UMASS/AMHERST 312066 0328 6097 6 LIBRARY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE No.-_0-^_J DATE.nj:J_5_5.b__ so u R c e^Y]QT-§-'_ L^ y a . _ Uj V ;n.9PA'n This book may be kept out TWO WEEKS only, and is subject to a fine of TWO CENTS a day thereafter. It will be due on the day indicated below. (-?^^T^^ Ubrary Bnreoa 13-723 N \^ THE MAGAZINE OF HOETICULTUEE, BOTANY, AND ALL USEFUL DISCOVERIES AND IMPEOVEMENTS IN RURAL AFFAIRS. " Je voudrais (^chaufi'er tout I'univers de mon gout pour les jardins. II me semble qu'il est impossible qu'un mechant puisse I'avoir. II n'est point de verlus que je ne suppose a celai que aime a parler et a faire des jardins. Peres de famille, inspirez a jardiuomanie a vos enfans." — Prince, de Ligne. VOL. XXI. 1855.' (vol. I., THIRD SERIES.) Edited by C. M. H O V E Y. AUTHOR OF THE "FRUITS OF AMERICA." BOS TON: PUBLISHED BY HOVEY AND CO., MERCHANTS ROW. 1855. /\Aa.1 V . 5.,\ CONTENTS / ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. GENERAL SUBJECT. The Progress of Horticulture. By the Ed- itor, 1 Plea for the Birds. By W. Flagg, . 11, 65 American Pomological Society. By the Editor, 57 Winter and the Flora of some Northern Regions. By John Lewis Russell, . 73 The Gardens of the South. By A. Gray, 81, 1.34 The Importince of Deep Cultivation. By the Editor, 113 Illusive Distances and Magnitudes. By W. Flagg, 117 Visit to a locality of the Climbing Fern. By J. L. Russell, . . . .126 The Lawn. By the Editor, . . .161 Expression in Building. By W. Flagg, 166 Yines and Climbing Plants. By the Editor, 209 The Flight of the Wood Nymphs. By W. Flagg, 214 Ornamental Gardening in the South. By A. riray, 223 The Hawthorn. By the Editor, . . 287 On the Term Natural, as applied to Land- scape. By W. Flagg, . . . .260 Planting by the Seaside. By the Editor, 305 Water Scenery. By W. Flagg, . . 310 The London Horticultural Society, . . 320 Variety in Ornamental Trees. By the Ed- itor, 353 Picturesque Animals. By W. Flagg, . 539 The Villas and Gardens of Newport. By the Editor, 401 European Parks. By Howard Daniels, Ar- chitect, N. Y., . . 411,4.59,509,549 The Bleasure Worm. By Thaddeus AV. Harris, ...... 418 Transplanting Evergreens. By the Editor, 449 Rocks. By AV. Flag^, . . . .454 Effect of Shelter on Climate. By the Editor, 497 Ruins. By W. Flagg, .... 504 On the Means of securing the advantages of Climate. By W. Flagg, . . .558 Studies in the Field and Forest. By W. Flagg, 92, 199, 242, 290, 337, 382, 429, 480, 534, 570 nORTICDLTDRE. The Washingtonia Gigantea. By J. Russell, South Calaveras, Cal , 25 Ripe Grapes in December. By M. H. Simp- son, ....... 83 Improved varieties of the Shellbark. By S. Hale, Keene, N. H., ... 137 Origin of the Pear-tree, its progress and success By M. J. de Jonghe, . . 140 The Season of 1854, with notes on some of the newer Fruits. By Hon. J. S. Cabot, Pres. Ma^s. Uort. Soo., . . . 176 Notes on some species of Hickory. By Thos. Meehan, Germantown, Pa , . . . 19.i The Nonpariel Peair. By P. B. Mead. N.Y. 225 Descriptions of select varieties of Pears. By the Editor 267, 514 The Production of Seedling Pears. By M. J. de Jonghe, 276 The Catawissa Raspberry. By Joshua Pierce, Washington, D. C, . . . 315 Lime and Sulphur for the Circulio and Bl:ick Knot. By Thos. W. Ludlow, N.Y. 424 The Cherry Currant. By the Editor, . 425 Seasonable Hints about Trees. By the Ed- itor, 545 Descriptions of New and Select Apples. By the Editor, 566 Pomolog cal Gossip, 87, 197, 317, 387, 524 FLORICULTURE. Designs for Flower Gardens By the Ed- itor, .... 22,237,329,473 The Deulzia Gracilis. By the Editor, 26 Sheltered Garden Seats. By the Editor, 98 Eugenia Ugni. By the Editor, . . 152 The Hardy Shrubs of the South. By A. Gray, 190 The Great Water Lily of America. By J. F. Allen, 226 Remarks on a species of Arctotis. By J. L. Russell, 234 The Cultivation of Pompone Chrysanthe- mums. By the Editor, . . .282 Tlie Cineraria, 371 FloricuUural Notices, 239, 285, 333, 376, 426, 476, 529 Suburban Visits, .... 378,574 IV CONTENTS. LIST OF ENGRAVINGS. TREES AND PLANTS. fie:- page^ 2. Deutzia gricUis, . . . .27 6 Eugen/a U'gni, ..... 153 15. PompoDe Chrysanthemum, . . 283 17. Cineraria, 374 FRUIT. Apples. 28. Beauty of the West, 29. Jewett'.s Red, 27. Ladies' Sweeting, . 568 569 567 CORR.INTS. 19. Cherry, 425 r£.iR8. 10. Alpha, 269 23. Baronne de Mello, . . . .519 13. Beurre Montgerou, .... 273 26. Couseilleur Itanwez, .... ^23 21. Colmar d'Aremberg, . . . .515 11. Doyenne Defeiis, .... 270 25. Doyenne Sterckmans, . . . 522 12. Des deux Soeurs, .... 273 9. Fondante de Noel, 14. Longue de Nakourts, . 24. Liberale, 22. Laure dv Glymes, 7. Nonpariel, page. . 268 . 275 . 520 . 517 . 225 Shellbark. 5. Perkiomen, 139 INSECTS. 18. Measure Worm, . 422 VIEWS AND PLANS OF BUILDINGS. 3. Design for a Garden Seat, . 4. Ground Flan of the siime. PLANS OF GARDENS. 1. Design for a Flower Garden, No. 1, 8. Design for a Flower Garden, No. 2, 16. Design for a Flower Garden, No 3, 20. Design for a Flower Garden, No. 4, 23 238 330 474 LIST OF PLANTS ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT VOLUME. In the body of the Blagazine, a few errors occur in the spelling of the botanical names, the capitalizing the generic and specific names, their derivation and accentuation ; these are all corrected in the following list of plants. List of several species of Hickories, ( Jug- lans), 195 List of Prairie Roses, 211 List of new Gladioluses, .... 239 List of seven new Phloxes, .... 333 List of fine new Achimenes, . . . 334 List of thirteen new Fuchsias, . . . 331 List of twenty-oue varieties of Cinerarias, . 373 List of line new Roses, .... 376 List of fine llyacinths, List of fine Dahlias, List of Prize Dahlias, in England, List of Premium Dahlias, . jl^bies bracteita, 10 Jezoensis, 350 Menziesti, 409 Webhidna, 478 4^cer colchicum rubrum, 858 macrophyllum, 357 opulifolium, 358 platanoides lascinii- tum, 356 pseudo pliitanus, 3.58 tartiricum, 358 jlcacia alita, 301 grandiflora, 395 Achimenes chirita, 8 Decaisnes?'a»ia, 334 gigintea, 334 2E'scv.lus lascini.Vta, rubicunda, iEsfthynSmthus Peeh', A^gave americina, AUamiinda Aubletu, Amaryllis crocea, Ampelopsis, Andromeda tetragona, 77 Anthoxinthum odoritum, Aphelcindri Leopoldii, squarrosa citrina, Arauciria imbricita, 409, J Arctotis breviscarpa, calendulicea, 234, i Ardisia crenulita, Arethusa, . 439 '. 576 357 Aristolochia Sipho. \ 212 358 j4sclepii. 388 531 Azalea indica, 395 223 coccinea. 301 490 Stauleyd/ia, 301 37 variegita. 301 212 vittAta rosea. 301 ,79 prociimbens, 78, 390 206 Begon/a natalensis, 8 8 urophylla. 428 H xanthina. 377 ,513 Befiria .Sl'stuans, 289 237 Bcrberis aquifolium. 309 236 BealeH, 350, 427 8 planifolia. 377 515 Fortunej, 350 CONTENTS. .B6tula 4lba, 77 n^na, 77 Bign6tua rddicans, 213 major, 409 Bilbers'rt \Vcther(:'Uu', SSiJ Blandtordf'a flammca, 2Sy Bougiurillea spectibilis, 241 Buddies ColvilleJ, 630 Calceolaria vioU'icea, 239 Oalandriuia splondens, ,347 Oalophaoa Wolgarica, 358 filycAnthus occidentilis, 240 Camellia, 33 Ilovey's Seedlings, 38 Canna Warszewlezu, 428 Carra^.Vna arborcscens, 353 Ceanothus Lohhidnus, 241 papill6sus, 288 Cedrus Deoddra, 82 Celistrus scind^ns, 212 Celtis occidenUlis, 193 Ceph:ilotixus Fortimei, 350 Centaurea, 235 Cerasus caroliniensis, 82, 224 Cereus Lemairei, 288 Cissus discolor, 8, 490 Clematis flimmula, 212 Cocbleiria dAnica, 79 Coleus BKime!, 490 Conocliuum ianthlnura, 301, 395 Coryhis avellina purpurea, 388 Cr.l^vfdlv/^a fasciculita, 427 CVatas^gus criis gilli, 259 Mexicina, 257 spathulita, 257 Cryptomeriajaponioa, 82 Cunuingbimf'a lanceolita, 409 Cuphea platycentra, 577 Cupressus sempervirens, 25 Cymbidium, 535 Cypripedium barbitum, 801 Cytisus scopiria, 192 Deeiisnesja Insignis, 479 Delpbinium Ilendersoni, Deutz«ai, 193 gracilis, 10, 26 Dielytra spectAbilis,56, 350,395 Dioscorea batitas, 349 Dipladenla acuminita, 336 crassinoda, 336 Harrisii, 335 Dr^ba verna, 80 E'mpetrum nigrum, 77 E'pacris miniitasplendens, 301 Epigoj^a repens, 203 Erica ciffra, 301 ventricosa superba, 37, 395 Eriobotrya japonica, 191 Erythrina, 37 Escallonia pteroclidon, 335 Eschs'choltz/a crocea, 236, 242 tenuifolia, 242, 336 Eugenia U'gni, 152 Euonymus japonica, 191,224 Euto^ca viscida, 347 figus heteropbylla, 856 purpurea, 358 Forsytbja viridissima, 10, 26, 350 Gardenia florida, 191, 325 Stanley(i«a, 301 Girrya ellptica, 327 Gaultheri'a shal'on, 327 Genetylis niacrcsti;hya, 531 tulipifera, 531 Genista ajtnensis, 893 Gazinia 285 Hammimelis, 537 Iledera, 213 Henfreya scAndens, 301 HepAtica triloba, 201 Ilexaccntris mysoi'tnsis, 8 Hibiscus virginicus, 133 Hodgson I'a, 477 heteroclita, 477 Houstonia cacrulea, 201 Hoya imperiilis, 239 lacunosa, 335 iMfex cassine, 228 latifolia, 27 opica, 405 Ipomte^a, 477 Jasminum nudifliirum, 350 /uniperus chinensis, 409 ericoides, 409 prostrita, 409 Justic/a cirnea, 489 Kniphof/a uviria, 288 Lagerstroe^m/a indica, 192 Lantina flavicoma, 529 lutea superba, 529 Lepriria, 75 LeptodActylon californicum, 333 Lonicera flexuosa, 212 Lopezi'rt macrophylla, 8 Lygodium palmatum, 126, 132 Magnolia acuminita, 82 Campbellii, 478 fuscita, 190 grandiflora, 82, 223 purpurea, 400 Soulangecina, 409 Maberni'a hecta, 876 Meconopsis nepalensis, 478 simplicifolia, 478 Melia Azedarach, 185 Mesembryinthemum bicolor, 347 Metrosideros floribunda, 192 Mikania scandens, 133 itiyrtus bullita, 240 miitiplex communis, 191 Nemophylla insignis, 347 Neottia, 537 Nerium oleander, 192 iVympbpe^a amazonum, 289 ctcruleum, 397 odorata, 127 OrcbidKa, 111 Otbonua, 235 O'xalis tloribunda, 332 Palafdxa texina, 376 Papiver bracteitum, Passitiora Decainesidna, 8 Petunia, new striped variety, 529 Phacelia, 240 Philesia buxifolia, 8 Phlox Drummdndi, 847 many varieties, 333 Platystemon californicum, 347 Pimelia rosea, 375 Pinus longifolia, Pittosporum tobira, 190 Pothos, 497 Protococcus nivilis, 75 Piiya Altensteinii, 395 Pyracintba, 259 Pyrila umbellita, 336 Quercus lamellosa, 531 pedunculata hetero- pbylla, 357 purpiu'ea, 358 Ranunculus aquaticus, 155 Ranunculus hederioeus, 155 /ihododeudron camellia- tlorum, 286 calophyllum, 287 calildrnicum, 532 cattawbiense, 532 i'alconeri, 287 glaiicum, 297 Jenkensi, 287 HooUeri, 287 K^ysi, 287 longifolium, 287 lueidum, 287 Maddeni, 286 Nuttallti, 286 retiisum, 538 sparsiHorum, 287 virgitum, 287 Windsor!, 236 Tiheum nobile, 581 Ribes aureum, 327 sanguineum, 827 speciosum, 327 jRiibus spectabilis, 327 lliiscus aculeitus, 409 iiynchospermum jasminoi- des, 301 i that of the Middle States, that no dependence can be placed upon the experiments which are made in the latter, for our locality. Some time since, we published a list of the Ever- greens which stood the last winter uninjured on the Hud- son ; but we are satisfied that many of the sorts which lived safely there, would die outright here. The Deodar was sadly cut up on the grounds of Mr. Fay, at Lynn, as well as in our own collection, and we fear will always suffer in such a severe winter, though in milder ones it does not appear hurt. We must proceed cautiously in pronouncing upon the hardiness of evergreen trees ; for to consider those hardy which are subject to be nearly destroyed the first very severe winter, will only end in disappointment to the planter. We shall therefore, at the earliest opportunity^ give a list of such as we have found perfectly safe after the winter of 1853 and '54, and add hereafter to the list, as they stand the test of a similar winter. VOL. XXI. NO. I. 2 10 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. We have as yet received no prominent accessions from California. Messrs. Parsons & Co. have raised a number of trees of the Thuja gigantea, and some other coniferas, but we are not aware whether they are from the Sierra Nevada or the coast range of mountains, those from the latter being scarcely hardy enough for New England. The Washingtonm, which we notice in another page, will undoubtedly prove hardy, and we hope to see it introduced in large quantities, ere long, to- gether with ^MdIcs bracteata, Torreya myristica, &c. &c. A severe frost on the 24th of April last, in England, greatly injured, and in many cases destroyed, many ever- greens. In the reports of the effects of that frost, which have appeared in the Gard. Chronicle, it appears, as the Ed- itor has stated, that locality is no certain test of the hardi- ness of any particular variety ; for, while some that came from latitudes, of which there could be no doubt of their hardiness, were sadly injured ; others, supposed to be par- tially tender, have proved as tough as an oak. Thus it ap- pears, that to arrive at certain results, every individual species and variety must have a fair trial under favorable circum- stances. The last winter settled the question as regards the value of the Weigelm rosea, Forsythea, and Deutzia gracilis ; all stood unharmed, and flowered in great perfection. The Weigelm is decidedly one of the finest shrubs, next to the azalea, that has been introduced ; surpassing even the Japan Spiraea. Everything from the North of China and Japan, must be looked upon as exceedingly valuable, from the prob- ability of their proving hardy, as the above have done. Mr. Fortune has sent home other shrubs, among which are some superb Viburnums, but they are yet rare and too valuable for trial till more common. If these prove hardy, they will greatly increase our stock of beautiful flowering shrubs. RURAL IMPROVEMENT. The progress of Rural taste is apparent everywhere. The formation of Tree Associations, for the purpose of planting the avejQues and public grounds of our towns and cities, is the JANUARY. 1 1 best evidence of an increasing taste in the right direction. In Massachusetts there are several of these associations, and though their labors have not been always attended with the best results, owing to the injudicious selection of trees, they have awakened attention to the subject, and laid the founda- tion of future success. A little more experience and some more knowledge are requisite to carry out these views in the most thorough manner. When once they get into the way of selecting moderate-sized nursery trees, preparing the ground well, and planting them carefully, they will find such good results, that they will abandon the present system of selecting trees mostly from the woods and pastures. More than one half of the trees planted around Boston, and we doubt not in other parts of the country, die from the causes we have mentioned. Indeed it is lamentable to see so much valuable time spent in setting out a poor tree, lopped off to a bare pole, with the expectation it will ever grow and make a beautiful object. PLEA FOR THE BIRDS THEIR UTILITY TO AGRICULTURE. BY WILSON FLAGa. Some years since, while a traveller was passing through Western Carolina and Virginia, he observed a forest, in which the trees, over a space of hmidreds of acres, were either dead or dying. On inquiring of a countryman if he knew the cause of this devastation, he replied that the whole mischief was done by woodpeckers ; that these birds had greatly mul- tiplied for a few years past, and though the inhabitants had been very busy in exterminating them with their guns, there were still enough of them left to peck the trees, until the woods were nearly destroyed. Here was a strong instance of the errors that arise from superficial observation. These deluded farmers were ignorantly engaged in protecting the real enemies of the forest by warring against the woodpeck- ers. The myriads of wood-worms of different species that 12 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. subsist on the wood and bark of the trees, while concealed beneath their surface, are the natural prey of these birds ; and when they were supposed to be pecking and injuring the trees, they were searching for the larvas that destroyed their timber. It is to the researches of the naturalist, whose labors are so often despised by the mass of the comnmnity, that we are indebted for a knowledge of these important facts. He watches the birds in all their movements, and studies the motive of all their operations. He dissects them to ascertain the nature of their food, and he studies the character of the seed or the insect which he finds concealed in their digestive apparatus. He traces the insect from its birth in the shape of a grub, through all its transformations, until it takes wings and soars into the air. He studies its mode of life, learns the nature of its food, and is prepared at last to show the real cause of many phenomena, attributed by ignorant observers to some other agency. Many a man, whom the multitude have supposed to be a mere idle rambler, is in this manner acquiring a species of knowledge that may save a Avhole country from famine. It is remarkable that while most birds are nearly omnivor- ous, there are certain tribes that obtain their principal, subsist- ence from insects. Som.e feed on the grubs that infest the trees, others on those which are buried under the earth ; some on the winged insects that swarm in the air, others on the crawling vermin that infest the leaves of plants. Certain tribes of birds may, therefore, be regarded as the natural checks to the over-multiplication of certain tribes of worms and insects. In the first place, there is a countless host of minute swarming insects, which, if nature had not provided a check upon their excessive increase, would darken the atmosphere, and render the earth almost uninhabitable by man. Among these may be reckoned the common flies, the wheat-flies, mosquitoes, gnats, breeze-flies, gadflies, and a great many others, which, on account of their minuteness, cannot be taken by the majority of birds. To the over-multiplication of these insects, the various species of swallows are the natu- JANX^ART. 13 ral check. Nature has so organized these birds that they can subsist on these insects, and upon nothing else in the world. The swallows attack them in their native element, and there- by render a service to man, which could be performed by no other known agency. Secondly, there are other tribes of insects, as minute as those just described, that do not swarm in the atmosphere, but live on the surface of trees and other plants, feeding upon their leaves, fruit and substance, and capable, if their increase be not checked, of destroying all the labors of the husband- man, and interrupting the whole progress of vegetation. In this category may be reckoned the sand-flies, the smaller tribes of beetles, ticks and red-bugs, and countless myriads of plant-lice, whose power of doing mischief is in direct ratio to their minuteness. The natural checks to the over-multipli- cation of these crawling insects are the common sparrows, the wrens and small fly-catchers, all the Sylvias, or true warblers, and most of the small birds. Thirdly, we observe many species of large insects, includ- ing butterflies, grasshoppers, crickets, locusts, and the larger beetles. The smaller birds are unequal to the task of attack- ing and devouring these large insects. The natural checks to their increase are the thrushes, including the common robins, the orioles, the large fly-catchers, jays, and crows. The insects, for the most part, devoured by these birds, are mischievous, both while they are grubs, and after they have become perfect insects. In their perfect state they consume the leaves, and in their larva state the roots, the fruits, and the wood and inner bark of trees, and vegetables. Fourthly, there are certain species of insects whose larvas find their subsistence by boring into the wood of certain trees, where they are beyond the reach of nearly every species of birds. Such are the borers that ravage our fruit trees, and often destroy great portions of the forest. The birds that prey upon these insects must be furnished with a hard beak and a strong neck, besides a peculiar instinct to enable them to discover their lurking place. Such are the woodpeckers, which have the faculty of drawing out these vermin from 14 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. their retreats, and derive from them almost their whole sub- sistence. Fifthly, there are many families of insects that come abroad only during the night. Many of these, on account of their size and numbers, are very destructive ; and they are like- wise the progenitors of some of the most mischievous of the borers or wood-worms. Nature, as a check to their excessive increase, has created certain tribes of nocturnal birds, which, like the swallows, catch their food chiefly on the wing. Among these are the birds of the whippoorwill tribe, includ- ing in this country only two species. The little barn owl also labors for the same beneficent end. I shall treat of the different services of these respective tribes of birds in the order in which I have arranged them. I have named the swallows as the natural checks to the in- crease of the swarming insects. They feed on these alone, taking all their food while on the wing. They are more nu- merous than any other single genus of birds : they are found in every country and climate, and after the first of May, in this country, may be seen flying, from the earliest to the latest hour of day-light, in quest of their aerial prey. The atmosphere may be considered their proper element, for so small are their feet and legs that they are scarcely able to walk. They seldom tire on the wing, flying with as much ease as a fish swims the sea. They not only feed on the wing, but they even drink and bathe, by suddenly immersing themselves in the water, without discontinuing their flight. There can be no doubt that were it not for the services of swallows, the atmosphere would be rendered unfit for respira- tion, and that the multitudes of these swarming insects might generate a universal pestilence. The quantity of flies con- sumed by them proves them to be remarkably voracious for their size. A quantity of flies has been found in the crop of a single bird equal in bulk to a small hen's egg. Their inde- fatigable exertions in pursuit of their prey are unequalled by those of any other bird, and their continuance on the wing would seem impossible, did we not consider the lightness of their bodies, and the large size of their wings, enabling them to sustain themselves in the air almost without eff"ort. JANUARY. 15 Though the smaller-winged insects are the principal food of the swallow tribe, some of the larger species, as the com- mon purple martin, devour great quantities of wasps, large beetles, and goldsmiths. It has been estimated that a single purple martin will destroy nearly five thousand moths and butterflies in a week. The moth that does so much mischief in our Avardrobes is a small insect, that might escape the sight of most other birds. A little hive of swallows close by one's dwelling-house would probably be an effectual exterminator of these insects, which would be seized and devoured before they entered our windows. If we take into account the in- numerable caterpillars and grubs that would spring from the eggs of all these different insects, we cannot but regard the martin as one of the most serviceable of all creatures. For- tunately, these birds are not persecuted and destroyed by men and boys like some other tribes, being protected by a superstition that attaches a kind of sacredness to them, and also by their unfitness for the purposes of the fowler. Every man ought to consider it his duty to protect all the species of swallows, by supplying them with houses adapted to their instinct and habits. The lively twittering of these birds is one of the most agreeable accompaniments of the rural melo"- dies of morn, and is associated with many delightful incidents in English poetry. Those birds which are particularly serviceable in ridding the earth of the minute crawling insects are the Sylvias, or true warblers, the sparrows, wrens, and smaller fly-catchers. The Sylvias are remarkable for their small size, and for the delicate structure of all their limbs. They are the smallest of birds except the humming birds, and, like the swallows, are found in all parts of the earth. " The groups of this ex- tensive family, (says Mr. Swainson), spread over all the habit- able regions of the globe, are destined to perform an important part in the economy of nature. To them appears entrusted the subjugation of those innumerable crawling insects, which lurk within the buds, the foliage, and the flowers of plants, and, thus protected, escape the swallows, who take them only during flight. The diminutive size of such insects renders 16 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. them unfit for the nourishment of the thrushes, and the larger insectivorous birds, while their number and variety only be- come apparent, when the boughs of the trees are shaken and their retreats disturbed. How enormous then would be their multiplication had. not nature provided other races of beings to check their increase." The arrival of these birds happens with the opening of spring, when the insect hosts are resuscitated with the revival of flowers ; and their departure takes place in autumn, when their food has diminished, and the insects have ceased to multiply. As different localities are assigned to different in- sects, there is a similar diversity of haunts allotted to the different families of warblers. The summer yellow-bird and the yellow-throat, two of the most common of the Sylvias, are constantly seen, during the summer months, among the willows, alders, and the shrubbery of the wet meadows. Here they find their favorite insect food upon the fragrant blossoms of the trees and shrubs, and upon the foliage of the willows. The common wren, on the other hand, more fa- miliar in its habits, frequents our gardens, orchards, and en- closures near our dwelling-houses, and devours the insects that crawl upon the fences, and lurk in the bark of trees and in the crevices of buildings. On account of its fondness for spiders, the wren has in some places received the appellation of spider-bird. The common house wren, which is known to every body on account of his lively song and his pugnacious habits, is found in all parts of the United States, and is an indefatigable destroyer of insects. •' The immense numbers of insects (says Alex. Wilson) which this little sociable bird removes from the garden and fruit trees, ought to endear him to every cultivator, even if he had nothing else to recommend him. But his notes, loud, sprightly, tremulous, and repeated every few seconds with great animation, are extremely agreeable." " It feeds on insects and caterpillars, and while supplying the wants of its young, it destroys, on a moderate calculation, many hundreds a day, and greatly circumscribes the ravages of these vermin. The wrens are not confined to the country. JANUARY. 17 They are to be heard on the tops of houses, in the central parts of our cities, singing with great energy. Scarcely a house or a cottage in the country is witliout at least a pair of them. It is said by a friend to this little bird, that the escu- lent vegetables of a whole garden might, perhaps, be pre- served from the depredations of insects by a few pairs of these small birds." The wren is often seen running over the fences and stone walls like a little squirrel, creeping in and out of' holes and the crevices of woodpiles, hunting for various kinds of insects. particularly for spiders and moths, that lie concealed in their retreats. It is curious to observe the celerity with which he moves about on these hunting expeditions, running so unlike a bird that he is often mistaken for a mouse. The wren is very pugnacious, and will drive away all other birds that in- trude upon what he regards as his own premises. This trait in his character may be made to serve a useful purpose, ren~ dering him the guardian of our cherry trees during the ripen~ ing of their fruit. Place a wren box upon the cherry tree~ you wish to protect, in May, and it will seldom fail to be occupied by a pair of wrens. These little birds, from that time regarding the cherry tree as their own property, will not only devour all the insects that infest its leaves and branches,. but will also drive away every bird that alights upon the tree. When the fruit is ripe, no robin or any other bird that comes there to eat the cherries is allowed one moment's peace ; and,, by the pugnacity of the little pair who have built their nest upon the tree, the fruit is saved. The Passerine birds, including the sparrows and finches, are classed among the granivorous birds. They nevertheless consume vast multitudes of insects, on which their young are exclusively fed. It is remarkable that most of the birds that live entirely upon seeds and fruits when they are old, feed their young upon insects and their larva3. This fact is one of the wonders of that mysterious instinct that directs a bird to choose for its offspring, a description of food entirely differ- ent from that to which it is led by its own appetite. Being in the habit of raising two or three broods of young, in a sea- VOL. XXI. NO. I. 3 18 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. son, they will, during all this time, consume nearly as many insects as are consumed by the insectivorous birds. Among the most prominent benefactors to the gardener, I must not omit to notice the American sparrows, of which there are three common species. These are among the most familiar of our birds. They begin to build their nests in the latter part of April , and many of them tarry with us through the winter. They raise as many as three broods in a season, and are obliged, therefore, to labor incessantly in search of insects. The observation was made of the English sparrovv, that a single pair of these birds, during the time they are feeding their young, will destroy about four thousand cater- pillars weekly. But the sparrows are also very serviceable to the garden by consuming great quantities of the seeds of noxious weeds, and thereby greatly diminishing their growth and abundance. The tomtits, of which the chickadee is a species, are often accused of injuring the young and tender buds, when they ap- pear in the spring. When attentively observed, they may be seen running up and down, and winding round the branches, while employed in picking up the eggs of insects, and the small maggots or worms that are concealed in the blossoms, and which would eventually destroy the fruit. It may be observed that those apple trees which grow in the vicinity of the woods where the chickadees and creepers are numerous, bear fruit that is less affected by worms than the fruit of our gardens. The chickadee remains with us during all the year, for notwithstanding his very small size, he is capable of en- during our severest winters, when he may be found in the most northerly parts of the continent. He is the most socia- ble of all our winter birds, and his absence would be most sadly lamented at this season, were the species to become ex- tinct. They are most frequently seen in winter, as they leave the woods at this time to forage the gardens and orchards. Here all day long may be heard their lively and peculiar notes, while they are diligently examining every branch and twig in quest of their insect prey. JANUARY. 19 The creeper and the little spotted woodpecker are often seen in their company, and the various notes uttered by these different birds, when assembled in the same tree, apparently in a contending mood, add greatly to the charm of the pleas- ant days of winter. They commonly take but little notice of oneanother, but pursue their separate labors in harmony. Their usefulness is prolonged by their residence with us throughout the year ; and in the winter as well as in the summer they are equally active in fulfilling their destiny. " The chickadees (says Wilson) traverse the woods in regular progression, from tree to tree, tumbling, chattering, examin- ing about the roots of the leaves, buds and crevices of the bark, for insects and their larva3. They also frequently visit the orchards, particularly in the fall of the year, the sides of the barn and the barnyard in the same pursuit, the trees in these situations being generally much infested with insects. We therefore rank this little bird among the farmer's friends, and trust our rural citizens will recognize him as such." The whole tribe of fly-catchers subsist entirely on insects, taking them upon the wing, and pecking them from the leaves and branches. To this tribe belong the large and small pe- wee, the vireo, or warbling fly catcher, and the kingbird. Every one is familiar with the notes of the warbling fly- catchers, two species of which, having very different notes, are heard all summer, not only in the woods, but also from the elms and limes, in the very centre of our cities and vil- lages. These birds are in the habit of singing their snatches of melody, while employed in hunting for insects, and will frequently pause in the midst of a strain, to seize a moth or a caterpillar. Under the third head I shall treat of the checks to the larger insects, such as butterflies, grasshoppers, crickets, lo- custs, and the larger beetles, for whose extermination the smaller birds are but ill adapted. The natural subjugators of these insects are the large fly-catchers, the thrushes, includ- ing the common robins, the bluebirds, the jays, crows and gallinaceous birds. Every one is famUiar with the common beetle — an insect that emerges from the soil, in the early part 20 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. of June, and flies in our faces while sitting at an open window in the evening. Few persons are aware of the vast amount of mischief done to vegetation by these insects, both during their embryo and their perfect state. During dayhght, they sleep on the under sides of the leaves of trees and other plants, being unable to bear a strong light, and choosing these situations for purposes of concealment. At the dusk of eve- ning they come out from their retreats, and fly abroad during the remainder of the night. They devour the leaves of al- most all kinds of trees; and thus occasion an incalculable amount of mischief. But it is in their grub state that they commence their dep- redations upon the productions of the earth. The grub of the beetle, commonly called the potato worm, is the favorite food of all the larger birds. About two hundred eggs are de- posited by the female beetle, about six inches below the sur- face of the ground, after which the parent soon perishes. From the eggs, in the course of fourteen days, are produced little whitish grubs, each having six legs near the head, and a mouth with very firm and hard jaws. Their food consists of the roots of plants, especially those of a tender and farina- ceous sort, of which they consume great quantities. Late in the autumn they bury themselves in the earth, below the reach of the frost, and remain torpid until spring. In this manner they spend three years of their life, before they be- come perfect insects, when they commence their ravages anew in a different element. It is recorded in " Anderson's Recreations," that a curious observer, having discovered a nest of five young jays, re- marked that each of these birds, while yet very young, con- sumed at least fifteen of these full sized grubs daily, and would require many more of a smaller size. The writer makes a calculation, founded on the supposition that they would require, of large and small, about twenty apiece. At this rate the five birds together would consume one hundred. Al- lowing that each of the parents consumed fifty, the family would devour 200 every day. The whole would amount, in three months, or in one season, to 20,000. This may be JANUARY. 21 thought an extravagant calculation : but any one who has raised young birds of the insectivorous tribes, would not be surprised at this statement. I took from their nest two young blue birds, which are only about half the size of a jay, and experimented upon them, for the purpose of ascertaining the truth of these assertions of naturalists. These little birds would swallow twenty large muck-worms daily, when they could get them, or angle worms and grasshoppers in the same proportion. Their voracity convinced me that there is no ex- aggeration in the usual calculations on these subjects. It is by making such observations that we learn the impor- tance of attending to the economy of nature, and to be cau- tious how we disturb that beneficent law of compensation, by which all things are preserved in their just relations and pro- portions. Insects, in various ways, some of which are well known, may be as valuable as birds, but the latter are more easily destroyed by human means, and are far less rapid in their increase, than insects, whose over-multiplication often becomes the pest of the earth. A dozen idle men and boys in each of our villages, might soon nearly exterminate the robins and blackbirds ; but the united efforts of one thousand inhabitants in each, could not destroy the grubs and beetles, which would have been devoured by these birds. Our farm- ers in the vicinity of Boston, many years since, petitioned the legislature to protect the birds by a statute, until after mid- summer. Their real motive, at the time, was said to be less that of protecting the birds, than that of preventing their tilled fields and mowing lands from being trampled down and injured by the gunners. Had they looked still deeper into the subjects of their philosophy, they might have learned that these s])ortsmen caused them more damage by destroying the birds than by treading down their crops. We are yet initiated only in the first rudiments of this interesting science, which, in proportion as it becomes a general study, will teach us the remedy for many of those evils, now so universally lamented by the farmer and the orchardist. In the outer portals of its temple, by the light of one of its tapers, have I learned a few facts ascertained by the labors of other men. These have 22 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. enabled me to form some conception of the usefulness of thax knowledge which would burst upon the sight of those who should gain admission into the inner recesses of this temple, and view the mysterious operations of nature, through the in- struments of a wiser philosophy, and under the perfect light of truth. DESIGN FOR A FLOWER GARDEN. BY THE EDITOR. In our last two volumes we have given several designs for flower gardens, and we now propose to give a series of three or four more in the present volume. We have already remarked, in the last design we gave, (Vol. XX, p. 326,) that it "is a very prevalent opinion that anybody can design a flower garden." But it is nevertheless the fact, that a beautiful, artistic and elegant flower garden is rarely to be seen. It requires more taste and general knowl- edge of the harmony of form than most individuals possess, even among those who profess to understand all the princi- ples of Landscape art. Even in Great Britain, where there are so many beautiful gardens, and where we should suppose there would be plenty of landscape gardeners who thor- oughly understand their profession, it is by no means com- mon to find flower gardens which combine many of the ele- ments of real beauty, and latterly, the creation of most of those of any great attraction, has been confined to W. A. Nesfield, Esq., a landscape painter of eminence, who also devotes a portion of his time to the laying out of flower gar- dens. His plans, which are entirely original, are designed on the natural principles of form, as laid down by Mr. Hay, in his treatise on the subject. Hence their harmony of ar- rangement, artistic grouping, and grand effect. Our designs will comprise plans of some of the gardens which have been laid out under his direction. The present design (jig. 1) is admirably adapted for a Ro- JANUARF. 23 Scale 10 feet to the inch. 1. DESIGN FOR A FLOWER GARDEN. 24 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. saiy, an American Garden, an Herbaceous Garden, or even a garden for bedding out plants, or annuals. It is intended to be laid down on gravel, and edged with box or thrift. Such a garden, planted with the choicest roses, would be exceed- ingly beautiful ; or, if planted with Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Kalmias, it would have a fine effect ; distributing and grouping the Rhododendrons and Kalmias so as to form a whole, when the Azaleas, which are deciduous, are not in leaf. Such a garden would surpass anything in the whole range of beautiful flowers and evergreen foliage, and convey some idea of the magnificence of the American garden as forming so important a feature of every English residence of the higher class. If for a rosary, then each of the small circular scrolls may be planted with a pillar rose, in preference to tree roses, which in our severe climate do not give entire satisfaction, and are apt to die ofl'; while pillar roses may be formed of any of the hybrid China or Bourbon roses, which are rampant grow- ers, in a very short time. The scolloped figure in the middle, may be planted with different kinds of Prairie roses, trained to a wire pyramid, with choice dwarf roses around the out- side. The good taste of any intelligent amateur or gardener will, however, suggest the way to produce the best effect. If for a miscellaneous garden, each of the same small fig- ures may be planted with an Irish or Swedish juniper, which occupy but little space, grow very erect, and are always ver- dant, winter and summer. The central bed, which is large, may have a Siberian arborvitae, — one of the finest of the tribe, — in the centre, which will always grow compact and beautiful. There are, indeed, so many ways in which such a garden can be planted, that we do not offer any particulars, though some of the plans, that we shall give hereafter, we shall accom- pany with a full list of such plants as we think would have the best effect. What we wish to do, in giving this design, is to call into action the thinking powers of the young gardener, that he may display his own taste, rather than imitate the taste of others. JANUARY. 25 THE WASHINGTONIA GIGANTEA. BY J. W. RUSSELL, SOUTH CALAVERAS, CALIFORNIA. It will be recollected that in our last volume, (XX, p. 185,) we gave a brief account of this giant evergreen, which has at- tracted so much attention in California, where the exhibition even of a portion of the trunk at San Francisco has been vis- ited by thousands of persons. This noble tree was accident- ally met with by Mr. W. Lobb, an English botanist, collect- ing in California for Messrs. Veitch & Co. of London, and be- lieving it to be a new conifer, he called it the Wellingtons, claiming that right we presume as the first discoverer of the tree. Against this assumption of authority, in tacking on the names of European heroes to the grandest of our American trees, we seriously protested, even if Mr. Lobb did actually first discover it ; and we proposed, as the proper name, should it prove to be a distinct genus, the only appropriate and just title to such a specimen of American vegetation, that of the Father of his country, Washington. In this we were supported by W. R, Prince, Esq., of Long Island, who visited California before Mr. Lobb, and saw the original trees, by several California botanists, and by other cor- respondents. We now have the pleasure of offering the views of our old and respected correspondent J. W. Russell, now a resident of South Calaveras, who has specimens of the tree, and who not only decides it to be a new genus, but proves that Mr. Lobb did not first discover it. We shall let Mr. Rus- sell speak for himself, and after reading his communication, we hope no American, at least, will adopt any other than our name of Washingtonia. — Ed. Mr. Robert Carmichael, has just returned from a trip to the great trees, and from him I have received fine specimens. The foliage is similar to the Cupressus sempervirens, but somewhat stronger or coarser — the seed cone, like the pine, say about three inches long and two inches diameter. This mammoth growth of trees evidently belongs to the Pine tribe, but is, without a shadow of a doubt, a new genus. The grove VOL. XXI. NO. I. 4 26 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. contains eighty-five trees in an area of fifty acres. The trees generally average three hundred feet in height. The largest perfect tree standing is ninety-five feet in circumference at the base, and three hundred and twenty-five feet high. The largest in the group has been blown down, and is decidedly and undoubtedly the largest tree in the world. It is one hundred and ten feet in circumference at the base, and the height, when standing, must have been four hundred and fifty feet ; three hundred feet from its base it measures twelve feet in diameter. This tree is supposed by good judges to have been blown down 07ie thousand years since ; from counting the concentric layers it is over three thousand years old, and contains over three hundred cords of solid timber. Mr. Lobb, collector for Messrs. Veitch & Co. of Exeter, England, discov- ered these trees in 1850, and sent specimens to England. Now, Sir, an American trapper or hunter first discovered the trees in 1848 ; his name is Dow. Therefore, I take the liber- ty of naming this mammoth tree of the world, Washingtonia GiGANTEA. Plcasc to iutroducc at once the name as above, the lawfully and the (to my mind) only proper name for the King of the forests. See that it receives the name of ours truly, the American hero, of the new World. The timber when dry is as light as the lightest wood ; when green, very heavy. Forty couple frequently dance on the base of one of these trees. It is worth a voyage to California to see these wonderful trees. THE DEUTZIA GRACILIS. BY THE EDITOR. This lovely little shrub, having proved quite hardy in our climate, has became an object of increasing interest. Indeed every new hardy shrub is especially interesting to all lovers of plants ; for the accessions of such to our gardens are neces- sarily iew, and not often of any remarkable beauty. The only notable additions of the latter description during several years having been the ^SpiraVi prunifolia pleno, Forsythm viridissi- JANUARY. 27 ma, and Weigeh'a rosea, the two former from China and the latter from Japan. Deutzza gracilis is also from Japan, and is, we believe, one of the acquisitions of Siebold, whose expedi- tion to that country has enriched our gardens with some of 2. THE DEUTZIA GRACILIS. the finest hardy shrubs and plants of the present century. From the hardiness of these Eastern shrubs it is hoped that others which have been introduced to English collections, from the same localities, will prove hardy here, particularly the Sk'.mmia japonica, the Ilex latifolia, the Mahoniasand the Virburnums which have been sent home by Mr. Fortune. 28 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. The Deutzm gracilis {fig. 2) is a small slender-growing shrub, inhabiting the damp valleys and lofty mountains of Japan, where it is said to grow naturally five or six feet high ; its branches are long, flexible, and drooping when in flower. The leaves are small, wedge-shaped, ovate lanceolate, taper- ing to the point, with small serratures. The main branches, which are numerous, are covered with lateral branchlets, pro- ducing at the ends graceful racemes of snow-white flowers, about half the size of the D. scabra. Its neat mode of growth, its compact yet graceful habit, and the abundance of its snowy flowers render it extremely beautiful. It is of the easiest cultivation ; growing in any good light soil, not too wet in winter. It flowers in June, and remains in bloom a long time. It is increased by taking up and divid- ing the plants, or by layers in the ordinary way. The Belgians make beautiful standards by grafting it on tall stems of Philadelphus grandiflorus. Some fine specimens managed in this way were exhibited by M. Baumann, of Ghent, who purchased the original stock. For pot cultivation in the conservatory or greenhouse it is an elegant plant ; the smallest specimen flowering abundantly from March to May. Either as a conservatory plant or hardy shrub, it is a most val- uable acquisition. JANUARY. Twilight still lingers in the lap of day : Long shadows sleep at noontime in our way : The days are brief: night comes upon us soon, Speeds on apace the fleeting hour of noon, And hangs her curtains o'er our window panes, Ere morning's frost has melted from the plains. The land is tightly sealed : o'er all the earth The sparkling summer rills have ceased their mirth : The music of their leaping sport no more Marks their swift babbling journey to the shore. A solemn stillness sits at nature's gate, And every scene is cold and desolate. The northern winds have gained the victory : They sweep across the plains with ruthless glee. We trim our fires, and while the blaze is bright, Wish that all hearts might share its cheerful light. W. F. JANUARY. 29 (^\ Radiation. — The production of frost may be traced to the radiation of heat from the earth. By radiation is meant the power possessed by bodies on the surface of the earth, of sending forth their heat into space. It ap- pears to be the means provided by nature for parting with the superfluous portion of tiie sun's heat. Not only the surface of the ground has this power of radiation, but the leaf that flutters in the breeze, and the atmos- phere itself, have more or less of the same power. This process goes on equally by night and by day, in the breeze and in calm ; but it is rendered sensible chiefly on a clear calm night. It seems to proceed much at the same rate, whether the thermometer be at 80° or 32°. These cold-produc- ing rays (if the term be allowable) are obstructed in their course by the in- tervention of opake bodies. Hence when the sky is densely covered with clouds, radiation ceases. Such is the power of unobstructed radiation, that were it not for the sun's heat, accumulated during the day in the soil and given out to moderate the temperature by night, the thermometer would probably sink to zero every clear calm night. This natural reservoir of heat is, therefore, the great moderator of frost. Very severe frosts occur when the ground is deeply covered with snow, and the heat of the soil is thereby kept in, and its diffu- sion into the atmosphere prevented. A thermometer placed by the writer on the snow in his garden, on the night of January 2d 1854, sunk 2° below zero : while another placed on a small patch of ground which was cleared of snow, only two or three feet distant, did not sink below 16°. [Hence the earth is warmer and the atmosphere colder, when snow lies on the ground, than when it is bare.] It has often been observed that frost is most severe on clear, calm nights, and that the degree of cold depends much on local circumstances. As a general rule, it may be stated to be the effect of radiation. [When the sky is overcast with cl^ds, this canopy of vapor operates in the same way as a tin cover placed oto" any heated substance. The heat of the earth which is radiated into the atmosphere is shut in by the clouds and prevented from escaping into the upper air. While this canopy of clouds remains over our heads we are, as it were, in a heated room, the heat being supplied by radi- ation from the warm ground or floor. Hence on a cloudy evening there is seldom any precipitation of dew, and the grass is often as dry as on a bright summer morn. — Ed.] It may be observed that the air near the surface of the earth is colder than at three feet above it ; and the cold air sinks down into valleys, obeying slowly the same laws which regulate the motion of the heavier fluid water. A thermometer placed in the bottom of an artificial valley or basin of nine inches deep, and three or four feet wide, well protected by wool or any non- conducting substance from the heat of the soil, will sink 25° or 50° below the temperature of the surrounding air, from simple exposure to the clear sky on a calm night. — Gardeners^ Chron. 1854. 30 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. A New Grape Malady. — A new malady has proved very fatal to vines, during the past season, in the northern counties of England. A correspon- dent of the Gardeners^ Chronicle mentions a singular -case of this disease, arising evidently from a minute parasite. It made its appearance last year for the first time on a peculiarly healthy vine, noted for its excellent fruit, which it seems likely to destroy. The first indication of disease is a little brown speck : this increases gradually, forming an orbicular spot of sienna brown, and preserving a definite outline. The surface of the spots, some- times from the extension of one patch but more frequently from the conflu- ence of more than one, is rough, with little raised, orbicular reddish bodies, arranged in concentric circles, and easily separated from the matrix. The writer classes this little parasite under the genus Sepioria, and remarks that he can as yet suggest no remedy, and is doubtful whether it will admit of one. We have not yet heard of this disease in America. Pampas Grass. — A species of grass known by this name is, at the pres- ent time, attracting considerable attention in Europe. Although a true grass, it is likely to form one of the most useful of garden ornaments. In stature it is said to rival the bamboo, growing, in its native plains, nearly twenty feet in height. The leaves are hard, wiry, very rough at the edge, not half an inch broad at its widest part, and of a dull grey green color. The flowers appear in panicles, averaging two feet in length, resembling those of the common reed, but of a silvery whiteness, being covered with long colorless hairs, and consisting of colorless membranous glumes. It is es- tablished beyond doubt that it will bear any degree of cold ever experi- enced in the neighborhood of London, without injury. "Let the reader says the Gardeners' Chronicle) conceive of one individual of a reedy grass of such magnitude, whose grey hard warm leaves cuiTe most gracefully from the centre to the circumference, forming a thin, but huge tuft: add to this many slender flower-stems, darting into the air, and gracefully poising on their summits a white airy mass of light scales, whose polished surface can only be rivalled by the delicate work of the silverapiith : place this a little above the eye in rocky ground, let it be well backllp up by some dark foliage, and a fiiint idea may be formed of the general appearance of the Pampas Grass." The botanical name of this grass is Gynerium argenteum, and was originally brought from the vicinity of Rio Janeiro. Ill0ntljlj| (Scssip. Changes of the Weather as Indicated bt the Barometer. — The ensuing remarks are carefully abridged from a work \vritten for the use of navigators, and have reference to the latitude of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. We have condensed them in a few words, believing that they might be in- teresting and useful to landsmen as well as to mariners. The barometer has a range from 29 to 30-5 inches in tlie latitude of the Gulf, and its JANUARY. 3 1 changes accompany those of the winds and weather with considerable con- stancy. The fluctuations of the barometric column are much greater and more frequent there than in lower latitudes ; and sudden alterations which in other climates would be alarming, may occur there without being fol- lowed by any corresponding change either in the wind or the weather. A constant attention to the instrument can alone enable one to appreciate tliose decisive indications of the mercury which seldom or never prove deceptive. The following facts may be noticed : — When, after a continuance of westerly winds and fine weather, the ba- rometer has risen to nearly its greatest height, say some tenths above 30 in- ches, or begins to fall a little, an easterly Avind may soon be expected. If to this notice given by the barometer be added a warm, hazy atmosphere, during the day, and a heavy precipitation of dew at night, with very bright twinkling stars, or a colored aurora borealis, the approach of an east wind is almost certain. Both rain and fog will follow, and continue during the prevalence of the east wind, with little intermission, until they are dissipated by a fresh breeze from the contrary quarter. If the fall of the barometer, during the continuance of the easterly wind, be very slow, the gale will probably continue, and not be very violent : if rapid, it will probably be of short duration and of greater strength : at any rate, when the mercury falls to 29 inches, a change is certainly at hand, and the gale will in general come from the northwest. The strength of the westerly gale is usually greatest soon after its commencement, and di- minishes as the barometer rises, veering gradually to the west and south- west. It is worthy of remark, that the circumstances just mentioned are exactly the reverse of those attending the eastern gale. This gale usually commences with clear weather and a high barometer, light at first, from the south or southeast, and gradually increasing as it bears to the eastward, with a falling barometer. There is so great a difference in the phenomena of the weather in differ- ent seasons, tliat it is difficult to write anything respecting it, that shall not be liable to many exceptions. There are, however, some strongly marked cases of connection between the indications of the barometer and changes of the winds and weather, which are subject to few exceptions. The first of these cases is that most common one, of an easterly gale, Avith a falling ba- rometer, being always wet and foggy, and succeeded by a strong wind from the opposite quarter, with a rising barometer. A second case, not of so fre- quent occurrence, in common seasons, excepting in spring, or early in sum- mer, is the easterly wind with a rising barometer ; which, although it may not be at first for a few hours, will almost always become fine and clear and end in fine weather. A third case may be considered certain: if the barometer fall suddenly and greatly, at any time, a northerly and most probably a northwest gale, of great strength, may be confidently expected. It does not follow that it will be immediate, for it may be preceded by a stormy gale from the south- west, for a few hours, during which the barometer will seldom rise, and even probably continue to fliU : but when the southwest gale dies away, ^le nortlierly or northwest wind will soon succeed, with a rising barometer. 32 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Plants as Purifiers of the Air within Doors. — Some people are not yet able to understand the different or even opposite effects of the leaves and the flowers of plants upon the air we breathe. The flowers, like ani- mals, absorb oxygen and give out carbonic acid gas : the leaves, on the con- traiy, absorb carbonic acid gas, and give out oxygen. Hence, in this re- spect, house plants, when not in flower, tend to purify the air of the room in which they are kept, and might advantageously be cultivated to a certain extent for this very purpose. But there is still another point to be consid- ered in relation to this matter. The leaves of plants not only serve to re- generate the atmosphere of a room by absorbing the noxious gases emitted from the lungs of human beings, and giving out that vital quality which supports our respiration, but they also evaporate into the air a great quan- tity of moisture. It is customary with those who warm their rooms by means of a close stove, to place a vessel of water upon it, in order to sup- ply any deficiency of atmospheric moisture occasioned by the heated stove. If we reflect a little upon the enormous quantity of moisture taken up from the earth, and evaporated into the air by almost every growing plant, we should be convinced that a few geraniums, rose bushes, or any othor decidu- ous plants, would supply a room with a sufficient abundance of this health- ful moisture. House plants, therefore, cannot be too highly recommended, for their utility in promoting the wholesomeness of our indoor atmosphere, as well as for purposes of ornament. The only precaution necessary to be given, is, that whenever a plant is in flower, it should during that period be removed from our sleeping rooms. A Curious Fact. — What is in common language termed a bulbous root IS by Linnaeus termed the Hybernacle, or Winter Lodge of the young plant. These bulbs in every respect resemble buds, except in being produced under ground, and include the leaves and flower in miniature, which are to be expanded in the ensuing spring. By cautiously cutting, in the early spring, through the concentric coats of a tulip root, longitudinally from the top to the base, and taking them off successively, the whole flower of the next summer's tulip is beautifully seen by the naked eye, with its petals, pistil and stamens : the flowers exist in other bulbs, in the same manner, but the individual flowers of others being less, they are not so easily dissected, or 60 conspicuous to the naked eye. In the buds of the Daphne Mezereon, and in those of the Hepatica, and at the base of the Osmunda lunaria, a perfect plant of the future year may be found, complete in all its parts. Changes in Plants. — It may be observed that many flowers are fur- nished with the remains of parts that once existed, and which have become abortive. Thus the Verbena of England has four stamens, while that of Sweden has only two. There is a similar circumstance belonging to the class of insects which have two wings, the Diptera. Two little knobs are found placed each on a stalk or peduncle, generally under a little arched scale, which appear to be the rudiments of hinder wings ; and are called by Linneeus, halteres, or poisers, a term of his own introduction. Other ani- JANUARY. 33 mals have marks of having, in a long process of time, undergone changes in some parts of their bodies, which may have been effected to accommodate them to new ways of procuring their food. It is the opinion of Dr. Darwin, tliat all the productions of nature are in their progress to greater perfec- tion— an idea countenanced by the modern discoveries and deductions con- cerning the progressive formation of the solid parts of the terraqueous globe. Monthly Dial. — We intend, under this head, to publish in each num- ber of our Magazine a brief account of the weather of the past month, in- cluding the prevailing appearance of the heavens, the temperature of the atmosphere, and the various meteoric phenomena of the month. Such notes, if accurately made, would lead to the gradual discovery of certain laws of nature as connected with the weather, and could not fail to be useful and interesting. Since December arrived the heavens have presented a very different as- pect from that of the two or three preceding months. There was less of that form of cloud which has been denominated cuinulus,T esembling globu- lar heaps of vapor, rising out of uniform stratified cloud. The clouds, in- stead of appearing in such forms, moving rapidly in the direction of the wind, as usually seen in October and April, were arranged more generally in horizontal bars, which were comparatively motionless. This sort of cloud, which is the stratus of the aerologist, prevailed extensively during the month of December. It is really a level sheet of vapor spread out at a certain distance above the surface of the earth, and resembles a bar, be- cause it is seen edgewise when low in the horizon. The hair cloud, feather cloud, or cirrus, is not so common in winter as in summer; and when formed in winter it passes into stratus ; while in summer, it more generally passes into cirro-cumulus, forming what the fishermen term a mackerel sky. Hence the clouds are more beautiful and variegated in their forms in sum- mer than in winter, as well as more brilliant in their tintings. The brilliant sunsets of the warm months are seldom witnessed in the season of snow. The days are so short, however, that even at noonday, we often perceive more or less of the ruddy glow of sunset. In fact, the sun in December seldom pours down his rays in undiminished whiteness. We have truly no noonday at this time ; for no sooner have the ruddy tints of morning disap- peared than those of evening commence, as the evening and morning twi- light blend together at midnight in the month of June. The weatlier of December was colder than the average, and more than a usual quantity of rain fell. At the same time deep snows fell, in all the country lying north and west of this vicinity. In the year 1853, no severe cold Avas experienced before Christmas. What prognostications for the coming winter may be made by the weatherwise, from all these appearances, we are unable to say. We should judge, however, that there were no indi- cations of an open winter. No very brilliant exhibitions of the aurora borealis were seen in this vicinity during the past month. VOL. XXI. NO. I. 5 34 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Saturday, Dec. 9. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day — the President in the chair. The President, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Finance Committee were appointed a Committee to settle with Mt. Auburn Cemetery. The President made a report in regard to the expediency of having a course of lectures. Adjourned two weeks to Dec. 23d. Dec. 23. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day — the President in the chair. The Committee on Gardens, the Committee of Arrangements and the Flower Committee submitted their reports for 1854. Adjourned one week to Dec. 30. Dec. 30. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day — the President in the chair. Dr. Wight from the Fruit Committee, and H. Bradlee from the Vegetable Committee, submitted their reports for 1854, which were accepted. The Executive Committee reported the sum of ^^2800 as tlie amount to be appropriated for premiums for 1855. Messrs. Breck, Wight and Walker were appointed a Committee to nom- inate a Committee of Arrangements for 1855. The Committee for establishing premiums for 1855, submitted their schedule, which was placed in the hands of the Executive Committee for approval, and to be published with the reports of the Committees for 1854. The thanks of the Society were voted to the N. Y. State Agricultural Society, and to W. Appleton, for books and papers. Four new members were elected, and the meeting dissolved. The following are the reports of the several Committees : — REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FLOWERS, AWARDING PREMIUMS FOR THE TEAR. The amount allowed by the Society to be appropriated by your Commit- tee was seven hundred dollars. Of this sura, three hundred and thirty-two dollars have been awarded in premiums, and two hundred and forty-eight dollars in gratuities— making a total of five hundred and eighty dollars ; leaving a balance of one hundred and twenty dollars unappropriated. The season has been an unusual one in many respects. In the first place, in the early part of the season, particularly in the month of May, it was cold and wet, and vegetation was so backward that the opening of the Hall was delayed a fortnight. The cold wet spring was succeeded by a remark- ably drj 'summer. The drought was so severe as almost to ruin floral pro- ductions, which would otherwise have been offered for premiums. This maj account for the small amount awarded in premiums. JANUARY. 35 A great effort was made to induce contributors to bring in flowers, plants and decorations, to give interest to the great exhibition under the Pavilion, on the Common ; it was necessary, therefore, to expend a larger amount in gratuities than usual. Tiie following premiums and gratuities have been awarded during the season : — PREMIUMS AWARDED DURING THE SEASON. Greenhouse Plants. — For the best collection, to M. P. Wilder, $15 00 Fuchsias. — For the best six varieties, to Evers &. Bock, . G 00 For the second best, to M. P. Wilder, . . . 4 00 Pelargoniums. — Gratuity equal to second prem., to M. P. Wilder, G 00 Cut Flowers. — For the best display, to James Nugent, . G 00 For the second best, to A. Bowditch, . . . 5 00 For the third best, to Winship & Co., . . . 4 00 For the fourth best, to John Kenrick, . . . 2 00 Hawthorns. — For the best display, to Winship & Co., . . 3 00 For the second best, to John A. Kenrick, . . . 2 00 Azaleas. — For the best display, to Winship & Co., . . 6 00 For the second best, to Evers & Bock, . . . 4 00 For the third best, to John A. Kenrick, . . . 3 00 Shrubbt Peonies. — For the best six varieties, to M- P. Wilder, 5 00 Herbaceous Pjeonies. — For the best ten varieties, to M. P. Wilder, 5 00 For the second best, to A. Bowditch, . . . 4 00 Roses. — Class I. — Hardy Roses. For the best thirty distinct vari- eties, to M. P. Wilder, . . . . . 8 00 For the second best, to Winship & Co., . . . 6 00 Class III. — Hardy Perpetual Ros-'S. For the best ten varieties, to A. Bowditch, . . . . . 5 00 For the second best, to M. P. Wilder, . . . 4 00 For the third best, to James Nugent, . . . 3 00 Prairie Roses. — For the best display, to Winship & Co., . 5 00 For the second best, to J. Nugent, . . . . 4 00 For the third best, to A. Bowditch, . . . . 3 00 Carnations and Picotee Pinks. — For the best ten varieties, to C. F. Chaplin, . . . . . . 5 00 For the second best, to Evers & Bock, . . . 4 00 For the third best, to J. Nugent, . . . . 3 00 Double Balsams. — For the best display, to J. Nugent, . 3 00 Phloxes. — For the best ten distinct late varieties, to A. Bowditch, 5 00 For the second best, to E. M. Richards, . . . 4 00 For the third best, to J. Nugent, . . . . 3 00 German Asters. — For the best display, to J. Nugent, . 4 00 For the second best, to W. Blake, . . . . 3 00 For the third best, to P. Barnes, , . . . 2 00 Dahlias. — For the best specimen bloom, to C. Copeland, . 3 00 For the best single bloom of scarlet, tipped, crimson and rosy purple, $1 each, to J. Nugent, . . . . 4 00 36 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. For the best shaded and light purple, to P. Barnes, . . $2 00 For the best white, dark purple, shaded and variegated, to C. Copeland, . . . . . . 4 00 Flowering Shrubs. — For the best display through the season, to Winship & Co., . . . . . 8 00 For the second best, to John A. Kenrick, . . . 6 00 Bouquets. — For the best display through the season, to J. Nugent, 6 00 For the second best, to E. M. Richards, . . . 5 00 Herbaceous Perennials. — For the best display through the season, to Winship & Co., . . , . 8 00 For the second best, to A. Bowditch, . . . 6 00 For the third best, to J. Nugent, . . , . 4 00 Annuals. — For the best display through the season, to J. Nugent, 8 00 For the second best, to B. V. French, . . . 6 00 For the third best, to M. & F. Burr, . . . 4 00 premiums awarded at the annual exhibition. Vase Bouquets. — For the best pair, suitable for the Bradlee vases, to Evers & Bock, .... For the second best, to J. Nugent, . For the best pair of bouquets for the Society's vases, to Win ship & Co., ..... Parlor Bouquets. — For the best, to M. P. Wilder, For the second best, to Evers & Bock, For the third best, to J. Nugent, For the fourth best, to Winship & Co., Pot Plants. — For the best display of not less than twenty pots to J. P. Cushing, .... For the second best, to T. Page, For the third best, to A. Bowditch, For the fourth best, to M. P. Wilder, Coxcombs. — For the best six pots, to J. Kelly, . Cut Flowers. — For the best display, to Messrs. Burr, . For the second best, to J. Nugent, For the third best, to Winship & Co., For the fourth best, to A. Bowditch, gratuities awarded at the annual exhibition. Pot Plants.— To Winship & Co., 8 00 ; to Evers & Bock, 5 00 to Geo. W. Collamore, 2 00 ; to Mrs. Goreby, 1 00 ; to M. B Williams, for thirty pots asters, 8 00 ; to M. P. Wilder, 5 00 ; to J. Mason, 1 00, Floral Designs. — Mrs. Wm. Kenrick, 5 00 ; to Miss Russell, 2 00 ; to W. C. Strong, 7 00 ; to do. 1 00 ; to Miss Fanny Wright, Dedham, 5 00 ; to Carter & Lincoln, 6 00 ; to Miss Mary M. Kenrick, 3 00 ; to A. Bowditch, 8 00, ]0 00 6 00 10 00 8 00 G 00 5 00 3 00 12 00 10 00 8 00 5 00 3 00 . G 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 30 00 37 00 JANUARY. 37 Bouquets.— To W. E. Carter, 2 00 ; to C. S. Holbrook, 2 00 ; to Messrs. Burr, 4 00 ; to J. Morris, 5 00 ; to A. G. Read, 2 00, $15 00 Cut Flowers. — To Joseph Breck & Son, 8 00 ; to C. Copeland, 4 00 ; to Jona. French, 2 00 ; to T. Page, 4 00 ; to Miss Tay- lor, 1 00 ; to W. J. Underwood, 2 00, . . .2100 Additional. — To Messrs. Stone & Co., 1 00; to Miss Kenrick, 1 00 ; to Hovey & Co., 2 00, . . . . 4 00 GRATUITIES AWARDED DURING THE SEASON. To Hovey & Co. for camellias, To P. Barnes, for plants in March, To A. Bowditch, for a collection of plants. To M. P. Wilder, for azaleas, . To J. S. Cabot, for fine tulips, . To Miss Russell, for basket of flowers, To Mary M. Kenrick, for the same, To E. M. Richards, for bouquets, To J. F. Allen, for Cattleya, To J. Nug-ent, for RusselKa jiincea. To J. Nugent, for Erica ventricosa sup^rba, To Winship & Co., for Amaryllis crocea. To Evers & Bock, for collection of plants. To E. S. Rand, for fine Sweet Williams, To Mrs. Wm. Ashley, for the same, and columbines. To R. M. Copeland, for hyacinths. To M. M. Kenrick, for displays of flowers. To Miss Russell, for the same. To C. Copeland, for displays of roses. To L. Davenport, for the same, . To Thomas Page, for hardy roses, To W. E. Carter, cut flowers, 5 00 ; dahlias, 1 00, To E. M. Richards, for the same. To J. W. Clark, for seedling verbenas, . To M. & F. Burr, for the same. To P. Barnes, for displays of dahlias, 5 00 and 3 00, To J. Nugent, for the same, 3 00 and 1 00, To C. Copeland, for dahlias. To M. P. Wilder, for large Weigelia, . To Winship & Co. for YirgiKa, 5 00 ; Erythrina, 2 00, To Evers & Bock, for various fine plants in pots, To Wm. Whiting, for Scotch roses. To A. Bowditch, for Night Blooming Cereus, To John Dunklee, cut flowers, . To P. Barnes, for pansies. 3 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 4 00 1 00 5 00 2 00 4 00 5 00 G 00 6 00 6 00 8 00 3 00 G CO 3 00 2 00 3 00 8 00 4 00 3 00 3 00 7 00 15 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 During the last seven years, the Messrs. Hovey have exhibited a great variety of seedling Camellias, some of them beautiful and perfect. The 38 . THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. alphabet has been nearly exhausted with the letters applied to designate the various sorts considered worthy of trial and perpetuation. The Committee are disposed to denominate some of them fine, and two of them very fine ; but the most perfect, in their estimation, is the one designated by the letter (I), already noticed in the report of the Flower Committee of 18.^3, as worthy the Society's large gold medal, provided " its high character should be sus- tained another season." This your Committee report has been the case, and therefore now recommend the award of the Society's Large Gold Medal, for this seedling Camellia, to the Messrs. Hovey & Co. The Chairman having examined specimen plants of this variety in the conservatory of these gentlemen, gives the following description : — Leaves, — Large, five inches long by two wide, ovate acuminate, deep green, smooth and glossy on the surface, finely nerved, slightly wavy, and large and coarsely dentated. TFood buds. — Long, green, moderately stout. Flower buds. — Obtusely ovate, with clear greenish scales. Floivers. — Very large, nearly four and a half inches in diameter, full, and perfectly double to the centre, and of great depth. Color. — Rich vivid crimson scarlet, a nearer approach to scarlet than any variety with which we are acquainted, and decidedly the finest dark variety we have yet seen. Petals. — Large, bold and beautiful, imbricated, symmetrically arranged, and nearly entire on the edge. Habit. — Very robust and vigorous, flowering freely. Mr. Haggerston, in his weekly report, Feb. 2d, 1850, thus describes this seedling: — "From Hovey dz. Co. a seedling camellia, very fine, form of flower rounding to the centre, and full ; petals broad, smooth, and generally very perfect ; color a bright crimson scarlet, much the shade of bractae of Poins6tti'rt pulch^rrima ; size of flower large. This is decidedly the most showy seedling camellia that has been exhibited ; the color is new, beauti- ful and very rich ; foliage large, pointed, and acutely serrated." For the Committee, Joseph Breck, Cliairvian. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FRUITS, AWARDING PREMIUMS DURING THE TEAR. The Committee on Fruits present to the Society a Report of their doings for the past year. So far as the weekly exhibitions were concerned, the drought of the past season has most seriously affected the show dependent on open culture. Apples have generally ripened previous to the usual season, giving us email and immature specimens. So early as the last week in July, Samuel Walker placed on the table specimens of the Gravenstein, a September apple, and, with the exception of the annual exhibition, this department of fruits has been exceedingly meagre, as compared with former years. These remarks will apply more fully to the summer and early autumn JANUARY. 39 apples, since the same cannot be said of the late autumn and -n-inter apples exliibited at the weekly exhibitions, subsequent to the annual exhibition. In consequence of the continuous rains in September and early part of October, the apple was much improved in size, and we have seldom seen finer specimens of the various varieties, than has been shown the few weeks last past. Dec. 23. — Dr. Webb presented fine specimens of several varieties of ap- ples, from one of the Kansas Missions, near the city of Lawrence. The varieties were originally from this vicinity and from localities bordering on Hudson River. Such as the Baldwin, Hubbardston, Fall Pippin and New- town Pippin, were not in excess of size, and all were fully equal to like kinds grown here. Few or no seedling apples have been presented during the season, worthy of particular mention. Apricots. — The show in this department was so much inferior to former years, that tlie Committee did not deem it advisable to. award a single premium. Blackberries. — The " High Improved" were exhibited somewhat in abundance, though lacking tlie size of those of former seasons, and we were pleased to find a more general attention given to this, one of the most de- sirable fruits of its season. The Committee have, from year to year, (since its introduction,) urged a general cultivation, believing it eminently remu- nerative. Cherries, with the exception of the "Black Tartarian," have been wanting in size. This variety, as well as Mr. Walsh's Seedling, for some reason, did not seem to have suffered so much as most other varieties, from the continued dry season. The Committee had proposed to visit Mr. Walsh's garden, during the season of the fruiting of the cherry, with the view of con- sidering his cherry under the head of " Special Premium for the Loivell Gold medal.'''' The Committee notified Mr. Walsh of their intention, and he had promised to assign a day ; but in consequence of the ravages committed by the birds, the visit was obliged to be deferred till another season. Some few seedlings have been offered to the notice of the Committee, but, with the exception of one presented by J. S. Sleeper, being the same which he has shown heretofore, little praise could be awarded. Currants. — Those exhibited and receiving a premium, were very supe- rior ; so also were the White and Red Dutch, as shown by several contrib- utors ; but as there is only assigned two premiums to this fruit, the a'ivards were given, agreeably with a standing rule, to the contributor outside of the Committee. Figs. — The contributions in this fruit are mainly from the same source, year after year. Gooseberries. — The awards to this fruit were given for seedlings, there not having been those of foreign variety equalling them. For some reason or other, the contributions of " Houghton's Seedling" were not brought forward to compete, though we feel assured from past ex- 40 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. perience, that this variety, had the growers chosen to come forward, would have carried off the palm. Grapes, forced previous to the first Saturday in July, were contributed somewhat in abundance, during the earliest part of the season, vieing well, in earliness, size and coloring, with any former year. Many new contrib- utors, from houses recently erected, are bringing in small contributions, showing a diligence of culture highly commendable ; while the specimens of culture shown subsequent to the above date, have been marked as of superior size, both in bunches and berries, to former contributions of like date. July 22. — Ignatius Sargent exhibited bunches of " Black Hamburg," several of which weighed upwards of four pounds each, and the largest, seven and one-half pounds avoirdupois weight. This was probably the largest bunch of this variety ever shown at any exhibition of the Society, and for which your Committee awarded a special premium of the Society's Silver medal. Saturday, Dec. 30. — M. H. Simpson, Saxonville, made a fine display of grapes, well grown and ripened, reflecting much credit on D. H. Burns, his gardener. They were the White Nice, White Frontignan, Muscat of Al- exandria, Syrian, Chasselas Musque and Black Hamburg, being from vines from which a good crop was taken in March last. This we believe is the first instance here of two crops having been grown in one year. In this department the Society has been mainly indebted to J. Fisk Al- len, W. C. Strong, Mrs. F. B. Durfee, M. H. Simpson, Jos. Breck & Son, Azell Bowditch, James Nugent and Thos. Page. Grapes. — Open Culture. — This has, indeed, been an awakening season for seedlings, and all outdoor grapes. It is the first of a perfect furor or mania, in bringing out of slumbering varieties, and though your Committee have been obliged at the tasting board to make " wry faces" sometimes, yet they have been well recompensed in believing that a few of the many may prove essentially valuable, enabling almost every cottager to produce enough for " home consumption," and though some of the seedlings may not rival the Isabella in flavor, still the Committee think there are five or six varieties which may prove sufficiently early in ripening to enable a sure culture, where the Catawba and Isabella have in vain been attempted. The "Concord," a seedling raised by E. W. Bull of Concord, Mass., has attracted much attention during the past year, and believing you desired all the information which we could bring to bear on this one variety, the chairman signified to Mr. Bull, that an invitation from him to the Committee to visit his premises, with full privilege to examine and scrutinize all and every fact at hand, (which might bear on the subject,) would prove accept- able to the Committee — and in the event of his seedlings proving valuable or not, the Committee, one and all, believe in the honesty of Mr. Bull. There was on this occasion, as on all others, a modest bearing, free and frank an- swers to each and every inquiry from the Committee. Mr. Bull responded to our request, and on the 7th September all the Committee having been duly notified, visited Mr. Bull's garden at Concord, JANUARY. 41 The locality of the vines is on a southeast exposure, protected on the north and northwest by a hill ; the soil sandy. The first vines examined had received a coating of clay to a part of the vines. On this the growth was twelve feet on the average. On other vines was superadded a coating of horse manure. The bunches averaged seven inches in length. The next vine examined had been manured with animal manure, viz., two dead calves. On this vine the bunches were from six and a half to thii teen and a half inches in circumference, while the berries were two and a quar- ter inches in circumference, though not so highly colored as on other vines where no animal manure had been applied. Well water alone had been applied since the spring manuring. The vine was allowed to mature sixty bunches, many of which were, in the estimation of those conversant in the growth of the Black Hamburg, deemed to weigh a pound, if of that variety. Another set of vines had received one peck of guano to fifteen hundred and eighty-four square feet of ground. In the rear of a row of vines, one hundred and twenty-seven feet in length, Mr. Bull had placed barrels, allowing one barrel to every two vines, which had been filled with leaves collected indiscriminately from the adjoining woods, well pressed down, on the top of which he put a peck of wood ashes to neutralize the acidity, and through each barrel leached a bucket of water twice a week previous to the first of June. On a portion of the vines the grapes appeared ripe, and those tested the following Saturday were in condition. Of its seasonableness and productiveness the Committee are favorably impressed. Mr. Bull had an Isabella vine at the southwest end of his resi- dence, on which the berries were just beginning to color, which he consid- ered as occupying a more favorable locality for ripening than the former. The Committee would have been pleased to have found growing side by side, the Concord and Isabella, as more surely testing the ripening. Should this grape in other localities prove early, as in the hands of the originator, we predict a general cultivation, where the Isabella fails to ripen. Mr. Bull has some fifteen hundred seedling plants, showing a great variety of leaf. From the sample of wine made from this grape, we were fully of the belief that this grape will prove exceedingly valuable as a wine grape. It is known that A. W. Stetson, Braintree, has given much attention to the raising of seedlings, with the view of producing hardy vines, and in order to accelerate the fruiting he has grafted the most promising (judging from the leaf,) on strong vines under glass. This season he fruited several of them, two of which were of such marked superiority, as to elicit high praise from all those who tested them, many of whom were members of the Pomological Convention. The two above referred to are " Winship," a dark grape of good size, high flavored, and free of pulp ; and " Wight," a white grape, of the size of the White Chasselas, well flavored, and free of pulp. Those shown by Mr. Stetson this season, are additional to those hereto- VOL. XXI. NO. I. 6 42 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. fore spoken of in the frait reports, all of which Mr. Stetson believes will prove hardy, or at most requiring a slight protection of the roots. J. Fisk Allen, Salem, has also presented several seedlings of great promise, and which he believes will prove hardy, or at least with a slight protection of the roots. The " Allen Hybrid" is a white grape, delicious of flavor, and free of pulp. Mr. Allen has given a full account of this and other hybrids of his raising, which is incorporated in our Report. Oct. 14. — Joseph Breck exhibited for the first time the " Wyman " grape, of great promise, having large berries, thin skin, saccharine flavor, and free of pulp. The Committee placed so high a value on this grape, that they at once voted to Mr. Breck the Society's silyer medal for its introduction to notice. Mr. JVyman claims that this is a seedling of the Catawba. It is now for the first time brought to the notice of the Society. From the success which has attended the hybridization of the grape, may we not hope ere long to have out-door grapes equalling those grown in grapehouses. Mr. Waterman again presented the " Breck" grape, which, for hardiness and early ripening, fully sustains the character given in the former report. It was presumed that it might prove the " Winne ;" but on comparing the two the past season, such does not prove to be the fact, and Mr. Waterman gives it the name of " Breck." The same characteristics given of the " Winne," will apply to this grape. Salem, December 20, 1854. To the Chairman of the Fruit Committee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Sir, — In answer to your note of the IGth instant, received yesterday, I will say that, generally speaking, the past season has been one peculiarly favorable for ripening grapes. I shall refer only to such varieties as have ripened their fruit under my own care. The old established varieties, such as Hamburgs, Chasselas, and Muscats, have fully sustained their reputa- tions. The seedlings from the Hamburg, Wilmot's No. 16, and the Vic- toria, have proved fully equal to their parent in respect of bearing qualities, with proper cultivation its superior. Wilmot's new Black Hamburg is variable in quality and bearing, and requires full sunshine and a free circulation of air to make it set its blos- soms. It should hang upon the vine long after the color has become black, before it is fully ripe and fit for the table. When grown in this manner, it is quite equal to either of the other Hamburgs. The " Cannon Hall," the seedlings of the Muscat of Alexandria, has likewise proved every way equal and probably superior to that variety. The other sorts in common cultiva- tion, so far as I am aware, have not varied from the usual method or con- dition at ripening, and may still be recommended to cultivators seeking a number of kinds. Several seedlings have fruited in my collection ; the largest proportion of them proving small, (although of good flavor) have been discarded. One, a very sweet, rich Black Grape, is reserved for further trial, for cultivation under glass. * JANUARY. 43 The Bronze grape, introduced by the Mayor of Boston, Dr. Smith, from Syria, who brought the seeds with him from that country, has fruited for the first time this year. The fruit closely resembles the Queen of Nice. It ripens sooner, and does not keep as well. Two or three seasons should be given before giving a complete description. At present it promises well. The seedling referred to in a former communication, raised from Wil- mot's New Black Hamburg, has been this year discarded, having proved too sour. Of the recently imported varieties said to be seedlings, I have fruited the Gross Bleu, and cannot distinguish any difference between it and the old Black Hamburg. " Cambridge Botanic Garden Grape" is like the " Black Prince," and not worthy of being considered a distinct variety. " Gross Gromier du Cantal," is nothing but the "De Candolle." These vines were received from the best sources, and it is presumed they are correct. " Perle Rose" is another name for the same variety. For early forcing, the " Pitmaston" White Cluster, and " Musque Verdel" yet remain the best. The " Macready Early White" is inferior in flavor and uncertain in bearing. The new White grape, which I call " Allen's Hybrid," promises to be at the head of the list for early forcing. For retarding I find a difference in the ripening and keeping of the same varieties from year to year. By comparing the list now given, with that of last year, this may be seen. At the head of the list, (and as they are named the one for the other, may be considered as most valuable for their keeping or hanging in a fresh condition,) is the " Wortley Hall Seedling," the same as last year. " Prince Albert," generally a poor bearer, but as it becomes old bears well, this year has a great crop. " Poiteau Noir," large berry, lacks flavor. " Queen of Nice," very handsome and good. " Syrian," when fully ripe a rich grape. " Black Lombardy." There is an uncertainty about this grape. It has been said that West's St. Peters and this are identical. I have the two, both late kinds, and very unlike. The " Black Lombardy" has a larger berry, and is not so black. It is a valuable sort. " West's St. Peters." Part of the bunches have dried some, and part are fresh ; has not done as well as in previous years, in respect to keeping. " Xeres," or " White Nice," this year has kept well. It is however un- certain. " Muscat of Alexandria," and the " Cannon Hall," both of them have dried somewhat ; but the flavor of both, if anything, is improved by the process ; the berries being large. This drying is not so objectionable as in small grapes. " Ferrar," or " Black Portugal." A large part of the bunches have this year decayed or dried. Some bunches remain fresh and full. The 6ld "Black Hamburg" never has kept so well. Some vines have the entire crop yet on, fresh and full, while on the other vines the fruit is much dried. 44 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. " VVilmot's New," and the " Victoria Hamburg" have not kept so well as the old. In previous years they have kept rather the longest and the freshest. Hardy Grapes for cultivation in the open air, have had several seedlings added to the list this year. The most beautiful one undoubtedly is the " Concord" grape. I do not cultivate it myself, and can only speak of spe- cimens as they have come under my observation. In flavor it ranks in my estimation after the " Isabella." For Massachusetts I should place " Diana'' first, and •' Isabella " next. Further south, " Catawba first and the others in same order. Hybrid Grapes. The past season I have fruited several hybrid vines. Some of them have given fruit of fine flavor, and free of pulp. Several of these have been shown at different Horticultural exhibitions. As early as 1848 it was stated in print that I had planted an Isabella vine in a grapery, for the purpose of impregnation, with the expectation of obtaining a variety that would mature early and be an improvement upon the kinds of hardy grapes which we already had in cultivation. At that time the seedlings, be- tween forty and fifty in number, were growing, and presented such a marked variation of foliage, as to give good hope of success. Had this been other- wise, further trials by impregnation would have been made. Being aware of the incredulity of many, in the certainty of the origin of a seedling, par- ticularly when it presented a great change from the parent, every means were taken to make the case certain. The parent vine was the only one at the time in the house, it being occupied with peaches and nectarines ; part of these have since been removed and vines substituted. To be sure that bees or no external cause could eflfect the impregnation and thus defeat my efforts, the vine was forced in January and blossomed before vegetation commenced in the open air. When the embryo bunch approached the time of blossoming, a few of the strongest were selected and the others, at least all near those bunches, were cut away. Before the blossoming the buds were thinned out, leaving only one fourth part of the strongest and best placed of them. As they expanded, they were constantly watched and the anthers at once cut away with sharp scissors. With a soft brush the pollen from the European kinds was applied. This was collected from a forcing house and was mixed together in a box, having been taken from " Chasselas,'' " Black Prince," and Black Hamburg. When the impregnation took ef- fect, the embryo swelled at once ; when otherwise, it remained as it was. Thus I was assured that any seed obtained must produce a hybrid vine. When the fruit ripened, the seed was collected and planted in soil which I felt certain could not have any other seed of grapes sown accidentally The young vines have always been under my care. I potted them and re- potted them, and planted them out. Those already fruited have proved black in color, all but one, and this being so remarkably early and a very 3weet fine fruit, that I at once considered it an acquisition. The seedlings were exposed to the winter, after they had become somewhat grown. The tender ones were killed out, leaving over twenty that have proved sufficient- ly hardy to withstand our winters, with a slight covering of straw around JANUARY. 45 their roots. This grape has been named " Allen's Hybrid." It must be proved now in exposed situations before it can be fully known that it is adapted to culture in the open air in our climate. The vines that have fruited have all been under glass, not forced however, and in a very favorable situation, fronting north of east, and shaded by large trees. It is questioned if " Black Hamburgs " or Chasselas would ripen in this house. There is no doubt of this grape proving a valuable one for early forcing and the cold grapery. It has been questioned that this is the origin of this variety, and the fact that a white can be produced from a black grape denied. It is said that a seed of some European varie- ty must have been in the soil and produced this vine. I cannot deny that this may not be the fact. I do not think so, however, and the foliage shows every indication of a hybrid. N. Longworth, Esq., of Cincinnati, has raised white seedlings from our natives, and a fine white from the Catawba. He thinks so at least ; the doubters probably will say in his case, also, that he is deceived. The foliage of American kinds is so unlike the European, that the charge of a Chasselas or Sweetwater seed having been in the soil, can- not apply in his case. It will require two or three seasons yet before those hybrid seedlings will be so tested as to warrant their introduction into cultivation in the open air. If you consider these remarks relative to grapes to be of any public value, you can make what use you please of them. Respectfully Yours, John Fisk Allen. Melons have proved almost an entire failure. Nectarines, having the advantage of being grown under glass, have proved equally attractive with fonner seasons. Peaches, grown under glass and exhibited early in the season, were size- able and well colored from all sources. Pears, Summer. — As with early apples, so was it with tlie early pears, and it was not till the last day for bringing in specimens for premiums did the Committee meet with fruits worthy of premiums. On the last day (the last Saturday in Aug.) Ilovey & Co. presented fine specimens of the " Boston," and Winship & Co. " Winsliip's Seedling ;" both varieties proved far better than on any former occasion and took the premiums. Autumn. — In consequence of the late rains, these proved only sizeable, but as a general thing better colored on tlie sunny side. Winter. — There seems to have been a premature ripening of the winter pears brought in for exhibition. What few specimens have been brought in the past few weeks have been well grown and of a high, rich coloring, particularly the basket of " Glout Morceau," exhibited by J. E. Lodge. The basket of " Beurre Langelier," exhibited by President Cabot, was ex- tra fine. We have the pleasure herewith to present a list of several varie- ties of pears, which have fruited in the grounds of our President, he being the only one who has responded seasonably to incorporate in the Report. 46 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. JVeio Pears, or such as, though not new, have fruited unth Hon. J. S. Cabot^ President of the Society, for first or second time. Serrurier. — Smooth yellow skin, nearly covered with spots or blotches of russet; calyx, small, open; flesh, white, melting, juicy; of a pleasant subacid flavor, (not new.) Season, November. Beurre Beymont. — Obovate, smooth, yellowish green color, some blotch- es of russet; flesh, fine grained, melting, juicy ; flavor, subacid, pleasant, good. November. CoNSEiLLER DE LA CouR. — Green, or yellowish green in color, with rus- set specks, and sometimes some blotches of russet ; flesh, yellowish white, melting, juicy, of a sharp, subacid flavor. November. DuMORTiER. — Green russety skin, some blotches of russet ; flesh, white, juicy, melting, sweet. November. De Bavay. — Thick, yellow skin, with russet specks, bronzed in sun, rus- set at calyx, and sometimes with blotches of russet; flesh, white, very juicy, tender or melting, of a pleasant subacid flavor. Poire wes Deux Sceurs. — Elongated, pyriform shape, yellowish green color, when ripe ; flesh, solid, but tender and juicy. Dr. Bouvier. — Yellow skin, with russet specks, and some stripes or blotches of russet; flesh, white, fine grained, juicy, tender, pleasant, though with a slight astringency. Broom Park. — Of a bergamot form, with a yellow skin, nearly covered with blotches of russet ; flesh, yellowish white, juicy, tender, of a sweet bergamot, and rather high flavor. Salem, December 24, 1854. Dear Sir, — Above is a brief description of eight varieties of pears that fruited with me last year. They are not, perhaps, entirely new, and may have been already described. If the list is of any use to you it is at your service, being all that can be furnished by Yours, very truly, J. S. C. Dr. Eben. Wight. Plums, Raspberries, and Strawberries suffered severely from the drought, and the weekly exhibitions were most sadly deficient in these three fruits. We pass over the various Seedling pears, and Seedling strawberries, which have heretofore received commendation, on account of the unfavora- ble season, and a prospect that in the succeeding season they may come up under the head of the '" Special Premium List." premiums and gratuities awarded for fruits. For the best and most interesting display of fruits during the season, to M. H. Simpson, the Lyman plate, . . #20 00 Apples. — For the best twelve summer apples, to Messrs. Burr, for Red Astrachan, . . . . . . G 00 For the next best, to G. B. Cutter, for Williams, . . 4 00 Gratuities. — To Bowen Harrington, for Early Harvest, . . 4 00 JANUARY. 47 To A. D. Williams, for Williams, . . . . $4 00 To M. H. Simpson, for Red Astrachan, For the best Autumn apples, to B. Harrington, for Gravenstein, For the next best, to Josiah Stickney, for Melon, For the best Winter apples, to D. C. Bacon, for Roxbury Russet, For the next best, to A. W. Stetson, for Baldwin, Graluities. — To B. Harrington, for Baldwin, To J. W. Foster, for the same, ..... To John Gordon, for the same, ..... To E. M. Richards, for the same, .... Blackberries. — For the best, to J. Nugent, for Improved High Bush, ........ For the second best, to J. Richardson, for the same. For the third best, to G. Merriam, for the same, Gratuity. — To C. E. Grant, for the same, Cherries. — For the best, to G. B. Cordwell, for Black Tartarian, . For the next best, to Wm. Bacon, for the same. For the third best, J. W. Foster, for the same, . Currants. — For the best, to Geo. Wilson, for Victoria and Dutch, For the next best, to J. W. Foster, for Cherry, . Figs. — For the best, to J. Fisk Allen, for various, For the next best, to W. C, Strong, for various, Gooseberries. — For the best, to J. W. Foster, Grapes, Forced, — (previous to 1st Saturday in July.) — For the best, to Mrs. F. B. Durfee, for variety, .... For the next best, to Nahum Stetson, for the same, For the third best, to W. C. Strong, for the same, Gratuity. — To J. Nugent, for the same, .... Grapes, Under Glass, — (subsequent to 1st Saturday in July.) — For the best, to W. C. Strong, for variety. For the next best, to Jos. Breck, for the same, . For the next best, to Saml. Bigelow, for the same, Gratuities. — To Thos. Page, for extra fine Syrian, . To Ignatius Sargent, for extra fine bunch Black Hamburg, the Society's silver medal. Native Grapes. — For the best Isabella, to G. B. Cutter, . For the next best, to C. E. Grant, .... For the best Diana, to C. A. Bracket, .... For the next best, to Diana Crehore, .... To E. W. Bull, for his liberal show of Concord grapes, Gratuity. — To Jos. Breck, for best Native grapes during the season, called " Wyman's Seedling," silver medal. Musk Melons. — For the best, to E. M. Richards, for Christiana, For the next best, to A. D. Webber, for the same. Gratuity. — To Nahum Stetson, for extra fine Christiana and Persian, the Society's silver medal. 4 00 6 00 4 00 G 00 4 00 4 00 4 00 4 00 4 00 5 00 3 00 2 00 2 00 5 00 3 00 2 00 5 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 3 00 8 00 G 00 4 00 4 00 8 00 G 00 4 00 2 00 5 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 10 00 .5 00 3 00 48 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Nectarines. — For the best, to W. C. Strong, for variety, , . $5 00 For the next best, to J. Fisk Allen, for variety, . . . 3 00 Peaches, (Forced previously to 1st Saturday in July.) — For the best, to C. S. Holbrook, for variety, . . . . 6 00 For the next best, to W. C. Strong, for the same, . . 4 00 Open Culture. — For the best, to J, S. Sleeper, for Late Crawford, 5 00 For the next best, to Wm. Bacon, for the same, . . 4 00 For the next best, to Edward Richardson, for Seedling, . 2 00 Gratuity. — To Nahum Stetson, for superior specimens Stetson's Seed- ling, the Society's silver medal. Pears. — For the best Summer, to Hovey & Co., for the Boston, . 6 00 For the next best, to Winship & Co., for Winship's Seedling, . 4 00 Gratuity. — To Henry Vandine, for Muskingum, . . . 4 00 For the best Autumn, to John Gordon, for Beurre Diel, . 6 00 For the next best, to Josiah Richards, for Duchess of Angouleme, 4 00 Gratuities. — To Henry Vandine, for Marie Louise, . . . 4 00 To S. Driver, for Dix, . . . . . . 4 00 To J. Fisk Allen, for Duchess of Angouleme, . . . 4 00 To J. A. Stetson, for Dk, . . . . . 4 00 For the best Winter, to W. R. Austin, for Easter Beurre, . 8 00 For the next best, to J. S. Cabot, for Beurr6 Langelier, . 6 00 For the next best, to H. Vandine, for Glout Morceau, . . 4 00 Gratuity. — To J. E. Lodge, for extra fine Glout Morceau, silver medal. Plums. — For the best, to Henry Vandine, for variety, . . 4 00 For the next best, to Geo. Walsh, for Green Gage, . . 3 00 For the next best, to Geo. Putnam, . . . • . 2 00 Quinces. — For the best, to Henry Vandine, . . . 4 00 For the next best, to J. W. Foster, . . . . 2 00 Raspberries. — For the best, to J. W. Foster, for Knevett's Giant, . 5 00 Strawberries. — For the best, to J. B. Moore, for Hovey's Seedling, 6 00 PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED AT THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION. Apples. — For the best thirty varieties, of twelve specimens each, to Messrs. Burr, the Lyman plate, valued at For the second best, to B. V. French, . For the third best, to estate of Josiah Lovett, . For the best twelve varieties, of twelve specimens each, French, the Society's plate, valued at For the second best, to J. B. Moore, For the third best, to Messrs. Burr, . - For the fourth best, to John Gordon, For the best dish, twelve specimens of one variety, to J. For the second best, to Francis Marsh, For the third best, to John Gilbert, For the fourth best, to B. V. French, . 30 00 20 00 10 00 to B. V. 20 00 15 00 12 00 8 00 Guild, . 6 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 JANUARY. 49 Pears. — For the best thirty varieties, of twelve specimens each, to M. P. Wilder, the Lyman plate, valued at . For the second best, to Hovey «Sz; Co., . For the third best, to Josiah Stickney, For the best twelve varieties, of twelve specimens each, to Josiah Stickney, the Lyman plate, valued at For the second best, to Josiah Richardson, For the third best, to W. R. Austin, For the fourth best, to J. H. Stetson, . For the best dish of pears, twelve specimens of one variety, to N Stetson, for Beurr6 Diel, For the second best, to Josiah Richardson, for Flemish Beauty For the third best, to John Gordon, For the fourth best, to J. A. Stetson, for Flemish Beauty, Assorted Fruit. — For the best basket of fruit of various kinds to M. P. Wilder, For the second best, to Azell Bowditch, Grapes. — For the best five varieties, two bunches each, to W Stronw, ..... For the second best, to Mrs. F. B. Durfee, For the third best, to Charles E. Grant, For the best two varieties, of two bunches each, to T. Page, For the second best, to J. Pritchard, Peaches. — For the best dish of not less than twelve, to W. Bacon, For the second best, to D. E. Jewett, . Gratuities. — To G. W. Willis, for peaches and nectarines, To J. Richardson, for the same. To N. Stetson, for the same, To H. Y. Gilson, for the same, . To E. C. Stevens, for the same. To E. M. Richards, for baskets of assorted fruit, To W. A.. Crafts, for the same. To N. Stetson, for the same. To Misses Cordwell, for the same, To W. Blake, for grapes. To J. Breck & Son, for the same. To W. C. Strong, for the same. To A. D. Williams, for apples. To Bowen Harrington, for the same, To Samuel G. Hyde, for the same, To Josiah Stickney, for the same, To W. R. Austin, for Northern Spy, . To John Parker, for Blue Pearmain, To Josiah Richardson, for Ribston Pippin, To Levi Brigham, for Nonpareil, To E. M. Richards, for Gravenstein, . To Theodore Clapp, for Gravenstein, . VOL. XXI. NO. I. 7 $30 00 20 00 10 00 20 00 15 00 12 00 8 CO 00 00 00 00 00 00, 12 00) 8 00> 00; OO 00) OO- 00. 3 00' 00. 00- 00. 00. 00 oo 00- 00> oo 00' oa 10 00 6 OO 8 oa 00 00 00 oo oa oa oo 50 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. To John Gordon, for Grand Sachem, . To Josiah Stickney, for 20-ounce Pippin, 'J'o A. W. Withington, for St. Lawrence, To Benjamin Bliss, for Porter, . To Peter Lawson, for collections, To Thomas Page, for the same, To A. W. Stetson, for the same, To C. S. Holbrook, for the same. To Cheever Newhall, for the same. To John A. Kenrick, for the same, To James Eustis, for the same. To Evers & Bock, for the same, To E. Winslow, for the same, . To Eben Wight, for the same. To Josiah Newhall, for the same. To Thos. Waterman, for Breck grape. To J. Cass, for Isabella, To S. B. Cutter, for the same, . Pears. — To George Southard, for Louise Bonne, To Samuel Downer, for fine specimens. To Samuel Walker, for collections. To J. S. Cabot, for the same, . To J. S. Sleeper, for the same. To Josiah Lovett, for the same. To Winship & Co., for the same, To William Bacon, for fine specimens, To Henry Vandine, for collections. To Robert Manning, for the same. $3 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 7 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 7 00 6 00 3 00 6 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 10 00 ]0 00 10 00 5 00 ,5 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 10 00 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS, AWARDIPfG PREMIUMS FOR THE TEAR. The Committee on Gardens respectfully Report that they have attended to the duty assigned to them by examining all the Grounds to which they were invited agreeably to the rules of the Society. Owing to the extreme drought, during the summer, every place visited by your Committee appeared more or less to disadvantage — but still they can- not very well over-rate the high state of cultivation and general fine ap- pearance of the Grounds and Graperies of Nahum Stetson, Esq., of Bridge- water. The premises of Mr. Stetson including the buildings contains about two acres, in which the Committee found 108 grape vines, of the choicest varieties, in the grape-houses ; 207 standard and dwarf pear trees ; 33 peach trees ; 14 cherry trees ; also some plum, apricot and nectarine trees, to which may be added a choice collection of all the small fruits, and a good collection of flowering shrubs, roses, herbaceous plants, &c. The great quan- tity of water on the premises, brought a considerable distance by the power of an hydraulic ram, enables Mr. Stetson to give such a liberal supply of water to every part that it is almost impossible for his Garden to suf- fer materially from drought. The vines, trees, plants, indeed every thing on ^ JANUARY. 51 the premises of Mr. Stetson, was in the highest state of cultivation, and was very satisfactory to your Committee. Your Committee visited the Fruit Garden of Captain W. R. Austin, con- taining about two acres, one half acre of which is occupied by buildings : in the grounds were upwards of 600 trees — about 500 of which are dwarf pear trees. The trees generally were loaded with fine specimens of fruit, and, taken as a whole, your Committee believe no cultivator in the State could exhibit so much fine fruit on the like number of trees of the same age and size. Your Committee consider Mr. Austin's grounds as a model Fruit Garden. The Garden of Mr. Parker Barnes, of Dorchester, had suffered very much from the continued drought, and the foliage of his roses much more from the slugs ; his phloxes and pansies were among the best specimens. Mr. Barnes' collection of shrubs, roses and herbaceous plants is quite exten- sive, and if they had been seen under favorable circumstances would have shown to much advantage. The Garden and Grounds of Mr. T. P. Chandler, of Brookline, so much improved under the direction of Mr. R. Morris Copeland, Landscape Gar- dener, was examined by your Committee, but as the grounds were not fin- ished we forbear going into details. We trust Mr. Copeland will furnish a plan and a description of the grounds for publication. After a hasty visit to our friend Joseph Breck, Esq., and his son-in-law Mr. W. C. Strong, we proceeded to the extensive grounds of Hon. J. Wiley Edmands, of Newton. These grounds have been tastefully laid out and planted under the plans and supervision of Mr. Copeland. Your Committee close their Report with the following award of prizes and gratuities. PREMinMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED. To Nahum Stetson, Esq., of Bridgewater, for the most economically managed, best cultivated, and most neatly kept Garden, a piece of plate valued at twenty-five dollars, .... $25 00 For the second best, to T. P. Chandler, of Brookline, fifteen dollars, . . , 15 00 For the most economically managed, and best cultivated Fruit Gar- den, to Captain W. R. Austin, of Dorchester, twenty-five dollars, 25 CO To Mr. Parker Barnes, of Dorchester, a gratuity of ten dollars, 10 00 For the Committee, Saml. Walker, Chairman. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION. The Committee of Arrangements submit the following Report : This exhibition of the Society was held under a large Pavilion on Boston Common, and notwithstanding the drought which has proved so fatal in every direction, was one of the most successful in the rich display of Fruits, Flowers and Vegetables, exceeding any former exhibition of the Society. In consequence of the extreme drought considerable anxiety was manifested 52 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. by most of the members, as to the feasibility of holding an Annual Exhibi- tion, but the Fruits from our largest contributors were not only as large, but equally as fair as at any former exhibition, while the smaller collections brought in from our immediate vicinity plainly showed that an increased at- tention to the cultivation of Fruits has been given by newly enlisted mem- bers. It seemed evident to the Committee that other attractions than Fruits should receive especial attention as proving attractive to the public and re- munerative to the Society, and with a view to meet this exigency, your Com- mittee would recommend that a liberal sum be appropriated for Floral De- signs of superior merit, regard being had to the architectual beauty, as well as the artistic arrangement of the materials. By the grand display of Pot Plants it is evident to your Committee that it only needs additional encour- agement to render this part of the Exhibition most attractive, and your Com- mittee would recommend a liberal appropriation, seasonably made known in order that sufficient time may be allowed for growing them. Your Commit- tee would again urge the necessity of procuring dishes, marked with the name of the Society. This would prevent, in a great degree, large quanti- ties of glass ware being lost or mislaid, not only at the Annual Exhibition but during the season. Your Committee deem it desirable that all premi- ums and gratuities awarded at any future Annual Exhibition, should be be- stowed in plate, medals, or books, as redounding more to the object for which the Society was established, and proving an incentive to new contrib- utors, by receiving a more lasting testimonial. Ample accommodation was made for the Pomological Convention, but from the small amount contribu- ted it was apparent that all parts of the country had equally suffered from the prevailing drought. Profiting by a suggestion made in a previous Report, the Committee advertised for proposals to furnish the lumber, execute the work &c., by which means a large saving was made. Notwithstanding all the economy consistent was practised, the expenses were somewhat larger than at the previous Exhibition, an important item of which was the glass ware. The amount of expense in hiring the glass alone was $'212 51 ; the con- tract for flooring and tables, $437 50 ; the use of the Pavilion $250 GO ; while all other requisites, such as labor, advertising, &c. amounted to 1089 49. The whole amount taken at the Door, . . . $1624 75 Drafl on Treasury, . . . . . . 364 75 $1989 50 Sundry Expenses of Exhibition as per Bills, . . #1989 50 For the Committee, F. Lyman Winship, Chairman. REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE ON VEGETABLES, AWARDING PREMIUMS FOR THE TEAR. In regard to the quantity of vegetables, exhibited at the weekly exhibitions, it has been small ; probably occasioned by the excessive drought. The Committee would recommend every one to show any JANUARY. 53 good specimens raised, and not be prevented from so doing, by imagin- ing some one may show better. The weekly exhibitions, in this particular, would thus much increase in interest. The Annual Show exceeded expec- tation. The quantity abundant and quality excellent. The Committee hive awarded the Society's gold medal (value $G0) to Mr. Davis for his Seedling Potato, which has stood the test for five years. Bowen Harrington has pro- duced a new Seedling potato (the Worcester) which, although not yielding as well as the Davis, is a potato of excellent quality. A communication was received from Rev. A. R. Pope, as to two new varieties of Summer Squash on exhibition at the Annual Show. The communication is attached to the Report. A. W. Stetson, Esq., of Braintree, is entitled to great credit for his success in hybrydizing squashes. PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED FOR THE TEAR Asparagus. — For the earliest and best, to J. Tuttle, For the second best, to H. Bradlee, . Beets. — For the best blood beets, to J. B. Moore, Beans. — For the best string beans, to J. Nugent, For the best early shell beans, to J. B. Moore, For the best Lima beans, to H. Bradlee, Cabbages. — For the best Drumheads, to J. Crosby, For the second best, to J. W. Stetson, For the best Savoy, to J. B. Moore, Carrots. — For the best exhibited, to J. Crosby, Cauliflowers. — For the best, to J. Crosby, Celery. — For the best, to J. Crosby, For the second best to Bowen Harrington, Corn. — For the earliest and best, to J. B. Moore, . For the second best, to Bowen Harrington, Cucumbers. — For the best grown under glass, to J. Nugent, Egg Plants. — For the best, to A. D. Webber, Lettuce. — For the best six heads, to J. Crosby, . Potatoes. — For the best and earliest peck, to J. Crosby, Peas. — For the best and earliest peck, to A. D. Webber, Rhubarb. — For the largest and best, to A. D. Williams, For the second best, to G. Merriam, . Canada Squashes. — For the best, to B. Harrington, Tomatoes. — For the best and earliest, to J. Nugent, Vkgetables. — For the best and greatest display during the sea son, to J. Crosby, ..... For the second best, to B. Harrington, Cucumbers. — For the best, open culture, to J. Crosby, Gratuities. — To H. Bradlee, for forced cucumbers. To Azell Bowditch, for the same. To J. B. Moore, for fine display of vegetables, To T. McCarty, for sweet corn, . $3 00 2 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 5 00 5 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 5 00 5 00 3 CO 3 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 54 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. To B. Harrington, for variety of potatoes, . . • #3 00 To A. Bowditch, for tomatoes, . . . . 2 CO To B. Harrington, for Summer squashes, . . . 2 00 To J. B. Moore, for Champion of England peas, . . 3 00 To Geo. Everett, of Concord, for fine asparagus and rhubarb, 3 00 For the best seedling potatoes, for five years' trial, the Society's large gold medal for the Davis Seedling, to Mr. Davis, . $G0 00 PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED AT THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION. For the best display and greatest variety, to B. V. French, For the second best, to H. Bradlee, . For the third best, to Stone & Co., . For the fourth best, to J. B. Moore, . Mammoth Squash. — To A. W. Stetson, for the largest and Society's silver medal, valued at To Messrs. Derby, for the second best, . Pumpkins. — To Timothy McCarthy, for the largest and best, ciety silver medal, valued at . For the second best, to Geo. Nelson, Gratuities. — To John Gordon, for fine display, To Josiah Crosby, for the same, To Nahum Stetson, for the same. To H. L. Shattuck, for Davis Seedling Potatoes, display To A. Bowditch, for the same, . To Josiah Stickney, for the same. To S. B. Pierce, for the same, . To C. S. Holbrook, for the same, To Jas. li. Little, for Sea Kale, display, To Timothy McCarthy, for the same. To James Nugent, for the same. To Winship & Co., for squash, . To A. W. Stetson, for Hybrid squashes. To Messrs. Burr, for display of corn, To Bowen Harrington, for display of vegetables, To A. D. Williams, for the same, To Galen Merriam, for the same, To A. D. Webber, for the same. To Samuel Jordan, for Lima beans, To Jas. Hyde & Son, for display of potatoes. To A. R. Pope, for the same. To Bowen Harrington, for celery, To J. B. Moore, for Davis potatoes, To E. M. Richards, for display of squashes. To G. R. Sampson, for the same. To P. Lawson, for tomatoes. To B. V. French, for potatoes, (new variety,) To H. Bradlee, for Summer squash, $\0 00 . 8 00 . 6 00 . 4 00 best, the . 0 00 . 3 00 t, the So- . 0 00 . 3 00 . 2 00 . 3 00 . 4 00 y, . 2 00 . 5 00 . 4 00 . 2 00 . 2 00 . 1 00 . 3 00 . 3 00 . 3 00 . 10 00 . 2 00 . 4 00 . 4 00 . 4 00 . 4 00 . 1 00 . 8 00 . 2 00 . 2 00 . 2 00 . 1 00 . 2 00 . 1 00 . 2 00 . 3 00 JANUARY. 55 To B. V. French, for Black Spanish melons, To N. Stetson, for melons, . . . . . 3 00 To Josiah Stickney, for the same, . . . . 2 00 To Galen Merriam, for the same, . . . . 1 00 To A. D. Webber, for the same, . . . . 2 00 To H. Bradlee, for the same, . . . . . 2 00 For the Committee, Henry Bradlee, Chairman. #1 00 FOR JANUARY. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. December was a cold, dreary, and disagreeable month, more so than any Decembet- we have experienced since 1851. The week, from the 18th to 25th, was very severe, with the thermometer nearly down to zero every morning, and not more than 10° or 15° above during any part of the day ; in many parts of New England, falling from 10° to 25° below. Frost set in so severely in the early part of the month, that all out-door work was at once closed up for the season. With the advent of January we look for the usual thaw, and possibly milder weather throughout. But whether moderately or severely cold, preparations must soon commence for the year. It is useless to begin too early, but towards the last of the month operations should be commenced for making hotbeds to forward many things. The only work which can be done to advantage now, in the open air, is pruning, which may be forward- ed in all fine weather, when there is a great deal to do. Grape Vines in the earliest houses will now have advanced their shoots two or three inches, and will need attention. Tie up carefully to the trel- lis, and syringe occasionally, until they are nearly in flower. Gradually increase the temperature, but do not force too rapidly. Vines in the greenhouse will now be at rest, and if not cleaned and put in good order attend to it at once, as they will begin to grow in February. Vines in pots may be introduced into any house where there is room, and they will come forward according to the temperature. Peach Trees in pots maybe introduced into the warm grapery or green- house, where they will soon begin to grow. Prune, wash, and clean the trees from all insects, as soon as they are brought into the house. Fig Trees in pots may be taken into the stove or grapery for an early crop. Scions of fruit trees may be cut this month, and preserved in earth in a cool cellar. Root Grafting apples or pears may be done now, placing them in boxes of earth, until the season arrives for planting out in the open ground. 56 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. FLOWER DEPARTMENT. The unfavorable weather of December has greatly retarded the develop- ment of blossoms in the greenhouse or conservatory, and they will be less gay than usual at this season ; with the return, however, of longer days and a brighter sun, the plants will exhibit renewed vigor, and make up for what they have lost. Take advantage, now, of all fine weather to give plenty of air, and harden off the plants ; prune in all that require it ; top dress others, and repot such as indicate that they need it. Begin to propa- gate towards the close of the month, and prepare for increased labor as the season advances. Seeds of many kinds of plants should be sown this month. Pelargoniums will be especial objects of attention now in all good col- lections. Early flowering plants should have their final shift ; others should be topped, and their branches tied out to make handsome specimens. Keep as near the glass as possible, and fumigate often to keep down the green fly. Japan Lilies for blooming in the house should now be potted, after- wards placing them in a frame where they can be protected from the frost, unless it is desirable to have them bloom early, when they may be retained in the house. Camellias will now be in full bloom; water liberally, and syringe in fine weather. Plants may be grafted and inarched this month. Cuttings may also be put in now. Azaleas will soon begin to grow; as soon as this is perceived, water more liberally. Achimenes and Gloxinias for early blooming should be repotted now. Fuchsias should now be repotted; prune in the tops closely as well as the roots, and they will make fine large specimens. Cinerarias should be repotted now ; fumigate often, to keep down the green fly. Ericas will need attention ; keep them in the very coolest part of the house ; repot all such as require it ; and put in cuttings for a young stock. Monthly Carnations, now growing vigorously, will require larger pots. Keep the shoots neatly tied up. Stephanotus, Alamandas, and other fine climbing plants, should now be repotted and pruned in, preparatory to a new growth. Pansies, now introduced into the house from frames, will flower finely all the spring. Seeds may be sown now for a spring stock. Dielytra spectaeilis, now brought into the house, will be elegant objects in March and April. Roses now coming into bloom should be liberally watered, occasionally using liquid guano. Repot if they need it, and put in cuttings for a young stock. Fumigate, to keep down the green fly. Verbenas will now require repotting ; seeds should also be sown for raising new varieties. Plants of all kinds should be looked over, and top dressed, repotted, pruned, tied up, and put into good order. THE AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. The proceedings of the third session of this Society have recently been published, and are of more interest than either of those which have preceded it. The assemblage of delegates was not larger than at the last session in Philadelphia, but the sittings were continued longer, and the discussions upon the several fruits brought up, were more extended and appeared to elicit more than usual information. It is a gratifying fact to notice that great caution was manifested by the members, in regard to the recommendation of new kinds for general cultivation : perhaps too great in the opinion of some ama- teurs and pomologists : for it can scarcely be expected that, in the present state of fruit culture, individuals will agree; generally in regard to the qualities of fruits of which man}^ of them never raised a single specimen, and know little or nothing of the habits and characteristics of the trees. If every fruit which is brought forward to be added to the list for general cultivation is to undergo this ordeal, the accessions, will necessarily be very slow, so slow indeed that the few zealous, energetic cultivators, who keep in advance of the mass, will long enjoy the luxury of possessing some of the most delicious fruits, while the majority are contented with growing the older kinds, patiently waiting for that recom- mendation of the Society, which can only be given when a majority of its members, gathered from all parts of the coun- try, shall decide upon it. We, by no means, would advise any hasty course of action, to be afterwards regretted, but still we are of the opinion that the experience of a few intel- ligent cultivators, in remote localities, with any fruit, during a period of three or four years, is sufficient to establish its general character, without the personal experience of every member. That this is the fact, will appear from an examina- tion of the list of pears already approved for general cultiva- tion, THREE (QUARTERS of whicli wcrc pronouuccd our very VOL. XXI. NO. II. 8 58 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. best varieties more than ten years ago, before the organiza- tion of the Society. We do not make these remarks with any disposition to find fault with what was accompHshed in this direction at this session, but as general ideas upon the propriety of requiring the personal experience of every culti- vator, before deciding the merits of a fruit. The Society held their meeting, by invitation of the Mas- sachusetts Horticultural Society, in their Hall in Boston, on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of September last. The meeting was opened with an Address from the President, upon the various subjects connected with the culture of fruit, and particularly the production of new varieties from seed ; upon which point he gave some good advice, urging upon the members the wise counsel of Van Mons, given to one of his correspond- ents : — " Sow your seed, and persevere without interruption, and you will obtain even better fruit than mine." A committee was then chosen, who reported the order of business for the session. First in order was the reception of State Reports, which, on motion of the Chairman of the General Committee, were referred to the Secretary for publication. Some of them are interesting documents, which we shall occasionally notice as we find room. The principal portion of the Pennsylvania Report has already been given in our pages, under the pro- ceedings of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Next came the discussion upon fruits, beginning with the pear, which was assigned for the first day. A list of varieties, recommended for rejection by the State Committee of Mas- sachusetts, was then read, and on motion of C. M. Hovey, it was voted that every name not objected to by three members should be added to the rejected list. This list embraces about sixty sorts, a large part of which have been considered worthless for years ; the kinds retained for further trial, were Dumortier, Duchess of Mars, Figue of Naples, Flemish Bon Chretien, Hacon's Incomparable, March Bergamot. Knight's Monarch, and Styrian. The list of varieties recommended by the same commit- tee, for general cultivation, was then taken up. FEBRUARY. 59 PEARS. Lawrence. — All spoke well of this pear, and it was unan- imously added to the list. Howell. — All who had cultivated this fine variety spoke well of it, but it was- thought rather premature to place it on the general list ; it was therefore added to the list of those sorts which promise well. Beurre' Superfin. — This was highly praised by all who have fruited it, and it was placed on the list which promise well. Brandywine. — Highly praised, but it was not removed from its present place on the list of sorts which promise well. Doyenne' Boussock. — Two years ago, at the meeting in Philadelphia, this pear was added to the list for general cul- tivation. At this meeting it was passed over ; probably the members had forgotten the discussion which then took place in regard to its merits. Mr. Berkmans of New Jersey added his testimony in its favor, and said it was the standard pear of the Belgian markets, and there is scarcely any pear that is thought better of. Beurre' Giffart, generally considered a good pear, but a slender growing tree. Placed on the list which promise well. Doyenne' Goubault. — The substance of the decision was that it is hard to ripen, and the tree a poor grower. Duchesse de Berri, though a good pear, was thought too small for general cultivation. DiLLER Pear. — Two years ago this was thought one of the finest pears. Mr. Walker of Roxbury then declared that the " sight of it was enough to make your mouth water." We never saw it. It was now rejected from the list which prom- ise well. How a pear in two years could fall off from " one of the best pears ever tasted," to a rejected variety, is some- what surprising to us. Manning's Elizabeth. — This fine pear was placed on the general list. Two years ago we proposed to place it there, but it had not then become so well known. NouvEAu Poiteau. — The substance of information in regard to this variety was, that it is rather too soft and buttery, an 60 THE MAGAZINK OF HORTICULTURE. "evil," the President remarked, that it is doubtful "'we shall ever be able to correct," It was not removed from the list which promise well. Swan's Orange was pronounced by Mr. Barry a " good pear, though not uniformly first rate." The greatest objec- tion appeared to be its liability to blight, though, as Mr. Prince stated, this is merely a local defect. It remains on the list which promise Avell. Paradise of Autumn. — At the last session in Philadelphia, this excellent pear was highly praised, and unanimously placed on the list for general cultivation. This vote appeared to be overlooked. Most of the members spoke well of it, though it Avas voted to let it remain on the list which promise well. We take it for granted that the action of the session in Philadelphia supersedes this. Stevens's Genesee. — The evidence in regard to this, one of the oldest of our native pears, was conflicting. Mr. Saul of Newburgh thought it a very good pear. Mr. Manice of Long Island stated that it cracked with him. Mr. Hooker of Rochester esteemed it one of the best. Mr. Hancock of New Jersey could do nothing with it. It remains on the list which promise well. The second day of the session was opened with the discus- sion upon such sorts of pears as it was thought worthy to add to the list which promise well. Beurre' Clairgeau was unanimously added to the list. Sheldon. — Mr. Barry stated that it does not succeed on the quince, but that he thought it a " truly fine pear." Added to the list. Lodge, (known as Smith's Bordenave.) Dr. Brinckle stated that he had seen it on both the pear and quince trees of large size : had succeeded admirably. It was added to the list. Collins. — This new pear was scarcely known to any of the members from other States. It was, however, placed on the list, as it deserves to be. Adams. — This, also, was not known to the members, as we believe it has never fruited only on the original tree, and in our collection. It was unanimously added to the list. FEBRUARY. 61 Hampton. — A new pear, from Long Island, first exhibited at Buffalo, in 1849. Those who knew it, spoke well of it, and the specimen of the fruit was handed over to the Com- mittee on Native Fruits, without any further action. Eastkr Beurre^ — A very long discussion ensued upon this old variety, which we should like to copy if we had room. Mr. Stickney of Boston thought it one of the best late pears we have. Messrs. Barry of New York, Hull of Illinois, Reed and Berkmans of New Jersey, Walker of Roxbury, Manice of Long Island, Brinckle of Philadelphia, and others, con- sidered it a most valuable pear. The President thought it best to place it on the list of those which promise to ell ; but others thought it too old a variety to go there. Messrs. Man- ning of Salem, and Hayes of New Jersey, had not succeeded in ripening it. After the expression of all the various opin- ions, its further consideration was laid on the table, by a vote of 24 to 17. Jean de Witte was highly recommended by Mr. Cabot, but the members seemed to know but little about it, and it was passed over. Walker. — Mr. Cabot thought it worthy of consideration, and Mr. Manning considered it of the very best quality. The President praised it, and it was put upon the list which prom- ise well. Kingsessing. — Dr. Brinckle stated that this fine pear does equally well on the pear as on the quince. Others spoke well of it, and it was added to the list which promise well. FoNDANTE, or Belle DE NoEL. — This new, handsome and excellent pear, though known to but few of the members, was added to the list of good promise. SiEULLE. — Mr. Barry said this was uniformly good at Rochester ; and Mr. Earle of Worcester thought it a hand- some and profitable pear. It was passed over. Several other sorts were added to the list, without discus- sion, viz. : — The Fondante des Malines, Pie IX, Beurre Sterk- man, Rousselette d' Esperin, Zepherine Gregoire, Theodore Van Mons, Chas. Van Hooghten, and Comte de Flandres. Bezi de la Motte. — Mr. Baxter of Pennsylvania wished to make some inquiry about this pear. Messrs. Prince, Saul, 62 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. and Earle spoke well of it ; but it was passed over without any vote. Beurre' Diel. — Mr. Stickney of Boston called the atten- tion of the meeting to this pear. Mr. Hayes of New Jersey said that with him it was apt to crack and blow off. Mr. Earle said, at Worcester it was a very popular pear. Mr. Lines said they had no pear at New Haven which they thought more highly of. Mr. Cleaveland of New Jersey thought it worthy of general cultivation : he had found mulching an effectual preventive against cracking of this pear. It was added to the list for general cultivation. Mr. W. R. Prince introduced a list of thirty-three varieties of pears, most of which have long since gone out of cultiva- tion, and, with the exception of eleven varieties, they were added to the rejected list. The discussion upon pears then closed. APPLES. The apple was next taken up for discussion, commencing with those on the list which promise well. Melon. — This was well spoken of by those who knew it. It has not been long in cultivation, and the tree is a slow grower. It is, however, one of the best apples, and it was voted to add it to the list for general cultivation. RiBSTONE Pippin. — On motion of Mr. Little of Bangor this was placed on the list for general cultivation in northern lat- itudes. In Long Island and in Iowa it has proved an infe- rior fruit. Minister. — This fine apple, which was regarded by the late R. Manning, twenty years ago, as one of the best winter varieties, was placed on the list for general cultivation. Primate. — This delicious variety was added to the list which promise well. Jeffries. — A Pennsylvania fruit. Dr. Eshleman consid- ered it the best apple of the season, and Mr. Hancock of New Jersey thought it No. 1 ; and Mr. Hooker pronounced it among the best. It was added to the list which promise well, as were also the following : — Genesee Chief, Cogswell, and Monmouth Pippin. FEBRUARY. , 63 Lincoln Pippin. — This apple, which was noticed by us some years ago, was highly recommended by Mr. Benson of Maine. He said it was larger than the R. I. Greening, and for flavor, beauty and taste is considered as ranking among the best. Mr. Goodale of Maine also spoke well of it, and it was placed on the list for trial, Benoni. — Another fine apple, first noticed by Mr. E. M. Richards of Dedham, in our Magazine, 20 years ago. Mr. Barry of New York thought a great deal of it. Mr. Prince and Mr. Manning praised it, and Mr. Goodale said it had no superior of its season. It was put on the list which promise well. Williams. — This splendid variety was highly praised by the members from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachu- setts. In New Jersey it does not do well, according to Mr. Hancock. It was adopted for general cultivation on good soils. Lady Sweet. — This was voted as the best winter sweet apple in cultivation. Mr. Manning said it was a weak grower ; other gentlemen stated that it bore abundantly, and kept well. Ledge Sweet. — This fine variety was placed on the list which promise well. But few of the members ever saw it, as it is a new fruit. Garden Royal. — Praised by Messrs. Manning of Salem, and Downing of New York, as one of the finest amateur apples ; and it was recommended as good for gardens. Garretson's Early. — Mr. Prince, of L. I., recommended this apple, described in our Magazine, (Vol. XIV, p. 442,) some years ago, but the members did not appear to be at all acquainted with it, and it was passed by. We can corrob- orate Mr. Prince's remark, that it is " twice as valuable as the Early Harvest." It is well worthy the notice of cul- tivators. grapes. The meeting now took up the report of the Committee on Native Grapes. 64 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Concord. — This was discussed at some length, but on motion of Hon. Mr. Cabot, who inquired how the Society could intelligently discuss its merits when nearly every mem- ber was " in entire ignorance of its qualities," it was passed over. Diana. — Every member who knew this grape highly praised it, and it was adopted for general cultivation. PEARS ON THE QUINCE STOCK. A list of the pears which grow well on the quince stock was then called for, and, after some discussion, the following were adopted : — Belle Lucrative, Rostiezer, Beurre d'Anjou, Beurre Diel, Duchess of Angouleme, White Doyenne, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Figue, Urbaniste, Easter Beurre, Glout Morceau, Pound, Catillac, Le Cure, Napoleon, Beurre d'Amalis, Beurre d'Areniberg, Soldat Laborer, Beurre Langelier, Long Green of Coxe, Nouveau Poiteau, and St. Michael Archange. Mr. Manning said the Belle Lucrative did not grow well with him. We may add that neither this nor the Beurre d'Aremberg will grow well more than two or three years on the quince. CHERRIES. The Belle d'Orleans, Gov. Wood, New Large Black Bigar- reau. Black Hawk, Great Bigarreau, Kirtland's Mary, Hovey, and Ohio Beauty, were placed on the list which promise well. STRAWBERRIES. Burr's New Pine. — Mr. Lines said its only value was its high flavor, and its cultivation has been abandoned in New Haven. Mr. Clark of Hartford said it had completely run out. In Rochester it still is considered a fine fruit, and it was voted to recommend it for certain localities. Walker's Seedling was put on the list as promising well. Early Scarlet, or Virginia. — Several members thought it too worthless to remain on the catalogue, but it was finally retained. Jenney's Seedling was recommended for certain localities. FEBRUARY. 65 PLUMS. McLaughlin, Cooper's Large Red (or Smith's Orleans), and Reine Claude de Bavay, were recommended for general cultivation ; and Ives's Seedling and Munroe Egg were added to the list which promise well. raspberries and blacicberries. Knevet's Giant was highly praised, and added to the list for general cultivation. The Orange, French and Walker varieties were added to the list as promising well. The Lawton blackberry was highly praised by Mr. Saul, and Mr. Prince thought it the most remarkable acquisition of the blackberry kind. It was put on the list for trial. Needham's White was pronounced worthless. The time for adjournment having arrived, it was moved, after presenting votes of thanks to the President and the Mas- sachusetts Horticultural Society, that the Society adjourn to meet in Rochester, N. Y., in September, 1856. The Volume contains a valuable report on some of the dis- eases and insects attacking fruit trees, by Dr. T. W. Harris, which we shall notice hereafter, and concludes with a list of all the fruits adopted for general cultivation, or as promising well, as also those rejected, but it is too long to copy here. PLEA FOR THE BIRDS THEIR UTILITY TO AGRICULTURE. BY WILSON FLAGG. [Concluded.] Those birds which have been generally regarded with the most prejudice, on account of their occasional thefts in our orchards and cornfields, are among the most useful extermi- nators of vermin. It ought to be considered that for every grain of corn consumed by the birds, whole bushels would be destroyed by weevils, if the birds were exterminated. Vin- VOL. XXI. NO. II. 9 66 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. cent Kollar remarks that " the instinct of the crow to go in quest of the grub of the May bug, may be observed in gar- dens and other places where vegetables are planted. It walks about between the plants, and as soon as it sees one that has begun to wither, it approaches it with a joyfid spring, digs with his sharp bill deep into the ground near the plant, and knows so well how to sieze its prey that it draws it forth and swallows it, almost in the same moment. The crows do the same thing in the meadows, which we see sometimes almost completely covered with them." The crows of North America were some years since, in consequence of premiums offered by the States for their de- struction, so nearly exterminated, that the increase of insects was alarmingly great. The States were obliged to offer •counter rewards for the protection of the crows. This cir- cumstance has happened in other countries besides our own. " On account of the propensity of rooks (a species of crow) 4o consume grain and other seeds, they have erroneously (says Selby) been viewed in the light of an enemy by most Ihusbandmen, and in several districts in (England) attempts tiave been made either to banish them, or to extirpate the "breed. But wherever this measure has been carried into ef- fect, the most serious injury to corn and other crops has inva- riably followed, from the unchecked devastations of the grub •and the caterpillar." It will not be denied that the American crow often causes great injury to the crops of the farmer by its depredations in the cornfield. But it is a subject worthy of inquiry, whether he does not more than balance the mischief he does, by his services in destroying vermin. The red winged blackbird, on account of similar habits, is called "maize thief" by our Southern and Western planters: but he is likewise one of the most useful of our birds. So general is the opinion of his -mischievousness and worthlessness, that our farmers, from a -sense of duty, have always used their efforts to extirpate the -whole species. While the Indian corn is in the milk, during ia. few weeks of mid-summer, these birds eat it with avidity. -'But," says Alexr. Wilson, "there remain some facts to be TEBRUARY. 67 mentioned, no less authentic and well deserving the consider- ation of the enemies of these birds, more especially of those who would stop at nothing short of their extermination. Their general food, when they arrive in the spring as well as during the early part of summer, consists of grub worms, cat- erpillars, and various other larvas — the silent but deadly ene- mies of all vegetation ; and whose secret and insidious at- tacks are more to be dreaded than the combined mischief of all the feathered tribes together. For these vermin, the red- winged blackbirds search with great diligence in the ground, at the roots of plants, in orchards and meadows, as well as among buds, leaves and blossoms; and the multitudes of these insects destroyed by them must be immense." The author illustrates this by a short computation : — If we suppose each bird, on an average, to devour fifty of these larvas in a day, and this is but a moderate allowance, a single pair, in four months, the usual time when such food is sought, will consume upwards of 12,000. It is believed that not less than a million of pairs of these birds are distributed over the United States in summer, whose food being nearly the same, would swell the amount of vermin destroyed to 12,000,000,- 000. But the number of young birds may be estimated at double that of their parents ; and as these are constantly fed on larvae, for at least three weeks, making only the same al- lowance for tliem as for the old ones, their share would amount to 4,200,000,000 : making a grand total of 16,200,- 000,000, of noxious insects destroyed in the space of four months, by this single species of birds. The combined rav- ages of such a hideous host of vermin would be sufficient to spread famine and desolation over a wide extent of the richest and best cultivated country on earth. All this, it may be said, is a mere supposition. It is a supposition, however, founded on well known and acknowledged facts. I have never (says Wilson) dissected any of these birds in the spring, without receiving the most striking and satisfactory proofs of these facts : and though it is impossible to ascertain precisely the amount of benefit derived by Agriculture from this and many other species of our birds, yet I cannot resist the belief, 68 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. that the services of this species in the spring, are far more important than the value of that portion of corn which a care- ful and active farmer permits himself to lose by it." These remarks apply equally well to the habits of the crow- blackbird, or the purple grackle, which is also a " maize thief," and as great a devourer of insects and grubs as the redwinged blackbird. Kalm remarks, in his travels, that after a great destruction made among both these species, for the legal reward of three pence a dozen, the Northern States, in 1749, experienced a complete loss of the grass and grain crops which were devoured by insects. On account of this propensity of the crow-blackbirds to plunder the cornfields. Nut tall remarks, " they are detested by the farmer as a pest to his industry ; though on their arrival their food consists wholly of those insects that are most injurious to the crops. At this season they frequent swamps and meadows, and fa- miliarly following the furrows of the plow, sweep up all the grub worms and other noxious animals, as soon as they ap- pear, even scratching up the loose soil, that nothing of this kind may escape them. Up to the time of harvest, I have uniformly, on dissection, found their food to consist of these larvas, caterpillars, moths and beetles, of which they devour such numbers, that but for this providential economy, the whole crop of grain, in many places, would probably be de- stroyed by the time it begun to germinate." BufFon relates the following anecdote of a certain species of the grackle, similar to our crow-blackbird. "The Isle of Bourbon, where these birds were unknown, was over-run with locusts, which had been unfortunately introduced from Madagascar ; their eggs having been imported in the soil, with some plants which were brought from that island. The Governor General and the Intendant deliberated seriously on the means of extirpating these noxious insects ; and for this purpose, caused several pairs of the Indian grackle to be in- troduced into the island. This plan promised to succeed. But unfortunately some of the colonists, seeing the birds ea- gerly thrusting their bills into the earth of the newly-sown fields, imagined that they were in quest of the grain, and re- FEBRUARY. 69 ported that the birds, instead of proving beneficial, would be highly detrimental to the country. On the part of the birds it was argued, that they raked in the new-plowed grounds, not for the sake of the grain, but for the insects, and were therefore beneficial. They were, however, proscribed by the council, and in the space of two hours, after the sentence was passed against them, not a grackie was to be found in the island. This prompt execution was followed by a speedy repentance. The locusts gained the ascendancy, and the people who only viewed the present, regretted the loss of the grackie s. In a few years afterwards, a few pairs were again introduced ; their preservation and breeding were made a State affair ; the laws held out protection to them, and the physicians, on their part, declared their flesh to be unwhole- some. The grackles accordingly multiplied, and the locusts were destroyed." When the larvae of insects penetrate the wood of trees, they are beyond the reach of all birds except the woodpeck- ers. These birds have a long tongue of great flexibility, and a very powerful beak. They possess also a peculiar instinct that directs them how to discover their prey, without the use of their sight. By the opposite arrangement of their fore and hind claws, they are enabled to climb the branches of trees in all directions in search of their prey. On discovering its retreat they bore a hole with their strong beaks, and draw out the insect with their long tongues. The old birds are said to teach their young the art of hunting these vermin, and nature has rendered them easy learners of the art. We learn from an old Monthly Review, that in the year 1798, the forests of Saxony and Brandenburgh were attacked with a general mortality. The greater part of the trees, especial- ly the firs and difl"erent kinds of pine, whose bitter and aro- matic branches are rarely the prey of insects, died, as if struck at their roots by some secret malady. It was not here, as often happens, that their foliage was devoured by caterpillars. The trees perished without showing any signs of external in- jury. This calamity became so general that the regency of Saxony sent naturalists and skilful foresters to find out the 70 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. cause. They found it to be the gmb of one of the lepidop- tera insects. Whenever any bough of pine or fir was broken, this grub was found within it, which it had often hollowed out even to the bark. From the report of the naturalists and foresters it was demonstrated that the extraordinary increase of this insect was owing to the entire disappearance of sev- eral species of woodpeckers and tomtits or chickadees, from some unknown cause. The grub that did all this mischief was transformed into a moth of remarkable size and beauty. The larvas which are most injurious to our fruit trees are the offspring of a small beetle of the genus Biiprestis. Such are the common borers, which no birds but the woodpeckers can drag out from their retreats. The most destructive of these insects are found in tropical climes, and here the wood- peckers are proportionally numerous. The larvae of some of these species live many years before they become perfect insects. They have been known to issue out of the wood of furniture that has been brought from India, several years after its arrival. During all the period from the time the Avood was cut from the forest, until the perfect insect emerged from it, the grub must have lived there. The insects of this tribe are the greatest known enemies to the forest, in their grub state consuming the wood, and in their perfect state the foliage of the trees. But it is in their grub state that they commit the greatest ravages. Timber of the hardest kinds is often bored in all directions by them, and the trees of a whole tract of country sometimes destroyed. It is said that the united efforts of gardeners and nurse- rymen could never avail as much as the industry of a few woodpeckers in eradicating these vermin. The woodpeckers are exceedingly hardy. They live mostly in the forest, are shy in their habits, and are seldom migratory. The larvas they feed upon are as abundant in winter as in summer. Hence the operations of these birds are incessant, and confined to no particular season. They are likewise indefatigable devourers of emmets, drawing them out of the crevices of wood and earth by means of their long flexible tongues. They seem to detect the lurking place of FEBRUARY. 71 the borer in the trees, by the little nibbling sounds of the grub, which their acute sense of hearing enables them to perceive. Having ascertained the spot from which the scratching proceeds, they hammer at it with their beaks, un- til they have drilled into the very lurking place of the grub. It is hardly possible to over-estimate the services done by these birds in their ceaseless operations among the trees. This habit of perforating the bark of trees in quest of their prey has given rise to the notion that they do so for the pur- pose of tasting the sap. Hence the name of "sap-suckers," which is frequently applied to them. The small speckled woodpecker, so common in Massachusetts, often carries his little perforations entirely round the trunks and branches of the trees, in regular circles, so near to each other, that accord- ing to Wilson, eight or ten of them may be covered by a dol- lar. The trees have never been known to be injured by these perforations, which are undoubtedly the surest means they can use for dislodging their prey. I have as yet only alluded to the insects that come abroad during the night. As a check upon their excessive multipli- cation, as I have already remarked, nature has created certain species of nocturnal birds, which, like swallows, catch their food chiefly on the wing. These birds are of the whippoor- will tribe, including in this country only two species, the whippoorwill and the nighthawk. These two species have similar habits, except that the latter does not confine itself to the woods, but comes abroad after sunset and performs its aerial gambols over our farms and villages. Each of these species of birds are employed like the bat, in consuming the nocturnal insects. Of the latter there are numerous tribes, including a great variety of moths, gnats, beetles and others equally destructive to vegetation, or annoying to our com- fort. The birds of the whippoorwill tribe, though large, are ena- bled to seize the small nocturnal insects, such as the gnats, by having a wide mouth, which they keep open while mov- ing through the swarm, shutting it when it is replenished with insects. The nighthawk, when flying thus with its 73 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. mouth open, on suddenly darting upon a large insect, makes a singular noise, like the twang of a vial string. This sound, produced by the resistance of the air, to one who is unac- quainted with it, is mysterious and sometimes alarming, and has caused the bird to receive the appellation of night-jar. According to Nuttall, one of these birds, on dissection, was found to contain 200 insects in its crop, consisting mostly of small beetles. The habit peculiar to these birds of hovering about flocks and cattle, after dusk, in pursuit of the insects that swarm around them, gave rise to the belief that they draw milk from the goats and ewes. This notion seemed to be con- firmed by the singular structure of their mouths. Hence the name of '•' goat-sucker" is applied to the whole whippoor- will tribe, which, like the woodpeckers, have always been regarded with distrust by man. There is no end to these absurdities in the popular notions concerning the habits of birds. The mimbers of insects comprised in the Order Coleoptera are immense, as may be inferred from the fact " that between 70 or 80,000 species at present exist in the cabinets of col- lectors." When we consider that each of these 80,000 spe- cies contains countless millions of individuals, and that each of these individuals is the parent of several hundred larvae, all of which, parents and offspring, with the exception of two or three species, are destined to consume the living vegetation, root, leaf and branch, we may form some conception of the devastation that might proceed from their unchecked ravages. Who would grudge the common robin his feast of cherries, or the blackbird his grains of corn, if he were once convinced that the services of these birds and others are all that can save our crops from destruction and the whole world from famine ? They are profitable servants, who glean a tribute from our orchards and cornfields as the wages of their labor ; and if we could make an exact estimate of the amount of service they perform, we should find that they are abundant- ly worthy of their hire. If the poor bird who is outlawed for a little mischief he is supposed to do, should present his FEBRUARY. 73 bill, containing an enumeration in figures of the amount of grubs and insects he had destroyed, we should probably be startled at our own indebtedness, and be willing to pay him more liberally than he now pays himself, if this were neces- sary to insure a continuance of his services. WINTER AND THE FLORA OF SOME NORTHERN REGIONS. BY JOHN L. RUSSELL, PROF. BOTANY TO THE MASS. HORT. SOCIETY, &c. A clear, cold winter's morning, with the mercury some- where in the neighborhood of zero, — whether a trifle or more above or below, matters little, — reminds us of still colder re- gions ; and we bethink ourselves of those intrepid voyagers who, for the cause of Science, or prompted by a nobler phi- lanthropy, have dared rigors of weather, in comparison with which our fickle New England temperature were bland in- deed, and almost vernal in breezes and in sleety showers,. It is seldom the weather is so cold, the sun so shorn of its vivifying rays, or the snow so continuous in its visits, that we cannot feast our eyes with a few traces of vegetation, to cheer the otherwise sterile aspect of the season of winter. 'Tis true, that this old, icy monarch oftentimes lingers in the lap of spring, and such delays as he occasions by his own tar- diness and want of a sense of propriety makes almost good the saying that we have but two seasons in our New Eng- land year, viz., summer and winter. Yet the eye that is cu- rious to watch the instincts and impulses of life in its lower and more unheeded forms, can often find in many a winter, in this vicinity especially, numerous objects of interest and curiosity. To say nothing of the variety of the earliest blos- soms of our so called spring, whose buds are waiting in scarce- ly patient durance the genial sunbeams of expectant April, and w^hich look, under a January thaw, in some sunny, bared spot, as if they were actually " moving in the good work" of circulation of sap and such mysteries of vegetation, — the paly-roseate streaks on the scarcely revealed petal of the Ep- VOL. XXI. NO. II. 10 74 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. igaea, the faintest blue casrulean of the daring little hepatica, the wooly-headed mouse ear, and the bursting, yet coquet- tish saxifrage, — you may find, if you will, many a sweet promise of coming beauty in the refreshing greenery of hum- ble plants, aye in the very weeds of our gardens, which would cheer the hearts of many a bold adventurer, could he see these lowly congeners and cospecies of more gorgeous plants in regions whose brief summer is scarcely marked with more beauty, or whose scattered herbage whispers to him of gardens and meadows, of forests and orchards, breathing per- fume and redolent with song. The physiologist assures us of two kinds of animal growth, to one of which he assigns the name of vegetative. There is more sense than sound, more truth than analogy, in this term. The microscope resolves into ultimate particles the tissues of the animal structure and exhibits the fluids which are poured into artery and vein, from gland and membrane, as " living, moving and having a being " in separate organ- isms, cells, spheres, fitted with nuclei and with principles of future increase and constant presence. They multiply and grow and give form and shape, beauty and harmony, grace and elegance, utility and an ultimate purpose and end, to such parts as are fashioned and nourished by them. Perhaps it is, that we love plants and trees and flowers, the grass, the orchard, the old mossy oak, the whispering pine, the emerald moss and the dullest grey lichens, because we are made some- what thus in their image, and bear within the same principle of life that sustains and invigorates them. Certain ! that we lose nothing by such an aff'ection — it neither unfits us for sterner duties, nor eff'eminates us to the incapacity to enjoy that higher destiny which is peculiarly our own. A blood disc is a nucleated cell, and countless myriads course through every vein and veinlet of the body, to render, in their tide of hurrying motion, the blushing beauty of health to the system. A single drop of this rich and bounteous fluid I find teeming thus with the mysterious presence of these organic particles : and I stand thus on the limits of organized materialities, find- ing in each a volume of study and research. My microscope FEBRUARY. 75 with equal fidelity reveals to me in the precious drop I have submitted to its lenses, and which was gathered from some Arc- tic iceberg — where, with its kindred and sister drops, it was the stained surface of the polar snow, — the lowest form of plant- life, the Jirst and primitive vegetation of the most northern regions, and perchance the most primitive form of vegetable life on our planet. These myriad little specks of carmine tints exhibit each a definite contour — each a distinct organ- ism— each a separate vitality — each a prospective continu- ance, and all, (though thus simple, — thus insignificant, in themselves alone considered,) when combined, serve to glad- den the desert ice field, the lofty situated glacier, the Arctic summer, with their singular beauty. The microscope has shown me the Protococcus nivalis : let us hear what our own noble countryman Dr. Kane says of this vegetable feature of the polar seas : — " In a short time we reached the ' Crimson Cliff's of Bev- erly,' the seat of the often described red snoio. — The scanty patches of snow were tinged with a brick dust or brown stain. As yet indeed we could not see the ' Crimson ' of Sir John Ross, who gave to this spot its somewhat euphonious title : but the locality was not without indications which should excuse this gallant navigator from imputations against his veracity of narrative. The bright red outcroppings of feldspar, the scarlet patches of a lichen, {Lepraria) which was in extreme abundance, &c. &c., combine with the snow in such a manner as to give, at a distance, the tint which he has described. — The object which seemed to usurp the un- divided attention of the party was the red snoiv. It abound- ed wherever a hollow gave protection from excessive wind or thaw. It was never seen unless associated with foreign matter, such as the fronds of lichens or filaments of moss. I observed that the color of the Protococcus was most decided- where they were in greatest abundance. I gathered it at Barlow's Inlet and Point Innes, on both sides of Wellington Sound and in Baffin's Bay, at various points, as high as lati- tude 76*^ 15', but in no instance, throughout this extended range, from snow unsullied by extraneous vegetable matter. 76 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. '' This growth, however, under a modified and less kixuriant form, may take place upon an apparently unsullied and isola- ted surface ; for in addition to its high mountain localities, as described by Saussure, Bier, and others. Parry found it upon the Spitzbergen ice fields; and I myself, in the May of 1851, met with it on the floe ice of Baffin's Bay, fifty miles from any land. " We found the red snow in the greatest abundance upon a talus of the ' Crimson Cliffs ' which faced to the southwest, staining the surface in patches six or eight yards in diameter. Its color was a deep but not bright red, and its coloring mat- ter was evidently soluble, for on scraping away the surface, we found that it had dyed the snow beneath with a pure and beautiful rose color, which penetrated, with a gradually soft- ening tint, some eight inches beneath the surface." The earliest notice of this remarkable species of vegeta- tion in modern times is accorded to Saussure, who in 1760 discovered it on the Brevent, and especially on St. Bernard, where it existed in great abundance. Subsequently it has been noticed by several travellers, and a variety of opinions expressed by naturalists in regard to its nature and position as of an animal or vegetable origin. Several other similar substances have doubtless been mistaken for the veritable Pro- tococcus, and we have gathered Byssoid algas [HtBinatococcus) or allied genera, whose general aspect under the microscope were ^^ery similar. We can readily conceive the thrill of pleasure that visited the bosoms of Dr. K. and of his party, at the sight of even these traces of vegetation amidst the sterile shores of the northern regions, in those palaces of win- ter's continuous and despotic sway and reign ! Doubtless those fragments of lichens and of mosses which accompanied this crimson flower/ess plant, told of many a blossoming and sweet treasure far away and under more genial skies. May he and they who are now with him return in safety and with accummulated honors to scenes they cannot but love so well ! A few drops of the Arctic polar ice, still stored with the little Protoccociis, is treasured by the writer of this humble notice FEBRUARY. 77 as a memento of a casual but well remembered acquaintance, and of an interesting and instructive hour. Mosses and lichens ! how much, oh, ye despised and neg- lected plants, are the pleasures and comforts of man indebted to you ! Mosses, indeed ! what would the gardener do with- out your aid ; what the horticulturist avail himself of, in lieu of your spongy stems and susceptible though tiny foliage, for his packing and his transport of his choice trees, scions, buds, and roots ! or the florist, who, in the well imitated heat of the tropics, depends on you to assist him to rear into flowers his exquisite epiphytes and gorgeous orchids ! And see how tenderly Nature has anticipated all your care and skill, and with what gentleness she cozily and snugly hides, amidst the shaggy ponds of lichen or the silken tufts of moss, her rarest pets and sweetest floral gems. As far northward as between 69° and 70° we find on the island of Disco an arctic flora, that partakes in no mean de- gree of a choice flower garden. In a ravine back of a settle- ment on that island, visited by Dr. Kane, the washings of the melted snows had accumulated a rich mould, in which grew luxuriantly a varied vegetation : — " The mosses, which met the lichens at a sort of neutral ground between rock and soil, were particularly rich with Arctic growths. So sodden were they with the percolating waters, that you sank up to your ankles. Nestling curiously under their protecting tufts rose a complete parterre of tinted Jiowers, consisting of Gentians, Ranunculus, Ledum, Draba, Potentilla, Saxifrages, Poppy and Sedums. The Arctic turf is unequalled : nothing in the tropics approaches it for spe- cific variety : and in density it far exceeds its alpine con- gener. Two birches (Betiila alba and B. nana), three willows (Salix laTiata, S. glauca and /S*. herbacea), that noble heath, the Andro'meda (A. tetragona), the whortleberry {Vacciniiim Vitis IdcB^'a and V. tiliginosnm), the crowberry (EmpUruni nigrum), and a Potentilla, were, in one instance, all wreathed together in a matted sod, from whose intricate net-work, rising within an area of a single foot, I counted no less than six species of flowering plants." 78 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. " The appearance of such a turf, where the tree growths of more favored regions have become pronate and vineUke, and crowding individuals of non-opposing families of flower- ing plants fill up the intervals with a carpet parterre of rich colors, might puzzle a painter. It reminded me of Humboldt's covering with his cloak the vegetation of four continents !" We left our intrepid voyager awhile ago interesting him- self and us with his " Crimson Cliffs " and their unique flora, the not unusual accompaniment of an alpine region, and whose ruddy presence is associated with winter. The massive iceberg stained with streaks of ochreous hu»s, float- ing far away mid ocean, was once the cliff" of some Arctic shore or the extremity of some glacier, and which bears into more southern latitudes the primitive cell plant of the sim- plest vegetation. In the vicinity of Cape York, at a contin- uation of the range called by Sir John Ross the " Arctic Highlands," of rugged sienitic rocks, and thus still beyond the parterre of blooming flowers just described — nay yet far- ther advanced into winter's icy grandeur — we find a " little cove," with a succession of moss-covered terraces, each of extraordinary richness. " In a little space the veined leaves of the Pyrola were peeping out among chickweeds and saxifrages, the sorrel and ranunculus. I even found a poor gentian, stunted and re- duced ; but still like everything around it, in all the 'perfec- tion of miniature proportions. " As this mossy parterre approached the rocky walls that hemmed it in, tussocks of sedges and coarse grasses began to show themselves, mixed with heaths and birches : and still farther on, at the margin, came an annulus of Arctic shrubs and trees. " Shrubs and trees ! — Few of them rose above my shoes, and none above my ankles ; yet shady alleys and heaven-point- ing avenues could not be more impressive examples of crea- tive adaptation. Here I saw the bleaberry ( Vaccinium ulig- inosmn) in flower and in fruit — I could cover it with a wine glass ; the wild honeysuckle (Azalea procamhens) of our Pennsylvania woods — I could stick the entire plant in my FEBRUARY. 79 button hole ; the Andromeda tetragona, like a green marabon feather. " Strongest among these transformations came the willows. One, the SjHj; herbdcea, hardly larger than a trefoil clover ; another, the S lix glauca, like a young althea just bursting from its seed ; a third, the aS lix laiiata, a triton among these boreal minnows, looked like an unfortunate garter-snake, bound here and there by clawlike radicles, which, unable to penetrate the inhospitable soil, had spread themselves out upon the surface — traps for the broken lichens and fostering mosses which formed its scanty soil." " While at this cove — in lat- itude 76° 25' north — I saw and collected in the protected nooks, among the grasses and saxifrages, a large number of the Cochlearia (C danica) and ranunculus." The mysterious agency of spring, which while it vitalizes and quickens the vegetable fluids enervates and wearies the physical frame, likewise impressed our friend, from whose charming volume we have, as our readers perceive, drawn largely in these extracts, which strangely tell of flowers and fruit amidst polar ices and winter's most impressive and magnifi- cent realities. We feel this sensation creeping over us as the song of the vernal sparrow and the flight of the blue bird remind us that winter is over and gone ; and we are half weary with the very change, which is to bring us so many and so attractive delights. The same feeling comes over the Arctic traveller as the spring approaches: and when our thermometers indicate the mercury at 60^ and the tempera- ture melts us down into drowsy laziness, so there the human frame sinks under the singular influence of the season, when the air is at the zero point about the beginning of the month of April. The most northern Danish settlements boast not only of a native flora, exuberant with miniature gems of flowery bells, corols &nd spikelets of odor-breathing petals, but horticulture is not neglected. Thus, this improvement on the first step from nomadic life — the first initiatory process from the savao-e and barbarous into the tilling of the soil — thus Horticulture accompanies man in the refinements of his social position : 80 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. and indicates the perfection of that union, which Art has made with Nature. It was at Uppernavik. the most north- ern of the Danish settlements, whose latitude is 72° 47', three hundred and seventy miles within the Arctic Circle, that there was found at the Governor's House " a little paling white and garden-like, inclosing about ten feet of prepared soil, covered with heavy glass frames ; under which, in spite of the hoar frost that gathered on them, we could detect a few bunches of Crucifers, green radishes and turnip tops. It was the garden, the distinctive appendage of the Governor's residence. "At last came the crowning act of hospitality, pale, yet blushing at their tips, and crowned each with its little verdant tuft, ten radishes ! Talk of the mango of Luzon and the mangostine of Borneo, the cheremioya of Peru, the pine of Sumatra, the Seckel pear of the Schuylkill meadows ; but the palate must cease to have memory before I yield a place to any of them along side the ten radishes of Upper- navik." On a small and humid spot of a few yards extent, with the mosses and sedges saturated with the water which slowly trickles over the surface of the underlying rock, I have seen, on some warm sunny day in our earliest April or in the latter part of a precocious March, the representation of an Arctic turf-flora in the cushioned and velvety sod of hundreds of flowering plants of the Dra^ba verna. The pleasure, which such a cospecies of a northern flora awakens within me on each returning spring, as I make a pilgrimage, in the sacred name of friendship to the memory of its discoverer, to this fairy domain of our New England plants, is thus enhanced by the thought that the flower and its influence over man fraternize the human race ; and that, from tropic to pole, the cultivated mind is alive to the same sensations and im- pressed with the same emotions, called forth by these won- ders of creative energy. Nor are there any such facts "as ab- solute barrenness and sterility ; while equally in summer or in winter, forms of vegetation, on rock and iceberg, on the lim- its of perpetual snow and beneath the northern ocean, veg- etation and vegetative life reign victorious and supreme. TEBRUARY. 81 THE GARDENS OF THE SOUTH. BY ANDREW GRAY, SAVANNAH, GA. A few papers on the gardens of the Sonth would doubtless be read by some* of the readers of your Magazine with inter- est, if I could do the subject sufficient justice, but I am afraid that what I can write will be so meagre in its nature as to provoke a smile from those who " go ahead " with the times. Nevertheless such as a " practical " can produce, from time to time, shall be at your disposal. The gardens of the south, like the gardens of the north or any other country, differ in outline and extent : and perhaps I cannot do better than give you a kind of memoranda of this place, (the country residence of J. Stoddard, Esq.,) it being about as extensive as, and in natural and artistic ele- gance as well as in geometrical proportions equal to, any I have seen. The lot enclosed contains about thirteen acres, and is divided into lawn, orchard, flower, and vegetable garden. The lawn and pleasure ground, as is generally the case, occu- py most of the lot ; but diff"er from a desirable feature in lay- ing out grounds viz., in being separated from the house by the flower garden and shrubbery : but a feature which in this latitude, about 32*^, is almost indispensable, from the fact that no proper lawn grass has yet been found to stand in this soil and climate ; a light sandy earth, and the heavens like brass overhead, sometimes five and six weeks without rain, until the sand in the day time becomes so dry and hot as to be dis- agreeable to walk on. It therefore becomes apparent that the grasses suitable for lawns will not stand in such a soil and cli- mate. There are, however, several sorts of coarse native grasses which grow here, and except in a very severe season keep green throughout ; but the one most adopted for lawns in this section is the Burmuda grass ; it never rises above the • surface over eight or ten inches. It has long creeping roots and sends up stems at every joint, and by planting the roots in the ground, it is not many years before it becomes com- pletely matted ; and in spring and early summer, if kept mown, VOL. XXI. NO. II. 11 82 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. looks as well as many of the grass lawns I have seen at the north. The lawn is an irregular spot, with several irregular clumps of trees and shrubbery. In the first place I will give a running description of our ornamental trees : — Magnolm grandifolia, a well known tree, a native of this country,' and I may say it has not its compeer in the forest ; indeed nothing exceeds this tree in beauty and magnificence ; its fine large glossy leaves contrasted in spring with the large bloom it bears, and to see it in the swamps it is still more conspicuous, from the fact that the long moss (Tillandsia usneoides) hangs in graceful festoons from its boughs : something of its symmetry and natural habits may be guessed from the common name it re- ceives here, viz., " Umbrella tree." Magnolm acuminata, as an ornamental tree, is no less attractive than the former, al- though not quite so lofty ; it blooms much more profusely and is more grateful in the odor of its blossoms. Cerasus car- oliniensis, here called wild orange, but for what reason I am unable to divine — for it has no resemblance to an orange tree whatever — is a tree of the second size, much resembling the Portugal laurel ; it has fine light green foliage ; its natural habit is to grow up with a main stem with many branches, until it reaches from tw^enty to forty feet, seldom exceeding that height, but forms a fine round head and is better adapted for a shade tree than many of the evergreens ; it stands the knife well and may be pruned into any desirable shape. Ilex vomitoria is also a native of this place and grows to about twenty feet high, and the female plant, as an ornamental tree, looks very pretty with its numerous red berries. Red cedar, with a little pruning, forms a good tree for lawns ; also the long-leaved pine, th-e red bay, and a great variety of oaks, some of which may be noticed in a subsequent paper. Cedrus Deodara and Cry}:><,omeria japonica have been planted out here for several years, both of which seem to stand well, and the latter will be a very handsome tree. Other trees and shrubs will be noticed hereafter ; in the meantime I will give the outlines of our grounds. As they diverge from the man- sion there is a flower garden on the north and south sides of FEBRUARY. 83 the house ; a serpentine walk leads from the house to the gardener's cottage, shaded on each side by shrubbery, and con- tinues from the gardener's cottage a straight walk, leading to the beach, edged on each side with the pink daily rose, which in spring flowers most profusely, and contrasts finely with the pendent foliage of the Cerasus caroliniensis on the one side and the Cassena (Holly) hedge on the other ; a continuation of this walk runs along the beach until it meets the avenue leading from the front door to the beach. On each side of this avenue is a row of hollies pruned into square columns, about eight feet high and six by three feet square : in the rear of each side is a row of oaks, which does not seem to have met the expectations, of the proprietor, whose object was to form a kind of grove over the avenue. A walk leads from the house to the vegetable garden, one to the stables, and one to the barns, with a Cassena hedge on each side. I shall be under the necessity of concluding here for the present. We have in fl:ower in the open ground, (Dec. 16th), camellias, roses, chrysanthemums, alyssum, and narcissus. RIPE GRAPES IN DECEMBER. BY M. n. SIMPSON, ESQ., BOSTON. In accordance with your request, I herewith give you the modus operandi of growing grapes under glass, to ripen them by the December sun. My former practice, to ripen grapes about the first of April, was the same as practised by others, say warming the roots by hot manure in the middle of No- vember, and continuing the heat in the border, by fresh sup- plies of manure, until the grapes ripened. I noticed the roots are injured from this practice, and the expense is very great, not only for the manure, but also for the labor of looking after the border and replenishing it. Not being satisfied, I concluded to try the following plan, which has proved quite successful, and gives me the grapes earlier. We will suppose the vines were started in November of last year. (1853). To get them in this state their habits have 84 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. been changed from the natural time of starting. Now we will encroach still further and start them in August, say the first. You will find no delay in the pushing of the bud after pruning, as the roots are warmed by the summer sun, and there is no danger of killing the young rootlets from hot ma- nure. The progress of the vines will surprise you : in a week they will require tying up to the rafters, and very soon after you will be assured of a good crop of grapes from the fragrance of the bloom. It is now of the utmost importance to attend in season to keep the heat in the border which the sun has so generously supplied, and a plan suggested itself to me from the practice of keeping ourselves warm by a blanket, of which I have manufactured some 600 pairs a day for the past ten years. It is therefore very natural that I should have thought of a blanket to cover the border to keep the heat in ; but it would require a great many woolen blankets to cover a border one hundred feet long and forty feet wide, and a great many thicknesses to give sufficient protection. However, we have the principle in the thought, and now for the practice. In- stead of the woolen blankets, I substituted two tons of mead- ow hay, very dry ; this covered the border about one foot in thickness, and in order to keep it dry, I placed upon the top of it about six inches of wool waste and manure, to absorb the rain, until the frost should make it a more perfect protec- tion. This has answered the purpose ; the heat has passed from the border about three degrees a week from the first of December, at which time it was 60*^, and the fruit has ripened perfectly. It was generally supposed by grape growers that I should fail in color and flavor, as well as size, from want of sun in December ; but my experiment proves that a plenty of pure air is quite as important. My mode of ventilating is entirely new, and appears favor- able to the growth of the grape. The warming apparatus inside of the house is simply a stove at each end ; conse- quently the ventilation is complete; as the heavy, bad air is constantly rushing to the stoves and passing out of the fun- nels. I do not, in speaking of this mode of ventilation. FEBRUARY. 85 recommend stoves for heating in preference to the common furnace and hot water pipes, but refer only to the principle of ventilation, which can be applied to the common furnace by conducting the air from the house to supply the coal in- stead of the outside air. This plan would as effectually draw off the bad air as my stoves. It has been stated that I get two crops of grapes in one year from the same vines. It is true that this year I have ,• but as I have not practised this mode of growing grapes, I cannot recommend it, but should have some apprehensions, if followed up, the vines would be found doing too much for their good. My present judgment would be rather to receive from them one crop in two years than two in one. You Avill notice from this statement that the real advance in horticulture, which I think is secured to us, is, that we may supply ourselves with delicious grapes during the months of January, February and March, which heretofore was consid- ered impracticable by our best grape growers. It gives us great pleasure to present our readers with the result of Mr. Simpson's experiment in growing grapes, so as to have them in the highest perfection in December and Jan- uary. Such a thing, we believe, has not before been achieved by the grape growers of this country, numerous as they are. Even in Great Britain, where grape culture has been carried to the highest perfection, we doubt whether a crop was ever ripened so completely and uniformly, in the month of De- cember, as by Mr. Simpson. Indeed, the cloudy sky and humid atmosphere of that climate render it almost impossible to accomplish such a result. The most successful growers, who begin to force as early as September, rarely procure ripe fruit before March ; six months being generally allowed for the ripening of the crop during the winter season. The great success of Mr. Simpson is mainly owing to the condition of the border ; and the way in which he overcame the difficulty, heretofore considered so great, of retaining its warmth, shows how much may be done when the mind is brought to bear upon any particular subject. A mere work- 86 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. ing man would probably never have thought of any other plan than that of piling on the manure ; but with a desire to do away with the great expense of this plan, which we think Mr. Allen has estimated at about $700 for a border of similar size, Mr. Simpson began to reflect upon the matter, and then the happy thought occurred to him about the warmth of a blanket, and next how he should give it a prac- tical application. He has himself explained this, and given the results of the fortunate suggestion which occurred to him. To keep the heat in the ground he found far less difficult than to force it in after it had already been exhausted. This is the real secret of his success ; for without a warm border, it would be an impossibility to ripen a crop of grapes in the winter months. Mr. Simpson's remarks on ventilation are worthy of atten- tion ; we do not doubt his plan, which is a modification of the Polmaise and Penn systems so much talked about a few years ago, is valuable, but we do not think this of material consequence. In the way in which grape houses are gener- ally built, there are crevices enough to admit drafts of fresh air to take off" all foul air. But a warm border and a proper temperature, evenly kept, are the important points to be at- tended to in such early forcing. The vine is one of the most excitable of all fruit trees ; some English writer has remarked that if the border is kept at a temperature of A2°, there will be no movement of the sap; but if raised to 45°, (only three degrees,) the vine will at once bleed upon being cut, and at 50 to 55, it will soon commence growing. This accounts for the tardiness with which vines in early graperies push their buds, and the diffi- culty of forcing in winter unless some provision has been made to keep up the warmth of the border. A high internal temperature of the grapery, without a corresponding warmth of the border, only tends to injure the vines ; for if, after a time, they begin to break, they will grow so weakly that the clusters of flowers will be likely to prove abortive. To en- sure success, therefore, in all early forcing, a vigorous root action should be first secured, as Mr. Simpson's experiment FEBRUARY. 87 has clearly shown. Oar winter sun is then ample to ripen a crop as completely as later in the season. If there have been any doubts about this, Mr. Simpson's success must dispel them forever. Ed. POMOLOGICAL GOSSIP The Black Barbarossa Grape. — This new variety has proved to be a most valuable grape ; on the 5th of December last, a bunch was exhibited at the London Horticultural So- ciety, weighing 4 pounds. " It did not measure less than eighteen inches in length, and a foot across the shoulder ; and the berries were plump and well colored. It is one of the very latest keeping grapes, not excepting West's St. Pe- ter's." A Banksian medal was awarded for this fine specimen. We hope to see it in fruit among our own collections next year. Omar Pacha Pear. — This is the name of a new variety introduced by M. Leroy of Angers, the present year, and de- scribed as follows: Fruit above medium size, turbinate, roundish, somewhat irregular ; skin clear green, dotted and speckled with russet speckles, principally around the stem ; flesh fine, tender, nearly buttery, very juicy, sugary, vinous flavor, and agreeably perfumed. It is a first-rate pear, of fair size, which ripens at the end of August and beginning of Sep- tember. It is a good bearer ; and fruited for the first time in M. Leroy's nursery in 1853, and last season it was covered with its fine fruit. Beurre' Clairgeau Pear. — The following notice of this excellent pear appears in the Gardeners^ Chronicle, by M. Jonghe. It will be recollected that we gave some account of a meeting of the British Pomological Society, Nov. 6, (Vol. XX, p. 570) where it was exhibited, tasted, and pronounced only "second rate." As every cultivator is more or less in- terested in so fine a fruit as the Buerre Clairgeau, they will see from this how it is estimated in Belgium : — 88 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Beurre Clairgeau Pear. — At the exhibition of the Pomo- logical Society, on the 6th of November, and of which a re- port is given at page 727 of the Gardeners' Chronicle^ it appears that three fruits of the Beurre Clairgeau were exhib- ited ; two of these from a wall, with a southeast aspect, and the other from a pyramid on the quince stock. These fruits were tasted ; but part of the decision of the judges, we think, they will some day alter, when they have an opportunity of again tasting the fruit. All agreed that the fruits were re- markable, and they found that the flesh was tender and juicy, but not buttery, and the flavor watery and flat ; and, accord- ingly, the variety was ranked second rate. The variety has but recently commenced bearing, and con- sequently its properties cannot be positively judged. The trees which bore the fruits in question have not been long enough planted to enable them to give to the fruit all the qualities it naturally possesses ; perhaps there may have been other causes which ought to have been taken into consider- ation. Some account of the history of this variety may be interesting to pomologists. On the 22d of October, 1848, Peter Clairgeau, a gardener at Nantes, France, exhibited to the Horticultural Society of that place specimens of fruit, obtained from the seedling tree, in order that they might be tasted, and their merits decided on. The form having been considered -perfect, and the fla- vor excellent, M. Jules d'AiroIes, Secretary of the Society, opened a subscription in order to obtain the seedling. A no- tice, accompanied with a drawing of the fruit, appeared, Feb- ruary 15th, 1849, in the " Revue Horticole " of Paris. Ac- cording to this, maiden plants were to be supplied to the sub- scribers in the following autumn, provided the number of subscribers amounted to 200, but this not being the case, the trees were not delivered. In the meantime we had an op- portunity of seeing two members of the Horticultural Society of Nantes, and we subjoin their statements respecting the vigorous growth of the seedling, even on the quince stock ; the beauty and good qualities of the fruit, two specimens of which we have now before us from Nantes. It remained to FEBRUARY. 89 be ascertained whether the qualities would be the same in our climate. This was doubtless a difficult problem to solve. On the recommendation of M, d'Airoles we subscribed for ten specimens. The resolution was taken to cover the sub- scriptions and to purchase the seedling. It was thus that the parent tree and three hundred plants propagated from it, on quince, were planted in different situations as regards soil and aspect in the open ground in our gardens. Moreover, a number of grafts, taken from the upper part of the original tree, were worked on stocks at standard height. From that time we have observed this plantation during the periods of its growth, flowering, and fruiting ; and we have examined the fruits at the time of their maturity. In the autumn of 1851, nearly all the plants that had been two or three years propagated on quince bore from three to six fruits, not only in one part of the garden, but in the different situations in which they had been planted. This circumstance is a proof of the hardiness and fertility of the variety. However, it was resolved not to send out a single plant until all the fruits grown on the quince stock had been tasted. Among these fruits, some which commenced to ripen towards the 20th of October were found inferior in quality to those received from Nantes ; but among some very large fruits grown on trees. planted in excellent soil, we tasted several whose quality was equally as good as at Nantes. The maturity of the latter oc- curred about the 25th November. Having paid attention to this variety, we had a description made of it, 8th October, 1851. This was inserted at p. 143 of the ^^ Album de Po- mologies'''' accompanied with a figure of a handsome fruit, ob- tained in our grounds, and drawn from nature by a good ar- tist, M. Yerna, of Brussels. [The following are some extracts from the description al- luded to ; the original tree appears to have been raised about 1835 or 1836. The young shoots are short-jointed, of a bright brov/n, dotted with white specks ; leaves nearly flat, lanceolate, the margins finely toothed. The parent tree was transplanted from Nantes to Brussels in the month of Novem- ber, 1850, and had then many of its upper branches furnished, VOL. XXI. NO. II. 12 90 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. with vigorous spurs.] The fruit was tasted on November 23, 1851, by M. Bivort, editor of the '■'■ Album de Pomologie,''^ and the description was then completed. The fruit was very large, pyramidal, sometimes flattened on the side, and curved, about 41 inches in length, and 3i inches in diameter. Stalk short and very thick, but not fleshy, obliquely inserted. Eye in a small shallow cavity. Flesh white, fine, melting, but- tery, with abundance of sugary and agreeably perfumed juice. The Commission Royal de Pomologie Beige has given in its Annales, p. 29, a notice equally favorable. M. d'Airoles, of Nantes, who has seen the original tree in bearing for eight years, and the fruit of propagated plants for four or five years, has given a description of the variety, which is inserted in the Gardeners'' Chronicle, p. 388. In our Catalogue for the spring of 1854 we have stated of the Beurre Clairgeau : — Fruit very large and long. Flesh melting, ripe in November and December. Tree vigorous, suitable for a wall, pyramid, and standard. There is, then, a great difference between the appreciation of the fruit by the British Pomological Society, from specimens obtained from Redleaf, and that by M. d'Air- oles, from fruit grown at Nantes, and also that by M. Bivort, from the produce of trees on quince, in my garden. Although we have cultivated this new variety of pear dur- ing four years, we should not wish to constitute ourselves the arbitrators between the different opinions respecting the mer- its of the fruit ; for we know, from long experience, that a certain lapse of time is necessary, and which experimental connoisseurs fix at from 5 to 20 years, from the period of the first production of a new fruit before, in consequence of com- parative observations, a definite opinion can be given of the real merits of the variety. All that we can say at present is, that this new variety, the Beurre Clairgeau, originated at Nantes, is the most vigorous, hardy, and productive of all new sorts received from France. In order to preserve its qualities from deterioration in the climates of Belgium and England, we are of opinion that the variety ought to be woiked on the pear stock ; or if worked on the quince, the grafts should only be taken from trees growing on pear TEBRUARY. 91 Stocks ; otherwise the trees will degenerate in vigor and pro- duce. The quality of the fruit will every year improve as the trees get better established, and are placed in situations found to be most favorable, as is the case with all other vari- eties of which the qualities approach to first-rate. With re- gard to the period of maturity, we may here mention that in four years we have had fruit ripe from the 20th of October till the 25th of December. The mean period appears to be the month of November. Without in the least suspecting the sincerity of any one, we believe we shall be rendering a service to amateurs by stating the results of actual experi- ment.— De Jonghe^ Brussels, Nov. 13, [Two ripe speci- mens accompanied this letter ; one from a pear stock, the other from a quince. Both were melting, high-flavored, and excellent ; and by no means inferior to the best varieties of the season. — Ed. Gard. Chroti.] We would particularly call the attention of cultivators to M. Jonghe's remarks in the last paragraph, in which he states that from "5 to 20 years is the period from the first produc- tion of a new fruit before a definite opinion can be given of the real merits of the variety." This should never be for- gotten by any one who is at all interested in new varieties, and if his advice is followed it will put an end to the prac- tice of grafting over such trees as soon as they have ripened one crop. The Hampton or Hegerman Pear. — This new native variety which was first exhibited at the Pomological Conven- tion in Buffalo, in 1847, was exhibited again at the late meet- ing of the Pomological Society in Boston ; when we saw it in Buff'alo we thought it was the Buffum, and since then we have not had a fair opportunity to try it. We then made a drawing and description of it, but thought it best to give it another trial before deciding upon its merits. The members of the convention appeared to know but little about it and passed it over till the next meeting. The Ohio State Pomological Society held its annual meeting on the 5th and 6th of December last, at Columbus. Mr. Ernst, the President, called the meeting to order, and after 92 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. appointing a business committee the society proceeded to dis- cuss the merits of various fruits. A very fine display of apples was made by the members, ]Mr. R. L. Benedict pre- senting upwards of sixty varieties. We shall endeavor to notice the report more at length in our next. New Plums. — Mr. E. Dorr, of Albany, has given an ac- count of three or four new seedling plums, in the Country Gentleman. One of them, the Wax plum, Mr. Dorr politely presented us specimens of, at the late fair of the New York State Agricultural Society, in New York, where he exhibited them : but they decayed before we reached home. It is a beautiful fruit, and we shall notice it with the others in another number. STUDIES IN THE FIELD AND FOREST. BY WILSON FLAGG. No. I. — The Pleasures of a Winter Ramble. FEBRUARY. The deeper gloom of Winter is dispelled, An earlier, longer daylight is beheld, The skies are clearer, and the hues of heaven Are brighter in our morning and our even. The landscape is more radiant, and the sun Shines more serenely, when his course is run. Each waking dawn is fairer than the last : Our melancholy days are nearly past, And every omen from the earth or sky Tells that a happier season is hard by. Earth is more lovely drest in flowers, and while Autumn's gay splendors make the prospect smile, Yet there's a deep and still sublimity Pervading all the breadth of land and sea. That may beguile the rambler, till he hails The vernal flowers and April's spicy gales. It is one of the most cheerful of employments for a leisure hour, to go out into the fields, under a mild open sky, to study the various appearances of nature that accompany the changes of the seasons, and to note those phenomena which are peculiar to a climate of frost and snow. The inhabitant FEBRUARY. 93 of the tropics with his perpetual summer, who sees no peri- odical changes except the alternations of rain and drought, is deprived of a happy advantage possessed by the inhabitant of the north ; and with all the blessings of his voluptuous cli- mate is visited by a smaller portion of the moral enjoyments of life. In the minds of those who dwell in a northern lati- tude there are sentiments which are probably never felt by the indolent dweller in the land of the date and the palm : and however poetical to us may seem the imagery drawn from the pictures we have read of those blissful regions, ours is most truly the region of poetry, and of all those sentiments which poetry aims to express. It will not be denied that in winter, nature has compara- tively but few attractions ; that the woods and fields ofler but few temptations to ramble ; and that these are such as appeal to the imagination rather than to the senses, by furnishing matter for studious reflection, and calling up pleasing and poetic images. The man of phlegmatic mind sees, in all these phenomena, nothing but dreariness and desolation ; while to the studious or the imaginative, every form of vege- tation on the surface of the earth becomes an instructive les- son, or awakens a train of imagery that inspires him, on a winter's walk, with a buoyancy not often felt in the balmy days of June. Then does he trace with unalloyed delight every green leaf that seems budding out for spring ; and in the general stillness, every sound from abroad has a gladness in its tone, not surpassed by the melodies of a summer morn- ing. On these pleasant days of winter, which are of frequent oc- currence in our variable climate, I often^ indulge myself in a solitary ramble, taking note of those forms of vegetation that remain unchanged, and of the still greater number that lie folded in hyemal sleep. For such excursions the only proper time is when the earth is free from snow, which, though a beautifier of the prospect, conceals all minute objects that are strewed upon the ground, or that are still feebly vegetating under the protection of the woods. The most prominent appearances are the remains of autumnal vegetation. The 94 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. stalks of the faded asters are still erect, with their downy- heads shaking in the breeze which has already scattered their seeds upon the ground : and the more conspicuous tufts of the golden rods are seen in nodding and irregular rows under the fences, or bending over the ice that covers the meadows where they grew. All these are but the faded garlands of nature, that pleasantly remind us of the past festivities of sum- mer, of cheerful toil, or studious recreation. Nature never entirely conceals the beauties of the field and wood save when, for their protection, she covers them with snow. The faded remnants of last summer's vegetation may have but little positive beauty ; but to the mind of the natur- alist they are attractive on account of the lessons they afford and the sentiments they awaken. But there are objects in the wood which are neither faded nor leafless ; and many that are leafless still retain their beauty and the appearance of life. Besides the evergreens, many of the herbs that bear the early spring flowers still retain their freshness, and spread out their green leaves in the protected nook or in the recesses of the fern-covered rocks. The leaves of the wild straw- berry and the cinquefoil are always green in the meadow, and those of the violet on the sheltered slope of the hill. The croAvsfoot and the geranium are in many places as fresh as in May ; and the aquatic ranunculus and the Avild-cresses are brightly glowing with their emerald foliage, in the depths of the crystal water-courses that remain unfrozen beneath the wooded precipice, or in the mossy ravines of the forest. These phenomena are doubly interesting as evidences of the continued life of the beautiful things they represent, and of the invisible and ever watchful providence of nature. Every step we take brings under our review other similar curiosities of vegetable life, which, by reason of their com- monness, often escape our observation. On the sandy plain the slender birch trees are loaded with thousands of purple, aments, suspended from their flexile twigs, all ready to burst into bloom at the very first breath of spring. In the wet lands, where the surface is one continued sheet of ice, the crowded alder bushes are so full of these embryo blossoms^ FEBRUARY. 95 that their branches seem to be hung with dark purple fruit : and the sweet fern of the upland pastures, in still mild weather, often faintly perfumes the atmosphere with the scent of its half developed leaves and flowers. Nor is the season without its harvest. The sweet gale, or false myrtle, in dry places gleams with dense clusters of green- ish white berries, that almost conceal the branches by their profusion : the pale azure berries of the juniper are sparkling brightly in the midst of their sombre evergreen foliage ; and the black-alder trees, glowing with the brightest scarlet fruit, and resembling at a distance pyramids of flame, are irregular- ly distributed over the wooded swamps. While the barber- ries hang in wilted and blackened clusters from their bushes in the uplands, the cranberries in the peat meadows shine out like glistening rubies from their masses of delicate and tangled vinery. In the open places of the woods the earth is mantled with the dark glossy green leaves of the gualthcria, half concealing its drooping crimson berries ; and the Mitch- ella of a more curious habit, each berry being formed by the united germs of two flowers, twins upon the same stem, adorns similar places with fairer foliage and brighter fruit. There is a sort of perpetual spring in these protected arbors and recesses, where we may at all times behold the springing herbs and sprouting shrubbery, when they are not hidden under the snow drift. The American hare feeds upon the fol- iage of these tender herbs, when she exposes herself at this season to the aim of the gunner. She cannot so well provide for her winter wants as the squirrel, whose food, contained in a husk or a nutshell, may be abundantly hoarded in her sub- teranean granaries. The hare in her garment of fur. pro- tected from the cold, feels no fear of the climate : and man is almost the only enemy who threatens her, when she comes out timidly to browse upon the scant leaves of the white clover, or the heath-like foliage of the hypericum. But the charm of a winter's walk is derived chiefly from the flowerless plants — the ferns and lichens of the rocks, the mosses of the dells and meres, and the trailing wintergreens of the shrubby pastures. Many species of these plants seem to 96 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. revel in cold weather, as if it were congenial to their health and wants. To them has nature entrusted the care of dress- ing all her barren places in verdure, and of preserving a grateful remnant of summer beauty in the dreary places of winter's abode. And it is not to be wondered, that, to the fanciful minds of every nation, the woods have always seemed to be peopled with fairy spirits, by whose unseen hands the earth is garlanded with lovely wreaths of verdure, at a time when not a flower is to be found upon the hills or in the meadow. Whether we are adapted to nature, or nature to us, it is not to be denied, that, on the face of the earth, those ap- pearances established by nature are more congenial to our feelings than others strictly artificial. The lichen-covered rocks, that form so remarkable a feature of the hills surround- ing our coast, are far more pleasing to every man's sight than similar rocks without this garniture. All this may be partly attributed to the different associations connected with the two, in our habitual trains of thought : — the one present- ing to us the evidence of antiquity, the other only the disa- greeable idea of that defacement so generally attendant on the progress of pioneer settlements. Hence the lichens and mosses upon the surface of the rocks have an expression which has always been eagerly copied by the painter, and is associated with many romantic images, like the clambering ivy upon the walls of an ancient ruined tower. At this season, when the greater part of the landscape is either covered with snow, or with the seared and brown her- bage of winter, this vegetation of the rocks has a singular interest. In summer, the rocks are bald in their appearance, while all around them is fresh and lively. In winter, on the other hand, they are covered with a pale verdure, inter- spersed with many brilliant colors, while the surrounding sur- face is a comparative blank. Some objects are intrinsically beautiful, others are beautiful by suggestio.i, others again by contrast. This latter principle causes many things to appear delightful to the eye at one period, which at other times would, by comparison with brighter objects, seem dull and FEBRUARY. 97 lifeless. Hence on a winter's ramble, when there is no snow upon the ground, our attention is fixed, not only upon the lichens and evergreens, but likewise on the bright purple glow that proceeds from every plat of living shrubbery which is spread out in the wild. This appearance is beautiful by contrast with the dull sombre hues of the surrounding faded herbage, and it is likewise strongly suggestive of the life and vigor of nature. It is the vivid hue of health, and entirely unlike the hue of the same plants if they were dead or dying. It is not necessary that we should have meditated upon this idea, in order to be affected by it. We are all unconscious physiognomists of the face of nature ; and over a wide tract of country, were the vegetation blasted in autumn by some secret pestilence that had destroyed its vitality, its whole as- pect would be such as to sadden every beholder, though un- aware of the fatal event. As the human face in sleep wears the glow, if not the animation of waking life — so the face of nature, in her hyemal sleep, has a glow that harmonizes with our feelings and with our sense of universal beauty. The wild wood is always full of instruction for those who are mindful either of its general aspects or its minuter de- tails ; and a ramble on a pleasant winter's day produces on the mind an invigorating effect that might be used as a safe- guard against mental depression. The landscape, when un- disfigured by art, is never without beauty, and the woods are always redolent of sweet odors that assist in perfecting the illusions that arise from agreeable sights. While the exercise thus partaken in the open air strengthens the body and im- proves the health, the objects presented for our contemplation are tonic and exhilarant in their action on the mind. What- ever may be the season of the year, to the student of science as well as to the lover of beauty something is always pre- sented to fix his attention or awaken his admiration, and he seldom returns from a woodland ramble without increased cheerfulness and satisfaction with the world. VOL. XXI. NO. II. 13 98 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. SHELTERED GARDEN SEATS. Arbors and garden seats of various kinds are beautiful features, in the ornamental surroundings of English residen- ces;— and whether prominent objects in the flower garden, or secluded and retired in the shrubbery, they are not only ornamental from their form or situation, but agreeable from their association of comfort which a half hour's retreat affords after a morning ramble around the grounds. We wish we could see Ihem more frequently introduced into the gardens and grounds of our suburban residences : es- pecially in our warm and sunny climate is a retreat to some DESIGN FOR A GARDEN SEAT. shady seat desirable. They are easily constructed, not very expensive, and if their location is selected with good taste, they are pleasing additions to every garden. In the Gardeners' Chronicle of a recent date is a design of a " garden seat, in all weathers," (fig. 3; which, though not so FEBRUARY. 99 well adapted to the purposes of shade as is always desirable, is, notwithstanding, a neat structure, and may be made very ornamental, if covered with suitable vines and climbing plants. It is particularly adapted to public pleas- ure grounds, of all kinds, where a shelter from storms is often as desira- ble as from the burning buttress! h pat Qf t[-^e summer's sun. The above is a view of this structure. It is simply a six sid- ed covered seat, with buttresses between each side or face, the roof reaching over the seats and buttresses as in the annexed diagram, (jig. A.) Care should be taken to make two sides face southeast and south- west as near as may be, and having none due south : one of these has been erected at the Asylum at Wells, England. DIAGRAM OF THE FOREGOING DESIGN. P0ittj)li| iossip. Summer in England and United States. — It is very well known that many trees not sufficiently hardy to endure our winters, may be raised in England without any trouble, on account of the mildness of the British winter. On the other hand, our summers are so much brighter, longer and warmer than those of England, that some of our indigenous plants can be successfully cultivated in that country only in a greenhouse. Such is the Sahbatia stellaris, a wild flower of our wet meadows, found all the Avay from Massachusetts to New Jersey. This plant was exhibited among the rari- ties of the season, last summer, at the Chiswick show, by Mr. Ingram from Frogmore. Mr. Ingram stated that the plant demands a warmer season than England could afford it, and that he had been obliged to hasten its growth by the warmth and protection of a greenhouse. It may not be out of place to remark in this connection, that the English florists are far better acquaint- ed than American florists with our indigenous flowers and other plants. The 100 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. labor might not perhaps be ill-rewarded, which any one were to bestow, in experimenting upon the means of successfully cultivating such of our wild flowers as have not yet been domesticated. Dial for January. — The weather during the last month has been re- markably mild in this vicinity, contrary to the prognostics of the weather- wise, in the early part of the season. Northeast or southwest winds have prevailed during the greater part of the month. The cold, during the nights, has only in three or four instances been severe enough to deposit frost on the window panes. Not more than two days have been cloudless from morning to night. Rain or snow have fallen more or less every other day on an average, and the sun has been obscured full half the time. The clouds have in several instances been very beautifully tinted at sunrise and sunset, as in summer, and have often somewhat resembled the summer clouds in their arrangements. For the most part, however, a more or less organized stratus has been the prevailing form of cloud, unaccompanied by a layer of cirrus or cirro-cumulus in the region above it, as often seen in warm weather. No distinct and well identified cumulus has been seen ; and cirrus but very seldom, and this soon subsided into stratus. Not the least portion of light in the north has come under our observation since the first of January. This absence of the aurora borealis is remarkable for Avinter. The termination of the severe cold weather of December was followed on the .30th of that month by a sunset of extraordinary beauty and brilliancy, the clouds being arranged in arches or bows of cirro-stratus, like several widened rainbows one above another. PassHcljusttts Ijortitultiinil Society. SCHEDULE OF PRIZES FOR 1855. PRIZES FOR GARDENS, GREENHOUSES, &c. For the most economically managed, best cultivated, and most neatly kept Garden or Grounds, through the season, . $-25 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 15 GO 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 FEBRUARY. 101 For the best managed, most economically conducted, and well kept Greenhouse, through the season, . . . $50 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 The Rules and Regulations ore the same as last year. All applications to visit Gardens must be made before May 1. Prizes for Fruits during the Season. 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 Autunm Apples, on or before the last Sat urday in November, .... For the next best, ..... For the best twelve Winter Apples, on or before the third Sat urday 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 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 before the first Saturday in July, .... For the next best, ..... For the next best, ..... For the best specimens grown under glass subsequently to the first Saturday in July, .... For the next best, ..... For the next best, ..... For the best specimens of Native Grapes, For the next best, ..... For the next best, ..... #20 00 12 00 0 00 4 00 G 00 4 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 2 00 8 00 6 00 4 00 8 00 G 00 4 00 G 00 5 00 4 00 103 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. For the next best, ..... For the next best, ..... Musk Melon. — For the best Musk Melon, 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 Satur- day in August, ..... For the next best, ..... For the best twelve Autumn Pears, on or before the last Satur day in November, ..... For the next best, . . . . . • For ttfe best twelve Winter Pears, on or before the third Satur- day in December, . 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 the best specimens, not less than two boxes For the next best, ..... For the next best, ..... $3 00 2 00 5 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 6 00 4 00 5 00 4 00 2 00 10 00 6 00 6 00 4 00 G 00 4 00 8 00 G 00 4 4 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 Prizes for Fruits, to he awarded during the Annual Exhihition. Apples. — For the best thirty varieties, of twelve specimens each, the Lyman plate, valued at . . . . 30 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 25 00 For the third best, . . . . . . 20 00 For the fourth best, . . . . . . 15 00 For the best twelve varieties, of twelve specimens each, the So- ciety's plate, valued at . . . . . 12 00 FEBRUARY. lt)3 For the second best, . . . . . . $10 00 For the third best, . . . . . . 8 00 For the fourth best, . . . . . . 6 00 For the best dish of Apples, twelve specimens of one variety, . 5 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 4 00 For the third best, . . . - . . . 3 00 For the fourth best, . . . . . . 2 00 Pears. — For the best thirty varieties, of twelve specimens each, the Lyman plate, valued at . . . . 30 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 25 00 For the third best, . . . . . . 20 00 For the fourth best, . . . . . . 15 00 For the fifth best, . . . . . . 12 00 For the best twelve varieties, of twelve specimens each, the So- ciety's plate, valued at . . . . . 12 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 10 00 For the third best, . . . . . . 8 00 For the fourth best, . . . . . . 6 00 For the best dish of Pears, twelve specimens of one variety, . 5 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 4 00 For the third best, . . . . . . 3 00 For the fourth best, . . . . . . 2 00 Assorted Frdit. — For the best basket of Fruit, of various kinds, 15 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 12 00 For the third best, . . . . . . 10 00 For the fourth best, . . . . . . 8 00 For the fifth best, . . . . . . 6 00 For the sixth best, . . . . . . 4 00 Grapes. — For the best five varieties, two bunches each, . . 12 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 8 00 For the third best, . . . . . . 5 00 For the best two varieties, two bunches each, . . . G 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 4 00 For the third best, . . . . . . 2 00 For the largest and best collection, not less than eight varieties, 15 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 8 00 Peaches. — For the best collection, . . . . 5 00 For the second best, . . . . . . 3 00 05^ The Prizes and Gratuities will be aw^arded 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 Ajjgust. 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. 104 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. $8 00 For Winter Apples, Winter Pears, New Pears, and for the " Exhibition during the season," on the third Saturday in December. (X^ 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. Display of Greenhouse Plants in Pots — to be exhibited at the opening of the Hall on the second Saturday in May. Pelargoniums. — For the six best varieties, grown in pots, a pre- mium of . For the second best, . For the third best, Fuchsias. — For the best six varieties, in pots, For the second best, . For the third best. Calceolarias. — For the best six varieties, For the second best, . For the third best. Cinerarias. — For the best six varieties, For the second best, . For the third best, Heaths. — For the best varieties, . For the second best, . For the third best, Epacris. — For the best varieties, . For the second best, . For the third best. Greenhouse Plants. — For the best display of not less than ten 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, Cut Flowers. — For the best display, a prize of For the second best, . For the third best. For the fourth best, Hyacinths. — Prizes to be awarded second Saturday in May. For the best display, not less than twenty varieties, . For the second best, ..... Tulips. — Prizes to be awarded the third 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, ..... 6 00 4 00 8 00 6 00 4 00 5 00 3 00 2 00 5 00 3 00 2 00 5 00 3 00 2 00 5 00 3 00 2 00 1 1 . 15 00 . 12 00 . 10 00 G 00 5 00 4 00 2 00 5 00 3 00 G 00 4 00 2 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 FEBRUARY. 105 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, ..... For the third best, ..... Shrubby Peonies. — Prizes to be awarded fourth Saturday in May, For the best six varieties, a prize of . For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... Herbaceous Peonies. — Prizes to be awarded second Saturday in June. For the best ten varieties, having regard to the number of varieties, a prize of .... For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... Aquilegias. — Prizes to be awarded second Saturday in June. For the best display, a prize of . . . For the second best, . ■ . . . For the third best, ..... Pinks. — Prizes to be awarded third Saturday in June. For the best six distinct varieties, a prize of . For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... Hardy Roses. — Prizes to be awarded third Saturday in June. Class I. For the best thirty distinct varieties, a prize of For the second best, ...... For the third best, . . ■ . . . For the fourth best, . . . Class H. For the best twelve distinct varieties, a prize of For the second best, ...... For the third best, ...... Class TH. Hardy Perpetual Roses. — For the best ten varieties, a prize of For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... 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. Summer Phloxes. — Prizes to be awarded second Saturday in July For the best ten distinct varieties, For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... VOL. XXI. NO. II. 14 #3 00 2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 8 00 6 00 4 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 2 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 00 00 00 00 00 3 00 106 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Carnations 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 third best, ..... Hardy Rhododendrons. — For tlie 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 For the best twelve varieties in spikes, a prize of For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... Double Balsams. — Prizes to be awarded second Saturday in August. For the best eight varieties in spikes, 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 ten varieties, not less than twenty-five flowers, For the second best, ..... For the third best, ..... ANTiRRHiNUMs. — Prizcs tobc awarded first Saturday in September, For the best display, a prize of . . . For the second best, ..... For the third best, . . $5 00 4 00 3 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 Prizes for Bouquets, Wreaths, Designs, <^c., to he awarded Annual Exhibition. Vase Bouquets. — Far 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. — Fox 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, ..... For the fourth best, ..... at the . $10 00 6 00 . 10 00 6 00 8 00 (J 00 5 00 3 00 6 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 FEBRUARY. 107 . $12 00 . 10 00 8 00 5 00 3 00 2 00 ^ 00 2 00 1 Pot Plants. — For the best display, of not less than twenty pots, a prize of . . . For the second best, . For the third best. For the fourth best, Coxcombs. — 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 ; brimson 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, . 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 third Saturday in January. For the best twelve varieties of cut flowers Avith foliage, a prize of ...... . For the second best, ...... For the third best, ...... Greenhouse Azaleas. — Prizes to be awarded second Saturday in March. For tiie best six varieties in pots, For the second best, . For the third best. Flowering Shrubs. — For the best display through the season, a prize of . For the second best, . For the third best, Bouquets, — For the best display for the season, For the second best, . For the third best, 8 00 3 00 12 00 7 00 5 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 8 00 6 00 4 00 8 00 6 00 4 00 8 00 6 00 4 00 6 00 5 00 3 00 108 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Amount appropriated as Gratuities, to be awarded at the Weekly Exhibitions, . . . . . . $73 00 Prizes for Floral Designs, to le aioarded at the Annual Exhilition , on condition that it is held under a Pavilion. For the best design, a prize of For the second best, For the third best. For the fourth best, For the fifth best. For the sixth best, For the seventh best. To be awarded as gratuities, in copies of Allen's Victoria Regia, PRIZES FOR VEGETABLES. Asparagus. — For the earliest and best, not less than three bunch- es, a prize of ..... . For the second best, ...... Beets. — For the best (pure blood beet,) during the season, not less than twelve roots, a prize of .... Broccoli. — For the best three heads, a prize of . Beans, — For the best and earliest peck of string beans, a prize of For the best and earliest Lima beans, not less than two quarts. For the second best, .... For the best and earliest variety of shell beans. Cabbage. — For the best Drumhead cabbage, during the season not less than three heads, a prize of For the second best, . For the best Savoy cabbage, during the season, not less than three heads, a prize of For the second best, . Carrots. — For the best exhibited, a prize of Cauliflowers. — For the best and largest, during the season, not less than three heads, a prize of For the second best, . Celery. — For the best and largest blanched, not less than six roots, a prize of For the second best. Corn. — For the best and earliest sweet corn, not less than twelve ears, a prize of Fot the second best, 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. — For the best display during the season, a prize of For the second best, ..... #60 00 40 00 30 00 25 00 20 00 15 00 10 00 100 00 #3 00 2 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 5 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 2 00 5 00 3 00 5 00 3 00 00 00 5 00 3 00 3 00 5 00 2 00 FEBRUARY. 109 Lettuce. — For the best six heads, before the first Saturday in July, For the second best, ..... Onions. — For the earliest and best three bunches, Potatoes. — 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 For the best peck of late, .... 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 vegetable suitable for the table, and •worthy of cultivation, other than seedling potatoes, To be awarded at the Annual Exhibition. Mammoth SquASH. — For the largest and best, the Society's Sil- ver Medal. For the second best, ...... Pumpkins. — For the largest and best, the Society's Silver Medal. For the second best, ...... For gratuities, ....... The Rules and Regulations are the same as last year. #3 00 2 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 5 00 4 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 3 00 3 00 85 00 6I)ttHiirg. Death of Mr. Thomas Hogg. — We had purposed, ere this, to make some brief allusion to the decease of the late Thomas Hogg, of New York. The position he occupied in the profession, and his labors in promoting a cause which we all love, entitle him to respectful mention by the Horticul- tural press. We will note a few particulars of Mr. Hogg's early life, as we have heard him relate them himself. Mr. Hogg was born in Blackadder, Berwickshire, Scotland, about the year 1777. His father was a road con- structor, and Thomas, Avhen of a proper age, acted as superintendent of his 110 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. father's men. It was doubtless while employed in this capacity, (indeed, he so said himself,) where he was brought into immediate contact with the beauties of Nature, while superintending the construction of drives, &c., through pleasure grounds, that his love of plants first developed itself It was determined, however, to make him a printer, for which purpose lie went to Liverpool, where, for a time, he worked on a newspaper. Much of his leisure was spent in visiting greenhouses and gardens, and in caring for a few plants of his own ; in fact, the love of plants became predominant, and it soon became evident that digging in the ground had more charms for him than digging at case ; so he dropped the slick for the spade. After serving an apprenticeship as a florist, he made an engagement with Mr. Kent, near London, where he had an opportunity for the full display of his knowledge and skill. It was here that he achieved the distinction of flowering, for the first time, several rare plants, among which was Nelumbium speciosum, which he raised from seed. If we mistake not, he was also the first to flower Rhododendron arboreum. His chief favorites were aquatics and orchids, and the latter he never ceased to regard as among the most beauti- ful and interesting of all plants. We think it was on leaving Mr. Kent that he purposed visiting New HoUa'nd, but his wife would not give her consent; and he then determined to come to the United States, where he arrived about the year 1820, and took up his residence in New York, After looking about for a location, he established himself at the head of Broad- way, near the old House of Refuge, and soon had about him a fine collection of plants. At that time, greenhouses and gardens were a rarity in New York, and naturally attracted attention. Mr. Hogg always had some rare or pretty thing in flower, and his visitors rapidly multiplied. In a few years his business became well established, and his name widely known as a skilful florist. His garden is still talked of by the old residents of that neighborhood with evident pleasure, though not a vestige of it now rq,iTiains. He continued here until, we think, about 1840, when the place was cut up by city improvements, and he removed to 79th Street, Yorkville, where he continued till the time of his death. This latter event was most sudden, though it can hardly be said to have been unexpected at his advanced age. The day before his death he remarked to his family that he had not felt better for a twelve month. The next morning (Oct. 11) he complained a little, but was around the garden till about 9 o'clock, Avhen his son Thomas remarked to him that he looked quite ill, and urged him to go into the house. It was not long before it became evident that he had the Asiatic cholera. He sank rapidly, his advanced age rendering him an easy victim to this most frightful malady. The best medical aid was called in without avail. At 10 o'clock in the evening he was asleep in death. Though he had suf- fered much, his few last moments were calm and peaceful. He was in his seventy-eighth year. Many details have been omitted, since we have only room for an outline of Mr. Hogg's life; though it is true that his life was not rich in startling events. Mr. Hogg's modesty was proverbial ; and to this fact may be as- cribed the quiet tone of his life. His usefulness and influence, notwith- FEBRUARY. Ill standing, were widely extended. There can be no greater mistake than to suppose that he is the most useful man who creates the most noise. Mr. Hogg's goodness was equal to his modesty. Many gardeners, on their arri- val from the old country, have been greatly indebted to him for paternal counsel and advice, and sometimes for aid of a more substantial nature. In illustration of this, when his death was announced to the New York Horti- cultural Society, (of which he was one of the founders,) the members spoke of him in terms of aifectionate regard. Mr. Hogg's services in the cause of Horticulture were important. He came to New York at a time when plants and a taste for them were equally rare. By his example and conversation he encouraged both. His patrons always received with their plants ample instructions for their care ; and he was particularly anxious to encourage the amateur by imparting to him whatever knowledge he possessed himself. He was the first in New York to import novelties from Europe, and earned the reputation of having one of the best general collections of plants in the United States, and one of the best kept. He originated some novelties, which are still well known. At different times, he procured from South America fine collections of rare plants, chiefly Orchidsea, of which he sent many beautiful specimens to Europe. In short, he took a deep interest in everything which could exalt his profession, and extend a love for the beautiful objects of his care. He was amiable in all the relations of life, a useful citizen, and an honor to his profession. The beloved partner of his long life survived him only a few weeks, and now rests by his side in Greenwood Cemetery. " They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not di- vided."—M. portkullural ©peratioits FOR FEBRUARY. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The month of January has been milder than the average, though the ear- lier part was accompanied with much cloudy and dull weather : more unfa- vorable to early forcing than a clear sky and severe frost : consequently good fires have been required to keep up a day as well as night tempera- ture, and accordingly every advantage must now be taken to air freely and harden off this somewhat forced growth. Grape Vines in the houses started in December will now be out of bloom and swelling their fruit : commence thinning the bunches in good sea- son, and be careful in doing this not to handle the berries, as they are very susceptible of injury at this season ; maintain a good temperature and keep up a genial atmosphere by liberal damping of the floors in good weather. Vines in graperies and greenhouses will now begin to swell their buds, and a good syringing, morning and night, will help to swell them up, and as- 112 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE, sist them in breaking stronger and more evenly : 45 to 50° is sufficient for a night temperature for the first fortnight. Vines in pots brought into the house last month will now be growing freely, and should be carefully watered. Peaches and Figs in pots, may be brought into the grapery or green- house for a succession. Scions : continue to cut and preserve them in all good weather. Strawberries brought into the forcing house should be kept free from the green fly by frequent fumigations. flower department. The sun is now acquiring more power, and with the longer days a rapid improvement will soon be apparent : commence now to look over and rear- range the plants, setting aside such as can be easily spared, and bringing forward others in their place. Improve an early opportunity to make up a small hotbed, for bringing forward tender seeds and choice things from which a young stock may be raised. Ventilate the house freely in good weather. Pelargoniums. — The late blooming plants should now be shifted into larger pots, and have tlieir shoots topped and tied out. Use a light rich soil, rather dry, for potting. Azaleas will now begin to bloom, and will need more abundant supplies of water. Repot young plants Avhen a fine growth is wanted. Gladioluses and Alstrom^rias, potted some time ago, may now be brought up into a good situation near the glass. Achimenes, Gloxinias, &c., may be rapidly grown to large size, by giving the plants a place in the hotbed for a week or two. Allamandas, Echites, Stephanotus and similar climbing plants should now be pruned in, and placed in a good warm situation, or in a hot- bed, to give them a vigorous start. Camellias, about beginning to grow, during the month should have an occasional watering with liquid manure. Inarching may be done now. Ericas, Epacris and similar plants should now be propagated from cut- tings. Repot old plants if they require it. Cinerarias and Calceolarias will need a shift as the pots become filled with roots. Pansies for early blooming should have a shift into larger pots. Seeds of annuals of various kinds may now be sown in the hotbed, if there is one, for early planting out in the border. Verbenas, Heliotropes, Salvias, &c.. should be propagated for a stock for bedding out, and the old plants repotted. Japan Lilies now brought from the cold frames will afford a succession of bloom in summer. Insects of all kinds should be looked after, especially the red spider, which must be destroyed by syringing with oil soap, or fumigating with sulphur. THE IMPORTANCE OF DEEP CULTIVATION. So many of our ideas of the science of cultivation have' come from our study of English works on gardening, that we naturally and implicitly follow them, without ever reflecting upon the circumstances of our position, in another and remote hemisphere — with a drier atmosphere, — a clearer sky, — a brighter sun, — a warmer summer, — and a colder winter; — in- deed, a climate so ditferent that scarcely a species of the natural vegetation of one country is found indigenous in that of the other. With such a marked difference, therefore, in the products of the New world from that of the Old, should our mode of cultivation, our entire routine of the practice of gardening, be; guided by the rules and systems laid down for the latter ? A little reflection will, we think, decide that they should not : for while we admit that we are largely indebted to the works of English writers for much or a greater part of our knowl- edge in the art of cultivation, and the improvement Avhich has been the result of such information, we still believe^ that a greater degree of advancement might have been made had we taken into consideration the character of our climate and the influences which its difference exerts upon vegetation,. and modified our practice in consequence of such variation. That our American climate does affect to a greater or less extent the physical character of our people, appears to be the general opinion of those who have studied the subject to any extent. A learned Swiss writer, whose remarks we had occasion to notice in our last volume in connection with this subject, has stated that there is '' something in the climate of the country unfavorable to the high development and vigor of the human organization." But whether this is true or not is. not our purpose now to discuss ; the conclusion we arrived at, however, was, that our American climate does injuriously affect foreign varieties of fruit when growing in our soil, and VOL. XXI. NO. III. 15 114 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. that the only possible way of obviating such injury was " deep and thorough trenching of the soiV^ to supply an abundance of moisture, and the only mode in which the natural dryness of our atmosphere could be overcome. Let us look a little into the rationale of this, and learn wherein our practice should differ from that of the other con- tinent, taking, for a comparison, Great Britain. 1st. The average quantity of rain which falls in New Eng- land is greater than that in most parts of Great Britain, though from the proverbially moist climate of that country it is sup- posed to be much less. According to tables regularly kept in the garden of the London Horticultural Society, at Chiswick, near London, the yearly quantity of rain which falls there, is about 28 inches : while at Boston it is about 43 inches, mak- ing the very great difference of fifteen inches in our favor. It is true the larger portion of this great quantity falls in the early spring and late autumn months, before active vegetation commences and after it is nearly suspended, and when it can apparently be less available than in the summer season, during the period of rapid growth : then again our rains fall in large quantities and at remote periods, as was experienced the last year, when the total for 1854 was upwards of 45 inches, the average of the last ten years being only 42 ; yet the drought of last summer was considered one of the most severe we have had for many years. The total quantity of rain for the three months from June to September could not have been more than four or five inches ! Thus, while the rains of Great Britain fall in moderate and drizzling showers, often for several days in succession, ours are sudden, deluging the ground, and are invariably followed by a burning sun which soon evaporates all that has not sunk deep into the soil. 2d. The average temperature of our summers is much higher than that of Great Britain. The tables at Chiswick and Boston exhibited the following averages : — Chiswick. Boston. June, . . . 61.7 June, . . . 67.19 July, . . . 67.7 July, . . . 72.19 August, . . 63.3 August, . . 70.53 MARCH. 115 But this very great difference in the average temperature of London and Boston would not be so remarkable were it not that it is here acfcompanied by an almost cloudless sky, a blazing sun, and parching winds, causing evaporation at a fearful rapidity compared with that under the murky atmos- phere of Great Britain. In the latter, there is a remarkable uniformity in the quantity of rain which falls, the exception being an occasional drought as in 1844, when we visited Lon- don, and found the grass actually brown from the long con- tinued dry weather ; while with us there are constant ex- tremes of drought and rain, the exceptions being an occa- sional moist summer, as in 1850, Our farmers rarely if ever experience any loss in harvesting their crops, while the Brit- ish husbandman is constantly suffering from the dampness of that climate. These at least are two of the important differences between the climate of Great Britain and our own ; and indicate, to our view, that we should not be entirely guided by English works in our system of cultivation, but relying upon all that accords with sound theory combined with practice, add thereto such knowledge as our experience may suggest. We must here counteract as far as possible the excessive dryness of our climate ; and strive to supply a more uniform moisture than our periodical rains afford. The details of this would occupy more room than we can now devote to it ; but we shall refer to it in a future number. At present we cannot occupy the attention of our readers to more advantage than to give the following extract from an able essay on " deep tillage," which we find in the Transac- tions of the Essex Agricultural Society for 1854, by Dr. E. G. Kelley, Evergreens, Newburyport. It will well repay a careful perusal, and afibrd evidence, additional if any is. wanting, of the importance of deep cultivation : — It turns the drought itself to good account, and renders mulching and irrigation comparatively useless, or, if used, more efficacious. During a dry spell and in trenched ground roots strike deeper in search of food and moisture, become more 116 THE MAGAZi'nE OF HORTICULTURE. extensively ramified, and sooner find the rich loam and ma- nure intermingled deeply with the soil. The leaching pro- cess, as it is called, is reversed, and takes place upwards more than at any other time, or, in more scientific phrase, capillary attraction is increased. As each particle of moisture is evap- orated from the surface, it is succeeded by another, and the whole soil is filled with the ascending moisture and gases, which are appropriated by the numerous rootlets as they have need. The wet season is also a blessing to the deep cultivator. The more rain, the more heat, ammonia, carbonic acid, and other organic elements are left in the soil as it descends. As each drop filters through, it is succeeded by another, or by air, both essential to vegetation ; and to dissolve, act on, or combine with, the inorganic elements of the soil. As the water drains off, air is sure to follow, and this is the proper mode of its circulation. Each is also generally at a higher temperature than the undrained land, and the warmth of the under soil is therefore relatively increased. The farmer often objects to this waste of water, and would fain retain it for a dry time ! The trenched and porous soil holds water like a sponge, notwithstanding the drainage. It retains or can com- mand enough for the wants of vegetation. But let us see the operation on the undrained land. The farmer often speaks of his "cold wet land." No va- riety of soil, in any location, is, of itself, colder than another. The very water which trenching, draining, &c,, allow to pass off after imparting its virtues to the soil, if retained on or near the surface by hard impervious subsoil, becomes itself, by its changes, the source of the coldness complained of. Instead of running off, it evaporates, and by this process ab- • stracts a great quantity of heat from the soil and surrounding atmosphere. The evaporation of a pound of water requires about 1000° of heat ; some authors stating it less and others more. Or it reduces 100 pounds of air 45°. This is revers- ing the experiment of Prof. Johnson, in Espy's " Book of Storms,^^ where he says, " a pound of vapor" condensed to water "would heat 100 pounds of air about 45°." The MARCH. iir ground to a considerable depth is warmer, by many degrees, where the rain is drained off, instead of being allowed to accumulate and evaporate. Hence this enormous loss of an invaluable stimulus to vegetation. This chilling and deadly process of evaporation is going on to excess from the time frost comes out of the ground in the spring, till freezing again occurs. At this period, the mi- drained land, having the most water to freeze, becomes the warmest, say in December, when of no value to vegetation, but rather an injury. For once, forsooth, the undrained land is warmer than the drained ! But for this excess of heat in winter, this kind of land must pay dearly in early spring. How is all this ? inquires the farmer. Simply because water, in congealing to either ice or snow, has its capacity for heat lessened about one ninth, and this excess is given off to sur- rounding bodies ; or, in other words, its latent heat is set free. On the other hand, ice, or frost as it is called in the ground, in melting, demands back this same heat, at the rate of from one eighth to one ninth of 1000°, for every pound melted ; and under the surface it does not obtain all this directly from the sun, but through the soil : therefore the more water, the colder and longer cold will be the land in the spring. Now let the agriculturist go to work and make this "cold, wet, heavy land" of his, the very best he has for any product, trees, vegetables, grains, or grasses. ILLUSIVE DISTANCES AND MAGNITUDES. BY WILSON FLAGG. Every one must have observed, in the course of his own peregrinations, how tiresome it is to walk over a straight and level road, leading through a monotonous landscape. The objects beheld in the distance ahead seem nearer than they really are, and constantly disappoint us by the length of time that elapses before we arrive at them. Apparent distance is greatly lessened when, as in a straight road, we cannot take 118 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. cognizance of intervening objects, that hide one another and are apparently crowded together, so that the spaces that sep- arate them cannot be seen. Tiiere is in this case no means presented to the eye, by which it can make an accurate esti- mate of distance. Hence the tiresomeness of a road in which an object, several miles off, seems only a few steps beyond an intervening object that is but half way to it. Were the road to bend in such a manner as to exhibit this half-way point in the middle of a curve, and the point we were striv- ing to reach at the end of it, their relative distances would be perceived, and the journey would be less tiresome. When we are walking on a straight road, like a person in a tread- mill, we do not seem to advance ; while on a bending road, we are able to measure our own progress and feel a propor- tional satisfaction. Hence the principle is made evident, that apparent distance is shortened when objects, arranged in straight lines, are viewed in the direction of the lines ; and in proportion as the apparent distance is shorter than the real distance, in that part of our route which can be seen, does the journey become tiresome. These remarks apply equally well to all forms of space. A square field, laid out with regular rows of trees, would seem to have smaller dimensions than one of equal size, planted in an irregular manner with single trees, clumps and groups, separated by intervening lawn or meadow. The reason is, that mathematical arrangements enable the mind to comprehend all that can be seen at one view, while irregular arrangements render it necessary to study the grounds and to look at them repeatedly before we can grasp the whole in the mind's eye : and in the same ratio as more can be seen and compreViended at one glance, will the space or distance be lessened in apparent magnitude. Of any given figure, a va- cant surface is the most easily comprehended. Supposing it to be circular and occupying several acres — if the whole were filled with objects arranged in such a manner as to form a kaleidoscopic figure, the eye would see the whole arrange- ment at a glance, and it would be comprehended with nearly as much facility as a circle of vacant space. But if it be MARCH. 119 filled up with objects irregularly disposed and not crowded, though the eye would see the whole space as fully in this instance as in the other, yet the mind having no geometrical assistance could not so easily comprehend it, and it would seem proportionably of larger size. The eye, as I have already intimated, is not the only sub- ject for deception. The mind is deceived, when we walk over an irregular winding path, that leads us in a constantly varying course through a wood not divested of its under- growth. In this case the deception fails, unless the shrub- bery is sufficiently close to prevent our seeing the ground we have traversed. The mind then miscalculates space and dis- tance, by estimating them from the number of steps we seem to have taken, and from the united lengths of the paths whose circuities we could not correctly map on the mind's eye. The same winding paths over an open plain would not delude the traveller, and would be proportionally tiresome ; for we judge of space and distance not only by what we see, but also by reflecting on the probable number of our steps. We may observe the operation of the same principles in our calculation of time. The greater the number and variety of incidents that have occurred to us in the course of a week, the longer does the time appear in review, because the mind must be employed a longer time in recollecting them. Yet it may seem strange, that, under the same circumstances, the time seems to pass more rapidly during the occurrence of these incidents, provided they are sufficiently interesting to occupy the mind or employ the hands. I can easily imagine that of two men of the same age who should be employed in reviewing their lives, the past years would seem longer to tha one who had been engaged successively in a great variety of adventures and occupations, than to the other, who had pursued one routine of monotonous avocations from the be- ginning to the end of his career. The time spent in a prison must to the prisoner seem most dismally protracted ; but to the wretched man who had passed all his days in confine- ment, his life in review must seem short indeed. The time occupied in walking alone over a long, straight 120 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. and monotonous road, with dull and unmeaning prospects, seems, during the walk, almost an age. But when we think upon it the next day, after our weariness is over, the time consumed in the walk seems very short, because we can re- member only a few objects and incidents in connection with it. On the other hand, if we walk the same distance over a winding road, pleasantly diversified, and constantly opening into new and beautiful scenes and landscapes, the time, while thus occupied, seems to pass very rapidly. But after the journey is ended, and we review the scenes and objects we beheld, the time seems long in the retrospect, in proportion to the number of scenes that pass before the memory, and the distance seems greater than the same length of straight and level road. In my early days, when I was at school about eighteen miles from home, it was my habit, with two of my school- fellows, to return home on foot at the end of our terms. I shall never forget the different feelings with which we walked over the successive stages of this journey. The greater part of the route was an agreeable mixture of wood and open landscape, interspersed with farms and farm houses ; and con- ducted us nearly all the way through a thinly inhabited por- tion of the country. There was one part of the road that, for the space of about four miles, led us in a direct course, except that we were constantly rising and descending the hills over which it passed. This would have been a pleasant diversion, provided at every ascent we had gained the sight of some new object, that assured us of our progress. On the contrary, in ever tiresome repetition, whenever we arrived at the summit of each succeeding elevation, we always saw before us, apparently no nearer than it was a mile back, the steeple of the Middleton Meeting-house. This was more trying to our patience than a straight and level road, because we were constantly hoping, when we were down in the val- leys, that on gaining the next ascent, we should see some pleasant change in the prospect, or something to assure us that we were gaining ground, and we were as constantly dis- appointed. MARCH. 121 There is a wood in my native town, in which I have often got bewildered, on account of the number and intricacy of the paths that have been made through it in different direc- tions. These intricacies have caused the wood to seem to most people who have frequented it a great deal larger than it really is ; and I well recollect my own surprise, on seeing its actual comparative dimensions projected on a map. The paths, by leading one along in miscellaneous courses, and in various directions, and being soon lost upon the sight after one had passed over them, on account of intervening thickets, knolls and elevations, prevent the traveller from re- alizing how closely he is confined to a very small space. If the visitor, under these circumstances, were conducted over paths whose united lengths would measure two or three miles, it would be difficult to convince him, if such were the truth, that he had not stepped beyond the limits of a (ew acres. The delusion is created by leading one to suppose that he is making progress while he is unconsciously travelling to and fro, and often crossing his former track, within a very limited space. All these entanglements may agreeably deceive the mind, unless, from an eminence, the real extent of the tract should be revealed to sight. For the perfection of such an illusion, objects and scenes should be multiplied without being crowd- ed. Wherever they are crowded the spot partakes of the character of unity, as in open vale or continuous forest. In the wood I have named, there is a happy mixture of lawn, grove and ticket ; and in no case does any opening disclose the boundaries of the tract. When man undertakes to imi- tate these charming results of nature and accident, he often fails by creating appearances too plainly evincing design : for when we imitate nature only in her irregularities, and omit the remaining one thousand and one details which are equally important, we lay all our works open to suspicion. A success- ful imitation of these results cannot be made without taking one's lessons from nature herself, and copying those scenes in which the hand of the rustic, without any design except that of opening passages through a wood for his own conven- VOL. XXI. NO. III. 16 122 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. ience, has unintentionally cooperated with nature in produc- ing a perfect landscape. By a successful imitation of these happy accidents of na- ture, certain agreeable ilhisions are occasioned that increase the capacity of the grounds to confer pleasure upon the vis- itor or occupant. By such contrivances we may economize space for the eye and the mind, as the intelligent husband- man economizes space for the increase of produce. The greater the number of different scenes that are congregated in one spot, or of prospects that may be obtained from its eleva- tions and openings, the greater is the amount of enjoyment that may be derived from it ; and if by such arts we could render a few acres of ground more ample in apparent dimen- sions and in real variety of scenery and objects, than our neighbor's square mile, our few acres, considered with refer- ence to pleasure and prospect, would be more truly valuable than our neighbor's square mile. In proportion to the variety of scenes, inside and out of the grounds, other things being equal, will the apparent mag- nitude of the place be increased. If the tract be entirely level, there is in general but little chance for obtaining pros- pect outside of its limits : but the visitor may be led through a great variety of scenes, formed by the various dispositions of wood, lawn and shrubbery. In the wood from which I have drawn my preceding illustrations, there is, on a contin- ued level of considerable extent, a charming example of this variety. Here may be seen a narrow grove or plantation of trees and shrubs, standing in open lawn, the undergrowth serving to hide the space beyond it. It is the only object on a level pasture of about a half an acre, and stands nearly in the centre of it. A number of narrow strips of coppice of irregular forms, often bended into a shape approaching that of a crescent, produce a sort of broken belt around this pas- ture. The spaces between these crescent-shaped masses of trees and shrubbery give rise to an intricacy in our progress over the grounds, and serve the purpose of a regular belt, without any of that artificial stiffness and formality, so ap- parent in a uniform belt which has been planted as the boun- dary to an estate. MARCH. 123 Oil emerging ffom these little plantations, rising like islands out of the plain, a small lake appears in sight bounded on the opposite side by another coppice that reaches to the water's edge. This grove is very narrow in width, but so close as not to reveal the little dell, into which we enter by a rustic cart path opening through the trees. If the underwood were removed, allowing one to see through it into the space be- yond, a great part of the pleasing illusion would vanish. The prospect of the collection of water would be less charm- ing, and the intricacy and variety of the scenery would be diminished, by revealing the space beyond, and leaving nothing to be supplied by the imagination, or to take the vis- itor by surprise. This tract which, including a space of sev- eral acres, is a perfect level, seems to the visitor nearly double its actual size. When we pass round the pond and its mar- ginal wood, we are apt to imagine that this grove, separating us fram a view of the pond, is as deep as it is broad. Were the whole ground which is thus agreeably diversified only one unvaried and open plain, or undivided forest, the apparent extent of it would be greatly diminished. On this plain I have known several small parties, employed in picking whor- tleberries, to be assembled within a few rods of one another, without being fully aware of the presence of any except their own party. All the conditions I have enumerated are occasionally found, as the combined result of the spontaneous efforts of nature and the labor of man operating without reference to any such ends : and I have generally observed that when men operate with deliberate intention of beautifying a spot, they are more apt to fail than the rustic, who attends only to his crops, and leaves the rest to nature. Any combination of forms, in the outlines of wood scenery, and in the course of streams which may fortuitously occur, would not be ridicu- lous as a work of art : but as soon as the designer ventures greatly beyond this limit, and produces, as the special imita- tion of nature, something plainly beyond the reach of natural accidents, the manifest artificial character displeases and of- fends the beholder. Such would be any strictly geometrical 124 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. figures or arrangements, either in the direction of the paths, or ill the outlines of the groves, copses and open dales, by which the tract is diversified. If we examine a natural lawn or meadow, partially covered with wood which has grown up spontaneously since the orig- inal clearing of the forest, where the grounds have been con- stantly pastured by cattle, we find groves, coppices and thick- ets standing at irregular distances apart, and assuming very anomalous shapes. It is not by any means certain, however, that you may not find one nearly circular in its outlines. Al- most any other simple geometrical figure may be approxima- ted : but these can never be perfect, nor can there be many of them in one place. The author of the universe has given to the heavenly bodies a spherical form, and causes them to revolve in elliptical orbits, or in orbits of some precise geo- metrical figure. Were their courses not directed with perfect mathematical precision, they could not revolve in such unde- viating harmony, and there could be no regularity in their movements, or in the courses of the seasons, and other peri- ods of time. But in the disposition of the objects on the face of the earth, nature has observed no such regularity. She has raised her mountains and depressed her valleys, with- out apparent method ; and she leads her rivers along through the mountains and over the plains, in equally irregular courses. He who imagines that by laying out his avenues in nicely drawn curves, he is imitating the course of rivers, is as great- ly in error, as one who should suppose that by quincunx, he is imitating nature's method of planting trees. The course of rivers is often in a direct line, seldom angular, frequently winding and crooked, but seldom or never forming an even or geometrical curve. If, therefore, we would imitate nature, we must draw no perfect mathematical lines or figures, nor should we be profuse in our approximations to them, if we would avoid the appearance of formality. Our own country is full of these charming landscapes, and perhaps no other country on earth has received so many ex- ternal advantages, and such a variety of scenery from the hand of nature. We need not visit England to study and MARCH. 125 leani the work we have to do : for nature, who is tlie only correct teacher, is here before us, uudespoiled, as in the mother country, by the vagaries of ostentatious improvers. The English artists in landscape have made only a few advances towards what may be truly styled the natural system of lay- ing out grounds. They have studied nature, for their artis- tical purposes, only with reference to her forms. They do not follow her in her groupings of natural objects. In their works we see the taste of the painter and the cultivator, and the proofs of but little sympathy with the poet or the naturalist. In a perfect landscape the ideas of each should be incorporated in one great harmonious design : and this will seldom be done, because it can be carried out only by the sacrifice of one's vanity. No circumstance that does not immediately affect the hapr piness of the community seems to me of greater importance, than to preserve these natural landscapes, like those from which I have drawn my illustrations, in their present condi- tion. Almost every village in New England contains more or less of them, but they are rapidly disappearing before the besom of " enterprise." They are most numerous and char- acteristic in those old towns which have been long occupied almost exclusively by farmers, and which have not been ex- posed t(t the ravages of a more advanced civilization ; for what the Goths and Vandals were to the cities of Greece and Rome, the enterprising classes of the Anglo-Americans are to all these beautiful haunts of the Rural Deities. The rustic may for centuries dwell harmlessly by their side, and work hand in hand with nature, and see the face of the country improving in beauty with each succeeding generation. But let there be a sudden inroad of that sort of people who are supposed to be the true representatives of Young America, and with " enterprise" for their motto, they lay in ruins, with remorseless sacrilege, every object that would delight the heart of a true lover of nature, and then point exultingly to the bald hills and plains, as if their ravages were proofs of their civilization. 126 , THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. VISIT TO A LOCALITY OF THE CLIMBING FERN. BY J. L. RUSSELL, PROF. BOTANY TO MASS. HORT. SOC. &c. It is pres imable that the readers of this Magazine have be- come acquainted, through the pages of that remarkable book, (which treats of a pleasant and romantic life passed near a little lake called Walden Pond,) with such a town in Massa- chusetts as Concord, even if its earlier historical reminiscen- ces may not have made it a name familiar to the ear. To some, this name may call up associations of literature, of assthetic tastes and pursuits, and of elegant and classical lei- sure ; to others, it may be attractive for the sensations of the homefeeling which it awakens : but to me, at the present mo- ment at least, it is associated with a delightful day in August, and with a pleasant ramble such as is seldom enjoyed within an hour's ride of the city. My memory brings back to me a bright, clear, sunny day, with a fine air, just enough to temper the rays of such a sim as had been wonting itself to shine for successive day after day amidst a general and widespread drought. Who will forget the parched aspect of the last summer, the deep dusty roads, the desiccated pasture lands : and even the retreating streams and rivers, leaving marge and width enough on their flatter shores for other investigations than those which belong to the botanist ? And while the drooping and withering plants of the garden testified to the ardor of such a sun's continuous shine, it were no wonder that a similar aspect should be worn by the wildings of the copse, the tenants of the thin-soiled rocky spots, or the lowlier forms of vegetable life which sheltered themselves beneath the trunks of trees of a larger growth. It was not to herborize that I might ob- tain much variety, that I accompanied my friend Thoreau in our ramble and excm'sion on that sixteenth day of August, 1854 : but the rather to feast my eyes, through aid of his at- tention and kindness, on the locality of the veritable Lygo- dium pahn'itum (Sw'tz), and to gather therefrom such choicer specimens as should grace my collection of our New England Filices. MARCH. 127 It was a gladsome morning, such as that " queen of the waters," our iVymphae^a odorata, which we delight to call by way of preeminence, the Pond Lily^ loves to greet, with its fairest outspread snowy petals as they expand to the bright rays of the sun. There they were floating, those lihes, in regal placidness on the scarcely moving current of the stream, over which we took our way to leave behind us the dusty road and the busier haunts of men. Their beauty and love- liness did not make us oblivious, however, to whatever else grew beside the very road, though never so homely in attire or besoiled and dust-covered, they might be. The eye that is patient, curious and on the alert to mark all that lies around its range of vision, can always find subjects enough for its study and contemplation. It may be now an oak, roughly scored by the furrowing lines of Time upon its brave and hardy bole, and all the more richly green in its smoothed and shining foliage. It may be, anon, the earliest golden rod or the first flowering aster, foretelling by their lustrous wand, or by their meek azure starry eyes, the coming autumn and the approaching end of the year. Hardy, yet mysteriously in- teresting, those autumnal flowers which are termed Synge- nesious, whose puzzling forms make them the more attractive and worthier our search ! They symbolize too the richness of Nature — not delicately ornate in rosy and paly purple, or even luxuriously gorgeous in crimson and scarlet hues — but of more solid types, of gold and silver, or of azure and cerulean, like the very sky ! The autumnal Apargia glittering all over the fields, to remind us again of that vernal, welcome guest the Leontodon ; the one the dandelion of spring — the other the sister cospecies of the fading year ! The golden rods, of every contour of elegance, in thyrse or spike, or fastigiate or plumy or pendent or stifl^'y erect : all glowing in richest gold : some so tall as to wave majestically above us — and others so curt and small as to claim our obeisance to them. We are so accustomed to see them year after year that we soon learn to little heed them, and they become only coarse weeds — alas ! for utilitarian no- tions of our Saxon prejudices — alas ! for a want of a more 128 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. generally Mnder spread appreciation and culture of the sense of the beautiful ! I have been assured that that most com- mon New England species (Solidago nemorulis), with its small, leaning heads of flowers, and grayish, pulverulent stems and leaves, has been seen in Europe, introduced as a border plant to decorate avenues and garden walks ; and I am sure that there are several besides of more beauty, that would not illy compare with many an exotic cultivated with laudable perseverance and assiduity. Our wayward course led us to the examination and compar- ison of many of these brilliant specimens as they occurred here and there. I was only surprised at the variety of spe- cies to be found in the circuit of our morning's stroll, and am sure that an exploration of the capabilities of the Flora of Concord would almost verify an enthusiastic remark of one of her native-born citizens, an ardent botanist when a younger man than he is now — " that you might find anything /Acre which grows in New England." A local flora restricted by such narrow geographical limits, as belong to a town, so rich and diversified, were of course ideal ; yet much might be pardoned, in such an estimation, when variety so remarkable as obtains, is apparent. Though some of the finer and nobler golden rods were thus significant of the season of the year, a few only of their com- panions, the asters, were perceptible. These, as yet, were the smaller and less conspicuous species ; yet in sufficient variety of forms to attract our regard. Nothing indeed was disregarded, which might raise a question or elicit a remark : and the varied aspect of the soil, which alternated as we roamed about, with the sandy and drier alluvial deposit of ancient beds of the stream, or with the sphagnous and spongy bog converted into a meadow through which a pleasant cool and sparkling brook was winding its circuitous course, was constantly pre- senting in turn the plants indigenous to the spots. At length we turned away from these more cultivated areas, which bore unequivocal marks of the industrious hand of both the civil- ized and the savage man : of him who shaped the rude arrow head and clipped into symmetrical forms the harder stones MARCH. 129 for weapons of the chase ; or of those, who had planted or- chards, and builded many a rood of stone wall now crumb- ling and falling to decay. Taking our path amidst the mixed growth of pine and oak. and of trees usually social in a thin soil, the white spire of some meeting-house or belfry of some factory-building for- bade the thought of wild nature, even had not the mingled character of the productions of the soil in the introduced as well as native species told the same tale. For, not only " man's busy generations" pass away, and one crowds out another, but the same mysterious order is seen in the plan of nature in her other kingdoms. It is not many years after a new area is opened to civilization, ere the local and native flora becomes so mingled and changed as to puzzle the inves- tigator. Many of our most beautiful and delicate natives in the vegetable world, fade instantly away before the axe, with the fall of the sheltering and massive forms which were their contemporaries through centuries, (it may be) of a primitive age : and as if they were parasites of the soil in its virgin condition we find them refusing to grow upon it when it has become violated by the art and design of man. And then come hosts of weeds springing up under his feet ; plants out of place, as all weeds are ; and only so, made into weeds, marching proudly beside him, on the track of the plough, be- side his log-built hut in the woods and forests, near the shade of his lordly mansion or revelling amid his choicely cultured flowers, the sturdy beggars of foreign climes as they are ! It was no day, that, for the display of the rejuvenescent mosses, and cheery, brightening lichens, which anon old and grey in aspect, on stone or paling or tree-trunk, may suddenly vivify and freshen under the eye, should a passing shower meet their spongy fronds and be imbibed in a moment of time ! I admire these freaks of Dame Nature, and I have often watched them too, when as if by the moving of a magic wand, where a moment ago there was a seeming ster- rility, now there is verdure and beauty suddenly sprung into life ! Yet we were in quest of a plant belonging to the class which embraces them — it nevertheless many steps higher, VOL. XXI. NO. Ill, 17 130 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. and the link between the flowerless and flowering vegetation. And as I had associated, by some unknown process of my mind, quite a peculiar situation and locale for the object of my visit, judge my surprise to find every bush of a thicket of Andromeda, Viburnum, Yaccinium, &c. &c., entwined with the delicate stems of the actually living, growing and elegant Climbing Fern ! Dr. Bigelow, in his Florida Bosioniensis, informs us that this rare fern was cultivated " at the Botanic Garden, Cam- bridge, brought from Granby, Massachusetts :" and in the third edition of this useful manual we are also told that Mr. Eddy detected it '•' on the Blackstone Canal." I freely con- fess to the fact, however, that in my herborizations 1 never had the good fortune to discover any native locality ; and can recal the satisfaction I used to experience whenever I took an opportunity of seeing that individual specimen under the fostering care of my old friend Carter, as it grew in the gar- den at Cambridge, where he held the situation of gardener so well and so honorably for many a year. I find thirteen distinct species of Lygodium beside our New England species, enumerated in Kunz's Index jilicutn. Sev- eral of them seem to inhabit the tropics, some the Asiatic re- gions, while Japan and China of the Old world find cospe- cies of their forms in somewhat kindred temperatures of our own verstitile New England climate. Nuttall assures us that our species under present consid- eration is met with '• in thickets on the swampy margins of small water courses from New Jersey to Carolina ; rare :" and that it had been seen living "near Hyde's Town, New Jer- sey, and near Alston, by Z. Collins, Esq.," according to his Genem of North American Plants, published in 1818. Professor John Torrey, in the State Report on the Flora of New York, remarks that the specimens to which he made allusion, as being found in the State of New York, " were col- lected in the most northern part of Pennsylvania near the New York line," and that it grows " near the Raritan River below New Brunswick in New Jersey." Appended to this Report, among other plants figured, may be seen a fair copy of our MARCH, 131 present species, the Lygodium palmatum, on the 161st plate of that valuable work. These northern localities for the L. yahnatum renders the assertion in Loudon's Encyclopcedia of Plants somewhat remarkable, where it is said that " although a North Ameri- can plant, it must have the protection of a good frame" under British culture. It is a great pity that some of our own florists and amateur cultivators of beautiful plants should not, among other im- ported notions from England, derive a share of a taste prev- alent there, for the cultivation of North American productions, to a greater extent than we usually see. But in order to this, a better method of ascertaining what grows around us should first get hold of the public mind, and an acquaintance with plants in their native habitats should be Avider diffused. There is many a beautiful fern that would grow with a little attention under the shade of trees, for example, where we find it difficult to cover the ground with anything that looks verdant ; and in a few instances I have seen this done with success. Many of the ferns too are remarkably patient of drought, reviving on the tardy visit of the shower ; and some are of perennial verdure, giving a cheerful aspect to winter by their sempervirent fronds. The stems of the New England climbing fern are very smooth, very slender, flexile, bearing alternate branches or petioles, supporting each a rounded, heart-shaped, four or more lobed frondlet or leaf; and the entire plant surmounted by nu- merous very narrow leaflets, the which, when examined, are found to be the seed-bearing organs, composing a sort of com- pound terminal panicle. This conformation gives an exqui- site finish to the contour of the whole ; and the marked dif- ference between the barren and fertile leaflets on the same individual plant, adds much to the effect. When one of these long and delicate plants is thus carefully unwound from its rude native support, (some prickly stem of a wild rose very likely,) and dried with care, I scarcely know of any specimen more attractive in the herbarium. Such specimens of extraordinary beauty were shown me by my friend Tho- 132 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. REAU, prepared with the artistic skill which the members of his family so well understand. An enthusiastical botanical ac- quaintance, lately coming into possession of one of these Concord specimens, thus speaks — " W. brought me a most beautiful specimen of Lygodium palmatum ; it was nearly four feet long and preserved in a fine manner." You will readily understand, Mr. Editor, how your friend, the narrator of this (perhaps, tediously long drawn) story of a little brake, did not delay in culling many a fair and perfect specimen and transferring it to his collecting vasculum. And from what I know of your own tastes and the satisfaction, a recollection of your collecting of the plants of Cambridge gave you in former days, I am persuaded that you can easily understand why the sixteenth day of August, 1854, was a day to be remembered with satisfaction and pleasure. The peculiar natural features of Concord are not however to be seen by a glance at its landscape, nor from a ramble over its varied surface : but one must make a voyage on the usually calm and smooth bosom of its stream, as it winds its way through the meadows which lie on its banks. This tour of discovery into unknown regions of fairy land had been long the prime wish of my heart ever since Hawthorne sojourned in the old Manse near which it flows, and passed whole days in some skiff with a choice companion or two on its waters ; or enjoyed its solitude on its picturesque shores. Embarking in a similar skiff with him, who has shown him- self equally experienced in fresh water craft as he is ingen- ious in the details of a solitary rural life, I was severally in- troduced by Thoreau to the aquatics which grew upon, and near, and under the stream. Now we saw myriads of the white water lily closing their petals as the sun had passed his meridian height, and deep fringes of Pontederia, whose rich blue flowers surpass even the orient hyacinth : and Poly- gonums, from the acrid water-pepper to the richer and bolder spikes of those species which affect tbe deeper parts of the river, and one particular kind new to me, and considered a little known or undescribed species by my guide and friend, but which closer and longer examination than I was able to MARCH. 133 allow myself could only determine. Here also was the Kalni's yellow water lily with its diminutive flowers, not much larger to the seeming, than the buttercup of the mead- ows ; and Potamogctons, whose variety might employ a lover of their forms for many a long day for his study ; and fring- ing the bank with massive clusters of pale lilac purple, were suspended in festoons over bush and brier, the beautiful Mikania scandens^ flowers ; while the slanting rays of the evening sun at length helped to render more iridescent the lower portions of the stems of sundry gigantic specimens of Scirpus, those bayonet rushes, and greater club rushes and similar Cyperaceous plants, which delight in deep muddy places on still and gentle streams. It was here too that the roseate flowered Althaea (Hibiscus virginicus, L. ) is found, as I had occular proof on visiting a spot by the river bank on the next day ; and scattered at intervals along the entire reach of the stream may be traced noble specimens of the sugar maple (^^cer saccharinum), rearing themselves from seeds wafted by the river itself from the more interior regions, amidst which it takes its rise in tributaries to its waters. A thousand thanks, Mr. Russell, for your " story of a little brake," spun out none too long for us, and we hope none too long for our readers. Truly we are transported back into those earlier years you so freshly bring to mind, when every balmy day of summer and every pleasant morn of autumn found us sauntering through the once rich flora of Cambridge and its adjacent villages for specimens of the " earliest golden rod," the " first flowering aster," and other plants you have enumerated as enriching the meadows and pastures of old Concord. Full many a species does our own herbarium (long laid aside for more active duties) contain, though by no means to be named with your own rich, varied and ex- tensive collection : yet, poor as it is, we never turn over its sheets, but we revel in dream land — flitting over green fields, dewy meadows and mossy banks, strewn with those favorite New England flowers, now driven out from the abodes of men, neglected, forgotten, and their places usurped by those 134 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTUKE. of Other climes. Your delight when meeting with the " Walking Fern" must have been akin to that we felt our- selves, when, strolling through the meadows of Somerville (once Charlestown), full many a bygone year, we first met with the lovely fringed gentian, " Bright with the morning dew And colored with the heaven's own blue." The ferns are many of them extremely beautiful, and well worthy the attention of cultivators ; happy are we to know they are already ingratiating themselves into the good will of many amateurs, and we hope to do our part to make them better known, and more frequent companions in the gardens of all who duly appreciate the beautiful, whether it be in the contour and elegance of some favorite flower or in the graceful verdure of some native fern. — Ed. THE GARDENS OF THE SOUTH. BY ANDREW GRAY, SAVANNAH, GA. In my last communication I gave you some account of the grounds and lawn at tliis place, briefly describing the orna- mental trees : two or three, however, I omitted to mention, which I shall here notice, ere proceeding with another section of our place. The spruce and balsam firs, both natives of the mountain ranges, have stood here for some twelve or fifteen years, but have made very slow growth, as neither of them now exceeds nine feet in height, while the Cedrus De- odara has grown six feet during the last three years ; but Cedrus Libani, instead of being that gigantic object I have seen it in the grounds of Hopeton House, Scotland, would readily pass for /uniperus prostrata. It probably has not ad- vanced in height over eighteen inches during ten years. Araucaria imbricata and braziliensis both stand out in the South ; the former I think will make a very handsome tree, but the latter grows too straggling. Our deciduous trees, of any importance, are the Catalpa, Pecan nut, Walnut, and MARCH. 135 Pride of India tree, (MeUa Azedarach.) The latter, when in flower, is an object of considerable merit. It grows to about thirty or forty feet high, of a spreading habit ; leaves bipinuatifid, deeply serrated ; flowers, racemose ; color, light purple. When these, in profuse masses, are pending from its twigs, it is indeed a most ornamental object ; and in addition, it answers well as a shade tree : in fact, it is planted on some of the streets of Savannah for that very purpose. The further outlines which I shall notice at present is an avenue from the stables which forms almost a circle, but has a branch leading out at each end of the lot, and a setoff" which leads to the front door of the mansion ; one half of this cir- cuitous avenue divides the lawn from the orchard, and is lined on each side with the Cerasus caroliniensis and orange trees. I shall now speak of* the orchard, and I hope you will not be disappointed if I cannot tell you of heavily laden trees, with luscious fruits of the " sunny South." At the same time it may not be wholly barren of interest to know what experiments have been made here, and what results have been accomplished. There are oranges, lemons, pears, plums, peaches, pomegranates, apples, apricots, olive and fig trees all planted on the same piece of ground ; but their remunerative value will be seen from the sequel. Oranges and Lemons are nearly of the same nature, the lemon being a little more tender than the orange, but both grow here luxuriant and would bear fruit abundantly were it not that we at times feel a little too much of the cold North. Our thermometer generally indicates 12 and 14° of frost sometime during every winter. The orange trees will stand 12° of frost with merely shrivelling the leaves ; 14° turns a good many of the leaves yellow and destroys the tender twigs ; anything above that greatly injures the tree, and 18° is their death blow. For a number of winters previous to 1851-52, the temperature had not reached that low point ; consequently the orange trees had attained a good size, and were bearing fruit pretty well ; but that winter, all the trees here and in the neighborhood were cut down to the ground. 136 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. One tree, from which I pulled in one season nearly two bush- els of good oranges, and the trunk of which was nearly eight inches in diameter, was killed to the ground. Their roots, however, survive, and they spring up with surprising vigor, making shoots sometimes eight feet in one season, and are again in bearing condition in three or four years, if no further mishap occur. Pears. — Several varieties have been planted out here, but they have not, as yet, matured any fruit ; they come into blossom at uncertain seasons of the year, according to the weather ; if the winter keeps pretty regularly cold, they do not bud out until a proper time to blossom; but it is some- times so mild in January that they bloom and get destroyed with frost in February and March. When the summer has been so dry as to severely check their growth, they come into blossom in October, and are soon lost in the cold gusts of November. Plums. — The imported varieties have never done any good, and are subject to the unnatural phenomenon described above. There is a native plum which bears abundantly, but it is smaller in size than the Royal Gage, and inferior in fla- vor to the Damson. It is also subject to falling off before ripe : by cultivation it is greatly improved. Peaches. — There are several varieties of this fruit ; such as have been raised from seed here succeed very well ; they grow very rapidly from seed, and in three years are large trees bearing fruit : but the trees generally are short lived. Pomegranates. — This shrub thrives very well in this lati- tude, and indeed seems to be of easy culture, bearing fruit freely where there is any cultivation bestowed. Apples. — Those raised in northern latitudes do not succeed here ; but several varieties, natives or raised from seed here, mature for summer use ; but I believe there are none adapted for keeping. Apricots, like foreign plums, have never done any good ; the trees live, but make very stunted growth. I have not even seen them blossom. There are two things which act unfavorably on this fruit, viz., the extreme hot sun and the MARCH. 137 drought, which I have no doubt will ever keep them from maturing. Olives. — So far as the experiment with this South-of- Europe plant has been tried, it seems to give the hope that olive oil may be produced in this country. We have one tree which has been planted out several years and is growing vigorously ; neither the cold of winter nor the heat of sum- mer seems to affect it. Figs. — This is the fruit of the South which we are certain of having one crop per annum ; and if the spring is mild, the first crop matures in June, the second or reliable crop in August and September ; as an extra hit of fructification they bear a third crop, but, like the first, seldom matures, being cut off by early frosts. Such is my report on the orchard. It might be somewhat better if our mode of culture was not at fault. IMPROVED VARIETIES OF THE SHELLBARK. BY S. HALE, KEKNE, N. U. Although it may not be possible to improve the qualities of our indigenous fruits by cultivation merely, yet the skill and perseverance of man may assist nature to produce new and improved varieties. If the luscious plum is, as some- body has said, a lineal descendant, by a fortunate line, of the sloe ; and if the trees, which bear what is called the English Walnut, may trace their remote parentage to the same an- cestor as the trees scattered over Europe, in forests and hedges, bearing small and thick-skulled nuts, there is good reason to believe that the fruit of our own wild walnut or hickory may be at least enlarged in size, and its shell made thinner. If it can be done by any aid furnished by man to nature, it ought to be done, and begun to be done quickly, though the chief benefit may be enjoyed by those who shall come- after us. Reason, enlightened by experience, tells us that it can be done, and how it can be done. VOL. XXI. NO. III. 18 138 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. The farmer has ascertained that large, pkimp and heavy- grain produces better plants and a larger kernel than such as is shrivelled and light. And the gardener, if he wishes to raise large seed or fruit of any kind, peas for instance, selects and sows large peas only ; and after several successive crops, at each- time selecting the largest peas, obtains a larger variety than he began with. ,, A similar course should be pursued with the shellbark. The largest nuts only should be planted, and these should be planted in appropriate soil and in a chosen locality. As the young tree sends out but few side roots, and as these run far without rootlets, it does not bear transplanting well ; and if the nuts are planted in a nursery, it might be expedient to cut these off, a foot or more from the stem, to force out rootlets. None, (certainly not the most vigorous,) should be grafted. The nurseryman, who should make the experiment pro- posed, would probably be more than compensated for his trouble and expense by the sale of his trees. The shellbark hickory ranks high as an ornamental tree. Its buds, when swelled in the spring, are quite large, conspicuous and beau- tiful, and when opening, still more beautiful. Its leaves are of a deep green color and of large size, and its shape always good looking and sometimes graceful and elegant. Emerson and Downing commend it highly. When it becomes too tall, or stands in the way, its value in the arts, or for fire wood, would be greater than the first cost and lawful interest. I hope, Mr. Editor, that you will try the experiment, and if you do, " may you live a thousand years" to crack and eat nuts produced by the shellbark hickory improved. But you need not live so long to begin to crack and eat. Last fall I gathered the fifth crop, a full peck, from a tree transplanted by myself from a neighboring town. The nuts were larger than I had been accustomed to see, many of them measuring three inches in circumference — half an inch more than Emerson's maximum. We commend the remarks of our correspondent to the attention of our readers. That the §hellbark may be greatly MARCH. 139 improved through the medhim of the seeds or nuts, we al- ready have good evidence in the growth of the " Perkiomen" shellbark, a native of Pennsylvania, a specimen of which we have now before us, presented by Dr. Brinckle of Philadel- phia, who has noticed it in his reports to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, as will be seen by a reference to a pre-- vious volume of the Magazine (XIX, p. 520. j It is a fine example of the hickory fruit, to us the best of all our indige- nous nuts. That some idea may be formed of its magnitude, we annex the following engraving (fig. 5) : — It is imdoubtedly the largest yet produced, measuring an inch and three quarters long, one and five eighths wide and one thick, or four inches round one way and four and a half the other, thus exceeding Mr. Hale's specimens owe inch, and Mr. Emerson's max- imum size, one and a half! With the hull on. Dr. Brinckle states that it measures " two and a half 5. THE PERKIOMEN SHELLBARK. iuchcs loug, two ^ud thrco cighths wide and one and seven eighths thick. Form reversed ob- long, cordate ; shell thin ; kernel of the best quality." Our own specimen we value too highly to taste. With such evidence of improvement, accidentally, for the "Perkiomen" is a wildling found growing near Norristown, Pa., Mdiy may we not expect equally good or better results by a continued course of sowing, each time selecting the best specimens ? It is true, one life time might not accomplish the desirable object, but if once set about in earnest, the result would be obtained sooner or later ; Mr. Hale suggests that our Horticultural Societies might give their aid in the way of premiums for the best peck or half bushel of nuts, to be distributed among those who are willing to plant them and take care of the trees ; and with the specimens of the pro- duce to send an account of the soil and locality. We endorse his suggestion, and recommend the subject to the Massachu- 140 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTUBE. setts Horticultural Societies, as well as other similar associa- tions throughout the country. — Ed. ORIGIN OF THE PEAR TREE, ITS PROGRESS AND SUCCESS. BY J. DE JONGUE, BRUSSELS. We have already, in our last Volume (XX), published several of M. de Jonghe's communications to the Gardeners' Chronicle, on the culture of the pear, and though not agree- ing with him in all his views, we believe they will repay a careful perusal, and afford many valuable suggestions to our own cultivators of this fruit. Entertaining this opinion, we make no apology for transferring to our pages, from the same paper, the following article from the same author, on the " Origin of the Pear Tree, its Progress and Success." It traces, in as brief a manner as possible, the advancement made in this fruit during the present century, and shows to whom we are mainly indebted for the delicious foreign varieties which now enrich our collections. We have long had in preparation a similar article, giving an account of the progress of the pear in our own country, with a list of every known variety, when and where it originated, &c. This we shall endeavor to complete and present to our readers in the course of the present volume. When, in the course of time, it will be less easy to gather up the information than at present, such a paper cannot otherwise than prove exceedingly valua- ble for future reference and examination. — Ed. In a previous communication I promised to submit to your readers a list of the most hardy and vigorous varieties of pear trees, raised from seed in Belgium, and which are probably, even now, but little known to the generality of English amateurs. This promise I am now about to fulfil. But be- fore giving this list, I think it will be well to enter into some preliminary considerations. Whence came the species of pears at present cultivated in MARCH. 141 the nortli of Europe ? How have we succeeded in acclima- tizing this vakiable fruit tree ? The sokition of these questions is necessary in order that we may know the progress made, especially in our own times, and the improvements which may be effected in certain kinds. No historical document contains any information as to the native place of the primitive type of the pear tree. It is pre- sumed to have come from the same countries as the vine, cherry, peach, and apricot ; and most probably it grew origi- nally on low hills and slopes. Indeed, at the present day, notwithstanding the numerous transformations by seed, it thrives best in such situations after it has arrived at a certain age. The pear tree was cultivated more than 2000 years ago by the Greeks and Romans, in whose writings are preserved the names of several varieties raised from seed. It must have been introduced into our countries by the Romans, after the conquest of Gaul and England. It is known that the produc- tions of Italy cannot be preserved in our variable, foggy, and severe climate, unless sheltered by walls with a good aspect. In sowing the seeds of fruits ripened in our country, with the view of raising stocks for the propagation of introduced vari- eties, some trees more vigorous may have been obtained. Among these trees, some might be observed to produce fruit as standards in the open ground, in good seasons ; and the seeds of these would produce hardier trees, better adapted to the climate than those originally introduced. In Belgium, where the soil is generally deep, and rich in humus, the pear tree, on its own stock, has been cultivated from time immemorial as a standard in the open ground. One of our ancient authors, Dodona^us, of Mechlin, in speak- ing of the pear tree, in his herbal, towards the middle of the sixteenth century, said that the names of orchard varieties change from one village to the other, and he therefore con- sidered it useless to cite their names. This allegation proves to a certain extent that, even at this period, a great number of varieties existed in the country, doubtless of tolerably good quality for kitchen use. This mode of sowing seeds of pears, 142- THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. in order to obtain vigorous trees, is continued in Belgium, especially in the gardens of convents, and in those of the no- bility and rich citizens, of whom several esteemed varieties bore the name. These varieties are, however, nearly all lost, owing to their not having been propagated in due time. It is known that a seedling pear tree passes, if we may use the simile, through the periods of infancy, adolescence, viril- ity, to those of old age and decrepitude. The age which a seedling pear tree may attain depends on its individual con- stitution, the soil in which it is planted, and the pruning, trimming, and cleaning from insects which it may undergo during the whole period of its existence. This varies from 100 to 200 years or more. It is during the age of virility, when the tree is in a fruitful condition, and most flourishing state of vegetation, that grafts should be taken for propaga- tion. By so doing, all the inherent qualities of the individ- ual will be transmitted. This observation of general applica- tion to all fruit trees is more especially so with regard to pear trees for the open ground. Owing to the negligence in propagating, and more especially at the proper time as regards the vigor of the tree, many hardy and good varieties of pears, known to our ancestors, are now lost. This circumstance has induced some pomolo- gists to believe that a variety of pear has only a limited term , of existence, at the expiry of which it must necessarily be- come extinct. This opinion appears to be contrary to every principle, and to facts. We see a vast number of kinds of plants perpetuated by artificial propagation, and why should it not be the same with varieties of fruit trees ? We believe that varieties of these could be infinitely propagated by scions taken from trees of proper age, and with due care, for ages to come. There are doubtless causes of weakness, but this is not the place for treating that question in detail. These causes could not have existed in Belgium, where we cultivate but few on the quince, the preference being given to vigor- ous wild pear plants raised from seeds of orchard pears, for stocks whereon to work, standard high, the sorts intended for orchards, and also for dwarfs and pyramids destined for garden MARCH. 143 culture. It is thus that the pear tree is preserved in all its vigor, and has been able to produce a more robust progeny. In other localities, the artificial culture on the quince stock must have accelerated the weakening of the trees, and the degeneration of existing varieties ; and it is with justice, we think, that some modern pomologists and men of experience attribute the degeneracy chiefly to the above circumstance. In directing our attention to more southern countries, we may observe that some good varieties have been obtained in Italy, Spain, and France. But these varieties, such as the Chaumontel, Beurre Gris, and the Virgouleuse, do not suc- ceed in our climate except against a wall furnished with a coping, the soil being previously prepared ; or otherwise in gardens in peculiarly well sheltered situations. Everywhere else, formerly, as at the present day, in Belgium as in Eng- land, these good varieties have, in ordinary seasons, only pro- duced gritty or unsound fruit, whilst the trees attacked by various diseases have died off. At Mons, the chief town of the province of Hainault, Bel- gium, certain varieties of pears, of great merit as regards delicacy of flavor, were obtained in the latter part of the last century. Of seedlings raised by the Abbe d'Hardenpont, the Passe Colmar dates from 1756 ; the Beurre d'Hardenpont from 1759. This variety is known in England under the name of Glon-Morceau, (glou, in Walloon language, signifies delicious^ or dainty; morceau, French, morsel or hit; the name may therefore be translated Delicious Morsel, or Dainty Bit, Glou Morceau is its common name, but the true name is Beurre d'Hardenpont. In France it is known by the name of Beurre d'Aremberg, an error which originated with the late M. Noisette of Paris.) These varieties, and also the Delices d'Hardenpont and Fondante Paraseille, do not possess sufficient vigor and hardiness to succeed generally, unless against a wall. The variety called Beurre de Ranee, found by the same Abbe d'Hardenpont, at the village of Ranee in Hainault, is one of the most vigorous of the varieties of keep- ing table pears which were raised in the end of the last century. 144 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. The varieties Beurre Capiaiimont, Bon Chretien Napoleon, and Marie Louise were raised from seeds at Mons, by the late MM. Liard, Capiaiimont, and Uelcourt ; they are of more recent date, and are more vigorous than any of the others obtained in that town from seed. We shall only mention those which are generally known. Neither La Fortunee of Reumes, (not Parmentier ; the former was the sower, the latter the propagator) ; nor the Colmar Nelis, or Nelis d'Hiver de Malines, raised in the garden of the Councillor Nelis ; nor the Urbaniste, found by the Comte Coloma in the garden of a religious establishment at Mechlin ; nor the Beurre d'Arem- berg, or Orpheline d'Enghein ; not one of all these havO; or ever could have had, the hardiness or vigor requisite to suc- ceed well anywhere, except in a situation sheltered from the east and northeast winds. In the endeavors to obtain new and improved varieties of fruits by seed, the chemist Yan Mons, of Brussels, was the first in Belgium who was guided chiefly by the idea of rais- ing seedlings from the pips of fruit of vigorous trees in the first instance, and continually resowing the seeds obtained from the last generation of seedlings, in order to obtain im- proved fruits, in form and taste. He is also the only one who has stated the principles by which he was guided in his re- searches. These were commenced at Brussels, about the end of the last century, in a nursery bearing the name of La Fi- delite. Called at a later date to be Professor of Chemistry at the University of Louvain, he transferred, in 1819, his nu- merous seedlings to that place, not, however, without losing a great many ; and he continued his essays till 1842, the time of his decease. After continuing his researches for 25 years, the first catalogue, indicating the new varieties ob- tained, was printed at Louvain in 1823. Some of these va- rieties have been described by the author, and published in the following works : — Annales des Sciences Nahirelles : MM. Tobard et Weissenbruck, 1819-30. New [American] Orchardist, by Mr. Kenrick : Boston, 1833. Magaziiie of Horticulture, by C. M. Hovey : Boston, 1835. Systemat- isches Handhuch der Obstkunde, J. G. Dittrich ; Jena, 1837. MARCH. 145 Album de Pomologie, par A. Bivort and others : 4 vols. 4tOj 1847-1851. La Pomonomie Beige, of the late Van Mons, appeared at Louvain in 1835 and 1836, in 2 vols. 8vo. In 1845, the nurseries of Louvain were given over by the heirs of Van Mons to M. A. Bivort, and the collections trans- ferred to the gardens of the village of Geest St. Remy, near Jodoigne. In consequence of the vigorous trees having been transplanted into a less favorable soil than that of Louvain, many of them again fruited in 1847 and 1848. The new and good varieties were named and sent out, at least a great number of them ; nevertheless they are still but little known, and not widely distributed. A better knowledge of them would therefore be advantageous to amateurs. M. Bivort, having retired from business in 1852, formed a society, a committee of which is charged to ascertain the good varieties which may be found among those that have not yet fruited, and of which, consequently, the merits have not been proved. Major Esperen, of Mechlin, commenced researches of the same kind somewhat later than Van Mons, and he also ob- tained results deserving notice. M. Bouvier, of Jodoigne, one of Van Mons's pupils in pharmacy, also turned his attention to the raising of new va- rieties of pears from seed. Like Van Mons and Esperen, Bouvier has left a number of very vigorous and hardy varie- ties of pears, and of good quality ; but the two last have not left any account of their mode of proceeding. We may re- mark, that these three gentlemen had no other object than that of obtaining a good result ; and that they gratuitously distributed to amateurs and nurserymen grafts of their seed- ling trees, after these had borne fruit approved by themselves and their friends. Still it is certain that these essays, carried on for half a century, especially those of Van Mons, must have cost a considerable sum of money. In his nurseries at Brussels, Van Mons did not possess less than 80,000 seedlings. Persons capable of judging of the matter estimated, that, at the time of his decease, which took place at Louvain in Sep- tember, 1842, the nurseries must have cost a sum, including interest, of about 300,000 francs (£12,000.) There are few VOL. XXI. NO. III. 19 146 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. examples in the history of gardening of a like sacrifice of time, talent, and money having been made by a private indi- vidual in the disinterested pursuit of a useful object. It is with unfeigned pleasure that we state these facts, which are but little known abroad. At the same time, we take the op- portunity of paying homage to the man to whom we are indebted for a greater number of fine varieties of pears than have been handed down to us from all previous ages, and from all the nurserymen and pomologists of modern times. In his Catalogue of 1823, second and third series, several fruits are noticed by the author as being very remarkable, and to which names had been given. The following are some of these : — 94. Archiduc Jean d'Autriche ; form of Colmar Admirable. 1237. Bergamotte Pasteels ; form between Bergamotte and Doyenne. 1253. Beuri6 Driessen ; form of Beurr6 d'Hiver. 1165, Bezi Reinwardt; form of Bezi de la Motte. 471, Bosc Desfontaines ; form of Calebasse Bosc. 893. Calebasse Bauchan ; form of Calebasse. 29. Capiaumont Lints ; form of a large Capiaumont. 134. Charlotte d'Anvers ; form of Doyenn^ — of little merit. 2469. Chevalier d'Onya ; form between that of the Rousselet and Passe Colmar. 2143. Colmar Herzog^ form of Passe Colmar, a large fruit. 93. Colmar Gossart ; form of Colmar, excellent. 2466. Comte de Lacepede ; form of Calebasse Bosc. 2009. Due de Bedford ; a delicious variety. 72. Due de Saxe Weimar^ form of Grand Bretagne Fondante. 549. Du Petit Thouars ; form of Royale d'Hiver. 130. Grand Due de Toscane ; form of the Bergamot Sans Pepins. 181. Louise Bonne R6al; form of Louise Bonne. 248. Marie Louise Slightinger ; form of Marie Louise. 252. Marquise Stas ; form of Marquise- 2636. Mertens-fils ; form of Gros St. Germain. 36. Pentecote Hervy ; form of Bergamotte de Pentecote or Easter Beurri. 891. Prince d'Orange; form and flavor of Passe Colmar. 1527. St. Germain Tacotat ; form of St. Germain. 695. Van Gobbelschroy ; form of d'Espagne, extra. 325. Van Hultem ; form between that of Doyenne Gris and Capiaumont. 2054. Vannes de St. Haye ; form of Superb Urbaniste. Another series of varieties indicated by a designation of form only, need not be repeated here, although they are MARCH. 147 worthy of recommendation according to the opinion of the author. Alas! with few exceptions, these varieties no longer exist in the collections of amateurs, nor in the nurseries, at least not in ours. Van Mons had numerous correspondents, in America especially, in Germany, England, and France ; and he frequently sent grafts of his new pears with numbers only. The above indications may, therefore, prove useful to those who may have received grafts, but are not in possession of the catalogue of 1823. Twenty-five years ago, I commenced the formation of my present collection of fruit trees ; and I have successively added to it all the best varieties in the trade, and also such as I could discover in the collections of the most intelligent ama- teurs. These varieties, which are all grown on the pear stock, have been carefully studied in my nursery, and in the gardens of my friends, under different circumstances of soil and as- pect. Their examination is, however, far from being com- plete as regards the latest novelties ; for in order to be sure of them, they must be seen during several periods of growth and production. Indeed, it is not sufficient to remark the vigor of a variety of the pear tree ; it is also necessary to as- certain its hardiness after it has been for some time in full bearing, this being the principal test of its merit. The last three seasons have been very favorable for ascertaining this property of hardiness, on account of the extreme variations of the weather during the winter and spring. My nursery of fruit trees is established in a situation ex- posed to every wind, and all severities of the climate through- out the year. The ground is slightly inclined to the west ; the surface soil is light ; the subsoil in certain parts a layer of siliceous marl, or marly clay. The subsoil of the lower por- tion is alluvial. The land, in short, possesses all the condi- tions desirable for the growth of the pear tree, both on the* pear stock and on the quince. In this nursery, about a hec- tare [nearly 2| acres] is planted for examination and compar- ison : 148 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 1st. 450 varieties of pear trees of English, French, American, German, and more especially of Belgian origin. 2d. 150 varieties of apple trees which have originated in the same coun- tries. 3d. 150 varieties of plum trees. 4th. 50 " of cherry trees. 5th. 20 " of peach and nectarine trees. 6th. 10 " of apricot trees. Whilst visiting, from time to time, the gardens of amateurs, I have been fortunate enough to find some of the varieties mentioned in Van Mons' Catalogue of 1823, and with which the numbers had been given with the bud or graft. After having ascertained their identity, I had them propagated. Perhaps the Americans and Germans will send back to us some of these varieties with new names, as has already been the case. It is also likely that some of the varieties mentioned with names, but without numbers in the catalogue above re- ferred to, have been named afresh by the successor of the late Van Mons. By adding his own name to the names of varieties raised by Van Mons he has exceeded his limits, by passing for the raiser, whilst he was only the owner of an ob- ject produced by another. The successor of the late Esperen has taken the same liberty with the seedlings left by the lat- ter. I confine myself to the statement of these facts for the interest of that part of fruit-tree culture which will indispu- tably continue to be the most interesting in the annals of this division of the horticulture of the 19th century. Having briefly explained the history and progress of the pear tree, we come now to the success obtained in its cultiva- tion, which is the principal object of the present communica- tion. Before proceeding further, it will, however, be neces- sary to make some general observations. In the denominations of new varieties, three of the raisers kave applied to their seedlings that by which the generic name is known, according to their form and flavor, and as un- derstood by pomologists in arranging them imder the forms of Beiirre^ Bergamotie, Bezi, Bon Chritien, Colmar, Rousselet, and St. Germain. The terms of Belle, Beurre, Fondante, and Delices do not apply to form, but to qualities which are MARCH. 149 found ill the seven distinct forms, and might, without incon- venience, be left out for the future. By adding to the generic name [Beurre, Bergamotte, &c.], either that of the raiser of the variety, or that of a friend, the name of the place of its origin, or whatever may be thought desirable, the variety is then definitely named. After having borne fruit two or three times, if the form was not fixed, the prefix of Poire only was employed, as we see in the case of the Poire des deux Soeurs, Poire Prevost, the forms of which belong to none of the seven denominations generally known. Varieties of Pears in evert respect ttortht of recommendation, RAISED from seed SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PRESENT CEN- TURY AND TILL RECENTLY, BY THE LATE VaN MoNS, MaJOR EsPEREN, BOUVIER, AND OTHERS. In the climate of Belgium, and in those similar, these varieties, with scarcely any exceptions, are suited for pyramids and standards, and do not absolutely require the protection of a wall for the production of good fruit. Cultivated on the pear stock, the trees in general grow vigorously in a light deep alluvial soil, and better still in one rich in humus, provided always that the subsoil is free from stagnant water during winter. The form and quality of the fruits depend, in a great measure, on the conditions of the soil and subsoil, careful cultivation, the proper management of the trees, and the vigor of the stocks. The mean period of the maturity of the fruits is subject to the influence of the same causes. The temperature of the season, the period of gathering the fruit, and their preservation in the fruit room exercise likewise a certain effect on the quality of the fruit- It is certain, that if the varieties obtained from seed, indicated in the fol- lowing list, were deducted from the number of those cultivated in our cli- mate in the open ground, the varieties of good late table pears would be very limited. ABREVIATIONS. (B) placed within parenthesis, after the name of the fruit, signifies that the variety has been raised from seed by the late Bouvier, of Jodoigne. (Esp.) signifies by Esperen, of Mechlin. (Greg.) " by Gregoire, of Jodoigne. (V. M.) " by Van Mons, of Brussels. The names of other raisers are given at full length. Med. signifies medium size. Vig. " vigorous. 150 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Name of the Variety. Name of the Kaiser. Vigor. Size. Time of Ripening Abbe Edouard, (V. M.) Vig. Med. November. Alexandre Bivort, - (Esp.) Not vig. Med. January. Alexandre Lambr6, - (V. M.) Vig. Med. Nov., Jan. Alexandrina, - (V. M.) Very vig. Large, September. Amand Bivort, (V. M.) Not vig. Med. End October. Bergamotte Dussart, (Dussart,) Not vig. Med. Nov., Feb. " Esperen, (Esp.) Vig. Med. Jan., April. " Heimbourg, - (V. M.) Very vig. Large, Middle Oct. Beurr6 Antoinette, - (V. M.) Vig. Med. Oct., Nov. " Bennert, (V. M.) Not vig. Med. Jan., Feb. " Berckmans, - (V. M.) Very vig. Large, Nov., Dec. " Bretonneau, - (Esp.) Vig. Med. Jan., April. " de Hemptinne, (V. M.) Very vig. Large, Sept., Oct. " Delfosse, (Gr^g.) Not vig. Med. Dec., Jan. " Dumon-Dumortier, (Stas.) Not vig. Med. December. " Hamacker, - (V. M.) Vig. Large, Oct., Dec. *' Kennes, (V. M.) Vig. Med. Middle Oct. " Stappaerts, - (V. M.) Very vig. Small, Dec, Jan. " Sterckmans, (Sterckm.) Very vig. Large, Nov., Jan. Calebasse d'Et6, (Esp.) Vig. Long, Aug., Sept. Tougard, (V. M.) Very vig. Large, long End October. Colmar d'Aremberg, (V. M.) Vig. Large, October. " Jose Smet, - (V. M.) Very vig. Large, Oct., Nov. Comte de Flandre, - (V. M.) Very vig. Med. Dec, Jan. *' de Paris, (V. M.) Vig. Large, Oct., Dec. Conseiller de la Cour, (V. M.) Very vig. Large, November. Cumberland, - - - (V. M.) Vig. Large, Oct., Nov. Delavault, - . - (V. M.) Vig. Large, September. De la Martine, (V. M.) Not vig. Med. Dec, Jan. Delices de Jodoigne, (B.) Vig. Med. September. " de Louvenjoul, (V. M.) Not vig. Med. October. Dt^sire^ Corn61is, (V. M.) Very vig. Large, September. Desiree Van Mons, (V. M.) Vig. Large, Oct., Nov. Docteur Trousseau, - (V. M.) Very vig. Med. Nov., Dec. Doyenn6 Sentelet, - (V. M.) Vig. Med. Oct., Nov. Due d'Aumale, (V. M.) Vig. Long, Sept., Oct. Due d'Orleans, (V. M.) Very vig. Large, December. Duch'se Helene d'Orleans, (V. M.) Very vig. Large, End October. " d'Angouleme, (Audusson,) Vig. Large, Oct., Nov. " " panach6. (id.) Vig. Large, Oct , Nov. Elisa d'Heyst, (Esp.) Vig. Large, October. Fondante de Noel, - (Esp.) Vig. Large, Dec, Jan. Frederic Leclere, (Esp.) Very vig. Med. November. G6n6ral Dutilleuil, - (V. M.) Very vig. Med. End Nov. Henri Bivort, - - - (V. M.) Vig. Large, September. Jean De Witte, (Witzhumb) Vig. Med. December. Josephine de Malines, (Esp.) Vig. Small or med. Jan., April. L6on Leclere de Laval, - (V. M.) Very vig. Large, Feb., April. Louise Bonne d'Avranehes, (LonguevaV Very vig. Long, Oct., Nov. Louise de Prusse, - (V. M.) Vig. Large, October. Lucien Leclere, (V. M.) Very vig. Med. October. Marie Louise Nouvelle, - (V. M.) Very vig. Very large, End October. Monseigneur Afire, - (V. M.) Very vig. Med. December. MARCH. 151 Name of the Variety. Name of the Kaiser. Tigor. Size. Time of Ripening. Nouveau Poiteau, - (V. M.) Very vig. Large, End Nov. Pie IX, - - . - (V. M.) Verv vig. Med. End Sept. Poire des deux Soeurs, - (Esp.) Very vig. Large, November. " Prevost, (V. M.) Vig. Med. Feb., April. St. Jean-Bapt. Van Mons, (V. M.) Very vig. Large, Jan., Feb. Seigneur Esperen, - (Esp.) Vig. Med. Sept., Oct. Socquet, . _ . (V. M.) Vig. Med. September. Soldat Laboureur, - (Esp.) Very vig. Med. Sept., Nov. Souvenir Esperen, - (V. M.) Vig. Med. November. Theodore Van Mons, (V. M.) Vig. Med. End Oct., Nov. Triomphe de Jodoigne, - (B.) Very vig. Very large, Nov., Dec. Vicomte de Spoelberg, - (V. M.) Not vig. Med. Nov., Dec. Willermoz, . - . (V. M.) Vig. Large, November. Zephirin Gregoire, - (Greg.) Vig. Med. Nov., Jan. " Louis, (Gr%.) Not vig. Large, Dec, Jan. NEWEST VARIETIES, Agla6 Gregoire, Barbe Nelis, - Beurr6 Clairgeau, - Docteur Nelis, • - Gloire de Binche, - Leopold I, - - Morel, - - - Prince Albert, Rousselet de Janvier, Therese Kumps, (Gr6g.) Not vig. (Greg.) Vig. (Clairgeau,) Vig. (Greg.) Vig. (Gaudiere,) Vig. (V. M.) Vig. (V. M.) V.g. (V. M.) Vig. (V. M.) Very vig. (Gr^g.) Vig. Large, Med. Large, Med. large, Med. large, Med. Med. Med. large. Med. Med. March, April. July, August. Nov., Jan. Nov., Dec. Dec, Jan. Dec, Jan. February. Feb., April. Dec, Jan. Oct., Nov. I have not included in the preceding lists old varieties already well known ; I have also omitted many others, from not being quite sure of their merits. The varieties mentioned as being not vigorous are, notwithstand- ing, sufficiently hardy to produce fruit in our climate and standards. Al- though some sorts worked on the pear stock will scarcely form a good pyramid, yet when they are budded standard high they become very fruit- ful. We may instance the Beurre Bennert, Bergamotte Dussart, Beurr6 Delfosse, Dumont Dumortier, Colmar Nelis, Fortunee de Reumes, Fon- dante de Charneuse, Beurr^ Six, Poire de Tongres, and others of somewhat weakly growth. In general, all the less vigorous sorts, when giown on a wall, produce fruits of a larger size than when grown as standards. We have seen the following succeed perfectly well upon a wall. The Chaumontel, Beurr6 d'Hardenpont, on an east or west aspect ; La Fortun6e on a southeast ; and Josephene de Malines on southeast and southwest ; and the Virgouleuse, which we consider the best of those we have received from France, on ac- count of the delicacy and beauty of its fruit, when the tree is grown on its own stock, and against a wall with a southeast, south, or southwest aspect. We invite amateurs desirous of ascertaining the vigor and hardiness of the new varieties of pear trees to visit our collection of fruit trees, in the 152 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. months of July, August, and September. They may then satisfy themselves of the real merits of a variety, by examining well-managed pyramids from 10 to 25 years old, growa on the pear stock, and bearing fruit in abundance in a situation exposed to the winds, and to all the severities of the seasons. The varieties enumerated in the above list have nearly or quite all been described at some length in our previous vol- umes, but we give them here in order to show what M. Jonghe considers " in every respect worthy of commenda- tion " in Belgium. The Doyenne Sentelet, Duchesse of Angonleme, Josephine de Malines, Jean De Witte, Colmar d' Aremberg, Delices de Jodoigne. Nouveau Poiteau, Soldat La- boiu'eur, Beurre Bretonneau, Vicomte de Spoelberg, and Tri- omphe de Jodoigne, have long fruited in our collections, and are Avell known : Louise Bonne d'Avranches, is the same as Louise Bonne of Jersey : Seigneur Esperen is the same as Belle Lucrative : Marie Louise Nouvelle is the same as Marie Louise : Cumberland, is undoubtedly the Cumberland of R. L The others, though several of them have fruited, are still but little known, and have yet to be fully tested in our climate. We trust they may all have a fair trial, and not be hastily set aside for others. — Ed. EUGENIA UGNI— A NEW FRUIT-BEARING SHRUB. In our volume for 1852, we gave a brief account of this new ornamental shrub, which had then just been introduced to English collections from South America. With the habit of a myrtle, and bearing a profusion of globular heath-like flowers, it was considered a fine addition to their hardy shrubs. But subsequent information has proved it to be a decided ac- quisition for its fruit-bearing qualities, producing a berry as large as a black currant, and ranking in flavor Avith the Peach or Green Gage plum. In England it has proved quite hardy, though it came from a region too warm to indulge any such hope in our northern climate. In the South, however, probably as high up as Washington, it will undoubtedly prove hardy, and there form MARCH. 153 a valuable addition to the smaller fruits ; while with us its excellence appears so great that it will well repay cultivation either in the vinery, the greenhouse, or perhaps the cold grap- ery. That our readers may see how highly it is appreciated in England we copy the following account of it, with an engrav- ing (fiS- 6) represent- ing its habit, from the Gard. Chronicle : — " Eugenia Ugni, of which we subjoin a sketch, is apparently as hardy as a myrtle, and considering its great value as a fruit- bearing bush, deserves special mention. What experience has been gained about it a- mounts to this, that it was unhurt against a northwest wall, at Exeter, by the winter frost, though injured by the sudden fall of temperature in April ; we also know that it is nearly allied to the common myrtle, and that it is found wild on the hills near Valparaiso, as well as in Chiloe. Were it merely as an ornamental bush we should have passed it by without special notice, although its graceful habit, fine ever- green leaves, and numerous delicate blush flowers, render it no mean decoration of a garden. But it is the fruit of the VOL. XXI. NO. III. 20 EUGENIA UGNI. 154 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. species which gives it its true value ; this consists of a jet black delicate juicy berry, as large as a black currant, and produced in the utmost profusion ; so that in the private gar- dens of Valparaiso the plant is grown as a common article of dessert, and is highly esteemed ; as it well may be, for it is no exaggeration to say that it ranks in merit with the Peach and Green Gage plum. Upon this point, however, we shall have more to say hereafter. Mention is made of it now with reference merely to its power of resisting cold." We have just received a few specimens of this Eugenia, and shall report upon it after a fair trial. MARCH. Spring has arrived, but Winter has not fled : The cattle still are housed within their shed : The brook is often hushed that ripples by : The northern sides of hills are cold and dry: The frozen streams are hardly yet released, But morning blushes earlier in the east, And fairer hues are on the face of things. Small birds have just commenced their revellings. The woodlands are less silent, and the rocks Echo the louder bleating of the flocks. The kine are more loquacious on the hills. That sparkle with the flash of new-born rills. All seasons rule the day : but Spring moves on : With each new morning some new light is won. The northern winds are petulant and rude, And fill the day with swift vicissitude. But Winter's landmarks daily disappear. With ice and snow before the waking year. W. F. oiit^Ij ^0ssip. Changes in Plants. — I have been so vigorously attacked, both in your own journal and elsewhere, for having asserted, in substance, that a plant bearing abortive stamens under one circumstance, may have them fully de- veloped under another, as in the instance of the strawberry, that I was much pleased to find you do me so much justice as to note the circum- stances contained under the above caption, in your last number. As you MARCH. 155 well observe, " many flowers are furnished with the remains of parts that once existed, and which have become abortive. The verbena of England has four stamens, while that of Sweden has only two." The changes which plants undergo, and indeed not only plants but everything physically con- nected with the globe we inhabit, under various circumstances and condi- tions is a very interesting study, and affords incredible pleasure in its pur- suit. I think, however, with all due respect, that in offering these changes in support of Dr. Darwin's theory of progressive development, and the views of the supporters of the " Vestiges of the Natural History of the Creation," we do the facts an injustice, and an injury to real science. That plants have advanced from a lower to a higher grade — that they may have for ages existed as a simple cell, as we find them in the green slimy matter covering stagnant pools, and afterwards become developed into plants and flowers, as we now find them, may or may not be true; but no changgs that we are accustomed to observe in vegetation seems to demonstrate it. In all cases there seems to be a limit set to variation, beyond which it cannot go. Still, there seems to be such a wide range possessed by some plants that it becomes almost as difficult to imagine where the boundaries of change may appear, as to believe the whole progressive theory. Who would have imagined centuries ago, on seeing a plant somewhat resembling a common mustard, that such a very different looking plant as the Drum- head cabbage should spring into existence, from this very plant, a few cen- turies later ; or that, subsequently, the latter should further be " developed" into the cauliflower, broccoli, Scotch kale, Brussels sprouts, and other simi- lar forms ? The beet has so departed from its original form as it is still gathered on sea coasts and waste sandy places, as scarcely to be recognized in its cultivated state. Still, in all these there seems to be the same essen- tial characters, qualities and properties, — size and quantity of the various parts, and intensity of the peculiar properties of each being the chief con- stitution of their difference. And so in any change which might be speci- fied, this non-development of parts known to exist in certain states, or increase in their usual size or properties, is about the limit of variation. The Ranunculus aquatalis, when growing in water, has its leaves made up of thread-like fibres, until the plant reaches the surface, when the fibres become filled in between with the green parenchymous matter, and a beau- tiful trilobate leaf is the result ; yet with all its great tendency to vary according to the depth or stillness of the water, it has never yet been found to approach a congener, R. hederacev^, growing in exactly the same circum- stances, so closely as to render it doubtful whether the plant belonged to one species or the other. The transformation of leaves into bracts, calyx, petals, stamens and pis- tils, are easily understood, and the conversion of one into the other, or re- conversion into their usual forms, are matters of every-day experience ; but in what way this bears on the theory that " all the productions of nature are in a continual state of progress to greater perfection," I never could clearly see. — Very sincerely, Thomas Meehan, Germantotcn, Phil. [We quite agree with our correspondent in his views as expressed in the last paragraph. The article in our January No. was furnished by a corre- 156 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. spondent, and at the time we were about expressing our dissent from the remark that " all the productions of nature are in a continued state of prog- ress to greater perfection." Some great changes, it is true, have taken place, — such as the transformation of ^gilops into wheat, as recently demonstrated by Mr. Fabre, and the variations in the number of stamens in hybrid varieties of the azalea and rhododendron. We are glad, there- fore, to see the subject so ably discussed by Mr. Meehan. — Ed.] An Interesti]?g Horticultural Experiment. — The Courier des Etats Unis relates that a French horticulturist, living near Versailles, while studying the physiology of the vegetable kingdom, conceived the idea that the diminutive size of certain plants was owing to an atmospheric pressure too great for their delicate organs. " Accordingly, providing himself with a small balloon, rendered suffi- ciently tight to prevent the escape of any gas, he launched it into the air, having attached to it a silken cord, 1,200 metres long. Instead of a car, the balloon sustained a flower pot of Parma violets. This experiment has been going on about two montiis, with the most wonderful results, in the shape of violets as large as Bengal roses. It is to be hoped that the above experiment may be turned to some account." The above experiment may be useful by showing the effects of the press- ure of the atmosphere upon the growth and development of plants. But the practical benefits to the cultivator must be exceedingly small. In order to profit by the principle taught by such an experiment, the florist must either elevate his plants, in a balloon as above stated, or place them inside of a partially exhausted receiver of an air pump. In either case, the trouble and expense attending the process, must render it entirely impracticable or in- expedient for all except a pur ely scientific purpose. Jenny Lind Strawberry. — We learn that this new variety, which has been exhibited before the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for the last three years, will be offered for sale the present spring. A notice of it will appear in our April No. Dial for February. — The weather, with the exception of one week in the early part of the month, has not greatly differed from that of January. The sixth day of the month was the coldest day that has been known for more than twenty years — the average cold, as indicated by different ther- mometers and in various localities in this vicinity, being about 14° below zero. A severe snow storm followed this cold spell : since that time the weather has been mild and frequently wet, and not cold enough to deposit frost on the windows. The skies have been less variegated than in the preceding month, and brilliant sunsets less frequent. That form of cloud designated as cumulus, has increased in frequency for the last two weeks, and will probably be still more frequent until the middle of April, when it usually begins to lessen, and gives place to compound forms. The northern lights have not been observed during the whole winter, except dimly on one or two occasions, when it was no brighter than the faintest twilight MARCH. 157 Utassitdjusttts |jai1iciittiir;il Bmt\\i Saturdarj, Jan. 6, 1855. — The stated quarterly meeting of the Society was held to-day, the President in the Chair. Mr. Breck from the Committee appointed for that object, nominated the following gentlemen as a Committee of Arrangements for the next Annual Exhibition, viz: Lyman Winship, W. R. Austin, E. Wight, C. M. Hovey, W. C. Strong, E. A. Story, P. B. Hovey, J. F. C. Hyde, D. T. Curtis, A. Bovvditch, A. McLennan, H. Bradlee, and A. C. Bowditch. The report was accepted and the Committee chosen. C. M. Hovey, Chairman of the Library Committee, submitted their report for 1854, which was accepted. Mr. Cabot from the Committee on the By-laws made a report, which was read and ordered to be printed for the use of the members. J. F. Allen presented a copy of the Victoria regia, and the thanks of the Society were voted for the same. Dr. Wight was authorized to procure cases for the medals awarded by the Society. Mr. S. Davenport, and S. B. Perry, Medford, were elected members. Adjourned four weeks to Feb. 3. Feb. 3. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day — the Pres- ident in the Chair. Col. Wilder, from the Finance Committee, made their annual report as follows : — Receipts for the year 1854. Balance in hands of the Treasurer, . Interest from Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Co., Dividend on Boston and Worcester Railroad Stock, Rent of store, #1000 ; of hall, $316, . Assessments collected. Coupons from Passumpsic Railroad, . Receipts from Mount Auburn Cemetery, Interest on 22 shares Portland and Saco Railroad, Rents from Real Estate, (new purchase,) Miscellaneous receipts. Sale of Real Estate to H. D. Parker, Received Payment for loan on Memorandum Check, Payments for the year 1854. Taxes on Real Estate, Interest on Mortgage, (Jos. Bradlee,) . $311 81 3 Co., 220 00 371 00 1316 00 217 20 300 00 6042 41 120 00 775 00 187 52 1553 74 800 00 2353 74 $12 213 68 ^ #423 20 600 00 158 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Interest on Mortgage, (Woodbury,) . Premiums and gratuities, Salaries, .... Insurance, .... Printing, Advertising, &c., Bills of Expense for Annual Exhibition, Miscellaneous Bills, Chas. Burgiss' Bill, Painting, . Paid on Woodbury Mortgage, Paid Memorandum Check, Cash in the Treasurer's hands, Estimate of the Society^s Property. Original purchase and hall, . . . $36,000 00 Additional purchase, 1852, $390 00 1875 00 500 0 140 50 361 00 364 75 784 80 234 72 #5000 00 600 00 5600 00 940 71 $12,214 68 Furniture, Library, &c., Appleton fund, Lyman fund, Bradlee fund, Lowell fund, Lyman bequest, (in stocks,) 20 shares Portsmouth and Saco Railroad, 12,000 00 4,000 00 1,000 00 1,000 00 1,000 00 1,000 00 10,000 00 2,000 00 Liabilities of the Society. Mortgage to Josiah Bradlee, . . $10,000 00 Mortgage to Mr. Woodbury, (new purchase,) 4,500 00 $68 000 00 14,500 00 #53,500 00 Leaving a balance of . The report was accepted. The Special Committee appointed to settle with the Mt. Auburn Ceme- tery, submitted the following report : Gross sales of lots during the year 1854, . . $24,556 14 Deduct Expenses, ..... 1,400 00 #23,156 14 Society's proportion of one quarter, . . . $5,789 03 Which sum had duly been paid into the hands of the Treasurer. It was ordered, on motion of C. M. Hovey, that $4500 of the above sum be appropriated by the Treasurer to the payment of the mortgage of the same amount due on the new purchase of the Society. Adjourned four weeks to the first Saturday in March. Mr. R. M. Copeland was appointed by the Executive Committee, Super- intendent of the Society's Hall. MARCH. 159 ^ortiailtiirHl Operations FOR MARCH. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. After the mild January, it was hardly to be expected we should entirely escape a touch of more severe weather in February : the anticipation has been more than realized : for not only has the cold been more severe than the average, but colder than for the last nineteen years ; the thermometer having fallen lower than at any t'me since Dec. 16, 1835, when it reached 18° below 0 ; the morning of the 7th, it stood at 13°. It was sudden and of short duration, and we believe not so generally injurious to vegetation as a less degree of frost of longer continuance: the peach buds are gen- erally badly injured, but many shrubs which ordinarily are considerably damaged by our winters, seem to look in better condition than usual : much cloudy weather we think has aided to prevent injury ; for we have invaria- bly found that a bright warm sun after severe frost has done more harm than the frost itself. Grape Vines in the earliest houses are now swelling up their fruit, and with the longer days, and warmer sun, will soon show a rapid improvement : continue to top all laterals ; thin out the bunches if the crop is too large ; give liberal quantities of air in good weather and maintain a humid atmos- phere. Vines in the greenhouse will now be breaking : syringe every morning until well out in leaf. Vines in the open air may be pruned and tied to the trellis this month. Cuttings or eyes for increasing the stock of vines may now be started in a good hotbed. Pyramid, Espalier and Orchard Trees may be pruned now. Scions should be cut this month, as a few days of warm weather in April will soon start them into growth. Grafting Cherries and Plums may be commenced the latter part of the month: root grafting apples may now be completed for the season. Peach and Fig Trees in pots should be attended to: water more free- y if the peaches are well set. Peach trees for a succession of fruit may be brought in. Prepare for active work with the first turn of fine weather : trench and prepare ground if the frost is out. Look after the canker worm grub which will begin to run the latter part of the month : tarring the trees will prevent their ascent. flower department. The month of March always brings with it new and varied requirements. To make the most of this period of the year, when the plans should be laid for the season, is the duty as well as the pleasure of every true lover of flowers and plants : a week or two, yes, even a few days in the prop- agation of some plants, or the sowing of some seeds, secures double the amount of satisfaction in the abundance of bloom and beauty. The whole collection should be looked over, and wherever there is a deficiency of stock, a fresh supply should be brought on. Seeds of various plants should be sown ; rare and choice things repotted ; and everything which will be 160 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. required for summer use " made a note of," and brought forAvard in due suc- cession. Camellias will now be nearly out of bloom and will soon begin to grow ; syringe them well every fair day, and keep them rather moist at the roots ; prune all straggling plants into shape, and do not fear the use of the knife. Inarching may be done at once. Pelargoniums will be growing rapidly, and some of the earliest showing bloom ; water rather more liberally and tie out the shoots as they advance in growth. ' RosES in small pots should be shifted into larger size, and put in cuttings for a young stock ; fumigate as often as the green fly appears. AcHiMENES AND Gloxinias pottod last mouth will need to be shifted into a larger size before April. Water carefully. Japan Lilies which have attained a good growth may now be shifted into larger pots. Fuchsias will now begin to grow, and should be shaken out of the old soil and repotted in fresh rich compost : put in cuttings for a young stock. Azaleas should now be freely watered: young plants in small pots may be shifted into larger size. Heaths will require attention : keep them as cool as possible and top the shoots often : shift all into larger pots that require it. Cactuses will now begin to grow, and should have a rather more liberal supply of water. Monthly Carnations now growing vigorously may be shifted into larger pots. Pansies raised from seeds in December or January may now be potted off singly in three inch pots. Make a new sowing for a succession. Calceolarias and Cinerarias will need larger pots. Petunias, Verbenas, Heliotropes, Salvias, Lantanas and all the various fine bedding plants should now be propagated from cuttings if the stock is not sufficient. Cape Jessamines may have more water now. Sow Seeds of all the fine summer flowering annuals, such as Asters, Cox- combs, Globe Amaranthus, Balsams, Phlox Drummondii, &c. &c. Plants in frames should be freely aired every fine day. vegetable department. Hotbeds should now be prepared as soon as possible for bringing in a sup- ply of all the fine vegetables ; a three-light frame will be sufficient for an or- dinary garden ; make the bed three feet high so as to secure a good and lasting heat : if made partly of leaves all the better. Plant cucumbers, melons, tomatoes, egg plants, cauliflowers, brocioli, cab- bages, lettuce, &.C. &c. Sow in boxes or pots, as the plants are more read- ily transplanted and with better success. Dig, trench and prepare ground in the kitchen garden ready for planting. Peas may be got in as soon as the frost is out of the ground, and radishes, cress and other hardy things sown. Top dress asparagus beds and rhubarb plantations, which start early into growth. Prepare manure for making hotbeds for hilling out cucumbers and mel- ons, which will be in readiness early in April. THE LAWN. An English Lawn ! Who that loves the country, — soft grass and fine trees, — verdant turf and beautiful foliage ; — who, indeed, that has ever thought or reflected upon the subject of sylvan art, has not his ideal of an " English lawn ?" imperfectly formed, it may be, 'below its true merits, or exag- erated, and beyond what it really is ; but, nevertheless, an ideal of that lawn, which, from its softness, smoothness, em- erald verdure, freshness, and beauty, has become as prominent a characteristic of the Landscape Gardening of Great Britain as the modern or natural style is itself a feature of the taste and refinement of the art in that country. Few who have not seen or trod the "velvet turf" of Eng- land can fully realize its surpassing beauty ; so short, so elas- tic, so smooth is it in every part. Spread out like a velvet carpet beneath the feet, nothing, indeed, but a brief walk on such a lawn as Chatsworth, or one of similar extent and perfect keeping, could ever convey a full impression of an " English lawn." We never recall our visit to that princely residence, without a feeling of regret that, at least, something like its fine lawn is not within the immediate reach of our own countrymen, that they might see how much might be en- joyed by the harmonious combination of two such simple ele- ments as grass and tre(?s. Divested of its Palladian architecture — its fountains, its rockwork, its arboretum, its Italian garden, and even its colossal conservatory — the extent of its lawn and its diversity of surface, its massive trees and their grouping and arrangement would still make Chatsworth one of the most delightful of residences. Yes, simply grass and trees, Avhen laid down and planted under the guidance of the land- scape artist, are abundantly ample, without any artificial aid, to give the greatest enjoyment to every lover of rural art. But, notwithstanding our perfect or imperfect ideas in re- gard to the velvety lawns of England, of whose unsurpassed VOL. XXI. NO. IV. 21 162 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. beauty we have heard so much, and whose possession is so much envied, it is a common remark, and a current belief, that they cannot be obtained in our climate : that our burning sun, our parching winds, our dry summers, and our frosty winters, forbid their possession ; and but for the cloudy sky, the drizzling rains, and the mild winters of Great Britain, their lawns would be no more verdant than our own. We shall not deny that the peculiar climate of that kingdom, tempered as it is by its surrounding sea, with an atmosphere ever moist and humid, is particularly favorable to the perfec- tion of English lawns ; but that we cannot very nearly imi- tate them, with the same care and attention which have chiefly contributed to make them what they are there, we also deny. When through a period of two centuries garden- ing shall have been pursued with the same zeal and skill here as in England, we have but little fear that our lawns will be scarcely any, if at all, inferior to what they are in that climate. The least that we can do, is to make the attempt to produce them ; and, if our well directed eff'orts fail, we may then give up the endeavor, with the satisfaction that the sea- sons, over which we have no control, are the only obstacles to success. The great errors into which nearly all have fallen who have attempted the formation of a lawn have been shallow cultiva- tion, inferior grasses, and scanty seeding. To the first of these especially may be traced nearly all the failures to obtain a perfect lawn. The lesser errors are numerous : we omit to roll the surface often ; we do not mow frequent enough, and we do not do the latter properly. All these mistakes com- bined, in connection with our climate, prevent us from securing that foundation, without which it is impossible to expect a smooth and verdant turf. What then are the Requisites for a Fine Lawn, and how shall we proceed? is a question which will naturally fol- low what we have said. We shall endeavor to answer it as fully as our space will allow. First then. Deep Cultivation is the one main thing to be attended to, and without this the object might as well be APRIL. 163 given up first as last. No half-way mode of arriving at this will do : it must be thorough. It is the only resource against our summer droughts, which so seldom fail that provision should always be made to meet them. Every individual knows that there is no lack of freshness and verdure in the early and later months of the year,- and our turf then vies with the greenest of England's lawns ; but no sooner does the heat of summer set in, and our rains hold off, than a sudden change takes place ; the emerald green of May becomes the dingy yellow of June and rusty brown of July and August. For the space of two or more months there is scarcely growth enough to need the use of the scythe, and that necessary oper- ation to every good lawn is omitted till the refreshing rains of autumn bring with them renewed verdure and beauty. Deep cultivation is then all important. If the space intend- ed for a lawn is anything less than an acre, it should be trenched — trenched deep, at least two feet, and if the subsoil will admit, three feet will be better. When of greater extent, the ground should be well subsoiled, running the plough at least twenty inches deep, that the substratum may be com- pletely pulverized to that depth. The cost should not enter into consideration, if it is once determined on to have a lawn. The time to think of this is before operations commence. Trenching is the most satisfactory, but subsoiling is so good a substitute that in large extent of grounds it may be followed with good success. In trenching, a moderate quantity of manure may be worked into the bottom trench, which will form a reserve of nutriment for years, the after top dressings keeping the surface in the best condition. With such prep- arations there can be no such thing as failure. The roots of grasses strike deep into the soil, and in severe droughts, when the surface gives off its moisture rapidly, there will be a reservoir beneath, which even the " driest time " will fail to exhaust. The turf may show a very slight difference in its verdure from that of early spring, but it will still be fresh and green, vigorous and growing, and ready for the scythe throughout the summer. The best season for planting a lawn is in August, particularly 164 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. when they are of any extent ; but small places may be pre- pared and planted at once, April next to August being the best season. We may remark, however, that when it is intended to lay down a lawn of an acre or more, the preparation for it should begin at once. The ground should be ploughed and subsoiled immediately, and if it requires any grading, it should be completed at the same time : it may then be planted with any crop which will come off early, potatoes perhaps being the best ; these should be taken off the last of July or beginning of August and the levelling proceeded with preparatory to sowing the seed. The ground being well trenched or subsoiled, the surface should then be thoroughly pulverized and made perfectly smooth, for unless this is done with the greatest care, it would be impossible to mow it evenly. The stones should not only be raked off, but any that are left, even after almost the finest rake, must be gathered by hand. The ground should then be re- peatedly trodden and rolled, until a firm and uniform surface is obtained. There is no half-way about this process, if you ever expect a close velvety turf. Before levelling, if the ground is not in good heart, a small quantity of fine old com- post may be worked in, or guano, just sufficient to give the seed a start ; for too rich a surface will only give the grass a rank and coarse growth : it is steady moisture that is wanted, rather than stimulating manures, and the former the trenched ground will supply. Be sure that every dock, dandehon, or other weedy root is completely eradicated from the soil. The kind of grass seed and the quantity is the next im- portant process. In England a variety of grasses are generally recommended and used ; but, in our climate, so far as our ex- perience goes, we do not need so many. With us, the finest Bent grass (Agrostis vulgaris) and white clover (Ti'ifolinm repens) are sufficient, though in some instances perennial rye grass {Lolium perenne) may be used in small quantities ; but the main supply must be the two former, and of the cleanest and purest quality. Three bushels to the acre, and not an atom short, is the least that will seed an acre, the proportion being two and seven-eighths bushels of Bent grass and half a APRIL. 165 peck of white clover. To this may be added, on extensive lawns, lialf a bushel per acie of perennial rye grass. Pay no heed to the advice of old cultivators, who may tell you to plant oats or barley, for the purpose of shading the young grass till it gets strong enough to take care of itself! but sow the pure seed and nothing else. Choose a still moist day to put the seed into the ground ; distribute it over the sur- face as evenly as possible, and finish with a good rolling. The frequent showers of April and May, if sown now, or the dews and rains of August and September, if sown then, will soon bring up the tender blades, which will directly form a carpet of the freshest green, and, probably, early in June, it will be ready for the mower to show his skill in cutting. But how shall this be done ? Not by any means with the common scythe. This Avill never answer ; the most skilful workman would fail to do justice to a lawn with such an article. It cannot be done with anything short of an " English lawn scythe," until our Yankee mechanics make as good or a better one, of the same pattern : these have a broad blade, and it should be set so as to lie flat upon the surface. It will then shave the grass as smoothly and neatly, if held by a skilful man, as a carpet. In England, machines have been invented, for mowing lawns, and some of them have been imported by gentlemen in our vicinity. We have seen them worked by our gardeners, and when the lawns are rightly managed, they save a great deal of labor. At Dalkeith, in Scotland, Mr. Mcintosh thinks he saves the labor of twelve men by using one of these machines. But for places of moderate extent the scythe will answer. Thus we have shown how a good lawn should be made and planted. The real beauty of it, however, depends mostly on its after-management ; and the important points are, frequent mowing, frequent sweeping, and frequent rolling ; without these, the best made lawn will soon become nothing more than a common pasture. First, mowing. This should be done once a fortnight at the outside, and if once in ten days, the better ; the latter being the average time in England. And as grasses grow 166 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. quicker here, when the ground is moist, then there, ten days may be assumed as the least period to keep it in the best order. Second, sweeping. This should always be done immedi- ately after the mowing is finished. The cut grass should not lie upon the turf, or be slovenly gathered up, but the surface should be as carefully swept as the neatest housemaid's floor. Third, rolling. This is a most necessary operation. The surface should be thoroughly rolled with a good roller previ- ously to mowing ; and as mowing can only be done in a cloudy or damp day or in the morning early, the lawn should be well rolled the day previous, when it will be ready for the scythe. On large lawns this may be done with a horse hav- ing shoes fitted to his feet, to prevent any injury to the surface. It must be remembered, that rolling and mowing are not to be discontinued upon the first approach of autumn ; for if neglected at that season, the grass becomes coarse, tufted and patchy, which no attention afterwards will wholly reclaim. As long as there is the least growth, these operations should be regularly performed. These requirements, to possess a fine lawn, may appear too laborious, but they are not the less all-important. Whoever would think of doing much less than this must be content with a neat turf, but cannot realize the ideal of an " English lawn." EXPRESSION IN BUILDING. BY WILSON FLAGG. It is a very prevalent and almost universal notion that the great point we should endeavor to attain in the style of a dwelling-house, is to produce something that shall be admired as a work of art. If it can be made a specimen of exquisite workmanship, the owner and designer are perfectly satis- fied, though its style be unadapted to the purposes for which APRIL. 167 it is intended, and out of harmony with its situation. Mr. Alison has remarked, " that there is no rule of criticism more important in itself, or more fitted to preserve the taste of the individual and of the public, than to consider every composi- tion as faulty and defective, in which the expression of the art is more striking than the expression of the subject ; or in which the beauty of design prevails over the beauty of char- acter or expression." He had been treating of "the gradual desertion of the end of the art, for the display of the art itself." This error is very manifest in the construction of dwelling-houses in this country; where, in a general effort to display the architectural art, the effect of the work upon the mind of the spectator, except to excite his admiration, is wholly overlooked. In treating of this subject I shall arrange expression under four different heads ; comprehending historic or romantic ex- pression, which is derived from association with certain objects made familiar to us in the pages of history and romance ; rural or poetic expression, having its origin in our ideas of rural comfort and retirement, and of those rustic scenes presented to us by the muse of pastoral song ; mortal expression, which comes from that combination of qualities that awaken in the mind ideas favorable, or unfavorable, of the character of the designer or the occupants ; lastly, harmonic expression, which is but the manifest appropriate- ness of the building to the general style and appearance of other houses in its vicinity, and to the natural objects around it. I. Historic expression is more generally regarded in the style of public buildings, as churches, state-houses, and mon- uments. It forms, also, what may be termed the national character of a private dwelling-house. Thus we have the English and the Italian, the Gothic and the Grecian, the Roman and the Oriental styles, both of civil and domestic architecture. It is the charm of historic associations that has caused so many imitations of foreign cottages and villas among our American houses. Unfortunately the interest is often lost in the imitation, unless it harmonizes with its local- 168 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. ity, with the purposes for which it is intended, and the circum- stances of the occupant. Let a house be made in imitation of a Grecian temple, and no man would look upon it with the same feelings with which he would contemplate a veri- table Grecian temple. In all imitations of foreign models an intelligent spectator never overlooks the adaptedness of the original to the wants, intentions, and circumstances of the proprietor, and his emotions are pleasing or displeasing, accord- ing as he observes these correspondences. In modern times, at least in this country, no man is un- der the necessity of making his home a castle. This is a style of building adapted to the habits and circumstances of a past age and another country, and any attempt to imitate it in the style of our own dwellings is absurd. A castle would not have been out of place two hundred years ago, when our people were surrounded by tribes of hostile Indians. Had such edifices been erected at that period, they might have saved many from violent deaths, and have stood at the present time as historical monuments of the deeds, sufferings, and adventures of the people of olden time. But our ancestors could not build them when they were wanted, and depended upon their arms and prowess for their defence. It is now too late to erect buildings of this description ; and however romantic may be the idea of a battlemented castle, which has stood ever since the feudal ages, we may be sure that our people would attach almost any idea but that of romance to one that should be erected at the present day. The taste for grandeur in architecture, in these days, must be gratified in the style of our public buildings, and not in that of our private dwellings. The temple and the cathedral may still be successfully imitated in the construction of our churches and our halls of legislation. But a private citizen, however great his wealth, would expose himself to critical mirth by imitating them in the style of his family residence. "We may be assured, that however attractive these wooden parthenons may be when first introduced into a village, while they wear the charm of novelty, they will soon pall upon the public sight, and the spectator will turn away from them APRIL. 169 \ with aversion, to contemplate with delight some plain, unar- tistic old country-house, or a simple, unadorned cottage. II. The different kinds of expression which I have named are often so intimately blended, as to make it difficult to de- termine whether one or another is predominant. The rural or poetic expression is sometimes with difficulty distinguished from the romantic. A building that derives its principal charm from its rustic simplicity, and its power of suggesting images of humble contentment and quiet happiness, is often rendered still more charming by its resemblance to some historic model. Various other ideas are associated with a little unpretending cottage, in a pleasant and retired situation. It is not necessary for the full force of this expression that the building should seem to be the home of a rustic family. Any private dwelling may derive this rural or poetic expres- sion, frofn its immediate suggestiveness of certain qualities which would render it a delightful abode. The English rural cottages, though deriving an interest from history and pastoral literature, owe their principal charm to their simplicity, and to the flowers, vines, and shrubbery that seem to ally them with the hill or the valley in which they are placed. The introduction of that class of buildings usually termed Gothic cottages, evinces an imperfect idea, on the part of the builders, of the advantages of rural expression. They have, also, more or less of a historic character. Such styles are rural and poetic, on account of their association with moun- tain scenery, and with the pyramidal larches, firs, and other evergreen trees peculiar to Alpine situations. The charm of these imitations of foreign models is often destroyed by the too apparent evidence that the proprietor has no just apprecia- tion of their true character and merits. The imitation of a rustic model, whose character is sim- plicity and rudeness, must be a failure, whenever it is decke(J with those gewgaws that stand out as evidences of puerile taste and foppishness. Everything that savors of vanity or ostentation is fatal to poetic expression. All trifling or costly ornaments are as destructive of this charm, as the suspension of artificial fruit VOL. XXL NO. IV. 22 170 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. on the pendent boughs of an ehn would be destructive of the native grace and majesty of this tree. To perfect this ex- pression those natural or artificial objects which are strongly suggestive of the simple pleasures of country life should be multiplied, unmixed with any of those ornaments that would cause the former to seem like a counterfeit. It is simply neces- sary to discard all excessive ornament, and all display of very high cultivation. A combination of the natural ornaments of vines, trees, flowers, and shrubbery, with a general sim- plicity in the style of the dwelling-house, and an unobtrusive elegance of the grounds, would perfect the charm. III. Moral expression seems to me to be as important as any other agreeable quality, though it is generally overlooked by builders and designers. It is not, however, overlooked by the spectator, even though he be unconscious of its influence upon his mind. The moral expression of the buildings and grounds that meet our sight, when employed in our daily rautiiie of business and travel, must produce no inconsiderable effect on our happiness. When one has been journeying in a pleasant country, where all the cottages of the poor and the mansions of the wealthy are expressive of agreeable traits in the cliaracter of their inmates, and differ only as wealth necessarily differs from poverty, he returns home with a cheerful heart and with complacent feelings towards his fellow men. The simple unostentatious evidences of wealth do not offend^- but if one sees in the general style of building prev- alent in his own land, a marked expression of pride and con- tempt of the poor on the one hand, and on the other not the evidence of humble intelligence and refinement, but of a silly apishness of wealth or of brutish ignorance and indiffer- ence to the concerns of neatness and taste, he is offended and disheartened. He returns home full of misanthropic humors, ■indignant at the vanity and selfishness of the wealthy, and fdisgusted with the folly and stupidity of the poor. The ■majority of men may not be consciously affected by such observations ,• but on all men of intelligent minds and gener- ous feelings, the moral influence of architecture combined with landscape, is such as greatly to affect their happiness. APRIL. 171 A cottage is the more interesting if its appurtenances be of such a description as to evince some pleasing and benevolent trait in the character of its inmates. It cannot be denied that there are certain objects connected with almost every dwelling-house that yield it an expression of human character. Like the expression of a man's face, this may often mislead, but it produces, on this account, no less impression on the mind of the beholder. If a cottage is built in a simple style, and exhibits around it such neat and natural ornaments as to indicate that its indwellers, though poor, are possessed of refined taste and virtuous habits, we look upon it with an emotion more lively than that of mere satisfaction. But if the style and appearance of the cottage be such as to indicate that its inmates are the apes of fashionable life, the expres- sion suggests ideas of qualities the opposite of what we admire in the human character, and we look upon the whole as a burlesque. It is true that these appearances are not always indicative of the character they seem to express. A man of taste who had carefully studied the expression of architectural orna- ments, would be likely to discard all such as would serve to injure this moral beauty, and whatever sinister traits of char- acter he might possess, would refrain from exhibiting the evidences of these traits in the style of his dwelling-house. A poor man, on the other hand, though of a truly estimable character, might, from a want of taste, and from imitation of ridiculous models, gather around him such false ornaments as would render his dwelling less charming to the beholder than many poor men's cottages which had been built solely with reference to the family wants. Many a man has ruined the b#auty of his dwelling by aiming to accomplish a tasteful work, when, if he had been satisfied with the attainment of mere convenience, the ends of taste would have been more nearly answered. More works in every department of taste have been spoiled by unintelligent seekers after the beautiful, than by those who never dreamed of such a quality. In general, the dwellings of the poor, when corresponding with their circumstances, are more picturesque than the 172 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. dwellings of the rich. There is something in the condition of the poor that awakens our sympathies, while in that of the wealthy there is more to excite our envy. As envy is a disagreeable emotion, any object that causes it is proportion- ally disagreeable. Hence anything whatever in a work of art which is calculated to excite this emotion, except perhaps in the breast of a rival artist, is an offence against good taste. This passion is not awakened by the unostentatious evidences of wealth. If the mansions of weakhy men were constructed in such a manner as to wear only the expression of qualities agreeable to our ideas of Avhat is generous and noble in the human character, no envy would be aroused. The pride of the owner would not enter into our thoughts, and we should look on his possessions with a pleasing satisfaction, and with admiration of his taste and character. Among those accompaniments of a dwelling that affect the mind of the beholder with disagreeable emotions, I would name all those decorations which are introduced for the man- ifest purpose of advertising the cost of the building. Such are a profusion of external ornaments, and their counterfeits, the object of which is to excite vulgar admiration. It is remarkable that those persons who take the most pains, by means of such puerilities, to attract the admiration of the crowd, are the very ones who most pompously set themselves above the crowd. The man of generous mind who despises vulgar admiration, and strives to please the taste only of the intelligent and refined, is satisfied with the consciousness of his own superiority, without making a vain parade of it. No man spends money on meretricious ornaments except with his heart set upon winning the plaudits of the vulgar. That sort of aristocracy is truly contemptible which affects to despise the very classes whose applauses it seeks. The true aristos is one who, possessing an elevated moral and intellectual char- acter, seeks the approbation of those intelligent persons only whom he considers his equals, and who is endowed with a generous and unostentatious contempt of the low and the vicious. It is idle to question the right of any man to choose his APRIL. 173 own company and to be as exclusive as he pleases ; but whether he be right or wrong in the estimate he sets upon himself, it is a false taste that leads a man who is puffed up with arrogance to insult the public with a parade of the evi- dences of this trait in his character. Any greater height to a fence than what seems necessary for the security of one's grounds and enclosures, must always suggest the idea of ex- clusiveness. If the same things excite no such feelings in the city, it is because we know that in the city they are necessary for protection. We see no cause for them in the country, and regard them as the evidences of singular selfish- ness. One of the barbarous exhibitions of selfish pride is the spiking of a high fence, as if one had erected his dwelling- house in a neighborhood of thieves, or grudged an apple to some climbing truant. How could all these circumstances be avoided in the style of a country house, some one might ask, without running into the opposite extreme of meanness ? I answer that the opposite extreme of ostentation is simplicity, not meanness, and that this simplicity, which I recommend, is perfectly compatible with beauty and grandeur. One should adopt such a style for his dwelling-house as that the idea of its cost should be driven out of the mind of the spectator, by the crowd of agreeable emotions excited by the contemplation of the whole scene. The admiration produced should be that of the combined simplicity and beauty of the edifice, and of the style of the grounds, making the whole scene appear to be not the work of art but of nature. IV. The next point to be considered is harmonic expres- sion, or that quality which causes a building to seem to be a beautiful and necessary part of the scene or the landscape that surrounds it — something that could not be removed with- out creating a disagreeable void which could not so well be filled by any different object. Time is one of the most beautiful harmonizers of all kinds of structures ; but we can- not wait for the slow operations of time, and we must govern ourselves by certain principles, from which rules may be drawn for producing these effects, and by which we may 174 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. leani to give the charm of harmonic expression to all the creations of art that relate to landscape. These rules require the adaptation of the style of the build- ing to the character of the scenes around it ; the flat-roofed Italian houses to the level plain ; the steep-roofed Swiss cot- tages to rugged and mountainous situations, and the amount of external finish to the cliaracter of the natural objects and of other buildings around it. They would consider also whether the house is designed for the city or the country, the rural districts or the suburbs. They pay still further respect to the color which is to be given to its exterior. I am disposed to believe that the lighter tints approaching to white are well calculated to produce that cheerful aspect which we admire in our New England villages. But in rustic and wooded situations, and in the thinly inhabited parts of the country, the neutral tints are preferable, because the lighter ones do not so agreeably harmonize with the general face of nature. There is something, as everyone may have observed, about an old house that has never been painted, which affects every beholder with a peculiar sensation of beauty. Does not this fact indicate that there is a quality in the grey tint of old houses that harmonizes with our ideas of the beautiful in nature ? And might we not take a hint from it when we would select a color for our buildings and monumental edifices ? Nature is full of instructions which are apt to be overlooked or despised, until they have been, perhaps, very imperfectly transferred to canvas. Profiting by these lessons, we might infer, that the best colors for isolated country houses are those of rocks overgrown with lichens, of the bark of trees, of weather-stained fences, or of the earth and its general coverings. In our country villages we sometimes meet with cottages rather highly finished, having piazzas supported by the rude trunks of trees, merely stripped of their bark, and set up with the stumps of their amputated limbs projecting on all sides from top to bottom. Of all attempts to harmonize a cottage with nature this is the most absurd. The act of APRIL. 175 uniting art and nature in snch a manner is like affixing to a marble bust the legs and arms of a real skeleton that it may look more natural. This fact indicates that the designer had obtained a glimpse of a truth which he did not perfectly comprehend. He was studying to produce that very har- mony which he had disturbed. Had he divested the cottage of some of its showy ornaments, supported the piazza by handsome architectural pillars, painted the whole with some agreeable neutral tint, and surrounded it with trees or fes- tooned it with vines, the effect which he sought would prob- ably have been attained. The error into which the public has fallen is not that of paying too much respect to the rules of taste in architecture, but that of overlooking every consideration save the beauty of the house, not seeming to understand that an object intrin- sically beautiful may be offensive when out of its proper place. The sweetest notes that ever issued from a flute would grate upon the ear like harsh discords, if it were not in tune with the other instruments of the band. In the con- struction of a dwelling-house, and indeed of every other edifice, there are three important requisites to be considered. The first is utility and convenience, the second expression, the third architectural beauty and proportion. No one of these requisites should be abandoned for the sake of another. But connoisseurs are too apt to sacrifice the two former for the sake of the latter : to overlook " the end of the art for the display of the art itself ;" like a band of expert fiddlers, who, having no poetry in their own souls, strive not to awaken deep or tender emotions in the minds of their audi- ence, but aim only to excite astonishment by the display of their skill in musical jugglery. The majority of those who build houses are affected by this error. Every man seems to be vying with his neighbors in endeavoring to build the most showy house. Hence we are witness to all sorts of extravagances. Btit among the thousand different styles of building exhibited in our land, people will gradually learn to appreciate those which afford the most permanent satisfaction. The true models for our 176 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. common dwelling-houses may at last be found among those which were built without reference to anything except utility and convenience by some plain and honest citizen. The public will soon discover that it is not the most showy house, nor always the most beautiful house, which is in all situations most pleasing to behold ; but that many very plain houses affect the minds of intelligent observers with the greatest pleasure, on account of the expression that pervades them, in connection with the grounds and the general scenes and objects around them. THE SEASON OF 1854, WITH NOTES ON SOME OF THE NEWER FRUITS. BY THE HON. J. S. CABOT, PRES. OF THE MASS. HORT. SOOIETr. The following remarks in relation to the year 1854, and some of its more noticeable phenomena, have been prepared for the Magazine of Horticulture. The publication from year to year of a brief summary of the season, including therein such of the meteorological and atmospheric phenom- ena as seem worthy of notice, as well as its results, with respect to horticultural productions, is not without its uses, and seems not out of place in a periodical of the character of this magazine. Its uses are, that opportunity is thereby afforded for a comparison of one season with another, of seeing how far similar states of the atmosphere are succeedecl by similar results; "and thereby, in some degree at least, from observing of effects bringing about a knowledge of causes, and with that knowledge the means of directing or control- ling them. If, for instance, it is found that the destruction or serious injury of dwarf pear trees usually succeeds a win- ter of unusual severity, with the absence of snow, it is reason- able to assume this as the cause of the injury, and to seek a protection from it by a warm covering of the roots. This is a subject — the protection of the roots of fruit trees — as influencing both the vigor of the tree and the quality of the APRIL. 177 fruit, by a mulching or covering of some suitable material for both summer and winter, that has not yet received all the attention it deserves, and is one upon which much might be said were this felt to be the proper occasion ; this would be, however, Avandering from the object now in view; and a statement of the belief that the roots of the tree is the seat of that malady to which so many fall victims, and its cause the want of protection to the roots during periods of extreme cold, is sufficient for the present purpose, and indicates the train of remark to which its consideration would lead. The year 1854 was a remarkable one, long to be remem- bered for its many and various disasters ; but the only point of view from which it is now to be considered, is the influence exercised by its various phenomena upon vegetable growth and products. The early part of January was mild, and the weather up to and past the middle of the month moderate ; but the latter part was so extremely cold that it gave to the whole month a character of great severity ; there was but little clear weather, and the ground was covered with snow. On the 25th the mercury fell to 5 below 0, and on the mornings of the 29th and 30th, to 10 below 0 ; the mean of the thermometer, the observations being taken at 9 A. M., 12 M., and 4 P. M., was 30. The quantity of rain, and snow reduced to rain, that fell was 1 inch. February was cold and disagreeable ; twice during the month the mercury fell to 6 below 0, viz., on 5th and 7th ; and it, like January, was distinguished for much cloudy, dull weather. The mean of the mercury was 28, and the quan- tity of rain 5 inches. The early part of March was pleasant, but the latter part unusually rough and disagreeable, with high winds from N. W.. and very cold ; the mean of the thermometer was 38; being, with two exceptions, viz., 1842 and 1847, the coldest March for 13 years; the quantity of rain 4 inches. April was cold and wet, and the season very backward. The mean of the thermometer was 47, and the quantity of rain 5 inches. VOL. XXI. NO. IV. 23 178 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. The weather of May was generally fine ; thongh on the 7th the ground was frozen, and ice of | inch thickness was formed. The mean of the thermometer was 63^, and the quantity of rain 2fjs inches. June was warm and dry, though in some places there were showers; yet little or no rain fell after the 8th. The ill effects of the dry weather were, however, in some degree les- sened by a more than usual amount of cloudy weather. The mean of the thermometer was 7], and the quantity of rain 1^ inches. July, too, was hot and dry ; on the 14th there was a rain, the first that had fallen since June 8, and on 23d, 24th, and 25th there were fine showers. The mean of the thermom- eter was 80, and the quantity of rain 2| inches. August was exceedingly dry, the driest almost within memory ; but little rain fell from July 25 up to the close of August, and the drought was felt over a wide extent of country; the fields were literally parched and burnt; in many instances the leaves of the trees, especially of tlie walnut, turned yellow and fell off. The mean of the thermometer was 74i, and the quantity of rain was -f^ of an inch only. The weather of September was very fine, but also dry, for though some rain fell, yet not sufficient to wet down in grass ground to a depth of more than 5 or 6 inches. The mean of the thermometer was 65, the quantity of rain 3^^ inches. October was a warm and pleasant month, the weather still continuing dry. Dahlias and tender plants in gardens were not killed until the 20th. The mean of the thermometer was 57i, and the quantity of rain 2x^3^ inches. The weather of November was generally mild. The mean of the thermometer was 45^, and the quantity of rain 7 inches. December was on the whole mild, though with some cold weather. The mean of the thermometer was 30 1, the quan- tity of rain "^-^js. 'The general characteristics of the year 1854 were a cold Aviiitei", followed by an exceedingly dry summer and fall. APRIL, ^ 179 The quantity of rain that fell through the year being 38^7^ inches, was not so much less than an average as to have caused any very serious injury to vegetation and the crops, if that quantity had been more equably diffused through the year ; but during the three months, when rain is most wanted, very much less than the average quantity of these months fell, and that during the last of them, August, there was no rain at all. Taking the nine years previous to the last, it is found that the average quantity of rain that falls during June, Jnly, and August, is 9 '.iiches ; while the quantity that fell during these months in 1854 was but 4/^7 inches, or more than 4 inches less than an average. In 1851, it is true, that during the three summer months but 5 inches of rain fell ; yet this quantity, thouo;h small, was somewhat eqaully diffused through the whole ; and with this exception, there was not, from 1844 up to 1854, any like period when a less quantity of rain fell than about 8 inches. The principal cause of the injury that the crops received from the drought then, was the entire absence of rain in August ; had it not been for this, notwithstanding its general characteristic of dryness, it is believed that the season would not have been very unpropitious. Three things, relating to three different kinds of cultivation, were last season particularly noticeable; — there was no rot among potatoes ; pears did not crack as usual, and there was little or no mildew on grapes. It may be that the causes of these diseases have no connection with each other, and the absence of each the same season may be accidental ; but to think otherwise would not seem very irrational, or the expres- sion of an opinion that the cause of each is the same, and that atmospherical, seem very absurd. The great benefit to be derived from deep tilling, high cultivation, and mulching of fruit trees, as a protection against the effects of drought, was, in repeated instances, manifested the last season in an especial manner. Trees growing under the former of these circumstances, even without any mulching, seemed to escape any very essential injury ; while others, growing in perhaps the same field, on a part sown down to grain or grass, were, apparently, materially injured; the leaves 180 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. turning yellow and falling off, while the foliage of the former continned green and healthy. It was, probably, a fortunate circumstance that the great drought was not followed soon by a wet season ; that, accom- panied by warmth, must have induced a late growth of the trees, so late that the wood thus produced would not have had time to mature ; as it was, but few trees that lost their foliage in consequence of the drought put out new leaves, or com- menced a second growth. As to what will be the conse- quences to trees, of the trying ordeal through which they passed, the loss of their foliage, in many instances, at a com- paratively early period of the year, it would be useless to conjecture, when facts must so soon take the place of conjec- tures ; it is to be feared that they cannot but be injurious. There were not many new varieties of fruits exhibited during the past year; not so many as, considering the attention given to raising seedlings, and the efforts to obtain new kinds by importations for several years past, were to have been expected ; of some, however, that were new, or at least but little known, descriptions will be attempted, accompanied with remarks concerning some varieties of different species, of which de- scriptions have already been given, when such will be thought to convey information not generally known. Of the earlier fruits, as the strawberry, blackberry, rasp- berry, «fcc., the crop was indifferent; probably injured, both as respects size and quantity, by the drought; though the favorable circumstances under which they were grown, or the skill of individual cultivators, so far overcame the obsta- cles presented by an unfavorable season, that of each of these fruits some fine specimens were exhibited. Among these fruits were none, however, that were entirely new, unless it be a strawberry raised by Mr. Scott, Brighton, and called Scott's Seedling. This strawberry has been known for a year or two in the Boston market, where it meets a ready sale, at an extra price ; but, as the fruit has never been exhib- ited, nor the plants disseminated, it is new to most cultivators. It is a very fine fruit ; berries large, in color bright crimson, rather peculiar in form, being somewhat of a mulberry shape, APRIL. 181 and of fine flavor; it is said to be hardy, an abundant bearer. and one that promises to be worthy of extensive cultivation. It is a staminate. The Jenny Lind. — Mr. Isaac Fay's seedling, Avhich, although already described, as it has not yet been dissemi- nated, must be considered among the new strawberries, was again exhibited the past season, in a state that served to confirm all that has before been said in favor of this variety. Of Cherries the blow was very full, but from some injury received, the expectations to which this gave rise was not realized, and the crop of this fruit was very indifferent. There were some new seedling cherries; among others, one raised by Mr. Ames, Roxbury, and exhibited on July 15th, that has not before been noticed. Mr. Ames's cherry is large, and in size above medium, of a dark red color, handsome, sweet, and good flavored, pulp soft, stone rather large. The specimens were all fair, and though it rained the day previous to their being gathered, none of those exhibited were cracked. Mr. Ames says, that it is a good and constant bearer, and never cracks. It promises to be a desirable variety. Peaches, the past season, may be considered as a total failure. Of Plums the crop was very poor. The cultivation of plums, of which fruit but few varieties are of any vahie, is attended with so many difficulties that it seems as if, in this vicinity, it would have to be abandoned. The trees are so infested with the black wart that they but disfigure and cum- ber the ground: no new varieties worthy of note have been observed the past year. Grapes. — The cultivation of this fruit, especially of varieties adapted to out-door culture, is receiving marked and increased attention; and it is reasonably to be hoped and expected that the attempts making to obtain from seed, hybrid varieties suited to our climate, and fit for the dessert, will be attended with success. An approximation towards this result has certainly been made, and thereby an inducement presented to a perseverance in the eff"orts for the attainment of the object desired. The results of the experiments of Mr. Stetson, of Braintree, have been formerly noticed, and it is 182 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. believed that Mr. S. is prosecuting his labors in this direction, as is also Mr. Allen of Salem, Mr. Brackett of Winchester, and other scientific and enthusiastic cultivators. Mr. Allen has been engaged for many years in the cultivation of the grape, of native as well as foreign origin, on a very extended scale, and has originated many new varieties from seed, of which mention has heretofore been made. During the past year Mr. A. has fruited for the first time some new hybrid varieties, one of which promises to be, if not superior to any heretofore produced, certainly to take rank in the very first class. As long ago as 1848 Mr. Allen announced that he was engaged in attempts to raise seedling hybrid grapes ; and then expressed an opinion that if these attempts were perse- vered in, unques!:ionably varieties would be produced, that, being hardy, would be free from the hard pulp and foxy flavor which, in the opinion of most people, renders the American inferior to the European varieties. In the prosecu- tion of his experiments Mr. A. adopted the Isabella for the female or producing vine, placed in a situation where it could not be affected by bees, or other extraneous cause ; and fertil- ized by the pollen of some of the foreign varieties ; a perfect hybridization was the result, as clearly evidenced by the foliage of the seedlings, an innnistakable indication. One or two of these hybrid seedlings fruited in 1853, but retained the foxy or Isabella flavor; and in 1854 three or four others: two of which, one a white grape, that it is proposed to call Allen's Hybrid, and the other a purple, both of great promise, of which the following is a brief description. Alleii's Hybrid is a singularly fine white hybrid grape, in quality equal to any Chasselas ; it is both hardy and early, ripening probably in Massachusetts, in favorable situations, and when properly treated, from 5th to 20th September; resembling in form of bunch, berry, and color, the white Ris- sling, so highly esteemed for cultivation on the banks of the Rhine, the berries being somewhat larger. The vine has been exposed through the winter of 1853, and is perfectly hardy; the one that produced fruit, however, grew in a cold grape- house : whether it is adapted to general cultivation, and can APRIL. 183 withstand mildew and other difficulties attendant upon grape culture, has yet to be ascertained. The purple hybrid was of fine flavor, but being not a.E early, seems less valuable than the white one. Wyman grape, said to be a seedling from the Catawba, first exhibited this year, but that fruited, as it is understood, some years since, has large berries, thin skin, sweet, good flavored and free from pulp ; promises to be a decided acqui- sition. The Concord grape, raised by Mr. Bull, has given rise to so much discussion that anything pretending to be a resume of the year would be considered very imperfect that passed it by in silence : but a mere mention of it is only now intend- ed, as no knowledge of its qualities, no information concern- ing it, is possessed, that is not within the possession or within the reach of every cultivator, abundant opportunities having, through the liberaHty of Mr. Bull, been afforded for testing its qualities to almost all so disposed. Of its great beauty there is no question. By raising seedlings for successive gen- erations from the Isabella or other grapes of American origin, an improvement may be perhaps gradually effected, and some- times the ofl'spring of the first generation may exhibit a marked change for the better, as in the case of the Diana. But hybridization of American with some one of foreign origin is believed to be the true system, and the only one that can be followed with much prospect of success. Without this, seedlings from American grapes will probably continue to retain the characteristics of this species, while seedlings from those of foreign origin will be very likely to be so dis- posed to mildew as to be of no value. Before dismissing this branch of the subject, it is but proper to state, that, although in consequence of the memo- randum respecting them having been mislaid no description can now be given, that some very fine native grapes from Mr. Swan, of Dorchester, were exhibited the past season : they were of a purple color, and said to be a seedling from the Catawba. Pears. — Of no fruit is it so difficult to arrive at decided 184 THE MAGAZINE OF HOKTICULTURE. conclusions, with respect to quality, at an early period, as this ;" oftentimes a change of opinion being rendered necessary by a change, after continued cultivation, in the fruit. Sometimes a pear is of such decided excellence at first fruiting that no doubt concerning its quality need be entertained ; but in many cases a change in the fruit takes place with age in the tree, so that fruit, at first indifferent, becomes fine, and thus renders it dangerous to come to an early conclusion with re- spect to them. New pears are, however, the only ones of which an account can be of any interest ; and of such, this must be attempted at the risk alluded to. Those commenc- ing the culture of this fruit will probably find it for their interest to adhere to the older and well established varieties, and thus avoid the disappointments to which that of the newer ones is incident. The past year did not afford an op- portunity to test many new varieties of this species of fruit. Of a few, perhaps not entirely new, yet those with which cultivators are not generally acquainted, brief descriptions will now be given : — Dana's Seedlings. — In addition to those heretofore noticed, others of the seedling pears of Mr. Francis Dana, of Roxbury, have fruited the past year, and been by him exhibited; among others, those designated by him as No. 21 and No. 12. Da?ia^s Seedling No. 21. — Ripe on 20th August, a rather small pear, thick yellow skin, with russet specks, and some- times blotches of russet ; calyx partly closed ; flesh yel- lowish white, juicy, melting, of a pleasant subacid flavor. Dana^s Seedling No. 12. — In shape and size very much resembles the Bartlett ; has a light yellow skin, with russet specks ; calyx closed ; no depression at calyx, but flesh laying about it in folds ; flesh tender, juicy, and though of a brisk subacid flavor, with much sweetness, very good ; seeds of a roundish form, and very large ; season first of September. Shephard^s Seedling. — This pear seems to be a cross be- tween the Urbaniste and Flemish Beauty. The tree was 7 years old in the spring of 1854, and first bore fruit in 1853 ; raised by Mr. James Shephard of Dorchester. The fruit is large, with a yellow skin covered with russet specks, a little APRIL. 185 • russet at calyx, and with some blotches of russet ; calyx open ; flesh white, rather coarse grained, very juicy, melting, and of a pleasant though not high flavor, little gritty at core ; ripe middle of October. Rousselet Jamin, rather small, of a roundish form ; stem long and slender, and not set in any depression ; has a yellow skin, with red specks, and very bright red cheek ; calyx open in a deep basin ; flesh white, tender or melting, of a very pleasant flavor ; season October. A very handsome pear. Poire Louvain is of a pyriform shape, above a medium in size, with a thick yellow skin, with green specks ; flesh white, fine grained, tender, juicy and sweet ; calyx open in a deep basin ; season October. Bergamot Loiivain, of a medium size, roundish form, with a yellow skin and russet specks, in sun specks red, some blotch- es of russet ; calyx large, open ; flesh white, tender, rather dry ; flavor pleasant ; October. Dr. Bouvier, large, or above a medium in size, of a some- what irregular pyriform shape, running up to a point at the stem ; skin yellow, with russet specks and with some stripes or blotches of russet ; calyx open ; flesh white, fine grained, juicy, tender, half breaking, of a sweet pleasant flavor, some- times a little astringent ; last of October. De Bavay, large, or above a medium, pyriform, long stem ; thick yellow skin, specks russet, but bronzed in the sun, russet at calyx, with sometimes spots and blotches of russet ; calyx open ; flesh white, very juicy, tender or melting, of a pleasant subacid flavor, good ; first of November. Seedling from late Captain Lovett. — This, if not a posthu- mous gain of the late distinguished Horticulturist, whose name is annexed to it, was not exhibited until after his death, is a large handsome pear, pyriform in shape, with a thick yellow skin, somewhat bronzed in sun, russet specks, with rus- set at calyx, and some blotches of russet ; calyx open ; in ap- pearance somewhat resembles Louise Bonne de Jersey, and may be a seedling from it ; flesh white, melting, juicy, of a very pleasant flavor ; seems to rot at core ; season early in Novem- ber. VOL. XXL NO. IV. 24 186 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. During the later years of his life, the late Capt. Lovett paid much attention to the raising of seedling pears, and must have left many about coming into fruit ; perhaps his usefulness has not ceased with his life, and the public may have yet to enjoy the results of his labors and experiments. Conseilleur de la Cour, large, or above a medium, obovate ; stem set on one side ; skin thick, greenish yellow when ripe, with russet specks and sometimes stripes and blotches of russet ; calyx large, and open ; flesh yellowish white, juicy, melting, of a pleasant though subacid or acid flavor, little gritty at core ; season November, but keeps into December. Sullivan. — So named by the late Mr. Manning, it being one of Van Mons's varieties ; of a medium size, pyriform shape, stem stout and on one side, no depression at calyx, that large and open, with a smooth green skin and russet specks ; flesh greenish white, fine grained, tender, very juicy, pleasant but not high flavored ; rots at core ; November. Beurre Beymont. — Obovate, rather under a medium size, with long straight stem, smooth yellowish green skin, russet specks and some blotches of russet red in sun; calyx open; flesh white, juicy, melting, fine grained, of a very pleasant subacid flavor ; November. Serrurier. — Of medium size, obovate form, stem short, smooth yellow skin, nearly covered with blotches and stripes of russet ; calyx small, closed ; flesh white, juicy, melting, of very pleasant subacid flavor ; November. Poire de deux Sosurs. — Rather large, of an elongated pyri- form shape ; of, when ripe, a yellowish green color, with brown specks and sometimes black spots ; flesh solid but ten- der and juicy, pleasant ; November. It has already been stated that it was hazardous to express an opinion with regard to the qualities of new pears, and it is still more so to venture upon their description. For, as trees received are frequently not true to their names, where no means are possessed of ascertaining when such is the case, very erroneous descriptions are not inconsistent with perfect honesty of intention, with respect to nearly all of which this APRIL. 187 has now been attempted, no doubt of their correctness has been entertained. Some general remarks concerning a few varieties of pears completes what is now to be offered concerning this fruit. The Boston pear was last year very fine, and the speci- mens exhibited justified all that has before been said in its favor. About this pear there has been a difference of opinion, and among fruit growers some discussion ; arising, probably, from the fact, that it has varied greatly in quality in different years ; having been, when first exhibited, very excellent, then for a year or two indifferent, while the past season it has manifested its original superiority. No one has grown this pear but the Messrs. Hovey, and it is but justice to give iheir explanation of this difference in quality, which is, that the first year the specimens exhibited were gathered from a strong and established tree, while those subsequently shown, grew upon weak trees in the nursery rows, until the past year, when strong and well grown trees again produced fruit, and the pears were excellent ; August. Langelier'' s Beurrc has now been fruited for four or five years, and a Somewhat mature opinion can be formed con- cerning it, and though it might not be, perhaps, safe to recom- mend it for general and extensive cultivation until after further trial, still, so far as individual experience will warrant a de- cided opinion, it is altogether in its favor. Specimens were produced last year in considerable quantity that were large, very handsome, and excellent. It is a very sound fruit, does not rot at the core, and keeps well ; season January, but may be kept longer. Young trees do not set the fruit well, but this is a defect that age will probably cure, for grafts set in the top of old trees have been found to bear profusely, so as to render severe thinning necessary. Doyenne Boussock gives indication of being adapted to general cultivation ; its size and beauty render it a very attractive fruit ; in order to be eaten in perfection it should be gathered before fully ripe, when it seems more juicy and to possess more flavor than when permitted to ripen on the tree. M. Berckmans, now of New Jersey, states that this pear 188 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. is cultivated almost universally for the markets of Belgium. On its own roots it is a very strong grower. The original and therefore true name of this pear is Double Philippe ; it is sometimes called Buerre Merode, &c. Caen de France. — Synonymous with No. 51 of Van Mons. Some years since this pear attracted considerable attention ,• but, for some reason, its cultivation appears to have been neg- lected, for specimens of it are but rarely exhibited ; so that it is doubtful whether it can be found, except in a few collec- tions. It is a fine pear, of a rich russet color, obovate form, equalling in quality the Winter Nelis, and excelling it in size. For the first year or two after fruiting it shows a disposition to rot at the core ; but, for the last two or three years, this tendency, if it existed, has disappeared, and it has proved to. be a sound fruit, keeping well until January. In collections where a variety of winter pears is desired, it is believed that the Caen de France is worthy of attention. When young in the nursery rows it is an upright and good growing tree. Descriptions of several new pears have recently been publish- ed in Europe, of some of which, trees have been received in this country, but have not yet fruited. It may be considered not out of place here to name a few of these, that, from the growth and vigor of the tree, give promise of being suited to our climate, without intending thereby to recommend a trial of them ; among such is Princesse Charlotte, dedicated to the Princess, daughter of Leopold, King of Belgium, a seedling of Esperen's, and seems to be one of his hardiest fruits, said to be of superior quality ; season, November. Due d'' Orleans. — A very vigorous growing tree; fruit described as very fine, of medium size ; ripe in November and December. Leopold Premier. — Said to be of the very best quality ; tree of an average vigor, produced by M. Bivort, from the sowings of Dr. Van Mons ; first fruited 1848. Beurrc Burnicq. — One of the seedlings of Esperen, and dedicated to the Curate of Lannes ; originated 1846 : tree of moderate growth ; described as a fine fruit. APRIL. 189 Bergamotte Heimhoiirg. — A very vigorous growing tree, seems suited to the orchard ; described as a large, fine pear ; from M. Bivort. Rousselet St. Nicholas. — Also from M. Bivort ; seems to be a very hardy tree ; said to be, though small, of exquisite flavor, and to bear well ; ripe in February and March. Henry de Bivort. — A remarkably vigorous grower, and said to be a good pear. Poire de Tongres. — A very vigorous tree ; also said to be a beautiful and excellent fruit. Poire Prince Albert. — Strong growing tree ; fruit ripens in February and March ; first bore fruit 1848. Beurrc Cornice de Toulon. — Tree described as being of a remarkable vigor, and very productive ; received the first prize in 1852, from the Society of Toulon, Calebasse Tougard. — Dedicated to the President of the Horticultural Society of Rouen ; described as large, and one of the very best late summer or autumn pears ; said not to answer on the quince. Poire delices de Froyennes. — First bore fruit in 1853 ; received the first premium from the Horticultural Society of Tournai ; produced by M. Courcelles, proprietor of Froyennes, near Tournai in Belgium ; is described as a very vigorous and very fertile tree, with fruit of a moderate size, whose quality is best expressed by the word delicious ; ripens the last of November in Belgium. This list might be much extended, but is already sufficiently large to answer the purpose had in view in offering it, which was to bring to the notice of cultivators some of the additions more recently made to this branch of pomology. Apples. — The crop of apples in this vicinity, notwith- standing the drought, was, as is always the case on the even years when the Baldwins bear, average in quality and not deficient in quantity. It is rather a subject for regret that cultivators should devote themselves so generally to the Baldwin, bearing as that variety does only on alternate years, although then most abundantly, to the neglect of other kinds. Some new apples have been exhibited ihe past year, but none were noticed that seem to require a particular description. 190 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. THE HARDY SHRUBS OF THE SOUTH. BY ANDREW GRAY, SAVANNA, GA. In my present communication I shall confine myself chiefly to a short notice of our hardy shrubs ; but in doing so I do not mean to trouble you with a minute description of them, as I deem that trite and unimportant ; all or nearly all being fully described in the botanical or gardening works of the country. What I presume will most interest your readers will be to know what constitute our hardy shrubs. The Camellia. — I shall commence with the Camellia, as, all things considered, it is certainly the most beautiful and elegant of the collection. The plant is perfectly hardy, but the blooms will not stand the frost, and even the buds are destroyed by a severe frost, say 18°, causing the petals to loose their hold on the receptacle ; they are also liable to be bruised with the wind and rain, and but seldom do we pro- cure as fine flowers as when grown under glass ; but then imagine a plant eight feet high and eight feet in diameter, with sometimes 150 blooms on it, in January, growing in the open ground, in the midst of neighboring shrubs, almost divested of their foliage, and you have an object worthy the admiration of the connoisseurs of beauty and perfection. Magno^lia fusca^ta is a most magnificent shrub, perfectly hardy and grows rapidly : we have it eight ft, high and as much in diameter at the base, forming a sort of pyramid. In March and April it bears a profusion of flowers close on the young wood, and consequently do not appear above the foliage, but emit an agreeable odor resembling the smell of the fruit of the banana. In fact it is here known by its lady admirers as the Banana shrub. PiTTOspo^RUM TOBi^RA, a wcll kuowu dcuizen of the green- house and conservatory; stands our severest winters with per- fect impunity; growing almost to a tree. Its fine dark green foliage renders it a very desirable plant for the south, and is admirably adapted for hedges and for forming groves, as it stands cutting in well, and is also of a spreading habit. APRIL. 191 Myrtus mu'ltiplex, communis, &c., are all hardy; the former is a very desirable plant ; grows here with surprising luxuriance. We have some plants seven feet high and eight or ten in diameter, which in spring and autumn bear fine trusses of flowers on the young wood, and are exceedingly pretty, especially before they fully expand. Taxu3 chinensis or Chinese Yew. — If I mistake not, Loudon called this plant Podocarpus macrophyllus ; be that as it may it is a very desirable conifer for the south ; the dis- tribution of its foliage resembles the Irish yew, but is broader, stifFer, and stands more erect on the branches and is equally persistent. The plant is of slow growth and straggling habit naturally, but bears the knife well and can be pruned into a very pretty bush. EuoNYMus japo'nica, var. variegata and fimbriata are all hardy here : fimbriata has not been long enough out here to speak of its merits : variegata is ten or twelve feet high, and owing to its peculiar foliage is a rather conspicuous look- ing object, and amongst other things has a fine effect, but at times grows so rampant as to run entirely out of the variega- tion: both varieties are proof against the effects of salt water; hence its adaptation for planting near the sea coast. Vibu'rnum ti^nus and lu^cidum, are both hardy ; the former is so well known and as it diff'ers nothing from those culti- vated in greenhouses at the south, I need pass no remarks re- garding it : lu^cidum is a very strong growing species with large shining leaves ; the plant is of a spreading habit, some- what like the laurels. There is one plant here about 15 feet high and perhaps 12 in diameter, and when in flower presents one complete mass of white ; but emits not a very agreeable odor ; it has, however, a very grand appearance at a little distance. Erobo'tyra japo'nica is a small tree, with very little that is ornamental about it ; has large rough leaves, under side downy ; it bears a raceme of insignificant flowers ; its fruit, (about the size of a gooseberry) when ripe, is of an acid, somewhat agreeable taste. Garde^nia flo'rida, and others of the genius, are hardy. 192 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. This species thrives remarkably well and flowers most abund- antly ; the flowers sometimes three and four inches in diameter. When first expanded they are creamy white, but change to yellow, which gives the plant a peculiar appearance. When these plants are in bloom, in May, they fill the whole place with a spicy odor, but are a little too strong for a hand bouquet. Ne'^rium oleander, &c., all chiefly known by the appella- tion of oleanders, (for we are not very nice in our nomencla- ture at times) are nearly as hardy as the orange trees, bearing about 14° of frost with merely having their tender twigs destroyed. They are sometimes cut down to the ground, but their roots survive, and they spring up with surprising vigor. When uninjured by the frost they flower very freely, and to see them waving their pink trusses in the breeze, im- pregnating the air with their genial odor, is sufficient to inspire us with the hallowed feelings that inspired Linnaeus when he saw the field of broom, (Cytisus scoparia) and kneeled down and thanked the God of Nature. Metroside^ros floribunda, &c., are also hardy, except in extremely severe seasons, when it gets killed down. This is an exceedingly fine shrub ; its waving branches and the peculiar looking brush-like flowers ; it has also the seed cap- sule adhering to the wood, tending to make it a conspicuous and admirable plant for this latitude. The foregoing are the most important of our evergreen shrubs. Tree Box, Ligustrum, and some others I will omit. I shall only mention two or three of our deciduous shrubs. Lagerstr(e^mia i'ndica is the finest, and stands our winters well ; indeed, it is hardy several degrees north of this ; grows almost to a tree, flowering very freely in May, June, and July. Stua'rtia pentagynia is a shrub of considerable merit, a native of the south ; flowers in April ; at which time the plant has a very delicate and pretty appearance. The bark smooth, light colored ; branches, dichotomus ; leaves, villose, alternate ; flowers, sessile, somewhat resembling the mallows; but the distribution of its stamens places it in the natural APRIL. 193 order Nymphaea, at least in the Linnasan Polyandria class. Its seeds and seed capsule resemble the Camellia. Of Deutz/a, althasa and a good many others I shall say nothing. From what I have said it will be seen that the Japanese and Chinese plants are well adapted to this latitude, and why might not the tea plant be cultivated with propriety ? Thea viridis is growing in the neighborhood. In 1851 I visited Dr. Junius Smith's tea plantation, in the vicinity of Greenville, S. C, in hope to sse the tea plant in something like perfection, but I must confess I was disappointed ; at the same time what I saw was sufficient to prove the thing possible. Mr. Smith had some plants about three feet high and looking pretty well ; he said the drought was more injurious to his plants than the cold or heat. His integrity and enthu- siasm, for a gentleman of his age, were remarkable, but his appliances and practical workings were insufficient for the undertaking. Since his decease I have heard nothing of the tea planting. NOTES ON SOME SPECIES OF HICKORY. BY THOS. MEEHAN, GERMANTOWN, PHILADELPHIA. I was so much interested in some remarks you made last fall in your magazine on " our neglected American trees," that I could not resist the temptation of troubling you with a note in relation to Celtis occidentalis. Beyond the " neglect- ed," as you have them enumerated, the hickories may also be mentioned, as especially worthy of note in both an utilitarian and ornamental point of view, and, with your permission, I beg to draw attention to them ; at least so far as to those with which I am well acquainted. In Pennsylvanian forests the first change of color which gives them such an interesting appearance in the fall, is due to the hickories. Long before the sassafras appears in its variegated hues, the hickories are brilliant with every shade of yellow and orange. The first white frost, or unseasonably cold night, changes their dark green hue in a few hours. The VOL. XXI. NO. IV. 25 194 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. depth of shade varies with the species. Some kinds fade as pale as a tulip tree ; others have frequently the deep scarlet hue, which often gives such a richness to the orange of the sugar maple. That they have not hitherto received any attention from the landscape gardener, in his efforts to improve country resi- dences, is probably not because he has been insensible to the beauties they are capable of enabling him to effect in his op- erations, as on account of their never being found in a nurse- ryman's collection ; from whence it is almost indispensable for him to procure his materials. And why are they not kept on hand by the nurseryman ? Simply because he is unaware that the landscape gardener requires them. It is not the busi- ness of a nurseryman to point out beauties ; his duty is to supply the demand and wants of his customers, for whom he would as soon keep on hand a supply of hickories as of any other tree. There are two other circumstances which may in some de- gree operate against the cultivation of hickories ; they are not as easily transplanted, nor in many cases do they grow so fast as some other trees. A hickory, transplanted directly from the woods, will very rarely succeed, and it requires a warm sun and dry atmosphere to make a good summer's growth. In a cool, humid climate, such as Eugland, for instance, with even the most careful culture, they can scarcely be made to grow ; but there are few places in the States, where, with about the same attention as is bestowed on the magnolia, they may not be made to grow as fast, and thrive as well. The hickorys (Carya) were classed originally with the walnuts (JuGLANs). They were separated by Rafinesque under the name of Hickories, and subsequently by Nuttall under the name above given and usually adopted. The prin- cipal distinction resides in the fruit : the walnut having its nut enclosed in a somewhat fleshy covering, without any opening valves, and the nut itself being woody, rough and ir- regularly furroAved ; while the hickory has its covering some- what leathery, more or less opening by valves, and its nut bony and smooth. APRIL. 195 The only kinds that we have about Philadelphia are : — I. The Common or White hickory (C. tomentosa) ; 2. Shellbark hickory (C alba): 3. Illinois hickory or Peccan Nut (C. olivcvformis)] 4, Pigiuit hickory (C porcina or C. glabra of Torrey^ ; 5. Bitternut (C. amara) ; 6. Small Fruited hick- ory (C. microcarpa). 1. The Common White hickory (C. tomentosa) is the largest growing kind with us, and the most valuable for tim- ber, but, in its habits and appearance, the least ornamental. The leaves are larger and coarser than any other kind, and in the fall have frequently a tinge of scarlet mixed with the deep orange they always present. The bark of the old trees is usually cleft with deep fissures, and has a very coarse and heavy appearance. It is readily distinguished by its fruit, which has a very thick covering, often one-quarter inch, with the valves opening when ripe half way down ; the nut itself is very hard, and the shell thick, so much so, that it takes a very heavy blow to crack them. It seems to attain its great- est dimensions in rich woodland soils, that rest on a substra- tum of clay. 2. Shellbark hickory (C. alba) does not grow as tall as Nos. 1, 3, or 5, but has a more spreading habit than any of the rest. Indeed, it will occasionally come near rivalling in that respect either the British or white oaks. The bark ofteii, though not always, peels off in large flakes, which has given rise to its popular name. The leaves in the fall turn to a blackish yellow, and are not so handsome as most of the others. The timber is least valued of the whole tribe ; though in the matter of its eatable nuts, it has the preeminence. It is readily distinguished by its fruit, which is a little sunk in at both ends like an apple, has a thick covering, which opens all the way doion, a nut with, four angles, and a thin shell, easily broken. It seems to grow best in pretty much the same sit- uations as the last. 3. Illinois hickory (C. olivcpfbrmis), a tall growing species, having at a distance more the appearance of an ash than a hickory. The fissures in the bark are narrow and close to- gether, precisely as in the ash. In the fall the leaves with us 196 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. turn black, and are in no way ornamental. Considerable interest is attached to its cultivation through the superior excellence of its nuts, which, however, are only occasionally produced in this region. It is readily distinguished by its fruit, which is long or olive shaped, with a thin covering, scarcely opening but a little at the apex. The nut has a thin shell, frequently marked by faint purple lines or dots. It grows well in a dry loamy soil, and I have seen good speci- mens in rocky situations, and on gravel. 4. Pignut hickory (C. porclna). A very ornamental kind, having more sprayey branchlets and more numerously divid- ing branches than the others. It has the smoothest bark, with numerous small fissures, of any of the tribe. The leaves turn to a rich yellow in the fall. It is but a middle sized tree, but the timber is highly valued for its toughness. It grows best in rather moist clayey situations. It is easily distinguished by its fruit, which is pear-shaped, and slightly flattened. The covering of the nut does not open, or but very partially, and is thin. The nut has no angles, is a little heart-shaped at the apex, and also has a thin shell. 5. Bitternut (C. amara) is my favorite as an ornamental tree. In favorable situations it is lofty, often 80 or 90 feet high. I have seen it in open situations in rich alluvial river bottoms, form a perfect cone. The branches, like those of the Pignut, are densely clothed with fine spray, and in the fall the leaves turn to a rich golden yellow. It is very readily distinguished by its fruit, which is the smallest of the kinds mentioned. The covering is very thin, may almost be said to be papery, and opens half way down mXo four divisions, each di\Y'\s\oi\ tapering to a point. The nut also tapers suddenly to a very sharp point, has a thin shell, and an intensely bitter kernel. 6. Small Fruited hickory (C. microcarpa). A middle sized tree, ornamental in its outlines, but not equal to the two last. It is coarser in its appearance than 4 and 5 ; but not near so much so as 1 and 2. It would be more liable to be mis- taken for the Pignut, at first sight, than any of the others ; but is well distinguished by its fruit, which, though it varies APRIL. 197 much in size, is always roundish, the covering not openingy and thin, the nut sW^hiXy four-angled, and thin shelled. I have endeavored to describe these so that any one may distinguish them, who is interested in arboricuhure, without the use of botanical terms, and shall be happy if I have suc- ceeded. To cultivate them successfully, sow the nuts in the fall, or save them in a cool place till spring. Cover them an inch deep at least. When they are one year old, take them up and transplant into ruirsery rows, previously shortening the tap root to encourage the productions of laterals. They may be successfully transplanted even at some years afterwards, if moved at or just before the fall of the leaf, and care being taken to prevent the few fibres they possess from becoming dry in the operation. POMOLOGICAL GOSSIP. Jenny Lind Strawberry. — This new variety now offered for sale, has been exhibited before the Massachusetts Horti- cultural )Society for three years and highly spoken of by the fruit committee. Its peculiar qualities are earliness, size and productiveness, in the former respect ripening at the same sea- son as the Early Virginia, nearly twice as large and ex- tremely productive. It is also a solid berry, high colored and handsome shape. We have repeatedly examined Mr. Fay's beds when in full fruit, and have been surprised at the earli- ness and abundance of the crop. If it gives the same satis- faction under the care of other cultivators that it has under that of Mr. Fay, it will prove one of the most valuable ac- quisitions, and will entirely displace that old and, in our opin- ion, almost worthless variety, the Early Virginia. New Varieties of Plums. — Some time since we noticed the new plums which have been raised by Mr. Dorr, of Al- bany, N. Y., but have not found an opportunity to describe them. They are the following : — 198 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Wax Plum. — A late variety, ripening during the month of October, when light colored plums are mostly gone. Its pa- rents are supposed to be Bleeker's Yellow and Denniston's Su- perb. Fruit large, slightly oval ; stem quite two inches long and downy ; color the richest yellow, mostly covered with carmine ; bloom lilac ; flesh greenish yellow, juicy, fair, sac- charine, with a sprightly, very pleasant flavor ; stone free. Oc- tober. HoioarcTs Favorite. — Another seedling named in honor of Sanford Howard, Esq.; what its parents were, Mr. Dorr is un- able to tell. It is a profuse bearer, and possesses a peculiarity which greatly enhances its value for his bleak grounds, that of resisting the gales of summer : so great its tenacity to hold on that it is impossible to knock them off without breaking the fruit spurs. It continues to ripen for six weeks ; the tree is a fine grovv'^er, forming a fine rounded head, with crumpled leaves, quite ornamental. Fruit large, jug-shaped ; stem one and a quarter inches long, inserted in a rim like the Egg plum ; color rich yellow, dotted and shaded with carmine ; bloom lilac ; skin thick ; flesh rather coarse but very sugary, rich and delicious, clinging somewhat to the stone. Septem- ber. Henry Clay. — First bore fruit in 1852. It was raised from pots of Howard's Favorite. Size large, considerably more so than its parent, being broader and heavier ; color bright yel- low on the sunny side, with carmine cheek ; stem nearly two inches long, slightly sunken ; bloom white ; skin tough ; flesh yellow, rich, sugary and delicious; half cling and half free. September. The Nonpareil Pear. — A description of this new pear, with an engraving of the fruit, already in type, is necessarily laid over till our next. The Diller Pear. — Mr. S. Walker, of Roxbury, has sent us some comments upon our remarks on this variety, which appeared in our February number, but the crowded state of our pages prevent us from giving them a place till our next. The communications of many other correspondents, whose favors we appreciate, are, for the same reason, postponed till the May issue. APRIL. 1 09 STUDIES IN THE FIELD AND FOREST. BY WILSON FLAGG. No. 2. The Early Flowers. APRIL. Morning has spread her roses in the east ; The bahiiy vernal breezes are released ; And April sends her showers on plain and wood, To raise the seeds the breath of Autumn strewed. The sun to light the dales and wake the flowers, Has added to his car more winged hours, And lingers with benevolent delay, To warm the earth and cheer the vernal day. The face of nature dawns with new delight : Crowds of reviving things attract our sight ; Led onward by the rosy hours of spring, Millions of birds again are on the wing ; The naked trees look brighter in the field, Where frequent stripes of verdure are revealed. The buds are swelling in the lilac bush. And sprouting daffodils are firm and flush ; Tulips are peeping out in sunny places, And infant snowdrops show their lily faces ; The early wild flowers, on the mossy knolls, Are pushing up their little purple scrolls ; And many a bright familiar plant has risen In sudden beauty from its icy prison. Tho' April wears a changeful countenance. Yet as her budding, radiant hosts advance. She rules the earth with more benignant sway. Till she resigns her crown to flowery-kirtled May. In our climate we seldom realize, during the months of April and May, that pleasant temperature which is supposed to characterize the vernal season of the year. The earth is often covered with snow until the first of April, and the weather is too cold for vegetation before the middle of the month. The progress of the year is retarded by the preva- lence of northeasterly winds, and the icebergs that float down from the Arctic seas infuse a chill into our atmosphere, long after the sun has brought out the early flowers, and arrayed the whole wilderness in blossoms. The vernal flow- ers of our climate do not begin to appear before the middle 200 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. of April, except in extraordinary seasons, and many of them, retarded by the protracted chills from the ocean, continue to deck the fields until they are suddenly brought to maturity by the hot summer sun. It is not unusual for the whole month of April to pass away without producing more than two or three species of wild flowers; and, on May-day, the youths and maidens are often obliged to abandon their search for flowers, and to crown their young queen with a simple wreath of evergreens. Among the vernal flowers are usually classed all those, which, in propitious seasons, are expanded during the months of April and May, and mostly become extinct before the days have obtained their greatest length. Within this period the most delicate and interesting flowers of the whole year come to perfection, commencing with the anemones and violets, that bring along in their rear whole myriads of bell- worts, cornels, ginsengs, saxifrages, and columbines, until the procession is closed by the wild geranium, that leads on the still more brilliant host of summer. The vernal flowers are mostly herbaceous and minute. They grow in sheltered situations, on the southern slopes of declivities or the sunny borders of a wood, and require but a short period of heat and sunshine to perfect their blossoms. They are generally pale in their tints, many of them white, but commonly tinged with delicate shades of blue or pink. The anemones of our fields are true vernal flowers, and there is hardly a solitary one to be seen after the middle of June. Such, also, are the most of the violets, the bellworts, and the Solomon's seals. There are some spring flowers, however, that remain in bloom during a great part of summer, until they lose all their charms by constantly intruding themselves upon our notice. Such are the common buttercups, which are favorites with children when they first appear, but shine like gilded toys, and symbolize no charming sentiment to endear them to our sight. The anemones, on the other hand, present in their habits and appearance emblems of many tender and poetic images. One of the earliest of these to be found in our woods is the APRIL. 201 liverwort, (Hepatica triloba) appearing on the sunny slope of a hill that is protected by woods, and continuing to put forth its delicate blossoms during a period of six weeks. These are the flowers which have generally rewarded my earliest botanical rambles, and every year I behold them with increased delight. They are often seen in crowded clusters, half con- cealed by some dry oak leaves, that were elevated by the flowers as they sprang up from the bosom of the earth. They vary in color, from a dark purple and lilac, to lighter shades of the same tints. Appearing in clusters that often contain more than twenty flowers, they form a pleasing contrast with the little wood anemone that spangles the mossy knolls with its solitary drooping blossoms, scattered somewhat evenly over the green surface. While we admire the splen- dor and elegance of the liverwort in clusters of various, shades, some purple or lilac, some of a pale blue, and others: white, the wood anemones are still more charming, on account of their expression of meekness and delicacy. The rue-leaved anemone differs from each of these. More live!y in its appearance than either, it bears several upright flowers upon one stalk, with such a look of cheerfulness that they seem almost to smile upon us from their green shady nooks. Not the least charming of our vernal flowers is one, which having no standard English name, is known by a different appellation in almost every place. This flower is the Hoiis- tonia cceridea. It sometimes appears in the latter part of April; but, in this vicinity, its blossoms are closely identified with the month of May, when they are so thickly strown over the fields, as, at a distance, to resemble a flight of snow spread lightly over the green pastures. The whole plant is almost as delicate as the finer mosses ; and the flowers, though minute, are rendered conspicuous by the brilliant golden hue of their centre, that melts imperceptibly into the azure white- ness of the corolla. The houstonia has sometimes been called! stamvort, a name that corresponds very justly with its general! habits and appearance. In April one or two solitary flowers of this species may be seen peeping out from the green herb- age, as in early evening a few stars are seen twinkling through VOL. XXI. NO. IV. 26 202 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. the diminishing light. These continue to multiply until they glitter in the meads and valleys like the heavenly host at midnight ; and then by degrees they slowly disappear, until June scatters them from the face of the earth, as morning melts away the starry lights in the firmament. It may seem remarkable that the earliest spring flowers that come up under a frosty sky, and are often enveloped in snow, should, notwithstanding this apparently hardening ex- posure, exceed almost all others in delicacy. Such are the anemones, the houstonia, and the bellwort, among our indig- enous plants, and such the crocus, the snowdrop, and the lily of the valley, among exotics. The spring flowers are like- wise, for the most part, more powerfully and more sweetly scented than those of other seasons. Even the aments that hang from the willow, the poplar, and the sweet fern, are more fragrant than the aments of the oak, the beech, and the chestnut, which appear a month later. The sweet-scented vernal grass, ( Anthoxayithuni odoratum) one of our earliest grasses, is exceeded by no species in fragrance. Many of the small flowers of spring that seem, when examined singly, to be nearly scentless, are found to be very fragrant when collected into bunches. I have observed this fact of some of the violets, of the two-leaved Solomon's seal, and some other small flowers. Though we cannot regard their superior fragrance as an unexceptionable trait in the character of the spring flowers, yet, as the season advances, the blossoms of plants become less and less fragrant, until the fields of Autumn display their myriads of gaudy flowers, that give out scarcely a perceptible odor. In this phenomenon I think I can detect one of those mysterious provisions of nature which are instituted for the preservation of the species. All flowers seem to depend more or less upon insects as agents in the work of their fertilization. In early spring, when there are but few insects abroad, they might not be able to discover the flowers, if the latter did not send out into the atmosphere a strong and agreeable perfume, by which the insect is guided to their honey cups. The insect having entered the cup of the APRIL. 203 flower, while engaged in sipping sweets from the nectaries, mixes the pollen upon the stigma, by the motions of his delicate feet and wings ; or, as in the case of the dioecious plants, bears it upon his downy wings and thighs, to the distant blossom that requires its fertilizing properties. Children, who are unaffected lovers of flowers, have always shown a preference for those of early spring, when they are more attractive on account of their novelty, and seem more beautiful as the harbingers of a warmer season. Tt is at this time that we most fully realize the influence of the alterna- tions of the seasons, in promoting our happiness. The phi- losophers of nature long since discovered that winter is necessary as a period of repose for certain vegetable tribes, that without it would perish or become unproductive. But this beneficent change is equally necessary to promote the vigor of all our susceptibilities for enjoyment ; and winter, while it shuts us out from very many healthful pleasures, is a period during which our moral feelings and imagination acquire new sensibilities. It is apparent that to this influence may be attributed the greater pleasure we derive from the sight of the early spring flowers. After the earth has re- mained bleak and desolate for half the year, every beautiful thing in nature has a renewed charm, when it reappears ; and a single violet by the wayside inspires a little child with more delight than he feels when surrounded by a whole garden of blossoms in the month of July. Parties of young children are annually called out by the first warm sunshine to hunt for the early flowers of April. The botanist is also already out among the birds and children, peeping into green dells under the shelving rocks, or in sunny nooks brushing away the dry oak leaves, to find the early anemone or the fragrant ground laurel, (Epigas^a repensj, dip- ping his hand into clear streams for confervas and water- cresses, or examining the drooping bunches of the andromeda for its rows of pearly gems. He thinks not meanly of his pursuit though he finds for his companions the village children and the poor herb woman who is employed in gathering salads for the market. From her lips he may obtain some 204 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. important knowledge and derive a moral hint, which may- teach him that the sum of our enjoyments is proportioned to the simplicity of our habits and pursuits ; and that this poor herb woman, who lives under the open windows of heaven, enjoys more happiness, with all her poverty, than many envied persons who are prisoned Jn a palace and shackled with gold. In the early part of the month he finds but few floweis to reward his search, and he watches every little group of children he meets to inquire if they have been successful. By consulting with them he often learns the locality of a rare plant, a new phase in the aspect of nature, or discovers some forgotten charm that used to hover about certain old familiar scenes, or that was connected with some once familiar object, to whose pleasing influence he had become blunted, but which is now revived in all its former intensity, by witnessing its effects on the susceptible minds of the young. Not long after the first of the month many amentaceous shrubs are covered with their flowing drapery of blossoms. Along the borders of the old stone walls, and outside of the woods, the hazel groves display some of the earliest flowers of the year. Their light green aments, before the leaves have started from their hybernacles, hang like fringe from their numerous branches ; and attracted by their odors the honey bees and other early insects have already commenced their mellifluous operations among their flowery racemes. While the hazel thus adorns the edges of the woods and the rustic waysides, the hills are covered with sweet fern bushes, whose flowers diffuse a spicy odor that never dies out from their foliage. We are not obliged to go far from our door steps to see the evidences of reviving vegetation. The elms are fully em- broidered with blossoms of a bright chocolate hue ; and on account of the graceful droop of their branches, the flowers seem to have a pendulous character, resembling long tassels of fringe, whose sobriety of hue corresponds with the general sombre tints of the landscape. The red maple, arrayed in a more brilliant vesture, and in the ruddy hues of a summer evening cloud, when rising up among the still leafless trees APRIL. 205 of the forest, seems to illuminate its shady recesses, like a pyre of crimson flame. The willows bearing blossoms either yellow or of a silvery whiteness, occasioned by the down that covers their aments, add a different kind of lustre to similar grounds. When the elm, the red maple, the different willows, and the tremulous poplar, with its purplish aments, happen to be grouped together in front of an evergreen wood, the April sun looks down upon a scene of varied beauty not sur- passed by the floral spectacles that glisten under the brighter beams of the summer solstice. We have to lament in this climate the absence of many beautiful flowers, which are associated in our minds with the opening of spring, by our familiarity with English literature. We scfirch in vain over our green meads and sunny hillsides for the daisy and the cowslip, which like so many gems from heaven spangle the fields in Great Britain, and gladden the sight of the English cottager. We have read of them until they seem like the true tenants of our own fields ; and when on a pleasant ramble we do not find them, there seems to be a void in the landscape, and the fields seem to have lost their fairest ornaments. Thus poetry, while it inspires the mind with sentiments that contribute largely to the sum of our happiness, often binds our affections to objects we can never behold and shall never caress. The daisy and the cowslip are remembered in our reading as the bright-eyed children of spring ; and they emblemise those little members of our former family circle, of whom we have heard but have never seen, who exist only in the pensive history of the youthful group whose numbers are imperfect without them. In our gardens alone do we find the pensive snow drop, the poetic narcissus, the crocus and the hyacinth. There only is the heartsease, or tri-colored violet, which equally adorns the fresh chaplets of April, and blends its colors with the brown sheaves of October. There only is the lily of the valley, the bright Bethelem Star, and the creeping blue-eyed periwinkle. The heath is neither in our fields nor our gar- dens. The flowers of classic lands, and many plants which are sacred to the muse, are not found in the fields and valleys of the new continent. Our native flowers, for the most part, 206 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. are consecrated only by associations with our own experience, and not with poetry and romance. The starwort, the ane- mone, the saxifrage, and the drooping bellwort, look up to us from their green mossy knolls, full of the light of the happy years of our childhood ; but the flowers which have been sung by the British or the Roman muse, belong to other climes, and our own fields do not know them. While engaged in the pursuit of flowers, or in general observations of nature, our attention is attracted to the notes and movements of the birds, and we cannot fail to remark that there is a lively garrulity among the feathered tribes at this time, that ceases in the course of a few weeks. Along with the birds of our own fields and woods, arrive multitudes of little strangers, that tarry with us in their journey to a higher latitude, where they go to build their nests and rear their young. They are commonly assembled in loose flocks, chirping and singing nearly all their time ; and in the sheltered woodland valleys, whither they resort for protection from the cold winds, the whole air resounds with their garrulous melody. Among these are multitudes of a species of snow- bird, (Fringilla Hudsonia,) a little slate-colored sparrow, often seen in winter in company with other snow birds. The song of this species consists of but few notes, which are very melodious, and when poured forth by a whole multitude in chorus, are exceedingly delightful. Associated with these are numbers of a species of brown finch or bunting, (Fringilla canadensis,) that join their still more melodious notes to the general medley ; and perhaps at no season of the year are we greeted with a louder chorus than during the latter part of April, when these cheerful birds are migrating to their northern haunts. In the latter part of the month the signs of promise that were hung out upon the heavens and displayed , upon the landscape, begin to be fulfilled. Flowers are more frequent in our paths through the fields, and the light green-plaited leaves are conspicuous in the shrubbery. The song sparrow is weaving her nest in some grassy knoll at the edge of the wood, the robin has commenced his early morning song, and the blue-bird is exploring the hollows of old trees for his APRIL. 207 summer habitation. Every warm shower adds new verdure to the plain, and every morning sun opens new tribes of flowers and revives new hosts of sportive insects. The plowman is ah'eady in the field. He has scattered his early seeds upon the ground ; and man and all other creatures are rejoicing in the happy anticipation of that season which an- nually restores for a brief period the buoyancy and hopeful- ness of our early years. CAYUGA COUNTY HORTICULTURAL. At the annual meeting of the Cayuga County Horticultural Society, the following persons were elected officers for the ensuing year: President. — William Osborn, Auburn. Vice Presidents. — P. R. Freeoff, Theodore Dimon, Oliver W. Wheeler, Auburn ; John R. Page, Sennett. Corresponding and Recording Secretary. — Horace T. Cook, Auburn. Treasurer. — John S. Clary, Auburn. Managers. — H. T. Dickinson, L. Q,. Sherwood, J. S. Jenkins, George E. Barber, A. V. Pulsifer, Wm. Cutting, S. S. Graves, Auburn ; H. S. Dun- ning, Aurelius ; W. D. Osborn, Mentz. Yours truly, Horace T. Cook, Cor. Sec, Auburn, JV*. Y., March 1, 1855. M J FOR APRIL. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. March has not been quite as cold and blustering as usual, nor accompa- nied with many storms of rain or snow ; the early part was quite pleasant. There is yet, however, much frost in the ground which will require the warm showers of April to thaw out. Grape Vines, owing to the less cloudy sky, have pushed forward with rapidity, and vines which were quite backward in February now make a good show of fruit. In the earliest houses the grapes will begin to color. Keep up good fires in dull, cloudy weather ; air freely, and continue to top the laterals, that the berries may have a good color. Vines in"the green- house will now soon begin to open their flower buds, and further syringing should be dispensed with, simply damping down the house to keep a gen- ial atmosphere ; before the end of the month the laterals will need stop- ping. Vines in cold houses should now be uncovered and put in order; syringe in good weather, closing the houses early till the season is more advanced. Finish pruning grapes in the open air at once. 208 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Pyramid, Espalier and orchard trees should be pruned now. Grafting should be attended to immediately, particularly cherries and plums ; all root grafting should be finished. Peach and Fig trees in pots should have attention. Water more freely and look out for the red spider and green fly. Blackberries, Raspberries, Currants and Gooseberries should be planted. Prune old plantations. Fruit Trees of all kinds should be set out now. Strawberry beds should be uncovered, cleaned and put in good order top dress with manure or guano, if the ground is not in good order. Insects should be looked after ; destroy the nests of caterpillars, and tar trees to prevent the ascent of the canker worm grub. FLOWER department. A great change has taken place in the appearance of plants since the commencement of last month. The unusually cloudly weather of winter had retarded the growth of many things, and slightly drawn up the more tender and succulent kinds ; but under the influence of a brighter sun and milder nights, they will soon present a more healthy and vigorous aspect : with due attention to airing, they regain all they have lost. Now is the time to remove into frames all half hardy plants, that the better kinds may have more room to make their growth. Roses, Heaths, Diosmas, Pan- sies, Laurestinuses, &c., need nothing more than a little protection from frosty nights ; while the Geraniums, Calceolarias, Cinerarias, &c., by giv- ing them more space, will flower in much finer condition. Attend to the sowing of all kinds of seed for early flowering in the open garden. Car- nations, Pansies, Daises, &c., in frames, should have the benefit of the full air, by drawing off" the sashes during the day, merely covering them at night. Many things will now need repotting, particularly Japan Lilies, Monthly Pinks, Heaths, Epacris, Fuchsias, Gloxinias, Achimenes, &c. Camellias and Azaleas now going out of bloom and beginning their growth should be liberally syringed every fine day. Fumigate often to destroy the green fly. FLOWER garden AND SHRUBBERY. April will be a busy month in this department. Attend to uncovering the Tulip, Lily, Hyacinth, and other beds ; top dress and clean them prop- erly. Peonies and other early growing plants should be transplanted at once. Dahlias may be brought forward for early blooming in the hot bed. Uncover herbaceous plants. Sow many kinds of hardy annuals, particularly Larkspurs. Prepare and make Hollyhock beds by trenching the ground two feet deep. Set out Carnations, Prairie Roses and choice shrubs. vegetable department. Continue to sow Melon and Cucumber seeds for planting out in the open ground in May. Repot Tomatoes and Egg Plants, and make another sow- ing of the former for a succession. Sow Cabbages, Celery, &c. Get in Peas, Onions, Beets, &c., as soon as the ground is in good order. Line old hotbeds in which the heat is on the decline, and make new ones if early forcing is desired. Continue to prepare ground for plant- ing as soon as the frosty nights are over. VINES AND CLIMBING PLANTS. No one whose rambles have led him through our woods and forests, by field and hedge-row, where our natural vege- tation finds an opportunity to develop itself, — before the axe or the plough of the innovator has had the opportunity to destroy it, — could ever fail to observe the great variety which our wild vines and climbing plants give to every scene, and invest with picturesqueness every by-path and shady lane ; scrambling over walls and fences, over bushes and shrubs, and often hanging in graceful festoons from tree to tree. Nothing has afforded us more gratification in our search after wild plants — nothing oftener charmed us or rivetted our attention, than the common clematis, with its snowy wreaths of flowers twined over every shrub within its reach, or the pretty glycine coil- ing its slender stem around some little bush, and clothing it with its bunches of pea-blossomed flowers. We love the whole tribe of climbing plants, and, as we wish all our readers to admire them too, if they do not already, we devote our present article to a notice of some of the more conspicuous and most worthy of cultivation. Nothing adds more to the interest of a beautiful garden than a profusion of vines and climbing plants ; now decorating the handsome arbor at its main entrance — now trained in more systematic order upon a neat trellis, too precise and formal generally to suit us : — now festooning the bare trunk of some tall and branchless tree, or again scrambling in wild- est luxuriance over some fanciful garden seat or rustic arbor, as the style of the garden or its connection with the house and its surroundings may admit of in their construction. In either or all of these places they always form the most at- tractive objects. What richness of bloom does the Wis- taria display in the abundance of its long racemes of lilac flowers, hanging from every twig in countless numbers I And how redolent of beauty the thousand bouquets which VOL. XXI. NO. V. 27 210 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. cover the luxuriant shoots of the prairie roses! How de- licious the perfume of the blossoms of the clematis or honeysuckle which wreath their branches ! And as if beau- tiful flowers bestowed in such profusion, sometimes the whole season through, were not attraction enough, how brilliant the foliage of the Virginia creeper, in the autumn months, with its yellow, scarlet and deep-hued tints. How rich the clusters of the waxy yellow berries which depend from the celastrus, as it garlands the branches of some neg- lected tree : and yet more interesting than all, from the asso- ciations which surround it, is the " Ivy green," with its thick, broad and glossy foliage, verdant at all seasons, when other climbers present naught but leafless stems and branches ! Even the grape vine becomes an object of beauty when al- lowed to run, unaided by the gardener's hand, in graceful lux- uriance over some rustic arbor, or planted " To wed the elm ; slie, spoused, about him twhies Her marriageable arms, and with her brings Her dower, the adopted clusters, to adorn His barren leaves." But we are unnecessarily lauding the varied beauties which belong to this whole class of plants, whose character is already appreciated, and whose flowers and foliage render many a cottage so charmingly picturesque. Scarcely a gar- den'is so bare that it does not possess a honeysuckle, a rose, or a grape vine. These are but a few, however, of the many beautiful things which may now be obtained, and our object is to note some of the best, and the qualities which should render them popular and desirable. We shall name them in the order of their merits. The Chinese Wistaria, ( Wistarm Consequkiia.) Though much more better known within a few years than formerly, it is still almost a rare plant ; indeed we know of but very few large specimens, such as it becomes after eight or ten years' growth, extending its branches hundreds of feet, and flowering in such profusion as none other does, braving the inclemency of our coldest winters, and growing in any situ- ation, sheltered or exposed, shaded or sunny, facing the nortli MAY. 211 or the south ; even adapting itself, after a while, and with proper care, to the open lawn, where it may he trained so as to form a weeping tree. It thrives in any good soil, and dis- plays its long racemes of flowers twice a year — spring and fall — more sparingly, however, at the latter season than the former. For a year or two after it is planted it does not make much headway ; hut when once established, it grows with aston- ishing luxuriance, and soon covers the most roomy trellis or largest arbor. There are three sorts, viz., the W. Consequa««, and the new white variety of it, just introduced from China ; also the W. frutescens, a native of our own climate ; the first is hand- somer than the last, and quite as hardy. When the white becomes more common, it should be planted everywhere as a companion to the Consequana. The Prairie Roses, (Rosa, rubifolia var.) If our gardens were once attractive from a good selection of climbing plants, how much more must they now be, since the Double Prairie roses have been added in so great a variety to our list. In- deed, there were no hardy running roses worth having, until the former were introduced. But with fifteen or twenty vari- eties of this class, how much have our gardens been enriched ! Every body plants a prairie rose ; or we might say, the "Q,ueen of the Prairies," for not one in ten knows of the ex- istence of other equally as fine kinds. They all grow in any situation facing north or south, flower after other roses have done, and with the variety of colors which may now be ob- tained, contribute more than all others to the decorative char- acter of every trellis or arbor. Some of the best sorts are the following : — Q,ueen of the Prairies, Milledgeville, Baltimore Belle, Anne Marie, Superba, Perpetual Pink, Mrs. Hovey, Miss Gunnell, Triumphans, &c. Honeysuckles, (Caprifolium sp. and var. ) Perhaps some individuals would place this fragrant vine at the head of all. It is a remarkably sweet flowering plant ; and when we add to its fragrance perpetual blooming, (from May to November,) easy culture and hardiness, few can boast of a greater combi- 212 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. nation of good and popular qualities. There are several species and varieties, but the best are the Fragrant monthly, the Scarlet and Yellow Trumpet, and some varieties of the latter which are new, but not strikingly different. The Chi- nese Twining (Lonicera flexuosa) is one of the sweetest and prettiest, but it is liable to be winter-killed much in our New England climate, unless in very favorable situations ; it is sub- evergreen, and when the winter does not injure it, it is pref- erable to the others, chiefly on account of its small and deli- cate foliage, which is retained nearly all the year. The Dutchman's Pipe, (^ristolochia sipho.) Not common, and only occasionally seen, though it is quite hardy and has been introduced many years. It has a very large, broad, roundish foliage, which clothes its stems, and curious shaped flowers, the very pattern of a Dutchman's pipe, which set off its luxuriant leaves. It grows freely in any good soil and a sit- uation not too wet in winter. Its singular flowers depend in great numbers from around its fine foliage, and render it a very desirable addition to a collection. The Clematises, (Clematis flammula, &c.) All who have seen the common Virgin's bower of our woods, know how pretty a thing it is, especially when surmounting some large shrub or evergreen tree, with whose lively foliage its white flowers contrast so finely. Though common it is always beautiful. But the best of this family is the C. flammula, which in its flowers resembles the virginiana, though its foliage is very different. The flowers are white, in the great- est profusion, and exhale a most delightful odor. It dies down to the ground every year, but springs up with aston- ishing rapidity, and soon covers a large space. The Celastrus, (C. scandens,) commonly called Roxbury wax work, is rarely seen in cultivation, but it is a very beau- tiful vine ; its stems are stout and reedy, and it does not so rapidly extend its shoots as the honeysuckle. Its flowers are inconspicuous, but its red berries are very ornamental, and are displayed in abundance through the autumn months. The Woodbine, or Virginia Creeper, (Ampelopsis.) For a rapid growing vine, with handsome deep green and much MAY. 213 divided foliage, none excel the Virginia creeper. It runs with great luxuriance, and for covering a wall or fence, or for clothing some disagreeable object with rich verdure, nothing can compare with this vine. In the autumn, with the first frosts, its leaves begin to assume the richest tints, dying off a brilliant crimson scarlet. Against a brick or stone wall it flourishes finely, inserting its little tendrils into the crevices, and clinging to it without any other support. It is just the vine for a stone church or rural building of any kind, and one of the best things to wreath the bare trunk of some tall elm, rendering it a column of the deepest verdure in summer, and a perfect kaleidoscope of tints in October. It will grow anywhere and on any soil. There is a new variety with variegated foliage, but whether it will prove hardy, we have not yet ascertained. The Trumpet Flov/er, (Bignonm radicans). A well known and remarkably showy climber, with clusters of large orange red flowers, which are conspicuous among its luxuriant pinnate foliage. It attains a great height, grows rapidly, and except in very bleak situations, is quite hardy ; suffering in this respect more than either of the preceding. It attaches itself by little rootlets to whatever supports it, and cannot be easily detached. It flowers late in Jhe season, and its large trumpet-shaped corols in profuse clusters, are at that period exceedingly ornamental. The Ivy, (Hedera. ) This most desirable of all climbers is too tender to be recommended for general cultivation in the latitude of Boston. It should always be planted on the North side of buildings or walls ; except in Very severe win- ters, like the last, it there does tolerably well, though much browned in its foliage. We intend to devote an article to its culture at some future time. These are the most desirable and attractive of the hardy climbers, growing freely in almost any soil, and under ordi- nary treatment ; adapted to a variety of situations, flourishing in exposed or sheltered places, though not always with the same vigor. All except the Virginia creeper, the Bignonia and the ivy, require a trellis or support of some kind, to which 214 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. the flexible shoots can be tied. The Virginia creeper and Bignonia take care of themselves, clinging, by the aid of little rootlets, to boards or trees, or walls, wherever they are planted. The ivy, if against a wall of stone or brick, also supports itself; but if against a trellis or woodvvrork, it will need train- ing up in the same way as a honeysuckle. Unfortunately, the ivy is rather tender as far north as 42°, though it thrives very well if protected from the winter sun. In New York and southward, it grows as well as in its native climate. We had intended to offer some remarks on the disposition of climbing plants, and their decorative character connected with dwellings ; but we find we have little space left. As a general thing, in residences of the higher class, surrounded with broad gravel walks and fine lawns, climbers should be sparingly introduced ; very close to the house, near the casement, or around the porch and piazza, they are too often mere traps to catch leaves and dirt, and, unless attended to with the greatest care, they become a confused mass of bare stems and mere foliage. Their proper place and where they become express- ive objects, is in running in careless luxuriance over some rural cottage, — wreathing its bay windows ; — festooning its porch or mantling its walls ; — creeping over some jutting rock ; — winding around some rustic column or trunk of tree ; — ornamenting some fancy trellis ; — climbing over the arbor ; — or shadowing the garden seat. In either or all of these sit- uations, they are never out of place, but add to the pic- turesque character of every rural scene. . THE FLIGHT OF THE WOODN YM PHS. BY WILSON FLAGG. On the southern slope of a hill, nearly in the entrance of a valley, stood a rustic cottage inhabited by a plain industrious farmer and his family. The farm which was connected with the cottage was a beautiful intermixture of wood, tillage and pasture ; and, embosomed in these natural groves, the glisten- MAY. 215 ing waters of a miniature lake gave animation to the land- scape, and became a scene of rustic sport for many a youthful angler. In front of the cottage was an irregular grassy slope, extending down to the roadside, and wholly unenclosed. Through this natural lawn a narrow footpath, leading ob- liquely from the street to the doorstep, had been worn by the feet of passengers ; tufts of wild shrubbery grew here and there about the rocks that projected from the surface of the soil, and the sweet fern diffused its odors within a rood of the cottage windows. In the evening a small herd of cows might be seen quietly ruminating under a rugged old oak, that stood about thirty paces from the house. In the month of May this place was a favorite resort for all the children of the village, on account of the multitude and variety of wild flowers that grew there, and the many pleas- ant arbors afforded by the woods that overshadowed the bor- ders of the lake. On these green hillsides they might often be seen weaving chains of the stems of the dandelion, or stringing white and blue violets upon a thread, with which they made garlands and necklaces to add to their own simple apparel. Later in the season old and young resorted hither to gather berries that grew abundantly in these grounds and the neighboring pastures. Many a May queen has been crowned with the trailing evergreens that abounded in these wild lands, and covered the meadows with verdure in the depth of winter ; and the children have returned home with baskets full of checkerberries and garlanded with early spring flowers. There was something about the whole aspect of this place that was unaccountably delightful. Every one who visited it felt inspired with a mysterious sense of cheerfulness and pensive delight, that could hardly be explained, as there were in the same village many magnificent country seats, with highly ornamented grounds that failed in awakening any such emotions. Here nothing had ever been done to add a single ornament to the face of nature, but in all parts of the land- scape there was a beauty that seemed unattainable by art. It became evident at last that these groves and pastures must be 216 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. the residence of the rural deities, who, by their invisible pres- ence, inspired every heart with those delightful sentiments, which, though not entirely unfelt on earth, are well known only in Paradise. It was the presence of these deities that yielded the place its mysterious charms. It was the Naiad who gave romantic melody to the fountain that bubbled up from the mossy glen in the hillside, and spread the hue of beauty over the solitary lake in the valley ; and the Dryads or Woodnymphs that caused these woodland arbors to rival the green retreats of Elysium. In these rural solitudes were assembled all those little harmless animals, which by their motions and frolics seem to give life to the inanimate scenes of nature. Here were not only all the familiar birds that delight in the company of man ; but all the less familiar birds, that love to chant their wild melodies in the hiding places of the solitary echoes, might also be heard in the season of song. The red-winged starling, long exiled from our villages, still uttered his melan- choly ditty among the willows in the valley, and weaved his nest among the tall rushes that rose out of the water. The ruff-necked grouse beat his muffled drum in the adjoining forest, and the hermit thrush poured forth his indescribable strains, like some voice that had wandered from the groves of Idalia. Even in the depth of winter the hearts of the farmer and his family were cheered by a multitude of merry voices that seemed to be peculiar to the place. This charming spot soon became celebrated in all the country round for its romantic beauties; and it was eagerly coveted by many people of wealth who were seeking a place of rural retirement. The cottager who had lived here ever since his birth, regarded it with affection and reverence, as his own paternal homestead. But there are not many who can resist the temptation of gold to make a sacrifice either of principle or affection, and the rustic possessor of this little farm was not one of them. He sold it to a man of wealth and cultivated taste, whose wife and daughters were unaffect- ed lovers of nature, and who were delighted with the idea of occupying a place that was celebrated as the resort of the MAY. 217 woodnymphs and other deities of the groves. The new proprietor determined to adorn and improve it to the utmost extent. He resolved that the decorations of the modern landscape art should be added to the advantages it had de- rived from nature; the beauties of other climes should be engrafted upon it, and the whole work should be crowned with the best efforts of the sculptor and the architect. In accordance with these plans, the work of beautifying and improving the place was commenced. Standard English works on landscape gardening were consulted ; the great Italian painters were studied for hints which nature is sup- posed to communicate only through their medium, and Brown and Repton guided the taste of the improver in all his operations. The rustic cottage was removed to a distant spot, and a splendid Italian villa was erected in the place of it. No labor nor money were spared in the effort to give it all the external and internal finish which would be needful to adorn a palace. Every piece of work was tasteful and correct ; no counterfeit imitations of valuable ornaments were allowed ; and when the edifice was completed, the most scientific architect could find no fault with it. It stood forth proudly on the brow of the hill, one of the master-pieces of villa architecture. The elegance of the mansion made it the more apparent that the grounds must be improved, that the appearance of nature might harmonize with the work of the architect. On the grassy slope that fronted the cottage, there were occa- sional projections of the rock that was buried underneath the soil, and around these, various species of wild shrubbery had come up in many a tufted knoll. These prominences were split off, and covered with loam, and the whole surface was graded into a beautifully even and rounded lawn. The wood anemone, the mouse-ear and the saxifrage no longer spangled the grassy slope in early Spring, nor the aster nor the golden rod stood there to welcome the arrival of Autumn. But tulips grew proudly in a fanciful border of spaded earth, under the side windows in the opening of the year, and ver- VOL. XXI. NO. V. 28 218 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. beiias, portiilaccas and calceolarias outshone all the native summer beauties of the landscape. Surrounding the field that adjoined the cottage was an old stone wall, gray with lichens and covered with numerous wild wines that had clustered round it, as the ivy entwines itself round the walls of ruined castles and abbeys in the old world. The clematis overshadowed it with flowers and foliage in summer, and with its beautiful silken down in the fall of the year ; and the celastrus grew with it side by side, offering its honied flowers to the bee, and its scarlet, bitter- sweet berries to the hand of the simpler, or to the famishing winter birds. Among this vinery the summer warblers built their nests ; and numbers of them were revealed to sight, when the foliage was swept away by the late autumnal winds. The ladies of the mansion would not readily consent to the removal of this old stone wall, with its various rustic appurtenances, which seemed to them a part of the original charms of the place ; but they were soon convinced that the villa ought not to stand in the midst of such shabby " sur- roundings." They were plied with arguments drawn from the works of men who had studied nature in the galleries of art, and through the medium of canvas, and were persuaded to believe that the principles of English landscape gardening must never be sacrificed to the crude notions of a poetic mind. The ladies gave up their impulses in favor of the cold rules of professional taste. The stone wall was remov- ed : the wild rose and the eglantine were destroyed ; the flowering shrubs that formed, on each side of it, a glistening row of bloom and verdure, were rooted up ; a neat paling fence was erected as a temporary boundary, and a hedge of buckthorn was planted all around the old pasture. The lawn in front of the mansion was enclosed by an ornamental fence,, and the narrow foot-path that led up to the rude door-step of the cottage, meeting in its course an occa- sional tuft of spiraea and low laurel, gave place to a neatly gravelled walk, four feet six inches wide, and shaped into a graceful serpentine curve.. The enclosure was filled with MAY. 219 exotic shrubbery ; and silver maples, silver poplars and silver firs stood at proper distances, like sentinels to guard the por- tals of this temple. The grounds were likewise embellished wi^h statuary, and large marble vases, holding some flaunting exotic, stood in their assigned positions. Two years had not elapsed before the design of the im- prover was completed, and the whole aspect of the place was changed, as if by enchantment. The rustic cart paths that led over the hills, and through the woods and valleys, were widened and covered with a neat spread of gravel, and all their crooked outlines were trimmed into a graceful shape. An air of neatness was apparent in every direction. The undergrowth of the wood was removed, certain misshapen trees were cut down, and all rubbish was taken away that could afford a harbor to noxious insects or mischievous quad- rupeds. The lake that was embroidered with alders, swamp roses, button bushes, the fragrant clethra and the droop- ing andromeda was improved by the removal of all these use- less plants, and gravel and loam were carted down to its edges, which were then covered with soil and sowed with grass seed, to afford a neat and lawn-like appearance to the grounds, and to visitors a firm foundation for their feet. The frequent tufts of shrubbery that gave a ragged look to the pasture were likewise removed, and the whole was planted with the most approved grasses. Not many rods from the cottage was a natural fountain that bubbled up from a subterranean source on the hillside, from which the farmer irrigated the greater part of his lands. It was a true rustic fountain, girded on one side by steep fern- clad rocks, and overshadowed by the gnarled and twisted branches of the aquatic hornbeam, one of the most grotesque and beautiful trees in the forest. From this fountain issued a rivulet, which was conducted along the declivity, until it poured its waters into a wooden trough, and formed a water- ing place for the cattle. These objects were altogether too rude to be admitted as a part of the map of improvements. The bed of the fountain was excavated into a deep and spa- cious reservoir, and from this a pipe was carried along under- 220 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. ground to the front yard, where it terminated in a jet-d'eaii, that issued from a marble basin, and threw up a wide and graceful spray. The inmates of the villa were charmed with the result of these operations. There was an air of elegance and " high keeping'- about the grounds, that corresponded judiciously with the splendor of the villa and its outbuildings. No wild bushes were left in straggling tufts, to suggest the idea of poverty or negligence on the part of the proprietor ; and the pasture, which was full of a great variety of wild plants or weeds, was repeatedly plowed and pulverized to destroy them, and afterwards "laid down" to legitimate English grasses. The dandelion and butter cups were no more to be seen in the spring or the rank hawkweed in the autumn. Through this lawn neat gravel walks were made, that visitors might stroll there in the morning without getting wef by the dews. Many of the slopes were provided with marble steps, and here and there, in the centre of a clump of firs, was erected a marble statue to emblemize some one of the rural deities. But where stands the idol, there we may not feel the pres- ence of the deity. In vain do we strive to compensate na- ture, when we have despoiled her of her orighial charms, by calling in the aid of the sculptor, whose lifeless productions serve only to chill the imagination that might otherwise revel among the wizard creations of poetry. The images of Ceres, of Galatea, or of the heavenly huntress were not attractive to the beings whom they were intended to represent. The naiad no longer sat by her fountain, which was held in a marble basin and sent up its luminous spray in the midst of the costly Avorks of art. The dryads had forsaken the old wood, whose moss-grown trees were deprived of their varie- gated undergrowth, and of the native drapery that hung from their boughs. They wept over the exiled bird and the per- ished flowers of the wild wood, and fled sorrowfully to some new and distant haunts. The nymphs who used to frequent these shady retreats had also fled. Woods, groves, hills and valleys were all deserted ; and the cold lifeless forms that MAT. 221 were carved out of marble stood there alone, the mere sym- bols of charms that no longer existed. The village children, who formerly assembled here to gather bouquets of wild roses, red summer lilies, and the sweet scent- ed pyrola, that grew up like a nun under the shade of the deep woods, came often since the improvements, but searched in vain for their favorite flowers. They no longer saw the squirrel upon the tree or the nest of the sparrow upon the vine-clad walls. The grounds, that seemed once to belong to them as well as to their rustic proprietor, now exhibited some- thing in their aspect that made them feel like intruders, as soon as they set foot within their borders. These old woods and pastures, now that they were metamorphosed into park and lawn, had lost their charms for them, and they turned away with sadness, when they thought of those delightful arbors that would shelter them no more. But the children were not the only sorrowers. The ladies of the mansion were grieved when they found that the rural deities had fled from the very objects which Avere erected for their shrines. The cause of their flight was a problem they could not explain. Why would they no longer dwell in their ancient abodes that seemed now so much worthier the residence of beings of a superior nature ? Could not the beautiful green lawn that had taken the place of the weedy pasture ; the commodious park which was once a tangled wood ; could not the charming flowers of all climes which had been substituted for the inferior wild flowers ; nor the marble fountain with its graceful spray, nor the neat spread gravel walks induce them to remain ? More than all, could not the beautiful statuary that represented them in material shape, please them and retain them in their ancient haunts ? At length they began to suspect that there was a too en- tire absence of rustic scenes and objects in their present ar- rangements : and forthwith to appease the deities, rustic arches and bowers, made of rude materials, were erected and placed in diff'erent parts of the grounds. A summer house was built of the rudest of logs, shingled with the rough bark of trees, and rocks were introduced for seats and covered with 222 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. mosses. Fences were constructed in similar style, and vari- ous other rude devices were executed and distributed in a fanciful manner over the face of the landscape. But not even the shaggy goat-footed Pan would acknowledge any such thing for an altar. No such objects could be made to accord with the high keeping of the grounds, nor could they give an air of rusticity to scenes that were so elaborately orna- mented. They were mere pieces of affectation ; blotches upon the fair surface of beauty, that served no other purpose but to add deformity to the unique productions of nature and art. One day, as the ladies were strolling pensively along their accustomed paths, lamenting that nothing could be done to appease the divinities whom they had offended, they discov- ered in a little nook, under a cliff that projected over a rude entrance into the wood, a slab of weather-stained slate, re- sembling a head-stone. Observing that it was lettered, they knelt down upon the green turf and read the following INSCRIPTION. In peaceful solitudes and sylvan shades That lure to meditation ; where the birds Sing all day unmolested in their haunts, And the rude soil still bears the tender wilding — There dwell the rural deities. They love The moss-grown trees and rocks, the flowery knoll, The tangled wild-wood and the bower of ferns. They fill each scene Avith beauty, and they prompt The echoes to repeat the low of herds And bleat of tender flocks. The voice of him Who drives his team afield ; the joyous laugh Of children, when, on pleasant days, they come To take from gentle Spring her gift of flowers, Are music to their ears. All these they love ; But shun the place where wealth and art have joined To shut out nature from her own domains, Or dress her in the flaunting robes of fashion. Wouldst thou retain them ? — keep a humble heart, Nor in their temples seek to show thy pride. Or near their altars to parade thy wealth: Then may they come and dwell with thee, aa once With simple shepherdess and rural swain. MAY. 223 ORNAMENTAL GARDENING IN THE SOUTH. BY ANDREAV GRAY, SAVANNAH, GA. I SPTALL now endeavor to draw our garden memoranda to a close. The area at the front door, which is about thirty yards wide and of an oval form, has in the centre an elliptical figure, running athwart the door, and twelve by six yards in size, planted round with red cedars at about three feet apart, which are cut into a hedge about five feet high, arched between the plants. The arches are about three feet high, and from the top of them to the summit of the hedge, it forms a semi- circle. Formerly this was a magnificent affair, but the cedars now begin to decay, and they, unlike many other evergreens, will not admit of severe cutting in. At each end of this ellipsis and about eight yards from it, is a cassine (Ilex cas- sine) hedge, forming a kind of crescent, which divides the area from the shrubbery. I have heretofore spoke of this plant ; its adaptation for ornamental hedges cannot be sur- passed. This hedge fully proves the assertion ; it stands about four feet high and three wide, cut square and perfectly close from top to bottom. The pillars which support the pallisade attached to the steps, are covered over with ivy, which grows luxuriantly here. The cassine hedge above alluded to, terminates about five feet from those pillars, and forms the entrance to the flower garden on either side of the house. About twenty yards from those entrances on each side, and nearly on a line with the pillars, is raised a small rock work about four feet high, also covered over with the ivy and the Agave ameri- cana planted on the top ; in the rear of this grows a fine Magnoh'a grandiflora, and a little further off a camellia. The rockwork and camellia are both shaded under the spreading branches of the magnolia, and are a sight one can hardly be- hold without admiration, especially when the camellia is in flower. We are now in the flower gardens, and shall speak of them 224 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. jointly, as they differ only in the plan of laying out. A hedge of the Cerasus caroliniensis encloses the whole space ; this plant answers pretty \^ell as a hedge, but is liable to get thin at the bottom, owing to the old branches decaying. A bor- der of shrubbery snfrounds the whole, widening at the corners and at two sides of the house into considerable space, divided from the flower beds by a hedge of cassine. This, in my opinion, tends to give the whole a stiff and confined appear- ance ; but when the shrubs are in flower they somewhat compensate for that evil. Both gardens are laid down geo- metrically. On the south side of the house it is divided into numerous small figures, while on the north side the figures are larger, and better adapted to the kind of plants grown in them ; the former has fifty figures or beds, while the latter has only thirty. They have an aggregate of about 800 yards of walks, from four to six feet wide. Oyster shells broken fine are substituted for gravel, and make a very fine walk. Formerly these walks were all laid down with box edgings, but are now superseded with the Eonymus japonica ; while it is not so neat as the box, it looks very well, having so fine a green, and it can be kept in due proportion as an edging for five or six years, after which relaying will be desirable. The beds are planted chiefly with roses and a few of the finer va- rieties of shrubs, interspersed with such herbaceous and bul- bous plants as we find stand the climate, viz : — Liliums, Amaryllis, Pancratiums, Hyacinth, Gladiolus, Narcissus, Phlox, Chrysanthemum, Asclepias, Carnation Pinks, Wall Flowers, Stocks, Sweet William, Alyssum, Verbenas, Violets, &c., and a good number of annuals. Nearly all the varieties of roses do well here, and in fresh rich soil grow with astonishing luxuriance. I have frequent- ly seen Cloth of Gold and Triumphe du Luxembourg five inches in diameter. The Teas, Noisettes, Bourbons and Bengals suit the climate best ; the Multifloras and Banksias also do well. The Hardy Perpetuals are liable to lose their foliage when the warm weather comes in. But the grandest and most luxuriant bloom of this sort of roses I ever saw, was in Mr. Gray's Nursery at Charleston, S. C. MAY. 225 I have thus given a general statement, without entering into particularities. As might be expected in this sunny clime, few plant houses are required. There is one house about forty feet long by eighteen wide at this place, chiefly occupied with Pelargoniums, Geraniums and Cacti, with a small variety of stove and greenhouse plants. The Pelargo- niums do very well, generally blooming in April. The Cacti luxuriate in their wonted element. I have had seven blooms of the Night Blooming Cereus open the same night and on the same plant. During winter we have heat enough to keep the stove plants alive ; during summer most of them become border plants and do well. I do not know if I can say anything further on this part of our garden that would be of any general interest. I may at some future period recur to the orchard, and state wherein we have failed in not pro- ducing better results. THE NONPARIELPEAR. BY P. B. MEAD, N. Y. We present below a description of a seedling pear, raised by Judge Livingston of New York, and sent to us for exam- 7. THE NONPARIEL PEAR. ination and a name. It is evidently a seedling from the Seckel. Its small size will be regarded by many as a great VOL. XXI. NO. V. 29 226 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. objection, more especially by those who raise fruit for market ; but its excellent quality, and season of maturity, will render it an acquisition to any amateur's collection. The truth is, more importance has been attached to mere size than it really deserves. When the public become better acquainted with good pears, a delicious pear of small size will be chosen, rather than a larger one of second or third rate quality. Notwithstanding, we cannot help wishing this pear were a little larger. Judge Livingston represents the tree as of good form, of vigorous growth, and exceedingly productive. We have given it the name of the Nonpariel, (jig. ?.J Size, five and one quarter inches in circumference, one and a half inches in length, one and three quarters inches in width: Form, roundish, slightly flattened at the apex: Color, russety yellow, speckled with red : Stem, half an inch long, in an open, shallow cavity : Calyx, large, reflexed, in a very shallow basin: Core, large, slightly gritty: Seed, dark brown, medium size : Flesh, fine, melting, sugary, juicy; with a rich vinous flavor resembling the Seckel : Qiialiti/, best. Keeps till middle of December. THE GREAT WATER LILY OF AMERICA. BY J. F. ALLEN, SALEM, MASS. In the Magazine of Horticulture for the year 1853, pages 368 to 372, is the partial diary of the growth of the first Victoria Regia raised in Massachusetts. To complete this, it is only necessary to state that the plant continued to thrive and flower until December. In this month it suffered from an unusual number of cloudy days, though still forming leaf and flower buds regularly, every successive one being of di- minished size. The last few days of the year were memora- ble for the great snow storm which occurred at that time, remarkable not only for the great quantity of snow which fell, but for the high wind and excessive cold. This snow, and ice formed by the melting snow from the joof of the lily house, accumulated to such an extent as to MAY. 327 bury it up. in no part excepting the ends there being a less depth than ten inches, and increasing to as many feet on the roof and front. This storm was followed by repeated snows early in January, 1854, excluding all sunshine from the plant, and it suffered severely. The cloudy weather continued in an unusual degree through the month. It made the last leaf in February, having survived somewhat over one year. The mercury by Fahrenheit thermometer in my garden, during the months of January and February, fell to 14P below zero on several nights, and on one occasion to 17° below ; the water in the tank at this time was kept at 65° to 72°, a temperature sufficiently high to continue the growth and health of the plant, provided there was a due share of sunny weather. For more than one week the sun's rays were effectually excluded from the plant by these causes. When the weather mod- erated, this snow and ice was removed from the roof, too late, however, to restore its health, and it died. The winter of 1853-54 was unusually cold and cloudy. The effect of the cloudy weather upon the lily was so ap- parent, that no one, observant of its effects upon the leaves, could doubt the cause of their decay. A few days of favorable weather would revive the growth and check the progress of decay on the older leaves, giving hopes that it might yet withstand all the hardships of our winter climate, when another cloudy period would occur, and the damage to the old would increase rapidly, and the decomposition of the young leaves would commence, appearing in small black spots on the surface, and spreading with more or less speed, as the weather proved bright or the reverse. THE NEW PLANTS. Near the last of October, 1853, seeds, which were again given me by Mr. Cope of Philadelphia, were planted in the tank. In January, 1854, they had not vegetated. Dr. Asa Gray, of Harvard University, procured seeds for me from Sir William J. Hooker, Director of the Royal Gardens at Kew, London. I desired to grow plants from seed pro- duced in a climate with less sun than ours, as well as from 228 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. seed raised in Philadelphia, under circumstances of more heat, with an equal if not a greater share of sunny bright weather, thinking that the English seed might produce a plant better able to withstand the cloudy and cold short days of winter. This could be done in the house recently built for the pur- pose, it having a double tank, the two being connected and made into one, by a shallow superstructure for the leaves to float and extend themselves, thus forming a surface of fifty feet in length. The seeds from England were received and sown on the 1 1th of March. On the 1 1th of May one of them vegetated ; the water in the tank being kept at a temperature of 80° to 90°. It grew with wonderful rapidity. The soil for this plant was a compost of loamy sods, burned or baked, with some old cow manure that had been under cover for several years, and some charcoal in large pieces. This was formed into a hill and the plant placed on the top, fourteen inches under the surface of the water. This shallow planting was intended as an experiment, the other tank being arranged to grow one in deeper water. During June, July and August, when we relied upon the sun for warming the water, the effect of cloudy weather was evident. These three months were as remarkably bright and clear, as the three winter months just past had been dull and cloudy. Under these fa- vorable circumstances, a leaf was produced every three days; under cloudy skies and when the day's length became less, the time required was extended to six, seven and eight days. In November and December only three leaves were formed in each month. Early in June a leaf bud (presumed to be the fourth, after germination) was discovered near the surface of the water, coming from an American ripened seed, sown four or five feet deep, seven months previously. At this depth, the plant re- quired longer time to perfect both leaves and flowers, never taking less than five, and usually seven, eight and nine days. The soil in this tank was formed one half of compost from a grape border, rich in animal manure, bone dust and charcoal ; the other half of charred sods and sand. MAY. 229 These plants being grown in the same house, with the same temperature and treatment, afforded a good opportunity to notice the difference between them. On the appearance of the earliest leaves of the American seedling, a difference in the color of the under side was observed. This continued until the plants arrived at maturity, when it was less noticea- ble, the English plant havnig changed. It was most appar- ent when the sun shone full upon the upturned edges, during the earlier or later hours of the day, the coloring of the English seedling being a dark dull red when compared with the American, which was of a brilliant carmine. The leaves of the latter were nearly six feet in diameter, with an up- turned edge of five or six inches ; those of the English plant, rather more than five feet, with the edge upturned three inches only. The flowers were thirteen inches across, when expanded. The first flowers of the American were seventeen inches across, and more intensely colored. The growth of these plants in summer was more rapid than the one whose diary you recorded in 1853, an increase of the diameter of a leaf in 24 hours of 16 inches, being a com- mon occurrence. This experience led me to anticipate more injury to the American seedling, as the winter season approached. Early in November the black spots of decay appeared upon the leaves of this, while the English one was in perfect health, and it so continued till February. In September, and at intervals throughout the autumn and winter months, the soil was added to, by a compost of loam and sand in equal parts ; by this means bringing the deeper plant within two feet of the surface, and for a time restoring its health. On the oc- currence of cloudy and continued dull weather, the spots again appeared and spread with more or less rapidity, as the cause was more or less severe, each succeeding leaf being diminished in size, thus dying out apparently step by step, in the same manner as it advanced to maturity. The last leaf was only 15 by 17 inches in diametec ; two buds following this did not reach the surface, and the plant was removed and another substituted in March. A centre root or rhizoma, 230 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. measuring only three by four inches on its surface, and two inches thick, with masses of fibre all partially decayed, were all that remained of this plant, which so recently presented such gigantic leaves and flowers. Mr. Cope, of Philadelphia, on removing his, the original plant, found an astonishingly small quantity of roots, and a rhizoma of only three inches surface, and very thin ; he compares its growth to that of the asparagus root. This plant of Mr. Cope's was the first grown in this country. It first flowered August 21st, 1851, and continued flowering till its removal in February, 1855, hav- ing borne tivo hundred and twelve flowers, and lived nearly four years. The roots were in perfect health, with flower buds then visible. It must have been hard to part with a plant that had aff'orded so much pleasure, and continued through so many winters. The difficulty of removing the old soil in the tank and of substituting new, made it necessa- ry, in order to retain a plant in its full beauty. This being done, a young one was placed in its stead. The plant from the seed grown in England was less affect- ed by the short days of winter ; it will be remembered that this v/as near the surface, where it couJd receive all the ben- efit possible from the rays of the sun. The leaves diminish- ed but slowly, and continued in health during the winter. The black spots appearing only on a limited number of the young leaves in February, the least diameter of any being three and a half feet. In March they began to increase in size again. The most marked change was in the up-turned edge, which gradually disappeared until it was retained on the youngest, and on this only for a few days, depriving it of the chief beauty, and causing such a change as to make it difficult to realize that it was the same plant. With the ad- vance of spring this is gradually re-appearing. This seems to me evidence of the superiority of our summer climate over that of a more cloudy one. for the full development of the singular beauties of this remarkable aquatic. Europeans, as also many Americans, who have seen the Victoria growing in England, have exclaimed, on viewing those at Salem, how beautiful ! how unlike the English ! .MAY. 231 what an edge to the leaves ! That there is tliis difference there can be no doubt ; for Dr. Liiidley, when treating of the earlier plants grown there, thus writes : — " It appears that although skill has succeeded in compelling the Victoria Lily to expose her blossoms to the gaze of England, there is still something to improve," &c. " In one point more especially," Schomburgh says, " that he has seen the rim thus formed, as much as five and a half inches high ;" D'Orbigny speaks of two inches. In the Chatsworth plant there is no rim, ex- cepting when the leaves are very young. With the unusually clear weather of the summer of 1854, the Salem plants possessed this edge, varying from three to six inches in depth, and disappearing as the sun receded to the South. The free circulation of the external air in the lily house, which can only be permitted here during the hot sunny weather of June, July, and August, has a tendency to increase this ; whilst a dose, high temperature of the house would cause the flattening out of the edge. The English plant has constantly made a flower bud with every leaf, since it began to blossom ; three only failing to expand, the others blooming, in some measure, more or less complete. Since spring commenced, the buds expand fully, and we have a flower of diminished size, being about ten inches across, every third or fourth day, with a gradual increase in size as summer approaches. Two other Victoria plants, in a matured state, have been carried through the winter at the North, one at the garden of Mr. Lincoln, in Worcester, Mass., and one at Providence, R. I., at the garden of Mr. Chapin. I am informed that the small- est leaf grown on this plant measured three feet ; the least, on Mr. Lincoln's, was twenty-two inches. Both plants are increasing in size again, and have been flowering all winter ; Mr. Chapin's in shallow, Mr. Lincoln's in deep water, and both grown from seeds ripened at Mr. Cope's garden, near Philadelphia. A young plant at each of these gardens (main- tained near the surface} has been preserved alive through the winter. Mr. Chapin's plant, as also that of mine, in shallow water, has been less affected by the winter than those in 232 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. deeper. Mr. Lincoln's made a leaf only twenty-two inches, and recovered in spring ; my deeply planted one made its smallest leaf of seventeen inches and died. The difference in climate between these gardens is not very great, that of Salem being the most inclement. The weight of evidence seems to be in favor of shallow planting, in order to carry it easily through our winters, but the deeply situated are the most beautiful and yield the largest flowers. If the practice of renewing the plants in early spring is adopted, the deeper planting will prove the best. I am informed that in Europe they have adopted this plan, the young plants having been proved to be more beautiful. It will be proper to state here, that I have carried through the winter two young plants, kept in boxes, the one in shallow and the other in deep water, and with no apparent difl'erence in the health of either. From want of due attention to these, it is not in my power to say with certainty whether they are from English or American seeds. Judging from the color of the unfolding leaf, I think they are from the former. An English seed sown a year ago, in the warmest and shallowest part of the tank, has just vege- tated and is growing well. Having given this familiar statement of the growth of these plants, and the differing circumstances of depth of water, other things being similar, the reader can form his own opin- ions of the correctness of the views expressed. It seems ap- parent to me that the seed from England will produce a plant better able to survive our winters. He will also bear in mind the fact that Mr. Cope's plant, recently removed in health, after living through four winters, was raised from seed matured there. The soil around the American seedling had been raised, bringing it sufficiently near the surface to receive the light and heat from the sun ; the peculiar mode of its growth al- lowing of this being done with benefit. This process may not be familiar to all your readers, and I will state it in a few words. The Victoria forms its leaves in a cycle of five, repeating this constantly. At mid-summer a leaf will appear, grow rapidly for a few days, attain a diameter of five or six MAT. 233 feet, and in the course of forty days decay. At the point of union of the petiole with the rhizoma, and from the under side of the petiole, five or more roots push forth, soon branch- ing into innumerable rootlets and fibres. On the decay of the leaf, these die. Thus the leaves and the roots are con- tinually dying out and renewing themselves, and when a plant is favorably situated, with suitable soil, temperature, water and sun-light, there seems to be no reason why it may not be sustained in health, for an unlimited period. I think the seed raised under the full influence of the American sun, will produce plants more beautiful, but less able to withstand our northern winters. The past winter has been one of great cold, but with the usual number of clear days. On the 6th and 7th of February the mercury fell to 20° below zero in my garden. With a clear sky there was no great damage done to the plants, the temperature of th^ water being at about 70°. There was some injury from ice* water falling from the roof, which at night would form tfeersi from the steam rising from the tank and melting suddenly;, when the sun's rays settled upon the house. On the^ morn- ings of this severely cold weather, we would have snaalL snow- storms, caused by the moisture condensing near the glass, disappearing as soon as the sun came with any strength upon the glass. Still, three plants survived ; had the weather been cloudy, I have no idea that they would. We are pleased to present our readers so complete an ac- count of the growth and blooming of this noble American water lily, by Mr. Allen, who has taken so much interest in its cultivation, and devoted so much time to a record of its growth. Already we have given a: diary of the progress of one of his plants, (Yol. XIX., p. 367,) by Mr. Allen, and. with the information contained in the above article, those who wish to cultivate it can be at no loss for the requisite knowledge to success. If, however, they wish to know more, especially of the history, introduction, &c. of this aquatic, they can purchase VOL. XXI. NO. v. 30 234 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. for a small sum, a copy of the ''Great American Water Lily," without plates, recently published for the convenience of those who cannot afford to buy one of the magnificent col- ored copies. — Ed. REMARKS ON A SPECIES OF ARCTOTIS. BY JOHN L. RUSSELL, PROF. EOT. MASS. HORT. SOC. Through the attention of Mr. F. Burr, Jr. of Boston, I was directed, lately, to the collection of the Messrs. Hovey, to view a new flower, which had very much pleased him. By the liberality of the Messrs. Hovey, I was permitted to take this brilliant blossom home, in order if possible to identify it as some described species, or to ascertain if it were as really new to science, as it seemed to be a novelty and rarity to us. With what means I had at hand, I concluded that it might be Arctotis calendulacea of Willdenow, (Species Planatarwm, Tome iii., p. 2347,) a native of the Cape of Good Hope. Un- fortunately I had no opportunity for recourse to any of the authorities quoted by the author. If my surmises should prove correct, the possessor of this rich beauty may congrat- ulate himself in the introduction of an exotic annual, which will prove as desirable to the greenhouse as to the open bor- der. It is to be hoped that sufficient pains will be bestowed on its care, to insure the ripening of seed, to facilitate its speedy distribution among our florists and flower lovers. The Genus Arctotis belongs to the Linnasan class of Syn- genesia, or to the natural order of Compositse, since called Asteracae by Prof. Lindley, and known also under several names by other authors, all indicating a common character of inflorescence. It has been considered the largest known nat- ural order of plants, if by a still more elaborate and careful study of its genera, it should not prove to be the rather a grouping of individual plants of seeming alliance, but really of distinctive characteristics. To the Compositse belong some of the noblest and richest styles of flowers, whether MAY. 235 we notice the blossoms or the colors of the corollas them- selves. Many, too, are inconspicuous, and scarcely attract any other eye than that of the botanist. Tn o'ur autumns it furnishes the very prevalent yellow, which is so apparent in our native blooms, and throughout the year the asteroid species enamel with their various forms the fields and the woods. The supposed species of Arctotis under consideration be- longs to the section of the Composita^, which is known as the Cynareag ; a section embracing the universally favorite Calendula of our gardens, the Othonna of the greenhouse, the broadly patulous flowers of the regal Gazama, (a well known greenhouse plant,) the pretty Jeranthemums, the di- versely colored Centaurea, and many other genera exhibiting many different tints and colors in their blossoms. The Arctotis calendulacea, PF., resembles so much the marigold, (Calendiila,) that it suggests, at once, that plant. Its foliage, however, is runcinate-pinnatified, somewhat after the style of the dandelion leaf, invested with a shaggy down, with which the succulent stem, externally many-grooved, is also clothed ; and its aspect has a rather coarse appearance, something between a Sonchus on the one hand, and a Borage on the other. The specimen which I received from Messrs. Hovey seemed to be a lateral stem about eight inches in length, bearing such smaller leaves as naturally grow near the flowering part of any plant, and which, half clasping the stem, appeared of a bracte-like character, rather than as giving any just indication of the foliage. The peduncle, which termi- nated in my specimen with a single blossom, was beset with red gland-like hairs easily perceptible ; and the scales of the involucre (calyx) reflexed, were invested in the same long deli- cate white tomentum as invested the leaves themselves. The inner row of the scales of the involucre were tipped with a rich orange color, which was laid on, in a sort of pencilling, somewhat like the same tints in the Gladiolus natalensis. The rays were about twenty in number, an inch or so in length, lanceolate and entire in shape, partially revolute at the open state of the blooming ; and above and beneath were 236 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. of a very rich orange hue, not unlike the same color in Eschscholtzm crocea. The five divisions of the florets were of a seemingly black hue, so intense was the color which lined the interior, and which same, also, clothed the bifid stigma at its summit. These minuter flowers, (the florets,) which made up the disk or centre, were exquisite objects under the microscope, composed, as the instrument revealed, of the most delicate hyaline tissue at base, then of golden colors, and set oflT with the dark summits ; and, superadded, with the violet anthers filled and overflowing with myriads of golden pollen grains. The gland-like hairs which clothed the peduncle owed the red color to the effect produced by the unequally diff'used presence of a cherry-red substance lodged in one or more of the seven or eight joints which made up each hair, each hair itself being only about a six- teenth of an inch in total length. This jointed hair was composed of cells, most singularly springing from a globular cell situated upon the epidermis (skin) of the stem ; and the entire eff"ect was remarkably pleasing. Of the culture of the plant, you, Mr. Editor, may be able perhaps to speak with more knowledge than I may ; but judging from its affinity with similar species, I should sup- pose that the sowing of the seed would prove the easiest and best. If any of your correspondents or readers may find fault with its (provisional) name, perhaps they may prefer the same, by way of translation, Anglice, as the Marigold Bear's-ear. For my own part, I prefer the scientific and technical. Thanking you for the enjoyment your courtesy in passing over into my hands the subject of this article has afforded me, I remain Yours, «fcc., J. L. R. The species of Arctotis so well described by Mr. Russell, was raised from seed received from Italy, by M. B. Williams, Esq. of Roxbury, who kindly presented us a plant. It is a showy species, but whether it is the A. calendulacea or not, we are unable to say. Paxton, in his Dictionary, does not men- tion such a species, and as we learn from Mr. Williams it is MAY. 237 not ail annual, it must be some other, perhaps argentea, from the silvery hue of its shaggy foliage. Its gay orange flowers render it a desirable species, but as it is not probably hardy, it would require greenhouse culture. The seed from which the plant presented us was raised, was sown last spring, and wintered in the greenhouse, where it has been blooming for nearly two months. A. breviscarpa, recently introduced, is an annual of similar growth, color, &c., and a fine ornament to every flower border. — Ed. DESIGN FOR A FLOWER GARDEN. BY THE EDITOR. Following up our promise in our January number, we now present our readers with another Design for a Flower Garden. The annexed plan (fig. 8) is a very pretty design. It par- takes both of the geometric and irregular character ; geo- metric in having its main walks cross at right angles, and irregular in its outline, as well as the scrolls which make np its parts ; — yet forming a harmonious combination of the two styles. Either laid down on gravel, or on grass, and planted with showy flowers in judiciously selected colors, it would have a fine efl'ect. The purposes to which it may be devoted are various. It may be planted with perennial herbaceous plants, or with annuals, or with both together. It may be filled with bed- ding-out plants, or with a miscellaneous collection. The outer line of beds, which is three feet wide, would be admi- rably suited for a row of hollyhocks, which are now becom- ing, in its improved and splendid varieties, favorites with all cultivators of showy flowers. The inner beds on the margin of the cross walks would look well filled with verbenas and lantanas, and the larger spaces with dahlias. The central bed may be simply a circle of neat turf, — or it may be orna- mented with a handsome pedestal and sun dial, a beautiful vase, or an ordinary cast iron one, filled, in the latter case, with suitable flowers. 238 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. If a few choice shrubs and evergreens are desired, these may be suitably introduced ; the four large semicircular beds 8. DESIGN FOR A FLOWER GARDEN. may have an Irish or Swedish juniper planted in each, and the central bed may have a Siberian arbor vitae, a juniper, or an American holly, all of which form upright trees, and do not grow rapidly or very large. Such beautiful shrubs as the Weigelm or iS'piraB^a prunifolia may be planted in the four smaller semicircular beds near each end, while other kinds may be introduced sparingly in the larger spaces. MAY. 239 The beds should be edged with box, and the walks neatly- gravelled, unless they are cut out of turf. FLORICULTURAL AND BOTANICAL NOTICES. Under this head we shall continue to notice, as heretofore, all the new plants of interest which are figured and described in the foreign periodicals of the day, or which have been in- troduced into our collections. Many of them are interesting only to the few, while others are of such a popular character that they will be interesting to all amateurs and cultivators of beautiful plants. Ho^YA imperiaYis. — This new and showy species is now in bloom in our collection. It is the largest of all the Hoyas, with flowers two inches in diameter, and in clusters of ten or more each ; the color is a dark cinnamon brown. It re- quires rather a high temperature to bloom it freely, but it is a most attractive species. New Summer Blooming Gladioluses. — The French cul- tivators have made great additions to this beautiful tribe of summer flowering bulbs ; by careful hybridization they have obtained a great variety of colors, some very delicate, and others almost as brilliant as the old cardinal is. Several of these new ones flowered with us last summer, and we com- mend them to all admirers of showy flowers. The following are half a dozen of the best : — Couranti fulgens, rosy salmon. Couranti fulgens, bright, rosy crimson. Madame Coudert, clear carmine, shaded. Madame Henricq, yellowish white, changing to clear white ; slightly veined, and marbled with lilac. Monsieur Georgon, rosy salmon. Rosea Carnea, clear rose. Calceolaria violacea. — This new and rather remarkable species of this beautiful tribe, is now flowering in our collec- tion. All the previously introduced species being of a brown 240 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. or yellow color, the acquisition of one of such a decided blue tint, is especially interesting, as, by hybridization with the yellow species, the two opposite colors may be brought into one flower. We look for great novelties in this way, by the labors of the French cultivators. Whitlavia grandiflora. — This new plant was exhibited last summer, at Chiswick, where it was considered the gem of the season, in the class of hardy annuals. It is thought to be as hardy as a Phacelia or Eutoca, the latter of which it resembles in its foliage. Its brilliant flowers are as large as those of a Campanula, and much finer. It was found in Cal- ifornia, by Mr. Lobb, but originally discovered in that coun- try, by the late Dr. Coulter. It is described and figured in the Botanical Magazine. Victoria Regia. — This superb lily is now growing finely at Salem, Worcester, and Providence, R. I. Mr. G. W. Cha- pin, of the latter city, has a plant in fine condition, though not in so large and convenient a house as Mr. Allen's. Mr. Allen's communication in another page, will give all the in- formation necessary for those who would like to grow it in the best perfection. 263. Myrtus bullata Bayiks and Soland. Blistered leaved Myrtle. (Myrtacese.) New Zealand. a greenhouse plant ; growing 6 feet high ; with rose colored flowers ; appearing in summer ; in- creased by cuttings. Bot. Mag., 185J, pi. 4S09. A rather pretty addition to this class of fragrant foliaged plants, with pale rose colored blossoms, larger than those of the common myrtle. It is an erect growing species, with roundish, ovate leaves, on short, downy petioles, and the sur- face uneven, or appearing as if blistered, from whence its specific name. It is a free grower. — {Bot. Mag., Oct.) 264. Calyca'nthus occidenta^lis Hook and Am. West- ern Calycanthus. (Calycantheas.) California. A hall-hardy, (or hardy ?) shrub ; growing 5 or 6 feet high ; with red (lowers ; appearing in Sep- tember ; increased by layers. Bot. Mdg., 1854, pi. 4S08. A very showy and handsome species, introduced by Doug- las, from California, in 1831. It is perfectly hardy in Eng- MAY. 241 land, where it forms a large shrub, with very large purplish or brick-red flowers, which appear in September. Dr. Hooker remarks that " it has not had the justice done to it in the gardens of this country, which it deserves." The wood is as fragrant as the common C. floridus, or allspice bush. Leaves six inches long, cordate ovate, firm in texture, of a bright shining green. It is well worthy the attention of lovers of fine shrubs, and if hardy, Avould be a great addition to our autumn flowering kinds. — {Bot. Mag., Oct.) 265. Ceano^thus Lobbia^nus Hook. Mr. IjObb's Cean- OTHus. (RhamneEe.) California. A haitly (?) shrub ; growing 6 or 8 feet high ; willi lar^e bhie flowers ; appearing in summer ; incienstd by cuttings and layers. Bot. Mag., 1854, pi. 4t!lO. The California Ceanothuses, of which there are several, are unfortunately scarcely hardy in the latitude of 42*^. South of Washington, however, they flourish well, and would there form fine additions to their ornamental shrubs. The present species was discovered by Mr, Lobb. It has a small and neat foliage, and clusters of azure flowers. — {Bot. Mag., Oct.) 266. Bougainvi'llea specta'bilis Willd. Showy Bougain- viLLEA. (Nyctaginea3.) Brazil. A greenhouse shrub ; growing 10 feet hi,'h ; with large rose colored bracts ; appearing in sum- mer ; increased by cuttings. Bot. Mag., 1654, pi. 4611. , " The charm of this plant is not in the flowers themselves, which have no beauty to recommend them, but in the large bracteas, or floral leaves, which, in our living plant, are full and of a bright rose color, and as the branches are literally loaded with them, the effect must be very striking." It is a very large growing shrub, and first flowered in 1844, in the Tropical Conservatory at Chatsworth. The last year it flow- ered again, in the collection of Mrs. Geo. Marryatt, where it is grown " in a vinery, where grapes are ripened without fire, trained in a fan-shaped manner against the back wall, with the roots confined in a comparatively small pot." It is a very beautiful shrub, and in large collections, where there is abun- dant room, it would be a most desirable addition. — {Bot. Mag., Oct.) VOL. XXI. NO. v. 31 242 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 267. EscHscHO^LZTiA TENuiFo^LiA ToiT. atid Gray. Slen- DER-LEAVED EscHscHOLTziA. (PapaveracesG. ) California. An annual plant ; growing one foot hi?h ; with pale yellow flow( rs -, appearing in summer ; in- creased from seeds. Bot. Maj.i 1S54, pi. 4812. A Californian annual, with something of the appearailce in its flowers of the E. crocea, but smaller, and with a very finely divided foliage, almost as slender as a grass. It blos- soms abundantly. — [Bot. Mag., Oct.) 268. WhitlaVia grandiflo^ra Han. Large-flowered Whitlavia. (Hydrophyllaceae.) California. An annual plant ; growing a foot high ; with blue flowers ; appearing all summer ; increased by sefds. Bot. Mag., 1854, pi. 4S13 A new and beautiful annual, which attracted much atten- tion at the Chiswick Exhibition, last summer. It has the general habit of a Eutoca, but with large campanulate flowers, of a deep blue color, and very showy. It has a branching, diffuse and flexuose habit, growing freely and flowering abundantly. It will prove a fine acquisition to our annuals. — [Bot. Mag., Oct.) STUDIES IN THE FIELD AND FOREST, BY WILSON FLAGG. No. 3. Forest Scenery in May. MAY. April's young buds have ripened into bloom, Diffusing wide their lustre and perfume ; And a still greater crowd of radiant things, Fanned into life by vernal zephyrs' wings, Are waking into beauty, and will soon Lead up tlie spangled multitude of June. The little nests of various birds are hid In every wood and knoll, beneath the lid Of some green leaf, or placed upon the ground, Embosomed in a little tufted mound : And lo ! beneath the trees, as we pass by, The broken fragments of their egg shells lie. That show the rambler where the callow young, High up amid the scented foliage hung, Seek in the open air, through sun and showers, MAY. 243 The tender mercies of the month of flowers. The early birds are Avedded to their mates : And every hill and wood reverberates With their melodious chirping, and the swell Of their full song resounds from vale and dell. For Echo, joyful at the sound, has lent Her myriad choir to spread their merriment, And given to every rock and hill a voice, To join the tuneful millions, and rejoice. The piping frogs are vocal in the pool ; And when the evening hour is still and cool, Glad hosts of merry croakers wake their glee. And fill the air with wild garrulity. Silence has fled with winter, and among Groves, hills and plains, no harp remains unstrung. During the space of one year, the woods present to the eye of the spectator five different aspects, corresponding with the infancy, the youth, the maturity, the tinting and the dropp'.ng of the foliage. The first is the appearance assumed by the woods, when putting out their tender plaited leaves and blos- soms in May, up to the time when they are fully expanded ; the second when nearly all the trees have attained their brightest verdure, as in June, but exhibit a nearly uniform shade : the third in midsummer and later, when their verdure is less brilliant, and when each species and individual have acquired that particular shade of green that respectively char- acterizes them : the fourth is the appearance they assume when the leaves have acquired those variegated tints that precede their fall, and which are erroneously attributed to the action of frost ; the fifth and last is the naked appearance of the winter forest, when the evergreens alone retain their ver- dure. These ever-changing aspects of the woods are sources of continual pleasure to the observer of nature, and have in all ages afforded themes for the poet, and subjects for the painter. Of all these phases, the one that is presented to the eye in the month of May is by far the most delightful, on account of the infinite variety of tints and shades in the budding and expanding leaves and blossoms, and the poetic relations of their appearance at this time to one of the most agreeable 244 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. sentiments of the human soul. I alhide to the idea of pro- gression combined with the image of hope and activity. Nothing adds so greatly to the charms of a scene in nature, as anything which is palpably suggestive of some pleasing moral sentiment. It is this quality that gives half their beauty to certain flowers : and the unfolding leaves and ripen- ing hues of vegetation require no forced eff"ort of ingenuity, to make apparent their analogy to the period of youth, and the season of hope ; neither are the fading tints of autumn any less suggestive of life's decline. There are not many, how- ever, who would not prefer the lightness of heart that is pro- duced by these emblems of progression, and these signals of the reviving year, to the more poetic sentiment of melancholy, inspired by the scenes of autumn. Among the different species of trees and shrubs, there is a notable difference in their habits of leafing and flowering ; some wreathing their flowers upon the naked branches, before the expansion of the leaves, like the peach tree, the elm and the maple : others putting forth their leaves and flowers simultaneously, like the apple tree and the cherry : others acquiring their full green vesture, before the appearance of their flowers, as the lilac, the elder, the rose and the vibur- num. When we observe these multiplied and beautiful ar- rangements, we cannot avoid associating them with the benevolence of nature ; and we are pi'one to regard her as an affectionate parent who has instituted these phenomena, in order to present at all times the greatest amount of beauty to the eye, and to guard us from all that weariness that is sure to follow the long continuance of one imchangeable source of pleasure. There is manifestly some connection between the tints of the half developed spring foliage, and those we observe in the decline of the year. The leaves of nearly all the trees and shrubs that are brightly colored in autumn, present a similar variety of tints in their tender plaited foliage in May. This is very remarkable in the different species of the oak, whose half developed leaves are deeply marked with purple, violet and yellow stains, that fade e^ntirely out as the leaf ripens and MAY. 245 expands. Similar hues may be observed in the tender branches of many shrubs, as in those of the sumach, before they are hardened into wood. The young leaves of the whortleberry bushes, of the cornels, the sumachs, and viburn- ums, all brio;htly tinted in autumn, with purple, crimson and orange, exhibit lighter shades of the same colors in their half expanded foliage. The locust, on the contrary, unmarked by a single tint in the autumn, is seen arrayed in a light verditure at this season, unmixed with any other hues. The poplars and willows that incline to yellow after the harvest, show the same yellow in the tinges of their vernal leaf, that gives them a remarkably lively hue. Their golden and purple aments add to this brilliancy, which is also in harmony with their light green and silvery spray. The birches have the same brilliant ver- dure, contrasted with the dark purple of their small branches, that renders their hues the more distinct and beautiful. It is all these different tendencies in the hues of the expanding foliage, that afford the woods such a charming variety of shades during the present month ; and it seems to be the de- sign of nature to foretoken, in the infancy of the plants, some of those habits that mark both their maturity and theirdecline, by giving them a faint shade of those colors that distinguish them in autumn. If we take our stand on an elevation that overlooks an ex- tensively wooded country, which is diversified with wayside trees and orchards, we may witness the full charm of this va- riety. The elms, which in this part of the country are chiefly found by our roadsides, and in the enclosures of our dwell- ings, have shed their brown and purple blossoms ; and their light green foliage, varying greatly in individuals, is mostly observed in solitary masses, or in occasional rows along the streets. The elm is in the perfection of its beauty at this time, when its verdure is marked by a brilliancy that fades be- fore midsummer. After June, the foliage of the elm is dull and lifeless in its hues; and the tree is beautiful only on ac- count of the flowing outline and graceful sweep of its branches. 246 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. If we next turn our eyes upon the woods, we may behold a spectacle of infinitely varied splendor. Masses of purple and cinereous foliage are presented by the oaks, enlivened by the bright green aments, that hang luxuriantly from their branches. Among them are interspersed the purer and more lively green of the beech trees, rendered still more light and airy by their pale ashen stems ; also the slender spiry forms of the birch, whose purple sprays afford by contrast, a peculiar lustre to their shining verdure, from the lofty black birch that over- tops the other forest groups, to the graceful coppices of white birch, whose leaves already exhibit their tremulous habit, when fanned by the passing winds. Though we cannot find in May those brilliant colors among the leaves of the forest trees, which are the crowning glory of autumn, 3^et the present month is more abundant in contrasts than any other period. These contrasts increase in beauty and variety until about the first of June. In early May, set apart from the general nakedness of the woods, may be seen, here and there, a clump of willows full of bright golden aments, maples with buds, blossoms and foliage of crimson, and interspersed among them, junipers, hemlocks and other evergreens, that stand out from their assemblages, like the natives of another clime. As the month advances, while these contrasts remain, new ones are continually appear- ing, as one tree after another assumes its vernal drapery, each exhibiting a tint peculiar not only to the species, but often to the individual and the situation, until hardly two trees in the whole wood are alike in color. As the foliage ripens, the different shades of green become more thoroughly blended into a single uniform tint. But ere the process is completed, the fruit trees have expanded their blossoms, and have brought a new spectacle of contrasts into view. First of all, the peach trees with their bright pink flowers, that appear before the leaves, and cause the tree to resemble a single and uniform bouquet : then the pear trees, with corols of perfect whiteness, internally fringed with brown anthers, like long dark eyelashes, that give them almost the countenance of life ; then the cherry trees, with their pure white blossoms, MAY. 247 thickly enveloped in green foliage; and last of all, the apple trees, with blossoms of every variety of shade, between a bright crimson or purple and a pure white, all come forth, one after another, until the whole landscape seems to be wreathed in bloom. During the last week in May, were you to stand on an eminence that commands an extensive view of the country, you would be persuaded that the prospect is far more mag- nificent than at midsummer. At this time you look not upon individuals, but groups. Before you lies an ample meadow, nearly destitute of trees except a few noble elms, standing in their blended majesty and beauty, combining in their forms the gracefulness of the palm with the grandeur of the oak ; here and there a clump of pines, and long rows of birches, willows and alders bordering the streams that glide along the valley, and exhibiting every shade of greenness in their fol- iage. In all parts of the prospect, separated by square fields of tillage of lighter or darker verdure, according to the nature of their crops, you behold numerous orchards, some on the hillside receiving the direct beams of the sun, and others on level ground, exhibiting their shady rows with their flowers just in that state of advancement that serves to show the bud- ding trees, which are red and purple, in beautiful opposition to the fully blown trees, which are white. Such spectacles of flowering orchards are seen in all parts of the country, as far as the eye can reach, along the thinly inhabited roadsides and farms. The effect produced by the flowering of trees is less con- spicuous in our forests than in our orchards and gardens : but the dazzling whiteness of the Florida cornel, rising up amidst the variegated masses of- forest verdure, attracts the attention of every traveller. The flowering trees of our forests are chiefly of the amentaceous tribes, whose flowers serve rather to add gaiety and variety to their tints, than any positive beauty of colors. Among the shrubbery, however, there are many species that are made attractive by their blossoms, and yield to the pastures and coppices a more beautiful appear- ance than anything we have observed in the woods. While 248 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. tlie woods are still gleaming with the variegated tints of the sprouting foliage, you may behold, rising up in solitary brightness, arrayed with a profusion of white flowers and sil- very green leaves, the tall branches of the swamp pyrus, a shrub that bears the earliest flowers and fruits of the forest. The pyrus is the forerunner of many beautiful flowering shrubs. After this appear in succession the common thorn, with its white rosaceous flowers in lovely circular clusters ; the barberry, with its golden racemes fringing the branches from their extremities, almost to their roots ; the wild dwarf cherry, with its spikes of gaudy but delicate blossoms ar- ranged fantastically at right angles with the twigs that sup- port them ; — all these appear one after another, until at length, as if nature was desirous of concentrating all our admiration upon a single plant, appears the beautiful Canadian rhodora, which marks the era of the departure of spring, and the com- mencement of the reign of summer. In striking opposition to the scenes I have described, we may observe in different parts of the country a densely wood- ed swamp, with the tops of the trees hardly towering above the level of the surrounding landscape, covered with the dark green sombre foliage of junipers and cypresses. Even this renders the remaining prospect more cheerful, by acting as a foil to the pleasant scenes that everywhere surround us. The very notes of the birds seem to harmonize with the char- acter of the wood, and serve to enliven the contrasts that are presented to the eye. In the open flowery plain we hear thousands of chattering and musical birds — the wren in the gardens, the merry bobolink in the grassy meadows, and the oriole among the blossoms of the fruit trees, while from the dark cypress groves we hear the scream of the jay, the cawing of the raven, blended occasionally with the liquid notes of ^the Sylvias and solitary thrushes. By making such observations, one may be satisfied that upon our barren hills nothing could be substituted, that would equal in any respect of beauty and ornament, the trees and shrubs which are indigenous to the situation. The practice of Great Britain, operating as an example to American MAY. 249 improvers, has been fatal to the beauty of many a dehghtful spot in our own country. The native garniture of our own fields, modified by the hand of man, as exemplified in certain tracts to be seen in every old settlement, exceeds all which the combined wealth and taste of Great Britain could rear in the place of it. Vain are all attempts to improve the face of nature by dressing her in ornaments borrowed from a foreign clime. That taste which recommends a system of improve- ments based upon any principle, save that of preserving the whole indigenous growth of our fields and woods, is barba- rous, and will ultimately be spurned with indignation, by every true lover of beauty and of nature. §aual l^ctius. What Causes the Decay of Timber. — Some years ago a philosopher, being acquainted with the fact that every species of fungus, which is the- real source of the rot in timber, can vegetate only on substances which are» soluble in water, made the following experiment with sawdust. He took a. portion of sawdust from a heap, and divided it into two equal parts. One heap was washed over and over again in water, till everything soluble was, removed ; the other heap was undisturbed. Both having been dried, were placed, side by side, in a damp, close vault, and allowed to remain, there several weeks. They were at length taken out, and the following was the result : That portion which was washed until nothing more could be car- ried off by water, remained clean and bright as when it was carried into the vault : the unwashed portion had become the prey of foul parasites, and was completely imbedded in an offensive mass of mould. This experiment proved the theory of the philosopher, and convinced him, that, if by any means our timber of any sort could be deprived of all those matters con- tained in it which are soluble in water, it could be kept any number of years entirely free from rot. The Editor of the Gardeners' Chronicle sug-^ gests the experiment of "forcing water by exhaustion through the pores of' timber, until nothing is left to dissolve." There is reason to believe that such an experiment would be impracticable, except in the case of thin boards and laths, and in all cases very expensive. Some useful hints, however, may be drawn from the sawdust experiment, which may ulti- mately lead to some useful discovery. Any liquid which is chemically de- structive of those substances that may be dissolved in water, and which at the same time would produce no injury to the woody fibre, if injected into the pores of timber, must necessarily act as a preservative. This is proba- bly the principle of action of those substances already applied in this waj~ to timber to prevent its decay. VOL. XXI. NO. v. 32 250 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. DioscoREA Japonica (or Batatas) — a Substitute for the Potato. — Some of the French cultivators have, during the past years, been very successful in attempting to introduce the Chinese Yam, [Dioscorea Japonica,) into their gardens. The roots, imported from China, were planted in pots filled with sandy peat mixed with well-rotted manure. These were plunged in a liotbed, not covered by a frame, in order that vegetation might be ac- celerated by a gentle and steady bottom heat. Water was sparingly given. At the end of a fortnight, fibres and young stems were developed. The plants were then taken out of the pots and set in the open ground, at the end of May. These did well. The roots, taken up in the autumn of 1850, were kept in a cellar, secure from frost during the winter, and planted out in the spring of 1851, in well-pulverized, deep garden soil. The growth of the plants was very vigorous, and the roots attained a large size, one of them measuring about three feet in length, of a cylindrical and tapering form. The stems die down to the roots every autumn ; but according to experi- ment the roots may remain all winter, in France, with impunity, and vegetate in spring. From these facts the experimenter believes that this plant will be admitted among our cultivated tuberous species ; and that it will be useful and profitable, inasmuch as it remains several years in the ground, like the Jerusalem Artichoke, requiring, after it is planted, little or no cultivation, and that it will furnish, at all seasons of the year, an aliment within the reach of all. If this root be successful in France, there can be no doubt that it might be planted south of Massachusetts, with equal success in this country. The Editor of the Gardeners^ Chronicle states, from his personal knowl- edge respecting the qualities of the Chinese Yam, that "boiled like a po- tato, it proved extremely good, with rather a nutty taste, but it did not be- come mealy." He adds that, probably, " the roots require to be either steamed or roasted to be brought to the table in perfection. At all events the Chinese Yam belongs to the first class of garden root crops." It has been considerably increased the past year, and roots are now offered for sale by the London nurserymen. Pont^Ig (§0ssip, The Augusta Rose. — Never having yet had a plant sufficiently strong to show the true character of this new rose, we have not been enabled to state what are its real merits. The plants we had of the proprietor, who introduced it, were budded on the Prairie Rose, which does not appear to be a good stock for it, and they have yet made very little progress. In order that amateurs may see what our English rose fanciers say of it, we copy the following notice by Mr. Rivers, in reply to a letter from Messrs. Thorp, Smith &- Hanchett, asking his opinion about the rose : — " With respect to the rose Augusta, although not so deep in color as I hoped and wished for, still I will honestly confess that I have been pleased MAY. 251 with it. It differs from Solfaterre in having leaves narrower and more pointed, and its flowers are decidedly of a finer shape than those of Solfa- terre, and deeper in color in the centre. The flowers of Solfaterre are much reflexed and flat in hot weather, which is its great fault ; those ofJliigicsta are, as it has bloomed here, incurved, and more inclined to be globular in shape. [' More double and globular, and remarkably elegant in shape,' as he elsewhere describes it.] It is in my opinion a step in the right direction, but I hope it will soon be improved, for in your Southern states it might be crossed with the bright yellow but flaccid rose, Vicomiesse Decazes, and something much more decided in color be produced. Over-propagation, change of climate, and the weather of peculiar seasons, have much effect on the color of roses, more particularly on those of the Tea-scented and Noi- sette class. The first two seasons after I introduced the Cloth of Gold Rose from Angers, it bloomed in England, to my great vexation, of a dirty white. I could scarcely believe that it was the same rose I had seen at Angers, and I made a journey to that place expressly to have another look at it. On again seeing it I felt assured that all would be right in the end ; so that I dare say when the Augusta Rose is well established it will show more its proper character." Who are the Benefactors of Mankind? — Dean Swift once remarked that any one who should cause a blade of grass to grow where nothing grew before, was a benefactor to mankind. The object of the author of this remark, was to state in forcible terms, his opinion of the public benefit derived from all agricultural improvements. This saying was figurative : but it might be literally averred that every man who plants a tree is a pub- lic benefactor, whether the value of the tree consists in its fruit, or its flow- ers, its timber, or even its shade ; for, with regard to trees, it may be said that we often seek the substance for the sake of the shadow. We are ac- quainted with a single lady who makes the rational boast, that she has al- ways planted a fruit tree in every place in which she has resided. Whenever she takes lodgings in any new house, if there be a garden attached to it, she plants a fruit tree upon the spot. Such acts, on her part, seem to be disinterested, as her habit of moving from place to place, must prevent her from being the continual proprietor of these trees. Some one is benefited by them, and she enjoys the satisfaction of having done some good in the world. In these acts she displays a true benevolence. We knew a gentleman who lived to see the folly of a different course of conduct. On moving his young family into a house which was connected with a large garden, he was advised to plant it with fruit trees. He rejected the advice, and not owning the place, replied that he should plant no trees for other people's benefit. He lived there about thirty years ; and during this space of time he might have raised an abundance of fruit for his own family, and have seen many of the trees of his own planting perish of old age. There is perhaps no species of selfishness so foolish as that which prevents one from planting trees ; since their cost is but a trifle, and the Jabor of attending to a few individuals is both wholesome and agreeable. 252 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. And in this country, where property is so constantly changing hands, we can never predict when we plant another man's grounds, that these grounds may not become our own or those of our children. Study of Flowers. — It is very dommon with men who think there is nothing rational that is not connected with dollars and cents, to ridicule the study of flowers. " What good can come out of it," they ask. " Will it improve a man's fortune or advance his interest ? Will it render him a shrewder calculator ? Will it earn him his bread or make him a fortune ?" They are greatly mistaken who believe that no actual utility, in the com- mon niggardly sense of the term, can be derived from the pursuits of taste. But granting that they will accomplish none of these useful purposes, we would encourage such studies, as tending to fill up many hours of idleness with an interesting and agreeable employment. Every new amusement which can be participated without danger to the health or the morals, pro- vides an additional means for the moral improvement of society, inasmuch as it serves to divert many minds from pleasures which are liable to be ac- companied with vice. Though to a mere plodder in the common business of life it may seem almost ridiculous to be engaged with enthusiasm in naming and preserving a few insignificant wild flowers, yet this very zeal may preserve many a youth from corruption and ruin, whose passions might otherwise lead him to seek the haunts of vice. There are many pur- suits which are useful in no other way than by contributing to our pleas- ures. Let plodding misers and conceited sensualists ridicule them, because they neither fill one's coffers, nor spread his board — they forget that one distinguishing mark between men and brutes, is, that the latter pursue only the useful, while the former are about equally employed in the pursuit of the fanciful. Plants as Purifiers of the Air within Doors. — The January number of our Magazine contained a paragraph, with the above heading, in which plants were recommended to be kept in our sitting and sleeping rooms, on account of their tendency to purify the air. A correspondent, Mr. James Jackson, in commenting on this paragraph, states that in a line he received from Prof Asa Gray, the latter remarks that " Flowers are in- jurious in close rooms, not by reason, however, of their exhalation of car- bonic acid, (for this is not sufficient to do any harm,) but from the oils, &c., in the aroma." He says again of the exhaling of carbonic acid, " This does not amount to enough to do any harm under any ordinary circumstances, so that this is not the reason why flowers are unhealthy in close rooms, sleep- ing rooms, &-C." As regards plants not in bloom, he says : — " As to their foliage as affecting the air, plants practically neither benefit nor injure the air of rooms : the amount of oxygen they increase in daylight, or that of carbonic acid they increase by night, not being large enough, relatively, to make a sensible difference to an individual in the room." If the reader will take pains to refer to the paragraph which is the sub- ject of these comments, he will find that we rested our argument in favor of the wholesomeness of plants in a sleeping or sitting apartment on the MAY. 253 fact, that by their foliage they increase the invisible moisture of the atmos- phere and thereby counteract the drying effect of close stoves or coal fires of every description. We believe Prof Gray's opinion to be correct in rela- tion to the quantity of oxygen or carbonic acid consumed or given out by the leaves and flowers of plants, but he does not allude to the point on which we laid the most stress. Suppose an ordinary sized geranium to imbibe from the soil one half-pint of water per day, by its roots, it must give out one half-pint of moisture by its foliage, into the air of the room. This would be equivalent to evaporat- ing half a pint of water upon the stove. A dozen plants of the same kind must, therefore, give out six pints of water, in the sliape of invisible vapor, into the dry atmosphere of the chamber, and thus effectually counteract that unwholesome dryness which proceeds from the use of coal fires and close stoves. It is this invisible moisture, produced in a form more whole- some and agreeable than when evaporated directly from heated water, that renders the atmosphere of a greenhouse so soothing and delightful, com- pared with that of a sitting room of the same temperature. Plants Injured by Brick Flues. — There has a circumstance come under my observation this winter, about which I wish to gain some informa- tion, and as you have had so much experience in horticultural matters and seemingly have improved every opportunity it has given you of taking observations on almost every thing connected therewith tliat has transpired during your successful career, I am induced to apply to you for the informa- tion desired. Last autumn (1854,) I had charge of putting up a small structure to be used as a hothouse, or a place to keep such plants in as needs a little more heat than a greenhouse commonly affords, or ought to afford, which was to be heated by a common smoke flue. Well, I got all finished up in good order, as I thought, ready for the reception of the plants, (having tried the draft of the flue, &ic.,) and every thing seemed to be to my entire satisfac- tion; Accordingly, when the proper time came, the plants were put into the house and all went on well, until the advance of the season required the flue to be heated up pretty hot. The first morning afler there had been a pretty strong fire on during the night, I perceived the tips of the leaves of some of the most tender things blackened and curled up, which I could not particularly account for, but supposing it to be caused by some of the noxious gases sometimes emitted from bad coal that had escaped someway, or the heating of the half-dryed green paint with which the house was painted, (that sometimes has a bad effect on plants,) it passed from my mind until it happened again and again, and as the season advanced in cold it was of more frequent occurrence, and produced more detrimental effects, until one night I had occasion to go from home and leave the charge of heating the house to a rather inexperienced hand, who heaped on the fire during the night and raised the temperature to about 65 Fahren- heit ; consequently the next day the plants presented a sorry spectacle. Almost every leaf of every plant in the house, except a few Ixoras, Jasmin- 254 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. iums and Aphelandras, were dried to a shrivel, presenting an appearance as if scorched. After repeated trials and experiments, I found it was the tiles used in covering the flue that was the cause. They were purchased somewhere in Boston, and made for the inside lining of a baker's oven. Upon examining them they appear very hard in composition, white in color and compact in texture, resembling somewhat a hard-burnt fire brick, but not so coarse. There is no doubt but they are the cause of the disaster, for in a cold night, when it is required to heat them pretty hot to keep the temperature of the house to about 60°, much danger is done, when in a warmer night it may be up to 70 without doing any damage, which establishes fully that it is the extent to which they are heated. The plants are affected in the same manner as if held over red hot iron. I may add that I have mitigated the effects greatly, if not altogether, by placing over the flue a layer of charcoal dust about one inch or more in thickness, but next to the furnace it soon burns away and has to be supplied constantly. If you think tliis communication worthy your notice please give such information through your invaluable Magazine as you think fit ; also men- tion what sort of tiles or covering for flues are best, whether hard or soft, or coarse or fine in composition, and where they are to be purchased ; and, also, if common fire brick would produce such effects, for the sides of the flue are built with such.— Fom?-s ^c. W. M., Feb. 14, 1855. [We think our correspondent will find on careful investigation, that it is not the tiles which have been the cause of the injury to his plants. They may be hard burnt or compact in texture, and heated to a great degree without danger to the health of plants. Such effects as are spoken of can only be caused by a leakage in the flue, allowing of the escape of sulphur- ous gas, which is destructive to all vegetation. We have seen its effects in our own houses, and in some instances have been unable to ascertain where the leakage was ; the only alternative was to take off the tiles and plaster the flue on the inside, when no more damage was sustained. "They oflen give way on the bottom, out of sight, and out of the way of repair from the exterior, and when such effects are continued as our correspondent describes, they must be treated as we treated ours, or be rebuilt. We have never seen flues built on the sides with fire brick ; but unless they admit of the escape of gas we do not see how they could produce any injurious effects. The best tiles for covering a flue are those well burnt, being neither hard nor soft, and perfectly free from cracks. — En.] Death of Thomas Hancock. — We are pained to announce the de- cease of Mr. Thomas Hancock, nurseryman, Burlington, N. J. He died afler a short illness on the 21st of March, in the 51st year of his age. MAY. 255 Mr. Hancock was well known as an extensive nurseryman throughout the country, and more particularly in the Middle States. Our earlier vol- umes contain a full account of his grounds, and the variety of plants and fruits which he cultivated. Latterly he had given much attention to trees and shrubs, and had formed a fine collection of the newer sorts of evergreen trees : he was constantly making additions, and anticipated the increase of many new sorts, as he informed us on his visit to us last autumn. The Burlington Gazette contains a brief notice of his death, from which we learn that he took a very deep interest in agriculture. He was one of the originators of the Burlington Co. Agricultural Society ; a member and constant contributor to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. He was also a Trustee of Schools, and Surveyor of Highways in his native County, and a Director of the Merchants Bank of Burlington. As an enterprising nurseryman and honest and upright man, a kind friend, and zealous promoter of horticultural taste, his loss will be severely felt and his death deeply lamented. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The warmer weather of April has been mild and favorable, and without any severe frost. Vegetation has advanced rather rapidly, and unless se- vere cold occurs, the season will be as early as last year. Grape Vines will now be ripening off their fruit in the earliest houses : continue to light fires in cool, moist weather ; and keep the house dry and well aired. Vines in greenhouses will begin to swell their fruit, and should be kept in a good temperature, with plenty of moisture ; top the laterals as soon as tliey become crowded. Vines in cold houses will soon be in bloom, and will require considerable attention until the fruit is set. Fruit Trees of all kinds should be transplanted. Pruning may be con- tinued during the whole month. Strawberry beds may be made this month; clear and put in order old beds. Insects should be attended to ; if the canker worm is taken in season, they may be readily destroyed by a strong dose of whale oil soap. flower department. Greenhouses will need more attention to watering as the season advances ; syringing should be done every fair evening, and insects should be destroyed by fumigating with tobacco or sulphur. Geraniums in bloom will continue in beauty a long time by whitening the glass. Give abundance of air to harden off the plants. OxALisis, &c. now done blooming may be placed away under the stage, to ripen oflf. Chrysanthemums should now be propagated by cuttings or suckers. 256 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Chinese Primrose Seed may be sown now, for procuring fine plants for next winter. Propagate the double kinds from cuttings. Cestrums should now be headed down, repotted and set to growing. Heaths should be repotted now, and have the protection of a cold frame until well established. Epackises should have the same treatment as Heaths. Camellias are now growing vigorously, and should be freely syringed every night. Water well at the root. Azaleas, now beginning to grow, should have an abundance of moist- ure. Geraniums will now be in bloom — shade, as we have above advised, to keep them in perfection. Cinerarias should be looked after; now is a good time to divide the roots to increase the plants. Fuchsias should be repotted and kept constantly growing. Tender Annuals, such as Amaranths, Coxcombs, &c., should now be planted in hotbeds. AcHiMENES AND Gloxinias should be repotted. Fresh roots of the former may be potted for a succession of bloom. Cactuses should now have more attention — as the flower bud 3 advance, water rather more liberally. Oranges and Lemons may be repotted this month, and have nearly the same treatment as the camellia. Prepare all kinds of bedding-out plants in season to be put into the ground the last of May. • flower garden and SHRUBBERY. Tulips and other bulbs, now coming up, should have the beds dressed, and the soil loosened around them. Annual Seeds of the hardy kinds, such as Rocket Larkspur, Chryseis, Clarkias, Pansies, &c., should now be sown. Pansies in pots or frames should now be set out in well prepared beds. Hollyhocks should be transplanted now. ' Carnations and Picotees should be planted out this month. Daisies and Polyanthus, protected in frames, should be planted out in the borders, near the edging, as they grow low. Dahlias, for early blooming, may be planted towards the last of the month. Grass and Box edging may be newly planted or reset now. Lawns should be rolled often, and mowed early. Gravel walks should be cleaned, raked, and rolled firm and hard. Shrubbery of every kind wanted to fill up gaps, or to make new grounds, should be planted this month. Prune roses and other shrubs, and manure and dig the ground in every part of the flower garden. Keep down insects ; syringe roses for the thrip, early in the season, with whale oil soap, before they spoil the beauty of the plants. THE HAWTHORN. Among all the variety of beautiful trees and shrubs which adorn the landscape none can claim a more prominent place than the hawthorn, in its numerous species and varieties. " Of all the genera of hardy, ligneous plants in cultivation in British gardens," says Loudon, " there is not one, which, tak- ing it altogether, can be compared with the genus Cratse^gus. All the species may be trained either as small, handsome, ex- ceedingly picturesque trees, or as beautiful and picturesque shrubs, at the pleasure of the cultivator. They have all a characteristic, neat, orderly manner of growth ; neither so slow as to convey the idea of want of vigor, nor so rapid and robust as to be considered coarse and rambling. Their leaves are remarkably neatly cupped and finely tufted ; their flowers appear in masses, so abundant, in some species, as almost to cover the plant in the flowering season ; and their fruit is pro- duced in as great abundance as their flowers. The color of the flowers is generally white, and they are mostly more or less fragrant ; some of them, as the common hawthorn, being particularly so ; their color, though white at first, yet in some cases, as in that of the common double-flowered hawthorn, die off" of a very fine pink ; and there are several pink-flow- ered varieties of the common hawthorn which are strikingly ornamental. The fruit varies in size, from that of C. spath- ulata, which is not much larger than a mustard seed, to that of C, mexicana, which is about as large as a golden pippin apple. The color of the fruit, as already mentioned, is red, yellow, black or green, and includes many varieties of shade." " Finally," observes this author, " if a man were exiled to an estate without a single tree or shrub on it, with permission to choose only one genus of ligneous plants to form all his plan- tations, shrubberries, orchards and flower gardens, where would he find a genera that would aff"ord him so many re- sources as that of the Cratas'gus." VOL. XXI. NO. VI. 33 258 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. May is the common and well known name of the English hawthorn in Great Britain, and its flowers have been identi- fied with the floral games of May, from time immemorial. The Greeks and Romans gathered the flowers in honor of Flora, to whom the plant was dedicated, and whose festival began on May Da5^ Formerly, in decking the May pole with flowers, a bunch of the hawthorn was always put upon the top. This, however, was in the olden time, previous to the alteration in the style, when May Day occurred eleven days later than at present. It is now so rarely in bloom on May Day that the practice is abolished, except in the southern part of England. Various legends are connected with particular trees, — one of the most remarkable of which is that of the Glaston- bury thorn ; this is said to have sprung from a stafl" stuck into the ground by Joseph of Arimathea, upon his visit to England after the death of Christ, which immediately shot forth leaves and blossoms. It was upon Christmas day ; and the legend adds that the thorn is still in existence and annually blossoms on that day. Few flowers have been more celebrated by the Poets than the hawthorn. Chaucer says : '' Marke the faire blooming of the hauthorne tree Who finely cloathed in robe of white Fills full the wanton eye with May's Delight." But the hawthorn of the poets, around which so many asso- ciations are clustered, is not the hawthorn of our woods and fields, growing in pastures and hedgerows, on hillsides and mountain cliff's, from Maine to Florida. These, though many in number and various in growth and habit, enlivening the season far into May and June by their snowy blossoms and tender green foliage, and adding variety to the brilliancy of our autumn scenery by the abundance of their fruit, and more beautiful than the May, are wanting in one thing — the de- lightful order of its blossoms, which, at the early season of .their opening, is reviving to the spirits. Chaucer again says : " There sawe I growing eke the freshe hauthorne In white motley, that so sote doeth ysmell." Yet many of our native species, sisters of the May, can, with JUNE. 259 the exception of its fragrant flowers, fairly claim an equal rank for picturesque and ornamental beauty. The variety exhibited in their foliage, — the various colors of their large or smaller berries, — and the numerous forms that the different species assume, give them a value surpassed by no other class of ornamental trees. The number of species and varieties enumerated in Lou- don's Arboretum is upwards of sixty, more than twenty of which are nativ6s of America. Many of the varieties as well as the species so much resemble each other that it is with difficul- ty some of the latter are identified. Mr. Loudon devoted many pages of his splendid work to detailed descriptions of each, but the group is still in much confusion among nurserymen who cultivate a large number of kinds. It would occupy too much space to give a descriptive list of all the hardy species and varieties deserving the attention of lovers of fine trees: our object is simply to commend them to notice, with the hope that now, while they are in full bloom, the variety and beauty of their blossoms may attract attention, and later in the year their diversified foliage and many-hued berries, be care- fully studied. Nearly all the kinds are hardy : a few from the south of Europe and some from Mexico will not stand our winters at the North ; but we have in cultivation some thirty or more, which embrace the principal divisions of the group and many of the showiest and best species. The Cockspur thorn, C. Crus Galli, is well known as one of the most beautiful hedge plants, having an entire, deep glossy fol- iage almost sub-evergreen. The common Newcastle thorn" is also much used for the same purpose, but is less ornamen- tal. Of the English hawthorn, there are three exquisite varie- ties, which should be found in every garden : these are the Double Red and Double White and the Single Red ; the lat- ter, the most brilliant of the three when viewed as a mass ; the number of its blossoms, and their deeper color having a marked contrast with other trees at its early season of bloom- ing. The Pyracanth thorn is a very fine variety, hardy and exceedingly beautiful. There is also one or two weeping thorns, of recent production, that form exquisite lawn trees. 260 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. For planting in lawns of limited extent the hawthorn is one of the best trees ; it does not grow large, and overtop and shadow other shrubs or plants, but forms a low and fine head, loaded with flowers throughout the spring and garland- ed with fruit even into winter. " In pearls and rubies rich the liawthorns show, While through the ice the crimson berries glow." One word as to their culture. Though naturally springing up in thin and rather poor soils, they love a good rich mellow earth, naturally dry. They will not flourish in a wet situa- tion : there they soon get mossy and stunted, and assume a decrepid habit. Planted in a good soil, well cultivated and liberally enriched, they soon form fine large branching heads, and display their flowers in a profusion more lavish than any other tree. ON THE TERM "NATURAL" AS APPLIED TO LANDSCAPE. BY WILSON FLAGG. I HAVE already treated this subject, somewhat briefly, in a former number of this Journal. In that essay I merely sug- gested a few hints in relation to certain general laws by which nature is governed in the grouping of plants and the devel- opment of their forms. As it is highly important to under- stand these laws, if we would avoid doing injury to the land- scapes we attempt to improve, I shall make them the subject of further discussion and inquiry. It is often denied that one scene is any more natural than another, if they are each the growth of nature. An orchard, say these objectors, is just as natural as a wild forest, and a garden of tulips as natural as a tract of wild pasture, thickly overgrown with indigenous herbs, flowers and shrubbery. Though it cannot be denied that one is the production of nature as well as the other, yet the former deviates more widely from the process, the direc- tion and the forms of vegetation which nature causes to ap- pear on the face of the earth, when she is left to her own spontaneous eflE'orts. JUNE. 261 To ascertain these principles, we must take note, in the first place, of the course of nature in the wilderness, where she has been left, from immemorial time, to her own sponta- neous efforts : secondly, of her course in clearings, where, after man has removed the trees and shrubs, she is left, un- disturbed, to replenish the space : thirdly, in land Avhich has been once entirely subjugated by the tiller of the soil, and then le(t to nature to overcome the effects of tillage in her efforts to restore her original creation : lastly, of the course of nature in those places in which man, acting as an im- prover, has endeavored to regulate her operations. In each of the three first cases, the work of nature may be consid- ered legitimate : and although, under each of these circum- stances, the results may be widely dilferent, they all equally indicate the laws of nature, when left to those apparent chances by which the indigenous vegetation of any land is restored. Before I proceed further in this inquiry I will allude to the importance of imitating the ways of nature, when creating landscapes and laying out pleasure grounds, with the design of obtaining from them the greatest amount of enjoyment. It has been denied that the pursuit of this course will ensure a more favorable result than to follow one that is strictly ar- tificial, as in the Dutch gardens. I would freely admit that in horticultural operations, as in the planting of nurseries, arboretums, and beds for florists' flowers, any attempt to imi- tate nature would be as absurd as to attempt it in the corn- field or the kitchen garden. The objectors remark that the tangled wilderness is far from agreeable, either as a place for recreation or as a scene for the entertainment of the eye ; that it is destitute both of beauty and comfort, and that we al- ways take more pleasure in a garden that is well kept than in one that is overgrown with weeds. These objections are based on a misconception of the true meaning of the natural as distinguished from the artificial in landscape. There is a vagueness in the signification of these terms which it is diffi- cult to clear up. I am disposed to apply the epithet natural to all those scenes in which art has wrought in harmony with 262 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. nature : and I believe it will be found that in all old settle- ments, a pleasure ground, that extends beyond the space of an acre, will afford satisfaction to the visitor in proportion as it is made to resemble the work of nature, without her de- fects. In the close vicinity of our dwelling-houses, it is useless to attempt an imitation of nature in the style of their en- closures. Neatness, beauty and convenience are to be re- garded above all other considerations. But in an extensive tract which is designed for rural recreation, the more, nearly we can imitate the ways of nature consistently with the at- tainment of other needful purposes, the more satisfaction shall we derive from the place. There is an air of freedom and seclusion about a place that seems entirely inartificial, that fills the soul with the most agreeable emotions. We feel secure from interruption, and a pleasing sense of our right to ramble and loiter there. The first highly-wrought fence or other artificial structure immediately suggests the idea that we may be trespassers, and that we may meet some one who, as guardian or proprietor, may dispute our right to enter upon his grounds. It does not follow that there is anything like envy combined with this feeling ; but every object that is palpably artificial produces a sense of constraint, and damps the poetic emotion of solitude. Though the proprietor of a place may feel disposed to disregard these influences on the minds of strangers, I am confident that, in the same propor- tion as, on any account, it would fail in exciting agreeable emotions in the minds of others, would it also fail in yield^ing pleasure to himself and his family. Though complete and uninterrupted solitude would be hardly preferable to death, yet every man of reflective mind delights in occasional retirement. He loves to go out so far into the fields and woods that he may not be liable to inter- ruption ; and he feels this charming seclusion most powerfully in scenes of native wildness, or in those in which the planter has designedly or otherwise imitated the spontaneous ways of nature. No sooner does he perceive this careless irregularity, unmixed with the costly works of art, than he feels that he JUNE, 263 is alone. If at the same time the solitary birds of the wil- derness are seen and heard around him, the emotion of sol- itude is the more vividly impressed upon his mind. Indeed this feeling is seldom complete, until he hears those wild notes from creatures that cautiously avoid the busy town and its vicinity. It seems to me, therefore, an important princi- ple in the art of creating landscape that there should be pres- ent in it everything agreeable that is found in a wildwood, and that everything artificial should be excluded that would disturb those poetic feelings which are awakened by the real scenes of nature. A landscape may be considered natural, if we find in it all those productions which we meet in a forest, except its re- dundances. All the indigenous plants must be there, though they may grow in a better condition, and in a less crowded entanglement than in the wilderness. The trees may have a wider spread, and the shrubbery may grow more independ- ently outside of the woods instead of forming only a mea- gre undergrowth. The hand of man may have assisted the plants to obtain their full development, without excluding any species. The birds and other animals that are the true tenants of the wildwood must also be present, whose appear- ance, in moderate numbers, is the best evidence that the har- mony of nature has not been disturbed. We find in the primitive forest an entangled and crowded growth, and an excess of humidity, that render the charms of nature unavailable to us, and many places inaccessible. A great entanglement obstructs our passage and interferes with the course of vegetation. Man, by removing these im- pediments, does, in truth, render nature the more natural, as a plant becomes more natural when removed from a dark cellar into the open air. So long as no species of plant is destroyed which would be found in the place, if it had not been sub- jected to culture, and so long as each plant and animal enjoys its native habitats and circumstances of growth, the land- scape has not been denatui'alized by the removal of redun- dances. The word natural is not sufficiently precise to be conven- 264 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. iently used in philosophical discussion. I should prefer a term which is more specific, and had not been generalized into unmeaningness by universal bad use. The term used should express a combination of all the properties and char- acteristics of a wild scene, divested of its inconveniences and of everything that interferes with the growth and develop- ment of all those plants which nature is struggling to produce, from the minutest moss or lichen, to the tall pine or the wide-spreading oak. Just so far as we improve the develop- ment of the indigenous plants and animals, without derang- ing their natural proportions and relations to one another, do we improve nature without destroying her characteristics. Nature, when left to herself, admits of an excessive crowding of species : and it is only in occasional situations that she is enabled to afford any one tree or other plant its full propor- tions. Though it might be averred that a scene is more natural in which everything has grown up with these imperfections, we might with the same propriety contend that the dense and stived population of a crowded city, only half devel- oped in their physical proportions from the want of light and fresh air, are more natural than the well developed inhabitants of the country. It seems to me that we may denaturalize a place in the two following ways : — either by depriving it of some of the individual species and groups that belong to it ; or by arranging them in an order that can only be attained by art. Nature has made certain groups to harmonize with one another, and to depend on each other : and if we disturb these relations we do violence to her system. And though there may be certain noxious plants and animals which must for our own safety and comfort be extirpated, the offence we thereby commit against the order of nature is a necessary de- viation from a general principle. The English artists in landscape, and their followers, have omitted to take all these things into consideration, and have believed themselves copyists of nature, when they have sim- ply imitated her irregularities, in the arrangement of the dif- ferent objects iu their grounds, while they omit to copy her JUNE. 265 other graces or characteristics. It is true that nature does not plant her herbs, trees and shrubs in rows, or according to any mathematical lines or figures : but it does not follow that one who plants in the same irregular manner, produces a work that is modelled after nature. As well might we call him a mathematician, who placed his figures in mathematical col- umns, while the figures had no relation to one another, and led to no result. We must form our opinion of the charac- ter of any tract by the decision of nature herself. If we find within it all those indigenous plants which would have been found there, if the grounds had never been disturbed, and all the indigenous birds and animals accepting it as their home, then may we believe that nature is truly the presiding goddess, receiving the homage of all her creatures. The little solitary birds that flee the park and orchard, and reside only in the woods where certain of their natural con- ditions still remain, would not inquire whether the planter had arranged his trees and shrubs in rows, or scattered theni at random ; but whether he had left the wild bushes, grasses and vines in which they are accustomed to nestle, and the wild fruits and seeds that aff'ord them sustenance. How geometri- cally soever the trees and shrubs may be arranged, if they are attended by the same groups and species that form their bedding and undergrowth in the wilderness, the tract thus arranged is more natural than a park consisting only of se- lected trees and lawn, without any undergrowth of native plants. In the one case, every natural circumstance is pres- ent, except the irregular planting ; in the other case, every natural circumstance except the irregular planting is absent. Those improvers, therefore, who flattered themselves that they were copyists of nature, when they introduced the cus- tom of irregular planting, and of curved and straggling walks, while the surface was all smooth lawn and the walks neatly gravelled, were as far from nature, as a lady florist who should, for the same reasons, scatter her flower pots in wild irregu- larity over her parlor carpet. A straight cartpath is frequently made by our farmers through a level piece of woodland, and then left to nature. VOL. XXI. NO. VI. 34 266 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. who embroiders its sides with all the herbs and flowers that habitually frequent such places. It never seemed to me, when I have been strolling through one of these rustic ave- nues, that it savored any less of nature, on account of its di- rect course. If it were very long, a walk in it would not be so pleasant as in an irregular or winding avenue. Both are artificial, for nature makes no paths at all. But the plants arranged in almost straight lines in the one case, and in curve lines in the other, following the course of the path, are all equally natural, because they are in each case the spontane- ous growth of nature. I used formerly to visit the path of an ancient railroad which had long been deserted for a more commodious route. No travelling, except that of foot passengers, had passed over it for eight or ten years. Nature had taken possession of it, and she seemed to revel with delight in its long straight course. The bushes and other wild plants that embroidered its sides were charming to behold, when their irregular con- fusion was contrasted with the regular outline of the road- side. Surely, thought I, there is nothing in straight lines to which nature has any aversion, who seems not less willing to enter in and occupy this path, than if it were an elliptic or a cycloid, or no figure at all. Those appearances are attended with a singular charm where nature has taken into her own bosom a place once modelled by human art and then forsaken. The delightful sentiment of antiquity is always awakened by a scene of this kind : and the more grand and beautiful the original work thus returned to the hand that gave it, the more profound is the emotion with which it is contemplated. While we tread upon the ruins, thus overgrown, of an ancient fortification, a dilapidated wall, or an old magnificent pleasure ground, we cannot help confessing that they have a charm, compared with which the beauty of the original work must have been insignificant. Those situations in which nature has been once subdued by man, and afterwards allowed to resume her sceptre, are of all places the most delightful when she has completely re- established her empire over them. Such, I am confident, is their influence upon the majority of sensitive minds. It is JUNE. 267 not that they have more sympathy with nature than with humanity, but they feel that man must enjoy more happi- ness among the simple scenes of the natural world than among the ambitious works of art. Hence comes that serene pleasure that always attends us, when we behold the Rural Deities resuming their habitation in grounds once despoiled by man, and making known their presence by knolls tufted with moss, by plats of wild flowers, by tangled bowers, and the voice of the solitary bird, who flees the haunts of luxurious wealth, and sings only to the children of the swains. DESCRIPTIONS OF SELECT VARIETIES OF PEARS. BY THE EDITOR. Twelve varieties of pears were described and figured in our last volume, (XX.) The season of 1854 was not so pro- lific of new sorts as the previous year, but several varieties which had before only ripened a few specimens, bore a more abundant crop, and enabled us to form a better opinion of their real merits. Those which we now describe are among the number. 176. FoNDANTE DE NoEL. Albuni de Pomologie, Vol. II. Belle de Noel. Belle Apres Noel. This new pear {jig. 9) is one of the seedlings of the late Major Esperin, and is one of his most valuable varieties. It has now fruited in our collection three or four years, improv- ing in its appearance and quality With the age and vigor of the trees. It is a late variety, as its name indicates, and aids in making up a good collection of winter fruits. The tree is a good grower and naturally takes the pyramidal shape, requir- ing but little pruning to what many other kinds do when trained in this form. It does not appear to be very vigorous upon the quince, and so far we consider it not well adapted to that stock ; it comes into bearing early upon the pear, and 268 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. thus obviates the objection in a great degree to those kinds that will not succeed upon the quince stock. It is a most abundant bearer, and requires liberal thinning to ensure large and handsome specimens. Size, medium, about three inches long and three inches in diameter : Form, roundish obovate, occasionally elongated, broad and full at the crown, narrowing to the stem : Skin, fair, smooth, pale yellow when mature, with a deep shade of THE FONDANTE DE NOEL. blush on the sunny side, and dotted with a few russet specks : Stem, medium length, about three quarters of an inch long, stout, and swollen at the base, and attached by a fleshy junc- tion to the fruit : Bye, small, open, and little sunk in a shallow basin ; segments of the calyx, medium length, narrow, re- flexed : Flesh, yellowish, fine, very melting and juicy : Fla- vor, rich, sugary and delicious, with a slight musky aroma : Core, small : Seeds, rather large and considerably pointed. Ripe in December and January. JUNE. 269 177. Alpha. London Hort. Soc. Ca^. 3d Ed. The Alpha {Jig. 10) is comparatively an old pear, and was described in the 2d Ed. of the Catalogue of the London Hort. Soc. in 1831. Messrs. Manning and Kenrick received the scions of it from the London Hort. Soc. in 1834 and '35, and it first fruited, we believe, in the Pomological Garden at Salem. It appears to have been somewhat neglected, as it has only fruited in some of the amateur collections around Boston. It proves to be a very good fruit, and was particu- larly noticed at the last meeting of the American Pomologi- THE ALPHA. cal Society in Boston, and was thought by some of the mem- bers as worthy of being placed on the list which promises well. We have not seen enough of it to form a decided opinion of its merits. The tree is a good grower, and abund- ant bearer. Size, medium, about two and half inches long, and two and a half in diameter : Form, roundish obovate, somewhat flattened at the crown, rounding off to the stem : Skin, fair, smooth, green, with a broad shade of dull red on the sunny side, indistinctly mottled, and dotted with small roundish 270 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. specks: Stem, short, about half an inch long, slender, and inserted without any very perceptible cavity : Eye, medium size, open, and little depressed in abroad, rather shallow basin ; segments of the calyx, short, reflexed : Flesh, greenish white, fine, melting and juicy : Flavor, pleasant, saccharine, little per- fumed and good : Core, medium size : Seeds, medium size, brown. Ripe in October. 178. Doyenne' Defais. Doyenne d'Affay. Beurr6 Defais ? This new pear (Jig. 11) we have now fruited three or four years, and it appears to possess many excellent qualities. Tt THE doyenne' defais. conies in at a good season, when we have not an overabund- ance of excellent pears, — ripens readily, — and produces good crops. In quality it approaches the old White Doyenne. The Doyenne Defais is, we believe, a Belgian variety, and named after the originator. We do not find it described in JUNE. 271 any pomological work, though it is named in most of the French and Belgian catalogues. The tree is a tolerably vig- orous grower and makes a good pyramid. Size, medium, about two and a half inches long, and two and a half in diameter : Form, roundish, slightly obovate, broad and somewhat flattened at the crown, rounding off" to the stem, with an uneven surface : Skin, fair, smooth, pale dull yellow, very strongly tinged with blush on the sunny side, and dotted with minute russety specks : Stem, medium length, about three quarters of an inch long, moderately stout, straight, and obliquely inserted in a rather deep, uneven- ly formed and ribbed cavity : Bye, medium size, open, and little sunk in a small basin ; segments of the calyx, short, con- nected, reflexed : Flesh, yellowish white, fine, buttery, melt- ing and juicy : Flavor, rich, saccharine, perfumed and deli- cious : Core, small : Seeds, large, rather long and flattened. Ripe in November and December. 179. Poire des deux Sceurs. Albiim de Pomologie, Yol. 11. This new pear {jig. 12) has not yet fruited in our collec- tion ; our drawing is made from a specimen given us by the Hon. J. S. Cabot of Salem, who raised fine examples of it last season (1854.) It is said to have been found growing in a garden in Ma- lines, by the late Major Esperin, who gave the variety its name, and it is probably an accidental seedling. It is a very long and handsome pear and appears to possess many excel- lent qualities. The tree is very vigorous, slightly thorny, and a most abundant bearer. Size, large, about four and a half inches long, and two and a half in diameter : Fortn, pyramidal, regular, much elongated, and rounding of!" to the crown, which is small : Skilly fair, smooth, green, becoming yellow when mature, with a pale red cheek on the sunny side and dotted with mi- nute russet specks : Stem, rather short, about three quarters of an inch long, stout, nearly straight, and attached to the fruit by a slightly fleshy base : Eye, small, closed, and set nearly even with the surface of the crown in a very small furrowed 272 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. basin ; segments of the calyx, short, stiff, recurved : Flesh, yellowish white, fine, melting and juicy : Flavor, very sweet, sprightly and rich, with a peculiar almond aroma : Core, 12. POIRE DES DEUX SCEURS. small : Seeds, large, long, and sharply pointed. Ripe in No- vember. JUNE. 273 179. Beurre' de Montqeron. Album de Pomol, Vol. III. Beurre de Montigeron. New Frederick of Wurtemberg. The Beurre de Montgeron (fg. 13) is one of the most beautiful of the new pears, and stands nearly as high in re- gard to quality as beauty. Under the name of New Freder- ick of Wurtembergj we received it from France nearly ten THE BEURRE DE -MONTGERON. years ago, and it first fruited in our collection in 1848 ; we noticed it in our Magazine under this name, (Vol. XVII. p. 509.) Subsequently, trees received from M. Jamin of Paris, under the name of Beurre de Montigeron, proved to be identi- VOL. XXI. NO.- vi. 35 274 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. cal with it ; but doubtful as to the correctness of the last name, not finding it enumerated in any pomological work, we delayed giving a description and engraving of the fruit. We now find it figured and described in the Album de Po- mologie, (Vol. III.) but we learn nothing in regard to its origin. It is supposed to be a French variety, introduced into Belgi- um ten or twelve years ago. The tree is a vigorous grower, and appears to do well upon the quince. The tree has a fine pyramidal habit, and pro- duces an abundant crop. Size, medium, about two and three quarters inches long, and two and three quarters in diameter : Form, obtuse pyri- form, somewhat flattened at the base, tapering regularly to the stem end which is obtuse : Skill, very fair, smooth, deep yellow, very broadly sufl^used with bright vermilion on the sunny side, and dotted with a few pale gray specks : Stem, long, one and a half inches in length, rather slender, little swollen at the base, and inserted in a very shallow cavity : Eye, large, open and moderately depressed in a broad open basin ; segments of the calyx, thick, broad and diverging : Flesh, yellowish white, fine, buttery, melting and juicy : Flavor, rich, sugary, sprightly, perfumed and delicious : Core, small : Seeds, large, broadly ovate, light colored. Ripe in October, and keeps several weeks. 180. LONGUE DE NaKOURTS. Longue de Monkowty. Beurre Judes. Under the name of Longue de Nakourts, we received this new pear (Jig. 14) from France, some eight or ten years since. It has now fruited several seasons in our collection, and has continued to improve in quality with the age of the tree. We consider it a most excellent pear. It is of large size, some- what of the shape of the Dix, with a flavor not unlike that excellent pear, though rather more sugary. It is a most abundant bearer. The origin of the Longue de Nakourts is unknown to us : it is not described in any work accessible to us, nor does the JUNE. 275 name appear only in a few of the foreign catalogues, and in some instances without description. M. Jamin of Paris, from whom we received our trees, obtained it, we believe, from Belgium, in one of his visits to that country, as it was one of several new and rare sorts which we requested him to send us, 14. THE LONGUE DE NAKOURTS. and among the number were the D'Albret, Grand Soleil, &c., all of which have proved to be valuable kinds. Whether it will succeed well upon the quince we have not yet satisfac- torily ascertained. 276 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Size, large, about four inches long, and three in diameter : Form, pyramidal, full around the crown, rather suddenly con- tracted near the stem : Skin, fair, slightly rough, dull green- ish yellow, thickly covered with very large russety dots, con- nected in many places so as to form irregular patches, and slightly tinged with pale red on the sunny side : Stem, long, about one and a half inches in length, moderately stout, curved and twisted, somewhat fleshy at the base, and obliquely inserted without any very perceptible cavity : Eye, medium size, open and moderately sunk in an irregular open basin ; segments of the calyx, very long, pointed, diverging : Flesh, yellowish white, rather coarse, buttery and juicy : Flavor, rich, sugary, highly aromatized and delicious : Core, large : Seeds, large, long and pointed. Ripe in October. THE PRODUCTION OF SEEDLING PEARS. The following excellent hints on the growth of seed- ling pears are by M, de Jonghe of Brussels, communicated to the Gardeners^ Chronicle. It is well known that our nurse- rymen import a larger part of their pear stocks under the im- pression that they cannot easily be raised here. We hope M. Jonghe's remarks will eradicate this erroneous idea, and that ere long our cultivators may be enabled to raise stocks in sufficient quantity and of better quality than can be obtained abroad. To amateurs, who are amusing themselves with the production of new varieties from seed, M, Jonghe's article will be especially welcome. — Ed. The essential properties of a new variety of pear exist in a rudimentary state in the seed. Time and favorable circum- stances will develop the embryo plant, but cannot change its specific nature. Its existence dates from the time that the pistil is fertilized by the pollen before or after the opening of the corolla. In dissecting a flower before the corolla is open. JUNE. 277 the anthers are found close to the stigma, and at the base of the style the rudiments of the ovaries may be observed. Does fertilization take place before the opening of the corolla, or more probably not till after the solar rays have produced certain effects on the organs of fructification ? Are the an- thers of the same flower sufficient for the fertilization of the pistillum without the assistance of other flowers, or perhaps the flowers of other trees, the pollen of which may be depos- ited by bees or flies ? The minute examination of these questions is of impor- tance, and will lead to a knowledge of the mode in which artificial fecundation may be effected in certain circumstances, and of the precautions necessary to be taken. Perhaps in this way more certain results may be obtained in regard to obtaining long-keeping varieties, an endeavor which ought to receive the particular attention of those who engage in raising varieties of fruit from seed. Seedling varieties of pears vary infinitely in successive generations. This truth is being continually proved by ocu- lar demonstration. There is another principle connected with the above, which is, the more a type has entered into a state of variation, the greater is its tendency to continue doing so, and the more it has varied from the original type, the more it is disposed to vary still farther. Certain latitudes and influences of climate are doubtless more favorable than others for obtaining good results as re- gards the pear and other fruit trees ; but the investigation of these would lead us too far from the principal subject. It is rare to see two identical varieties produced from seed of the same variety. It is even a well-established fact that the seeds taken from the same fruit produce varieties so dis- tinct in wood, leaves, and fruit that no resemblance to their common origin can be traced. This fact proves to a certain extent that the bees and flies play an important part in the fertilization of the pistil. It is therefore important, that in a garden where experiments in raising new sorts are carried on, no varieties should exist except those that are of first-rate qual- ity ; and that the collection should be as far distant as possible 278 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. from any bad varieties. It may be supposed that when the bees fly to a distance, the pollen is detached from their legs by the action of the air ; therefore we must attribute the complete fertilization of the flowers of a tree to the pollen of adjoining trees that are visited by bees and flies. The con- sideration of these circumstances ought not to be omitted. Moreover, it is essential to have only vigorous trees, on the pear stock, obtained from the latest generation of improved seedlings. A limited nuniber of fruit should only be left on the tree, from which seedlings are intended to be raised, in order that the fruit may acquire its natural size and perfection. When gathered, the finest should be selected from spurs on the most vigorous part of the tree. The fruit should be kept in a suit- able place till it becomes quite ripe. In cutting the fruit, care should be taken not to injure the seeds, of which three, four, or five may be found, perfectly matured, in the cells. Whether the seed is roundish, flat, ova), or oblong, or whether its color is black or nut-brown, provided it has a well-fed pulp, it may be considered fertile and ought to produce a plant, if preserved with care, and sown at the proper season. When taken out of the cells, the seeds should be put in a small jar, half filled with dry sand, with which the seeds should be mixed. The jar should be placed in the dark, where the seeds can neither dry nor rot. After remaining in this situation for a month or two, the seeds should be taken out and put in papers, each sort separately, marking the name or number of the variety of fruit from which the seeds were taken, together with the date of the ripening of the fruits. These directions, it will be understood, are necessary, in order that amongst the seedlings raised the preference may be given in planting to those likely to prove the best. The seed is collected from the middle of autumn till the end of spring ; and by keeping it in the way above mentioned the skin of the seed will acquire a consistence, and the kernel a firmness that will enable it to vegetate with greater vigor when commit- ted to the soil, in the open air. I have seen pear seeds sown in JUNE. 279 garden pots, in wooden boxes, and on gentle hotbed ; but from many years' experience I have found that it is prefera- ble to sow the seeds in the open ground. They grow in the latter, during the first year, with the proper degree of vigor, and make a substantial growth. In September, a part of the garden is chosen which is not infested by any kind of insect. The ground is dug deeply but not manured. It is carefully cleaned from all weeds, and at the same time the soil is made as fine as possible. About the end of the month drills are made two feet apart and about two inches deep. After the bottoms of the drills have been levelled a thin layer of wood ashes is sown in them. The seeds, preserved since the win- ter or spring, are steeped in a solution of sulphate of lime, and placed about two inches apart in the drills. A strong oak stake is driven into the ground to mark where each sort is sown ; apiece of lead is nailed on the stake and stamped with the letter S, and the number of the variety sown. Before covering the seeds, they should be pressed on the flat side or on the edge with the finger, in order that the radicle may strike directly downward, and the plumule spring upwards without proceeding first in a horizontal direction and then forming a curve at the base of the stem, which would be the case if the seeds were not properly placed. All the drills are successively covered in the same way. During the winter and spring some parings of turf should be scattered over the surface of the ground, in order to aff"ord nourishment to the worms and prevent them from attacking the seedlings, the seed leaves of which will appear above ground towards the end of the following March. The seed of a pear, taken from a well-formed fruit of first- rate quality, produced by a naturally vigorous tree belonging to a good race, being sown at the end of September, with all the precautions already pointed out, in light deep soil, remains fixed in this by its strong radicle for the first year. The shoot gradually acquires firmness and strength, and commen- ces to throw out some branches. Each seedling plant exhib- its peculiar characters which, in the course of the summer, are subjects of observation for those that are in the habit of 280 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. experimenting. The young plants should be frequently weeded, and the surface of the ground kept loose by stirring. The young shoots that are too near each other along the stem, should be thinned by cutting them close to their bases with a sharp, narrow-bladed knife. These are all the attentions which the seedlings require in the first year of their growth. In the following spring the seedlings should be taken up, and their tap-roots shortened. The plants should then be re- planted in a quarter of rich deep soil, in rows 2| feet asunder, and one foot apart in the rows. In order to encourage fresh roots, about half a shovelful of well decomposed dung is put under the tap-root of each. During the growth resulting from the first flow of sap, and especially towards midsum- mer, all branches or shoots that are too close, or badly placed, are cut off closely, without, however, touching the upright leading shoot, which is allowed to grow till it attains the height of 10 feet. Some of the weak or slender-growing seedlings may require the support of a small stick to keep them upright. The stick should be placed so as to best re- sist the effects of the southwest winds. The young stem is tied to it with matting ; but at the fall of the leaf the stick should be immediately removed. We have a great antipathy to all supports ; for these, by being driven into the ground, injure the roots, whilst the ties impede the free circulation of sap in the plant, and serve as a harbor for insects. The stakes, moreover, by the action of the wind, are apt to fret and wound the young bark. For these reasons, stakes should never be employed, except where they are absolutely indis- pensable. The young seedlings ought to be induced to take an upright direction by means of disbudding and shortening the laterals. If it should be found necessary to shorten the central leading shoot, a slight rod should be attached to it in order that the upright direction of the shoot may be thereby insured. This remark, which is here necessarily introduced, is of general application, and need not be repeated. In the autumn, or rather towards the end of February, if the soil in which the seedlings are planted does not appear sufficiently rich, the surface should be stirred, and enriched JUNE. 281 with liquid manure, made with cow-dung steeped in water. This will start the plants into vigorous growth, which must be regulated by thinning the laterals with the view of en- couraging the upright shoot. In the autumn of the second year after planting out, all the seedlings noted as possessing the most promising characters should be taken up and planted in a soil more rich in humus, in rows 3| feet apart and three feet from plant to plant in the row. The others, less promising, are planted in a compartment by themselves. The seedling must be pruned, disbudded, and pinched according to the prin- ciples applicable to the pruning of standard pyramids, with this difference, however, that in the second and third year after planting, the shoots of the seedlings are left at greater length. It will be understood that tall-stemmed pyramids are preferable to dwarf-stemmed ones, because vigorous seedlings show their first fruits on the upper part of the tree, and therefore it would be perfectly useless to form a dwarf pyramid at an additional expense of labor. There are, however, exceptions as regards some seedlings, which show a disposition to form dwarf pyr- amids, and should be managed accordingly. Successive transplantations effected in the first instance at the end of winter but afterwards at the fall of the leaf, induce the pro- duction of fibrous roots, and accelerate the formation of fruit buds. The roots, divided in proportion to the above-ground ramifications of the seedling, maintain these in due propor- tion ; but it has been remarked that the case is quite the con- trary with seedlings not removed. The trees should be removed every two years, and re- planted at wider distances, according to their growth, until fruit spurs begin to form on the upper part of the leader, or on the principal branches of the stem ; the leading shoots are then left at greater length, and transplanting is no longer prac- tised. Tn pruning off the branches of the stem up to six feet from the ground, the spurs and some small branchlets only are left. The crown is not allowed to commence below the heio-ht of six feet, because, as has been frequently stated, a vio-orous seedling only commences to bear above that height. It is VOL.. XXI. NO. VI. 36 282 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. desirable that seedlings should be in a bearing state as quickly as possible. At the present time it is not lumsual to see pear trees bearing fruit in the eighth or ninth year of their existence from seed. This early bearing is ascribed to various causes. The late Van Mons attributed it chiefly to successive sow- ings, in consequence of which the last generation of pear trees has arrived at a more civilized state. This opinion is generally adopted, and appears to be supported by the results obtained. Others partly attribute this precocity to good management, according to which the seedlings are raised agreeably to the principles above pointed out. One of the principal causes is the biennial removal of the trees, and a good system of prun- ing, whereby the useless wood is removed, and the force of vegetation concentrated in the part of the tree where fruit is most likely to be first produced. After a seedling begins to show for fruit, it should not be removed until we can form a definite opinion of its produc- tions. In a special article connected with this subject we shall point out the means to be taken for fixing the character of a ii,ew and good variety, so as to prevent any future change of ,name. But it is necessary, in the first place, to state the characters by which promising seedlings may be distinguish- ed from such as are unpromising. THE CULTIVATION OF POMPONE CHRYSANTHEMUMS. The miniature or daisy-flowered chrysanthemums, which have recently been so much improved by the French culti- vators, are yearly becoming greater favorites ; and are dis- placing to a considerable extent the larger flowered kinds. It is not surprising that they should : for the perfection to which the flowers have been brought has given them a prominent place in the collections of all amateurs of beautiful plants. The chrysanthemum has always been a favorite flower of Jt'NE. 283 ours ; more than twenty years since we cultivated upwards of fifty varieties, and since then a large part of the new seed- lings of English and French origin have been added to our collection. They display their flowers at a period when there are few other gay blossoms, and the ease with which the plants are raised, the profusion in which the flowers are dis- played, and the length of time they remain in perfection ren- der them the most desirable ornaments of the greenhouse, the conservatory or parlor. 15. THE POMPONE CHRYSANTHEMUM. In England they have become the most conspicuous ob- jects at the fall exhibitions, and societies have been formed for the especial purpose of increasing the taste for their cul- ture by the exhibition of superior specimens ; consequently their cultivation is carried to the very highest condition, as the accompanying engraving [fig. 15) will show, which is a fair representation of a plant exhibited by Mr. J. Robinson, one of the best cultivators in the vicinity of London. The plant 284 THE MAGAZINE OF THORTICULTURE. was only fifteen inches high and twenty inches in width, and in an 8 inch pot. Accompanying the engraving, which we copy from Turner's Florist, are Mr. Robinson's directions for growing the plants, which may be, with safety, carefully followed in the culture of the plants : — Having paid particular attention for the last two years to this interesting autumnal flower, I will briefly give the result of my experience for the benefit of your readers. The lit- tle Chusan Daisy, introduced through the Horticultural Soci- ety some years ago by Mr. Fortune, and distributed by it amongst its fellows, was the parent of the numerous and beautiful varieties we now possess. We are, however, prin- cipally indebted to the continental growers for the great im- provements eff"ected in the original by judicious hybridizing, for they do not seed freely in this country. Mr. Salter, of Hammersmith, was, I believe, one of the first in this country to bring the flowers prominently before the public, by annu- ally importing, as he does, all the best new varieties. This is also done by Messrs. Henderson and Son of the Welling- ton-road Nursery, St. John's Wood, Mr. I very of Peckham, and Mr. Turner of Slough, who grow all the leading sorts at present known. I am of opinion that the Pompones are the best autumnal plants for pot culture we have had introduced into this country for some years past. The soil most suitable for them is one-half rich, turfy loam, one-fourth horse and cow manure in equal parts well decomposed, and a small por- tion of silver-sand. The Pompones are easily propagated ; about the second week in April is a very good time to per- form this operation. Having obtained as many thumb-pots as you require, fill them with rich light soil. Commence the work by taking off strong healthy cuttings, placing each cut- ting singly in the pot. The pots should be plunged into a brick bottom heat, either in a propagating-house or frame, keeping them close, and frequently sprinkling them overhead with a fine-rosed watering pot; by no means allow them to droop. As soon as rooted, admit the air on all occasions when JUNE. 285 the weather is favorable, increasing it as the plants become established. When sufficiently rooted, re-pot them in 4 inch pots, and place them again in a slight bottom heat, keeping them rather close for a week or ten days ; this will promote their growth very materially ; after which admit air plentiful- ly to strengthen the plants. When well rooted they should be shifted into 5 inch pots. They may now have the full benefit of both sun and air. When well rooted round the pots, stop them close down with- in three inches of the soil ; by this plan you will make short, bushy plants. After they have broken, shift them into 6 inch pots, in which they will make fine specimens; but if you re- quire them very large, you may give them another shift into 8 inch ones, or they may be put into these pots at opce in- stead of 6 inch. After they have received their final shift and are well established, you may give them a little weak manure. Water twice a week, and plunge them about half way down the pots in the ground in the open air, where they may remain until the buds are well set and have begun to show color, when they should be removed to the green-house or conservatory. In the absence of either of these convenien- ces a pit will answer very well. Fumigate with tobacco at least twice at this stage of their growth. If these instruc- tions are carried out you will find them open their blooms clean, vigorous, and in first-rate character. Plants, when well grown, make fine objects during the lat- ter end of October and November ; and some varieties will continue in bloom until the end of December. A list of all the newest kinds will be found in the last two volumes of the Masfazine. FLORICULTURAL AND BOTANICAL NOTICES. The Bootan Rhododendrons. — W^e had intended to no- tice the introduction of these superb Rhododendrons sometime 286 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. since ; but the crowded state of our pages has prevented. They have attracted great attention among the Englisli culti- vators, and are considered the greatest acquisition to this splendid tribe. They were found in Bootan, by Mr. Booth, and sent home to Rainhill, the residence of Thos. Nuttall, Esq., the eminent Botanist formerly of the Cambridge Botan- ic Garden, Mass., who has a fine collection of plants. The whole stock of young- plants has been purchased by Messrs. Henderson and Son, who offer them for sale, and who exhib- ited specimens of the several species in bloom last season. Undoubtedly some of them will be as hardy as our Cataw- biense, as they were found growing where the snow was two feet deep. The size of their flowers, and the magnitude and verdure of their foliage, render them conspicuous among all that have yet been added to our collections. They are describ- ed in Turner's Florist as follows : — R. Niittalli. — This is the largest-flowered Rhododendron known ; has foliage handsomer than described in books on living plants now in this country ; the flowers resembling those of the lily, are much larger than the Sikkim Rhodo- dendron Dalhous/^. Color, white with tint of rose-red, and yellow at the base within, and delightfully fragrant. It has been named in compliment to the veteran botanist and trav- eller, T. Nuttall, Esq. R. Windsori. — This splendid colored garden Rhododen- dron, of a color even surpassing the iShododendron arboreum, will be found invaluable, from its dwarf close-growing habit and large truss. R. Camelliafidriim.. — A very curious species, discovered in the valley of Lablung, also on the Bootan Alps ; at the latter place growing at an elevation of 9,000 to 12,000 feet. In foliage it resembles R. Maddem* ; three to five inches long. Corolla, sparingly scaly, one and a half inch across ; of a very thick texture ; pure white, with a faint rosy tinge ; all the segments obtuse and entire ; the flower strongly resembling that of a single Camellia, from which its name is derived ; a very distinct flower from any other Rhododendron. JUNE. 287 R. Jenk'msi. — This species, according to a specimen with- out flower or fruit, in the herbarium of Sir. W. Hooker, was found by the late Mr. Griflith on the Khasya Hills. As a species, it is allied to R. Maddenf, of Dr. Hooker; and these, along with R. sparsiflorum, R. camelliaflorum, R. lucidum, and R. calophyllum, have a very peculiar aspect, all agreeing in their smooth lepidote leaves, and succulent texture. Mr. Booth supposed, from the examination of the buds, that R. Jenkins/ would have yellow flowers, the specimens having been collected in the month of December. It is named in honor of Major Jenkins of the East India Service. If, as is probable, this species has large yellow flowers, like R. Mad- deni, it will be one of the most distinct exhibition plants in the tribe. R. lo7igifdlhim. — A magnificent foliaged plant, discovered in the forest of Bootan, on the slopes of the Oola Mountains, at an elevation of 6,500 to 7,500 feet above the sea level ; the leaves twelve to eighteen inches long, three to five inches wide in the middle ; at first pubescent, at length smooth, or nearly so ; gradually narrowed downwards ; obovate, lanceo- late, silvery, and whitish beneath. To all appearances, near- ly hardy in this climate. R. Keysi. — A hardy distinct shrub, growing to the height of two or three feet, on the mountains of Bootan, at an ele- vation of 9,000 to 10,000 feet above the sea level, on the summit and northern ridges of the Lablung, forming low thickets, accompanied by Gaultherias and Yews above the range of R, Hookerz and R. Falconer/; leaves 2\ to three inches long, about an inch wide ; coriaceous, and smooth ; beneath, as well as capsule, almost covered with brown, circular, resinous scales. Corymb, compounded of three or four branchlets, each containing five or six flowers. Corolla (judging from the withered remains only) tubular ; the border, five-lobed and reflexed ; the segments ovate, obtuse. Rather aromatic, from the resinous scales with which the leaves are clad be- neath. In its native hills it grew amidst snows two or three feet in depth. It is allied to Dr. Hooker's R. virgatum ; the flowers, as in that species, axillary, or below the summit of the branch. A shrub very distinct in habit. 288 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 269. Ce^reus Lema^iru Salm Dyck. Lemaire's Cereus. (Oacteas.) Antigua. a greenhouse plant; growing four feet high; with white flowers; appearing in June; increased by cuttings. 13ot. Mug., Ifc54, pi. 481-1. A new and very splendid species, rivalling in size the night-blooming Cereus, and somewhat resembling in general habit the C. MacDonaldas, noticed in our volume for 1853, (XIX, p. 271.) Its native country is unknown, though it is believed to be Antigua. It is a night-blooming species, highly fragrant, with flowers twelve inches long and nine in- ches across, the sepals yellowish, petals white. The stems are thicker than one's finger, dark green, obtusely triangular, rooting, the angles toothed. It will prove a great acquisition to this singular and brilliant tribe of plants. — {Bot. Mag., Nov.) 270. Ceano^thus papillo^sus Torr. and Gray. Pappil- LOSE Ceanothus. (RhamueaB.) California. A half hardy shrub; growing 6 feet high; with blue flowers; appearing in June; increased by layers. Bot. Mag., 1854, pi. 4815. A pretty species of this California genus, but unfortunately not hardy in the middle or New England States. The flow- ers appear in dense heads, of a bright blue and are very orna- mental.— {Bot. Mag., Nov.) 271. Knipho^fia Uva^ria Moiich. Serrulated-leaved Kniphofia. (Asphodeleae.) Cape of Good Hope. a half-hnrdy plant; growing three or four feet high; with scarlet flowers; appearing in summer; increased by offsets. Bot. Mag., 1854, pi. 4816. An old plant, which has been in cultivation upwards of 150 years, and yet just now appears to attract attention. It is planted out in beds in the Botanic Gardens at Kew, where it displays its magnificent spikes of flowers during the summer ; it has attracted much notice, and many inquiries have been made regarding its history, &cc. The root is tuberous, and the leaves grow in dense tufts ; the flower stems are four feet or more high and terminated with a spike of its superb flow- ers. Although a native of the Cape, " no plant can be more hardy, nor more easily cultivated, and avowedly none more worthy of a place in every garden." With us it would prove JUNE. 289 a fine summer bloomer, as its roots could be taken up and wintered in the same way as dahlias. It would be one of the greatest acquisitions to our gardens. — {Bot. Mag., Nov.) 272. Befa^ria jestuans Nntis. Glowing Befaria. (Eri- caceas.) South America. A gret- nlioiise slirub ; growing two feet high ; with rose-colored flowers ; appearing in spring ; increased by layers. Bot. Mag., 1SJ4, pi. 4818. One of Mr. Lobb's acquisitions from the Andes, where he found it growing in the province of Chucapoyas at an eleva- tion of SOOO feet. The habit of the plant is similar to an azalea, with flowers more resembling a rhododendron, appearing in large terminal clusters. " The genus Befairia," says Dr. Hook- er, "is an essentially beautiful one," and we should judge so from the drawing of this plant. It will require greenhouse cul- ture in our climate, but it is sufficiently attractive to find a. place in every collection. — {Bot. Mag., Nov.) 273. Blandfo^rdia fla'mmea Lindl. Flame-flgwereb) Blandfordia. (Asphodeleae.) Australia. A greenhouse plant; growing three high; with orange scarlet flowers ; appearing in sprihff; increased by offsits. Bot. Mag., 1654, pi. 4819. Unquestionably the most distinct and beautiful of all the- Blandfordias. The flowers are large, bell shaped, bright orange, and appear in loose terminal spikes. It was brought from the Sydney Botanic Garden, four years ago, to the Countess of Carrick, who presented it to the Dublin Botanic Garden, where it flowered. It is of easy cultivation and will prove a favorite plant. — {Bot. Mag., Dec.) 274. Nymph.e^a amazonum Mart. Amazon Water Lily. (Nymphasaceee.) Guiana. A stove plant ; growing one foot high ; with white flowers ; appearing in summer,; increased by seeds and ofl'sets. Bot. Mag., 1854, pi. 4S23 A night-flowering species of the water lily, from the same locality as the Great Water Lily, or Victoria. The flowers are small, not more than half as large as the common white lily, yellowish white and highly fragrant ; leaves rather small,, deep green above and purplish underneath. It is a pretty addition to the limited number of handsome aquatic plaiitSc -^{Bot. Mag., Dec.) VOL. XXI. NO. VI. 37 ^90 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. STUDIES IN THE FIELD AND FOREST. BY WILSON FLAGG. No. 4. A Summer Night in the Woods. JUNE. New sounds of joy are borne upon the air : A riper verdure glistens everywhere ; New tribes of flowers and birds of livelier song Have joined their thousands to the vernal throng. Heaven's fairest hues are curtained in the west : The chilling winds of spring are lulled to rest — For summer's queen has bid the tempest cease, And given the prisoned zephyrs their release ; Has waked a host of living things to birth, And spread their myriad splendors o'er the earth. The fields are clad in brightest green array. And cast into the shade the garniture of May. The young wee flowers of spring are half concealed Beneath the prouder foliage of the field ; The violet you can hardly now discern. Peeping from underneath the broad-leaved fern ; And pale anemones wilt .down and pine. All unobserved beneath the flowering vine. The vermeil hues of eve are hardly flown. Ere morning reddens in the northern zone. All things are bright : above, around, beneath, While heaven is hanging out her fairest wreath Of rainbow colors o'er the firmament : Earth — o'er the softest verdure has besprent Bright insects, buds and flowers of every hue. And oped a lovelier universe to view. When the decline of day is plainly perceptible in the lengthened shadows of the trees, and the more refreshing coolness of the atmosphere, many species of birds, that since morning have been silent, commence anew their vocal rev- elry. Evening comes not unattended by the same captiva- ting splendors that usher in the morn, and the same melodies that herald her approach. As she descends from her pavilion of Crimson and amber, to spread her twilight over the land- scape, calling down the gentle dews from heaven and bring- ing refreshment to the drooping herbs, the heavens show JUNE. 291 forth their gladness in the myriad hues of sunset, and all an- imated nature raises a shout of music and thankfulness. But there is a pensiveness about the melodies of evening that sweetly harmonizes with the sober meditative hour ; and the same birds, that in the morning pour out their melodious lays as from hearts full of rejoicing, now whisper them in accents more subdued, like the quiet breathing of the winds that are loath to disturb the sleep of the flowers. Just before the sun's decline, the thrushes, which are our proper forest warblers, are unusually tuneful, and continue to sing until dark. The voice of the little woodthrush is the last to be heard ; and when his notes have ceased, the night may be said to have commenced : though even after this time, the sweet notes of the grassfinch, (the bush sparrow.) are occasionally poured out from some station in the open fields. But in our woods, at this season, silence does not im- mediately ensue. A restlessness prevails among the feathered tribes, as if they were yet unprepared to renounce the pleas- ures of the day. At intervals, for the space of an hour after dusk, an occasional note of complaint is heard in the thicket from different birds, a shrill chirp from some of the little Syl- vias, the mewing of the catbird among the shrubbery, and the querulous smack of the redthrush. Suddenly, when the stillness of the night has become fully realized, the note of the whippoorwill resounds through the forest, with a solemn accent that pleasantly harmonizes with silence and darkness. There is something in his monotonous song that is disagreeable to many, who attribute to it a certain power of announcing a coming disaster. Its peculiar meas- ured cadence, and the mystery that is connected with the bird, cause his notes to seem like the utterance of some pro- phetic message ; and it is said that he often tells a tale of sad- ness that will come before the falling of the leaf. To those who assign the bird no oracular powers, and regard him only as one of the innocent tenants of the grove, his notes are musical and affecting. The song of the whippoorwill is but a poor substitute for that of the nightingale : but the melan- choly it inspires is just sufficient to be an agreeable emotion, and adds impressiveness to the silent scenes around us. 292 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Sometimes, for several minutes, hardly a voice from any creature is heard : and the rustling of the night-wind through the tremulous leaves of the birch, or its moaning among the high branches of the pines, resembling the murmurs of dis- tant waters, are the only sounds that meet the ear. But this dreary stillness is not of long duration. The droning flight of the beetle, and the whirring of various kinds of moths that are busy among the foliage of the trees, are the accom- paniments of a summer night, suggesting to the fancy the passing of a ghost, and filling the mind with many mysteri- ous conjectures. Sometimes the owl, on his soft silken wings, glides along with stealthy and noiseless flight ; and we are soon startled by his peculiar hooting — a sound which I can imagine must be terrific to the smaller inhabitants of the wood. At midnight, in general, the stillness of the winds is greater than in the day-time, and the gurgling of streams is heard more distinctly amid the general hush of nature. Sounds are now the most prominent objects of attention ; and every noise from distant places booms distinctly over the plains and hollows. We are aff"ected with a superstitious feeling, in a lonely place at night, that disposes us to listen with breathless atterition to every sound we cannot immediately explain. A morbid sensibility thus awakened is the cause of that pleas- ure which is felt by most persons under similar circumstan- ces. It leads the youthful and the bold to seek midnight ad- venture, and the more timid to trust themselves to those am- biguous situations, where, though no danger awaits them, the silence and darkness and mystery produce a state of the mind that borders on ecstacy, and which may be considered the usual mental condition of the religious devotee. While pursuing our midnight contemplations, occasionally, during an interval of silence, the night-jar, as he flies invisi- bly over our head,* twangs his wings on a sudden de- scent through the air in pursuit of his aerial prey, making a sound that to the superstitious, who are unacquainted with * This sound is said to be produced by the open mouth of the bird, as he darts swiftly tlirough the air in oursuit of an insect JUNE. 293 the habits of the bird, is fearful and mysterious. The first time I heard this sound, which resembles the snapping of a viol string, was in my scliool days, when walking with three of my school fellows, at midnight, on a soHtary turnpike road. Not knowing the cause of it, we were affected with a pecul- iar sensation of awe, which was not relieved until daylight revealed to us the birds still circling above our heads. Often while thus affected with a sensation of mystery bor- dering on that of sublimity, and in the midst of a stillness that is somewhat awful, all serious emotions will be put to flight, by a sudden chorus of bullfrogs from a neighboring pool. These sounds, in themselves inharmonious, are so sug- gestive of the sweetness and the quiet of a summer evening in the woods, that they seldom fail to impress the mind with agreeable emotions. In the course of our midnight saunter- ^ngs, when we are near any collection of water, the shriek of the common green frog is heard incessantly, at short intervals, and the trilling voice of the toad, so continual by day, oc- casionally breaks the silence of night. The common tree- frog, the prophet of summer showers, which is seldom heard except in damp days, keeps up a constant garrulity, ending only with sunrise, during all still nights in the month of June. There is no perfect stillness on a summer night. There are gentle flutterings of winds that nestle in the foliage ; mys- terious whisperings of zephyrs and humming of nocturnal insects, that hover around us like spirits, and seem to interro- gate us about the reason of our presence at this unseasonable hour. We catch the floatings of distant sounds, mellowed into harmony by the softening effect of distance, hardly to be distinguished from the noise made by a dropping leaf, as it comes rustling down through the small branches. The stirring of a little bird, as he preens his feathers upon a branch just over our heads, and uttering an occasional chirp ; a little quadruped leaping suddenly through the underwood, and secreting itself hastily among the herbage, are trifles that add cheerfulness to the solemn quietude of night, I am supposing the night to be perfectly calm : but how 294 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. calm soever it may be, now and then a breeze will pass fit- fully overhead, and the trees will shake their fluttering leaves in the wind. Perfect stillness will immediately follow, save at intervals a whisper is heard from some unseen object, as if something that has life is watching your motions, or you had obtained a faint perception of sounds from the invisible world. Among the affecting circumstances attending a night in the woods I must not omit to mention the sounds of distant bells that proclaim the flight of time. These, while they add to the solemnity of our feelings, aff'ord a pleasant assurance of the nearness of human habitations. But the single stroke that tells the hour of midnight, as it tolls over the echoing landscape, repeated at short intervals, from different villages, is peculiarly solemn and impressive. You then feel that you are under the very meridian of night, and that darkness is your only protection. The effect of this single toll upon the mind at such a time cannot be described. I have as yet spoken only of sounds which at midnight are scarcely more impressive than, sights. The swarms of lit- tle fireflies that are wheeling and darting about in the low- lands are pleasant objects, and are almost the only creatures that can be seen, except perhaps some night bird, as it passes like a dark spot over the half luminous sky. But these little- sparks of insect life do not aggravate the impressions made by the darkness. There is nothing about them that excites the imagination, or exalts the feelings. One can easily im- agine the terror with which the glaring eyes of the jaguar must be beheld by the midnight traveller in the South Amer- ican forest. The eyes of the owl, as seen through the deep foliage, might produce similar though inferior impressions ; but in our quiet woods imagination is the source of all the terrors that might be felt on witnessing any sudden visions of this bird. The night would afford no mean employment to the natur- alist, if he could but observe the midnight operations of the still wakeful part of animated nature. There are many noc- turnal insects which, though not easily discovered in the dark- ness, are then in motion, hovering among the foliage, or seek- JUNE. 295 ing the open blossom-cup of some flower of the night. At this time only can the active habits of these creatures be ob- served, when even the deep shadows do not protect them from the bat, the owl and the goat-sucker, who nightly de- stroy thousands of these beautiful insects, leaving their torn wings and elegant plumage in the green forest path, or lodged upon a leafy branch and marking the place of their destruc- tion. As real objects are but faintly seen, by the same cause the phantoms of darkness are made visible. There are many things in the obscurity that assume dubious and mysterious shapes, and excite the curiosity blended with some apprehen- sion. The branches are pictured like the forms of birds and quadrupeds on the sky. and every passing breeze seems to wake them into life and motion. A beam of light appears on the plain, or a shadow on the hill, reminding you of the dusky form of a ghost as it glides half visibly among the in- distinct forms of the trees. On a dark night almost all ob- jects are ambiguous. The trees that stand near the borders of streams cast faint shadows upon them, that are often mis- taken for some real and indefinable objects resting upon their starry surface. Everything that moves reminds you of a spirit; and many are the unintelligible forms that stand around, nodding their heads, and, as it were, beckoning to some kindred monster. You feel as if they were aware of your presence, and were consulting together how they should regard your intrusion into their dusky haunts. At such times the creaking of a dry branch of a tree, when swayed by the Avind, will startle you, like the sudden and unexpected ap- proach of a person behind you. As night draws near its close, we begin to long for the morn : and the crowing of cocks from some neighboring farm yard affords a pleasant relief to our weariness, and an assur- ance of the nearness of dawn. The little hair bird, that ut- ters his trilling note at intervals throughout the night, is heard more frequently. At length an occasional twitter from the birds, that everywhere surround us, announces that morn- ing is visible. Nature always gives signs of an approaching 296 THE MAGAZINE Or HORTICULTURE. change ; and morning dawn and evening twilight have their respective harbingers, and she usually accompanies them with peculiar harmonies from the elements and from animated things. Thus, by the croaking of the tree-toad, she announ- ces an approaching shower ; by the chirping of the green nocturnal grasshopper, she proclaims the decline of summer : but the feathered tribes are nature's favorite sentinels, whom she employs to herald in the morn. If we now take our stand on an eminence, where we can obtain a clear view of the eastern belt of the horizon, a lu- minous appearance may be observed, forming a semicircle of dim whitish light around the gate of morning. If a thin veil of clouds overspread the arch, the tints will be dark in pro- portion to their distances from the hidden source of light. Imagine it divided into circles : — the inner one will be of a light yellow ; the next assumes a tint of gold ; beyond that is orange, and as it extends outwards, it passes through regular gradations of vermilion, crimson, purple and violet, until it melts into the azure of the firmament. ®ouaI "B^ixttB, Neapolitan Violets. — About this time collect a quantity of stones about an inch in circumference, and look over your frame, laying one stone on each runner about an inch from its end ; after that, mix a barrowful of loam, and leaf-mould in equal parts, and with a coarse sieve shake it lightly over them an inch thick, afterwards giving them a gentle watering. The lights may be put on every night, only exposing them in fine days, and dur- ing mild showers. The last week in May take the runners up with a ball, and prepare a piece of ground on a north border, with the same soil as used in the frame, viz., equal parts of yellow loam, leaf-mould, well-decay- ed cow-dung, river sand, and old lime rubbish. Plant them in rows eight inches apart each way, watering them in dry weather ; about the beginning of September prepare your frame, in which Primulas or anything of that kind have been grown during the summer months, by placing at the bottom a layer of bricks, on which coal ashes should be spread within eighteen inches of the top. Then fill up within five or six inches of the glass, with a fresh supply of the above compost, slightly pressed with a rake. After taking up the plants carefully, but not with too large a ball, plant them in rows as JUNE. 297 above, giving them a good watering, and shading them from the hot sun, for about a fortnight, with garden mats, putting the lights on at night. A good thickness of short dung should be applied round the outside of the frame to keep out the frost, which must never be allowed to get to the plants. A few with good balls may be taken up, even when in full flower, large enough to fill an eight-inch pot, to stand in the drawing-room. By acting on the above plan a continual supply of this favorite flower may be had from No- vember till March. The Camellia may be propagated by cuttings, but the usual nursery practice is to graft or inarch on stocks of the single red and middlemist red varieties. Cuttings of these root freely, provided they are taken off in a properly ripened state. After being prepared, and potted in very sandy soil and watered, they should be placed in a cold frame till cic- atrized, and then introduced into gentle bottom heat, where they will soon form roots. — (Gard. Chron.) Healing Paint for Decayed Branches, or Snags, in Forest AND OTHER Trees. — Dissolvo two ouncos of corrosive sublimate in spirits of wine and mix with three pints of best tar. The decayed parts to be pared off" or gouged out below the level of the surrounding sound bark, and the wound well painted over with the avobe. All limbs that require remov- al should be cut off close to the trunk, or larger branch, and treated in the same way. — (Gard, Chron.) Management of Bulbs after Flowering. — Important points in the art of cultivating bulbs well are putting them to rest at the proper time, and while they are still in a growing state to place them so near the light, and to afford such a supply of air and water, as will enable them to bring their leaves to perfection, and elaborate the greatest amount of sap. The man- agement of bulbs is, in general, but imperfect; and the importance of at- tending to these points, viz., the perfecting the leaves, and the putting the bulbs into and keeping them during a proper time in a state of rest, cannot be too much insisted upon. Bulbous-rooted plants associate almost as ill with all others as succulents do ; and therefore whenever a good collection is kept, they are worthy of a house being entirely devoted to their culture. When dormant, they like nearly the same degree of heat, provided they are kept dry, as they do when they are growing. — (Gard. Chron.) Rhododendron glaucum. — The magnificence that we are taught to expect, and which we shall doubtless find in the flowers of some of the spe- cies of Sikkim Rhododendrons, will, I fear, induce many to overlook the claims of other humbler, but nevertheless useful and interesting kinds. Among the latter is glaucum, a neat, compact plant, growing. Dr. Hooker tells us, on its native ridges, about two feet high. Its leaves are small, pale green above, but beautifully glaucous beneath — so much so that they ap- pear coated with a film of silver leaf. The plant is very hardy in our cli- VOL. XXI. NO. VI. 38 298 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. mate, and blooms freely in the open ground early in May. Its flowers are rose colored. Ladies, if you would have a little hardy plant, worthy of all the care and admiration you so well know how to bestow on a favorite, and have a square foot of a cool peat border to grow it in, lose no time in order- ing a plant of Rhododendron glaucum. — (Gard. Chron.) The Cineraria. — Where do we find a plant which, during the autumn, winter, and early spring months, is so gay and beautiful as this ; or one which is so useful for exhibition or decorative purposes, or for the embel- lishment of the flower-vase or bouquet! By gas or candle-light, the colors of some of the rose, crimson and purple varieties are extremely brilliant ; while the white varieties, margined with the preceding colors, are match- less. Add to this, that many of the kinds are agreeably fragrant, and you have nearly all the qualities which constitute a useful flower. In treating of the Cineraria as a plant for exhibition, or of its value for decorative pur- poses (and, in the early part of the season, the plants make a fine display), I cannot refrain from stating that their cultivation should be much improved, and indeed must be before they will assume their wonted standing upon our exhibition-tables. Only a few years ago. Cinerarias were but a set of poor, etarry things, with narrow, flimsy petals, and flowers supported by tall, un- sijgljtly stems ; but now, thanks to the march of improvement, the best va- rieties are dwarf and compact, and, when properly grown, produce perfect trusses of stout, and, in some few cases, of almost perfectly-formed flowers. When high cultivation is aimed at, peculiar treatment (which I shall pres- ently describe) is required to produce stout, healthy cuttings, as from such the Cineraria .can only be properly grown. As the plant is now in bloom, and seedlings will be required, a few of the most esteemed varieties should be selected for that purpose, bearing in mind that those chosen must be oi the best possible form, clear colors and marking, as much depends on this in producing new and first-rate varieties. When this is done, some secluded place in the garden should be selected, to keep them entirely apart from any inferior varieties, with which the bees would cross them, and produce muddy, unsightly flowers, instead of clear and well-defined colors. When the seeds are ripe, sow immediately in some shady place ; and as soon as large enough, prick off" thinly into pans or wide pots, and keep close for a few days, until they are properiy established, when they may be removed to the open air until large enough to place in single pots : should large plants be required, they should be stopped when about two or three inches high. As soon as the seeds are gathered, the old plants should be cut down, or partly so, as in many instances the crowns of the plants rot if cut too close to .the surface. Now that they are cut down, remove them to some shady place (a north border being preferable), until they throw up young shoots, when they should be potted into larger pots, in a light compost, or planted out in the open ground, in a light soil, where they will furnish strong ■cuttings, and from these only can good specimens be obtained. When ithey have grown about an inch or two, remove the cuttings, and place JUNE. 299 them in mould prepared for the purpose — composed of equal parts of loam, leaf-mould, and silver sand, taking care to well drain the pots with pot- sherds. When rooted (which will be in about a fortnight), pot off into thumbs or three-inch pots, in a nice light soil. Should first-rate plants be wanted, every care will now be required to keep them in a growing and healthy condition, to which end they should be shifted every few weeks* until they receive their final potting, which should be about January ; every care should be taken that they do not get pot-bound in the small pots, as that would throw them into a blooming state immediately. The compost I would recommend for specimens intended for exhibition, and for large plants generally, would be two parts of good turfy loam, and equal parts of well- decomposed cow-dung and leaf-mould, with an admixture of silver or river sand. As the plants grow, take care to thin out all superfluous leaves, so as to admit the air freely and prevent mildew, which is a great pest, and which can only be removed by applying sulphur to the parts aflTected. The Cineraria should only be stopped once, as the second operation tends to produce weak growth. As soon as the shoots are long enough, tie out wide, keeping the outer branches as low as possible, and place them close to the glass, which will insure dwarf and compact plants. I had nearly forgotten the drainage, which should be of rough leaf-mould and potsherds mixed, which will keep the roots in a white and healthy state ; fumigate occasion- ally, to prevent the green-fly ; and water very sparingly through the winter months, increasing the supply as the spring advances, when weak liquid manure may occasionally be given. — (Gard. Chron.) Pontjilii inssip. European Tour. — We would direct the attention of our readers, and particularly gentlemen who are about to build or improve thejr residences^ to the advertisement of Mr. Howard Daniels of New York, accompanying the present No. He undertakes this tour to make himself acquainted with the condition and progress of Architecture and Landscape Gardening in Great Britain, France, and Germany. Mr. Daniels has had much experience in some departments of his art, having laid out several of the best ceme- teries in the country. His architectural experience is also extensive, and those who intend to build would do well to consult him for advice. We are happy to add that Mr. Daniels will give us his views upon the state of architecture and landscape gardening in Europe, in a series of letters which will appear in the Magazine. — Ed. The Boston Pine Strawberry. — Your Boston Pine amazes me this year. I have never before, anywhere, seen such a mass of bloom on it. I will let you know the result of it. We are two weeks, at least, behind. 300 THE MAGAZINE OP HORTICULTURE. this spring. Last spring was backward, but I gathered berries on the first of June. This year I do not expect any before the 15th. They look very promising, however, and the fine rain we have just had has helped them on wonderfully.— Yours, P. B. Mead, Mw York, May 21, 1855. Fruit Growers' Society in Western New York. — By a reference to our reports of societies it will be seen that a Pomological Association has been organized in Western New York. We doubt not it will be pro- ductive of much good. Mr. Eaton, the secretary, writes us that it is " a perfectly unanimous thing, so far as heard from, and every one is in favor of it." The New York State Agricultural Society, though doing much to promote fruit culture, is too much engrossed with agricultural improvement to bestow that attention to pomology which the interest of such a great state demands. The Bullock's Pippin, or Sheepnose Apple. — We notice some of the newspapers are giving descriptions and engravings of this old apple, under the name of Hunt's Russet. It was fully described and figured by Coxe forty years ago, as the Bullock's Pippin, and more recently in our Magazine, (Vol. XV., 1849.) Any one would suppose that with the infor- mation now to be obtained in regard to our older fruits such errors as the above would not be committed. So long, however, as cultivators will not study our standard works we must expect to have our best fruits cultivated under half a dozen or more names. Socidi^s FRUIT growers' society OF WESTERN NEW YORK. A Pomological Association, bearing the above title, was organized at a meeting of ^^ruit Growers and Nurserymen, held in Rochester on the 27th February. A Constitution and By-Laws were adopted, and the following officers elected : President — John J. Thomas, Macedon. Vice Presidents — Lewis F. Allen, Buffalo ; H. P. Norton, Brockport ; E. W. Leavenworth, Syracuse. Secretary — John B. Eaton, Buffalo. Treasurer — Wm. P. Townsend, Lockport. The Executive Committee is composed of the following gentlemen : — P. Barry, Rochester ; H. E. Hooker, Rochester ; H. L. Suydam, Geneva ; J- C. Hanchett, Syracuse ; P. R. FreeoflT, Auburn. The General Fruit Committee was in part appointed as follows : — General Chairman — P. Barry. Chatauque Co. — Lincoln Fay. Erie Co. — John B. Eaton, Benjamin Hodge, Wm. R. Coppock. Niagara Co. — W- P. Townsend, M. L. Burrell, C. L. Hoag. Cattaraugus Co.— Spencer Scud- JUNE. 301 der. Orleans Co. — L. Burrows. Genesee Co. — A. Loomis. Wyoming Co. — A. VV. Wheelock, Hugh Brooks. Alleghany Co. — J. J. Rockafellow- Monroe Co. — H. E. Hooker, Austin Pinncy, Zerah Burr. Livingston Co. — Colby, F. D. W. Ward. Steuben Co. Rumsey. Ontario Co. — T. C. Maxwell, S. H. Ainsworth, Wm. Jeffrey. Wayne Co.— J. J. Thomas, T. G. Yeomans, M. Mackie. Yates Co. — Chas, Lee, Isaac Hil- dreth. Seneca Co. — Nelson Thompson, H. C. Silsby. Chemung Co. — E. C. Frost, Gay lord. Tompkins Co. — Jos. McLallen, J. M. Mattison. Cayuga Co. — Alex. Thompson, John Morse, P. R. Freeoff. Oswego Co. — Schuyler Worden, A. Stone. Tioga Co. — Geo. J. Pumpelly. Onondaga Co.— W. B. Smith, B. D. Noxon. Cortland Co.— Paris Barber. The appointment of the remainder of the Committee, and of the other Standing Committees, was referred to the Council with power. — Jno. B. Ea- ton, Secretary. PEWNSTLVANIA HORTICULTURAL. The stated meeting of the Society was held on the evening of April 17, at Concert Hall, Philadelphia. There was a very interesting exhibition of plants for the season, compris- ing orchids, azaleas, cinerarias, «Sic., which attracted much attention. Each collection presented numerous interesting specimens : In Mr. Buist's were three seen for the first time — Azalea vittata rosea, Epacris miniata splendens, and Verbena Kurtz's Defiance ; the collection of twelve were choice and well grown ; the six Azaleas were handsome plants, and the six Cinerarias were fine. Among those from Mr. Dundas' houses were three Orchids, one shown for the first time, the Cypripedium barbatum ; the specimen Azalea variegata was a gem, and Conoclinum ianthinum choice ; the collection of twelve were select, consisting of three fine Rhododendrons, Gardenia Stan- leyana, Begonias, &c. ; the six were Begonias, Cuphea, and Deutzia ; there were also distinct collections of Gloxinias, Cinerarias and Hyacinths. Gen. Patterson's gardener brought half a dozen of beautiful and well grown plants which were much admired. From Mr. Cope's houses were three new plants — Thiboutia pulcherrima, Cypripedium barbatum and Tropeeolum violaeflorum ; the specimen plant was the Henfreya scandens, and the collec- tion of six were choice plants. John Tucker's gardener had a new and in- teresting Acacia alata, shown for the first time ; the six Azaleas were beau- tiful and the six standard plants were handsome. Henry A. Dreer sent a collection of twelve of the choicest roses. John Sherwood, a fine new Seedling Camellia and other Seedlings of merit ; also a new everblooming Pink — Wilmer's Laura and a new hardy Delphinium Hendersonii. John Lambert's gardener brought six beautiful Cinerarias. D. R. King's, a hand- some specimen plant, the Rinchospermum jasminoides. Peter Raabe ex- hibited a large vase containing a great number of blooming Hyacinths, growing in moss, a beautiful object. Charles Miller displayed a very fine collection of Pansies, Auriculas, Calceolorias and Stocks. Martin Gund- lach, two sets of Pansies. John Gray, a dwarf Azalea Coccinea and Erica caffra. A. Burnett, gardener to H. P. McKean, Azalea Stanleyana. 302 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Baskets and Boquets were shown by Mark Hill, gardener to M. W. Bald- win ; J. J. Habermehl, gardener to John Lambert ; Jerome Graff, gardener to Caleb Cope ; C. O'Brien, gardener to D. R. King, and James Kent, gard- ener to J. F. Knorr — the latter not in competition. Jonathan Baldwin, of Chester county, brought specimens of the Indian and Cart-house apples. Mark Hill, gardener to M. W. Baldwin, exhibited Cauliflowers, Lettuce, &c. ; Mr. Thompson, gardener to Mr. Tucker, Cucumbers, and John M'Laughlin, Rhubarb. Mr. R. Buist introduced the following resolutions which were unanimous- ly adopted : — Resolved, That this Society has learned with the deepest sorrow, the death of Thomas Hancock, who departed this life (from an attack of pneu- monia) at his residence, near Burlington, New Jersey, on the 21st ult., in the 54th year of his age. Resolved, That in acknowledging the sudden bereavement with which this Society has been visited, it also expresses its keen appreciation of the severe loss the various institutions with which the deceased was connected in his native State and elsewhere ; and to the promotion of whose aims, he ever brought a rare practical intelligence, an ardent zeal and sound judgment. Resolved, That whilst the life of so useful a citizen might be fittingly presented as an example worthy of imitation on the part of a large body of surviving friends, the void which his death has occasioned cannot be more intensely experienced than by the members of this Society, with whom he co-operated for so long a period in the discharge of official duties, (being at the time of his death a member of no less than four of its most important Committees.) Resolved, That although this Society is far from sanctioning the publica- tion of fulsome memorials of living men, yet it deems a sketch of the life, character and labors of its departed member, a proper subject for the pages of those journals, to the interest of which he had so often contributed ; and trust that the principal one in our land will favor its readers with such other notice of this distinguished horticulturist as may be due to his memory. Resolved, That this Society especially condoles with the immediate fam- ily of Mr. Hancock, in the sad dispensation which now afflicts them, but hopes, nevertheless, that in reviewing the blameless career of their honored head, they will find much to comfort and solace them in their distress. Resolved, That copies of these resolutions, signed by the President and Secretary, be transmitted to Mrs. Hancock, and to the publishers of such of the horticultural journals of the country as are received at the rooms of the Society. Five gentlemen were duly elected members of the Society. BROOKLYN HORTICULTURAL. This flourishing society has made choice of the following officers for the ensuing year : — President — John W. Degrauw. JUNE. 303 Vice Presidents — John Maxwell, Stephen Knowlton, Henry A. Kent, Smith J. Eastman, John W. Towt. Treasurer — W. S. Dunham. Corresponding Secretary — Deles W. Beardle. Recording Secretary — Joseph Lees. Executive Comviiltee — M. L. Schaffer, Ira Smith, H. A. Graff. lortrcuttuntl ©ptrntions FOR JUNE. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The season has been cool, though without frost, and vegetation is more backward than usual. Cool easterly winds prevailed a greater part of last month : it has also been uncommonly dry for May, and we may there- fore expect a wet June. There has been an unusually large bloom of pears and apples, and with weather free from storms the fruit has set abundantly, and the crop now promises to be large. Refreshing rains are now only needed to give all vegetation a rapid start. Grape Vines in the greenhouses will now be swelling their fruit rapidly, and will need some attention ; if the berries have not been all thinned, complete them at once ; tie up and shoulder the bunches, and top the later- als, where too much crowded. Keep a damp and genial atmosphere during the day, and kindle light fires on cool nights. Vines in cold houses will now be in bloom, and will need to be kept a little warmer than last month ; give air freely, but close up early in the afternoon. Vines in pots bearing fruit should be liberally watered, using liquid manure. Strawberry Beds now in fruit should have a good watering to swell up the fruit ; strew the ground with clean cut straw, to keep the berries from the dirt; tan will do, but we have found straw the best. Peach Trees in pots, now swelling up their fruit, may be removed to the open air, in a sheltered place, where they should be well watered, and mulched with cow manure. Gooseberries in situations likely to mildew should be well mulched with tan or short hay. Summer Pruning may be commenced on some trees the last part of the month. Insects should be looked after ; a good solution of whale oil soap should be kept constantly made, to be used whenever needed. FLOWER DEPARTMENT. The month of June is the time to make a general change in the arrange- ment of the plants. The greenhouses should be cleared of nearly all their winter occupants, such as Camellias, Azaleas, Heaths, &c., and their places filled with Achimenes, Gloxinias, Japan Lilies, Fuchsias, &c. But in placing the plants in the open air, order and regularity are to be observed. 304 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. It is too often the case that the plants are huddled together in some out-of- the-way place, where they are neglected, and so much injured for want of due care, that no after-culture can recover them. When the plants are removed have a suitable place prepared for them ; and arrange them so that they can be properly watered. The plants intended to fill the houses should be repotted carefully, neatly staked, and arranged so as to display them to good advantage. Camellias will require to be removed as soon as the flower buds can be easily known. Gloxinias, Achimenes, &c,, should be repotted as above directed. Fuchsias should have a final shift now into good sized pots. Heaths and Epacrises should all be looked over, pruned, repotted, and have the protection of a frame for a few days. Euphorbias for winter blooming should be repotted and plunged in a warm border. EuPATORiuMs for winter flowering should be repotted and plunged in the border. Chrysanthemums should be treated as advised in a previous page. Orange Trees should be repotted, or planted out in the open ground. Stephanotuses and similar running plants should be kept tied up to the trellis, and properly syringed and watered. Give them the warmest place in the house. Japan Lilies in pots should have their last shift now. Mignonette for flowering next winter may now be sown in order to get very strong plants. Monthly Carnations may now be planted out in the open border. Chinese Primroses should now be removed to a cool frame facing the north. FLOWER garden AND SHRUBBERY. The rather dry weather for the season has prevented the completion of much work in this department. But as we hope to see rain soon, every- thing should be done that can be done safely. Roll and mow the lawn, at least every fortnight, and if not in good condition apply guano on the first rainy day. Proceed now with the bedding-out plants and have them all got into the ground — the sooner the better. Prepare ground for Asters, Balsams and other showy annuals brought forward in frames, and plant in good weather. Stake oflf Japan Lilies towards the last of the month, also Paeonies, Phloxes and other late-growing plants. Take up Hyacinth bulbs as soon as the fo- liage begins to change color. Gladioluses should be planted if not already in the ground. Dahlias should now be planted. Daisies should be divided and reset as soon as they have done flowering. Insects : look after these pests. The roses will be attacked with thrips and slugs, and should be syringed in season with a solution of oil soap, one pound to six gallons of water. PLANTING BY THE SEASIDE. No country presents a greater range of seacoast than the United States. From the Cokimbia River to the Gulf of California on the west, and from the St. John's to the Rio Grande on the east, it extends thousands of miles, embracing in its limits every variety of locality and exposure, and a great diversity of soils and situations. The rocky promontory of Na- hant and the smooth rolling shore of Newport are familiar examples of the variety which our seacoast presents to the view. Bleak and exposed as the seashore is for the greater part, without shelter from the chilling winds of winter or shade from the burning sun of summer, it would be the last place- of resort, but for the invigorating breezes which are wafted, from the ocean, tempering the atmosphere, and oifering a cooll retreat from the heated and crowded city. Yet with all the- attractions that are inseparable from a seaside residence, the' want of trees and shrubs, the absence of shady walks and um- brageous groves, must deter many individuals from choosing such exposed and barrren situations, and induce them to resort to the country where these can be enjoyed in all their freshness and beauty. There is, however, a charm about the seaside, even with- out its sanitary benefits, which makes us seek it as a resi- dence. The grandeur of the ocean, — its ever restless sur- face,— the music of its murmuring billows, — the sublimity of its rolling surges, when lashed by wind and storm, — all com- bine to render it one of the most attractive objects to the con- templative mind. If, to the enjoyment to be derived from a seaside view, could be added grounds embowered with trees, how much greater the contrast with the adjacent scenery, and how much more eagerly would the seacoast be sought as a place of retreat during the warm months of summer. The rapidity with which many of our watering places on the seacoast are building up, and the necessity of ornament-- VOL. XXI. NO. VII. 39 306 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. ing them with trees and shrubs to make them beautiful places of resort, induces us to offer some hints on seaside planting. It is the generally received opinion that trees can scarcely be made to grow in such exposed situations, and hence few attempts have been made to plant them. But this is not the fact ; with proper care they can be made to flourish well, and the efforts of Mr. Tudor, atNahant, show that even in the bleakest places and without the greatest care they will thrive and in time become large and fine trees. The resi- dence of J. D. Bates, Esq., at Lynn, noticed in the previous volumes of our Magazine, is another evidence of successful planting by the seaside, and in an exposed and rocky situa- tion. It is, however, not the work of a moment, nor can it be done with the ordinary treatment. Good judgment, a judi- cious selection of trees and proper shelter by the trees them- selves will alone be crowned with success. The coast of England presents in many parts some of the most bleak and exposed localities, and efforts have long been directed to seaside planting ; it is there, consequently, well done, and some of the most beautiful residences are to be found on the cliffs on the German Ocean, and in Cornwall, on the southern coast. To one of the former has been given the name of the " Boreas Plantation,'' from its situation on a cliff 250 feet above the level of the sea, and within twelve yards of the beach. To show, therefore, how this has been done, we quote the advice of Mr. Grigor, an eminent English nurseryman and writer, who has visited these places and speaks from experience : — How it has been planted is the more important question ; and here I shall take care to state the details minutely. The first thing to be done is to have the soil trenched with the spade, to the depth of 20 or 24 inches. This will cost 6/. per acre. Cheap processes of planting in such situations will prove of no use ; they have been tried repeatedly with no success ; and I have little hesitation in stating that it cannot be done effectually without the preparation alluded to. When trenching is put out to be done, at so much per perch, I have JULY. 307 known unprincipled men leave about a third of the ground undisturbed. It should therefore be done either by the day, or with the understanding that if any part of the soil should be found unbroken, the price of the whole would be withheld. 2. The time for planting is of the greatest moment: All planting by the seaside should be done during the month of March, or in the first fortnight in April. The plants will thus be free from the cutting winter's winds, until they have established themselves in their new situations. Some will no doubt go and try a half measure, by planting at the proper season on ujitrenched soil : let them do so — success cannot be theirs. It should be continually borne in mind that plant- ing, under the present circumstances, is not at all encouraged by Nature ; it is a union of the wild and tame, which, though permitting, she does not foster; and Art, therefore, has to use her utmost exertions to compensate for the want of that en- couragement. 3. So difficult is the work of maritime planting, that, in addition to the land being well prepared, and the best season chosen, there must be shelter created ; and this should be done in two ways — as an outside work, by erecting a strong high fence of furze bundles, or brushwood, around the plan- tation, and by planting the young trees very close to each other, leaving only about a space of eighteen inches between them. At this rate 19,000 plants will be required for every acre of land. 4. Cleaning the land for two years is all-important. The best plan is to take a crop of carrots or parsnips from the land the first year ; and this will pay all the expenses of hoeing, &c., and do no injury to the trees. The next point is to select the kinds of trees best suited for such a situation ; for, if this should be neglected, the other instructions, as a matter of course, would be rendered useless. The first deciduous tree adapted to the situation under con- sideration, is the Norfolk Black Sallow, a variety of the Sa- lix caprea, thought by some to be peculiar to Norfolk : it is a most determined grower, even close to the water, and a tree 308 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. which attains to a large size. In the parish of Runton, in the neighborhood of the sea, is a specimen which, at four feet from the grand, is nine and a half feet in circmnference. It was the appearance of this tree, in such a situation, which led to slips of it being tried in the plantations above referred to. The quality of the wood of the Sallow is by no means first-rate ; and it is rather recommended as a nurse to others here mentioned, than as fit to occupy the ground permanent- ly. However, in some maritime situations, any sort of tree would be gladly accepted, and, as it is not devoid of beauty, it should be planted where those of a better texture do not thrive. It will give some idea of the vigor with which this tree proceeds, when I state that, after the second year, it throws up shoots an inch and a half in diameter at the bot- tom ; and, if trained to a single stem, it will become a tree twenty feet high, in four years. Slips or cuttings are quite equal to rooted plants, and there is a great saving in carriage in ordering the tree in the former shape. The next best deciduous tree is the Black Italian Poplar, which may be readily obtained of any nurseryman. It is late in leafing, and to this circumstance, I think, is to be at- tributed its success in the situations under consideration. The Scotch Elm forms a noble addition to the few trees suited to grow by the seaside. On untrenched soil this plant becomes bark-bound, and covered with lichen ; but, where its roots have liberty, it grows very rapidly. The Alder is also to be recommended in plantations adja- cent to the sea. Damp or swampy land is usually planted with Alders, and it is sometimes thought that it delights only in such soil ; it is found, however, to grow luxuriantly in dry places, where the soil is loosened to the depth of two feet. The Birch, Larch, and Ash do not always refuse to grow by the sea ; and, with the aid of the Sallow for a few years to start them, I have found they succeed very well. Amongst evergreens, the best tree is the Pinus Pinaster minor, a more robust grower than the common Pinaster, with shorter and thicker foliage. It is plentiful in the extensive Pinaster plantations of Jack Petre, Esq., Westwick, Norfolk, JULY. 309 and it is there called the false Pine, the common Pinaster being termed the true Pine. Very little inferior to the foregoing, as a maritime tree, is the Scotch Pine, P. sylvestris. Its wood is superior to that of the Pinaster, and, if the better variety, with red wood, is obtained, a more valuable tree can scarcely be had. Amongst shrubs, my experience is not so extensive. The following, however, I have proved to be fitted to stand the sea-air. The Elder, Snowberry, Berberry (Berberis aquifo- lium) and the common Broom. One other point has to be attended to, I mean the size of the plants. Cuttings of the Sallow will grow freely, and the other plants should not exceed four years in age. Plants which had been transplanted in the nursery the year previous to that in which they are used, are to be preferred to any others, for such are invariably furnished with small fibrous roots. With such trees, planted at the proper season on well- trenched soil, I should have no fear of being able to raise plantations on the seacoast, wherever there is any depth of soil. A beach of pure sand can never be made to bear any sort of ligneous vegetation ; but all other situations, and es- pecially our watering-places, which now present a scene of frightful sterility, are quite capable of being made green and shady. I am aware that seaside planting forms a work often undertaken, and as often unsuccessful ; but still, there is a way by which success is certain, for no tract of land can be more exposed, or nearer to the sea, than the " Boreas Planta- tion," now flourishing in defiance of those obstacles which, till lately, were considered insuperable. Some remarks are necessary to adapt Mr. Grigor's advice to our planters. First, the planting should be done here in April or May — for it rarely can be done in March, except south of Philadel- phia. Next, in relation to the selection of trees. The Sallow, which Mr. Grigor recommends, we believe is not known in 310 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. our nurseries, but it could be introduced ; however, we do not need it, as the Black Italian Poplar is abundant and cheap, and this is, next to the Sallow, the best tree. The Scotch Elm is recommended. We are glad to find a tree we have already laid the claims of before our readers for all places — for avenues as well as ornamental plantations of every kind — is so good for the seaside. The Pinus Pinaster minor has not been tested here to ascertain its hardiness ; but the Scotch Fir is well known, and it proves a fine tree for such localities. Mr. Bates has planted large numbers, and they thrive and grow with astonishing rapidity. The Austrian Pine is also another excellent tree, stout, ro- bust, daring the storm and wind in its very look, bristling, stiff and erect as it is. In addition to Mr. Grigor's list we may add, Mr. Bates has found the Norway Maple a very fine tree for seaside purposes, and also the common English or Sycamore Maple. In very sandy soils the common Abele is a most excellent tree. The two great points not to be overlooked without danger of entire failm'e are trenching the ground, and making use of only moderate sized trees, and direct from the nursery. No wild trees torn up from the woods and pastures, or purchased of those who obtained them there, will do. Select handsome, small, bushy, compact, well-rooted trees ; plant thickly, and then in good season, and no danger need be apprehended of adorning a seaside villa with trees and shrubs in a manner suited to the locality, and so as to produce highly picturesque effects. WATER SCENERY, BY WILSON FLAGG. There is no single thing in Nature that adds more beauty to landscape than water. It is emblematical of purity and tranquillity ; it is suggestive of multitudes of pleasant rural images, and, besides these moral expressions, it possesses a great deal of intrinsic beauty. The mirrored surface of a lake or a stream, reflecting the hues and forms of the clouds in the JULY. 311 heavens, and of the trees and shrubbery on its banks, is pleas- ing to the eye, independently of any suggestion that may occur to a fanciful mind. The eye requires to be practised, or rather the mind must be educated in a certain manner, be- fore it can enjoy and appreciate moral or picturesque beauty. But the beauty of a smooth surface of water, of waves trem- bling in the moonlight, of a spouting fountain, or a sparkling rill, is obvious and attractive even to a child. In water have color and form and motion intimately combined their charms, assuming the loveliest tints in the dews of heaven and the spray of the ocean, and every imaginable form of picturesque beauty in the lake and its sinuosities, and the river in its va- rious windings through vale and mountain. Water is not only beautiful in itself: but it is one of the chief sources of pleasing variety in the expression of land- scape, whether we view it as spread out on the silver bosom of a lake, the serpentine course of a river, or by its outlines forming those endless changes that delight the voyager by the seashore. Every one must have observed, when riding through an unattractive country, how it seems overspread with a sudden charm, when we come in sight of a lake or a stream. What was before monotonous is now agreeably varied : what before was spiritless is now animated and cheer- ing. A similar effect is produced by the sight of a little cot- tage in a desert or uninhabited region, or in the midst of an uncultivated plain. The eye wanders about unsatisfied, until it sees this human dwelling, where it rests contented, because it has found something to fix the attention and to awaken a sympathetic interest. We are not always aware how greatly the beauty of landscape is founded on our habitual associa- tions. At the sight of water we think at once of the numer- ous delights, bounties and luxuries that flow from its benefi- cent streams ; and perhaps nothing in a prospect so instanta- neously awakens the idea of plenty and of the beneficence of nature. Water is, therefore, the very picture of benevo- lence, without which the face of the country would seem cold, ungenerous and barren. A feeling of seclusion is one of the agreeable emotions 312 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. connected with a ramble in the woods ; and some delightful spots derive their principal attractions from their evident adapt- edness to this security from observation. When we are walk- ing either alone or in company, we do not like to be met by others, or to be observed by them. A little sequestered spot, that seems to offer all this desirable shelter from the eyes of the world, is always singularly picturesque. But those are the most eligible retreats in which one might be secluded, and at the same time accommodated with a pleasant and ex- tensive prospect. To be able to look out upon the world from a little nook, while unobserved and not liable to be in- terrupted by others, affords one an experience of the same emotion with which we contemplate the raging of a storm, from a place of comfort and security. Water is in a high degree favorable to the attainment of these pleasant advantages. Let two parties be placed in op- posite points, with a small lake intervening, and though full in sight of one another, they still feel secluded. The pleas- antness of their retreat, under these circumstances, is enliv- ened by the sight of the opposite party, who may be amused by observing one another's motions, and at the same time feel secure from intrusion. But if there were only a meadow of equal width to separate them, the secluded character of the situation would be lost ; as the parties are not only in sight of one another, but are liable to be interrupted by a visit from the opposite one. A lake may in this way be the occasion of many of those delightful retreats, attended with advan- tages of prospect which no other combination of scenes could so well afford. The picturesque beauty of many of these situations depends greatly on their apparent adaptedness to this kind of recreation and seclusion. A river, especially of moderate width, is in many respects more beautiful than a lake ; and more than any other collec- tion of water suggests the idea of infinity and of continued progression. I never look upon a clear stream of narrow di- mensions, without thinking of the thousand beautiful scenes it must visit, in its blue course through the hills and plains. What a life of perpetual delight must be led by the gentle JULY. 313 river goddess, as she is wafted up and down the stream in her shallop of reeds ! Now coursing along under banks sprinkled all over with honeysuckles, while their fragrance follows the current of the stream, to entice the bees and other insects to their fragrant flower-cups ; then passing through a pleasant forest where she is regaled by the terebinthine odor of pines mingled with that of flowering lindens, Avhose branches resound all day with the hum of insects and the warbling of birds. Every green bank offers to her hand a profusion of wild strawberries, and every rocky declivity hangs its brambles over the stream and tempts her with end- less clusters of raspberries, and other delicious fruits. How, if she takes pleasure in the happiness of human beings, must she be charmed by witnessing the plenty which is every- where diffused by the crystal waters of her own stream ; the countless farms rendered fertile and productive through its agency ; the numerous mill seats that derive their power from its falls and rapids, and gather the industrious inhabitants in smiling hamlets upon its banks ! A river, when pursuing its winding course along the plain, alternately appearing and dis- appearing among the hills and woods, suggests the idea of a pleasant journey, and is peculiarly emblematical of human progress. It always seems to me that it must conduct one to some happier region, and that if I traced it to its source, I should be led into the very temple of the Naiads ! With the different forms of water are associated nearly all the pleasant images of rural life. To one who is tired of his busy employments in the city, a rural retreat is like a cool breeze to the traveller in a sultry desert. A little arbor, that over- looks a river, a lake or an arm of the sea, derives its charms almost wholly from the water, which is at the same time the symbol of peace and plenty, and the mirror of heaven. A hermitage by the side of a stream aff"ords a secret retreat, still more delightful from its fancied association with pious seclu- sion from the world. Every flower that looks up to us from the green mossy turf ; every bird that warbles in the neigh- boring copse, and every insect that hums in the herbage at our feet, has a soothing influence, that for a season dispels VOL. XXI. NO. VII. 40 314 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. every care, and every feverish excitement. Then do we feel that nature only has power to administer that solace which is balm to the soul, when one is vexed with care and weary of men. One of the sentiments often awakened by a water prospect, is that of sublimity. But this can only arise from an exten- sive view of the ocean or of a cataract. Ordinarily, there- fore, except by the seashore, we seldom behold a sufficient expanse of water to affect us with a sentiment of grandeur. This influence is greater when a wide sea-view comes sud- denly upon the eye, after one has passed through a succession of beautiful, quiet and rather confined scenes. Small lakes and rivers greatly enhance the picturesque effects of a pastoral landscape, because they aflord the best evidence of good pas- turage as well as of a plentiful supply of water to the flocks and grazing herds. Painters, taking advantage of this expression, often represent in one of their side views, the cattle standing up to their knees in a little pond of water, while the green rushes and undefaced shrubbery growing about them make manifest its clearness and purity. Ocean scenery is not favor- able to pastoral expression : but it enhances the beauty of sunrise, and adds grandeur to the sublimity of a tempest. Many writers have eulogized an ocean prospect as beheld from a point where we can see no land. The views present- ed by the ocean, from different points on the shore, which is broken and intersected by frequent inlets of water, we can never cease to admire : but I have little sympathy with these admirers of boundless space. The eye soon tires in gazing upon a scene that awakens no other emotion but that of in- finity, and presents no point as a resting place for the imag- ination. To the sublimity of an ocean voyage, with its mountainous waves and its interminable azure, I prefer a boat excursion on a narrow stream, where the trees on the oppo- site banks frequently interlace their branches over the middle of the cruTent, and the plashing of the oar oftens startles the little twittering sandpiper that is feeding upon the edge of the stream. The sight of a small lake surrounded by woods, and dotted all round its borders with full-blown water lilies, JULY. 315 over whose broadspread leaves the little plover glides, with- out impressing a ripple on the glossy brink, gives me more pleasure than I could derive from any view of the ocean, bounded only by the horizon. Water needs the accompaniment of field and wood to form a picture that is agreeable to the eye. Without such adjuncts, it is like the sky when it has no clouds, and is void of all pleasing suggestions. The pleasure of angling on the banks of a river or a lake, is greatly magnified by the pros- pect of the agreeable combination of wood and water scenery that surrounds us. The beauty of an island is like that of the lake ; and it is hard to say which of the two affects the spectator with the most delight, though I am inclined to be- lieve that the majority would decide in favor of the island. The island, especially if there be a little cottage upon it, is suggestive of a multitude of pleasing fancies connected with rural life and retirement.. In this case, we think not so much of the difficulty of gaining access to town, or even of com- ing on shore, as of the peaceful seclusion it seems calculated to atford. The lake suggests no such ideas : it is chiefly at- tractive by its own beautiful sheen of crystal water, by its association with boat excursions in serene afternoons or moon- light evenings, and with rural pleasures connected with the scenes on its shore. THE CATTAWISSA RASPBERRY. BY JOSHUA PEIRCE, WASHINGTON, D. C. The Cattawissa raspberry is a native variety entirely new and distinct in its characteristics, in respect to its manner of bearing and the period of maturing its fruit, which promise to make it an object of general cultivation. From its appear- ance and mode of growth, 1 have no doubt but it is a seedling produced from the common wild blackberry of the country, which grows in great abundance about the region where it originated ; although I cannot learn that any other varieties, 316 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. native or foreign, wild or cultivated, ever grew near the orig- inal plant, except, perhaps, the thimbleberry (7?ubus purpurea V. odorata) which, from the dissimilarity of the two, could have had nothing to do with its production. This bountiful gift of nature originated in the grave-yard of the little (Quaker Meeting House in the village of Catta- Avissa, Columbia Co., Penn., situated near the confluence of a stream of the same name with that noble river, the Susque- hanna. The history of its discovery is simply as follows. The person who had charge of the Meeting House, from whose own lips I received the account, was in the habit of mowing the grass in the yard several times in the course of the year, and on one occasion, some eight or ten years since, observed that a brier, which he had so often clipped with his scythe, showed symptoms of bearing fruit out of the ordinary season. For this time he spared the plant, bestowing upon it his watchful care, and afterwards removed it to his own humble cottage, to be fostered and cherished, no more to "waste its sweetness on the desert air." From a plant that found its way to this district I was struck with its peculiari- ties and resolved to devote myself to its cultivation and in- crease, and am now prepared to describe its properties as far as my opportunities have allowed, after experimenting with it for two years. The fruit is of medium size, inferior to many of the new popular varieties, but is sufficiently large for all economical purposes. Its color is a dark reddish purple when ripe, and of a very high flavor ; it bears most abundantly throughout the season, after the young wood, on which it produces its best fruit, attains the height of four to five feet ; usually begin- ning to ripen in August and sometimes a little sooner. The fruit is produced on branches continually pushing out from all parts, successively appearing in the various stages of growth, from blossom to perfect maturity, and often there may be counted more than fifty fruits on a single branch. As the ripening progresses the later fruits of each branch gradu- ally become less in size, but there is no suspension of bloom- JULY. 317 iiig and fruiting until checked by frost. If protected in-doors it would undoubtedly produce fruit during the winter months. The great advantage of this fruit over all other varieties of the raspberry is, that, if the stocks should be accidentally broken or cut off, or should be killed by winter frost, it is all the better for the crop, and if all other fruits should fail from the effects of spring frost, we should have this to rely upon during the fall month, as its fruit is produced on the shoots made from the ground the same year. Another great advan- tage is, that, from a small space of a few yards of ground, a daily dessert for a small family would always be at hand dur- ing the autumnal months. POMOLOGICAL GOSSIP Poire Briffaut. — This is the name of a new early variety recently introduced to the notice of pomologists in the Revue Horticole, of Paris. It is a French variety and was raised by M. Briffaut, gardener at the manufactory of the Sevres porce- lain. It is stated to surpass, by its size and brilliant color, "all the summer pears known at the present day." The fruit begins to ripen the last of July : the size is medium to large : skin showy, at first green, changing to yellow, with a brilliant red cheek on the sunny side. The flesh is white, very fine, with an abundant juice, slightly acidulated, and of a flavor very agreeable. It does not keep long. In general form it approaches the Louise Bonne of Jersey, with the brilliant col- oring of the French Jargonelle. " Notwithstanding all our researches," says the Editor of the Revue, " we have not found a variety which possesses the size, color, &c., of this pear at the period of its maturity." M. Briffaut proposes to offer it for sale during the present year. The Musque' Verbal Grape. — This is a seedling raised by Mr. J. F. Allen of Salem, and promises to be a very fine musk grape, not quite so large as the Frontignans, but early, a good bearer, forces well, with the rich musk peculiar 318 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. to the Frontignan or Muscat grapes. Hitherto it has not come up in the size of the berries to the standard of a good grape ; but it has yearly improved in size, and this year the parent vine has produced some fine large clusters and good large berries. Mr. Allen kindly sent us a specimen cluster, and we were highly pleased with its appearance. It was raised from the Verdelho, impregnated with the Grizzly Fron- tignan : in the appearance of the berry it partakes of the lat- ter parent, being of a pinkish or grizzly color, and not quite so large as that old grape ; the bunches, however, are of fine size, with berries as large as the Chasselas. Its earliness and fine musk flavor will render it a popular grape. Hovey's Seedling Strawberry in Ohio. — The Annual Exhibition of Strawberries by the Cincinnati Horticultural Society was held on Saturday, June 2d. The published re- port has not reached us, but a correspondent writes us that the " premium for the best was awarded to Hovey's Seedling, exhibited by John C. Yontsey." Another fine show of this fruit was also made at the ordinary weekly meeting, June 9th, when the same variety was preeminent above all others. Mr. Longworth or Mr. McAvoy, with their ^100 prize va- riety, do not appear to have been very successful. We shall notice the official Report when it comes to hand. Choice d'un Amateur Pear. — M. de Jonghe, in the Gar- deners' Chronicle, speaks highly of this rather new pear, and gives a full account of its origin, &c. He states that it was one of the last seedlings of Van Mons, scions of which were given to his friend and pupil, M. Bouvier, in 1837: in 1843 these bore fruit, and after submitting it to the test of amateur cultivators like himself, M. Bouvier called it the " Choice d'un Amateur," as the expression made use of, after tasting several varieties, was, " this is my choice," and this was unani- mously approved of by others. The Choice d'un Amateur is a large pear, of an oblong ovate form, full towards the stalk, and swelling towards the eye ; it is 3 to 3 1 inches in length, and 2\ inches in diameter ; stem li inches long, strongly at- tached to the tree ; skin thin, smooth, pale green, becoming paler at maturity. The flesh is somewhat melting, juicy, JULY. 319 vinous, sugary, very free from grit, except a little near the core, which is small. The seeds are small, roundish, but well filled. The variety is considered a great acquisition ; it ripens in October. The tree forms a handsome pyramid, with an up- right stem and of stiff growth. It promises to be a fine pear. Two New Varieties of CIuince. — Messrs. Veitch & Co., of the Exeter Nurseries, exhibited at one of the meetings of the London Horticultural Society two new sorts of quince, introduced into England, among other fruits from Syria, by the late Mr. Barker — one named the Monster quince, resem- bled the Portugal a good deal, and the other, which was named " Aukshe Ker," looked something like the large pear- shaped quince. They were both fine looking sorts, and were reported to be excellent, and very highly perfumed. " The fruit," wrote Messrs. Veitch, " is said to be eaten in Syria as a dessert. The two examples of No. 1, and one of No. 2, are from standards in the open ground ; the other fruit of No. 2, is from a plant in a pot in an orchard house. They appear far more vigorous in their growth than the old quince. We have them as standards with fine clear straight stems five feet high, and we have no doubt that they will prove valuable stocks for pears." A new vigorous growing quince would be a great acquisition as a stock for dwarf pears, and we hope these sorts will prove as Messrs. Veitch anticipate. New English Strawberries. — In our last volume we gave a brief account of some of the new varieties of straw- berries recently brought to notice among the English culti- vators. Three of them we have now in full bearing, and they give promise of being valuable acquisitions. The kinds are Capt. Cook, Fillbasket, and Ingram's Prince of Wales. Like the larger part of the English kinds they are large and very late, and will not ripen this year till the 1st of July, when we shall give some further account of them, with de- scriptions of several other new ones, which attracted great attention at the exhibitions of the London Horticultural Soci- ety last year. Unlike any of the English kinds that we have heretofore cultivated, the above sorts are quite hardy — as much 320 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. SO as our American seedlmgs,which greatly enhances their value. The British dueen, the largest of all, is so lender here that it is almost impossible to raise it under ordinary cultivation. The Brighton Pine Strawberry. — This is the name given to a new seedling, raised by Mr. Scott of Brighton, the originator of Scott's Seedling. It promises to be a fine variety, similar in most respects to the Boston Pine, from which it was raised, but with darker colored fruit, the only quality lacking in the former variety. It has the same shaped berry, of the same size, bears enormously and in the same way, each root throwing up 8 to 10 bunches of fruit. It is a few days earlier than the Pine. The Brighton Pine will be a strong competitor with the Jenny Lind for its early fruiting, Mr. Scott having gathered the first berries for market on the 13th of June, this very late season ; while its size, and abundant product, fully equal if they do not surpass it. The fruit committee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society have examined Mr. Scott's beds, both of his Brighton Pine and Scott's Seedling, and Mr. Fay's Jenny Lind, and will probably give some account of them in their annual report. Scott's seedling is producing a great crop of splen- did fruit ; it is a fine strawberry. THE LONDON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The following interesting notice of this old and valuable association, the first of the kind ever organized, is copied from the Gardeners' Chronicle, and will, we doubt not, be read with unusual attention. To its active exertions in the pro- motion of Horticultural knowledge, the introduction of plants, and the dissemination of pomological information, we are deeply indebted in common with the whole Horticultural world. It has expended a large amount of money since its foundation, and though some of it may have been uselessly paid away, through the mismanagement of one of its former Secretaries, it has nevertheless accomplished a vast deal of good. JULY. 321 sufficient to overcome the faults and indiscretions alluded to. It is to the Society we are indebted for the valuable trees and plants introduced by Douglass from the Northwest Coast ; by Mr. Fortune from China; and by a number of other collectors in all parts of the world. The addition of one such plant as the Glycine sinensis, is in itself a sum too vast to be men- tioned in comparison with that which has been carelessly _ spent. The great expense attending the publication of the Jour- nal of the Society shows the immense cost of works with col- ored plates of fruits and flowers, and the sum of $125,000 for the ten volumes is a very large amount. No pains were spared to have the plates done in the best manner, and these volumes contain the original drawings of some of our finest fruits. But the immense expense of the publication induced the Society to give it up, and substitute in its place the pres- ent Journal of its Proceedings on a much cheaper plan. — Ed. Last Tuesday was the fiftieth anniversary of the Horti- • cultural Society of London, and the council took advantage of the occasion to lay before the meeting a sketch of the rise and progress of this great corporation up to the present time. The report itself is much too long for our space, and we therefore confine ourselves to condensing portions of it, recommending every one to read the complete report if he can. The society was established in the year 1804, since which time great changes have taken place, the face of gardens is entirely altered, and the art of cultivation has been brought to a state of perfection which could not have been antici- pated fifty years ago. Probably few persons have any distinct recollection of the real state of gardening in the beginning of the present century. It is however obvious from the writings of those who flourished at that time, that no English garden bore much resemblance to the first-class establishments of the present day. Vegetable physiology had only just begun to be applied to practice ; what was good in cultivation did not extend beyond the fruit and kitchen garden, which was scan- VOL. XXI. NO. VII. 41 322 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. tily supplied with varieties scarcely now remembered, except in the case of a few fruits and esculents little susceptible of change. Flower gardens, shrubberies, and plantations con- tained little that had not been in them for a century and more. Marshall, whose book on gardening had passed through five editions by the year 1813, has even at the last date few trees among his lists beyond such as are natives of Europe, or as form the commonest vegetation of the United States; and his annual and perennial flowers have long since been confined to botanic gardens, with the exception of cockscombs, balsams, some convolvuli, hollyhocks, stocks, mignonette, Chinese pinks, and a small number of other com- mon species. Of the then state of gardening we may form some idea from an address in April, 1805, by the late Thomas Andrew Knight, beyond all comparison the most experienced practi- cal gardener, as well as scientific experimentalist, of his day. Speaking of the need there was of some stimulus to horti- culture, he made the following observations : — "Societies for the improvement of domestic animals, and of agriculture in all its branches, have been established with success in almost every district of the British Empire. Hor- ticulture alone appears to have been neglected, and left to the common gardener, who generally pursues the dull routine of his predecessor ; and , if he deviates from it, rarely possesses a sufficient .share of science and information to enable him to deviate with success. In training wall trees there is much in the modern practice which appears defective and irrational : no attention whatever is paid to the form which the species or variety naturally assimies, and be its growth upright or pendent, it is constrained to take precisely the same form on the wall. The construction of forcing houses appears also to be generally very defective, and two are rarely constructed alike, though intended for the same purposes ; probably not a single building of this kind has yet been erected, in which the greatest possible quantity of space has been obtained, and of light and heat admitted, proportionate to the capital expended. It may even be questioned whether a single hot- JULY. 323 bed has ever been made in the most advantageous form ; and the proper application of glass, where artificial heat is not employed, is certainly very ill understood." It was in March, 1804, in a room in the house of Mr. Hatchard, the eminent bookseller in Piccadilly, that the soci- ety was first organized. On that occasion there were present Mr. Charles Greville, Sir Joseph Banks, Mr. Rich, Anthony Salisbury, a distinguished botanist of the day, Messrs. W. T. Aiton and W. Forsyth, two of them royal gardeners, and Mr. James Dickson, an experienced practical gardener. When organized, which occurred in a week's time, the list of mem- bers included the names of all who in those days were most distinguished for their knowledge of horticulture. The mere institution of the society, therefore, conveyed a distinct de- claration, by those best qualified to form an opinion, that the state of gardening stood in very great need of improvement. In 1810, the first number of the "Horticultural Transac- tions " made its appearance, a publication which ultimately extended to ten quarto volumes, replete with horticultural information, both theoretical and practical, of the highest value, and from which writers on gardening subjects have not failed to extract a large part of their knowledge. The cost of publishing these deservedly celebrated volumes had in 1830 amounted to 25,2501. ; and they were not finally discontinued till the year 1848. In the year 1816, (March 5), the first by-laws were passed, and by May, 1818, the prosperity of the society had so much increased as to lead to the hire of an experimental garden at Kensington. The elections rapidly increased, having risen from seventy-three in 1818, to three hundred and twenty- eight in 1821, the largest number ever added to the society in one year. About this time the effects of that system of obtaining valuable foreign plants from extra-European countries, by which the society has conferred such inestimable benefits upon these kingdoms, began to be felt. In the accounts of 1819-20, appears for the first time a charge of 108/. 18s. 9d., under the head of foreign importations. Plants had begun ta 324 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. arrive from China ; not the least important of which was the magnificent Glycine (or Wistaria) sinensis, of which the first living plant, now an aged tree in the society's garden, arrived in 1818. By the year 1823 gardeners had been despatched to the coast of Africa, the West Indies, South America, and China, and extensive collections of valuable exotics had been pro- cured from distant colonies. In 1823, twelve hundred varie- ties of roses existed in the garden ; and this assemblage, as well as the importations from China, may be assumed to have led to that elimination of bad sorts, and general improvement of the rose, which has rendered the modern rose garden a scene of perpetual enjoyment, instead of a summer display which only lasted for a month or six weeks. In 1822 the society obtained a lease of the present garden at Chiswick ; the admission fee was then raised to 6/. 65., and the annual subscription from 31. 3s. to Al. As. At the same time, with a view to defray the cost of the new gar- den, a voluntary subscription was opened, which ultimately reached the sum of 72751. 2s. In 1827 it was resolved to discontinue the anniversary dinners previously held in London, and to substitute for them fetes or public breakfasts. These assemblages were unprofit- able, produced dissatisfaction, and were discontinued after 1831. The first was held June 23, 1827. It was attended by 2843 persons ; gave rise to a lawsuit between the council and the purveyor; and produced a profit of 504/., of which however 213/. were afterwards consumed in legal proceed- ings. The second occurred on June 21, 1828; it was at- tended by 4193 persons, produced a gross sum of 4760/., and a loss estimated at 139/. The third took place on June 27, 1829; tickets were sold to the amount of 5185/.; the ex- penses were 5162/., and the balance in favor of the society 22/. 16s. 6d. The fourth and last was on the 23d June, 1831 ; on which occasion the balance in favor of the society was ascertained to be 115/. 12s. These experiments, having proved unsuccessful, were finally abandoned, and replaced by the garden exhibitions, which JULY. 325 have formed so great a feature in the recent history of the society. By the year 1826 the heavy charges incurred in the forma- tion of the garden had begun to affect seriously the pecuniary resources of the corporation, and the floating debt had ac- quired very formidable dimensions. In addition to this source of embarrassment, differences arose between the society and the then secretary, which led to the appointment in Feb- ruary, 1830, of a committee of inquiry, which was author- ized to investigate the management of the society. This committee reported that the debts of the society amounted to 19,750/., of which 14,200/. were on bond (they eventually proved to amount to about 500/. more, or 20,243/.), and they did not estimate the property of the society higher than 16,500/., exclusive of the annual subscriptions about to fall due. They found that the cost of the formation and an- nual expense of the garden for the eight years from 1822 to 1830 had exceeded the amount of all separate subscriptions and sources of garden revenue, of whatever kind, by the large sum of nearly 29,000/. They however added that many objects of the society had been substantially fulfilled; that the foreign missions for collecting plants had been emi- nently beneficial, &c., &c. The committee declared that these results could not have been attained without contin- ued exertions and superintendence, and that whatever errors had been committed, had arisen from mistaken judgment, rather than from want of zeal in promoting the objects of the society. Nor, add the council, could the committee have said less, when it appeared in evidence that a large part of the debt had been incurred upon the faith of a promise made by gov- ernment in May, 1825, but not fulfilled, that 5000/. should be given to the corporation in aid of their funds ; that 16,464/. had been sunk in permanent works in the garden; that 5737/. had been expended upon procuring plants, &c., from abroad for distribution among the fellows; that more than 880/. worth of medals had been given as encouragement to horti- cultural skill, and that the costly "Transactions" had been 326 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. distributed gratuitously to the Fellows during a period of twenty years, without the funds of the corporation having furnished more than about 4000^. for that purpose. Between 1823 and 1830, the council observe, the progress of the society in works of permanent utility had been con- tinual and rapid. The confusion that formerly existed among fruits and esculents had been reduced to order. That system of heating glass structures by hot water, instead of by flues or expensive applications of steam, to which modern garden- ers owe so much of their success, although it did not origi- nate in the garden, was first systematically applied there in the face of great opposition from those who objected to the introduction of a method to which they were unaccustomed ; and the rapidity with which it gained public favor must cer- tainly be ascribed in a great degree to the proofs which the garden furnished of its perfect suitability to cultivation. The importance of regulating the moisture of the atmosphere of glass-houses — never attended to systematically by the older gardeners, but which has become one of the corner-stones of successful horticulture — was first demonstrated in the garden, after having been pointed out by Daniell in the society's "Transactions." With instruments of the best construction, procured and placed under the advice of the late Professor Daniell and the present Colonel Sabine, a series of daily ob- servations of the barometer, thermometer, hygrometer, rain gauge, 6uC., was commenced on the first of May, 1825, and has been continued to the present time ; and the council be- lieve that there does not exist in this country so long, exact, unbroken, and trustworthy a record of the climate of London as the " Meteorological Journal " of the Society has now become. Nor must it be forgotten that in 1830, the country was in full possession of those numerous and now universally cultivated hardy plants, which resulted from the expedition of Douglas to then almost unexplored regions governed by the Hudson's Bay Company. The Brodieeas, Collomias, Euto- cas, Gilias, Gaillardias, Coreopsides, Clarkias, Godetias, Col- linsias, Lupines, Escholtzias, the musky Mimulus, numerous Pentstemons, and many another universal favorite in the JULY. 327 flower garden, owe their origin to the Horticultural Society of that period, as also do the Holly-leaved Berberry, Spirasa ariccfolia, Vaccinium ovaturn, Garrya elliptica, Rubus specta- bilis, Gaultheria Shallon, the Ribes sanguineum, aureum, and speciosum, the Douglas Fir, and many more of our noblest and hardiest Coniferous trees. To this may be added the names of the Fuchsias, Salpiglotts, Schizanths, Oenotheras, Petunias, Calceolarias, Verbenas, brought from Chili and else- where, which laid the foundation of races unrivalled for the brilliant effects produced by their descendants in modern flower gardens. The council next allude to the measures taken after the report of the committee of inquiry had been received, and give the history of their garden exhibitions, which have ren- dered the modern history of the society memorable. The experiment was made in 1833, and proved successful ; the exhibitions were popular ; the number of elections began to increase ; a profit of 340/. was carried to the credit of the society, and a reduction of the dead weight to the amount of 951/. was immediately effected. Since that time the garden exhibitions have yielded about 43,000/. of clear profit. The council remark that with such means at command the incumbrances of the society could have been readily liquidated, had there been no other purpose to gain than that of paying off" liabilities. But it was obvious that however desirable extrication from debt might be, the managers of the society were appointed for other purposes. A part of the debt dated as far back as 1824 ; the whole of it was incurred before 1830 ; and it seemed unjust to the Fellows elected since that time to apply the funds supplied by them to no other purpose than the discharge of debts, to contracting which they had been no parties. Nor could the various councils avoid feeling that to discontinue the improvement and encouragement of horticulture would be virtually to abandon the purposes for which the society was incorporated. They therefore endeavor to combine the liquidation of lia- bilities with a vigorous prosecution of the objects declared in their charter. Since 1830 nearly 11,000/. has been expended 328 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. in works of permanent utility ; and more than 7000/, in the introduction of rare plants and seeds ; notwithstanding which the debts have been gradually reduced to 8800/. In the course of this time the high character of the society has also been sustained, among other measures by a most libe- ral distribution of medals and pecuniary rewards for merito- rious productions, under which head alone 19,224/. has been expended since 1830 ; by an enormous distribution of seeds, plants, &c., amounting to almost a million and a half; and by an impulse given to horticulture to which there is no parallel. After alluding to some other points the council refer to the enormous debt bequeathed to the society in 1830. Up to 1852 a pretty steady reduction of this incumbrance continued to take place ; but in 1853 and 1854 it was slightly increased, and again in 1855 to the amount of 1250/. This has chiefly arisen from the thin attendance at the garden meeting in May, when there was an important launch at Woolwich in presence of her majesty, and from that in June having fallen into unfortunate proximity with the day on which the queen opened the Crystal Palace. The council report that in consequence of this unforeseen event, immediate means were taken to curtail expenditure ,• his Grace the Duke of Devonshire reduced the garden rent from 300/. to 200/. a year, and a valuation of the property of the corporation was ordered to be made. The result shows a balance of property ovei' liabilities, in favor of the Society, of more than 15,000/. The council observe in conclusion that the career of the society has been, upon the whole, one of much prosperity, and they cannot but look back with pleasure to the important public services which that prosperity has enabled the corpo- ration to perform. They therefore invite the Fellows each to exercise his influence in recruiting the ranks of the corpora- tion. " When it is considered that the admission fee is now only two guineas, that the annual subscriptions are retrospec- tive, a?ic? no/ J9a?/a6/e m advance, Xhdii ladies are admissible as Fellows, that the publications of the society are distrib- JULY. 329 iited gratuitously, that Fellows have free personal admission to the garden, and to the meetings, that at present there is no limit to their power of issuing orders of free admission to the latter, that for garden meetings each Fellow has the power of obtaining a considerable number of privileged tickets at a lower rate than the general public, that the distribution of seeds and plants will certainly increase in proportion to the means at our disposal, and is already far more extensive than is generally supposed, and finally, that no personal liability whatever is incurred, the advantages which the society offers to those who join its ranks are so great that there seems to be every inducement to enter an association from whose con- tinued efforts for half a century the present flourishing state of garden cultivation is unquestionably derived." We quote the last paragraph literally, and sincerely hope it may be responded to in a manner worthy of the members of" so important an institution. It will be seen by the report that nearly $100,000 (£19,. 224) have been given away as medals and prizes since 1830, and this we have no doubt has accomplished greater results than the same sum expended in any other way. It has, also, distributed large quantities of seeds and plants throughout Europe. In conclusion it is gratifying to see that the Society, after the troubles and dissatisfaction which at one time surrounded it, and which threatened its usefulness, is now again, by care- ful management, well established, with its debt reduced, and property on hand sufficient to pay all its liabilities, and. have a liberal sum left. DESIGN FOR A FLOWER GARDEN. BY THE EDITOR. We herewith present another plan of a garden, {fig. 16J; the third of the series. VOL. XXI. NO. VII. 42 330 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. This design possesses many merits ; particularly for the purposes of a summer garden for annuals, or for bedding plants. It is sixty-two feet in width and will contain a great number as well as a great variety. It should be laid out on gravel, and all the beds neatly edged with box. Like all gardens of this kind, much taste is required to produce the best effects. A knowledge of the habit of all the Scale 16 feet to the inch. 16. DESIGN FOR A ILOWER GARDEN. plants, and their colors, is necessary to this end : not only must they be grouped according to their height, habits, &c., but according to their colors, so as to secure the greatest con- trasts. Like 'the other designs we have given, it is adapted to the objects of a mixed garden, a rosary, an American garden, or. JULY. 331 a garden of annuals, or bedding out plants. We therefore give two lists for planting it, one as a mixed garden, the other as a summer garden : — THE MIXED GARDEN. The centre circular bed should be left for a handsome pedestal, with or without a sun-dial : or for a beautiful vase. The four large irregular-shaped beds between this and the next circular walk may be planted with a good assortment of tall growing perennials ; such as Phloxes, Dielytra, Aconitum, Delphiniums, &c., at such distances that a few asters and other annuals may be set out between them to keep up the show during autumn. The four small circular beds forming the centre of the scrolls may each contain a very handsome rosebush, or an Irish or Swedish juniper. The next row of eight large beds, with a walk at right angles running between them, may be set out with Japan and other lilies and herbaceous plants, selecting such as bloom both early and late. The next row of small circular beds, sixteen in number, may each be filled with fine hybrid perpetual or other roses, kept neatly pruned as small compact bunches. The scollop-shaped beds on the outside may be filled with a promiscuous collection of plants of low growth, such as dwarf phlox, dwarf pinks, Lysimachia, Spiraea japonica, not very thick, so that the spaces between can be filled with verbenas, lantanas, and dwarf annuals. The arrangement should be such that the bed as a whole, when the plants are in full bloom, may have the appearance of a flat cone of flowers, the tallest being in the centre, the lowest on the outside with a regular gradation from the cen- tre to the circumference. So great is the variety of materials for planting such a garden, that to give anything more than a few general hints, we might fill a dozen pages with diff*erent lists for this purpose. THE SUMMER GARDEN. The circular bed in the centre, as in the preceding list, should be left for an ornamental vase or a pedestal for a sun- dial. 332 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. The four large irregular beds, except the harrow part form- ing the circle, should be planted as follows : — two beds opposite each other with scarlet geraniums, edged with the variegated- leaved scarlets : the other two beds with blue salvia?, such as patens, azurea, &/C. The circles should be planted with light heliotrope on the salvia beds, and with dark heliotrope on the geranium beds. The four small circular beds should be planted two of them opposite to one another, with white verbenas, and the other two with scarlet. The eight large beds, angular on one side, should be planted two and two, as follows : — two with yellow lantanas ; the next two with scarlet bouvardias ; the next two with purple lantanas ; and the next last two with bouvardias. The row of sixteen circular beds may be planted with ver- benas, beginning at any place and filling one bed with white ; the next with blue ; the next with scarlet, and so on, to the bed first planted. The outer row of scollop-formed beds may be a miscella- neous collection of the lowest growing plants, such as verbe- nas, lantanas, pansies, anagallis, plumbago, Oxalis floribmida, lobelia, petunias, (pegging them down to the ground to keep them dwarf,) portulacca of sorts, &c., all arranged so as to con- trast well with the circular beds of verbenas, and the beds of lantanas on the opposite side of the walk, being careful not to bring a white opposite a bed of white verbenas, or a blue against a bed of blue ones ; but to bring scarlet or blue oppo- site to white, and white or scarlet opposite to blue. The ef- fect of the sixteen beds of verbenas will be greatly increased by attention to this. We have omitted to say anything about the preparation of the ground. It should be trenched two or three feet deep, and if the soil is not light and rich it should be made so by the addition of leaf mould, peat, very old decayed hotbed manure, &c.; for bedding out plants it must be better prepared than for shrubs and perennials, as the sooner the former take hold of the soil, the quicker will they flower and the longer keep up their beauty ; indeed a bed can scarcely be too well prepared for this purpose. JULY. 333 All the beds should be slightly raised in the centre, with the outside no higher than the walk ; if filled up as they too often are an inch or two above the ground, they have a slovenly appearance. Keep all the verbenas and similar plants pegged down close to the ground, and the garden will appear one mass of foliage and flowers. FLORICULTURAL AND BOTANICAL NOTICES. . New Phloxes. — Improvement in this most beautiful hardy summer and autumnal flower is continually being made by foreign cultivators, as well as our own, and many new ones are annually offered for sale. In onr volume for 1853, (XIX. p. 412,) we gave a brief description of a few of them, copied from the foreign catalogues, before we had seen them in bloom. Last season our plants were stronger, and bloomed freely, aff'ording a much richer treat than we had anticipated. Some of them were very beautiful, and a few of them sur- passingly so. We now add descriptions of several new ones, the two first of which we had in bloom last year ; the others were received from France this spring : — Alexandrina. — Flowers, dark violet ; centre, purple. Grows 2 feet high. Dr. Aiidry. — Flowers, lilac violet, darker at the base of each division of the petals forming a star in the centre of the flower. Plant, very robust, forming a long and enormous panicle. Height, 3 feet. Fancy Adam. — Flowers, milk white, spotted with rose at the bottom of the petals. Plants very vigorous, having much the appearance of pyramidalis. Height, 2| feet. Marie Gros. — Flowers, pure white. Height, 2| feet. Madame Rendatler. — Flowers, pure violet, with a purple centre , and large corolla. Height, 2| feet. Henriette Castelle. — Flower, bright rose. Height, 3 feet. Marquis de Gouvon St. Cyr. — Flowers, rose, with purple centre. Height, 2>\ feet. 334 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE, New Achimenes. — Many new and beautiful Achinnenes have been raised by the Belgian cultivators, some of which surpass anything we already have. Several of these we have added to our collection, and they will be in flower the present month ; we name a few of them. A. gigantea, with leaves three times as large as A. picta, and with peduncles supporting fifteen to twenty-four flowers, twice as large as picta, forming specimens of more than six hmidred flowers, which continue in bloom five months. Such is the description in the Belgian Catalogues. Also, A. Decaisnes/a/iff, A. pulchella, A. Camille Brozzoni, A. corymbosa, A. fimbriata purpurea. New Fuchsias. — The English cultivators carry off the palm in the production of new varieties of this beautiful plant, and they have at last been successful in obtaining an entirely new class of flowers, by reversing the colors of the sepals and petals ; the corollas being white, and the sepals crimson and other deep colors; they have also raised them with striped and with double corollas. The following are the descriptions of some of the new sorts otfered for sale the present year : — Snowdrop, (Story's,) fine double white corolla. Queen Victoria, (Story's,) scarlet, with white corolla. Prince Albert, (Banks',) fine violet corolla. Perrigino, (Story's,) fine striped corolla. Empress Eugcjiia, (Story's,) rosy crimson, white corolla. Paniincidijlora, (Story's,) fine double white corolla. Lady of the Lake, (Story's,) blush white corolla. Water Nymph, (Story's,) globe flowered, fine white corolla. Rafaelle, (Story's,) beautiful variegated corolla. Mrs Story, (Story's,) fine white corolla. Some of these we hope to see in bloom the coming month. Trop.e^olum var. Scheuermanii and Caroline Smith are two new and handsome summer flowering kinds, the former wnth buflf and maroon flowers, and the habit of T. Lobb^o- num,, and the latter with small crimson scarlet flowers. They form valuable additions to our limited number of fine climb- ing plants. JULY. 335 275. DiPLADE^NiA Harrish Purdie. Lord Harris's Dip- LADENiA. (Apocyneae.) Trinidad. A stove climber ; growinir ten feet hish ; with yellow flowers ; appearing in summer ; increased by cuttings ; srown in leaf mould, peat and sand. Bot. Mag., 1S55, pi. 4825. A magnificent twining plant, " not surpassed by any one of its congeners, Avhether we consider the size and beauty and fragrance of its flowers of metallic lustre, or its entire habit. The very buds are handsome, large and droop- ing, with a blending of red into a full clear yellow, which colors, however, become more brilliant in the fully expanded corolla," which is more than three inches in diameter. It is a stove plant, and " a more ornamental one can scarcely be imagined." In our climate, if started in a warm house, it would bloom finely during summer in the greenhouse or conser- vatory, in the same way as the other species. It is a superb acquisition. {Bot. Mag., Jan.) 276. HoY^A LACUNO^SA Blume. Furrowed Hoya. (Ascle- piadete.) Java. A stove plant; growing six feet high ; with blush-colored flowers; appearing in summer; increased by cuttings ; grown in light, rich soil. Bot. Mag., 1S55, pi. 4826. Somewhat like the pretty Hoya bella, but lacking the pink eye which adds so much to the effect of that species. It is a native of the trunks of trees, not only in Java, but in other islands of the Indian Archipelago. In habit and growth it is a counterpart of H. bella. {Bot. Mag., Jan.) 277. ESCALLO^NIA PTEROCLA^DON HookcT. WiNGED-BRANCHED EscALLONiA. (SaxifragesB.) Patagonia. A half-hardy shrub ; growing four feet high ; with pinkish flowers ; appearing in summer ; increased by cuttings and layers ; grown in leaf mould, peat and sand. Bot. Mag., 1855, pi. 4827. "A bushy plant, with leaves like a small-leaved myrtle, and very pretty, almost Epacris-like flowers, white, tinged with red." In England it is perfectly hardy, and forms a fine shrub, four to five feet high, an abundant bloomer and fragrant. Probably with us it would require greenhouse cul- ture ; or it might be wintered in a frame and turned into the open ground in summer ; its very small evergreen foliage and its heath-like flowers render it every way a desirable plant. {Bot. Mag., Jan.) 336 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 278. DlPLADE^NIA ACUMINA^TA Hookcr. AcUMINATED DiPLADENiA. (Apocynea3.) Brazil. A stand twiner; growing six or eisht feet high ; with deep rose-colored flowers ; appearing in summer ; increased by cuttings ; grown in rich leaf mould and light loam. Bot. Mag., 1855,'pl. 4838. Another new Dipladenia, with even larger flowers than D. HarriszV, and of a clear brilliant deep rose color. It is a native of Brazil, and was introduced by Messrs. Veitch & Son. In general appearance it is like D. crassinoda, but the leaves are more acuminate, and the flowers much larger and a deeper color. It requires the same treatment as the other species. All the Dipladenias are magnificent, deserving much more attention than they have received from our cultivators. In England they form the most prominent objects at the exhi- bitions of the London Horticultural Society. — {Bot. Mag., Jan. ) 279. Tali^num poly'andrum Hooker. Many-stemmed Talinum. (Portulaceas.) Australia. An annual plant ; growing a foot high ; with rose-colored flowers ; appearing in summer ; increased by seeds. Bot. Mag., 1855, pi. 4S33. Anew annual allied to the Portulaccas, with a kind of fleshy foliage and slender stems, bearing numerous deep pink flow- ers. It is a native of Swan River. — {Bot. Mag., Feb.) 280. Bilbe'rgia Wetherellii Hooker. Mr. Wether- ELL^s BiLLBERGiA. ( Bromcli 3,633. ) Brazil. A stove plant ; growing four feet high; with white and purple flowers; appearing in winter; increased by suckers ; grown in light rich soil. Bot. Mag., 1855, pi. 4835. A magnificent plant, producing long spikes of flowers, sur- rounded with superbly colored crimson bracteas. The habit of the plant is similar to others of the tribe, large and rather coarse like the leaves of the pine apple, but throwing out very long showy spikes of flowers ; it re quires a stove tem- perature.— [Bot. Mag., Feb.) Eschscholtzia' tenuifolia. — This new and very pretty plant, which has lately attracted considerable attention among English cultivators, we raised from seeds given us by Messrs. Breck & Son, of Boston, as a new Lupin. Its finely cut foliage renders it a beautiful species. ji^LY. 337 STUDIES IN THE FIELD AND FOREST. BY WILSON FLAGG. JULY. The sultry sun has seared the green hill-side And browned the upland herbage, far and wide ; The tender flowers have wilted in the drought : O'er hill and plain a mighty change is wrought. The little winding rivulets that made A pleasant rippling, whersoe'er we strayed. Are lost, and many a green and devious chain Of shrubbery marks their course along the plain. But in the lowlands glitters summer's pride ; To them no floral bounties are denied. Bright fruits and blossoms greet us as we pass, Nodding their heads above the waving grass ; Beneath the shade perhaps a flower of spring Peeps out — a wee, neglected, fading thing — That hardly dares to turn its timid glance ■ , Amid the season's proud luxuriance. Nature has sunken in a peaceful doze, And the mild summer wind so gently blows, It hardly stirs the leaves of aspen trees, Or drowns the faintest insect melodies. No. V. Early Morning in Summer. Nature, for the delight of waking eyes, has arrayed the- morning heavens in the loveliest hues of beauty. Fearing to dazzle by an excess of Hght, she first announces day by a faint and glimmering twilight, then sheds a purple tint over the brows of the rising morn, and infuses a transparent ruddi- ness throughout the whole atmosphere. As daylight widens, successive groups of mottled and rosy-bosomed clouds assem- ble on the gilded sphere, and, crowned with wreaths of fickle rainbows, spread a mirrored flush over hill, grove and lake, and every village spire is burnished with their splendor. At length through crimsoned vapors we behold the sun's broad disc, rising with a countenance so serene, that every eye may view him, ere he arrays himself in his meridian brightness. Not many people who live in towns are aware of the pleas- ure attending a ramble near the woods and. orchards at day VOL. XXI. NO. VII. 43 338 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. break in the early part of summer. The drowsiness we feel on rising from our beds is gradually dispelled by the clear and healthful breezes of early day, and we soon experience an unusual amount of vigor and elasticity. Nature has so or- dered her bounties and her blessings, as to cause the hour which is consecrated to health to be attended with the great- est amount of charms for all the senses ; and to make all hearts enamored of the morning, she has environed it with everything in heaven and on earth, that is charming to the eye or to the ear, or capable of inspiring some agreeable sen- timent. During the night the stillness of all things is the circum- stance that most powerfully attracts our notice, rendering one peculiarly sensitive to every accidental sound that meets the ear. In the morning, on the contrary, at this time of year, we are overwhelmed by the vocal and multitudinous chorus of the feathered tribe. If you would hear the commence- ment of this grand anthem of nature, you must rise on the very first appearance of dawn, before the twilight has formed a complete circle above the eastern porch of heaven. The first note that proceeds from the little warbling host is the shrill chirp of the hair-bird, which is occasionally heard at all hours, on a warm summer night. This strain, which is a continued trilling sound, is repeated with diminishing in- tervals, until it becomes almost incessant. But the hair-bird has not uttered many notes before some one robin begins to warble from a neighboring orchard, being soon followed by others increasing in numbers, until, by the time the eastern sky has attained a crimson hue, every male robin in the coun- try round is singing with fervor. It would be difficult to note the exact order in which the different birds successively commence their parts in this per- formance ; but the blue-bird, whose song is only a short mel- low warble, is heard nearly at the same time with the robin, and the song-sparrow joins them soon after with his brief, but finely modulated strain. The different species follow rapidly, one after another, in the chorus, until the whole welkin rings with their matin hymn of gladness. I have JULY. 339 often wondered that the almost simultaneous utterance of so many different notes should produce no discords, and that they should result in such complete harmony. In this mul- titudinous confusion of voices, no two notes are confounded, and none has sufficient duration to grate harshly with a dis- similar sound. Though each performer sings only a few strains and then makes a pause, the whole multitude succeed each other with such rapidity that we hear an uninterrupted flow of music, until the broad light of day invites them to other employments. Before the birds can see well enough to fly, you may ob- serve, here and there, a single swallow perched on the roof of a barn or shed, repeating two twittering notes incessantly, with a quick turn and a hop at every note he utters. It would seem to be the design of the bird to attract the atten- tion of his mate, and this motion seems to be made to assist her in discovering his position. As soon as there is sufficient light to enable them to fly, this twittering strain is uttered more like a continued song, as they flit rapidly through the air. But at this later moment the martins have commenced their more melodious chattering, so loudly as to attract for a while the most of our attention. There is not a sound in nature so cheering and animating as the voice of the purple martin, and none so well calculated to drive away melancholy. Though not one of the earliest voices to be heard, the chorus is perceptibly more loud and effective when this bird has united with the choir. When the flush of morning has brightened into vermilion, and the place from which the sun is soon to emerge has at- tained a dazzling brilliancy; the robins are already less tune- ful. They are now becoming busy in collecting food for their morning repast, and one by one they leave the trees, and may be seen hopping upon the tilled ground, in quest of the worms and insects that have crept out during the night from iheir subterranean retreats. But as the voice of the robins has ceased, the bobolinks commence their vocal revelries; and to a fanciful mind it might seem that the robins had gradually resigned their part in the performance to the bobo- 340 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. links, not one of which commences until some of the former have concluded their songs. The little hair-bird still contin- ues his almost incessant chirping, the first to commence and the last to quit the performance. Though the voice of this bird is not very agreeably modulated, it blends harmoniously with the notes of other birds, and greatly increases the charming effect of the whole combination. It would be tedious to name all the birds that take part in this chorus, but we must not omit the pewee, with his mel- ancholy ditty, occasionally heard like a short minor strain in an oratorio ; nor the oriole, who is really one of the chief performers, and who, as his bright plumage flashes upon the sight, warbles forth a few notes so clear and mellow, as to be heard above every other sound. Adding a pleasing variety to all this harmony, the three notes of the meadowlark, ut- tered in a shrill tone, and with a peculiarly pensive modula- tion, are plainly audible, with short rests between each repe- tition. But he does not soar into the skies in the morning like the European lark, and is not generally regarded as one of our singing birds. He chooses the dusky hour of evening for his aerial flights ; and during the latter part of May, if we closely observe him, he will exhibit to us some of the pecul- iarities of his European congener. During my rambles in early life, I have often lingered in the fields until dark, to hear the responsive chirping of these birds in the open plain, and to watch their occasional whirling flight, as, with whist- ling wings, they soar into the skies, to hover and warble above the darkness that envelops the earth. With the same spiral flight they soon descend to the ground, and commence anew their responsive chirping. These alternate visits to the earth and the skies are continued for several hours. There is nothing very musical in the chirping of these birds ; and their warbling in the heavens, when they have reached the summit of their ascent, is only a somewhat mo- notonous succession of sounds. But when, at this later time of life, I chance to hear a repetition of their notes, the whole bright page of youthful adventure is placed suddenly before my mind. It is only at such times that we feel the full in- JULY. 341 fluence of certain sounds in nature in hallowing the period of manhood with a recollection of early pleasures and a renewal of those feelings, that come upon the soul like a fresh breeze and the sound of gurgling waters to the weary and thirsty traveller. There is a little brown sparrow, resembling the hair-bird, save that his plumage has a general tint of russet, that may be heard distinctly among the warbling host. He is never found in cultivated grounds, but frequents the wild pastures, and is the bird that warbles so sweetly at midsummer, when the whortleberries are ripe and the fields are beautifully span- gled with red lilies. There is no confusion in the notes of his song, which consists of one syllable rapidly repeated, but increasing in rapidity, and rising to a higher key towards the conclusion. He sometimes prolongs his strain, when his notes are observed to rise and fall in succession. These plaintive and expressive notes are very loud and constantly repeated during the whole hour that precedes the rising of the sun. A dozen warblers of this species, singing in con- cert, and distributed in different parts of the field, form per- haps the most delightful part of the woodland oratorio to which we have yet listened. As the woods are the residence of a tribe of musicians that differ from those we hear in the open fields and orchards, one must spend a morning in each of these situations, to obtain a hearing of all the songsters of day-break. For this reason I have said nothing of the thrushes, that sing chiefly in the woods and solitary pastures, and are commonly more musical in the early evening than in the morning. I have confined my remarks chiefly to those birds that frequent the orchards and gardens, and dwell familiarly near the habitations of men. At sunrise, hardly a robin is to be heard in the whole neighborhood, and the character of the performance has com- pletely changed during the last half hour. The first part was more melodious and tranquilizing, the last more brilliant and animating. The grassfinches, the vireos, the wrens and the linnets have joined their voices to the chorus, and the bobolinks are loudest in their song. But the notes of birds 342 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. in general are not so incessant as they were before sunrise. One by one they discontinue their lays, until at high noon the bobolink and the warbling fly-catcher are almost the only vocalists to be heard in the fields. Among the agreeable accompaniments of a summer morn- ing walk are the odors from the woods, the herbage and the flowers. At no other hour of the day is the atmosphere so fragrant with their emanations. The blossoms of almost every species of plant are just unfolding their petals, after the sleep of night, and their various offerings of incense are now poured out at the ruddy shrine of morning. The objects of sight and sound are generally the most expressive in a de- scription of nature, because seeing and hearing are the intel- lectual senses. But the perfumes that abound in diff'erent situations are hardly less suggestive than sights and sounds. Let a person who has always been familiar with green fields and babbling brooks, and who has suddenly become blind, be led out under the open sky, and how would the various perfumes from vegetation suggest to him all the individual scenes and objects which have been imprinted on his mem- ory. There is a peculiar feeling of hope and cheerfulness that comes to us on a summer morning walk, and sends its happy influence over all the rest of the day. The pleasant still- ness, apart from the stirring population ; the amber glow of heaven that beams from underneath successive arches of crimson and vermilion, constantly widening and brightening into the full glory of sunrise ; the consciousness of having gained an hour of the time usually devoted to sleep ; above all, the melodious concert of warblers from every bush and tree which is constantly changing its character by the silence of the first performers and the joining of new voices — all con- spire to render the brief period from dawn to sunrise a con- secrated hour, and to sanctify it to every one's memory. I am inclined to attribute the healthfulness of early rising to these circumstances, rather than to the doubtful salubrity of the dewy atmosphere of morn. The exercise of the senses while watching the beautiful gradations of colors, through JULY, 343 which the rising luminary passes ere his full form appears in sight, is attended with emotions like those which might be supposed to attend us at the actual opening of the gates of Paradise, We return home, after this ramble, with a heart warmed by new love for the beautiful objects of nature, and with all our feelings so harmonized by the sweet influences of morn, as to find increased delight in the performance of our duties and the exercise of our affections. Enteral Boticts. Self-Registering Hygrometer. — The Honorary Secretary of the Torbay Horticultural Society has invented a very useful instrument for gardeners, which he calls a Self-Registering Hygrometer. It is needless to say that the hygrometrical condition of the air is as im- portant to the horticulturist as the thermometrical ; and it is desirable that the instruments used in determining either humidity or temperature should be self-registering, in order that we may ascertain their condition, not only at the moment of observation, but also their fluctuations during any preced- ing period. Self-registering thermometers have long been in general use, with the most beneficial results, but no self-registering hygrometer has hitherto been constructed, and those which have been adopted for time observations have either been very imperfect, or not sufficiently simple and inexpensive for horticultural purposes. ' The new instrument which Mr. Vivian recently submitted to the Horti- cultural Society, and from whose report this account is chiefly taken, is a combination of Leslie's wet-and-dry-bulb hygrometer and the differential thermometer, with steel indexes, which may be adjusted either by gravita- tion or the magnet. The degree indicated by the spirit or index in the tubes is the amount of difference between the temperature of the air and evaporation ; when it stands at zero (0) the air is completely saturated, and the sensible humidity of the air becomes less as this difference increases. Thus, observes Mr. Vivian, in an orchid house the instruments should never register more than one or two degrees, whilst ericas will require eight or ten degrees. For meteorological purposes, the actual humidity may be readily ascer- tained from Mr. Glaisher's tables, or the dew point may be approximately deduced by doubling the amount of difference between the wet and dry bulb. For instance, if the reading of the hygrometer is five degrees, whilst the thermometer is fifty degrees, the dew point will be forty-five de- grees, below which, fog, rain or the precipitation of dew will occur. 344 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. As a weather-glass, the instrument promises to be also very useful, as, without a knowledge of the hygrometrical condition of the atmosphere, the barometer is of little service. The instrument, as exhibited by Mr. Vivian, although imperfectly and hastily constructed, appeared highly deserving of especial notice, and re- ceived an honorable mention, as it well deserved ; for hitherto, we believe, there has been no instrument for registering the extremes of dryness or moisture — a point of the utmost importance in exotic culture. We understand that perfect instruments are nearly ready for sale, and we fully anticipate their being soon regarded as not less essential in gar- dens than the thermometer itself. No care being required in their use, nor any quick and dextrous observation, the indications of Mr. Vivian's hygrometer may be read off with as much facility as those of the thermom- eter itself, which is a point greatly in its favor. — [Gard. Chron. 1855, p. 355.) Bedding Plants and Bottom Heat. — The remark recently made by the writer of the Calendar relative to the propriety of planting out strong plants in June rather than weak plants in May, is very judicious in a sea- son like the present, when the ground temperature is excessively low, and when, too, in many instances from the losses of the winter, plants are not so strong as they are wont to be in more favorable seasons. I have fre- quently, both privately and publicly, pointed out the impropriety of early planting, that is before the 20th of May, and, except in very rare situations and in the case of unusually forward springs, I am quite convinced that there is not a day gained by planting before the first week in June. I have had several thousands of geraniums and other plants bedded out since the middle of April, but they are standing on sheltered south and west borders, and have been nightly, and sometimes during the day too, covered with spruce branches and mats, to protect them from the severity of the weather. These plants look well, are making root, have healthy green foliage, and have quite recovered the check they experienced at the time of putting out ; but had they been planted in the flower garden at the same time, their safe protection would have been far more difficult, and the nuisance of the pro- tecting material in a dressed garden quite intolerable. The advantages of this system of bedding out all established plants are very great ; for you not only get a plant with an improved constitution, but one third of the pots necessary under other circumstances will be found quite sufficient. The trouble of planting and transplanting will of course be urged as an argu- ment against the plan, by the advocates of the old system ; and though I admit there is a good bit of trouble and time occupied, the saving in water- ing more than counterbalances it, while the rapid progress the plants make is another decided advantage. Cold as the weather has been, these plants I find are making root into an inch or two of leafy dung which was placed under them, and I have no doubt that they will remove to the flower beds almost without sustaining any check, and will be in bloom in a week or two without presenting any of that rusty appearance so general in newly- planted things. JULY. 345 But independently of the risk we run in planting out before we have settled, mild-growing weather, it is also of great import in a season like the present, that the ground should attain its natural heat before tender plants are committed to its fostering care. A week or two back we were told that nettle seed would not vegetate at the same temperature as groundsel, and that the generality of exotic seeds would not vegetate in a temperature be- low 46°. I have just been testing the temperature of the soil in the flower garden here, and I find it range from 44° to 46° at from 9 to 12 inches deep, according to the exposure and the time the beds were last digged, — the highest temperature, that of 46°, only being found in a bed that was dug on a sunny day a fortnight back. Now, the mean temperature of the earth at one foot deep, as explained by an important table in Dr. Lindley's "The- ory of Horticulture" just published, is April 46°, May 53°, and June 60°. The lowest temperature for May was in 184.1, viz., 50°, the highest for the same month in 1848, 56° ; the lowest temperature for June is 56° in 1852, the highest 64° in 1846. Thus it will be seen that the ground at the pres- ent time, is 4° colder than it has been known since 1844, and 10° below the highest temperature during the same period. Need we then be sur- prised if plants make slow progress ? It is physically impossible that they could do otherwise until the earth attains something like its natural temper- ature, and the more plants are watered under such circumstances, except with water very considerably warmer than the soil in which they are grow- ing, the greater the injury they must receive. To drench plants with cold water at the present time, is labor worse than lost. But what is to be done ? To plant even now until the earth has attained a temperature of 55°, will not be a wise proceeding, yet plant we must. Fifteen years back, in my treatise on Cucumbers in pots, I recommended the " digging in" of solar heat for ridge cucumbers, and I should now advise the same process to be observed with all flower beds that are not stocked with plants. By forking the beds over after four o'clock every sunny afternoon for a few days, mak- ing or raking the surface of the ground tolerably fine, its temperature may be raised from 6° to 10° in a very short time, and it is I think quite unnec- essary for me to explain that an increase of bottom heat, at the time of planting to that amount, is a matter of much greater importance than hur- rying the roots of plants into the ground the first fine day, just because the sun is shining or the air overhead is a little genial. What I am recom- mending is just what I have practised for many years, and if those who do not happen to think on this matter as I do will please to make the experi- ment, I know they will be satisfied with the result. Let them get heat into the soil, then plant and give a sufficient watering with warm water, and when it has soaked in, leave the surface of the soil loose, fine and smooth, and little after- watering, unless the weather is very dry, will be found necessary. Daily dribblings of water may be all very well to occupy the leisure hours of amateurs, " who have nothing else to do;" but gardeners, and those under them, may spend their time far more profitably. — ( Gard. Chron. May, 1855, p. 356.) VOL. XXI. NO. VII. 44 346 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Preparing Scarlet Geraniums for Bedding. — The season has been so peculiar that the usual routine system of treating bedding plants has been completely upset. Few things have yet been planted out, and there- fore considerable care has been required to keep them so long in a thriving state. To give scarlet geraniums, intended for beds, artificial heat after they have been struck and potted off, as is often done, would not answer • this year; that would very much frustrate the end every good cultivator ought to have in view, viz., plants sufficiently healthy and hardy to profit by the naturally increasing warmth of the weather at planting-out time, instead of, as is too frequently the case, receiving a check from which it takes them a long time to recover. If the plants are kept cool and properly hardened off by exposure to sun and air during the spring months, whenever the weather Mill permit, they will show more flowers in proportion to the size of the plants in June than similar ones which had been subjected to heat would in July. The same remarks are applicable to all other kinds of plants kept over winter for bedding purposes. In short, artificial heat is unnecessary, even although the plants had been kept in the cutting pots during winter and required sliifting in the spring: this can be easily accom- plished without forcing them to make premature growths, which never get hardened before planting time. Too much shade, after they are kept in temporary quarters out of doors where accommodation is limited, also ag- gravat s the evil. The result in both cases is that the plants shed their fol- iage, and for a long time look shabby. — [Gard. Chron. 185.5, p. .'i57.) SciLLAS. — These should be as common as snowdrops and crocuses in every garden where early spring flowers are sought for. They have many recommen-dations. Growing but a few inches high, and bearing for the most part blue flowers, they form beautiful beds, or margins to beds, in sit- uations where now such plants as crocuses and snowdrops are almost exclu- sively depended on for the earliest bloom. The snowdrop, as is well known, furnishes white blossoms only, and the crocus supplies various tints of or- ange, white, yellow, and purple; but in neither is the pure blue color to be found. Those, therefore, who desire to render their gardens ornamental at the earliest dawn of spring, should procure and plant Scillas largely : there are several kinds adapted tor that purpose ; S. bifolia grows about three or four inches high, and, when growing freely, throws up several flower spikes, each of which bears from four to eight blue flowers, during April and May. S. vema grows about the same size, and bears a roundish head of purplish blue flowers, in May and June. S. anioena is also about the same stature, and produces largish drooping light blue flowers, in April and May. S. sibirica, another of these dwarf species, has drooping blossoms, of a beauti- ful clear light blue, which are borne in April. Of S. bifolia, there are at least two very distinct varietiea, one having white and another blue blos- soms. They are easily cultivated. — [Gard. Chron. 1855, p. 357.) Annuals. — A few words respecting this useful class of flowers may probably not be out of place, as I am of opinion that they are not encour- JULY. 347 aged as their merits deserve, chiefly perhaps from the ahnost general im- pression that their blossoms are but short lived. It cannot be denied that such is often the case, but 1 wish it to be known that this is owing more to mismanagemeYit than to the real deficiencies of the plants. Some of them may be noticed in the parterres of our nobles, in the small gardens of the citizen amateur, and in the borders surrounding the humble cottage; but owing to carelessness or injudicious management they are rendered of ephemeral duration, although many of them have good recommendations, such as color, habit, and profusion of bloom. The Zinnias even dazzle the eyes when looking on them beneath a hot summer's sun; the glittering Portulaccas, the dwarf and lovely Meaembryanthemum bicolor, the nice Calandrinia splendens, the beautifully veined Salpiglossis, the rich dark and light blue of Eutoca viscida, and Nemophila insignis, the splendid Platyste- mon californicum, Phlox Drummondi, Campanulas, Stocks, Lobelias, Gilias, Asters, Indian pinks, and a great quantity of others, arise in ray memory and claim a notice, but particularly the truly handsome Sphenogyne speci- osa. When well managed, a bed of this plant cannot be equalled for the richness of its peculiar color, viz., orange yellow, with a dark eye, each flower being larger than a half crown piece. Annuals are too often sown so thickly in the open border that the plants choke each other in growing, and are starved into a premature maturity. In this case the real resources of the plants are not developed, and premature decay is the natural result; the blossoms are no sooner partially produced than their career is run. The duration of some annuals, I must acknowledge, is brief, and to have a sum- mer's display constant forethought must be exercised to keep up a succes- sion, but still they are capable of a much greater degree of usefulness than they in general afford ; many of them being of easy culture and soon out of bloom, we are careless in recognizing the fact that they demand attention to induce them to fully develop their beauties. It often happens that annu- als, sown early under the protection of frames, are kept too warm and there- by rendered weakly, and they are mostly too thick and in small pots ; those placed in the borders or beds are either sown and left to grow without at- tention, or are transplanted from the frames in weak tangled massos, unable to struggle successfully Avith their change of circumstances, which renders their brief duration a great deal more limited. As a general rule, annuals should b6 treated as individual plants, at least this course should be adopted in the early stages of their growth ; the greater length of time they flower, size of their blooms, strong and healthy habit are the best recommendations I can offer in favor of such a system. For some of the later annuals a good plan is to sow their seeds in some convenient situation, in a light shallow soil, well incorporated with fine leaf mould in order to induce an abundance of fibres. It is well to render the natural surface perfectly solid, and add artificially all the soil required. As soon as the plants are of sufficient size, they should be transplanted into a situation similarly prepared to that where the seeds were sown, and at sufficient distances from each other, to allow their removal with as little mutilation of the roots as possible. If a con- stant succession of plants is provided in this way they can be moved at any 348 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. time in the summer months, and often without a leaf flagging. As a mat- ter of course, a cloudy day is desirable for the operation, but if they are grown as I have suggested, bright weather need be no obstacle to their removal. Leaf mould is the best soil for growing them in, until their final removal, as the fibres ramify so thickly in the decaying leaves, that, in the process of shifting to their final destination, little or no damage is sustained, and where a few beds or vacancies in the borders have to be filled up, a couple of young men, with trowels and hand-barrow, will soon accomplish the desired eflfect. Annuals that are required to remain as long a period as possible in bloom, should never be allowed to perfect seeds ; it should be remembered, as a physiological fact closely bearing upon practical garden- ing, that the great end of all organic life is to perpetuate its kind, and that, by taking advantage of this principle and retarding such a consummation, a more protracted existence can be procured. By this practice plants, nat- urally annuals, are often rendered perennials. ( Gard. Chron., 1853, p. 357.) Camellias in Cornwall, Eng. — In the gardens of J. S.Bedford, Esq., of Pendrea, near Penzance, I noticed a splendid Camellia just coming into full bloom, and bearing upwards of 2000 buds and flowers, all fine and perfect. The size of the plant is 7 ft. high, 1 1 ft. in diameter, and 33 ft. in circum- ference. The gardener informed me that it has been in the open air through- out the past very severe winter ; but a slight covering is now thrown over it, to protect it from the cold east wind and hoar frost. When planted in 1848, it was only a foot high. — (Gard. Chron., p. 317. j Cultivation of Chorozemas. — Chorozemas are generally considered by amateurs difficult to cultivate ; but they can be grown well by pursuing the following method. The soil should be a sandy peat, well broken with the spade, but not sifted. The best time for potting is March or April. Care must be taken not to over-pot the plants, or injure the roots while potting; the soil must be made very firm and compact about the roots, and the pots well drained ; then they should be placed in the greenhouse in an airy situation, and not crowded among other plants. It is also well to keep them in the greenhouse during summer; but in hot weather they should be shaded for two or three hours each day during sunshine. They require a reasonable supply of water ; that is, tliey must not be sodden," nor left too dry. They may be propagated in the following manner : the cuttings should be taken off" and carefully prepared while the wood is young ; take off" the bottom leaves with a sharp knife, and make a clean cut horizontally just through the joint ; the cutting-pot should be drained, and then filled to within an inch of the top with the soil above mentioned ; on the top of this put a layer of white sand, into which put the cuttings, making a hole for their reception with a small stick. When the pot is full, give them a little water with a fine rose ; after which, place a clean glass over them : in this state they may be removed to the propagating house, where the tempera- ture should be 70°. They should be shaded from the sun, which can be done by placing a sheet of coarse paper over the glasses. JULY. 349 As soon as the cuttings are rooted, which may be known by their appear- ance of growth, they must be potted off; but care must be taken not to injure the roots, and they must be shaded again for a week or ten days, until they make fresli ones ; they must then be gradually hardened, and placed with the old plants in the greenhouse. — (Card. Chron.. 1855, p. 317.J Leaves from my Chinese Note-Book. — Chinese Yam (Dioscorea Ba- tatas.)— This esculent seems to be attracting a good deal of notice in England as well as in France, and is apparently considered by some per- sors equal, if not superior, to the potato itself. It is very abundant in China but is not a staple crop, like the sweet potato, for example. Foreigners, as a body, prefer it when roasted to the sweet potato ; but do not dream of putting it on a par with the common potato. However, I believe there is no vegetable of the kind at present known more likely than this is to take the place of our old favorite, providing it should die out or become so dis- eased as to render its cultivation uncertain, and consequently unprofitable. In making this assertion, I am taking for granted that the climate of En- gland is suitable for the production of the Chinese Yam, which I must confess I have some doubts about. I dare say it will prove hardy enough to withstand an English winter, but are our summers hot enough'? or does not the want of summer heat account for Mr. Thompson's failure in the garden of the Horticultural Society ? Experiments made in glass frames, or with bottom heat, or even in the open air in a summer which may be unusually warm, are all to be guarded against in deciding an important question of this kind. It ought to be kept in mind that the sweet potato, the Arum esculentum, the Nelumbium speciosum, and such like plants, are cultivated as esculents in the north-eastern provinces of China, along with the yam. But should the summers of England prove warm enough for its cultivation, I have no hesitation in saying that it is more likely to suit the tastes of the people than anything which has been brought forward since the commencement of the potato disease. Mosquito Tobacco. — Some amusing correspondence has appeared upon this subject, which I cannot take as very complimentary to my last book, "A Journey to the Tea Countries," &c., or to the retentive memories of the readers thereof. Mr. Prideaux says, (Sept. 9th), " In answer to ' R. A. H.' respecting the passage referred to in Fortune's book on China, I have made the following note, unfortunately without the reference. ' For keeping offmusquitos, the Chinese use the resinous saw-dust of the juniper smeared upon bamboo, which they find very efficacious.' " Dr. Hooker states " he has somewhere read or heard of the plant in question being a species of artemisia." The following passage, quoted from the book in question will assist the memories of both correspondents, although it will not add much to our information. " Various substances are employed by the Chinese to drive away mosquitos. This which we had just purchased was made from the sawings of resinous woods — I believe procured from juniper trees — and mixed with some combustible matter to make it burn. A piece of split bamboo, three or four feet in length, is then covered all 350 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. over with this substance. When finished it is as thick as a rattan or small cane Various species of wormwood are likewise employed for the same purpose." Since my arrival in China on this occasion I have been making further inquiries about this curious substance, but have been met with considerable jealousy on the part of the Chinese. One manufacturer, more communicative than his neighbors, gave me a good deal of informa- tion as to the substances employed, but when pressed as to the proportions of each, suddenly changed his tone, and cooly told me he knew nothing about it, that if I wanted to buy it he would supply me with any quantity, that it was cheap enough, and what could I want more. Patience is a great virtue in China, and if I can only exercise it, perhaps I may tell you some- thing more by-and-by about mosquito tobacco. Hardiness of Chinese Plants in England. — I have read with great interest the remarks published from time to time upon the effects of the severe winter of 1853-54 on Chinese plants of late introduction. Such plants as Weigelia rosea, Jasminum liudiflorum, Forsythia viridissima, &c., I have always considered as perfectly hardy and suited for our climate, but I con- fess I was not so sanguine with regard to Cephatolaxus Fortuiii, which appears to have proved itself as hardy as any of them. Tliis is a great matter, considering the beauty of both varieties of this Chinese yew. The Chusan hemp palm, too, seems to have established its claim as a hardy palm at last. I have long thought that the species might produce the same marked effect upon our scenery as it does in that of the north-eastern prov- ince of China, more particularly in the southern counties of England and Ireland, and in the mild climate of Edinburgh, The new Chinese berberries, in the class to which Berberis Bealei belongs, are no doubt perfectly hardy ; they are much more so than Berberis Fortuni. The latter was much injured by the M'inter of 1852-53 at Slianghai, while the former stood perfectly unscathed. The Hollies I. furcata and cornuta, are no doubt as hardy as our common English one. I do not observe it stated how Abies jezoensis stood the winter in England ; at Shanghai it did not suffer in the least. This species was discovered on the mountains near Foo-chow in Fokien, but I fancy, from its apparent hardiness, it must have been introduced from Japan. " Dielytra spectabilis requires no further trial ;" so says Dr. Lindley in a leading article. This was a great acquisition, and almost worth a jour- ney to China itself. I can hardly credit my eyesight when I read that the Assam tea plant is hardy ; is there not some mistake here ? [No.] It is a fact worth noticing that Avhile the winter of 1853-4 was a most severe one in Europe, it was particularly mild on the eastern side of Asia. Ice was scarcely formed on the lakes and canals about Shanghai and Ningpo, and all last summer the Chinese were dependent on that which had been housed in 1852-53, and which -the plain ice-houses (described in the Gardeners' Chronicle for 1845) keep so well. — (R. Fortune, in Gard. Chron., 1855, p. 318.) JULY. 351 Dorticiilturiil ©^cnilions FOR JULY. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The month of June, though dry, like May, has been one of the finest for vegetation we have ever known. There has only been tliree or four warm days, but yet the month has been free from cold easterly, or dry westerly winds: very little rain has fallen, yet light and repeated showers have fur- nished a supply of moisture, which has been taken up by the foliage and given a freshness to vegetation rarely seen at this early season. The fruit crop promises well this year, particularly pears ; we have never seen them more abundant, or look clearer and fairer. If the season con- tinues as favorable, they will, we think, give finer specimens than we have hitherto seen : that climate greatly affects our fruits, is too well known by all who have given any attention to the subject ; but for its variableness, fruits which require the protection of forcing houses could be as readily grown in the open air. It is the sudden and extreme changes which so in- juriously affect our finer fruits. Grape Vines, in the early houses, will now have their fruit nearly or quite ripe : keep the house well aired both night and day, in good weather, and it will give a better color as well as finer flavor to the grapes. Prune in the laterals if they grow crowded, and give attention to the ripening of the wood, on which the excellence of the next crop depends. Vines in cold houses will now require to have their fruit thinned, the bunches shouldered, &c. Guard against cold draughts which cause mildew. Strawberry beds, as soon as the fruit is gathered, should be weeded and prepared for making new runners, in order to get them well estab- lished before winter. Fruit Trees will now require much attention : this is the month to give the whole of the dwarf or pyramidal trees their general summer pruning. Mulch new planted trees, and water such as are producing heavy crops. Insects must still be looked after. The aphides, pear slug, &c., will oc- casionally appear, but they are easily killed by a dose of whale oil soap. FLOWER department. All the planting now nearly done, and such plants as require it all re- moved from the houses to the open air, now is the time to make a general shift of the main stock. The Camellias and Azaleas, in large collections, will be the most important, and these should be attended to at once. Pre- pare the soil and go over the whole collection, repotting all that need it, and top dress the remainder. Many plants intended for filling up the houses next Avinter and for cutting bouquets will require a shift, and plunging out in beds. The whole collec- tion should be looked over this month for this object, as it is the season of the most leisure. Camellias, removed to the open air, should be well syringed every other evening. Repot as above, and graft and inarch this month. 352 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Geraniums should be headed down the last of the month : water spar- ingly just before this is done. Chktsakthemums should have their first shift now, giving them a good rich soil. Mo^THLy Carnations, layered last month, should now have the young plants taken up and set in a well prepared bed. Mignonette, for winter blooming, should he sown this month, as also Sweet Alyssum, &c. Roses may now be propagated from cuttings. Chinese Primroses, either seedlings or young plants, should be shifted into larger pots. Azaleas should be looked over and potted if they require it. Now is a good time to put in cuttings for a young stock. Tree Peonies may be grafted the last of the month. Acacias should be repotted this month. Fuchsias, propagated late in the season, should now be removed to large pots. Tie up carefully and train into good shape the older specimens. Lauristinus, and similar winter blooming plants, should be plunged out in a sunny border to ripen their wood and set their flower buds. Verbenas, for winter flowering, should now have a shift into the next size pots, afterwards plunging them in an old frame where they can be pro- tected from heavy rains. Running Plants in the houses should now be regulated, pruned in, and cleaned from insects. EupHOUBiAS, growing vigorously, should have a shift into larger pots. Gardenias, now done blooming, may be plunged out in a warm sunny border, or planned out in the ground. OxALis Hirta should be repotted this month. Amaryllises should be repotted, and started into growth the last of the month. FLOWER garden AND SHRUBBERY. Give every attention now to this department and see that it is kept in fine order, on which its great beauty depends. Roll and mow the lawn twice a month. Keep the walks free from weeds and well rolled. Look after in- sects, particularly the rose slug, and destroy with whale oil soap. . Tulips and other early bulbs should now be taken up and their places filled with Asters, Balsams, &.c. Dahlias should be carefully staked, pruned and tied up ; mulch with good manure if dry weather. Hollyhocks should be tied up to neat stakes ; shade the flowers and they will remain a long time in bloom. Sow seeds now for next year's stock. Japan Lilies should be staked up to prevent their being injured by high winds. Pansy Seed may be planted now for late autumn or early spring bloom- ing. Carnations should be tied up. Pinks should be propagated this montli by pipings. VARIETY IN ORNAMENTAL TREES. Though we may never cease to admire the great variety of forms and foliage peculiar to the natural growth of trees, the characteristic expression of many of which is so familiar to all lovers of sylvan beauty, — as those of the Elm, the Poplar, the Oak, the Maple, &c., — and may even doubt whether the art of man, aided by science, can ever produce anything so truly beautiful as nature herself, yet we should not be insensible to the fact that great changes have already taken place in the growth of many trees, nor deem it improb- able that, through the processes of artificial culture and the selection of seedlings under high cultivation, varieties ma^'r be obtained that will form objects of pictorial beauty equal! to those which nature has everywhere so bountifully supplied! us, and perhaps surpass them in many characteristics- of growth and foliage. Hitherto cultivators have given but little attention to pro- ducing variety in our ligneous trees and shrubs ; but what: little has been done shows how much may be accomplished with these as well as among the humbler forms of vegetation. The improvement of the flower and the perfection of the- fruit have been the grand objects of cultivators. That im- -mense success has attended their efforts, our gardens and orchards everywhere attest. Who would detect in the moss rose the wild brier of the woods, or in the delicious apple the sour crab of the hedgerow ? These are improvements that no one will deny ; nor have they been confined to flower or fruit alone, for the form, the habit of growth, and, above all, the beauty of the foliage of some trees, have been so changed as scarcely to retain their original expression. There are many pears whose broad, glossy, profuse and tufted foliage is so or- namental that they are classed among ornamental trees; while the wild stock is a thorny, gnarled, and. generally worthless tree, difficult to harmonize with anything, but. the VOL. XXI. NO. VIII. 45 354 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. wildest form of landscape scenery. Nature has only supplied us with the crude materials from which man is to work out by thought and toil, — not objects of inferior beauty, — but sur- passing her own unaided efforts. Trees form not only component parts of a landscape, but objects of individual beauty : viewed pictorially as a mass or group, their individual character is of less importance ; but as single objects on lawns or pleasure grounds, or wherever they come near the eye, their individual beauty is then con- spicuous. Their form and outline, their prevailing color, their capacity for light and shade, their mode of branching, their habit of growth, the direction of their spray, and the shape of their foliage, all combine to give every tree a peculiar expression, of whatever kind it may be, — noble, picturesque, stately, airy, light, &c. Variety thus becomes of great impor- tance, and adds to the enjoyment of every ornamental planta- tion or garden landscape. These varied characteristics in trees are by the mass of observers overlooked, and few only recognize a limited num- ber of kinds, with but little interest in, and no knowledge of, the great variety that abounds in every woodland. Elms all appear the same, when there are no two trees exactly alike, naturally, though, of course, resembling each other ; yet a familiar acquaintance with this fine tree induces a real lover of beautiful forms to see in every specimen just the difference that really exists, and to appreciate and admire them as they possess more or less of those characteristics that render them beautiful of their kind. The same vari- ety exists, in a greater or less degree, in all trees, but with some sorts more than others, and as they become objects of study and observation, the distinctions become more apparent, and add to the pleasure derived from the inspection of all trees wherever seen. No scattered grove, no forest, copse or glen, but what is invested with a new interest to one who is alive to the variety of form or the peculiarity of foliage that characterizes every tree ; and wherever he may chance to follow nature through any of her varied walks, it Avill prove an inexhaustible source of delight. AUGUST. 355 " From mountain hie thee to the forest scene ; Remark the form, the foliage of each tree, And what its leading feature. View the oak. Its massy limbs, its majesty of shade ; The pendent birch ; the beech of many a stem ; The lighter ash; and all their changeful hues In spring or autumn, russet, green or gray." Few individuals who are about to plant, and many who are even familiar with numerous kinds of trees, do not seem to be aware of the variety that is adapted to ornamental pur- poses,— nor that they may be so readily obtained if wanted. A few years since the number was very limited, but with the increase of taste and skill among some of our etithusiastic nurserymen, and the prevailing desire to possess something novel, they are yearly adding to their stock of new kinds, and have now many of the rare ones which not long ago could scarcely be obtained. The great increase of Arboricultural taste in Great Britain has brought into notice a large number of new varieties mainly through the exertions of nurserymen ; they are constantly raising from seed millions of trees, and by carefully selecting from their seed beds such as show any peculiar, odd, or distinct foliage or mode of growth, they have added many fine varieties. The weeping trees, many of which are so exquisitely graceful, a few years since only comprised a dozen sorts ; they now number upwards of fifty. Every temperate clime has been explored for new objects of interest ; but they are now rarely found, and henceforward we may look for more variety by the production of seedlings, than the introduction of new and nnknown species. Our own country is rich with an indigenous growth of trees of every description of beauty. The graceful Elm, — the beautiful Tulip Tree, — the stately Beech, — the noble Oak, and the magnificent Magnolia, comprise a few of the more prominent, and these, with their varieties, form a nu- merous group. Yet but a few of them are generally known, and are rarely seen in artificial plantations. Perhaps it is well that we should know otir own trees before we become familiar with those of exotic growth : as rich as our Botan- ical resources are, they should receive every attention ; but 356 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. even ignorance here should not prevent us from introducing the latter into our grounds. Whatever their relative rank in the scale of beauty may be, they include many elegant trees, without which our lawns and pleasure grounds would be sadly deficient in variety and pleasing effects. We wish to interest every admirer of fine trees and all lovers of rural improvement in the introduction of more vari- ety in our pleasure grounds, upon our lawns, and around our dwellings. The Elm, the Horsechestnut and the Maple are fine shade trees, always deserving a place among others ; but they are not to be planted everywhere, without reference to the fitness of the situation, and without regard to variety. Es- pecially in ornamental plantations of smaller or larger extent should variety be introduced, adding interest to every garden by the greater number of objects, their relative beauty, dec, — for Variety is a source of the beautiful and picturesque as much as Contrast, Simplicity or Unity. Among the great number of well known trees, there is no want of kinds to create variety in ornamental plantations of any extent. But for the more elegant and refined description of landscape beauty, such as the lawn or pleasure ground, there are many new trees of recent introduction and less known, that add greatly to their finished character, and de- serve to be extensively planted. We shall briefly name a few of them : 1. Trees with finely divided leaves. The Cut-leaved Beech, {Fagus heterophylla.) — This is one of the finest of the cut-leaved kinds of trees. It possesses the fine habit and general character of growth of the English Beech, though perhaps a little more compact, and the foliage is deeply and finely cut or divided, like a fern leaf, having a very attractive appearance. The Cut-leated or Eagle's Claw Maple, (Acer plata- noides lasciniatum. ) — Another curious leaved tree, with foliage so deeply indented that, with its fine sharp points, it bears resemblance enough to an eagle's claw or hawk's foot to give it that name. It is rather a slow-growing tree, but its habit AUGUST. 357 is free and handsome, and its masses of foliage render it a fine variety. The Cut-leaved Lime, (Tilia europtBa lasciniata.) — Not quite so beautiful as the above sorts, as its foliage is not so deeply cut ; but it forms a fine variety, -and its more formal habit contrasts with the looser growing heads of other trees. It does not attain a large size. The Cut-leaved Horsechestnut^ (jEscuIus lasciniata.) A remarkably curious tree, and very interesting from the contrast of its finely divided leaves with the broad and ample foliage of the parent. No one would scarcely believe it to belong to the horsechestnuts. The Cut-leaved Oak, ( Qiiercus pedimculata heterophyl- la.) — A variety with deeply indented leaves, but not so strikingly distinct as the beech or maple. It is, however, a very fine tree. The Curled-leaved Elm, (Ulmus montana crispa.) — A handsome variety, with very thick deep green foliage, finely indented, and curiously curled or crimped on the margin of the leaf. It is a slow growing tree, and an attractive addition to any plantation. 2. Trees with very large foliage. The Broad-leaved Lime, (Tilia platyphylla.) — A hand- some tree, with very large, brdad foliage, measuring ten or twelve inches in diameter. It has a loose, open habit, similar to the American lime, and produces a beautiful effect upon the lawn. The Large-leaved Elm, (Ulvius montana superha.) — A seedling from the common Scotch elm, but with much larger, smoother and handsomer leaves. It grows rapidly, and as the foliage, like its parent, is not eaten by the canker worms, it will undoubtedly become a favorite tree. The Large-leaved Maple, (Acer macrophyllum. ) — A splendid tree, found by Douglas on the Columbia River. The leaves are nearly double the size of any other maple, and it forms a noble tree. 358 the magazine of horticulture. 3. Trees with dark foliage. The Purple Beech, (Fagiis purpurea.) — This is too well known to need description ; hence we merely enumerate it, to show the number of dark-leaved trees. The Purple-leaved Sycamore, (Acer pseudo-platan us purpurea.) — A beautiful dark-leaved tree, with the broad and thick foliage of the parent, but nearly as dark as the beech. We consider it one of the finest dark-leaved trees. The Purple-leaved Elm, (Ulmus stricta purpurea.) — Not so striking as the beech or maple, but still a very ornamental tree ; the foliage is small, and the habit neat and upright. The PuRLE-LEAVED Oak, ( Queixus purpurea.) — When leafing out in the spring, the deep purple tints of the tender leaves form a striking contrast with the whitish hue of the other species and the delicate green of various trees : later in the season it loses much of this purple shade, but it is well worth a place in every plantation. The Purple-leaved Nut, (Corylus avellana purpurea.) A low growing tree with purple foliage, and a fine companion to the other dark-leaved trees. The Dark-leaved Maple, (Acer colchicum ruhrum.) — A nevj variety from eastern Europe. The leaves are hand- somely shaped, and of a bright pinkish purple color from early spring till late in autumn. It is quite hardy, and a rich ac- quisition to any collection. We might increase our list to considerable length if we were to enumerate all the more singular and curious as well as beautiful trees ; but we close our article with the following list, desirable on account of their shape, their foliage, or other characteristics : — The Variegated-leaved Sycamore ; the Fastigiate Oak, (exceedingly fine;) the ^^certartaricum; the Salisburmadian- tifolia ; the Twisted Elm, (Ulmus tortuosa;) the Variegated- leaved Elm ; the Variegated Oak ; the Variegated Ash ; the Ring-leaved Laburnum ; ^'sculus rubicunda ; Carragana ar- borescens ; Sophora japonica ; Calophaca wolgarica ; ^*cer opulifolium; Variegated Horsechestnut; Purple-leaved Chest- nut ; Variegated Oak ; Variegated Plane, &c. &c. AUGUST. 359 PICTURESQUE ANIMALS. BY WILSON FLAGG. It may be observed that in pictures, when a certain effect is required, an animal is often introduced whose character and habits correspond with the scenery, or the sentiment to be awakened. A scene in nature, without some such accom- paniment, often fails in producing any emotion in the mind. A heron standing on the borders of a solitary mere, a king- fisher sitting on the leafless branch of a tree that extends over the tide, a woodpecker climbing the denuded branch of an oak, yield to the respective scenes in which they are rep- resented a life and a character which could not be so well expressed without them. A few cows grazing on a grassy slope, a dog reposing at the doorstep of a cottage, or a cat quietly slumbering inside of the window, are each sugges- tive of pleasant images of rural life, and add greatly to the interest of the scene. The majority of animals require to be seen in connection with certain other objects to acquire a pic- turesque expression : but there are others which are endowed with this quality in a remarkable degree, and need only to be seen in any situation to awaken a certain agreeable train of images. Among birds the owl is often represented in engravings, when it is designed to impart to the scene a character of desola- tion. We often see this bird accompanying a picture of ruins or of a deserted house, and in poetry he is introduced to awaken certain trains of thought. Thus the poet Gray, when he would add a desolate expression to his description of even- ing, speaks of the owl as complaining to the moon of such as molest his ancient solitary reign. The allusion to his noctur- nal habits, and to his solitary dominions, brings still more viv- idly to mind those qualities with which the image of the bird is associated. His appropriate habitations are the ruined tower, the ancient belfry, or the hollow of an old tree. In all such places the figure of the owl is deeply suggestive of those fancies which are awakened by the sight of ancient 360 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. dilapidated buildings, crumbling walls, and old houses sup- posed to be the residence of wicked spirits which are permit- ted to visit the earth. It is on account of these dreary and poetic associations that the owl is so truly picturesque. He is often seen, in paint- ings and engravings, perched on an old gateway, or on one of the bars of an old fence, whose posts, leaning obliquely, show that they have been heaved by the frosts of many win- ters. In certain situations our slumbers are sometimes dis- turbed by the peculiar hooting of this bird, that awakens in the mind the gloomy horrors of midnight. His nocturnal and solitary habits, the unearthly tones and modulation of his voice, his habit of frequenting rude and desolate places and haunted houses, have caused his image to be intimately con- nected with mystery and gloomy forebodings of evil. The very stillness of his flight yields a sort of mysterious charac- ter to the bird : all these circumstances combined with his fabled reputation for wisdom, and his demure and solemn expression of countenance, have conspired to render the owl one of the most picturesque of all living creatures. The bat is another creature, in some respects, of similar habits and reputation. Like the owl, it naturally seeks for its retreat during the day those unfrequented places where it is not liable to be disturbed, and has acquired a character and expression in harmony with the scenes it frequents. But it is remarkable that while the owl has obtained an emblemat- ical character for wisdom, the bat is regarded as the emblem of guilt. He is represented as shunning the broad eye of day, and as flying out on leathern wing, after the dusky shades of evening may serve to hide him from detection. The sight of the bat, however, is far from awakening in our minds the idea of guilt : but his image is strongly sugges- tive of the pleasant serenity of evening, as the butterfly re- minds us of summer fields and flowers. Our ideas of the bat are somewhat grotesque : and when, after the graceful swal- low has retired to rest, we observe his irregular and zig-zag flight, we are unavoidably reminded of his peculiar hideous formation, from which the idea of making him an emblem of AUGUST. 361 guilt probably originated. It would seem as if he hid him- self during the day, lest his relationship to a race of beings now almost banished from the earth might be discovered. His emblematical character does not prevent his forming an interesting feature in a rural scene. Hence in pictorial rep- resentations of evening, we see the last rays of the sun streaming upward in beautiful radiations from behind a hill, while the bat is flitting about an old honse, in a rude and rather quiet landscape. All animals are picturesque which are consecrated to poe- try. In English descriptive poetry the lark is as familiar to us as the rose that clambers around the cottage door. The unrivalled brilliancy of his song which, by description, is im- pressed on our minds with a vividness almost like that of re- membrance, and its continuance after he has soared to an im- mense height in the air, cause him to be allied in our minds with the sublimity of heaven as well as with the beauty and splendor of morning. I never had an opportunity to witness the flight of the sky lark ; but I have always imagined that the sentiment of sublimity must greatly enhance the pleas- ure with which we gaze upon his flight and listen to his notes. The very minuteness of an object soaring to such a sublime elevation gives us an idea of some almost supernat- ural power, and his delightful song would seem to be derived from heaven, whither he takes his flight while giving utter- ance to it. We have no skylarks in America : but our com- mon meadow larks, during the month of May, are addicted to this habit of soaring, as I have remarked in another essay, for a few hours after sunset. I have often watched them in former times, and when witnessing their spiral flight upwards to a great elevation, and listening to their distinct but monot- onous warbling after they have arrived at the summit of their ascent, I have been conscious of an emotion of sublimity from a spectacle which might be supposed too trivial to pro- duce any such efl"ect. The picturesque character of the lark is apparent only when he is represented in his soaring flight. There is nothing peculiar in the appearance of this bird as in that of the owl. The sight of him aloft in the heavens is VOL. XXI. NO. VIII. 46 362 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. necessary, therefore, to suggest the idea of his habits and to make his true character apparent to the mind. The engravings of Thomas Bewick have always been cel- ebrated for a quality that seems to have been unattained by any other engraver. I do not know that this quality has ever been precisely defined, or distinctly pointed out. It is sometimes designated as truth to nature, accuracy of detail, the peculiar genius of the artist, but it still wants an expla- nation. All critics unite, however, in the opinion that in point of mere execution, he is surpassed by all the best modern engravers, while nearly all have failed in producing works so attractive and fascinating. It is evident to me that the dis- tinguishing point of excellence in his engravings, is not their greater truth to nature, but that perfect harmony with our ideas of the picturesque, the intuitive comprehension of which constituted his genius. He never overlooked that quality in the bird or animal to be represented which causes it to be allied with picturesque or poetic sentiments. Every picture is rendered highly suggestive by its appurtenances, which, though few and simple, like Burns's * metaphors, cause more delight than pictures more profusely ornamented, or poems with more abundant imagery. Among the animals mentioned by certain writers as pos- sessing in an eminent degree those qualities which appertain to tlie picturesque, is the ass. This point in his character is attributed very erroneously to his shaggy and uncouth ap- pearance.. ^It may assist in heightening the picturesque ex- pression of the animal ; but there are various romantic and poetical ideas associated with his figure, to which this quality is mainly attribuftable. If it were owing to his rude and rough exterior, the baboon and the hyena would be as pic- turesque as the ass. No such ideas, however, are associated with these animals. The ass derives much of this character from his connection with the incidents of romance and histo- ry. He is the beast of burden most frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, in the Fables of ^sop, and in the writings of oriental travellers. As Dugald Stewart has ob- * Burns's Poems are jemarkahle for their jjaucity of metaphorical language. AUGUST. 363 served, we associate him with the old patriarchs in their journeys to new lands ; and we have often seen him forming an important figure in old paintings and engravings. It is not his shaggy coat and uncouth appearance that yield him his picturesque character, so much as the interesting scenes and adventures with which his figure is associated. The same remarks may be applied with equal propriety to the goat. He is the animal of mountain scenery, and the sight of him suggests a variety of romantic incidents, con- nected with such landscape. He is often represented as standing on precipitous heights, and browsing upon dangerous declivities. He is in fact one of the dumb heroes of danger- ous adventure. With the inhabitants of mountainous coun- tries, as among the Alps and the Highlands of Scotland, the goat is the domesticated animal that supplies them with milk. The hardiness and activity of the goat, his frequent introduc- tion into pictures of Alpine scenery, and his habit of finding sustenance in wild regions and fastnesses where no other ani- mal could live, combine to render his image strongly suggest- ive of rusticity and the simple habits of mountaineers. It is common to regard the uncouthness of the appearance of these animals as the quality from which they derive their picturesque expression. It is much more probable that, on account of the absence of beauty of color, smoothness and symmetry, the imagination is left more entirely to the influ-' ence of the poetic and traditional images connected with these animals. In this way it may often be explained why rudeness is, to a certain extent, a negative picturesque quality, because it leaves the imagination entirely to the suggestions of the scene ; whereas, if it were very beautiful, the sight would be more agreeably occupied in surveying its intrinsic beauties than in dwelling upon its more poetical relations to certain other ideas and objects. Why is the horse not a picturesque animal, it may be asked, but on account of the sleekness of his appearance ? I am persuaded that his sleekness stands in the way of this ex- pression, for the reason that it causes him to be associated with fashion and the pomp and pride of wealth. Hence, it 364 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. must be allowed that the only horses that have this picturesque look are shaggy ponies and cart horses. This proves only that their rough exterior is the indication of the rusticity of their habits, not that it is au intrinsic quality of the pictur- esque, which has indeed no intrinsic qualities, like beauty, but depends entirely on associations. Were the case reversed, and were animals to become sleek when engaged in rustic employments, and rough and hairy when fed and combed and pampered by wealthy and lordly masters, in that case the sleekest animals would be the most picturesque. The squir- rel, which is a sleek and graceful animal, is, in spite of these qualities, more picturesque than the rough and rusty looking rat. In this instance the usual principle is reversed, because the smoothness and gracefulness of the squirrel are associated with his interesting habits of playfulness and agility, while running about from branch to branch among his native groves. On the contrary, the smooth and symmetrical horse cannot, by any pictorial accompaniments, be made so picturesque as the rough and homely ass. I have just alluded to the squirrel as one of the most pictur- esque of the smaller animals ; but it is worthy of notice that it must be represented in its native habitats to express this character in full force. Though a squirrel in a cage is a beautiful object, especially when turning his revolving grate by the rapid motions of his feet, yet a picture of one in that situation would have none of that suggestiveness of poetical and agreeable fancies that renders a scene picturesque. In a representation of a little cottage in the woods nothing could add more to its pleasing pastoral expression than the figure of a squirrel running along on a stone wall or on the branch of an old tree. The sight awakens all those poetical images which are associated with life in the fields. Place the squirrel in a cage and it reminds us only of the town, and expresses nothing that is agreeable to a poetic fancy. Every wild an- imal must appear to be enjoying its freedom, or the represent- ation of it would fail in giving any delight. The same is true of the human racC; and while the laboring classes add to the pleasing character of a scene in nature, a single figure. AUGUST. 365 male or female, in fashionable apparel, destroys the whole effect. Hence almost all the representations of picnics fail in awakening any picturesque emotions. A shepherd, when properly represented Avith his crook, which is his stalf of office, and surrounded by the animals of his charge, his faithful dog, the rustic cottage, the sheepfold, and the general rude scenery of nature, is always picturesque. But his appearance must be entirely that of a shepherd, with- out any of the ways or the gear of a man of the town. I have seen a picture of two young shepherds in the Ambruzzi mountains, painted by an eminent English artist, in which the characteristic qualities of the scene are entirely destroyed by a certain genteel or finical air and expression observed in their countenance and attitudes. Instead of rustic shep- herds we see two young men, each with a crook, sitting and reclining upon a rock. They are very neatly dressed, and look as if they were young sprigs of the nobility, who had gone into the mountains for a few days merely to play shep- herd ; so nicely is their hair arranged, that the longitudinal parting is distinctly seen, caused by the sleeking away of the hair on each side of the head. The expression of their faces corresponds with the rest of their appearance, one, in partic- ular, having that look of conscious self-satisfaction which we often observe in a silly fop of the town. The very manner in which he leans his head upon his thumb and fingers betrays his concern lest he should spoil the arrangement of his hair. How strange that the painter of this piece should not have seen that all these little trifles completely ruined the picturesque character of his painting ! One of the most picturesque engravings I have seen repre- sents a peasant girl, in the neat and simple attire of her own humble station in life, in the act of bearing a pitcher of water which she has just dipped from a rustic well. How easily might the designer have ruined the whole expression of this piece, either by making the well an elegant and fanciful structure, or by making the damsel a fine lady in her silks and laces. The sight of a picnic party assembled together in the woods and pastures, is always pleasing ; but, as I have 366 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. already intimated, it fails in interest when represented on canvas, because, with all the pleasing images connected with it, it savors of the vanity of fashionable or rather of town life. After witnessing one of these scenes, while journeying leisurely in a chaise on a pleasant day in October, I chanced to see a group of little country girls, in the simplest apparel, gathering nuts under a tree. What a crowd of pleasant rec- ollections of the past was immediately awakened by the sight ! •' There (exclaimed my companion) is a scene for a painter. Such a little group, in a picture, would afford us inexpressible delight. Yet were I to join either party, I should prefer to be one of the other company at the picnic." '' For the very plain reason," I replied, " that in the latter company you would expect to find some intelligent persons who would be interesting companions. But this is not what we look for in a picture M^hich pleases in proportion to the simplicity of its characters." These remarks might be indefinitely extended ; but each new example would serve only to repeat the illustration of the same principle. In no other engravings do we see the picturesque more clearly exemplified than in the vignettes which are found in books published early in the last century. Since luxury has extended into the circle of the middle and industrious classes, the simplicity of their habits has been destroyed, and artists, when drawing their designs from the manners of these classes, have failed in producing pictures equal in picturesque expression to those which were made one hundred years ago. It is apparent, for example, that the ancient straw beehive, surrounded by its swarm, formerly introduced into vignettes as emblematical of industry, is de- cidedly picturesque ; while the modern patent structures, con- structed for purposes of economy, would, in fanciful engravings, excite ideas no more poetical than we should find in a modern revolving churn. Even this little picturesque insect, when flitting round one of these patent beehives, loses all its poetical character. Modern customs and improvements are rapidly sweeping away from the face of the earth everything that is poetic or picturesque. It may be urged, however, that the AUGUST. 367 sum of human happiness has beon proportionally increased. This I am inclined to doubt ; and to maintain, on the con- trary, that just in proportion as we depart from the simple habits of the early era of civilization, do we create wants that cannot be gratified, and lose those tastes which are most pro- motive of happiness, and in harmony with the designs of nature and of Providence. POMOLOGICAL GOSSIP. The Stanwick Nectarine. — We have recently had an opportunity to taste this new variety, through the kindness of H. H. Hunnewell, Esq., of West Needham, who has grown some splendid specimens in his grapery. The trees were cultivated in pots, and produced several fruits on each, that were large, beautifully colored, and well ripened. It is a very superior nectarine, possessing a very melting and a rich, sugary, brisk and delicious flavor, equal to our finest peaches. In England it has not answered the expectations of cultivators, probably owing to the coldness of that climate ; but under our warm sun and higher temperature, similar to that of its native country, it appears to succeed to perfection, at least under the treatment given to it by Mr. Harris, Mr. Hunnewell's gardener. We can recommend the Stanwick as a very remarkable nectarine, superior to any we now pos- sess. New English Strawberries. — Agreeably to our intimation in our last, we give some account of the new English straw- berries we have fruited this year, viz. : — Capt. Cook, (Nicholson's.) A large and fine variety some- what resembling the British Glueen, not quite so large, but ripens better, and does not show a greenish point as is too often the case with the latter. The color is dark and rich, the flavor slightly musky and excellent, audit is a very abun- ant bearer. Of its hardiness we have before spoken. Fill Basket, (Nicholson's.) Another variety, produced by 368 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. the same cultivator, and well deserves its name ; for it is one of the most prolific bearers we have ever seen among the English kinds. It somewhat resembles the Capt. Cook, in color and shape, but is not quite so rich and deliciously fla- vored as that kind. It is a fine berry, and extremely valua- ble as a market fruit. Prince of H^aZes, (Ingram's.) This is considered one of the best forcing strawberries of the English cultivators. It is a large fruit, with a bright, deep red glossy surface, and a delicate solid flesh, somewhat acid, but rich and vinous. It ripens ten days before the British Q,ueen, and continues a long time in bearing. Owing to the dry weather of May and the early part of June, the strawberry crop was not so abundant or fine as had been anticipated. Especially did these English varieties feel the efl^ect of such a drought, raised, as they have been, in the damp cool climate of England, where the present year there was not warmth enough to ripen strawberries up to the 20th of June, when most kinds were in full bearing here. At the exhibition of the London Horticultural Society, held at that date, all the strawberries exhibited were raised under glass, with one single exception, and that a dish of Keen's Seedling, not fully ripe ! Such is the character of the climate where such large strawberries are produced, weighing two to three ounces each ; with us the warm weather overtakes them, and they mature before they attain their full size. The following are new sorts of high reputation, and have obtained commendation at the exhibitions of the London and other horticultural societies : — Omar Pacha, a seedling from the British dueen, large, roundish, or cockscomb form ; color bright red, thickly spread with small yellow seeds ; flesh white, solid, fine, juicy, sweet, with a flavor resembling the Old Pine. The plants are of strong habit, and very prolific. Sir Harry. Another raised from the British Q,ueen, im- pregnated with Keen's Seedling, which appear to be the only two sorts generally raised. The berries are very large, of a thick cockscomb form, large calyx and stout fruit stems ; AUGUST. 369 flesh red, solid, fine grained, juicy and saccharine, with a delicious perfumed flavor. Plants robust and great bearers. Received a first class certificate last year at Chiswick. Scarlet Noiijmreil. Raised from Keen's Seedling and British Queen, partaking of the character of both parents ; possessing all the hardiness of the former, and high flavor of the latter ; berries are of the largest size, pretty regularly formed, bright glossy red, ripening to the point; flesh pinkish white, delicate, saccharine, and rich, with a highly perfumed flavor. Sir C. Napier and Admiral Dundas, are two other very highly praised kinds, the first taking the premium at the last June show, 1855, of the London Horticultural Society. These sorts we have under cultivation, and hope to have th?, opportunity to test them next season. Hovey's Seedling Strawberry. — We noticed the exhibi- tion of strawberries in Cincinnati, in our last number, andl we expected to have received a full report before this, but it has not come to hand. Mr. Barry, who has been on ai visit to the West, gives a brief account of the strawberry culture in Ohio, and corroborates what has been stated in. regard to Hovey's Seedling. He says, " I took several occa- sions to examine the market. I found immense quantities, consisting, in most part, of the Iowa, generally called Wash- ington by the market men ; Hudson, the old favorite sort,, and Hovey's Seedling. The last named were in all cases the best, and sold at twenty-five cents the quart, while others were ofl"ered at fifteen cents. The first words I heard on the subject of strawberries were, ' Hovey's Seedling has beaten us all this season ; ' and, judging from the samples in the mar- ket, we should say this was really so. The growers, who supply the market, informed us that the ' Superior ' would prove too tender for market, and would not be extensively- grown." Strawberries in Rochester, N. Y. — A meeting of the members of the Fruit Growers' Society, recently established in Western New York, was held at Rochester, June 2d, for the purpose of examining the cherries and strawberries culti- VOL. XXI. NO. VIII. 47 370 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. vated in that city. The members proceeded to the nursery of Messrs. Ellwanger & Barry, where they found some thirty or forty kinds of strawberries in full bearing. Mr. Thomas, who was one of the members of the party, thus writes re- specting the newer sorts, that are cultivated in Rochester : "Among the new varieties originated by Messrs. Ellwanger (fc Barry, the Genesee still continues to be a general favorite ; and although not high in flavor, its large size, beautiful ap- pearance and productiveness, place it high in the estimation of fruit growers. Their seedling, designated as No. 1, was found to exceed any of their other sorts in quality, and is regarded by many as nearly or quite equal in this respect to Burr's New Pine. Their Prolific Orange, of moderate pre- tensions as to flavor, proves to be the most profuse of all bearers. Nearly the whole surface of the ground was covered with the trusses and piles of ripened berries. Swainstone's Seedling, although not excelled in flavor, has been discarded on account of its bad bearing qualities. Of the British Glueen a few very large berries were found, some nearly six inches in circumference, but such specimens are rare, and this variety is evidently unsuited to our climate. McAvoy's Superior did not aff'ord the satisfaction to the members of the party, that the high commendation at the West had led them to expect ; the fine flavor it possesses not being combined with a hand- some, fully grown berry. This imperfection was observed at all the ditferent places visited. '•' At Bissell & Hooker's, Hooker's Seedling strawberry attracted much attention on account of its high promise. The berries, so far as a single examination aff'orded an oppor- tunity of judging, were fully as large as those of Hovey's Seedling, and they are evidently superior in flavor. They are of a dark color, partaking somewhat of the characteristics of the Black Prince, but of a more decided and higher flavor." The Wyman Grape. — This new variety, which attracted considerable attention last season before the Massachusetts ^orticultural Society, we suspect is only an old kind under g. new name, and nothing more than the To-Kalon grape AUGUST. 371 described by us in the earliest volume of onr Magazine (I., p. 459) twenty years ago; at which time we had it in fruit, and still have the original vine. It was raised by the late Dr. SpofFord, of Lansinburg, N. Y., in whose garden we tasted the fruit twenty-four years ago. The late A. J. Downing received it from Dr. SpofTord, and, after fruiting it, thought it synonymous with the Catawba, but subsequently he came to the conclusion that it was a distinct grape. The Wyman grape, we have understood, was raised from cuttings presented to Mr. Wyman many years since by Mr. Downing; and the original vine has been in bearing several ^'■ears. As Mr. Downing never mentioned or described any new grape, we are induced to think the two are identical. The To-Kalon matures about the 1st of October, at which time we have had it quite ripe ; but it is rather too late for our climate, and we ceased to propagate it long ago. The Wyman grape was exhibited on the 14th of October. Of the excellence of the To-Kalon there is no question : but it can- not be depended upon for a crop in our latitude. Mr. Simpson's Second Crop of Grapes. — Very fine speci- mens of grapes have been exhibited by Mr. Simpson, being the second crop this year, and the third since the starting of the vines, September, 1853. The first ripened in March, 1854 ; the second in December, and the third in July, 1855. Those who predicted Mr. Simpson would fail in his experi- ment, should see his grapes, which are above the ordinary run of forced grapes for size and color, and as finely flavored as any we ever tasted. Mr. Simpson will furnish our readers with a continuation of his practice in producing these crops. THE CINERARIA Few plants afford a longer continued bloom or more grati- cation in the early part of the year than the Cineraria. Brought to a high state of perfection by the labors of the English florists, it now holds a prominent place in every 372 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. plant collection; and when well grown, as it always should be, there is not a gayer object in the greenhouse. In England the Cineraria is more easily managed than with us ; our hot weather overtakes the plants when they are in their weakest condition, just as they have finished their bloom, and if not carefully attended to they are likely to suffer by it. Saving this, they can be grown as well and flowered as pro- fusely as with the English cultivators, whose advice upon their management we give below from the Florist, Avith an engraving, representing what is considered a model specimen : Where is there a plant, during the autumn, winter, and early spring months, so gay and beautiful as the Cineraria ; or which is so useful for exhibition or decorative purposes, or for the embellishment of the flower-vase or bouquet ? By artificial light, the colors of some of the rose, crimson, and purple varieties are extremely brilliant ; while the white va- rieties, mingled with the preceding colors, are matchless. Add to this, that many of the kinds are deliciously fragrant, and you have nearly all the qualities which constitute a good flower. In treating of the Cineraria as a plant for exhibition, or of its value for decorative purposes, (and, in the early part of the season, the plants make a fine display,) we cannot refrain from stating that their cultivation should be much improved, and indeed must be before they will assume their wonted standing upon our exhibition tables. But a few years back Cinerarias were but a lot of poor, starry things, with narrow, flimsy petals, and flowers supported by tall, un- sightly stems ; but now, thanks to the desire for improve- ment, the best varieties are dwarf and compact, and, when* properly grown, produce perfect trusses of stout, and, in some cases, of almost perfectly-formed flowers. When high cultivation is aimed at, peculiar treatment (which we sliall presently describe) is required to produce stout, healthy cuttings, as from such the Cineraria can only be properly grown. As the plant is now in bloom, and seed- lings will be required, a few of the most esteemed varieties should be selected for that purpose, bearing in mind that those AUGUST. 373 chosen must be of the best possible form, clear colors and marking, as much depends on this in producing new and first rate varieties. When this is done, some secluded place in the garden should be selected, to keep them entirely apart from any inferior varieties, from which the bees would fertil- ize them, and produce muddy, unsightly flowers, instead of clear and well-defined colors. When the seeds are ripe, sow immediately in some shady place ; and as soon as large enough, prick off thinly into pans or wide pots, and keep close for a few days, until they are properly established, when they may be removed to the open air until large enough to place in single pots. Should large plants be required, they should be stopped when about two or three inches high. As soon as the seeds are gathered, the old plants should be cut down, or partly so, as in many instances the crowns of the plants rot if cut too close to the surface. Now that they are cut down, remove them to some shady place (a north border being preferable.) until they throw up young shoots, when they should be potted into larger pots, in a light compost, or planted out in the open ground in a light soil, where they will give strong cuttings, and from these only can good specimens be obtained. When they have grown about an inch or two, remove the cuttings, and place them in a com- post prepared for the purpose — composed of equal parts of loam, leaf-mould, and silver sand, taking care to well drain the pots with potsherds. When rooted (which will be in abt>ut a fortnight,) pot off into thumbs or small 60s, in a nice light soil. Should first rate plants be wanted, every care will now be required to keep them in a growing and healthy condition, to which end they should be shifted every few weeks, until they receive their final potting, which should be about Jan- uary. Every care should be taken that they do not get pot- bound in the small pots, as that will throw them into a bloom- ing state immediately. The compost we would recommend for exhibition pur- poses, and for large plants generally, would be two parts of good turfy loam, and equal parts of well-decomposed cow 374 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. dung and leaf mould, with an admixture of silver or river sand. As the plants grow, take care to thin out all superflu- ous leaves, so as to admit the air freely and prevent mildew, which is a great pest, and which can only be removed by applying sulphur to the parts aflfected. The Cineraria should only be stopped once, as the sec- ond operation tends to produce weak growth. As soon as the shoots are long enough, tie out wide, keeping the outer branches as low as possible, and place them close to the glass, which will insure dwarf and compact plants, such as are represented in the accompanying illustration. We had 17. THE CINERARIA. nearly forgotten the drainage, which should be of rough leaf mould and potsherds mixed, which will keep the roots in a white and healthy state. Fumigate occasionally, to prevent the green fly ; and water very sparingly through the winter months, increasing it as the spring advances, when weak liquid manure may occasionally be given. For the guidance of the amateur and those interested in the cultivation of this charming plant, we append a descrip- tive list of the best and most useful varieties yet sent out. AUGUST. 375 Cerito (Henderson,) lavender, bordered with white. Constellation (Henderson,) white, with dark blue border. Estclle (Henderson,) white, light purple edge, dark disk, very large. Electra (Ivery,) violet, yellowish-white disk, free dwarf habit. Empi'ess Eugenie^ white, with very narrow margin of crimson purple. Formosa (Henderson,) dark violet self, light disk, very profuse. Kate Kearney (Henderson,) large white self, strong grower. Lablache (Henderson,) deep blue, dwarf habit. Lady Camoys (Sutton,) white, blue edge, dwarf, and free. Lady Hume Campbell (Henderson,) clear white, with shaded blue margin. Lord Stamford (Henderson,) white, azure-blue edge. Loveliness (Henderson,) bright rosy lake, fine habit. Mrs. Beecher Stowe (Lechner,) white, purple edge and disk, large trusses. Novelty (Henderson,) azure-blue, with light disk. Octavia (Henderson,) azure blue, with light disk, Orlando (Ivery,) bluish purple, with a ring of white around the disk. Picturata (Henderson,) white, rosy-violet edge, good form and habit. Prima Donna (Henderson,) blue self, dwarf, good form. Prifice Arthur (Henderson,) scarlet-crimson self, very fine. Queen of Beauties (Smith,) pure white, fine. Rosy Morn (Henderson,) white, broad rosy-crimson edge, large, and free. Now is just the time to repot the young plants that were raised from cuttings or divisions last month, (July,) and also seedlings well established. It is also a good time to sow seeds for late spring blooming, so as to keep up a succession of flowers. If choice seeds are planted very fine varieties may be obtained, scarcely inferior to some of the named sorts. — Ed. 376 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. FLORICULTURAL AND BOTANICAL NOTICES. New Roses. — The French cultivators are yearly producing great numbers of new roses, and adding to the already ex- 'tended list of varieties ; many of them are so slightly difler- ent from each other that it is difficult for any one but a connoisseur of this beautiful flower to detect it. Occasionally, however, a new and very distinct variety is obtained, which at once attracts attention and becomes a popular sort, like the Giant de Batailles, La Reine, Souvenir de la Malmaison, Safrano, &c. Of such a character are several of recent intro- duction, and among them the following, which we have just had the opportunity of seeing in fine bloom : — Gloire de Dijo?i, (Tea..) Flower large, resembling very much the Souvenir de la Malmaison, but with the delightful odor of the old Tea ; of a vigorous and robust habit. Melanie Oger. (Tea.) Somewhat like the last, but with a deeper yellow in the centre ; a most exquisite rose, highly fragrant. Melanie Willer-moi^z, (Tea.) A fine large rose of a beauti- ful pale yellow, deeper in the centre. Jules Margottin, (Hy. Perpet.) Yery large, imbricated and full, of a brilliant carmine, and a very fine flower. Aglae Adansoii, (Hy. Perpet.) Large, cupped and beauti- ful, of a rich satin rose color. Colardeau, (Hy. Perpet.) Very large and finely formed; full double, of a rich pale rose. Other fine new Hybrid Perpetuals are Queen Victoria, General Delaage, General Changarnier, Prince Chipetouze- koff", Soleil d'Austerlitz, Jeane d'Arc, Moss Pompon Perpet- ual, &c. Palafo'xa texa^na. — This is the name of a very pretty new annual received from Belgium. It grows erect, about a foot high, and is covered with roundish heads of rosy lilac flowers. Planted in masses, it forms a very fine border annu- al. It was probably sent to the continent from Texas. Mahe'rnia He'cta. — A new and very pretty species or AUGUST. 377 variety of this winter flowering plant, with deeper colored flowers, being of an orange or pale scarlet. In habit and growth it resembles the M. odorata. 281. Bego^nia natale'nsis Hook. Natal Begonia. (Be- goniacccB.) Natal. • A yreeiilioiise plant; iirowin; afoot hi^h ; with bliisli-colored flowers ; a;)iieiirin;j in winter ; increased by cuttings ; grown in leaf mould, peat and sand. Bot. Ma?., 1855, pi. 4841. " A desirable inmate of a warm greenhouse, from its being so abundant a flowerer, and from the flowers being in perfec- tion in the winter months November and December." The flowers resemble the old incarnata, but the foliage is far hand- somer, being semi-cordate, deeply lobed, and the surface marked with white spots. It has a tuberous root '' which graduall}'- contracts itself into the thickened base of the stem." Its delicate colored flowers and their season of blooming will make it a favorite plant. — [Bot. Mag., April.) 282. ScioDA^CALYX Warszewi'czii Regel. Warszewicz's ScioDACALYx. (GcsneraceaB. ) New Grenada. A sreenhouse plant ; srowin; three or four feet hi^h ; with yellow and scarlet flowers -, appear- in;; in auiunin ; increased by the roots or stolones ; grown in very light leaf mould and sand. Bol. Mag., 1655, pi. 4843. A gesneraceous plant, apparently between a Gesnera and an Achimenes, resembling in its flowers Achimenes picta. It is a native of New Grenada, from whence it was sent to the Botanic Garden of Zurich. The stem and leaves are villous, hil-sute, and the flowers appear in clusters of eight or ten on peduncles which spring from the axils of the leaves ; they are scarlet on the outside and yellow inside, dotted with scarlet. In a warm house it blooms from July till nearly the end of winter. {Bot. Mag., April.) 283. Be'rberis Bea^lei var. planifo^lia Fortune. Mr. Beale's Chinese Berberry: flat-leaved variety. (Ber- beridese.) China. A half hardy or hardy shrub ; growin? two or three feet high ; with yellow flowers ; appearins in spring ; increased by layers ; grown in light rich soil. But. Mag., 1S55, pi. 4846 This is one of the many Chinese berberries found by Mr. Fortune in his researches in his China expedition. It has VOL. XXI. NO. VIII. 48 378 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. proved quite hardy in England, and as it comes from the north of Shanghai, we think it will prove hardy in our cli- mate ; if so, it will prove a great acquisition. It has very large leaves ahout a foot long, thick, coriaceous, dark opaque green ; and the flowers appear in terminal fascicles, longer ajtid more diffuse than in the Mahom'a aquifolium, which it somewhat resembles. It is a very fine variety, deserving a place in the greenhouse or frame, if it should not prove fitted for the severity of our climate. {Bot. Mag., April.) SUBURBAN VISITS. Residence of H. H. Hunnewell, Esq., West Need- ham. — On the majrgin of one of the most beautiful sheets of water in the vicinity of Boston, called BuUard's Pond, in West Needham, is situated the country residence of Mr. Hunnewell, comprising some 200 acres or more, and bordering on the pond for a long distance. His place is only a very short distance from the West Needham railroad depot, and is reached in thirty or forty minutes' ride from the city. West Needham has generally the character of a thin and rather poor soil, scarcely good enough for profitable farming, and of being deficient in picturesque and woodland scenery ; but whatever its general appearance may be, we found Mr. Hunnewell located in one of the most romantic spots, created in part by his ov/n labors, but owing its main charm to its proximity to the water and the finely wooded land which bounds its margin on every side. The house, which has been built only four years, is in the Italian style, by Gilman, and immediately upon the bank of the water, which is reached by several flights of steps and artificial terraces. These terraces are circular, conforming to the shape of the border of the pond, and are planted with white pines and other coniferous trees : a broad belt of natural wood at the base screens the water from these terraces except at particular points, where clearings have been made to obtain views. A boat-house, and also a rustic seat, have been erected AUGUST. 379 over the water, reached by piers, the latter of which affords a cool retreat in a hot summer's day. The house stands back from the main road several hundred feet, and is approached by a winding avenue entered from either side, the intervening space being lawn and ornamental plan- tations. The lawn is six or eight acres in extent, and, considering the light soil, in exceedingly fine order. It is thinly planted with several fine trees, principally Norway spruces, and only needs more variety and a little judicious grouping to render it one of the most beautiful we have in this vicinity. In the rear of the house is an architectural flower garden, of the same width as the building, laid out very neatly, with all the beds edged with iron basket work, and gay with the finest roses, verbenas, fuchsias, &c. ; this garden opens on to the descending flight of steps before mentioned. From this garden to the left of the house, a broad walk leads along the grounds and through a plantation of trees, terminated by one of the most complete summer-houses we have ever seen in this country, and reminding us of those we saw in England at Dropmore and other places, which we described in the notes of our tour. The design is by Mr. Hunnewell, and is executed with larch and cedar poles. It is octagonal, with a projecting roof and rustic posts, over which climb roses, honeysuckles, woodbine, &c. The panelling of the interior is finely executed, and the windows, of different colored panes of glass, aff'ord some of the finest views, both of the water and lawn front, in all .the varied hues of purple, gold, and crimxson. In front is a small grotto, from which gushes a fountain of crystal water. Proceeding in the same direction, that part of the ground is reached which was formerly covered with a rather stunted growth of white and pitch pines. The best of them yet remain, and such spaces as have not been cut away to create open glades, have been planted with evergreens. Winding walks have been laid out through it, and clearings made for that purpose have been filled with choice rhododendrons, azaleas, and other fine shrubs, and all the hardy pines, cedars, 380 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. junipers, &c.j that could be procured. From the sheltered character of the situation and the suitableness of the soil, it will give Mr. Hunnewell a fair chance to gratify his taste for such trees and at the same time test their hardiness. To the right of the house is situated the kitchen garden, separated from the lawn by an arbor vitas hedge. It contains an acre or more of ground, with an open fence all round, about nine or ten feet high, which answers the purpose of protection from high winds. Here we found a fine collection of fruit trees, particularly pears, including the newest sorts, such as Sheldon, Grand Soliel, Brandywine, Boston, &c., &c. The garden is laid out in squares and the trees planted in rows, at such distances as not to interfere with the cropping of the ground between. The grapery stands in the centre of the north side of the gar- den near the fence ; it is a curvilinear house, running north and south, about sixty feet long and divided by a partition in the centre ; one half of which is for early forcing. It has only been erected three years, but we found the vines bearing a very heavy crop of finely colored and large berries as well as large clusters. The Stanwick Nectarine, which we have noticed in another page, was in full bearing and proves a fine variety. There are two plants in pots, set out two years ago, and this season they bore about twenty fruits each. It appears to be well adapted to pot cultivation, and this fine variety can therefore be produced by all who possess a greenhouse or grapery. Mr. Hunnewell intends to erect a house for the growth of peaches ; the uncertainty of the crop in our climate being so great that it is the only way in which fine fruit can be regularly obtained. Leaving the garden on the opposite side of that on which we entered, we pass a thick natural grove leading down the bank to the water. On the edge of this grove, composed of pines, oaks, hornbeams, &c., Mr. Hunnewell has cleared a place just large enough to erect a house for his gardener, and a picturesque building it is, in the old English style, the sides as well as the roof being covered with different colored slates in various ornamental devices. It was just finished, and the AUGUST. 381 grounds were not yet laid out around it ; but it will be one of the finest cottages of the kind. From the gardener's cottage, returning towards the house in the rear of the garden, we reach the barn and outbuildings, and descend again to the edge of the pond, where Mr. Hun- newell has a building in which there is a steam engine for pumping water from the pond up into an immense reservoir over part of the barn, which supplies the house and grounds through pipes laid in the earth. It also enables him to grind all his corn, which is a great saving, where the distance to mill is considerable, and there are a large number of cattle and horses kept the year round. All the arrangements are complete throughout, and have been carried out in a manner that reflects the highest credit upon Mr. Hunnewell for his liberality and good taste. We noticed, in different parts of the grounds, many species of our common white pine, clipped into conical heads, show- ing that it bears the shears nearly or quite as well as the arbor vitas. Though Ave cannot say we admire the formal character of such trees, and think the pine altogether too beautiful to be thus shorn of its natural growth, still, for geometric gardens, and particular places where everything is artificial, Mr. Hun- newell's practice shows that the white pine may be enumer- ated among the evergreen trees that may be planted for hedges or screens. We have not space to enumerate the many beautiful trees distributed through the grounds, or to speak of their fine growth, the result of only four years' planting, and on a soil not over rich. By the aid of an immense peat swamp, conven- iently located, and from whence thousands of loads have been dug out and distributed over his place, Mr. Hunnewell has been enabled to deepen and em'ich his soil, and obtain a growth which many naturally deeper and more fertile situa- tions have failed to supply. Manure is not easily to be had, but guano furnishes, and at a cheaper rate, all its elements,^ and it has been liberally used with the greatest success. All who would like to see how much can be done by an enthu- siastic planter, in the short space of four years, should visit Mr. Hunnewell's residence. 382 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. STUDIES IN THE FIELD AND FOREST. BY WILSON FLAGG. AUGUST. The hues of herb and flower have grown mature : The singing birds are silent and demure : Their nests are tenantless upon the spray, The season of their loves has passed away. More frequent marks of summer's close appear, The yelloAv leaves foretell the dying year ; A heavier night-dew rests upon the grass, • And scattered seeds are frequent as we pass. Tho' few of summer's early flowers remain. We see the coming of a numerous train, In bright and gorgeous beauty unsurpassed. That perish not till autumn's later blast. 'Tis nature's rule to lead from dull to fair. From morning's dusky light to noonday's glare ; From the wee flowers that deck the field in May, To brighter ones in summer's proud array. All beauty brightens as the year retires, Till winter quenches autumn's fading fires. New glories charm us as the seasons fly ; New forms on earth, new wonders in the sky. Thus in the firmament, ere twilight's fled, Pale stars appear, whose light is dimly shed. That brighten and increase, as twilight dies, Unfolding every hour new wonders to our eyes. No. VI. Colors and Fragrance of Flowers. The colors, forms and fragrance of the leaves of plants, and of their flowers and fruit, have always been a subject for curious philosophical speculation, and a great many theories have been advanced to explain their uses and advantages. The Abbe St. Pierre, who has treated the subject very fully, indulges the fancy that nature, in all these things, has oper- ated with regard to general efl'ects ; and this idea is the great fundamental error upon which his speculations are founded. He describes nature as working with reference to the produc- tion of a beautiful picture, and proceeds upon the hypothesis that she covers the trees and shrubs with beautiful flowers to AUGUST. 383 adorn the fields and please the sight of man. Such ideas may be occasionally introduced into one's writhigs as pleasing poetical fancies, but they are not true philosophy. In the following speculations I proceed upon the hypothesis, that in everything which nature does for any species of plant or ani- mal, she does for the particular advantage of the individual or the species. I proceed on the assumption that nature works, in all that has reference to the organization of a plant or an animal, solely for the welfare and the preservation of that plant or animal, and their respective species, and not for the advantage of another : as a man builds a house with windows, not for the sake of accommodating the sun, but for the sake of affording the inhabitants the benefit of his light. If we observe that a certain plant bears a flower with beauti- ful forms. and hues, and with sweet odors, we are rational in supposing that these forms, hues and odors are given it for some purpose needful to itself or its species ; and not for the benefit of the insects that may thereby be attracted to it, nor for that of man, whose senses may be regaled by it. They are an indispensable part of nature's arrangements for the preservation of the individual or the perpetuation of the spe- cies, and for these purposes alone. The honey in the nectary of the flower is a part of that apparatus, which, in connection with the corolla and the es- sences that emanate from the flower, nature has provided for the perpetuation of the species, by securing the cooperation of insects in the work of fertilizing the blossom. But the honey in the nectary of the flower, though placed there to entice the bees and other insects, is not designed for the special good of these insects, but to cause them to perform an act of special benefit to the flower or the plant. The honey being placed there, nature then forms the bee with instruments for obtaining the honey, and with an instinct that guides him to it. But she places no burdens on one species for the mere benefit of another. The different parts of the flower are evi- dently arranged with reference to the development and per- fection of the seeds and fruit ; and there is reason to believe that the calyx, the corolla, the hues and fragrance and the 384 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. forms of the flo\ver are all aids in perfecting the seeds and fruit, though the purpose they serve be not so apparent as that served by the stamens and pistils. As I have already repeated, the nectaries are supplied with honey, that the in- sects, attracted by it, while engaged in sipping its sweets, should mix the pollen of the flower upon those parts which require to be fertilized by the dust. Could the work of fer- tilization be performed without the agency of the insect, the honey would not be placed there to tempt it to the blossom for purposes that must be mischievous to the plant. Nature performs no acts from mere wantonness ; every creation has some design though we may be unable to find it out. It may be objected against this theory, that although it might apply very well to monascious and dioecious flowers, it seems altogether unnecessary for flowers that have both sta- mens and pistils. In the case of the latter, it is averred, that the close proximity of the parts must insure the fertilization of the seed. All this may be granted without in the least derogating from the necessity of the cooperation of insects. It is probable that the same law holds among plants as among animals, and that breeding in and in would in the course of time be fatal to any species. Nature has provided against this emergency by attracting the insect to the flower, who bears the pollen of one perfect flower to the stigma of another flower of the same species. As the season advances, the insect tribes become more and more numerous, while the numbers of flowers are diminished. On this account they are more easily discovered, and require the aid of their fragrance in a less degree to attract and guide the insect to their cups. Hence the autumnal and later sum- mer flowers have less fragrance than those of spring and the early summer. But after the autumn has reduced the num- bers of the honey-sipping insects, it might be expected that the flowers should again become sweet-scented as in spring. I have observed this to be true of some few species, as of the inconspicuous spiral stems of the neottia. In the autumn, when those insects abound that consume the foliage of plants, as the grasshopper tribe, many plants are defended from their AUGUST. 385 attacks by a rank herbaceous smell, that emanates from their leaves, and a similar flavor in their taste, while the gaudy flowers of the same plants, like those of the gerardia and the Thorn apple (stramonium) invite the bee to their blos- soms. I believe it is an error to consider the honey of the flowers of poisonous plants to be itself poisonous. Were it so, the ends of nature would be defeated, as the insect attracted by it would be killed while in the cup of the flower, and by his own decay cause the destruction of the blossom. Plants which have a medicated leaf are more common in the later summer, when grasshoppers and locusts are numerous, by which they might be devoured. Nature has insured the preservation of the grasses, which are devoured both by in- sects and quadrupeds, by providing them with the means of multiplying by their roots, which are secured from attack by- growing underground. But nature is not confined to one expedient for promoting: the same end. She sometimes gives a sweet smell to the? whole plant, instead of confining it to the flower. She h^as; done this for the mint tribe, the sweet briar, and the myrtles.. These odors may also serve the purpose of defending them? from the grazing and browsing animals and the herbivorous, insects. It will be found by examining the characters of plants, that nature does not entice an insect or any other creature to the plant, if the habit of such insect or other ani- mal be to devour it, except in the instances of fruits. When the plant is of such a nature that it would be destroyed by the loss of its foliage, such a plant is invariably protected by thorns, by a poisonous quality of its sap, or by a strong odor or acrid taste, which respectively guard it from the attacks of insects and herbivorous animals.. Hence the apple, the pear,, the hawthorn and the rose, whose foliage and tender branches are agreeable and wholesome to animals, are protected in their wild state by thorns. The peach, the plum, and the cherry, on the contrary, are without thorns, and nature accord- ingly has protected them from the ravages of insects and animals, by infusing a bitter and poisonous principle into their sap. The willow and its kindred tribes, not so well VOL. XXI.- — NO. VIII. 49 386 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. protected by this bitter taste, and being without a poisonous quality, have more of that sort of vitaUty which enables them to recover from the effects of severe browsing at any season of the year. There is another fact which is worthy of remark. When the fields and meadows in summer are full of gaudy flowers, we find some species growing in the shade of woods, and under the cover of thick shrubbery. Such is the sweet py- rola. Nature has given to this delicate flower, that hides its drooping blossoms under the foliage of the sweet gale and the panicled andromeda, the delicious odor of cinnamon. This species is white, and bears its flowers in a spike with their disk turned downwards. The more elegant and showy flow- ers of the Pyrola umbellata, on the other hand, that turn their disks upward, and are not concealed under the foliage of shrubs, being more conspicuous, are accordingly deprived of the fragrance of their kindred species. The same principle is extended to the shrubs : while the magnificent clusters of the mountain laurel are almost without scent, the less showy and white flowers of the azalea are very fragrant. Hence, too, the Canadian rhodora, whose brilliant lilac flowers are rendered more conspicuous by appearing before their leaves are out, is less odorous than the Alder-leaved clethra, whose blossoms might escape notice, when buried under the mass of foliage that is peculiar to the later summer when they are out. To this theory of mine there is an apparent exception in the flowers of the grasses, which are neither beautiful nor odorous. But nature has formed the grasses in such a man- ner as to render them independent of the services of insects for promoting their fertilization. She has caused them to spring up in dense masses, and elevated the flowers on long and slender stems, which are readily moved to and fro by the winds, and constantly brought into contact with one another. To render this process the more certain, the flowers of grasses are unprovided with a corolla, which would interfere with this amalgamating process, and nature has suspended the powdery anthers outside of the glumes, so that the stamens AUGUST. 387 of one flower arc easily brought in contact with the pointals of others. The flower of the grass, which is without honey, has neither the fragrance of other flowers, nor its beautiful corolla, which would serve only to guide the insect to a dry fountain, and to an object that has no need of its agency. Nature has established other agents to perform these services for the grasses : and appointed the zephyrs for this purpose, who dip their pinions into the farina of the flowers, and fer- tilize them while sweeping over the waving field in their invisible flight. The hues, the fragrance and the general beauty of the flower are but parts of an apparatus purposely contrived for the accomplishment of this end. The honey is placed in the flower for no other purpose but to attract the insect. The fragrance is designed to spread abroad into the atmosphere something that shall notify the insect of the presence of the flower, and the beauty of its form and the splendor of its hues are intended to guide the insect to its exact location. The bee has just emerged from the hive, to go abroad in search for his honied subsistence. How would he find it, if the flower had neither brilliancy of hues nor sweetness of scent ? And why should these things be superadded to the flower and thereby attract the insect to it, if the insect be in no way serviceable or necessary to the plant ? On coming out he perceives the odor of the sweet-scented narcissus ; but this odor is so equally diffused that it serves only to de- tain, not to guide or direct him. While flying round in the midst of the perfumed gales, the beautiful disk of the flower, with its white corolla, and its purple and yellow centre, sud- denly attracts his sight, and he directs his course immediately to its depository of sweets. • The flower attracts attention both by its colors and its forms, which are almost always regular and geometrical, that they may form a more conspicuous contrast with the herbage around. A solitary flower, which was not conspicuous, might entirely escape the sight of a multitude of insects, even if it was highly fragrant, and its obscurity might prove fatal to the continuance of its species. Nature has, therefore, taken care, 388 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. by a great variety of arrangements, to avoid any such acci- dent. I have observed that the wild strawberry blossoms that grow under the shade of bushes, where they are hidden from the sight of insects, are more apt to prove barren of fruit, than those of the same species that grow in an open field. It is for this reason that solitary flowers are commonly more beautiful than flowers that grow in clusters, which are ren- dered conspicuous by their aggregations. For this reason, also, drooping flowers, that are partly concealed by their posi- tion, are more fragrant than those of kindred species that are upright. There is, as it were, a contention between the plants of difl'erent species to display the greatest attractions to the fertilizing insect. The large flower of the dandelion, placed upon the green verdure of the early spring meadow, needs no other contrast, besides that of its own yellow disk with the green grass, to render it a conspicuous object. The pansy, on the other hand, being a smaller flower, compensates itself by assuming a beautiful union of three colors, yellow, violet and purple, and turns its disk to the sun, not to receive any direct benefit from his rays, but to be more conspicuous, by the reflected light, to the insect advancing in the direction of the rays. These three colors combined can be recognized at a greater distance than any one of the colors alone. I have remarked that flowers commonly assume geometrical shapes, as contrasting more vividly with the general irregular forms of vegetation. There are certain plants, like the Or- chids, that are remarkable for assuming the shapes of insects, that serve to attract the fertilizing agent by holding up an image of its own features. These characters are said to re- semble those of insects which are indigenous to the same country. All such flowers are highly perfumed, and richly stored with honey. Other flowers are furnished with con- trivances for holding the insect in confinement until he has finished his work. Such is the Asclepias. Certain small in- sects enter the flower, and descend through a sort of tube into a chamber containing the parts of fructification. They are immediately confined there by little hairs bristling down to- AUGUST. 389 wards the base of the flower, that prevent their returning. The insect, made restless by this confinement, moves about and covers himself with pollen. The flower soon fades, when he escapes, bearing this pollen to another flower, and producing a cross which could not otherwise be eff'ected. It may be observed that the most gaudy flowers have in general the least odor : for just in proportion as they are made attractive by their forms and by the splendor of their hues, is their fragrance less needful to them. Accordingly, white flowers are generally sweeter than those of the same genus which are highly colored. The white dafl'odil and the white lily arc the sweetest of their respective genera. The same is true of the white tulip, which is, I believe, always fragrant. Some of the most powerful odors are emitted by greenish flowers, like those of the ambrosia and mignonette, of the grape vine, and of many of the amentaceous trees and shrubs. With respect to flowers of an inconspicuous and greenish hue, it is worthy of notice that they are seldom solitary, but grow in dense clusters or spikes, or upon trees where they are rendered apparent as a part of the tree that bears them. In this way, also, we may account for the fact that the flowers of trees are not, in general, so beautiful as those which grow upon the ground, since the elevated position of the former causes them to be more readily discovered by the insect. The flowers of twining plants, on the other hand, are the largest in existence. Their habit of creeping about under the shade of trees and shrubs, places them in comparative obscurity. Nature compensates them by giving them a large and attractive flower, or one that is very sweetly scented. The vines of the squash and the pumpkin, whose broad leaves might conceal their flowers, bear them of extraordinary size ; and the passion flower is formed with the most beautiful arrangement of parts and variety of colors to render it con- spicuous. The same is true, in a less degree, of the convol- vulus and the bignonia. The Mexican vine and some of the honeysuckles, on the contrary, having less conspicuous flowers, receive their compensation by being endowed with an extraor- dinary amount of fragrance. 390 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. There are certain trees that bear solitary flowers widely separated from one another. These are either very gaudy like those of the tulip trees or very sweet like those of the magnolia. Nature has likewise adapted the colors of flowers to their situations. Thus we find the flowers that grow in the shade of woods are mostly white, while those that stand out in the open field often have dark hues, which would be indistinguishable under the shade of the forest. The flowers of most of the fruit trees are white, mixed with shades of crimson ; but as white forms a more conspicuous contrast with green than with the naked branches of the trees, those trees and shrubs that produce their flowers before the leaves are usually pink or crimson. Such are those of the peach and the almond, while the white blossoms of the pear and the cherry do not appear until the foliage is out, and open at the same time with it. The blossoms of the apple tree, which appear simultaneously with the development of their leaves, are crimson before they are opened, when the leaves are yet unexpanded, but grow white when the flowers are fully opened on the groundwork of the fully developed foliage. The Canadian rhodora and the procumbent azalea, which are crimson, bear the flowers before the leaves, while the white azalea appears only after the full maturity of its foliage. Most of the water lilies are white : but white, if it were planted upon the pure glassy surface of the water, would not be very discernible, as the water which in one position is blue, in another is white. But the white water lilies are always expanded on a smooth green expanse formed by their broad flat foliage, so that the white flowers are contrasted by the verdure of this surface of leaves, and not by the white or blue surface of the water. The Saracenia, on the contrary, that suspends its nodding flowers over the shallow waters of the lake shore, reflecting sometimes the blue of the sky, and sometimes the whiteness of the clouds, is made conspicuous by the sobriety of its colors. Its dark chocolate and purple hues render it discernible at a great distance, rising out of the shallow and reedy waters. There are other colors of vegetation, besides those of the AUGUST. 391 flowers, for which a reason and a purpose are not so easily assigned. Tlie purpose served by the greenness of the foliage of all or nearly all plants may not be a single one. It seems to me not improbable that nature has selected it as a ground- work upon which the flowers are rendered more conspicuous than they could be rendered by any other color. Of this fact the makers of bouquets are fully aware. A few flowers, placed on a background of green foliage, make a better show than a whole bunch of the brightest flowers without any such opposition. No other color can be selected that could so well answer this purpose. Nature, for this reason, has selected it to render the flowers, by opposition, more discernible by the insects, whose agency is required in their fertilization. The primary object of nature, however, in giving this hue to the foliage of vegetation, is probably the adaptedness of a green color to promote that degree and kind of absorption of light which is necessary for the oxygenating process, carried on by the leaves or the lungs of the plant. Our knowledge of vital chemistry is not yet sufficient to enable us to assign the peculiar action of the green color of the leaf upon th6^ juices of the vegetable. Green is probably that medium tint which is most favorable to the moderate action of the sun's rays, which would be too powerful as generators of heat in a darker colored leaf, or as generators of oxygen in the lighter colored one. dltiurnl flctins. Effect of Frost on Vegetation. — The long and excellent report upon the effect of the last winter upon the vegetation near Dublin, which we have lately published, led to some discussion, for which we have not be- fore found room. The question raised was, in what manner does cold act upon plants when it causes death ? Dr. Steele expressed his opinion that this was not properly understood. To the theory that death ensued from a too great distention of their tissues, caused by the congelation of their fluids, he objected. On the contrary, he thought that the action was in some way similar to that caused by an elec- tric shock on succulent plants, such as the garden balsam. That a disten- 392 THE MAGAZINE OF HOKTICULTURE. tion of the tissues did not produce injury, as generally supposed, was suffi- ciently shown by the well-known fact that the same degree of cold acted very differently on different plants placed in equal circumstances. Mr. Moore did not consider the reasons given by Dr. Steele for objecting to the generally received opinion on this subject to have been happily con- ceived, inasmuch as animals which are natives of warm countries are more subject to be destroyed by cold than those which are natives of colder re- gions. Nature provides both plants and animals Avith tissues capable of resisting the rigors of the climates they were destined to live in. He had, therefore, no doubt but that the action was of a mechanical nature, and caused by the rupturing of the walls of the tender cells, which he believed was ih^ opinion of the most distinguished botanists both in this country and on the continent of Europe. It was a very common occurrence to see the bark of plants that had been injured by frost part from the wood. Now, every vegetable physiologist knew that a layer of soft mucilaginous matter existed between the wood and bark of all exogenous trees, called cambium, out of which young cells were being formed, which had very long and slender walls at first, and it was known to be the congelation of that sub- stance, and rupture of the tender cells, which causes bark to part from the wood. The chairman also had frequently remarked, when pelargoniums are destroyed by frost, that the wood separates from the bark, and he be- lieved the effect of frost on plants to be a mechanical action which ruptured their tissues, and not a sudden shock. This is so interesting a question that we just venture to occupy a brief space with a remark or two which we hope may help to throw some light upon it. That the action of frost is purely mechanical is an old doctrine which has met with general assent. It has been held that when a plant is frozen the fluids contained in its cells expand, and rupture the tissue, thus producing disorganization. That this is to some extent true is, we believe, indisputa- ble ; some observers have reported that they have seen proofs of such an action. It has been therefore suggested that the fluids contained in differ- ent species of plants may themselves act differently in the presence of cold ; just as oil' of turpentine requires a temperature of 14° to freeze, while oil of bergamot freezes at 23°, and olive oil at 36°. But although this may be true to a limited extent, yet it by no means explains the phenomena in question. The plant x, for instance, perishes from frost, while another, identical with it in nature, lives with impunity within two yards of it, both having been exposed to the same temperature. In this case the fluids of the two will be chemically the same, and yet the results are opposite. Again, the long-leaved pine (P. longifolia) is quite tender, while the Gerard pine, exceedingly like it, is hardy ; in this case there is no ground for sup- posing that the fluids contained in these species are different. In fact, ex- cept that all plants suffer from cold in proportion to the quantity of water they contain, we have no kind of evidence to show that the quality of their fluids has any material influence upon their power of resisting cold ; for it is by no means true, as some too hastily assert, that resinous trees, like AUGUST. 393 conifers, are rendered hardy by the resin they contain ; the Norfolk Island pine and the Malay dammer are tender, although both are resinous. It must be also remembered that plants are killed by cold although their cells are perfectly empty, in which case we need not say that the expansive force of frozen fluid would have nothing to operate upon. All tlie experience that 40 years' acquaintance with such phenomena has given us, leads to one, and only one, conclusion, which is that the power of resisting frost is the consequence of specific vitality and of nothing else. That a low temperature, or frost, acts differently upon different plants very nearly allied to each other is notorious ; and this even Avhere they are mere varieties of each other. The China rose, for instance, resists any amount of English cold ; the variety called the tea-scented, perishes or suf- fers severely, in every ordinary winter. The gay-flowered senecios of the Canaries, known in gardens under the name of cinerarias, shrink from the mere approach of frost, and perish upon its first arrival ; yet the ragworts, and mugworts, and groundsels, all equally senecios, can bear a Russian winter. In like manner oaks, chestnuts, conifers, exhibit similar differences in their power of resisting frost. It is impossible, upon any other principle, to account for the facts that surround us. For example. Genista setnensis has survived all the cold of this winter. What is there in its constitution, except specific vitality, which can account for the fact ? — which can explain why it has endured, without suffering, a degree of cold that has proved fatal to its first cousin the common furze ? Unhesitatingly we answer — nothing. It may be asked, what is this " specific vitality ?" To that we have no reply to give, except that we do not know. It is an axiom in animal physiology, that " the general effect of cold on living bodies is a diminution of vital activity, which terminates, if the cold be intense, and its application continued, in death." (Pereira.) Hence it is to be inferred, that all living things whatsoever must finally perish beneath the influence of cold, provided it is severe enough and prolonged enough. But living things have each their separate constitutional vitality, the power of which in resisting cold differs between species and species, or variety and variety, and even between individual and individual. It is a peculiarity derived from the great source of all things ; a reality ; inexplicable but in- disputable; like light, and heat, and electricity. We see it manifested among plants between the yellow and the spider ophrys, and the tea rose and the China rose ; as among animals between the ass and the zebra, the Negro and the Esquimaux, the terrier and the Italian greyhound. And we make this avowal of ignorance in the full conviction that it is the only way of meeting such inquiries. Men may speculate about first causes, and attempt to explain the inexplicable, but they only waste their own time and fatigue the patience of their readers. It is by attempting to explain every phenomenon of life by the known laws of chemistry, electricity, and similar agencies, that we plunge into a labyrinth of perplexity — " And find no end, in wandering mazes lost." VOL. XXI. NO. VIII. 50 394 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. But the moment we admit the presence everywhere among all plants of a vital principle, and thus recognise a direct analogy between plants and animals, the principle of life in the two kingdoms being identical, but dif- ferently manifested, then we tread on the firm ground consolidated by the march of ages, and find in the experience of animal physiology the elucida- tion of what is obscure in that of vegetables. It is true that we then aban- don the pursuit of first causes, and confess the vanity of that curiosity which nothing can satisfy ; but we exchange rationalism for materialism, and we learn how to apply experience to daily uses. Much of this reasoning is taken from the new edition of the "Theory of Horticulture," to which those are referred who seek for further informa- tion.— [Gard. Chron. 1855, p. .'515.) ' ^itssacjjiisetts |joriitu(turaI Socittg. Saturday, March 3, 1855. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the President in the chair. The Committee of Arrangements reported the third week in September as the time for holding the Annual Exliibition, commencing on Tuesday and continuing open four days. C. A- Smith, Boston, Chas. Minot, Somerville, A. J. Dean and John Ma- son were elected members. Adjourned two weeks, to March 17th. Exhibiitd. Frdit : From J. W. Manning, a seedling apple, called "John's Sweet." A rich, juicy fruit, striped with red on a yellow ground. The original tree is now standing in Lyndeborough, N. H., and is said to be a prolific bearer. From H. Vandine, Seaver's Sweet and Dutch Codlin ap- ples. From L. Jennings, Isabella grapes, in fine preservation. March 7th. — Exkibiied. Fruit : From George L. Baxter, Easter Beurr6 pears, extra fine. March 17th. — An adjourned meeting was held to-day, — the President in the chair. No business of importance was transacted, and the meeting dissolved. Exhibited. Frdit: From R. Manning, Fallawater, Jonathan, Winter Sweet Paradiie, Green Sweet, and Ladies Sweeting apples, all fine. From A. L. Littlefield, a basket of apples of various kinds, all well grown. Vegetables : From J. F. Allen, Seedling squash, much resembling the Marrow, of bright color, and keeping late. From J. Beegen, Sea Kale. From J. McCarthy, Scarlet Olive radish. From Dr. N. Durfee, string beans and rhubarb. April 7th. — The stated quarterly meeting was held to-day, — the President in the chair. Some amendments to the by-laws were adopted, and the meeting ad- journed one month to May 5th. AUGUST. 395 April \Alh. — Exhibited. Fruit: From E. and J. Lovett, Northern Spy and Ladies Sweeting apples, grown at Beverly. Both varieties were de- cidedly the handsomest specimens of these kinds ever exhibited before the Society. May 5//i. — An adjourned meeting Avas held to-day — the President in the chair. Seeds were received from the Commissioner of Patents for distribution, and the thanks of the Society were voted for the same. Adjourned one month, to June 3. Exhibited. Fruit : From Dr. Durfee, White Chasselas, Black Hamburg and Grizzly Frontignan grapes. May 12th. — Exhibited. Flowers: From A. Bowditch, a fine seedling verbena, called " Dr. Smith." The flowers are of the largest size, of a fine deep pink, with a rich crimson centre ; petals very large, superior form, and of good substance ; umbels of good size and well formed. Considered by the Committee " in every respect good." By John A. Kenrick, flowers of Magnolia conspicua, taken from a tree bearing 2000 flowers. May 19lh. — Exhibited. Flowers : From R. M. Copeland, twenty vari- eties well grown hyacinths. PREMIUM AWARDED. Hyacixths. — To R. M. Copeland, $5. Vegetables. — From E. W. Bull, three bunches asparagus. From A. Wales, pair cucumbers. May 26th. Opening of the Hall. — From M. P. Wilder, 50 plants, viz. — 7 Fuchsias, embracing several new varieties ; 10 fancy and other Pe- largoniums ; Begonias; 10 seedling Azalea indica ; 1 £rica ventricosa su- p6rba ; named Azaleas ; Russellm juncea; Calceolarias; Gardenta florida ; 1 Puya altenstenn; 1 Conoclinum ianthinum; &c., &c. From Evers & Bock, Acacia grandiflora, well grown, large and fine ; 25 Fuchsias, in 19 varieties ; Polygalas, in 3 varieties ; Pimelea rosea ; Cineraria, " Beauty of Flushing ; " 1 Tremandra verticillata. From M. Trautman, Dielytra spec- tabilis ; 14 seedling Cinerarias, &.c. From E. A. Story, a collection of Greenhouse Plants, including fine Fuschias in variety; also one large plant, Dielytra spectabilis. From M. B. Williams, one plant, Arctotis aspera. A detailed and very interesting description of this plant, communicated by Rev. John L. Russell, Professor of Botany and Vegeta- ble Physiology of the Society, may be found in the Magazine of Horticul- ture, Vol. 21, page 234. From J. Breck & Son, specimens of Whitlavia grandiflora, a fine new annual from California. Cut Flowers in variety were exhibited by P. Barnes, J. Nugent, A. Bowditch, E. A. Story, R. M. Copeland, W. E. Carter, T. Smallwood, M. R. Richards and others. PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED. Greenhouse Plants. — Best collection of ten to M. P. Wilder, $15. For the second best, to Evers & Bock, $12. Pelargoniums. — For the best six, to M. P. Wilder, $8. 396 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Fuchsias — For the best six, to Evers & Bock, $8. For the second best, to E. A. Story, $6. For the third best, to M. P. Wilder, $4. Pansies. — For t]ie best 12 flowers, to P. Barnes, $4. Cut Flowers. — For the best, to P. Barnes, $6. ' For the second best, to J. Nugent, $5. For the third best, to E. A. Story, $i. Gratuities. — To A. Bowditch, for Calceolarias, $2. To Thomas Smallwood, for tulips, $1. To R, M. Copeland, for cut flowers, $1. To E. A. Story, for greenhouse plants, $5. To Martin Trautman, for the same, $5. • To Mary R. Richards, one pair bouquets, $1. To J. Breck & Son, for Whitlavia grandiflora, $1. To M. B. Williams, for Arctotis aspera. The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. F. Burr, remarks in his report that " the display both of pot plants and cut flowers was good. Allowing for the absence of hawthorns, azaleas, and peonies, — usually in flower at the time of the opening of the hall, and which add greatly to any floral display, — the exhibition would compare favorably with former years, and was very satisfactory." Fruit: From J. F. Allen, Black Hamburg, Seedling Black Hamburg, Pitmaston White Cluster, Macready's Early White, Early July, and Musqu6 Verdel, a seedling. In a note Mr. Allen says : " These grapes (the four first named) being the earliest of any value for forcing, are presented the committee to test. The Musque Verdel is a seedling of mine (not hardy,) which has fruited now for the sixth season. It is, in my estimation, of the most delicious flavor — not surpassed by any grape." The committee were unanimously of the same opinion, having tested the grape for several seasons, also, Hunt's Early Tawny nectarines and May Duke and Elton cherries. Vegetables : From J. B. Moore, Myatt's Linnseus and Victoria rhu- barb. From T. Smallwood, Royal Cape lettuce. From Curtis & Lin- coln, Perennial spinach. From B. Harrington, Tomato figs and Victoria rhubarb. From L. Davis, asparagus. June 2d. — An adjourned meeting was held to-day, — the President in the chair. Voted to publish 1000 copies of the by-laws, with a list of the members of the Society. Messrs. Cabot, French, Walker and Winship were appointed a commit- tee to procure the Common for the Annual Exhibition. Robt. Andrews and W. G. Pierce, Boston, A. W. Bryant, Lexington, Geo. L. Lovett, Beverly, and J. Eaton, Cambridgeport, were elected members. Adjourned four weeks to July 7th. Exhibited. Flowers : From M. P. Wilder a collection of Shrubby Peo- nies in variety. Cut flowers were also contributed by P. Barnes, E. A. Story, S. Walker, B. V. French, E. S. Rand and others. AUGUST. 397 Fruit : From J. F. Allen, May Duke, Elton and Tartarian cherries. From B. Harrington, Tomato figs. Vegetables : From Josiah Crosby, four bunches radishes (fine.) From B. Harrington, Tomato figs and lettuce. June [Uh. — Exhibited. Flowers: From E. A. Story, P. Barnes, M. Trautman, J. A. Kenrick, M. R. Richards, M. M. Kenrick, S. Walker, E. S. Rand, B. Dennis, and others, cut flowers in variety. PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED. Hawthorns. — For the best display, to E. A. Story, $3. Azaleas (Hardy.) — For the best, to E. A. Story, $6. For the next best, to J. A. Kenrick, $4. Gratuity, to E. S. Rand, Jr., for Aquilegias. Fruit : From J. F. Allen, grapes — Black Hamburg, White Nice, Wil- mot's, and new Black Hamburg, all fine. Also, figs. Hunt's Early necta- rines, and 3 varieties of cherries. From S. Bigelow, 2 varieties of grapes. Vegetables : From J. B. Moore, 20 stalks Victoria rhubarb, 12 stalks weighing 24^ lbs., 1 stalk weighing 2 lbs. 7 oz. From J. Crosby, 6 heads Tennisball lettuce, 2 bunches radishes. From B. Harrington, lettuce and Tomato figs. From A. Wales, cucumber. From G. Leland, 1 peck Hovey's Extra Early peas, started under glass. Jime 16th. — Exhibited. Flowers : By J. F. Allen, Salem, leaves and flower of Nympheea cffirulea — flower very beautiful and exquisitely per- fumed ; also a leaf of Victoria Regia. Cut Flowers in variety, from J. Breck &. Son, P. Barnes, E. A. Story, E. k'. Rand, B. Harrington, Evers & Bock, J. A. Kenrick, S. Walker, J. Nu- gent, Miss Russell, W. J. Underwood, and others. Fruit : From J. F. Allen, Black Hamburg and Cannon Hall grapes, figs, nectarines and cherries. The Black Tartarians were all extra sized and well colored — some of the specimens measuring 3| inches in circumference. Late Crawford peaches, well colored and of good size. From Apollos Wales, Astor peaches. From Isaac Fay, Jenny Lind strawberries. This strawberry maintains its earliness and size. From J. Nugent, Early Virginia strawberries. V^egetables : From B. Harrington, cranberries, lettuce and rhubarb. From J, B. Moore, i bushel Dan O'Rourke peas, open culture. From J. Nugent. 1 peck Hovey's Extra Early pea, open culture. June 23d. — Exhibited. Flowers : The display of flowers was altogether the best of the season. Exhibitions of cut flowers in great profusion and variety were made by Messrs. Azell Bowditch & Son, Parker Barnes, M. P. Wil- der, Moses B. Williams, John A. Kenrick, James Nugent, Evers & Bock, J. Breck & Son, Martin Trautman, Henry Bradlee, W. J. Underwood, and otliers. By J. Breck & Son, 12 varieties herbaceous Peonies ; 30 varieties very fine Hybrid Perpetual roses, and a collection of very beautiful Moss roses and pinks. By M. P. Wilder, a large and fine collection of herba- ceous peonies. Also a collection of roses. By Moses B. Williams, Brook- line, a fine show of Hybrid Perpetual roses, all wintered in open ground ; also Drummond's Coreopsis. By W. J. Underwood, Wellington Hill, cut flowers, including roses, pansies, fine pinks, heliotropes, phloxes, Rose acacia, Dielytra spectabilis, and others. 398 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. PREMIUMS AWARDED. Herbaceous Peonies. — Best ten varieties, to J. Breck &, Son, $5. For the 2d best, to M. P. Wilder, $i. For the 3d best, to Azell Bowditch & Son, $3. Pinks. — For the best six distinct varieties, to Joseph Breck & Son, $5. For the 2nd best, to W. J. Underwood, $3. Fruits : From H. Vandine, May Bigarreau cherries. From Hovey & Co., May Bigarreau cherries. From J. F. Allen, 3 varieties of grapes — Boston, Violet Hative and Hunt's Early Nectarines ; late Crawford & Grosse Mignonne peaches, extra fine. From S. Bigelow, 6 dishes of grapes. From G. Leland, grapes — Sweetwater, Black St. Peters, and Black Ham- burg ; strawberries. From A. Wales, Astor peaches, fine. From J. Nu- gent, Early Virginia strawberries. From W. R. Austin, Boston Pine and Hovey's. From S. Walker, Walker's Seedling. From T. Rice, Hovey's Seedling strawberries. From Isaac Fay, 7 baskets "Jenny Lind" straw- berries ; also a handsome truss of ten, showing its prolificness. From J. C.Scott, "Brighton Pine," another new seedling, — this being the first ex- hibition of this variety ; also a truss of twenty odd, showing a disposition to bear abundantly. June 30. — Exhibited. Flowers : The awarding of prizes for Roses hav- ing been assigned for to-day, the display of this flower was particularly large and fine. The prize stands were well filled, and the premiums well contest- ed. Rich and extensive collections of cut flowers were severally exhibited by Messrs. Thomas Page, M. P. Wilder, J. Breck & Son, E. A. Story from Winship's Gardens, Parker Barnes, Hovey & Co., E. S. Rand, Jr., James Nugent, Martin Trautman, John A. Kenrick, B. V. French, E. Stone, Evers & Bock, and others. PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED. Roses. — Class 1. For the best 30 distinct varieties of Hardy Roses, to M. P. Wilder, $8. For the second best, to J. Breck &. Son, $6. For the third best, to Evers & Bock, $4. For the fourth best, to E. A. Story, $3. Class 2. For the best 12 distinct varieties, to James Nugent, $5. For the second best, to J. Breck & Son, $3. Class 3. Hardy Perpetual roses. — For best 10 var., to Evers & Bock, S'5. For the second best, to James Nugent, $4. For the third best, to M. P. Wilder, $3. Gratuities.— To Evers & Bock, $2. M. P. Wilder, #2. Hovey & Co., $2. E. A. Story, $2. W. E. Carter, $2. J. Breck & Son, #2. Thomas Page, #2. Parker Barnes, $2. J. C. Chaffin, $1. B. V. French, $2. E. S. Rand, Jr., $2. James Nugent, $2. M. Traut- man, $2 ; and John A. Kenrick, $2. To J. Breck & Son, for moss roses and pinks, $2. J. A. Kenrick, for magnolia, $1. Miss Rus- sell, for basket of flowers, $1. Mrs. W. J. Underwood, for the same, $1 ; and to Miss Anna C. Kenrick, for the same, $1. Fruit: From estate of Josiah Lovett, Minister apples, in good preserva- tion. By J. B. Moore, Bullock's Pippin apples, in excellent condition; AUGUST. 399 Black Tartarian clierries. By B. Harrington, Black Tartarian cherries. By T. Rice, Black Tartarian cherries, fine. By G. Merriam, cherries — Elliot's Favorite; also, a branch, 15 inches in length, on which were counted 123 cherries ; 4 boxes Black Tartarians. By J. Breck & Son, grapes — Cannon Hall, and Black Hamburg, both fine: McAvoy's superior strawberries. By I. Sargent, Black Hamburg grapes. As on a former occasion, these excelled in grape culture — while some of the bunches weighed 3^ lbs., some of the berries measured 4| inches in circumference. Much credit is due a gardener who from season to season can show such fine specimens ; also, a new Seedling strawberry. By J. F. Allen, grapes — Tottenham Park Muscat, Black Hamburg, and White Nice, fine ; peaches — Crawford, Grosse Mignonne, and Tippecanoe, all fine grown and well colored ; nectarines in variety. By J. Stickney, Walker's Seedling strawberries. By A. J. Dean, " Bryant's Seedling" strawberries, a new variety, most closely resembling Walker's Seedling in every particular. By H. Bradlee, White Wood strawberries, fine flavor. By S. Walker, his Seedling, fine. By Hovey & Co., strawberries — Capt. Cook, of a "pine apple" flavor; Fill Basket, Scott's Seedling, Durfee's Seedling, Prince of Wales, Victoria, extra large; Bicton Pine, a large white variety, and McAvoy's Superior — in all a fine show of strawberries. By J. C. Scott, Scott's Seedling, a showy fruit; Brighton Pine, which fully sustained all that was said of it last week. » lorticulturiil ©ptnitioits FOR AUGUST. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The season thus far has been favorable to all kinds of vegetation. The recent rains, though not heavy, have been frequent, and have kept up a vigorous growth, unusual at this warm period of the year ; a few days were exceedingly warm with the thermometer nearly 100°. But the average temperature has not been unusually high. Grape Vines will now have ripened off their crop, which will probably be ready to cut, and the vines will consequently require but little attention. Keep the sashes open night and day in order to ripen the wood, and occa- sionally nip oflT the straggling laterals, allowing a rather free growth, unless in the greenhouse, where they give too much shade. Cold houses will now be coloring their fruit, and should be looked after carefully ; damp the house well in good weather, and guard against cold easterly winds. Vines in the open air should now be trimmed of all superfluous shoots. Strawberry Beds may be made and planted this month. Fruit Trees should still be summer pruned, particularly the more rapid growing kinds. Thin out the fruit on trees bearing heavy crops. Budding should now be done, commencing with the plums, and continu- ing with the pears, apples, cherries and peaches. Insects will require to be looked after. The autumn caterpillar has already begun his ravages, and if neglected will soon despoil the finest trees. 400 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. FLOWER DEPARTMENT. If our directions last month have been followed, we shall have less advice to give now ; but in large collections there is always so much to do, that work drags heavily, and probably this month will not more than enable the gardener to complete everything. The potting finished, now will be the time to commence the propagation of various plants for a spring stock, such as verbenas, petunias, heliotropes, &c. The houses should now be looked after, repaired if needed, painted and glazed, and the furnaces put in order. Pelargoniums cut down last month should be repotted. Cuttings put in should have attention and be potted off as soon as well rooted. Cinerarias should be repotted ; fresh seeds may be planted for a late bloom. Chrysanthemums should have a shift now into their blooming pots. Water occasionally with guano or liquid manure. OxALis BowEi should be repotted this month. AcHiMENES, for late flowering, should be repotted. Gloxinias, started early into growth, and now done blooming, may be allowed to dry off. Camellias should be repotted if not already done. Syringe the plants two or three times a week. Inarching may still be done. Cuttings may be put in. Roses, for winter blooming, should now be repotted and headed in. Nemophila insignis, and other annuals for winter flowering, should be sown now. Ericas and Epacris now growing freely, should be frequently stopped to make them bushy plants. Callas should be repotted the last of the month. Insects should now be destroyed while there is leisure time ; the mealy bug, in particular, should be ferreted out, and the plants thoroughly cleaned. Oil soap will destroy both red spider and aphides. FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY. Keep everything neat and clean in this department. Roll and mow the lawn twice a month, and clean and roll the gravel walks. Clip box edgings and hedges. Head down all plants out of flower, and hoe and clean all dug ground, flower beds, &c. Dahlias should be occasionally pruned of superfluous shoots, and if fine flowers are wanted they should be mulched and watered. White Lilies should be taken up this month. Japan Lilies, coming into bloom, should be carefully staked and shaded from the hot sun. Carnations and Picotees should be layered now. HoLLYHoc Ks should bo propagated by cuttings from the suckers at the root. Gladioluses coming into bloom should be staked up, Roses, and various other shrubs, may be layered now, if more stock is wanted. Seeds of Pansies may be yet planted for spring blooming. THE VILLAS AND GARDENS OF NEWPORT. Few places afford more pleasure to one who is interested in ornamental plantations than Newport. Separate from the delightfulness of its situation, the salubrity of its climate, the coolness of its summer breezes, and the grandeur of its ocean views, — which are enough to render it the resort of all who love a seaside residence, — its villas and gardens are suffi- ciently attractive to aflbrd a week's delight to any one who takes the least interest in rural or architectural improvement. . Within four or five years Newport has become one of the most fashionable watering places on the Atlantic coast, and not only have its hotels been annually crowded, spacious as they are, but a great many of the most beautiful sites have been purchased, and some of the finest houses erected that are anywhere to be seen out of our larger cities. How great the number of these villas is we are not aware, but they are scattered profusely about, and, built on retired avenues and surrounded and almost embowered in trees, as some of them are, it would be difficult to see but a portion of them in an ordinary visit. A recent trip to see some of our friends here, surprised us with the rapidity at which many of the residences have grcfwn up : where, only three or four years ago, there was a treeless pasture, beautiful lawns, winding walks, and elegant gardens now appear. And down to the very edge of the sea, in some places, the rocky shore has been converted into beautiful embankments of the richest turf, and trees and shrubs scattered in profusion over its surface. The climate of Newport is greatly tempered in its severity during winter by its proximity to the ocean, and some trees and shrubs seem to succeed better here than in the imme- diate vicinity of Boston. Many of the rare evergreens, like the Deodar, have grown finely, though the last winter de- stroyed a few, as will be seen in our notes. There is no VOL. XXI. NO. IX. 51 402 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. doubt that there is a less degree of cold here, and also of less duration, which will enable those who reside here to possess some trees that will not flourish well farther north. One object in our remarks is to give some hints as to the best kinds of trees adapted to seaside planting ; and as an experience of five to ten years is of much value, we avail ourselves of the kindness of a friend to give not only tha results of his own practice, but what we saw ourselves, in the many beautiful places which we visited. Fruit trees, as a general thing, do not look as well as the ornamental trees, but whether this is owing to their manage- ment, or the effect of the sea air, we are unable to tell ; but probably it is more owing to the former than the latter. We have no doubt that fruit trees, particularly the pear, can be grown with perfect success. The most attention, — as a necessity of course, — has been bestowed on the ornamental plantations ; for, without these, a seaside residence would afford but little pleasure. They have been well managed, and with judicious thinning and careful treatment they must soon entirely change the char- acter of the bleak and exposed shore, and render them de- lightful specimens of sylvan beauty. Bellevue, the Residence of W. S. Wetmore, Esq. — This is one of the most elegant places in the city. It com- prises about thirty acres, fronting on Bellevue Avenue, and extending back to the grounds of Gov. Lawrence in the rear. The house is a massive building, in the French style, built of granite, and from its height is a prominent object among all the fine structures which surround it. The accommodations of the interior are excellent, and the whole is finished in the richest manner. The drawing- room is a large and magnificent apartment, with one of the largest mirrors in the country. The walls are of a delicate neutral tint, enriched with gilding in neat and character- istic style. To the right of the entrance is the reception- room, which connects by folding doors with the drawing- room, so that they may be thrown into one spacious apart- ment ; on the left is the dining-room. The hall is very SEPTEMBER. 403 large, broad, and spacious, in good keeping with the magni- tude of the whole building. We only regret that our time was too limited to give a detailed description of the interior. The house is reached by a broad avenue through an arched gateway of brown stone, with a neat lodge, built of the same material. It is elevated on a broad terrace, and the lawn gradually slopes each way towards Bellevue Avenue and the seashore. Full twenty acres are, or soon will be, devoted to the lawn. It is only three or four years since the house was completed, and all the ground is not yet graded and planted. A walk skirts the whole, with an irregular belt of trees, planted rather thickly, to afford shelter from the winds, which at some seasons are very prejudicial to the growth of the trees. The garden and forcing houses occupy two or three acres to the left of the house, beyond the approach, and next to the stables in the rear. The grapehouse is a curvilinear structure, ninety-eight feet long and twenty-four wide. The conserva- tory is an octagon building, forty feet wide, wholly of glass, the sides as well as roof; and between this and the grapery Mr. Wetmore intends to erect a greenhouse, hothouse, (fcc, which, when completed, will afford accommodation for a splendid collection of plants. The grape vines in the grapery were only planted a year ago, but they have made the finest growth of any we ever saw, the canes being more than an inch in diameter. Under the management of Mr. Doriss, Mr\ Wetmore's excellent gardener, they must produce a splendid crop next season. The newness of the place would scarcely allow us to ex- amine it with a critical eye. The arrangement of the grounds is in good taste, and the lawn, after it has been rolled and mown a good number of times, will be a beautiful piece of turf: the climate of Newport is favorable for lawns, for the heavy dews that are deposited are nearly equivalent to a light shower. The only thing wanted to give a finish to the place is plantations of trees and shrubs, — but judiciously done, — not formal clumps as we saw in many places, nor spotted out here and there as Ave noticed in others, — but 404 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. planted in small and scattered groups, so eis to break up the sameness of the grounds, and conceal their extent as well as their boundary lines. The main walk should also be wid- ened to correspond with the extent of the place. What has been done is moftly in good taste ; and it only requires a careful study of the features of the ground, to render it one of the most beautiful seaside residences among the many that have sprung up here within three or four years. Residence of Delancy Kane, Esq. — This fine place contains upwards of sixteen acres, and is situated on the Beach road, on the eastern side of the city, immediately upon the seashore, which forms its boundary on one side for several hundred feet. The house has just been erected ; it is in the Rural Gothic style, built of brick and stone, and presents a fine sky outline, with its numerous gables. The interior is elaborately finished, and the views from the different rooms, as well as the lawn front, are unsurpassed. A fine growth of trees shuts out the Beach road, which is much travelled, and the house stands so far back that it is quite secluded, though so near a great thoroughfare. A neat lodge ornaments the entrance gate, and the ap- proach leads with an easy curve to the house, which faces the Beach road, the space between the two forming the lawn. To the right is the seashore ; and on the left is an orna- mental plantation of trees separating the grounds from the garden. The whole is in excellent keeping, and with the aid of some large trees, which grew upon the place before Mr. Kane purchased it, has more the air of an old residence than any other that we visited. Nearly in the centre of the lawn, where these old trees are scattered about, is the largest ailanthus probably in New England ; it is two feet in diam- eter, with a fine broad head, and in perfect vigor, its large oriental foHage having a fine effect among the smaller leaved trees. The house was only completed last spring, and the lawn laid down since then, but the season has been so favorable that the grass has taken hold of the ground, and surprised us by its thickness and verdure. With the exception of the few old SEPTEMBER. 405 trees all the planting has been done within three or four years, and, considering the exposed situation of the place, with remarkable success. The Norway spruces had made a fine growth, and all the trees — even the larch, which does not appear to like the sea air — show a vigor and healthiness rarely seen in the most favorable locations. Among the rare shrubs and trees, of which Mr. Kane has many scattered about his grounds, we noticed fine Swedish junipers, Tree Box, Ilex opaca, and a Deodar cedar, 15 feet high, which stands well at Newport, never having suffered in the least till the past severe winter. Q-uite a number of English oaks are thriving in the finest manner, and it is a tree that may be planted extensively here. All that is needed is a slight shelter from the southwest winds, which at times blow with great force ; but by intermixing such trees as suffer from them with Italian poplars, English alders. Sec, they soon acquire sufficient strength to take care of themselves. The garden comprises an acre or two, with a grape house and peachery. Both have only been erected a year or two, and are now bearing the first crop. The grape house is a span roof curvilinear structure. In the garden we noticed quite a number of fine pear and other fruit trees. The only fault we could find with Mr. Kane's place is the slope of the lawn ; the house is so elevated that it was necessary, without a terrace, to raise the ground on three sides ; this gave a slight dip to the ground immediately in front of the house, which destroys the beauty and the repose a lawn of such extent should always possess. Its present appearance is artificial and stiff. If the surface was raised so as to slope away gently in each direction we could not desire a finer lawn. Residence of Edward King, Esq. — Mr. King's residence is in the immediate vicinity of the city on the western side, and overlooks Newport harbor. It is about ten acres in ex- tent, and has been planted some ten or twelve years. The house is by Upjohn, in his best manner, and is one of the best specimens of the Italian style we have seen in this country. It has elegance of form and dignity of expression ; 406 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTUKE. and its beauty is not frittered away in redundance of ornament ; its plain brackets, neat verandas, and the simplicity of its en- tire finish give it an air of architectural elegance rarely attained in this style. The interior is equally as beautiful as the ex^ terior. The hall is spacious, and lighted by a skylight of colored glass. The parlor and dining room connect by slid- ing doors, and the library is entered from the dining room. The ceilings of each, as well as the hall, are beautifully fres- coed and finished. The grounds are profusely planted with evergreens, more so than any other place here, and among them several quite new and little known kinds. The entrance is from the side by a short avenue leading to the lawn front ; on the right is the garden, and on the left the pleasure ground, which is screened from the avenue by a thick plantation of arborvitae and evergreens, and the view of which is commanded from the library. It might be called a pinetum, for nearly every tree is a fine specimen of some Coniferse, chiefly pines and spruces. We give the kinds and dimensions of some of them : — Cedar of Lebanon, 10 feet high. Austrian pines, 12 to 15 feet. English yewsj 8 feet, and 6 feet broad. Deodars, 8 feet. Pinus cembra, 10 feet, splendid specimens. Scotch pines, 12 to 15 feet. Pinus pinaster, 12 feet. The cembras are very beautiful ; indeed, we know nothing much finer among the pines; and we highly commend it as one of the best trees. The deodars and Cedars of Lebanon were greatly injured by the last severe winter, and some quite killed. The yews were fine specimens. Norway spruces of all sizes, 10 to 20 feet high. The trees are finely grouped, and only need careful thinning to render the grounds a fine specimen of landscape art. The garden is very extensive, and is walled in, with two vineries on one side. It is laid out in squares, and contains SEPTEMBER. 407 some of the best pear trees in Newport, many of them in full bearing, and among which we noticed large trees of the Buftum and Wilbur. The border next the wall, on both sides, was planted with a thousand English hollies, all of which grew well till last winter, when more than half were killed to the ground. The vigor of tliose that remain, however, in- duces us to believe that by selecting the seedlings some varieties may be obtained which will stand our winters safely. The grapes in the early house had been nearly all cut, and the later ones were just beginning to color. We were much pleased with Mr. King's residence, and the success which has attended his efforts in planting out trees shows how much can be accomplished, even upon exposed situations upon the seashore. Residence of J. Prescott Hall, Esq. — On the same side of the shore as Mr. King's, but above the city, is situated the residence of Mr. Hall, which commands a fine view of the harbor, and adjacent scenery. It is a place of large extent, containing nearly 200 acres of land, in a quiet and secluded spot, away from the bustle and life of the fashionable part of the town, and yet sufficiently near to enjoy all its advantages. The place was taken possession of by Mr. Hall only five or six years ago, and since then the house has been built, and all the planting done. There are some interesting reminiscences connected with the place. It was formerly owned by Mr. Malbone, a wealthy merchant of Newport ; but as long ago as 1760 the house was destroyed by fire, and laid a mass of ruins from that period up to 1849, when Mr. Hall commenced the erection of the present building. Among the ruins Mr. Hall found a stone slab, with the date of the erection of the house. This he had put into the wall of the new house, with the date of its destruction and the completion of the new one, as follows : — "Erected, 1741. Burnt, 1760. Rebuilt, 1850." It was constructed wholly out of the material of the old hou^e, which was brown stone. The design is by Mr. Hall ; it is in the pointed style, which is just adapted to such a picturesque situation, with the beauti- 408 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. ful harbor of Newport iir the distance, and the long reach of varied shore around and above the city. During the last year Mr. Hall extended his house by adding a wing for a library, and other accommodations, and the addition increases the general effect and appearance of the house. Here, also, is the original Buffum pear, which to us was an object of the deepest interest. Mr. Berckmans recently visit- ed Mr. Hall, and his first exclamation, upou seeing the tree, was, " I salute you," at the same time taking off his hat. It stands where it originally came up, and is now some 60 or 70 years old, in perfect health, and bearing a good crop, though not a full one ; it stands immediately on the edge of the terrace of the house. Quite as interesting to us were the many fine old red cedars that are growing here, and which, apparently, must be 100 years old. There are just twenty in all, and they stand on two sides of a square which forms the edge of a broad plateau, on which the old house was constructed; they were probably planted about the time the original house was erect- ed. Several of them measure seven feet in circumference four feet from the ground. Mr. Hall thinks they are 300 or 400 years old ; but Mr. Loudon mentions trees 100 years old, measuring three feet in diameter. They are fine old trees, and in a healthy condition. Mr. Hall has made many improvements on his place ; he has drained, reclaimed, and cultivated some 60 or 80 acres in front of the house, and is now about to form a good gar- den. Many trees have been planted, which are now begin- ning to change the appearance of the place. An unfailing spring supplies an abundance of water by means of a hydrau- lic ram. There is still abundant room for improvement, and as Mr. Hall has retired from the bar, and delights in cultivating his grounds, we doubt not he will make it all that a residence should be to one of his intelligence and good taste. Garden of Alfred Smith, Esq. — Just at the outskirts of the old part of the city, and not far from the old mill, is sit- uated the residence of Mr. Smith, comprising less than an acre SEPTEMBER. 409 of land, but containing more that is interesting than many places of ten times the extent. Mr. Smith is a most zealous amateur horticulturist, and a great lover of plants and trees, and every foot of his small garden is filled with some inter- esting plant or valuable tree. It contains both a fruit garden and flower garden, with a grapery and greenhouse, and is yet so divided by arborvitae hedges and trees, as to render each complete in itself. The house stands near the street, and the garden extends back and in the rear of the next lot adjoining. Descending from the piazza at the back of the house we enter the flower garden, which is hedged in on both sides, the hedge being in the shape of a half oval, the end towards the extremity of the lot. This is planted with herbaceous plants, roses, shrubs, trees, annuals, and bulbs. In the rear of this is another flower garden, the beds being cut out of turf, and on the side is the fruit garden and the grapery. The first garden has a trellis for grapes in the centre, and on each side are parallel beds for trees, shrubs, and flowers ; in the open spaces bulbs are set out in autumn, and taken up in summer, and their places filled with annuals. Mr, Smith is a great admirer of the Coniferae, and has taken great pains to introduce many of the rare kinds, and prove them. He has kindly promised us a list of all that he considers adapted to the climate of Newport. The following we saw in fine condition after the severe winter of 1854 and 1855 : /uniperus ericoides, very pretty ; /uniperus prostrata ; Thuja filiformis, perfectly hardy here, 3 feet high ; J.^bies Men- ziesn ; Araucaria imbricata ; Mount Atlas cedar ; Cunning- hamm lanceolata, very fine, and quite hardy ; Juniperus chinensis, one of the best species. Of other trees and shrubs scattered here and there we saw Sambucus fasciniata, a fine cut-leaved shrub ; the Purple berberry ; Ruscus aculeatus ; Magnolia Soulangeana, a fine specimen, 10 feet high. The M. purpurea, fine ; the Dwarf English Walnut, 10 feet high, and bearing fruit ; a Bignonm radicans major, running over a pole 12 feet high, was covered with its large trumpet-shaped corols. English yews, Irish yews, and the Chinese arborvitae VOL. XXI. NO. IX. 52 410 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. were planted in every vacant space, the latter being raised from seed. The lower flower garden was filled with beds of fine ver- benas, petunias and roses ; these beds are oval or circular, and cut out of the greenest and most velvety turf we ever saw, a fine evergreen being planted in each bed ; one was filled with a collection of English heaths, which stood out last winter without the least protection, and were now full of flowers. We do not doubt but they may be made to flourish well around Boston in favorable localities, for there is but lit- tle diff'erence between the winter in the two places. This experiment of Mr. Smith's gives us hope that they may yet be numbered among our hardy plants. The fruit garden contains all the best pears to be found, both standards and dwarfs, and we noticed the Beurre Clair- geau, Boston, Howell, Manning's Elizabeth, Sheldon, &c., (fcc. Though thickly crowded together, many not being more than three feet apart, several of them were bearing heavy crops. The grapery was in fine condition, with a full crop just beginning to color. We might enumerate many other plants of which Mr. Smith has fine specimens, but besides the Coniferas, they are mostly familiar kinds. Some distance from the town Mr. Smith has several acres of land to which he has removed many of his trees, as they crowded each other too much, and some large specimens he has disposed of to his friends, who are laying out grounds and planting them with fine trees. In connection with his brother-in-law he has stocked his ground with a quantity of evergreens acd sucJi forest trees as do well on the Island, and are in demand- We have never seen so many choice things in so small a space, and whei\ we .consider that the whole have been plant- ed only ten yeai:3, (siuoe he erected his house,) we are the more surprised at their rapid growth. There is no part of it but what is full of interest to every lover of plants. We have already exceeded the space we intended to deyote to the gardens here, and must embrace another op- poilimity to notice them. The beautiful grounds of Gov. SEPTEMBER. 411 Lawrence, Chas. Lyman, R. L. Maitland, Mr. Parish and others, contain many fine trees, and are well deserving partic- nlar notice. EUROPEAN PARKS, NO. I. BY HOWARD DANIELS, ARCHITECT, NEW YORK. It is with much pleasure that we present to onr readers the first of a series of letters upon the Parks and Pleasure Grounds, the Gardening and the Architecture of England and the Continent, by Mr. Daniels of New York, whose visit to Europe we noticed some time since. His letter will be read with much interest, and if those which succeed it are as complete as this, as we doubt not they will be should his leisure permit, they cannot fail to give a correct view of the present state of Landscape Gardening and Rural Architecture in Great Britain and the Continental States. His communi- cations will probably reach us in season to appear in every number of the Magazine. — Ed. •• Mr. C. M. Hovey, — Dear Sir : I have as yet only visited the Parks, Cemeteries and Public Gardens in this vicinity, and can do no better at present than give you some account of them, and will begin with ^ BIRKENHEAD PARK. This park was one of several well conceived undertakings, entered into by the commissioners of Birkenhead* to extend and build up their town in a tasteful and substantial manner, by drawing to it men of wealth and taste. In 1842, an announcement was made of the intention of the commissioners to purchase land for the construction of a public park and cemetery in the immediate vicinity of the town. This proposal, upon being submitted to the inhab- itants at a public meeting, appeared to receive general appro- bation ; and purchases were accordingly made of a much * Birkenhead is on the opposite side of the Mersey near Liverpool. 412 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. greater quantity of land than was requisite for the park, in expectation of considerable profit arising from its resale. In 1843, they procured an act authorizing them to pur- chase lands for improvements and the formation of a park ; and, acting upon this authority, they immediately obtained 190 acres, of which 120 acres were appropriated in perpetuity to the public use. Mr. Joseph, now Sir Joseph Paxton, the celebrated land- scape gardener to the Duke of Devonshire, was employed to design and direct the works ; a thousand workmen were em- ployed in carrying his designs into execution, under the immediate direction of Mr. Edward Kemp, a very clever landscape gardener, and author of " How to lay out a small Garden," and the " Hand Book of Gardening." In a little more than a year the entire plot of land, once, in some parts, a low swamp, exhaling the most pestilent va- pors, was drained, graded, planted and fenced at an expense, including the lands, of about £130,000 — Mr. Paxton receiv- ing £800 for his services. The villa sites around the park have since been sold for nearly enough to pay the entire cost of the lands and improve- ments ; many fine villas are already built. The remaining lots are owned by individuals and held at high rates. In the arrangement of the park a serpentine drive of nearly three miles in length encloses the park proper, and forms the inner boundary of the villa sites ; another drive passes through the centre, and eight more develop the land appropriated to villa sites ; — one end of each of the latter terminates opposite the end of a public street, with a lodge and gate. Broad gravel paths develop the interior in a beautiful and artistic manner, — the larger part of which is in lawns hurdled and pastured with fine sheep and cows. The great breadth of these lawns produces a wonderful effect of magnitude. The grand entrance to the park is built of a drab-colored sandstone, in the Grecian Ionic style, having a colonnade of twelve coupled columns in front, the entablature of which is surmounted with massive attic bearing a richly sculptured shield, which is to be emblazoned with the arms of the com- SEPTEMBER. 413 missioners of Birkenhead. A broad central archway for carriages, and two lesser ones for foot passengers, with two lodges two stories in height and forming wings, constitutes the gateway. After passing through the gateway and proceeding a short distance, we enter the gardens, where the visual and olfactory organs are now regaled with sights of loveliness and sweetest odors : — No tree in all the grove but has its charms, Though each its hue peculiar ; paler some, And of a wanish gray ; the Willow such And Poplar, that silver lines his leaf, And Ash far stretching his umbrageous arm ; . Of deeper green the Elm, and deeper still, Lord of the woods, the long surviving Oak. Some glossy-leaved, and shining in the sun ; The Maple, and the Beech of oily nuts Prolific ; and the Lime at dewy eve Diffusing odors : nor unnoted pass The Sycamore, capricious in attire. Now green, now tawny, and, ere autumn yet Have changed the woods, in scarlet honors bright. — Cowp. A great variety of trees, shrubs and flowers bedeck the walks in every direction ; nor are these the only charms. Progressing a little further, we come to a beautifully con- structed rustic bridge, thrown over a portion of a large, clear, meandering lake. This bridge connects an island with the main land, and, as we proceed along the walks of the island, on the margin of the lake, our attention is excited by the stately sailing of majestic swans up and down the stream. On the right, there is a small ornamental building, which juts a short way into the water, beneath which is a boat- house containing a boat. The upper part is used occasionally by k band of musicians in entertaining the frequenters of these magnificent gardens. At the end of the lake is a very creditable group of Mazeppa, bound to his wild horse, in sandstone — the sculptor's name I did not learn. In diff'erent parts are several rustic figures, which I suppose to be by the same sculptor. A little further is a rockery, which, from the admirable 414 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. manner in which it is constructed, I have been told has often given rise to the question Avhether it is natural or artificial. The great variety of rock plants which spring from the crev- ices delight the eye of the cursory spectator, and interests, for hours, the lover of botanical science. Back of the rockery are a few smart touches of Alpine scenery, which already have considerable spirit and character, but which will improve greatly with age. On the left is a small hill, constructed with the earth excavated in making the lake, from the summit of which a bird's-eye view is obtained of the whole range of the park, the town of Birken- head, the elevated grounds of Seacombe, the whole of the river front and general outline of Liverpool, with the hills beyond it, and a considerable stretch of the river Mersey. To give a description of all the paths would occupy too much of your valuable space. Cricket, archery and quoiting grounds are provided, and are in use every pleasant afternoon. There are two lakes of about four acres each, and another of about two acres, all of which are well stocked with aquatic plants, water fowl, (fcc. The plantations are chiefly of deciduous trees, as elms, sycamores, birches, maples, ashes, limes, oaks, beeches, &c., all of which are doing well. Evergreens don't do well on the stiff clay prevalent here, — consequently there are but few of them. A few deodaras, araucarias, and cryptomerias, in sheltered localities, are looking very well. The shrubs do better, and in fact all do well except the arbutus, lauristinus, and gorse, which suffered considerably last winter; the rhododendrons, Portugal laurels and kalmias are doing very well. The land originally fiat and tame and exposed to severe northwest winds from the sea, the soil a cold stiff clay and entirely destitute of trees, were the materials placed in Mr. Paxton's hands to make a park. No doubt he thought it a hard nut to crack, but with plenty of means he succeeded in cracking it in a very satisfactory manner by creating artificial hills, ridges, mounds, &c., with the earth excavated in form- ing the lal^es ; all of which appear very easy, graceful and natural. SEPTEMBER. 415 Eight tasteful stone lodges are located at the different entrances, and a substantial iron railing, on a cut-stone base, encloses the entire grounds. The only criticism I have to make at present is, that some of the groups of trees at present partake too much of the character of what Sir Uvedale Price calls clumps ; but this may be the result of thick and compact planting for the pur- pose of shelter and protection. But let the original reasons be what they may, it is high time they had a thorough thin- ning out and more straggling trees introduced. When the important advantages to the public, — and the poorer classes in this country especially, — of such an exten- sive and delightful pleasure ground is taken into considera- tion, no one will be inclined to say that the expenditure in creating it does not merit the most unbounded success, and the deepest public gratitude. Here nature may be viewed in her loveliest garb ; the most obdurate heart may be softened, and the mind gently led to pursuits which refine, purify, and alleviate the humblest of the toil-worn. . It has been justly observed that in the same proportion as sources of innocent amusement and healthy recreations are provided for a people, in the same proportion do they become virtuous and happy. The commissioners of Birkenhead have therefore set a noble example to the directors of public affairs in large towns ; they already have the gratification of knowing that many, many thousands have already been made happier by their exertions ; and generations yet unborn will have occasion to be grateful for this public boon. Mr. Edward Kemp, the superintendent, is still in charge of the park, and whom I found to be a very intelligent, courteous, and modest man. Mr. Thomas Hogg, the gardener who was under Mr. Kemp at the commencement, is also still here — both of whom I am under many obligations to for their kind attentions. . prince's park. To the philanthropic spirit of Richard Vaughan Yates, Esq., are the public indebted for this ornament of the neigh- 416 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. borhood and blessing to the town. That gentleman having conceived the idea of forming a park that should be delight- ful, both as a site for the mansions of the merchants and as a place of recreation for the inhabitants of Liverpool, purchased ninety acres of land for that purpose, for £45,000, from the Earl of Sefton ; and that nobleman, with his wonted gener- osity, contributed one thousand pounds towards beautifying the grounds. The place was laid out eight or ten years since, and is yet but in its infancy, but, when we are dead and gone, will the wide-spreading branches of its trees form a pleasant shade to the members of young Liverpool ; along its walks will they wander, and o'er its lake will they smoothly sail, and there will they bless the name of him who left them such a boon. That simple but impressive notice speaks volumes : " If you will carefully avoid walking on the grass, it will remain green and beautiful for you." What an improvement over, and how much more effective is this appeal to the better feelings, than the hackneyed and often unheeded '' Trespassers will be prosecuted with the utmost rigor of the law.'' This park was also designed and laid out by Sir Joseph Paxton, and embodies the same general ideas as that at Bir- kenhead, but being a much finer piece of land for landscape gardening purposes. A broad drive surrounds the park, and outside of it are the villa sites, many of which are already occupied with villas and mansions that a prince might be proud to possess. Near the centre is a large irregular sheet of water, contam- ing a couple of small islands, the larger one of which is reached by a Chinese bridge, and has on its margin a pretty boat-house with a museum above, and an effectively arranged rockwork. The larger island and a narrow piece adjoining the entire length on one side of the lake is enclosed and laid out in a very beautiful garden, the model of which is pre- served in the museum. This garden is for the exclusive use of the occupants of the surrounding villas, and is kept in su- perb style. The small island named Swan's Island is planted with SEPTEMBER. 417 willows, &c., and appropriated to the swans. The trees, shrubs, and flowers are nearly the same, but the conifers are doing better than at Birkenhead. The cost of the improve- ments I did not learn ; as yet it has not been a remunerating enterprise, but it is hoped it ultimately will. The proprietor is now building eight fine villas to lease. From the park there are several fine prospects ; the Mersey, dotted with its thousand sails from all climes, the hills of Cheshire, and the mountains of Wales, in addition to the beautiful surrounding wooded scenery. Prom the entrances it is but a short walk to a deep and densely wooded ravine, reaching down to the Mersey, named The Dingle, and owned by J. B. Brooks, Esq., brother of the proprietor of Prince's Park. The public are admitted to this delightful dell on Wednesdays and Thursdays. I was there on one of these days, and could not but exclaim with the poet, — " Fairer spot, Thou giv'st not, England, to the tasteful eye, Nor to the heart more soothing," than this enchanting dell. The Dingle. Mr. James Scott has charge of Prince's Park and the estate of Mr. Yates, and took great pleasure in showing me through them, and affording me all the information I desired. THE BOTANIC GARDENS. About half a mile beyond the Prince's Park are the Botanic Gardens, originally containing about eleven acres of land, and lately has received an addition of twenty acres more, the most of which will be laid out in lawns and walks for public recreation. The garden is laid out geometrically, the plants grouped in classes, and looking well. The greenhouses are about three hundred feet long, and well stocked Avith the rare plants ; among them a fine collection of Sikkim rhodo- dendrons. The curator, Mr. Henry Shepherd, informed me there are about 8000 plants in the collection ; among them a Chinese Wistaria, measuring thirty-four yards long on the wall, and twelve feet high. This garden was commenced in 1801, VOL. XXI. NO. IX. 53 418 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. and has been in existence ever since — and seems to be highly appreciated by the public : as many as 7000 people having visited it in a day. In the Library I found a fine collection of books on Botany, Horticulture, and the kindred pursuits, but nothing from America ; and in the Visitor's Register very few American names. Liverpool, August \st, 1855. THE MEASURE-WORM. BY TUADDEUS WILLIAM HARRIS. An insect, which has received the name of the measure- worm, has been repeatedly observed, in considerable numbers, upon various kinds of trees in the city of New York, and has been the subject of several articles in the newspapers of &at city. Upon first hearing of this insect, on the nine- tefenth of June, through Dr. Augustus K. Gardner, I supposed it might be the canker-worm, which was well known, years ago, iii the vicinity of New York, and had been described and figured by the distinguished naturalist, Dr. S. L. Mitch- ell, in, tfee New York Magazine for April, 1795. In subse- quent ,c©iiiimunications. Dr. Gardner stated in what way, in its habits and transformations, this insect differed from the canker-worm. In answer to my inquiries, he also gave me some further observations, and favored me with cocoons and chrysalids from which winged specimens have been obtained. In the following paper, it is my intention to offer a summary of the information communicated to me by my obliging cor- respondent, and't© add thereto a description of the scientific characters of the insects, and some suggestions as to the means for arresting ftheir depredations. We are not informed how long the measure-worm has been known in New York, or whether and to what extent it prevails in the .vicinity. Dr. Gardner first saw it in the city ten years ago, since which time it has reappeared in its proper season, every year. It is found chiefly upon the elm, weep- ing willowj.ajid linden; .bi|t attacks also the silver-leaved SEPTEMBER. 419 poplar, balm of gilead, white maple, and horse-chestnut, and occasionally fruit trees, shrubs, and herbage. It comes forth in the spring as soon as the buds begin to expand into leaves, and increases in size and voracity with the growth of the foliage, and, in its progress to maturity, wherever it abounds, it despoils the trees of the greater part of their leaves in the course of a few weeks. It has the power of spinning threads, and by the help of one of these it will drop and hang sus- pended from the branches, when disturbed by the shaking of the tree or from any other cause. Gathering up the thread with its teeth and fore feet, it can remount again at pleasure by this silken clue. People, passing under the trees, are often much annoyed by the worms spinning down upon them, or dropping upon the walks when the threads are broken. Towards the end of June, the insect finishes its career in the worm state. It then encloses itself, among the half-eaten leaves at the end of a branch, in a kind of cocoon, consisting of a silken network of large and irregular meshes. Within this loose web it casts its skin, and takes the chrysalis form. It remains in this state only about a week, when the insect emerges from its cocoon, transformed to a winged miller or moth of a white color. Both sexes are equally well provided with wings. The females deposit their eggs upon the branches and trunks of the trees, the bark of which is some- times thickly sprinkled with these eggs. The millers were seen this year, fluttering in the evening about the trees, or pairing upon the branches, as early as the third of July ; and most of them had finished laying their eggs before the mid- dle of the same month. As only one brood has been observed during the summer, the eggs must remain unhatched, from the time when they are laid, through the rest of the summer, and the whole of the autumn and winter. The measure-worm belongs to the order of Lepidopterous insects, and to that great division of the PhalcencB, or moths, which Linnseus called Geomeira. Insects of this kind, in the worm or caterpillar state, have legs at their two extremi- ties only, and none beneath the middle of the body. Hence, in creeping, they are obliged to arch upwards the middle of 420 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. J the back with every step they take ; seeming, in this way, to span or measure over their course, inch by inch, as they move along. The scientific name Geometra^ signifying ground- measurer, was appUed in allusion to the peculiar gait of the insects ; and the popular name, measure-worm, given in New York to the insect under consideration, as well as span-worm and inch-worm bestowed upon other species, doubtless had a similar origin. Most Geometers have only ten legs, whereof six are horny, jointed, and tapering, and are situated in pairs beneath the first three rings immediately behind the head ; and four are fleshy, jointless, and thick proplegs or holders, placed beneath the hinder extremity. Many Geometers, when at rest, are enabled to support their bodies in a more or less erect position by means of their four posterior legs alone : others rest, stretched out at full length, in a recumbent position upon the leaves or stems of plants. From an examination of some dried remains of the measure-worm, I find that it had ten legs, situated as above described ; but have yet to learn what is the posture of the living insect when at rest. The head of the measure-worm, as appears from the remains, is round- ish, very slightly furrowed above, and of a pale red color. Dr. Gardner describes the worm from recollection as being " of a dark brown or slate color, approaching to black, occa- sionally greenish," with "the head of a salmon color," and the whole body, " when fully grown, from an inch to nearly two inches in length." I regret not having had an opportu- nity to obtain living specimens, from which to make up a more complete description of the measure-worm. In a set of unpublished colored drawings of insects of Georgia, by Mr. John Abbot, now before me, there are figures evidently intended to represent this species in its various stages. The larva or worm is drawn in a half erect or an oblique posture, supported by its four hindmost legs. It is two inches long, of a greenish color, with a smooth cylindri- cal body, and two very slight tubercles on the top of the last ring. It is figured upon the American olive. I have not much confidence in the authenticity of this figure, having SEPTEMBER. 421 found some figures in the collection which are faulty and defective, and others that could never have been drawn from the larva3 of the particular species that they profess to illus- trate. Mr. Abbot's drawings of the chrysalis and of the male and female moths correspond tolerably well to those from the New York measure- worm. The chrysalis of this insect measures nearly five eighths of an inch in length, but sometimes exceeds and often falls short of this measurement. The body is rough, not polished, obtuse and rounded before, pointed behind, and terminates with about six little brown hooks. The cases of the anten- nas and wings are strongly marked and prominent. Its color is a pale brown (perhaps greenish or olive when living), and sprinkled with numerous blackish dots, which in some parts are confluent or run together. It is fastened very strongly by silken threads, attached to the terminal hooks and to the meshes and fragments of leaves, forming its large and irreg- ular cocoon. The moths are of a snowy white color. Their wings have the lustre of satin, are so thin and delicate as to seem almost semi-transparent, and have a very minute brownish spot on the lower surface of each of them ; and the middle of their hinder margin is somewhat angular, that of the posterior pair being also slightly scalloped. The head and thorax are cov- ered with white downy hairs. The palpi or feelers are coni- cal and scaly at tip, and project a little beyond the hairs of the front. The tongue consists of two short and menibrana- ceous threads. The anterior shanks are brownish on the outer side. The antennas of the males are feathered or pec- tinated beneath to the tip ; those of the female are threadlike, but subserrated or minutely notched beneath. The stalks of the antennse are white ; but the pectinations and notches are brown. The males are smaller and more slender than the females. Their wings expand from l/g- to 1^% of an inch. The position of the wings when at rest is not known to me. The annexed outline {Jig: IS) of a male will convey an idea of the form and size of the insect. This species, not having been scientifically described or named before, may be called 422 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE, Geometra niveosericearia, the snow-white silky Geometer.* I am not able satisfactorily to refer it to any of the numerous genera proposed by English and French entomologists. Huebner, whose classification is based chiefly on the color and markings of the wings, would probably have placed THE MEASURE-WORM. ^i • .... ^^ this species in his genus Gypso- chroa. It probably has a wide range in the United States. Mr. Abbot's drawings were made from specimens found in Georgia ; and a single male in my collection was taken many years ago by my friend, the Rev. L. W. Leonard, D. D., in Dub- lin, New Hampshire. I have not yet seen it in Massachusetts. The eggs, as before stated, are deposited, during the first half of July, on the bark of trees, and mostly in clusters of fifty or more together. A writer, with the signature of Alexis, in the New York Daily Times, asserts that the females lay their eggs before their wings are developed. The eggs are a little more than one twentieth of an inch in their longest di- ameter, are olive-colored, and in shape oblong oval, slightly compressed, with the upper end truncated and closed with an oval, flattened lid. They are placed on their lower rounded ends, and incline a little obliquely on each other. Alexis, the writer above referred to, has described one of the best methods for getting rid of these insects, almost ex- actly in the following words. At midday, or during the hours of warmest sunshine, when the worms are most active, a sudden jar, with the hand upon small trees, with a mallet on large ones, repeated at intervals if necessary, will dislodge and bring down hosts of the insects. All their threads, by means of which they have let themselves down^ are to be broken by a sweeping horizontal blow, and all the fallen in- sects are to be destroyed upon the ground. This operation, repeated three or four days in succession, will efll'ectually clear every worm from the trees, according to the foregoing writer's * Geometra ( Gypsochroa ? ) niveo- sericearia, nivea, alls subaiigulatis, sericcis, subdi- aphanis, supra immaculatis, sublus punctodiscoidali brunneo : antennae marum pectinatoe, foeminarum subserratae. Metamorphosis intra folios, tela irreejulari, retiibrmi. SEPTEMBER. 423 testimony, founded on his own experience. The same meth- od has been long practised in New England, and with good success, for the destruction of canker-worms. In some cases it may not be possible to discover and destroy all the worms that have come to the ground, especially beneath large trees growing among grass ; and the insects will attempt to regain the leaves by creeping up the trunks. By surrounding the latter at the bottom with a thick coat of tar, the upward progress of the worms will be effectually prevented. In this way tens of thousands of canker-worms have been caught in the College grounds in Cambridge, during the past spring, and have perished in the tar. Early in the spring, Avhile the worms are young and tender, they may be killed by syringing the trees with a solution of whale-oil soap, made in the pro- portion of two pounds of the soap to fifteen gallons of water. As the insects undergo their transformations mostly upon the trees, in a loosely netted cocoon, secured among the half- eaten leaves or affixed to the limbs, many of them may be destroyed in the chrysalis state, by gathering and crushing or burning their cocoons before the insects begin to emerge in the miller form. Attempts may be made with some advan- tage to destroy the eggs, by scraping the bark, or scrubbing it with stiff brushes, or by applying thereto a wash of strong potash water. A large proportion of the chrysalids, sent to me by Dr. Gardner, failed to yield any moths, having perished in this state probably in consequence of being previously preyed upon by internal parasites. In fact, two kinds of parasitic insects have been obtained from them. One of these is a small ichneumon fly, described by Mr. Say, in the first vol- ume of the Boston Journal of Natural History, under the name of Cryptus conquisitor ; the other, a smaller and much rarer insect, was described by Mr. Say in the Appendix to the second volume of Keating's Narrative of Long's Expe- dition, under the name of Chalcis ovata. For the characters of these species, which would too much increase the length of this long communication, the curious reader will please to consult the works above named. Cambridge, Mass., August 8, 1855. 424 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. LIME AND SULPHUR FOR THE CURCULIO AND BLACK KNOT. BY THOS. W. LUDLOW, YONKERS, N. Y. My remedy of lime and sulphur has not only proved en- tirely successful for the past five years, in preventing the attack and also destroying the egg of the curculio when it had been deposited in the fruit, and thus securing it from falling off, but has also proved a preventive for the " black knot." The compound is this : — Mix a barrel of whitewash of unslaked lime, such as is used for whitewashing walls, and add twelve pounds of flour of sulphur. Stir and mix well and let it stand two days ; then apply with a spouted syringe without rose on nozzle, but a flat of tin so placed as to flatten the stream as it passes out ; this prevents any stoppage, and the friction being much less than with a rose, a greater height may be overcome. The syringing is continued for four weeks, every other day, commencing when the blossom has fallen, and is facili- tated by pumping and forcing directly out of a water barrel placed between two wheels. The sediment of the first bar- rell will answer for the second and third by filling with water, and adding the same quantity of sulphur, without any addition of lime. Presuming that many of your readers have not perused the Horticulturist, I send you this. N. B. The syringe used is a large upright one, with a pipe attached ; this is set into a pail, and throws the water with much force on to the tree. We should be glad to have some of our amateur cultivators try Mr. Ludlow's remedy. He assures us that his crop of plums is so heavy this year as to completely weigh down the branches of the trees ; and that not a black knot is to be seen. His success has been so great that we requested him to send us his mode of mixing and applying the wash, and he has kindly acceded to our request. — Ed. SEPTEMBER. 425 THE CHERRY CURRANT. BY THE EDITOR. The Cherry Currant has been introdnced some five or six years, and is now somewhat extensively cultivated. For, notwithstanding it is scarcely so fine a fruit as the old Red Dutch, or the Victoria, the very large size of the berries, the showy appearance of the bunch- es, and the fertility of the plants, will always render it a favorite in any collection. The fruit attains a very large size ; we have grown them very handsomely ourselves, and have seen fine specimens from various cultivators, but none so large as, the specimen of which we now give an engraving, (fig. 19,^ raised by Capt. Geo. Wilson of Marblehead, Mass., the berries of which measured seven tenths of an inch in diameter. The bushes are very vigorous, making strong, stout wood, with large, thick, and dark green fol- iage. We annex a description : Fi^iiit, very large, five to seven tenths of an inch in diameter, round : Clustei'S, medium size, usually containing eleven to thir- teen berries : Color , bright red, semi-transparent, showing its large seeds through the surface : Juice^ abundant, but rather acid : Seeds, large. The currant needs some attention to produce such fine specimens as those raised by Mr. Wilson ; the bushes also- VOL. XXI. NO. IX. 54 THE CHERRY CURRANT. 426 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. require annual pruning, in order to get good strong wood, from which only can large clusters and berries be gathered. A good deep soil, well manured, and yearly cutting back the young wood, will secure fine crops of handsome fruit. Capt. Wilson is highly successful in the culture of the currant, and has raised the Victoria with thirty-tiDO berries in one bunch, the largest measuring half an inch in diameter. FLORICULTURAL AND BOTANICAL NOTICES. The Augusta Rose. — I infer from reading your last Mag- azine that you may not have succeeded very well with the Augusta Rose. I have succeeded so well with one which I have, that I thought you might be interested to see a speci- men of the rose in their different state of development from the bud to the full blown rose. I have accordingly enclosed to you what I regard the finest rose which I have. Though not as large as the Cloth of Gold it is more fragrant, and, what is more desirable, it is much longer expanding from the bud to a full blown rose, than any rose which I have ever seen. I have had it put out some 11 months. When it was put out it was some \^ feet long. It has two rnain stocks, about 7 feet high each, one of which the gardener says would have been 10 feet high if he had not headed it down. The lateral branches would average near, or quite, 30 feet long. It had 48 healthy buds, which, from the time they were large enough to be counted until they fall off, will be fully 2| months. It is on its own root, and, from the hasty description which I have been obliged to make to get the box to you by this morning's express, you will see that it is a strong grower and free bloomer. The beauty and fra- grance of the sample which I now send to you will, I think, establish its reputation as one of the most desirable roses which is now known. — Respectfully yours, Ichabod Wash- burn, Worcester. May 9, 1855. This letter of Mr. Washburn was mislaid, or it would have SEPTEIUBER. 427 appeared before. We are glad to have such good evidence of the character of this rose, which has been the cause of much discussion among cukivators. Such testimony as that of Mr. Washburn and Mr. Rivers is sufficient to show the difference between the Augusta and Solfataire, which by many rose fanciers have been considered identical. 284. Crawfu'rdia fascicula^ta Wallich. Fascicle-flow- ered Crawfurdia. (Gentianeae.) Nepal. a climbing annual; growing several feet high; with pale purple flowers; appearing in summer; increased by seeds; growing in rich light soil. Bot. Mag., 1855, pi. 4838. A beautiful climbing plant, belonging to the Gentianeae, but so different from all the members of the order that Dr. Wallich formed a new genus from it. It has the foliage and style of bloom of a Gentian, with beautiful purple flowers, which are displayed in fascicles at the axils of the leaves. It climbs rapidly, and is a fine addition to the greenhouse or open garden. It was sent from Khasya, by Mr. Lobb, to Messrs. Veitch, and flowered in their collection in January last. Undoubtedly it will thrive well in the open ground in our climate, and bloom all the autumn, like a cobaea. — {Bot. Mag., March.) 285. Brownea gra'ndiceps Jacq. Cluster-flowered Brownea. (Leguminoseae.) South America. a hothouse plant; growing six feet high; witli crimson (lowers; appearing in spring; increased by cuttings; grown in light, rich soil. Bot. Mag., 1855, pi. 463a. A magnificent stove plant, producing brilliant heads of flowers, eight inches in diameter, each head comprising a large quantity of individual blossoms, and with somewhat of the aspect of a head of the rhododendron. It requires a high temperature to bring it to perfection, and is rather shy in producing flowers, otherwise it would be one of the most popular of plants. — {Bot. Mag., March.) 286. Berberis Bealei Fortune. Mr. Beale's China Ber- berry. (Berberideae.) China. a hardy (.') shrub; growing six or eight feet high; with yellow flowers; appearing in spring; increased by layers; grown in rich, light soil. Bot. Mag., 1855, pi. 4852. A superb shrub, found by Mr. Fortune, "about 150 miles 428 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. north of China, in the district of Hwuy-Chow. The shrub was about eight feet high, much branched, and far surpassing in beauty all the known species of Mahonia." It is similar in general character to the var. B. planifolia below described. Its flowers, however, are much larger, and much less numer- ous on the racemes. If this proves as hardy in our climate as the Mahom'a aequifolium, it will be a rich acquisition. — {Bot. Mag., June.) 287. Ca'nna Warszewiczii Dietr. Warszewicz's Canna. (Cannaceas.) Central America. a stove plant; growing three feet hisli; with scarlet flowers; appearing in summer; increased by seeds and offsets; grown in good rich soil. Bot. Mag., 1855, pi. 4854. One of the finest of the Cannas, introduced into German gardens in 1849, by M. Von Warszewicz. from Costa Rica. The stem, and more especially the peduncles, ovaries, calyx and bracts are of a fine blood red color, and the flowers of a brilliant scarlet. It attains the height of three to four feet. This species is as easily cultivated as the common Indian shot, and in the German gardens it is planted out in the same way we set out dahlias, salvias, &cc. The roots are perennial, and easily wintered in any greenhouse. It is a very brilliant species, and well deserves speedy introduction. — {Bot. Mag., June.) 288. Begonia urophylla Hook. Caudate-leaved Bego- nia. (Begoniaceae.) a stove plant; gijowing one to two feet high; with white (lowers; appearing in March; in- creased by division of the root; grown in light heath soil and leaf mould. Bot. Mag., 1855, pi. 4855. " Certainly among the finest and handsomest of the genus. The leaves are ample, and the flowers large and very numer- ous, in panicles, which are compoundly divided in a de- or tri-chotomous manner." The plant is stemless, and the leaves spring directly from the root in the same way as in B. mani- cata ; they are very large, a span or more long, broadly caudate, green, paler beneath, the margin inciso-dentate, ending in a long tail-like point. The flowers in two kinds, — the male large, and the female smaller. It is a fine species. — [Bot. Mag., June.) SEPTEMBER. 429 STUDIES IN THE FIELD AND FOREST. BY WILSON FLAGO. SEPTEMBER. The rising morn is sluggish in the east : The music of her waking hour has ceased. The merry crickets are not yet in tune, But wait to hail the brighter hour of noon. The face of nature has an older look ; A greener vegetation has awoke. The fields are brilliant with a riper hue, And Heaven's bright vault is dyed in deeper blue. A healthful fieshness comes upon the gales, And beauty sits enthroned in all the woods and dales. Though many a ripened field is brown and sere, The lights of merry harvest time appear. Inspiring man with healthful enterprise, And blessings wholesome labor ne'er denies. Though summer's toils and pleasantries are o'er, The fruits are spread in heaps at every door ; And we forget those pastimes gone apace. In harvest toils and pleasures of the chase. Full many are the hearts, both old and young. That leap, when o'er the woods September's wreaths are flung. No. VII. Music of Insects. About midsummer, the majority of the singing birds have become silent ; but as one voice after another drops away, a new host of musicians of a different character take up the chorus, and their spinning melodies are suggestive of the early and later harvest, as the voices of the birds are asso- ciated with seed time and the season of flowers. In our climate the voices of no species of insects are very loud ; but when their vast multitudes are united in chorus, they may often be heard above the din and clatter of a busy town. Nature is exhaustless in the means by which she may effect the same end ; and birds, insects and reptiles are each pro- vided with different but equally effective instruments for producing sounds. While birds and quadrupeds make sounds by means of a pipe connecting with their lungs, the frogs 430 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. •are provided with a sort of bag-pipe, and the insects repre- sent in their respective species the harpist, the vioHnist and the drummer. Thus there are several species that make sounds by the vibration of a membrane attached to their sides or to the shoulders of their wings. Such are most of the crickets and grasshoppers. Others of the same tribes rub their legs against a vibrating appendage connected with their sides, in humble imitation of the violin players : lastly, the drumming insects, like the woodticks, are provided with a little ham- mer, which they strike against the ceiling that forms their retreat. It seems to me that no man can be indifferent to the sounds and music of insects. Even the buzzing of flies about one's chamber or sitting room, has a soothing and tranquilizing influence ; and may be regarded as one of those circumstances provided by nature to relieve the world of that dead silence, which would otherwise render this earth a dreary and melancholy abode. We are so formed, that every sound in nature, except her notes of alarm, by habit becomes pleasing and assimilated to music ; and in the silence of winter, the increased delight aff"orded us by every remaining sound, is an evidence of this truth. The tiny hammering of the woodtick in the ceiling, the buzzing of flies, and, above all, the chirping of the cricket on the hearth, are among the poetical sounds that are associated with winter days at home, as the voices of the raven, the jay and the woodpecker are suggestive of winter in the woods. The fly, the gnat, the beetle and the moth, though each utters a sound that awakens many pleasing thoughts and images, are not to be ranked among singing insects. The latter comprehend the locusts, the crickets and the grass- hoppers, that seem appointed by nature to take up their little lyre and drum, after the birds have laid aside their more musical pipe and flute. Though certain insects are supposed to make their sounds by means of wind, their apparatus is placed outside of their bodies, and as they have no lungs, the air is obtained by a peculiar inflation of their chests. Hence the musical appendages of such insects are constructed on the SEPTEMBER. 431 principle of the jewsharp, and the reeds in a reed organ. The grasshopper, in all ages, has been noted for his musical propensities ; and is frequently represented as playing on the harp, in certain ancient emblematical vignettes. Each genus of these insects has a peculiar modulation of his notes. The common green grasshopper, that during the months of August and September fills the whole atmosphere with his din, is found chiefly in the lowland meadows which are covered with the native grasses. This grasshopper mod- ulates his notes somewhat like the cackling of a hen, uttering several chirps in rapid succession, and following them with a loud spinning sound, that seems to be the conclusion of the strain. The strains are continued incessantly, from the time when the sun is up high enough to dry the dews, until dew- fall in the evening. These players are delighted with the clear bright sunshine, and sing but very little on cloudy days, even when the air is dry and warm. There is another species of grasshopper with short wings, that makes a kind of grating sound, by scraping his legs, that serve for bows, against his sides, that represent, as it were, the strings of a viol. If we go into the whortleberry pas- tures, we may hear still another species, that makes a con- tinued trilling, like the note of the hair-bird, and often con- tinues the sound half a minute or more, without apparent rest. This insect reminds me of the louder shrilling of those species which are heard in the Southern States. The note of this grasshopper is not so agreeable as the notes of those whose strains are more rapidly intermittent. The American locusts make their peculiar sounds by inflating air into their bodies, and expressing it between two small apertures, situated a little below the base of their wings. These holes lead from a musical table, on each side of which are five or six thin bars, connected by exquisitely fine membranes. There is an insect of this tribe that is seldom heard until midsummer, and then only during the middle of the warmest days. This note is* a pleasant remembrancer of sultry summer noondays, of languishing heat and refreshing shade. It begins low and increases in 432 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. loudness, until it is almost deafening, and then gradually dies away into silence. The most skilful musician could not perform a more delightful crescendo and diminuendo. It has a peculiar vibratory sound, that seems to me highly musical and delightful. The insect that produces this note is a grotesque looking creature, resembling about equally a grass- hopper and a humble bee. The black crickets and their familiar chirping are well known to every body. It is an insect of this tribe that is celebrated in English romance as the " cricket on the hearth." The American species do not so habitually frequent our dwelling houses ; but they are all around our door steps, and by the wayside, under every dry fence and every sandy hill. They chirp night and day, and more or less in all kinds of weather. They commence their songs many weeks before the grasshoppers, and continue them to a later period in the autumn, not ceasing until the hard frosts have driven them into their retreats, and silenced them by a torpid sleep. The note of the katydid, which is a drumming sound, has less music in it than that of some of the other insects I have described. In our literature no other species has become so widely celebrated, probably on account of the fancied resem- blance of his notes to the word katydid. To my ear an assemblage of these little musicians, all engaged in uttering their peculiar note, seems more like the hammering of a thousand little smiths in some busy hamlet of insects. There is nothing melodious in these sounds, and they are accordingly less suggestive of poetical thoughts than those of the green nocturnal grasshopper, that is heard at the same hour and in similar situations. The nocturnal grasshoppers, sometimes called the August pipers, commence their chirping about the second week in August. These are the true nightingales of insects, and the tribe that seems to me most worthy of being consecrated to poetry. There is a singular plaintiveness in their low and monotonous 'notes, which is the charm of the late summer and early autumnal evenings ; and there are but few persons who are not affected, by these sounds, with a remarkable SEPTEMB!^>R. 433 sensation of subdued but cheerful melancholy. This effect does not seem to be the result of association so much as that of some peculiar cadence or modulation of the sound. I believe it has not been generally noticed, that the notes of these insects are commonly in unison. These nocturnal pipers are the loudest singers of our indigenous insects, and their notes are almost invariably an octave lower than those of the black crickets. It is also worthy of notice, that they always vary their key-note, according to the temperature of the atmosphere, within certain degrees. They are evidently dependent on a certain amount of heat for their vivacity, and become more or less torpid as the temperature of the atmos- phere sinks below a certain point. Having noticed this fact at diflerent times, I was induced to make a series of exact observations a few years since, by noticing the height of the mercury in Fahrenheit's thermometer, and at the same time finding the key upon which these insects were chirping. My observations were commenced early in August, and carried through September, which was on that year as hot as July. The following is a general statement of the results. When the temperature of the weather is indicated at 80° Fahrenheit, these insects will be found singing invariably as high as the key of F natural. When the mercury stands at 75°, they sing one tone lower or thereabouts, and always change from a higher to a lower key, as the air grows colder, and the contrary as it grows warmer. Their notes will be found to vary about one tone with every five degrees of change in the weather, as marked by the thermometer. I will add that I have never heard them singing on a higher key than F, or on a lower key than G. The weather is seldom warmer than 80° in the evening, and when it is colder than 60°, the insects always sing out of tune and time, and some of them as low as G. A colder temperature than this diminishes their vivacity, and silences a great many of the performers ; but after they have become so torpid that the vibrations of their wings would produce a sound lower than G, they become silent. VOL. XXI. NO. IX. 55 434 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. It may be further remarked that they hasten then* time just in proportion as they raise their key, and that they like- wise sing both in better time and better tune, in proportion to the warmth of the weather. When the mercury stood at 80°, I was never able to detect a single insect performing out of time or tune. The whole myriad choir were singing in perfect harmony ; their key being about F natural, and their time about three notes to a second, which is very rapid. During this high temperature, the shriller toned insects, as the diurnal grasshoppers and the black crickets, sing in unison with the August pipers, varying their tone in the same man- ner with the variations of temperature. But the diurnal insects do not keep time so well as those which are the particular subject of my observations. When the mercury stands at about 70°, a few insects may be heard singing out of tune. Their time is also more imper- fect, and is equal to about two notes to a second. When the weather is as cold as 60° — the average temperature of the evenings in August and September — the greater number will be heard on the key of BJiat. Their time, however, in this state of the weather, is very imperfect, and a great many will be heard singing out of tune, some a tone or a semi-tone higher, and others as much lower than B flat. I attribute this difference to the different degrees of warmth which they may find, according as they are more or less protected from the external air. If one, for example, be confined in a room in the house, when the outer air is cool, the one confined will chirp several notes higher than any that are singing out of doors. When the temperature is very warm, there is proba- bly more uniformity of heat in all places and situations, than when it is cooler. Often, on a sudden change of temperature from warm to cool, some individuals that happen to be in a little snug retreat that still preserves the early heat of the day, will sing more briskly and on a higher key than others. When the weather is below 60°, all the insects sing very feebly, without regard to time or tune ; those only that happen to be protected under the warm projection of a roof, or the trunk of a tree, chirping on a higher key than the rest, and with more vivacity. SEPTEMBER. 435 I have no doubt that with an accurate thermometer, and a perfectly tuned instrument, the corresponding changes pro- duced in the shrilhiess of the tones of these Httle insects, by the changes in the temperature of the atmosphere, might be marked with such a degree of accuracy, as to enable us to use them within certain limits, as a musical thermometer. In my observations I used a very ordinary thermometer to mark the weather, and a German .flute, which is an inaccu- rate instrument for such a purpose, to mark the musical key of the insects. Some allowance, therefore, ought to be made for any little incorrectness which a future observer may detect , in these results. I will venture to assert, however, that the result of any future experiments of this kind would not differ, materially, from that of the following table : — Height of Thermometer. Key-note of the Insects. 80° F natural, perfect time and tune. 75^ E flat, " " " 70° D, " " " 65° C, imperfect time and tune. 60° B flat, " " " 55° A, key-note hardly to be detected, many out of time and tune. 50° G, a few individuals only singing slowly and feebly. ^nm'al l^otiti^s. Early Peas. — " Shall you be able to gather a dish of peas in May ? " was a frequent inquiry among gardeners forty years ago. The self-gratula- tion of the one as the question was answered in the affirmative, or the dis- appointed look of the other, fully expressed the importance of having an early dish of peas ; for, however unfavorable the soil or locality might be, the gardener knew well that if his neighbor had a dish of peas in May, his failure would be attributed to his neglect or want of skill. Comparison of the means and assistance at his command would be made with those of his more successful neighbor, and remarks elicited tending to sour and make his temper as ungenial as the stiff, wet, undrained soil he had to cultivate ; for it was then the practice, and with many it is still continued, to sow the first crop of peas in November or beginning of December, notwithstanding the many casualties and failures to which they are liable, for with every 436 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. care bestowed in covering with dry cinder ashes, &ic., the mice find them out and carry them off to their winter dormitory, which causes the crop to come up patchy ; the slugs, too, come in for a share of the spoil in defiance of the frequent application of lime, for in some seasons their name is legion, especially in heavy soils. But even after struggling through these mishaps they are frequently attacked by an audacious flock of sparrows. In vain are all the recommended remedies for such a disaster tried ; threads of all qualities and colors, feathers of every dye, dead cats, live cats, cats painted on boards, rattles, and jingling glasses, are of little avail against these determined freebooters. No, no ; the sparrow is too familiar Math man and his ways to take alarm at any subterfuge of that sort ; he must find you a resolute foe armed with your gun before he gives way. The remnant of the peas, however, still excites our hope ; those that were cropped over send up fresh stems ; the season advances, the growing weather of spring sets in, the surrounding vegetation assumes a vigorous and a healthy growth, the carefully tended peas make progress. At last the embryo blossoms appear, but expectant hope is doomed to disappointment ; still their stems are cankered, the foliage becomes yellow, and a frosty morning or two makes the failure complete. Such is the history and my general experience of a crop of peas sown in November or December. To gather early peas is as important to the gardener now as it was forty years ago, but in that long period I have only three times pulled a dish in May ; it is true, some of my brother gardeners who had to cultivate a dryer soil in a warmer locality have succeeded once in five or six years in obtain- ing the desired result, and now that we have decidedly earlier varieties, the average will be less if the seasons are favorable, for the frosts, as the crop is coming into bloom, will retard the earlier peas. The well-informed and reading portion of young gardeners have every opportunity of becoming acquainted, at least theoretically, with the means adopted at the present time to have a dish of early peas, and who among the many aspirants to the highest rank of gardeners will fail to read, as far as the time and means at his disposal will permit, the principal periodicals on gardening of the pres- ent day ? To neglect this will be to fall out of the rank and file of his calling to join the brigade of the " rule of thumb," the irregular and awk- ward squad of gardeners. There is one advice, however, which has fre- quently come under my notice, and which is so plausible that I have no doubt it has been frequently followed by eager and unexperienced garden- ers, " Sow on strips of turf, forward them in a mild heat, and afterwards harden them off";" or thus, " Sow thinly in a one-light box, give a gentle heat, harden off, and transplant," &c. Now, I cannot say that this is judic- ious advice, for to bring forward peas in heat, however mild, Avill stimulate their growth, so that their stems will become attenuated, and how they are to be hardened off to withstand the severity of the weather afterwards, those who have tried the plan will best know. It has, however, frequently been a source of regret to me to have seen the unskilful attempt and its futile result. But I will not comment further on the means adapted by others, but give an account of my own practice ; and here I would observe that I have nothing new to off*er, but I will simply state those conditions SEPTEMBER. 437 frequently gleaned from the experience of others, but which have been introduced into my own practice, as I have found them conducive to early and profitable results. For many years I have discontinued sowing peas in November or De- cember, being fully convinced from my own experience, as well as from a careful comparison with the practice of other gardeners in the same neigh- borhood, that it was merely throwing away seed and time. Another rea- son, Avhich is frequently overlooked, is that the warmest and best places are invariably appropriated to the early sown peas ; thus throwing the sowings which are most to be depended on, to more exposed situations ; and if these sowings consist of what is now called second earlies, the failure of tlie first crop necessarily makes the first dish of peas late indeed. In the first week in January, the first sowing of an early approved sort is made in ten-inch pots, or boxes three feet long by ten inches wide, and ten inches deep, but I prefer pots ; have ready a sufficient quantity of soil, con- sisting of two parts well decomposed leaf-mould, one part loam, and one part sand. Fill the pots to within three inches of the top, shake the pot to level the soil, sow thinly over the surface, and fill up. From two to three quarts will be sufficient to sow in pots for a first crop. Place the pots in a cold vinery or pit where there is admitted at all times an abundance of air ; 2° or 3° of frost will do no harm to the peas. When the plants have just -got through the soil, let them be placed in a three-light frame, the lights to be constantly kept off in mild weather, and tilted at night, so that a slow and hardy growth may be obtained. If severe frosty weather sets in, cover up night and day, and be particular not to expose them to the sun if frosted. The careful gardener will take care that neither sparrows nor mice have access to the peas. In the mean time the ground in which they are to be planted should be well limed and ridged up until such time as they are ready to plant out. which in favorable weather will be towards the latter end of February. Let the ridges be levelled down, and rows four feet apart marked off. Stretch the line and cut out trenches from seven to nine inches deep, turn the peas out of the pot, and separate them, leaving two or three together ; have a bar- rowful of the same soil in which they were sown ready, place the peas in the ridge as if planting box, fill up with the fresh soil, press it gently against the roots, let one inch of the top of the pea be above the soil, make a ridge of the spare soil on either side of the row, and point over the soil between the rows to give a workmanlike finish; when the peas have grown four or five inclies high, let earth be drawn to their stems, and stake them — they will require little more attention than an occasional survey to see if the slugs or sparrows molest them. These transplanted peas are the forlorn hope of the season, but if well managed, they rarely fail or disappoint the cultivator. The next or succession crop is managed thus : an open, airy quarter being selected, it is limed and ridged up in the autumn ; the first fine, dry weather, the following February, the ridges are levelled down. If the ground is light it is trod over and raked evenly ; drills are drawn from four 438 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. to six feet apart, according to the height of the variety sown. I then sow one or two quarts (the quantity sown at one time will depend entirely on the demands of the family) of the same sort as was sown in pots, a quart of the best second early, a quart of Dwarf Imperials, a quart of Champion of Eng- land, two quarts of tall Marrows, the best variety according to taste of con- sumers ; these, if all sown on the same day, will come in succession, care being taken to keep up the supply by sowing Imperials, Champion of Eng- land, and the Marrows, as each previous sowing respectively comes up ; the early sorts will now be discontinued, as it will in general be found that the tall Marrows give the latest supply. If dry weather sets in, a trench about one foot from either side, and along the row, should be made and saturated with water to keep the tall peas in a healthy state ; every one knows the utility of having the peas well staked, so that a free circulation of air may be maintained among them. — [Gai-d, Chron. 1855, p. 101.) Cultivation of Hyacinths. — The season for importing Dutch bulbs is fast approaching, and among these the Hyacinth always stands pre- eminent. Treatise after treatise, and directions upon directions have been published for the management of this plant, and yet people somehow fail more frequently than succeed with it. In the hands of the trade, indeed, no difficulty is experienced ; but even there it is notorious that some growers are much more successful than others. So far as London is concerned, the exhibitions of the Horticultural Society have long since established the fact that in the Pine-apple Nursery, collections are annually raised, which may be equalled, but are never excelled, either for the beauty of the speci- mens or the skill with which the best varieties are selected. Under these circumstances we shall incur no risk of being said to deal with a stale subject if we give a prominent place to some account of the practical man- agement of the bulb, for which we are indebted to one of Messrs. Hender- son's most skilful foremen. " As soon," he Avrites, " as we receive the bulbs from Holland, each is carefully examined, and all that are not perfectly sound are discarded. The remainder are brushed over with a soft brush, and replaced in bags for sale or for our own potting. We usually pot our first batch about the mid- dle of September, and another in November ; always in a compost consist- ing of one half maiden soil (the top spit of an old pasture) and a similar quantity of a mixture composed of equal parts of rotten dung, leaf soil, and good sharp sand. This compost is turned over several times, till all the parts become thoroughly incorporated; then only is it fit for use. "The pots we generally use are 5 inches and 6 inches in diameter. We find that in potting Hyacinths, the less the bulb is covered with soil the better, care being taken to press down the soil firmly with the fingers. After they are potted we give them a good watering, and place them in beds 5 feet wide, where they are allowed to stand for two or three days, until the surface begins to dry, when old tan is thrown over them to the depth of 5 or 6 inches ; and this is allowed to remain until the pots are quite full of roots, and the tops have made a growth of one or two inches. SEPTEMBER, 439 \Vg then carefully look over them, and any that are not sufficiently rooted are replunged. Great care should be taken that they are not left in the tan too long; if they remain there till the leaves begin to open, the flower is very likely to be injured. Such as are well rooted we place in a cold frame, taking care to protect them well from frost, but giving them plenty of air every opportunity. " If we want any in flower early in the season we prepare a hot-bed, taking great care to have the dung well worked previous to making up the bed. When the bed is sufficiently sweetened we place a few in it every Aveek, to keep up a succession from Christmas till March, when the others will come on quite fast enough in the cold frames. " Although most Hyacinths will succeed very well without artificial heat, many are greatly improved by it. Indeed, all that do not throw up their blooms kindly in the cold frame will be benefited by applying dung heat. " The bulbs that are kept in the cold frame all the winter from the time they were taken out of the tan are generally in finest bloom from the middle of March till the second week in April. After that time they begin to fade. "The following list includes CO of the very best; and to have a grand display, and all the different shades of colors, no grower ought to have a smaller selection. DOUBLE RED AND PINK. Bouquet Royale Comtesse de la Cosse Grootvoorst L'Eclipse Lord Wellington Panorama Waterloo DOUBLE WHITE AND BLUSH. Anna Maria Herman Lange La D6esse Minerva Miss Kate Prince of Waterloo Triumph Blandina DOUBLE BLUE PURPLE AND PORCELAIN. A-la-mode Alfred the Great Comte de St. Priest King of the Netherlands Laurens Koster Lord Wellington Pasquin Prince Frederick Othello DOUBLE TELLOW. Due de Berri d'Or Jaune Supreme SINGLE TELLOW. Alida Jacoba Heroine Roi des Pas Bas SINGLE RED AND PINK. Diebitsch Sabalskansky Fireball Herstelde Vreede La Dame du Lac L'Unique Lord Grey Mars Mrs. Beecher Stowe Sultan's Favorite Van Speyk SINGLE WHITE AND BLUSH. Grande Vidette Grand Vainqueur Grandeur a Merveille Reine Blanche H61ene Richardson Tubiflora Victoria Regina 440 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Virgfo Grande Vidette Voltaire Gumal SINGLE BLUE PURPLE AND Nimrod PORCELAIN. Orondates Asterias Prince Albert Baron Von Thuyll Prince of Saxe Weimar Charles Dickens Robinson CcEur Blanc Schiller Emicans Tubal Cain Grand Lilac William the First." We Avill not to-day divert attention from these excellent precepts by at- tempting to show how the cultivation on a large scale thus employed by- Messrs. Henderson is susceptible of being imitated by amateurs. We would rather for the moment leave those interested in the management of this charming flower to reflect for themselves upon the principles which are involved in the successful practice now detailed. On an early occasion we shall endeavor to show how the practice may be varied on a small scale without neglecting in any degree the principles themselves. — ( Gard. Chron., 1855, p. 483.) oittljlji Gossip, The September Exhibitions. — Nearly or quite all the principal Hor- ticultural Associations in the country hold their exhibitions this month, and many of the Agricultural ones, with which Horticulture is more or less con- nected. It is a pleasant occasion to all zealous amateurs who improve the opportunity to meet together, compare specimens, exchange opinions, and discuss matters pertaining to horticultural progress. It is to be regretted that the various exhibitions, especially of the principal societies, cannot be so arranged that there can be a more extended interchange of visits. Possibly they might be if some measures were taken in good season to accomplish it ; but thus far, however, they have been held at such times as few could avail themselves of the pleasure of visiting the exhibitions of distant societies without losing the opportunity to attend those in which they must naturally feel the greatest interest. The following Societies hold their ex- hibitions in September. Massachusetts Horticultural Society. — On Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Sept. 19, 20, 21 and 22, at the Music Hall, Winter street. Brooklyn Horticultural Society. — On Tuesday and Wednesday, the 19th and 20th, at the Brooklyn Athenaeum. JVeiv York Horticultural Society. — On Tuesday and Wednesday, the 25th and 26th. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. — On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs- day, the 11th, 12th, and 13th. American Institute, JV. Y. — Commencing on Tuesday, October 2d, at the Crystal Palace, and continues two weeks or more. JVew York State Agricultural Society. — On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, October 2d, 3d, and 4th, at Elmira, N. Y. SEPTEMBER. 441 Slcissatjjusttts porticulhinil Sotidj. July 7th. — An adjourned meeting was held to-day — but no business of importance was transacted. Adjourned to first Saturday in August. Exhibited. Flowers : Cut flowers, in variety, from Jos. Breck & Son, P. Barnes, S. Walker, E. A. Story, W. J. Underwood, J. A. Kenrick, J. Nugent, W. C. Strong, Ei S. Rand, Jr., Hovey &. Co., and others. PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED. Prairie Roses. — For the best display, not less than six varieties, to W. C. Strong, $5. For the second best, not less than four varieties, to James Nugent, $4. For the third best, not less than four varieties, to S. Walker, $3. Gratuities. — For displays of cut flowers: To E. S. Rand, Jr., $2; E. A. Story, $2 ; Parker Barnes, $2 ; W. J. Underwood, $1 ; J. Breck & Son, p; M. B. Williams, $1. Fruit: By B. Harrington, boxes of currants; Black Tartarian, Black Heart, and Elton cherries. By E. Wight, Ox Heart, Honey, American Amber, Robert's Red Heart, and Bigarreau cherries. By Wm. Bacon, Black Tartarian cherries of large size, though not fully colored. By J. W. Foster, American Amber, and Black Eagle, fine, cherries. By G. B. Cordwell, Black Tartarian cherries, of large size — would have been better with a few days' more sun. These specimens, as well as Mr. Bacon's, of the same variety, show that when this kind is well grown, few or rone can compare with the Black Tartarian. By G. Merriam, Black Tartarian, fine ; Bigar- reau, Black Eagle. By Hovey & Co., Durfee, Scott's Seedling, Prince of Wales, Capt. Cook, Fill Basket, and Victoria strawberries ; the Durfee, Scott's Seedling, Capt. Cook and Victoria, were all in the finest possible condition, showing a superiority of flavor. Messrs. Hovey's exhibition of strawberries, the last two Saturdays, have taken exceedingly with the visitors at the hall. Each variety was in abundance, showing handsomely, arranged, as they were, with artistic taste, in baskets furnished by themselves. If contributors were aware how " wonderfully taking" fruits are when arranged in such taste, over the same quality badly tumbled into boxes, and those stained, too, from long continued use, we should oftener find the Society's dishes called in requisition, where they desire to effect a sale of the fruits. By H. Vandine, Elton and Napoleon cherries. By C. S. Holbrook, peaches, fine. By J. B. Moore, Bigarreau, Black Eagle, and Black Tartarian cherries. By Mrs. F. B. Durfee, grapes — White Frontignan, Black Hamburg, Black St. Peters, and a new grape from Greece, " said to be the King's Favorite ;" a more full account of this variety will be given in the Annual Report. By J. F. Allen, grapes — Cannon Hall, Old Black Hamburg, White Hamburg;, peaches — Grosse Mignonne and Late Crawford ; nectarines in variety. By M. H. Simpson, grapes — White Frontignan, Cannon Hall, White VOL. XXI. NO. IX. 56 442 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTUKE. Nice, Black Frontignan and Red Chasselas — a liberal contribution of each variety ; cherries — Black Tartarian and Black Eagle (Knight's) — both va- rieties of extra size and fully ripened. Mr. Simpson furnished samples for the testing of each variety ; the berries were fully ripened, and of extra size. Accompanying the samples for testing, was received the following note in confirmation of Mr. Simpson's success in growing two crops of grapes in one year : — To the Chairman of the Fruit Committee : Dear Sir : The grapes I exhibit to-day are from vines which gave the crop of fruit exhibited in January last. This is the third crop in succession on the plan of two crops a year, and thus far the vines exhibit no injury. My theory of growing them is, that when the fruit is ripe the buds and wood are also ripe, and ready to give a new crop, if you give a proper time to nature — that the vines will not be injured, as the root throws out new spongioles, which, with the new leaves, are the reciprocal workshops that make the sap for fruit and buds. The important requisite is, that the spongioles are well supplied with food. With regard to rest, my theory is that they rest at night ; the leaves do not work in darkness. The experiment I have made thus far confirms my theory in every respect. It applies also to all fruits, say peaches, pears, &c. If atten- tion is paid to the supply of the root, two crops can be grown, and give a double quantity without injury to the vines. — Yours, truly, M. H. Simpson, Boston, July 7. Vegetables : From B. Harrington, Summer squash and cucumbers. From E. H. Toombs, French peas; seed from Patent Office. From T. Beegan, Bassano beets. From J. B. Moore, Darling's Early corn, potatoes, turnip beets, British Queen peas, and Early Paris cauliflower. From J. Crosby, 3 fine cabbages. July lith— Exhibited. Flowers : Displays of cut flowers were made by E. S. Rand, Jr., S. Walker, J. Nugent, Evers &, Bock, P. Barnes, J. Breck & Son, W. J. Underwood, M. Trautman, Miss Russell, E. A. Story, and others. Mr. C. F. Jones exhibited two orchids in fine flower, one, tlie Dendro- bium moschatum, a superb species. GRATUITIES AWARDED. To C. F. Jones, for fine orchids, $5. To J. Breck & Son, for Summer phloxes, $i. To Evers & Bock, for plants, $2. Fkuit: By B. Harrington, currants, and White Bigarreau cherries. By Cheever Newhall, Knevett's Giant raspberries, extra fine. The chair- man makes the following comments on this variety : " This variety invaria- bly attracts the attention of visitors ; it is always sizable, and bears trans- portation so well, that it makes an attractive show fruit — and when put to the test is of excellent flavor. The Knevett does not annoy the gardener by cumbering his grounds with suckers, like most other varieties; but confines itself to its own hill, and by thus ' attending to its oivn business,^ is enabled to return a large per centage of sizable, rich flavored fruit, that will hold together in marketing, and when autumn comes about, if you chance SEPTEMBER. 443 to be too much engaged to give it protection, it will manage to shift for itself and again return in full crop the next season. We would not advo- cate a non-protection of the raspberry plants, though this variety seems to do almost equally well tvithout protection, both in the hands of Col. Wilder (who imported it from England in 1843) and Mr. Newhall, who has been an extensive grower of this one variety, giving it the preference over all others." By J. W. Foster, Knevett's Giant raspberries — these, as well as Mr. Newhall's, were large berries, and though fully ripened, were not injured by the shaking of the boxes in transportation. By Pomological Garden, Black Heart cherries of large size, and well ripened. By G. Walsh, his Seedling cherries, called " Walsh No. 2 and 3." This variety has been fully spoken of in former reports. It possesses one quality in a remarkable degree of perfection, viz. : that it can be kept without artificial aid for a length of time after being gathered, without being injured by rot, &c. By J. Nugent, Black Eagle (Knight's) cherries, and raspberries. By H. Vandine, Black Tartarian and Elton cherries — the former very fine. By J. F. Allen, 7 varieties of grapes — the Cannon Halls of superior size. By A. Wales, 4 dishes of grapes and 1 dish of figs. By G. Merriam, several boxes Downer cherries. Vegetables: From T. Smallwood, Early potatoes, sprouted and not sprouted ; Early York cabbages, Kohl Rabi. From J. Crosby, Long Blood beets, Long Orange carrots. From J. B. Moore, 1 peck Champion England peas, 1 do. Chenango potatoes, Turnip beets, Paris cauliflowers and York cabbages. From B. Harrington, cucumbers. July 21. — Exhibited, Flowers: The general display of cut flowers was good — that of picotees and carnations equalling, if not excelling, in extent and variety, any previous exhibition of these flowers. Fine collections were severally displayed in the stands occupied by Messrs. C. F. Chaplin, J. Hyde & Son, Hovey & Co., Evers & Bock, W. J. Underwood, Joseph Breck & Son, James Nugent, and W. E. Carter. For the prizes offered by the Society there were seven competitors. Many of Jhe prize stands contained specimens of fine seedlings, and the first prize was awarded to a collection consisting of Seedlings alone. Displays of cut flowers in great variety were also made by Messrs. M. B. Williams, Samuel Walker, Parker Barnes, E. S. Rand, Jr., Martin Traut- man, E. M. Richards, W. E. Carter, Wm. J. Underwood and others. From B. Dennis, one plant, Indigofera decora. AWARD OF PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES. For the best ten varieties of pinks and picotees to Evers & Bock, $5. For the best ten picotees and carnations, to Hovey & Co., $4. For the next best, to W. J. Underwood, ^3^3. Gratuities. — To J. Nugent, J. Hyde & Son, J. Breck &. Son, C. F. Chaplin, and W. E. Carter, for picotees, each, $2. Fruit : By F. Marsh, gooseberries, Seedling, from Houghton's. By B- Harrington, Mazard and other cherries. By J. W. Foster, currants, White 444 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. and Red Dutch ; also, a fine display of the Cherry currant ; Knevett's Giant raspberries, of large size. By Breck & Son, currants. White Transparent, White Gondouin, White Dutch, and Victoria. By M. H. Simpson, Cannon Hall, White Nice, White and Black Frontignan and Black Prince, in every variety ; fine display of well ripened fruit. By G. Walsh, cherries, Nos. 1 and 2. By J. F. Allen, a liberal display of Sweet Montmorency cherries, grapes, figs, nectarines, &c. By C. S. Holbrook, grapes in variety ; four varieties of peaches — the contribution of peaches was large, well colored and high flavored fruit ; a branch of one variety was shoAvn, bearing 33 handsome specimens. Estate J. Lovett, Red Gondouin currants, fine. By J. B. Moore, currants. By Mrs. J. Hovey, gooseberries. By G. Merriam, a handsome show Downer cherries. By A. Wales, figs and grapes in variety. By W. R. Austin, Knevett's Giant and Franconia raspberries. The exhibition to-day was the most liberal, as well as the handsomest, in specimens, of any during the season. July 28th. — Exhibited. Flowers : From E. S. Rand, Jr., Dedham, cut flowers in varieties, including fuchsias, seedling petunias, (fine,) seedling verbenas, hollyhocks, pansies, three varieties lantana, Whitlavia grandi- flora, Rudbechia amplexicaulis, and others. From Hovey & Co., a seedling petunia, color blush, broadly and very beautifully striped, and marked with deep crimson. Cut flowers were also shown in variety, by W. J. Underwood, P. Barnes, E. A. Story, Evers & Bock, J. Nugent, H. Vandine, Mary R. Richards, and others. Gratuity. — To P. Barnes, for hollyhocks, $2. Fruit : From G. Wilson, Marblehead, currants. White and Red Dutch, and a liberal contribution of the Cherry in perfection of growth. The Cher- ry currant is of recent introduction, and when grown in a deep, rich soil, produces large bunches and berries of surprising size; while, in a poor soil, the bunches are small, with berries scarcely equalling the common red variety. Under any culture, this is more acid than any other variety. Mr. Wilson is so fortunate in his soil (probably a reclaimed marsh) that he has been enabled from year to year to show the Dutch, (Red and White) Gondouin and Victoria, in such perfection of growth as few others can. Of the latter variety he gets strings of from thirty to forty of large sized berries. By W. Bacon, extra sized Cherry currants. By E. King, large sized peaches. By T. W. Severance, apricots. By G. Walsh, his seedling cherries, Nos. 2 and 3. In addition, he brought in his No. 3, which was shown the previous Saturday, with the view to show its keeping quality — and though the skin was slightly shrivelled, there was no appearance of rot, while the flavor seemed even more saccharine than in specimens picked from the tree this morning. By J. W. Foster, currants — Victoria, Cherry, and Champaign ; Knevett's Giant raspberries, and a seedling gooseberry, of a fair size. By J. Nugent, raspberries. By C. S. Holbrook, another handsome display of peaches, of excellent flavor. By J. F. Allen, nectarines— Elruge, Hunt's Tawny and Newington, making a handsome show of this fruit, and Grosse Mignonne peaches and figs; Black Hamburg, Portieu Noir, White Nice, White SEPTEMBER. 445 Gascoigne, and Flame colored Tokay grapes. By B. Harrington, High Bush blackberries. By A. Wales, grapes and figs, in variety. Estate of J. Lovett, currants and raspberries. By H. Vandine, Madeleine pears. By I. Blanchard, extra fine bunches of Black Prince and Black Hamburg grapes. By Hovey & Co., Houghton's seedling gooseberries. By W. H. Palmer, Madeleine pears. Vegetables. — From Hovey & Co., 2 heads Hovey's Imperial lettuce. From A. T). Webber, Sweet corn. From J. Crosby, Blood beets, carrots, onions, cucumbers, and potatoes. From J. Nugent, Sweet corn and toma- toes. From B. Harrington, Chenango potatoes, tomatoes. Marrow squash, Purple Top turnips, cucumbers, White Kidney beans. From J. B. Moore, peas, (British Queen,) Sweet corn, Darling's Early, (fine,) Marrow squash. From B. Davis, potatoes, tomatoes. Jlug. 4//i, 1855. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the President in the chair. No business of importance was transacted, and the meeting adjourned two weeks, to August 18th. Exhibited. Flowers : Fine displays of cut flowers were made by E. M. Richards, T. Smallwood, E. A. Story, J. Breck & Son, P. Barnes, J. Nugent, W. J. Underwood, E. S. Rand, Jr., M. Trautman, and others. A collection of seedling phloxes in the stand occupied by J. Breck & Son, and a collection of seedling petunias from E. S. Rand, Jr., Dedham, were particularly fine. Fruit : By J. Hyde & Son, pears — Citron des Carmes ; High Bush blackberries. From the Pomological Garden, White Dutch currants, of extra size. By W. R. Austin, High Bush blackberries. By J. W. Foster, gooseberries — Houghton's and a seedling ; blackberries and apples. By J. Richardson, 18 boxes apricots, blackberries and pears. By M. Trautman, blackberries. By I. M. Oliver, gooseberries. By J. F. Allen, peaches, figs, and grapes — all fine. By Mrs, J. Hovey, Early Harvest apples. By J. Gordon, Madeleine pears. By C. S. Holbrook, a fine show of peaches and grapes. By H. Vandine, pears, plums, and apricots. By A, Wales, West's St, Peter^ and Black Hamburg grapes. By I. Blanchard, Hamburg and other grapes. By G, Merriam, a fine show of blackberries. .4i(g-, ll//i. — Exhibited. Flowers : The exhibition of cut flowers to-day was remarkably good. Among the more prominent varieties were phloxes and balsams, for both of which the prizes of the Society were awarded to- day. Among the varieties of phloxes were many excellent seedlings — the flowers comparing favorably in finely rounded outlines, and in size and color with the best imported kinds. Beautiful specimens of these seed- lings were included in the prize stands of Messrs. Hovey & Co., J, Breck & Son, and P, Barnes, Of seedlings, and of those imported, Messrs, J. Breck & Son exhibited 42 varieties. The display of balsams was also fine. Of those whose collections era- braced very beautiful and well grown specimens, were P, Barnes, J, Breck & Son, J, Nugent, and J. French, A number of remarkably perfect flow- ers were exhibited by E, M, Richards, 446 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Collections of cut flowers were likewise contributed by Messrs. E. A. Story, E. S. Rand, Jr., Evers & Bock, W. J. Underwood, F. Burr, Macy Randell, E. Stone, B. Harrington, S. Walker, Galvin & Hogan, and others. By J. Brack & Son, a display of 42 varieties phlox. To the cultivation and improvement of this flower Mr. Breck has, for a long period, given par- ticular attention, and has been successful in producing a great variety of beautiful seedlings, fine specimens of which were exhibited in their col- lection to-day : By the same, a collection of balsams. By Hovey & Co., a very fine display of phloxes, including, among rare imported roots, a collec- tion of rich and very beautiful seedlings. AWARD OF PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES. Phloxes. — For the best ten distinct varieties, to J. Breck &. Son, $5. For the second best, to Hovey & Co., $i. For the third best, to Parker Barnes, S3. Balsams. — For the best eight varieties in spikes, to J. Breck & Son, $3. For the second best, to James Nugent, $2. For the third best, to Parker Barnes, $1. Gratuity. — To Jonathan French, for balsams, $1. Fruit : By Messrs. Burr, Strawberry tomatoes (Physalis) and 3 varieties of apples. By J. W. Foster, apples, and extra fine blackberries. By M. P. Wilder, Beauty of Clyde apples, and Supreme de Quimper pears, in good eating. By J. Richardson, apples and blackberries. By L. Jennings, Jr., Franconia raspberries. By F. Dana, apples and blackberries. By J. Nu- gent, extra fine blackberries. By J. F. Allen, extra large St. Michael figs, and his usual large variety of grapes. By C. S. Holbrook, blackberries. By I. Blanchard, a fine show of grapes. By H. Vandine, plums, pears, and apples. By S. Walker, apples and blackberries. By G. L. Baxter, apri- cots. By G. Merriam, blackberries and Lawton's, (being the first time presented as grown here.) Mr. Seymour (through George Davenport.) New Rochelle, had forwarded samples of Lawton's Seedling blackberries, as grown on his grounds, but through delay of the train they failed to arrive in time for the exhibition. Vegetables : By B. Harrington, White Kidney beans, Chenango pota- toes. Purple Top turnips. Marrow squash. By H. Bradlee, Summer squash, Sweet corn, cucumbers, Jackson potatoes. By F. Marsh, French carrots. portitultural ©ptrations for SEPTEMBER. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The month of August has been cooler than the average, and the latter part quite dry, so much so that vegetation in some places begins to feel tlie eflfects of the drought. Fruit now swelling up would be greatly benefited by copious showers. SEPTEMBER. 447 Now is the time to prepare ground for planting the present autumn ; by trenching early the soil becomes settled and firm, and trees succeed better than if set out immediately upon the finishing of such work. Grape Vines in cold houses will now be ripening oflT their crop ; dis- continue damping the house, and air freely and abundantly in fine weather ; stop all laterals when too crowded, but otherwise allow them to ramble freely. Newly planted houses should be kept warmer, and liberally damped in fine weather. Strawberry Beds now planted will succeed admirably, and produce some fruit another year. Old beds should be thoroughly cleaned of all weeds. Peaches should be budded this month. Trees in pots, which have borne fruit, should be well watered to mature their growth and fill up their buds. Fruit Trees. Now is a good time to thin out small and useless wood fi-om pyramidal trees ; it will aid also in ripening their fruit buds. Figs in pots, now bearing their second crop, should be well watered. Fruit should be looked after and gathered in due season. All Septem- ber pears should be picked a week or two before they are wanted for the table. FLOWER department. With September commences again the more active labors of the gardener. Winter is approaching, and it is better to have everything done in good sea- son than to delay till cold and frost have injured many of the plants. Where there is a great deal of potting to do it should be commenced early, for with the aid of a frame the plants become sooner established in their pots, and suflfer less than later in the season when they must be taken directly to their winter quarters. Ground should now be prepared for spring bulbs if new beds are to be made, and also for herbaceous plants if they are to be reset ; the autumn is the best time to remove them. Soils should be collected, and prepared for the winter, that all such work may not crowd when other things require attention. Camellias should now be exposed to the light and air, if they have been summered under the shade of trees ; it will ripen the wood and mature the buds ; wash the foliage and clean the pots preparatory to removing to the house, which usually is done before the end of the month. Azaleas should have the same care as Camellias. Water more spar- ingly as cool weather approaches. Pelargoniums should have the shelter of a frame soon, where they may be kept as long as possible, as they do better than when removed to the greenhouse. OxALis of all kinds should now be potted. Chrysanthemums now growing freely should be abundantly watered, using liquid manure occasionally. Remove to the house before heavy frosts. 448 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTUKE. Oranges and Lemons should be well cleaned and removed to the house early. Cinerarias should be shifted again, and be placed in a frame, where they can have protection in cool weather. Mignonette and Alyssdm in pots for winter blooming should be placed in a sunny situation, in order to get a good stocky growth. Heliotropes for winter blooming should be removed to the house in good season. Chinese Primroses may be kept in frames till the weather becomes quite cool. Verbenas, Petunias, Salvias, &c., should now be propagated. Monthly Carnations should now be potted, and have the protection ot a frame for a week or two. Heaths should be more sparingly watered as the weather becomes cooler, and allowed to remain out as long as possible, as a slight frost will do them no harm. Poinsettias, Euphorbias, and similar tender plants, should soon be removed to the house. Roses should be potted if growing in the open ground, and wanted for early blooming ; the main stock may be repotted next month. Cyclamens should be repotted. Japan Lilies in pots, done blooming, may be removed from the house, and allowed partially to dry off. Insects should be thoroughly eradicated before the plants are removed to their Avinter quarters. FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY. . As the autumn draws near, the flower garden and shrubbery is apt to be neglected. The flowers begin to fade, and the leaves commence falling, and the gardener too often allows his interest to slacken, and gradually to neglect this department. It should not be so. On the contrary, with the closing of the season, when the beauty of the flower beds is on the wane, their absence should be made up by extra care and attention, — by neat and smooth walks — clean borders — and velvety turf. Every decaying flower and dry leaf should be removed, and all look so fresh as to convey no impression tliat the season has again run its course, and stern winter advancing. Dahlias should be well secured as they advance in growth, and be care- fully thinned of superfluous side branches. White Lilies may be planted out this month. Hollyhocks, Sweet Williams, &c., raised from seeds, should be transplanted to the beds or borders where they are to bloom. Pansies sown last month may be planted out into beds or borders. Ground for tulips, hyacinth, and other spring bulbs should be turned over preparatory to planting next month. If new beds are to be made now is the time to attend to it. TRANSPLANTING EVERGREENS. Tut most favorable . period for transplanting deciduous trees is .generally conceded to be the autumn, unless in very unfavorable or exposed locations, — and these are exceptions to the general rule. The best time, however, for transplant- ing evergreens is less satisfactorily decided upon. The spring — and rather late in the season — is usually considered the most successful period ; indeed, so slight has been the real experience with this class of trees in our own coimtry, that it is believed by many to be the only time for perform- ing this operation, the autumn being of all others the most unfavorable season. We propose to examine this question,. and see whether the current belief in reference to spring transplanting is correct, or only the result of custom, without thorough experience upon the subject. We confess our own very limited experience in transplant- ing evergreens at any other season than the spring, but we know gentlemen who have planted extensively in the au- tumn, and with the best success. If, therefore, the work can be done safely then, it is well that it should be known, for it will extend the period of removing such trees, even if the spring is as favorable for performing the work. The subject has been much discussed lately in the English gardening periodicals, and the result of the evidence is that the early part of autumn is undoubtedly the most favorable season for transplanting evergreens in that country. In France too, where the climate is cooler in winter and warm- er in summer, M. Carriere, a distinguished writer upon the Conifers, gives his opinion that the autumn is the best season, and fortifies it by that best of evidence, his own practice, with a view to arrive at satisfactory results. Dr. Lindley has, in his " Theory of Horticidiiwe,'^ given the reasons why the autumn is the proper season, and to strengthen his opinion quotes from the Revue Horticole the substance of a dis- VOL. XXI. NO. X. 57 450 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. cussion upon transplanting evergreens, which has recently occupied the columns of that excellent Journal. We quote from a translation in the Gardeners^ Chronicle : — The best season for transplanting evergreens, although beginning to be more generally agreed upon than formerly, still remains a question on which opinions differ. Of late years the practice advocated by Mr. Glendinning, of select- ing for this purpose the month of September, has been adopted in England with marked success. We need not here go into the reasons why this month should be selected ; they are fully given in the " Theory and Practice of Horti- culture," to which the reader, desirous of understanding all the bearings of the question, is referred. It is enough to say that the great fitness of the latter part of September, long since pointed out by Horace Walpole, himself a planter of no small experience, is shown by repeated experiments by Har- rier de Bois-d'hiver, at Fontainebleau, and otiiers, instituted for the express purpose of settling a matter so long in dispute, to be on the whole the best. Our present object is to show the opinion of French gar- deners upon this subject ; an opportunity for doing which is afforded by a little discussion that has taken place in the " Revue Horticole." Last May, M. Labarre, gardener to the Baron de Poilly, at Folembray, a place, we believe, not far from the Belgian frontier, gave an account of the result of his practice in re- moving evergreens of considerable size. The substance of his report was as follows : — 1. In the spring he removed a yew 13 feet high, with a head in proportion. It took so well that even an experienced gardener could not have known, in the course of the same year, that it had been transplanted. 2. In the following autumn he had to move eight spruces and two Scotch firs ; all failed. 3. The next year, again in the spring, another yew was transplanted, as large as the first, and with the same success. At the same time he .planted 170 other evergreens, of v^arious kinds. On the loth March he planted 20 spruces and six yews ; the OCTOBER. 451 last were 15 feet high with heads in proportion, each re- quired 10 people to move it, and all were expected to die. Bnt all lived, although Mr. Labarre adds, "the foil into which they were put made their loss probable enough ; for it was full of stones, and consisted of white sand mixed with a little vegetable mould." (Why this should be unfavorable soil is not explained. Suppose it had been clay!) On the 7th April, 34 Norway spruces and 10 white spruces {Sapi- nettes) were planted, from 6 to 10 feet high. They had been raised in the nursery in gray sand, and M. Labarre was astonished at the beauty of their growth in such soil (why?). Only two of the Norway spruces died. In conclusion he explains how he watered these trees. Each yew planted in March received a potfull of water when first planted, then four times as much, and this was repeated several times dur- ing the first month. In the April planting, there being at that time a drying wind, the holes were only three quarters filled, and each tree received two potsfull of water. After- wards each hole was filled in so as to remain a basin, and watering was repeated during the continuance of the drought. To this statement M. Carriere, whose work on Conifers was noticed the other day, opposes some counter expe- rience. 1. He says that he v/as obliged last year to take up, in the end of August, some Chinese arbor-vitses more than 15 years old, and mostly above 6 feet high; they were removed carefully to a trench, the soil of which was well watered before it was filled in, and they suffered so little that no one could distinguish them from the others which had not been removed. 2. A similar operation was performed in the spring of 1854 with other Chinese arbor-vitass of about the same size, and a great many died, notwithstanding all the care that was taken of them. 3. Last September he potted 280 yews without any other care than plunging the pots and covering them with leaves ; not one missed. But upon performing exactly the same operation upon evergreen cy- presses, loss was experienced to the extent of about one third — a circumstance which M. Carriere inclines to attribute to the well-known difficulty of transplanting that species when 452 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. it is simply "drawn" {arrachce a racines nues) before trans- planting. Upon this result M. Carriere remarks that it is sufficient to show what is the most economical and consequently the most advantageous when work has to be done on a large scale, from which point of view alone he thinks it necessary to look at the question. This is very different from the small operation of making an ornamental plantation. In the latter case expense is of little consequence ; in the former it is of the first importance. This consideration touches the root of the inquiry. Can, he inquires, anybody afford in ex- tensive works the care, the cost, and the frequent watering which M. Labarre gave his trees ? Are we then, he adds, to jump to the conclusion that autumn planting is ahvays better than that of spring, or that, as M. Labarre contends, it is always best to plant in spring. "Both conclusions would be equally erroneous ; for unless we take into account all the different circumstances which attend such an operation, and which may lead to the adoption of one season rather than another, we do nothing worth doing. To think of submit- ting all trees, however much they may resemble each other, to the same kind of cultivation, would be like a doctor's giv- ing the same dose and the same drug to all his patients, with- out paying attention to their different temperaments." He, however, insists upon the general fact that autumn planting, or that loJiich takes place at the ejid of summer, is the most advisable. " In places near the sea, where the sky is often overcast and the air is almost always saturated with humidity, and the earth is consequently always damp, it is easy to under- stand that there may be some advantage in planting in March or April, or even in May, that is to say, at a time when the air has warmed the soil. The same may be conceded of countries where the winters are long, or where heavy au- tumnal rains are constant, for in such places the roots may rot before getting hold of the ground, and trees may perish from want of power to vegetate before the arrival of bad weather." OCTOBER. 453 Such arc the opinions of M. Carrierc, who is therefore, hke us, a strenuous advocate of autumn planting in England, to which country none of the objections apply which are ad- verted to in the latter part of the foregoing extract. Of course it may for many reasons be inconvenieiit to plant in autumn ; but that is a point not in discussion. It is often inconvenient to do what is right in other operations besides gardening ; but principles must not give way to considera- tions of convenience. There may be, as M. Carriere observes, " places near the sea," exposed localities and unfavorable soils, as with decidu- ous trees, in which no transplanting can be done successfully in the autumn, especially in " countries where the winters are long," like our own. But before we concede that trans- planting cannot be done in the autumn, even with us, it may be well to try the experiment carefully, and ascertain whether it has ever been adopted. One instance only has come to our knowledge where transplanting evergreens has been practised extensively in the autumn. This was at Mount Autumn Cemetery. Mr. Howe, the late superintendent, set out many thousands of arbor-vita^s at that season, and with invariable success. He informed us that when the work was done early, before the middle of October, he had full as good success as with spring transplanting ; and with a dry summer following, bet- ter. On a smaller scale we can interpose our own evidence. Two years ago we had occasion to remove some large Nor- way spruces, eight feet high ; it was esirly in September ; every one lived, and each made as much or more growth the following year than any of the same size we ever removed in the spring. Late transplanting we believe to be attended with ill suc- cess ; but when the work can be done early, so that fresh roots can be emitted before winter, the condition of the tree is materially changed ; its vital forces are in action, which enable it to resist the frost. But where the operation is per- formed late, and the roots, deprived of all action, are placed in 454 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. the cold soil, inundated by autumnal rains, and then frozen to the whole depth, the tree loses all its vitality, and upon the return of spring, not possessing sufficient life to push fresh roots, death ensues. The question is not whether autumn is the best season for transplanting evergreens, but whether it is not equally as fa- vorable as the spring. To this end experience should be directed ; a few trees set out at each season for two succes- sive years would give decided results. If the experiment should prove successful it would be a great boon to plant- ers, for our springs are short, and leave us but little time to complete extensive operations. The parching winds and hot sun of summer follow, both fatal to newly planted trees. Will our amateurs and nurserymen endeavor to give this sub- ject the thought which its importance demands ? ROCKS. BY WILSON FLAGG. It is not necessary that an object should be intrinsically beautiful, like a collection of water, to add a pleasing feature to the landscape. Though rocks, considered apart from na- ture, are unsightly objects, yet no scenery can be complete without them. To a prospect, they afford a variety which it would be difficult to obtain from any other objects. Without them there is a want of those sudden transitions from the smooth to the rough, from the level to the precipitous, from the beautiful to the wild, and from the tame to the expressive, which are essential to a perfect landscape. It is only among rocks that the evergreen ferns — those beautiful accompani- ments of a rustic retreat — are found growing abundantly. There is no more beautiful sight than a series of almost per- pendicular rocks, covered on all sides by ferns, with their peculiarly graceful foliage, and here and there a rill trickling down their sides, and forming channels through the evergreen OCTOBER. 455 mosses. The solitary glens formed by these rocks could not be imitated by anything else ; and their jutting precipices afford prospects unequalled by the gentle elevations in a rolling landscape. In a country where rocks are wanting, the land rises and sinks in gradual declivities, and prospects are difii- cuh to be obtained except from lofty elevations. There is so much that is attractive in the abruptness of a rocky landscape, especially when covered with trees and other vegetation, that many authors have attributed their pictur- esque character to this rudeness and abruptness. I am inclined to attribute this interesting expression to the manifest facility which these abrupt situations afford, not only for prospect but also for pleasant secluded retreats. Large clefts, produced by the parting of the two sides of an enormous rock, furnish dells, often in themselves perfect gardens of wild flowers, bursting on the sight like an oasis in the middle of a rude waste. In these places there is always a remarkable verdure, as the rains that wash down their slopes conduct fertility to the soil at their base. A rocky landscape is always pro- ductive of a greater variety of flowers and shrubs than a plain or rolling country of similar soil and climate. There are many plants whose native localities are the tops and sides of rocky cliffs and precipices. Such are the saxi- frage, the cistus, the toad-flax, and the beautiful pedate violet. The graceful Canadian columbine is found mostly among the clefts of rocks, where, like a little tender animal, it nestles under their protection, and draws nourishment from the soil that has accumulated about the mossy knolls where it has taken root. To satisfy ourselves of the numbers and variety of plants that may grow spontaneously upon a single rock, let us construct one in fancy, thus enamelled by the hand of nature. We will picture to ourselves a craggy precipice rising thirty or forty feet out of a wet meadow, and forming, in its irregular ascent, several oblique and perpendicular sides, whose summits have collected several inches of soil upon their surface. A clump of pines and birches covers its summit, together with various shtubs, such as the whortleberry, the wood-pyriis, the 456 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. spiraea and the mountain andromeda. Here too the Dutch myrtle and the sweet fern mingle their fragrance with the terebinthine odors of the pines. The rocks, in their dryest situations, are covered with a bedding of gray liverwort, which is a perfect hygrometer, breaking like glass under our foot- steps when the atmosphere is dry, but yielding like velvet, when it contains the least moisture. The cup-moss grows abundantly along with it, and, in moister situations, the green delicate hair-moss, which is the same that covers the roofs of very old buildings. The rain has washed down from the summit constant deposits from trees and shrubs, birds and quadrupeds, and formed a superficies of good soil on all parts of the rock where it could be retained. .On the almost bare surface grows the beautiful feather grass, with its nodding plumes of purple flowers, supported only by the soil that has accumulated about its roots. The mountain laurel luxuriates upon these natural terraces, of irregular size, by which we descend to the meadow at the base of the rock. But the mountain laurel, with its magnifi- cent clusters of flowers, is not the most attractive object ; for the little springs that issue from the crevices of the rock have called out a great variety of ferns and lycopodys, that cover its sides with their green foliage like the tiles on the roof of a house. Some gnarled oaks and graceful beeches project from the sides of the clifl" which is covered with innumerable vines. Besides the beautiful things that cluster at our feet and the little winged inhabitants natural to the situation, made attractive by their varied forms, colors and motions, this rock gives additional extent to the prospect of the sur- rounding country, and aff'ords one many different views from the various openings through its wood and shrubbery. Such are the beauties and advantages multiplied about a mere rock. But in my description I have omitted to notice the grotto formed by the shelving of rocks, and so delightful to the traveller who seeks shelter from the sultry heat of noon, or to one who aims only to gratify a poetic imagination. Rocky scenery always suggests to the mind the various scenes and incidents of romantic adventure ; and I believe OCTOBER. 457 the difficulties and dangers it presents to the traveller magnify the interest of the situation. I have often seen a whole party affected with an eager desire to obtain possession of a flower that was growing out of the summit of a rocky cliff. Each one would feel a similar desire to climb upon its sides and to obtain a resting place upon its dangerous summit. All these circumstances, which in real nature stimulate the adventurous spirit, become picturesque when represented on canvas, by affording the same kind of stimulus to the imagination of the beholder. Hence the imaginative as well as the adventurous are equally delighted with this kind of scenery, that arouses the enterprise of the one and awakens the poetic feelings of the other. What do we care for a scene, however beautiful, which is so tame as to afford no exercise for the imagination ? Rocks, by increasing the inequalities of the surface, propor- tionally multiply the ideas and images which are associated with landscape. Tt is not an uninteresting inquiry why a prospect beheld from a rocky cliff or precipice yields us more pleasure than the same beheld from an even slope. Is it the more agree- able, when we partake of any such enjoyments, to be discon- nected from the objects immediately around us ? Or when standing upon a rock that projects from the surface of the ground may we not experience an illusive feeling of elevation ? In the town of Beverly are many grand and delightful views of the ocean from different points on the neighboring hills and eminences. Some of these views are probably unsur- passed^ by the coast scenery in any part of the country. I have repeatedly observed that parties of pleasure, when mak- ing an excursion among these hills, are not satisfied v/ith a view of the ocean and landscape, until they have beheld them from some elevated or projecting rock. There is probably a poetic feeling of isolation attending us when standing upon a rock, that increases those emotions, whether of beauty or sublimity, which are excited by the prospect. Any one who has rambled over the bald hills that bound almost the whole northern shore of Massachusetts Bay, can bear witness to the power of these landscapes to magnify VOL. XXI. NO. x. 58 458 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. those sublime emotions that come from the aspect of desola- tion. They are felt, in these places, unaccompanied by that profound melancholy which must ever attend us when con- templating a wide scene of ruins. Here the appearance of desolation is sufficient to awaken a deep emotion of sublimity ; but while surrounded with so many evidences of a fertile and prosperous country, we are equally affected with a sense of cheerful exaltation. I doubt whether the most beautiful garden in Europe would afford so much of the luxury of mental emotion as a ramble over these bald hils affords to one whose mind is properly attuned for such enjoyments. It is evident that the hills without the rocks would be destitute of the feature that yields them their principal charm. From the sight of the rocks also comes that feeling of alliance with past ages of the world which tends greatly to elevate the mind with sentiments of grandeur. The New England stone-wall, as a portion of landscape scenery, is generally considered a deformity. Still it carinot be d-enied that the same lines of wooden fence would mar the beauty of the landscape a great deal more. On account of the loose manner in which the stones are piled one upon another, as well as the character of the materials, this wall harmonizes with the general aspect of nature more agreeably, than any kind of wood-work or masonry. It seems to me less of a deformity than a hedge or any other kind of a fence, except in highly cultivated and ornamented grounds. In wild pastures and lands devoted to common agricultural pur- poses, the stone-wall is the least exceptionable of any boundary mark that has yet been invented. A hedge in such places would present to the eye an intolerable formality. One of the charms of the stone-wall is the manifest ease with which it may be overleaped : it menaces no infringement upon our liberty. When we look abroad upon a landscape subdivided only by these long lines of loose stones, we feel no sense of constraint : the whole boundless range as well as prospect is ours. An appearance that cherishes this feeling of liberty is essential to the beauty of a landscape ; for no man can thoroughly enjoy a scene from which he is excluded. OCTOBER. 459 Imagine to what extent the peculiar beauty of the ocean would be marred, if certain portions were enclosed by a fence for the exclusive advantage of some proprietor ! Fences are de- formities of prospect which we are obliged to use and to tolerate ; but of these the stone-wall is one of the least ex- ceptionable, inasmuch as it harmonizes with nature, and is expressive of that freedom which it affords to the traveller and the rambler. It may be remarked that no inconsiderable share of the interest added to a prospect by the presence of rocks, arises from their connection with the history of past ages of the world. They are indeed the monuments of the antediluvian ages, and no man who is acquainted with the commonly received geological facts, when wandering among these relics of the mysterious past, can fail to be inspired with those emotions of sublimity, which proceed no less from the won- ders of science than from the bolder creations of poetry. EUROPEAN PARKS, NO. II. BY HOWARD DANIELS, ARCHITECT, N. Y. In the immediate neighborhood of Liverpool, there are no fine parks belonging to the nobility — that of the late Earl of Sefton is small and plain ; the lawn and flower garden are very neatly kept, and that is about all that can be said in its favor. The new approach is very monotonous, having one gentle sweep for about half a mile, with a parallel plantation of young trees, of uniform size and of few kinds, on each side. The hall is an old-fashioned structure, of no architect- ural pretensions whatever. • KNOWSLEY HALL, THE PRINCIPAL SEAT OF THE EARL OF DERBY, is situated in a large park. The grounds, gardens, &c., are not much better than those of the Earl of Sefton, but on a larger scale. 460 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Knowsley Hall contains pictures of all the Stanleys, in- cluding Thomas, the first Earl, who built the old towers ; the seventh Earl, who wrote the memorable letter to Futm, and was beheaded at Bolton ; and his wife, Charlotte de Tumonaille, who figures in " Peveril of the Peak," and a defender of Latham House. The mansion has been erected at different periods, and possesses little architectural merit. The northwest winds in this vicinity are frequently very severe, which, with their saline qualities, are very injurious to many of the tender kinds of trees and shrubs. The Deodar cedar, deciduous cypress, Portugal laurel, arbutus, &.C., are frequently much injured. In the neighborhood of Manchester, are several large and fine parks. Henton Hall, the seat of the Earl of Wilton, is a fine large pafk ; the approach leaves the public road on the convex side of a bend, and is according to Repton in every particular. The curves are slight, graceful and majestic ; no short turns nor plantations created to form reasons for ave- nues, but the course is manifestly the most direct natural route to the Hall ; and continues on, and on, through exten- sive pastures, cropped by herds of fine cattle, sheep and horses, till I almost imagined myself on a western prairie. . In the meadows and pastures* the trees are in scattered groups, without much design in their arrangement, depend- ing more on their individual size and forms for effect than on their grouping. The lawn in front of the mansion is quite open, and has a straight walk passing in front half a mile in length. Beyond it is a terrace wall with pedestals and vases ; this broad ter- race is all in turf, except the grand path, and is kept as neat as the most fastidious housekeeper's* front hall." Below is a broad meadow, and in the distance are fine views extending many miles. On the right, are large plantations of laurels, rhododendrons, oaks, beeches, &c. ; beyond are the hot houses, flower gardens, stables, &c. To the left, the fore- ground is quite open, with fine scenery in the distance. On the carriage front is an open lawn, several rods in OCTOBER. 461 width ; then a gentle ascent, clothed with venerable beeches, with a few oaks and other small trees. One very large beech has its branches tied together by iron bands and bars at twenty feet from the ground ; the body is considerably de- cayed, and is about five feet in diameter — there are several beeches four feet in diameter. Turkey oaks flourish here very well indeed. On an eminence in rear of the carriage front is a temple, or observatory, overlooking the country from five to ten miles in several directions. Beyond the flower garden is a large piece of woods, with rhododendrons, laurels, kalmias, ferns, &c., forming the undergrowth, and looking as wild and prim- itive in places as the sides of the Alleghany Mountains in Penn. Between the woods and the flower garden is a small lake, with an island in the centre, about thirty feet in diam- eter, entirely covered with a single rhododendron. The flower garden is tastefully arranged, but nothing remarkable ill it. The hot houses are on a grand scale — well arranged and kept. The Hall is in the Roman Corinthian style, and a very creditable specimen for an old building. The conservatories were in the same style, but are being rebuilt with all the modern improvements. WORSELY HALL, THE SEAT OF THE EARL OF ELLE3MERE, is a modern Elizabethean mansion, erected about twelve years since, from the design of Edward Blore, architect, of London, and has all the peculiarities and some of the whim- sicalities pertaining to that hybrid style. My first impressions from a distance were unfavorable. There is a kind of monotony about it — a want of lights and shadows, an indistinctness that is not pleasing. On a closer inspection, all the details appear to better advantage ; the eye wanders over the vast edifice, interested in every move by some new or quaint device : in the unnatural mixture of the Roman, Italian, and Gothic styles ; in scrolls, in imitation of scraps, shell work, and crinkum crankums of many sorts, in- serted by the fertile genius of Grinling Gibbons, a celebrated 462 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. carver, who flourished in Queen Elizabeth's time. The great defect in this style is, that the details are decorative rather than constructive ; they do not grow out of the mate- rials in a legitimate way, but are rather parasites, fastened on the exterior surface. The cornices are light, and their shadows are but a line ; instead of a broad mass, as in the Italian style, the plans are generally too regular, and furnish few vertical shadows. This building is, perhaps, as good an example of the style as can be found, and abounds in well and finely executed details. The pleasure grounds contain about sixty acres. That portion in front of the Hall is in fine terraces, with a fall of sixty feet, and has walks and flower beds in geomet- rical form, corresponding with the house. The first terrace is of stone, and forms the base of the mansion ; down a few steps is a second terrace, five hundred feet long by one hundred and fifty wide, surrounded Avitli* a rich ballustrade with roses on the pedestals ; in the centre is a fine cast iron tazza fountain, from Belgium. The flower beds are in regular figures ; Irish yews are placed at regular distances along the walls, and there are three flights of broad steps leading to the third terrace. The third terrace is entirely in turf except the walks ; the fourth is divided in the centre, and has a very fine fountain in each half, constantly throwing jets forty feet high, in fine weather. At the ends of each division are flower beds in the form of shells, around which and the fountains are colored gravel walks, with all the curves and angles appertaining to this style. The fifth terrace is chiefly in turf, with a belt of trees and shrubs along the lower edge. Beyond are mead- ows and pastures, in the valley, for miles ; in the distance, a range of hills. All the terraces are of the same size, except the upper one ; the views from them are very extensive and varied. On the right are extensive plantations of Portugal laurel and rhodo- dendrons, with a few choice evergreen trees, planted singly and looking very well ; beyond is a forest of large trees, with a dense undergrowth of laurels, rhododendrons, kalmias, «fcc. , OCTOBER. 463 that are allowed to run wild, except the margins next the path; still beyond, are the vegetable and fruit gardens, hot houses, pits, &c., on a magnificent scale. To the left of the Hall are plantations about twelve years old, containing a great variety of the choicest kinds of trees and shrubs ; beyond which is the village. On the entrance front the ground is nearly level with the first floor of the mansion, for two or three hundred feet in width ; back of which, is a terrace rising twelve or fifteen feet, and from the rear of the second terrace, the ground rises in natural slopes, and is covered with wood of a moder- ate growth. The approach is short and straight, and leaves the public road at nearly a right angle. The terraces are formed at an immense expense, and har- monize well with the mansion ; the transition from these ter- races to the lawn, and from the lawn to the woods is too abrupt — a fault difficult to avoid when so much space is appropriated to the geometrical gardens, and the remainder so circumscribed. On the whole, I am disposed to give Mr. Michel (who has been the head gardener for eighteen years, and who designed and directed the improvements,) consider- able praise for his skill and taste. TATTON PARK, THE SEAT OF WILBRAHAM EGERTON, ESQ. As this is one of the largest parks in England (containing 2;200 acres,) and one that Humphrey Repton, Esq., im- proved, and subsequently published some accounts of, with his reasons for certain improvements he recommended in his work on Landscape Gardening, it has more than the usual interest attached to such places. It may, therefore, be inter- esting to some to know something of what it was in 1790, and what it is now ; so, at the risk of being considered tedi- ous, I will endeavor to perform the task in as brief a manner as possible. At the time Mr. Repton was called upon to suggest im- provements in Tatton Park, the approach was an avenue, or two straight rows of beech trees seventy-five feet apart, and extending from the town of Runtsford, in a direct line, two 464 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. miles over hills and dales to the mansion : the trees in each row being twenty-five feet apart and exactly opposite each other, and now averaging from two to four feet in diameter, at a height of four feet from the ground. On the opposite side of the mansion was another avenue of beeches, extend- ing to another village in an opposite direction. Mr. Repton in his " Red Book " says : — " The situation of Tatton Park may be justly described as too splendid to be called interesting, and too vast to be deemed picturesque ; yet it is altogether beautiful in spite of tliat greatness which is rather the attribute of sublimity than of beauty. The mind is astonished and pleased at every extensive prospect, but it cannot be interested except by those objects which strike the eye distinctly ; and the scenery of Tatton is at present of a kind much beyond the pencil's power to imitate with effect. It is like the attempt to paint a giant by him- self in a miniature picture. " Perfection in landscape may be derived from various sources ; if it is sublime, it may be wild, romantic, or greatly extensive ; if beautiful, it may be comfortable, interesting, and graceful in all its parts ; but there is no incongruity in blending these attributes, provided the natural situation con- tinues to prevail ; for this reason no violation will be offered to the genius of Tatton Park, if we add to its splendors the amenity of interesting objects, and give to its vastness the elegance of comfort. " It is not from the situation only that the character of Tatton derives its greatness. The command of adjoining property, the style and magnitude of the mansion, (from the elegant design of Samuel Wyat, Esq.,) and all its appenda- ges, contribute to confer that degree of importance which ought here to be the leading object in every plan of im- provement. Vastness of extent will no more constitute greatness of character in a park, than a vast pile of differ- ently-colored building will constitute greatness of character in a house. A park, from its vast extent, may, perhaps, sur- prise, but it will not impress us with the character of great- ness and importance, unless Ave are led to those parts where OCTOBER. 465 beauty is shown to exist with all its interest amidst the boundless range of undivided propert5^" Mr. Repton, after stating these general principles, goes into the specialities minutely, and recommends quitting the ave- nue and planting it up, and the construction of a new ap- proach, upon which he lays down the following rules : — " First. An approach is a road to the house, and to that principally. " Secondly. If it is not naturally the nearest road possi- ble, it ought artificially to be made impossible to go nearer. " Thirdly. The artificial obstacles which make this road the nearest, ought to appear natural. " Fourthly. When an approach quits the high road, it ought not to break from it at right angles, or in such a man- ner as to rob the entrance of importance ; but rather at some bend of the public road, from whence a lodge or gate may be more conspicuous, and where the high road may appear to branch from the approach, rather than the approach from the high road. " Fifthly. After the approach enters the park, it should avoid skirting along its boundary, which betrays the want of extent or unity of property. " Sixthly. The house, unless very large and magnificent, should not be seen at so great a distance as to make it a]> pear much less than it really is. " Seventhly. The house should be at first presented in a pleasing point of view. " Eighthly. As soon as the house is visible from the ap- proach, there should be no temptation to quit it ; which will ever be the case if the road be at all circuitous, unless suffi- cient obstacles, such as water, or inaccessible ground, appear to gratify its course." After enumerating these eight rules relating to approaches, which he undoubtedly intends to be general, Mr. Repton goes on to say : — " I shall not here speak of the convenience or inconve- nience of a large town situated very near a park, but of the influence that the proximity of a large town has in the char- VOL. XXI. NO. x. 59 466 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. acter of a park, which is very considerable ; because it must either serve to increase or diminish its importance. The lat- ter is at present the case with respect to Tatton and Knuts- ford. " The first essential of greatness in a place, is the appear- ance of united and uninterrupted property ; and it is in vain that this is studied within the pale, if it is too visibly contra- dicted without it. It is not expected that a large manufac- turing town like Knutsford, can be the entire property of one individual ; but the proportion of interest belonging to the adjoining family should impress the mind with a sense of its influence. " There are various ways by which this effect is occasion- ally produced, and I will mention some of them, viz. : the (Church and churchyard may be decorated in a style that shall •in .some degree correspond with that of the mansion. The :marii.et-house, or other public- edifice — an obelisk, or even a mere sione with distances, may be made an ornament to the town an4 bear the arms of the family ; or the same arms may be the sign of the principal inn of the place ; but there are no means so effectual as that which presents itself at Knutsford, of which I have given a hint in the slide of the following sketch, for which see ' Repton's Landscape Gar- dening, by J. C. Loudon,' page 93. ■^^ By taking down a few miserable cottages and rebuilding them as tenements, in a plain, uniform manner, the end of the street will be open, to show the entrance of the park through a simple, handsome arch. " The arch should be of stone color, but the tenements of red brick, as according better with the other houses in the town." The " few miserable cottages" are taken down, and the street straightened and continued to the lodge in a right line ; :a branch diverges from it on the left, about twenty rods be- fore reaching the lodge, and continues along the boundary as a public road ; and, instead of rebuilding tenements in red brick in a plain uniform manner, the ground was planted, and is now covered with a dense growth of trees, from forty to ijifty feet in height. OCTOBER. 467 The arched gateway, with attached cohimns, cornice, and pediment, built of stone, in the Roman style, with lodges on each side, were built and remain there still in good condition. Whether the church, churchyard, and market house were " decorated in a style to correspond with that of the man- sion," I did not learn, nor whether the milestones were made to bear the family arms ; but the best inns I found have the arms of " Royal George." On inquiring of the inn-keepers, gate-keepers, &c., when, and by whom the present improvements were made, I> was invariably answered, " I don't know ; I was born and brought up here, but ever since I can remember, everything has been just as you see it now." After entering the park, Mr. Repton's drive is straight for a quarter of a mile, and on passing over a knoll diverges very gently to the left for three quarters of a mile, moving near the low meer, which is on the right and about a quarter of a mile in width at this point and a mile in length. After pass- ing the meer, the curvature increases constantly till it reaches the mansion, and ends at right angles with its beginning. The reason for the curve near the mansion, was the neces- sity of passing around the upper meer which lay exactly in front of the mansion ; hence the exception in Mr. Repton's eighth rule. Thus it will be seen that this approach is an exemplifica- tion of the rules laid down ; but it occurred to me on passing over itj^that if Mr. Repton were to do it over again he would probably make a slight curve in the first quarter of a mile, and go partly around and across the side of the knoll instead of going directly over it. Straight drives or paths, unless in straight grades, or even slight vertical curves, never look well when viewed at an angle, as the lines are then distorted ; this is the effect in a large degree in the present case. As a matter of science, the reasons for going around a knoll are certainly as strong if not stronger than for going over it, as we see in all railroads and turnpikes. In regard to planting up the avenue, it seems Mr. Rep- 468 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. ton's recommendations were not followed, as the half nearest Knutsford is yet nearly entire ; further on, the openings made by time occur oftener, and when within from a quarter to half a mile of the mansion, nearly half the trees have been removed. At about a quarter of a mile from the man- sion there is erected in it a very fine temple, after the Cho- ragie Monument of Lysicrates, at Athens, and a gravel walk fifteen feet in width, carried from thence through the remain- der of the avenue, and ending in the Italian floral garden designed and constructed by Sir Joseph Paxton, about eight years since. About half way up this avenue on the east side and twenty yards distant, is a circle of elms fifty yards in diame- ter and about twelve feet apart ; standing on a knoll, they are from one foot six inches to two feet six inches in diame- ter at four feet above the ground ; in the centre are three smaller ones, that are the remains of an inner circle. On inquiring of the gardener what was the object or design of this circle, I was told he did not know ; it is now called the " Bull Ring." , I do not recollect of ever seeing anything of the kind in the plans of old parks, and conclude it must have been de- signed for a " half-way house," or a temple for the wood nymphs. Mr. Repton objected to the draining or filling up of the meer near the mansion, and recommended its improvement and the creating of an arm from the lower meer up the val- ley, so as to appear from the mansion to be a river connect- ing the two meers, and gives his reasons for the same, but they are too lengthy to be quoted here ; they may be found with the sketches, showing the original and the proposed effects in " Repton's Landscape Gardening," page 72. Many years since, the upper meer was drained because it was thought unhealthy ; and the " yawning chasm," as he called it, is growing up with trees from twenty to forty feet in height. Some of Mr. Repton's plantations have entirely disap- peared ; others are sadly mutilated, and probably some that OCTOBER. 469 he recommended were never created. New ones have been planted, chiefly in tlie low grounds, and the effects are very- bad. The lawn in front of the mansion is probably nearly as Mr. R. left it, and is truly magnificent. Among the trees, I will mention a couple of Cedars of Lebanon, sixty feet in height, hemlock, spruce, American arbor-vitas, tulip tree, and locusts full grown, oaks, chesnuts, larches, &c., of immense size, and all sweeping the turf gracefully with their lower branches. The mansion fronts nearly south, and has the lower meer, two miles of the park, and from four to eight miles of land, beyond, forming the middle ground in the picture. The dis- tance takes in a range of hills fifteen miles distant, belonging to the same proprietor ; and he can truly say " I am lord of all I survey," notwithstanding there is a range of low land nine miles distant belonging to another. On the north side of the flower garden is the conservatory, containing a rare collection of large and choice plants. The conservatory wall is covered with Magnolia grandiflora, and other tender and half-hardy plants. On the west is the gar- den wall, leaving the flower garden open to the south. The walks and flower beds in the flower garden are in gentle and irregular curves, leaving the gigantic Portugal laurels, rhododendrons and yews where Mr. Repton planted them ; the flowers are grouped in masses by themselves, and are not well arranged nor well cultivated. The greenhouses, peach-house, grape-house, pine-pits, &c., are on a gigantic scale, and in the most approved manner. I spent a day and a half in rambling over this park, with Mr. John Dwerrhouse, the gardener, and if the readers of my long description are half as much interested as I was, I shall be amply recompensed for writing it. PUBLIC PARKS. Manchester has three public parks, which were provided by public subscriptions, and are a great credit to the city. They are situated on the east, west, and north sides of the 470 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. city, and about one, one and a half and two miles distant from the Exchange. Peel Park was formerly a private residence, but since its conversion into a park the mansion has been converted into a museum and free library, which are very worthy and cred- itable institutions. The basement is occupied by refresh- ment rooms ; in front of the mansion has lately been erected a very fine equestrian statue of Sir Robert Peel, in bronze. This park contains about thirty-two acres, in a rectangular form, lying on the west side of the river Irwell, which forms the boundary line between Manchester and Salford. The front, or south end, comprising about one third of the ground, is thirty or forty feet above the river and nearly level. A steep hill crosses nearly at right angles, and back of that the land is quite flat and but a few feet above the river. A drive is located on the east side and sweeps around the low ground, but is not used by carriages. The improvements are of an ordinary kind, but are well kept. A gymnasium, skittle grounds, cricket grounds, &c., are the attractions for the young of both sexes. This park and library are highly appreciated by the labor- ing class of Salford and its neighborhood — thousands visiting it every fine day. It was opened free to the public, August 22, 1846, and was named Peel Park, in compliment to Sir Robert Peel, who contributed the sum of £1000 to the funds raised for establishing it. The Queeii's Park contains thirty acres of land, with con- siderable diversity of surface ; many large and well grown trees, a couple of ponds supplied by a spring, a well arranged flower garden and rosary. The drive makes a circuit of the grounds, with a central branch to the old mansion near the centre, (now used for refreshment rooms,) and is too much after Brown's style. The paths are better, but are not what they should be ; the plantations are too artificial, and are not located so as to form reasons for curves in the drive or paths, &c. Philips Park is in the west side of the city, and con- tains thirty-one acres of very undulating and fine land ; the OCTOBER. 471 west portion being high, and affording fine views of Man- chester and the country north and south ; the river Medlock washes the north and a portion of the east sides. The drive skirts around the boundary for two thirds of its length ; then follows nature's indications for the balance of the distance. The latter arrangement I give the landscape gardener and contractor credit for doing, because they could not get money enough to dig a tunnel and build a viaduct. A small rivulet, dammed several times, forms pretty sheets of water in the ravine ; but the genius who directed the improvements was not satisfied with the fact of these being there, and with their visitors getting a few fine glimpses of them in passing over the grounds, but must take them two- thirds around each piece of water in a path running parallel with, and just one yard distant from the water's edge, and exhibit all the stiffness in its outline, the smoothness of its banks, &-c., until they are tired and disgusted. The original flower garden is a sort of labyrinth in plan, which often compels the stranger to retrace his steps and commence his journey anew. Two thirds of the plantations are of Canadian poplars, and many thousand suckers are growing from them already. In a kind of amphitheatre in the low ground, is a very respectable rosary and garden, lately made by the present gardener. Cricket grounds, skittle alleys, gymnasiums, circular swings, and the maze, form attractions for a large class of the young people, of both sexes, pleasant summer even- ings ; Saturday afternoons and Sunday afternoons especially, these parks are thronged with the operatives and their fami- lies, instead of going to beer shops and gin palaces. The dense smoke pouring constantly from the thousands of tall chimneys in Manchester and its vicinity, is very de- structive to most of the Conifers and many of the evergreen shrubs. Those that are best among the latter are rhododen- drons, hollies, araucarias, box, ledums; among the former, I do not think I saw a healthy plant in either of the parks. Among the deciduous trees, elms, sycamores and limes do the best ; the deciduous shrubs do better than evergreens. 472 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. The difference in the treatment of these parks, and those at Liverpool and Birkenhead, is so wide I fear to risk a com- parison. In the commencement of these parks two sad mistakes were made, which I will here make a few notes of, that others similarly situated may the better guard against them. The committee who had charge of the improvements offered premiums for the best plans, and were captivated with the gorgeously colored designs of a Mr. Johan Major and Son, which proved to be impracticable in many respects. They also gave the contract for grading, fencing, and plant- ing, to the lowest bidder, who failed when the works were half done ; and the finishing up with litigations, delays and costs, when complete, amounted to £ 12,000 for an inferior job, when the highest bidder's proposal was only £9,000. Victoria Park contains one hundred and forty acres of land with about five miles of drives, and is laid out into villa lots from fifty feet front to two or three acres each. There are several very fine villas already built, and more in pro- gress. No part of these grounds are public. Lodges and gates are located at the principal entrances, for the purpose of excluding all but residents and their friends. This is what would be a very economical and popular arrangement with us if properly carried out, and would enable the projectors to realize better profits than they do from the usual rectangular subdivisions, so numerous in the suburbs of all our towns and cities. Here, the drives, lodges, drainage, &c., are all made by the company, and the lots sold with restrictions which are mutually beneficial. There are several very fine brick villas in this park, exhib- iting an unusual amount of variety and ornament for brick- work, and at rates much cheaper than stone. The bricks are the color of our fire bricks and very hard. The quoins, water-tables, cap, sills, keystones, &c., are of a drab-colored sandstone ; the roofs are universally of slate. A favorite plan is to build two villas togetherj each having OCTOBER. 473 two rooms in front; the corner one is the drawing-room, pro- jecting from two to six feet with a bay window ; the other a dining or sitting room ; the entrance on the side, and a close porch ; back of the hall are two more rooms for dining room and library, the kitchen being in a back wing. The villa sets back thirty or forty feet, and has a wall four feet high at the front and banked up to the underside of the wall coping, and planted with a thick belt of trees and shrubs, with a holly hedge next the wall. On the sides are similar belts; the rear, if south, is left open. The entrance is near the corner, and has an oval widening in front of the porch for turning the carriage, then continues back to the stable, which, if not constructed in handsome style, is hidden by a plantation of trees. Sometimes the front belt has a pro- jection opposite the centre of the two villas, and a holly or privet hedge continued from that to the house as a division line ; sometimes a slight wire fence is used, and the flower- beds running through as if there was no division. Among the single villas there are scarcely two alike, either in the village or grounds. Manchester, Sept. 7. 1855. DESIGN FOR A FLOWER GARDEN. ^ BY THE EDITOR. The annexed plan of a Flower Garden, (Jig. 20,^ is the fourth of the series. The design is an excellent one, and, planted in good taste and with a proper arrangement of colors, would have a fine effect near the house, in front of the conservatory or green- house, or as a distinct feature in itself, surrounded by an irregular plantation of trees, or even an evergreen or privet hedge. All the walks should be edged with box, and well filled with brown gravel ; the box should be clipped very short, VOL. XXI. NO. X. 60 474 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. unless the garden is laid out on a larger scale than we have given. The centre may be occupied with a fountain, or a handsome vase, or with an appropriate statue. This plan is admirably adapted for a Dutch garden for bulbs to be planted the present month, or in November; and, 20. DESIGN FOR A FLOWER GARDEN. Scale — 10 feet to the inch. after they have done blooming and are removed in spring, for a summer garden for bedding-out plants, principally low kinds, such as verbenas, lantanas, plumbago, &c. &c. As ample directions have been given in our previous plans to OCTOBER. 475 guide any one who possesses much taste in judiciously group- ing the bedding-out plants, we confine our remarks to the Dutch garden, now that the season is at hand for planting them. The outer row of beds, except the four semicircular ones which serve as a kind pf framework to the garden, may be planted with early tulips, such as Due Von Tholl, and other showy colors. The semicircular ones with double polyanthus, white at the ends, and yellow on the sides. The whole inner edge to be bordered with blue crocus, one row planted thick. The half-circle beds, four in number, may be planted wholly with crocuses, white on the two sides, and blue on the ends. The four large corner beds should be planted with hya- cinths ; one to be white, two blue ; and one red and rose ; these may be edged with yellow and blue crocus on the in- side, alternately, or with snow drops. The four small circular beds may be planted with crown imperials, bordered with anemonies. The four irregular shaped beds may be planted with fine late tulips, bizarres in two of them, and bybloemens in the other two ; the outer edge to be bordered with yellow and blue crocuses, alternately, to correspond with the row on the opposite side of the walk. All these bulbs will flower early, and may be removed in June, or allowed to remain in the ground after the foliage is dry and removed. Lilies might be introduced, but as they flower later the beds cannot be planted with annuals or bed- ding-out plants. The beauty of the garden depends much upon its man- agement. It should always be kept perfectly clean and neatly raked, the walks rolled and raked, and the box edg- ings closely clipped. 476 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. FLORICULTURAL AND BOTANICAL NOTICES. Himalayan Vegetation. — The following glowing account of some of the anticipated additions to our gardens is from the recently published and magnificently illustrated work on the Himalayan plants, by J. F. Cathcart, Esq. The wonders of the vegetation of this extensive range of mountainous country, almost resembling in the severity of the climate our own, have just begun to be appreciated, and many invaluable acquisitions may yet be expected from parts yet but partially explored. The Massachusetts Horticultural So- ciety will possess a copy of Mr. Cathcart's work, as soon as it can be received, and the splendid illustrations may then be examined by these who feel interested in this descriptive account : — "It is a wonderful vegetation, that of the Himalayas, so European, yet so exotic, so mean and yet so surpassingly grand. The great illustrated works of Wallich and Royle, the Sik- kim Rhododendrons of Hooker, the same author's Himalayan journals, and the numerous species now decorating our gar- dens, have all contributed their share towards making well- informed persons familiar with the plants produced in that favored region, where a tropical and Alpine Flora blend their forms, and Hindostan and Chinese Tartary, Barmah and China intermingle, and mutually contribute to a spectacle of sur- passing richness and magnificence. Nothing, however, has hitherto been made public so well calculated to impress the mind with admiration of the Hima- layan vegetation as a thin folio volume by Dr. Hooker which has just appeared. Dnring his residence in India the author became acquainted with the late Mr. Cathcart, a most zealous amateur, who had formed at a great cost, by means of native artists, and a corps of Lepcha collectors in his pay, a very extensive series of drawings of the vegetation that sLUTounded him. His residence is described as a singularly beautiful spot about 1000 feet below Darjeeling and 6000 feet above OCTOBER. 477 the sea, occupying a mountain spur overhanging the steep forest-clad gorge of the great Runjeet river, 5000 feet below, and descending in steep jungly slopes on either hand. " Through these forests he had caused the natives to cut paths, directing all their operations with all the taste and judgment of an experienced and skilful landscape gardener. These openings led through the tangled jungle and wound amongst tall trunks of giant timber trees, which were clothed with climbing palms, wild vines, Poihos, Hodgsonia, and Ipomcca, and laden with masses of orchids and ferns, sud- denly emerging on eminences commanding views of 200 miles of snowy mountains, rising range behind range in daz- zling beauty, and again descending by zigzags to cascades fringed with ferns and mosses, and leading thence along the margins of rippling streams, overshadowed by tree ferns, bam- boos, and wild plantains." Surely this must be a scene in fairy land ! In such retreats were collected the materials out of which has been made the selection of drawings now laid before the public ; aided, however, by Dr. Hooker's own sketches, and reduced to an artistic form by the inimitable pencil of Mr. Fitch. Of the merit of the plates it is difficult indeed to speak too highly. Undoubtedly they are the finest that have ever yet been prepared by any English artist ; nor are they in any degree inferior to the drawings of the cele- brated Austrian, Bauers. For this reason we observe with much satisfaction in the subscription list the •' Library, Marl- borough House." The high price of the work unfortunately places it far beyond the reach of many purchasers. We shall therefore be doing our readers a real service by bringing before them a short account of such of the plants as appear to possess the greatest horticultural interest. Passing by the tropical Hodg- sonia hcteroclita, a prodigious cucurbit, with slender climbing stems 100 feet long, and gigantic flowers, every petal of which terminates in half a dozen corkscrews exceeding the span of any man's fingers, we arrive at the following account of a hardy tree of such magnificent beauty that even the Victoria lily is eclipsed in its presence. 478 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Magnolia Catnpbellii. — This is a large forest tree abound- ing on the outer ranges of Sikkim, at elevations of 8 — 10,000 feet, appearing on the road above Pacheem, and thence as- cending to the top of Sinchul 8000 feet, and Tonglo, 10,000 feet ; though occasionally seen on the central ranges at the same elevations, it is much less frequent. The trunk is straight, often 80 feet high, and 12 to 20 in girth, covered with black bark. The flowers are produced abundantly in April, at the end of all the branches, when the tree is as yet perfectly leafless ; they vary from white to deep rose color or utmost crimson, and hi size from (Mo 10 inches (in diameter). In May the tree is in full leaf, and the fruit ripens in October, when a few small and often deformed flowers are sometimes produced. The branch represented by Mr. Fitch only bears three flowers and a bud, and yet it is with difficulty included within the space of 224 square inches. Meconopsis simplicifolia. — The most beautiful and con- spicuous of all the Alpine flowers of Sikkim, if not of the whole Himalaya ; common in rocky and gravelly places at 12,000 feet elevation and upwards, where it expands its large, delicate, deep violet colored blossoms in May, exposed to the violent winds and snow storms of those inhospitable regions. It would be a most brilliant addition to out-of-door gardens, where it " would no doubt succeed perfectly, provided it be kept damp and cool, and not exposed to too long sunshine." Meconopsis Nepalensis. — Of this grand species we have the following account : — " This superb plant, when seen from a distance, resembles a small yellow hollyhock. It was dis- covered by Dr. Wallich's collectors in Nepal, and I found it in the damp interior valleys of Sikkim, growing amidst a rank and luxuriant herbage, on the skirts of silver fir forests (Abies Webbiana), at 10 — 11,000 feet above the level of the sea. The accompanying figure is taken from a sketch of my own, of a specimen that was five feet high." We need not say that the two last plants are poppies, and no doubt cultivable without difficulty. Let the reader imagine a mass composed of the scarlet Papaver bracteatum or orientale, surrounded by the golden bells of this Meconopsis nepalensis, and bordered OCTOBER. 479 « with an edging of the intensely violet Meconopsis simplicifolia, and he will form a pictnre which, for brilliancy of coloring and magnificent breadth of effect, has never yet been realized. Decaisnia insignis inhabits wooded valleys in the central regions of the Himalaya. Dr. Hooker first gathered it in the liachen and Lachoong valleys, at elevations of 7000 to 8000 feet, and afterwards at Chola, where it ascends to nearly 10,000 feet. Its green flowers appear in May, and are scarcely visible amongst the leaves ; the fruit, on the other hand, which ripens in October, is very conspicuous and handsome, of a pale yellow color, and full of a white juicy pulp, that is very sweet and pleasant ; its fruit is eagerly sought after by the Lepchas, who call the plant " Nomorchi," and it is the " Loodooma " of the natives of Bhotan. It would appear to be a plant of very uncommon aspect, resembling a young and very slender fast grown ash tree, among the featherly leaves of which hang clusters of great yellow fruit, somewhat re- sembling a ram's horns. Its learned discoverer regards it as v/ell worthy of cultivation in England for its fruit alone. " It would require protection from spring frosts, but will, no doubt, prove otherwise hardy.'' STUDIES IN THE FIELD AND FOREST. BY WILSOX FLAGG. OCTOBER. O'er hill and grove new beauty has awaked, With all bright hues the morning can collect From Orient beams ; and ere the sun is set, He seems to leave the landscape with regret : For all the western village windows blaze With golden splendor where his light delays. The slurdy trees are tinged by Autumn's breath ; They bear upon their heads a glowing wreath. Their leafy tops are like the showery bow, When the declining sun is bright and low. The neighboring mountains gleam like hills of fire, And solitary poplars lift their spire 480 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Of golden foliage bright above the plain — The homeward landmarks for the weary swain. While beauty far and near attracts our gaze, The leaves are whirling in our pleasant ways ; — The first few dying leaves that come to tell The fate of all things loved and valued well. 'Tis the last month of foliage and perfume : Soon will the leaves be gathered to the tomb : Soon will the breath of Winter blight them all. But lo ! they change and brighten ere they fall, And perish beauteously. Thus daylight dies, And leads on evening with diviner skies ; When all celestial glories are unfurled, And Heaven's own mantle rests upon the world. Thus nature soothes the sorrows that attend Our hearts, when summer's gifts and blessings end ; By showing forth a bright and glorious scene- Fairer than all the beauteous past hath been. With every change of season she presents The landscape drest in new habiliments. While spring and summer tarry, earth is seen Clad in a varied robe of living green, Besprinkled with the violet and the rose : But ere she veils her charms in winter snows. She crowns the woods with tints as fair as spring. And gives the hues of flowers to every fading thing. No. VII [. On the Plumage of Birds. It is a general opinion that the colors of the plumage of birds are not subservient to any particular end, but that they are mere accidents, unattended with any advantages to the feathered tribe. But it seems very unreasonable to suppose that so important a circumstance in the economy of nature should be useless or redundant. Let us inquire what was the design of nature in spreading such a variety of tints upon the plumage of birds, and what are the advantages they derive from their ornamental dress. Do thes« gaudy colors affect the vision of birds with the sensation of beauty, and serve thereby to attract towards one another the individuals of the same species ? Or are they designed by nature for their protection from the keen sight of their enemies, while OCTOBER. 481 flitting about among the blossoms of the trees? I am per- suaded that each of these purposes is served by this provision of nature. She has clothed individuals of the same species and the same sex in uniformity, that they may easily identify their own kindred, and has planted in their breasts an innate susceptibility to derive pleasure from the sight of those colors and those arrangements of colors that predominate in the plum- age of their own kind. She has likewise distinguished the small birds that live on trees by beautiful colors, while those species that run upon the ground are marked by a plainer dress ; that the former may be unobserved by their enemies, among the blossoms of the trees, and that the neutral hues of the latter may cause them to be less conspicuous while sitting or running upon the ground. It is well known that the males of most species are more beautifully and brilliantly decorated than the females, and that the singing birds in general have less beauty than such as are not endowed with the gift of song. As an explana- tion of this fact, it may be remarked, that the singing birds are more humble in their habitats than the other tribes. The brightly colored birds are mostly the inhabitants of forests and lofty trees. Such are the woodpeckers, the parrots, the troupials, and most of the tropical birds. The northern tem- perate latitudes are the regions of the grasses, which by their produce of seeds afford sustenance to a large proportion of the singing birds of the same parallels. These species, in- cluding the sparrows and finches, are usually plainly dres'sed, and seeK" their food upon the ground, on which, or in a low bush, many of them build their nests. The same remark will apply to the thrushes that build their nests near the ground, and though they do not feed upon seeds, are sup- ported by the grubs and worms that are found upon the sur- face of the earth, and by the fruits of low trees and shrub- bery. Between the tropics, on the other hand, the birds of almost all species live upon grubs and insects that infest the trees. The ground, in that part of the globe, not being cov- ered with grasses, could afford them but little sustenance. Hence we may account for the greater variety and beauty so VOL. XXI. NO. X. 61 482 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. remarkable in the plumage of the tropical birds. The sing- ing birds that generally frequent the shrubbery are of a brown, or an olive brown, of different shades. They are dressed in colors that blend harmoniously with the general tints of the ground and herbage, while they are sitting upon their nests, or searching for their food. Almost all birds are of a grayish or whitish tint beneath, that, while sitting on a branch, the reptiles that are lurking for them may, when looking upward, not easily distinguish them from the hues of the clouds and sky, and the grayish under-surface of the leaves of plants. Nature works on the same principle in guarding insects and reptiles from the observation of their foes. Thus, the toad is colored like the earth ; while the common frog, that lives .^mong the green rushes and other plants of the shore, is gr&cn, and the tree frog of a mottled gray, like the outer surface of the bark of trees. Almost all grasshoppers are greep ; but there is a species found among the gray lichens, on our rocky hills, which is of the color of granite. Among the singing birds of this country, which are remarkable for the brilliancy of Iheir plumage, are the golden oriole and the redbird. These birds are seldom seen upon the ground, but seek their food and build their nests upon trees. The little hemp-bird, or American goldfinch, lives upon the seeds of the compound flowers, which are mostly yellow. His plumage of dark olive and yellow allows him to escape the observation of a lurking enemy, while pecking his repast from the disk of a sunflower, or from a cluster of golden chrysanthemums. The nightingale, though unrivalled in song, is exceeded by almost all other birds in beauty of plumage. This is not to be explained on the principle of compensation, but by the necessity of plain colors for protection. Birds of this species do not frequent tall trees, but delight in shrubbery, and take the greater part of their food from the ground. Their neu- tral tinted feathers, harmonizing with the general tints of the surface of the earth, are one of the means given them by .nature for their security. The northern woodpeckers, the OCTOBER. 483 common creeper, and the chickadee, all of which remain here daring winter, and hunt the hark of trees for their sus- tenance, are speckled with gray and white, to assimilate them in color to the winter coverings of the leafless trees of the forest. There is one numerous tribe of birds that run upon the ground, whose males, with the exception of a few species, are very brilliantly decorated. This is the gallinaceous tribe, which may be considered an exception to the principle I am laboring to establish. It is remarkable with respect to this tribe of birds, that it is only the larger species, such as the pheasant, the turkey, the curassow, the peacock, and the common fowl, whose males are thus gorgeously arrayed. Their colors are evidently intended for their protection in another way. All the males of these species are endowed with a propensity to ruffle and expand their feathers, when- ever they are threatened with attack. The boldest animal would be frightened by the sudden expansion of the brilliant plumage of the peacock, when he places himself in this pe- culiar attitude. A gorgeous spectacle suddenly presented, and so different from anything else that is commonly seen, would overawe even the king of beasts. Similar effects in a weaker degree would be produced by the ruffled plumage of the tarkey or the pheasant. It is worthy of remark, that in proportion to the brilliancy of the colors is the strength of the impression made upon the sight of the creature that designs them ail. injury. The susceptibility of wild animals to be frightened by such causes is shown by the terror produced in them by the sudden opening of an umbrella. But these brilliant plumes are confined to the larger species of the tribe. The quails, partridges and grouse are generally of the color of the ground, being of a speckled and brownish hue, and are distinguished with difficulty when sitting or standing among the berry bushes, or gleaning their repast in the corn- field. Being too small to defend themselves so well as the larger species, their colors are adapted to protect them by concealment, and not by dazzling and alarming their foes. But it may be asked why the females of the gaudily 484 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. plumed species are plainly dressed, while the males are gor- geously decorated ? It may be answered, that the female performs the duties of incubation ; and if she were brilliantly colored, like the male, she would be more easily detected by a bird of prey, while sitting on her nest. The male, on the contrary, while hunting among the foliage of the trees for his insect food, is not so easily distinguished from the blos- soms of the trees. It may also be remarked, that in northern latitudes the duties of incubation are performed during May and June, when the trees are in flower. After the blossoms have faded, several species doff their brilliant ornaments, and assume a plainer garb, like that of the female. When there are no longer any flowers upon the trees, the resemblance of the birds to the flowers that have perished would no longer afford them any protection. But nature often employs the same means to serve a two- fold purpose. The beautiful colors of the plumage of birds serve undoubtedly to render the males more conspicuous ob- jects of attraction to the females. Hence, in the early part of the year, just before the time of courtship arrives, nature has provided that the plumage of various kinds of birds should suffer this important change. Thus, the bobolink exchanges his winter garment of yellowish brown for one of a brilliant straw color and black ; and the red-winged black- bird casts off his tawny suit for one of a glossy jet, with epaulettes of a beautiful scarlet. During the same period, the warbler^, after a silence of eight or nine months, become suddenly vocal, and fill the groves with their untiring lays. What is the secret cause of this metamorphosis in the feath- ered race ? What are the useful ends subserved by this mys- terious provision of nature ? It is evident that nature per- forms for them an oflice which the reason of mankind teaches us to do for ourselves. She clothes them with beauty, and endows them with song, at that period when their success as lovers is greatly dependent on the multitude and power of their attractions. Among the beautiful species, their success depends on the splendor of their plumage ; and among the warblers, on the charms of their voice. Beauty and song OCTOBER. 485 are the means which nature has furnished them, whereby they may render themselves agreeable to the objects of their affection. It is easy to explain, therefore, on the principle of compen- sation, were there no other explanation to be found, why the handsome birds, in general, are endowed with inferior music- al powers. They are able to accomplish by their personal charms, what the plainer species are obliged to accomplish by their music and eloquence. Hence, it may be observed that the handsome birds, when engaged in courtship, place themselves in attitudes which are calculated to display the full beauty of their plumage ; while the warblers under the same circumstances, pour forth an unusual strain of melody. It may not be a mere suggestion of the fancy, that a male goldfinch, who should not suffer his usual metamorphosis in the spring, and should appear in the society of his golden- breasted kindred, arrayed in the plain olive-garb of winter, would be obliged to live without a partner to cheer his soli- tude. How would he be despised by the females of his tribe, while clad in the vulgar plumage of a plebeian sparrow ! I have thus far spoken of the brilliant and variegated plum- age of birds, as constituting not only a means of protection from their enemies, but as a bond of recognition and attach- ment between individuals of the same species. Nature has likewise, in a similar way, provided for the preservation of the offspring. She has painted the eggs of no two species exactly alike. Some she has adorned with a lively green, others with a pale azure ; but, on account of the limited number of distinct shades which would harmonize with sur- rounding objects, and render them less conspicuous, she has ornamented the eggs of the majority of the feathered tribe with a speckled surface, combining the different hues in such a manner as to produce an endless variety in their appearance. Almost all birds that build their nests upon the ground, lay eggs thickly covered with brown or purple specks on a ground-work of pale salmon or dove color, that they may the more easily eiscape the eyes of such creatures as are disposed to plunder them. The eggs of birds that build in trees are 486 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. more frequently of a greenish color, sometimes approaching to blue. If they are speckled, some shade of blue or green forms the groundwork. The eggs of the duck are of a greenish white, to harmonize with the hues of the water's surface, near which, on the lake shore, they are frequently deposited. The eggs of the ostrich, which are laid on the bare sands of the desert, are of a brownish color^ with specks a shade darker, producing on their smooth surface the effect of light and shade among the grains of sand. Domestication destroys the original instincts of animals to a certain extent, and renders birds partially indifferent to colors. It likewise changes their plumage as well as their instincts. Just in proportion, tlierefore, as any species of birds has become domesticated, it is unsafe to depend on the correctness of these observations respecting their instincts with reference to colors. All the species of the gallinaceous birds, except the common hen, lay speckled eggs. It is probable that, during the thousands of ages since the latter was domesticated, her eggs have lost their original marking, and have become white. Equal change has happened to their plumage, which is of almost all colors, while that of the more recently domesticated species for the most part retains its original marks. When any species of birds has become domesticated, they no longer require to be protected by the hues of their plumage. Their natural predisposition, there- fore, to be marked only by certain combinations of colors, becomes weakened in proportion to the length of time they have continued in a domesticated state. Being in this state entirely at the mercy of mankind, one color would answer for their protection no better than another. Ulassncjjusctts IJortitulturnl Sodctij. Saturday, Aug. 18lh, 1855. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day — the President in the chair. A Committee was appointed to consider the expediency of establishing OCTOBER. 487 the character of pears, and the President, S. Walker, R. Manning, M. P. Wilder and E. Wight, were chosen the Committee. E. M. Richards, E. Wight, II. Bradlee, L. Winship and F. Burr, were appointed a Committee to nominate officers for the ensuing year. Adjourned two weeks to September 1st. Exhibited. Flowers: In great variety, from M. B. Williams, J. Brcck &L Son, P. Barnes, Hovey & Co., E. S. Rand, Jr., W. J. Underwood, Galvin & Hogan, Messrs. Burr, J. Nugent, and several others. GRATUITIES AWARDED. To E. A. Story, Evers & Bock, and J. M. Trautman $2 each, and to W. E. Carter f 1, for phloxes. Fruit : From J. F. Allen, pears and other fruits, and specimens of his new hybrid grape. Extra fine Red Astrachan, Early Harvest, and Bough apples, from M. & F. Burr. Eight varieties of pears from Hovey &- Co., among them, fine specimens of the Boston, Supreme de Quimper, &c. Fine fruit from Capt. Austin, Eben Wight, and others. Aug. 25th. — Exhibited. Flowers: Fine displays of asters and dahlias were contributed by various cultivators, and among the latter some new and choice sorts. From J. Breck & Son, very fine Intermediate stocks, Pseony asters and Mirabilis ; also, thirty varieties of phlox, including two fine seedlings not before exhibited. From Hovey & Co., fine dahlias, including King of the Yellows, Abbe Van Renynghe, &c. Flowers in variety from William J. Underwood, E. S. Rand, Jr., C. Copeland, Galvin & Hogan, Messrs. Burr, E. A. Story, and others. Fruit : From J. F. Allen, Allen's Hybrid grape, peaches, and pears. From Hovey & Co., eleven varieties of pears, including the Boston, Ott, &c. From G. Merriam, Lawton and Improved Blackberry. Pears and other fruits from S. Walker, F. Dana, J. Gordon, G. B. Cutter, A. D. Web- ber and others. Vegetables : A fine display from J. B. Moore and B. Harrington. From M. Dodge, gardener to Mrs. Heard, twelve varieties of cabbages and kale. Sept. 1. — Exhibited. Flowers : The exhibition of cut flowers was one of the best of the season. Eleven cultivators offered collections of asters for the prizes of the Society — the whole forming altogether the finest dis- play of this flower ever made at the hall. A very large proportion were of the peony-flowered variety — the specimens being of extra size, and remark- ably well developed. The display of antirrhinums, though good, would have been much finer, had the time for awarding the prizes been fixed two or three weeks earlier. The dahlias exhibited were remarkably fine — the recently introduced varieties decidedly excelling iu size, color, and in all the essentials of a good flower, most of the older and hitherto esteemed sorts. Contributions were made by J. F. Allen, Salem, of a leaf and flower of Nelumbium speciosum. This is the Lotus of the Nile and the Sacred bean 488 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. of India — rare and beautiful ; also, a leaf of Nelumbium luteum of the Southern States, and a flower of the Nymphsea ceerulea — a fine specimen. By C. F. Jones, Roxbury, an orchidaceous plant, Stanhopea tigridia ; a fine specimen and well bloomed. In Messrs. Hovey & Co.'s exhibition of dahlias were the following varie- ties : — Invincible, King of Yellows, Mentor, Omar Pacha, Port Royal, Roi Leopold, Victoire, Amabilis, Chiravari, Moliere, Riquiqui, Virgile, Sathan- iel. Cote d' or, Jaune de Passy, Abbe Van Renynghe, and Mademoiselle Bremer. PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES FOR ASTERS, ETC. German Asters. — For the best ten varieties, not less than twenty-five flowers, first prize, to Hovey & Co., $4. For the second best, to E. S. Rand, Jr., $3. For third best, to Robert Murray, $2. GRATUITIES. , For fine displays of the same, $1 each were severally awarded to J. Breck & Son, W. J. Underwood, P. Barnes, J. Nugent, E. A. Story, Galvin & Hogan, J. French, and Messrs. Burr. Antirrhinums. — For the best display, first prize, to E. S. Rand, Jr., $5. For the second best, to W. J. Underwood, ^3. For the third best, to Parker Barnes, $2. Fruit: The display of fruit was large and fine, and in good variety, but we have no space to enumerate them in our present number. premiums and gratuities awarded for fruits. Apples. — For the best twelve summer apples, on or before the last Satur- day in August, to B. Harrington, for Williams, $G. For the next best, to Messrs. Burr, for Early Harvest, $4. Apricots. — For the best twelve, on or before the last Saturday in August, to J. Richardson, $5. For the next best, to G. L. Baxter, $3. Blackberries. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, for High Bush, to J. Nugent, $5. For the next best, for High Bush, to J. Richardson, $3. For the next best, for High Bush, to W. R. Austin, $2. Cherries. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, for Black Eagle, to M. H. Simpson, $5. For the next best, for Black Tartarian, to G. B. Cordwell, $3. For the next best, for Black Tartarian, to Wm. Bacon, $2. Currants. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, to Geo. Wil- son, for varieties, $5. For the next best, to R. Manning, for White Dutch, $3. Gooseberries. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, to Mrs. J. Hovey, $3. For the next best, to J. W. Foster, $2. Grapes. — For the best specimens grown under glass, on or before the first Saturday in July, to Mrs. F. B. Durfee, $8. OCTOBER. 489 For the next best, to Samuel Bigelow, $6. For the next best, to Breck & Son, $4. Peaches. — For the best twelve specimens, grown under glass, on or before the second Saturday in July, to J. F. Allen, $6. For the next best, to Apollos Wales, $4. Pears. — For the best twelve Summer Pears, on or before the last Saturday in August, to M. P. Wilder, for Rostiezer, $6. For the next best, to H. Vandine, for Muskingum, $i. Raspberries. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, to J. W. Foster, for Knevett's Giant, $5. For the next best, to C. Newhall, for Knevett's Giant, $3. For the next best, to Levi Jennings, Jr., for Franconia, $2. Strawberries. — For the best specimens, not less than two boxes, to I. Fay, for Jenny Lind, $6. For the next best, to G. Leland, for Hovey's Seedling, $4. For the next best, to W. R. Austin, for Boston Pine, $3. Gratuities. — Hovey 6l Co., for liberal display of strawberries, arranged with good taste in baskets and dishes, the Society's silver medal. John C. Scott, for his seedling called Brighton Pine, the Society's silver medal. Sept. 8lh. Exhibited. — Flowers: From C. Copeland, M. Trautman,, Hovey & Co., E. A. Story, J. Breck «fc Son, J. S. Cabot, W. J. Underwood,, P. Barnes, Messrs. Burr, E. L. Rand, Jr. and others. Fruit in variety was contributed by J. Breck & Son, M. H. Simpson, J. F. Allen, W. C. Strong and others. The Twenty-Seventh Annual Exhibition was held from Tuesday to Friday, the 18th to the 21st of September, at the Music Hall in Winter street. The Hall is one of the largest in the city, and afforded ample accommo- dation for the Exhibition. Four tables, each 70 feet long and 5 feet wide,, extended lengthwise of the Hall, which were devoted to the fruit ; a table on each side, against the wall, of similar length, was devoted to the cut flowers. The immense stage was reserved for the floral designs and the plants iirpots ; and under the gallery, at the opposite end, were two long tables across the Hall, filled with vegetables. Slight wreathing was thrown over the front of the galleries, and the whole arrangement pro- duced a good effect, though more decoration would have enhanced the beauty of the scene. The v^^eather, with the exception of the first day, was exceedingly fine, and the Hall was densely thronged with admiring visitors throughout the remainder of the Exhibition. We have only space to give a brief report of flowers and fruits exhibited. Plants : From J. P. Gushing, a number of fine large plants, of heaths, stephanotus, sago palm, &c. From Miss Greene, Waltham, 20 plants, among which were Strelitzia reginse, Justicia carnea, &-c. From E. S. Rand, Jr., 40 plants, including fine specimens of the Cypress vine, trained up in a pyramid ; also 30 pots of asters. From M. P. Wilder, 20 plants VOL. XXI. NO. X. 62 490 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. among which were fine specimens of Coleus Blumeii, Cissus discolor, Alla- manda Aubletia, &c. From E. A. Story, 25 plants and 20 asters. From M. Trautman, 30 plants, including a fine specimen of Nierembergia. From W. J. Underwood, 14 asters. From Jona. French, 15 plants, of which 10 were good large heaths. Floral Designs, Bouquets, &c. : The floral designs were only four in number, though prizes were offered for six. Messrs. Evers 6i, Bock had a Floral Temple, well proportioned and neatly made, which was much ad- mired. W. A. Bowditch had a Chinese Pagoda, elaborately worked with moss and fine flowers. Mr. W. J. Underwood had a Fancy Piece, not so showy, so much labor in its construction as the others, but richly decorated with the finest flowers. Messrs. Galvin & Hogan had a representation of Bunker Hill Monument, but not well proportioned to have a good effect ; it was covered with crimson and white amaranthuses, blocked out to repre- sent stone. The other designs were smaller, and many of them very pretty. The bouquets were inferior to those of previous years, but the asters and dahlias were exceedingly fine. We have no space to enumerate the con- tributors. PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES AWARDED FOR DESIGNS, POT PLANTS, &C. Floral Designs. — For the best design, to Evers & Bock, $60. For the second best, to W. J. Underwood, f 40. For the third best, to A. Bowditch, $30. For the fourth best, to Galvin &, Hogan, $25. Vase Bouquets. — For the best pair, suitable for the Bradlee vases, the 'Bradlee Plate, to Galvin & Hogan, ^10. For the second best, to E. A. Story, $6. For tbe best pair for the Society's marble vases, to J. Nugent, ^10. Second premium not awarded. Parlor Bouquets. — For the best pair, to Galvin & Hogan, $S. For the second best, to M. P. Wilder, $6. Fof the third best, to E. S. Rand, Jr., $5. For the fourth best, to E. A. Story, $3. Gratuity.— To Sarah D. Fisk, $1. Plants in Pots. — For the best display of not less than twenty- plants, to J. P. Gushing, $12. For the second best, to M. P. Wilder, #10. For the third best, to Miss Green, $9. For the fourth best, to E. A. Story, $5. Coxcombs.— For the best, to Miss Green, $S. Balsams.— For the best, to Miss Green, $3. For the second best, to E. S. Rand, Jr., $2. Hand Bouquets. — For two bouquets, to T. Page, $2. For eight bouquets, to E. S. Rand, Jr., $3. For two bouquets, to E. A. Story, $2. Cot Flowers. — For fine specimens, to Hovey & Co., $2. OCTOBER. 491 For the best display and best kept during the Exhibition, first premium, to P. Barnes, ^6. , For the second best, to J. Breck, $5. For the third best, to E. S. Rand, Jr., $3. For the fourth best, to C. Copeland, $3. Dahlias. — Prizes were awarded, which will be given in our next, witli the names. GRATUITIES. Floral Designs. — To Galvin & Hogan, (wreath,) $5 ; to S. Kneeland, Jr. (for birds,) $5 ; to Bowen Harrington, $5 ; to W. C. Strong, copy Victoria Regia and $5 ; to C. S. Holbrook, copy Victoria Regia and $5 ; to W. H. Spooner, (for basket flowers,) $1 ; to Curtis & Lincoln, (for basket flowers,) $3 ; to Mrs. Hatchman, $5 ; to Mrs. Willey, $5 ; to M. R. Hudson, $5 ; to Mrs. Flanders, $5 ; to Mrs. Kenrick, $3 ; to Miss E. Sewall, $5 ; to R. W. Copeland, $2 ; to Mrs. J. Walsh, $1 ; to Miss S. A. Russell, $5 ; to Mrs. A. C. Kenrick, $5 ; to Miss S. W. Story, $3 ; to Miss S. D. Story, $3 ; and copies of Victoria Regia to Miss E. M. Harris, Mrs. W. J. Underwood, Miss A. H. Barnes, and Curtis & Lincoln. Plants in Pots. — To G. T. Peirce, for pomegranate, $2 ; to E. A. Sto- ry, for asters, $3 ; to Hovey & Co., for collection of pot plants, $5. Cut Flowers. — For cut flowers and fine arrangement of verbenas, to T. Page, $i ; to E. A. Story, $3 ; to Hovey & Co., $2 ; to N. Stetson, $2 ; to B. V. French, $2 ; to J. French, $2; to J. Nugent, $1 ; to R. Murray, $1 ; to M. Trautman, $1 ; to Mrs. Appleton, ivy plant, $1 ; to E. M. Richards, $3 ; to J. Nugent, $3 ; to R. Murray, $3 ; to W. E. Carter, $3 ; to Hovey & Co., for new fuchsia, ^L Fruit. — In the absence of several of the reports, we are unable to give a complete list of all the exhibitors. From the President of the Society, Mr. Cabot, about ] 50 varieties of pears ; among them the Van Assche, Beurre Montgeron, Merriam, Doy- enne Sterkman, &c., &c. From Hovey & Co., 300 varieties of pears, including Jules Bivort, Beur- re Clairgeau, Laure de Glymes, Beurr6 Berkman's, La Juive, Charlotte de Brower, Fondante du Cornice, Chas. Smet, St. Menin, Adams, Graslin, Lodge, Grand Soliel, D'Albret, Cross, Gen. Lamorciere, Abbott, Delices de Lovenjoul, Beurre Montgeron, &c., &c. From M. P. Wilder, 190 varieties of pears, among them Fondante Pe- quot, Beurre Sterckmans, Le Marie, Beurre Superfin, Beurre Bachelier, Abbott, Counsellor Ramirez, Beurre Clairgeau, Pie IX., &c. From S. Walker, 125 varieties of pears, including the Beurre Clairgeau, Bonne des Zees, Nouveau Poiteau, &c., &c. From W. Torrey, 65 varieties of pears. From Jos. Stickney, 60 varieties of pears. From R. Manning, 60 varieties of pears. From S. Downer, 50 varieties of pears. From W. Bacon, 30 varieties of pears ; also, fine Cool- idge's Favorite peaches. From Evers & Bock, 30 varieties of pears and 492 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 20 varieties of apples. From S. Phipps, 30 varieties of pears. From Jones & Richardson, 25 varieties of pears. From J. Eaton, Cambridge, 7 varieties of pears. From J. F. Allen, 13 varieties of pears, and 2 kinds of figs. From W. R. Austin, 16 varieties of pears. From S. Sweetser, 8 varieties of pears. From J. A. Kenrick, 10 varieties of pears. From J. W. Foster, 9 varieties of pears, 8 varieties of apples, (including Nortliern Spy,) 2 varieties of peaches, and Red Dutch currants. From C. S. Holbrook, 10 varieties of pears, 7 varieties of grapes, and a basket of fruit. From Galvin & Hogan, 38 varieties of pears, Isa- bella grapes, and one basket of fruit. From W. C. Strong, 16 varieties of grapes, and a branch of Black Ham- burgh, with 14 bunches, weighing 25 pounds. From J. Hyde «Si Son, 12 varieties of apples. From Mrs. F. B. Durfee, 6 varieties of grapes. From P. Smith, Andover, four varieties of grapes, very large clusters. From T. Page, 17 dishes of grapes. From J. Breck & Son, 3 bunches each of 11 varieties of grapes. From T. Waterman, Diana and Breck grapes. From G. B. Cutter, Isabella grapes, (Cutter's Isabella.) From J. Cass, Sweet Water and Isabella grapes. From E. L. Kemp, 2 varieties of apples 2 varieties of pears, and 4 varieties of peaches. Fruits of various kinds were also contributed by R. Winslow, W. W. Wheildon, S. B. Perry, Miss Gushing, T. Smallwood, George Pierce, F. Marsh, J. Newhall, W. T. G. Pierce, J. Mason, W. H. Palmer, Geo. San- derson, James Wood, Charles Hall, Jr., L. Burr, Curtis & Lincoln, W. H. Spooner, Jr., J. Gilbert, Jr., G. B. George, J. Roberts, A. Parker, O. Hall, Mrs. E. Wells, Mrs, E. Tuttle, J. Q. A. Roberts, H. A. Dean, Miss Greene, W. A. Carter, J. Nugent, T. Thatcher, Jr., C. E. Evans, &c., &c. PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS. Apples. — For the best thirty varieties, of twelve specimens each, the Lyman Plate, to J. B. Moore, valued at $30. For the second best, to Thadeus Clapp, $25. For the third best, to James Eustis, $20. For the fourth best, to B. V. French, #15, For the best twelve varieties, of twelve specimens each, the Society's Plate, to J. Gordon, valued at $12. For the second best, to Evers & Bock, $10. For the third best, to J. A. Stetson, $8. For the fourth best, to James Hyde & Son, $G. For the best dish of apples, twelve specimens of one variety, to Geo. Pierce, (Porter,) #5. For the second best, to B. Huntington, (Hubbardston,) $'4. For the third best, to J. G. Whipple, (Washington,) $3. For the fourth best, to J, Gilbert, (20 Oz,,) $2. Pears, — For the best thirty varieties, of twelve specimens each, the Lyman Plate, to M, P. Wilder, valued at $30. For the second best, to Hovey &. Co., $25. For the third best, to J. Stickney, $20. OCTOBER. 493 For the fourth best, to J. Gordon, $15. For the best twelve varieties of twelve specimens each, the Society's Plate, to J. Richardson, valued at $12. For the second best, to W. R. Austin, Jr., $10. For the third best, to J. H. Stetson, $8. For the fourth best, to J. F. Allen, $6. For the best dish of twelve specimens, of one variety, to J. Richard- son, (Flemish Beauty,) $5. For the second best, to Hovey & Co., (Lawrence) $i. For the third best, to W. R. Austin, (Bartlett) #3. For the fourth best, to W. Bacon, (Andrews) $2. Assorted Fruit. — For the best basket, of various kinds, to M. P. Wilder, $15. For the second best, to N. Stetson, $12. For the third best, to C. S. Holbrook, $10. For the fourth best, to Galvin & Hogan, $8. For the fifth best, to W. A. Crafts, $6. For the sixth best, to E. M. Richards, $4. Grapes. — For the best five varieties, to Mrs. F. B. Durfee, $12. For the second best, to W. C. Strong, $8. For the third best, to M. H. Simpson, $5. For the best two varieties, to C- S. Holbrook, $6. For the second best, to C. E. Grant, #4. For the third best, to Thomas Page, $2. For the largest and best collection, of fifteen varieties, to W. C. Strong, $15. For the second best, to J. Breck & Son, $8. Peaches. — For the best collection, to T. Clapp, $5. For the second best, to E. S. Rand, Jr., $3. GRATUITIES. Pears. — To N. White, copy Colman's Agriculture; to Henry Vandine, do. ; to Francis Marsh, do. ; to George W. Southwick, do. ; to Wm. A. Crafts, do. ; to M. Trautman, do. ; to H. A. Dean, do. ; to A. Wood, do. ; to William H. Spooner, Jr., do. ; to R. Manning, Soci- ety's silver medal ; to R. W. Ames, do.; to William Torrey, do.; to Jacob Eaton, do.; to S. Phipps, do.; to S. Downer, copy of Allen's Victoria Regia ; to Galvin & Hogan, do. ; to Wm. Bacon, Society's silver medal ; to Evers & Bock, copy of Victoria Regia ; to E. Brown, do. ; to E. A. Story, do. ; to J. W. Foster, do. ; to J. S. Sleeper, do. ; to Robert Manning, do. ; to S. H. Chadwick, do. ; to F. L. Winship, do.; to Henry Bradlee, do.; to S. Walker, $10; to J. S. Cabot, $10; to Francis Dana, Society's Transactions; to E. C. Stephens, do. ; to C. S. Holbrook, do. ; to William H. Palmer, do. ; to Thomas Thacher, Jr., bronze medal ; to Augustus Parker, do. ; to William Winslow, do. ; to John Mason, do ; to George Sho- rey, do. Apples.— To J. Richardson, (collection,) $6 ; to W. W. Wheildon, (collec- 494 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. tion,) one copy of Victoria Regia; to Mrs. J. Lovett, 2d, (collection,) one copy of Victoria Regia ; to S. Walker, (Gravenstein,) $6 ; to E M. Richards, (collection,) $6; to Eben Wight, (collection,) one copy of Victoria Regia. Grapes. — Forced: To S. Austin, $5; to C. E. Grant, #3; to J. Breck & Son, $2 ; to W. C. Strong, $2. Open Culture.— To G. B. Cutter, #1 ; to E. W. Bull, $1 ; to J. Hoif- man, $1; to E. A. Brackett, #3; to Mrs. Wells, $1; to G. B. George, $1 ; to G. W. Collamore, $1 ; to J. Cass, $2 ; to T. Water- man, $2 ; to C. E. Grant, $2. Plums. — To J. Gordon, $6 ; to H. Vandine, $5 ; to M. H. Simpson, $4 ; to T. Hastings, $3 ; to Eben Wight, $3 ; to C. Hill, Jr., $2 ; to J. Rich- ardson, bronze medal. Melons. — To H. Bradlee, $5; to E. M. Richards, $1 ; to J. B. Moore, #2; to N. Stetson, $2 ; to B, V, French, $2 ; to T. Smallwood, $2 ; to S. Austin; $1 ; to C. E. Evans, #3 ; to G. Everett, $2 ; to A. Parker, $1 • to J. B, Moore, $1 ; to E. Aborn, bronze medal. Peaches. — To A. W. Stetson and W. Torrey, $3 each ; to J. S. Sleeper, Hovey & Co., Misses Gushing and J. W. Foster, $2 each. PREMIUMS AND GRATUTIES FOR VEGETABLES. Some very fine species were exhibited particularly of potatoes. The State of Maine and Worcester seedlings were large and very fine. We can only give the awards of the Committee. Best Display. — To J. B. Moore, Concord, $10. For the second best, to J. Stone & Son, $8. For the third best, to B. V. French, $6, For the fourth best, to J. L. Woodward, $4. Mammoth Squash. — For the best, to T. H. Bacon, silver medal. For the second best, to O. Kendall, $3. Pumpkins. — For the best, to William Gary, silver medal. For the second best, to N. Stetson, $3. Gratuities. For collections, to J. Fussel, T. Smallwood, G, G. Hubbard, J. Stone &l Son, J. Gordon, $2 each ; to A. D. Williams & Son, Mrs. J. Heard, H. Bradlee, G. Everett, Miss Green, A. Parker, B. Harrington, $3 each. To A. R. Pope for collection and variety of squashes, $5 ; to S. Aus- tin for Egg plants, $1 ; to T. Page, for the same, $2. For squashes, to E. A. Story, #2 ; N. Stetson, $3 ; George Pierce, $2 ; H. Bradlee, $2 ; E. M. Richards, $2 ; E. Cook, $3 ; S. B. Perry, $1 ; and Joseph Drake, Col. Agriculture. To S. Sweetser, for collection, $1; to W. G. Ladd, for tomatoes, $1 ; to George Walsh, for tomatoes, ^1 ; to J, Hyde & Son, for potatoes, $5 ; to Mrs. J. Lovett, for cauliflowers, $1 ; to E. C. Stevens, for pumpkins, §1 ; to W. W. Wheildon, for gourds, $\ ; to M. H. Simp- son, for gourds, $1 ; to F. Dana, for State of Maine potatoes, $1 ; to M. Davis, for Davis potatoes, $1 ; to E. C. Stevens, for cucumbers and Kohl Rabl, $1 ; to A. Parker, for cauliflowers, $2. OCTOBER. 495 FOR OCTOBER. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The month of September continued cool and dry for the greater part, vegetation being only refreshed by one heavy shower. It is now dry again, remarkably so for the season. There was a slight frost on the 20th instant, which injured the dahlias, and various tender plants and vegetables in low and cool localities. The dry weather and early frosts will soon defoliate trees, and trans- planting may be commenced as soon as this takes place, Avhich will proba- bly be early in the month ; ground should therefore be prepared to receive them. Fruit should be looked after now; all the early fall pears should be gathered immediately, as well as a greater part of the apples ; but the late winter pears may remain on the trees as long as the foliage continues green and healthy. Gather in the morning, after the dew is off, and carry imme- diately to the fruit room or cellar, and place in boxes or barrels, or upon open shelves. Grapes in vineries may be preserved fresh for a long time by airing freely in all good weather. Grape Vines in greenhouses should now have all their late green wood shortened in, and all dead or decaying leaves picked off, preparatory to their final pruning next month. Vines in cold houses, as soon as the fruit is all gathered, should be thrown open freely to ripen off and mature the wood. Figs, as soon as the crop is gathered, should be sparingly watered, and if in the open air removed to the vinery or cold grapery. Strawberry Beds should not be neglected ; the plants will grow vigorously all the month, and should be occasionally cleared of all Aveeds. Raspberry Plantations may be made now, Fruit-Trees may be transplanted the latter part of this month. Peach Trees budded early will need looking afler, as the ties may be girdling the trees. Insects, particularly the canker worm grubs, will commence the opera- tion of laying their eggs this month, and trees likely to be affected should be tarred or otherwise protected. flower department. There is abundance of work now on hand ; the late frost has given a timely warning of the approach of colder weather, and the observing ama- teur or gardener should be active to have everything out ot the reach of all danger ; a very slight touch of cold will greatly mar the beauty of many tender plants. All conservatory plants should now be housed and arranged in their places, if possible. Unless driven for time it is better to do it at 496 THE MAGAZINE Or HORTICULTURE. once than to defer till later in the season. Frames should be put in requi- sition for many small things, which do better than if removed to the green- house. Camellias should be arranged in their winter quarters ; top dress if any need it, and wash and syringe the foliage and clean the pots. Water liberally. Azaleas will require similar attention, except as regards water, which should be sparingly given. Chrysanthemums should be removed to the house before severe frosts, as the buds are often injured. AcHiMENES and Gloxinias done blooming may be placed away on a dry shelf till January. Pelargoniums may be kept in a frame, or removed to a warm shelf near the glass. Pansies and Daisies for blooming in winter should noAv be potted. IxiAS, Sparaxis, &c., may be repotted this month. Running Plants, Roses, &c., trained up the rafters or on the back wall, should be put in order and neatly tied in. Fuchsias done blooming may be placed away under the stage and spar- ingly watered. Roses in pots for early blooming should be liberally watered and have a good situation on the stage ; plants in the open ground may now be potted. Deutzias, Spir^as, &-C., may be potted now for blooming in the green- house. Trop5:olum tricolorum and other tuberous plants must now be potted for spring flowering. Hfacinths and other spring flowering bulbs may now be potted for very early bloom. Calceolarias and Cinerarias may have another shift if growing rapidly. Neapolitan Violets may he potted for forcing. Place in a cool frame, protected only from frosts. FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY. Continue to rake and clean the walks, and mow the lawn ; sweep up all dead leaves, and keep the borders clear of weeds. Prepare ground for planting, as the first frosts have given a check to vegetation. Dahlias should all be taken up before hard frosts. Carnations and Picotees should be set out Avhere they can be pro- tected with frames. Perennials of all kinds may be transplanted this month. Peonies may be removed now. Hyacinths, Crocuses, &c., may be set out. Pansies raised from seeds may be set out where they can have a slight protection with a frame and dry leaves. Shrubs of all kinds may be transplanted towards the close of the month. EFFECTS OF SHELTER ON CLTMATE. " HoRTicuLTuuE differs from Agriculture in one very ma- terial respect. The latter has for its object the fertilization of the soil by manures, and the different processes of culti- vation in the manner best adapted to the peculiarities of any given climate ; it concerns itself only with the growth and nourishment of such plants as are indigenous, or, by a long course of treatment, have become inured to the vicissi- tudes of weather incidental to a particular latitude. The former occupies a much wider field of research ; it not only seeks to be conversant with the constitution of soils, but, as it aspires to the promotion and propagation of exotic vegeta^ tion it necessarily embraces the consideration of varieties of climate ; and it labors, by art, to assimilate the confined space of its operations to constitutions of atmosphere which is most congenial to its change, or to protect them at different periods of their growth from sudden changes of weather which would be detrimental to their health. Experience has anticipated theoretical knowledge in suggesting various arti- fices by which these ends may be effected ; a connected view of which, I believe, has never been attempted ; but may prove to be not without interest and utility. The suggestions of experience may probably enlarge the conclusions of theory, while it is not impossible that the improved state of the latter may be found to furnish some assistance to the former. "The season of horticulture, with regard to climate, will be best considered in two divisions ; the first comprises the method of mitigating the extremes, or exalting the energies; of the natural climate in the open air ; the second embraces the more difficult means of composing and maintaining a confined atmosphere whose properties may assimilate with those of the natural atmosphere in intertropical latitudes. I shall commence my observations with the former. '' The basis of the atmosphere has been proved to be of the VOL. XXI. NO. XI. 63 498 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. same chemical composition in all regions of the globe. All the varieties of climate will therefore be found to depend upon the modifications impressed upon it by light, heat and moisture, and over these, art has obtained, even in the open air, a greater influence than at first sight would appear to be possi- ble. By judicious management, the climate of our gardens is rendered congenial to the luxurious productions of more favored regions, and flowers and fruits from the confines of the tropics, flourishing in the open air, daily prove the tri- umphs of knowledge and industry. " For the complete understanding of the subject in all its bearings, and to enable us to derive all the practical advan- tages which such an understanding would certainly aff'ord, it would be necessary to have a full knowledge of the peculiar- ities of climate of every region of the earth, a knowledge which we are very far from yet possessing ; but, to which, rapid advances are daily making. But, above all, it seems necessary that we should understand the atmospheric varieties of our own situation. These, though not constituting the greatest with which we are acquainted, are great, and often- times sudden. The range of the thermometer in the shade is from 0° to 90' Fahrenheit's scale ; but under favorable circumstances the heat of the sun's rays reaches 135°, the changes of moisture extend 1.000, or saturation to .389.* Now the great object of the horticulturist is to stretch, as it were, his climate to the south, where these extremes of drought and cold never occur ; and not only to guard against the injurious eff"ects of the alternate severity of weather, but to ward off the sudden changes which are liable to occur in the different seasons of the year. To enable us to understand the method of effecting this end, it will be necessary to con- sider the means by which these changes are brought about in the general course of nature. The principal of these will be found to be wind and radiation. " The amount of evaporation from the soil, and of exhalation from the foliage of the vegetable kingdom depends upon two * The deio point is the degree of temperature at which the moisture of the atmosphere would begin to precipitate, and may readily be ascertained at ail seasons by means of the hygrometer. NOVEMBER. 499 circumstances, the saturation of the air with moisture, and the velocity of its motion. They are in inverse proportion to the former, and in direct proportion to the latter. "When the air is dry, vapor ascends in it with great rapidity from every surface capable of affording it, and the energy of this action is greatly promoted by wind, which removes it from the exhaling body as fast as it is formed, and prevents that accumulation which would otherwise arrest the process, "Over the state of saturation the horticulturist has no con- trol in the open air, but over its velocity he has some com- mand. He can break the force of the blast by artificial means, such as walls, palings, hedges or other screens ; or he may find natural shelter in situations upon the acclivities of hills. Excessive exhalation is very injurious to many of the processes of vegetation, and no small proportion of what is commonly called blight may be attributed to this cause. Evaporation increases in a prodigiously rapid ratio with the velocity of the wind, and anything which retards the motion of the latter, is very efficacious in diminishing the ascent of the former ; the same surface which in a calm state of the air would exhale 100 parts of moisture, would yield 125 in a moderate breeze, and 1.50 in a high wind. The dryness of the atmosphere in spring renders the effect most injurious to the tender shoots of this season of the year, and the easterly winds especially are most to be opposed in their course. The moisture of the air blowing from any point between northeast and soirtheast inclusive, is, to that of the air from the other quarter of the compass, in the proportion of 814 to 907 upon an average of the whole year ; and it is no uncommon thing in the spring for the dew point to be more than 20 de- grees below the temperature of the atmosphere in the shade, and I have seen the difference amount to 30 degrees. The effect of such a degree of dryness is parching in the extreme, and if accompanied with wind, is destructive to the blossoms of tender plants. The use of high walls, especially upon the northern and eastern sides of a garden, in checking this evil, cannot be doubted, and, in the case of tender fruit trees, such screens should not be too far apart." 500 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. One of the most valuable contributions upon the subject of climate, horticultu rally considered, was published in the Transactions of the London Horticultural Society, (vol. vi. p. 1,) upwards of thirty years ago. Nothing that has since appeared has added materially to our stock of knowledge concerning it, and much that has been published has failed to afford additional information to the cultivator. The writer was Mr. J. T. Daniel, a member of the society, and the above is an extract from the opening portion of his communication. We have selected it with a view to show how highly he estimated the importance of shelter in modifying the character of an unfavorable climate, and rendering it congenial to fruits of milder latitudes ; and to deduce from his theory, — which, how- ever, can hardly be called such, but the accumulation of long experience devoted to a particular purpose, — some useful hints in regard to the successful growth of the finer fruits. It will certainly be somewhat surprising, if nothing more, to many of our cultivators, to hear an English writer speak of " a degree of dryness, parching in the extreme," in the climate of Great Britain, where we have been led to believe the atmos- phere was saturated with moisture, and though we may well conceive that there may be, and undoubtedly are, extremes of temperature in that country, we have supposed they were very slight as compared with our own ; indeed, Mr. Daniel says that, " though not constituting the greatest range with which we are acquainted, they are great, and oftentimes sud- den." In Great Britain the range is from 0° to 90°. In America from 40° below zero to 102° above. How great the changes of moisture are we have no tables at hand to state, nor to give the greatest difference between the atmos- phere and the dew point ; but that they are considerably greater than in Great Britain, there is no doubt. Certainly they are more sudden, and the effects of them upon vegeta- tion hurtful in the extreme. But it is with that part of Mr. Daniel's communication which applies theory to practice, that we wish to devote a few remarks, and in connection therewith to draw attention to the great importance of shelter as a means of modifying the NOVEMBER. 501 character of the climate in exposed and apparently the most unfavorable localities. So many instances of the importance of shelter, in the growth of both trees and plants, are constantly occurring, that it seems quite unnecessary to alhide to them. The original walled garden was the first attempt to accomplish anything in this way ; and subsequently the less expensive, and also less sure plan of palings and hedges. In many cases planta- tions of trees have been made, but not so often with a view to favor the kitchen garden or orchard as to produce some ornamental elFect. In England, with the cloudy sky and repeated rains of that climate, walled gardens are essential to the successful growth of many fruits, by accumulating or concentrating the sun's rays ; but we have supposed our own sunny climate needed no such aid to accomplish similar results ; with few exceptions they do not, and because it is usually unnecessary we have erred in forgetting, that while garden walls were of little use, as a source of retaining heat, the shelter they afforded was of the utmost consequence, and the want of them, in some localities, in the absence of any other protection, has frequently prevented the successful production of some of the best fruits. All who are conversant with the progress of arboricultural art in Great Britain, are well aware of the necessity of protection to what we consider one of the hardiest of all trees, the oak ; and that no plantation is completely successful which does nothave.it. For a time the opinions of planters were di- vided in this respect, but when government undertook the planting of the Royal Forests of 40,000 acres, the experiment was fully tried, and with decided results in favor of shelter, as the following report by the government commission shows : "Accordingly, in the most favorable soils and situations, oaks only were planted at first ; but in spots where it was thought doubtful if oaks would grow, Scotch pines were planted with a small proportion of oaks intermixed ; and it was soon found that in many of these spots, even under the disadvantage of inferior soil and greater exposure, such was the benefit derived from the warmth and shelter of the pines, that the 502 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. oaks far outgrew their neighbors planted in more favorable soils but without protection. After this, the use of Scotch pines became more general ; strong belts were planted on the most exposed outsides of the plantations, and also across, at intervals, in lines, towards the most prevailing winds, and from them great benefit was found ; but in all cases where oaks were planted actually amongst the pines, and surrounded by them, the oaks were found to be much the best." Here we have the best of evidence of the importance of shelter even to an oak. And shall we suppose for a moment that a fruit tree needs less protection to produce its fruit, aside from the mere growth of the tree ? If the oak, planted with a view simply to raise timber, must be nursed while young, by larches and pines, shall not a pear tree, cultivated for its delicious fruit, have equal care ? The answer is plain. Every intelligent cultivator must be aware of the necessity of shelter, and he who expects to succeed without it, is wanting in that experience and knowledge which alone can insure profitable results. It is the key to the many failures of which we have repeated accounts ; of the death of trees by exposure in winter ; of the loss of a whole crop by the dropping of their blossoms ; of the spotting and cracking of the fruit, in exposed situations, and, in fine, the want of growth and vigor in numerous localities. A successful specimen of overcoming obstacles of this kind, and a decided evidence of the importance of shelter, we have in the experiment of F. Tudor, Esq., at Nahant, Mass., de- tailed in a previous volume, (XV., p. 413,) where, by means of double palings of great height, the temperature of several acres has been so changed, that while in the coldest winter the earth is frozen only a foot in depth, the soil on the out- side freezes three or four feet deep ; and in summer, when there is scarcely wind enough inside the palings to rustle the leaves of the trees, on the outside they were moved with such violence as to dislodge them, and even bruise their branches. Here, where scarcely a tree could be made to stand the blast and the breeze unprotected, in the garden the finest pears are raised in the greatest perfection. NOVEMBER. 503 What better evidence could we bring to fortify the opinion of Mr. Daniel in regard to the importance of shelter and its influence upon vegetation, that by "judicious management the climate of our gardens is rendered congenial to the luxu- rious productions of more favored regions." His remarks were intended for a much higher latitude than our own, and for a country where what we term a severe winter is unknown ; but they are equally, if not more applicable to us. Our ex- tremes of temperature, in spring and summer, our variable rains at all seasons, and our icy coldness for several months, render all the protection which he has so ably urged there, doubly important here. On the broad and rolling prairies of the West, where, in some places, there are already fine plantations of fruit trees, and which, ere long, are destined to become the great fruit-pro- ducing country of the States, how necessary it is that the subject should receive attention ; already the young and thriving orchards, which here and there alone relieve the everlasting expanse of field and pasture, show decided efiects of the loss of shelter. They lean, from the prevailing winds, at a large angle, and their leaves and foliage bespeak the want of protection from the devastating winds which sweep with such violence across the treeless plains. Here, at least, if not in better wooded portions of our country, shelter is of the utmost importance, and we much doubt whether the finer fruits can be successfully grown until something is done to guard them from the bleakness of such exposed situa- tions. But we need not go so far to put into practice what our remarks will readily suggest. The hilly situations, as well as the more exposed valleys of our own New England, have ample need of the cultivator's aid. By means of plantations of trees, whether of pines or larches or maple or beech, either in belts or groups or in continuous lines, around an orchard, or through it, or only on the windward side, the climate may be essentially modified and changed ; and where doubts have arisen as to the possibility of raising the finer fruits, they will soon disappear before the light of intelligence and judg- 504 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. merit, and in the place of barren hillsides, and implanted val- leys, orchards, bending beneath their heavy crops, may glad- den the eye of the thrifty farmer, and supply the wants of our populous cities with the healthiest fruits. RUINS. BY WILSON FLAGG. To all whose minds have received an ordinary amount of cultivation, there are few objects more interesting than the remains of antiquity, — whether, like those of Greece and Rome, they call up the history of noblest works of art and deeds of renown, or like those of Egypt, they carry back the mind to the age of primeval superstition, or like the ruins of the earth itself, they read the story of the antediluvian periods before the present races of animals were created. In our own country where these relics of ancient times, excepting those of a geological description, are almost unknown, the people in general can hardly sympathize with that love of ruins which is almost a passion with some of the inhabitants of the Old World. We have no ruined castles to remind us of ancient baronial splendor, and of the perils and heroism of the feudal ages ; no remains of gorgeous temples or trium- phal arches to record the deeds of a past generation. The ancient history of this continent lives chiefly in tradition ; and the traveller, who happens to discover one of those few relics of ancient American architecture, seeks in vain for any record that will explain its character or design. Yet the absence of the ruins of antiquity may have a ten- dency to render our people more alive to impressions from those of a more humble description and of recent origin which abound in all places. When strolling over the scenes of our own land, who has not often stopped to ponder over the ruins of some old dwelling-house, and to bring before the mind the possible history of its inmates ? Here we perceive the completion of a domestic romance. A series of adven- NOVEMBER. 505 tnres has been there commenced, continued and brought to an end. Imagination is free to indulge itself in making up the history of the human beings who have lived and .died there, and of the romantic adventures which have there been enacted. We do not always endeavor to read this history : but there is a shadowy conception of something connected with the old crumbling walls that would be striking and romantic. To this pleasing occupation of the fancy may undoubtedly be ascribed a portion of the interest always excited by a view of a ruined or deserted house. A still deeper effect is produced by the sight of a mouldering temple, or a ruined castle, which are associated with deeds and events of greater magnitude. I am disposed to attribute the pleasure arising from the contemplation of ruins to a truly noble affection of the human soul, to a veneration of the past, and to a longing to recover the story of by-gone ages. A ruin is delightful as the scene of some old tradition, a specimen of ancient art and magnifi- cence, and as evidence of the truth of history. Nothing, indeed, serves to place so vividly before the mind the picture of any historic event as the ivied and dilapidated walls of the building in which it occurred. There is likewise an emotion of cheerful melancholy which is awakened by viewing a pile of ruins, an old house or an old church, venerable with the mosses of time and decay. There are other objects, scenes and situations that produce similar effects upon the mind, such as a sight of the ocean when agitated by a tempest, from a place of security. A beacon and a light-house belong to the same class of objects ; and above all, a monument by the sea-shore, erected to commemorate some remarkable ship- wreck, awakens a train of melancholy reflections nearly allied to the sentiment of ruins. But it is not every scene of ruins that is capable of yielding pleasure to the beholder. There is nothing agreeable in a view of the embers of a wide con- flagration, except the gratification of the curiosity. Such a spectacle brings to the mind only the idea of destruction and misfortune, which is painful, and there is nothing connected with it to awaken any counteracting sentiment. On the VOL. XXI. NO. XI. 64 506 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Other hand, every mind is agreeably affected by the sight of an old house, no longer the habitation of man, serving only as the day retreat of the owl, and the fancied residence of beings of the invisible world. There is a propensity among men to associate every ruined edifice, however great or hum- ble, with some romance or superstition ; and our own people, who have no magnificent ruins, indulge the sentiment which is awakened by them, in their legends of haunted houses, and by identifying these superstitions with every deserted habita- tion. It is worthy of remark that although a cottage is more poetical than a palace, when each is in a perfect condition — a ruined palace is more poetical than a ruined cottage. A certain amount of grandeur must be associated with a ruin to render it very effective. After a family have deserted their Siabitation of luxury and splendor, when they themselves have gone down to the grave, and their old mansion is crum- bling with the ravages of time, we lose all that invidious feeling which often prevents us from sympathizing with the wealthy when they are living. They are now on a level with the humblest cottagers, and we look upon their ruined .abode with a feeling of regret for all the elegance and great- ness that have passed away. Indeed, the more noble and magnificent the edifice in its original state, the deeper is the emotion with which we contemplate its ruins. This circum- stance yields a singular charm to the remains of the ancient Grecian temples, and to those gothic castles, that add such a romantic character to certain European landscapes. Some of the interesting accompaniments of a ruined build- ing are the plants which are found clustering around its old roof and walls. Nature always decorates what time has destroyed, and when the ornaments of art have crumbled, she rears in their place garlands from her own wilds, and the building, no longer beautiful, is adorned with the greenness of vegetation. Hence certain plants have become intimately allied with ruins, and derive from this alliance a peculiarly romantic interest. Such are the mosses and lichens, the evergreen ferns, the creeper and the most of the saxatile NOVEMBER. 507 plants in America ; and in Europe, the yellow wall-flower, the chenopody and the ivy. In every ruin, therefore, we see the commencement of a new and beautiful creation. When a tree has fallen and has begun to decay, an infinite host of curious and delicate plants, of the simplest vegetable forms are fostered upon the surface of its trunk. Mushrooms of every description spring out from the inner bark, and lichens and mosses, as various in their hues as they are delicate in their forms, decorate all the outside. Insects which, under the magnifying glass, ex- hibit the various plumes and glittering ornaments of the most brilliant birds and butterflies, live under the protection of these minute plants, as the larger animals find shelter in a forest of trees. When the timber has entirely perished, and has become assimilated with the soil, another host of plants of a higher order take the place of the former, until new forests have reared their branches over the ruins of those of a preceding age. Rocks, continents and worlds are subject to the same decay, and the same ultimate renovation. Thus the whole system of the universe is but an infinite series of permutations and combinations, all the atoms, amidst appar- ent chaos, moving in the most mathematical order, and gradually resolving themselves into organized forms, infinite in their numbers and arrangements. In this country we have no classic ruins. The relics of the ancient structures of the aborigines can hardly awaken a romantio. sentiment. We cannot associate with them any agreeable historic reminiscences. We behold in them only the evidences of savage customs, unformed art, and a misera- ble superstition, which aff'ord nothing to admire. No scenes are so well fitted as the ruins of a great and civilized nation, to inspire the mind with that contemplative habit which is the foundation of the poetical character. They fill the soul with noble conceptions, and serve to divert the thoughts from a consideration of mere personal interest, and turn them back upon the ages of chivalry and romance. Nature has so constituted the mind as to enable it to con- vert all her scenes, under certain circumstances into sources 508 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. of pleasure. It is not the beautiful alone that affords these agreeable impressions ; nor is it the cheerful scenes only among natural or artificial objects that inspire a pleasing sentiment. While contemplating a scene of ruins, the mind may have glimpses of truths which are not revealed to us in the lessons of philosophy, and which excite indefinite hopes amidst apparent desolation. It is our power of deriving pleasure from these inexplicable sources that gives a pile of ruins half its charms. This mingled sentiment of hope and melancholy combines with almost all our ideas of picturesque beauty. On this account a deserted house interests the mind more than a splendid villa in its perfect condition ; and a plain, overspread with classic ruins, more than a prospect of green meadows and highly ornamented gardens. It would be idle to assert that the human soul would take satisfaction in contemplating an object that is suggestive of its own dis- solution. This love of ruins ought rather to be considered as so much evidence coming from them in favor of the infinite duration of the universe. They are evidence of the great age of the earth, and proof of its destination to exist during countless ages of the future. I wonder that our theologians have never deduced from this love of ruins, which is so uni- versal, an argument for the immortality of the soul. It is evident that we do not instinctively regard them as proofs of mortality : but while we see in them the subjection of ma- terial forms to those changes which belong to everything that is mortal, we look upon our own souls as lifted above any liability to these changes. Did we innately perceive in them proof that the mind that constructed these wonderful works of art, perished with them, we should turn away from them with a deep despondency, and endeavor to hide them from our sight. By a similar course of reasoning we may account for the pleasure which is experienced by musing among the tombs. The scenes in our own land which are most nearly allied to ruins are the ancient rocks that gird our shores and give variety to our landscapes. They are in fact the ruins of an ancient world, existing probably before the human race had NOVEMBER. 509 made their abode here. In these rocks the frosts of thousands of winters, and the lightnings of as many summers have made numerous fissures, and split them asunder in many places. We find the same species of saxatile and parasitic plants clus- tering about them which are found among the ruins of art. The forest trees have inserted their roots into their crevices, and oaks that have stood for centuries nod their heads over the brink of these precipices, and cast a gloomier shade into the valleys below. Nothing can be more picturesque than some of these ruins of nature that want only the historical associations connected with the ruins of temples and palaces to render them equally interesting. Man's natural love of mystery, and his proneness to indulge in that emotion of grandeur and infinity that flows from the sight of anything invalued in the dimness of remote ages of the past, are one cause of the intense interest felt in the study of geology. With a deep feeling of awe we trace the foot- prints of those unknown animals which were the denizens of a former world. The mind " is roused to profound contem- plation at the sight of piles of rocks as high as the clouds, recumbent on a bed of fern, and at finding the remains of animals that once sported on the summits of other Alps, now buried beneath the very base and foundation of ours." - EUROPEAN PARKS, NO. III. BY HOWARD DANIELS, ARCIilTECT, N. Y. CHATSWORTH. On the morning of the 11th September, I left Sheffield, in a coach, with twenty passengers, (six inside and fourteen out,) for Chatsworth ; we passed over a very hilly and picturesque country ; a portion being the East Moor of Cheshire, very rocky in places, and mostly covered with ferns and heaths, with scarcely a tree in a thousand acres. These moors are valuable only for breeding hares, rabbits, grouse, partridges, &c., which are very numerous. Most of the passengers were 510 THE MAGAZINE *0F HORTICULTURE. acquainted with the route, and enjoyed tlie fine views and pleasant weather very much. So highly are these enjoy- ments prized by the English, that, at the time of starting, two ladies had high words as to which should have the only remaining outside seat ; finally, one surrendered, and the other "took Sebastopol.'' About eleven o'clock we arrived at Barslow, a small village adjoining Chatsworth, After a few preliminaries I started for Chatsworth, and soon found the head gardener, procured a guide, and went forth to explore the far famed wonders, created by Sir Joseph Paxton and others. In passing through the park on my way to the mansion, I fully realized, for the first time, what I had always imagined fine English parks to be : groups of venerable oaks, with room enough for each to spread its arms to their utmost ex- tent, interspersed with smaller trees, of various kinds and sizes, down to the hawthorn ; all being arranged in the most irregular and picturesque shaped groups, and connected to- gether by scattering trees and shrubs, in a very natural and happy manner, in the shade of which were reposing herds of fallow deer, sheep and cattle. The mansion is a grand old structure, built of a drab stone, in the Roman style. The main building, by Sir Christopher Wren, architect, was finished in 1706, having been about twenty years in building. The old mansion, which formerly occupied the same site, was celebrated as being the occasional residence of Mary, Q,ueen of Scotts, during her imprisonment, from 1570 to 1581. Some of the furniture used by her, still remains, and is exhibited to visitors. The new wing is 385 feet long, and is a continuation of the east and west fronts to the north ; it was built by Sir Jefl'ry Wyatville, architect, and is a modern structure in the Greco-Roman style. It harmonizes well with the older portion, and makes one continuous frontage of 557 feet. The interior is finished in very different style from our modern upholstery affairs ; the stairs, halls, door jambs, &c., are all real stone, built into the walls as they were constructed ; the halls have tassellated pavements, in colored marble ; the floors of the best rooms NOVEMBER. 511 are real oak, in simple patterns of parquetry ; of the lesser rooms, a plain oak floor was all the nobility demanded in those days. The doors, sashes, casings, &c., are solid oak, and show their construction completely ; no veneering, putty- ing, or painting whatever. The walls of some, and the ceil- ings of all the best rooms, are plastered and decorated with fine painting on the plastering, as a ground. The walls of a few of the best rooms are covered with embossed leather in gilt edgings. The most delicate carvings in wood, of game, fruit, and flowers, (by celebrated carvers.) decorate some of the best rooms. To give an account of the galleries of paintings and sculpture, Avould be to write a book ; so I will only say, the latter is very fine indeed, and in it is a very fine bust of Mr. Everett, our late minister to St. James ; the former has many very good pictures, and many that are mere trash : a large collection of drawings, from all countries, is very good. The mansion is admirably located on the western slope of the valley of the Derwent, and facing the west ; immediately in front are terraced gardens in the Italian style, 1200 feet long, with their "jets d'eau" in the centre. South of these gardens is a Spanish chestnut tree, planted by the late Em- peror of Russia, in 1816 ; and a variegated sycamore, planted by the Arch Duke Michael, in 1818, in commemoration of their visits. In another part of the garden, is a British oak, planted by her Majesty (then Princess Victoria) in commemo- ration of her visit, in 1832 ; and an American chestnut, planted b'y the Duchess of Kent, at the same time. Beyond, in the park, is a fine old stone bridge, supposed to be built after a design by Michael Angelo. Q,ueen Mary's Bower is a heavy stone structure, surrounded by a moat, and has the ap- pearance of having been originally constructed for a battery, or redoubt. Beyond the river, the ground rises in gentle un- dulations, and is thickly dotted with villas and cottages. In the distance is a range of hills. On the south is an extensive lawn, perfectly level, with straight paths, bordered with a row of fine marble statues of the gods and goddesses, and vases, with Deodar cedars 512 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. and Portugal laurels, placed intermediate. In the centre is a fine old fountain, with dolphins, sea horses, &c., throwing a stream of water 64 feet high. Beyond is another lawn, with an avenue of gigantic lime trees on the west, and an ancient grove of beeches on the east ; in the centre of this lawn is a large oblong sheet of water ; at the north end of which is a jet, throwing water 94 feet high ; at the south end are five jets ; in the centre is the Emperor Fountain, which is the most magnificent jet in the world, throwing a stream to the prodigious height of 267 feet. These fountains, when in action, create sensations of a sublime nature, in a much higher degree, than any other human production I ever witnessed. On the east the ground rises considerably, and in the im- mediate vicinity of the mansion, is terraced and ornamented with Italian and geometric gardens ; farther on, the ground rises faster, and a cascade, built at the same time with the older part of the mansion, forms a conspicuous object. The head is a rustic temple, surmounted by a dome, and profusely ornamented with lion's heads, dolphins, sea-nymphs, urns, &c., through which the water rushes with great force, cover- ing it with one broad mass of foam and spray, which, on falling into a basin, in front, rolls down a great number of steps and ledges for about three hundred yards, and is tlien engulphed, passing under the lawn, and appearing in the old circular fountains near the mansion ; after which, it reap- pears at the Tazza Fountain, on the west part of the man- sion. Still farther east the hills grow steeper and wilder, and are clothed with dense woods, forming an admirable background to the picture. East of the Emperor Fountain, is the Great Conservatory, 277 feet long, 123 feet wide, and 67 feet high in the centre, which is by far the largest struct- ure of the kind in the world. As this building has such a world wide renown, it seems unnecessary for me to say more than that it fulfils the most sanguine expectations of its pro- jectors, and already has several plants, reaching to the roof, in the highest point. Around the conservatory is a broad space planted as a flower garden, then a low terrace wall, from which the NOVEMBER. 513 ground rises on a slope, about twelve feet ; then a broad gravel walk all around, affording fine views of the conserva- tory and its surroundings ; the sloping bank is planted with Chili pines, Araucaria hnbricata, and a border of brilliant flowers. The central passage through the conservatory forms part of the drive ; and T was informed that the duke often indulged his friends with a ride through it in a coach and four. To the north, on leaving the conservatory, the drive enters a gigantic rockery, with waterfalls, pools, &c., which are so natural, that it is with difficulty many are made to be- lieve it is artificial. This rockwork is certainly on the most stupendous scale of anything of the kind in the world, and forms a screen, or rather a piece of Alpine scenery, dividing the grounds around the mansion with its rich pastures, from the mammoth conservatory. There is here no dwindling away into mere imitation » The thing is really and substantially as natural as if Sir Jo- seph Paxton had, by some supernatural means, moved a slice of one of the Derbyshire hills, and set it down here. Many of the stones are several tons in weight, and are piled up to an enormous height, and scattered around in great profusion. Among the many works of the kind I have already seen, this is the only one that did not seem a puny effort, (notwith- standing their naturalness,) as compared with their surround- ings. The fruit and vegetable gardens are situated about half a mile northward of the mansion, occupying about 12 acres, and contain the Victoiia Regia house, 68 feet by 49 feet, where the first specimen of this gem of South American waters was propagated. One of the first flowers, and a leaf nearly six feet in diameter, was presented to Her Majesty, the Q.ueen, on the 9th of November, 1849. This unique structure was the germ from whence sprung the idea of the grand building at Hyde Park and Sydenham. At the north end of the garden is Sir Joseph Paxton's residence : an Anglo- Italian villa on a large scale, with a fine tower and all the ne- cessary offices — a model structure of its kind, and charmingly located on the margin of the park, with the grounds taste- VOL, XXI. NO. XI. 65 514 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. fully laid out and planted with a great variety of choice trees, shrubs and flowers, with a princely and unsparing hand. These grounds and plantations I consider of a far higher order than some lately made east of the mansion and great conservatory. Of some of the new drives and walks, I can- not speak in very high terms of commendation. They are stiff in their curves, and too much regard has been paid to keeping a regular grade over the undulating and picturesque grounds. Cuttings are made through slight eminences, leaving their sides nearly vertical, and the turf pegged on to make it stay, and dead at that, (the first dead sodding I have seen in this country.) These cuttings are exactly what an engineer would do on a railroad or canal embankment. The slight sketch here given of Chatsworth, will, I trust, be enough to give the reader some idea of its deep interest and great extent ; being upwards of eleven miles in circum- ference, stocked with numerous herds of deer, and presenting every variety of aspect; the lofty mountain and the lowly valley ; the gently swelling eminence and the verdant lawn ; the wooded height and the bald bluff crag ; the majestic trees of hundreds of years growth ; the elegant parterre ; the noble stream, and the enlivening fountain. Nature and art have combined to render this noble mansion everything that could be desired for the residence of one of the first rank and for- tune in the kingdom. Sheffield, Sept. 14, 1855. DESCRIPTIONS OF SELECT VARIETIES OF PEARS. BY THE EDITOR. We continue our descriptive account of new or recently introduced pears. Some of the trees have not yet attained sufficient size to give the established character of the variety, but they have proved of such a promising quality that we have ventured to figure and describe them. NOVEMBER. 515 181. COLMAR d'ArEMBERG. Kartoffel. Alburn de Pomologie. The Colmar d'Aremberg, (Jig. 21,) was introduced a few years since, with a very high reputation. It was said to be THE COLMAR D'aREMBERG PEAR. one of the largest, as well as one of the best pears, with the valuable qualities of keeping late, and ripening freely. So 516 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. highly eulogized, it was sought after by enthusiastic cultiva- tors, who had formed great expectations in regard to its merits. Under ordinary circumstances there is no doubt it would have been pronounced an excellent pear ; but failing at once to satisfy the high expectations of its qualities, it was immedi- ately neglected, and its cultivation to a certain extent neg- lected. We must confess we entertained something such an opinion ourself. The first specimens we tasted, full six years ago, were large but rather indifferent in flavor, and we judged it much inferior to its reputation ; this led to some neglect of the tree. Subsequently, however, we tried other specimens, and last year our whole crop, (though small for this kind,) was exceedingly fine, deserving, in fact, nearly all the praise which it has heretofore received. It is a very large fruit, often weighing a pound or more ; it ripens up of a good color ; it keeps late, and in quality our specimens were but little inferior to the Passe Colmar, whose peculiar richness it greatly resembles. We consider it a very desirable variety. The tree is rather a slow, stocky grower, making very few lateral shoots, and does not produce fine specimens unless well thinned, which should not be forgotten by all who would raise large pears. The tree seems to succeed tolerably well on the quince. Size, large, about four and a half inches long, and three and a half in diameter : Form, obtusely pyramidal, with an uneven surface, largest about the middle, rounding off to the crown and tapering to the stem, near which it is little con- tracted on one side : Skin, fair, slightly rough, pale green, be- coming pale cinnamon russet when mature, traced and netted with darker russet around the crown, and covered with con- spicuous russety specks : Stem, medium length, about an inch long, stout, slightly swollen at the base, and obliquely inserted in a slight cavity, with a high projection on one side : Eye. medium size, open, and very deeply sunk in a large funnel-shaped, somewhat angular basin ; segments of the calyx very short and rounded : Flesh, yellowish white, fine, melting, buttery and juicy : Flavor, rich, sugary, vinous, per- NOVEMBER. 517 fumed and excellent : Core^ large : Seeds, large, broad, dark brown. Ripe in November and December. 182. Laurie de Glymes. Album de Pomologie, Vol. II. This new pear, (fig. 22,J fruited for the second time in our collection the present year ; but the tree, though yet small. THE LAURIE DE GLYMES PEAR. produced some very fine specimens. It is a remarkably handsome pear, ripening up with a beautiful blending of colors. It also keeps well, and up to the present time has proved to be a most excellent pear. 518 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. In Belgium it is said to be preferable on the pear stock, though flourishing well on the quince : future experience will decide upon which stock it is advisable exclusively to work it. It is a handsome growing tree, and makes a fine pyramid. Size, large, about three and a half inches long, and three in diameter : Form, oval, or roundish oval, largest near the middle, rounding off to the crown, and regularly tapering to the stem : Skin, fair, smooth, clear yellow, slightly tinged with blush in the sun, becoming of a rich golden russet at maturity, thickly dotted with conspicuous russet specks : Stem, medium length, stout, straight, and obliquely inserted without any cavity on one side of a swollen projection : Eye, medium size, partially closed, and but little sunk in a small and very shallow basin ; segments of the calyx, short, stiff, projecting : Flesh, yellowish white, rather fine, melting and juicy : Flavor, rich, saccharine, vinous, and excellent : Core, medium size : Seeds, medium size, plump, dark. Ripe in October. 183. Baronne de Mello. Adele de St. Denis, of some foreign collections. Under the latter name we have fruited this pear, [fig- 23,) for several years, but not coming up in size, as we had expected, we delayed a full description of it till the tree produced better specimens. In the mean time another variety, received as the Baronne de Mello, has fruited once or twice, and after a care- ful comparison of the two, we are led to the belief that they are identical ; we consequently adopt the latter name, as it seems to have been generally received under that appellation. The Baronne de Mello is a fine pear, nearly allied to the Brown Beurre, having the same rich subacid flavor. It also resembles it in appearance, having a rich russety skin. It succeeds well upon the quince and proves to be an abundant bearer. Size, medium, about three inches long and two and a half in diameter: Form, obovate pyramidal, broad and somewhat flattened at the crown, tapering abruptly to the stem : Skin, NOVEMBER. 519 rough, rather thick, bright cinnamon russet, showing in some places a deep yellow ground : Stem, medium length, about one inch long, rather slender, curved and obliquely attached by a thick fleshy junction, appearing somewhat like an elon- gation of the fruit : Eye, small, open, and very slightly sunk THE BARONNE DE MELLO PEAR. in an open, shallow basin ; segments of the calyx very short : Flesh, greenish white, little coarse, melting and very juicy : Flavor, rich, sprightly, highly perfumed, and good : Coy^e, medium size, slightly gritty : iSeeds, medium size, broad. Ripe in October. 184. LiBERALE. This new pear, (Jig. 24,) is very little known, and has only fruited in a few collections. It is a Belgian variety, though by whom originated we have no information. It 520 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. seems to be but little known among foreign nurserymen, as we do not find it enumerated in but few of their catalogues. The Liberale is a very large, handsome, and fine fruit, re- sembling in form and shape the Dix, and approaching it some- what in quality, having the same fine, 3^et melting flesh, and a peculiar almond flavor. 24. THE LIBERALE PEAR. The tree is a handsome grower and good bearer, and suc- ceeds very well upon the quince. Size, large, about three and a half inches long, and three in diameter : Form, obtuse pyramidal, largest near the mid- dle, small at the crown, and slightly contracted near the stem : NOVEMBER. 521 Sfci?i, fair, smooth, yellowish green, very thickly dotted with large, conspicuous, russety specks: Stem, rather long, about one and a half inches in length, not very stout, curved, and inserted in a small, somewhat open cavity on the obtuse end : Eye, medium size, open, and but little sunk in a small, rather, shallow basin ; segments of the calyx narrow, stiff, expanded, complete : Flesh, yellowish white, little coarse, melting and juicy : Flavor, rich and sugary, with a peculiar almond per- fume : Co?-e, rather large : Seeds, large, light colored, plump. Ripe in October. 1S5. Doyenne' Sterckmans. Beurre Sterckmans. Album de Pomologie. Calebasse de Nerckman, \ Doyenn6 d'Esterkman, J- Of foreign collections. Belle Alliance, ) There seems to be much confusion in regard to the name of this new pear, (fis;: 25.) By many it has been supposed to be synonymous with the true Beurre Sterckmans : and so in reality we believe "it to be. But the pear received in onr collections, as the Beurre Sterckmans, is quite a different fruit, and does not correspond at all with the description and figure in the Album de Pomologie of Bivort, nor with the period of maturity there assigned to it. With us it is an October pear; while its period of ripening is January and February. Our Beurre Sterckmans is a russety pear, while that of the Album is a yellow fruit with a deep red cheek. After much study in order^to determine the identity of this pear, we have come to the conclusion to call it the Doyenne Sterckmans, though we certainly consider it the same as the Beurre of Bivojt. But as we figured the russety variety long ago, (having received our trees from France ten years since,) un- der the name of Beurre Sterckmans, and as it has been ex- tensively disseminated under that name, we still retain it, and designate this as the Doyenne Sterckmans. It is a fine early winter pear, ripening from December to January. It is also a good sized fruit, very handsome, and an abundant bearer, succeeding well either on the quince or pear stock. VOL. XXI. NO. XI. 66 522 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Its origin has been attributed to Van Mons, who distributed scions of it among his friends, but Bivort states that it was raised by M. Sterckmans, at Louvain, and from thence sent to the French nurseries. Size, large, about three inches long and three inches in diameter : Form, roundish obovate, broad and flattened at the crown, narrowing suddenly to the stem : Ski7i, fair, smooth, clear pale yellow when mature, clouded and mottled with bright red, little traced with russet, and dotted with 25. THE DOYENNE BTEECKMASS PEAR. minute russety specks ; Stem, long, about one and a quarter inches in length, slender, and obliquely inserted in a very small contracted cavity : Eye, medium size, closed, and but little sunk in a small, somewhat angular basin ; segments of the calyx, long, recurved : Flesh, yellowish white, fine, melting and juicy : Flavor, rich, sugary, and very pleasantly NOVEMBER. 523 perfumed : Core^ small : Seeds, medium size, full pale brown. Ripe from November to February. ' 186. CONSEILLEUR RaNWEZ. The Conseilleur Ranwez, (fig. 26,) is one of the acquisi- tions of Van Mons, introduced to notice after his death. It 2G. THE CONSEILLEUR RANWEZ PEAR. is yet but little known, and like many other of the new pears has only fruited in two or three collections in this country. Its large size, handsome form and good qualities, promise to render it a favorite variety. Our own trees have yet produced only ordinary fruit, and our drawing is made from specimens received from Col. Wilder, last autumn. Our description is as follows : 524 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Size, large, about three inches long, and nearly three inches in diameter : Form, obtuse pyramidal, regular, large and full about the crown, rather suddenly tapering to the stem : Skin, slightly rough, dull green, even at maturity, much russeted around the base of the stem, considerably traced, and conspicuously dotted with russet on the surface : Stem, long, about an inch in length, rather stout, curved, and inserted in a small contracted cavity : Eye, large, open, and but little depressed in a small, shallow basin; segments of the calyx, longj narrow, recurved: Flesh, white, coarse, melting, and juicy: Flavor, sprightly, vinous, little perfumed and good : Core, large, slightly gritty : Seeds, medium size, brown. Ripe in October. POMOLOGICAL GOSSIP. The Delaware Grape. — Through the politeness of Mr. A. Thomson, of Delaware, Ohio, we have been favored with specimens of this new grape, believed to be a seedling origi- nated in that place. It has attracted much attention among cultivators in the West, and has been pronounced an old Ger- man variety, known as the Traminer. These grapes were accompanied with the following letter : — Dear Sir, — I take the liberty of sending you, by express, a few specimens of the " Delaware Grape," a fruit that has attracted no little attention during the past few years, among horticulturists in this region, and which you will see described in the '• Horticulturist " for November, 1853. Also in the Transactions of the Ohio Pomological Convention of the pre- ceding year, and further in the Ohio Cultivator of September 1st, 1854. The specimens sent are not a fair sample of the bunches, though they are of the fruit, which this year ripened a little later than ordinary, about the first September. My object in sending them is to ascertain if it is known to yourself or any other horticulturists you may be able to consult, or whether NOVEMBER. 525 you can fix its identity with any known variety. Elliott, in his book on fruits, calls it the Traminer, getting his infor- mation in regard to it from Dr. Warder, of Cincinnati ; but I saw the Doctor at our State Fair, last week, and he says they have the two varieties growing side by side, and there is iw resemblance between them. The Traminer is not hardy, mildews, and casts its foliage like all other foreign vines in this region. The Delaware is here perfectly hardy and free from everything like mildew or blight. Mr. Prince, of Flush- ing, was also at our Fair and saw it, admired it much, and says he does not think it a foreign variety. The wood and leaves enclosed aie from the vine. Should like very much to have your opinion in reference to it. — Yours, truly, A. Thomson, Delaware, Ohio, Oct., 1855. We have carefully examined these specimens, and do not hesitate to pronounce them entirely distinct from the Tram- iner. In the size of the berry, and in their color, it does ap- proach the Traminer ; but the resemblance ceases here. In its other characteristics, and particularly in its flavor, it is quite distinct, and could not be confounded with it. If the Delaware should prove a hardy vine in our New England climate, and early enough to ripen with certainty, it will be a fine addition to any collection. For the information of those Avho are interested in new grapes, we copy the following from Mr. Thomson's communication in the Ohio Cultivator, respecting its earliness, hardiness, and its history : — " The^ specimens sent you are from a vine three years planted, situated on the east side of a brick building, a few clusters on which were well colored on the 10th of August, and ripe specimens picked on the 15th, which proves it to be by far the earliest out-door variety with which i am acquaint- ed, and this I regard as one of its chief recommendations ; it always maturing with us long before the appearance of frost of sufficient severity to injure fruit or vegetation, which is not the case in this region either with the Isabella or Cataw- ba, except in peculiarly favorable locations or against walls. The wood, also, of the vine referred to, is now thoroughly 526 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. ripe almost to the extreme points of growth, which is another great advantage it has over many other varieties, including the two just named ; the young wood of Avhich is frequently almost entirely destroyed by the severe frosts that occur before it ripens perfectly. I have heretofore had some doubts as to its hardiness, but recent observation and experience seems satisfactorily to settle that point. Several young vines, (slips planted the preceding spring,) situated in a cold, damp, exposed spot, left out en- tirely unprotected during the last winter, this spring were as fresh and bright as at the period of ceasing growth last fall, and have flourished finely the present season. A friend who has a number of them growing, uniformly leaves them un- protected, has not lost or had one injured by so doing, and considers it if anything hardier than the Isabella or Catawba. My own plants being young and easily managed, have been taken down in the fall and covered with a board, a course which I consider advisable in all cases where it can be done conveniently, but I doubt not that trouble could be safely dispensed with. Another vine in my garden, located against the south side of a frame barn, is not so forward as the one from which the specimens sent were taken, but the fruit on it also is coloring finely, and will be fully ripe, I should judge, by first Sep- tember. Of the productiveness of this variety no one will doubt who has seen it in bearing under favorable circumstances and in good soil ; and from the slight opportunities I have had of observation, I think it admirably calculated for the system of culture adopted by those who raise the grape on an extensive scale for wine making ; and if on trial it proves suitable for that purpose, it must become one of the most popular varie- ties in cultivation. As a table fruit it is admitted by compe- tent judges, where known, to stand unrivalled among hardy grapes. Notwithstanding its apparent resemblance to the German variety known as the Traminer, and the fact that in a late work on fruits it is unceremoniously and without qualification NOVEMBER. 527 assigned that cognomen, with some lialf dozen synonyms, I am inclined to the opinion that its identity is not yet estab- lished, and that when opportnnity for comparison of the fruit occurs, it will be found that it is not that variety — certainly it is not if vines recently shown me at an extensive Eastern commercial garden as that variety were true to name, and an intelligent German attendant informed me he was quite fa- miliar with it in Germany, that it had been imported from a reliable source, and of its genuineness there was no question. Between the vine there shown me as the Traminer and the Delaware, there is no more resemblance than there is in the Black Hamburg and the Catawba. Indeed, there is nothing in the appearance of the Delaware that marks it as a foreign variety, while its hardiness and exemption from mildew seem to preclude the idea of its being one. Though its origin is clearly traceable to the vicinity of a garden stocked with foreign vines, and by those who introduced it here supposed to be from one of them, my opinion is that it is an accidental seedling", as all familiar with the vine are aware of the facility with which the seed germinates and the young plants spring up in the vicinity of those in bearing, and that some of them should be permitted to grow and produce fruit in a large gar- den might be reasonably anticipated. Again, raising fruit trees, vines, &c., from the seed, seems to be, and for a long time to have been, a perfect passion with the family who brought it here, and they have a long list of seedling fruits of various kinds in cultivation raised either by themselves or their relatives in the East, and it is not improbable that this may have originated in that way." The Wyman Grape. — Some time since we noticed this new grape, and expressed an opinion from the account we had of its history, that it might prove to be the Tokalon, a variety introduced some years ago by Dr. Spafford, of Lan- sinburgh, N. Y. We have, however, had an opportunity to taste some of the grapes the present autumn, and are satisfied it is not that variety, but one quite distinct and of quite equal or Superior quality ; ripening rather late for our climate, but yet, we think, full as certain as the Isabella. As it is a va- 528 THE MAGAZINE OF hORTICULTURE. riety which will, no doubt, occupy a prominent place among the new grapes, we hope to give a correct statement of its origin, which has been variously given, and a full description of the grape. Fine Pears at the last Exhibition of the Mass. Hort. Soc. — The season has been remarkably fine for the pear, and the specimens exhibited at the last exhibition of the Mass. Hort. Soc, in September, show the high condition which the culture of this fruit has attained in our vicinity. Finer specimens of some sorts, we venture to assert, were never produced, and finer, we doubt not, than many amateurs believed it possible could be grown. Familiar with all that have been shown in preceding years, and with the display of societies in other parts of the country, we feel no hesitation in saying they would, as a whole, be " hard to beat." The specimens of Flemish Beauty, Beurre d'Anjou and Lawrence, surpassed in size anything we had ever seen. The following is a list of the varieties in the collections which obtained the principal prizes : — From M. P. Wilder, 30 varieties, 12 specimens each, viz. : Bourre Sterckmans, B. Diel, B. Clairgeau, B. Superfin, B. d'Amalis, B. d'Anjou, B. Langelier, B. Golden of Bilboa, Lodge, Walker, Doyenne Boussock, Dnnmore, Louise Bonne of Jer- sey, Le Marie, Frederick of Wurtemberg, Nouveau Poiteau, Urbaniste, Bergamot Pequot, Conseilleur Ranwez, Duchess of Angouleme, Duchess of Orleans, Seckel, Triumph de Jo- doigne, Le Cure, Flemish Beauty, Rouge d'Anjou, Columbia, Andrews, Glout Morceau, and Bartlett. From Hovey & Co., 30 varieties, 12 specimens of each, viz. : Beurre Langelier, B. Clairgeau, B. Golden of Bilboa, B. Bosc, B. d'Anjou, B. Montgeron, B. Diel, B. d'Aremberg, Doyenne Boussock, D. White, Swan's Orange, Gansell's Ber- gamot, Bartlett, Triumph de Jodoigne, Adams, Le Cure, Louise ]3onne of Jersey, Belle Lucrative, Urbaniste, Van Mons Leon le Clerc, Glout Morceau, Dinimore, Lawrence, Sieulle, Columbia, Marie Louise, Flemish Beauty, Duchess of Angouleme, Duchess of Angouleme panache, and Frederick of Wurtemberg. NOVEMBER. 529 From Josiah Richardson, 12 varieties, 12 specimens each, viz. : Beurre Diel, B. d'Anjou, B. Easter, Bartlett, Urbaniste. Flemish Beauty, Lonise Bonne of Jersey, White Doyenne, Swan's Orange, Belle Lucrative, Soldat Laborer, and Duchess of Angouleme. From W. R. Austin, 12 varieties, 12 specimens each, viz. : Beurre Diel, B. Easter, B. d'Anjou, Flemish Beauty, Glout Morceau, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Le Cure, Van Mons Leon le Clerc, Urbaniste, Passe Colmar, White Doyenne and Duch- ess of Angouleme. FLORICULTURAL AND BOTANICAL NOTICES. The White Coroll;ed Fuchsias. — These new and beau- tiful acquisitions, of which we gave some account (p. 334]^, have flowered in our collection, and are really decided addi- tions to every greenhouse. Their contrast with the other kinds is not less apparent than their intrinsic beauty. The^ plants have yet flowered only sparingly, but they show what they will be under a better state of cultivation, after recovery from the debilitating eflects of importation. New Striped Petunia. — We have been fortunate in ob- taining from seed two or three remarkably fine petunias, with striped blossoms, at once unique and striking, and distinct from anything in this 'class of showy plants. The flowers are various shades of crimson, boldly striped with white ; good sized blooms, abundantly produced, and the plants of good habit. New Lantanas. — Two very fine varieties of these elegant bedding-out plants have ornamented our grounds the whole summer, viz., L. lutea superba and L. flavicoma, the former pale citron and the latter pale yellow ; both have a semi-pro- cumbent habit, are free bloomers, and form invaluable addi- tions to this fine group. Himalayan Vegetation. — The following notice of some anticipated additions to our gardens, from the recently pub- VOL. XXI. NO. XI. 67 530 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. lished work on the Himalayan plants, by J. F. Cathcart, Esq., were omitted in our last number for want of room : — Vacciniiim salignum and serpens. — " The genus Vaccin- ium, which is mostly represented in northern climates by deciduous-leaved shrubs with small flowers, assumes a very difierent habit and appearance in the tropical mountains of both the old and new world. In the lower Eastern Hima- laya, Malay Peninsula, Java, and other of the Malayan islands, especially, there is an extensive section — to which the two species here figured belong — which could hardly be recog- nized as having much affinity with the whortleberry of our moors. They are all epiphytical shrubs, having the lower part of the stem often sivelling out into a prostrate trunk, as thick as the human arm or leg, and sending out branching fibrous roots that attach it to the limb of the tree upon which it grows. These trunks are soft and spongy inte?mally, and are reservoirs of moisture and nutriment ; they send out a few slender, generally pendulous branches, which bear often gor- geous flowers." The two plants which give rise to the above remark are most beautiful shrubs with large crimson flowers, and would be brilliant ornaments of a greenhouse should they prove to be cultivable. Biiddleia Colvilei. — '-This is very unlike any other Asiatic species of Buddleia in its size and form of flower, color, and the locality it inhabits, its congeners being almost without exception tropical or subtropical plants ; in several respects it more closely resembles some of the species of the Andes, but it lias no rival anywhere for beauty and graceful habit. It is abundant towards the summit of Tonglo, from 9000 feet to the top 10,000 feet, and is also frequent in the Lachen and Lachoong valleys at similar elevations, even ascending to 12,000 feet. This will probably prove perfectly hardy, as I have found it in very exposed places as well as in woods ; and from the abundance of its flowers, and its lasting some weeks in bloom, it would be a most desirable addition to our gardens." Let us add that the flowers are as fine as those ot Escallonia macrantha, and as deep a red, while they grow in panicles as large as that of a common lilac. NOVEMBER. 531 jrEschynanthus Pceli, found in the thick forests where there has been no clearance, is perhaps a more briUiant red plant than any of the gorgeous species previously met with. To these have to be added a rhubarb (Rheum nobile) of most prodigious form, resembling a giantess flounced from head to foot ; an oak (Quercus lamellosa) with magnificent leaves, comparable to those of the Spanish chestnut, rendered hard and evergreen, and acorns so woody as to render riding unsafe where they have fallen in large quantities ; the Sik- kim larch, now in our gardens, whicii appears to be tender only when raised from seeds gathered at SOOO feet of eleva- tion, but to be hardy if produced by seeds from 13,000 feet ; and Vanda Cathcarti, a fine epiphyte, with great fleshy flow- ers, streaked with cinnamon-colored bars. Such things as these point unmistakably to the scene of a new collector's labors ; and it is to be hoped that the East India Company will forthwith despatch a skilful person in search of them. The court of directors having liberally subscribed for thirty copies of the work, every station of importance will be cer- tain to possess it, and therefore the natives can have no diffi- culty in understanding what it is they have to search for." 289. Genetyllis tulipifera Hook. Tulip-bearing Gene- TYLLis. (Myrtacess.) Australia. A greenhouse plant ; growins; two to three feet hish, with white and scarlet involucres ; appear- inj ill spring; increased by cuttings ; grown in leaf mould, peat and sand. Eot. Mair., 1&>)5, pi. 4855' One f)f the richest of the recent acquisitions to our green- house plants, forms a fine bush two to three feet high, and produces a profusion of flowers ; " a specimen only two feet ten inches high had from one hundred and fifty to two hun- dred heads of flowers upon it. Each little branch is termi- nated with a drooping richly colored involucre, resembling a gay tulip, and which many, unacquainted with the family to which the plant belongs, take for a large corolla ; whereas they are but floral leaves, sheltering and completely conceal- ing from view the real flower. It has the fine habit and beautiful foliage of a myrtle, and the flowers appear at the end of every shoot. The involucre or covering to the corolla 532 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. is white, elegantly blotched and streaked with blood color, singularly striking and beautiful. It is a native of Western Australia, and was first seen by Drummond, who spoke in raptures of two distinct species, both of which have been raised from seeds received from that country by Messrs. Garraw, Mayes & Co., of the Bristol nursery, who exhibited them in great perfection in April last. They will both prove superb additions. {Bot. Ma«-., July.) 290. Genetyllis macroste^gia Turez. Large Involu- CRED Genetyllis. (Myrtaceas.) Australia. A hardy greenhouse plant ; growing two feet high; with r<.d involiic res ; a|j|)eariiie in spring; increased by cuttings; grown in leaf mould, peat and sand. Dot. Mag., 185j, pi. 4S60. Similar in habit to the G. tulipifera, but with smaller foliage and with red or crimson involucres, which, though not quite so large or striking in their color, as the former, present a more brilliant appearance. Both have the merit of continu- ing in flower three or four months at a time. The involucres are of a dry membranaceous character, and would probably retain their color and form, in a dried state, like Xeranthe- mums and other so-called everlastings. — {Bot. Mag., July.) 291. Rhodode'ndron californicum Hook. California Rhododendron. (Ericaceae.) California. a half hardy (or hifrily.'') plant; growing three or four feet high; with delicate pink flowers; appearing in summer; increased by layers; grown in sandy peat and loam. Bot. Mag., 1853, p). JS03. A fine rhododendron from California, which has attracted much attention among the English cultivators. It has much the habit of it. catawbiense, with stout branches, and flowers freely, a plant a foot high, having three or four of its showy heads of blossoms. It was introduced by Messrs. Veitch, King's Road, where " we were struck with the great beauty of living flowering plants of the same, exhibiting a richness of color in the varied pale and deep rosy tints of the numerous corollas of which the large heads are beautifully nestled in an involucre as it were, formed by the handsome green leaves constituting a dark back ground to the flowers." It is not stated in what locality it was found, or at what elevation, but probably it may prove hardy, and become, a most valua- ble acquisition. — {Bot. Mag., July.) NOVEMBER. 533 292. Rhodode'ndron retu^sum Be?inct. Blunt-leaved Rhododendron. (Ericaceae.) Java. A greeiilionsc pl:uit; grosvin? two feet liUh; with crimson scarlet flowers; npijeaving in spring; increased by layers aiiJ grafiing; grown in peat and leaf mould. Bot. Mag., 1855, pi. 4659. A most hrilliaiit species of the rhododendron, a native of the high mountains of Java, introduced by Messrs. RolHnsons of the Tooting Nursery. It has small tubular flowers, but they approach nearer to scarlet than any other species of the genus. The foliage is also small but remarkably neat and handsome. It grows only one or two feet high and flowers early and abundantly. Dr. Hooker considers it " a truly lovely plant." — {Bot. Mag., July.) 293. Streptoca'rpus Garde^ni Hook. Captain Garden's Streptocarpus. (Didymocarpas.) Natal. A greenliouse plant; growing six inches high; with pale lilac flowers; appearing in spring; in- creased by division of the root.s; grown in light, leafy soil. Bot. Mag., 1855, pi. 4802. A pretty plant, allied to the S. Rexii, a species some time since introduced but rarely seen in our collections. It has broad handsome foliage, and sends up numerous scapes, usu- ally two-flowered, pendent, and of a pale or bluish lilac tint. It flowers abundantly all the summer months, and with the achimenes and gloxinias, it adds to the decoration of the greenhouse at that season. — [Bot. Mag., July.) Leptodactylon californicum. — A beautiful new plant from California, exhibited by Messrs. Veitch, at the June ex- hibition at Chiswick. The genus was founded on two North American plants, one of which Sir W. J. Hooker had pre- viously called Phlox Hoodii, but which has been found to difl!'er from Phlox in the ovary containing a great many ovules instead of one or tAvo. The plant is one of the most charming acquisitions of Mr. William Cobb, who found it on the mountains of St. Bar- nardino, in California, who describes it as an evergreen shrub, two to four feet high. The wood is hard, the branches closely covered with bright green, stiff, finely cut leaves, and loaded with rose-colored flowers as large as those of our common phlox. It will, undoubtedly, prove a valuable half-hardy or greenhouse shrub. — {Gard. Chron., p. 524, 1855.) 534 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. STUDIES IN THE FIELD AND FOREST. BY WILSON FLAGG. NOVEMBER. The autumnal hues have faded in the woods : The birds have left their flowerless solitudes : The leaves are falling fast, and from the sky, The chilly breezes may be heard to sigh, As often, in their now deserted bowers, The north wind eddies o'er the graves of flowers. Our rural haunts are desolate and drear, And all the wild domain is brown and sere. The many-tinted grove ; the cool recess — The summer shelter for our weariness — Are opened rudely to the glare of day. And wintry winds within their arbors play. Some late born asters linger on the plains, That come not out till summer's beauty wanes ; And gentians, with their eyelids tipt with blue, Still glitter in the morning's frosty dew. Some pale gerardias in our woodland walk Are hardly faded on their withered stalk ; But few will trust their flowers, now summer's past, To blighting winds and rude November's blast. No. IX. The Flowers of Autumn. The student of nature, who is accustomed to general ob- servation, cannot fail to have noticed the different character of the flowers of spring, summer and autumn. Each sea- son, as well as every climate, has a description of vegetation peculiar to itself: for as spring is not destitute of fruits, neither is autumn of flowers, though they have in general but little resemblance to one another. Those of sjiring, as I have already remarked, are delicate and herbaceous, pale in their tints, and fragraut in their odors. The summer flowers are larger, more brilliant in their colors and not so highly perfumed as those of spring. Lastly, the flowers of autumn appear in unlimited profusion, neither so brilliant as the former, nor so delicate as the latter. They are produced on woody stalks, often in crowded clusters, and nearly des- titute of fragrance. The differences in the general charac- NOVEIvrBER. 535 teristics of the flowers of different seasons are an interesting theme of speculation ; and they represent, somewhat imper- fectly, the flowers of the different latitudes. The flowers of the higher latitudes resemble those of spring, of the temperate zone those of summer, and the flowers of the tropics those of early autumn. The summer flowers are in their greatest splendor in the latter part of June. The greater part of those which com- mence their flowering in August are autumnal flowers, and do not acquire their full maturity until September. The summer flowers are characterized by their large size and brilliant colors, and combine the two qualities of delicacy and splendor in a greater degree than those of any other season. Such are the diff'erent species of the beautiful Orchis tribe, the Cardinal flower, the Cymbidium, th'e Are- thusas, and some of the wild lilies. The majority of the flowering shrubs put out their blossoms in early summer, just after the blossoming of the fruit trees. These diminish in number as the summer advances, and in autumn hardly one is to be found that is not loaded with seeds or fruit. The flowering plants of autumn, however, though not shrubs, are woody in their texture, and many are, in fact, a kind of annual shrubbery. The summer flowers may be said to date their commence- ment with the elegant Canadian rhodora, and to end with the alder-leaved clethra, a flowering shrub very common in our swamps, bearing long slender spikes of white blos- soms, which have the odor of lilacs. During this interval, the most beautiful flowering shrubs of our climate unfold their blossoms. The rhodora is followed in succession by the honey-suckles, the kalmias, or false laurels, the azaleas, the viburnums, and many others not less important as orna- ments of our native landscape. The flowering of the alder- leaved clethra, marks the decline of summer. After this, the remainder of the month of August is a period rather barren of wild flowers. The most of those which are pecul- iar to summer, have faded, and the autumnal tribes are still ripening their buds. There seems to be a short sus- 536 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. pension during this month, of the efforts of nature, while she is preparing to unfold the brilliant treasures of autumn. The spring produces in the greatest abundance those flowers which are peculiar to a northern latitude. As the season advances we find more of those tribes which are pe- culiar to warm climates. The roses and rosaceous flowers usually appear in the early summer weeks, and the flowers of these genera are rare in tropical regions, being the deni- zens chiefly of temperate latitudes. The papilinaceous flow- ers, of which the greater numbers of species are found within the tropics, do not appear with us in profusion unfil the latter part of summer. The prevailing hues of the summer flowers are the diff"erent shades of scarlet, crimson and pur- ple, which become paler as the days decrease in length and the temp'erature becomes cooler. Thus the bulbous Arethusa, that flowers in .Tune, is of a brilliant purple or crimson ; while the adder's-tongne Arethusa, that appears a month later, is of a pale lilac. The brightest tints of our native species belong to the summer flowers. Such are the scarlet lobelia, the narrow-leaved kalmia, the red lily, and the swamp rose. With August commences a kind of vegetation unlike any that has preceded it. The compound flowers, a very exten- sive tribe, begin to be conspicuous. These flowers are char- acteristic of vegetation in the autumn, the greater part of them coming to perfection during this season, commencing with a few species in the month of August. All these in- crease in beauty and variety until September arrives, bearing superb garlands of asters, sunflowers and golden rods, which, though exceeded in delicacy and brilliancy by the earlier flowers, are unsurpassed in splendor. The season of the autumnal flowers may be dated as commencing with the flowering of the trumpet weed, or purple eupatorium. This is one of the most conspicuous plants in our wet meadows, during the early part of September. It often grows per- fectly straight to the height of six feet, in a favorable soil, bearing at regular distances around its cylindrical stem, a whorl of leaves, which by their peculiar curvature give the plant a fancied resemblance to a trumpet. Soon after this NOVEMBER. 537 appear the yellow gerardias, bringing along with them count- less multitudes of asters, golden rods, and autumnal dande- lions, until the uplands are profusely spangled with their varieties, and the lowlands gleam with the golden splendor of the coreopsis. The asters are the most remarkable of the flowers of autumn, and are characteristic in many respects of those of the season. Their stalks are woody — but they are not shrubs, and their flowers are more delicate than brilliant. The foreign asters which are cultivated in our gardens, though exceeding the native species in the brilliancy of their hues, are inferior to the latter in elegance of growth, and in the delicate structure of their blossoms. The prevailing color of the autumnal flowers is yellow : yet there is not a single yellow aster among their whole extensive tribe. Near the latter part of September, the fields are covered with asters of every shade, from the deep blue of the cyancus and the purple of the New England aster, to the purest white. The walls and the borders of the woods are bordered with long rows of golden rods, and multitudes of gaudy flowers have usurped the dominions of the roses, hiding the summer .shrubbery beneath their tall and spreading herbage. In the latter part of autumn some of the flowers bear a resemblance to those of spring. Such are the neoUia which continues in flower until November, and the purple gerardia, which bears no resemblance to the other flowers of autumn. Almost simultaneously with the tinting of the forest trees comes forth the last beautiful visitant of our fields, the blue fringed gentian. This little flower marks the decline of autumnal vegetation. It begins to unfold itself during the latter part of September, and may often be found in the meadows after the November frosts have seized the verdure of the fields, and changed the variegated hues of the forest into one monotonous tinge of brown and purple. When the woods are completely divested of their foliage, and the landscape wants nothing but snow to yield it the aspect of winter, the Hainamelis, or witch hazel, still re- tains its yellow blossoms, in defiance of the later frosts. VOL. XXI. NO. XI. 68 538 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. Nothing is lively around it but the evergreens, and no plant puts forth its blossoms after this, unless some flower of spring should peep out unseasonably from under the protection of some sunny knoll. The evergreens are now in all their beauty, and we search the fields in vain for aught but the presages of winter. ^tiural |lotici:s. The Stanwick Nectarine. — Tho time ia evidently at hand when the true position of the Stanwick Nectarine among fruits of its kind will be determined beyond all cavil. When first ripened in this country its quality was admitted by some of the first judges, to whom the duty of tasting it was confided, to be unapproached for richness of flavor. If we mistake not, our own statement was that it ranked among nectarines as the Greengage ranks among plums. When, however, other samples of the fruit, in another season, were sent from Stanwick they were declared to be, what in truth they were, no better than an EIruge, if so good. They were not properly ripened. Afterwards, when the fruit began to be borne by the trees propagated from the cele- brated tree at Stanwick they were still found to be destitute of the high qualities first ascribed to the variety, and it was also discovered that the fruit was apt to crack before ripening. Last year, however, rumors began to prevail that the fruit was getting more like its original state, and that cracking was not a necessary accom- paniment of its maturition. And now the experience of Mr. M'Ewen, the Duke of Norfolk's skilful gardener at Arundel, has come to the support of the original reputation of the variety. He says it yet will realize the high expectations entertained of it ; and we repeat that the specimens just sent from Arundel still show it to be among Nectarines what the Greengage is among Plums. To that description we adhere without reserve. As to cracking, Mr. M'Ewen pooh poohs what we said about it, as he very well may. Stone fruits crack because they receive more water than they can digest or throw off by evaporation. There is no other cause what- ever for the malady, unless the skin is dead, which is not the case with the beautiful and clear-skinned Stanwick. The remedy is less water and more heat, or both ; the commonest sort of common sense tells that. We therefore feel justified in reasserting the admirable quality of this variety, and in regarding it as a real horticultural treasure. It has but one fault, that of requiring, when ripening, more heat than the inferior sorts found in everybody's garden. — {Gard. Chron., 1855, p. 531.) Protecting Roses. — Roses blossom better in the summer, if they can be preserved without injury in the ground ; hence it is desirable to leave them there, if possible. The very best protection that can be given tender roses, NOVEMBER. 539 out. of doors, is to cover them with soil three or four inches deep, if M'ith this, opportunity is taken of the first snow in sufficient quantity, to heap it well about the plants, and then on this throw over some long littery dung or straw, to prevent melting till the weather opens in the spring, the tenderest kinds will remain almost uninjured. The covering is then taken off, the shoots pruned, a heavy dressing of well rotted manure applied, and they soon commence growing, and an early and continuous flower is the result. The varieties of the old China are the most continuous of all, and Blush China, Crimson Ciiina and Agrippina, the most useful of the class. — [Counlnj Gen- tleman, 1855, p. 287.) Cultivation of the Hyacinth. — There is nothing in the valuable precepts upon hyacinth growing on a large scale, given the other day, which is not perfectly applicable to the smallest operation, if the principles that are involved are separated from the mere details of practice. Those principles are — 1, never to use unsound bulbs ; 2, to provide a rich, permeable, well-drained soil ; 3, never to cover the bulb with soil ; 4, not to expose the buds to light or warmth until roots are protruded in abundance ; 5, not to keep the plants in the dark after the buds have made perceptible progress. Let us examine these maxims separately in their relations to growing hyacinths in water. 1. The bulbs should be sound. The bulb of the hyacinth consists for the most part of soft cells filled with organizable matter having a great tendency to run into a state of putrescence. This tendency is much in- creased by any wound or bruise, which enables water to pass freely among the sofl tissues, without being gradually imbibed through the sides of the cells, and altered by their vital force. It is further accelerated by the con- dition of the water itself, which in bad management acquires an offensive quality that increases any tendency to decay which may naturally exist in the parts it touches. Perfect soundness of the surface is the only guard against such accidents. 2, When water is employed instead of earth, permeability is secured, but little or nothing more. There is no drainage, that is to say no exchange of exhausted for fresh water, nor any ingredient presented to the roots equivalent to the ammonia, the phosphates, the carbonic acid, the alkaline matter, present in a soil composed of wholly decayed leaves and stable ma- nure, loam and sand. All that is provided for feeding the hyacinth is mere Avater containing a little carbonic acid, and perhaps some salt of lime. Such being the case, the hyacinth, instead of being fed by the soil in which it grows, is mainly nourished by suckling itself. Nature stores up in this plant a soluble material called organizable matter, upon which leaves ai:\(\ flowers can subsist, just as bears are said to be supported in winter h^ ^fer. sorbing the fat which they acquire in summer. The result of this firtifi,cial' subsistence may be emaciated life, but must be anything rather than vigor- ous health. It would seem that we must ascribe to this circnm.stance \Vk part, if not wholly, that weak, languid, drawn-up, pallid condition which is so usually characteristic of domestic hyacinths, fed upon water, Drainage may be imitated by a diurnal removal and renewal of W9.ter; 540 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. but with the glasses now in use it can only be eifected by being poured off, for to take the roots out every day is to bend, bruise, or otherwise injure them. Were the glasses furnished with a tap at the bottom, or provided with a little siphon, it would be much more convenient ; very frequent re- newal of the water is at any rate necessary. The Avater itself should be impregnated with those nutritious ingredients which good hyacinth soil always contains. Probably the best substance that could be provided would be pure guano water, prepared by thoroughly mixing an ounce of Peruvian guano with a pint of water, allowing it to stand for a couple of days, stirring it occasionally, and then, when perfectly clear, drawing it off carefully. A teaspoonful of this solution might be added to every glass, as often as the water is changed. A weak solution of phosphate of ammonia and carbonate of potash, mixed in equal parts, might be substituted for the guano water ; and it would be interesting to watch the difference in the effect produced by the two agents. 3. If a bulb is covered with water, it will absorb it faster than it can de- compose it ; of which the inevitable consequence is disease or death. ^ The parts to which nature has limited the duty of suckling the leaves and flow- ers are the concave surface at the base of the bulb, and the roots as soon as they are formed. If other parts are brought into contact with water they also must absorb fluid to their own destruction; for plants, notwithstanding that they have a living principle like animals, possess no will of their own- They cannot refuse to take up what is presented to them, although their vital energy may be insufficient to enable them to assimilate it. Water, then, should be scarcely in contact with the lower part of the bulb ; it is better, indeed, that a space of a quarter of an inch should be always left between them, for the vapor arising from water is enough for a bulb to feed upon until roots shall have been formed, and the powers of digestion called into full activity. 4. In all cases where plants behave as nature intends, the root, or its equivalent, appears before the leaves ; we see it in seedling plants, we see it in cuttings and in layers, we see it in budded or grafted plants, where the cellular matter (callus) which binds the scion to the stock always precedes the appearance of leaves. The reason is obvious. It is necessary that the organ which is to feed a plant should precede the parts that are to be fed. If, then, in the case of the hyacinth, leaves and flowers are permitted to form before the roots have acquired their full power of action, the leaves and flowers must subsist upon the organizable matter contained in the bulb, not on that to be obtained from the water (or soil) ; and debility, deformity, or utter abortion are the result. Now the great stimulant of leaf develop- ment is light; the great antagonist of root development is light; therefore darkness is what should be provided for the hyacinth in the beginning This truth is pretty generally recognized, but is as generally misapplied. People think that if the roots are kept in darkness it signifies little what happens to the bud. But nature does not work in that manner, nor do Mr. Henderson's growers. The buds are buried as well as the roots. We have seen hyacinth glasses carefully provided with worsted stockings, while the NOVEMBER. 541 buds were left in the full glare of light, instead of being furnished with a good thick nightcap. Some of our readers will know what is inoant without more particular explanation. 5. But if it is wrong to expose the bud of the hyacinth to light until the roots are formed abundantly, it is quite as bad to witlihold light after the roots are ready. As soon as tlie lower system is in full activity, the upper should be stimulated. At that time the neighborhood of a window, espe- cially an open one, if possible, where air is in the most free motion, should be selected for the residence of the hyacinth by day — while at night it may be transferred to the coolest place in the house where frost gains no admis- sion. A worse place than the mantel-piece cannot be selected, except to put the hyacinth in when its flowers are formed and beginning to open. At that time the work of cultivation is over, and the plant may be transferred to the fair hands of those avIio are charged with the pleasant duty of making a sitting room as cheerful and beautiful as the open garden. — [Gard. Chron., 1855, p. 531.) |i!loiitj)lu 6ossij}. GrARDEN Seeds. — There is a matter to which I wish to call the attention of the public, and especially of that portion of it which deal in garden seeds ; and that is, the bad quality of many of the kinds that they send round among us. At five cents a paper, which, on an average contains each not more than a table spoonful, they can well afford to furnish us with the very best of new seeds indued with full and active vitality. But I am sure some do not, and I hazard the remark that none take the pains they ought to take. The loss of 5, 10, or 15 cents is not much; but that is by no means the whole loss. There is the loss of the labor of preparing the ground, of sowing the seed, of much of the manure used, and of the expected crop. And there is the vexation, which, in this world, which is so full of vexations, ought not to be inflicted upon us, if seed sellers can well help it. The complaint does not proceed from one only, but from many. There is hardly any seed which does not lose a portion of its vitality ; some lose all, if kept over more than one winter. It is pretty well known that seed sellers take back, in the fall, the seed unsold in the preceding spring, and the suspicion is rife among us tliat the seed taken back is offered again, and perhaps a third or fourth time. The papers bear no date of the year v/hen the seed was raised ; and why do they not ? I fear the seed sellers do not take sufficient care to put up only the best seed. In all cases, where the plant is biennial, they should use none but large, healthy roots ; and when it is umbeliferous, like the parsnip, or branching, like the beet, they should put up none but such as is borne on the central umbels and the principal branches. If they were to remove the inferior umbels, (the umbels only), and the tops of the inferior branches, at the time of blossoming, or before, the umbels and branches left would bear 543 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. better seed ; and those removed, would, probably, if left, have borne only abortive seeds. It has been said that cabbage seed, raised from cabbage stalks, the head being removed, seldom produce plants that head well. So reason teaches. And it has been said also that squash and pumpkin seeds, taken from the stem end, are more apt to produce fruit similar to the parent than those taken from the blossom end. It is well worth while to ascertain if this saying is correct. Reflection would probably suggest a reason why it is so. This spring, more complaint has been made of the bad quality of parsnip and onion seeds than of any other ; but the beet beds show many vacancies. Doubtless the failure of many seeds is due to the ignorance or careless- ness of the sower. It will take but a few lines to remark that, in a dry season, covering the seed sown, for three or four days, with a board or a piece of old carpet, will sometimes cause it to vegetate, when otherwise it might not. Can you, Mr. Editor, give a list of the seeds which lose their vitality soonest, and of other seeds which retain their vitality longest ? Honest seed raisers, and all are honest, for aught I know, would be glad to learn. Yours, 4'c., S. Hale, Keene, JV. H. We fully agree with our correspondent, that there is great need of im- provement in the quality of garden seeds. We have been long aware that if there is anything in which the public are humbugged, it is in garden seeds. But the cause must not be laid to the establislied seed dealers ; it belongs AvhoUy and exclusively to the purchasers. They require cheap seeds, and always buy of those who sell the lowest, and of course they get them ; for no honest, upright seedsman could supply pure fresh seeds at the unusually low prices at which they are now sold. The truth is, the mass of the people buy garden seeds as they would a pound of sugar or a bushel of corn; the cheapest always finding the most customers. The standing of the seedsman is of no consideration, and the seeds of an unknown dealer are just as readily taken as those from the mer- chant Avho is well known, and has a reputation to lose. The competition among dealers, and the eagerness to secure customers, has lowered prices, and as they are beloAv what fresh seeds can be raised for, they must of course be adulterated to afford a living. The dishonest seedsmen, if there are any such, must pursue this course, or purchase, hap-hazard, any seed offered for sale, of which there is always an abundance, without knowing anything about them. Probably not one in ten of those who buy seeds are aware that the best seedsmen, who can be relied upon, have their seeds raised expressly for them, and often furnish the stock, or know that it is pure ; it is the only way in which they can be certain of their genuineness. The only remedy is, therefore, to deal with Jlrst rate houses, with men w^io are known, and to be willing to pay a fair price for a pure article. If, however, they must be had at a low price, purchasers must expect to have them mixed with old seeds ; for it is the only way in which the dealer can compete with the cheap seedsmen. Our advice is to buy nothing in the way of seeds, plants or trees, because they are cheap. — Ed. NOVEMBER. 543 Dorticiilfunil ©perations FOR NOVEMBER. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The weather during the last month was pleasant for the greater part, re- markably mild, and free from the usual severe frosts ; liberal quantities of rain fell, which greatly invigorated both trees and plants. The season is now so far advanced that little more can be done now than to transplant and prepare for the winter. To this end the operations of the gardener should be directed. The earlier in the season transplanting of all kinds is done the better; and where there are quantities of trees and vines to protect, the sooner the work is commenced the better it is likely to be done. In the hurry of finishing such work late, when frost and snow impede the operations, many things are likely to be neglected. If any leisure time oc- curs, it may be turned to such work as would be likely to lessen the labors of spring. Grape Vines in early houses should be pruned this month, cleared of all insects, and put in order for forcing in December. Those in the green- house will yet hold their foliage, and may be left till next month before receiving their final pruning. The same remarks apply to cold houses. Now is a good lime to prepare grape borders intended to be planted next spring, and we should advise the completion of such work if possible. Protect all borders with a covering of manure, before the earth becomes chilled by severe cold. FauiT Trees of all kinds may be transplanted safely through the entire month. Figs and Peaches in pots should now receive the protection of a cold grapery, or a warm cellar, until the proper period for commencing forcing. Raspberry plantations should be protected this month, by laying down the shoots, ajid covering them with earth, tan, or strawy manure. Strawberry Beds may be cleared of large weeds, preparatory to giving them a covering for the winter. Insects, particularly the canker worm grub, should be looked after this month. FLOWER DEPARTMENT. The frosts of October, though very slight, and barely sufficient in most localities to destroy dahlias, have undoubtedly prepared the amateur or pro- fessional man for the approaching colder weather. It is not often that so favorable an October is experienced. It has allowed all kinds of work to progress without confusion, and given the industrious gardener time to com- plete all his arrangements for the winter. The conservatory and greenhouse should now present a gay appearance: with the late flowering achimenes, and chrysanthemums, judiciously in- 544, THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. terspersed among the other plants, a good display may be kept up the whole month. As the nights become cool very slight fires should be lighted, just sufficient to dry up ihe damp and take off the chill of the atmosphere ; recollecting, that the higher the temperature the more likely to excite the plants and render them susceptible of cold ; a low temperature should be maintained therefore at this season of the year. Camellias will now begin to bloom ; in good weather syringe the plants to keep them clean ; and water rather liberally at the root, especially such kinds as begin to expand their buds. Chrysanthemums should have a good cool airy situation, where they will expand their flowers better, and remain a longer time in bloom. Water lib- erally, occasionally using liquid manure or guano. Pelargoniums should be rather sparingly watered, and wintered in an airy, dry part of the house. Such as are growing too vigorously should have the ends of their shoots pinched out. Chinese primroses should now be repotted. IxiAs and other Cape bulbs may be potted this month. Callas should be repotted now, and be more liberally supplied with moisture. Azaleas must be kept rather dry during the early part of the winter. Gesneras for winter blooming should be repotted in good rich mellow compost. Monthly Carnations, showing an abundant bloom, may be repotted. Cinerarias intended for fine large specimens, may be repotted this month. Japan Lilies, in pots, should now have the shelter of a frame to keep them from the heavy cold rains of this season. Stocks of all kinds for winter blooming, in pots, may be protected from frost in cold frames. Roses for early blooming will now begin to show their buds. Later flowering plants may be kept in frames till the approach of severe weather. Calceolarias may be repotted now, if growing freely. DiELYTRA spECTABiLis, taken up and potted now, will form one of the most beautiful objects of the greenhouse in the early spring months. Hyacinths and other hardy bulbs, potted now, and placed away in a cold frame, slightly protected from cold, flower beautifully in the green- house, from February to May. Nemophylas and other annuals sown last month, may now be potted off into small pots. Verbenas for winter blooming should have a light airy situation near the glass. Cactuses, should now be sparingly watered, except the Epiphyllum truncatum now coming into bloom. Petunias, Antirrhinums, &c., raised from cuttings, should be shifted into pots, 3 or 4 plants in each, where they can stand till time to pot them off in March. Insects must be looked after. Fumigate for the green fly. SEASONABLE HINTS ABOUT TREES. Of the great number of trees, both fruit and ornamental, that are annually planted, a very large proportion rarely live and thrive beyond the second or third year. What the pro- portion is, we are unable to state ; but to listen to the com- plaints of purchasers, one would be led to believe it was the larger part. That a great many trees fail to grow, is well known to all who have given any attention to the subject ; and in many instances, probably the most, there are abundant reasons why they should. The fault may be with the trees themselves — they may never have been a merchantable arti- cle— they may have been injured in digging — they may have been out of the ground too long — and they may have been unfairly dealt with in many ways before being planted in the ground — which would be a sufficient reason why the best of after treatment would fail in saving them, and that the loss in the end should be very large. But even when there can be no reasonable objection raised to the quality of the trees — where they have been carefully dug, safely transported, and properly planted — still, complaints are too frequent, of the loss of a large number. The first dry summer burns them up, or the first cold winter cuts them down I between the two elements of heat and cold, the trees fail to grow ; the planter is disappointed ; his zeal dampened ; the cause is unknown, and all his ill luck is laid at the door of some energetic and honest nurseryman — for honest ones we believe there are — when the trouble lies with the planter himself. But if we look a little into the matter, we find that it is ob- vious enough it should be so. The work has been done, in a majority of cases, by individuals who have no correct in- formation in regard to what they are about. The mass of persons who plant trees have never, perhaps, bestowed a thought upon the subject till the moment of commencing operations ; they neither have theory or practice to guide VOL. XXI. NO. XII. 69 546 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. them in their labors ; a tree is planted like a post, and left to take care of itself ; and then when it fails to grow, as in too many instances it does, the fault is laid everywhere but where it justly belongs. The truth is, that all these errors of planters arise from" an under-estimate of the art of cultivation ; from the impression that the planting a tree is one of the simplest operations in the world, requiring neither study nor practice, and easy enough for any one to accomplish. This is the fatal mistake. They see many individuals succeed well enough, and fancy they can do equally as well. But they quite forget how much the success of the former has cost — how many books and peri- odicals they have carefully studied — how, little by little, they have put the information thus gained into practice, and, at the sacrifice of time and money, conquered the difficulties which accompanied their earlier efforts. These are the ama- teurs whose example does so much to promote good garden- ing, and who consider that a small amount paid in procuring the best information in the beginning, is more than quadrupled in the end. Until, therefore, individuals who intend to be- come cultivators, obtain the right information, and give up the idea that anybody can plant and rear a tree, the losses we have adverted to will not be lessened, nor the complaints less frequent. Our object at this time is not, however, to go into the de- tails of operations in planting, but to offer some few hints upon the management of trees at this season, preparatory to winter ; for, as we have stated above, the work may all have been well done up to this time, and yet a little neglect may be the cause of much mischief to every plantation of trees. There are different opinions in regard to the best season of transplanting, though we believe the majority of cultivators consider the autumn as decidedly the best. Our own expe- rience— and that not very limited — assures us it is the safest season to transplant to any extent. We have, in a previous volume, (XIX., p. 413,) given our reasons for our preference, and have seen no cause to change our opinion. But whether trees are planted in spring or fall, their treatment is nearly or DECEMBER. 547 quite the same. In either case they must be looked after, and receive due attention. Ornamental trees, of most kinds, will bear neglect tolerably well ; but fruit trees, especially pears upon the quince, must have good management, if large crops of excellent fruit, and fine healthy trees, are an object. Frequent complaints are made of the loss of trees, after growing well for a year or two after transplanting ; and if we could always have the particulars of location, soil, exposure, &c., we might form some good idea of the cause, and thus endeavor to prevent it again. But in most instances, we know nothing more than that the trees are dead. The winter of 1854-55 was quite severe upon trees in some parts of the country, particularly in western New York, where large quantities of dwarf pears were entirely destroyed. The cause of their death has been considerably discussed in the horticultural and agricultural periodicals, and it has been stated, that where the trees were protected by a cover- ing of snow to sotne depth, there was no loss ; it was only in the exposed localities that they suffered. Now this fact speaks volumes in favor of proper protection to trees in win- ter ; indeed, it would scarcely be possible to expect a new plantation of trees to succeed without it. And yet we see, in many cases, no regard paid to this. An open, exposed plain is set out with trees ; the rains of autumn saturate the ground and sodden the roots ; in this state, severe frost soon sets in ; and, before the moisture can get away, unless a very dry place, or well drained, the soil freezes to the depth of the roots, and so remains till spring opens. Can any one suppose trees so treated will root rapidly, and be ready for a good spring growth ? Certainly not. Protection in this instance is of great importance. The whole soil, to the Avidth of the new roots, should be covered with manure, which will an- swer the double purpose of enrichment and protection ; it should be placed in a conical heap immediately around the tree, and to the extent of its roots ; and when, as is often the case, there is no manure at hand, the earth should be thrown up around it in a conical form — first giving the surface a light dressing with guano. This is the treatment which every B4S THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. newly planted tree, whether set out in April or November, should receive. Older trees should also be manured in the autumn, which at the same time serves as a protection to the roots. The larger the tree, the greater the quantity of manure ; and if manure is wanting, a covering of leaves will answer a good purpose. When frost is kept out of the ground, the root ac- tion of the tree goes on till late in autumn, if not all winter. If we follow nature, we see by the means of the foliage, she more or less protects almost every tree ; even the slightest covering is some protection, and three or four inches of leaves will effectually keep out the most severe frost. Even weeds and grass serve as protectors ; and where, in neatly kept gardens, none of these are to be found, but the soil smooth and clean, the frost quickly penetrates to a great depth : every kind of protection being removed, such artificial culture must be carried out, and protection is one of the most important. Ornamental trees of every kind, newly planted, should be protected, if possible ; they need it as much as fruit trees ; for though they give us no fruit, they are not cumberers of the ground, or they should not be planted ; and, if worthy of being planted, they are worthy of being taken good care of. No native forest is exposed to such deep frosts as the scattered ornamental trees, growing in our highly cultivated gardens and pleasure grounds. Such trees, especially, as the magnolia, tulip tree, &c., should be well protected by a cov- ering of manure or leaves, or, if neither of them, by a mound of earth. Their roots are large, soft and fleshy, easily acted upon by frost, and suffer much, when young, by severe cold. As they get age, and the roots penetrate more deeply, it is less important, though always useful. Very large trees should always be ballasted with stones, if easily to be had, which are better than large stakes. Evergreens of all kinds require the same protection as oth- er trees, especially when standing isolated. They naturally grow in groups, which enables one to protect the other. In exposed places, single trees should always have a good cover- DECEMBER. 549 ing of old manure or leaves. The Chinese arbor vitce, and other coniferas, not among the very hardiest, are, however, rendered much hardier by protection, just sufficient to prevent the freezing of the soil to a great depth. Last winter was particularly severe upon evergreens in various parts of the country. Where trees stood in cleanly cultivated grounds, they suffered much more than in localities where the grass and leaves covered the roots and prevented deep freezing. Much of the prejudice against autumn transplanting of ever- greens, arises from the fact that they do not have proper pro- tection during the winter. Perhaps few persons are aware of the slight depth to which frost penetrates the ground in a pine forest ; the fallen leaves, and the covering of their spreading branches, affording great shelter from the cold winds. Under the south side of an arbor vitai hedge — or, rather, screen, for it has attained the height of fifteen feet — standing in our grounds, the frost does not generally sink more than eight or ten inches ; while in exposed places near by, it reaches to the depth of three feet. We might multiply instances of the effects of frost upon trees, and show how. much is gained by proper winter man- agement ; but we think we have stated enough to convince every cultivator of the necessity of protecting all kinds recent- ly transplanted, to ensure their safety and vigor, and of older trees to continue their fruitfulness or beauty. EUROPEAN PARKS, NO. IV. BY HOWARD DANIELS, ARCHITECT, N. Y. THE DERBY ARBORETUM. I PROPOSE in this letter to give some account of the Derby Arboretum, which was given to the Borough of Derby, 1840, by a Mr. Joseph Strutt, after it was laid out, planted, fenced, and provided with lodges, pavilions, tool-houses, &c., com- plete. The ground, naturally flat and tame, of limited extent 550 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. and in bad shape, being long and narrow and without any- distant prospect, has been transformed into one of the most interesting places in England. The late Mr, J. C. London designed and directed the improvements, which were all completed and the grounds opened with great ceremonies on the 16th September, 1840, and as Mr. Loudon's reasons for the plans he proposed and which were adopted are more concise, comprehensive and interesting than anything I can say, I will give them in his own words : — " The instructions given to me by Mr. Strutt respecting laying out this public garden were, that it was intended to be a place of recreation for the inhabitants of Derby and the neighborhood, and for all other persons who chose to come to see it. That it should be open two days in the week and that one of these days should be Sunday, (during proper hours,) and that on other days a small sum should be required from persons entering the garden, or yearly admissions should be granted for certain moderate sums. That the gardens should be so laid out and arranged as not to be expensive to keep up. That a flower garden and cottage, with the planta- tions already existing, should, if possible, be preserved. That a tool-house, covered with ivy, should also be preserved. That two lodges, with gates at the two extremities, should be built, and that each lodge should have a room, to be con- sidered as a public room, into which strangers might go and sit down, taking their own refreshments with them, without any charge being made by the occupant of the lodges, unless some assistance, such as hot water, plates, knives and forks, &c., were required, in which case a small voluntary gratuity might be given. That there should be proper yards and con- veniences at each lodge, for the use of the public, apart from those to be exclusively used by the occupant of the lodge. That there should be open spaces in two or more parts of the garden, in which large tents might be pitched, a band of music placed, dancing carried on, &c., &c. That certain vases and pedestals now in the flower garden, and also cer- tain others in Mr. Strutt's garden in Derby, should be retained DECEMBER. 651 or introduced ; and, finally, that some directions should be left for the management of the garden. " In endeavoring to accommodate the design submitted to Mr. Strutt, to his instructions and to the situation, the first point determined on was, that the whole interest of the gar- den should be contained within itself. " The mode of doing this was next to be considered, when it appeared that a general botanic garden would be too expensive, both to create and to keep up. That a mere composition of trees and shrubs with turf, in the manner of a common pleasure ground, would become insipid after being seen two or three times ; and, in short, that the most suitable kind of public garden for all the circumstances included in the above data was an arboretum, or collection of trees and shrubs, foreign and indigenous, which would endure the open air in the climate of Derby, with the names placed to each. Such a collection will have all the ordinary beauties of a pleasure ground viewed as a whole ; and yet from no tree or shrub occurring twice in the whole collection, and from the names of every tree and shrub Being placed against it, an inducement is held out, for those who walk in the gar- den, to take an interest in the name and history of each spe- cies, its use in this country or in other countries, its appear- ance at different seasons of the year, and the various associa- tions connected with it. " A similar interest might, no doubt, have been created by a collection of herbaceous plants ; but this collection, to be efi'ective in such a space of ground, must have amounted to at least 5,000 species ; and to form such a collection and keep it up, would have been much more expensive than forming the most complete collection of trees and shrubs that can at present be made in Britain. " It is further to be observed, respecting a collection of herbaceous plants, that it would have presented no beauty or interest whatever during the winter season ; whereas among trees and shrubs there are all the evergreen kinds, which are more beautiful in winter than in summer, while the decidu- ous kinds at that season, show an endless variety in the 552 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. ramification of their branches and spray, the color of their bark, and the color and form of their buds. " Add also that trees and shrubs, and especially evergreens, give shelter and encouragement to singing birds, to which herbaceous plants offer little or no shelter or food. " There are yet other arguments in favor of trees and shrubs for a garden of recreation, which are worth notice. " Herbaceous plants arc low and small, and to have any effect must be numerous ; while to acquire their names and look into their beauties, persons walking in the garden must stand still and stoop down, which, when repeated several times, would soon, instead of a recreation, become very fatiguing. Now trees and shrubs are large objects, and there is scarcely one of them the beauty of which may not be seen and enjoyed by the spectator while walking past it, and without standing still at all. " A herbaceous plant is chiefly interesting for its flowers and the form of its foliage, in which in general there is little change of color : but, to these two sources of interest, trees and shrubs add the opening buds in spring ; the color of the unexpanded foliage immediately after it has burst from the bud ; the fine green, tinged with some other color, which the first leaves assume when they are fully expanded, and which continues, more or less, till the middle of June ; the intensely deep green of summer, which continues till the end of July ; the first changes of autumn to red or yello\^ which com- mence in August ; and the dying off of all the different shades of red, crimson, yellow, orange, brown and purple, which continues taking place till Christmas ; while some deciduous trees, such as the beach and hornbeam, the com- mon oak in certain soils kept moist, and the duercus Tauzin in all soils and situations, retain their leaves after they have become brown, till the following May. " There are also in deciduous trees the color and bloom of the young shoots of the current year ; the different colors which the bark of these shrubs in many cases assumes the year following, (Salix decipines for example,) and the color and texture of the older shoots, and of the branches and DECEMBER. 563 trunk. In addition to these sources of interest, there is a very great beauty in trees which, from the improper planting of artificial plantations, is often overlooked, or rather con- cealed, and that is the ramification of the main surface roots at the point where they join the trunk. In general, trees are planted so deep that this ramification never appears above the surface, and the trunk of the tree seems fixed in the ground like a post which had been driven into it; an appearance as contrary to truth and nature, and also to the health of the tree, as the shaft of a column without a base, or a capital would, if employed in a building, be to architectural taste. " To prevent this monstrous and unnatural appearance from occurring at the Derby Arboretum, I have directed all the trees to be planted on little hills, the width of the base being three times the height of the hills, so that the junction of the main roots with the base of the trunk will appear above ground. Much more might be said to justify the pref- erence which I have given to an Arboretum over every other kind of arrangement for the Derby garden, but I con- sider any further remark on the subject unnecessary." A broad straight walk from the north entrance goes down the centre one third of its length, and is there intersected by another crossing it at right angles, and a fountain placed in the centre. The central walk at the fountain makes an angle to the left of about 45°, in order to follow the centre of the grounds. When about two-thirds down, it is crossed by a second broad walk, at right angles, and a statue of the Flor- entine Boar placed at the intersection. A winding walk sur- rounds the whole, outside of which is an irregular belt of trees and shrubs, chiefly evergreens, forming a screen. The earth was thrown into irregular ridges from six to ten feet in height, with the tallest trees planted on the sum- mits, the smaller ones on the sides, and the shrubs at the base, and along the level margins. This treatment was applied to disguise the boundaries of the grounds and to conceal persons walking in the side walks from those in the centre walks, which it effectually does, and produces VOL. XXI. NO. XII. 70 554 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. a variety in the grounds and an impression of greater ex- tent than there really is. Mr. Loudon was desired to furnish directions for the future management of the Arboretum, which he did, some of which I will extract as being applicable and useful in many other situations : — " All the ground not covered by trees or shrubs, I have directed to be laid d^wn in grass and kept closely mown ; but round each tree and shrub forming the collection I have preserved a circular space, ranging from three to five feet in diameter, which with the hills in the centre, compris- ino- one third of the width of the circle, and on which the plant is placed, is not sown in grass, but is always to be kept (ckar of weeds. The use of this circle and little hill is to prevent the grass from injuring the roots of the trees while young, and to admit of the larger roots showing themselves above the surface, when they ramify from the stem as before mentioned- " It has been found since the garden was completed, that these little hills have served as an effectual preservation of the plants ; because, notwithstanding the many thousands of persons that visited the garden during the three days of the .ceremony of the opening, not a single plant was injured. " What I consider to be the highest order consists in the following particulars : — The walks should be at all times per- fectly dry, smooth, firm, free from weeds, wormcasts, or other extraneous matters, and with a gravel of good color ; the turf equal in thickness, free from all broad-leaved plants, except clover, closely mown, smooth, firm, dry, and every- where without wormcasts, mole-hills, ant-hills, dead leaves of trees, bits of paper, or any other extraneous matters which may be blown about, or left on it by visitors ; the flower (warden perfectly free from weeds, and every bed filled with plants in a healthy state, and the beds well covered with flowers, the vases filled with flowers, in the manner above described, from the middle of May till October j the flowers being in pots, and either of greenhouse or hardy kinds, named on a card tied to the narrow part of the vase, and DECEMBER. 555 changed not seldomer than once a week ; the same species not being more than twice introduced during the same season. All the trees and shrubs to be kept without dead wood, per- fectly free from caterpillars, aphides, curl'ed leaves, honey- dew, leaves which have been killed, or branches which have been broken accidentally, and from flowers or fruits which have decayed and not dropped. " The climbers or twiners to be kept tied up ; the spaces around the trees free from weeds ; the seats quite clean ; the name tallies in complete repair ; the boundary fence, lodges and gates in complete repair, and the laborers and their wives and families, who attend on persons who enter the garden or the lodges, clean and neatly dressed. " This may be considered as the criterion of good regular management ; but there are certain points to which I wish to. direct the special attention of the curator and of the public, and especially of the public press. " The first point respects pruning. On no account what- ever is the knife to be applied to any of the trees or shrubs, except in the following cases : — For the purpose of cutting out dead wood, branches broken by the wind or by accident, dead or decayed flowers or fruit, or for removing the suckers or side shoots which come out below the grafts of such spe- cies or varieties as have been budded or grafted. No decay- ing leaves whatever, and no ripe fruit are on any account to be cut off"; but leaves which wither or are killed in the course of the summer may be removed as soon as they are perceived. " Pruning is prohibited, in order that every plant may show its natural shape and habit of growth ; whether by growing erect, spreading horizontally, or throwing suckers up, or rambling shoots out on every side. The suckers are not even to be thinned out, but every plant is to be allowed as perfect a freedom of growth as if it were in its native habitat. " The only exception is, such climbing, twining, or trailing plants as are to be trained up to the rods or props prepared for them, instead of allowing them to trail on the ground ; 556 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. but this is to be done without cutting off or shortening any of tlieir shoots. The reason for not removing decaying leaves is, that a great part of the beauty of all trees and shrubs consists in the change of color which takes place in the leaves in the course of the autumn, and more especially a short time before they drop off." The Derby Arboretum has now been in successful opera- tion fifteen years. The shrubs and many of the trees now exhibit forms and characteristics well developed, forming fine studies for the landscape gardener, the planter and botanist. Each plant has a tally, Avith a number corresponding to the one preceding the name in the printed catalogue ; the native country, year of introduction, and height of plant in its native country. The catalogue gives a brief and interest- ing account of the plants, and for those who wish to study deeper into the subject, Mr, Loudon gave a copy of his Arbo- retum Britannicum which is kept in the public room of one of the lodges. Mr. Loudon's instructions so far have been scrupulously carried out, and the grounds present as neat, clean and healthy appearance as any I have seen, except a few noble- men's parks. An addition of six acres of land has been made and appropriated as a lawn and play-ground. A fine new entrance has been built on the east side, both of which have been mostly done with the funds that have accumu- lated from admissions ; and negotiations are now on foot for another addition of land. From all of whom I inquired respecting the value placed upon this garden by the public, the universal reply was that it was highly prized by all, high and low, and that the older it grows the more interested the public become in it. The grounds are open gratuitously on Wednesdays all day, and on Sundays, except from ten to one o'clock. Four thousand is the usual number of admissions on Sunday after- noons ; on other days sixpence is the admission fee, which forms a fund for keeping up the grounds. Mr. Loudon planted over one thousand species and varieties of trees and shrubs, exclusively of the belt and old trees, since which DECEMBER. 557 there has been many additions of new and rare plants made. The plantations are arranged with considerable efTect in a pictorial point of view, perhaps as much so as is possible when each plant is kept perfectly isolated. In this respect I was considerably disappointed, for I had imagined the plants arranged in orders regardless of pictorial effect, but the fact is quite the contrary. The plants of each order are scattered about considerably, consequently the names of the orders are not on the tallies, but they can be readily ascertained by ref- erence to the catalogue. In public grounds generally, if this arrangement or something similar was adopted, the trees and shrubs would have a much greater interest. The most care- less observer could not help learning the names more cor- rectly, the character, halJits, size, nativity, (fcc, all of which would aid in awakening an interest in the study of arbori- culture. How many men would be persuaded to plant a few trees if they only could see the result produced here in fifteen years. How much more taste and judgment would be ex- hibited in the planting if the public had such examples before them, where they could see the effect of different plants at all periods, from five to twenty and fifty years old, study their coloring and outline, and thus be enabled to form groups that would present a pleasing form and harmonious coloring. I have made these long quotations from Mr. Loudon's cat- alogue, and written these hasty notes, that Americans might know what privileges Englishmen have, in hopes they would be of some use in arousing some of our rich men to do as Mr. Strutt did, build a monument more lofty and enduring than if of marble or granite. Derby, Oct. 2, 1855. We are glad to hear so good an account of the condition of this arboretum. We had the impression it had been neg- lected, at the time we saw it in 1844, when we gave a description of it in the Magazine. — Ed. 558 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. ON THE MEANS OF SECURING THE ADVANTAGES OF CLIMATE. BY WILSON FLAQO. The selection of a site for one's dwelling-house, whether it be designed only for a summer residence, or for a perma- nent abode, is a subject of greater difficulty than is generally supposed. In treating of this matter, we should consider those circumstances which are most favorable for shelter in winter, for shade in summer, for recreation, and for prospect. In this essay, I shall treat less of the comparative advantages of living north or south of a certain latitude, on the coast or in the interior, than of the importance of certain circum- stances attached to particular locatio^is, that may be found in all places. The sea-coast must always furnish advantages, which one cannot find elsewhere. To the lover of nature, the coast scenery and the views of the ocean are some of the principal attractions. Next to these are facilities for boat ex- " cursions in the harbor and among the islands, and for angling from the cliffs and promontories by the sea-side. In the ex- tremes both of hot and cold weather, the temperature of the atmosphere is moderated by the sea-breezes, lessening the amount of snow in the winter, and retarding vegetation in the spring. From about the first of July to the last of February, the climate of the coast is more equable and moderate than that of the interior ; but during the remainder of the year, the sea-breeze to invalids is almost intolerable. Nothing can ex- ceed the harshness of the east winds near the coast, during all the spring months, and the month of June. Not before July does the great body of the ocean become sufficiently warmed to temper the severity of the winds that blow from it, insomuch that the northeast wind is colder in May than in November. All the winter is required to cool down the great mass of waters which communicate their temperature to these winds, and after this, all the summer is required to warm them. Hence, the east winds do not acquire their DECEMBER. 559 greatest blandness until September, and a northeaster that brings snow in April, will bring rain in December and January. . The average of the weather throughout the year might prove the advantages in favor of a residence on the coast. Bat whether we live near the sea-shore, or a hundred miles back of it, the American climate is so cold at one time, and so hot at another, and so variable at all times, that the true art of enjoying it consists in using the best means to avail ourselves of its benefits, and to secure ourselves from its evils. It does not involve the question whether we shall live in this latitude and longitude or another ; but what rules should govern our choice of a location for our dwelling-houses, and what means should be used to protect them from the cold winds, and se- cure to them the advantage of the sun's rays. None will dispute that, in the same township, certain locations are more favorable for comfort, as well as for prospect, than others ; and were all men to pay proper regard to the selection of a site, and to the use of all available means of protection from the disagreeable effects of the weather, I am persuaded that the people would enjoy more comfort, both at home and abroad. We should also hear less fault-finding with the cli- mate, which, on account of the great proportion of clear, sunny days, admits of improvement, both by adopting the means of shelter from the cold winds, and of collecting and reverberat- ing the heat of the sun. If our climate were a cloudy one, a hill or a grove would be of equal value to protect us from the winds ; but, under present circumstances, they may be contrived to aflford no positive heat when the sky is clear, in the coldest of weather. Hence a well protected enclosure may be comfortable during all clear days in winter ; while an unprotected one is no warmer on clear days than at other times, because all the heat reflected from the surface is imme- diately dissipated. By considering the great cause of the difference between the climate of America and that of the same latitudes oti the old continent, we might easily be convinced of the importance of a natural or artificial bulwark, to increase the comfort of our enclosures, and to make a pleasant climate about our 560 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. homes. The great Himalayan range of mountains runs east and west, separating the continent of Asia into two grand divisions, one on the north, and the other on the south. By means of this great natural barrier, the country lying south of it is completely defended from the north winds, and sel- dom experiences a severe degree of cold. The countries north of the range, on the other hand, are just as effectually cut off from the warming influence of the south winds. The returning currents of the atmosphere, from the equator to the poles, cannot freely pass over these mountains, but are diverted to the outside of the chain, and return along the valley of the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, and over the western coast of Europe. Hence, the climate of that coun- try is the most delightful in the world ; and while Persia and the Indies, on the south of the Himalayan range, enjoy an almost perpetual summer, Siberia, Tartary, and other coun- tries on the north of it, are rendered almost uninhabitable by cold. The character of the American continent, which is divided by the Rocky Mountains, in the direction of north and south, is quite the reverse of this. The northern regions feel the full influence of the returning winds from the equator to the poles, and the southern regions' are equally subject, in winter, to the freezing winds, that meet with no barrier to intercept their progress from the Arctic circle. Hence, North America has the most variable climate known ; and often, while the New England States in mid-winter are enjoying the mild weather of the Carolinas, brought to them by a few days' prevalence of the south wind, the orange trees in Florida are in jeopardy from the freezing gales that pour down west of the Alleghanies, directly from Labrador. All this difference between the climate of Asia and Ameri- ca may be attributed to the different course of the great ranges of mountains in these two continents. Were the Rocky Mountains stretched uninterruptedly across the conti- nent of America, from the coast of Labrador to that of the Russian possessions on the Pacific — the Canadas would have a climate as mild as that of Europe ; and Newfoundland, now DECEMBER. 661 almost uninhabitable, receiving the atmospheric currents from the equator, turned aside by the intercepting mountains, would be a land of perpetual spring, and the garden of the world. Nature in these cases has presented us examples, from which we might derive some useful instruction. Rules for the improvement of the soil have been carried almost to per- fection ; but little has been done for the improvement of cli- mate, which is nearly as much under our control as the soil. The laws that influence climate are the same in all parts of the world, and the same proportionally on a smaller as on a larger scale of operations. In a land of so much sunshine as our own, we may economize it for our use and benefit, or we may allow it to be lost, according as we adopt or neglect certain contrivances for this purpose. Nature has shown, by her own example, the effect of v/oods, of mountains and ranges of hills, upon the weather in their vicinity. Let us study these effects, learn the laws of climate, which are vast- ly more important than the prognostics of the weather, and we might soon be enabled to double our own comforts. This essay cannot contain anything beyond a few hints that may lead to further investigation of these laws. In many cases our farmers seem to have been governed by them, and in general have located their houses on the south side of a hill. But few of them seem to have considered that still more might be done to secure the advantages of climate. They have taken no more pains to preserve a wood- lot on the north side than on the south side of their houses. Yet, by securing all the advantages which a moderately good situation offers, and by constructing proper barriers and rever- berators, one might, in spite of the rigors of a New England winter, create a comparatively pleasant climate within his own enclosures. Many a farm is exposed all winter to the bleak northwest wind, and in spring to the harsh breezes of the ocean, which might be rendered comfortable by a planta- tion of trees on its northern boundary, and be furnished with an agreeable promenade all along under the edge of the grove. VOL. XXI. NO. XII. 71 562 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. I have often wondered at the stupidity of those men of wealth, who, to save some distance in their daily journey, pay an exorbitant price for a few roods of ground, in a most unfavorable exposure, without a tree on the spot to shade them in summer, and neither wood nor hill in their vicinity to protect them from the cutting gales of winter, and where their grounds do not afford them space enough to plant any such protection. One does not sufficiently bear in mind, that while these things may not greatly affect his own comfort, on account of his absence nearly all the day in town, yet, that the women and children of his household are at home the greater part of the time. How greatly would their happi- ness be increased by these advantages, which would suffer them in all clear weather to walk out of doors, protected from the bleak winds, and cheered and warmed by the full influence of the sun's rays. Without these provisions for their out-of-door comfort, women and invalids are confined within doors the greater pari of the year, and suffer propor- tional injury to their health. Yet I believe there are but few days in the whole year, in clear weather, in which one might not take a pleasant and comfortable walk out of doors, if these means of shelter were near at hand. When I was a student, I was in the habit, on clear days in winter, of regu- larly walking over a long, uncomfortable road, for the sake of half an hour's stroll in a wood of this description, that grew on the side of a hill facing the south. A narrow, open past- ure was spread out in front of it, and this was protected on the northeast side, by a dense pine wood. The sun's rays were admitted into this retreat nearly all the day, and being reverberated from the surface of the earth, produced a pleas- ant temperature in this natural enclosure, even when the thermometer outside was at zero ! Here might one take a delightful stroll, in all clear weather, and feel, as it were, the influence of a milder sky. How much of the ill-humor occasioned by our vexatious climate, might be prevented by proper attention to all these circumstances — by building our houses in situations like the one above described, or by encompassing them with a similar DECEMBER. 563 protection of wood ! With such advantages, we conld take more frequent exercise out of doors ; and our children, being allowed to run about in these sunny places, would be more healthy and more happy ; the farmer would perform his win- ter tasks with more ease and comfort ; and those who now suffer from indoor confinement, would be furnished with a delightful place for exercise and recreation. It may be objected, that every man cannot have choice of a location for his house. This might be said with truth, if the whole land were covered with buildings, as in the town or city. But every man who owns a farm, or even a solitary acre of land, unless the whole of it lie on the northern slope of a hill, may plant a grove of evergreens, of greater or less width, around its northern limits, which, if well supplied with undergrowth, though but two or three rods in width, would protect his grounds as well as half a mile of forest. I have observed, however, that those whose wealth would ena- ble them to make choice of a location, do no more generally avail themselves of such advantages, than the poor man. From a window of the room in which I am now writing, I look out upon an expensive villa, erected by a wealthy pro- prietor, who has almost entirely overlooked these considera- tions. His house is built on the eastern slope of a hill, with a wood stretched all along on the west side, cutting off the afternoon sun, and completely hiding a view of sunset. Though well protected from the west wind, the north and northeast winds have a full sweep over his grounds, which, receiving the rays of the sun in an oblique direction, cannot obtain the full benefit of their heat. It may be that the pro- prietor, though a remarkably intelligent man, did not consider the importance of these circumstances, when selecting the location of his house : and he does not seem to have been aware of the advantage of extending this wood around the northern boundary of his estate, as might easily be done. But our men of wealth are apt to think a great deal more of making a display of their possessions, than of those circum- stances that relate to climate, and parade their houses on the north or the south side of a hill, according as the one or the other will render it the most conspicuous. 564 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. A house on a bleak exposure would suffer the inconve- nience of it during eight or nine months of the year ; while another, in a sheltered vale, though exposed to more heat in July, would suffer vastly less from the inclemency of the weather in winter and spring. But it is not necessary to plant one's house in a valley to secure these advantages. An elevated site may be as warm as a low one, if its slopes are in such a position as to receive the direct rays of the sun during the best part of the day, and if it be provided with a boundary of wood that will save the solar heat from being scattered by the winds. I would never allow this bul- wark, if it could be prevented, to extend round so far east or west as to intercept my view of sunrise or sunset, considernig a view of the heavens, at these hours of the day, as more valuable than any other kind of prospect ; and, during the short days of autumn and winter, I should set a high value upon any circumstance that would hasten the arrival of morn, and prolong the light of declining day. The best kind of protection is a hill or a ridge forming a bend, with its concave side facing the south, having its lower part open, and its summit crowned with a wood. The wood in this case cuts off the force of the winds, while the lower surface of the slope acts as a reverberator of the sun's heat. The same hill, without the trees, would be an excellent re- verberator ; but it needs the wood on its summit, to retain the heat which is thus accumulated. As the width of sur- face protected by any such barrier is proportional to its . height, other things being equal, a wood on the summit of a ridge or a bank must protect a much wider surface than could be protected by the hill without the wood, or the wood with- out the hill, or by the hill with the wood only on its lower part. Had I the wealth to enable me to do as I pleased with my grounds, I would be particular to grade them in such a man- ner as to make all the slopes lean as much as possible to the south — those, especially, that bounded my enclosures. Were the regard paid to these circumstances universal, it is evident that the general temperature of the climate must be proper- DECEMBER. 565 tionally raised, since the benefit which the whole surface of the country receives from the sun must be proportional to the area which is advantageously exposed to its rays. All my forest should be left on the summits of the steep and rug- ged elevations, and on the northern declivities — because the latter are least valuable for tillage, and because the forest would check the dissipation of heat from the surface ; but ' the southern declivities should be left open to receive the in- fluence of the sun's heat. In spite of the awkward appearance of a northern boundary of wood near one's dwelling-house, it seems to be almost in- dispensable in a climate like our own, which, more than any other, admits of such improvements. If my house were pro- tected only by a wood, I should plant a close thicket of un- dergrowth outside of the belt, to prevent the winds from sweeping under the trees. In that case, the members of the family might walk with comfort in the grove, which would freely admit the beams of the sun to enter on the south side. It is hard to determine whether the northeast or the north- west wind, in this part of the country, produces the most discomfort. None will deny that the northwest is the coldest winter wind, but in spring the northeast wind is more un- comfortable than the other in winter. In the New England States, no house is well protected which is not guarded against both of these Avinds. It is wise to furnish all coun- try-houses with such safeguards, when the space will admit of it, not only for the comfort of the inmates of the house, but also for the good condition of one's cattle and flocks. All animals in cold weather require additional food, to supply their systems with fuel for the production of animal heat, as well as for sustenance. Hence, if they are well protected from the cold, they must require less of this fuel to preserve their vital warmth. Good economy, therefore, as well as a regard for our own comfort, would advise the adoption of all such available means of protection from the cold, and of se- curing the benefit of the solar heat. A great deal might also be said of the utility of such pro- tection for farming and gardening operations ; but this point 566 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. has been ably elucidated, in a late article, by the editor of this journal. In the majority of cases, when one is about to select a location for a dwelling-house, he might choose a spot that is already provided, with these advantages, without sacri- ficing others that might be deemed of more importance. Protection is more valuable in this climate than prospect, how highly soever the latter may be prized. But if the best views of the landscape lie north of one's grounds, let them be re- served for recreation, when the weather will permit one to go out to seek for them. In almost all cases, the value of a prospect is enhanced by any little difficulty in the way of obtaining it ; and there are but few who would not prefer a prospect that was near at hand, though unseen from one's windows, to one that was always tiresomely conspicuous, and could not be concealed. DESCRIPTIONS OF SELECT APPLES. BY THE EDITOR. We continue our descriptions of new and select varieties of apples, from our last volume, (XX., p. 506,) and we hope to describe and figure several additional kinds in our next volume. A recent visit to the west enabled us to gather much information in relation to the sorts cultivated in that region, many of which, though considered new, are only the older kinds under local names. A careful study of them has enabled us to detect many errors, and clear up some of the confusion in the nomenclature of this valuable fruit. LVIII. The Ladies' Sweeting. Fruits and Fruit Trees of America. This fine winter sweet apple, (fig. 27,) though described by Mr. Downing, some years ago, and highly extolled by him, is yet very little known, and the fruit rarely seen in our markets. It is a most valuable winter variety. Of large size, DECEMBER. 667 fine form, rich color, and exceedingly sweet, it merits a place in every good collection. The tree is not a very rapid grower, and rather tardy in coming into bearing, but with age becomes very productive. Its habit is rather slender, forming a roundish head. 27. THE ladies' sweeting apple. Size, large, about three and a half inches broad, and three inches deep : Form, roundish, regular, very slightly ribbed, and narrowing very little to the crown : Skin, fair, smooth, with a greenish yellow ground, broadly covered with light red, and rather faintly striped with crimson, deepest on the sunny side, and dotted with numerous yellowish specks : Ste7n, short, less than half an inch long, stout, and rather deeply inserted in a medium-sized, funnel-shaped cavity : Eye, rather large, open, and little sunk in a small ribbed basin ] segments of the calyx, woolly : Flesh, greenish white, fine, crisp and very tender : Juice, abundant, sweet, rich, and fine- ly flavored : Core, large, open : Seeds, large, very long, and sharply pointed. Ripe from January to April. 568 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. LIX. Beauty of the West. Keiirick's Am. Orchardist. The Beauty of the West, {jig. 28,) was first described by- Mr. Kenrick, upwards of twenty years ago, upon the author- ity of Judge Buel ; and we cannot find any author, since then, who has given anything more than a repetition of his de- scription. It appears to be but very little cultivated, which may account for the absence of more information respecting 59. THE BEAUTY OF THE WEST APPLE. it. Our specimens, which were very fine, were received from Mr. Wentworth, of Dover, N. H., who has a fine collection of all the best apples. They were remarkably large, beauti- ful and fine, and fully deserving the praise of Judge Buel, who called it " a large, fair, and fine-flavored sweet apple, presented to him in January, and kept till March." Later au- thors mention it among the fall apples ; but, judging from the ripeness of our specimens, we should call it an early winter fruit. It will not keep like the Ladies' Sweeting, but is a valuable December sweet apple. Size, large, about three and a half inches broad, and three DECEMBER. 56^ inches deep : Form, roundish, regular, broad at the base, and narrowing considerably to the crown, which is small : Skin, fair, smooth, with an oily touch, greenish yellow, near- ly covered with pale dull red, finely striped with purplish crimson, and dotted with large yellowish specks : Stem, very short, less than half an inch long, stout, and moderately sunk in a broad, not very deep cavity : Eye, large, open, and but little depressed, in a medium-sized, open, and finely furrowed basin ; segments of the calyx, short, broad : Flesh, greenish white, fine, crisp, and tender : Juice, tolerably abundant, very sweet, and well flavored : Core, small, nearly closed : Seeds, rather large, plump, dark brown. Ripe from November to February. LX. Jewett's Red. Jewett'a Fine Red, f n ^^ ^■ „ ,, - ' > of some collections. Nodhead, S The Jewett's Red, (Jig. 29,^ is a northern apple, which originated in Hollis, N. H. It has been in cultivation in that THE JEWETT S RED APPLE. vicinity for many years, and, under the local name of Nodhead,, is raised in considerable quantities for market. In Massachusetts and other States, it is comparatively a new apple, and has not yet VOL. XXI. NO. XII. 72 570 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. been introduced a sufficient length of time to produce fruit in any quantity. It is a favorite variety with all who know it ; ranking, for its beauty and high flavor, with the Baldwin and other fine winter varieties. The tree is a healthy and vigorous grower, possessing a good habit, and bears large crops of very fair fruit. It deserves general introduction. Size, large, about three and a half inches broad, and two and three-quarters deep : Fortn, roundish oblate, broad and somewhat flattened at the base, and rather wide at the crown, slightly ribbed, and somewhat angular in outline : Skin, fair, smooth, with a yellow ground, broadly and deeply colored with deep crimson, indistinctly striped, and conspicuously dotted with yellow specks : Stem, very short, less than half an inch long, stout, and inserted in a broad, very shallow cavity: Eye, medium size, closed, and little depressed, in a small basin ; segments of the calyx, broad, regular, complete : Flesh, yellowish, fine, rather firm, crisp and tender : Juice, abundant, very pleasantly acid, brisk, rich, and fine-flavored : Core, large, nearly closed : Seeds, medium size, plump, and somewhat angular. Ripe from November to January. •STUDIES IN THE FIELD AND FOREST. BY WILSON FLAGQ. DECEMBER. The last green herb has faded on the hill, The woods are seared ; the brooks are hushed and still. The dry oak leaf is shaking in the wind ; Autumn has fled and left no flower behind. No leaves conceal the bird's deserted nest ; For now the evergreens alone are drest In foliage, and the little quadrupeds Are silent in their subterranean beds. All have retreated to their little dens, And gloom and silence fill the hollow glens. But think not, since the plains are bound in frost, Or robed in snow, that all our joys are lost. DECEMBER. 571 Though summer flowers invite our steps no more, And autumn's jolly harvest time is o'er, And butterflies and singing birds have flown. The country yields more pleasures than the town. There 's many a cheerful toil and rural sport, Maintained by Winter in his dreary court ; And I would bid all city sports adieu, To join the country and its jovial crew. Nature, at length, has turned her flowery page, That a new scene of beauty might engage Our notice and awake our gratitude ; With different charms are all the months endued. At every period, mindful of our joys. She feeds us with no pleasure, till it cloys ; Now clothes the fields in green and then in white. And opes with every page new wonders to our sight. No. X. A Cold Day. All night have we been listening to the fresh blowing of the winds, and dreading an encounter with the cold that was to await us in the morning. Day has dawned, and the sky and atmosphere are as clear as the etherial space between the heavens and the earth. The sun's broad disk is already above the horizon ; but his rays dimly penetrate through the window panes, almost opaque with a thick coating of frost. As they struggle through this frost-work, thousands of beau- tiful configurations are cast upon the opposite ceiling, which are in a constant wavering motion. The sunbeams, as bright as a perfectly pellucid atmosphere can make them, are ren- dered powerless by the cold winds that bind them in their embraces. The mercury has sunk below zero. The fire that is blaz- ing upon the hearth sends no heat into the room ; and the whole family gather round it in a semicircle, scorching them- selves in a vain effort to obtain warmth. We go to our tasks, but we cannot pursue them. A freezing cold settles all around us, and drives us constantly to the fire. The needle drops from the hand of the seamstress, and the penman can scarcely make his mark. The latches of the doors fasten upon the hands, as we attempt to open them. Everything 572 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. we take into our hands is like a mass of indissoluble ice. The whole business of the day is to keep ourselves from freezing. There is no ceremony in the house ; all the in- mates gather round the fire, and talk of nothing but the weather. In the almost deserted streets we see no loitering at cor- ners, and no gathering in the porches of the public houses. Every one is hurrying onward, with face averted from the wind, his garments muffled closely around him, and he hardly deigns to recognize a passing acquaintance ; or, if he be saluted, to make him a reply, in his haste to get to his journey's end. All are rapidly moving ; even the most indolent seem to be suddenly capable of speed. The loaded teams that pass along the streets, are creaking like a band of musical instru- ments. The cattle are whitened with frost, and long beards of isicles are hanging from their chins. The earth is white with snow, and the sun casts a bright but ineffectual beam over the wide glittering plain. Not a single crystal of hoar frost melts upon the window glass, so powerless are the sun's rays ; but it accumulates all the day, until the glass has lost its transparency. Long isicles have made their appearance suddenly, dependent from different parts of the roof. All the eaves of the houses are fringed with these isicles, of various lengths, glittering like so many precious jewels, in the light of the sun. Smaller ones are hanging from the branches of the trees, and wide glisten- ing sheets of ice have encrusted the springy sides of the hills. There is a long volume of fog rolled in heaps upon the surface of the bay, that seems to bound the horizon. Such a fog always denotes an intense cold. It is formed from the steam that may be seen issuing from the brink of the waters, just beyond the ice that girds the shore. Often during the day, a sleety snow, scarcely visible, on account of the minuteness of the crystals, will pour down from the skies, making the cutting blast still more severe, as it beats against the face and eyes of the traveller. At such times, it may be observed that the sky is not perfectly transparent, being dim- DECEMBER. 573 med by this sleet, which resembles a thin cloud of dust rather than of vapor. This phenomenon is caused by the steam which has risen from the ocean, in an invisible form, and crystalized as it ascended into the atmosphere. On this day many a little bird will perish in the forest, struck by a shaft from the inclement skies ; and the fishes that swim in the shallow waters will be imbedded, like petri- factions, in the ice ; for all the little rivulets are frozen, and their gurgling is not heard beneath the snows. The crows, and jays, and other winter birds are almost silent in the woods, and the bleating of flocks is not heard upon the hills. No living creature dares come forth to an encounter with the winds. All nature is still, save the fresh biting blast that is sweeping over the earth, and striking all living things with the stillness and coldness of death. The poultry in the yards are gathered together in sunny corners, or under the shelter of a fence, apparently torpid. Here and there is a scattering one, moping around the door- step, with its feathers frizzled, and its limbs almost too be- numbed to support its weight. When the door is opened, they suddenly arouse from their torpidity, and then sink back again to their retreat. The only comfort among the brute creation is enjoyed by the cattle within the barns, and the sheep within their fold. The sun is drawing near his decline, but no beautiful colors surround his setting. The sky is perfectly blue over our heads, a.nd a grayish circle binds the horizon, illuminated with a kind of yellow light, save in the close vicinity of the bay, where the rising vapor has formed a girdle of purple haze dimly fringed with the hues of the rainbow. No clouds are in the atmosphere, for its intense coldness precipitates the vapor into crystals, that fall to the earth ere it has arrived at any considerable height. Everything is still, save the winds that whistle through the doors and crevices, and clatter among the stiff and frozen branches of the trees. It is evening. The doors and windows are tightly closed; the hearths of the dwelling-houses are heaped with fuel, and all the villagers are assembled around their firesides. The 574 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. windows, at this time, exhibit a magnificent appearance as we pass them on the outside, while the lamps are glittering from within, through their myriad configurations of frost. The window panes resemble so many pictured glasses ; and while the forms of objects within cannot be seen, the lamps twinkle through the frost-work, and cast upon the traveller a beautiful and variegated light. SUBURBAN VISITS, The crowded condition of our pages for some time, to- gether with our absence from home, has prevented us from completing the notes of some suburban visits made in August last. We now add a few of them, and the remainder will appear in our next volume. Residence of Peter Smith, Andover, Mass. — It was on the pleasant morning of the 25th of August that we found our way to the Maine Railroad depot, where we took the train for the beautiful town of Andover, to visit our friend, Deacon Smith, whose elegant residence, situated not far from the station, overlooks the busy part of the village, and the country beyond. His grounds comprise in all upwards of forty acres, considerable of which is fine woodland. The whole, ten years ago, was a wild, rocky, and apparently ster- ile hill-side, which none but a persevering and energetic man like Deacon Smith would ever have undertaken to subdue. But the rocks have been removed, the brushwood cleared up, the soil trenched and levelled, and several acres of it made into a beautiful garden, a thrifty orchard, and fine pasture land. The house stands upon the edge of a high embankment, with a street wall built of the rocks cleared from the land. The garden is situated on both sides and in the rear, that on the right being the flower garden, that on the left the orna- mental ground, and that in the rear the orchard and vegeta- ble garden. At the back of the flower garden is a handsome DECEMBER. 575 curvilinear grapery, sixty feet long and twenty feet wide, in two divisions — one for forcing and for a collection of plants, and the other for a cold house. It is a neat and ornamental structure, and, although erected only two years ago, a crop of very fine grapes was raised the past season. The flower gar- den was gay with a profusion of asters, verbenas, phloxes, and various annuals, and a fine display of dahlias. In the fruit garden and orchard is a superior collection of apples and pears, now just coming into full bearing, some trees of the Porter, Hubbardston Nonsuch, &c., being loaded with frnit. The pears, too, were doing well, and many of them fall of fruit. On the lawn and pleasure ground were numerous fine specimens of Norway spruce, hemlock, arbor vitas, &c., with silver maples, purple beeches, tulip trees, magnolias, &c. These, though only six or eight years planted, and on a rather thin soil, have made the most vigorous growth, show- ing skill in planting, and subsequent good management — on which, in fact, the success of every plantation depends. Deacon Smith has spared no pains to improve his grounds ; he is a great lover of trees, shrubs and plants, and enters with zeal into all the particulars of their cultivation. With- out this, we might have looked in vain for so much improve- ment in so short a period. How much of a benefactor is such a man ! A waste piece of land has been converted into a highly cultivated garden, the town beautified, and the whole neighborhood improved by his example. Residence of Mr. Geo, H. French. — Not far from Dea- con Smith's is situated the residence of Mr. French, occupy- ing a level piece of ground, of a few acres, a portion of which we found covered with dwarf and standard pears, of all the newest and best varieties. A grapery, some fifty feet long, was now just bearing its first crop, which had begun to color. The whole appeared in a flourishing condition. Garden of Gen. H. K. Oliver, Lawrence. — By the invitation of Deacon Smith, we enjoyed the pleasure of a ride from Andover to Lawrence, where we visited Gen. Oli- ver, and passed half an hour among his fine dahlias. His 576 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. garden is in the rear of his house in the city, and though only small, we found it full of choice flowers and plants, the dahlias and roses being most prominent. The General is a great lover of the dahlia, and his collec- tion contained most of the newer varieties. We saw here. Reine des Fleurs, Unanimity, Miss Caroline, and others, showing magnificent blooms. The season had been rather dry, but an abundant supply of water had enabled Gen. Oli- ver to give them all the moisture they needed, and their fine condition attested his good and careful treatment. The hy- brid perpetual roses, and the German asters were fine — the former not very full of bloom, but vigorous, healthy plants. Through the beds and round the borders were scattered a few dwarf and standard pears, too young to bear much, but comprising the best sorts. A walk through the factory grounds, where Gen. Oliver has converted a waste piece of ground into a fine garden, finished our rambles for the afternoon ; and, delighted with our visit, we wended our way homeward, wishing meanwhile that there were more such zealous lovers of horticulture and floriculture, not only in our own vicinity, but throughout the country. §tntxixl Botites. Dahlias and Dahlia Exhibitions in England. — The dahlia ttill continues to be the leading flower at the fall exhibitions of the various floricultural societies in England. From the reports of several of them, we glean the following information in regard to the standing of the older kinds, as well as the reputation of the newer ones : — JVationcd Floricultural Society. — The first prize was awarded to Mr. C. Turner, for the twelve best, as follows : — Robert Bruce, Yellow Beauty, Preeminent, Empress, Lord Bath, Sir C. Napier, Rachel Rawlings, Espar- tero, Lollipop, Bessie, Miss Speers, and Annie. Caledonia Horticultural Society. — Grand show of dahlias, open to the whole kingdom. The first prize was awarded to Messrs. Downie & Laird, for the best twenty-four, viz. : Preeminent, Rachel, John Keynes, Immortal, DECEMBER. 577 Mr. Seldon, Duke of Wellington, Fanny Keynes, Plantagenet, Beauty of Hough, Bob, Miss Caroline, Sir F. Bathurst, E. Forster, Mrs. Ferguson, Ruby, Queen, Malvina, Admiral Dundas, Lady Folkstone, Annie, Empress, Fred. Jerome, Port Royal, and Sir C. Napier. Royal South London. — The first prize was awarded to Mr. C. Turner, for the best twenty-four, as follows : — Bessie, Mr. Seldon, Triumphant, Robert Bruce, Preeminent, Rachel Rawlings, Miss Speers, Lollipop, Constancy, Sir R. Whittington, Miss Caroline, Cossack, Yellow Beauty, Duke of Wel- lington, Amazon, Miss Burdett Coutts, Duchess of Kent, Fearless, Annie, Annie Salter, Sir C. Napier, Lilac King, Empress, and Agincourt. • The Fancy dahlias, in the winning stands, were the following : — Triumph de Roubaix, Claudia, Mrs. Hansard, Mrs. Willis, Duchess of Kent, Baron Alderson, Jonas, Phaeton, Comet, Kossuth, Princess Charlotte, Pigeon, Em- peror de Maroc, Admiration, Glorie de Kain, &c. The following are new seedlings of merit: — Enchantress, a striped fancy variety ; Bessie, a full-sized yellow ; Lollipop, a very fine fawn-colored va- riety ; Miss Burdett Coutts, shaded salmon ; Mrs. Wheeler, a first-rate crimson scarlet; Reignald, primrose, slightly tipped with purple; Orange Perfection, (Keynes,) shaded orange, of beautiful outline ; Duchess of Wel- lington, (Turner,) soft creamy white ; Grand Sultan, (Turner,) dark maroon ; Chameleon, (Rawlings,) yellow, occasionally tinged with yellow ; Eclipse (Wheeler,) dark purple ; — each of which received first class certificates. Management of Roses in Beds. — Mr. Rivers, in his new catalogue,* now before me, recommends dwarf roses, forming beds or groups, to be transplanted and highly manured annually ; and, after some experience, I am convinced that this is the only method by wliich free growth and an abundant bloom can be maintained. It is deplorable to obsarve how soon and how certainly roses, (unless under very favorable circumstances,) dete- riorate, when left to themselves, or to the culture generally bestowed on them, and to remark how unlike the beauteous objects first planted, a few years of neglect makes them. Now, the remedy for this great evil being so sim- ple, and within the reach of all, surely we may expect to see it generally adopted ;~~and, for the guidance of those about to adopt such treatment, I may repeat, that no renewal of the soil or change of site is necessary, but that careful taking up, well manuring, and careful replanting, at this, the proper season, is all that is requisite. Plants neglected, and that have been stationary for a number of years, may experience some check on such trans- planting ; but when it becomes annual, the very reverse is the case, and increased luxuriance the invariable result. Where pegging down the shoots, so as to cover the entire bed or borders, is practised, (and an admira- ble practice it is,) this treatment will not apply ; but two or three inches of good rotten manure, over the entire bed, in autumn, will answer the same purpose for many years. — [Gard. Chron., 1855, p. 709.) CupHEA FLATTCENTRA. — My employer has succeeded in raising stand arda of this beautiful plant, four feet high, with large heads, which are a VOL. XXI. NO. XII. 73 578 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. this time loaded with fine foliage and flowers. This has been effected by beginning with them when they are cuttings, keeping all lateral shoots stopped, and the leader of each tied to a neat stake, shifting the plants into larger pots as soon as they required it, and using a rich compost. Treated as standards, they show to better advantage their small but beautiful flow- ers, and afford a pleasing variety, during the summer months, in shrubberies and flower borders, where they should be plunged in their pots, for conve- nience in lifting and housing them at the approach of frost. They should be liberally watered in dry weather, using for them occasionally a little liquid manure. — [Gard. Chron., 1855, p. 7:27.) Slugs and Snails. — These are troublesome pests among plants, and often seriously injure choice specimens. The following easy plan of de- stroying them will be acceptable to all cultivators : — Scatter a little oatmeal where they abound, about sundown ; and, by making a survey an hour later, a good army of them will be congregated together, when they may be gath- ered up and destroyed. The best time to catch them is just after the rain. A correspondent, who tried this method, states that, in a strawberry bed, he captured five tliousand in half an hour. — ( Gard. Chron.) The Laurustinus seeds so abundantly, and grows so freely from seed, that I think it is to be regretted that we content ourselves with taking ad- vantage of its propensity for rooting at every joint, and constantly raise our supply of plants from layers or cuttings ; and it must be in a great measure •owing to this mode of propagation, that we possess so few varieties of this much esteemed shrub. I have been led to offer these remarks, from seeing a bed containing several thousands of seedlings ; and a most interesting, robust, various-leaved group they presented. 1 found that they withstood the severity of the past winter, when thus only a few inches high, without even the assistance of that excellent protector, snow. They consequently suggest the probability of belonging to a hardier race, and assure us of their being different in form, by already assuming the perfectly upright pyramidal shape so generally characteristic of the plant from seed. This alone, irrespective of the chance of a diversity of flower or foliage, would amply compensate for a little more trouble being paid to this subject than it has hitherto received. — ( Gard. Chron., 1855, p. G14.) How TO Bloom Camellias. — Having observed that a correspondent is wishful to know how to bloom camellias with success, I send the following, from an experienced gardener : — Hoiv to set Camellias with or without Arti- ficial Heat. When the growth is nearly made, that is, when the leaves have expanded in the young shoots, water should be withheld, so as to allow the plants to flag but not shrivel. This should be repeated twice. After the first flagging, water tliem copiously, filling the pot three or four times after the water has sunk ; only water them this once, then let them flag as before ; care is required not to allow them to flag too long, or the leaves will be in- jured. This sudden check, at that period, I have always found, will cause DECEMBER. 579 the plants to form buds; but unless they are in health, this process to set them for flower will be useless, as it would weaken them still more. I have been enabled, by these means, to cause camellias to bloom that have not flowered for three or four years. — [Gard. Chroii., 1855, p. 5GG.) Transplanting Evergreens. — Whatever may be experienced by dif- ferent parties in various localities, I conclude that it Avill be granted by most men who are at all conversant with the subject, that autumn is the safest and consequently the best time to transplant evergreens. When I say autumn, I mean the latter half of September and first half of October : so much as to time in general. Nevertheless I would in every instance advise the operation to be modified by the exercise of a sound discretion on the part of the manager — be he gardener or not ; and by his judgment of the character and quality of the soil, the state of the weather at the time, the size and condition of the plants, &c., &c., all which must be regulated by the good sense of the planter, and on the right exercise of this, success or failure will follow. Without any high pretensions, I may state that I have had some experience in planting, the result of which is, that in this, as in most other things, there are exceptions to general rules ; but, on the whole, my endeavor in transplanting an evergreen would be, as to time, to do it early enough to let the roots get a living hold of the soil before the vital action of the plant is arrested by the approaching cold of winter. It sometimes happens that evergreens planted in spring do well. If plants and ground are in relative right condition, and the atmosphere clouded, the roots act at once, and they are safe ; this is an exception : but if keen, dry winds and clear sky are then prevalent, adieu to the evergreens. Many years ago somebody, (I have forgotten who,) wrote something plausible about the safety of transplanting deciduous trees in summer, when full of leaf; to test the matter, I transplanted some black Italian poplars, (I think, six in number,) in free growth, and in an open sandy meadow near the side of a river. The trees were carefully lifted, saving all their roots, which were carefully and naturally laid out in wide and not deep holes, and satu- rated with water, (which, however, the soil would not retain,) most plenti- fully. The result was, that every one died. Could anything else have been expected ? So much for listening to idle day-dreamers. I ought to have stated that the poplars were from fifteen to twenty feet in height. — ( Gard, Chron., 1855, p. 517.) ontjjlg Gossip. A Trip over the Prairies. — Agreeably to the invitation of the Di- rectors of the Illinois Central Railroad, in company with several gentle- men, we availed ourselves of their liberality to inspect a portion of the Garden State, and at the same time to attend the Illinois State Fair, held at Chicago, Oct. 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th. We left Boston on the 1st of that 580 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. month, and visited Elmira, N. Y,, to attend the exhibition of the New York State Agricultural Society, on the 2d, 3d and 4th. From thence we proceeded by the way of Rochester, — where we called on Messrs. Ellwanger & Barry, Frost «& Co., and other nurserymen, — to Buffalo, and thence to Chicago via Detroit, where we arrived just in time to attend the Fair. We found the city, always full, crowded with strangers, and but for the kindness of the officers of the Society, to whom we now return our thanks, we might have found it difficult to obtain comfortable lodgings. It affijrded us, however, an opportunity of enjoying the kind hospitalities of our west- ern friends, which they know so well how to dispense. The exhibition was held in a small grove bordering upon the river, about four miles from the city — the only spot where a tree is to be seen on the broad prairie. The grounds comprised about forty acres, and were conve- niently arranged for the accommodation of stock, with suitable buildings for the display of the various departments of the Fair. To the energy of the Secretary, Dr. Kinnicott, are the Society indebted for much of the completeness of the arrangements, and much of the success of the exhibi- tion. The attendance was very large ; a crowd of persons besieging the gates from morning till night ; and the receipts exceeded even those of the New York State Fair. It was only, we believe, the third exhibition the Society has ever held, and its members must feel highly gratified at its success. As usual on such occasions, we were immediately put upon duty, and had but little leisure to devote to anything but our own department ; but as this was the one in which our readers are the most interested, we had an opportunity to give a full account of it. We had long heard the beauty and size of the western fruits so highly extolled, that we were desirous of seeing them, and this our trip here allowed us to do. The display of apples was large, comprising about a hundred and fifty kinds. Of pears there were but few, and these mostly over-ripe. The only remarkable specimens were some huge Uvedale's St. Germain, which weighed nearly two pounds each, showing the size they attain in the deep prairie soil. Grapes were not quite so abundant as we expected to see, but it was rather late in the season for good samples. The principal exhibitors of apples were Messrs. Stewart & Son, of Quincy, and Dr. Pennington of Whiteside. The former had the greatest number of kinds, but the latter had the finest specimens, which obtained the first prize. In these two collections, were very superior specimens of Bellflower, Vandevere, Fall Pippin, Republican Pippin, Ortley, White Bellflower, Rambo, Rawle's Jenet, Spitzenburg, Fallenwalder, and other famous western kinds. What few specimens of Baldwin, Hubbardston Nonsuch, and some other eastern varieties we noticed, were not so fine as we have seen at home. Some superb Heath peaches were exhibited, by Messrs. Stewart, that measured a foot in circumference. Seedling apples were exhibited by different cultivators, but only one out of all of them ap- peared to be of any value ; this resembled very much the Fall Pippin, and was said to be a seedling fruit. DECEMBER. 581 The Fair being over, our company immediately started upon a railroad trip over the prairies. From Chicago we proceeded to Galena, over the Chicago and Galena Union Railroad. Here we made but a short stay, and returned over the same route until we intersected the Illinois Central Road, which runs through the State almost in a direct line to Cairo. This route we took as far as Sandoval, 300 miles, where we intersected the Ohio and Mississippi Road to St. Louis. Passing a rather uncomfortable night here, for this station house is an exception to the generally neat and convenient ones on other parts of this well-managed road, we took the morning train for St. Louis, which we reached in a few hours. From this city we went up the Mississippi to Alton, thence over the Chicago and Mississippi Road, via Lake Station on the Michigan Central Railroad, to Detroit, and, by the same route as we went, to Boston. Such is a brief outline of our tour. We have neither time nor space, in our closing number, to speak of the Boil and climate, or give any adequate description of the scenery of the vast prairies over which we passed. It was one of the most delightful tours we ever made, and the remembrance of it we hope to record in our next volume. All who have not seen this rich region of our country, know not how much they have lost. Singing Birds. — The article in the August number, (1854,) on singing birds, is one of interest ; but there are some facts, respecting the notes of the purple-breasted grosbeak, which might be supplied, not contained in that article. This bird visits this vicinity every summer, in considerable numbers, and rears its young about our river and marshes. The male sings at night with great vivacity and hilarity, while the female is engaged in her duties with the young. I have heard them at all hours of the night. If it were a native of Great Britain, it would have long ere this become a national favorite. — Yours, J. P. Kirtland, Cleaveland, O., Dec, 1854. The Season in Cleaveland, Ohio. — Up to this period, frost has not been sufficiently severe to injure geraniums standing unprotected in my garden. Tea roses, verbenas, &c., are still in full bloom. A slight frost on the 23d of October impaired the dahlias. The lalce is steadily giving off its caloric, accumulated during summer, which serves to keep off the autumnal frosts, that are severe in the interior. As a consequence, the wood of the peach tree is now well matured, and the leaves have not yet fallen, though ripe and mature. — Yours, J. P. Kirtland, JK'ov. 14, 1855. Stnssitcjjusctts Ijorticultural Sctittj. Annual Exhibition. — In our last report we had not room for the pre- miums for dahlias, which were awarded on the second day of the exhibition. They were as follows : — 582 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. PREMIUMS AWARDED FOR DAHLIAS. Premier Prize. — For the best 12 blooms, to Gen. H. K. Oliver, Law- rence, for Miss Caroline, Mr. Seklon, Madame Zahler, Queen of the Whites, Mrs, Hansard, Unanimity, Amazon, Picotee, Admiral Stopford, Gem of the Grove, Josh. Longstreth, and Geo. Glenny, $8. Specimen Bloom. — For the best, to Gen. H. K. Oliver, for Miss Caro- line, $3. Various Colors. — Best scarlet, to Ilovey & Co., for Le Phare ; best yellow, to Hovey & Co., for King of Yellows ; best crimson, to Hovey & Co., for Omer Pacha ; best purple, to Hovey & Co., for Model ; best fancy, to Hovey & Co., for Triumph de Roubaix, $1 eacTi. Best rose, to J. Nu- gent, for Josh. Longstreth, $1. Best buff, to Gen. Oliver, for Geo. Glenny ; best tipped, to Gen. Oliver, for Princess Charlotte ; best dark, to Gen. Oli- ver, for Summit of Perfection ; each $1. Best Twenty-four Dissimilar Blooms. — To Gen. Oliver, for Gem of the Grove, Picotee, Admiral, Mrs. Hansard, Unanimity, Mad. Zahler) Miss Caroline, Miss Vyse, Grandissima, Princess Alice, Josh. Longstreth, Reine des Fleurs, Sir R. Whittington, Miss Wentworth, Richard Cobden, Fame, Mrs. Mathews, Mont Blanc, Summit of Perfection, Cleopatra, Geo. Glenny, Arethusa, and Princess Charlotte, $7. For the second best, to P. Barnes, $5. Best Eighteen Dissimilar Blooms. — To Hovey & Co., for Abb^ von Renynghe, Cote d'Or, Victoire, Invincible, King of Yellows, Le Phare, Omer Pacha, Prince Napoleon, Bossuet, Triumph de Solomon Rothschild, Charivari, Imperatrice Eugenie, Triumph de Roubaix, Abbe Tassard, Gem of the Grove, Richard Cobden, Jonas, and Argus, $6. For the second best, to P. Barnes, ^4. Satunlmj, Oct. 6, 1855. — The annual meeting of the Society was held to-day — the President in the chair. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows : — President — Joseph S. Cabot. Vice Presidents — Benjamin V. French, Cheever Newhall, Edward M, Richards, Josiah Stickney. Treasurer — William R. Austin. Corresponding Secretary — Eben. Wight. Recording Secretary — W. C. Strong. Professor of Botany and Vegetable Physiology — John Lewis Russell. Professor of Entomology — T. W. Harris, M. D. Projessor of Horticultural Chemistiy — E. N. Horsford. Standing Comaiittees. On Fruits — Eben. Wight, Chairman: W. R. Austin, Joseph Breck, C. M. Hovey, W. C. Strong, F. L. Winship, Henry Bradlee. On Flowers— Fearing Burr, Jr., Chairman : Alex. McLellan, E. A. Story, Azell Bowditch, Thomas Page, A. C. Bowditch, E. S. Rand, Jr. On Vegetables — D. T. Curtis, Chairman: J. F. C. Hyde, Bowen Harring- ton, J. B. Moore, Francis Marsh. DECEMBER. 583 On Library — C. M. Hovey, Chairman : Azell Eowditch, J. F. C. Hyde, Samuel Kneeland, Jr. ; R. McCleary Copeland, Librarian. On Synonyms of Friiit — M. P. Wilder, Chairman: P. B. Hovey, B. V. French, Samuel Walker, Eben. Wiglit. Executive Committee — Joseph S. Cabot, Chairman: William R. Austin, Marshall P. Wilder, P. B. Hovey, Samuel Walker. For Establishing Premiums — Eben. Wight, Chairman : Fearing Burr, Jr., D. T. Curtis, Samuel Walker, F. L. Winship, P. B. Hovey. Finance Committee — Marshall P. Wilder, Chairman: Josiah Stickney, Samuel Walker. Of Publication — Eben. Wight, Chairman: Joseph Breck, W. S.King, Henry Bradlee, C. M. Hovey, F. L. Winship, W. C. Strong. Oil Gardens — Samuel Walker, Chairman : W. R. Austin, F. L. Winship, Thomas Page, Eben. Wight, Fearing Burr, Jr., D. T. Curtis. lortitiiltunil ©pcnilions FOR DECEMBER. FRUIT DEPARTMENT. The month of November, with the exception of the last week, has been unusually mild, the thermometer not having fallen below 28°, up to the 20th. Many young trees retained much of their foliage up to that time, and tender plants were blooming, uninjured by cold. Such favorable weath- er has been delightful for the cultivator, who has alterations to make in his grounds, trees to set out, or preparations to make for spring. If the advan- tages of weather so free from frost have not been lost, the amateur has no reason to complain that all his work is not completed. Grape Vines in the early houses, pruned the last month, will soon begin to sweil their buds. Keep up a regular and not too high a temperature, during the first month. Vines in green-houses and cold houses should now be pruned, and in the latter should be protected by a covering of leaves or straw. See that the borders outside are well covered with manure, and leaves or hay, sufficient to keep out the frost. Strawberry Beds should now have a thin covering of old manure, sea- weed, or sedge. Raspberries should be protected by laying down the tops, and covering them with earth or coarse manure. Peach Trees in pots should be secured from severe frosts, by placing them in a cellar or warm shed, till wanted for forcing in the spring. Fruit Trees may be transplanted as long as the ground continues open. Protect Trees from the canker worm, by tarring the trunk, as long as the frost holds off. 584 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. FLOWER DEPARTMENT. The preparations for winter having by this time been completed, atten- tion should be given to the greenhouse and conservatory. All the early flowering plants, such as chrysanthemums, salvias, &c., which are now out of bloom, should be removed to make room for roses and other plants, housed in frames. Everything should now be put in order; the plants should all be tied up, the soil top-dressed, the pots washed, and insects de- stroyed. Running plants should be trained to neat wire or other trellises. Soils sufficient for winter use should be housed where they can be kept dry and ready for use. Camellias now coming into bloom should be more liberally watered, and syringed occasionally, in fine weather. If the leaves are not clean, they should be carefully sponged with water. Azaleas should be sparingly watered, until they begin to grow. Monthly Carnations, growing rapidly, and coming into full bloom, should be repotted. Japan Lilies may be potted this month, and placed in a cold frame, plunged in tan, and covered with leaves, to keep out the frost. Pelargoniums should have attention. Keep rather dry, and avoid syr- inging the plants. Nip off the ends of strong growing shoots, to make the plants bushy and stout. Young plants may be repotted. Fumigate to keep down the green fly. Chrysanthemums, done blooming, may be removed to a cold frame, where they can have a slight protection from frost. Heaths and Epacrises which need it should be repotted. Top late blooming kinds, to make them stout and bushy. Roses, well established in pots, may now be shifted into the next size. Plants taken up in October, from the open ground, should now be headed in. Cyclamens, now beginning to grow, should be more liberally watered. Gloxinias intended for early spring bloom, should be repotted at the close of the month. AcHiMENES, for early bloom, should have the same treatment as gloxinias. Tree Peonies, taken up and potted, will bloom freely in the green- house. Neapolitan Violets, in pots, may now be brought into the house to bloom. Verbenas, Scarlet Geraniums, &c., propagated for a spring stock, should now be potted off". Acacias, now beginning to open their flower buds, should be liberally watered. Orange Trees should be carefully watered. If the soil once gets sat- urated with water, the plants are apt to assume a yellow hue. Insects must not be forgotten. Wash all plants infested with the mealy bug. Fumigate with tobacco for the green fly, and with sulphur for the red spider.