grow any thing near as good as new seed ? ''

Disease in Root Grafts.—/. D., Kittan-
ning, Pa., writes : "I have been engaged in
the nursery business for twenty years. I have
never had any difficulty in keeping root grafts
(apple) until three years ago, when I lost fifty
per cent. — last winter about ten per cent., and
this winter's grafting, as near as I can tell now,
about ten per cent. I keep them in a cave, with
a flue from the centre for ventilation, six inches
square. I pack in oyster boxes with sawdust,
(pine or hemlock), the grafts being set upright,
the points are exposed to the a\r. The difficulty

seems to be fungus or mould. Whether it
attacks the top or splice first I am unable to say ;
but I know that it spreads. It kills graft or
scion (not affecting the roots) about one inch of
the lower end or splice, and the same of the up-
per end or top. Is there any preventative or
even cure for the disease ? Do you suppose the
cave is not ventilated sufficient, or does the fun-
gus spread from the o'd boards which form the
rdof, and are beginning to decay ? By giving
me any information on this matter, you will con-
fer a great favor upon me."

[Decaying wood often, much oftener than
people think, originates fungus, which after it
has once got into active life, will attack healthy
vegetation and destroy it. The facts are so well
established that there is no doubt ®f this now.
No doubt if the cave be thoroughly white-
washed— a little sulphur in the white-wash would
be a benefit, for these minute fungi hate sulphur
— and all decaying wood kept away from the
grafts, they would do as well as they formerly
did. One of the most successful grafters we
know, 80 hates wood that he does not use even
sawdust, but sand. We doubt whether he loses
one grafted plant in ten thousand — and has the
same uniform success every year.]

Packing Trees for Shipment. —5. saye :
" I wish you would start the subject of tree
packing again, and call for communication*
from your readers. Ask your readers to answer
the question : Is quite wet, or only moderately
damp packing best ? Will very wet or rather
dry packing best stand frost ? Does much water
hurt the roots ?"

Flattened Shoots. — T. S. says : " In cut-
ting scions for grafting or budding, I occasion-
ally come across a scion flat, and the buds
arranged peculiarly. These singular shaped
branches are most frequently found on the top
of heart and biggareau cherries, and sometime*
found on pears of the soft wood varieties. I
can't remember ever having seen one on an
apple, Crab, or Morello cherry. I send you a
very good sample by mail of a Bartlett scion.
Of course you have often seen the same thing.
Pray tell us the cause. The balance of the tree*
seem like other trees. It Avould look as though
two buds had formed a natural union. If thi*
is so, it would go to show that buds could be
joined artificially, as claimed by the " Sweet and
Soui" Greening '' writers.

187S.

THE GARDE JVER*S MOJ^THLY,

149

[These appearances used to be attributed to
great vigor, but are in reality just the reverse.
Except that in some way or another the plant
has lost in this particular part, some of its vital
power, no one has been able to get to the imme-
diate cause. The subject was pushed this far in
a paper published in the proceedings of the
American Association, at Troy, New York, in
1870. This view is confirmed by the specimen
sent. The pith and interior wood is diseased.
This may not prove that disease caused the flat-
tening ; but it certainly shows it is not vigorous
health.]

Fuchsias.— Jlfiss L. B. If., EddyviUe, (no
State named ; one State will often suggest varia-
tions in treatment. It is best always to give it)
says ; " I wish to enquire, through your
columns, the manner that Fuchsias should be
treated in order to secure an early bloom. I
have a conservatory, and keep a large assort-
ment of flowers, and while my Geraniums, Roses,
Heliotropes, Verbenas, etc., are flowering so
freely, my Fuchsias still refuse to put forth a
single blossom. I have often noticed how florists
have them to flower so beautifully when so very
small. If you could write up Fuchsia culture
you will greatly oblige."

[The Fuchsia deservedly holds a place in our
correspondent's regard. We are always glad
when any one asks us to write about Fuchsias,
for a well grown fuchsia is among the most beau-
tiful of all flowers. In regard to early flowering,
there are some which have a natural tendency
to bloom earlier than others. Coccinea rosea,
Lustre, and Bianca marginata are of this class.
But to get early flowers, plants a yt-iii old are
better than young ones. After being a little
dried up by the summer, prune in severely, and
after the buds have pushed a little into new
growth, shake out of the old soil, put in small
pots with new earth ; encourage this new
growth, and when they are housed for the sea-
son, keep them in a temperature of about 60°,
with plenty of sunlight, and they will probably
flower well by February or March at latest.]

The Spring ik the South.— J. H. S.,
Alexandria^ La , March 28th, says : " We had
a killing frost on the morning of the 26th,— ther-
mometer 28° at sunrise. Corn cut off", and all
ootton up, killed.''

And by the same mail, J. W. M., of Ladore,
Ifeosha Co., Kansas^ says: '"The weather is

very warm and spring like. Prospects excel-
lent.'' It is reversing things when Kansas
crows over Louisiana.

A Pkinter'8 Blunder. — Advertisements
do not pass through the editor's hands, hence
printers who do not know botany or technical
terms, are always thankful when the hand wri-
ting is very plain. Mr. Campbell usually writes
a very clear, plain hand, and there really seemed
no excuse for printers, or anybody else, when
at page sixteen of April number, they made him
say his potatoes yielded one or two "berries,''
instead of barrels. The public, however, know
pretty well by this time, that Mr. Campbell's
potato is a pretty good thing, and berries or
barrels, have no doubt laid in a good stock, or
if ihey have not, they ought to.

House Culture of Roses. — H. B., Bela-
loare, Ohio, writes as follows. We should be
glad if some of our rose growers would give their
experience : " I wish to ask a few questions in
regard to roses. Do you think they do as well
grown on the side staging of the greenhouse, in
close proximity to the glass, (from 4 to 8 inches),
or on the middle staging, from 10 to 20 feet from
the glass ? Several years ago we grew them on
the middle staging, and never saw roses do bet-
ter. On removing our greenhouses, we put up
all small houses, and now in the spring, about
the latter end of April, they seem to scorch and
burn as if under the direct influence of fire, not-
withstanding they are freely ventilated. Some
of the tender growing kinds it seems to cut down
altogether, and others it only blights the buds
and prevents flowering. We have tried paint-
ing the glass with whitewash, and find it bene-
fits ; but are uncertain the true cause of this
calamity. When one wishes to begin growing
roses in large quantities, what season of the year
is best to buy preparatory for propagating ? To
buy in spring and propagate in summer and fall,
or buy in fall and propagate in winter ? Please
give me a few leading ideas on propagating
roses— the best and most rapid, &e."

Cryptogamic Plants in the Region of
the Yellowstone.— a correspondent who
was on this expediton, writes: "We made
large collections of Lichens, few Mosses and
Hepaticas, but very few Ferns, and n© Lycopo-
diums. The Algte were quite numerous, espe-
cially Desmids and Diatoms."

150

THE GARDEJYER'S MOJVTHLY.

Mai/,

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, ETC

Manual of Weeds, or The Weed Ex-
terminator.—By Dr. Ezra Michener : Pub-
lished by Henry L. Brinton, Oxford, Chester
County, Pa. The war against weeds is a right-
eous war, and we welcome into the ranks every
new recruit that offers, especially such a valu-
able volunteer as Dr. Michener. There have
already appeared works on weeds ; but the
weeds progress faster than their literature. Be-
fore a work which describes them all is hardly
from the press, numbers of new weeds appear.
New works therefore are always appreciated.
Dr. M. 's work is not a large one — it being sold
by the publisher, mail free, for seventy-five
cents, but it contains a great amount of valuable
nformation. The weeds are brought down to
date, and described both botanically and popu-
larly, so that any intelligent person can recog-
nize them. Besides the particular means for
weed destruction given with each species, there
is a special chapter devoted to the advocacy of
weed destruction by law. The Doctor wants an
inspector of weeds appointed in each agricultural
district. We suppose these things are all right.
We have no wish to meddle with politics. But
here in Philadelphia we have found to our sor-
row, that "inspectors" will not work without
pay— and that their pay comes out of the taxes ;
and as we have "inspectors" for almost every-
thing, from peanuts to fiddle-strings, our taxes
to pay them have swollen to beautiful propor-
tions, till we, that is the Gardener's Monthly,
sometimes wonder whether it is not as well to
confine "inspection" to those cases wherein life
and health are in immediate danger, at a moder-
ate expense, than to be paying such enormous
sums in order to show we have "rights."'

It may be that being only the "■ Gardener'' s
Monthly,'" we may be very ignorant of politics,
and it may be owing to our having no politics,
that we candidly confess we would rather pitch
our farm down in the midst of a whole district
of Canada thistles, and agree with Brother
Southwick that .the Canada thistle is a blessing
to creation, rather than have our farm taxes in-
creased to pay a lot of fellows to " inspect," the
half of whom would not know a Canada thistle
from a bull-rush. A weed inspector, indeed !
Why ninety-nine out of every hundred farmers

don't know a noxious weed when they see it.
Let us have an inspector of agricultural igno-
rance, and fine every fellow ten dollars who does
not subscribe to and pay for the Gdrdener^s
Monthly. It can be readily demonstrated that a
hundred million a year would be saved to the
countr}^ if every cultivator read this invaluable
raasazine.

Proceedings of the Massachusetts Hor-
ticultural Society for 1872.— There are
few horticultural societies which give such sub-
stantial evidence of vigorous usefulness as the
Massachusetts Society. In its exhibitions; its
influence of the whole social atmosphere of Mas-
sachusetts ; in the value of its published proceed-
ings to the whole country, it is perhaps unrival-
led by any existing American institution. We
always receive their publications with pleasure,
and lay them carefully aside for future reference.
The present one is equal in value to any which
have preceded it.

The Journal of Agriculture, St. Louis,
Mo. — This venture of but a few years ago, has
proved a great success. It has recently been
sold for SIOO.OOO to a company, in which the old
proprietors are among the leading stockholders.
General Marmaduke still remains managing
editor ; Thos. T. Turner is live stock editor ;
W. Muir, horticultural editor ; C. V. Riley, en-
tomological editor ; Rev. M. L. Lewis, editor of
the light reading. It has been before conducted
with marked ability ; the chief secret of its great
success.

/

The Ivy.— a monograph : By Shirley Hib-
berd, Editor of the Gardener''s Magazine. Lon-
don : Groombridge & Son. No plant has struck
so deep into the hearts of men as the Ivy. The
holly, the rose, the cypress and myrtle— these
and others have appealed in various ways to our
affections ; but none have come so close to us as
this. The others seem rather the companions
of our lighter hours; the ivy seems almost a part
of ourselves.

The association of the plant with old ruins,

( churches and monuments, no doubt, has much to

do with this. We consign to earth the remains

of our loved ones ; but not solely to the cold em-

187S.

THE GARBEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY,

151

braces of death, fer the ivy lives and grows, and
seems to offer itself as a barrier against decay
and ruin. We can do nothing more, but the iv}"^
still protects when we are gone.

Those who have not been in Europe can
scarcely appreciate the depth of the associations
which cluster round the ivy ; but yet all who
have a knowledge of English literature in some
degree share the feeling. Americans can
scarcely be expected to be found among ivy wor-
shippers ; and yet there is uot a reader of these
lines but is more or less interested in ivy history,
ivy knowledge, and ivy culture.

We almost envy Mr. Hibberd the pleasure of
his task, for that it has been a pleasure the work
itself abundantly shows. Starting with the
cover in green and gold, beautifully embroidered
with ivy leaves, there is scarcely a page which
has not a halo of poetry round the dry facts,
perfectly glorious. The first part of the work is
devoted to a sketch of the causes which induced
Mr. H. to write ; the second, a historical and
literary examination of the subject. Here he
tells us how in the most ancient times the ivy
was associated with religious rites and ceremo-
nies. How the most classic nations joined in this
form of veneration equally with the most bar-
barous. How it entered into mythology ; and
how even Bacchanalian orgies paid a tribute to
the ivy's wand. Scripture history even is not
complete without a reference to ivy, the "cor-
ruptible crown " of 1 Cor. ix : 25, being the ivy
crown of the Isthmian games. It entered into
the politics of the Greeks, but more largely into
the literary excellencies of that polished people ;
" An ivy wreath, fair learnings prize,
Raises Maecenas to the skies."

In the earliest Christian times the ivy figured
largely. The holly, the symbol of jollity, was
always enlivened with ivy to give it a more un-
dying tone. In these and numerous other ways,
Mr. H. works up a curious ivy history. The
second part is devoted to the characteristics of
the plant. Here one may learn how it grows,
or trails, or climbs— what it does in all circum-
stances. What it can do is not yet known, for
no tower or tree has yet been built the top of
which the ivy could not reach. How long it will
live is equally unknown, for buildings many
hundreds of years old, crumbling into dust, still
are covered by its ancient ivy balle and green, aa
if but of yesterday. As Dickens says :

" Whole ages have fled and their works decayed,
And nations have scattered been ;
But the stout old ivy shall never fade
From its hale and hearty green."

The uses of the ivy are told in an interesting
chapter, showing how, in numerous ways, sel-
dom thought of, the ivy may be made to aid us
in the adornments of our homes, and to add to
the attractions of our gardens and grounds.
Then there are chapters on cultivation, and on
the species and varieties in cultivation, excellent
illustrations being given to guide the reader in
distinguishing them.

The growing attention to ivy culture in Amer-
ica at this time, will make the work particularly
sought after by our readers. Though a very
beautiful work, it is not so large as to be costly,
but we are not advised of its price. It can be, no
doubt, obtained by ordering it through any
bookseller who has connections in the large
cities.

NEW AND RARE ERUITS.

Early Ascot Peach.— Of this choice second-
early Peach the Rev. W. F. Radclytfe has grown
excellent samples. "It was raised a few years
since by Mr. Standish, of the Royal Ascot
Nursery, and proves to be a variety worth intro-
ducing to general cultivation. Our note of Mr.
Radclyffe's fruit runs thus:— Fruit middle-size,
roundish, some^vhat depressed, with a shallow
suture. Skin flushed with bright red on nearly
all parts, suff'used on the shadj'^ side with crim-

son, and on the exposed side with a deeper
blood-red, almost black. Flesh slightly tinted
with red at the stone, from which it parts freely;
pale greenish straw-color, with abundant juice,
and an excellent flavor. Mr. Radclyffe reports
that the tree is hardy, and a good setter, and,
moreover, suggests that its name ought to have
been called Royal Ascot. This variety belongs
to the sectien which bears small flowers, and
has small roundish reniforra glands on its peti-

15^

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY,

May,

olee. "We learn from Mr Standish that it was
raised from the Elruge Nectarine fertilized either
by the Noblesse or Harrington Peach. — (Florist
and Pomologist, 3s., v. 6., p. 1.)

Gros Colman Grape.— I will not attempt,
nor have I the means to demonstrate, to whom
we are indebted for this continental production
— whether to casual results or judicious selec-
tions by some worthy member of the craft ; but
whatever its origin, I am certain of one thing,
that in it we possess a Grape of the first quality.

Gros Colman is of free growth, robust in con-
stitution, and sets under any ordinary treatment
like Hamburg. The bunches are produced in
great quantities, of a compact round form, some-
thing after the style of the Hamburg, an average
when fully swelled from 1 to 4 lbs in weight.
The berries are quite round, very thin-skinned
as compared with those of other late kinds, and
are the largest blacks in cultivation. Their jet
exterior carries a magnificent bloom. Their
flavor when ripe is very juicy, mellow, and rich,
and loses nothing by the bunches hanging
months after ripening, as the berries retain a
plumpness found in few Grapes in March. This
observation applies alike to it when planted in a
house with Lady Downs, Alicante, Barbarossa,
Black Prince, and others, or under pot culture.
Why the sterling merits of this Grape as regards
flavor, color, &c., should be impugned by .some as
they have been, I cannot understand. Probably
the imperfect representatives sometimes met with
may have furnished erroneous inferences, and
therefore should not be regarded as conclusive.—
J. M. C, in Journal of Horticulture.

President Wilder Strawberry in the
South. — In strong sandy loams or alluvial soils
we have never .-een a strawberry that pleased us
60 well for all purposes as this new variety
The plant is very vigorous, hardy and product-
ive, and the fruit of the largest size, of the hand-
somest shape and color, and of the most delic-
ious quality. When we add that it is also a
good keeper and shipper, we have said about
enough to give our readers an idea of how highlj
%Dt esteem it. In our opinion it is the coming
" upper-ten " market strawberry for the South :
but it will take two or three years more to
decide that point. In the meantime all should
test it, and thus be enabled to judge for them-
selves. Perfect blossoms. Rather late.— iJura/
Alabama.

Late Peach, Picqtjet.— In a late number
of the Rural Alabamian, the editor gives a list of
market fruit for the south, among which the
Picquet peach is considered as unrivaled at its
season. He says : " This variety is by no
means as widely known and planted as it should
be. For its season, it is the evidence of all who
fruited it, that it has no compeer. Large to
very large, bright yellow, and of the most excel-
lent quality, it cannot fail to become one of our
most profitable market peaches, ripening as it
does when good peaches are scarce, and the
trees being fine growers and abundant bearers.
Season, first half of September ; freestone.*'

This maiinificent peach originated in the
orchard of Antoine Picquet, Bel-Air, Georgia.
In 1858 we cut the grafts from the original tree
which died the followins year. After fruiting it
for four consecutive seasons, we put it in the
trade, feeling assured at that time that it was
destined to F)ecome a most valuable market
peach. In this we have not been disappointed;
and it is a source of congratulation to us to have
added this peach to our list of superior fruits
and saved it from destruction. It ripens with
the SmocJc to which it is immensely superior in
size, appearance and qualit}'. The Salway also
matures at the same time, but is also inferior to
the Picquets, from a limited experience in fruit-
ing the former, and from reports of others who
fruited both varieties side by side.

Pen Apple.— 3/r. R. M. Engle sa,y»: "The
article on Pen apple in March number of
Garclener''s Monthly will, I think, bear further
comment. The apple exhibited as Pen — re'
ser: hling Baldwin, is grown on trees received
from the Nursery of Huston & Mitflin, Columbia,
Pa. The trees were, no doubt, sent out by mis-
take, as the real Pen Apple which I exhibited
at Reading, were handed to me by Mr. James L.
Richards, of Columbia, who assured me that
they were from the original Pen Tree, which
grew near a pig pen, — hence the name. Mr.
Richards is related to the right family on whose
premises the tree stands. He has also fruited
young trees of the Pen on his own ground.

The fruit under the name of Pen, (by mis-
take,) is now conceded to be Baldwin ; compe-
tent judges have pronounced them identical.
Their habit of growth is the same. What has
been most puzzling is, that the so-called Pen is a
better keeper than Baldwin ; but we have as yet
no instance where the two were fruited side

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MO JT TEL 7.

153

by Bide ; and, therefore, soil and situation may
have their influence. My own theory is the
above named nurserymen, having introduced
the Baldwin many years ago, and having propa-
gated it for successive generations, it has thus
become somewhat acclimated, — hence the slight
difference between it and the Baldwin, planted
direct from New York, or Eastern nurseries.
Whether this, or the theory of it being a sport,
be correct, will probably require further investi-
gation or stronger evidence.

VoLNEY Apple.— We have before as (April
10th) a specimen of this new apple, sent us by
Prof. Volney Munson, of Lexington, Ky. He
also sends us a description which, so far as the
fruit is concerned, we can endorse as accurate.
The perfume was delicious, in this respect,
equalling any we know. It has not yet been
distributed ; but we see, by a paragraph in the
Farmer's Home Journal, of Louisville, that the
nurserymen of that region have it under propa-
gation.

" Volney.''^ — Origin, orchard of Wm. Munson,
of Fulton County, Ills. Tree vigorous, with a
broad upright head ; a good, regular bearer.
Fruit ; large, oblate, regular and uniform in
size, of a rich waxen-yellow color with a bright
pink cheek, sprinkled all over with light brown
dots ; stalk short, usually bearing a gland near
the insertion, set obliquely in a shallow cavity
surrounded by slight russet stripes ; calyx closed,
in a broad, shallow, slightly wrinkled basin ;
flesh, white, tender, juicy with a rich, subacid,
pineapple flavor, very good to best ; core very
small and firm ; endures handling and transpor-
tation remarkably well. Season, January to
May.

"West-brook or Speckled Apple.— In
March number of the Oardener^s Monthly, Mr.
Blodget and yourself, think I am mistaken as to
the identity of this apple with the fall orange,
but I believe I am right, and give you some
proof of it. Mr. Blodget, in September of 1870,
sent me specimens of Speckled or West-brook,
which I concluded were Fall Orange, and not
having any of the kind on hand, sent to three
different persons in western New York for fruit,
which reached us in a few days, and confirmed
me in my opinion. I immediately sent speci-
mens to Mr. Blodget, with some of the West-
brook or Speckled apples he had sent me. In a
few days he replied, "the samples you sent me

are identical with the speckled.'' Is not this
some proof that they are one and the sarao
apple ?

I have taken some pains to ascertain the
origin of this apple, and without going into a
long history, say that it came up near the hog-
pen of Deacoa Allen, in the town of Holden,
Massachusetts, nearly a hundred years since,
and was first called "Hog-pen'' apple, but was
afterward changed to " Holden," which is still
the common name in that State. I am inform-
ed that grafts of it were taken to Western New
York, some forty or fifty years since, and the
name probably having been lost, it received the
name of "Fall Orange," which name has been
retained because more generally known, — which
is the case with Bartlett instead of Williams
Bonchretien, the original name. It has the fol-
lowing names in the different parts of the
country :
Holden, Holden Pippin,

Hog-pen, Red Cheek.

Orange, Jones' Pippin,

Speckled, West-brook,

White Newell, Long Island,

New York Bell flower, White Graft.

I am satisfied that 'Fall Orange,'' and Speck-
eled or West-brook, are identical ; but if any
doubt, I propose that both kinds be sent to
American Pomological Society in September nexfr,
to be decided by the committee on synonyms, that
is, if the Society approves of it.— G. Downing,

The Echasserie Pear.— This is ihe excel-
lent old pear referred to in the following note
from a New Jersey correspondent. ' We place it
under this head for, although not by a very long
way a "new fruit,"' it has been so much dis-
carded for worse new ones, that it is "rare"' :

" I do not wish to annoy you with my mania
for winter pears, but having toiled the past
twenty years of my life in vain dependence upon
nurserymen and pomologists, to give me pears
that would keep at least to the holy- days, I feel
somewhat elated at having found two growing
right here that keep like russet apples. These
that I now send you were shaken from the tree,
put in barrels in a damp cellar, where they
have remained till now."

The Crittenden Apple.— The following
memoranda in reference to the above were
obtained from Mr. Winn Gunn :

This apple originated in Shelby county, about

154

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TELY.

May,

four miles from Shelbyville, on a farm formerly
owned by Mr. Gunn, but now the property of
Mr. W. Belloo. Tree rather a slow grower ;
the fruit about the same size as that of the
Prior's Red ; sweet, fit for use throughout the
whole winter, and has been known to keep until
September of the year following its ripening ;

Mr. Gunn has himself kept the fruit until June.
The tree never received any pruning during the
time it was in Mr. Gunn's possession. Under
better treatment, doubtless, the fruit would be
larger in size and better in quaUty. Mr. Gunn
named the variety in honor of John C. Critten-
den.— Farmer's Home Jouvncd.

NEW AND MEE PLANTS.

SouCHET's New Gladioli— Monsieur Sou-
chet, of Foutainebleau, who is unusually suc-
cessful in the cultivation of Gladioli, has again
raised some new kinds, remarkable for their size
and perfection of form, as well as for new colors.
Among them, the following will be found desira-
ble additions to any collection, viz. :

-4(Z(ii.son.— Spike large ; flowers very large find
of a deep amaranth, striped with white. A love-
ly plant of middle height.

Benvenuto. — Spike long and striking; flowers
very large, much open, of a pink or pale orange
color, very brilliant and transparent, spotted
with white. Plant of a middle height.

Elvire. — Spike long and fine ; flowers large
and pure white, edged with carmine. Plant
middle height.

Eva. — Spike ample ; flowers large, ground
color white tinted and shaded with rose and pale
lilac. A fine flower. Plant of middle height.

J'Y'gfarf).— Flowers large and open, rose or red-
dish-orange, tinted with a deeper shade, and
having large spots of pure white. A grand
plant.

Le Phare. — Spike very long ; flowers large,
brilliant bright red and very open. Plant medi-
um height.

Lulli. — Spike good : flowers large and perfect ;
bright cherry slightly tinted with orange ;
ground color clear, the inferior division striped
^vith carmine. Plant of middle size.

Macaulay. — Spike long and splendid ; flowers
large, deep crimson slightly tinted with violet
and spotted with deep carmine ; centre clear
and transparent Plant of middle height.

Margarita.— S^'ike very long; flowers large
with a white ground, tinted with carmine. A
utrong growing and beautiful variety.

Octavie. — Spike long ; flowers large, of a pret-
ty pale pink, slightly edged with red, and lined
and spotted with pure white ; centre very clear.

A low growing variety, but one that is exceed-
ingly beautiful.

Heine Blanche. — Spike very long ; flowers
beautiful ; pure white with small spots of deep
carmine.

Venus. — Spike very long ; flowers large ; pure
white flushed with pale pink. A splendid varie-
ty of middle height.

— E. A. Carriere, in Garden.

New Cockscomb, Tricolor. — In our last
we gave an illustration of a new cockscomb in-
troduced from Japan, and to which a lady refers
in our present number. The one we now illus-
trate is a florisfs improvement, and has a head

of various colors. There is a broad stripe of
crimson, then of gold, and the next of rich car-
nation. It is surprising that this character has
become so well fixed as to reproduce itself from ■
seed, but they say this Tricolor does it, and
does it well.

187S.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJSTTBLY.

165

Lobelia — Carter's Cobalt-Blue. — Wo
saw this flowering last year ; and noihing is
handsomer than the dwarf compact form — more
like a mass than a flowering plaat, only that it
is crowned by the dense mass of light blue flow-
ers. Mr. Shirley Hibberd says of it in the Gar-
dener^s Magazine of January 6th, 1872 : " There
was one piece of a new bedding Lobelia which
jurpassed every thing of its class on the ground,
% better thing even than Blue King, but in that
iray; the color a clear pure blue, the growth
'.omp»ct ; in fact the whole thing perfect, as if
itts ti sa mould and colored by a master of par-
terre planting, who knows exactly what is

sis borealis alba, is a charming plant, originally
a sport from T. borealis, and although bearing
a resemblance to Cupressus Lawsoniana albo-
spica, it is distinct from it. This is another
valuable acquisition to our hardy Conifera. A
fine example of Quercus pannonica, with its
large dark green foliage, is to be seen here, and
it is a species which should find its way into
every villa garden and shrubbery. Acer poly-
morphum dissectum is a lovely small growing
Japanese Maple, the foliage of which is just now
of a bright scarlet color. Messrs. Standish &
Co. possess also the stock of a very distinct,
hardy, and almost evergreen Maple from Japan,

Lobelia— Carter's Cobalt-Bt.tie.

wanted. I was desired to name this, and pro-
posed it should be called Carter's Cobalt-Blue,
and under this designation it will probably be
oflTered to a discriminating public ; the stock is
to be made from seed, and the variety is to be
distributed in seed.'' The distinguishing char-
acter of this plant is that it has no white in the
eye of the blossom, nor any purple on the calyx ;
so that the brilliant blue has the entire posses-
sion of the field of color.

Neav Ornamental Trees.— Messrs. Stan-
dish have in their collection the new Japanese
Larch, Larix leptolepis, which reseilibles the
common Larch in habit, but is of more robust
growth and larger foliage ; this tree will be a
great acquisition. Their new Conifer, Thujop-

Acer rufinerve, a strong growing kind, which
retains its foliage until Christmas, and in very
mild districts would be reall}' evergreen. — W.
Dean, in Gardener''s Chronicle.

Camellia Princess Alexandra. — A very
beautiful addition to the regal group of Camellia
japonica. In growth this variety is free and
robust, in verdure a rich deep lustrous green, in
bloom above average size ; near to perfection in
its circular outline, uniform and evenly imbri-
cate in its structure and build : petals thick and
leathery in substance, the outer ray of petals
nearly round (rose-like), graduating in size and
outline to the full centre. In color a delicate
rosy-blush, suffused with a rich carmine tint,
delicately traced with ramose veins, leaving an

156

THE GABBBJ^ER'8 MOJ^TELY.

May^

outer margin of blush white on each petal, the
outer ones being occasionally marked with broad
crimson bars. The union and varied contrast
of rich roseate tints blending with an outer zone
or margin of silvery white, forms an exquisite
feature in this beautiful flower. So says an Eng-
lish writer.

Delphinium Belladonna.— Although by
BO means new, it is undoubtedly one of the
choicest of border flowers. Unfortunately with
me it is somewhat delicate in constitution, yet
it flowers abundantly ; still, it does not increase
much in size from year to year, and as it is per-
fectly barren there is no method of propagating
it save by division. The flowers are of a lovely
sky blue, a color so rare amongst plants that it
renders it at once conspicuous and effective. —
JiwtrnaZ «/ Horticulture.

appeared, and I have no doubt that I shall be
able, time and opportunities permitting, to bear
out Dr. Denny's remarks, and obtain by cross-
breeding the result sought, or at all events an
approximation thereto, although I have been
anticipated in this respect, to some extent, by
Nature, who it appears on this occasion, as she
frequently does, has favored our Continental
neighbors. I hope to send you shortly some
remarks on Dr. Denny's paper on hybridization.
! —Thomas Laxton.

[Of the flowers sent, Jewel is much the best.
I It is rich and clear in color, and remarkably full
' and well formed. No. 30 is a little more open-
I eyed, while Aurora is semi-double, and the
brightest of all. E. J. Lowe does not appear to
open well, and in consequence, looks pinched up.
We look upon Jewel as a real and decided acqui-
sition.— Eds. Gar(lener''s Chronicle.]

Viola Cornuta we noticed a few years ago.
It grows about six inches high. The flowers
are borne all well up above the foliage, and
forms a compact mass of rich, deep violet color-
ed flowers. Its hardy constitution and profuse
blooming qualities renders it one of the most
beautiful of Spring and Summer bedding and
border plants. There is now a variety resem-
bling the above in all the characters and habits,
excepting color, which is pure white. We see it
18 advertised by a Rochester firm.

Mb. Laxton" s Double Dwarf Pelargo-
niums.—I have forwarded a small box contain-
ing blooms of my new seedling double dwarf
Zonal Pelargoniums, Jewel (First-class Certifi-
cate, Royal Horticultural Society), E. J. Lowe,
No. 30, and semi-double Aurora. The flowers
of the two former are almost mimics of various
Roses, and if mounted with small rose foliage
and buds in a miniature stand, would almost
pass for Liliputians amongst the queen of flow-
ers. E. J. Lowe, from the white exterior of the
petals, has a striking effect in the truss, and
Aurora is a very free blooming, bright colored
variety of the Tom Thumb race, to which all the
varieties belong, having none of the blood of the
old coarse growing Inquinans, or Gloire de Nan-
cy type in them. I have also been cross-breed-
ing for variety in color, and have obtained some
striking novelties in dark purplish tints ; and
although I have not yet succeeded in getting a
pure white— one of the objects I have been aim-
ing at, several blush and light pinks have

LisiANTHUS PRINCEPS.— It has been called a
greenhouse plant, but there is little doubt it will
be found to thrive best in an intermediate house.
This superb (^lentianaceous plant was consider-
ed by the late Dr. Lindley to be "one of the
best plants in existence." It is a compact
branching shrub, growing about two feet in
height ; the leaves are opposite, oblong-lanceo-
late, acuminate and dark green on the upper
side, paler below ; the blooms are produced in
graceful drooping racemes of from three to five ;
the flowers are tubular, the calyx being about
half an inch long, and the corolla about six
inches in length, and upwards of an inch wide ;
the color of the tube is rich scarlet, melting into
golden yellow at each end. It is found growing
at elevations of from 10,000 to 11,000 feet above
the level of the sea, in the province of Pamplo-
na, in New Grenada, but it is a rare plant even
in its native country.

New Forms of Ornamental Beet.— Mr.
John Clark, gardener to Mr. Mitchell Jones, of
Edinburgh, furnished a surprise for the habiteus
of South Kensington, on the 15th inst , by send-
ing up a box of his new forms of ornamental
Beet, and which in the stage of growth as exhi-
bited, presented some of the richest and most
beautifully marked foliage to be found in plants
outside the stove, and which elicited from Mr.
J. Bateraan the declaration that even the Or-
chids would have to look to their colors, other-
wise they would lose the honors of the day. Mr.
Clark's box of Beet comprised twenty-one plants.

187S.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MONTHLY.

157

all growing in 48 sized pots, and all about nine
inches in height, the habit in most cases being
good, and some of them as dwarf and compact
as could be desired. The diversity of coloring
was) great, no two plants being exactly alike,
and comprising shades of silvery white, buflf,
orange, red, scarlet, vermillion, claret, maroon,
crimson and purple. Some of the leaves had
veins of one color and the edges of another. It
is a peculiarity of these forms of Beet, that
whilst all the taproots are of the ordinary color,
the small rootlets are of the same color as the
foliage. They were highly commended for green-
house and conservatory decoration in the win-
ter, and for that reason was awarded a First-
class Certificate, but if they produce these bril-
liant colors in the open ground they would be
invaluable for bedding. — Gardener'' s Record.

Berberis Darwinu. — (li^ to 2^ feet). This
is the most beautiful of the tribe. It is q .ite
evergreen, and covered in spring with deep
orange-colored flowers of a large size. It is well
adapted for a large bed or ornamental fence, or
as individual plants.

Begonia intermedia. — This remarkably
fine hybrid Begonia is the result of a cross
between the B. Yeitchii and B. boliviensis. In
habit it partakes strongly of the B. boliviensis,
being a strong upright-growing plant, branching
freely, and attaining an average height of fifteen
to eighteen inches. The leaves have much the
form and substance of the Veitchii, but are

toothed like boliviensis. The flowers are of the
size and form of Begonia Veitchii, and resemble
it also in color, but are of a rather darker shade.
This is the hardiest hybrid we have yet raised.
It succeeds well in a greenhouse, and can be
wintered in a cold frame ; indeed, it has lived
during a mild winter out-of-doors with us. It
was awarded a First-class Certificate at the Ex-
hibition of the Royal Botanic Society, June 14.
1871. — Vie'ch's Catalogue.

A Kew Poinsettia.— When in the nursery
of Messrs. Veitch & Sons, at Chelsea, a short
time since, I had an opportunity of seeing a
variety of our old friend Poinsettia pulcherrima,
which will undoubtedly quite take the place of
the old form, both for market work and home
decoration. It differs from the latter in having
much broader bracts, packed so closely together
round the flowers as to form a double series,
instead of being set at right angles like the sails
of a windmill. The color is also much richer,
and the bracts are fully developed quite fifteen
days earlier than those of plants of the normal
type grown under precisely the same conditions.
To say more in its praise is not necessary ; those
who are interested in having poinsettias in full
bloom earlier than is now possible to have them,
and of a finer quality, without increased efforts,
will act wisely in looking after the variety which
will, in all probability, be distributed by Messrs.
Veitch as Poinsettia pulcherrima major. — Geo.
Gordon, in Gardener^s Magazine.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Hardy Ferns.— To grow hardy Ferns in
perfection a humid atmosphere is necessary, and
when they are making fresh growth the house
which holds them should be shut up in the after-
noon, and the plants syringed through a rose.
Under such circumstances the young fronds de-
velop themselves as if by magic, and are a
source of much enjoyment to those who take an
interest in this class of plants. Ferns from
warm latitudes, as a matter of course, require a
higher temperature —55° in winter is a good
medium for them, and from 65° to 70" in summer
is essential as a night temperature. Nearly all
the species luxuriate in a compost of equal parts
turfy loam and tough fibry peat, with the addi-

tion of a fair proportion of silver sand and a few
lumps of charcoal. It is of vital importance that
the drainage be perfect, as the Fern, though a
moisture loving plant, dislikes stagnant water
about the roots. The potsherds used must be
clean, and placed with the convex side down-
wards, the largest pieces at the bottom, the
smallest at the top, and over this some fibry
material must be placed to prevent the mould
used in potting from mixing with the drainage.
In potting press the compost in firmly, but not
so much so as is done with fruit trees or hard-
wooded greenhouse plants. Overpotting should
also be avoided, as indeed, this is frequently the
cause of failures. The fresh coaipost gets sod-

168

THE GARDEJ^EWS MOJyTHLY.

May,

den with water before the roots can ramify into
the mass, and mischief ensues.

Then with regard to propai^ation. Some of
the species are very easily increased by divi-ion,
and it is thus that most of the Adiantums and
Pterises are reproduced. Take, as an example,
that most useful of all tlie Maiden-hairs, Adian-
tum cuneatum. "We are continually using its
delicately cut fronds for hand, button-hole, and
other bouquets, and well grown plants of it are
always ready for dinner table and general
in-door decoration You may take a large plant,
and with a knife or small trowel divide it into a
dozen pieces, whicb if put into small pots, and
placed in a close moist atmospliere and a stove
temperature, will each make a nice plant in a
few weeks. Some species grow with a single
stem, and therefore cannot be divided. Of these
the Lomaria gibba is one, and a very desirable
species. It is very freely propagated from
spores ; about sowing which, there is no need to
trouble, as, if they are allowed to ripen, the
young plants will be plentiful enough. How-
ever, should a large quantity be required, it is
as well to sow tliem. Seed-pans or ordinary
flower-pots should be used for this purpose.
Drain them well, and fill up with the compost
already recommended, but with the addition of
a third part of pounded bricks. The spores
when matured should be placed on the surface,
and after being watered with a fine rose, covered
with a square of glass to maintain a moist
atmosphere.— Joi'.rnaZ of Horticulture.

Speculating in New Koses.— My motto
in respect to roses is, '■'■Prove all things; hold
fast to that which is good!''' This, it will be said,
is good advice to the rosarian of limited means,
and is intended for him. Propagate and buy in
tlie good roses, now abundantly proved, lists of
which are periodically placed before the readers
of the Gardener''s Magazine, written by men of
undoubted talent, judgment and honesty. The
writers of articles on roses and other flowers in
the Magazine, be it known, have nothing to
gain but the gratitude and good will of their bro-
ther rosarians and florists generally. It is to
the great humbug our neighbors, the French
nurserymen, are imposing upon us that I wish
to direct attention ; it is now an ascertained
fact that not more than about one new rose in
ten remains in the English catalogue more than
three or four years.

There are two classes of rosarians ; the first
are the gentlemen of great private means, who
can easily afford to ride hobby-horses, and buy
in all the new roses as soon as they are to be pro-
cured. They select those which they think best,
and are led on, year after year, by glowing
descriptions given by the French raisers, and
not by the English nurserymen, who cannot
possibly describe a rose unseen. In July the
great rose exhibitions are held at Kensington
and the Crystal Palace, and are anxiously
attended by amateurs, who note down all the
varieties which take their fancy. The poor
amateur is often deceived with his eyes wide
open. The rose that has taken his fancy per-
haps, turns out a weak grower, most delicate in
habit, and not at all suited to his soil or situa-
tion. But his mind is made up ; he must have
it in his collection ; it was really so very beauti-
ful at Kensington. He never once thinks that
that particular rose has been grown by a most
skilful cultivator, who has spared no pains to
bring it to its present state of perfection. If it
were not for that natural longing for change,
advance and improvement, we should hate toil,
and treat work and exertion as a curse ; but
kind Nature has made improvement in flowers,
the rose particularly, as well as other things,
both the law and necessity of our existence, and
has so made us that the inspiration, the com-
mand, and the spur are all within.

The second class of rosarians have the same
feelings and desires as those of the first class,
but are limited in their means, and must be con-
tent to ride third class. They get to their jour-
ney-'s end slower than by the " express.'' They
have the advantage of buying roses that have
been proved good ; thf>y have seen them with
their own eyes, and they procure them at a much
cheaper rate than their richer brethren, who
purchase things unseen. Another great advan-
tage awaits th':^m— the ro ;d has been cleared and
the rubbish swept awiy. The rich rosarians
must be encouraged by high prizes being given
to them, and nurserymen also, lor introducing
new roses of merit, else tboy would cease to im-
port them, and bring them before the public. —
Gardener''s Magazine.

Nymph^a Odorata.—Iu Nymphse odorata
we have a perfect miniature of thy N. alba. Its
flowers are white, about the size of a florin, and
highly fragrant, and they usually appear about
July or August. When cultivated in the open

187S.

THE GARDEMER'S MOA'THLY,

159

air the leaves average about two inches across,
but when grown in the stove or greenhouse (as
it often is, though perfectly hardy) the flowers
will be two inches and the leaves four inches
across, the latter generally of a reddish-purple
underneath.

It is of all others the plant for small tanks or
basins, requiring only a depth of from six inches
to nine inches of water for its perfect develop-
ment. If planted in a pond, it should be near
the margin, and must not be planted more than
a foot below the surface. It will also be advisa-
ble to introduce a few rough pieces of rock, so
placed that the water can flow in and out, to
separate it from the rest of the pond ; and also
to lay a few smooth pebbles over the surface of
th- soil, to keep it in its place.

The native habitat of this desirable acquatic is
in ponds and slow-flowing streams from " Cana-
da to Carolina.'' It is the most lovely of all the
small growing water plants, save and except

that it has a rosy-cheeked cousin across the At-
lantic, which, when introduced from the Cana-
dian lakes, will become a formidable rival t© it.
Be it known, therefore, unto " Ye Englysshe "
that the Nymphsea odorata rosea does exist la
those lakes, and when we get the two to flower
side by side, one rose and the other white, both
equally fragrant withal, and corresponding in
size, it will be a sight to see, and would almost
justify us if we were to adopt the old name for
these flowers, viz., Water Roses, for thus they
were termed in this country about the time, now
nearly three centuries ago, that Prosper Alpi-
nus wrote his work on "Egyptian Plants,'' the
136 plates of which, containing the Xelumbium,
Papyrus, &c., were cut in '-brasse." The N.
odorata occasionally ripens seed in the open air
in this country, and young plants have been
raised therefrom ; still it is slow to increase, and
is, therefore, comparatively rare. — W.Bucklbt,
in Florist and Pomologist.

FOREIGN COEHESPONDENCE.

HORTICULTURAL OBSERVATIONS IN
ENGLAND, No. 5.

January Tih, 1873.

The weather here at the present time is a
prolific theme of conversation, and I suppose I
am a little tainted with the epidemic myself, as
I cannot resist the temptation to make a few
remarks about it to you and your readers. In
the first place we have had a very wet season so
far, not only here but all over England, and also
for this season of the year a very uniform high
temperature.

In a former communication, I think I told
you that we had a slight frost on the 23d of
September, which cut some of the tender plants
on low ground ; that is the only approach to
frost we have had excepting a similar touch on
the 12th of December. I have a very correct
thermometer, and have kept a careful record
since the 1st of August last three times a day,
viz : at 9 A. M., 12 and 6 p. M , and 1 have not
seen it yet down at the freezing point, 32^
though it must liave just gone down to that in
the night, as the ground was a little crisp in the
morning, but my glass marked 34 each time at
9 A. M , and the lowest it has been at that time,
since December 12th, has been .40 \ and at that

only once, December .30th. if you think it
worth printing, I will give you an abstract of
my record from December 20th to January 8th.
December 21st, 9 A. M., 48' ; 12 M., ,06' ; 6 P. M.,
56 ; 22d, 56^ 62^ 56' ; 23d, 56', 60% 56'' ; 24th,
56°, 58% 56^ ; 25th, 56°, 60", 56° ; 26th, '54', 55^
53' ; 27th, 52', 56', 53' ; 28th, 54o, 55°, 52° ;
29th, 51', 53, 50' ; 30th, 40°, 50', 49^ ; 3l8t, 50'.'
52°, 48 ; January 1st, 46°, 50°, 51°; 2d, 48°,
48°, 48' ; 3d, 48°, 52°, 50° ; 4th, 52°, 55°, 55° ;
5th, 46°, 52', 50° ; 6th, 50°, 55°, 64° ; 7th, 50%
51°, 52°.

With such a temperature you can imagine the
appearance the country assumes under such
favorable conditions. I passed a meadow yester-
day on a sunny slope, and it was nearly white
with daisies in full bloom, and in an orchard
close by was a thrush in full song. I could
actually hear him for near half a mile.

In almost every garden the English sweet-
scented Violet is in bloom, and in two or three
places I have seen the native Primrose in bloom
already. In one of the squares is a residence
with a piazza fifty feet, with a plant of Passi-
flora coerulla in full leaf, covered the whole
length with the lemon-colored seed pods : two
ornamental boxes outside on the window sill*

160

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJfTELY.

May,

(never been taken inside yet) full with gera-
niums, some of them in bloom.

In several places I see tine plants of Veronica
Andersonii in full bloom. Laurustinus, every-
where beautiful, single specimen plants eight
feet high and more through ; perfect hedges of
tliem three and four feet high some in bloom,
but all full of buds ready to burst. Plenty of
double Daisies, and a polyanthus I saw in
bloom to-day ; also the old China or Belmont
Rose.

Evergreens, and evergreen shrubs, are -in
their glory here. Arbutus unedo, some in
bloom, some going out, and others covered with
their beautiful pink pericarps ; fine specimens
also of Aucuba Japonica, Alateruus, Portugal
and Common Laurels, Magnolia grandiflora,
with its regal glossy foliage ; another beautiful
^'vergreen shrub, which blooms continuously
from August to December, is Escallonia raaca-
rantha. There are three distinct plants which
flourish and make extraordinary growth in this
locality, viz : the Weeping Ash, Cupressus
macrocarpa, and the Cotoneasters : the two fii'st
make shoots in one season from two to five feet
long, and the last you will see as a beauti-
ful upright hedge, in other places covering rock-
work, and again trailing over the walls, hanging
down four or five feet, and all covered thick
with berries. Yesterday, to my astonishment,
in passing a house, where not more than two
months ago, I saw the common Nasturtiara '

trained up the walls, and now here were a
whole batch of seedlings, three inches high,
come up, and growing and flourishing as if it
was midsummer. Take a walk in the woods
with me and I will show you the holly and ivy,
the latter running to the tops of the tallest
trees, covered with berries ; here again is the
dainty little evergreen, the Butchery broom
(Ruscus aculeatus) with its bright solitary
berries '■'■ruddier than the Cherry;'''' here on the
ditch banks a thick mass of Ivy ; also the ground
Ivy (Glechoma hederacea) and various other
plants, with the young leaves and buds of the
primroses trying to force their way through ;
but without exception the most sh©wy native
plant we have in the winter here is the Iria
foetedissiraa : it grows in the woods and lanes,
and its tri-parted pericarpt burst open in the
pale, and reveals and exposes its future progeny
in its bright scarlet persistent berries, which
remain all winter, even if you cut them and put
them in a vase on the chimney piece, and then
to add to its beauty is its bright green Gladioli-
like foliage, eighteen inches long. Yesterday,
by a fine plant of Scolopendrium (which grows
every where here) I saw a plant of Lamium
Album in full bloom. But enough, Mr. Editor,
I fear if I expatiate any more on the native
beauty of Devonshire, you may be tempted to
advertise your establishment for sale, and come
over here t© " roam the woods with me.''

J. W. W.

HORTICULTURAL NOTICES.

GERMANTOWN(Pa.) HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.
The first exhibition of this young Society,
held early in April, was g, great success. A large
number of members are enrolled, and some fif-
teen hundred tickets were sold to non-members
at the door. The exhibition was well sustained
in all its departments ; and in the rarity of
some of the specimens, and the excellent growth
of others, would have done credit to much older
and better known societies. Most of the florists
and nurserymen of the vicinity contributed ;
amongst them Messrs. Miller & Hays, John Kin-
nier, David Fergusson, Wm. Grassie, L. C. Ban-
nan, Mrs. Wallemate,""Wm. Young and Thomas

Meehan. Mr. Kinnier took the leading part in
the great work of the details of the afliiir.

Of the gardeners and amateurs who exhibited
there were chiefly Alfred Cope, Frederick Wea-
sel, gardener to Jos. H. Lovering ; T. T. Mather,
Dr. Levitt, James Thomas, gardener to E. J.
Buckuor ; Joseph Houseley, gardener to W H.
Sowers ; John Casey, gardener to Dr. Ashton ;
Alex. Ijawson, gardener to T. Charlton Henry ;
John Warr, gardener to Mrs. Fisher ; Thoa.
Hendricks, gardener to J. Jay Smith; Ge*. 1.
Morris, John Kelley, gardener to E W. Clark
Alex. Newilt, gardener to H. Pratt McKeau
Dr. Harv.y Roop.

The next meetlna: is in June.

It^ (Sard^n^r^s M0tttMB,

DEVOTED TO

Morticulture, Arhoricultwre, Botany and Rural Affairs.

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

Old Series, Vol XV.

JXJJ^E, 1873.

New Series, Vol. VI. No. 6

HINTS FOU JU^s^E.

FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

A worthy friend of ours visitiug Europe last
summer, found himself in a beautiful trarden
owned by one of the chief of England's aristoc-
racy. The gardener was apologizing for the
appearance of things, on the ground that "his
Lordship " had met with some reverses, and it
was thought best to cut down expenses. " We
had, said he, always fifty men employed, but we
have now to do the best we can with twenty-
five.''

People often ask the question here why we
cannot have gardens as they have in Europe,
and some few attempt to have them, with-
out ever giving a thought to the skilful care
necessary to keep them in condition. These few
attempts generally end in ftiilure, and then we
are told the country is not adapted to gardening
as England is. Our people are fond of garden-
ing and llowers, but they attempt too much. A
place is fitted up with work enough for a dozen
men, and after it is done, the gardener is expect-
ed to keep things in order with one or two. He
is always on the drive. It is as much as he can
do to keep things neat, and as to putting forth
any superior skill in order to excel in anything,
It is impossible. He soon gets into a regular
"dog trot.'' There is nothing especially in
which he takes a pride ; the true gardening am-
bition dies out, and he "goes into some other
business."

Now one of the first things in laying out a gar-
den should be the consideration how many men
we can afford to keep about it— one, two, three
—we will hardly say a dozen, for we suppose

that many are kept. When this is decided on,
then lay out and build with regard to that ; and
we might say, always aim to keep within bounds.
If you think you can keep four men, lay out
enough work for two, and so on through the
whole scale. We have before called attention to
this matter at an earlier period of the season ;
but it is as well that we take a June view of the
situation, and unless we are much mistaken,
there will be in most places annoyances at hosts
of things being but half done, or undone, than
we hoped for.

But there are a large number of our readers
who are their own gardeners, who keep no one
employed, or at least only get a laborer's aid
once in a while to see through the rougher work.
We would advise these also in the same way to
curtail their gardens one-half. The great beau-
ty of one's place is In its excellenties. These can
never be done when one is overworked.

One always feels with the incoming of June,
that something must be said of Roses. There is
always a struggle between the tender tea and
china roses which bloom " all ihe time," and the
hardy ones which after the glorious June dis-
play, produce but a scattering flower or so in the
later summer months. If We could only winter
out these charming and sweet everbloomers,
how glorious it would be. We have stated
before in these columns, that if bent down and
covered with earth, they will generally do well.
But it is often hard to get the branches down
without breaking, and besides with all this, they
often suffer from the damp. A friend tells us
that he has improved on this by burying them
standing tip. The weak unripe shoots are cut
' off in the o^r'v ".""r'^'^r t ?3to ff!!. a"'d a wlcel

16^

TEE GARDEJTER'S MOJ^THLY,

June,

barrow load of earth put in over and about them.
This is taken away early in spring, and the
whole plant comes out in splendid order to bloom
again in double profusion the next season. We
repeat this valuable note here just now, that it
may be kept in view to protect them in this way
when the season comes round.

Rare roses are increased by layers, buds and
cuttings ; layers are made of the strong growths
as soon as the wood gets a little hard, a slit is
cut in the upper bide of the shoot to be layered,
and it is bent down into rich soil. Everything
roots sooner in rich than in poor soil. The cut
used to be made on the under side, but they are
then liable to break on bending down. Budding
is done by taking out a piece of bark with an
eye, and inserting it under the bark of another
kind and then tied in. It is nice amusement for
ladies, and any florist will explain the process
to those who do not know. Budded roses are
not very popular owing to the tendency of the
kinds used for stocks to throw up suckers,
which, unless the intelligence of the grower is
equal to keeping them off, in the end kill the
kinds budded on them. Rose cuttings are gen-
erally easily raised by those who know little
about it. In proportion as one becomes a skilful
florist, the failures to strike Rose cuttings in-
crease. Almost every one who puts in a few
"slips " of half ripe wood into a pot of earth,
and sets the pot under a shady fence, succeeds ;
but as soon as he or she knows " all about it,"
they can't strike roses. Here at least is an en-
couragement to the new beginner.

Peg down roses where a heavy mass of flow- |
ers is desired. The side shoots push more freely
for this treatment. |

Cut oft' the flowers of roses as they fade — the I
second crop will be much better for the atten- !
tion. Seeds of all flowering plants should be ';
also taken off; all this assists the duration of;
the blooming season.

Propagation by layering may be performed any
time when strong vigorous growing shoots can
be had. Any plant can be propagated by lay- |
ers. Many can be readily propagated no other I
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 heed 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

FRUIT GARDEN.

i Whoever grows wheat or any other farm crop,
I knows that the soil will not maintain its fertility
j without manure. He knows that however rich
j a virgin soil may be, it cannot long remain rich
without his artificial aid. Hence, an annual
manuring become'^ in time, as necessary as an
I annual sowing of seeds. How few remember
I 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 cUmate 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 ex-
cuses for not raising 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 destroying
wormy apples, so that with the exception of leaf-
blight and injuries from frost, there is really no
formidable obstacle to the way of successful 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 germi-
nate in a high temperature, we may, by taking
steps to keep the great reflection from our sum-
mer sun parched soil from operating on the
leaves, yet master this last great evil.

The evil effects of severe summer pruning on
fruit trees are also now clearly recognized. All
pruning, winter or summer, is an injury to
vitality. Frequently the injury is so slight that
the tree soon recovers, and some other advan-
tage being gained, pruning on the whole may be
a benefit. It is well, however, to always keep in
view the principal that pruning always weakens,
in order to do as little of it as possible, consist-
ently with what we wish to accomplish. At this
season we may do some good in saving the

1873.

THE GARDEJTER'S MOJ^THLl.

163

necessity for winter pruning, by pincliing out
shoots we may not want, wiiile they are in a
young and immature state.

Grapes first coming in bearing should not be
permitted to perfect large crops of fruit while
young. It is excusable to fruit a bunch or so on
a young vine, "just to test the kind, " but no
more should be permitted till the vine has age
and strength. Vigorous growth, and great pro-
ductiveness, are the antipodes of the vegetable
world. Encourage as much foliage as possible
on the vines, and aim to have as strong shoots
at the base as at the top of the cane ; this can be
done by pinching out the points of the strong
shoots after they have made a growth of five or
six leaves. This will make the weak ones grow
stronger. Young vines grow much faster over
a twiggy branch, stuck in for support, than over
a straight stick as a trellis, and generally do
better every way. Where extra fine bunches of
grapes are desired, pinch back the shoot bearing
it to about four or five leaves above the bunch.
This should not be done indiscriminately with
all the bunches. Too mutch pinching and stop-
ping injures the production of good wood for
next season. These hints are for amateurs who
have a few vines on trellises ; for large vine-
yard culture, though the same principles hold
good as far as they go, they will vary in their
application.

Strawberries, when grown in hills — the most
laborious, but 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, aad 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
hints for their management. If they throw up
many suckers, take out a portion now, instead 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 " flypaper " is, we think, the best thing
to catch them.

Gooseberries should have the soil, and even
the plants, if it were practicable, shaded a little.

VEGETABLE GARDEN.

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
certainly mildew and prove worthless. In Eng-
land, where the atmosphere is so much more
humid than ours, they nevertheless have great
difficulty in getting fall Peas to go through free
from mildew ; and to obviate these drying and
and mildew producing influences, they often
plant them in deep trenches, made as for Celery,
and are then much more successful with them.

Cabbage and Brocoli may still be set out for
fall crops, also requiring an abundance of ma-
nure to insure much success. Lettuce, where
salads are much in 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.

At the end of June, some Celery may be set
out for early crops, though for the main crop a
month later will be quite time enough. It was
once customary to plant in trenches dug six or
more inches below the surface ; but the poverty
of the soil usually at this depth more than de-
creases the balance of good points in its favor.
Some of our best growers now plant entirely on
the surface, and depend on drawing up the soil,
or the employment of boards or other artificial
methods of blanching.

Beans produce an enormous crop in deeply
trenched soils, and are improved as much as any
crop by surface manuring. We hope this method
of fertilizing the soil will be extensively adopted
for garden crops this season. Those who have
not 3'el tried it will be surprised at the economy
and beneficial results of the practice.

Cucumbers for pickling may be sown this
month, and Endive for fall Salad set out. Pars-
ley 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 off after the
stalks seem to come up weak, or there will be but
a poor crop the next season, and the beds will
" run out " in a few years.

Tomatoes, after trying all kinds of trellises
recommended, will be found to do best on stakes
tied up singly. It is best to plant a strong pole

164

THE GARDEJfER'S MOJ^THLY.

Juney

as for Lima Beans, with the plants when first
set out, and tie up as they grow. Marketmen
generally let them grow as thej' will, on the
ground, which, perhaps, although not yielding
as much, costs less labor, and may thus be most
profitable.

The Swede Turnip or Ruta Baga should be
sown about the end of the month. A well en-
riched 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 instance, 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 some-
what from their position.

Parsley for winter use may be sown now in
boxes of rich soil, and set in a cool, shady place
till it germinates.

Herbs for drying for future use, should be cut
Just about the time they are coming into flower.
Dry them in the shade, and after sufficiently dry
to put away, tie them in bunches, and hang in a
cool shed, or place them loosely between the
paper, and stow away in cupboards or drawers.
The last mode is by far the cleanest and most
approved plan with the best housekeepers.
Some, indeed, powder the leaves at once after
drying, and put them away in bags, ready for
use.

COMMUNICATIONS.

ON LILIES.

BY P. DUCnAUTRE.

TransUUed, from the Reveu Horticole of July lUh, 1871, /or
Gardener's Monthly.

Several of the Japan Lilies which Thunberg
had published, are to-day well known in the gar-
dens. These are distinctly characterized, and
therefore it is impossible to confound with any
of these the Lilium cordifolium, Thunb., which
resembles only one species, discovered much
later in the Nepaul, by Wallich — Lilium gigan-
teum, Wall., by its particular part, its heart-
shaped leaves, its long nearly tubulous and little
opened flowers, whose color is of a dii ty white,
and which have on the outside purple stripes and
spots, drawing near together and forming a band
on the median veia of the petals ; but its smaller
eize, (1 metre the largest), the generally less
number of little opened flowers, its capsules with
prominent longitudinal corners, make it a spe-
cies totally different from the one from Nepaul.

The Lilium spcciosum, Thunb., is a magnifi-
cent plant, of which Siebold brought later bulbs
to the botanical gardens at Ghent, who have
since their first flowering, in 1833, made a veri-
table sensation. The straight and glabrous stem
bears alternate oval-oblong leaves, at the base
more or less rounded, or short stems with gener-
ally five or seven longitudinal nerves. These
leaves get narrower near the top of the plant,
which has many branches, so that it bears nu-
mp.Tiis flowers. Tbc?e are. very larr^e rcflec^.ed.^

revolute. and the leaflets of their calyx are cov-
ered with warts, generally colored pink; more
or less brilliant. This superb lily has produced
numerous varieties, the flowers of which vary
from the deepest pink to a pinkish white— even
to pure white, and of which one variety is a
monstrosity ; with flattened stem, flowering in
much greater profusion, but having much small-
er flowers than the others. It is to be regretted
that the Belgian gardeners, following herein the
example of Mu?sche, the head gardener of the
botanical gardens at Ghent, have transferred,
without any reason whatever,to this species, the
name of Lilium lancifolium, under which name
it is more widely known than under its own
denomination. The true L. lancifolium, Thunb.,
has nob yet been introduced in Europe. Thun-
berg, who then had only seen our Lilium bulbi-
ferum, recognized herein, later, a difflrent spe-
cies, (Trans, of the Linn, Soc, II., 1794, pp.
333.) characterized by its stem of only about
0 33 metres height, angulous, rough or reddish ;
by its alternate, numerous, sessile, lanceolated
and pointed ; glabrous leaves, rather small and
getting smaller near the top of the plant, where
bulblets are produced in the areoles, and by its
white small solitary, upright, nearly companu-
lated flower, the leaflets of whose calyx shrink
together to a sharp point.

Another Japan Lily, which like the foregolngr^
has also not yet been introduced 'n Europe, is

187S.

THE GARDEJV'ER*S MOMIRLY.

165

the one which Thunberg had taken first in his
flora (p. 135) for L. canadense, and of which in
1794 he made his Lilium maculatum. Later he
gave a figure of this plant, (mem. di) 1' acad.
imp, des Soc. de Saint Petersbourg III. p. 204,
plate 5, fig. 1.) To judge by this figure and the
description to it, the spotted lily is of an average
height of about 0.33 metres ; its glabrous stem is
rounded, striped or furrowed, single to where the
flower appears ; it has numerous small or mid-
dle sized leaves, lanceolated, pointed towards
the base, but without stem, they have on the
under side several projecting nerves, these leaves
draw together to a whirl at the base of the flow-
er. The plant has from 4 to 6 middle companu-
lated sized flowers, which throw the pieces of
their calyx a little outward ; their color is blood
red, colored on the inside with dark purple points
and spots. Dr. Asa Gray, (Diagnostic charac-
ters of new species of Phaenog. plants, collected
in Japan by Chr. Wright. Mem, of the Ameri-
can Acad., VI., p. 434) cites with doubt this
plant as a variety of L. superbum, L., which
determination it seems to me might be attacked.

The Japan Lily which Thunberg named Lili-
um elegans (mem. del' acad. de St. Petersbourg,
III., p. 203, plate 3, fig. 2j and which he had
first called L. philadelphicum in his flora, (p.
135) and then L. bulbiferum in his memiors of
Japan plants, (Trans, of the Linn. Soc, II., p.
333) is also not possessed in Europe. It is, says
the Swedish botanist, a plant of about 0.33
metres height, has middle sized, alternate, erect
leaves, and ends in a large flesh colored cam-
panulated flower, which throws the ends of the
oblong pieces of its calyx a little to the outside.
Thunberg compares this species with L. bulbi-
ferum, from which it is distinguished, he says,
by its single, smooth, or flower bearing stem,
neither striped nor divided by its leaves, more
oval oblong, and distanced, and lastly by the
pieces of its calyx, which are oval, and not ter-
minating in a point at the base. The figure he
publishes gives only a very imperfect idea of the
plant. Lilium longiflorum, Thunb., (Trans.
II., p. 133, and mem. de 1' acad. de St. Peters-
bourg, III., p. 203, plate 4) is not only well
known, but also to-day frequently cultivated in
the gardens. It belongs to a group of Japan
lilies, with large white flowers, of which Thunb.
had already distinguished an other species under
the name L japonicum. (See mem. de 1' acad.
de St. Petersbourg, III., p. 205, plate 5, fig. 1).

It is easy to characterize the L. longiflorum,

a plant of a height from about 0.33 to 0.50 me-
tres, whose round glabrous stem has many alter-
nate, thick, lanceolated leaves, rather long for
their size, sharp-pointed, having on the under-
side three prominent nerves, and terminating in
one or two (seldom three) large fine flowers, pure
white on the inside, and of a white, a little dirty
on the outside, pending a little, and having the
tube comparatively a little short, this tube en-
larges gradually from its base, to become at its
end large, quite open, and very showy. Lese
easy is it to understand that it is the plant
which Thunberg has designed since 1783, in his
j Flora japonica, (p. 133] under the name L.
japonicum. We thei'efore see that in the cata-
j logue of his collection, Mr. Leichtlin indicates
{ by a sign of interrogation, (?) that he is not at
! all sure of the specific identity of the Lily which
! he cultivates under that name. Truly the char-
{ acters by which Thunberg distinguishes his
' species, lack precision, and the badly executed
figure he gives, certainly cannot destroy the
I doubts his description creates ; it is even in oppo-
! sition in certain respects, with the text, for while
' it represents the leaflets of the calyx as being
} oblong, lanceolate, very much and sharply
■ pointed, his text describes the same leaflets as
I elliptic. The total, "after this botanist, the L.
I japonicum is a plant of about 0.65 metres height,
j whose rounded glabrous stem has few leaves,
I about 0.20 metres (Spitharaaea) long, alternate,
' seldom opposite, glabrous, pale on the under-
side, where five nerves are to be observed." The
stem terminates in a single whitish flower, com-
panulated, and about 0.081 metres (palmaris)
long. This Lily Thunberg q-ialifies as being
very fine, and adds that simultaneously at Mia-
co and elsewhere, it is often cultivated by the
Japanese as an ornamental iilant. These spe-
cies of Japan lilies which are due to Thunberg,
being retrenched, it remains only the one which
he compared wrongly to our Lilium pomponium,
or from Pompone, and of which more recently
Siebold and Facharini have made their Lilium
callosum.

While Thunberg at the end of the last century
studied and made known the Japan lilies, the
French botanist, Andre Michaux, explored the
United States to examine their vegetable pro-
ductions. The results of his explorations are
consigned in his Flora boreali Americana, pub
lished in 1803. He made us acquainted with
many new plants, and added considerably to the
already known species of several genus of plants;

166

THE GARDEJVEE'S MOJ^THLY.

June^

but the genus lily he left nearly in its prior state,
in fact he mentions in his work only three spe-
cies ; the first one of Linne, the Lilium cana-
dense, L., the second, which had already been
distinguished by Walter, in his flora of the Caro-
linas, published in 1788. I have reference to the
charming Lilium Catesbaei, Walter, a plant of
the Middle States, already distinguished and
figured since 1733, by Catesby. Its stem is of
about 0.33 to 0.50 metres height, round, glabrous,
and somewhat brownish on the inside ; has
alternated, distanced, lineal-lanceolated pointed
leaves, a little glaucus on the upper side, and
nearly upright, and has one large upright flow-
er, of a blood-red color, which turns to yellow
towards the middle, where it has many brown-
ish, purple spots ; the very much rolled up leaf-
lets of its calyx are undulated at the edges, ter-
minating at the top end in a long point, and
also getting very narrow at their base. The
third specie, considered new by this botanist, he
named Lilium carolinianum. He characterized
it by its leaves, nearly all in whorls, without any
apparent nerves, and by its flowers, either single
or numbering two or three, which are reflected,
very much rolled up, of scarlet color, turning to
yellow, more or less orange towards the middle,
where numerous brownish-red spots are scatter-
ed. This pretty Lily, instead of forming a sepa-
rate species, is only a variety of L. superbum,
L.— smaller than the type of this fine plant. It
is the same plant which received later, by Poi-
ref, the name of L. Michauxii, (Encyclo. Sup.,
III., p. 157), and by Roemer and Schultes, the
one of L. Michauxianum, (Syst. VII., p. 404).

Summed up, at the beginning of this century,
in 1805, when Persoon published the first vol-
ume of his Synopsis plautarum, or Enchiridum
botanicum, containing all the phaenogamous
plants know at that time, the genus Lily was in
this work only represented by seventeen species,
of which hereby the names belonging to the two
sections in which they were divided by this
botanist, viz. : First, upright flowers with com-
panulated calyx :

Lilium cordifolium, Thunb.

" longiflorum, "

" eandidum, Linne

" japonicum, Thunb.

'' lancifolium, "

" bulbiferum, Linne, and C. croceum,
a plaut from the Dauphine, Switzer-
land, and which was before and right-
ly considered a distinct species,

under the name L. croceum, by
Chaix, in the history of the plant*
of the Dauphine, by Villera, (1786),
and even before that time by Fuchs.
Second, flowers, the leaflets of whose calyx are
rolled up to the outside :

7. Lilium Catesbaei, Walter

8. " Speciosum, Thunb.
Pomponicum, Linne
Chalcedonicura, "
Superbum, '*
Martagon, "
Carolinianum, Michaux
canadense, Linne
maculatum, Thunb.
Camschatccnse, Linne
Philadelphicum, "

Is it necessary to observe that this list would
have been augmented by another species, if in
1805, Thunberg had already distinguished his
Lilium elegans ?

9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

FRUIT CULTURE.

BY J. STAUFFER, LANCASTER, PA.

The remarks made by Tobias Martin, of Mer-
cersburg, at the meeting of the Pennsylvania
Fruit Growers' Society, assembled at Reading,
January 16, 1873, arrested my attention ; the
facts stated in his plain practical manner, and
his well known success, led to a further inquiry.

In answer to a letter, he writes to me under
date February 10, 1873, from which I copy a few
statements: "1st. He planted on a very deep,
rich limestone loam, composed of decayed vege-
table matter. The trees grew finely but did not
last.

"2nd. Then on red and some black slate,
which had a soil from six to eight inches deep.
This was broken up to the depth of eighteen to
twenty-four inches, with two plows, four horses
in each, in the same furrow, throwing up the
crumbling slate, which gave the field the appear-
ance of a macademized road. These slates
crumbled, and by the action of the frost, rain,
and sunshine, became a surface soil in a few
years of a fine mellow condition, eighteen inches
deep, and proved to contain all the elements
essential to produce choice fruit of the finest
flavor and color, and in great abundance. The
wood growth was very strong and solid, the foli-
age of a dark rich green." He adds, the sand-
stone soil is hilly, the slate only moderately so.
He then continues : " We also have 17,000
trees in an orchard at the base of the North

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TELY,

167

Mountain, two miles from town. The surface
aoil is sandy with clay mixed ; sand and iron-
stone on top, aud limestone subsoil, with iron
ore cropping out in many places. The soil evi-
dently contains iron in large proportion, hence
the high color and flavor of the fruit."

In giving the ab»ve abstract, I desire to ap-
pend a few geological and meterological consi-
derations suggested, not so generally under-
stood as the subject deserves. Let us consider
the locality, 1st, in a geological aspect. We find
that the North Mountain belongs to what is
termed the upper silurian, while the village of
Martinsburg, but a few miles east of it, is located
in the lower silurian. (For a fuller understand-
ing of the terms of upper and lower silurian,
consult Dana, or other works on geology.) TVe
can but briefly refer to the facts for a ground
work to our comments. At Gettysburg, we find
the new red ; the cambriau or hilly region inter-
spersed on the border of Adams and Franklin
Counties. A strip of limestone on the East,
while the Cumberland Valley is limestone, as in
portions of Lancaster County. The trap rock
ascends and descends the slopes of North Moun-
tain. These belong to the palse ozoic system,
and often connected with iron ore, especially on
the margins of the limestone formation. Hence
we find this locality peculiar in the close prox-
imity and blending of various geological forma-
tions in the soil. The black and red slate men-
tioned, over a limestone subsoil. Trap or iron-
stone mixed with sand, iron ore and clay, as
mentioned in the other case. These facts are
sustained by Leslie and Rodgers, in reference to
Mercersburg and vicinity.

The shales or argillaceous rocks, which split
in some degree like slate, are so little altered as
to be easily reducible to clay by mechanical rub-
bing and pounding, and difier from schists in
being almost entirely argillaceous, and slightly
metamorphic, iron and limestone occur mixed
with them, but are not essential to form shale.
There is a general similarity in the appearance
of shale, slate and schists, requiring some study
and attention. Pyrites (sulphuret of iron) de-
composed, may be altered into alum, i. e., a
crumbling rock or shale, thus impregnated with
alum. In short, we find a combination of alum,
soda, or ammonia in the place of potash, oxide
of iron, or of manganese in the place of ammo-
nia, together with carbonate of lime. The whole
forming a combination intermixed, which may
be called a calcareous, argillaceous, ferruginous

and tyritiferous conglomeration, containing all
the essential elements of plant food, simply
requiring the aid of frost, rain and sunshine to
dissolve in and impregnate the soil and bring it
to the condition required for absorption by the
root-hairs and spungeoles of the plant.

Having briefly considered the geology of the
soil, let us consider what this has to do with
vegetable, growth. It is well established that
atmospheric water enters crops through the soil,
with which it becomes incorporated. Carbonic
acid is composed of say thirty-two parts by
weight of oxygen, and twelve parts of carbon.
It exists in immense quantity thus combined in
nature. Limestone, marble and chalk contain,
when pure, 44 per cent, of this acid united to
lime, as in carbonate of lime or carbonate of
soda. The carbonic acid is present in the atmos-
phere. This is very apparent by the white film
of carbonate on exposing lime water in an open
vessel to the air for a short time. Water dis-
solves carbonic acid according to the degree of
the temperature and pressure, taking up about
its own volume ©f the izas. At the freezing
point it may absorb nearly twice as much.

So early as 1771, Priestly, in England, found
that the leaves of plants immersed in water,
sometimes disengaged carbonic acid, sometimes
oxygen, and sometimes no gas at all. A few
years later, Ingenhouj^s proved that the exhala-
tion of carbonic acid takes place in the absence,
and that of oxygen in the presence of solar light.
But according to Sennebier, the ox5'gen exhaled
came from the water in which the plants were
immersed. No one now doubts the absorption
of the carbonic acid of the atmosphere by foli-
age. In short, vegetation, in order to flourish,
must be in an atmosphere which at least con-
tains a certain amount of carbonic acid, which
is absorbed by the leaves, and by the influence
of the sunlight decomposed within the plant, and
converted into the tissues of the wood, while the
oxygen is exhaled into the atmosphere in the
free state. Oxygen is endowed with great chem-
ical activity, and performs an important part in
germination to develope the buds ; it is also ab-
sorbed by the roots of plants, and in the process
of growth to build up the vegetable structure.
The function, so far as known, of free gaseous
oxygen in vegetable nutrition, is in aiding to
efiect the conversion of the materials which the
leaves organize, or which the root absorb, into
the proper tissues of the growing parts— the
opening of the buds, flowers, and ripening of the

168

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJ^THLY.

June,

frnits. Two opposite processes go on— the ab-
sorption of oxygen and exhalation of carbonic
acid, and the absorption of carbonic acid and
evolution of oxygen. Similar to the respiration
of animals, in one case, the other may be termed
as the fixation of carbon as woody fibre. Of
course this inter-changeable action is governed
by the cell action, which counter balance each
other in their effects by the atmosphere sur-
rounding the plant. The experiments made
during many years are too numerous to mention
—often contrary views are had, but the sum and
substance is that a slight alteration in cell action
modifies the simple elements, and gives charac-
ter to each specialty in the resultant or product,
so diverse in the vegetable kingdom, all however,
derived from the few primary elements essen-
tially necessary.

Huxley says: "Life depends on the pre
existence of certain compounds, namely, carbon-
ic acid, water and ammonia ;'' he adds, "with-
draw any one of these three from the world, and
all vital phenomena comes to an end." I how-
ever recognize a force existing, independent of
all matter— a creative force. It is true this force
may not be manifest to our physical senses with-
out the intervention of matter, yet it exists none
the less and like space and duration and Deity,
belong to the infinite, which our finite minds
cannot grasp. This is that hidden mysterious
power that begets and works out the wonderful
combinations presented to us in the physical
world that surrounds us. Light, electricity and
heat, however much we may experiment with,
are yet like mind itself, a Urva incognito, which
our savans can see but superficially, and simply
note the phenomena resulting— however diversi-
fied aud unknown, are not the less interesting to
investigate, so far as we can go ; but let us go
softly and reverently. There is a power behind
all this that demands our filial fear and adoring
love.

To get back to the main subject. In physical
geography there is shown what are termed
Isothermal zones, having the same mean tem-
perature. We find how much the high mass
of the Allegheuies reduce the temperature of the
central counties of Pennsylvania, deflecting the
isothermal lines to the South. Along the imme-
diate valley of the Susquehanna, these lines
curve very sharply northward, and this valley is
really warmer than can be represented by the
position of these lines. Again, the shelter, like
that afforded by the North Mountain from the

northwest winds, is a consideration as favorable
as is proximity to the Lakes or the waters of the
Ocean. To conclude. So many contingencies
may exist, that each special result must be
traced to the conditions and surroundings. A
vast field is open for investigation. I must now
abruptly stop. More may be said at a future
day.

UTILIZING WASTE MATERIAL.

BY J. JAY SMITH.

In the address delivered before the new Ger-
mantown Horticultural Society, and which you
have honored by republishing, I took occasion
to remark that there were still unsupplied wants
of the human family, and instanced the absence
in America of purchasable mushrooms, so much
employed abroafl. It interests me to know that
an intelligent gardener has already adopted the
idea, and has a mushroomery in successful com-
mencement.

Are there not other things that are also
neglected, and which ingenious minds and
hands could turn to very profitable account.
This idea is enforced by a paragraph from a late
St. Louis paper, describing a new industry now
in operation there. Some time since, a party of
citizens conceised the plan of turning to profit
the gas water running waste from the gas^
works. It contains a large per centage of am-
monia. They separated the ammonia held in
solution and reaped a great profit. The sul-
phate of ammonia produced was of superior
quality, and the demand exceeded the capacity
of the works, while there grew up at once a
demand from distant points, including places
east of the Alleghanies, New Orleans, and
Charlestown, S. C, &c.

This was utilizing waste. Let us see if we
can give a profitable outlook for some other per-
son, be he gardener or house warmer. As I pass
a certain large woolen factory, I am often sur-
prised that somebody does not take possession of
the waste steam which is continually discharged
on the level of the ground, and which creates a
cloud sufficiently large to frighten unaccustomed
horses as they pass it. Now, Mr. Editor, why
should not this warmth be conducted to and
through the neighboring tenant houses ; or
could not you tell some one how to convert it
into grapes by erecting over it a grape house ?
Again, could not unlimited amounts of saleable
flowers and fruits be produce<l in the unused

1873,

THE GARDEJ^ER*S MOJVTHLY.

169

garrets of great factories by utilizing the waste
steam always discharging ?

Is the above a practical idea ? If you can say
it is so, I will charge nothing for it, valuable as
I conceive it to be, except a bunch of the first
Black Hamburgs that results.

ITEMS OF LATE EXPERIENCE.

by j. c. johnston.

Cassia corymbosa.

In the spring of 1870 I raised from seed a few
plants of Cassia corymbosa. So far, have ob-
tained no returns from this shoot within doors,
(which was the object in view). But planted
out in May, the result is well worth noting for
the benefit of all desirous of a choice subject for
flower border decoration. Towards the middle
of September, at latest, our specimens, some two
feet high, and of a graceful, bushy form, are
literally covered with a mass of lovely blossoms ;
pea shaped, and of a rich canary color. And so
it remained until cut down by frost in October.
For over four weeks it was sheeted over with
these lovely flowers, and attracted the admira-
tion of all visitors. I am ignorant of any subject
that can rival this elegant shrub for the purpose
indicated. As the centre of a bed, surrounded
by scarlet Zonales of dwarf habit, nothing could
be better. Cuttings root promptly, and any
ordinary cultivation will suffice, provided the
early growth is not permitted to be lanky, and
the roots pot bound.

Euphorbia variegata.

This is an annual of late introduction, more
worthy of commendation than some others which
have been hoisted into notice. Its merits are
confined to the foliage, which is a peculiar shade
of green, that sets off" a silvery white edge better
than any other shade. It reminds one of a sil-
ver-edged Zonale, that in old times everybody
grew, (the name slips my memory now) bxit only
in the combination of color. This plant grows
some fifteen or eighteen inches high, with some-
wha^t slender stem. Three or four ought to be
grown together and attached to slender stakes
as they grow. It is a pretty contrast among
Bouvardias, Gladiolus, and Dwarf Zonales, in a
mixed bed, if about midway between the edge
and centre.

EUCNIDE BARTONOIDES.

Let those who prize Primula Sinensis of all the
shades, and wish to blend with these a similar
plant of a fine yellow color, take the hint here

offered. It is an annual, but of no use in our
climate out of doors. Treated just as one do
Primulas for blooming in January or Febru-
ary, it is a real gem, giving a succession of love-
ly flowers eight weeks or more. A single pot of
it in a greenhouse elicits high commendation.
The young seedlings must not be permitted to
run up spindly, but be developed as much as
possible. 'The shoots should not be ti-ained
upward, but kept low by attaching to small and
very slight stakes, round which the shoots ought
to be led. As the foliage is slender, very moder-
ate watering will suffice. There can be no more
worthy companion plant to associate with Cin-
nerarias and Primulas than this.

HIGHLY ORNAMENTAL EXOTIC
SHRUBBERY.

BY WALTER ELDER, PHILADELPHIA.

Abutilon Thompsonii is oue of the most orna-
mental foliage plants we have for decorating the
summer shrubbery. It is shrubbery, grows seven
feet tall ; the leaves are beautifully marbled with
green and golden yellow, and are brightest when
growing in full sunshine, and the soil not too
rich. The strong growing shoots should have
their points nipped off" every fortnight, to make
the plant a massy bush. It is a greenhouse
plant, but is planted in the open ground in June,
and dug up in fall before hard frost sets in.

Hibiscus Sinensis. — There are several species
or varieties. One bears large and splendid crim-
son single blooms. Carnea bears buff" colored,
double blooms, very beautiful. ,Lutea has yel-
low, double blooms, very ornamental. Rubra
pleno has deep crimson double blooms. Varie-
gated pleno has double variegated blooms. All
these Hibiscus bloom the whole growing season.
They are hothouse plants, and are planted in the
open garden in June, and have a rich dppear-
ance all the growing season. They are shrubbery
plants, and show well either set out as indivi-
dual standards or massed in groups. They
thrive in almost every fertile soil, and are most
ornamental in the hottest weather. They grow
four and five feet tall ; the points of very ram-
pant growing shoots are nipped off, and the
plants grow more bushy and bloom more pro-
fusely. They are dug up and set in pots just
before hard frosts in the autumn ; they are kepi
in glasshouses all winter.

Layerstroemia has four species or varieties.
Indica has pink blooms ; Elegans, pal« pink ;

170

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TKLY.

JunCf

Regia, red ; purpurea, purple blooms They al
bloom in August and September, and are among
the most beautiful of all exotic shrubs. They
are tender north of Philadelphia, but are planted
out in May and dug up before hard frosts, and
set in tubs or b )xes, and kept in cellars or caves
all winter.

Plumbago cajiensis is a glasshouse exotic
plant, half herbaceous and half ligneus. It forms
a shrubby bush thirty inches high when full
grown. It is admirable for bedding out when
even small ; it is set out in May and dug up
before hard frost in fall. It will keep all winter
in a cellar or gla.^shouse with its roots in a box
or flower pot. It keeps up a continual bloom
from June to November. The blooms are light
blue — that makes it doubly valuable, as blue is
80 scarce a color among flowers. It blooms most
profusely in not too rich a soil, and in full sun-
shine.

Night Smelling Jasmine. Is a glasshouse
exotic shrubbery plant, five feet high ; it is of free
growth, requiring the most simple culture, and
is admirable for setting out in the growing sea-
son, either with its roots in the ground or in a
pot ; it keeps up a constant bloom from June to
November. It is set out in May and dug up
before hard frost in autumn. It blooms most
freely and grows most compact if the soil is not
too rich ; and if placed in full sunshine, it will
keep all winter in a room or glasshouse, moder-
ately warm. The blooms exhale a delightful
fragrance after sunset, or as the poet writes it,
*' scents the evening gale."

Let us now suppose that there is a summer
group of exotic shrubs upon a well kept lawn —
let it be a circle or an oval, edged with a dwarf
Arborvitoe or Retinispora ericoides, and kept fif-
teen or eighteen inches high by annual clipping.
Set a stately plant of Lagerstroemia in the
centre, and next to it, Abutilon Thompsonii,
then arrange all the Hibiscus and Nigkt Smell-
ing Jasmine around, and Plumbago capensis on
the outer edge. There will be ornamental foli-
age and a splendor of blossom of various colors,
all perfumed with the sweet odors of the Jas-
mine. The plants may all be planted in the
ground, or their roots kept in pots or tubs as
might be desired.

NOTES ON THE APRIL NUMBER.

BY F. R ELLIOTT, CLEVELAND, O.

Your April number of Oardener^s Monthly
does me good. Truly to me it seems the best

you have issued, and I suppose because it agrees
with my own impressions. The old, old story
is of ray own daily record, and I think of every
writer of and operator in horticulture. Those
who write, feel that the touching up again of the
old, old story, and telling again and again of how
to prune, plant, etc., is but a repetition of pre-
vious life, and while here and there comes in an
item new, yet the whole is so much a repetition
of years gone by, that were it not for our innate
feeling, that of the readers, there are many
young, and who have the, to us, old, old story
to begin anew, and that our respect of years
gone by of practice, is to them, like life to the
new made bride and bridegroom, a lovely start
in the production of blooming beauty ; surpass-
ing all the world ever saw, we should hesitate
to repeat our teachings, or rather records of
what we know life's pursuits need and require,
and the results thereof. And so with us in
practice. As we go out among our flowers,
plants, shrubs and trees, note the bursting here
of beautiful Saxifrages among a cluster of rocks,
the fresh bright colors of Crocus and Lily of the
Valley as they peep up amid the old leaves blown
over and covering them in winter, as perfectly
as does the downy damask of manufacture the
early budding of Eve's generation.

But leaving this, you touch me again in feel-
ing when you uphold the Managers of the Amer-
ican Pomological Society in holding to its origi"
nal and chosen mission, which, crude and im-
perfect as it may be to-day, has accomplished an
advance creditable and credited all over the
country, and in its objects and labors covers a
specific ground of value and interest to our
country, hardly equalled by any other product
of rural life productive pursuits.

Your touch on errors is one over which your
laugh is all right, but you know that we often
read proof, make our corrections, but when it
comes before our readers, we find the compositor
neglected his duty, and we have often worse
blunders than your Cryptogamia for Cryptome-
ria. But we laugh over it and say to ourselves,
well if the reader knows aught he will see that
it is a typographical error, and if he does not
know anything at present, it may possibly
induce him to wonder what the word means, and
so try to hunt it up, failing of which, he writea
and asks a question, thus bestirring his brain,
when if we or the compositor had not made the
blunder, he would never have exerted himself to
correct our, lo him, error. All of these blunders.

1873.

THE GARDE J^EWS MOJ^THLY.

171

I think, stir up the egotism of humanity, and as
oft do geod as bad.

The weather is warm here. A heary fall of
rain— more than we have had any ©ne week in
four years. Cherry, Pear. Apple and Plum
buds and trees all good. Peach buds gone, but
trees and wood all right. Grapes, such as Dela-
ware, Telegraph, Concord, etc., appear all right
in wood, and the buds of fruit on three-fifths will,
I think, prove perfect hereabouts, and ten miles
or more east of Cleveland, on the high locations,
and twenty miles west of Chicago. My Naomi,
Herstine, Clark and Kirtland raspberries, all un-
protected, are good to the very tips.

EXOTIC GRAPES.

BY A. HUIDEKOPER, MEADVILLE, PA.

The enquiry of B. in the April number of
Gardener's Monthly as to the relative value of
sundry exotic grapes in comparison with the
Black Hamburgh, expresses a want felt, no
doubt, by many others. It is very desirable our
leading cultivators should give the public the
benefit of their experience with the varieties of
grapes lately introduced Such reports would
have the weight of proximate, not absolute au-
thority, sensible readers making the necessary
allowance for difference of taste and success in
culture.

B. will find in Oardener''s Monthly for 1862,
page 16, " Fox Meadows '' opinion of Trentham
Black, viz.: that it is inferior in size, and by no
means superior in quality to the Black Ham
burgh. The opinion of Fox Meadow illustrates
the conflict of experience I have referred to. He
says, " the Golden Hamburgh will never have
the flavor of the Buckland Sweetwater.'' With
me the Golden Hamburgh ripens the earliest of
the two. has the most flavor, and the largest
bunches, as a general rule ; and yet sometimes
the fruit of the two kinds will be so much alike,
it would puzzle any one to tell the difference.
The Golden Hamburgh is a free grower, and
does not harden or ripen up its wood quite as
well as the Black Hamburgh, and the fruit has
so many shoulders or branches, that it requires
to be well thinned out and tied up, or the lower
berries will be soft and flavorless. It is but a
moderate keeper after maturity, but when well
grown and ripened, it is one of the most popular
and showy grapes for a cold vinery I have yet
grown.

The Muscat Hamburgh was accused at first of
lacking constitution, and was sometimes grafted

on Black Hamburgh to improve it. With me
the vine is vigorous enough, but the fruit stems
are not stout enough, and the grapes at the low-
er end of the bunch are smaller and ripen imper-
fectly in consequence. Being a musk grape, any
comparison as to flavor must depend on taste.
It is rich, sweet, with a sub-acid base to it, and
when well fertilized has a good bloom and is a
showy grape. A novice would succeed better
with a Black Hamburgh. The fruit ripens sooa
after Black Hamburgh —early enough for a cold
vinery. The Golden Champion I hope to fruit
this year.

A revision is needed of vinery grapes by a
competent authority. The books give little in-
formation about the new kinds of fruit, and
when an error creeps in about the older kinds,
it is repeated and perpetuated in the catalogues.
Mr. Allan's long list gives some information, but
lacks systematic arrangement.

There is some confusion of names that needs
clearing up. Thus Charles Downing, under the
head ©f " Royal Muscadine," describes the
variety largely disseminated as the Golden Chas-
selas, as is evident from his describing the wood
as stouter, and the fruit as somewhat larger than
the Sweetwater. Golden Chasselas, Chasselas
de Bar-Sur-Aube, and Chasselas Fontainbleau
are often given as synonymes, while some
authors describe the fruit as quite distinct.
Prince, in his catalogue of 1860, makes the Roy-
al Muscadine a synonyme of the White Nice and
Xeres, fruits quite distinct from the Royal Chas-
selas. Allan says bunches of Royal Muscadine
sometimes weigh six pounds. Mcintosh, page
439, quotes Parkinson as saying' the same, and
adds, in our day it yields no such fruit— clusters
out doors weighing a pound, and in vinery a
half more. One would think the identity of one
of the most popular varieties might be by this
time clearly established.

THE RHODODENDRON" IN THE WEST.

BY ARTHUR BRYANT, PRrNCETON, ILLS.

In the Monthly for June last, your correspond-
ent "D." asserts that Rhododendrons, Azaleas,
Kalmias and Ericas cannot be successfully cul-
tivated in the Mississippi Valley, and assigns as
the principal reason the presence of lime in the
soil. I believe it is true, that many, perhaps
most attempts at their cultivation in the West
have failed. My observations have not qualified
me to speak positively in regard to the unfavor-
able influence of lime upon plants of this class ;

172

THE GARDE^N'ER'S MOJVTELY.

June,

but a brief detail of my experience in the treat-
ment of some of them may, perhaps, show that
the case is not quite so hopeless as your corres-
pondent seems to suppose. I may here premise
that the water of wells, springs and streams in
this part of the country, everywhere contain so
much lime as to incrust the inside of tea-kettles.

With the culture of Rhododendrons I have
had little to do. Some twenty years since, I
received some from EUwanger & Barry, of
species maximum, I think. These perished the
first winter, and I concluded, somewhat hastily
perhaps, that the climate was too severe for
them.

My first attempt at cultivating Azaleas was
with two or three plants of A. nudi flora, which
were planted in black prairie loam in an open
situation. These bloomed two seasons, but
never thrived, and perished the third year.
Afterwards, along with some evergreens import-
ed from France, I received five or six each of
Azalea nudiflora, A. viscosa, and A. calendula-
oea. These were also planted in open ground,
and in like manner perished within three years,
excepting one or two of the last named species.
The survivors were transferred to the shade of
a fence, where one of them has grown to the
height of six feet. In the month of June this is
commonly covered with a mass of bloom of such
exceeding beauty, as to show that Pursh was not
far wrong when he pronounced it the handsom-
est shrub in North America. I have since set
several of A. nudiflora on the north side of a
fence, mulching them with decayed chips, where
they have bloomed and flourished for more than
ten years. It would seem that those which
perished, did so from exposure to the fierce rays
of the sun, rather than from the effects of lime.

Six years ago, I received thirty small plants of
the Mountain Laurel, (Kalmia latifolia). These
were planted in prairie loam, partially shaded,
and well mulched with rotten chips. All lived,
and I have not yet lost one of them. They have
usually made an annual growth of six inches or
more, and the brilliancy of their foliage shows
good health. The only injury they have re-
ceived from the climate was in the winter of
1871-2, when the extreme dryness of the cold
weather bleached and destroyed a great part of
the leaves on most of them. They have since
recovered ; and the intense cold of the winter
just past does not seem to have done them any
damage, except that some of the flower buds
appear to be injured.

With some others of the Heath family, I have
been less successful. I have three times, to no
purpose, tried to cultivate the Mayflower, (Epi-
gaoe). I have several times planted the Winter-
green, (Gaultheria), but it obstinately refuses to
thrive, or even live more than two or three years
under any circumstances. Six years since I
planted twenty-live of the Blueberry, (Vaccinium
coryrabosum). They all lived through the first
year, but began to die in the second. At pres-
ent only one remains, which is not as large as
when first planted.

I once saw the cranberry growing and bearing
fruit in dry ground on the side of a hill in Mas-
sachusetts. It had been there for years, and
appeared to be perfectly naturalized. I took
some plants home, but they perished in two
years, like those which I had previously tried.
Clethra alnifulia, a plant of the same class, suc-
ceeds perfectly well

The intense cold of the winter just past, has
done great damage to fruit trees and nursery
stock in this region, but it is yet too early (April
1st) to determine the full extent. I have long
held the opinion that the greater dryness of the
atmosphere is one reason, perhaps the principal,
why a given degree of cold is often more fatal to
many trees and shrubs in the West than in the
Atlantic States. The winter of 18.35-6, which
was so destructive to fruit trees in the Mississip-
pi Valley, was followed by an unusually dry
spring ; and the parching winds of March and
April appeared greatly to aggravate the injury
done by cold. It may be that some of the
Heath family cannot thrive in a dry atmos-
phere.

Is the Azalea arborescens now in cultiva-
tion ? Torrey and Gray describe it as growing
in the mountains of Pennsylvania and Virginia,
attaining a greater size than others of the genus,
and producing very fragrant rose colored flow-
ers—larger than those of A. nudiflora.

The shoots of the Japan Sophora mildew here
every season, so that its progress is very slow.
Is there any way to prevent it ?

ORCHIDE^ No. 9.

BY JAMES TAPLIN, MANAGER TO GEORaESUCH,

ESQ , SOUTH AMBOY, N J.

CCELOGYNE CRISTATA.

This is one of the most lovely of the winter
blooming Orchideffi. Of easy culture and taste ;
in perfection four or five weeks. The flowers
are a beautiful white with a blotch of yellow ou

187S.

THE GARDEJVER'S MO^'TELY.

17S

the lip ; there are usually from four to eight
flowers on a spike. I notice Williams in the
"Orchid Growers' Manual,'' mentions a speci-
men with as many as sixty spikes. I exhibited
a plant with ninety-six spikes at one of the meet-
ings of the London Horticultural Society, on
which occasion the Gardener''s Chronicle stated
it was the most magnificent Orchidese ever ex-
hibited. I notice also this winter there have been
plants exhibited in London with even one hun-
dred spikes of bloom. There are at present no
such large plants in this country, but some large
enough to show its great beauty.

There are two points to be noticed by growers
of this plant ; one is never to fumigate a house
without removing the plants, for smoke spoils
the foliage ; and the second, never to allow the
plant to get at all dry, or the bulbs shrivel and
never plump up again thoroughly, which is a
great check to the plant. Any house which is
not allowed to fall below .50' on winter nights,
will grow this plant, but it must be shaded from
bright sun from end of February until Novem-
ber.

I used to grow them on blocks of wood in
England, but find it best in this country to grow
in well drained pans, with bulbs raised well
above the surface, in a mixture of peat fibre and
spagnum moss. By this plan they do not s,ufter
from want of water so quickly as when grown
on blocks. This is a charming flower for a
ladies' hair, or for using in bouquets, for like
most Orchidese, it lasts a long time when cut.

CROSS FERTILIZATION.

BY REV. L. J. TEMPLIN, KOKOMA, IND.

The question of the immediate effects of the
cross fertilization of plants is both a very curi-
ous and interesting one, and also a very impor-
tant one practicall}'. Mr. Arnold's experiments
seem to be conclusive that the immediate fruit is
effected by the cross, but so ftxr as the experi-
ment with corn is concerned, it is no more than
occurs in thousands of cornfields at the West
every year.

Every farmer out here knows that if two dis-
tinct varieties of corn are planted in contiguous
plats or fields, there will be an admixture of the
two varieties for some distance, gradually dimin-
ishing or receding from the line of separation,
till it finally disappears entirely. 1 have ob-
served such results in, I think, hundreds of
cases. The planting of a single row of sugar or
sweet corn, or of blue or red corn through a field

of common white or yellow field corn, invaria-
bly results in a similar admixture for some dis-
tance on both sides of the row. Another In-
stance of the immediate effect of cross fertiliza-
tion is often seen iu the common sorgum — the
cane and broom corn mixing to such an extent
as to greatly injure the quality of both, the cane
becoming dry and spongy, and the broom com
losing length and flexibility of brush. That
the crossing did not take place the year previous
is certain, from the fact that there was no expo-
sure to such fertilizing influences, and of the
whole field which was planted with homogene-
ous seed, none was found mixed but that ex-
posed to the fertilizing influence of a different
variety the current year. What the experiment
of carefully selecting this mixed seed and plant-
ing it would result in I am not able to say, but
the opinion prevails among careful farmers that
such mixture is not best for seed, hence it is
usually avoided in the selection of seed for
planting.

I shall look with interest for the results of Mr,
Arnold's experiments. A series of carefully
conducted experiments in this field, would cer-
tainly result in some interesting discoveries.
My past observations seem to favor the idea that
each grain of corn takes the color of the variety
by which it is fertilized ; but I cannot, in the
absence of careful experiments, speak with con-
fidence, and merely suggest the thought to stim-
ulate inquiry in this direction. If every farmer
and gardener would but. keep his eyes open to
the various workings of nature around him, we
should soon be la possession of thousands of
her secrets that now lie hid from our observa-
tion.

«•■»

OBSERVATIONS AND RECOLLECTIONS
OF NEW HOLLAND.

BY W. T. HARDING, NONANTUM HILL NURSE-
RY, BRIGUTOX, MASS.

On the way we passed through the town of
Tambaroora, where we replenished our stock of
provisions and journeyed on. Went along the
banks of the Tambaroora creek, where several
hundreds of miners were busily engaged at their
exciting toil, and on the whole, were mostly suc-
cessful. Inclining to the south-east, we were
fairly on the way, through dingle and dell, over
cultivated fields, where pleasant habitations
dotted the sylvan plains.

The course followed was on the ascent, which

I'^Jf

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJfTRLY.

June,

gradually attained to a height of several thous-
and feet. In this upper region, the air was
sharp, cold and bracing. The atmosphere so
clear, from the earth to the heavens, where not
a streak or the outline of a cloud intervened in
the illimitable space. The scene was like a vast
panorama laid before me, where bird's eye views
of the distant landscape could be had, which
seemed to have neither limit nor end, like the
space in the blue ether above. The situation
seemed to be one of those which prompts the
mind to meditate and reflect, and set in motion
speculative thoughts and conjectures — one of
those spots which makes us think of by-gones.
There are times, too, "when pensive thought
beguiles a tear," and relieves the heart of its
pent up sorrows, when the flood gates of the
soul burst open — not with remorse, but with sad
regrets for the loved ones, whose "absence makes
the heart grow fonder," and whose like we shall
never see again.

"There's a grief that wrings the heart, a grief more

sad than death can give,
From scenes of early home to part, and leave tlie

friends that live."

" Up above the world so high," on the lofty
ranges, I met with Delabachea rupestris, or bot-
tle tree, so called from the form of the stem,
which singularly swells out in the form of a huge
bottle, and contains a gum like substance, which
the natives eat. Altogether, the tree has a gro-
tesque appearance, and will claim attention as
an arboreal oddity. Several "Bush Apple"
trees, Achras australis, from thirty to forty feet
high — not edible of course, were in fruit. It is a
very thorny subject, more pleasant to look at
than to handle. In the natural order Sapota-
cese, to which it belongs, includes the West
Indian Sapota, a pleasant and agreeable fruit.
When ripe, the flesh is soft, rich and juicy, of
the color of an apricot, and about the size of a
Golden Russet apple. Bossaea linophylla and
B. rufa, two excellent greenhouse plants, with
Platylobium murrayanum, Scottia loevis and S.
dentata, elegant little evergreens, were really
beautiful. Cold as it was, they seemed to like
the high life they were enjoying.

The natural picture, as seen from every stand-
point, was grand and imposing. The vast area,
80 varied with a boldness of outline of such a
striking nature, as to arrest the beholder's atten-
tion, whose enraptured gaze is fascinated with
the scene. As 1 stood on the highest point,
looking over the great picture which extended

far beyond the eye's range, I felt how applicable

was the poetical sentiment :

" Earth how beautiful ! how clear
Of cloud or mist the atmosphere!
What a glory meets the eye!"

The descent was gradual to the country before
us, which was beautiful and park like, with gen-
tle undulations alternating with forest and moor-
lands, picturesque ravines and bosky dells,
where babbling brooks meander along romantic
glens, in the primeval solitudes. Such a blend-
ing of beautiful trees, shrubs, and flowers, from
the mammoth Eucalyptus, the stately Palms,
the beautiful Araucarias, the graceful Alsophi-
las and Cyatheas, (tree ferns), the elegant Aca-
cias, the many lovely leguminous shrubs, the
curious Orchids, epiphytal and terrestrial,
the pretty herbaceous plants, and humble cryp-
togams, could no where else be seen. Here the
country was thinly sprinkled with trees, with a
velvety turf covering the open glades, where un-
counted thousands of sheep and cattle would at
no distant time fatten, where now herds of kan-
garoos were disporting themselves undisturbed.

The Fauna of Australia is as remarkable as
the Flora. It abounds in marsupial animals of
such singular and abnormal types, as to greatly
astonish the neto comer with their novel appear-
ance, when seen for the first time. For instance,
what animals could seem more strangely formed
when first seen than the hairy-nosed Wombat,
Phascolomys latifrons, or the Derbyan Kanga-
roo, Helmaturas Derbyanus, especially if near
enough to see the fumaks carrying their young
families in the pouches beneath the abdomen.
The little ones seem very cosy when peeping out
of the comfortable receptacles nature has pro-
vided for them. There is another marsupial
which lives in the trees, and is as expert a climb-
er as either monkeys or squirrels, namely, the
Vulpine Phalanger, or Phalengista vulpina. Its
food consists of leaves, bark, buds, fruit or seeds,
which it gathers only up the trees. I never
heard of its having been seen on the ground,
although I see no reason why it should not
when in its nocturnal movements seeking for
food. It is rarely seen by daylight, as it keeps
concealed in the hollow trees. The noisy par-
rots and screaming cockatoos are screeching and
yelling at all times, their abominable din never
ceases until darkness puts an end to their noisy
clamors. "Pretty Poll " and "Pretty Cocka-
too ' ' are not there regarded as household pets
by any means. All the feathered tribe, although

1873,

THE GARDEKEWS MOMTKLY.

175

80 beautifully plumaged, are wretched songsters
indeed.

It is said of Linnseus, that he wept when he
came suddenly upon a wide expanse of Golden
Furze, Ulex Europea. The heart of the writer
has been often moved with like familiar scenes,
scenes which will never be erased from memory
until life's last lingering hour obliterates all
recollections. Here Epacrises, in place of the
Golden Furze, presented in some respects, a
similar scene, and covered a wide expanse o
rising ground. The flowers are beautiful, and
are produced on pretty evergreen shrubs, grow-
ing from two to six feet high. They cover im-
mense tracts of land in the untrodden wilds of
Australia. Could the gentle Linnaeus but have
sion them, the joyous tears would have glistened
ou his honest cheeks as when he saw the field of
Golden Furze.

Kext to Ericas, Epacris rank high among the
exquisite beauties which adorn the conserva-
tory. They are gems of the greenhouse, and
like diamonds, and rubies among precious
stones, are deservedly admired for their rare
beauty and intrinsic value. The most delicate
kinds require the highest horticultural skill to
grow and flower them successfully in this coun-
try. Epacris impressa alba, an excellent free
flowering kind, is grown largely in the neigh-
borhood of Boston for florists' uses. For in-
stance, at the nursery where I am at present
engaged, (W. C. Strong's, Brighton, Mass.) we
cut twenty-three thousand five hundred sprigs
during Christmas and New Year's anniversary.
Of the more choice and delicate kinds, a few will
suffice to mention, namely, Epacris grandiflora,
scarlet ; E. nivalis, white ; E. impressa, crim-
son ; E. variabilis, pink ; E. purpurescens, pur-
ple ; E. paludosa, flesh colored ; E. campanula-
ta, deep blush ; E. alba odorata, white, and
very sweet scented. In Australia, their native
home, they are as frequently met with as are the
Furze, or heath covered moors of Great Britain.
I remember some years ago, when I had charge
of "Wade Hampton's estate, near Columbia,
South Carolina, having some handsome Furze
bushes, which blossomed annually in front of
some of the finest English Laurel I ever saw,
• and that is saying a great deal, as England is
justly famous for them, and also the Furze. I
have no doubt but that the native born Anglo-
Saxon of Australia, will at some future time,
regard his Epacris covered hills with the same

veneration the Scot does bis '* bonny Highland
heather."

Happy are the people of whatever country or
clime, whose simple tastes are so cultivated as
to see a beauty in the humble little flowers of
their native homes, and whose souls are in rap-
tures when they, perchance, meet with thera in
some distant land. Such happy reminders of
the past often occur. The mute appeals for ad-
miration and love the little floret makes as it
almost beseeches us with its sweet humility to
caress and regard it, as a type of His goodness,
who, in the economy of nature, created it and
us for some undoubted good. Only think what
a gloomy and cheerless world this would be if
there were no flowers. In an event so dire, of
course there would be no fruit. Neither " Flo-
ra," "Ceres,'' nor "Pomona" could off'er their
bounteous gifts to unhappy mankind. Thank
God it is not so, for we are promised that " while
the earth remaineth, seed time aud harvest, cold
and heat, summer and winter, and day and
night shall not cease."

As I have wandered personally and figurative-
ly among the Epacris bushes, both here and in
Australia, I must return again to the many
readers of the Monthly^ aud give them a pen-
picture of the gigantic climber, Cissus antarcti-
ca, or the monster vine of New Holland. lana-
gine before you a gigantic vine, whose deadly
grip had destroyed many a goodly tree of fixir
proportions. Its appearance was truly remark-
able, not only on account of its enormous length
— six hundred and seventy feet, and in circum-
ference at the base, three feet nine inches, but
from the manner of its growth. Originally, at
some distant period, it had undoubtedly climbed
up the trunk of a large tree, and whose close
embrace had death in its coils, as it silently
wound around its victim, anaconda like, and
pressed it to death. Literally, it was an arbo-
real thug of the forest.

I will endeavor to draw the outline sketch as
clear as my pen can trace it. Fancy then you
see a smooth and lofty column, nearly two hun-
dred feet high, spiral in form, (and like a mam-
moth cable, strong enough to moor all the fight-
ing ships at the Battle of the Nile) and from the
summit of which, stretched in an horizontal
line, its huge continuations for more than one
hundred and thirty feet, without any support,
until it reached a Eucalyptus tree, on which it
rested and encircled the trunk several times,
and then threw out a number of stems, which

176

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TELY.

June,

seemed to be taking possession of all the trees in
the neighborhood of its wanderings. XL was the
opinion of an intelligent shepherd, a burly York-
shire man, who directed me to the spot, that the
vine, having strangled the trees which formerly
supported it, had perished and wasted away,
and so left it standing as I saw it, a marvel
indeed. Without making any pretentions to a
knowledge of botany or nomenclature, the shep-
herd had named it ''The Devil's Cork Screw."
Not far from the monstrocity I have depicted,
was a fine specimen of Calllstemon salignum,
or paper bark. It is a remarkably graceful tree,
so like a weeping willow in habit of growth.
While young the leaves are rose colored, and
when seen at a distance, have the appearance of
flowers. Of very striking appearance, and grow-
ing contiguous, was a round headed bush of
Grevillea rosmarinifolia, of about ten feet high.
It is an elegant shrub. Pimelia drupacea, or
cherry fruited Piraelia. It is a curious ever-
green shrub, and produces a mass of pretty
white flowers, which are succeeded by a crop of

fruit, (not very edible of course) very much like
Black Heart Cherries to look at.

As we journeyed onwards, the scenery assumed
a varied aspect, while the vegetation also seemed
in unison with the savage scene. Huge snow
white blocks of quartz lay in unshapely masses
on all sides, and rendered locomotion very diflS-
cult and fatiguing. Of the extensive order
Geraneacea, I saw but two species in New Hol-
land, namely, Pelargonium inodorum and P. au-
stral. The former a small light purple tlower-
ing kind, and the latter rose colored. When
growing in masses they had a pretty effect.
There are nearly three hundred species indige-
nous to Africa, and are mostly found about the
Cape of Good Hope, where I was so captivated
with the flora, especially the Ericas. To exam-
ine their elegant flowers atforded me a never
ending pleasure, when rambling among them.
I feel to regret their absence now, whose exqui-
site charms, so dear to remembrance, I shall
never see again.

( To be Continued.)

EDITOR lAL.

THE SCARLET RUNNER.

It has always been a matter of surprise that
the Scarlet Runner has never obtained a foot-
hold among the cultivators of garden vegetables.
In almost all portions of Europe, it is one of the
most esteemed, and we think there is scarcely a
garden where any fair collection is grown, that
this one is not found amoug them. They are
used as much as our dwarf beans — broken or
cut to pieces, and eaten in the green podded
state. On rich ground they have very thick suc-
culent pods, much more so than any dwarf bean,
and the flavor is very different from them. The
plant in fact, belongs to another species, Pliase-
ohis mulliflorus, although until the last century
it was generally believed to be a form of the
East Indian or dwarf bean, Phaseolus vulga-
ris. This is from the warmer parts of South
America.

The flowers are of great beauty, rivaling the
color of the brightest scarlet Zonale Geranium,
and give more gaiety to a vegetable garden than
any plant known. It is a great fashion in some
parts of England to make them border the gar-
den walks. Very light poles are employed— not
thicker than broom handles, and two are attach-

ed together somewhat like the letter X, only
that the point of crossing is near the apex.
Another pair is made, and one set at the upper
line of the walk and one at the lower. Then a
horizontal series is fixed from the points where
the pieces cross, and the whole when finished,
very much like a common " saw buck " or
" wood horse." The frame is then filled by nu-
merous poles, set about one foot apart, and all
in the X manner. This is immensely strong,
takes little time, allows of the use of lighter ma-
terial than our lima bean does, and when in
bloom, gives a solid sheet of scarlet flowers,
which any one who once sees will never forget.

AVe cannot tell why it has been so much
neglected with us. It does not come into use
quite so early as the dwarf bean, but we think
would be in before the lima. It is likely many
would prefer the lima in an absolute choice
between one and the other ; but we all like varie-
ty, and do not want to live on one thing, no
matter how good it may be.

The old time beans were considered good at
six inches long. The one we take to illustrate
this article, is a great march in the way of Im-
»^J.^ve^Jot>♦■. It i" ca^'ed Vo.vter^'^ V^arj.ricn,

17S

THE GARDE JEER'S MOXTELY.

June,

HEATING GREENHOUSES.

The many articles which have appeared on
hot water heating, boilers, and so on, during the
past year, show how great is the interest in the
question of heating plant structures. And it is
not to be wondered at when it is remembered
that it is a very poor garden which has no green-
house ; and that greenhouses, with their cheerful
winter flowers, give more pleasure than half the
best summer gardens going.

Many more, very many more greenhouses
would be built, and the pleasures of gardening
be considerably increased if it were not for the
fear of heavy cost in the building and in the
heating apparatus. For those who have the
means to enjoy gardening on a very larize scale,
and whose greenhouses are proportionately ex-
tensive, there will be no question about how to
heat them. Hot water will always carry away
the prize. It is so neat, and the pipes can be
carried anywhere where it is most convenient,
that houses may be built on almost any plan
desired. But where hot air is to be used, there
arc only certain forms to be employed, as the
heavy flues cannot be carried about here and
there as hot water pipes can. Again, unless the
builder or planner is very well versed in the
knowledge of draughts and currents, it is almost
impossible to warm a house well and satisfacto-
ry if with flues of any considerable extent.

But all this is very different with small houses.
If properly constructed, and the laws of heat
circulation well attended to, hot air will be
found very satisfactory and much cheaper, both
in the first cost and in tht- subsequent mainten-
ance. We need not go over here with what has
already been stated in this magazine, that it
takes a bushel of coal to heat a house bj' hot
water to the same temperature that three-
fourths of a bushel will by hot air; and though
this is more than made up in a large house by
the greater distance the heat can be conveyed,
and by other advantages recently well explained
by our correspondents, there are few correspond-
ing advantages in a small house.

But much as the advantages of hot air in
economy in a small house is conceded, not near
as much is made of it as might be. Mr. Strong
once pointed out, in one of the most valuable
articles we ever pubhshed in the Gardener''^
MonMy^ how heat instead of escaping through
the apex of the house, as most comuiouly it does,
can be made to a considerable extent, to pass
into one of a higher elevation, and thus be used

again instead of wasted ; and we have on several
occasions, shown how vastly superior are pipes
made of fire clay over common brick flues. The
thinness of the material — one inch, over the two
and a half inch of brick, makes all the difference,
and for just the same reason that a common
brick flue consumes less heat than a column of
hot water. That these pipes will crack is true,
and so will brick flues sometimes. The pipes
have the advantage in this that a wire can be
firmly put round each piece, and then uo matter
if they do crack there is no escape of gas or
smoke, except after a fire has been suffered to
die entirely out, and the pipes allowed to become
damp and cold. In this respect the pipes have
the same objection as flues — the same, no more.
.A s to the combined economy of these suggest-
ed plans, there is now no question. We know a
set of small houses built somewhat on Mr.
Strong's principle, which occupy three thousand
square feet of ground, and are heated by one
hundred and sixty feet of fire clay pipe, the most
of which pipe have seen fifteen years of constant
service. These houses cost only SIOOO, and
have had a profusion of flowers all winter, inclu-
ding such flowers as Stanhopeas, Phajus, Cypri-
pediums, Poinsettas, and other great heat lovers,
at an expense of only about thirteen tons of coal,
and this too during one of the most terrible win-
ters on the coal bills under record. We venture
to say that no such results could be had with
any set of houses built on other principles than
Mr Strong's, or even on Mr. Sti-ong's principle,
if heated in any other way than by fire clay
pipe.

fm»'

PLANTS IN SLEEPING ROOMS.

A great deal of nonsense originates with peo-
ple who think but do not observe. They take
hold of what is really true, and imagine a great
deal more, by means of which they build up a
tolerable " bugaboo," at which people who trust
to the learning of the builders, get very much
frightened. Thus it is known that plants give
off" carbonic acid gas at night, and straightway
arises a commotion as to the danger of having
them in sleeping rooms at that time.

The quantity which they give out is so small
that it does not compare in a slight degree with
what human beings give out. We venture to
say that a sleeping infant would exhale more
carbonic acid in one night than a hundred pot
plants, yet whoever suggested that the health of
a mother was seriously affected by the baby rest-

187S.

THE GARDENER'S MO.KTIiLY

179

ing in her arms ? As to the injury from vegeta-
tion, those of us who have had to skep at vari-
ous times in woods, with but green branches for
a pillow, and the sweet wild green grass instead
of a feathered bed, know well after a few da3'S of
such experience, that it is the most health giving
of all luxuries, notwithstanding the "awful"
amount of carbonic acid so much vegetation
must give out every night. Surel}^ if this is so
injurious it ought to aftect the lungs more espe-
cially than any other part of the system, yet the
experience of army life is abundant that many a !
person who with lung disease, supposed Jie i
might as well "die for his country" in the i
woods and fields as "on a feather bed," and j
went into the war of the rebellion, was, if not
wholly cured, much ameliorated by thus sleeping i
out amidst the carbonic acid of open air vegeta- ]
tion. 1

Still facts and figures please most people, i
Gov, Holt addressed a letter to Prof. Keilzie of;
the Michigan Agricultural College, recently, on
the subject. The Prof, replies at length. We i
make the following extract :

"Not to leave this matter in the condition of ;
mere conjecture, I have gathered and analyzed ,
specimens of air from a room where the influ-
ence of growing plants would be exhibited in a
greatly exaggerated form. Thus, instead of
taking the air from a room containing a few
plants, I gathered it from the College green-
house, where more than 6000 plants are growing
I gathered the air l)efore sunrise on the morn-
ings of April 16th and ITth ; the room had been
closed for more than twelve hours, and if the
plants exhaled carbonic acid to an injurious ex-
tent, the analysis of air from such a room would
certainly disclose this fact. The three speci-
mens of air jiathered on the morning of April
16th, from different parts of the room, gave 4.11,
4.00 parts of carbonic acid in 10,000 of air, or an
average of 4.03 in 10,000. The two specimens of
air gathered April 17th gave 3.80 and 3.80 parts
of carbonic acid in 10,000, or an average on the
whole of 3.94 parts of carbonic acid in 10,000 of
air ; while the outdoor air contains 4 parts in
10,000. It will thus be seen that the air in the
greenhouse was better than ' pure country air."
This deficiency of carbonic acid was doubtless
due to the absorption of carbonic acid and con-
sequent accumulation of oxygen during daylight,
since the windows of the greenhouse were closed
day and night on account of the cool weather.
To ascertain whether the air of the oreenliouse

had more carbonic acid by night than by day, I
gathered two specimens of air' in different parts
of the house, at two o'clock p. M., April 17th.
These gave 1.40 and 1.38 parts of carbonic acid
in 10 000, or an average of 1.39 parts, showing
that the night air contained more carbonic acid
than did the air of day.

Now, 1f a room in which were more than 6000
plants, while containing more carbonic acid by
night than by day, contains less carbonic acid
than any sleeping-room on this continent, we
may safely conclude that one or two dozen
plants in a room will not exhale enough carbonic
acid by night to injure the sleepers.

It is so easy to be deceived b}^ a name ! I

lately saw an article showing the beneficial and

curative influence of flowers in the sick room.

Instances were related where persons were cured

by the sight and smell of flowers, and without

question their influence is good. Yet flowers

exhale this same carbonic acid both by day and

by night ! The flowers, by their agreeable odor

! and delicate perfume, impart an air of cheerful-

: ness to the sick chamber which will assist in the

; recovery from lingering disease, notwithstaud-

I ing the small amount of carbonic acid which

they constantly exhale.

The presence or absence of carbonic acid is
not the only question in regard to the healthful-
ness of plants in a room. The state of moisture
in the air of the room may become an important
question, especially in the case of persons afflict-
ed with rheumatic or pulmonary complaints.
But I will not take up that sub^'ect.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,

E, C. Kedzie."

EDITORIAL NOTES.

DOMESTIC

The Amenities of Hortdcultural Literature. —
Mr, M, B. Bateham, in the Prairie Farmer, has
an article on this subject with which we cordial-
ly agree. He says there has been a marked im-
provement in the tone of papers which appear
in horticultural journals of late years. That
editors and correspondents write more friendly^
and with a better spirit than they ever did.
There are yet some exceptions to this he thinks,
but on the whole there is a great improvement.
We like to see this encouraged. A man's mo-
tives may be bad, but then again they may not
be. Let us always give those who oppose us the
benefit of the doubt.

180

THE GARDENER'S MOJ^TELY.

June,

Dahlias. Philadelphia has an amateur who
has stuck to the Dahlia through all its varying
phases of popularit}', and now that it is regain-
ing high favor with all classes, he feels justly
proud of his faithful love. He raises annually a
large number of seedlings, and many of them
have proved superior to either French or Eng-
lish varieties. Mr. Gerhard Schraitz deserves
the thanks of all Dahlia lovers for his persistent
and successful efforts for their improvement.

Does Sap Freeze in the Winter? We find in
a recent number of the Rural New Yorker, an
article by our friend J. R. Temple, on the Gar-
dener^s Monthly's recent article on this subject.
As we like to have all that can be said for or '
against a position, set side by side together, we j
give the major part of the communication :

" I regard the editor of the Gardener's Monthly as ,
one of the ablest vegetable ph5'siologists living ; but [
he is not alone in holding and teaching the doctrine
that a temperature of 32^ cannot be endured by a
plant and the life of the plant be preserved. But
notwithstanding these high authorities, whom I
delight to follow in most things, on an appeal to the
plant itself, which they have encouraged me to
make, I feel compelled to accept the statements of
the plant in opposition, as it appears to me, to their
teachings.

Prof Leconte teaches that the sap of trees and
shrubs does become frozen without the slightest
damage to them. Pictet and Manrico, of Geneva,
made observations on a horse chestnut tree from
179G to 1800, which developed the fact that there
was not more than 0.04 of a degree's difference
between the temperature of the centre of the tree
and the atmosphere surrounding it. In 18?6, Hol-
der found trees below the freezing point and in a
congealed state, without injury to their vitality.
Many other experiments, made by the most able
and careful observers, go to prove the same point.
During the past winter we have had a temperature
as low as 83- Fab. It froze through thirteen-incli
brick walls. Are we tu believe that the sap in an
apple tree three inches in diameter could resist such
a degree of cold and not congeal ? Even the
branches and small twigs endure it and live. Now
one of three things is true : 1 The sap does not
freeze at all, or, 2. it freezes without injury to the
plant ; or, 3. there is no sap in the tree or plant at
the time of the cold weather As to the first, we
have the evidence of our senses that it is frozen.
By chopping into a tree during a long continuevl
spell of very cold weather, it will be found that the
cells of the wood are filled with small particles o'
ice. A turnip may be taken from a pit so hard that
it can scarcely be cut with a knife ; by scraping, it
will be found full of icy particles. That a tree oi
plant can survive this freezing is evident fn m the
fact that forest trees do survive the cold, even ol
high northern latitudes. As suggested by the cor-
respondent of the New England Farmer^ the roots
of vegetables do freeze and survive. That they are
frozen is evident from the fact, as I stated above,
they are found full of ice, and if one is taken and

thawed in a warm atmosphere, or in tepid water,
\ its texture will be destroyed and it will be soft and
spongy ; while those left in the pit till warm wea-
^ ther will live and grow. I have observed this phe-
nomenon often. Whether there is less sap in a tree
in the fall than in the spring, or whether it is only
less active, I am not able to say ; but any one who
doubts the presence of sap in sufficient quantities to
freeze, may easily satisfy himself of its presence by
filling his stove with green wood on a cold day and
sitting and listening to it frying, provided he can
get it hot enough to fry. That a frozen turnip is^
full of sap is e\ident from the fact that a frozen tur-
nip is as heavy as the same not frozen ; and when
thawed in a warm, dry atmosphere it becomes a
mere sponge saturated with water, and if left alone
it.would have grown."

It is hard to tell what our friend is driving at.
He tells us distinctly that a turnip frozen, whea
thawed in a warm, dry atmosphere, becomes a
mere sponge saturated with water. Of course
we all know that one '-not frozen" does not
come to this condition under the same circum-
staaces. We suppose Mr. T. means to say that
the frozen turnip lost its vitality when it turned
to a "mere sponge,'' vvhich is exactly what Ave
contend.

Trees Given to the Governmtnt. Much talk is
made in the daily papers about a gift of 30,000
seedling Scotch Pines by an European firm to
the American Government. The Government
"proposes to distribute them at once in order to
ascertain whether or not they are adapted to ex-
tensive planting in the West." It is rather
strange that the "Government" should thus
want to "ascertain" a fact already well known
to thousands of Western men, who well know
that tlie Scotch Piue does as well as any other
of the hardy pine trees. If the "Government"
will write to Douglass, Bryant, or any other of
the many pioneers in Western planting, it may
(jud all it wishes to " ascertain " about the mat-
ter. The ignorance displayed in this matter ex-
plains many of the mysteries of the few years
past. Not long since it was proposed by an act
of Congress, suggested it was said at Washing-
ton, to allow trees imported by amateurs to come
in duty free, while all imported by nurserymen
were to pay duty. We believe, for no one knows
but a few hours at a time whether a law is or is
not— that this proposition never became the
law. But supposing it was made in good faith,
it must have been through a belief that Western
nurserymen were a poor set, and need not be
considered or consulted. We may say for the
information of the "Government,' that Scotch
Firs, Larches, and many other timber trees are

1S7S.

THE GARDENER'S MO^'THLY

181

raised in the West by the milUons, and we have
no doubt if the " Government " will give as much
for 30,000 as it paid freight on this gift, and dis-
tribute them in small lots, saying with each as it

will do with these, "raised by Ills.."

a "gift'' of 30,000 from Illinois will soon be
forthcoming. ,

At first we were disposed to think this 'gift
distribution '" would do no harm at any I'ate —
that it might encourage many to experiment
•who would not otherwise ever be interested, but
on second thought it will probably work the
other waj'. Packages will be sent from now to
middle of June to hundreds of persons who care
little for them, and the result will be they will
nearly all die, and then we shall have news-
paper paragraphs b}^ the score that "the Scotch
Pine has been extensively tried and found to be
utterly unadapted to the Western climate."

An Incident in the Life of Dr. Torrey. We
do not know how true the statements in the fol-
lowing paragraph from a daily paper may be,
but similar trifles have fixed the bent of many a
distinguished man :

"The late Dr. John Torrey, the distinguished
scientist, is said to have first acquired a taste for
scientific pursuits in the following remarkable
manner : His father held some official station
which required him to visit the prisons of the
city of New York, and the lad frequently
accompanied the parent on these tours of
inspection. In the old State Prison, which at
that early day was somewhere about Twenty-
third street, and situated in the country, they
found a man in the office of the superintendent
who had been condemned to serve out a short
term, but was generally believed to have been
innocent of any offence. This prisoner was
taken into the office to keep the books. He was
a man of learning, and especially a fine botanist.
Whenever young Torrey appeared at the prison
the book-keeper would point out from the win-
dow some plants growing in the vacant lots
opposite, and ask the boy to go and fetch them ;
the two then sat down in the office to analyze
and dissect the specimens, presenting the curi-
ous spectacle of a prisoner in convict's costume
teaching a well dressed boy. The lad never
forgot the lessons, and from the taste thus
acquired dates his application to the study of
botany, in which science he was destined to
achieve the most distinguished success.''

The Delaware Peach Crop. The correspond-

ent of the Philadelphia Public Ledger, gives hope
of a fair average crop— probably 3,000,000 bas
kets may go forward. Strawberries will be
enormous ; and Asparagus is being raised in
immense quantities over other years Much
difficulty is however felt in marketing, and prices
will perhaps rule low.

P. 0. Bulings — with a Crooked Ruler. And
now our poor publisher is in a quandary. He
has to prepay postage to Holland, Belgium, Aus-
tralia, and South America, in which distant
places he has a fair list of subscribers. This has
been 72 cents each per year. Now the " ruler ''
decides this is wrong, and 96 cents is the " legal
fare." He collects from his subscribers in ad-
vance, resting on the good faith of his respected
Uncle at Washington, and of course wall rather
ffo to sleep and dream over being plundered by
the Government, than enter into distant negoti-
ations with numberless subscribers for the paltry
sum of each, but a great deal to him on the
whole.

It may be that one of these days the postal
wheel will turn round, informing us that two
cents is all that is required for these distant
postages, when we shall have already collected
ninety-six cents from our unfortunate subscri-
bers. Well we know that there is a " conscience
fund "' always open for us where we can return
all we thus unwittingly rob others of ; but un-
fortunately we are not in a position to vote our-
selves 'back salary pay," when the joke is on
the o.her side.

An erican Pomological Sociefy. The coming
quarter centennial of the American Pomological
Society, at Boston, will undoubtedly be a bril-
liant feature in the annals of Pomology. Besides
what the circular of the Society, published in
another column indicates, we hear that the dis-
tinguished scientists. Professor Gray and Agaz-
zis, will take part in the proceedings. There
will be an additional programme of particulars
issued next month.

Horticulture and the '"Centennial. The Penn-
sylvania Horticultural Society is working ener-
getically for the success of the Centennial. The
ea^'ly neglect of horticulture by the Centennial
Committee, of which we complained in our past
issues, has been tardily atoned for by the
appointment of a committee. We do not know
any of the g'^ntlemen named except Col. Furnas,
of Nebraska, but if they are all like him, they
are the right kind of material to make a com-
mittee out of.

182

TEE GARDE JEER'S MOJVTELY.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

June,

Green Asparagus.— A Cu.nberland Coun-
ty, Pa., correspondent writes : "I have quite
a number of seedling asparagus in ray lot of
plants growing. It maintains a yellowish white
all through. Do you think it worth separating
and placing separate to raise a new variety ?
Please give me your views."

[All plants, and animals too for that matter,
produce what are known as albinos at times—
that is pale forms in which the color is wanting.
In asparagus this has long been known, and the
pale form is the "green top,'* while the original,
or rather most natural, is the "purple top.""
Albinos are all less vital than the normal forms-,
and are generally the first to disappear. Hence
it is not often that the green top is seen in culti-
vation. This one before us appears to be only
an albino — the usual "green top" asparagus.
The continual disappearance of the green top is
also aided by the fact that the asparagus plant
being dioecious, cannot fertilize itself. Pollen
from the " purple top " would therefore be con-
tinually getting to the "green tops,' and the
seedlings would not come like the originals. It
is impossible therefore to reproduce any aspara-
gus true from seeds, and hence what are called
"new varieties" have no real existence. By
selecting a few dozen plants of the " green tops "
however from a seed bed, and planting them by
themselves far away from any other kind, the
race of albinos may be preserved, and though
the plants among themselves will vary, and
there is no way to make any variety keep itself
pure, the race will continue. "Whether or not
the plants in this case will be worth selecting and
preserving will depend on taste. As a rule we
think the " purple topped '' shoots are preferred.
though some may like the green ones.]

ask our postmaster for the return of fifty cents
overpaid, but he only laughs at me. Can I not
recover ? I suppose you in the East with so
much business, know how to go about these
matters. It is small, but I suppose tliere is a
principle involved which I should be glad to
understand.''

[All w*:" have to say is, " poor fellow !"]

Raising Seedlings of Trees, Fruits, &C.
^Undf r rliis caption, " J. M ," of Philadelphia,
furnished a very interesting article for the
Month}]! of September, 1871, (for which he will
please accept my thanks) from which it is evi-
dent that he kuows a thing or two about seed-
lings. Would he be so good as to give his expe-
rience :in<l practice with evergreens the first
winter— how he obviates the thi'owing out? Mere
coverinj; with litter on the approach of frost,
does not seem to be effectual with me. — HORTO.

Postage on Seed Package —RG, White
Willow, Kansas, says: "Some time since I
had to pay thirty-six cents double distilled extra
postage through the neglect of a correspondent,
and through no fault of my own, the authorities
thus punishing me for another nifin's fault.
Now I have a package of seeds from another
friend, on which he has innocently placed twelve
cent stamps instead of two as he intended. I

Articles on Hand. — We have several ex-
cellent communications on hand, and trust our
friends will not lay aside their pens when they
do not immediately appear. "We like to have a
lot on hand, as it gives us a better opportunity
of varying the contents of each number — a great
point in giving interest to the Monthly.

Managing Young Norway Maples — /.
If., Old Westbur^J, L /., says: " We have ob-
tained so many useful and profitable hints
through the Gardener's Monthly, that we would
like to know thy experience in the management
of the Norway Maple in the nursery rows. Sev-
eral kinds of shade trees are greatly improved
by cutting them off after one year's growth in the
rows ; but we cannot decide from the short ex-
perience we have had whether Norway and
Sycamore should be so treated. We think that
they had better remain for two or more years
until they are well rooted before they are cut,
and if those that are thrifty and straight ought
to be cut back, then we wish to know. If thee,
when thee replies, would give thy views, if thee
has time, we will be much obliged, and will, if
desirable, at a leisure season, give our ideas of
trimming trees in the orchard and nursery for
the Gardener'' s Monthly.'*

1873,

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJVIBLY,

18S

[Whether it is best to cut back the young
trees depends on the reason for cutting back, of j
which there are two. Sometimes it is necessary
to cut back somewhat to save life. The roots i
may be dry, or there may be proportionately but j
few roots. In this case we cut back young \
plants the first year, or very often the second \
year. For this reason, however, we seldom cut '
much more than the young twigs, leaving a good ^
proportion of the leading stem. To cut back for [
making a straight stem, we leave the whole mat- |
ter until the plant has made an abundance of [
roots, and then cut back pretty close to the
ground. The Norway and Sycamore will gen-
erally bear this after the first season's growth,
though sometimes it is best to leave it to the
second. The notes on trimming orchard trees
will be very acceptable.

Disease in the Deodar Cedar. — An Ala-
bama correspondent writes : " We have in our
yard the most beautiful ornamental tree I have
ever seen ; about thirty feet high, rich in foliage
and graceful in form — a Deodar Cedar. Some
three or four weeks ago, it began to show a dead-
ness in one of the limbs. Since then several
other limbs are affected, and all the foliage is
beginning to turn of a brownish tint, and to fall
off. My wife and I are much distressed about
it, and fear we will lose our pet tree. Can you
tell me what to do for this sick ti-e^ ? What
is the matter, and what treanncul shall we
bestow ? Something must be done or our favor-
ite will die. Will you have the kindness to tell
me what is to be done ?

[Never having seen or heard of any such dis-
ease in the Deodar Cedar, we were at a loss to
know what reply to make to this when it was
first received, but we have since learned that a
small borer attacks the trees in the South, and
this is probably what is the matter in this case.
Specimens of the diseased part would be accept-
able.]

Grafting Mice Girdled Trees.— Mr.
Adam Deisher, of Tuckerton, Berks Co., Pa.,
leaves at our oflice specimens of trees which had
been completely girdled by mice, ^md yet saved
by taking young pieces of the same tree, and
grafting them in connecting the upper and
lower edges of barks. This plan has been long
known to our readers, and is generally practiced
by them when they desire to save valued trees.
But Mr. D. has our best th'nks for calling our

attention to it, as these things need referring to
again and again. There is one original feature
in Mr. D.'s plan. The connecting piece, after
being shaved on its inner face, and cut the ex ct
length, is nailed in inst ad of being tied. It ia
therefore firmer, and we th'nk this an advantage.

The Blood Leaved Peach. — In a recent
number we stated that the blood leaved .Peach
we had seen from Mississippi, had small flowers,
while that described by a recent correspondent
had large flf)wers. Since thei we have seen the
same plant flower again. It has large flowers.
We were mistaken : there is hut the one hind.

Transparent Blue Wash.— A correspond-
ent sends us a sample of blue wash for shading
greenhouses in summer time. General Pleas
anton's pR,per has made blue popular, but those
who think they are following him forget that he
only used blue glass in alternate strips with
common glass. In the remarks made on his
paper by those in Europe who have criticized
it, this fact seems to have been overlooked.
Although we have not been able to feel that the
crops in G'^neral Pleasanton's greenhouse was
wholly due to those alternate strips of blue, yet
it is but justice to his paper to notice the weak
point of his critics.

In regard t© blue powder, we can, of course,
offer no opinion. Most plant-houses in America
require shading of some kind during the hot
weather, and it is just possible that this may do
as well as the Rye flour, and whitening com-
monly used. These things are not well under-
stood yet, and we are glad of any experiment in
that direction.

In most washes used, a diflSculty is found ia
either keeping it on long enough, or getting it
off wl'en not needed. Our correspondent says
his wash will come off when hot water is used.

Lawn Grass. — B., Pittsburg, Pa., says; —
"I want to sow a small piece of lawn this fall,
and on consulting authorities I find three things
narae'1 by different writers — mixed lawn grass,
rye grass, and green grass — which do you regard
as the best ?"

[Mixed lawn grasses are mostly the otler two,
with a little sweet vernal or other EngUsh
grasses mixed with them, and which soon die
out in a lawn in our climate. liye grass is
rather coarse, and it will not bear to be cut very

184

TRE GARDEJVER'S MOJfTELY.

June,

close by a lawn mower, or it may die out under
a very hot sun; but it comes into "green" so
very early in Spring, and has such a cheerful
shining tint, that we are very partial to it.
Green grass stands the vicissitudes of our cli-
mate better than any grass, ard makes a capital
bed for a lawn mower. A mixture of the two
would not be unobjectiorable, for if the close
mowing did injure the rye grass, the green
Would creep in and take its place. It may save
mistakes to add that what we call green grass
is Poa campestris, and Lolium perenne the Rye
grass. ]

enough to tell us its name and something about

it in the Monthly.''''

[This appears to be an orchid— probably a
Cypripediura, but the species can scarcely be
made out from a bulb. It is planted, and when
it grows we may be. able to say more about it.]

Watering Trees in Dry Weather— 5.,
Tittshurg, Pa., says: -'I find a difference of
opinion among some who know more than I
about gardening, as to whether some trees I
planted this Spring should be watered or not.
Most say water, but a few whom I reg-^rd as
knowing something say not. Which is the
** approved " practice ?"

[A difficult question to answer in a general
way. There are times when water is almost
essential, but it is best to avoid it if possible.
In many cases trees are injured far more by the
kind hand which holds a water pot than they
would by full exposure to dry weather. If a
r.ewly planted tree shows sign of withering its
leaves on the least warm weather, we should
most likely cut off a few of its branches, which
would lessen the evaporating surface. If it
still seemed to sufier, choose a dry day to loosen
the earth on the surface about it, — loosen say
half an inch, and then with a^ rammer give it an
*' unmerciful " punching and pounding. This
will so thoroughly pulverize the soil that it will
attract moisture from the surrounding ground.
If after all the leaves do not wear a cheerful
aspect, make a shallow basin about the roots,
and j)Ouriu a bucket full or two of water, and a
day or so following fill in again with the dry
earth, pressing it in closely. This will do for
the whole season.]

Name of Plant.— £., Fairfield dmnty, O.:
*' I send you three bulbs, attached in a triangu-
lar position, one of them with a leaf like a Tigri-
diii, the others without leaves, and seeming to
be respectively one and two years older than the
first. They were growing in the woods in rich
ground, on a north hillside, and not far below
the surface. It is new to me. Will you be kind

Seeds of Primula Sinensis. — " One of the
Under Current " writes : " Oblige by informing
me, (and I presume the information would be
acceptable to others) how I may obtain seed
from Primula Sinensis. I have now many
years, sought in vain for seeds, but find only an
inflated capsule devoid of seed. The Eastern
continental seedsmen must find them more
readily or they could not afford us fifty or a
hundred seeds of their choicest varieties for a
dollar. But the question is how is it done.
While the ink is moist, let me make my record
as being one of those who would commend the
plant to the cultivation of all flower lovers, as
being one which will not disappoint their ex-
pectations. Now-a-days, especially when there
are so many lovely varieties, both in foliage and
flower, and if I cannot raise seed, I can buy
enough for a dollar or two to raise a hundred
plants, which yield me pleasure for a whole year.
They trouble me a little before coming into
rough leaf by damping oflf, but as soon as they
obtain their rough leaf, no more difficulty, but
all gratification until they bloom, when it is
intensified, and continues throughout the winter
a source of pleasure by their continued bloom.
Endorse this if you can consistently."

[It has been discovered by Mr. Darwin, that
many plants have a horror of self fertilization,
and though stamens and pistils may seem per-
fect in the same flower, it is often difficult to get
seed from those which rely on their own pollen.
They will have the pollen from other flowers or
none at all. This resulted in the discovery of
the wonderful part performed by insects in cross
fertilization. The genus Primula is especially
one of those which generally refuses to be self
fertilized. In the common English Primrose
and Polyanthus, there are two classes known to
florists as the " pin eyed " and the '' thrum "
eyed. In the former case the pistil is above the
anthers, filling the centre of the flower ; the
apex protruding like the head of a pin. This
one will never take its own pollen. It seems as
if it pushed beyond the anthers expressly to
avoid being fertilized by them ; but with the pol-
len from another flower it generally sets very
well. In what are called the "thrum" eyed

187S.

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOMTHLY

136

forms, the anthers have pushed beyoud the pis-
til, and close up the throat. They rarely, though
sometimes, succeed in fertilizing their own flow-
er ; but when the pollen from these get to the
"pin " eyed forms, the result is almost always
ia favor of a full seed vessel. These facts may

serve our correspondent in becoming more suc-
cessful next time with the Chinese kind. With
our correspondent's estimate of the Chinese prim-
rose we quite agree. There is no plant which
will usually furnish more varied gratification
than this.]

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, ETC

Report to the Department of State
ON THE Forests and Forest Culture of
Sweden. By C. C. Andrews, United States
Minister : This is a pamphlet published by the
Department of State, at Washington, and is a
very valuable document, especially Just now
when timber planting is one of the greatest of
present American questions. The Government
of Sweden takes an immense interest in the
growth of its forests, and the whole subject is
treated by Minister Andrews in the most exhaus-
tive manner.

Twenty-Fourth Annual Report of

THE WOMBNS' MeDICAL COLLEGE OF PENN-
SYLVANIA, Whether any pra^;tical good to
Society will ever result from the exercise of the
ballot by women, or by the triumph of what is
knowa politically as " womens' rights," is a
question which does not concern the Gardener' s
Monthly in the least ; but it does believe that the
interests of horticulture are served greatly by
every effort for women's higher education. One
of the best institutions for this purpose that we
know of is the one represented by the little pam-
phlet before us. It is gratifying to find it flour-
ishing. The list of matriculants numbers
seventy, and are from nineteen different States.
Among the professors are Miss Rachel Bodley,
Dr. Henry Hartshorne, and Dr. J. G. Hunt, all
eminent as botanists, besides in the chairs they
fill in the coUesre.

Proceedings of the Worcester County
(Mass.) Horticultural Society, for 1873.
As a general rule the proceedings of societies
are dry reading, and we are sorry to say that
some of them are worth but three cents per
I)Ound. Not of this class is the annual volume
from this Society. It is carefully read— always

with profit— and preserved with respect. Th^
present issue is equal in value to any of its pre-
decessors. Besides the dry record of who takes
the premiums, there is generally an intelligent
essay by the chairman of each committee, en-
deavoring to sum up the nett results, and a sort
of record of progress made. Here we have
excellent reading in the report of W, T. Harlow,
of the fruit committee. He takes up the thread-
bare theory of Knight as to the wearing out of
varieties, and puts new floss on it. He shows
that the theory may not be, as we all know it is
not, true in the narrow way in which it has been
presented to us ; but yet that it is a general philo-
sophical principle, and must be true in some
sense ; and we cordially agree with him. Not
so cordially can we agree with him in the pro-
position that "every winter, doubtless," all
trees in this latitude are completely frozen, root,
body and branch. It has been stated in the
Gardener''s Monthly, that grape vines with their
roots out in ground may have the earth frozen solid
about them, and yet when the canes in the house
have been forced they have grown and flowered
while these roots were out in the solid frost.
And that Hyacinth roots put four inches or six
inches deep in the ground in November, and
frost immediately set in on and around them,
will yet have their crowns at the surface when
the first spring thaw comes, though the whole
mass has been frozen solid all that time, t We
know these facts are true as represented, but how
can '■'■ things frozen solid" make several inches
j of growth while in that condition? It is aston-
: ishing to us that this "frozen solid '' theory ever
' had any place in an intelligent mind. If we
i saw any living thing " froz'm through," and yet
live, we should doubt the evidence of our own
' eyes. Certainly they may appear frozen some-
times, as a drowned man sometimes appears

18 6

THE GARDEJSfER'S MOJVTMLY.

June,

dead ; but when the drowned man recovers we
are bound to believe that the man was not really
dead, in spite of all appearances.

Traxsactioxs of the Plymouth County
(Mass.) Agricultural Society, is another
serial we always welcome to our table. The
editor or "supervisor," has some sensible re-
marks on the relation of labor to the value of
manures. He also deals extensively in figures
in regard to the profitableness of the various
modes of culture of various crops ; and there is
a capital chapter on tree culture for timber in
the county. The progress of agriculture there
is shown in no better way than by the statement
that though the area under farm culture has
decreased in the county, the sum of the products
is as great as ever it was, and pi'ofitably so^

Fifth Annual Report of Prof, C. V.
Riley, State Entomologist of Missourl —
The State of Missouri deserves the thanks of,
not only her own citizens, but also of the people
of other States, whose legislatures have not yet
been able to see the importance of aiding
science, especially those branches which imme-
diately affect the wealth and prosperity of a
people as do entomology and those of a kindred
character. In the preface, Mr. Riley expresses
his gratification to find his work more and more
appreciated, but we think that not he himself
has a faint idea of the high degree of estimation
in which his labors arc really held.

The present volume has a timely chapter on
the relation of the science to agricultural pros-
perity, and gives brief instructions for collecting,
studying, and preserving insects.

A chapter on the Codling Moth, brings down
knowledge of it to the present time. In regard
to traps, Wier's shingle trap was found to be of
»ome use ; but paper bandages, rags, or some
similar matter, tacked on and around the trunk,
and when full of larvee taken o^^'and burnt, were
found better ones.

The Colorado Potato Beetle receives some
attention. The Apple twig borer has reached
the Atlantic States, and there are many other
brief notes of insect advances during the past
year. There.has been much of importance dis
covered in regard to the Phylloxera, all tending
to sustain Mr. Riley's previous position that
this minute root insect is one of the leading
caueee of grape failure in America.

The oyster shell bark louse is figured and de-
scribed under the name of Mytilaspis poraicor-
ticis, Riley; and its history and character fully
given. He gives reasons for changing from the
old name of Aspidiotus conchiformis. Another
chapter is that relating to a very common nui-
sance— the Pine Scale insect — which so often
completely cover the leaves of pine trees with
minute white specks, and which is so destruc-
tive to the trees on which it feeds. Mr Riley
has found a certain remedy. Pines, as a general
thing, will not make a new set of "needles " if
the old ones are destroyed ; but if taken off just
as they are expanding new ones will, then
appear, and by thus taking oft' the leaves, eggs
and all are involved in one common ruin, and
the new growth comes forth insect free.

A new species of Hickory borer, Scolytus
careyce, of Riley, is described, and its bad deeds
fully told. The Rose bug has a chapter devoted
to it, as also has "a new enemy to the grape
vine and others," named iiysius d^sfructor by
Mr. Rile}' : then there is a chapter devoted to
" insects injurious to the grape vines."

In this volume also appears a full history of
the new discovery, Pronuba yuccasella, the
insect by the aid of which the yucca is supposed
to be alone fertilized. This discovery is remark*
able in this that for the fit\y or more years
the Yucca has been in cultivation about Phila-
delphia and other places abounding in Ento-
r>iologists and who must or might have seen
thousands of capsules bored by this insect (for
the writer doubts whether he ever saw one that
was not), no one seems to have thought of
looking for the insect which did it, aud should
leave it to Mr. Riley's industry to let us know
all about it.

The Florist and Pomologist.— This beau-
tiful English publication is not as well known in
the United Stages as it deserves to be. It is a
monthly, in small octavo form, and every num-
ber beautifully illustrated. A set now before us
has colored plates of a new variety of the
English Primrose, Early Ascot Peach, Lilium
tigrinum, Lishmanni, Iris ibir"ca Pevryana,
Maranta makayana, Young's Weeping Birch,
Ricotees, Gladiohis Alice Wilson, Geonoma
Seemanni, and other plain cuts and lithographs.
This will show that a wide range 's taken. The
articles on Horticultural subjects are numerous
and varied, embracing matters of scieuee a»
well as plain cultural details.

187S,

THE GARDEJVEK'S MOJVTHLY,

187

The Southern Planter and Farmer of
KiCHMOND, Va., has always maintained a
high character among Southern Agricultural
magazin'^8. It has changed hands frequently of
ia*e years i^ow it is edited by T. L. Payne,
and published by L. R. Dickinson.

Prize Essay on Forest Tree Growing
IN Nebraska— by J. T. Allan. This is full of
facts as to what has actually been done in
Nebraska in tree raising, and will be a valuable
guide to those who are settling in that '^gion,
as well as to tree plante' s generally in the West.

The Mystery of Metropolisville, By
Edward Eggleston. Published by O'^ange Judd

& Co. It is generally beUeved that for some
time after the passing of thf Hearth and Home
nto the ownership of the proprietors of the
American Agriculturist, it w^s what is known
to those who understand money matters as a
heavy load to carry. But of late it has been
rather the other way, and we are glad of it, for
there are few papers of its class so intelligently
conducte;], and yet so we^l adapted to the moral
wants of "Home circle and the Hearth's side."
The poorly educated and the most learned ; the
young and the old ; the rural'st and the citizen,
al! derive profit from its pages- Egg'eston's
stories have had much to do with this prosper-
'^us tide in the affairs of the paper. This one
has been through its columns, and is now pub-
lished i^^ book form.

NEW AND RAHE PLANTS.

New Golden ARBORViT^.-i?Kr7-oi<;<fc Wood
Fishkill, N F., write : "We think we have a
very fine Seedling Golden Arborvitse of dwarf
habit, which originated with us about the year
1858. We hand you a young plant by to-day's
mail for a sample, and in return would like
your opinion."

[There are now many of these golden Ameri-
can Arborvitffis under cultivation, and the merit
of any new one will depend on how the plants
look after they acquire a little age. That is on
their mature habit. The one sent us has a dif-
ferent habit from any other golden Arborvitse
we have seen, and we are inclined to think it
will be a desirable addition. This, however,
only a large plant can definitely decide J

LiLiUM Washingtonianum.— At the meet-
ing of the Philadelphia Academy Natural
Sciences, on May 20th, Mr. Thos. Meehan re-
ferred to a paper entitled a sketch of the Liliaceoe
of the Pacific Coast, read by Prof. Alphonso
Wood, and published in the volume of proceed-
ings for 1868, in which he describes a "new
species " of Lilium as L. Washingtonianum, giv-
ing as a reason for the name that it was gener-
ally known as " the Lady Washington '' by tht
miners. Prof. AV, said in his paper that it was
remarkable that so fine a plant had been ovei -
looked by other botanists. It so happens thai

Dr. Kellogg had ten years previously named and
described this lily in the proceedings of the Cali-
fornia Academy of Sciences for 1858, and the
remarkable part of Prof. Wood's remarks is
rather that he should have been ignorant of what
other botanists had done. Through the unusual
circumstance of two authors employing the same
name, the confusion and trouble which loose
and careless habits in describers bring to scien-
tific students, the inconvenience in the present
case will not be great, but it is but justice to Dr.
Kellogg that this correction should be made in
the records of the Academy.

New Variegated Lobelia. — Messrs. Clag-
gett & Munger, St. Joseph, Mo., write: " At
I a time when baskets filled with plants are so
much in use, and especially variegated plants
so much admired for that purpose, we take plea-
sure in sending you a Lobelia which originated
in our establishment last season, and as we have
not noticed an}' such plant advertised in any
catalogue, we thought it might be of interest for
your readers to know that such a plant will be
offered for sale at an early day. We leave yon
to pass an opinion whether such a plant would
be welcome to lovers of flowers at large. This
Lobelia appeared in a lot of seedlings last year.
At first we thought it to be caused by sickly
growth, but by close examination we found it to

188

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TRLY,

June,

be in a perfectly healthy condition, but still was
not cared for as much as ought to have been.
This season we find it to be one of our finest
growing plants of that class. It has white flow-
ers edged and dotted with rich blue and has by
us received the name of Lobelia PaxtoniaVarie-
gata "

[This is a valuable addition to our garden
plants. The white is clear and the green is live-
ly, while the plant itself is in vigorous health
We are sorry for its long name. Why not call
it at once Claggett's Variegated or the " Clag-
gett." Latin names are bad enough for species,
although we cannot do without them thei-e, but
they serve no useful purpose whatever in a gar-
den variety. — Ed.]

New Bouvardias. — Attention is being given
in England 1o the improvement of these beau-
tiful winter blooming flowers. The following
are some that have just been introduced :

Alba Odorata. — This is a valuable addition to
the group, differing from B. longi flora in its mor^
compact and vigorous, yet dwarf, habit, also in
its greater profusion and longer continuance of
bloom The flower trusses are large, with pure
white petals of great substance, and very richly
fragrant, the snowy whiteness of the lobes form-
ing an elegant contrast with the rose-tinted
trumpet like flower tubes.

Bridal Wreath. — This fine hybrid Bouvardia
is recognized from its allied forms by the pecu-
liar greyish, or white-tinted stems, and obscure-
ly hairy or pilose leaf margins ; in other features
it is free, vigorous and compact in growth, inter-

mediate between B. lougiflora and B. jasmin-i
flora. The bloom is produced freely in large
cyraose clusters of snow-white flower-lobes,
broader than any other in its section ; delight-
fully fragrant, and fading ofl" with a delicate car-
mine tint. The greater width of its petals and
large racemes of bloom, render it a very effective
plant for late autumn and winter flower groups.
Queen of Roses. — A very beautiful variety in
the colored group of Bouvardias, and the first
known with fragrant colored flowers, producing
large terminal branching clusters of pure bright
rosy-pink trumpet-like blossoms, on crimson
tinted flower tubes. Its neat, vigorous, and
freely branched growth yields a long succession
of bloom during the late summer and autumn
months, forming a very distinct and desirable
plant for pot culture in the greenhouse, conser-
vatory, or open front border in the summer flow-
er garden.

Paullinia Thalictrifolia.— a very beau-
tiful semi-scandent stove foliage plant, which
will be most useful for all kinds of decorative
purposes. It is of slender growth, producing
very freely its beautifully cut leaves, which
resemble the fronds of a highly-divided Maiden-
hair Fern. The matured leaves are of a striking
bright green, the young shoots and foliage being
of a beautiful rosy tint.

The plant may be grown either on a trellis or
in the bush form, and as such is a very great
acquisition, both as a plant for table decoration
or to cut from. This plant was introduced from
the Brazils through the late Mr. Bowman. —

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE

Apples for Central Illinois. — Eural,
of the Chicago Triftunc, says :—" We must not
have all regard for high prices ; for, while the
Lady apple may sell readily at S2.50 per bushel,
it is less profitable than the willow twig at 50
cents. We must, therefore, take all things into
consideration, if we would make a wise selection.
Then, again, the farmer who grows apples for
market should confine himself to a few varieties,
for his customers will desire the same kinds, —
that is, if they are good ones. For summer and
fall apples, Saps of Wine, Ked Astrachan, Lovel,

Rambo. Fall Wine, Porter, Standard and Snow
are amongst the best. For sweet apples. Golden
Sweet, Rumsdell's Sweet, Baker's Sweet, Pound
Sweet, and Paradise are as good as any."

The Medical Botany of California.—
Dr. W. P. Gibbons, of Alameda, has been devot-
ing considerable time and labor to the investiga-
tion of the medical properties of the plants pecu-
liar to this Coast, and solicits the aid of his
professional brethren in different quarters. In
a paper, lately read before the State Medical

1873.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOMTELY.

189

Association, he describes a number of cases
showing marked benefit from the Grindelia in
Asthma, and thinks it will prove a valuable
remedy, if employed with proper discrimination.
There are two species which appear equall)'^
active, the robusta growing in low places, and
the hirsutula on dry fields and hills. The infu-
sion he regards as the best preparation.— Cah'-
fornia HorticuUurist.

The Angular Divergence in the
Branches of Plants. — Some grow quite
prostrate, and others, though closely allied spe-
cies, might be strictly erect. Late in the
autumn we may note plants with prostrate
leaves or branches, which in spring, will have
them in a sharp, upright angle. The Verbas-
cums, especially Verbascum Blattaria,| had
their root leaves so firmly pressed against the
ground, that on lifting they would fall back
with a spring ; as soon as the central axis grew,
the leaves from that would be almost upright.
In some respects, erection or prostration became
almost specific characters. The Rubus villosus
usually grew erect even from infancy, and the
Rubus canadensis generaly trailed ; yet the last-
named would sometimes throw up strong erect
stems, which could scarcely be distinguished in
that stage from R. villosus. Again, the same
species of tree would often produce individuals
quite erect, and at other times very pendant,
and hence we had in horticulture the class of
weeping trees. All trees seemed to have this
power of producing pendant individuals. The
Oaks, Ashes, Poplars, Elms, all furnished
tamiliar examples.

It was usual with botanists to pass these
things over as "weaknesses." But the term
weakness explained nothing. To say that these
plants had lost the power of erection was simply
restating the primary fact. Moreover, some of
these prostrate forms had apparently more vigor
than the erect ones. Rubus canadensis was
weaker than R. villosus, truly ; but, on the other
hand, some of Russian trailing Junipers were
far more vigorous than any of the upright indivi
duals. The Weeping Beech also was in appear-
ance more vigorous than the ordinary forms.
All Bet^hes had their young growth pendant.
As the growth matured, the branches became
erect ; but in the weeping form erection did not
come with maturity, and hence it remained pen-
dant. In the Ashes, however, there was no pen-
dency in the young growth ; but the Weeping Ash

was one of the most decided of all drooping trees.
In such cases as these, the law which governed
the angles of divergence must either be different
in each case, or operate at different stages of the
developilient of the branches

Mr. Meehau, in his late travels in the Rocky
Mountains, came on a track covered profusely
with one of the small creeping Euphorbias,
probably EI cordata, in which a large quantity
grew perfectly erect. Sometimes only a portion
of the plant exhibited this character, at other
times all the plant was upright. The specimens
he exhibited were of the erect class. In all these
cases the plant was attacked by a small fungus,
^cidium Euphorbia? hypericsefolia of Schwein-
itz. He thought that the fact that this little
fungus should be able to make a usually creeping
plant, rooting from every joint, entirely lose
this character and become erect, was worthy of
some notice by students in this branch of botany.
— T. Meehan.— jE^^racts from a Paper in Pro-
ceedings of the Academij of Kahiral Sciences,
Philadelphia.

Filberts — We were surprised, on visiting
one of our Broadway fruit shops, to find fresh
filberts, imported from Kent, in England, selling
with their heavy green husks on for eighty cents per
pound, and this has been the average for several
years. Why should not our farmers in the Middle
and Southern States grow filberts ? The climate
which will produce good peaches will also pro-
duce filberts, and all of our light tobacco lands
in the b?sin of the Chesapeake are as well suited
to their growth as the soil of Kent, and certainly
at the prices ruling now in New York, or at
even half these prices, filberts would prove the
most profitable product within the whole range
of agriculture. Nor is the adaptation of the
soil and climate of our ^[iddie States to the
growth of these nuts at all problematical, for
they have been grown In a small way on some of
the old homesteads in Virginia for more than a
hundred years. — 2urf, Field and Farm.

Catching the Codling Moth.— There has
been a great deal of superficial instruction given
in this country for the trapping of noxious
insects. Bottles with sweetened water, and
lighted lamps hung in trees, were recommended
by A. J. Downing many years ago, and copied
by a number of writers since. It was supposed
that curculio, codling moth and other insect
depredators might be easily caught in this way.

190

THE GARDEMER'^ MOJ^TBLY.

June,

In contrast with this conjectural advice are the
careful and accurate scientific examinations of |
C Y. Riley, State Entomologist of Missouri, who \
says in his last report to the State Board of
Agriculture : 'I have elsewhere tjiven it as ray
decided opiniou that neither fires, lights, or
bottles of sweetened water, vinegar or any other
liquid, can be used with any degree of success in
fighting the codling moth/' He then states
that three j'ears ago he kept a trap of this kind,
made of bright tin, well lighted, and that he
never caught a single specimen. During another
summer, two kerosene lamps and a bright re-
flector attracted hundreds of insects, yet only
one or two codling moths were caught among
all this multitude. At the same time many
wide-mouth bottles, with decoying solutions,
were hung in trees. Many insects were caught,
— small harmless moths ; some that were injuri-
ous, and others known to be beneficial. Among
the latter were numbers of two species Tfnown to

prey on the codling moth — while but three codling
moths were caught all summer. Mr. Riley fur-
ther adds that on showing specimens of the cod-
ling moth to intelligent cultivators, they candidly
confessed that the}' did not know it by sight,
and hence other moths were mistaken for it.
We note these observations to show that the
common loose way of making such examinations
is too careless and v;igue for reliance —Coimtr!/
GerdJemen.

Figs. — There is no more delicious or healthful
fruit than the fig, and we are surprised that so
little attention is given at the South to its culture
and propagation. It will thrive well in any
part of the cotton States. Figs dried in the sun,
by simply mashing and placing them on tins,
are superior in flavor to those imported, and
will keep as long.— Plantation.

But they get wormy. Dry them on a kiln, or
even in a large cook stove, — Mobile 'Register.

HORTICULTURAL NOTICES.

THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTU-
RAL SOCIETY.

The Society decided to hold this year a grand
spring exhibition, with the idea of aff"ording the
citizens of Philadelphia a glimpse of what flow-
ers are at this season ; the fall exhibition gener-
ally resolving itself into a first class fruit dis))lay,
■with the flowers rather as a collateral. This
season, however, was so late that gardeners and
nurserymen found themselves up to their eyes in
work, and thus very i-eluctantly were compelled
to forego the pleasure of exhibiting. Notwith-
standing these drawbacks the exhibition was an
excellent one. and in many respects more inter-
esting than any of its predecessors.

There is a great lack in all our exhibitions of
well grown plants ; indeed the idea of growing
things in a very superior manner, except in a
very few instances, is becoming one of the lost
arts. Most of our exhibitions depend on the
miscellaneous matter hastily gathered up from
gardens an'l greenhouses, and while showing
ordinary skill, and worthy of ordinary commen-

dation, little of it is of that superior order which
horticultural exhibitions are expected to foster
and bring forth. This is said by way of encour-
agement to better exertion. We all need a hint
or two as to what we may do sometimes.

There were on this occasion several things
well worthy of being classed with superior excel-
lencies. One of these was a hanging basket by
C. W. Trotter. The centre was a fuchsia, Rose
of Castile, we believe, grown as well as any often
seen in pots. It had seventy-five expanded flow-
ers. The outside filled with luxuriant pendant
vines of various kinds. A large Red Azalea, by
Robert Scott, was four feet high and four feet
across, bearing, we may surely say, thousands of
flowers. A very beautiful Yucca quadricolor,
by H. C. Gibson, was nearly three feet high in
the stem, and with a profusion of Vixuriant
healthy foliage.

An Anthurium Schurzianum, by Mr. Alex.
Newett, gardener to H. Pratt McKeau, Esq.,
had seren flowers on. The scarlet waxy texture
of the flowers of this plant will ever make it a

IS7S. THE GARJDEJVER'S MOJ^'THLY,

191

popular favorite Every one admires the satinj''
surface and pretty markings of the leaves of Cy-
anophyllum magnificum. Mr. Lucking, gar-
dener to M. Baird, Esq., had a plant with
numerous leaves two feet long^ by about one
wide.

The bouquets and table designs, were of the
highest excellence, and did much credit to the
taste of the exhibitors. It is long since such
excellent material appeared on the vSociety's
tables. In Mr. John Dick's excellent collection,
use was made of the rather rare fern Lomaria
gibba. Pennock & Bro , in a magnificent pla-
teau of .flowers, peemed to rest chiefly on Roses
(Marshal Neil, Bon Silene, Saftrano, mostly)
and Lilies of the Valley, with ferns. Robert
Sherwood had more Carnations and Pinks in his
than the others, and gave it a marked character
by having the roses thrown out from the mass
of flowers on longer drooping stems. Among
other articles deserving of special notice, were
some Pansies by Mr. J. Thomas, i^^ardeuer to A.
J. Bucknor, Esq., some of which were two
inches across. His dwarf Cinerarias were ab^^ut
eighteen inches across their flower heads ; and
Calceolarias, on one of which we counted a few
over one hundred open (lowers. These are worth
ranking with "well grown plants." In Mr.
Newett's collection, as well as in one or two
others, was the new Coleus, "Camellia." It
has a stripe of vermillion in the leaf, a tint not
before known in Coleus ; but it is hard to keep
in this condition, as it " runs '' out, as variega
ted leaves do sometimes. It is a variety raised
last year near New York. A fine Nephrolepis
in this collection reminds us to say that it is one
of the best of all ferns for hanging baskets. This
on^ was N. bulbifera, but all the genus is good
for this purpose. In the same collection were
well grown plants of Dracoena regina, Calocasia
macrorhiza variegata, with leaves about ten
inches long, Clerodendron splend' us, Begonia
glaucophylla scandens, with nice white and rose
flowers.

Mr. H. A. Droer had r, neat collection of small
plants, in which wis exhibited for the first time
the Scarlet Larkspur, Delphinium nudicaule.
The Fuchsia Sun-'-ay, a variety with three
colors, and Lobelia Snowflake, also attracted
attention. Alongside of these were some admi-
rable forced strawberries, the fragrance of which
added much to t^e pleasure of the occasion, even
if the fruit had not been so remarkably fine as
they were. It is rare to see in market as find

ones as these were. They come from Mr. Rlair,
of Roxboro. A'bany Seedling and Triomphe de
Gand.

In Mr. Fergussou's collection, from his Lau-
rel Hill nursery. Azaleas made a particularly
striking show. One of the best was a white
with carmine stripes and fringed edges— Alexan-
dra II. Mr. Harris, florist, of Darby Road,
always excels at these exhibitions in the well
grown florists flowers in his collections. Some
beautiful "Elm City" Fuchsias, and the well
known Coleus, Beauty of Windmere, were much
admired.

Mr. G. Huster, gardener to J. B. Heyl, Esq.,
had in bis collection a very full flowered Epiphy-
num Jenkinsii, which made the visitors wonder
why this fine old plant is so seldom seen now-a-
days. Here also was an old fashioned purple
Gloxinia with over one hundred flowers on i*^.

Mr Moon, of Morrisville, had a large number
of hardy evergreens in pots.

The honor of exhibiting the best quantity of
rare, new, or interesting plants, was borne on
this occasion by Mr. J. Dick. Among a splen-
did collection of Tricelor Geraniums, Miss Gohr-
ing had four colors in the leaves ; and is a
superior variety to Lady Cullum, and this is
saying a great deal. " Mrs. John Dick " is also
an excellent variety. Among the new plants is
Aiocasia zebrina, with striped stems ; '^illandsia
Lmdeui, flowers purple and white ; Dracoeua
Guilfoilii, with narrow leaves, striped white and
pink ; the curious leaved Chamoepeuce cassa-
bona, Croton aucubsefolia, with distinct gold
markings, and some others.

Mr. Johnston, gardener to Dr. Camac, had a
collection of one hundred species of ferns, all
remarkably well grown.

Miller & Hayes, of Mount Airy, one of the
most enterprising of our younger firms, had an
elegant lot of plants, in which Echeverias played
an important part. They also had some new
roses and varieties of rare evergreens.

In one of the halls the experiment was tried
of holding a flower market, in which such as
desired might sell their plants and flowi'.rs. It
was well patronized by the public, and promises
to be a valuable feature of the spring exhibition.
Great credit is due to Mr. Thos. C. Andrews, on
whom the whole arrangemeat, in the absence of
the regular committee, fell. Messrs. J. S.
Houghton, J. E. Mitcbe!!, and Secretary Harri-
son, also did almost superhuman work on it.

192

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJiTBLY.

JunBy

AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

FOURTEENTH SESSION, AND QUARTER CEN-
TENNIAL CELEBRATION.

Whereas, the American Pomological Society,
at its last session, accepted the invitation of
the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, to hold
its Quarter Centennial Celebration, and Bien-
nial Session, in the city of Boston, in 1873 ;

Therefore, in conformity with said acceptance,
the undersigned give notice that the Fourteenth
Session of this jS'ational Association will be
held in the hall of the Massachusetts Horticul-
tural Society, Tremont Street, in Boston, com-
mencing Wednesday, September 10th, 1S73, at
10 o'clock A. M., and continue for three days.

All Horticultural, Pomological, Agricultural,
and other kindred associations, in the United
States and British Provinces, are invited to
send delegations, as large as they may deem
expedient, and all persons interested in the
cultivation of fruits, are invited to be present
and take seats in the Convention.

The coming session will be especially interest-
ing, commemorating, as it will, the termination
of the first quarter of a century of the existence
of the Society, and it is believed, will be one of
the most important and useful that the Society
has ever held. On this occasion there will be
brought together the best cultivators and fruits
of our widely extended country, when may be
examined and compared, the fruits, not only of
the cooler climes of the North, but of the South,
the West, and the Pacific Slope. It is therefore
very desirable that every State, territory, and
province of America, should be fully and ably
represented in this convention, thereby p-^omot-
ing the advancement of one of the great re-
sources of our national wealth, — the extension
and perpetuation of the amicable and social
relations which have heretofore existed among
the members of the Society, — and the diflusion
throughout the land, of our deliberations, for
the benefit of our constantly expanding terri-
tory.

It is therefore hoped that there will be a full
attendance of de'egates from all quarters of our
country, thereby stimulating more extensive
cultivation by the concentrated information and
experience of cultivators, and aiding the Society
in perfecting its Catalogue of Fruits. This will
be one of the prominent subjects which will
come befox-e the Society, and we therefore re-
spectfully urge the various State and Local
Committees which have not already responded

to the circulars of P. Barry (Chairman of the
General Fruit Committee, Rochester, N. Y.,) to
do so, with such information and lists of fruits
as may aid in determining what varieties are
best adapted to their several localities.

At this session the Society will appoint the
place for its next meeting, and also decide what
action it shall take on the invitation to partici-
pate in the National Exhibition at the Centen-
nial Celebration of 1876, in Philadelphia, and it
is respectfully requested that members come
prepared to express their opinions in regard to
this subject.

Arrangements will be made with Hotels, and
as far as p'^ssible with the railroads termi-
nating in Boston, for a reduction of fare, and of
which notice will be given in a future circular.
Similar arrangements can undoubtedly be
made by the various delegations, with roads in
their localities.

Members and Delegates are requested to con-
tribute specimens of the Fruits of their respec-
tive districts, and to communicaie in regard to
them whatever may aid in promoting the objects
of the Society and the science of American
Pomology. Each contributor is '•equested to
prepare a complete list of his collection, and to
present the same with his fruits, that a report
of all the varieties entered, may be submitted
to the meeting as early as practicable.

The Massachusetts Society for Promoting
Agriculture have kindly appropriated Five
Hundred Dollars, and liberal sums have been
promised by other generous patrons. See pre-
mium list.

An increased interest will be given to the
occasion by the Grand Exhibition of Plants and
Flowers by the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society, which will occur at the same time.

Packages of Fruits, with the name of the
contributor, may be addressed as follows : —
"American Pomological Society,'' care of E.
W. Buswell, Massachusetts Horticultural Soci-
ety, Boston.

All persons desirous of becoming members
can remit the fee to Thomas P. James, Esq.,
Treasurer, Cambridge, Mass. Life Member-
ship, Twenty Dollars ; Biennial, Four Dollars.
Marshall P. Wilder, President,
Boston, Mass.

F. R. Elliott, Secretary, Cleveland, Ohio.

Newspapers and Periodicals that take an
interest in Pomology, are respectfully requested
to publish the above.

DEVOTED TO

Horticulture, Arboriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs,

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

Old Series, Vol. XV.

JULY, 1873.

New Series, Vol. VI. No. 7.

HINTS EOH JULY.

FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE i
GROUND.

If thanks be due to the man who invented
sleep, as some writer particularly insists, how
many thanks are due to him who invented
lawn mowing machines. When the writer was
a boy he had to rise " witli the lark," and go
out with the mowers, in order that the grass
might be cut before the dew went offfrom it ; now
if he chooses he can lie in bed and dream his
thanks to the sleepy fellow, resting assured that
with a good mower he can cut any time in the
day. But thanks are not only due to the inven-
tor of the mowers, but to those who have so
sedulously improved them. It is not more than
a year or two ago but we could hardly go over
a lawn wit'i our machines without a pony.
Now the hand mowers will do an immense
amount of work in a short time, and unless in
v°ry extensive places, a horse is not thought of.
But to us the greatest triumph of the mower is
that we need not set aside all other man-
ner of work whatsoever, and go to mowing
because the cutting time has come. We can
now mow long grass as well as short grass — and
indeed this is perhaps the greatest gain of all.
It was the f^ult of some of the earlier machines
that we had to cut often, whi^h meant of course
pretty close, and this close cutting weakened the
grass to such an extent that small creeping
weeds were aided in their growth by being
brought fair to the sunlight, and in the struggle
for life, the grass was crowded out. In view of
this we have had to recommend that the lawn
should be left to grow without mowing every
few years, if grass was to be permanent. Now
we have machines which will cut at any height.

For our part wc do not see the beauty of a very
close shave, and think that an even and regular
growth of a half to one inch, prettier than one
cut so low down. But this is a matter of taste,
and we do not insist, only a very short cut is
fatal to a long lived lawn. With the improved
hand mowers of the present day. there is proba-
bly no one among our readers but will want to
have a neat little bit of grass in good keeping
about his house.

But passing from the lawn to the trees upon
it— the time is coming when transplanted trees
of the past fall and spring will suffer more than
during any other part of the season. If they
show a vigorous growth of young wood, no dan-
ger need be apprehended, as it indicates thai the
roots are active, and can supply all the moisture
the foliage calls for ; but if no growth has been
made, no roots have been formed, and the
leaves are living for the most part on the sap in
the wood and bark, and hot, drying weather will
tell v/ith injurious effect on such trees. This is
generally first shown by the peeling off of the
bark on the southwestern side of the tree — the
most drying aspect ; and where such exhaustion
appears probable, much relief may be afforded
by cutting back some of the branches, syringing
with water, occasionally, shading the trees where
practicable, or wrapping the trunk in hay bands,
or shading the southwest with boughs or boards.

Plants set against walls and piazzas fj-equent-
ly suffer from want of water at this season,
when even ground near them is quite wet. Draw
away the soil around each plant so as to form a
basin ; fill in with a bucketful of water, allowing
it time to soak gradually away, and when the
surface has dried a little, draw in loosely the soil

19Jf

THE GARDE J^ER' IS MOJ^THLY.

July,

over it, and it will do without water for some
weeks. This applies to all plants wanting
water through the season. If water is merely
poured on the surface, it is made more compact
by the weight of water, and the harder the soil
becomes, the easier it dries ; and the result is,
the mere water you give the more is wanted.

Keep the pruning knife busy through the trees
and shrubs, with the object of securing good
form. Judgment will soon teach one which
shoots would spoil the shape if not taken out.

In most kinds of soil the keeping the surface
loose by hoeing and raking in dry weather, will
be an excellent method of keeping the main body
cool and moist— admitting the air, which is a
good non-conductor. In soils, however, which
are deficient in loam, and in which sand prevails
to a great extent, frequent stirrings have a dry-
ing tendency, and a mulching of short grass, or
decaying vegetable matter of any kind, will be
found very useful around transplanted trees,
shrubs and other things.

We should like to call attention to a note we
gave last year, that some beautiful objects for
lawn decorations can be made of Wisterias, by
training them as standards. A young plant is
selected and trained to a stake six feet high.
When the plant reaches this it is headed off.
The second year the stake may be taken away,
and the young plant will support itself It will
never make running branches after this, as It
takes all its nutritive powers to overcome gravi-
tation and sustain itself erect. A beautiful um-
brella-like head is formed, and its hundreds of
drooping flowers in spring thus shown off to
beautiful advantage. Another point of interest
to a nurseryman in this is, that with this check
to growth the reproductive powers are called into
play, and the plants then usually produce seed
abundanth/. There is hope for numerous im-
proved varieties as soon as these facts become
generally known. This is a very good season to
train plants up for this purpose.

Many of the earlier sown annuals will be seed-
ing now, and those flowers which opened first
will make the best seed to save. Where seed is
not desired, it is best to cut away all as it forms.
The annuals will continue to bloom much longer
for this care. lu getting seed of Double Holly-
hocks, much difficulty is often experienced. The
petals prevent the pollen from falling on the pis-
til. It is best, therefore, to fertilize them by
hand. They then produce as much seed as the
single ones. Another advantage of this artificial

hybridization is, that we can get any color we
please from seed. If, for instance, we want to
reproduce the kind perfect, fertilize with its own
pollen ; but if we would raise new varieties, use
pollen from a plant of different color from the one
we employ for seed.

Those who wish for a good supply of window
flowers next winter, should commence prepara-
tions about the end of the month. The Chinese
Primrose, Cineraria, Mignonette, Alyssura and
other desirable plants should be sown in pots,
and kept in a qool frame until they grow. Most
people fail with these beautiful plants by sowing
too late. The Wallflower is a nice old-fashioned
window flower, and cuttings of the double kinds
should be struck at once. Cuttings of Gerani-
ums and other things for this coming winter's
blooming may still be put in.

We have so often spoken of hedge manage-
ment in these hints, that it seems to us as it
every one ought to know about it ; but it is won-
derful how few do. Ooly recently one whom wo
know to be one of our most attentive readers,
and to have been one from the beginning,
remarked as he passed, what everybody calls a
very beautiful Norway Spruce hedge on our
grounds, that it was really beautiful, but it was
a great error to have it so unnecessarily wide at
the base. This hedge is five feet high and five
feet wide as the base, which makes it rather
wider than it is high ; of course it is trimmed
into a truncate triangular form.

ITow it is one of the essentials of a permanent
prosperous hedge, that it mu-t be at least as
wide at the base as it is high, and that it must
be trimmed with a flat or gently curved surface
to a point at the top. The Ivjht then has a chance
to play directly on every part of the leaf surface,
without which, it is impossible to have a hedge
long in order. For that part which receives the
greater share of sunlight, will get stronger, and
that which gets the least gradually grows
weaker, till a thin, poor base is the final result.
This is one great object in pruning to remedy.

The Gladiolus has become one of our most pop-
ular summer flowers. Those who have collec-
tions of them arrange the varieties very taste-
fully according to their colors. Take a list of
colors as they flower, so as io arrrnge Ihem pro-
perly next year. We give the same advice for
Petunias, Verbenas, and Geraniums. . The
various shades of colors of these varieties pro-
perly arranged, make beds peculiarly pleasing.
This is one of the arts of modern flower-garden-

1873.

TEE GARDE JEER'S MOJ^THLl.

195

ing, to arrange flowers properly according to
shades of color.

FRUIT GARDEN.

One of the worst inflictions a writer has is
dealing with stupid people. Large numbers
have an idea that fruit culture is an exact
science, and that after they have learned lo do
a few things, the sum total of success ought to
follow as regularly as the rule of three. This is
especially the case in fruit culture. If you tell a
man that deep soil is essential to good culture,
like enough he turns all his rich top soil down
two or three feet, and sticks his plants in the old
poor clay he has brought to the surface, and at
the end of the season, points to the result as a
specimen of your folly. If you say that soil
pressed firm enables the little roots to touch the
earth and draw in moisture better than loose
earth, ten chances to one if he don't drill holes
in the middle of a turnpike road, and after drop-
ping a grain of corn into it, assert in the end I
that you are the veriest of humbugs. If they i
read that summer pruning fruit trees weakens >
them, under no circumstances will they touch a I
branch ; and when you teach that fruit trees i
are often very much benefitted by summer pru- j
ning, they think you are the most iaconsistent i
wretch living. It is indeed very unsafe to give I
such people vules, and yet illustrations serve ■
them no better. Say to them that the roots of
most of our fruit trees suflfer by the heat of our !
summers, and that the best success follows !
where the roots are cool, and they will imagine '
you mean to import a cargo of ice to pack around
them. Then you say that this is extravagant,
you would sooner mulch with aqy old vegetable
material, they will tell you it is too expensive—
they cannot afford it. Tell them in reply to put
the orchard in grass or clover, and they will say
to you that the land is poor, and will not sup-
port two crops. Point out that this is another
question, that the two crops must have manure.
But after all they have not the manure. Then
in despair you say, well then keep the grass
mowed, and let it lay where it falls. It will be
better than no manure at all.

But after all, it is no use to talk to such peo-
ple ; they are bound to " have " you, but there
are intelligent people who well know that to
have success in fruit growing, there is no rule of
three. A man must know with the tree before
him what that tree wants. Books will not tell
him ; principles will not tell him , the most ex-

perienced tree grower at a distance cannot tell
him— he must listen to that tree's own tale.
Then he may apply what he has read and seen
to the immediate case. There is no other road
to success. With this view, let our readers re-
member that the roots want plenty of food, as
much so as any other garden crop ; want to have
their feeding roots near the surface of the
ground, and want to be kept at a temperature
below 80^. Whatever accomplishes this is favor-
able to the best results in fruit culture. All the
discussions about clcFin culture or grass culture ;
harrowing early or harrowing late, and many
other matters about which some people love to
argue, are of but secondary consequence. They
are but the tools with which the work is to be
done. Which does the best, is best to be done.
Sometimes it is one, sometimes the other— ask
the tree. But this matter of earth heat is of
great consequence to the cultivator. Many roots
cannot stand 80^ and the plants remain healthy.
The gooseberry is particularly of this class. As
soon as the earth's heat goes over 70°, the goose-
berry commences to mildew. Any surface cov-
ering that will keep down the temperature, is
good for the gooseberry.

In the fruit garden, if trees set out last fall or
spring do not show sisjns of crowing freely, cut-
ting back a portion of the branches will make a
great difference in their favor. It is a great
point with good fruit-growers to hav* all the
branches in a tree of uniform vigor. This can
be gained by pinching off the growing points of
the stouter ones, leaving the weaker ones to gain
strength by the check to the others. Where the
branches are likely to be too thick, some may
be taken out while green, instead of waiting till
winter to do it ; not forgetting, however, that a
loss of foliage is, in some degree, an injury to
the tree ; and that as little of this should be
done as is consistent with necessity. Some re-
commend trees to be pruned in summer, because
the wounds heal better then. It is true the
wound does heal better, but the loss of so much
foliage is an injury not compensated by the heal-
ing of the wound. However, where the trees are
young, and the branches to be cut away but a
small fraction of the foliage, the injury is little,
and the summer trimming is thus a gain. Nur-
sery trees are best served in this way. Straw-
berries, Raspberries and Blackberries are ''sum-
mer pruned " chiefly by thinning the suckers
and runners. Strawberries are often grown io
beds, and the mass of runners suffered to grow

IPC

THE GARDEJ\rER'S MOJ^TELY.

July,

together as they will. This is the best way for
parties who have little time to give to their gar-
dens. When grown in hills, or with the run-
ners cut off, something is necessary to place
between the rows or the plants, in order to keep
the fruit from getting gritty after rain. When
they are in beds, the fruit keeps cleaner without
much difficulty. But with this plan, the run-
ners should be thinned out at this season of the
year, leaving them only about three or four
Inches apart. Of course, we weed these Straw-
berry-beds ; a large part of the runners should
be treated as weeds and taken out at the same
time. Raspberries and Blackberries should be
gerved the same way. All the suckers not
wanted to bear next year, should be taken out
as they appear. If the kind be valuable, the
young offsets taken up may be transplanted any
time through the season, by well watering and
nipping out the young tender tops. About the
end of the month it is often the practice to clip
off the growing ends of Blackberries and Rasp-
berries. It is said to stiffen the canes, and it
renders stakes to support them in a measure uu-
necessar}'.

People sometimes are anxious to get rare kinds
of strawberries to fruit early, and hence planta-
.tionsare made in the fall. For general crops
we.rthink there is not much gained by fall plant-
ing. In the case of rare varieties, however, it
is often worth a little extra trouble to do things
well. The best way to proceed, is to get small
pots with rich earth, and sinking them in the
ground, layer runners into it. Such plants be-
come very strong, and can be transplanted from
■ the pots without injuring the roots, and will
, make strong stocks which will frnit very well
, next year. We raised some excellent President
\Wilder's this way last year. Of course the
result was not sutBcient to enable one to form
an opinion of its whole character ; but we may
say, that in spite of the excessively hot weather,
it has turned out remarkably well. In regard
to the best strawberries, it is remarkable that the
bulk of all the thousands of bushels which come
to the Philadelphia market is still Albany Seed-
ling. Amongst amateurs there is no one that
carries universal supremacy with it, as personal
taste dictates the favorite. But certainly those
which arc grown the most extensively are Green
Prolific, Triomphe de Gand, Jucuuda, Agricul-
turist and Downer's Prolific.

The thinning of fruit— watching of insects,
especially the borers in Dwarf Pears, Quince,

Apple and Peach— and summer-pruning are the
main subjects of attention at this particular sea-
son. Where the soil is not very good, as may be
noted by a weak growth of the trees, a surface
manuring may be yet given with advantage.
Every day's experience more decidedly shows
the great advantages to the pomologist of this
method of applying manure.

It used to be, and is yet to a great extent, the
recommendation of writers to cut away rasp-
berry canes as soon as they have borne fruit ;
fruit-growers know better now. The slight
shade these old stalks afford, is agreeable to the
new growth which is to bear next year.

In regard to training fruit trees, this is the
most important month in the year. If a shoot
appears where it is not wanted, pinch it off, this
throws the sap into other directions where
strength and vigor is desired. A good summer
pruner does not leave much to be done in the
winter time.

VEGETABLE GARDEN.

Preparations for the Celery crop is one of the
chief matters in this department at this season.
No plant, perhaps, requires a richer soil than
this, and of all manures, well decayed cow dung
if found to be the best. After so many trials
with different ways of growing 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 ma-
nure 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. Salt in moderate doses is
usually a wonderful 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
better 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
Cabbages do quite as well as when they have the
whole ground to themselves ; but of course a
double crop could not be expected to be quite so
fine.

Tomatoes trained to stakes give the sweetest
fruit, and remain in bearing the longest ; but

1873.

THE GARI)EJ\rER'S MONTHLY,

197

many cultivators who grow for size and quantity
only, believe they have the best results when
growing them on the level ground.

For winter use, Beets are occasionally sown
now, and also Cucumbers for pickling purposes ;
but not often ; and at any rate it must be attend-
ed to early in the month.

The Lettuce is another cool country plant. It
can only be grown well in hot weather when in
very rich and cool soil.

Bush Beans may also be sown for late crops.
A very deep rich soil is necessary to tender, crisp
pods. The Lima Bean will now be growing

rapidly. It is time well spent to tie them up to
poles as they grow. Tiie poles should not be too
high— about eight feet is enough. They com-
mence to bear freely only when the top of the
pole is reached.

In many amateurs' gardens late Peas are
valued. It is essential that they be planted in
the coolest j)art of the ground. The Pea is a
cool country plant, and when it has to grow in
warm weather, it mildews. The Marrowfat
class are usually employed for late crops. They
need support. All Peas grow better and pro-
duce more when grown to stakes.

COMMUNICATIONS.

OBSERVATIONS AND EECOLLECTIONS
OF NEW HOLLAND.

BY W. T. HARDING, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE,
COLUMBUS, OHIO.

( Concluded. )

In this hemisphere. Ericas are meagrely repre-
sented by a few free growing imported kinds,
which appear to thrive tolerably well, while the
more delicate, choice and beautiful varieties seem
only to grow under protest. The skill required
to grow them is obtainable, no doubt, but some-
how there is a something wanting for their suc-
cessful cultivation. Doubtless an uncongenial
climate is the chief cause Avhy they do not flour-
ish. At the " Golden Gate " nursery, San Fran-
cisco, I saw the best examples of successful
Erica and Epacris growing on this continent.

England is famed for her many rich and ex-
tensive collections, where the highest skill, with
every necessary aid is employed in their cultiva-
tion. There are upwards of six hundred species
known to the botanist, all natives of the Cape
of Good Hope. In this country there is but one
in Nova Scotia "native to the manor born."
Neither are they in Australia. In Europe there
are several pretty kinds, which cover large tracts
of uncultivated land, and are used for various
domestic purposes. It is known in Great Britain
as the Heath, or " heather bell " of the poets.

If the reader has unweariedly followed my
footsteps thus far, I will conduct him still far-
ther, and introduce him to the gold fields. Here,
and on every side were the holes or mines,
where anxious men were picking and digging in
search of the precious mettle with untiring zeal

— I had almost said with a zeal worthy of a bet
ter cause, when I looked at the toiling, dirty,
ragged, unkempt grovellers, burrowing like rats
in their holes, some up to the thighs in water,
scratching for "filthy lucre,''— I thought surely
the folly of the ancient Israelites was being
enacted again in the nineteenth century by wor-
shipping a golden calf.

Near by was a sight more grave than gay, as
the narrow bed just excavated was awaiting the
weary one, who had ceased from his labors ;
notwithstanding, the scene partook more of the
serio-comic than the dramatic. The angel of
D^th, while hovering around the sick man, had
lovingly descended to receive his disembodied
spirit, and silently ascending to the realms above,
had ushered it within the portals of bliss.

In an open tent adjacent, which, by the way,
was of primitive construction, without either
sides or top, having only a mud bottom, on
which were seated the surviving "chums "of
the deceased digger, who had but a few hours
before "shuffled off his mortal coil," and was
laid in a stringy bark coffin, awaiting the last
sad obsequies the living pay to the dead, his
late companions were having a "wake "over
the silent remains, according to the ancient
usages and custumes of their fore-fathers in old
Ireland. They, the mourners, seemed to be
more whiskey full than mournful, having treated
their noble selves to big lashings of the same.
Lustily they sang :

" Terry O'Rau was a nate young man,

And was loved by the lassies of Derry 0,"

198

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY,

Juli/j

which was all true, no doubt, and then quaffed
another dram to the memory of their departed
comrade.

Whether from being infused with the spirit of
wine or influenced by the Spirit divine, I cannot
say, but at any rate they seemed to have come
to the conclusion

" That to talk about trifles is trifling folly,
So the best aim of life is to live and be jolly."

Alas' poor fellow, I exclaimed, he is but a
young man, "cut down like a flower.'' The
grim tyrant " that spares neither age nor condi-
tion," has followed him here. "Poor fellow!
you may well say," remarked a gvimy bystand-
er. " But then it was Jiis own fault, his being
pisoned. You see, sir, he had not long come
from the old counlry, and had brought out some
queer notions with him ; he was a tee-total chap,
and refused to drink anything stronger than
pison water we get about here. It is rank
enough to pison the strongest old lag at the dig-
gings, unless he mixes it with good liquor. Only
fools wet their whistles with such belly ven-
gence, and if they are not pisoned outright, why
they get water-logged, which is just as bad."

The once beautiful landscape was sadly mar-
red by the operations of the diggers. Its sylvan
and picturesque features were disfigured by loose
heaps of earth and stones the miners had thrown
out of their "claims." To pick ones way among
them from one hole to another was no easy task,
especially during the heat of the day, when the
fierce rays of the sun glistening on the quartz,
to almost blind and scorch whoever makes the
attempt. A fight about some disputed "claim,"
brought to the surface hundreds of men who had
been vigorously plying pick and shovel below.
Like a resurrection scene, they arose from the
earth where they were immured, to see that the
pugilists had fair i^lay in their fisticuff encoun-
ter. How the battle ended I know not. Whether
the best man lost or the worst one won I care
not.

The basest passions which influence mankind,
were exhibited among the lawless and unscru-
pulous adventurers, who swarmed around the
diggings ready for anything and everything but
honest labor. Some were lucky in finding the
precious metal, and some were lucky in stealing
it, and from the condition of Lazarus were trans-
formed in a moment to rich ijentlemen. Other
" unlucky dogs " made nothing, but lost the lit-
tle they had— all their hopes, their health, and
happiness, and died. To many a villainous old

convict the mines proved a God-send. Little
did the taxpayers of Great Britain think they
were doing a kindness to the scoundrels whose
passages they paid to the modern El Dorado.
The mortality among the diggers was great.
Dysentery seemed chronic among all classes,
superinduced by the unnatural mode of living,
and especially from the use of the brackish
water, which was dirty and disgusting to the
palate, and unwholesome to the stomach.

Wattle and daub huts, stringy bark wigwams
and canvas glory holes, were called restaurants,
hotels and dining saloons, and at which the uni-
versal pabulum, grog, the great panacea for all
the ills a digger's flesh is heir to, could be readily
exchanged for gold dust or nuggets. I saw but
few of the softer sex there, and felt sorry for
them. It seemed to be a shocking place for love-
ly woman to degenerate in.

As I turned ray back to " the tented field " in
search of more congenial scenes, heavy rain
drops began to patter on the trees, indicative of
a coming storm. Australia is proverbially a
dry country, but for all that, it does rain some-
times. The hot wind had scooped up all the
loose particles of dust and sand and whirled it
about in the air, to the discomfort of all living
creatures. During a dust storm the atmosphere
becomes dark and gi"itty ; like the Egyptian
darkness it can he felt, and from which there is
no escape, neither indoors nor out, until the south
wind bearing heavy masses of clouds from the
ocean, meets the withering hot blasts from the
interior, and in the war of elements which fol-
lows, discharges the deluging rain. All nature
seems gladdened and refreshed with the welcome
showers. The dried up river beds and water
courses are suddenly filled, and flow for a few
days and then form ponds and mud holes until
the intense heat evaporates the remaining moist-
ure, and then the river bed becomes dry again.
The sticky mud which follows a shower " is
something to be talked about," and is as like
" Spaulding's liquid glue' as anything I can
compare it to.

By dint of perseverance I plodded through
the semi-fluid, among struggling" horses and
floundering oxen, and landed among the scrub.
Twilight had begun to throw its uncertain light
across the fading landscape, while the lengthened
shadows of the lofty Eucalyptus grew longer
and longor. as the fierj' chariot of "Phoebus"
rolled on in its downward course, and left an
evanescent halo in his track, and disappeared in

1873.

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJfTHLY.

199

the Immeasurable space where the Eternal has
placed him, and whose unending day has known
no night from the dawning of Creation until
now. Cat(;hing a sight of a red handkerchief
elevated on a pole, and doing duty as a flag, to
indicate the spot where something could be had.
Urged on by hunger, and in a sorry plight, I
wended ray way to the "Big Nugget Hotel."
Peeping through a chink in the shanty, I
observed a noisy crowd had gathered within,
and were guzzling "nobbier'' after " nobbier ''
of the fiery fluids, dispensed by a blear eyed ruf-
fian and a tawdry dressed female, I hesitated
some time before entering such dubious quarters,
butas "necessity knows no law,'' I yielded to
the importunities of a rebellious stomach, and i
ventured within. The murky atmosphere was
redolent of Burton ale, nasty tobacco smoke, red
herrings, old cheese, onions and Jamaica rum.
As a great favor, I obtained a tin cupful of
boiled tea with some molasses stirred in, and
some putty bread and fly-blown mutton, for
which I paid the moderate sum of seven shil-
lings, equal to about $1.75. As I had my bed
on my back, I retired to rest outside on a pros-
trate tree, as I had often done before, and slept
as soundly as "the sceptred king" on a regal
bed of down within his palace chamber.

THE BEST SOIL FOR FRUITS.

BY E. MANNING, IIARRISBUKGH, FRANKLIN
COUNTY, OHIO.

Much has been said and written in regard to
the cultivation of fruits, and the adaptability of
certain kinds of soils for certain kinds of fiuit.
For instance, that soil will bring good apples,
and that good pears, &c. This idea contains a
good deal of truth ; but not all truth. For ex-
ample, I find after an experience of eighteen
years in fruit growing, that my greatest success
is in putting the diflerent varieties of apples and
pears in certain localities where the greatest
results cau be obtained. I am forced to the con-
clusion that nearly all upland soil varies very
greatly in chemical compounds, from the fact
when I planted my grounds first, I supposed any
variety of apple or pear that would do well any-
where on it, every variety would do equally
■well. Such is not the fact, and for a want of a
proper knowledy'e of adaptability of certain
varieties to certain spots, I have been under the
necessity to regraft one-half of my grounds. All
the authorit'.es 1 have on pomology say the New-
town Pippin is a slow grower as a general rule.

I grant it, but plant it on soil that just suits it,
and it is a very rapid grower — as much so as
Fallawater, Baldwin or Fall Pippin. At first I
had my Newtown Pippins scattered in different
places. I soon discovered that in some places
they had a stunted, haggard appearance — the
leaves of a yellowish green appearance ; in other
places the trees grew rapidly, the leaves of the
richest darlf, silvery green color, remarkably
beautiful at the distance of seventy-five yards.
Where the trees were thrifty, I got the finest
possible fruit ; where they were unthrifty I got
nothing but small gnarly fruit, not fit for sale at
all. The only reason this variety has the name
of a slow grower, is for the reason I have just
indicated. Put in the right place and it is one
of the best for profit. Nor is this all, the Ben
Davis, Black Apple, and others will bear and
do well where the soil is so thin, that the Ked
Astrachan, Fourth of July and Shockly would
starve. The Belle fleur is another of peculiar
habit ; in some spots I find after it attains six
inches or so in diameter of trunk, it almost en-
tirely ceases to grow and be so unthrifty as to
shortly end its life, while in other places not far
distant, it is a very rapid grower. The only
remedy I have found is to top graft with another
variety that does well in the same locality.

We now come to pears. When I first planted
the Beurre Clairgeau pear, I planted it on the
strongest, or what I thought was the best
pear soil I had. The trees were very unthrifty,
scarcely growed at all, and what few fruit they
bore were wretched small, nasty specimens. I
tried this variety in different places, all on strong
soil — all were a failure. I had condemned the
variety as worthless, and top grafted all ; mean -
time I had previously grafted one tree over,
standing on high thin soil, and to my surprise,
when it bore fruit it was of the largest and most
perfectly developed— and the tree thrifty. I find
the Beurre d'Anjou on strong soil is a rapid
grower ; on thin soil it will starve. I regrafted
one over that stood still on high thin soil with
Beurre Clairgeau, and it was very thrifty. Th
Doyenne du Cornice I find does far better on thin
soil than on f.trong. The Golden Beurre of Bil-
boa is a very poor grower on thin soil, and rapid
on strong. Had I left my orchard as I firs
planted it, one-half would have been worthless,
as on these principles do the whole or greatest
success of fruit growing depend— on putting
varieties where the soil will produce a thrifty
tree and good fruit

wo

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^TELY,

July;

Now, Mr. Editor, for the truth of this position,
my trees are living witnesses. I could show you
plenty of trees formerly so unthrifty as to be
worthless, now regrafted with another variety
suitable to the place, and doing finely. These
evidences show beyond dispute, that in at least
some localities where most persons would think
the soil was very nearly the same, the chemical
combination is quite different. As the combina-
tion of both wood and fruit of different varieties
is very different, it follows that different varie-
ties require different food. I have never seen
any very perceptible benefit from leached or other
ashes when applied to the pear ; but all varie-
ties of apples are greatly benefitted, the Newtown
Pippin, 1 think, as much so as any other.

Now then, Mr. Editor, these views may seem

rather strange, or they may not accord with

your experience ; if so I have only to say your

soil then is not so varied as mine. To all whose

experience is diflerent from mine at this locality,

these remarks don't apply. To all those who

have had similar experience, the remedy I have

suggested is the only one. I do not offer these

views supposing all will be benefitted, but do

think if they are followed out, at least some

■will be.

♦ — ♦

THE ORIGIN OF PRUNING STREET
TREES.

BY CHRONICLER.

About three-quarters of a century ago, a skil-
ful Scotch forester became forester for a wealthy
nobleman in England, who admired all species
of American trees, and had many growing upon
his estate. He sent his forester to the "land of
Washington " to see American trees in their
natural forests, and gave him notes of introduc-
tion to several wealthy merchants in New York.
"When he arrived these merchants took him to
see their rural summer retreats. Many of the
mansions stood at the edges of forests, and some
inside a little way, so in looking out at the win-
dows the bare earth aud naked stems of the trees
were only seen. The forester expressed surprise
at the uncomely surroundings of such fine dwell-
ings, and advised improvements, which were
afterwards fully executed. Two-thirds of the
trees were uprooted aud hauled off. In the win-
ter following, all left were headed down ; in the
following midsummer, when the trees had bushy
heads, a half was uprooted ; the ground cleared
and smoothed ; the surface grubbed and all
weeds hauled away ; fresh loam from ploughed

fields was spread over the surface three inches
thick, and raked and rolled as fine as a flower
garden ; grass seeds were sown early in Septem-
ber, and soon the equinoctial rains made the
whole grow, and soon the surface was covered
with the young grass. Next June, when the
families moved out, the grass had been mown
and rolled smooth ; all were delighted with the
improvements.

These merchants had large trees at their ware-
houses in the city, and got them also headed
down, and they became handsome trees— others
did the same, the practice spread from city to
city and town to town, until it became univer-
sal. Laboring men out of work in winter got
ladders, saws and pole-shears and tnmmecZ street
trees, and still continue to make an honest living
in that way. Some people want their trimming
done cheap, and the trimmers cut the trees to suit
the prices— many trees are killed by that. Re-
monstrance is folly, as people are hound to have
their own ways with their own properties. The
Gardener's Monthly has been indiscreet in slur-
ing the industrious men who make honest livings
in trimming trees to please the people.

GARDENER'S WAGES.

BY PETER HENDERSOSr.

We are constantly having applications for
gardeners from our customers, in sections of the
country were none have been previously employ-
ed ; the applicants usually inquiring of us the
rates paid in New York. As a guide to such,
and to save us time in replying, we here state
that the rates in the vicinity of New York, vary
for single men from $25 to $60 per month and
board, and for married men from ^35 to $75,
with house to live in. The average of the former
may be given as $40 per month and board, of
the latter at $50 per month and house. The
grading of price paid of course is in the ratio of
ability, or amount of charge to be taken. In no
occupation is so much injury done as in the gar-
den, grapery or greenhouse, by changing of
men. In horticulture, the work done is nearly
all prospective, and what the gardener does or
neglects to do to-day will not probably show for
three or six months after. Hence, the necessity
of keeping the man satisfied in his position, for
if not satisfied, and on the alert to move, it is not
probable that he will interest himself as much in
his work as if he was contented with his place.
For this reason we have ever considered it bad

187S.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

$01

policy to displace a good man for a few dollars
advance in salary. We, ourselves, even with all
our opportunities of selecting men, and with our
thorough personal knowledi^e of the business,
have often paid foremen one-half more than we
could have got equally good men for, just to
keep them contented.

OKCHIDE^ No. 10.

by james taplin, manager to george such,
esq., south amboy, n. j.

Dendkobium Pierakdii.

This is an old and very easily grown plant,
which, to show its beauty, must be grown in sus-
pended baskets. The plant being of a naturally
pendulous habit of growth, it makes shoots of
from two to four feet long, and will flower the
whole length of the shoot, leaving all its leaves
and the buds advance, and making new shoots
after flowering to bloom the following winter.
It requires plent}' of moisture and heat while
making its growth, and to be kept dry until the
flower buds appear. The variety called latifolia
is much larger in all its parts, and usually flow-
ers later if kept in same house. It is much
scarcer than this type. These varieties have
been neglected of late years, but I consider them
well worth a place in any collection. Their
graceful habit and free flowering qualities added
to its delicate white, almost transparent flower,
make it very desirable.

Dendrobium macrophyllum giganteum.
Or as it is now called, Superbum giganteum.
This is a scarce and very magnificent plant,
in fact, I recollect but one very fine speci-
men besides the large plant here, which I am
surprised at, for it is a very free grower if allowed
plenty of heat and moisture in the growing
season.

This should be grown in a suspended basket,
where the drooping shoots will hang down four
feet, and at the end of February be covered with
its rich rosy purple flower the whole length, the
flower being over four inches across. A hundred
or 80 make a grand display. It has lasted in
full beauty with me this year for a month.
This plant is deciduous, losing its leaves as the
flower buds advance, and commencing a new
growth as the flowers open. I give this plant
the high temperature of the East Indian house,
and keep it dry when the growtli is complete.

HOW TO GROW EVERGREENS FROM
SEED.
by j. c. wood, fishkill, n. y.

Having a few leisure moments, and having
had some experience in growing some of the har-
dier varieties of evergreens from seed, I thought
your Journal would be a good medium to give
many readers the results of our experience. In
the first place, I would say our mode of growing
evergreens from seed is not new, but with us has
been very successful, and any one, either on a
large or small scale, who wishes to try it, by fol-
lowing the simple directions here laid down, will
be certain of success : In the first place, pro-
cure good seed, which is not a diflScult matter,
providing you order of reliable parties. I have
bought seed of most of the larger dealers in the
United States, and have generally found them
good ; however, for the past five years, I have
bought my evergreen seeds of Thomas Meehan,
of Germantown, Pa., and they have invariably
proved satisfactory.

I generally order my seeds in the fore part
of winter, or as soon as I can get a list of
varieties and prices. Then I take moderately
moist sand and pass it through a quarter sieve,
so as to rid it of all stones or lumps, then
take glass boxes or any other boxes of a conve-
nient size for handling, then spread in the bot-
tom a layer of sand, say | inch thick, then a
layer of seed, moderately thick, say | inch, and
then a layer of sand, and so on until the box is
filled, when the lid is fitted nicely to it, and then
the box is taken outside in some sheltered place,
usually against the side of some brick wall or
building, and buried just under' the surface of
the ground, and then allowed to push just as
hard as they have a mind to until time for sowing,
which in this latitude is from the 1st to the 20th
of April. As soon as the ground gets in nice
working order I manure and plough it thorough-
ly, having prepared a year ahead a compost of
muck and manure— about two parts of the for-
mer to one of the latter, then after leveling down
with a good harrow, my ground is ready to lay
out in beds, which is done in the following way:
We use hemlock strips five inches wide and thir-
teen feet long, dropping two of them in a place
across the piece, then I have prepared a lot of
small posts as large as a man's arm, and from
fifteen to eighteen inches long, and drop two at
each end of the strip and two in the middle, then
I stretch my line the whole distance across the
piece, and draw it tight with a strong real, after

20^

THE GARDEJSTBR'S MOJ^THLY,

July^

which I drive one of the posts in the ground,
leaving out about seven inclies right along the
line. When I set up my board or hemlock
strips, my post at the end answers for two ends
of boards. I have three railing for each board,
one at each end and one in the middle — three
eight-penny nails we find sufficient. After the
first line is completed, I take a common builder's
lath, pine or hemlock, four feet long, and put
one end of it against the post just set, which
sticks up above the hemlock piece two inches,
and drive another post down to within five
inches of its length, which makes the bed just
four feet between the posts or three feet ten
inches in the clear, when I continue on in the
same way until the bed is any desired length I
may wish, or the length of my plot, which is
about three hundred feet. After which I set a
man forking and raking the bed, being particu
lar to have it forked up good and dug and raked
level, which is not a very severe piece of work,
from the fact that the ground has been thorough-
ly prepared with the plow before hand. Then I
lay the beds out with a drill, four inches apart,
or a gang of them nailed together, the right dis-
tance apart, with their lower edges beveled,
blunt wedge-shaped, then with two good boys or
men the drills are laid out by mashing the driller
down in the soft ground at any desired depth,
according to the size of seed intended to be sown,
then the seeds are dumped from the boxes in
which they have been stored through the win-
ter, into pans or measures of convenient sizes
for sowing out of. and the seeds are strewn along
the drills by hand, which with a little experi-
ence is done quite rapid. A good handy man
will sow five pounds of such seeds as pines or
spruce in an hour, aiid do it good, after which
I cover the seeds with the back of an iron rake,
walking backwards and drawing and pushing
the rake carefully after me, after which I roll
the ground moderately with a moderately heavy
roller, or pack with a board. Then if the wea-
ther has the appearance of being dry for a few
days, I give the beds a pretty thorough water-
ing throagli the nose of a watering pot, or
through a hose and force pump, after which I
place on my shades, which are made in the fol-
lowing way : We take a ten inch pine board,
thirteen feet long" and one inch thick, as free
from knots as possible, and rip it in two four
times, making each strip two inches wide, thir-
teen feet long and one inch thick, upon which I
nail commoQ lath half inch apart, the lath being

about one inch wide. I use shingle nails for the
purpose, putting two nails in each end of the
end lath, so they will not pull off in lifting about,
which is necessary at different times through the
summer for weeding, &c., when they are imme-
diately placed on the beds before they are allow-
ed to get dry, always taking the precaution to
distribute poison pretty freely in the beds imme-
dately after sowing. I have used with pretty
good efTect, Bennet's Sure Death and Coster's
Rat Exterminater. mixed with butter or lard, and
spread on bread, the bread being cut up in small
pieces and spread along the beds. I find it
quite necessary to be particular in this matter,
as mice are very fond of some of the different
kinds of evergreen seeds, particularly pines and
spruces. I do not have any trouble from birds
like I saw at Mr. Douglass', of Waukegan, 111.,
when I paid him a visit last June, from the fact
that ray shades fit so nicely, and the laths are
so close, that birds cannot get in them. I find
I have no further trouble with my seeds the first
summer except to keep them free from weeds,
which I do by hand weeding, always taking
them as soon as they show themselves ; the
seeds usually come up according to kinds from
ten to twenty days. Spruces usually show them-
selves first. I have in a few instances watered
the beds occasionally, two or three times in the
course of two or three weeks after the seeds were
sown, but never after during the summer, and
my experience has been a fine lot of nice ever-
green seedlings in the autumn.

I treat the larch in the same way as the ever-
greens, and always prove successful. As for
varieties I usually sow the Norway and Ameri-
can Spruces, Hemlock Firs iu variety, Pints in
variety, such as Scotch, Austrian, Norway,
Weymouth, &c., Arborvilse, American, &c.,at
the end of the first summer's growth. The size
of our plants depends a little upon the summer.
If a very dry and hot one like the two past, with
the exception of pines and larches, they will be
but from one and a half to three inches high,
but if the season is moderately moist, they are
usually double that size, and larches quite often
from ten to fifteen inches high. In about the
month of November of the first season. I draw
leaves and cover the beds over about three inches
deep, and then place on the shades to keep the
winds from blowing them off when they are left
until about April 1st, when they are raked off
witli a cover-toothed wooden rake and taken
to the manure yard to rot— and I most always

1873.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^TELY.

203

find my plants brio;ht and in fine condition. I
should have stated if the autumn is reasonably
moist, I remove the shades altogether about the
first or middle of September, but if dry, like the
fall of 1872, I leave them on all of the season.

Now for the results. The material for making
a bed four feet wide and thirteen feet long, every-
thing complete, including labor, 65 cents. I
sow thirty-five rows of seeds in thirteen feet ;
each row will produce on the average, two hun-
dred nice plants, which will make for the one
length of 4x13 feet, seven thousand plants,
which if you are growing for market, at the end
of the scond yefir, will bring at least $2.00 per
thousand, or $14.00 per length, which even at
this low figure, if one is growing in large quanti-
ties, will pay very well.

With your permission, will give you the
second and third year's treatment of small ever-
greens. [Please do.]

ANOTHER WORD ABOUT OKCHIDS.

BY GEORGE SUCH, SOUTH AMBOY, N. J.

You are quite right in what you say as to the
increasing taste for Orchid growing in this coun-
try. A very considerable amount of credit, how-
ever, belongs to you, Mr. Editor, for your help
in inducing amateurs to make a beginning, no
matter how small, in the cultivation of these
glorious plants.

Still there is one point, T think, on which you
have not laid sufficient stress, and that is on the
absolute necessity for would-be Orchid growers
to make their beginning with good strong plants.
Naturally enough all wish to get as much as
possible for their money, and therefore most
beginners aim to get as many varieties as they
can for the sura expended. But this is quite
wrong. Be the money to be spent much or little,
the buyer should insist upon having strong
plants of good, standard sorts, so that he may
have a reasonable expectation of seeing his
plants soon in bloom, and also a proper amount
of satisfaction from the flowers when they
appear.

This advice of mine ma}' seem to " smell of
the shop," but my aim is not in that direction.
I do not advise persons without experience to
spend much money for Orchids, under any cir-
cumstances, but the idea is that whatever money
is spent should be laid out for fine plants only —
that none other be taken, no matter how cheap
apparently.

All who import Orchids from their native
country, are sure to have among the number
some that are botanically interesting, but the
flowers of whiclt are thoroughly insignificent.
A large mass of Govenia now ornaments (?) the
rubbish heap behind our orchid house, thrown
out for the reason that the flowers are absurdly
small and strikingly deficient in color. I am so
much a lover of plants that I scarcely consider
any of them " common or unclean,'' but I con*
fess that I grudge the space occupied in the
orchid house by so inconspicuous a plant as this
Govenia. It is evident that eight or ten dollars
spent on a fine Cattleya would give to most men
more satisfaction than the purchase of twenty
Orchids no more showy than the one above
mentioned.

GAS TAR ON GREENHOUSE BENCHES.

BY PETER HENDERSON, JERSEY CITY, N. J.

In your May number, a correspondent men-
tions having had plants injured by the use of
gas tar on the wood work of his greenhouse.
We have used gas tar on the boardiuir for our
benches for over twenty years without injury in
the slightest degree to the plants ; but it is put
on boiling hot, and when dry covered with sand
an inch or so in depth. I apprehend that your
correspondent had not had the tar covered, and
on the application of heat, gases were thrown off
that caused the mischief.

Where it has got on the pipes, there is no
remedy I think but having the portion taken out
and subjected to a heat strong enough to burn it
out. Tl ere was a notable instance of this kind
that occurred in Brooklyn, N. Y., some dozen
years ago. A Mr. Park, a well known florist,
took it into his head one day to paint his pipes,
and as black was a suitable color, and gas tar
cheaper than paint, he set to work and painted
the whole of them, nuinbcring several thousand
feet. All went on well enough until gettinir into
severe winter weather, when the pipes had to
become heated to a temperature high enough to
throw oQ" the deleterious gas, when off" came the
leaves in .showers, destroying nearly every plant
in the houses for that season. He tried every
expedient to get it off", but all failed, and there
was nothing for it but to take down the pipea
and subject them to a red heat, which was com-
pletely effectual.

WJf

THE GABDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

July,

CULTIVATION OF THE FUCHSIA.

BY THOMAS F. WEBB, GARDENER TO MR. A. C.
GIBSOX, OAK LANE, PHILADELPHIA.

The Fuchsia is a universal favorite, and de-
servedly so, for there are few plants that come
under the care of the gardener that are possessed
of so many useful properties for the decoration
of the greenhouse or cottage window ; if we take
into consideration the graceful habit, the abun-
dance of blossoms and variety of color, and the
length of time it continues in bloom, there are
very few plants that are more worthy of general
favor. The best time I find to propagate the
Fuchsia from cuttings for growing fine speci-
mens the following season, is from the middle to
the end of August, and always select young
healthy shoots for the cuttings; avoid the points
of shoots from a flowering plant, for they will
not make such fine plants as a young healthy
shoot without flower buds upon it ; cuttings
from flowering plants, however, will come
earlier into bloom, and upon very small plants.
The best way that I know of is to select a plant
of each sort we intend to grow, and plant them
out about the middle of May in a well prepared
compost of turfy maiden loam in a shaded situ-
ation, and by attention in giving them water
when they require it, and pinching out the
points of the shoots to prevent them from flow-
ering, they will supply a stock of fine healthy
cuttings. The best material for striking them
is in equal parts of leaf mould and sand, a
composition that almost any plant will readily
strike roots in. I generally put one cutting in a
thumb pot. If the cuttings are put in at the
time mentioned, and sprinkled over the foliage
with a fine rose watering pot, and placed in a
close frame and well shaded from the sun, they
will strike root freely without artificial heat.
As soon as they commence to grow, give them
a little air to prevent them from getting weakly.
As soon as they are well rooted, they should be
removed to a more airy situation, with as much
light as possible, avoiding the sun, to harden
thera for the winter. About October they
should be shifted from the small thumbs to
three inch pots, which will be large enough to
winter in, for the less growth they make during
that season the better for them in future. A
soil composed of turfy peat, leaf mould, and
river sand, equal parts, is best for winter
potting, for being porous it allows the water to
pass off quickly. Those who wish to have their
plants early in bloom should place them in heat

in the month of January, in a temperature of
from 45'^ to 50'', increasing the heat as the season
advances. If not convenient to start thera so
early, let them rest ttll March, for if they are
started early and then get a check to their
growth, they will not grow freely afterwards.
When the plants commence to grow, allow the
soil to get rather dry, then turn out of their
pots and shake as much of ihe mould off as
possible without breaking the roots, and re-pot
into five inch pots well drained, in turfy loam,
turfy peat and leaf mould, equal quantities, and
sand ; water overhead with a fine rose pot and
replace in a close frame or warm greenhouse, as
near the glass as pos^sible ; shift from time to
time as the plants fill the pots with roots. Tliey
will not stand the summer sun, the leaves will
be scorched up. They must, if planted out, be
placed in a shaded situation ; if somewhat moist
in the atmosphere they will grow far finer. If
the syringe is used freely during dry weather,
it will keep the plants clean and healthy, and
free from the attacks of insects. In fact, if the
Fuchsia is properly grown, it is seldom troubled
with any insect but the green fly, which some-
times attacks it, but a fumigating with tobacco
smoke (from the stalks of the leaves I find
strong enough) in the evening : if damp, dull
weather, it is better, as the smoke will not so
readily escape. Syringe the plants freely the
next morning to wash off the dead flies. Fuch-
sias laid on their sides, under the stage in the
greenhouse during winter is the best place for
them : they will, howevei*, do in any cellar or
out building, where frost can be excluded.

Dark Fuchsias, I find, are the hardiest when
the plants are intended to be grown during the
season in a well-ventilated house. Very fine
plants can be obtained by standing the pots on
a bed of well rotted dung and loam, and
allowed to root through their pots into it,
taking care not to remove them from their
position.

RAPID POTTING.

BY PETER HENDERSON, JERSEY CITY, N. J.

A few months ago I gave an account in
another journal, of the extraordinary rapidity
attained by one of our workmen here, James
Markey, in potting and other grepuhouse opera-
tions. The statement then made created con-
siderable comment and some doubts that there
must have been error in the article. I stated

187S.

THE GARDEJYER'S MOXTELY.

206

that he had accomplished the feat of potting
seven thousand (7000) rooted cuttings in 2^ inch
pots in ten hours. The fact of the accuracy of
the statement being doubted, stimulated "Jim"
to such a degree that he declared that he would
yet pot ten thousand in the same time, which Tie
actually accomplished by starting at 7 A. M. on
the morning of May 8ih, and finished potting
ten thousand (10,000) verbenas by half past 5
P. M., of the same day, doing the work in his
usual excellent style, — of course he did nothing
but pot, the plants being brought to him and
taken away so as to afford him every facility.
Where it is known that pitting two thousand is
considered fair average-work for a hand, the
wonder is how much this man has excelled his
fellows. It is true, he has been with me
since he was 12 years of age, (he is now 26) and
has passed in that time millions of plants
through his hands ; but we have perhaps a
dozen others who have been with us as long,
who, having had equal opportunities, have shown
no special ability. Markey is rather a small
man, but of great muscular development, and
excels in all feats of agility, i think it quite
impossible that the feat of potting ten thousand
plants in a day has ever before been accomplished;
and as most of the florists and nurserymen in
the country are readers of the Monthly^ this
wonderful day's work may have some interest
for them. His work is almost exclusively that
of potting young stock ; and the average number
he pots, when cuttings are in proper condition,
is about five thousand daily.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

DOMESTIC

Disease in the Deodar Cedar. Recently
we had an inquiry about a disease in the Deo-
dar Cedar, unknown to us in this section. We
have since seen the following in the Farmer and
Gardener :

v-4" Deodar Cedars are similiarly affected in this
section. The loss of their branches is caused by
insects of the hylobius class, whose larvse are de-
posited under the bark, and whose soft inner
surf-ice they devour. The larvse deposited in
fall begin to show their presence in the spring
when branches begin to die out ; again, in the
summer another generation seems to spring into
existence, as we have noticed during September
a number of trees affected in the same manner.
This denotes that the insects must undoubtedly

deposit their eggs both in spring ar'd fall. The
only remedy which we found to arrest the rava-
ges was to cut off the limbs close to the body im-
mediately upon showing signs of being attacked
by the insects. This can be seen by the leaves
turning yellow. The branches must be burned
before the larvse hatch and a new generation of
insects is produced."

There is, however, another drawback, caused
by an insect which often destroys the leader of
the Deodar, and seriously affects its future per-
fect growth. This insect is the pissodes strobi,
or white pine weevil, and whenever the leader
shows signs of disease it must be cut out, a pole
attached to the stem, and a side shoot tied to it.
This must be made to replace the leader, and if
attended to at the beginning of the trouble, the
future growth of the tree will not be interfered
with.

The Twin Nozzle. As a general rule, we have
a suspicion of implements which are to do every-
thing. The writer remembers well how proud
he was in his boyhood days of a pocket knife,
which was knife, corkscrew, screw driver, and
one can now hardly remember what else, except

that its weight was that of a little tool chest,
but after a year or eo of experience it did seem
really of no use to carry about every day so
much which was to be used only once in a while,
and perhaps it was this experience which gave us
the prejudice we speak of. But in regard to this
nozzle we may say that we also remember how
with every syringe and garden engine came lots
of pieces, which are sure to get lost just about

the time they are needed. Here are two very
essential pieces which aire needed almost every
lime the machine is used, all in one, so that it
cannot be lost. Wc think it an excellent idea.
It has been sent us by Piatt & Green, of Piiila-
delphia, although Wheeler, of Chicago is the
maker.

Pinckneya puhens. This beautiful tree used
to be one of the leading ornaments in the old

206

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY,

July,

Landreth collection, (the site now occupied by
busy Philadelphia) but we find it in no collection
now anywhere. The following full account of it
is from Mr. Berckman's department of the Far-
mer and Gardener:

"This fine tree was first discovered by the elder
Micbaux on the banks of the St. Mary's, in South-
eastern Georgia. It must be very rare, for during
extensive travels through the Suu.h we have never
met with it but once, and thai was in cultivation at
a planters near Newberry, in South Carolina, who
told us that it was indigenous not far from his resi-
dence. Nor have we ever received specimens of it
from any Southern botanist in exchanging plants ;
nor do we find it in any nursery catalogue. Michaux
states tliat it is still more interesting, by the pro-
perties of its bark, than by the elegance of its
flowers and of its foliage. Its flowers are white,
tubular, with longitudinal rose colored stripes. The
flowers are quite large, and collected in beautiful
panicles at the extremity of the branches, rendered
quite conspicuous by its ovate, pink colored floral
leaves. Each flower has one of these floral leaves,
which is bordered with rose color near the upper
edge.

"■It is a low tree, with numerous branches rarely
more than twenty-five feet high, with a diameter of
trunk of from five to six inches. According to
Chapman, it is found on tlie marshy banks of
streams in the pine barrens in Florida, and north-
Waid to South Carolina.

"Michaux carried seeds and young plants of it
to a garden which he had near Charleston, South
Carolina, and although the soil was poor, yet in six-
teen years they grew to be about twenty-five feet
high and seven or eight inches in diameter. This
proves that the Pinckneya will grow iu poor sandy
land.

" According to Michaux, the wood of the Georgia
bark is solt and unfit for use in the arts, but its in-
ner baik is extremely bitter, and appears to partake
of the tebrifuue viituis of the Cinchona. He says
that the inhabilants of the southern parts of Georgia
employ it successlully in the intermittent (ever,
which, during the latter part of summer and autumn,
prevail iu that region. A handlul of the bark is
boiled in a quart ot water till the liquid is reduced
one-half, and the infusion is given to the sick.
From the propeities of its bark ii derives its com-
mon name. lis botanical name is in honor of
Charles Colesworih Pinckney, a prominent citizen
of Charleston many years ago.

"We liope that the Pinckneya will, ere long, bs
common in cultivation at the South. Its rarity has
kept it in the background, while many other things
of less beauly and value are extensively cultivated.
The medical properties of its bark ought to be tested.
If it be a good pubstitule for Cinchona, it should be
known ami grown on that account.

"The planter who had it in cultivation at New-
berry, lived on the edge of town, and he had quite
a large number of the young trees. We would give
his name, but we have fojgotten it ; nor have we
the diary which we then kept to refer to. It was
in ]bo8 when we were there, hence the Pinckueyas,
by this time, oujjht to be quite large seed bearia:^
trees. Named iu honor of a worthy man, whose
name \h identified with the history of the country,

it is a monument more enduring for Pinckney than
one of bronze or marble.

"The habitat of 'Pinkneya' is very circum-
scribed, and, so far as we have ascertained, it is
found only in a few localities near the coast of Geor-
gia and South Carolina. Seed seems difficult to
germinate, as we have failed with all we have ever
received."

The First Fuchsia. Bound and round the
circle during the past twenty-five years, has been
printed an account of how Mr. Lee first bought
his first Fuchsia "from a poor woman whose
husband brought it from the West Indies ;" but
the poetry has long since been taken out of the
story by its being pretty certain the "first''
Fuchsia was stolen from Kew Gardens. We
now have another history in the Rural New
Yorker, concerning F. fulgens, which we suspect
is equally apocryphal. Still, as it will go its
"rounds," we give it here :

" Some twenty years ago. an old Scotch garden-
er told me a story which will answer very well as a
sequal to the above, although I would not like to
vouch for the truth of either. Many years after the
iniroduction of the ' first Fuchsia,' the agent of Von
Humboldt, who had lately returned from his travels
in Mexico, called upon Mr, Lee, desiring to sell him
the entire stock of a new fuchsia which they had
brought home with them. Years before this, two
Spanish naturalists, by the name of Mocino and
Jesse, had met with a remarkable species of this
genus in Mexico, the flowers of which were some
four or five inches long and of a bright vermillion
color. Of course, this was a treasure which any
florist might be excused for coveting, especially as
no fuchsia with flowers more than half as long was
then known to European florists. When the agent,
referred to above, informed Mr. Lee that the plants
offered were of this long coveted species, upon
which a botanist had bestowed the name of Fucksia
fuhjeni^y (Glowing), it can be readily imagined how
anxious he must have been to close a bargain for
the stock of this wonderful plant. A thousand gui-
neas was the price asked and paid, the agent giving
Mr. Lee a wruten guarantee that the plants pur-
chased comprised the entire stock brought home.
In the days of no steamboats and few travelers visit-
ing Mexico, there was no danger from competition,
for several years at least, and the possessor of choice
plants had little fear of rival gardeners. Mr. Lee
propagated his new fuchsia as rapidly as possible,
and as soon as the stock on hand would warrant,
the plants were offered to the public at that good old
pi ice of a guinea each.

'• But an unknown rival appeared in the market ;
Cunningham, of Edinburgh, Scotland, announced
that he had good plants of the said new fuchsia,
price half a guinea. Mr. Lee dispatched an agent
to Edinburgh to learn what this meant, and if possi-
ble, ascertain where Mr. Cunningham obtained his
slock, provided he really had the genuine sort. The
said agent obtained no ttuiher information than that
Mr. Cunningham's plants were the same as Mr.
Lee's, and the number on hand nearly if not quite
as great. Mr. Lee reduced the price to half a gui-
nea ; then Cunningham followed by putting the

187S.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^'THLY.

207

price of his plants down to five shillings. This was
too much for Mr. Lee, and he got out an injunction
to prevent his rival disposing of more plants at such
a ruinous fto him) low price. Cunningham paid
no attention to the injunction but continued to sell
his plants, while Mr. Lee held on, hoping to make
Cunningham pay for the loss. Tiie suit came up
before the courts, Cunningham getting the trial ad-
journed from time to time, or carrying up the suit to
higher courts, in order to increase the costs as much
as possible. After baffling his opponent in every
manner possible, and he (Cunningham) being driven
to the wall, where he must show his title or have
the case go against him, he brought forward his cash
book, and showed that at a certain date in the same
year that Mr. Lee bought the imported plants of the
new fuchsia, he had purchased for a small sum of
one of the axemen of the party, a package of fuch-
sia seed.

"Of course, Mr. Lee was beaten, and had the
costs to pay, which had amounted to many thous-
ands of pounds. It was said that the Lee's never
fully recovered from this blow upon their finances.
Mr. Lee got all he purchased, and the agent deliver-
ed to him every plant as agreed upon ; but neither
party probably ever thought that there were any
seed in existence— at least not in Europe. Of
course, Mr. Cunningham came as honestly by his
plants as Mr. Lee by his first and last fuchsia.

Producing Double Flowers. To oblaia double
flowers in Geraoiuras, Petunias, and other
things, is now well known. The process is to
watch for flowers which have a tendency to form
small petals on their stamens, instead of perfect
anthers. The pollen of such flowers placed on
the pistils of single flowers are likely to yield
double ones.

This has long been understood by practical
flower breeders, but not so well known to the
general public. Col. Wilder long since employed
this law in the raising of Camellias, in which
field he was once very successful. The Country
Gentleman thus condenses what Col. Wilder said
about this recently :

" Col. Wilder stated, in a lecture before the Mas-
sachusetts Horticultural Society, that the Rhododen-
dron and Azalea, distinct genera, had been hybri-
dized, but no one had ever succeeded in making a
hybrid between the apple and the pear, or betAveen
the raspberry and the blackberry, which belong
respectively to the same" genera. It was doubted
for a time that hybrids could be obtained between
the Vitis vinifera and V. labrusca, but Rogers, Un-
hill, Campbell and others have settled the question
and produced them. Col. Wilder said that his ear-
liest experience in hybridizing was in the floral
kingdom, in crossing species and varieties of the
Camellia. He discovered that, to produce double
flowers, it was important that the pollen be taken
from a petaloid anther, that is an anther born on a
small petal, (the filament beiag flattened out in its
first remove from its original form), and that tins
was still better if from a double flower. He also
performed interesting experiments with the lily ;
the first was the red Japan and the Tiger lily. Seed-

lings were produced with different shades, from deli-
cate rose to dark crimson. He also found that pol-
len preserved its fertilizing power a long time. In
one instance, a camel's hair pencil, which had not
been used for several days, was found with pollen
on it. This was applied to the stigma of a lily, and
produced impregnation. In another instance, he
fertilized with pollen carried a long time in his
pocket.

"The science of hybridization, says Col. Wilder,
is yet in itsjnfancy. To use the language of Dr.
Lindley : ' We have but stepped over the borders,
and the whole field of hybridizing lies widely spread
before us; its boundaries are lost in the horizon,
and we shall find them still receding as we ad-
vance.'"

D. W. Adams, one of the candidates for Gov-
ernor of Iowa, is thus spoken of by the Chicago
Tribune :

"Mr. Adams was born in Winchester, Mass., in
1832, and is a member of the famous Adams family,
of whom that State and the whole nation are justly
proud; He graduated at a good school, and at the
age of 33, removed to his present home a confirmed
invalid. In a rough-and-tumble fight with disease
and poverty for nearly ten years, he was at last vic-
torious over both. He became convinced, at an
early day, that fruit-grow ins; could be made a suc-
cess in this State, and devoted his whole attention
to its development. Experimenting with varying
success for many years, he now has the solid satis-
faction of having the finest bearing orchard in the
Northwest, a large nursery (of fruit trees), a com-
fortable competence, and a wide and unsullied repu-
tation. For many years he has been favorably
known as the Secretary of the State Horticultural
Society, an active member of the State and many
different County Agricultural Societies. He has
also been a generous contributor to many of the
leading agricultural and horticultural papers, and
his articles have always been marked for their clear-
ness and conciseness. Lately he has been Master
of the State Grange, and at present occupies the
enviable position of Master of the National Gran(;e.
That Mr. Adams is a man possessed of rare ability,
is beyond doubt."

Our readers will remember a contribution of
Mr. Adams to the Gardener s Monthly^ in which
he pointed out that apple roots partook of the
branching character of the trees grafted on them.
We have always regarded this paper as one of
the most valuable contributions to horticultural
science.

Testing New Varieties. We find the following
in the "dairy of a gentlemen" in the Bural
New Yorker. We do not know how this hard-
hearted fellow could write so cooly about this
tender subject. Our thoughts have often been
in the same direction, though we disliked to
hurt any one's feelings in saying so. But as the
"cat has been let out of the bag," we may as
well say that if we were to " try " all the things
sent to us for the purpose, it would require us to

^08

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJfTELY.

July,

get on half a dozen more men, and require an |
expenditure of about S3000 per annum. Some-
times it is a sore temptation, and we feel grate-
ful for the good intentions of the donors Here
for [instance is a case of pulses, lentils, and
grains of various kinds from the East Indies
No doubt one or two of the many scores of seeds
might be found of benefit to our country, but we
cannot try them. One lot of soven hundred
kinds of hardy flower seeds was too great a
temptation to withstand. There was such a
chance to get " knowledge," to "get wisdom,"
and to get " understanding,'' that the writer had
to take a couple of men for a week away from
the regular work, muclito the indignation of the
foreman, who could " hardly get through as it
is.'

It is pleasant perhaps to feel that you are
worth being tempted ; but on the whole we
rather subscribe to the doctrines of the extract
below :

" These remarks were provoked by a letter ask-
ing me to accept of a few plants of a new fruit, the
donor hopfng tiiat I would '• find it woitliy of com-
mendaiion." That last remark exposes the motive,
which is merely to get the thing indorsed, and per-

haps, mentioned in this Diary, or in other words,
advertised free in the Rnral New Yorker. I beg
to decline the honor; having pretty nearly escaped
such inflictions in my younger days, I do not now
propose to enter the arena and be shot at for telling
the truth, or falsehood either. If such men as
Downing, Iloopes, Meehan, Elliott and Fuller can
be coaxed into trying every new frnit that is sent
to them, well and .i^ood ; for they have been fired
at so often by disappointed orii;inators of new varie-
ties that no ordinary shot takes efl"ect on their well-
tried armor."

Gi^rderiing at Johns Hopkins Ilospital. Mr.
Johns Hopkins, of Baltimore has donated a
large sum of money for a hospital in Baltimore.
It is gratifying to note that Mr. W. I>. Bracken-
ridge has been selecte as the landscape gardener.
It is an encouraging sign when those who have
charge of these public works have judgment
enough to select the right sort of talent to do
credit to these undertakings. The selection of
Mr. Brackenridge is a rare instance of good judg-
ment, and the Commissioners deserve encour-
agement for such a judicious choice.

Ike Benom Apple in Iowa. Our correspond-
ent, Dr. J. Weed, regards the Benoni as the
best apple in all his orchard. Besides its excel-
lent qualities, it makes straight nice trees.

EDITOE lAL.

IT IS NOT GOOD TOR MAN TO LIVE
ALONE.

The unity of natural law is an interesting
theme. We discover a fact, and suppose it of
little account ; but it finally proves to be univer-
sally applic:ible, and another illustration of the
one universal law which makes the whole world
akin. "It is not good for man to be alone,"
has had its separate and special application —
and yet it is but part of one great truth. Whether
it is in the animal kingdom or in the vegetable,
it is not good to be alone. The rao.st perfect
happiness is to get out of ourselves, and to
gather in from abroad some stranger ones to
share life with us.

This is the law of nature, urging us not only
onward, but outward. We have love and regard
for our immediate relations, but these bonds
must be broken, and in the reunions of the bro-
ken circle, heaven showers the greatest blessings
generally on those who know each other least.

The agriculturist finds the same law. By close
breeding he makes a race, and he can develop
in this manner a few leading points by inheri-
tance, but it is generally at the expense of other
qualities, and even then does not last. Eace
after race appear in this way, onl}' in time to
disappear to be replaced by some new one from
the original heterogeneous stock. In the vegeta-
ble world we find it still the same. Here we
supposed the great natural hatred of close rela-
tionship ceased. A plant with its stamens and
pistils in the same flower, was surely arranged
especially for the perpetuation of an individual
fimily race. But no— the discoveries of Spreu-
gel, Darwin, Gray, and others, have shown that
even these little floral children of both sexes,
raised so lovingly together in one family home,
finally look abroad for their future companions,
and in this, strive to harmonize themselves
with this one universal law. lu some flowers
the pistil protrudes itself from the floral envel-

1873.

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOMTHLY.

209

opens long before the anthers are mature, and
receives the pollen from strange flowers in ad-
vance of the maturity of the pollen in its own
flower. This pollen as it advances to ripeness,
performs the same office for other strange flow-
ers ; and thus, as we should say of animals, there
is a continual infusion of new blood into family
life. The rushes, (Juncus) Luzulas and sedge
grasses (Carex) are familiar examples of this
kind of cross breeding. Others depend on the
agency of insects in the matter, which take on
themselves the part of " the intimate friend,"
and introduce the strange but yearning parties
one to another. In many flowers, as if for the
very purpose, are arrangements for covering
the insect with pollen, at the same time guard-
ing the pistil, and which pollen the insect must
take to the pistil of some flower before it can get
the honeyed reward. The plant, as well as the
animal, has learned to the fullest extent that it'
is not good for man to live alone.

Indeed when we come to look closely into
things, we find that man alone of all created
beings, understands less fully the depth and
capacity of this universal law. He knows it is
true of all these matters in the limited family
circle, but he does not generally know that it is
as true of man in societj'^ as of man as an indivi-
dual, and that it extends to the whole of his
relationship with nature.

We are divided into city and country ; but if
either try to live wholly to itself, it is unnatural

than any other, and this matter of time is of
great moment to a business man. Kidley Park,
on the southwest of Philadelphia, is another of
these bridal spots, and of which we gave the
wedding account last year. There was a sort of
christening there early in June. The Board of
Brokers of Philadelphia visited the spot, and the
Oardener''s ^Monthly was taken along to partici-
pate in the happy ceremony. Within the year,
several beautiful houses have been, and others
are being built. The boarding house is about
finished, and already the projector feels the warm
breath of popular encouragement.

These newer settlements learn from the errors
of their predecessors. Once a company took a
tract of land, surveyed it, took the plana and
sold "lots.'' Everythingelse was left to chance.
Society shaped itself, just as each individual
might operate on the whole to make it. Very
often they were to be settlements of certain
classes. Here was an aristocratic quarter— there
the location of mechanics. Perhaps this was to
be a German settlement, and that a Hebrew
quarter. People of a peculiar theological shade
would herd together, or perhaps a literary, or a
commercial class. The wants of man as among
men were seldom considered. Roads, markets,
labor, beauty— a thousand other things were left
to shift for themselves. Wo know scores of such
places struggling along, trying almost in vain to
find their buried treasures. Here in German-
town, for instance, after a man has his "lot ''

Man collectively as the country, or the country secured, he finds it costs him more to " civilize

as a set of people living together, can no more [
"live alone" than one man or woman, one farai- j
ly, one flower, or any other part of nature can. I
There is in every human heart a response to this |
sentiment. The one brought up to city life, j
continually hungers for life in the country, and !
the ambition of many a country youth is to get
to the city to live. These yearnings are natural,
and are only unnatural whenever the country or
the town endeavors to keep all to itself alone.

There are now in all our larger cities, men
who recognize this natural principle, and who
are striving to bring about these marriages of
town with country in various directions. Ihey
form settlements in the country near to the town,
and by the aid of railroads, bring the two closely
together. Tn the vicinity of Philadelphia, there
are many of them on all the leading railroad

it '' than the original purchase, and even then it
won't come up to the mark. The roads are in
a great measure just as they were on the paper
plans when the "lots " were bought, perhaps, a
hundred years ago. At various seasons people
wade through the mud to their homes on stilts,
or grope their way through dust clouds as
through a fog. Having begun at the wrong end
first, there are too many interests involved now.
Though every one wants better roads, and are
willing to pay for better roads, no one knows
how to go about getting them. In these new
places such as Ridley Park, all these things are
thought over and arranged far in advance. They
know people when they go to the country, want
country in perpetuity. Hence small tracts and
large tracts are devoted to park purposes, to be
sustained by a fund from the purchase money.

lines. Germantown and Chestnut Hill are much j They know that rich and poor cannot live apart
of this class, and they have the advantages of a from one another, so there are lots at figures
railroad running closer into the heart of the city within the incon^e of the respectable working

210

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY.

July^

man^s means, as well as for the man of wealth-
Then the roads are all made, and well made,
and shade trees planted, so that all the settler
has to do is not to begin with a home, but to
finish with one.

"We are glad to see these efforts to bring the
country and the town together, in a manner so
adapted to modern wants. It is not yet all.
Companies must yet take in hand to furnish
even more than this. They must solve the soci-
ty question, and the female servant question,
and they must remember that most men now
ft-days have busy lives, and will need help even
in the building of the houses, for the details of
which so many have no time. But we are going
beyond our usual space. Our object is to show
that even the most home-like body must go
abroad for its fullest happiness —that communi-
ties are under the same law, and that the greater
the growth of a city, the greater is the need of
the country being brought to the citizens, and
really made ready for them. Such experiments
as this at Ridley Park, are all in the right line,
and we wish them every success.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

FOREIGN.

The Phylloxera, or Orape Root Louse. — Too
much attention can scarcely be given to this
very destructive insect, which Prof. Riley be-
lieves to have caused more trouble in American
grape culture than anything else. Many things
have been found which will destroy the insect
without injuring the grape roots, but nothing
thus far very practicable.

" The Garden gives the following, which seems
mdte practical than anything we have seen
before :

' Sulphuret of calcium dug in around the roots of
vines is considered to have a iiowerful eflect in
destroying Phylloxera. This gives rise to a true
sulphuiic acid, in consequence of the moisture of
the soil and the gentle disensacement of carbonic
acid. It serves also equally well to destroy cater-
pillars and other injurious insects which are fre-
quently so difficult to remove from vegetation."

CissKs discolor. —It is a matter of surprise
that this lovely climbing plant is not used for
out-door summer gardening to a greater extent
than it is. The Garden says :

'In the gardens of Mr. Linden, at Gand, there is
now growing one of tiiese planls which during the
past year produced new shoots, the total aggregate
of the length of which amounted to 1,625 feet.
We are informed that the plant was grown in a
mixture of coal ashes and spent tan."

j Hoteia japonica. — This plant, which in some
■ catalogues goes as Spiraea, and in others as
As(i76e japonica, has been found one of the best
white flowers for forcing that we have in Ameri-
can greenhouses The following hint, which
we find in Mr. Robertson's Garden, will help
those who have not yet tried to grow it :

" This beautiful hardy plant may be increased by
division of the roots, or by means of cuttings, and
plants produced in both ways soon make good
flowering specimens, if well supplied with water
during spring and summer, when the weather is
dry. Divide the old plants into small pieces, each
furnished with eyes, and plant them in good rich
ground, a foot apart. Plants to be broken up must
not have been forced this year. If cuttings are
preferred, take them from plants that have done
flowering, and strike them in heat. When rooted
pot them off into 3-inch pots, and place them in a
warm dung frame until they have become well
established, after which harden them ofl". Plants
raised from divisions may be put out in the latter
end of May or in the beginning of June, well
watering them in at planting time. In order to
prepare them for forcing, they should be hfted in
October, and plunged in leaves, as they root all
winter. After they have been introduced into heat,
give them plenty of water, or they will not flower."

Boses which will nnt Sucker. — We find the fol-
lowing in the Garden :

" The first idea of raising Briar stocks from seed
has been claimed by M. Riviere for M. Guillot, a
Rose grower at Lyons, who has raised his stocks in
this way for the last twenty years. To M. Guillot,
also, belongs the credit of ex-cogitating a means of
preventing his Briars from producing suckers.
Reflecting that suckers are nothing more than sub-
terranean branches, which, like all other branches,
must issue from the axil of a leaf, he considered
that by inserting the bud on the part of the stem
below the axils of the lowest or cotyledonous leaves
("which are usually under the surface of the soil) he
would deprive the stock of all power to produce
suckers in future. In practice, M. Guillot simply
removes the soil from about the lower part of the
stock and inserts the bud close to the neck The
result is that his Roses seldom or never show
suckers, and if one chances to appear, it is sure to
he from the buried part of the Rose graft, and not
this from the Briar stock."

We have not much faith in, however, as those
of us who have had experience in the raising
root cuttings, know that it is not always by any
means necessary for an "axillary bud " "above
a leaf," to produce a growth. Adventitious
buds come out anywhere, and it is these which
give trouble in Rose stock.

The Name ^^ Black Hamburg ^^ Grape. — The
histories of nations, peoples, or things, are often
sought to be wrought out by tracing analogies
of language, or by taking up some clue which
language is supposed to afford. But language
changes so arbitrarily, that it is dangerous to

1873,

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY,

fll

accept its suggestions. "When the Fastolf rasp-
berry was introduced it was as much as the hor-
ticulturists could do to keep the people from
calling it FalslafF. They had heard of this old
fellow, but they knew nothing of the castle, and
they held out for the Shakspearian name. In
like manner we have had to argue with very
smart people that the Vicar of Winkfield Pear
was not the Vicar of Wakffield of Oliver Gold-
smith, and it has been quite an effort to keep
the original name pure and uncorrupted. Know-
ing all this we are disposed to listen to the fol-
lowing note from the Journal of Horticulture,
although it seems to us at the time it refers to
the Alhambra palace was nearly as well known
to the English people as the city of Hamburg
itself:

" ' What's in a name ?' Not much, perhaps,
unless it leads to correct apprehension ; and the
name ' Black Hamburg Grape ' does lead to the
erroneous idea that the original Grape was brought
to England from the German port of Hamburg,
sometimes spelt Hambro', a place where the vine
does not grow, except under hothouse culture.

''The Vine in question was introduced into
England, I believe, by Mr. Warner, about 150
years ago, the original vine being found by him at
the Moorish palace in Spain called the palace of Al
Hambra, whence he called it the Black Hambra
Grape. Now, the palace in question being little
known in comparison with the town of Hamburg,
the spelling was soon by many persons corrupted
to Black Hambro', the final letter only being
changed. When that spelling became general it,
no doubt, somewhat obscured the history of the
Grape ; but the present spelling. Black Hamburgh,
does so effectually, and it seems to me, therefore,
desirable that the original spelling, Black Hambra
Grape, should beat once destroyed.— T Thompson,
Welton, Brough, Yorkshire.'"

The Best Orchid. Since so much attention
has recently been given to the growth of these
curious and beautiful flowers in this country, it
is well to know that what in Europe is called
"one of the best," belongs to a class very easy to
grow. Generally the Cypripediuras will do in a
cool greenhouse, almost as well as geraniums,
or any common plant. A report of a meeting
in Brussels, says :

"In the class (confined to nurserymen) for ten
Cypripediums, there was no competition. The best
Orchid in the whole show was contributed by Mr.
Linden in tl>e next class as a single specimen — viz. :
Cypripedium villosum, a grand specimen, beautiful-
ly bloomed, with upwards of filty flowers. This
plant deservedly received the first prize, the second
being awarded to Mr. Van Geert for a nice plant of
Odontoglosum Pescatorhi, with five spikes of
bloom."

F'Cus repens. The Journal of Horticulture
calls attention to this plant. We have found it

one of the most beautiful things for covering the
back walls of greenhouses. It grows iu partial
shade almost as well as the common ivy, and
clings to the wall ia the same manner. It is a
first-rate vase or basket plant. We have found
it endure the freezing point without injury. The
Journal says :

"This is a creeping-stemmed plant, and attaches
itself very closely to walls and woodwork. For the
former it is particularly suitable, and grows more
freely than on the latter, as the wall retains
more moisture. The plant has proved itself to be
hardier than was thought years ago, it being now
introduced freely into warm greenhouses and con-
servatories, and thrives there very satisfactorily.
Very little rooting space is needed as compared to
many other plants, for it throws out rootlets at
almost every joint. Too much moisture must be
guarded against with these cooler temperatures,
otherwise the foliage will be apt to damp-off."

Culture of Persimmons. There have been many
attempts to select and cultivate persimmons in
our country, over and over again ; but notwith-
standing they " have an apricot flavor blended
with medlar," as our excellent cotemporary,
the Journal of Horticulture says the Japanese
kinds have, they do not grow fast in popular esti.
mation. Still it is well to know all about per-
simmons, and the following is of interest in con-
nection therewith :

"Messrs. Teutschel «fe Co., Colchester, have a
sale at Messrs. Stevens' on the 10th, of a New
Fruit Tree from Japan, the Persimmon, in eight
varieties. It is the first time this tree has been
offered in Europe. There have to be sold 105 trees
received from Mr. Kramer, also some new and rare
Lilies, Wilsoni and Krameri from Japan, Michauxii,
Humboldtii, Puberulum, and Washingtonianum
from North America, with Colochortus and Eryth-
rouium. The fruit tree is a Diospyros, respecting
the proper name of which there has been some con-
troversy ; M. Carriere calling it at first Diospyros
Kaki, afterwards D. costata ; and M. Decaisne, who
objects to both of these names, D. Schi-tse. It is a
native of Eastern Asia, and has bright orange-col-
ored fruit, which, in the climate of Paris are from
2 to 2^ inches in diameter, and have an Apricot
flavor, 'blended with that of the Medlar. It will
probably succeed against a wall in the warmer parts
of this country."

Phajus grandiflorus is the name of a very
popular warm greenhouse plant with us, which
is, perhaps, as well known and as deservedly as
any orchid grown — under the name of Bletia
TankervillcB. The following little bit of history
from the Gardener's Magazine, also has some
good hints for its culture and management :

"This is an old inhabitant of our gardens, having
been introduced from China in 1773. It is a terres-
trial Orchid of the easiest possible culture, and flow-
ers most profuselv about this time of the year.
When well grown, it soon develops itself, and forms

tn

THE GARDE J^ ETC S MOJ^THLY.

July,

fine specimens, with from twenty to thirty spikes of
effective white, brown, and purple flowers. It is a
gross feeder, and does well in a compost of fibrous
loam, well decomposed hot- bed manure or leaf-
mould and coarse sand. Drain the pot effectually,
and then give an abundant supply of water at the
roots when the plants are making their growth.
Like many more terrestrial Orchids, it is found
growing in its native country by the margins of
streams. A little weak liquid manure may be given
with advantage when it is in full growth, and this
also greatly assists such plants of it as are pot-bound.
Good specimens are very useful at this season for
conservatory decoration."

Triloma uvaria. It always has seemed to us
that the botanical name Tritoma was easy
enough and pretty enough for any one, and that
the usual complaint of hardwords surely did not
apply here. But our people have chosen to call
it the " red-hot poker plant," and we really can-
not see that it is any improvement on Tritoma.
The English however call it " torch lily," and if
our friends will insist that Tritoma is too hai'd
for " the people," let us take to torch lily rather
than to a whole set of fire irons, and all iu a
glow al that.

Japan Pea. Sooja hispida, is the name of the
plant referred to in the following extract from
the London Garden:

'"We claim the honor,' says the Mobile Register,
' of haviug started a new interest in Japan Peas,
and we are proud of it, for the Japan Pea is un-
doubtedly one of the best things for our climate. It
is easily raised, will gruw on almost any soil, and
yields enormously. As food for man we think it
has no equal in the Pea or Bean way.' What is
this Japan Pea?"

Peter Lawson & Son, the celebrated Scotch
nurserymen, have gone into bankruptcy. Their
assets are regarded as about ^400,000, while
their liabilities are reported at about $1,750,000.
A Lawson Company, in which the old firm are
interested, and which carrries on the chief part
of the old firms business, is said to be unaffected
by the failure.

Totcer Grove'^Oordens. We are very glad to
find that Mr. Shaw's princely benefactions to the
people of St. Louis, but in which after all, any
one from every quarter who goes to St. Louis
also shares, is meeting with that recognition
abroad which has long been accorded to them
here. We find the following note in the Garden :

" The Missouri papers record an act of munifi-
cence on the part of Mr. Shaw, an English settler at
St. Louis, which, though happily not rare in this
country, is almost unexampled in the United States.
It is the free gift of a noble park to the inhabitants
of St. Louis. The tract set apart for this purpose is
situated close to the town, is richly wooded, and
abounds in picturesque scenery, ^t covers an area

of over 300 acres, and its value is estimated at about
£100,000.

Hardy Bamboos. Some of these recent intro-
ductions from China seem to be hardier than we
have supposed. The Garden says of some recent-
ly introduced into France :

'' The following species of Bamboo are stated by
M. E. A. Carriere to be " very hardy " about Paris,
viz.: Bambusa viridi-glaucescens, violascens. aurea,
mitis, nigra, (perhaps a shade less hardy than the
rest) simonii, and Metake. These are the most in-
teresting species grown in the neighborhood of
Paris, and are mentioned in the order of individnal
merit. M. Carriere adds that except in unusually
severe winters even B. aurea and B. nigra do not
suffer in the least from the cold there, and that all
the kinds grow best, according to bis experience, in
a cool sandy-clay soil.

Gesnera elongata. For some years past this
old plant has been coming into appreciation
amongst those who love cut flowers in winter,
about Philadelphia. When the flower is fully
expanded it soon falls, but cut just before it
opens, it remains as long in good condition as
anything The rich velvety brown gives a pecu-
liar character to it which those who are real
artists in flower arrangements, know how to
avail themselves of. We see also that it is being
revived in Europe. The Garden saj's :

"Last December there were in the warm houses
of the Museum at Paris some fine specimens of this
Gesnera completely covered with brilliant scarlet
flowers. This fine old plant seems to have become
rather rare in France. It is one of the finest win-
ter-l)loomiag kinds, the flowers, although small,
being very numerous and of the most exquisite deep
scarlet color, while the habit of the plant itself is
very pleasing and elegant. It was originally dis-
covered by Humboldt and Bonplaud in Peru, not
far from the city of Quito.

Insects on Peach Boots. The discovery of
small insects, known as Phylloxera, or grape
roots, and their connection with the vine disease,
promises to develop further knowledge. Mr.
Berkely, in the Gardener's Chronicle, thus speaks
of some similar appearances on peach roots :

"It is only by slow degrees that one becomes
acquainted with the manifold diseases to which
plants are subject, and where thcsp. depend either
upon very obscure or minute moulds and insects,
the progress is necessarily very slow. We have
long since been acquainted with certain small ex-
crescences on peach roots, which ultimately become
more or less confluent and decay, but we have been
quite at a loss to account for them. The excrescen-
ces which are so common on pear leaves have at
last brought to light an extremely minute four-
looted acaroid, belonging to the same category as
that which is so destructive to Nuts and Black Cur-
rants, and one of which is well known as inhabiting
certain gall-like tubercles on Lime leaves. This
bids fair to explain a host of affections to which the

187S.

THE GARDEJYMR'S MOJSIRLY.

21S

leaves of various trees are subject. We have now
before us an explanation of the peach root excres-
cences Mr. G. F. Wilson, to whom horticulture is
so much indebted, has, in conjunction with Mr.
Joshua Saunders, just sent to us from the Rev. J.
Hey worth's, Westbury-on-Trym, some roots attack-
ed by a minute insect which is clearly verv closely
allied to the Phylloxera. The way in which the
roots are affected is almost precisely that in which
the vine roots are attacked. The ins«ct, either alone
or in company, settles upon the roots, the tissues on
either side swell from hypertrophy, and there is thus
a little nidus for the insect which lives upon the
juices. The little nodes gradually decay, and the
whole root eventually becomes highly diseased.
The insect is yellow, like the young Phylloxera,
about one thirty-fifth of an inch in length, and two-
thirds as much in width in the broadest part, with
six legs and two three jointed antennge, which have
two very minute bristles at the tip. How far this
may be constant it is difficult to say, without an
opportunity of examining the matter on the spot,
for the insect does not travel well, and out of eleven
pieces of root one only could be found bearing the
little pest after very diligent search. Apparently the
insects have just lost their activity, and are now
gradually entering upon the coccus state, like the
Phylloxera, for one or two specimens occur twice
as large as the rest and much stouter. Further op-
portunities will doubtless occur of studying the in-
sect, the discovery of which, especially considering
its close resemblance to the Phylloxera, is of some
importance."

Labels for Arboretums. This has engaged the
attention of many persons in Araerica, and
though some plans are excellent as far as dura-
bility is concerned, they have been too expen-
sive, or wanting in that handiness which is es-
sential to a popular article. We find the follow-
ing in a recent number of the Journal of Horti-
culture, which seems to possess the germs of a
good idea :

" At the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Socie-
ty, held on Wednesday last, Mr. Green, gardener
to W- Wilson Sauader, Esq., exhibited some ex-
ceedinglj' useful plant labels. They consisted sim-
ply of cast iron of various forms for large plants ;
that part which is inserted in the earth was painted
lead color, and that for writing on white. After the
white portion has become thorou;2;hly dry a coating
of black paint with a goodly admixture of drying in-
corporated with it, is applied over the white, and
four or five minutes afterwards the name may be
written on it. A flat piece of board with a hole in
it for the reception of the shank was also exhibited,
and by means of this a rest for the hand in writing
is obtained, without any fear of touching the paint.
The names are written with a pencil consisting of a
piece of wire inserted into a wooden socket. The
writing is white, somewhat resembling that done
with a fine camel-hair bru-h, and it is extremely
lasting ; for labels made and written on in the man-
ner described were quite as good, clear, and distinct
after five years' wear as those newly written on. For
small pot plants zinc labels painted and written on
in the same way are neat and legible. No delay need ^
be experienced on account of wet paint, for a certain

quantity can be painted first, and after a lapse of five
minutes written on without halting.

Garclcner''s Wages. The following from the
London Gardener''s Magazine, applies with still
greater force to America :

"The present position of the gardener is, then, a
very unsatisfactory and critical one. Good places
are becoming fewer every year. Many gentlemen
who formerly kept good establishments in the coun-
try are getling to live in suburban villas, so as to be
near to town, and are engaged in the intricacies of
financial schemes instead of cultivating the love of
a garden. Moreover, gardener's wages, as a rule,
are much too low ; taking a wide circle for an aver-
age, it would appear to be about 24s. per week.
This is less than is paid to a good laborer, who has
no need whatever to bring any scientific knowledge
to the performance of his duty, while the gardener
is expected to be acquainted with the thousand and
one things which have to do with his profession.
No one expects a carpenter, a builder, or a smith to
work for laborer's wages, and yet even their work
entails very little responsibility compared with the
gardener, who has to battle against many enemies,
among which may be named untoward seasons,
when the crops are killed in the spring ; grubs and
insects that come sometimes (as the past summer)
so numerously as to destroy all his winter provision ;
cross and cantankerous cooks, who never can have
the right thing in the kitchen, and who frequently
set the ball a rolling which knocks the gardener out.
Then there are many other circumstances which
makes situations less permanent than is desirable, be-
cause,as the saying is,a rolling stone gathers no moss,
and this was never more true, perhaps, of any class
of men than gardeners ; for a change in an estab-
lishment removes the man and takes away his living,
and the next that opens is, perhaps, a hundred miles
away, and no traveling expenses allowed ; thus the
money goes, and sometimes the furniture too."

OBITUARY.
On the 7th of June, died John L. Russell, of
Salem, Mass., and in his death, horticultural
science loses one of its best friends, and the
world at large another good man, of whom,
as we recently said of Dr. Torrey, it has much
too few. Unlike Torrey, and some others, he
published little; but his knowledge was acute and
extensive, and he freely gave of his vast stores
to whoever needed. In vegetable microscopy he
had few superiors ; and in the minute fungi,
which we know have such an immense in-
fluence on the order of things, his knowledge
was perhaps equal to that of any living person.
We believe the last paper he ever published was
a contribution on this subject to the American
Naturalist. In general botany and horticulture
he always took a lively interest, especially those
branches which called into play the higher intel-
lectual powers. His means were not liberal, but
such as they were, they freely went in aid of

214

THE GARDEJ^ER'8 MOJ^TRLY,

July,

progressive intelligence, in which he seemed to !
place his greatest hopes for the general welfare ;
and happiness of marftind. In early life he was
a Unitarian clergyman; but when the more liber-
al school under Theodore Parker made head-
way, and Mr. Eussell found himself in sympathy
with it, and not fully in accord with his im-
mediate congregation, he resigned his charge,
and became disconnected with the ministry, de-
voting his life to scientific study and research.
His was one of those rare minds which loved
truth and justice for its own sake, and he was
always ready to brave the loss of fame or friends
in behalf of what he deemed right. Indeed if he
had any weakness it was right here. Did he
but imagine any one was being trodden tn who
deserved a better fate, he was ready to enter the
lists in his behalf at any cost. Often in these
cases he could see only the injustice at the mo-
ment; but after the struggle was over, and alone
or with intemates, the moisture would rise to his
eyes in the fear that in the contest he might
have hurt the feelings of those opposed to him.
A letter now before the writer of this, and we
believe near the last one he ever wrote, well
illustrates somt thins; of this.

An article had recently appeared in high
scientific quarters, which was unfortunately in-
accurate in its statements. In his paralyzed
condition he wrote pointing out the errors, but
he added, " in times past he has been at my
house and partaken of my hospitalities, and I
would, under no circumstances, say anything to
hurt his feelings ; but in the interest of truth
and science you can do it at some time without
offence to any one. " The correction was made
as suggested ; no one grieved, but rather we
think with the thanks of the person corrected.

His little garden at Salem was always a treat
to any visitor who loved flowers — not a square
inch of ground but had something in it. We
doubt whether so great a variety, so well cared
for, ever grew together on so small a space. It
well proved that it was not necessary to have
great riches in order to enjoy floral life — and
then how much was learned from these few well
watched treasures I

Mr. Russell was an honored member of many
learned socii ties, but few will miss him more
than the Massachusetts Horticultural Society,
in which he held the position of Professor of
Botany, an honor every way well deserved.

SCRAPS AND aUERIES.

Arborvit^ and Garden Edgings.— I?., |
Augusta., Maine, asks, under date of June 4th :
" Will you have the kindness to inform me as
regards the following : 1. Is not this a good
season to transplant Arborvitse ? 2. Which is
the best and most hardy variety for edgings like
box ? The more dwarf the better. 3. How
many six inch plants to the yard ? 4. What is
thp full size of the Tom Thumb ?

[Arborvitfe is transplanted in this part of the
world all through the summer season. The
earth has to be tightly packed round the roots,
and this tight packing is not merely a light per-
formance by heel and toe. but a ramming as if
one was setting a po<»t. If the weather be dry,
or likely to be dry, water is given with the plant
at planting. Unless the season be a very extra-
ordinary one, or the situation very dry, they do
as well as at any season. There is some risk in
all.

2. The American globe, T/ivja globosa, or the
German globe, [Thuja pumila)^ are both good.

3. Depends on the age of the pb,nt3 used.
From four inches to one foot apart.

4. Tom Tlntmh, and its elder brother, the
heath-leaved, or Thvja ericokJes, are both good
for dwarf edgings, though not as hardy as the
con mon Arborvitses from which they sprung.
T'hey have the same relation among plants as
imbeciles among human beings — individuals
which carry their juvenile simplicity into old
age. All arborvitses have the character of these
the first few months of their existence, but these
never grew out of their childhood's ways. They
have not the vigor and hardihood of maturity.
In ihe mild climate of Georgia, we believe, are
specimens ten feet or more high. We have not
seen any so large North.]

Hardy Herbaceous Flowers for June.
— M. B /., West Philadelphia, Penna., writes:
"Will you please say in the Oardener''s Monthly
what yoa would regard as the best hardy herba-
ceous flowers to blossom early, say up to middle

TSE GARBBJVER'S MOJVTHLY,

U5

of June. About a dozen of them -with their col-
otg fpr a eelecti.on. We usually leave here during
tljQ summer, and do not care so much for late
blooming things, and want some things which
Will take care of themselves from year to year."
[It is not easy to select the test for a brief list
lilfe this,, but the following will be good enough
foi> tnost people : Achillea tomentosa, Lysima-
chid paniculata and Hemarocallis graminifolia
for yellows. Blue— Salvia pratensis,. Iris Vir-"
gioica, Anchusa aspera, or A. bohemica. Rosy
or red — the ragged robin {Biltne not the Lych-
nis) Geranium sanguineum, Achillea millefoli-
um rubrura. Purple— Pentstemon grandiflorus,
Campanula nobilis, Gladiolus communis. White
-~Auemone Pennsylvanica. Besides these of
various •colors are Sweet Williams, Scotch Pinks
and Peonys. These are mostly all over by the
■end of June.,]

SBEDT^rNG Calceolaria.— P. & P., La,
Qra'nge, Ind.: " We send you a flower of a seed-
ling Calceolaria, which we have raised from a
packet of seed of the * Jam'-s' International
Prize 'variety. Please inspect it and give your
opinion as to its worth, &c."'

[The flower was squeezed flat in a letter, and
had lost all color, becoming brown as it dried.
It appears to be a very good variety — as good at
least as the average of improved kinds.]

HonTicuLTunAL Directory Wanted—
For Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, and
places adjacent, — Mr. Baleham, says. "As a
large number of horticulturists from distant
parts of the country will doubtless visit Phila-
delphia and Washington about the time of the
meeting of the American Pomological Society in
September, would it not be a good thing tn pub-
lish in the Monthly before that time a sort of
directory or guide to the places of interest to the
profession in these two cities and their envi
rona ? Mention the principal parks and ceme-
teries, florist and nursery establishments, with
a few good examples of landscape and suburban
home adornment, describing the leading features
of each ; also the best means of reaching them,
and of going from one to another, so that' per-
sons who cannot spa^e time to visit them all,
may choose such as are of most interest to
them."

[Mr. Bateham's idea is an excellent one, and
we would make such a list at once if we knew
positively that it would be agreeable in every

case to have vlaitgr's-to' the gardens or grouhda.
If those' of our friends who have anything of
interest in the horticultural line, and have no
objection to visitors enjoying them, will notify
us of the fact, with route, and at the same time
giving hints as to any public gardens or grounds
that may be near them, that could be seen at
the same time, we ■will try a list as Mr. Batebam
suggests. Of course this applies to commercial
as well as to private places.]

To Inquirers.— The editor will with pleasure
respond to inquiries through this department,
hut has not the time to spare for answering in-
quiries by private letter.

ITAMEij OF Cherries. — B. J3. M., Bridgeville^
Del : It is diflScult to name fruit with absolute
certainty from a. few specimeDS only, "S'ours
appear to be : 1. May Duke ; 2. Early Purpl'e
Guigne'v 3. Belle de Ghoisey ; 4. Early May.
We would, however, say to this and every other
reader, never to take any one person's opinion
as final in regard to a fruit's name, if it is intend-
ed to disseminate the stock. Try several per-
sons,, and if they all agree, it may be regarded-
as conclusive.

Destruction of Apple Trees. — An Iowa
correspondent says fully one-half the young
apple trees in Northwestern nurseries were killed
by the winter.

Boiler for a Propagating House.,— An
Iowa correspondent inquires about a small hot
water boiler for a propagating house 12 feet by
35. We should not think of any sort of a hot
water boiler for a house like this, and put' our
reply in this shape, so that if there be any ob-
jection to this opinion, we may hear of it. IFbr
such a small house as this we should certainly
heat by a common pipe or fliie.

Southern Pomolggical and. Horticul-
tural Society— Auxiliary to the iTational
Society. We see a proposition of this kind sug-
gested by Mr. Leighton, of Norfolk, and it is an
excellent one. Why may not all our State socie-
ties be made auxiliaries also ? In some sense
they are uosv, as Lhey generally send delegates ;
but there might be a closer and more useful
relationship.

Remedy for the Rose Slug.- J?. S. B.,

ne

THE GARBBJ^BR'S MOjYTRLT.

Jwly,

■Gemm, Kar.e Couniyy Ills,, says: "I would
.call your, attentiou 'to ray comraunicatioa in
regar.d to the E.ose Slug, published in Gardener's
Monthly, August, 1S72, page 239, aud request
yo.u if you are so unfortunate as to be troubled
•with the pest to givo the remedy a- trial this
yeaFi Try black pepper as directed in my letter
on your cucumber vines for the Striped Beetle.''

What is a Htbred ?-^. E. B.^ asks : "Some
one defines it as a plant which is produced from
a cross of different species, the seed of the Hy-
brid beiqji unfertilej or refusing to germinate.
The Hybriil beiug only reproduced by cuttings
Is this correct ?"

[It is difficult to define '•hybrid." We are
not able DOW to deOne "specip-':." Species, va-
rieties, and individuals are but grades of one
another, and we are unable to tell where one
ends, and the other begins. Tlie old test of ster-
ility has been found wanting also. Very closely
allied plants, which no one would call species,
are sometimes sterile in their progeny, while
othprs which seem widely separated, give very
productive crosses. Then the " hybrids " them-
selves are sometimes sterile and sometimes not.
The mule, utterly unproductive in a cool country,
is tolerably fertile in the tropics. We should
say that " a hybrid was the offspring of what are
commonly regarded as distinct things," without
introducing any question of sterility or species.]

FRAxmus ORNirs.— A Doylestown corre-
spondent sends us a specimen of this pretty tree
for name. It ought to be more grown. Its foli-
age is as G;ood as the best of Ashes, while the.
clusters of •white, flowers are quite showy.

■ .Bawthobn-C. L. J., TFaynes^iZZe, 0.; "I
-.forward by mail some cuttings, &c., of a thorn,
:ut.o..see if you can name it through the Mcnthly.
. I discovered it in the woods, ten years since ;
have looked in vain for other plants of the same,
but find none. Some English and Hibernia
friends here think' it allied to the English thorn,
; but oh, comparison, they are not alike. I have
shown it to other persons repeatedly, but they
fail to recognize it. It is about eight feet high,
- well branched from the ground up. I think it
would make a fine ornamental hed.^e plant,
though I have not tried to grow it ftom cut-
tings."

[There are many varieties of the English Haw-
thorn, CralcEgua acyacantha. This ia one of

thom, with leaves rather more divided than the
common forms.] . '

Rhododendegis'S.— Ab wearo Tvritlng, 33o8tou
is having a rhododendron show. We have had
kind invitations from Prof. Sargeut, Mr., Wilder,
and o'.her friends to corao on and enjoy it;
but unfortunately our duties here keep ys from
the great Qoral feast. It. is only when wo get
perfectly desperate that we get up and run avray
somewhere, and wo may do that yet this sutu-
raer; but wo have, not quite reached that point
yet Still a rhododendron show is a groat
temptation, and we really envy our Bostoa
friends. The progress which gardening 13
making in that city reflects credit on its public
spirited citizens.

Lily frost Tyro, Miss. — Some tirao in the
winter a subscriber from this part of the world
sent us a root for a name. It is now in flower,
and proves to be Lilium superbum.

Heating by Hot Water.— -P. L. 5., saya:
"I have been much interested in the different
opinions given in your excellent periodical, the
Gardener's Monthly, upon boating by hot water,
but I do not yet understand as well as I would
wish. I think a correspondent some months
since, who signed his initials F. N. E., if I
remember correctly, spoke of beating lofty build-
ings. This it is in which I am more particular-
ly interested, and would feel greatly obliged for
further information from the correspondent
referred to."

ISTAiiES OF Plants. — W. T., Union Cenieic-
ry, Kansas City, Mo., writes : "I send you a
sprig of a beautiful bush, which is growing on a
high rocky place. The fragrance of its bloom' is
very sweet. [Rhamnus lanceolatus.] Also the
bloom with stem and leaves of a little plant,
which I don't remember of meeting- with before.
It ia growing on rocky ground in the bush, near
a spring. I would call it a primrose, but it has
but four stameus. [AphyllonuniQora.] Please
give me their name through tho Monthly.''^

Cross Fertilization. — "Paris, 14th June,
1873. The ReV. L. J. Templin and myself are
pretty well agreed as to the cross fertilizationiof
corn, IniL I fear he has slightly misunderstood
me on one point. He says : 'Mr. Arnoldr'sex-
perim* iv.s cera to bo conclusive tha't the'. imme-
diate irmt is aHccted by the cross;-' 1 would

187S.

THE GARDENER'S MOJ^THLY.

217

now beg to say that in my opinion it is a rare
occurrence for foreign pollen to have an imme-
diate effect upon the pulp surrounding the seed
of an apple or pear. I hope the important point
in my article in your April number will be kept
in view, viz. : superfcetatt'on, in other words, one

individual seed being formed by the joint influ-
ence of several varieties of pollen upon one stig-
ma. This I am confident will be found to be
true as regards corn, and I am of opinion will be
found to be equally true with various fruits.
Charles Arnold."

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, ETC

Landscape Architectthje By H. W. S ,
Cleveland. Chicago : Janson, McClurg & Co.
This is an essay, or rather a scries of essays, by
a distinguished landscape gardener, on the
arrangement of cities, parks, gardens, and
grounds, as suited to the wants of man rather
than as an abstract art. For this reason he has
chosen Landscape Architecture as a term to ex-
press the direction of his thoughts, rather than
the term landscape gardening. Mr. C. has writ-
ten this little book, he says, especially in view of
the wants of the West, in the hope that new
towns, which are continually springing up, may
avoid the mistakes of older ones. All who have
given intelligent attention to the arrangements
of old places, well know what excellent examples
most of them afford as to what not to do, and it
is somewhat astonishing that western people do
not improve on the mistakes of others. New
York and Philadelphia — we refer to them only
because we happen to know more of their wants
and weaknesses, and not that they are alone —
both found to their sorrow that beauty builds up
a town as much as business ; and Fairmount
and Central Parks, with other public works of a
similar character, are the patches placed on in
the endeavor to improve the original misfit
Yet numberless new places are going up utterly
ignorant of the wonderful beauties they possess,
which would be worth lialf their town to the people
did they know their value, and take care to pre-
serve them. This is just as true of small settle
ments, and indeed of individual properties as of
cities ; and thousands annually destroy beauties
in building, indeed make things ugly and incon-

venient because they koew not of the advantages
by which they were surrounded. Most people
suspect this before they begin to build. It ia
quite possible that the propriety of consulting a
landscape gardener occurred, or was suggested
to them ; but it must be confessed that the
results as shown by the works of some excellent
landscape gardeners, have not been always such
as to encourage the tasteless to make use of their
services. Garden artists too often forget that
stern utility is at the bottom of most garden
arrangements, and not merely the creation of
some living picture of fairy land. Garden art
should not bow wholly to utility — at the same
time it should never be forgotten that this is not
a co\l, hard hearted, barren world. After our
physical wants have been served, there is noth-
ing which " pays " like bf^auly ; and those ci<^ieg,
and those individuals who the most fully appre-
ciate this, are destined in this great country to
be classed among those who are " the healthy,
wealthy and wise,"

We are glad to find a landscape gardener of
Mr. Cleveland's great reputation working so
well in this field. His little book cannot cost
much from its size, and we should like to know
that it has n good circulation.

Catalogue of W. Watson, Brenham,
Tbx.\s. The publisher desires to return thanks
U) Jlr. Watson for a kind notice of the Monthly
which appears in his new descriptive catalogue
just issued. The catalogue is a neat pamphlet of
fifty pages, and gives pretty full descriptions of
the plants and fruits popular in the South.

218

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TELY.

July,

NEW AND KAHE FRUITS.

Beatrice Peach.— In various papers there
are notices recently of the Beatrice peach, in
which the writers "understand"' such and such
things "about" it. Information is wanted as
to what people know of it. It is always to be
taken with considerable allowances when any-
thing is announced as so very rquch earlier than
other things. Still some people have faith in
the Beatrice. One peach raiser in Maryland
has set out 15,000 trees of it the past spring.

The Caroon Cherry.— The Bucks County
Intelligencer says the most i)opular cherry of that
region is the Caroon. It is, it says, rather large,
solid, white and pink, and probably belongs to
the Biggareaus. They are excellent for eating,
baking or preserving.

SouLARD Crab Apple. — " The Soulard ap-
ple is a variety originated at Galena, by James
G. Soulard, for forty-five years a nurseryman
and orchardist in the West, and the first Presi-
dent of the Jo Davies County Horticultural So-
ciety. The Soulard apple has been grown and
fruited many years as far north as St. Paul, and
its hardihood is established beyoad all question.
As a dessert fruit the Jo Davies County Horti-
cultural Society voted unanimously that it was
the best of any known variety of its season— a
compliment paid no other sort— Garden pt's
Monlhly.'>'>

This implies that the Soulard won't grow
north of St. Paul. We beg to assure the Month-
ly that the Soulard grows at Pembina, more
than 300 miles from St. Paul. The Soulard of
all other crabs, is the most valuable. It cannot
be used as an eating apple. It is bitter, worse
than a quince, but for preserves it is quite equal
if not superior to the quince. We consider it
today the most valuable fruit grown in the
Northwest.- Farmer's Union, Minneapolis.

The Crawford and Sterling Straw

BERRIES. — The following is a description of the
two berries, written by F. R. Elliott in 1870 :

" At the Exhibition of the East Cleveland
Horticultural Society, held in June, the 10th
inst., Mr. Matthew Crawford exhibited some
very choice new seedling strawberries, and we
are indebted to him since then for samples from
which to make notes and descriptions, as fol-
lows :

"The Margaret is an unusually deep colored
berry, and to the eye of an expert in fruits it
exhibits richness in the quality of its flesh with
delicacy, and not too much of acid to make it
pleasant to eat out of hand, but is too dark, we
think, to ever become popular as a market ber-
ry. It is about as large as the ' Triomph de
Gand,' is more uniform in shape, being of broad,
conical form, with the surface more or less un-
even. Its color is a deep purplish or liver-like
red, and on the upper or sunny side, the seeds
are mere dents, but on the under side the seeds
are yellow, sharply pointed and prominent ; the
flesh is firm, of a crimson-red in centre and dark-
ening toward the outer rim ; is juicy, rich, and
not too acid. The Margaret, Mr. Crawford
writes us, has taken two first premiums, one for
the best seedling and one for the best flavored
berry.

"In the Sterling the originator has a berry
that, if its productiveness half equals its appear-
ance and firmness, will become a popular mar-
ket berry. In appearance it resembles a well
formed and thoroughly ripeued ' Triomph de
Gand'; being of a regular broad or obovate, coni-
cal form, a rich, glossy, vermillion-red, thickly
studded with golden yellow seed prominently on
the surface. The flesh is quite firm, of a vermil-
lion-red, and having a white rim around the
core, is rich, sprightly and brisk, slightly acid,
but not so much so as the ' Wilson.' In appear-
ance, size and quality, it has all the good points
of a market berry, and it only remains to be
seen how productive it is in varied soils and
locations.'

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

%19

NEW AND MTIE PLANTS.

Perpettjal Flowered Carnation, La
Belle. — Of late years the perpetual flowering
carnations have made themselves essential to
all who have flowers. Few persons outside of
the large cities have any idea of the enormous
quantity grown for cut flower purposes. Many
a greenhouse is devoted entirely to their growth,
and the flowers varying from two to five dollars
per hundred are readily sought for by persons
in the cut flower trade. The worst feature is
the straggling habit of growth, but when at-
tached to frames and trained, this bad habit is
turned into "just the thing."

The accompanying is an illustration of ia
Bdle, as recently exhibited at one of the London
shows. It shows how they may be trained to

advantage. Besides this they are led over flat
trellises, and where the greatest number of flow-
ers in the smallest possible space is not an object,
in which case the balloon trellis has the advan-
tage ; a flat trellis makes a very pretty affair.
Of this new variety, La Belle, the English papers
speak very enthusiastically. A London paper
says:

"The forerunner of a new race of varieties of
the highest possible value. The flowers, of the
purest white, are very large and smooth, perfect-
ly double, and delightfully fragrant, and are
produced all the year round in such profusion
that one or more plants should be grown where-
ever cut blooms are in request."

A New Style of Pansy. — The London
Journal of Horticulture says: "M. E. Benary,
a horticulturist at Erfurt, announces a new Pan-
By, which has large flowers of a splendid ultrr.-

marine blue, with a well formed eye of very deep
violet-purple. They are also of good substance,
have strong stalks, and stand well above the
leaves. M". Benary has named it ' Viola tri-
color, var. maxima Emperor William,' and
states that the variety reproduces itself with
certainty from seed."

Primula Japonica.— Though so recently in-
troduced, this has already been broken up into
many distinct varieties. Mr. Bull announces
the following kinds :

Primula Japonica alba. This variety pro-
duces white flowers with a golden yellow zone
round the eye.

Primula Japonica carminata. Pure carmine
red, with a maroon crimson ring round the eye.

Primula Japonica lilacina. Eye surround-
ed by a zone of orange red, shading outwards to
a beautiful rosy lilac, the outer portion of the
corolla lobes being white.

Primula Japonica rofea. Very distinct,
with flowers of a lilac rose, and having a crim-
son ring round the eye.

Primula Japonica splendida. Flowers of a
deep bright magenta, the zone of a rich, bright
crimson color.

Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora.—
This is a handsome shrubby plant, from 20 to
over 30 inches high, introduced from Japan
about the year 1864 by M. Siebdld. The flow-
ers, which are produced in a dense, handsome
panicle, are at first white, and afterwards pass
through various shades of rose color to a violet-
red, changing at last to a greenish brown, so
that their appearance varies from day to day.
It is exceedingly ornamental, thrives in almost
any soil or position, is quite hardy, and can be
propagated with the greatest facility from cut-
tings.

Cut-Leaved Weeping Birch —In a list of
rare trees, (to the Iowa Homestead, we believe),
Mr. D. W. Adams, of Waukon, Iowa, says:
"The Cut-Leaved Weeping Birch is another
tree comparatively seldom seen here, which is
equally hardy, very thrifty, and with age be-
comes a perfect beauty. It should be better
known. A specimen in my lawn, planted nine

^20

THE aARDEJVER'S MOJTTHLY.

July,

years ago at one year old, now measures twenty-
four inches in circumference at the ground, and
is much admired."

BouYARDiA Vreelandii figured a few
years ago in the Gardener''s Monthly, is also
becoming popular in England. Mr. Standish
says of it : "As a Bedding Plant, this beauti-
ful plant, which is so universally admired for
greenhouse cultivation, has proved itself un-
equalled for bedding out. If placed in a rich
border about the middle of May it will very
speedily become a mass of flowers, retaining its
beauty till late in the autumn ; the plants, if
then lifted and protected, will continue to bloom
some months."

Abutilon Boule de Neige.— The rather
new white Abutilon is now generally known and
valued for winter flowering. It is not however
a very clear white. This is said to be an im-
provement. The flowers, as the name indicates,
are of the purest white. The plant, which is of
the most robust and vigorous habit, throws its
flowers outside the foliage, thus making it
always attractive. It has successfully withstood
the winter in the South of France, which will
make it invaluable for sub-tropical planting in
this climate.

Aqtjilegia leptocera lutea. — We can en-
dorse what is said of the following in the Gardeyt,
as we saw it in flower in a garden near Philadel-
phia last summer. It is about two weeks after
Aquilegia canadensis in blossoming, and contin-
ues through most of the season :

" AVe are much pleased to notice the introduc-
tion of a new yellow-flowered Columbine (Aqui-
legia leptocera lutea), which is thus described in
the catalogue of Messrs. Backhouse & Son, York,
just received by us. ' This is unquestionably
one of the finest perennials we ever introduced.
Its large golden-yellow, long-spurred flowers are
produced in great abundance from densely-tufted
plants, which maintain a long succession of
bloom. This species has not yet flowered with
us ; but magnificent dried specimens of the
blossoms have been forwarded to us from North
America. These are not unlike very large ex-
amples of A. coerulea, with long straight horns.
So far as we can ascertain, this plant has noth-
ing whatever to do with A. aurea of Roezl, of
which the flower is scarcely half the size, of a
sulphur yellow shaded with green.' "

Anemoke japonica. -Is not this good old
plant again losing caste amongst us as a bedding
plant ? We possess three or more varieties, and
very beautiful objects they are when in bloom.
They thrive well in moist situations, and will
flourish on a damp cool soil, flowering freely
where many plants would not. Besides you
may plant them almost anywhere in a flower
garden, and they seem to prosper with ordinary
attention. Where the summer display is not
required in perfection until late in July or Au-
gust, this is a peculiarly useful subject for the
centre of beds, as it tends to increase the variety
of contrasts, and to multiply effects, such as are
not seen where vivid colors alone are displayed
or employed. — William Earley, in Garden-
er''s Chronicle.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

The Salway Peach.— In speaking of this
new late peach, which is exciting considerable
interest just now, both in England and this
country, Mr. Pullen, in a note to the Maryland
Farmer, says : " The Salway Peach is, as you
will observe, a large yellow freestone of very
high color and remarkably handsome. It ripens
after the Smock and therefore adds several days
to the peach season. It is an English peach and
was first imported about five years ago."

Mr. Nefl", of Oliio, having fruited the Salway,
says he finds it hardy, a good grower and pro-
ductive, and endorses all that Mr. Pullen says
in its favor. It was briefly noticed in the Re-
port of the Committee on Foreign Fruits, to the
American Poraological Society, at Richmond,
last fall, as "a variety of considerable promise
for all Southern peach growing localities, and
described as large to very large in size, creamy
yellow, with a thick, deep yellow tlesh stained

187S.

TEE GARDEJ\rER'S MONTHLY.

^U

with red at the stone, and in season according
to climate, from October first to November
10th." In the middle cotton belt it will ripen
from the 20th August to 15th September.

Mr. Gaines, of Alabama, informs us that he
has fruited it the present season and thinks well
of it, but decidedly prefers the Picquet's Late,
which ripens about the same season. Both are
undoubtedly very fine varieties, and should be
generally tested for market purposes, as good
peaches never fail to command high prices
"about these days."

Mushrooms at Washington.— The system
so successfully practiced by the Parisians for
several j'ears past of propagating the mushroom,
and thus insuring a constant and fresh supply of
this delicious esculent, has been introduced in
the gardens of the Executive Mansion in this
city by Mr. T. P. Hoover, under the direction
of General Babcock, Superintendent of Public
Buildings and Grounds. Mr. Hoover has paid
a great deal of attention to this subject, and has
for the last two years been experimenting in San
Francisco, whex'e he was very successful in
raising the mushroom by means of sj^awn.
There is no delicacy that combines to the same

extent the best qualities of the animal and vega-
table kingdom, and none that is more thorough-
ly appreciated by the \>on vivant and epicure.
Heretofore the mushroom could only be obtained
in its purity in certain seasons, and we were
compelled to rely almost entirely upon the
canned preparations, and even then doubts were
entertained as to its genuineness— the wild spe-
cies often containing specimens that were poi-
sonous. The bed planted by Mr. Hoover is in a
flourishing condition, and we understand that
he has also supplied the Arlington and Worm-
leys with a similar arrangement in their cellars.
The cost of construction and planting the bed is
only about one hundred dollars, from which an
almost unlimited supply of this desirable vege-
table can be obtained and multiplied indefinitely
by spawn at a trifling expenditure. After the
bed is prepared and the spawn is procured, there
is very little additional expense, inasmuch as the
proper degree of heat is derived from the furnace
or steam with which the buildings are warmed.
They only require a certain degree of heat and
moisture, are easily managed, and I should not
be surprised if the system were generally adopted
by the leading hotels throughout the country. —
Daily Paper.

HORTICULTURAL NOTICES.

AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY-
FOURTEENTH SESSION, AT BOSTON,
COMMENCING SEPTEMBER 10, 1873.

PREMIUM LIST.

Five Hundred Dollars has been offered by the
Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agricul-
ture, and One Hundred Dollars, each, is tender-
ed by the following gentlemen, for Premiums,
and the promotion of the objects of the Society,
vi^!. :

Hon. Albert Fearing, Pres't. of Hingham Ag'l Soc.
John Cummings, Esq., Pres't. of Middlesex Ag'l

Society.
Dr. Nathan Durfee, Ex-Pres't. Bristol Central Ag'l

Society.
Wm. Knowlton, Esq., Ex-Pres't. Worcester S. E.

Ag'l Society.

Charles O. Whitmore, Esq., of Bobton.
Gardner Brewer, Esq., of Boston.

The following Prizes will therefore be oflfered,
in accordance with the above generous dona-
tions :

APPLES.

For the largest and best collection of Apples,
correctly named, from any State or Society, three
of each variety, 1st Premium, the Society's Sil-
ver Medal and Fifty Dollars. 2nd Premium,
the Society's Bronze Medal and Twenty-five
Dollars.

For the larsest and best collection of Apples,
correcUy named, grown by one individual, three
specimens of each variety, 1st Premium, the
Society's Silver Medal and Fifty Dollars. 2nd
Premium, the Society's Bronze Medal and $2-^.00

^M

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY,

July,

PEARS.

For the largest and best collection of Pears,
correctly named, from any State or Society, three
of each variety, 1st Premium, the Society's Sil-
ver Medal and Fifty Dollars. 2nd Premium,
the Society's Bronze Medal and Twenty-five
Dollars.

For the largest and best collection of Pears,
correctly named, grown by one individual, three
of each variety, 1st Premium, the Society's Sil
ver Medal ani Fifty Dollars. 2nd Premium,
the Society's Bronze Medal and Twenty-five
Dollars.

GRAPES.

For the largest and best collection of named
Na'ive Grapes, from any State or Soc'ety, three
bunches of each variety, 1st Premium, the Socie-
ty's Silver Medal and Fifty Dollars. 2nd Pre-
mium, the Society's Bronze Medal and Twenty-
five Dollars.

For the largest and best collection of named
Native Grapes, grown by one individual, three
bunches each variety, Ist Premium, the Society's
Silver Medal and Fifty Dollars 2nd Premium,
the Society's Bronze Medal and Twenty-five
Dollars.

For the largest and best collection of named
Grapes grown west of the Rocky Mountains,
two bunches each variety. Premium, the Socie-
ty's Silver Medal and Fifty Dollars.

For the largest and best collection of Native
Grapes, correctly named, grown south of the
Southern line of Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri,
Ac, two bunches of each variety. Premium, the
Society's Silver Medal and Fifty Dollars.

For the largest and best collection of Grapes
grown under glass, two bunches each variety.
Premium, the Society's Silver Medal and Fifty
Dollars.

PEACHES.

For the largest and best collection of Peaches,
correctly named, from any State or Society,
three each variety, 1st Premium, the Society's
Silver Medal and Fifty Dollars. 2nd Premium,
the Society's Bronze Medal and Twenty-five
Dollars.

For the largest and best collection of Peaches,
correctly named, grown by one individual, three
of each variety, 1st Premium, the Society's Sil-
ver Med 4 and Fifty Dollars. 2nd Premium,
the Society's Bronze Medal and Tvventy-five
Dollars.

PLUMS.

For the largest and best collection of Plums,
correctly named, from any State or Society, three
of each variety, 1st Premium, the Society's Sil-
ver Medal and Fifty Dollars. 2ud Premium,
the Society's Bronze Medal and Twenty-five
Dollars.

For the largest and best collection of Plums,
correctly named, grown by one individual, three
specimens of each variety, 1st Premium, the
Society's Silver Medal and Fifty Dollars. 2nd
Premium, the Society's Bronze Medal and
Twenty-five Dollars.

SEEDLING FRUITS.

For the best collection of seedling Apples,
grown by one individual, Premium, the Society's
Silver Medal.

For the best collection of seedling Pears, grown
by one individual, Premium, the Society's Sil-
ver Medal.

For the best collection of seedhng hardy Na-
tive Grapes, either from native seeds or hybrids,
grown by one individual, Premium, the Society's
Silver Medal.

For the best collection of seedling Plums,
grown by one individual. Premium, the Society's
Silver Medal.

For the best collection of seedling Peaches,
grown by one individual, Premium, the Society's
Silver Medal.

FIGS.

For the best collection of fresh Figs grown in
open air. Premium, the Society's Silver Medal.

For the best exhibition of Dried Figs, grown
and cured in the United States, Premium, the
Society's Silver Medal.

ORANGES,

For the best collection of Oranges grown in
open air. Premium, the Society's Silver Medal.

LEMONS.

For the best collection of Lemons grown in
open air, Premium, the Society's Silver Medal.

RAISINS.

For the best exhibition of, grown and cured
in the United States, Premium, the Society's
Silver Medal.

DRIED FRUITS.

For the largest and best collection of, with full
description and expense of process. Premium,
the Society's Silver Medal.

CANNED FRUITS.

For the largest and best collection of, giving
full description of process and expenses, Premi-
um, the Society's Silver Medal.

187S.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^'TRLY,

228

Premiums are subject to the general rule of
restriction, that where objects are not worthy,
prizes will be withheld. No State, Society, or in-
dividual can compete for more than one premi-
um with the same variety or varieties of fruits.

PBOGBAMME OF BUSINESS

HOURS OF MEETING.

Wednesday, 10 o'clock in the morning, and 3
o'clock in the afternoon.

Thursday, 9 o'clock in the morning, and 3
o'clock in the afternoon.

Friday, 10 o'clock in the morning, and 3
o'clock in the afternoon.

Rules for Speaking. — Five minutes, and no
person to speak more than twice on the same
subject without leave.

Wednesday, 10 A. M. Introductory Exerci-
ses ; Appointment of Committees, viz. : on Cre-
dentials, on Nomination of Officers, on Record
of Fruits Exhibited, on Awards of Premiums.

3 P. M. President's Address ; Reports of
Committee on Credentials, and on Nomination
of Officers ; Election of Officers ; Reception of
Treasurer's Report ; Discussion in regard to
place of holding next meeting; also, in regard to
what measures the Society will take to partici-
pate in the International Exhibition of 1876, in
Philadelphia ; and in reference to the policy of
awarding premiums by this Society.

Thursday, 9 A. M. Reports of Standing Com-
mittees ; Discussion of the value of fruits enu-
merated in the Catalogue, as indicated by stars,
to be called by the Secretary, in alphabetical
order, as follows : Apples, Pears, Grapes, etc.,
etc. At the close of each division, statements
relative to new varieties will be received.

Friday, 10 A. M. Reports of Committees on
Fruits Exhibited, and on Premiu ns ; Reception
of Essays; Completion of discussion on values
of fruits, as per catalogue, and introduction of
names of new va-ieties.

3 P. M. Resolutions, etc.; Adjournment.

ESS A YS.
The following persons were appointed at the
last meeting to prepare Essays, as folloivs, viz.:
Hon. W. C. Flags, Illinois, on Diseased Apple

Trees, and their Cause.
Wm. Saunders, Esq., District Columbia, on

Theory and Practice of Pruning.
Thomas Meehan, Esq., Pennsylvania, on Fungi

on Fiuit, and Fruit Diseases, as Cause,

Result, or Concomitants of one another.

P. J. Berckmans, Esq., Georgia, on Cause, Re-
medy, or Preventative of Pear Blight.
In addition to the above, the following named

gentlemen have been invited, and are expected

to prepare short, condensed practical essays, or

papers, as follows :

Prof. Louis Agassiz, of Harvard University,
Massachusetts, on the Geological Age of
Fruit- Bearing Plants.

Dr. John Strentzel, California, on the Cultiva-
tion of the Fig in the United States.

Dr. E. S. Hull, Illinois, on Root Pruning, and
how to grow the fairest fruit.

Mark Miller, Esq., Iowa, on Fruit Growing,
and Varieties in Iowa and other Western
States.

Geo. W. Campbell, Esq., Ohio, on Grapes, Cul-
ture, Varieties, etc.

C. M. Hovey, Esq., Massachusetts, on Pear .
Culture.

P. Barry, Esq., New York, on How to Grow
and Keep Pear Trees in vigor and shape.

Robert Manning, Esq., Massachusetts. Is there
a permanent decline in the Apple Tree and
its Crop in New England ?

P. T. Quinn, Esq., New Jersey, on the Exhaus-
tion of Fruit Trees, and the remedy there-
for.

Josiah Hoopes, Esq., Pennsylvania, on the In-
fluence of the Stock on the Graft, or of the
Graft on the Stock.

A. S. Fuller, Esq , New Jersey, on Culture and
Varieties of Small Fruits.

Wm. Parry, Esq., New Jersey, on the Cultiva-
tion and Varieties of the Apricot and Plum.

W. C. Barry, Esq , N'^w York, on the Keeping
and Ripening of the Apple, Pear, and Grape.

F. R. Elliott, Esq , Ohio, on the Cherry.

THE BOSTON RHODODENDRON SHOW.

Boston, June 11 —It has often been remarked
that there is always one thing specially worth
seeing in Boston— sometimes a dozen such — but
always one, of some sort or other, and varying
from month to month and year to year. Just
now the thing to be seen is the flower show on
the common, which is not only a very lovely
sight in itself, but the first, best and only ex'nbi-
tion of the sort that ^las ever been seen in New
England. It is shown under a huge tent about
midway of the common, but nearer Fremont
and Beacon street, and occupies something more

njf

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY.

July,

than half an acre of ground, the tent being 300
feet long by 80 wide. This ground, a few weeks
ago, was an unsightly hollow, upon which the
muddy ice of the long winter had been carted,
and, melting away, had left a sort of dirty j
slough. The Massachusetts Horticultural Socie-
ty put its workmen there, under the direction of |
a landscape gardener, and backed by Mr. HoUis ,
Hunnewe'l with his millions— expended S10,000
in making knolls, lawns and paths in miniature, |
and in transplanting from Mr. Hunnewell's
grounds at Ne^dham, some hundreds of his mag-
nificent rhododendrons and azaleas — and the
result is worthy of fairy land. As you enter the
tent from the Park street end, the west end being j
closed, you walk through a short avenue of tree
ferns, palms and other tropical and Australian \
plants, down a sloping path which presently
branches on either side, and is bordered with
gorgeous azaleas in full bloom and of a dozen j
shades of color. Directly in front of you, in the
centre of the tent, is an oval mass of rhododen- ;
drons, perhaps covering .30 square rods, and }
rising from all sides toward the middle. The
path runs around this, ascending as you ap-
proach the farther end of the tent, and bordered
on the opposite sides of the tent with a well
turfed strip, interspersed with single i)lants of
the rhododendron family. At the height of land
in the extreme end of the tent, is another plat or
turf also dotted with single plants and clumps
and with seats beyond, commanding a view of
the whole scene, as you look back toward the
point of entrance. Seats are scattered here and
there throughout the enclosure, and near the
middle on one side is a band of music behind a
screen of si rubbery, which plays in the evening
to the promenading crowd.

At first but a small portion of the great mass
of rhododendrons in the middle were in flower,
but every day adds to the accumulatif>n of color,
while the rich, glossy leaf is everywhere in sight,
and is only partially concealed by the full splen-
dor of the flowers. An azalea in complete blos-
som is one mass of bloom, but the rhododendron
has much more green to show, notwithstanding
the greater size of its flower clusters. Then the
azalea, with a'l its beauty, is comparatively a
common plant ; it grows wild in our woods and
swamps, and of late years has been much culti-
vated in greenhouses and gardens, while the rho-
dodendron is still unknown to half our people.
Probably not one in a hundred of those who
visit this show ever saw in their lives so many

plants of this family as are here collected. Like
the azalea, it was originally an American plant,
but the European gardeners, particularly those
of Holland, have been breeding the wild originals
into a thousand varieties of size and color, scarce-
ly any of which are known in this country, out-
side of a few gardens. The largest as well as
the choicest collection of rhododendrons in the
United States is that of Mr. Hunnewell, on his
great estate at Wellesley, from which these
plants are taken ; and one great object of the
show is to give our people ocular evidence of the
surprising beauty and x'ichness of this class of
plants, and to convince them of the ease with
which they may be cultivated. They require
protection from the severity of our winters, and
shade from the heat of summer sunshine, but
bearing this in mind they are said to be as man-
ageable as most garden plants. They ought to
be taken into the cellar in winter, like fig trees,
and, when set out, must be planted in the
shnde ; but even without these precautions they
can be kept alive, and with proper cire, as Mr.
E. S- Rand says in his book about them, "they
can be grown as easily as lilacs, and bloom as
freely ; they are attractive at all seasons ; in
^ flower they are magnificent, in foliage they ex-
cel any evergreen."

This show is the finest exiiibition of art now
open in Boston, and the art which made it pos-
sible is a very high and beautiful one. Mr.
i Hunnewell may be called an artist in flowers, as
well as a patron of art ; he knows his plants
thoroughly and individually, and gives them a
great deal of his personal attention. He is a
\ Boston millionaire, w'th his home in the sub-
j urbs, and has certainly found a wise use to
j which he may devote his surplus income. His
j rhododendrons on the common are all set out in
\ the artificial soil constructed for them by the
horticultural society ; the azaleas and smaller
I plants are generally in pots sunk almost out of
: sight in the soil. This is the English manner
j of exhibiting flowers, and Boston takes to itself
' some credit for having so good an imitation of
1 a good English fashion. The Advertiser calls it
\ "a perfect photograph of a flower show, such as
j may be seen at Regent's Park or South Kensing-
ton."' But if anybody imagines himself in Lon-
don for the moment, the Boston east wind will
undeceive him when he comes out of the tent.
It has been unwontedly cold and easterly here
for some days, indeed almost ever since June
came in. — Correspondent of a Daily Paper,

i!h^ (Sard^tt^r's M^ttthlB,

DEVOTED TO

Horticulture, Arboriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs*

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

Old Series, Vol. XV.

AUGUST, 1873. New Series, Vol. VI. No. 8.

HINTS EOH AUGUST.

FLOWER GARDEN" AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

Some time since the writer found himself in
a company comprised in part of men of great
wealth, and the other were men of great promi-
nence in science and letters. " Who is the gen-
tleman you were speaking with ?" enquired one
of the money kings, and referring to one of the
most distinguished men of the company. He

was informed that it was Dr. , well known

as a popular leader and editor of one of the most
powerful papers of the day. Oar wealthy friend
seemed incredulous. "It must be the same."
he at length remarked, half addressing himself;
"and yet he used to pull teeth for me in his
father's office when he was a young man."
There is always a surprise, and with right
minded people, a pleasant one, to know that an
old friend or acquaintance has been successful
in life— to find one who, as the world goes, is
but one of a crowd, performing his duty in that
position faithfully and well, advance to the
front, and becomes of use to thousands of others
in a way he never could in his old siation. Yet it
always takes time to reconcile us to the change.
We knew what he once was. We know our
own weaknesses, and that we should not in all
probability have deserved such success, and it
is natural to suspect that others could not have
fairly obtained what it could not be ours to do.
We find this true of our plant acquaintances, as
well as of those of flesh and blood. We knew
Coleus Blumei of old, and that he was nothing
particular to brag of; and when we heard that
he had branched out into myriads of gay colors,
and had become a great favorite with England's

aristocracy, we shook our heads, and declared
our belief that they were tpaking a great fuss
over an additional spot or so. But it proved more.
We democrats of America, as well as Euro-
pean aristocracy, had to bow down to the merits
of our humble old friend, and to-day the im-
proved Coleus stands as high as any favored
flower with us.

Then there came a time when we were told
that the English had taken the Beet into their
floral affection, and that it had risen to the front
rank in floral decoration. " Impossible." said
we. " What, the old garden Beet, whose leaves
we had thousands of times twisted off" in the
truck patch, and which was never known to be
of any use but to ignobly serve in the cook's
department!" But our surprise- again had to
give way. The old garden Beet had really be-
come a prince in the flower garden, even putting
some of its companions — richer in flowers— to
considerable shame.

Now all this, good reader, is preliminary to
introducing to your attention another old
acquaintance, which has marked virtues which
fits it for a much higher position than that
which it now occupies. We refer to the com-
mon garden Chamomile. You know we here in
the East had a terribly dry time this season.
Grass dried up ; white clover was nowhere, and
it was very hard indeed to find any low creeping
thing that was right green. But a row of cham-
omile under the writer's observation, kept its
beautiful verdure bright through to the day of
the fresh rain, as pure as on its first advent in
spring. Then it lies so flat on the ground, and
makes no attempt to throw up anything until

^26

THE GARDEJSTJER'S MOJ^THLY. August,

after raid-summer, when the flower stems could
be easily cut away, and thus keep it green, that
we really do not see why we could not make ex-
cellent use of it in a decorative way. There are
many old fashioned things that we could thus
make i;se of, and we would su2:gest here to our
friends to look through their old borders at this
time of the year, and see what can be done in
this way.

"We have learned to protect ourselves from
cold wintry winds, but the art of making a place
cool in summer is yet in its infancy. There is
nothing accomplishes this better than plenty of
grass, and the neat deciduous tree foliage. The
making of tlower beds with box edgings and
gravel walks suits Dutch and French gardening,
but it is too hot for us.

The beds should be cut in grass. Tlie walks
round about a place should also be in grass as
much as possible ; only those likely to be fre-
quently used shouhr be gravel walks. Even
these, where tan can be obtained, are much cool-
er when this mateii;\l can be used, than when
gravelled. In the planting of roads, art, as we
read it in the books, plants only in corners, and
makes its most strikmg effects to be seen from
the drives ; but American art as it should be,
plants all the chief drives with deciduous shade
trees, and yet allows you to look through be-
neath them to the beauties beyond.

The best kinds of deciduous trees for this pur-
pose are the Silver, Sugar, Sycamore and Nor-
way Maples : American, (and where the borer
is not troublesome) the English Linden ; Ameri-
can and European Ash, Horse Chestnut, Mag-
nolia tripetela and acuminata, with its first
cousin the Tulip tree ; the sweet Gums, Elms,
Kentucky Coffee and Oaks of all kinds. For
farm ronds the Cherry, Black, English and
■White AValnuts, Chestnuts, and even the Pear
may be employed. Besides these in the South
there are the Mimosa the Melia Zederack, Mag-
nolia granuiflura which, though an evergreen,
has the lightness of a deciduous tree ; besides
Live Oaks, «&c.

But besides the selection of trees for drives,
weeping trees should be liberally introduced,
Bome of which, like Weeping ashes, make cool
and shady arbors preferable to any the carpen-
ter's hand could make Of these are the large
varieties of Weeping Willow. Weeping Sophora,
Weeping Birch, Lindens, Elms, «&c., though
none equal the Ash for arbor purposes.

Then again very much may be done by plant-

ing two or three trees together so that as they
grow up, they will form natural seat backs.
For this purpose there is nothing like the Oak
tribe.

Sometimes we cannot get the coveted shade
because we have planted slow gvowin? trees —
generally the prettiest and best worth waiting
for— this may be effected by planting liberally
of Alders, Poplars and similar ephemeral trees,
to be cut awa}' as they gradually interfere with
the permanent kinds.

The planting season will soon come around,
and now is the time to look about and select the
desirable kinds, and to decide on the proper
places to set them.

The latter end of August is one of the best
seasons of the year to transplant evergreens.
The young growth of the past season has got
pretty well hardened, so as to permit of but very
little evaporation —and the earth being warm,
new roots push with great rapidity, and the tree
becomes establish d in the ground before cool
autumn winds begin. The chief difficulty is
that the soil is usually very dry, which prevents
much speed with the operation ; and the weather
being usually very warm, the trees have to be
set again in the ground almost as fast as they
are taken up ; so that it is not safe to bring them
from a distance. It is as well, therefore, to
make all ready in anticipation of a rain, when
no time may be lost in having the work pushed
through. Should a spell of dry weather ensue,
which in September and October is very likely,
one good watering should be given, sufficient
to soak well through the soil and well about the
roots. A basin should be made to keep the
water from running away from the spot, and to
assist its soaking in. After being well watered,
the loose soil should be drawn in lightly over
the watered soil, which will then aid in prevent-
ing the water from drying out soon again.

As soon in the fall as bulbs can be obtained,
they should be planted— though this will not
generally be the case till October ; but it is as
well to bear in mind that the earlier they are
planted, the liner they will flower.

Towards the end of the month, and in Sep-
tember, evergreen hedges should receive their
last pruning till the next summer. Last spring,
and in the summer, when a strong growth re-
quired 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 suf-
fered to grow any way it pleases. Now that, in

187S.

TEE GARDEJ^ER*S MOJVTHLY.

M7

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 ever-
green hedges, they ought to have a growth at the
base of at least four feet in diameter.

FRUIT GARDEN.

August and September are favorite months to
plant out Strawberries, with those who desire a
crop of fruit the next season. In making a straw-
berrj-bed a warm, dry spot of ground should be
chosen, with, if possible, a good loamy or clayey
subsoil. A moist wet situation is very unfavor-
able. It is best to subsoil at least eighteen
inches deep, and if the soil is poor, let it be mod-
erately enriched with well decayed stable man-
ure. In setting out, take care that the plants
do not become dry from the time they are t;\ken
up till they are replanted, and see that they do
not wither afterwards. Many persons cut off
the leaves, if they are afraid of their wilting
under hot suns, bat a much better plan is to
Bhade. Inverted 4-inch flower-pots are excellent
for this purpose ; they may be taken off at night.
The dews will so invigorate them, that the shade
will only be required for a few days. Sometimes
in September they may need a good watering ;
but this should never be attempted uuless a
through saturation of the bed be given ; and in
a few days after, the hoe and rake should be
employed to loosen and level the surface, which
the heavy watering will, in all probability, have
caused lobake and become very crusty.

Strawberries are best grown in beds about
four feet wide for the convenience in gathering
fruit, and giving them the best of cultivation.
About three rows in a bed, and the plants twelve
inches apart in the row, will be a good arrange-
ment.

Many kinds of fruit trees that have arrived at
a bearing age, may perhaps be growing very
vigorously and producing ver}' little or no fruit.
Those who have read our remarks in past num-
bers, will understand that whatever checks the
wood producing principle, tends to throw the
plant into a bearing state. For this purpose,
summer pruning is often employed, which, by
checking the most vigorous shoots, weakens the
whole plani, and throws it in a fruitful condi-
tion. The same result is obtained by root pru-
ning, with this difference, that by the last oper-
ation the whole of the branches are proportion-
ately checked, while by piuchingonly the strong

growing shoots, the weak ones gain at the ex-
pense of the stronger ones. Presuming that the
branches have been brought into a satisfactory -
condition in this respect, root pruning may now «
be this month resorted to. We cannot say ex-
actly how far from the trunk the roots may be -
operated on, so much depends on the age and .
vigor of the tree. In a luxuriant, healthy tree, .
one-fourth may be safely dispensed with. In a
four year old standard pear tree, for instance, '
the roots will, perhaps, have reached four feet ■
from the trunk on every side. A circle six feet
in diameter may then be cut around the stem,
extending two feet beneath the surface It is
not necessary to dig out the soil to accomplish
the result ; a strong post spade, or strong spade
of any kind, may be driven down vigorously
describing the circle, and doing the work very
effectually. Of all trees, the peach is as much
benefitted by root pruning as any.

The Grape vine at this season will require
attention, to see that the leaves are all retained
healthy till thoroughly ripened. It is not a sign,
of healthiness for a vine to grow late ; on the
contrary, such late growth generally gets killed
in the winter— but the leaves should all stay on,
to insure the greatest health of the vine, until
the frost comes, when they should all be so ma-
ture as to fall together. Frequent heavy syring-
ings are amongst the best ways to keep off in-
sects from out-door grapes, and so protect the
foliage from their ravages.

A little trimming is useful to most trees at
this season. The Blackberry and Raspberry
may have their tops shortened so as to leave the
canes about four feet. Some do this earlier in
the season, but the buds are apt to burst if done
too soon. In like manner, pear aiid apple trees
that grow well, but produce no fruit, are benefit-
ted by having, say half of some of the young
growth cut back. The buds then left are very
likely to form flower buds, in place of growth
buds for next season. Many take out the old
shoots of raspberry and blackberry after they
have done bearing, and we have in times past
recommended it ourselves ; but on further obser-
vation, we see very little good, if not positive
injury. The partial shade the old stems make,
seems rather beneficial than otherwise under our
hot suns. Frequently the sun shining on the
hot ground, seems particularly favorable to
fungoid developement. The lower leaves then
fall before the wood is ripe, when it dies in the.
winter, and is not liardy.

^^8

THE GARBEJ^'-EB'S MONTHLY. August,

VEGETABLE GARDEN.

Towards the end of the month, a sowing of Spin-
ach may be made in rich soil, which will come
in use before winter. That desired for winter
and early spring use, is usually sown in Septem-
ber in this region. A few Turnips may be also
sown for an early crop, but will be hot and strin-
gy unless the soil is very rich.

As fast as endive is desired for salad, it should
be blanched. Matting thrown over is the best
for this purpose, as the plants are not so liable
to rot as when pots or boards are employed. In
cold or mountainous regions. Melons are hasten-
ed in the ripening process and improved in flavor
by a piece of tile being placed under the fruit.

Celery will require earthing up as it grows, to

get it to blanch well. It is not well, however,
to commence too early, as earthing up tends in
a slight degree, to weaken the growth of the
plants. Take care also, not to let the soil get into
the heart in earthing, or the crown is apt to rot.
At this season of the year, more than perhaps
at any other, it is important to hoe and rake be-
tween the rows of growing crops. A loose sur-
face soil not only admits the various gases that
the roots luxuriate in, but it also prevents evap-
oration and checks a too great absorbtion of
heat, and then, besides all this, the weeds are
kept down, and neatness and order reigns. After
every heavy shower, if the time can at all be
spared, the hoe and the rake should be freely
employed.

C 0 M M U INM C A T I 0 TS' S.

RECOLLECTION'S OF AUSTRALIA.

BY W. T. HARDING, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE,
COLUMBUS. OHIO.

Certainly no potentate's couch, surrounded
with all the skill and mystery of the upholster-
er's art, was equal to mine ; so beautifully draped
and curtained was my forest bed, with climbing
plants,vines and creepers,of multifarious habits,
foliage and flowers. Such a bed, and such a
spot, would have been all the novelist could de-
sire for his heroine to repose on, when driven
from home by a cruel and unrelenting paterfa-
milias And it answered every desired purpose
for me too, an unromantic traveler.

In a grove of Fliudersia australis, Banksias,
of several kinds. Acacias, Driandrias, Melaleu-
cas, Grevellias, and the beautiful foliaged ever-
green. Stenocarpu? Cunniughamii, all beautiful,
the latter especially so, among the many rare,
choice^ good and uncommon stove and green-
house plants in the valuable collection of C. S.
Sargent, Esq , of Brookline, near Boston, may
be seen a handsome specimen. From the upper
branches of the above named evergreens, hung
the singular climber, Cassytha cuscut.iformis, or
scrub vine. It is a curious semi-parasite, which
tenaciouslyfastens upon the trunks and branches
of whatever trees are within its reach, and
where ever it touches, throws out rootlets, which
penetrate the bark and draw their nutriment
therefrom. As a vine cr climber, this vegetable

vampire bears no resemblance lo any other in
the vegetable kingdom. Its general form and
appearance may be compared to thousands of
long green wires dangling in the wind. It is
entirely destitute of leaves and produces little
white flowers, which protrude from the scales,
which closely cover the stem. It is exceedingly
hard and heavy, and about as tough as telegraph
wire.

In heavy and rich masses, grew the handsome
Ripogonum album, an evergreen climber of the
smilax family, while among its glossy green foli-
age, beautiful white florets were plentifully
scattered, like tiny rosettes in a garland. Its
average growth is from six to eight feet high. I
have not met with it in this country, which is
rather surprising, as it is worthy of cultivation,
and would be a decided acquisition to the florist
for decorative purposes. It would help to vary
the very popular Myrisiphyllum asparagoides,
whose elegant and graceful streamers wave to
the harmony of motion with the form of many a
beautiful maiden, whose charms are still more
ftiscinating when smilax lends its aid. It is like
getting a glimpse of heaven s own when we see
lovely womau, the type of an angel, with a
wreath or tire of smilax upon her snowy brow.
Gentle reader, pardon my divergent rambling.
It seems so natural to associate God's best gift
to man with the other beautiful flowers which
adorn the world we live in.

1873.

THE GARBEJ^EWS MOJVTHLY.

229

"And bid me not from memory's land,
Cull fair flowers of rich perfume,"
80 we will gather as we go along.

It is presumed that we are not pressed by
Time, although he is said to v^ait for no man;
80 let us linger beneath the old gura tree, and
observe how the stags horn fern, Platycerium
grande clings to the trunk of the mighty colos
sus, whoiBe ponderous bulk, silent and solemn as
the Sphinx, towers up like a vegetable monu-
ment, hundreds of feet high in the solitary wil-
derness.

In close companionship with this very pecu-
liar fern, is an Orchid, Pendrobium minutum, a
pretty little variety, bearing white flowers ; and
yet another, more curious still, D. pugioniform
with its dagger-shaped leaves and beautiful yel-
low flowers. As most of the Monihly^s readers
are aware, the Nat-Ord. Orchidese is considered
the most curious, beautiful and fragrant of all
"Flora's'' offerings, and are much admired by
all her vocaries. Every day's experience convin-
ces us that as they are becoming more generally
known, they are consequently better understood
and appreciated. At present they are attracting
much attention from a deserving public, who
need only to see them to admire. Thanks to
Mr. Taplin, whose interesting communications
graces the Monthly's pages at intervals, for
bringing them into notice. In the cultivation
and management of Orchids, there is some skill
required, no doubt, but none of the mystery with
which they were formerly surrounded, and as
Mr. T. alleges, any one n:iay grow some of them
if they have a common greenhouse. Ilowever,
I will not anticipate our good friend with any
remarks about their culture, as he is fully able
and willing to instruct all who desire to learn,
and so plain are his directions, that "he who
runs may read."

I trust the time is not far distant when we
shall hear the gentle women discussing the beau-
ty and merits of their Calandenias, Maxilhuias,
Noettias,Gongoras, Cymbidiums, Epideudrums,
Caitleyas, Dendrobiums, Zygopetalums, Gastro-
deas, Vandas, Aerides, Anpectochelus, Lselias,
Phaloenopsis, Oncidiums, Slanhopeas, &c., with
all the zeal and enthusiasm becoming the fair
ones. But what awful names, says Mrs. B. Or-
chis ; do you think I shall ever remember them ?
Yes, good lady, just as well as the names of any
of your true friends whom you love or esteem.
So write an order for one hundred selected kinds
to Mr. George Such, or John Cadness, while I

return again to the readers, and portray a scene
at the antipodes.

It was a bright Australian morning, with a
clear and exhilarating atmosphere, which
seemed to infuse us with new life, and with a
bouyancy of feeling — a freshness of body and
mind, which makes us feel young again. Al-
though so fearfully hot at times, the beginning
of day is generally cool and salubrious. The
denizens; of the forest are early astir, and with
strange and discordant yells, shrieks, whoops,
croaks and cries, usher in the new born day.
Both the fauna and flora seemed to be influenced
alike, to be cheery and blythe. What an enjoy-
ment the traveler feels too, when his brow is
fanned with the flower-laden zephyrs which
float in the air. Here the naturalist and botan-
ist especially may find a broad field and a long
range to study their favorite sciences in. On
every side are presented so many beautiful and
interesting objects.

The dew-drops glitter and twinkle like lucid
pearls, hanging pendant from foliage and flow-
ers, and sparkle and flash like liquid diamonds,
bending the green grass blades. O Nature 1
how sweet are thy charms when so lovingly seen
in the rosy morning's first blushes. How
delightful to explore the forest jungles— the
rocky defiles and silent glens, and gaze upon
new scenes in those primeval spots for the first
visited or seen by civilized man, and from con-
templating Nature, look up to Nature's God.

Looking downwards, we see the simple and
tiny mosses and delicate tracery of fern life.
How admirable I How beautiful are they I
Looking upwards, behold the mighty old and
hoary Eucalyptus— massive, sombre and grim,
in their loneliness, and pause and marvel at their
vast proportions,

"Flinging their shadows from on high,
For Time to count his ages by."
The unti-aveled reader can scarcely form an idea
of the enormous pondrosity of trunk, and the
altitudes they reach, unless he actually see
them. Imagine a tree nearly five hundred feet
high, and compare it with the loftiest you have
around you, and the one will appear a pigmy
and the other a giant.

Midway between Tambarora and a low moun-
tain, called "Monkey Hill,'' on an extensive
tract of forest land, and known to the miners by
the classical name of '• Sally's Flats,'' were some
of the finest specimens of these wonderfully huge
Eucalyptuses to be met with in Australia. Of

$30

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^TELY. August,

the most remarkable species, I will mention but
a few, viz. : E. amygdalina, a very robust kind,
with foliage like an almond. The loftiest trees
I ever saw were of that kind. The next in s-ize,
E. diversicolor, with its various shades of foli-
age. E. globolus, or blue gum, is one of the
most useful timber trees in the colony, and is
generally used where strength is required. It is
very desirable, and stands the drying effects of
the sun and hot winds without warping. I have
Been well seasoned English oak to curl and twist
80 far from the form it was shaped to, as to
become entirely useless.

In Tassraania, I have seen some noble speci-
mens on the summits of the highest hills, where
enow is often seen. It is valued for its strength
and durability. I have no doubt but what it
would grow in the Southern States, and proba-
bly in Pennsylvania. It is of rapid growth, and
would, if it succeeded, soon outstrip any other
tree I know of in this hemisphere. iSome few
years ago I saw some thrifty trees growing in
the neighborhood of San Francisco, and which
were astonishing the Californians with the sur-
prising growth they had made in so short a time.
If they have so continued to flourish, they will
soon be classed as '-big trees,'' and in time
become rivals to the famous Sequioas. With
them I also saw a grove of the beautiful E. eu-
genoides, like an immense Eugenia bush, with
E. myrtifolia, like a mammoth myrtle tree ; E.
saligna, willow like ; E. pulchella, a beautiful
and symmetrical kind ; E. perfoliata, of curious
foliage and handsomely shaped ; E. pulverulen-
ta, with its powdtry leaves and glossy stems ;
E. albicaulis, a remarkable tree with clear white
stems and branches, conspicuous among its fel-
lows, and generally found throughout Australia.

E. sideroxylon, is miscalled the iron bark,
instead of the iron wood tree. It is one of the
hardest of the many hard kinds of Kew Holland.
It is a very handsomely formed tree. E. margi-
oata, or Jarrah tree, is very tenacious, hard and
close grained, and has the character of never
decaying. It is said to resist the action of fresh
and salt water for an indefinite length of time,
and to be proof against the attacks of insects and
worms- probably on account of its adamantine
nature. The list could readily be extended, and
why they are not as yet cultivated in the South-
<?rn States is something remarkable. Even in
such effete old countries as Spain, Italy and
Portugal, they seem to know their value, and
ai e planting tliem by the tens of thousands.

While a luding to the Eucalyptuses, I must
not omit the E. obliqua, or stringy bark gum
tree, which is a fine heavily timbered tree. The
wood is useful for almost every desired purpose.
The bark, also, to the squatter is valuable, large
rolls of which are easily removed from the trunks
of the growing trees, and when laid out in the
sun, and pressed flat with heavy weights, soon
dries, and retains its form. A few large slabs
of bark are sufBcient to cover in the roof and
sides of the settler's cabin, and shelter him and
his family when he first makes a start on bis own
account. Rude specimens of household furni-
ture are made of the bark, as it is pliable, and
easily formed into such simple articles as suffice
to make comfortable the inmates of " home,
sweet home.''

Following the circuitous forest road, which
winds araonsi the hills, down to the hamlet of
Sofala, to the river Truron, the banks of which
were said to glitter with the precious metal,
while its sluggish waters literally (lowed over
golden sands. We were then in the vicinity of
the famous " Golden Point." Among elegant
and graceful tree ferns, A'sophilaaustralis, Zan-
thorrhoea hastata, X. bracteata, Cordyline can-
nsefolia, Zamia spiralis. Acacia pubet-cens, A.
dealbata, and A. pulchella grouped and cluster-
ed together on the river banks. While admiring
these singular, graceful, and interesting speci-
mens, we fell in with a party on their way to
the diggings, and whose further advance in that
direction had suddenly ended, through a rather
ludicrous incident.

Two heavily laden drays, drawn by sixteen
oxen, and whose slow, but sure progress had
thus far continued from Sydney, through every
kind of country, rough and smooth, had at last
finally halted in the bed of the Truron. The
poor, thirsty, hard driven animals were severely
suffering for the want of water, and on sighting
the river, had rushed down its sloping bank,
and plunging into the stream, had freely im-
bibed the c;)veted water. As it frequently hap-
pens with horses and cattl*^, when deprived of
water in a h'>t and thirsty country like Austra-
lia, the drivers lose all control over them when
approaching water, as they madly rush to it to
quench iheir thirst, and in their greedy eager-
ness, liltrally burst with repletion. Such was
the dilemma a worthy, honest and prosperous
farmer, the husband of a happy wile, and the
proud father of eleven sons and daughters was
placed in, having sold out and loaded up for

1873,

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MONTHLY.

231

the diwcring with a stock of provisions, solid and
fluid, intending to open a tavern for the good of
the raining population in the commonwealth of
Di^jgerdom. The bloated carcasses of five
oxen lay dead in the river bed. Decomposition
soon begins after death in all hot coun-
tries, Australia especially. Finding it im-
possible to drag out the drays with the
diminished team, they had unloaded most of
the merchandise and carried it on to the bank.
While so engaged, the otht^r oxen had gone
astray and could not be found. After a fruitless
search for the cattle, they had returned to the
scene of the disaster, feeling downcast and dis-
heartened. Seating themselves among the
stores, and not knowing what to do, they had
given way to despair while brooding over their
misfortunes. Finding their spirits were rapidly
sinking, they had as a dernier resource, drawn
the cork from a bottle labelled " Anaels Whis-
pers," (not whispers of hope, I ween) for the
purpose of raising their fiiUen spirits, if not their
fallen fortunes again. While " waiting for some-
thing to turn up," Micawber like, they had
emptied bottle after bottle of the angelic fluid,
until the case was finished, and then " Blissful
Bitters" seemed to have followed suit, while
"Nnggety Brandy," was giving aid and com-
fort to the bachanalian family, to whom we were
unexpectedly introduced.

Not being able to get away with the stores,
they had concluded to remain with them until
consumed, as that seemed to be the only feasi-
ble way of disposing of them to advantage.
With a box of red herrings, a barrel of ship bis-
cuits, some pickles, and any amount of mysteri-
ous fluids, all seemod to be in clover, and were
enjoying themselves satisfactorily. If earthly
bliss and happiness were to be found in a liquid
form, it was surely there on the banks of the
Truron, and if such ce?e&raiec^ 6rancls of cordials,
wines and liquors, (specially prepared for mining
the digger's stomach) were not capable of pro-
ducing any and every desired effect, I doubt if
any others could. The annexed list of pacifica-
tory decoctions ought to convince any skeptic
of their marvellous potency, viz.: ''Digger's
Comforts," "Heavenly Gin," "Jolly Grog,"
" Extract of Happiness," " Miner's Delight,"
"Golden Ambrosia," "Frolicsome Fluid,"
" Digger's Cordial,'' " Delight of Man— Rum,''
"Celestial Whiskey," "Blissful Brandy,"'
"Stroke of Luck Gin," and "Digger's Devo-
ion," with sham Champagne, and other wines

of wonderful eflicacy. Whether they finished the
liquors or the liquors finished then'*, I am i n-
able to say. With pity, I may truly say, I
turned to leave them, while the old philosophi-
cal toper began in a maudlin way, to recite
" Plato's advice," who asks, "why should man
be vain, since bounteous heaven hath made him
great ?" I, too, wondered why, as I left him.

Surrounded on all sides, and with an ever
changing landscape as we proceeded on over
hills wooded to the summit, while others were
bare and barren, long sweeps of undulating
pasture lands, broken and rugged rock-lands,
with the most enchanting glens and fall of lights
and shadows, the very scenes that would delight
either artist or horticulturist, and make them
feel all the paradisical pleasures such Eden-like
spots can give. Heavy masses of vines and
climbing plants, gracefully festooned, were hang-
ing from tree to tree. Marsdenia suaeiolens,
and M. flavescens, the former, very sweet
scented, often rambled to the tree tops and
formed a living canopy above, prettily draped
with dark green foliage and snow white flowers.
Trees so completely covered have a weeping or
drooping appearance. As a contrast to the
sweet Marsdenias, near by grew Hibbertia volu-
bilis, a rampant climber, remarkable alike for its
beautiful pale yellow flowers, frequently measur-
ing from two to three inches across, and emits a
most foetid odor. A number of handsome bushes
of Gompholobium venulosum, a pretty purple
flowering kind, and G. polymorphum, a beauti-
ful yellow, were very attractive, and reminded
me of the much prized specimens I had so lov-
ingly tended in days gone by. Those with Bar-
ronia serrulata, another favorite, and Calochi-
lus paludosa, a curious terrestrial Orchid, and
Burchardia umbellata, a showy and beautiful
herbaceous plant, well covered with whitey
green flowers, formed an irregular shaped,
though pleasing group of flowers and shrubs sel-
dom, if ever surpassed, under the cultivaior's
care. Standing in the foreground were some ele-
gant specimens of ferns, Blechoum cartilagine-
um, averaging from eight to twelve feet high,
with beds of the Davallia gibbosa, Pteris scabc-
rula, Adiantum assimile, Aspidium unitum,
Lomaria Pattersonia and Cheilanthus ciudata,
spread in wild abandon, beneath the umbrage-
ous branches of numberless Sterculia diversifolia
trees, models of arboreal beauty.

Wyagden hills lay before us, a wild and rocky
range, over which the busy miners were toiling

232

TRE GARDEJV'ER'S MOJSriHLY,

August,

like slaves, digging and delving for the aurifer-
ous treasures beneath. Leaving the diggings
behind, I followed a clear rivulet, which flowed
along a verdant valley, and led to the picturesque
little village of Peel. After dining and restin;^
at a cosy little inn, until the night breezes cooled
the atmosphere, we started on our journey
towards the Maquarrie river. All was calm and
serene, and in the silence of ni^ht, Nature was
hushed. The noisy parrots had ceaeed from
troubling, and the shrieking cockatoos were at
rest. Save now and again, the Dingo's growl,
a wolfish looking animal, whose nocturnal wan-
derings disturbed the forest sleepers, all was still.
About the close of the last century, Dampier
describes them "as beasts like hungry wolves,
lean like so many skeletons, and being nothing
but skin and bones." He is indeed a vicious
and "evil beast,'' the plague of the sheepfold,
whose uightly forays among the flocks have to
be guarded against. Neither are they safe hy
da}', as the Dingo seems to be ever on the watch,
ready to make a raid among them. T always
felt belligerent whenever I saw one, and shot
several, considering them as alien enemies to
mutton and all mankind.

Passed most of Ihe night in " a house not built
with hands." My bedchamber was in the hollow
of a stringy bark gum tree, and as I boarded
myself, and my lodgings were free, slept sound-
ly, without a fear of the grim ghost of the hotel
keeper haunting me with a bill in the morning.
Like a free ranger as I was, (there was no tres-
passing in so wide a domain) my course lay
towards the Maquarrie, which was low enough
to wade through. Having crossed the stream,
I entered Batburst, a town having some pre-
tentions to beauty and business, on the main
road to Sydney. Bathurst plains are noted for
their rich grasses,where thousands of sheep were
quietly grazing, and whose only value then was
their wool. Passed through groves of Arauca-
ria Cunninghiimii, with an undergrowth of Lep-
tospermum scoparium, or Australian Tea plant.
An infusion of the leaves of this bogus Bohea, is
not very disairreeable to drink, and has some of
the color, and a little of the taste of "the cup
that cheers. ' '

From the summit of Blount Tamby, the high-
est mount in New South Wales, the view was
pleasantly varied with every kind of land-
scape. Large tracts of grazing land, the silver
streak of a win(Mng stream, nieandt ring through
cultivated farms — the boundless forest, the im-

passable jungles, drearj' scrub, and solitary wil-
derness, alternated with each other, in the vast
scene before me, where

'• All are but parts of one stupendous whole,
Whose body Nature is, and God the soul."

Gathered some fine specimens of the remarkable
Pteris vespertiliensis, or bat-winged fern, which
grew along the mountain path. Also Patter-
sonia longifolia, a beautiful blue flowering her-
baceous plant, and Burtonia conferta. an elegant
leguminous plant, literally covered with a rich
profusion of violet colored flowers.

While resting beneath the shade of a finely
proportioned Oxlej'a zanthoxylnma tree, of
about two hundred feet high, observed quanti-
ties of Orthrosanthus multiflorus, a lovely her-
baceous plant, well covered with a mass of pret-
ty blue flowers. The settlers call it the Peep o'
Day flowe'", from its habit of early expanding
when ' Aurora opes the gates of day.''

Polypodium Billarderii scandens, an interest-
ing creeping fern, flourished in the shady ravines
which led towards the romantic swiss looking
village of Hartley, some eighty miles from Syd-
ne}\ In this sequestered spot, where ' the val-
ley and the village church, and the cottage by
the brook," invited me to tarry awhile and en-
joy the hospitalities ©f the little inn, kept by a
Mrs. Goodman. Her husband was a sergeant
in the gold escort troop, and which had halted
for the night on their way to Sydney. Mrs.
Goodman was also a good woman, a good cook,
a good housekeeper, and as like a good Samari-
tan as any good English woman could be. As
the gallant Sergeant had met with no foeraan
worthy of his steel, on his way through the bush,
he valiantly tharged at the head of his trusty
troopers, at the smoking flanks of a fat kanga-
roo, which soon fell before their trenchant
blades. Although ostensibly a n>an of peace, I
could not forget that 1 belonged to a fighting
nation, which had produced a Marlborough, a
Nelson, and a Wellington, so arming myself
with a Sheffield blade, I eagerly joined in the
fray. It was "war to the knite" and fork
while it lasted, and which happily terminated
without either killed or wounded on our side.
So with the blessings of jieace, and plenty of
good eatables and drinkables, we forgot all the
cares and concerns of life, and wee soon after
snugly ensconced in the cosiest of bunks that
ever invited weary mortals to recline and repose
on, where we slumbered safe from war's alarms.

187S.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^IHLY,

ANTHURIUM SCIIURZERIANUM.

BY JAMES TAPLIN, MANAGER TO GEORGE SUCH,
ESQ., SOUTH AMBOY, N J.

This is one of the most showy hothouse plants
ever introduced to cultivation, and also one of
the easiest to grow. The proper treatment is
to drain the pots or pans, as if it was for potting
a Cattleya— that is, fill it two-thirds full of bro-
ken pots ; the soil should consist of two parts
fil)re from Orchid peat, and one part live spag-
num moss, with a liberal mixture of white sind.
In turning the plant out of the old pot, pass a
thin knife round to separate the roots from the
sides, for they cling to the pot like Orchidese
roits, and are also very brittle, requiring care
not to break them. Place some of the prepared
soil over the drainage, remove any, or all the
old soil if sour; raise the crown of the plant
well above the pot, as if potting an Orchidese;
press the soil firm and finish off with a layer of
live spagnum, chopped fine This holds moist-
ure, of which the plant requires abundance,
both at the root and over foliage with syringe.
Place the plants near Ihe glass, in a temperature
of 60^ in winter, and from 70° to 9U'' in summer,
and it will commence to flower when two years
old, and improve yearly, both in size of plant and
number of flowers.

They flower with us in four inch pots. As
the plant iucreases in size, it is best to use shal-
low pots or frames, for the roots spread on the
surface, rather than downwards. Besides its
magnificent scarlet color, the flowers of this
plant have the desirable quality of lasting in
perfection from two to three months. One of
our specimen plants here had thirty, and
another about twenty flowers open at once for
several weeks, so your readers who grow plants
for exhibitions, can judge what a valuable plant
it is for that purpose. There is usually some
flowers on the plant all the year.

HOT WATER BOILERS.

BY THOS. OTTAWAY, MIDDLEBURY, O.

I see there is some little excitement on the
heating question. It is impossible to give one
principle for all, for some burn wood, some hard
coal, and others who have to use soft coal ;
also coke and cinders. In ray experience, I
have used them all, at diflferent places. I have
used several sorts of boilers — the Saddle, New-
town, Cylinder, Hitchinga' Conical, also his new
Corrugated Saddle boiler ; Weathered & Chere-

voy's ; Mines Tubular and pipe coils in variety.

But now I am come to the conclusion, by ex-
perience, my choice is those boilers where the
fires lie against the water to heat by contact,
and not by radiation. But always combine the
two if jou can, especially if you use hard coal or
coke. With soft coal little is gained by radia-
tion, for they will get covered with soot (except
where the'fire strikes direct) in six hours. For
soft coal, I like Weathered & Cherevoy's, and
Hitching's new Corrugated Saddle. For hard
coal I should recommend Hitching's new Cor-
rugated Boiler, but for a good, cheap boiler for
hard or soft coal and wood, &c., Hitching's new
Corrugated Saddle is the best I have used.

I have built three sets of small houses this
summer for diflerent parties ; I used the Corru-
gated Saddle in each ; they all work well and
give good satisfaction. They have to burn soft
coal and slack at that.

Mr. Editor, I guess I will tire your patience
on boilers, so I won't say any more this time.
If it is wished for, next time I will say a little
on pipes and water circulation.

[The hot water subject is by no means ex-
hausted.—Ed.]

WESTERN TREES.

BY E. F., BLOOMINGTON, ILLS.

In the June number of Gardener's Monthly^ I
notice some useful advice to the Government, in
which you state that on certain very reasonable
conditions, Illinois would furnish thirty thous-
and evergreens. Thanks for compliment to
our State. We could do it a dozen times over.
Our friend Douglass grows them by the ten mil-
lions ; also at the nurseries of F. K. Phoenix,
near this city, there is in one lot over seventy
acres of evergreens closely planted, mostly of
shipping size, besides other smaller patches ;
and of seedlings, several acres — the latter under
ghade. Bryant & Ellsworth's, in northern part
of the State, are also largely engaged in the pro-
duction of evergreens, so if the Government will
only take the hint and be liberal with its own
citizens, and patronize home products, they can
do a big business in evergreens, with the advan-
tage of getting everything which has been proved
adapted to the climate.

The West has also an enormous crop of apple
and other fruit trees. During a recent visit to
the Phoenix Nurseries above mentioned, the
writer was shown one block of apple trees of one

23Jf

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJ^TRLY, August,

hundred acres, another of seventy-five acres,
averao:ing twenty thousand to the acre, this
would figure up the modest number of three and
a half millions. This I think is not bad for one
of the nurseries of Illinois, and may serve to in-
dicate to our Eastern friends the stupendous
proportions which the nursery business has
assumed in the West — Illinois in particular.

If the Government were liberal enough to give
to every new coming settler enough trees to
plant an orchard on his new home, the cost being
trifling— from two to five cents a tree— I doubt
whether they could do anything better calculated
to encourage emigration and consequent build-
ing up of the great West. Such action would
certainly deserve more grateful remembrance
than the scramble for back pay and other emol-
uments of oflQce and influence of which men
with souls are guilty of.

STATURAL GRAFTING.

BY B., GLEN MILLS, PA.

The assertion is made in the Popular Science
Monthly, for March, 1873, that botanists know
that stumps of pine and fir trees increase in
diameter by forming new woody layers for years
after the trees have been cut down. Dut rochet
says that in 1836, a stock of Pinus picea was still
living, and had formed fourteen thin layers of
new wood, one in each year ; one felled in 1743
was still alive, and had formed ninety-two new
layers. Vegetable physiologists were no doubt
incredulous in hearing such narrations, but
Goeppert, of Breslau, undertook an investiga-
tion of the subject, and found a union of the
roots of the fallen trees with the roots of living
trees in the vicinity. The union of the roots
was sometimes woody, sometimes only by the
bark of the roots. So far as observed, the anas-
tomosis, or natural grafting, is confined to coni-
ferous trees, and to a few species only of them ;
chiefly the Silver Fir, the Spruce, and occasion-
ally the Scotch Fir. In the London Gardener's
Chronicle, August 31st. is an instance of this
kind of anastomosis :n the roots of a Larch.
Some idea of how this is affected is given, attri-
buting it to cell growth through the medullary
rays. This spring I observed an apple tree in
my orchard with limbs so crowding each other
that I resolved to sacrifice one of them. I sawed
it off where it was three inches in diameter, and
tried to put^h it off, but found it impossible to do
80, Kemoving the ladder so as to enable me to

reach the place of resistance, I found that the
dismembered branch was firmly united to a
limb beneath it. With a hatchet I then cut it
near the anastomis, and removed three feet, but
the end of the branch still lives, and was clothed
with blossoms, and is full of leaves, with some
fruir. Shortly after I saw another apple tree
but a few yards distant, which appeared to have
limbs united in a similar manner. By means of
a ladder. I examined, and found a case exactly
similar to the former, except thnt the branches
were of smaller size. I had never before seen or
heard of such a case in apple trees, but I do not
think it so difficult to account for as the condi-
tion of the coniferous trees. It is natural to
suppose that the motion of the wind may occa-
sion abrasion of the bark on the limbs of apple
trees, and thus prepare them for this natural
grafting ; but in the case of roots under ground,
such cause for union cannot operate. In both
these instances it is worthy of remark that the
trees were of the kind called American Pippin,
or Grindstone.

WONDERFUL PRODUCTIONS.

BY CHRONrCLEU.

In January, 1835, " Ilovey's Seedling Straw-
berry " was announced. Its virtues f^xr sur-
passed its praise. It was quickly distributod all
over the nation, and reigned queen of good
strawberries for twenty-five years, when Wil-
son's Albany Seedling took its place.

In March, 1835, we learned of a new " Chinese
corn.'' "A merchant of New York found a
few grains in a tea box." Messrs. Thorburn, of
New York, grew them in their gardens at Asto-
ria ; each seed grew a stalk six feet tall, with
many branches, like a tree, and produced nu-
merous ears upon each branch, and the plant
occupied no more space than a naked stalk of
common garden corn ; the ears were sweet for
green corn. Its fame lasted three years. We
have not heard of it f-incp, but it was sold for
twenty-five cents per ear the first two years.

In 1830, the " Rohan Potato " was introduced.
It was a large, soft, deep-eyed and yellow fleshed
tuber, scarcely eatable. It first sold for twenty-
five cents a tuber ; came down to five dollars per
bushel, and lastly for five dollars per barrel. It
got out of repute in four years.

In 1837, a tall, purplish, curled Kale was in-
troduced. The i^eeds sold for ten cents each, or
tc n seeds for one dollar. It was to grow five feet

187S,

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^THLY.

235

high, with a head as broad as a large umbrella,
and the stalk covered with small cabbaoie heads.
Each plant was to serve a sheep all winter for
food from its stalk, and the head would afford
Bufficient shelter ; it was to occupy only the space
of a late cabbage, it being a biennial. Lasted
four years.

In 1837, the*" Morris Multicaulis '' came forth.
It was to make all cultivators millionaires, and
all our people were to be clothed in silks and
satins. Old and young, rich and poor grew it ;
others got silk worms and fed them. The folly
lasted four years.

In 1837, the "Lawton Blackberry" sounded
loud, and met a strong opposition, but its supe-
rior virtues forced it into genera! culture, and is
slill a public favorite.

The " Ailanthus tree '' made a tremendous
noise about the same time. It was a very snint^
and called the " tree of heaven." It is still in
culture, to the disgust of all its owners.

About 1840, the "Panlownia imperialis tree "
made a rustling sound, threatening to drive all
other trees out of existence by its large, coarse,
ugly leaves. It is now out of favor.

In 1835, the Love Apple (Tomato) was first
put into general culture and use. It has proved
to be a great blessing.

About 1838, the general budding of pear scions
upon quince roots began — that has greatly pro-
moted our pear culture.

About 1840, the general bedding out of tender
exotic plants began — that has increased a taste
for floriculture, and it is surprising now to see
the vast number of choice species and improved
varieties of ornamental plants now cultivated.
The C'oleus. Achyranthus^ and a.\\ the silver-leaved
class, are charming to mix among the llowering
classes. There have not been many additions
to the sweet smelling class ; but the species and
varieties are numerously grown to afford a plea-
sant perfume all over the flower gardens. Orna-
mental climbers have greatly increased, and are
very charming.

EARLY OUT-DOOR FLOWERS.

Essay read be/ore the Oardener'.t Improvement Society,
Germanlown.

BY J. M.

I have spent some time thinking over what
I knew of horticulture, in order to select some
suitable subject for to-night's essay, and have
at last adopted the above named one as about
the best at my disposal. I do not ftel capable

of doing justice to so good a subject, but as with
others, I have tried, I can tell you something
on it. At this time. May 18th, our woods are
full of flowers. Many of our earliest sorts, such
as Epigeas, Drabas, Saxifragias and Hepaticas
are in their prime, or mostly over ; but the flow-
ers still come on other kinds, and so rapidly too,
that we hardly miss those that gave us so much
pleasure but a week or two ago.

The woods at the present time may be likened
to life in a city, where the constant stream of
fresh faces make us forget those we have seen,
but yet occasionally one will appear so striking-
ly beautiful, or with some strongly marked char-
acteristic, as to indelibly stamp the recollection
on our mind. Up to the present time we have
had nothing to impress us with any brilliancy
or display in what we have met, but all have
been mostly noted for their delicacy of hue and
humble growth.

In the Hepatica, Anemone, Sanguinaria,
Claytonia, Iloustonia, Lycopsis and others, all
now in flower, or over, we find a light hue pre-
dominating, calling from us admiration for their
loveliness and modesty, rather than for any rich-
ness of color. This absence of brilliant hues in
early native flowers is worthy of notice. In the
hardy borders of cultivated flowers, many plants
are now blooming, and many are about to bloom.
The pink and the white Phlox procumbens are
now about over, at least the white variety is, it
being nearly a week always in advance of the
pink one. This Phlox, as its name implies, is a
creeping kind. It would be, I should think, a
most capital thing for cut flower men to force in
winter, as the flowers could probably be pro-
duced by Christmas. Among other border
plants about now in bloom, is the Viuca hcrba-
cea, blue; Iberis seropervirens, white; Viola
blanda, white ; Viola cucculata, with many
others very nearly open.

The most of what are called hardy border
plauis will be in bloom in June, and a better lift
could then be made out. We have next hardy
trees and shrubs, and from them have quite a
list to prepare from. The Red Maple is pretty
both when iu flower and when with branches
full of scarlet seeds, as it now is. The Pyrus
japonica is now most past its prime, fwid though
regretting this, yet we have in the beautiful
double dwarf Almond, the white and the pink,
something to make us look less sadly on its de-
cline. The Engli.sh Bird Cherry, with its long
racemes of white flowers, is beautiful, and we

^36 THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^TELY. August,

may forgive it its sickening odor for the sake of \
its shining black, ornamental fruit in early fall. I
The Spirea prunifolia and Syringias are now out,
and the Spirea Reevesii, Weigelias, Philadel- |
phias, and a host of other trees and shrubs are
nearly ready to please us with their bloom.

The love of flowers seems a natural gift to all
and after the winter months, our early flowers !
are a source of much pleasure. Those who truly ;
love them— who can watch their growth with
interest, are better men than those who uninter-
estedly pass them by. We should never deem
the time lost spent in tending and watching
them, but believing it a part of the Creator's '
designs to thus aid our happ:ness, we should !
think we hear him in the words of the Chris- !
tain's song, saying to us, " It is I, be not afraid,''
for our encouragement. ;

EDITORIAL NOTES.

FOREIGN.

Age of Trees In the Botanic Garden of Di-
jon, there is a Poplar tree 470 years old. We
suppose the same tree would not live half that
age here. We believe none of the European
trees will live here much over one hundred years.
When the feebleness of age takes hold of a tree,
it soon falls a prey to the elements The mag-
nificent Silver Fir, figured in the Horticulturist
about fifteen years ago, not near one hundred
years old, though one hundred feet high, is fast
going backwards ; and the old English Elms on
the revolutionary battle ground of Germantown,
not more than one hundred years old, are all
decaying now— some of them are dead.

The Upas Tree. This tree exists in many
collections of hothouse plants in Europe. The
writer once had a plant under his management,
and there was no more venom in its "exhala-
tions " than in a Papaw tree, to which it was
not very unlike. A traveler, Davidson, says of
it:

" Such a tree certainly exists in Java, but the tales
that are told of its poisoning the air for hundreds of
yards round, so that birds dare not approach it,
that vegetation is destroyed beneath its branches,
and that man cannot come near it with impunity,
are perfectly ridiculous To prove their absurdity,
a friend gf mine climbed up a Upas tree, and passed
two liours in its branches, where he took his lunch
and smoked a ciL^ar. The tree, however, does con
tain poison, and the natives extract the sap, with
which they rub their spears and kriss blades ;
wounds inflicted with blades thus anointed are
mortal. Such I believe to be the origin of the manv
fabulous stories that have passed from hand to hand,

and from generation to generation, about the Upas
tree of Java."

Freezing of Sap in the Winter. A remark-
able paper has recently been contributed to a
German magazine, by Prof. Mohr, showing not
only that the sap does not freeze in trees and
plants which live through hard winters, but also
the reason why it does not freezes He says that
though it is true water as we generally see and
understand it, freezes at 32^, it does not do so
when its particles are finely divided. Tropical
plants have large cells, and these are the ones
in which the sap freezes ; but in plants with very
small cells in which the liquid particles are fine-
ly divided, there is no freezing of the liquids
until after the structure has received injury of
some sort. This is true he says of insects and
insect pupae. They never freeze ; but cut one
apart, soon after the humors solidify, and on
thaAving life flies. There is a translation of this
paptr in the May number of the Popular Science
Monthly, to which we refer all those interested,
to whom what we said on this subject during
the past has not been wholly conclusive.

A Legend of the Horse Radish. We like to
keep our readers well versed in all that is said
about plants, but we may premise that " fifty or
sixty years ago '' the horse radish was tolerably
" notorious " in manj' places besides London.
The Garden says :

" What brought horse radish into greatest noto-
riety was the following circumstance : Between
fifty and sixty years ago, in Graj^'s Inn Lane, was a
vast mountain of years and years accumulated Lon-
don cinder-dust, filth and garbage ; yes, a real
mountain of it ; and amongst its vast and varied ac-
cumulations were immense plants of horse radish,
growing right up through the whole, the produce
probably of crowns cast from sculleries to the dust-
bin. Here it found a favorable site ; and as the
mountain increased in size and height, so did the
horse radish, with its great strength and spear-
headed crown, continue to thrust itself through it.
Enough at least did so to create astonishment in
those days, and to bring the horse radish into pro-
minent notice; for when this mountain of refuse
was removed, the immense length and size of the
horse radish roots were discovered.

" We had no horticultural journals in those days ;
but the Times and the few papers we had, promi-
nently adverted to this wonderful horse radish, and
related how and where it j;rew. It was, indeed, a
real phenomenon, the leaves being as large and
thick as those of a banana, while its roots were as
large and long as scaffold poles. How many hun-
dred weight a root of it weighed, it would be diffi-
cult to guess, yet one root, as laige as a farm yard
gate post was dug out and exhibited. The publici-
ty thus given to the matter, and the extraordinary
perfection the roots attained in so rich a pasture,

187S,

TRE GABDEJSTER'S MOJVTHLl.

237

proved how simply horse radish can be grown, and
induced everybody to cultivate it in earnest."

Blood-Leaved Peach in France. According to
the Garden:

"We learn from the Eetue HorUcole that M.
Paillet, nurseryman at Chatenay-les Sceaux (Seine),
has lately received from America a singular variety
of the Peach tree. It is described as being a vigor-
ous grower, with large leaves of a deep purple color,
with metallic reflections. The fruit is said to be of
good size and quality, and, when ripe, of a uniform
red color over the entire surface of the skin."

But we happen to know that M. Paillet's
peach is not of " good size," or of " red color,''
but medium in size, and white. The fruit is
good, however. The mistake is in the color
chiefly.

The Home of the Phylloxera. It seems to have
been concluded that America is the home of this
pest, but we see by the Garden that this is to be
contested. It says :

" M. Laliman, of Bordeaux, is about to submit to
the Academie at Paris tbe results of his investiga-
tions into the origin of the Phylloxera, which, he
is convinced, has not been, according to the received
opinion, introduced by means of imported Ameri-
can vines. In a communication to a Portuguese
journal, M. Laliman states that, as a wine-grower,
all his hopes for tlie future rest on vines grafted on
the American species — Vitis aestivalis, cordifolia,
and vulaina, which he has found, are never attacked
by the Phylloxera."

Keeping Graven in Water. We have from
time to time noticed that in France, grapes are
kept far into the next season by cutting the
bunches and putting the ends in small bottles of
water, and then keeping them in places having
a regular temperate atmosphere. In reference
to this, Mr. Tillery, one of the most reliable of
English grape growers, has the following note
in the Garden :

"Much that is unsupported by fact is being writ-
ten in some gardening periodicals about the keeping
of late Grapes in bottles of water. The advocates
of the system, who know anything about it, only
contend that there are great advantages in cutting
off the bunches of late Grapes, say in February or
March, on purpose to get the vines pruned and pro-
perly dressed. I used at one time, year after
year, to keep the bunches of Lady Downe's
Needling hanging on the vines until the
beginning of May, when the flow of sap began
to burst the berries, and* the bunches were
hidden by the young shoots. Now, since I have
put the bunches in bottles of water, I can keep the
same variety in good condition until the middle of
June, and have certainly given the vines more
strength and done them more justice by doing so.
It is said by some, why keep late grapes until that
season, when early grapes caa be ripened in April
or May V Gently, ye doubters ; look at the present
price of coals for early forcing, and the price per

pound that would have to be charged for these early
forced grapes in the market in order to make their
forcing profitable. I have heard from my friend,
Mr. Thomson, that in his great vine-growing estab-
lishment on the banks of the Tweed he will trust
to his crops of late Grapes to bring the most ''grist
to his mill." Late Grapes carry better to the mar-
ket than early forced ones, and they bring remuner-
ating prices when the ruck of the Hamburghs and
Muscats is over. By all means let Grapes hang on
the vines When ripe in the summer and autumn,
and even up to till February, should no bedding-
plant exigencies stand in the way of their keeping ;
but after that date bottling the bunches will be found
to answer best for the welfare of the vines. In the
latter end of February this year, I cut two housesof
late Grapes, consisting of the following varieties;
Black Alicante, Barbarossa, Royal Vineyard, and
Lady Downe's Seedling, and they will be consumed
in the order in which they are placed. They were
all bottled, and the bottles tied to the wires of one
of the late houses, where the temperature could be
properly regulated, and the roof shaded on sunny
days. Late ripened Grapes had a very bad season
to contend with in 1873, and they are not so well
colored as usual, nor so good in their keeping pro-
perties, but yet I expect to have them in fair condi-
tion up till the end of May."

Raisin Making does not progress in the Uni-
ted States— why we do not know. It is said
that there is not sugar enough in the native
grape ; but it was once said also of it in connec-
tion with wine making. Other countries seem
to be successful. Some have been said to be
well made in California, but only from the
foreign grape. We suppose this is the kind
referred to in the following from the Grocer :

" We have just seen a case of Raisins sent over
here as a sample of what can be grown and cured
by the Australian colonists. This small consign-
ment, the first of its kind that ever reached England,
arrived a few days ago from Adelaide. The fruit
is of fair quality on stalk, though dark and rather
small. It has a deal of bloom on it, not unlike that
on Muscatels."

Mole Traps. We do not know but the old
English mole trap is as good as any. This is
given in the following cut.

But people are not fond in these days of mak-
ing their own traps. They prefer to buy them
ready-made.

We have had in America for some years, a

2S8

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^TELY. August,

trap which when set, has an iron ji^w well set
with sharp teeth, which when the mole goes
through, its run is thrown h}' ihe loosening of a
spring, and the mole is transfixed.

The Belgian mole trap, recently introduced,
is much on the same principle. We give the fol-
lowing engraving, which explains itself.

of either side of the stem of a pumpkin or vege-
table marrow, it will in the course of the night
approach it, and will be found in the morning
with one of the leaves on the water.

This experiment may be continued nightly
until the plant begins to fruit. If a prop be
placed within six inches of a young convolvulus,

Experiments. There is nothing by which the
student in horticulture can learn more than in
repeating the experiments made by others. The
following is one easily made :

If a pan of water be placed within six inches

or scarlet runner, it will find it, although the
prop may be shifted daily. If, after it has
twined some distance up the prop, it be un-
wound, and twined in the opposite direction, it
will return to its original position or die ia the

187S.

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOMTHLT.

'439

attempt ;'3'et, notwithstanding, if two of these
plants grow near each other, and have no stake
around which they can entwine, one of them will
alter the direction of the spiral and they will
twine around each other.

Duhamel placed some kidney beans in a cylin-
der of moist earih ; after a short time they
commenced to germinate, of course sending the
plume upwards to the light, and the root down
into the soil. After a few days the cylinder was
turned one-fourth around, and again and again
this was repeated, until an entire revolution of
the cylinder was completed. The beans were
then taken out of the earth, and it was found
that both the plume and the radicle had bent to
accommodate themselves to every revolution,
and the one in its etlbrts to ascend perpendicu-
larly, and the other to descend, they had formed
a perfect spiral. But although the natural ten-
dency of the roots is downward, if the soil
beneath be dry, and any damp substance be
above, the roots will ascend to reach it.

DOMESTIC.

A Hifjh Price for IlorticuUural Wri'ing. Mr.
F. E. Elliott, in Cleveland Herald, ''is not a
little amused '' that writers should contribute to
horticultural magazines without being specially
paid for each article. As Mr. E, is getting coji-
Biderable '•back-pay'' from the Horticulturist, and
the "editors and publishers'' of some other
magazines, for some of his writings, his 'amuse-
ment " at the bad luck of his brethren of the
quill is very natural under the circumstances.

Hearth and Home Cliromos. The Slraivherry
Girl and Mischiff Brewirxj, are two of the most
beautiful that have come to our table this year.
Many " valuable gifts '' of this character are but
poor daubs.

Freezing of Insects in Winter. It seems our
investigation as to whether thesnp of plants will
freeze is starting inquiry in all directions. A
Peoria, Illinois, man found a wasp '• frozen, ''
and took the insect into the house and held it
by the tail while he warmed his ears over a gas
jet. You wouldn't believe it, says an eye wit-
ness, but the Peoria naturalist says its tail
thawed out tirst, and while its head was so stiflF
and icv it couldn't wink, its "probe" worked

with inconceivable rapidity, to the great distress
of the minister who was present, who was dread-
fully horrified by the hideous profanity conse-
quent on each and every movement of the probe
aforesaid.

Practical Horticultural Elacalion. "We are
very much interested in the following notice
which we find in a New York newspapers. We
have no doubt our readers will thank us for re-
publishing it here :

" Oakwood Houticultural Society. — a Stu-
dent's llortieultuial Society has been recently
formed at Friend's Academy, Union Springs, at the
organization of which tweuty-lour enrolled their
names as members. The small entrance fee goes to
the purchase of seeds, bulbs and plants. A leading
object is ornamenting and polisbiug the grounds of
the institution, of which there is an acre of lawn
and trees immediately surrounding the buildings,
with a two acre oak grove adjoining. The mem-
bers of this Horticultural Society have already laid
out and planted circular and elliptical flower-beds
with bedding plants and the seeds of annuals, and
have cleaved up the grounds and given them a hand-
some finish. Tlie advantiges which they derive
from the pleasant exercise and intellectual recreation
ttius afforded, as well as the practical knowledge
gained in horticulture, and the cultivation of taste
in laying out ground^^, can be hardly overestimated.
Not less inip(»rtant is its elevating tendency, when
compared with the influence of the mere play exer-
cise of schools generally. The members (many of
whom belong to the class in Botany) have been favor-
ed at some of their meetings with discourses on
practical gardening and the principles on which suc-
cess depends, and on tlie evening of the 23d inst.,
an hour's lecture on vegetable anatomy was given
by .7. J. Thomas, one of tiie managers of the Aca
demy illustrated with over fifty magnified pictures
thrown hy means of the scioptican on a twelve-foot
screen.

" We believe this is the first instance of the organ-
ization of a society of this character by the students
of an institution of learning, and the example is
well wortliy of general imitation. Friend's Acade-
my Cwhich receives both young men and young
ladies, under an admirable provision of good order)
has been distinsruished for its thoroughness in study
and its scientific character; and now successful
efi"orts are in jjrogress to make everything as practi-
cable as possib'e."

^JfO

TEE GARDE JEER'S MOJ^TBLY.

August,

EDTTOH lAL.

THEORY AND PRACTECE OF TREE
PLANTING.

From everything we see and read, it is clear
tliat tlie great part played by evaporation in suc-
cessful tree planting is not generally understood,
yet on this one thing alont rests failure or
success. It makes no difference whether it be
winter or summer, there is always moisture
escaping. In winter it is from Ihe stems and
branchlets, and in summer from these and from
the leaves. All this continuous lo-s of moisture
must be immediately made good by root action
or tlie plant is lost ; or the part of the plant
which suffers most goes first. It is a popular
notion that there is no evaporation in winter.
This is a fatal mistake. There is not near as
much as in summer, but still quite as much in
proportion to the activity of the roots.

Now in transplanting trees, there is but one
absolute cause of failure, and that is that the
moisture escapes faster than the roots can sup-
ply it, and therefore in transplanting, everything
we do should be for the encouragement of rapid
root growth, or for the prevention of rapid eva-
poration, until the roots grow.

Of course there arc incidental causes of failure
If a tree be badly dug, and half the roots cut
away that ought to be on it, it has a worse
chance for its life than if properly dug. Or if
the roots be allowed to dry, the sraalltr roots,
are injured, and only the thicker ones are left to
carry on the water work. Still it all amounts to
the one thing, which is the moisture dries out
of the branches faster than the roots can supply
it.

We know how this is in making cuttings, and
it is equally true of a tree. We take a piece of
stem without roots, but as we know it will
wither, we put it in a damp greenhouse, or even
cover it with a hell glass. If we did not it would
dry up before the roots appeared. So in out-
door cuttings. If we take a large willow branch
and plant it just as it comes from the tree, it
will likely die. The sap is escaping from all the
small branches and there are no roots yet to
make good the waste. We cannot put a bell
glass over a large willow branch. If we could it
would check the evaporation and perhaps there
would be stronger and better roots for nil this

top. But not being able to do this we do the
same thing in another way. We cut away all
the small branches, leaving nothing but a stake
or a post, and then it sprouts out like grass on a
w^arm summer's day. Though it has no roots
at all, yet such a willow stake grows belter than
a willow tree with all its roots, and the numer-
ous twiggy branchlets left on

This is the lesson for the tree planter. A tree
may, and often does, grow well without any
pruning of its tops ; but as there are always
some injury to its roots, whereby they are pre-
vented from immediately or fully supplying eva-
poration, a shortening is always beneficial ; and
this cutting back — sometimes to "bare poles,"
should alwaj's be proportionate to the apparent
injury done to the roots, or according to the
amount of cold, dry winter wind, or warm, hot
spring weather that the plant is liable to en
counter.

It will thus be seen that there is a greater risk
in winter from fall planting, than in the spring
season from planting at that time, if the trees
happen to have large heads with numerous
branches ; but if this matter of evaporation be
fully understood, and the tree pruned according
to the season, there is no more risk at one sea-
son than at another.

This knowledge of the loss of plants by eva-
poration of their juices can be turned into great
practical value in the management of young nur-
sery stock for the winter. If set out in their final
places in fall, they are pretty sure to have either
the sap dried out of them, or be drawn out cf
the earth by the freezing and thawing of the
ground. The best way is, therefore, to bury
them wholly in earth on the ground, or in the
earth that slopes well, so that no stagnant water
can be about the roots. One of the best nurse-
rymen we know, who plants out thousands on
thousands of young trees every year, and rarely
loses one in a million, gets all his young stock
in the fall, covers it with earth in this way, and
thus has it on hand to work at whatever day
suits his purpose in spring. Trees of larger size
are also pruned at planting, and we have heard
him remark that in his opinion most nurseries
which fail in America— and hundreds of new
ones annuall}' do fail — mostly from their failures

187S,

THE GARDEJVER'S MOKTELY

^U

to get stock to grow, which need not be, provid-
ed they are properly handled.

We believe this firmly, and further that half
the trees annually planted die, the majority of
which might be saved if only this thought of
evaporation of the moisture were uppermost in
the minds of the planters. There is probably
little new in this chapter to intelligent horticul-
turists ; yet we believe it will be a benefit to
thousands, if we are to judge by the losses we
see.

WANDERING.

The Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Meehan, is taking a
vacation in the far West. While we commend
him to the readers who may meet with him, his
Nursery and the Monthly go on as usual.

OBITUARY.

The Boston Cultivator has the following notice
of the death of one of the most distinguished
Hbrticulturists of the past generation, as will be
seen by his age. He had claim to rest from ac-
tive labors for the good of horticulture before the
appearance of the Gardener'>s Monthly, but he
always took a warm interest in its success :

JOSEPH BRECK,

another venerable agriculturist and horticultu-
rist, and an occasional contributor to the Culti-
vator, died on Saturday, aged 78 years, 11
months and 14 days, widely known as seedsman
and senior of the well known agricultural ware-
house of Breck & Son, of North Market street,
Boston. The deceased was a native of Medfield ;
began business for himself in Pepperell and
removed to Boston, where he continued in busi-
ness down to the time of his death. He was
publisher of the "Old New England Farmer,"
which he discontinued, selling his list of sub-
scribers to the Albany Cultivator; author of
" The Elower Garden, or Breck' s Book of Flow-
ers," the most popular hand-book ever published
in this country, in 1851, re-issued in 1866 as
"New Book of Flowers,'' re-written and pub-
lished by Orange Judd & Co., New York ; was
member of the State Senate ; one of the founders
of, and always one of the most liberal contribu-
tors to the exhibitions of the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society ; was president for a time
of the society, and a true Christian gentleman
of the old school in the noblest and purest sense
of that term. "He was a good man," and his
memory will be cherished by all who knew him
intimately, as we had known him for years.
Bequiescat in pace.

SCKAPS AND aUERIES.

Carter's Champion Scarlet Runner.—
A correspondent informs us that Messrs. Thor-
burn has tried this variety of bean in this cli-
mate, and that it did not appear different with
them from the scarlet runner.

Odors of Flowers.— The Editor of the Hy-
giene, New York, asks us to submit the follow-
ing to our readers :

In view of the recent discoveries of Prof Man-
tegazza, of Pavia, Italy, concerning the produc-
tion of ozone by certain plants and fruits, and
the probable hygienic advantages to be derived
from the cultivation of such plants, it is desired
to obtain the experience of nurserymen and flor-
ists concerning the following points :

1. What is the popular opinion of the effect of
odorous plants on health ?

2. What plants are believed to affect the health
favorably by their odors ?

3. What plants are believed to exert injurious
effects by their odors ?

4. What diseases are believed to be affected by
odorous plants, and how — favorably or unfavor-
ably ?

5. Have you noticed any exemption from such
diseases as fever and ague, or other malarious
diseases, by those engaged in floriculture ?

6. Do you know any instances of the health of
a neighborhood having been beneficially affected
by the cultivation of flowers ? If so, what dis-
eases were modified or checked, and what were
the flowers and plants to the cultivation of which
the result was attributed V

Answers to the foregoing questions, and any
other information touching the subject, may be

2Jf

0.

TEE GARDEJYER'S MOJSrTHLY. August,

made as briefly or as elaborately as you choose
—the object being to elicit such facts as exist.
and the publication of which, it is believed, may
^0 much towards increasing the cultivation of
flowers for sanitary reasons, if for no other.

A copy of Hygiene^ containing the result, will
be mailed to those who contribute by their
answers to this effort. Answers should be ad-
dressed to Editor of Hygiene.

Freezing oy Sap in Winter.- Our corres-
pondent, L. J. Templin, of Kokomo, Ind., June
16 says : "In the Gardener'' s Monthly for
June, I see you have given a part of an article
of mine, published in the Uural Neio Torlcer.
In your introductory note, you have somehow
got my name metamorphosed into J. R. Tem-
ple, which is, as you are aware, wide of the
mark. You seem unable to understand what I
am 'driving at.' Tf my language was ambigu-
ous or indefinite, it is my own fault that I am
not undei-stood. What I meant to say, and
what I affirm, is that vegetables can, and do be-
come ' frozen solid,' without injuring their vitali-
ty. You have succeeded in bringing the world
to your views on several points, but on this
question, I opine, you will find it a harder task
to convince men than on any theory you have
heretofore advanced. It would be, I think,
about as easy to convince m' n that the surface
of our lakes and rivers does not become ' frozen
solid,' as that the sap in vegetable substances
does not become so frozen without injury to
their vitality. They have the evidences of the
same senses— sight and touch— to the one that
they have to the other."

[We understood our friend to say, just as he
now says it, that vegetables can and do become
frozen solid without injury to their vitality, and
further than this, we understood him to attempt
the proof of this affirmation by referring us to
frozen turnips which became fatally injured by
being frozen 1 We had nothing to say against
his assertion, but merely doubted the value of
the proof]

Degeneration of Pansies.— 3f. S., Paris,
Ky., writes : " Some time when writing of Pan-
sies, please let us know why it is they degene-
rate, and what we can do to prevent their degen-
eration. We have bought the best seed we can
get every year, for some years past ; and they
bloom quite up to what the advertisements say
about them, but before the season is half over

they produce little bits of flowers not fit to be
seen."

[There is no degeneracies in the variety. In
the hands of the best growers, it is the same as
with you. As the season advances, the flowers
always get smaller ; but seeds saved from these
will give plants which will produce large flow-
ers again next year. Indeed, the plants now
flowering, if kept over the winter, as they often
can be, will have just the same flowers, large
and small, as they had this. All that is neces-
sary is to give a dressing of new and good soil
to them before they begin to grow next spring.
The Pansy likes new and rich soil.]

Watkin's Glen, X. Y. — Our readers will
remember the account we gave of the wondrous
beauty of this spot a few years ago, then but
recently discovered. The place has since be-
come a fashionable place of summer resort, and
our old friend, Col. Frost, has had to transform
his beautiful residence into a large hotel and
boarding house, capable of accommodating sev-
eral hundred bdarrlers, under the management
of one of the leading New York hotel keepers.

The Mysteries of the Postal Laws. —
Mr. Harding says: " You will observe on the
envelope which enclosed the last MSS. I sent
you, the words 'book manuscript,' w'th two 2-
cent stamps, and which ought to have carried
through as heretofore. The Postmaster i*efused
to mail it without the additional stamps required
for letter postage. As addressed to the Editor
of the Gardener''s 3£onthly, it did not come
under the caption of 'book manuscript,' as a
monthly magazine ' is only a part of a book, and
consequentl}^ not a whole one,' as the Postmas-
ter understands it.

" I, like some of your other correspondents,
wish I had a better understanding of the myste-
ries of the post office, which seem to a plain and
simple body like the writer, inexplicable. Is
there no Soloman now-a-days, with wisdom
enough to solve the enigma ? Perhaps Dr.
Gumming could, as he professes to understand
all about ancient visions, and so po.ssibly would
be able to interpret ' Uncle Samuel's.' Probably
some spiritualist medium, or modern ' witch of
Endor ' can be induced to raise up the spirit of
' Beltshazzar,' master of the magicians, who
would give ' the interpretation thereof,' to the
letter writing public. Should such a ghost ever
present its supernatural form within sight of the

187S.

TEE GARDEJSTER'S MO JV TEL 7.

243

writer, like Shakspeare's 'Horatio,' I would
hail it as he did, ' by Heaven, I charge thee,
speak.' "

[As our correspondent says such is the ruling
of the Postmaster General, though every one
knows such was not the intention of the law
when passed. There can be no reason, under
common sense, why a book should be favored
with free, or nearly free, postage any more than
the publisher of a magazine. Indeed it is no
unusual thing for matter to be run through a
magazine before it goes into a book form. But
unfortunately, common sense is not English
grammar, and if the Postmaster chooses to be
governed by what the words of the act say,
rather than by a common sense meaning, who
can blame him ? We have heard of an eminent
man whose hand writing was none of the best,
who finished up an editorial by the magnificent
quotation that "virtue is its own reward," and
who was horrified to find in priul that he had
written "washing with soap is absurd." Our
postal laws have been made something after
this fashion, and we shall not be at all surprised
if the P. M. G. does not find somewhere in the
code, a clause which warrants him in ordering
that all editors shall be hanged.]

Double-Flowered Peaches.— Jf. S., Paris,
Ky., asks: "Will double blossomed Peaches
bear fruit ? A friend of mine says some she
purchased of an agent has fruit on. I tell her
she has been imposed on, as I belieye double
flowers never seed or produce fruit."

[Very double flowers do not seed, but many
things are not quite double. The pistils are
often perfect, and only the anthers are deformed.
Thus some double Roses, Carnations, Holly-
hocks, and so forth seed. Double-flowered
Peaches are of this class, and sometimes fruit.]

Name of Plant.— ilfrs. F., Canandaigua,
N. F., writes : "I send you by mail to-day, a
climbing plant, grown from seeds given me by a
friend direct from Honolulu, Sandwich Islands.
It has a tuberous root, and in some of the plants

the tubers grow one below another on the same
root stalk. My friend told me that the plant,
when in blossom, was very beautiful, and that
in the Islan-^s it grew very luxuriantly, com-
pletely covering verandahs, and running over
the roofs of buildings. It is called there the
Mexican CUmher, and my friend knew no other
name for it. I take the liberty of sending one
to you, thinking you may know something mora
definite respecting it. I planted the seed four
years ago, and now have three plants remaining.
Every year they make very fine foliage, but no
flowers. Probably window culture is not suit-
able for it. The plant which I send you haa
been cut back, and is now making new growth.
Give it support, and it will grow very rapidly.
I shall be much pleased to learn anything which
you may know relative to it, through tha
columns of the Gardener''s Monthly.''''

[The plant is a species of Cocculus — what spe-
cies can scarcely be told without flowers or fruit.
It is not, however, very distinct from the Coc-
cidus Carolinus of our Southern States, which
is quite hardy so fxr north as Philadelphia. As
our correspondent remarks, it is a beautiful
climbing plant, and then the fruit adds a new
charm to it in a pro'usion of red currant-like,
berries ; but as the difierent sexes are on sepa-
rate vines, the fruit is seldom seen. We have
never seen the berries on the cultivated speci-
mens as they are on wild plants, where both
forms grow freely together in the woods.]

Trimming Trees.— IF". D., Westchester, Pa.,
says : " The skilful Scotch gardeners told of by
'Chronicler,' in the Gardener'' s Monthly, who
came over to this country about seventy-five
years since, and introduced the system of maim-
ing, hacking, and eventually ruining our beau-
tiful God-formed trees, had better have remained
at home. Nature wants no such assistants.
Their art is essentially false. Art is only worth
calling such when it approaches Nature in ita
methods and spirit, and certainly there is no
such revelation in Nature as these abominable
tree-trimmers have sought to thrust upon us»
May the worms devour them at last.''

2JfJl

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJTTHLY. August,

JN^EW AND EAUE FKUITS.

Beurre Dubuisson Pear. — Respecting this
Pear, which attracted so much attention last
season in Belgium, we read the following re-
marks in the Bulletin d'' Arboriculture: "We
consider the Beurre Dubuisson the most valua-
Ible acquisition of the present generation, as it
■equals the finest October Pears in quality, and is
in perfect condition in February and March, a
time when thoroughly melting fruits are not to
'be had. It has, moreover, another invaluable
quality, viz., that of keeping ripe in a fruit-room,
without suffering any change, for four months,
•commencing from the beginning of December."
The following description of this Pear is given
by M. Du Mortier, in the Pomone Tournaisi-
€nne: "Fruit very large, oblong, slightly in-
dented, truncate, and ribbed at the base, some-
what attenuated towards the top. Stalk short,
•thick, oblique, not much sunk in the flesh. Skin
yellow, dotted and spotted with russet, some-
itimes slightly colored on the side next the sun.
Flesh fine grained, buttery, sweet, slightly aro-
-matic, and very juicy. Quality unsurpassed.''
The Beurre Dubuisson is finely figured in the
Sulletin cV Arboriculture for Sept., 1872, where

its aspect in the colored plate fully supports all
that has been written in its favor. — The Garden.

A Xeav Late Peach.— Under the name of
Peche Belle de Saint-Geslin, a new Peach is de-
scribed, in the last number of the Revue Horticole,
as the latest ripening kind known to French cul-
tivators. The stock from which it sprung was
discovered some yeirs since growing amongst the
ruins of the old tower of St. Geslin, near Riche-
lieu (Indre-et-Loire). The discoverer (M. Jou-
trou) finding that it fruited much later than any
of the other kinds he possessed, continued to
propagate it. The quality of the fruit is excel-
lent, the flesh being very melting and sweet,
with a slightly perfumed flavor. It is also of
large size and handsome appearance. Its chief
merit, however, is that it ripens as late as the
beginning of November, somewhat later than
the Sal way Peach. The tree is described as a
vigorous grower, with long stout branches cov-
ered with bark of a uniform blood-red color.
Leaves long, oval-lance shaped, very finely
toothed. Flowers like those of Grosse Mig-
nonne. — The Garden.

IVEW AIN^D RARE PLAINTS.

That splendid hardy shrub, Xanthoceras sor-
bifolia, which was named and described by M.
Decaisne some years since, and of which only a
single specimen exists in the gardens of the
Museum at Paris, is now completely covered
with flowers. These are of a pure white, slight
ly tinged with lilac-rose on the margin, and are
produced in dense and eflective clusters. Few
flowering shrubs are finer than this, and, when
better known, it cannot fail to become a general
favorite. — r/ie Garden.

New Clematises. — Since the introductio-
of the Japanese species, the improvement of the
Clematis by hybridization has been very great.
But the limit has not been reached. The Gar-
clener's Record says of the recent exhibition in
liOndon :

*' Som". very beautiful neat types of spring flow-

ering Clematises were shown by Mr. Charles
Noble, of Sunning Dale, and to one of them, C.
Mrs. Villiers Hister, white, with dark stamens,
and a bright lilac flame on each petal, distinct,
but with star-shaped flowers, a first-class certifi-
cate was awarded. A curious circumstance oc-
curred in connection with the granting of this
certificate, as two of three of the judges, whose
names were appended to the certificate as having
awarded it, emphatically repudiated all know-
ledge of it, and further said that the flower cer-
tificated was the very one, if not the only one,
they should have passed without notice. The
other varieties were Charles Noble, violet mauve,
darker on the edges, the j'oung flowers when
first expanded, have quite a reddish violet tint ;
this is a very fine broad-petalled variety ; Ma-
dame Albani, pure mauve, a very beautiful flow-
er, with splendid broad petals ; and Madame

1S7S.

THE GARDEJ^EWS MOJSTTHLY.

245

Torriani, pale ground, very charmingly and
prettily tinted with pink, a very distinct
variety."

DiEFFENBACHiA XoBiLis. — In a late number
of the Gardener''s Chron/'de, we observe an ex-
cellent illustration of this beautiful plant, intro-
duced, we believe, by Mr. W. Bull, King's
Road, Chelsea, London. It is described as being
one of the finest of its class, and very effective as
a decorative plant. The leaf-stalks are about a
foot long, thick and channelled, margined near
ly up to the blade, very pale green, mottled
transversely with brighter green. The blades
are oblong ovate, sub-cordate, 20 inches long
and 9 inches across, ending in a short abruptly

acuminate point ; they are of a deep rich green,
marked over the central portion to within about
an inch of the margin with largish angular,
irregular, and variously confluent white spots,
wkich contrast strongly with the color of the
margin and intervening portions.

Violet "Sensation.'' — Mr. Williams' nevf
Violet " Sensation " is described in the columns
of a cotemporary as being now in perfect bloom
in the Victoria Nurseries, and also to be one of
the finest things in its way that has yet been
sent out. It is intermediate in character be-
tween a good violet of the Coronuta race and a
blue Pansy, and has the early-blooming charac-
ter of the Pansies. — Gardener''s Becord.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

A Maryland Vineyard— In our August
number we wrote at some length of the adapta-
bility of thf^ soil and climate of the South, and
particularly of Maryland and Virginia, to the
growing of grapes and the making of wine, and
it is with great pleasure that we are now able to
offer proof of the correctness of the position we
there assumed as to a new and profitable open-
ing being offered to land holders in the direction
indicated, and to present an illustration of the
success attainable in this branch of culture as
shown by the operations of a vineyard near
Baltimore.

Mr. Charles T. Schmidt, a German gentleman
of intelligence and education, long resident in
this country, and formerly the owner of a vine-
yard on the Hudson River, some twenty miles
above the City of Kew York, desirous of living
in a climate in which the winters were less rigor-
ous, removed some years ago into Maryland ;
and having purchased a farm near Avalon, on
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, he planted
upon it a vineyard which is now in full ben ring,
and each season being enlarged by additional
plantings. There are now 21 acres, occupied by
about 17,000 vines, and producing last year from
11,000 to 12,000 gallons of wine, which is put on
the market in the purest form, with the addition
of no foreign substance whatever, and whirh is
fast making for itself a very excellent reputa-
tion.

Mr. S. grows a large variety of grapes, many
of them, however, only in numbers sufficient for
properly proving their merits for wine making,
he relying mainly upon a few well tested kinds,
such as the Concord, Ives' Seedling, iSTorton's
Virginia, Hartford Prolific, Delaware and lona.
Besides these he grows for the ])rod notion of a
white wine the Perkins, a grape not very exten-
sively known, and popularly not highly appre-
ciated, but one which for the purpose named is
here proved to be one of the best of Americaa
grapes. The wines produced from the first four
and the last named varieties are made and pre-
served separately, while the Delaware and lona,
as well as the various Rogers'. Hybrids, the Al-
vey, the Telegraph, &c., are used by mixtures
in different proportions with other Grapes or
with each other.

Whether it be from the peculiarly favorable
situation as regards soil and exposure, or
whether it come from greater care and more ia-
telligent management of the vines than they
ordinarily receive, we cannot tell; but the grapes
in this vineyard certainly seemed to us the day
we were in it to have attained a degree of per-
fection in size and flavor almost unequalled ia
our experience. The Concords were very largPj
rich an! melting, and entirely free from the
faintest suspicion of that foxiness which se' ms
everywhere, notwithstanding the wide spread
and deserved popularity of the grape, to be the

t46

THE GARDENER'S MOJVTELY.

August,

standing reproach cast upon this hardy, produc-
tive and useful variety. It may be due to some
peculiarity of treatment or location that we are
able to rank the Concord here grown as a deci-
"fledly superior grajie for eating to the Joiia, grow-
ing alongside of it under identically similar
usage. The latter, though fair to view and suf-
fering little from rot, gains nothing by a fair
comparison. This, we know, is reversing the
general judiiment and as it is a matter of taste,
the opinion of others might not coincide with
ours, even though they tested the two together
as we did.

Of the other kinds largely grown here, Alvey
is a black L;rape of medium size, of a sprightly
vinous fl;iv irand little or no pulp and few seeds.
Ives is a fiir table grape and very valuable for
wine. The berry is juicy and sweet, but with
considerable pulp and rather thick skin. Hart-
ford Prolific has a large black berry with tough-
ish skin, but sweet and rather juicy flesh with
considerable pulp. NortmVs Virginia grows in
long loose bunches of medium size, the berries
Tather small but rich, juicy and sweet. This is
one of the best of grapes in this locality for wine
making. It is a black grape. Telegraph, (or
Christine), is a juicy, sweet, delicious flavored
gviijic, growing in medium, compact bunches.
It is a desirable variety, worthy of much wider
•trial than has been given it. Of the Rogers'
Hybrids, No. 4, ( Wilder), is a large black grape
of good flavor, somewhar pulpy, but tender ;
No. 19, [Jferrimack], is also a large sweet -^nd
juicy black grape. Neither of these two, how-
■ever, compare iu quality to the No. 1, {Goe(he),
which is of a reddish amber color, of large size,
growing in well filled, good sized bunches ;
€weet, juicy, vinous ; flesh tender and melting,
of dehghtful flavor— a delicious grape for the
table and of merit for wine, though not yet
thoroughly tested in this respect. The Perl-ins
we did not see or taste ; it being a comparative-
ly early variety, the fruit had all been picked
before our visit to the vineyard. It is a medium
sized red grape, generally described as being in-
ferior and almost valueless; but, as stated
before, found by Mr. Schmidt to be one of the
tncist useful and desirable of all the varieties
grown by hira. The Cafawha and Clinton are
not grown here, the former from its tendency to
rot, and the latter having been superseded by
more valuable kind.*^.

It is worthy of remark in passing, that little

or no damage is sustained from any disease of
the vines now in bearing in this vineyard.

Of the Wines produced from these grapes,
that from the Concord approximates in comp?»r-
ison with European wines, nearest to a light
Claret, those from the Ives and Norton's \^irgi-
nia to a fuller bodied Burgundy, and the white
wines from the Delaware and lona, (mixed),
and the Perkins, more nearly resemble the Rhine
wines of Germany. To the average American
taste, unused to the light and somewhat acid
wines so largely produced in Europe, these na-
tive wines wiM not at first trial be found very
attractive, their very puritj' and freedom from
the "doctoring" and sweetening la rgel}' prac-
ticed with the foreign productions to artificially
prepare them for our markets, giving them a
novelty of flavor, which though not so much
relished at first, speedily becomes, however,
agreeable and attractive. It scarcely admits of
a question, we think, that as these light and
pure wines are introduced into popular use, and
the masses of our people become accustomed to
drinking them, that the consumption of whis-
key will diminish in a degree proportioned to
their use.

We can refer but briefly to the operation of
wine making. Tlie grapes as picked are brought
from the vineyard in tubs and emptied into a
mill which mashes and grinds them, its rollers
being so arranged that the seeds are not broken.
The crushed grapes and the juice pass from this
mill by a spout through an aperture in the floor
into the fermenting vats in an apartment below,
a sieve in charge of a boy preventing the passage
through of the stems. These vats are of the
capacity of 800 or 900 gallons, and are arranged
with two false heads which operate so as to pre-
vent the rising to the surface of the fermenting
must of the husks of the grapes. They are filled
with the juice, pulp and skins of the grapes,
and the process of fermentation at once begins,
the carbonic acid which rises being by an inge-
nious but simple contrivance, allowed to escape
without permitting the entrance of atmospheric
air, which U is necessary to exclude during every
process o\ ihe mauuflicture.

This first fei inentatiou continues, for the
white wiaes, for two or three days only, and for
the red, from six to eight or twelve. In the
making of white wines the fermented must is
racked off" without further fermentaliou upon
the husks. With the red wines the husks are
pressed by means of a suitahle mill and the ex-

1873.

THE GARBEJ^ER'S MOJ^'IRLY.

247

traded juice added to the must already racked
off from the vats.

The casks as filled from the vats are set aside
and another fermentation, known as the quiet
fermentation ensues, this continuing for four or
five months, and in most cases recommencing
the second summer. During this process a sim-
ilar arrangement for the escape of carbonic acid
and the exclusion of common air to the one allu-
ded to above is used, consisting of an inverted U
shaped tube, one arm of which enters the barrel
through the bung, the end of the other arm
being immersed in a small vessel of water
arranged to receive it.

At or before the termination of the quiet fer-
mentation the casks are removed to the cellar
or vault, where they remain for about a year —
at the end of which period the wines are ready
for use. This cellar is built in the side of a hill,
so that an even temperature is maintained. Its
storage capacit3' is about 16,000 gallons.

Mr. Schimdt is now also making to a limited
extent a grape brandy, which doubtless as a
pure article will find a ready sale for medicinal
purposes, displacing the villainous compounds
imported, or professing to be, under that title.

We were particularly struck, in witnessing the
operations of wine making, with the extreme
cleanUness .everywhere prevailing— a feature
peculiarly cheering and gratifying in comparison
with the statements made of the manner in
which the same processes are managed in Euro-
pean vineyards. If the stories told of them are
not the inventions of travelers, we will have the
double satisfaction in drinking American wines
of knowing that they are not only purer, but
cleaner than the " vile drinks ' from the " other
side."

The vineyard of Mr. Schmidt is situated on
the sides of a hill, declining in almost all direc-
tions except towards the West. He finds but
slight diflference of results from various expo-
sures of the vines, preferring however, if any,
the Northern inclination, although in his case a
still higher hill somewhat shelters him from the
wintry Northers. The land, which is a rather
stiff loam intermixed with considerable gravel,
was thoroughly subsoiled before the vines were
planted, one of the Pittsburgh subsoil plows
drawn by six mules having been used. The
vines are planted at distances of about eight
feet, in rows six feet apart, though some varia- I
tiou is made for difl'crent varieties. The vines
are supported on trellises of wires running hori-

zontally from posts about twenty feet apart.
Ordinary iron wire is used, and very little trou-
ble is experienced with it, the posts being well
braced. Vines one year old are planted, and
they come into their full bearing about the fourth
year, when each vine will yield, according to the
variety and the season, from ^ gallon to 2 gal-
lons of wine. The variation in the weight of the
different grapes required to make a gallon of
wine is very considerable, the Alvey.for instance,
making a gallon from 11 pounds of grapes, the
the Concord from 14, whilst of the Ives from 16
to 18 pounds are required to the gallon.

In the vineyard clean cultivation is practiced.
As soon as the crop is gathered the cultivators
are put into the rows, while the spaces between
the vines are hoed by hand. In the spring as
soon as the ground opens the workings begin
again, being repeated as often, sometimes, as
eight times in a season. The coming spring
Mr. Schmidt proposes, instead of hand working
between the vines as usual, to sow white clover
around them, believing the sod will keep the
roots of the vines cooler. The cultivation be-
tween the rows will of course be continued.

Of manures for the vine, stable manure is pre-
ferred above all other, except for its excessive
cost ; after that bone dust or bone ash. The en-
suing season experiments are to be made on a
considerable scale with Prussian potash salts.

Mr. S. has made a number of trials of foreign
varieties of grapes, including some from the
Rhine and others from the vicinity of Bordeaux,
but finds them unable to withstand our winters,
all of them dying down to the ground, and being
consequently unworthy, of course, of attention
from American vineyardists.

The pruning of the vines begins immediately
after the crop is removed and continues till
March, or until all the vines are trimmed, the
system varying somewhat according to the
variety and its characteristics of growth.

The soil and climate of this section are con-
sidered by Mr. Schmidt to be admirably adapted
to the cultivation of the grape, and he can sug-
gest nothing as lackiug for complete succ ss, un-
less it be more manure at less cost, a want which
many of his fellow culturists in other fields will
loudly echo. There are no secret processes in
his operations, and to persons who contemplate
planting vineyards for the production of wine,
he is willing freely to impart of his knowledge
and experience, being anxious to see the busi-
ness extendinl, believing that it would be to his

2Jf8

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY,

August,

interest to see vineyards establisiied on eveiy '
side of him. Tliis indeed is being alread}^ done,
his example having already produced fruit in his
immediate neighborhood, where several small
vineyards have been set out and the manufac-
ture of wine on a small scale begun, the owners
having received valuable hints as well as pro-
cured their vines from Mr. S., who makes the
sale of the latter a portion of the business of his
place.

The wine produced on this vineyard all conies
to the agents of Mr. Schmidt in Baltimore, Mes-
srs. Geyer & Wilkens, of 117 W. Lombard street,
a very respectable house largely engaged in the
tobacco trade with Germany and Holland, and
who, in addition to that sold in this city, make
large shipments of the wine to other places

As a matter of interest, and to show the value
of the products of the vine, we give the prices at
which these wines are sold by this house— in
quantities of say five gallons, there being some
reduction on larger quantities : The red and
white Concord, SI. 50 ; the Ives and the Nor-
ton's Virginia, $2; the Delaware and lona
(mixed) and the Perkins, .'52.50 per gallon.—
American Farmer.

at the same time a mephitic odor calculated to
finish him. Some prefer to sow this plant
around the field of vines, to form a sanitary
hedge. Others recommend dusting the roots
with orpiment (sulphuret of zinc) which proves
so efficacious in Persia, as an insecticide powder.
In fact, there is no end to receipts — the cnres
only are wanting. An agriculturist draws
attention to his farm which was infested with
thistles ; he tried every means to extirpate them;
weeding even failed. By laying the land down
in lucern, and cutting the forage as frequently
as was profitable, the nuisance disappears— thus
a practical denial is given to nemo me impune
htcef^sit — Correspondence of Prairie Farmer.

Grape Louse.— The Phylloxera perplexes
alike vineyard proprietors and entomologists,
but from opposite motives. Is the insect a cause
or an effect, or having originated by a simple
effect, has it now become a direful cause ? It was
found on the vin3s long before 1867. It is pro-
posed to sow, auout the middle of October, the
Madia saliva, between the vines, at the rates of
81bs. per acre ; the plant quickly springs up, and
attains the height of nearly two feet apart in
April, shading the soil by its branches ; in June
it flowers and yields a glutinous exudation,
which catches the bug like bird lime, and emits

The Xectarixe. — This fruit, possessing all
the excellence and characteristics of the peach,
with the gloss}' skin of the plum, and perhaps
nnpqualled in beauty by any other fruit when
finely grown, has been nearly given up by most
cultivators on account of the destruction of the
crop by the curcullo. This insect selects young
nectarines in preference to all other fruits for
the deposit of its eggs, which has made it nearly
impossible to secure a crop. But now that effi-
cient means have been devised for destroying the
curcullo, we would advise those cultivators who
are willing to take the necessary trouble to pro-
tect the fruit, to set out nectarine trees. The
former modes of jarring the trees by striking
them with padded mallets and other inefficient
tools, brought down but a portion of the insects ;
but the better way of giving them sharp blows
on the heads of inserted iron spikes, makes
thorough work, brings all down, and is more ex-
peditious. Nectarine trees may be set out the
present autumn, if the soil Is well drained or
naturally dry, and the exposure is not a windy
one. — Country Gentleman.

FOREIGN INTELLIGEIVCE

The English Holly.— As we write these
lines, cart l<*ads of holly are passing our win-
dows. Mistletoe pours into our great metropoli-
tan market by the ton, and Spruce Firs, in
quantities sufficient to form a veritable Wood of
Birnan, are carried by our doors. Away in th'
country, shrubberies have been ruthlessly de-

spoi'el of their stores, the orchards of Somerset
and Worcester, of Normandy and Brittany,
have yielded their stores of mystic Mistletoe,
and nimble fingers are gaily stitching and tack-
ing and nailing the leafy devices which are to
quicken our thankfulness, gl.adden our hearts,
and testify that even in the gloomiest of mid-

187S.

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOXTHLY.

249

winters hope and joy and good fellowship are to
be found among us.

If we remember that there is nothing in the
spelling of the words "holiday'' and "holy-
day," to justify our pronouncing the former as
if it were spelt holliday, and that this pronunci-
ation is solely determined by custom, it will not
be difficult to believe that what we now call the
Holly Tree was by the earlier writers upon plants
spoken of as the " holy tree." But if we go back
to the Saxon, we fined " Ilolegn " is the Holly
tree, while "halig" is holy. In Anglo-Saxon
times, too, the Holly was, according to Dr.
Prior, called "elebeam," or oil tree, from its
branches having been used for Olive branches
and strewed before the image of Jesus, in cer-
tain solemnities of the Church that represented
His entry into Jerusalem. It is evident that
the fruiting branches of the tree have long been
in use for religious festivals amongst many
northern nations in Europe, since we find it
called Christmas in England, Christdoan by the
Germans, and Christoon by the Swedes and
Danes. Doubtless its "thorny leaves, and
b-rries like crimson drops," have been regarded
by Christians in all times as symbolicarof an
event which they thankfully keep in remem-
brance.

We all know how extensively the branches of
this tree are used for decoration at this season,
both in houses and churches, both with berries
and without berries, although there is no Scrip-
tural authority or warrant for its use, since none
of the kinds grow in Western Asia, and it is not
one of the trees mentioned in the Bible. — (?ar-
dener^s Chronicle.

Origin of the Botanical Name Andro-
meda—Bot;inists are frequently taxed with the
want of euphony and of poetry in the Plant
Names which they bestow ; and it must be ad-
mitted that many fearful "jawbreakers " might
be cited in support of the charge. Occasionally,
however, we find names bestowed in a more ro-
mantic spirit ; and such is the case with the
Andromeda, a title which Linnseus first bestowed
upon our British example of the genus, A. poli-
folia. In his " Tour in Lapland " he tells us of
the connection between the flower and the hero-
ine of mythology which led to his selection of
the name ;

" As I contemplated it, I could not help think-
ing of Andromed , as described by the poets ;
and the more I meditated upon their descrip-

tions, the more applicable they seemed to the lit-
tle plant before me ; so that had these writers
designed it, they could scarcely have contrived a
more apposite fable. Andromeda is represented
by them as a vir2;in of most exquisite and un-
rivalled charms ; but these charms remain only
so long as she retains her virginal purity, which
is also applicable to the plant now preparing to
celebrate' its nuptials. This plant is always
fixed on some little turfy hillock in the midst of
the swamps, as Andromeda herself was chained
to a rock in the sea, which bathed her feet, as
the fresh water does the roots of this plant.
Dragons and venomous serpents surrounded her,
as toads and other reptiles frequent the abode of
her vegetable resembler, and when they pair in
the spring, throw mud and water over its leaves
and branches. As the distressed virgin cast
down her blushing ftice through excessive afflic"
tion, so does this rosy colored flower hang its
head, growing paler and paler till it withers
away. ... At length comes Perseus, in the
shape of summer, dries up the surrounding wa-
ter, and drives away the monsters, rendering the
damsel a fruitful mother, who then carries her
head (the capsule) erect."— GrarfZener's Chroni-
cle.

Leaky Boilers.— Here is a hint which some
of our practicals might do well to act on, if
necessary ; it refers to an expeditious method of
stopping a leak in a boiler. M. Paul Hanguel,
in the Bevue Honicole, calls attention to a self-
acting, costless, and instantaneous remedy for
this troublesome and, it may be, dangerous ac-
cident. The plan so confidently recommended
consists in getting a quantity of horsedung (7—8
litres, say a gallon measure), stirring it thorough-
ly till it is completely dissolved, and then pour-
ing the mixture into the boiler. If the leakage
is not stopped by this proceeding, the plan may
be repeated a second time. M. Hanguel declares
that he has repeatedly tried the plan, and always
successfully. We should be glad to know if this
method has been tried here. — Gardener''s Chron-
icle.

Hyacinths in AVater.— To have good Hy-
acinths the Gardener''s Mngnzine recommends a
correspondent : " You do quite right iu putting
the bulbs in a dark cupboard until they are
rooted. Bain water is preferable to hard water,
and does not require changing, unless it becomes
impure, and then it should be replaced with

250

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJs^TELY. August,

tepid rain water. We do not recommend any
addition, as you suggest. Single varieties are
the most suitable for growing in water, but none
of the varieties will produce such fine spikes of
flowers as they will do when planted in a gen-
erous compost."

it has come to us from California. It is, never-
theless, the Creeping Thistle of Great Britain,
and it never quits a country into which it has
been introduced."

The Califorxian Thistle.— The follow-
ing Notes were read before the Royal Society of
Tasmania by Mr. W. Archer, F. L. S. :

"The genus Carduus, as established by Lin-
naeus, consists of what are called ' true Thistles,'
with a hairy pappus or calyx ; and ' plume This-
tles,' with a feathery pappus or calyx. Ben-
thara, in his 'Handbook of the British Flora.'
follows Linnfeus, but some botanists class the
' true Thistle ' under the genus Carduus, and the
'plume Thistles,' under the genus Cnicus or Cir-
sium. The Milk Thistle (Carduus Mariauus)
represents the true Thistle in Tasmania, and the
Carduus lanceolatus, or Spear Thistle (Cnicus
lanceolatus of the British Flora of Hooker and
Arnott), the Plume Thistle. The Spear Thistle
of England is what is called in Tasmania the
Scotch Thistle, but it is not by any means pecu-
liar to Scotland. (The Scotch heraldic Thistle
is the Onopordon Acanthium, which is a native
of Central Europe and of Asia, but certaiuly not
a native of Scotland, according to Bentham.)
The Spear Thistle (Carduus or Cnicus lanceola-
tus) has a biennial root-stock, which sends up
for two years (after which it dies) annual stems,
winged and prickly, with broadish, pinnatified
prickly-lobed leaves, and large, egg-shaped flow-
er-heads, enveloped in involucral spreading
bracts, with stifl", lai-gish prickles. The Creep-
ing Thistle (Carduus or Cnicus arveusis) has a
perennial and creeping root-stock, which sends
up perpetually, annual stems, with rather nar-
row, pinnatified, very prickly-lobed leaves, and
dioecious flower-heads -the male flower-heads
nearly globular, and the female flower-heads
egg-shaped, enveloped in involucral appressed
bracts, with small prickles. Both the Spear
Thistle and the Creeping Thistle are found
abundantly in Europe and Asia. The Spear
Thistle is, of course, the more easily destroyed
of the two ; the Creeping Thistle seems to be
quite ineradicable. The Creeping Thistle is
mentioned by Prof. Johnson as being called in
the United States of America the Canadian
Thistle— probably because it traveled thither
from Canada ; and so I suppose, the same This-
tle is called here the California Tliistle because

A Neav Vegetable. — The GarcZfner's Chron-
icle says : " In the current number of the Jour-
nal of Botany, Dr. Hance describes a Chinese
Culinary Vegetable, consisting of the shoots of
a grass, Hydropyrum latifolium, wild in North-
ern China and the Amoor Land, and cultivated
in Southern China in standing water. As
brought to market the ' cane shoots ' occur in
cjiindrical pieces of a white color, 2j-3j inches
long, 1 to 1^ inch in diameter, tapering upwards
into a conical point, and surrounded and sur-
mounted by the leaves and culm, from which
they are readily detached. In taste the raw
shoot is not unlike a half-ripe nut, but it is never
eaten uncooked. By the Chinese it is stewed
with meat, and b}- foreigners cut longitudinally
into two or three pieces, well boiled, and served
with melted butter. Prepared in this way it is
stated by Dr. Hance to be one of the most agree-
able of vegetables. 'It is difficult,' says the
writer from whom we quote, 'to describe its
exact flavor, but it is, perhaps, nearer to that
of unripe Maize, as boiled and eaten b}' Anieii-
caus under the name of green corn, though it
possesses a richness and delicacy to which I
know no parallel in any other vegetable.' The
species in question is uearl}'^ allied to the Ameri-
can species H. esculentum, formerly grown in
this country. There is little doubt that the
Chinese plant would also thrive in our climate,
on which account we are glad to hear that Dr.
Hance intends to send home living plants."

Hoy A Bella. — This beautiful little plant is
not met with so frequently as it should be, for it
is one of the most charming of small stove plants.
The essential jioints of its treatment are : A
strong moist heat while growing ; abundant
moisture at the root ; and a perfectly open well-
drained soil. The latter may consist of a mix-
ture of about equal parts of good fibrous jieat,
leaf-mould, and sand. When started in spring
the temperature should be from 65' to TC ; when
ripening m Autumn from 55^ to 60' — the plant
being then placed ou a shelf near the glass and
kept drier, though not so much so as to aflect
the foliage. It is a good stove basket plant. — W.
H. O., in Gardener''s Chronicle.

1 -78.

TRE GARDENER'S MOJVTHLY.

251

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.

HORTICULTURAL OBSERVATIONS IN
ENGLAND, No. 6.

Took a stroll the other day through the nursery
establishments of Messrs. Yeitch, also Lucombe
Pince & Co., Exeter. The Veitch nurseries are
not so extensive as they were some years ago,
as the original place has been broken up a^nd
built upon, but the present one is compact, well
stocked and well conducted. They are located
in a prominent part of the city. You enter the
grounds through a broad, w. 11 gravelled walk,
well planted on both sides with fine specimen
Rhododendrons, all the choice varieties of Coni-
feras, &c. As you approach the houses there is
a choice and large collection of Alpine plants in
pots plunged in sand. In the houses also are
numerous fine specimens, many of them grown
specially for exhibition purposes -such as An-
thuriums, Allamandas. Clerodendrou Balfourii,
Ferns, &c. Among new things in the Fern
tribe was Davallia Tyermanii, which promises
well. Among climbers, Tacsouia exonieusis,
which they have a fine stock of. Croton multi-
color and various other varieties. Take it
altogether, it is a weil conducted establishment,
and well worth a visit.

The L'lcombe & Piuce nursery, since the
death of Mr. Pince, is carried on by Dr. Good-
man, a relative of the family. It still maintains
its reputation as a first class nursery in all its
various departments.

The first object that arrests the attention on
entering the grounds, is the Original Lucombe
Oak. It is now a noble tree. On the opposite
side of the road are two magnificent Pinus insig-
nis, fifty feet high I should think. Also superb
plants of Araucaria imbricata, the finest in the
country I presume. Irish Yews from one foot
to twenty, by the hundreds. One of the best ex-
amples of rock work I have ever seen is here—
whether you take the variety and size of the
rocks that coinp )se it, the natural and artistic
manner in which they are thrown together, or
the beauty aid appropriate variety of the plants
that adorn it. There is a natural ruggedness
about it which is extremely pleasing. In dimen-
sions, I should think it must be over one hun-
dred and fifty feet in diameter, but when 3'ouget
inside it is such a perfect labyrinth of twists,
turns, caves, &c., that it is difficult to imagine

what size it is. Among the plant drapery that
adorns it, the most striking were Skimmia Ja-
ponica, Desfoutainea, Abies Gregoriana, A.
pymeea, Cupressus echiniformis, Thuja gigantea,
Thujopsis dolobrata, and Biota orientalis, fifteen
feet high ; Cotoneaster, Pampas Grass, all the
hardy ferns, &c. Near by, overshading our
fine English Yews, Abies nobilis, twenty-five
feet high ; Sequoia gigantea, forty feet ; Abies
pinsapo, about as high. Quite a sudden contrast
to this near by is the formal, but tastefully de-
signed Italian Garden, completely enclosed by a
perfect clipped Yew hedge six feet high. The
enclosure is about one hundred and sixty feet
long and one hundred and thirty wide. A Per-
gola, or arbor runs through the centre, covered
with Wistarias, Passi floras, and all the various
climbers. On both sides of the arbor are long
formal beds in the grass, artistically planted with
the scarlet and variegated Pelargoniums, &c.
Then running parallel the whole length a''e Irish
Yews, twelve feet high, planted in pairs ; be-
tween each pair are large white vases filled with
choice plants. This is quite a pleasing illustra-
tion of the Italian style on a raodenite scale.

Time will not permit me to remain with you
in the open air any longer, so let us take a peep
at this far-famed camellia house. Here it- is in
all its majesty. It is a noble house, and con-
tains some regal plants. It is two hundred and
forty feet long. The side walls about fifteen feet
high, completely covered from end to end like a
mass of ivy— and when I saw it before in Febru-
ary, this wall was covered with flowers as well
as foliage. One row of plants only occupy the
centre— but such plants ! They are as large as
fair sized apple trees. Some eighteen months
ago the roof of the house was raised at a cost of
£600 N<'ar to this is another large house filled
chieily with choice hard wooded plants. The
Heath family is well represented here. This
tribe has not received the attention during the
past twenty years as it did the preceding twen-
ty ; but they are waking them up again now.
They have a tolerjuble good stock of plants in
various sizes. In bloom were E. vestita alba,
E. perspicua nana, E. ventricosa magnifica,
(fine), E. Hartnellii, E. ampulacea, E. ventri-
cosa coccinea, and many other varieties. A fine
plant of Pheuocoma prolifera Baruesii ; also

25^

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^'TRLY, August,

Aphelexsis wacrcantha purpurea, Genetylis
tulipifera. Fine plant of Acacia grandis, Pime-
lias and Eriostemons, Lescheuaultia formosa,
biloba, &c., and a good plant of the beautiful
biennial? Clianthus Dampierii in bloom.

Pardon a digression for a moment. On the
first of April I was passing through a sunny lit-
tle village on the banks of the Teign, when I
observed a climber trained up the front of a
pretty cottage, almost covered with deep scarlet
or crimson pendulous flowers. T could not con-
ceive what it could be, so I opened the little
gate and walked up to the house, and to my sur-
prise found it was Clianthus punicens. I could
not resist the impulse to manifest my surprise
to the owner of the house, so I rapped at the
door and a lady came out, and she told me it
had been planted out there about three 5'ears,
and that she cut four or five spikes of bloom of

it on Christmas day to decorate the font in the
village church.

But to return to the nursery. There is in all
about thirty plant houses in this establishment,
all well filled and in fine order. They have fine
plants in tubs, boxes of the Conifera, &c. , for
decorative purposes, such a" Thuja Donniana,
T. Dolobrala, Cryptomeria elegans, Araucarias,
Palms, &c. They also have a manufactory ad-
joining the nursery, where they make frames,
sashes, vineries, and other horticultural struc-
tures. Also keep an experienced landscape
gardener and draughtsman for designing and
laying out new places and improving old ones,
and I must add, from what I have seen of their
work in this line of business, that it would re-
quire talent of no mean order to equal or surpass
them in design, execution or planting.

Newton Abbott, Devon. J. W. "W.

HOKTICULTUHAL NOTICES.

PEXXSYLVAXTA TTORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

AUTUMNAL EXniBTTTOTST.

Philadelphia, Sfptemher Wth, 17«/), If^th mid Idtit,
1873.

The Members of the Pennsylvania Tlorticullu-
ral Society de?ire to make the Autumnal Exhi-
bition this year, as far as possible. National in
its character, preparatory to the Grand Centen-
nial Exhibition in 1876. The grounds for the
Horticultural Garden, the Gi-and Conservatories
and Plant Houses for the Centennial Exhibition,
have nlready been set apart by the Commission-
ers, and it is expected that some of the buildings
will be erected early next year.

The meeting of the American Pomological So-
ciety will be held this year in Boston, on the
10th of September, nearly a week before the Ex-
hibition of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Socie-
ty, which will enable Fruit Growers from the
South and West to visit Philadelphia conve-
niently on their return home, which they are
cordially invited to do.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will
be happy to hold a conference with Horticultu-
rists from other States, as 'to the requirements
of the country in regard to the Centennial Ex-
position of Horticulture in 1876, for which we
arc already working with much zeal. Promi
nent members of our Society are at Vienna

sludj'ing the results of European labor in this
department.

PREMIUM LIST.

Autumnal Exhibition of Pennsylvania Horticul-
tural Society, Se^itember IQth, 1873.

The following are the principal Premiums
oftered by the Society for Fruits. The Premi-
ums for Plants and Flowers are omitted:

COLLECTIONS OF FRUIT.

Collections of Fruit, by any State or Society,
if, in the judgment of the Committee, the col-
lections are sufficiently large and varied to merit
the award, 1st premium, SlOO 00.

Collections of Fruit, by any individual or firm,
1st premium. -SoO 00 ; 2d premium, S30 00 ; 3d
premium, Silver Medal.

PEARS.

Collection of not less than 100 named varieties,
3 to 6 specimens each, 1st premium, S30 00.

Collection, not less than 50 named varieties, 3
to 6 specimens each, 1st premium, i?20 00.

Collection, 20 named varieties, 3 to 6 speci-
mens each, 1st premium. .§15 00 ; 2d premium,

mo 00.

Collection, 15 varieties, 3 to 6 specimens each,
1st premium, $12 00 ; 2d premium, «8 00

Collection, 10 varieties, 3 to 6 specimens each,
1st premium, $6 00 ; 2d premium, .'?4 00.

187S,

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^TELY.

253-

SINGLE DISHES OF PEARS.

Duchess d' Augouleme, 12 specimens, 1st pre-
mium, %o 00.

Beurre Clairgeau, 12 specimens, 1st premium,
$5 00.

Yiear of Winkfield, 12 specimens, 1st premi-
um, %h 00.

Beurre Bosc, 12 specimens, 1st premium, 15.

Lawrence, 12 specimens, 1st premium, $5 00.

Any other varietj' approved by the Commit-
tee, premium, S3 00.

APPLES.

Collection of named varieties, 6 specimens
each, 1st premium, S20 ; 2d premium, $10.

Collection of 12 named varieties, 6 specimens
each, 1st premium, $5 00.

Any variety, 12 specimens, approved by Com-
mittee, premium, $2 00.

Packages of Fruit may be sent by Express,
addressed as follows : Thomas A. Andrews,
Superintendent of Exhibition, Horticultural Hall,
Philadelphia, Pa.

The Fruit Committee have power to award
any other Premiums for Collections of Fruits —
or single dishes of great excellence— to any ex-
tent that the merit of the specimens may require,
which awards are always sanctioned by the So-
ciety.

A Plant and Flower Market will be
held in the Lower Hall, during the continuance
of the Exhibition, where contributors may offer
for sale any Plants, Trees, Flowers, or other
Horticultural products. This has been found to
be a very interesting and useful feature of the
Exhibitions.

NORTH CAROLINA FRUIT

At a Meeting of the Pennsylvania Horticultu-
ral Society, held on the 20th of May, 1873, a
resolution was passed, as follows :

Resolved, — The Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society having learned that the soil and climate
of North Carolina is exceedingly favorable to the
production of fine Fruit, we hereby earnestly in-
vite the Fruit Growers, Societies and Amateurs
of that State to send specimens of their products,
such as Apples, Pears, Grapes, and specimens
of native Wine, &c , to the Autumnal Exhibi-
tion of this Society, to be held in Philadelphia,
on Tuesday, September lOih, 1873, to continue
four days — and that tab'es be set apart for the
display of this Fruit, and that Money Premi-
ums and Medals be awarded by the proper com-

mittees, for such collections of Fruit, agreeably
to the published schedule of the Society.

Packages may be sent by Express, addressed
to Thomas A. Andrews, Superintendent Horti-
cultural Hall, Philadelphia, Pa.

Letters respecting contributions, may be sent
to the same address.

GEKMANTOWN (PA.) HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETT.

The second exhibition of this new Society held
the end of June, afforded some facts which have
more than a local interest. Among the cut
flowers was one of the richest vases of flowers
that could possibly be made. This was wholly
composed of the flowers of Amaryllis, Johnsonii,
White Oleander, and the leaves of Mahonia
aquifolia, with a few white Deutzia scattered
through. In another collection excellent use
had been made of the leaves of Centaur ta gym-
nocarpa. In Roses for cut flower work, there
seems to be nothing that will compare for gen-
eral usefulness with SafFrano and its offspring,
Isabella Sprunt, Mr. Baumann, in his Pla-
teaus of cut flowers, used theai extensively.

A very good plant for arches, designs and so
on, is Lytlirum Salicaria. A hardy herbaceous
plant, pretty well known. It does not wither so
easily as many flowers ; and after it has withered
still makes a show. It was used with much
effect in one of the designs.

Among summer decorative plants, in tubs for
lawns, few are better than the Eugenia Jambos.
The large bay-like leaves, and silky tassel-like
flowers are freely produced, and look fresh under
our hottest suns. Mr. Berry, gardener to Mr.
Adamson, had a very well grown plant.

To most gardeners a very interesting plant
was one from Mr. Wister's— a very large speci-
men of an Azalea, with hundreds of blossoms.
We boast of our skill in getting flowers early,
but an Azalea so retarded as to be in full bloom
at the end of June, is surely an accomplishment
of which one may be proud. There were some
fine plants of Hoteia (spiraea and astilbe) Japoni-
ca by Thos. Hendricks, gardener to Mr. John
Jay Smith. One plant had fifty spikes of flow-
ers. This is the plant now so popular for win-
ter forcing. He also had Heliotropes several
years old in pots, blooming profusely. Miller &
Hayes, in their collection, had a nice plant of
the gold blotched Euonymus, which makes a
I very ornamental tub plant, on account of the

^5Ji.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJfTELY. August,

freedom with which it produces flowers, as well
for its ornamental leaves. From Meehan's Nur-
series was a Stanhopea tigrina, with half a dozen
unexpanded flowers, exhibited chiefly to show
that many of these orchids can be grown to great
perFection in common greenhouses. William E.
Meehan, a young son of the Editor of Garden-
er''s Monthly, made his debut as a professional
florist by obtaining the first premium for basket
of cut flowers. The Lilium longiflorum, of Mr.
Newett, were superb. The " Lilies of the field "
never excelled these in purity and sweetness.
In the search for new lilies, let not this desirable
old one be overlooked. Some exhibitor had a
collection of Phlox Drummondii, of a very great
variety of form and color. The perfection to
which the Germans have brought this Phlox is
wonderful. Mr. W. J. Young, who is known
to our readers as leading in the growth of fruit
trees in pots, had a good spec! men of peach with
numerous fruit in a twelve inch pot, which
pleased everybody. Mr. Kinnier, florist, had
also some very attractive rustic ornaments, in
which various kinds of rare Ivies were made to
play very useful parts.

June exhibitions, unless early, are very heat-
ing kinds of mental food. This was a success ;
but a May meeting would probably be more so.
Mr Housely, gardener to Mr. Soraers, had a
splendid Epiphyllum Jenkinsii, a first-class,
though old-fashioned summer blooming plant.
And speaking of summer blooming plants, we
must not forget the Fuchsias. Mr. Lonsdale,
house foreman at the Germantown nurseries,
had a young one of Rose of Castile, very well
grown. Mr. Casey and L. C. Baumann also had
good plants of popular kinds. After all said
about various things, there is nothing better for
summer blooming pot plants than good Fuch-
sias.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY HORTICULTU-
RAL SOCIETY.

Dayton, Ohio, April 5th, 1873.
The Society met at the residence of William
Kramer, Esq., on Wednesday. The attendance
was very fair, considering the muddy roads and
chilly wind which prevailed, and what was lack-
ing in numbers was made up in sociability and
good feeling. Mr. and Mrs. Kramer bestowed
every attention upon their visiting friends, and
fully sustained their high reputation in this re-
spect.

The morning was spent in examining the
grounds of Mr. Kramer. A portion of the gen-
tlemen, under the lead of the host himself, took
a tramp through the vineyard, examined the
blackberry and raspberry buds, &c., whilst
others, with the ladies, visited the greenhouses,
which were filled with choice flowers, all in the
most thrifty and healthy condition.

After dinner was over. President Ohraer called
the meeting to order and the regular order of
business was proceeded with.

The subject of planting trees and shrubs was
discussed by several of the members. Mr. Mum-
ma remarked that in planting, care should be
taken not to crowd the roots in planting out
trees. The holes where they are to be planted
should be made six or eight inches larger than
required to admit the body of roots, and from
two to three feet deep, filled with good surface
soil, on which to place the tree or shrub to be
planted. He also preferred spring to fall plant-
ing. In removing from the nursery, secure all
the roots possible with the tree, and trim the
tops closely, always to correspond with the root.
President Ohmer believes in shallow planting
on heavy clay soil, and mounding the dirt
around the tree. Mr. Longstreth, by excava-
ting holes two feet square and two feet deep, and
filling with good soil, and securing good drain-
age, for grapes and peaches, secured a rapid
growth. President Ohraer said grapes needed
dry soil and dry atmosphere. Mr. Clough had
failed with grapes planted in deep holes, but by
thorough pruning and planting shallow, was
meeting with success. Mr. Kramer thought
deep plowing, in oi-dinary soils is sutficient pre-
paration of the ground for grapes.

Mr. Yan Ausdal had found it necessary on a
retentive clay soil, to underdrain, in order to
secure a crop of grapes.

The general opinion of those present seemed
to be that for grap'^s, where there was natural
drainage, a thorough pulverizing of the soil was
all that was necessary, otherwise sub-soiUng
would have to be resorted to in order to remove
the surplus moisture.

Mr. Linxweiler spoke of the progress made in
the manufacture of native wines, and praised
highly Norton's Virginia Seedling Grape for
that purpose. He was of the opinion that wines
would soon be made in this country eqml to the
best wines of Europe. President Ohmer said
the Ives Seedling seldom rots or mildews.

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

'^55

although not a first-class wine grape, by com-
bining the Ives and Concord in equal propor-
tions, produced a good wine, a sample of which
he exhibited to the meeting, and on being tested
was quite highly praised.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

President Ohmer exhibited apples called Bent-
ley's Sweet, of very fine appearance, and possess-
ing extra keeping qualities, which highly recom-
mend it to cultivators. He stated that they bore
fruit the fourth year after planting on his farm.

Pears were also shown by Mrs. Dudley, re-
markably well preserved.

The committee reported as follows :

COMMITTEE ON FRUITS.

Your committee would I'eport that two varie-
ties of fruit were submitted, to wit : Apples —
Wine Apples, by N. Ohmer ; Bentley, sweet, a
new variety from Eastern Ohio, fine keeper —
keep until July, also handsomely colored, and
neither sweet nor sour in flavor. Pears from
Mrs. Duell, fine keepers ; flavor, sweet, good for
preserves. Tiiis pear seems to be the Oak Leaf
variety. Wm. Longstreth,

J. Pr. W. Mumma,
James M. Smith.

Mr. John Powell communicated the following
paper on

PEAR trees.

As the season of planting fruit trees is now
close at hand, I would suggest the best kinds of
pears for our soil and climate, and will make a
list of some kinds ripening in succession. I
would remark that this list is for standard
trees :

Doyenne d' Ete, best early variety, July 1st
Rosteiser, a first-rate fruit, two weeks later
Tyson, rich and good, a shy bearer, July 25th
Clapp's Eavorite, a noble variety, new and fine
Bartlett, a royal pear in all respects, August 1st
Flemish Beauty, a grand fruit in this region
Onondaga, large, handsome, but rather tart,
September 6th ; Howell, a noble, large, rich
pear, October 6th ; Buerre d' Aujou, new and
ranked as best ; Lawrence, first-rate, juicy and
a good bearer, November ; Mt. Vernon, new,
promises first-rate ; Doyenne d' Alencon, new
and a good keeper ; Buerre Easter, keeps
through the winter, but is very difficult to ripen.
I have not ripened it yet. As to dwarf pears, I
have come to the conclusion, after nearly twenty

years experience, that they are not worth grow-
ing for profit. If I had a small city lot and
wanted some playthings, I wouM have a few
dwarfs. I have quite a u umber that have
thrown out root from the pear stock, and from
these I get a good supply of fruit.

Compton's " surprise " potatoes were shown
by John Sackstedter. This new variety, sent
out this year for the first time, is reported to
have yielded last season at the rate of 826 bush-
els per acre, and sell now at the moderate rate
of three dollars per pound. Mr. Sackstedter
will undoubtedly report his success with it next
fall.

June, 1873.

The June meeting of the Montgomery County
Horticultural Society was held at the residence
of Mr. John Sackstedter, on the river road, a
short distance southwest of the city. N'otwith-
standing the very busy season, the attendance
was good, quite up to the average, indicating
that there is no lack of zeal in the cause of hor-
ticulture on the part of its friends in Montgo^e"
ry county, at least.

After discussing the merits of a substantial
collation skilfully prepared for the occasion,
where entire unanimity of sentiment seemed to
prevail, the company adjourned to. the parlor,
when President Ohmer called the meeting to
order. The Secretary being absent, on motion,
"Wm. Ramsey was appointed pro tem^ and regu-
lar business proceeded with.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and
approved.

Mr. J. H. W. Mumma, Committee on Small
Fruits, was not ready with a written report, but
would state vprbally that the prospect of an
abundant yield of small fruit did not seem to be
very flattering. His strawberry crop would be
materially short, not much exceeding a quarter
of a crop. The same was partially true of his
blackberries ; indeed, so far as their cultivation
was concerned, he began to feel symptoms of
discouragement. The ^[amraoth Cluster Rasp-
berry seemed to be the only one among the more
valuable of the small fruits which has come un-
scathed through the severities of the past long
and unusually cold winter.

Mr. "William Kramer, upon the subject of
grapes, reported that they seemed to be doing
well.

small fruits and vegetables.

Mr. S. M. Sullivan opened the discussion by
triumphantly holding up to view a basket of

256

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^"TELY.

August,

magnificent Wilson's Albany Strawberries, and
facetiously exclaiming, "do you call these stnall
fruits!"

Mr. J. M. Smith wanted some information
with regard to the qualities of the Green Prolific
strawberry. Mr. Kramer and Mr, Mumma con-
curred iu representing this variety as quite
promising ; the plants were hardy, the fruit
large and of good quality, in flavor nearly equal
to Burr's !New Pine, and in productiveness ap-
proaching the standard of the Wilson, lacking
only in the quality of firmness. Mr. Clough
had failed in getting his plants to grow, although
he had bestowed upon them the tenderest care.

Mr. Mumma called the attention of the mem-
bers to the fact that the blackberry plant this
season is more or less affected with a species of
rust, particularly the Kittatinny variety. What
is the probable cause and remedy ?

Mr. Ohmer had noticed the same phenome-
non ; it was probably a species of fungi ; on his
grounds the Kittatinny appeared to suSer most ;
he suggested that the best remedy was to dig up
the affected plants and burn them.

Inquiry was made as to whether the Colorado
bug had made its appearance or not. This gave
rise to a somewhat extended discussion of the
subject of entomology, or rather that branch of
it which treats of insects destructive of fruits,
flowers, &c.

Mr. Ohmer remarked that Professor Riley, an
accomplished entomologist, at the meeting of
the United States Agricultural Society, recently
heM at Indianapolis, stated that a new and de-
structive insect, somewhat resembling in appear-
ance the measuring worm, but different, had
made its advent in the forests west of Indian-
apolis.

Mr. Pierce stated that the slugs so destructive
to the rose appear not to be so numerous or de-
structive as formerly. Paris green, applied in a
liquid form, or as a powder, was recommended
as a good agent for the destruction of the slug or
any similar insect.

The question was asked about how strong the
solution should be to kill the rose slug.

Mr. Ohmer replied that Prof. Riley recom-
mended one part Paris green and thirty parts
of flour as amply strong enough to kill these in-
sects, if the Paris green was genuine, but that
none was genuine except that possessing a deep
green color.

Mr. Smith cautioned the public against pur-
chasing an adulterated article.

Mr. Ewing remarked that a druggist told him
that the genuine article is never sold at retail.

Mr. Clough observed that there is iu existence
a small force pump, for the purpose of applying
the Paris gi*een in a liquid form.

Mr. Ohmer here remarked that the planting
of shade trees along the public highways was a
good thing, and hoped the committee, whose
duty it was to invoke the aid of legislation in
the furtherance of this object, would push the
thing along with vigor.

Mr. Jonah Bull thought that the planting of
shade trees ought not to be restricted to sixty-
foot roads, but should be extended to those for-
ty feet w^ide, also, an opinion generally concurred
in.

The discussion taking a wide range, the sub-
ject of fences, stock running at large, &c., came
in for a share of attention.

Mr. Ohmer thought fences a very expensive
luxury to indulge. Those in Ohio alone costing
not less than one hundred and fifty-five nnillions
of dollars, and their total cash value in the whole
United States being suflicieut to pay off" the Na-
tional Debt.

Mr Steele remarked that a gentleman from
Cleveland, on a visit to our city recently, ex-
pressed great surprise that stock was allowed to
run at large.

Mr. Smith said that a proposition to establish
a pound within the city limits to enclose stock
running at large, &c., was lately laid on the
table by the City Council. A member suggested
that perhaps a prudent regard for the contingen-
cy of a re-election to office had something to do
with the disposition of that proposition.

"Yes," responded Mr. J. H. W. Mumma, "I
know something about that sort of thing myself,
for I was a candidate for Trustee in my Town-
ship th's spring, and my well known determina-
tion to enforce the stock law, caused my defeat."
Mr. Van Ausdall offered the following resolu-
tion, which was adopted with but one dissent-
ing voice :

Besolved, That this Society notices with plea-
sure tl/e introduction into the City Council of a
proposition to establish a pound to enclose stray
swine and cattle running at large within the
city limits. In the opinion of this Society the
enforcement of the State law prohibiting the run-
ning at large of stock would greatly promote the
comfort and convenience of the people of the
city and country, and would save the expendi-
ture of thousands of dollars of money each year.

W\it ^unhntfn M0ttthl2,

DEYOTED TO

Horticulture, Arboriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs^

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.
Old Series, Vol XV. SEPTEMBER, 1873. New Series, Vol. VI. No. 9.

HINTS POTl SEPTEMBEE.

FLOWER GARDE^T AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

In most of the countries of Europe, summer
gardening; is the most attractive, and most that
is done there is with that view. With us the
spring and autumn is more enjoyable, and if
American gardening is ever to have a distinctive
feature of its own, it will be efforts specially
directed to one or both of these. Our summers
are usually hot and dry, and people are either
*'away," or very much indisposed for out-door
enjoyment, except such as may be found in
shady woods, or on some heights where the
cool breezes blow. At any rate we shall not
go wrong by doing our best for good effects with
spring flowers, and it is time to think about
these things now. There is scarcely anything
more beautiful in spring than abed of Hyacinths
and Tulips well intermixed. The Hyacinths go
out of flower just as the Tulips come in. In the
spring Gladiolus and Tuberoses can be placed
between these ; or if desirable, some flowering
bedding plants, and in this way the gaiety and
interest can be preserved from spring to fall.
Crown Imperials are capital things for the cen-
tre of small beds, and the regular bedding plants
can go round them. Narcissuses keep their foli-
age too long after flowering, as does the Snow-
drop. These can hardly be made available
where regular bedding is desirable for summer.
They are best in odd patches by themselves.
Crocus does well anywhere. It may even be set
in the grass about the lawn, as it is generally
over before the first mowing takes place. But
it would not be admitted into our best kept
lawns. The vast tribe of lilies come in rather

late for spring gardening, but few will care to be
without them. Besides these there are many
little items which are noted in almost all bulb
catalogues, from wliich many interesting spring
blooms can be had. No one will go amiss in
looking well to this class of plants. The best
time to plant is from now to frost. Mice and
vermin are very liable to attack these roots.
Poisoning is the best remedy.

In traveling through the United States, one
cannot but be struck with the fact, that there is
a growing taste for gardening as a fine art ; but
that very little knowledge exists as to what
should or could be done. It is, indeed, surpri-
sing with so much attempted gardening, there
should be so little true taste ; and yet not more
so perhaps, that there should be so many build-
ings and so few fair specimens' of fair architec-
ture. Yet it is not that our people are slow to
learn, but that they have nothing to learn from.
The great want of the time is a better knowledge
of landscape gardening, and true taste among
our nurserymen and florists. In some places it
is easy to see that there is some one about. At
Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati,
Cleveland and St. Louis, it is easy to see by the
not uncommon specimens of good taste, that
there is one somewhere near who has been sow-
ing the good seed, and in other places we see
once in a while a specimen of what good garden-
ing should be ; but generally this is the result of
missionary work from the places before mention-
ed, and not from regular residents on the spot.
Good landscape gardeners are wanted all over
the country ; not men whose ideas run into the
higher and more expensive channels of arts,

258

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJfTELY. Sej^terjiber,

although these are by no means so numerous as
they ought to be ; but good men who have the
capacity to regulate their recommendations to
■what those who employ them can understand
and afford. As we have said, nurserymen and
florists might do more by example. It is very
rare that we see any place with any more taste
than a common fruit garden or farm, where a
single eye is kept to the immediate return of
every dollar spent and nothing else. We know
that nothing pays a florist better than to lead off"
in these matters of taste. He creates a custom,
which it is very profitable to him to supply.
"We know one who takes a pleasure in doing a
little every year. He cannot do much, but every
year he does something which every one admires.
Last year he moved a few large arborvitses of
which he had an over stock, very carefully so as
to make a background to a small curved border.
Adopting our hint about the beauty of Holly-
hocks when seen against a background of ever-
greens, he has a row of most beautiful varieties
forming a line in front of these. Then he has a
row of Coleus in front of these, again, before
these is a row of Chrysanthemums, and in front
of them a row of bedding Geraniums of many
shades of color. So pretty is the effect of even
this simple arrangement, which may be so easily
improved on, that it is admired by so many as
to get him many orders for similar material next
season.

Another matter we saw which pleased us.
There were on the lawn belts and borders of
shrubbery ; but in front of these belts were
Geraniums, Petunias and "Verbenas, besides
other gay colored bedding plants. Now beds
of these plants are very common in flower gar-
dens, but this combination of shrubbery and
flowers is very unusual, and is capable of very
varied application. It is just these little things
which cost nothing much but a few minutes
study, which every nurserymen and florist might
have, and which would go a long way to devel-
ope the taste for beautiful grounds, which every- j
where exists, but dormant for want of some en-
couragement of the kind.

Shrubs for this kind of gardening we have
alluded to, should of course be of a free flower-
ing character. Of those which can be made
very effective, the following may be used : Py-
rus japonica, the red and the white ; Spirea pru-
nifolia, S. Eeevesii ; S. Billardii ; Deutzia gra-
cilis, scabra, and crenata pleno ; Weigelia rosea
and W. amabilis, Philadelphus coronarius, and

P. Gordonianus ; Forsythia viridissima ; Hy-
pericum prolificum ; Altheas in variety ; Per-
sian, and even the common Lilacs ; Tartarian
and Ply Honeysuckles ; Hawthorns, Double
Almonds, and perhaps some others. But all
these are common in most nurseries ; are very
easy to grow, and very pretty effects may be had
at a small outlay.

Many persons who have got but a few of these
plants, will like to raise some more. The end of
the month is a good time to take off" cuttings,
unless the weather be very warm. Of those we
have named, all but the Pyrus and Almond will
grow by cuttings. These two grow by pieces of
roots. Cuttings should be made about four or
six inches long, and planted out in rows, and
set two or three inches below the surface of the
ground. In spring planting we put them right
level with the surface.

In many parts of the Northern States the
leaves will have changed color previous to the
incoming of winter, and the planting of trees
and shrubs will commence as soon as the first
fall showers shall have cooled the atmosphere
and moistened the soil. Further south, where
the season will still remain "summer" a while
longer, the soil may, at any rate, be prepared,
that all may be in readiness when the right sea-
son does come. What leaves remain on should
be stripped off", and the main shoots shortened.
They will then do better than if planted very
late. In fact, if planting cannot be finished
before the beginning of November in the North-
ern and Middle States, it is better, as a rule,
deferred till spring. In those States where little
fi-ost occurs, this rule will nob apply. The roots
of plants grow all winter, and a plant set out in
the fall has the advantage over spring set trees,
that its roots in spring are in a position to sup-
ply the tree at once with food. This is, indeed,
the theory fall planters rely on ; but in practice
it is found that severe cold dries up the wood,
and the frosts draw out the roots, and thus more
than counterbalance any advantage from the
pushing of new roots. Very small plants are,
therefore, best left till spring for their final
planting. It is, however, an excellent plan to
get young things on hand in fall, and bury them
entirely with earth, until wanted in spring. Such
things make a stronger growth the next season,
than if just dug before transplanting.

At this season of the year, people think of
making cuttings of bedding and other plants, in
order for another year. The best way to propa-

1873.

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJVTELY

259

gate all the common kinds of bedding plants is
to take a frame or hand-glass and set it on a bed
of very sandy soil made in a shady place in the
open air. The sand should be fine and sharp,
and there is, perhaps, nothing better than river
sand for this purpose. The glass may be white-
washed on the inside, so as to afford additional
security against injury from the sun's rays.
Into this bed of sand cuttings of half ripened
wood of the desirable plants may be set, and
after putting in, slightly watered. Even very
rare plants often do better this way than when
under treatment in a regular propagating house.
In making cuttings, it is best to cut the shoots
just under a bud — they root better, and are not
so likely to rot off and decay. A cutting of
about three eyes is long enough for most strong
growing things, such as Geraniums, Fuchsias?
&c.

i

FRUIT GARDEN.

It is very strange that people will continue to
grow trees year after year without any fruit,
and yet praise their system as the best possible
one against any thing else that can be done. We
have contended for years that fruit culture will
never be successful until some very different sys-
tem than that usually praised shall be adopted.
The ground must be so dry to grow good fruit that
water will not lie 24 hours in summer (in winter
it is of no consequence) without passing away ;
the fibrous roots must be kept as near the surface
as possible and kept shaded from the intense
heat of summer. Then they must be kept high-
ly fed by occasional dressings of surface manure-
These are the principles without which, depend
on it, American fruit culture will, with occa-
sional exceptions, always be a failure.

The planting of the Pear, Apple, Plum and
Cherry will soon be in season ; Peaches, Apri-
cots and Grape Vines, except south of the Poto-
mac being for the most part left till spring.
Choose a dry piece of ground. If not naturally
dry, it is best to throw the earth up into banks
or ridges and plant on them. This is cheaper
and better than uuderdraining. In planting, if
the roots appear deep, cut away some of the
deeper ones, and shorten some of the top of the
tree at the same time. This is particularly true
of dwarf Pears which are often grafted on rather
long Quince stocks. Cut all away of the quince
root but about six inches, and if this should be
found to leave few roots, cut away the top cor-
respondingly. Most of the failures with dwarf

Pears comes from bad quince roots, so deep in
the ground the lower parts decay, and this de-
cay gradually communicates upwards until the
whole system becomes diseased. The more
tenacious the sub-soil the more necessary is it to
attend to this matter. We spoke of pruning in
proportion to injury. It will be found that all
trees are- a little injured by removal, therefore all
trees should be a little pruned at transplanting.

Trees that have long stems exposed to hot
suns, or drying winds, become what gardeners
call "hide-bound." That is, the old bark
becomes indurated — cannot expand, and the tree
suffers much in consequence. Such an evil is
usually indicated by grey lichens which feed on
the decaying bark. In these cases a washing of
weak lye or of lime water is very useful ; indeed,
where the bark is healthy, it is beneficial thus
to wash the trees, as many eggs of insects are
thereby destroyed.

Whitewash is frequently resorted to by farm-
ers ; but the great objection is its unsightly
appearance— the result is otherwise good. The
great opposition to washes formerly was, that
the pores of the bark were closed by them — this
was on the supposition that the bark was alive,
but the external bark of most trees has been
dead years before the time of application ; and
"the breathing," if so the operations of the
pores can be called, is through the crevices
formed in the old bark by the expansion of the
growing tree, by which the living bark below
has a chance of contact with the air. No mat-
ter what kind of coating is applied to the bark
of a tree, it will soon crack sufficiently by the
expansion of the trunk to permit all the "breath-
ing " necessary.

♦ — ♦ ■ — -

VEGETABLE GARDEN.

Cabbage and Cauliflower are sown this month
for spring use. The former requires some care,
as, if it grow to vigorous before winter, it will
all run to seed in the spring. The best plan is
to make two sowings —one early in the month,
the other at the end. The rule is get them
only just so strong that they may live over the
winter in safety. Many preserve them in
frames ; but they should have wooden sashes or
shutters instead of glass, so as not to encourage
them to grow much.

Cauliflower, on the other hand, cannot well
be too forward. Most persons provide a pit of
stone, brick or wood, sunk five or six feet below
the surface of the ground, into which

260

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLl^. September,

manure, or any waste vegetable matter is filled
When quite full, it is suffered to heat a little,
when it will sink somewhat and have more ma-
terial added to it; about six inches of good rich
loam is then placed on it, and early in Novem-
ber the Cauliflower planted out. The object in
refilling the leaves so often is to insure the
plants remaining as near the glass as possible,
which is very essential in the growth of Cauli-
flower. Lettuce is treated in the same way, and
seed should be sown now to prepare for the
planting. The Cabbage Lettuce is the kind
usually employed.
The main crop of Spinage should now be

sown. Properly cooked, there are few vegeta-
bles more agreeable to the general taste, and few
families who have gardens will wish to be with-
out it. It is essential that it have a very well
enriched soil, as good large leaves constitute its
perfection as a vegetable. As soon as the wea-
ther becomes severe, a light covering of straw
should be thrown over it. A few Radishes may
be sown with the Spinage for fall use.

Tu'-nips also may still be sown. In fact, if
the soil be rich, a better quality of root for table
use will be obtained than if sown earlier.

Celery and Endive will still require the atten-
tion in blanching described in former hints.

COMMUNICATIONS.

RAPID POTTING.

BY MR. H. E. CHITTY, SUP"T BELLEVUE NUR-
SERIES, PATERSON, N. J.

The process of potting plants consists of a cer-
tain combination of skilful and precise move-
ments which result, or should result, in setting
the plant in the pot in such a manner that the
plant may almost immediately commence a de-
velopement of roots — and extension of growth.
These movements, or at least some of them, may
be made with military exactness. The operator
may seize the pot with one hand, the plant with
the other at one and the same time ; he may
then complete the operation in either three or
four exact movements. In the former case the
plant would be potted in four seconds, in the
latter case five seconds, which would amount to
seven thousand two hundred (7200) in a day of
ten hours. But part of the operation of potting
small plants or rooted cuttings cannot be execu-
ted with such precision, viz.: the proper dispo-
sition of the roots. If the roots of the plant are
pushed into the pot in a wad, the movement
would then form one of the four or five, and the
operation completed in four or five seconds, but
if the roots were placed in the pob as they should
be to make a profitable job of it, the time con-
sumed would be about equal to all the rest,
which would reduce the number of plants potted
in a day of ten hours to about three thousand,
or from that to three thousand five hundred,
which is all that any man can do in a workman-
like manner. As no man, be he ever so skilled

in his movements, can overcome the element of
time sufficiently to make from four to five thous-
and distinct movements in an hour, each move-
ment requiring at least one second of time, and
every man at all acquainted with the potting
bench, knows perfectly well that not even a
rooted verbena cutting can be transferred to a
pot and passed in less than four movements.

There may, however, be a method of bringing
a plant, pot, and soil together with a jerk, in
such a manner that once in a while the roots of
a plant may happen to catch a favorable hold
and the plant grow ; but in this case the time
and labor required in emptying the pots after-
wards, will be so great that the method will
never be adopted for profit. After considerable
experience in this line, I am fully convinced that
unless plants are decently handled in potting
they soon show it, whether they are rooted cut-
tings or plants of more mature growth.

ALCOHOL A REMEDY FOR THE
"MEALY BUGS."

BY J. M. JORDAN, ST. LOUIS, MO.

As I have been very much annoyed with the
Mealy Bug, I have been experimenting for some
time endeavoring to find something that would
kill them and still not injure the delicate plants
that they infest. At last I think I have found
a simple remedy, and one within the reach of
every one. I gladly communicate it to the
many readers of the Gardener's Monthly.

By the applic^ition of alcohol diluted with five

187S.

TEE GARDENER'S MOMTSLY.

261

per cent, of water, the Mealy Bug can be com-
pletely destroyed. The best way to apply it is
to put the alcohol in a wide-mouthed bottle with
a fine brush put through the cork, and apply the
alcohol frequently for a few weeks, and they will
entirely disappear. I have removed them from
thousands of the most delicate stove plants, and
have never injured one of the plants.

VEGETABLE GARDENING.

BY J. EWING, DAYTON, OHIO.

Read before Montgomery County, Ohio, Hart. Society.

Vegetable Gardening, like other kinds of farm-
ing or cultivating of the soil, is but imperfectly
understood, even by those engaged in the busi-
ness. But few understand how much land may
be made to produce, or the way to make it pro-
duce the most. The man that produces the
most from his acre adds most to his country, as
well as to his own pocket. There is no one thing,
perhaps, less understood than the need of fertil-
izers in raising vegetables.

There are but few varieties of vegetables
grown but what pay in proportion to the fertili-
zers used, other things being equal. To experi-
enced growers I know that I can say nothing
that will benefit them. To begin I would say,
in the first place, soil is of the first importance.
You want light, sandy loam ; without this you
will always be several days behind those having
the proper soil. Earliness being the cream of
the business. Thou you want your ground
thoroughly fertilized ; this you cannot do in one
year, nor in two— three heavy coats of manure

m — then you may expect remunerating crops ;

B. but you must continue the fertilizing every year.
Another thing, is being ready to put in your
seeds at the proper time. Gardening consists
largely in preparation No one need be afraid
of having his ground too much pulverized, even
if he should plough it twice or three times, and
roll it and harrow it as often. Get your ground
thoroughly mellow before you put your seeds in,
then you are ready for your planting. Now you
want pure seeds of the kind of vegetables you
wish to grow ; without these you cannot suc-
ceed. The gardener that has his ground proper
ly prepared, with good seeds planted and up
; ready for cultivating, has made a beginning
which he has only to follow up diligently to
make a good crop.

But he must not allow the weeds to grow, or
fail to stir the ground often. Many, very many,

fail in not cultivating the soil enough. Some
may read this who are thinking of engaging in
the business, if so, I would advise them to con-
sider some of the hardships they may expect to
endure, such as being exposed to all kinds of
weather, and working sixteen or eighteen hours
of the twenty -four.

I wish that I could say something here that
would induce my farmer friends to raise more
vegetables for their own tables. How many
farmers have side hills lying to the east, where
peas and beans might be raised just as early as
any vegetable gardener can raise them ; also
sweet corn ? Then, without glass, he might
make a box, six by twelve feet, and put in ten
inches of horse manure, properly prepared, with
eight inches of good loam on top of the manure,
and cover at night if necessary. This would
furnish one family with radishes several days
before they can be raised in the garden.

I have kept radishes in these boxes through
the last cold spell of March 19th and 20th, with-
out glass on them, when my thermometer went^
twelve degrees below freezing.

Or take the south side of it, fence and manure
well ; spade it up deep in the fall and sow in ihe
spring as soon as the frost is out. For early
cucumbers take one-half of a flour barrel, and
fill two-thirds full of horse manure, tramp it
well, and fill the other third with loam ; put it
on the south side of a building, or fence, and
water freely and they will yield abundantly.

NATURE AND ORIGIN OF SOILS.

BY DR. A. JEWETT, DAYTON, OHIO.

Read before Montgomery County, Ohio, Hart. Society.

It will be my object on this occasion to pre-
sent a few remarks explaining, in the simplest
manner that I can, the nature and origin of
soils.

Soils differ widely in their immediate origin,
in their physical characters, in chemical consti-
tution, and in agricultural capabilities ; but all
soils capable of producing profitable crops pos-
sess two common characteristics. First, they
all contain organic matter in greater or less pro-
portion, and secondly, they all contain ten or
twelve inorganic elements.

Soils are derived from the disintegration of
the various rocks forming the earth's crust. A
soil may be derived directly from the rocks on
which it rests, or it may have been transported
by water or other means from a great distance.

262

TEE GARDJEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY. September,

It may be so thin as scarcely to cover the under- j
lying rock, or it may have gradually accumula-
ted till it acquires a thickness of even hundreds
of feet. Where a soil lies in a thin stratum on
a level bed of rock, we should expect to find it
composed chiefly of the components of the under-
lying rock ; but where it has been transported 1
from a distance, it may not correspond with the
rock upon which it rests, but its origin may,
perhaps, be found hundreds of miles away.

The proportion of organic matter in soils
capable of bearing profitable crops, varies from
one to seventy per cent, of the whole weight of
the soil after it has been carefully dried. With
less than one-half per cent, of organic matter a
soil will scarcely support vegetation at all. It
is only in peaty and boggy soils that the organic
matter ever amounts to the very large percentage
mentioned above. Sometimes such soils con-
tain even more than seventy per cent., but when-
ever there is this excessive amount of organic
matter it requires admixture of inorganic, or
jearthy matter, to make a good tillable soil.
Oats and rye may be raised in soil containing
only one or two per cent, of organic matter ;
barley requires two or three per cent. ; and our
best wheat lands do not cout^iin on an average,
more than from four to six per cent, of organic
matter.

The organic matter consists partly of decom-
posed animal substances, but chiefly of decayed
vegetable substances. That portion which is of
vegetable origin will be found on examination to
consist partly of brown fibres still bearing some
of the characteristics of the original plant from
which it was derived ; partly of dark brown par-
ticles, and not infrequently the organic matter
will be found to consist of nearly colorless com-
pounds, soluble more or less completely in water.
Even in soils apparently consisting entirely of
sand or chalk these forms of organic matter may
sometimes still be detected in considerable quan-
tities.

The organic matter consists first, of humus —
the name given to the fine brown powder which
gives to garden soils and vegetable moulds their
fertility, and which is formed by the gradual
decay of vegetable matter ; second, of humic
acid ; and third, of ulmic acid— two organic
acids which are formed during the decay of
vegetable matter, and exist in the soil in combi-
nation with lime, alumina, or magnesia, forming
humates and ulmates of. these bases. There
humates and ulmates wb n exposed to the air,

are gradually decomposed, giving off carbonic
acid gas, and are converted into carbonates ;
fourth, crenic acid, and fifth, apocrenic acid,
which are formed in a similar manner with the
humic and ulmic acids, and like them are com-
bined with lime, alumina, and other bases.

Malic and acetic acids are thus formed ; and
probably many other similar compounds are
formed in the soil and minister directly to the
growth of plants.

Thus much in regard to the organic com-
pounds found in soils. It is not necessary, nor
would the limits of such an essay allow me to
attempt to enter into a description of the meth-
ods of determining their presence or their
amount.

While organic matter is thus a necessary con-
stituent of all fertile soils, it must be borne in
mind that the inorganic constituents are no less
necessary to perfect plant growth. Por this
reason we may have two soils, alike in physical
properties and location, and both having nearly
the same percentage of organic matter, and still
one may be fertile, producing good crops, and
the other be nearly sterile, simply because in the
one all the necessary inorganic elements are
present, while some of thum are wanting in the
other. These inorganic components, like the
organic, may vary greatly in quantity in differ-
ent soils and still be there in sufficient amount
to answer all requirements of plant life — their
average amount being perhaps about ninety-five
per cent, of the whole weight of the soil when
freed from moisture.

From numerous analyses of the ashes of
plants, it has been fully established that some
ten or twelve different inorganic elements are
always present, viz.: Potassium, sodium, cal-
cium, magnesium, aluminium, iron, raangane e,
silicon, sulphur, phosphorus, chlorine, and oxy-
gen—never in their simple form, but always in
combination, forming definite compounds. Xow
these inorganic elements are derived directly from
the soil, and hence the soil must contain them,
and its fertility will depend, among other cir-
cumstances, upon its ability to supply, readily
and in suflicient quantity, all these necessary in-
organic elements.

The absence of any one of them would make
the soil incapable of producing crops. Some of
these elements may be present in such small
quantities as to be entirely overlooked in a hasty
analysis, and still be present in quantities suffi-
cient for the growth and nutrition of plants.

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTELY,

263

Thus if iu every thousand grains of soil there
exists only seven hundredths of a grain of gyp-
sum or sulphate of lime, it would require a care-
ful analysis to detect this minute quantity — and
yet this seven hundredths of a grain to a thous-
and grains of soil would amount to about two
hundred weight to the acre, where the soil is
one foot deep — a large quantity in the aggregate,
although so small in the amount usually opera-
ted upon in a chemical analysis. Phosphoric
acid is very much more difficult of detection than
gypsum, and may be present in a much smaller
quantity and still be present in quantities suffi-
cient to supply all the wants of plants.

The failure to detect these minute quantities
in the sample operated upon, may, perhaps, ex-
plain the very unlike results which have fre-
quently followed the application of a given fer-
tilizer— results so unlike and apparently contra-
dictory as to cause many to lose all reliance upon
soil analysis. I would not be understood, how-
ever, as claiming that soil analysis will in the
present state of science always show why a given
soil will not i^roduce good crops ; but in most
instances an analysis carefully made will show
wherein the soil is deficient, and knowing what
is deficient, we know what to add to make the
soil complete and capable of producing good
crops.

The earthy part of the soil, though contain-
ing some twelve different constituents, consists
chiefly of three ingredients, viz.: First, lime,
mostly in combination with carbonic acid, form-
ing sometimes chalk, and sometimes our com-
mon limestone, which may exist of all degrees
of fineness. Second, silica, or flint. This, like
the lime, is found of all degrees of fineness ; and
third, alumina, or oxide of aluminium. Alumi-
na rarely occurs as simple alumina, but is gen-
erally found in combination with silica forming
silicate of alumina, or clay ; and this combina-
tion of alumina is also the base of slate and slaty
rocks, and it further enters largely into the com-
position of most rocks.

We never meet with a tillable soil formed ex-
clusively of only one of the three chief ingredi-
ents mentioned above ; but in common language,
soils are called sandy where silicious sand large-
ly predominates— calcareous where, as in our
limestone districts, carbonate of lime is found in
large quantities, and clayey when silicate of alu-
mina predominates. The clays are of greater or
less tenacity, in proportion as the silicate of alu-

mina is more or less free from admixture with
other substances.

I look upon agricultural chemistry as one of
the most important branches of chemical science,
though I am sorry to be obliged to own that I
have as yet studied it comparatively little, and
have instituted no special investigations of my
own. This, I trust, will be kindly accepted as
sufficient apology for whatever lack there is of
originality in this brief essay. But if I shall
have succeeded in directing increased attention
to an important subject, my object will have
been accomplished.

WINTER KILLING OF EVERGREENS.

BY ALEXANDER NEWETT, GARDENER TO H.
P. M'KEAN, ESQ , GBRMANTOWN, PHILA.

(Address to the Oermantoiun Horticultural Society,
July 8th, 1873.)

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen
— The few remarks I have to make on this sub-
ject are the result of my own observations— I
have no theory.

It is necessary before asserting my own con-
victions, to examine the generally received theo-
ries or opinions of others. In doing so I dis-
claim putting forward any assertion merely for
the novelty of the thing.

Let us suppose a number of evergreens, such
as Norways, hemlocks, or any of our hardy ever-
greens, placed in all respects exactly alike.
Some have been killed outright, others scorched
or half killed, while others remain as green
and beautiful as ever. These are not mere sup-
positions ; they are realities which any of my
hearers who feel interested (and who are not) in
the preservation of our evergreens, the beautify-
ing of our homes, can see for themselves. Now,
I ask, if any be winter killed, why are not all ?
They are all equally hardy— why are they not
all killed ? Surely there must be some predis-
posing cause. What is it ?

In the month of May, 1871, (which was the
summer before the terrible so called winter kill-
ing took place), my attention was first attracted
by the yellow appearance of a very beautiful
hemlock hedge on Fernhill ; this yellow appear-
ed in large patches, some parts still retaining
their natural green. On close examination I
found myriads of red spiders all over these yel-
low patches, and also extending their depreda-
tions to the green parts remaining. I was in
great tribulation ; I scarcely knew what to do ;

^GJi,

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^TBLY. September,

the hedge was gone almost too far for recovery.
At first I thought that I had unwittingly been
the cause of the misfortune myself, in having
placed a number of plants from the greenhouse
in close proximity to the hedge, though not by
any means touching it. But after a little I felt
somewhat relieved of my responsibility in the
matter on finding that a large number of ray
immediate neighbors were suffering from the
same cause, and they did not place any plants,
or what amounts to the same thing, had no
plants to place near their trees. One of them,
a gentleman living close by, cut off the top of a
very handsome Norway and brought it to me
for inspection, saying: "Mr. Newett, what is
the matter with my Norways ? they are all
going in this way.'' I took the piece from his
hand ; there was scarcely a leaf left, and those
that were, were merely held on by the little
webs of the red spider. A few of these also
remained to prove m3^ position.

Well, I took this gentleman to the aforemen-
tioned hedge (first having shown him the cause
of the death of his Norway) and showed it to
him, and explained my treatment. I don't
know if he ever followed my advice ; but one
thing I do know, the great majority of his trees
were then killed, and when the following spring
arrived he was obliged to have a great lot of fine
specimens, together with a very nice and well-es-
tablished hemlock hedge rooted out and cast into
the fire. It may be that this gentleman believes
in the winter-killing theory ; but I believe I can
confidently assert that every tree he lost was
summer-killed, or more properly, killed by the
red spider, for I examined them all.

Every experienced gardener, I presume, knows
from his own observation, if not otherwise, that
the red spider thrives and multiplies prodigious-
ly in a hot and dry atmosphere ; the opposite of
this -is detrimental to him ; he cannot live in a
damp atmosphere. Therefore it is not hard to
find out a remedy. In my case I had the hedge
copiously syringed three or four times a week,
always in the evening, with water from the hy-
drant. I saved the hedge by this treatment.
It does not look as well as formerly, but I feel
quite confident I saved it by the treatment I
have described.

But prevention is better than cure ; and this
reminds me. I have often asked, when seeing
people having their pavements washed off by
means of a piece of hose with a nozzle attached,
why they would not have the dear trees washed

off also. If, on the approach of dry weather,
the evergreens get a portion of the water usually
used on the pavements sprinkled evenly all over
them, say two or three evenings in the week,
they will fully repay for all the trouble, by the
bright green dress they'll wear, and I feel con-
fident in asserting they never will rust or be
winter killed.

If by pursuing the mode of treatment I have
indicated any of my hearers save their ever-
greens, I shall feel a hundredfold rewarded for
the little trouble I have taken.

Mr. Newitt illustrated his remarks by show-
ing some branches of hemlock and Korway
spruce in various stages of consumption (so to
speak) by the pestilent red spider, presenting
the appearance so familiar to our hedges.

[This address of Mr. Newett's we heartily
commend to the readers of the Gardener's Month-
ly. Our readers are familiar with the fact that
anything which half kills a tree in summer, ren-
ders it an easy prey to cold in winter ; and how
well one of these great summer injuries is repre-
sented by the red spider, Mr. Newett conclusive-
ly shows. — Ed.]

GAS TAR IK GREENHOUSES.

BY BURROW & WOOD, FISHKILL, N. Y.

Noticing in Monthly for May, an article by
Mr. "W. Bennett, Gardener to G. Brewer, Esq.,
of Newport, R. I. , " On the injurious effects of
tar on plants when used on the stages of plant-
houses," we would state that we have put up in
the last four years, nine houses, from 50 to 80
feet long, and containing 7000 feet of staging,
and are filled the year round with the different
varieties of greenhouse, bedding and stove
plants, ferns, &c ; also used for forcing the
strawberry, and for rooting all of our hardy and
tender cuttings, and have never seen the least
injurious effects, although in the winter of '71
and '72, we finished up a house 80 by 20 feet,
gave the staging two heavy coats of tar, put on
two inches of sand, and filled the house with
almost every variety of bedding and hard wood-
ed plants. Also filled one table 4x40 feet with
tender cuttings inside of ten days after the
taring was finished, and our success was com-
plete, although the table was boxed up tight
with three four-inch pipes underneath, with one
of Hitching's boilers working on them night and
day.

Mr. Bennett does not state what kind of tar

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY,

%65

he used, but presume it was gas tar. Ours was
not. Put it on cold, and find it a very great
saving to the woodwork, although it probably
would preserve the wood better by applying it
hot. We think the trouble with Mr. Bennett's
plants is the fumes from the tar spilt on the
pipes, or a gas leak from his boiler or flue— either
would soon leave his plants barren and un-
healthy.

INSECT AGENCY IN ELOWERS.

BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

I am of opinion that art has not so much to do
with garden variations as is generally supposed ;
that variations in nature are as great as in hor-
ticulture ; and that the florist's credit is chiefly
due in preserving the form which unassisted
nature has provided for him. It was at one
time part of the essential idea of a species that
it would reproduce itself. If any variation oc-
curred in nature, it was taken for granted that
seedlings from this variation would revert to the
parent form. But it is now known that the most
marked peculiarity in variation can be repro-
duced in the progeny, if care be taken to provide
against fertilization by another form. Thus,
the blood-leaved variety of the English Beech
will produce blood-leaved Beeches ; and, as I
have myself found by experiment, the very pen-
dulous Peach produces from seed i^lants as fully
weeping as its parent ; and when the double-
blossomed Peaches bear fruit, as they sometimes
do, 1 have it on the authority of a careful friend,
that the progeny is double-blossomed as its
parent was. But I need not refer particularly
to this. Any intelligent florist of the present
age can testify to the fact, that varieties will re-
produce themselves as fuUy as the original forms
from whence they sprung. I do not think botan-
ists, as such, are so fully aware of these facts as
florists are. They scarcely admit of much in-
herent variation in form in nature ; but look
rather to hybridization, and insect agency in
connection therewith, to account for such
changes when they occur. In order to avoid the
possibility of these agencies acting as the sole
factors in evolution, I have generally taken a
genus consisting of only one species in a given
locality, to show how great is the variation in
form, where no congenital species could mix

illustrate this is the common yellow toad Flax
(Linaria vulgaris). In a handful of specimens
gathered in an afternoon's walk, I have found
some marked variations, differing from each
other almost as much as species do. In regard
to the spur, which is generally as long as the
main portion of the corolla, some had them only
one-third or one-fourth as long ; and in one in-
stance the plant bore flowers entirely spurless.
Dr. Darrach informs me that he believes he has,
in years past, gathered a spurless form, but has
neglected to place it on record. Then some
plants had flowers with spurs thick, and others
with narrow ones ; and while some had spurs
quite straight, others curved so as to describe
nearly the half of a circle.

Now this Linaria is an introduced weed, with
nothing allied to it anywhere in the localities
where we usually find it, with which it can pos-
sibly hybridize. The variations must be from
some natural law of evolution inherent in the
plant itself Varieties of course may cross-fer-
tilize as well as species ; and some of these vari-
ations miy be owing to one form fertilizing
another form ; but there can be no avoiding the
fact, that at least the first pair of varying forms
must have originated by simple evolution. Now,
going back to our florists' experience, the ques-
tion occurs, that as varieties once evolved will
reproduce themselves from seed, why does not
some one of these Linarias, which has been
struck off into some distinct mould, reproduce
itself from seed, and establish, in a state of nat-
ture, a new race, as it would do under the flor-
ist's care ? Why, for instance, is there not a
spurless race ? It is scarcely probable that the
solitary plant, found on this afternoon's walk,
is the only one ever produced.. Dr. Darrach 's
recollection shows it is not a solitary case.
The humble bee furnishes the answer. They,
so far as I have been able to see, are the only
insects which visit these flowers. They seem
very fond of them, and enter regularly at the
mouth, and stretch down deep into the spur for
the sweets gathered there. The pollen is collec-
ted on the thorax, and of course is cajried to the
next flower. The florist, to "fix" the form,
carefully isolates the plant ; but in the wild state
a spurless form has no chance, the bee from the
neighboring flower of course fertilizing it with
the pollen from any of the other forms. If there

with it. I have, for this, chosen Epigeea repens.

Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, and the Qaer- were no bees, no agency whatever for cross fer-

cus neo-mexicana (Q. Gunnissonii?) of the tilization, nothing but the plant's own pollen to

Kocky Mountains. Another familiar plant to depend on, there would undoubtedly be races of

266

THE GABDEJTER'S MOJ^THLY. Septe-mber,

this Linaria, which, again, by natural evolution
at times changing, would produce other races ;
and in time the difference might be as great as
to be even thought generic. But we see that
by the agency of the humble bee the progress of
the newly evolved form is checked. The pollen
of the original form is again introduced to the
offspring, and it is brought back at least half a
degree to its starting point. Insects, in their
fertilizing agencies, are not always abettors, but
rather at times conservators of advancing evolu-
tion.

[Since the above was published in the Proceed-
ings of Academy of ITatural Sciences, the author
finds that Prof. Asa Gray had previously pointed
out in SiUiman''s Journal that insects must often
act as retarders of evolution —Ed.]

THE CULTUKE OF FEKNS.

BY THOS. T. "WEBB, GARDEXER TO A. C. GIB-
SON, ESQ., OAK LANE, PHILA.

Eerns are propagated either by sowing the
seeds or by dividing tlie plants ; when the latter
mode is adopted it is best to turn them out of
pots and shake as much soil from their roots as
possible. Such Ferns as have creeping rhizomes
are readily propagated by dividing them so that
each portion wanted for a plant, has one or ni' re
fronds and some roots in a healthy condition.
They should at once be potted in pots as small as
possible, in a compost of fibry loam, lumpy peat,
well mixed with river pand, then placed in a cool
moist frame and shaded well until established.
The spring season, just when about to start
into growth is the best time to propagate them,
although it may, with many sorts be done safely
with a little extra care at any time. Some sorts
produce miniature plants on their fronds. These
should be pegged down in a pot filled with the
proper soil and placed near to the parent plant
so that the frond to be propagated from will
remain attached to it. When they have formed
roots and pushed up new fronds, they can be
cut from the parent plant and potted in two or
three inch pots, watered overhead, and put in a
warm shady place. Some kinds form young
plants so strong that they can at once be re-
moved from the parent plant and potted. The
most interesting mode of propagation is by the
seed. Most kinds will germinate in a moderate
heat, and sufficient moisture.

Ferns from cold climates will require only a

cold close frame or pit, with protection from
frost. Species from temperate regions will do
well in an ordinary greenhouse, and the tropical
species in a hothouse. The most convenient and
best way to raise seedlings I find is to fill some
shallow pans with broken crocks or small pieces
of sandstone ; then with a compost of turfy peat
soil, mellow loam, spagnum moss cut up short,
and sandstone broken to the size of peas, well
mixed and not pressed too firmly in the pans ;
then take a frond of the sort to be propagated
and brush over a sheet of paper, (white is best)
the dust-like seed to be thinly scattered over the
soil ; then cover with a flat piece of glass, fitting
to the pans, placing them in larger pans and these
fill with water ; then place them in a cold frame
in the greenhouse or hothouse, as may best suit
the sorts. A warm shady part of the hothouse
will, however, be the best place for many of the
exotic varieties. As soon as the seeds commence
to germinate, small green scales will appear on
the surface of the soil. Water liberally and keep
the plants covered with the glasses until two or
more fronds show themselves ; then the glasses
must be tilted on one side for a short time every
day, and gradually removed altogether. After
two or three weeks they may be taken up and
carefully separated and potted singly in small
pots. They should then be placed under hand-
glasses until established.

All ferns require a light open soil. The best
I find for either liothouse or greenhouse varieties
is fibrous sandy peat two parts — one part of
turfy loam, leaf mould and plenty of sand.
Green Fly and Thrip will sometimes appear on
them. Fumigating with tobacco will extermi-
nate the former ; the latter, however, will not
be got rid of quite so readily, and care must be
taken that the fronds. do not get injured during
the operation, more particularly such as the old
favorite Adiantum cuneatum, whose fine young
fronds are liable to be injured by fumigation.
To be successful in the cultivation of these favor-
ites, a humid atmosphere must at all times du-
ring the growing season be maintained. I free-
ly syringe two or three times daily, and well
sprinkle the floor and stands. Tlie Gymnogram-
ma class must never be watered overhead ; they
will do best in a moist high temperature, du-
ring the growing season from March till the lat-
ter part of October, they should then be removed
to the warmest and dryest part of the hothouse,
and rather sparingly watered during the winter
months. Small plants of the gold and silver va-

1873.

THE GARBEJfEWS MOJ^THLY.

267

rieties do best placed upon shelves during those
months, taking care to keep the fronds perfectly
dry.

Ferns of most kinds do much better standing
upon a somewhat moist bottom of gravel, spent
bark or ashes. In summer allow a free circula-
tion of air, and aim at keeping the temperature
low and as much moisture in the atmosphere as
possible. Sunshine should never he allowed on
the growing plants. Ferns in pots should
always be well drained to about one-fourth of
their depth, then a thin layer of spagnura moss,
then lay a little of the prepared soil upon the
moss ; lay out the roots carefully, filling in the
soil and work well among the roots until the pot
is filled within one inch of the top, taking cnre
that the soil is neither too wet or too dry. From
the end of March until May the general potting
up may be done. Small plants in a vigorous
growing state, may require another shift about
the end of July. If the soil is not sour, and the
pot very full of roots, do not re-pot, for the less
the roots of ferns are disturbed the better. Dry-
ness at the roots is death to many of the fronds if
not to the entire plant, and if once allowed to
droop from want of water, very few of them will
ever recover their vigor. If on the other hand a
continuation of dull, damp weather prevails,
they will, of course, not require so much water
to the roots or syringing the fronds. Soft, or at
least water somewhat aerated, should always be
used, taking care that only very clear water is
used for syringing, or the plants will soon have
a dirty appearance. If any sign of mouldiness
appears, give more air and less moisture in the
atmosphere till that is checked.

The following are a few good free-growing
greenhouse ferns that can be easily managed by
any lady or gentleman not keeping a profession-
al gardener : Adiantum cuneatum, Brasiliense,
■ assimile, formosum, pubescens, setulosura, ca-
pillus veneris, Alsophila australis, a very fine
tree fern of rapid growth ; Asplenium bulbife-
rum ; Cibotiura regale, a handsome tree fern ;
Cyathea medularis, also a tree fern ; Cyrtomium
falcatum, Davalliacanariensis, hare's foot fern ;
buUata, squirrel's foot fern ; pyxidata, Doodia
aspera. cordata, Lastrea patens, Lastrea Siebol-
dii, Lomaria Gibba, tree fern ; Loraaria Gibba
crispa, Lygodium scandens, climbing fern ;
Nephrodium moUe, NeiDhrodium molle coryar-
biferum, Xephrolepsis exaltata, a very fine
graceful growing fern, good for pot specimens or
basket culture ; Nephobolus lingua, Oncychium

japonicum, Polypodium cambricum, Phllbodi-
um aureum, a strong grower ; Pteris argyrea,
cretica albo lineata, geranifolia, hastata, serru-
lata, serrulata cristata, tremula, fine specimen
fern ; Woodwardia radicans, to which might be
added a few Lycopodiums, such as Selaginella
denticulata, Wildenovii, densa, and involvens.
There are a host of others, but these would be a
good start in fern culture for a beginner to grow
well.

An out door fernery could be made to occupy
any dark shady nook or corner, however ill
adapted for the growth of flowers or shrubs.
Ferns could be made to luxuriate with little ex-
pense or trouble if under large trees, or to hide
unsightly fences, walls, or other objects, nothing
will suit so well as to place a few loads of soil
and rubbish of almost any description, where
the intended rockery is to be made, then take
pieces of natural rock of any description, or in
lieu, stumps of trees, brick rubbish, or cinders
from furnaces, and place in and upon the soil,
and made to have a pleasing effect, and to ap-
pear as natural as possible. If near water, so
much the better, the ferns would grow finer
assisted by the evaporation, giving the moisture
so necessary to the well growing of them ; they
would of course be firmly planted in the crevices
between the pieces of rock or stumps. If a little
proper fern soil specified above could be used in
the planting, so much the better for the plants-
it would be an assistance at starting. A few
Geraniums, Fuchsias, Sedums, Saxifragas,' Ver-
benas, Vincas, and other subjects could also be
introduced amongst the ferns in some situations,
and make a lively contrast with the green of the

others.

««•«•

TREES INJURED BY LAST WINTER.

BY E. MANNING, HARRISBURG, FRANKLIN
COUNTY, OHIO.

Another winter is past and another summer
has come, and as the past winter has been the
hardest in this locality since the hard ones of
'55 and '56, I have taken mj pen in hand to tell
you of its effects on trees and shrubs en my
lawn :

Pinus Austriaca, strobus, sylvestris, laricio
and Pyrenaica, all uninjured. Newer varieties,
P. excelsa, cembra, and Benthamiana also un-
injured. Of the Firs, Picea balsaraea, unin-
jured ; pectinata, smartly injured ; picta, Par-
sonsiana, casiocarpa, uninjured ; Nordmania-
na, slightly browned and half the buds or more

268

TEE GARDE JEER'S MOJ^THLY, Septemher,

are injured so as not to grow — the top buds on
the main leaders have not yet started ; nobilis
also somewhat injured ; grandis somewhat
browned, otherwise uninjured ; pinsapo, con-
siderably injured.

Abies excelsa, nigra, coerulea, Whitmanina,
archangelica, Menziesii, uninjured ; alba, all
uninjured ; morinda, slightly injured ; oriental-
is, slightly browned, otherwise uninjured ; Juni-
perus Virginiana, suecea, glauca, Japan, glau-
ca Virginiana, variegata, squamata, alpina, all
uninjured ; excelsa, considerably, but not fatally
injured, also oblonga pendula, Mahonia Japoni-
ca, and intermediates, killed to the ground ;
Yuccas, two varieties, uninjured ; Rhododen-
drons, all fatally injured.

Buxus, upright, killed ; aurea, injured ; lance
leaved, injured ; Fortuni, killed ; latifolia and
arborescens, slightly injured on upland— killed
on lowland ; Cephalotaxus Fortuni, slightly in-
jured ; Taxus aurea and adpressa, both killed ;
Th'ija aurea, Siberian and Rosedale, all unin-
jured. Cupressus Lawsoniana, a tree of fifteen
feet high, somewhat injured on upland — a small
one on lowland killed.

Torreya nucifera, fatally injured ; Retinospo-
ra aurea, a small plant killed ; Magnolia acumi-
nata, auriculata, glauca, tripetala, all uninjured ;
Alexandrina, couspicua, superba, Soulangeana,
longifolia, Lenm, triuraphans, albo spectabilis,
gracilis, purpurea, all had their flower buds
partly killed ; Salisburia adiantifolia and lacini-
ata niacrophylla, uninjured ; Liriodendron or
tulip tree uninjured. Also uninjured, Tilia ar-
gentea, Virgilia, Populus alba, Betuli laciniat^,
pendula, alba, Alnus imperialis laciniata, Glyp-
tostrobus sinensis, Sorbus or Mountain Ash,
Acer platanoides, laciniata or Eagle's claw,
Taxodium distichura, Catalpa syringafolia, Ne-
gunda violacea, S.ilix " Kilmarnock Weeping,"
Fraxinus aucubcefolia. Injured— CatalpaKoemp-
feri. Laburnum Killed— Fraxinus lentiocifolia
pendula, ornus, Europeeus, macrophylla.

Shrubs uninjured- Exochordia grandiflora,
Rhus cotinus, Eleagnus angustifolius, Loniceras
in varieties, Pyrus aria flowering Hawthorns.
Slightly injured— Wiegelias of different varieties.
Viburnum plicatura, macrocephalum, Spirea
prunifolia and Reevesii ; Deutzia, double flower-
ing, white and purple killed to the ground ; also
Forsythia viridissima.

Of Vines— Bignonia radicans, slightly in-
jured ; grandiflora and Thunbergia, badly in-
jured ; Ampelopsis h.-deracea, uninjured ; bi-

pinnata, killed to the ground ; Lonicera Halli-
ana and flexuosa slightly injured ; Belgica,
killed; Peripoca grseca uninjured.

There are many more of the commoner varie-
ties I have omitted to mention, which are most-
ly uninjured. Nearly all of my evergreen and
deciduous trees were mulched, or I think the
destruction would have been worse.
June 16</i, 1873.

HOW TO GROW EVERGREENS FROM
SEED.

BY J. C. WOOD, rrSHKILL, N. Y.
[Continued.)
The second year I find but little to do except
to keep them clear of weeds by an occasional
hand weeding ; but we find this takes but little
time where beds have been kept thoroughly
clean the first season after sowing. I never
shade my seedlings the second season — find they
are suflSciently hardy to stand the sun without
any further protection. Tn spring of third sea-
son, usually as soon as I can get to it, which is
with me from first of May to first of June, or as
soon as I can get my deciduous stock out of the
way, I transplant into beds five feet wide, and
any desired length, according to plat intended
for the purpose ; but before so doing, the ground
receives a thororgh preparation about as fol-
lows : In the first place the piece receives a
very thorough plowing the fall previous, and as
soon as the ground gets in good working order in
the spring, I apply a very nice dressing of tho-
roughly rotted manure, prepared a year ahead
if possible, after which it receives another
thorough plowing and harrowing, which is sup-
posed to leave it in very fine condition. Then
I proceed to lay out my plat in the following
way : Commencing at one side, allowing eight-
teen inches for path ; then measure two and a
half feet ; then stick up laths, one at each end of
plat; then again measure six and a half feet, and
again place laths at each end as before, and
continuing on in the same way measuring six
and a half feet and planting laths until I have
as many beds as I desire, after which, with the
heavy plow, again I turn a back furrow up to
each row of laths, until the dead furrow comes
just about mid-way between them— usually four
furrows on each side will answer ; then I rake
from centre each way to dead furrow until the
ground is level again. The raking, I find, is not
a very expensive piece of work, as the ground is

1873.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOMTHLY.

269

very mellow and loose, and I use the common
wooden hay rake for the purpose, as it works
more readily through the soil, and the work can
be performed much faster than with the iron
rake, and good enough for the purpose. Now
my ground being all ready, I stretch my line the
whole length of plat, leaving eighteen inches for
path, then tighten up firmly, for I like to have
the sides of my beds straight, then I lay my
board down directly across one end of the bed,
and at right angle with the line ; bring an end
which is sawed square right along the line.
Here let me add, the board I use to plant most
kin'^s of stock by is just five feet long and seven
inches wide, sawed square at both ends. I find
this a convenient length, and about the right
width for most kinds of plants. After the board
is placed in position, a boy is placed at each end,
each armed with a light spade. Each boy brings
his spade down on the board with two or three
good sharp raps, after which they proceed to
open a pei'pendicular trench right along the edge
of board, four or five inches deep, according to
size of plants intended to be planted, after which
each boy proceeds to plant.

The plants having previously been prepared
in the packing sheds by sorting, sizeing and pru-
ning— the latter pretty thoroughly, especially
the tops, as I find my success is very much in
creased by a pretty severe shortening in of top
and side shoots, and at the same time helps to
improve the plants by making them branch
more thick and stocky. After thus prepared,
they are packed very nicely in small boxes, such
as glass or soap boxes, and thoroughly wet and
covered up with some old cloth or mats, then
each gang of two boys is thus provided each
with a box of plants, which we are very particu-
lar to hav.e kept covered up except when they
are getting out a handful for planting, the size
of which is regulated according to weather.
"When warm and dry, we take out only a small
handful at a time ; when moist more. Com-
mencing at each end of board, the planters pro-
ceed by holding one plant in one hand and haul-
ing just enough soil with the other to cover the
roots, and pressed down firmly at the same time
until the middle of board is reached, or until the
planters meet. The distance apart is regulated
somewhat according to size and kinds of stock
I am handling — usually from thirty to fifty in a
row. Spruce, Norway, two year seedlings, thir-
ty-five to forty plants ; Arborvitse, American,
say forty to fifty ; the stronger growing Pines,

thirty to thirty-five plants. After the first row
is planted, the soil is hauled back to its place
and around the plants until the ground is level
again. Then we use a duplicate border, just the
same as the first one, which is plaated right
down in part of the row just planted, the edge
being brought up snug to it, being particular to
bring one square end right along the line every
time, and again it is settled into the ground by
a few sharp raps with the spade as before, and
another trench is opened and planted. Then
the first board is taken up and moved just
ahead of the second, and so on as the operation
proceeds.

The object in using two instead of one board
is, where T use but one board in forming the
ground after planting a row, the plants are all
driven to one side, but where two boards are
used, the plants all remain perpendicular in their
places. I place a good deal of importance on
packing the ground very firmly, particularly if
the ground is getting a little dry. If wet, of
course I do not pack so hard. I use boys from
14 to 17 years old altogether for this kind of
work. I find they can perform the operation
just about as fast as men, and by studied watch-
ing just as good, whereas their wages is only
j about half as much, and most boys will learn it
very quick— a half-day is sufficient to get him so
he can plant quite as wel' and nearly as fast as
a more experienced hand. I consider for two
boys that have had a little experience, 10,000
plants a day's work. However, there is a dif-
ference in boys, some can adapt themselves to it
much quicker than others, and at the same time
plant much faster. Some of my more experi-
enced hands will plant 15 000 in a day, and do
it well — that is the gang of two boys, 7500 each.
I find where I am particular in handling, that in
not allowing the plants to dry, my loss is very
small, often not more than one per cent. Still
the season of 1873 is an exception, as we had no
rain from middle of April to middle of July.
Frequently the wind almost blew a gale from
West and Southwest, with bright sun— mercury
often standing 90" in the shade, which, of
course, made it almost impossible to keep life in
anything. My loss was quite heavy — say twen-
ty-five per cent.; and those that did live are
making only about half as much growth as they
would have done had they had sufficient moist-
ure.

With the excepti*on of Larch and some of the
stronger kinds of deciduous trees, I leave my-

^70

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY. Septe-mher,

plants in these seed beds two years, when they
are large enough for planting in nursery rows.
In addition to spring planting, I have some sea-
sons planted quite extensively the last week in
August and the first two weeks of September,
and if the weather is moist and cool, find it quite
as safe as spring planting, except in the case of
very small plants, which usually get throwed
out most too much in spring with the frost, hav-
ing but little root to hold them in. All small
plants, when planted in the fall, should be cover-
ed in some way the first winter, either with
leaves, evergreen boughs, or lath shades, so as
to keep the ground frozen until the weather be-
comes settled in the spring.

EAISING SEEDLINGS OF TREES,
ERUITS, &c.

BY J. M.

In your June number, " Horto," referring to
an article of mine headed as above In the Sep-
tember number for 1871, wishes me to say how
to obviate the seedlings being thrown out by
frost the first winter. Wherever seedlings are
exposed to freezing and thawing the first winter,
or any time before the roots are lengthy, the
most of them will be out of the ground in the
spring " high and dry." They must be kept by
some means from thawing after once frozen.
Mere shade in winter is not enough. There
must be a sufficient thickness of material over
them to keep them frozen solid continually till
spring, enough to prevent two or three days of
warmth which we sometimes get in winter, from
thawing them out. A thick litter of leaves with
some heavier material on the top is first rate.
"Horto " says : "mere covering with litter on
the approach of the frost does not seem to be ef-
fectual.'' He probably has made the covering
too light, and if he will " pile it on " thicker
another season I think he will successfully win-
ter them. I am glad that my former article was
of use to him, and propose before the next seed
sowing time comes to revise somewhat what I
then wrote, and give the result of what I have
since learned on the subject.

EDITORIAL NOTES.

FOREIGN.

Stigmaphyllon ciliatum. This is a free growing
and abundant flowering plant, first introduced to
our collections towards the end of of the last centu-
ry, yet seldom to be found occupying the position

it deserves. Its blooms are bright orange yellow
produced in large umbels, whilst the cordate leaves
are light green, and furnished at the edges with
numerous eyelash-like hairs. The flowers, which
at first sight resemble Orchid blooms, are produced
for many months in succession. It should be pot-
ted in a mixture of about two parts loam, one part
peat and leaf mould, and one part sand. Native of
Brazil.

We find the above in the Journal of Horticul-
ture, and copy it in order to remind our readers
of what we said of it a couple of years ago, that
it is one of the best possible plants for out-door
gardening in America. It suits our hot climate
and commences to flower in June, continuing
till frost. Any florist who would take hold of
it, and j)ws7i if, would certainly give satisfaction
to his customers, and bring in a good profit to
himself.

Wliy Seed Grows so easily sometimes and in
some countries, is yet a mystery. This is illus-
trated by a discussion going on in an English
magazine between our Mr. Downing and the
gardener at Fulton Park. Mr. D. had said that
the seeds of the Buffalo Berry sown in spring
will not grow till spring following. Mr. Muir,
of Oulton, says Mr. Downing is wrong — his
seeds sown in spring growing soon after. He
says, however, his seeds grew at once, because
he preserved the dried pulp on th'^m ; but we in
America know that the best success follows
cleaned seeds of trees as a general rule. The
only ascertained facts are that seeds want dark-
ness, air, and moisture to germinate well. These
conditions are better secured by an English cli-
mate than an American, and hence a seed that
takes a season to sprout here, may come up at
once there.

Superfa'tatt'on. In reference to Mr. Arnold's
interesting paper of last year, the following from
the Journal of Horticulture will have an interest.
It does not follow, however, that there must
have been two distinct fertilizations in this pear
case, as there certainly was in Mr. Arnold's
corn experiment. If a pear were carefully fer-
tilized with one flower, and all contact with
other pollen prevented, still there would be no
two fruits alike among the seedlings. At least
it has been found so in other things, and we in-
fer it would also be the case here :

" Whilst on the subject of Pears, I may mention
what seems to me to be a subject of some interest
as touching on seminal varieties. Some fifteen
years since I noticed a fruit on a tree of the Seckle
of three or four times the usual size, and I saved the
pips, and raised two trees, which have now been
bearing two or three years. The interesting point

1873.

THE GARDE JVER'S MOJ^'TRLY,

271

to which I wish to call your attention is, that
although both these trees were raised from the same
fruit, they are completely different from each other
in flavor and appearance. One is an enlarged Sec-
kle rather coarse in flesh, but improves every year
over the quality of the preceding one, and this year I
hope to be able to speak of its quality double-worked
on Quince,and grown in the orchard house. Hitherto
it has only been grown as a standard in a locality
where the original Seckle has never been anything
better or larger than a small Crab. The other Pear
is a medium-sized melting Pear of high flavor, ripe
in October, having no resemblance to the Seckle
whatever. The tree from which these two were
raised grew in close proximity to a Beurre de
Ranee ; but as other Pear trees were growing on
the same wall, the blossom from which the fruit
came may have been fertilized by the bees from
some other tree. The singular thing, as it seems to
me, is that there must have been two distinct fertili-
zations in the same blossom, as there is no resem-
blance in the leaf, mode of growth, appearance and
quality of fruit, or in anything else between these
two fruits raised from the same Pear."

Great Age of a Botanist. The Unitarian
Congregation of Lowescroft in England, gave a
party recently to Lady Smith, on the occasion
of her hundredth birthday. Like her celebrated
husband, Sir James Edward Smith, his widow
is a botanist of considerable reputation.

Value of Orchidaceous Plants. The price our
English friends are willing to pay for beautiful
flowers, are indicated in the following extract
from the Garden :

•'Of Vanda caerulescens, a rare and beautiful blue-
flowered kind, a considerable importation from Bur-
mah was sold the other day at Stevens' • A mass
of it, consisting of eleven strong plants, realized
£20. Of Vanda Denisoniana, another rare species
from the same district, six plants fetched £11, and
Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, a fine showy species,
fetched £13 13s. The whole amount realized for
443 lots was a little over £889."

The Hardiest of the Barer Comferce. During
the past quarter of a century many new conifer-
ous plants have been introduced into England,
and by this time they are enabled to judge what
may be classed among the generally hardy.
The Scottish Arboricultural Society has recent-
ly published a list of such, which we reproduce
here, because it corresponds very much with
American experience. All the alteration we
should make would be to carry the remarks in
connection with the Deodar Cedar to most of the
others. We And most young evergreens in the
Middle States, need shelter while young :

Name of Species. Remarks.

"Wellingtonia gigantea, Universally vigorous.

Thujopsis borealiSj Very hardy.

'• dolobrata, Not in general cultivation

Thuja gigantea, Very universally hardy

" Lobbii, Not so generally grown

Cupressus Lawsoniana,

" Lambertiana,

" Goveniana,
Cedrus Deodara,

" " robusta,

" Libani,

The hardiest of the Cupres-
sus family
Sometimes tarnished by

winds
Generally stands well
Requires care when young
Better habit and leader

than above-named var.
More adapted for England
than for Scotland; thrives
well in Ireland.
Hardy

"Worthy of extended culti-
vation.

Ditto
Sometimes rather defici-
ent in Scotland
Not generally grown
Hardy

Hardy in most situations
Sometimes suffers from

spring frost
Sometimes browned in

spring
Sometimes suffers from

spring frost
Hardy in most places
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Ditto
Sometimes injured by

spring frosts
Hardy
Ditto
Worthy of general cultiva
tion, and where rabbits
abound.
Sometimes doubtful
Peculiar as to soil and dis-
trict
Hardy
Ditto
Sometimes suffers from
frost
maritima or Pinaster, Valuable for coast planting
taurica, Hardy

Cembra, Very hardy

uncinata or Mugho Hardy
Ditto
Very hardy

Ditto
Usually hardy
Ditto

Browned by spring winds
in some situations, but
thriving in many places

The Iris. It is the fate of many good plants
to get set aside for novelties not near as good.
The Iris has been one of these unfortunates.
But it is growing again into favor in England.
The varieties are very numerous, and there is no
flower capable of giving more interest than a
collection of these. They flower as the Hyacinth
goes out, and are excellent plants to go together
with them.

" atlantica,
Abies Douglasii,

" orientalis,

" Menziesii,

" obovata,

" Mertensiana,
Picea nobilis,

" cephalonica,

" Pinsapo,

" bracteata,

" Nordmanniana,

" Balsamea,

" canadensis,

" Fraseri,

" grandis,

" Pichta,

" Pindrow,

" religiosa,

" rubra,

" Webbiana,
Pinus Laricio,

excelsa,
Lambertiana,

monticola,
ponderosa,
insignis,

rigida
pyrenaica,
austriaca,
Sabiniana,
Taeda,
Taxodium sempervirens

21^

THE GAKDEJiER'S MOJ^TELY. September,

Best Hardy Spring Flowers. la America
spring gardeniug has much more attractions
than summer. The following list of spring
blooming plants is by a correspondent of the
Garden. Most of them can be had in American
nurseries :

Adonis

vernalis
Allium

neapolitanum

paradoxum
Alyssum

alpestre

montanum

saxatile
Anchusa

sempervirens
Androsace in var.
Anemone

alpina

apennina

coronaria

fulgens

memorosa

palmata

patens

Pulsatilla

ranunculoides

stellata

sulphurea

sylvestris

trifoliata

vernalis
Antennaria

dioica
Arabis

albida

arenosa

blepharophylla

petrgea

procurrens

purpurea
Arenaria

verna
Armeria

vulgaris
Asperula

odorata
Aubrietias, all kinds
Bellis in var.
Borago

orientalis
Bryanthus

erectus
Bulbocodium

vernum
Caltha palustris plena
Centaurea

cyanus

montana
Cardamine

tri folia
Ceraslinm in var.
Cheiranthus

Cheiii

Dilleni

Marshallii

Chelidonium

grandiflorura

japonicum
Claytonia

Virginica
Collinsias in var.
CoUomia

coccinea
Convallaria

majalis
Corydalis

bracteata

lutea*

Marschalliana

nobilis

tuberosa
Crocus

biflorus

imperatonius

luteus and vars.

reliculatus

Sieberi

vernus and vars.

versicolor
Cyclamen in var.
Delphinium

nudicaule
Dentaria

digitata
Diceutra

eximia

spectabilis
Doronicum

caucasicum

Clusei

Columnae
Dodecatheon, all kinds.
Draba in var.
Epimediums
Eiodium hymenodes
Eranlhis

hyemalis
Erica

herbacea

caruea

Mediterranea
Erj'simum

ochroleucum
Erythrouium

Pens-canis
Eschscholtias, all kinds
Ficaria

grandiflora
Fritillaiia, all kind
Galanthus
nivalis
plicatus
Gentiana
acaulis

Pulmonaria, all kinds
Puschkinia,

scilloides
Ramondia

pyrenaica
Ranunculus

aconitifolius

acris

alpestris

amplexicaulis

chserophyllus

Gouani

gramineus

monspeliacus

montanus

spicatus
Sanguinaria

Canadensis
Saponaria

calabrica
Saxifraga, most kinds
Scilla

amcena

bi folia

rosea
Sibirica
Silene

peudula
Sisyrinchium

grandiflorum
Soldanella, all kinds
Stocks in var.
Stylopborum

diphyllum
Stocks in variety
Thalictrum

anemonoides
Thlaspi

latifolium
Trientalis

Europaea
Triteleia

uniflora
Tulipa, all kinds
Uvularia

grandiflora
Veronica

pectinata
Vesicaria

utviculata
Vinca in variety
Viola

odorata

suavis

tricolor in variety
Waldsteinia

geoides

tri folia

Potatoes. One would think that potato cul-
ture ought soon to reach perfection. What with
vaiieties and modes of culture there are this
year growing in the Royal Horticultural Gar-
dens at Chiswick, /our hundred different lots, by
way of experiment.

Failure of the California Mammoth Tree in
Great Britain. At a meeting of the Botanical
Society of Edinburgh, a few months ago, Mr.

Gentiana

verna
Helleborus, all kinds
Hepatica

angulosa

triloba
Hutchinsia

alpina
Hyacinthus

amethystinus

orientalis
Iberis, all perennial kinds
Iris

germanica

nudicaulis

pumila

reticulata

stylosa
Jeffersonia

diphylla
Leucojum

sestivum

vernum
Limnanihes

Douglasii
Lithospermum

prostratum
Lunaria

biennis
Malcolmia

maritima
Mecouopsis

cambrica
Muscari, all kinds
Myosotis

alpestris

dissiliflora

palustris

sylvatica
Narcissus, all kinds
Nemophila, all kinds
Omphalodes

Luciliae

verna
Orobus

cyaneus

flaccidus

vernus
Petrocallis

pyrenaica
Phlox

divaricata

procumbens

reptans

setacea

subulata
Primula, many species

187S.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOMTBLY,

273

McKab exhibited a section of a stem of Sequoia
gigantea, which after reaching four feet seven
inches in circumference since 1858, liad died in
1872. He says there are none doing well in that
part of the world, and he concludes that it is
" constitutionally weak.'" In this country we
find them almost universally attacked by a par-
asitic fungus in summer time ; and we should
not be surprised if this is not what is the matter
with the British trees.

Beautifying Young Specimen Trees. When a
young tree of a rare kind is set out on the lawn,
it is often many years before it makes any great
show. In England, a fashion is becoming pre-
valent to set some other plant round it for some
years till it grows up to make a show for its-
self. These are mostly hardy herbaceous plants
that know how to take care of themselves, and
will yet make a good show, in spite of the roots
of the young trees during the summer season.

Flowers in Cemeteries. A writf^r in the Gar-
den commends the American practice of highly
ornamenting and keeping up in good floral con-
dition the resting places of the dend, and thinks
it will be imitated in all English speaking lands.
The projectors of Mount Auburn, at Boston,
and Laurel Hill, at Philadelphia, may well feel
proud of the general acceptance of their leading
work.

Kaki. The following from the Garden has
reference to the Japan Persimmons :

" At the present moment, imported fruit of the
Japanese Kaki are offered for sale in the shop win-
dows of MM. Cuvillier, et freres, marchands de
comestibles, 16, Rue de la Paix, Paris. They have

been apparently dried and prepared in the same
manner as our dried Figs and Raisins. The fruit,
in their dried state, are three inches or more in
lena;th, and are described as having a firm and
slightly gelatinous substance, of a reddish-brown
color, and sweet and agreeable to the taste. Many
species of Kaki are cultivated in Japan, with fruit
varying in dimensions from the size of a large fowl's
egg to that of a man's fist. When fully ripe, they
are said by M. Coiguet to be dried in the sun and
then preserved in flour, when they are equal to the
best dried Figs. M. Carriere, however, states that
whether from habit or not, he prefers the Figs."

Inrlian Robber Packed Joints. We believe
the practice now bt coming prevalent in Eng-
land of joining hot water pipes by an rubber
band, instead of tow and red lead has not been
referred to in tjje GarJener\s Monthly. The fol-
lowing is from a correspondent of Mr. Robin-
sou's Garden:

"Your correspondent's inquiry (see p. 302) res-
pecting the fitness of india-rubber rings for jointing
hot-water pipes merits more than a passing remark.
My own experience, though small, has satisfied me
that these rings make entirely water-tight joints,
and are easily fixed, effecting a great saving of time,
compared with the old-fashioned mode of packing
with hemp and lead. The ring being drawn over
the end of the pipe to be jointed, one man holds it
steady while another pushes it into the socket, the
ring rolling round and becoming flattened and per-
fectly water-tight as the pipe 'goes home.' When
all the piping is fixed, a little wet Portland cement
is run in round the joint with the fingers, and then
the whole is complete. Some hot- water pipes fixed
here were jointed with these rings, and the men who
used them stated that they were greatly superior to
, the old packing method, which causes delay, and is
not unfrequently productive of leaks and annoyance.
It is, however, desirable to pack such joints as are
within a few feet of the boiler, as the heat there is
sometimes detrimental to the india-rubber rings."

EDITOR lAL.

HISTORY OF THE CHERRY.

It is very remarkable that there should be so
many cultivated plants, the early history of
which, is absolutely unknown. Nations have
passed away, languages have died, most proba-
ble, land which bore the originals of many of our
fruits and vegetables, are now at the bottom of
the sea ; but the plants themselves, useful to
man in all ages, have been taken with man in
his migrations and handed down to us from ages
past, far beyond the power of even the oldest tra-
dition to say exactly when..

The Cherry is said to be a native of Europe
and Asia ; but its real original wild home is not
known. Sometimes we think we can trace his-
tories of these things by their names ; but lan-
guage varies so, even in our day, that we have
no security from error in this mode of historic
investigation. Many of us for instance, have
been puzzled in our younger days to know why
a cherry which rarely ripened where the name
was best known before June, should be called the
" May Duke ;" and then some one tries to get us
out of the scrape by saying that it was derived

274

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY, September,

from "Medoc," and the Ens;li6h took the
French pronunciation and left the French
orthography behind. It is not at all improba-
ble that some ingenious historian will prove to
our satisfaction some day, that the Modoc Indi-
ans and May Duke Cherry had one and the
same origin ! Who knows how far we ai'e to
believe ancient history in similar cases ? "We
are, for instance, told that the Romans brought
the cherry from Kevesown, a town in Turkish
Asia, and that therefore they gave it the n.ime
of Cerasiis. It is said to have been brought by
the Roman General LucuUus, on his return from
the Mithradatic war. But we suspect it was
prett}' much in those days as it is in ours where
great men frequently find things which were
never lost, and bring things for the first time to
countries where they have existed for years
before. Thus we had in our country the great
head of the Bureau of Agriculture sending to
China to introduce a few tea plants into the
Government Gardens at Washington, a few
years ago ; and we were confidentially told b^- a
good friend latel}^ that he had sent lo Africa for
a few living coffee plants, so as to astonish the
world with a sight of the growing trees at thj
great American Centennial in 187G I Our doubts
about Lucullus bringing the first known ch >rry
to Italy arise from the fact that in about twen-
ty years alter, as Pliny tells us, the cherrj- was
well known all over Europe -even in " Britain,
beyond the Ocean." "We do not know how
these ancient Britishers obtained their first
stocks to graft the cherries on, or whether these
half barbarians knew anything about grafting.
If they had to d'^pend on the seed, and if the
seed did no better than our seed does, which
usually degenerates to very poor " Mazzards,''
whatever this name may mean, for we have
never been able to find out.

The Romans perhaps grafted. Pliny tells us
they did. Notwithstanding the slow traveling

! of those days, grafts may have been successfully

introduced from Pontus to Rome, and this

! woulil have given them some h;ilf a dozen years

i within the twenty to fruit a fe%v, and send the

I stotips to the wild English, who raised their trees

I from them. But the whole story is smoky, and

in sliort, we are sorry to say, with all respect to

the gn^at Lucullus, and the great botanist Mith-

■ radates— Pliny, the historian, and all included,

: we don't believe it, and thus we cannot tell our

I reid-TS that the 'Ciierry cime to us from Asia

j via Rome,'' as the good books tell us; nor do

: we know where the cherry did spring from.

I Pliny wrote about one hundred years after the

I event, and we know how it is now. We can

hardly trust a man to writ" an account of what

I happened a year before.

As before hinted, it is remarkable how the
cherry degenerates when left to itself. Although
our good friend Gray does not tell us so in his
' Manual," tho r-herry is one of the commonist
of wild or naturalized plan's in Pennsylvania.
There are thousands on thousands of wild trees
through the State, and in some places the bor-
ders of woods in spring will be quite white with
the blossoms of the cherry trees. These have
no doubt, in the first instance, been carried from
cultivated trees, and yet how rare is it to find
one that will in any way compare with our fine
garden fruit I In numberless cases there is little
left of the cherry. A good sound stone it is
true ; but a little piece of red skin drawn over it,
and the 'frtiit" little more acceptaole thin
would be the red berries of the common dog-
wood. It would be a poor business for pro-
gressive development theories if they had to de-
pend on facts like these. Still it is an interest-
ing question this of where the cherry came from,
as it is as to where the other fruits and vegeta-
bles origin ited, and we are sorry we can not
th)"ovv any light on it.

SCRAPS AND QUERIES.

Pruning Street Trees.— Jtf. Digram, West-
chester, Pa., says: "The following extract
from paper read before California Academy of
Sciences, July, 1872, covers ' Chronicler's ' case
completely : ' Again it is frequently the case
that the lower branches are trimmed ofT to a
mischievous extent, which also is a mistake, for

where a tree has sufficient space to grow in, but
little trimming is necessary, and it is a false
tast' which seeks to improve (?) upon nature by
depriving a tree of its normal physiognomy and
distinctive character by carving it into grotesque
or inappropriate shapes ; it is simply mutila-
tion, and is certain to result in premature de-

1873.

THE GARDEJTER'S MOMTELY.

'^75

cay and death of the victim. The flattening of
the head by certain abori:^inal tribes, and the
disrorted feet of the fashionable Chinese ladies,
are further and pertinent illustrations of anala-
gous hideous violations of natural form.' "

White Pansy.—/. W. M., UUoa, N. Y.:
"Herewith I S3nd flower of a white Pansy that
originated with me this season. What can you
say of it ?''

[Can say it is the best white we have seen so
far. It is wholly white, except a small orange
spot in the centre. There will yet be room for
improvement in the form and texture of the
petals, but until some one is more fortunate we
should rank this as No. 1.]

A Capital Riddance.— Tlie absence of the
Editor who is examining the orchards of
the Shenandoah gathering wild flowers in Tex-
as, and studying native timber trees in the
Wahsatch and Rocky nnnuntains, will sufficient-
ly account for the superior excellence of the Au-
gust and September numbers.

Cultivating Double English PRni-
ROSES. -X., S'. Louis, Mo., writes: "When
East, a few winters ago, I noticed that much use
was made of the double white Primrose for bou-
quets. I purchased half a doz n plants, but
the)' have now all died. Tney seem to get
throuiih the summer badly. What is the best
way to cultivate them ?"

With this q lery we find a full paper on the
subject from the English G irdeaer's Ghronide,
merely adding that the sumuier shade and shel-
ter from rain, is of still more importance here :

"To give simple details of the cultivation of
any single plant is to me an irksome task, for
when I attempt it I have an innate feeling that
my remarks may be read by those who are
already acquainted with all I may write, and
that those who are ignorant will not think tlmra
worth perusing beyond the first few lii.es It
must be understood then that these remarks are
not addressed to the former class ; on the con-
trary, I will canvass for converts amongst the
latter — such as may have a desire to become
successful in the cultivation of a beautiful and
useful old plant.

" 1 believe the most difficult process in the cul-
ture of the Double Primula is its propagation,
and after trying various ways of inducing it to
root, I have found no plan better than the fol-

lowing : As soon as the plants have done flow-
ering, place thera in a temperature of SS"" at
night, with an advance of W by day. For want
of a more suitable place, I recently put soma in
a temperature of Gj"" to 70"' at night, but in this
they got drawn If anj- of the plants appear
sickly and the growth insuflficient to make cut-
tings from, they should be repotted at the same
time removing all the soil possible vvithout 'in-
juring the roots; others will be benefitted by a
top-dressinj. In about six weeks from Mie time
thi\v f^fe pliced in the above temperature the
cuttings will be rea^^ly. for thou'^h some may not
be much lir^er than wli3n plm^d therj, they
will be suffi'iently excited. The whole i)lant
should then be cut up, and every shoot that has
half an inch of old brown wood attach^-d to it,
put in as a cutting. I have tritid to keep old
plants, but thf^y have made only miserable ob-
jects compared with the yearly ones. The cut-
tings are inserted each into a thumb-pot, the
mixture bainjj peat with a sixth of loim, and a
very liberal portion of sand ; if the loam i^ light
I use more of it. Each cutting will require a
stake and a tie to support and steady it.

" The most suitable jdace for them now will
be along the west edge of a Cucumber or a Mel-
on frame newly planted. There they will have
an increase of temperature, and will be sur-
rounded with sufficient atmospheric moisture ;
at the same time they will receive sufficient air
to keep them from damping ; and they can be
shaded if necessary without interfering with the
more Icizitimate occupants of the frame When
sufticii ntly rooted th^y should He removed into
an unh ;ated fram:, facing the north, an I placed
on ashes as a security against worms. They
should be kept close for a few days, and gradu-
ally inured, so thtit they may ultimately have
all the air p(*ssible. When sufficient roots are
made to retain the soil together, th< y may be
potted into 48's. I am not particular as to soil,
relying more on its mechanical texture than on
the relative quantity of the ingredients. Loam
and peat in equal proportions will do when the
former is friable. L'iaf-m ould may be su'istitu-
ted for peat, but above all things, I would insist
upon a liberal allowance of silver sand being
I used. Porosity in the soil is of the utmost im-
1 portancc. The delicate silky roots are unable
; to penetrate a clammy coaipound, let its rich-
I ness be ever so inviting. After they are newly
I jMJtted, they will require shading for a few days
1 during sunshine, and even after they are estab-

276

THE GARDE JEER'S MOJ^TELY. September.

lislied, a thin shading for an hour or two during
the hottest part of the day will be beneflcial,
with an occasional sprinkling from the syringe
or a fine rose in the evening, and the light may
be left off at night when there is no probability of
heavy rain. They will now make rapid pro-
gress, and some may fill their pots in time to
have a shift into 32's ; but I have not been able
to get much larger plants in this size than in
48's: The only advantage I have found is, that
they are later in flowering, and the individual
flowers are generally more double, and certainly
larger. In September, all depending on the
weather, they may be removed into an airy
house, the front of one where means are supplied
for front ventilation. Excluding frost and
guarding against damp will be the chief atten-
tion they will require, but, like the Chinese Pri-
mula, they are rather benefited than otherwise
by a night temperature not below 40 degrees.
In November they will be in full flower, and
will continue so for four months or more.

"The reader of these few lines will now be
ready to ask— "What result may be expected
from this apparent trouble, and what are the
advantages of growing these when scores of
plants of the Chinese Primula may be raised
from a packet of seed ? The result with me has
been the possession of pyramids in 48 pots, from
one foot to eighteen inches high, and the same
across, and any one possessing suitable accom-
modation may attain still better results. They
claim special advantages, inasmuch as they are
useful for indoor decoration, the purple one espe-
cially ; and possessing a pyramidal habit, they
contrast favorably with the " squatty " appear-
ance of seedlings. They are also useful for cut-
ting from, and the flowers will remain fresh
after being cut as well as most others. The in-
dividual flowers can be used for bouquets if they
are wired ; and, finally, on a pinch, they may
come in for ladies' hair and aleo for gentlemen's
button-holes."

the ones our correspondent thought she was to
get. The upright Honeysuckles are very orna-
mental as bushes — the Tartarian especially so.
There are two kinds, one with whitish flowers ;
the other with deep rosy pink. Again there is a
variety with yellowish amber berries, and one
with berries of a coral red. It is for these they
are valued, and not for climbing purposes. For
this you should order Japan, Chinese, Red, Scar-
let Coral, or Belgian Monthly. It is to be re-
gretted hovyever, that nurserymen do not adopt
the latin name Caprifolium for the climbing
Honeysuckles, to avoid mistakes.]

LONICERA TARTARiCA.— JB. /. B., near Ce-
cilton, Mel., writes : "I purchased by a descrip-
tion in a nursery catalogue, a'plant called Loni-
cera tartarica, represented to be a honeysuckle,
and planted it near a piece of lattice work, for it
to run over but it does not run'more than a lilac
bush in my garden. Is this as it ought to be ?'

[This is right. There is a class of Honey-
suckles which grow as bushes, {Lonicera proper).
The climbing ones (properly (Japrifoliums), are

HoRTiCTTLTUBE UST THE COUNTRY.— A Lan-
caster, Pa., correspondent gives a very encour-
aging account of horticulture in that city. New
, plants are much sought for, and every branch of
j gardening meets with encouragement.

Belle Magnifique Cherry.—/. T., Pitts-
burg, Pa., writes: "From accounts that I
have seen, I have been desirous to possess the
Belle Magnifique Cherry, and a few years ago
procured trees of it from what I should regard
as a perfectly reliable source. Now that they
are in fruit, a gardener, who claims to have a
knowledge of these things, asserts that it is but
the Late Duke. Have I any claim on the nur-
seryman for disappointing me ?"

[Any person has a claim on another for dis-
appointing him in anything ; but in this cherry
matter, "be sure you are right" will apply.
We should doubt very much the judgment of the
average man who should decide at once between
Belle Magnifique and Late Duke, unless they
were both growing near each other. Belle Mag-
nifique has a slightly firmer flesh, and the fruit
stalks are rather larger, otherwise the fruit, foli-
age and growth are about the same. At any
rate you are not badly hurt, for we do not know
in any respect that one has an advantage over
the other.]

Seedling Raspberry from Mr. Price. —
This is a dark variety — same color as Philadel-
phia, but belongs to the Antwerp stock. The
fruit is medium size, of good flavor, and evident-
ly produced in great abundance. Its positive
value will depend on comparison while growing
together with the other kinds.

1873,

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY.

277

NEW AND MM PLANTS.

MiMULUS CUPREUS, VARIETY " BRILLI-
ANT."— There are few thiugs more gay in the
spring of the year than the various varieties of
•'monkey flower."' They are besides, of very
easy culture, if a few simple precautions are
taken. The chief of this is to keep them from
great heat. They like rich soil, and to be in the
full light ; and like moisture, but not to be sod-
dened or wet. A saucer with water under the
pot, is an excellent way to keep up this regular
supply. There are many cool places about
buildmgs and in greenhouses, just suited to it.
In every other respect it is of easy culture.

Observations on the JTew White Eose,
Madame Lacharme. — What the reporters said
about the new white hybrid ])erpetual rose, Ma-
dame Lacharme^ having been shown in a pink
dress at South Kensington, on the 2nd April
last, was, literally speaking, true ; plants were
there exhibited by two persons, and the report-
ers said that the blooms were of a decided pink
color. It is satisfactory to know that the rose
in question is white when fully expanded. The
rose is very distinct, and cannot be mistaken
when once seen. The flowers open with a tint
of rose or pink, but this color is on the back part

The variety we now illustrate is said to be a
scarlet, which if so, will render it peculiarly de-
sirable. Messrs. Carter say of it :

" An extremely showy half hardy plant,
selected by us some years since from Mimulus
Oupreus ; it differs materially from the parent
plant in being more compact in its habit and lar-
ger flowers ; the color is totally distinct from Cu-
preus, and approximates to that of King of Tom
Thumb Nasturtium, a brilliant deep scarlet. We
feel confident this plant will receive extensive
cultivation as a half-hardy annual ; it is equally
desirable for pot cultivation, rockeiies, or for
out-door bedding.''

of the petals ; as the blooms expand the petals
reflex, and quite obscure the outside color ; the
flower when fully developed i? quite white. This
answers to the description given by Monsieur
Lacharme, who says : " The rose Madame La-
charme is very vigorous, beautiful deep green
foliage, majestic carriage, flowers very large,
and very full ; white, opening with a very slight
tinge of rose, when fully expanded passing to
pure white ; Ctntifolia form, very perpetual ; the
best hybrid white yet produced ; a seedling from
Jules Margottin." The description given by the
raiser is faithful. The plants exhibited by Mr.
W. Paul and Mr. H. Bennett had been procured

278

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TELY. September,

renderitiij the plant a very attractive and cheer-
ful object in the very deadest season of the year.
Echeverins generally are interesting plants in the
winter and early spring, for many of theru are
thr n in flower, and make the fact known by their
display of dashing blooms.— S. II. in Gardener's
Mncjnzine.

from Monsieur Lacharine's establishment at
Lyons, and were consequently genuine. The
plants shown at South Kensington had, unfor-
tunately blooms on them whii-h were not suffi-
ciently open to show the rose in its true charac-
ter. Monsieur Lacharme savs that the oi.ly
English rose-growers who have seen ihis rose
growing in France are Mr. W. Piul and Mr. 11. |

Bennett, and it is not at all likely that persons i Saxifraga peltata — The rare and remark-
of their experience coul I be mistaken. We may i able Saxifraga peltata, quite a giant among Sax-
therefore feel certain that plants of Madame La- I ifrages, is now in flower in the Stansted Park
charmc sent out by them will be the true varie- | Nursery, Forest Hill. It belongs to the large-
ly.— Henry Taylor, in Gardener's Magazine, fuliaged section, the leaves when fully developed

I bfing as large as those of Rhubarb. It is, there-

YucCA BACCATA.— This new and very dis- i fore, as remarkable for its fine foH-Tge as for its

tinct species, found in New ^lexico, Utah, and
Arizona, and introduced into cultivatioia in Eu-
rope last year by M. Linden, of Brussels. In
the rigidity of its habit and the texture of its
leaves, it bears a greater resemblance to Y. cor-
Duta, or Y. Treculeana, than to anj' species of
the aloifolia section. It has a thick, wrinkled
stem, about a foot high, on the summit of which
are closely crowded the short, straight, erect,
pointed, boat shaped leaves of a light green
color, bearing on their margins numerous long>
broadish, and sharply pointed shaving-like ap
pendages. The fruit is a capsule, as in all the
Yuccas, but has the shape and fleshy consist-
ence of a ripe Banana, by which name it is
known to the natives of Western America. The
taste is sweet and agreeable, and the Indians,
who are very fond of it. gather and dry large
quantities for winter use. The uncooked fruit
is said to possess highly cathartic properties. —
M., in Garden,

flowers, wh ch are rose-colored.— Gai'der?.

Aquilegia leptocera aurea.— The Gar-
den says of a specimen recently exhibited in
London: '' That fine yellow Columbine (Aqui-
legia aurea) shown at Kensington the other day.
is a distinct and handsome plant, with fine clear
yellow flowers, making it worthy of association
with the very finest species of Columbiue."

EcnEVERiA Rosea.— This pretty plant is now
in perfection, and amateurs who as yet know
nothing of echeverias should contrive to see it.
The plant is one of the neatest and brightest of
its class at any time, but during winter its bright
green elliptical leaves become delicately edged
with carmine-red, and when this coloring is at
its height there ris s from every crown a spike
of flowers of a very peculiar purplish-rose color,

Tea Bose Perle de Lyon [Belg Hort.,
1873, 3). — A charming portrait of a lovely rose
lately introduced in commerce, and included in
the latest list in the Garden Oracle. It is de-
scribed by our friend, M. Sisley, as a vigorous
irrower, the young stems purplish, the leaves
richly bronzed, the flower-buds elegantly conical,
and the flowers cupped-globular, and of a most
delicate pale yellow color shading to citron in
the centre. Yellow roses are in high favor with
English amateurs, not a few of whom will de-
sire soon to possess the Pearl of Lyons.

The Malva Tree. —At a late meeting of
the Sacramento Farmer's Club, the following
report was given in regard to this tree : " The
malva tree seems originally to have come from
Japan ; its botanical name is Lnvatera assurgen-
t'flora (Keilogg,) and is valuable for ornament,
shade and for feed for animals of all kinds. It
attains a maximum height of thirty feet in about
eight years ; is evergreen, and blooms nearly the
whole year round. The trees grow from seeds
which drop from the tree, and require no culti-
vation whatever. They grow rapidly, and in
two years cattle could be allowed to browse on
them, as they do not eat the branches, only the
large, muciiaginous leaves. Cattle, sheep, hor-
ses, rabbits and goats all seem to pr fer the
leaves to any other food. The trunk or body of
the tree is the part which contains the fibre, for
the branches are nearly always tender and green,
not wood. Its leaves and seeds possess much
medical virtue as a demulcent, having the pro-
perties of both field-mallows and slippery elm.
To get a good start, these trees should not be
molested by cattle for at least two years ; after,

1873.

TEE GAIiDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

279

the leaves will grow as fast as they are eaten off,
leaving the (lowers to mature and the seeds to
fall unmolested, and the fibrous trunk to grow.''

TiTE Journal of Horticulture refers to the fol-
lowinsir :

Aqu'leqia leptocera aurea. — This is a new in-
troduction from the Rocky Mountains. It is
closely rehted to A. canadensis, and in habit of
growth folin^e, and height resembles that spe-
cies. The flowers are, however, pale sf raw-
colored ; and being a free-flowerinsr plant, it will
form ^ very desirable contrast to the blues and
reds of other species and varieties It appears
to be as easily cultivated as any of it congeners,
and quite as hardy.

FritiUaria tuUpifolia. —Th'ifi is one of those
hardy flowers that may be described as peculiar
and strikinsr rather than beautiful or ornimen-
tal ; but being a spring tlower, it will be of in-
teres! to amateurs and others who delight in
variety of character independently of showy col
ors. The flowers are solitary, drooping, large
and like an inverted Tulip, very dark or brown
purple inside, and milky blue outside. It is
very hardy, and grows freely in common garden
soil. Native of the Caucasus.

Campawda Medium calycanthema. —The Can-
terbury B: 11, though a favorite flower, and culti-
vated of old with more zest than now, has not
improved, nor had any very striking feature
added to it till within the last few years. The
pale-rose varieties are the most marked improve-
ment in color that have been introduced for a
generation or two, but we can now speak of an
alteration in the calyx in the present subject,
which adds a new interest and value to this old-
fashioned dower. In this new variety of Can-
terbury Bell, the calyx is petal-like in color, and
to some extent it approaches the petal in size
also, being much enlarged. At present the calyx
is the same color as the petal— blue or white, as
the case may be ; but a rose-colored calyx and
white petal, or a blue petal and white calyx, or
vice versa, may be amongst the possibilities of
the not very distant future.

Myosotis alpicola — This is a diminutive but
very pretty Forget-me-not. It forms a neat tuft
about 3 inches high, with small, dark green,
hairy leaves and deep blue flowers, slightly fra-
grant—the latter quality most noticeable at
night. It is best adapted to pot culture among
choice Alpines in a cold frame. The protection
of a frame in winter is of most importance, be-

cause it is apt to perish of wet in the open
ground. In summer, when making its growth,
it will bear abundance of water, and must have
it in plenty if free growth is to be encouraged,
but the drainage should be very good. Oa well
constructed rockwork it will succeed better than
on level borders, and may be left out in winter if
care is taken to cover it in prolontred wet wea-
ther with a cloche or bell glass. Gritty loam is
the most congenial soil for it. It is an old plant,
but rare.

Pentstemon heterophyllum. — Beautiful and nu-
merous as are the species and varieties of this
fiavorite genus, the present species lately intro-
duced to cultivation is scarcely equalled in point
of color by any of the older and better known
ones. It grows about 18 inches high, in neat
compact style. The leaves are narrow lanceo-
late, pale green or glaucous. The flowers are
produced on long racemes, borne on slender
stalks, and are brilliant sky-blue. From seed,
the plant varies somewhat in color in the depth
of the blue, and occasionally in being reddi.sh
purple It is a native of California. I cannot
speak from experience of its hardiness and culti-
vation, but it does not appear to be more diffl-
cult than that of other Pentstemons. In wet,
cold localities, stock should be struck in autumn
in pots, to keep over winter under protection.

Primula elatior magnifica. — This is one of the
most beautiful of the elatior tribe of Primroses.
It has the compact tufted habit of all the breed.
The flowers are large, about the same size, and
fringed in the way of a good type of Chinese
Primrose, bright gold in the centre, and shading
into clear primrose yellow on the margin. They
are supported on stout stalks high above the foli-
age in great profusion, and are very fragrant.
It is a beautiful plant for spring bedding, being
very showy and effective in masses at a distance,
and withal neat. For pot culture, for the pur-
pose of greenhouse decoration early in spring, it
is very desirable, as it bears forcing very well,
and lasts a considerable time in bloom.

Saxifraga peltata. — One of the most extraordi-
nary and distinct of its family. It produces
large lobed leaves 8 inches across, attached near
the centre to strong stalks 18 inches or 2 feet
long, and bearing striking resemblance to an
umbrella, in consequence of which it is popular-
ly called Umbrella plant. The flower sta'ks rise
to the height of 2 feet, bearing cymes of large,
white, rose-tinted flowers. It forms strong fleshy
creeping stems, and is found growing on the

280

THE GARDE JfER'S MOJYTMLy . September,

margins of streams in California, with the stems
frequently submerged. This at once suggests
its fitness for ornamenting the banks of streams
and lakes in this country.

Franciscea Magnifica. — This fine hybrid
is intermediate between F. eximea and F. caly-
cina. Its comparatively large Laurel-like, ob-
long, lanceolate, wavy margined leaves partake
of the latter in habit, whilst the remarkably
large rich lilac salver-shaped blossoms assimilate
to the former, but which, being nearly double
the size of F. eximea in bloom, proves the pro-
portionate merit and greater beauty of <^he
plant.

Netv Perpetual-flowerestg [Car^tatioxs.
— Coronet, pure white, fine quality, profuse
bloomer; Alphnnse Karr, beautiful, a brilliant
scarlet-flake on white, fine habit and growth;
Golden Eagle, yellow, with thin margin of red,
nearly a yellow self; Dragonfly, brilliant orange
tinted scarlet ; Royal Scarlet, splendid scarlet,
the finest in cultivation, robust and fine habit ;

Malakoff", pure white, clove- scented, good
growth ; Madame Ammont, violet self-color ;
Estelle, claret-rose self ; General, pure clear yel-
low-tipped scarlet ; Daylight, yellow, with deep
rose margin ; Duchesse, white, margined cher-
ry-red ; Clarabel, white veined with scarlet-
salmon.

Franciscea Violacea Grandiflora.—
This is an equally fine hybrid production, be-
tween F. calycina and F. laurifolia, forming a
very vigorous evergreen-leaved stove shrub, with
elliptically oblong leaves less wavy or glossy than
the preceding one, but equally free and robust
in growth, producing its large rich dark purplish
lilac salver-shaped flowers in the '^arly spring
and summer months.

Verbena Montana. — This is a hardy creep-
ing variety from beyond the Rocky Mountains,
introduced to us of the East, but which has
never made headway. It is rose color, and
blooms from spring till frost. It appears to be
getting popular in Europe.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

CuRCULio.— The Gardener's Monthly, for
January, 1873, contains an article on the " In-
fluence of extreme cold on the Curculio." T.
T. Southwick, of Dansville, N. Y., takes the
ground that when the soil is frozen hard and
long during the winter, and reaches far enough
down frost destroys the pupa, and advances the
theory that the Curculio will freeze out in win-
ter.

Last year was every where noted for freedom
from the Curculio. In the fruit regions of New
York, Delaware, New Jersey, Michigan and
Missouri, (the same true to a large extent in
Illinois, though we remember to have read com-
plaints of them from some sections of that
State), plum trees bore the largest and finest
crop for many years.

The question arises, to what was this freedom
from Curculio attributable ? In this section the
answer has been— to the use of the Ransom
trap, and the general destruction of the little
turk with the sheet, and also to the picking up
of alien frui*^.

Another answer is found in the large increase
of the parasite discovered by W. B. Ransom,
pointed out to Professor Riley, State Entomolo-
gist of Missouri, and subsequently described by
him.

It is evident, however, that the method of
accounting for freedom from the Curculio in the
Michigan peach region, will not apply to sec-
tions of country where no such modes of exter-
mination have ben applied. The fact also that
the absence of Curculio was general in 1873
would indicate a general cause for their destruc-
tion.

Our fruit-growers do not believe that extreme
and continued cold exterminates the curculio,
because the weight of belief, (no reliable testimo-
ny of the fact is yet on record in Michigan), is
in favor of the curculio hibernating out of the
orchard. The grounds of the belief are these :
First, the curculio crop are all hatched and out
of the ground long before cold weather closes the
ground. They pass their transformaliou in from
21 to 28 days. In the spring without an excep-

1873,

THE GAMBEJ^ER'S MONTHLY,

281

tion, before the curculio fly, when the Ransom
traps are set through the whole orchard, curcu-
lio will onl3' be taken under the traps set on the
first two or three rows, and the number regular-
ly diminishes toward the heai't of the orchard.
The concurrent testimony in this direction is so
strong that many careful fruit-growers in the
early season, having set their traps before the
appearance of curculio, only watch the outside
row of trees where the curculio invariably make
their first appearance. "We do not believe cur
culio are generally destroyed by cold ; but from
an experiment of our own on curculio kept
through the winter, are satisfied that they can
be frozen and thawed so many times as to ki 1
them.

A reason for the destruction of curculio last
year, and the year previous, suggested we be-
lieve by Prof. Riley, commends itself to our fruit-
growers as more reasonable than the freezing-
out theory, namelj^, intense and long continued
heat. Two seccessive years have presented
heated terras so intense and continued that the
ground has bren baked for lack of moisture,
throwing obstacles in the way of the soft worm
entering the ground, living in the ground, and
leaving the ground after its transformation.

We present this subject to our readers for their
consideration, leaving them to investigate the
subject. "Where does the curculio hibernate ?
Does extreme and continued cold destroy the
curculio ? Does extreme and continued heat
destroy the curculio ? How far will the parasite
destroy the curculio ? Can we afibrd to let the
traps, t>ie bugging sheet, and picking up the
fallen fruit go and depend on natural means of
destruction for the curculio alone ? For our-
selves we answer the last question emphatically,
IsTo I and so think it would be answered by every
careful fruit grower in this section. — /Si. Joseph
Ilerald.

An Early Pea. — The ''Philadelphia" is
the name of a fine variety of the pea, a sample
of which has been left at our office by E Rishel,
Esq , of this county. Mr. R. says this pea is
very early, and will shell out in five weeks from
planting — Central Union Agriculturist.

Origin of Smith's Cider Apple - This
apple originated on the farm ot Thomas Smith,
(who died many years ago), in Buckingham,
Bucks County, Pa. Mahlon Smith, a venerable
old gentleman, ninety years^of age, was in at

tendance at Bucks Quarterly Meeting of Friends
last week. He informed the writer that he lived
when a boy near Thomas Smith's, and that he
had seen the original apple tree " hundreds of
times." His remembrance in relation to it is
corroborated by several other aged people in the
neighborhood. I know some other farms have
claimed the honor of originating this apple, but
they are not entitled to that distinction. As I
am seventy years of age myself, and have lived
in this vicinity all my life, it may be presumed I
know whereof I speak.— F., in Germantown Tele-
graph.

Expressive Kames. — A writer in the Amer-
ican Agriculturist quaintly observes, "We are
not, after all, up to our English brethren in de-
vising names for horticultural fixtures and ap-
pliances. Does frost injure your Peach trees ?
— Then grow them under the ' Portable Fruit
tree Crymoboethus.' If this is not sufficient
protection, cover the glass with ' Frigi-domo,'
and increase the temperature inside by means of
a 'Calorigen.' Should the trees grow out of
bounds, you can shorten them with an 'Aver-
runcator,' and shou'd scale, mealy-bug, and the
like molest, you have only to apply some ' Phy-
tosmeraa.' Truly it must be lots of fun to
' horticult ' in England."

Gardener s Mats. — Although late in the
season for such articles as "Gardener's Mats,"
allow me to use a little space to describe a frame
I have constructed to facilitate the weaving of
mats, which has been thoroughly tested during
the winter ; one somewhat different and better
in many respects than any I have ever seen.
Make side pieces two and five-eighth yards long,
of stout material- mine being made of an old
ladder frame. Make ends of narrow strips of
board one and three-eighth yards long. I he
legs are slanted outward and strengthened by
cross pieces nailed near the floor. Place on the
outside of the side pieces, narrow strips as a
guide for laying on the straw. Next, procure
two strips of board two and a half inches in
width, and one and three-eights yards in length.
Bore holes in the ends of these, also the end
pieces of the frame. Screws should be put in at
regular intervals in each of these movable
boards, and four wooden pins or large nails near
at hand. Now here is where I claim advantage.
Place the movable boards in the frame and in-
sert the pins. At the workman's end, tie the

28%

THE GARDE^^ER'S MOJ^TELY. September,

twine in loops and place on the screws ; stretch
across and tie in a half bow knot at the opposite
end. After weaving; as far as one can reach.
remove {\\<^. loops, slide the. opposite hoard along
to a set of hr-les made in the side pieces, pull the
mat over and its own weight will keep it in
place, and so on until the mat is completed. —
Correspondent of Maine Farmer.

Illixois Industrial University— Exper-
iments WITH Early Cabbage —These ex-
periments, sa3'S Mr. H, K. Vicroy, orchardist
and gardener, were made on poor land, lightly
manured with course horse manure and plowed
under about 8 inches deep. They were planted
the same day, May 8, 1872, and received the
same care. The gross weight given is that of
the whole plant above the stalk, the m-t weight
that of the cabbage with the leaves trimmed off
ready for market.

The following list in the order of ripening have
done well in the market garden and vicinity;
a few Little Pixie for very early— too small for
profi*-.- Jersey Wakefield, Early Wyman, Fal-
ter's Improved, Winningstadt, and Schwein-
furth.

Winningstadt is very solid from the time it
begins to head to maturity, and is very valua-
ble on this account, as it will do to market before
it is ripe

Six plants of each were set out, but as one or
two plants died in some cases, the following
averages are not all made from six heads :

Varieties. \ Ma-

; tured.

Dwarf Loch I July 23

Early Dwarf Savoy

Early Wvinan
Enfield Market...
Early Blnod Red..
Jersey Wakefield

Litile Pixie

Large Oxlieart....

Large York

Schweinfurth

Sugar Loaf.

Winningstadt

Wheeler

Aug. 10

" 1
July 2.'}

Aug. 1

" 10

" 10

I Weight.
\ Orosx] Xet
fi-oz. Bb-oz.
|4-1 t2-lv

3- 1%\-V2\i
-l-r2U'.3-lJ'.<

5- "7% A- 1

6- 41^ 4- ]\i
2-6'4 1-11
.5- 514,3-13

4- V4\Z- 5li

0-10 .3- 9
6-13'^ 3 15'.4

2-1.51^ 1- 6*;^

I Loss.
,1fi—oz\p.ct
4-5 32.3
1-111^.50.
i 14l< I.>*.
1 1- 6i<l2.5.8
,1-13^;. 37.1
2- 3>^. 3.5.1

1- SV^!2.S5

1- 9'7< 13-5.7
l-ll^'26.l

2- 1 |.36.6
2-13V^jll.7
1- 91'-^ 1.53.2

Gardening for Women. — There is nothing
better for wives and daughters, physically, than
to have the care of a garden ; a flowerpot, if
nothing more. What is pleasanter than to
spend a portien of every day in working among
plants, watching their growth, and observing
the opening of their (lowers, from week to week,
as the season advances ? Then how much it
adds to the enjoyment to know that your own
hands have planted them and have pruned and

trained them — this is a pleasure that requires
neither great riches nor profound knowledge.
The advantages which woman personally derives
from stirring the soil and sniffing the morning
air are freshness and beauty of cheek and bright-
ness of eye, cheerfulness of temper, vigor of
mind, and purity of heart.— If. B. Stowe.

Under the Violets. By Oliver Wen-
dell Holmes:—

Uer bands are cold ; ber face is white ;

No more her pulses come and go ;
Her eyes are shut to life and light ; —
Fold the white vesture, snow on snow,
And lay her where the violets blow.

But not beneath a graven stone,
To plead for tears with alien eyes ;

A slender cross of wood alone
Sh dl say that here a maiden lies
In peace beneath the peaceful skies.

And grey old trees of hugest limb
Shall wheel their circling shadows round

To make the scorching sunlight dim
That drinks the greenness from the ground,
And drop their dead leaves on her mound.

When o'er the boughs the squirrels run,
And through their leaves the robins call,

And, ripening in the autumn sun.
The acrrns and the chestnuts fall.
Doubt not that she will heed them all.

For her the morning choir shall sing
Its matins from the branches high,

And every minstrel voice of spring,
That trills beneath the April sky„
Shall greet her with earliest cry.

When, turning round their dial track,
Eastward the lengthening shadows pass,

Her little mourners clad in black.
The cricket, sliding through the grass,
Shall pipe for her an evening mass.

At last the rootlets of the trees
Shall find the prison where she lies,

And bear the buried dust they seize
In leaves and blossoms to the skies.
So may the soul that warmed it rise

if any born of kindlier blood,
Should ask. What maiden lies below ?

Say only this : A tender bud,
That tried to blossom in the snow,
Lies withered where the violets blow.

A New Poison -Strophanthus hispidus.
-There has lately been discovered a poison

1873.

THE GARDEJ^EWS M0JV2ELY,

283

called incea, which is said to be more subtle than
digitaline. It is obtained by pressure from the
seeds of Strophanthus hispidus, an apocynaceous
plant, found in Gaboon ; and from experiments
made with samples of it, taken from arrows,
upon which the natives place it, it appears that
it acts more powerfully than digitaline or antia-
rine, and quick'y paral3zes the heart. Three
milligra'''''mes kill a fi'og, a sparrow, or a dog,
though the resistance of certain animals varies.
A snail, for instance, requires fivemiliigrarames ;
a mouse has withstood throe milligrammes of
the extract (obtained by macerating the seeds
in alcohol), while this latter dose kills a dog
nearly a thousand times heavier than the mouse.
The heart comes to a complete standstill after a
few irregular efforts. — The Druggist.

The PEnsTMMON.— We are not a little sur-
prised year after year that this beautiful orna-
mental shade tree, rich in its glossy leaves, clean
and neat in its contour, majestic in its height,
graceful, yet stately, in its outline, and possess-
ing besides the elements that generally bring
mankind to a full conception of its value, viz :
a production of fruit that pays pecuniarily, should
be so long and so generally neglected. AVe know
there are varieties that bloom and do not mature
fruic, also thiat there are varieties the fruit of
which is austere and almost uneatable, even
after severe frosts have toned it down quiescent-
ly ; but we also know there are varieties, the
fruit of which ripens in early September, before
any frost has come, and the fruit whereof is deli-
cately rich and luscious, and is sold in the mar-
kets of our Southern cities, as readily and at as
good prices as peaches or grapes.

Let us say a few words then !o those who are
about to plant ornamental trees, one or more,
think ere you plant, look at and count the
beauty of our native Persimmon. See its hardi-
hood and cleanliness, estimate its fruit produc-
tions, and don't waste time or ground with Ail
anthus, Catalpa or Cottonwood, when you can
have the Persimmon. It is easily and readily
grown from seed.— F. R. Elliott, in Fruit Re-
corder.

Magkoltas at Lexington, Ky. — Every
one in Lexington who cares much for tlowers,
has heard of the deservedly famous Magnolia
that adorns the surburbau home groumls of
Horace Craig, Esq. Nowhei-e have we enjoyed
the sight of a finer specimen of the kind than

the one here referred to ; and early in the season,
shortly after the blossoms have unfolded, and
befnre the spotlessly pure white corollas get
blemished by a single trace of decay, if we mis-
take not, Mr. Craig's lawn has one rich, rare
object, without an equal in all the Blue Grass
country. That peerless representative of Mag-
nolia conspicua, originally from China or Japan,
came to this section over twenty years ago ; was
purchased from the late A. J. Downing, the
prince of American landscape gardeners, and
has grown up to testify to the culture and re-
finement of James O Harrison, Esq., who then
owned and ornamented the i<roperty with many
of the most beautiful trees and shrubs, some of
which have been destroyed. The tlowers of
Magnolia conspicua are produced before the
leaves, anl, as Thomas Meehan says, "combine
the fragrance of the lily with the beauty of the
rose." There is another Magnolia from China
known amongst botanists as M. purpurea, hard-
ly less valuable and fra<rrant than the white
kind described above. The former becomes a
small tree, whilst the one now engaging our at-
tention does not. in so far as we know, get
beyond the dimensions of a large shrub. M.
purpurea is not very rare in the country around
Lexington, and there are a couple of superb
specimens in the little neglected garden forming
a part of our Agricultural College grounds.
And, moreover, in this, as in the above, the
flowers are fully open before the development of
any foliage. The corolla is of a lilac-purple
color on the outside, but paler within, and
nearly every bud expands into a blossom. We
have not been able to learn who set out the two
noble speciraeus of M. purpurea now growing at
Woodlands.— -Farmer's Home Journal, Lexing-
ton, Ky.

Excursion of Boston Florists.— The deck
and cabin of the steamer Favorite were the
scene of a most enjoyable excursion yesterday,
the occasion being an assemblage of florists of
Boston and vicinity, to the number of one hun-
dred and fifty, who responded to the invitation
of Messrs. Dee & Doyle, and M. U. Morton,
each of whom have received from his brother
florists during the past season a fine Howard
watch, and in return for which they tendered
this compliment. Between the efforts of Messrs.
Wm. H. Hunt, the well-known humorist, G. F.
Ketchum, the facial phenomenon, and E.
McElroy, the carterer, no moment of the day

^8Jl

TEE GARDEJYER'S MOJ^THLY. September,

was allowed to pass unoccupied or unenjoyed.
The sturdy gardeners from the suberbs threw
off, for the nonce, their busy cares and labors,
and becoming boys again, enjoyed with unusual
zest and quips and cranks of the professional
jokers and their own outbursts of playfulness.
The band filled up the spaces, and it was hard
to find time for the event of the day, which was
the presentation, by Mr. Thomas W". Dee, in be
half of his fellow florists, to Mr. F. L. Harris,
gardnener to H. H. Hunnewell, Esq., of a mag-
nificent watch and chain, costing $400. Mr.

Dee's speech was pointed and graceful, and Mr.
Harris, totally taken by surprise, was scarcely
able to find words for a reply.

The trip extended below Nahant and across to
the South Shore, and, in returning, the company
whiled away an hour or two at Long Island.
If the unanimous and oft repeated endorsements
of the company are any criterion, the trio of
gentlemen whose generosity and gratitude in-
augurated this excursion, have every season to
congratulate themselves on the perfect success
of their enterprise, — Boston Journal^ July 31st.

FOUEIGN INTELLIGENCE

Bees and Honey in France. — Honey and
wax are harvested twice a year in France. The
earlier occurs according to location, from the
latter part of May to the middle of July. This
is called the summer harvest, and is usually
better both in quantity and quality than the fall
harvest. The honey is finer, better flavored,
more aromatic, and more easily drained from the
wax. It is a pure nectar, collected from a great
variety of flowers, and is little contaminated
with pollen, particularly if gathered in supers.

At the beginning of July the honey harvest is
usually at an end in Gatinais, while it is then
just beginning in Picardy and at Troyes. In
some of the southern departments the harvest
commences a few weeks earlier than in the
northern.

In the departments of Eure and Loire, they
generally estimate that the product of a good
stock of bees is five per cent, on the capital in-
vested. The yield of honey and wax in the four
departments, Gironde, Landes, Lot et Garonne,
and Dordogne, amounted to about two millions
of pounds in the year 1866. In 1867, the sum-
mer harvest of honey in Gatinais amounted 900,-
000 lbs., which was regarded as a fair average
yield.

The fall harvest begins about the 15th of Sep-
tember, and continues till the end of December,
according to the greater or less abundance of
the yield, and the state of the weather.

At th*'. summer harvest only a portion of the
honey and wax is taken, a sufliciently supply

being always left in the hives to ensure the safety
of the colonies in the event of an unfavorable
season or a deficiency of pasturage. The largest
portion of the honey harvested in the fall is de-
rived from buckwheat, heather, and late blo.s-
soming plants ; and is much inferior to the sum-
mer honey in quality and flavor. It is also
darker in color, and very soon crystalizes. It
does not drain so readily from the wax, com-
monly requiring heat and pressure to effect a
separation, thus deteriorating the product.

The honey is stored in large vessels or barrels,
and care is always taken that the place where it
is deposited is dry and warm. Watery honey
deposited in a damp place soon spoils, and even
the best honey will in time be injured if exposed
to dampness.

Let the harvest be good or bad, the bee-keep-
ers always keep honey enough on hand to carry
their bees safely through the longest winter, —
Canada Farmer.

Growing and Flowering Eucharis Ama-
zoNiCA, — I wish to place before your readers
the treatment which has bften carried out here
for nearly twenty years. About that number of
years ago we obtained two bulbs ; they rapidly
increased, and now we have a very large stock,
many pots full of bulbs from 8 to 12 inches in
diameter, besides several larger from 18 to 24
inches, great masses which have not been repot-
ted for several yeai-s. These produce from six-

187S.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOXTHLY,

285

teen to twenty-four flower stems at a time, and
bloom from three to four times annually.

Our treatment is simple ; the pots remain in
the same places all the year round in a moderate
stove heat, varying from a maximum of SO'' in
summer, to a minimum of about 52' in winter.
They are never compelled to go to rest, but are
freely watered whenever they appear to require
it, and the foliage is a brilliant deep green all
the year round. Whether this treatment is or-
thodox or not, I do not pretend to say, but that
it is successful is apparent from the results of
the period of bloom during the past year : —

Days in flower... January 31

" February 28

" March 30

" April 21

" • May —

" June 30

" July 31

" August 25

" September 30

" October 27

" November 30

" December 31

Total, 314 days out of 366, not a bad result,
and such has been the case here for several
years.— John Sayers, Gardener, Rockville,
Blackrock,Co. Dublin, in Journal of Horticulture.

The Finest Frijit in the World. —The
Durian, a fruit about which very little is known
in England, but which is reckoned by natives
and Europeans in the Malay Archipelago to be
the finest fruit in the world, grows in great
abundance in Java and Borneo. It grows on a
large and lofty forest tree, somewhat resembling
an Elm in its general character, but with a more
smooth and scaly bark. The fruit is round or
slightly oval, about the size of a large Cocoanut,
of a green color, and covered all over with short
stout spines, the basis of which touch each other,
and are consequently somewhat hexagonal,
while the points are very strong and sharp. It
is so completely armed, that if the stalk is broken
ofi" it is a difficult matter to lift one from the
ground. The outer rind is so thick and tough,
that from whatever height it may fall it is never
broken. From the base to the apex five very
faint lines may be traced, over which the spines
arch a little ; these are the sutures of the carpels,
and show where the fruit may be divided with a
heavy knife and a strong hand. The five cells
are satiny white within, and are each filled with

an oval mass of cream-colored pulp, imbeded in
which are two or three seeds about the size of
Chestnuts. This pulp is the eatable part, and
its consistence and flavor are indescribable. A
rich butter-like custard highly flavored with
almonds gives the best general idea of it, but in-
termingled with it come wafts of flavor that call
to mind cream-cheese, Onion-sauce, brown-
sherry, and' other incongruities. Then there is
a rich glutinous smoothness in the pulp which
nothing else possesses, but which adds to its deli-
cacy. It is neither acid, nor sweet, nor juicy,
yet one feels the want of none of these qualities,
for it is perfect as it is. It produces no nausea
or other bad effect, and the more you eat of it
the less you feel inclined to stop. In fact, to eat
Durians is a new sensation, worth a voyage to
the East to experience. — Garden.

The Quince.— The Quince is a native of
Crete, i. e., Candia, but is also found apparently
wild in several parts of Europe, and I think in
Armenia, about Mount Ararat ; but, although a
native of warm latitudes, it nevertheless is tolera-
bly hardy in this country, but not completely so,^
very severe winters often damaging it much. I
need not enumerate the mere ornamental, sorts,
which are principally from Japan and China, as
they have as yet proved of but edible fruits, and
I need only particularise the Apple, the Pear^
and Portugal as the only sorts worth growing as
fruit-trees, although there are a few varieties
more that are largely grown for budding and
grafting the Pear upon. Columella says Quinces
" not only yield pleasure, but health." None of
the sorts have as yet been so ameliorated as ta
be fit for eating raw, but are much esteemed
when preserved and otherwise cooked ; to apple -
tarts they communicate a delightful flavor and
piquancy, and by adding sufficient sugar and
water, a tolerable wine may be made from them ;
as a medicine they are supposed to be useful in
asthma.

The Apple-shaped is perhaps the most profita-
ble to grow as a market fruit, as it bears abund-
antly, and stews well. The Angers and PaHs or
Fontenay Quinces are mere varieties of the above,
and are largely used for working Pears upon ;
but the Portugal sort is a far better stock, being
hardier, a free grower, and keeps pace with the
Pear worked upon it, whilst the graft overgrows,
the other varieties when used as stocks : these
are, however, much more used than the Portu-

286

THE GARDEJ\rER'S MOJSTTIILY. September,

gal, as they are freer to strike root. Hence the
nurseryman can more easily get up a supply of
them, for grafting his Pears upon.

The Pear-shaped Quince is drier and tougher
than the Apple-shaped, and is of less value in
cookery ; the fruit, however, keeps much longer
tlian the apple variety

The Portugal Qaince is superior to all the
rest in quality and flavor. For cooking and
preserving it is much t > be preferred, as the fruit
turns a beautiful purple or deep crimson when j
cooked, and the tree gr.nvs stronger, but unfortu- j
natel}' does not bear so freely as the others ; I

hence it has not been so much cultivated, grow
ers generally preferring quantity to quality, a
vice I decry, as I think the best should always
have pref rence. As an instance of how much
some cultivitors value quality or the production
of the best article for the market, I may mention
that I had an order for a quantity of that nasty
little Pear called Bonne Jeanne^ of third rate
siz-3, and much below third-rate qnility, but an
enormous bearer, the gentleman ordering not
caring whether the public got good fruit or not,
so long as he could pocket the bawbees. — Scott's
" Orchardist "

HORTICULTURAL NOTICES.

PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

CENTENNIAL HORTICULTURAL EX-
POSITION.

At a meeting of the Pennsylvania Horticultu-
ral Society, held on Tuesday Evening, August
19ih, 1S73, a communication was received from
the National Centennial Commissioners, request-
ing this Sociel}' to co-operate with the Centenni-
al Commission in the prepn ration and manage-
ment of the Horticultural Department of the
Centennial Exposition in 1876.

In compliance with this request, the Pennsyl-
vania Horticiiltura' Socitty voted to instruct the
President of the Society, W L. Schaffer, Esq.,
and J. E Mitchell, E-q., Chairmen of the So-
ciety's Committee on the Centennial, and of the
Committee of the City Councils (who has just
returned from Vienna), to invite the Horticul-
tural Societies throughout the United States to
€nd each a Delegate to a meeting, to be held
in Philadelphia, on Wednesday-, September
17th next, at the opening of the Autumnal Ex-
hibition of the Pennsylvania Horticultural So-
ciety.

The official notices shall be issued in a few
days.

The Publication Committee of the Pen^^sylva-
nia Horticultural Society have issued this mes-
sage promptly, in order to notify the friends of
Horticulture of the above matters as early as
possible, so that proper action may be taken to
secure a Delegate from each Society before mem-

bers leave for the meeting of the National Pomo-
logical Society at Boston, September 10.

COLLECTIONS OF FRUITS FOU SEPTEMBER
EXIIIBITIOiS', 1873.

In connection with the above, the Publication
Committee of the Pennsylvania Horticultural
Society earnestly solicit Delegates to the Nation-
al Horticultural Convention, called as above
stated, to briug with them, or send per Express,
collections, large or small, as may be convenient,
of specimen Fruits, (Pears, Apples, Grapes,
&c ,) to be exhibited at the Autumnal Exhibi-
tion of the Pennsylvania Society-, September 16th
to 19th. Fruit Growers generally. Horticultu-
ral Societies, &c., are also invited to contribute
to the Autumnal Exhib lion.

The Members of the Pennsylvania Horticultu-
ral Society desire to make the Autumnal Exhi-
bition this year, as far as possible, National in
its character, preparat iry to the Grand Centen-
nial Exhibition in 1876. The grounds fur the
Horticultural Garden, the Grand Conservatories
and Plant Houses for the Centennial Exhibition,
have already been set apart by the Commission-
ers, and it is expected that some of the buildings
will be erected early next year.

A Plant and Flower Market
will be held in the Lower Hall, during the con-
tinuance of the Exhibition, where contributors
may offer for sale any Plants, Trees, Flowers, or
other Horticultural products. This has been
found to be a very interesting and useful feature
of the Exhibitions.

Packages of Fruit may be sent by Express,
addressed as follows : Thos. A. Andrews, Su-

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY.

B87

perintendent of Exhibition, Horticultural Hall,
Philadelphia, Pa.

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

It is often a matter of regret with us that no
one in Boston ever thinks it worth while to send
notes of anything which occurs at the meetings
of the Society', for publication in the horticultu-
ral journals. Bjcauso nothing much appears,
our readers must not think the Society inactive ;
on the contrary., it is ons of the most active, and
its influence on the communitj^ in and around
Boston, of the most decided character. The
Volume of Proceedings for 1872, k'ndly sent to
Tis by the Secretary, we have noticed before ;
but the following in detail, condensed for the
Country Gentkma.f^ contains so much of inter-
est to our readers, that we give it in full :

The TransDctions of the Massachusetts Hor-
ticultural Society for 1872, a volume of nearly
two hundred pages, contains rich treasures in
the shape of horticultural information, some of
which we present to our readers in a condensed
form.

Strawberries. — The Colonel Cheney is
highly coram3nded by the Fruit Committee,
being large, handsome, bright scarlet with yel-
low seeds, resembling the Jncunda, and slightly
irregular in form. Flesh solid, of fair quality,
but not equal to Triomphe de Gand— pistillate.
The Nicanor is pronounced the best early straw-
berry, larger in size than Jenny Lind, of good
quality, and "quite as productive as the Wil-
son " — the plants very vigorous and hardy,
standing through winter better than any other
sort. This was the experience with Mr. Heus-
tis— it had not succeeded quite so w 11 with
others. A new seedling, raised by J. B. Moore,
of Concord, was reported ; a dark red, glossy,
conical, solid and rich berry, comparing favor-
ably with the President Wilder.

Mowing Strawberries was recommended, sev-
eral having found the practice beneficial, by
producing a growth of more vigorous foliage.

Currants.— The Versailles carried oflf the
prizes for red varieties, while Dana's Transpa-
rent was superior to any other white. The spe-
cimens of the latter were " the best ever shown,
and it may safely be pronounced the most desi-
rable wh'te currant."

White hellebore is still regarded as the best
remedy for the currant worm, and as cheap as

any. A good way to apply it is to put it in a
wide-mouthed jar, with a lip round its opening,
over which one or two thicknesses of fine muslin
are tied. Through this the hellebore is shaken
directl}'^ where it is wanted, and is certain death
to every worm it reaches.

Gooseberries. -The first prize was awarded
to the Downing, second to Smith's Seedling, and
third to Houghton —all being, in the opinion of
the committee, superior to the Mountain Seed-
ling.

Raspberries —The Clarke grows in estima-
tion, particularly for family use. Of Blackber-
ries, the Dorchester still holds the preference.
The Wilson has done well.

Seedling Pears.— Messrs. F. & L. Clapp
have exhibited several of their seedlings of such
excellence that a few j^ears since every one
would have been thought worthy of a name and
introduction ; but the standard is higher now,
and they are on trial Francis Dana showed
one considerably resembling the Lawrence ;
another like Winter Nelis, beside two others ;
but we do not learn that they are better than
oM sorts. One of the most remarkable collec-
tions was presented by President Wilder, and
grown by B. Fox, San Jose. Cal. They were
all from the seed of Belle Lucrative, but with
one exception no resemblance to the parent could
be discovered ; but several of them present
strong likenesses to other well known sorts.
One resembled Bloodgood ; another, Winter
Nelis ; and others Shekel, Lawrence, Superfin,
Josephine de Malines, &c. This result is as-
cribed to the fertilization of these sorts standing
near.

Trouble with the Lore rence.— Parker Earle. of
South Pass, 111., sent very large specimens of the
Lawrence, which had the appearance of being
bruised around the eye, but which he says is
something worse, being a sort of watery decay —
one-fourth of his crop being thus affected, either
on the tree or just after gathering, so as to be
unfit for marketing. These spots were wholly
independent of any insect injuries or braises.
The specimens sent were perfectly sound when
put up. Possibly he thinks it may have been
the result of the very hot summer — or perhaps,
we suggest, something like fire blight, in the
fruit.

Grapes. — Among the new grapes, the Mar-
tha seems to gain favor, being very vigorous,
and ripening better than formerly. It is pro-
nounced as good as the Concord, which is mild

288

THE GARDICJVER'S MOJVTBLY. Septemher,

praise. A new grape was mentioned, raised bj-
J. H, Rickets, of Newburgh, N. T., a seedling
of the Clinton, hybridized by a Muscat — buncli,
long, sliouldered ; berry, medium in size, round,
black ; flavor, a sprightly Muscat. "We hope it
will be hardy, but mildew is likely t© be a for-
midable trouble before many years with the
crosses of native and foreign sorts. Moore's
Early, from J. B. Moore, of Concord, has a large
bunch and berry, and although regarded by him
as the best of two thousand seedlings which he
has tested, and thought by the committee as the
best of fifty exhibited last year, yet it is said to
have " a hard pulp, and some foxiness." This
is probably, however, a fair average of success
in raising new- varieties without crossing.

Native Flowers.— The large collections of
native flowers shown during the season, consti-
tuted one of the most interesting and gratifying
parts of the exhibition. On the 27Lh of April,
"E. H. Hitchings and John Eobinson had each
a choice collection of native flowers, among them
Drdba verna and Hepaticas.''^ On the 18th of
May, C. W. Jenks exhibited " fifty-two varieties
of native flowers ; John Robinson twenty one ;"
besides smaller collections. How many of these
were distinct species, and how many varieties
only, we are not informed. A little more scien-
tific accuracy in this respect would be better.
The same exhiuitors had large collections May
25th, June 8th, June 29th, and August 10th and
24th. Among some of these fine flowers were
Cypripedium acaule, Pyrola secunda, Pogonia
ophioglossoides, Lilium superbum. Orchis fimhri-
ata, Aletris farinosa, Sec.

Death of Evergreens.— A report on this
subject ascribes the great loss which occurred
during the winter of 1871-'2, to the severe
drouth in connection with the cold, and many
interesting facts are given bearing on the sub-
ject. It was not the intense cold that did the
work, as was shown by the entire escape of the
fruit buds of the peach in localities where hardy
evergreens were killed to the ground. In one
place the hemlocks were killed down ; in another
they nearly all escaped. Several varieties of the
Rhododendron proved perfectly hardy, and
others were destroyed. Native Kalmias were
killed. Among the evergreens in the list that
proved hardy, we observe Picea Nordmaniana,
Thvja tartarica, Taxus h'/ccota, Pinus austriaca^
Cembra and Pumilo^ and Juniperus Cliinensis.

President Wilder's Lecture.— The most
interesting and valuable paper in this volume, is

the Lecture of Marshall P. Wilder, delivered
before the Society, on " Hybridization and Pro-
duction of New Plants for Seed." The subject
is quite thoroughly treated, and the four differ-
ent modes or systems compared, being. 1. The
natural mode of self-impregnation, or by wind
and insects. 2. Yan Mon's syste n, by succes-
sive generations from wild seedlings. 3. Artifi-
cial or cross hybridization. 4. Sehcting and
grafting from sporting branches. Among the
successful results of the natural mode, or more
correctly of accidental impregnation, Clapp's
Favorite pear is mentioned. It came from the
seed of the Bartlett, while the tree and leaves
are so strikingly those of the Flemish Beauty,
that it obvioush^ was fertilized by pollen from it.
Among the fruits which have been much in-
creased in size from their parents, the Beurre
Clairgeau is cited as being obviously a seedling
from the Capiaumont ; and the Northern Spy
apple, which is supposed to have its origin from
the Red Canada. President Wilder attaches
but little merit to the Van Mons method, and
thinks his best results came from accidental
crossings with adjacent standard sorts. The
artificial mode, practiced so successfully by
Thomas Andrew Knight, and by many others
since his day, is the most reliable, satisfactory
and certain. He refers to the experiments more
recently performed by " Messrs. Rogers, of Sa-
lem ; Underbill, of New York ; Campbell, of
Ohio ; Arnold, of Canada ; Moore, of New
York, and Wylie, of South Carolina,'' as having
afforded interesting results.

President "Wilder urges, with his own peculiar
eloquence, the importance of giving increased
attention to the production of new fruits, and
says, " If the members of the Society could pro-
duce only one new fruit annually, suited for gen-
eral cultivation over a wide extent of country,
like the Bartlett, Beurre d'Anjou, and Clapp's
Favorite pear, the Baldwin, the Rhode Island
Greening and Williams' Favorite apple, it would
be worth more to the country than the expense
of sustaining all the horticultural societies in the
United States for fifty years to come." He
utters these words, worthy of being put in let-
ters of gold, " I would rather be the man who
shall originate a luscious fruit, suited to culti-
vation throughout our land, of which successive
generations shall partake, long after I shall be
consigned to the bosom of mother earth, than to
wear the crown of the proudest conqueror wha
has ever triumphed over his fellow men.''

lit (Sard^ti^r^B p:0EtWg,

DEVOTED TO

Horticulture, Arboriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs,

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

Old Series, Vol. XV. OCTOBER, 1873. New Series. Vol. VI. No. 10.

HINTS EOR OCTOBER.

FLOWER GARDEIN" AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

Dahlias, Gladiolus, Tuberoses and other plants
that require winter protection for their roots in
cellars, should be taken up at once on their
leaves getting injured by the first white frosts.
The two latter should be pretty well dried be-
fore storing away, or they may rot. Dahlias
may be put away at once.

Chrysanthemums now in (lower should have
their names and colors rectified against the time
when in spring they may have to be replanted,
when they can be re-arranged with accuracy
and satisfaction, according to the owner's taste.

Herbaceous hardy border flowers are often
propagated in the fall by dividing the roots ;
but, unless it is convenient to protect the newly-
made plants through the winter, it is better to
defer this till spring, as the frost draws out of
the ground and destroys many. Where it is
now resorted to, a thick mulching of leaves or
litter should be placed over the young stock
when transplanted.

Few things are more valued in winter than a
bunch of Sweet Violets. A few may now be
potted, and they will flower in the window to-
ward spring ; or a small bed of them may be in
a frame, which should be protected by a mat from
severe frost. To have Pansies flower early and
profusely in spring, they may be planted out in
a frame, as recommended for the Violet.

Many kinds of hardy annuals flower much
better next spring, when sown at this season of
the year. A warm, rich border should be chosen,
and the seed put in at once. Early in spring

they must be transplanted to the desired posi
tiou in the flower border.

Hyacinths, Tulips, Crocuses, and hardy Dutch
Bulbs generally, must have immediate attention.
Crocuses and Snowdrops are often planted out
in the grass on the lawn ; the former is not very
objectionable as the leaves have so close a grass-
like appearance ; but the last should never be so
employed, the foliage giving, the whole summer
afterwards, a very course and weedy appearance
to the lawn.

Hyacinths and Tulips may be set out in the
beds devoted to summer-flowering bedding-
plants, as they will, in a great measure, be out
of flower before the bedding-time comes around,
when they can be either taken up and trans-
planted to an out-of-the-way-plape to ripen, or
the bedding-plants can be set in between where
the bulbs grow, without either much interfering
with the success of the other.

As a manure for these bulbs, nothing has yet
been found superior to well-decayed, sandy cow-
manure ; but where this is not conveniently at
hand, well decomposed surface-soil from a wood
will do as well.

The first two weeks in October will be the
great tree-planting month of the fall season ;
and, as we have last month stated, the operation
cannot be proceeded with too rapidly. In this
region, at least, after the end of this month,
every day's delay increases the risk of loss by
the severity of winter; and, after the 15th, we
would not care to plant evergreens, unless they
were comparatively small, and the operation
conducted with great care. Occasionall}' great
success follows later planting — owing more to

290

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTMLY. October,

good luck than sound judgment. "Where plant-
ing is of necessity delayed, the risk is made less
by pruning. The later a tree is planted, and
the more exposed the situation, the more in pro-
portion should it be pruned. It has become a
pretty well settled axiom in American gardening
that the way frost acts in destroying fall-planted
trees is by excessive evaporation, by which the
moisture is dried out of them ; and this is to be ob-
viated by shelter from cold winds, protection from
the sun's rays, pruning, and other ways, which
will suggest themselves to the reader according
to his peculiar circumstances.

All operations connected with ground-work
are now being pushed forward rapidly — grading,
road-making, lawn-making, and so on. So
much has been said of lawn-making in our past
issues, that little remains to be said here. One
of the newest improvements in sodding a lawn is
uot to lay the pieces of sod close to each other.
Pieces can be cut into any size or shape and laid
down several inches from each other, the soil
being loosely thrown aside by the trowel to make
the surface of the sod and the surrounding soil
nearly level. On a large scale, a wide drill
which any ingenious laborer could construct, or
even a shallow furrow with a plough as in
•' marking out " for a corn crop, might be em-
ployed, and the pieces of sod, about six inches
square, set in four or six inches apart. A bush-
harrow, afterwards drawn over the lot, levels
the loose soil in the spaces between the sods, and ,
the roller afterwards passed over the whole .
makes a good, firm, plain job. When the grass 1
commences to grow in the spring, it soon spreads
into the unoccupied spaces ; and before midsum- 1
mer the whole becomes one uniform sheet of
grass. This method, which may be called sod-
ding by inoculation, saves just one-half the cost
of sodding by the usual mode, and is very near
as good, in fact, quite as good, after a few
months of time, and costs a very little more than
seeding-down, which, except under the manage-
ment of one who thoroughly understands his
subject, is one of the most unsatisfactory of all
regular modes. Where seeding-down is to be
the mode, now is the time to see about it.

The greatest difficulty we have to contend
against in making good lawns, is the coarse rank
weeds with which most parts of our country
abound ; and no effort that can be made to
guard against their introduction, or to provide
for their eradication at the outset, will be ill .
spent. It is often an easy matter at first ; but [

after they have once been suffered to establish
themselves, it is often better to dig or plough up
the whole surface and lay it down anew. Some-
times much may be accomplished in old lawns
by digging out the weeds with a trowel or spade,
filling up the holes with soil, into which the
grass will soon run and obliterate the traces of
the work.

In all our operations savinq labor should be
our first consideration— not that kind of labor-
saving which half does an operation, but which
will produce an equal result at a less cost. The
introduction of grasses that will always remain
green, and yet grow so slow as to require little
mowing, is one of the new features in this line.
Experiments are wanted with many kinds of
native plants that are to be found in most locali-
ties. Of course, all those who pi'opose new im-
provements, or try novel experiments will be
laughed at and pointed out as "humbugs," but
that should not deter any one from following the
path of progress.

Where a choice can be had of a kind of grass
for a lawn, in our opinion the perennial Rye
grass {Lolium perenne,) is the best for general
purposes. Its shining green leaves, playing in
the spring suns, give a very cheerful effect to
lawn scenery. Its only drawback is that it will
not bear very close mowing in hot weather, if
once allowed to grow long. Kentucky Blue
grass, (Poapratense,) the Green Grass of Penn-
sylvania, also makes a fine lawn.

GREENHOUSE.

There are but few things in the greenhouse
that will require special treatment at this time.
Camellias and Azaleas, as they cease to grow,
will require less water ; but it is now so well
known that moisture is favorable to growth, and
comparative dryness favorable to flowering, that
we need do no more than refer to the fact.

Bulbs for flowering in pots should be i^lanted
at once. Four or five-inch pots are suitable.
One Hyacinth and about three Tulips are suffi-
cient for each. After potting, plunge the pots
over their rims in sand under the greenhouse
stage, letting them remain there until the pots
have become well filled with roots, before bring-
ing them on to the shelves to force.

Where many flowers are desired for bouquets
in winter, a good stock of such as flower easily
should be provided, especially of white-flowering

187S.

TEE GAKBEJ\rER'S MOJVTELY.

291

kinds, without a good sprinkling of wlaich a
bouquet has but a very commonplace look.

Deutzia gracilis and D. scabra, Philadel-
phuses, and Tamarix are very good hardy
plants to pot for winter flowering. The Iberis
sempervirens is also a splendid white to force
for its white flowers. Lopezia rosea is nearly
indispensable for giving a light, airj- graceful-
ness to a bouquet ; and Camellias and Azaleas
cannot possibly be done without.

Many kinds of annuals also come well into
play ; amongst other things. Phlox Drummon-
dii, Sweet Alyssum, CoUinsia bicolor, Schizan-
thuses, Mignonette, and i^emophila are essen-
tial.

FRUIT GARDE:Nr.
There is considerable art in raising fruits ; but
there is as much or more in gathering and ripen-
ing them. Pears and apples are ready as soon
as the seeds begin to turn black, or as soon as
they will part easily from the tree by gently rais-
ing the stalk, or as soon as the leaves show indi-
cations of falling from the trees ; indeed, whether
they are duly ripe or not, no length of time
will avail them aught after the leaves fall. No
rules can be given for the exact place to put
them away in, but the principle must be applied
to each individual case. In the first place, the
fruit-shelves must be secure from frost. In the
next place, it must be just moist enough to pre-
vent withering, but not too much so, or the flavor
will be inferior. N'or must it be too hot, or your
fine Beurres may become Fondantes, or resemble
cooked Pommes des terres^ alias boiled potatoes.
If it is too cold — barely above the freezing point,
the fruit becomes insipid and tasteless. The
happy idea is to strike central to all these ex
tremes. Of course, they must be hand-picked
from the tree, as the slightest bruise causes
decay. The stock must be occasionally over-
hauled anyhow to take out such as will be found,
from various accidents, in a decaying state.
Apples, for commercial purposes, arc usually
barrelled up, with chaflfor other light substance
between each layer ; and some pears, such as
Lawrence, will bear the same treatment ; but
such preserved fruits are never equal in quality
to those preserved in a more open way on
shelves.

We may, perhaps, repeat the advice to plant
considerably more fruit trees together on the
sap">e space of ground than is usually done, even
though some has to be cut away in time. This

should especially be in the case where parties
prefer to keep the surface soil clear ; as the in-
tense heat reflected from bare soil is one of the
great sources of disease in young trees. It
might be well to introduce nurse trees into or-
chards, to obviate this somewhat. Alders, Pop-
lars or Willows might, we think, be used to ad-
vantage ; of course, cutting them away before
they grew largu enough to interfere with the
roots of the fruit trees. A dry warm bottom,
but cool surface is of the highest importance in
fruit growing.

The past season in most parts of the country
has been one of very abundant bearing, and un-
less the food has been kept up by a liberal sup-
ply of manure, there will be many weak and ex-
hausted trees, and short crops next season. We .
prefer to manure, in such cases as these, in mid-
summer. The cells of trees are like honey-combs,
and store up matter for use the next season.
They have of course to do this while growing.
Whenever this has not been done, matter for a
surface dressing should be got ready during
autumn and winter. Much injury has been
done to fruit culture by the expressed dread
some cultivators have of a " two rank growth,''
and a consequent advice not to manure. A fruit
tree never suffers from too much manure, if the
roots are healthy. If a ti'ee seems to suffer after
a heavy manuring, it is only that it was in a
bad way before this. Of course, if one were to
empty a cesspool, a cart load of fresh lime, or
some other inordinate mass of food under a tree,
it would suffer ; but our meaning is that no
amount of manure that would be found of bene-
fit to any regular garden, will be otherwise than
beneficial to a fruit tree, if the roots he healthy.

VEGETABLE GARDEN.

Celery as it grows will require earthing up,
and endive successively blanched ; but the main
business of the month will be preparations for
housing the root crops for the Winter. Beets
are generally the first thing attended to, they
bein'2 the most easily injured by frost ; Carrots,
Salsafy and Parsnips following. The latter are
never really good until they have been well fro-
zen ; and many leave them entirely in the ground,
taking them up as wanted for use. AVe prefer
taking them all up and packing them in sand or
half dried loam, in a shed or cellar, which can
be kept just above freezing point ; yet the cooler
the better. If suflered to be in heaps they heat

29^

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJfTBLY. October,

and soon rot. In the same situation Endive
and Cape Brocoli may be preserved to the end
of the year — they are taken up with a small
quantity of earth adhering to them, and placed
side-by-side together. Tomatoes, if dug up also,
and suspended, roots upward, in such a situa-
tion, will keep good a long time ; but this must
be done before the least frost has touched them.
It is a wise plan to sow a little more Early York
Cabbage early in the month, as in fine mild win-
ters the September sowing grows too forward
when protected. A very slight protection is bet-
ter for them than any elaborate affair, the sun
principally injuring them. The same remarks
apply to Lettuce intended to be kept overwinter
for sjiring use, though the sun is less destructive
to them than to the cabbage.

Forcing vegetables, wherever the least com-
mand of heat can be had, is the most interesting
and useful part of gardening. It is not by any
means what it is often considered, an operation
by which you pay a dollar for a mouthful. The
Asparagus, Sea Kale, Lettuce, Hadish and
Cauliflower can be had for months earlier than

in the open ground, wherever a regular tem-
perature of 55^ can be obtained, with, of course,
the proper amount of air, moisture, &c. As-
paragus can be had under a greenhouse stage,
though of course the tops will not be so green,
nor will it be much else but indifferent under
such circumstances, as it would be in full light.

Kadishes require an abundance of air, and
Lettuce light. Cauliflowers, if kept for some
months with all the light and air possible, at a
temperature of 50 or 55°, may have it gradually
raised to 60 or 65°, and even 70^, and thus come
into use in February, when there is no vegetable
more desirable.

Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Beans require a
temperature of at least 65' degrees to begin with.
If a temperature of 70 can be maintained in the
coldest weather, a few of these might be sown
by the end of the month, which will produce
some very acceptable dishes about Kew Year's
day. Rhubarb, if carefully taken up at the fall
of the leaf and potted, or put into boxes, will
also come forward well if put under the stage in
a house of the last temperature.

C 0 M M U IS I G A T I 0 IS' 8.

ADDRESS OF MARSHALL P. WILDER,

AT BOSTON, SEPTEMBER IOth.

Gentlemen of the American Pomologi-
CAL Society :— With the close of this session
a quarter of a century will have elapsed since
the establishment of our national association.

Most heartily do I congratulate you upon the
pleasant circumstances under which we are as-
sembled, and upon the progress and prosperity of
our society. We meet on this occasion not only
to assume the labors, discussions and duties in-
cident to another biennial session, but to com-
memorate by appropriate exercises a period
which will ever be memorable in the record of
our existence. We accept with great pleasure
the cordial welcome extended to us by the Mas-
sachusetts Horticultural Society, whose liberali-
ty has made such ample provisions for our ac-
commodation, and while acknowledging these
courtesies we desire also to express our obliga-
tions to the Massachusetts Society for Promoting
Agriculture, and to the gentlemen who with
them have presented funds for the promotion of
our cause.

J^othing could be more grateful to my feelings
than your presence at our old homestead, and in
my own behalf I bid you welcome to the privi-
leges and enjoyments of the occasion. We meet
as representatives and co-laborers from different
and widely distant sections of this great republic.
We come from various districts, but with no
other rivalry than a laudable ambition to pro-
mote a great industrial pursuit, whose salutary
influences are for the benefit of our common
country. From whatever section you come —
whether from the sunrise or the sunset shores of
our continent, from the Dominion of the Korth,
the valleys and prairies of the great Central
West, or from the broad plains and hill slopes
of the sunny South — I extend to all a hearty
welcome to our time-honored metropolis of Kew
England.

Especially do I welcome you to our own be-
loved Commonwealth, the home of the Pilgrims,
where our fathers planted the germs of a civiliza-
tion which we believe will ultimately be extended
to the remotest nations of the globe. Here the
tree of liberty was planted, under whose genial

187S.

THE GARDEJVER'S MO Ml ELY,

293

shade our whole land uow rejoices ; and here
Concord, Lexington, and Bunker Hill rear their
monuments of historic fame, to remind us of the
priceless blessings wc enjoy. Here were the
gardens and orchards of Gov. Endicott, whose
pear tree at Danvers still survives the revolu-
tions of two hundred and fifty years. Here at
Marshfield are the relics of the apple tree
planted by the first male child born of the Pil-
grims. Here on Boston common were the
orchards of William Blackstone, the first settler.
Here were the gardens of Gov. Winthrop, of
golden pippin renown, and here a later date the
gardens and orchards of John Hancock, the first
signer to the Declaration of American Independ-
ence, Gardiner Green and others, from whence
were disseminated some of the first fruits intro-
duced into this country from the mother land.
Here is the home of the Massachusetts Society
for Promoting Agriculture, of whose munificence
I have before spoken ; the home of the Massa-
chusetts Horticultural Society, under whose aus-
pices we meet, both of which institutions were
the second of their respective kinds established
in America. In this vicinity were the fields of
labor, of Lowell, Dearborn, Manning, Kenrick,
the Perkinses, Downer, and other early pomolo-
gists, and here are the homes of many now liv-
ing, whose names will be remembered as promo-
ters of our cause when they also shall be gathered
to their fathers. Here within the limits of our
city were planted the first Bartlett, and the first
Flemish Beauty pear trees imported to this
country, both of which survive to this day.
And here the Dix, the Dearborn, Dana's Ho-
vey, Clapp's Favorite pears, and the Downer
Cherry were born. And here within a few
miles were originated the Hovey's Seedling
Strawberry, the Concord, Diana, and Roger's
Hybrid grapes.

Many of those who participated in the forma-
tion of this Society, and to whom we are in-
debted for much of its success have ceased from
their labors, and gone to receive their reward.
But I am most happy to recognize among those
present, to-day, some of the noble pioneers, who
aided in the establishment of our Society, who
rocked the cradle of its infancy, and who now
rejoice with us in the grand development, which
this day witnesses. We recognize, also, many
others, who in later times have contributed and
shared with us in this march of improvement,
who like them have stood as faithful sentinels
on the watch-tower of duty, whose efforts to ad-

vance our objects will demand and receive, in
coming time, the thanks of millions of grateful
hearts. To no one is this occasion of more in-
terest than to him who, by your kind indulgence,
has occupied this chair for so many years, an;l
who, in the course of nature, cannot again witness
the assembling of its members in this city of his
home. With feelings of no ordinary gratifica-
tion, we receive you here, where some of the
first efforts were made in the cause of fruit cul-
ture, and from whence in the early history of
our country, as well as in later years, so much
has emanated for its extension throughout our
land.

HISTORICAL SKETCH.

In my former addresses I have often spoken
of the acquisitions and usefulness of our art ; but
in the presence of so many intelligent cultivators,
who from scientific attainments and practical
skill have become renowned as teachers them-
selves, I would not trespass on your time by a
repetition of well established opinions, but would
rather offer my congratulations on the progress
we have made, and draw therefrom motives and
inducement to increase efforts and perseverance
in our benevolent work.

I have heretofore alluded briefly to the history
of our Society, but it might be deemed an omis-
sion of duty did I not on this quarter centen-
nial make a record of its origin and progress,
not only for the benefit of those present, but for
the information of those who are to come after
us. I propose, therefore, even at the risk of re-
peating what may be well known to our earlier
members, to place in the annals of our society a
page which shall survive when we are gone.
Thus shall we "bind fast and find fast" the
record of our times.

Briefly then, let me state that the idea of a
pomological convention appear* to have occurred
to individuals in different States, at about the
same time— as new ideas in regard to progress
frequently do. Thus, in the summer of 1848,
consultation was had with Andrew Jackson
Downing, the great American landscape garden-
er and editor of the Horticulturist, then on a
visit to the city of Boston, in regard to a chaotic
condition of our pomology— the want of accu-
rate and well defined knowledge of our fruits,
whereby correct conclusions could be drawn as
to their various merits ; the best means for im-
proving the condition of fruit culture, and the
expediency of establishing an American society,
so that, by interchange of experience, more cor-

^9A

THE GARBEJ^f-EWS MOJs'THLY,

October,

dial intercourse and by general consent, we
might preserve those fruits which were valu-
able, discard those which were worthless, correct
the confused nomenclature, and establish a po-
mology for our whole country. To establish such a
society was a great work, but it was considered
as the only means which could accomplish the
desired object. A correspondence was immedi-
ately opened with some of our prominent agri-
cultural and horticultural societies, and with the
leading nurserymen and pomologists of our land.
This resulted in the proposal of the American
Institute of New York to have a convention
held under its auspices in that city. Pursuant
to these arrangements a circular was issued
signed by committees of the Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania. New Jersey and isTew Haven Hor-
ticural societies and the American Institute of
New York, proposing to hold a " Great National
Convention of Fruit Growers '' in the city of New
York, October 10, 1848.

Of the fifteen persons whose names were ap-
pended to this call, three only remain. All t^^e
rest have joined the great procession of the dead.

The convention met, and the Society was or-
ganized as the " American Congress of Fruit
Growers,'' by the choice of Marshall P. Wilder,
as President, a Vice-President from each of the
several States represented, and three Secretaries.
Of these S. B. Parsons and P. Barry are here
to-day.

The first national pomological assemblage
solely for the consideration of pomological sub-
jects, met at Buffalo, Sep. 1, 1848, at the call of
the New York State Agricultural Society, and
after an interesting session resolved to perpet-
uate itself under the name of the " North Ameri-
can Pomological Convention." But it was
plain that there could be but one national organi-
zation that could carry due weight. A confer-
ence was therefore had, which resulted the next
year in the consolidation of the two associations
under the name of the " American Pomological
Congress." The first meeting of the united
associations was held at Cincinnati, 1850. In
consequence of a death in the family of the presi-
ident, he was absent, and Dr. W. D. Briuckle
was chosen to preside, but at the next meeting
declined a re-election, and the present incumbent
was again called to the chair, which he has oc-
cupied to this date.

Its sessions, since the first three, have been
held biennially. There have been three in New
York City; one in Cincinnati; three in Phila-

delphia ; three, including the present, in Boston ;
two in Rochester ; one in St. Louis ; and one in
Richmond. The first session at Philadelphia, in
1852, will ever be memorable as the occasion
when a eulogy was pronounced by the person
who now addresses you, on Mr. A. J. Downing,
one of the chief projectors of the society, whose
sudden death had occurred a short time previous.
At this session a constitution and bj'-laws was
adopted, and the name was changed to the
American Pomological Society.

PROGRESS.

We hail the present anniversary as one of the
most interesting in our progress, commemorating
as it will the history of this Society from its in-
fancy to its present stature of manhood. Nor
can language express the grateful sensations
which I experience, that my life has been spared
to this time ; that I have been permitted to
witness the rapid growth and increasing influ-
ence of our institution ; and that you have so
kindly consented to come once more to the city
of my adoption, to my own home, to celebrate
with me the silver wedding which after so long
a service has still found us united in the bonds
of affection and regard There may be, and
probably will be, periods in the future history
of our Society, when equal or greater progress
will be made, but it is a peculiar and grateful
privilege to be able to record what has already
been accomplished ; to look back to its early
beginnings ; and here, perhaps for the last tinje
to join with you in congratulations on its success,
and to look forward with confident hopes to the
time when every section of our wide spread ter-
ritorj' shall be embraced in our association, and
our standard of pomology be established through-
out the Western continent.

The marvellous growth of our country has
constant!}^ been opening up new states and ter-
ritories for frui^ culture. These have b^en em-
braced within our fold, thus bringin'.i- together
the wisest and best cultivators, and combining
not only the men, but the fruits of our rich and
varied clime, and States which had no place in
our Union at the formation of this association,
have become the most fruitful in resources.
Thus we have gone on, step by step, encourag-
ing whatever was worthy, rejecting what was
unworthy, treasuring up the best information,
and promulgating, for the benefit of our whole
people, the rc^sults of our wide-spread reseaches.

Few are aware of the great revolution which

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TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJ\'THLY,

295

has taken place iu fruit culture since the estab-
lishment of this National Pomological Society,
or of the laborious efforts of those patient pioneers
and investigators who have spent their lives for
the promotion of our art. Nor can we omit here
to acknowledge the influence of the press, to
which we are so much indebted for the dissemi-
nation of our experience. Some are now living
who can remember the time when there was not
an agricultui'al or horticultural paper, or a book
on fruit culture, published on this continent.
Look back and compare that period with the
present time, with its flood of books, newspapers,
and periodicals which are wholly or in part devo-
ted to the spread of pomological knowledge, and
we shall appreciate the great advantages arising
therefrom. Many of those present c\n remem-
ber the time when there were but few apples
sent from our Western States to the Eastern
coast. Compare this with the thousands of
barrels of fruit that are now annually sent to
the markets of the East. But time would fail me
were I to enumerate the vast quantities of pears,
peaches, grapes and small fruits which come
from the Western, Southern, Middle and Pacific
States to our great Northern and Eastern cities.
Some are present who can remember the time
when there was not a nursery of any note west
of the Hudson river, where now, as from the
great commercial nuseries at Rochester, Geneva
and other Western cities, there are annually
sent out millions of trees and plants to other
sections of the Union.

The thought, therefore, which most impresses
me on this occasion is tlie rapid progress in
American pomology, the beneficial results which
have arisen from the establishment of this na-
tional institution, and the duty of perpetuating
and preserving it for all coming time. No mo-
dern event connected with the culture of the
soil, and the sanitary condition of our people,
has been fraught with more salutary effects than
the establishment and operations of this Society.
The more I reflect on its benign influence in
promoting the wealth, health and h«ippiness of
the nation, the more am I desirous to do what
I can in ray day and generation for its advance-
ment. True, much had been done by the
Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Horticultural
Societies, the leading pioneers in ^the east, to
open the way for this new epoch in the fruit
culture of our country. Much has been done
b}"- other associations and individuals, in the
way of co-operation, but here was a new depar-

ture, here was a union for concerted action,
which should thenceforward embrace every sec-
tion of our constantly increasing territory. How
grateful to the feelings of our departed associ-
ates, could they have seen the growth and in-
fluence of our Society ! How would the hearts
of Downing, Brinckie, Walker, Hancock,— not
to speak of the living,— have swelled with joy
could they have seen, as we now see, the pro-
gress of fruit culture in our land, and the pro-
spect which is opening up in the great future of
our science.

How striking the progress in our own day 1
It is not fifty years since the first Horticultural
Society was established on this continent. It
is but half that period since the formation of
this, the first National Pomological Society in
the world. And what do we see in the grand
cornucopial display of to-day ? Not merely the
fruits confined mostly to the Eastern States,
where our exhibition is held, but the fruits of
almost all climes of the habitable globe— here in
council are assembled the representatives of our
wide-spread territory laden with rich ex-
perience and with precious fruits, far excelling
the fabled gardens of antiquity.

Here the Canadas, Nova Scotia and New
England warm to the genial influences of the
sunny South ; here the great Central West re-
sponds to the East ; here California, with golden
fruits more precious than her golden sands ; here
peaceful Kansas brings her crimson fruits ; here
youthful Nebraska, representative from the great
American desert, where sixteen years ago not
a fruit tree had been cultivated, comes with her
car of precious products and with' her Governor
at the head ; and here from territories, where but
a few years since the track of wild beast and the
trail of the wild man only marked the soil; to-
day, in this northern clime of granite and ice, on
this rock-bound coast, we meet as representa-
tives of a united and prosperous people, to re-
joice together in a jubilee crowned with fruits
surpassing those of any other nation of the earth.
Such is the progress of American pomology ;
such the hiirvest we are permitted to reap ; such
the fruition of our fondest hopes.

But who can even estimate the progress of
our art, the importance of this industry to our
nation ? Whose prophetic eye can survey the
grand expanse which is to open on our course
during the next twenty-five years ? Ere that
time shall have arrived much of the unoccupied
territory of oar country, now greater in extent

296

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY,

0 etcher J

than that of all our present States, will by the
aid of our trans-continental railroads be opened
to cultivation, and Columbia river, Puget Sound,
and the whole Pacific coast, with its untold
treasures, be united with us in the great work of
promoting the pomology of this land. Give us
twenty-five years more, and from ocean to ocean,
from the Dominion to the Gulf, our hillsides
shall be clad with the vine, our great valleys
adorned with orchards and gardens, and the fig,
olive, orange, of the South and Pacific shores,
shall rival those of exotic growth. Give us
twenty-five years more and our catalogue of
fruits shall be filled with native varieties, and
dedicated to American pomologists who by their
labors and benevolent efibrts have contributed
to the weaHh of our country and the happiness
of its people.

{To fee continued in November number.)

ADIANTUMS.

BT MANSFIELD MILTOIST, NORTH EASTON, PA.

Maiden-hair Ferns are universally admired.
No genius of ferns being more graceful in char-
acter or better adapted for growing in glass cases
than some of the species, and none excels them
in the formation of bouquets. The culture of a
good many of these species is very easy, and no
collection of plants but ought to contain a few
of them. They are propagated from spores and
by divisions of the root.

Propagating from spores is the most interesting
of horticultural operations. I shall give a few
remarks upon the mode generally practiced,
which may be applied to all ferns grown from
spores.

Mix a compost of small lumps of peat, char-
coal, broken pieces of pots and a good quantity
of fine sand ; take six-inch pots, give good drain-
age, and fill to about an inch of the rim with this
compost, give a thorough watering, then scatter
the seeds or spores evenly over the soil, laying a
piece of glass on the rim of the pot, and set the
pots in pans containing about an inch of water,
placing them under the stage of the greenhouse,
or in some shady place where moisture and heat
are plentiful. Change the water in the pans oc-
casionally, and thus prevent the soil from sour-
ing.

On the surface of pots, on moist walls and
under stagings of houses where ferns are grown,
young plants will continually make their appear-
ance. If those specially grown in pots, as also

those coming up spontaneously through the
house, are planted into flats about an inch apart,
as soon as the first frond appears, and allowed
to remain until lai'ge enough for potting singly
into thumb pots, then judiciously managed by
shitting regular, and otherwise treating properly,
will soon attain large specimens.

Adiantums thrive best in a soil composed of
three parts peat, and one part good fresh loam,
with plenty of white sand. Allow the compost
to lie a few days previous to using. Give pretty
large pots with plenty of drainage, which should
be done thoroughly, as good drainage is indis-
pensable to all plants requiring a good supply of
water. Although a class of plants the foliage of
which repels water, a good many species are
very impatient with much syringing over-head,
especially the Trapeziforme groupe, the foliage of
which gets black with too much of it.

The following are some of the most beautiful
and easiest cultivated :

A. assimile. — A beautiful evergreen species
with dark green foliage, from x\.u«tralia, of easy
culture, requiring shade and plenty of moisture.
As the centre of large plants is apt to get
open, it is well to divide the plants and grow in
medium sized pots for handsome specimens.

A. cuneatum, — The best known of the Mai-
den-hair Ferns, and one of the most useful for
bouquet making, and easy culture, native of
Brazil.

A. colpodes. — Another beautiful fern for cut-
ting, requiring more heat than the preceding,
being a native of Tropical America.

A. concinmum. — A beautiful fern for exhibition,
having a drooping habit and very distinct, variety
Icetum, is a good deal superior in habit and general
beauty. Requires plenty of heat to see its real
loveliness.

A. cxcisum muUifidum.—A garden variety
making a handsome plant when well grown,
suitable for bouquet making; the apex of the
frond is divided, forming a beautiful "tassel."
It does well in greenhouse temperature, but at-
tains a looser habit when grown in a stove.

A. Farleyense. — The most magnificent fern in
cultivation, having broad pendulous fronds, the
sterile pinnse being beautifully fringed. Al-
though only introduced into England from Bar-
badoes in 1865, some superb plants of it are
possessed b}' several of the London nurserymen,
but two plants in ihe excellent collection of Mr.
Such, New Jersey, are said to equal any in cul-
tivation. Too much praise cannot be given it.

1873.

TEE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TRLY.

297

1^0 one can see it without admiring its graceful-
ness ; and none having accommodation for grow-
ing, ought be without a plant of it.

A. fonmoHum. — A fine greenhouse species,
easily grown, and admirably adapted for cutting
and exhibition purposes.

A. fulaum. — Another early cultivated fern
from New Zealand.

A. macrophyllum. — A handsome hothouse
%rn from the West Indies, having large erect
growing fronds, the pinnse being a faint pink
when young, changing to dark green.

A. tenerum, — An evergreen hothouse specie
with large fronds, growing very strong with
plenty of heat and moisture. From the spores
of this specie, A. Farleyense and A. Glieealrighti
are supposed to have been raised.

A. trapeziforme van. Lanctce Catherince. — A
noble fern of easy culture, beautifully adapted

for decorative purposes, requiring a brisk heat
when sending up its fronds, but will do remarka-
bly well in a greenhouse temperature. Great
care should be taken not to syringe over-bead,
as it causes the pinnse to get black ; nor the
the young fronds to be handled, as it destroys
them.

' TOMATO TRELLIS.

BY A GREEX CITY FARMER.

Any city yard with a fence in southern expo-
sure, may have a beautiful and useful addition
to its attractions, in the simple fixture repre-
sented in the following drawing. The sketch
endeavors to show how the vines do the work of
supporting themselves, if the trellis is made to
their liking. In full season, the effect of the ripe
tomatoes and green vines neatly suspended in
the sun, rivals a flower garden in brilliancy.
We have had it in use five years this season.

The plants se'dom require handling during
their growth, each vine being supported by the
wires of its triangular section or cage, aided by
its own co-operation. B}^ the time the young
plant reaches the first wire,— one foot from the
ground,— enclosing the narrow part of the cage,
it is getting weak in the knees, and is just ready
to settle itself down preparatory to those contor-
tions it undergoes in the uncivilized state. But,
the support being offered, its arms fall across,
and rest with relief on this first wire, when its
habitual gyrations are postponed uctil it is a
little taller. When this age arrives, it would
fain settle down figain into round shoulders,
hke a too fast growing boy, but his arms fall on
the second wire, enclosing a larger space adapted
to his increased size, and the awkward disposal
of limbs peculiar to this period of youth. Then

the young fellow rests his weakness, and takes a
new departure. By this time he has branched
considerably— several arms doing duty over these
welcome supports. When the third wire atid
much increased space is reached, he begins to
fill up the triangular cage, seeming to "feel his
oats," and to have acquired the habit of know-
ing what to do with his numerous limbs, now
resting on and over the wires in every part.
" Train up a child in the way he should go, and
when he is old he will not depart from it." xic-
cordingly the full grown plant, soon reaching
the last and widest story, formed by the two
surmounting wooden braces, leans his weight,
strength, experience and many armed resources
thereon, with a mature expression of having
performed a work well done; being willing to
be judged by the fruits hanging now for weeks,

298

THE GABBEJ^EWS MOJ^THLY,

October,,

in all stages of development, from greenness to
red perfection, in full view of sun, against a
dark green background. If the right exposure
of this trellis should chance to be in view of
your dining room windows, no scene could be
more suggestively in keeping with the deeds
done in that apartment. The fruit is convenient
and fresh for a cool table relish ; and your wife
will say "it is much better than buying stale to-
matoes out of a cart.''

"We dont set up to teach the readers of the
Gardener'>s Montlily much that is "new and
strange" about farming, which art we know
nothing about, having onlj' succeeded in inveig-
ling a gawky, but right down companionable
vegetable, out of its sprawling country habits,
into the observance of wa3^s that fit it for city
behavior and address. We may add, that he
has also perceptibly gained a cultivated taste in
course of his bringing up. The following sketch
shows a section of trellis and the pieces :

Make, and set up the trellis as follows : Get
full length lumber from the mill sawed in strips
one and one-fourth inch wide, by three-fourth
inch thick, and in quantity for required number
of uprights in the trellis. Cut these into four
feet lengths for uprights A, bevelling the ends to
square, when upright stands at 30^ perpendicu-
lar. This cuts the lower bevel h at sharper
angle than the upper one g. The pieces B are
made of lighter stuff one and one-eighth inch
wide by half an inch thick ; or, from very
strong laths. Cut these into about two feet nine
inch lengths and bevel ends, to square to
gether on gi, and the other ends to adjust
against fence at distance of three feet. The
pieces C are one-fourth inch stuff, cut as indica-
ted for cleats or studs to serve as lateral bear-
ings, when uprights A are being nailed to fence,
as well as for firmness and solidity to trellis.

Lay off your fence in spaces, enclosed by per-
pendicular lines three feet apart, dividing into
as many spaces or sections of fence as you have
plant-room. On each line mark f(Air points, e
one foot apart, — the lowest point one foot from
ground. Also mark another point d in every

section, two inches from ground, half way be-
tween,— thus alternating at eighteen inches be-
tween the perpendicular lines. At each point d
set one of the cleats C with its inside angle on
the point : nail C with two. brads to the fence.
Set the uprights A at their ower bevels li against
the fence in the angle of C, driving two nails
through end into the fence, which sets A at
about 30°. Kail the braces B,— two brads in
each, to the top of A at g, their bevels squaring
together : nail their otlier ends to the fence at
the uppermost points e, and resting on small
strips of wood on fence for bearings. These
ends lap the ends of tkcir neighbor braces of
sections on either side.

You have now a moderati'ly firm frame. The
wires have yet to be added, not only to make it
a trellis, but to give the whole job its strength
and solidity ; binding each section, as well as
the whole series together. You have up as
many sections of these three pieces each as you
have spaces for plants, and, if the row has been
systematically constructed, tlie points g at ends
(if uprights are all sighted in line. Now drive
htaples at the three other points e on the left of

1873.

THE GARDEMER'S MONTHLY.

299

trellis ; to each staple attach the end of a No. 15
galvanized wire, and of length sufficient to go
unbroken to end of series.

Having notched the uprights A at the points/,
as represented in cut, at the same level as the
several points e, draw j'our wires from c tightly
over the notches, carrj'ing them down to fence
at the next points e, — at each of which, as you
go, drive a staple, the wire sliding under it.
Draw wire tightly at each notch and staple, and
so on successively to end of trellis, fastening
ends of wires at the last staples.

You have at last a very light, neat, strong and I
solid trellis of wood and wire entirely clear of i
the ground, suspended on the fence, and lasting
for years. It is also cheap, especially to the
man who \h h^ndy about house, and likes to be
his own journeyman.

The lower wires form a small space for the
young plant, the second and third wires, and top
braces successively larger, to accommodate the
growing vines.

Set the young plants near the fence and close
to the foot of uprights, one plant at each. They
will do the work 9f supporting themselves on the
trellis as they grow, without ever being tied, and
require no further care — if any — than laying a
stray branch now and then over the wires as
you pass. Th'^ beds are made up each season
without disturbing the trellis. The growing
plants, on this congenial support, are more self-
acting than a grape vine, and the temptation
is strong to head this sketch, " The Kn-tomat-io,
Trellis," which it strictly is ; but we refrain,
fearing the suspicion of an intended pun, a levity
too unseemly for the staid pages of your
magazine.

DUDLEY AY. ADAMS AS CANDIDATE
FOR GOVERNOR OF IOWA.

BT G. W. THOMPSON, STKLTON NURSERIES,
NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J.

It gives me such pleasure to think that the
Gardener'>s Monthly is always right, even when
he talks heresy in orchard culture, that I am
sorry you seem to indorse the nomination of D.
W. Adams as Governor of Iowa. Now you
know that they can make a governor out of
almost any kind of stuff, and make almost any-
thing out of him when he is used. Not so with
the leader of a great popular movement — he re-
quires to be trained in just such a school as Mr.
Adams has been learninu in. Mr. Adams is the

right man in the right place where he is ; and
though I have no doubt he would be the right
man as Governor, he would be in the wrong
place.

History will award him a higher niche in the
fame-temple, than is generally awarded to gov-
ernors as such, besides it would, I humbly con-
ceive, be a calamity to the great cause he has so
heartily espoused, should he accept the gift.

The "I-told-you-so" croakers would then have
their Avish ; they have been picking at this Asso-
ciation ever since its formation. I suppose they
did not let you into the secret, at the Richmond
Convention,— the late Master of the National
Grange, Hon. W. Saunders, has espoused the
cause of the Patrons of Husbandry, in order to
step right through it into the Commissioner of
Agricultural office.

I will not attempt a defence of Mr. Saunders,—
history will do that ; and can bide his time, —
suffice it to say he held the office with credit to
himself and advantage to the Order ; and laid it
down with a self abnegative dignity, appreciated
by his associates, and which is not burdensome
to those who tried to traduce his motives in
espousing the cause of the farmers of the country.
Whatever the croakers may say, Mr. Saunders,
and successor, Mr. Adams, may have the satis-
faction of knowing that brain is necessary to a
conservator, or the leader of a great popular
movement ; but not always a prerequisite in a
Commissioner of Agriculture or the Governor of
a State.

[We had no idea that what we said of Mr.
Adams, would be taken eithei: for, or against
his nomination as Governor. The Gardener^s
Monthly endeavors to steer clear of all these
questions. Its mission is simply horticulture;
and whether a man is a Patron of Husbandry
or a monopolist, a northern man or a southern
man, a Jew or a gentile, a mormon or shaker,
a republican or democrat, if he is but a good
horticulturist, our magazine regards him as a
friend and brother, and wants to take him by the
hand. We have at various times stated that
Col. Colman was spoken of as Governor of Mis-
souri, Col. Furnas of Nebraska, and Mr. Adams
of Iowa ; and have referred to their horticultural
reputations equally, yet we believe they are all
of different politics ; and, if the Monthly had
any politics, it could not "endorse'' them all.
The fact is, we rejoice whenever any one in au-
thority is fond of flowers ; and, however much
the editor may differ in politics with a candidate

soo

THE GABDEJ\rER'S MOJ^TBLY.

Ocioher,

for oflSce, is "almost persuaded " in an election
to go on the side of the one who loves the garden.

If "history" needs any writings in regard to
the motives of Mr. "Wm. Saunders in "espous-
ing the cause of the Granges,'' the editor of this
journal stands at all times ready to testify to the
fact that the "Coramissionship of Agriculture "
had no place in Mr. Saunders' mind. The edi-
tor believes he was among the first consu.lted in
regard to the proposed establishment of this
Order. He did not give in his personal adhesion,
because he wished and wishes to keep the Qar-
dener''s Mmdhhj clear of all connections with
any special bodies which might possibly be
thought to influence its independent course;
but, the confidence placed in him at that time,
enables him to feel sure in stating that Mr.
Saunders' great idea— not in " espousing '■■ but
in being chief founder of the Order, was simply
the interests of agriculture. Others may have
different views, but we do not believe he had.
And in regard to the coramissionship of agricul-
ture itself, we may say that there has never been
a change in the office talked of; but we have
been approached by people to use what influence
we might have in the Gardener s Monthly, and
observe in their behalf for the position, but never
once by Mr. Saunders. On the contrary, when
his name was once used by some newspaper in
connection with the office, he assured the writer
he would prefer to be as he was.

It is a matter of no consequence to the Gar-
dener's Monthly whether Messrs. Saunders or
Adams are connected with the Patrons of Hus-
bandry or not, but they are capital horticultu-
rists, and on this ground it affords us the great-
est pleasure to say a good word for them, when
we truthfully can,]

RAPID POTTING.

BY PETER IIENDERSOK, JERSEY CITY, N- J.

In your September number, Mr. H. E. Chitty,
superintendent of the Bellevue Nurseries, Pat-
erson, N. J., says in substance that it is irapos
sible that the number of Verbenas — ten thousand
in ten hours — which I stated as having been
potted by one of ray workmen, James Markey,
on the 8'h of May last, could have been done
well. They were done so well that nearly all
were sold in four weeks from the time of potting,
with a loss of less than one per cent, dead in the
whole lot.

As I stated before. Markey 's average work is

five thousand per day, — of some things he ac-
complishes more, of some things less ; for in-
stance to-day, I find on examination, he has
potted nearly seven thousand Smilax plants in
two and one-quarter inch pots, tomorrow, shculd
he be potting Rose cuttings, he probably will
not run over three thousand. Markey's work is
nearly exclusively that of potting off cuttings,
and has been so for the past three years. May
be I am not so able to judge of what is " well
done '' in potting, as the superintendent of the
Bellevue Nurseries, but I am vain enough to
think I am.

Mr. Chitty says that in potting off' cuttings, it
is necessary to make proper " disposition of the
roots," which I suppose means that the roots re-
quire to be spread out. This we might grant
if the propagator did not know enough, or was
careless enough not to pot off" his cuttings until
the roots became so long that they needed spread-
ing ; but any propagator that properly knows
his business, will pot off as soon as roots are
emitted, never letting them be longer than an
inch when possible. And in many soft wooded
plants such as Geraniums, there is no necessity for
waiting until the cutting is rooted in the bench
at all, when well calloused they root just as
quickl}'^ in the small pots.

The wonderful work of tiiis young Irishman —
who has had no more experience than an Ameri-
can training — has roused the ire of numbers of
gardeners, who, because they have happened to
graduate in Europe, and yet find that with all
that, they have never yet been able to quite pot
ten thousand plants in ten hours, affect to be-
lieve that either the feat was not done as stated,
or else if done, was not accomplished in a work-
man-like manner.

It is nothing more than an extraordinary gift
of rapidity of movement in the individual, gtven
to, perhaps, only one man in ten thousand, just
as we get a Webster in the forum, or a Beecher
in the pulpit once in a generation ; yet then it
did not help hundreds of envious would-bo ora-
tors, snarling at the "God-like," nor to-day
does it prevent thousands of small-souled, but
truly orthodox parsons spitting venom at the
Great Preacher.

TREATMENT OF THE AMARYLLIS.

BY CONRO KRETCnMAR.

The diflerent sorts of Amaryllis are indisputa-
bly the most beautiful, and by far the mnst
grateful in returns of bulbous plants for the green

1873.

THE GARDEJ\rER'S MOJ^'THLY.

SOI

and hothouse. These are also well adapted for
the sitting room. The finest kinds can be
brought into bloom there, and often in the win-
ter season, when every flower is of double value.
The Amaryllis has, like the Dracaenas,
Aletris, Charlivodia, Cordyline, Dianella, &c.,
been divided by Botanists according to their
diversity in the formation of flowers, the pollen
of flowers, the seed capsule, &c., &c., into dif-
ferent genera, viz :

1. Amaryllis (Amaryllis Belladonna.)

2. Ammocharis (Ancoranica.)

3. Brunsrigia (Amaryllis Josephine.)

4. Biiphone (AmarylUs toxicaria.)

5. Coburgia (Amaryllis seticulata. )

6. Hyppeastrum (Amaryllis lleginse.)

7. Lycoris (Amaryllis aurea )

8. Nerine (Amaryllis sarnicnsis.)

9. Oporantheus (Armaryllis lutea.)

10. Spreclia (Amaryllis furmosissima.)

11. Strumaria (Amaryllis Crispa.)

12. Vallotta (Amaryllis purpurea.)
Notwithstanding the many strictly divided or

classified genera, they are to the florist and
amateur, in all their varieties, a favorite flower.

Only a few species preserve their leaves
tnrough the whole year. Most of them have a
period of rest, which is absolutely nece;5sary to
the perfection of a free and luxuriant flowering.
The different sorts do not approach their rest at
the same time, — some entering upon it in sum-
mer, others in winter. It requires only a little
attention to discover this. When no more new
leaves are seen, and the old ones stop growth,
by degrees become enfeebled and lose their suc-
culent green, or begin to turn yellow at the
leaves, is the time of rest at hand.

If these signs are observed, watering should
•be withheld by degrees ; and when the leaves
turn yellow and wilt down, they must be de-
prived of it altogether. When arrived at this
state the pots containing the bulbs should be
put on a back shelf in the green, or hothouse, or
any other suitable place where they are out of
the influence of the sun. They should be left
there till a new growth takes place, which can
be discovered in the appearance of new leaves,
or a flower-bud and stem ; the latter, in some
sorts, making their appearance before the leaves.
Then is the time to repot them. Take the bulbs
from the pots and shake out all the soil from be-
tween the roots. Care should be taken not to
break or wound the latter, or it will hinder their
activity in growth, or bring on decay of the

bulb. All sound roots should be left untouched,
but the dead, rotten or damaged should be cut
off" with a sharp knife. As soon as the earth
has been removed, and the bulbs cleansed of all
useless and dead skins, they should be replanted.
For this purpose use 6 or 7-inch pots. Put a
handful of bits of broken pots at the bottom and
cover them with soil made up in the shape of a
hill of the'proper height, to receive the base of a
bulb. Place the bulb upon it, and spread the
roots evenly on all sides of it, holding the neck
of the bulb with one hand, and filling in the soil
with the other. Give the pot a slight shaking
to settle the earth among the roots. When the
pot is full, the earth should be pressed down
gently, so as to leave a space of half an inch be-
tween it and the top of the pot for the reception
of water. In planting, the bulb should be set so
that the neck rises high above the ground ; and
the longer the neck, the more necessary this
arrangement, so as to bring the strong influence
of the sun upon the bulb, which is needful for
the formation of new flower g^rms.

With respect to the soil, the Amaryllis does
not make as strong claims as many other species
of plants. However, this rule must be strictly
regarded, that no fresh undecomposed vegetable
or animal matter be mixed with it, as the con-
sequences would be the rapid decay of the bulb.
The best compost for the Amaryllis is well-
rotted turfy peat, or a mixture of loam and leaf
mould, or hot bed muck. To each add a good
quantity of sharp, white sand.

The watering of the Amaryllis should not be
done in an indifferent way, but must keep equal
pace with their growth. With the exception of
evergreen species, they should not be watered at
all during their periods of rest. When the bulbs
show sign of new life, and are already repotted,
if there is some moisture in the earth, do not
water them for the first few days. If the soil
gets very dry, or is dry already, when potting
the bulb pour a little water around the edge of
the pot, but do not moisten the bulb itself. In
general they should be watered so that the water
enters the earth near the outer edge of the pot,
and never over the bulb, as only the ends of the
root, and not the bulb itself, absorb the water,
and such nutritious substances as are dissolved
by it. If the growth is rapid, an abundance of
water should be given. Once or twice a week a
thin solution of sheep manure may be given, or
horn chips, or scrapings from the combmakers
worked in the soil. This is done when the roots

302

TEE GARDE JEER'S MOJVTBLY.

October,

are filling the pot, in order to perfect the flowers.

After blooming water should be given accord-
ing to the growth, and when diminishing,
gradually withdrawn till the cessation of growth
when the watering should cease also.

The evergreen species should never be allowed
to dry out, but must be kept moist, and at their
time of growth receive a liberal supply of water.

Except during their period of rest, the Araa
ryllis cannot be kept in too sunny a place.
Their perfection, namely : a plentiful bloom, de-
pends chiefly on the unbounded influence of the
sun upon the bulbs. For this reason : whether
in the greenhouse, sitting room or open air, the
most sunny location should be chosen. The
maturity, viz : the formation of the future flower
germs is the more completely attained the more
the bulb is under the influence of the Sun.

The practice here and there of taking the bulbs
out of the pots, and keeping them dry during
their periods of rest, is in nowise to be recom-
mended. By this method the roots dry up, and
are consequently lost. However dry the bulbs
may become in the pot during their periods of
rest, still they will not be so dry, but that they
will be enabled to start a new growth as soon as
they are transplanted into fresh soil ; conse-
quently these have a great advantage over those
which are deprived of their roots, and which
must wait on the favors of time and nature to
renew their strength and beauty.

The Amaryllis bulbs are propagated in two
different ways. First, by offsets formed on the
parental bulb ; secondly, by seeds. The oflsets
are removed from the parent bulb, and repotted
singly, or with several in one pot. As soon as
they have reached an independent existence,
they should be treated as old roots.

The seed should be sown, if the season is
favorable, right after their maturity, or in the
following Spring. Sow them in seed pans, in a
light Amaryllis compost. Water them moder-
ately, and set them in a hot-bed. Keep a close
observance of their condition, and see that a soft
and equal moisture is preserved, when they will
soon germinate. The seedlings require the same
treatment as the offsets. If there are no hot-beds
where the young seedlings or offsets can be
planted out, they may be planted singly in the
smallest sized pots that can be obtained. As
often as the roots reach the outside of the pot,
they should be transplanted to a larger sized one,
without disturbing the ball of earth. The less
the roots are disturbed, the sooner they will

inclose the new earth again, and take their nour-
ishment out of the same. This advice is only a
seeming contradiction to that given in regard to
the older bulbs. The latter commence annu-
ally a new period of growth, while the young
bulbs require a growth uninterrupted, which
would be intermitted if the earth was shaken
from the roots, thus preventing the rapid ac-
complishment of their maturity.

Amaryllis bulbs imported either from Europe
or their native country, are generally in a dry
shrunken condition on their arrival here, and
without roots. Their condition would lead
many to conclude that they should be placed
immediately in the earth, and their growth re-
newed ; but this would be the mistake of ignor-
ance, because it might be in contradiction to the
natural disposition of the species. With a
knowledge of the nature of the respective spe-
cies, it is easy to bring the growth of the bulb in
unison with its natural period of activity ; but if
not thus acquainted with its nature, it is best to
put the bulb into a pot of loaming sand, and set
it aside in a dry place of moderate temperature,
where there is no danger of further shrinking in,
or of premature dampness. Let their condition
be under constant observation ; and as soon as
the least sign of growth is seen, either in the
formation of the roots, or the swelling of the
head of the bulb, then is the time to pot and ad-
vance the same in a raised temperature, which
agrees with them. Bottom heat is best. To
such bulbs the smallest pots possible should be
given ; but as often as they fill with roots, they
should be shifted without hurting the roots.

HYBRIDIZATION A^T> CROSS FERTILI-
ZATION.

BY KEY. L. J. TEMPLIISr, OF KOKOMO, IND.

The question as to whether the immediate
fruit of a union of two different species or genera
is effected by such union is one of considerable
practical importance, and is worthy of careful
examination. In a note in the July number of
the Gardener''s Monthly Mr. Arnold, of Canada,
while admitting that in corn the effect is imme-
diate, thinks that in the apple and pear " itis a
rare occurrence " for the pulp to be affected. The
apple and pear being distinct species, the com-
mon progeny of the two is a real hybrid. I
think it doubtful whether such hybrids are very
often produced, yet that they do occur at rare
intervals is a well established fact. Mr. Arnold

187S.

THE GAEDEJVER'S MOJV'THLY,

303

himself reported a very interesting case, which
was published in the Gardener^ s Montlily, page
43, 1S71. Two apples were found growing on
a pear tree in the orchard of Dr. Lawrence.
These were genuine hybrids in which the pulp
of the fruit partook of the nature of the male
parent. A case of pears growing on an apple
tree occurred on the farm of Mr. Walter, near
Englewood, N. J., noticed in the Journal of
Commerce and afterwards in the Oardener^s
Monthly^ page 343, 1872. In this case three
pears were found growing on the branch of an
apple tree, that grew so near a pear tree that
the branches often met when swayed by the
.wind. The branch was preserved with apple
leaves, two pears and an apple on it ; the apple
being situated between the two pears. In this
case the parentage was the reverse of that in
the case of Mr. Lawrence. It is probable that
such hybrids are produced much oftener than
they are reported to the public. At least there
seems no good reason why they should not be as
often as circumstances combine favorably for
their production. The fertilization of one varie-
ty by another is perhaps more easily effected,
and therefore more frequently occurs ; but the
change is less violent and consequently less no-
ticeable than where it takes place between two
genera. It is not very unusual to find specimens
of apples differing from the variety on which they
grow, in color, flavor and texture, as widely as
some of entirely distinct varieties. Is it not
probable that these variations are caused by
cross-fertilization ? Indeed is it not reasonable
to expect that in every case of cross fertilization
the resulting fruit should partake of the charac-
teristics of the male, as well as of the female
parent to some extent ? It is the direct result
of this fertilizing influence. The female organs
of the plant have no more power to develop the
embryo, and produce a perfect fruit, without
such fertilization, than has the female animal
to bring forth young with out the intervention of
a male. In the animal kingdom we find, that
when two animals of pure, but distinct breeds,
have fertile intercourse, not only is the offspring a
cross between the two breeds, but the female
herself becomes a cross with the animal by which
she first becomes pregnant. In animal hybrids
the progeny resembles the male parent in out-
ward form and figure. The mule has the ears,
hoofs, tail and color of the ass, while the hinney
has those of the horse. If this is the law govern-
ing in the animal kingdom, may sve not con-

clude that it controls largely in the vegetable
world ? The cases cited above prove this to be
nature's method in some cases, and, in the ab-
sence of evidence to the contrary, I think we
may safely conclude that it is her law in the
vegetable, as well as animal kingdom. As to
the law of superfcetation, which Mr. Arnold
thinks he has established, I think while he seems
on the ri^ht track to determine the matter,
further evidence seems to be needed to set aside
the many objections tha* seem to lie with great
weight against it. Let investigations go or that
truth may be discovered and established.

HEATIN-Q BY STEAM.

BY N. D. ALLEN, CHICAGO, ILLS.

I have of late become much interested in read-
ing the articles in the (JarcZener's Monthly, on
the erection and heating of greenhouses, for
growing plants and cut-flowers.

I have ten houses in a body, facing east and
west, each 100 by 11 feet, — 7 feet in height,
warmed by steam pipes running from one flue
boiler. The steam is conveyed from the boiler
by a 2-inch pipe passing through the centre of
the propagating house, under the propagating
bench to the farther end of the house, connecting
a 2-inch pipe which passes across the end of
each house, conveying the steam into 1-inch
pipes, which radiates the steam through all the
houses.

So far, the heating by steam has been a success
in the saving of labor, as it requires only one
fire. The required temperature can more easily
be kept. The propagating bench is 4 by 80 feet,
and every part of it works like a charm. The
mercury need not vary five degrees.

During the past long severe winter, with the
mercury varying from fifteen to thirty degrees
below zero, I have not lost by freezing more than
fifty plants, and should not have lost those, but
the propagating bed crowded out plants so fast,
that I was obliged to put them in houses that
were only heated sufficiently to grow lettuce,
(with but two 1-inch pipes.)

Heating by steam creates a moist balmy at-
mosphere well adapted to plant growing, as they
look healthy, vigorous, and bloom profusely. A
florist who saw them in the winter said that
Fuchsias grown in their native climate, under
the most favorable circumstances, could not be
more luxuriant and healthy than mine— the
same could be said of all the plants. I attribute

304

THE GARDEJ^ER*S MOJfTHLY. October,

the result greatly to steam, as I am a novice in

the art of plant growing. Why has heating by
steam been so ignored by florists ?

[Where heat has to be oarried long distances,
steam will have the preference over any other
mode of heating ; but for short distances it is
thought to be more expensive than hot water,
on the idea that it takes more fuel to make
steam — than to get hot water to circulate. But
our correspondent furnighes good reasons for a
suspicion that this idea is fallacious. We would
be glad to have the views of others of our corre-
spondents.]

■ — ♦ — *

KAISING SEEDLINGS OF TREES,
FRUITS, &c. *

BY J. M., PHIL A.

A shore time ago I promised you my experi-
ence on seedling raising, and have since been
pleased to see my proposed task made easier by
the writings of Mr. Wood on " How to grow
evergreens from seed." However, I can find
enough to say on deciduous trees, and hope it
will prove as instructive as has Mr. Wood's
writings.

It is a pleasure to know that our people are
getting better acquainted every day with this
branch of gardening, and that many amateurs
as well as professional men, can now increase
their valuable plants with good success. I have
no desire to work injury to any nation whatever,
nevertheless I have always been the most pleased
when I have found our own people had raised
for us plants we wanted, as cheaply as the
agents of foreign houses could offer them for.
It has been but a lack of knowledge how to
raise seedlings, that made us dependent so long
When once the principle is understood, the rest
is tolerably easy.

In transplanting trees it is generally under-
stood that above all things the roots must not
be allowed to dry. The moister they can be
kept the better the success. The difference is
not great between seeds and trees. Moisture in
both cases is life, dryness is death. A seed can
no more germinate with dry surroundings, than
a tree can live similarly situated. It is then
but a question of how much moisture each kind
of seed requires to be successful with them ?
Many seeds which ripen through the summer
can be kept dry till fall, and some till spring,
and sown with certainty of success. Others
must have moist earth or sand mixed with them

from the start, or they will not grow. It is this
knowli dije of the requisites of each kind of seed,
brorght about by long observation or attention,
that alone will bring success.

Evergreens will mostly all grow the first sea
son without previous preparation, though they
come up quicker if previously mixed with earth ;
and it is of vast importance to get them up early
and have them strong before the weather gets
burning hot. Some kinds of evergreens will re-
main a year in the ground before coming up,- or
they can be kept in a cellar in boxes of earth for
the same time — a much better plan. Such kinds
are Buxus sempervirens, Cratse^us, Ilex, Juni-
perus, Taxus, &c. The Mahonia will germinate
the sprinsj following its ripening, if kept in moist
earth till sowed.

The following kinds, if kept cool till sowed in
fall, require no previous mixing with moist
earth or sand: Alnus, Acer jSJscuIus, Ailanthus,
Amorpha, Amelanchier .Berberis, Celtis, Eu-
onyinus, Eleagnus, Liriodendron, Lauru*, Mag-
nolia, Nyssa, Rhamnus, Syringa, Viburnum, &c.

I would mix with ea»-th as soon as gathered
and cleaned, to sow in fall, the different kinds of
Cherries, Hickories, Oaks, Chestnuts, Walnuts,
Peaches, Plums &c.

Many persons keep all of these last named
kinds in boxes of earth till spring, especially in
States where the winters are very dry, for if the
seeds suffer from moisture, no matter whether
indoors or out they will die ; and when indoors,
its one's own fault if they become too dry.

Many kinds do very well if kept cool without
mixing with earth, and sown in spring— they
are, Aralia, Acacia, Anona, Betula, Cassia,
Cyiissus, Cercis, Catalpa, Calycanthus, Cladas-
trus, Diospyros, Gleditschia, Gymnocladus
Kolreuteria, Liquidambar, Madura, Paulow-
nia, llobini;i, Salisburia, Sambucus, Sophora,
Taxodium, &c.

It is the practice of large raisers to sow no
seeds but what will germinate at once, or soon.
Such kinds as require a season to start them, are
not as formerly sown out and allowed to occupy
the ground a whole season to no purpose, but
are kept all summer in boxes and sown in fall.

The following kinds should be mixed with
earth some time soon after ripening, and kept
in a cellar one year and sown iu fall : the
next spring they will grow finely : Cornus, Cra-
taegus, Carpinus, Chionanthus, Fraxinus,Fagus,
Gaultheria, Halesia, Myrica, Pyrus, Prinos,
Tiha, &c.

IS73.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MONTHLY.

805

As has been before said, moisture is the main
requisite with seeds ; and if they get this it does
not matter where they receive it. We have
known nurserymen to sow fields of Mazzard
Cherry in tlie fall, and quantities of the same
seeds which had been kept moist indoor, in the
spring. There was no difference in the growth
of either sowing, both growing finely. Shade is
best for all young seedlings, and essential to

many. Where seed-sowing is a yearly business^
probably lath nailed together, as has been recom-
mended for evergreens, is best. Where it is
carried on but on a small scale, brush-wood or
corn-stalks would answer, removing it gradually
as the seedlings grow. On the approach of
frost cover thickly with some light material to
prevent thawing, so as to keep them frozen solid
all winter.

EDTTOE lAL.

SOIL CULTURE.

It will never hurt an intelligent man to know
why he does things. Rather will he profit in
this, that he can better adapt himself to circum-
stances. There are in horticulture hosts of prac-
tices—all good practices— about which none of us
know the reasons, or if we reason at all, rea-
son wrongly ; and hence we often do work
which might as well be undone for all the good
it is to us.

There are innumerable things in greenhouse
building and greenhouse warming, in plant
growing and fruit culture, the labor on which is
absolutely thrown away, simply by doing what
others have done, without knowing why they
did it ; and yet the practices may have been
very good in tlieraselves at the time and for the
purpose, whatever it may have been, but of no
avail to the purposes of the modern imitators.

It is not long since the writer was talking to
one of the leading scientists of Europe, and wish-
ing to learn the present condition of physiological
science, introduced the topic of root-growth. It
was contended by our really learned friend, that
roots could only grow well when in very loose
soil, which soil must be very loose in order
to " admit air to the roots," for, "without a free
communication of the roots with the atmospher-
ic gases, rapid growth was impossible." He
was at once referred to grape vines, which, for
mere experiments, had been set in what might
be termed a turnpike road. It was, in fact, the
side of a road which had been heavily stoned,
and over which horses and heavy carts have
been running for twenty years. The " turnpike' '
had to be torn open with a pick to admit the
grape vine roots, and the material picked out,
filled in again after the roots were set in. Yet

these vines make an annual growth of twenty
feet, and bear fruit of the very best description.
The grower top-dresses with rich manure,
prunes "according to the art," and so forth.
The plants have the best professional treatment,
but " loose soil to admit the air " they have not.
Our friend looked at the illustration, shook his
head, and passed on. It is a question whether
the circumstance will ever be called up agam to
his mind. He will yet teach that plants " must
have loose soil," as strenuously as ever. He
will no doubt think that one or two instances
are exceptions; and yet on "one or two facts,"
or experiments, as they are generally called, by
not merely "one or two," but often by one origi-
nal observer, most of the current literature
called "vegetable physiology" is founded. If
" one or two '' plants can grow magnificently in
hard, solid soil, but with an abundance of good
fertilizing matter, without being " loose to admit
the air,'' why may not a thousand ?

But these " one or two " facts are not the only
ones. The writer is in favor of ploughing and
digging our soil, very much as before. There are
many reasons why we must do so; but if we
ever believed that the mere loosening of the soil
was to be one of these reasons, it is clear from
these facts, and from facts which we gave some
months ago in a similar article, we should be
worse than an idiot to continue on in that belief.
We shall have to dig and plough and cultivate
for many reasons ; we often do so now be-
cause we think the roots requires this; but
where there is no other reason than this, we may
save ourselves this much labor and expense.
With abundant plant food they will take care
of themselves.

We mentioned these circumstances to Mr. Vick-

S06

TEE GARDEJfER'S MOJ^THLY.

0 etcher y

roy, who has charge of the experiments at the
Industrial University. He sustained "one or
two " facts by his own experience with corn.
For four years corn had been planted in two
lots side by side. In one the ground was ma-
nured and " worked " in the usual manner for

corn, in the other it was manured in the same
way without any working. There was no differ'
ence whatever in the crops produced f ronx either lot.
l^ow because these facts are true, we do not
propose to stop all digging or ploughing up of
the soil, — we propose to go on as usual.

SfcHAPS AND aUERIES

Carter's Champion Scarlet Runker.—
Ilessrs. James Carter & Co. , High Holborn, Lon-
don, write: "Carter's Champion Scarlet Run-
ner. This is an established variety, quite dis-
tinct from ordinary scarlet runners, and an-
nounced to be very superior by the Royal Horti-
cultural Society of England. We notice in your
August issue that Messrs. Thorburn stated to a
'correspondent they have tried this variety of
beans, and that it does not appear different to
them from the Scarlet Runner. Messrs. Thorburn
did not buy any Carter's Champion Runner from
us last season, — we therefore don't see how they
are in a position to offer an opinion about it.
They may have got Carter's Champion Runners
from some other house, and it may not have
been true ; in fact it could not be true if they
made it to be the same as the ordinary Scarlet
Runner."

Tarred Paper Against Fruit Tree
Borers — S. B. B., Phila.: "I want some in-
formation about the use of tarred paper as a
preventive of the borer in fruit trees. Will you
he so good as to inform me through the Garde-
ner's Monthly where it can be procured, and how
it is applied ? "

[Paper— newspaper or any paper is tied loosely
about the collar of the tree, and warmed tar ap-
plied with a brush. It is a perfect and simple
guard against borers.]

The Tulip Tree in Texas. — A Washing-
ton County correspondent tells us that his trials
with this have proved the Liriodendron to be
admirably adapted to that climate. Several
hundred trees, but a foot or so high, two years
ago, are now twelve, and the admiration of all
who see them.

greenhouse. It does best, however, in a stove.
We have known it to do tolerably well, however,
in a house where the winter temperature was
between 45° and 60^

Anthuritjm Schurzerianum. — A lady cor-
respondent desires to know the best treatment
for this plant. Will some of our friends who
have it, kindly respond ? We have seen it
beautifully grown at Mr. Geo. Such's, and also by
Mr. Alex. Newitt, in Germantown.

Improyed Calceolarias.— 5ara/i E. P.,
St. Joseph, Mich.: "AVhat are the peculiarities
of .James, international prize Calceolaria ? "

It is the effort of Calceolaria growers to have
the flower as rounded in outline as possible,
and of as many harmonious tints of color as
they can get. and with the lines of color well de-
Qned.

We suppose James had a premium for extra
good kind, and the seeds from his plants will
therefore bring a better price. We do not
know that there is any especial peculiarity in
the strain.

Pleroma elegans.— >S. E. P., St. Joseph,
Mich.: You can succeed with this in an ordinary

Lapageria rosea.— 3/rs. S. E. P., St.
Joseph, Mich., asks for a description of this plant.
The following is from an English publication,
and, though referring to a white variety, suits
her inquiry in all but the color of the variety :

Lapageria Rosea var. Albijlora. — Ruiz and
Pavon, Spanish botanists, were the first to dis-
cover this plant, clinging to the trees of the for-
ests of Rere and d'ltota, in Chili and Peru, as
described in their grand work on the flora of
those countries ; but the first plant was brought
to England by the Rev. — Wheelwright, and
sent to Kew. Shortly after, the celebrated bo-
tanist Thomas Lobb sent over several cuttings
to Messrs. Veitch & Son. It is a climbing
plant, with long and numerous branches ; its

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER*S MOJ^TELY,

307

stem and branches are sub-cylindrical, bare be- \
low, and scaly here and there. The leaves are
alternate, far apart, lanceolate acuminate, thick, j
and shining, having five longitudinal nerves, !
connected by a reticulated nervation ; they are
about four inches long, and two inches and a
half wide. The petioles are very short, twisted,
channeled beneath, striated above, dilated at the
base, and semi-amplexical ; they enlarge after
the fall of the leaf, and become more deeply
striated. The peduncles, longer than the peti-
oles, are axillary, solitary, dull colored, with sev-
eral scales at the base (colored). The flowers
are large and beautiful, comparable in form and
dimensions to those of the white lily ; they are
of the richest possible crimson, or a lively rose
color, in the species we possess, and ornamented
with white points inside, and on the exterior
sides of the internal segments. In the variety
now under notice, the flowers are of a creamy-
white tinted with yellovv. In those first describ-
ed, the external base is spotted with dark violet;
in the white flowers with rose, or often not spot-
ted at all ; they are about three inches and a
half long, and about two and a half broad.

was right. Mr. Longworth was also right in
urging the necessity of growing male flowering
plants alongside of female ones, in order to get
a full crop.

But Mr. Longworth was wrong in contending
that a plant once female was always female.
The " coniroversy " referred to was in regard to
this point. In many cases of female varieties,
(which had the stamen's arrested in their devel-
opment,) circumstances would favor the pro-
duction of stamens, and thus a plant pistillate
in one place, would become hermaphrodite in
another. This, Mr. Longworth denied. The
value of the question was chiefly in regard to
the identity of the varieties furnished by nur-
serymen.

(2). We know of no person who has specially
studied in this way.

(3). Pardee on the Strawberry is so far the
best work. There was another work published
by J. E. Tilton & Co., of Boston, and written
by Mr. Merrick, which contains full descrip-
tions of the varieties known at that time.

(4). They were published by Briuckloe & Ma-
rot, at the office of the Gardener'' s Monthly.]

Strawberry History. — H. N., Knoxville, i
Tenn.: "I have odd numbers of the Gardener's
Monthly from vol. 1 N'o. 1, to 1870 ; and in run-
ning over them recently, I have been much in-
terested in several points started by you, upon
some of which I am tempted to ask information.

(1). In the strawberry controversy with Long-
worth, did he claim that the Staminate and Pis-
tillate characters were unknown or disregarded
before he drew attention to them ?

(2). Do you know of any one having studied
the strawberry bloom with the microscope ? If
so, who ?

(3). By whom is the strawberry most thor-
oughly discussed ?

(4). Was the series of entomological papers of
Mr. Rathvon ever published in book form. If
so, by whom, and at what price ?

I trust you may find it not too inconvenient to
answer these questions, as the answers to the
three first may materially influence my own
study of the strawberry. "

(1). [Mr. L. contended that the fact of separate
sexes in the strawberry plant was not known until
communicated to him by an old German market
woman in Cincinnati. It was not entirely un-
known previously, but yet it was so little known,
that for all practical purposes Mr. Longworth

Insect in the Linden Trees. — A Phila-
delphia correspondent sends us the following
note : " I have a very handsome row of English
Lindens, which are about forty years ©Id. The
Grub got into them, and I have lost several. If
you would inform me what I could do to kill this
destructive worm, I should be much obliged to
you. "

[We do not know that any remedy has been
found against the Linden borer. Unlike the
apple, peach, and quince borers, this one works
all over the tree. If any one has had any suc-
cessful experience, we should be glad to know.]

Auriculas.— -H. B., Chicago, Ills., says
" Will some one who has had experience, write
of the culture of the Auricula?"

To Inquirers and Correspondents.— A
long absence this summer has delayed some of our
correspondence. If any desiring notice in this
department have been overlooked, we shall be
glad to give them attention. Inquiries for this
department are always welcome, as it generally
happens that what one wants to know about, is
just the knowledge hundreds are seeking. Kotes
and observations about horticultural matters
are always welcome.

SOS

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^ TBLY, Ocioher,

Begonia coccinea.— X. B. C, Bichifrmxd,
Indiana: " I want to trouble you a little for a
name, as I know of no one else competent that
I think will do it for me.

In my collection of Begonia I have two named
Begonia sanguinea, the first one (marked !N"o. 1)
is said to be from Mr. E. Buist's place, and named
by him ; but I find in Paxton's Botanical Dic-
tionary, B. sanguinea has red flowers, and B.
sanguinea atropurpurea flowers black red. My
plant from Mr. Buist's has white flowers in
great profusion.

I received from a German gardener last spring,
among a lot of Begonias, a plant labeled B. san-
guinea, similar in habit to B. hydrocotylifolia,
and suggesting to him it might be misnamed, he
t©ld me that in the King's garden of Hanover,
the one he sent me was labeled B. sanguinea,
and the other is labeled B. coccinea. But Pax-
ton says it has scarlet flowers ; the Hanover
plant has not yet flowered, but I forward a leaf."

[The leaves came to hand during our absence
last summer, and, being very much crushed in
the mail, could not be preserved well without
rotting.

The true B. sanguinea has, however, a leaf
sharper than No. 2 appears to be, but not so
sharp as No. 1. The plant is a strong growing,
shrubby oue, and net half herbaceous and low
growing as hydrocotylifolia is. The under sur-
face of the leaf is a blood red, whence its name ;
but the upper is of a dark green. Send some of
each, and a leaf, when in flower.]

have ' fixed ' them. They were, I think, much
heavier in seeds than in the nursery line."

Bankrupt Nurserymen.— An Illinois cor-
respondent does not seem to like the idea of a
nurseryman going into bankruptcy ; and it must
be admitted that the cases of well established
firms going over are very rare. He says :

" In regard to Peter Lawson & Son going into
bankruptcy, you doubtless know much more
about it than I do ; but I was astonished in
the old country to hear of their branching out
in so many directions. I can't tell the particu-
lars, but as well as I now remember they had
immense investments in Guano Islands and
other speculations— the last of which I read of
quite lately. It was to get control of Hayti or
some great interest there. I remember in read-
ing that it seemed to me quite as wild as old
John Lewis' South Sea bubble. Of course I
can't vouch for these things, but have no doubt
there is substantial truth in it. T:.'.s last may

Prices of Cut Flowers.— <§. G. C— " It
has been suggested by florists here, and I am re-
quested to make it known to you, that it would
be a feature of interest to many western florists
if you would give the market quotations for lead-
ing cut flowers (rose-buds, carnations, etc.) as is
given in the London Chronicle, for London, for
Philadelphia and New York, during the fall and
winter Nos. of the Gardener^s Monthly. Think
of it, please.''

[Our correspondent refers to the following
which we take from Gardener^s Chronicle of Au-
gust 2nd:

Cut Flowers.

s. d. 8. d.

Carnations, per doz 0 3 to 1 0

Gardenias, " 3 0 — 6 0

Heliotropes, " — sprays — 0 6

Mignonette, 12 bun 3 0 6 0

Pelargoniums, Zonale, p. 12 sprays 0 3 — 0 9

Pinks, p. 12 bun 2 0 — 4 0

Ranunculus, per doz. ...bunches 4 0 — 6 0

Roses, " 0 6 — 6 0

— Moss, " bunches 4 0 — 9 0

Stephanotis, per 12 sprays 2 0 — 4 0

Tropfleolum, per doz. bunches 1 0 — 2 0

Plants in Pots.

». d. s. d.

Azaleas, each — to —

Begonias, per doz 6 0 — 12 0

Bouvardia, " 9 0—18 0

Calceolarias, per doz 3 0 — 9 0

Rhodanthe " 6 0— ...

Draccenna terminalis, per doz 12 0 — 30 0

" viridis, " 12 0—24 0

Erica, in variety, from 12 0 — 30 0

Fuchsia, per doz 4 0 — 18 0

Double Pelargoniums, per doz 4 0 — 8 0

Mignonette, per doz 3 0 — 5 0

Myrtles, per doz 3 0—9 0

Pelargoniums, per doz 6 0 — 18 0

Petunias, per dcz 4 0 — 9 0

Spirfea japonica, per doz — ...

Scarlet Pelargoniums, per doz. 4 0 — 6 0

Unfortunately there are no flower markets in
America such as Covent Garden in London ;
and hence there are no regular prices to quote .

The price of flowers is generally a "dicker''
between each buyer and seller : and at the very
time you may be paying 820 to S30 per hundred
for Camellia flowers, another buys from your
neighbor at $10 to $20.

Some attempts at having a regular market
rate from week to week, according to supply
aud demand, have been made from time to time
in Boston, New York, aud Philadelphia, and a
few leading items such as Camellias, Roses,

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJYTELY.

309

Heliotropes, «fec., are sometimes dealt in by the
hundr'^d, at something like a regular rate. But
attempts of this kind have never been well se-
conded by the cut flower trade generally, as for
their best interests they ought to be.]

Addresses of Advertisers. — An llh'nois
firm write : " Seeing quite a number of cards in
the Monthly from parties wishing situations, we
have written to several, but have had our letters
returned to us because the address was not
written in full. Under the present Post Office
regulations, letters which are not addressed to a
persons full name, are not delivered in future.
So put in the full name in situations wanted, so
that letters addressed to the parties will reach
their destination."

[Our advertisers will please take note of the
above hint. It is a great hardship that persons
may not, if they choose, seek for information in a
newspaper, without being obliged to publish to
all the world their private business. You need
a cook, or a washerwoman, or a gardener, or a
coachman, but you don't want that busy body
Jones over the way to know that "there has
been trouble again between Smith and his hired
folks ;'' and " what I wonder has been the trou-
ble between them ; '' so you advertise that A. B.
A. C. " wants," &c. This has been the custom
all over the world for ages, and still is all but
here ; but it was left to the wiseacres of our
Post Office people to find out the enormity of the
practice. Still, as it seems to be the "ruling,"
our advertisers had better take notice.

Another correspondent tells us that, wishing
to call our attention to a newspaper article he
marked by a line, as has been the custom of
every bod}^ since the world began, but his post-
master happened to see it, and called his atten-
tion to a "ruling'' that any mark or signs on
printed matter with pen or othewise "subjected
the whole package to letter postage.''

How long the American people intend to stand
this nonsense, it is not for us to say. For our-
selves we feel indignant whenever we think of it.]

Gardening in the United States.-^"!
am a young unmarried man, with a thorough
practical knowledge of gardening in all its de
partments. And am also ' thoroughly up ' in
stock and tillage farming — having left a situa-
tion in Ireland which I held as Land-steward
and Gardener for six years, to come to Canada,
where I have been for the past two years. My

'Old Country' testimonials and Canadian refer-
ences are first class in regard to character and
ability, as well as splendid success on the exhi-
bition table. I hold a good situation as garden-
er at present ; but I am led to believe that there
is higher wages as well as a better and wider
field for first-class men in the States. I have a
strong desire to try my luck there ; and, having
no person to ask advice of, I would take it as
a great favor if you would be kind enough to
reply to the following queries, through the pages
of the Gardener'>s Monthly :

1. Should I stick to gardening aloneV 2. Should
I stick to farming alone ? 3. Should I combine
the two ? 4. The best time to change ? 5. What
place would you advise me to try, under the cir-
cumstances ? "

[This is one of those peculiar questions which
ought to be answerable, and yet puzzles us to
do it. It is not true that the wages of garden-
ers are higher than they are in England or
Canada. Nominally the are ; but when the
purchasing power of the currency is taken into
account— and this is really what "wages"
amounts to,— English wages are better We
suppose a situation would be considered below
the average in England, which did not pay 30
shillings a week with house, coal and vegetables.

A gardener here with the purchasing power
of our money, ought to have $50 a month, house,
fuel, &c. And few places— such as they go—
give more than this. There are places which
give $75 to S 100 per mouth; but very few.
There are probably not a hundred gentlemen's
gardeners in the United States who receive
over S80 per month. As a rule, men are better
paid in commercial establishments than in pri-
vate gardens. We are inclined to think that on
the whole, gardeners are not paid as well here as
in Europe ; and certainly not near as well paid
as they ought to be. Every year large numbers
of excellent gardeners leave the profession for
others which pay better. The places where gar-
dening and farming are combined, are still scar-
cer. We think that either alone will be the best
course. Changes, when made, are usually in
February or March. In regard to the fifth
question, the thickly settled portions of the
country usually exhibit more horticultural taste,
and pay more than others.]

White Spruce. — A correspondent sends us
cones and branches, inquiring, "did you ever
see cones of the white spruce five inches long ? "

310

THE GARBEJVER'S MOJ^THLY.

October.

It affords the opportunity to say, that there is in
Europe a grey form of Xorway spruce, and is
known there as the white or bhie spruce. This
is not the true white spruce of Xorthern Ameri-
ca, which is rather related to the Mensies'
spruce of the "West, than to the [N'orway spruce of
Europe. Our American white spruce can
always be distinguished from white forms of the
Norway Spruce, by the sharp, spine-like termi-
nation of the leaves. The Norway, although it
has a short slender point, has bluntish leaves.

never leakage in a house like this. Only those
in this locality who do not read horticultural
papers, use putty in the old way.]

Stock for Tree Roses.— A Bloomington.
Illinois, correspond? nt asks, whether "there is
no good hardy native rose on which to get up
Standard or tree roses."

The prairie rose class, Rosa ruhifolia, is the
best. Our native roses have not very woody
stems ; or if woody, do not grow very strong.
Bosa lucida, the commonist of our Eastern wild
roses, and which we all know by its large, rosy,
sweet flowers, seldom grows but two or three
feet high. Bosa cinnamomeo^ which takes the
place of this to a great extent in the far West,
is not much larger ; nnd the swamp rose of the
Middle States, B. Carolina, is about the same in
growth. These are the chief strong growing
native roses ; and none but B. ruhifolia at all fit
for stocks.

There is the Manetti i*ose, which is said to be
of Italian origin ; but we know of no European
species to which to refer it ; and stronglj^ sus-
pect it is but a strong form of our American
Bosa hicida. But strong as this form is, besides
its bad habit of suckering, it grows hardly tall
enough to make a good tree rose stock

Glazing Greenhouses.— F. T. B.. Cincin
nati, 0., writes: "I am much troubled by drip
in my greenhouse. The water seems to come in
between the putty and the wood on the outside.
Is there any way to prepare putty so that it will
not do this ? "

[Puttying outside of a greenhouse is a relic of
barbarism. No one who has kept up with the
progress of gardening docs it any more. The
glass is cut, or rather the wood-work is so ar-
ranged, that the panes fit very loosely in the
rabbets. Putty is placed on the ledge, and the
glass pressed on forces the {)utty up between
the very small space between the glass and the
"wood. This forced up putty is then smoothed
off level with the glass, and this is all. Aftcr-
"wards the wood-work is well painted. There is

Pitch of Greenhouses.— J. H. 31cH.,
Pikesville, Md.: "Having to reconstruct re-
cently a span roof forcing-house, I looked in my
books for instructions as to the pitch of the roof,
but could find nothing applicable to the case,
though I did find articles upon the suitable pitch
of lean — to houses, according to the latitude of
the location of the house, and the purposes for
which it might be intended. I accordingly
adopted the pitch followed in my old house
which is less than 45^ — perhaps about 40^ —
with horizontal line ; and, although it will be too
late for your advice to be of service to me at this
time, I shall be glad to see some remarks from
you at your convenience on this subject in the
Gardener's Monthly. I assume that a span-roof
house runs north and south like mine.''

[There is no rule for the pitch of greenhouses.
It is entirely dependent on what the houses are
for. General principles can onlv be given, which
can then be applied to circumstances.

In the first place it takes more lumber, more
glass, more paint, and more labor to build a steep
than a flat roof,— and expense is a consideration
with many persons. On the other side a flat
roof does not permit of water running down
easily — there is drip, — it sags sooner by its own
weight, and by the weight of rain and snow —
the glass is more liable to crack in winter. In
short, the disadvantages of the future are
greater than the extra outlay at first on a steep
roof.

All this in regard to construction. Now in
regard to plant growth. To flower plants well
the direct rays of the sun are very important.
For winter flowering a steep house receives
these direct rays much better than a flat one,
'and so a profusion of blooms can be kept up
with much less coal, in a steep ro ifed house.
Where winter flowers are n')t wanted, there is
no cultural objection to a very flat house. la
view of all these various tbi;igsto be considered,
those who give general instructions for building
houses, are unable to say, in a general way, what
the proper pitch should be, — they therefor 3 gen-
erally emploj' the angle of '' 45- ' as the average.
Many houses, however, arc much less than this,
and few more. For winter (lowering, however,
we like full 45'^ as well as for the strength and
dnrability which such a steep angle gives.]

1873.

THE GARDEJ^TER'S MOJVTHLY.

311

A Handsome Pear Orchard.— TFa^wori/i,
N. y., sends us the following : "I have a crop
of pears in my pear orchard, that exceed by far
any sight of fruit I ever saw ; and all who have
seen it express their admiration of it. I am
reluctant to write to you to come a long way to
see it, but am confident you would feel compen-
sated for some effort an J time spent in that way.
We are six miles north of Palmyra. Bear iu
mind, my orchard is in grass."

[Though a semi -private letter, we take the
liberty to publish it, because it comes from one
of our most distinguished pear growers, and one
who, if we mistake not, was at one time one of
the warmest advocates of clear surface culture,
and thus the invitation has a public interest
which will warrant the use we make of it. This
season of fairs, and hard work generally, does
not permit of our acceptance of the kind invita-
tion, much to our regret.]

Cultivating Pruit Trees.— During the
past summer, while the editor was in the West,
several articles appeared in the Country GeiUle-
man on this subject. One correspondent gave
a sad account of some experiments conducted on
what he called Meehan's system. Another cor-
respondent expressed some doubts as to whether
the other understood the " system," as he called
it. Whereupon he replied that he understood it
to be to keep orchard trees clean and cropped
with vegetables for six years, and then put it
down in grass. We give the substance, not hav-
the correspondence before us. Of course no reg-
ular reader of the Gardener^s Monthly under-
stands us in this way ; and it goes to show that
most of the attacks made on us, are made under
a misapprehension.

We do not know of one case where the trees
have been in grass fiom the start, and the trees
and grass liberally top-dressed with fertilizing
matter, that the owner would willingly go back
to any other system ; but we do know of scores
of failures on the traditional plan.

Bee Plant— Polanisia purpurea. — B. N.
W. " You will recollect you mentioned a bee
plant indigenous to Colorado, which grows quite
freely. Will you be kind enough to describe it
minutely either in a letter or through the Gar-
dener''s Montlily ? "

[Polanisia purpurea is the plant referred to ;
and the writer stated it to be a good bee plant,
on the authority of Miss Ella Dunlap, of Illinois,

who knows everything about bee management it
anybody does.

In this part of the world the bees do not seem
to care greatly for it, because they get plenty of
white clover — and a bee "in clover " cares for
nothing else in this world— as neither will the
writer when he gets there. Where the West
has no clQver, the Polanisia is just the thing.

The description of the plant is not easy*
unless one has some acquaintance with botanical
terms. It is of the natural order Capparidacem,
and nearly allied to the well known Cruciferous
order, but the stamens are all of equal length,
while they have four long and two short as a
general rule. Again the seed vessel is elevated
above the petals by a short stalk unusual in
most plants. The flowers extend nearly an inch
from the stem, and the spike several inches long.
The flowers of a whitish purple color. The
leaves are unlike most plants of this region — pal-
mate—or like a miniature horse-chestnut leaf.
The plant grows about two or three feet high,
along the Platte River, near Denver, sparingly,
and very abundantly in the Salt Lake Valley,
where itis mixed with an allied yellow one, cleo-
mella lutea.]

Agricultural Pairs.— We are under obli-
gations to friends all over the Union for tickets
and kind letters of invitation to meetings all
over the Union. They have our good wishes,
and are sorry our presence cannot always go
with them.

Dr. Bigelow. — One of our .pleasant recol-
lections of Boston is a brief call on this veteran
botanist. His delightful flora of Boston and va-
cinity did as much to make a race of botanists
as Barton's work did in Philadelphia, and Tor-
rey's in New York. The value of these local
floras has scarcely been appreciated from this
point of view. He is now about seventy-five
years, blind, and confined to .his room, unable to
receive any but a few intimate friends ; but still
bearing his infirmities of age cheerfully in the
consciousness that he has faithfully performed
the work appointed for him to do, and that his
life has not been spent in vain.

Eli AS DuRAND.— This distinguished botanist
departed this life in the 15th of August last,
after a life of laborious usefulness, in his 80th
year. As one of his associates in the botanical
department of the Academy of Natural Sciences,

312

TEE GARDEJ\rER'S MOJ^TELY.

October,

the writer has been invited, by a special resolu-
tion, to prepare some account of bis life and ser-
vices, to be read before that body. We shall
therefore defer what we otherwise would have
said, to a future occasion.

American Ferns.— J. D , Pater son, JV". J.,
asks for the principal kinds of Xorth American
ferns that can be supplied by our nursery firms.
"Who has full collections ?

Clover in Orchards.— J. L. M. /., Parkes-
ville, Indiana. "Mr. A. M. Purdy & H. T.
Williams say that you have a more practical
and scientific knowledge of plants than any man
in North America, or words implying as much.
Now then, I will give conditions, then a ques-
tion. I planted an orchard of six acres in the
fall of '70, I sub-soiled it twice in '69 and '70 to
the depth of 18 to 22 inches. It is tiled from 2^ to
3 feet every 35 feet. The land is rather a clayey,
hough nearly a loam soil. It has a southern
and eastern slope. I laid out this land in quin-
cunx style of 33 feet. The 1st row I planted
an apple tree every 33 feet, and in between the
apple a standard pear. The 2nd row, every 33
feet, an apple and standard cherry, and so on
through the entire ground. Again in the mid-
dle, between each apple tree row, I planted
vines 7i by 16i feet through the entire ground.
I have cultivated this orchard in root crops three
years in October next, —when I say cultivate I
mean cultivate. I prune in March and July of
each year. The trees are truly large for their
age. The grape vines in spring I will train in hori-
zontal arm style. Now, sir, one question. I
want in the spring to sow red clover on the

ground, and mulch the trees and vines the entire
surface. Ought I, or dare I, to do so without
injury to trees and vines ? I know what other
wi'iters and horticulturists say. I want to
know what you say individually.

[With pleasure we would answer inquiries
" individually,'' but life is not long enough for
such a task if we were to undertake it. Any
question that is likely to interest others as well
as the writer, and most are, we will cheerfully
answer in the Oardener''s Monthly. Such inqui-
ries are always welcome.

In the case in hand there will be no objections
whatever to sowing the orchard in clover, pro-
vided it be remembered that clover requires ma-
nure as well as root crops. There is no need to
mulch the trees. Cut the clover when it is fit to
cut. Make hay of it and turn it into money ;
and with part of the money buy manure and put
heavil}' under the trees every year as far as the
young roots are likely to extend ; and once a
3^ear give the clover a light dressing of some fer-
tilizing material.

The trees are now growing nicely. Keep
them growing b}'^ nice rich surface dressing.
We often hear of trees in the West growing too
vigorously, and thus becoming injured by " grow-
ing tou late in the fall.'' But this is only where
the surface roots are injured. When the feeding
roots are at the surface, they know when the
seasons change, which they cannot do when.
deep down. They know when to stop work ;
and such roots can never be over fed. When
roots are thus surface fed, even manure heaps
piled up under fruit trees will be appreciated by
the tree rather than objected to, even in the rich-
est western soil.]

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, ETC

Catalogues of Ellwanqbr & Barry,
Rochester, N. Y. — We have before us a com-
plete set of these catalogues bound in one neat
cover. We have always been proud of the
catalogues of our American nursery and seeds-
men. They compare favorably with the best of
Europe. If such as these had been sent to the
Vienna Exposition, they would have done Ameri-
ca credit. We hope the hints will not be lost
sight of for the American Centennial.

Eighth Annual Report of the State
Board of Agriculture of Missouri— From
John F. AVilandy, Cor. Secretary.— Several of
our States have State Boards or departments of
agriculture, and all of these publish annual re-
ports ; but few come to our table that are so
carefully and instructive!}' compiled as this. It
affords a careful view of the agricultural pros-
perity, and commercial progres.", on which agri-
culture so much depend of the State, and must

187S.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOMTRLY.

318

be of great use to all those who propose to settle
within her borders. Attached to the volume is
the 5th report of the State Entomologist, Prof. C.
V. lliley, to which we have already referred in
a former number.

Catalogues of Messrs. T. C. Maxwell
& Bro., of Geneva, N. Y.— Our nurserymen's
cataloi,'ues are all so much alike, and all gener-
ally so excellent, that it is difficult to single out
any one as having special features. This is one of
these very superior publications. On looking
through it, however, we find that the beautiful
golden arborvitse, — which these gentlemen have
advertised as " Geo. Peabody," and which many
of us have now growing and admiring as Geo.
Peabody, is not to be Geo. Peabody, simply be-

cause somebody in England will not have it so.
We are commanded henceforth to call it Thuja
Occidentalis lutea. ISTot if we know it. The same
"authorities" made, or rather vainly tried to
make, EUwanger & Barry call their plant some-
thing else besides " Tom Thumb ; " and we trust
Maxwell & Co. will show a similar commenda-
ble spirit. , We shall sustain them in their right
to name their own wares. As to the Latin
name, besides the absurdity of Latinizing gar-
den varieties, and the horrid length of this one,
the name will lead to confusion, as Burrows &
Wood and others have golden varieties, which
are as much " luteous " as this one is. Stick to
your name, Messrs. Maxwell. We are quite sure
the intelligent English horticultural journals
will sustain you.

NEW AND KAHE PRUITS.

Caroon Cherry.— Jfr. Elliot says : "It is
hardly worth while for an old snubbed fellow
like me to touch anything, but when you in
j^our list of new and rare fruits touched the ca-
roon cherry, I have to say that my remark in the
A. P. S. foot notes comes in upon you, for it is
well known by all pomologists, that it is only
the old Black Heart, or again possibly a simple
Black Mazzard. More likely your Bucks Coun-
ty Intelligencer'' s knowledge is made up of Amer.
Heart, when he says 'white and pink,' but
again he may have the old Bigurreau."

[We are always very glad to have any facts
from any quarter, and they are always very
welcome from Mr. Elliott, who has had more
opportunities than have fallen to many of us to
get horticultural knowledge, and who has well
improved those opportunities. We have never
"snubbed" his knowledge, but admire it ; but
we have objected to what seemed to us his
"snubbing" of other people's knowledge. We
are quite sure this is done thoughtlessly, and
without his duly weighing the force of his lan-
guage ; and thus, though we were the first to
comment on his injudicious "foot notes," when
we were reviewing the published proceedings of
the Richmond meeting, we have not joined in
the recent crusade against him for these very
foot notes, because we believe it possible for the
best of us to make these thoughtless and un-

guarded mistakes. We want Mr. Elliott's
knowledge, and if we cannot have it without his
weaknesses, are very willing to have it with
them ; just as we have it now.

We found in the Bucks County Intelligencer, a
paragraph to the effect that a first-class cherry
was growu about Doylestown, and that it was
known as the Caroon. It was very evident from
the description, that this was not the Caroon
of our accepted pomology, and it was well worth
while calling public attention to it. Thus we
published the paragraph without comment, as
we often do others under similar circumstances.
If for this, we "come under his foot notes"
which say that editors of magazines know noth-
ing of fruits, we presume Mr. Elliot himself
comes under them also, for his note shows that
he does not know any more than we do, what
cherry it is that these good Doylestown people
call Caroon. It "may be" the Biggareau, but
" may be " is not horticultural knowledge.

As we are on the subject of the Caroon, let us
say that we think our horticultural writers are
at fault in identifying it with the Mazzard.
What is the Mazzard cherry? Downing, and
we believe all other writers, identify it with the
"Merry'' of the English gardens. This is a
small black cherry not as large as the Black
Heart, with a rather small stone, and very full
black juicy flesh. The true Mazzard is simply

SL4

TEE GARDEJ^'ER'S MOJ^THLY, October,

the cherry which has for ages ran wild in the
woods of France and the continent of Europe,
and which are degenerate wildHngs of the origi-
nal Asiatic introductions. These are of all
classes of fruit, and many of them as far re-
moved from the cultivated '' Merry " of English
gardens, as the Merry is from the Cleveland
Biggareau. Some of them are nothing but
stone with a thin red skin drawn over them,
others are red, black, white or pulpy, as good or
some even better than the "Merry." These
wild fruits have long been popular in France for
stocks on which to work the named garden kinds ;
and we suppose because they were thus used, are
called Mazzard by the English, as the last s at
least in the French mas.se would have the z sound,
and the word would readily be corrupted (as so
many others have been similarily) to Mazzard ;
that is stocks. We have never met with any ex-
planation of the term, but suppose this is right ;
and if so, the identity of the Mazzard with the
Merry and the Caroon, is broken up.

We do not know personally the Caroon.
Never saw a tree so named by authority ; but
suppose that caroon— from the crow black color
—might properly belong to the " Merry " of the
English ; although the term Mazzard does not.

If th s explanation still leaves us " undsr those
foot notes," perhaps Mr. E. will give us some
better light by which we may get out.

Since writing the above, we have the following
from another correspondent — which not only
gives us some information as to what this Penn-
sylvania Caroon is, but also some hints about
the Napoleon Biggareau, which we had sup-
posed named for another Napoleon :]

"Seeipg a notice in GctrcJcner^s Monthly in re-
gard to the Caroon Cherry, I will state T have
known the trees for several 5'ears, and that I
think is the Napoleon Biggareau of ' Downing's '
fruit and fruit trees of America.

I was informed by a nurseryman, formerly of
Trenton, New Jersey, that the above cherry was
disseminated from the Bonaparte place, at Bor-
dentown. New Jersey, and that it was the same
as the Caroon. It rots very badly if the weather
is dull at the time of ripening. Would prefer
the Elton, which ripens a few days sooner.

Ira J. Blackwell."

TitusviUe, JH. J.

mens of the Chambers pear, which I trust will
reach you just ready to eat, instead as of last
year, reach you just in a condition to be thrown
away. These specimens hardly give this va-
riet}' credit, but you can form an idea of what it
is when we have a good season."

[These were re-mailed, and reached us in
Denver— not in the best condition after so long
a journey— but in sufficient good order to enable
us to testify to their good character.]

Chambers Pear —Mr. W. M. Cox, Anchor-
age, Ky., writes: "On yesterday evening I
forwarded you by express a small box of speci-

Hybrid Easpberries.— 5(/ Mr. W. Saun-
ders, London, Ontario, Canada. — In the last
report of the Fruit Growers' Association of On-
tario—of which I believe I sent you a copy — you
will find a paper of mine, giving details of my
experiments in hybridizing. Among other hy-
brids you will find reference made to twenty-
nine plants of a cross between Doolittle Black
Cap female, and the Philadelphia Kaspberry
male. The seed of this cross germinated two
years agot his spring, and most of them are now
fruiting.

I send 3^ou hj mail samples of the fruit of the
first one to ripen, which I think shows un-
doubted evidence of the blood of both parents.
In habit and manner of growth all these seed-
lings i-esemble the Black Cap, and they root
from the tips, although not so readily as the
Black Cap. The foliage shows some resemblance
to that of the Philadelphia. The fruits of these
seedlings will vary much in their period of ripen-
ing : some of them are not more than half
grown. The fruit is of a dark red color, and
seems to me, without doubt, to blend the flavor
of the raspberry with that of the Black Cap. If
you examine the receptacle on which the fruit
sets, you will see that it is intermediate in form
between that of the Black Cap and Red Rasp-
berry.

I regard this Red Cap as in every way a very in-
teresting addition to our fruits. I think the plant
from which I send you these specimens, is quite
as prolific as any of the Black Caps. If you
wish I will send you samples of some of the later
varieties as thej^ ripen.

Please let me know how the specimens reach
you, and what you think of the fruit.

[The frtiit referred to reached us while in the
West, and was not in condition to be re-mailed
to the editor, as instructions were left when any-
thing of interest arrived during his absence.

The experiment of Mr. Saunders has an intel-
lectual interest, beyond the good which may re-

187S.

TEE GARBEJYER'S MOKTRLY,

815

suit to practical horticulture, and we should be
glad to know more iu future.]

Early Beatrice Peach.— Mr. WaUon of
Brenham, Texas, says : You ask in the Monthly
what people hnoiv about Early Beatrice Peach.
I had some young trees fruit this season, and it
proves good with me ; first ripe May 19th. I
think it very valuable as a market fruit. Will
ship well. Is fine in quality and very pretty.

Early Beatrice and Lord Palmerston
Peaches — The Early Beatrice Peach is bear-
ing heavy crops of medium sized fruit, and is, per-
haps, the earliest peach we have in cultivation,
being three or four weeks in advance of the Early
York, and specially interesting on account of
its haviug been obtained from a stone of River's
White Nectarine. Early Louise, another seed-
ling, is but a day or two later than the last,
and ripens in an orchard house about the 14th
of July. One of the finest of all the seedling
peaches that have been raised at Sawbridge-
worth, is Lord Palraerston, which is perhaps the
largest-fruited and finest peach for exhibition
purposes ever added to our collection. Two
small standards of it in 11-inch pots are now
ripening Iwavy crops, one of the fruits of which
was gathered while we were present weighed
11 ozs. The flovvers of this variety are large and
handsome, and the foliage is furnished with
prominent round glands- a section not so liable
to be affected with mildew as such as have
glands of other forms It is a seedling from the
Princess of Wales (Rivers), and ripens naturally
about the middle or latter end of September. It
is a free-stone variety with a slight tendenc}' to
cling on the shady side unless thoroughly ripe,

and it has firm, though luscious, melting flesh,
very rich and juicy. Though a seedling raised
at Sawbridgeworth, in size and beauty it resem-
bles its grand parent, the monstrous Pavie of
Pompone. The skin is of a creamy- white tinged
with rosy-pink on the sunny side, and irregularly
streaked with crimson. Many hundred seedling
Peaches and Nectarines are annually raised here,
and often' fruit the second or third year from
seed. The pedigree of all promising varieties is
carefully preserved. — The Garden.

Alexander Peach. — Erom a little memor-
anda made at the time, I find the first " Alexan-
der '' was eaten July 18, and the last July 26.
The first "Hale" (windfall) August 2, but no
fairly ripened sound peach of that variety, such
as would serve for a fair test of comparison with
the others, was obtained until a week later.
The fairest statement I can make of the time
of ripening for each is July 20 for " Alexander,"
and August 10 for the ^'Hale."— [C. A. Alex-
ander, in Capps' Journal of Horticulture.

We give the complete history of this variety
originating at Mt. Pulaski, Logan Co., Ills., be-
cause we regard this, if not the result of prema-
ture diseased ripening, the most valuable addi-
tion that has been made to our list of peaches
since Hale's Early. We see no reason why the
season of the peach should not be made as early
as that of the apricot, and hope this new variety
will be an important step in that direction.
The entire failure of the peach crop this year
will prevent a second test before 1874 ; and even
the propagating of the variety has been much
hindered by the unfavorable season. — Prairie
Farmer.

Rhus Osbeckii-Is the name of the Japanese
tree referred to by a correspondent : '' M}' atten-
tion was attracted yesterday while visiting Anda-
lusia, on the Delaware, to a tree in full bloom,
which none of the family, or any one in the
vicinity knew the name. Col. Chas I. Biddle,
while a member of Congress in 1860, brought
from the Agricultural Dtpartment a small root.
The tree is now about 18 feet high, head round.

NEW AND EAllE PLAINTS.

and closely covered with flowers, presenting a
very beautiful appearance. AVill you please give
me the 'name,' as I stated to the family that
if any one could do so you would be the proper
person."

i Godetia Dunnettil— The class of plants to
} which the common evening Primrose belongs
; [CEnothera viennis] affords numerous handsome

316

THE GARDEJ\rER'S MOJfTELY. October,

species which are among tlie most valued of our
garden plants. In the Eastern States we have
scarcely a dozen good species, but in the far
west and along the line of the Pacific southward
they increase to such an extent as to be num-
bered by the hundred.

The genus has been divided by some botanists
and GoclHia is little more than a subdivision of
CEnothera ; one of the earliest and best known of
these is Godetia ruhicunda, and this still remains
among the best for ornamental purposes. Gr.
Whitney, introduced some half a dozen years
since, is an improvement on the old form, possi-
bly a good species, and now we have a Garden
Variety of CE. rubicunda raised in England and

A New Species of Rose— J2osa Bugosa Be-
geliana. — We must beg our readers who may
feel interested in the accuracy of botanic nomen-
clature to turn back to a description given by us
some twelve months ago of a fine rose figured
and described under the name of Bosa Begeliana
[lUust. Hort., 1871, plate 1.)

The plant in question was forwarded to M*
Linden unnamed. It came from Japan, where
it had been collected by M. Maximowicz. De-
prived by the war of the assistance of our foreign
correspondents, and without a library at hand
for reference, we were fain to rely on the opinion
of a friend, who, after an examination of some
fine dried specimens with blooms, pronounced it

[godetia dunnettii.]

named CE. Dunnettii., which is at least equal to
any raised in the size of its flower, and general
good habit, and of which we give with this a
sketch. The color is rosy lilac, and the crimson
blotch, so prominent in O. rubicunda is particu-
larly prominent in this.

Its parent is a hardy Californian annual, and
this improvement, like all the hardy annuals,
, should be sown early in 8pring, in order to have
the best results from them.

to be a new species. B. Begeliana was accord-
ingly given to the public forthwith.

But, very shortly afterwards, a skillful botan-
ist, well up in roses, M. Crepin, sent word to us,
through M. Linden, that our new rose was very
probably B. rugosa of Thunberg, adding that
this species was common in England, where it
was known as the " hedgehog" r@se. We accord-
ingly lost no time in acknowledging the receipt
of the communication, and promised to institute

187S.

THE GARDEJ\rER'S MOJVTHLY,

317

inquiries into the matter and to publish the
results. This promise we now redeem.

The explanation, put forward voluntarily and
in all good faith, nevertheless failed to satisfy
certain of the saialler fry of the profession, who,
to push their catalogues, scruple not to bespat-
ter friends as well as foes ; narrow-minded, short-
sighted, begrudging mortals, the chief products
of whose gardens are " cares and an abundance
of sour apples," to paraphrase the words of
Kabelais.

These gentry at once decided that our rose
was an old subject brought out intentionally
under a fresh name.

And now for the/acis elicited by our inquiries.
The rose described by us is not B. rugosa de-
scribed by Thunberg and Siebold, and intro-
duced in Europe some time since, although
apparently it belongs to the same family, which
has been cultivated in Japan from time imme-
morial, and includes numerous garden varieties.
The greater part of these varieties are of higher
stature than ours, with more erect port, exceed
ing four or five feet in height, in place of two o
three feet at most, with double flowers, some
times of a red or purplish color, but most often
white. Specimens of the plant were imported a
good while ago, and some of them are still in
cultivation ; we have seen several, notably a
very fine one in the Paris Museum. As regards
our inquiries in England, we have been unable
to learn anything of the " hedgehog rose," which
must have sprung up in our critic's brain.

According to Siebold and Zuccarini {Flora
Japonica, vol. xxviii. p. 66,) the plant is called
in Japan Haraa-nasi^ literally, "the waterside
pear," in allusion to its pyriform fruit. Buuge i
says that it grows on sandy soils on the banks |
of streams, and that he has seen it cultivated in |
the Korth of China. Very probably the roses j
admired by La. Peyrouse on the coast of Tar-
tary belonged to this species, which may well be
closely related to, or, as Siebold supposes, iden-
tical with, B. kamschatica. In China it has
been grown since the days of the Sung (?) dy-
nasty, A. D. 1100 ; and the ladies of the Imperial
Court are said to make a choice iM-pourri of its
petals intermixed with musk and camphor.

We have said that our rose is not that intro-
duced in Europe some time since under the
name B. rugosa. Now let us see whether it
corresponds with the type so minutely described
by Siebold and Zuccarini in Flora Japonica. In
place of a long dissertation, we prefer to show

the differences subsisting between the described
type and the specimen before us, in a tabular
form.

R. RuaosA. Thunberg. R. Reoeliana. Linden & Andre.

Plant uadercultivaMoa4 to5 ft. Plant 2 to 3 ft. in height aiwosi,

in height with erect port. half rambling.

Leaflets mostly with 7 to 9 /<3?i- Leaflets with at most 5 to 7

oles. foliotes on all specimens ex-
amined.

Stipules very entire or obscure- Stipules glaucescent beneath

ly serrated. and irregularly dentate.

Tlowers solitary. Flowers numerous, in magnifi-
cent terminal corymbs on

Peduncles unarmed, or with vigorous branchlets.

prickles on lower portions Peduncles VTith numerous

only, pilose with pubescent prickles on every part, and

pointed bracts. glaucescent dentate brscts.

Calyx with 5 sj^eading, pub- Calyx with 5, 6, 8 reflexed,

e-scent, upright sepals com- shining, prickly sepals, not

pressing the fruit when ripe. inclining upwards or com-

Corolla red, often white in culti- pressing the fruit,

vated specimens. Corolla poppy-red.

We consider it needless to insist upon differ-
ences so obvious : the reader will have already
formed his own conclusions. We pass over
other characteristics described in minute detail
in the Flora Japonica, as these would necessi-
tate a fresh comparison, and in reality are not
essential to the determination of the point at
issue.

If it be admitted that there are differences
between the above descriptions, our species ought
to stand good. We ourselves have no doubt
about the matter. Still, we believe, as we have
observed above, that our plant belongs to the
rugosa type, although it differs therefrom, just
as we find cultivated varieties of other roses
changing their characteristics without leaving
any room for doubt as to their true origin.

Yery certainly the plant brought over by M.
Maximowicz, if not a hybrid, is a variety
(whether natural or artificial we cannot say) of
Thunberg's species ; and we do> not hesitate to
repeat what we have before asserted— that it is
a very beautiful plant, which well deserves to be
more widely known and distributed.

This choice and distinctive variety should
therefore, as it seems to us, be hereafter known
definitely under the name of Bosa rugosa Begeli-
ana —Ed. Andre, in Illust. Ilort.

[We are rather astonished that Mr. Andre
should not " be able to learn anything of the
hedgehog'' rose in England. One was well
known there thirty years ago, and this one was
B. Kamschatica. This rose by the way is well
worthy of the attention of American cultivators,
for the great richness of the large rosy petals,
and for the delicious fragrance of the flowers,
much sweeter than any rose we know. The
genuine liosa cinnamomea of the Rocky moun-
tains not excepted.— ED. G. 3i.]

318

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTELY.

October,

HORTICULTUML NOTICES.

AMERICAN" POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. |
The meeting of the American Poraological
Society this season in Boston, was in some re-
spects an event long to be remembered by those
who participated. The regular business accom-
plished was not wholly as full as was expected ;
but on the other hand, this being a quarter cen-
tennial, it was expected that much more time
would be given to social enjoyment than usual,
and in these high expectations the members
were by no means disappointed.

As the guests of the Massachusetts Horticul-
tural Society, the Hall was given to the Pomo-
logical Society for its fruit coUecnon ; and the
meeting was opened by an address of welcome
from President W. C. Strong, and responded to
by President Wilder. The President's address
we shall give in full.

In the election of officers there was some feel-
ing in regard to the Secretaryship. Mr. Elliott
announced that he positively and absolutely de-
clined a re-nomination. Mr. E. had acted inju-
diciously on several occasions, and it was felt by
a number of good men who wished well to the
Society, that these slips ought not to pass by
unrebuked. Ou the other hand, the earnestness
and industry he had displayed in his office,
earned him friends who were disposed to over-
look his faults. In the large committee on nomi-
nations— one from every State — he came within
one vote of a re-nomination ; and would have
had enough, but for two steadily voting against
him on the ground that his " absolute declina-
tion to serve'' ought to be respected, and who
would otherwise have voted for him. As it was,
Mr. W. C. Elagg was nominated by the commit-
tee, and unanimously elected by the meeting, and
a vote of thanks heartily, and it seemed unani-
mously, accorded to Mr. Elliott for his long ser-
vices. We give these facts in detail because it is
well known the opposition to Mr. Elliott in the
newspapers was very strong, and in many re-
spects deserved. At the same time it is always
pleasant to note that horticulturists, as a rule,
with all their provocations, are generally dis-
posed to err on the side of good feeling, if they
are to err at all. The next place of meeting was
a spirited question ; but the feeling that the great
West was doing so much for pomology prevailed,
and Chicago was selected.

An animated discussion took place on pre-
miums. It was voted that these should never
again be awarded or offiired ; but the Wilder
medal might be given for any meritorious object
that the Society might deem worthy of special
recognition.

Most of the reports of the committees and the
essays, were only read by title. They will ap-
pear in full in the Society's published proceedings.

In a discussion on list of rejected fruits the
wise conclusion was reached : that a balloon
which has no gas would soon drop of its own
accord, and it was useless labor to pull it down.

About one day was taken up in discussing the
fruit catalogue ; but as fruits one year praised
by one " delegate,'' are put down by another the
next ; or perhaps one kicked out of the conven-
tion is politely invited to a seat by another, we
could not take much interest in this debate, and
though we took full notes, we hesitate about
publishing. When, for instance, one delegate
tells us " the N'orthern Spy is a complete failure
in Western New York,' and a Philadelphian
knows that Western Kew York poured into his
market Northern Spy apples by the hundreds of
barrels last winter, and that these were so re-
markably fine that they brought a dollar a barrel
more in many instances than some others, it
seems hardly worth recording such " failures '' as
these. We cannot but think these lists can be
better prepared by local committees, under the
final revision of the General Fruit Committee,
than in '* open meeting '' like this.

The exhibition of fruits in connection with
the meeting, was one of the finest ever seen in
the Union. Kansas and Nebraska made a
magnificent show of apples ; and it was difficult
to decide which was the best, through the Com-
mittee, of which Mr. Dunning was a member,
awarded the premium to Nebraska.

The following are the leading premiums :

Pears. — State or society cellection, 1st pre-
mium, Cambridge Horticultural Society of Mas-
sachusetts ; 2d premium, Connecticut Horticult-
ural Society ; individual collection, 1st premium
to EUwanger & Barry ; 2d premium, Hovey & Co.

Grapes —State or society collection, 1st ])re-
miura, Ontario Fruit Growers' Association ; 2d
premium, South Haven Pomological Society of
Michigan ; individual collection, 1st premium,

187S.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTHLY.

S19

J. H. Rickets, Newburg, N. Y.; 2d premium,
Hoag & Clark, Lockport, N. Y. For best collec-
tion of grapes growa west of the Rocky Moun-
tains, 1st premium, James Rutteu, Floren, Cal.
Best collection grown under glass, 1st premium,
George B. Durfee, Fall River, Mass.

Peaches. — State or society collection. 1st pre-
mium, Central Delaware Fruit Growers' Asso-
ciation ; 2d, Ontario Fruit Growers' Association,
Canada. Individual collection, 1st, David F.
Myers, Delaware,

Plums. — State or society collection, 1st pre-
mium, Ontario Fruit Growers' Association ; 2d,
Deseret Agricultural Association of Utah. In-
dividual, 1st, C. H. Greenman, Milton, Wis ;
2d, G. P. Peffer, Pewaukee, Wis.

And the Committee on special premiums on
meritorious objects, not provided for in the regu-
lar awards, recommended silver medals to the
Fruit Committee of the State of Vermont, per
D. Bryant, to Fruit Growers' Society of Onta-
rio—the grapes here were particularly admired ;
Mr. Clapp for the effort to improve the pear, as
evidenced by a large collection exhibited, and
others for a splendid dish of the Clapp' s Favor-
ite ; to Mr. Ricketts for a similar effort on grapes
— fifty seedlings of good quality being presented ;
Polk County Association and Horticultural So-
ciety of Iowa for collection of fruits ; South
Haven Pomologtcal and Horticultural Society
for collection of fruits ; Geo. B. Burfee, Fall
River, Mass. for a large collection of foreign
grapes ; the Deseret Agricultural Society of
Salt Lake City, a bronze medal. A large num-
ber of these arrived in poor condition, and were
not exhibited, or might have compared with
some of the best. There were many others which
are honorably mentioned in Committees' report.

Among the newer fruits exhibited, there
seemed none which would, with certainty, hold
their own in the struggle with hosts already
known ; in the grape lots, however, were some
of great promise. Stephen Hoyt had a very
premising one ; as also had H. E. Hooker ;
\rhile there were several in the lot exhibited by
Mr. Ricketts.

The .exhibition of the Horticultural Society
was charming. We have never seen anywhere
so much correct taste displayed in arranging the
cut flowers, in this respect leaving N'ew York or
Philadelphia far behind ; but we must defer a
more critical notice of this till our next number.
The proceedings wound up by an elegant banquet,
which will be remembered by those who partici-

pated. Here Mr. Wilder made one of the most
beautiful addresses he ever gave — so beautiful,
that by special request of some who heard it, we
cheerfully give place to one of the most telling
portions. It was in reply to Mr. Strong's ad-
dress of welcome :

You have been pleased to allude to me in con-
nection with Horticulture as well as Pomology.
Well, sir, let me say that, from my earliest years,
I cannot remember the time when I did not
love the cultivation of the soil, and the more I
am brought into communion with nature, the
more am I filled with gratitude to the Giver of
all good, that He gave me a love for fruits and
flowers, and cast my lot where I might enjoy
them, and have sweet intercourse with these
lovely objects of creation. And who does not
look with wonder and admiration on the infini-
tude, beauty and perfection of these works of the
Hand Divine — the enameled blossom bespang-
ling the orchard with starry spray scarcely less
numerous than the glittering hosts above, danc-
ing in rainbow hues and flinging on the breeze a
fragrance richer than Ceylon's isles, sweet har-
binger of bountiful harvest ? The luscious fruits,
God's best gift to man, save woman — the velvet
peach, mantled with beauty's softest blush, and
vieing with the oriency of the morning ; the de-
licious plum, veiled with silvery bloom over
robes of purple or cloth of vegetable gold ; the
royal grape, the brilliant cherry, the melting
pear and the burnished apple, tempting human
taste from the mother of our race to her last fair
daughter. But what pencil can sketch the
changing hues, the magnificence and glory when
Pomona pours from her ever flowing lap the
varied treasures of the ripening year. Here are
creations originally pronounced very good. Here
are beauties which fade only to reappear again.
From the beginning there seems to have been an
intimate connection between trees and man.
Trees are spoken of as though man could not
live without them, as though Divine Beneficence
had given them to us as companions for life, and
as emblems of all that is beautiful in imagery,
excellent in character, or hopeful in destiny.
Our trees — from the opening bud to the golden
harvest— from the laying ©ff of their autumnal
livery, and during their rest in winter's shroud,
waiting a resurrection to a new and superior
life -are all eloquent preachers, proclaiming to
our inmost soul, " The hand that made us is Di-
vine." God gave us trees adorned with inimi-
table beauty, pleasant to the sight and good for

320

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTELJ.

October,

food. He gave us also a natural and instinctive
love for them. Witness the love of Abraham de-
siring to have all the trees that were in the field,
and on the border round about— of Rosseau long-
ing to be laid under his own sequestered tree — of
Temple directing that his heart should be bu-
ried beneath the tree of his own planting— of
Washington returning to the cherished groves
of Mount Vernon— of Webster reclining in life.
and sleeping in death under the umbrageous
elms of Marshfleld — of our own Downing, whose
genius lives in trees which adorn many a lovely
landscape, many a beautiful garden, and many a
fruitful orchard in our land. But, Mr. Presi-
dent, I must not prolong this train of thought.
Permit me again to thank you, Mr. President,
for the numerous courtesies and hospitalities
which have been received at your hands, and
those of our fellow-citizens, and especially for
the pleasures of this occasion, and the brilliant
assemblage with which you have surrounded us.

PENNA. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Never since its organization has this Society
held so successful a meeting as the one on the
17, 18, and 19 of the past month in Philadelphia.

The number of separate exhibitors was very
heavy, and the quality of the fruits, flowers, and
vegetables, much better than the average. The
number of visitors to the Hall from the city was
at least as great as it has ever been ; but the
most pleasant feature of the occasion, was the
large number of amateur and commercial horti-
culturists from all parts of the Union. In this
respect the meeting was a much greater success
than ever before ; and the officers have the satis-
faction of knowing that the influence which they
have so long been instrumental in extending
over gardening taste in Philadelphia, is slowly
flowing over the whole land. At this late date
we cannot give any further account now, but
B&ay attempt a sketch of the salient points in

our next.

«•■•» ■

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES.

At the September 9th meeting of the Philadel-
phia Academy of Natural Sciences, among the
distinguished visitoi-s present were Prof. C. Y.
Riley of St. Louis, and Dr. J. E. Planchon, pro-
fessor of botany at Montpeliier in France, the
latter of whom is now in this country under
authority of the French Government, to investi-
gate our grape diseases. By invitation of the
President, Dr. Ruschenber, Prof. Riley gave

an account of the Phyllaxera or grape vine root-
louse, with his most recent discoveries in regard
to the same. He had little doubt but the insect
was at the root of most diseases that attack the
grape in this country, as it was certainly in
Europe. Prof Leidy inquired of Mr. Riley the
true position of the insect in scientific classifica-
tion ; Prof. Riley replied that it was not yet
well settled. Its appearance brought it some-
where near the aphids, but it did not have suc-
cessive broods from one impregnation ; aphids
did. In this respect it approaches coccus. He
thought it between the two families.

Prof Planchon described the ravages of the
insect on the scrape-roots in France, and thought
them less destructive on the roots of American
species of grapes than the European ; and one of
the objects of his mission was to ascertain this
fact definitely, so that in Europe some American
vines might be used as stocks for their vine-
yards.

It was clear from the fact, that the European
vines had been but recently attacked by it, and
had suffered so severely from it ; while in America
— the home of the insect — the wild vines had
done tolerably well for so many ages, that the
vitis vinifera with it was more of a favorite.
He excused himself from any lengthy remarks
on account of his limited English, and would
briefly say, that he agreed entirely with Prof.
Riley's views regarding it.

Mr. Thomas Meehan gave a history of grape-
culture and grape-diseases in Pennsylvania from
the earliest time to the present, and showed that
the failures had never been satisfactorily ex-
plained on any theory sometimes given, such as
change of climate, or depletion of the soil.
There were always some facts or figures which
rendered every previous theory inadmissible to
his mind, as he had frequently stated in other
places. Prof Riley's insect discovery, however,
met all the requirements of the case, so as to
I give an air of possibility to Mr. Riley's views,
such as no other theory has possessed. That
when we saw the foreign grape and others which
often did perfectly well for years in one locality,
and then failed, it seemed absurd to suppose that
the climate or soil suddenly gave out; butasudden
incursion of a brood of root-iusects was a cause
that could have such a sudden eftect.

Dr. Joseph Carson gave an account of vines in
a city garden, doing well for several years, and
! then suddenly failing, while climatic changes
' must have remained unchanged. He was satis-
I fied, from many circumstances, that failure,
' whatever it was, proceeded in the first place
through imperfect roots.

DEVOTED TO

Hortioultitre, Arboriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs,

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.
Old Series, Vol. XV. J^OVEMBER, 1873. New Series. Vol. VI. No. 11.

HINTS EOR NOYEMBEE.

FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

As soon as the ground gets caked with the first
real frost, herbaceous plants should be protected.
Though hardy, they will repay this extra care, —
mostly natives of woods or grassy places in their
native state, they expect a covering of leaves or
dry grass. We find dry leaves the best material
for the purpose, a few inches is a sufficient depth,
— a little soil being thrown on to prevent the
leaves blowing away. Where such material is
not at hand, the common garden soil may be
drawn over them, as before recommended in
these pages.

One of the worst materials for production, es-
pecially about half-hardy evergreens, is fresh
stable manure, saturated with ammoniacal salts,
one might as well have dogs innumerable about
them, which every one knows to his sorrow is
misery to an evergreen.

In the culture of herbaceous plants it is well
to remember that generally a part dies every
year. They seldom come up in exactly the same
place every year, but a bud or runner pushes out
and the old part dies. Though all herbaceous
plants move in some such manner, they do not
all go directly under ground, but make bunchy
stocks just above ground. In their native places
of growth they manage to get covered with de-
caying leaves from the woods or shifting sands
on the plains, but in cultivation nothing of this
kind can be naturally accomplished, and unless
art comes to aid the plant they soon die away.
An Auricula, a Primrose, or a Carnation is a
good illustration of this. In the two former a
new orown is formed on the top of the old one,

and as the lower parts in time die away, unless
new earth is drawn up, success with such flow-
ers will not be great. The best plan is to take
up and replant every few years, or cover the
running parts above ground with earth, so that
they may have a chance to get new roots from
the advancing stocks. This is noticed here at
this season to show that earth is the natural
covering for herbaceous plants, and therefore one
of the surest ways of preserving them safe through
winter is to draw earth over them. In the spring
they can be unearthed and then divided and
set a trifle deeper than before, which is all they
want. We are often asked how to preserve Car-
nations, Chrysanthemums, Pansies, Phloxes,
Hollyhocks and so forth, safe till spring. The
principles here laid down will explain the prac-
tice.

There is some danger of Pampas Grass rot-
ting by moisture getting down in the hollow of
the leaves into the heart of the stem. A friend
tell us he guards against this by burning off the
old leaves of the Pampas before putting the
dry leaf covering on.

One of the last thought of things, too frequent-
ly, is to apply manure to flower beds. But it is
scarcely less essential to a fine summer display,
than it is to the production of fine vegetables ;
and certainly as necessary as to trees, or the
lavvn. Still it should be applied with caution.
While a poor soil will only grow plants to a di-
minutive miniature size, which, though clothed
with a profusion of small, starved-looking blos-
soms, make to show ; a soil over rich will cause
too great a luxuriance of foliage, which is always
opposed to an abundance of bloom. In most

32%

TEE GABBEJ^ER'S MOJS'TELl. J\''ovemher,

cases we prefer half-decayed leaves — where these
could not be had we would use stable manure.
The former spread over the soil two inches thick,
or the latter one inch, would form a dressing
which, in ordinary cases, should last two or
three years. It is difficult to get flowers to do
well in even the most favorable soil, if it is liable
to hold water to stagnation in winter. "Where
flower-gardens or beds exist under such circum-
stances, advantage should be taken of the pres-
ent season to have it thoroughly underdraiued
It will be more beneficial in the end than the
most judicious manuring; it is indeed in itself a
powerful means of ferlilizing the soil. Where
circumstances render the draining of such places
inconvenient, a temporary advantage can be
gained by digging up the soil at this season very
roughly, so as to expose as much as possible to
the action of the fr^st. This is at best but put-
ting a "patch on an old garment— an apology for
the want of means to do better.

Most of the tender plants that we desire to
preserve over the season, have now been lifted
from the borders, and removed to winter qimi'-
ters, — and in a few weeks the beds will present
a rough and forsaken appearance. It is too
often the practice to leave the borders just in
this neglected condition till spring-time returns.
But the person of true taste finishes up the beds,
and makes all tidy. In the abiseuce of summer
Oowers, even order pleases.

As soon as the first white frost has awakened
Dahlia leaves, the stems should be cut back to a
few inches of the ground, the label securely
fastened, and the root placed away in a cool
p^ace secure from frost till next 3klarch, when it
should be "sprouted,"' divided and again set
out. Madeira vines tigridias, gladiolus, tube-
roses, &c., require the same attention.

FRUIT GARDEX.

So much has been said in this journal on the
proper preparation of the soil for orchards, that
it need not now be repeated. We should only
say, that a light dryish soil is the best to choose
for the Peach. The Pear does best on a strong
loamy soil. Plums much the same as the last.
The Apple prefers a heavy loam, if on limestone
80 much the better. The Cherry does well in
soil adapted to the Peach

If, however, a fruit orchard is dry and prop-
erly top dressed annually, there is not much dif-

ference in the value of soils for fruit orchard.
With rich decaying vegetable matter abundantly
supplied to the trees, they will do well enough in
most kind of soil.

Whatever pruning trees may require, is best
done early if one have the time. Oa this ac-
count, however, it is generally deferred to to-
wards spring when there is more leisure.

Apples, Quinces and Plums, should be exam-
ined bef )re frost sets in, and if any borers have
effected a lodgment, a jack-knife and strong
piece of wire are all the implements necessary ;
a man will go over several hundred trees a day.
It is a cheap way of preserving trees. If many
of the remedies proposed by correspondents in
our paper, have been tried and found effectual,
such as tobacco stems, «S;c., there will be few
borers to deal with in the examination. After
getting out the borers, a piece of any kii|d of
pnper lapped around the collar of the tree«, and
the paper gas-tarred, will keep out all future
borers, as well as be a safeguard against mice
and rabbits.

Proba'^ly most of our fruits do best in partial
shade. The gooseberr}' and currant certainly do.
The former must have shade ; and if on the
moist northern aspect of a wall, so much the
better. The raspberry prefers a rather moist
soil, and partial shade.

Where currants, gooseberries and raspberries
are not to be disturbed, old low stalks thrown
thickly in about the plants and allowed to
remain and rot away, keep the roots cool, and
makes a condition of things in which these three
kinds of fruit luxuriate.

In cultivating raspberries on a large scale
they do best in hills, as the cultivator keeps
them from crowding each other so much. For
garden culture they are better in rows, the
suckers to be kept hoed out occasionally as they
grow ; enough only being left that will be re-
quired for fruiting next year. Where canes are
required for new plantations, of course a portion
of the crop must be sacrificed to the suckers.

In choosing pears, select those that have been
budded close to the ground, as when they are re-
planted the stocks should be buried an inch
below the pear scion, which prevents the attacks
of the quince borer. If a long stem has to be
buried, the usual consequences of deep plauting
result, and do as much injury as the quince
borer. Also in choosing, select, if possible,
plants that have been i-aised from cuttings ; for
1 lyered stocks have almost always a long deep

1873.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

323

tap looking root, on which dwarf pears do not
do well. If we have to use such dwarf pear trees,
better shorten some of this long trunk root
before planting. Never plant what appears to
be the stem of a tree far beneath the surface
under any circumstances, for disease will be
most probably an ultimate consequence.

\

VEGETABLE GARDEN.

It is little use to attempt to grow vegetables
well, unless the soil is well treated. They may be
and are grown on thin soils, not only at a great
expense for manure, and at a great risk of dying
out in a dry season, and of having the roots rot-
ted out in a wet one. In those parts where the
frost has not yet been severe enough to injure
the celery crop, it may have another earthing up.
Care must be exercised in the operation not to
let the earth get into the hearts of the plants, or
they will be liable to rot. Where the plant has
evidently finished its growth for the season
measures should be taken to preserve it through
the winter. For family use, it is probably as
well to let it stay where it is growing, covering
the soil with leaves, litter or manure, to keep
out the frost, so that it can be taken up as
wanted. Where large quantities are frequently
required, it is better to take it up and put it in a
smaller compass, still protecting it in any way
that may be readily accessible. There are so
many wajs of preserving celery, it is hard to say
which is the best. Besides these two sugges-
tions, one described a few years ago as being in
use in southern Pennsylvania, may be good
where but a few are required.

At this season a barrel is sunk into the ground,
and a little mud made at the bottom. Then the
plants are taken up on a dry day and set thickly
in the barrel, which is then covered. In this
way it keeps clear of frost, and is easily got at
at any time. Another plan, also described in
f)rrmer numbers of the Monthly, is to stock the
celery in a conical manner, so that there is an
incline downwards in each stalk, which will
keep the water from running into the heart.
Earth is put between each layer of stalks, and
the frost kept from the earth. It always keeps
best in the natural soil, where it is cool and moist
and free from frost, and whatever mode of pro-
tection is resorted to, these facts should be kept
in view. Beets, turnips, and other root crops,
will also require protection. They are best di-
vested of their foliage and packed in layers of

sand in a cool cellar. Parsnips are best left in
the soil as long as possible. If any are wanted
for late spring use, they may be left out to freeze
in the soil, and will be much improved thereby;
Cabbage is preserved in a variety of ways. If a
few dozen only, they may be hung up by the
roots in a cool cellar, or buried in the soil, heads
downward, to keep out the rain, or laid on their
sides as thickly as they can be placed, nearly
covered with soil, and then completely covered
with corn stalks, litter, or any protecting mate-
rial. The main object in protecting all these
kinds of vegetables is to prevent their growih by
keeping them as cool as possible, and to prevent
shrivelling by keeping them moist. Cabbage
plants, lettuce, and spinach sown last Septem-
ber, will require a slight protection. This is
usually done by scattering straw loosely over.
The intention is principally to check the fre-
quent thawings, which draw the plants out of
the ground.

In making new vegetable gardens ; a south-
east aspect should be chosen, as far as practica-
ble, Earliness in the crops is a very great de-
sideratum, and such an aspect favors this point
materially. Too great a slope is objectionable,
as inducing to a great run of water in heavy
rains. The pots for the crops should be laid off
in squares or parallelograms, for convenience in
digging, and the edges of the walks set with box
edging. If water can be introduced, it is a great
convenience.

Sometimes broccoli does not head before there
is danger of frosts, especially if growing vigo-
rously. If taken up with smali balls of earth,
and set in a damp cellar, they will still perfect
themselves.

Asparagus beds, after the tops have been
cleared off, are better covered with litter or sta-
ble manure. The plants shoot easier for it next
season.

When the ground becomes frozen, or no other
work olTers, preparation can always be made for
advancing prospective work when it arrives.
Bean-poles may be made ; and if the ends are
charred, and then dipped in coal tar, the com-
monest material will be rendered nearly equal to
the best cedar.

3^Jf

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY. J^ovemher,

COMMUNICATIONS.

RECOLLECTIONS OF PARRAMATTA,

SYDNEY, AND BOTANY BAY,

NEW SOUTH WALES.

BY W. T. HARDING, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE,
COLUMBUS, OHIO.

In the sylvan groves of Australia there are
many Paradisiacal scenes, over which the gentle
goddess, "Fair Flora," spreads her wings, and
lavishly scatters fresh flowers over forest and
field. Exquisite aromas, like heavenly incense,
ascend from her altars, and are lovingly wafted
by her soft pinions as she hovers around.

There is a strange fascination we feel in the
midst of such enchanting Arcadias, which
almost makes us forget we are mortal, while
meandering through the leafy labyrinths. Such
matchless loveliness of landscape often arrests
the enthusiastic traveler's attention. They are
veritable " beauty spots '' on the fair and comely
face of nature, and which could not possibly be
improved by the hand of man, however majesti-
cal his touch. As the Great Architect fashioned
them in primeval times, so they remain — even
now. Bright and beautiful are the pictures still,
only mellowed with the tints of time. In memory,
they will ever remain fresh and green. Nor
will the Master be forgotten, whose divine pencil
so sublimely portrayed on terrestrial canvas,
such celestial scenes.

There is a pleasing refrain in one of Moore's
delightful songs, and which I could almost fancy
I heard again, the "sweet melody, in music's
softest tune," as it seemed to reach through the
silent woodlands.

" And oh ! if there be an Elysium on earth,
It is this, it is this! "

Much as I have seen in "the wide, wide world,"
I am free to admit that Australia presents some
of the most savage and sombre scenes, blended
with the picturesque, the romantic, the flowery,
grand and beautiful, I ever beheld. There is
little sameness, but much variety, in the broad
expansive plains, the illimitable forests, the
flower belted streams, the dense scrub, the open
glades, the impenetrable jungles, the mountain
and moorlands, the deep defiles, the hills and
dales, the mossy ravines, the sandy plains, the
ferny glens, the sunny slopes, the rolling mea-
dows and cultivated lands, where Horticulture

and Agriculture unite, fit emblems of peace and
plenty.

There are but few routes a traveler can take in
any part of the world, more agreeable or delight-
ful, than the one we are following, on our way
to Parramatta and Sydney. The ever varying
scenery as we pass along, seems like unrolling an
immense panorama of the most beautiful land-
scape sketches. Village, hamlet and grange,
succeed each other on the way, and present a
unique picture of " rural felicity '' of the happi-
est type. Well was it said, "God made the
country," where the most romantic-looking
cottages imaginable, embowered in bushes of
beautiful evergreen shrubs and trees, peep out
from behind curtains of Kennedias, Sollyas, Te-
conas, Hardenbergias and Passifloras, most
lovingly. Every style of architecture were to be
seen, and all in good taste, harmonized with the
surroundings. It is doubtful if F. R. Elliott, or
Robert Morris Copeland, the eminent landscap-
ists, — masters of the art of beautifying and
adorning "country life," could have excelled, in
their specialty, their brotherhood of the Anti-
podes. Trees of majestic form overshadowed
sweet flowers of every hue, which emitted their
exquisite perfumes from the cedar-like gardens
around. Rich and rare looking fruit hung temp-
ingly on the trees and vines Heavy bunches of
White Syrian grapes, Malagas, Muscats, and
Black Hamburghs, which would have compared
favorably with Speechly's big bunches, and de-
light the eyes and heart of the good old man, if
he could have seen them. Coming again to the
dividing line, we crossed a little stream in the
valley, whose sinuous windings coursed gently
onwards to the Indian Ocean, while the other
streams flowing westward, run to the Pacific.

Still pushing onwards we passed through seve-
ral deep gorges in the shady valleys ; through
brake and glen, over mountains and meadow-
lands where the shepherd tends his flocks, and the
husbandman tills his soil, and where all seemed
"as happy as the little plow-boy that whistles
o'er the lea." In the distance the Blue Moun-
tains loomed up before us, and the Nepean
River sparkled in the midday sun. Some splen-
did specimens of palms, Corypha australis, with
a number of the peculiar, though beautiful

1873.

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJVTHLY.

SU

I

genus, Pandanus : of which spiralis and pedun-
culata were very handsome. In pendulous
masses of dark green, mingled with heavier and
broader foliage, were some gems of Casuarina's.
An occasional tree fern, Alsophila australis, had
spread their magnificent fronds above the Cho-
rizeraas and Boronias upwards of fifty feet high.
With the exception of the elegant Dicksonias I
saw in New Zealand, I think they were the
most suberb types of cryptogamic beauty I ever
beheld. They are often met with along the
river banks. Also Blandfordia aurea, a large
and showy umbellated plant, bearing a pro-
fusion of bright yellow flowers. Xyris loevis,
another singular plant, resembling a tussock of
rushes densely covered with pretty golden florets.
The latter would be a charming plant for an
aquarium. In the somewhat famous and inter-
esting district of Wagga wagga on the Murrum-
bridge river, Victoria, they grow in great luxuri-
ance. X. altissima especially so, and which fre-
quently attains to from ten to fourteen feet high,
and are generally backed up with the glossy
leaved nettle, Urtica photelnophylla, growing
from thirty to forty feet high. With some pretty
Eloeodendrum integrifolium, I met with for the
first time in I^Tew South Wales, Gela oblongifo-
lia and Spermaxyron stricta, the latter of an
olive-like habit, and some ten feet high. On the
higher grounds saw some beautiful bushes of
Lissanthus strigosus and L. daphnoides, two
very interesting evergreen shrubs, nearly allied
to the Epacris, which they much resemble.
When in bloom, they are literally covered with
pretty white flowers. The colonists use them as
hedge plants, and as they form a dense growth,
are well adapted for such uses. Adjacent were
some pretty clumps of Lomatia silicifolia, and
L. longifolia, the former sprinkled with orange-
colored flowers, and the latter green. Both are
handsome evegreen Protaceous shrubs, and are
highly ornamental in the conservatory.

Journeying onwards from the beautiful Ne-
pean to Pewrith, passed over a sand barren, a
flat and unfertile spot, desolate in the extreme.
Of all living creatures, a " lonely pelican in the
wilderness " was to be seen. I pitied the poor
and wretched-looking bird, as he stood silent,
and solemnly gazing at the bottom of the dried up
water-course. There seemed a melancholy sad-
ness in the expression of his pinched up features,
while meditating on piscatorial delusions, and
speculating on the very doubtful chances of ob-
taining a fugitive minnow.

Leaving the dreary scene, we soon again en-
tered a most delightful country, and after a two
days journey, reached Parramatla. It is one of
the most beautiful and pleasant little towns I
ever tarried in. A paradise indeed ! Of the
many charming and attractive places I have
seen, I do not remember one to surpass this.
Here the useful and beautiful in nature have
lovingly united together ; while the freshness of
its sunny and cheerful surroundings exhilarate
and gladden the feelings. Such charming scenes
leave their impress on the heart, and bring back
to memory some of the happiest recollections of
life. It was here where " Flora and Pomona,"
surrounded by fruits and flowers presided over
the royal court of nature in all their glory. The
morning air was gently diff"using the "balm
of a thousand of flowers" from the gay parterres,
gardens and flower-grounds, which adorn the
residences of the colonial magnates and grandees,
so pleasantly located there. The delicious
aroma of citron blossoms pervades the atmos-
phere with the most exquisite perfume. Heavy
laden orange trees, literally bending beneath
their burdens of fruit, and in the richest luxuri-
ance of growth, hung temptingly on every side.
Like golden globes plentifully interspersed among
the dark green foliage, they were indeed " pleas-
ant to the sight and good for food." In all coun-
tries where they florish without protection, they
are much prized, and justly so, both on account of
their beauty as evergreens, as well as for the
quantity of wholesome fruit they yield.

The good reader, who has had no other oppor-
tunity of judging the flavor of oranges, than
from tasting the shriveled, bitter and sour trash
bought at the fruit stores, which are plucked
while green from the trees, and shipped off to
ripen, or rather to sweat, and turn yellow on the
passage, can have but a faint idea of how sweet
and luscious they are when gathered fresh and
fully ripe from the trees. In Florida and Cali-
fornia I have seen some fine plantations in full
bearing, and a beautiful sight they were.
{To be Continued.)

ADDRESS OF MARSHALL P. WILDER,

AT BOSTON, SEPTEMBER IOTH.

{Concluded from September Number.)

NEW FRUITS.

But to accomplish this most desirable result,
and lo fulfil our mission of supplying every sec-
tion of our country with fruits suited to its own

326

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJSTTHLY. JYcv ember,

locality, we must rely mainly on those originated
on American soil. Bound by my promise in
former addresses, to ever recognize the import-
ance of this duty, I again invoke your attention
to the consideration of this subject. The good
results already attrained are but the harbingers
of still more glorious rewards. We have dis-
cussed at length the various processes of Van
Mons, Knight, Esperen, and others of the old
world, but whatever may be said of the superior
fruits produced by them, we have the strongest
proofs that the clear sky and warm summers of
our American climate are far more favorable for
propitious results than theirs, and that such cir-
cumstances will conduce to the health and lon-
gevity of a variety. Especially is this the case
in California, where almost all the products of
the vegetable world come to perfection. From
past experience it seems probable that the de-
terioration of certain yarieties of fruits will exist
in the future as in the past, and that the same
causes, whether from the removal of the forests, or
froDJ whatever circumstances, will still continue
Hence the necessity of raising new varieties to
supply the places of those that decline. Happily
this degeneracy is confined to the apple and
pear, affecting the pear more particularly, while
in the cherry, peach, plum, strawberry and
small fruits generally, there are no signs of this
deterioration

That as fine fruits can be raised from seed
here as have been produced in any other country*,
there is no longer a doubt. That this is the
plan prescribed by our bountiful Creator for
their production and improvement, is equally
true. That there is any limit to its progress
and extent, we have no reason to believe. True,
the number of superior fruits is small compared
with the host of indifferent varieties that have
come down to us from the past. One reason for
this is, that our taste for finer fruits has been
elevated to a higher standard, and those of an
indifferent or medium quality fall out by the
way ; and we have no doubt that the old pears
80 highly lauded by historians, were most, if not
all of them, only course unmelting kinds

When we reflect upon what has been accom-
plished in the improvement of animals and vege-
tables in our own day, and how many splendid
acquisitions have been brought forth that com-
mand the admiration of the world, — when we
reflect upon the many fine American fruits
already obtained with but comparatively little ef
fort we surely have cause for great encouragement

and perseverance. There is no limit to progress
now or hereafter, and we believe that the fruits
of this earth are to become more and more per-
fect as time advances. The march of science is
ever onward and upward, and it is our duty to
keep pace with it. What has been done can be
done again, and will be done, until the final cul-
mination of all created things. Then let us not
be discouraged by obstacles or disappointments,

but,—

" Let us act, that each to-niorrow
Find us further than to-day."

If a pear like the Bartlett or Beurre d'Anjou
can be produced which shall be suited to every
section, then another of like or better quality
can be created and possess the same adaptation.
Xor is there any reason why a strawberry like
the Wilson, or a grape like the Concord, may
not be raised of a far better qualit}^ and yet pos-
sess all the other valuable characteristics of
these varieties. That there may be a point be-
yond which a fruit is not susceptible of improve-
ment as believed by some, we can not aver, but
that most of our varieties fall short of this per-
fection all will agree. When we consider the
character of the fruits which have come down to
us from antiquity, the wonder is hot that we
have no more of strictly first-class varieties, but
that we have already produced so many superior
sorts. These considerations afford ample evi-
dence of the tendency towards improvement,
and lead us to the belief that by planting the
seeds of our best varieties we shall advance still
further tovvards perfection.

Duhamel, Poiteau, and their contemporaries,
after repeated trials with the seed« of the old
varieties, produced but few worthy of note. It
was reserved for Esperen, Gregoire, Bivort,
Berckmans, and other modern experimentors,
who sowed the seeds of improved sorts, to give
us most of the fine new varieties which now
adorn our tables. In confirmation of this opin-
ion we have numerous instances in our own
country. Witness the seedling pears of the
Messrs. Dana, Clapp, and Shurtleff, of this
vicinity, and especially the extraordinary pro-
ductions of Mr. Fox, of California. In these we
have an illustration of what can be accomplished
in the space of a few years, by the sowing of the
seeds of modern varieties. In Mr. Fox's experi-
ment we have, also, an evidence of the influences
of virgin soil, high temperature, and clear at-
mosphere, giving us token of a like advantages
which we expect to derive from the new lands of

1873.

TRE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLY.

S27

our western friends, in the production of fine
varieties. We may add in regard to Mr. Fox's
seedling pears, that we know not how to account
for the stron<^ evidence of natural cross fertiliza-
tion which they exhibit, unless it wis caused by
the favorable climatic influences, which we have
just mentioned.

Formerly we were obliged to rely mostly on
imported kinds for our best fruits, but as time
progresses these are gradually disappearing, and
their places are being filled by those of American
origin. Of the forty-three kinds of plams in our
catalogue, more than half are American. Of
the fifty-eight kinds of peaches, more than two-
thirds are American, and in fact very few others
are much in cultivation. Of the nineteen kinds
of strawberries, all but three are American. Of
thirty-one varieties of hardy grapes, all are
American. Thus of these fruits we have in our
catalogue at the present time, one hundred and
fifty-one varieties, and with the exception of
thirty-seven, all are of American origin. Thus
may we go on rising higher and higher in the
scale of excellence, looking forward with bright
anticipations to the time when through the in-
fluence of these -examples, and of our own and
kindred associations, our catalogue shall be filled
with varieties of American origin, and every
part of our country rejoice in fruits born on the
soil on which we live.

Why it is only about a century since Van
Mons, Knight, and the great pomologist of Eu-
rope were born. It is within the present centu-
ry that Coxe, Thomas, Buel, Prince, Lowell,
Manning, and Kenrick commenced the efforts to
improve the pomology of our country. It is
within a much later period that the Downings.
the younger Thomas, Kirtland, Hovey, EUwan-
ger and Barry, Brinckle, Kennicott, Warder,
Elliott, Berckmans, commenced their operations
for the advancement of this cause. These con-
siderations should excite us to greater enterprise
and renewed exertions. This is the great work
of the American Pomo^ogical Society. We have
but just entered upon it. How vast and inviting
the field that lies spread out before us ! Some of
these thoughts, perhaps in another form, I may
have presented to you before, but it is by line
upon line and precept upon precept, that I
desire to enforce my advice ; and were I never
to address you again, I would repeat the council
I have so often given, in regard to the produc-
tion of new and fine fruits, viz :

" To plant the most mature and perfect seeds of

the most hardy, vigorous and valuahle varieties;
and as a shorter process insuring more certain and
happy results, cross or hybridize your best fruits.''^
Before many years shall have passed my voice
will be hushed in that stillness which knows no
waking ; but while I live I would continue to
impress on your minds the importance of the
beneficent work of providing these blessings for
generations to come ; and when I am dead I
would by these words still speak to you. Thus
will you advance one of the most delightful and
important industries of the world ; thus will
j'ou build up a pomology for the most favored
nation upon which the sun ever shone ; thus
will you contribute to the welfare of home, kin-
dled and country, and transmit your names to
future generations as benefactors of your race —

"Our lips shall tell them to our sons,

And tliey again to theirs,
That generations yet unborn

May teach them to their heirs."

CATALOGUE.

In this collection I desire to refer to our cata-
logue of fruits as the most important achieve-
ment of our Society. This was the first attempt
in this country to suppress by common consent
our inferior fruits from cultivation, and to define
the adaptation and value of approved varieties
to a wide- spread territory. Few can have an
idea of the patient investigation which this has
received from the committee, from its first prepa-
ration by Mr. Barry, in 18G0, down to the pres-
ent time. With the issue of this catalogue com-
menced a new era in the literature of American
Pomology, by which every section of our country
and the Provinces of British 'America were to
be acknowledged and recognized in its classifica-
tion.

At the time of its first publication it was
issued in octavo form, but in less than ten years
we have been obliged to enlarge it to quarter
form, so as to admit additional columns for the
new Statf^s snd territories coming within our
jurisdiction. Instead of the fifty -four varieties
of fruit recommended in 1848, this catalogue
novv contains the names of five hundred and
seventy-seven kinds, and with the list of six
hundred and twenty-five rejected varieties pass-
ed upon by the Society, makes a total of twelve
hundred and two on which the Society has set
its seal of approval or rejection. An important
part of this work, not shown by these figures, is
the reduction of our list as compared with former
catalogues, by striking out varieties too good to

S28

THE GARBEJ^EWS MOJ^TELY, JVovemher,

be placed in our rejected list, yet superseded by
better sorts. la jDcars alone, this reduction has
been from one hundred and twenty-two to ninety-
one kinds. And thus it should ever be our aim
to condense our list into as small a number of
varieties as possible. When we consider that
our catalogue embraces in its columns fifty
States and territories, including the Province of
British America, with great diversities of soil
and climate ; that some of the new districts have
but little experience in fruit-culture ; and that
from them we have consequently limited reports,
we can readily appreciate the difficulties attend,
ant on this great work.

It was an important step taken by the Society
when it placed its mark of condemnation on the
long list of unworthy fruits which were then in
our collection, thereby saving to cultivators a
vast amount of time, trouble and expense in the
propagation of useless varieties. But a great
and important work, requiring the utmost cau-
tion, is still before us, to avoid iu the future the
insertion in its pages of the names of inferior or
insufficiently tested fruits, and to establish a
correct nomenclature for all time, so that with
every revision of our catalogue it may more
nearly approximate to perfection. To aid in
this most desirable work, the various State
and local committees should keep well organized,
and from time to time transmit to the General
Chairman of the Fruit Committee all the infor-
mation which is required in their several dis-
tricts. It was the original object of the cata-
logue, and must always continue to b^3 its aim,
to restrict the worthless or indifferent kinds, to
discover and retain the most valuable, and to
furnish to all sections the fruits best adapted to
their respective localities.

For the purpose of perfecting our catalogue, a
meeting of the Committees on Revisions was
held at Rochester, :N'ew York, soon after our
last session.

After several days of deliberation the present
form, and the new plan of making three general
divisions, and arranging the States iu their
order of climatic and characteristic association
in regard to fruit culture was adopted. This
was a work of much difficulty, but I am happy
to learn that it is regarded with great favor as a
most important improvement, and will consti-
tute, it is believed, through the united efforts of
our members, ultimately the acknowledged au-
thority of the country.

DECEASED MEMBERS.

While we rejoice in the presence of so many of
our members on this occasion, we are reminded
of the absence of some who have been removed
by death. Since our last biennial session two
Vice-Presidents, and one Ex- Vice-President,
have deceased.

I allude to Lawrence Young and -John S.
Downer, of Kentucky, and Dr. J. S. Cui-«is, of
California. Mr. Lawrence Young was an early
member of our association, and for a long course
of years held the office of Vice-President for the
State of Kentucky. He was born on the 6th of
December, 1793, in Caroline County, Virginia.
He showed an early taste for knowledge, and
made himself well acquainted with all branches
of learning, espi-cially with the science of Agri-
culture and Horticulture, and by his interest
and example he learned others to appreciate
what he so dearly loved. He was not only a
scientific, but a practical cultivator of fruits, and
for these labors his own and adjoining States
often expressed their obligations. For many
years he was the Agricultural Editor of the
Louisville Journal. In later 3'ears he edited the
Wef^teni Ruralist^ and for thirty years he com-
piled a monthly meteorological table for the
Smithsonian Institute. Besides being Vice-
President of this Association, he held the offices
of President of the Jefferson County Horticultu-
ral Society, and President of the Kentucky Po-
mological Society. Energy, perseverance, and a
love of nature, were' prominent traits in his
character through life. He died at the ripe old
age of seventy-nine years.

Mr. John S. Downer, our Vice-President for
Kentucky, who was with us at our last session,
has also been removed by death. He was born
on the 19th of June, 1809, in Culpepper County,
Virginia. His taste for horticulture and pomolo-
gy dawned with his early years, and while yet
a youth he discovered an ardent love for these
pursuits which continued through life. In early
manhood he established the Forest Nursery,
and here from obscure youth, without fame or
fortune, he built up an enviable reputation as a
Nurseryman and Pomologist. He tested under
his own inspection many varieties of fruits, and
has done much to improve Pomology in the
Central and Southern States, having produced
several varieties of fruits which are now exten-
sively cultivated. He devoted much time and
patience for the production of new varieties of
strawberry, and the I>owner's Prolific, the

1873.

THE GARDE J^EWS MONTHLY.

329

I

Charges Downing, and the Kentucky, bear wit-
ness to his success. By testing and disseminat-
ing other fruits, he has conferred blessings on
the pomology, not only of his own region, but
on our whole country. He died on the grounds
where he first settled, and where in addition to
his many attainments, he has left the name of
" an honest mnn, the noblest work of God,"

The seat of Dr. Joshua S. Curtis, of Sacra-
mento, California, is also vacated by death.
He was one of the representatives of that State,
and was elected Vice-President at our last ses-
sion. He was a gentleman of noble bearing,
and much interested in the progress of science,
and the elevation of our art. Some of us can
remember the interest which he manifested,
although for the first time with us, in the welfare
for the Society, and the words of counsel and
approval which he spoke to us at the festivaj
that closed our meeting at Richmond, and it
was his intention to be with us at this session.
Dr. Curtis was born in North Carolina, and
died in San Joaquin county, California, Novem-
ber, 18, 1872, aged sixty-three years. He grad-
uated at Chapel Hill College, and was also a grad-
uate either of Philadelphia or Baltimore Medi-
cal College. He went to Tennessee in 1832, where
he extensively engaged in farming and his pro-
fession. In 1837 he removed to Holly Springs,
Mississippi, owned a cotton plantation, and was
the Treasurer of the State. He went to Sacra-
mento, California, in 1850, where he resumed
his practice as a physician. A few years after-
wards he gave up his profession, and was en-
gaged in farming in Yolo county until the time
of his death. He represented that county in
the State Legislature. His home was ever open
to the poor, and his house was the home of the
destitute.

Nor can I close this record of deceased mem-
bers without allusion to another, formerly con-
nected with us in oflScial relations, who has
been called from this to the spirit land. I allude
to the Rev. Jeremiah Knox, of Pittsburgh,
Penn., who died of apoplexy, Nov. 13, 1872,
aged fifty-eight. His father was a minister,
which profession he also adopted while at the age
of seventeen. He removed to Pittsburg early
in life and became eminent in his profession.
He was sociable and sympathetic in his in-
stincts, prepossessing in personal appearance,
and gifted with oratorical powers. He was an
old member, often attended the sessions of this
Society, took part in its discussions, and was

known throughout our land for his interest in
the culture of the grape, the strawberry, and
other small fruits. His enterprise in the culture
of those was remarkable, and his plantations of
the strawberry and blackberry were very exten-
sive He gave to the Triomphe de Gand a new
and extensive fame, and distributed for and
wide the strawberry, No. 700, of his collection,
to which he gave the name of Jucunda. He
entered largely into the grape excitement, which
existed a few years since, propagating immense
quantities of vines, especially Concord, Delaware
and Martha. His name as the " Strawberry
King,'' and the proprietor of the Knox fruit
farm, will ever be remembered in the annals of
American Pomology.

These associates have gone. It has pleased a
wise Providence to remove them from the sphere
of duty here, but we trust in the hope that we
shall one day join them in that better land,
where friends shall part no more.

CONCLUSION.

Pardon me, my friends, for the time I have
occupied in the performance of a duty required
of me by your Constitution

With the close of this session will terminate
the first quarter of a century in the history of
our national association. We are now about to
enter on the second era of its existence. A
great work has already been accomplished, but
more remains to be done. We have but just
entered on the broad field which lies open to us,
and gathered a few of its first fruits. Many of
its former members have paid the debt of nature,
and we, who were among the founders of our in-
stitutions, shall soon be called to follow them.
But this Society, we believe, will live on to
bless the world, and as time progresses the
results of your labors in the development of our
wonderful resources, will be more and more ap-
preciated. And as our nation advances in
wealth and refinement, so will the culture of
fruits be better understood, and their importance
and usefulness be more fully realized. Willing
hands and generous hearts will labor for the
same cause, and generation after generation will
enjoy the fruits which your hands have planted
for them. Persevere, then, my friends, with
the noble work in which you are employed. Go
on, until our ultimate object is attained, in per-
fecting one of the most useful and beautiful
sciences of the world.

We have traced the progress of American Po-
\ mology from a period within fifty years. But

S30

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJSTHLY. JS'ovemher,

who shall predict its development for the hal "
century to come ? Judging from the past, v/e
may anticipate that ere that day shall dawn,
our whole continent shall be opened up for us-^,
and the cultivation of fruits, become scarcely
secondarj'^ to any other branch of rural art.
Look at the progress of the past, and estimate,
if you can, thp increase of the future, when the
population of our country shall exceed one hun-
dred millions of souls, as many now living may
expect to witness ; when our fruits sliall be
adapted to every section of our land, and become
not merely a condiment, but a necessary portion
of our food.

Standing, as we do, on the line which divides
the past from the present, let us remember with
gratitude the labors of those who laid the founda-
tion of this institution-let us reraem'^er those who
have so assiduously co-operated with us for the
advancement of its objects and let us transmit
to posterity the priceless blessings our calling is
destined to confer. And as our members, from
time to time, shall assemble to gather up the
fruit of their research, may they have reason to
rejoice more and more in the benefactions which
it bestows on mankind ; and when at last we
shall be called to relinquish the cultivation of
our orchards, gardens and vineyards on earth,
may be permitted to participate in the cultiva-
tion of

"That tree which hears immortal fruit,

Without a canker at the root ;

Its healing leaves to us be given.

Its bloom on earth, its fruit in heaven ! "

RAPID POTT^ING.

BY S. J. HUGHES, CHATHAM, PA.

I saw the boast of Mr. Peter Henderson, in a
late number of the 3Ionthly, that one of his gar-
deners potted 10,000 plants in ten hours, as if
New York was ahead of all the world. I admit
it is fast work ; but I have a young man with
me that can pot off, and do it right, 1100 per
tour. So I think that there are some quick fin-
gers in Pennsylvania. Though we may be be-
hind our neighbor in some things, they cannot
carry off all prizes.

FRUIT NOTICES.

BY W. H. COX, ANCHORAGE, KY.

I can truthfully say the present has been
with us the worst we have had for years. Our
■winter was of the severest kind, and the sprinir

equally as much so. Orchards bloomed as pro-
fusely as couldbe expected ; ever}' one, even the
most dependent, anticipated a full crop of all
varieties of fruit ; but alas ! nature forbid. "We
had a great quantity of rain, followed by cold,
chilly weather, continuing far into May, caus
ing the bloom to blight and fruit drop.

The strawberry crop was nearly a failure in
some localities, the leading sorts, Wilson, Chas.
Downing, French Seedling, and Kentucky,
jMelded hardly one-third of a crop. The im-
proved varieties of cherries, however, stood the
unfavorable season better ; but as the Early
Purple Guigne were beginning to turn color, that
vexatious little pest, the cedar bird, visited the
trees in flocks, defying all manner of scare
crows, blunderbusses, blank cartridges, and even
"grape and canni^t-r ;" they swept every thing
before them, from the earliest to the latest sorts
except they were kind enough to leave us a few
Morrellos.

Now that it is time for our early apples to
ripen, we go to our orchards, must be con-
tented with a few snarly, weather-beaten scabby
Early Harvest, Red Astrachan, Benoui, & .;
and on passing among the fall and winter sorts,
just the same picture is before us. Peaches in
some localities promise a fair yield, — a remarka-
ble fact there will be more this season than
apples. Pears are scarce, more so than any
other fruit, but we are only too happy thus far,
to announce the almost entire disappearance of
the fire blight this year. One or two varieties up
to this time have been attacked, the Vicar of
Wiukfield priucipallj', with an occasional Belle
Lucrative, Flemish Beauty and Swan's Orange.
It is a prevalent opinion that these varieties,
now suffering attacks, must be from diseased
limbs or parts of last year. We hope that it is
leaving us— it is a terrible scourge. How dis-
couraging to pass through orchards of once
beautiful trees, amputated into ugly snags, with
a few young shools barely sufficient to save
their lives.

I should like to see Kentucky represented at
the American Pomological Society's meeting at
Boston in September ; and had we the fruit
season of last year this^ we would most assured-
ly open some one's eyes. We can only trust in
the future Why is it that this Society holds its
meetings so close to the Atlantic coast ? To the
members in charge of such matters, I would say
"^look West' for a place of its next meeting.
I can name a score of central and available

1873

THE GARBEJ^ER'S MOJ^TRLY,

SSL

points, and none more worthy than our beauti-
ful little city, Louisville, easily and quickly
reached from all points, capacious and unrivaled
hotels, and an abundant hospitality for her
guests.

A MEXICAN CLIMBER.

BY JOHN QUILL, GARDENER TO THE CINCIN-
NATI HOSPITAL.

I notice in your Monthly for Aupjust, an in-
quiry by Mrs. F., of Canandaigua, N. Y , in re-
gard to the Mexican Climber. Permit me to
inform the lady that the true value of her climb-
ers will be unknown to her until she sees her
plant in bloom.

The fragrance of thi.* beautiful climber rivals
the rose, the mignonette, or the lily When
planted in a group, it forms a perfect mass of
green foliage, fairly covered over with spikes of
delicate white blossoms, sending sweet perfume
all around. Should be planted in one half sand
the other half loam and leaf mould, in the open
ground, and a warm situation.

TREATMENT

OF THE
LILY.

BLUE AFRICAN

BY THOS F. VTEBB, GARDENER TO A. C. GIBSON,
JR., OAK LANE, PHILA.

The Agapanthus Umhellatus is a native of the
Cape of Good Hope, and was introduced into
cultivation about 1692. It is the most beautiful
variety of this African lily. It has rather broad
dark green leaves of a drooping habit, bulbous
root, not unlike a coarse leek ; throws up in
spring from well-grown plants, strong stems,
from the top of which comes- large bunches of
bright blue flowers, each standing on a bold,
strong footstalk, making them very valuable for
bouquets, baskets, &c. There are two good
specimens now in bloom at this place, each hav-
ing several noble round trusses of flowers on
very fine stems. Upon counting the number of
blossoms upon somo of them, I find there is
over ninety, each individual blossom standing
well out. It is certainly an excellent decorative
plant for the lawn, conservatory, or standing
one on each side of entrance door of dwelling-
house. If under cover from the sun the bloom
will last some time longer than when fully ex-
posed to rains, wind, &c. The individual blos-
soms are not half the size of the common white
or yellow lily ; they are, however, much more

abundant, and form beautiful objects, and are
extremely easy to cultivate. There is also a
striped leaved variety at this place : with me it
is not so strong a grower as the green leaved
kind. It is, however, a very ornamental foliage
plant, and contrasts well with the others.

There is a whitish flowered sort called albidus,
the only difi'erence between it and umbellatus is
the color of th<? bloom. This noble plant de-
serves more care than is generally bestowed
upon it, and the consequence is, the bloom rises
weakly and small, owing to the pots being
allowed to fill with offsets. In the first place,
purchase as large plants as possible, take the
offsets off, then let the main plant be potted in
such size pot as will allow of some soil around it,
but not much. It delights in a compost of half
sandy loa-n, and well decomposed dung, taking
care to well drain the pots. If this is done early
in the spring, the plant will be beneSted by a
little heat to start it. If you have only a green-
house, place it in the warmest part. Let it
grow until the pot is well filled with roots, then
shift it into a size larger pot, and continue shift-
ing as often as the roots fill the pot. It ought
to bloom by the time the plant has reached a
ten or twelve-inch pot. Every offset must be
removed as soon as it appears,vSO that all the
strength is thrown into the main plant. By at-
tending to this treatment, and taking care the
plant gets abundance of water, it will produce
fine bloom, and form a noble object. When it is
in flower it may be removed from the greenhouse,
stalked, and put out of doors, or what is better,
under a verandah, it being a beautiful object,
handsome enough to ornament any part of a
gentlemen's establishment. As soon as the
flower is past, remove the plant to a more ex-
posed situation, still giving it a little shade, and
allowing it to remain there until the first indica-
tion of frost, then at once place it in winter
quarters. It is by no means a tender plant, and
can be stowed away in a cold greenhouse where
the thermometer is just about 32\ or it can in
lieu of room there, be placed in a cellar or out-
house with Hydranges, Pomegranates, Fuchsias,
tVc, where, of course, frost must be kept out,
taking care that it is not allowed to shrivel for
want of an occasional watering. In the spring
it may be turned out of its pot and examined.
Any decayed roots can be cut away. The drain-
age must be removed, also the soil from the top
down to the roots, then repot in the compost
specified. It will not harm the bulb to remove

S32

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^THLY. J^ovemher,

some of the fibres, and train any strangling
roots a little. It may be placed in a greenhouse
or warm pit, till it throws up its flower spikes,
then it can be removed to its summer quarters
until it has once more done its duty. The offsets
which are taken off from time to time, should be
potted in as small pots as they can be placed — i
one in each — and grown on in the same compost :
and manner as the parent plant, until they are j
large enough for blooming. In this manner one i
plant may, in a short time, produce as good ,
stock. In taking off the offsets, they will some- i
times get damaged at the base ; these and very i
weakly ones will be the better for a little bottom ,
heat, if by any means available. This is cer- ,
tainly one of the most valuable and easily culti- i
vated plants for an amateur. .

RAPID POTTING.

BY MR. H. E. CHITTT, SUPERINTENDENT OF
BELLEVUE NURSERIES, PATERSON, N. J.

When I read Mr. Henderson's article upon
this subject last fall in the American Agricultu-
rist, In which he made a statement that one of
his men had accomplished the feat of potting
seven thousand rooted cuttings in ten hours, it
occurred to nrf^ that if it had been intended as an
instructive article, it would have contained
something more than the bare fact, — the mode
of handling, the number of assistants, and gen-
eral modus operandi would have been given ; but
as these little requisites were withheld, I con-
cluded that it was only a little harmless bluster
which certain peculiar temperaments must occa-
sionally indulge in, in order to keep them in
tone. But when I saw the same article repeated
in the July (?orcZener's Monthly, with about
thirty per cent, interest added to the feat, and
still without any explanation as to how it was
done, number of assistants, &c., being given, I
rather inclined to the opinion that Mr, Hender-
son was not so desirous of enlightening the
public in rapid potting, as he was to impress upon
the public that he had an Irishman in his employ,
and some plants, and a good many plants.

As the publication of those articles of Mr.
Henderson made them matters for public discus-
sion, I had the audacity to make a few comments
upon the subject of rapid potting, which were
published in the September Monthly. Not having
the data wherewith to calculate the economy of
sticking ten thousand rooted cuttings into pots
in ten hours or less, I was obliged to confine

myself to figures of my own, and such facts as
ray figures dictated, which facts and figures have
not yet been controverted.

And here, I may as well say, that unless we
know the number of men and boys Mr. Hender-
son's Irishman had to assist him, it is impossi-
ble to get even an idea of the value of his day's
work. If a man or boy stood beside him and
filled the pots with earth, and he made a hole
with his finger and stuck the rooted cutting in,
it might perhaps be done, as we have plenty of
boys around here who could stick their finger
ten thousand times a day into soft earth. That
ten thousand rooted verbena cuttings, (or any-
thing else for that matter) can be stuck into pots
in a day of ten hours, I never disputed ; but
that any man or boy can pot a rooted cutting
every four seconds, and continue the same for
ten hours, doing his work well, "in a workman-
like manner,'' I deny, and am willing to submit
the truth of my proposition to both European
and American nurserymen and gardeners of ex-
perience.

Mr. Henderson, in his article in the July Oar-
dener^s ilfoni/iZ,?/. appears to intimate that the state-
ment rftade in the American Agriculturist a few
months previous, created considerable comment,
and some doubt, and in Mr. Henderson's last he
says that the wonderful work of his young Irish-
man had roused the " ire of numbers of garden-
ers." Now in regard to "comments," "ire,"
&c., I may say that I am a steady reader of all
the leading journals that would be likely to con-
tain such comments, and the first and only com-
ments I have yet seen were those of my own, pub-
lished in the Sept. Gardener''s Monthly ; and per-
mit me to say to Mr. Henderson, that I do not
envy him the possession of his wonderful young
Irishman, neither am I anxious for my assistants
to emulate his prowess, for his style of work
would not suit our line of trade. I am quite
willing that our plants should speak for them-
selves, and heartily congratulate Mr. Henderson
that so many of the ten thousand verbenas stuck
into pots on a certain day by his men, were
actually alive one month afterwards.

The compliment conferred upon the great
American statesman, and the Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher, by Mr. Henderson mentioning their
names in connection with his wonderful young
Irishman, is simply stupendous. Methinks I
S'^e the great dead arise, and shaking off the
habiliments of the tomb, present himself at No.
35 Cortlandt Street with a new hat, and on

1873.

THE GARBEJ^EWS MOJ^IRLY,

S3S

bended knee, make profound acknowledgment,
supplementing the same with a good order.
And the reverend gentleman of Plymouth Church
will not be slow to appreciate the honor.

As is well known to a great many in the
United States, my early years were spent in one
of the largest plant establishments the world has
yet seen, where Heaths, Epacris, and other
other hard wooded plants were produced in end.
less numbers. This was the work of the propa-
gator. The production of verbenas and other
soft stuff, was entrusted to the apprentices,
under proper supervision, and the veriest ninny
among the boys was supposed to know when to
pot off verbenas ; and we were always instructed
that the first and most important thing to learn
was to do our work well ; so that if I am defi-
cient in skill in my profession, as Mr. Hender-
son seems to intimate, it must be owing to the
wrong teachings then imbibed, and the trashy
horticultural literature to which I had access ;
for be it remembered, the profound (?) concep-
tions which culminated a few years later in the
production of the elaborate "practical Floricul-
ture," were not then available. I have been a
constant reader of the horticultural journals of
England and America for over thirty years, but
until recently I have not known a single instance
of a nurseryman using a horticultural journal
as a medium for extolling the exploits of his
laboring helps.

Mr. Editor, I regret that my comments upon
rapid potting in your September number should
be taken by Mr. Henderson as a manifestation
of ire towards his young Irishman, whose
American training I have no doubt has im-
proved his ability ; and I think American train-
ing may be as good as any other training, pro-
vided the person trained has an experienced
trainer.

ON NUMERICAL ORDER IN THE
BRANCHING OF SOME CONIFER.^.

BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

^Read at the meeting of Academy Natural Sciences, of
Philadelphia, June 28, 1872.]

In a paper entitled " Adnation in Coniferse,"
read at the Chicago meeting of the American
Association for the Advancement of Science,
and which w*s published iu the "Proceedings "
for 1868, I pointed out that the true leaves of
Coniferse were mostly adherent to the stem — not
merely "decurrent" as is usually said of some
of them ; and that the vigor of. the axis or stem

was the measure of the adhesion. I now propose
to show that axial vigor also determines the law
of branching in some cases, and that the branch-
ing is on a numerical plan.

In the most vigorous growths of Thuja occi-
dentalis, the common American arborvitse, the
leaves are almost wholly united with the axis,
only the delicate sharp awns are free. These
are arranged in pairs, one leaf opposite the
other. The upper pair alternates with the lower
(decussate). A branch appears at the eighth
node ; and always at the eighth node when the
vigor of the branch remains the same. As the
axis weakens the branches appear at the sixth
node. This is the general average. With greater
weakness the fourth node gives birth to the
branch ; and finally as the plant takes on its
frondose flattened form, a branch pushes from
every alternate node. But in no case does a
branch push at an odd number. They are
always from the second, fourth, sixth, or eighth
node.

In Thuja gigantea, Nutt., the same law pre-
vails, the sixth and eighth being more numerous.

In Liboeedrus decurrens all appear to be on the
alternate plan. 1 have seen no instance, even in
vigorous shoots, where the branches push other-
wise than from every second node. This is also
true of ChcmcBcyjMris Lawsoniana, Pari. ; and of
B. obtusa, Sieb., C. insifera, and C. retusa—sdl
probably varieties of one thing.

In Biota orientalis, the branching is mostly
from the fourth node, occasionally from the
second or sixth ; rarely one will come from the
third and odd number. In the curious variety
B. O pendula, Pari., where the plant has lost or
never achieved the power to produce frondose
branches, the numerical order is lost : branchlets
push at any indefinite point along the stem.

Chamcecyijaris sphoeroidea, Spach., the Ameri-
can white cedar, the branching is pretty regular
at the fourth node, sometimes from the second,
rarely from the fifth.

Chamcecyparis Ntitkcensis, Spach., the yellow
cedar of the Pacific Coast, the course is the same
as in the American arborvitse.

Sometimes in very stout shoots of this plant
the leaves will be in whorls of three. It is curi-
ous to note then that the branching is on the odd
number ; either at three, five, or so on ; but yet
not in a regular graded series as in its normal
condition and in the arborvitses. I have counted
as many as fifteen nodes without a branch, and
this absence of order in branching also exists in

S3A

THE GARDEJVER'S MOMTBLY. jYovemher,

Junipers, In these the leaves are mostly in
threes, though still decussate, and the branch-
ing takes place at the odd numbers, and is
irregular.

Callitris quadrivalvis has four leaves in a
whorl, and here agaia we have the irregular
branching of the junipers.

The result of these observations is that in a
large numl)er of cases the frequency of branching
is in company with declining vigor ; that pres-
ence of leaves in an opposite pair is favorable to
a regularity of branching on even numbers ; and
that whorls of three or more are associated with
irregular branching on odd numbers.

It is proper to remark that this branching
has reference to the groy^th of one season.
There are axillary dormant buds at every node,
which may push according to circumstances dur-
ing any subsequent year.

In connection with this subject are some ob-
servations worty of note, though not probably
original. As soon as the branching at alternate
nodes begins in Lihoadrus, Thvja, Biota, and
others, the frondose character commences. The
pair of adnate leaves just aboA'^e the node which
boars a Viranch, is much contracted. These are
always on the upper and lower faces, and are
known as the dorsal leaves. The next pair of
leaves are more developed, more free from cohe-
sion with the axis, and from one of them a
branchlet usually springs. These are t'le mar-
ginal leaves. Usually the branchlet, one from a
node and from every second node, arc alternate
with the ones above and below it ; but when the
branchlet pushes from the main branch, the first
series of two or sometimes throe are one above
another, and on the upper side. The flattened
fronuose form is the result of this plan of devel-
opment. Rarely two branchlets will proceed
fro:n each node, one from the axil of each oppo
site leaf.

In some species each succeeding pair of coher-
ing leaves are of equal length and strength. In
the Thuja and in Chamcecyjmris Laivsoniana
this is characteristic : but in Libocedrus decur-
rens, and Chamcecyparis <'btusa, and allies, every
first pair succeeding a branchlet, and which on
the flattened coudilions constitute the dorsal
pair, are very much abbreviated and shortened,
so much indeed as to scarcel}^ proceed beyond
the line of the lower pair, and thus some writers
have been led to describe these plants as having
4 verticillate leaves.

The seedling or firs! year''8 growt of Biota

orientalis exhibits this subverticillate character.
The first pair of leaves succeeding the cotyledons
is so near as to appear almost two of a series of
four cotyledon lobes. For many successive
nodes the leaves appear to be 4 verticillate.

In regard to the early leaves of coniferous
plants, those which follow the cotyledons are
nearly free, having little cohesion with the stem
or " decurrence,'' as botanists say. As the axis
becomes thicker, or, as I have termed it in the
paper referred to, endowed with more vitality,
there is less of the free portion and more of the
adnated or cohering, until in Finns there is
nothing left but a thickened bed or pulvinus',
and the axial bud which generall}' marks the
diverging place of the proper leaf has to push
and in a difficult way perform the function of
leaves. If anything tend to check the vitality of
the tree, so that the axial buds do not develop,
the adnating power is weakened and the true
leaves again become free from the stem. Tiiis is
seen in Pi'yius edulis^ Engl. At any time through
its existence, where the branches are weak by
being shaded or starved Vjy other branches, the
pulvini develop in true leaves, and the axial bud,
usually producing two " needles," does not push.
Street trees and osier willows when annually
trimmed, though the subsequent growth is vigo-
rous, increase their trunks slowly in girth, and
die much earlier than uncut ones. Thus their
vitality is impaired. Some pino trees when cut
d ;wn push up strong sprouts, and these will
often have the pulvini developed into true leaves
as in the weakened Finns edolis. I have shown
already, in the paper before referred to, that
Tinijnpsis horealis [Chamcecyparis Nidlcensis,
Spach.) also throws out free leaves always in the
weakened cutting state. In some garden varie-
ties of Thuja and Biota the weak axis of the
seed'ing condition remains throughout many
succeeding years of growth. *In all these cases
the leaves are free. These free leaved forms are
still regarded by some excellent European bota-
nists as species of unknown introduction, al-
though, as stated in my paper on " Adnation in
Conifera," their derivation from Thuja and Biota
is founded on direct evidence. I refer to this In-
cidental matter chiefly to add the new observa-
tion, in connection with the leading points of the
present papier, that with their weakened condi-
tion, the" regular numerical order of branching,
as noted in the fully developed forms, does not
exist.

I dojnot suppose this law of vital vigor so far

.1873.

THE GARDENER'S MOKTHLY,

385

as developed will accouni. for all the phenomena
of free or adnated leaves ; or for all the numeri-
cal relations of branchlets to the nodes. I have
myselt pointed out some apparent exceptions,
but I trust I have made it clear th 't it performs
no mean part in the order of these things.

STOCKS FOR WORKIN'G FRUITS. |

BY F. K. PnCENIX, BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS, j

It is curious to note the effects of cross- \
working varieties on allied but widely diftering ,
stocks. For instance — some 8 years since I \
worked the Auger's Quiuce on the Juneberry !
(Shad or Service) about 4 feet from the ground. -
The Quince grew well and soon commenced
bearing, and has born nearly every year since. '
But being in an apple orchai'd iho apple trees have j
prevented any fair developeraent or test. The
cross-working has seemed to make the quince more
hardy thon any other method I have tried. The
pear also takes moderately well on that stock
and I think should be worked and tested on that
stock for the North. I think the Juneberry
is among the very hardiest Northern trees or
shrubs.

On the Eur. Mountain Ash stock at 4 or 5
feet from the ground we had perhaps 50 worked
Hawthorns that made fine heads with shoots
of three feet or more. We thougth what a splen-
did stock to work Hawthorns on — as there were
almost no failures. But the Hawthorn tojjs all
died off last wiuter although other Hawthorns
did not — nor did the Mountain Ash bottoms.
Possibly the Hawthorns may have grown too late.
I think the Mountain Ash root is being consid-
erably used in the North West for grafting the
pear on. A few sorts only do well on it.

I wish all hands would go to work to get up
more choice, hardy seedling fruits for the North
West.

ATMOSPHERIC INFLUENCE UPON
VECtETATION.

BY WALTER ELDER, PUILA.

That class of "Zonale Geraniums " whose
peculiar attraction lies in the beautiful variega-
tions of their leaves, consisting of zones, or rings.
of various hues, and are so very conspicuously
ornamental in the glass-houses, and the other
clatts called "golden," whose leaves are of vari-
ous hues of yellow and greenish-yellow, and are
exceedingly beautilul in glass-house culture,

are both impatient of bright sunshine and
dryness, which makes them unsuitable for gen-
eral bedding out on open grounds, upon high
lands and inland situations ; they wither up
if bedded out in sunny exposure. In the cities
of New York, Brooklyn and Jersey City, those
Geraniums are bedded out largely in sunny expo-
sures, and flourish admirably. I saw them last
August, all in full luxuriance,— not a plant
had a withered or sun-scorched leaf. I at
once perceived that the humid atmosphere from
the surrounding waters was the cause of the
prosperous growth of the plants

Celery, which has to be grown in furrows and
trenches, on high lands, and in inland situations,
is transplanted upon the level ground in rows,
from thirty inches to three feet apart, around
New York and Jersey City, and it flourishes
admirably. All along the wayside, from the
old town of Jersey City to Bergen district,
the large fields were covered with celery so
planted. And in August, the crops were as
green and flourishing, as ours around Philadel-
phia are in October and November. But there,
the salt marshes spread up to near the fields,
and the vapors arising from the marshes during
sunny days, fall down upon the celery crops
during the night, and so refresh them, to pro-
mote their thrifty growth. Could any system of
irrigation be more perfect ?

WHAT I KNOW OF POINSETTA.

BY R. BUIST, ROSEDALE, PHILA.

On landing in Philadelphia in 1828, I paid a
visit to the then famous " Bartfam Botanic
Garden," and there saw, just arrived fioin Mexi-
co in two boxes, a few stumps of remarkable
looking plants, sent by the late Hon. I, R. Poin-
sett of South Carolina, then Minister Plenipo-
tentiary at the Court of Mexico. They were
described as something of the most brilliant
character.

After I became located, I made a small invest-
ment in a few plants, propagated and flowered
to the best of my ability, and sent a plant to Mr.
McNab, my valued friend of the Royal Botanic
Gardens of Ediuburg, and other establishments,
under the name of Euphorbia PoinseUa, with a
description of its grand crimson bractea, which
had been grown under my culture to twenty-two
inches in diameter.

SS6

THJE GARDEJ^ER'S MONTHLY. Jfovember,

At a breakfast party with tlie late Sir "Wm.
Hooker, ia Glasgow, the subject of the extraor-
dinary plant came up. The very amiable lady
of the professor chided me for practicing such
extravagant Jonathanisms upon them. Prof.
Graham figured it in the Botanical Magazine^
Plate 3493, established a new genus, and honored
Mr. Poinsett, viz : PohistUa Pidcherrima^
(Gra.) ; Euphorbia Poinsetta, (Buist's M. S. S)
Thus you have its introduction, and its subse-
quent culture by the tens of thousands in this
country and Europe for bouquet makers, winter
decoration, &c. When under good culture it
stands unrivalled. What will now be said of a
double Poinsetta?

On a tour a short time ago through the
grounds of Mr. Isaac Buchanan, the millionnaire
florist of New York, he drew me towards two
plants of familiar outline ; but on inspection I
discovered a plant entirely new to me. Is this

a double Euphorbia? It is, was the reply, for
which I paid o^.e thousayul dollars hi cash.

The saddle-like foliage has a more graceful
outline than the present Poinsetta, the nerves
of deeper purple, the petiole (footstalk), has two
erect horns of about one-forth inch in height,
surrounded by two glands (a unique character).

The dried specimen of flower before me, shows
a bunch of towering crescent-like bracts about
ten inches in height, and apparently has been as
wide, forming a dense crimson cone upon the
top of each shoot. When this plant gets under
the hands of expert cultivators, it will, I pre-
sume, form a pyramid twenty inches high, and as
much in width, surpassing every plant now
known for table ornament and general bouquet
making ; and I have not the least doubt, but in
the hands of a botanical professor, it will be
made a new species, eclipsing every thing that
we have at the present time.

EDITORIAL.

TRAVELING RECOLLECTIONS.

Long before the child knows the use of money,
it has an eye for beauty ; and when it becomes
a man, he toils for wealth, and honor, and fame,
— not for mere renown, but that he may cast all
at leauty's feet, or sacrifice the whole to beaut}'^
in some of her various forms. The higher his
culture, the deeper lies this beauty worship.
Now he prostrates himself before some ideal of
personal attraction, fascinated by beauties of
mind or person, and all he has is hers ; and
again it may be fine horses, fine pictures, sweet
music, lovely houses or grounds.

There are men whom beauty will not move,
but they are scarcely men. They toil on, and
work. It is all the same to them whether it is
sunshine or shade. They heed not the singing
bird, nor care whether the flower blows. Furies
may skout, storms may rage, desolation may
reign supreme ; still there are some to whom all
this is paradise, if only the percentage be large
enough, and the bank account daily swells.
Few who are men, as God made man, envy
lives like these, — leas^, of all do horticultur-
ists envy them, for we feel that the b3auty,

which for years many toil, or even spend most
of their lives to earn, is ours daily as we go
along. In most communities the warrior's posi-
tion has been held a noble one ; but he fights
only tl^at his country may have peace from sup-
posed foreign foes, and all the inhabitants may
enjoy the loveliness which peace brings. The
statesman labors to the end that the greatest
good may come to the greatest number ; and
with the greatest good the love of beauty flows.
The man of science labors — oftentimes for mere
abstract truth ; but he loves to reflect that there
is utility at the back of all, and that every added
fact of science is to make all the world more
lovely and beautiful in other hands, if not direct-
ly by his own. No one ever tires of beauty.
When one has once caught the inspiration, it is
astonishing how it abounds. In sky, on earth,
in sunshine and under cloud, there is beauty
everywhere. For ourselves we are never lost
for an object to admire. If we were doomed to
spend our lives within the boundaries of a ten
acre lot, so long as il had birds and flowers — the
green sod below and the every varying heavens
above, we could be content.

For all this, when one fine day in July,

187S.

TEE GARDEJVER'S MOJVTELY.

SS7

our good brother "Williams of the Horticulturist,
asked the editor to make one of a party to exam-
ine the beauties ot the far South and West, he
gave his consent ; and heartily sacrificing to the
impious imps of the printing office, in order to
bribe them to quietness for a couple of months,
he found himself on the 15th of July allowed ,
five seconds to bid adieu to wife and T. M.,
junior, and board the Pennsylvania Railroad ■
train, which went dashing from New York
through Philadelphia at the rate of forty miles ^
an hour. The " India'' was a beautiful coach :
to travel in, but it was some time before this ■
could be fully appreciated, seeing that there were \
some thirty ladies and gentlemen who were '
to be future companions and friends, to exchange i
greetings with. Some it had already been our ,
good fortune to travel with. There was ■
our good Father Clift, whose welcoming shout
of "here comes our glorious old heretic," was ,
heard before the car door closed on the bellow- i
ing roar of the engine outside. There was " daily i
rural life " of the Bural New Yorker, who, not- '
withstanding his octogenarian tendencies, looked ,
as happy as a new pin at the prospect of an
eight thousand mile ride at his time of life ; or
perhaps at the thought of having his young look-
ing wife at his side for so many weeks ; for be it
known to the outside world, an editor who faith-
fully serves the public wl.en he is at home, has
to stick to his den worse than the sorriest bache-
lor, and the luxury of a wife is generally in ih3
name of the thin'?. Then there was Fuller and
his wife, sent by the Rural New Yorker chieTy
to look after the old folks, (how he shamefully ne-
glected which duty the Ttural New Yorker ought
to know.) In rapid succession we were introduc-
ed to "Rural '' of the Chicago Tribune and other
gentlemen *, Mrs. Sam. Jones, and other ladies of
literary fame; and by the time we had got through
with their friendly exchanges, found ourselves

the details, and anticipate the pleasure which
this minor variety gives. It is i.ot so with rivet
views. Ko two are alike— each has characters
exclusively its own. For all this a first view of
the Susquehanna always ( xcites the admiration
of the most experienced traveler. Only that
beauty must have been a leading element of
creation, 'such a boundless waste of water never
would hrv3 had an existence. A mile wide
here a hundred miles from its mouth, and ex-
tending back for, perlaps, three hundred miles
into the country, yet abounding w th rocks and
ledges, and entirely unnavigable through its
whole cour-^e. Beautifully wooded islands aboimd
and have furnished materials to many a romance
writer ; and the hills on either side clothed with
a luxurious forest vegetation, leaves nothing for
the imagination to wish for.
I Our party, however, was not all sentiment.
, Observing one wrapped in deep meditation at a
j window as the car went over the bridge, we
I joined him in order to share with him the deep
' poetic feeling we knew was swelling in his breast;
\ but was somewhat taken aback, when pointing
' to a mass of green bushes on the water's edge,
he exclaimed, '^ I do wish I had some of those
papaws to eat, they are quite as good to my
taste as the best West Indian bananas." We
' wished he had, and went away.

We leave the river at once on crossing, and
run southwest towards York, one of the most
thriving towns in Pennsylvania, and well known
to our readers as the locale of the extensive nur-
series ot E. J Evaus & Co. The whole of this ride
\ is one of great beauty. The land in this part of
the country is so rich, that it produces timber
of magnificent proportions, while the hill-sides
are so steep and rocky, that it will never be
used for anything else but timber purposes; so
that if forests are the greatest conservators of
climate, the great keystone of the Union will

well on towards the Susquehanna River, and l always be as she is now, one of the healthiest
soon were crossing the bridge of over a mile in

length, recently built by the Pennsylvania Rail-
road in the place of the one destroyed during I
the war, when the Southern army made its ap-
pearance at ihewestern end.

There is nothing so varied in the worlds as
river scenery. We ti'avel over thousands of
miles of land, and the details seem very much
alike. Here it is flat, there undulating, and now
perhaps mountains. We know pretty much
before we come to a land scene, what the gen-
eral features are to be. We look for novelty in

and best blocks in the national arch. At York
our engine, which was new and had worked so
poorly as to put us an hour behind time, was
changed ; and we sped ou at an enormous rate,
hardly noting when we passed Hanover Junction
the jumping off place for Gettysburg, but a short
distance away. From Hanover junction we go
south again, striking the Gunpowder River, and
at the rate of sixty miles an hour, timed by the
writer's watch against the mile poles, we soon
came within a short distance of the city of Balti-
more. The entrance to most cities is through

S38

THE GARDENER* S MOJ^TELY. ^'oveinUr,

suburbs, characterized by all sorts of vile odors
and miserable scenes. Here we run through a
beautiful park, containing lovely lakes which
serve the double purpose of feeding waterworks
and aiding in a beautiful picture; and indeed this
is all we see of Baltimore, for after passing this
we enter the " big tunnel," and leave the famous
old city overhead. A short cut by way of the
Relay House, brings us to Washington, making
the time from I^ew York less than nine hours.
The number of miles is greater than by any
other route, but the tunnel saves an hour usually
spent in horsing through Baltimore ; and then
the excellent manner in which the Pennsylvania
Company makes its road-beds, enables fast

time to be made with entire safety. The great
beauty of the scenery will always make it a
favorite line of public travel.

To make connection for our southern trip, we
had no more time in AVashington than to note
the wonderful change which is being made, and
which is turning one of the most old fashioned
into one of the most beautiful cities in the
Union. It is pleasant to note that the capital of
the country is being rendered worthy of its
name. From here, by the kindness of Balti-
more and Ohio railroad, we took cars for Harper's
Ferry, where our sleeper was switched off, and
we halted for the nigbt, to begin our journey
proper the next morning.

SCRAPS AND UUERIES.

Correct Name of the Mammoth Tree.—
"C. is puzzled to know the correct botanical
name of the Mammoth Tree. It has various
names with different writers. What is its right
name?" Most botanists use Sequoia gigantea ;
but as this name was originally intended for a
kind of spruce, some think it ought not to be
again used for another plant; and these call it
Sequoia Wellingtonia. But this re-use of a drop-
ped name is not uncommon. We should say
S. gigantea is the correct name.

Essay of Mr. Milton's.— The editor not
seeing the proof before going to press on this oc-
casion, makes the following corrections necessary:
" In last month's number of the Monthly, the
following mistakes occur in the article on ' Adi-
antums,' owing most probably to my indistinct
manner of writing : North Easton, Pa., should
be North Easton, Mass.; A. fulaum, A. fulvum,
and A. trapeziforme variety Lanctse Catherinse,
A. trapeziforme variety Sanctce Catherinse.
Very truly yours,

M. Milton.''

Double Calla IEthiopica.— Mrs. Mary
Bissett sends us a Calla with two flowers, one
within the other, from the same flower stem.
This happens only once in a while in the Calla,
and always interests students of morphology
when seen.

Since Mr. James Bissett's decease, some three

years ago, Mrs. B. has kept the business going
very successfully. In tastefully arranged cut
flowers and ferns, the greenhouses have a good
reputation.

A Beautiful Letter. — The Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society, not forgetting that its
mission is to cultivate a taste for horticulture in
the community, frequently admits schools free to
its exhibition. The following pretty letter of
thanks comes from children to the President,
who will tell their own story :

"Institute for Deaf and Mutes, |
Philadelphia, September 18, 1873. j

"William L. Schaffer, Esq.,

"Dear Sir :— We, the pupils of this Institution,
having enjoyed a pleasant visit to the exhibition
now open at your hall, greatly desire to express
our gratitude for your kindness in inviting us to
do so. The visit not only afforded us a source
of pleasure, but assisted in the cultivation of our
minds, and enables us to feel that our knowledge
of the vegetable kingdom has been very much
extended, for which we are truly grateful. The
delicious fruits of different sizes and varieties
spoke loudly of the fertility of the States from
which they were brought ; and the flowers, so
lovely and fragrant and neatly wrought into
garlands and wreaths, made everything around
look beautiful, and gave to the air the sweetest
odors. The Hamburg grapes struck our curiosi-

373.

THE GARDEJV'ER'S MOJfTHLY.

S39

ty more than any other kind ; they were the
largest we ever saw.

"Besides the interest we took in examining the
fruits and flowers, we do not forget the plants,
of which there were so many kinds that it was
impossible for us to remember the names of all.
Our principal and teachers kindly made us
acquainted with several large ones, which de-
lighted us very much. We have often seen
ferns in the country, but none to equal those
which we saw at your exhibition, either in size
or beauty.

" Besides the fruits, plants, flowers, and all we
saw, we did not forget to take a good survey of
the building; and while doing so, observed that
much improvement had been made during the
last year. The walls and ceiling presented a
very fine appearance, and the gallery above
afforded a good place for observing all that was
going on below.

" Now that we are so well pleased with our visit
this time, we sincerely hope that if we ever
«njoy such a pleasure again, we may not be less
gratified, and be assured that we will never
forget the debt of gratitude we owe to you, our
kind benefactor.

Gratefully yours,
Okrtrude B. Smith, Lizzie Barstow,
Bridget Hughes, Luella H. Little,

Carrie M. Crease, Maria L. Hess,

In behalf of the pupils."

Chilopsis linearis.— a Dallas, Texas, cor-
respondent says : "I have Chilopsis linearis
(Don.) growing. It blooms in midsummer,
grows 6 to 12 feet high, and is called Willow
Leaved Catalpa, from shape and color of flowers.
Blossomed this season from cuttings. Its only
objection is, that like the Buddleya, it becomes
disfigured by old flower stems. Otherwise very
ornamental."

Fruit in Northwestern PennsylyanIa
— A correspondent from Mercer County says :
^' We have four acres in vineyards, and some of
the finest grapes this season that ever I have
seen. Been very busy for the last three weeks,
and will be for two weeks yet in picking and
shipping away grapes. We had a fair crop of
apples and pears. Would have liked to sent you
a lot of our apples for the Horticultural Fair,
Philadelphia, but had not time to get them
ready.''

Peaches in Michigan.— D. D. Waters,

Esq., gave an interesting discourse on peach
culture at Grand Rapids in December last before
the Michigan Pomological Society. They seem
to bear there as abundantly and with about the
same regularity as in the Middle States. He
speaks of the vicinity of Spring Lake. Here
Early York mildews, Morris White is of inferior
size, and Smock is too late. His choice are
Hale's Early, which does not rot here, Crawford,
Barnard, Old Mixon Free, Late Crawford, and
Hill's Chili, also called Stareley's Late. In cul-
ture he advocates a thoroughly clear surface.
The peach should be richly fed. An abandoned
hog-pen makes one of the best peach soils.
Manuring the fruit is an important operation.
Overbearing and starvation are the chief sources
of disease in the peach.

The prices of peaches there was from $1.00 to

L.75 per basket.

Early Beatrice Peach.— 3fr. Myers,
Bridgeport, Delaware, gives us the following
account : " In a former number of the Monthly
you ask for information about the Early Beatrice
Peach.

" Having understood that it was in fruiting in
Halifax County, North Carolina, I visited that
county last June. I found a Mr. Bellis shipping
the fruit June 25th. The fruit was small to
medium size, well colored, and free from rot.
Even the fruit stung by Curculio did not show
rot.

" In passing over the orchard several times, I
saw but four as fine peaches of either Early
Beatrice or Early Louise, rotting. Five or
more thousand of different ages, from two to
three years,— a few I think older — all had fruit
on. Had born a crop the year previous. Had
not had very good attention last year. The
former owner having failed, Mr. Bellis will
put them in good order. This orchard was
planted by Mr. S. Bilyou. Mr. Bilyou has done
the country great good in being the first to
make known these valuable peaches.

"Mr. Bellis was shipping the Beatrice, at the
time I was there, to New York. I wrote to
Fuller & Pullen, 146 West Washington Market,
to go and see in what condition the fruit arrived,
directing by mark on crates sent by Mr. B.
Messrs. F, & P. wrote me the fruit arrived in
fine order, and selling at $4.50 to $5.00 per box.
Boxes not over I in. scant ; that should suflSce.
A few days later, received another letter from

SJi-O

TEE GABDEJV'ER'S MOJ^TELY. KovemUr,

Y. & P., saying fruit came in good order. One
crate, larger fruit than others, brought SiS.OO. A
few days since T received a letter from Mr.
Bellis, saying his Beatrice paid him §1.00 net a
crate better than any other kind. And he says
he picked the last Beatrice twenty days after he
commenced ; and the fruit then was in good
order. I consider it the most valuable peach in
the world, he says.

"I brought with me a small basket of the
fruit, through the'kindness of Mr. B. I kept a
few of them up to the morning of the ninth day,
when children got to the basket and ate them.
Were in good condition on that morning. I
placed a few in the show-case of D. F. Ball &
Son's store, one of them keeping fourteen days.
Hale's Early, picked at the same time, rotted in
a day or two. Hale's was rotting on trees side
by side of Beatrice, and at least twelve to
twenty days in ripening. Early Louise is larger
than Beatrice. I should consider them enor-
mous bearers. Never saw young trees so loaded.
The fruit is a beautiful light straw-color — pink
cheek next sun. I think the Louise of very
high quality, and from what I saw, consider it
the second best very early peach known : in fact
I am not sure but it may be placed ahead of all
others. Kipening as it does, but a few days
later than Beatrice, and appeared entirely free
from rot. Part of the fruit I kept nine days was
of that variety. In conclusion, I would say I
think the world is greatly indebted to Mr. T.
Rivers, of England, for introducing some of the
most valuable very early peaches ever known. "

Persimons.— Some one without explanation
sends us a box of excellent persimons. We ate
them, and wished for more. They were first
class persimons, and in striking contrast with
those which, in conjunction with onions, some
hypocritical people use at funerals, according to
some "reliable gentlemen,'' though not of the
"old school."

Late Peaches.— Mr. L. Blodgett sends a
box of fine specimens. The yellow freestone re-
ferred to was especially fine in size and flavor.

" I am not fortunate in showing fruit, but I
have never failed to produce for my family and
my friends, an abundant supply of such peaches
as I send you to-day, for the entire season from
August 15th to the last days of October.

" These are four of No. 3, which I regard as the
first peach for its season, (Oct. 1st to 20th) I ever

saw. I have four trees of this variety, bearinsr
in 1871 and 1872 about tweuty-five bushels each
year, and this year about three bushels. The
White Melting peaches and Yellow October
Clings, were more abundant this year. Enclose
four peaches of the Yellow October Cling, No.
11, of my list of seedlings."

Touching Names of Cherries akd Other
Fruits.— 3/r. F. B. Elliott writes : Thank
you ! Here you are, my good energetic public
friend of all connected with rural life — even to
the skimming and thinning down of superfluity of
nomenclature. I read your calm and judicious
notes touching the name of " Caroon^^ for a spe-
cial name or designation for a distinct variety,
but confess I fail to see your substantiation.
Can you make the Caroon from any reliable re-
cord other than the old Merry or Mazzard, giv-
ing to it as you must or should, the position of
growth, soil, location, etc. ; and have you not,
when completed, the type parent of the Black
Heart of the book list description ? I have
no desire to touch the matter, for I am done
with pomology. What I know I know ; but it
dont pay to keep up a hullabaloo with men who
have each an axe to grind, when joa are only-
working for the public good and correction of
names, by which fruit growers shall know truly
the varieties most profitable to you.

Here in your "foot notes," friend editor of Gar-
dener's Monthly, you have a man giving record
of the Napoleon as Caroon, and you seem to ac-
cord with him "

[Mr. Elliott seems to have overlooked the
main point of the note in the last Monthly^
which was to show that the Mazzard was not
the Merry of the English gardens. The Merry
is one distinct variety, cultiva'ed and propagated
as any other variety, while the " Mazzard ''com-
prizes all s^rts of hardy wildlings. The true
Caroon may be the same as the English Merry ;
but our New Jersey correspondent, and we
thank him for the information, showed pretty
clearly, we think, good reason for supposing
that what is called Caroon by eastern Pennsyl-
vania and New Jersey, is the Napoleon Bigga-
reau.

Culture of Fruit Trees. — G. J. 22., Bkh-
ford, Tioga County, JS'cw York, writes : " I have
been for thirty years a close student of horticul-
ture; and besides being a cultivator of fruits
myself, have watched the general course of

1S73

THE GARDEJ^EWS MONTHLY.

341

other fruit growers, and the result is to make it
seem truly strange, that any 'level headed'
fruit grower should advocate plowing each year
among fruit trees. It seems to me that in spite
of the observation that they do best in grass,
the most cursory examination of the roots would
show that the small feeders are all very close to
the surface, where the most nourishment is."

Timber Trees for Kansas.— A correspon-
dent makes the following inquiries : May I
tr juble you to inqiure about the value of some
trees that I am wanting to try ? 1st. Can you
tell me anythiug of the value of the Southern
Yellow Piae (Pinus MUis) for planting as a
forest tree in this latitude ? and can it be started
easier than the J^orthern Piues ? I want to
plant some of the seed, and perhaps some young
plants next spring, but I shall go light about it
unless I cau feel pretty sure that it will be a
valuable tree here.

2d. What do you think of the Deciduous Cy-
press for this latitude, where we have water at
4 to 10 feet below the surface ?

3d. Can you tell me anything about the value
of the Blue Ash as a forest tree ? The White
A.-^h does not please me here. The tree is small
and the timber poor, and the "green ash,"
which is native here, is not much better.

[(1). Oue '•Southern Yellow Pine " is Pinus
palustris sometimes also called the long leaved
Yellow Pine, and is the timber from which floor-
board is made This would not do well in K,ia-
sas. Pinus 7nit/s, another yellow pine, would
be hardy in K lusas, but whether or not it
would do well as a timber tree is a matter for
experiment. Is there any trees of it of any size
in the State ? We should be glad 10 know
what is the largest. The timber is excellent if
it will do well. Tlie plants are not raised as
easily from seed as northern species.

(2). The Deciduous Cypress ought to do well
in the situation described. Perhaps even better
than in the South. Though naturally found in
'• swamps,'' it di>es not like the locality, and
prefers dryer ground in spite of the orders of
nature.

(3). The Blue Ash will, without much doubt,
do better than the White Ash in Kansas We
have seen them together in the woods of Ohio
and Indiana, always to the advantage of the
Blue Ash. It must be remarked, however, that
the White Ash Fraxinus Americans is more
variable than any other American tree except,

perhaps, Celtis occidentalis. The variations
used to puzzle the botanists of the past age, and
thus we had F. lutea, F. epiptera, and F. acu-
minata, which are now admitted as the same ;
and F, pubescens, which, though regarded by
Gray and others as a good species, is not, we
think, more than a form, and not a very decided
orm of F. Americana. It is when the forms
approach F. pubescens that the White Ash is
a worthless timber tree. The forms "at the
other end " are just the reverse.]

Climate of Chestertow:^", Maryland. —
Massey & Hudson say : " Frost holds off well
here, and we are getting an abundance of stock
for bedding plants from the open ground yet
(October 14).

Ourlocality is peculiarly exempt from early frost
in autumn. Three years ago geraniums lived
and bloomed in our garden until December 15th.
This Peninsula is too little known North.
Would be glad to see some editors and publish-
ers here."

Patrons of Husbandry.— Mr. Saunders
— Correction.— In October number, page 299,
line 15, I ara made to say " Hon. W. Saunders
has, etc, whereas my copy read 'had.' The
drift of this article pre-supposes that I did not
mean to use has, inasmuch as I am speaking
of what occurred in the past, A mere cursory
reading of that part might make me seem to de-
sire to do an injustice to Mr Saunders, for which
purpose I would have no right, nor would the
editor allow me so to use the columns of the
Monthly. By allowing me the correction, oblige,

G. W. Thompson.

[On looking over Mr. Thompson's article, we
note that it might possibly be construed into the
meaning, that Mr. Thompson imputed to Mr.
Saunders the motives referred to. This was not
his intention, nor did we understand it. Mr.
Thompson was referring to this malicious ru-
mor-combatting, not endorsing it, — and our
remarks were intended as aiding Mr. Thompson
in his effort. We supposed every body under-
stood this ; but as we see there is a possibility of
the misconstruction, in justice to all we are
thus explicit.

Since the above was written we have a note
from Mr. S lunders, with his thanks for the un-
sought testimony we gav in his behalf. Mr. S.
reminds us that before the order of Patrons of
Husbandry was talked of, he had the offer of a

3Jf\

TEE GARDEJiER'S MOJVTELY. Jfovemher,

nomination to the office of Commissioner of Ag-
riculture, and that he positively and absolutely
declined, as he has always done. Few persons
have had a more intimate acquaintance with
Mr. Saunders than the writer of this ; and no
one can more fully feel the injustice of the sugges-
tion that he ever had any aspirations to the
office, much less used his position to further the
end.

Horticulture at Salt Lake, -In refer-
ence to the note in the Gardener''s Monthly last
month that the bronze medal of the Pomological
Society was awarded to the Utali collection, a
correspondent writes: "We were a little sur-
prised at not so much as receiving a letter of
acknowledgment of the receipt of the fruits we
sent to Boston. And all the information we
have received as yet, has been through the
Monthly.

"Mr. J. S. Houghton has been kind enough to
forward to me extracts of proceedings of your
Fair in Philadelphia. Our Fair closed on the
9th inst. My time has been taken up entirely
with the business of the Fair for the last two
weeks. Exhibition of fruits was not as large as
I expected it would be. But horses and horned
stock were better than ever before. Financially
it was a success. We had a severe frost
two weeks ago to-day, (Oct. 11th) which spoiled
our Dahlias. Cold winds visit us, and warn
us that winter is near."

Smilax hispid a.— Jfrs. S. E N. Corning,
South West Iowa. — We give above the name
represented in the following note. It is pleas-
ant to note so much attention drawn to our
beautiful native climbers. A near relative to
his, growing further snuih. Smilax AValteri, is

one of the most beautiful things possible to
grow ; but we know no one who has a plant :

"I send you from this comparatively new coun-
try, a leaf or two with stem of plant for name,
I found it climbing by tendrils to trees, and
growing about fifteen feet high. The stem,
when fresh, looks much like that of some of the
white moss roses. Vines of all kinds seem to
luxuriate in this part of the country, though I
fear for my favorites, the Fuchsias. Probably
the dryness of the atmosphere does not suit
them."

Phylloxera —Correction. —Friend Mee-
ban : In your October issue, speaking of some
remarks of mine before the Academy of Natural
Sciences, you have the following, the italic*
being mine :

Prof. Leidy inquired of Mr. Riley the true
position of the insect in scientific classification;
Prof Riley replied that it was not yet well settled.
Its appearance brought it somewhere near the
aphids, hut it did not have successive broods from
one impregnation; aphids did. In this respect
it approaches coccus. He thought it between the
two families.

I am sure I said no such foolish thing. What
I did say was that the insect belonged to the
sub-order Homoptera^ and that while it was at
present classed with the plant-lice (Aphididce) it
bears close relation to the bark-lice [Coccidce.\
Phylloxera multiplies agamically like all the
Aphididce^ and therefore does produce successive
broods from one impregnation.

Yours truly,

C. V. Riley.

BOOKS, CATALOGUES, ETC

Sixth Annual Report of the Secreta-
ry OF THE Connecticut State Board of
Agriculture.— From T. S. Gold, Secretary.—
It is the misfortune of some societies to publish
" reports," which soon find their way to the rag
mills, and these facts have had a tendency to
lower the public estimation of reports as a gene- 1
ral thing. It is a misfortune, as many of them ,
have valuable material, and are well worthy of

perusal and preservation. This volume is one
of this class, which we are glad to receive.

Randolph Peters' Catalogue, Wilming
TON. — The catalogues of our nursery friends are
always very welcome. At one time we gave
with pleasure brief notices of them ; but they
came in such shoals, that we could not spare the
room. Then we limited them to a mere notice

187S.

THE GARBEJ^ER'S MOJYIMLY.

S43

of the name of the firm issuing them ; but found
if we did justice to all, that would take a couple
of pages. To pick out a few is a sort of fa-
voritism, the readers of ihe Gardener''s Monthly
have too nice a sense of fair play to tolerate ;
so we are driven to the course of noticing only
when there are some special matter of public
interest to refer to. Mr. Peters' catalogue con-

tains more news about peaches, peach varieties,
and peach culture, than any catalogue we have
had before us this year.

Sixth Annual Report of Ohio State
Horticultural Society. — Contains much of
interest to fruit growers of Ohio. The Society
seems to be in a tolerably flourishing condition.

NEW ANT) RAHE MUTTS.

New Pears, — From Ellwanger & Barry we
have a box with the following newer varieties
of pears: Marie Louise d' Uceles, St. Therese,
Beurre de Ghelin, Bonne de peuits d' Ausault,
Madam Andre Leroy, Bon Roi Rene, Court
queue d' Automne, Henri Desportes, Napoleon
III, Bois Napoleon (Bavay), looks like Urbaniste;
Beurre Samoyeau, Therese Appert, Duhamel du
Morceau, Madam Henri Desport, Sarah (Clapp)
Andrew, St. Crispin (Andrew).

It it said there has not been much improve-
ment in pears of late years, and that the old and
well-known kinds are good enough for any one.
If every one can grow these as E. & B. grows
them, there surely must be progress. In size
and beauty most of these rival our best known
kinds, and most of them equal at least to the
average.

The Miles Grape is by no means a " new "
grape, yet it is somewhat rare in cultivation. It is
now some years since we heard Mr. John Rulter
and Mr. Josiah Hoopes speak well ©f it. This
year we have heard it spoken well of in several
quarters. It is small, but early and good.

The Champion Grape. — This is a new clai-
mant for popular favor, said to be ten or fifteen
days earlier than Hartford Prolific. It is re-
markable that whenever any novelty is to be
earlier than any other well known kind, it is
generally " ten or fifteen days'' in the advance.
Still, so far as we can learn, the Champion is
really a promising kind.

New Native Grape. — Claggett & Munger,
St. Joseph, Mo., sends with a bunch of grapes
the following note : " We send you per express

samples of grapes for inspection, which the
grower believes to be a foreign variety, he hav-
ing received it from a German friend, who
claimed to have brought it with several other
varieties from Germany. In growth and other
appearances we can see nothing indicating for-
eign origin. Robust grower like Concord— fully
as hardy, the two being the only ones out of
twenty or thirty varieties grown here that were
not seriously injured or entirely killed during
the past two severe winters. Has been fruited
here for the last four seasons. Ripens earlier
than Hartford ; and we think will bear trans-
plantation to any distance. Owing to drought
now prevailing here, it with all other kinds are
under size, and ripening very poorly. Other
years it has been fit for table use from 1st to 5th
of August. Should you recognize it as a known
variety, we would be under obligations for its
proper name."

[It is a native grape of very good quality ; but
not, we believe, the same as any kind in general
cultivation.]

The Orange Apple.— ilir. Blodgett writes :
I send you two average specimens of the
" Orange Apple," an apple I have grown since
1838 ; and one that was always a favorite for
quality, appearance and productiveness. I very
rarely see it here, and only in shipments of fruit
from western New York or Erie County, Penna.

It is not known in eastern New York or Penn-
sylvania, nor can I find it described in Down-
ing's list, and as I do not claim to have any
share in originating it, perhaps Mr. Downing
will allow me to describe it, so that it may in
future be identified.

During last year I observed very closely all

3U

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TBLl. ^''oveniber,

fruits grown near Js'ew York City, and all that
■were exhibited at the American Institute and
other fairs, and there was nothing to represent
either of the three varieties of apples which I
have grown and valued for so man}^ years, viz :
the Speckled or Westbrook, the "Sour and Sweet,''
and the "Orange Apple," If these were new
and untried fruits of doubtful value, I should not
suggest anything in reg'^rd to them, but the}''
are next to the R. I. Greening, the best of
standard fruits.

I give such descrijition as I think distingui-hes
and identifies this "Orange Apple."

" Orange Apple," (as grown in Mr, Blodgett's
orchard, near Sugar Grove. Pennsylvania, fur
thirty-five years ; also gsnerally in that variet}'
in New York and Pennsylvania. )

Tree erect, symmetrical ; close rather than

spreading, and without strong leaves ; bark
smooth, light colored ; laterals abundant, very
flexible and often pendant. Inflorescence abun-
dant on tenniual points : fruit large to very large,
usually ou pendant twigs, (never on rigid twigs
or stems like the Greening) ; oblong, somewhat
abruptly truncated, and with flattened sides
or segments; calyx deeply set, and always
closed; stem deeply inserted, and of the length
of the cavi'y ; skin greenish yellow to bright
yellow ou the sunny side, becoming greasy on
ripening, and particularly after picking; flesh
yellowish-white, and often quite yellow on the
exposed side; very tender and juicy, sprightly
subacid, crisp and excellent as a dessert fruit.
Season, September to October, (but may be kept
till January in Warren County).

]VEW AND EAHE PLAINTS.

The Yellow Aquilegia.— 3/r. X Guerinen,
Cambridge, Mass. writes : "I thought you would
like to compare the two species of Columbines ;
Aquilegia aurea of Roezi and the already so much
syaoiiimied one, now called at last Aquilegia flava.

We received the seeds under the name of Aqui-
legia coer idea and it flowered last year 'yellow,'
but 'they' said it was not different from Aqui-
legia Coerulea except in color ; but I find that
besides this, it was taller, a later bloomer, and

187S.

THE GARBEJ^ER'S MOJVTMLY.

845

flowering all through the season ; peculiarities
which the K. cceiulea has not.

So I exhibited it under the name of ^. ccerula
and I took the liberty to add var. lutea. The
Mass. Horticultural Society awarded it its silver
medal. It flowered so long in the season, that
at the autumnal show I had still a good bunch
of flowers. This spring it has been called here
Aquilegia coerulea /?ara, and now ic is called
Aquilegia flava, and in England where Dr. Gray
sent the seeds and plants, they call it Aquilegia
hptoceras lutea.

The Aquilegia aurea of Roezl which you will
find in the lower part of the box, came from
seeds direct from Mr. Roezl, it is now called
here Aquilegia flovescens.''''

[The flower sent is not half the size of the A.
eptocera aurea^ which we referred to as having
seen growing near Philadelphia last year, and
which agrees exactly with A. leptoceya aurea. as
described in the Eujilish journals. The one we
referred to is of a deep golden yellow, with spurs
near two inches long, but the flower itself not
more than an inch in diameter The seeds also
are different from A. coerulea, with which it has
nothing in common.

While collecting last summer in the far west
the writer fouud in one of the deep canons of the
WahsaLch range, a yellow Aquilegia, with very
short spurs, and the petals of a dirty clay color.
There is no doubt there will be many forms of
*' yellow'' Aquilegia get into cultivation, and
cultivators will have to use discretion in getting
the best.— ED. G. M.l

Elliottia racemosa —An addition lo our i
white flowering deciduous shrubs, especially i
when its blooming season is in mid summer, is |
worthy of more than a passing notice. Among
these is the Elliottia^ which, although a native
shrub, is but very siddom found. Its habitat is
restricted to a few spots in Middle and Southern

Georgia, and wherever found the patches do not
extend beyond one or two acres. There, how-
ever, the whole ground is covered with this
shrub. Outside of these small spots not a speci-
men is to be seen. As far as known this plant
has been discovered in three places in Middle
Georgia only, and one in South Carolina near
the city of Augusta. A few days ago a friend
took us to one of these localities, and we were
well repaid for a warm ride by a glorious sight
of about two acres of Elliottia in full bloom.
The shrubs ranged from six inches to ten feet in
height, but few below three feet in bloom, show-
ing that the plant require from three to four
years of a2;e before flowers are produced. In
appearance the shrub somewhat resembles yourg
sassafras bushes; branches long and sleuder ;
bark smooth ; leaves alternate, lanceolate, acu-
minate at each end, glaucous beneath, of a light
green color, and deciduous ; flowers smal', with
four oblong linear petals, pure white, produced
upon terminal racemes or spikes, which in
thrifty plants attain twelve inches in length,
but when less vigorous these racemes, although
shorter, are produced more profusely, and give a
finer appearance to the plant. Many specimens
six feet high, and from two to three feet through,
were literally covered with blooms. The usual
blooming period commences in early June and
Inst until July. The soil where the Elliottia is
found is sandy pine land, the surrounding
woods being composed of lono^ leaf pine, black
jack oak {quercus nigra), farkleberry {vaccinium
arboreum). '^tc. The plant belongs to the natural
order of cgrallicece, or heath-like,. and although
classed as evergreen by Chapman, Darby and
others, it, however, does not retain its foliage
through the winter. Wherever the soil is suita-
ble, this plant will be a most valuable acquisition
to out- ornamental gardens, as there are no
shrubs now cultivated t .at are more graceful
when in full bloom — Farmer and Gardener.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

Small Fruits at William Parry's.— The
Editor of West Jersey Press writes as follows
after a visit to Mr. Parry's Nursery :

But extensive as are Mr. Parry's operations
as mentioned above, they do not occupy his

whole altt ntion. About one hundred acres of
his land are devoted to small fruits, the chief of
which are strawberries, raspberries and black-
berries, and it is this branch of the business
which might be termed one of Mr. P.'s special-

BAG

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TRLY J\'ovem'ber,

ti?s. The varities of strawberries grown, which
are most esteemed, might be mentioned as fol-
lows, in the order of their time of ripening : —
The Kew Jersey Scarlet French, Wilson's Al-
ban}^ Seth Boyden, Charles Downing, Monarch
of the West, Dr. Warder, Black Defiance, Col.
Cheny, Late Prolific, Kissena and Kentucky.
These follow each other in regular succession,
and thus extend the strawberry season through
a much longer period than if but one variety was
grown. The Monarch of the West is the largest
and best strawberry in cultivation in this local-
ity. The fruit is of an almost fabulous size,
many specimens measuring five inches in cir-
cumference. It is of a bright red color, very
firm, vigorous and productive, and of delicious
flavor. The foot stalks, which are very stout,
bear the berry well up from the ground, and a
healthy and luxuriant foliage protects it from the
hot sun. This fruit is very highly esteemed,
and finds a ready sale in the markets at a much
higher price than ordinary berries. On the 14th
of June, four crates of the Monarch of the West,
in all amounting to 128 quarts, sent to New
York, brought $64, while 10 crates of Albanys,
containing 300 quarts brought but S42. The
country is so full of the sour Albanys, and the
market so glutted with them, that there is a
great demand for large and sweet berries like the
Monarch of the West, The other varieties of
strawberries especially worthy of mention, are
the Dr. Warder, a bright red and large conical-
shaped fruit, of a productive nature and rather
late ; the Late Prolific, a hardy and vigorous
plant with dark green foliage, and large berries
of a rich flavor and ripening late ; and the Kis-
sena. The latter, we believe, was awarded the
premium for the best new seedling at the New
York State Fair. It possesses a delicate flavor,
and is a very prolific and promising plant.

The severe cold of last winter, besides de-
stroying all the peaches and apricots upon Mr.
Parry's farm, killed at least half the crop of
raspberries. The red varieties especially suffered
most severely, but notwithstanding this great loss
many thousand quarts of this fruit will be sent
to market from the plantation. Of all the rasp-
berries prized for their delicious flavor and large
size among the red berries, the Herstine may be
classed first. It stood the rigors of the winter
better than any other of its species, and there
are at present upon the bushes a very fair crop
of this fruit. The Mammoth Cluster and a seed-
ling raised from the Doolittle. were unininrod by

the intense cold, and give promises of a most
bountiful yield. Blackberries, too, as well as
raspberries, were destroyed by the severe winter,
and there will perhaps not be more than half a
crop of these. The canes are making fine growth,
however, and as they are net exhausted by the
production of a heavy yield of berries, they are
storing up their strength for a most bountiful
crop next year.

In the fruit season, Mr. Parry employs about
one hundred pickers to gather the berries from
the vines, and the quantity sent to market of
New York and Philadelphia is immense. For
the last two weeks the number of strawberries
has reached 2500 quarts daily, and several teams
are kept busy hauling them to the railroad sta-
tion and to Philadelphia. Apples, pears and
other fruits are also shipped in large quantities.
The canning company at Riverside have this
year contracted for all Mr. P.'s cherries, and for
a week past, 1000 lbs. daily of certain varieties
have been forwarded from the farm to that
establishment.

The Eleven Summer Apples Recom-
mended AT Lansing. — 1. Market iisf— Strict-
ly for market purposes, and giving, as far as
practicable, a succession through the season.

2. Family List — For family or culinary purpo-
ses, with a possible surplus for market, and giv-
ing a succession.

3 AmaPnr Lint— Yor amateur purposes, con-
sisting strictly of dessert varieties, selected for
high qualities, with ample varieties and succes-
sion.

Apples— Samyner Varieties.

Market List. — Early Harvest, Red Astrachan,
Duchess of Oldenburgh (second quality). Mai-
den's Blush.

Family List — Early Harvest, Red Astrachan,
Primate, Larize Yellow Bough, Maiden's Blush.

Amateur List —Early Harvest, Carolina. Red
June (for the southwest). Sine Qua Non, Early
Strawberry. Early Joe, Large Yellow Bough,
Summer Rose (in certain localities.)

The above constitute the summer varieties of
apples recommended by the State Pomological
Society at its recent session at Lansing, for mar-
ket, for the family, and for amateur purposes.

Orchids. — A Nashville paper says : Tiie fol-
lowing notice of these curious plants is taken
from the elegant " Catalogue of New, Rare and
Select Plnnts," just issued by our fellow t'>wns-

1873.

THE GARDEJ^EWS MOJ^THLY.

347

man, P. L. Nichol : The enthusiastic amateur
in England, and other parts of Europe, regards
the Orchid as a most valuable tribe of plants.
At sales in London, large plants often command,
in our currency. S500 each. Their quaint (low-
ers, frequently resembling different kinds of in-
sects, besides their vari-colored and gorgeously
tinted hues, justly entitled them to be ranked as
the wonder of the Qoral world. It has been said
that nature did everything for the Camelia,
except to furnish the flower with fragrance.
Not so with some of the Orchids. To the deli-
cate tints of nature's paint-brush is added a
charming fragrance. It is safe to predict that
as soon as the beauty and value of these plants
are well known, they will be sought after more
eagerly than any other in the catalogues.

A hot-house is not absolutely required for the
treatment of them all Many varieties of the
Loelia, Lycaste, Dendrobium, etc , like cool green-
house temperature, with moist air.

After thus writing about the Orchids, Mr.
Nichol gives a list of eleven kinds with many
sub-varieties. The prices for single plants varies
from one to twenty-five dollars.

How TO Keep Apples.— At a meeting of
the Experimental Earm Club, held at the Farm,
near West Grove. Chester County, the subject of
picking and packing and storing apples was dis-
cussed. Thomas M. Harvey said Dr. Andrew

Bush, a very successful fruit culturist, picked
his apples when ripe, packed them in barrels
with many leaves, and they kept well. Job H.
Jackson said that apple raisers in New York
placed their apples in barrels with as little hand
ling as possible, and when the weather become
frosty, the fruit were put where it was just warm
enough to keep them from freezing. He had
kept apples by burying them. James Wilson
had kept apples until spring by covering the
barrels with a straw stack. The great requisite
in keeping apples. Dr. Mitchener said, was the
most careful handling and as little of it as possi-
ble, and an even cool tempe-ature, never allow-
ing the fruit to freeze. Charles Hambleton had
kept apples until a new crop ripened, by allowing
them to remain on the trees until thoroughly
chilled by the frost, and then putting them in a
c©ld cellar. Packing apples in saw dust, dry
tan or plaster of Paris had also been tried suc-
cessfully by several. Another authority says
that apples should never be gathered during
damp weather, nor when heavy dew is upon them
in early morning. It is poor policy to shake
fruit from the tree ; it will almost surely decay
from the effects of bruising. Even the slightest
ibrasion of the skin is the sure forerunner of a
lark spot, which will eventually change into
some kind of rot. If possible, each specimea
should be taken singly from the tree and handled
with the utmost care — West (Jhester Republican'

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE

Mbdinilla Magnifica,— This truly grand
and ornamental melastomaceous plant is again
much sought after by amateurs, and the wonder
is to me however it came to be pushed on one
side at all, for when a well-grown plant is in
flower the effc 2t it produces is most gorgeous.
This is undoubtedly the finest known species of
the genus. There are, however, several other
kinds which, although they produce muck smaller
panicles of bloom, are yet well deserving a place
in every stove on account of the gay and pleas-
ing effect they help to produce during winter, a
season never too prolific in handsome flowers.
I allude to such species as M speciosa, Siebold-
iana javanensis, and a few others.

Medinilla magnifica maybe reckoned amongst
the easiest of plants to cultivate The soil
should consist of two parts good fibrous peat,
one part loam, and suflScient sand to make the
whole feel gritty when taken in the hand. To
this may be added with considerable advantage
a little thoroughly decomposed manure, whilst
the drainage must be both ample and in good
working order. It requires a moist atmosphere
and the temperature of the stove, as will be well
understood when we slate that it is found
growing in company with Pitcher plants in the
mountain forests of Java, at an altitude of
about 3000 feet. During the growing season a
liberal supply of water both from the watering

SJi-S

THE GARDEJVER'S MO J^' TEL J. JVovember,

pot and syringe is essential to its well-being, but
it will naturall}' occur to the cultivator that less ,
is necessary in winter. Ou no account, how- |
ever, must the plants suffer from the want of
moisture at the roots, otherwise it will lead to
the casting the leaves, which will render it any-
thing but a credit to the cultivator or ornament
to the stove. j

The plant attains a height of upwards of three '
feet with age, and <^hen forms a fine, much-
branched shrub. It is perfectly smooth through-
out, the stems and branches being four-winged ;
leaves opposite, from six to ten inches long, i
broadh' ovate, and clasping the stem at the
base, whilst the color is deep shining green, j
The panicles are terminal and pendulous, some
eighteen inches long, ornamented with large
bright mauve pink bracts, which are arranged ,
in whorls of four. The numerous flowers are i
rosy pink tinged with purple, and the effect |
produced by a plant bearing some dozens ofi
such panicles of blossom must be seen to be i
appreciated. Its usual time of flowering is the {
end of April and May, but if required later in
the season it must be kept in a somewhat lower
temperature and shaded from the effects of the
sun. By this means it may be retarded for a
considerable time, and that, too, without injury.
It seems to have had the name of Medinilla
tracteata erroneously tacked to it upon its first
introduction. — Journal of Horticulture.

baryta water, and the operations repeated till
eventually the whole of the cupric sulphate will
have passed into the porous vessel, and there
become precipitated.

Changes in the Proximate Principles of
Herbaceous Vegetables. -Deherain main-
tains that the proximate principles of vegetables
migrate from the older to the newly formed
leaves, and that this migration i.s associated
with a transformation of glucose into cane
sugar, while, when the seed is formed, the cane
sugar is converted into starch and the albumen
into gluten, both iusohiblo. In this vvay the
•conversion of soluble into insoluble principles
and the accumulation of substances in the seed
is accounted for, and is illustrated by the fol-
lowing experiment : If a porous vessel, con-
taining distilled water, be placed in another
vessel containing a solution of cupric sulpliate,
the salt penetrates by diffusion into the inner
vessel. If then a few drops of baryta water be
added to the inner vessel, the salt is precipitated,
the equilibrium is disturbed, and a new portion
of cupric isulphate diffuses into the inner vessel.
The salt may be again precipitated by the

The Esparto Grass. — At the Society ot Arts
recentl}', Mr. Johnston read a paper on Esparto
Grass (Macrochloa tenacissima), now so largely
used in the manufacture of paper. The leaf is
the portion used, and the imports h:ive risen
from fifty tons in 1856 to over one hundred thou-
sand tons in 1870, standing second in this respect
to cotton only. The plant grows best on the
sea-coast of southern Spain and northern Africa,
and there seems no reason why the culture should
not be largely increased both in the native
country of the plant and in other regions with
similar climates, etc. The plant is reproduced
by seed, by transplanting. — Gardener''s Ckronicle.

English Grapes.— On one occasion George
III. was so pleased with a performance at Drury
Lane Theatre, that he gave orders for a hundred
dozen bunches of grapes to be cut off from the
Hampton Court vine, if so many could be found
upon it, and sent to the actors. The gardener
executed his commission and informed his royal
master that he could still cut off as many more
without stripping the tree. — Food Journal.

The Pomegranate. —This trulj beautiful
fruit deserves more attention than it obtains in
this country To bring it to perfection, a very
warm south wall should be appropriated to it,
and it should be trained fan-shape, and thinly
spread on the wall, s« as to admit as much sun
heat to it as possible. I recollect many years
ago seeing it well done at Walton-on-Thames,
in the garden of the Earl of Tankerville, where
it annually bore some beautiful fruit, but whether
they were fit for table or not I do not now recol-
lect. There are three fruiting varieties of it.
The Sweet, The Suh-acid, and Acid-fruited : the
first is the only one worth cultivating for the
fruit There is also the ornamental varieties-
scarlet,' white, and yellow, with double blossoms,
very ornamental. In their cultivation the Paris
nurserymen excel. Grown in small boxes, about
a foot square, most charming and well-flowered
little plants are regularly brought to the flower
markets, and ra et with a ready sale. The
reason we do not succeed with them is, we do
not get the wood thoroughly ripened, and we do

187S.

THE GARDEJ\rER'S MOJ^THLY.

S49

not give them enough of rest. The same observa-
tion applies to Orange trees, and many others.
There is a popular error that an open mild
winter brings an early spring, and we see nearly
all our periodicals giving countenance to the
fallacy, because in some warm nook a Primrose,
a Snowdrop, or the hardy Aconite, etc., dares
to put in an appearance. — ScotVs " Oi'chardii^t."

Anthukium Scherzerianum— Of the many
plants introduced within a comparatively recent
date none are of more value than this. For the
embellishment of the stove, as well as for the
decoration of the dinner table, it is simply in-
valuable, and cultivators may well congratulate
themselves on the fact that small plants may be
procured for a few shillings. It is, as a consid-
erable number of the readers of these remarks
are aware, neat in growth, and the spathes,
which remain in good condition for a very con-
siderable period, are of the most brilliant hue.
It will be found to thrive in a mixture of sphag-
num and fibrous peat, incorporated together in
equal parts, and a moderate proportion of nodules
of charcoal then added. The pots should be
filled to about half their depth with crocks, and
the base of the plant elevated two or three
inches above the level of the rim. The surface
should be covered with live sphagnum, as the
carpet of green materially enhances the appear-
ance of well-developed specimens when in bloom ;
the humidity arising from it is highly conducive
to a healthy growth. Liberal supplies of water
are essential to success, but of course the appli-
cation of water must not be overdone, and the
health and condition of each plant, as well as
the season of the year, must be taken into con-
sideration. To ensure the plants flowering early
in the winter, start them into growth early in
the spring, by placing them in the warmest
corner of the stove, and afford them the assist-
ance of bottom heat, if available.— Gardener's
Magazine.

Mountain White Pine (Pinus flexilis). —
This species occupies the sub-alpine belts of the
Eocky Mountains and the Sierras. It differs
very much in size. At 10,000 feet altitude it is
a tree of 130 feet high, and is from 2 to 3 feet
in diameter ; but on the high exposed crests of
the Sierras and Mount Shasta, it is reduced to a
mere straggling shrub, creeping on the ground.
The cones in consequence vary considerably in

size. .Where the tree has obtained a stately
I size, as is the case on the mountains of an eleva-
tion of 10,000 feet a little east of Little Yosemite
I Yalley, its cone measures from 4 to 5 inches ;
but where it is reduced to mere shrub, they are
I scarcely from 1 to 2 inches long. It is a fine
I tree with tapering trunk and conical outline,
■ branching almost from the base ; the lower
1 branches are horizontal, the upper ones ascend-
ing. The wood is white and soft ; the annual
I rings from one-eight to one-half line, on an ava-
rage one-fourth line wide. In the Rocky Moun-
, tains it occurs from 2^ew Mexico to the forty-
ninth parallel, never forming entire forests.
There it associates with P. contorta and P.
aristata. On the high crests of the Sierras it is
found growing along with P. contorta and Abies
Pattoniana. The species sometimes described
under the name P. albicaalis, and P. ceaabroides,
is P. flexilis.

Exhibition Roses.— We will just jot down
the names of a few favorite kinds well and fre-
quently shown other than those already men-
tioned. They were Prince Camille de Rohan,
j Louis van Houtte, Pierre JS'otting, Monsieur
Boncenne, very dark ; Marquise de Castellane,
Madlle Eugene Verdier, Abel Grand, Margue-
rite de St. Amand, or St. Arnaud, Elie Morel,
Emilie Hausberg, Marie Baumann ; Paul N'eron
becomes coarser and coarser, though so large ;
Senateur Vaisse and Maurice Bernard n, close
and symmetrical, splendid color, but appear
falling behind ; Clemence Joigneaux, Ferdinand
Lesseps, Vicomtesse, Vezins, Antoine Ducher^
Old Comte de iS'ateuil Devienna Lamy, Madame
Rival, Josephine Guyet, promising ; Madame
Morea, fine close crimped face, somewhat like a
prize hollyhock, but flatter, large ; Laelia Mad-
ame Jacquin, Charlotte Corday, Victor de Bihan,
Marquise de Mortemarte, Leopold I, Victor
Verdier, Jules Margottin, and a few others were
also sparsely scattered abroad, but to extend
our list further would encroach too much on the
space at our command.

The Yellow Roses were well represented, in-
terspersed with other tints, as well as f)i masse
in the class for a collection of yellow roses.
They were, of course, Marechal N'iel, Celine Por-
restier, Triomphe de Rennes, and Gloire de
Dijon Others were Bould d'Or, fine, and Mad-
ame Margottin, which appears coming into
vogue. — Eeport of Exhibition.

S50

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TKLY. JV'cvemher,

HOKTICULTUEAL NOTICES.

PENNSYLVANIA HORT. SOCIETY.

It no doubt surprised most persons who read
in the Country Gentleman a few weeks ago, and
who saw the exhibition of this Society in Sep"
tember, to be told that it was "said to be a great
success, but that it was evidently made up by a
few florists,'' or words to this effect. So far from
this being true, there were nearly one hundred
exhibitors, a greater number than ever contri-
buted to any horticultural exhibition in the
United States before. It was undoubtedly the
success it was "said" to be, as no doubt the
twenty thousand persons who visited can well
testify. The officers of the Society— at least the
four on whom most of the hard work fell — may
well be proud of the result. Messrs. Mitchell,
Houghton, Andrews and Harrison, deserve
well of this Society, if anybody does.

One of the best improvements this year was
in tasteful stands of cut flowers. These were
arranged by the Society. Three of the larger
ones were filled by collections from H. A. Dreer.
Miller & Hayes, and Meehan's G-ermantown
Nurseries. Each of these had between one and
two hundred named plants, and besides the ele-
gant appearance they made, it gave an excellent
opportunity for people to learn the names.

Mr. Marot made a good display of the wild
Sarracenia purpurea in a rustic stand. Mr. H.
E. Chitty of the Belleveu Gardens, Paterson,
N. J., had a choice set of new plants. The
common Gnaphalium lanatum, with variegated
leaves, variegated Mesembryanthemum, and a
beautiful pale-blush double geranium named
Alice Crouse, were the most striking.

Geo. Foust, florist, had an excellent lot of
new plants. Hechtia Ghiesbrechtii, an aloe-
looking plant with deep green leaves, Termina-
lia nobilis, and Maranta illustris, with beautiful
feather veins in the leaves, were nice things to
have. R. Buist had a beautiful lot of new
things. Antigonum leptopus was very striking,
and one of the best things introduced for many
years. It is a climber with something the ap-
pearance and habit of a Dioscorea, but it has
beautiful racemes of rosy-pink flowers. Dichori-
zandra Morrisonica, of the spider- wort family,
has broad leaves beautifully pencilled. Croton
undulatum has red spots on its green leaves,
and pretty crisp-wavy edges. Then there were
three beautifully marked leaved Dioscoreas D.

metallica, D. chrysophylla, and D. melano
pence. A beautiful Lycpodium, called Selagi-
nella setulosa, and a Hibriscus marginata. He
had also the new crimson-leaved Celosia Hut-
tonii, as alsojhad Mr. Dreer. Mr. Joyce, gar-
dener to Mrs. Baldwin, had his usual finely-
grown plants,— the pretty butterfly orchid On-
cidium PapiUo, and the " fossil leaf" Anthurium
grandis, attracting many lovers of the curious.
Mr. Dreer had many plants of interest. A large
woolly leaved Salvia argentea looked as if its
silvery leaves might be brought into play in some
way in our modern gardening styles. A Bouna-
partea juncea, seldom seen in flower, also adorned
his collections. In cut flowers, Roses, Dahlias,
and Gladiolus predominated.

In Mr. McKenzie's plants the Agave Sisala-
ria, one of the most unique in its foliage, was
present ; besides numberless small plants of va-
rious kinds, which gave great variety among so
many in larger pots. Gerhard Schmidt, one of
the most persevering improvers of the Dahha,
had a nice lot of good seedlings, but no names
or numbers by which we could identify them^
Hugh Graham had a beautiful " bridal arch " as
a design. Nothing more pleasing of the kind
was ever seen in the Hall. The pillars were
formed of bouquets, which were given away to
the visitors every night. Some three hundred
were thus distributed. R. Buist, A. Graham,
and A. Newett, gardener to H. Pratt McKean,
all had choice collections of Piilms and Ferns,
The Caladiums of H. Graham were remarkably
well grown, being not so much drawn up as
usual.

Mrs. Bissett is quite a fern fancier. In her
collection there were no less than twenty species
of Adiantums. Mr. B. W. Johnston, gardener
to Mr. Camac, had a design for massing a flow-
er garden. It was beautifully executed, and
attracted perhaps as much attention as anything
in the Hall. In Mr. Alex. Newitt's, (gardener to
P. McKean, Esq.) collection there were some glo-
rious specimens of the old fashioned cockscomb,
the heads about one foot across. Besides these
there were numerous other exhibitors, whose
meritorious articles would take a whole maga-
zine to detail.

The vegetable department was well sustained.
Some Peerless Potatoes by Michael Walsh, gar-
dener to W. Massey, Esq., were remarkably

1873.

THE GARDEJTER'S MOKTKLY.

351

fine ; and some specimens of corn, 15 inches
long, by AS. Felton, could perhaps hardly be
beaten. The fruits were fully as fine as at any
former exhibition, fine as most of these have
been. EUwaager & Barry had 350 varieties of
pears, in which the Souvenir du Congress was
•conspicuously excellent. The Salt Lake City
folks had an excellent contribution, in which the
Plums were no mean attraction. Mr. John
Perkins of Moorestown, IST. J., had 81 varieties
of apples. Hovey & Co., Boston, 50 varieties of
pears ; Smith «& Powell of Syracuse a large
number of varieties, in which Flemish Beauty,
Hosenshenk, De Tongres, Des Nonues, and
Seckel, were unusually fine and attractive.
Thos. Grigg of Vineland, K. J., had very fine
pears, of which the Duchess D' Angouleme were
as fine as are rarely seen. Mr. W. Joyce, gar-
dener to Mrs. Baldwin, had superior grapes, es-
pecially in regard to the Black Hamburgs and
Muscats. The collection sent by Alex. Cox,
gardener to Edward Wright, was interesting
from so much variety. Black Prontignan and
Bowood Muscat had remarkably fine berries.
In the California collection of pears were some
Beurre Clairgeaus that svould weigh three-fourth
of a pound. Samuel Noble had a small, but very
well grown collection of apples. The Porters
and Cornell's Pancys attracted general atten-
tion by their size and beauty. Gebhard Huster
had very fine hothouse grapes, some of the Mus-
cat Hamburg being eighteen inches long. In
Satterthwaite s collection there were good speci-
mens of the Rutter pear, a variety he thinks
very highly of. Mr. Ricketts of Newburg, N. Y.,
made a splendid show of native seedling grapes
There were, perhaps, fifty kinds, and so many of
superior quality, that if some do not prove better
than what we now have, it will be a poor busi-
ness to try and improve the breed hereafter.
Among the peaches were dishes of Delaware
White in excellent condition. It is a good rival
to the celebrated Smock peach. There were
from Mr. Hiron's. Mr. R. Moore of Camden,
N. J., had as fine Concords and Marthas as
were ever exhibited. He manures with dead
carcasses. Then there were peaches from a tree
one hundred years old ; and no mean ones
either. It would take the best of the new varie-
ties to beat them. H. C. Williams of Fairfax,
and Chamberlane of Acotink, both represented
Virginia worthily in fruits. The apples were
especially distinctive. Jos. H. Kent of Russel-
ville, also had very fine peaches, in which the

excellence of old Mixon Free, and Susquehanna,
a large yellow peach, was conspicuous.

GERMANTOWK HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

It is a pleasure to note the increased attention
given to local horticultural societies. The larger
ones can have their immense collections which
will attract visitors from far and near. Those
of more moderate pretensions improve the
home taste ; and caring for smaller things
which would be too small for more popular in-
stitutions, fill a nitch in general utility which
no other means could do so well.

The Germantown Horticultural Society is one
of these modest institutions, which, in an hum-
ble way, do a world of good. The September
meeting was a grand success, and in looking
through the exhibition, we noted a few points
which may be of general interest.

Mr, Robert Fergusson, of Laurel Hill JSTurse-
ries, had a Yucca gloridsa in flower. Unlike G.
fllamentosa, this fine species flower rather late
in this part of the world ; but in a tub under
glass as this was, there is a chance to enjoy its
great beauty. The plant otherwise is hardy,
and without flowers is always appreciated.

Begonia Evansiana, one of the oldest, but yet
one of the best, was frequent in the small collec-
tions, as it well deserves to be. It is one of the
easiest to take care of. In Mr. L. C. Baumann's
collection, was the rare, rather, but yet very
beautiful Gesnera Donkleari ; also worthy of
general culture. Begonia Mad. .Celeste, by John
Carey, gardener to Dr. Ashton, is one of the
best of the leafy kinds. In the collection of
Miller & Hayes of Mt. Airy, Germantown, was
the striped leaved New Zealand Flax, which
always attracts attention. Yucca recurva, in
the same collection, is one of the best for vases
and garden work, requiring artificial looking
leaves. A wreath of Pansies made by Miller &
Hayes was a good idea, and well carried out.
Mr. H. A. Dreer of Philadelphia had a nice
collection of cut roses, in which Teas for the
most part predominated. The cut flowers, as in
most of the exhibitions for the past year, were
numerous, and exhibited taste in the arrange-
ment. L. C. Baumann of the Manheiiu Street,
W. E, Meehan of the Germantown, and J.
Meyers of the Mount Airy Nurseries, were the
leading exhibitors.

Fruits and vegetables also were in great pro-

S5^

TEE GARDENER'S MONTHLY. J\^ovemher,

fusion, and the exhibition, well attended by
visitors, was a great success.

MASSACHUSETTS UORTICULTURAL

SOCIETY.
As referred to in our last, the exhibition of the
Massachusetts Horticultural Society was by no
means the least of the enjoj^ments furnished to
the delegates of the American Pomological So-
ciety, in connection with the recent meeting in
Boston. The fruits were in the Horticultural
Hall, and in connection with the fruits of the
American Pomological Society, so that the real
exhibition in the Music Hall had to be sustained
by flowers alone.

Of late so much attention has been given to
Echcv3rias, and other succulents for out-door
decoration, that people love to look on collec-
tions of these, so as to get more material to
work with in bedding out gardening, as for the
interests attached to the many peculiar forms
and characters which the numerous species
represent. There were here two very fine col-
lections of perhaps two hundred each from Hovey
& Co., and from the Cambridge Botanic Garden, |
Ferns and Palms are also very popular here as
exhibition plants. Flow< ring plants do not i
seem so much in vogue. J. W. Merrile had in I
one collection one hundred and fifty species of !
ferns. One of the finest grown specimens of I
ferns on exhibition was a Woodwardia radicans,
from the collection of President Strong. Hovey I
& Co. and Mrs. Ward had collections all re- i
markably well grown. Some tree ferns, with I
others, were a striking feature in the collection
of S. B. Peyson. Among the ferns exhibited by
E. Butler, was one of the best imaginable of the
climbing fern Lygodium scandens. It is a won-
der it is not oftener seen in fern collection. This
one was on a cylindrical trellis about 5 feet high.
Leaf plants were also very numerous. Cala-
diums, Dracsenas, and Colcus, particularly so
Most of these were from Hovey, Strong, and
H unnewell.

Though flowering plants in pots were not nu-
merous, cut flowers formed an especial feature,
and were, on the whole, highly interesting and
exceedingly well arranged. The side walls had
narrow sloping shelves against them, filled with
lilies in great profusion. Pampas Grass, Double
Zinnias, Phloxes and the Myrsiphyllum aspara-
gunoides called here, Smilax everywhere. It is
one of the most effective plants for decorative

purposes, as well as graceful as a fern, it is al-
most as durable as if made of green was. The
Gladiolus were very fine, and J. S. Richards had
an especially grand collection. The Double
Zinnias of Hovey & Co., and the Dahlias of
Chas. V. Woer, were as perfect as we ever saw
these flowers. Either the climate must be ex-
cellent for them, or the cultivators possessed
of superior skill. C. A. Law, of Roslindale,
had beautiful Dahlias but no names to them,
which took away half of the interest Perhaps
as much interest centered round a collection of
wild flowers by Miss Carter, as on anything ex-
hibited. These were not huddled in anyhow, as
if anything were good enough for wild flowers,
but were well arranged in glasses on a conical
series of narrow shelves. This neatness in
arrangement was characteristic of most things
shown. H. Gleason's Gladiolus for instance,
was in a similar round stage. In the centre, or
rather towards the top, were large masses ot
showy Tritomas, and between these and the
Gladiolus, a dividing line of ferns.

The baskets and designs of cut-flowers were
very tastefully arranged. Tuberoses and "• Smi-
lax'' entered largely into the make up, and good
use was made in some instances of tlu blue Aga-
panthus umbellatus. A basket by Miss Sarah
Storey was one of the prettiest we ever saw. It
is gratifying to note, in connection with this ex-
hibition of cut-flowers, that most of the competi-
tors were not professional florists. Michael
Welsh had a design fir massing, the flowers
stuck in damp-sand, showing the colors necessary
to be most effective. This is an excellent way to
educate the masses.

The hanging baskets and the rustic stands

were, like the cut flowers, well arranged, and

spoke well for the refined taste of the people of

Boston One in Hovey's collection much im-

! pressed us. The plants employed were chiefly

I the common variegated Vinca, variegated Pan-

icum, Cissus discolor, common Ivv, and Maiden

Hair ferns.

' As a beautiful ornament for a lawn, nothing

' perhaps was more attractive than a specimen of

' the common Broad-leaved Italian Myrtle, by an

exhibitor whose name we did not get. It was

' about ten feet high, and regularly about two

feet thick, forming a perfect cyliudric;.! mass of

thriving green from the tub to the apex. It

] was thought to be a great honor in the past to

be crowned with the myrtle wreaths; but vre

would pre'er to oivn a _ lant ike t' is.

V

ELyEAGNUS PARVIFOLIUS

' >'i titer 7'h/trn ./

i!li^ (Sard^n^r's |ll0ntlila,

DEVOTED TO

Horticulture, Arboriculture, Botany and Rural Affairs.

EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAN.

Old Series, Vol. XV. DECEMBER, 1873. New Series, Vol. VI. No. 12.

HINTS POE DECEMBER.

FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE
GROUND.

"We have frequently urged the iruportance of
planting places very thickly at first, in order
both to produce an immediate effect, and also
because the shelter which one another affords
makes the trees grow with greater health and
vigor, than when exposed singly to the force of
wind and sun. At this season no better employ-
ment can be found than in thinning out these
thick planted places. It will of course require
much judgment ; but one fond of trees, and the
eflFects which they produce, will not be much at
a loss. Sometimes it is hard to bring oneself to
cut down a tree which one has watched grow for
so many years ; but it often must be done if we
would preserve the symmetry and beauty of our
places. When there is any question as to the
proper tree to be taken away, the size of the
place may help one to decide. A tree which
will in time occupy much space can be mdre
easily spared from a small place than one which
will never transgress a limited space. Indeed,
except for the purpose of rapid growth to nurse
more valued trees, large growing things should
not be tolerated in small places. The green
grass which is the charm of all gardens soon de-
parts when large trees are about.

Of course, this talk about thinning out, brings
us to another great winter employment, that of
pruning. There is no very great amount of
science required for this, and yet some judgment
is necessary. This is often done with little more
reason than a boy has for whittling a chip —
merely to have something to do. For, notwith-
standing the many papers that have been writ-

ten "on the philosophy of pruning,'' the naked
question, "What is the best time to prune
trees ? is one with which the gardener is con-
tinually bored. The keen-edged gardeners give
the cutting reply, " an}^ time when your knife is
sharp ;" but the more good natured say, " It
depends on what you want to cut for." The
street cutter " wants to keep the tree head low,''
and cuts down to make them branch lower ; cut-
ting in winter does not have this efiect, so that
unless one has some other object to combine with
it, such as to clean the tree of bark scales or the
larva of other insects, or the giving of employ-
ment to some half-starved tree carpenter, the
work might as well be left undone. If you want
a branch to push strongly at the point where you
cut a part away, x>rune in xointer. If your tree
has branches crossing each other, or has half
dead branches, or anything tending to spoil the
form or symmetry of your tree, prune in winter ;
but as a rule the less pruning is done the
healthier will be your trees, for it may be ac-
cepted as a rule in gardening that all pruning,
whether in winter or summer, is a blow struck
at the vitality of the plant.

Very few understands that an occasional
change of soil is very beneficial to flowers in beds,
though all know how important it is to flowers
in pots. There is nothing better than surface
soil from an old pasture, taken off about two
inches deep, and thrown into a heap with about
one-sixth part old hot bed dung to partially de-
cay. In addition to this " staple '' item, smaller
quantity of different matters should be gathered
together for peculiar cases, or particular plants.
Peat, for instance, will be found very useful for

35Jf

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TELY. Becemher,

many kinds of plants. This is not, as is often
supposed, mere black sand ; but aspony, fibrous
substance from the surface of bogs and boggy
wastes. Sand should be collected sharp and
clean ; the washings from turnpike ditches are
as good as anything. Leaf mi^uld is best got
already well decayed from the woods. That
one makes for himself from rotten leaves is sel-
dom good for anything ; it is always sour and
seems "indigestible" to vegetation. A load or
so of welVdecayed cow-manure is a good thing
for the gardener to have by him, as all those
plants that dislike our hot summers, and want
a cool soil to grow in, prefer it to any other ma-
mure. A small pile of hot-bed manure is almost
indispensable to the garden.

In thinning out trees, the best plan is to open
the soil away from the stem a few inches under
the ground, and cut it away with an axe. Often
the regret to lose a fine tree induces an attempt
to transjilant ; generally, such trees fail from
the usual difficulties of removing large trees
When they succeed, they seldom grow with a
healthy vigor, and when they have escaped all
these, an ugly spot is left on the lawn where the
trees came out ; for the grass will grow stronger
there for years to come, and the lawn have the
irregular appearance of a cattle pasture. This
is the best season to mark such trees and shrubs
as it will be desirable to thin out, and early in
spring the axe may be allowed to do its duty.

Many kinds of trees that do not seem to thrive
well, will be greatly improved next year by hav-
ing a surface-dressing of manure or rich soil
thrown about them. Evergreens are no excep-
tion. A singular notion used to prevail, that
manure of any kind was injurious to evergreens,
probably through noticing that they were usually
found in poor, barren soil. Our best American
coniferjB growers, however, have long practiced
manuring them, and with the best results.
Guano has been found particularly beneficial to
the Spruce family, and will probably be found as
good for the whole family of evergreens.

It would be well, at this season of leisure, to
examine and decide on the course of improve-
ments for the ensuing year.

It does not, in very many cases, require much
time or money so to alter the appearance of a
place as to make it bear a very different look to
what it did in the past year. A new clump of
cheap shrubbery may be planted, or an old one
taken away to admit a new view that may have
grown up since the original planting. A strip of

grass may be laid down on what was once a
bare gravel. Here a smnll rockery may be put
together ; there a nest of roots thrown up, and
ferns and trailing plants freely interspersed
between them. In this corner you may place a
stump, and entice Ivy or some other climbing
vines to grow over it — a rustic arbor may be
formed in some inviting nook, and in another
shade-enticing spot, a rustic chair or bench be
fixed. Even the outlines of the flower-beds may
be changed, or of the walks themselves, or even
the contour of the surface in some instances, and
all, in many cases, at the expense of a very
small expenditure of time and money.

In all these undertakings, money, time and
vexation will be saved by consulting with men
who make it their business to study such mat-
ters. Every one can, of course, design and lay
out his own garden, just as well as he could
make his own coat, or design the pattern of his
own chandelier; but be will find, in the end,
that his landscape-gardener, his tailor, or his
manufacturer of lamps, would have done the
work much more satisfactorily for him. Many
suffer from ill fitting garments and ignorant pre-
tenders ; but the man who has not tict enough
to discriminate in this respect, through employ-
ing botches, deserves to suffer by badly designed
gardens.

VEGETABLE GARDEN.

Very little can be done now in this depart-
ment, except by way of preparation for another
year.

Manure can be placed on the ground wher-
ever required, and Asparagus beds, if not
already done, should have a slight covering of
it. Bean-poles, Pea-brush, and stakes of all
kinds should be got now, the tool houses gone
over and put in order, and everything kept in
good order and studiously in its place. When
the season of operation commences, there will
then be nothing to hold back the attention.

Where there can be a heat of 60" commanded,
Bush-beans can be easily grown in pots, and can
be gathered in two months from the tim» of sow-
ing.

If there is abundance of leaves or manure at
command, and small frames, beds may be put up
for early spring salads at the end of the month.

Radishes and Lettuce are, however, very impa-
tient of too much heat ; they will come on well if
the temperature be kept at 45°. When it goes

187S.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJVTHLT,

^55

above that, the sashes should te lifted entirely
oflF.

The same remarks apply to the Potato and the
Early Horn Carrot.

Cauliflowers in frames require all the air pos-
sible. Never allow them to become dry ; this is
the cause of many failures by way of " buttoning
off.''

COMMUNICATIONS.

KECOLLECTIOITS OF PARRAMATTA,

SYDNEY, AND BOTANY BAY,

NEW SOUTH WALES.

BY W. T. HARDING, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE,
COLUMBUS, OHIO.

[Concluded from November No.)

From near the Orange River, on the coast of
Africa to Cape Town, following the coast line
to Algoa Bay, and on to Port Natal, where they
are successfully cultivated, I have often enjoyed
them. At Mauritius and Si. Helena, too, where
they are exceedingly prolific, and of excellent

liavor, I have eaten them. In Jamaica I found

•

them in abundance, sweet and good. The same
may be said of them along the shore of the Medi-
terranean, and in South America. Still further
away at the Antipodes, I found them equal to
any I met with in other lands. In New Zealand,
Tasmania, Norfolk Island, and the several colo-
nies of Australia they are equally good, sweet
and grateful to the palate. In the neighborhood
of Parraraatta and Sydney they are cultivated
extensively, and produce enormous crops. Com-
petent judges pronounce them super-excellent.

At the celebrated Botanical Garden at Woolo-
ntooloo, a pleasant suberb of Sydney, (to which
I previously alluded in the Monthly) I saw some
splendid specimens of the genus Citrus in culti-
vation, embracing the Orange, Lemon, Shaddock,
Lime, &c., in all their recognized varieties.
During the extreme drouth which occurred there
in 1827, '28, the superb collection of the Citrus
family were literally burned up with the intense
heat from the furnace-like blasts of hot winds,
which then preva^^d throughout the colony.
The pen of William Ilowitt has graphically de-
scribed it.

But what was mostf singular, in regard to
other fruit trees imported from colder climates,
was their being able to live through the fiery
ordeal comparatively unscathed. Such trees as
apple?, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, and

cherries, remained uninjured, while plants and
trees from warm and sunny climates perished.
It is one of the marvels of nature we cannot
Ts^ell understand, any more than "the reason
why the evergreens of Northern Asia stood the
intense cold of the winter and spring of '72 in
this country better than the American natives."
They are too "hard nuts'' for scientific molars
to crack. "The hard nut'' Mr. Buist offered
some time ago, has not yet been cracked satis-
factorily.

As the impressions were received of the vari-
ous places I arrived at, so I got them down from
time to time ; and if they appear to the reader
rather zig zag, they are nevertheless as straight
as I can draw the line of facts which have guided
me thus far. Whenever I pronounce one spot
more delightful than another, a tree, fruit, or
flower, more beautiful than others, it is because
I thought and felt it to be so then. So, if I say
Parramatta excels all other localities, with its
winding river and romantic surroundings, its
fields of pine apples, plantations, groves, and
orchards of loquats, figs, olives, dates, bananas,
guavas, peaches, pomegranates, apples, pears,
tamarinds, &c., which cover the sunny banks,
from which peep out from among the delightful
greenery, pretty villas, elegant mansions, pictur-
esque cottages, and pleasant homes, it Is because
it seemed so. The grape vine, with its prover-
bial fruitfulness, revelled in wild abandon among
the trees and vineyards which skirt the beauti-
ful river. Some of the most exquisite scenery
nature had shaped into pleasure spots, lay along
each side of the stream. The landscape gardenc r,
too, had displayed a rare skill, both in natural
and gardenesque style, in improving and laying
out the grounds about the dwellings of the
weathy classes, government officials, merchants
and lucky diggers.

The attention of the ornithologist is pleas-
antly drawn to the great variety of beautiful
plumaged birds, which perch and flit about the

S56

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOT^THLY, December,

overhanging trees which droop over the river,
and display their brilliant pinions among the
rich foliage and pretty flowers so conspicuous in
the pictures of Australian scenery. At the dis-
charge of a gun thousands of splendid colored
birds start from the bushes, and for the moment
appear like a grand pyrotechnical display, or the
many colored flash of an immense kaleidoscope.
The vast number of water fowls, on the lake-
like ponds and lagoons of the Murry and its
tributaries, are a wonder and surprise to the
stranger. Flocks of black swans, gently sailing
along the rivers, are frequently seen, while
blue and white cranes wade about the streams
by thousands. To the Australian Sheildrake, is
conceeded the palm of beauty. Its splendid
*'coat of many colors" is really magnificent,
and their flesh being free from the usual jishy taste
of water fowl, are excellent eating.

After a pleasant sojourn among the orchards,
vineyards, and gardens around Parramatta
feasting upon the many varieties of home and
foreign fruits, until sated with sweetness, we se-
cured a passage on a steamer to Sydney, some
fifteen miles distant.

Ever to be remembered, like a "red letter-
^ay," in the calendar of life, was our trip down
to Sydney ; and on along the coast to Woolon-
gong, Kiama, Jamberoo, and Sholehaven. All
pleasant spots, and delightfullj' situated among
the most romantic and exquisite scenery. They
are favorite resorts for pleasure parties present-
ing splendid sketches and sweeps of river scene-
ry, villas, gardens, parks, and pleasure grounds,
on the rocky and umbrageous bays which indent
the river. We know we are ncaring the ocean
by the mangrove thickets which reach down to
the water's edge, and the heavy motion of the
billowy sea which strikes the ear. Stepping on
shore, and being "in light marching order," I
soon reached the "South Head." From the
rocky bluff, near the light-house, the grand ex-
panse of the broad Pacific meets the eye.
While gazing at "the vasty deep," and listen-
ing to "the murmuring motion of the never
weary sea," recalled to memory Byron's words :

"Time writes no wrinkles on thine azure brow,
Such as creation's dawn, behold, thou rollest now."

Keturning to Sydney, I perambulated its broad
and well-paved streets for the last time, until I
reached the Domain, or Public Park, and Prom-
enade at Woolomooloo in the suburb. Adja-
cent is the excellent Botanical Garden, and of

which the colonists evince a just appreciation.
But unfortunately at the time of which I write,
the golden attractions of the digght^ had altered
"fair sense" from her pleasant walks, while
"the student's book, and his favorite nook"
were abandoned, and " Fair Flora " was left to
languish unloved and alone. But olden memo-
ries were not forgotton, when steadier times re-
turned, and " the light of other days '' beamed
brightly again.

In the halcyon days which followed the vota-
ries" of Flora, Ceres and Pomona, who had not
forgotten their first love, or renounced their
fealty to the shine of nature, met beneath the
evergreen shades of "Woolomooloo, and cheery
with hopeful auguries for the future welfare of
the garden, reached down their silent harps, and
again " sung the lay of a happier time." But
adieu ! to the garden : sweet source of many a
pleasant hour, I shall never tread thy peaceful
paths again !

Referring once more to Sydney, what a beautiful
English looking city it seems, with its noble gran-
ite structures which have a firm and enduring
Jook about them so like old England. Xo tinsel or
pasteboard shams, but weighty, massive and solid
as the rock upon which they are built. Most of
these fine specimens of architectural skill were
raised by convict labor, during the time it was
the head-quarters of the penal settlement of Kew
South Wales. There, in the j^ear 1780, the
British Government transported the first gang
of felons. Happily for the colony now, it is no
longer tainted with the convict element, and
bids fair to become, ere long, one of the most
favored and fertile spots in the "Promised Land."
Bidding a "heartfelt, warm adieu'' to the
friends I left behind me, and having made ar-
rangements for a passage to Melbourne on the fol-
lowing morning strolled along the shore of Botany
Bay for the last time, and sat down on the beach,
which is marked as the spot where those pilgrims
of the ocean first landed, namely, Captain Cook,
Sir Joseph Banks, and Dr. Solander. The after-
noon was calm and pleasant, with scarcely a
ripple on the bosom of the sea, which gently and
sweetly murmured in musical cadence, as it rolled
at my feet. Impressed with feelings akin to
sadness, reflective memory went back to other
days and other lands. In ideality, how vividly
I remembered the time, when a boy, and how
my evening studies were divided between "Pin-
nock's Catechism of Botany,'' and a well-
thumbed copy of "Captain Cook's voyage

T873.

THE GARDEJ^ER^S MONTHLY,

■357

around the world." How my young heart
yearned for the brave marine, as I followed him
and his gallant crew hy the hook^ in the ingle
nook of an English fire- side. How much I
longed to become a botanist like Banks or Solan-
der, or a navigator like Cook, and "go down to
the sea in ships." In fancy, I felt as though I
was one of them. Then I had not seen the
mighty deep, nor the wonders of foreign lands.
In the lapse of time, while pursuing my calling,
what changes have occurred since then 1 Many
and strange have been the mutations of my
fortune— chastened by affliction — anon, cheered
by brighter prospects, — sometimes even in the
enjoyment of prosperity — "all sunny sheen."
Again, perchance sinking amid sorrows— yet in
each, and all of life's vicissitudes, my love and
attachments to nature have not faltered ; nor
will not, as long as I recognize in its kingdom a
benign Creator.

Botany Bay, edged in by thousands of beauti-
ful trees, shrubs and flowers, lay before me. In
the distance rolled the wide Pacific. Landwards,
the highest peaks of the Australian Alps
reared their summits, some seven thousand feet
above the sea level.

As th'^ mantle of night gently fell over nature,
the silvery sheen of the moon's soft splendor
burst through the portals of heaven, where, si-
lently keeping her long vigils through thousands
of years, she had calmly looked down on the mun-
dane affairs of the world, and still seemed to
keep watch over me. Like a shining emblem of
the Christian's faith, and with a conspicuous
glimmer among the myriads of twin king stars,
shone the bright constellations which form " the
Southern Cross " in the austral sky.

Such was the last night the writer spent in
New South Wales, and on that account was too
precious to be spent in unconscious slumber. Well
knowing that "time stays for no man,'' I re-
solved to apply the few remaining hours as pro-
fitably as I could, with the trees, shrubs, and
flowers, I had so often and happily wandered
among. I gathered a few souvenirs and memen-
toes, as reminders of the spot, to be looked at
with pleasant recollections when far away.
Some curious crustaceous specimens I gathered
on the beach, with marine and terrestrial vege-
tations, hoping at some future time to see them
in a "cabinet of curiosities.'' However, that
was not to be. They were subsequently lost,
with most of my worldly goods, myself narrowly
escaping, when the ill-fated " Merope " went

down. Of the miseries I then endured, ere I
trod on " mother earth " again, God and myself
only knows.

As the morning broke, I could see the masts
of the S. S. " Cleopatra," Captain Cadell, bound
for Melbourne, and was soon after on board,
where I must leave you, Mr. Editor, and the
readers of the Monthly^ whose weary feet have
thus far wandered with me. Perchance we may
meet aijain.

EXPERIMENTS WITH PEAS.

BY K., PHIL A.

Early in the spring of 1873, the editor of the
Gardener's Monthly placed in my hands packages
of peas which he had received from various
sources, with the request that I would report on
their merits when tested.

As soon as the frost was out of the ground, I
planted the peas on a piece of ground favorable
for this vegetable, — a row of each and all side by
side.

The Advancer was ready, and gathered for use
on 24th of June, Wonderful on the 26th, Cham-
pion of England on the 27th, Half Dwarf Sugar
on the 27th, Knight's Dwarf Marrow 29th, J.
F. Wilson 30th.

The Advancer, though a few days earlier, does
not bear as well as the Wonderful, although in
this respect it is fair ; but to my taste, and
those who at a tolerable large table ate them
with me, the Wonderful has much the best
flavor. Indeed I regard it as the best flavored
of any named. The Champion, of England has
large peas, but the crop on the whole was no
greater than on the Wonderful ; and in other
respects not quite so good. Knight's Dwarf Mar-
row was the best bearer of all of them. I sup-
pose it would All the bill for those who prefer
quantity to quality. To be sure it is good
enough for most people to whom a pea is a pea
and nothing more ; and only that we were on a
tasting committee, we might not have concluded
the flavor not so good as the Wonderful ; and as
to half dwarf,— the whole dwarf must be a pretty
tall fellow. These where all grown on pea-
brush, and there was little difference in the
height of any of the kind. The half Dwarf Su-
gar was also an excellent bearer, mostly being
produced at the tops of the stems.

J. F. Wilson I was rather disappointed in.
The peas were very large, but many of which
there were the embryos in the pod failed to

358

TEE GARDE JEER'S MOJ^TELY, December,

perfect. Still it was nearly as good as any, only
we expected much more from it.

I may remark that the pea is a very capricious
vegetable. I do not think the same result
would always follow in every place as here ; nor
do I think they would always come as here on
my own grounds. Still, with the result of this
season, I am so well satisfied, that for my own
use I shall plant largely of Wonderful another
year.

I feel much interested in the pea question
since trying these experiments ; and if any one
has made comparisons wi*h other kinds er with
these, 1 would be glad to know through the
Gardener^s Monthly.

DESTRUCTION OF MEALY BUG.

BY HERMANN MUKZ, MEADVILLE, PA.

We have tried most all recommended methods
ior destroy the woolly insect or raejRly bug, and
found them more or less unsatisfactory. At
last we found a method of destroying this insect
— most hated by all florists, which we practice
in our greenhouses with the greatest satisfaction
and saving of labor.

In watering our plants, which is done by a
force pump connected with a nozzel or rose, as
needed. Finding a plant aflected by the insect,
we set it on the floor, take ofl'the nozzel or ro.^e,
cover the end of the hose with the thumb, and
divert a fine stream of water with all the force
of the pump on the affected parts of the plant,
and in less than a minute the insects will be
all washed ofl'the plants, it will even wash them
out of the bark as in Medinella raagnifica, &c.

NOTES AT THE KOSEDALE NURSERY,
PHILADELrHIA.

BY CnRONICLER.

I visited this noted establishment the latter
end of August last, and found Mr. Buist direct-
ing the construction of a new glasshouse, 12-5
feet long, and 24 feet wide, with span roof and broad
front shelves around ; a gangway, and a walled
up pit in the middle. It will either be a great
Azalea and Camellia storehouse, or a forcing
house for winter cut flowers, all of which, as a
skilful grower, Mr. Buist has for forty years
been distinguished.

Among new stocks in the open^grouud, I saw
a large bed of the siripcd Tuberose ; the leaves
au^ flower-stalk are sTriped w':Th~\vhite~and
green, in equal parts, which ra'akeT'the^rant

very ornamental. It blooms as freely, and is as
fragrant as the old species. Hydrangea pani-
cidata grandiflora, a new, stately and hardy
deciduous shrub, was in bloom. Tlie flower
trusses are very large and beautiful, white,
tinged with rose ; a lovely acquisition to prolong
the blossoms of the arboretum. Two new varie-
ties of Hibiscus sinensis in bloom ; the flowers
are seven inches in diameter, from tip to tJip of
petals ; one is shining scarlet, the other scarlet,
splashed with white. As the Hibiscus is now
largely bedded out in summer, and blooms from
June to November, those two new varieties will
mak'^' a dashing show. A new Lager strcemia.
literally covered with its u-liite blossoms, and far
more showy than the pink and purple species,
A bed of Veronica alba, the white blooms of
which contrast beautifully with that of the blue
species. A large plantation of the E"sedale Ar-
borvifce. I was told that none of the plants lost
a leaf by the cold of the past two winters, while
all the other varieties of Chinese Arborvitce were
much injured in foliage and habit. The Rose-
dcde is the most graceful of all the Arborvitses.
There were several superb new evergreens.
Among the greenhouse exotics there were very
many new and highly ornamental species and
varieties. Although familiar in this department,
felt bewildered at seeing so many new and superb
plants. The singular habits of some, and the
splendid variegations of others, surpassed my
expectation of a few years ago.

CULTIVATION OF DATURA ARBOREA.

BY TIIOS. F. WEBB.

The Datura arborea, sometimes called Brus-
mansia, is a rapid grower, with large foliage.
There are several varieties. The one generally
found in our greenhouses is called Datura
Knightii ; it has interesting double white funnel-
shaped flowers, and very fragrant, which it
bears profusely. The bloom is, however, of
rather shore duration, still they are worthy of a
place in every greenhouse. Can be stowed away
under the stage, or in any odd, dark corner dur-
ing the winter months. They can be propagated
from eyes. The whole of the last season's wood
can be used fis you would a grape vine, that is
with half an inch of wood to each bud, which
can be placed in small pots, or a number in
shallow pans or boxes, as most convenient to
the cultivator. If a gentle bottom heat is avail-
able, they will root much quicker. They must

1873.

THE GARDENER'S MOJ^'THLY.

369

be kept moist, but not wet. The young plants
will do well during the winter, if a temperature
of from 50'' to 55'' can be maintained. Early in
spring they may be potted into four-inch pots,
and started into growth in the hothouse ; they
will soon make rapid growth if assisted with
bottom heat. From the time they are first pot-
ted, they must be constantly attended to in that
respect. As soon as the roots have reached the
sides of the pot, shift into larger size ones till
they have reached fifteen or eighteen inches ; large
plants are required. If 5'OU wish to grow dwarf
standards, put stakes to them, taking care to keep
the stem perfectly upriglit, then the side shoots
must be pinched otf, leaving three or four at the
top. When the plant has attained the height
you wish— from two or three feet is a convenient
height— and looks well, pinch out the top.
After this is done, the three or four side shoots
not rubbed off will grow fast, and are the founda-
tion of the head. These shoots can each have
their terminal bud pinched out in the same way
as you did the top of the plant. After they are
three or four inches long they will then throw
out several shoots each, and quickly form
a head. If any cross-growing shoots show
themselves, cut them clean away, or any
other shoots that would tend to crowd the
plant. The main shoots must not be stopped
after this, but allowed to grow till they produce
flower buds ; they had then better be removed to
the coolest part of the house for a few days, pre-
vious to their removal to the greenhouse or con-
servatory, where they will continue to flower for
a long time, filling the house with their powerful
fragrance. They grow best in a compost loam,
(sod cut from an old pasture) Jersey peat, and
cow-dung about two parts of the first and
■equal parts of the latter. If " sod '' from a pas-
ture is cut and laid by until it is well rotted, it
is then enriched with vegetable matter, and
will grow anything. Piants of a succulent
nature like the Datura will grow better if a por
tion of peat and cow dung, or leaf-mould is
added. If the plants are to be placed on the
lawn, or any other conspicuous place about the
grounds, protect them as much as possible from
the wind, which, as the foliage is large and
brittle, is very liable to be broken. They may
be planted out about the time the ordinary bed-
ding subjects are put in their summer quarters,
taking care to support them with stout stikes
and neatly tied. They can either be plunged in
their pots, or turned out.

Before frost appears, they must of course be
taken up with a ball of earth, and packed closely
under the stage (if room is an object) upon the
ground, keeping them without water, and after
they have dropped their leaves, they may be
pruned top and root, then potted in fresh
soil prepared as stated, slightly watered, placed
in the back part of the hothouse or greenhouse
until the buds commence to grow, then at once
remove to the light.

In pruning the head cut im rather close to the
stem, that is within two or three buds ; you can
then select the best placed ones that will make
the handsomest head, cutting the others entirely
away. All they will require this season is to
stop any shoots that show a tendency to become
more vigorous than their fellows.

The Acarus tellarius or Eed Spider is the
greatest pest, and care must be taken to fre-
quently syringe the plants, more particularly the
under-side of the leaves. They cannot exist
here syringing is well attended to. Water is
death to the Red Spider.

SPECIFIC HEAT OF PLANTS.

BY REY. L. J TEMPLIN, KOIfOMO, I2SrD.

The question of the existence of internal speci-
fic heat in plants has elicited considerable of in-
quiry, and is certainl}' an interesting subject to
every one interested in the phenomena of the
vegetable world. A correct conclusion can be
reached, only by a careful investigation of all
the facts bearing on the subject. Mere theorizing,
as well as a partial view of the facts, is very
likely to lead to erroneous conclusions.

It is often observed, after the fall of a snow,
that what falls against the trunk and roots of
living trees soon melts away at every point of
contact with the bark, leaving a hollow space
between the snov/ and the tree. It is readily
concluded that the flow of the sap and other
internal functions of the living vegetable germi-
nate so much heat that the surface of the tree is
kept above the freezing point. But then we find
that this thawing does not invariably take place
after a snow fall. Sometimes a driving snow
will beat against the side of a tree, and remain
there for several days without any indications of
thawing. How is this to be reconciled, with the
phenomena noted above ; or how can we account
for the thawing in one cass and not in all cases ?
Some have suppo.sed this thawing was the heat
of the sun fallins against the trunk of the tree,

360

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^TMLY. Decemler,

and being reflected back against the same, thus
raising the temperature above the freezing point ;
but that this will not account for it in all cases
is evident from the fact that the thawing is
often observed where the sun's rays could not
reach it, and, in fact, in the entire absence of
sunshine. How then are these different phe-
nomena to be explained ? In order to obtain a
satisfactory answer to this query, it is necessary
to inquire into the real condition of the interior
of the tree.

From the fall of the leaf in the fall of the year, till
towards spring, there is comparatively less sap
in the tree than during the growing season ;
this sap is also less active than at other seasons
of the year. This sap, however, is always in
circulation during the winter till it has reached
a temperature several degrees below the freezing
point. The circulation of the sap and all similar
functions of the vegetable economy, involve the
liberation of a greater or less amount of heat.
It is to be supposed that the sap coming up from
the deeper sub-soil, carries with it more or less

cient to exclude the coldness of the air, the tree
may remain at a temperature sufficiently high to
melt the s»ow in contact with its surface much
longer than it would if it had been exposed at
once to the cooling effects of the colder air.
These considerations will, I think, reconcile
the apparent contra<dictions between the conclu-
sions of those who have noted the internal and
those who have observed only the external ther-
mal condition of the tree. The conclusion would
follow that the heat given off by the tree is not
sensibly more than it had previously absorbed
from internal sources. But inasmuch as this
heat is given off by radiation, beginning when
the heat of the sun begins to decrease, and con-
tinuing till the air is again warmed by the sun,
it has a decided'y modifying influence on the
temperature of the atmosphere. A forest or
grove may then be regarded as a regulator of the
temperature of the surrounding medium. It
would also seem reasonable that the presence or
absence of forests should have a decided influ-
ence on the climate of a country. A practical

heat. But taking these and«all other sources of I conclusion is, that by the employment of groves

internal heat,— if there be any other— experi-
ments, long continued under favorable condi-
tions, prove the interior of the tree does not
average more than one-half of one degree above
the temperature of the atmosphere surrounding
such trees. If this is true, how are we to account
for the melting of the snow, as mentioned above,
when the temperature of the air is below the
freezing point ?

This leads us to notice another curious phe-
nomenon in regard to the internal tempf^rature
of the tree. While the average temperature of
the interior of the tree varies but little from that
of the ambient air, the rise and fall of the tem-
perature do not coincide in the two by a differ-
ence of several hours. If the atmosphere attains
its maximum heat at 2 o'clock P. M., the inte-
rier of a tree will reach the same point from four
to eight hours later, following in almost exactly
the same circuit of that of the air. I think we
find here an explanation of the melting of snow
on trees when the ambient air is below the freez-
ing point. Snow frequently, if not generally,
falls when the air is above 32° fah.; and if it has
been in this state for some hours, the condition
of the tree would probably be the same and
even though the temperature of the air fall im-
mediately below that point, the tree, as shown
above, will be sf>me hours longer in reaching the
same state ; and if the depth of the snow is suflfi-

and windbreaks, every horticulturist and farmer
may, within certain limits, contract, or at least
modify, the temperature of his own locality.

! NOTE ON ADIAXTUM FARLEYENSE,
j AND BEGONIA SANGUINEA.

I BY R. BUIST, SR., ROSEDALE, PHTLA.

' Adiantuim Farleyense is a native of Trinidad ;
I was found on the estate of Farley Hall, thereby
j its name ; was sent to England by a ship from
Barbadoes. My plant, now two feet high, and
two and a half feet wide, came from its native
locality in Trinidad, and has not the least affinity
to A. tenerum^ which is not, I believe, found on
the same island.

Begonia Sanguinea takes its name from the
blood-colored leaves. The flowers are pure
white. Was introduced about forty years ago
from Brazil. It is a very attractive window-
plant, and should be in every collection, large or
small.

ORCHIDJE.

BY MR. JAMES TAPLIN, MANAGER TO GEO.
SUCH, ESQ , SOUTH AMBOY, N. J.

Catlleya MossiiE. — This is one of the most
showy and easily grown in this splendid family
of plants, and a variety which should be in every
collection ; being comparatively cheap, any ama-
tuer need not hesitate about obtaining it.

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MONTHLY,

361

The Catlleyas being natives of such countries
as Brazil and New Grenada, do not require
such high temperature as the East Indian varie-
ties of Orchidee, which not only make the
house they occupy more enjoyable, but brings
them under the management of any one with a
small warm greenhouse ; — in fact- any house in
which the temperature does not fall below 50° in
winter, can be used for this purpose, if they are
kept dry and not exposed to cold drafts. "We
grow them in a house kept about 60° in cold
weather, but the growth is made during the hot
weather, so tliat a lower temperature will not
injure the plants.

The plants will grow and flower vvell on blocks
of wood suspended from the roof, but the flowers
are seldom so large as when grown in pots, and
in a house kept at a minimum temperature, care
need be taken that the plants are not less than a
foot from the glass, or they will suffer from cold
on very severe nights. I prefer to grow them in
pots or pans, two-thirds filled with drainage,
and the stem parts peat-fibered, the plants being
well raised above the surface, and of course no
part of the pseudo-bulb bruised. In watering
care must be taken not to let water in hearts of
young growth, or they will probably rot. It is a
mistake to allow these plants to be dust-dry at
any time, for there is often more root growth in
winter than in summer ; in fact never allow
them to shrivel from want of moisture, for it
must be remembered that the Catlleyas are all
evergreens, and lost leaves are never renewed
on the same bulbs.

There are many varieties among this species,
both in flower and foliage ; in fact in a hundred
plants, scarcely any two will be exactly alike,
which adds another charm to any one getting up
and adding to their collection.

This plant is not troubled much by insects ; a
small white scale is sometimes found on it, but
can be removed with a sponge on its first
appearance, or it leaves small indented spots on
the foliage.

TOUCHING LAWNS— THEIR GRADES
AND THE GRASSES.

BY F. R. ELLIOTT, CLEVELAND, OHIO.

Possibly not a word new or explanatory of
how to make, how to grade, the variety of seed,
and quantity to sow, etc., touching what we
ODce called grass-plots all throughout the coun-
try, but what now generally receive, correctly

and appropriately, the name of lawns ; but new
readers come before all magazines of intelligence,
for theie are all the time new creators of home
grounds, upon which these lawns are situated,
and as they cannot all expect to be read up in
the art or knowledge, however many times
they may have been repeated, it may not be out of
place for-an outsider to give yet anottver hint and
word touching the subject, however capably the
editor of the Gardener''s Monthly has oft per-
formed the task.

I am induced to this from two causes — one the
kindly courteous, truthful words in the "hints
for September" of the Monthly of same month,
and the second from observation of some half
score or more of lawns made last spring, and
now in the course of construction. In the 'hints'*
I would refer to the paragraph which is em-
braced on page 257, from "In traveling'' to the
sixth line, and word " example " on 2.58. And I
thank you for another speaking of truth, althouglr
you may have rubbed as hard against the sensi-
tiveness and egotism of ignorance as I have
done. There is a truth in the fact that only in
the suburbs and surroundings of cities, where
intelligent landscape gardeners reside, do we
find true and appropriate arrangements of
ground, tree and plant. But thanks to the
growing intelligence of our people, and the
grand desire of each ©ne to make his home
gi'ounds features of beauty as well as comfort
and profit with economy, we are yearly adding
to the numbers in which irue taste is at least
attempted to be developed in the grade, line of
path, and planting of tree, shrubs and flowers,
surrounding the home family house.

Money and wealth, and expense of after care,
are not strictly a part and parcel of tasteful make
up of a homestead's household surroundings.
It is more in ihe careful study before doing the
work : first of where the house should stand in
order, according to its plan, to give the rooms
most to be used, the best light, and best and
pleasantest views ; second, how the paths leading
to and from the doors can be made graceful and
easy, (for no person will ever walk naturally a
straight line of one hundred feet) and at the
time just where the main items of daily necessa-
ry travel have to be followed. I acknowledge
this is a thought demanding no little study,
but it is a feature of every day life, that in the
first fitting of one's home-grounds should be con-
sidered. The next in point is the establishment
of the gi'ade, which should always be, upon

S62

THE GARDEJSTER'S MOJ^TELY. December,

what we term level ground on the average fron-
tage of suburban country home grounds, so
toned that while it rises from the street line, it
does so, hiding miiinly the portion of the path-
ways from those however useful and necessary
to the grounds, and no more a feature of beauty
thereto than is the chimney to the house. They
tvre not the items in the architecture of the
work that belongs to the study and application
of a fine taste in the formation, saving, and ex-
cept that they are necessities which, when
shown, exhibit the daily walks and wants of
grounds, as do the chimneys' positions, and uses
of tlie rooms in the house.

But fearing that I may be outliving the
reader's patience, let me just say a word touching
first the fact that a good deep soil, thoroughly
trenched eighteen inches deep, raked down,
with every stoue removed, and seeded per acre
with five bushels of what is generally termed
lawn grass seed. The mixture I would make
should be twenty-eight pounds of clean Kentucky
Blue Grass —the same of Red Top — Teoelve pounds
of white clover and ten poinds of Creeping
Bent Grass to the acre. In sowing this seed do
it three several times, i. €., divide it into three
parcels. Sow first east and west, then rake
the ground lightly ; then sow north and south,
rake again lightly, not over half an inch deep,
with a light steel rake, then sow asjain the last
third of the seed east and west, and roll it — rake
no more, but roll it, first east and west, then
north and south, and then again east and west.

I have made many a good lawn from this sys-
tem or course of practice, and in sixty days
from the seeding in spring, have had the lawn
mower put on, and thirty days thereafter croquet
playing has been a feature upon the lawn.

I never permit any of the coarse grasses, such
as Rye Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass or Timothy.

GARDENS OF MRS. PACKL:R, WASHING-
TON HEIGHTS, N Y.

BY. R. F S., LENNOX, MASS.

Some eight weeks ago I was in the vicinity of
New York and Brooklyn, and my attention was
called to an article which appeared in two or
three of the daily press of both these cities
about Scottish gardening, which I tndose, the
article for your inspection.

And to avail myself of the opportunity, I
went to see the (jrouwh of Mrs. Packer, and

well was it worthy of a visit at the time I was
there — everything gay indeed. The flower-gar-
den, graperies and plant-houses, all in splendid
order ; and they alone can S])eak volumes in praise
of Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Packer's able and intelli-
gent gardener.

There are to be seen in the flower-garden and
ribbon-borders, all styles of planting, such as
scroll serpentine lines, pannels, angles and
straight lines, and a variety of every conceiva-
ble description, besides a series of Ceruralbeds,
planted so as to form a maltese cross, &c. The
pannels and ribbon bordei*s were simply grand
at the time of my visit, all representing a splen-
did piece of mossaic. I may also say that some-
thing new is the style of planting entirely dif-
ferent from the old way of planting borders and
beds, with the same style year after year.

The plants used for bedding out for the above
were such gay subjects, as all the finest Co-
kus, Achyranthus, Alternantheras, Cineraria
maratima, Centaureas of sorts, all sorts of scarlet
and variegated Zonal Pelargoniu >:s. Phlox Dru-
mondii of varieties, Dracreuas Verbenas, Argera-
tum Amaranthus of sorts, with Raciners for the
back ground, with Salvias and Canuas in*^er-
spersed to fill up. Tbere is also a fine herba-
ceous border and one of roses, all in fine bloom.
The roses and clumps of Gladiolus made splendid
contrast I may say that nearly all the Cerural
beds were edged or margined with Lobelias
(blue), Sedems of sorts. Golden Feather, varie-
gated Sweet Alyssum, &c.

In the graperirs I have found some excellent
examples of vine growing, some canes measuring
30 to 40 feet-2|^ to 3 inches in circumference,
and only planted out on the loth of May, 1873,
and bearing some nice bunches of fruit, especially
the Golden Champion, Mrs. Pince, Black Mus-
cat, White Tokay, Royal Ascot and Black
Hamburg, all fine examples of fruit culture,
considering the age of the vines.

In all the plant-houses, I have met some noble
specimens of such good subjects as Camellias,
loaded down with buds ; Azalias, Gardenias,
Daphnes, Crotons, Standard Heliotrope, Bego-
nias, Dendrobiums, Justicia, Poiusettas, by the
thousand ; Dracsenes of sorts, and all such plants
as are suitable for winter work, as Mr. Campbell
tells me there is great demand for such. 1 have
also noticed some huge plants of Marshal Neil,
Gloire de Dijon, Safrano, Bon Seline, (the firsi
I ever mw trained as such) Lamarque, planted
out and trained along the rafters, which must

1873.

THE GARBEJfER'S MOJVTBLY.

363

yield an enormous quant ty of rase buds for late
flowers.

I have also noticed a large quantity of vines,
figs, peaches and nectarines in pots. Mr. Camp-
bell uses pot-vines to advantage for table decora
tioD. I may add that the whole place has bc^n
renewed under Mr. C.'s time, and well might any
one who employs «. first rate gardener, be satis-
fied with such a one, for everything under his
fostering care bears the mark of the practical and
careful cultivator.

[The following is the extract referred to by
our correspondent :]

" We exti'act the following from a contemporarj'' as an
evidence of the prestige which Scotland has attained in
the science of hindscape gardening. We may state that
the gardener referred to is a Mr. Campbell, aiul from the
early training which he received, he is evidently fit to
uphold the honor ot his country. He served his appren-
ticeship at Red C'a.ttlc, Rosshire, and since then has suc-
cessively tilled situations at Bratin Castle, Lougleat,
Emilee, Trentham Hall, and Alton Towers, places all
famous for tlie excellence of their horticultural arrange-
ments. In taking a ramble through Brooklyn and its
suburbs, I was pleasantly surprised to note the great
improvements which, within the last two years, have
taken place in ornamental and landscape gai'dening.
I have, in my travels, visited the most noted private
grounds in the Old World, and well pleased am I to find
that we are rapidly approaching the perfection of foli-
age and plants which is attained there. Among the
many places tiiat came under my notice I must men-
tion that of Mrs. Packer, on the Heights. Tliere the
foliage and plants are massed so skilfullj', and the
colors so artistically arranged, that it is really quite a
treat to see, and well worth a visit from all lovers of
horticulture. I may observe that the gardener to this
establishment is from Scotland, the home of the most
eminent liorticulturists, and he has shown, by his rare
taste and ju:lgnent. that he is no m^an representative
of his country or his profession."

NOTES ON THE SEASON IN WESTERN
PENNSYLVANIA.

BY A. n., MEADVILLE, PENJIA.

Autumn again posts the books of Summer &
Co., and shows us t^e net results of the year.

A summary of the weather gives a backward
spring, preceded by a very severe winter, and
followed by a summer with nights cool enough
to produce light frosts even in the months of
July and August. Pomologically we liave had
strawberries and blackberries usually fine and
abundant.

Peoc/tes— Trees injured by winter -no fruit.

Apples— Small crop, though some orchards
Have yielded well.

Pears — Good crop, — the number of bearing
trees annually increasing.

Blight. — This has been more or less prevalent
in all our orchards, prolonging the mooted ques-
tion whether freezing or fungus is the cause of
the injury, and whether fungoid development is
a primary or secondary agent in the destruction
of the trees. Without settled conviction on the
point, I may add that I, last year, noticed fun-
goid indications in some trees that partially
blighted this season, and also in others which
have not blighted. The fungus probably takes
several years for its full development.

Tree Wash. — I have been using a mixture of
sulphur, lime and soot, as a wash, with good re-
sults on both peach and pear trees, making
the application once in the spring and again in
October.

The growth of the trees has been good ; the ex-
terior portions are healthy and smooth ; although
from my limited experience, I am not able to
assert that the application is reliable as a protec-
tion from attacts of fungus,

A Winter Nelis tree that has heretofore been
very profuse in its flowers anl limited in its pro-
duct, this year gave us fjur bushels of fruit of
the host quality. This pear under right condi-
tions is much co,ated with russst, and the more
of this color it acquires the higher flavored it is.

I am indebted to Mr. F. R. Miller of Sugar-
grove, Pa. for a box of his handsome seedling
apples, raised from seeds of the Talman Sweet.
The specimens show nature's law of vari-
ety, some being sweet and some sour in taste,
and some yellow and some red in point of color.
The kind he has named Menaan, described in
Downiug's, is oily smooth ; ha^ the light tex-
ture, and clear color and beauty of a sweet
Bough, and only lacks juicy sprightliness to be
a first class fruit.

NATIVE GRAPES.

Christine, Tsraella and Delaware, all ripened
this year ahead of Concord. I took the trouble
to thin out my Dalawares, and the siz3 of the
fruit was perceptibly improved by it. Semi-
transparent when the sunlight fell upon the
clusters, they glowed among the leaves bright
as Cornell berries, objects of beauty as well as of
luxury. Maxatawny did a little better than
last year, yet did not fully mature ; nor did Au-
tachon.

FOREIGN GRAPES.

Gjlden Champion fruited vvitli me this season ;
it has been somewhat over-praised. The bunch
and berry are large, and the fruit, though a little
firm, is sweet, and ripens in good season ; but

S6M,

THE GARDMJ\rER'S MOJ^THLY. December,

the color is cloudy, and it does not retain its
plump freshness very long after ripening.

Due de IMalakoff, classed in the catalogues as
an early variety of Sweetwater, proved with me
later than it or the Chasselas. It produces a
long hunch, well shouldered, and sets its fruit
well and evenly ; the berries arranged so as to
require little or no thinning, and being of fair,
not large size It is an amber colored fruit, and
improves by hanging till the end of the season.

Fintindo, which I imported from Paris two
years ago. is so much like Black Hamburg that
I take it to be some variety of it.

Chasselas Vibert.— A vine purchased at Ko-
chester for this proved a Frontienan.

General Delia Marmora. — A vine I obtained
for this, though protected, was somewhat injured
by the cold of last winter. Bunch and berry
were small, but the fruit (amber-colored) was
delicate, and of fine flavor.

Seedlings.— A seedling of the Golden Hamburg
fruited with me this season for the first time.
If the parent is a Hybrid, as is claimed, the re-
sult shows that the hybrids will sometimes have
their qualities reproduced in seedlings, for the
color, size, quality and time of maturity with
this seedling are the same as that of the parent
vine. The leaf is more corrugated or wrinkled,
and time may show other differences.

For cold graperies we want early ripening, good
grapes that will mature when the weather is
warm, and hang well. Foster's Seedling is one
of these. "We ought to have a Muscat of Alex-
andria that will ripen in September. Though
beginning late. I hope to experiment a little in
this direction in the future.

ADVANTAGES OF HOT WATER OVER
STEAM.

BY X. Y. Z

Mr. Allen, in the Gardener's Monthly for Octo-
ber, asks " Why has heating by steam been
ignored by florists?" I reply, because they
have found in hot water a better agent for con-
veying heat Steam for warming plant houses
was in use prior to the discovery in 1777. of the
adaptability of hot water as a means of heating.

Steam, from it- gasiform nature, parts with
its heat quickly, and unless the fires are kept up
the water in the boiler ceases to boil, the steam
falls to a lower pressure, and the pipes rapidly
get cold ; on the contrary, hot water from its

density parts with its heat more slowly, and
continues to give off" heat long after the with-
drawal of fire. No heat can be received from a
steam apparatus until the water has passed the
boiling point, and made steam enough to cause
a pressure necessary to drive the air out of the
pipes. Hot water commences to circulate imme-
diately after the application of fire, and conse-
quently gives heat quicker than steam. I am
aware that with steam the temperature of a
house can be raised from a low to a high degree
in less time, but unless great care is used in
managing the fire, it will as rapidly descend
again ; on the contrary, hot water will retain
the heat imparted, and keep the temperature at
a more even degree. The highest degree of heat
that can be obtained in the boiler of a steam
apparatus is 212, which can be maintained at a
long distance from the same, giving thereby an
even regular temperature. When the water in
the boiler of a hot water apparatus has reached
the boiling point, the return pipes will be
found nearly as warm as the flow, which causes
also an even, regular temperature.

I doubt if Mr. Allen can fix (with as much
certainty his steam boiler as a hot water boiler)
his boiler to run from nine or ten o'clock till
seven or eight the next morning without atten-
tion during that time, as the boiler must be fed
in order to replace the waste caused by the pro-
duction of steam, which cannot be returned to
the boiler because of the "back pressure,"
which would prevent the circulation necessary
to a steam apparatus. The expense of a steam
apparatus at the outset is heavier than a hot
water apparatus, but the running expenses will
be no heavier probably. Having steam heat
had nothing to do with Mr. Allen losing no
plants by freezing ; hundreds of florists lost
none, though they used either hot water or
flues. Heat given by vapor or smoke differs in
nothing. The "burnt heat'' given by flues is
caused by the escape of noxious gases, which
are injurious to plant life.

Steam and hot water do away with the neces-
sity of smoke passing through the houses ; this,
combined with the even, regular temperature
secured, give to thehouse an atmosphere in which
plants, other things being equal, cannot fail to
thrive.

If Mr. Allen did not keep his houses sprinkled,
the '' moist, balmy atmosphere " which he as-
cribed to steam heat would soon be changed to
an atmosphere exactly contrary.

1S73.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOKTELY.

365

EDTTOE lAL.

"OUR CHROMO."

This is the heading very prominent in news-
papers just now; and "just look at our premi-
ums for new subscribers " is nearly as common.
We do not know but if ours were an agricultural
instead of a horticultural one that we should
object. The sole end of agriculture is to make
money, — to get the largest results from the land
at the lowest possible cost. It is profit all
round.

True, Horticulture occupies different ground.
Cash, though of some consideration, is seconda-
ry. The most pleasure from the land, stands
before mere profit. "We wish to meet our readers
wholly on this ground.

• It is a source of great satisfaction to the editor
that the great success of the Gardener''s Monthly
has been by its m3rits alone on the one hand,
and by the sincere love of horticulture on the
part of many friends on the other, which has led
them to overlook the faults of the editor and of
the publisher, in their desire to uphold a horti-
cultural magazine. True horticulturists are so
scattered here and there over the land, that no
system of advertising will reach them. Our
large subscription list has been mainly the re-
sult of one friend telling his neighbor, and of all
doing what they can for us. Probably no maga-
zine has given more valuable matter ; and yet
the whole of this has been the voluntary contri-
bution of good friends in most cases, without any
begging on the part of the editor.

The editor has never felt that he desired the
position as'^a matter of profit ; the salary he
receives is far less than if he devoted his time to
other pursuits. His main idea has ever been to
aid, so far as his humble efforts may, in sus-
taining a Ipure horticultural representative in
American literature ; and so long as he shall
continue to be supported by his correspondents,
and the publisher aided in extending his sub-
scription list as he has been in the past, he hopes
to be spared to serve horticulture a few years
longer, as he has already done for fifteen years
at the head of the Gardener^s Monthly.

endeavored to send other subscribers' money
with their own. Our index will be a capital aid
in this friendly canvass. It show.s what the
Monthly gives for the money. We doubt whether
so much is given for $2.00 by any paper in the
world ; and if there is ever to be a world's fair
in which a premium is to be awarded for the
cheapest magazine, we are inclined to compete for
that premium.

OUR INDEX.

For the past few years many subscribers while
remitting their own subscription have kindly

TRAVELING RECOLLECTIONS, NO. 2.

Where the Shenandoah River makes a junc-
tion with the Potomac is situated Harper's
Ferry, occupying the little neck between the
two.

We do not know that as a rule editors are par-
ticularly anxious to imitate the bird who was
fond of the early worm, but the knowledge that
we were to start on our journey through Virgin-
ia at half past eii^ht o'clock, brought out some
from their sleeping berths bsfore the advent of
the sun. Much has been said of the beauty of
this site, but it by no means deserves the superla-
tive terms so commonly bestowed on it. Beauti-
ful it certainly is, but hundreds of places in the
Union— even Virginia itself can furnish better
specimens of beaut}^ The remains of the Na-'
tional Armory, destroyed during the rebellion,
interests the botanist chiefiy by the splendid
specimens of our beautiful American fern. Pel-
loea atropurpurea, which are gathered from the
walls ; and the low green sward between por-
tions of the ruins is completely filled with the
soft clover-like stems of the yellow milfoil, Me-
dicagolupulina, an English plant which has
here found itself a pleasant home.

Several gentlemen of the town very kindly
took us to the points of interest, but these were
chiefly in relation to the military history of the
country, and furnished little of value for our
pages. Fruit trees were growing well and
bearing abundantly ; but so far as we could
guess in our few hours ramble, there was noth-
ing of special interest to our horticulturists.
The soil and climate, however, were evidently
favorable to gardening, and, except of course,
the steep rocky places, as good for a center of
agricultural excellence as many places which
have earned far better names. Still a place

366

THE GARDEJ^BR'S MOJ^THLY. December,

which has in the past depended for so much of
its prosperity on government help for its prosperi-
ty, can hardily be expected in so short a time
since losing it, to learn to depend on its own re-
sources. The colored universities are now
located here, and some of the old time govern-
ment buildings are devoted to the purpose.
They have a good opportunity here to display
some horticultural taste, but we do not know
how much means or disposition there may be to
take advantage of it.

A short ride brought us to Charleston, the capi-
tol of the same county (Jefferson) in which is situ-
ated Harper's Ferry, and the visitqe is sure to find
added to the information, '■ Charleston— the
place where John Brown was hung.'' The peo-
ple ot this county seem very proud, and we
think with justice, of the excellence of their farm-
ing productions. In this respect there seems quite
a rivalry between it and the next county, Fred-
erick, in which the celebrated Winchester is
situated. The farms, however, are all so large
that under the new regime, it is diflScult to man-
age them. Now when personal superintendence
is a requisite to successful farming, the old sys-
tena, which is remarkably similar to English
gentleman farming, does not work well. It
seemed a pity to see so much soil capable of
yielding such immense crops of cereals, devoted
to mere stock raising, simply because under the
new system of things, the farms are too large
to be handled for any other purposes.

Following the line to Cedar Creek we came to
Harrisonburg, which we found in a very thriving
condition. Tasteful residences, evidently built
within a comparatively recent period, were nu-
merous, and much disposition to cultivate a hor-
ticultural taste was evident. There was not
that neat and cultivated gardening, which since
the introduction of the hand lawn mower, so
many similar towns in the North exhibit ; but
still considering all things, the Ilarrisonburgers
may be by no means ashamed for strangers to
see what they are doing in the gardening line.

The railroad connections being not yet com-
plete, we took from here stages to Staunton, a
distance of twenty- five miles, and here the Eng-
lish style of doing up things was again appar-
ent in tlie magnificent turnpike over which we
were driven. The tolls are said to be six cents
a mile, but this is cheap when we consider the
less wear and tear of horse-flesh, gears, and vehi-
cles in general over our ordinary roads. AVe
felt that »o better lesson would be given many

of our northern road officers, than to send them
down to look at a piece like this. At Staunton,
Major Hodgekiss, on the part of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railroad, took charge of the party ;
and as there was no hotel capable of accommo-
dating so large a party at Staunton, the Compa-
ny took us over the Blue Ridge Mountains
easterly to Charlottesburg, the seat of the Vir-
ginia University, and near the tomb of Jefferson,
where, amidst the beauties of crape myrtle, and
sweet scented magnolias, we retired for the
night. Early we started on our return trip, and
breakfasted in the Blue Bidge, where, for the
first time, many of our party had the opportu-
nity of seeing the rare Finns pungens or Table
Mountain Pine, as it was once called, growing
in its native state. It is of course now known
that it is found all along the Blue Ridge region,
from northern Pennsylvania down to North
Carolina. From here we crossed the Shenan-
doah valley at right angles from east to west,
affording us an excellent opportunity to judge
of the character and capabilities of the country,
especially as we had the kind company of Mr.
Fisk and other leading officers of the road, who
pointed out all the points of interest along the
route.

It is impossible to conceive of any country
better adapted to horticultural and agricultural
operations than this well wooded and well
watered one ; with game of all kinds and fish in
abundance ; with exhaustless supplies of coal
and other minerals; with— not the mere degraded
granite of other sections, but a favored soil made
of rich limestone and clay, aud yet only here
and there any signs of human industry. Now
aud then a farm house with shade trees, well
cared for grounds, thrifty orchards, and good
fences ; but in general the whole make up had a
dilapidated look which plainly told that the own-
ers were much poorer than their forefathers who
had settled there. Our p^rty were all overcome
with the genuine hospitality and good ft eling
with which we were everywhere received in this
regard, and felt that they would aid and assist
this good people in any way in their power to
develop their prosperity. How to do this was a
free subject of discussion at all times. They
seemed to think that there was a good field for
northern men to come down among them and
bring their capital ; while our party insisted that
capital never led, but aided industry, and that
these southern lYiends already had if they did
but know it, as good material in good heads aud

1873.

THE GARi)EJ\rER'S MOJVTHLY,

367

arms, to turn these abundant materials into
riches, as any set of northern men ever had.
So we traveled,— now discussing what might be
made of the rich country, now enjoying its rich
beauty, till we found ourselves over the line of
Old Virginia into the New, and in the celebrated
Greenbriar county, along the river of which
name our railroad took course. This river is
one of the sources of the Kanawha, which ex-
tends wholly across the State, emptying into the
Ohio at Point Pleasant opposite Gallipolis in
Ohio. On the boundary between the two States
is White Sulphur Springs, where we rested for the
night.

Here the grounds are beaStifully laid out, and
though the keeping up is not in the style of the
ground about Saratoga and other famous places,
still it is better than many places of greater pre-
tensions. The accommodations are very good,
and when the price is considered in comparison
with others— $3.50 per day — if one wants to take
a quiet draught of beauteous nature, and at the
same time flutter among society's butterflies
and drink the nauseous stuff called mineral
waters, we don't know of a better place to go to
than the White Sulphur Springs. As we pass
on to the Bull-pasture, Cow-pasture and Calf-
pasture rivers, with other streams of like pecu-
liar titles, we gradually come to scenery which
for luxurious beauty excels anything to be seen
in railroad traveling in any part of the north.
The Greenbriar, after meeting the Bluestone,
becomes the "jS'ew" River, which is simply a
deep canon cut through the everlasting hills,
sometimes twelve hundred feet deep, and extend-
ing for near seventy-five miles. The waters
rush through with tremendous rapidity, often
leaping over rocks and tumbling over precipices
to twenty feet below. The sides of the rock,
formed by the gushing waters, are clothed with
trumpet flowers and Virginia creepers ; Smilax
and grape vines in tangled masses often falling
hundreds of feet deep ; while wherever a little
earth would hold together on a small table rock,
Tulip Trees, White Oak, and other forest trees
of gigantic dimensions, grew up against the per-
pendicular s des as if painted on immense sheets
of cauvas by supernatural hands. There are
plenty of places in America where the water flows
as ra[iidly and iuas jiieat volume; thereare others
where the attending rocks are as high, and as ro-
mantically arranged ; as rich and varied a vegeta-
tion line other river banks ; but nowhere are all
combined in the same glorious proportions as here

If for a trip of mere pleasure alone we wanted
a railroad ride, it should always be along the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad through this sec-
tion of the country ; and if on a matter of busi-
ness we had to leave our homes, it would not be
at all lost if a few more miles in a round about
way were spent to go over this line. But we
have some seven thousand miles to take our
readers yet, and must not tarry among these
fairy scenes.

We pass, as we rush along, dense forests in
which we detect abundance of Magnolia acumi-
nata the cucumber tree, M. tripetela, and the rare
M. Frazeri, or auriculata of some botanists,
which we think, from what we saw, is like the
Pinus pungens much more common than old
botanists supposed it to be. Along the river
banks Halesia tetraptera, the snowdrop tree,^
occurred in great abundance ; and on the forest
trees, especially on the Yellow Elm {Ulmusfulva)
immense quantities of the Mistleto {Phoraden-
dron flavescens) was seen. Emerging from the
canon we strike the Gauley River, when com-
mences the Kanawha River, which coursing
through a rich and tolerably well cultivated
agricultural country, brings us to Charleston
the capital of West Virginia, and a remarkably
prosperous and thriving place. Here we were
invited to meet the leading citizens of the city at
the princely residence of Dr. Henry S. Walker,
where, until the early hours of the morning,
some discussed matters of science and art, the
progress of the nation, the merits of the creature
comforts brought together for our enjoyment ;
and some of the younger ones joined the Charles-
ton ladies in discussing the sweet sounds from
the orchestra and all the poetry of motion which
so often results therefrom.

Bright and early, however, on a steamboat
under the guideuce of Dr. Hale, one of the most
energetic of Charleston's citizens, we were steam-
ing up the Kanawha to examine the celebrated
salt works, and there saw how the material by
steam power was pumped up out of the briny
deep over a thousand feet below the surface of
the earth ; how all which was done, and finally
ended in the salt which saves us, thousands of
persons have already read in the correspondence
of the thirty papers to which our traveling party
were attached. A hundred miles ride takes us
through a wonderful coal country through Bar-
boursville to the terminus of the road at Hunt-
ington, where we take steamer for Cincinnati.
At Huntington we were treated to a daylight

368

THE GARDEJTEB^S MOJ^TBLY. December,

reception — a sort of matinee by the ladies of the i
town ; and after a splendid collation, were taken j
in carriages to gardens, grounds, and places of j
interest in the vicinity. Although the town is j
but a couple of years old, it already comprises
a,bout a couple of thousand of inhabitants, with ,
streets nicely graded, — in a few cases shade trees
— with flowers and shrubbery si;t out in most of \
them. Our dining-hall was profusely decorated
with bouquets and designs of cut flowers, to our
utter astonishment, that so new a place should \
raise so much, until a good lady confided to us '

the secret that they were brought from a distant
and older settled town, especially to do honor to
us on our arrival. It will not, however, be long
before Huntington will have horticulture of its
own that other older towns vrill envy, or we are
much mistaken in the culture of these good people.
This rapid sketch of a week in Virginia of
course can tell of but a grain in the ocean of
great experience gathered in that time. We can
but outline the course. From time to time, as
occasion arises, our readers shall profit by what
the editor gained.

SCRAPS AND UUERIES.

Effects of Climate on the Hardiness of
Trees.— J. Q. Hockley, Harris County, Texas,
writes: ""Would you inform me through the
Monthly whether trees nursery grown at the
worth, if varieties adapted to our climate, will
succeed equally well with the same varieties
raised here ? To put the question more definitely
say 100 Bartlett Pears, and 100 Crawford's
Early Peach, of northern nursery growth, and
a like number same varieties southern raised,
both lots being about equal in size and condition
when planted., and their subsequent treatment
being the same, will the southern-raised lot ulti-
mately be more of a success than the northern ?''

[This is a question which would be best set-
tled by observation on the effect of climate on
northern trees in the South. It is quite likely
there is some difference one way or another,
according to the article referred to, some things
doing better when home raised, and others doing
worse. It is so here in Pennsylvania in agricul-
tural seed raising. Northern raised pears, for
instance, do better when sown in Pennsylvania
than pears Pennsylvania raised, while a Penn-
sylvania raised bush bean is considerably better
for home use, than one brought from a more
northern region.

In seedling pears, we, in southern Pennsylva-
nia, find northern raised seedlings much better
adapted to Pennsylvania soil and climate than
our own ; while on the other hand, southern

peach stones make better trees in Pennsylvania
than northern ones. Thus we see that there is
no general law to be laid down to be applied to
every description of plant.

Of the two kinds named in our correspondent's
letter, without knowing the facts from general
observation, we should be induced to " guess "
that a northern raised pear would be better than
a southern raised one, while a southern peach
would be at least as good, if not better.]

Rapid Potting. — Mr. Chitty sends us sam-
ples of what he regards as good potting against
rapid potting, in the shape of a dozen Verbenas.
They are good enough to satisfy the most fastidi-
ous cultivator.

In connection with this subject, we have
an article from Mr. Henderson in reply to Mr.
Chitty's last, which shall appear next month.

The Concord Going Backwards.— A cor-
respondent calls our attention to an item in the
American Agriculturist, page 423, in which a
writer spoke of the Concord "going back." Our
correspondent thinks it is not right for an editor
to let such a statement go without suggestion or
comment, as in view of the universal success of
the Concord, it is more than likely some local
and temporary circumstance influenced the ill
success. We are almost inclined to agree with
our correspondent, only when we remember how

1878.

THE GARDENER'S MOJV'THLY,

369

often we, ourselves, let our writers have their
say unchalleuged, we might be centuring our
owu selves. Still we agree with our correspon-
dent, that whether it is the Agriculturist or the
Gardener''s Monthly^ these little matters ought
to have more attention than they receive.

Ferxs.— Editor of the Gardener''s Monthly.
In your number for November, J. D. , of Paterson,
N. J., asks who can furnish native ferns, &c.
As I have been some time engaged in making a
collection of native ferns, and have become much
interested in them, I shall be glad to render
him any assistance I can, if he will send me
bis address. I will furnish him a very complete
I'st of American ferns, prepared by Mr. William
Edward, and will mark on it those which I can
furnish.

I have been able to find no nurseryman who
had anything like a complete collection, although
I have made diligent search in several large cities.
Mrs. Richie, corner of America and Oxford
Streets, Philadelphia, has by far the best Collec-
tion which I have found. I have made collec-
tions myself at Chestnut Hill, and on the banks
of Wissahickon ; at the Delaware Water Gap ; in
the chasm of the Ausable River ; at Newport,
Vt. ; in Stanstead Co., Canada ; Montreal and
Quebec, and at many places in Massachusetts.
I found the greatest variety in one spot at Derby
line, between Vermont and Canada.

There are four ferns for which I have made
diligent search in vain. Can any of your readers
put me in the way of getting them, viz : Aspleni-
um pinnatifidum, Asplenium ebenoides, Aspi-
dium fragrans and Schizoea pusilla. The first
two grow in Pennsylvania, the third in Canada
and White Mountain region, and the last in the
pine barrens of New Jersey. Perhaps "J. D."
can send me a sample of the last.

There have been received at the Botanic Gar-
dens in Cambridge, some very fine Pelloeas or
Platylomas and Gymnograms from California,
and Mr. George Such of South Amboy has some of
them for sale. Yours respectfully,

J. Warren Merrill,

Cambridgeport, Mass.

Luther Tucker, the founder of the Horti-
culturist and Country Gentleman^ lately deceased.

By courtesj' of the present publisher of the
Country Gentleman, we have an excellent p©r-
trait of our deceased friend.

A Horticultural Library.— There is so
much difficulty in knowing what Garden books
have been published, that those who are forming
a Garden Library are always inquiring what
and where to get ? We have before us a light
catalogue published by Mr. Robinson, Editor
of the London Garden, which tells us more than
ever we knew. The prices are affixed. It can
be had gratis by writing to the office of the
Garden.

Live Pence Posts.—/. B. G., Catasaiiqua,
Pa., writes :—" Your opinion is desired on the
subject of planting Yellow Locust Trees as a
substitute of posts to build a fence along a pub-
lic road leading through a farm— the planting to
be the same distance that the fence posts would
be set in the ground. Would Locust do ? If
you may know of some other kind of trees that
would answer that purpose, and prove more
valuable than the Locust, I would be much
obliged for such information.

[We are opposed to trees along fence rows.
As they grow the roots extend an enormous
way. We have seen ground for seventy feet
away from the trunks of the trees almost impov-
erished by the roots taking most of the nutri-
ment from the growing crops. For this reason
alone we should oppose live fence posts.

Then for "live" fence posts we have to wait
a long time for the tree to grow before it is capa-
ble of standing as a post, for the sway of a weak
tree by the wind racks the rails out of place.
Then if we employ fast growing trees they soon
decay. Lombardy Poplars last >in our climate
little over thirty years. We wait for the post
to grow ten or fifteen years, and in another
fifteen years it is rotten. We may as well have
"dead" posts of good lumber at once. It is
an old idea. We saw but one, — it was twenty
years since. It is gone now, and a post and
rail fence is in its place. We fancy the experi-
ment was a failure, or the owner would not have
gone back to the old style. We do not know of
any one who recommended it that has tried it
himself. The idea seems a good one, and we
suspect it is recommended on the merits of the
idea rather than the merits of the facts.]

Relative Age of Trees. — A Philadelphia
correspondent says : Excuse the liberty I take of
troubling you with a question, but a friend of
mine has had the question propouc led to him.
" Why do the .E^m and other trees live longer

370

THE GARBEJ^ER'S MOJ^TELY. December,

in Europe than America ?" I liave looked in
Mictiaux and Loudon's Arboretum, and find no
comparative statement concerning the relative
age of trees in the two countries, and I thought
I would take the liberty of asking you to en-
lighten us in the matter. His impression, as
well as my own, is that if the same care was
taken to preserve trees here as in Europe and in
England especially, there would be little differ-
ence in their ages in the two places, but if it will
not be too much trouble for you to give me your

views and information in the matter, I will
esteem it a great favor."

["We believe that no English tree will live in
this climate much over two hundred years — one
hundred years bringing it to perfection, and an-
other allowed for its decline. There may be
exceptions. The oak which for "a thousand
years endured the battle and the breeze," did
not endure it in America. The English oaks
planted by John Bar tram are already dead.
Care will make no difference. It is climate.]

JN^EW AND RARE FRUITS.

The Lord Palmerston Peach.— A speci-
men, one of seven grown this season on a young
orchard house tree in a 12-inch pot, at Messrs.
Elvers' & Sons' Nursery at Sawbridgeworth,
measured twelve and a quarter inches in circum-
ference, and was richly flavored. The Lord
Palmerston Peach was raised by Mr. Rivers,
and is thus described by Dr. Hogg in the third
edition of the Fruit Manual: "Fruit large;
skin of a rather pale color, having only a little
red on the side next the sun ; flesh remarkably
firm, and richly flavored ; glands very small,
kidney-shaped; flowers large. "

It is a seedling, raised from another seedling
from Pavie de Pompone. Its flesh is deeply
stained with red at the stone, and is slightly
adherent. For orchard house culture it appears
to be remarkably well adapted, and it has proved

to be one of the best, as it is one of the largest,,
late Peaches in cultivation. — Gardes Chronicle.

The Stark Apple. — A correspondent from
Louisiana, Missouri, submits the following in-
quiries : " I would be much obliged to you for
what you know of the Stark Apple. How well
does it bear? How late does it keep, etc.?
What is the quality, etc. ? Is it profitable as a
market shipping sort ? How will it compare
with Ben. Davis for profit i* It is a hardy tree
in Nursery and a splendid grower, which is
about all I know of it now. The Lawson prom-
ises well." The Stark has not been introduced
to Eastern orchards, and we have not met with
it to any extent in our western travels. If any
of our readers can give the desired information,
it will be acceptable.

NEW AND RARE PLANTS.

El^agnus parvifolius— Silver Thorn.
{See Frontispiece). — We have selected for an
illustration this plant, because it is destined, in
all probability, to play an important part in the
rural affairs of the United States. No one but
at once grants the gravity of the fence question.
It is admitted, that if the whole farm land of the
Union were to be called on at once to renew the
timber fences, the best part of our farmers
would become bankrupt. A cheap live fence,

and one easily managed, would be one of the
greatest of blessings to the people of this nation.
So far the best thing has been the Osage
Orange. This is the best chiefly because the
seed can be easily procured, and because the
plants are very easily and rapidly raised from
seed. These are great advantages ; but the dis-
advantages are its tree-like character, which re-
quires much skilful labor to keep it down to pro-
per dimensions ; and also that it only produces

1873.

THE GARDEJ^ER'S MOJ^THLY.

871

thorns on its young growth. "Wood once formed
never gets thornier ; and should perchance
naked places occur, it is almost impossible to
fill these places in. As a sort of sop to this dis-
position, plashing and other patching schemes
have been adopted, all of which are tolerably
successful in the hands of intelligent men who
are not afraid of work. The fact, however, is
patent as we travel through the country, that
nine-tenths of the Osage Orange hedges planted
in this country have become nuisances to every-
body that has any relation to them.

Heretofore few plants which are but naturally
shrubs, grow fast enough to make a protective
hedge within Qj^reasonable time, or if they do, are
deficient in some other element of a good hedge.
This Elseagnus seems to be nearer our idea of a
good hedge plant than anything we have seen.
Some years ago a small quantity were set out for
trial on the grounds of the Experimental Garden
at Washington ; and when the writer saw it, in
company with Mr. "Wm. Saunders, he was in-
formed that it had proved entirely satisfactory in
every respect.

It does not grow more than a few inches high
the first year from seed ; but these small seed-
lings dibbled out in the hedge row, grow as
rapidly as Osage Orange transplanted the first
season.

We saw, recently, a line half a mile long set
out last spring, mere threads then, most of
which a^re two feet high, and thick and bushy
now. They look very harmless the first year,
having no thorns ; but there are large numbers
of short branches, from a quarter of an inch to
two inches in length, and these become sharp
spines, the next year. These are well shown in
the plate. The older the plants the spinier they
become,— an excellent feature in a first-class
hedge plant. The second and third years
branches are produced from three to five feet
long, thus soon reaching a good hedge height.
But the plant rarely shows any disposition to go
above six or eight feet high, when the plants are
massed together. When they reach this height,
they grow by sending strong shoots out from the
stems near the ground, thus perpetually self-
thickening, — another excellent feature. If pruned
they make a first- class hedge ; if totally neglected
they are still protective, and not the useless
eyesore of an Osage Orange. Plants three or
four years old seed, so that in a few years with
any moderate encouragement, plants in abun-
dance could be obtained.

Besides its protective value, it has a very beau-
tiful appearance ; the under side of the leaf, as
well as the young growing branches, are silvery,
whence its common name. South of the Poto-
mac it would probably be an evergreen. In
Pennsylvania it holds its leaves to Christmas.
The flowers are greenish-white, not showy, but
resemble ,in fragrance the celebrated English
hawthorn. The berries which succeed are
of a mottled red, as shown in the plate. How
much cold it will stand before it becomes injured
is not known to the writer. It has remained
uninjured in the highest degree in one situation,
when the last year's shoots of the Osage Orange
and Harney Locust have been destroyed, and
I when the thermometer has been 14° below zero.
It will probably endure much more.

It is called, in European catalogues, U. reflexus,
and some other names, but De CandoUe adopts
Wallich's name, E. parvifoUus. It is a native
of the Himalaya Mountains.

Double Cinekabias.— Among the most strik-
ing novelties of the past year are Double Cinerari-
as. These have occasionally appeared in the
hands of English florists ; but they have never
succeeded in fixing them, so as to produce a dis-
tinct race. The more patient Germans have,
however, done the thing at last, and Haoge &
Schmidt, the seedsmen of Erfurt, Prussia, an-
nounce that they will distribute the seeds this
season. They are represented to be as double as
the common pompone Chrysanthemums, and to
embrace most of the colors already known in
single ones.

We can imagine nothing more beautiful than
such a set of improved Cinerarias will be, and
we cannot but regard the introduction of such
novelties as these, after so many years of perse-
vering attempts, as among the grandest floral
triumphs of the age.

New Koses. — E. Verdier, the celebrated rose
grower of Paris, sends us the following list and
descriptions of the best new roses of the past
year : —
HYBRID PERPETUALS (Hybrids remontants. )

Antoine Castel. — Tree vigorous with strong
erect shoots of a reddish tint, numerous dark
spines, foliage with 3 to 5 leaflets round and
leathery, very little serrated, and of a pale green
color. Flowers of medium size, very double ;
color bright rose or light cerise, shaded with a

372

THE GARBEJ^EWIS MOJ^TRLY. December,

dark hue, and white stripes. Similar in growth
as Prince Kotchoubey.

Ernest Merger — Tree very vigorous with 'erect
reddish shoots and numerous short straight pink
spines. Leaves with 5 dark green leaflets with
purple points. Flowers large, full of a deep
bright purple.

Francis Courtin. — Tree very vigorous with
strong erect dark green shoots and numerous
straight reddish spines ; leaves with 5 leaflets
very large of dark green color and but little ser-
rated. Flowers large, full, fine cup shape, fre-
quently 3 top together, rarely solitary ; outer
petals large, reflexed and imbricated, color pur-
plish cerise, outside rose with white stripes'^
very fragrant ; a free and abundant bloomer and
of the highest merit.

John Harrison. — Tree vigorous with erect red-
dish shoots, long and pointed spines ; leaves
with 5 leaflets deeply serrated. Flowers very
large, full, of fine cup-shape ; color dark brilliant
crimson strongly shaded with a velvety blackish
hue— very effective variety 1

Madame Laison Lierval. — Tree vigorous with
very strong light green erect shoots ; very few
elongated slightly reflexed brownish spines.
Leaves light green with 5 to 7 leaflets deeply ser-
rated. Flowers very large, very full and of fine
form ; color fine carmine with brilliant center.
Calyx surrounded with very long sepals. A
very free and continuous bloomer, seedling of
Victor Verdier.

Miller Hayes. — Tree vigorous with erect red-

dish shoots and few short brownish spines ;
leaves with 3 to 5 light green leaflets and red
leafstalks ; flowers large, full, and of Sue cup-
shape, generally solitary, sometimes 2 or 3
together ; thick petals, color crimson with bright
center and shaded dazzling velvety red. First-
rate variety ; seedling of Charles Lefevre.

PauUn Talahot. — Tree vigorous with erect
light green shoots and very rare, short, straight
reddish spines ; large light green leaves with 3
to 5 leaflets deeply serrated ; flowers large, full
and of fine form ; color dark dazzling rose or
reddish carmine. A very free bloomer and alto-
gether of great merit !

President Hardy. — Tree vigorous with erect
reddish shoots and irregular rosy spines ; leaves
light green with 3 to 5 leaflets deeply serrated ;
flowers large, full and of fine globular form, and
from 4 to 8 together ; color purplish carmine.

TJxeodore Bucheter. — Tree vigorous with erect
reddish shoots, numerous brown irregular spines;
leaves with 5 leaflets, deeply serrated, dark
green ; flowers large, full and of fine form, pur-
plish velvety violet with fiery center.

Tliomas Mills. — Tree very vigo;ous with erect
somewhat reflexed light green shoots and irregu-
lar short, nearly straight rosy spines. Leaves
with 5 leaflets, Urge, accuminated, of a dark
green, and finely serrated. Flowers extra large,
full and of fine cup-shape ; color dazzling bright
rosy carmine with whitish stripes ; very free
bloomer, and altogether of the greatest merit.

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.

The Osage Orakge. — The Madura auran-
tiaca has become a familiar shrub in most parts of
the United States, from its general use as a
hedgp-plant ; but it is now proposed to utilize
the 0-age Orange for other purposes. A decoc-
tion of the wood is said to yield a beautiful and
very permanent yellow dye, and this decoction,
carefully evaporated , forms a bright yellow extract
called aurantine, which may be used in impart-
Inc its color to fabrics. In addition to this color-
ing-matter, the wood of the Osage Orange is
Tich in tannin. Experiments made in Texas
. represent that hides are tanned quicker with the
: wood of this tree than with oak bark. The

seeds yield a bland, limpid oil, resembling olive-
oil, and which may, in general use, be substi-
tuted for it. — Beport of Departmentof Agriculture.

Flowers at the jSTeav York Stock Ex-
change.— "A few days ago,'' states the New
York D'dly Bulletin, " some of the most .senti-
mental brokers doing business upon the Stock
Exchange, made up a pool of a small amount,
b}?- subscribing 25 cents each, for the purchase of
a handsome terra-cotta vase, which was placed
upon the large table in the Exchange, to be filled
with fresh-cut flowers every morning by Mr.
Alexander Stewart. The entire arrangement,

187S.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJVIBLY.

373

in fact, was made at the instigation of Mr.
Stewart, who has adopted this method of hu-
manizing the board. It is stated that the
brokers readily handed in their quarters, partic-
ularly the young ones, many of whom remarked
that the flowers would remind them of the green
fields of their youth, and of the days when they
were young and innocent. If the flowers upon
the table are the means of giving a pleasing sen-
timent to a single broker, surely their mission is
not in vain. Mr. Stewart, who is head mission-
ary in this matter, has already been the recipi-
ent of many congratulations, and well he should
be, for now that he has driven the entering
wedge and opened up the way, it may be readily
anticipated that most of the religious bodies in
the city will be extending their missionary
work to this ne^v and most prolific field "

has required seven men constantly at work to
pick the fruit from one and a half acres during
the ripening season.

0*RNAMENTAL HEDGES.— Mr. Edwin Marsh,
nearly a mile west of Agawam Center, has a
very handsome hedge of white pine. This tree
was placed by Downing at the head of the beau-
tiful evergreens. Planted near it is a well-trim-
med hemlock hedge, and opposite, on the
grounds of Mr. Goddard, very beautiful hedge
of the American arborvitee. On account of its
brighter and never changing green, we had, in
this case, to give our preference to the white
pine. For dry, sandy soil, it is peculiarly
adapted. — New England Homestead.

Hale's Early Peach in Canada.— Com-
menced to ripen in St. Catharines about the 20th
of August. The trees were well loaded with
fruit, but it rotted very badly as it began to ripen,
so that only a small portion of the fruit came to
maturity ina perfect conditiou.— C'ctJictda Farmer.

Blackberries in California. — The Cali-
fornia AyricuUurist notices an acre and a half
blackberry patch near St. Jose, from which were
picked sixteen tons of fruit, and adds:

This is the second crop that he has gathered,
as the vines are but three years old. The soil is
a rich, light alluvial, and he cultivates thorough-
ly and cleanly. The plants are four to eight
feet apart. He irrigates from the time of blos-
soming while the fruiting lasts, as often as once
a week, and says ihat it pays to irrigate copiously.
The variety cultivated is the Lawton. One man
will pick from 100 to 112 pounds per day, and it

SiiOKE AND Frost.— A congress of vine
growers has been held this autumn in the south
of France,^ whose members, before separating,
tried a most interesting experiment. This is a
plan to counteract the destructive effects of frost
— which, at certain critical periods, is fatal to
their crops — by the creation of clouds of warm
smoke, which shall hover over the ground. Iron
vessels, containing a preparation principally of
tar, having been disposed at intervals over the
vineyards, were set fire to, and produced thick
clouds, which hovered over the land and spread
for miles around. An important point on the
plan is its cheapness. — Country Gentleman.

A Horticultural Society "Wanted in
Baltimore, M. D. — The American Farmer saya
of the Philadelphia Horticultural Exhibition :
The display of foreign or hothouse grapes was not
remarkable. We thought those shown by Philip
Reilly, gardener to Mrs. Merrick, were the finest,
but the judges thought otherwise, and awarded
the prize to Gebbard Huster, gardener to Mr. J.
B. Heyl. We feel very confident that Mr. Fow-
ler, gardener to John Hopkins, Esq., of this
city, and who formerly competed for and took
off many of the prizes on grapes at this show,
Mr. Frazier, at W. T. Walters', Esq , and Mr.
Frazer, at John W. Garrett's, Esq., had each of
them, this season, grapes far superior to any
shown at this exhibition ; and we regret very
much that Baltimore was entirely unrepresented
there, the more especially that our skilful gar-
deners and amateurs have no opportunity to
display their production at the show of any
home society— and this too in a city of 300,000
population, while scarcely a town of 20,000 in the
North but has its horticultural society 1

Ihe exhibition was very largely attended, as is
usually the case. Although the society under
whose direction the shows are held is a wealthy
one, it doubtless, notwithstanding its liberal
schedule of premiums, loses no money by them,
and we see in this fact an additional argument
why Baltimore, with its intelligent and cultiva-
ted people, should not much longer be without a
Horticultural Society, with at least spring and
fall shows.

B7Jl

THE GARDEJfER'S MOJVTHLY, December,

FOEEIGN INTELLIGENCE

Public Dinner Table Decoration.— The
most striking change noticeable in London for
some time past has been the marked increase of
the button hole flower and bouquet trade. Half
a do^en years ago such bouquets were to be had
only in a few places ; now shops full of them are
Been in all our leading thoroughfares, and even
hawkers in the streets sell tastefully arranged
tiny bouquets. At the same time public taste
has shown much improvement as regards table
decorations and other indoor floral ornaments.
Hitherto, so far as we have seen, the floral
decorations of public dinner-tables have been
poor and stiff in the extreme. At a dinner given
at the Inns of Court Hotel, more than the beauty
of a dozen flower-gardens was tastefully arranged
in the great hall of the hotel. Thousands of
flowers and plants were employed, and these all
in the freshest health. In additional to the best
flowers and plants usually employed for table
decoration, such novelties as superb pitchers of
various kinds of N'epenthcs depended from some
of the vases, but the charm of the whole con-
sisted in the tasteful artistic arrangement. No
Btifl*, poor, flat or round-headed compositions
were these ; but free and graceful as nature
itself. All the principal varieties of Nepenthes
were used, as well as the long trumpet-shaped
Sarracenias judiciously arranged with Adiantum
Farleyense, and here and there glowing spathes
of Anthurium Scherzerianum, long and graceful
fronds of various Ferns, large spikes of Dielytra
spectabilis, and the pretty curving fronds of
Solomon's Seal. Tke glass vases were about 18
inches high, and the size of each group of flowers
when arranged would be about 2 feet 6 inches
across the widest part ; these were set at inter-
vals along the tables, and between them were
placed "Dobson'' dishes. These were filled in
pairs to match with white, pink and scarlet ;
the upper portion of the dish was scarlet Geran-
ium, with crowning masses of Geranium Chris-
tine resting on Lycopodium denticulatum. The
lower part or base of each stand, had its bed of
Lycopod, with here and there magnificent blooms
of Marechal Niel and other grand Roses, inter-
spersed with Lilies of the Valley. The whole of
the dessert dishes were surrounded with glass
circles filled with Lycopod and fine trusses of
scarlet Geranium Leonidas, one of the finest ;
the old favorite Dr Lindley Madame Yaucher

white, and the pretty Christine, pink. Mr.
"Wills considers these three colors the most
effective for dinner-table decoration, and seldom
uses any other colors. He pays upwards of
£400 annually for the cut blooms of these three
varieties, and upwards of £700 a year for Lyco-
podium denticulatum. His weekly consumption
of this simple plant is over 300 dozen during the
London season. The whole of the floral decora-
tions were supplied by Mr. Wills. — The Oarden.

Mushrooms. — "Anxious,'' fond of Mush-
rooms, but hitherto unsuccessful, with a low
close shed 18 feet long and 11 feet wide, and
having about a bushel and a half of horse drop"
pings every day, with about as much littery
straw, wants to know how to get the most Mush-
rooms most easily. In such a case, as the beds
are to be on the floor, we would divide our space
into four equal parts, with a walk of 2 feet or 30
inches down the centre. This would give room
for four beds 9 feet long and rather more than 4
feet in width. Our shallowest beds we would
have about 1^ inches deep in front, and from 15
to 18 inches deep at back. For winter work we
would have them a little deeper, and depend on
surface covering to keep up the necessary heat.
Now, there are many ways of making such beds.
We will put ourselves just in the position of
"Anxious,'' and advise him to do as we have
frequently done. Collect the droppings with
nearly an equal portion of short litter for a week
or ten days, and lay them in any place, not too
thickly, where no rain will fall on them. Then
add a barrow-load or two of dry soil, mix all
together, and make this the base of the 9-feet
bed. Beat it firmly together, and it will heat
very moderately. Then every second day add
the droppings, and the same amount of short,
dryish litter all over, tread or beat, and then
put a little dry soil over. Continue the process
until the necessary height is secured, as referred
to above, for the different seasons. By this plan,
as will be perceived, the bed will never become
very hot, and the bulk of the manure will be
fresh— full of nitrogenous matter — and, therefore,
capable of carrying a heavy crop of Mushrooms.
We have tried many modes, and successfully
too, but never one with more success than the
above, and it is peculiarly applicable where a
bushel or so of droppings can be obtained every

1873.

THE GARDE JfER'S MOJVTHLY.

375

day. The success will greatly depend on prevent-
ing overheating by the frequent beating and the
adding of a little dry earth. Street sweepings or
road scrapings when dry are admirable for this
purpose. People are slow to learn that ferment-
ing material, such as dung, will heat mildly and
keep up the heat long in proportion as it is so
consolidated to keep out air, or rather prevent its
free entrance. By such a mode the manure is
not exhausted as it often is when thrown into a
heap and allowed to ferment freely.

If we had the droppings of a single horse, and
had leisure, the above is the mode we would
adopt. "Why do you not adopt it now ? Just
because we could not easily get the droppings
regularly, and amidst the multiplicity of matters
demanding attention we should not be able t©
attend to Mushroom bed-making every day or
every other day. Those who try the plan, how-
ever, will soon be satisfied that manure cannot
be put in the beds too fresh, provided the layers
are so thin and compressed that violent heating
is avoided. Such beds generally become a mass
of spawn, and continue bearing a long time.
A peculiar treatment, however, has something
to do with long bearing. When the beds seem a
little exhausted it is well to sweep them clean,
and allow the surface to become a little dry.
Then, in eight or ten days, make a few small
holes over the bed, and give a good watering
with water at from 80^ to 90°, so that the water
will pass down into the manure, pat the bed
gently over with the back of a clean spade, cover
with clean litter to keep in the moisture, and
often in such cases in a week or two you will
have a white carpet of Mushrooms. — Journal of
Horticulture.

Hydrophobic Insects. — At the meeting of
the Entomological Society, Mr. MuUer read a
paper containing some remarks concerning the
habits of certain Gall-producing Saw-flies of the
of the "Willow, which are said to avoid those
portions of the tree that overhang water ; and
he suggested a practical application of the theory,
to save choice fruit trees from the attacks of in-
sects, by surrounding them at the base with
glass, which, it is well known, is often mistaken
for water by aquatic insects. — Gardener'>s Chroni-
cle.

€atjses of the Rotting of Fruit. — Ac-
cording to Decaisne, the rotting of fruit is pro-
duced by two microscopic fungi, which develop

in moist, confined air ; namely, Mucor mucedo
and Penicillium glaucum^ infinitely minute
germs of which are continually floating in the
atmosphere, and which attack more especially
any injured or abraded portion of the surface.
If now, the fruit be wrapped up in cotton, or
with soft tissue-paper, or, still better, with waxed
paper or tin foil, the introduction of these germs
will be prevented, and the fruit can be kept for
a long time without any appreciable change.

How Professor Fries Became a !Mycolo-
GiST.— By the time I had completed my twelfth
year I was acquainted with all the principal
plants of the district, and even now, at the dis-
tance of more than fifty years, most gratefully
do I recall how I was walking with my mother
in search of strawberries through a wood par-
tially burned, when it was my fortune to light
upon a noble specimen of Hydnum coralloides.
This discovery first incited me to make the tribe
of funguses my study ; but on turning over Lil-
jeblad's SvensTc Flora, my only scientific book, I
was annoyed to And myself ignorant of the word
"lamella," there so frequently recurring. So,
shortly after, walking with my father, I said to
him: "Die, pater, quid est lamella?" for my
father never sufiered me to speak to him except
in Latin, so that I picked up Latin even before my
native Swedish. " A lamella," he replied, "is a
thin plate." "With this explanation, the phrase
seemed to me to describe so happily the fructifi-
cation of agarics, that by the next day I knew
all the genera contained in that excellent work. —
From a translation of an auto-hiographical sketch
in the current volume of the Woolhope Club.

Button-Hole Bouquets.— Few seem to un-
derstand the difierence between a button-hole
flower and a button-hole bouquet, yet it is very
great. The button-hole flower should be, as the
word signifies, a flower, meaning a single one ;
whereas a bouquet means a number of flowers
arranged together according to taste. Having,
I hope, explained the difference between the two,
I shall endeavor to point out what constitutes a
nice arrangement for button -holes. Flowers se-
lected for mounting singly should be very choice ;
in fact, whatever flower is chosen should be a
specimen in itself One of our prettiest coat
flowers is a white or pink Moss Rose ; this I
like to see with merely a leaf belonging to itself
behind, and not Ferns, as one constantly sees in
florists shops Ferns, to my mind are bettei

376

THE GARDEJ^BR'S MOJSTTRLY, Decemher,

suited for Orchids, Gardenias, «&c., than for
Eose?. An Orchid nicely arranged in the centre
of a frond of maidenhair looks well, the delicate
Pern setting oflf the Orchid to perfection ; in
short, Ferns of this class are better suited to go
with indoor than with outdoor flowers. Bou-
quets generally consist of three or more different
kinds of whatever flowers may be in season, an^l
a little Fern mixed through them, A little bou-
quet before rae is composed of a half open white
Camellia-bud, sprays of Lily of the Valley, and
a few pips of a white Hyacinth, with a little
Fern mixed through the whole. A great fault
too often seen in button-hole bouquets, is their
large size and the way in which the flowers
seemed packed, as it were, together ; a few com-
mon hardy ones, if lightly placed, look often far
better than tender flowers badly arranged.— A.
H., Upper Norwood. — The Garden.

corymb, with trichotomous branches, and hav-
ing a very showy character. — 6ardener''s Chroni-
cle.

Adiantum Formosum.— The above named
Fern is certainly an exceedingly useful variety.
It is very easily cultivated, and can be propa-
gated freely ; the mature fronds have also the
good quality of keeping longer after being cut
than any other of the species ; but that it is more
beautiful than A. cuneatum I cannot admit.
It is quite as easy to grow. I noticed it in an
article on Ferns last year. The method alluded
to of inverting a small garden saucer inside a
larger one. so that the bottom of the pot just
touches the surface of the water is good, when
the plants have quite filled their pots with roots.
I have some Ferns which are grown for exhibi-
tion, and must not we shifted into pots larger
than 12 inches in diameter ; they require water-
ing twice or thrice a day in summer, and often
suffer from neglect when standing on the stage
with other plants, but when the pots are placed
bodily in saucers of water, they are not a tithe of
the trouble, and seem to do well with their treat-
ment.— Gardener'' s Record.

Absorption of Moisture by Lkaves. —
Mr. M. Cailletet has latelj'- been investigating the
question as to whether the leaves of plants are
capable of absorbing water in a liquid state ;
and sums up the result of his experiments, by
stating that the fact seems to be demonstrated
that a plant growing in a humid soil, and receiv-
ing by its roots the quantity of water necessary
to its normal condition, does not absorb the
water which moistens its leaves, but that such
absorption takes place as soon as the leaves
begin to wither, in consequence of the dissication
of the soil. In this way he explains the phe-
nomenon of certain plants maintaining a healthy
condition without any contact with the soil, and
even absolutely isolated from all assimilable
substances. Thus, a specimen of Poitrretea, a
rootless Broraeliaceous plant, maintained a
healthy existence and exhibited considerable in-
crease in weight, while suspended for more than
six years in the air by a wire. No moisture
ever reached it except that from the garden
syringe, and yet it was continually putting out
new leaves and flowering abundantly.

Choista ternata.— Amongst the supposed
tender plants submitted to forced exposure last
winter in Paris, the lievue Horticole mentions
that at Seeaux one plant in particular, the
Choisya ternata, withstood all the rigors of the
situation, and may therefore be regarded as
hardy— a great additional, merit. This Ruta-
ceous shrub comes from the temperate parts of
Mexico, and has evergreen trifoUate leaves,
with elliptic-oblong leaflets, and large white five-
petaled flowers, disposed on a sort of terminal

Gleichenia Rupestris — Fully agreeing
with " T. B." as regards the great beauty of
this, to my mind the queen of Ferns, I certainly
come to a different conclusion as to why so few
amateurs exhibit it. I say, and I think without
fear of contradiction, that it is simply because of
its great rarity we so seldom see it exhibited by
either nurserymen or amateurs. In not one
catalogue, and I possess all the principal ones,
can I find it, though G. spelunc£e, flabellata,
dichotoma, dicarpa. and semivestita are quoted
in many of them. I only know of three speci-
mens—Mr. Mendel's, Mr. Baines', and my own.
I have just been to measure mine. It is 2 feet 7
inches high, and not quite 4 feet in diameter.
I grow my plant in the cooler Fern stove, and
"T. B." is quite right that too much heat is in-
jurious to all the members of this lovely tribe.
My specimen has fairly started its new growth,
and I daresay many of your reader? will see it
exhibited during the coming season.

The great diflicuUy with Gleichenias is propo-
gating them. Division is dangerous, and often
fatal, while fructification is, with me at any rate,
unknown. I am aware that seedlings have been

187S.

THE GARDEJVER'S MOMTRLY.

S77

raised, for Mr. Bull's traveler informed me that I
Mr. Bull has been successful in raising some j
upon one occasion, 1

Let me conclude by making a remark about
Adiantum farleyense. I possess four plants of j
it, one a very fine specimen is 4 feet in diameter, j
yet I have never seen a fertile frond, and Mr.
Williams, of Holloway, when calling upon me a i
few weeks ago, said that his experience was the
same. — Cottage Garden.

Epiphyllums.— These beautiful flowers are
much grown and well understood by all practi-
cal men, but there are many young gardeners
and amateurs to whom a few words of advice
may be of service. Epiphyllums are easily pro-
pagated by cuttings taken off at a joint and
planted in light sandy soil in well-drained pots, 1
and placed in a warm house, and the soil kept
rather dry until they have roots. They should
not be exposed at this stage to brilliant sunshine
during the middle of the day, but a few hours'
exposure to the sun each day is better than
keeping them constantly shaded. They may be
wintered in a warm greenhouse if kept moderate-
ly dry at the roots, but they make a better and
an earlier growth when wintered in a tempera-
ture not less than 50° at night, and .55° to 60° by
day.

It should be remembered that they are at all
times impatient of too much moisture at the
root, and that they like a free open soil. For
established plants thex*e is nothing better than
turfy loam leaf-soil, peat, and very coarse sand
in equal parts. They do not require overmuch
pot-room : a shift into a pot two inches larger
once ia two years, if well drained, will suffice to
keep them growing and in good health.

Those who have the forcing houses at work,
or the convenience of a stove, should shift their
'stock if required, and then give them the aid ©f
more heat than they would enjoy in a common
greenhouse. Water sparingly until there are
signs of their commencing to make new growth.
After they are fairly started let them have more
water and air. By the beginning of June any
house will suit them, provided it is airy, and not
shaded.

They will well repay the cultivator for a little
extra care in the spring, as they make an earlier
growth with the assistance of a little extra
warmth at that season. This gives them more
time to make and mature their growth, and
larger and more blooms is the result.

There are different methods of growing them.
Some prefer them on their own roots, while
others like to have them on stems a foot or more
in height. They are easily grafted upon any of
the larger-growing cacti, so that the stem may
be had of any height desired. For my own part,
I like to have them on their own roots and
grafted' on tall stocks, as a greater variety of
form is obtained. Specimens on stems about
12 inches in height, in a 6-inch pot, are admira-
ble subjects for dinner-table and indoor decora-
tion, as also are dwarf plants on their own roots
for filling vases.

I have not named any variety Lo be grown,
for the reason that they are so beautiful that I
am not acquainted with any one variety that is
not worth growing. If I have a preference, it is
for E. truncatum albescens, JE. truncatum cruen.-
fwm, and M truncatum violaceum. — R. P. B., in
Oardener^s Magazine.

The Blue African Lily (Agapanthus um-
bellatus).— This is one of the most beautiful and
useful of the Lily tribe, and one which, though
commonly considered to be a greenhouse plant,
will succeed well in a south aspect in the open
air. There is a white and also a variegated
variety of it too, both of which are well worth
attention. I, however, find the blue kind the
most useful, as it remains so long in bloom, es-
pecially when set in a partially shaded situation,
or just screened from the parching rays of a
bright sun. Like the Scarborough Lily (Vallota
purpurea), it is very suitable 'for placing in a
porch or balcony, as well as for conservatory
decoration. All the varieties of this Lily flower
when well grown in a mixture of equal parts
leaf-mould and rich fibrous loam, to which may
be added one part lime-rubbish mixed equally
with sand. They are easily multiplied by divi-
sion of the roots, after which they require to be-
set in a shady situation until they make fresh
roots and growth. When established they will
bear more exposure to light. I have grown the
ordinary blue Agapanthus for fourteen years,
and have found it to be a most valuable autum-
nal flowering plant both in and out of doors. — J.
Graham, WoodcUjf Gardens, Rawdon, near Leeds.

Pelargonium Marie Lemoine as a Bed-
ding Plant. — I would strongly recommend the
above to the notice of flower gardeners for the
coming season. I had two large beds of doubl

S7S

TEE GARDEJ\rER'S MOJSTTHLY. December,

pink Pelargoniums last season for trial, each
containing about sixty plants of Madame and
Marie Lemoine : Madame is not worth growing
in comparison with Marie — the growth was
irregular, and most of the leaves spotted, and
the trusses of flowers small, while in Marie the
growth was regular, and the foliage handsome,
and splendid trusses of bloom, which stood the
rain. It is a continuous bloomer (far preferable
to Christine as a pink,) and requires liberal
treatment, I have been told it is a shy grower,
but have not experienced it. — A. Hossack, Ash-
burnham Place, Battle, in Gardener^s Chronicle.

The Moor Park Apricot.— The Moor Park
Apricot is said by some to have been introduced
by Lord Anson and planted at Moor Park. By
others its introduction is ascribed to Sir Thomas
More, who, in the beginning of last century, is
also said to have planted it at Moor Park. A
third account is that Sir John Temple introduced
it. "Which of these is correct it is impossible
now to determine, but it was not till the close of

the last century that this Apricot attained a
general cultivation. It was not in the Bromp-
ton Park catalogue before 1784, when it is
mentioned under the name of "Temple Apricot.''
In 1788 is first called " Moor Park. " In 1784 it
was cultivated in that nursery to the extent of
three rows, or about 300 plants ; but in 1797 to
the extent of thirty-five rows, or 3500 plants.
The Moor Park is undoubtedly of French origin ;
it is either a seminal variety of the Apricot
Peche— not the Apricot Peche of Duhamel,
which is our White Masculine— but the Apricot
Peche of Bretonnerie and Roger Scabol, or is
identical with it. Our own opinion is that it is
identical with it. It is said to have originated
in Piedmont as a seedling from the Alberge.
It is not mentioned in the " Jardinier Francais '*
of 1653, nor in any of the editions of De Quin-
tinye. Switzer speaks of " a very large kind of
Apricock that was cultivated at Woolhampton,
Berkshire, as big as a Peach, and it is there
called the French Apricock.'' — Journal of Horti-
culture.

HORTICULTUML NOTICES.

THE ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTU-
RAL SOCIETY,
"Will hold its Eighteenth Annual Meeting in
Champaign, commencing December 9th, at 10
o'clock A. M., and continuing four days. The
reports and discussions will include all depart-
ments in the theory and practice of Fruit rais-
ing and Tree growing. Papers upon the follow-
ing subjects will be read by eminent Scientists
and Horticulturists, viz : Meterology, Geology
and Soils, Botany and Vegetable Physiology,
Entomology and Ornithology, Ornamental and
Timber Trees, Ornamental and Landscape Gar-
dening, Vegetable Gardening, Orchard Culture
and Vineyard Culture. The citizens of Cham-
paign will extend hospitalities to members and
strangers attending the meeting. The Illinois
Central Railroad Co. will return members at
one-fifth fare. The Indianapolis B. and N.
Railroad, will return free.

O. B. Galtjsha,

Sec^y State Horticultural Society,
Morris, Ills.

FRUIT GROWERS' SOCIETY OF
PENNSYLVANIA.

This Society will hold its Annual Meeting
this season at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland
County, on the 21st, 22nd, 23d of June, 1874.
The practical details of fruit culture are general-
ly fully discussed, and the meetings usually very
fully attended.

Mechanicsburg is on the railroad leading from
Harrisburg to Chambersburg, and very easy of
access. In one of the most successful fruit
regions of the State, there is no doubt much use-
ful information will be elicited by the meeting.

WORCESTER COUNTY (MASS.) AGRI-
CULTURAL SOCIETY.
In a newspaper before us we note that the
horticultural department of the Annual Exhibi-
tion was a great success. We note with pleas-
ure among the most successful exhibitors, Mr.
Geo. Cruikshanks, one of our best gardeners,
and we are pleased to add, one of the earliest
of the subscribers to the Oardener''s Monthly.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Colored Plate, Frontispiece Elaeagnus Parvifolius.

B
Brussels Sprout 147

c

Canada Victor Tomato 53

Carnation, Perpetual-Flowered, La Belle 219

Coxcomb, New Japan 134

Coxcomb, New Tricolor 154

Cucumber, Improved 144

F
Fruit Drying'Apparatus 17

c

Grape Berry Moth, Larva and Cocoons, (4 Cuts) 121

Greenhouse, Small, Plan of. 79

Godetia Dunnettii 316

H

Hot Water Heating, JMethod of 14

Houses of S. B. Parsons & Co., Diagram of. 106

L

Lobelia, Carter's Cobalt-Blue , 156

M

Marblehead Squash 53

Mimulus Cupreus, Variety Brilliant 877

Mole Traps 237-238

o

Orange Apple 344

P

Parterre, Design of 41

Peas, New English 117

Pipes to warm a Greenhouse, Situation of 103

S

Scarlet Runner, The 177

T

Tomato Trellis 297-298

Twin Nozzle, The, (3 Cuts) 205

INDEX— VOLUME XV.

Absorption of Moisture by

L. aves, 61, 376
Abutilon Boule de Neige, 220
Academy of Natural Sciences
of Pliila., 123, 320
Acclimation Society, An, 107*
A?hyranthus t'asci, 2^
Acknowledgments, personal, 88
Adams, Dudley W., as a candi-
date for Gov. of Iowa, 299
Address by Piesident Hoopes,
J he Annual, 63
" of Marshall P. Wilder,
202, 325
Adiantum Favl-yense and Be-
gonia Sanguines, 360
" Formosa, 376

Adiantums, 296, 338
Advantages of Hoi Water over

Steam, 3J-t
Advertisers, Addresses of, 309
African Lily, Blue, Treatment

of the, 331
Age of Trees, Relative, 3o9
Agricultural Fairs, 311

" Papers, New, 92

" Society, Worces-

ter, M;i!-s , 378
Alcohol a remedy for i he Mealy

Bugs, 2i 0
Alexander Peach, 29
Allen, C. L,, The 1' lower Parm

of, 59
Alternanthira Amabilis, 55
Altheas, Raising, 91
Amaranthus Salicifoliiis, 30
Amaryllis, Treatment of the,300
Amoricau l"'erns, 312

" Horticulture, 68,. 107
" Pomoloi;ical Society,

31, S5,"l92, 221, 318
America, The Problem of, 107
Ampelopsis Dissecta, 55
Andromeda, Origin of the Bo-
tanical iVame, 249
Anemone Japonica, 220

" " Alba, 142

Angular divergence in the

branches of Plants,lS9

Anthurium Scherzeriaaum,233,

306, S49
Apple, Crittenden, 163
" Jonathan, South, 125

Old, 57
" Orange. 343

Pen, 21, 93, 152
" Pilce's Fall, 54
" Ked Hawthornden, 64
" Seedless, .J3
" Seed, Old, 148
" Smith's Cider, Origin
of, 281
Stark, 370
" Trees, Destruction of,

215
" Volney, 153
" Wagener, in Michigan,

58 103
" West Brook or Speckled
93, 153
Apples and Pears, Improved, 63
'■ Eleven Sumnier,at Lan-
sing, Mich., recom-
mended, 346

I Apples for Central Illinois, 183
'^ How to keep, 347
" Illinois Pippin, 93
I " Sweet and Sour, 123
I Apricot, Moor Park, The, 378
I April Number, Notes on the,170
I Aquilegia Leptocera Aurea 278,
I 279,314

" " Lutea, 2.:0

I " The Yellow 314

j Aralia Spinosa, 51
I Arboretum, Mr. Cope's, 69
I ArborvitaB and Garden Edg-
I ings 214

I " New Golden, 187

■ Architecture, Landscape, 217
I Arieulas, 307
Article about the Lilies, Ad, 7
Articles on hand, 182
Asbestos Hoofing, 120
I Ashes and Lime fcr Pears, 23
I Asparagus, Green, 1 82
I Atmospheric influence upon
i Vegetation, 335

. Australia, Recollections of, 22S
! Azalea, Best White, 52
" Indica Alba, 147

" Gloxinias, etc., Propa-
gating, 90

B

Baltimore, A Horiicultiiral So-
ciety wanted in, 378
Bankrupt Nur.serymen 308
Bartram, Dr. Darlington's Life

of, 68
Beatrice Peach, 21 S
Beautiful Letter, A, 338
Beautifying of Grounds, The, 64
Bedding Plant, Pelargonium
Marie Lemo.ne, 377
Bedding Plants, 24
Beech, Knowfield, The, 30
Bee»keeper"s Society, The North

American, 94
Bee Plant, Polinisia Purpurea,

311
Bees and Honey in Prance, 284
Beet, New forms of Ornament-
al, 156
Begonia Coccinea, 308
" Intermedia, 157
" Sanguinea, 360
Belle Magnilique, Cherry, 276
Berberis Darwiuii, 157
Best time to cut Grafts, The,119
Beurre I ubuisson Pear, 214
Bigelow, Dr., 311
Bilbergias, Propagating, 20
Birch, Cut-leaved Weeping 219

'• Purple-leaved, A, 57
Black's Early Peach, The, 28
Bland's Hardy Hybrid Fuch-
sia.*, 30
Blackberries in California, 373
Blood-Leaved Peach, History
of the, 142
The, 183
Blue African Lily, The, 377
Blunder, A Printer's, 149
Boiler for a Propagating House,

:.'15
Boiler.s, Hot water, 6, 233

" Leaky, 249
Bonne Silene Rose, 120

B^ok on Flower Cultivation,123
Borers, Fruit tree, Tarred paper

against, 306
Boston Florists, Excursion of,
283 •
" Rhododendron Show,223
Botanist, An undevout, 109
Botany, 6s
" and Gardening, The
Literature of, 109
Bouquets, Ornamental leaves

for, 38
Bonvardias, New, 188
Bouvardia Vreelandii. 220 .
Branching of some Coniferre,
Numerical order in
the, 333

Cabbage early, Experiments

with, 282
Calceolaria, Seedlirg, 215
Calceolarias, Improved, 306
California, Blackberries in, 373
" Horticulturist,The, 92
•" Medical Botany of,lS8
Californian Thistle, The, 250
Calla Ethiopica, Double, 338

" Flowering ol',S9
Lily, 89
Calycanthus, White, 57
Camellia, Carter's Cobalt i- lue,
155
" Princess Alexandre,
155
Campanula Medium Calvcan-
theraa, 279 " |

Tuibinaia, 94
Canada, Hale's Early Peach in,

373
Canada Victor Tomato, 52
Canning, Pears for, 63
Capital riddance. A, 275
Carnation. Perpetual-flowered,

La Belle. 219
Carnations, New Perpetual

flowering, '2S0
Caroon Cherry, The, 218, 313
Carter's Champion Scarlet Run-
ner, 241,306
• " Cobalt Blue Camellia,

155
Cass-ia Corymbosa, 169
Catalpa, The. 25
Catching the Codling .Moth, 189
Cedar, Deodar, Disease in, 183
Celosia Japonica, Note on, 135
Centennial Committee on Hor-
ticulture, j'8
" Exhibition, The, 52

" Horticultural Ex-

position, 283
" World's Fair, The,

12
Chamber's Pear, 314
Chameleon Coleus, 125
Chemical Powers of the Sun-
light, 61
Cherries and other Fruits,names
of. Touching, 340
" Names of, 215
•' Stock for, 104
Cherry, Belle macrnifique, 276
" Caroon, The, 218, 313 |
" History of the, 273 I

Cherry, Wild Black, Grafting

the, 21
Chestertown, Md., Climate of,

341
Chilopsis Linearis, 339
Choisia Ternata, 376
Chromo, Our, 365
Cinerarias, Double, 371
Circulation of Hot water, As-
cending, vs., the
Descending Prin-
ciple, 77
Clematises, New, 244
Climate or Chestertown, Md ,341
Climber, A Mexican, 331
Clover in Orchards, 312
Cockscomb, New Japan, 124

•* Tricolor, New, 154

Codling Moth, Catching the, 189

" " The, 63
Cold, Extreme, Influence of, on
the Curculio, 13
•' We ither, The, 89
Coleus, Chameleon, 125
CoUinsia corymbosa, 55
Colorado and Kansas, Capabili-
ties of. So
The Flora of, 126
Compost for Grapery Borders,

Suitable, 41
Concord Grape going back-
wards, 3'.' 8
Coniferse, On numerical order
in the branching of
some, 333
Connecticut State Board Ag.,
6th Annual Report
of, 342
Conservatory, Greenhouse and,

24
Cope, Alfred, 69
Cope's, Mr, Arboretum, 69
Correspondents, To, 21
Cotton, Singular variety of, 59
Covering, Grape, 6
Crab Apple, Tlie Soulard, 213
Crawf rd and Sterling Str.iw-

berries, The, 218
Crittenden Apple, The, 153
Crocus Scharajani, 55
Cross Fertilization, 173 216
" •' Hybrid iza-

tionand,302
" " on Seed, Im-

mediate Ef-
fects of, 104
Cryptogamio Plants in the Ro-
X gion of the Yel-

lowstone, 149
Cucumber, Improved 144
Cultivating Double * English
Primroses, 275
" Fruit Trees, 311

" Orchards, 91

Cultivation of the Fuchsia, 204
" L'atura Arborea,

3.') 8
Culture, Fruit, 166

" of Ferns, The, 2 '6
" of Fruit Trees, 3-10
" Oichard, 140
" Soil, 305
" Tree, 33
Curculio and the Pea Beetle,
The, HI
" Influence of extreiu
cold on the, 13e

THE GARDEJ\rER'S MOJVTRLY,

Curculio, The, 52, 280
Currants, 287

Cut Flowers, Prices of, 31S
Cut-Leaved Weeping Birch, 219

Dahlia, Emjieror Franz Joseph,

^ n 125

Dahlias, New, 30
Darlington's, Dr.. Life of Bar-
tram, 6S
Datura Arborea Cultivation of,

3.98
Death of Dr. John Torrey, 114
" Elias Dar^nd, 311
" Hon. Simon Brown,

115
" JohuL. Ru.^sell.21.S
" Jusuph Br.;c.j, 241
" J. S. Down. •■ S3
" Lawrence Youug, 49
« Luther 1 ucker, 83
« Samuel Feast, 82
Deceased members, Amer. Po-

mol Society, 328
Degen'=- ration of Pansies, 242
Delachampsia Eoezeliana, 23
Delicious Pear, 29
Delphinium Belladonna, 156

•' Nadicaule, 94

Dendrobium 'dacrophyllumGi-
ganteum, 2 U
'• Pierardii, 201

'* Pulchellum Purpu-

reum, SS
Deodar Cedar, Disease in.. 183
Destruction of Apple tree.s, 215
' ' the Mealy Bug,

358
Dicentranthera Macropbylla,6o
Dieffenbachia Nobili.s, 245
Dinner Table Decoration, Pub-
lic, 374
Disease in Root Grafts, 148
" the Deodar Cedar,

183
Distinguished Citizens, 70
Double Dwarf Pelargoniums,
Mr. Laxton's, 158
" Flowered Peaches, 243
" Cinerarias, 371
Downing, 109
Downing's Fruits, Appendix to,

28
Dracocephalum, 37
Duke of Buccleugh Grape.

The, 28
Dutch Bulbs. Shor; Purses and,
39

Early Ascot Peach, 151
" Barnard Peach, .54
" Beatrice Peach, 31a, 339
'• Out-door Flowers, 235
'■ Pea, An, 281
Echasserie Pear, ''he, 153.
Echeveria Rosea, 278
Editorial Nptes, Domestic, 17
47, 83, U.'),
146, 179, 205,
239
" " For !gn,14 44,

8 I, 210, 23'J,
2io
Education Age, The, IDS
Effects of Climate on the Har-
diness of trees, 368
Elseagnus Parviftliu^ — Silver
Thorn — Frontis-
piece, 370
EUwangcr & Barry, Catalogues

of, 312
Kngland, Horticultural Obser-
vations in, 127, 159,
271
English Grapes. 34S

Holly, The, 248
Epyphyllums, 377
Errata, 80
Errors excepted, 12
Ssparto Gras.s, The, 348

Eucharis Amazonioa, Growing
and flowering, 284
Eucnide Bartonoides, 169
Euphorbia Variegata, 169
Evergreen H.-rbaceous Plants,

50
Evergreens, Death of, 285

■' flow to grow, from

seed. 201, 268
" Japai,21

" Winter killing of,

263
Exhibition Roses, .349
Exotic Grapes, 171
Experiments with Peas, 357
Express Charges, 23
Expressive Names, 281

Fairs, Agricultural, 311
Farm Laborer in Prussia, The,62
" Schoo', The Centre Co.,
64
Favored Guests, The, 126
February Number, Our, 85
Fence.?, A few remarks on, 63
Fence Posts, Live, 369
Ferns, 369

" American, 312
" Culture of. The, 266
'•' Hardy, 157
Fertilization, Cross, 173
Field Association.*, 108 '
Figs, 70 190
Filberts, 189
Flattened Shoots, 14S
Flora of Colorado, The, 126

the Pr.iirie, The, 126
Floriculture, 5S

" in Philada., 100

Florist and Pomologist, The,186
Florists, Boston, Excursion of,

283
Flower Cultivation, Book, on,
123
" Farm of C. L. Allen,

The, 59
'• Garden and Plea.sure
Ground, 1, 33 65,
97. 129, 101, 193,
225, B2l, 353
" Shrubs io, 24
Flowered Zonale Geraniums,

Double. 124
Flowering of oalla Ethiopica,89
" Treating Hyacinths
after, 89
Flowers at the New York Stock
Ex-ihange, 372
'• Early Out-door, 235
" Hardy Herbaceous, for

June, 214
" Improvement of, 112
" Insect agfncy in, 265
" in Winter, 46
" Native, 2S8
'= Odors of, 241
Forcing by natural heat, 78
Forests and Forest Culture of
Sweden, Report of
Depar t n> e u t of
State on, 1S5
Foreign trees to be preferred,

70
Foster, P. H., 8S
France, Byes and Honey in, 234
Franoiscea Magniflca, 290

" Viulacea Grandi-

flora, 289
Fraxinns Ornus, 216
Freezing of Sap in Plants, 113
" " Winter, 242

Fries, Prof., A Mycologist, How

he became, 37j
Frittillarift Tulipifolia, 279
Frost, Smoke and 373
Fruit and Berry Baskets. Paper,
85
" Committee, Annual Re-
port of the, 63
" Culture, 166
" Drying, IT
" Finest in the world, 233

Fruit Garden, 2, 34. 60. 98, 130,
162, ]95, 227, 259,
291, 322
" Grower's Sooietyof Pa .,

31, 62, 91,' 378
" Instructor, Purdy's, 92
" North Carolina, 25?
" Northwestern Penna., 339
" Notices, 330
" Peculiarities of, 6
" Prospects at South Pa^s,

Ills., 120
" Recorder, The. 27
" Trees, Cultivating, 311
■" " .Culture of, 340
Fruits, 32
" Best soil for, 199
" Large and small, 109
" most in favor with Penn-
sylvania, The, 64
" Stocks ioi- woi king, 335
Fuchsia, Cultivation of the. 204
Fuchsias, 149

" New Hardy Hybrid,30

c

Garden Edgings, Arborvitse and
214
" The London, 92
Gardens of Mrs. Packer, Wash-
ington Heights, N.Y,,
362
Gardener's Mats, 281

" Monthly, Stoppage

of the, 26
" " Subscrib-

ing to the, I
50
" '' Value of

the, 23
" Wages, 200 ]

Gardening for Women, 2S2
" in the United States,

309
" Vegetable, 231

Gas Tar, 3S

" in Greenhouses 284
' ' on Greenhouse bench-
es, 203
I Geranium, Pride of Mt. Hope,
New Bicolor, 29
Geraniums, Double Flowered

Zouale. 124
Germantown. 69

" Daily Chronicle,

The, 110
" Horticultural So-

ciety, 84, IBO,
253, 351
" is waking up, 110

" The Ne i g h b 0 r-

hood of, 108
Gladoli, Souchei'.-" New, 1.54
Gladiolu : Bulblet.s, 120

" New varietie-i of,The
43
Glazing Greenhoases, 310
Gleichenia Kupu-itris, 376
Gloxinirc, Propagation of, 25
Godetia Duunetti, 315
Good Bre^ .iiug. Rules for, 21
Gooseberries, 287
Grafting Mice-Girdled trees,183
" Natural. 234
" The Wild Black Cher-
ry, 21
Grafts, Best time to cut, 119
" Root, Disease in, 148
Grape Berry M th. The, 121
" Champion, The, 343
" Concord going back-
wards, 368
" * Covering, 6
" Culture, 64
" Duke of Buccleugh, The,

28
" Gros Colraan, 152
'■ Growing, Remarkable

experience in, 47
" Louse, 2i8
" Miles, Tiie, 343
" New Native, 343
Grapery Borders, Suitable com-
post for, 41

Grapes, 2S7

English, 318

" Exotic, 171.

" Foreign. 363

Native, .363

" Rare, Foreign, 122

Grass, Esparto, The, 348

" Lawu. 183
Green Asparagus, 182
Greenhouse, 2J0

" and Conservatory,

24,51
" Benches, Gas Tar

on, 203
Pitch of, 25, 310
" Plants. 134

" Small, 79

Greenhouses, Gas tar in, 264
" Glazing, 31 '

" Heating, 178

" Wood Lice in, 1 20

Gros Colman Grape, 152
Growing and Flowering Eu-
charis Amazonica, 284

H

Hardy Ferns, 1 57
" Herbaceous Flowers for

June, 214
" " Plants,24 50

Hawthorn, 216
Heating a Plant Case, 128
" by Hot Water, 216
" by Steam, 303
" Greenhouses. 178
" Hot Water, 14
" " Small pipes

in, 140
" Natural, Forcing by,78
" Specific in Plants, 5
Hedge Plant for the shade, 122
" " Pyrus J.iponica

as a, 122
" " The Tupelo as a,
142
Hedges, Address on, 1211
" Ornamental. 373
Herbaceous Vegetables.chaages
in the pr.ximate
piinciples of, 348
Herstine and Saunders Rasp

berries. The, 53
Highly Ornamental Exotic

Shrubbery, 169
Historical Sketch, 293
History of the Blood-Leaved
Peach, 142
" Cherry, 273
" Strawberry 307
Holly, The English; 248
Horticultural Directory wanted
215
•' Exposition, Cen-

tennial, 286
' • Librarj,A,107,3e9
" Observations in

England, 127,159,
251
" Paper, A monthly

23
" Society, German-

town, Phila , 84
160, 253, 351
" Society, Illinois,

Transactions of
the, 27
" Society, III., Staje

.37 S
" Society, Massa-

chusetts, 15 J,2S7,
352
" Society, Missouri

State.' 31, 96
" Society. Montg'y

Co., Pa., 2">4
" Societv, Penna.,

190. 2'52, 286, 320,
350
" Societv wanted in

Baltimore. 373
" Philarla., 109

" Western N. Y ,32

Horticulture, Advance in, 108
" American, 68, 107

TEE GARDEJSTER'S MOJ^THLY.

Horticulture at Salt Lake, 342
" Centennial Com-

mittee on, The,
SS
" in the conntr7,276

Hothouse and Greenhouse Stag-
ing, Tar on, 134
Hot Water, Advantages of, over
Steam, 364
" Boiler Fines, 143

" Boilers, 6, 233

•' Circnlation of, As-

ceEding vs., the
Descending prin-
ciple, 77
'* Experience, 76

" Heating, 14, 216

«• " small pipes

in, 140
House Culture of Koses, 149
Houses of S. B. Parsons <fc Co.,

105
How to grow Evergreens from
Seed, 201, 268
" keep Apples, 347
Hoya Bella, 250
Humboldt College, Address de-
livered at open-
ing of, 27
Hyacinths in Water, 249

" after flowering, treat-
ing, 89
Hybridization and Cross Fer-
tilization, 302
Hybrid Raspberries, 814

" What is a, 216
Hydrangea Paniculata Grandi-

flora, 219
Hydrophobic Insects, 375

lUinois, Central, Apples for,lSS
" Horticultural Society,
Transactions of, 27
'• Industrial University,
Experiments with.
Early Cabbage, 282
" Pippin Apple, 93
" State Horticultural So-
ciety, 37S
Improved Cucumber, 144
Improvement of Flowers, 112
Index, Our, 365
Influence of extreme cold on

the Curculio, 137
Insect Agency in Flowers, 265

" on the Linden Trees, 307
Insects, Hydrophobic, 375
Interpretations of the Postal

Laws, 22
Inquirers and Correspondents,
To, 307
•' Onr, 62
«« To, 215
Iowa, Tree Planting in, 89
Iris Itherica, 125
Items of Late Experience, 169
It is not good for man to live

alone, 208
lyy, The, 150

Japan Evergreen 8, 21
Jonathan Apple South, The,! 25
Journal of Agriculture, The,150
June, Pruning in, 136
Jnniperis Chinensis Anrea, 56

K

Kansas and Colorado, Capabili-
ties of, 85
« Timber Trees for, 341
Enowfield Beech, The, 30

Ladles, The, 110
Laelia Anceps, 135

Landscape Architecture, 217

" Gardener, The, 107

Lansing, Mich., Eleven Sum-
mer Apples recom-
mended at, 346
Lapageria Eosea, 306
Large Hickory Nut, 53
Late Peaches, 340
Lawn Grass, 183
Lawns, Touching their Grades

and Grasses, 361
Lawrence Pear, Trouble with

the, 287
Leaky Boilers, 249
Leaves, Absorption of Moisture

by, 61, 376
Letter, A Beautiful, 33S
" A mysterious, 88
Lexington, Ky., Magnolias at,

283
Library, A Horticultural, 107,

369
Lilies, An Article about the, 7
'• On, 164

" Successive increase of the
Genus from Linne
to our time, 10
Lily, Blue African, Treatment
of the, 331, 377
'• Blue African, The, 377
" Calla, S9

" from Tyro, Miss, 216
Lilinm Anratum, A good, 38

" Washingtonlauum, 187
Lime and Ashes for Pears, 23
Linden Trees, Insect in the, 307
Linne, from, to our time. Suc-
cessive increase of
the Genus Lilies,10
Lisianthus Princeps, 156
Live Fence Posts, 369
Lobelia, Carters Cobalt Blue.155

" New Variegated, 187
Locust Seed, Boiling, 50
London Garden. The, 92
Longest Lived, The, 110
Longiflora, Fuchsia, 33
Lonicera Tartarica, 276
London, 109

Lord Palmerston Peach, 370
Louse, Grape, 248
Luther Tucker, Death of, 83

M

Magnolias at Lexington, Ky.,283

Malva Tree, The, ::78

Manual of Weeds, or the Weed
Exterminator, 150

Manures, Root attraction to, 6

Maples, Norway, Managing
young, 182

Marblehead Squash, The. 23, 34
53

Maryland Vineyard, A, 245

Mass. Horticultural Society ,150,
287, 352

Mats, Gardeners', 2S1

Maturity of Peaches, 67

Maxwell, T. C. & Bro., Cata-
logue of, 313

McArthur, Son & Co., 51

Mealy Bugs, Alcohol a remedy
for the, 260
" Destruction of the,

358

Medical Botany of California,
The, 188

Medinella Maguiflca, 347

Melia Azaderack, A choice
tropical plant, The,143

Mercury in the Allegheny
Mountains, The, 62

Mexican Climber, A, 331

Michigan State Pomological So-
ciety, Transactions
of the, 27
" Wagener Apple In,
68, 103

MUes Grape, The, 343

Milton's MansfielJ, Essay on
Adiantums, c38

Mimulus Cuprous, Variety bril-
liant, 277

Missouri (C. V. Riley) State En-
tomologist, Fifth
Annual Report of,
186
" State Horticultural
Society, 31, 96

Monarch of the Park, The, 60

Montgomery Co., Pa., Horticul-
tural Society, i54

Moor Park Apricot, 378

Mountain White Pine, Pinus
Flexilis, 341

Moth Codling, Catching the, 189
" The, 63
" Grape Berry, The, 121

Muhlenbeckia Complexa, 122

Museum, Sir W. Hooker's, 108

Mushrooms, 70, 374

" at Washington, 221

Myostie Alpicola, 279

Mytteries of the Postal Laws,
The, 242

BIy steiT- of Metropolisville, The,
187

N

Nailing Vines to Stakes, 91
Name of Mammoth Tree, Cor-
rect. 338
Plant, 148,184, 216,243
Names, Expressive, 261
" of Cherries, 215
« " and other

fruits. touch-
ing, 340
National Park, 108
Native Grapes, 363
Natural Grafting, 234

" History of Grape Bi rry
Moth, 121
Nature and Origin of Soils, 261

•' Variations in, 39
Nebraska, Prize Essay on Fruit
tree growing in,187
Nectarine, The, 248
Neglected American Trees and
Shrubs, 81
" Plants, la7

Nertera Depressa, 37
New Agricultural Papers, 92
" Bicolor Geranium, Pride

of Mt. Hope, 29
" Bouvardias, 188
" Clematises, 244
" Coxcomb, Tricolor, 154
" Dahlias, 30
" forms of Ornamental Beet,

156
" Fruits, 325
" Fuchsias, Hardy Hybrid,

30
" Gladioli, Souchefs, 154
" Golden Arborvitse, 187
" Holland,C)bservations and
Recollections of,173,197
" Holland, Peregrinations

in, 71
" Japan Coxcomb, 124
" Magenta Primrose, Lady
Madeline Taylour, 30
" Ornamental Trees, 155
" Peach, Late, 244
" Pears, 343

" Perpetual Flowering Car-
nations, 280
" Poinsettia, 157
" Roses, 371

" Roses, Speculating in, 158
" Seedling Strawberry, 29
" South Wales.Recollections
of Parammatta, Sydney
and Botany Bay, 324
" Species of Rose, A, 316
" Style of Pansy, A, 219
" Variegated Lobelia, 187
" Varieties of Gladiolns,The

43
" Vegetable, A, 250
" White Rose, Madelaine
Lacharme.Observations
on, 277
New York Stock Exchange,
Flowers at, 372

North American Bee Keeper'a
Society, The, 94
" Carolina Fruit, 253
Norway Maple, Managing young

182
Note on Adiantum Farleyense
and Begonia San-
guinea 360
Notes at the Rosedale Nursery,
Philada., 358
" Domestic, 17. 47, 83, 115,

146, 179, 205. 239
" Foreign, 14, 44, £0, 210,

£36, 270
" from Western Penna., 5
" on April number, the, 170
" on Celosia Japonica, 135
" on some Hardy Herba-
ceous Plants, 36
" on the Season in Western
Pennsylvania, 363
Notices, Fiuit, 330
Noticing Advertisements, 50
Nurserymen, Bankrupt, 303
Nymphssa Odorata, 158

Oakwood Horticultural Society,

239
Obituary, 49, 82, 114, 213, 241
Observations and Recollections
of NewHoUand,173,197
Odors of Flowers, 241
Ohio State Horticultural Society
Sixth Annual Report
of, ?43
" Strawberry culture in,131
Orange Af pie. The, 343
Orchard Culture, 140

" Pear, A handsome, 311
Orchards, Clover in, 312
" Cultivating, 91

" Preparat'n of ground

for, 63
Orcharding, Profitable, 64
Orchidese. U, 172, 201, 360
Orchids, 346

" another word about,203
Origin of the Botanical name of

Andromeda, 249
Ornamental Hedges, 373

" Leaves for Bouquets,

38
" Trees and Plants,32

" " New, 155

Osage Orange, 372
Osmanthus Ilicifolius, 125
Our Chromo, 365
" Index, 366

Packing trees for shipment,14ft

Pansies, Degeneration of, 242

Pansy, A new style of, 219
" White, 275

Park Cities, 58

Parks, Public, 16

Parry's, W., small fruits at, 345

Parterre, The, 40

Parsons, S. B. & Co., Houses of,
105

Patrons of Husbandry, 341

Paullinia Thalictrifolia, 188

Pea, An Early, 281
•♦ Beetle, The Curculio and
the, 111

Peach, Alexander, 29, 315
" Beatrice, 218
" Black's Early, 28
" Blood-leaved, The, 1S3
•' " History of

the, 142
" Early Ascot, 151
" " Barnard, .54

" « Beatrice, 316,339

5 ,•' Hale's Early, in Canada
373
" Lord Palmerston, 370
•< New Late, 244
•' Piquet, Late, 162
•• Salway, 220

THE GARBEJSTER'S MOMTKLY,

Peach, Yellows in the South, 59
Peaches, Culture of, The, 63
" Double Flowered, 243
'• Early Beatrice and Lord

Palmerston, 315
" Late, 343
" Maturity of, 57
Peake's Fall Apple, 54
Pear, Benrre Dubuisson, 241
" Brockworth Park, 29
" Chamber's, 314
" Delicious, 29
" Echasserie, 153
" Lawrence, Trouble with

the, 287
" Orchard, A handsome, 311
" Pond, 54
Pears, Lime and Ashes for, 23

" New, 343
Peas, Experiments with, 357
Peculiarities of Fruit, 6
Pelargoniums, Double dwarf,
Mr. I.axton's, 156
" Marie Lemoine as

a BeddiDg Plant, 377
Pen Apple, The, 21, 93, 152
Penna. Fruit Grower's Society,
31, 62, 91, 378
" Horticultural Society,
192, 252, 285, 320, 350
" North-western Fruit in,

339
" Women's Med. College
24th Annual Re-
port of, 1S5
Pentstemon heterophyllum,279
People, The best, 69
Peregrinations in New Holland

71
Persimmons, 2S3, 340
Personal Acknowledgments, 88
Peter's, Randolph, Wilmington,
Del., Catalogue of, 342
Philada., Academy of Natural
Sciences, 12S
" Floriculture in, 100
" Horticultural Society
109
Phylloxera, Correction, •:42
Picquet Peach, Late, 152
Piaus Flexilis,Mountain White
Pine, 319
" Parviflora, 56
Pitch of Greenhouses, 310
Plant Case, Heating a, 123
" Cases, Portable propagat-
ing, 90
" Choice Tropical, Melia

Azaderick, 143
" Name of, 148, 184,216,213
" Not too old to, 107
" What shall we, 70
Plants, American, 108
" Angular divergence in
the branches of, 189
« Bedding, 24
" Evergreen Herbaceous,

30
'* Freezing of the sap in,

113
" Hardy herbaceou8,24,50
" " ■' Notes on

some, 36
" in bloom at Rhosyn-
myndd, 24, 50, 86
" in Islands of the Dela-
ware river,Growth
of, 148
" in Sleeping Rooms, 178
" Neglected, 137
" Specific heat in, 5, 141
" Specific Heat of, 359
" Rare, 91
" Stove and Greenhouse,

61
" Sub-tropieal, 107
Pleroma Elegans, 306
Poinsettia, A new, 157

" What I know of, 336

Polanasia Purpurea, Bee Plant,

311
Pomegranate, The, 34S
Pomological and Horticultural
Society, Southern,
215

Pomological Society, American

31, 85, 192, 318
Pomology, 25
Pond Pear, The, 54
Portable Propagating Plant

Cases, 90
Postage on Seed Packages, 182
" Seeds, etc., when the
law goes in efiect,52
Postal Laws, 88

" Interpretations of

the, 22
'• Mysteries of the,

242
Postal Seed Business, The Fath-
er of the, 122
Post Office Rulings, 86
Potting, Rapid, 204, 260, 300,

330, 332, 368
Precocious, Bearing of Vines, 6
President Wilder Strawberry

in the South, 152
Prices of Cut Flowers, 30S
Primrose, New Magenta, Lady
Madeline Taylor, 30
Primroses, Double English,Cul-

tivating, 275
Primula Japonica, 55, 219
" Sinensis, 6
■' •' Seeds of, 184

Princess Alexandria Camellia,

155
Prizes, Something like, 96
Problem of America, The, 107
Productions, Wonderful, 234
Profitable Orcharding, 64
Progress, 63, 294
Propagating Azaleas, Gloxinias,
etc., 90
" Bilbergias, 20

" Curly wooded forms

of trees, 120
" House, Boiler for a,

215
'' Shrubs, 147

Propagation of Gloxinias, 25
Pruning in June, lii6

" Street Trees, 274
Prussia The Farm Laborer in,

62
Public Dinner Table Decora-
tion, 374
Public Parks, 16
Pulverizing the Soil, 145
Purdy's Fruit Instructor, 29
Purple-Leaved Birch, A, 57
Pyrus Japonica as a Hedge
plant, 122

Q

Quince, The, 285

Railroad, Sending Seeds and

Trees by, 26
Raising Altheas, 91
" Seedlings of trees, fruits,
etc., 182, 27ii, 304
Rapid Potting, 204, 260, 300,

33.1, 332, 368
Rare Foreign Grapes, 122

" Plants, 91
Raspberries, 2S7

" Herstine and Saun-

der's, 53
" Hybrid, 314

Raspberry, Seedling, from Mr.

Price, 276
Red Hawthornden Apple, 54
Ronnie's Illustrated Catalogue,

27

Recollections of Australia, 228

" Parramatta,

Sydney and

Botany Bay,

New South

Wales, 324,355

" Traveling,336,365

Report of Prof. C.V. Riley, State

Entomologist of

Mo.,5th annual,! 86

Rhododendron in the West, 171
" Show, The Boston

223
Rhododendrons, 216
Rhus Osbeckii, 315
Rochester Seed Firm, 123
Roofing, Asbestos, 120
Root attraction to manures, 5
Rose, A new species of, 316
" Bonne Silene, 120
" New White, Madame La-
charme, Observations
on, 277
" Slug, Remedy for the, 215
" The,-110
Rosedale Nurseiy, Philada.,

Notes at the, 358
Roses, Exhibition, 341
" House Culture of, 149
'■ Hybrid Perpetual, 871
•' New, 371

" New, Speculating in, 158
" Tea, Perle de Lvon, 278
•' Tree, Stock for," 310
Rules for Good Breeding, 21
Runner, The Scarlet, 176
Rural Improvements, 135
Rustic Work, Rough Cork for, 60

Sage, White Scarlet, 26
Salt Lake, Horticulture at, 342
Salway Peach, The, 220
Sap, Freezing of, in winter, 242
Sawdust, Utilization of, 57
Saxifraga Peltata, 278, 279
Saxifrages, The Large-leaved; 36
Scarlet Runner, 176

" " Carter's Cham-

pion, 241, 306
" Sage, White, 26
Seed, Apple, Old, 148
" Cross Fertilization, Im-
mediate efiects of,
104
" How to grow Evergreens

from. 201, 268
" Locust, boiling, 50
" Package, Postage on, 182
Seedless Apple, 53
Seedling Calceolaria, 215
" Pears, 287
" Raspberry from Mr.

Price, 276
" Strawberry, New, 29
" Via, 29
Seedlings of Trees, Fruits, etc..
Raising, 182,270,304
Seeds and Trees by Railroad,
Sending, 26
" of Primula Sinensis, 184
Sequoia and its History, 28
Shepherdia Argentea, 23
Short Purses and Dutch Bulbs,

39, 86
Shrubbery, Exotic, Highly Or-
namental, 169
Shrubs in Flower, 24

" Propagating, 147
Silene Alpestris, 37

" Virginica, 124
Situations, 21

Silver Thorn — Elaeagnus Parvi-
folius — Frontis-
piece, 370
Sleeping Rooms, Plants in, 17S
Small Fruits at W. Parry's, 345

" Greenhouse, 79
Smilax Hispida, 342
Smith's Cider Apple, Origin of,

2S1
Smoke and Frost, 373
Scil Culture, 305
" for Fruits, The best, 199
" Pulverizing the, 115
Soils, Nature and Origin of, 261
Soulard Crab Apple, 218
Southern Planter and Farmer,
Richmond, Va.,187
" Pomological and Hor-
ticultural Society,
215

South Pass, 111., Fruit Prospects
at, 120
" Spring in the, 149
Specific Heat in Plants, 5, 141

" of Plants, 359

Spring in the South, The, 149

" Late, 148
Sprouts, The Tanyah, 43
Spruce, White, 309
Squash, Marblehead, 23, 24, 53
Standards, 110 4

Stark Apple, 370
Steam, Heating by, 303
Stock for Cherries, 104 1

Stocks for Working Fruits, 335
Stove and Greenhouse Plants,61

" Plants, 134
Strawberries, 287

" Crawford and

Sterling, The,2l8

" Varieties of. On,

132
" Culture in Ohio,

131
" History, 307

" New Seedling, 29

" President Wilder

in the South, 152
Strelitzea regina, 89
Strophanthus Hispidus, A new

poison, 282
Sunlignt, Chemical powers of

the, 61
Sweet and Sour Apples, 123
Swindlers, 122

Tanyah, The, Sprouts, 43
Tar on Hothouse and Green-
house staging, 134
Tarred paper against Fruit

tree borers, 306
Tea Rose, Perle de Lyon, 278
Texas, Tulip Tree in, 306
Theory and Practice of Tree

Planting, 240
Thistle, The Californian, 250
Thujopsis Standishii, 56
Thynus Citriodorus Aureus

Marginatus, 125
Timber trees for Kansas, 341
Tomato, Canada Victor, 52
" Trellis, 297
" Troubles, 90
Transparent Blue Wash, 183
Traveling Recollection s,336,36
Treating Hyacinths after Flow-
ering, 89
Treatment of Amaryllis, 300
Tree Carnation,Perpetual Flow-
ering, 56
" Culture, 38
" MaJva, The, 278
" Mammoth, Correct name

of, 338
' ' Planting, Theory and prac-
tice of, 240
" Planting in Iowa, 89
" Roses, Stock for, 310
" Tulip, in Texas, 306
Trees and Plants, Ornamental,
32
" and Shrubs, Neglected

American, 81
" injured by last winter,

267
" Effects of Climate on the

Hardiness of, 368
" Mice-Girdled, Grafting,

183
" New Ornamental, 155
" Packing for shipment,148
" Propagating curly wood-
ed forms of, 120
" Relative Age of, 369
" Street, Pruning, 274
" " " The ori-

gin of,
200
" Timber for Fansas, 341
" Trimming, 243
" Uses of, The, 107

THE GARDEJVER'S MOJ^IHLY.

Trees, Waterina: in drv weather

184
' Western, 233
" Whitewastiing, 5
Trellis. Tomato, 297
Trimming Trees, 243
Tucker, Luther, Portrait of, 369
Tulip Tree in Texas, 306
Tupelo as a Hedge Piant, The,

142

u

Under-draining, 64

Under the Violets 282

United States Giirdening in the

3J9
Utilizing wiste material, 168

"Variations in Nature, 39
Varieties of Strawberries, On,

132
Vegetable, A new, 250

Garden, 4, 35, 67,
99. 131, 163, 196,
2i8, 2-59, 3.54

Vegetable Gardening, 261

Vegetables,herbaceous,changes
in the proximate
principles of, 348

Vegetation, Atmospheric influ-
ence upon, 335

Verbena Montana, 2S3

Via Seedling, 29

Vick's must' d Floral Guide, 27

Vines, ^Nailing to Stakes, 91
" Precocious bearing of, 6

Vineyard, A Slaryland, 215

Viola Connuta, 156

Violet Sensation, 245

Violets, Under the, 282

Volney Apple, 153

w

Wages, Gardener's, 200
Wandering. 241
Washington, Mu-^hrooms at,221
Waste material. Utilizing, luS
Water, Hyaciaths in, 249
Watering trees in dry weather,

1S4
Watson, Wm. Brenham, Tex,,

Catalogue of, 217
Weather, The Cold, S9

Weeds, Noxious, 64

West Brook or Speckled Apple,

The, 93, 153
West, Khododendron in the, 171
Western New York Horticultu-
ral .Society, 32
" Pennsylvania, Notes

from 5
" Penna., Notes on tli •

Seasion in, 363
" Trees, 233
What I know of Poiasettia, 335
Wlien the Postal Law goes

into effect, 52
White Calycanthus, 57
'■ Pansy, 273
" Scarlet Sage, 26
" Spruce, 309
" washing trees, 5
Wild Black Cherrv, Grafting

the, 21
Wilder, Marshall P.. Address

of. 292, 32.5
Williams, H. T., 53
Winter, Flowers in, 46

" Freezing of sap in, 242
" Killinc; of Evergreens,

263
" Last, Trees injured by,

Wonderful Production.'!, 234
Wood Lice in Greenhouses, 120
Worcester Co., Mass., Horticul-
tural Society, Pro-
ceedings of, 150,155
" Mass., Agricultural

Society, 3TS
World's Fair, The Centennial,
12

Xanthoceras sorbifolia, 244

Y

Yellowstone Region, Cryptoga-
mic Plants in the,
149

Yucca Baccata, 278

Zonale Geraniums, double flow-
ered, 124

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