UMASS/AMHERST 312066 0333 2901 4 LIBRARY OF THE ,.,s 1^! //^ '^^^^ MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE No.__5-J-8 DATE_nr:J_S5 5!_ sou RCE Tnrs,_Ley.\ .-kir^SLqU 'er v,is V V ifs. / '/MV ^£M4/^ V \ V THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE BOTASrV, AiND ALL USEFUL DISCOVERIES AND IMPROVEMENTS IN RURAL AFFAIRS. " Je voudrais ecliauffer tout I'univers de mon gout pour les jardins. II me semble qu'il est impossible qu'un mediant puisse I'avoir. II n'est point de vertus que je ne suppose k celui que aime h pailer et h. faire des jardins. Peres de famille, inspirez la jardiuomanie h vos enfans." — Prince De Ligne, VOL. XVIII., 1852. (vol. VIII. J NEW SERIES.) Edited by C- M. HOVEY BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY HOVEY AND CO., MERCHANTS ROW. 1852, 0, v. IS PREFACE.. The following Tabic of Contents Avill show the variety of intelligence contained in the Eighteenth Volume of the Mag- azine. Boston, Nov. 26, 1852. CONTENTS, ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. GENERAL SUBJECT. A Retrospective View of the Pi'ogress of Horticulture in the United States, during the year 1851. By the Editor, . . 1 Description and Plans of the Fruit Room of Joseph Moorman, Esq., London. By Robert Thompson, . . . .15 The Importance of Cleanliness to Plants. By the Editor, 49 Apparent spontaniety of a growth of White Birch, (Betula populifolia,)with Remarks on the Adaptedness of certain Trees to our poorer Soils. By John L. Russell, Professor of Botany and Vegetable Phy- siology to the Massachusetts Horticul- tural Society, 97 Gathering and Preserving Fruit ; with En- gravings of a Fruit Room. By the Ed- itor, 116 Mountain and Forest Rambles. By John Lewis Russell, A. M., . . . . 193 Design for a Flower Garden, with a selec- tion of Plants adapted to the same ; with remarks on the Design. By the Editor, 206 The power of Soils to absorb and retain Ammonia. By Dr. Lindley. With re- marks on the use of Guano. By the Editor, 241 The Spring of 1852, in Illinois ; with a List of the Earliest Flowering Plants, and their period of Blooming, from 1847 to 1851. By E. S. L. Richardson, Kendall, Illinois, 248 Mineral Manures, and the value of Guano as compared with Manure. Bv the Ed- itor, " . .337 Notice of a Visit to the Syracuse Nurse- ries of Messrs. Thorp, Smith, Hanchett & Co. By G. Bailey Mcintosh, . . 350 The Transformation of Plants and the im- portance of its results. By the Editor,. 385 Notes of a Visit to Oakley Park, England ; with some Remarks on Draining and the Use of Drain Tile. By R. S. F., . . 394 The eflfects of Light on the Germination of Seeds, &c., when passed tlirough me- dia of various colors. By R. B. L., 396. 443 Some of the Rarer Plants of Vermont. By R.. 481 Design lor a Flower Garden, with a Selec- tion of Plants adapted for the same. By the Editor, 495 Transplanting Large Trees. By the Edi- tor, 529 Some Plants seen about the region of the Notch, Sept., 1852. By John Lewis Russell, 531 HORTICULTURE. On the Cultivation of the Strawberry in Pots. By H. Bock, . '. . .59 On the Cultivation of Herbs and Salads. By J. Cuthill. From the Gardeners' Chronicle, ' 105. 154 Notes on some of the new or recently in- troduced varieties of Fruits, which have been exhibited during the year 1851. By Hon. J. S. Cabot, President of the Mass. Hort. Society, 145 Descriptions and Engravings of Select Va- rieties of Pears. By the Editor, 1. Dunmore, Jersey Gratioli, Beurr6 Ranee, Vesouziere, Beurre Millet, Doy- enne du Cornice, 1.58 2. Beurre Giffart, Belle Julie, Ronde- let, Emerald, Princess Royal, Calebasse d'Ete, ....... 433 IV CONTENTS. Descriptions and Engravings of Select Va- rieties of Apples. By the Editor, 1. WallworthjDrap d'Or, Ledge Sweet, 251 2. BelWower, Maiden's Blush, Sops of Wine, 542 The Culture of the Grdpe ; in a letter to Mr. Fleischmann, late U. S. Consul at Stuttgard, from Gen. Tallmadge, Presi- dent of the American Institute, of the City of New York. Communicated by Gen. Tallmadge, 289 Descriptions and Engravings of three new Pears. By Baptiste Dcsportes, Augers, France, 1. Beurre Kossuth, General Lamor- Ciere, Beurre. Bohviller, .... 293 On the Cultivation of the Fig under Glass. From the Journal of the London Hort. Society, 352 Descriptions and Engravings of Select Va- rieties of Cherries. By the Editor, 1. Bigarreau d'Esperin, Bigarreau Col- eur de Chair, Black Tartarian, . . 356 Descriptions and Engravings of Three new Pears. By Baptiste Desportes, Angers, France, 1. De Sorlus, Doyen Dillen, Beurri Bachelier, 400 Some account of the Beurre Van Mons Pear, with an Engraving of the Fruit. By Dr. G. W. Russell, Hartford, Conn., 493 Pomological Gossip, 23. 56. 111. 209. 297. 406 445. 486 FLORICULTURE. Notes on Greenhouse Plants, Soil, Potting, W^atering,&c. By Hortus, 61. 212. 300. 498 Weigelia rosea and Forsythia vlridissima, two new and beautiful, hardy flowering Shrubs. By the Editor, . . .65 On the Culture of Azaleas. By W. Saun- ders, Gardener to J. Winans, Esq., Bal- timore, 122 The Flower Garden : on the Principles of Grouping Colors. By H. Bock, . . 169 The Treatment of Japan Lilies. From Turner's Florist, 255 Descriptions of Ten New Verbenas. By the Editor, 260 Window Green-houses. From Turner's Florist, 304 Descriptions of Twenty-Six New Varie- ties of Herbaceous Paonies. By the Editor, ". .360 The Cultivation of the Cyclamen. From the Loudon Horticultural Magazine, . 409 The Hardy Azalea, its varieties and Culti- vation. From the London Horticultural Magazine, 451 Remarks on the Forcing of Hyacinths. By H. Bock, 462 The Victoria regia at Spring Brook. By Thomas Mcehan, Gardener to C. Cope, Esq., Philadelphia, . . . 546 Floricultural and Botanical Notices of New and Beautiful Plants figured in Foreign Periodicals ; with Descriptions of those recently introduced to, or orig- inated in, American Gardens, 26. 174. 216. 263 311. 364. 504 Notes on Gardens and Nurseries, 127. 366. 417 REVIEWS. Rural Homes, or Sketches of Houses suit- ed to American Country Life, with Orig- inal Plans, Designs, &c. By Gervase Wheeler, 178 Walks and Talks of an American Farmer in England. Being No. 3 of Putnam's Semi-monthly Library for Travellers and the Fireside, 182 Rural Arcjiitecture ; being a Complete Description of Farm-houses, Cottages, and Out-buildings, comprising Wood- houses, Workshops, Tool-houses, Car- riage and Wagon Houses, 3 00> 5 m> 3 00 3 00' 3 00 5 00- 21 00- 22 00 19 00 25 00 4 00 22 oa 4 00 16 00 7 00 13 00 2 00 15 00 11 00 1 00 1 00 9 00 1 00. 34 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. To J. C. Pratt, for the same, , . . . . . #3 00 To Miss Sargent, for the same, . . . . . 1 00 To Miss Kenrick, for the same, . . . . . 1 00 To Mrs. G. W. Allen, for the same, . . . . . 1 00 To Mrs. Daggett, for the same, . . . . . 1 00 To J. Frothingham, for the same, . . . . . 2 00 To B. Harrington, for the same, . . . . . 3 00 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FRUITS, AWARDING PREMIUMS FOR 1851. The Committee on Fruits now submit herewith their award of prizes for the year 1851. Before announcing their awards, your Committee cannot refrain from congratulating the Society that, from the attendance of the public, the num- ber of exhibitors, and the quality of specimens placed upon its tables, it is evident that there is no diminution of intereat, either in the exhibitions of the Society, so far as this department is concerned, or in the objects for which the Society was instituted. Indeed, your Committee are of opinion that instead of diminishing, the interest taken in horticultural pursuits is constantly increasing, and that while its processes have become subjects for scientific investigation in order to ascertain the best mode of conducting them, the principles indicated by such investigations are constantly being submitted to the test of experiment by the best and most judicious cultiva- tors. That the reducing of the principles established by science to prac- tice, is having a beneficial effect upon the products of the horticultural art, is in a measure established, by the fact of specimens of these products, from year to year, of a superior quality to any preceding exhibition of the same product. When, for instance, fruit of the same species and even of the same variety, is placed upon your tables superior in size, beauty and quality, to any specimens of the same species or variety before exhibited, and this happening not once only, but constantly year after year, — the last always excelling its predecessors, — it is to be presumed that this continued in- crease in excellence is rather to be imputed to a constantly improving mode of cultivation, than to the accidental circumstance of a peculiarly favorable season, soil or position. This is not the pepper occasion, neither is it the design of your Commit- tee, to enter upon the discussion of the subject of " specific or special ma- nures," but it is a fact that can hardly be disputed that some particular mode of cultivation, the application of some particular agent of fertility, either in respect of kind, composition or quality, — a soil consisting of some particular component parts must be best adapted to the different species if not varie- ties of fruits, — exercising a beneficial influence under some circumstances upon the growth and vigor of the tree or plant, and under others exercising an influence upon the fruit, and the continually improving quality of the difterent species of fruits induces a hope that experiments are m progress that will lead to a solution of these and other interesting problems. In this connection, the expression of a wish that the mode of cultivation, manures Massachusetts Horticiiltural Society. 36 applied, soils used, &c., by the most judicious and most successful cultiva- tors, may be obtained for the use of the members of the Society and through them for the public, relating as this does to a subject of much impor- tance and about which all are in some measure interested, may not be con- sidered improper. The cultivation of fruit is yearly growing in importance not merely as an article for domestic use and consumption, but for the sup- ply of the market, and perhaps even for foreign export. Subject by the fa- cilities for intercommunication afforded by railroads and canals to the com- petition of more congenial climates and fertile soils, the common products of horticulture as well as agriculture are yielding at best but a scanty re- muneration to the cultivator for his labor and capital, with a prospect of a diminution rather than an increase of this remuneration, and it is therefore, if this is true, becoming daily more and more incumbent upon them to bestow their attention upon those products that will most probably yield the best re- turns. Considering then that the vicinity of Boston, and perhaps a considerable portion of the State, is particularly well adapted to the growing of fruit, — some species, as pears, for instance, raised here having it is believed an acknowledged superiority, — no product of cultivation seems to offer a better chance for profit than the raising of fruits, it being to be remembered, that having now frequent opportunities of tasting those of superior excellence, the taste of the public is becoming more and more fistidious, and thence that it is becoming more and more important for the attainment of this ob- ject to raise those of the best quality only. So numerous and so excellent have been the specimens exhibited in competition for the prizes, that the Committee have, in some instances, been embarrassed in making their awards ; where so many are nearly equal in size, quality and beauty, it is not always easy to decide which are the best. The Committee have strenuously endeavored in all cases to do exact justice to the different competitors, and if they have failed in this respect it has been through an error of judgment. Having made minute and careful examina- tions, and a record of these examinations, from week to week, a judgment in opposition to their awards, though fairly formed, from recollection merely, without such record, might at least as properly as theirs be subject to the im- putation of error- The fact of a particular variety of fruit being or not being well adapted to general cultivation, as well as its quality, has influ- enced the Committee in their conclusions. They have felt that they should not be justified, through danger of misapprehension, in awarding a prize to a fiuit generally of inferior quality, or one not suited to general cultivation even when the particular specimens exhibited were of superior excellence. Stone fruits, as cherries, plums and peaches, have the past year been very superior in quality and very abundant in quantity ; pears have varied very much in quantity if not in quality, the crop in some places being scanty and in others abundant, showing, most probably, the effect of the preceding winter upon the trees in different places, while of apples, almost every where the product has been small. Opportunity has been afforded the past year of tasting of several new va- rieties of fruits, and as the numerous introductions of tfie last few years are 36 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. now coming into bearing, constantly increasing opportunities for testing the quality, bearing properties and adaptation to general cultivation of these in- troductions may be reasonably expected. As, however, no conclusive judg- ment can properly be formed of the quality of a fruit the first year, or from a few specimens only, but little more than a partial enumeration of these new varieties will here be attempted. Although much disappointment should be anticipated, yet it is not unreasonable to hope that among the many varieties imported during the few past years, some may be found of great excellence. That what is now beginning to be regarded by cultiva- tors as one of our best winter pears, and well adapted to general cultiva- tion, the Glout Morceau, was but a few years since almost condemned as nearly worthless, should be a warning against hasty conclusions or a prema- ture judgment respecting the quality of a fruit, and although, as has been remarked on a similar previous occasion, it is best for beginners to content themselves with those varieties whose qualities have been long and thor- oughly tested, those who have new varieties should be cautious not to reject after one or two trials only, but permit their trees to arrive at matu- rity before coming to a decision respecting the value of their fruit. Through the kindness of J. P. Gushing, Esqr., your Committee had the past year an opportunity to taste thirty-two varieties of the strawberry, raised by that gentleman at his seat in Watertown, for the purpose of test- ing their quality and value for cultivation. Many of these varieties are American seedlings of recent origin. Among these strawberries, the New Pine, and Burr's New Pine, were thought to be of high flavor and very fine quality, and the Cornucopia, though acid, to be well flavored and good. As none of the others, with the exception of a few well known sorts, were considered above a medium quality, an enumeration of their names is felt to be unnecessary. Of strawberries, the early Virginia, Hovey's Seedling and Jenney's Seedling are thus far, taking all circumstances into considera- tion, probably the most profitable and best for general cultivation \^ this vicinity. There are, however, other varieties worthy of trial. The Presi- dent of the Society has a seedling, raised by him, that gives indica- tion of being worthy of a place with the foregoing, though the fact of its being a staminate plant somewhat deteriorates from its value, and the quali- ties of the two first above named are such as to entitle them to a place in a collection. On June 2]st, a seedling strawberry was exhibited for the first time by Isaac Fay, called by hmi Jenny Lind, that seemed of good promise. There have been some new cherries upon the tables the past year. The Hon. M. P. Wilder presented on 21st June a box of the Belle d'Orleans cherries, that for its earliness, if for no other reason, promises to be of value. It was in color of a light red, of good size, sweet, but somewhat deficient in flavor. The same gentleman exhibited on July 5th, the Bigarreau Gabau- lis or Monstreuse de Mezel, a very large cherry, resembling in appearance the Black Tartarean ; also on the same day, the Cerise de Xavier, the Le- mercier and De Spa: these were all acid fruits of a red color, not unlike the Morellos, and probably better suited to the kitchen than tlie dessert ; and Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 3J on July 12th, the Bigarreau Noir Tardif, of a very dark color, sweet and good, and the Downton, a late red cherry of superior quality. On July 12th, Messrs. Hovey & Co. exhibited a seedling cherry that was a very large fruit, very dark in color, firm in flesh and very fine in quality; and the Messrs. Hyde, a seedling of moderate size, dark colored, that seemed to be of the Mazard family. On the previous exhibition, July 5th, there was a seedling from Seth Davis, of West Newbury, stated to be remarkable for its bearing properties. It was a mottled flesh-colored cherry of not more than common quality. On August 2d, the Committee had an opportunity of tasting another seedling cherry from Messrs. Hovey & Co. that was of the largest size, firm flesh, amber color, mottled with a red cheek, sweet, high flavored and very fine. For much of the interest attending their weekly exhibitions, especially in the earlier part of the season, the Society is under obligations to Messrs. J. F. Allen, Hovey & Co., W. C. Strong, and J. Breck & Son, for the ex- hibition by these gentlemen of grapes grown under glass, in large quanti- ties and great variety ; other exhibitors have occasionally placed upon its tables specimens of this fruit of very superior quality ; among those to whom the Society is so indebted may be named J. P. Cushing, Esq., Dr. Nathan Durfee, Mrs. Durfee, M. H. Simpson, Esq., S. Bigelow, A. Bow- ditch, James Nugent, Cheever Newhall, A. W. Stetson and others. On August 9th, specimens of several varieties of grapes were received from Roswell L. Colt, Esq., of Patterson, N. J.; they were forwarded to the Society by Mr. Colt, for the purpose, among others, of furnishing spe- cimens of his mode of culture, having been raised on " Hoare's Plan," in a house facing the east, with the roots of the vines inside the house, but to which Mr. C. last year added an outside border with openings to it from the inside. The house in which these grapes were raised is stated to be a very cold house, and that there had been fire in it but nine times. Mr. C. thinks his " finest flavored grapes are raised under glass without fire heat." These grapes had been so injured by the carriage that no very correct esti- mate Could be formed of their quality ; so far as an opinion could be formed they appeared to have been well ripened and of good flavor. As a mark of his interest in the Society this attention and courtesy is highly appre- ciated by the Committee. On July 5th, Mr. Allen, who, on January 4th, had placed on the tables of the Society grapes cut from the vines on the morning of that day, and on April 2Crh those of the new crop, exhibited a new dark colored grape, with small berries, called Partridge Foot, — it was sweet but probably not worthy of cultivation ; and at a subsequent period the Raisin de Calabre, a rather small white grape of a very rich sweet Muscat flavor, that he thinks may be Josling's St. Albans ; also a grape called Caillaba, with small oval transpar- ent berries, sweet but without much flavor. The grape exhibited by Mr. Allen, under the name of Lachmere's Seed- ling, and by Mr. Strong under that of Blanche Vyron, proves to be Mc- ready's early white, a grape probably well suited to out-door culture. Mr. Strong has the past season exhibited grapes called the Black Muscat 38 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. or Damascus, with large berries and very handsome ; it was a very good grape, though not of very first quality, and on account of its size, beauty, and goodness worthy of cultivation. It was new to the Committee. Messrs. Hovey «Si Co. exhibited on June 14th, and subsequently, a very fine and beautiful grape called Gros Bleu, that strongly resembled in ap- pearance Wilmot's No. 16, but that is said to be a distinct variety. Bromham Hall and Beechwood melons, both of superior flavor and quality, but probably not suited to out-door culture, have been exhibited the past season. For general out-door cultivation the seedling melon of Capt. Lovett, called the " Christiana," raised by him from a green Malta melon, impregnated with a very early variety, it is believed has not yet been equalled. In order to mark their appreciation of its merits and as their recommendation of it to growers of this fruit, the Society have awarded Capt. L. a piece of plate of the value of $50. No new raspberry, blackberry, currant, or gooseberry, especially worthy of notice, hns been exhibited the past year. The blackberry known as the cultivated High Bush blackberry, was the past season remarknble for size and beauty, and is thought to be well worthy of cultivation ; and that these, with the Knevet's Giant raspberry as well as the Franconia, and perhaps Fastolf raspberry, are worthy of a place in every garden. August 9th, Mr. Amos W. Stetson presented to your Committee a box of very early plums, that for one ripening so early may be pronounced of very fine quality. Mr. Stetson stated that this plum was a seedling raised by John Trask, of Lynn ; it was a small oblong purple plum of good flavor, a free- stone. Aug. 16, the Myrobalan, a small round red plum, of pretty good quality, resembling in appearance the Golden Cherry, was exhibited by Dr. Eben. Wight. Although the past season was very prolific in plums, and these too produced in great perfection, but few opportunities have been afE)rded of testing any new varieties of either foreign or native origin. This last remark is, however, in no ways applicable to pears, of which fruit many new varieties, fruited for the first or second time, have this year been exhibited. Among those of native origin, may be mentioned a pear from D. Marcellus Wheeler, said to be a seedling from the St. Michael, resembling that variety in size, color and form, that was a juicy fruit of pleasant flavor, and seemed to be of good promise ; also the Muskingum, from G. Greene, of Norwich, Ct., a high flavored, juicy, melting pear, of medium size, roundish form and yellow color, — both exhibited August 30. On October 4, Mr. John Hill exhibited a seedling pear, small, of yel- low color, with a red cheek, and some russet both at stem and calyx, that was handsome and sweet ; it has been sometimes known as the Burrill pear. The Collins or Watertown pear is a seedling pear, raised by Mr. Collins, of Watertown, many years since, and has been now repeatedly tested by your Committee. It is in size above a medium, of a roundish obovate form, with a short thick stem ; when ripe, of a yellowish color, blotched and striped with red in the sun, with a little russet about the stem ; the flesh is white, melting, juicy, a little subacid, of very pleasant flavor I its season is early in October, This pear is believed to be well Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 39 worthy the attention of cultivators. Ripening at about the same season, October 1, is another seedling pear, raised by Mr. Tudor, at Naliant. This also is a pear of medium size, ratlier flattened, obovate form, of a yellowish green color, tinged with blush, of a pleasant flavor, sweet and good, sub- ject, however, to the serious drawback of a liability to rot at the core. In addition to the preceding, some few other seedling pears have been ex- hibited the past season, but as no memoranda respecting them was pre- served no attempt at a description of them can now be made. The notice of the foregoing pears, of native origin, has been somewhat detailed, be- cause, as such may yet prove better adapted to our climate and general cultivation than those of foreign introduction, cultivators may desire early information of their quality. With respect to the new pears of foreign origin that, for the first or even second time, have been exhibited tlie past year, an enumeration of their names can alone be here made, because that, in some instances, only a single specimen, and that immature, picked before ripe, was exhibited, and in others, for other reasons, no decided estimate of their quality would have been justifiable. Neither is it to be pretended that the list given is com- plete, only thai it embraces those that, on account of some particular cir- cumstance attending their exhibition, particularly attracted the attention of the Committee. Among the new pears then exhibited, was Beurre Dremont, Beurr6 Benoist, Princess Marianne, Poire Ridelle, Charlotte de Brower, Adele de St. Denis, Poire d'Albret, Poire Cire, Bezi d'Esperin, Belle Apres Noel, Fondante Millot, Beurre Navez, Millot de Nancy, Louise de Prusse, Bergamot Picquet, Conseilleur Raniiez, Charles Van Hooghten, Compte de Paris, Baronne de Mello, Grand Soliel, Souverain d'Ete, Graine de Coraile, Delices d' Alert, La Marie, Bezi Tardif, Vessouziere, Colmar du Lot, Poire Caiesie, Poire Serrurier, Poire Neil, Leon le Clerc, Buchanan's new Spring Beurre, Duchesse de Berry, Poire His, Glojre de Cambron, Ron- delet. Poire Gerando, Poire de Mons, Rosmette, and others. To designate merely the particular varieties of pears, of which superior specimens were exhibited, would probably subserve no valuable purpose. A statement of any particular mode of culture that conduced to this supe- riority might impart useful information ; but of this, if such there was in any case, your Committee have no knowledge. In some instances this ex- cellence may have been the result of accidental causes, as a peculiarly favorable soil ; in others, of a better cultivation. The rules of the Society require no statement from the exhibitors ; the awards of the Committee are made from an examination of the specimens presented. But few new apples worthy of particular attention have been exhibited the past season. Among those that should not be past by unnoticed, was an apple, presented by Mrs. N. A. Plaven, of Portsmouth, on 26th of April. It was a large apple, of a greenish yellow color, with fine red in the sun ; sweet, fine flavored, firm fleshed, and, in the opinion of your Committee, to be ranked with the very best late keeping sweet apples. The history of this apple is not known to your Committee, but it is presumed to have origi- nated at Portsmouth. The MacCartney apple, a seedling from West Cam- 40 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. bridge, of a red color and very handsome, Avas exhibited as late as June 7th ; it is rather acid but brisk, and valuable for its late keeping properties. Baldwin, Roxbury Russet, and other apples, were exhibited as late as June 14, by Mr. Bowen Harrington, in a tine state of preservation. These apples had been kept by being merely placed, from the time of being gath- ered, upon boards in a cellar. The summer apples of last year, placed upon the tables of the Society, were, in some instances, particularly fine. This remark applies especially to the Williams Favorite ; so fine specimens of this variety and in large quantities, too, were probably never before exhibited. This is a very fine and very handsome apple when well grown, but requires high culture to bring it to perfection. A few specimens of the Northern Spy have been exhibited for the second time, the produce of the same tree from which those first exhibited on the last year were gathered ; although the specimens of this were somewhat superior to those of last year, yet, thus far, your Committee see no reason to alter the opinion they have before expressed, of the unsuitableness of this variety to general cul- tivation in this vicinity. As, however, the tree is an upright, vigorous growing tree, ripening its wood well, it may be well for those who have them to make further trials of its quality before condemning it as worthless. As the apple is one of the most, if not the most, valuable fruits of New England, a repetition of the remark made last year on a like occasion may not be out of place, that it is particularly worthy of the attention of culti- vators, and that endeavors to produce from seed new varieties of superior quality, with properties, in some respects, different from such as we now possess, as ripening at different times, keeping in perfection till later in the season, &c., are wortiiy of encouragement. Your Committee would not omit to mention here the very large and fine collection of specimens of fruits, sent to the Society by A. Leroy, of Angers, France. Many of them came to hand in fine order, and your Committee had the opportunity of inspecting several new pears, Avhich they think will prove valuable additions to this fine fruit. ' With these remarks, your Committee now submit their award of the prizes offered by the Society the past year : — For the best and most interesting exhibition of fruits during the sea- son, to John F. Allen, the Lowell plate valued at . $20 00 For the second best, to Hovey & Co., . . . . 12 QO A gratuity to William C. Strong, of . . . . 10 00 Apples. — For best twelve summer apples, on or before the last Saturday in August, to Charles Stone, for Williams's Favorite, 6 00 For the next best, to Josiah Lovett, 2d, for Red Astrachan, . 4 00 For the best twelve autumn apples, on or before last Saturday in November, to J. B. Moore, for Hubbardston Nonsuch, . 6 00 For the next best, to Josiah Lovett, 2d, for Drap d'Or, . . 4 00 For the best twelve winter apples, on or before tlie third Satur- day in December, to J. B. Moore, for Baldwin, . . 6 00 For the next best, to John Gordon, for R. I. Greenings, . 4 00 The Committee have also awarded a gratuity equal to the second Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 41 prize ($4) to Cheever Newhall and Joseph Barret, and the Society's Silver Medal to Cheever Newhall, for Ladies' Sweeting apples, and Mrs. N. A. Haven, for very fine sweet apples, presented by her on April 2(ith ; also the Society's Bronze Medal to Bo wen Harrington, A. D. Williams & Son, A. D. Weld, and S, R. Johnson, for apples exhibited by them. Apricots. — For best twelve, on or before last Saturday in August, no prize awarded. For the next best, no prize awarded. Blackberries. — For best specimens, not less than two boxes, to J. Lovett,2d, #5 00 For the next best, to G. Merriam, . . . . 3 Oq And to C. E. Grant, the Bronze Medal of the Society. Cherries. — For best specimens, not less than two boxes, to J. F. Allen, for Elton, (forced,) . . . . . 6 00 For the next best, to Otis Johnson, for Black Eagle, . . 4 00 The Committee also award to George Walsh, Galen Merriam, M. P. Wilder, Hyde & Son, J. Lovett, 2d, Hovey & Co., H. Vandine, F. Blake, A. D. Williams & Son, Anson Dexter, and W. Batchel- der, the Bronze Medal of the Society as a gratuity. Currants. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, to George Wilson, . . . . . . 5 00 For the next best, to Hovey & Co., . . . . 3 00 And a gratuity of the Bronze Medal, to J. Lovett, 2d, for speci- mens of the Gondouin Currant, and to Otis Johnson, for those of the White Dutch. Figs. — For the best twelve specimens, to J. F. Allen, . . 5 00 For the next best, to Hovey & Co., • . . . 3 00 Gooseberries. — For best specimens, not less than two boxes, to J. Lovett, 2d, for Roaring Lion, • . . . . 5 00 For the next best, to a contributor whose name is unknown, for gooseberries entered in the name of John Gordon, . . 3 00 Grapes. — For the best specimens grown under glass, on or before first Saturday in July, to Dr. N. Durfee, . . . 10 00 For the next best, to Hovey & Co., . . . , 7 00 Also a gratuity of $7 to J. F. Allen, and of the Society's Silver Medal to Augustus Evers and W. C. Strong. For the best specimens grown under glass subsequently to the first Saturday in July, to W. C. Strong, . . . 10 00 For the next best, to Hovey & Co., . . . . 7 00 And the Society's Silver Medal, to M. H. Simpson. For the best specimens of Isabella grapes, to C. E. Grant, . 5 00 For the next best, to Hovey & Co., . . . . 3 00 For the best specimens of Diana grapes, to Hovey & Co., . 5 00 For the next best, to E. C. Hitchings, . . . . 3 00 To Kendall Baily and J. Lovett, 2d, the Bronze Medal of the Society for fine specimens of Isabella grapes. VOL. XVIII. NO. I. 6 42 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Musk Melon. — For the best in open culture, on or before the last Saturday in September, to J. Lovett, 2d, for Christiana, . $5 00 For the next best, to Hovey & Co., for Beechwood, . . 3 00 Nectarines. — For the best twelve specimens, to Stephen H. Per- kins, for Lewis, . . . . . . 6 00 For the next best, to J. F. Allen, . . . . 4 00 Peaches. — For the best twelve specimens grown undes glass, on or before the second Saturday in July, to J. F. Allen, . . 6 00 For the next best, to Otis Johnson, . . . . 4 00 With a gratuity of $4 to W. C. Strong. For the best twelve specimens of open culture, to J. F. Allen, . 6 00 For the next best, to C. E. Grant, . . . . 4 00 And a gratuity of $4 to John Hill, and the Bronze Medal of the Society to J. P. Wyman, both for fine specimens of Craw- ford's late. Pears. — For the best collection not exhibited before this year, with a written description of the same. For this there was no competitor who came within the rules, neither for the second prize offered for same. For the best twelve summer pears, on or before the last Satur- day in August, to Josiah Lovett, 2d, for Rostiezer, . . 6 00 For the next best, to M. P. Wilder, for Bloodgood, . . 4 00 For the best twelve autumn pears, on or before last Saturday in November, to Emery Bemis, for Louise Bonne de Jersey, . 6 00 For the next best, to Samuel Leeds, for Duchess d'Angouleme, 4 00 The Silver Medal of the Society to S. Downer, Jr., J. F. Allen, M. P. Wilder and Henry Vandine ; and the Bronze Medal to E. Cleaves, J. Dane, W. R. Austin, J. Stickney and S. Driver. For the best twelve winter pears, on or before the third Satur- day in December, to J. Lovett, 2d, for Beurrd Diel, . . 8 00 For the next best, to Henry Vandine, for Glout Morceau, . 6 00 For the next best, to S. Downer, Jr., for Glout Morceau, . 4 00 Plums. — For the best specimens, not less tlian two boxes, to J. Lovett, 2d, for Green Gages, . . . . . 6 00 For the next best, to H. Vandine, for Peach plum, . . 3 00 To O. Johnson for Green Gage, to J. F. Allen for Washington, and to J. Mann for Peach plums, the Bronze Medal of the Society. Quinces. — For the best twelve specimens, to Jonathan Mann, . 5 00 For the next best, to Waldo Maynard, . . . . 3 00 Raspberries. — ^For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, to J. Lovett, 2d, for Knevet's Giant, . . . . 5 00 For the next best, to Cheever Newhall, for Knevet's Giant, . 3 00 To S. Sweetser, the Bronze Medal of the Society. StiRAwberries. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, to S. Downer, Jr., for Jenney's Seedling, . . . 6 00 For the next best, to O. Johnson, for Hovey's Seedling, . 4 00 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 43 For the next best, to T. Rice, for Hovey's Seedling, . . $3 00 A gratuity of $3 to S. Walker, for specimens of his Seedling, and to G. Evers, for a display of thirty-two varieties. 20 00 15 00 12 00 8 00 to Silas . 6 00 . 5 00 . 4 00 . 3 00 of one . 20 00 . 15 00 . 12 00 . 8 00 PRIZES AWARDED AT THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION. Apples. — For the best twelve varieties, of twelve specimens each, to B. V. French, the Society's Plate, valued at For the second best, to J. B. Moore, For the third best, to J. Stickney, For the fourth best, to John Gordon, For the best dish of twelve specimens of one variety, Peirce, ..... For the second best, to J. Stickney, For the third best, to J. Lovett, 2d, For the fourth best, to J. B. Moore, Pears. — For the best twelve varieties of twelve specimens variety each, to J. Stickney, Lyman Plate, valued at For the second best, to S. Downer, Jr., . For the third best, to M. P. Wilder, For the fourth best, to G. Evers, And a gratuity of ^8, for twelve fine varieties, to Hovey & Co. For the best dish of twelve specimens each, of one variety, to W. R. Austin, . . . . . . 6 00 For the second best, to J. F. Allen, . . . . 5 00 For the third best, to J. Richardson, . . . . 4 00 For the fourth best, to A. W. Stetson, . . . . 3 00 And the following gratuities for collections of pears, of $8 each, to M. P. Wilder, Hovey & Co., J. Gordon, S. Walker, J. Lovett, 2d, J. S. Cabot, Messrs. Winship and R. Manning ; and #4 each to F. Burr, C. Newhall, A. D. Williams & Son and J. F. Allen. Assorted Fruit. — For the best basket of fruit, of various kinds, to Hovey & Co., ...... For the next best, to W. C. Strong, .... Grapes. — For the best five varieties of two bunches each, to W. C. Strong, the Lyman Plate, valued at . . . For the next best, to N. Durfee, the Bradlee Plate, valued at . For the best two varieties, of two bunches each, to J. F. Allen, For the next best, to Hovey & Co., .... Peaches. — For the best dish, of not less than twelve, to H. Schim- ming, gardener to J. P. Cushing, .... For the second best, to N. Stetson, .... And a gratuity of #4 to W. Bacon for a fine dish of peaches. Plums. — A gratuity of the Bronze Medal of the Society, to J. Lovett, 2d, H. Vandine, and J. W. Gates ; and to Francis Marsh a Silver Medal of the Society, for Tomato Figs. For the Committee, Joseph S. Cabot, Chairman.. 10 00 7 00 15 00 10 00 6 00 4 00 6 00 4 00 44 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VEGETABLES, AWARDING PREMIUMS FOR 1851. In submitting the following report, your Committee have the pleasure to say, that the vegetables exhibited through the season have been in quality fully equal to any of previous years. The quantity, perhaps, has not been quite so extensive as at some former seasons. The Committee wish to refer the seedling potatoes, Nos. 14, 15, and S3, exhibited by S. W. Cole, and the seedling potatoes exhibited by Martin Davis, of Sterling, to the future committee for the Society's Gold Medal, as offered in the Society's prospective premiums subsequently to the year 1846. The Committee beg also to report that, in their opinion, the value of the new seedling potatoes does not depend so much on the size or appearance, as on the quality for mealiness and solidity, which, in this latter, means freedom from water, smaller potatoes being oflen of better quality, in this respect, than those of larger size and fair appearance. Asparagus. — For the earliest and best, not less than three bunches, to J. Crosby, #3 00 Beets. — For the best (pure blood beet,) during the season, not less than twelve roots, to J. B. Moore, . . . . 3 00 Broccoli. — For the best three heads, to J. Lovett, 2d, . .5 00 Beans. — For the best and earliest peck of string beans, to J. Nugent, 3 00 For the best and earliest Lima beans, not less than two quarts, to J. Gordon, 3 00 For the best and earliest variety of shell beans, to J. Crosby, . 3 00 Cabbage. — For the best Drumhead cabbage, during the season, not less than three heads, to A. D. Williams & Son, . . 5 00 For the second best, to J. Mann, Jr., . . . . 3 00 For the best Savoy cabbage during the season, not less than three heads, to J. Mann, Jr., . . . . . 3 00 Carrots. — For the best exhibited, to J. Mann, Jr., . . . 2 00 Cauliflowers. — For the best and largest, during the season, not less than three Heads, to J. A. Kenrick, . . . 5 00 For the second best, to J. Crosby, . . . . 3 00 Celery. — For the best and largest blanched, not less than six roots, to J. Crosby, . . . . . . . 5 00 Corn. — For the best and earliest Sweet corn, not less than twelve ears, to J. Crosby, . . . . . . 3 00 For the second best, to J. Mann, Jr., . . . . 2 00 Cucumbers. — For the best pair under glass, previous to the first Saturday of June, to T. Needham, . . . . 5 00 For the best and earliest of open culture, to J. Crosby, . 3 00 Egg Plants. — The best display during the season, to F. Webster, . 5 00 For the second best, to J. Mann, Jr., . . . . 2 00 Lettuce. — For the best six heads, before the first Saturday in July, to J. Crosby, . . . . . . . 3 00 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 45 Potatoes. — For the best and earliest peck, previous to August 1, to J. Crosby, . . . . . . . #3 00 For the second best, to A. D. Williams & Son, . . 2 00 Peas. — For the best and earliest peck in June, to J. Mann, Jr., . 3 00 Rhubarb — For the largest and best, previous to the first Saturday in July, not less than twelve stalks, to J. Lovett, 2d, . . 5 GO For the second best, to A. W. Stetson, . . . . 3 00 Tomatoes. — For the best and earliest, not less than one dozen, to J. Crosby, 3 00 Vegetables. — For the best display and greatest variety at the weekly exhibitions, during the season, to J. Crosby, . For the second best, to J. Mann, Jr., .... For the best display and greatest variety at the annual exhibi- tion, to J. B. Moore, ...... For the second best, to F. Webster, .... For the third best, to J. Crosby, ..... For the fourth best, to A. D. Williams & Son, . For any new variety of vegetables suitable for the table, and worthy of cultivation, other than seedling potatoes, to A. R. Pope, for Hybrid Sweet Corn, . . . . 5 00 5 00 3 00 10 00 8 00 2 00 4 00 $10 00 . 8 00 . 6 00 . 4 00 . 8 00 . 5 00 . 3 00 . 3 00 PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED AT THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION. Vegetables. — For the best display and greatest variety, to J. B. Moore, ...... For the second best, to F. Webster, For the third best, to J. Crosby, For the fourth best, to A. D. Williams & Son, . New Vegetables. — For a new variety of Sweet corn, to A. R Pope, ....... Gratuities. — To J. B. Moore, for the best variety of turnips, the Society's Silver Medal. For Blood beets, the best, . For Squash peppers, To A. McLennan, for Egg plants. To A. R. Pope, for Old Colony Sweet corn, (a new hybrid,) the Society's Silver Medal. To J. Lovett, 2d, a special gratuity for Winter Crook-neck squash, raised in 1850, weighing 70 pounds, a silver cup, To J. Mann, Jr., for Drumhead cabbages, To Joseph Davis, for celery. To A. Bowditch, for display of vegetables, For Lima beans. To T. Page, for Snake cucumbers. To J. W. Brown, for Carolina Sweet potatoes, To N. Stetson, for tomatoes, To J. Lovett, 2d, for cauliflowers and broccoli, the Society's Silver Medal. 10 00 4 00 3 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 2 00 3 00 '46 Horticultural Operations for January. To E. M. Richards, for squashes kept from 1850, in fine condi- tion, . . . . . . . . $2 00 To F. Marsh, for Custard squashes, the Society's Silver Medal. To Messrs. Stone & Co., for beets and turnips, . To S. W. Cole, for display of Seedling and other potatoes. For Connecticut Pie squash, ..... To J. Gordon, for display, ..... For large Lima and Saba beans, .... To A. Hatch, for Seedling potatoes, .... To J. Crosby, for squashes, ..... To B. V. French, for tomatoes, .... To F. Webster, for cauliflowers, .... GRATUITIES AT THE WEEKLY EXHIBITIONS. To J. Mann, Jr., for Early Turnip beets, .... To J. Crosby, for large Blood beets, .... To E. P. Champney, for specimens of the first cucumbers, grown under glass, ....... To W. F. Walsh, for the first Early China beans grown under glass. To Winship & Co., for fine rhubarb, .... To J. A. Kenrick, for rhubarb, ..... To J. B. Moore, for Champion of England peas. To S. W. Cole, for Seedling potatoes, Nos. 14, 15 and 23, . To J. Mann, Jr., for Skilling's fine Queen cabbage, a copy of Colman's European Agriculture. To W. J. Walch, for three varieties of Early fine cucumbers, a copy of the same. To M. Gordon, for two varieties of cucumbers, a copy of the same. To C. M. Furbush, for specimens of Peach Blow potatoes, a copy of the same. To M. P. Wilder, for Myatt's Linnaeus rhubarb, a copy of the same. To M. Davis, t'eedling potatoes from a Nova Scotia variety, a copy of the same. To S. B. Morse, for Mammoth squashes exhibited in 1850, a copy of the same. To A. Bowditch, for Champion of England peas, a copy of the same. All of which is respectfully submitted, Aaron D. Weld, Chairman. 1 00 10 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 4 00 HORTICULTURAL OPERATIONS FOR JANUART. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The opening month of the year, in our rigorous climate, finds but little to do at the hands of the fi-uit cultivator, unless he have under his care houses for the growth of grapes, peaches, &c. Out-door operations are enth-ely Horticultural Operations for January. 47 checked by the severity of the cold, and but little can be done to advan- tage. Under glass, except where fruit is forced very early, there is also but little labor required in January. Even in greenhouses, where there are vines, if they have been pruned, washed and put in order, as they should be ere this, no further attention is necessary till they begin to grow in February. Where grapes, or other fruit are forced early, — by commencing either in November or December, — now will be the time when the successful culti- vator will be on the alert ; for the sudden changes, extreme cold, or dull cloudy weather of long duration, render all such early forcing precarious, uncertain, and often attended with the partial injury or loss of the crop. A little delay or inattention is sure to lead to such a result. Grapes, in vineries, started in December, will now have broken their eyes, and will soon be in bloom. Every care should be taken that damp, during the period of blooming, does not injure or destroy the flowers ; for this sometimes happens at this season, during a long continued spell of cold rainy, or snowy weather. Air freely in good weather. Do not keep up too high a night temperature ; and guard against damp by seasonable fires kept on during the day, rather than by an increased temperature at night, as is often done. Vines, in greenhouses, if from any cause left unpruned, should now be attended to, in order to give time for the wounds to heal. They will gener- ally break by the middle of February. Figs and Peaches in pots, may now be pruned, and the wood washed with whale oil soap. Keep them in a cool cellar or shed, preparatory to their introduction into the house, in March. Scions of fruit trees may now be cut, placing them in a cool place, with the ends inserted in earth. FLOWER DEPARTMENT. The worst month of the winter season has passed, and with the return of longer days and a more powerful sun, plants will soon show signs of in- creasing vigor and growth. The extreme cold of December has required a large amount of heat to ward off frost, and this, too, during the dull and darkest days of winter ; and the earliest opportunity should be taken to air freely and harden off the etiolated growth, which a strong fire heat is sure to develop. Now is the proper time for the ambitious gardener to look over and lay out his plans for the whole season ; by doing this now, and making a mem- orandum of what should be done, something like system is established, and the work not only goes on more rapidly and with less labor of mind, when the busy season commences, but many things are put under way, which otherwise might be overlooked. A word to the wise, &c. The greenhouse and conservatory, to be kept in their greatest beauty, should always have a stock in reserve, both to keep up a variety, as well as to afford a long continuance of bloom. Oestrums, Lauristinus, and similar woody plants, as soon as done flowering, may be partially pruned in, and placed away under the stage, to be removed to the open air, in April. Au- 48 Horticultural Operations for January. tumn flowering oxalises should be replaced with spring flowering ones. Roses, now in the height of bloom, should be succeeded by a fresh supply from the cold frame ; and many other plants may be placed away under the stage, when out of bloom, and their places filled with others which will afford a full supply of flowers. Camellias will now be coming into full bloom, and will now require but little attention. Syringe freely in good weather, particularly after a strong fire heat, to counteract the effect of a dry atmosphere. Water occasionally with manure water or liquid guano. Pelargoniums will now show signs of more activity, and will require some care, if fine, dwarf, bushy specimens are wanted. Tie out all the lat- eral branches to stakes, and if they require repotting, shift them at once into the flowering pots. Plants wanted for a succession or blooming late, should have the ends of their shoots nipped off". Keep near the glass, in a light, cool, airy part of the house. Japan Lilies for blooming, in pots, should now be attended to ; all that show signs of pushing, should now be repotted ; the others will answer for a succession. Young seedlings, potted off" singly, will make larger bulbs than if grown together in the seedling pots. Cinerarias may now be repotted ; if already large specimens, they should be shifted for the last time. Chinese Primroses, growing vigorously, may now have a shift into larger pots. Achimenes may be potted now for early blooming, placing them in the warmest part of the house. Pansy seeds should be planted now, for early blooming in the borders, in May. Roses, taken up out of the open ground in October, should now be pruned, and placed in a good situation in the greenhouse. ScHiZANTHUSES, uemophilas, India pinks, allyssum, and similar annuals, for winter blooming, should be shifted often, and not be allowed to become pot-bound. Azaleas, now showing bloom, should be more liberally watered. Stephanotus floribundus should now be pruned in, and started into growth ; other summer climbing plants may have the same treatment. Cuttings, of all such plants as are suitable for bedding out, should now be propagated — such as scarlet geraniums, petunias, heliotropes, verbenas, cupheas, salvias, &c., &c. Early grown stock succeeds better when re- moved into the border than late propagated plants. FucHiAS, intended for large specimens, should now be repotted, pruned in, and started into a new growth. Look over all the plants carefully now, and top dress the soil ; clean the pots ; pick off" all decayed or yellow leaves ; turn them round once a fort- night ; stake up where required, and preserve neatness in every part of the greenhouse or conservatory, — without which they afford little enjoyment to the possessor. The temperature should range from 40° to 45° at night, and 50° to 70° during the day. THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. FEBRUARY, 1852. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. Art. I. The Importance of Cleanliness to Plants. By the Editor. Few persons, we apprehend, are aware of the great impor- tance of cleanliness to plants, and the influence which it exerts upon their health, vigor, and growth. Indeed, if we were to judge from the appearance of plants grown in many of our greenhouses and conservatories, we should suppose there was, in reality, no use in paying any attention to clean- liness, and that, beyond a liberal supply oY water at the root, there was as little need of any upon the foliage, unless for the simple purpose of neatness, as if water formed no element of vegetable growth. There is no doubt but that the foun- dation of disease in many plants, cultivated under glass, can be traced to the neglect of cleanliness of their foliage ; and that camellias, oranges, daphnes, and similar broad-leaved evergreen shrubs, are kept in an unhealthy state for want of that ablution which is so necessary to the vigor and growth of every living plant. For when placed out of the reach of that great natural element of cleanliness, rain, it is as nec- essary that plants should be artificially kept in a clean condi- tion, as that they should be supplied with air or light. "If as much washing were bestowed, in London," says Dr. Lindley, " upon a pot plant as upon a lap-dog, the one would remain in as good condition as the other. The rea- sons are obvious. Plants breathe by their leaves : and if their VOL. XVIII. NO. II. 7 50 Impot'tance of Cleanliness to Plants. surface is clogged by dirt, of whatever kind, their breathing is impeded or prevented. Plants perspire by their leaves ; and dirt prevents their perspiration. Plants feed by their leaves ; and dirt prevents their feeding. So that breathing, perspiration, and food, are fatally interrupted by the accumu- ' lation of foreign matters upon leaves. Let any one, after reading this, cast an eye upon the state of plants in sitting rooms or well-kept greenhouses ; let them draw a white handkerchief over the surface of such plants, or a piece of smooth white leather, if they desire to know how far they are from being as clean as their nature requires." The importance of more attention to the cleanliness of planits has been forcibly brought to mind by reading an ac- count of the experiments of M. Garreau, on the perspiration of plants ; an abstract of which was given in the Gardeners^ Chronicle of last year. They show, in the most satisfactory manner, that one of the greatest sources of a healthy veg- etation is a clean foiiage ; and that where this cannot be effected by rain, it is essentially necessary that it should be accomplished at the hands of the cultivator. M. Gaxreau's experiments, it will also be noticed, confirm the opinions of many amateur and practical men, that soap and water are of imore effect in enabling the leaves to carry on their absorptive powers than clear water alone. M. Gar- reau found this to be to the extent of nearly one half. A fig leaf, which had been washed with soap, absorbed 90 parts, while, after a simple drenching with Avater, it took up only one half. The result of all these experiments show that all plants, when housed up for six months, as they are in our climate, require not only repeated syringings during that time, but they require even more if we would keep them in the most robust condition. In particular, should camellias, oranges, daphnes, and similar broad-leaved plants, be washed once or twice in the winter with soap and water, each leaf receiving a careful sponging on its upper as well as under surface. If this, with due attention to a moist atmosphere and wa- tering, was attended to, we should hear less complaint of sickly collections of plants : — Importance of Cleanliness to Plants. 51 A fortnight ago we briefly mentioned M. Garreau's very curious experiments on the perspiration of plants ; we shall now redeem the promise we then gave, by describing his experiments more in detail, so that our readers may be in a position to judge for themselves of the value of his conclu- sions. M. Garreau's object, in the first place, was to ascer- tain the ratio in which the cuticle and covering membrane of plants is able to absorb or give out gaseous matters, what differences exist between the same membrane on the various parts of a given plant, and how these diff'erences are modified by circumstances. The first series of experiments were made to measure the real porosity of the epidermis, by as- certaining the rate at which endosmosis takes place through it, between various dissimilar fluids. Small portions of the epidermis of diflferent plants, carefully prepared, were ce- mented at the end of glass tubes ; a weak solution of sugar was then poured into the tube, the lower end of which was thus closed by the film of vegetable membrane, and the tube was then immersed for a given number of hours in some other liquid, after which the quantity of the latter, drawn through the membranes by endosmosis, was carefully meas- ured. The result of these experiments showed that the epidermis of old leaves permitted little or no endosmosis, whilst that of young leaves allowed it to a very sensible degree ; a fact apparently caused by the considerable quantity of oleaginous matter, which covers and impregnates the epidermis of the former. On comparing together the epidermis taken from different parts of the same leaf, it was found that it vai'ied considerably in its relation to this passage of fluid ; the epi- dermis of the nerves, and of the lower part of the leaves, nearest to the leaf-stalk, being those which permitted it most freely. An epidermis, which does not allow of endosmosis in its natural state, becomes permeable to liquids, Avhen it has been washed with ether, solution of soap, or in some cases even with distilled water alone. These effects are quite independent of the action of the stomata, and may be observed quite as well with a membrane wholly destitute of 52 Importance of Cleanliness to Plants. those openings. The fact that the epidermis of leaves will not permit the passage of water in their natural state, but wUl do so when the greasy matter which coats their surfaces is artificially removed, may be proved by immersing a faded leaf for some hours in water, keeping the whole of the leaf- stalk out of the fluid, it will absorb little or no water ; but if it has been previously carefully washed with soap in dis- tilled water, it will then be able to absorb a very notable quantity of the water in which it is subsequently immersed. This absorption is found to be quite as great in those leaves which are furnished with very few stomata, as it is in those which have many, provided the washing be carefully con- ducted, and all pressure avoided, v.iiich would cause the forcible introduction of water through the stomata. The chief conclusions to which M. Garreau arrives, as the results of these and a number of similar experiments, are as follows : — Firstly, that the cuticle of plants possesses the power of allowing endosmosis to take place whilst the parts are young, but that it loses it as they grow old. Secondly, that this power is in proportion to the quantity of oleaginous matter which exists in the cuticle, being greatest in those membranes which contain least fatty matter, or in which it has been artificially removed by washing. Thirdly, that the cuticle which covers the upper surface of the nerves, and particularly that which clothes the axillary part of the leaf- stalk, is that which permits the most abundant endosmosis. Fourthly, that the epidermis sometimes interferes with this power of the cuticle, because plants which have no epidermis permit endosmosis to a remarkable extent ; and young bark which has this organ, permits much less endosmosis than that which is without it : and lastly, that if simple washing with distilled water is able to increase the absorbent power of leaves, it is plain that rain water must produce the same effect. These results are certainly highly interesting, and unques- tionably point to a new and hitherto unsuspected offi.ce of rain^ they show the importance of keeping the surface of plants clean, and lead to numerous useful hints to the prac- Importance of Cleanliness to Plants. 53 tical gardener. We must, however, confess that we do not feel altogether satisfied with some of the experiments, be- cause we are not quite sure that it is fair to compare the endosmosis or passage of water through a membrane, with the gaseous transpiration which would occur through the same membrane ; because the conditions most favorable to the one are not necessarily also always those best suited to the other. The experiments of the author do not bear upon this question ; he merely shows that such vegetable tissue is really permeable to carbonic acid, but does not by direct experiment prove that this permeability is increased in any definite ratio by washing. The author endeavors to prove that carbonic acid gas is able to pass through the cuticle of plants which have no stomata, by referring to the growth of water-plants, which are without them ; and by an exper- iment in which a portion of lime-water was enclosed in a tube, the end of which was covered with a small piece of such a membrane, and the tube then plunged for some hours in an atmosphere of carbonic acid ; under these circumstances the gas penetrated the membrane and rendered the lime- water turbid. This experiment, however, is by no means quite unexceptionable, because the question is not whether pure carbonic acid will pass through the membrane and mix with common air on the other side, but rather, whether common air, containing 1 per cent, of carbonic acid, will so pass through to mix with air containing no carbonic acid. It is evident that the gradual filling up of the pores with oleaginous or resinous matter, which destroys the power of permitting endosmosis, does not necessarily also prevent the cuticle from absorbing carbonic acid ; and, indeed. M. Garreau says this himself, for he observes that a cuticle, which has lost the power of transmitting water, may still be per- meable to that gas. The second division of the paper contains a very valuable and careful series of experiments on the evaporation of water from the two surfaces of the leaf, and on the emission of carbonic acid gas from leaves. In those experiments leaves growing on healthy plants were selected, and a circular por- tion enclosed between two closely fitting glass receivers, so 54 Importance of Cleanliness to Plants. arranged that the leaf formed the division between the two glasses — the upper surface was in the one glass, whilst the under surface of the leaf was in the other glass. The quan- tity of moisture given off was ascertained by placing in each glass a weighed portion of dry chloride of calcium, which being hygroscopic, or very greedy of moisture, would absorb all the vapor as fast as the surface of the leaves gave it out. The result of these experiments is, that the lower surface of the leaves gives off, from an equal quantity, three times as much as the upper surface does ; sometimes the proportion is as high as five to one ; and the ratio is quite independent of the position of the leaf itself This exhalation of water has some connection with the number and size of the stom- ata, but is by no means wholly dependent on it, as there is evidently a large quantity of water given off independently of them. The evaporation is most abundant along the course of the nerves, and in those parts of the epidermis, on which there is the least quantity of oily matter. As by the experiments already mentioned it has been shown that the transmission of water is greatly checked by the accumulation of oil and resin in the epidermis, it might nat- urally be expected that the perspiration or evaporation of water would likewise be diminished by the same cause. The experiments, made with a view of ascertaining the cor- rectness of this supposition, consisted chiefly in exposing leaves of different plants, the exact weight of which is known, to the air, and by subsequently weighing them again, observing the quantity of water which they had lost, and consequently the rate at which they were able to give off water. It was found in every case that cleansing, or wash- ing the leaves with soap and water, increased their power of evaporation to a very considerable extent. The emission of carbonic acid by the leaves of plants, under certain conditions, was first ascertained by Saussure ; but since his first experiments, made half a century ago, no one has attempted to measure exactly the quantity of this gas which leaves give out ; the careful and exact experiments of M. Garreau on this point are, therefore, of great value. hnportance of Cleanliness to Plants. 55 He employed the same sort of apparatus for this purpose, which has ah-eady been mentioned, as being used in estimat- ing the evaporation of moisture from the upper and lower surfaces of leaves ; namely, two circular glass vessels, which being applied respectively to the upper and under sides of the leaf, enclosed a circular disk of the leaf between them, in a way very convenient for the purposes of the observer. In these experiments, however, in place of using dried chlo- ride of calcium, a portion of lime-water was used, and the chalk formed in it by the absorption of carbonic acid subse- quently weighed. The general results of these experiments are, that in the shade or diffused daylight, no carbonic acid is evolved by the leaves ; that in the night it is given out by both surfaces, but in greater quantity from the lower than from the upper surface ; and that when exposed to the influ- ence of a very bright and hot sunshine, so that the rate of evaporation is very rapid, carbonic acid is likewise given off. In the latter case, the quantity of gas thus evolved is com- paratively small, and by far the larger portion of it is given' off by the lower surface of the leaves. It also appears that the proportion of carbonic acid given off by different leaves, bears a closer relation to the number and size of the stomata than the proportion of water which the leaves are able to evaporate does. All these experiments of M. Garreau teach us this fact, that under ordinary circumstances the growth of a plant causes the formation and deposition of certain substances, which in time fill up its pores, check perspiration, and con- sequently interfere with the nourishment and further growth of the plant. On the one hand, there can be little doubt that in very hot weather these matters must sometimes be useful in checking extreme perspii'ation, and in diminishing for the time the powers of the plant to absorb too much food from the air, or to part with water and carbonic acid too rapidly. On the other hand, the effect of rain must be to wash away a portion of these deposits, and so to favor the perspiration and consequent growth of the plant. Lastly, as the more heat a plant is exposed to, the more it perspires, 56 Poniological Gossip. and the faster it grows, the greater will the tendency be to fill up its pores ; so it follows that when plants are exposed to great heat in a close house, and not in any way artificially washed or syringed, they are placed in an unnatural con- dition, and the very care of the gardener defeats, to some extent, the object which he has in view. Art. II. Pomological Gossip. The capital report of Mr. Cabot, the Chairman of the Committee on Fruit of the Massachusetts Horticultural So- ciety, for 1851, (now President,) in our last number, and the anticipated resume of everything new among fruits, which he has kindly promised us in season for our next, renders it unnecessary for us now to refer to many of the varieties, which will be particularly noticed by him. There are several new pears, which have fruited in our collection the past year, of much merit, and such as he omits in his article, we shall give an early account of; and in the course of the volume, full descriptions with outlines of some of the most remark- able. Dr. Lindley's opinion of American Fruits. — We have, from time to time, had occasion to notice the asperity with which Dr. Lindley speaks of every fruit or plant of American origin ; and though it matters but little what his opinion may be, tinctured as it is by prejudice, or a determined will to traduce everything American, it may gratify our readers to see occasionally what he does say, when he condescends to notice a country " little visited by Europeans " ! ! It appears that Mr. J. Shed Needham, of Dan vers, Mass., sent one of his white, yellow or mulatto colored blackberries, as a kind of rara avis, to the London Horticultural Society, as one of the wondrous fruits of this Western Continent, and with it the statement, which went the rounds of our newspaper press, last summer, as to its tremendous qualities, &c. The Present is made the subject of the leading article Pomological Gossip. 57 in the Gardeners^ Chronicle, of the opening number for 1852, which reads as follows : — " Speculative gardeners have long expected to find some useful hardy novelty among the wild fruit-bearing trees of countries little visited by Europeans. If the old world has given peaches and apples, and cherries and strawberries, why may not the new world produce good fruits of some other race ? Undoubtedly no reason to the contrary is apparent, but it so happens, that up to the present day, we are without an instance of such a discovery having been made ; and with the two exceptions of the American strawberry and cranberry, (for the grape vines of the United States do not deserve the name of useful fruits,) their Osage Orange is an orange only in appearance, and their mulberries, plums, and other small berries, would only be admitted to the des- sert of an Indian savage." (The italics are ours.) Why Doctor, dear Doctor, you dont say so ? Are you sure the Osage Orange " is an orange only in appearance ? " Where did you learn this ? Are you certain that it is not considered a finer dessert fruit than the orange of Havana? If we were to tell you it was better, would you believe it ? If you ever visit our country and sit at the table d'hote of the Revere or Astor, perhaps you will be surprised to find it really is very much unlike an orange, though " an orange only in ap- pearance." As to the grape vines l-0. The former is a native of the hill districts of California, and stands our severer weather with impunity. This being a comparatively new spe- cies, the price is higher than for many others ; 10s. 6d. will purchase a good plant. Macrocarpa may be had for a third of that sum. Biotaorien- talis, the Chinese Arbor-vita?, must not be forgotten. It is very cheap ; and, though common, is not the less handsome. In this list we have purposely avoided many desirable species ; some because of their expense, others from the desire not to overcrowd the list given. We hope such as we have named will meet the wishes of our correspondents. In respect to the prices Iiere quoted, it must be borne in mind that the respective sums stated are but approximate, since some may charge more, some less. — ( Gard. Jovr. 1852. p. 3.) Fuchsia serratifolia. — This being a favorite of mine, I am induced to send you my method of cultivating it ; during this dreary season (when anything in bloom is desirable) I find it one of the gayest ornaments of the conservatory. At the present time I have many plants in 11-inch pots, a complete mass of flower, on shoots about six inches long ; these have been subjected to the following treatment : — cuttings were struck early in Feb- ruary, and, after being potted off, they were repeatedly shifted into a mix- ture of equal parts loam, peat, and leaf-mould, witli a little silver sand, until about the middle of May, keeping them well-topped ; by that time they were nice bushy plants. As soon as the weather permitted, I then turned them into the open borders, where the soil was not over rich, choos- ing as dry a place as possible, 'and I took no fiirther notice of them till the end of September, when they began to show their flower buds. I then prepared the same soil for them as before, and carefully lifted them into Domestic Notices. 75 suitable pots, according to their size, keeping them in a close pit for a few days, and syringing them every evening till they recovered from the check they had received, giving air by degrees, till they could be fully exposed. I then placed them in a shady situation until they were housed, Avhich was when the other greenhouse plants were taken in-doors. I cut back two- year-old plants as soon as they have done flowering, reducing the ball when they commence growing; I afterwards shift them as they require it, subjecting them exactly to the same treatment as young plants. ,1 find that two-year-old plants bloom more freely than young plants, but the flow- ers are not so large. — [Gard Chron., 1851, p. 804.) Art. II. Domestic JVotices. Twenty-fourth An.vual Exhibition of the Massachusetts Hor- ticultural Society. — The next annual exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society will be held on the 22d, 2.3d and 24th of September next. The schedule of premiums of the Society for 1852 appears in another page. If a favorable year, we anticipate a great display of superior fruit. New York State Agricultural Society. — The annual meeting of .the society was held at Albany on the 21st of January ; the president, Mr. Delafield, in the chair. The treasurer reported that the receipts for the year 1851 had been $17,218 07, and the expenditures $12,545 28; leaving a balance on hand of $4G74 14; already invested, #7000; plate, for medals, $644; total, #12,318 14. The following officers were chosen for the current year : — President — Henry Wager, of Oneida. Vice Presidents — 1st judicial districts, James Munroe; 2d, Lewis J. Mor- ris; .3d, A. Van Bergen; 4th, W. C. Watson; 5th, T. S. Flaxton ; 6th, O. Chamberlain ; 7th, Chas. Lee ; 8th, J. A. McElwain. Corresponding Secretary — D. B. Johnson. Recording Secretary — E. Corning, Jr. Treasurer — Luther Tucker. Executive Committee — J. H. Corney, J. T Blanchard, J. Butterfield, J. B. Burnett, W. Kelly. The society decided that Utica shall be the place for holding the next State fair. f Medals were awarded to several persons who received premiums at the late World's Fair, and among them the following for agricultural imple- ments and specimens of agricultural productions : — To Thomas Bell, of Westchester, Gen. Harman, of Western New York, and Wm. Hotchkiss, of Monroe, each a gold medal for the best specimens of wheat. D. B. Kirtland, of Rensselaer, silver medal for the best specimens of corn. Messrs A. B. Allen & Co., of New York, a gold medal for cutlery. TO" Domestic Notices. Prouty dz. Mears, of Boston, a gold medal for best plough. Mr. McCormick, a gold medal for grain reaper. Mr. Johnston, who represented the society at the World's Fair, gave a very interesting account of the success of the American reaper in England. In delivering these medals, Mr. Delafield, the president of the society, presented a series of highly interesting remarks, principally in relation to industry and skill at the World's Fair. BuFjTALO Horticultural Society. — The annual meeting was held on the 6th inst, vice president Bryant presiding. The following officers and standing committees Avere elected for the ensuing year : — President — Abner Bryant, (Mr. Hodge declining.) First Vice President — Chnrles Taintor. Second Vice President — Warren Granger. Treasurer — Austin A. Howard. Corresponding Secretary — Williim R. Coppock. Recording Secretary — John B. Eaton. Committee on Fruits and Fruit Trees — Benjamin Hodge, Charles Taintor, Geo. F. Pratt, Jos. G. Masten, Warren Granger. Committee on Flowers and Flowering Plants — William R. Coppock, James W. Brown, Isaac E. Bryant, Elijah Ford, Amasa Mason. Committee on Vegetables — Jason Sexton, H. W. Rogers, John R. Prince,. Joseph Dart, Orlando Allen. Committee on Entomology and Manures — Lewis F. Allen, William Treat, S. L. Haven. Council — Abner Bryant, Charles Taintor, Austin A. Howard, Benjamin Hodge, Jason Sexton, Warren Granger, John B. Eaton, William R. Cop- pock, Lewis Eaton. The society will hold the annual exhibition on the 14th and 15th of September, and the semi-annual exhibition on the 22nd and 23d of June. Yours, John B. Eaton, Recording Secretary. Cincinnati Horticultural Society. — The annual Fall exhibition of the society will be held in '"Cincinnati on the 29th of September next. The schedule of prizes has been published, and many of the premiums are liberal, and will undoubtedly induce a spirited competition. In addition to these, the society offer the following : — For a cheap, practical, and efficient remedy against the depredations of the curculio on fruit, within this county, #100. For a new seedling hardy grape, superior in all respects to the Isabella, a better bearer, and ripening its fruit perfectly, Mr. N. Longworth offers a premium of ;glOO. For a new seedling hardy grape, superior in all respects, for the manu- facture of wine, to the Catawba, equally productive, as hardy and vigorous of growth, and as great and certain bearer, $'500. For a hardy seedling table grape, decidedly superior, in all respects, to any hardy table grape now known to the society, and the vine of vigorous growth and a fair bearer, $200. The competition for these premiums is open to all. — [Hort. Review.) Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 77 Art. III. Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Saturday, January 3, 1852. — The stated meeting of the Society was held to-day. Mr. Walker, the retiring President, called the meeting to order, and in- ducted the Hon J. S. Cabot, President elect, to the chair, in the following brief and appropriate speech : — Gentlemen of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society : It is my duty, and I perform it with great pleasure, to induct your President elect to the honorable position assigned to him by your unanimous vote. Known as President Cabot is to us all, as an accomplished, scientific, and energetic cultivator, in the various departments of Horticulture, his ad- ministration cannot fail to be as beneficial to the Society, as I feel assured it will be honorable to himself. While the reminiscence of so many favors and honors conferred by you ; so many happy hours spent in your company ; so much information obtain- ed in your service ; and a thousand other obligations under which your kindness has laid me, is so fresh in my memory, I cannot find words to give utterance to my emotions. All I can do, gentlemen, is to tender to you my profound thanks, and to invoke Him who has, as we trust, guided our labors and kept us in the bonds of peace and brotherly love, to bless and prosper you. Mr. Cabot then assumed the chair, and addressed the meeting as follows : Gentlemen of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society : An election to the office of President of your Society, not more on account of the objects for which your Society was instituted, than of the character of the members composing it, is, in my opinion, an honor highly estimated ; and now, before commencing the performance of those duties appropriately assigned to this Presidency, my own feelings demand, what custom authorizes and propriety seems to require, the expression of my most sincere and most grateful ac- knowledgments, for what I feel to be a most unmerited favor ; and I avail myself, too, of the opportunity now afforded me, to return you my thanks for those proofs of your consideration that I have heretofore received at your hands. Conscious of neither possessing high scientific attainments or great prac- tical horticultural skill, and distrustful, too, of my ability faithfully and effi- ciently to discharge them, it is not without reluctance that I assume the responsibilities imposed on me, by an acceptance of the office to which you have thought proper to elect me ; and this reluctance, so naturally incident to this sentiment of distrust, is increased by the reflection that my deficien- cies therein must necessarily be brought into comparison with the qualifi- cations of my immediate predecessor, who for the last three years has, in a manner so acceptable, discharged the duties of your Presidency, and the loss of whose further services to the Society in the same capacity, by his voluntary and to be regretted retirement therefrom, no member can lament more sincerely than myself, his elected successor. Indeed, such is this reluctance, that had I been enabled to consult entire- ly and exclusively my own inclinations, my preferencea would have been 78 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. gratified by being permitted to remain in that station in your Society that I have recently occupied, rather than by an elevation to the one you have thought proper to confer upon me ; but as it seems that your views did not coincide with my inclinations, and having been informed that upon the un- derstood intention of your late President to decline a further service in that office, an opinion prevailed that for some reasons my election as his suc- cessor was deemed advisable and expedient, when the sincerity of the opinion so expressed had stood the test of unanimous suffrages I did not feel wholly at liberty to refuse what you had thought proper to bestow, and decline an office that I had certainly never sought or scarcely even desired to attain. This, gentlemen, is both to you and to me an interesting and important occasion — to you, because it confides the presidency of your society to new and untried hands — to me, because it calls me to the discharge of new and untried responsibilities. Since the establishment of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, near- ly a quarter of a century — a period, long as it may seem in the life of an individual, yet brief and transitory, as I trust and believe, in the existence of this society — nearly a quarter of a century has rolled away, carrying off with the years that are thus gone, a generation of the human family, and, as a consequence, very many of those who were originally the promoters and founders of this institution. This is an occasion then, that, like the anniversary of almost every event, but certainly of a society composed of numerous members, must almost necessarily give rise to emotions of a mixed and very opposite character. It is an occasion that must necessarily recall to our minds, those of our former associates of whom we have been deprived by death. We miss those who once honored the places that we are now called on to fill, to whom we were accustomed to look for counsel and advice, — who, on all like occasions, formerly cheered us with their presence, and who at all times stimulated and excited us by the influence of their example. And espe- cially are these sorrowful remembrances awakened on the present occasion, in consequence of the recent loss by death of one who was the first Presi- dent of the Society, — of one who did so much while living by his teach- ings, his influence, and his example, to cultivate a taste for horticultural pursuits, and to extend and promote a knowledge of horticultural science, — of one, too, who, in all the varied relations of his life, was so eminently en- titled to the respect and esteem that he so universally enjoyed. But while this is an occasion, in awakening our recollection of those whom we have lost, to give rise to a feeling of sadness, — so, too, it is one, in view of the present prosperous and flourishing state of the Society, with from anniver- sary to anniversary an increasing number of members, and constantly in- creasing means of usefulness, calculated to give rise to those of an opposite character, to feelings of joy and self-congratulation ; and in the present consciousness of what we profess, and to what we have attained, our re- grets, as connected with the past, become in a measure alleviated, if they are not diminished ; and the feeling of sadness gives place to a more cheer- ful emotion. Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 79 The period of time that has elapsed since the formation of this society, has been marked by ^eater changes, has witnessed more discoveries and the introduction of more improvements in all those arts that relate more particularly to the advancement, the enjoyments and the comforts of life, than probably any period of like duration in human existence. That the art to which this Society is dedicated has not escaped the influence of these changes, discoveries, and improvements, is evidenced by a more cultivated taste for it, by its practice upon more scientific principles, by the introduc- tion into that practice of labor-saving improvements — by a better general mode of cultivation — by the application to the soil of new agents of fertility, and by the introduction and production of a vast variety of new fruits and flowers. In bringing about such results, by the zeal and spirit of generous emulation that has been excited among its members, by the facilities it has afforded for disseminating knowledge to the various discoveries and im- provements alluded to, and by the means that it has provided for procuring the new and varied productions, not of our own country only, but of Europe, and indeed of the whole world, this Society has been by no means an ineffi- cient agent. But, gentlemen, you should remember, that though perhaps something has been done towards carrying out the objects for which your society was in- stituted, that you have as much as ever, yet to do ; that here, as in most cases, a movement in advance is but a step in a progress that is, as it were, never ending ; that the end to be always aimed at if never reached, perfec- tion, is ever unattained, perhaps ever unattainable. Horticulture, an art relating more particularly to the comforts and enjoy- ment— perhaps, too, to the refinements and luxuries — of life, must, when compared with its sister art. Agriculture, essential almost to our very exist- ence, sink in importance ; but though of less importance than Agriculture, Horticulture can hardly be considered of a secondary consequence to any art, that concerns the enjoyments and pleasure of life — satisfying, as it does, at once our sense of the beautiful, both in nature and art, the first as exhib- ited not in the grand and sublime alone, but in the tamer beauties of the domestic scene — alike as in the exotics of the greenhouse and gaudy orna- ments of the parterre, in the humble flowers of the forest and the field — and the last in the application to the improvement of the landscape, of the creation of a refined taste, guided by an artistic skill — and at the same time ministering to a gratification, if sensual in its character, innocent, healthful, and not wholly unrefined. Upon the members of a Society de- voted to an art so important and useful as this, for what concerns the inno- cent and harmless pleasures of life cannot be deemed useless or unimpor- tant— it is incumbent to expect all their energies to carry out, so far as they can be carried out, the designs of its founders, by its institution. The recommendation of measures for administering the affairs of the So- ciety, different from those heretofore pursued, is not now felt by me to be necessary. Should occasion for such hereafter arise, I shall avail myself of opportunities that will be afforded me to submit to your consideration what may seem to me necessary and proper. I cannot, however, refrain from ad- 80 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. vising, in all your disbursements, the practice of a systematic and judicious economy, and the withholding of all appropriations from any objects not strictly consistent with the ends of the Society — and this that we may the sooner be enabled to discharge the debt due from the Society, and also that the formation may be the earlier commenced of a fund whose income shall supply the place of that now derived from sale of lots at Mt. Auburn, an income that must eventually be seriously diminished, if it does not wholly ceas^. And now, gentlemen, in all measures that will tend to promote the pros- perity of your Society, or that are designed to effect the objects for which it was instituted, " by promoting and encouraging the practice and science of Horticulture," it has become my duty, as it has thus far been my pleas- ure, most cheerfully and cordially to co-operate Avith you. And for these purposes, trusting to your needed assistance, and at all times hoping for your kind indulgence, I, with a reiteration of my thanks for the honor you have conferred upon me, assume the performance of the duties assigned to the ofRce of which by your kindness I have now become the incumbent. The Finance Committee submitted their report, as follows : — Massachusetts IIorticulturai, Society, ) January 1, 1852. \ The Committee of Finance having examined the Treasury account for the year 1851, and having found the same correctly cast, and accompanied with proper vouchers, herewith submit their Annual Report, together with a statement and estimate of the property of the Society as it exists at this date. In the valuation of the Real Estate, Library and Furniture, no altera- tion has been made since the last Report. To the Stocks, however, there have been added twenty shares of the Portland, Saco and Portsmouth Rail- road Co., which it is believed will continue to be a sound, interest-paying stock, and a safe investment for the Society. Receipts for the Year 1851. Balance in the Treasury, January 1, . Rent of Store, ....... " Hall, for the year, ..... Assessments collected, ...... Interest from Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company, Dividends from Worcester Railroad, .... Coupons from the Connecticut and Passumpsic Railroad Bonds, Receipts from the Treasurer, Mount Auburn, Interest on $2000 in Portsmouth and Saco Railroad Stocks, Donation from Mr. Smith, by the hands of Mr. Button, Miscellaneous receipts, ...... $•7074 09 Expenditures and Investments for the Year 1851. Taxes on Real Estate, . . . . . . $210 20 Expenses of Annual Exhibition, over and above receipts, . 138 74 $239 99 1,000 00 780 00 738 00 187 06 371 00 300 00 3,069 24 120 00 150 00 118 80 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 81 Interest on Mortgage, ..... Insurance, ...... Twenty Shares of Portland, Saco and Portsmouth Railroad Co Premiums and Gratuities, .... Printing, Advertising, Tickets, &c., Norton and Yale, two bills of Paper, Salaries, and care of Hall, .... Mechanics' Bills, and Miscellaneous Items, (under no particular head,) .... ... Cash in the Treasury, December 31, 1851, Estimate of the Property of the Society. Real Estate in School Street, .... Furniture, 3 Chandeliers, .... 200 2 Bradlee Vases, . . . .150 2 Marble Vases, . . . .90 Jones Vase, . . . . .75 Glass Ware, «fcc., . . . .800 Safe, &c., . . . . .250 Flower Stands, Tables, &c., . . 250 Library and Furniture, Pictures, &c., . . . 1700 Transactions of the Society, in course of publication, , 400 $600 00 92 00 1990 00 1554 00 457 00 179 00 480 00 573 01 800 14 $7074 09 .#36,000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 — 3,915 00 Permanent Funds. Appleton Fund, Lyman, " (old), Lowell, " . Bradlee, " . $1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 00 00 00 00 Stocks. Fifty-three Shares Worcester Railroad Stock, cost *$4,982 00 Bonds of Connecticut and Passumpsic Railroad, *4,930 00 Twenty Shares Portland, Saco and Portsmouth do., 1,990 00 4,000 00 Deduct Mortgage to Josiah Bradlee, Esq., 11,902 00 $55,817 00 . 10,000 00 $45,817 00 In closing this Report, the Committee are happy to speak in terms of commendation of the correct and business-like manner in which the Treas- ury books have been kept. In making these remarks, the Committee feel bound to state also, that the Treasurer considers the salary which he re- ceives, inadequate to the responsibility and faithful discharge of his duties. In this opinion the Committee are inclined to concur. The funds of the Society are increasing, and these duties are becoming more and more re- VOL. XVIII. * Investment of the ^10,000 Lyman Fund. -NO. II. 11 82 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. sponsible. The committee would therefore recommend that the salary of the Treasurer should be increased, and although the fidelity and integrity of the present officer is undoubted, yet, that it would be expedient, toith increas- ed remuneration for his services, that the Treasurer hereafter should be re- quired to give bonds to the Society in such sums as may be deemed expe- dient. Marshall P. Wilder, ? p^^^^^ Committee. JOSIAH StICKNEY, ) The report of the committee, relative to the increase of salaries, was re- ferred to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee reported that they had approved of the sched- ule of prizes for 1852, offered by the committee for establishing premiums. The Executive Committee reported that they had approved of the addi- tional appropriation of $120 00 for premiums for 1852. Mr. C. M. Hovey, from the committee, reported that it was expedient that the Society should procure a marble bust of the late Theodore Lyman, to be placed in the Library or IlalL The report was accepted and the ■5ame committee authorized to procure the bust. Voted, that the reports of the committees awarding premiums for 1851, and the schedule of premiums for 1852, be printed for the use of the mem- bers. The following gentlemen were chosen a Committee of Arrangements for the Annual Exhibition for 1852 : — Jos. Breck, chairman, W. R. Austin, E. Wight, Jos. Lovett, E. A. Story, O. Johnson, C. M. Hovey, P. B. Hovey, Jr., D. Haggerston, L. Winship, A. McLennan, A. Bowditch, J. S. Sleeper. The committee were request- ed to appoint the days of exhibition and report to the Society. Dr. Samuel Kneeland, Jr., Boston, R. G. Bell, Lowell, and Dr. K. Lathrop, West Roxbury, were admitted members. Adjourned one week to January 10th. The following is the schedule of premiums for 1852, approved by the Executive Committee : — LIST OF PREMIUMS FOR 1852. Amount appropriated, Twenty-two Hundred Dollars. PROSPECTIVE PRIZES. For objects to be originated subsequent to A. D. 1846, and which, qfk:r a trial of Jive years, shall be deemed equal, or superior, in quality and other characteristics, to any now extant. For the best seedling Pear, the Society's large Gold Medal, valued at $60 00 " " '• " Apple, " " " " " " " " Hardy Grape, " " " . " " " " Plum, the Appleton Gold Medal, " " " « Cherry, the Lowell Gold Medal, " " " " Tree Pffionia, the Appleton Gold Medal, " " " " Herbaceous Pseonia, the Lowell Gold Medal " " " '' Potato, the Society's large Gold Medal, 60 00 60 00 40 00 40 00 40 00 il 40 00 60 00 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 83 AJler a Trial of Three Years. For the best seedling Strawberry, the Lyman Plate, " " " " Raspberry, the Bradlee Plate, . • . " " " " Hirdy Rose, the Society's large Gold Medal, " " " " Camellia, the Society's large Gold Medal, " " " " Azalea Indica, the Lowell Gold Medal, " " " " Blackberry, " " " " Gooseberry, " " " " Currant, Red, or White, .... $■50 00 40 00 60 00 60 00 40 00 40 00 30 00 30 00 $750 00 PRIZES FOR GARDENS, GREENHOUSES, &c. Amount appropriated. Two Hundred Dollars. Ordered, That the follovnng Prizes, to be awarded in 1852, be offered by the Society, viz. : — For the most economically managed, best cultivated, and most neatly kept Garden or Grounds, through the season, . . $25 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 15 00 For the most economically managed, best cultivated, and most neatly kept Fruit Garden through the season, . . . 25 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 15 00 For the most economically managed, best cultivated, and most neatly kept Flower Garden, through the season, . . 20 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 10 00 For the most economically managed, best cultivated, and most neatly kept Vegetable Garden, through the season, . . 20 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 10 00 For the best managed, most economically conducted, and well kept Greenhouse, through the season, . . , . 20 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 10 00 For the best managed, most economically conducted, and well kept Grapery, through the season, with or without fire heat, . 20 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 10 00 $200 00 RULES AND REGULATIONS. 1st. All applications for a visit must be made to the chairman, on or before the 1st of May, stating the extent of grounds, number of fruit trees, whether offered for a Prize, and such general outline as to give to the Committee some idea of the premises. 2d. No Fruit Garden or Grounds, of less than one acre, [and this well stocked and under fine cultivation,] can occupy the time of the Committee. 3d. No farm will be visited, unless there should be connected with it a fine Fruit Garden, Vegetable Garden, Flower Garden, Greenhouse, or Graperies, in which case these alone will be examined. 84 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 4th. It shall be the duty of the Committee to select from the applica- tions, those which may seem most deserving of notice, and to visit as many places, and as often, as they may deem expedient and necessary. 5th. In making all examinations, the utmost regard must be paid to economy, and general thrift ; in cases, however, of pleasure, landscape, or fancy grounds, more allowance must be made for taste and design, and a gratuity or complimentary notice may be made at the discretion of the Committee. 6th. No place will be visited officially, with reference to an award, without a written invitation. 7th. All visits will be conducted without previous notice to the owner ; and if made out of season, or under unfavorable circumstances, due allow- ance will be made. 8th. No person shall be a competitor for the Highest Prize, for more than two years out of seven. 9th. The Conmiittee may, at their discretion, give gratuities or sub- stitute gratuities for Prizes, in either case which may best serve the objects of the Society, and meet special cases, always of course within the limits of the appropriation. 10th. Competitors for the Prizes shall furnish to the Committee, if re- quired, a written statement of their mode of cultivation, quantity and kind of manure applied, amount of labor, including their own, and other partic- ulars called for, under the penalty of a forfeiture of such Prize if withheld. 11th. The expenses of the Committee shall be paid by the Society, and a record shall be kept by the Chairman of all places visited. PRIZES FOR FRUITS DURING THE SEASON. Amount appropriated, Six Hundred and Twenty Dollars. For the best and most interesting exhibition of Fruits during the season, the Lowell plate, valued at For the second best, ... Apples. — For the best twelve Summer Apples, on or before the last Saturday in August, For the next best. For the best twelve Autumn Apples, on or before the last Saturday in November, For the next best. For the best twelve Winter Apples, on or before the third Saturday in December, For the next best. Apricots. — For the best twelve, on or before the last Saturday in August, .... For the next best. Blackberries. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, Amount carried forward, ..... #20 00 12 00 6 00 4 00 6 00 4 00 6 00 4 00 5 00 3 00 5 00 $00 00 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 85 Amount brought forward, .... For the next best, ..... For the next best, ..... Cherries. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, For the next best, ..... For the next best, ..... Currants. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, For the next best, ..... Figs. — For the best twelve specimens. For the next best, ..... Gooseberries. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes For the next best, ..... Grapes. — For the best specimens, grown under glass, on or be fore the first Saturday in July, ... For the next best, ..... For the best specimens, grown under glass, subsequently to the first Saturday in July, .... For the next best, ..... For the best specimens of Isabella Grapes, . For the next best, ..... For the best specimens of Diana Grapes, For the next best, ..... Musk Melon. — For the best Musk Melon, in open culture, on or before the last Saturday in September, For the next best, raised by open culture, on or before the last Saturday in September, Nectarines. — For the best twelve specimens, For the next best, ..... Peaches. — For the best twelve specimens, grown under glass, on or before the second Saturday in July, For the next best, ..... For the best twelve specimens, grown in open culture, For the next best, ..... For the next best, ..... Pears. — For the best collection, not exhibited before this year, with a written description of the same, the Society's plate, For the next best, ...... For the best twelve Summer Pears, on or before the last Sat- urday in August, ..... For the next best, ..... For the best twelve Autumn Pears, on or before the last Sat- urday in November, .... For the next best, ..... For the best twelve Winter Pears, on or before the third Sat- urday in December, .... Amount carried forward, .... #00 00 3 00 2 00 5 00 3 00 2 00 5 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 4 00 2 00 10 00 7 00 10 00 7 00 5 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 6 00 4 00 6 00 4 00 . 2 00 10 00 6 00 6 00 4 00 4 00 6 00 8 00 $000 00 86 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Amount brought forward, .... For the next best, ..... For the next best, ..... Plums. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes. For the next best, ..... For the next best, ..... Quinces. — For the best twelve specimens, , . For the next best, ..... Raspberries. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes For the next best, ..... For the next best, ..... Strawberries, — For tlie best specimens, not less than two boxes For the second best, ..... For the third best ..... 6 00 4 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 4 00 2 00 5 00 3 00 2 00 6 00 4 00 3 00 PRIZES FOR FRUITS. To he awarded on the first day of the Annual Exhibition. For the best and largest collection of Pears, consisting of the greatest number of varieties, and best grown, at least three spe- cimens of each variety ; the collection to be left on the table of the Society, under the care and control of the Chairman of the Fruit Committee, for two weeks, the Appleton Medal, valued at For the second best, subject to the same rules and conditions, For the best and largest collection of Apples, of the greatest num- ber of varieties, and best grown, at least three specimens of each variety ; the collection to be left on the tables of the So- ciety, under the care and control of the Chairman of the Fruit Committee, for two weeks, the Appleton Medal, valued at For the second best, subject to the same rules and conditions. Apples. — For the best twelve varieties, of twelve specimens each the Society's Plate, valued at For the second best, . For the third best, For the fourth best. For the best dish of Apples, twelve specimens, of one variety For the second best, . For the third best. For the fourth best. Pears. — For the best twelve varieties, of twelve specimens each the Lyman Plate, valued at For the second best, . For the third best. For the fourth best. Amount carried forward, 40 00 20 00 40 00 20 00 20 00 15 00 12 00 8 00 6 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 $000 00 Massachusetts Hortimdtural Society. 87 Amount brought forward, .... For the best dish of Pears, twelve specimens of one variety. For the second best, . . . . . For the third best, ..... For tlie fourth best, ..... Assorted Fruit. — For the best basket of Fruit, of various kinds For the second best, ..... Grapes. — For the best five varieties, two bunches each, . For the second best five varieties, two bunches each. For the third best five varieties, two bunches each, . For the best two varieties, two bunches each, For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... Peaches. — For the best dish, of not less than twelve, For the second best, ..... #000 00 G 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 10 00 7 00 12 00 8 00 5 00 6 00 4 00 2 00 5 00 3 00 $620 00 (t^ The Prizes and Gratuities will be awarded on the following days : — For Cherries, forced Grapes, forced Peaches, and Strawberries, on the last Saturday in July. For Summer Apples, Apricots, Blackberries, Currants, Gooseberries, Sum- mer Pears, and Raspberries, on the last Saturday in August. For Foreign and Native Grapes, Nectarines, Peaches, Plums, and Musk Melons, on the last Saturday in October. For Autumn Apples, Figs, Autumn Pears, and Quinces, on the last Satur- day in November. For Winter Apples, Winter Pears, New Pears, and for the " Exliibition during the season," on the third Saturday in December. 05^ Competitors for Prizes are particularly referred to the Rules and Regulations, which will be strictly adhered to by the Committee. PRIZES FOR PLANTS, FLOWERS AND DESIGNS. Amount appropriated. Seven Hundred Dollars. DISPLAY OF GREENHOUSE PLANTS, IN POTS. To be exhibited at the opening of the Hall, on the first Saturday in May : — Pelargoniums. — Class I. — For the best six new and rare varie- ties, grown in eight-inch pots, a prize of . . . $6 00 For the second best, ..... Class 11. — For the best six new and rare varieties, grown in large pots, a prize of ... . For the second best do., .... Amount carried forward, .... 4 00 6 00 4 00 $00 00 88 Massachusetts Hortiadtural Society. Amount brought forward, ..... $00 00 Roses. — For the best six varieties of Tea, Bourbon, Noisette, or Bengal, in pots, a prize of . For the second best, .... For the third best, .... Cut Flowers. — For the best display, a prize of . For the second best, .... Fuchsias. — For the best six varieties, a prize of . For the second best, .... Cactus. — For the best six varieties, a prize of For the second best, .... Calceolarias. — For the best six varieties, a prize of For the second best, .... Cinerarias. — For the best six varieties, a prize of For the second best, .... Heaths. — For the best varieties, a prize of For the second best, .... Greenhouse Plants. — For the best display of not less than twenty pots, regard to be had to new and rare varieties, and well grown specimens, a prize of For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... Hyacinths. — Prizes to be awarded second Saturday in May, For the best display, not less than twenty varieties, . For the second best, ..... Forced Hyacinths. — For tlie best display for the season, For the second best, ..... Tulips. — Prizes to be awarded the tliird Saturday in May. For the best thirty distinct varieties, a prize of For the second best . For the third best, ..... Pansies. — Prizes to be awarded the fourth Saturday in May. For the best twelve distinct varieties, a prize of For the second best, ..... For the third best, . Hawthorns. — Prizes to be awarded fourth Saturday in May, For the best display, a prize of . . . For the second best, ..... Hardy Azaleas. — Prizes to be awarded fourth Saturday in May For the best display, a prize of . . . For the second best, ..... Shrubby Pjeonies. — Prizes to be awarded fourth Saturday in May For the best six varieties, a prize of . . . 5 00 Amount carried forward, ..... #000 00 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 89 Amount brought forward, ..... $000 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 4 00 For the best display, . . . . . . 3 00 Herbaceous Peonies. — ^Prizes to be awarded second Saturday in June. For the best ten varieties, having regard to the number of va- rieties, a prize of . . . . . . 5 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 4 00 For the best display, . . . . . . 3 00 Pinks. — Prizes to be awarded third Saturday in June. For the best six distinct varieties, a prize of . . . 4 00 For tlie second best, . . . . . . 3 00 For the best display, . . . . . . 2 00 Hardy Roses. — Prizes to be awarded third Saturday in June. Cx-Ass I. For the best thirty distinct varieties, a prize of For the second best, ...... For the third best, ...... For the best display, ...... Class II. For the best twelve distinct varieties a prize of For the second best, ...... For the third best, ...... Class III. Hardy Perpetual Roses, — For the best ten varieties, a prize of For the second best, ... . . For the best display, ...... Prairie Roses. — For the best display, not less than six varieties, a prize of . For the second best, not less than four, For the third best, not less than four. Carnation and Picotee Pinks. — Prizes to be awarded third Saturday in July. For the best ten varieties, a prize of . For the second best, ...... For the best display, ...... Hardy Rhododendrons. — For the best display of the season, a prize of ...... . For the second best, ...... For the third best, ...... Double Hollyhocks. — Prizes to be awarded third Saturday in July. Amount carried forward, ..... $000 00 VOL. XVIII. NO. II. 12 8 00 6 00 4 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 2 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 2 00 90 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Amount brought forward, .... For the best display, a prize of . . . For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... Double Balsams. — Prizes to be awarded second Saturday in August. For the best display, a prize of . . « . For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... Phloxes. — Prizes to be awarded third Saturday in August. For the best ten distinct varieties, a prize of For the second best, ..... For the third best, . German Asters. — Prizes to be awarded first Saturday in Sep tember. For the best display, a prize of . . . For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... Delphiniums. — Best six varieties through the season, a prize of For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... . $000 00 5 00 4 00 2 00 1 3 00 2 00 1 00 6 00 4 00 3 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 6 00 4 00 3 00 BOUQUETS, WREATHS, DESIGNS, &c. Prizes to be awarded at the Annual Exhibition. Vase Bouquets. — For the best pair suitable for the Bradlee Vases, a prize of the Bradlee Plate, valued at For the second best, ..... For the best pair for the Society's Marble Vases, For the second best, ..... Parlor Bouquets. — For the best pair suitable for the parlor, For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... For the fourth best, . . . . Cut Flowers. — For the best display and best kept through the exhibition, a prize of ... . For the second best, ..... For the third best, • . . . . Pot Plants. — For the best display, of not less than twenty pots, a prize of . For the second best, ..... . 10 00 6 00 . 10 00 6 00 8 00 6 00 5 00 3 00 e 8 00 6 00 4 00 3, . 12 00 . 10 00 Amount canied forward. $000 00 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 91 Amount brought forward, . For the third best, For the fourth best, Cockscombs. — For the best six pots, a prize of For the second best, . Balsams. — For the best six pots, a prize of For the second best, . Dahlias. — Prizes to be awarded fourth Saturday in September. Division A. Premier Prize. — For the best twelve dissimilar blooms, a prize of ...... • Specimen Bloom. — For the best flower, Various Colors. — For the best yellow, buff, or orange ; purple or maroon ; crimson or claret ; very dark ; white ; edged or tipped ; scarlet ; pink or rose ; striped lilac, a prize of $1 00 each, ....... Division B. — Class I. For the best twenty-four dissimilar blooms, For the second best, . Class II. For the best eighteen dissimilar blooms. For the second best, . Class III. For the best twelve dissimilar blooms, For the second best, . Herbaceous Perennials. — For the best display through the season, a prize of . For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... Annuals. — For the best display through the season, a prize of For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... Camellias. — Prizes to be awarded second Saturday in January For the best twelve varieties of cut flowers with foliage, a prize of . For the second best, . Summer Phloxes. — Prizes to be awarded third Saturday in July For the best ten distinct varieties, a prize of For the second best, . For the third best. Greenhouse Azaleas. — Prizes to be awarded second Saturday in March. Amount carried forward, 00 8 00 5 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 8 00 3 00 12 00 7 00 5 00 6 00 4 00 5 00 3 00 . 10 00 6 00 4 00 . 10 00 6 00 4 00 8 00 5 00 6 00 4 00 3 00 7 #000 00 92 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Amount brought forward, . . • . . ^00 00 For the best six varieties in pots, • . . . 6 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 4 00 Flowering Shrubs. — For the best display during the season, a prize of . . . . . . . 10 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 6 00 For the third best, . . . . . . 4 00 Gratuities to be awarded at the Weekly Exhibitions. Amount appropriated, One Hundred and Eight Dollars, $108 00 Bouquets. — For the best display for the season, . $5 00 For the second best, . . . . . 3 00 #700 00 PRIZES FOR VEGETABLES. Amount appropriated. Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars. Asparagus. — For the earliest and best, not less than three bunch- es, a prize of . . . . . . 3 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 2 00 Beets. — For the best (pure blood beet,) during the season, not less than twelve roots, a prize of . . . . 3 00 Broccoli. — For the best three heads, a prize of . . . 5 00 Beans. — For the best and earliest peck of string beans, a prize of 3 00 For the best and earliest Lima beans, not less than two quarts, 3 00 For the best and earliest variety of shell beans, . . 3 00 Cabbage. — For the best Drumhead cabbage, during the season, not less than three heads, a prize of . . . 5 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 3 00 For the best Savoy cabbage, during the season, not less than three heads, a prize of . . . . . 3 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 2 00 Carrots. — For the best exhibited, a prize of . . . 2 00 Cauliflowers. — For the best and largest, during the season, not less than three heads, a prize of . . . . 5 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 3 00 Celery. — For the best and largest blanched, not less than six roots, a prize of . . . . . . 5 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 3 00 Corn. — For the best and earliest sweet corn, not less than twelve ears, a prize of . . . . . . 3 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 2 00 Amount carried forward, $00 00 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 93 Amount brought forward, ..... Cucumbers. — For the best pair under glass, previous to the first Saturday of June, a prize of . . . For the second best, ..... For the best and earliest of open culture, Egg Plants. — The best display during the season, a prize of For the second best, ..... Lettuce. — For the best six heads, before the first Saturday in July, a prize of . For the second best, ..... Potatoes. — For the best new seedling, of superior quality, for the table, a prize of . For the best and earliest peck, previous to August 1, For the second best, ..... Peas. — For the best and earliest peck in June, a prize of . Rhubarb. — For the largest and best, previous to the first Satur day in July, not less than twelve stalks, a prize of For the second best, ..... Squashes. — For the best pure Canada squashes, not less than six in number, a prize of ... . For the greatest variety exhibited, during the season, Tomatoes. — For the best and earliest, not less than one dozen, Vegetables. — For the best display and greatest variety at the weekly exhibitions, during the season, For the second best, ..... For the best display and greatest variety at the annual exhi bition, ...... For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... For the fourth best, ..... For any new variety of vegetables suitable for the table, and worthy of cultivation, other than seedling potatoes. $00 00 5 00 3 00 3 00 5 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 10 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 10 00 8 00 6 00 4 00 5 00 To he awarded at the Annual Exhibition. Mammoth Squash. — For the largest and best, the Society's Sil- ver Medal, ....... For the second best, . . . . . . 3 00 Pumpkins. — For the largest and best, the Society's Silver Medal, For the second best, . . . . . . 3 00 For gratuities, $155 00 95 00 The Rules and Regulations are the same as in preceding years. $250 00 94 Horticultural Operations for February. HORTICULTURAL OPERATIONS [for FEBRUARY. FRtriT DEPARTMENT. January has been one of the most severe winter months we have had for many years. The early part was exceedingly dull, cloudy and stormy, with quantities of snow, and this was not only augmented by a heavy storm on the 18th, but the thermometer fell down to the low point of 12° below zero on the 20th, and 10° below on the 21st, (the day we write this.) It is this cold weather, of such long continuance, which so injuriously affects indoor vegetation. The longer days, and great- er amount of light, is sensibly felt by all plants, and they soon show the activity of the sap, with the advent of the month. And now, with this increased action of vegetation, begins the labors of the ambitious gardener. No time should now be lost, and nothing should be neglected. With March, outdoor operations commence, and, unless work is forwarded now, many things will be likely to be overlooked. Grapes, in early forcing houses, will now be in flower, and will need much attention. Increase the temperature slightly, and guard against damp. If dull, rainy, or snowy weather should be of long duration, keep up slight fires during the day, as well as night, as the condensation of heat is not so great during the day as in the night. Water carefully, and no oftener than is absolutely necessary, until the berries are all well set. Grapes in. greenhouses will now begin to break, and will requiie attention. Syringe daily, morning and evening, and damp the floors of the house in good weather. Vines in pots, intended to fruit, may now be brought into the greenhouse. Peaches and Figs, in pots, now introduced into the greenhouse, or grapery, will ripen their fruit in June. Orchards may now be pruned; where there is a great number of trees, it is necessary that pruning should be commenced in season. Scions of all kind of fruits may now be cut, and preserved in earth, in a cool cellar. Grape, Raspberrv, Currant, and Strawberry seed, for the purpose of raising new varieties, may now be planted in pots or boxes in the green- house or in a hot bed. FLOWER department. The Greenhouse and Conservatory will now begin to assume a more gay and cheerful aspect. The Camellias, Acacias, Lauristinuses, &c., will be in their height of bloom, and, with the many other flowers now successively opening, will make a fine display. By proper attention, and by an early preparation of such plants as Cinerarias, Calceolarias, Stocks, Scarlet Ge- raniums, Verbenas, &c., a succession of flowers may be kept up till June. The greatest evil to guard against, in our climate, is a high temperature. Horticultural Operations for February. 95 Our bright sun, in good weather, will raise the thermometer to 75° or 80°, while, at the same time, the cold is so severe as to admit of only a small amount of ventilation ; and, in a majority of houses, the heat must be so excessive, to keep out the frost during night, that at one end the temperature will be 60° and at the other only 30°. Under these circumstances it is very difficult to maintain the proper degree of warmth ; but, if the work is begun when the plants are put into the house, it is easy to inure them to a cool atmosphere, much more favorable to their health and vigor than a higher one. A writer in the Gardeners' Chronicle gives the following as the proper degrees of night temperature : — Geranium house, 38° to 43° ; stoves, 50° to 55° ; intermediate house, 41° to 50° ; heath house, 32° to 38° ; and the day temperature, 5° to 15° higher. Now, here we see the reason why heaths, which in our greenhouses are subject to the temperature of what the writer calls the " intermediate house," do not do well in summer. Their constant and rapid growth, in such a house, unfits them to stand our hot sun, when removed to the open air ; a feeble habit is engendered, and the result is a yellow and sickly plant, which the heat of summer augments, and finally causes its death. Amateurs and gardeners then exclaim, "It's no use making the attempt ; heaths can't be cultivated under our hot sun!" Camellias, in the height of bloom, will require liberal supplies of water, and occasionally liquid guano. Shade from the sun, if it is likely to burn the leaves. Young plants, showing signs of beginning to grow, may be repotted. Now is the time to inarch and graft the plants. Japan Lilies intended for blooming in pots, in the Greenhouse or Con- servatory, should now be repotted, and placed away in a cool situation, for a week or two, until the shoots are an inch or more long, when they may be brought into a better place on the stage. Pelargoniums will now be advancing rapidly, and good specimens will require considerable care to keep them bushy, healthy, and fine. Keep in a light, airy place, as near the glass as possible ; keep the shoots regu- larly tied out, and water sparingly at present. Azaleas will now begin to flower, and will require more liberal supplies of water, with occasional syringing. AcHiMENES and Gloxinias should now be potted, and placed in the warmest part of the house, to give them a good start. Ericas will now require attention. Young plants, in particular, should be kept on a shelf, near the glass, in the very coolest part of the house. If they need it, repot them at once, and not delay till they become so potbound as to injure their growth. Cinerarias, showing flower, should now be shifted into larger pots, if they require it. Be sure to keep off" the green fly, so injurious to the plants. Fuchsias should continue to have attention, if early flowering plants are wanted. Repot, and prune in the old plants, and they will make fine speci- mens in June and July. Cuttings put in now will make fine plants for blooming in August and September. Pansies in pots should now have a shift into the next size. Sow seeds for a succession in the open air. 96 Horticultural Operations for February. Calceolarias should be shifted into larger pots. Verbenas intended for fine blooming specimens should be shifted into larger pots, and trained to a flat or circular trellis. Cactuses will now begin to grow, and will require to be more liberally watered. . Roses will now be in full bloom; water liberalh^, using liquid guano occasionally. Fumigate for the green fly. Clerodendrons should now have a shift, and be placed in the very warmest part of the house. Oxalises done blooming may be placed away under the stage, and sparingly watered. Plumbago Larpent^ should now be repotted, and started into growth. Propagate from cuttings, or division of the root, if a larger stock is wanted. Alstrom^rias should now be repotted, using a mixture of loam, peat, and leaf mould. Cobjea Scandens, and other climbing plants, now sown in a hot bed, will make fine plants for the open ground, in May. ScHizANTHUSES sliould be shifted as often as the pots are full of roots, before they become what is termed potbound. Flower Seeds of various kinds, for early blooming, such as Stocks, Coxcomb, Amaranthus, and similar sorts, should be planted this month in hotbeds. Cuttings of all kinds should now be put in — such as Heliotropes, Scarlet Geraniums, Petunias, Verbenas, Salvias, &c., &c. Attend to the cleanliness of the house, look over and remove all dead and decaying leaves, or branches, from every plant. Top dress, and wash the pots, if they require it. vegetable department. The vegetable department will require looking after with the commence- ment of February ; and wherever a good assortment of early vegetables ia wanted, a great many kinds should be sown this month. Hotbeds should now be made, without delay. One good bed will do to commence with ; but others will be required for a succession of crops, and a good quantity of manure should be in readiness to make up fresh beds, and reline those in which the heat has declined. Seeds of Cucumber, Tomato, Lettuce, Egg Plant, &c., &c., should now be planted in pots, so as to economise room. When well advanced they can be set out in new beds, or hardened off" in pots for tlie open air in May. Mushroom beds. Where there is a warm, dry cellar, or where there is room in a warm shed, or under the stage of a greenhouse, mushroom beds may now be made, which will produce abundantly till hot weather. Direc- tions will be found in our last volume, which, if followed, will secure an abundant crop. THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE- MARCH, 1852. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. Art. I. Apparent Spontaneity of a Growth of White Birch, (Betula populifolia,) with Remarks on the Adapt- edness of certain Trees to onr poorer Soils. By John L. Russell, Professor of Botany and Vegetable Physiology, to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. The rapidity with which spots are covered with an entire new growth under certain circumstances, has lately fallen under my observation. I adduce it to show, among other facts, the importance of some such artificial resort to induce such a growth, when it may be needed. In some parts of the State, (Massachusetts,) especially near the seacoast, much of the land is of that poor and sterile character, which ren- ders doubtful the use to which it can be applied. Long, narrow ridges of coarse gravel, or else small rounded hillocks of the same constituents, cover thousands of acres ; producing scarcely more at the very best, than a feeble pasturage in spring or late in the autumn. On these bleak and treeless elevations, rising from twenty to fifty feet, it may be, above the plain, or else bounding corresponding depressions, into which all the decomposing vegetable matter washes by the sweeping rains, or by the melting of the snow, a profusion of lichens flourish, to the exclusion of higher plants. These are principally Cladonias, such as CI. rangiferina, or Reindeer moss, CI. furcata, CI. uncialis, and Cetraria islandica ; the latter the far-famed Iceland moss, and which, of all these species of plants, seems to be the most agreeable to sheep VOL. XVIII. NO. III. 13 98 Apparent Spontaneity of White Birch. and cattle. The most prevalent grass is the common Forked beard grass, CAndropogon furcatus, Muhl.,) whose wing stems and silken seeds, rising above the tufts of wide-spreading foliage, are so familiar to every body, and which, when faded and dry, constitute the autumnal feature of a sterile soil. Such hills are economically employed in the repairing of highways and roads, if they are contiguous ; or else in filling up swampy and boggy spots ; or gravelling peat meadows, previous to sowing them with the English grasses, subse- quent to their draining. As the coarse gravel is thus removed, quite a different sort of earth frequently appears, consisting of a very fine particled sand, of a somewhat tenacious consistence ; and when satu- rated with water, forming a kind of quicksand. Nothing could seem less favorable for vegetation ; and yet on such denuded spots, there will soon be perceptible the ru- diments of a valuable produce. A similar spot in my neigh- borhood I have frequently visited, in order that I may witness the renovating process of nature. This process is both marked and singular. The first attempts at vegetation, if I may so term them, were on the part of the mosses, which soon appeared. Blackish byssoid filaments, or else deep green filaments of the same texture, began to creep over the sur- face. These, it is well known, are the primitive growth of several species. Accordingly, during the winter, when the absence of snow allowed inspection, and towards the next spring, I discovered the young stems of Polytrichum juni- perinum and perfect plants of Funaria hygrometrica. This was in less time than a year after the removal of the layers of .gravel. On the spring after, (a year from the last mentioned period,) I saw large patches of perfect plants of Trichostomum tortile, with a species of Rush, (Ju'ncus,) and with the pretty Fimhristylis capillaris. It was now that the white birch was plentifully perceptible, coming up thickly, so that at the end of that summer suc- ceeding, the ground was, in spots and particular places, strewed Avith little seedlings of an inch or more in height. From being thrown out of the soil by frost, many perished. Apparent Spontaneity of White Birch. 99 Those that remained grew with great vigor on the next sum- mer ; and selecting two of average size as specimens, I found that they had attained to more than a foot in height. The side branches were, when present, also four or five inches long. Other plants "had now succeeded in finding foothold, such as a species of Aster, the bog willow, (Salix conifera, (Muhl.,) growing from a seedling an inch or two high in the season ; while the Trichostomuni and Poli/trichiwi, already men- tioned, had excluded the Funarias, and were fixed occu- pants ; the latter making a capsule occasionally, and furnish- ing its stellate and flower-like heads. The facility with which unoccupied spots can be thus ren- dered productive, is in this case mainly owing to the great quantity of seeds, which the white birch usually bears. These are produced in catkins or aments, which, on ripening, fall to pieces and are then blown to a distance by the autum- nal and winter winds, in the form of chaff, and readily find root in any new soil. For wherever the sod has been re- moved or worn away by wheels in the transportation of the gravel, for instance in the cart-ruts, a similar abundance of seedling birches were to be seen. Two facts, then, present themselves, viz : — first, the exu- berance of means in nature for vegetative processes ; and second, the probable success attendant on experimental plant- ing of sterile soils. The first is strikingly exemplified, not only in every such instance as the one thus, accidentally as it were, brought under my notice, but will become familiar to any one that will take the trouble to inspect the natural growth of much of the present woodlands near the seacoast, particularly in Plymouth county, for instance. From the want of any tree growth over vast areas of such gravelly hillocks, knolls and sharp ridges, it might have been conjectured that no kind of tree ever grew there, and that the bare features they present at the present time, are identical with the aspects they pre- sented before civilization was introduced. But such I suspect is not the case ; and, on the contrary, I am led to suppose that an old and wasteful husbandry has consigned to barren- 100 Apparent Spontaneity of White Birch. ness a large portion of the primitive soil. When it is consid- ered of the greatest importance to clear away the forest groAvth, an indiscriminate destruction might be anticipated. Pasturage was once deemed more valuable than Avoodland, and in proportion as the pasturage grew less favorable, the area would be enlarged. The thin soil, which had accumu- lated on the surface through the action of centuries, would retain its place for a few years only, to be washed away by the rain or dissipated by the elements. If cropped by such grains as it might bear on a few succeeding years, it would still sooner become exhausted ; and employed for grass cul- ture, the produce would be scanty, especially under the former usage of extensive cultivation, and the non-employment of stimulating and refreshing manures. Once devoted to pas- turage, every year would increase the deterioration, while every effort for a succession of trees on the part of nature, would be less likely to prosper, from the liability such young trees would be subjected to be browsed upon and destroyed, and the introduction of lichenose vegetation. It is with a feeling of regret that I have often witnessed the entire sweeping away of natural copses and narrow wood lots from ridges of land, whose produce in any other sort of growth would be scarcely worth mentioning. I can remem- ber several instances where such a demolition of trees has left traces of an agricultural zeal, whose merits could only consist in the misapplied industry that was requisite. Nature is the great teacher, and there is no department of human labor in which we can do scarcely more than imitate her, would we become successful. Strictly speaking, then, in reference to nature, there is no soil that is barren, no land that is sterile. To mark the diversified kinds of forest growth over such tracts of narrow ridges and gravelly hills, would be sufficient to show the hidden mineral resources, which reside in these lands. Every kind of earth seems to have its appropriate species of plant, and, with the accuracy of an almost certainty, we can calculate, from an inspection of the mineral constitu- ents, what kind of vegetation to expect to find upon it. No doubt, the range of forest growth depends upon latitude ; yet Apparent Spontaneity of White Birch. 101 it is not latitude either, in so great a measure as we might at first sight suppose. Were latitude, in its parallels of tempera- ture, the principal cause of the difference of such kinds of forests as we see, as we proceed northward, or even to a cer- tain extent as we proceed southward, it would be quite im- possible, or at least far more difficult than we find to be the case, to cultivate trees on soils not indigenous to them, or to overcome this inadequacy by a gradual acclimation. We do not expect to see such trees as are cultivated on unnatural soils, in all the vigor and habit of their natural condition. Yet they grow, and, to a certain extent, thrive and endure to many years, to reward^the industry or the taste that, trans- planting them from their homes, induces them to find a new habitat elsewhere. It were far better, then, to consult the capabilities of soils, in order to secure such growth as is most congenial to them. It is to be hoped that the subject of arboriculture will ere long receive that attention, which its importance demands. As agriculture is becoming less and less profitable in the- vicinity of all our great cities and considerable towns, and as much of the sterile soils of old cultivation are almost thrown up as useless, a little attention to the introduction of forests, might, I should think, be advantageously recommended by our societies, that charge themselves with the interests of the farming community. If premiums on a liberal scale were offered for the reclaiming of worn-out pastures, of depauper- ated rye fields and the like, by the cultivation of such kinds of trees as will be found to grow, it would not be too much to anticipate a favorable change in the features of our lands. The remarkable success which has uniformly attended any experiments in this species of agricultural labor, gives promise of what could be anticipated, when employed on the widest scale. This latter remark leads us, however, to the brief consideration of the second fact, which I also would have noticed, as stated before. A soil which becomes covered with any kind of vegeta- tion, seems to be preoccupied by that vegetation, to the ex- clusion of any other. We see this in larger and in minor 102 Apparent Spontaneity of White Birch. instances alike. A wood lot, in which any sort of tree par- ticularly obtains, appropriates the energy of the soil to its wants. Or if there are several species, as is not unfrequently the case, these particular species avail themselves of the fact of preoccupancy. When removed by the axe, the vigor of their roots prompts them to spring up again immediately, and unless injured, to replace the loss of their parent trunks. So, old neglected fields, where mulleins, thistles, asters, solidagos, and a host of such useless plants may be annually found, so completely shade the ground, and choke the surface soil, as to prevent the chance of anything better appearing. De- scending in the scale of size, a lichen-covered soil is equally unproductive, from this exclusive preoccupancy before no- ticed. Some species of Cladonias, e. g. CI. rangiferina, or CI. Boryf?", act like fleeces of wool, or like sponges, to absorb every drop of dew and much of the rain for their own use, and keep the under surface quite dry. I have seen ashes spread over spots thus covered by these lichens, and though usually a fertilizer, yet they produced scarcely any effect than the death of the lichens or the introduction of a plant scarcely better in an economical point of view, I mean the White- weed, Oxeye or White daisey, CLeucanthemum viilgare.) The tearing apart the sod, the upturning of the surface soil, and the breaking up of the outside, seem requisite in changing the growth. By such and similar means, a chance is given to the adhesion of such kinds of seeds as may be naturally, or what is best, artificially applied. The respect which one insensibly gains for a tree, amounts in some instances to almost a passion. Anything which bears the aspect of an arborary character, is entitled to this respect. There may be something grand and imposing in the wide sweep of the prairies, but the eye must tire with the sameness and uniformity attendant. He who is born on a barren waste even, may love its unaltering features, may de- light in its monotony and its savage sterility, yet the presence of a single tree is suggestive of a comfort incompatible with the former. How many of our seaside villages would be rendered far more attractive, if the houses stood less conspic- Apparent Spontaneity of White Bij'ch. 103 uous before the traveller, and if never so meagre an attempt at something better and more primitive, was perceptible ! I remember the pleasure that the occurrence of a large sweet- briar rose, trained on the end of an old weather-stained dwell- ing house, gave me, in such a village, as evidence that beauty was not wholly sacrificed to utility ; and I have often regarded with admiration, any successful project to introduce the commonest kinds of trees, or the least valuable fruits, in spots where a previous cultivation had injudiciously neglected the capabilities of the soil. But, as " necessity is the mother of invention," perhaps after all that can be said, we are anticipating in these projects and details. It will doubtless be many years ere we shall rectify the errors of our forefathers, and replace the beautiful aspects which once were perceptible over the surface of the sea-beaten shores, or over the inland fields and hills of our native State. The cultivation of natural and of artistic beauty comes after utilitarian schemes and projects have had their day ; and as wealth accumulates and needs objects for its outlay, so may our deserted areas and sterile soils begin to blossom and to bud again, in wildernesses and forests. Ex- periment, meantime, would not be wholly inutile or unavail- ing, to ascertain whether even arboriculture might not be pecuniarily profitable ; and herein, I think, that a wide field of usefulness and of true taste opens for our enterprising and Avealthy men to occupy ; the more especially as farming has become a fancy employment, in which the income can be no more speedy, and often less sure, than in the case proposed. In lieu of this, it only remains, that future necessity prompt, what foresight might have anticipated. From observations of long continuance, I feel persuaded that there are no kinds of waste land, which might not be rendered better than usual. Of what possible advantage can it be, to deprive of its chance of renewal, the surface of whole districts, where the ground seems to be paved with stones, so abundant is the debris of some ancient cataclysm. Even this, were the motive sufficient, could be restored, if previously denuded. In some of our old farming towns in the interior, 104 Apparent- Spontaniety of White Birch. I have seen comparatively fertile fields invaded year by year by the loose drifting sands of the pine plains, from which the wood had been many years previously removed. The mel- ancholy and saddening appearance of such tracts would be enough to depreciate the value of the adjoining lots. The white pine and the pitch pine (P. strohus and rigida) have been advantageously and artificially planted in some instances, on such places. Snnilar processes have long obtained in Europe ; and on the western coast of that continent, resort has been had to the planting of species of the pine indigenous to the climate, and to the admixture at the same time of cer- tain plants of a spreading form, whose branches should cover the ground, and thus prevent any further moving of the sur- face by the winds. It is to be presumed that the attempt to restore wood growths on those narrow gravelly ridges, which now deface so many of our older farms, may prove difficult, after the natural restora- tion, from the suckers of previously cut trees, shall have been delayed, and the soil has become depauperated. Yet a grad- ual series of yearly outlays might turn those unsightly ex- crescences into more comely and useful tracts ; for where or what is the tree, whose growth and shade and falling foliage, and natural offices of kindly regard to the soil, would not make a pleasant return for all such efforts in its behalf ? Rocky and precipitous surfaces of the ground often afford excellent woodland, and should therefore be suffered to re- new their growth, by excluding any treatment that would prove injurious. The power of life, and even of a vigorous growth, which some trees possess, of flourishing on such soils, seems really marvellous, and exhibits a beneficence of nature, betraying likewise some of the modes she employs in converting the desert into places of fertility. The disinte- gration of all rocks, especially of those termed the primitive rocks, must be necessarily slow ; and the wonder of the be- holder is excited in perceiving on what exiguity of nutriment, as it would seem, trees thrive and grow in the interstices of loose stones, or in the crevices of vast masses of granite. Meanwhile, two processes are going on, viz., the upheaving On the Cultivation of Herbs and Salads. 105 of the plates of the rock, (when it is thus fissile,) through the swelling of the roots and stems ; and again, the penetration of the rain, snow and frost. Every year throws down in- creased and increasing bulk of foliage, of twigs, stems and even of branches, to afford supplies of vegetable soil by their decomposition, and to allow chance for smaller kinds of plants to find some foothold to grow. The uses of those very humble vegetables, the lichens, mosses and fungi, and their allies, are perceptible in the processes ; and they all love to linger around the bases of these hardy forest denizens, clinging, with pertinacity of a seeming affection, to the moist and shaded surfaces of the rocks, saving each little particle of dust and sand of disintegration, among their velvetty leaves, or, in the case of the fungi, rending asunder the decaying fibres of the dead twigs and leaves, to crumble down into mould, and to provide a suitable material for some other species of tree or of plant, and in time to clothe and cover the once sterile rock surface with a depth of nutritious earth. How minute, yet admirable, these tiny ministers of nature, to do her bidding, and to bring about her magnificent results ! The evidences of* successful planting, over once neglected and sterile surfaces, by our nurserymen, horticulturists and by some of our farmers, betoken that an attention to such pur- suits is being awakened. Every record of such attempts is valuable, because it will serve to keep alive the interest, and afford proofs of the utility, of any experiment in its behalf February 2, 1852. Art. II. On the Cultivation of Herbs and Salads. By J. CuTHiLL. From the Gardeners' Chronicle. In our last volume, we gave a series of articles by Mr. Outhill, on the Market Gardening around London, and from what we have learned from many of our readers they were considered among the most valuable papers in that volume. We now have the pleasure of presenting the first of a series VOL. XVIII. NO. III. 14 106 On the Cultivation of Herbs and Salads. of papers on the Culture of Herbs and Salads, a subject not generally well understood, but yet of great importance and one which involves much capital and labor with our market gar- deners. Mr. Cuthill's papers will detail the method of grow- ing these for the London market, which requires an immense supply ; and as most of the same kinds are grown in larger or smaller quantities here, the system of cultivation pursued by the London growers, cannot be otherwise than useful to all. As is the case with the cultivators of vegetables, there are, as Mr. Cuthill truly observes, "knick-knack ways," in which, after all, consists their superior system of management : — I purpose giving a series of short articles upon herbs and salads. It may be supposed that little can be said respecting such things ; but as London growers, whom I have already shown to be first class cultivators of fruits and vegetables, have also a few knick-knack ways of managing herbs and salads, I hope that what I may have to state in the course of my papers will be found of some service. Herbs and salads are nature's medicine ; and if man were to use more of them in connection with his daily food, he would pass on through life in a much more comfortable way than he at present does ; for there is scarcely a plant, how- ever humble, that has not its medicinal purposes. People of every clime know this, and even animals are led by instinct to select those which their wants at particular times require. Those persons who use a fair proportion of fruits, vegeta- bles, herbs, and salads, are always in better health than those who live largely, and almost exclusively, upon animal food. The bad effects of the latter kind of food becomes more especially apparent in winter, when their usual exercise is comparatively limited. In what I have to say on the subject I shall confine myself entirely to a few of those herbs and salads which require particular modes of cultivation. I have repeatedly visited the herb grounds of various dis- tricts, and more especially those of Mitcham in Surrey, some nine miles south of London, where hundreds of acres of many sorts of herbs are grown. So extensive, indeed, are On the Cultivation of Herbs and Salads. 107 these fields, that on approaching that locality in the summer time, with the wind in the southwest, the combination of odors can be easily discovered in the air which is "redolent with sweetness." Mr. Richard Arthur, brother to a large grower there, showed me a large bottle of oil of Lavender, whose value, he said, was six guineas. Every bit of ground in front of the cottage doors is full of herbs, which receive universal attention here. In some places I saw a great deal of Groundsel and Chickweed getting ready for the London cage birds. Hundreds of the poor of our great metropolis make a living by travelling into various country districts after birds' food ; and many of them have a knowledge of wild herbs which they bring home for the herbalists beyond what might be expected of them. I may state here in a prelimi- nary way, that herbs ought not to be planted in any hole or corner ; they should be grown in full sun-light, as fine flavor depends upon exposure just as much in their case as in that of the finest fruits or vegetables. I hope that gardeners will not think I am instructing them in this matter. They must bear in mind that all the world are not gardeners, and that amateurs and tradesmen generally want to know something about herbs ; and as my articles are likely to be largely quoted in provincial papers, I hope that some good may be derived from them. Herb management is not very well understood ; in the case of liquorice, for instance, writers on this subject say — Plant cuttings of the root (query, which roots,) IS inches apart in February ; again, as respects mint, they direct di- visions of the roots to be put in in February or March, but this is not the kind of information that is wanted ; there is a large number of herbs not in daily use, to which the above ma}^ apply, and which may be passed over by saying — divide the roots, plant in March : but of those in great demand, it is like saying skin a hare and cook it — but how ? I am also prepared to state that the most luxuriant herbage and finest blossoms are to be obtained from plants put in in November, because they have ample time to make good roots before winter. Mint, perhaps, may be an exception, for if this is 108 On the Cultivation of Herbs and Salads. planted out in well prepared ground in April, and when the shoots have grown four inches long, just raised, roots and all, and its head nipped off, it is astonishing what splendid herb- age and strong blossom it will produce by autumn. The cultivation of liquorice and lavender will, I hope, be found of interest ; but the extraordinary way of managing some 300 acres of peppermint for distillation, surprised me more than all the rest, as well as the storehouses for drying the herbs, which, more especially in wet weather, they could not do without. Some account of these, however, together with that of the culture of the different herbs taken seriatim, will form the subjects of future communications. Lavender. — About Mitcham, the number of acres occupied by this crop alone exceeds 200. The soil in which it de- lights is a light sandy loam. About Mitcham it is nearly all of that character, and it is mostly worked by the plough ; but had they to pay 51. an acre for it instead of 3/., they would soon betake themselves to the spade ; then a disease, to which lavender has been subject these twelve years, would proba- bly be found to disappear. I consider that the ground is very much worn out, having been under this crop for hundreds of years ; dung is unsuitable to lavender, so that when a new plantation is about to be formed they generally manure heav- ily and plant potatoes, and next autumn lavender is put in. In the proper cultivation of this crop, as soon as the pota- toes are off, the whole of the land ought to be spade trenched, but plough trenching would possibly do, in the following manner, viz. : — throw out a trench two spades deep along each side ; by this simple plan the workmen could plough two furrows deep. The plants should be put in in Novem- ber, some plant in March ; but the crop put in then never succeeds so well. The land about Mitcham is so sandy, warm, and light, that when the slips are put in in November they make fresh roots before Christmas. The only advantage of planting in February is that diseased shoots may be then seen and avoided. The disease, of which I have just spoken, comes upon the plant very rapidly, the leaves looking as if they had received a slight scorch, and very soon the whole plant dies. On the Cultivatioji of Herbs and Salads. 109 Planting is performed in the following manner ; but, in the first place, it must be understood that single plants are never employed ; properly speaking, each bush is composed of a small handful of slips — I counted four in one hole. The ground being all lined out, plants are lifted out of the old plantation that is being destroyed, and split into as many pieces as possible. The further they are split down, so as to have roots to them, so much the better ; for, if by careless- ness a strong slip is broken off high up, that slip is almost sure to die before summer. The plants are inserted at least six inches deep, leaving only about three inches of the head above ground, and they are placed two feet apart each way. The first year they yield a few spikes of blossoms, but the second is always considered the best, and they last four or five years, depending, of course, upon the general health of the plants. Nothing is done to them all the summer except hoeing and keeping them free from weeds. During the second year an acre will fetch 20/., the expenses of cultiva- tion being about 3/. 10s. ; cutting, abeut 7s. ; distilling, near- ly 1/. 10s. ; tithes, a trifle. The proper time for cutting is just when the lower blooms are beginning to change color to a darkish brown, and after cutting the sooner it is distilled the better, say two or three days, as, if left too long, the flowers lose much of their fra- grance. Flower-stems and blossoms are all distilled together, and the first running is not allowed to occupy more than two hours ; this, on account of the stalks, is to get all the clearest and best ; the second run occupies four hours, but the last is generally of a light sherry color, and is rather stronger and rougher in its odor than the former. With the thousand-and- one purposes to which lavender-water is applied every one is acquainted ; but a proper chemical manure for this useful herb is still a desideratum. LiQ,uoRiCE. — The cultivation of this plant is but little un- derstood in this country ; it is grown in but few districts round London. The first field of it I ever saw was at New- cross, nearly where the station of the Brighton Railway now stands. That was 23 years ago. The locality is called the 110 On the Cultivation of Herbs and Salads. Jerusalem-level, and before the Thames was banked in, there can be no doubt that at high water the river flowed over this ground for some eight miles, covering many hundreds of acres, each tide depositing mud. This deposit is 4 and 5 feet deep, rather sandy, but quite free from stones ; and this is the kind of soil to grow Jiquorice in. All ground for this crop must be clear of stones, which would cause the roots to be forked and crooked, and thereby diminish their value. The subsoil ought to be sand or gravel, in order that no stag- nant water might lodge about the roots during winter. To prepare liquorice ground well, it should be dunged to the amount of from 40 to 50 tons an acre — depending, of course, upon the previous richness of the soil— and spade trenched to the depth of 4 or 5 feet, and laid up in ridges till the spring. In March the ridges can be levelled down, and prepared for planting. The largest growers of liquorice now round London are at Mitcham, and if any one is desirous of cultivating this plant, he could not do better than apply there for stock. The un- derground stems or rhizomes are what should be planted. These grow horizontally about an inch below the surface, and never descend nor come up. They sometimes push 3 and 4 feet in a year. They are furnished with eyes every 2 inches, which grow well the first year after planting. Every November these underground stems must be forked up, cut close off by the neck of the roots, and, if fresh plantations are wanted, they are cut into lengths of two eyes each, and wintered in heaps out of doors, covered over with straw and mould, like potatoes ; but, if not required for planting, they are sold at once for some of the inferior purposes of sweeten- ing, as, for instance, for beer. These underground stems are pithy, and not half so sweet as the roots. They are general- ly the size of a quill, and if they are not removed every eye grows along their whole length, and fills the ground with worthless liquorice, completely choking the main crop. A liquorice plantation looks something like so many sapling ash trees, about from 3 to 4 feet high, but sometimes they reach 5 feet, throwing out leaves every 4 or 5 inches. The Pomological Gossip. Ill stems are as thick as a middling-sized willow, hard and woody. They are used for thatching sheds and lighting fires with. The proper time for cutting the stems down level with the ground is November, when the sap has descended, and the tops appear yellow. Those who have saved their under- ground stems for planting, should put them in, in March, in rows 18 inches apart, and 9 inches distant in the row, some- thing after the fashion of willow slips, or currant or goose- berry cuttings, only both eyes are left on. They are plant- ed nearly level, say an inch below the surface. Nothing more is reauired except keeping the ground clean, and, as I have said, removing the under-ground stems every Novem- ber for three or four years, until the main crop is lifted. Ground at Mitcham costs from 3/. to 41. per acre. An acre of three-year-old plants will produce between 4 and 5 tons of good roots, and the price for the largest and best roots, as I am told, is from 60/. to 70/. per ton ; smaller roots much less. A good liquorice-stick is about the size of a well-grown horse- radish, although some are as thick as small parsnips, and 3 or 4 feet in length. In taking up the crop, a trench is taken out to the depth of 3, 4, or 5 feet, according to the nature of the former trenching ; a rope is then tied round the top, and it takes all the strength a man has got to pull the plant up. The root generally breaks off, say a foot or so below the trenching ; but, having no eyes, it never sprouts again. I have been in- formed that home-grown liquorice is better than foreign ; and if the acreage given above be correct, it must be a paying crop. Art. III. Pomological Gossip. McAvoy's Superior Strawtberry. In our last volume, (XVII, p. 360,) we noticed this new strawberry, and the Report of the Committee of the Cincinnati Horticultural So- ciety, awarding the prize of $100 to Mr. McAvoy for its pro- 112 Pomological Gossip. duction ; and, as the committee made no remark in relation to its qualities, by which it could be compared with other known kinds of merit, we made the inquiry at that time, hoping that the committee, or some of our Cincinnati friends, would inform us of the size or weight of the berries. Mr. Kelly, nurseryman of that city, in a note accompanying a few plants which we purchased to give the variety a fair trial, states that " there is no mistake about the merit of this strawberry. I cannot remember having seen any of the fruit from them of such great size and weight, as those stated to have been obtained from your seedling. The general size of the berries, and the quantity of the crop, as jvell as its quality, are the questions here." Beyond this we have learned nothing definite in regard to it, until the last Rural New Yorker came to hand, in which we find a letter from H. P. Norton, of Brockport, N. Y., which states just what we supposed to be the truth in regard to the alleged merits of this new seedling. Mr. Norton's remarks are as follows : — I saw the " Q,ueen City," Cincinnati, and have a Avord or two to say of what I learned there. One fact I became con- vinced of is, that they of that city do not produce so large strawberries as we raise in Munroe [county.] I made the acquaintance of Mr. McAvoy, in honor of whom the new prize variety was baptized " McAvoy's Superior," a plain, sensible Hibernian, from whom I obtained plants, and who exhibited what he declared to be an*accurate colored repre- sentation of the fruit of this variety. I inquired, " How large were the largest you raised ?" '' That one," pointing to the picture, "was the largest." " Well, how much did it measure ?" " Oh ! four and a half inches." " Are they really larger than Hovey's grow with you ?" " Oh, yes." " But we, in New York, have Hovey's of larger size than that. I raised them this year considerably larger." " I dare say. I don't doubt they grow larger in your state than here. Your season is longer, and the berries have more Pomological Gossip. 113 time to grow. Our season is hot and short, and they come to maturity very quick, and don't get such size." It may be the " Superior" will, with us, having more time to grow, excel Hovey's in magnitude, as it does in Cincin- nati, where it originated. Who knows ? Mr. Norton's question is certainly significant. Another season will reveal " who knows." Mr. Longworth's Opinion of Pears on the Quince Stock. — Mr. Norton called on Mr. Longworth, the Nestor of Horticulture in the West. '' By way of introducing myself, I had put into my valise a specimen of each of the following pears : — White Doyenne, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Beurre Diel, and Duchess of Or- leans,— and, on presenting them, I remarked that they grew on dwarf trees, on quince stocks. '^ ' Q,uince stocks,' replied he, ' pears on quince ar'nt fit to be in any man's garden. They never bear, and the fruit is- good for nothing when they do.' " ' But, my dear sir, these grew on such trees, and they are handsome specimens, and all bore such crops. I was obliged to thin the fruit, and from one tree, only five years planted, I gathered, this fall, more than a bushel of pears, good enough for anybody.' " ' Five years ! I've had them in my garden these ten years, and they have never borne at all. How many kinds have you ?' " ' About sixty, growing, and had thirty-two in bearing this season.' " ' They are gathering up a great many new varieties now- a-days, but most of them are worthless. There are but three or four kinds of pears worth eating.' " And so, enlightened in regard to pears, I changed the subject, and talked of wine." If Mr. Longworth's knowledge of the strawberry is no greater than his knowledge of pears, we fear but little reliance can be placed upon his opinion of the new seedlings which originated in his garden, and for which he or his own garden- er was awarded the prize offered in part by himself. VOL. XVIIl. NO. III. 15 114 Pomological Gossip. Hartfobd Prolific Grape. — This is the name given to a new native grape, raised in West Hartford, Connecticut, by Mr. Steele. We have not seen this new grape, but we have been favored with the annexed account of it by Mr. G. W. Russell, of Hartford, who has repeatedly tasted the specimens exhibited before the Hartford County Horticultural Society. From Mr. Russell's statement it appears to possess the excellent property of ripening in the early part of September, and though not equal to the Isabella, it is so much superior to the common wild grapes, which are everywhere cultivated, owing to the uncertain maturity of the former, that it will be a desirable acquisition, particularly in localities unfavorable to the Isabella. Mr. Russell's communication is as follows : — " Dear Sir : — I write to introduce to the notice of your readers a new grape, originated about six years since in the garden of Paphn Steele & Son, of West Hartford. It sprung up accidentally in a cluster with two others, and was allowed to grow. It has fruited for three years past, and has attracted the attention of gentlemen interested in Horticulture. I said it grew in a cluster ; the other two proved to be similar to our common black Fox grape, and were destroyed. This, per- haps, is a crop of the Isabella with the Fox. The bunches are large, rather loose, berries round, skin thin, black, very sweet, rather more pulj^ than the Isabellas, but much less than our common native grapes ; wood moderately stout ; ripens at least tivo weeks earlier than the Isabella. Mr. Steele exhibited well ripened specimens on the sixth of Sep- tember last. The Hartford County Horticultural Society have thoroughly examined it, and have named it the " Hart- ford Prolific.''^ It has been on their tables for three years, and it is believed to be a fruit worthy of attention, more especially when the Isabella does not ripen. " Of course it will not take the place of the Isabella, — the , grape is yet to be, that will do that ; but for certain localities it is, in our opinion, just the grape. In the mountain towns, in this state, the Isabella does not ripen one year in four ; in some of them not all. For those places this variety is to be recommended ; being early, and of good flavor, Aviih very Pomological Gossip. 115 little foxiness, and infinitely superior to the whole herd of wild grapes. Gardner W. Russell. Hartford, Kehruaiy 13, 1852." The Primate Apple. — Some time since (vol. XVII, p. 506,) we gave some account of the history of this apple, by Mr. A. Fahnestock, of Syracuse, New York. Our correspondent, J. C. Holmes, of Michigan, havin'g noticed Mr. Fahnestock's communication, in which he traced the apple back to some scions engrafted by Mr. Lyman Tubbs, now of Michigan, he requested his friend Mr. L. H. Trask, of Kalamazoo, to find Mr. Tubbs, and inquire of him where he obtained the scions from, and whether the tree was a seedling, &c. A reply was received from Mr. Trask, and forwarded to us by Mr. Holmes, The substance of his letter is as follows : — '' After so long a time, I have been able to see Mr. Lyman Tubbs and procured of him such information as I could, in relation to the Primate Apple. " Mr. Tubbs says he is the man ; that he always called it the July apple, and that is the name he had with the scions, which he procured from New Jersey, while he lived in Ben- ton. He obtained the scions through some neighbors of his, in Benton, from an acquaintance of theirs by the name of Bush, who lived in New Jersey ; but he does not know in what town or county Mr. Bush resided, and the friends of Mr. Bush, who lived in Benton, are all dead, or gone away, he does not know where. At this time, Mr. Tubbs thinks that this Mr. Bush, of New Jersey, died some three or four years ago. '* This is about all the information I could get from the old gentleman ; except, he thinks that the scions he obtained from New Jersey were from a grafted tree, and not from a seedling. Mr. Tubbs also says there are some trees grafted with the apple on the farm he used to own near Galesbury, in this county, where he thinks grafts may be obtained. Yours truly, L. H. Trask. Kalamazoo, Mich., Jan., 1852." This letter may lead to the discovery of some further facts in regard to the origin of this variety. As, however, the scions were obtained for Mr. Tubbs by a friend, his remark 116 Gathering and Preserving Fruit. that he thinks they were from " a grafted tree, and not a seedUng," we think were conjecture ; as probably at that time but httle was thought of the origin of any good apple, and that it would be of little importance. The fact that no such apple has been described, or is now known, so far as we have any knowledge, in New Jersey, leads us conclusively to the belief that it is some native seedling, not known beyond the locality of its origin until grafted by Mr. Tubbs. Art. IV. Gathering and Preset^ving Fruit ; with Engrav- ings of a Fruit Room. By the Editor. In our January number, (p. 15,) we presented our readers with the plans and descriptions of a Fruit Room belonging to Mr. J. Moorman, of London, who has been highly success- ful in keeping fruit in a fine state of preservation for a long time, and whose specimens of pears have repeatedly received the premiums of the London Horticultural Society. We do not know of a place which seems better adapted to the keeping of fruit than that referred to, but as there is a great interest manifested on the important subject of the pre- servation of fruit we have thought the following account of a fruit room, somewhat differently constructed from Mr. Moorman's, though upon the same principle, with plans and descriptions, might add something to our stock of knowledge, and afford some hints which may be of value in the con- struction of similar houses. The article is from the Revue Horticole. translated in the Gardeners^ Journal. The Hon. M. P. Wilder informs us that he has a fruit room constructed similar to Mr. Moorman's, with this differ- ence, that in place of the cavity between the inner and outer walls, the space is filled with charcoal, as a non-conductor. Whether this is any improvement over Mr. Moorman's plan we are unable to say, but we suspect that for winter fruit it does not possess any superiority over it ; for producing a cooler temperature in the summer we have no doubt it is Gathering and Preserving Fruit. 117 valuable. In this room Mr. Wilder has kept Beurre Diels up to the 1st of February in fine condition. Now that amateur cultivators are beginning to reap the results of their labors in planting trees, the question as re- gards the preservation of the fruit is yearly assuming more importance. When they could gather but three or four dozen of d'Ai'embergs, Glout Morceaus, or Easter Beurres, it was hardly worth the while to try experiments upon their preservation ; but when the dozens are augmented to bushels it then becomes necessary to ascertain how they can best be kept so as to have them in all the freshness of the autumn fruits. We commend not only the method of constructing the room, as detailed in the annexed paper, but also the equally important observations on gathering and storing, and the val- nable advice in regard to the drying up of superabundant moisture by means of chloride of calcium : — The art of preserving fruit is in intimate connection with its culture, and of no less importance to the consumer than it is to the dealer, who is often liable to considerable loss from the want of a good mode of keeping his stores. To supply this want and to show how the desired object may be at- tained in the most certain and economical way, is the pur- pose of this article. Before entering into the details connect- ed with the arrangements of the house we shall offer a few remarks on gathering fruit ; for, unless fruit is gathered with due care, and at the proper time, its preservation becomes im- possible. With respect to ripeness then, we proceed to re- mark that every kind of ''stone fruit" (cherries excepted) should be gathered three or four days before what is known as perfect maturity has been attained. Pears and apples that ripen in summer and the early part of autumn should be gathered ten or twelve days before they arrive at that stage. The different sorts of fruit when thus gathered, contain all the elements necessary to attain to ripeness, through inde- pendent chemical reaction. The juices of fruits which have been thus detached from the trees are thereby more perfectly lis Gathering and Preserving Fruit. elaborated ; the fruit is therefore less aqueous and better fla- vored. The change from a green to a yellowish color, at that part of the fruit which is next to the wall or shade, may be taken as the surest indication that gathering should be proceeded with. Cherries, gooseberries, raspberries, &c., should be allowed to ripen on the tree or bush. Such pears, apples, &c., that do not, properly considered, attain maturity on the tree, but require to lie in the fruit-room for some time, should be gathered when they have attained full develop- ment, and before the tree has ceased to vegetate. This gathering may be resumed, from time to time, between the end of September and the end of October, according to cir- cumstances. Experience has shown that fruit will not keep well on the tree after the latter has ceased to grow ; nor will its flavor be so good, because the stoppage of vegetation im- plies a corresponding fall of the temperature ; consequently the elaboration of the fluid in their tissues cannot be effected. On the contrary, we commonly see fruit become shrivelled and dry, if gathered too soon. Hence the necessity of gath- ering fruit at two different periods from one and the same tree. First from the lower half of the tree, where vegeta- tion ceases first, and eight or ten days later from the upper half, or extremities of the tree. For this reason fruits are sooner fit for gathering from espalier trees than from stan- dards ; and likewise sooner from old trees than from young and luxuriant ones. The best guide for ascertaining whether they are fit for gathering is, their easy parting from the tree. The different kinds of nuts, walnuts, chestnuts, &c., are bet- ter in flavor, and presei"ve best, if left on the tree until they drop of themselves. Grapes destined for either immediate consumption, or to be preserved, must first have attained complete maturity. The longer grapes are allowed to hang, the more their saccharine properties will be enriched. In localities where grapes ripen in the open air, they should be kept from those ripened in houses or on espaliers. In storing fruit, fine dry weather should be chosen, as then it is charged with less humidity, consequently in the best condition for being laid on the shelves of the fruit room. The best Gathering and Preserving Fruit. 119 method of gathering fruit is to phick it off singly with the hand, care being taken not to cause the least pressure, which would produce a brown speck, and ultimately decomposition. Various contrivances have been introduced for the purpose of gathering fruit without the aid of a ladder ; but practically they require too much time, and therefore a common ladder is perhaps the most convenient after all. Long shallow and wide cross-handled baskets, having a piece of carpet at the bottom, are in general use about Montreuil. In these baskets the fruit is placed in layers, three layers, separated by leaves, being the usual contents of each basket, which, as they are filled, are carried gently to the fruit-room on the head. The fruit, we shall now suppose, having been gathered with due care and at the proper time, the first condition necessary to preserve it during the winter is, perfect immunity from frost. The process of ripening should also be promoted or retarded according to cii'cumstances, so as to have only a certain num- ber ready for dessert at one time, thus keeping up a succes- sion from the time they are gathered till the succeeding year's fruit come ill. For this purpose, the fruit-room should have the temperature uniform and equal ; for frequent change of temperature absorbs the fluids, and fermentation soon fol- lows. The temperature should be from 46 to 48 deg. Fahr. A higher temperature would accelerate the process of ripen- ing too much, and a lower would retard it. If fruit is placed in a room or cellar where the temperature is very low — say, an ice-house — it will keep for a long time, if not destroyed by moisture ; but before it is wanted for dessert, it should be exposed for some time in a higher temperature to attain com- plete maturity. Light is found unfavorable to the keeping of fruit, and therefore it should be excluded. The atmosphere should be kept rather dry than humid, and the fruit should be placed separately, so as not to touch one another. We would select a northern aspect, and dry place, sheltered, if possible, by high evergreen trees, for the purpose of building the fruit-room ; the quantity of fruit to be preserved must determine its dimension. The annexed plan is fifteen feet long by twelve feet wide, and nine feet high, (inside meas- 120 Gathering and Preserving Fruit. ure.) In a room of this size 8,000 fruit can be conveniently preserved. It is surrounded by two walls, (fig. 6, a and h.) A body of air is interposed between the two walls, at c, and which serves to keep the interior from exte- rior atmospherical in- fluence. The walls are one foot and a half thick, and are built of wood, clay, and straw, which, on account of being bad conductors, are preferable to com- mon masonry. The ground (or floor,) both ^^S- ^- Ground Plan of a Fruit Room. in the interior and at c, are made of the same material as the walls. The entrance door is at the north side. In the exte- rior wall is a double door, rf, one to open at the outside, and the other in the inside. The door, e, which is a single one, opens direct into the fruit-room, and in severe weather it is filled up with straw. Four wooden shutters, /, two in the interior and two at the exterior wall, are placed four feet ofl" the ground, and level, for the purpose of cleaning and airing the fruiting-room before fruit is put into it. The ceil- ing is composed of a layer of mosS; maintained and covered with laths ; the outside is thatched, projecting beyond the exterior wall. In the interior, benches or shelves, (fig. 7,) from the bottom up to the ceilings, are placed a foot above one another. To facilitate the inspec- tion of the fruit, the slielves above four feet from the ground are placed at an angle of 45 deg., a, in the form of a stage ; the lower ones are fixed horizon- „^ ,. , . , . ^ Fig.l. Sectinri showiiis; the tally, b. 1 O ensure the circulation OI arrangement of the Shelves. air between the shelves, they are divided in five parts, and a space of an inch left between each of them ; those in front, c, are provided with a ledgeboard. The centre of the fruit- Gathering and Preserving Fruit. 121 room is reserved for a table, (jig. 6,^ of about six feet long- by three feet broad, for the purpose of receiving the fruit previously to being arranged upon the shelves. Such, then, is the mode of constructing a fruit-room, by the aid of which we are enabled to furnish the table with an equal quantity of dessert fruit every day throughout the year. When the fruit is brought into the fruit-room, they are at first placed upon the central table, which is provided with a quantity of dry moss or cotton ; and after having been sorted, all the bruised ones are removed ; the sound ones are left for three or four days, to throw off the superabundant .moisture ; when this has been effected, the shelves are covered with a thin layer of perfectly dry moss or cotton. The fruit are wiped with a piece of flannel, and placed one by one upon the shelves, not touching one another. Grapes can also be preserved for a length of time in this place, having been gathered as de- scribed above, and taken to the fruit-room. Every branch is examined, and the injured berries cut out carefully with a pair of scissors, and fixed the reverse way to a metallic hook, of the form of an S, (jig. S.) Attached thus, they are less likely to rot, because the berries are placed in a freer position, „. ' ' J, ' T7 V \- '■ ' Fig. 9. Movable frame for sus Fig.^ Methodofs7is and do not touch pending the Grapes, pending clusters of Grapes. each othcr. They are hooked to one or two hoops, as shown at jig. 9, and suspended with a cord to the ceiling, and made movable with two pulleys. Having thus all the fruit disposed in the fruit-room, the doors and shutters are opened during eight or ten days, to deprive the fruit of the superabundant moisture ; and after this has been done, a fine dry day is chosen to close the fruit-room hermetically. The doors are no more opened, except for the work necessary to be done in the interior. Until now, no other mode was known of drying up superabmidant moisture in fruit-rooms VOL. XVIII. NO. III. 16 122 On the Culture of Azaleas. during winter, except by permitting a greater or less current of air to pass through the apartment. The inconveniences this plan presents are obvious : the interior temperature will change according to the exterior ; and, bad as this plan is, if the thermometer stands under freezing point, no use can be made of it at all ; hence the fruit must be abandoned to chance, and disappointment will soon follow. In this case we recom- mend the use of chlorine of calcium. This substance has the property of absorbing about double its own weight of moisture, when it becomes liquid after being exposed for a certain length of time to a humid atmosphere, produced by the moisture emitted by the fruit. It is thus suited to main- tain the atmosphere in the best condition. To use chlorine of calcium, a wooden box is made (fig. 10, a,) one foot and a half square by three inches deep, and placed upon a table, 6, which is at the side, c, an inch lower than on the other. The chlorine of calcium, after having ab- sorbed a certain quantity of moisture, beconies liquefied, and runs into the earthenware vase, d, placed underneath for the purpose. Should the chlorine become dissolved before the total con- sumption of the fruits, the dose must be renewed ; in which case, the liquid in the vase, if put in a pan, and placed above the fire, becomes again chlorine of calcium, and as good for use as before. Fig. 10. Box for nshig the Chlorine of Calcium. Art. V. On the Culture of Azaleas. By W. Saunders, Gardener to J. Winans, Esq., Baltimore. When a person becomes interested in floricultural pursuits and operations, sensations of pleasure will be experienced, ditTcrent in their effects from the enjoyments derived from many other sources. Instead of producing satiety, the relish for them becomes greater, as the acquaintance with them ex- tends. The ultimate tendency of such pursuits is to ameli- On the Culture of Azaleas. 123 orate disposition and character. The study of nature in all her various phases and phenomena, whether it is pursued in the animal, vegetable, or mineral kingdoms, is a source of never-ending delight ; it enlightens our intellect, expands our ideas, and elevates our sentiments. Dispelling that almost impenetrable mist of self-sufficiency that hangs before our eyes, it teaches us to look from " nature up to nature's God," enables us to appreciate the bountiful goodness, and form true conceptions, of an all-wise Creator. To experience these sen- sations in the cultivation of flowers, it is not necessary to be possessed of extensive gardens, or expensive collections of plants ; neither is it indispensably requisite that we should possess the learning of a physiologist, or the discriminating knowledge of a botanist ; a person may know but little of these sciences, and yet derive much refined enjoyment from a greenhouse. Neither will extent of operation or multiplicity of objects, in themselves, constitute a source of pleasure. These perceptions of delight are more likely to be realized by the concentration of skill upon a few judiciously selected plants, maintained in the highest state of cultivation and gen- eral neatness, than in the possession of an extensive collec- tion, no individual of which, unless by chance or accident, ever reaches even to mediocrity. It is all-important, therefore, that the plants selected for extra care should be worthy of it ; the principal criterion of excellence being abundance of magnificent flowers, enhanced in value when produced upon plants possessing other desira- ble properties, such as fine foliage, flowers remaining long in perfection, hardiness of constitution, and simplicity of culture. Not that all others should be utterly discarded, even from hmited collections, as many possess high botanical and histor- ical interest, and some few are worthy a place for their beauty of foliage alone. Flowers, however, are the principal attrac- tion, and few there are who can contemplate their beautiful forms, without joining in the aspiration of the poet : — " Blessed be God for flowers, For the bright, gentle, holy thoughts that breathe From out their odorous beauty, like a wreath Of sunshine on life's hours." 124 On the Culture of Azaleas. The Camellia is justly allowed to occupy a high place among the flowering plants, and I do not hesitate in placing the Indian Azalea as a fit companion for it, hardly inferior, as regards habit and foliage, and far superior in producing a mass of rich colored flowers. They are shrubby evergreens, of free growth, flowers of infinite variety of color, remaining a long time on the plant, and slightly fragrant, possessed of all the properties desirable in an ornamental plant ; and bloom from January to May, a season when all flowers are doubly valued. Raising new varieties of plants from seeds, is a very inter- esting branch of floriculture, but unless the flowers are hybrid- ized, it is of little use to spend time with such as Azalea, that require two or three years' cultivation previous to flower- ing, as the chances of possessing anything superior to the parent are few. With hybridized seeds, the case is different ; when these are obtained, they should be sown in February, in well drained vessels containing two or three inches of soil, of a light sandy texture. Leaving a perfectly level surface, sow the seeds and cover with a sprinkling of sand, and apply moisture carefully. Wooden boxes are generally preferred for vegetating seeds of this description, as they do not abstract moisture from the soil so rapidly as earthenware, a point of great importance with small seeds like those in question, that are easily disarranged with water, A little moss spread on the surface is a good medium to water through. When the young plants have made their third leaf, transplant them in fresh soil about an inch apart, and keep them from the direct rays of the sun. They will soon require placing separately in small pots, and will do better in the house than out of doors, for the first year. In the following spring, shift them into four inch pots, and keep them in the house until Au- gust. They may then be set out of doors for two months. Perhaps a few of the strongest will form flower buds ; the greater part will not do so until the following season. They will not require much water or heat during winter, and when the growing season again approaches, place them in six inch pots, and treat them as before, viz : set them out of doors On the Culture of Azaleas. 125 when their growth is completed, which will cause them to set flower buds. These will expand in spring ; that is, three years from the time of sowing the seeds. Cuttings made from young wood, taken when about two inches long, planted in sand and set in a shaded place in the house, will form roots ; but as many of the finest varieties are of slow growth and short lived when raised in this manner, it is customary to engraft them upon more robust growing kinds. A. Phoenicea is well adapted for this purpose ; being a free grower, it will keep place with any of the others. Small plants of these, in a healthy condition, should be procured. May is a good month for performhig the operation. For scions, take one year old wood a few inches in length, cut the stock horizontally, near the surface of the pot, split the head of the stock, and insert the scions, as in the common mode of cleft grafting. After they are properly tied, wrap a small bit of moss round the junction, and keep it moistened with water ; this, by excluding dry air, will facilitate a union which will take place in a few weeks, if kept in a moist tem- perature. The best time for potting a general collection of Azaleas, is during the months of February and March. If they are shifted into fresh soil at a more advanced season, there is a probability that they will make a late growth, and a conse- quent imperfect set of flower buds. " Shift them after they have done blooming," is very good advice, but with late flowering sorts the objection just alluded to, is applicable. They will show larger and brighter colored flowers, from the stimulus received by the additional soil, and, from the same cause, they will send out stronger shoots when they com- mence growing. The only objection to this early potting, is the liability of the roots being destroyed with too much water ; but this objection (if such it can be called) is easily guarded against, as all plants newly potted require less water for some time, than they did before the operation ; the fresh soil being unoccupied with roots, is not so rapidly drained of its moisture. 126 07i the Culture of Azaleas. Soil composed of half decomposed turves, well mixed with material favorable to the transmission of water, should be em- ployed. Let both plant and soil be rather dry than other- wise ; press the soil pretty firm while potting, then give the whole a good soaking with water. This watering immedi- ately after potting, though disapproved of by some, I consider advantageous, as it places the old and new soil in equal con- ditions at once, and can never be attended with harm, if the materials are properly prepared. Frequent syringings with soft water will benefit them much while growing ; this is also the proper time to prune them into shape, and equalize the growth, by pinching the tops out of luxuriant shoots. When the elongation of the wood is completed, and begins to assume a brown color, they will form flower buds with more certainty if placed out of doors to the full influence of the weather. These, as well as other plants in pots set in the open air during summer, will require less water if the sides of the pots are covered with tan or other material capa- ble of preventing evaporation. After removing them into the house for winter, they should not receive much water, this being their period of rest. A few degrees of frost will not injure them, if kept compara- tively dry. They will need more water as the flower buds swell, and when the blooms fade, pick off all the flower stalks and seed pods : unless they have been hybridized, it weakens them to ripen mnch seed. The following is a de- scriptive list of desirable varieties, suitable for a small collec- tion : — Variegata — color French white and reddish pink, fine form. Exquisita — deep flesh color, marked with pink, large flower. Gledstanesn — pure white, striped with rose, fine shape. Leucomegestre — white, stained with lemon, large flower. Triumphans — salmon color, thick corolla, large, fine form. Refulgens — flight red with slight spots, large flower. Speciosissima, reddish crimson, large and showy. Lateritia — brick red, medium sized, fine circular flower. Notes on Garderis and Nurseries. 127 Optima — deep red, spotted, fine shape. Copew — bright rose, shghtly spotted, large fine flower. Coccinea — light red, faintly spotted, flower small. Ignescens — bright crimson, large and showy. Baltimore, January, 1852. Art. VI. Notes on Gardens and Nurseries. A RECENT visit to Ncw York gave us an opportmiity to visit some of the nurseries and gardens in that neighborhood, which has not occurred for three or four years. Since then there has been a great increase of nurseries ; and small estab- lishments, containing greenhouses and forcing pits, more especially for the sale of bouquets and plants, have sprung up in great numbers, at the upper part of the city. The older and well known places have, at the same time, con- tinued to enlarge and increase their facilities for business ; and the rapid increase of population, as well as the spread of a taste for trees, plants and shrubs, have caused such an ac- tive demand as to give all a reasonable share of trade. Nui'sery of G. C. Thorhurn, Astoria. — Since our last visit to Astoria, Mr. Thorburn has made many alterations in the old range of greenhouses, and erected two new ones. One of them is a rose house, about seventy-five feet long and eighteen wide. It is span-roofed and arranged with a broad shelf on each side for plants, and a pit in the centre for roses. In this pit were some remarkably fine specimens of that fine old rose, Lamarque ; also, of Solfitaire, Souvenir de la Mal- maison, &c. They were just now breaking after having been headed in ; but up to January, they continued to give quantities of the most splendid flowers. The pelargoniums were in fine order and occupied one of the shelves ; among the newer ones we noticed Crusader, Rolla, Rebecca, Brilliant, Fouquet's Magnificent, Flamingo, Aspasia, Topping's Ele- gans, Field Marshal, (fcc. Some of these are remarkably fine, particularly Aspasia, Crusader and Topping's Elegans. 128 Notes 071 Gardens and Nurseries. The collection of cinerarias is also fine, but they were not in bloom ; among them we noticed Jelly TrefFes, Glow-worm, Annie, Beauty of Utica, &c. This beautiful tribe of plants is not half appreciated ; the improvement effected in the size of the flower and form of the petals has given it an addition- al claim on the florist's care, and no greenhouse collection can be considered complete without some of the cinerarias, they bloom so profusely, and make a greater show during the months of February and March than any other flowers ex- cept camellias and azaleas. They are easily raised from seed though it is no easy task to raise new and superior varieties. Of the new scarlet geraniums Mr. Thorburn has a fine col- lection, embracing Cottage Maid ; Tom Thumb's General ; Cerise Unique, with a beautiful green leaf shaded with brown and dark ash, dwarf and spreading habit ; Commander-in- Chief; Flower of the Day, with variegated foliage, and many others. Some new heliotropes have been added to the collection, viz., corymbosum, dwarf, and the very essence of scent ; reptans ; Triomphe de Liege, &c. Passing into the camellia house, we found the plants, of which there are many fine large specimens, loaded with blos- soms ; the collection is principally whites, of which Mr. Thor- burn has probably the largest specimen in the country. In the propagating house, we found a stock of all the new things, coming on finely under the charge of Mr. Frazier, the gardener ; of Hoya bella, many nice, compact, sturdy plants ; fuchsias, of several new kinds ; Pompon, and other chrysanthemums of the newer sorts ; scarlet geraniums, glox- inias, and verbenas, the list of new ones of foreign origin being rather limited this year. The whole collection we found in excellent order. Commercial Gardens of Messrs. Parsons 6f Co., Flush- ing. — During the last three years, Messrs. Parsons have great- ly extended their exotic department, which now contains four or five span-roofed houses for plants, grapes, &c. The whole is now under the charge of Mr. Cadness, an excellent propa- gator and cultivator of plants. We had but a short time to spend here, but in a hurried Notes on Gardens and Nurseries. 129 walk through the hothouse we noticed several new things ; among others, four fine species of Hoya, viz., imperiahs, Pottsn, campannlata, and cinamoyiflora, the former growing very rapidly and showing buds on one of the plants ; it is stated to be a showy thing, and from the figure of it, which we have seen, it will undoubtedly be a fine acquisition : several new Eschynanthuses, E. miniatus, speciosum, Hors- fieldr/, &c. ; Bouvardia leiantha, Abutilon album, Dipteracan- thus spectabilis, Clerodendron Bethnnei dmtni^ Escallonia macrantha, Passiflora amabilis, and the rare Medinilla spe- ciosa. Mr. Cadness remarked, in pointing out some speci- mens of Gardenm Stanleyana, that they would only thrive in a black sandy heath soil ; loam and manure being injuri- ous, to this and the Devoma/i« ; they also like a degree of shade and will not stand the heat of our summer sun. The camellia house was filled with a quantity of young plants, and a few fine flowering specimens ; a fine Wilder/, one of the large old plants, was superb, with a dozen or more- fully expanded flowers ; it must rank at the head of all the rose colored varieties ; Fordii, Landrethe, Saccoi nova, and Brooklynm, of similar color, are fine, but they are each want- ing in the fine petal of Wilder/. We did not see any new varieties in bloom. With the thermometer at 4° below zero, and the snow a foot deep, Ave found but little comfort in walking over the premises, and as the severe winter had retarded all flowering plants, Ave thought best to defer a more prolonged notice to a more favorable opportunity. Residence of Thomas Ridiardson, Esq., Westchester. In company Avith Mr. T. Dunlap, and through his polite in- vitation, we visited the residence of Mr. Richardson, situated on the road leading from Harlem Bridge to West Farms. The grounds comprise upAvards of seventy acres, only a por- tion of Avliich, hoAvever, are devoted to the laAvn and pleasure ground, floAver and kitchen garden, &c. The house is a large square building in the Grecian style, Avith colonnades extending to the roof. The greenhouse is a fine range up- wards of one hundred and thirty feet long, span-roofed, di- VOL. XVIII. NO. III. 17 130 Notes on Gardens and Nurseries. vided into three compartments, and is not yet completed, it being the intention of Mr. Richardson to erect a handsome cii'cular house at the end of .the range nearest the mansion. Entering the greenhouse, which is the middle compart- ment, we found it filled with a good collection of camellias, azaleas, cinerarias, &c. To the right of this is the peach- house and grapery ; to the left, the stove, which contains a collection unusually rich. Of begonias there are upwards of twenty-five species, among which we noticed the following as somewhat remarkable for their habit or foliage, none of them being in bloom : — zebrina, macrophylla, tomentosa, and heraclifolia. In a little compartment separated by a glass partition, and forming a kind of entrance to the camellia house on the north side of the range, we found quite a num- ber of ferns and hothouse plants, growing in the most healthy and vigorous condition : — Cypripedum venustum and insignis, Anemia fraxinifolia, yldiantum, Polypodium phytiloides, and a handsome banana reaching to the roof. The camellia or greenhouse was now gay with a fine col- lection of seedling cinerarias, in which Mr. Chalmers, the ex- cellent gardener, has been very successful in producing some beautiful varieties well worthy of a name ; few of the Eng- lish seedlings that we have seen were equal to them ; and it only needs perseverance and attention to enrich our collec- tions with as fine kinds as have been produced abroad. Mr. Chalmers has some fine specimens of Tropasolums, which were now just beginning to grow. The roots are strong, and as they are trained to neat wire trellises they will make a beautiful appearance when in full bloom. We are surprised that these plants are not oftener seen in choice collections, for they well repay all the care which may be bestowed on their cultivation. Four or five kinds of Epacris were com- ing into bloom, and a variety of other plants which we did not find time to note down. We were highly pleased with all the arrangements of Mr. Richardson's house ; it is thoroughly built, of good propor- tions, and is decidedly one of the prettiest structures of the , kind in the neighborhood of the city. Mr. Chalmers, the Notes on Gardens and Nurseries. 131 gardener, thoroughly understands his profession, and every- thing under his charge was in the most vigorous condition. When the whole range is completed- and filled with plants, we have no doubt it will equal, if it does not surpass, any sim- ilar collection in New York. Nursery Grounds of Mr. T. Dunlap, Harlem. — The great object of Mr. Dunlap is to produce an immense quantity of cut flowers, suitable for bouquets, &c., the central situa- tion of his store in Broadway giving him the opportunity to build up a large business in this department of gardening. Consequently we found that several new ranges of houses have been erected during the last four or five years. We think we counted nine houses, all span-roofed but one, about seventy-feet long each, and preparations were now making to put up another. They are appropriated to the various classes of plants ; one a camellia house, two for miscellaneous plants, one propagating house, and the others for roses, which is, after all, the flower. Tlje houses are all sunk in the ground, which is a dry bot- tom, about three feet, so as to bring the front plate abo^it even or slightly higher than the ground level. They are arranged internally with a shelf about three feet wide on each side, and except the rose houses, with a double stage in the centre. The rose houses have beds on the centre, in which the roses are planted, and more thrifty and beautiful specimens we never saw. Some of the Lamarques and Solfitaires were nearly the size of a stout tree at the base, and with shoots trained up to the rafters which had just been headed in. These roses flower abundantly up to the first of January, when they are pruned, and in the course of two months again begin to display their flowers. This is the true way of cul- tivating the rose when a fine quantity of flowers are wanted, as under pot cultivation, the strong growers, particularly La- marque, Solfitaire and Chromatella, do not repay the room they occupy. The camellia house contained a fine stock of plants in the most healthy and vigorous condition. We here saw in bloom for the first time Mr. Dunlap's white seedling, called 132 Notes on Gardens and Nurseries. alba perfecta, one of the most beautiful of all the wliites, and said by good judges to be far better than any which have yet been raised ; the flower was too far gone for us to form a correct opinion of its merits ; the petal is as round and free from notch as Wilderi, and the color is the purest white, full to the centre, slightly cupped, and opens very freely, a great desideratum in every camellia ; for many of what would oth- erwise be considered the best camelias fall short in this char- acteristic. In the hothouse the gorgeous Bignonm venusta was yet in bloom, though most of the flowers had been cut ; it is one of the finest greenhouse climbers, and no collection should be without it.' Planted out in a large box or tub, near a warm flue or at the furnace end of the house, it will ramble all over the roof and fall in the most brilliant festoons from rafter to rafter, forming the most conspicuous feature from December to March. One house is wholly occupied with heliotropes in pots for cutting. Mr. Dunlap grows the Neapolitan violet to great perfection, and iu quantities greater than we have ever seen at any other place. We are surprised that this fragrant flower is not grown more extensively by all amateurs, as well as gardeners, especially where quantities of cut flowers are wanted, partic- ularly fragrant ones. Nothing can be more desirable for this purpose than the violet, as it requires nothing more than a frame, and protection from freezing, to bloom abundantly from January to May. Mr. Dunlap had four or five ranges of frames, nearly one hundred feet long each, and we think he stated that he gathered several hundred dozen blossoms for New Year's day. Mr. Dunlap's gardener is a German, and has only had charge of his place for a year ; but we could see a great im- provement in the condition of the plants, everything now being in the very best order. The establishments of J. B. Lenoir and Mr. Boll, the former on the Bloomingdale road and the latter on Forty- Sixth street, we found in fine order, each containing a good stock of the usual plants grown for the city trade. Among General Notices. 133 the new things at Mr. Lenoir's, we saw a monthly carnation of French origin, very pretty, and distinct. At Mr. Boll's, we saw, among his stock of camellias which was large, some new seedlings which promise well. Mr. B. has already raised several fine ones, and we have no doubt some of those now coming into bloom, from the appearance of the buds, will be double and handsome, ^uphorbm Jacquinajfiora, at both places, is exceedingly well grown, and we noticed some re- markably fine specimens with spikes of flowers a foot or more long. Roses and camellias constitute the principal stock of plants grown by Mr. Lenoir and Mr. Boll. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. Art. I. General JVotices. Rustic Baskets for Flower-Beds. — Amongst the many modes and appliances called into use for the embellishment and diversification of the flower garden, perhaps there are none that deserves a greater amount of patronage than the rustic basket. Its construction is simple and cheap, and it furnishes us with the means of bringing into happy combination plants of various habits. Of course the size and shape of the basket, which in different situations may be various, must be kept in view. One I have lately used is of the simplest form, being a mere circle constructed with staves of birch or elm, with the bark on ; it stands about 18 inches above, and is sunk as much below the surface of the lawn ; its diameter is 10 feet, over which are two arches, formed with six iron rods, crossing at 5 feet above the top of the basket. The centre was planted with Ageratum odoratum ; then two rows of scarlet geranium ; the edge with the old trail- ing variety of ivy-leaved geranium ; and Tropceolum canariensis was trained over the handles: altogether it had a pleasing effect. The ivy-leaved geranium harmonizes well with the rough bark that forms the sides of the basket, to which it should be fastened with a few shreds, to prevent its being broken by the wind. — [Gard. Jour., 1852, p. 35.) Advantages of Growing Currants and Gooseberries as Stand- ards ON Long Stems. — By the sides of the borders of the kitchen garden here, I have been, for the last five or six years, planting gooseberries and currants as standards, with long stems. They take up little room, being generally planted between the dwarf pear and apple trees, and it is aston- ishing what a quantity of fine clean fruit may be grown by this method. I train them about four feet high in the stem ; and it requires a stout stake to keep them upright when well laden with fruit. My selection of goose- 134 Domestic Notices. berries is principally of the following kinds, all for the dessert, namely : — the Warrina^ton, (for hanging very late,) Champagne, Early Yellow, Crown Bob, and Ironmonger. Before the fruit begins to get ripe, the bushes are wrapped up in a piece of Nottingham gauze net, and are then safe from all attacks of insects, birds or bipeds. The Warrington can be retarded to the end of September ; but, being a very prickly variety, and the young shoots growing downwards, they require to be clipped with a pair of shears before putting the net on, to save the net. The other varieties can be served the same way, especially if the bushes have attained to the size intended. At one lime, before I tried this method of growing gooseberries and currants, the blackbirds and thrushes had generally devoured all the fruit before it was well ripened ; and to keep red currants late they had to be covered with garden mats, but in wet autumns the fruit rotted for want of the circulation of air. Now I can keep red currants till the end of No- vember quite plump and clean ; and some of the bushes of about six years' growth had about a peck of fruit on them each this last year. I find the best varieties of red currants for hanging late is Knight's Late Red and the Raby Castle, and the best variety of black the Black Naples. — (Card. Jour., 1852, ;?. 35.J Anomatheca Cruenta. — The great worth and excellence of this little bulb are not sufficiently known or valued. In my opinion, there is nothing better for small beds, or for planting near the edges of large ones or bor- ders. It will answer exceedingly well under the following treatment; — The first week in March, the bulbs should be potted in equal parts of loam, dung, and leaf-mould, with a good mixture of sand, putting four bulbs in a pot, and placing them in a pit with the other bedding plants, until the season arrives for turning out, when they should be planted in a bed of similar compost, without disturbing the roots. They will then, with ordinary attention, grow vigorously, and flower profusely from June to November. If bloom is all that is required, the seed pods should be cut out as the blossoms fall, as that will greatly strengthen the succession flower-buds. Should increase of stock be required, seed may be easily saved, and bulbs raised ; they are also readily increased by offsets. The multitude of beautiful scarlet and crimson blossoms makes this plant worthy the attention of the flower-gardener. Tlie bulbs should be taken up before frost sets in, potted in silver sand, and securely laid by for the winter. — (Gard. Jour., 1852,^. 35.J Art. II. Domestic JVotices. Destructive Effects of the Cold Weather in Washington, T>. C. — We learn, from an article in the JVational Intelligencer, by Dr. C. G. Page, that the late severe weather has been very destructive to the roses and other plants in the neighborhood of Washington. After stating that Domestic Notices. 135 the tliermometer at his residence, two miles from the city, fell to the low point of 8° below zero, he remarks : — " I have noticed here what I never saw in the city, viz., a sudden fall of the mercury immediately afler sunrise. On tlie morning of the 23d instant, the mercury, just before sunrise, stood at 6°, and ten minutes after sunrise, had fallen to zero.* At ten minutes before sunset, the evening previous, it stood at 36°. Such severe cold and such great and sudden changes cannot fail to be, and already have been, very destructive to vegetation. I find, already, some of my best peach trees almost entirly killed, and many ex- tensively injured, while the apple, pear, plum, apricot, fig, and even the forest trees, are all injured, to some extent, by the cold. The grapevines, also, have lost much of their last season's growth. Our ornamental shrub- bery will make a pitiful appearance next spring. Nearly all the tea rosea have been killed outright. The noisettes are but little better off, while the bourbons and remontants stand it thus far very well, though these, where they made a great growth last season, are injured. The bourbons, re- montants, and some of the rare garden roses, are fortunately now the favorites among amateurs, and if they survive this season, they will always be safe. In this climate we have thought it safe always to leave our tea roses standing out all winter, merely sheltering them from the sun by cedar or pine brush; but they are all gone this time. The ground having been covered with snow through most of tlie severe weather, we have a linger- ing hope that the roots may survive. Almost every plant above ground has suffered to some extent. The blighting blast has blown its baneful breath upon them all alike. " For the sake of forming some comparative esti.nate of the severity of this season, I will cite a few examples. During the last winter there was not a time in which full-blown and fresh speciuiens of heart's-ease could not have been gathered in my garden. This winter they were all cut down in December, and have not made their appearance since. For many win- ters past the tender tea and noisette roses have stood out without any protection, in many cases, and under a genial climate many of them had attained an enormous height and size. But now, so far as I have observed, (and I have examined hundreds,) they are killed entirely down to the ground. I have heard of a very large chromatella, (cloth of gold,) in the city, which has escafped. If so, this is an exception. The common Chinese blush daily is a good test, and with me this also has been cut down. But a better test is the rose improperly called the whhe macrophylla. I have some of these that have partly escaped, and others entirely killed. These facts will be regarded with interest by florists at the north. Rose culture has taken the place of every other flower mania, and from the great loss of plants they will be in demand for some time to come." * Note. — A farmer from Fairfax county, Virginia, who has kepi a record of wiather, crops, &c., for scvenleen years, informs me ihdl on llie cohJ 'J'uesday morning, week before last, the thermometer was 10 deg. below zero. He had Irequenily noticed the sudden tall of the mercuiy about the tmie oi sunrise. The cause appears to me lo be a slight niovenienl oi ih^ told air belore it has derived any appreciable warmtli ironi the suu. 136 Horticultural Societies. The loss of the fine plants, which we saw there last March, must cer- tainly be severely felt ; all the tea and china roses ordinarily stand the winter without injury, or with only the loss of a few of the ends of the shoots, which would of necessity have to he pruned off. We saw hundreds of these plants in the gardens and nurseries around the city, many of which were three or four feet high. Lovers of the rose can readily appreciate the los? of such fine specimens. The remarks of Mr. Page satisfiictorily settle the question in regard to the relative hardiness of trees raised in a warm or cold latitude. While the peaches "are almost entirely killed," and the apple, pear and plum, "in- jured to some extent" with the thermometer at 8® below zero, our own peach trees, in our nursery, with the thermometer 12° below zero once, and from 6'^ to IC below zero, several times, are not harmed so much as a single flower or twig, and apples and pears never wintered better. — En. Art. III. Horticultural Societies. Albany and Rknsselaer Horticultural Society. — The annual meeting of the society was held at the State Agricultural Rooms, February ' 4th, 1852, — V. P. Douw, President, in the chair. Mr. Wilson, from the committee, reported the names of the following pers-, .,, Boston, April 3, 1852. C. M. Hovey, \ ^ommitUe. It was unanimously accepted. The President, for the committee, reported in favor of appointing a committee of correspondence with the Paris committee, in accordance witli the proposition of M. Valtemare. The President, Corresponding and Recording Secretary were appointed the committee. Mr. C. Newhall, from the committee appointed for that object, reported in favor of a service of plate to Ex -President Walker, of the value of $150. Mr. C. M. Hovey also submitted the following Report, upon the propriety of offering a medal or piece of plate to J. M. Ives, of Salem, for the intro- duction of the marrow squash : — The committee to whom was referred the subject of the propriety of awarding a suitable piece of plate, or a medal, to J. M. Ives, of Salem, for the production or introduction of the Autumnal Marrow Squash, beg leave to report : — That they believe it to be one of the first objects of the society to en- courage the growth or introduction of new and improved varieties of flow- ers, fruits, and vegetables, and that in no way can its funds be more appro- priately bestowed than for such objects. It encourages a spirit of emula- tion. It induces a greater degree of interest in everything pertaining to cultivation ; and, finally, and what is perhaps of the greatest good, it sup- plies us with new and superior productions, adding to the luxuries of our tables, and to the wealth of the country. If " he who makes two blades of grass to grow where one grew before," is a " public benefactor," he certain- ly is who loads our tables with the delicious Seckel in place of the austere pear ; the Baldwin in the place of the Wild Crab ; or the Crawford in place of the tasteless peach. The improvement of our vegetables is a subject of great importance ; and there is room to accomplish much. In that valuable product Rhubarb, twenty-five years has done but little ; for it is only recently that large and fine flavored kinds, free from the medicinal character, have been obtained. So too with tlie Squash ; with the exception of the Autumnal Marro^v, lit- Horticultural Operations for May. 237 tie improvement has been effected ; and it is from the fact, that a variety so decidedly remarkable has been added to the list, that your Committee deem it just and proper, that some token of reward should be given to encourage others to go on in their endeavors to improve this as well as every other class of culinary vegetables. In regard to the origin of the Autumnal Marrow, your Committee do not now intend to enlarge ; it is sufficient for them to know that it was first intro- duced to this neighborhood by Mr. J. M. Ives, of Salem, and is so peculiar to our vicinity, that it is called the " Boston Marrow." To no other source can your Committee trace it. They would therefore report that a piece of plate, with an appropriate inscription, or a medal of the value of fifty dollars, be presented to Mr. Ives, for the introduction of the marrow squash. C. M. HOVET, > ^ ... Boston, April 3, 1852. Henry Bradlee, ^ The same Committees were appointed to carry the above votes into effect. The President read a communication from M. Vattemare, which was referred to the Corresponding Committee. Adjourned four weeks, to May 1. Exhibited. Flowers : From Ilovey & Co., specimens of their seedling Verbena America, which the Committee state have " the appearance of a phlox," from the large size of the trusses, and their erect habit. From A. Bowditch, Amie Vibert roses. Fruit : From T. Page, fine Roxbury Russet apples. From E. Wight, Danvers Winter Sweet, Roxbury Russet and Nonsuch apples. From G. W. Haven, Ledge Sweet apples, in fine order, and the Committee consider it the, best long keeping sweet apple ever presented to the Society. April 17. — Exhibited. Fruits : From H. Vandine, Long Rose Water pears. From A. Bowditch, Boston Pine strawberries. April 24. — Exhibited. Fruits : From J. Perham, Lyndeborough, N. H., Seedling sweet apple, of medium size, yellow, with red streaks, — a valuable late keeping sweet apple. From Hon. I. Davis, Worcester, a fine melon, weishinff 12 ounces. HORTICULTURAL OPERATIONS fruit department. Rarely have we known a more unfavorable April. Vegetation is now but little more advanced than at the first of the month. Two snow storms and an unusual number of cold rainy days, have been the prevailing characteristics of the month. The quantity of rain which fell was immense, flooding all low lands, and even completely saturating all but the ver\- 238 Horticultural Operations for May. dryest land, so as to put a stop to all kinds of labor in the garden or orchard. This weather has consequently put back all kinds of work, and, if the weather should turn up warm, crowding two months' labor into one. The cultivator must consequently now make up for lost time ; commence at once to dig- and plant, and accomplish everything as speedily as can be done with safety. Grape Vines, in the early houses, will now begin to color their fruit. See that the laterals are kept tied in. Air the house early in good weather, and preserve a genial atmosphere by occasionally watering the walks, gradually dispensing with this operation as the fruit changes, until it may be discontinued altogether when the grapes are nearly ripe. Look over the bunches and see that they are properly shouldered. Vines in the greenhouse will now be setting their fruit ; keep a little closer atmosphere, and discontinue watering the house till the fruit is well set, when it should be resorted to again more liberally than before, as the weather is warmer and evaporation greater. Vines in cold houses Avill soon be showing their flowers, and Avill need the same attention given to greenhouse vines in our last number. Finish pruning and training vines in the open ground. Dig and manure vine borders this month. Peaches, in pots, will now need a great quantity of air, and liberal supplies of water, with occasional syringing. Now is a good time to pot peach trees, if more are wanted. Raspberry and Blackberry vines should be now tied up to strong stakes, the ground well manured and dug. Strawberry Beds will need attention. Top dress, if they need it, with old decayed manure, and thoroughly weed the plants. When they have set their fruit, cover the ground with clean straw or short mowings of the lawn. If the ground is poor, apply a light dressing of guano. This month is the best time to make new beds. Grafting should be completed now, or as soon as convenient. Pruning should be attended to. Pyramidal trees should be well headed in, and all the small, useless wood cut back to two eyes. Trees, of all kinds, should be got into the ground as early as possible. Insects : look after them. Red spiders, on the peaches and grapes, will be troublesome ; and caterpillars, in the open air, will need " routing out " as soon as they can be detected. FLOWER DEPARTMENT. The greenhouse and conservatory will now be gay with pelargoniums, verbenas, roses, mimuluses, calceolarias, cinerarias, &c., and pains should be taken to keep up a fine display by removing those done blooming and supplying their place with others from a reserve house. This is the time to re-pot many plants, previously to their removal to the open air, where they often suffer for want of it ; all the fast growing kinds, kept in-doors, will require it. Camellias, azaleas, &c., will now be making their growth, and will require liberal supplies of water and repeated syr- Horticultural Operations for May. 239 inging in all fine weather. Prune in now all climbing plants which have done blooming, as they soon begin to make their wood for next year. Shift and bring along Japan lilies, fuchsias, achimenes, &c., intended for decorating the conservatory from July to September. Pelargoniums will now be the most attractive objects where they have been well grown; indeed, nothing can be finer than the new/anc?/ varieties, such as Annais, Jehu Superb, Perfection, Jenny Lind, &c. ; such, too, as Orion, Forget-me-not, Centurion, &c., are superb ; keep near the glass ; air very freely ; water liberally, using liquid manure or guano occasionally ; and by all means keep down the green fly ; when in full bloom, they may be shaded in the middle of the day. Camellias will be growing vigorously and should be watered freely. Azaleas will require frequent syringing, and occasionally little liquid guano. Nip off the tops of the young shoots, if dwarf, compact, bushy plants are wanted. Re-pot now if they require it. Japan Lilies, in pots, should be shifted if they require it; water more liberally now. Chrysanthemums may yet be propagated ; those already under way should be kept dwarf and bushy by pinching off the tops. Heaths will require attention. Re-pot all such as require it ; and as soon as the weather is good, put them out in frames, where they do better than in warm greenhouses. Epacrises may have the same treatment. Fuchsias, intended for large specimens, should be shifted often, using a light rich soil. Water with liquid guano. Monthly Carnations, done blooming, should be layered, in order to get good strong roots for next season. ToRENiA AsiATiCA, intended for large specimens, should be shifted and placed in a good situation. Gloxinias, Achimenes and Gesneras, will require re-potting. Stephanotuses, Schubertias, and similar climbers, should be regularly trained up, and not be allowed to ramble about until so matted together as to injure their growth. Orange Trees may be re-potted now ; prune them freely, if they require it tb be brought into good shape. Acacias, of the different kinds, beginning to grow freely, will require a shift into larger pots. Daphnes, Lauristinus, and other shrubs, should be re-potted if they require it. Greenhouse Plants, of all kinds, should now be propagated, as they do better than Avhen the season is more advanced. FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY. But little out-door work has yet been accomplished, and consequently May will be a busy month. The first thing will be to put in order ground intended for planting, and to finish up all such work at once. Walks and borders must be looked after; repair and put in order the former, and if the edgings, whether of box, thrift or grass, are not in good condition, replant 240 Horticultural Operatiojis for May. them. Top-dress lawns with guano, applying from one hundred to three hun- dred pounds to the acre, according to their condition, whether poor or rich, and give them a good rolling with a heavy roller. Grass edgings should always be cut before the borders are dug, as it can then be done more neatly. Manure and prepare beds intended for bedding out plants, and proceed with the setting out of the plants as soon as danger of frost is over. NoAv is the time to prune roses, as they start stronger when it is done in season. Give them a good heading in, excepting the hybrid Chinas, hybrid Bourbons, and Persian Yellows, which should be left at full length, only taking out the small shoots. Mosses are often bare of bloom for want of severe pruning ; as a general rule, every shoot should be cut back to three or four eyes. Train up Prairie and other running roses. Dahlias may be planted this month, towards the latter part, or as soon as all danger of frost is past. Herbaceous and Tree P^.oxies should be transplanted now. Car.vatioxs, Picotees and Pinks, should be planted out in beds ; the earlier it is done, the stronger they will bloom. Herbaceous Plants, of all kinds, should be re-set, when they have been standing three or four years. Pansies should be top dressed with very old manure, covering the ground about an inch deep ; if dry weather, and fine blooms are desired, water liberally. Gladioluses, of all the summer blooming kinds, should be planted now. Bedding Plants should be put out the last of the month. Annuals, of all the hardy kinds, such as asters, larkspurs, candytuft, sweet peas, clarkias, morning glory, poppies, eschscholtzias, marigolds, «fcc., may be planted immediately. Tender Annuals, raised in the hotbed, should be removed to the bor- ders this month. VEGETABLE DEPARTMENT. Planting having been deferred on account of the weather, proceed now to get in all early crops as speedily as possible. Prepare ground for successional sowings, and for transplanting such vegetables as have teen forwarded in hotbeds. Rhubarb Plantations should have a heavy coat of manure, which should be well spaded in. New beds may be made now. Hotbeds will require attention, particularly those filled with cucumbers, melons, egg plants, &c. Keep up a good heat by renewed linings. Tomatoes and Peppers may be transplanted as soon as the weather is favorable. Mushroom Beds may be made now ; old beds, made in the autumn, if relined, will give a good early crop. Beans, Cucumbers, Squashes, Corn, and all kinds of vegetables, should be planted this month. Asparagus Beds maybe made now; let the ground be well trenched, eighteen to twenty-four inches deep, and made rich and light. THE MAGAZINE OF IIORTICULTUR.E. JUNE, 1852. ORIGINAL COiMMUNICATIONS. Art. I. The power of Soils to absorb and retain Ammonia. By Dr. Lindley. With Remarks on the use of Guano. By the Editor. In our previous volumes we have given our readers our views upon the use of ammonia as a manure, particularly in its application to fruit trees ; we had then had less experience in its use than now ; but further time, so far from lessening our opinion of its value, has only served to convince us that it is one of the most economical and valuable substances the cultivator can use ; and where manure is expensive, or diffi- cult to be procured, the only article which can supply its place. We are aware that it has not the merit of being a '' special manure," in the general use of that term, and hence has not been tried by those who believe that peat and ashes are the only substances which can revivify or reanimate a tree. But let those who believe all thoy read follow such advice, and they will soon find that something more is required than the elements which are indicated by the analysis of the chemist. An article by Dr. Lindley appeared some time since in the Gardener'' s Chi'onicle, on the power of absorbing and retain- ing ammonia which experiments have shown the soil to pos- sess, and we had intended to find room for it in our pages ; but the favors of our correspondents prevented at the time, VOL. XVIII. NO. VI. 31 242 The Power of Soils to and we now embrace an early and seasonable opportunity to supply it, assured that it will be read with satisfaction by every cultivator : The power of absorbing and retaining ammonia, which most experiments have shown the soil to possess, probably will explain the reasons why in certain cases, on particular soils, and applied to particular plants, the salts of ammonia sometimes appear to produce little benefit. Several observers have at different times stated, that to their great surprise, they had found many of the salts of ammonia, not only with- out any beneficial influence on vegetation, but even abso- lutely hurtful to plants. It was this which some years since led Boussingault to the conclusion, that salts of ammonia were only useful to plants when the ammonia was either combined with carbonic acid or some destructible organic acid. Plants fed with water alone, or planted in pure siliceous sand, and watered with solutions of various salts of ammonia, in place of being benefited, were killed ; although the same plants, when grown in common soil, and watered with the same ammoniacal solutions, were certainly rendered more healthy and vigorous. The conclusion to which Boussingault was at last led, was, that the only carbonate, and, therefore, that in all cases where the other salts of this alkali were used as manure, the acid must, by some process of chemical de- composition, be removed, and replaced by the carbonic. A key to some of the difficulties Avhich these observers could not explain is now given to us, in the fact that an ordinary fertile soil possesses the power of decomposing the salts of ammonia, and by the acid of lime displacing the acid with which the ammonia is combined. It has often been stated by careful observers that they could find no difference in the relative value of the various salts of ammonia as manure, and that they all acted perfectly alike on plants ; this is not what might reasonably be expected, but it would, of course, folloAV as a necessary consequence from the power of the soil which has lately been brought to light. Absorb and retain Am/monia. 243 There is, however, still another question which must be satisfactorily explained, before we can have any very accu- rate idea of the precise mode in which these changes are effected ; and that is, the subsequent process whereby the ammonia which the soil has absorbed is given off again, and taken up by plants. All that is now shown is, that the soil is able to fix a considerable quantity of ammonia, which is retained by it with a good deal of force, so that mere sub- sequent washing will not remove it. By whatever means it is that the soil is able to do this, it is tolerably certain that there exists some means whereby plants are able to avail themselves of the ammonia thus arrested, and stored up by the soil. Whether these means are simply chemical ; whether they depend in any way on the influence of light, or whether they are to be traced to the vital powers of the plant and the peculiar structure of the roots, is not yet ascertained ; but two things are plain ; firsjly, that the soil takes up from rain- water all the ammonia which the latter contains ; and, sec- ondly, that the soil again parts with some of this ammonia to plants growing in it. The power of any soil thus to absorb ammonia is un- questionably limited ; and if we continue to filter a weak solution of ammonia through a portion of any soil, though the water which comes through at first will not contain any ammonia, yet, after a short time, and when the soil has taken up as much as it is able to absorb, then the water which passes through will be found to contain as much am- monia as it did before it was thus filtered. The quantity which the soil is able to retain is not great, but it is abun- dantly sufficient for the wants of plants. Until we know the mode in which clay subsequently parts with the ammonia which it has absorbed, we shall not be able to devise the best means of preventing the loss of that substance, or of making the most of the power in question. There is, however, every probability that by continued exposure to the air alone, much of the ammonia which has been absorbed during a summer shower, for example, is again slowly given off; an effect which the mere gradual evaporation of the surface water 244 The Poioer of Soils to would greatly tend to accelerate. Hence it is not to be ex- pected that any soil, however constituted, could, by mere exposure to the air, ever become very rich in ammonia, or indeed contain more than a minute trace of it ; because the entire quantity which it could possibly receive in any one day could only be very minute ; and though it is true that the constant repetition of such additions to the soil would in time amount to a considerable quantity ; yet, as it would take a long time, and as, during the whole of this time, the soil would be necessarily exposed to the influence of evapo- ration, and the other causes, whatever they may be, which tend to remove ammonia again from the soil ; so it is not to be expected that, even under the most favorable circumstan- ces, any large accumulation could take place. It will be an important subject of inquiry, to ascertain how much ammonia a good clay soil is able to absorb under the most favorable circumstances ; for if the quantity is suffi- ciently large, it would unquestionably be worth while to form large filter beds in the reservoir of drainage water from towns ; not as has often been proposed, merely for the pur- pose of purifying it from all the solid matter mechanically suspended in it, but also to arrest the ammonia and other valuable soluble elements of manure which it contains. Some of Mr. Way's experiments on this subject are very curious. He not only found that by filtering a portion of putrid drain- age water through a few inches of soil, it had lost all bad odor, and contained no longer any ammonia ; but he also found that on filtering fresh liquids of this sort, which had not yet begun to putrefy, through such a layer of soil, they even lost all tendency to putrefy, and might then be kept weeks exposed to the air without their showing any indica- tion of putrefaction. Although the chief agent in producing these remarkable effects is clay, yet it is evident that such filtering beds, if worth making at all, could not be made of clay alone, because, from its close tenacious nature, and the extreme slowness with which it allows the percolation of water, it would be evidently unfit for any kind of filter ; and a mixture of clay and sand, such as we find in a good mod- Absorb and retain Ammonia. 245 erately stiff soil, would no doubt be far better. Mr. Way's experiments prove that the soil has a power of absorbing pot- ash, soda, magnesia, and phosphoric acid, as well as ammo- nia ; and if we add to these one more substance, namely, lime, we have most of the chief elements of manure. As we said a fortnight since, when adverting to these very curious and important experiments, the subject is not yet half investigated, and there appears to be many chemical points not satisfactorily explained ; some of these, as we then suggested, probably depend on mechanical rather than on chemical causes. Pure white clay, which had been boiled for two hours in strong muriatic acid, and which therefore evidently did not contain any free carbonate of lime, was nevertheless found to decompose a solution of muriate of ammonia which was filtered through it ; a portion of the ammonia was absorbed, while the acid passed through in combination with lime ; though, as may be supposed, far less ammonia was absorbed than when a clay containing free carbonate of lime was used as the filter. From this result we learn that such clay, which always contains a small quantity of lime, though it does not give up that lime to the action of a strong chemical solvent (such as boiling muriatic acid,) nevertheless does part with it readily under the influ- ence of the much weaker solvent powers of a solution of muriate of ammonia. Another, and an equally surprising result, was obtained on endeavoring to ascertain whether a given soil would absorb the same relative proportion of ammonia from solutions containing diff'erent salts of that substance. An equal weight of soil was employed in each case, and it was found that when a weak solution of pure caustic ammonia was used, and there was therefore no chem- ical affinity to be neutralized or overcome, every thousand grains of the soil took up about a grain and a half of ammo- nia ; on the other hand, when a solution of muriate of am- monia was used, in which case the salts had to be decom- posed by lime under the influence of the soil, then nearly one-third more, or two grains of ammonia, was absorbed by every thousand grains of the soil. 246 The Power of Soils to We have mentioned the influence of mere mechanical conditions in modifying, or even for the time setting aside, the ordinary laws of chemical action ; as we quoted, as an illustration, the action of sulphate of ammonia on chalk. Another and a very curious example of the same sort of effect is shown in the mutual action of common salt and chalk. It is a well-known fact that a solution of common salt has no chemical action on chalk ; indeed, when solu- tions of muriate of lime and carbonate of soda are mixed together, the salts are both decomposed, a mixture of com- mon salt and chalk is the result, and, however long these two substances are left together, no further change takes place. If, however, a quantity of sand is added, and the mixture exposed to the air, but protected from the rain, it will be found in a short time that the two substances react on each other, and give rise to the reproduction of those very sub- stances, by the mutual action of which they have themselves been formed. A dry mixture of salt and chalk remains wholly unchanged, and so also does one which is thoroughly wetted ; but if it is divided by the addition of soil or sand, and kept moist, both substances are partially decomposed, and the decomposition which then takes place is directly opposed to the ordinary known laws of chemical combina- tion. It is plain, then, that the action of salt on any soil must, in great part, depend upon the mechanical condition of the latter ; and whether the circumstances are such as to favor the decomposition of the salt, and the consequent formation of carbonate of soda, A little more or less rain may make all the difference, by preventing or assisting in the decomposition of the salt. This fact, which has been known some time, derives additional weight from Mr. Way's experi- ments. Our soil being mostly a retentive clay we have been ena- bled to perceive perhaps more readily, the effects of repeated applications of guano ; for we have found a vast difference in favor of this manure over stable dung, costing twice the amount of the guano. Absorb and retain Ammoriia. 247 As there can be no doubt of its efficacy the only informa- tion necessary is when to apply it. In our climate some judg- ment is needed in doing this. Subject as it is to severe droughts, it is all important to guard against this, that guano should be applied early in the season, in April or May, when the ground is dug, turning it under the soil. If from any cause it is not applied then, select a time when there is every indication of a rain, slightly disturbing the surface, that it may be buried beyond the action of heat and dryness. It has been the late applications of guano, succeeded by a long drought, which have in many instances induced cultiva- tors to hesitate about its continued use. We have seen bad effects from such applications, and now guard against them as much as possible in the manner we have described. On very light soils it is all important it should be spread upon the ground in April, so as to be thoroughly dissolved by the early rains of April or May. The power of soils to decompose and adapt to the use of plants growing in them the substances applied, as in the case of salts of ammonia above noticed, is another instance of the necessity of practical experiments in arriving at definite results ; and it shows conclusively that the compounds called " special manures," which are recommended for all purposes, like patent medicines, which cure all diseases, must act, if they act at all, in a very variable manner, according to the soil in Avhich trees or plants are growing, to which they are applied. The mechanical conditions of soil and other sub- jects alluded to in the above extract, are of exceeding interest, and cannot fail to receive the attention of every cultivator. Another thing, and important too, is to be sure and pur- chase the genuine Peruvian guano, and no other, unless exceedingly cheap. It is the only kind which has any value — arising from its great per centage of ammonia. Much that is called guano, being principally lime, although it may be recommended, is nearly worthless. Professor Way recently analyzed some of the cheap guano, and found it worth only £3 per ton, as compared with the Peruvian. 248 The Spring of 1852, in Illinois. Art. II. The Spring of 1852, in Illinois ; with a List of the earliest Floiuerijig Plants, and their Period of Bloom- ing, from 1847 to 1851. By E. S. L. Richardson, Ken- dall, 111. The following article, by Mr. Richardson, of Illinois, will be found highly interesting ; and in comparison with the list of plants published in a previous volume, (VII, p. 201,) and furnished us by the late Wm. Oakes, will show the relative season of blooming in two remote sections of our country, Massachusetts and Illinois. We have already given some account of the severity of the past winter in Ohio and Ken- tucky, and it will be seen that it has been equally cold in Illinois : This spring is quite backward with us ; last Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, (3d, 4th, and 5th,) we had the worst storm that we have had for years, so late in the season. On the 3d we had snow and rain ; and as much if not more snow than any other time during the winter; 4th, a violent rain, and 5th, rain and snow, with a very strong wind. Tuesday, 6th, was our annual town meeting, and two of us started on foot to go ; about three or four miles off. It was too bad for horses, as the snow had drifted, and had a thin crust of ice just below the siu'face. We went to our brother's, about a mile, and gave it up, and came back. The snow was some- times over our boots — and in one place up to our knees — and we would break through the ice in it nearly every step. It was then clear sunshine, and the snow melting fast. Next day we had snow and rain again. Yesterday, chiefly clear, the snow melting and running off in rivers. To-day is quite clear and fine — in places the ground is bare — in others are drifts of snow from one to two feet deep. (I have measured a drift since I began this, and found one near the house 22 inches deep, and think some in the yard may be a little deep- er.) 5th instant, the rain froze on the trees as fast as it fell, till they were loaded with it, and young trees bent till they The Spring of 1852, in Illinois. 249 touched the ground. The fruit-buds on peach trees were all killed over two months ago ; and we fear that the buds on other trees are much damaged by the ice on them in the last storm. The ice was over half an inch thick, all over the trees. The last winter, as a whole, was very disa- greeable. December 15 and 17, the thermometer stood at 10° below zero, and 29th it was 53° above, a range of 63°. (My record of December is imperfect ; I have only 58 observations, instead of 93 observations, as a boy broke my thermometer 27th November, and I began with a new one, evening of 12th December.) In January, coldest, only 19° below zero, 19th ; (as low as 24° below at Bristol, seven miles N. W. of us, on Fox river ;) warmest, 28th, 46° above, a range of 65°. In February, coldest, 29th — 2° below zero ; warmest, 24th — 55° above, a range of 57°. In March, coldest, 19th — 8° above ; warmest, 25th, 68° above, a range of 60°. We had March weather in February — February weather in March. And this month is mostly like January. March 16 was fine in the morning, almost like a summer day ; thermometer 63°, at noon — but P. M. it stormed, and rained, and at night the ground was covered with ice, and thermometer only 30° above, and it has hardly been so warm since. In the night of 29th we had a rain storm, with heavy thunder, and one continued flash of lightning — almost blinding — such as might be ex- pected in July or August. Grass is not so green noio as it was a month ago — then it seemed as though the spring had come ; but since then we have stept back into winter again. In this month, so far, the coldest was 6th, in the morning, 22° above — warmest, 6th and 7th, at noon, 50° above. To-day, 33°, morning, and 49° at noon. Some of the spring birds have come. Geese werei, here, 23d Febru- ary ; sandhill cranes, 6th March ; ducks, 7th ; meadow larks, 8th ; robins, plover, and blackbirds, 9th ; brant geese, 24th ; long-billed curlew, 25th. (Geese are here, sometimes, all winter — if it is a mild winter.) Beside these, the follow- ing come early in the spring : Sivans, blue birds, turkey buzzards, and wild pigeons, (fcc, (fcc. I have seen a pelican ; it was shot within about 10 miles of us a few years ago. VOL. XVIII. NO. VI. 32 250 The Spring of 1852, in Illinois. Among our winter birds are quails, woodcock, crows, wood- peckers, including the golden-winged woodpecker, prairie hens or pinnated grouse, (mischievous birds, they destroy fruit-buds, stripping the trees of them,) snow owls, hawks, snow-birds, mourning doves, &c., &c. Below, I give the flowering of a few of our earliest native flowers, for a few years past, 1847 to 1851, inclusive : Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis, Erythronium albidum, Claytonia virginica, Hepatica triloba, Ranunculus sp., Viola sp., Dicentra (Corydalis) cu- cullaria. Anemone nemorosa, Castilleja (Bartsia) coc- cinea, Mertensia (Pulmonaria) virginica, Oxalis violacea, Wild Strawberry, (Fra- garia,) Polemonium reptans, (Ja- cob's Ladder, Phlox sp., Uvularia perfoliata, 1847. April 29, ab.Ap.21, April 8, April 13, April 29, April 19, April 29, April 19, Seeding 1848. Prev. to April 8, ab.Ap.l3, April 15, April 23, April 29, May 5, May 5, May 11, May 11, May 13, May 5, May 13, April 21, April 27, May 2, Prev. to April 21, May 2, April 22, May 2, April 25, April 27, 1849. Prev. to April 13, April 25, April 13, M'rch 31, April 26, April 25, April 13, May 9, April 13, May 8, April 28, May 13, May 11, May 9, 1850. April 22, April 29, April 7, April 7, April 26, April 22, April 26, May 30, May 14, May 3, Mayl5,& Sept. 18, May 4, May 14, May 20, May 16, 1851. April 15. April 24. April 29. bl.&eeed April 29. April 29. April 15. April 28. May 15. May 10. AprU 29. May 15. April 29. April 29. Above, you have flowering of 15 kinds of native plants. These are selected, as most of them are noted, for each year ; and many others might be added, as blooming in March, April, and May, that is, previous to June. Among these, are Red-bud or Judas Tree, Shad-bush, Pedicularis sp., Thlaspi or Capsella, Onosmodium, Trilliums, Geranium Mac'm, Do- decatheons, Convallarias, Aquilegia, rare, Podophyllum, Cyp- ripediums, Caltha, Gnaphaliums, Staphylea, Prickly Ash, Smyrnium, Cardamine, Viburnum, Saxifraga, Triosteum, Cornus, Potentillas, Dentaria, Cotton Grass, Aphyllon, Nu- phar, Thesium, Rubus, Tradescantia, Equisetum, &c., &c. — Yours, respectfully, Edwarb S. L. Richardson, Kendall, Kendall County, Illinois, April 9, 1852. Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. 251 Art. III. Descriptiojis and Engravings of Select Varieties of Apples. By the Editor. We continue our descriptions of apples from our last vol- ume, (XVII, p. 20.) Owing to the rather limited apple crop of 1851, we were unable to procure specimens of several fine kinds, which we were desirous of figuring, "and conse- quently were unable to continue our list in the last volume. We hope, however, with the great promise now of a fine crop, soon to figure and describe quite a number of new kinds. XLVI. Walworth. In our last volume we gave a brief account of the Wal- worth apple, {fig. 18,) specimens of which were sent to us in Fis. 18. Walworth. 1850 and 1851, by our correspondent, Mr. J. Batty, of Keese- ville, N. Y. In 1850, we thought the specimens appeared identical with the Bailey Spice, but last year further speci- 252 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. mens satisfied us it was quite distinct. As it proves to be a most excellent apple we now add a full description, and an outline of the fruit. Mr. Batty, who is well acquainted with this apple, sent us the following account of it : — " I send you a specimen of a variety which recently came to notice here, and which I propose to call the Walworth ; the specimen is under size, and quite overripe, and I do not send it as a sample of the fruit, but to draw attention to it, preparatory to a better acquaintance of it next season, when I will send good specimens, if procurable. I consider it fully entitled to a place in a very select list. Enclosed are two outlines, accurately taken from specimens furnished me by Mr. Walworth, of Plattsburgh, in whose garden stand the only bearing trees of this variety I know of. It is not a seedling here, but was introduced from Rensselaer county, N. Y., where it was called the 'Large Golden Pippin.' It is reputed to have been introduced from New Jersey." The specimens received in the fall of 1851, several in number, and of fine size, enabled us to judge fully of its merits, and we consider it a fine addition to our October apples, being of good size, of beautiful appearance, and a very tender fleshed and excellent flavored variety. Size, large, about two and three-quarters of an inch deep, and three broad : Form, roundish conical, very regular, full at the base, and narrowing ofl" to the crown, which is small : Stem, rather short, about half an inch long, slender, and rather deeply inserted in a small, moderately deep cavity: Skin, fair, smooth, clear yellow, very beautifully sufliised with bright red on the sunny side, and dotted with green- ish russet specks : Eye, small, closed, and moderately sunk in a small, open, and furrowed basin ; segments of the calyx broad, twisted : Flesh, yellowish white, fine, soft and tender : Juice, tolerably abundant, pleasantly subacid, and well fla- vored : Core, large, open : Seeds, medium size, plump. Ripe in October. Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. 253 XLYII. Drap d'Or. DiihameL Arb. Fruit. Ace. to Hort. Soc. C.J. Vrai Drap d'Or, Duhamel. Bay Apple, Bonne de Mai, Goldzaugapfel, Diel Kernohst. Drap d'Or of France, Cole's View, die. The Drap d'Or {fig. 19) is not very generally cultivated, and does not have a high reputation among pomologists. But the specimens which we have seen have been remarka- bly fair and handsome, and have been uniformly good — so good, indeed, that the Massachusetts Horticultural Society Fig. 19. Drap d'Or. awarded this variety the second premium as an autumn ap- ple, last year. Coxe describes and figures it, and pronounces it a "great bearer, and highly worthy of cultivation." It is certainly a fine looking fruit, having a rich, deep golden skin, blotched and freckled with dark russet. Size, large, about three inches long, and three and a half in diameter : Form, roundish, flattened at the base, narrow- 254 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. ing to the crown, which is small : Skiti, fair, smooth, clear lemon yellow, dotted with a few large russet specks : Stem, short, less than half an inch long, rather stout, and deeply set in a contracted cavity : Eye, medium size, closed, and mod- erately depressed in a small, finely furrowed basin ; segments of the calyx short : Flesh, yellowish white, fine, crisp and tender: /;«ce, tolerably abundant, very pleasantly and well flavored : Core, large, very open : Seeds, medium size. Ripens in October, and keeps to January. XLVIII. Ledge Sweet. Late in the spring of last year, and also of the present one, specimens of a most excellent sweet apple have been placed upon the tables of the Massachusetts Horticultural Fig. 20. Ledge Sweet. Society, from Mrs. Haven, of Portsmouth, N. H. They were perfectly sound and fresh, as if just gathered from the tree. Proving for two seasons so fine, the Committee, at the request of Mrs. Haven, recently named it the Ledge Sweet. (Fig. 20.) The Treatment of Japan Lilies. 255 A sweet apple, of such excellent keeping qualities, is ex- ceedingly valuable, particularly when from a northern region, and possessing a vigorous and hardy constitution. What the Lady Sweet and Broad well may prove, under general culti- vation, we are yet unable to say, but, with the exception of the latter, we know of no so desirable a late keeping sweet apple as the Ledge. Of the habit and growth of the tree we know nothing, but we suspect it to be a regular bearer, as Mrs. Haven has sent specimens for exhibition two successive years. Size, large, about two and a half inches long, and two and three-quarters in diameter : Form, roundish oblate, flattened at the base, narrowing to the eye, and slightly ribbed : Skin, fair, smooth, of a yellowish green, tinged with blush on the sunny side, and dotted with reddish russet specks, lit- tle russeted around the stem : Stem, short, less than half an inch long, moderately stout, and sunk in a broad, open, and rather deep cavity : £Iye, medium size, partially closed, and but little depressed, in a small, shallow basin ; segments of the calyx short : Flesh, yellowish white, fine, firm and crisp : Juice, abundant, rich, sweet, and high flavored : Core, me- dium size, rather open : Seeds, medium size, light brown. Ripe from January to June. Art. IV. The Treatment of Japan Lilies. From Turner's Florist. Notwithstanding we gave our own mode of management of this most splendid of all the lilies, in a previous volume, (XIV, p. 34,) we copy the following capital article from the Florist, formerly under the control of our correspondent, Mr. Beck, but now conducted by Mr. C. Turner. It is an article just to the point, and, in addition to what we have said, will give all the information necessary to* grow these superb lilies. We must remark, however, that we do not wholly agree with the writer in reference to his views of their culture in 256 The Treatment of Japan Lilies. the open air. We have had a large bed out, now the second year ; and though we find that their flowers fade sooner than when grown in the greenhouse, still, they retain then- beauty for a long time, and make a magnificent display the whole of September ; probably our dryer atmosphere and clear sun prevent that disfiguring of the flowers, which the writer speaks of as almost fatal to their culture in the open air in England. Much as we admire these in the open ground, and as highly as we recommend them for out-door culture, we would not on any account give up their growth in pots for ornamenting the greenhouse, conservatory, or verandah, in summer. They bloom with proper treatment in July and August, and retain their beauty so long, that they are, in truth, the most attractive objects at that season : The different varieties of Lilium lancifolium are, in my opinion, some of the most beautiful objects that are within the reach of cultivators of moderate means ; and it is a mat- ter of difficulty with me to account for their comparative neglect by many adAiirers of Flora's less beautiful and more expensive productions, save by supposing thatlhey are but little known in our rural districts. The following remarks, therefore, may possibly be the means of inducing those who have hitherto neglected these beautiful plants to bestow upon them the attention which they merit. The Japan Lilies are recommended by many for out-door culture, and are said to be perfectly hardy. The truth of the latter statement I am not inclined to question : but the results of my experiments Avith Rubrum and Album in the open border have not been much to my mind ; and, from what I have observed elsewhere, I am inclined to think that, except in a few favored localities, these varieties will never be pop- ular border-flowers in England. I have seen them in the most favorable soil and situation in some of the midland counties, and then they have been showing flower towards the middle or end of September, a season in which the blooms were no sooner expanded than they were disfigured by the effects of our damp atmosphere at that period. I The Treatment of Japan Lilies. 257 would fain hope, however, that I am mistaken, and that those who state that these Hlies are suitable for open-border cultivation are right. The experience of your correspondents in this matter would, I am sure, form a useful page in a future number of The Florist, and I invite attention to the subject. I would, however, take the liberty of stating, that we have already a sufficient number of periodicals open to articles savoring of controversy, and that the conductors of The Flo7ist are right in determining that it shall continue the vehicle of well-authenticated facts and mature experi- ence. I would on that account invite only such persons to reply as have tried Album and Rubrum for at least two sea- sons in the open border ; and then the locality in which they succeeded or failed should be mentioned, I am aware that many flower Rubrum in perfection out of doors, and so do I ; but then the plants were in pots, and were artificially for- warded before they were placed in the open border, and without this assistance I have never found it to do any good. Our damp atmosphere, moreover, too soon disfigures it with black spots, and the flowers are but short lived, which I have also found to*be the case with Album. While I cannot agree with many, however, in recommend- ing these lilies as border-flowers, I am of opinion that they deserve the most extensive cultivation as pot-plants. For the conservatory or greenhouse they are decidedly the most splendid of autumn flowers. Those who intend to procure bulbs of the diff"erent varieties should do so when they are dormant, for they then sufl'er least from the accidents com- mon to travelling. If the bulbs are received in the pots in which they have made their season's growth, shake the soil from their roots, and repot them in fresh material, giving a gentle watering to settle the soil, and place them in a cool frame or greenhouse, where they may remain without further attention until the beginning of March, by which time they will be showing signs of activity, and may be moderately supplied with water. I generally find the pots to be well filled with roots towards the latter end of April ; and, when such is the case, I carefully shift them into a pot which I VOL. XVIII. NO. VI. 33 258 The Treatment of Japan Lilies. consider to be sufficiently large for their season's growth. This, however, must be regulated according to the age and strength of the bulbs. For offsets of the first year I use 5-inch pots ; for those of two years 9-inch pots ; and for full- grown bulbs, which they will be the third season, 12-inch pots. After they receive their final shift they are returned to their former quarters, allowed abundance of air, and are care- fully supplied with water, for they very readily suffer from an excess of this element. They will enjoy an evening sprinkling with the syringe after bright days, but they will thrive without it. As the season advances, they will be 'im- proved by a little manure-water. If they are not injured by osv^er-watering, or the want of air, they will not be likely to suflfer from any other cause ; should the green-fiy, however, make its appearance, fumigate at once with tobacco-smoke. As the stems advance give them the support of a stake. The plants I wish to flower in August I retain in the green- house ; such as I want for a later period I remove to a shel- tered place out of doors ; and by a little management in this way I secure a succession of bloom for at least two months. After the plants have flowered, I gradually withhold water, in order to thoroughly ripen the bulbs ; and if they can be placed in a vinery from which the crop has been cut, they will profit by the means usually employed to ripen the wood of the j/ines. A dry, moderately warm atmosphere then proves highly beneficial to them. When I am satisfied that the bulbs are thoroughly matured, Avhich is known by the decay of the leaves and flower-stems, I turn them out of their pots, shake the soil from their roots, and replace them in smaller pots. For full-grown bulbs I use 8-inch pots ; but this I leave to the judgment of the cul- tivator. When potted, treat them as recommended above. I had almost forgotten to state that the bulbs ought to be covered some three or four inches with soil ; this is of im- portance, for they throw out strong roots just above the crown of the bulb, and frequently produce a couple of small bulbs from the same part of the stem. A strong bulb of Rubrum produced with me last autumn somewhere about The Treatment of Japan Lilies. 259 thirty flowers. From having been allowed to become what gardeners term pot-hound previous to the final shift, it had only protruded a few roots from the base of the bulb through the fresh soil ; it had depended for its support principally on the roots above the crown, these having never received any check, as I always cover the bulb at the jfinal shift. This, then, would teach us to shift before the roots became matted to the side of the pot, and to pot deeply ; but I prefer doing this at the second shift, for I imagine that I can better judge about the proper time to start them into growth when the crown of the bulb is visible above the soil. As regards propagation, — like other bulbous plants, they are increased by means of offsets, which should be removed when the plants are repotted in autumn, except such as are small, which will be better left to grow alongside of their parents for another year : they may also be propagated by seed, as is shown by the beautiful seedling varieties raised by Mr. Groom. To secure seed, the plants must be induced to flower early in August ; the blossoms should be fertilized, and carefully guarded from damp ; when ripe, sow the seed thinly on the surface of a shallow pot, well drained, and filled with peaty soil, slightly covering with the same : they should remain in this condition, without water, until early in Feb- ruary. Their farther treatment need not be different from that recommended for the plants. I ought to state that Punctatum is of an earlier habit than any of the others. It must, however, be encouraged to pro- ceed in its natural way, for I have found it somewhat impa- tient of control. A frame which is kept rather close, or the warm end of a greenhouse, will be suitable for it ; and it will be useful in the conservatory or greenhouse at an earlier period than the other varieties. These beautiful plants suc- ceed in any light, moderately rich soil. I use two parts turfy loam and one peat, or leaf-soil, with the addition of sand according to the texture of the loam. Should any one who has neither greenhouse nor conser- vatory entertain a fancy for these lilies, I would state for their encouragement, that I have seen them grown in the 260 Descj-iptions of Ten New Verbenas. highest perfection with the aid of a small frame and the after protection of a verandah ; here they were effectually sheltered from wet, and shaded from the direct rays of the sun. Un- der such conditions, the flowers remained for an unusually long period in perfection ; and it would not be easy to imag- ine anything more strikingly beautiful in such a situation than a few well-grown plants of lilium lancifolium roseum, punctatum, album, and rubrum. If very large specimens are desired, try five or seven full-grown bulbs of Rubrum, or of any of the other varieties, in an IS-inch pot, and I venture to promise that you will have such a picture of floral beauty as you never previously possessed. Art. V. Descriptions of Ten New Verbenas. By the Editor. In our last volume we described the principal new verbenas of merit which had been introduced or flov/ered in our col- lections ; they were mostly of French origin, the Parisian cultivators having made greater improvements in this most beautiful flower than the English florists. Other new varie- ties, of both French and English origin, have been added this year, but they have not yet flowered so as to give any account of their merits ; the principal of these we have already named, (p. 175.) Consequently the only new ones we have now to notice are our own seedlings, which flowered late in summer, and which, after having bloomed again, we now are enabled fully to describe. It is no easy task now to produce seedling verbenas of su- perior merit; since it has taken a rank as a "florists' flower," its combined properties are taken into estimation, and a va- riety which formerly might be attractive on account of its color alone, will now possess little merit. A good habit; a free bloomer ; strong flower stems ; large and well formed trusses ; large flowers, of fine circular outline, and clear or novel colors ; are some of the points which constitute a fine variety; and in the effort to get all of them, but few succeed. Descriptions of Ten Neip Verbenas. 261 An English writer, in speaking of the production of new verbenas, truly remarks, that " in striving to get a perfectly round flower, with compact truss, the required free blooming habit is abandoned, merely to force nature to assume rotund- ity, if we may express what Mr. Glenny has been so long laboring to lay down as the perfection of beauty. It is a curious fact that the better habit the flower, the less rotundity of petals is there, and, vice versa, the rounder the flower, the more vicious the habit." To sum up, he says, "though verbenas may have progressed as regards form, it is to be feared no advance has been made in color." We have found this to be the case in our own experience. Many of the kinds with large and good formed flowers, were evidently meagre and poor in habit. We have no fears, however, but that continued trial will bring with it a due reward ; in our own case, nothing could be nearer to it than the America. It possesses all the properties laid down by Mr. Glenny. We regret to see that our amateurs do not raise greater quantities of seedlings ; want of success in one or two trials should not dampen the ardor of any true lover of this most beautiful plant. Our climate is far better for producing seeds than that of our English friends, and there is no reason why our American seedlings should not take the lead of all others. 1. America, (Hovey''s.) Flowers very large, clear white, with a small straw-colored eye ; petals large, nearly flat, slightly cupped at the edge, broad, of good substance, and forming almost a perfect cii'cular outline ; umbels very large, nearly three and a half inches in diameter, beautifully formed, compact, without being crowded, and containing, when well grown, between forty and ffty flowers ; habit vigorous, sim- ilar to Defiance, but a little larger foliage, and of the finest habit, either for cultivation in pots or bedding out ; the flower stems are stout, long, and erect, elevating the trusses far above the foliage. It is one of the most profuse bloomers, and a small bed appears one mass of snowy flowers. We believe it to be unsurpassed among all the white verbenas that have yet been raised. 262 Descriptions of Ten New Verbejias. 2. Diadem, (Hoveifs.) Flowers large, rich dark purple, with a fine velvety surface, and a purple eye ; petals large, smooth, flat, of good breadth and fine substance ; umbels large, moderately compact, and handsomely formed; habit moderately vigorous, long jointed, with the trusses borne on long, erect flower stems ; foliage rather narrow. A most superb dark variety. 3. Forget-Me-Not, (Hovey^s.) Flowers medium size, blush Avhite, with a beautiful carmine shade around the eye ; petals large, flat, broad, and of fine substance ; umbels large, of the finest form, moderately compact ; habit rather vigor- ous, with a somewhat rounded, light green, slightly crumpled foliage, and with strong flower stems, holding up the umbels above the foliage. It is somewhat in the way of Wonderful, but much superior to that variety. 4. Orb of Day, [Hovey's.) Flowers large, dark rich scar- let, with a red eye ; petals large, somewhat wavy, but of fine substance ; umbels very large, compact, and of fine form ; habit vigorous, and so short jointed as to form a dense carpet of green. As a bedding variety it is one of the most brilliant yet raised. 5. Nectar Cup, (Hovey's.) Flowers large, novel rose color, with light centre and dark eye ; petals medium size, cupped ; umbels very large and well formed ; habit vigorous, with strong flower stems ; foliage long, narrow, thickly and finely nerved, of a dark green. The peculiar merit of this variety is its delicious odor, being one of the most fragrant varieties ever raised. 6. May Morn, (Hovey's.) Flowers very large, clear bril- liant rose color, and light eye ; petals large, broad, of great substance, well formed, and slightly cupped ; umbels very large, and of excellent shape ; habit vigorous, branching with strong flower stems ; foliage good. 7. Republic, (Hovey's.) Fowers large, pale rose, finely striped and splashed with crimson and cherry ; petals large, flat, of good substance, and fine form ; umbels large, compact, and of excellent shape ; habit vigorous, similar to Defiance ; foliage medium size. It is one of the most free bloomers in cultivation. Floricultural and Botanical Notices. 263 8. Snow Ball, (Hovey^s.) Flowers large, white, with a greenish eye ; petals large, good shape, and of remarkable substance, having a waxy appearance ; nmbels large, rather loose, well shaped ; habit vigorous, with long erect flower stems ; foliage slightly pubescent. Next to America this is one of the best whites. 9. North Star, (Hovey's.) Flowers large, dark purple, with purple eye ; petals good size, flat ; umbels good size and well formed ; habit vigorous, somewhat erect growing, with good foliage. This is similar to Diadem, but has not the rich velvety petal of that variety. 10. Defiance Superb, (Dooge's.) Flowers large, light scarlet, and light eye ; petals good size, slightly wavy ; umbels good size and Avell formed; habit similar to Defiance, which it resembles in everything but color, being two or three shades lighter, inclining to an orange color. Art. VI. Floricultural and Botanical Notices of New and Beantifiil Plants, figured in Foreign Periodicals ; xcith descriptions of those introdiiced to, or originated in, Amer- ican Collections. New Fuchsias. — Some new and beautiful fuchsias have been introduced the present year. The following are their, names and descriptions : — Madame Sontag. — Tube short, waxy white ; sepals waxy white, much reflexed, fully exposing the corolla, which is a rosy crimson with a white bottom. Ignea. — Tube and sepals a bright red, and corolla a violet purple. Flower two and a half inches long, and shows the corolla well. Prince Arthur. — Tube rather short, pure white ; sepals pure waxy white, much reflexed, fully exposing the corolla, which is a brilliant crimson, the finest of this class. Psyche. — Tube and sepals of snowy whiteness, with bright rosy scarlet corolla, elegantly displayed. 264 Floricultural and Botanical Notices. Sir John Falstaff. — Tube and sepals of a rich crimson ; corolla dark plum color. This is of the globosa class, and is one of the finest yet raised. Diadem of Flora. — Tube an inch and a half long, white ; sepals flesh color, with green tip. Corolla rosy crimson, which is well shown, as the sepals reflex back, and is three and a half inches across. Scarlet Geraniums —Many new and splendid varieties of this class have been produced, of various shades of color, from white to the most brilliant scarlet. Some of these we have already named, and we now add descriptions of such as have been added to our collections. Cerise Unique, — Foliage with a light green centre, with a horse-shoe mark, edged off" with green. The flowers are large, fine form, of a rich cherry and scarlet color. Of me- dium growth, and blooms freely on a small plant. Commander in Chief. — Foliage green, with a very pretty horse-shoe mark, of velvet and yellowish red. Flowers of a rich orange scarlet, good form, and produced in large heads. An excellent variety, either for bedding or in pots, and very handsome in any sitiiation. The young stems, as well as flower stalks, are of a yellow cream color, almost j9?/re trans- parent^ and have a pretty appearance. Princess Royal. — A neat dwarf growing variety, blooming very freely. The leaves are of a deep green, with a distinct black horse-shoe mark. The flowers are of a deep crimson scarlet. Remarkably neat ; a pretty variety, for beds or pots. Flower of the Day. — Foliage green, broadly edged with white ; a free bloomer ; flower of good size and form, of a salmon scarlet color ; does very well in a small bed. The plants should be of good size before turning out, and then they do not run into too much foliage, but flower much more freely from the old wood. A striking variety. Queen of Summer. — A free blooming, dwarf variety, with variegated stems and transparent leaves. Flowers, dark scar- let, well elevated above the foliage. A fine bedding variety. Cottage Maid. — Foliage green, with dark shaded horse- shoe mark. Flowers bright scarlet. Floricultiiral and Botanical Notices. 265 Other fine sorts are Dazzle, Mr. Mero, Hydrangseflora, Tom Thumb's general, &c. Spir.'k^a prunifolia ple^no and Weigelia rosea have both proved perfectly hardy — as hardy as an oak, to use a common phrase — not a single twig killed ; and the former is now covered with long wreaths of its tiny, pure white double flowers ; it is one of the finest of all the spirasas. Its hard- ness, early flowering, and great beauty, must render it indis- pensable in every flower garden. The Weigelia does not flower till June. DiCENTRA (Dielytra) spectabilis lias proved perfectly hardy the past severe winter. In the garden of J. Jackson, Esq., of Boston, a large strong plant is now coming into bloom. It is one of the finest hardy herbaceous plants re- cently introduced ; and is also a most beautiful object for pot cultivation, flowering freely with the most ordinary treat- ment. With the aid of a frame, or in a cool greenhouse, it may be had in full bloom in March and April. It is still rare, but it should be found in every good collection. Fancy Pelargoniums. — This class of Pelargoniums is rap- idly gaining favor. In the production of new kinds, regard is now had to form as well as color, and many of them are exceedingly brilliant, and varied in their tints. As we have been delighted with the appearance of our plants, we annex brief descriptions of a few of the best which have been introduced : — Jenny hind. — Ground color white, upper petals beauti- ful carmine, with white margin ; lower petals spotted with bright cherry. Fine in form and robust in habit. Very free bloomer. Hero of Surrey. — Upper petals nearly black, and belted with white ; lower petals white, with a crimson spot in each. A free bloomer, and good habit. Empress. — Upper petals white ground, with very delicate spot of pale rose ; lower petals white. Free bloomer, and very delicate. Belle d' Africa. — Dark ground, clouded with purplish ma- roon. Very dark and distinct. VOL. XVIII. NO. VI. 34 266 Floricultural and Botanical Notices. Belle (TEpinay. — Upper petals nearly black, with white belt ; lower petals white, with a large crimson spot in each. Very brilliant, and fine in habit. Perfection. — Similar to Jenny Lind, but of a different habit. A free bloomer. 174. Phrynium sangui'neum Hook. Sanguineous Phry- NUM. (Cannacese.) ? A stove plant ; growins; two feet high ; with blood colored flowers : appearing in spring ; in- creased by division of the root ; cultivated in loam and leaf mould. Bot. Reg. 1852, pi. 4646. A very showy stove plant, of the habit of the Cannas or Indian shot, to which natural family it belongs. The sheaths of the petioles, as well as the under side of the leaves, are of a deep red, which gives the plant an ornamen- tal appearance when not in flower; " but the inflorescence adds greatly to the beauty, the upper part of the long pedun- cle, the copious bracts, and the fioAvers and pedicels, and rachis, being alike of a rather light red color." {Bot. Mag., May.) 175. Rhodode'ndron cilia^tum, var. roseo a'lbum Hook. Rose white-fringed Rhododendron. (Ericacese.) Sik- kimhimalaya. a half hardy shrub ; growing four feet high ; with rose and white tlowers ; appearing in spring ; increased by layers and grafting. Bot. Mag. 1652, pi. 4648. This is one of the new Sikkim Rhododendrons, raised from seeds, at Kew, less than two years ago. Six plants of it have produced flowers while only seven inches high, and others are showing blossoms. '• Their flowering," Dr. Hook- er remarks, "has given us peculiar pleasure, as the first of the Sikkim Rhododendrons which have done so." It is a beautiful plant, having very large flowers, of a delicate white, tinged with red rose color. The leaves, stamens, and indeed the entire plant is clothed with long ferruginous hairs. This variety comes from an elevation of 9 — 10,000 feet, and has proved quite hardy in England the past winter. It will undoubtedly winter in a frame in our climate. Its dwarf stature, and free blooming habit, will render it a favorite plant. (Bot. Mag., May.) Floricultural and Botanical Notices. 267 176, Jasmi^num nudiflorum Lindl. Naked-flowered Jes- AMiNE. ( Jasminae. ) China. A half hardy or hnrdy shrub ; growing three feet high; with yellow flowers; appearing in spring ; grown in any good soil ; increased by cuttings and layers. Bot. Ma^., ISJL', pi. 4649. This has hitherto been kept as a greenhouse plant in our collection ; but from its habit of growth, and from the fact that it has proved perfectly hardy in England, we suspect it will be found as hardy as the Weigelia, which was found by Mr. Fortune in the same locality, (North of China.) It is a beautiful thing. " It is deciduous ; the leaves falling off, in its native country, early in autumn, and leaving a number of prominent buds, which expand in early spring, often when the snow is on the ground, and look like little primroses." It will be a pretty companion to the Forsythia, Weigelia and Spiras^a prunifolia pleno. [Bot. Mag., May.) 177. Nymph^^a giga^ntea Hook. Gigantic Water Lily. (NymphacecB.) Australia. An aqualic ; with purplish blue flowers ; appearing in summer; increased by seeds. Bot. Mag. 1852, pi. 4647. This is a new water lily, of nearly the gigantic dimensions of the Victoria regia, being a foot in diameter, " and if not of a purplish blue color, yet blue — the blue, as it would appear in Nymphse^a caerulea. Seeds of it were sent to England, under the name of Victoria Fitzroyawa, having been gathered in Northern Australia, but it has not yet flowered out of its native locality, the drawings now before us having been made from the botanical specimens sent to Dr. Hooker by Mr. Bidwell, the collector, which, he says, " are so beauti- fully dried by our valued friend and correspondent, that we think we cannot err on that point. If the seeds should fail to vegetate, or prove to be those of another kind, our Nym- phas^a gigantea will ere long find its way into our tropical tanks, and adorn them with a water lily, little inferior to the royal Victoria in the size and beauty of the flowers, and with leaves equally remarkable in size for a true Nymphas^a, being eighteen inches to two feet across." {Bot. Mag., May.) 268 Floricultm^al and Botanical Notices. Selection of Annuals adapted for Bedding, &c. — In oiir last number we gave a list of annuals best adapted to the purposes of bedding : the following is a continuation of the same, and will be found a valuable aid to those who are un- acquainted with the habit, height, color, &c., of the numerous kinds described : — [Continued from page S20.) Sanvitalia procumbens. — A neat compact growing plant, rising from 4 to G inches high, with small, oval, dark- green leaves, and numerous orange- rayed Rudbeckia-like flowers (three-fourths of an inch wide,) richly diversi- fied with a black centre. Eucharidium conminum. — An erect Qilnothera-like plant, 9 to 12 inches high, of neat habit, with small, dark-green leaves, and laden with deeply- lobed, bright rosy colored Clarkia-like flowers. Cynoglossum linifolium. — A remarkably compact plant, of erect dense growth, with grey or glaucous-white leaves, and studded towards the upper part with a profusion of snow-white circular, ribbed, salver-shaped blos- soms. Iberis iimbellata rubra (crimson Candytuft.) — An erect growing variety, 12 inches high, with narrow lance-shaped leaves, and numerous terminal flat- tish umbels of rich, reddish purple and crimson flowers. Ibeiis coronaria and I. umbellata alba (white Candytuft.) — Rising 12 inches high, equally neat and compact in habit, with similar foliage, and profuse terminal branching stems, forming a dense mass of snow-white flower heads. Lupinus nanus. — An extremely pretty species, with small hand-shaped leaves, and numerous long terminal erect spikes of elegant blue and white pea-shaped flowers. Silena rubella. — A neat plant, 12 inches high, Avith broadly ovate glossy leaves, and numerous terminal clusters of loose purplish rose- colored blos- soms. Eutoca Jfrangeliana. — A low-growing species with decumbent stems, rising en masse, 6 to 9 inches high, and crowned with a profusion of blueish salver- shaped flowers in clusters. Hibiscus Jlfricanus. — An upright, branching plant, growing from 9 to 18 inches high, with deeply-lobed or divided leaves, and remarkably large, close-petal] ed, bright, sulphur-colored Hollyhock-like flowers (4 to 6 inches wide,) beautifully ornamented with a rich and conspicuous dark velvet band towards the centre. Yelloiv Hawkweed. — A somewhat loose growing and slender branched plant, 12 to IG inches high, ornamented with a profusion of very neat pale yellow, or brimstone-colored Marigold-like blossoms, about 1^ inch wide, which are singularly diversified with a double interior row of smaller orange- yellow petals, the whole being relieved by the contrasted effect of a large and remarkably beautiful rich dark-brown centre. Floricultural and Botanical Notices. 269 Heliophila arahoides. — A prostrate spreading plant, with diverging shoots or stems, which are elegantly studded over with nuinerous close-petalled rich blue, compact salver-shaped blossoms, half an inch wide. Godetia bifrons. — An ornamental, erect-growing plant, of neat habit, 18 inches to 2 feet high, with medium-sized leaves, and terminal racemes of large conspicuous rosy lilac, cup or salver-shaped flowers (2 inches wide,) picturesquely marked with bright rosy crimson cloud-like spots in the cen- tre of the flower lobes or petals. Sweet Sultan. — An upright growing plant, 18 inches to 2 feet high, pro- ducing many conspicuously-ornamental, large, clear white. Thistle-like flowers. Godetia rubicunda. — An ornamental species, 18 inches to 2 feet high, of neat, erect, branching habit, with medium sized leaves, and long terminal spikes of numerous, large, close-petalled, light-pink, cup-shaped or salver- like blossoms, deepening into a conspicuous light crimson centre. Mcdope grandijlora. — A highly ornamental annual, 2 to 3 feet high, with obtusely-lobed mallow-like leaves, and numerous, remarkably large, and beautiful rich crimson salver-shaped flowers, 4 to 6 inches wide. Godetia Ldndleyana. — A late summer-flowering annual, 18 inches to 2 feet high, of neat habit, upright growth, medium-sized foliage, and highly pic- turesque and beautiful pale rosy-lilac, open cup-shaped blossoms, bending into a crimson centre. Branching Larkspur. — An ornamental late summer flowering annual, 2 to 3 feet high, of erect branching habit, with numerous racemes of vari- ously shaded brilliant blue-colored blossoms. Admirably adapted for group- ing in shrubberies and plantations. Lupinus Cruickshankii. — An extremely beautiful late summer and au- tumn-flowering species, 2 to 3 feet high, of neat erect branching growth, with smooth finger-lobed leaves and terminal spikes or racemes of richly blended blue, white and yellow. Pea-shaped flowers. Tangier Pea [Lathyrus tingitanus.) — A very elegant twining annual plant, 3 to 4 feet high, with medium-sized foliage, and numerous clusters of remarkably rich violet-crimson blossoms. Chrysanthemum centrospermum. — A late summer and autumn-flowering species, 2^ to 3^ feet high, of erect, branching habit, deeply toothed or lobed leaves, and numerous golden-yellow Marigold-like blossoms, well adapted for effect in large borders. Helichysum bracteatum. — A neat, erect, branching, late flowering plant, 2 to 3 feet high, with dark green willow-shaped leaves, and numerous ter- minal, conspicuous clusters of golden yellow " everlasting flowers." Helichrysum nwa-anthum. — Similar in habit to the preceding species, with green willow-shaped leaves, and terminal upper clusters of clear white " everlasting flowers," elegantly suffused with rose or pink. This interest- ing plant, as well as the preceding, withstands the influence of autumnal frosts.— ( Gard. Chron., 1852, p. 229.) 270 General Notices. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. Art. I. General JVotices. The Pansy. — We stated on a recent occasion, that in addition to the improvements effected in general gardening through the agency of the Horticultural Society, much had also been done by it for the advancement of floriculture. This is, perhaps, best exemplified by the magnificent col- lections of Roses in pots which annually grace its May and June exhibi- tions. In common with most new projects, when this was first announced it was met at the very threshold with much determined opposition. Some even went so far as to say that the thing could not possibly succeed ; never- theless, the result has been all that could be desired. The same institution required Pansies, Pinks, Carnations, and Picotees in pots, and this innova- tion again called forth similar predictions of failure. Those, however, who preferred deeds to empty speculation, set heartily about trying the experi- ment, and with what success last season's exhibitions at Chiswick bore favorable witness. But it is our wish on the present occasion to direct attention exclusively to the Pansy, and more particularly to its cultivation in pots ; not more with a view to the purposes of exhibition than for early spring decoration. This was suggested by the charmingly bloomed exam- ples in pots of this flower exhibited by Mr. Turner at the last meeting of the Horticultural Society in Regent-street. They consisted of Duke of Norfolk, Sir Philip Sidney, Disraeli, Ophir (very fine), Robert Burns, and Euphemia. This exhibition proved a source of much interest to all who were present, whether florists or not ; while a pan of cut blooms, although of equally fine varieties, arrested but limited attention. Those who have never cultivated the Pansy in this way have little idea what a profusion of really gay flowers is produced by this plant during the whole of the early spring months, and that within the narrow limits of a common three-light wooden frame. A box of the size just mentioned will hold about 70 plants in 6-inch pots, which size is large enough when not required for the pur- poses of exhibition ; and they may nearly all consist of different varieties, or two plants of some kinds that are especial favorites may be allowed, according to the taste of the cultivator, and which we should recommend ; for there is much in the choice of a plant, as we shall hereafter show. Proper plants for the purpose will often have a considerable number of blooms open by the middle of February, and even Iron Duke, Supreme, Duke of Norfolk, Elegant, Euphemia, Sir J. Franklin, Leader, Constantine, and Caroline, will have fair blooms in the middle of January. With proper attention, these same plants will flower in good character till the latter part of May ; but we will date the commencement of a good head of bloom, as a general rule, from the first of March to the first of June ; thus, for very little attention, giving a succession of good flowers for three months, without the expense of heat, linings, or coverings. We may, then, well ask what other plant will make the same display and the same return for so little trouble. Mr. Turner, who is perhaps the most successful grower of the General Notices. 271 Pansy we have, says : " Plants for early flowering should be potted up from the open ground in October. Although a hardy plant that will grow and bloom almost anywhere, yet, like everything else, to produce fine flowers they must not be permitted to take care of themselves. If the weather is open the last week in January, or the first week in February, begin to repot the plants generally, using soil similar tp that in which they have been win- tered, t. e. good decomposed turfy loam, rotten manure, a little leaf-mould, and coarse sand, the latter in proportion to the nature of the loam. When potting, loosen the outside of the old ball, and remove a portion of the top soil ; drain as you would for Carnation? ; after covering the bottom of the pot with crocks, place some of^ the coarsest soil mixed with a little manure over the drainage, and shake all down by striking the pot on the bench. The soil should not be pressed hard with the hand ; no water should be given for a day or two after potting. Before as well as after this operation, the plants must be kept well up to the glass. The plants we have been describing should have from two to six shoots, or strong leaders ; and to keep them to these chosen shoots, a number of small ones must from time to time be removed. These cuttings answer the double purpose of strength- ening the main shoots, and producing a stock of young plants, which will supply the place of the old ones when worn out. Plant out any increase as soon as it is rooted, and from these again continue to propagate by put- ting in any side-shoots as cuttings, when they are sufficiently long for that purpose. Propagating the Pansy is a simple and inexpensive operation ; almost any beds or borders will answer for planting out the young stock. We recommend that, from first to last, a considerable number should be raised from cuttings, or small pieces taken from the parent plant, with roots attached, in order that there may be a good selection for the purpose of pot- culture. In this lies the secret of successful cultivation ; without a choice of plants no good will be effected." Having pointed out what should be aimed at to ensure success, it will not be out of place to allude to what, in many instances, causes failure. The time for taking cuttings is, in many cases, too long delayed ; if the old plant does not go off" altogether, the cut- tings become sickly and pippy ; therefore never be without a young stock. Strong growers, with large flowers, are best adapted for pots. Keep the frames open whenever the weather is favorable, pulling the lights back, or tilting them up ; maintain the plants in a growing state by watering them as often as they require it, going over them for this purpose every day. Plants that have several shoots should be tied into shape, placing the centre-branch upright in the middle, and the remainder at equal distances all round ; but the plant must be shaped according to the number of shoots ; three leading branches are sufficient if cut blooms only are required. Another advantage is, that the same plants, from the succession of bloom they produce, will answer the double purpose of exhibiting in pots or stands of cut flowers. After the potting as above recommended has taken place, take the earliest opportunity at which the ground is in a fit state, to plant out any stock not required to bloom under glass, or plants that have been wintered in stores, &c., which will bloom through May or June, and pro- 272 General Notices. duce a stock of good healthy cuttings. By following the simple and inex- pensive treatment which we have just recommended, we are sure that those who take the little trouble that it entails will not fail to be gratified by a fine display of bloom, which, from its long continuance, will most certainly afford nmch gratification. — ( Gard. Chron., 1852, p. 247.) Chicory as a Winter Salad. — The leaves of this plant make a famous salad, and their value for this purpose cannot be too often brought before the public. They have everything in their favor to recommend them as a substitute for Endive, which, at best, is inferior as a bitter, and it is far more troublesome to grow and keep. First of all, however, a demand must be created for such things. They must be asked for by the public. Growers will not speculate in the production of what they cannot sell, and, owing to our late mild Avintcrs, Curled Endive has become so cheap and so good, arising from the superior manner of treating it to Avhat used to be practised, that it is the only favorite as yet. As I intend, however, to treat of Endive in my next article, I will confine my remarks, for the present, to the follow- ing account of Chicory, which is extracted from one of my pamphlets. " Wild or uncultivated Chicory is to be seen all over Britain during the .months of July and August. The stems rise 2 or 3 feet in height, and the branches are furnished with long dandelion-like leaves — the blossoms being blue ; planted in rich earth, however, the stems often grow six feet high, and form a large bushy flowering plant, which would form no mean orna- ment to a border or shrubbery. " The heaviest root I ever grew was three-quarters of a pound, and its length 15 inches — in fact, it was as large as a fine stick of horse-radish. The seed of Chicory ought to be sown about the first of June, if the soil is light and the situation warm ; but should the soil be strong and retentive, it ought to be sown in the middle of May. I have found by experience, that if too soon sown, it will run to seed. The ground having been well dug, drills should be drawn I foot apart, the seed sown as parsley is, and about the same depth. When the plants are up, thin them out to 1 foot apart in the rows, leaving if possible tlie broadest pointed leaved ones. Nothing more is necessary than to keep them clear of weeds. Should any run to seed, pull them up, when they have done growing ; in November the roots should be dug up and stored like beet-root. In cutting off the leaves care must be taken not to injure the centre, from which comes all the salad. " In 1836, I had a quantity of mould put into a cellar, in the shape of a bed, and planted with Chicory roots as soon as they were taken from where they had grown during the summer. I planted 300 roots in the bed, keep- ing them four inches apart, light and air being entirely excluded. They soon began to grow, producing long, fine cream-colored leaves, and when about six inclies long, I sent tliem to table as salad, cutting off the leaves carefully ; for if you cut into the quick, it would stop a second, third, and fourth crop of leaves which a root produces, until its cells are as empty aa a honey-comb, or until entirely exhausted. From the number of plants in my cellar, I could have supplied ten families such as mine ; but it was not until the occurrence of the severe winter of 1838, that I sufficiently appre- General Notices. 273 ciated the use of Chicory as a salad. The frost and snow were severe ; all endive, lettuce, celery, &c., became rotten. Nevertheless, our salads were the very best in London. Every one who dined with my employers enquired what it was they so much liked, and every one ordered it to be grown afterwards. " Twelve years ago, when I came to Camberwell, I grew the roots with the view of introducing it as a salad into Covent Garden market. I had it planted in a pit where there was a flue, and I covered the glass with mats to exclude light. I also had five or six roots put into a large-sized pot, and inverted another pot over the heads, stopping the hole in the bottom of the top pot. This is an easy plan, and it answers well for a small family, just introducing a few pots into heat anywhere. In the winter of 1839, or early in 1840, I carried to market a basket of this fine salad, tied up into sixpenny bundles, a price which I thought would pay well. No one had ever seen it — no one had heard of it — and no one would buy it ; an old herbalist (Mr. Steptoe) examined it ; he was a buyer of Dandelion leaves and all sorts of things for foreigners. He bought all my Chicory leaves, and paid 9s. for tliem, but iie could not sell them. Next morning he said, "Tis of no use bringing these things, I have only sold a few bunches to foreigners.' Then* I said, ' Take the lot this time for nothing." He did so a third time with no better success ; then I gave up its culture, pitying poor John Bull for des- pising the finest of all salads, the best of all tonic bitters, and that too at a fair price. I am in hopes even now to see it yet, however, largely brought into public markets. It often takes many years' hard fighting to persuade people for their own benefit. In the various places in which I had lived previous to my paying attention to Chicory, I had been continually annoyed by ladies and gentlemen who had travelled abroad telling me how much superior foreign salads were to English ones. The broad-leaved Belgian Chicory is best for salad."— {Card C/iron., 1852, p. 276.) Management of Plants in Pots when turned into the open Ground. — A correspondent asks us the following questions, and as they are intimately connected with and refer to some of the most important of all the practical operations of horticulture we willingly give it prominence. He says, " You recommend the roots of all plants that are to stand more than a year, to be unravelled and spread out when planted. Noav is the same practice applicable to magnolias and camellias ? The roots of these are very much matted in the pots, and easily broken and injured. I pur- pose planting out permanently some magnolias in the pleasure ground, and camellias in the conservatory pit. What, therefore, ought to be my course .^" To the experienced horticulturist two things will here present them- selves : the first is, the importance of carefully disentangling and spreading out as straight as possible the leading roots of all plants whatever, which are planted out, and are naturally capable, under favorable circumstances, of attaining a large size ; the next is, the great care and watchfulness re- quired to secure success in planting out into the free soil such plants as camellias when they have become large. These are the leading points of VOL. XVIII. NO. VI. 35 274 General Notices. inquiry, and, as we have already stated, they are important ones. On the first we need not again enlarge, since we recently adverted to that subject, further than to repeat that all kinds of trees whatever that may have at any time been grown in a garden-pot, and are of such kinds also as naturally attain the size of a tree or large shrub, ought never to be planted without their roots being first laid out as straight as possible. We know of no ex- ception to this rule amongst hardy plants which deserve the name of trees. If there are any trees with roots similar to those of Rhododendron ponticum or camellia, Avhich never do, under any circumstances, make largo or strong roots, then in the case of such trees an exception may be made ; but all others, magnolias included, ought to be treated in the way to which we refer. With regard to planting into the free soil large and established plants of camellia, the chief thing to be feared and guarded against, is the fatal and common evil of perishing for want of water at the roots. We have seen this happen, as many others have seen it, scores of times. A camellia, or any other plant which has for some time previously been grown in a gar- den-pot or tub, and the ball of earth has become filled with roots — the plant is timidly removed from its pot or tub, and if possible without disturbing a single root; it is so placed in the bed of earth prepared for it, which is cautiously placed around it, and it may be that the surrounding earth is made very solid and firm by treading ; but it is equally probable that it is not. We are far from wishing it to be supposed that Ave believe this to be the common practice of experienced horticulturists ; but we have seen it hap- pen in the hands of persons who have had great experience; and notwith- standing anything that we can say either now or hereafter, it will of course continue to happen. Any plant or tree, therefore, which has for some time been grown in a pot or tub, the ball of earth and tiie roots having become hard and much matted, being turned out into the loose earth of a conserva- tory— but little reflection will be needed to understand that a plant so cir- cumstanced must suffer for want of a due share of moisture at the roots. That this must take place is evident, unless some artificial means be adopted to compel the water, which from time to time is given to the plant, to pass through the hard and compact earth containing the roots of the plant, and not pass into the coarse soil of the common border. The latter is that which so frequently happens, and causes the death of so many camellias and similar plants when turned into the free soil. — ( Gard. Jour., 1852, p. 259.) Hints for the Management of the Flower-Garden. — "My flow- er-garden is small, but I like to see it gay. I endeavor to make it so, but I never succeed so well as I could wish. I have no convenience for winter- ing what are called bedding-plants, and my means will not allow me to spend much money in their purchase ; but my friends, who know my love for flowers, and are acquainted with my circumstances, tell me I might ac- complish a great deal by employing annuals. I have tried them for several seasons, and am not satisfied with the effect they produce. The greater General Notices. 275 part are so chary of their beauty, that they scarcely retain their charms for a week. Every shower, too, and every breeze, seems to destroy their at- tractions, and altogether I despair of attaining my object ; yet certain it is, that from annuals I must principally expect my summer display of floral beauty. If you can furnish me with a few hints, and enable me at least to approximate my wishes, I shall be gratified." This note, which we give at length, contains the substance of one or two others which have come to hand on a like subject. At a corresponding season we yearly receive similar communications, and as the information required is of general application, we give our reply in such a manner as will, we trust, benefit not only those directly interested, but many of our readers besides. Annuals are calculated to effect much in the summer decoration of a flower-garden : their variety is great. In habit, in foliage, in the color of their flowers, they exhibit a great diversity, and from amongst them may be selected such as are suitable for all situations, and to please all tastes. But no plants are, as a general rule, worse treated than annuals. Because they are for the most part easily obtained, and as easily raised, they receive but a scanty amount of attention — certainly not of a nature to develop theif proper character and value. As generally met with, they are weak, strag- gling, and weedy, easily damaged by rain and wind, and generally of but brief duration ; yet if proper attention is afforded them in the several stages of their progress, they become highly effective and useful, both for cultiva- tion in the open borders as well as for pots. Many of the kinds are admi- rably adapted for " massing." We shall now only speak of hardy kinds, such as may be sown in the borders where they are to^ flower, or in a reserve garden, and be afterwards removed to their permanent situations. When sown where they are to flower, the prevailing practice is to allow them to remain too thickly, smothering each other in their struggles for light and air, inducing a pre- mature maturity, which of course is followed by their speedy dissolution. As soon as they are fairly above the ground thinning should commence, and be progressively followed up till in the place of fifty or more plants perhaps only five remain. Of course the distance at which it will be neces- sary to leave them will depend on the kinds, and on the richness of the sod. But the best system with the hardy kinds is to sow them in a spare piece of ground, and prick them out as soon as they are large enough, and only removing them to the flower-borders as vacancies may occur, or as they approach their flowering state ; and by thus treating them, a good succes- sion is always attainable — a point of no mean import where they have to be depended on for a principal item in the summer display. In sowing them a somewhat poor soil should be chosen, and when of a sufficient size to handle, choose a level spot, which can be shaded during the hottest part of the day, and afl;er thoroughly beating or rolling it, to produce a hard surface, place upon it a layer of compost, chiefly composed of leaf-mould, in which plant the young annuals a few inches apart. With proper attention to watering and protection from insects, their progress will 276 General Notices. be rapid ; abundance of roots will be produced, and the hardened surface beneath will preserve their roots from penetrating too far, to render their being transplanted safely. Here they will always be ready for removal to their blooming places. No check will result from their removal if the most ordinary care is observed. Scarcely a root will be lost in the process, and they become effective at once. Should they not be required till fairly in bloom, they may be as safely removed then as at any other time. It will be obvious that by a little attention to successional sowing, a supply of good plants may be obtained from the beginning to the end of the season. — ( Gard. Jour., 1852, p. 259.) Weigela Rosea and Deutzia Scabra as suitable Shrubs for Forcing. — I am unacquainted with any hardy shrubs better qualified for conservatory decoration during winter and spring than Weigela rosea and Deutzia scabra, unless it be hybrid Rhododendrons and Azaleas. These are certainly very beautiful, combining harmoniously almost every tint and variety of color which is possible for the most refined taste to con- ceive. Still, with all this array of beauty, the Rhododendron, from the in- flexibility of its foliage, and unequal distribution of the flowers among the leaves, lessen that pleasing contrast which diversity of color when properly arranged is calculated to convey. Plants to be really interesting, nearly, if not as much, depends on their habit of growth as the shape and tinselling of the flowers, whether they decorate our hot-houses or shrubberies. At all hazards, I presume that most people will admit of the conditions to which I have alluded as being most important features ; at least I am strongly impressed with the opinion. But to return to the subject of my notice. Weigela rosea and Deutzia scabra are not only excellent shrubs for forcing, but easily propagited, either by suckers, layers, or cuttings ; and so accommodating in their nature as to be flowered with as much free- dom in a pot five inches in diameter as one twelve inches. When they are required of a large size, it is preferable to plant them in the open ground for a year or two, and pruned back just before they begin to vegetate, to give a compact habit. Vigorous shoots are sure to result from such treat- ment; and very probably, unless the preceding summer has been unusually warm, few if any flower-buds have been formed. Let us continually bear in mind that the most cautious and attentive course of forcing will fail, unless a full amount of woody fibre has been produced, that organized ma- terial from which alone flowers can arise. These shrubs, like many others to be forced into flower at an early season, require to be established in pots a year previously, to ripen the wood thoroughly and preserve the roots from mutilation. After they are potted, keep them in a rather shaded situation till the young roots begin to grow, when they should be exposed freely to the sun ; and as the season advances, plunge tlie pots to the rim to pre- vent the extreme point of the roots from being scorched. -Whether we ad- mire most the erect rose-colored flowers of the Weigela, or the drooping white blossomed racemes of the Deutzia, both are valuable additions for forcing.— { Gard. Jour., 1852, p. 260.) Lifting Fkuit Trees. — It is my practice carefully to lift my peach and General Notices. 277 nectarine trees once in five years, which I find to be an excellent plan ; it induces the development of embryo buds in the large branches, and pro- duces a uniformity of fine short strong wood throughout the whole of the tree. Since I adopted this practice I have neither sufl^ered with curl or insects. Many of my trees measure from 20 to 30 feet from tip to tip of the branches, and every part of them is filled with fine fruiting wood quite to the stem. In this operation care is taken to get up the tree with all the roots possible, which are all carefully spread out on an even surface at one given depth in replanting ; by this means the roots have all equal action with each other, which I consider a very important feature in the culture of all fruit trees. Moving trees in this way will cause them to be fruitful, and the fruit will be finer both in size and flavor, and the trees more naturally healthy than if subjected to that much recommended, though diabolical system, called "root-pruning." — [Card. Join:, 1852, p. 2C0.) Preparation of Soils for Potting. — The routine of operations in the plant and forcing department having been sufficiently dilated upon the last few weeks, rnd there being no particular operation necessary to be noticed, I w.a this week take the opportunity to make a few remarks on soils, which is perhaps one of the most important considerations which can occupy our attention ; for without a due supply of soils of all descriptions, properly aerated and prepared for immediate use, success in growing plants of all kinds subjected to artificial treatment can only be considered adven- titious. It is generally allowed by all good cultivators that soils for pot purposes should undergo a long process of preparation ; and as the present is a good season for getting them together, I am inclined to believe that a few remarks deduced from practice may not be out of place, even in a weekly calendar of operations. I propose to treat of them under their several heads, and first Loam. The goodness of this important soil is mainly dependent on the substrata from which it is taken. The best for all plant purposes I have ever met with, was three inches taken with the turf from a meadow situated at the junction of a deep substratum of gravel, with one of clay : the loam itself was nearly two feet deep, and the subsoil good enough for many garden purposes. This loam was carted home in dry weather, and stacked in a deep ridge, turf downwards, about six feet high, and resting on a base of four feet. It was full of fibrous roots, very sofi; and unctuous to the touch, rather sandy, and possessed in a remarkable degree the indispensable quality of not running together or binding when wetted. It is desirable to secure a loam possessed of these qualities as near as possible. A loam from the top of gravel is better than from the top of sand, or clay, or chalk. If it lies deep on chalk, it is next best : that from sand is often very poor, and, if the sand is fine, liable to run together : so that I would prefer a good loam from the top of clay to it, as we can always add coarse- porous material. As a general rule, from two to three inches is qjiite thick enough to cut it. Peat: This is more difficult to obtain of that genuine quality that cultivators of hard-wooded plants delight in. Many, indeed, confound bog, or decayed marsh vegetation, and alluvial deposits with peat ; but they are as different in quality aa in the eflfectsprO" 278 General Notices. duced by their use in cultivation. Bog often runs very deep, peat suitable for plant purposes never — sometimes not more than two inches deep on a gravelly subsoil. The best, however, is that which is full of fibre from decayed heath-roots and moss, from four to six inches deep, on a sandy, pebbly stratum, resting on gravel. This should also be carted home in dry ■weather, and stacked the same as directed for loam. Leaf Mould : This soil in its importance to plant growers is second to none. It should never be used under three years old, and four is better. The first year the leaves should be thrown together in a large heap to ferment, and we grow vegeta- ble marrows on it to great advantage. The next year it is removed to the soil department, and kept aerated by frequent turnings ; and the third year it may be used, but is better the next. Rotted stable manure is another important soil, which must also be prepared by frequent turnings and aera- tion for use the third and fourth year. Nightsoil must also be prepared by the foregoing category, and mixed with peat charcoal : the third year it may be handled for potting purposes — by the non-fastidious. Cow-dung, sheep's-dung, and pigeon's-dung should be prepared by the same routine, and, although not indispensable, are highly useful to be kept in stock Avhere a strong luxuriant growth is desired. Another most important ingredient is Charred Earth, No plant growers should be without this most important ingredient in soils, as there is hardly any tree-growing plants but delight in a portion of it mixed with the compost. We use it with great success for calceolarias, pelargoniums, picotees, carnations, cinerarias, fuchsias, and a variety of soft-wooded plants. It is not difficult to procure, as there is always a great quantity of rubbishing wood, the prunings of trees and shrubs, every season. They should be collected in a suitable place, and once a-year, if not oftener, a great bonfire made, so as to lay a good foun- dation, and afterwards heap on alternate layers of wood and soil, and it will smoulder away for weeks, and is fit for use as soon as cold. Road-dirt, or the scrapings of roads, formed of gritty sandstone, is another very impor- tant soil, and if carefully collected will be highly impregnated with the droppings of horses and other beasts of traffic. Charcoal, whether pur- chased or home-made, must be kept in stock, being useful for many pur- poses, but principally so for mixing with the drainage of flower-pots. Silver sand must not be forgotten, and with plenty of moss and crocks for drain- age, will complete the list of requisites for good cultivation, Avhere an extensive cultivation of plants is kept up. The proper application of these different soils can only be learned by practice and experience. As a gen- eral rule, all soft- wooded, free rooting plants, should have strong ingredients to assist the growth. Heaths and most hard-wooded greenhouse plants of a like nature will flourish best in pure peat. Some, however, which both grow and root freely, will bear the addition of a trifle of loam and leaf mould ; a small portion of charcoal mixed with both soil and drainage is also very useful to these plants. Soil for seeds may be sifted, but for growing plants never do more than chop it finer or coarser, according to the size of the shift — for a large shift let the compost be used very rough. It is needless now to amplify on this subject, as I hope to be able to point out a few applications by and bye. — ( Gard. Jour., 1852, p. 293.) Domestic Notices. 279 Planting Pincses. — I am glad to see you urge on planters the propriety of disengaging and spreading out the roots of Pinus and otlier trees which have been reared in pots ; had such been done in every case where these trees were planted years ago, we sliould not have to lament the condition many of them are in at tlie present day. Only a Aveek or two ago I had a fine plant of Pinus Montezuma twelve or fifteen feet Iiigh, very strong and well furnished ; but it had evidently been just turned out of a pot, and the coil of roots thus formed had just been planted so. The consequence was, that as the tree advanced in growth, this coil becoming likewise elongated, and requiring room, gradually elevated the collar of the plant above the ground ; to remedy which, soil was added, until a perfect mound was formed on which it stood. Fastenings were also put in requisition ; but these are at best unsightly things, and always perishable ; besides, it is no easy matter to secure a top-heavy tree, and the consequence was that one windy night our tree was blown down. Now this is not a solitary case. I have several more which I dread will suffer in a similar way, though none of them show the evils of the system of planting so much as this one. Had tlie roots of all been carefully unfolded and spread out in different directions at their full length, they would have acted as so many stays or braces, against which tlie elements could have but little power. — [Gard. Jour., 1852, p. 212.) Art. II. Domestic JVotices. National Agricultural Convention. — A circular has been issued by the Presidents of various Agricultural Societies, in the different states, calling a Convention, to be held at Washington, on the 24th of the present month ; and they invite delegations from the various societies to meet at that time. The objects of the Convention " are to organize a National Agricultural Society, to which the various societies will be auxiliary ; to consult together upon the general good, and to establish by this Society, or such other means as the Convention may devise, a more cordial and widely extended intercourse between agriculturists in our own country, and other lands ; to create additional facilities for the acquisition and diffusion of knowledge by books, journals, seed, and other objects of interest to the American farmer and gardener ; and to act on such matters pertaining to the ad- vancement of agriculture as the wisdom of the Convention may judge ap- propriate." Societies intending to send delegates, will please transmit a list at an early date to D. Lee, M. D., Agricultural Department of the Patent Office, Washington. Signed M. P. Wilder, H. Wager, J, C. Gray, and nine other gentlemen, Presidents of various State Agricultural Societies. The New York State Agricultural Society will hold its next annual fair in Utica, on the 7th, 8th, 9th, and lOtli days of September next. A list of the premiums has been published, but we have no room for its insertion. The prizes are liberal in the flower, fruit and vegetable depart- 280 Horticultural Societies. ments ; and a fine show may be anticipated, particularly as the promise is good of a great crop of pears and apples. Anthracite Coal Ashes valuable as a Manure. — Professor Norton states thiit the " white ash coal contains 3 47-000 lbs. soluble matter, and the red ash 3 35 000 lbs. Besides this, tliere Avas a further and larger por- tion of soluble acid, amounting, in white ash, to 7 58-000 lbs. in ICO, and in red ash to 8 lbs. In looking at the nature of these results, we may draw the general conclusion that in the ash of anthracite coal, calling these fair specimens, we have in every 100 lbs. from four to eight lbs. of valuable inorganic material, of a nature suitable for adding to any soil requiring manure." This is the opinion of Professor Norton, endorsed by Professor Mapes. Those who wish to satisfy themselves of the correctness of their opinions would do well to try them, and note tlie result. For loosening a clay soil they may do some good ; but as a manure we consider them of very little value. Art. III. Horticultural Societies. American Pomological Congress. — In compliance with a resolution passed by the American Pomological Congress, during its session at Cin- cinnati in October, 1850, it becomes my duty publicly to announce that the next session will be held in the city of Philadelphia, on Monday, the 13th day of September, 1852. The congress will assemble at 10 o'clock, A. M., in the Chinese Museum Building, South Ninth street, below Chestnut. The Pomological, Horticultural, and Agricultural Societies throughout the United States and Canada, are invited to send such number of delegates as they may deem expedient. And the delegates are requested to bring with them specimens of the fruits of their respective districts. Packages and boxes of fruit for the congress may be directed to the care of Thomas P. James, Esq., No. 212, Market street, Philadelphia, should the owners be unable to give their personal attendance. The various State Fruit Committees, enumerated in the subjoined list on the next page, will, on or before the day of meeting, transmit their several Reports to A. J. Downing, Esq., general Chairman of the whole. The Chairman of each State Committee is authorized, where vacancies occur, to fill up the number of his Committee to five members. — W. D. Brinckle', M. D., President. Philadelphia, May 1, 1852. LIST OF STATE FRUIT COMMITTEES. Massachusetts, Robert Manning, Salem. Vermont, C. Goodrich, Burlington. Maine, Henry Little, Bangor. Connecticut, V. M. Dow, New Haven. New York, B. Hodge, Buffalo ; A. Saul, Newburgh. New Jersey, Thomas Hancock, Burlington. Pennsylvania, Thomas P. James, Philadelphia. Ohio, A. M'Intosh, and Prof. J. P. Kirtland, Cleveland ; Dr. John A. Horticultural Societies. 281 Warder, Cincinnati ; Dr. S. A. Barker, M'Connellsville ; Rev. C. Springer, Meadow Farm. Kentucky, Lawrence Young, and H. P. Byram, Louisville ; Mason Brown, Frankfort ; H. F. Duncan, Lexington ; P. Blanchard, Maysville. Virginia, Yardley Taylor, Loudon. Delaware, Edward Tatnall, Jun., Wilmington. South Carolina, J. G. Drayton, Charleston ; William Summer, Pomaria. Georgia, Dr. Camak, and Dr. Ward, Athens ; Jonson J. Harris, Milledge- ville ; D. Green, Macon ; Richard Peters, Atalanta. Louisiana, James Evans, New Orleans. Tennessee, L. P. Yandell. Mississippi, M. W. Phillips, Edwards. Missouri, Thomas Allen, St. Louis ; James Sigerson ; E. Abbott. Indiana, James Blake, Indianapolis ; J. Bell, New Albany ; Scott, Madison. Illinois, Dr. J. A. Kennicott, Northfield ; Prof. J. B. Turner, Jacksonville ; S. Francis ; Edson Harkness ; C. R. Overman. Michigan, J. C. Holmes, Detroit ; W. H. Scott, Adrian ; A. T. Prouty, Kalamazoo. Wisconsin, F. R. Phoenix, Delevan. Iowa, Henry Avery, Burlington. Canada West, James Dougal, Amherstburgh. District of Columbia, Joshua Pierce, Washington. New Hampshire, J. Hill, Concord. We are glad to see so good a prospect of fruit this year : if as good as the promise, the convention will be one of the most interesting yet held — as we may anticipate the exhibition of many of the new and rare varieties. We trust our Horticultural Societies will at once appoint delegates to the convention. — Ed. Montreal Horticultural Society. — The following is a list of the officers for 1852. ^ President. — Hugh Allan, Esq. Vice Presidents. — Hon. Justice Day, Hon. Justice McCord, Rev. Mr. Villeneuve, Hon. A. N. Morin, M. PP. Treasurer. — John Frothingham. Secretary. — Wm. Brown. Directors. — Right Rev. Dr. Fulford, Mr. Sheriff, Boston, S. J. Lyman, J. J. Day, John Torrance, E. Muir, James Ferren, Jr., Geo. Shepherd, Richard Speigpigs, J. E. Guilbault, Chas. Hagal, Jas. Cooper, George Gaith. The Society hold four exhibitions, viz. : one in May, one in June, one in August, and the annual one in September. The list of premiums has been forwarded to us by the Secretary, Mr. Brown, and makes a neat pamphlet of 26 pages. The Society is in a flourishing condition, and its shows of flow- ers are remarkably fine. Columbus (Ohio) Horticultural Society. — The following are the officers for the present year : — VOL, XVIII. NO. VI. 36 282 Horticultural Societies. President. — John Miller. Vice Presidents. — (1st,) L. Buttles, (2d,) Benj. Blake. Treasurer. — Adam Sites. Corresponding Secretary. — H. C. Noble. Recording Secretary. — Geo. B. Comstock. Council. — The President and Treasurer, ex officio, and Messrs. A. E. Glenn, J. Barr, and F. Stewart. Garden Committee. — Dr. 1. C. Jones, for five years ; Benj. Blake, four years ; Lucien Buttles, three years ; Robt. Hume, Jr., two years ; John Miller, one year. Hartford County Horticultural Society. — The Annual Meeting of the Hartford County Horticultural Society was held on the 3d instant, and the following officers were chosen for the year ensuing, Alfred Smith, Esq., the President, declining a re-election: — President. — Wm. W. Turner. Vice Presidents.— [1st,) Henry Wygatt, (2d,) John S. Butler, M. D. Recording Secretary. — Gardner W. Russell, M. D. Corresponding Secretary. — Thomas R. Button. Treasurer. — Erastus Smith. Auditor.— R. L. Bidwell. Standing Committee. — Wm. W. Turner, Dr. H. A. Grant, P. D. Stillman, Joseph Winship, George Beach, Jr., Dr. T. L. Comstock, Dr. Gardner W. Russell, T. H. Goodwin, H. W. Terry, E. A. Whiting, H. L. Bidwell, Charles L. Porter, Henry Affleck, Wm. G. Comstock, Francis Gillotte, W. W. Stanley, Daniel S. Dewey. It was voted to continue the weekly exhibitions on Saturday, which have been very well attended, and arrangements are in contemplation for a show of greenhouse plants in May, and for a large exhibition of fruits and flowers in September. American Institute, N. Y. — The annual election of the officers of this Association took place ^n the 13th May, when the following gentle- men were elected. There was quite a spirited meeting; the name of Gen. Adoniram Chandler, the Corresponding Secretary and Agent, being left off of the regular nomination, his friends rallied and carried the entire ticket on which his name was placed. President. — James Talmadge. Vice Presidents. — Robert Lovett, Robert L. Pell, George Bacon. Recording Secretary. — Henry Meigs. Corresponding Secretary and Agent. — Adoniram Chandler. Treasurer. — Edward T. Blackhouse. Finance Committee. — John Campbell, John A. Bunting, George Dickey, George Bacon, N. G. Bradford. Managers of the Twenty-Fifth Annual Fair. — Joseph Torrey, James R, Smith, Isaac V. Brewer, William Ebbitt, John A. Bunting, F. W. Geissen- hainer, Jr., Petre B. Mead, Paul Stillman, Benedict Lewis, Jr., William Hall, Edwin Smith, Benj. Aycrigg, John B. James, Lewis G. Morris, Richard M. Hoe, George S. Riggs, Patrick Henry, George Harrisom, Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 283 Jordan L. Mott, Shepherd Knapp, Joseph Cowdin, George Dickey, Thomas W. Harvey, Joseph R. Taylor, Jared L. Moore. Committee on Agriculture. — Lewis G. Morris, David Banks, D. S. Grego- ry, Robert S. Livingston, Jas. De Peyster. Committee on Commerce. — Freeman Hunt, Nicholas Carroll, Jonathan H. Ranson, Jared L. Moore, John Disturnell. Committee on Manufactures, Science and Arts. — James Renwick, T. B. Stillman, D. M. Reese, H. R. Dunham, Edwin Smith. Admission of Members. — George F. Barnard, John Gray, Hiram Dixon, Wm. C. Arthur, Ralph Hall. Committee on Coirespondence. — Benj. Aycrigg, Peter S. Titus, James Van Norden, F. P. Schoals, S. R. Comstock. Committee on the lAbrary. — Ralph Lockwood, Isaac V. Brower, Alex. Knox, Jr., G. Gifford, E. Williams. Art. IV. Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Saturday, May 1, 1852. — The adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the President in the chair. The President read a letter from Mr. Townsend Glover, thanking the Society for the use of the hall. The President also read a letter from the Hon. Joel Parker, in reference to appropriations of money for a monument to General Dearborn. On motion of Cheever Newhall, a motion to reconsider the vote to appro- priate $100 to a monument to General Dearborn was entered upon the books. The Society voted to subscribe for the American Pomologist. Books and seeds were received from M. Vattemare, which were referred, the former to Library Committee, and the latter to Vegetable Committee, for distribution. Lebbeus Stetson, Somerville ; C. P. Fessenden, Boston ; and Isaiah Bangs, Cambridgeport, were elected members. Adjourned two weeks, to May 15. Exhibited. Flowers: From R. M. Copeland, thirty varieties of Hya- cinths, some of them very fine. From Jas. Nugent, seedling Verbenas. Fruit : From A. Bowditch, Walker's Seedling Strawberry, in pots, well grown, and colored fine. May 15. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the President in the chair. On motion of Mr. Bowditch, it was voted to open the hall for Exhibitions, on Saturday the 22d. The motion of Mr. Newhall, for reconsideration, was laid over to next meeting. It was voted that the President prepare a list of Delegates to the Porno- logical Convention. 284 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. F. Burr, and M. H. Burr, Hingham, were elected members. Adjourned one week, to May 22. May 22. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to day, — the President in the chair. The President reported the following list of Delegates to the Pomologi- cal Convention : — The President, Messrs. Wilder, Walker, French, C. M. Hovey, Lovett, and Wight. The report was accepted, the delegates chosen, and the Committee in- vested with power to fill vacancies and add to their number, if necessary. On motion of Mr. Walker, the vote relative to an appropriation lately made to aid in the erection of a monument to General Dearborn, was recon- sidered, and the subject laid on the table. Adjourned two weeks, to June 5. Operiing of the Hall. — The first public Exhibition of the Society took place to-day. The day was fine, and the display excellent. Mr. Schim- min, gardener to J, P. Gushing, Esq., sent some fine large specimens, which carried off the first prize. The pelargoniums were very ordinary, with the exception of 6 new fancy varieties from Messrs. Hovey &. Co. The following is the report : — From M. P. Wilder, 12 Seedling Calceolarias ; 2 Pelargonium Annais ; 6 Azalea indica, var. and other plants. Cut flowers, — Spirsea prunifolia. From E. M. Richards, 24 varieties of cut flowers. From W. Kenrick, basket of flowers. From P.Barnes, — Viola papilionacea ; native plant for a name. Gut flowers, — Iberis ; Polyanthus ; Pansies ; Dodecatheon ; Phlox ; Spiraea prunifolia and other cut flowers in great variety. From J. Nugent, fine plant of Erica ventricosa superba ; 1 bouquet, and cut flowers in great variety. From T. Page, Araucaria excelsa. From J. A. Kenrick, Magno- lia Soulangetana ; Spiraea prunifolia and other cut flowers. From S. Walker, Spirsea prunifolia, Dodecatheon, Phlox, Ranunculus and other cut flowers. From Hovey & Go. 6 Fancy Pelargoniums, viz. : Formosum, Jehu su- perb. Belle d'Epinay, Jenny Lind, Empress and Perfection ; also fine Pan- sies. From J. Breck & Son, Hyacinths in var. From A. Bowditch, 21 pots of plants, viz. : Cinerarias, Oranges, Tropseolum, Pelargoniums ; one fine Orange Tree in full bloom ; cut flowers in var. From J. Mann, Jr., Pansies in var. From Dr. C. F. Chaplin, Pansies in var. From Winship & Co., Dicentra spectabilis ; Spiraea prunifolia, and cut flowers in var. PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED. Pelargoniums — Glass I. For the best six new and rare varieties, to A. Bowditch, 1st premium, $6. Gut Flowers. — For the best display, to P. Barnes, $3. For the second best, to A. Bowditch, $2. Calceolarias. — For the best six varieties, to H. Schimmin, $3. For the second best six varieties, to M. P. Wilder, $2. Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 285 Greenhouse Plants. — For the best display, of not less than 20 pots, to H. Schimmin, $25. For the second best display, A. Bowditch, $15. For tlie third best display, M. P. Wilder, $10. Hyacinths. — For the best display of 20 varieties, to R. M. Copeland, $5. For the second best, to J. Breck & Son, $3. Pansies. — For the best 12 distinct varieties, to Hovey & Co., $4. For the second best, Jona. Mann, Jr., $3. For the third best, C. F. Chaplin, #2. Gratuities. — To A. Bowditch, for Orange tree, $3. To T. Page, for Protea, $1. To J, Nugent, for Bouquet and Erica, $2. To P. Barnes, for Viola papilionacea, $1. To W. Kenrick, for Basket of Flowers, $1. Exhibited. — Fruit : From Jas. Nugent, Black Hamburgh grapes. From W. C. Strong, Black Hamburgh grapes. From H. Schimmin, Black Ham- burgh, and a variety of Chasselas grapes, without name. From Thos. Page, Roxbury Russet apples. Vegetables : From Jonathan Mann, 3 bunches asparagus, 24 stalks weighing 1 lb. 11 oz. From Jos. Crosby, 8 bunches asparagus, 14 stalks weighing I lb. 9 oz. From A. Wales, Racehorse cucumber, 13 inches long. From B. Woods, Long Green Prickly cucumber. prizes awarded for vegetables. Asparagus. — For the best, to Josiah Crosby, $3. For the 2d best, to Jonathan Mann, $2. May 29. Exhibited. — Flowers : From S. Walker, Tulips in var., Do- decatheon media, var., flowers in var. From J. A. Kenrick, Magnolia pur- purea, and Soulangeiana, cut flowers in var. From J. Breck & Son, Tulips in var.. Hyacinths. From Winship & Co., Dicentra spectabilis, Double Persian Lilac, Spirseas in var.. Azaleas in var., Phlox divaricata, &c., &c. From J. Nugent, cut flowers in great var., 3 bouquets, fine. From P. Barnes, Dicentra spectabilis, Spirjea prunifolia, Convallaria, Phlox divaricata, Dodecatheon media, Roses, Columbine, &c. From Miss Mary M. Kenrick, basket of flowers. Frorri Wm. Kenrick, 3 bouquets, and cut flowers in var. From Miss Bruce, bouquet. PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED. Tulips. — For the best display of 30 blooms, to S. Walker, $8. For the second best display, to J. Breck &, Son, $6. Gratuities. — To Miss Bruce, James Nugent, Parker Barnes, Joseph Breck, Miss Russell, Miss Kenrick, Winship & Co., for cut flowers and bouquets, $1 each. 286 Horticultural Operations for June. Fruit : From W. C. Strong, Slack Hamburgh, Muscat of Alexandria, and Black July grapes. From J. B. Moore, Baldwin, Green Sweet, and Hunt's Russet apples, all in a fine state of preservation. Vegetables : From J. Crosby, fine Asparagus and Lettuce. From A. D. Williams, Rhubarb. HORTICULTURAL OPERATIONS FOR JUNE. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. If April was one of the most unfavorable months, May certainly has been the very reverse. Vegetation was exceedingly backward on the 1st ; but the three hot days of the 7th, 8th, and 9th, with the thermometer at 88°, started everytliing into growth, and advanced the season as much as two weeks of ordinary weather at that season ; and at the present time there is little or no difference between this year and the last. No cold easterly storms, as is usual, have been experienced, and fruit trees, which blossomed remarkably full, have set their fruit better than we have ever observed before. From present appearances there will be a heavy crop of apples and pears. Grape Vines, in the forcing houses, will now have ripened their fruit, which may be cut. As soon as this is done, give the house abundance of air to ripen off the wood. Keep all laterals stopped in as heretofore. Vines in the greenhouse or grapery will now be swelling their fruit rapid- ly, and if the thinning has not been attended to it should be done imme- diately ; shoiflder the bunches, and keep the laterals close, as before advised. Water the walks freely, morning, noon, and night, in fair weather, to keep a genial atmosphere. Vines in coldhouses will now be setting their fruit, and will require the same management detailed in our last for the grapery. Vines in the open air will now require some attention ; rub off all buds not wanted to make new shoots or bear fruit, and keep the young wood tied in regularly. Pinch off the laterals one or two joints beyond the fruit. Peaches in pots, now in bearing, may be removed to the open air, where they will mature their fruit in much greater perfection than in the house. Select a good place, out of the current of high winds. Water liberally. Young trees planted this year may have an occasional watering with guano. Strawberry beds should now be covered with straw, or mowings of the lawn, to prevent the fruit from being injured by rains ; at the same time pull out every weed, which will keep them in good order till tlie fruit is gone. Horticultural Operations for June. 287 Fruit Trees of all kinds will now need attention. This is the time to begin to stake and tie up every crooked or ill shaped one, pruning them into proper form ; and disbudding such as need it. Young trees on the quince stock, which bloom so freely, should not be permitted to bear too large a crop. Insects will now require looking after. The canker worm, aphis, pear slug, curculio, gooseberry caterpillar, and others equally destructive, will be at work, and their ravages should be stopped as quick as possible. Whale oil soap we have found the best guard against their attacks. FLOWER DEPARTMENT. The weather of the last two weeks has been so pleasant, that, if taken advantage of, many plants may have been brought into the open air, or placed in cold frames, preparatory to plunging them out for the summer. But if not already done, no time should be lost in attending to it now. June is a busy month where there is much of a collection ; all kinds of plants wanted for blooming next winter will require looking after ; some will need to be re-potted ; others only top-dressed ; some will require only a slight heading in; whilst others may be cut quite down, in order to get up a new growth. All kinds of summer bloomers will need a shift ; climbers trained to the roof, or to trellises, should be pruned in, except such as are now blooming. Keep the house well syringed, and the temperature as even as possible. Pelargoniums are now in their height of bloom, and produce a blaze of beauty, unsurpassed by anything but the camellias. What we said in favor of the fancy varieties last month, we may now say in favor of the show kinds. Some of the new ones are superb — superb. Ajax, May Queen, Elegans, Beauty of Montpellier, Prince Arthur, Gaiety, &.C., are all great improvements on those of former years. Water liberally, and shade in the middle of the day, to prolong the bloom. Japan Lilies in pots will require a shift, if not already done. Camellias which have formed their flower buds may be removed to the open air. Plants inarched in February and March may now be cut from the parent stock. Azaleas will now be growing vigorously, and should be syringed morn- ing and night. OxALisES done flowering, may be placed away on a dry shelf. Fuchsias will require to be shifted often, if fine large specimens are wanted. Monthly Carnations may now be layered. Cinerarias should now be looked after. Keep them in a cool frame, so as to encourage the growth of thrifty suckers. Water very sparingly. Chinese Primrose seeds may be sown the last of the month for next year's stock. The double sorts should now be propagated from cuttings. Euphorbia jacquinj:flora and Poinsettia pulcherrina should now be encouraged in their summer growth, the former by turning out into the open ground, in a sheltered place. 288 Horticultural Operations for June. Heaths and Epacrises will require attention. Select a half shady spot to keep them during the summer, plunging them in tan or sandy earth. Cactuses may be shifted as soon as done flowering, and partially pruned in, taking away the old wood. Chrysanthemums should now have a shift into larger pots ; top all long shoots so as to have stocky bushy plants. Roses, in pots, intended for early autumn blooming should be plunged in a cool, half shady situation. Cuttings may be put in now, and layers made of such as succeed best in that way. Calceolarias should be kept in a cool situation, and be carefully watered. Greenhouse Plants of all sorts should be neatly arranged in their sum- mer quarters, where they can be properly watered, and taken due care of. FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY. This department should now begin to assume a neat and beautiful ap- pearance. Everything should have been done except setting out the bedding plants, and no time should now be lost to accomplish this. As the weather has been warm and fine, the grass edging and lawn will require considerable mowing. Put them in order, finish up the planting, and clear and rake all the beds neatly. Roses and other running plants should not be neglected as they advance in gi-owth ; look them over often, and tie up in due season. Dahlias should all be planted by the 20th of the month ; the earlier the better for abundaiice of flowers ; but the late ones generally give the best. Carnations and Picotees now throwing up their flower stems should be neatly staked. Hyacinths may soon be taken up, and their places filled with annuals. Hollyhocks, throwing up several strong stems, should have them thinned out to three. Asters, Globe Amaranthus, and other showy annuals, raised under glass, should now be set out in beds, or in the border. Biennial and Perennial flower seeds may now be planted. Phloxes and similar tall growing plants should be neatly tied up to a stake. Neapolitan Violets should now be reset, selecting a half shady situation. vegetable department. The weather is so fine now that all kinds of tender vegetables may be planted out. Egg plants, peppers, cucumbers, &c., started in the hot bed, should now be removed to proper places in the garden. Continue to sow peas for a succession. Hoe and weed all crops in a forward state. Melons under glass, of the choice kinds, such as Beechwood, &c., should have a lining of fresh manure, if superior specimens are wanted. Celery should be planted out this month. THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. JULY, 1852. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. Art. 1. The Culture of the Grape: in a letter to Mr. Fleischfnafifi, late U. S. Consul at Stuttgard, from Gen. Talhnadge, Pi'esident of the American Institute, of the City of New York. Communicated by Gen. Tallmadge. The following interesting letter, giving some account of a valuable work published by Mr. Fleischmann, as well as information upon the culture of the grape, has been forwarded to us by Gen. Tallmadge, and will be read with pleasure by all who appreciate the importance of more attention to this delicious fruit, which is now well ascertained cannot be grown successfully in the open air in our climate. Mr. Fleischmann's work, which we have not seen, will be a most acceptable contribution to our stock of knowledge of this fruit. — Ed. My Dear Sir : — I am greatly obliged by your kindness in submitting to my inspection your work, in five volumes, large folio, of Specimens of the Grapevine and its Culture, and one volume on the Melon, &.c. It is a gratifying cir- cumstance that, after a three years' absence, you are enabled to return to the welcome of friends ; and in addition to the character of fidelity in office, and improvement in the higher pursuits of literature, you are enabled to present six such manuscript volumes. It shows your leisure time from other duties has been spent in industrious pursuits ; if not useful VOL. XVIII. NO. Til. 37 290 The Culture of the Grape. to yourself, at least honorable to the country of your adop- tion. That country may well make it an occasion for some material demonstration to its author. The kindness of the King of Wurtemburg, in allowing you free access, has enabled you to make your drawings, not only from his library and gardens, but from nature. The volumes of your work show you have successfully availed yourself of these opportunities, in the drafts and in the col- oring of the specimens preserved. The stem, with the vine — the tendril, and the cluster of grapes ; and the cutting, to engraft or to propagate, are the two figures of each variety, on each folio page of the book. They are executed with such precision of draft, and accuracy of coloring, as enable the eye to determine many of the varieties, without a refer- ence to their names. It shows your ability with the pencil and the brush, and gives material value to the volume. You seem to have copied your specimens very much as probably you found them, in the garden of the King of Wur- temburg. The wine countries plant the vine without classi- fication, as being suited in their varieties, for the table grape or the wine-press. Climate compels England, and ourselves here, to regard these distinctions. She cannot cultivate the wine grape in the open air at home ; and we cannot cultivate it certainly north of the Potomac. The books afford abund- ant information and instruction in regard to the selection and the cultivation of the wine grape. That selection regards only the varieties to produce the different kinds of wine. Your volumes present these varieties, with many interesting and useful specimens for that object. The southern and western portion of this country have a soil and climate pecul- iarly congenial to the production of the mulberry and the vine. The grape cannot endure any frost on its spring blos- soms or ripening fruit. England can only raise the table grapes of Europe, with the aid of her hot-houses. It was the same case with ourselves. She has made her selections for this purpose from the vineyards of Europe ; especially regarding size of cluster, flavor of grape, and delicacy of fruit. We, in this country, have made our selections very The Culture of the Grape. 291 much from England, and with some additions. We have the large Syrian grape, so beautifully copied in your book. The large Smyrna grape, so well exhibited in your book, remains to be obtained. Spain and Portugal each have im- posing specimens of the table grape. But the large inviting grape is often tough, coarse, and without flavor. Whatever England has so long rejected in her selections, we must adopt with care. Experiments to naturalize the foreign grape in about 38 to 42° of north latitude, have ascertained that our summers cannot be relied upon as exempt from frost beyond June, July and August. Frost oftentimes comes in the last of May and early in September. But say we have a summer, at most, of three and a half months, without frost. Experience has established that the foreign vine requires a season of from four to five and a half months to ripen its fruit into its luscious and natural flavor and sweetness. Upon such facts, all hope to naturalize the foreign vine to our northern latitude is given up. But experiments on this matter have since established that the foreign grape vine, planted in a cold, glass vinery, (without fire or artificial heat,) dependant upon the sunshine alone, will be entirely successful. The cold and frosts of April and May will not penetrate within the glass, and overcome the natural heat within to hurt the growing vine ; nor the cold and frosts of September and October, and usually even November, will not penetrate to hurt the ripening fruit. Thus, a summer is provided of from seven to eight months' continuance, and free from frost, with a climate to be regulated by a thermometer and at any degree of heat desired, day and night, above the climate of the place of the nativity of the vine. The forcing power, and the growth of the vine and fruit thus matured, can only be credited by actual observation. When the vines have performed their functions, and the crop is gathered, the vinery is to be opened to the season. The vines are laid down for their winter rest, and are thus kept in health, and escape diseases liable to befall vines in the heated house with exotic plants, continually growing and without rest for a series of years. 29^ The Culture of the Grape. The entire success of this new system of the cold vinery for the grape, has been made certain by specimens of fruit large and fine beyond example, and exhibited at the fairs of the American Institute, the two years past. At the fair, in October last, of the American Institute, at Castle Garden, New York, and also at the Agricultural Fair, at Albany, gratifying specimens of the culture of the grape in a cold vinery, and without fire, were exhibited from the gardens of different gentlemen. Some were from the garden of Mr. P. S. Van Rensselaer, of New Hamburg, Dutchess County, and among them were exhibited clusters of the " Grape of Canaan," sometimes called the "Palestine Grape," measuring from the vine from 27 to 30 inches in length, and weighing from five to seven pounds a cluster. The witnesses are therefore numerous in favor of the culture and encouragement of the foreign grape vine in this country. The native grape of this country, when ripe, has a ten- dency to acetous fermentation and decay. The juice of the foreign grape is saccharine, with a tendency to granulate and to dry into preservation. The grapes of this country gener- ally require a season of from about three to three and a half months to ripen. The saccharine fluid of the foreign grape is slow in its ripening and requires a season, according to the varieties, of from three and a half to six and seven months. The grape of Canaan and the purple grape of Damascus will illustrate. Several years ago I endeavored to grow these grapes with the Burgundy, Chasselas, and others, in the open air; they grew, and in the hot months promised well, but the fruit of the former were cut off" by frosts when about half formed. We have since introduced them into our cold vin- ery, where they are now growing with very fair success ; they require a soil suited, great heat, and a season of from six to seven months to ripen into full maturity. These facts will regulate the selection and the treatment of the different varieties of the vine. England and ourselves might now contest with the vineyards and the wine countries of the continent ; and win the premium, on table grapes, for Descriptions of three neiv Pears. 293 improvement in size, tenderness of skin, virgin bloom, deli- cacy of fruit, and equal flavor. Horticulture, with its inge- nuity and the sciences at hand, will not linger long behind the occasion. When Carolina and our southern friends shall have com- pleted their monument in memory of prejudice, — persevering opposition and unmitigated hostility to ^Hnternal improve- me7its,^^ — their more congenial soil and climate will enable them to reap the harvest and take the premium for production and improvement from us all. The American Institute, of which you are a member, desire me to proffer their obligation to you, for submitting to their observation the volumes of your work, — .of so much labor to you, so gratifying to them, and so creditable to yourself. Their best wishes will attend you. I hasten to return the volumes so kindly submitted to my examination, and within the time limited for my retention — and send this note of my high commendation. Permit me to proffer assurances of regard. lam truly, yours, &c., &c., James Tallmadge. C. L. Fleischmann, Esq., U. S. Consul, at Stuttgard, Wurtemburg. New York, May 24, 1852. Art. II. Descriptions and Engravijigs of three new Pears. By Baptiste Desportes, Angers, France. It is with much gratification that we present to our pomo- logical friends and readers generally, descriptions, accompa- nied with engravings, of three new pears, recently brought to notice in France. One of them, and probably the best, is named in honor of M. Kossuth, whose recent tour through the United States is still fresh in the memory of all ; and in admiration of his talents as well as his energies in behalf of his suffering country, — to say nothing of the probability of his effecting what has been his life-long object, and what 294 Deso'iptions of three new Pears. every true American must sincerely wish, — ^this fruit has been deservedly dedicated by liberty-loving Frenchmen, who can distinguish the difference between him and the usurper of France. We have no doubt that hundreds will be eager to possess a fruit of such excellent quality, bearing so honorable a name. Fis;. 21. Bturre Kossuth. M. Desportes has promised us descriptions of other fine kinds, which we hope soon to lay before our pomologists. Descriptions of three new Pears. 295 1. Beurre' Kossuth. M. Andre Leroy has for several years been receiving from various persons many varieties of pears yet undescribed. Among the number have been found several kinds of very remarkable merit. One of them has been dedicated to that illustrious defender of Hungarian liberty, the celebrated Kossuth. The following is the description and figures of the fruits of this variety, (Jig. 21,^ gathered from the same tree, and yet of a form very different : — Tree, of moderate vigor, little branched, forming, notwith- standing, a good pyramid. Fruit, large, three \nches long, and about the same in di- ameter in the largest part : Form, turbinate, rounded at the Fig. 22. General Lamoriciere. crown, diminishing in undulations to the stem ; surface very uneven, rough : Stem, two thirds of an inch long, curved^ 296 Descriptions of three new Pears. , and inserted upon a little projection [mamelon) ; Eye, large, sunk in deep round basin; divisions of the calyx, small: Skin, thin, dull yellowish green, traced and freckled with gray or bronze, dotted with specks of the same color ; yel- lowish around the eye, and greenish around the stem : Flesh, very fine, melting, buttery, sugary ; juice abundant, slightly acidulated. This is an excellent fruit, of the first quality, and, when well known, will find a place in every collection. 2. General Lamoriciere. Tree, moderately vigorous upon the quince, but a most abundant bearer. Fruit, of medium size, (Jig. 22,J about two inches long and two in diameter : Form, regular, pyramidal : Stem, two inches in length, stout, straight, swollen at the two extremities, and set in a cavity formed by two projections: Eye, large, closed, placed nearly even with the surface of the crown ; segments of the calyx straight, projecting : Skiti, of a uniform gray, sprinkled with green freckles : Flesh, greenish white, fine, melting, tender, buttery, and perfumed ; juice abundant. Ripens the end of September and commencement of Oc- tober. This is a fruit of the first quality. 3. Beurre' de Bollwiller. This variety (jig. 23) is not new. M. Leroy received it of the Messrs. Baumann, of Bollwiller, some years ago ; but has not fruited it in his school of specimen trees until 1851. The following is the description made from a fruit gathered from a tree five years old : — Tree, moderately vigorous and fertile. Fruit, medium size, about two and a half inches long, and two in diameter at one third of its height ; it is turbinate, pretty regular, but one side is larger than the other ; surface smooth : Stem, rather large, about two thirds of an inch in length, swollen at the end adjoining the tree, curved, and inserted without any cavity, but having at the base a very slight projection (petit mamelon) : Eye, small, nearly closed, Pomological Gossip. 297 and placed in a shallow, compressed basin : Skin, fine, of a uniform color, very slightly tinted with red on the side next the sun, and regularly dotted with small gray and vermilion specks : Flesh, white, fine, and melting ; juice abundant and sugary. Fig. 23. Betirr^ de Bollwiller. Ripe in April and the commencement of May. It is of the first quality, and assuredly the best at this pe- riod, when the Doyenne d'hiver (Easter Beurre) is gone. I have eaten this pear the 25th of April, when it was not the least shrivelled or deformed, and had all the freshness of an autumn pear. We believe this variety will prove one of the most superb table fruits. Art. III. Pomological Gossip. The Season of 1852. — So far, the present season prom- ises to be one of the most favorable for the pear that has VOL. XVIII. NO. VII. 38 298 Pomological Gossip. been experienced for several years ; and from present appear- ances the crop will not only be large, but exceedingly fine. We, certainly, have never seen them promise better : they have set well ; they present a clean, healthy appearance, (barring occasional A^arieties) ; and the general aspect of the trees, as Avell as fruit, is far in advance of either of the three previous years. If anticipation can give any gratification to the pomologist, he may look forward to the greatest display which has ever yet been made of this first of fruits in this country. We trust our hopes will not meet with disappoint- ment. New Pears. — The recent receipt of Mr. Rivers's Catalogue of Fruits for 1851, has placed us in possession of some infor- mation which we have not yet given to our readers. Making some allowance for errorS; (for Mr. Rivers is not free from them, though his experience should have enabled him to de- tect a portion of those which his catalogue contains,) we glean the following memoranda concerning some of the newer pears : — Alhertine. — Large size, handsome, melting, very hardy ; first quality. Succeeds as a pyramid on the quince. End of August. Alexandre Bivort. — ^Medium size ; a new hardy pear from the collection of the late M. Esperin. Flavor sugary, per- fumed and exquisite ; it literally melts in the mouth. Forms a fine pyramid on the quince. January. Alexandre Lamhre. — Medium size ; a new hardy pear from the collection of the late Van Mons. Melting and excellent. Forms a prolific pyramid on the quince. December, and often to the end of March. Baronne de Mello. — Medium size ; a very good melting pear, equal to Brown Beurre, and quite hardy. Succeeds well on the quince, and forms a handsome pyramid. October. Bergamotte Droiiet. — Medium size ; a new late pear, which succeeds well on the quince and forms a fine pyramid, as its shoots are stout and fastigiate. April and May. Bergamotte Dussart, (Van Mons.) — Medium size ; a melt- ing and hardy winter pear, which succeeds on the quince and forms a prolific pyramid, but deserves a wall. April and May. Pomological Gossip. 299 Beiirre Benner. — Small size ; a new hardy, late, melting pear, from the collection of the late Van Mons. Feliruary. Beiirre Bretonncaii, (Esperin.) — Large size ; a new late pear of high excellence ; nearly or quite melting ; succeeds on the quince double worked, and forms a prolific pyramid, but deserves a wall in the north. May and June. Beuri^e Dulimime. — Large size ; a new and excellent pear, melting and rich ; succeeds on the quince double worked. February. Beurre Hammccher. — Large size ; a new hardy pear from Belgium, melting and excellent. Succeeds well as a pyramid on the quince. October. Beurre Leon le Clerc. — Large size ; a new large, melting pear. November. Beurre Navez, (Van Mons.) — A new pear, described by Van Mons as '•' not a pear, but a skin filled with juice the most vinous and sugary it is possible to conceive." Sept. Beurre Tuerlmckx. — Large size, or rather much beyond it, for it is an enormous pear, and though not first rate, yet is useful, as it is eatable nearly all winter. It is quite hardy, and succeeds on the quince. December to February. Beurre Wettei'en. — Large size ; a new and very hardy pear, from the collection of the late M. Esperin ; melting and excellent. First quality. February. Beurre Winter, (Rivers's). — Large size ; a new pear, raised here from the Easter Beurre ; a rich, vinous, melting pear, very hardy, and succeeds on the quince doi^ble worked. February to March. Blanc Per Nc. — Large size ; a new melting pear, said to keep till May. Bon Gz/5tat'e, (Esperin). — Large size ; a new melting pear, hardy, and succeeds well on the quince as a pyramid. Dec. Colmar Artoisonet. — Large size ; a very large, handsome pear, like Beurre Diel, but quite different in flavor. Nov. Dr. Bouvier. — A large and good hardy, melting pear. Tree inclined to be thorny : succeeds well (m the quince double worked. February. Dr. Capron, (Van Mons). — Medium size, melting, and hardy. In shape, like a Glout Morceau. November. 300 Notes on Greenhouse Plants, S^c. Due de Nemours. — Medium size ; a new hardy, melting pear, which succeeds on the quince, December. Grand Soliel, (Esperin.) — Large size ; a new half melting, late pear, which succeeds well on the quince, requiring a warm soil and situation. December to March. Laure de Glyines. — Large size ; a new hardy, melting pear, from the collection of the late Van Mons ; succeeds well on the quince. October. Marchal de Cour, (Van Mons). — Large size ; a new and fine pear. It was the expressed opinion of Van Mons, that " this was the best pear he ever raised." November. Melon de Namur. — Large size ; a very fine and handsome pear, exceedingly juicy and agreeable ; succeeds on the quince, and bears well as a pyramid. August and September. Poire Peche, (Esperin). — Large size ; an excellent melt- ing, new autumn pear ; said to have the flavor of the peach. Succeeds on the quince double worked. October. Pius IX. — Large size ; a new hardy pear from the col- lection of Van Mons ; melting, sugary, and highly perfumed without being musky. End of September. Prevost. — Medium size ; another new hardy pear from the collection of Van Mons. Melting, sugary, and highly per- fumed. December to March. Zepherin Gregorie. — Medium size ; a new hardy, late, melting pear. March. With few exceptions, Mr. Rivers puts them all down as first quality. Many of them will fruit in our collection the present year, and afford an opportunity to test their merits. Art. IV. Notes on Gree7ihonse Plants, Soil, Potting, Wa- tering, S^c, 4*c. By HoRTus. (Continued from page 2 15. J Watering. — A plant properly potted in good soil is so far under favorable conditions for healthy existence ; but if un- skilfully or improperly watered, no other care that can be Notes on Greenhouse Plants, 6fc. 301 bestowed will keep it in a healtliy state. There is no single requisite in the management of plants of so much importance, or requires more skill and experience to perform aright, than this. It is a notorious fact that unskilful watering is the prevalent error in the culture of potted plants. Even among practical gardeners, so much is it considered a daily routine necessity to " water the plants," and often indiscriminately, without regard to their particular wants, that any one able to carry a pot of water is intrusted to do it. The results of this practice are too apparent in many collections. These daily dribblings only serv^e to keep vegetation in a state of suspense between death and life, as the supply is seldom copious enough to thoroughly moisten the whole mass of earth in the pot, consequently the roots nearest the surface are fre- quently soddened while the lower section are literally dry as dust. So much depends upon the natural constitution and state of the plant, the condition of the soil, the state of the atmosphere, and the season of the year, that it is impossible to lay down a special rule, equally adapted to all. We will, however, venture a few general remarks on the subject. The importance and necessity of water to plants need not be dwelt upon, seeing that it enters so largely into their con- stitution, and being the medium through which they absorb their nourishment ; but many collections are injured to a considerable degree by the bad quality of the water. An unfailing supply of rain-water should be a paramount ques- tion in building greenhouses. The water that falls on the roof, if collected in a suitable sized tank, will afford an abun- dant supply throughout the season. A brick tank, carefully cemented, of a capacity to hold 3000 gallons, will afford a constant supply for a house 50 feet long. This is most con- venient when placed underneath the stage, and also keeps the water of a genial temperature. Many kinds of spring water are exceedingly injurious from the saline substances they contain, according to the nature of the soil through which the springs rise. When such is unavoidably used, it should be exposed to the atmosphere, at least, 48 hours pre- vious to use. Water evaporated from the earth by the heat 302 Notes on Greenhouse Plants, ^c. of the Sim, when cooled down and collected in the form of rain, has none of those impurities with which it is impreg- nated when filtered through the soil. On the contrary, it contains ammonia, carbonic acid, and other matters highly beneficial to vegetation. We have very frequently been asked the question, " How often do you water your plants ? " and our answer has as frequently been, ivhenever they are dry. Sometimes it may be twice a day, at others once a week. It is evident that no direct answer can be given to such a question. A plant newly potted requires less water that it did before, because there is a large amount of soil about the roots; as these extend, they suck up more moisture and occupy the pot ; consequently the soil will sooner get dry, and when the roots get crowded, much more will still be necessary. During dull, damp weather, there is less perspiration by the leaves, and less absorption by the roots. Again, during bright sun and dry atmosphere, absorption is the most active ; and that to a greater extent in plants presenting a broad surface of leaves, than in small-foliaged species. Hence the necessity of careful watering to heaths, epacris, and others of like habit, with small foliage and delicate roots. We are very much inclined to suspect that this is the principal reason why these and others of the most beautiful hard-wooded exotics are so seldom found in greenhouses. The application of water, rightly understood, is the most powerful controlling influence we possess over vegetable groAvth. By limiting the supply, we can produce a state of rest, hasten the devel- opment of flowers, the ripening of fruit, and, other things being equal, these conditions are reversed by a bountiful supply. With regard to the proper time for watering plants, the general practice is to water in the morning or early part of the day during the winter season, and in the afternoon or evening during summer. In cold weather, early watering allows excess of moisture to evaporate before evening ; hence the plants are better enabled to withstand moderate cold. When artificial heat is in constant requisition, a certain Notes on Greenhouse Plants, S^c. 303 amount of moisture is necessary to counferact the aridity of the heating apparatus. Plants suffer much from the drying nature of the heat in severe weather. In summer, evening watering may be beneficial in cooling the system and induc- ing temporary repose, after the excessive heat of day. We have an indistinct recollection of reading a paper by the late Andrew Knight, on this subject, where he stated his opinion in favor of syringing with very cold water towards evening. Our own experience, after many trials of different methods, has induced us to adopt morning watering at all seasons. By using water freely about the house in the early part of a hot day, the atmosphere becomes charged with moisture, and the house is much easier kept cool and agreeable during the remaining portion of the day. Towards evening the syringe can be used in distributing water on the floor and all vacant places of the house, and also on all plants not in flower. The same treatment is practised in winter only when artifi- cial heat is in requisition ; otherwise, the drier the air, the less danger from cold. Independent of the physical advantages of early watering, there are chemical changes connected with the practice, which we think are not sufficiently understood or recognized. Plants are constantly extracting moisture from the soil by the roots, and parting with it by the leaves. The leaves, when exposed to the action of light, decompose carbonic acid, ammonia, and other matters present in the soil, from which organic matter is formed. The amount of water taken up by the roots varies with the moisture in the soil, the state of the atmosphere, and the species of plant. During hot, dry nights, much watery vapor is parted with by the leaves. It is evident, therefore, that the moisture given off at night, carries with it a considerable amount of gaseous matter col- lected from the soil, without benefit to the plant, since the presence of light is necessary to the performance of those chemical functions which digest and retain the substances required to develop and extend the structure of plants. Hence we may consider the above as an important argument in favor of early watering. 304 Window Greenhouses. Under certain conditions, much may be gained in the growth of plants by judicious application of liquid manure. It should only be given to those in robust health. If applied to sickly subjects it hastens their decay. Great caution is necessary in using stimulants ; and those that cannot manage plants well, otherwise, will probably gain nothing from their use. Clean, diluted manure water may be advantageously used, during the growing season, to large plants that have filled their allotted space with roots, and cannot be conve- niently removed. The blooming season is also lengthened, and the development of seed enhanced, by its use. In reading articles on the cultivation of plants, we fre- quently notice the recommendation of gradually diminishing the quantity of Avater at certain seasons. This is apt to mislead, inasmuch as we have observed a mere sprinkling on the surface is considered sufficient in such cases. Every time a plant is watered, it should receive enough to allow a surplus escape from the bottom of the pot. If a plant is to be gradually dried off, let the applications be less frequent. It only deceives the eye to keep sprinkling on the surface, and no plant will long survive such treatment. June, 1852. (To be continued.) Art. V. Window Greenhouses. From Turner's Florist. Nothing can be a greater source of pleasure to the real lover of flowers, especially if a resident of the city, than a well-cultivated and healthy collection of window plants. They wear away the long and dreary winter of our northern clime, and serve to beguile many a passing hour between the close of autumn and the dawn of spring, Cowper, in The Task, thus happily describes the love of window flowers : " They serve him with a hjnt That nature lives ; that sight refreshing green Is still the livery she delights to wear, Though sickly samples of the exuberant whole." WindoiD Greenhouses. 305 With proper care and attention, plants may be most suc- cessfully grown in rooms or parlors : we say with care, — but we do not mean with too much care, — for we believe that more plants are ruined with too much attention than too lit- tle. A few leading principles understood, nothing can be more simple than the treatment of window plants, as the ar- ticle we annex will show. We have, in a previous volume, (VII, p. 214,) given an article on the culture of the camellia in parlors, a plant usually found very difficult of management. But Dr. Gunnel not only grew them well, but flowered them beautifully. The pelargonium is one of the best of parlor plants, and the suc- cess of the writer shows what can be done with proper treat- ment. Many other things may be had in fine condition by following the rules now laid down. A reference to our volume above quoted, will show that the writer uses precisely the same kind of stage or table as Dr. Gunnell, only that he has a tier of shelves upon which the plants are arranged, so that the water may fall upon the table. In conclusion, we need only urge attention to the rules laid down ; if they are attended to, their management will be simple, and success certain : — You ask me the particulars of my '• window greenhouse," in which, as I have been sufficiently successful not only to please myself, but to have imitators because of that success, I have great pleasure in telling you, — no, not you, but your readers, — ^how I manage matters, I had last season about 900 blossoms on 35 plants, and as I am not aware that the care of them took up time that ought to have been otherwise employed, and was a pleasure all through the year as well as in the blooming season, I really should be glad to see the system more general. I cannot promise that all shall succeed who may try it, but I think I can show that those who do not may charge themselves with their failure. Probably most of your readers have occasionally noticed a most flourishing tree, covered with healthy blossoms, in an TOL. XVIII. NO. VII. 39 306 Window Greenhouses. old broken teapot in some cottage window ; and some may have thence inferred the uselessness of care and science in the treatment of plants. I do not draw that conclusion from the fact. For look at that sickly thing in the next window to it. How much better and healthier the flowers look in the one window than the other ! And yet the houses are built on the same plan, and stand next to one another ; and therefore the inference I should draw is, that there is a right way and a wrong way of growing flowers ; and, further, that a person who uses the right, will succeed under great appa- rent disadvantages. And a closer inspection always shows ithe difference to be in the person and not in the place, and ithat such persons rarely spend much time or pains upon their pets, and yet everything seems to succeed with them : it is -plain that those who will follow their example will make their window plants flourish as well as theirs do. And this is so true, that if a person will not make up his mind to act upon the right system when he knows it, I cannot recom- mend him to keep plants in-doors, many or few, unless for the wholesome discipline of disappointment. Kow I believe, sir, you will agree with me, that the right system for plants, as for children, is the natural system ; and that nostrums, and secrets, and tricks, are, for the most part, not only pernicious but silly. As a general rule, and under similar circumstances, what will grow a good cabbage will grow a good pelargonium or fuchsia. And that the apparent departures from this rule are only examples of it, and depend on common-sense reasons drawn from the nature of the original climate of the species of plant. And the natural system may be comprised under two heads : 1, not to Id your plants suff'er by neglect ; 2, nor to make them suffer by interference. If many people let them dwindle or die by forgetting to water them at proper times, or to shelter them from excess of sun or of cold, others, not less numerous, think their flowers can never be thriving unless themselves are doing something to make them thrive. And so they bring them to their end, or to pale, sickly, scraggy things on stilts, that can never repay their owner for the trouble of rearing them. Windoiv Greenhouses. 307 The application of this system to the culture of the pelar- gonium is somewhat hazardous of the charge of presumption in such a person as myself, because I suppose you have al- ready given directions for that in some of the numbers of The Florist I have been so unfortunate as not to see ; and anything I were to say on the subject that you have already said would be superfluous, and what might differ from your instructions, I am persuaded would be erroneous. Only I would repeat, that any person who will use common sense and common care, may succeed in the culture of any of our ordinary fancy flowers. Of these, by much the most useful for a window, and which I expect will always retain its place in this respect, is the pelargonium ; .and, as I have no room to spare, I confine myself to this. You will believe 1 have no spare room when I tell you I am a curate, with a family of eight grown-up persons, in latitude 53° 29** 30''' on the Greenwich meridian, in an agricultural village that has no house in it larger than a cottage, and mine is no way remarkable among its fellows, of which it is far from being the largest. Yet, witliout any other convenience than a cottage window, I grow, in very creditable condition, about thirty varieties (a plant of each) of the best pelargoniums : enough to make my room a blaze of beauty during the whole blooming season. Now, on the supposition that my thirty plants are estab- lished in their pots, and hardened afterwards in the open air, and that it is time to bring them in-doors, (this year it was on or about old Michaelmas-day I housed them,) I will tell you where I put them, and how I treat them when there. I have no south or south-east window in the house : the aspect is south-west ; but there is a small room in the front, of which, as it is my dressing room, 1 can appropriate the whole window to my plants. And' I have done it in this way, in order to make the small space hold as many pots, give them as much light, and bring them as close to the glass, as possible. The glass of the window is 3 feet 9 inches broad, and of a proportionate height. This, therefore, is the breadth of the stand I had made in the ordinary way, 308 Witidow Greenhouses. but as light as possible, and with six shelves, channelled along the middle for the water to run out of the pots. As the plants are of all sizes, and more of them small than large, the four lower shelves are 4, the fifth 5, and the sixth 6 inches broad ; the bottom one 3, the rest 4 inches high, which, with 3 inches allowed for standing in its pan, make the entire height 2 feet 2 inches. This frame stands in a water-tight wooden pan, 3 feet 10 inches long by 2 feet 4 inches broad, and 3 inches deep, with a hole and plug in one corner to let off the water, so that I can water my plants as freely as I like without wetting the room or making a mess. The whole stands on two three- legged tressles, and the waterpot is kept underneath, so that the water shall be always of the same temperature as the room, a point I have found to be of great importance to the well-being of the plants. This stand, painted, cost 15s. And as I began collecting gradually, bought but few, and exchanged with friends, I had a very good collection before I had spent £2 upon my hobby. Since then I have been more expensive, as I will not keep any but first-rate varieties, and unhesitatingly condemn a flower that displeases me, whatever its price in the market. Yet I believe I may challenge any other hobby, far less useful or ornamental than this, on the subject of cost. Careful as I am bound to be of my expenses, I should expect an acquittal from the charge of extravagance even from those who do not partake of the taste for these things. And I am sure that the pleasure and the profit have amply repaid my little outlay ; for profitable it is. Anything that decorates home, and con- centrates a man's amusements and attractions round his own hearth, and unites the rest of his family with him in them, is an avoidance of expense to him, and is worthy of encour- agement as a benefit to society. And among these things, gardening, within legitimate bounds, has always deservedly held a high place. And in this I am sure " window gar- dening " may fairly claim its little modicum of praise, as being least liable to abuse ; unless, indeed, the bedroom be made, as I have sometimes seen it, the depository of plants, for then they are really injurious to health. Window Greenhmises. 309 When my plants are on the stand, I do not find they require looking to every day, though even if they did, their wants are so few, and so easily supplied, that it would be but little trouble. 1. Light is their greatest and invariable requisite ; and this is the chief difficulty to give them in a sash window when there is more than one row of them. A short and simple rule will, however, lessen much of the difficulty ; for they require light in proportion to the rapidity of their groivth. Consequently the back rows, as having least light, should be kept driest, in order that they may grow slowest ; and when they show a tendency to throw out too long leaf-stalks, they should be stinted in water and placed nearer the window. Also, when they bend forwards, it is a proof that they are having too much water in proportion to their distance from the glass. 2. They want air, and therefore I generally open the win- dow once a day, even in the winter's frost ; but I do not think it so necessary as is by many supposed. It seems to be of more service in keeping the temperature of the room equable than for the admission of fresh air. When the wind is in the east it almost always hurts them ; and a thorough draught, of which many persons are far too careless, is espe- cially to be eschewed. But I have seen a plant in the win- dow of a farmhouse, and of a very ordinary kind, (Lord Mayor,) which, for growth, number and perfection of blooms, and striking general appearance, would have deservedly at- tracted attention on a field-day at Chiswick. Yet this plant had never had a breath of fresh air for six months. 3. My impression about water is, that professional florists are too much afraid of it. If a plant is close to the window, the rapid growth caused by superabundant water is not al- ways a loss, nor does it always deteriorate the soil in the pot so much as is supposed. In cottage windows plants often thrive, grow stout, bloom profusely, and with blooms in truest shape and color, though standing, and having stood, in saucers of water for weeks or months. My cuttings, if well rooted, I always set in pans of water, even in the autumn, till they 310 Wiiidow Greenhouses. are as large as I wish them to be before the winter, taking care to place them in the window itself while they are so treated. Even the green moss on the mould and romid the pot, unsightly as it is, and betokening slovenliness, (and therefore I never suffer it myself,) I fear is slandered when said to kill the plant. At least, I have seen a plant perform very well for years, though covered with it. Don't be talked out of your saucer of water, Mrs. Wilkins, when they tell you you will drown your Geranium, and that the air cannot circulate about the roots if you keep it so. There is air in the water ; and you do not wash away the goodness from the mould half so much as by watering it from the top, and letting the superfluous water run off" and carry the strength of the soil with it. Only remember, you are "tendering" your plant, and that it is more likely to be touched with the frost or to grow "leggy." a believe I have gained by giving my plants more water than my neighbors do. One winter (it was a very mild one, and the plants were growing slowly all through it) I watered them freely with a rose over the leaves, and never had them stronger or healthier. From seeing its evil effects elsewhere, I do not think I shall do so again, but I am glad, for the experiment's sake, I did it then, though I did it merely in ignorance that it is dangerous, and not for the purpose of experiment. 4. Respecting artificial heat, I have never yet needed a fire for them. It is true, the room is between two others, and so has no outside wall but the window front. If the frost is only moderate, I draw a green baize curtain between them and the window ; if severe, I draw two ; if a " 3Iiir- phy''s^' frost occurs, I shall burn a lamp. Even one small lamp in a small room makes a considerable difference in the temperature. 5. If any need larger pots before they flower, I am careful not to break the ball of earth, nor do I ever disturb the roots except at the September repotting, when I give them plenty of drainage and a compost of black heath sand, rotted turf, and completely decayed stable manure, in equal parts. In all this there is very little expenditure of time, trouble, Floricultural ajid Botanical Notices. 311 or money ; and the elegance and harmlessness of the pleasure obtained is an ample recompense for what is incurred. Be- sides, I have the satisfaction of replacing the rubbish often nurtured in the cottage windows of my neighborhood with similar objects of a kind more worthy of the attention be- stowed upon them. And I confess I am one who takes as much delight in seeing a fine flower in a neighbor's window as in my own. Art. VI. Floricultural and Botanical Notices of Neio and Beautiful Plants, figured in Foreign Periodicals ; with descriptions of those introduced to, or originated in, Amer- ican Collections. , New Pelargoniums. — The pelargoniums of recent intro- duction, new varieties of 1850, '51, are great improvements on this already most beautiful plant. For some few years Mr. Beck carried all before him in the growth of seedlings, and took the first prize at all the principal shows ; some of his later seedlings are yet the most desirable sorts for a prize stand ; but taking his collection together it is now eclipsed by those of Messrs. Hoyle and Foster. The May exhibitions of the London Horticultural Society at Chiswick, and the Royal Botanic at Regents' Park, were especially rich in new and splendid pelargoniums, and the stands of both nurserymen and amateurs contained some most superb varieties, which attracted much attention. We give the names of the sorts in Mr. Turner's collections which took the first prizes, both show and fancy. SJiow Pelargoniums. — Mochanna, Pulchra, Gulielma, Pride of the Isles, Magnificent, Virgin Q,ueen, Constance, Magnet, Ajax, Rosamond, Chieftain and Rowena. Fancy. — Minerva, Perfection, Reine des Francais, Hero of Surrey, Statinskii, and Fairy Q,ueen. These were first at the Chiswick Show. Show Varieties. — Magnet, Mochanna, Prince of Orange, 312 Floricultural and Botanical Notices. Ajax, Chieftain, Chloe, Magnificent, Pride of the Isles, Con- stance, Rosamond, Little Nell and Alonzo. Fancy. — Hero of Surrey, Reine des Francais, Minerva, Carlotti Grisi, Fairy Q,ueen, and Empress. These were first at Regents' Park. Several of the fine sorts have been in flower in our collec- tion, and we add descriptions of the show varieties: — Ajas, (Hoyle's) lower petals rosy purple, top petals dark purple, with margin of rich crimson ; free bloomer and good habit. Beaut}/ of Montpelier, (Rendle's) lower petals bright pink, white centre, rich velvety crimson maroon spot in upper petals. Brilliant, (Topping's) deep rich superb color ; very at- tractive. Flavia, (Hoyle's) bright orange scarlet, the finest color of the kind. Gaiety, (Foster's) bright salmon, bright crimson blotch in each petal. Major Domo, (Beek's) large rose-colored flower, with dark clouded top petals. May Queen, (Hoyle's) orange rose-top petals, crimson blotch, shaded off" with orange, the five petals have a delicate margin of pale pink ; lower petals vivid rose, large well de- fined eye ; a large, distinct, superb and free blooming sort. Mount Hecla, (Gaines's) brilliant scarlet with crimson spot. Occellatum, (Hoyle's) lower petals bright pink with a dis- tinct and constant spot of deep crimson ; top petals deep crimson spot, shaded off" with bright rose, white eye ; a novel and striking flower. Prince Arthur, (Pontey's) dark clouded blotch shaded off to flesh ; lower petals flesh color ; centre white. Salamander, (Gaines's) fine orange scarlet crimson. Tyrian Queen, (Beck) mulberry top petals ; very distinct variety. Several other new ones have not yet bloomed sufficiently strong to give a description of their colors. Veronica Andersoni. — A fine specimen of this pretty va- riety was exhibited at the hall of the Massachusetts Horticul- Fhricultural and Botanical Notices. 313 tural Society by A. Bowditch. It was well grown, and had some thirty heads of flowers fully open. It is somewhat the color of speciosa, but paler, and has the habit of V. Lind- leyana. It is a fine addition to any collection. New Heliotropes. — We have already noticed some of the new heliotropes ; quite a number of new ones have been produced by the French and Belgian florists, varying con- siderably in habit, color of the flowers, and fragrance. Up- wards of twenty kinds are enumerated in some of the cata- logues. The most distinct are Louis Napoleon, Constance,. Albicans, Perfection, (very dwarf,) Picciola, and Voltairanumj nanum. The following we have already in flower: — Corymbosinn. — Close, compact, dwarf, bushy habit ; larger' corolla than the old sorts, highly scented, and fine for pots- and bedding out. Gem. — Deep blue purple, with white centre : compact habit, and free bloomer ; very fragrant ; and dwarf. Lilacina. — Lilac ; fine large truss ; free bloomer ;: very sweet scented ; good growth. Reptans. — Fine dwarf habit ; an abundant bloomec ;: and^ good color. BouvARDiA LEiANTHA. — All the Bouvardias are pretty plants, and admirably adapted for bedding out in summer, when they display their flowers in abundance. B. leiantha is a new species, and is said to be one of the finest and most distinct, with beautiful orange-scarlet flowers, well ?Hiited for either the greenhouse or flower garden. It has- a better foliage than either flava or tryphylla. HoYA be'lla. — This lovely species of the wax flower.. which has been noticed by us, (Vol. XVI, p. 224,) is de- cidedly the finest of the several species. A small plant iir our collection is now showing several clusters of its " silver and garnet" flowers. It requires a high temperature to grow it successfully, but its beauty amply repays all the eare and expense necessary to bring it into flower. Stephanotus Oblisii. — A new variety is ofiered for sale by the London nurserymen, under this name, at the high TOL. XVIII. NO. Til. 40 314 Floricultural and Botanical Notices. price of £5 5s. ; but no description is given of the flowers. If new and distinct in color, it will be a great acquisition. Mr. Fortune's Wanderings in China. — Mr. Fortune has recently published an account of his Tour in China, in search of new plants, «fcc. It is said to be a most interesting work ; not having yet seen it, we extract the following notice of it from the Gardeners^ Chronicle : — At last the mystery of the Yellow Camellia is solved, and we may finally make up our minds that De CandoUe's theory of colors is valueless. It was an ingenious idea to divide all plants between one or the other of two series ; the xanthic, or yellow species, never passing into blues ; and the cyanic, or blue species, never passing into yellow. But the exceptions prove too many for the rule ; and we must not be startled at a blue Dahlia, although the Dahlia is xanthic, since we have a yellow Camellia, although the Camellia is cyanic. Mr. Fortune, in his very instructive work on the Tea Countries of China, just published, saw this remarkable variety, of which he gives the following account : — "Those who have read my ' Wanderings in China ' may remember a story I told of my endeavors to find a yellow Camellia, — how I offered five dollars for one, — how a China- man soon found two instead of one, — and how he got the money and I got taken in. " In one of these nurseries, however, I found a yellow Camellia, and it was in bloom when I bought it. It is cer- tainly a most curious plant, although not very handsome. The flowers belong to the Anemone or Warratah class ; the outer petals are of a French white, and the inner ones are of a Primrose yellow. It appears to be a very distinct species in foliage, and may probably turn out more hardy than any of its race." To all lovers of horticulture, the work from which this is an extract, is indispensable, for it abounds in interesting details respecting, not merely the novelties met with by the enter- prising traveller, but many of the now common favorites in our gardens. The passages which relate to some of them cannot be brought too soon under the notice of our readers. Floricultural and Botanical Notices. 315 Of the Funereal Cypress he gives the following account : — " The most beautiful tree found in this district is a species of weeping Cypress, which I had never met with in any- other part of China, and which was quite new to me. It was during one of my daily rambles that I saw the first specimen. About half a mile distant from where I was, I observed a noble looking Fir tree, about 60 feet in height, having a stem as straight as the Norfolk Island Pine, and weeping branches like the Willow of St. Helena. Its branch- es grew at first at right angles to the main stem, then described a graceful curve upwards, and bent again at their points. From these main branches others long and slender hung down perpendicularly, and gave the whole tree a weep- ing and graceful form. It reminded me of some of those large and gorgeous chandeliers, sometimes seen in theatres and public halls in Europe." The gardeners at Shanghae seem to set an example of skill which some of our own people would do well to imitate. In the midst of winter, in as bad a climate as that of London, the flower shops were gaily filled : — " I was not previously aware that the practice of forcing flowers was common in China. Many plants of Magnolia purpurea were in full flower ; as were also many kinds of double-blossomed Peaches, the pretty little Prunus sinensis alba, and a variety of Camellias. But what struck me as most remarkable was the facility with which the Moutan Pffiony had been brought into full bloom. Several varieties of this plant were in full flower ; and at this season of the year, when everything out of doors was cold and dreary, they had a most lively effect. Their blooms were tied up, to keep them from expanding too rapidly. All these things had been brought from the celebrated city of Soo-chow-foo, the great emporium of Chinese fashion and luxury. " It may be thought that the Chinese have glass houses, hot-water pipes, and all those fine things which assist gar- deners and amateurs in Europe. Nothing of the kind; they do all these things in their houses and sheds, with common charcoal fires, and a quantity of straw to stop up the crevices in the doors and windows. 316 Floricultural and Botanical Notices. "At this season of the year the ' Kum-quat,' (Citrus japon- ica,) which is extensively grown in pots, is literally covered with its small, oval, orange-colored fruit. This, as Avell as various other species of the Orange, is mixed with the forced flowers, and together produce an excellent effect. I think if the ' Kum-quat ' was better known at home it would be highly prized for decorative purposes during the winter months. It is much more hardy than any other of its tribe ; it produces its flowers and fruit in great abundance, and it would doubtless prove a plant of easy cultivation. In order, however, to succeed with it as well as the Chinese do, one little fact should be kept in view, namely, that all the plants of the Orange inhe which bear fruit in a small state are grafted." Of the management of the Chrysanthemum we have ex- cellent practical details : — " The method of cultivating the Chrysanthemum in China is as follows : — Cuttings are struck every year from the young shoots, in the same manner as we do in England. When they are rooted they are potted off at once into the pots in which they are to grow and bloom ; that is, they are grown upon what would be called by our gardeners ' the one-shift system.' " The soil used in potting is of a very rich description. About Canton it is generally obtained, in the first instance, from the bottom of lakes or ponds, where the Nelumbium or Water-lily grows. It is then laid up to dry and pulverise for some months, when it is mixed with old night-soil taken from the manure tanks found in every garden. A heap of this kind, after being laid up for some time and frequently turned over, is in a fit state for potting the Chrysanthemum. Manure water, taken also from the tanks, is liberally supplied during the growing season, and its effects are visible in the luxuriant dark-green leaves which cover the plants. " In forming the plants into nice compact bushes, which, with due deference to Chinese taste, I think much prettier than animals and ' seven-storied pagodas,' their system is as follows : — The plants are trained each with a single stem ; Floricultural and Botanical Notices. 317 this is forced to send out numerous laterals near its base, and these are tied down in a neat and regular manner with strings of silk thread. By having the plants clothed with branches in this way, and by keeping the leaves in a green and healthy state, the specimens never have that bare and broom-headed appearance which they often present in England when they are taken into the greenhouse in winter. " About Shanghae and Ning-po, the Chrysanthemum is still better managed than it is near Canton ; but the success which attends it may be attributed, partly at least, to the more favorable nature of the climate, the plant being indig- enous to the central or more northern parts of the empire. The system of cultivation is nearly the same ; the main points attended to being those which have been noticed, namely, choosing a rich soil, planting at once into large pots, training to a single stem, and inducing it to send out nu- merous laterals, and giving liberal supplies of manure water during the growing season. The Chinese are fond of having very large blooms, and, in order to obtain these, they gener- rally pick off all the small flower buds." Here is a graphic description of a Cryptomeria, from which we may judge what it ought to become among ourselves : — " Never in my life had I seen such a view as this, so grand, so sublime. High ranges of mountains were towering on my right and on my left, while before me, as far as the eye could reach, the whole country seemed broken up into moun- tains and hills of all heights, with peaks of every form. " While gazing with wonder and admiration on the scene, my attention was arrested by a solitary Pine-tree of great size, standing about a hundred yards from the gateway. No other trees of any size were near it. Its solitary position near the pass, and its great height and beautiful symmetry, made it appear a most striking object. ' What could it be ? was it new, or did we already possess it in England ? ' I must confess that for a sew seconds I had eyes for nothing else. Chairs, coolies, and mountains, were all forgotten, and I believe, had the guard of Celestials attempted to prevent me from going into Fokien, the only boon I should have asked 318 Floriculiural and Botanical Notices. at their hands would have been to be allowed to go and in- spect this noble Pine. " The Chinese guard, however, had not the slightest in- tention of interfering with my movements, and, as the tree was on the roadside, I soon came up to it, and found it to be the Japan Cedar, (Cryptomeria japonica,) a tree which I had already introduced into England, and which, even in a young state, had been greatly admired there. I had never before seen such a noble specimen, and, although I would rather it had been something new, I yet felt proud of having been the means of introducing into Europe a tree of such size, symmetry, and beauty. It was at least 120 feet in height, — it might be much more, — as straight as a larch, and had its lower branches drooping to the ground. It had not been 'lopped,' like other Chinese trees, and was evidently preserved with great care. My Chinamen looked upon it with great admkation, and informed me it was the only specimen of the kind in this part of the country, and that it had been planted by some former emperor when he crossed the mountains." Cunninghamia lanceolata would seem to be a much finer thing than in this country it is believed to be : — " The sides of the mountains here were clothed with dense woods of the lance-leaved Pine, (Cunninghamia lanceolata.) This was the first time I had seen this Fir tree of sufficient size to render it of value for its timber. Many of the speci- mens were at least 80 feet in height, and perfectly straight. There was a richness too in the appearance of its foliage which I had never seen before ; sometimes it was of a deep green color, while at others it was of a bluish tint. There are, doubtless, many varieties of this tree amongst these hills." But we must close our extracts from Mr. Fortune's book. Upon the main object of it, namely, the character of the Tea countries of China, and the Tea plantations of India, and upon the able manner in which the author executed a delicate and somewhat dangerous task, we shall have something to say next week. New French Verbenas. — The French cultivators excel the English in the production of new verbenas. Reine du Jour, Floriculfural and Botanical Notices. 319 Morphe, Iphigene, and others, were great improvements over .the previous kinds. With the ardor with which the French florists pursue their profession, they do not stop until they have achiev^ed something new ; and the recent seedlings are said to be exceedingly fine, distinct, and new in color. A correspondent in New York writes us that, " in point of color, and ball-like form, as well as in undivided form, they are the best I have seen, except Mrs. Mills, which is one yet unri- valled, the color being so superbly rich blue purple. Among the best are Gen, Courtiges, Macrantha, and Marianne." The following are the descriptions of a few of these new ones which have been introduced into our collections by Mr. J. E. Rauch, and E. J. Tryon, New York : — Alboni, — (Thibauts,) blush white, crimson centre, good habit, fine. Cornelia, — White, large violet purple centre, good habit and truss. Padette, — (Mielliez,) blush white, Avith dark violet eye, distinct and fine. General Courtiges, — Orange scarlet, very large yellow eye and centre. Marianne, — (Chauviere's,) violet rose, mottled with purple, crimson eye, fine form and habit, extra fine. Macrantha, — (Nivert's,) fine rose, dark centre. Montana, — Crimson velvet, truss and form good, strong grower. Parfum Madeline, — (Defosse,) white, splashed with laven- der, violet centre. ^ 178. Medini'lla Sieboldia*na Planch. Siebold's Medi- NiLLA. (Melastomaceas.) Molucca. A stove plant ; jrowin? three feet hish ; with pale rose colored flowers ; appearing in spring ; cultivated in leaf mould, loam and sand. Bot. Reg., 1852, pi. 4650. This is another of the Medinillas which have recently attracted so much attention. " It forms a handsome shrub, with large dark green leaves, and drooping racemes of waxy rose-colored flowers, having dark purple anthers." It was introduced into Belgium by M. Van Houtte, and from thence into England, It requires the heat of a stove to grow it in perfection. (Bot. Mag., June.^ 320 Floricultural and Botanical Notices. 179. Brachyse^ma lanceola^tum Meisn. Lance-leaved Brachysema. (Leguminosce.) Swan River. a sreenhouse shrub •, growing two feet high ; with scarlet flowers ; appearing in spring ; culti- vated in heath soil and leaf mould ; increased by cuttings. Bot. Mag., 1852, pi. 4652. A handsome species of this somewhat singular tribe, with rich scarlet flowers, which appear in clusters at the base of the leaves. " Its beauty is enhanced by the good sized, almost polished, leaves, — dark green above, beautifully silky beneath." It is a native of Swan River, and was raised from seeds sent home by Mr. Drummond, in the collection of Lucombe, Prince, & Co., of Exeter, where it first flowered in February last. (Bot. Mag., June.^ 180. AcA^ciA CYCNO^RUM Bcnth. SwAij River Acacia. (LeguminoscB.)' Swan River. A greenhouse shrub ; growing two feet high ; with yellow flowers ; appenrin? in winter ; cultivated in light rich soil ; increased by cuttings and seeds. Bot. Reg., IS52, pi. 4653. A very neat and handsome Acacia, nearly allied to A. pul- chella, having the same small bipinnate foliage and axillary flowers, of a deep rich yellow, deserving a place in every greenhouse or conservatory. It was raised from seeds in the Exeter nursery, where it first flowered last April. It is an inhabitant of the Swan River Settlement, where it appears to be common. (Bot. Reg., June. J 181. Podoca'rpus nerifo^lia Don. Oleander-leaved PoDOCARPus. (Taxinese.) Nepaul. a greenhouse shrub ; growing seven feet high -, with red fruit ; cultivated in light soil. Bot. Reg., 1S52, pi. 4655. • " A good sized greenhouse shrub or small tree, with very copious, dense, evergreen foliage, and in a state of fruit really handsome, from the copious, purplish-red fleshy receptacles of the seeds, which are produced in the winter months." It seems to be a mountain plant, and may prove hardy enough for the climate of England, and probably a half hardy shrub with us. It is a showy looking shrub, and will form a fine object for winter decoration of the cold greenhouse or vestibule, and from its densC; green foliage, an ornamental verandah plant at all times. (Bot. Mag., June.^ The Philadelphia Florist. 321 REVIEWS. Art. I. The Philadelphia Florist and Horticultural Jour- nal: a Magazine of Horticulture^ Botany, Agriculture, and the Kindred Sciences. Conducted by a Committee of Practical Gardeners. R. Robinson Scott, Editor. Month- ly nos., 8vo, 32 pp.. and a colored plate. Nos. 1 and 2 for May and June. A GAY looking periodical, with the Victorm regia displaying its huge petals on the nice yellow cover, called by the above title, has been issued by our Philadelphia friends, con- ducted by an association of practical men. Two numbers, May and June, are now before us ; one ornamented with a colored lithograph of the beautiful Dicentra spectablis, and the other with one of the Nepenthes Raffles?a«a. The committee in their " apologetic " address state, as one of the reasons why the Philadelphia amateurs and florists need a journal of this kind, " that they require an organ strictly local, the exponent of their wants, that depend upon latitude and longitude, and the peculiarities of the season." The Editor thinks that the Horticulturist, and our Maga- zine, will do very well for the north ; but there is so much difference between Albany and Philadelphia, the former city being " earlier and later by just one lunar month," and as " the same exotics cannot be raised in the two places, or require a totally different treatment," it is necessary that the florists should have a journal of the kind ; as they were "literally alone between Albany and New Orleans." If this is really the truth, why we are doubly pleased to announce its appearance. We hail every new publication of the kind, as another laborer in the field where there is plenty to do and enough to gather up. For if the Florist, at the cost of one dollar, teaches an amateur how to garden more successfully, why of course he will find that two, paid for our Magazine, will increase his success in an equal ratio. If an earnest, zealous lover of horticulture, one magazine would VOL. XVIII. NO. VII. 41 322 General Notices. be like confining him to the culture of one kind of plants. No, he wants all the information he can get, whether from the north, or south, or west, and he is only to be pitied if his organ of locality don't extend north of Philadelphia. There are plenty of good reasons why such a journal should be published and well supported, without attributing it to such sectional causes. The work is neatly got up, and contains some good articles. Among the contributors we find some of our own corres- pondents. We wish the Florist every success. Art. II. The Culture of the Grape^ and Wine Making. By Robert Buchannan : unth an Appendix, containing Di- rections for the Cultivation of the Stratvbeny. By N. Longworth. 1 vol. 12mo., pp. 142. Cincinnati, 1852. This is a second edition, somewhat enlarged, of a work we have already noticed, (Vol. XII, p. 355.) The "first edition having been soon exhausted, a second one has been called for, and the task has been cheerfully undertaken with a view to add such information as may have been acquired during the last two years, on this so favorite a subject with the author." To grape growers in the west, it will prove an interesting volume. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. Art. I. General JVotices. The Fuchsia. — This genus now contains an immense number of varie- ties, many of which are worthy of being ranked with our finest ornamental plants. All flower very profusely, remain long in perfection, and all are of comparatively easy culture. Most of the varieties may be readily induced to make strong vigorous growth during the winter and spring months, but they have a natural tendency to produce bloom towards June, after which time it is nearly impossible to excite them to active growth. Large, well- formed specimens are more easily grown from cuttings than from old cut General Notices. 323 back plants, — these come in very useful for autumn flowering ; but the symmetrical form, luxuriant foliage, and increased display of blossoms, which young plants furnish, Avhen properly managed, can hardly be expected from old plants. Cuttings, destined to form large specimens during one season's growth, should be selected about the end of July ; rather firm pieces of the young wood should be chosen, and, if possible, that which shows no indication of flowering. Let them be planted in light sandy soil, and placed in a shady situation where the temperature will be but a few- degrees higher than that in which the plants from which they were obtained were growing; and as nothing is so efficient in checking a premature production of flower as a uniformly moist atmosphere, this should be secured by covering with a bell glass. As soon as the cuttings are sufficiently rooted to bear handling, pot thenn singly in 4-inch pots, and keep them close and moist, until they are fully established. A temperature of about from 45° at night to 50° or 55° during the day, will be sufficient during winter ; and if kept free from insects, and allowed pot room, and properly supplied with Avater and a moist growing atmosphere, their progress will be very rapid. But it is probable that some of the plants, especially the weakly growing varieties, will, despite of every precaution, prove more inclined to flower than to make strong rapid growth. Such had better be set aside, as there is but little chance of their forming large handsome specimens ; and I need not say that this casualty should be provided for, by rooting and preparing a sufficiency of plants from which to select the most promising of each variety. The plants should be strong vigorous examples, in 8 or 9-ineh pots, ready for a final shift in March. The size of the pots to be used must be regulated by the habit of the variety. The stronger growers, if properly managed, will fill 18-inch pots; while 12 or 15-inch ones will be sufficiently large for others. Keep the plants rather close after shifting, in order to encourage root action; syringe over- head freely, and keep the atmosphere moist, but water very carefully till the growth indicates that they have taken to the fresh soil. Beginners should be especially careful in this respect, as it is easy either to over or under water after a large shift. When the plants appear to have laid hold of the fresh soil, admit air freely whenever the temperature arises above 60°, but shut up early in^he afternoon ; syringe over-head, and keep the atmosphere as moist as possible by sprinkling the floors, &-C., frequently during the day. Clear manure water should be used as soon as it is supposed that the pots are moderately well filled with roots. When the sun becomes powerful use a thin shade on the forenoons of bright days, but apply this sparingly, and afford the plants all the light possible, without subjecting them to the direct rays of a mid-day sun. Some attention will be requisite to secure the desired form of plant. If the pyramidal shape is preferred, (and it is the best, as it is most in accord- ance with the habit of the plant,) a stake for the support of the leading shoot, and a timely and systematic stopping of any over luxuriant side branches, are all that will be required until the shoots become loaded with blossom, when a few strips of matting or soft string so tied to the stake 324 General Notices. and side brandies as to preserve the symmetry of the specimen, may be found necessary. Some growers stop their plants once or twice after they are fully grown and showing flower; this causes them to break back, greatly adds to the number of shoots, and of course to the display of blossom, but plants treated in this way do not continue so long in beauty. A cool airy shady house is the proper situation for the plants while in blossom, and during this time they should be liberally supplied with manure water and carefully guarded against attacks of insects. The weaker growers are rather subject to red spider, and all the sorts to thrips ; but if insects are kept under during the growing season, and the plants are per- fectly clean when placed in the show-house, there will be little to apprehend in this respect. When the beauty of the plants is over, they may be removed to a shady situation out of doors ; and, previous to any danger from frost, cut back rather closely, disrooted and repotted in 9-inch pots, using light sandy soil. If placed in a dry situation, out of the reach of frost in winter, and put in a cool house when they commence growth in spring, potted when necessary, and set in a shady situation out of doors as soon as the danger of frost is over, they will make useful specimens for autumn flowering. The fuchsia delights in a rich porous soil. Turfy sandy loam, two parts, and two parts thoroughly decomposed cow- dung and leaf-soil, with a suffi- ciency of clean sharp sand, to ensure the free percolation of water through tlie mass, will form a suitable compost for it. For weakly growers, turfy- peat will be preferable to leaf-soil, and for these very little cow-dung should be used.— (Gar the chairman of the committee of arrangements. The following are some of the larger prizes : — FRUITS. Apples. — For the best display of named varieties, not less than six kinds, nor less than three of each, silver cup, or . • $8 00 For the second best, silver medal, or . . . . 5 Od 374 Horticultural Societies. Pears. — For the best display of named varieties, not less than six kinds, nor less than three of each, silver cup, or . $8 00 For the second best, silver medal, or . . . . 5 00 Peaches. — For the best display of named varieties, not less than six kinds, nor less than three of each, silver cup, or • . 8 00 For the second best, silver medal, or . . . . 5 00 JVedarines. — For the best twelve nectarines, bronze medal, or . 3 00 For the second best, . . . , . . 2 00 Plums. — For the best display of named varieties, not less than six kinds, nor less than three of each, silver medal, or . 5 00 For the second best, bronze medal, or . . . . 3 00 Grapes. — For the best eight named varieties of foreign grapes, silver cup, or . . . . . . . 8 00 For the second best, silver medal, or . . . . 5 00 General Display. — For the best general display of fruit, silver cup, or . . . . . . . 8 00 For the second best, silver medal, or . . . • 5 00 FLOWERS. Roses. — For the best general display of roses, silver cup, or . 8 00 For the second best, silver medal, or . . . . 5 00 Dahlias. — For the best general display of dahlias, silver cup, or 8 00 For the second best, silver medal, or . . . . 5 00 Verbenas. — For the best general display of verbenas, bronze medal, or . . • . . . . 3 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 2 00 Bouquets, Baskets, etc. — For the best pair of hand bouquets, com- posed of flowers promiscuously arranged, bronze medal, or . 3 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 3 00 Also, numerous prizes for bouquets, plants, &c., &c., and a liberal amount in premiums for vegetables. We are glad to see our New York friends so wide awake, and trust that this time they will make it go, and " no mistake." We hope Mr. Mead, or the secretary, will send us full reports of the exhibitions. Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural Society. — The first and second exhibitions of this society were held June 22d and July 6th, and from the reports which have come to hand they were exceedingly interest- ing in both departments of fruits and flowers. But as the June report did not reach us in season for the July No., and as botli together are quite too long for our space, we are compelled to omit the greater part of them. Jane 22rf. — The first exhibition for 1852, took place at the N. Y. State Agricultural Society Rooms, on Tuesday ; the floral display, both in beauty and variety, eclipsed that of any former exhibition ; and taking into consid- eration the unusual drouth, the display of fruits and vegetables exceeded all anticipations. The Society met at 12 M., Dr. H. Wendell, its President, in the chair, when the following gentlemen were chosen delegates to the American Po- mological Congress in Philadelphia, on the 13th of September next, viz, : — Horticultural Societies. 375 V. P. Douw, II. Wendell, M. D., James Wilson, B. B. Kirtland, D. T.Vail, B. P. Johnson, L. Tucker, and E. Dorr. The following gentlemen to represent it at the Autumnal Exhibition of the Mass. Hort. Soc, viz. : — J. Rathbone, S. E, Warren, C. P. Williams, Jefferson MaycU, Wm. Newcomb, W. A. Wharton, and Amos Briggs. And the following to represent it at the Autumnal Exhibition of the Penn, Hort. Soc, viz. : — E. P. Prentice, E. Corning, Jr., Wm. James, J. S. Gould, L. Menand, Dr. John Wilson, and W. A. McCulloch. The exhibition of fruits was mostly confined to strawberries, of which the specimens were fine. Mr. C. P. Williams, in order to show the char- acter of Hovey's Seedling, exhibited a number of single stems, and several whole plants, laden with the ripe and unripe fruit, proving, to the satisfac- tion of all, it to be, when well cultivated, an enormous bearer, as well as the most beautiful berry on exhibition. The committee wish to thank Mr. Wil- liams for this display, and beg leave to suggest to members that a like exhi- bition of all varieties grown by them be made next year, in order that fair comparison may be made between the different varieties in all their qualities. , PREMIDMS AWARDED FOR FRUITS. For the best and most extensive collection, to John S. Goold, (for 17 vari- eties,) $3. For 2d best and 2d most extensive collection, to B. B. Kirtland, (for 10 varieties,) $2. For best and finest flavored variety, to Joel Rathbone, for Burr's new Pine, beautiful specimens, $2. For 2d best and 2d finest flavored variety, to C. P. Williams, for Hovey's Seedling, very large and beautiful specimens, $1. The committee in awarding this premium, wish to remark, that notwith- standing they think the flavor of Burr's new Pine more delicate and delicious than that of any other variety exhibited, still it is not by them considered as beautiful, as hardy, or as prolific as the Hovey's Seedling, and consequently not so desirable a variety for cultivation on a large scale. PREMIUMS FOR PLANTS IN POTS. For best six plants in pots, to E. Corning, Jr., (Morris Walsh, gardener,) for Euphorbia splendens, gloxinias Candida, maxima and speciosa, Adamia versicolor, and Clerodendron Fallax, $3. To Col. Rathbone, Wm. C. Gardner, L. Menand, and Wm. Janes, a dis- cretionary premium of $1 each for their splendid display of greenhouse plants and flowers. Pelargoniums. — For the six best plants in pots, the premium is awarded to Col. Rathbone, for Annais, Hebe's Lip, Bridesmaid, Clouded Per- fection, Washington, and Queen of Siam, $2. For the three best plants in pots, the premium is awarded to L. Menand, for Annais, Elegans, and Siddonia, $1. To V. P. Douw, for his splendid display of pelargoniums, a discretionary premium is awarded of $1. 376 Horticultural Societies. The show of bouquets and miscellaneous flowers was large and fine, but we have not room for particulars. July 6ih. — The Second Exhibition for 1852, took place at the Hall of the Agricultural Society, on Tuesday, the 6th. The display of fruit was un- expectedly large and varied, as was also the show of plants and flowers, as well as vegetables. The society met at 12, Dr. H. Wendell, its President, in the chair. A communication was read from the N. York Hort. Society, inviting co-operation with them in promoting horticultural progress, which was ordered on file, and the following gentlemen chosen delegates to rep- resent the Albany and Rensselaer Hort. Society at the annual exhibition of said society, which is to take place in September next, viz. : — J. Rathbone, V. P. Douw, H. Wendell, T. T. Vail, E. P. Prentice, B. B. Kirtland, S. E. Warren, B. P. Johnson, L. Tucker, J. Wilson,. E. Corning, Jr., J. Mayell, L. Menand, E. Dorr, and C. P. Williams. Mr. Kirtland had the best and most extensive collection of cherries ; Col. Rathbone, the best show of gooseberries, and D. Wilson, the best show of currants. The flowers and plants were fine, and the following premiums were awarded : — PREMIUMS ON GREENHOUSE PLANTS AND FLOWERS. For the best six plants in pots, to E. Corning, Jr., (Mr. Walsh, gardener,) for Euphorbia splendens, Opuntea Brasiliensis, Clerodendron Fallax, Gloxinia maxima, Russelia Juncea, and Tabensemontana coronaria, $3. For the best six Fuchsias, to V. P. Douw, (Mr. Byrnes, gardener,) for Napoleon, Delicata, Hero, Globosa, Beauty Supreme, and Corrallina — these plants were beautitully grown — ^. For the best three varieties of Fuchsias, to L. Menand, for Voltigeur. Corrallina, and Delicata, $1. To Col. Rathbone, (W. Gray, gardener.) and to James Wilson, each a discretionary premium of $1, for their splendid display of well grown plants. / PREMIUMS ON BOUQUETS, FLOWERS, &C. For best exhibition of dahlias, to Col. Rathbone, $3. For best six varieties of picotees, to Wm. Newcomb, ^2. For best three varieties of picotees, to Col. Rathbone, #1. For best display of annual and perennial flowers, to Wm. Newcomb, $2. For best large round bouquet for centre table vase, to Mrs. Van Namee, of Pittstown, #2. For best large flat bouquet for mantel vase, to Mrs. W. Newcomb, of Pittstown, $2. For best basket bouquet, with handle, to Mrs. W. Newcomb, of Pitts- town, $1. For best hand bouquet, flat, to Mrs. Newcomb, of Pittstown, $1. Genesee Valley Horticultural Society. — The weekly displays of this society have been exceedingly interesting, and many fine flowers and fruits have been exhibited. At the show on the 29th of May among many Horticultural Societies. 377 rare flowers, none were more admired than the calceolarias and " Hovey's America" verbem, shown by Mr. Webster. At the show on the 25th of June, the strawberries were numerous and in great variety. The premium for the best and largest collection was award- ed to Mr. Pardee, who exhibited about forty kinds. Buffalo Horticultural Society. — June I5th. The President in the chair. Exhibited. — By Mason & Lovering, 3 bouquets of roses, geraniums, sal- vias, verbenas, pansies, columbines, &c. D. S. Manley & Brother, pa^on- ies 4 var., Fleur de Lis, double scarlet hawthorn, snowball, Dictamnus rubra, Weigela rosea. Lilac tosirea. Mrs. Lewis Eaton, pseonies 3 var. A. Bryant & Son, paconies 6 var., Dictamnus rubra, Awsonia willow. Benj. Hodge, Roxbury Russet and Poughkeepsie Russet apples. The prize for the best 3 var. pjeonies was awarded to A. Bryant &. Son. After testing the fruit exhibited, the society adjourned. June 2[)th and 30fh. — Semiannual exhibition. In consequence of the un- usual lateness of the season, the display at this exhibition Avas scarcely so fine as that of last year, many varieties of roses not being yet in bloom, and cherries, with tiie exception of the earlier sorts, not yet ripe. The Hall, however, presented a beautiful appearance, decorated as it was with wreaths of evergreens interspersed with flowers, and having in the centre an elegant Floral Temple. Many new and rare varieties of both fruits and flowers were for the first time exhibited on the society's tables, and not- withstanding the many unfavorable circumstances which the society were obliged to contend against, the exhibition gave general satisfaction. The committee on flowers oflTer the following report. The contributors were forty-two in number, and although the season, from its backwardness' and drouth, has materially aflfected our floral display, yet, notwithstanding,, it is conceded by all our numerous visitors that the blooms in general were very fine, although much less in quantity as compared with our former June shows. Much credit is due the Executive, Mr. Bryant, for his indefatigable la- bors, as also the committee of ladies and aids, for their tasteful decorations. Besides the bouquets, floral ornaments and single flowers to which prem- iums were awarded, were very many beautiful and nearly equal in growth and make, which rendered it diflicult in many cases to award satisfactorily the prizes. The bouquet of Mrs. R. Hollister had some fine roses and phlox. Mrs. O. G. Steele, superb Moss roses. Mrs. J. T. Lacy, an excellent collection of roses, phlox, &c. Mrs. Mulligan, 10 var. of roses, among them very fine Hundred-leaved. Miss E. Provost, a very tasteful collection, artistically put up, chaste and pretty. Miss Vandeventer had a large variety of excel- lent growth. Among the bouquets, was a capital one, having ranunculus and many varieties of greenhouse flowers from Miss Susan Thomas. The committee would have awarded it a premium, had they not learned that it was a purchased bouquet, the rules of the society requiring plants and flow- ers to be the growth of the competitors. VOL. XVIII. NO. VIII. 48 378 Horticultural Societies. There were also a very fine, indeed the richest collection of verbenas ever presented at our show, from Messrs. Mason & Lovering, together with a beautiful collection of pot plants, &.c. Among the designs, Mrs. A. A. Howard, Mrs. F. A. Lord, Mrs. L. Eaton, and those from the President, were conspicuous for their chaste and elaborate workmanship. Mrs. Dr. Winne exhibited two pots of carnations, which were finely grown and beau- tifully colored. PREMIUMS AWARDED. For the best 20 miscellaneous roses, to D. S. Manley & Brother, for La- dy Fordwich, Giant, des Batailles, Dr. Marx, Cersitie, Standard of Ma- rengo, Imperial Superb, Alpine, Thornless, Russelliana, Madame Hardy, Baronne Prevost, English White, Modern China, George 4th, Mirerba, La Touterelle, Hybrid Blanche, Caroline Mignonne, Madame Laffay, Charles Fouquier, Madame Dammeine. Diploma. For the best 12 garden roses, to Mrs, Lewis Eaton, for Aureti, Venus, Hundred Leaf, Pink Ayreshire, Yellow Harrison, French Blush, Pro- vence, Black Tuscany, Internal, Madame Hardy, Russelliana, Car- mine, $3. For the best display of Moss roses, to D. S. Manley & Brotlier, for Lux- embourg, Princess Adelaide, Precoce, Crimson, Prolific, Common Red, Single Crimson, $2. For the best Floral Design, to F. A. Lord, diploma and $2. For the second best, to A. H. Bryant, $2. For the best large bouquet, to Mrs. Lewis Eaton, $2. For the second best, to Mason & Lovering, $1. For the best small bouquet, to Miss Louisa A. Pratt, $2. For the second best, to Mrs. O. G. Steele, $1. For a floral ornament, (discretionary,) to Mrs. A. A. Howard, $1. For a floral ornament, (discretionary,) to D. S. Manley & Brother, $1. The committee on Fruits, report : — That the display of strawberries waa large, and in the opinion of the committee excelled in point of quality and variety that of any former show. Owing to the backward season the display of otherTruits was very limited. Your committee award the prize for the best display of fruit, to Mr. Chas. Taintor, diploma. Exhibited. — By W. R. Coppock, strawberries — Hovey's Seedling, Boston Pine, Burr's Seedling, Burr's New Pine, Rival Hudson, Methven Scarlet, Black Prince, Necked Pine, Prolific Hautbois, Crimson Cone, Large Early Scarlet, Aberdeen Beehive ; cherries — Bigarreau de Lyon. By Charles Taintor, strawlierries — Hovey's Seedling, Boston Pine, Large Early Scar- let, Prolific Hautbois, Burr's New Pine, Crimson Cone, Black Prince, Wil- ley, Hudson, Cincinnati Hudson, Rival Hudson, Profuse Scarlet, Necked Pine, Burr's Seedling ; gooseberries. By Mrs. S. B. Vandeventer, apples — Northern Spy. By H. G. Stam- bach, strawberries — Hovey's Seedling, Crimson Cone. By G. Zimmerman, strawberries — Hovey's Seedling, Prolific Hautbois ; cherries — Early Purple Guigne ; currants. By J. C. Warriner, strawberries — Hovey's Seedling. By C. D. Cowles, strawberries — Hovey's Seedling. By Mrs. John T. Lacy, Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 379 gooseberries. By D. S. Manley & Brother, strawberries — Hovey's Seed- ling, Boston Pine, Burr's New Pine, Iowa, Rival Hudson, Swainstone's Seedling, Large Early Scarlet, Crimson Cone, Schneike's Seedling. By Lewis Eaton, strawberries — Hovey's Seedling, Boston Pine, Burr's New Pine, Rival Hudson, Large Early Scarlet, Crimson Cone, Richardson's Late, White Wood; apples, Rhode Island Greening; cherries. White Big- arreau. By Warren Granger, apples. Northern Spy. By Mason & Lover- ing, strawberries — Taylor's Seedling, Scioto, Dundee, Gen. Jacquemont, Jenney's Seedling, Iowa. By A. Bryant & Son, cherries — White Bigar- reau, Holman's Duke. By Myron Stillwell — cherries — Flesh colored Big- arreau. The committee on Vegetables report : — That the display was not so ex- tensive as might have been expected had not the season been unusually cool ; yet, notwithstanding, the peas, onions, cauliflowers, cucumbers, etc. were remarkably fine and well grown. July 6th. — Vice President Granger in the chair. The show of fruit and vegetables was not as large as might have been expected, but the speci- mens were of fine growth. The prize for the best half peck peas, (Prince Albert,) was -awarded to W. R. Coppock. For the best half peck potatoes, to the same. Adjourned. J«o. B. Eaton, Recording Secretary. Art. IV. Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Saturday, June 2&th. — Exhibited. Flowers : From J. A. Kenrick, a fine flower of Magnolia macrophylla. Cut flowers of fifly-one varieties and two bouqu^ts from E. M. Richards. Cut flowers and bouquets from S. Walker, W. E. Carter, J. Hovey, J. A. Kenrick, Miss Mary M. Kenrick, J. Nugent, Col. B. Loring, Winship & Co., P. Barnes, and others. GRATUITIES AWARDED. * To W. E. Carter, E. M. Richards, J. A. Kenrick, Miss Mary M. Ken- rick, Miss Russell, S. Walker, J. Nugent, Winship & Co., and P. Barnes, $1 each for cut flowers, &c. July 3d. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the President in tlie chair. The President read a letter from Mr. Sleeper, resigning his office as a member of the Committee of Arrangements, and W. C. Strong was chosen to fill the vacancy. The Publication Committee reported that the third number of the Trans- actions of the Society was ready for distribution. It was voted that, in consequence of its size, it be furnished to the members at double the usual price, or $1 50, and to the public for §2 00 each. The chairman of the Publishing Committee, M. P. Wilder and Jos. Breck, were chosen a committee to consider the propriety of issuing any further numbers. Adjourned four weeks, to July 3L 380 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Exhibited. — Flowers : From W, Schirnmin, gardener to J. P. Gushing, fine plants of Clerodendron squamatum and pednnculatum, Justicfa carnea major, Allamanda grandiflora, and fuchsias ; also, cut flowers of Van Houtte's Alstromaerias, grown in frames in the open ground, and fine 10 week stocks. From Hovey & Co., 12 varieties of Prairie roses, viz., Mrs. Hovey, Balti- more Belle, Queen, Eva Corinne, Anne Marie, Triumphant, Superba, Miss Gunnell, Jane, Pallida, perpetual pink, and Caradora Allen ; also, phloxes and picotees. Cut flowers and bouquets from J. Hovey, D. T. Curtis, J. A. Kenrick, Mary M. Kenrick, Miss Russell, and others. PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED. Prairie Roses. — For the best display of not less than six varieties, to Hovey &- Co., $5. For the second best, to Winship & Co., $4. Gratuities. — To H. Schirnmin, for plants, $5. To H. Schirnmin, for Allamanda grandiflora, $3. To H. Schirnmin, for Alstromserias and stocks, #3. To P. Barnes, for cut flowers, ^2. To Col. Loring, E. M. Richards, Miss Russell, Jas. Nugent, and W. E. Carter, $1 each for cut flowers, &,c. Fruit: From M. P. Wilder, 12 varieties cherries, — the Belle Audigeoise, probably the same as the flesh-colored Bigarreau. From B. Merriam, a box of cherries, presented as a seedling, very fine indeed, strongly resembling the Downton. From M. H. Stimpson, a handsome basket of B. Tartarians, very large and glossy. From C. E. Grant, White Bigarreau. From John Ruggles, handsome B. Tartarians. From O. Johnson, B. Tartarians and Bigarreaus, not quite ripe ; also, Hovey's Seedling strawberries. From H. Vandine, B. Tartarians, large. From John Greenleaf, B. Tartarians, very large and handsome, not fully ripe. From J. Walsh, seedling cherries. From A. D. Williams, cherries. From C. G. Loring, 8 fine dishes grapes, mostly B. Hamburghs, not fully ripe. From W. C. Strong, Muscat of Al- exandria grapes. From J. P. Cushing, 4 varieties grapes, the Syrian large and handsome. From J. F. Allen, 13 varieties grapes, and a handsome dish of peaches, nectarines and figs. From Mrs. F. B. Durfee, B. Ham- burgh and St. Peters grapes, fine — one bunch of the Hamburghs very large. From H. Bradlee, White Alpine strawberry. Fruits tested. — From J. F. Allen, No. 1 seedling B. Hamburgh, well spoken of in committee, but the berries not so fully ripe as desirable; Vic- toria ; Old Hamburgh ; No. 16 ; Wilmot's new ; Grizzly. All these grapes sustain previous reputation. From M. P. Wilder, Belle Audigeoise cherry, probably same as flesh-colored Bigarreau. From B. Merriam, cher- ries, presented as seedling, very fine and tender, strongly resembling the Downton. July 10th. — Exhibited. Flowers : From P. Barnes, Z)elphinium mag- nifica (new) a pretty variety ; also, seedling phloxes, delphiniums, holly- hocks, &c. From Hovey & Co., seedling carnations and picotees, fine. Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 381 Fron\ Mrs. T. H. Carey, Greville roses. Cut flowers, bouquets, &c., from Miss Russell, Mary M. Kenrick, J. A. Kcnrick, Wm. Kenrick, F. L. Ca- pen, J. Bumstcad, James Nugent, J. Hovey, and others. GRATUITIES AWARDED. To J. Rnmstead, J. Nugent, P. Barnes, Miss Russell, Mary M. Kenrick, and J. Hovey, $1 each. Fruit: From O. Johnson, Napoleon Bigarreau, very fine. Black Tarta- rian, White Bigarreau, Black Eagle, and Mottled Bigarreau cherries, all fine. From M. H. Simpson, Black Tartarian and Black Eagle cherries, extra fine. From Hovey & Co., splendid specimers of their new Seedling cherry, noticed by the chairman in Jiis last annual report. From Isaac Stone, seed- ling cherries, from the Black Tartirian. From Geo. Walsh, cherries, Nos. 1 and 2, very fine. From G. Merriam, Downer(?) cherries. From B. Da- vid, Bigarreau(?) cherries. From J. F. Allen, peaches, good. From K. Bailey, Franconia raspberries. From A. Bowditch, Knevet's Giant rasp- berry. Fruits tested. — From Isaac Stone, seedling cherry, of medium size, black, sweet, and good. July nth. — Exhibited. Flowers : From H. Schimmin, gardener to J. P. Gushing, eleven plants in pots, among which were fine calceolarias, Japan lilies (dark varieties), Clerodendron fallax, Lyne's Seedling Gloxinia, and the lovely Dipladenia splendens, which we have noticed in another page ; also, hollyhocks, bouquets, &c. From Hovey & Co., splendid collections of carnations and picotees, among them some fine seedlings. The prize stand contained the following sorts: Beauty of Middlesex (Hovey's), King Alfred, Duke of Newcastle, picotee, Jenny Lind (Hovey's), picotee. Beauty of Cambridge, yellow pico- tee, Belle Americaine (Hovey's), Mrs. Hovey, white picotee. Defiance, (Hovey's), and two unnamed. Also, 12 varieties of phlox, a large collection of hollyhocks, and fine specimens of Z#ilium japonicum and canadensis, the latter showing thirty five flowers and buds. From Dr. C. F. Chaplin, a great display of picotees and pinks, mostly seedlings, and some of them very fine. From P. Barnes, a fine display of hollyhocks and other flowers. Cut flowers, &c., from J. L. Boyden, Mary M. Kenrick, Miss Russell, J. Nugent, T. Page, J. Hovey, Mrs. L, Capen, and Winship &, Co. premiums and gratuities awarded. Carnations and Picotees. — For the best ten varieties, to Hovey & Co., $5. For the second best, to Dr. C. F. Chaplin, $4. For the best display, to Dr. C. F. Chaplin, $3. Hollyhocks. — For the best display, to P. Barnes, $5. For the second best, to Hovey &, Co., $4. For the third best, to H. Schimmin, $3, Summer Phloxes. — For the best ten varieties, to Hovey & Co., #6. 382 Horticultural Operations for August. Gratuities. — To H. Schimmin, for Dipladenia, $3, and pot plants, $'2. To n. Schimmin, J. L. Boyden, Miss Russell, Mary M. Kenrick, Thos. Page, John Hovey, Winship & Co., and P. Barnes, $1 each. Fruits : From Jonathan French, Beechwood and Persian melons. From J. S. Amory, several varieties of gooseberries and all extra fine. From O. Johnson, seedling cherries. From K. Bailey, four boxes raspberries. From Hovey & Co., Petit Muscat pears; Early York peaches, finely colored; a seedling cherry of a large and fine quality. From J. P. Cushing, by John McLennan, Persian green and flesh colored melons ; Wh'te and Red Dutch currants. From A. D. Williams, three varieties of cherries ; White and Red Dutch currants. From J. Lovett, Fastolf and Knevet's Giant raspber- ries, extra fine. From J. Hovey, two boxes gooseberries. From Mrs. Dur- fee, Victoria grapes, one bunch weighing 2 lbs. 3 oz. ; also Black Ham- burgh grapes, one bunch weighing 2 lbs. G oz. From J. F. Allen, Flame colored Tokay grapes ; Violet Hative, Newington, and Lewis nectarines ; figs and peaches. Fruits tested : From O. Johnson, his seedling cherry, which fully sus- tains his former reputation. From J. F. Allen, Grosse Mignnone peaches, Lewis and Newington nectarines — the latter nectarine proved decidedly superior in flavor to the Lewis. From J. P. Cushing, melons ■which were well ripened, of delicious flavor. HORTICULTURAL OPERATIONS FOR AUGUST. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. Just now, in the neighborhood of Boston, and, we believe, generally tliroughout New England, a great drought prevails. With the exception of a fine shower the last of June, net half an inch of rain has fallen since the middle of May. In consequence of the heavy rains of April, which thoroughly saturated the ground, trees and deep-rooted plants have suffered very little ; but all newly planted shrubs, plants, annuals, &c., have scarcely made any growth, and are now, in some places, nearly dried up. All the rain seems to have fallen on the other continent. In England, seven inches fell in June; and for the six months ending July 1, the quantity was six inches above the average of the last nine years. We can only hope for bountiful showers the present month. Grape Vines, in the greenliouse, will now be ripening their crop. Such kinds as the Chasselas being now ready to cut : give air early and in liberal quantity ; be more sparing of water, and keep a somewhat drier atmosphere than last month ; keep all the laterals regularly stopped. Vines in cold houses will now begin to color ; any thinning or shouldering, yet omitted, ehould be completed ; give air liberally in good weather, and keep up a Horticultural Operations for August. 383 humid atmosphere. Hardy grapes will require looking after: keep the shoots for next year tied in, and cut away all useless and small wood. Peaches in pots, which have had their fruit all gathered, should be mod- erately Avatered, using occasionally liquid manure or guano. Nip off the ends of over-vigorous shoots. Strawberry Keds may be made the last of the month if the weather is not too dry. Now is the time to trench and prepare the beds, that they may be in readiness for the plants. Old beds should be kept clear of weeds. Plum, Pear and Cherry Trees should be budded this month. Quince Trees might be layered this month. Summer Pruning Trees should still be continued, where fine shaped specimens are wanted. Thinning the fruit from bearing trees should also be attended to, if fine specimens are desired. Some varieties require this more than others, and if not thinned are so small as to be scarcely worth gathering. Insects will yet be troublesome; the fall caterpillar is particularly inju- rious to apple and pear trees, and they should be destroyed as soon as they make their appearance. In a few days they overrun a whole tree. FLOWER DEPARTMENT. ^ Formerly, it was the custom to clear the greenhouses of their winter oc- cupants, and leave them vacant till autumn ; but with the introduction of the achimenes, the new gloxinias, and Japan lilies, a change has taken place. These plants which like a warm humid atmosphere are just suited to the situation, and with a good assortment it may be made almost as orna- mental as in winter. But some forethought and management is necessary to keep up a continued display. If in spring provision is made for a stock, the greenhouse may now be gay with Achiinenes, Gloxinias, Gesneras, Fuchsias, Chinese Hibiscuses, Scarlet Pelargoniums, Japan Lilies, Stephan- otus, Begonias, Lantanas, Neriums, &c. Keep up a humid atmosphere by syringing freely every day, and watering the floors morning, noon and night. If there is any one thing in which cultivators err, it is in not giving sufficient water. In our dry and scorching climate it is absolutely necessary that water should be freely given at all times. More than half of our collections of greenhouse plants are ruined for want of water. Especially with plants in the open air is it important to water and syringe freely. If any one needs to be assured of this, let him look at a collection of plants after a succession of cloudy rainy weather ; and again after three days of such weather as we have had the whole of July. If a careful observer, he will never let his plants suflfer again if he cares anything about them. Pelargoniums, headed down as directed last month, should be kept in a half shady place for two or three weeks, and be sparingly watered ; they should then be taken out of the pots, their balls reduced, and repotted in the same or smaller sized ones, according to the state of the roots ; after- wards place in a frame and keep rather close for a week or two. 384 Horticultural Operations for August. ^ Chrysanthemums will now be growing vigorously, and may be stopped for the last time ; repot if they require it. Nice small plants may now be obtained by layering of the tops of strong plants into small pots. Water freely. Camellias may now be repotted : the whole collection should be looked to ; such as do not actually require it need be only top dressed. Syringe every day, and see that the roots are well watered. Inarching and grafting may be done now. PjEonies may now be grafted. Ericas and Epacrises should be stopped for the last time, unless young stock. Repot if they require it. Cyclamens should be repotted the last of the month. Amaryllises should be repotted this month. Japan Lilies, as soon as done flowering, should be placed in a half shady situation in the open air, and sparingly watered. Callas should be repotted this month. Heliotropes, for winter blooming, should now be shifted into larger pots, in order to get well established before winter. Nemophila insignis and Schizanthuses should be sown now for winter flowering. Roses, of all kinds, may now be layered and budded. It is a good season to put in cuttings. Plants for early winter flowering should be pruned in the last of the month. Euphorbias should be shifted into their winter blooming pots, and be topped for the last time. Plunge in a warm place in the open ground. Chinese Primroses may have a shift now if they need it. Young seedlings should be potted off" into small pots. Greenhouse Plants, of all kinds, for early bloom, should now have a final potting, and be plunged in an airy place in the open ground. FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY. The dry weather has been unfavorable to a growth of weeds, but not- withstindins", the ground will require constant stirring to prevent injury from the drought. Keep everythmg neat. Mow lawns as soon as they require it. Cut away all dead flower stems, decayed leaves, &c. Hoe and rake neatly every bed and border. Carnations should be layered immediately if not already done. Dahlias will need tying up, thinning the branches, mulching and water- ing, if fine show flowers are wanted. Pansy Seeds should be planted now for spring flowering. Propagate old kinds from pipings. Roses of the hardy kinds should be layered now. White Lilies should now be taken up, divided and reset. Perennials and Biennials, planted last month, should now be set out in beds, or where they are to stand m the border. Ornamental Shrubs, of many kinds, may now be increased by layers. THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE, SEPTEMBER, 1852. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. Art. I. The Transformation of Plants, and the importance of its results. By the Editor. Every few years the subject comes up in our agricultural papers of the transmutation of wheat into chess. Intelligent cultivators, and men of veracity, have affirmed that such changes have taken place, and have offered to furnish speci- mens of the transmutation ; but the question has been con- sidered by most agricultural writers so absurd, and indeed apparently impossible, — setting at naught, as it would appear,^ all our established notions of botanical distinctions, — that those who have advanced such statements have scarcely had the privilege of telling their own story. We willingly admit that we have had no faith in any of these alleged transmutations ; nevertheless, if all that is now told is true, our belief is somewhat shaken, and the transmu- tation a theory not by any means, as has been supposed^ impossible ; still we must have good evidence before we can believe it probable : such evidence, it will be seen, is now adduced by two learned French botanists. In the Gardeners^ Chronicle we find some remarks on the subject of the origin of wheat, which are worthy the atten- tion of every cultivator ; not particularly for the detail of the experiments by which the grain is traced from its original form to its present perfect state, but for the results which Dr, TOL. XVIII. NO. IX. 49 386 The Transformation of Plants. Lindley deduces from these experiments, and which are of great importance to all amateur and practical cultivators who have any desire to improve our flowers, fruits and vegetables. No one would recognize in the rich Baldwin apple the sour and worthless crab, or in the delicious Seckel pear the austere wilding, which grows in our hedge-rows. These changes are scarcely greater than that of the jEgilops trans- formed into wheat through twelve succeeding generations. Our vegetables have undergone nearly the same alteration ; few persons would suppose the rich Champion of England pea was the off"spring of the small kind known as the field pea, or sweet corn the result of cultivation upon the wild grain of South America. This we all have seen accom- plished ; and though the experiments of M. Fabre are not as familiar, they appear sufficiently well authenticated to be taken as facts ; and such being the case, how can we longer doubt that the transmutations heretofore brought to notice are not strictly true ? — In 1844, the question of the transmutation of corn was raised in this Journal, at p. 555 of the volume for that year, and at p. 779 it was further alluded to. Thereupon ensued many communications on both sides the question, and from time to time the subject has been occasionally revived ; but it must be owned that it nevertheless remains just where it was, so far as anything like proof is concerned. Belief has opposed itself to unbelief, credulity to incredulity, and asser- tion to counterassertion ; but of evidence derived from well- conducted experiments, we have had nothing. For ourselves, without by any means encouraging the belief in the change of oats into rye, or in any similar transmutations, we have also asserted, from the first, that no naturalist, acquainted with certain facts which have become known of late years, could venture absolutely to deny the possibility of such changes. Writing in 1844, we said that " in Orchidaceous plants, forms just as different as wheat, barley, rye, and oats, have been proved by the most rigorous evidence to be acci- dental variations of one common form, brought about no one The Transformation of Plants, 387 knows how, but before our eyes, and rendered permanent by equally mysterious agency." "Then," says reason, "if these inconceivable changes have been proved to occur among Orchidaceous plants, why should they not also occur among corn-plants ? for it is not likely that such vagaries will be confined to one little group in the vegetable kingdom ; it is far more rational to believe them to be a part of the general system of the creation." (1844, p. 555.) And again, in reply to a correspondent, it was added, " as we have repeat- edly stated, we think that no man should undertake to affirm ex cathedra, what is possible or impossible in nature. ( 1845, p. 401.) Some have thought these views objectionable, believing that we already possess that amount of knowledge of natural phenomena which justifies our deciding dogmatically upon such general questions as the change of one plant into another. It has been even held that scepticism in such matters tends to unsettle men's minds, and to induce disbelief in all by which science holds fast. We do not concur in that opinion ; we see no harm in reviving even Lord Monboddo's belief in human tails ; the more knowledge advances, the more easily false theory and idle hypothesis are disposed of; rational discussion can do no harm among men of intelli- gence,— on the contrary, it is thus only that truth is to be finally elicited. A most curious and able dissertation upon the Origin of Wheat, which we have just read, completely justifies the views we have held, for although it does not show that oats change into rye, as many believe, and offers no support to some other speculations of the same kind, nevertheless de- monstrates, beyond all further question, that wheat is itself a transmutation of a kind of wild grass. Mons. Esprit Fabre, of Agde, well known to botanists as an acute observer and patient experimentalist, has made the discovery, which has been introduced to public notice by Professor Dunal, of Montpellier, in a pamphlet, from which we condense the following statement. The ancients imagined that the native country of wheat 388 The Transformation of Plants. was the valley of Enna, in Sicily, where it is said that the fables of Ceres and Triptolemiis originated. In fact there grows in Sicily, in great abundance, a wild grass, called by botanists JEgilops ovata, the grain of which is much like that of starved wheat, but whose floral organs are of a very different character, and whose ears naturally fall to pieces by a separation of the joints when ripe. This kind of grain is said to have borne the name of Ble du diahle; the plant which produced it was even called by Cassalpinus TfHiicum sylvestre. Nevertheless naturalists appear, with one accord, to have treated the notion of wheat coming from uEgilops ovata as an absurdity, with the exception of two French observers, whose experiments arrived at no known result. About the year 1824, the late M. Requien, a zealous French botanist, residing at Avignon, observed in the neigh- borhood of that city a, to him, new kind of jEgilops, which he called triticoides, because of its resemblance to wheat; and Signor Bertoloni, who introduced it into his Italian Flora, states that it has also been found in Sicily, by Professors Gussone and Tenore. There is also in the South of France another jEgilops, called triaristata, supposed to be a distinct species. Thus, according to botanists, there are three differ- ent kinds of this genus in the South of Europe, and these have been each the subject of M. Esprit Fabre's experiments. The first point established by this observer was that both jEgilops ovata and triaristata would produce what Requien called triticoides. It would therefore seem that the three supposed species were all forms of the same species. In fact, the very same ear which yields either ovata or triaristata, also yields triticoides. Nevertheless, M. Fabre calls them perfectly distinct from each other, and is of opinion that when jE. ovata runs to triticoides, it gives rise to the small grained smooth wheats which the French call Seissette and Touzelle; while, on the other hand, when J5J. triaristata runs into triticoides, it gives birth to the coarser wheats with downy ears, known in Lower Languedoc under the name of Fourmen and Petanielle, among which Egyptian wheat is included. Be that as it may, and M. Fabre offers the state- The Transformation of Plants. 389 ment merely as an hypothesis, it is certain that jEgilops triticoides, when once produced, if raised from seed year after year, goes on changing till at last it becomes mere •wheat. This is clearly shown by the following concise narrative of what the French naturalist testifies to having witnessed as occurring to the jE. triticoides, derived from JS. ovata. First year of cultivation ; 1839. A few grains ripened here and there among the spikelets, which still preserved the brittle character of JEgilops. The return was about fivefold of close-packed concave corn, which was very velvety at the upper end. The beards of the glumes, which are most abundant and remarkable in JEgilops, had begun to alter and disappear. The plants looked exactly like Touzelle wheat. Second year ; 1840. The spikelets of this sowing had become more numerous, and each contained two grains ; the ears were less brittle ; the grain was less concave and velvety, and much more floury than in the previous year. The beards of the glumes were further diminished. Third sowing; 1841. The changes already described became more evident ; as many as three grains appeared in some of the spikelets ; the plants became more and more like wheat. Fourth solving; crop of 1842. Much injured by rust; the beards had so much disappeared that the ears had quite the appearance of beardless Touzelle wheat. Fifth sowing ; 1843. The plants were now a yard high, and exactly like wheat ; none of the glumes had more than one beard, with, perhaps, the rudiments of another. The spikelets contained each from two to three grains. The ears had become less brittle. The corn was so large that it pro- truded beyond the chaff; the crop was 180-fold in one case, and 450-fold in another. Sixth sowing ; 1844. Changes still went on, but sloAvly. The ears continued brittle, one of the great peculiarities of JEgilops. Seventh sowing ; 1845. The plants were very much like 390 The Transformation of Plants. wheat Beards were further diminished. Each spikelet contained from four to five flowers, of which three were fertile, as in good wheat. These were really wheat. Up to this time the experiments had been conducted in a walled enclosure, where no other grass was permitted to grow, and far from any other grain crop. The corn was always sown in the autumn, ripening in the years above indicated. But M. Fabre now transferred his experiments to the open field, sowing his iEgilops wheat broadcast. In this way he cropped a field near the road from Marseillan, com- pletely surrounded by vines, and far from any wheat field. For four consecutive years he persevered in his trial, obtain- ing every year wheat like that of the neighboring farms, and sixfold or eightfold according to the season. In 1850 the straw was stiff and full ; the ears nearly smooth, and composed of from eight to twelve spikelets, each containing two or three fertile flowers, and consequently yielding from two to three grains of corn, which were very floury, and scarcely at all concave. The crop was however very short this year, owing to excessive dryness, which greatly injured all the cereal crops. Thus " during the twelve consecutive years," remarks M. Fabre, " in which I have pursued the cultivation of ^. triticoides, I have found it gradually improving, and becoming real wheat ; but I have never seen an instance of its running back to the jE. ovata from which it sprung." Subsequently Dr. Lindley offered the following remarks upon M. Fabre's experiment, concluding with some valuable hints on hybridization, &c. : — No fact in natural history more pregnant with conse- quences has been elicited than that transformation to which we last week drew the attention of the public. That a miserable grass, should in no more than twelve generations become such an important article of food as wheat, would have been incredible, in the absence of the direct and posi- tive testimony that has been produced by M. Fabre. So The Transformation of Plants. 391 unlike are the alpha and omega of this experiment, that bot- anists, with one consent, have placed them in distinct gen- era, and yet the plants are shown, by the plainest evidence, not only to belong to the same genus, but even to the same species. The value of modern genera and species in botany is wo- fully shaken by this revelation ; faith in those lower classes of botanical distinctions, which have been said to represent permanent natural differences, is gone ; and it is to be hoped that refinements in classification, as they have been absurdly called, have received their covp de grace. The ingenious gentlemen who have believed that 20 species of Aconite are confounded under Napellus, half-a-hundred Willows under Salix caprea, and as many species of Rubus under R. coryli- folius, may burn their books, for their trifling distinctions can hardly continue to find admirers after the proof than an -J]gilops and Wheat are the same species. For our own part, we console ourselves with the belief that botany will be thus restored to the condition of an intelligible science ; and we congratulate those who, like Bentham, Hooker, and oth- ers, have for a quarter of a century carried on an unsuccess- ful war with hair-splitting contemporaries, upon the final triumph of their principles. Passing by this point of view, we may also suggest that other unsuspected instances of the same kind are very likely to occur. We are ignorant of the origin of rye ; but rye is less different from wheat than is ^gilops, and may very well be another ^gilopian form. So again of barley, the wild state of which is just as uncertain ; we may now expect that some clever experimenter will trace it to an origin as sur- prising as that of wheat. But these are matters of mere scientific interest. Let us see to what practical inferences M. Fabre's discovery may lead. This gentleman found that a kind of wild grass (^gilops ovata) was subject to what gardeners call "a sport" {JS. triticoides.) Of that sport he sowed the seeds, and he found that while on the one hand there was no disposition to return to its original form, there was on the other hand a decided 392 The Transformation of Plants. tendency to sport still more. Of that tendency he availed himself with admirable patience. Year by year the change went on — ^but slowly. Little by little one part altered or another. The wretched, himgry grain grew plumper ; the flour in it increased; its size augmented. The starved ears soon formed other spikelets ; the spikelets at first containing but two flowers, at last became capable of yielding four or five. The straw stiffened, the leaves widened, the ears lengthened, the corn softened and augmented, till at last wheat itself stood revealed, and of such quality that it was not excelled on the neighboring farms. All this too, be it observed, was done on a large scale ; it was no obscure lab- oratory experiment, but the result of a farming operation, carried on in the open fields. Men must be blind indeed Avho cannot see to what this points. We shall leave our agricultural friends to reflect upon the prospects that are opened to them ; it is for them to double the length of their e£irs of corn, and augment their grain — to go on, in short, in crowds, in the track that a few only of the most intelligent are following now. We must limit our horizon to the boun- dary of a garden. If any men know the importance of " sports," they are gardeners. Half the most striking of the flowers and fruit have been thus obtained. A poor ugly dwarf larkspur sports by chance to double ; the seeds of the sport are saved care- fully and sown; three-fourths of the seedlings are single, but a few are double ; the first are thrown away, the best of the second are saved for seed, and the second crop of seed- lings comes truer. So comes the race of double larkspurs. A double larkspur next sports to a stripe, that is to say, bands of red or of violet appear upon the pale ground of the petals of a few flowers ; these flowers are marked, the seed is saved, and so begins the breed of what are called Uniques, at one time the pride of the flower garden, though now dis- carded for newer favorite.*!. In the same way, first came camellias, chrysanthemums, and a host of others. The old purple chrysanthemum accidentally sported to buff": the buff branch was struck, proved true to its new nature, and became The Transformation of Plants. 393 the ancestor of a race of other buffs. The color of a red camellia ''breaks;" red streaks appear in the flowers of a sporting branch ; that branch is separated from its more tran- quil mother, and clapped upon a stout stock ; on goes the sportive branch, retains its tendency, produces striped flowers all the better for the new blood infused into them, and the tendency is fixed ; skilful gardeners cut it limb from limb, and every mutilated morsel starts into life another varie- gation. It is the same with vegetables ; a wild carrot accidentally found in cultivated ground, refuses to run to seed, but em- ploys itself in buflding up a root stouter than any carrot had before. The watchful eyes of a gardener remark the change ; the changeling, still a sport, flowers at last ; its precious seeds are saved, and committed to still richer ground. Nine-tenths of the seedlings run back to the wild form — your carrot is but an intractable gentleman after all — but a very few prove obedient to the will of man, shake off" their savage habits, refuse to flower till the second year, meantime spend their autumn and winter in the further enlargement of their roots, then rise up into blossom invigorated by six months' addi- tional preparation, and yield more seeds, in which the fixity of character, or if you will the habit of domestication, is still more firmly implanted. And thus begins the race of carrots. Nectarines, pears, peaches, plums, and other valuable fruits, must be supposed to have in numerous instances de- rived their origin from similar circumstances ; they were far more the children of accident than design, and we see to what they have come. Gardeners, then, should keep a watchful eye upon every tendency to sport, which they may remark among the plants entrusted to their care. The sports, however unpromising, should be made the subject of repeated experiment; year after year seeds should be saved, seed-beds "rogued,"and attempts made to secure fixity of character. If they end in nothing, as they often will, such experiments have the ad- vantage of also costing nothing ; but if they lead to a good VOL. XVIII. NO. IX. 60 394 Notes of a Visit to Oakley Park. result a permanent gain is seciu-ed. We see no reason why gourds should not be bred into melons ; at least we know to our cost that melons are easily bred into gourds. There is nothing impossible in the Miller's Burgundy grape transform- mg into a sort with berries as big as Muscats ; or in a leek gaining a bulb as solid and round as a Tripoli onion ; or in a raspberry bearing berries as fine as a British dueen strawber- ry ; such changes are far more likely to happen than the transformation of ^gilops into Triticum ; what they want for their accomplishment is time, patience, and an intelligent knowledge of the nature of the plants, and a fixed residence ; with all which gardeners as a body are better provided than any other class of society. To them we earnestly recom- mend the steady pursuit of M. Fabre's experiments. If any one should succeed in the course of a dozen years in giving & raspberry the dimensions of a mammoth strawberry, he will deserve to be placed by the side of the great inventor of the Crystal Palace. Art, II. Notes of a Visit to Oakley Park, England ; with some Remarks on Draining and the Use of Drain Tile. By R. S. F. [A FRIEND and correspondent, who is now making a so- journ near London, has kindly promised us an occasional letter on arboriculture and rural subjects. Every way quali- fied to do justice to whatever he may undertake to comment upon, and with a real love, as well as a fine taste, for rural art, we anticipate some interesting as well as valuable infor- mation. The great agricultural meeting at Lewes, which he alludes to, was to be accompanied by a great horticul- tural display, affording an excellent opportunity to witness the manner in which these are got up in England, and the plants and fruits which contribute most to the interest of sudi displays. — Ed.] Notes of a Visit to Oakley Park. 395 The country in England is now looking beautifully. I was over at Oakley Park a few days since, the property of the Hon. Robert Clive. Both Mr. Olive and Lady Harriet, take a great interest in trees, and they have at Oakley an American department for trees and shrubs, that would in- terest you extremely. Here is to be seen the finest specimen of the Pinus Douglass that I have met with in England. It is about twenty-five feet high, with a spread of branches at the base greater than its height. It is not hardy so far north as Boston, but south of New York it would do well. The Araucaria stands this climate, and makes a peculiar and beautiful tree. At Oakley there are some very remarkable oaks, said to have existed in the time of the Druids. The largest measures about thirty-seven feet in circumference. I notice draining going on everywhere. Tiles are now used in the form of pipes almost entirely ; being very porous they let in and carry off a great deal of water. On clay soils they would do excellent service in America, though I doubt the advantage of much draining on light loams and gravelly soils. I think I have seen mischief done in such cases both by draining and subsoiling. I should like to have you here ju^t now to see the thorn-trees in full bloom, scat- tered here and there in the woods and parks. The red double flowering thorn is getting to be quite common, and makes a beautiful variety, planted singly or scattered among the shrubbery. The season is quite backward, very unusually so. Peas are only just coming in, and strawberries will not ripen for a week to come. We have the comfort, however, of know- ing, Avhen they once begin, that we shall have them in abundance for three months instead of one, as with us. I am going to attend the great agricultural meeting at Lewes next month, and if I see anything there that I think will interest you I will communicate it. Moor Park, June 12, 1852. 396 The effects of Light on the Germination of Seeds. Art. III. The effects of Light on the Germination of Seeds, Sj'c., when passed through media of various colors. By R. B. L. This subtile agent, which exercises such a wonderful in- fluence on animate and inanimate matter, plays a very impor- tant part in the germination of seeds, and propagation of plants ; but more interesting still is this subject when the distinct effects of the separated rays are made the subject of experiment and investigation, showing how beneficial this branch of physiological science is to gardeners and horti- culturists, especially those engaged in the propagation of delicate and tender plants. It is pretty generally known by gardeners that the general conditions necessary to the germination of seeds are mois- ture, heat, and the presence of oxygen gas. The neces- sity of LIGHT has not been recognized, though every gardener knows that a certain amount of atmospheric air is requisite immediately on the germination of the seed, otherwise the embryo will become enfeebled, and very soon decay. So also at this stage of the embryotic process is a certain amount of LIGHT necessary, if the germinated seed is to be maintained in a healthy state ; the vital principle at this period of its growth is acted upon by separate influences contained in the different rays which are in action upon the plant. These influences, therefore, and the effects resulting therefrom, constitute the subject of the present article. The amount of these agents necessary for the full and free development of seeds, must be exceedingly variable in the vegetable kingdom. Some seeds germinate freely at the freezing point, (32°,) in an atmosphere comparatively arid ; while others, and perhaps the majority of seeds, require a high humid temperature for their perfect development ; but every degree between the two extremes is requisite for the proper development of some individual species, and the requisite degree of heat and moisture thus required will always depend on the amount of carbon with which the The effects of LigJU on the Germination of Seeds. 397 seed is charged. The seeds, when perfectly ripe, contain a larger amount of carbon than any other part of the plant. It is this carbon which preserves the seeds from decomposition and decay ; but it also prevents them from germinating. The only means of depriving the seeds of their carbon is by supplying them with moisture. It absorbs the moisture, and converts the carbon into carbonic acid by the oxygen thus obtained. The formation and respiration of oxygen takes place most freely in the dark, and hence darkness or shade is most favorable to germination ; but no sooner is germination es- tablished, or even begun, than light becomes necessary to the farther development of the germ ; but the light is influ- enced in a very epctraordinary manner by the medium through which it passes, some being attractive in their character, others repellant ; we will therefore consider the action of the different media, or in other words, the action of the different kinds of glass on plants under which they are grown. Some beautiful and interesting experiments, per- formed by Robert Hunt, on the effects of various colored media on vegetation, may at this stage of our progress be acceptable to your readers, and serve to elucidate the subject perhaps better than any experiments of my own. Six boxes were so prepared that air was freely admitted to the plants within them, without permitting the passage of any light, except what passed through the colored glasses with which they were covered. These glasses permitted the permeation of light in the following order : — 1. A Ruby Glass, (colored %oith oxyde of gold.) — This glass permits the permeation of the ordinary red, and extreme red rays only. 2. A Brown Red Glass. — The ordinary ray and the orange ray, produced by this medium, pass freely, above which the spectrum is sharply cut off. 3. Orange Glass. — The spectrum is shortened by the cutting off of the violet indigo, and a considerable portion of the blue rays. The green ray is nearly absorbed in the yellow, which is considerably elongated. The whole of tlie 398 The effects of Light on the Germination of Seeds. least refrangible portion of the spectrum permeates this glass freely. 4. Yellow Glass. — This glass shortens the spectrum by cutting off the extreme red ray, and the whole of the most refrangible rays beyond the blue ray. 5. Cobalt Blue Glass. — The spectrum obtained under this glass is perfect from the extreme limits of the most refrangible rays down to the yellow, which is wanting. The green ray is diminished, forming merely a well defined line between the blue and the yellow rays. The orange and red rays are perfectly interrupted. 6. Deep Green Glass. — The spectrum is cut off below the orange, and above the blue rays, although the space on which the most luminous portion of the spectrum falls ap- pears as large as when it is not subjected to the absorptive influence of the glass. There is a great deficiency of light on a close examination with a powerful lens; a dark line is seen to occupy the space usually marked by the green ray. A case was also prepared, containing five flat vessels, filled with colored fluids of various kinds, as follow : — A. Red. — Solution of Carmine of Supersulphate of Am- tnonia. This gives a spectrum nearly in all respects similar to that given by the Ruby Glass, (No. 1.) All the rays above a line drawn through the centre of the space occupied by the orange rays, are cut ofi". B. Yellow. — A Saturated Solution of Bicro7?iate of Pot- ash. This beautifully transparent solution admits the per- meation of the red and yellow rays, which are extended over the space occupied by the orange ray in the unabsorbed spec- trum. The green rays are scarcely evident. From the absorptive powers of the sulphurets of lime and potash in solution, I was very desirous of using them, but they are found to be so liable to decomposition when ex- posed to the sun's rays as to be quite useless for such pur- poses, sulphureted hydrogen being liberated in such quantities as to burst the bottles with very great violence. C. Green. — Muriate of Iron and Copper. This me- The effects of Light on the Germination of Seeds. 399 dium is remarkably transparent. The blue, green, yellow and orange, rays freely, all the others being absorbed. '* This experiment is perfectly in accordance with the effects of green glass on plants that are grown beneath its influence, as we shall endeavor to shoAV in a subsequent article." D. Blue. — Cupro- Sulphate of Ammonia. This fluid ob- literates all the rays below the green rays, those above per- meating it freely. E. White. — This is merely water rendered acid by nitric acid, for the purpose of securing its continued transparency. It should be noticed that spaces in the boxes have been left open to the full influence of the light, that a fair comparison might be made between those plants growing under ordinary circumstances, and the others under the dissevered rays. It will be seen from the above that the following combina- tions of rays have been obtained to operate with : — A. — 1. The calorific rays well insulated. 2. A smaller portion of these rays, mixed with a small amount of those having power of illumination. 3. The luminous and calo- rific rays combined. 4. The calorific rays and the chemical ones blended together. B. — The luminous rays, in a tolerably unmixed state. C. — The luminous rays, combined with the least actively chemical ones. But in this case the luminous rays exert their whole influence. D. — The most refrangible rays well insulated. E.— White light. From these arrangements it will be evident that, although we do not secure the complete isolation of the rays, as we should do with a prism, we procure light, in which the great preponderance of one influence over another suffices to en- sure to a certain extent, the divided action of that one. We are well aware that we only arrive at approximations to the truth by this system. But they are sufficiently accurate to show practically the action of light, when permeating the different colored media, on vegetation subjected to its in- fluence. 400 Descriptions of Three Neiv Pears. The relative temperatures indicated by good therpiometers, placed behind the glasses and fluid cells, will show these effect's in a clearer light. The foregoing results present a fair average series, and distinctly mark the relative degrees in which the media are permeable by the heating rays. No investigations or experiments on glass have come un- der our observation so reliable, and so valuable in practical horticulture, as those we have given in the foregoing pages, and which will be more practically shown in subsequent papers. What the gardener wants is not mere speculations upon the possible influence of this or that kind of glass, or other media to which his plants are subjected. He wants a plain and intelligible explanation of those influences which he sees daily in operation during occupation. He wishes to know what are the causes of the burning of his vine leaves, under some kinds and colors of glass, and not under others, and why the sun's rays have so much more influence on plants when permeating atmospheres of various density or humidity. This we will endeavor to elucidate in our subse- quent remarks, and in a manner as clear as can be evolved from ascertained facts, that the most unscientific may clearly comprehend them. Roxbury, August 17, 1852. (To be continued.) Art. IV. Descriptiojis and Engravings of Three New Pears. By Baptiste Desportes, Angers, France. [In our present volume we have already given the descrip- tions and engravings of three new pears, by our correspondent M. Desportes, of Angers, France. We now have the pleasure of presenting the descriptions of three more varieties, two of which are quite new, and one of them of remarkable size and superior quality. We are highly gratified in being able, through the kindness of M. Desportes, to bring these many Descriptions of Three New Pears. 401 new pears, which are yearly being added to the varieties aheady in cultivation by the French and Belgian amateurs, before our pomological readers, as they will thus immedi- ately become known and speedily introduced into our collec- tions.— Ed.] Knowing that your fine country is essentially horticultural, and to what a high degree of perfection the culture of fruit trees is carried, I have the great pleasure of sending you, for publication in your excellent journal, the descriptions of three new pears ; two of which, the Sorlus and Doyen Dillen, fruited for the first time, last year, in the fruiteries and nur- series of M. Andre Leroy, of Angers. The third has been propagated in large quantities, but has not yet fruited in his collection ; and the description and drawing which I now send, are those of the Horticultural Society of Bourbourg : — 1. De Sorlus. This variety {fig. 27) was raised by Van Mons, and fruited for the first time in 1843, according to M. Bivort, who has given a figure and good description ; yet I cannot agree with him when he says it is sometimes only second quality, and I am the more surprised, as this learned pomologist is inclined to notice favorably all the fruits which he describes. The figure which he has given is nevertheless more beautiful than that which I annex. The De Sorlus pear has been planted in the school of fruits of M. Leroy for three years, and bore last autumn for the first time. The fruit measures eight and a half centimetres in height, and seven in diameter ; it is of a turbinate form, very regular, but irregularly divided at the stem, (peduncle,) which is sideways, and obliquely inserted ; it is short, not being more than a centimetre and a quarter in length, and little curved : the eye is small, closed, and placed in a shallow and very broad basin : the skin is thick, yellowish-green, gray around the stem, and marbled with the same color all over the surface : flesh, white, fine and melting : juice, abundant, VOL. XVIII. NO. IX. 51 402 Descriptions of Three New Pears. sweet, and slightly perfumed. Ripens from October to De- cember, and proves of the first quality at Angers. The tree is very vigorous, and forms a superb pyramid, per- fectly well proportioned: the branches are straight, erect, com- pact, shorter than the stem : the joints are very long : the buds are small, diverging, and somewhat scaly : the wood is yellow- Fig. 27. De Sorlus Pear. ish, and dotted with small grayish-white points : the leaves are large and downy ; they are long and somewhat dentated : petioles, long and slender. The tree is an abundant bearer. 2. DOTEN DiLLEN. This pear (Jig. 28^ was obtained by Van Mons, and is described by M. Bivort ; but the figure which he has given is much larger than ours. It fruited last year, for the first time, in the nurseries of M. Leroy. Descriptions of Three New Pears. 403 The fruit is large, being eight and a half centimetres in height, and seven and a quarter in diameter : it is obovately formed, swelled out at the crown, diminishing much to the stem, regular, with an even surface : stem, very short, being only half a centimetre in length, slightly oblique and curved: the eye is small, closed, and inserted in a very large and mod- erately deep basin : skin, thick, greenish-yellow, gray around the stem, marbled and pointed with the same color all over F{^. 28. Doyen Dillen Pear. the surface : flesh, fine, melting and tender : juice, very abundant, sugary, vinous, and agreeably perfumed. Ripens in October and November. It is a fine pear, of first quality. The tree is of a rather feeble habit, moderately vigorous upon the quince : the branches are few in number, those at the base diverging, and those at the top erect, and often take the direction of the stem : the wood is gray, covered with 404 Descriptions of Three New Pears. gray points, and forming a roughness upon the bark : the buds are pointed and scaly. Though rather feeble it is a very fertile variety. [In liindley's Guide to the Orchard, a variety is described under the name of Dillen, which was received from Van Mons by the London Horticultural Society in 1817; but in the society's catalogue for 1842, it is made a synonyme of the Beurre Diel ; undoubtedly this is a distinct fruit. — Ed.] 3. Beurre' Bachelier. I am indebted to M. Bachelier, cultivator at Cappellebrouck, near Bourbourg, department du Nord, (France,) for the de- scription and engraving, made by the committee of horticul- ture of the Horticultural and Agricultural Society of Bour- bourg, of this magnificent and excellent fruit. Here are the words of the members charged with that labor : — " The pear, raised from seeds, in the establishment of M. Bachelier, is a magnificent fruit, which justifies all the in- terest attached to it by the society. Wishing the appreciation of the committee of horticulture, they now can state its weight and the various dimensions, and note its principal characteristics. The fruit weighs from six hundred and thirty to six hundred and fifty grammes, (twenty ounces,) and measures in height twelve centimetres, and in its greatest diameter, eleven cen- timetres : in form it somewhat resembles the Duchess of Angouleme, or Bon Chretien : the stem is stout, short, and planted in a deep cavity : the skin is smooth, of a clear green, becoming yellow towards the middle of December, which is the indication of maturity : at that period the flesh is firm, succulent and buttery : the juice is sugary, not gritty, without any disagreeable after-taste. It is necessary, however, in eating, to take off a good thickness of the skin. This magnificent fruit is grown on an espalier, facing the west, and grafted upon the Beurre Austrasie or Jaminette. It has borne in two years nine fruits, similar in form and weight, except one, which was pyriform and heavier. Be- Descriptions of Three New Pears. 405 yond all these excellent qualities, this variety has the merit of bearing early, and of keeping until the end of December, a period when good fruit is scarce. From all the preceding considerations, it remains for the members of the committee Fig. 29. Beurri Bachelier. of horticulture to say that the pear, presented by M. Bachelier to the society, constitutes a superb production, a truly horti- cultural conquest. This magnificent fruit is particularly 406 Pomological Gossip. adapted to ornament the dessert during the early part of win- ter, and merits, in all respects, a place in the collection of every amateur. The committee propose to designate it with the denomi- nation of Beurre Bachelier, the name of the horticulturist who raised it, and it is thought that the thanks and congrat- ulations should be addressed to M. Bachelier, as a homage due to his perseverance and his great efforts in the progress of horticultural industry." Boiirbourg, 13th December, 1851. The copy is signed by M. M. Dupape Benard, Vecouffre, Eug. de Carpentry, Delecourt, and H. De Demanquet, Presi- dent of the Society of Horticulture and Agriculture. I need not add anything to a description so explicit £is the preceding ; unless that M. Leroy, nurseryman, of Angers, who uses all his efforts to further the progress of horticulture, is eager to propagate in his extensive nurseries a good stock of this pear, to place at the disposal of all amateurs of good fruits. Art. V. Pomological Gossip. New Seedling Strawberries. — The production of seed- ling varieties continues unabated. In the Reports of the various Horticultural Societies which will be found in our pages, the names of some of them are enumerated, and their qualities noticed. Western New York and Ohio have recent- ly been the most prolific in new kinds ; but now Pennsylva- nia and Maryland are in the field disputing the palm with the north and east. Even the extreme south, Louisiana, is claiming a share of the merit in the growth of fine seedlings. It is gratifying to see so much attention bestowed upon this fine fruit by our amateurs and professional cultivators ; and if followed up must be attended with good results. Eighteen years ago we set the ball in motion, and during the period which has elapsed, an immense number of kinds Pomological Gossip. 407 has been raised, only a few of which, however, as yet, ap- pear to possess superior qualities. This only shows, that though easy to raise a good strawberry, it is not so simple a task to produce one which shall possess a combination of qualities superior to any of the present varieties. The fol- lowing are some of the new kinds : — Harlem Orange. — Raised by Dr. Edmonson, of Baltimore ; a fruit possessing desirable qualities ; it is of medium size, conical shape, and a constant and abundant bearer ; pro- nounced by competent judges to be of superior flavor. Marylandica is another seedling raised by Dr. Edmonson, and a fruit of merit. MoYAMENsiNG PiNE. — ^Raised by G. Schmitz, of Philadel- phia, a variety remarkable for its robust and vigorous growth ; perfectly hardy, enduring the extremes of heat and cold ; is very productive, and nearly equal in the size of the berries to Hovey's Seedling. Its great merit is its rich aroma and high flavor, in which it is said to excel all others ; it is also well adapted for market. Pennsylvania. — Another of Mr. Schmitz's, of more recent production, which was exhibited before the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the present year, and reported as " a seedling of great merit, fine in flavor, large in size, and rich in depth of color." Crescent Seedling. — This is the name of a new variety raised by Mr. H. Lawrence, of New Orleans. Two years ago, Mr. Lawrence informed us he had raised a seedling, of good promise, and that if another season it proved as he expected, he would send us some of the plants ; since then, however, we have not heard from him respecting it, and all we know of the variety we gather from what Mr. R. G. Pardee has said of it. According to his statement it is a perpetual variety, bearing for six months, of good size and first rate quality. Whether it will prove to be perpetual in our climate remains to be proved. Mr. Peabody, of Columbus, has produced straw- berries for six months in succession, as we have shown in our present and preceding volume ; but the same kind which 408 Pomological Gossip. he found perpetual in Columbus, Ga., is not so here, by our ordinary mode of treatment. It will be well, however, for amateurs to give it a trial. Mr. Pardee has plants of it growing in his garden, at Pal- myra, N. Y., and another spring, or perhaps the present summer, he will be able to prove its perpetual character and other qualities. Messrs. Bissell & Hooker, of Rochester, have raised three seedlings, one staminate and two pistillate, which are reported " of good promise, great productiveness, and well worthy of further trial." No names are given. All these varieties should have a fair trial before any correct opinion of their merits can be formed ; and we hope some of our amateur cultivators wiU give them a chance. In England, the British Q,ueen and Keen's Seedling still take the lead, carrying off the principal prizes ; none of the recently introduced kinds, of which so much has been said in the advertisements, can compare with them for size, beauty, productiveness, rich flavor, S^axifraga oppositifolia and >S'axifraga aizoides ! Here, likewise, he col- lected the rare Primula mistassinica. (Mx.,) a veritable Pri- mula, reader, bringing in a co-species, "the primrose by the river's brim" of Old England into a pleasant proximity with its representative of our dear New England. Would not some of our florists delight to have them growing together on some rich border of their gardens ? Here, also, grew two Sedges of some variety, viz., Carex scirpoidea, (found likewise on the Alpine summits of the White Mountains,) and Carex eburnea, which we had previously noticed on thev picturesque and rocky limestone banks of the Winooski. Here, lastly, among other treasures beside, occurred the very rare Wo6ds?« glabella, a tiny fern of the arctic regions, — though found once before on the rocks about Little Falls, New York, as we learn through Gray's Botany, &c., p. 630. Some of the Rarer Plants of Vermont. 485 The face of the precipice itself would be a fine place for 'rare lichens, but the muddy surface of the constantly crum- bling rock renders its approach very difficult. Pteris atropur- purea, a fern of much beauty, grew here ; and with an undetermined species of Collema, two or three lichens, else- where noticed, occurred ; as likewise on the same rock were seen A'rabis lyrata, Draba arabisans and Phaca RobbinszV. Nor were any mosses noticed here, — although elsewhere oji the mountain, beside the two species before mentioned, were Hypnum umbratum and Plypnum cupressiforme in abund- ance, with several others. The Gramineas found in the Garden were Lolium perenne, Danthonia spicata, Panicum nitidum and P. depauperatum, Muhlenberg«a sylvatica, Calamagrostis canadensis, and Ory- zopsis melanocarpa. Among the more common plants, seventeen of them in flower, were the following, viz. : — .^chillse'a millefolia, Eupatorium purpureum, Anemone cylindrica, Fragraria virginiana, •Anemone virginiana, Helianthemum canadense, Antennaria margaritacea, Lonlcera ciliata, Apocynum hypericifolium, (Enothera fruticosa, Artemesia canadensis, iJosa blanda, wisclepias cornuti, i?ubus occidentalis, ^sclepias quadrifolia, iJubus odoratus, Campanula rotundifolia, JRubug strigosus, Circea alpina, Uilbus triflorus, Clematis virginiana, Solidago corymbosus, Cirsium lanceolatum, Solidago lanceolata, Eupatorium ageratoides, Fitis cordifolia. As we have observed already, the above list contains but a part of what might be obtained by visiting the Garden at the different seasons when the species make themselves conspic- uous by flowering. Indeed, its geology and mineralogy present not a few unusual phases to excite and reward in- vestigation. But a rich return is in store for the botanist, or for the lover as well as cultivator of our native plants, who shall make a thorough exploration of this Garden of Eden, and of its adjacent rock and mountain side. C., F. & R. Hingham, Oct. 3d, 1852, 486 Pomological Gossip. Art. II. Pomological GosSip. New Pears. — The favorable season and abundant crop of pears the present year has afforded a fine opportunity to see many of the newer introduced kinds in their best condition. In the two preceding years, the trees have been so small and the crop so scanty that perhaps not more than half a dozen specimens have been gathered from a tree, and those only of ordinary size. Yet it is from such fruit that we have had to form an opinion, unless we would let the opportunity pass, till time and a favorable season would afford a greater quantity of fruit : consequently, in many instances the true character of some of the varieties has not been exhibited ; and though enough may have been sometimes seen to gather a fair idea of what a fruit may be, in others, no correct esti- mate could be formed. We think there can be no doubt that some very superior varieties will be discovered among the multitudes which have been introduced into our gardens. Indeed, it would be re- markable if there should not ; for, among the great number of kinds which are annually produced by the Belgian and French pomologists, it would be almost impossible not to have some superior sorts ; and though the task of proving all is an expensive and patient operation, it is all-important that it should be done, that the few meritorious sorts should be distinguished from the worthless kinds which are indiscrimi- nately offered to cultivators. The season is not yet sufficiently advanced to test the later autumn pears, but of such as have so far ripened, some of them prematurely, we annex the following account : — Beurre Sterkinans. — A russety-looking fruit, with some- what the appearance of the Brown Beurre, but more full and rounded at the stem. Flesh, buttery, melting, juicy, high- flavored and delicious. It is a most superior fruit. Oct. and November. Poire d'Albret. — Medium size, with a deep cinnamon rus- set skin ; somewhat peculiar in shape, pyramidal, swollen on Pomological Gossip. 487 one side, and contracted near the stem. Flesh, buttery, melt- ing and juicy, with the rich subacid of the Brown Beurre, but higher flavored. October. Grand Soliel, (Esperin.) — Of good size, round, with a pale russety skin. Flesh, melting, very juicy, sugary, and de- licious. A most abundant bearer. November. Bergamot Leschle. — Size, medium, roundish, somewhat flattened : Skin, yellow, tinged with red. Flesh, very melt- ing, juicy, sugary, perfumed and excellent; somewhat resem- bling a Doyenne. September. Bonne des Zees has proved one of the finest of our Sep- tember pears. In size nearly as large as the Bartlett, and somewhat resembling it, though not swollen so much at the crown. Flesh, buttery, melting, juicy, perfumed and deli- cious. An abundant bearer. Kingsessiiig. — A fine native pear, of large size, in gen- eral appearance resembling the Stevens' Genesee, and some- what approaching it in quality, but superior to that fine pear. Flesh, buttery, juicy, high flavored and delicious. Sep- tember. Tea. — Another native fruit, from New Haven, of medium size, obovate, little like a White Doyenne. Flesh, melting, juicy, sprightly, vinous, rich and excellent. September. Ohio State Pomological Society. — This society assem- bled at Columbus, on Tuesday, Aug. 31, at the rooms of the Columbus Horticultural Society. A. H. Ernst, of Cincinnati, was chosen President, and Dr. J. A. Warder, Secretary. About forty members were in attendance from ten diflfer- ent counties of the State. After the preliminary business of the society, the discus- sion of tbe various fruits was taken up, commencing with the apples. Q,uite a number of kinds were examined, and many of them familiar sorts. We shall only notice such as appear to be new and worthy of trial by our Eastern cultivators. APPLES. Bohannon. — Specimens from Kentucky. Believed to have been originally from Virginia. Too ripe for a trial. Mr. 488 Pomological Gossip. Ernst regarded it as " a superior fruit of superior flavor, and a long time in ripening." Fruit, full medium size, roundish and somewhat flattened, pretty regular. Skin, very thin, smooth and glossy ; when ripe and exposed to the sun, of a bright crimson on one side, on the other a delicate yellow. Flesh, cream color ; crisp, juicy, aromatic and subacid flavor. Ripe in Kentucky from the 20th of July to the end of Au- gust. Decided to be " the best dessert apple of the season, also a fine cooking fruit." Trenton Early. — Mr. Bateham said it was highly recom- mended, and deserved further attention. It is a large white apple, of excellent flavor, and is highly esteemed for both eating and cooking. It ripens in August, (in Ohio.) Mr. Steele, who sent the specimens, says " if it is not known and cultivated in other portions of the country under another name, it is worthy the attention of the convention." Its origin is not known. Townsend. — Specimens from F. R. Elliott. They did not sustain the reputation given it, — too dry, yet a rich apple. Gabriel. — Specimens from Mr. Steele, grown in Clark County. Exhibited at Pomological Congress in 1850, and highly recommended. Considered first rate, — ripening in September and October. Regarded " worthy of attention." Early Bough, Golden Sweet, passed the convention as first rate varieties. The Porter, Summer Queen, Jersey Sweet, and many other kinds, were discussed, but no decision upon them taken by the convention. PEARS. Sfevens^s Genesee. — Regarded by the convention as first rate, and worthy of extensive cultivation. Seedlings. — One from the Foster pear, and the other from the Flemish Beauty. Received from M. Lazell. The latter partaking of the Seckel character. Both considered as prom- ising well. Dearbovii's Seedling. — Considered first rate. Wasliington passed as first rate in flavor. Bartlett. — Considered by the convention first rate. Julienne. — Considered by Dr. Jones, Messrs. Ernst, Elliott Pomological Gossip. 489 and Dr. Warder, as an excellent fruit, taking all its qualities into consideration. Passed as worthy of cultivation. A few plums, peaches and grapes were discussed, but no particular information elicited, except in regard to the Clinton, which we have noticed in another page. The society was permanently organized by the adoption of a constitution and the choice of officers, viz. : — A. H. Ernst, President ; Dr. J. A. Warder, Vice President ; F. R. Elliott, Secretary ; M. B. Bateham, Treasurer. Clinton Grape. — The Clinton Grape has been much ex- tolled by cultivators in Western New York, as a superior vari- ety, ripening before the Isabella. Such high praise induced us to add it to our collection, and the present year the vines are loaded down with the crop. It is a rather small grape, with berries about two thirds the size of the Isabella, and with rather long, somewhat loose bunches, shouldered. Color;, very dark, with a thick blue bloom. It ripens between the- Diana and the Isabella, about the last of September. The- vine is very vigorous, making slender wood, bearing prodig- ious crops, and perfectly hardy. This grape came up for discussion before the Ohio Pomo- logical Convention. We copy the report : — " Mr. Buchannan regarded it as a good table grape, but not valuable for wine. Mr. J. T. Warder said it was perfectly hardy, the wood not being injured at all by the cold of winter, in consequence of its slender growth ; a great bearer. Was introduced into Springfield (Ohio) as the Worthington grape. Mr. Bateham said it was introduced into Rochester (N. Y.,) twelve or fifteen years ago, and there esteemed as an early,, hardy grape. Dr. Jones regarded it as a fine sample of Western grape, andi evidently belonging to the Frost grape family. Mr. J. T. Warder said it was usually in eating by August 20th at Springfield, and by the time the frost came it was. gone. Mr. Buchannan was familiar with the Frost grape, but didi not consider this as one- of the family. VOL. XVIIL NO. XI. 62 490 Po7nological Gossip. Dr. J. A. Warder did not recognize any family of grapes as the " Frost " grape. He moved it be passed as recom- mended for cultivation for hardiness of vine, free from mil- dew, early maturity, productiveness, and of value as a table grape, — its qualities for wine being yet unknown. Passed." New Seedling Grape. — We are highly gratified to an- nounce the production of a new seedling grape from a native vine, fully equal to the Isabella, and ripening, at least, ONE MONTH earlier than that variety. The gentleman who produced it has promised us a full account of its origin, growth, &c., which we shall give to our readers in our next volume. Specimens of the fruit were sent us as early as the middle of September, which were the very last of the crop, and the Isabellas were then so acid as to afford no chance of comparison of the quality of the two. The berries are round, black, and covered with a dense blue bloom: Bunches as large as the Isabella : Skin, thin : Flesh, tender, with scarce- ly any pulp, exceedingly sweet and delicious. The vine is exceedingly hardy, vigorous and productive. With this and the Diana, every cultivator can have two grapes which will always ensure him a crop of fruit in any season, supplying the place of the Isabella and Catawba ; the latter of which rarely ripens, and the former frequently fails to attain its full sweetness in our New England climate. The White Blackberry. — Our correspondent, Mr. R. Man- ning, sends us the following account of this variety of the blackberry, which we have before noticed : — " This name is given to a pale-fruited species of Rubus which has been introduced to notice by Mr. J. Shed Needham, of Locust Vale, West Danvers, whose grounds I visited on the 29th of July, for the purpose of examining the fruit, which was then ripening. It is, as nearly as I can describe it, of a lilac color, somewhat like that of a very ripe Sweet- water grape ; shape like the Black ; size of the berries and grains not quite as large ; of good flavor. The canes are of a light green color, and are thickly covered with short, stiff, green hairs. But what is most remarkable is its productive- ness, in which it very far surpasses anything else of the kind Pomological Gossip. 491 that I have ever seen. The fruit is borne on long clusters, two of which come from every bud ; and on two of these, fifty berries have been counted as the produce of a single bud. The remark of Captain Lovett, (Magazine of Horticulture, vol. 16, p. 262,) that no success has attended the attempts made to improve the blackberry by raising seedlings, has suggested to me that good results might be obtained by crossing the white and black ; and I hope that those who have the time and inclination will try the experiment. R. M." New Fruits Reported upon by the National Pomo- logical Society. — We have delayed noticing the proceedings of the last meeting at Philadelphia in the hope of getting a complete copy, but as none has yet come to hand, we give the report of the committee on "Native Fruits," of which Dr. Brinckle was chairman. In our next we hope to be able to notice the proceedings at length. Mr. F. R. Elliott, from the committee on Native Fruits, made the following report, which Avas accepted : — apples. Jeffries : A roundish, flattened yellow ground, striped with red ; sprightly, tender, juicy and pleasant. Regarded as "best," — ripe in September. Brennaman: Regarded as "good." September. Willis Siveeting : Regarded as "very good." September. Autumn Sweet Bough: Regarded as "very good." Sept. Cox Seedling : From Joshua Embree. Not worthy atten- tion. Red Grove : From Joshua Embree, Regarded as "very good." Myers'' Apple: Imperfect specimens. Worthy further at- tention. Carter Apple : From Virginia — passed as in too imperfect a state to decide upon it. Zimmerman : Regarded not worth attention. Seedling No. 3 .• From H. R. Robey, Virginia — passed as " good." Green'' s Choice : From Mrs. M. A. Fulton ; a handsome fruit — red striped, sweet j passed as "very good." 492 Pomological Gossip. Howard: From G. P. Howard; regarded as "very good.'* Richard: Prom E. G. Studley; regarded as "best." Melt-in-the- Mouth : From Paschall Morris & Co. ; regarded as "very good." Rohey^s Seedling : From H. R. Robey ; passed as " very good." White Cain: From Joshua Embree ; passed as "good." White Queen : From Joshua Embree ; regarded as value- less. Birmingham: From Joshua Embree ; regarded as "good." Summer Cheese : From H. R. Robey ; passed as unM''orthy. Virginia Cat Head: A red apple, unworthy culture. CarneWs Favorite : From Joshua Embree ; regarded as "very good." PEACHES. Muhlenberg Cling: From A. M. Spangler; regarded as " very good. Petit : From David Petit ; large, yellow, irregular, yellow flesh, sweet and fine. Passed as "very good." Seedling No. 1: From J. B. Baxter; white flesh, dull whitish green skin, juicy and fine. Passed as very good. Susquehanna : From H. Randall ; very large, yellow. Regarded as best. PEARS. Moyamensing : Regarded as "best." Howell: From E. E. Clark; regarded as "very good." Styre : From A. W. Corson ; resembles somewhat the Gansell's Bergamott in appearance. Regarded as "best. Henrietta: (Edwards,) regarded as "very good." Wiest : From Kessler ; regarded as "good." Citron : Regarded as " good." Edioards^ Elizabeth: Regarded as "best." Seedling from the garden of Governor Edwards ; presented by E. E. Clark. Regarded as "best," and recommended by committee to be named the duinnipiac. GRAPES, Seedling from Dr. Valk ; bunches fine, large, compact, but too unripe to allow of the Committee's decision. Some Account of the Beurre Van Mans Pear. 493 Art. III. Some Account of the Beurre Van Mons Pear, with an Engraving of the Fruit. By Dr. G. W. Russell, Hartford, Conn. Dear Sir : — I sent you last week a few specimens of the Beurre Van Mons Pear, (fig. 36,^ a variety, I believe, not yet much known. The tree is standing in the garden of Mr. Thos. D. Boardman, of this city, and was purchased by him Fis- 36. Beurrd Van Mons Pear. from the late E. W. Bull, who imported it, with others, from Europe. 1 first recognized it in 1847, and have been familiar with it every year since. It has been a little variable in quality in some seasons, but generally is very delicious. 494 Some Account of the Beurre Van Mons Pear. Specimens were sent to the Congress of Fruit Growers, three years since, and were much admired : you may have seen it at that time. I send you an outline taken from a specimen December 12, 1851. I think that from the middle of Octo- ber to the middle of November may be regarded as a fair time for its ripening. Fruit, large, about three inches long by two and a half in diameter, pyramidal, tapering into the stem, a little one-sided : Skin, smooth, thickly sprinkled with russet upon a green ground, which becomes yellowish when fully ripe : Stem, curved, about an inch in length, slender, and attached to the fruit by a fleshy and wrinkled base : Eye, small, in a very shallow and sometimes plaited cavity : segments of the calyx, small and closed : Flesh, greenish, buttery and juicy, a little coarse grained at the core, which is small, with a rich subacid and perfumed flavor, which is very delicious. From my knowledge of it for six years, and comparison with pears of standard reputation, I should say that it would be classed amongst the first rate ; and in this opinion I am supported by those who are competent to judge. In damp and cold seasons there is a little astringency developed, which may be overcome, perhaps, when the tree is older, or by a warmer and drier soil, though near by this the Brown Beurre and White Doyenne flourish and produce an abundance of specimens, such as would gladden the heart of any horticul- turist. It grows well on the quince. ' Hartford, October 18th, 1852. We are pleased to hear so good an account of the Beurre Van Mons Pear. Three years ago, at the Pomological Con- vention in New York, alluded to by Dr. Russell, we saw some superior specimens of this pear from New Haven, and were so much impressed in its favor that we made a drawing and description from the specimens, which were tried before the committee on new fruits, of which we happened to be a member. But unfortunately the description was lost, though the outline was retained, and we have never seen another specimen of the fruit until we received one from our corres- Design for a Flower Garden. 495 pondent, a few days ago. Another trial of it fully confirms our previous opinion, and justifies all the praise awarded to it by Dr. Russell. There have been so many pears received from Prance as the Beurre Van Mons, Beurre de Mons and Poire de Mons, that we supposed there might be some mistajte about the name. As, however, no fruit, to our knowledge, has been received under any other name like this, we are led to con- clude it is a distinct variety, and identical with the one described as the Beurre Van Mons, by Mr. Thompson, in the last edition (1852) of the Catalogue of the London Horticul- tural Society. — Ed. Art. IV. Design for a Flower Garden, with a Selection of Plants adapted for the saine. By the Editor. In a previous number of our present volume (p. 206) we gave a design for a flower garden, copied from the Gardeners^ Journal. Referring to the prefatory remarks which we then made, relative to the lack of art displayed in the laying out of most of our American flower gardens, we need not now enlarge upon that point. It is our object in presenting the annexed plan, as well as the one referred to, to aid somewhat in forming a more correct taste for this department of gar- dening ; and it will be our endeavor hereafter to add others which may display either originality of design, harmony of arrangement, or a general good effect. In the accompanying plan (fig. 37J no scale of measure- ment is given ; but we may suppose the diameter of the circle to be about fifty feet, walks about three feet, and the beds in relative proportion : the Avhole laid out on gravel, with Box edging. The lowest plants occupy the central beds, and the highest ones the circumference, and it will be observed that they are arranged in concentric circles from the centre to the circum- ference. The whole plan seems to us admirable in every 496 Design for a Flower Garden. part, and is certainly one of the best of the kind we have ever seen. We deem it well worthy of imitation by all who appre- ciate beauty, variety and harmony in arrangement of flowers. "Two things are necessary to the beauty of a flower garden, — harmony and variety. Harmony consists in agree- ment of form, likeness of size, and relation of color ; variety, in the indefinite diversity of vegetative existence. If there is variety merely, the garden is strange, extraordinary, fan- tastic,— it is not fine. If harmony alone is displayed, then it is monotonous, dull, and wearisome. But in the happy combination of the two, resides its power to awaken agree- able sensations and impart delight. This union of harmony and variety is well exemplified in the flower garden of the Duchess of Bedford, at Camden Hill, represented in the an- nexed engraving. Fig. 37. Plan of the Flower Garden at Camden Hill. The following is a list of the plants employed : — 1. Nierembergia calycina, white. 2. Lobelia gracilis, blue. 3. Verbena Sabina, purple. 4. Lobelia lutea, yellow. 5. Anagallis monelli, blue. 6. Verbena melindreg, scarlet. FIRST CIRCLE. 7. Anagallis monelli, blue. 8. Lobelia lutea, yellow. 9. Verbena melindres, scarlet. 10. Nierembergia gracilis, M'hite. 11. Lobelia unidentata, deep purple. 12. Lobelia lutea, yellow. Design for a Floioer Garden. 497 13. Campanula garganica,brightblue. 14. Anagallis grandiflora, scarlet 15. Lobelia unidcntata, deep purple. 16. Lotus iiiicroph3'lla, yellow. 17. Anagallis grandiflora, scarlet. 18. Nierembergia gracilis, white. SECOND CIRCLE. 19. Petunia intermedia, deep purple. 20. Alonzoa linearis, scarlet. 21. Lantana Selloviana, purple. 22. Isotoma axillaris, blue. 23. Sanvitalia procumbens, yellow. 24. Verbena multifida, lilac. 25. Alonzoa linearis, scarlet. 26. CEnothera Taraxacifolia, white. 27. Nemophila insignis, blue. 28. Aster tenella, lilac. 29. Petunia intermedia, deep purple. 30. CEnothera macrocarpa, yellow. THIRD CIRCLE. 31. Bouvardia triphylla, scarlet. 32. Verbena pulchella, lilac. 33. Campanula carpatica, blue. 34. Escholtzia crocea, orange. 35. Lotus Jacobseus, dark brown. 36. Bouvardia triphylla, scarlet. 37. Buchnera capensis, white. 38. Eutoca viscida, blue. 39. CEnothera macrocarpa, yellow. 40. Nierembergia filicaulis, white. 41. Scarlet Pelargoniums, scarlet. 42. Selago Gilliesii, lilac. FOURTH CIRCLE. 43. Petunia nyctaginiflora, white. 44. CEnothera coelestis, blue. 45. Escholtzia crocea, orange. 46. Petunia phoenicea, dark purple.. 47. Scarlet Pelargoniums, scarlet. 48. Senecio elegans, red double va- riety, purple. 49. Verbena Lamberti, purple. 50. Escholtzia californica, yellow., 51. Petunia bicolor, white. 52. Lychnis fulgens, scarlet. 53. Verbena venosa, purple. 54. Lotus Jacobagus, variety Joteus,, yellow. FIFTH CIRCLE. 55. Phlox Drummondii, purple rose. . 56. Lysimachia verticillata, yellow.. 57. CEnothera speciosa, white. 58. Salvia fulgens, scarlet. 59. Lobelia syphilitica, bright blue.. 60. Lysimachia quadriflora, yellow.. 61. Phlox Drummondii, purple. 62. CEnothera speciosa, white. 63. Salvia fulgens, scarlet. 64. Asclepias tuberosa, orange. 65. Salvia azurea, blue. GQ. Salvia fulgens, scarlet* According to the above arrangement, the colors are ^not- always placed so as to produce harmony in the optical sense of the term. The harmonic colors are arranged in the fol- lowing order : — Primitive Colors. Harmonic Colors. Yellow. Violet — mixture of blue and red) Blue. Orange — mixture of red and yellow. Red. Green — mixture of yellow and blue. But when the primitive colors are arranged side by side with their harmonising colors, the effect is often so striking as to be VOL. XVIII. NO. XI. 63 498 Notes on Greenhouse Plants, S^c. almost unpleasing. Painters avoid this effect by half-tints ; the gardener must do the same. Thus, lilac may be advan- tageously placed by the side of the scarlet. All the plants mentioned bloom freely, and flourish all the summer and autumn. The plants selected are such as form a regular progression in height, from the centre to the circumference, and are all of easy propagation and culture." (Gardeners^ Journal, 1852, p. 267.; Art. V. Notes on Greenhouse Plants, Soil, Potting, Wa- tering, ^c, 4*c. By HoRTus. (Concluded from page 304.^ Routine Management of the House. — It has often, oc- curred to us in reading articles on the cultivation of plants, that the writers premise their readers are furnished with every accommodation in the way of cold and warm pits, frames, hothouses, and so forth, — a supposition that tends to lessen the value of the advice, inasmuch as those who have none of these conveniences naturally suppose they are indispensa- ble, and accordingly are deterred from acting upon the advice given. In the early portion of these papers we have enumer- ated a few plants that can be successfully cultivated in a greenhouse without the assistance of any additional structure. To keep a constant succession of flowers throughout the season, requires discrimination and forethought in selecting and managing the plants, so that the one will take the place of the other as their flowering periods terminate. At the risk of recapitulation, the following monthly routine is in- tended to place in a more concise and illustrative view the system here alluded to, and furnish an idea of the periodical arrangement of the plants. Of course, there is room for many modifications and improvements. Although not so suitable for our purpose, yet, for the sake of simplicity, we will com- mence with the first month of the year : Notes on Greenhouse Plants, ^x. 499 January. — The general appearance of the honse will be as follows. At the warmest end, (that is, where the furnace is placed, which can always be kept a few degrees warmer than the opposite end,) the stage will be occupied with luculias, leschenaultias, stephanotus, epiphyllums, ixoras, torenias, &c., as permanent, with a few azaleas, primroses, heliotropes and others to forward them into flower. The coldest end will be occupied with heaths, camellias, orange trees, epacris, azaleas ; and intermediate, such as boronia, chorozema, polygala, daphnes, geraniums, cinerarias, and similar sorts. The front shelf will be occupied with store pots of verbenas, petunias, gaillardias, and other plants for flower garden purposes, set at the coldest end. Such as require a little heat to keep them growing, (young calceolarias, fuchsias, geraniums, and so on,) will be set nearer the heat ; summer flowering plants, (ges- neras, achimenes, clerodendrons and gloxinias,^ will be stored up underneath the stage, or any out-of-the-way corner, where they can be kept dry. The house will not require much airing in winter ; a few of the top sashes lowered a little, during bright days, will be found sufficient. It is not neces- sary to let in much air during winter, so that care is taken in applying water. February. — The general aspect of the house will be sim- ilar to last month. Geraniums may be shifted into flowering pots, and topped to keep them low and bushy. It is a good time to put azaleas into larger pots, if they require a change. Cactus previously kept dry will require moistening occasion- ally. A few pots of achimenes, gloxinias, and gesneras, may be placed in a warm corner to start ; calceolarias shifted into flowering pots, and fuchsias brought forward to grow. March. — Epacris, that have done flowering, should have the long shoots cut down. Fuchsias, commenced to grow, should be shaken out of the pots and repotted in fresh soil. Shift young ones into larger pots. Heaths, epacris, and some of the choicest hard-wooded plants, may be set on the front shelf, making room on the stage for geraniums, fuchsias, and calceolarias. The latter will require staking as the flower- stem rises. Sow seeds of balsams, cockscombs, thunbergias, 500 Notes on Greenhouse Plants, Sfc. gloxinias, (fcc. Shift camellias that require larger pots ; they should be grouped near the warmest end of the house, and syringed frequently while making their growth. Repot leschenaultias, boronias, and plants of similar character ; they should be kept from cold currents of air. The balance of achimenes, gesneras, &c., should now be potted. Fumigate the house occasionally with tobacco smoke. Every green- house should have a patent fumigator. Orange trees will re- quire to be liberally watered and syringed. Now that the days are longer and the sun brighter, more water will be re- quired at the roots ; keep the front sashes closed during dry cutting winds, and preserve a moist atmosphere. April. — Calceolarias will now be in flower : geraniums approaching same condition ; stake them out and give them plenty of room. The house may be freed of all half-hardy stuff", as verbenas, petunias, &c., by placing them out of doors in a sheltered spot ; the north side of a fence is the best situation, where they will be shaded from the sun. Should they happen to get a few degrees of frost, it will not hurt them if the sun does not strike them. The house will now be much crowded. Plants out of flower may be arranged on the top shelves, bringing those in flower nearer and more prominent. Torenias, tremandra, salvias, plumbagoes and clerodendrons should be repotted and kept warm. Although firing is discontinued, one end of the house may be kept many degrees warmer by keeping the sashes closed. Shading will now be necessary during bright weather. May. — The house may now be thinned by taking out the orange trees. Oleanders, heaths, acacias, and other large plants, may also be set in a half-shaded situation. Geraniums will be coming into flower ; give them plenty of room, and attend carefully to watering ; they will repay all trouble. The same with cinerarias. Azaleas and camellias should be frequently syringed and kept in the house until their growth is completed. All summer flowering plants should be shifted in time to grow them well. Fuchsias deserve all care that can be given. Put in cuttings of chrysanthemums for flow- ering in pots. As the calceolarias go out of flower, cut down Notes on Greenhouse Plants, ^c. 501 the stems and set them on the front shelf. Keep the house humid by sprinkling the paths and floor, and air principally by the top lights. When both top and bottom lights are open, it is scarcely possible to keep a sufficient degree of moisture in the air. June. — Calceolarias will be done this month, and seed saved. Geraniums in perfection ; an occasional watering with liquid manure improves the flowers. Make a sowing of primula seed for early winter flowering. Chrysanthemum cuttings, put in last month, will now be potted. Top every shoot closely, for the next six weeks, to get filled-up plants. Shift them into 8-inch pots to flower, and stand them out in the sun ; never let them want water ; the small-flowered kinds are beautiful and unique. Put in a few heliotrope cut- tings ; these will flower in small pots early in winter. Achim- enes, &c., will require more room ; they like shade, and a humid, close atmosphere, but not a great deal of water at the roots ; they do best in baskets hung from the roof. July. — As the geraniums go out of flower, set them out of doors to harden them a liitle. Camellias and azaleas may be set out of doors now that their yearly growth is completed ; they will thus more readily form flower buds ; they are best in shade from eleven o'clock till four ; if the pots are set in coal ashes or tan bark, the roots will be benefited and not re- quire so much water. Heaths, epacris, boronias, leschenaul- tias, and many other plants of like nature, do much better in the house during summer, where a suitable humidity can be given to the atmosphere ; the out-of-door aridity is too much for them, and heavy rains destroy them. Keep them in a medium state with regard to water at roots, and refresh them occasionally with the syringe. Make another sowing of pri- mula seed ; also geraniums, if you have saved any. The house will not lack gayety now, if you have attended to achimenes. Surely there is not a more beautiful tribe of plants than these, and so easily and cheaply managed ; the new ones, A. gloxinseflora and A. longiflora alba, are gems. It is a good time to pot a few roses for winter flowering ; they will get well established if placed in good sized pots 503 Notes on Greenhouse Plants, S^c. and set out of doors. The best for this purpose are those of the Bourbon family ; Souvenir de la Malmaison is as good as any ; Hermosa, Madame Bosanquet, also Safrano. Some of the Hybrid Perpetuals give delicious flowers in this way, although not so early, — William Jesse and La Reine es- pecially. August. — Cut down the geraniums, (or rather, pelargo- niums) and put in a stock of cuttings. They will strike readily at the back of a fence ; prepare a small spot for them by mixing a large portion of sand in the soil. Do not retain more than one leaf to the cuttings, otherwise they will soon dry up ; keep them damp, but not wet ; they will root in three or four weeks. After the old plants are cut down, they will not require much water until they again shoot forth. Sow calceolaria seed. It is a favorable season for repotting hard-wooded plants ; they will make a fine growth during the fall, when it is somewhat cool. Set the fuchsias out of doors when they begin to look shabby ; put in a few cut- tings, using the points of the young shoots; these will make fine plants for next year's flowering. It is a good time to put down cuttings of greenhouse plants in general. Get a shallow box, about three inches in depth ; fill it with sand, and set it on the front shelf in the house ; do not drown them with water. Primulas, sown in June, may be shifted into 6-inch pots to flower ; use plenty of drainage in the pots. Shift all young plants that requii'e it, but do not overpot those intended for winter flowering. Mignonette seed should be also sown. September.— The achimenes and plants of similar nature will still be the chief ornament of the house. Gesnera ze- brina should be well in the shade if you wish to see the full beauty of its leaves. Attend to the calceolarias ; transplant them as soon as practicable ; they are apt to disappear if not looked to in time. Get under cover a stock of soil for winter potting. Cuttings of all half-hardy flower-garden plants may now be inserted ; they take root more readily now than earlier in the season, if you do not cool the soil with too much water. Bring in a few of the most forward chrysan- Notes on Greenhouse Plants, 6^c. 503 themums, and wit\^hold Avater slightly from such of the achimenes as indicate maturity by the bottom leaves chang- ing color, October. — All the plants will require to be housed towards the middle of the month. Previous to this, the house should have a thorough cleansing in every part. The heating appa- ratus should also be examined, and any necessary repairs or alterations attended to. Hot water is now in general use for increasing the temperature, but the old smoke flue is not to be despised. In many instances it will still be preferred. Of course, all the pots will be cleaned before they are placed on the stage. The temperature will now be kept as low as pos- sible to guard against exciting such plants as have completed their growth. Water should be gradually diminished in quantity to most things ; they will thus be enabled to with- stand extremes of temperature with less injury, and prepare them for a short resting season. Lift Scarlet geraniums, sal- vias, Cuphea platycentra, &c., out of the flower garden, and pot them. Cut in these plants rather close ; they will soon establish a fresh supply of roots, and grow luxuriantly. Chry- santhemums, not indicating an appearance of flower buds, should be kept rather scant of water, Achimenes should not be neglected immediately after they cease blooming ; keep them warm and moist until the tubers are matured ; store them in a dry, warm location all winter. November and December. — The house will now have a wintry appearance, — not a bleak one, however. Camellias, azaleas, epiphyllums, coronilla, primroses, and many other things, will be coming into flower. As an easily grown and beautiful climber, the Tropa^olum Ijohhianum ranks high ; it will be in perfection now. Rearrange the plants occasion- ally ; changing their positions prevents monotony in appear- ance, and conduces to their health. Much taste can be dis- played in arranging and grouping those of similar habits and natures. When " Surly blasts lay fields and forests bare," a greenhouse becomes doubly interesting. Opportunities of leisure should be employed in making stakes, labels, &,c., 604 Floricultural and Botanical Notices. saving time in more busy seasons. Let^ every plant be prop- erly named, with the name of its native country attached. This will be a som'ce of gratification to yourself, and prove very interesting to friends and visiters. We need not enforce the necessity of perfect cleanliness in every respect. " The withered leaf Must be detached, where it strews the floor Swept with a woman's neatness, breeding else Contagion, and disseminating death. Discharge but these kind offices, (and who Would spare, that loves them, offices like these ?} Well they reward the toil. The sight is pleased ; The scent regaled ; each odoriferous leaf, Each opening blossom, freely breathes abroad Its gratitude, and thanks him with its sweets." With this extract we now conclude these "Notes on Greenhouse Plants," hoping that they may have been of benefit to some inexperienced lover of Flora. Sept., 1852. Our amateur readers, who have followed our valuable cor- respondent through his various articles, will appreciate fully the above resume of the whole series. We need only add. that he is a thorough gardener in every department of his profession, and is abundantly able to impart his knowledge to others. We trust we may have another series of similar pa- pers on the best hardy plants and flowers suitable for the open garden. — Ed. Art. VI. Floricultural and Botanical Notices of New and Beautiful Plants, figured in Foreign Periodicals ; with descriptions of those introduced to, or originated iri, Amer- ican Collections. Victoria regia. — This magnificent aquatic has flowered in the collection of Mr. Feast, of Baltimore, and Mr. Buist, of Philadelphia. Five flowers had opened on Mr. Feast's plant, previous to September 14th, each of which had at- Floricultural and Botanical Notices. 506 tracted great numbers of visitors. Mr. Feast's plant is re- markably vigorous, some of the leaves having measured six feet in diameter, and so stout as to hold up a man weighing 150 pounds ! Mr. Cope's plant is now in its decade. It has done bloom- ing, and is perfecting a quantity of seed, from which plenty of plants will be produced to take the place of the present one. We trust another year that we may have this superb lily in flower in our own collection. By the kindness of Mr. Cope, we were supplied with a plant ; but it was so badly injured in its transportation here that it did not recover. We hope Mr. Cope will add the new lily (A^ymphag^a gigantea, described at 267) from Australia, of a deep purplish blue color, with flowers a foot in diameter, grown in the same tank with the Victoria ; the contrast would be splendid. Seeds, we believe, are offered for sale in London at £ 1 each. New Tree Peonies, sent home by Mr. Fortune. — The Gardeners' Journal copies our entire article on herbaceous paeonies, in our late number, with some additional remarks on the importance of their introduction into English collec- tions, where they are yet somewhat rare ; and in conclusion annexes a list of the Moutans, as Dr. Lindley has named the tree kinds, which have been sent home from Canton by Mr. Fortune. They are in the collection of Messrs. Standish & Noble, and will soon be offered for sale. If they are all that the descriptions would represent, they will be great acqui- sitions to this magnificent tribe of shrubs, already rendered doubly valuable by the labors of the French and Belgian florists, who have produced some very remarkable seedlings. We shall look forward to the introduction of these new kinds into our gardens with great pleasure : — *' The brief descriptions given below are from the notes taken in Messrs. Standish & Noble's nursery, when the plants were in flower. As yet they have received no name. True, the Chinese names accompanied them ; but, of course, it would be of little service to retain their nomenclature for every-day use in English gardens. We perceive, by a recent catalogue of the nurserymen above named, that they hope, in VOL. XVIII. NO. XI. 64 506 Floricultural and Botanical Notices. the ensuing season, to publish full descriptions of all of them, with names by which they may be known and inquired for. They are certainly noble-looking plants when in flower, and, whether as regards the individual size of the blossoms, or the variety and richness of color, greatly exceed any hardy plants hitherto known in English gardens. We give numbers to the descriptions, corresponding with those attached to the plants in the nursery beds to which they refer — 1. Not very double ; rich purple. 2. Semi-double ; deep red, black base to the petals. 4. Anemone-flowered ; white ; beautiful compact flower. 5. Fine double rose ; compact and good. 6. Semi-double ; white, base of the petals stained with purple. 7. Pale lilac ; very fine. 8. Double ; rosy lilac, shaded ; very fine. 9. Deep rich purple ; a splendid flower. 10. Semi-double ; bright red. 11. Semi-double; French white, base of the petals stained with purple. 12. Clean rich light purple ; fine. 13. Semi-double ; Tuscan rose color. 14. Very double ; salmon pink, shaded ofl" to French white ; a magnificent floAver. 15. Double ; primrose color ; very fine. 16. Semi-double ; bright red, almost scarlet ; very beautiful. 17. Resembles the last, but the flower is larger. 18. Double rose, shading ofl" to lilac ; fine, 19. Semi-double ; clear white ; beautifully shaped ; base of the petals slightly stained Avith red. 20. Semi-double ; clear white ; larger than the last, and with a deep purple stain at the base of the petals. 21. Very fine white. 22. Fine double rose. 23. Rosy lilac, shaded ; fine. 24. Double purple ; very large. 25. Double ; very large ; deep red ; shape like a camellia. 26. Globosa — the largest, and most beautiful white. Floriciiltural and Botanical Notices. 507 27. Semi-double ; dark lilac ; base of the petals darker. 28. Double ; beautiful clear white ; Marattah-shaped ; very sweet scented. 29. Scarlet ; very large, distinct, and beautiful. 30. Peach color, shaded ; large, and very handsome. From these brief descriptions it will be seen how various are these Moutans in the color and character of their flowers. Even in their young state they were very fine, and gave promise then, when the plants became older, to be even much larger. Their foliage, too, is very fine and deep colored, forming an excellent background to the glaring tints of the blossoms." Gardenia Fortuni. This splendid variety has now been in bloom in our collection since the 1st of August, and is still showing buds. It is one of the finest plants, second only to the camellia, the flowers of which are nearly as large and double as the old double white, and deliciously fragrant ; the foliage large, glossy and superb. It is one of the most free growers, attaining the height of three feet in one year from a small plant. No collection should be without it. 185. Impa^tiens macrophylla Lard. Large-leaved Cey- lon Balsam. (Balsaminece.) Ceylon. A stove pliint ; gfnwins two feet hi?h ; with reddish flowers ; appearing in sprins ; increased by seeds ; cultivated in a light rich soil. Bot. Mag., 1852, pi. 4662. A new species of the Balsam, from Ceylon, more curious than beautiful. The leaves are in tufts at the tops of the branches, very large, with bright red petioles and midrib, and the flowers appear in clusters down the stem : they are of a " deep tawny orange color stained with red, and the numerous long bright red petioles, together with the ample foliage, render it a handsome plant." [Bat. Mag., Aug.) 186. CeanoVhus ri'gidus Nutt. Rigid Ceanothus. (Rham- ncce.) California. A hardy or hnlf hardy shrnb ; growins si\ feet high ; with blue flowers •, appearing in spring ; increased by layers ; grown in any gocd rich soil. Bot. Mag. i»a2, pi. 4634. A beautiful evergreen shrub, originally found by Mr. Nuttall in California; and also by Douglas, Hartweg, and others. 508 FloricuUural and Botanical Notices. Mr. Hartweg sent home live plants to the London Horticul- tural Society, from whence it has been disseminated. In England it has proved a perfectly hardy shrub, " with densely placed, glossy, evergreen foliage, and rich deep purple-blue and copious blossoms, early in May, which render it a most desirable species for our gardens and shrubberies." With us it will probably be only half hardy, north of Washington. It is, however, one of the best of the tribe, and well worthy of cultivation in greenhouses and conservatories, — where its fine habit, glossy foliage and blue flowers will ever make it a gay plant. [Bot. Mag., Aug.) 187. Nymphje^i (hybkida) Devonie'nsis Paxton. Duke of Devonshire's Nymphjea. (Nyinphacece.) Garden Hybrid. An aquatic plant ; with deep red flowers ; appearing all summer; increased by offsets ; grown in loam and old cow-dun^. Bot. Mag., IS52, pi. 4Bli5. A magnificent Nymphas^a, with deep red flowers, measuring eight inches in diameter, nearly equalling the Victoria in size, and surpassing it in beauty. It was produced from seeds by Sir Joseph Paxton in 1850, who planted them the same year, and from these, "in the following summer, he found himself in the possession of a most beautiful hybrid, which he named Devoniensis, after the Duke, his patron." It was produced by crossing A^. rubra with A', lotus. In leaf and flower, in point of size and robustness of growth, it has a great advantage over either of its parents ; but its most valuable property is its continuing to flower the whole of the season without intermission. The flowers are eight inches in diameter, and the leaves seldom less than thirteen to seven- teen inches across. This fine variety grows freely in "rough turf, taken from a pasture and laid in a heap one year previous to its being used, with one-sixth of dried cow-dung." The water in the tank in which it grows is kept from 75° to 80°. We hope Mr. Cope, who has been so successful with the Victoria, will add this to his collection : flowering in the same tank, its deep red flowers would make a splendid con- trast with the paler ones of the Victoria. [Bot. Mag., Aug.) Address before the R. I. Horticultural Society. 509 REVIEWS. Art. I. Address delivered before the Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry, and the Rhode Island Horticultural Society, ^c., in Providence, September 17th, 1852. By G. R. Russell. J'amphlet, 8vo, pp. 27. Those who feel interested in addresses of this kind will remember our review of Mr. Russell's Address before the Norfolk Agricultural Society last year. The present is scarce- ly less replete with the humor, satire, and suggestive ideas of the author. As it was delivered before the Industrial and Horticultural Associations of Providence, combined, much of it is devoted to the consideration of the mechanical arts, their progress and development, and the effect of united industry upon their ex- tension, advancement and perfection ; but as this, though ex- ceedingly interesting, would be somewhat out of our sphere, we must pass over it, to that portion relative to the improve- ment of Agricultural and Horticultural science, having room only for an extract or two, which we cull almost at random. Turning to the first great employment of man, Mr. Russell alludes to the mania everywhere prevalent of fitting our young men for q. professional life, in preference to that pursuit which should be ranked above all others ; and his remarks, could they but be heeded, would show how sadly mistaken men are who push their sons into occupations already so crowded "that the streets of cities swarm with busy men eager in the struggle of life." But the best portion of the Address is the truly-drawn picture of the Fancy Farmer and Horticulturist. A few such sallies, we imagine, would open the eyes of some of our amateurs, who, in a year or two's practice, have sur- mounted all the obstacles in the way of success, and attained that perfection which an intelligent gardener considers too 510 Address before the R. I. Horticidtural Society. great to be acquired only by years of toil, study, experience and observation : — Playing farmer is a very interesting but somewhat expensive luxury. It is not only a harmless but praiseworthy recreation to those who need not stop to count the cost. If it is a most effectual, it is also a refreshing and exemplnry relief for a plethora of the pocket, — a bleeding useful to the patient, and of essential service to those to whom prudence dictates the propriety of obtaining experience vicariously. Unlike most methods of spending money for mere amusement, there is virtue in excess, and merit ia due in direct ratio to the extent of outlay. The practitioner has little danger of injuring the constitui ion of his subject by repeated expfriment. Mother earth is a tough old lady, and stands dosing and cutting up with admirable fortitude. Indeed, the more she gets, the better she looks, being decidedly in favor of the allopathic mode of treatment, and despising all infinitesimal application. A gentleman farmer is usually understood, in this country, to mean one who possesses some capital in money, and very little, if any, in agricultural knowledge. He pays for his information as he gets it, and, if endowed with a moderate share of prudence, abstains from being lavish of his opin- ions before his practical hired laborers. When he assumes the direction of things, his orders have very much the appearance of a declaration of hos- tility against first principles, being often irreconcilable with each other, and somewhat at variance with the laws of nature. Like a newly made general at a militia muster, he is apt to get the rank and file into a hard knot without knowing by what earthly process he shall disentangle them, putting them as they were. He can sympathise with the sailor's embarrassment in ploughing, who managed tolerably well before the wind, but in going about missed stays, and involved the whole team in inextricable confusion. He fills his barn and corn-crib at an expense which may well entitle the con- tents of the latter to the graphic appellation of "golden grain." He talks learnedly of crops, and buys his vegetables ; has the most wonderful cows, and often wants milk ; is well supplied with newly invented churns, and is furnished with butter from a passing market wagon, although, occasionally, the product of his dairy enables him to exult over what seems to be a lump of wliite tallow. He is strong on poultry, mixing the ornamental with the useful, gives them crystal palaces with many curious devices to induce hens to become perpetual laying machines, and is lucky if he can eat a few of his own eggs at a dollar a piece, depending for his family supply on his poor neighbors, who can at any time sell him an apron-full hurriedly collected from old sheds and rickety haymows. He turns for relief to his fruit as a perennial source of consolation, there being at least one element of unadul- terated enjoyment, demanding care from no hand but that of nature. Her operatives are at work for him. The borer riddles his apple trees ; the cur- culio anticipates him in tasting his plums ; his peach orchard gives him a crop or two and then surrenders to the leaf-curl or the yellows and becomes poor fire-wood ; and after waiting for years for the rich harvest from his Address before the R. I. Horticultural Society. 511 dearly bought imported pear stocks, he finds dependent thereon a fe^r gnarled, wrinkled, warty excrescences, being apparently a cross from a stringy turnip and a third rate potato. The experiences of the tyro-horticulturist are not entirely exempt from similar degrees of perplexity sorely testing liis philosophy. There is a charm in the close shaved lawn, in the well kept flower ground, and hard rolled pathway. The shady trees and fragrant shrubbery, the murmuring bees, the silvery brook, and the Claude landscape, with its setting siin, are things which make the city visitor turn with abhorrence to his stifled home, jammed with its fellows, looking alike uncomfortable, among kindred nui- sances. He has not seen the means which bring about and preserve this beauty, and in delightful simplicity supposes that the whole is the result of a self-regulating machinery, that requires neither winding up nor repairing. The hoeings and scufiings, the prunings and weedings, the sweepings and rollings, and all the " hurry-skurry " of the morning, that the evening guest may find order and repose, are not fathomed by the plummet of his imagi- nation. He has rural longings which must be gratified, and, after much seeking, he finds the paradise that is to embody his visions of earthly bliss. Some lurking doubt of his own qualifications suggests the expediency of a practical assistant, and he most effectually debars himself from obtaining information by choosing for his prime minister an imported undeiling, who, fresh from the drudgery of some long descended establishment of the old world, feels authorized to transplant himself to the new, a full blown gar- dener. Under the dictation of the latter', our beginner commences opera- tions. He is told that every thing on the place is wrong ; that a radical reform is necessary ; and the mode of management practised on the Duke's estate, where his tormentor last bungled, is dinned into him, until he believes there can be no other model, and blmdly submits to his " manifest destiny." A fellow, who, in his own country, would not have been trusted to trim a goosfcberry bush, now slashes and saws in orchard and garden, as though he were still soaking in the humidity of his old home. The tree, which tliere moulds in eternal damp, gasping tor a ray of sunshine, is here merci- lessly laid open to the scorching sun of a New England summer, and to its winter's cold and storms. He knows nothing of climate beyond the fogs and drizzle of his native land. He, however, gains some knowledge in destroying, awakening gradually to the astounding fact that difference of position and circumstance requiies coiTCsponding management — a,nd his education is paid for by his employer. The latter finds that the promised beauties, which were to supersede the old arrangement, are slow in coming. The lawn of velvet, the pride of English gardening, is merely a patch of brown stubble; the hedge becomes lop heavy, presenting below a series of archways for the accommodation of such animals as have no objection to stooping. He sees that in the race between flowers and weeds, the latter glory in an exuberance which defies competition, while the former are behind time, b'ing "no where." He discovers that brooks perversely stop running in summer, when most wanted, that no skill in hydraulics can make a fountain play without water, and that tlie carefully constructed pond is 512 Address before the R. I. Horticultural Society. admirably adapted for depositing any thing that should be kept dry. Finally he begins 1o suspect that he himself is the most verdant thing on the place, and that for the purpose of carrying out the Duke's improvements it would be rather a convenience to have the Duke's income. How uncertain are hu-.ran expectations ! An advertisement proclaims that a valuable and highly finished estate is for sale, ihe red flag denotes the locality, and the auctioneer knocks it off at the cost of the additions, generously throwing in the original property. This picture is not intended to dishearten the aspirant for rural life; it is merely an endeavor to impress upon him the conviction, that in this, as in all other pursuits, it is not only necessary to be in earnest, but to take that interest which is not overcome by opposition and petty annoyances. It would be bad policy to keep those away who pioneer improvement, and aid a good cause even by their failure. In storming a fortress, it is poor generalship to discourage the forlorn hope. One more extract and we must close : — There is a custom, on the increase, in our country or suburban residences, to leave every tiling to others, and m humble but mistaken imitation of the supposed indifference in the lordly establishments of Europe, to glory in an ignorance in which there is no affectation, b'ut which sits naturally, and requires little effort to reveal itself. The means by which order and harmo- ny are created, are considered too menial for the etherealized respectability of the parlor, and even the results are disowned in public, as too trivial for direct acknowledgment. The periodical exhibitions of horticultural socie- ties, in presenting the products of the garden and greenhouse, indicate that the proprietor, in the day of battle, is either ashamed to head his own regiment, or is desirous to proclaim to the world that he can afford to do so by procuration. He is satisfied that his name appears in connection with, and secondary to, his gardener. It is an evidence of wealth and patronage, and his pride is gratified in the reflected lustre. The firm has the natural consequence of such associations, the sleeping partner taking what he ia permitted to receive, and the active manager usually monopolizing both the reputation and the profits. In this practical country, no man should be above any occupation. We are eminently a working people, and he who professes to follow what he will not take pains to understand, or treats as beneath his notice, had better give up the business. He has not been preordained for the calling, and should leave the field to more worthy laborers. There are vexations and hindrances in all pursuits. If "the course of true love never did run smooth," neither did the course of any thing else, under the sun, that was worth running. The instrumentalities which work out results, either of beauty or utility, must be grasped boldly and cheerfully. The effect will come in its good time, but the longing for it should not disturb the operations which influence it. Nor should they repel, because there may seem to be no affinity between tlie wearisome and homely details, and the perfection which they produce. The beautiful fabrications of the loom, born amidst General Notices. 613 the incessant clatter of stunning machinery, assume very doleful appear- ances in the steaming room and dyeing tub, before their rare combination of colors is offered on the counter. Every article of taste has gone through an ordeal, which to fastidious nerves would not seem conducive to elegance. There must be much drenching of water, much burning of tobacco, and sprinkling of sulphur, many a fight with mildew and red spider, that the- dainty step may thread its way among the healthy growth of blooming." exotics, and taper fingers pluck fruit and flower from vine and plant, whose congenial home is in the luxuriance and under the glowing sun of" the tropics. There is a most expressive word, but of such doubtful gentility, that dictionaries cannot mention it without adding (low) in parenthesis. This much used word, often unjustly insulted with the epithet of vulgar, is — Humbug. It is of extraordinary quality ; the mighty symbol of every party ; a shibboleth, which all worship though none acknowledge. If it is not blazoned in golden letters, as the presiding genius of popular assem- blies, still it is present, hovering over chairman,and speaker, and spreading its magical charm through the thickest array of political resolutions.. Though not admissible in the highest flights of oratory, or the more refined displays of conversation, yet it is often there, reigning supreme. It enters the abodes of private life, and becomes the fireside deity where fashion sits exultant in her elevation, and the humble imitator is beggared in the des- perate effort to attain it. In truth, it is everywhere ; strange as it may. seem in an age of common sense, and in a country of utilitarian usages. Ridicule will often effect more than the strongest appeals- to reason or common sense, and we trust his hit at the custom he alludes to will have some effect in rendering it " more honored in the breach than the observance." MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. Art. I. General JVotices. Salvia Gesneriflora. — The fine long spikes of brilliant scarlet Ges- nera-like flowers which this Sage produces from every properly ripened shoot render it very striking, especially during the winter and spring months. It may be easily grown to a large size in one season ; and I doubt whether we possess a plant requiring so little skill for its successful cultivation that is equally beautiful. It is not, however, very generally met with, which may possibly be attributed to the fact that it requires to be grown to the desired size, and wintered in that state to have it bloom in anything like perfection ; if this is a fault, however, it is one which pertains to the majority of our most esteemed greenhouse plants. VOL. XVIII. NO. XI. 65 514 General Notices. Stunted bits of the young wood are more suitable for cuttings than healthy fast growing pieces, as the former root more certainly, and form closer jointed specimens tlian the latter, and generally flower more freely. Plant them in light sandy soil, cover with a bell glass, and place them in a gentle bottom-heat, where in a few weeks they will be ready for potting off- Place them in a shady close frame after potting, until they have become well established ; and stop the principal shoots in order to induce a bushy habit of growth. A situation near the glass where they can be protected from frost and damp will suit during winter. Where it is desired to have large specimens in 15-inch pots, the plants should be in 7-inch pots, and well established before winter ; and should be placed in a close frame, with a moist growing temperature from 40'^ to 50° early in spring; but if moderate-sized plants only are required, the warmest end of the greenhouse will advance them sufficiently fast. Keep them well supplied with pot-room, and persevere in stopping and pegging out the shoots. They should be ready for shifting into their flowering pots in June, and when established in these they will be benefited by being placed in an airy situation out of doors, where they will be freely exposed to the sun's rays. This will greatly assist in securing short jointed thoroughly-ripened wood, which will flower more satisfactorily in spring than if the last growth were made under glass in a moist atmosphere, where it would be improp- erly matured. Manure-water in a clear state may be given two or three times a week during the growing season with advantage ; but this should be discontinued when the object is to ripen the wood. Some attention will be requisite to secure handsomely-formed specimens ; the shoots should be pegged out in spring, and stopped, with a view to induce them to make a compact growth. They must not be stopped later than July, otherwise the flower spikes will be small, and the plants will not present the splendid ap- pearance which they do when properly prepared. A cool, light situation, free from frost, with a very sparing supply of water, merely enough to keep the plants from flagging, and a free circulation of air on mild days during winter, will check all tendency to growth, and suit better than kinder treat- ment at this season. After Christmas the plants will be easily induced to bloom, by being placed in a temperature of about 50^, and liberally supplied with water at the root; or they may be placed in the closest.part of the greenhouse, where they will come into flower in March, and will form brilliant objects for some six weeks. While in flower, water with manure-water, and admit air freely on mild days, and sufiicient at all times to prevent injury from damp. When the beauty of the plants is over, they may be closely cut back, and placed in a cool part of the house, until they can be set out of doors, and, with a liberal supply of manure-water and a moderate shift, they will form useful specimens for blooming next season ; but young plants are generally preferable, and if there is a stock of these, the old ones may be thrown to the rubbish heap. A strong rich soil suits this Salvia well, such as one-half mellow fibry loam, one-fourth rotted leaves, and one-fourth thoroughly decayed cow- General Notices. 615 dung ; but it is not very particular in this respect, and will grow in any rich porous soil. If dung is used, pass it through a quarter-inch mesh sieve, and mix it with its own bulk of sand ; and before adding to it the compost, rub it through the hands, when the sand will destroy any small Avorms that may have passed through the sieve. — {Gard. Chron-, 1853, p. .548.) Jai'an Lilies. — The dilFerent varieties of Lilium lancifolium, which are now nearly everywhere in full bloom, must certainly be classed amongst the most ornamental of autumn-flowering plants, and they are so easily managed, that almost anybody can grow them. The only accommodation they require is a greenhouse or cold frame, where their early growth can be protected from nipping frosts, and cold cutting winds in spring, and security from rain and damp while in flower. Persons commencing their culture should procure bulbs from the middle of November to January, at which season they are dormant, and not liable to receive injury from travelling. If they arrive in pots in which they have made their season's growth, they should be shaken out, the decayed roots removed, and they should be re-potted in fresh soil. The size of pot to be used, and the number of bulbs to be placed in each, must depend upon the size of specimen desired. The pots at this shift need not be larger than may be required to permit the bulbs to stand about two inches apart; these will occupy less space than if the bulbs were put at once ixito the pot in which they are to flower, and it will be easy to re-pot before the roots become matted, or the plants sustain injury, for want of pot room. Set them in a cool airy situation, and give them very little water until the crowns appear above the soil. If they are wanted to flower in succession, now is the time to provide for that, and with sufficient stock it is easy to have a constant supply of blossom from the middle of July till late in October. To effect this, place a portion of the plants in the closest end of the greenhouse, or where the temperature may average about 4.5^ in February, or early in March, and give them a moderate supply of water. A second lot may be similarly treated in April, and a third kept as cool and dry as possible, with a view to retard their growth ; and they should be placed in a sunny situation out of doors as soon as the weather becomes mild and settled. To have the first lot in flower in July, they will proba- bly require to be kept under glass, and to be treated rather close after the flower buds are formed, but this will greatly depend upon circumstances, and will be best learned by a season's practice. When the bulbs com- mence growing the pots should be placed near the glass, and plenty of air admitted to secure dwarf stocky growth — for it is important to have the leaves thickly set on the base of the stem, because, from the axils of these, small bulbs will be produced, if a portion of the stem is covered with soil at the final potting. The roots will have made some progress before the bulbs start into growth ; and as these when allowed to become matted in small pots never start vigorously into fresh soil, the plants should be shifted into their flowering pots before the stems are more than a foot high. If the bulbs were merely covered with soil at the first potting, they should be placed afterwards three inches deeper in their pots, which serves two pur- poses, viz., the encouraging the emission of roots from tlie base of tlie stems. 516 General Notices. and the formation of small bulbs at the axils of the leaves covered with soil, A certain means of increase will thus be provided, and the stem roots, upon wliich the plants in their advanced state mainly depend for support, will be encouraged. The proper size of pot will depend upon the number and strength of the bulbs ; three full grown healthy bulbs will require 15-inch pots, and one strong bulb, for its healthy development, will want a 12-inch pot. Water cautiously after shifting till the roots have laid hold of the fresh soil, but when the pots are moderately filled with fibres a liberal sup- ply will be required, and manure- water may be given twice or thrice a week with advantage. All the plants except those desired to bloom early may be placed in a warm sheltered situation out of doors towards the end of May, .and these should be carefully tied to stakes, to prevent any accident from wind or other causes. While in flower a situation slightly shaded from the forenoon sun, with an airy rather dry atmosphere, should be provided, as the flowers are very liable to become discolored if exposed to rain or damp, and soon fade. When the beauty of the plants is over remove them to a rather warm dry situation, and give very little more water to the soil. A place against a south wall, where they will be exposed to the sun and protected from rain, will answer for plants ripening early, but those that flower late had better be kept under glass, as it will hardly be possible to get the bulbs properly matured otherwise, and unless this is effected they»will neither grow nor flower in full vigor next season. Before storing them for the winter, it will be advisable to shake the soil from the bulbs and re-pot them in smaller pots, but defer this until the roots are mostly decayed. The small offsets may be potted half-a-dozen together in 5-inch pots, as, if left in the specimen pots, they are liable to be overgrown and injured by their stronger neighbors. Turfy sandy loam and peat in about equal proportions, with a liberal sprinkling of sharp sand, will suit perfectly, although it is asserted by some growers that the flowers are higher colored when the plants are grown in peat alone. — [Gard. C/iron., 1852, p. 551.) Evil Effects of over-crowding Plants, during Winter. — Among^ the more formidable difficulties which a gardener has to contend against, and which he is moreover expected to surmount, is that of accommodating, in winter especially, a large number of plants in a limited amount of space. To this perplexity not only those who conduct minor establishments are subjected, but the evil is equally apparent in the majority of gardens throughout the country. Now, although it is well known that if plants have been thoroughly prepared during the summer season, they possess wonderful powers of endurance when submitted to the storing process in tlie winter — and it is often amusing to Avitness the various expedients adopted to economise the space in structures devoted to their reception — it is equally certain that the indiscriminate crowding of plants we so often meet with is at once a source of annoyance and disappointment, both to the gardener and his employer. We have often been surprised at witnessing at the various exhibitions such fine examples of plant growing, produced, as we know, under many and weighty disadvantages, not the least of which is the want of a proper General Notices. 517 degree of space in the structures in which they are grown. And it is not to discourage any attempt at economy that we now express our opinions on the subject, but because where it is carried to excess, as it often is, the effects are at once inimical to all parties concerned — the labors of the gardener are doubled, the result he arrives at unsatisfactory, and the proprietor receives a less amount of gratification from his plants than he otherwise might. There can, we think, be no doubt that the cause of this overcrowding system arises in most cases from the attempt to do too much — in the wish to grow five hundred plants where the accommodation is in reality only sufficient for one hundred. Nor is this all. The kinds of plants are so diversified, that, independently of their being spoilt for want of proper room for development, the circumstances under which they exist are, though perhaps favorable to a few, directly opposed to the many. It is no uncommon circumstance to find representatives of every oppositely constituted plant jumbled indiscriminately together into one small " green- house," constituting a very olla podrida of vegetation — muUum in parvo with a vengeance. The results are easily arrived at from induction, even if tliey were not so physically apparent. In pliysical as in mental attain- ments, he that would accomplish too much generally attains nothing, while the direct application of tlie necessary means to a definite purpose always leads success in its train. But these remarks are the more especially intended to apply to the winter storing of plants, and the present season is an appropriate one for intro- ducing them. In all establishments there are amongst the migratory por- tion, i. e., such as are periodically removed from the greenhouses to the open air in summer, and vice versa in the autumn, a goodly portion of antique specimens of no beauty and possessing no degree of interest. They are year after year suffered to occupy time and space, to the material detriment of others having claims for all the care that can be bestowed upon them, and of which they are more than worthy. We know of many gardens where huge plants — of kinds long since justly discarded from all modern collections — are allowed seriously to encroach upon the space available for storing plants in winter, simply on the plea — " We have had them so long." Now, we have no desire to discard old friends, far from it ; between that and the case for which we are arguing there is no analogy. And as one mode of making the most of limited space available for plants in winter, we say — immediately discard all useless or uninteresting specimens. Yet, independently of thus encroaching on space, we have scarcely found an exception — especially among amateurs or gentlemen possessing small places in the vicinity of towns — where the overcrowding system is carried to its utmost verge, frustrating all hopes of obtaining really credita- ble plants, except perhaps for a few favored kinds, which are allowed to occupy the best situations. Such collections are, for the most part, subject to all the ill effects of damp and its attendants, mildew and rottenness. The free circulation of air becomes impossible ; weakness and etiolation are sure to result. Half-ripened shoots have no chance of elaborating and concen- trating their fluids ; flowers are scanty or ill-formed as an inevitable conse- 518 Horticultural Societies. quence. And from these circumstances arise the oft -repeated complaint — "The winter has played sad havoc among my plants ; not the frost, but the damp. Even the tops of the geraniums Avent black from the effects of it, and many of them have rotten patches in the leaves. The want of sun has done the mischief." We are all apt to attribute mishaps to causes out of the pale of our own control, and to comfort ourselves with the assurance that we have no share in the disasters. But there can be no doubt that the injuries that plants receive in winter from the effects of damp and the want of air arises from circumstances immediately under the cultivator's control, and evil of over- crowding is among the number. — [Gard. Joiinu, 1859, p. 642.) Art. II. Horiicultural Societies. Hartford County Horticultural Society. — Dear Sir: On Friday evening, October 1st, the Hartford County Horticultural Society closed its exhibitions for the season, by an exhibition and festival at Oilman's saloon. It was open only to members and their families, but the well filled hall testified to the interest that is felt in Horticulture in this place. Two tables, extending nearly the whole length of the room, were loaded with the choicest specimens of fruit, and were handsomely decorated with flow- ers. At the west end was a table with refreshments, consisting of pears, peaches, plums, grapes, cake, ice cream, &c., amply sufficient for the Avhole company, and all were well satisfied. Addresses were made by Mr. Wm. W. Turner, the President, Messrs. Alfred Smith, Erastus Smith, and John M. Niles. A glee club added much to the entertainment of the evening. The Avhole affair passed off admirably, and very much to the satisfaction of all who were present. Our Society has been in existence but four years. We have held exhi- bitions on every Saturday afternoon, during the season of fruit, which have been well attended, and have, we think, excited in the public an increased love for Horticulture. The material in this region is abundant, and there is every encouragement for future operations. As a part of the Horticultural news of the day, I send you the above. — Yours, &c., G. W. R. Buffalo Horticultural Society. — July 20ih. The President in the chair. Exhibited by Warren Granger, cherries, Bigarreau. By Dr. S. Manley and Brother, cherries, Bigarreau, Napoleon Bigarreau, Late Duke, Florence ; raspberries, Fastolf, Red Antwerp, Franconia. Charles Taintor, cherries, Bigarreau, Napoleon Bigarreau, White Bigarreau, Black Tartarian, Elton, Davenport's Early, American Amber, Black Heart, Tradescant's Black Heart, Belle de Choisy ; currants, Red Dutch, White Dutch, Common Eed. Mason & Levering, cherries, Bigarreau, Plumstone Morello, Black Horticultural Societies. 519 Mazzard ; currants, Champagne ; raspberries, Red Antwerp ; beans. Early China, Early Longpod ; Petunias, 19 var.. Double Hollyhocks, 8 van, Seedling Verbena, 2 bouquets of greenhouse flowers. J. C. Warriner, currants. White Dutch. Miss Louisa A. Pratt, gooseberries. Lewis Eaton, cherries, Bigarreau, White Bigarreau, Napoleon Bigarreau, Bigarrcau de Lyon, Black Tartarean, Black Eagle, Black Heart, Mayduke, Reine Hortense, Late Duke, Elton, Downer's Late, American Amber, English Gaskin, Tradescant's Black Heart, White Waterloo, 3 nameless var. ; currants. White Dutch, Red Dutch, May's Victoria ; beans, Early Six Weeks. Farnum & Wilcox, raspberries. Red Antwerp, W. R. Cop- pock, cherries, Bigarreau, White Bigarreau, Napoleon Bigarreau, Trades- cant's Black Heart, White Waterloo, Elton, Black Tartarian, Sparhawk'a Honey, Black Heart; gooseberries, Crown Bob, Roaring Lion, White- smith. Mrs. L. Eaton, roses, Baltimore Belle, Queen of the Prairies, Her- mosa, Augustine Mouchelet, Perpetual Pink ; Double Hollyhocks, 7 var. ; carnations, 8 var. The Fruit Committee reported the following prizes for fruit, shown at the last meeting : — For the best 3 var. of strawberries, Hovey's Seedling, Boston Pine, and Large Early Scarlet, to W. R. Coppock, $2, For the best 1 var. Burr's New Pine, to W. R. Coppock, $\. The following prizes were awarded at this meeting: — For the best 3 var. of cherries, for Bigarreau, Black Tartarian, and Elton, to Charles Taintor, $9. For the best 1 var., for Bigarreau, to Charles Taintor, $\. For the best 3 var. raspberries, Fastolff, Red Antwerp, and Franconia, to D. S. Manley & Brother, $2. For the best 1 var. Red Antwerp, to Farnum & Wilcox, $\. For the best 1 var. currants. White Dutch, J. C. Warriner, $\. For the best 3 var. currants, White Dutch, Red Dutch, and May's Vic- toria, to L. Eaton, $L - For the best 1 var. gooseberries, to Miss Louisa A. Pratt, $\. For the best 6 var. Double Hollyhocks, to Mason & Levering, $\. For the best 6 var. carnations, to Mrs. L. Eaton, $L For the best 19 var. petunias, to Mason & Levering, $1. For the best 2 quarts beans, to L. Eaton, $1. Adjourned. August 3d. — The President in the chair. Exhibited by Mason & Levering, verbenas, 13 var., and onions. Warren Granger, onions. L. Eaton, cherries. Archduke, Late Duke, Royal Duke, Morello, Black Tartarian, Napoleon Bigarreau, Tradescant's Black Heart, Belle Magnifique ; Flemish currants, May's Victoria ; corn, Early Sioux ; onions. A. Bryant & Son, currants, Dutch, White Dutch, Champagne, Black Naples, Black English. Mrs. L. Eaton, roses, Reine de St. Cyr, La. Gracieuse ; verbenas, 2 var. The f(3llowing prizes were awarded : — For the best 12 var. verbenas, to Mason & Lovering, $1. 520 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. For the best 12 ears corn, to Lewis Eaton, $\, For the best 12 onions, to Warren Granger, ^1. Adjourned. August 17th. — Vice-President Granger in the chair. Exhibited by Lewis Eaton, cherries, Belle Magnifique, Arch Duke, Late Duke ; pears, Muscat Robert, Rousselet Hative ; sweet corn. D. S. Manley & Brother, pears. Jargonelle, Rostiezer, Dearborn's Seedling, Blood- good (?), (all unripe) ; apples, Yellow Harvest, Large Early Bough, Golden Sweeting, Duchess of Oldenburgh ; phloxes, 6 var. ; Double Balsams, 6 var. Mrs. L. Eaton, Double Balsams, 6 var. Mason & Lovering, Gladiolus, 2 var. ; Double Balsams, 6 var. The following prizes were awarded : — For the best 1 var. Summer pears, Muscat Robert, L. Eaton, $2. For the best 6 var. phloxes, to Manley & Brother, $1. For the best 6 var. Double Balsams, Mason & Lovermg, $1. For tlae best 12 ears sweet corn, L. Eaton, $1. After appointing a Committee of Arrangements for the Annual Exhibition, Delegates were appointed to represent the Society at the Annual Exhibitions of the New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania Horticultural Societies, the New York, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Canada Agricultural Socie- ties, and the American Pomological Congress, and the President was era- powered to appoint additional Delegates, if required; after which the Society adjourned. — Jno. B. Eaton, Recording Secretary. Art. in. Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Friday, September 23d. — The premiums for dahlias took place to-day, by agreement of the Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, and prin- cipal exhibitors, at the tent in the public garden. Owing to the quantity of flowers which had been cut for the general show, the display v/as not so large as usual, but the specimens were many of them unusually fine. The principal exhibitors were J. Breck & Son, P. Barnes, Hovey & Co., J. Nu- gent, and J. Hyde & Son. Messrs. Hovey & Co.'s stand for the premier prize contained some superb specimens of the newest varieties, but in con- sequence of two or three blooms showing an eye, the prize was not award- ed. The following is the list of the awards : — PREMIUMS AWARDED FOR DAHLIAS. Specimen Bloom. — For the best, to J. Hyde & Son, for Mr. Seldon, $3. Various Colors. — Best Yellow, to J. Nugent, for Cleopatra, $1. Best White, to J. Nugent, for Mont Blanc, $\. Best Dark, to Hovey & Co., for Admiral Stopford, $1. Best Striped, to J. Hyde & Son, for Ansell's Unique, $1. Best Scarlet, to J. Nugent, for Latour d'Auvergne, $1. Twenty-Four Dissimilar Blooms. — For the best, to Hovey & Co., Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 521 $7 ; for Florence Dombey, Marchioness of Cornwallis, Gaiety, Pico- tee, Mont Blanc, Elizabeth, Charles Perry, Mimosa, Admiral, Lady Cooper, Constantia, Miss Hansard, Queen of the French, Sunbeam, Gem, Yellow Standard, Mrs. Shaw Lefever, Miss Crompton, La Ro- siere. Discount, Victoria Regina, Golden Souvenir, El Dorado, and Marquis of Aylesbury. Eighteen Dissimilar Blooms. — For the best, to James Nugent, #6; for Cleopatra, Miss Vyse, Great Mogul, Mont Blanc, La Polka, Fire King, Ansell's Unique, Mr. Seldon, Marchioness of Cornwallis, Latour d'Auvergne, Picotee, Sir Frederick Johnson, Constantia, El Dorado, Lady Cooper, Lady Sale, Caleb Cope, and Duke of Cambridge. For the second best, to Parker Barnes, $4 ; for Mr. Seldon, Mont Blanc, Antagonist, Faime, Champion, Miss Vyse, Joshua Longstreth, Pau- line, Marchioness of Cornwallis, Lady of the Lake, Admiral, Duke of Cambridge, Queen of the East, Beauty of Hastings, Arethusa, King of the West, Madame Zahler, and Princess Radzville. Twelve Dissimilar Blooms. — For the best, to James Nugent, $5; for Picotee, Constantia, Mr. Seldon, Miss Vyse, Cleopatra, Mont Blanc, Great Mogul, Fire King, Caleb Cope, Latour d'Auvergne, La Polka, and Sir F. Johnson. For the second best, to Parker Barnes, $3 ; for Arethusa, Miss Vyse, Mr. Seldon, Marchioness of Cornwallis, Admiral, Madame Zahler, Gradis, Mt. Blanc, Constantia, Buifalo Girl, Beauty of Hastings, and Champion. Saturday, ^5th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the President in the chair. No business of importance was transacted, and the meeting dissolved. October 1. — The Annual Meeting of the Society for the choice of officers, was held to-day, — the President in the chair. The polls remained open half an hour, after which the following officers were declared elected : — President — Joseph S. Cabot. Vice Presidents — Benj. V. French, Cheever Newhall, Edward M. Rich- ards, Josiah Stickney. Treasurer — William R. Austin, Corresponding Secretary — Eben. Wight. Recording Secretai-y — W. C. Strong. Professor of Botany and Vegetable Physiology — John Lewis Russell. Professor of Entomology — T. W. Harris. Professor of Horticultural Chemistry — E. N. Horsford. STANDING COMMITTEES. On Fruits — E. Wight, Chairman ; J. Lovett, C. M. Hovey. W. R. Austin, F. L. Winship, W. C. Strong, Joseph Breck. On Flowers — J. Breck, Chairman ; A. McLellan, E. A. Story, T. Page, A. Bowditch, G. Evarts, F. Burr. On Vegetables — H. Bradlee, Chairman ; D. T. Curtis, A. C. Bowditch, G. E. White, A. W. Stetson. VOL. XVIII. NO. XI. 66 522 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. On Library— C. M. Hovey, Chairman ; II. W. Dutton, W. R. King, A. R. Pope, R. M. Copeland. Oil Syjionyms of Fruit — M. P. Wilder, Chairman ; P. B. Hovey, R. Manning, S. Walker, E. Wight. Executive Connniifee — J. S. Cabot, Chairman ; W. R. Austin, M. P. Wilder, S. Walker, P. B. Hovey. For estahlishing Premiums — E. Wight, Chairman; J. Breck, H. Bradlee, Jos. Lovett, P. B. Hovey. On Finance — M. P. Wilder, Chairman ; J. Stickney, O. Johnson. Of Puhlication — E. Wight, (Chairman; J. Lovett, Jos. Breck, H. Bradlee, C. M. Hovey, W. C. Strong, F. L. Winship. On Gardens — J. S. Cabot, Chairman ; E. Wight, J. Lovett, S. Walker, J. F. Allen. Exhibited. — Flowers : From J. Breck & Son, fine dahlias. From J. Nugent, fine display of dahlias, cut flowers, and two bouquets. From Miss Russell, a basket of flowers. From P. Barnes, fine pansies, dahlias, and a variety of cut flowers. Fruits: From A.D.Webber, melons — Beechwood. From G. Walsh, grapes — Isabella and Chasselas ; pears — Bartlett, St^ Ghisiain. From J. Hyde &. Son, pears — Collins (new.) From B. Harrington, apples — Porter, Bell- flower, Ramshorn, Fall Sweet ; peaches — Crawford's Late. From Hovey & Co., grapes — Clinton and Diana ; pears — Belle Lucrative, Sevan's Orange, Bonne des Zees, Henkel, Doyenne Boussock. From Mrs. F. B. Durfee, grapes — 3 var., very fine. From J. Cass, (Boston,) grapes — Isabella. From M. P. Wilder, pears — Walker, Paradise d'Automne, Doyenne Boussock, Triomphe de Jodoigne, Adele St. Denis, Bordenave, (Smith's.) From A. W. Stetson, pears — Bcurrfe Diel, very fine. From R. M. Copeland, grapes — Black Hamburgh, open culture, fine, Isabella. From K. Bailey, grapes — Isabella, fine, Sweetwater. From W. C. Strong, grapes — White Gascoigne, Black Frontignan, White do., Black Hamburgh, W^hite Chasselas, St. Peters, Muscat of Alexandria, Damascus. From A. Lackey, Marblehead — pears, St. Ghisiain, grown on English Thorn, very fine, Henry IV, Brown Beurrc (?); plums— Reine de Claude Bavay. From A. Bowditch, peaches — Heath ; pears — Louise Bonne of Jersey, Seckel. From L. J. Bradish, pears — Seckel. From F. Dana, pears — Rousselet de Rheims. From E. W. Bull, Concord, grapes — Seedling. From H. Vandine, plums — Roe's Autumn Gage, Coe's Golden Drop, Lombard ; pears — Summer Franc Real, Buflfum, Bartlett, St. Ghisiain, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Flemish Beauty, Marie Louise; quinces — Apple. From J. S. Sleeper, peaches — Heath, Crawford's Late. From P. W. Pierce, pears — Napoleon, Long Green of Autumn, 2 for a name. From J. Stickney, pears — Urbaniste, Flemish Beauty, Louise Bonne of Jersey; apples — Gravenstein. From J. Richardson, Jr., Greenfield, pears — Bartlett, Duchesse, Louise Bonne of Jersey, St. Michael ; apples — Porter, Red and Green Sweet. From J. Hovey, English walnuts. From J. F. Allen, pears — Seckel; grapes — Black Prince, Golden Chasselas, Black Hamburgh; fig — Black Brunswick. From F. Tudor, Nahant, aj Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 523 Minister, Plubbardston Nonsuch ; pears — Beurr6 Eosc, Brown Beurr6, Wilmington Baking, Columbia, Glout Morcoau, Eastor Beiirn', Wilkinson, St. Germain, Duchcsse, Bcurre Diel, Passe Colmar, Urbaniste, Beurr6 d'Angletcrre, Beurr6 Montigeron, Bezi de la IMotte, St. iVIichael, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Swan's Orange, Napoleon, F. de Wirtemberg. The Committee cannot f\iil to award praise for the exhibition of this day, it being one of the finest ever placed upon the tables of the Society. The Society can but feel indebted to Mr. Tudor for his superior display of Fruits, so finely grown and well colored, and in all respects one of the handsomest exhibitions ever offered by any amateur. Fruits festtd. — From Hovey & Co., pears — Beurn'; Sterkman, fine, Bonne des Zees, very fine, Jersey Gratioli, very fine, Styrian,Capsheaf, Bcurr^ Montigeron, Oswego Beurre, Beurre Merod, excellent, Adams, superior, Sheldon, superior, Rousselet de Mecster, fine, Swan's Orange ; grapes — Diana, very fine. From M. P. Wilder, pears — Lallerard, Beurri^ Sterkman, fine. From J. Hyde & Son, pears — Collins, excellent. From E. W. Bull, Concord, grapes — Seedling, excellent. October 9. Exhibited. — Flowers : From Ilovey & Co., J. Breck & Son, and L. Davenport, superb dahlias. From J. Nugent, fine dahlias, cut flow- ers, and two bouquets. From T. Page, three bouquets. From W. Ken- rick, a basket of flowers, dahlias, &.c. From P. Barnes, fine dahlias and cut flowers. From K. Bailey, dahlias and other cut flowers. From C. Copeland, fine dahlias and a great variety of beautiful roses. From F. Cunningham, a specimen of Phaseolus caracalla, or Snail Flow- er, curious and beautiful. The display of dahlias was the best of the season, there being many beautiful and perfect specimens from most of the exhibitors. As there was but part of the money devoted to dahlias awarded at the Annual Exhibition, the Committee appropriated the balance in gratuities to the following' competitors : AWARD OF PREMIDMS AND GRATUITIES. Dahlias. — To James Nugent, for the best 12 flowers, $5. To Hovey & Co., second best, .$4. To Parker Barnes, third best, $3. To Lewis Davenport, fourth best, $2. To Charles Copeland, fifth best, $\. Gratuity. — To C. Copeland, for a fine display of roses, $2. Fruits : From J. W. Foster, plums — Reine Claude de Bavay; quinces — Portugal ; peaches — Blood. From P. Barnes, peaches from the Double Flowering peach; plums from St. John, N. B. From A. W. Stetson, grapes — Sweetwater, Black Hamburgh ; pears — Beurrii Diel. From A.W. Haven, Portsmouth, pears — Flemish Beauty, very fine. From J. A. Stet- son, Quincy, apples, for a name, grown on Paradise stock ; pears — Buffum, very fine, Stevens's Genesee, Payency ; apples, for a name. From B. Har- rington, peaches — Crawford's Late ; apples — Porter, Ramshorn, River, Bell- flower, Fall Sweet, Baldwin. From L. J. Bradish, Jamaica Plain, pears — 524 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Urbaniste, superior. From J. W. Newhall, Saiigus, one apple, weighing 21 i oz. From A. Holbrook, West Roxbury, apples — Hubbardston Nonsuch, very fine. From J. Roberts, Chelsea, pears — Van Mons Leon le Clerc, very fine. FroA B. Hedge, Plymouth, pears — 3 dishes Seckel, of superior quality. From Hovey & Co., pears — Bonne de Zees, Beurre Sterkman, Doyenn6 BousEock. From G. Wash, pears ; apple, for a name. From J. Dane, pears — Beurr6 Diel, Seckel, Van Mons Leon le Clerc. From J. Eldridge, quinces — Orange, superior. From O. Johnson, apples — Seedling. From R. M. Copeland, peaches — Seedling. From J. S. Sleeper, pears — BufFum, extra, superior. From Josiah Coolidge, pears — Louise Bonne of Jersey. From E, Brown, pears — Roi de Wurtemberg. From H. Vandine, pears — Flemish Beauty, Seckel, Marie Louise, BufFum, Dix, Napoleon, Andrews. From C. E. Grant, pea "s, for a name ; grapes — Isabella, very fine ; quinces — Orange, superior, and finely ripened. From J. Cass, grapes — Isabella, fine. From E. H. Hitchings, grapes — Diana, Chasselas. From Diana Crehore, grapes — Diana, very fine. From J. P. Preston, grapes — Black Hamburgh, open culture. From S. Downer, Jr., pears — Heathcot, Calebasse Bosc, Urbaniste, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Gansell's Bergamot, Flemish Beauty, Napoleon, Roi de Wurtemberg ; also, Fameuse apples. From J. Nugent, grapes — Black Hamburgh, Chasselas. From M. S. Cole, apples — Mother, Red Russet. From J. F. Allen, pears — Ropes, Seckel, Urbaniste ; grapes — Golden Chasselas, Poiteau Noir ; nectarines — Golden. From F. Cleaves, plums — Golden Drop, superior ; pears — Beurr6 Bosc, Marie Louise, Para- dise of Automne, Urbaniste. From K. Bailey, Charlestown, grapes — Isa- bella, very fine. From J. L. Jones, Chelsea, pears — Louise Bonne of Jer- sey, Easter Beurre, superior, Duchesse. From G. H. Haseltine, grapes — Black Hamburgh, very fine, White Nice, Constantia. From E. Wight, apples — Gloria Mundi ; pears, Beurre Diel. Fruits tested. — From J. A. Stetson, Payency pears, good. From Hovey & Co., pears, viz., Vesouziere, very good ; Grand Soliel, fine ; Dunmore, fine ; Adele de St. Denis, superior ; Poire d'Albret, fine ; Beurr6 Sterkman, very fine. From Mrs. Crehore, Diana grapes, fine. From C. E. Grant, Isabella grapes, excellent. October 16th. — Exhibited. Flowers : From Dennis Murray, gardener, a beautiful collection of dried Ferns ; the specimens were finely preserved. Of Ferns, 25 species ; Lycopodium, 7 species ; 4 new Mosses, and 2 new species of Medicago. From Joseph Breck & Son, a fine display of Dahlias, filling one of the round stands. From B. V. French, fine Dahlias, An- tirrhinums, Asters, and other cut flowers. From James Nugent, fine Dah- lias, and two bouquets. From Parker Barnes, Dahlias and other cut flow- ers. From Wm. Kenrick, by Miss Russell, a basket of flowers. Fruits : From J. A. Stetson, White Doyenn^, Beurr6 of Anjou, both superior, and Brown Beurre pears. From B. Harrington, Ramshorn apples, and White Doyenne pears. From A. W. Stetson, very fine Beurr6 Diel Obituary. 525 pears. From H. Dutch, pears from the Eastham tree, 200 years old. From J. N. Ban<;r, 3 var. of pears. From D. D. Leeds, very fine Orange quinces. From W. 11. Blodgett, very fine Orange quinces. From F. Dana, 3 var. of pears, fine. Pears without name, from II. Hills. From Geo. Walsh, 4 var. of pears. From Hovey & Co., Beurre Bosc, White Doyenn^, Vesouziere, St. Mi- chael Archangel, Van Mons Leon le Clerc, Swan's Orange, (superior,) Louise Bonne of Jersey, Urbaniste, Beurre Diel, (fine,) and Duchess of Angouleme. From G. Prichard, 3 var. grapes, fine. From J. J. Dixwell, very fine Le Cur^, Winter Nelis, and Delices d'Hardenpont pears. From A. W. Haven, a superior collection of pears, 10 varieties, including very fine Beurru Diel. From J. Richardson, superior Duchess of Angouleme, and Louise Bonne of Jersey. From Jos. Lovett, Paradise of Autumn, and Gansell's Bergamot. From Messrs'. Ilite & Carr, Portsmouth, superior Duchess of Angouleme. From R. Crooker, a superior collection of pears, 13 varieties. From W. Bacon, 7 var. of pears, and Late Crawford peaches. From O. Pierce, Lowell, one Duchess of Angouleme pear, weighing 24 ounces. From E. H. Hitchings, Diana grapes, very fine. From J. Cass, fine Isabella grapes. From C. E. Grant, superior Isabella and fine Catawba grapes. From W. C. Strong, 12 var. of grapes, fine. From J. Owen, Seedling Damson plum. From S. Downer, Jr., 8 var. of pears. From H. Vandine, 8 var. of pears. From Sam. Phipps, 23 var. of pears, and 2 of apples. From Thos. Hill, very fine quinces. Fruits tested. — From Hovey & Co., Swan's Orange, superior, sustaining its high reputation ; St. Michael Archangel, fine ; Oswego Beurre, fine. From W. C. Strong, various samples of grapes. Art. IV. Obituary. Death of Prof. J. P. Nortox. — Scarcely had our notice of the death of Mr. Downing reached the eyes of our readers, before we had to mourn the loss of another, no less prominent as an Agricultural and Horticultural writer. Professor Norton, of Yale College, who died aged only 30. Mr. Norton was one of the most thorough agricultural chemists in the country. He went abroad in 1841, and enjoyed the intimacy of Professor Johnston, in whose laboratory he pursued his studies under his direction. In the fall of 1845 he travelled on the Continent, and visited most of the celebrated laboratories there. On his return home he was made Professor at Yale College, but wishing to perfect himself as a chemist, he again visit- ed Europe in 184G, and studied with Professor Mulder, at Utrecht, return- ing in 1847, when he assumed his duties at Yale, which he continued up to his death. Mr. Norton was the author of a Treatise on Scientific Agriculture, which was written as a prize essay, for the New York State Agricultural So- 526 Horticultural Operations for November. ciety. He also wrote an Appendix, and added Notes to a new edition of Stephens's Book of the Farm, which we reviewed in our last volume. Be- sides tins he Avas a constant contributor to the Cultivator, and his articles were the chief attractions of that paper. His loss will be severely felt by the agricultural community, and the scientific world generally. He was a zealous friend of agricultural im- provement, and all his efforts were directed to the advancement of an art, the most important, as it is the most universal, of all others. HORTICULTURAL OPERATIONS FOR NOVEMBER. FRIUT DEPARTMENT. October has been a cool month, though without any frost of severity, up to the 16th, when all tender vegetation was killed. With but three or four rainy days, it has been a favorable time for all kinds of fall work, and pre- paratory operations for cold weather. This is usually a busy month. Now is the time to proceed vigorously with fall planting. Never put off till spring. We have set out many thousands of trees, both in autumn and spring, and consider the former season as far preferable to the latter : in- deed, any person who will make a fair experiment of three years, will be perfectly satisfied with the advantages of fall over spring planting. Grapk vines in the earliest houses, such as have been forced, should be immediately pruned, cleaned, and put in order for an early start in Decem- ber. Wash the vines, and lay in as we have before advised. Cover the border with four to six inches of manure, and on top of that twelve inches of old hay or leaves ; this will keep out all frost and cold rains. Vines in greenhouses and cold houses may be pruned as soon as the wood is thor- oughly ripened : in the greenhouse it may be done immediately, before the plants are all staged for the winter: besides, it gives the house a neater appearance. Lay down and protect the vines in cold houses. Cover the borders with three or four inches of manure. Strawberry beds will yet need attention, especially newly planted ones. Keep down all weeds. Cover the beds with strawy manure, tan, old straw, hay, leaves, or anything that will keep them from the effects of the winter's sun. The cold does no injury. Raspberrv vines should be laid down before severe frost, and covered with a few inches of earth, or manure. Currant bushes should be well manured ; it is the best season to apply it now around the roots, on the surface of the ground. Fruit trees of all kinds may be transplanted safely the whole of this month. The Fruit Room should have attention. Keep the temperature as near 40 as possible, and preserve the air fresh and sweet by removing imme- Horticultural Operations for November. 527 diately, as soon as perceived, any decayed fruit. A little attention will be the nicnns of prolonging the season of ripening. Trkach and prepare ground for spring planting, and forward all work as much as possible. FLOWER DEPARTMENT. The moderate temperature of the month has been favorable to a con- tinued display of many kinds of garden flowers; verbenas, roses and many other tilings are yet nearly as gay as in August. This has to some extent delayed tlie talcing up of many plants ; for as long as they continue to bloom it seems hardly necessary to destroy their beautiful appearance. But as winter -.» ill soon be upon us no time should be lost in preparing for it. Chrysanthemums will now be blooming finely, and, if shaded from the hot sun, will continue in flower a great length of time. Water freely with weak liquid manure, and syringe occasionally over the foliage ; keep down the apliis by fumigation. Camellias will begin to bloom. Attend to the plants as we advised last month. CiAERARLVs are among the most showy Avinter plants ; shift now into larger pots all the most forward specimens, and keep tlie remainder in frames near the glass, as long as the weather will permit. Japan Lilies in pots, may remain out in a frame until the season of re- potting, if protected from rains and frosts by a covering of leaves and boards, or sashes. Pelargoniums will now need much attention; all the young plants should now have a shift into the next size ; old plants should also be re- potted ; use a rather sandy turfy soil now, drain well and keep them as close to the glass as possible. Glandioluses of the tender kind should now be potted, and placed in a frame or the greenhouse. Pansies intended for flowering in the house should be potted as soon as possible, that tliey may get established early. Roses in pots, taken up last month or earlier, and placed in frames, should now be pruned in, and removed to a good place in the house, where they Avill soon show an abundance of bloom. Heliotropes may be now shifted into larger pots, and placed in a warm part of the house, where they will bloom freely. Heaths will require care. Shift as soon as thev need it, and do not wait for any particular time to go through with the operation. Keep in the coolest part of the house, away from the flue, and in an airy place. Verbenas for early blooming may now be shifted into larger pots, and have occasional waterings with liquid guano. Cyclamens in small pots, showing a great quantity of flowers, may be removed into the next size. An occasional supply of manure water will benefit them much. Calceolarias will now be in readiness for another shift. Keep down the green fly, and keep them on a cool shelf, as jiear the glass as possible. 528 Horticultural Operations for November. Tree Violets in pots should not be forgotten ; nothing is prettier, or adds more to the fragrance of a bouquet. Keep them out in frames as long as possible. Trop^olum Lobbianum, is one of the finest winter flowering plants ; shift into good sized pots, and train up to neat balloon trellises ; thus man- aged they are the finest ornaments of the house the whole winter. Lachenaultias should now be repotted. Alstromerias should now be potted, and placed in a warmer part of the house. Monthly Carnations arc great additions to a collection, particularly the new French sorts. Secure a good stock of plants, place them in a light airy place, and tie up neatly to stakes. CuPHEA Platycentra should now be shifted into larger pots. Chinese Primroses will now begin to bloom ; keep them free from dead leaves, and water occasionally Avith very weak liquid manure. Mignonette and Sweet Allyssum in pots, should not be overwatered ; thin out the plants to five or six in each pot, and keep as near the glass as possible. Maurandias, of the different varieties, if neatly trained to handsome trellises, are beautiful all winter. Hardy Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Weigelia, Spir^V Prunifolia Pleno, &c., should now be potted for forcing, in all collections where there is room. FLOWER garden AND SHRUBBERY. Now IS the time to make new plantations of shrubs, hardy herbaceous plants, bulbs, &lc. Lilies of all kinds, except Canadensis, should now be set out, or reset. Dahlia roots should be taken up immediately, if not already done. Tulips, Hyacinths, and other hardy bulbs should now be planted. Gladioluses of all kinds should now be taken up and housed before eevere frosts. Herbaceous Peonies should now be transplanted. Pansies, set out now in a small bed, and protected by a covering of leaves and boards, will bloom beautifully in early spring. Neapolitan Violets, in frames, must be secured from severe frosts by a covering of matts and straw. If properly attended to they will bloom from December to May. Carnations may be wintered in pots, or in the ground, in frames. Herbaceous plants of all kinds will need protection of some kind be- fore severe weather. Leaves or coarse strawy manure is the best, but if not at hand, old tan, straw, or hay. Dig, trench and prepare ground intended to be planted with seeds early in the spring. THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. DECEMBEE, 1852. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. Art. I. Traiisplanting Large Trees. By the Editor. We have never been an advocate of the practice of re- moving very large trees. That it can be done, and very successfully too, has been long since demonstrated by Sir Henry Stuart, in his Planters'' Guide. Yet, upon the whole, except in some few instances, where a tree is loved for the associations connected with it, or where it is desirable to produce an immediate growth upon some treeless and ex- posed site, we have not thought the practice worthy of general imitation. In our severe climate, where the icy fetters of winter permit the removal of trees on a different plan from that of warmer regions, transplanting very large ones may be done with a greater certainty of success than by the ordinary method, as detailed in the work above alluded to ; and we have from time to time recorded the most successful experi- ments by the frozen-ball method, as it has been very properly called: a more recent case has just been communicated to us by our correspondent Mr. George Jaques, of Worcester, where the specimens removed were not only very large, but the most difficult kinds to subject to such an experiment, viz., the shellbark hickory. We have now lying before us a handful of very handsome shellbarks, gathered from trees 30 to 40 feet high, removed by Mr. Jaques less than two years ago, this being their VOL. XVIII. NO. XII. 67 530 Transplanting Large Trees. second season of growing since they were reset. This very remarkable success must be attributed to the skill and knowl- edge of Mr. Jaques, who fully understands the proper condi- tions of vegetable growth, and who attended to the removal of the trees personally, leaving nothing undone which would contribute to their future prosperity and health. The following is Mr. Jaques's communication, accompany- ing the parcel of shellbarks : — Dear Sir: — The accompanying shellbarks — well ripened, as you will find them — grew, this season, upon a tree which my brother and myself transplanted twenty-one months ago, i. e., in January, 1851 . The tree was moved, at the same time with three others, a distance of two miles, by what is called the frozen-hall method of transplanting. It is now in a fine healthy condition, and, with the others, — all of which are over thirty feet, and one of them forty feet, in height, — serves at once for ornament and shade. Upon our new place, they produce a fine effect in taking off' and relieving the inevitable rawness of a recent settlement. Thinking that a simple statement of these facts might encourage others to do likewise, I have written these few lines. Knowing — as no one better does than you — the great difficulty of transplanting our hard-wooded forest trees, particularly the oak and several species of the hickory, you will concede that our experiment has been eminently suc- cessful. The expense of transplanting did not exceed twelve dollars per tree. Do not regard this on my part as a piece of boasting, but simply as a word of encouragement to those who are com- pelled to locate themselves and their household gods upon a naked spot of earth. The statement, you perceive, is of what has been done, not what may he done. What has actually transpired, it seems to me, is worth a great deal more to your readers than speculations in regard to what is possible to be done! Truly your friend, George Jaques. Worcester, October Wth, 1852. Plants seen about the Region of the Notch. 531 Now, as we have already said, we are not an advocate of the system of removing very large trees ; yet, knowing that it can be done, there are occasions when it is desirable to avail ourselves of the practice, as in that of Mr. Jaques. where the object was to '-relieve the inevitable rawness of a new settlement." Other instances are where individuals, laying out a new place or improving an old one, find it expedient either to cut down or remove a beautiful, rare, or valuable tree : and in others, where some of our finest native trees, not being procurable in the nurseries of any size, must be removed from their native woods, or the possession of them relinquished : again, where trees are exceedingly im- patient of removal, like the hemlock, tulip, &c. : who would begrudge ten, nay, fifty dollars, to have some magnifi- cent and feathery hemlock, growing in the forest, trans- ported, in all its gracefulness and vigor, to the lawn or pleas- ure ground? The fact that transplanting can be successfully performed in such cases, is of great value to all who appre- ciate the beautiful in nature or art. That we can possess ourselves, and immediately too, of the successive growth of forty summers, is in itself a matter of no small surprise. Those advanced in life, who are retiring to the country with plenty of means, by adopting Mr. Jaques's experiment, may realize, in a very short period, the efforts of years. Art. II. Some Plants seen about the Region of the Notch, Septembe)^, 1852. By John Lewis Russell. Every body, who travels; visits the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Notch, the Flume at Franconia, and other points of interest, whether at the base of this noble range of hills, or, perchance, the higher summits of the more cloud-piercing. Almost every body makes rapid and violent tours, not of pleasure and comfort, but of time-consuming energy, as if speed was the main object to be secured. 532 Plants seen about the Region of the Notch. Many are whirled over the road by strong horses and in stout wagons, to make an entire circuit and to get over as much ground as possible. Some visit certain points of attraction, where the pencil of the artist, the eye of the landscape lover, or the rod of the angler, may be pleasantly employed. A few abide, for the season, in some quiet nook or less fash- ionable inn, where they can see this bustle of the travelling multitude with an indifferent regard, better pleased with tracing the less known but more interesting features of the region, whose perennial brooks and feathery waterfalls dis- course in eloquent music amid novel forms of geological and botanical wonders. It was for the purpose of making myself acquainted with the condition and habits of some of the lower forms of veg- etation, which grow with peculiar luxuriance there, that I made a short sojourn at the foot of Mt. Crawford, where, ensconced within the hospitable walls of the Mt. Crawford House, and occupying, when I list, the strong, high-backed, easy arm-chairs of its late venerable proprietor, I found myself in company with a friend for whom, beside other qualities of mind and heart, I entertain a profound respect for his scientific talents ; and with whom, and with a valued acquaintance, 1 used to sally out on some excursion, to spend the hours of September sunshine and heat, among the ravines of the contiguous hills or near the foam of some waterfall, the white streak of whose current adown the face of the mountain rock we had previously noticed and traced in the distance by our eye. My new acquaintance had for many summers previous visited and lived on this spot ; and to my friend, the scenery was as familiar as it was loved. They had both, singly and together, trod many a mountain summit, explored some new lake, or encamped in the distant forest, where their camp fire had been greeted by the wild animals, which came to inquire into their intrusions. Familiar as were these scenes to them, all was new and attractive to me ; and the veriest common-place incident by field or flood, the most common moss or plant, the older or latest slide, the nearest cliff or the next gorge, did not fail to afford me some Plants seen about the Region of the Notch. 533 new interest. These short excursions, — a morning's ramble, an afternoon's walk or a day's exploration, — come back to me like some pleasant dream ; and I am fain to recall one such, to which we dedicated the best hours of a pleasant day in climbing the bed of Halfway River, upwards, to and above its waterfall, whose picturesque beauty claims no mean share of the admiration commonly bestowed on other and better known cascades in this neighborhood of the White Hills. The early part of September was unusually dry and warm. The thermometer ranged to 80° Fahr., or even more for several successive days ; yet, in less than a fortnight after, I saw on the distant summit of Mount Clinton, and lying at the base of Mount Pleasant, on the line of the black growth, the lately fallen snow of some sudden squall. The temperature about the Mount Crawford House is more equable and delightful than that of the adjacent country ; and the frosts of autumn are more tardy in their visits than they are at the distance of a few miles. Mine host regaled his guests with watermelons from his own garden ; while sweet corn and other varieties of maize, with beans and the usual esculents of horticultural care, seemed to thrive. A sweet apple, originating on the soil, abounds about the house, having been judiciously propagated by pieces of the roots, after its merits had been fully tested many years ago. Some efforts to increase the list of better apples, have not been crowned with that success which so laudable an enterprise should have promised, owing, doubtless, in a great measure, to errors in the scions ; yet the capability of the soil and of the aspect has been established, nevertheless. In a little garden, under the superintendence of his daughters, were •growing most luxuriant specimens of some of the best varie- ties of Verbena, while Carnations, Heliotropes, Clarkias, Ne- mophilas, Chinese Pinks, Asters and Calendulas, luxuriated in the deep virgin loam ; and, with other flowers, afforded many a hastily formed bouquet to the passing traveller, whose ideas of meiun and ttnu?i did not often seem to recognize any particular ownership. My new and valued acquaintance 534 Plants seen about the Region of the Notch. had interested himself in these offerings to Flora, and even had made some advances in pomological science and industry from year to year ; proofs of which he exhibited to me in renovated trees and vigorous grafted branches upon the old apple stocks, and in a few good looking dwarf pears, which seemed likely to endure the severe winters of the place. These moiuitain streams, though less affected by the con- tingencies of the seasons than those of the lower and more level country, yet are sensibly diminished in volume of water during continued dryness, or are rapidly swollen by the showers which sweep over the summits of the hills, where the springs which feed them take their rise. A medium stage of water seems to be more favorable in developing their beauty, where there is enough of that element to partially conceal the contour of the rock strata. It is then, that whatever flowers or plants are perceptible around their dizzy brink, or are nestled in their dripping crevices, wear a bright, cheerful, and fresh aspect, as if in the enjoy- ment of that vigor and cleanliness which we ought to expect under such circumstances. Purity is involuntarily associated with water ; and a plant seems as much injured from its contact with mud, leaves and the refuse of a flood borne down upon it, as do higher organized beings, whose exteriors do not evince that acquaintance with the salubrious qualities of water which wisdom or discretion would prompt. There are some species of the larger mosses which become radiant with this freshness of beauty, and whose foliage, studded with globular water drops, reflect the sunlight with marvelous and attractive splendor. In Oakes' White- Mountain Scenery, may be seen a beau- tiful plate, in which is represented a bridge spanning a deep defile, where the disintegration of the trap rock, by the action of the water, has left on either side straight, smooth and high walls for a considerable length. At the foot of this natural and deep water-worn channel, and at a little distance below, the debris, in the shape of large rounded loose stones, constitutes the rocky bed of the mouth of Nancy's River as it falls into the Saco. The site is often selected for its pic- Plants seen about the Region of the Notch. 535 turesqueness, and used to be visited for that end before the erection of a substantial saw-mill, whose proposed utility can be considered as the chief excuse of its otherwise objection- able presence in so peculiar a spot. If you will take your stand upon this bridge, and face the mountain, Avhich lies a little to the right, as you look up the supposable course of Nancy's River, you may perceive, against the dark green foliage, a long narrow streak of white, and, if blessed with a distant power of sight, may notice a slight undulation or waving adown its track. Crossing the bridge then, and proceeding down the public road for the distance of some half mile, you enter a very rude and rough wood road, and strike upon the stream, whose circuitous course bears the waters of Halfway River, and will furnish the botanist a rich harvest of curious plants, which invest its shaded rocks and fringe its rushing current. It were hardly necessary to state how often some stain-like spot on the surface of a smooth wet stone would arrest our attention, indicating a beautiful species of lichen ; or how the old rough gray bark of some noble forest tree would furnish the reasons for an half hour's delay in quest of an almost microscopic plant, which nestled in its chinks. Nor need I tell of the patient labor, the delicate touch, the curious eye, and the successful chiselling off of some fragment, which he, who bore the hammer and chisel, with an artist's skill evinced. SufSce that our labor was not in vain nor our search profitless. After some hours of such progressive advance as our incli- nations prompted, we arrived at the foot of the waterfall towards which we had bent our course. Some hard climb- ing up the steep and precipitous rocks began to be needed ere we gained a full view of the descending sheet. This was easier accomplished by all the party than by the "Major," whose obesity overcame his resolutions. A friendly pull by the nape of the neck greatly facilitated his endeavors, so that the difficulty which he encountered was removed. It seemed like rough usage towards a friend, but such a friend was too generous to take offence. Delighting as he did in any moun- tain ramble, however protracted or tedious, he could not o36 Plants seen about the Region of the Notch. relinquish its pursuit for trifles. Be not alarmed, my reader, for the Major enjoyed no other military qualities than his repugnance to bears and wildcats ; and dog as he was, could distinguish between a well-meant action and an intended affront. The presence and company of never so humble a friend can be appreciated by any who have tracked the soli- tudes of the forests ; and of Major's social qualities, it needed but a slight acquaintance to be fully persuaded. The most striking plant we noticed was ^'ster acuminatus, (Mx.,) which grows with the greatest perfection in the cool rich woods of Northern New England. Its pointed, strong leaves, — its simple and low stem, crowned with its panicled corymb of purplish tinted white flowers, — render it always conspicuous. This purplish tint is sometimes very observable, and adds greatly to the beauty of the flower. I am of the opinion that cultivation would make it a desirable perennial for our gardens. The showy Solidago squarrosus, or large- spiked Golden rod, commanded our notice ; belonging to a group of autumnal flowers, out of which some very showy ones could be selected. There grew, also, Platanthera orbic- ulata, (LiNDLEY,) a curious species of the Orchis tribe. The delicate O'xalis acetosella was springing up among the dead leaves; past, indeed, in floAvering, but freshly green in its trifoliate leaves. Pyrola secunda was there, a pretty denizen of rich Avoods. Thalictrum cornuti, (L.,) the congener and cospecies of T. dioicum, whose earlier and dwarfer form constitutes one of the favorites of my cultivation ; and of the pure, white, filamentous flowers of the first named, I have heard much admiration expressed. Nor was the Chelone glabra (L.) wanting in a place so meet for its presence: while, if the names of plants really indicated their virtues, any mortal injury to limb might have been alleviated by finding in Prunella vulgaris an "All Heal." The curiously suspended scarlet berries of Streptopus distortus (Mx.) con- trasted with the pale green and large leaves of the plant, and we were induced to try their flavor, which, in lieu of better fruit, was passable. The dry and insipid crimson fruit of Trillium erectum was close at hand, but did not invite par- Plants seen about the Region of the Notch. 537 ticular regard. But would you remind yourself of the dried date of commerce, try the ripened and black berries of the Fiburnum lantanoides, also called Hobble bush, and even American Wayfaring tree, by some casual and happy appo- siteness to the noble Wayfaring tree of the desert, doubtless, the Date palm, whose grateful shade is hailed alike by man and beast. So much then for a name, whose similitude involuntarily points to a common taste or flavor in fruits so dissimilar! Should there be any merit in this discovery through an etymological relation, I shall lay claim to it my- self! It would be well could truth speak as highly of all sorts of wild berries ; an acquaintance with which exhibits too clearly the folly of such ideality. Some beautiful ferns appeared also in our exploration, of which Polypodium phegopteris, (L.,) Dryopteris thelypteris and Dryopteris dilatata may be mentioned. Here also grew the characteristic Carex scabrata, springing up among the wet mossy rocks and within reach of the spray. It was at this point, and within full view of the dashing waterfall, whose contour was that of some rich snowy feather, with its fleecy top bent upward, as if, inverted, it had struck against the stratum of rock, — a great white ostrich plume, — • and with a deep basin of the most crystal water at its foot, that we discussed what frugal store constituted our repast. A mighty block of stone, loosened, doubtless, from above, rose far above us, in the shade of which we bivouacked, and on whose surface I was so fortunate as to find a new species of Endocarpon. So beautiful a scene, so mild a spot, so charming a cascade needed some better name, and by ac- clamation we called it Bemis' Fall, in commemoration of which, should you ever go there, you may find, if you please, the letter B engraved upon the massive erratic block of stone just mentioned ; and facing you as you ascend, you may see the lithe, smooth, silver trunk of the Canoe birch, seemingly supporting the rock, which has aff'orded it protection. The protean forms of fungi had already appeared in the woods, indicators of advancing autumn. Many of these I noticed on our return ; the rapid character of which, as the VOL. XVIII. NO. XII. 68 538 The effects of Light on the Germination of Seeds. day was drawing to a close, prohibiting more than a glance. Agarici, white, red, brown, yellow, violet and purple, abounded, and smaller kinds beside. Happy would have been the mycologist who could have culled them ! But we left them in their glory ; and would you know more of them, or of the rich treasures of the forests of the vicinity of the Notch, you have only to trace the steps of the lamented Oakes, or study the researches of our Tuckerman, or make as pleasant an acquaintance as I did, with Dr. S. A. Bemis, of Boston, to to whom every dell and stream of the White Mountains are familiar. Hingham, November 1, 1852. Art. III. The effects of Light on the Germination of Seeds, S^c, ivhen passed through media of various colors. By R. B. L. (Concluded from page 445.^ Numerous experiments have been tried with the seeds of mignonette, many varieties of the flowering pea, the com- mon parsley, and cresses : with all of these the results have been similar to those already described. The seeds have generally germinated the most rapidly under the red glass, in the spring of the year ; but when the heat of summer has advanced, the temperature of the red light has been too great, and germination has been prevented. Except under the blue glass, these plants have all been marked by the ex- traordinary length to which the stems of the cotyledons have grown, and by the entire absence of the plumula. No true leaves forming, the cotyledons soon perish, and the plant dies. Under the green glass, the process of germination has been exceedingly slow, and the plants, particularly the cresses and mignonette, have speedily perished. Under the blue glass alone has the process of germination and maturation gone on healthful to the end ; and although I have found a few instances of a perfect plant under the The effects of Light on the Germination of Seeds. 539 yellow glass, it has not on any occasion endured to the per- fection of a flower. Excepting under the yellow and blue glasses, all the plants experimented on have been more or less etiolated. The results in those cases where fluid media have been used, from the more perfect isolation of the rays which have been thus obtained, have been much more decided. Under the influence of the light which had been subjected to the influence of the yellow fluid, germination has been entirely prevented. Under the red light, in some cases, germination has commenced, but the young plant has speedily perished. Under the green, the plant has been developed, but in a very weak state, with pale leaves, and nearly colorless stalks. But under the influence of the blue light, the most perfect plants have been produced, and through all their stages, maintained in the most luxuriant state. These experiments prove that the process of germination is obstructed by the influence of light on the surface of the soil, although the bulbs and seeds have been buried some depths beneath it. The effects of heat, as exhibited by the red rays, are not, I think, to be regarded as destructive in themselves ; as plants have been found to grow under the influence of those rays when they have been supplied with an extraordinary quantity of water, to supply that drawn off by continued evaporation : whereas, although the evaporation, which has been equally rapid under the yellow media, has been met in the same manner as under the red, it has pro- duced no beneficial results. One very remarkable result must also be here noticed. Under all ordinary circumstances, plants incline decidedly towards the light, as may be seen by placing any kind of plants, in a common room, near a window. Thus, having a very small portion of the surrounding space open to the transmission of light, the plants will speedily turn the surface of their leaves towards the medium by which light is ad- mitted. This will also be the case should the plants be placed at the extreme end of the room, many yards distant from the window ; and when not influenced by the direct 540 The effects of Light on the Germination of Seeds. rays, they will turn in a similar manner to radiated light. But in all experiments with red fluid media, they have as decidedly bent from it. I do not know how to account for this as the effects of mere heat ; it would appear that some property resides in the red rays which acts in opposition to the general law. But many further investigations and ex- periments are requisite on this point, before this circumstance can be fully and satisfactorily explained. It has been stated by Dr. Draper, that he has found, under the influence of the bright sun of Virginia, that plants have grown well in light which has been made to permeate an intensely yellow solution of considerable thickness. I am not certain if the germination of seeds has been eff'ected under the same circumstances ; but even if they have been made to germinate, it admits of explanation. The fervent rays of southern climes would permeate media by which the subdued rays of northern latitudes would be entirely ob- structed. In proof of this, I may remark, that during the height of the splendid summer of 1842, I was myself suc- cessful in procuring the germination of a few seeds under the influence of the yellow light. At the same time, some very remarkable photographic results were obtained, which distinctly proved the atmosphere to have been in such a con- dition that a larger quantity of the sun's rays were enabled to penetrate it and reach the earth. It was also observed, in some localities, that the foliage of all trees was of a darker green, and that many flowers, particularly those of a pink, or pale red color, generally assumed a particular and decided blue or lilac tint. The soil in which the plants grew was the same in each of the boxes used ; but it was several times observed that, under the yellow glasses and fluids, fungi made their appear- ance. From the occurrence of these vegetables, under the same circumstances, on several occasions, I was naturally led to observe their production with greater care. I could not, with the utmost attention, make the Agaricus miiscarius grow behind any other absorbent media than the yellow, under which it grew luxuriantly. This circumstance appears. The effects of Light on the Germination of Seeds. 541 in some measure, to explain the popular notion that mush- rooms, and plants of that variety, grow most abundantly under the influence of bright moonlight. It has never yet been found that any heat comes from the rays of the moon, and the amount of chemical action which has been detected has been very small: we must therefore regard the moon- beams as consisting almost entirely of the luminous rays ; the other active rays being, in all probability, absorbed by the moon's surface. It is not at present in. our power to explain, in anything like a satisfactory manner, the way in which the luminous rays act in preventing germination. The changes which take place in the process have been investigated by Saussure : oxygen gas is consumed, and carbonic acid is evolved ; and the volume of the latter is exactly equal to the volume of the former. The grain weighs less after germination than it did before, the loss of weight varying from one third to one fifth. This loss, of course, depends on the combination of its carbon with the oxygen absorbed, which is evolved as carbonic acid. According to Proust, malted and unmalted barley differs in the following respects : — Unmalled. Malted. Resin, 1 1 Gum, 4 15 Sugar, 5 15 Gluten, 3 1 Starch, 32 56 Hordein, 55 12 This shows that the insoluble principle, hordein, is, in the process of germination, converted into the soluble and nutri- tive principles, starch, gum and sugar. We are therefore at present left in considerable doubt. We can only suppose that the luminous solar rays act, as indeed we find they do, on many of the argentine preparations, in preventing those chemical changes which depend upon the absorption of ox- ygen. A like interference has been observed, by Sir John Herschel, to be exerted by the extreme red rays of the 543 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. spectrum ; and frotn the manner in which germination of the seeds is impeded, when covered by a deep red media, we may trace a somewhat similar influence. I have endeavored, but as yet without being successful, to ascertain the real use of the cotyledon. Some have at- tempted to show that it is of no use for the purpose of nour- ishment, but that its office is merely to screen the first leaves from light and air. I am rather inclined to regard them as the lungs of the young plant, in which, under the influence of the solar rays, the decomposition of air and water is ef- fected. I shall not, however, at present, ventm*e on any further speculations on this matter. Roxhury, November 25th, 1852. Art. IV. Descriptions and Engravings of Select Varieties of Apples. By the Editor. XLIX. Bellflower. Coxe's View, S^c. Belle-fleur, yellow. Fruits and Fruit Trees. Belle-fleur, yellow. Hort. Soc. Cat. Yellow Bellflower, of many American collections. , The Bellflower (fig. 38) is one of our finest American apples, and is extensively cultivated in New Jersey, where the variety originated, near Crosswicks, Burlington County. Coxe first described and figured it, and he considered it a most superior apple. In New England, its cultivation is yet extremely limited ; but it deserves, with the Baldwin and Greening, to be found in every orchard, however small. It possesses a most re- freshing juice and peculiar high flavor, and, in January and February, is not excelled by any other apple. Its large size, peculiar form, and handsome appearance, added to its other qualities, make it a most valuable variety. The tree is a vigorous and rapid grower, making, however, slender annual shoots ; and the wood is quite distinct, being Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. 543 of a very light pale yellow. The blossoms, too, from whence its name, are large, showy and beautiful. When loaded with its large fruit, the slender branches weep to the ground with their weight, and the tree is then one of the most beautiful in the orchard. Size, large, about three inches long and three broad : Form, oblong, inclining to conical, largest about the middle, narrowing considerably to the eye, with five or six prominent Fig. 38. Bdlfower. ribs extending its whole length, somewhat irregular in out" line : Skin^ fair, smooth, deep yellow, handsomely tinged with blush on the surmy side, dotted with crimson, and sparsely covered with small russet specks in the shade : Stem, medium length, about one inch long, rather slender, and deeply inserted in a large and somewhat open, ribbed, cavity : Eye, large, partially closed, and little sunk in a small, abruptly depressed, and distinctly ribbed basin ; seg- ments of the calyx, entire, incurved : Fleshy yellowish, coarse, 544 Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. crisp and firm : Jtiice, abundant, subacid, sprightly and high flavored : Core, large, open : Seeds, large, long and dark brown. Ripe from November to March. L. Maiden's Blush. Coxe's View, <^c. The Maiden's Blush (Jig. 39) is another apple first de- scribed by Coxe, and supposed to be a native of New Jersey, where it was first introduced to notice by Samuel Allison, Esq., of Burlington. In point of beauty, it perhaps surpasses almost any other apple : the skin is of a clear yellow waxen hue, set off with a brilliant rosy cheek ; and no name could be more appropriate than that which it has received. Fig. 39. Maiden's Blush. As a table fruit, the Maiden's Blush is only of moderate quality; but for the kitchen few surpass it. The flesh is exceedingly tender, very juicy, and well flavored ; and from August to October there is no better apple for culinary pur- poses. The tree is a rapid and vigorous grower, upright and hand- somely shaped ; and the full grown trees form fine, open, spreading heads : it also bears young. A low-trained tree, loaded with its fair, yellow, ruddy-cheeked fruit, is one of the most brilliant objects in the fruit garden. Wood, yellowish. Descriptions of Select Varieties of Apples. 545 Size^ large, about three and a quarter inches broad, and two and a half deep : Form, oblate, very regular in outhne, flattened at tlie base, rounding off towards the crown, which is shghtly oblique : Skin, very fair, waxen, clear light yellow, with a deep crimson cheek on the sunny side, quite abruptly shaded off: Ste7Ji, short, less than half an inch long, rather slender, and inserted in a moderately deep and very open cavity : Eije, medium size, partially open, and little sunk in a broad, rather shallow, and nearly smooth basin ; segments of the calyx, broad, short : Flesh, white, fine, crisp and very tender : Juice, plentiful, subacid, pleasant, but not high flavored : Core, medium size, nearly closed : Seeds, small, angular, light brown. Ripe in August and September. LI. Sops of Wine. Hort. Soc. Catalogue, 3d Ed., 1842. Sops in Wine. Hogg's Pomology. Sapson. Kenrick's American Orchardist. The Sops of Wine (fig. AO) is a pleasant and beautiful summer or fall apple, of English origin, whose merits appear to have been overlooked by our cultivators. Among many of the American varieties, which are now so numerous and fine, this apple, it is true, will not hold an equal rank ; yet it has merits which entitle it to a place in the amateur's collec- tion, if not in the orchard of the extensive cultivator fci the market. It is a brilliant and handsome fruit, always fair; and its flesh, which is peculiarly tender, is tinged with pink throughout, as if it had been sopped in wine, from whence its name. The tree is vigorous, and of good form, somewhat spread- mg, and a great as well as a rather early bearer. Its season is from August to October. Size, medium, about two and three quarter inches broad.. and two and a half deep : Form, roundish, slightly ribbed, narrowing little to the eye : Ski7i, fair, smooth, light red, nearly covered with bright purplish red, in somewhat indis- tinct streaks, often yellowish on the shaded side, dotted with yellow specks, and overspread with a delicate whitish bloom : Stem, short, about half an inch long, slender, and VOL. XVIII. NO. XII. 69 546 The Vidoi'ia Regia at Springhrook. inserted in a moderately deep, open cavity : Eye^ medium size, open, and but slightly depressed in a shallow and some- what furrowed basin; segments of the calyx, broad, entire, projecting or partially reflexed : Flesh, yellow, deeply stained « Fig. 40. Sops of Wine. with bright pink, soft, tender : Juice, abundant, with a pleas- ant admixture of sweet and acid, and well flavored : Core, medium size : Seeds, medium size. Ripe from August to October. Art, V. The Victoria Regia at Springhrook. By Thomas Meehan, Gardener to C. Cope, Esq., Philadelphia. Mr. C. M. Hovey: — I regret you were unable to visit Springhrook on your late stay in Philadelphia. The last number of your interesting Magazine would not then, I feel assured, have informed your readers that "Mr. Cope's plant was now in its decade." Our plant, at this moment, far exceeds in health and appearance its condition at the same period last year ; and, probably, surpasses any other plant in The Victoria Regia at Springhrook. 547 the whole horticultural world. I write without any recent information respecting Mr. Feast's plant ; which, being young- er, and in a more southern latitude, may possibly surpass ours. I should be glad to learn that we are beaten, although at the expense of Mr. Cope's generosity in the distribution of the young plants ; because it would teach us, that great as has been our success, there is yet a higher standard of per- fection at which to aim. A few days ago, in the presence of two neighbors of yours, Messrs. Stone, of Watertown, I measured the largest leaf then on the plant, which was 5 feet 10 inches in diameter ; being but 8 inches less than the largest ever grown by us, and but 2 less than the measure- ment you give of Mr. Feast's, previous to the middle of Sep- teinher. At the present time, we have eleven leaves on our plant, giving collectively 220.90 superficial feet. The great- est quantity of surface we have ever had, was, by measure- ment on the 24th of August, 263.07 feet. This, in an octagon tank only 24 feet in diameter, cannot well be beat. I think you will see, that with such a growth as this, we have little spare room for the Nymphaeas you suggest. The fact is, that, monstrous as a tank 24 feet in diameter and 4| feet deep, was considered to be at the commencement, by our system of management it is far too small. Were Mr. Cope to begin but now, with all the experience we have gained, he would not think of a tank less than 30 feet wide by 10 deep. Our plant has produced, to the middle of October, 94 flowers. I expect to see it double these figures before I dream of its "decade." Something more than two flowers every five days, on the average, for fourteen months, is not so very bad for a single plant. " But'it is not producing that average just now;" not owing to any "decade," but princi- pally to its not being allowed to grow so fast. Our tempera- ture, for reasons which every gardener will understand, has been kept for the last few months as low as possible, con- sistent with the health of the plant ; never below 75° or above 80°. I have before stated, in the Horticulturist, that it will only bloom well in a temperature of from 80° to 90°. 548 The Victoria Regia at Springhrook. In a few weeks, our tank will be of that heat, when I expect to realize as fine a crop of flowers as we have ever produced, notwithstanding the almost universal prophecy that "the plant must naturally soon exhaust itself" Though in the low temperature I have mentioned, it blooms as it grows. A bud on it now, at the time I am writing, will not probably be in bloom for our exhibition next week, but it will not be many days after. November 13th, 1852. We are glad to learn from Mr.. Meehan that the Victoria lily is still luxuriating under his kindly treatment, and only regret that we should have made any remark that would imply that it is not now in as full vigor as ever. This, however, Ave must attribute to a misunderstanding. When in Philadelphia, in September, we had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Cope, and inquired if his plant was about to flower, as we had a great desire to see it and give some account of it ; his reply was that " it would not bloom at present." We inferred from this, that it had arrived at its greatest perfection, and would not afl"ord another crop of blossoms as it already had done ; the duration of the plant being not yet wholly ascertained, some contending that it is only annual or biennial, and hence we made the remark that it was in its decade, a statement which we are the more happy to correct, coming as it does from Mr. Meehan himself. In a letter to us, Mr. Cope states, that "though not in full vigor, it is by no means in its decline ; and he thinks were it possible to change the soil, that " next summer would bring as fine flowers from the same plant as he has ever had ; but owing to this difliculty, it will probably be found most convenient to discard the old for a new plant. He will, however, await patiently the fate of the old one in the nat- ural way, before he abandons so great a pet." It is for this reason, that Mr. Cope would now, were he to build again, make his tank 10 feet deep, in order to aff'ord full scope for the roots of the plant for a great length of time. This may be correct ; yet we are not certain how long the General Notices. 549 plant will exist, and the expense of heating a tank of the size Mr. Meehan mentions would be very great. Even if the plant would go on flourishing for years, would it not be more advisable to plant out anew, as the young seedlings bloom freely three or four months from the time of planting ; and Mr. Cope says they are easily raised from seeds, and can be reproduced without any trouble and in a very short time. We have not recently noticed the fate of the plants at Chatsworth and Kew ; but are persuaded, if the water could be drawn ofl", and the soil replaced by fresh, the plants would go on flourishing as well as ever. We are glad to see, there- fore, that Mr. Cope intends to learn the fate of the old plant before he begins anew. Mr. Cope has discovered, in the course of his culture of the Victoria, that the seeds germinate more readily in deep water than in shallow — in the dark more readily than in the light. Seeds in a dark bottle have grown as readily as the bulbs of a hyacinth, and he thinks this the best way to start them. Mr. Cope has recently received some of the seeds of the splendid Nelumbian speciosum, of China. They have veg- etated and are growing finely ; and he hopes soon to see this magnificent eastern beauty blooming in the same tank with the Victoria. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. Art. I. General JVotices. On the Culture and Propagation of Peonies. — Having read the article on pseonies which appeared on the 1 1th of September in your journal, I take this opportunity to offer the following remarks on the propagation of this beautiful tribe of plants. Take a large-sized pot, without bottom, and place it just over where (in the spring) the young stalks of the paeony plants will appear on the surface, and fill the pot with well-decomposed vegetable mould. The stalks or stems thus surrounded must penetrate the mould in the pot, after which process they will grow without the least in- terruption. During summer, the mould in the pot must be kept moist, in order to encourage the formation of roots on those parts of the plants which 550 General Notices. are in the vegetable mould. In the month of November or December, when the stalks are cut oif just on the basis of the pot, you will find the whole length of the stalks which have been confined in the pots covered with healthy roots. These rooted parts must be cut to pieces, allowing to each piece one eye and a few roots. This performed, plant these pieces in a border previously prepared with good mould for the purpose ; after planting, cover the whole border about three inches high with the same compost. This covering will induce them to grow vigorously ; and it, at the same time, forms a protection against the injuries of frost. By this method of culture, we may soon have a good stock of plants. Herbaceous and tree pseonies are commonly propagated by division. The process is quite practicable, but it disturbs the growth, — a point which ought to be taken into consideration. The divided parts require about three years to grow till they produce flowers ; after the lapse of this time, it is true, they assume a vigorous growth ; but I am convinced that the above-mentioned method of propagation is at once more safe and more advantageous. There is another way of propagating the pseonies, namely, by grafting them on the roots of the common herbaceous psBony. Some time ago, I practised in a nursery on the continent, where the stock of pseonies was very exten- sive ; and it was usual to graft the new kinds of tree pseonies on the roots of the common herbaceous kinds. The utility of this method is very great, particularly when the specimen plants are scarce or not strong, which is nearly always the case with " new kinds." In selecting the roots from the herbaceous kinds for grafting, I made choice of different sizes, which varied in thickness from that of the little finger to one inch and a half in diameter ; and I used them in proportion to the strength of the scion to be inserted. For some time I performed the operation in the ordinary way. I cut the roots lengthwise in pieces, allowing each a length of three or four inches ; then inserted the scion in the split, which was afterwards tied firmly together with bass, covered the whole with grafting wax, and planted each root in a pot, &.C., &,c. ; but in the course of time experience induced me to modify this practice, and the results were highly satisfactory. Instead of cutting away the prolonged part of the roots from which the fine fibres issue, I conserved them carefully, inserted the scion in the usual manner, but used for tying, instead of bass, galvanized wire, which of course is more durable than bass, and therefore prevents rottenness. Having grafted about twenty or thirty roots, I covered their surface, but only their surface, with grafting wax, planted each carefully in a pot, and leaving only one eye of the scion overground. These pots Avere made for the purpose. They were about six inches high, and from two to three inches in diameter. There were various sizes used in this operation. After they were all planted, I placed the plants in a dung frame, where the heat was just on the decline. I kept the lights close, and the roots without water for about three days, till a swelling of the buds was visible. Then I commenced sprinkling, giving at the same time every day a little air for an hour or two, which, of course, ought to be augmented when the young plants show signs of their being well established; the lights may tlien be removed altogether, General Notices. 551 but shaded against powerful sun. A shift into pots a size larger will be of great benefit for their strength and healthy development ; and whilst the roots arc growing to the outside of the balls from the second shift, the place for their future destination in the open ground should be prepared. And here I might venture to say, when we are desirous to bring pceonies to that state of perfection which they are able to attain, and form objects of ad- miration, a favorable position is indispensable. How often do we meet with single plants, or whole beds of pseonies, crowded and neglected under the wide-spreading branches of full-grown trees ! Plants thus situated some- times produce their blossoms as profusely as those planted in a better locality ; but when spring comes on, a slight shower or a gentle breeze ia sufficient to bend their heads and spoil their blooms, and this only for want of vigorous and healtliy growth. Therefore plant your pseonies in a free Bituation, allowing them six feet in circumference, where no spade nor other garden tool may injure their roots, and these — the herbaceous kinds, for example — will attain a height of three feet and more ; they will bear their flowers in the most conspicuous manner, and prove the most orna- mental objects of the garden. — [Gard. Jour., 1852, p. 612.) Stephanotus Floribunda. — When I state that this lovely stove twiner comes from Madagascar, it will be readily inferred that it likes a warm, moist temperature, to promote vigorous growth and secure an abundant display of its snowy white, deliciously fragrant blossoms ; nevertheless, like many other plants which are natives of warm climates, when the wood is properly ripened, it may be wintered in a temperature very little warmer than that of an ordinary greenhouse; indeed, it is more easily accom- modated in this respect than would be supposed, by persons having only for their guide the climate of its native country. It may be propagated by short-jointed cuttings of the young wood, se- lected from flowering plants, if possible, in a half ripe state, planted in sandy peaty soil, covered with a bell-glass, and plunged in a brisk bottom- heat of about 85°, in which they will emit roots freely, and probably be ready for potting singly, in small pots, in the course of a month or six weeks from the time in which thev were put in. They must be returned to bottom-heat after potting singly, and kept close and moist during the sum- mer, and shifted as necessary. Cuttings got in early in March, and properly attended to during the summer, may easily be made into well-established plants, in C-inch pots, in the course of the season. Winter them in a light, airy situation, where the temperature may range from 50° to 60°, and water cautiously and rather sparingly. As early in spring as convenient, remove the young plants to a brisk bottom-heat of 80° or 85°, and maintain a close, moist, warm temperature, of from 70° to 75°. Any weak, straggling shoot, should be cut back, and the stronger ones shortened ; and any of the plants that may have filled their pots with roots should be shifted, — a liberal shift being given to such as are vigorous and thriving. It is advisable, however, at this stage, to decide as to whether the plants are intended for planting out or flowering in pots, and also the sized specimen preferred. Well established plants in 552 General Notices. 8-inch pots may be shifted at once into 15-inch pots, which will be suffi- ciently large for the growth of very fine specimens, and training should be attended to before the young wood makes much progress. Light, round, wire trellises, eighteen inches across, and about four feet high, are the best for the purpose. If a liberal system of treatment is pursued during the summer, with a sharp bottom-heat, the plants will make immense progress, and will cover their trellises closely. Towards the middle of September, the atmosphere should be gradually kept rather drier, and the plants should be wintered in a dry, airy place, where the temperature may average about 55°. This treatment will ripen and harden the young wood, and prepare it for furnishing in the coming season a liberal display of blossom. If it is wished to have the plants in flower early in the year, it will be necessary to replunge them in bottom-heat, say towards the end of March, and to treat them much the same as directed for last season, except that the atmosphere should not be kept moist; any shifting, of course, will not be required. When in flower, (with which the plants will be thickly covered if they have been properly managed,) they may be removed to the green- house, conservatory, sitting-room window, or to any other desirable situation where an average temperature of from 50° to 60° can be maintained. With judicious management in keeping the atmosphere rather dry, and avoiding the settlement of damp upon the blossoms, they will remain in perfection for many weeks ; indeed, my own specimens of stephanotus usually i-etain their places in the conservatory for some two months at a time, and most attractive objects they are throughout this comparatively long period. I am, however, careful to keep them perfectly free from red spider, and to gradually prepare them for removal from a high, moist temperature, and also to aiford them a close corner in the conservatory. When their beauty is over, they should be loosened from their frames, the weaker shoots entirely cut out, and the length of the stronger ones greatly reduced. The plants should then be placed in bottom heat, main- taining, at the same time, a warm, moist, growing atmosphere, sprinkling overhead morning and evening, and supplying clear, weak manure-water, in order to induce them to break freely. If liberally treated in this way for six weeks or two months, the plants will make plenty of young wood, which must be ripened as directed for last year, when the specimens will flower as abundantly as in the previous season. The stephanotus may be partially disrooted, when necessary, with little or no injury. The soil will probably be found to have become sodden and unkind by the end of the second flowering season, in which case the plants should be turned out of their pots, the sodden soil and decayed roots re- moved, and repotted in the same sized pots, unless it is desirable to have larger specimens, in which case they may be afilirded the largest sized pots. Treated in this way, the specimens will last — I know not how long, for my oldest plant is still my most prolific bloomer. Good fresh turfy loam and peat, in about equal proportions, broken small, with a liberal mixture of sand, charcoal, or potsherds, form the most suitable compost for the growth of young plants. To the soil for plants tlmt have been disrooted, I usually General Notices. 553 add about one fiftli thoroughly decayed cow-dung, passed through a fine sieve to clear it of worms. — [Card. Chron., 1852, p. GQ8.) The Cineraria. — Flowering from Christmas to June, and forming hand- some specimens for decorative purposes at a comparatively small expense, both as regards attention and accommodation ; and also furnishing a pro- fusion of finely-shaped many-colored flowers for bouquets, which the cineraria does, it well deserves to be, as it is, one of the most popular flowers of the day. It is of easy culture, and in most cases is well man- aged ; but, nevertheless, in some instances where ample means exist, and also, doubtless, a desire to produce respectable specimens, it exhibits effects of the worst possible treatment. The following hints may enable such growers to produce creditable examples of this extremely useful plant. The ordinary method of propagating the cineraria is by root suckers, which are produced abundantly by plants after blooming, when placed in a shady situation and properly attended to with water. The old plants should be broken up as early in August as suckers can be had strong enough ; the latter should be potted singly in 4-inch pots, and placed in a shady part of a cold frame till well established, which will be in less than a fortnight. The plants should then be placed near the glass, and receive abundance of air, with a view to secure " stocky " growth. During autumn, and until severe weather occurs, a cold frame will form the most suitable situation for promoting rapid growth ; but some attention will be necessary — not to wet the foliage any more than can be helped, and also to avoid cold currents of air, which turn the leaves foxy, and greatly injure the plants. At the same time, however, admit sufficient air to prevent Aveakly growth. Water should be applied early in the day when necessary, giving a good soaking, and air admitted on the sheltered side of the frame, to dry the atmosphere and foliage. During autumn and winter the cineraria is somewhat liable to mildew, especially some varieties ; keep, therefore, a sharp out-look for this enemy, and apply sulphur, the moment it appears, to the parts affected. Mildew is greatly encouraged by a confined, over-moist atmosphere, which is also very congenial to aphides, which will be sure to make their appear- ance under such circumstances. 'As soon as they are perceived, apply tobacco smoke ; but if the plants are kept in good health, neither evil will be very troublesome. As soon as frost is likely to occur, the glass should be protected every night with straw screens, or some efficient covering ; for, remember, the cineraria will not stand much frost, and neglect in cov- ering may do irreparable damage. With respect to potting, the plants should be allowed plenty of root room until near their period of flowering, and they ought never to be pot-bound during the growing season. Liberal shifts may be given to healthy thriving plants, but weak varieties should not be over-potted. Specimens may have 10-inch pots at the second shift, which will be sufficiently large for the winter, and in March tliey may be moved into 12 or 15-inch pots, according to the sized specimens desired. The plants should be removed to the front of the greenhouse, or to some light, airy situation, where they will be secure from frost and damp. As before stated, keep them free from insects and mildew, and remove any VOL. XVIII. NO. XII. 70 554 General Notices. decaying leaves as they appear. When the flower-stems begin to elongate they should be pegged or tied out, so as to keep the specimens open for the admission of light and air, and manure-water will be highly beneficial at this stage. When the plants are in flower they should occupy an airy place, where they will receive abundance of light without being exposed to the full force of the forenoon's sun ; but this applies only to plants flowering after the sun becomes powerful in spring. Those blossoming in winter, like full exposure to the little sunshine and light which can then be afforded them. Where specimens are wished to flower in winter, cuttings should be selected about April, planted in light sandy soil, placed in a temperature of about 55°, and grown as freely as possible during the summer and autumn, and allowed to become pot bound towards November, when, if placed in a temperature of about 50°, they will be found to flower freely, and will be exceedingly useful for furnishing cut flowers. Seeds sown in April, pro- duce useful plants for winter flowering, as they grow more vigorously during the summer. When the beauty of the specimens is over, remove the flower stems, unless seed is Avanted, and then only a few spikes need be left. Place the plants in a shady situation, and keep them clear of in- sects and properly supplied with water until a supply of suckers is obtained, when the old plants may be thrown away. Good fresh turfy loam, in the proportion of two parts to one of two years old cow-dung, well intermixed with a quantity of clean sharp sand, according to the nature of the loam, to ensure efficient drainage, forms an excellent compost for the cineraria. For small plants, leaf soil or sandy peat may be substituted for the cow- dung.— ( Gard. airon., 1852, p. 727.) PojipoNE Chrysanthemums. — I have a plant of R^noncule, in a 12-inch pot, upwards of four feet through, and three feet high, and it has more than five hundred expanded and expanding flowers on it. It is also well clothed with healthy green foliage. This is the gem of all the pompones which I have seen. It is a free flowerer, and the blossoms are as double as those of the most double daisy. — [Gard. Chron., 1852, p. 727.) The Epiphyllum. — Many of the varieties of this genus deserve to be classed with the most beautiful and useful of ornamental plants ; for under proper treatment their showy blossoms are produced very abundantly ; and where it is desirable, they may be had in flower nearly the whole year round. Their culture, although simple, appears to be imperfectly under- stood by many, and others seem to esteem these truly interesting plants as worthy of no more attention than suffices to keep them alive. They are increased by cuttings or by grafting; the latter method is adopted in the case of weak growing kinds, like the varieties of truncatum, which are supposed by many to flourish best when grafted on some strong- growing stock. I, however, prefer rooted plants of truncatum as well as of others, when dwarf, handsome specimens are wanted. Select strong, firm pieces of the young wood for cuttings ; for, although any part will emit roots, young shoots will be found to form the best plants. Lay the cuttings in a dry place, exposed to the sun for a day or two before planting, witli a view to dry up the superfluous moisture. Insert them General Notices. 555 singly, in smnll pots, well drained and filled with light, sandy soil, and plunge in a gentle bottom-heat in a close warm pit or frame, and water very sparingly until they have become rooted and have started into growth. When well established in their pots, shift into others a size larger ; and about a fortnight after shifting, remove the plants to a situation near the glass, where air can be freely admitted on favorable occasions, and where tlae temperature may average about G5°, which will be found more conducive to strong, vigorous growth, than a high, moist temperature. A moderate supply of water, sprinkling overhead on the evenings of bright days, and stopping any over-gross shoot, so as to secure compact, well-formed plants, are all that will be required during the summer. Early in autumn, the supply of water should be gradually lessened, and the plants fully exposed to sunshine, to mature and ripen their growth. A light airy situation in the greenhouse will suit them during the winter months, and at this season very little, or no water, should be given to the soil. At the end of the first season, the plants ought to be nice compact specimens, capable of producing a good display of blossom; but unless tliey are wanted for small decorative plants, they should not be allowed to flower until the following season. Early in March, place them in a moist growing temperature of 55°, allowing it to rise 10° or 15° with sun heat; water liberally with tepid water, to bring the soil into a moist, healthy state ; shift into larger pots as may be necessary, and keep the plants growing briskly until September, when they should be prepared for winter, as directed for last season. If the wood is properly matured, and the plants given a season of rest, by water being withheld, &c., as already directed for the winter, they will produce an abundant display of blossom at any season they may be introduced into a gentle heat, and few plants are more useful or easily managed for winter forcing. Plants intended for forcing should be started early in the season, and if portions are grown at intervals during the spring and summer, ripened, and wintered, there will be no difficulty in keeping up a succession of bloom from January to July. A situation in an early vinery, pit, or elsewhere, -with a moist atmosphere, and a temperature of from 50° to 60°, will answer for forcing them. Portions should be introduced at intervals of about three weeks, and those to flower late must be retarded by being kept in the cold- est part of the greenhouse, and quite dry. While in bloom, the plants should occupy a rather cool, dry atmosphere, as the flowers will last longer under such circumstances than in a high, moist temperature. When the beauty of the flowers is over, thin full-sized specimen plants severally, cutting out any old shoots that can be spared, and weakly young shoots, so as to lighten the specimens and make room for the young wood, and pre- serve the desired form. The plants had better be allowed a fortnight, in a cool place, to recruit their exhausted energies, before placing them in heat, especially such as may have been forced early ; and such plants that are full grown need not be kept in heat longer than is necessary to secure sufiicient young wood to afford a good display of blossom. The varieties of truncatum are better adapted for autumn and winter 556 General Notices. flowering than any of the others, as this is their natural season of blooming, and they are easily managed and amongst the showiest objects in our stoves during the dull winter months. These naturally start into growth early in spring, and they should be encouraged by a sharp, moist heat, as they are weakly growers, and ought not to be stowed away in a cool green- house after flowering, as is sometimes done. The most suitable soil for the epiphyllum is light, sandy, turfy loam, and good turfy peat, in the proportion of three-fourths of the former to one of the latter, nicely broken up and mixed with sufficient sharp sand to keep it porous, and ensure free drainage after the decay of the fibre. When the specimens attain a large size and occupy pots as large as it is convenient to afford them, they should be liberally supplied with clear, weak manure water, during the growing and flowering seasons, and the pots may be surfaced with rich compost ; this will aflford sufficient nourishment for years. Light iron frames, fixed to the pots, form the best supports for training on ; these are easily moved with the plants in case of repotting, and are not always breaking, as wooden stakes thrust into the soil are. — ( Gard. Chron., 1852, p. 677.) Mandevilla suaveolens — In a recent visit to the Botanic Gardens at Montpelier, I observed Mandevilla suaveolens growing over a trellis as a hardy climber. With a view to test the severity of the winter, I inquired what species of Passiflora flourished under similar treatment, and learnt that none but P. caerulea would live there out-of-doors ; all others which had been tried had been killed by frost in winter. On my remarking that P. caerulea flourished in England, the gardener assured me that Mandevilla was decidedly more hardy ; and that where P. caerulea flour- ished, he had no doubt Mandevilla would equally. In accordance with this statement, I observe that a branch of Mandevilla which has grown out through tlie roof of my greenhouse is this day (October 18) in perfect flower, having been exposed, about ten days ago, to a frost which injured French beans, Convolvus major, caused the leaves of Mangold Wurzel to droop, and so damaged flowers of Passiflora csrulea against a wall, that they did not expand. I should remark that the greenhouse is span- roofed, so that the Mandevilla was exposed both to wind and radiation without any protection whatever. I mention this to induce others to try Mandevilla, as I intend to do, next year, against a wall where Passiflora flourishes. I may add that the frosts at Montpelier are occasionally so severe that Cupressus lusitanica was severely injured, and oranges and olives killed outright. On the other hand, from the heat of the summer, Nelumbium both flowers and seeds in a tank in the middle of the garden. — ( Gard. Chron., 1852, p. 677.) Fruit Room. — Our fruit room is the upper room of a square building against the garden wall, and over the tool-house. An inside stair leads from the tool-house up to the fruit room. The dimensions of it are nearly as follows, 16 ft. by 14 ft., and about 8 ft. high. Around the sides are shelves, made of narrow slips of wood, rough from the saw, about 2 inches wide, having fully half an inch between every one. The floor is very open, General Notices. 557 being laid down a few years ago witli Huntingdon willoAv timber before being properly seasoned. It having now become well dried, and having large openings between every board, admits a free current of air by opening a trap-hole (of 3 ft. by nearly 2 ft.) over head in the fruit room, which is quite close up to the roofing, composed of small slating, and very open, the air always passing through it quite as much as in any tile roof. The tool- house floor is of the same material as the fruit-room floor ; there is under it "a lumber store-room of some 7 to 8 feet high. This building stands quite away from any other, against the east side of the garden wall, and the roof meeting at a centre. Thus much for position. It is lighted from two windows on the east side ; these are close to the flooring, each 2^ feet by 3 feet. Being so low, the light is never very strong ; but I do not look upon this as being necessary. Even less light than is admitted here would be quite sufficient for the purpose. This is an old building, fitted up a few years ago. Owing to this part of the country being always so very damp, especially in winter, I suggested this high and airy place being tried as a fruit-room ; and from the trial made, it seems to answer better than the one on the ground floor, where the walls in damp weather were always hanging full of moisture like large drops of dew. This has not been a good season for apples here, many of the fruit became decayed and blotchy while on the trees ; however, those that were sound and good when gathered are as yet appearing to keep well. Pears have this season proved a better crop than in general. A number of young trees have produced fruit for the first time.— {Gard. Jour., 1852, p. 724.) RosES. — The following remarks on the classification of the rose, with a description of their signs of distinction, may perhaps be of some interest to your readers. They are from the Garten und Blumen Zeitung : — M. Carriere divides Roses into seven main classes : — 1. Perpetual or Portland Roses. 2. Hybrid Perpetuals from Portland. 3. Hybrid Perpetuals from Bourbon. 4. Bourbon Roses. 5. Noisette Roses. 6. Bengal Roses. 7. Tea Roses. Signs of Distinction. Class 1. — Perpetual or Poiiland Roses have fine short thorns, which ap- pear very close together, cover the branches almost entirely, and give them a brownish appearance. The branches grow erect. The flower-stalks are short and stiff", and each of them supports usually one flower, which has a somewhat lengthened calyx. For example: Duchesse de Rohan, Julie, Krudner, Bernard, Favorite, and others. Class 2. — Hybrid Perpetuals, from Portland. — These produce erect grow- ing branches, and are covered with hard thorns, which vary in size and strength. They assume the same growth as the Portland Roses, have like- wise a lengthened calyx, but on the top of the branches there are some- 558 General Notices. times one, three, or seven flowers, forming a stiff and erect bouquet. Rose de Quatre Saisons may be taken as the type of their growth and their flowers ; also La Reine, Baronne Prevost, Jaques Laffitte, Madame Laffay, Duchess of Sutherland, Amandine, Louis Bonaparte, Clementine Seringe, Gloire d'Angers, Corate de Montalivet, &c. Class 3. — Hybrid Perpeluals, from the Ile-Bourbon. — It seems that plants of this class keep the balance between Perpetual and Bourbon kinds : they approach, however, in appearance more to the latter. The sepals of the calyx are generally very strongly fimbriated. The rounded form of the calyx is also another sign by which they may be distinguished from the Portland hybrids. An irregular and intricate position of the branches gives them a peculiar appearance. Examples are Clementine Deval, Comte de Bobinski, Ernestine de Barante, Colonel Foissy, G6ant des Batailles, Vicomtesse de Belleval, &c. Class 4. — Bourbon Roses. — The wood of these is smooth ; their branches are sometimes short, terminating with a single flower. But the buds of some kinds are strong, and produce vigorous shoots, on the tops of which appear from three to twelve flowers. The thorns at the base are strong, curved, and placed at some distance from each other. The sepals are oval, rounded, strong, fimbriated, smooth, and dark-green. The calyx is rounded. It often happens that the branches of some kinds in this cla§s grow horizontally. Examples : La Reine des Ile-Bourbon, Madame Des- prez, Charles Souchet, Paul Joseph, Souvenir de la Malmaison, Souvenir du 4 Mai, Remond, Mrs. Bosanquet, &c. Class 5. — JVoisette Roses. — Their foliage has much resemblance to that of the Tea Roses, but their branches are more vigorous, much longer, and terminated by numerous flower-buds. The bark of the branches is smooth and thorny. Examples: Lamarque, Ophyrie, Aimee Vibert, Rose Mille Ecus, Noisette Desprez, &c. Class 6. — -Bengal Roses. — In this class the branches are nearly without thorns, the bark is smooth, the sepals are more or less prolonged and fim- briated, the branches seldom bear more than one flower. The calyx is rounded, the flowers have nearly always color, whilst those of the Tea Roses (with which this class is in close relationship) are, with few excep- tions, pale white or yellowish. It is also to be observed, the flowers of the Bengal Roses are very seldom scented. Examples : Bengale Ordinaire, Cramoisie Sup6rieure, Prince Eugene, Eugene Hardy, Beaucarmin du Luxembourg, Augustine Hersan, &c. Class 7. — Tea Roses. — The branches have a very smooth bark, and have not many thorns. The leaves are glossy, and the flowers appear on the top of the branches, which are slender and not very long. In most cases the weight of the flowers bends the branches, so that only their under-side is seen. Vigorous examples produce sometimes stronger shoots, Avhich are not so flexible, and bear three or often five flowers on their end, as Devo- niensis, Safrano, Souvenir d'un Ami, Vicomtesse Decazes, Elisa Sauvage, Bur6s, Goubault, Moir6, Sic.—{Gard. Jour., 1852, p. 724.) Plants for Pillar-Decoration. — Experience of the usefulness of General Notices. 559 the common Heliotrope (Heliotropium peruvianum) enables me to come forward as its advocate ; and I can justly place it foremost in the rank of plants for adorning pillars, wires, or any other suitable situation of a cool conservatory where a graceful pyramidal appearance would be deemed an acquisition. Few lovers of plants and flowers pass through our conserva- tory without granting their tribute of praise on the subject under notice, which runs up a pillar to the height of fourteen feet, and about three feet diameter at the base, tapering in its upward progress to a couple of leading shoots, forming a pyramid of pendent branches, with clusters of flowers hanging gracefully from the extremities of each of them. I find it requisite to pinch all the laterals proceeding from last year's growth of the leader, or any other strong shoot protruding without the boundary ; it induces them to throw out a number of a weaker stump or flowering shoots, cliecking their vigor and benefiting those underneath, by directing the current of sap to them : and from their spurred nature from repeated prunings they break with more shoots than are required : the weakest should be weeded out, to allow the others the benefit of the sun and air, when they will shoot out rapidly and produce that much-admired form, the pyramid. The useful- ness of this plant for the conservatory or cut bloom may be best understood when I say, that during nine months of the year it is covered with bloom. I believe it would prove perpetual were pruning not requisite to keep it in form. That operation is performed in the beginning of March ; a few weeks after, it is covered Avith a lively green, and its growth encouraged during that season with frequent waterings of liquid manure, which are dis- continued in August. After that time the plants placed upon the soil wherein it grows supply it plentifully with the water that has passed through them ; and the increasing moisture of the atmosphere and with- drawal of sun-heat make its wants more moderate. An interesting com- panion opposite to it — in habit and foliage resembling it very much, whilst in the color of the flowers it forms a decided contrast — is the lovely and rich scarlet-flowered Salvia gesneriflora. Under the same treatment as the Heliotrope it thrives equally well, and flowers abundantly during the winter and spring months. Sollyea linearis, covering a third pillar, may be classed next it in usefulness for cut bloom, but it is inferior to none of the former in exhibiting a graceful habit, densely studded over with its lovely blue blos- soms. It is said to grow best in a mixture of peat and sand ; here it grows and flowers freely in the border mixture, which originally was loam and leaf mould, but all traces of the latter are gone. The fourth pillar is cov- ered with Cytisus racemosus, with its evergreen garb and fine spikes of yellow bloom, imparting a cheering influence in a dull period of the year. The time required to cover the pillars might be raised as an objection to the use of such slow-growing plants as recommended above. The same objection is applicable to our finest exhibition plants ; and who grudges the few years spent in bringing them to that acme of perfection, as seen in the specimens which adorn tne show tables of our metropolitan exhibitions ? Or it might be got over by planting a late and rapidly-growing Fuchsia at 560 Genet^al Notices. a considerable distance from the pillar, where its roots may not interfere with those plants which are to remain, and carrying its stems under ground to the bottom of the pillar, clearing its branches away, as they clothed the part under it. When covered it might be removed, or better allowed to remain, when it will form a fine umbel and showy head of bloom during the summer and autumn months. — {Gard. Jour., 1852, p. 724.) Early Bulbs. — Through the medium of your Calendar, and other sources of information, the attention of amateurs and forcing gardeners has been directed to the importance of procuring and potting their bulbs for early forcing. The London nurserymen and seedsmen, to meet this demand and accommodate their customers, have urged the Dutch growers to forward them earlier than usual, and the consequence is that now, instead of receiv- ing the bulbs in October, it is not unusual to see them here in August, or even the end of July. Now, it cannot be denied that early potting or plant- ing is one of the main hinges of success in forcing bulbs for Christn)as decoration, but whether early potting means the end of July or the middle of September, is a matter worth defining. We all know, at least every gardener ought to know, that the great desideratum in bulb management is to have them thoroughly matured, first by the full exposure of the foliage to light and atmospheric influences until it dies off naturally, and secondly by slowly drying and ripening the bulbs afterwards until they are as firm and solid as possible. Upon this thorough ripening, much more of the suc- cess of early forcing and strong flowers depends than upon premature ripening and potting. I say " premature ripening," because I believe, in fact I have had the information direct from some of the principal growers in Holland, that to meet this early demand a portion of the bulbs has to be taken up before their growth is completed ; and hence, though early, they are immature, and consequently do not contain the elements of early and vigorous development. It may be argued that the early imported bulbs are properly matured, to which I reply, test them. Take a dozen bulbs in the end of July, weigh them, and then let them remain in the sun-scorched and gas-heated seed- shop window, and in a fortnight they will have lost one-third of their weight, and will in consequence have quite a shrivelled appearance. Submit a similar quantity of later imported bulbs to the same test in September, and they will scarcely be injured at all. Let me not, however, be misunder- stood; for while I am desirous of pointing out the impropriety of importing bulbs very early, I do not wish to run to the old extreme of very late im- portations. For my own part, I am quite convinced — and I force many hundreds annually — that thoroughly ripened bulbs potted by the beginning of October, and properly treated afterwards, are superior for blooming at Christmas to those imported in July ; in fact, having more true sap stored up, they will produce finer spikes of bloom than the early imported bulbs possi- bly can do. Few plants pay better for good treatment than early bulbs, and they delight in good rich soil, such as mellow loan and fresh horse-dung sweated General Notices. 561 together and afterwards well aerated, mixed with about one-third of per- fectly decomposed three-year-old cow-dung, and plenty of gritty sand. Thus potted and placed in a frame, if upon a spent hot-bed all the better, and covered 6 to 12 inches deep with old tan or ashes, and fully exposed, except to drenching rains, they will soon fill the pots with roots and be fit to introduce to the forcing-house the beginning of November. Bulbs should not be selected for their size, but for their weight and solidity ; a small bulb that is heavy and firm, especially about the point of growth, will produce a much finer flower than one double the size, but soft and scaly ; and hence it is not right to estimate bulbs by their size, so much as by their weight and proper maturation. In making the above remarks my object is to check the early importation of bulbs, by showing purchasers the impropriety of buying them. Bulbs imported early should be kept cool and in the dark ; and if you wish to have good flowers, avoid those that have been exposed in seed-shop win- dows.—(Garrf. Chron., 1852, p. 548.) The Manetti Rose. — Some eight or nine years ago I planted two borders with pillar Roses, principally of varieties of hybrid China and hybrid Bourbon ; many of these were budded on the Manetti, the remainder on the Dog Rose ; they were not marked but planted indiscriminately, and all about the diflference in the stocks entirely forgotten till some time about the end of last July, when I was attracted by the extremely vigorous growth of many of the Roses in question, in contrast with others in the same borders ; this led to examination and inquiry, when I found that all, or nearly all, of these vigorous growing Roses, were budded on the Manetti Rose, the others on the Dog Rose. The former are from 7 to 8 feet in height, and among them are the following sorts : Baronne Prevost, Charles Duval, Legonn6, Parigot, t&c. They are now 10 years old, and the union of the bud with the stock is so perfect as scarcely to be distinguished. Surely this is evidence enough as to the durable quality of this stock ; but why should it be otherwise, will Messrs. Lane and Paul say ? Is not the Manetti a hybrid China Rose ? and are not all our finest autumnal Roses of the same race ? The transition must therefore be less than when a bud of a hybrid Rose is placed in a Dog Rose stock. I ought to add, that the pillar Roses, above described, are growing in a cold wet soil on a subsoil of clay. I have hitherto thought the Manetti better adapted to light sandy soils, in which I have always observed it to succeed admirably. I was particularly struck this summer with a bed of the Rose G6ant des Batailles, in the garden of Mr. Mickle, of Folkestone. The plants are three or four years old, and most vigorous and beautiful. Two or three plants in the same bed are on the Dog Rose ; tlie contrast is most remarka- ble. Now, the soil at Folkestone is so light and sandy that Roses on the Dog Rose seldom or never succeed well. The Manetti Rose stock requires some attention as to the time of budding, and care in not giving it too rich a soil, &c. I remember finding some little difficulty in its management at first; and sol think it will be well for the above-named gentlemen, my good friends and neighbors, to come here and serve a sort of apprenticeship. VOL, XVIII. NO. XII. 71 562 Foreign Notices. I shall require only a moderate premium ; if they are teachable and docile 1 will treat them kindly ; and when they knoAv how to manage this stock as well as I do, they will think it as great a boon to the Rose-grower as all those who know it well are inclined to do ; and they will then, I am sure, leave off" evil speaking" about this poor Rose. How beautiful at this mo- ment are the following Roses budded on it : Standard of Marengo, Duchess of Sutherland, Baronne Prevost, Beranger, Caroline de Sansal, Baronne Hallez (the most perfect and beautiful Rose ever seen,) Gtant des Batailles, &c. In conclusion, I may mention that I have just been looking at some Manetti stocks, trained for standards ; these made shoots, last year, 8 feet in length ; they are this season fastened to stakes, have not been pruned, and are swelling rapidly. Owing to improved agriculture we shall lose our Hedge and Dog Briars, and then for standard Rose stocks. When all our I'riars are " gone and spent," ManeUi will be excellent. [Gard. Chron., 1852, p. 565.) Art. n. Foreign JVotices. ENGLAND. Dahlias and Dahlia Exhibitions of 1852. — The season just closed has been a highly favorable one for dahlia cultivators in England ; and the exhibitions have been not only exceedingly fine, but have attracted great attention. Indeed, the taste for this splendid autumnal flower has in no wise abated ; on the contrary, there seems to be renewed attention given to its cultivation and the growth of new seedlings. By the liberality of Messrs. Turner, Keynes, Bushell, and other nurserymen and florists, nu- merous prizes, from £1 to £5 each, have been offered to amateurs, which has greatly increased the number of cultivators, and infused fresh zeal into the older ones. The season with us has been far more favorable than that of 1851. The summer was exceedingly dry ; but the moist, cool and prolonged autumn, without frost, brought forward the plants rapidly ; and for four weeks, we never saw a finer display of flowers. The varieties of two years have thus been crowded into one ; for last year scarcely a new variety produced a flower. As much as the dahlia has been improved, the newer ones are far in advance of those of former years. One would indeed suppose the difference could not be so great ; but a comparison of the two will show the difference. From the following awards at some of the leading societies around Lon- don, the amateur will see at once what are the leading flowers : — Rotal South London. — Best twenty-four: John Edwards, Snowflake, Toison d'Or, Queen of Yellows, General Fauchier, Mrs. Seldon, Wellington, Fearless, Seraph, Essex Triumph, Goliath, Nil Disperandum, Triumphant, Foreisrn Notices. 563 "is Morning Star, Queen of Wales, Edward Forster, Sir R. Peel, Elizabetli, El Dorado, Mr. Seldon, Napier, Mrs. Ashby, Sir R. Whittington, and Mre. Herbert, — to Mr. Drummond, Bath. Salisbury Horticultural Fete. — Best twenty-four: General Fau- chier, John Edwards, Seraph, Fearless, Mr. Seldon, R. Cobden, Annie Salter, Sir F. Bathurst, Princess Radzville, Douglas Jerrold, Malvina, Yellow Standard, Essex Triumph, Miss Chaplin, Negro, Duke of Cam- bridge, Eirene, Mr. Herbert, Model, Sir R. Peel, George Glenny, Queen of Beauties, Sir F. Bathurst, Morning Star, El Dorado, and Seedling, — to Mr. J. Keynes, Salisbury. North London Floricultural. — Best twenty-four: Princess Radz- ville, Negro, Douglas Jerrold, John Edwards, Queen of Whites, Mr. Herbert, Malvina, General Fauchier, Sir F. Bathurst, Una, Essex Triumph, Annie Salter, Mr. Seldon, Magnificent, Standard of Perfection, Fearless, Sir R. Whittington, Wellington, Queen of the East, Sir R. Peel, Beauty of Kent, F. Jerome, Goliath, and Triumphant, — to Mr. J. Keynes. Daventry Horticultural and Floral. — Best twenty-four: Earl of Clarendon, General Fauchier, Toison d'Or, Queen of Lilacs, Negro, Mrs. Seldon, Ambassador, Seraph, Sir C. Napier, Mr. Seldon, Marchioness of Cornwallis, R. Cobden, Mrs. Hansard, Privateer, Admiral, Sir F. Bathurst, Lady Granville, Duke of Wellington, Essex Triumph, Roundhead, Jenny Lind, Grenadier, Yellow Superb, and Princess Radzville, — to Mr. Holliday. Grand Dahlia Show at Edinburgh. — Best twenty-four: Plantagenet, General Fauchier, Queen of Dahlias, Princess Radzville, George Glenny, Mr. Seldon, Sir C. Napier, Andromeda, Princess Louisa, Bob, Miss Speers, Malvina, Grantas Gem, Thames Bank Hero, Yellow Standard, Essex Triumph, Queen of Beauties, Mr. Herbert, Sir F. Thesiger, Lady E. Cath- cart, Sir R. Peel, Seraph, Beauty of Versailles, and Sir John Franklin, — to Mr. C. Turner, Slough, the Silver Cup ; value, 5 sovereigns. Trowbridge Grand Horticultural and Floral. — Best twenty-four: Mrs. Seldon, R. Cobden, Douglas Jerrold, General Fauchier, Madame Gaubert, Anticipation, Nero, White Defiance, Morning Star, Fearless, Annie Salter, Goliath, Sir F. Bathurst, Miss Chaplin, John Edwards, Alice, Nonpariel, Princess Radzville, Una, Model, Magnificent, Duke of Cam- bridge, and Hon. Mrs. Herbert, — to Mr. Keynes, the silver cup, (5 guineas.) Fancy. — The interest in this class is increasing, and the varieties, both for novelty of color and form, have been greatly improved, so that they now fully equal the old show kinds. The following are the prominent flowers in the winning stands : — Mrs. Hansard, Pheeton, Lady Grenville, Emperor de Maroc, Miss Weyland, Glorie des Keynes, Flora McJur, Elizabeth, Miss Compton, Miss Bathurst, Jetty TreflPcz, Madame Bresmi, Jenny Lind, Mrs. Willis, Charles Perry, Duchess of Sutherland, Princess Charlotte, Maid of Lodi, Kingfisher, and La Jeanette. Mrs. Hansard received an extra premium, as the best fancy variety in the whole exhibition. Seedlings. — Certificates were awarded to Mr. Turner, for Plantagenet, Bob, and Sir J. Franklin : to Mr. Keynes, for Lilac King and Wonderful : to Mr. Raulings, for Brilliant. 564 Horticultural Societies. Art. III. Hoiiicultural Societies. Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural Society. — The autumnal exhibition was held on the 13th and 14th of September, in Albany, — Dr. Wendell in the chair : who, in some appropriate remarks, called the atten- tion of the members to the death of Mr. Downing, and offered some resolu- tions expressive of the sense of the meeting, which were unanimously adopted. The reports of the committees are given at length, but we only have room for a brief abstract : — Fruit. — Col. Rathbone exhibited nine varieties of grapes, the best ever shown before the society ; also peaches, pears, &c. Dr. H. Wendell, 49 varieties of pears, (not for competition,) including several rare kinds. Ell- wanger & Barry, Rochester, 53 var. of pears. Willson, Thorburn & Teller, 53 var. of pears, and several of apples, peaches, &c. Fine collec- tions of pears, and other fruits, came from J. D. Mclntyre, J. S. Goold, V, P. Douw, L. Menand, H. T. E. Forster, J. Mayall, E. C. Mcintosh, E. E. Piatt, R. H. Hart, J. J. Thomas, Macedon ; J, Moore, Cayuga Bridge ; Hon. A. J. Parker, B. B. Kirtland, E. Corning, Jr., E. Wood, and others. The following is the award of some of the principal prizes : — TREMIUMS. Apples. — For the best and most extensive collection, Wilson, Thorbdrn & Teller, #3 00. Pears. — For the best and most extensive collection, Wilson, Thorburn & Teller, $3 00. For the best six varieties, to Jefferson Mayell, for Louise Bonne of Jersey, Bartlett, Seckel, White Doyenn6, Belle Lucrative, and Beurre Oris d'Hiver Nouveau, ^2 00. Peaches. — Best and most extensive collection, Willson, Thorburn & Teller, #3 00. Best three vars,, to Joel Rathbone, for George IV, Bergen Yellow, Red Rareripe, $0 00. Plurns. — Best and most extensive collection, E. Dorr, $3 00. For best six vars., to E. Dorr, for Jefferson, Red Gage, Imperial Gage, Dorr's Seedling, Washington, Deniston's Superb, $2 00. Grapes, foreign, (open culture.) — Best two vars., to John S. Goold, for Zinfindal and Sweet Water, #2 00. Grapes, foreign, (under glass.) — Best exhibition, to Col. Rathbone, $3 00. Watermelons. — Best two vars., to Col. Rathbone, for Black Spanish and Ice Cream, $3 00. Muskmdons. — Best one variety, to J. Mayell, for Green Citron, $\ 00. Flowers, — The show was extensive and fine. Mr. E. M. Van Alstyne exhibited 81 var. of dahlias. J. Wilson, 40 var. of verbenas, and many other flowers. Col. Rathbone, 42 var. of dahlias, &c., &c. PREMIUMS. Dahlias — For the best display, to E. M. Van Alstyne, #3 00. For the best twelve varieties, to E. M. Van Alstyne, for Mount Blanc, Horticultural Societies. 565 Princess Radzville, Beauty of Kent, Prince Albert, Elizabeth, Star, Summit of Perfection, Col. Baker, Marquis of Aylesbury, Miss Vyse, Hypolite, and Triumph de Kestrick, $1 00. Roses. — For the best ten varieties, to L. Menand, for Geant des Batailles, Princess Clementine, Mad. Desprez, Le Grenadier, Souvenir dea Desire, La Reine and Jupiter, $2 00. Phloxes. — For the best ten varieties, to L Menand, for Alba Perfecta, Princess Marianne, Anais Chauviere, Surpasse Martin, Laurentia, Fleur de Marie, Standard of Perfection, Lausauseur, $2 00. German Asters. — For the best display, to Mr. Newcomb, $2 00. For the best vase bouquet, round one, to Jas. Wilson, $2 00. For the best flat one, to Jas. Wilson, $2 00. For the best and most beautiful pair of hand bouquets, one round and one flat, to Jas. Wilson, #2 00. For the best basket bouquet, to Mrs. Emily Newcomb, of Pittstown, #2. For the best and most appropriate floral design, to Mrs. Newcomb, of Pittstown, $3 00. Vegetables. — The display of these was also excellent: Messrs. Rath- bone and Corning sending fine collections. American Institute. — The fair of this institution closed on the 30th of October. It has been one of the most successful ever held : the total receipts are estimated at $25,000. The show of fruits and flowers was much better than heretofore, and in a year or two will compare favorably with societies exclusively horticultural. The following are the principal prizes in the Horticultural department : — To J. W. Bailey, Plattsburg, N. Y., for apples, silver cup, #8. To W. S. Carpenter, Westchester, N. Y., for fruit, silver medal. To Hovey & Co., Boston, for pears, 175 varieties, silver cup, $8. To J. Briggs, Jamaica, L. I., for pears, silver medal. To W. A. Underbill, Croton, N. Y., for quinces, silver medal. To J. Pillson, Ulster Co., N. Y., for cranberries, silver medal. To Mcintosh & Co., Cleaveland, O., for fruit, silver cup, $8. To R. S. Underbill, for grapes, silver medal. To R. L. Colb, Patterson, N. J., for foreign grapes, silver medal. To J P. Giraud, Jr., Bergen, N. J., roots for cattle, silver cup, $8. To M. Donadi, Astoria, L. I., for roses, silver medal. To. J. Cranston, Hoboken, N. J., for flowers, silver medal. To G. C. Thorburn, Astoria, for dahlias, silver cup, $15. To. M. Donadi, for dahlias, silver cup, $10. To J. Shaw, New York, for dahlias, silver medal. To T. Dunlap, for dahlias, silver medal. To M. Donadi, Astoria, for flowers, silver cup, $8. To J. A. Henderson, Middle Village, L. I., for bouquets, silver cup, $8. To J. Cranston, for bouquets, silver medal. To T. Cavanaugh, New York, for flowers, silver medal. New York State Agricultural Society. — The Fair at Utica was well attended, and the show of fruit was one of the best ever made by the 566 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. society. Peaches were not numerous, but the pears were large, handsome, and in good variety. The principal premiums were awarded as follows : — FRUIT. AMATEUR LIST. Jipples. — Best 20 varieties, to N. &l E. S. Hayward, Brighton, Monroe County, $10. 2d best, to J. H. Shervill, Hartford, Oneida Co., $7. Best 10 var., to H. R. Hart, Oneida Co., $8. 2d best, to J. H. Shervill, #5. Pears.— Best 12 var., to H. Vail, Troy, $8. 2d best, to P. Brintnall, Ulica, $6. Best 6 var., W. R. Coppock, Buffalo, $5. 2d best, Wm. Tracy, Utica, $3. Collection of Pears. — Henry Vail, Troy, 70 var., Hovey's Colored Fruits of America. PROFESSIONAL LIST. Apples. — Best 20 var., A. Frost & Co., Rochester, $10. 2d best, to T. C. Maxwell & Co., Geneva, $7. Best 10 var., to J. Morse, Cayuga Bridge, $'8. 2d best, to Thorp, Smith, Hanchett & Co., Syracuse, $6. Pears. — Best 12 var., to EUwanger & Barry, $8. 2d best, to J. Morse, $6. Best 6 van, to T. C. Maxwell & Co., ^5. 2d best, to J. Morse, $3. Foreign Fruit. — Best collection, 104 var. of pears, silver medal. Art. IV. Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Saturday, October 16th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the President in the chair. Dr. J. C. Warren was elected a member. Adjourned tliree weeks, to November 6th. October 23^. Exhibited. — From the President of the Society, pears — Urbaniste, extra superior, Waterloo. From Hovey & Co., pears — Swan's Orange, Triomphe de Jodoigne, Doyenne Gris, Princesse Marianne, Poire d'Albret, Fulton, Capsheaf, Beurr6 Sterkman, Grand Soleil, Brown Beurr6, St. Michael Archangel ; grapes — Clinton, Catawba. From J. Prichard, grapes — Muscat of Alexandria, Frankindale, Syrian, Black Hamburgh, very fine. From J. Cass, grapes — Isabella. From J. C. Holmes, Michigan, 20 varieties of pears. From R. M. Morse, pears — Duchesse, superior. From H. Vandine, pears — Napoleon, Pratt's Bergamot, and 8 other var. ; quinces — Portugal; apples. From George Walsh, pears — 7 var. From R. Rogerson, grapes — Isabella, Catawba. From J. J. Stimson, pears — St. Michael, superior, extra. From H. Plympton, Boston, pears — St. Michael, very fine. From A. W. Stetson, pears — Beurre Diel, fine. From B. Har- Horticultural Operatioris for December. 567 rington, pears — Fulton ; apples with blossoms on the same stem. From A. Bowditch, pears — St. Michael. From H. Davenport, Roxbmy, pears — Van Leon le Clcrc, fine. From J. W. Foster, pears — Beurre Bosc, very fine ; Wilkinson, fine. From Isaac Fay, pears — Seckel. From W. C. Strong, grapes — Damascus, Muscat of Alexandria, Black Frontignan, Black Hamburgh, Syrian, White Frontignan. From S. Dow- ner, Jr.. pears — Beurr6 Bosc, Van Mons Leon le Clerc, Marie Louise, Bezi de la Motte, Heathcot, Gansell's Bergamot, Napoleon, Beurre d'Anjou, Madotte, Urbaniste, Duchesse, Fulton, Louise Bonne of Jersey. From Mrs. L. Spaulding, apples — 4 var. ; pears — 6 var. From M. P. Wilder, pears — St. Michael, very fine, received from J. H. Watts, Rochester, N. Y. From J. Brown, Lynn, apples — Hawthornden, Seaver Sweet, Hubbardston, Bellflower, Minister, Lyscom ; pears — Fulton, and Althorp Crassanne. Fruits testtd. — From J. S. Cabot, pears — Excellentissima. From Hovey & Co., pears — Swan's Orange, Howell, superior ; Beurr^ Benoits, very fine ; Doyenn6 de Fais, fine ; Triomphe de Jodoigne, very fine ; Oswego Beurre, Grand Soleil : grapes — Clinton. HORTICULTURAL OPERATIONS FOR DECEMBER. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The continued open weather of November has been favorable to all out- door operations : a better fall for transplanting has rarely been experienced, and if advantage has been taken of it, much work, which in severer weather would have to be put oflT till spring, may have been accomplished. If the season continues open this month, planting may still go on ; but do not neglect other work. Protect all half-hardy things, such as grapevines, raspberries, &c., and give every fruit tree a good liberal manuring, which will serve the double purpose of enriching the ground and protecting the roots from severe cold. Grape Vines in the vinery and cold houses may now be pruned, cleansed, washed, and put in order for the spring ; those in the cold houses, protected from frost by laying down and covering with straw, leaves or mats. Cover the borders with three inches of manure if not yet done. Vines in the open air may be pruned now ; it is the best season to do this. Strawberry Beds should be covered if not already done. Raspberry Vines should also be protected by a slight covering of ma- nure or earth. Fruit Room. — Look after this in cold, sharp weather, and if danger of frost, cover well with mats or hay. Scions may now be cut and preserved in the cellar or any cool place, half buried in sand or soil. Label and name all fruit trees, where the old ones are so defaced as likely to be unintelligible by spring. 568 Horticultural Operations for December. FLOWER DEPARTMENT. The greenhouse in December, though less gay than either of the winter months, may be rendered very attractive under the care of an active, think- ing gardener. It will not do to wait till the month arrives, if we expect a good show of flowers, but early preparation must be made, that a succession of plants may be on hand to take the place of those done blooming. As the Chrysanthemums go out, other things should be brought in, and, by judicious management, a fine display of pretty things may be made all the month. Gesnera zebrina, Epiphyllums, Euphorbias, monthly Pinks, Lon- icera tryginum, Salvia fulgens, &c., are all handsome plants at this season. Some of them, brought into the warmest end of the house, will soon expand their flowers. Such plants as require repotting should now be attended to. Camellias will be well in flower by the close of the month. Water liberally, syringe occasionally, and look over and bring into good shape all crooked specimens. ChRYSANTHEMUMs, done blooming, may be removed to a frame or the open ground, where they may be protected by a covering of leaves to pre- vent the frost from breaking the pots. Japan Lilies may be potted now, and placed in a cold frame and covered with leaves till February or March. Pelargoniums will now begin to make their growth; keep them rather dry, and train out the shoots that they may make bushy specimens. OxALiSES, done flowering, may be placed away on a shelf under the stage, and those coming into bloom, take their places. Verbenas will soon be in bloom ; repot all that require it ; train up to neat stakes. Cinerarias must have good attention. See that the aphis do not attack them. Repot if necessary. Callas shgijld now be shifted into larger pots. Gladioluses may still be potted if not already done. Nemophilas should be shifted into larger pots. Roses, taken up out of the ground in September or October, should now be pruned and brought into the house. Syringe morning and evening till they are well broken into leaf. Heaths should be kept in the coolest part of the house: water sparingly and syringe occasionally. Pansies in pots will need a shift the last of the month. Monthly Carnations and Pinks should be shifted before the roots become matted around the pots. Azaleas Avill still require to be rather sparingly watered, except such as may be placed in a warmer part of the house to bloom. HeLioTROPES, in small pots, may be shifted into a larger size. Maurandias, now shifted, will soon begin to grow, and will make fine flowering plants. Ten-week stocks should now be shifted into larger pots. Gloxinias may be brought into the warmest part of the house the last of the month. They will make early flowering plants. All kinds of greenhouse plants which require it should now be repotted. 0