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THE     MAGAZINE 


OF 


HORTICULTURE, 

BOT  ASTir, 

AND     ALL     USEFUL    DISCOVERIES    AND    IMPROVEMENTS     IN 

RURAL     AFFAIRS. 


"  Je  votidrais  echauffer  tout  I'univers  de  mon  gout  pour  les  jardins.  II  me  senible 
qu'il  est  im|)ossible  qu'uii  mediant  puisse  I'avoir.  II  n'est  point  de  vertus  que  je  ne 
suppose  h.  celui  que  aiine  a  pailer  et  h  faire  des  jardiiis.  Peres  de  fauiille,  inspiiez 
la  jardiuoniauie  a  vosenfans." — Prince  De  Lignt. 


VOL.    XII., 

1846. 

(vol.      II.,    NEW     SERIES.) 


Edited    by    C.     iM.     HOVEY 


BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED    BY  HOVEY  AND  CO,   MERCHANTS  ROW 

1846. 


"Pe-r 


V.  10. 


PREFACE. 


The  present  Volume  completes  the  Second  of  the  New  Series, 
and  the  Twelfth  of  the  entire  work. 

In  this  volume,  having  brought  to  a  close  our  series  of  articles 
upon  European  Gaidens  and  Gardening,  we  have  found  more 
room  to  devote  to  our  correspondents,  and  also  to  our  pomological 
articles.  Some  excellent  papers  have  been  contributed,  on  Pomol- 
ogy, by  our  correspondent,  Mr.  Humrickhouse,  particularly  in 
relation  to  an  uniform  nomenclature  for  fruits,  (p.  47.)  We  have 
brought  up  our  Notices  of  New  Fruits,  and  have  also  given  the 
descriptions  and  drawings  of  eighteen  varieties  of  pears,  embrac- 
ing some  new,  very  little  known,  and  choice  kinds.  Our  Flori- 
cultural  articles  have  not  been  quite  so  numerous  and  varied  as  in 
some  of  the  preceding  volumes,  but  we  shall  devote  more  atten- 
tion to  this  department  in  the  next  volume.  The  cultivation  of 
fruit  seems  to  be  the  absorbing  interest,  and  we  have  endeavored 
to  offer  as  much  information  upon  the  subject  as  possible. 

Our  first  article  on  Ornamental  Trees  will  be  found  in  the 
present  volume,  (p.  58,)  and  it  may  be  taken  as  an  example  of 
what  we  intend  to  accom[)lish  hereafter.  One  of  the  most  valuable 
papers  is  that  upon  the  Cultivation  of  the  Grape  in  what  are  term- 
ed Cold-houses,  by  Mr.  Russell;  in  connection  with  the  descrip- 
tions and  engravings  of  Mr.  Gray's  Graperies,  we  may  view  it  as 
one  of  the  most  important  we  have  ever  published.  The  curvi- 
linear plan  of  building  is  admirably  adapted  to  graperies,  and  we 
are  gratified  to  find  so  many  gentlemen  have  already  adopted  it. 
If  to  this  plan,  the  Polmaise  mode  of  heating  can  be  applied  suc- 
cessfully in  our  climate,  grapes  may  be  produced  from  June  to 
December,  in  the  greatest  perfection. 

The  Reviews,  and  the  Miscellaneous  Intelligence,  afford  a 
variety  of  useful  information.  A  new  feature  has  been  introduced, 
by  which  questions  upon  every  department  of  Horticulture  will  be 
fully  answered;  and  this  we  hope  to  make  highly  instructive  to 
every  reader. 

And  now,  again,  we  appeal  to  all  lovers  of  the  science,  especi- 
ally in  New  England,  to  give  us  their  aid.  It  is  our  aim  to  make 
the  Magazine  the  first  among  the  Horticultural  publications  of  the 
day. 

C.  M.  H. 
Boston,  Dec.  4,  1816. 


CONTENTS. 


ORIGINAL   COMMUNICATIONS. 


GENERAL   SUBJECT. 

A  Retrospective  View  of  tlie  Progress  of 
Horticulture  iu  tlie  United  States,  dur- 
ing the  year  1845.     By  the  Editor  .       1 

Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  tour  through 
part  of  England,  Scotland,  and  France, 
in  the  autumn  of  1844.     By  the  Editor     12 

List  of  places  to  be  noticed;  Knap 
Hill  Nursery,  Messrs.  Waterer      .        .     12 

Bagshot  Nursery,  Messrs.  Waterer ; 
Bagshot  Park,  the  Duchess  of  Glouces- 
ter; Dropmore,  Lady  Grenville     .        .    41 

Windsor  ;  Frogmore  Gardens;  Bays- 
water,  residence  of  Mrs.  Loudon  .     81 

Chester;  Chester  Nurseries,  Messrs. 
F.  &  J.  Dickson;  Glasgow;  Glasgow 
Botanic  Garden;  Garscube,  Sir  Archi- 
bald Campbell 121 

Bothwell  Castle;  Nurseries  of  Messrs. 

Austin  <fc  Son 101 

Edinburgh;  Nurseries  of  Messrs. Law- 
son  &  Son;  Caledonian  Horticultural 
Society "s  Garden  ;  Edinburgh  Botanic 
Garden  ;  Dalkeith  Park,  the  Duke  of 
Buccleugh  ;  Melrose  Abbey  ;  Abbots- 
ford  201 

A  Day  in  the  Gardens  of  Haarlem.  By 
S.  B.  Parsons,  Commercial  Garden  and 
Nursery,  Flushing,  L.  L         .        .        .16 

Remarks  on  the  Duration  and  Vigor  of 
.Seedling  Fruits.  By  T.  S.  Humrick- 
house,  Coshocton,  Ohio         .        .        .19 

Plants  in  bloom  in  the  Garden  of  C.  L. 
Bell,  Esq.,  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Or- 
leans, in  November,  1845.  By  J.  W. 
Paulsen 22 

Remarks  on  the  importance  of  an  uni- 
form Nomenclature  of  Fruits;  with  a 
few  preparatory  observations  upon  the 
misconceptions  entertained  by  many, 
of  Downing's  Fruits  and  Fruit  Trees  of 
America,  as  attributable,  in  part,  to  the 
author's  objectionable  and  imperfect 
statement  ol  its  design.  By  T.  S.  Huni- 
rickhouse,  Coshocton,  Ohio  .        .        .47 

Notice  of  the  "Report  of  the  Exploring 
Expedition  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  in 
the  year  1842 — and  to  Oregon  and  Nortli 
California,  in  the  years  1843 — 1844.  By 
Brevet  Captain  J.  C.  Fremont,  of  the 
Topographical  Engineers,  &.C.,  &.C. 
Printed  by  order  of  the  Senate  of  the 
United  States.  Washington,  1845.  By 
X 86 

Some  Observations  on  the  progress  and 
present  state  of  Horticulture  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Cincinnati.  By  Messrs. 
Sayers  &  Heaver 94 

On  the  use  of  wire  fences  for  the  enclos- 
ure of  lawns,  pleasure  grounds,  gar- 
dens, ifec;  their  ornamental  character, 
durability,  strength,  and  economy.  By 
Rob't  Arthur,  Esq.,  Edinburgh, Scotland   1'27 

Some  Remarks  on  the  Duration  of  Races 


of  Plants.    By  A.  H.  Ernst,  Cincinnati, 
Ohio 164 

Guano  :  its  use  and  application.  By 
Charles  Robinson,  Esq.,  New  Haven, 
Conneciicut 168 

On  the  Management  of  Horticultural  So- 
cieties.    By  E.  W 209 

Notes  of  a  Visit  to  several  Gardens  in  the 
vicinity  of  Washington,  Baltimore, 
Philadelphia,  and  New  York,  in  Octo- 
ber, 1845.  By  the  Editor- 
Washington,  Experimental  Garden  of 
the  National  Institute;  Garden  of  Dr. 
J.  S.  Gunnell;  Linnsean  Hill  Nursery 
of  J.  Pierce;  Garden  of  W.  H.  Cor- 
coran, Esq.;  Baltimore,  Garden  of  J. 
Feast;  Nursery  of  S.  Feast;  Clare- 
mont    Nursery,     Messrs.    Sinclair    & 

Corse 241 

Philadelphia;  City  Garden  of  G.  Pep- 
per, Esq.;  Exotic  Nursery  of  R.  Bu- 
ist;  Mr.  P.  Mackenzie's  Garden;  Nur- 
sery of  Ritchie  &  Dick;  Landreth  & 
Fulton's  Nurseries  ....  281 

New  York;  Murray  Hill  Nursery; 
Garden  of  Mr.Monck;  Dunliip&;  Thomp- 
son's Seed  Store  ;  Flushing,  Com- 
mercial Garden  of  Messrs.  Parsons 
&  Co.  ;  Nursery  of  Messrs.  Valk  & 
Co.;  Linnaean  Garden  and  Nursery, 
Messrs.  W.  R.  Prince  &  Co. ;  Lin- 
naan  Garden  of  Messrs.  Winter  <fc  Co.     329 

Spurrey,   (Spergel,) an    annual    grass, 

adapted  to  light  soils,  with  remarks  on 
its  cultivation.     By  F 285 

A  Descriptive  account  of  the  Curvilinear 
Graperies  of  Horace  Gray,  Esq.,  New- 
ton, accompanied  with  engravings  il- 
lustrating the  mode  of  construction, 
&c.  By  the  Editor.  With  the  entire 
treatment  and  management  of  the  vines 
from  the  formation  of  the  border  to  tlie 
present  time,  during  a  period  of  five 
years.  By  J.  W.  Russell,  Gardener  to 
Mr.  Gray 377 

Horticulture  in  Mississippi;  Budding  Fruit 
Trees;  Labels  for  Trees;  Soaking  Cu- 
cumber and  Melon  Seeds,  &<\  By  M. 
W.  Phillips,  Esq.,  Log  Hall,  Edwards, 
Miss.        .......  425 

Horticulture  in  the  Old  Colony:  with  a 
few  Notes  on  several  Gardens  in  Ply- 
mouth, Mass.     By  the  Editor        .        .  465 


HORTICULTURE. 

Transplantation  of  Trees.  By  William 
R.  Prince,  Linnsean  Botanic  Garden 
and  Nurseries  .        .        .        .        .96 

A  Leaf  in  the  History  of  Pomology  at 
the  West.  By  T.  S.  H.,  Coshocton, 
Ohio 132 

Remarks  on  Western  Seedling  Fruits  ; 
with  observations  upon  the  Fire  Blight 


VI 


CONTENTS. 


of  the  U'est.     By  A.  II.  Ernst,  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio 135 

Pomoloijical  Notices:  or  Notices  respect- 
ing new  and  superior  varieties  of  Fruits 
worthy  of  general  cultivation:  — 

Uescripliona  of  eighteen  varieties  of 
Pears,  new  or  recently  introduced. 
By  the  Editor,  viz. — 

1.  Beurre  Die),  Henri  Q,uatre,  Doy- 
enne SieuHe,  Marie  Louise,  Van  Mons 
Leon  le  Clerc,  Di\ 171 

2.  Paradise  d'Antomne,  Fondante 
Van  Mons,  Conitcsse  de  Lunay,  Vi- 
compte  de  Spoelberch,  Plonibgastei, 
Saint  Andre 287 

3.  Lawrence,  Tyson,  Hull,  Wilbur, 
Heathcot,  Edwards's  Eli7,;ibelh     .        .  431 

Notices  of  several  new  Pears,  Plums, 
Cherries,  and  Apricots  ....  336 

Notices  of  several  varieties  of  Apples     .  474 

The  FaslolfT  Raspberry  :  an  account  of 
its  origin,  fiualities,  &c.,  with  an  en- 
graving of  tlie  fruit.     By  the  Editor      .  299 

The  Sweet  Montmorency  Cherry:  an  ac- 
count of  its  origin  and  qualities,  with 
an  engraving  of  tlie  fruit.  By  tlie  Ed- 
itor   344 

Ex[)eriments  with  the  Pear  upon  the  Ap- 
ple. By  T.  S.  Hunirickhouse,  Esq., 
Coshocton,  Ohio 393 

Notice  of  a  new  seedling  Plum,  called 
How's  Amber;  with  an  engraving  and 
description  of  the  fruit.     By  the  Editor  398 

Descriptive  Account  ol  Van  Zandt's  Su- 
lierb  Peacli.  By  William  R.  Prince, 
Flushing,  L.  1 442 

Some  Remarks  on  the  Seedling  Fruits  of 
the  West.  The  Court  of  Wyke  Pippin 
—New  Seedling  Nectarine.  By  T.  S. 
Humrickhouse,  Esq.,  Coshocton,  Ohio. 
With  Descriptions  of  four  new  vari- 
eties of  Apples.  By  R.  Seevers,  Pike 
Township,  Co.-hocton  Co.,  Ohio,  in  a 
letter  to  Mr.  Humrickhouse  .        .        .  443 

A  Descriptive   Account  of  two  new   va-  | 

rieties  of  Apples,  with  Engravings   of         1 
the   fruit.       By   T.   S.   Humrickhouse,  | 

Esq.,  Coshocton,  Ohio   .         .         .         .  472  | 

Some  Account  of  the  Hog  Artichoke.  By 
W.   S.  Rockwell,   Esq.,  Milledgeville,  | 

Ga 477  I 


ARBORICULTURE. 

The  Arboretum  ;  or  a  selection  of  the 
most  ornamental  and  desirable  trees 
and  shrubs,  native  and  foreign,  adapted 
to  the  climate  of  the  United  Stales  ; 
with  descriptions  and  engravings,  and 
their  mode  of  cultivation,  propagation, 
and  treatment.     By  the  Editor 

Details  of  a  Mode  of  Transplanting  larare 
Trees,  with  entire  Ball  ol  Boots;  with 
some  remarks  on  the  utility  of  the  plan. 
By  Peter  Henderson,  Gardener  to  C. 
F.  Spang,  Esq.,  Pittsburg,  Pa. 


FLORICULTURE. 


248 


Some  Remarks  on  the  Cultivation  of  the 
Plilox,  with  descriptions  of  twenty-four 
new  and  beautiful  varieties.  By  the 
Editor 97 

A  Chapter  on  Tulips.     By  E.  W.     .        .  183 

Descriptive  Account  of  twenty-four  new 
varieties  of  Chrysanthemums,  with 
some  observations  on  their  cultivation. 
By  the  Editor 213 

Descriptive  Account  of  Verinica  speci- 
6sa:  its  cultivation  and  treatment.  By 
tlie  Editor 252 

Descriptions  of  four  varieties  of  Verbe- 
nas.    By  tlie  Editor        ....  256 

Iponiffi'a  Learu'  as  a  summer  flowering 
climber  in  the  open  ground.  By  the 
Editor 257 

Cami;4nula  grandis,  its  cultivation  and 
treatment,  with  an  engraving  of  the 
plant.     By  the  Editor     ....  346 

On  the  Cultivation  of  Bulbous  Roots  in 
Pots  and  Glasses.  By  James  Hogg, 
New  York 399 

The  Pansy  or  Heartsease.     By  E.  W.      .  404 

Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices  of 
New  Plants,  figured  in  foreign  periodi- 
cals; with  Remarks  on  those  recently 
introduced  to,  or  originated  in,  Ameri- 
can gardens,  and  additional  information 
upon  plants  already  in  cultivation  .  25. 
216.  301.  347.  44.5.  479 

Notes  on  Gardens  and  Nurseries        .        103. 
150.  352.  452 


REVIEWS. 


Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History,  con- 
taining Papers  and  Communications 
read  before  the  Boston  Society  of  Nat- 
ural History,  and  published  by  their 
direction.     Vol.  V.,  No.  2,  &c. 

Report  of  the   Commissioner  of  Patents 

Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History,  con- 
taining Papers  and  Communications 
read  before  the  Boston  Society  ot  Nat- 
ural History,  and  published  by  their  di- 
rection.    Vol.  v.,  No.  2,  &c. 

The  Trees  of  America,  Pictorially,  Bo- 
tanically,  and  Entomologically  deline- 
ated; embracing  a  conijilete  descrip- 
tion of  the  Forest  Trees  of  North 
America,  their  Culture,  Management, 
and  Propagation  ;  Uses  ;  Economy  in 
the  Arts;  Introduction  into  Commerce, 
and  their  application  in  Useful  and  Or- 


namental Plantation  and  in  Landscape 
Gardening.  By  D.  J.  Browne,  author 
of  the  Sylvia  Americana  .        .         186.  483 

An  .\(klress  upon  Injurious  Insects;  deliv- 
ered before  the  New  Haven  Horticultu- 
ral Society,  and  the  New  Haven  Agri- 
cultural Society,  nt  their  Annual  Fair, 
October  1st,  1845.  By  Noyes  Darling. 
With  the  Transactions  of  the  Society 
for  the  year  1845 190 

European  Agriculture  and  Rural  Econo- 
mv,  from  personal  observation.  By 
Henry  Colnian.     A'ol.  I  ,  Part  5    .        .218 

The  Farmer's  Dictionary:  a  Vocabulary 
of  the  Technical  Terms  recently  intro- 
duced into  Agriculture  and  Horticul- 
ture from  various  sciences,  and  also  a 
Compendium  of  Practical  Farming-,  the 
latter  chielly  from   the  works  of  the 


CONTENTS. 


vu 


Kev.  W.  L.  Rham,  Loudon,  Low,  and 
Youatt,  and  the  moist  eminent  Ameri- 
can Authors.  Edited  by  D.  P.  Gard- 
ner, M.  U.,  Honorary  Member  of  sev- 
eral Aifricultural  Societies,  with  nuni- 
erons  illustrations 221 

The  Fruit  Culturist,  adapted  to  the  cli- 
mate of  the  Northern  States;  contain- 
ing Directions  for  raisin^j  Young  Trees 
in  tlie  Nursery,  and  for  the  iManage- 
ment  of  the  Oicliard  and  Fruit  Garden. 
By  .lohn  J.  Thomas.  Illustrated  with 
engravings 224 

European  Agriculture  and  Rural  Econo- 
my, from  personal  observation.  By 
Henry  Coltnan.     Vol.  H.,  Part  6  .  258 

Abstract  of  a  Meteorological  Journal  for 
the  vear  184o,  kept  at  Marietta,  Ohio, 
Lat.'sa^  2.5'  N.,  long.  4^  28'  W.  of  Wash- 
ington city.     By  S.  P.  Hildreth,  M.  U.  259 

The  Charter,  Constitution,  and  By-laws 
of  the  Cincinnati  Horticultural  Socie- 
ty, with  a  Report  ol  its  Transactions 
for  1843,  1844,  and  1S45,  List  of  Mem- 
bers, &c.    Part  1 304 


1  The  Cultivation  of  the  Grape  and  Manu- 
facture of  Wine.  Also,  Character  and 
Habits  of  the  Strawberry  Plant.  By 
N.  Longworth 3.55 

European  Agriculture  and  Rural  Econo- 
my, t'rom  personal  observation.  By 
Henry  Colman.     Vol.  II.,  Part  7  .        .  4S4 

The  American  Flower  Garden  Compan- 
ion. Revised  aud  enlarged.  By  Ed- 
ward Sayers,  Landscape  and  Ornamen- 
tal Gardener,  &c 485 

Norman's  Southern  Agricultural  Alman- 
ac for  1847.  Edited  by  T.  Affleck,  Esq. 
Devoted  exclusively  to  the  agricultural 
interests  of  the  South    ....  486 

Remarks  on  the  Culture  of  the  Grape  and 
Manufacture  of  Wine  in  the  Western 
States  :  comprising  a  Report  made  by 
Direction  of  the  Cincinnati  Horticultu- 
ral Society,  May  2d,  1846.  By  Melzer 
Flagg,  M.   D 486 

A  Brief  Compend  of  American  Agricul- 
ture.    By  R.   L.  Allen.  .        .        .487 


MISCELLANEOUS  INTELLIGENCE. 


General  Notices. 
General  Treatment  of  Greenhouse  Plants,  66; 
Cultivation  of  the  Chinese  Primrose,  226; 
Destruction  of  the  Red  Spider,  227;  Winter 
Flowers,  227;  Fine  specimen  of  Erica,  hye- 
nidlis,  228;  Cultivation  of  Fuchsias,  228; 
Cultivation  of  Asparagus,  2.30;  Cultivation 
of  Annuals,  231;  Watering  out  of  doors,  262; 
Papdver  bracteiitum,  262;  Results  obtained 
in  the  Jardin  des  Plantes  from  seed  prepared 
by  Mr.  Bickes,  26.3  ;  Stopiiing  vines,  263  ; 
Syringing  Grapes,  264  ;  O'valis  floribunda, 
264;  Drainage  of  Pots,  265;  Destruction 
of  Aphides  with  (Carbonate  of  Ammonia,266 
Starch  a  remedy  for  the  Scale  Insect,  266; 
Management  of  New  Holland  Plants,  266. 

FoKEiGN    Notices. 

England. — June  Exhibition  of  the  London 
Horticultural  Society,  310;  July  Exhibition 
of  the  London  Horticultural  Society,  :i62; 
Dahlias  and  Dahlia  Exhibitions  for  1846,488. 

France.— Paris  Camellia  Show,  1846,  233; 
The  Cercle  Generale  d'  Horticulture  of  Par- 
is, 490. 

Domestic  Notices. 
A  new  Scirpus,  35;  Musa  Cavendish;/,  35;  Nor- 
thampton Agricultural,  Horticultural  and 
Floricultural  Club,  35;  Hovey's  Seedling 
Strawberry,  36;  The  Weather  in  Georgia 
in  1845,  36;  Horticulture  in  the  vicinity  of 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  195;  Seedling  Strawber- 
ries, 196;  Buffalo  Horticultural  Society,  267; 
Flowering  of  the  Agdve  americdna  or  Cen- 
tury Plant,  267;  Magnificent  specimen  of 
Prairie  Rose,  267;  The  Means  Grass,  268;  j 
The  Hog  Artichoke  of  Tenessee,  268;  Ho- 
vey's Seedling  Strawberry,  268;  Whyte'a 
new  deep  red  Blood  Beet,  268;  t/^reus  c:c- 
rul6-:cens,  cylindricus,  extensis,269;  Spurry 
or  Spergel  Grass,  269;  l^erunica  specidsa, 
318;  Ipoms'a  Lear((,319;  The  English  Sky- 
lark, 319;  The  Gushing  Raspberry,  319;  Ho- 
vey's Seedling  Strawberry,  319;  Rochester 
Horticultural  SoeieJy,  319;  Semi-.TiiiLual  Ex- 


hibition of  the  Long  Island  Horticultural 
Society,  319;  Stoddard's  Alpine  Strawber- 
ry, 319;  Marchioness  of  Ormonde  and  other 
new  Dahlias,  320;  Tiie  Blight  of  the  Pear 
Tree,  its  remedy,  &c.,  320;  Another  liberal 
Donation  to  the  Massachusetts  Horticultu- 
ral Society,  365;  Exhibitions  of  Horticultu- 
ral Societies,  365;  Ipomte'a  Leir//,  365;  Van 
Zandt's  Superb  Peach,  491;  Fancy  Dahlias, 
491;  The  Dix  Pear — a  profitable  tree,  491; 
Crinum  amabile  in  the  open  ground,  492; 
Swan's  Orange  or  Onondaga  Pear,  492; 
Knight's  Seedling  Pear,  492;  The  Scharges 
Henling  Grajie,  -492. 

Retrospective  Criticism. 

Errata,  269,  421;  The  Sieulle  Pear,  269;  The 
Dix  Pear,  269 ;  The  Ortley  Apple,  270; 
The  New  York  Virgalieu  Pear,  and  the 
White  Doyenne,  270;  Jerusalem  Artichoke, 
421  ;  Hovey's  Seedling  Strawberry,  with 
staminate  llowers,  454;  Mr.  Longworth's 
ideas  upon  the  Strawberry,  and  the  Editor's 
remarks,  455 ;  The  New  Y^ork  Virgalieu 
Pear,  457. 

Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Exhibitions,  37.  68.  107.  156.  197.  235.  271. 
321.  367.  407.  458.  499;  Appropriation  of 
Money  for  Premiums,  68;  Reports  of  the 
Committees  on  Flowers,  Fruits  and  Vegeta- 
bles, awarding  Premiums  for  1845,  69;  List 
of  Special  Premiums  for  Fruits,  106;  Reports 
of  '.  ommittees  awarding  Special  Premiums 
of  I  late  for  Hovey's  Seedling  t-'lrawberry, 
Camellias  Wilderj  and  Abby  Wilder,  107; 
Reports  of  Committees  offering  Premiums 
for  1846,  110;  Report  of  Flower  Committee, 
awarding  Gold  Medal  to  Feast's  Prairie 
Roses,  155;  Mr.  Lowell's  Donation  of  §1000, 
155;  Report  of  Building  Committee,  with 
co.st  of  new  Hall,  156;  Value  of  the  Soci- 
ety's and  Appleton  Medals,  157;  Premiums 
on  Hyacinths,  235;  Premiums  on  Calceo- 
larias, 236;  Premiums  on  Tree  Pasonies, 
Hawthorns,  Hardy  Azaleas  and  Tulips,  237; 
Premiums   on  Punsies,  271;    Green-house 


Vlll 


CONTENTS. 


Plants,  Cactuses,  Pelargoniums,  Calceo- 
larias, Fuchsias,  272;  Exhibition  of  Roses, 
274;  Premiums  on  Roses,  Ranunculuses, 
Anemonies,  Pxonies,  Pinks,  275;  Premiums 
on  Hollyhocks,  Carnations,  and  Picotees, 
323;  Premiums  on  Phloxes  and  IJalsams, 
369;  Donation  ot  Hon.  Theodore  Lyman, 
371;  Premiums  on  German  Asters,  410; 
Eighteenth  Annual  Exhibition,  410;  Award 
of  Premiums,  419;  Dahlia  Exhibition  and 
Premiums,  459;  OlKcers  for  1847,  461;  Pre- 
miums on  Chrysanthemums,  500. 

Exhibitions  of  Horticultur.^l  Soc'ties. 

New  York  State  Agricultural  Fair,  492;  Penn- 
sylvania Horticultural  Society;  495;  Horti- 
cultural Exhiliition  of  the  American  Insti- 
tute, 497;  Chester  County  Horticultural 
Society,  498. 


ANrwEns  to  Coriiespondents. 
Dahlias,  325;  Fuchsias,  325;  Guano,  325; 
Strawberries,  325;  JJuddinp  the  Peach,  372; 
Grafting  the  White  Thorn,  373;  Pears  on  the 
Quince,  373;  Strawberries,  373;  Trellises  for 
F  ruit  Trees,  373. 

Faneuil  Hall  Market. 
January,  38;  February,  78;  March,  118;  April, 
158;   May,  198;   June,  238;  July,  278;  Au- 
gust, 326;    September,  374;   October,  422; 
December,  502. 

Hobticultural  Memoranda. 
January,  39;  February,  79;  March,  119;  April, 
159;    May,   199;    Jiine,  238;  July,  279;  Au- 
gust,  327;    September,  375;   October,  423; 
November,  463;  December,  503. 


List  of  Plants  in  Vol.  IL,  page  504. 


LIST  OF  ENGRAVINGS. 


Garden  Structures. 
Fi?.  Page 

23.  Ground  Plan  of  the  Curvilinear  grap- 
ery of  H.  Gray,  Esq 379 

24.  Section  of  the  outer  walls,  showing 
the  arrangement  of  rafters,  ventila- 
tors, &c.      .         •        .        .         .        .380 

25.  Section  showing  the  arrangement  of 
the  ventilating  sashes  at  top  of  the 
grapery 381 

26.  Section  showing  the  plan  of  hanging 
the  ventilating  sashes  .         .         .  382 

27-  End  and  side  elevation  of  the  grapery  383 

Trees. 

1.  Magnolia  tripetala       .        .        .        .61 

11.  Aildntus  glanduldsa     ....  187 

12.  Leaflet  and  flower  of  the  Ailantus     .  187 

12,  (extra.)  Flowers  of  the  Ailantus        .   169 

Plants. 

13.  Verdnica  speci6sa        ....  253 
22.  Campanula  grandis      ....  346 

Fruits. 

2.  Detroit  Apple  of  the  West  .        .  136 

3.  No.  1482  (Van  Mons,)  Pear        .        .147 


Fig. 

4.  Caen  du  France  Pear  . 

5.  Beurri  Die!  Pear  . 

6.  Henri  Quatre  Pear 

7.  Doyenn^  Sieulle  Pear 

8.  Marie  Louise  Pear 

9.  Van  Mons  Leon  le  Clerc  Pear 
10.  Dix  Pear       .... 

14.  Paradise  d'Automne  Pear  . 

15.  Fondanle  Van  Mons  Pear   . 

16.  Comtesse  de  Lunay  Pear    . 

17.  Vicompte  de  Spoelberch  Pear 

18.  Plombgastel  Pear 

19.  Saint  Andre  Pear 

20.  FastollT  Raspberry 
2]    Sweet  Montmorency  Cherry 

28.  How's  Amber  Plum 

29.  Lawrence  Pear    . 

30.  Tyson  Pear  . 

31.  Hull  Pear     . 

32.  Wilbur  Pear 

33.  Heatheot  Pear      . 

34.  Edwards's  Elizabeth  Pear 
.35.  Early  Pennock  Apple  . 
36.  Belzer  Apple 


Page 

.  148 
.  172 
.  174 
.  176 
.  177 
.  179 
.  181 
.  288 
.  290 
.  292 
.  294 
.  296 
.  298 
.  300 
.  344 
.  399 
.  432 
.  434 
.  436 
.  437 
.  439 
.  441 
.  472 
.  473 


LIST  OF  CONTRIBUTORS. 


Aflleck,  Thomas, 
Allen,  Thomas  . 
Arthur,  Robert  . 
Atwood,  V. 
B.  .  .  . 
B.  K.  B.       . 


E.  W. 

Editor 


1.  12.  25.  4L 
131.  140.  143 
213.  216.  224 
281.  287.  299. 
344.  346.  348 
398.  431.  445 


Ernst,  A.  H. 

F.        .        .        . 

Floy,  M.     . 
G.C.  T.     . 
G.,  of  Auburn     . 
Garretson,  G.  R. 
Henderson,  Peter 
Hoadly,  George 
Hogg,  James 


.  320 
.  456 
.  127 
.  373 
.  196 
.  269 
.  183.  209.  404 

56.  57.  81.  97.  103.  121. 

150.  161.  171.  186.  201. 

241.  252.  256.  257.  267. 

302.  304.  319.  ^29.  336. 

352.  355.  365.  378   397. 

453.  454.  465.  474. 479. 

483 

.    135.  164 

.  285 


Humrickhouse,  T.  S.  19.  47.  132 
I.  W.  J. 
M.  A.  W. 


M.T. 


39.79.  119.  159.  199.239 
375 


Manning,  R, 
P.  B.   . 
P.  T.   . 
Parnell,  R. 
Parsons.  S.  B.     . 
Paulsen,'  J.  W.   . 
Phillips^  M.  W,  . 
Prince,  William  R. 
Robinson,  Charles 
Rockwell,  W.  R. 


393.  443.  472 
.  268 
.  37 
279.  327. 
423.  503 
.  150 
.  491 
.  421 
.  35 
.  16 
.  22 
.  425 
96.  442 
.  168 
.  477 
.  373 
.  454 
.  443 
.  319 
.  270 
.  421 
.  268 
34.  66.  86 


.  270.  271.  458 
318.  319.  320.  3C6.  492 
.  373 
.  36 
.  248 
....  -269 
.  399 


Saul,  A.  . 
Seevcrs,  R. 
T.  .  .  . 
Tudor,  F.  . 
W.  S.  R.  . 
Ward,  Dr.  M.  A. 
X.       ,       -       - 


THE  MAGAZINE 


O  F 


HORTICULTURE, 


JANUARY,  1846. 

ORIGINAL   COMMUNICATIONS. 

Art.  I.      A  Retrospective  View  of  the  Progress  of  Horticul- 
twe  in  the  United  States,  during  the  year  1845.     By  the 

Editor. 

Three  such  dry  seasons  as  those  of  1S43,  1844  and  1845, 
have  rarely  been  experienced  in  succession,  in  the  Middle 
and  Eastern  States ;  severe  drought  prevailed  in  some  of  the 
summer  months,  in  each  of  these  years,  to  the  great  injury 
of  vegetation  of  all  kinds.  The  winter  of  1844  and  1845 
was  mild  and  rather  pleasant ;  a  heavy  drifting  snow  fell  in 
February,  which  covered  the  ground  for  two  or  three  weeks, 
when  mild  weather  carried  it  off  and  left  the  ground  so 
dry  and  free  from  frost,  that  ploughing  was  commenced  and 
continued  during  the  month.  April  and  May.  however,  con- 
tinued cool,  with  scarcely  any  rain,  and  a  severe  frost 
occurred  in  the  latter  month,  which  did  much  damage ; 
destroying  in  the  West,  where,  from  the  very  mild  winter 
and  remarkably  early  spring,  vegetation  was  much  advanced, 
the  whole  crop  of  fruit.  In  June,  the  weather  was  quite 
cool,  and  the  season  backward,  but,  after  the  middle  of  the 
month,  a  succession  of  light  and  refreshing  showers,  gave 
renewed  life  to  vegetation,  and  brought  forward  crops  of  all 
kinds.  July,  again,  was  exceedingly  dry,  with  scarcely  a 
shower;  and  the  drought  continued  till  the  latter  part  of 
August,  when  there  was  a  succession  of  refreshing  rains, 
September  was  very  cool  and  showery,  and  without  frost. 
October  was  pleasant,  and  no  injury  was  experienced  from 
frost  until  tlie  20th,  when  the  dahlias  were  cut  off  the  same 
night  as  far  south  as  Washington.     The  rains  of  both  1844 

VOL.  XII. NO.  I.  1 


2  Retrospective  View  of  the 

and  1845  seemed  to  have  all  fallen  in  November,  when,  ac- 
cording to  an  accurate  statement,  more  rain  fell  than  in  any 
one  month,  with  two  exceptions,  since  1818.  Upwards  of 
11  inches  of  rain  fell  during  the  month;  and  nearly  4  inches 
fell  in  the  short  space  of  18  hours  on  the  27th.  December 
commenced  with  several  heav}''  showers,  which  were  fol- 
lowed with  mild  frosty  weather,  continuing  up  to  the  date 
we  now  write  (15th.) 

Notwithstanding  the  rather  unfavorable  season,  crops,  with 
the  exception  of  t"he  potato  have  been  nearly  an  average  one ; 
the  latter  has  suffered  much  from  the  rot,  or  murrain,  as  it 
has  more  recently  been  called.  Peaches  were  remarkably 
plentiful  throughout  New  England,  as  well  as  in  New  Jersey 
and  Maryland.  Plums,  in  the  Eastern  States,  were  abund- 
ant and  good.  Pears  were  very  abundant  and  excellent, 
though  ripening  off,  owing  to  the  warm  summer,  much  earlier 
than  usual.  The  apple  crop  was  cut  off  in  New  York,  and 
was  very  light  in  New  England. 

Horticulture. 

A  rapid  increase  of  taste  has  taken  place  in  this  depart- 
ment of  horticulture.  Fruit  trees  of  all  kinds  are  eagerly 
sought  after,  and  new  varieties  continue  to  be  in  good  de- 
mand. The  pear  is  the  greatest  favorite  ;  and  since  the  fine 
qualities  of  the  new  Belgian  and  other  varieties  have  become 
better  known,  by  an  actual  inspection  of  the  fruit,  they  are 
much  wanted.  A  favorable  season  has  enabled  our  cultiva- 
tors to  test  the  qualities  of  some  of  those  which  have  ac- 
quired considerable  celebrity  abroad. 

An  excellent  article  in  the  last  volume,  (p.  50,)  from  our 
correspondent,  Mr.  Beecher,  on  the  State  of  Horticulture  in 
the  West,  contained  some  useful  hints  on  the  cultivation  of 
the  apple  and  other  fruits  :  with  the  article  of  Mr.  Hum- 
rickhouse,  it  deserves  considerable  attention.  The  seedling 
varieties  of  apples  in  the  West  are  exceedingly  numerous ; 
and  it  is  yet  to  be  ascertained,  how  many  of  them  are  equal 
to  the  old  and  well  known  kinds,  generally  natives  of  the 
Middle  and  Eastern  States.  Already,  some  of  these  sup- 
posed native  fruits  have  proved  to  be  Eastern  varieties  ;  and 


Progress  of  Horticulture  for  1845.  3 

cultivators  cannot  be  too  careful  in  regard  to  calling  every 
new  variety  a  seedling,  where  there  is  so  much  chance  of  its 
proving  an  old  and  well  known  kind,  carried  West  by  the 
early  settlers  of  that  country.  The  Detroit,  Putnam  Russet 
and  other  apples,  have  so  proved,  and  we  suspect  the  Stone 
pear  to  be  only  a  well  known  Eastern  variety. 

The  blight  of  the  West  still  continues  its  ravages,  and  no 
satisfactory  cause  has  yet  been  assigned  for  it.  Mr.  Down- 
ing, we  notice,  adopts  the  theory  of  some  western  writers, 
that  it  is  owing  to  the  freezing  of  the  sap. vessels,  before  the 
wood  is  fully  ripe.  We  yet  need  more  information,  before 
we  can  believe  in  this  doctrine,  and  we  trust  some  of  our 
correspondents  in  the  West  will  give  us  the  results  of  their 
experience  upon  the  subject. 

Root  pruning,  and  summer  pruning  of  the  branches,  are 
subjects  which  occupied  much  of  our  attention  in  the  pre- 
vious volume,  and  some  useful  hints  in  connection  therewith 
will  be  found  in  the  Notes  of  our  Foreign  Tour,  and  in  our 
General  Notices.  We  are  making  experiments  ourselves, 
and  we  trust  we  may  be  enabled  to  add  some  useful  informa- 
tion in  the  course  of  the  present  or  another  volume.  In  the 
mean  time,  we  recommend  a  reference  to  the  able  articles 
already  published,  which  will  be  a  safe  guide  to  the  judicious 
and  careful  cultivator. 

The  application  of  guano,  is  attracting  increased  attention, 
and,  since  the  last  year,  the  importation  of  several  cargoes 
from  Ichiboe,  has  reduced  the  price  to  a  reasonable  standard. 
Sufficient  time  has  not  yet  transpired  to  form  any  very  defi- 
nite opinion  of  the  results  of  this  manure;  but,  from  what 
experiments  have  come  under  our  eye,  we  think  highly 
of  its  importance  to  the  cultivator  of  choice  fruits.  Mr. 
Teschemacher's  opinion  we  have  quoted  at  page  431  of  the 
last  volume,  and  we  agree  with  him  in  regard  to  its  fertiliz- 
ing properties.  In  our  climate,  guano  cannot  be  applied 
with  much  advantage  upon  the  surface  of  the  soil,  except 
very  early  in  the  spring,  when  the  early  rains  will  wash  it 
into  the  earth ;  later  m  the  year,  it  should  invariably  be  dug 
into  the  soil,  when  its  volatile  qualities  will  be  retained. 

Our  Pomological  Notices,  owing  to  the  space  required  for 
our  notes,  have  not  been  as  miscellaneous  as  in  previous 


4  Retrospective  View  of  the 

seasons  ;  but  many  new  fruits  have  been  noticed  in  the  de- 
tails of  our  Foreign  Tour,  and  all  the  new  pears  which 
have  fruited  the  past  year  will  be  found  enumerated  in 
the  weekly  reports  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  So- 
ciety. Our  absence  in  the  fall  of  1844  prevented  us  from 
making  memorandums  of  new  kinds,  but  the  last  favorable 
season  has  enabled  us  to  make  good  the  deficiency,  and  we 
shall  have  a  fund  of  information  for  the  present  volume. 
The  Yan  Mons  Leon  de  Clerc  pear,  was  exhibited  in  great 
perfection  the  past  autumn;  we  ourselves  had  specimens 
measuring  five  inches  in  length,  and  weighing  nearly  a 
pound.  ■  It  is  unquestionably  one  of  the  most  delicious  pears, 
but  we  think  it  will  require  a  favorable  season  to  be  found 
in  its  greatest  perfection.  The  Dunmore  pear  has  not  ripened 
any  specimens  from  which  a  correct  estimate  of  its  merits 
could  be  made.  The  Vicompte  de  Spoilberg,  one  of  Van 
Mons's  pears,  and  highly  prized  by  him,  has  proved  to  be 
one  of  the  finest  varieties,  ripening  from  December  to  Febru- 
ary. Specimens  of  the  Lawrence  pear  from  the  original  tree, 
exhibited  for  the  second  time,  have  fully  sustained  its  merits 
as  a  first  rate  winter  pear.  Bezi  Veteran,  Epine  Dumas, 
Comtesse  de  Lunay,  Edwards's  Elizabeth,  and  Las  Canas, 
are  also  varieties  whose  excellence  the  past  season,  will  ena- 
ble us  to  recommend  them  for  every  good  collection  of  pears. 
For  some  account  of  new  apples,  we  must  refer  the  reader 
to  the  articles  of  Mr.  Beecher  and  Mr.  Humrickhouse,  in 
which  some  western  seedlings  are  enumerated,  which  have 
a  high  reputation.  Some  new  apples  have  been  presented 
before  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  but  only  a 
very  few  have  been  recognized  as  of  first  rate  quality.  A 
late  fall  apple,  coming  in  after  the  Porter,  is  yet  a  great 
desideratum.  In  the  early  part  of  the  last  volume,  we  gave 
an  engraving  of  the  Jefferson  Plum;  in  the  autumn,  we  had 
an  opportunity  to  test  its  qualities,  and  found  it  fully  equal 
to  Mr.  Downing's  description.  In  the  smaller  fruits,  the 
Fastolff"  raspberry  holds  a  prominent  place ;  it  has  thus  far 
proved  a  very  large  and  superior  variety.  Our  new  seed- 
ling strawberry,  the  Boston  Pine,  has  been  considerably  dis- 
tributed, and  its  remarkable  qualities  will  soon  become  gen- 
erally known ;  a  new  seedling  has  also  been  offered  for  sale 


Progress  of  Horticulture  for  1845.  5 

by  Mr.  Bnist,  of  Philadelphia.  The  Deptford  Pine  and 
Princess  Alice  Maud,  two  English  varieties,  have  fruited  the 
past  season,  and  promise  to  be  valuable  acquisitions.  These 
and  other  new  fruits  will  be  noticed  more  at  length  in  our 
Pomological  articles,  in  succeeding  numbers. 

Floriculture. 

Floriculture  has  made  rapid  progress  the  past  year.  A 
reference  to  the  reports  of  our  Horticultural  Societies,  will 
show  the  great  number  of  new  and  fine  plants  which  have 
been  introduced  and  disseminated  by  cultivators.  The  fa- 
cilities of  a  rapid  communication  with  Europe  are  yearly 
more  apparent,  in  the  speedy  introduction  of  plants  which 
formerly  were  not  to  be  found  in  our  collections,  till  long  after 
their  introduction  to  England.  The  production  of  seedling 
plants  of  all  kinds  is  yearly  increasing,  and  our  cultivators 
are  producing  results  even  greater  than  their  anticipations. 
As  one  of  these  improvements,  we  may  note  the  Japan  lilies, 
flowering  bulbs  of  which  have  been  grown  in  the  space  of 
three  or  four  years,  and  some  varieties  produced  nearly  equal 
to  L.  lancifolium  rubrum.  The  seeds  readily  come  up,  and 
we  are  now  anxious  to  see  some  hybrids  between  our  native 
hardy  kinds — not  that  we  think  the  beauty  of  the  former 
will  be  attained,  but  that  a  hardy  character  may  be  given  to 
it,  even  if  its  splendor  is  somewhat  marred  by  the  union ; 
hoAvever,  there  is  no  predicting  what  may  be  the  ultimate 
results. 

We  noticed,  last  year,  the  importation  of  many  kinds  of 
Fuchsias ;  and  we  think  the  number  enumerated  in  the  index 
of  plants,  in  Vol.  XI.  is  upwards  of  forty,  besides  many  more 
rare  which  have  not  yet  been  mentioned.  Many  cultivators 
are  fearful  that  fuchsias  cannot  be  well  grown  in  our  cli- 
mate, awing  to  the  hot  summer ;  but  this  is  not  correct ; 
much  experience  has  convinced  us  that,  with  a  little  care, 
most  superb  specimens  may  be  kept  in  bloom  from  June  till 
October.  There  is  a  choice  in  regard  to  the  varieties,  and 
proper  attention  must  be  given  to  the  plants  at  all  times  ;  they 
will  then  be  brilliant  the  whole  of  the  summer. 

An  increasing  demand  for  Camellias  has  taken  place  the 


6  Retrospective  View  of  the 

last  year,  and  much  attention  has  been  given  to  the  increase 
of  the  stock.  In  Philadelphia,  there  is  an  immense  number 
of  plants,  and  the  low  prices  at  which  they  are  sold,  is  a 
great  inducement  to  buy.  In  the  Southern  States,  the  Ca- 
mellia is  quite  hardy,  and  we  can  conceive  of  no  more 
splendid  addition  to  the  garden  than  this  plant.  Some  new 
seedlings  of  merit  have  been  produced  in  Baltimore  and 
Washington.  On  our  late  visit  to  Philadelphia,  we  found 
that  the  old  system  of  inarching  is  again  resorted  to  by 
some  of  the  cultivators,  who  formerly  propagated  principally 
by  grafting. 

The  Rose  Fancy  is  rapidly  extending ;  the  great  beauty  of 
the  new  kinds,  particularly  the  Bourbons  and  Hybrid  per- 
petuals,  has  created  a  great  demand  for  the  plants.  Hardy 
as  both  of  these  classes  are,  they  are  well  adapted  to  every 
garden,  and,  when  judiciously  pruned,  produce  their  flowers 
until  late  in  autumn.  The  La  Reine,  Cloth  of  Gold,  Ophirie, 
Comtesse  Duchatel,  Souvenir  de  la  Mahnaison,  Persian  Yel- 
low, and  several  other  new  ones,  are  exquisite  varieties,  fully 
equalling  the  reputation  which  preceded  their  introduction. 
Some  fine  acquisitions  have  been  made  to  the  mosses,  by 
hybridization  with  the  Bourbons,  and  LafFay's  Princesse  Ade- 
laide produces  its  superb  pale  rosy  flowers  in  clusters  like 
Madame  Desprez.  Two  true  perpetual  mosses  have  been 
produced,  and  we  may  reasonably  anticipate,  in  a  few  years, 
large  additions  to  this  desirable  section.  With  the  exception 
of  the  Prairie  rose,  our  cultivators  have  done  but  little  to- 
wards producing  new  varieties  ;  but  the  splendor  of  the  roses 
of  this  truly  American  family,  shows  that  we  have  only  to 
make  the  trial  to  produce  those  which  will  equal  any  of  the 
foreign  varieties.  The  individual,  as  well  as  combined 
beauty  of  the  Prairie  roses,  must  for  a  long  time  place  them 
preeminent  among  all  other  climbing  sorts. 

The  bulbous  tribe  of  Gladioli  is  now  receiving  much  atten- 
tion abroad,  and  many  new  and  beautiful  kinds  have  been 
raised  by  the  Belgian  cultivators  and  florists.  Insignis,  gan- 
davensis,  ramosus,  dueen  Victoria,  and  some  others,  have 
already  flowered  in  our  collections,  and  they  may  well  claim 
a  high  rank  in  every  collection  of  plants.  Perfectly  easy  of 
cultivation,  they  will  take  the  place  of  some  of  the  amaryllises 


Progress  of  Horticulture  for  1845.  7 

and  other  brilliant  families,  which  are  seldom  seen  on  account 
of  the  skill  required  in  their  growth. 

The  tree  and  herbaceous  pseonies  bid  fair  to  rival  the  rose 
in  their  numberless  kinds.  It  is  many  years  since  the  old 
double-red  was  first  introduced ;  and,  until  within  six  or 
eight  years,  all  the  fine  double  sorts,  and  those  only  few  in 
number,  were  imported  from  China.  But  the  skill  of  the 
French  and  Belgian  florists  has  achieved  wonders,  and  the 
old  Chinese  varieties  will  soon  exist  only  in  name.  Even  our 
own  cultivators  are  about  to  bear  away  the  palm,  several 
very  beautiful  seedlings  of  both  the  tree  and  herbaceous 
kinds  having  been  recently  produced,  and  some  of  the  latter 
excelling  any  we  have  yet  seen. 

Two  tribes  now  demanding  the  attention  of  every  culti- 
vator, are  the  hardy  rhododendrons  and  hardy  azaleas — both 
natives  of  our  own  climate,  and  growing  indigenous,  too, 
almost  within  the  limits  of  our  gardens  ;  yet  we  are  indebted 
to  foreign  cultivators  for  all  the  fine  varieties  we  possess. 
We  shall  not  let  a  year  pass  by  without  impressing  the  im- 
portance of  attention  to  these  favorites,  until  we  see  efforts 
made  to  render  ourselves  no  longer  dependent  for  new  varie- 
ties. Our  notice  of  the  magnificent  collection  of  Messrs. 
Waterer,  near  London,  covering  nesulj  ffty  acres,  will,  we 
trust,  infuse  new  zeal  into  every  amateur  and'  commercial 
cultivator. 

The  two  accounts  we  have  given  in  the  last  volume,  of  the 
grand  exhibition  of  the  London  Horticultural  Society,  cannot 
but  have  been  read  with  great  interest.  How  gorgeous  must 
have  been  the  array  of  the  miscellaneous  collection  which 
bore  off  the  large  gold  medal !  Will  our  cultivators  not  take 
a  hint  from  this,  and  resolve  that  their  efforts  shall  be 
directed  to  the  same  noble  purpose  1  And  will  not  our  horti- 
cultural societies  require  more  at  the  hands  of  their  exhibi- 
tors than  merely  the  bare  display  of  some  few  plants  of  ojie 
single  tribe  ?  We  have  passed  by  that  stage  of  the  science 
to  rest  satisfied  at  this ;  for  there  is  little  skill  in  this  simple 
object.  Rather  let  every  ambitious  cultivator  show  what 
the  results  of  application  and  well  directed  labor  to  the 
science  are;  that  it  does  not  consist  in  aiming  at  novelties, 
but  to  the  attainment  of  perfection  in  the  growth  of  all  those 


8  Retrospective  View  of  the 

numerous  classes  of  plants  which  make  up  the  beauty  of 
every  collection.  Let  a  liberal  premium  be  offered,  if  but 
for  the  best  miscellaneous  collection  of  a  dozen  plants,  and 
let  skill  decide  the  result.  We  only  want  more  space  to 
enforce  the  importance  of  this  upon  all  our  horticultural 
associations. 

Two  of  the  most  valuable  practical  papers,  in  our  last 
volume,  in  this  department,  are  extracts  from  the  Gardener's 
Chronicle^  on  potting  and  watering  plants ;  for  on  a  perfect 
knowledge  of  these  depends  every  good  result.  The  writer 
has  so  fully  gone  over  the  ground,  that  we  can  only  refer  the 
reader  to  them,  to  obtain  all  the  information  that  can  be 
needed.  So  much  learned,  the  young  practitioner  has  only 
to  apply  his  skill  to  the  art  of  pruning  and  training,  and  he 
will  be  able  to  accomplish  the  highest  objects  of  the  science. 
The  use  of  guano  for  floricultural  purposes  has  been  fre- 
quently noticed  in  the  notes  of  our  tour ;  and  Ave  believe  we 
may  say  that  its  application  to  many  kinds  of  plants,  has 
proved  so  beneficial,  that  it  is  no  longer  necessary  to  recom- 
meird  it  to  every  cultivator. 

Arboriculture. 

The  planting  of  trees  for  timber  is  beginning  to  attract 
more  attention.  We  know  of  some  gentlemen,  who  have  a 
few  acres  of  waste  land  planted  with  the  English  and  Ameri- 
can oaks,  which  have  sprung  up  well  and  promise  a  rich 
product. 

Improvements  in  this  respect  will  be  slow,  but,  viewed 
ornamentally,  arboriculture  is  attracting  much  attention.  In 
the  vicinity  of  Boston,  more  trees  for  shade  and  ornament 
have  been  planted  the  last  year,  than  in  twice  the  space  of 
time  previously.  Information  is  now  wanting  in  regard  to 
what  are  the  best  trees  adapted  to  various  situations,  and 
also  as  to  what  new  varieties  are  perfectly  hardy,  adapted  to 
our  climate,  and  desirable  cither  for  their  rarity, — their  foli- 
age,— their  fruit, — their  flowers, — their  form,  or  their  poetical 
and  legendary  interest.  Until  the  planter  is  made  acquainted 
with  these,  it  will  be  in  vain  to  expect  pleasing  and  -satisfac- 
tory results  from  any  arrangement  of  trees  and  shrubs.     But 


Progress  of  Horticulture  for  1845.  9 

with  the  aid  of  a  proper  knowledge,  plantations  can  be  so 
arranged  as,  at  all  times,  and  at  every  season  of  the  year,  to 
present  some  new  and  changing  scene — at  one  time  gay  with 
flower.-?,  at  another  brilliant  with  fruil ;  again,  fresh  with  the 
deep  green  of  summer,  and  then  tinted  with  the  purple, 
scarlet,  and  varying  hues  of  autumn.  The  eiTect  of  a  land- 
scape may  be  as  much  heightened  by  a  judicious  planting  of 
trees,  as  a  parterre  by  the  proper  distribution  of  flowers. 

Our  nursery  collections  are  yet  scanty  in  the  supply  of 
hardy  trees.  The  spread  of  a  correct  taste  will  create  a 
demand,  and  the  demand  will  induce  every  ambitious  nur- 
seryman to  add  the  hundreds  of  hardy  trees  and  shrubs, 
which  we  are  now  deficient  of,  to  his  collection. 

Garden  Architecture. 

We  have  given,  in  our  last  volume,  two  excellent  articles, 
by  our  foreign  correspondents,  on  the  construction  of  forcing 
pits  and  houses,  and  heating  with  improved  boilers  and  tanks. 
The  subject  is  one  yearly  attracting  more  attention,  from  the 
increasing  number  of  greenhouses,  &c.,  \vhich  are  annually 
erected ;  and  we  are  desirous  of  giving  every  information 
which  will  aid  in  introducing  the  most  approved  and  eco- 
nomical modes  of  heating,  that  individuals  may  be  induced  to 
add  the  luxury  of  a  greenhouse  to  every  garden  of  the  least 
extent. 

The  open  tank  system  has  quite  failed,  as  we  predicted  it 
would,  in  furnishing  a  medium  of  bottom  heat ;  the  objec- 
tions to  it  we  have  fully  stated  in  an  early  volume  of  our 
magazine,  eight  years  since,  when  we  tried  the  plan,  before  it 
had  ever  been  adopted  in  England.  The  steam  arising  from 
the  water,  filled  the  soil  with  damp  and  deleterious  salts,  and 
until  a  perfectly  tight  cover  was  added,  it  could  not  be  made 
use  of  to  any  advantage.  To  obviate  this  objection,  in  Eng- 
land, the  iron  tanks  of  Messrs.  Burbidge  &  Healy  have  been 
introduced,  and  with  good  effect. 

Messrs.  Hovey  &.  Co.  have  just  put  up  in  their  large  con- 
servatory one  of  the  boilers  of  Messrs.  Burbidge  &  Healy, 
and  the  experience  of  iwo  or  three  weeks,  proves  it  to  be 
so  much   more  powerful  and  economical  than  the  common 

VOL.  XII. NO.  I,  2 


10  Retrospective  View  of  the 

boiler  generally  used,  that  it  must  eventually  become  exten- 
sively adopted  in  all  large  buildings.  As  we  intend  to  give 
a  drawing  of  it  in  a  future  number,  we  shall  not  now  enter 
into  any  detail  respecting  it.  Mr.  Buist  has  adopted  it  in 
Philadelphia,  and  a  house,  120  feet  long,  is  warmed  with  one 
boiler,  at  a  slight  expense  for  the  winter.  A  boiler  con- 
structed in  Boston  is  said  to  answer  well ;  and  as  it  has  been 
lately  put  up  in  two  or  three  houses  around  the  city,  we  shall 
endeavor  to  give  some  account  of  it  soon. 

The  plan  of  building  graperies  and  greenhouses,  as  first 
adopted  here  by  Horace  Gray,  Esq.,  has  proved  so  economi- 
cal and  excellent  for  the  purposes  of  cultivation,  that  we 
shall  give  a  full  account  of  it,  with  some  engravings  illustrat- 
ing their  construction.  The  plan  is  a  curvilinear  roof  on 
both  sides,  without  any  moveable  sashes,  but  with  ventilators 
at  top  and  bottom.  Its  neat  appearance  and  cheapness  of 
construction  must  recommend  it  for  general  adoption,  espe- 
cially for  what  are  termed  cold  houses,  for  the  cultivation  of 
grapes. 

Commercial  Gardening. 

Commercial  gardening  is  just  now  in  a  very  prosperous 
condition.  A  continued  demand  for  trees  has  kept  every 
nurseryman  busily  engaged,  and  the  brisk  business  of  the 
past  autumn  is  the  best  evidence  of  the  advanced  and  ad- 
vancing condition  of  horticultural  improvement. 

It  is  gratifying  to  us  to  state,  that  the  estate  of  the  late 
Mr.  Manning  has  been  so  relieved  by  many  friends,  that,  under 
the  management  of  his  sons,  the  Pomological  Garden  will 
long  continue  a  memorial  of  the  labors  of  its  founder,  and 
a  benefit  to  the  public.  The  past  year,  no  less  than  240 
varieties  of  pears  were  fruited  in  this  collection.  The  ex- 
tensive grapehouses  of  Mr.  Allen  in  Salem,  have  been  com- 
pleted, and  will  soon  produce  an  immense  quantity  of  grapes 
for  the  market.  The  specimens  exhibited  by  him  were  very 
numerous  and  the  earliest  forced  ones  very  handsome.  A 
new  establishment,  principally  for  the  sale  of  flowers,  has 
been  commenced  in  this  city  by  Messrs.  West  &-  Putnam, 
who  have  opened  a  depot  in  Boston  for  the  sale  of  plants, 
bouquets,  &c. 


Progress  of  Horticultnre  for  1845.  11 

Around  Boston,  the  nursery  collections  are  every  where 
improving.  Messrs.  Winship  have  had  heavy  drains  upon 
their  stock  of  forest  and  ornamental  trees,  of  which  they 
have  a  good  collection.  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  have  added  a 
very  large  quantity  of  new  fruits,  particularly  pears,  forest 
trees,  shrubs,  roses,  greenhouse  plants, &c.  to  their  collection; 
they  have  also  extended  their  grounds,  which  now  comprise 
upwards  of  35  acres  of  every  variety  of  soil,  one  of  which 
is  wholly  devoted  to  roses.  Specimen  fruit  trees  extending 
in  all  more  than  a  mile,  border  all  the  walks.  Messrs.  Hyde, 
Kenrick,  and  others,  have  their  nurseries  filled  with  fine 
stocks  of  trees. 

A  hasty  visit  to  New  York,  and  other  cities  south,  will 
enable  us  to  add  some  remarks  on  the  state  of  gardening,  as 
soon  as  we  can  find  room.  In  Flushing,  the  nurserymen 
all  appear  to  be  doing  a  thriving  business,  and  filling  up 
their  extensive  grounds.  Our  correspondents,  Messrs.  Down- 
ing of  Newburgh,  have  a  very  excellent  stock  of  fruit  trees, 
&c.  The  nursery  of  Mr.  Reid,  in  New  York  city,  is  now 
being  cut  up  by  the  formation  of  new  streets,  which  we 
should  think  would  soon  compel  him  to  remove  to  his 
grounds  in  New  Jersey. 

In  Philadelphia,  Messrs.  Buist,  Mackenzie,  and  Ritchie  & 
Dick,  have  each  added  new  buildings  to  their  premises. 

In  Baltimore,  both  the  Messrs.  Feasts  have  improved  their 
grounds  and  erected  several  new  greenhouses ;  but  we  be- 
lieve there  is  less  general  improvement  here  than  in  any  other 
city  of  the  same  extent. 

We  should  have  been  glad  to  have  learned  something  of 
the  state  of  commercial  gardening  in  other  places;  but  if  our 
correspondents  do  not  keep  us  informed,  in  this  respect,  it  is 
impossible  for  us  to  speak  with  any  correctness  upon  the 
subject.  Mr.  Elliot,  Editor  of  the  Westerji  Reserve  Maga- 
zine, of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  Mr.  Mackintosh,  of  the  same 
place,  visited  the  East  the  past  autumn,  and  the  latter  gen- 
tleman took  home  many  fine  new  roses  and  other  plants. 
Both  gentlemen  speak  of  the  rapid  improvement  of  garden- 
ing in  their  region. 


12  Notes  and  RecollectAons  of  a  Tour. 

Garden  Literature. 

The  last  year  has  not  been  prolific  in  new  works,  but  the 
most  important  publication  has  been  the  Fruits  and  Fruit 
Trees  of  America,  by  Mr.  Downing,  which,  in  the  space  of 
six  months,  has  passed  through  five  editions — the  best  proof 
of  its  value.  Another  new  edition,  with  some  additions  and 
improvements,  may  be  expected  the  present  year.  A  little 
Manual  on  Live  Fences,  by  Mr.  Sayers,  has  been  published 
in  Cincinnati.  Mr.  Teschemacher's  Essay  on  Guano,  is  one 
of  the  very  best  works  which  has  been  issued  on  this  subject. 
The  third  and  fourth  parts  of  Mr.  Colman's  European  Agricul- 
ture have  bepu  published,  and  the  fifth  is  now  passing  through 
the  press.  The  lYansactions  of  the  New  York  State  Agricul- 
tural Society  for  1844,  contain  a  variety  of  general  informa- 
tion. A  review  of  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Commissioner 
of  Patents,  for  1844,  has  been  in  type  some  time,  aAvaiting 
an  insertion.  Transactions  of  several  Agricultural  Societies 
have  been  received,  and  other  pamphlets  devoted  to  rural  pur- 
suits. A  periodical,  called  the  Western  Reserve  Magazine, 
devoted  to  Horticulture  and  Agriculture,  has  been  com- 
menced in  Cleveland,  Ohio.  A  valuable  paper,  called  the 
Indiana  Farmer,  edited  by  our  correspondent,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Beecher,  is  published  at  Indianapolis,  and  must  be  a  valua- 
ble aid  to  improvement  in  the  West.  Our  correspondent,  Mr. 
Bateham.  has  established  the  O/iio  CV/^ifcr /or  at  Columbus, 
and  is  laboring  well  in  the  cause.  The  old  established  peri- 
odicals, the  Albany  Ciddvator  and  American  Agricvlturist, 
are  edited  in  an  able  manner,  and  devoted  to  the  best  inter- 
ests of  agricultural  improvement. 


Art.  II.  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour  through  part  of 
England,  Scotland  and  France,  in  the  autumn  of  1844. 
By  the  Editor. 

(^Continued  from   Vol.  XI.  page  AQ^.^ 

The  following  places  yet  remain  to  be  noticed : — near  Lon- 
don :  Knap  Hill  Nursery,  Messrs.  Waterer ;  Bagshot  Nursery, 


Knap  Hill  Nursery.  13 

Messrs.  Waterer;  Bagshot  Park,  the  Duchess  of  Gloucester; 
Dropmore,  Lady  Grenville ;  Royal  Gardens  at  Windsor. 
Chester,  near  Liverpool  :  the  Nurseries  of  Messrs.  F.  and  J. 
Dickson.  Glasgow :  Glasgow  Botanic  Garden ;  Bothwell 
Castle ;  Gascube,  Sir  Archibald  Campbell ;  Nurseries  of 
Messrs.  Austin  &  Son.  Edinburgh  :  Caledonian  Horticultural 
Society's  Garden;  Royal  Botanic  Garden;  Nurseries  of 
Messrs.  Lawson  &  Son ;  Dalkeith  Park,  the  Duke  of  Buc- 
cleugh ;  Abbottsford,  and  Melrose  Abbey. 

Knap  Hill  Nursery^  Messrs.  Waterer,  Oct.  3. — This  nur- 
sery, which  has  been  so  long  celebrated  for  its  great  collection 
of  American  plants,  was  established  upwards  of  forty  years 
ago ;  it  covers  upwards  of  one  hundred  acres,  nearly  fifty  of 
which  are  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  what  are  termed  in 
England,  by  way  of  distinction,  American  plants, — that  is, 
rhododendrons,  azaleas,  kalmias,  andromedas,  vaccineums, 
magnolias,  &c.  &c.  in  all  their  numerous  varieties.  June  is  the 
season  of  the  year  to  see  these  plants  in  their  full  beauty, 
and  we  could  form  some  idea  of  the  truly  magnificent  dis- 
play that  this  nursery  must  present  at  that  season.  As 
familiar  as  beautiful  shows  of  pla,nts  were,  to  the  late  Mr. 
Loudon,  he  has  declared  that  "nothing  of  the  kind  was  so 
splendid "  as  the  rhododendrons  and  azaleas  of  the  Knap 
Hill  Nursery. 

Our  route  to  this  place  was  by  the  South  Western  rails  to 
the  Woking  Station,  about  twenty  miles;  and  a  walk  of 
nearly  two  miles,  part  of  the  distance  over  a  moor  covered 
with  wild  heaths,  brought  us  to  the  nursery.  The  soil  in 
the  vicinity  of  Knap  Hill  and  Bagshot  is  a  loose  sandy  peat, 
two  or  more  feet  deep  in  many  places ;  and  the  American 
plants  were  found  to  thrive  so  admirably  in  this  earth,  that  a 
great  part  of  the  ground  was  devoted  to  this  tribe,  which,  at 
the  lime  of  its  commencement,  were  so  much  sought  after, 
for  planting  pleasure-grounds  and  lawns.  Messrs.  Waterer, 
in  consequence  of  this,  gave  great  attention  to  the  raising  of 
seedlings,  and  probably  more  choice  varieties  of  azaleas  have 
been  originated  here,  than  in  any  other  collection  in  England, 
or  perhaps  Belgium. 

The  plants  are  all  cultivated  in  beds,  and  are  removed 
every  year ;  by  this  process,  the  young  seedlings,  or  layers, 


14  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour. 

by  the  time  they  acquire  a  sufficient  size  for  sale,  are  fur- 
nished with  a  ball  of  earth,  so  compact  and  full  of  fibres, 
that  a  plant  may  be  transplanted  when  in  bloom  without 
causing  any  injury  to  the  flowers.  It  is  well  known,  that  all 
the  Ericaceae  have  very  fine  hairy  roots,  and  are  difficult  of 
cultivation,  when  young,  if  not  planted  in  a  loose  heath  or 
peat  soil ;  but  when  once  they  have  acquired  a  good  size, 
they  may  be  removed  to  a  stiff  loam,  where  they  thrive  with 
almost  undiminished  vigor.  Rhododendrons  or  azaleas,  taken 
from  the  woods,  where  they  spring  up  indigenous,  on  the 
contrary,  are  "so  difficult  to  make  grow,  that  with  us  it  is 
scarcely  ever  attempted ;  and  it  is  not  only  considered  safer, 
but  indeed  cheaper,  in  the  end,  to  import  the  plants,  than  to 
procure  them  from  their  native  habitats.  But  why  should 
not  our  nurserymen  raise  seedhngs  themselves?  What  ob- 
stacle is  there  in  the  way  7  We  answer,  none ;  the  attempt 
has  only  to  be  made,  and  success  must  be  the  result ;  seeds 
can  be  procured  by  the  bushel,  and  soil  can  be  procured 
naturally  or  artificially,  with  little  or  no  trouble ;  there  is 
then  no  reason  why  these  beautiful  native  plants,  the  pride 
of  the  English  flower-garden  should  not  be  procured  as 
abundantly  as  abroad.  Another  plant  too,  but  little  known, 
though  a  native,  is  cultivated  in  immense  quantities  in  Eng- 
land :  this  is  the  Mahonia  aquifolium  of  Nuttall,  seeds  of 
which  were  brought  from  the  Rocky  Mountains,  by  Lewis  & 
Clark,  and  plants  were  first  .sent  to  England  in  1824,  at  Jive 
guineas  each.  Yet  so  great  has  been  the  demand,  that 
Messrs.  Waterer  sold,  in  the  year  1844,  upwards  of  500,000 
plants  of  diflferent  sizes.  Its  rich  evergreen  holly-like  foliage, 
and  its  clusters  of  brilliant  yellow  flowers,  render  it  one  of 
the  most  ornamental  shrubs. 

Kalmia  latifolia  is  cultivated  by  thousands;  and  we  saw 
hundreds  of  beds  of  it  of  all  sizes,  from  the  young  seedlings  to 
plants  four  feet  high.  Every  body  admires  this  elegant  shrub ; 
yet  we  see  it  neglected,  and  we  fill  our  gardens  with  shrubs 
so  far  inferior  that  they  scarcely  deserve  the  room.  Culti- 
vated in  the  way  that  it  is  at  the  Knap  Hill  Nursery,  the 
plants  remove  with  large  balls  of  earth,  and  with  so  much 
facility,  that,  transplanted  in  the  fall  or  spring,  they  flower 
abundantly    the    succeeHin?   summer.     Resides    K.  latifolia, 


Knap  Hill  Nursery.  15 

there  is  a  fine  stock  of  K.  glauca  and  glauca   stricta  and 
glauca  superba — the  two  latter  new  and  beautiful. 

What  surprised  us  here  were  the  rhododendrons,  maxi- 
mum, and  catawbiense,  with  their  hybrids,  cultivated  as 
standards,  with  clean  str?ight  stems,  three  feet  high,  and 
compact  heads,  three  or  four  feet  in  diameter,  with  almost 
every  shoot  covered  with  flower  buds.  Long  beds  of  these 
standards  covered  nearly  an  acre,  and  we  only  regretted  that 
we  could  not  have  the  good  fortune  to  see  them,  as  well,  in 
deed,  as  the  whole  collection,  in  full  flower.  R.  campanulatum, 
Noblea7i?f;/i,  nivaticum,  G\evmy a inim  seedling  catawbienses, 
c.  bicolor,  c.  splendens,  c.  aucubasfolia,  and  many  others, 
were  full  of  buds.  R.  ponticum,  Mr.  Waterer's  foreman 
informed  us,  was  hardier  than  maximum ;  this  surprised  us, 
but  we  hope  experiments  may  prove  it  to  be  true,  as  the  ponti- 
cum is  one  of  the  freest  flowerers  of  the  whole  family. 

The  azaleas  were  very  numerous,  and  the  beds  presented 
one  compact  mass  of  foliage,  so  well  grown  and  compact 
were  the  plants.  A  great  many  varieties  of  quite  dwarf 
habit  are  cultivated,  among  which  the  following  are  some  of 
the  best :  nudiflora  rubra,  sulphurea,  double  blush,  prsecox, 
colorata,  and  aurantia  major.  Some  of  the  most  choice 
seedhngs  were  myrtifolium,  triumphans,  plumosa,  pontica 
princeps,  pontica  transparens,  pontica  grandiflora ;  these, 
however,  are  only  a  few  of  the  great  number  enumerated  in 
Mr.  Waterer's  catalogue,  more  than  half  of  which  are  seed- 
hngs produced  at  Knap  Hill.  The  established  vareties  of 
azaleas  are  cultivated  by  layering  from  old  well  rooted  stocks ; 
but  many  of  the  rhododendrons  are  grafted  or  inarched. 
The  beds  for  the  plants  are  about  six  feet  wide,  and  contain 
about  four  rows,  fifteen  inches  apart. 

Besides  the  American  plants,  Mr.  Waterer  cultivates  a 
miscellaneous  collection  of  forest  trees,  shrubs,  fruit  trees, 
roses,  &c.  and  also  many  of  the  rare  pinuses.  We  saw  here 
some  most  i)eautiful  specimens  of  the  weeping  beech,  the 
branches  drooping  quite  to  the  ground.  The  Cedrus  Deo- 
dara  and  cedar  of  Lebanon,  particularly  the  latter,  are  grown 
in  large  quantities.  The  whole  stock  of  a  new  Thuja,  called 
aurea,  was  yet  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Waterer.  The  arbor 
vitae,  both  here  and  at  Bagshot,  is  extensively  used  for  hedges 


16  A  Day  in  the  Gardens  of  Haarlem. 

or  screens,  and  it  is  admirably  adapted  for  the  purpose.  The 
collection  of  roses  is  very  large  and  well  grown,  particularly 
those  fine  old  kinds,  the  cabbage  and  common  moss.  Mag- 
nolias are  grown  in  quantities,  and  we  noticed  some  fine 
specimens  of  the  M.  Soulanged/m.  The  greenhouse  collec- 
tion is  not  large,  but  it  embraces  some  fine  camellias,  and  a 
good  stock  of  other  things. 

The  day  was  a  delightful  one  for  October ;  and  a  pressing 
invitation  from  Mr.  Waterer  and  his  lady,  induced  us  to 
remain  until  the  next  day,  when  we  were  most  kindly  prom- 
ised an  early  ride  to  Bagshot,  and  from  thence  to  other  places 
in  the  neighborhood. 

(  To  be  continued.^ 


Art.  III.    A  Day  in  the  Gardens  of  Haarlem.    By  S.  B.  Par- 
sons, Commercial  Garden  and  Nursery,  Flushing,  L.  I. 

Haarlem  has  long  been  celebrated  for  its  flower  gardens, 
and  for  its  successful  cultivation  of  bulbous  rooted  plants. 
Although  too  early  to  see  these  in  perfection,  our  eyes  had 
been  greeted,  as  the  cars  passed  rapidly  along,  with  the  va- 
ried and  gorgeous  colors  of  the  crocus,  which,  in  all  its  vari- 
ety, covered  acres  of  ground  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city. 
Haarlem  is  a  quiet  and  pretty  town,  with  very  neat  and  clean 
streets,  and  is  v/ell  worth  visiting,  independent  of  its  gar- 
dens. 

Passmg  through  the  town,  we  entered  a  small  forest,  called 
Haarlem  Wood,  and  just  upon  its  borders,  we  found  the  ex- 
tensive "  bloemistry"  of  our  correspondent,  A.  C.  Yan  Eden, 
the  largest  of  the  many  establishments  of  the  kind  for  which 
Haarlem  is  so  justly  celebrated.  He  possessed,  in  addition 
to  his  nursery  of  bulbs,  a  good  greenhouse,  with  a  fine  col- 
lection of  orchideous  plants  for  his  own  satisfaction.  He 
has  also  scattered  in  various  parts  of  the  town,  small  tracts 
of  land,  filled  with  bulbous  roots,  just  budding  forth.  His 
soil  is  admirably  adapted  to  the  cultivation  of  bulbs,  being 
of  a  light,  sandy  nature,  with  water  three  feet  below  the  sur- 


A  Day  in  the  Gardens  of  Haarlem.  17 

face,  which  is  drawn  up  by  the  bulbs,  and  supplies  them  at 
their  need.  With  this  native  soil  are  mixed  other  materials, 
making  a  compost  bed  three  feet  deep,  one  half  sand,  one 
quarter  rich  mould,  and  one  quarter  cow-dung,  three  years 
old.  This  compost  is  for  hyacinths ;  for  tulips,  one-eighth 
cow-dung  is  sufficient,  as  they  do  not  flower  so  well  when 
highly  forced.  The  beds  slope  on  each  side  towards  the 
edges,  where  are  little  trenches  to  carry  ofi*  the  rain  and 
melted  snow.  The  bulbs  are  planted  four  to  six  inches  apart, 
and  being  supplied  abundantly  with  nourishment  from  the 
rich  soil  and  moisture,  from  the  water  below,  produce  full  and 
beautiful  flowers.  After  the  bloom  is  over,  and  the  stems 
decayed,  the  bulbs  are  taken  up  and  placed  on  moveable 
shelves  in  an  apartment  lined  with  wood.  Being  thus  ex- 
posed to  a  free  circulation  of  air,  no  dampness  can  accumu- 
late, and  they  are  generally  in  fine  condition  for  planting  in 
the  autumn.  They  are  then  placed  in  the  same  beds  from 
which  they  were  taken,  and  to  which  has  been  added  anoth- 
er layer  of  compost.  In  the  winter,  the  bulbs  are  protected 
by  three  or  four  inches  of  tan,  leaves,  or  straw. 

I  could  easily  imagine  the  gorgeous  splendor  that  must  be 
presented  by  these  acres  of  tulips,  hyacinths,  and  other  bulbs 
of  the  most  superb  varieties,  when  at  the  height  and  perfec- 
tion of  their  bloom,  and  much  regretted  that  the  unusual 
lateness  of  the  season  prevented  our  seeing  them  in  the  full- 
ness of  their  beauty.  I  selected,  however,  several  hundred 
of  the  finest  varieties,  and,  as  they  are  now  carefully  planted 
in  our  grounds,  hope  next  spring  to  show  our  horticultural 
friends  something  really  beautiful  in  that  way.  We  were 
much  pleased  with  A.  C.  Van  Eden.  To  a  pleasing  and 
gentlemanly  manner  he  unites  much  skill  as  a  cultivator,  and 
much  general  intelligence  respecting  the  state  of  horticulture 
in  Holland. 

The  principal  florists  in  Haarlem  have  sometimes  united 
in  publishing  a  general  catalogue  of  all  the  bulbous  and  tu- 
berous rooted  flowers  cultivated  there.  This  is  entitled, 
'•'•Groote  Hollandsche  Catalogus  Van  de  Aller  voorireffelljkste 
Bol-Bloemen  f  the  American  reader  would  probably  be  quite 
satisfied  with  the  title,  and  not  incline  to  go  farther.     In  this 

VOL.  xir. — NO.  I.  3 


18  A  Day  in  the  Gardens  of  Haarlem. 

catalogue,  hyacinths  take  the  lead,  and  are  followed  by  tu- 
lips, ranunculuses,  anemonies,  and  Polyanthus  Narcissus. 

Of  hyacinths,  there  are  nearly  1500  varieties,  of  different 
colors,  both  double  and  single ;  the  latter  is  generally  more 
highly  esteemed  by  the  connoisseur,  as  bearing  larger  flow- 
ers. Of  tulips,  there  are  about  1000  varieties,  and  their  cul- 
ture is  not  so  ardently  pursued  as  is  that  of  the  hyacinth. 
About  the  middle  of  the  17th  century,  a  perfect  mania  for 
tulips  prevailed,  and  most  extravagant  prices  were  paid  for 
roots.  The  mania  did  not,  however,  so  much  consist  in  giv- 
ing large  sums  for  established  varieties,  as  in  a  kind  of  bet- 
ting, regarding  the  eventual  superiority  of  promising  seed- 
ling flowers,  or  in  an  ardent  desire  for  the  possession  of 
breeders  of  high  character,  from  which  fine  seedlings  might 
be  expected.  The  early  tulips,  (as  Due  Yan  Thol,)  when 
they  first  came  into  the  market,  were  frequently  held  at  ex- 
orbitant prices,  and  the  desire  of  the  amateur  to  possess  them 
was  frequently  the  means  of  involving  him  in  bankruptcy. 
The  greatest  varieties  were  sometimes  disposed  of  by  raffle, 
and  the  gambling  spirit  increased  to  such  an  extent,  that  the 
Government  interfered.  There  is  now,  however,  no  law 
limiting  the  price  of  roots,  for  there  is  now  no  danger  that 
$25,000,  as  one  author  says,  will  be  given  for  a  single  tulip. 
The  English,  however,  still  give  large  prices  for  rare  varie- 
ties, and  Louis  the  Sixteenth,  though  an  old  variety,  is  still 
held  at  eighty  gilders,  ($32)  per  single  root. 

A  great  deal  of  attention  is,  at  Haarlem,  still  given  to  the 
cultivation  of  tulips ;  every  florist  has  his  favorite  breeder., 
and  will  raise  every  year  new  varieties  from  the  seed.  A 
breeder  is  a  seedling  tulip  of  some  seven  or  eight  years  old, 
young,  vigorous,  and  mature.  If  such  a  tulip  shows  strong 
growth  and  large  petals ;  if  it  is  self  or  uniform  colored ;  if 
the  base  of  the  petals  be  either  pure  white  or  bright  yellow, 
and  the  anthers  and  stigma  very  dark,  its  quality  and  prom- 
ise is  considered  first  rate.  The  bulb  of  such  a  breeder  is 
planted  deeper  than  usual  in  a  very  warm  place  ;  it  is  pro- 
tected from  the  wind  by  a  stake,  and  from  the  sun  and  rain, 
until  the  capsules  are  perfected.  The  seeds  are  gathered 
when  ripe,  and  from  these  in  a  series  of  years,  originate  many 
beautiful  varieties,  partaking  of  the  good  qualities  of  the  pa- 


Duration  and  Vigor  of  Seedling  Fruits.  19 

rent.  Each  distinct  class  of  tulips  is  originated  from  one  su- 
perior breeder.  The  Bybloems  are  from  different  breeders, 
all  of  a  pure  white  base.  Bigarres  are  also  from  diJSerent 
breeders,  but  all  of  a  bright  yellow  base.  Double  tulips  are 
there  patronized  by  no  true  florist  of  pretension  to  taste, 
and  Parrot  tulips  are  termed  monsters.  The  standard  of 
beauty  is  a  single  tulip,  distinguished  for  the  purity  of  its 
base  and  ground  color,  the  decided  tint  of  the  traced  lines, 
the  dark  color  of  the  stigma  and  anthers,  and  the  finely 
rounded  form  of  the  petals. 

With  the  exception  of  the  Polyanthus  Narcissus,  which  is 
cultivated  largely,  the  soil  of  Haarlem  does  not  seem  so  well 
suited  to  other  bulbs,  as  to  the  hyacinth  and  tulip.  There 
are  about  Haarlem  many  bearing  fruit  trees,  dwarfed  in  the 
nurseries,  by  being  removed  every  third  year,  and  having 
their  branches  tied  down  to  a  hoop.  The  circulation  of  the 
sap  being  thus  impeded,  flower-buds  are  formed,  and  the 
Dutchman  can  taste  his  fruit  the  year  after  it  is  removed 
from  the  nursery.  He  may  also  obtain  from  the  nurseries, 
ready  formed  hedges,  and  thus  save  himself  that  which  is  of 
more  value  than  money — time.  There  are  some  Platanus 
occidentalis  cultivated,  but  many  of  them  were  destroyed  in 
1814,  by  a  disease  similar  to  that  which  has  appeared  among 
them  in  this  country.  Many  other  objects  of  horticultural 
interest  arrested  my  attention,  and  I  took  my  seat  again  in 
the  cars,  well  pleased  with  the  many  floral  beauties  and  ob- 
jects of  interest,  that  had  greeted  me,  and  nowise  wishing  to 
recall  this  very  pleasant  day  among  the  far-famed  gardens 
that  grace  the  fairest  city  of  the  land  of  dykes. 

Flushings  L.  /.,  Dec.^  1845. 


Art.  IV.     Remarks  on  the  Duration  and  Vigor  of  Seedling 
Fruits.     By  T.  S.  Humrickhouse,  Coshocton,  Ohio. 

The  most  sensible  men  will  occasionally  advance  opinions 
the  most  incongruous  and  strangely  inconsistent  with  each 
other.     The  following  extracts  from  Downing's  new  ^Ivork, 


20  Duration  and  Vigor  of  Seedling  Fruits. 

"  The  Fruits  and  Fruit  Trees  of  America,^^  which  I  have 
brought  into  juxtaposition,  furnish  an  apt  illustration  of  this. 

"Dr.  Van  Mons,  whose  ex-         "New  varieties  of  apples 

perience   in   raising    seedling  are    constantly  springing   up 

fruit  trees  was  more  extensive  in  this  country  from  the  seed, 

than  that  of  any  other  man,  in  favorable  soils ;  and  these, 

declares  it  as  his  opinion,  that  when  of  superior  quality,  may, 

the   more    frequently   a    tree  as  a  general  rule,  be  consid- 

is    reproduced     continuously  ered  much  more  valuable  for 

from  seed  the  more  feeble  and  orchard  culture  than  foreign 

short-lived  is  the  seedling  pro-  sorts,    on    account    of   their 

duced." — p.  465.  greater     productiveness    and 

longevity." — p.  69. 

"  On  account  of  their  greater  productiveness  and  lon- 
gevity ; "  and  that  is  the  reason  of  our  author  for  recom- 
mending the  new  seedlings  as  "  much  more  valuable  in  gen- 
eral for  orchard  culture."  I  believe  the  recommendation  of 
native  over  foreign  sorts  to  be  judicious,  for  many  reasons, 
among  which  the  one  adduced  will  sometimes  be  found  to 
obtain,  in  a  remarkable  degree  ;  yet,  they  must  have  under- 
gone at  least  one  remove  towards  feebleness  and  short-lived- 
ness,  according  to  the  notion  of  Dr.  Van  Mons,  which  he  has 
not  hesitated  to  quote  with  approbation,  for  the  purpose  of 
supporting  an  hypothesis  of  his  own,  concerning  "  the  yel- 
lows "  in  the  peach  tree. 

But  I  am  not  willing,  without  examination,  to  fall  in  with 
the  mere  dictum  of  any  one,  in  a  matter  of  so  much  impor- 
tance, however  great  his  authority  may  be.  If  the  sound- 
ness of  Van  Mons's  theory,  supposing  him  to  be  truly  quoted, 
as  I  take  for  granted  to  be  the  case,  is  to  be  verified  or  other- 
wise by  experiments  to  be  made  in  the  "  reproduction  of 
fruit  trees  continuously  from  seed,"  and  to  be  conducted  ac- 
cording to  the  letter  of  his  hypothesis,  it  would  require  a 
long  period  of  time  before  any  results  could  be  arrived  at. 
The  conclusions  to  be  then  drawn  from  them  would  more- 
over be  very  uncertain ;  for,  though  what  might  be  deter- 
mined, in  the  case  of  a  majority  of  the  individuals  produced 
by  the  experiment,  would  doubtless  have  a  tendency  towards 
establishing  some  "  general  rule ;  "  yet  it  might  appear,  that 


Duration  and  Vigor  of  Seedling  Fruits.  21 

much  of  the  result  should  be  attributed  to  accident,  or  to  the 
circumstances  of  the  particular  trial ;  and  it  would  require  a 
number  of  such  experiments,  conducted  and  repeated  under 
every  variety  of  circumstances,  before  any  thing  like  cer- 
tainty could  be  claimed  for  any  "  general  rule  "  to  be  deduced 
from  them. 

But  is  there  not  an  easier  way  of  arriving  at  the  truth 
upon  this  subject  7  If  what  is  advanced  by  Van  Mons  be 
true  of  fruit  trees,  ought  it  not  to  be  also  true  of  the  whole 
vegetable  kingdom  7  Why  should  it  be  confined  to  fruit  trees 
alone?  Why  should  it  not  embrace  forest  trees — the  oak, 
the  elm,  the  poplar?  Why  not  shrubs — the  hawthorn,  the 
broom,  the  snowball  ?  Why  not  plants — the  lily  of  the  val- 
ley, the  foxglove,  the  cardinal  flower  1  Why  not  wheat, 
rye,  the  grasses  ?  Why  not  peas,  beans,  all  culinary  vege- 
tables ? 

We  may  test  this  matter  then  by  analogy.  And,  from  the 
vegetable  kingdom,  we  may  select  the  annuals  from'  which 
to  draw  our  lessons.  Now,  wheat,  rye,  the  grasses,  peas, 
beans,  all  culinary  vegetables,  "  reproduced  continuously 
from  seed,"  do  not  become  "more  feeble  and  short-lived  the 
more  frequently"  they  are  so  "reproduced."  If  they  did, 
the  time  would  come  when  the  world  would  be  without 
them.  It  would  have  been  without  them  long  ago.  and  they 
would  now  be  utterly  extinct.  Universal  experience  does 
not  lead  any  one  to  believe  that  such  can  ever  be  the  case. 
New  varieties  of  them  all  are,  indeed,  occasionally  produced ; 
but,  in  every  instance,  they  remain  true,  each  to  the  common 
characteristics  of  its  genus. 

I  apprehend,  that  neither  the  one  nor  the  other  of  the 
above  extracts  is  true  to  the  letter ;  but  that  seedling  fruit 
trees,  no  matter  how  frequently  reproduced,  are,  like  e\''ery 
thing  else  in  the  vegetable  kingdom  when  produced  from 
seed,  "  more  feeble  and  short-lived,"  or  "  of  greater  produc- 
tiveness and  longevity,"  or  neither — that  is,  of  equal  vigor, 
"productiveness  and  longevity "  with  the  parent  kind — as 
the  individual  case  may  be;  and  that  there  is  no  other  "  gen- 
eral rule  "  upon  the  subject. 

Coshocton,  Dec.  2d,  1845. 


22  Plants  in  Bloom  in  the 


Art.  V.  Plants  in  Bloom^  in  the  Garden  of  C.  L.  Bell, 
Esq.,  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Orleans,  in  November,  1845^ 
By  J.  W.  Paulsen. 

I  SEND  you  the  following  brief  account  of  a  few  plants  I 
saw  on  my  arrival,  the  fifth  of  November,  in  bloom,  in  the 
garden  of  Charles  L.  Bell,  Esq.,  at  Lake  Pontchartrain,  in 
the  vicinity  of  New  Orleans  city.  I  think  it  may  possibly 
prove  interesting  to  a  number  of  your  northern  readers. 

I  found  the  weather,  at  my  arrival,  very  warm  and  per- 
fectly delightful — a  beautiful  Italian  sky,  and  almost  no 
wind.  Mr.  Bell's  garden  presented  to  me  very  much  the 
appearance  of  a  vast  conservatory,  studded  with  West  India 
plants,  growing  in  the  greatest  profusion.  Great  numbers  of 
tree-like  oleanders,  eugenias,  jasmines,  pomegranates,  and 
myrtles,  with  their  dark,  sombre  foliage,  gave  a  stateliness 
and  grandeur  to  the  scenery,  while  their  blossoms  spread  a 
delicious  fragrance  around,  and  their  branches  afibrd  shelter 
to  the  mocking-bird.  The  contrast  of  these  dark  evergreens 
with  beds  of  bright  and  dazzhng  flowers  beneath,  proved  to 
my  northern  eyes  pleasing  and  unique  in  the  extreme. 

The  following  I  noticed  in  flower: — Tecoma  capensis, 
some  large  specimens,  covered  with  their  gorgeous  flowers 
and  growing  most  luxuriantly  ;  Mr.  Bell  informed  me,  they 
had  proved  hardy  the  last  two  winters.  Datw^a  arborea, 
covered  with  its  fragrant  flowers,  is  quite  hardy  here ;  JHihis- 
cus  rosa  sinensis,  all  the  varieties  made  a  splendid  show, 
and  stood  out  the  last  two  winters.  I  cannot  help  remark- 
ing here,  that  it  is  a  great  pity,  this  splendid  flowering,  half 
hardy  Chinese  shrub,  so  easily  propagated  and  procured  by 
every  florist,  is  not  more  extensively  cultivated  in  the  gardens 
of  the  north.  From  my  own  experience  1  can  assert,  that, 
treated  perfectly  hardy,  planted  out  in  Spring,  in  an  open 
border,  and  taken  up  and  sheltered  in  the  fall,  in  a  cold  pit 
or  cellar,  it  will  flower  abundantly  during  the  Summer. 
Jasminum  revolutum,  sambac  fl.  pi.  grandiflorum  and  multi- 
florum,  some  very  large  and  fine  specimens,  /asminum 
multiflorum,  covered  with  its  large,  fragrant  white  blossoms, 


Garden  of  C.  L.  Bell,  Esq.  23 

is  a  particularly  fine  object  here  during  November  and  De- 
cember ;  it  is  far  superior  to  the  azoricum,  often  cultivated 
and  trained  against  houses  in  the  North.  Jasminum  multi- 
florum  is  a  stronger  grower,  it  flowers  in  large  bunches,  and 
in  full  bloom  presents,  for  a  long  time,  one  white  fragrant 
sheet  of  flowers.  I  am  sure  it  will  prove  equally  as  hardy 
as  azoricum,  and  one  of  the  most  desirable  training  plants 
in  southern  exposures  in  the  North.  I  never  have  seen  it  in 
the  vicinity  of  New  York  ;  if  more  extensively  cultivated, 
I  predict  a  great  popularity  for  this  beautiful  climber ;  Nur- 
serymen should  endeavor  to  introduce  it,  Z/antana  odorata 
purpurea,  large  specimens,  covered  with  flowers,  made  a 
pretty,  showy  appearance;  Plumbago  capensis,  Zeylanica 
rosea,  very  luxuriantly  covered  with  blossoms.  A  beautiful 
shaped  and  large  Metrosideros  (FCallistemon)  lanceolata  in 
full  bloom ;  it  proved  so  hardy,  that  by  early  and  unprece- 
dented hard  frost  in  December,  even  the  flowers  were  not 
injured.  Poincia««  pulcherrima,  raised  in  fall  from  seed 
flowers  the  first  Summer  here;  Jatropha  multifida  (tender.) 
Erythrina  crista-galli,  forms  a  large  tree  here,  as  in  its  na- 
tive country,  and  flowers  three  or  four  times  a  season  ;  Pit- 
tosporum  tobira  is  a  perfectly  hardy  and  splendid  evergreen 
here ;  Cerbera  Thevetia  covered  with  seed  pods.  iVerium 
coronarium,  with  its  dark  foliage,  and  white  fragrant  blos- 
soms, is  a  beautiful  plant  here.  Double  and  single  pome- 
granates. 

Mr.  Bell  has  a  large  and  splendid  specimen  of  Melaleuca 
dlba,  which  has  proved  for  several  winters  a  perfectly  hardy 
evergreen  with  him.  Thunbergia  alata,  covered  with  bloom. 
Finca  rosea  and  ilba,  very  large,  seeding  freely.  Gom- 
phrena  globosa  grows  to  a  great  size,  seeds  itself,  and  the 
new  seedlings  flowering  the  same  summer.  A  handsome 
variety  of  Chinese  chrysanthemums,  made  a  most  lively  dis- 
play. This  is  the  country  for  the  chrysanthemums  to  show 
their  beauty  to  perfect  advantage.  Roses  of  all  kinds.  Noi- 
sette, tea,  bourbon,  etc.  grow  and  flower  here  in  great  perfec- 
tion. Mr.  Bell  showed  me  a  very  showy,  yellow  flowering 
shrub,  which  he  raised  from  seeds  received  from  Mexico.  It 
has  attained  a  height  of  eight  feet  and  branches  well  ofl",  form- 
ing handsome  sized  shrubs.     Mr.  Bell  calls  it  Bignonia /raxi- 


24  Garden  of  C.  L.  Bell,  Esq. 

nifolia ;  it  formed  plenty  of  seed  pods,  but  the  seeds  did  not 
ripen.  Mr.  Bell  has  potted  several  large  plants  and  sheltered 
them  in  a  room  this  season,  with  a  view  of  forwarding  their 
blossoming  and  ripening  the  seed.  If  Mr.  Bell  succeeds,  he 
will  be  enabled  to  disseminate  this  valuable  plant  to  the  ex- 
tent it  deserves.  The  flowers  are  of  the  size  and  shape  of 
Gloxinia  formosa,  but  of  a  bright  yellow  color.  I  have  no 
doubt  it  will  prove  in  the  North  a  half-hardy  shrub,  similar 
to  JBTibiscus  sinensis.  I  never  saw  this  plant  before,  but  it 
may  perhaps  be  known  to  you.  The  ik/espilus  japonica, 
grows  here  in  some  situations  to  a  magnificent  tree,  produc- 
ing bushels  of  fine  fruit.  Date  palms  grow  extremely  rapid 
from  seed ;  there  are  two  large  date  palms  (of  about  fifty 
feet  high)  growing  in  New  Orleans  city.  It  is  astonishing 
they  are  here  not  more  generally  cultivated. 

Mr.  Bell  has  a  fine  collection  of  cereuses,  epiphyllums,  cacti, 
mammillarias  and  opuntias.  Cereus  grandiflora  and  triangu- 
laris flower  here  in  great  profusion.  Mr.  Bell  is  very  fond  of 
trying  to  acclimate  many  plants,  which  it  is  not  customary 
here  to  leave  in  the  open  ground  during  the  winter  season. 
Jasminum  sambac  fl.  pi.,  Melaleuca  alba,  Metrosideros  lan- 
ceolata,  i^icus  elastica,  Hoya  carnosa,  and  many  others  have 
several  years  proved  perfectly  hardy  with  him,  and  he  is 
enabled  to  have  some  very  large  specimens  of  these  plants. 
I  have  not  seen  here  Strelitzm  regina.  jBuphorbia  splendens 
or  Jacquinajj^ora,  which  ought  to  thrive  and  flower  finely 
here.  If  you  wish  for  any  seeds  or  plants,  indigenous  to 
these  parts,  it  will  be  a  pleasure  to  me  to  procure  them  for 
you,  if  I  can.  By  the  by,  I  have  just  heard  that  a  gentle- 
man from  Mobile,  has  built  a  splendid  conservatory  in  Iowa, 
intending  to  remove  to  that  place  next  spring.  This  is  en- 
couraging news  to  gardeners  and  horticulturists. 

Lake  Ponchartrain,  Dec.  1845. 

Several  of  our  correspondents,  in  New  Orleans,  have  ex- 
tolled the  beauty  of  the  Jasmines  growing  there,  which  they 
say  are  entirely  unlike  any  in  the  North,  being  as  double 
as  roses,  and  forming  bushes,  which  appear  like  one  sheet 
of  snow.  We  have  the  promise  of  some  of  the  plants  of 
each  kind,  which  we  shall  endeavor  to  report  upon  when  we 
have  seen  them  in  bloom. — Ed. 


Floriculhiral  and  Botanical  Notices.  25 


Art.  VI.  Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices  of  Neto  Plants, 
Jignred  in  foreign  jicriodicals  ;  with  Remarks  on  those  re- 
cently introduced  to,  or  originated,  in,  American  gardens,  and 
additional  information  npon  plants  already  in  cultivation. 

Edwards's  Botanical  Register,  or  Ornamsntal  Flower  Garden  and  Shrubbery. 
Each  number  containing  from  six  to  eight  plates  ;  with  additional  miscel- 
laneous information  relative  to  new  plants.  In  monthly  numbers ;  3s. 
plain,  35  6d.  colored. 

Paxton's  Magazine  of  Botany,  and  Register  of  Flowering  Plants.  Each 
number  containing  four  colored  plates.  Monthly,  2s.  66?.  each.  Edited 
by  J.  Paxton,  Gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Devonshire. 

The  Gardeners'  Chronicle,  a  stamped  newspaper  of  Rural  Economy  and 
General  News.     Edited  by  Prof.  Lindley.    Weekly.    Price  Qd.  each. 

Curtis's  Botanical  Magazine,  in  monthly  numbers.  By  Sir  Wm.  Jackson 
Hooker,  K.  H.,  &c.,  3d  series,  vol.  1,  1845.     Nos.  1,  2,  3  and  5. 

Floriculiural  Intelligence.  New  and  Rare  Plants. — Some 
new  and  rare  plants  have  been  introduced  into  the  country 
the  past  year,  among  the  number  are  Gardenia-  Stanleya^/a, 
Whitfieldia  lateritia,  >S'tatice  macrophylla,  Napoleonm  impe- 
rial is,  Tropajohun  Lobb/d7??/m,  &c. ;  these  have  been  added 
to  the  collection  of  J.  R.  Valk,  Esq.,  Flushing,  L.  L,  which 
we  i;hall  notice  in  a  future  number. 

N&70  Fuchsias. — The  following  new  and  very  choice  fuch- 
sias have  been  added  to  the  collection  of  Messrs.  Hovey  & 
Co,  : — Miller's  Expansa,  Duke  of  York,  Enchantress,  Bal- 
loonia  superba,  Captivation,  and  Queen  Victoria ;  Ivery's  Sir 
H.  Pottinger ;  Kendall's  Erecta  elegans,  and  Epps's  Nymph. 

Zro/a  odordia  is  the  name  of  a  splendid  new  species  re- 
cently introduced  to  England  by  Messrs.  Lucombe,  Pince 
&.  Co.  of  Exeter.  The  leaves  are  nearly  of  the  size  and 
texture  of  the  India  rubber  tree;  and  the  flowers,  v/hich  ap- 
pear in  a  panicle  a  foot  in  diameter,  have  a  red  tube,  white 
above,  the  white  buds  tipped  with  rose,  the  segments  of  the 
limb  white,  some  twisted,  and  then  changing  to  buff.  It  is 
withal  deliciously  fragrant. 

Gesnera.  Gerard\kx\di. — M.  Neuman,  of  the  Jardin  des 
Plantes,  describes  this  -new  species  as  having  much  resem- 
blance to  G.  zebrina,  in  its  flowers,  which  are  half  red  and 

VOL.  XII. — NO.  I.  4 


26  Ploricultural  and  Botanical  Notices 

half  yellow,  but  it  differs  in  not  having  the  zebra  leaves, 
and  being  much  easier  to  grow.  It  is  described  as  being  very 
handsome,  having  a  panicle  of  from  fifteen  to  twenty  flow- 
ers, all  opening  at  nearly  the  same  time.  It  is  one  of  the 
finest  of  the  genus,  and  much  like  an  achimenes. — Gard. 
Chiton. 

Tacs6n\?i  mollissima  is  stated  to  be  one  of  the  most  beauti- 
ful greenhouse  climbers,  producing  its  blossoms  (similar  to 
the  passion  flower)  from  August  to  winter.  It  grows  freely 
in  a  cool  greenhouse,  and  is  eminently  deserving  a  place  in 
every  collection. 
BerbericZdcete. 

BE'RBERIS 

actinacantha  Mar^zus  Ray  Spined  Berberry.  A  hardy  sub-evergreen  shrub;  growing  four  feet 
high;  with  deep  yellow  flowers;  appearing  in  May  and  June;  a  native  of  Chili ;  increased  by 
seeds  or  layers ;  grown  in  sandy  peat  or  loam ;  Bot.  Reg.  1845,  pi.  55. 

In  the  climate  of  England,  this  has  proved  a  hardy  ever- 
green shrub,  growing  to  the  height  of  three  or  four  feet,  with 
small  foliage  and  numerous  clusters  of  deep  yellow,  sweet- 
scented  flowers,  which  completely  clothe  the  slender  branch- 
es, and  render  it  a  conspicuous  object,  in  May  and  June. 
The  branches  are  set  with  strong  spines,  in  a  ray-like  man- 
ner, from  whence  its  specific  name.  It  was  found  on  the 
first  range  of  the  Cordilleras  in  Chili,  and  flowered  in  the 
garden  of  the  Horticultural  Society  last  April.  It  may  prove 
hardy  in  our  climate.  It  is  raised  by  layers  or  seeds,  and 
thrives  well  in  a  sandy  loam  or  a  mixture  of  loam  and  peat. 
{Bat.  Reg.  August.) 
'Rosacea. 

POTENTI'LLA 

blcolor  Lindl.  Two-colored  Potentil.  A  hardy  herbaceous  plant;  growing  one  foot  high  ;  with 
crimson  and  yellcw  flowers  ;  appearing  from  .July  to  September;  a  native  of  Cashmere  ;  increased 
by  seeds  or  division  of  the  root,  grown  in  any  common  soil.    Bot.  Re^.  1S45,  pi.  62. 

A  very  pretty  species  of  potentilla,  with  something  of 
the  habit  of  the  old  P.  nepalensis,  but  with  very  delicate  and 
beautiful  flowers ;  the  ground  color  clear  yellow,  over  which 
at  the  base  is  drawn  a  series  of  long  hexagonal  red  meshes, 
which  form  towards  the  circumference  of  the  fiower,  other 
meshes  of  a  finer  and  closer  fabric,  till  at  last  they  melt  and 
run  into  each  other,  and  form  a  clear  red  border  to  each 
petal.  It  was  raised  in  the  garden  of  the  London  Horticul- 
tural Society,  from  seeds  received  from  Cashmere  or  Thibet, 
and  it  proved  entirely  hardy  the  last  winter.     It  grows  freely 


of  New  Plants.  27 

in  any  good  rich  garden  soil,  and  flowers  from  July  to  Sep- 
tember..   (^Bot.  Reg.  November.) 

Monimiace(E. 

BO'LDOA 

fiAarans  Jussieu  Sweet-scented  Boldoa.  A  greenhouse  shrub ;  growing  six  feet  high ;  with 
white  flowers ;  appearini;  from  September  to  December ;  a  native  of  Chili ;  increased  by  cultinss; 
grown  iu  sandy  loam  and  peat.    Bot.  Reg.,  1845,  pi.  57. 

A  greenhouse  shrub,  growing  six  or  eight  feet  high,  and 
possessing  a  highly  aromatic  odor  in  every  part.  The  leaves 
are  roundish  ovate,  and  evergreen,  and  the  flowers,  which 
are  of  a  greenish  white,  are  produced  in  terminal  panicles. 
It  was  introduced  from  Chili,  and  flowered  in  the  Horticul- 
tural Society's  garden  in  December,  1844.  It  requires  to  be 
partially  shaded  from  the  sun  in  summer,  but  in  winter  ordi- 
nary greenhouse  treatment  will  suit  it ;  as  it  flowers  in  the 
autumn  it  should  only  be  repotted  in  spring.  It  is  increased 
by  cuttings.     {Bot.  Reg:  October.) 

EricdcecB. 

AZA'LEA 

LsEtilicB  (garden  hybrid).  A  hardy  shrttb  ;  growing  two  feet  high  ■,  with  yellow  flowers ;  appear- 
ing in  June ;  increased  by  layers ;  grown  in  sandy  luam  or  heath  soil.    Bot.  Reg.,  1845,  pi.  51. 

"'  A  beautiful  and  fragrant  hybrid,"  raised  by  the  Hon. 
and  Rev.  Mr.  Herbert,  from  seed  of  the  common  /Rhododen- 
dron ponticum,  impregnated  with  azalea.  The  flowers  are 
very  large  and  of  a  pale  straw,  spotted  with  yellow.  Mr. 
Herbert,  in  describing  this  variety,  states,  that  "it  is  difii- 
cult  to  conjecture  why,  in  expelling  the  purple  of  the  fe- 
male flower,  the  yellow  of  the  male  should  have  substituted 
white.  The  mode  in  which  colors  act  in  hybrid  crosses 
is  singular.  When  the  bright  yellow  flower  of  the  white 
turnip  is  crossed  with  the  dull  golden  of  the  Swede,  an  in- 
termediate color  is  not  obtained,  but  some  of  the  males  (as 
to  the  color  of  the  flower)  follow  one  parent  and  some  the 
other.  When  a  blue  anagallis  is  crossed  with  the  orange 
colored,  the  effect  is  to  discharge  the  yellow  from  the  orange 
and  leave  dull  red  which  was  combined  with  it,  while  the 
blue  remains  in  abeyance."  The  object  in  crossing  /Rhodo- 
dendron ponticum  with  an  azalea,  was  to  obtain  some  of  the 
permanency  of  foliage  of  the  former;  this  has,  however, 
been  done  only  in  a  slight  degree.  The  variety  is  worthy  a 
place  in  every  collection  ;  named  in  compliment  to  Mrs.  Her- 
bert.    {Bot.  Reg.,  September.) 


28  PlorinultwaL  and  Botanical  Notices 

Ludoviciae  Cgarden  hybrid).  A  hardy  shrub ;  growing  two  feet  high  ;  with  rose  and  straw  col- 
ored flowers;  appearing  iu  June;  increased  by  layers;  grown  in  heath  soil.  Bot.  Reg.,  1845, 
pi.  60. 

Another  delicate  and  charming  variety,  also  produced  by 
the  Dean  of  Manchester,  and  a  sister  seedling  of  the  one 
above  described.  It  is  named  in  compliment  to  his  eldest 
daughter,  Louisa.  The  flowers  are  not  so  large  as  those  of 
Lsetitise,  but  to  the  strange  color  of  that  variety,  is  added  a 
charming  tint  of  rose,  which  gives  it  a  gay  and  lively  aspect. 
Highly  worthy  of  introduction,     {^Bot.  Reg.,  November.) 

VhimhagindcecB. 

STA.'TICE 

Fortuni  Lindl.  Mr.  Fortune's  Sea  Lavender.  A  frame  or  greenhouse  perennial :  growing  a  foot 
high;  with  yellow  flowers;  appearing  from  July  to  October;  a  native  of  China;  introduced  in 
1844  ;  increased  by  seeds  and  division  of  the  roots ;  cultivated  in  good  soil.    Bot.  Reg.  1845.  pi.  03. 

One  of  the  few  acquisitions  yet  made  by  Mr.  f"'ortune,  in 
his  expedition  to  China.  "A  yellow  flowered  sea  lavender  is 
a  rarity;"  and  this  proves  to  be  a  very  interesting  species, 
with  yellow  flowers,  unlike  any  thing  previously  introduced. 
In  the  Horticultural  Society's  collection  it  has  been  treated 
as  a  greenhouse  plant,  and  the  specimens  grew  two  or  three 
feet  high ;  but  Mr.  Fortune's  wild  plants  were  only  about 
one  foot  high,  and  consequently  handsomer  from  their  com- 
pactness. It  may  be  propagated  by  seeds  or  division  of  the 
roots,  in  March,  and  the  young  plants,  if  brought  forward, 
will  flower  the  same  season.  It  is  best  wintered  in  a  frame 
or  cool  greenhouse.     (^Bot.  Reg.,  November.) 

dnchonaceoi. 

GARDEN/^i 

Stanley  Dirt  HooVer.  Lord  Derby's  Gardenia.  A  stove  shrub;  growing  two  feet  high  ;  with 
white  and  crimson  flowers;  appearing  in  June;  a  native  of  Sierra  Leone;  increased  by  cuttings; 
cultivated  in  peat,  leaf  mould  and  sand.    Bot.  Reg.,  1845.  pi.  57. 

This  gardenia  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  greatest  acqui- 
sitions to  our  gardens  of  late  years.  Possessing  the  same 
habit  and  appearance  of  the  well  known  G.  florida,  its  flow- 
ers are  three  times  as  large,  and  of  surpassing  beauty.  It 
was  first  exhibited  at  one  of  the  shows  of  the  London  Hor- 
ticultural Society,  in  1844,  from  the  Kew  collection,  where 
its  remarkable  flowers  were  one  of  the  principal  objects  of 
attraction.  The  flowers  are  trumpet  shaped,  eight  or  nine 
inches  long,  and  nearly  five  inches  in  diameter,  with  a  snow- 
Avhite  ground,  and  delicately  spotted  with  crimson,  in  the 
manner  of  the  brilliant  i^ilium  lancifolium  rubrum.  Our 
correspondent,  Mr.    Glendening,  in  whose   collection  it  also 


of  New  Plants.  29 

flowered,  and  who  purchased  the  whole  stock,  thus  speaks 
of  this  truly  noble  plant : — 

Mr.  Thomas  Whitfield,  a  most  successful  mvestigator  of 
the  most  unhealthy  part  of  Africa,  succeeded  in  introducing, 
along  with  other  rare  species,  from  Sierra  Leone,  all  which 
are  now  in  my  possession,  this  remarkable  and  beautiful 
Gardenia.  The  flowers  are  sent  up  in  great  profusion  from 
the  base  of  the  numerous  shoots,  which,  under  good  cultiva- 
tion, are  always  abundant  and  healthy.  They  thrust  them- 
selves upward  through  the  beautiful  green  foliage,  in  a 
nearly  erect  position,  and  are  nine  inches  long,  resembling 
a  series  of  spotted  trumpets,  thus  presenting  a  very  singular 
and  attractive  object.  The  flowers  themselves  are  not  unlike 
the  spotted  Japan  lilies,  and  like  them  are  also  very  fragrant. 

What  will  render  the  plant  a  great  favorite  in  our  stoves, 
is  its  easy  cultivation.  I  would  recommend  rough  peat,  leaf 
mould,  and  silver  sand  in  nearly  equal  proportions ;  let  the 
pots  be  well  drained,  and  place  a  little  moss  over  the  drain- 
age before  potting,  to  prevent  the  compost  from  mixing  with 
the  drainage ;  place  the  plant  in  a  rather  high  temperature 
in  a  close  house  or  pit,  and  give  abundance  of  atmospheric 
moisture;  under  these  circumstances,  the  cultivation  and 
flowering  of  this  choice  exotic  will  be  certain  and  complete. 
Such  is  the  account  of  this  plant,  and  we  soon  hope  to  have 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  it  in  flower.  The  pame  is  in  honor  of 
the  Earl  of  Derby,  who  sent  out  Mr.  Whitfield  to  collect 
plants. 

Another  species,  called  G.  Whitfieldi«  Lindl.  has  been  also 
introduced,  and  is  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Glendening.  It 
has  beautiful  white  flowers  five  inches  long.  {Bot.  Reg., 
September.) 

M.yrsiniaceie. 

LABI'SIA 

polhonia /,»id/.  Pothos-like  Spoonflower.  A  stove  plant;  growing  a  foot  high;  with  white 
flowers;  appeariu;  in  June;  a  native  of  Penang ;  increased  by  seeds;  cultivated  in  sandy  loam 
and  peat.    Bot.  Reg.,  1845,  pi.  48- 

A  new  and  interesting  plant,  throwing  up  an  erect  stem, 
terminated  with  a  close  slender  spike  of  small  white  flowers. 
It  requires  the  heat  of  the  stove ;  it  is  of  slow  growth,  and 
will  only  require  potting  once  every  season.  It  is  propagated 
by  seeds.     (^Bot.  Reg.,  September.) 


30  Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices. 

LamidcecB. 

EREMOST.VCHYS 

lasc'unatu.  Betith.  Jn?-leaved  Desert  rod.  A  hardy  herbaceous  plant;  growing  six  feet  high, 
with  yellow  (lowers ;  appearing  in  May  and  June  ;  a  native  of  Caucasus ;  increased  by  division  of 
the  root;  growing  in  auy  light  rich  soil.    Bot.  Reg.,  IS45,  pi.  52. 

A  rather  showy  herbaceous  plant,  from  the  dry  hills  of  the 
Caucasus,  and  hardy  in  England,  but  perhaps  requiring  the 
protection  of  a  frame  in  our  climate,  as  the  roots  are  said  to 
suffer  from  an  excess  of  moisture  in  winter.  The  roots  are 
large  and  fleshy,  and  throw  up  a  stem  four  to  six  feet  high, 
with  a  succession  of  axillary  whorls  of  bright  yellow  and 
orange  flowers,  which  resist  the  hottest  sun.  It  flowered  in 
the  garden  of  the  London  Horticultural  Society,  last  April, 
where  it  was  raised  from  seeds  received  from  the  Imperial 
Botanic  Garden  of  Petersburgh.  It  succeeds  well  if  grown 
in  pots,  during  winter,  and  kept  dry,  and  in  summer  turned 
out  into  the  border,  where  its  gay  flowers  are  very  showy. 
The  fleshy  roots  should  be  planted  partly  above  ground. 
Increased  by  seeds  and  the  plants  bloom  the  second  or  third 
year.     {Bot.  Reg.,  September.) 

OrchiddcefB. 

CHLOR.5;'A 

virescens  Lindl.  Green  veined  chlorsea.  A  greenhouse  plant ;  growing  two  feet  high  ;  with 
oranije  (lowers;  appearing  in  May;  a  native  of  Chih;  increased  by  ofisets;  callivated  in  rough 
sandy  peat.    Bot.  Re?.,  1845,  pi.  49. 

This  is  one  of  the  few  terrestrial  orchids,  which  have  been 
introduced  into  cultivation.  Formerly,  it  was  thought  very 
difiicult  to  make  them  succeed ;  but  the  difficulties  have 
been  overcome,  and  they  may  be  as  easily  grown  as  the 
other  division.  The  present  subject  throws  up  a  spike  of 
deep  orange  colored  flowers,  similar  to  a  hyacinth  and  ex- 
ceedingly beautiful,  the  ground  color  being  delicately  veined 
with  green,  from  whence  its  specific  name.  It  is  a  native  of 
the  subalpine  country  between  Conception  and  Valparaiso, 
where  it  is  as  plentiful  as  our  meadow  orchids.  The  plants 
require  simply  a  warm  greenhouse,  and  a  rough  sandy  peaty 
soil;  and,  when  in  flower,  an  abundant  supply  of  water. 
When  done  blooming,  they  should  be  kept  dry  until  the  grow- 
ing season  again  arrives.     {Bot.  Reg.,  September.) 


Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History.  31 


REVIEWS. 

Art.  I.  Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History.,  contairiin^  Pa- 
pers and  Communicaiions  read  before  the  Boston  Society  of 
Natural  History.,  and  published  by  their  direction.  Vol.  V. 
No.  II.,  &c.,  Boston,  1845. 

The  second  number  of  the  fifth  volume  of  the  transactions 
of  this  enterprising  society,  is  before  us,  and  is  unusually 
rich  in  botanical  interest.  On  this  branch  of  science,  it  con- 
tains a  paper  from  our  correspondent.  Prof  Russell,  on  the 
mosses  of  Eastern  Massachusetts ;  and  an  article  on  the 
plants  collected  in  Texas,  by  F.  Lindheimer,  with  remarks 
and  descriptions  of  new  species,  &c.,  by  George  Engelmann 
and  Asa  Gray — the  latter  gentleman  well  known,  herea- 
bouts, as  an  eminent  botanist,  occupying  the  chair  of  Natural 
History  in  Harvard  University.  To  this  enumeration  of 
Texan  plants  we  shall  probably  have  occasion  to  refer  at 
some  future  time.  A  short  article  from  J.  E.  Teschcmacher 
on  a  species  of  a  cactus,  is  also  to  be  noticed  in  this  number. 
This  corrects  a  mistake,  in  the  generic  position  of  a  Melocac- 
tus,  (M.  viridescens  Nutt.)  considered  as  an  Echinocactus  by 
Messrs.  Torrey  and  Gray,  in  their  important  work  on  the 
North  American  plants  : — 

"This  difference  of  opinion  arose  probably  from  Nuttall's  description 
stating  that  the  flowers  proceeded  from  the  upper  clusters  of  spines,  whereas 
the  flowers  of  Melocactus  proceed  from  the  woolly  head  characteristic  of 
this  genus,  in  which  they  are  usually  imbedded.  But  Nuttall  also  states 
that  the  fruit  is  smooth  ;  this  is  a  character  of  Melocactus,  the  fruit  of 
Echinocactus  being  generally  more  or  less  scaly  from  the  remains  of  the 
sepals  ;  PfeifFer  says  rarissime  l<svi.<;. 

"  My  specimen  is  about  5  inches  high,  and  9  inches  diameter ;  the  spines 
are  radiating,  very  crowded,  and  transversely  striate  ;  four  of  them  (Nut- 
tall  says  three)  in  each  fascicle  are  larger  than  the  rest,  but  the  upper  and 
lower  spines  are  the  largest.  These  spines  are  rather  poisonous  ;  wounds 
inflicted  by  them  are  almost  certain  to  fester.  In  other  respects,  it  agrees 
with  Nuttall's  description  ;  but  it  has  a  distinct  woolly  head,  which  is, 
however,  small  and  depressed,  in  the  centre  of  the  plant.  There  are  no 
flowers  now  on  the  specimen,  but  the  scars  left  by  them  exist.  On  these 
scars  several  seeds  remain,  exactly  as  maybe  seen  on  other  Melocacti,  of 
which  the  fruit  has  dried  off.     The  scars  are  behind  the  fascicles  of  spines, 


32  Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History. 

near  the  axis,  and  not  in  the  centre  of  the  fascicle  as  in  Echinocactus,  and, 
from  their  close  proximity  to  the  woolly  head,  were  probably  immersed  in 
the  edge  of  it.  Nuttall  observes  that  they  are  seldom  laterally  clustered  ; 
there  were,  however,  two  young  plants  laterally  attached  to  my  specimen, 
which  I  have  removed  ;  and,  although  they  are  very  dry,  I  shall  take  every 
pains  to  revive  them. 

"  From  this  examination,  it  is  clear  that  this  plant  will  have  to  be  restored 
to  the  genus  Melocaclus,  in  which  Nuttall  originally  placed  it.  The  native 
name  of  the  plant  is  Choyas." 

The  study  of  the  mosses, 'though  hardly  coming  into  the 
province  of  the  horticulturist,  seems  to  be  one  of  fascinating 
mterest  to  the  botanist.  In  its  pursuit,  may  be  found  names 
of  great  celebrity  in  Europe,  Great  Britain,  and  in  this 
country.  Many  of  the  most  common  species  to  be  found  in 
this  vicinity,  are  minutely  and  accurately  described  and  fig- 
ured in  the  works  of  Hedwig  and  Schwernitz,  from  actual 
American  specimens  forwarded  to  Europe  by  Muhlenberg — a 
German  clergyman,  who  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  and  occu- 
pied his  leisure  in  the  exploration  of  those  rare  and  minuter 
plants,  and  their  accompanying  orders,  viz :  the  Lichens, 
Fungi  and  Hepaticse.  The  American  Cryptogamic  botanist, 
in  order  to  detect,  satisfactorily,  species  before  described, 
whether  common  to  Europe  and  to  this  continent,  as  are 
many;  or  those  decided  North  American,  as  are  several, 
must  have  recourse  not  only  to  the  standard  European  works 
on  the  subject,  but  to  those  rarer  and  more  costly  ones, 
which  are  only  to  be  found  in  the  hands  of  the  lovers  of  this 
branch  of  natural  science,  or  in  public  libraries,  and  thus 
difficult  to  consult;  or,  lastly,  by  direct  importation  of  the 
works  in  question,  which  is  not  always  so  readily  done, 
owing  to  their  scarcity  abroad. 

The  climate  of  Massachusetts,  so  similar  to  that  of  Penn- 
sylvania, in  regard  to  these  hardy  denizens  of  mountain-top 
and  forest-shade,  affords  few,  if  any,  that  may  not  be  de- 
tected in  the  latter  state ;  while  that,  being  more  interior, 
may  possess  some,  which  it  could  hardly  be  expected  should 
be  found  here.  As  we  go  farther  west,  we  find  more  singu- 
lar forms;  and  even  in  Ohio,  have  been  accordingly  discov- 
ered new  and  remarkable  species,  of  which  wc  may  mention 
Fissidens  hyalina  (  Wilson)  and  Fissidens  obtusifolia  {Will.) 
discovered  hv  the  late  Thomas  G.   Lea,   of  Cincinnati — an 


Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History.  33 

indefatigable  searcher  after  the  minuter  wonders  of  the  floral 
kingdom. 

Mosses  are  ubiquitous  in  their  character  of  growth,  an  a 
few  have  been  found  almost  all  over  the  globe.  Among  the 
muscological  treasures,  collected  in  British  North  America, 
during  the  second  land  expedition  under  Sir  John  Franidin, 
R.  N.,  may  thus  be  seen,  many,  which  also  grow  in  southern 
and  eastern  parts  of  the  United  States.  No  mountain  so 
barren,  which  does  not  nurture  some  species  in  its  bosom — 
no  desert  so  arid  that  does  not  acknowledge  the  presence  of 
others.  In  wet  or  humid  places,  some  genera  are  only  to  be 
found  ;  and  on  dry  rocks,  exposed  to  the  glare  of  unmitigated 
sunshine,  others  delight  themselves,  expanding  their  leaves, 
on  the  presence  of  the  sHghtest  moisture,  and  swelling  their 
seed-vessels  in  vigorous  beauty.  In  rapid  running  streams, 
several  are  found  to  flourish ;  and  others,  again,  thrive  best 
on  rocks  exposed  to  the  perpetual  dash  of  waterfalls.  The 
Funaria  hygrometrica,  which  sprmgs  up  in  our  garden  walks 
in  early  spring,  has  been  found  in  all  parts  of  the  world, 
while,  again,  there  are  species  which  affect  particular  soils 
only,  and  others  of  most  singular  rarity. 

But  to  turn,  from  these  general  remarks,  to  Prof  Russell's 
paper,  from  which  we  quote  as  follows  : — 

"  Would  we  seek  for  elegance  amid  the  minuter  wonders  of  the  vegeta- 
ble kingdom — for  delicacy  of  structure  ;  for  instances  of  exquisite  design, 
or  for  subjects  of  patient  and  instructive  study  ;  to  no  department  of  scien- 
tific research  may  we  turn,  with  greater  hope  of  success,  than  to  the 
Mosses.  Their  tiny  roots  ;  their  curious  leaves,  rigid  and  like  bristles  in 
some,  or  broad  or  simple  in  others,  or  of  the  most  complicated  tissue  of 
network  in  others, — in  all,  a  great  variety:  and  so  fitly  adapted  to  the  cir- 
cumstances of  their  places  of  growth  ;  their  anomalous  floral  organs,  but 
dimly  shadowing  forth  the  sexual  differences  in  phasnogamous  plants ;  the 
grace  of  their  fruitstalks,  {selce)  ;  the  proportion  of  their  capsules ;  the 
peristome  of  a  simplex  or  else  of  a  complex  character ;  the  columella 
invested  with  spores  (seeds)  and  operculum,  to  protect  them  from  injury 
when  immature  ;  the  veil  or  calyptra  surmounting  the  whole,  and  cast 
aside,  when  no  longer  needed,  by  a  variety  of  ingenious  devices;  their 
mode  of  propagation  ;  utility  to  man  ;  and  indirect  agency  in  the  economy 
of  the  material  world  :  superadded,  the  names  of  illustrious  men  who  have 
made  them  their  study, — these,  and  other  circumstances  beside,  render  an 
accurate  knowledge  of  them  an  object  of  value  and  of  constant  interest. 

"  The  species  mentioned  in  this  paper  were  determined  from  specimens, 
VOL.  XII. — NO.  I.  5 


34  Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History. 

collected,  as  will  be  seen,  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston  ;  many  of  which  were 
presented  to  me  by  different  friends,  and  others  collected  by  myself.  Those 
about  which  I  entertained  doubts,  were  compared  with  authentic  American, 
British  and  European  specimens,  in  several  herbaria,  especially  in  rich  col- 
lections of  B.  D.  Greene,  to  whose  generosity  and  cooperation  I  am  most 
particularly  indebted.  For  their  systematic  arrangement,  I  have  mainly 
followed  the  Synopsis  of  Genera  adopted  by  Hooker  in  the  second  volume 
of  the  British  Flora,  Part  I." 

Mr.  Russell  enumerates  about  112  species,  though  doubt- 
less his  catalogue  will  receive  further  additions  on  more  ex- 
tended observations.  Of  these,  there  are  two  species  of 
Phdscum,  minute  and  almost  microscopic  mosses,  and  there- 
fore readily  overlooked,  or  if  seen,  as  it  were,  by  accident. 
Of  their  kindred,  in  diminutive  size,  the  Gymnostoma,  three 
species,  A  single  species  of  Splachnum,  (Spl.  ampullaceum) 
found  in  Great  Britain  also:  discovered  in  Essex  county  of  this 
State,  by  Mr.  Oakes.  Of  the  delicate  needle-shape  leaved 
WeissecE,  four  species;  of  Dicranum,  nine  species,  with  a  single 
species  of  Fissidens.  Of  the  beautiful  Brya,  thirteen  spe- 
cies— little  gems  of  mosses,  growing  in  almost  every  situa- 
tion :  on  roofs  of  houses,  by  the  road-side,  in  garden  walks, 
on  the  soil  of  plants  under  pot  culture,  beside  streams  of 
water,  and  in  swamps.  The  genus  Leskea  has  six  species 
enumerated ;  and  its  closely  kindred  genus,  Hypnum,  twenty- 
eight  species,  while  several  other  genera  are  represented  in 
considerable  numbers. 

The  beauty  of  the  mosses,  even  on  a  cursory  study,  or 
rapid  and  hasty  glance,  must  have  always  struck  those  who 
are  interested  in  floral  pursuits,  with  admiration ;  and  could 
they  be  cultivated  in  half  their  loveliness,  like  the  higher 
forms  of  flowerless  vegetation,  they  would  signalize  the  cul- 
turist.  The  nearest  approach  to  such  attention,  is  in  the 
rearing  of  the  pretty  trailing  Lycopodium  helveticum,  whose 
flat  leaf-stems  and  silvery  thread-like  rootlets,  make  a  charm- 
ing addition  to  those  various  species  of  tropical,  herbaceous 
ferns,  which  some  amateurs  delight  to  rear;  for  instance, 
Achrostichum  alcicorne,  with  species  of  Asplenium,  Pteris, 
and  the  like.  X. 


Domestic  Notices.  35 

Art.  II.     Repoj-t  of  the   Commissioner  of  Patents.     Thick 
pamphlet,  8vo.  pp.  448. 

The  Report  of  the  Commissioner  for  1844,  is  much  ex- 
tended in  the  AgriciiUiiral  Department,  and  20,000  copies 
were  ordered  to  be  printed  for  the  use  of  the  senate. 

The  disease  of  ihe  potato  occupies  several  pages,  and  all 
the  information  up  to  the  time  of  the  publication  of  the 
report  has  been  treasured  up.  The  production  of  madder, 
indigo,  sugar  from  corn-stalks,  potato  sugar,  &c.  the  applica- 
tion of  guano,  and  various  other  subjects,  all  useful  to  the 
agriculturist,  are  noticed  and  discussed  at  length;  indeed, 
the  report  comprises  a  great  deal  of  excellent  information, 
for  which  the  public  are  indebted  to  their  indefatigable  com- 
missioner, Mr.  Ellsworth. 


MISCELLANEOUS  INTELLIGENCE. 

Art.  I.     Domestic  Notices. 

A  Neiu  Scirpus. — "  A  remarkable  Sclrpus  has  been  discovered  this  sea- 
son, near  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  by  Mr.  Olney,  (the  author  of  a  Cata- 
logue of  Rhode  Island  plants,  1845). 

Scirpus  O'lneyi.  {n.  sp.  Asa  Gray).  This  species  is  most  allied  to  S. 
piingens  Vahl  (S.  americanus  Pers,)  from  which  it  is  especially  distin- 
guished by  its  remarkably  three-winged  stem.  The  reentering  angles  are 
so  deep,  that  the  cross  section  presents  the  appearance  of  three  rays  with 
parallel  sides,  joined  at  a  common  centre.  This  species  has  just  been  de- 
tected on  the  coast  of  New  Jersey  by  that  very  assiduous  botanist,  Dr. 
Kneiskern,  from  whose  specimens  I  have  added  the  characters  of  the  ache- 
nium  ;  as  the  fruit  has  failed  to  ripen  this  year  in  the  Rhode  Island  plant." 
Dr.  Asa  Gray,  in  the  Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History,  Vol.  V.,  No.  2, 
p.  238,  note. 

Miisd.  Cavendishii. — This  fine  species  is  growing  vigorously  in  the  garden 
of  D.  F.  Manice,  Esq.,  L.  I.,  and  produced  the  last  year  a  spike  of  fruit 
numbering  more  than  two  hundred.  The  extreme  height,  from  the  leaves 
to  the  soil,  is  9  feet,  the  girth  of  the  trunk  2  feet.  The  plant  is  growing 
in  a  large  tub  8  feet  in  girth  and  2  feet  high ;  the  soil  employed  is  loam 
and  dung  ;  it  has  been  freely  watered  with  liquid  guano.  Last  winter,  it 
was  kept  in  the  conservatory  where  the  thermometer  often  fell  as  low  as 
36°. — Yours,  R.  Parnell,  Oatlands,  Aug.  1845. 

Northampton  Agricultural,  Horticultural  and  Floricultural  Club. — A 
society  under  this  name  was  formed  in  Northampton  last  year,  the  objects 
of  which,  as  set  forth  in  the  constitution,  are  the  "  circulation  of  general 


36  Domestic  Notices. 

intelligence  and  practical  instruction  in  all  branches  of  Agriculture,  Horti- 
culture and  Floriculture."  These  are  to  be  effected  by  the  formation  of  a 
library,  the  establishment  of  a  correspondence  with  similar  associations, 
lectures,  discussions,  exhibitions,  &c.,  and  the  planting  of  shade  trees.  One 
article  of  the  by-laws  declares,  that  "  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  member  of 
the  club  annually  to  plant  at  least  one  tree  for  fruit  or  shade  " — an  excellent 
provision,  and  one  which  we  trust  wOl  be  carried  out.  Having  been  notified 
of  our  election  as  an  Honorary  Member,  we  have  ordered  our  magazine  to 
be  sent  to  the  club  for  one  year,  as  a  slight  contribution  to  the  library. — Ed. 

Hovey^s  Seedling  Strawberry. — I  believe  I  was  one  of  the  first  who  intro- 
duced the  Hovey's  seedling  into  our  town,  and  have  continued  to  cultivate 
it  quite  extensively  ever  since,  and,  after  having  tried  pretty  much  every 
other  variety  to  be  obtained  in  the  country,  have  come  to  the  conclusion, 
that  it,  and  the  Early  Scarlet,  are  really  the  only  two  kinds  worth  cultivat- 
ing ;  or,  in  other  words,  a  person  cultivating  the  two  kinds,  all  others  are 
valueless.  So,  if  the  Boston  Pine  should  come  any  where  near  the  stand- 
ard which  you  place  it  at,  it  will  be  well  calculated  to  take  the  place  of  the 
Early  Scarlet,  and  then  the  two  will  stand  preeminent  for  general  cultiva- 
tion of  any  varieties  known  here. — Yours,  G.  R.  Garretson,  Flushing,  L.  I. 
September,  1845. 

[Our  correspondent  has  only  to  try  the  Boston  Pine  to  prove  its  qualities, 
which  are  in  no  way  inferior  to  the  recommendation  we  gave  it  in  our  arti- 
cle (Vol.  XI.  p.  290).] 

The  Weather  in  Georgia  in  1845. — Part  of  the  following  article  from 
our  friend  and  correspondent,  we  intended  to  have  inserted  in  our  review  of 
the  weather  of  last  year,  in  the  first  article  of  this  number,  but  it  escaped 
your  attention  until  too  late  ;  as  we  are  sure  it  will  prove  interesting,  though 
written  some  time  ago,  we  insert  it  here  : — 

"  I  have  had  now  the  experience  of  about  ten  years  in  ascertaining  their 
character  in  this  climate,  and  can  report,  with  considerable  confidence,  with 
regard  to  several  sorts,  and  intended  to  prepare  a  short  article  for  your 
journal,  which  I  thought  would  be  useful  to  your  southern  patrons  about 
ordering  trees  from  northern  nurseries,  but  concluded  to  wait  till  I  could 
add  the  result  of  the  present  year.  This  year,  however,  has  been  so  re- 
markable, that  it  can  scarcely  be  regarded  as  affording  any  trustworthy  light 
upon  the  subject.  That  part  of  the  season  gone  by  is  unlike  any  thing 
experienced  here  within  the  last  thirty  years,  and  the  part  to  come  may 
prove  quite  as  remarkable.  The  last  winter  was  unusually  mild.  No 
snow,  few  cold  rains  ;  the  thermometer  but  a  few  times  as  low  as  20°. 
Fruit  trees  were  in  flower  ten  or  twelve  days  earlier  than  usual,  and  vege- 
tation was  advancing  like  that  of  a  Canadian  spring,  when  it  received,  on 
the  19th  of  March,  a  severe  check  by  three  sui  cessive  severe  frosty  morn- 
ings. On  the  22d,  the  thermometer  was  as  low  as  28°.  Beans,  Irish 
potatoes,  &c.,  killed  blank  to  the  ground,  and  a  Wistaria  Consequana  most 
magnificently  in  bloom,  was  a  sight  for  a  florist  to  weep  over.  My  entire 
crop  of  apricots,  some  of  which  were  as  large  as  chesnuts,  fell  to  the 
ground.  Not  one  escaped.  Peaches  suffered  considerably,  and  some  sorts 
vreie  cut  off,  but  in  general  they  were  so  protected  by  the  leaves,  those  of 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  37 

considerable  size,  that  the  injury  to  them  was  comparatively  trifling.  In- 
deed, my  trees  have  never  been  breaking  down  with  such  burdens  of  fruit 
as  at  this  moment,  though  in  general  of  small  size.  We  cannot  complain 
of  excessive  heat,  the  thermometer  only  once  so  high  as  92°,  and  only  a 
few  days  at  90°  ;  but  until  four  days  ago,  we  have  not  had  a  shower  suffi- 
cient to  wet  the  ground  one  inch  iu  depth  since  the  29th  of  March.  Springs 
and  wells  have  dried  up  which  were  never  known  to  fail  before,  and  a  large 
part  of  the  mills  in  the  country  stopped.  There  has  been  in  this  county 
about  half  a  crop  of  wheat,  but  of  excellent  quality.  The  oat  crop  is  re- 
garded as  a  total  failure,  many  turning  in  their  stock,  others  trying  to  glean 
as  much  as  will  serve  for  seed.  Early  planted  corn  is  almost  a  total  fail- 
ure. An  acquaintance  of  mine  has  bargained  his  chance  of  a  crop  on  136 
acres  for  fifty  barrels  ;  in  ordinary  seasons,  he  might  confidently  have  ex- 
pected 500.  But  I  forget  myself.  This  is  talk  for  a  farmer's  ear,  not  a 
gardener's.  We  began  to  eat  our  small,  earliest  peaches  on  the  25th  June. 
Golden  chasselas  grapes  are  already  ripe.  Black  Hamburgh,  Zinfindal, 
Devereux,  Miller's  Burgundy,  and  several  other  grapes,  are  coloring  beau- 
tifully ;  even  Isabella  are  turning  also.  Indeed,  I  never  yet  saw  such  a 
prospect  for  a  crop,  scarcely  a  specimen  of  the  usual  blast  on  Herbemonts, 
Madeira,  and  other  kinds,  which  have  commonly  suffered  most  from  that 
cause.  But,  my  dear  sirs,  what  shall  I  do  with  the  birds?  I  am  in  de- 
spair.— Yours,  M.  A.  W.,  Athens,  Ga.,  July,  1845. 


Art.  II.     Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Saturday,  December  6ih,  1845.  Exhibited. — Fruit  :  From  Joseph  Lovett, 
very  fine  specimens  of  Beurr6  d'Aremberg,  Glout  Morceau,  Winter  Nelis, 
Easter  Beurr6,  Lewis,  and  Passe  Colmar  of  the  second  crop  ;  also  fine 
Minister  apples. 

December  I3th. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day — 
the  President  in  the  chair. 

There  being  no  special  business  before  the  Society,  it  was  adjourned  two 
weeks,  to  December  27. 

December  21th. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day — 
the  President  in  the  chair. 

A  special  committee,  consisting  of  the  President,  Treasurer,  and  Hon. 
J.  S.  Cabot,  were  appointed  to  examine  the  Books  of  the  Mount  Auburn 
Cemetery,  and  receive  the  proper  proportion  of  the  Society's  receipts. 

Messrs.  C.  M.  Hovey,  Walker,  Breck,  Kingsbury,  and  Lovett,  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  advise  with  the  executive  committee,  on  the  appro- 
priation of  the  amount  to  be  awarded  for  premiums,  for  1846. 

A  committee,  consisting  of  the  President,  Recording  Secretary,  and  C. 
M.  Hovey,  were  appointed  to  prepare  tickets  of  admission  to  the  Society's 
exhibitions,  on  the  same  terms  as  in  1845. 

R.  Appleton,  Boston,  Andrew  Welhngton,  Lexington,  and  Edmund 
Smith,  Brighton,  were  admitted  members. 

Meeting  dissolved. 


38 


Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Art.  III.     Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Roots,  Tubers,  d^c. 


Potatoes,  new: 
Chenangoes, 

Common, 


i  per  barrel, 
{  per  bushel, 
\  per  barrel, 
'        ^perbusbel, 
c«o«.,«,*  S  per  barrel, 

^^^^P°^^' S  Per  bushel, 

Sweet,  per  bushel    .     .     . 
Turnips  :  per  bushel,  .     .     . 
Common,        .     .     . 
Ruia  Baga,    .     .     . 
Onions  : 
Red,  per  bunch,  .     . 
While,  per  bunch,    . 
White,  per  bushel, 
Yellow,  per  bush 
Beets,   per  bushel, 
Carrots,  per  bushel 


,  ^         ushel. 

Beets,   per  bushel, 
,  per  bushel 

Salsilj-, 
Horserc 
Garlic,  per  lb 


^«...-~a,  pel    iru^uci. 

Parsnips,  per  bushel,  . 
Salsilj-,  per  doz.  roots. 
Horseradish,  per  lb.    . 

dn  rl  IP    npr  1  h 


al. 


Cabbag-es,  Salads,  t^'c 

Cabbages,  per  doz.  : 

Savoy, 

Drumhead,  .  .  . 
Red  Dutch,  .  .  . 
Brocolis,  each,  .  .  . 
Cauliflowers,  each. 
Lettuce,  per  head,  .  . 
Spinach,  per  peck, 
Celery,  per  root,  .  . 
Cucumbers, (pickled)  pr.  £ 
Peppers,  (pickled)  per  ga 

Pnt  and  SiDcct  Herbs 
Parsley,  per  half  peck, 
Sage,  per  pound,     .     . 
Marjorum,  per  bunch. 
Savory,  per  liunch. 
Spearmint,  per  bunch, 

Squashes  and  Pumpkins. 

Squashes,  per  cvi't.: 
Canada  Orookneck, 
Winter  Crookneck, 
Autumnal  Marrow, 

Pumpkins,  each,     .     .     . 


From 

To 

^  cts. 

Sets. 

1  75 

2  00 

75 

1  00 

I  25 

1  50 

50 

— 

2  SO 

3  00 

1  00 

— 

25 

50 

37i 

50 

3 



3 

— 

1  00 

— 

50 

62^ 

62 

75 

50 

62.^ 

75 

— 

25 

— 

10 

1^4 

8 

10 

50 

75 

75 

1  00 

75 

1  00 

124 

20 

20 

25 

6 

10 

25 

— 

8 

12i 

25 

— 

37^ 

— 

50 



17 

20 

6 

12i 

6 

12 

3 

~ 

2  50 

3  00 

2  00 

— 

2  50 

3  00 

12i 

17 

Fruits. 


Apples,  dessert  and  cooking : 

f<  all  Greening,  per  bbl.     . 

Baldwin,  per  bhl.     .     .     . 

Russets  per  bbl.      .     .     . 

Blue  Pearniain,  per  bbl.     . 

Greenings,  per  bbl.       .     . 

N.  Y.  Pippins,  per  bbl.     . 

Common,  per  bbl.    .     .     . 

Danvers  Winter  Sweet,  per 
bbl I 

Nonsuch,  per  bbl.     .    . 

Spitzemberg,  per  bbl. 

Golden  Russet,  per  bbl. 

Hub.  Nonsuch,  per  bbl. 

Dried  Apples,  per  lb.     . 
Pears,  per  doz.  or  half  peck  : 

Winter   St.   Michael,    pei 
half  ppck, 

Passe  Colmar,  per  half  pk. 

St.  Gernain,  per  half  pk. 

Lewis,  i-er  half  peck,   .     . 

Messire  Jean,  per  half  pk. 

Beurre  Diel,  per  doz.    .     . 

Beurred'Aremberg,  prdoz. 

Le  Cure,  per  doz.    .     .     . 

Winter  Nelis,  per  doz. 

Baking,  per  bushel,  .  . 
Quinces,  per  bushel,  .  .  . 
(ilranherries,  per  bushel,  .  . 
Berberries,  per  bushel,  .  . 
Tomatoes,  per  peck,  .  .  . 
Watermelons,  each,  .  .  . 
Grapes,  (lorced,)  per  lb.  : 

Black  Hamburg,      .     .     . 

White  S.veetwater,.     .     . 

Isabella, 

Malagi, 

Oranges,  per  doz. 

St.' Michael's,      .    .    .    . 

Havana, 

Sicily,  

Ijcmons,  per  doz 

Pine  Apples,  each,  •  .  . 
Chestnuts,  per  bushel.  .  . 
Walnuts,  per  bushel,  .  .  . 
Cocoanuts,  per  hundred,  .  . 
Almonds,  per  lb 


From 
S  cts. 


To 

$  cts. 


00 
00 
50 
50 
50 
75 
50 

00 

00 

50    3  00 

50    3  00 

00  j3  50 
4  5 


I  75 


25 


20 

25 

20 

17 

12i 

00 

50 


75 
75 


2  50 
4  00 


30 
37 
25 
20 

25 

I   75 


Re-Marks. — December  has  been  an  unpleasant  month,  with  much  cloudy- 
weather,  but  little  snow  and  frequent  cold  rains,  without  severe  cold.  The 
minimum  range  of  the  thermometer  was  as  low  as  2  above  zero,  but  only 
for  two  or  three  nights.  The  severity  of  the  winter  seems  to  have  extended 
south  and  west,  snow  having  fallen  in  Tennessee,  and  severe  frost  expe- 
rienced in  Florida. 

Vegetables. — The  mild  weather  has  been  favorable  for  arrivals  of  potatoes 
and  a  supply  has  been  kept  up  since  our  last,  so  that  the  stock  on  hand  may 
be  said  to  be  full  as  heavy,   and  prices  less  firm,  though  we  make  no 


Horticultural  Memoranda.  39 

alterations  in  our  quotations.  Sweet  potatoes  have  advanced  considerably 
with  the  lateness  of  the  season.  Turnips  are  plentiful.  No  alteration  in 
onions,  although  the  stock  keeps  very  poorly.  Carrots  more  abundant. 
Since  our  last,  some  good  salsify  has  come  to  hand,  and  been  taken  at  our 
prices.  Horseradish  plentiful  and  excellent.  Cabbages  remain  the  same, 
with  the  exception  of  drumheads,  v.hich,  in  consequence  of  heavy  shipments, 
have  slightly  advanced.  Cauliflowers  scarce.  Lettuce,  well  supplied  and 
good.  Celery  abundant,  but  of  rather  poor  quality.  Spinach,  from  the 
mild  weather,  continues  abundant.  Parsley  rather  scarce.  Squashes  do 
not  keep  well,  and  in  consequence  there  has  been  a  further  advance  for 
those  of  good  quality. 

Fruit. — There  is  not  much  to  note  in  the  fruit  market ;  with  the  excep- 
tion of  Baldwins,  prices  remain  nearly  the  same  ;  but  the  former,  in  good 
condition,  command  our  highest  rates.  Some  of  the  kinds,  such  as  Blue 
Pearmains,  Golden  Russet  and  Spitzembergs,  are  nearly  gone.  Dried  apples 
scarce,  and  but  little  doing  in  the  article.  Pears  are  scarce,  and,  with  the 
exception  of  Baking,  are  only  to  be  found  in  very  small  lots  and  at  good 
prices.  Quinces  gone.  Cranberries  continue  scarce  and  in  good  demand. 
Tomatoes  gone.  Foreign  grapes  are  plentiful,  recent  arrivals  having  brought 
a  fresh  supply  of  good  quality.  Oranges  are  tolerably  plentiful  of  all  the 
varieties,  including  St.  Michael's  and  good  Havanas.  Lemons  abundant. 
Walnuts  lower.     In  other  nuts,  no  change. — Boston,  December  ZOth,  1845. 


HORTICULTURAL  MEMORANDA 


FOR    JANUARY. 


FRUIT    DEPARTMENT. 

Grape  Vines  will  now  be  at  rest,  except  in  early  forced  houses,  and  if 
pruning  has  been  finished,  will  not  need  any  more  care  until  the  latter  part 
of  February  or  March.  For  early  fruiting,  if  preparations  have  been  duly 
made,  now  is  the  time  to  commence,  if  fruit  is  wanted  in  June.  Vines  in 
pots  may  be  brought  forward  in  greenhouses,  and  some  very  early  fruit  ob- 
tained. 

Peach  trees  in  pots  may  now  be  brought  into  the  greenhouse  or  vinery, 
and  an  early  crop  obtained. 

Scions  may  be  cut  this  month,  and  placed  away  for  use  in  May.  Insert 
the  lower  ends  in  a  box  or  pot  of  earth. 

Orchards  may  bs  pruned  now,  where  there  is  a  large  number  of  trees,  so 
as  not  to  delay  spring-work. 


40  Horticultural  Memoranda. 


FLOWER   DEPARTMENT. 

Camellias  will  now  be  coming  into  full  bloom,  and  will  require  liberal  sup- 
plies of  water  at  the  roots,  and  occasional  syringing  over  the  foliage.  Prun- 
ing may  be  also  attended  to  now,  if  good  shaped  plants  are  wanted.  No 
plants  bear  the  knife  better  than  the  Camellia,  and  great  numbers  are  ruined 
for  not  being  properly  pruned.  If  good  seeds  are  wanted,  every  flower 
should  be  carefully  fertilized.  Seeds  should  be  planted  now.  Water  once 
a  fortnight  with  weak  guano. 

Dahlias  will  soon  need  attention,  if  many  plants  are  wanted.  Such  as  it 
is  intended  to  propagate  from,  should  now  be  potted. 

Roses  potted  in  October,  will  now  be  coming  forward  rapidly  ;  and  will 
soon  be  in  bloom  ;  give  plenty  of  moisture  at  the  roots,  and  syringe  every 
day  or  two  until  they  are  in  flower.  Fumigate  often  to  destroy  the  green 
fly.     Young  plants  should  be  re-potted. 

Fuchsias  will  soon  require  to  be  propagated,  if  good  specimens  are  want- 
ed ;  the  old  plants  may  be  headed  quite  down,  and  they  will  throw  up  a 
fine  strong  shoot,  and  make  good  plants. 

Heliotropes  should  now  be  re-potted. 

Verbenas  should  also  be  re-potted. 

Chinese  Primroses  will  need  to  be  shifted  into  larger  pots. 

Ericas  may  be  shifted  if  they  require  it. 

Schizanthuses  will  require  to  be  re-potted. 

Victoria  and  other  Stocks  should  be  re-potted. 

Pelargoniums  should  be  shifted  into  larger  pots,  if  fine  specimens  are 
wanted. 

Cinerarias  should  be  re-potted.     Seeds  may  be  planted  now. 

Achimenes  picia  and  other  sorts  may  be  now  started  into  growth,  if  early 
flowering  plants  are  wanted. 

Gloxinias  may  be  potted  now,  and  placed  in  hot-beds  or  a  warm  part  of 
the  greenhouse. 

Gesnera  Zebrina  may  be  potted  now  and  placed  in  a  hot-bed. 

Pansy,  10  Week  Stock,  and  other  annuals  may  be  sown  this  month  for 
early  flowering  in  the  open  ground. 

Azaleas  should  now  be  more  freely  watered. 

Greenhouse  plants  of  all  kinds  may  be  safely  propagated   at  this  season. 

Plants  in  frames  should  be  aired  when  the  weather  is  fine. 

VEGETABLE    DEPARTMENT. 

Hot-beds  should  be  made  up  the  latter  part  of  the  month,  as  Cucumbers, 
Tomatoes,  Egg  plants,  Lettuce,  &c.,  will  require  to  be  brought  forward. 
If  made  up  by  the  middle  of  the  month,  they  will  be  ready  for  sowing  the 
seed  by  February. 


THE  MAGAZINE 


O  F 


HORTICULTURE- 


FEBRUARY,  1846. 

ORIGINAL   COMMUNICATIONS. 

Art.  I.  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour  through  part  of 
England^  Scotland  and  France,  in  the  autumn  of  1844. 
By  the  Editor. 

(^Contmued  from  page  16.) 

Bagshot  Nursery,  Messrs.  Water er,  Oct. .  Ath. — By  day- 
break, in  the  morning,  in  company  with  Mr.  Godfrey,  of  the 
Knap  Hill  Nursery,  who  kindly  offered  to  accompany  us, 
we  started  off  for  Bagshot,  distant  about  five  miles.  The 
morning  was  cool  for  the  season,  though  clear  and  pleasant, 
and  gave  promise  of  a  beautiful  day.  After  a  delightful 
morning  ride,  we  reached  Bagshot,  just  in  season  to  take  break- 
fast with  one  of  the  Messrs.  Waterer,  who  superintends  the  nur- 
sery at  this  place.  Breakfast  being  over,  we  walked  through 
the  nursery,  and  noted  down  what  we  saw  most  interesting. 
The  grounds  occupy  forty  or  fifty  acres,  and  slope  away 
rather  abruptly  from  the  road  to  the  south ;  the  lower  portion 
being  a  deep  sandy  peat,  finely  adapted  to  the  growth  of  all 
kinds  of  ericaceous  plants.  The  principal  walks  are  laid  out 
at  right  angles,  and  most  of  them  are  lined  with  hedges  of 
the  American  arborvitas  so  that  the  squares  are  entirely 
screened  from  the  walks  :  these  not  only  serve  to  break  heavy 
winds,  but  as  the  squares  are  small  they  also  serve  to  protect 
the  plants  in  a  great  measure  from  the  noonday  sun.  They 
are  planted  closely  together,  but  not  clipped  only  on  the 
sides,  so  that  they  form  a  neat  hedge,  six  or  seven  feet  high, 
and  about  fifteen  inches  through.  One  long  walk,  leading 
from  the  house  to  the  bottom  of  the  grounds,  is  bordered  on 

VOL.  XII. NO.  11.  6 


42  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour. 

each  side  with  a  row  of  cedar  of  Lebanon,  each  tree  about 
eight  feet  high,  and  well  shaped. 

Immense  quantities  of  azaleas,  kalmias,  ledums,  androme- 
das,  ericas,  &c.,  are  grown  here;  and  the  vigor  and  healthi- 
ness of  the  plants,  at  once  denoted  the  suitableness  of  the 
soil  to  these  plants.  They  are  all  grown  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  at  Knap  Hill,  that  is,  in  small  beds,  four  feet  wide, 
and  the  plants  are  removed  every  year  until  they  acquire 
such  a  mass  of  roots  as  to  transplant  without  the  least  dan- 
ger of  loss.  Several  beds  of  the  native  heaths  delighted  us 
with  their  vigor,  and  the  brilliancy  of  their  flowers,  thus 
showing  how  much  cultivation  will  add  to  the  most  common 
and  neglected  plants.  £'rica  vulgaris  dlba  plena,  variegata, 
&c.,  were  all  in  full  bloom.  Beds  of  andromedas,  among 
which  were  A.  speciosa  and  Catesbii,  and  of  the  pretty  Le- 
dum  thymifolium,  Ka!m?'a  angustifolia  rubra,  glauca,  and 
immense  quantities  of  latifolia.  Two  fine  azaleas,  called 
Taylor's  red  and  nosegay,  of  very  free  flowering,  and  dwarf 
habit,  are  grown  by  the  thousand,  for  the  purpose  of  potting 
and  forcing. 

Among  the  miscellaneous  shrubs,  we  noticed  the  Berberis 
purpurea,  with  deep,  purple  foliage,  very  singular  and  beau- 
ful.  Pyrus  japonica  we  here  saw  grown  as  a  standard,  trained 
up  to  a  stake,  about  five  feet  high,  and  with  a  compact  head, 
very  ornamental.  Godsall's  weeping  larch,  a  new  variety,  we 
saw  here  also  cultivated  as  a  standard,  and  very  singular  in  its 
appearance.  Two  years  since,  we  imported  this  variety,  at 
considerable  expense,  but  did  not  succeed  in  saving  the  plant. 
The  double  bramble  is  a  very  pretty  shrub,  and  should  find 
a  place  in  every  garden. 

The  collection  of  herbaceous  plants,  both  here  and  at 
Knap  Hill,  is  extensive,  and  contains  all  the  choice  kinds 
in  cultivation. 

Bagshot  Park,  the  Duchess  of  Gloucester. — Bagshot  Park 
is  the  residence  of  the  Duchess  of  Gloucester,  and  is  one  of 
the  finest  places  near  London.  Its  extent  is  not  large,  and 
the  situation  is  level,  with  no  surrounding  prospect,  but  the 
grounds  are  well  laid  out,  and  judiciously  arranged;  and  the 
flower  garden  is  highly  interesting  from  the  profusion  of  its 
flower  beds,  and  more  particularly  for  its  rustic  arbors,  moss 


Bagshot  Park.  43 

houses,  &c.  We  reached  here  about  ten  o'clock,  but  unfor- 
tunately did  not  find  Mr.  Toward,  the  excellent  gardener,  at 
home. 

The  great  peculiarities  of  Bagshot  Park  are  the  grouping 
and  arrangement  of  the  flower  garden  so  as  to  comprise  a 
great  deal  in  a  moderate  extent  of  surface.  The  soil,  like 
that  already  mentioned  at  Bagshot  and  Knap  Hill,  is  a  loose, 
black,  sandy  peat,  termed  very  poor,  but  admirably  adapted 
to  the  cultivation  of  American  plants,  which  thrive  with  the 
greatest  vigor;  indeed,  so  suitable  is  the  soil  to  the  rhodo- 
dendron, that  thousands  of  plants  spring  up  from  self-sown 
seeds,  and  they  are  yearly  distributed  through  the  grounds  as 
underwood,  in  the  place  of  laurels.  The  choicer  and  more 
select  rhododendrons  are  taken  up  every  few  years,  the  soil 
renewed  and  trenched,  and  then  planted  out  again. 

The  walks  are  circuitous  and  numerous,  and  being  some- 
what in  haste  to  reach  Windsor  before  night,  we  hurried  on 
faster  than  the  many  interesting  objects  would  allow,  if  we 
intended  to  do  them  full  justice.  We  first  looked  into  a  small 
greenhouse,  in  which  we  found  a  variety  of  interesting  plants, 
more  particularly  fuchsias,  of  which  we  noticed  a  specimen 
of  formosa  elegans,  six  feet  high,  the  cutting  from  which  it 
grew  being  rooted  in  March;  a  remarkably  luxuriant  growth. 
We  saw  here,  also,  a  fine  large  specimen  of  Miller's  petunia 
punctata,  but  it  did  not  come  up  to  our  expectations  of  a 
spotted  flower;  the  spots  seeming  more  like  the  discolora- 
tions  of  a  faded  bloom,  than  distinct  spots  of  a  freshly  opened 
flovv^er.  In  front  of  this  greenhouse  was  a  group  of  beds  on 
turf,  planted  with  scarlet  geraniums,  fuchsias,  salvias,  petu- 
nias, verbenas,  &c.,  &c.,  also  baskets  of  wire  work  filled  with 
the  same  plants ;  the  effect  of  these  was  beautiful  in  the  ex- 
treme. The  fuchsias  and  scarlet  geraniums  were  exceedingly 
brilliant  and  showy.  Proceeding  on,  we  arrived  at  the  her- 
baceous flower  garden,  planted  in  beds,  with  box  edgings, 
and  grave]  walks ;  a  neat  arrangement ;  and  opposite  to  the 
side  from  the  walk,  a  neat  rustic  arbor,  designed  and  exe- 
cuted under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Toward,  the  whole  being 
made  of  small  branches  inlaid  in  diamond,  square,  or  other 
forms,  so  as  to  create  a  rustic  appearance. 

Continuing  on,  we  arrived  at  the  mansion,  which  is  an  or- 


44  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour. 

dinary  building,  with  nothing  to  commend  it  to  notice,  stand- 
ing on  a  flat  surface,  but  with  some  remarkable  specimens  of 
trees.  A  small  conservatory  is  attached  to  the  house,  and  in 
this  we  noticed  a  superb  large  white  camellia,  and  a  scarlet 
geranium,  called  Preeminent,  covered  with  a  profusion  of 
flowers.  The  large  trees,  looking  from  the  lawn  front,  are  a 
silver  fir,  upwards  of  one  hundred  feet  high,  and  highly  pic- 
turesque in  its  form  and  outline.  Three  noble  cedars  of 
Lebanon,  more  than  seventy  feet  high,  with  their  horizontal 
branches  reaching  to  the  ground ;  one  of  the  finest  specimens 
of  our  beautiful  hemlock  which  we  saw  in  England,  upwards 
of  twenty-five  feet ;  it  is  rare  to  see  a  well  grown  tree,  the 
climate  being  too  humid;  a  gigantic  beech,  spreading  one 
hundred  feet,  and  many  other  equally  interesting  trees. 
Turning  to  the  right,  we  passed  the  rosary,  which  is  formed 
of  groups  of  beds  on  turf,  with  a  rustic  dome  in  the  centre. 
On  the  opposite  side  of  the  walk,  near  the  rosary,  are  placed  a 
number  of  rustic  vases  and  boxes,  filled  with  fancy  pelargo- 
niums, and  highly  beautiful. 

The  American  garden  is  filled  with  rhododendrons,  aza- 
leas, andromedas,  &c.,  planted  in  groups  on  turf,  and  orna- 
mented with  one  or  two  rustic  arbors  or  seats.  Near  it  there 
is  a  fine  specimen  of  the  Deodar  cedar,  twelve  feet  high,  and 
an  Irish  juniper,  ten  feet.  The  American  garden  is  over- 
looked by  a  terrace,  which  leads  to  a  handsomely  constructed 
moss  house.  There  is  also  a  Dutch  flower  garden,  with 
gravel  walks,  and  twenty-four  beds  on  turf,  which  are  plant- 
ed with  the  choicest  florists  flowers.  A  reserve  garden,  of 
some  extent,  keeps  up  the  great  display,  which  is  the  great 
feature  of  the  flower  gardens  at  this  place.  The  whole 
grounds  we  found  in  the  highest  keeping,  and  we  only  re- 
gretted that  we  had  not  the  pleasure  of  forming  an  acquaint- 
ance with  the  head  gardener,  Mr.  Toward,  who  is  a  worthy 
and  most  intelligent  man. 

Dropmoj-e,  Lady  Gi'eiiville. — Dropmore  has  long  been  re- 
markable for  its  pinetum,  or  fine  collection  of  pines,  and  also 
for  its  flower  garden.  The  situation  is  picturesque  and 
woody,  and  from  the  lawn  front  a  fine  prospect  is  obtained 
of  Windsor  Castle  and  Windsor  Forest.  Arriving  from  Bag- 
shot,  after  a  long  morning  ride,  we  put  up  at  the  Inn  near 


Bagshot  Park.  45 

by,  and,  taking  a  private  walk  through  part  of  the  pleasure 
ground,  reached  the  garden  by  a  nearer  route  than  the  main 
entrance,  where  we  found  the  gardener,  Mr.  Frost,  who 
accompanied  in  our  hasty  ramble  throughout  the  grounds, 
pointing  out  to  us  every  thing  interesting  or  worthy  of  notice. 

The  flower  garden  is  one  of  the  prettiest  of  its  kind,  a  copy 
of  which  may  be  seen  in  Downing's  Landscape  Gardening, 
p.  501.  It  forms  a  line  with  the  front  of  the  house,  and  was 
planted  with  all  the  showiest  annuals,  verbenas,  heliotropes, 
scarlet  geraniums,  petunias,  &c.  In  some  of  the  circular 
beds  wc  saw,  for  the  first  time,  Mesembryanthemum  tricolor, 
a  beautiful  annual,  with  thick  fleshy  foliage,  and  very  large 
rosy  flowers,  with  a  yellow  and  white  centre ;  other  beds  of 
Oenothera  macrocirpa,  very  handsome,  with  its  large  yel- 
low flowers ;  Nierembergia  filicaulis,  and  a  new  anagallis 
(A.  MarryattM.)  The  great  beauty  of  this  garden,  and 
which  has  commended  it  to  notice,  is  the  effect  produced  by 
planting  in  masses,  and  the  distribution  of  a  great  number 
of  architectural  vases,  statues,  &c.  The  conservatories  and 
hot-houses  open  upon  a  broad  walk  bordering  the  flower 
garden,  and  Mr.  Frost  was  just  commencing  to  take  in  the 
plants.  The  collection  contains  some  fine  large  plants,  and 
a  variety  of  new  azaleas,  originated  by  Mr.  Frost  from  seed, 
and  said  to  be  very  beautiful.  Oxalis  Bowiei  was  producing 
a  great  number  of  its  fine  rosy  blossoms.  In  the  hothouse, 
Gesnera  zebrina,  which  was  then  new  to  us,  was  exceed- 
ingly showy.  In  the  grape  house,  we  saw  the  true  Black 
Prince,  St.  Peters,  and  other  varieties  of  grapes. 

Leaving  the  flower  garden,  we  took  a  circuitous  walk  over 
the  lawn  and  through  the  pleasure  ground,  where  we  saw 
that  which  was  most  interesting  to  us ;  a  great  variety  of 
hardy  trees  and  shrubs,  and  particularly  various  species  of 
pines,  which  have,  from  time  to  time,  been  added  to  the  col- 
lection since  it  was  first  commenced,  about  fifty  years  ago. 
These  contain  nearly  all  the  IMexican,  Californian,  Columbia 
River,  and  Himalayan  species,  which  have  been  introduced 
and  which  Mr.  Frost,  under  the  direction  of  Lady  Grenville, 
has  planted  out  with  a  view  to  acclimatize  them,  if  practica- 
ble ;  and  we  saw  in  various  parts  of  the  grounds,  which  are 
admirably  adapted  to  this  object,  from  their  thickly  wooded 


46  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour. 

character,  elevated  situation  and  sheltered  aspect,  numerous 
recently  introduced  species,  which  Mr.  Frost  had  nursed 
along  by  means  of  protection  in  winter,  keeping  off  heavy 
rains,  mostly  in  good  health  and  thriving  condition.  And, 
as  results  of  attempts  of  this  kind,  we  might  notice  the  grand 
Chili  pine,  (Araucaria  imbricata,)  which  was  formerly  consid- 
ered as  a  greenhouse  plant,  and  when  first  planted,  in  1822, 
at  Dropmore,  was  protected  in  this  way  for  several  seasons ; 
the  specimen  is  now  one  of  the  finest  in  Britain,  being  up- 
wards of  thirty  feet  high^  clothed  with  its  rigid  leaves  to  the 
ground,  and  altogether  one  of  the  most  imposing  trees  among 
the  Coniferous  tribe.  This  tree  is  undoubtedly  hardy  in 
the  climate  of  Philadelphia,  and  further  south,  and  we  shall 
not  be  satisfied  that  it  is  not  hardy  even  as  far  north  as 
Boston,  planted  in  dry  soil,  a  sheltered  situation,  and  protected 
till  it  has  acquired  some  size.  The  protection  alluded  to  is  a 
kind  of  bee-hive  shaped  frame,  made  of  any  kind  of  green 
wood  which  can  be  bent  into  shape;  over  these  are  stretched 
matts  of  two  thicknesses,  having  betioeen  them  a  layer  of 
fern,  (or,  what  might  be  used  in  its  place  with  us,^where  that 
could  not  be  procured,  dry  moss,)  about  six  inches  thick, 
with  also  a  covering  of  the  same  over  the  roots.  We  have 
protected  a  Deodar  cedar  something  in  this  way  the  present 
winter,  in  order  to  test  its  hardness. 

Besides  the  Araucaria,  there  is  the  finest  A'^bies  Dougldsii 
in  England,  that  noble  species  discovered  by  Douglas,  near 
the  Columbia  River,  and  introduced  by  the  London  Horti- 
cultural Society,  in  1826,  when  plants  were  raised  from  seeds 
received  from  Mr.  Douglas.  The  tree  is  upwards  oi  forty 
feet  high,  and  bore  one  cone  for  the  first  time,  in  1835,  and  in 
1837,  upwards  of  a  dozen.  In  1843,  it  bore  a  quantity,  but 
at  the  time  of  our  visit,  it  had  none  upon  it.  Mr.  Frost  kind- 
ly promised  to  send  us  several  of  the  seeds  when  it  again  pro- 
duced a  crop  of  cones.  There  is  no  doubt  of  its  hardness  in 
our  climate.  There  were  also  fine  trees  of  Picea  Webbid^ia 
and  Pinus  insignis,  the  former  twenty  feet,  and  the  latter 
fifteen  feet  high,  both  superb  specimens.  P.  insignis  is  anoth- 
er of  Douglas's  discoveries  in  California,  and  first  sent  to 
England  in  1833.  It  is  no  doubt  sufficiently  hardy  to  stand 
the  climate  south  of  Philadelphia,  and  perhaps  even  the  lati- 


I  1 


Uniform  Nomenclature  of  Fruits.  47 

tude  of  Boston,  if  protected  for  a  few  years.  Picea  Webb- 
iana  is  a  native  of  Himalaya,  and  a  splendid  tree,  allied 
to  the  silver  firs,  and  about  of  the  same  hardness  as  the  com- 
mon silver  fir :  the  tree  at  Dropmore,  is  the  largest  in  Eng- 
land, These,  with  many  others,  are  pines  and  firs  which 
are  deserving  of  every  attempt  at  acclimization  with  us,  and 
we  trust  we  have  sufiiciently  spoken  in  their  praise,  after  an 
inspection  of  several  specimens,  to  induce  nurserymen,  as 
well  as  gentlemen,  possessing  ornamental  plantations,  to  add 
these  noble  objects  of  vegetation  to  our  pleasure  grounds. 
The  Deodar  cedar  here  is  not  so  large  as  some  we  have  al- 
ready noticed. 

One  great  feature  of  Dropmore,  is  an  avenue  of  the  Cedar  of 
Lebanon,  each  forty  feet  high,  planted  out  twenty  feet  apart, 
and  extending  nearly  half  a  mile ;  the  branches  just  begin 
to  assume  the  horizontal  appearance  which  stamps  the  noble 
character  of  this  tree,  and  in  a  few  years  this  avenue  must 
excel  any  thing  of  the  kind  in  England.  Many  other  species 
of  pines  might  be  mentioned,  which  are  growing  in  various 
parts  of  the  grounds,  but  we  have  already  extended  our  no- 
tice of  this  fine  place  beyjond  our  limits.  Late  at  noon  we 
started  olF  for  Maidenhead,  the  road  to  which  lies  through 
a  thickly  and  richly  wooded  country,  with  occasional 
views  of  the  distant  Thames,  and  we  arrived  there  in  sea- 
son for  a  late  dinner,  previous  to  our  ride  to  Windsor. 
(  To  be  continued.^     • 


Art.  II.  Remarks  on  the  im,portance  of  an  uniform,  Nomen- 
clature of  Fruits ;  loiih  a  few  preparatory  observations 
upon  the  m,is conceptions  entertained  by  many  of  Downing^ s 
Fruits  and  Fruit  Trees  of  America^  as  attributable,  in  part, 
to  the  author'' s  objectionable  and  imperfect  statement  of  its 
design.     By  T.  S.  Humrickhouse,  Coshocton,  Ohio. 

A  LAUDABLE  Spirit  of  inquiry  and  interest  upon  the  subject 
of  fruits  and  fruit  trees,  appears  to  be  just  now  more  widely 
felt,  than  at  any  former  period  in  the  history  of  Pomological 
efibrt,  whether  we  refer  to  the  present  or  to  past  ages.     The 


48  Uniform  Nomeiiclature  of  Fruits. 

publication  of  Mr.  Downing's  work,  though  far  from  being 
in  itself  all  that  could  be  wished,  has  yet  been  exceedingly 
well  timed ;  and,  by  reason  of  the  more  extensive  circulation 
it  has  thereby  obtained,  will  contribute  much  still  further  to 
awaken  public  attention  to  this  attractive  study.  From 
being  the  latest,  it  is  doubtless  rendered,  in  many  respects, 
the  most  complete  publication  that  has  yet  appeared,  par- 
ticularly in  iis  adaptation  to  this  country,  and  in  the  large 
amount  of  useful  information  it  will  supply  to  those — no 
inconsiderable  a  number — to  whom  previous  sources  were 
unknown  or  inaccessible. 

It  is  much  to  be  feared,  however,  that  justice  has  some- 
times been  lost  sight  of,  in  the  laudations  bestowed  upon 
this  work ;  and  that  the  author  himself  has  not  unfrequently 
forgotten  the  obligations  he  is  under  to  others,  his  precursors 
in  the  same  walk.  "  Honor  to  whom  honor,  tribute  to  whom 
tribute,"  is  a  law  that  cannot  be  dispensed  with  here  any 
more  than  in  religious  observances.  He  has  no  where,  as  I 
can  see.  suitably  acknowledged,  that  he  has  derived  assist- 
ance from  Keurick  or  from  Prince ;  and  yet  both  are  authors, 
from  whom,  it  is  apparent,  that  \\e  has  drawn  as  largely  as 
from  any  others.  In  many  of  his  chapters,  he  travels  over 
nearly  the  same  ground,  and  in  much  the  same  manner  with 
the  former ;  whilst,  where  he  happens  to  difier  from  him  in 
opinion,  his  style  and  language  are  imbued  with  a  degree  of 
asperity  more  commendable  to  have  been  avoided.  And, 
though  he  may  not  have  precisely  followed  the  latter  in  his 
descriptions  of  many  varieties  of  fruits,  I  am  forcibly  re- 
minded, that  he,  in  common  with  the  country  at  large,  is 
indebted  to  Prince — father  and  son — for  the  possession  of 
some  of  the  most  valuable  of  them.  Let  us  always  respect 
the  hand  that  guides  us,  since  we  all  must  have  had  our  pre- 
ceptors. 

Indiscriminate  praise  is  as  much  to  be  avoided  as  indis- 
criminate censure.  Downing,  like  a  victorious  general,  has 
carried  all  before  him.  To  the  apprehension  of  many,  he 
seems  to  have  swept,  at  one  blow,  all  that  has  resulted  from 
the  labors  of  others  for  years  and  years,  and  which  they  had 
given  to  the  public,  out  of  existence  and  into  utter  annihila- 
tion.    I  have  lately  seen  the  "  Drap  D'or  of  Coxe  and  Ro- 


Uniform  Nomenclature  of  Fruits.  49 

nald,''^  long  a  favorite  apple  with  cultivators,  alluded  to 
by  a  correspondent  of  the  Western  Reserve  Magazine  of 
Agriculture  and  Horticulture  as  "  Downing's  Drap  D'or." 
Downing,  indeed,  professes  to  have  identified  this  with  the 
"  Vrai  Drap  D'or  "  of  the  old  Duhamel;  but  he  has  nowhere 
asserted  the  paternity  or  property  of  it,  either  as  having  pro- 
duced, for  that  would  be  absurd,  or  as  having  first  described 
or  introduced  it  to  notice ;  and  that  he  is  even  correct  in 
supposing  it  to  be  the  "  Vrai  Drap  D'or"  is  extremely  prob- 
lematical as  might  possibly  be  shown  upon  occasion.  To 
call  it  his,  then,  is  such  a  violation  of  propriety  as  ought  not 
to  be  permitted  to  pass  unnoticed.  No :  it  is  rather  to  be 
characterized  as  abject  flattery.  Coxe  and  the  earlier  writers 
are  not  to  be  thus  deprived  of  the  credit  that  is  due  them,  of 
having  been  acquainted  with  and  of  having  accurately  des- 
cribed this  fruit.  The  palm  is  theirs  and  not  Downing's, 
until  it  is  shown,  by  testimony  sufficiently  satisfactory,  to 
belong  to  him. 

The  merit  of  a  work  must  depend  greatly  upon  its  object, 
and  upon  what  it  professes  to  be.  Both  the  one  and  the 
other  of  these  must  be  sadly  misapprehended,  by  those  who 
are  so  indiscriminate  in  their  praises,  in  the  case  of  the  work 
before  us,  or  it  is  liable  to  much  graver  censure  than  it  has 
yet  been  thought  to  deserve.  If  we  look  to  the  author  him- 
self for  a  statement  of  what  those  objects  have  been,  it  will 
be  found  on  page  vi.  of  his  preface. 

"  The  first  object  then,  of  this  work  is  to  increase  the  taste 
for  the  planting  and  cultivation  of  fruit  trees.  The  second 
one  is  to  furnish  a  manual  for  those  who,  already  more  or 
less  informed  upon  ihe  subject,  desire  some  work  of  reference 
to  guide  them  in  the  operations  of  culture,  and  in  the  selec- 
tion of  varieties." 

It  is  worthy  of  remark  that,  in  thus  stating  his  object,  no 
notice  is  taken  of  the  fact,  that  others  had  occupied  the  field 
before  him ;  nor  is  it  given  us,  as  any  part  of  his  design,  to 
supply  their  defects,  by  collecting  and  communicating  to  the 
public  an  increased  amount  of  information,  the  result  of 
recent  labors  and  experience.  One  would  suppose,  indeed, 
that  a  gap — an  absolute  want — of  a  "manual"  and  "work  of 
reference"  existed,  and  that  he  is  the  first  and  only  one  who 

VOL.  xn. — NO.  n.  7 


50  Uniform  Nomenclature  of  Fruits. 

ever  conceived  the  idea  of  supplying  it.  Charity,  it  must  be 
said,  impels  us  to  attribute  this  omission  to  accident  and 
oversight,  rather  than  to  any  deliberate  intention.  Such 
intention  seems,  moreover,  to  a  degree  incompatible  with  the 
disclosures  every  where  contained  in- the  subsequent  pages  of 
the  work.  This  branch  of  the  subject  cannot,  however,  be 
dismissed  until  something  further  be  said,  for  the  benefit  of 
those  who  blindly  follow  their  ''one  idea"  wherever  it  may 
lead. 

He  who  writes  for  the  learned,  upon  any  subject,  will  find 
his  labor  very  much  abridged  in  its  extent  and  scope ;  but  he 
will,  at  the  same  time,  find  the  difficulties  to  be  encountered 
very  much  enhanced  by  the  necessity  he  has  imposed  upon 
himself,  of  communicating  only  that  which  is  new.  What 
others,  who  have  preceded  him  in  the  same  field,  have  fully 
treated  of,  is  a  common  fund  already  in  the  possession  of 
those  for  whom  he  writes.  If  he  would  add  to  it,  it  must 
be  from  his  own  peculiar  resources.  He  cannot  contribute 
what  is  already  there.  He  is  limited  to  those  facts,  in  his 
experience,  which  have  escaped  the  observation  of  others — 
which  they  have  lacked  the  means,  the  opportunity,  or  the 
ability  of  discovering;  to  shedding  greater  light  upon  that 
which  they  have  failed  sufficiently  to  elucidate  ;  to  demon- 
strating that  to  be  true  which  before  had  only  been  surmised 
as  probable,  and  the  converse  thereof;  to  demonstrating  that 
to  be  groundless  which  before  had  been  advanced  as  true. 
Such  an  one  aspires  to  be  an  author,  and  his  work  must  be 
original.  He  cannot  attain  the  character  by  merely  drawing 
from  the  writings  of  others,  however  useful,  as  a  compila- 
tion, his  work  might  be ;  nor  however  different  the  arrange- 
ment and  superior  the  style  and  language  employed,  if  the 
facts  and  opinions  be  the  same. 

Let  the  inquiry  be  but  made  :  How  much  has  the  author 
added  that  is  new?  how  much  contributed  to  what  before 
was  known  from  his  own  peculiar  resources?  and  it  will  be 
seen  at  once,  that  whatever  claims  may  be  set  up  for  The 
Fruits  and  Fruit  Trees  of  America.,  it  is  not  purely  an  origi- 
nal work.  Its  author  never  could  have  regarded  it  as  such. 
Useful,  undoubtedly,  it  has  been,  and  will  continue  to  be. 
This  meed  of  praise  has  been  already  freely  awarded   it. 


Uniform  Nomenclature  of  Fruits.  51 

But,  that  he  has  resorted  to  the  common  fountains  and  drawn 
largely  from  them  is  impossible  to  be  concealed  or  to  be  kept 
out  of  view.  He  himself  has  acknowledged  that  he  has 
done  so,  not  indeed  to  the  full  extent  he  ought. 

Pomology  is  yet  in  its  infancy  in  the  United  States.  Pro- 
gress in  this,  as  in  the  arts  and  sciences  generally,  is  the 
great  distinguishing  feature  of  the  age.  Improvements  and 
new  discoveries  are  yearly  if  not  daily  elicited.  Large  ac- 
cessions are  continually  making  to  the  number  of  our  varie- 
ties of  fruits  in  cultivation.  The  time  has  not  yet  come, 
nay,  the  better  opinion  perhaps  is,  that  it  will  never  arrive, 
when  a  complete  work,  embracing  all  that  can  be  attained, 
with  accurate  descriptions  of  every  sort,  may  be  produced 
and  published.  Of  this,  the  author  of  The  Fruits  and  Fruit 
Trees  of  America  could  not  but  be  sensible.  Something  on 
this  score,  as  well  as  the  "  great  accumulation  of  names," 
ought  therefore  to  have  been  taken  into  his  account,  as  con- 
tributing no  little  to  "the  impossibility  of  making  a  work 
like  this  perfect,"  (preface,  page  vii.) 

Imperfect  then,  since  it  is  admitted,  for  whatever  reason, 
the  work  necessarily  is,  it  follows,  that  the  errors  it  contains 
are  circulated  as  widely  as  the  truths ;  and  if  the  former  are 
left  without  an  antidote,  they  must  go  on  advancing  pari 
passu  with  the  latter.  Hence  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  some 
one,  competent  to  the  task,  has  not  before  now  under- 
taken an  extended  review  of  it.  No  more  eligible  mode  pre- 
sents itself,  by  which  all  that  is  objectionable  and  all  that  is 
useful  in  the  book  could  be  at  once  exhibited  with  appropri- 
ate commendation  or  disapproval.  Confidence  on  the  one 
hand  and  caution  on  the  other  would  be  impressed  upon  the 
mind,  where  individual  experience  does  not  reach  to,  and 
concur  with,  the  conclusions  of  the  author.  Should  such  a 
task  yet  be  attempted,  to  no  place  can  we  look,  for  a  person 
possessing  the  requisite  qualifications,  leisure,  opportunities 
and  impartiality,  with  so  much  propriety,  as  to  your  city  of 
Boston,  among  those  accomplished  amateurs,  by  whom  the 
Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society  is  sustained  and  adorned. 

A  subject  of  much  difficulty,  before  incidentally  alluded 
to,  and  in  reference  to  which,  by  common  consent,  something 
definite  ought  to  be  determined  on,  remains  to  be  considered.. 


52  Uniform  Nomenclature  of  Fruits. 

"  Embarrassing"  it  undoubtedly  is,  but  not  the  less  therefore 
to  be  grappled  with,  and  if  possible  mastered.  Downing 
has  duly  appreciated  the  importance  of  a  correct  nomencla- 
ture. "It  is  at  once  apparent,"  says  he,  "that  one  of  the 
chief  points  of  value  of  a  book  like  this,  lies  in  the  accuracy 
with  which  these  synonymous  names*  are  given — "  (preface, 
page  viii.)  His  efforts  to  arrive  at  it  are  far  from  having 
been  successful. 

We  may  well  deplore  the  confusion  arising  from  the  almost 
endless  diversity  of  names  by  Avhich  the  same  fruit  is  often 
known  and  cultivated;  and  the  scarcely  to  be  less  deprecated 
uncertainty,  growing  out  of  the  fact,  that  many  different 
sorts,  sometimes  assimilating  to,  at  others  greatly  varying 
from  the  true  kind,  are  propagated  under  the  name  of  an 
approved  and  established  variety.  The  evil  is  one  which  all 
feel,  and  for  which  all  desire  to  find  a  remedy.  Its  origin,  in 
most  cases,  must  doubtless  be  attributed  to  accident  or  care- 
lessness in  those  who  are  instrumental  in  bringing  forward 
old  kinds  under  new  names,  or  spurious  kinds  under  old 
names ;  but  it  must  also  be  admitted,  that  frauds  have  been 
not  unfrequently  perpetrated  in  this  way,  by  unprincipled 
nurserymen,  with  the  design  to  increase  their  profits.  The 
evil  is,  moreover,  oftentimes  increased  in  the  attempt  to 
remedy  it,  and  the  efibrts  of  those  best  qualified  to  decide 
marred,  by  the  injudicious  interference  of  persons  new  to  the 
pursuit,  who,  before  they  have  attained  a  sufficient  acquaint- 
ance with  varieties,  instead  of  waiting  till  they  can  pass  a 
reliable  judgment,  founded  upon  actual  inspection  of  fruits, 
jump  at  their  conclusions,  adopt,  and  the  press  being  open  to 
them,  promulgate  opinions,  which  at  last  only  rest  upon  their 
own  mere  surmises,  as  to  the  identity  of  kinds.  And,  in 
addition  to  all  this,  and  having  a  further  tendency  to  increase 
the  evil,  when  a  synonyme  is  really  detected,  many  are  but 
too  prone,  instead  of  letting  the  old  name  take  place,  to  adopt 
the  new  and  give  the  old  as  the  synonyme. 

But  what,  it  is  objected,  does  it  avail  to  trace  the  evil  or  its 
origin  1  These  are  not  disputed.  Let  us  rather  hear  the 
remedy  you  would  propose.     The  mischief  has  existed,  and 

*  I  confess  a  little  malice  in  this  underscoring;  but  it  is  only  intended  to  repay  his 
sneer  upon  Kenrick's  "  rejected  outcasts."     (Page  330.) 


Uniform  Nomenclaivre  of  Fruits.  53 

will  continue  to  exist ;  for,  as  fast  as  one  misnomer  is  correct- 
ed, another  will  spring  up  from  a  different  quarter,  in  some 
of  the  ways  to  which  allusion  has  been  made.  True,  we 
may  not  expect  entirely  to  banish  the  evil.  That  would  be 
too  flattering  a  hope,  in  a  country  of  the  extent  of  ours. 
But,  though  not  banished,  it  may  be  confined  and  bounded. 
Enough  may  be  accomplished  for  all  general  purposes,  if  a 
few  plain  principles,  which  must  have  suggested  themselves 
to  almost  every  mind  at  all  devoted  to  this  subject,  and  which 
some  have  long  acted  upon,  be  but  generally  received  and  ad- 
hered to  in  time  to  come. 

First :  That  every  cultivator  note  the  sources  from  whence 
his  varieties  have  been  obtained ;  and  where  identity  of  any 
two  or  more  be  suspected,  or  where  misnomer  of  a  kind  be 
suspected,  that  trees  of  those  kinds  be  immediately  procured 
by  him  from  other  and  different  sources. 

The  propriety  of  this  as  a  rule  is  obvious.  A  mistake  may 
have  been  made,  as  is  often  the  case,  in  the  instance  of  the 
first  trees  obtained,  and  one  or  the  other  of  the  kinds  may 
not  have  been  true  to  name.  This  can  hardly  happen  with 
ALL,  when  procured  and  fruited  from  several  sources ;  and  if, 
under  such  circumstances,  it  does  occur  with  all,  it  must  be 
held,  p7^o  hac  vice,  to  establish  the  fact  of  identity  or  misno- 
mer, and  of  the  existence  of  a  common  error.  It  is  not  con- 
clusive, until  all  the  sources,  from  whence  the  fruits  may  be 
obtained,  shall  be  exhausted. 

Second :  That  no  test  but  actual  inspection  and  compar- 
ison of  the  fruits,  shall  be  regarded  as  sufficient  to  determine 
identity  or  misnomer. 

Absolute  certainty,  in  the  person  detecting  a  synonyme  or 
misnomer,  is  that  which  is  desired  ;  and  absolute  certainty  is 
not  attainable  in  any  other  way,  than  by  the  adoption  of  this 
rule.  If  departed  from,  we  are  carried  still  further  seaward. 
It  has  been  very  justly  observed  by  Mr.  Loudon,  that,  "an 
apple  may  be  distinguished  from  twenty  other  apples,  all  very 
much  alike,  when  the  whole  twenty  are  placed  together  be- 
fore the  eye ;  but  any  one  of  the  twenty,  taken  apart,  and 
delineated  and  described,  however  perfectly,  will  hardly  pre- 
sent any  marks  sufficiently  distinctive  to  be  remembered,  and 
by  which  it  may  be  recognized  with  any  degree  of  certainty." 


54  Uniform  Nomenclature  of  Fruits. 

It  were  much  better,  that  things  should  be  permitted  to  re- 
main in  statu  quo^  than  that  they  should  be  attempted  to  be 
set  right,  upon  any  grounds  or  considerations  however  plau- 
sible, short  of  actual  inspection  and  comparison.  Other 
grounds  and  considerations  may  give  rise,  reasonably  enough, 
to  doubt  and  to  suspicion.  This  rule  alone  can  infallibly 
solve  them.  No  authority  ought  to  be  considered  as  entitled 
to  any  weight,  unless  this  has  been  the  process,  by  which  its 
decisions  have  been  formed. 

Third  :  That  where  a  synonyme  is  detected,  a  return  shall 
be  had,  at  once,  to  the  original  name. 

Some  conventional  standard,  by  which  to  determine  the 
name  a  variety  is  to  bear,  is  surely  a  desideratum.  A  conve- 
nient and  certain,  as  well  as  a  just  rule,  is  here  furnished. 
No  one  is  better  entitled  to  have  his  name  for  a  fruit  adhered 
to,  than  he  who  produced,  or  first  described,  or  introduced  it 
to  notice — and  if  the  fruit  be  an  old  variety,  which  has  been 
cultivated  time  out  of  mind,  let  the  old  name  be  by  all  means 
restored.  A  few  have  had  recourse  to  authority  upon  this 
point — the  authority  of  the  London  Horticultural  Society. 
No  authority,  merely  as  such,  is  better.  As  worthy  co-labor- 
ers in  the  work,  none  have  gone  beyond,  or  contributed  more 
"  to  bring  order  out  of  confusion,"  in  the  arrangement  of  the 
nomenclature  of  fruits.  Their  success  is  hailed  with  satis- 
faction, and  their  decisions  are  received  with  deference.  In 
most  cases,  and  until  the  contrary  is  shewn,  we  need  not  hes- 
itate to  adopt  them ;  in  some,  the  weight  of  testimony,  in 
the  opposing  scale,  may  oblige  us  to  reject  them.  Indeed, 
Mr.  Robert  Thompson,  and  the  savans  of  the  society,  must 
themselves  act  upon  some  fixed  principles,  and  what  are 
they,  if  they  be  not  the  rules  here  insisted  on.  There  can 
be  no  doubt,  that  both  he  and  they  are  open  to  and  will  most 
gladly  receive  all  the  aid  that  may  be  rendered  them,  and  all 
the  information  that  may  be  communicated  to  them,  touch- 
ing the  true  name  of  any  variety,  not  only  towards  the  for- 
mation of  future  judgments,  but  towards  the  correction  of 
past  errors. 

Fourth  :  That,  in  case  of  detected  misnomer,  if  the  fruit, 
after  full  trial  and  examination,  be  deemed  worthy  of  being 
retained  in  cultivation  and  be  an  unnamed  variety,  he  who 


Uniform  Nomenclature  of  Fruits.  55 

first  makes  the  discovery  may  give  it  a  name ;  or  he  may 
refer  it  to  the  most  convenient  horticultural  society  for  that 
purpose,  provided,  that  whatever  action  is  had  be  imme- 
diately made  public. 

If  it  be  true,  as  assumed,  that  many  seedling  varieties,  of 
greater  or  less  merit,  are  cultivated  in  different  sections  of  the 
country,  under  the  names  of  known  kinds,  then  the  applica- 
tion and  necessity  of  this  rule  need  not  be  urged. 

Fifth :  That  the  names  given  to  new  seedlings  be  suffi- 
ciently distinctive  to  guard  against  and  prevent  their  being 
confounded  with  previously  named  sorts. 

The  practice  of  naming  new  after  old  and  no  longer  es- 
teemed varieties,  has  been  justly  animadverted  upon  by  Wil- 
liam Kenrick,  as  tending  to  error  and  confusion.  A  once 
esteemed  sort  may  come  to  be  rejected,  if  not  from  some  de- 
generacy or  deterioration  it  has  undergone  by  age,  yet  because 
new  and  superior  kinds  have  taken  its  place  and  driven  it 
from  cultivation.  If  the  name  of  such  an  one  be  given  to  a 
new  seedling,  it  naturally  enough  comes  to  pass,  that  one 
cultivator  who  possesses  and  has  tried  the  old  condemns  it, 
another  who  possesses  and  has  tried  the  new  applauds  it ; 
both  take  for  granted  that  the  fruits  cultivated  by  them  are 
the  same ;  and  the  public,  looking  on  without  suspicion  of 
the  truth,  are  unable  to  reconcile  such  diversity  of  opinion. 

Sixth  :  That  cultivators  shall  not,  in  any  case,  disseminate 
a  kind,  unless  certain  that  it  is  true  to  name. 

It  is  not  meant  by  this,  that  a  cultivator  may  not  dispose 
of  and  disseminate  kinds,  received  by  him  from  authentic 
and  reliable  sources,  before  having  proved  them  himself  If 
he  have  the  same  certainty,  from  the  testimony  of  others,  as 
that  upon  which  the  verdicts  of  juries  in  our  courts  of  justice 
are  rendered,  it  must  be  held  to  be  sufficient.  Otherwise,  a 
nurseryman  at  the  west  could  not.  propagate  and  sell  from 
trees  received  by  him  from  a  nurseryman  at  the  east,  though 
his  confidence  in  him  of  the  east,  and  his  faith  in  the  authen- 
ticity of  the  kinds  should  be  implicit.  But  apart  from  this, 
there  is  "  ample  room  and  verge  enough  "  for  the  operation 
of  the  rule. 

Seventh  :  That  correct  orthography,  in  nomenclature,  be 
constantly  aimed  at. 


56  Uniform  Nomenclature  of  Fruits. 

Uniformity,  if  worth  having,  is  worth  seeking  and  worth 
preserving.  All  corruptions  and  provinciahsms  in  the  lan- 
guage we  speak  and  write,  are  abominable,  and,  ought  to  be 
abated  as  nuisances.  These  are  without  the  shadow  of  ex- 
cuse. In  conversation,  the  name  of  a  fruit,  in  our  own  lan- 
guage, should  always  be  pronounced,  and  when  written,  it 
should  always  be  spelled  in  the  way  good  use  has  established. 
This  is  necessary,  if  Pomology  ever  rise  into  a  science.  That 
it  shall  do  so,  in  our  day,  depends  upon  how  effectually  what- 
ever ground  may  be  gained  shall  be  secured  in  the  advance- 
ment it  is  now  making.  A  difficulty  of  no  little  magnitude 
is  here  encountered,  and  one,  as  seems  most  likely,  which 
can  never  be  overcome,  in  the  pronunciation  of  that  class  of 
names  introduced  from  foreign  countries  and  in  foreign  lan- 
guages. Some  of  these  are  not  susceptible  of  literal,  or,  in- 
deed, of  any  intelligible  translation  into  English.  Nothing 
short  of  the  direct  and  critical  attainment,  in  their  living  and 
oral  use,  of  the  several  languages  to  Avhich  they  belong,  can 
suffice  to  the  accurate  pronunciation  of  them.  He  who, 
without  any,  or  with  less  than  a  complete  knowledge  of 
the  French,  affects  the  correct  pronunciation  of  French 
names,  only  renders  himself  ridiculous.  "Keys,"*  and  vo- 
cabularies, may  make  such  an  one  a  laughing-stock,  but  they 
can  never  impart  to  him  "the  true  Parisian  manner  in  the 
accent."  In  all  cases,  however,  where  such  names  are  writ- 
ten, they  may  be  spelled  by  any  one  with  the  exactest  nicety, 
and  this  is  what  is  insisted  upon  by  the  rule. 

In  conclusion :  What  is  most  of  all  now  needed  is  agree- 
ment, unity  of  purpose,  and  concert  of  action.  Authority 
will  possess  added  weight,  if  it  be  known  that  its  conclusions 
have  been  arrived  at  under  the  operation  of  these  principles. 
If  any  one  can  propose  an  easier  or  safer  method  of  attaining 
the  object  sought  by  the  foregoing  rules,  than  they  afford,  he 
cannot  confer  a  greater  service  upon  Pomology  than  by  making 
it  public.  They  might,  indeed,  have  been  further  enforced 
and  illustrated  by  examples  of  their  violation.  These  are 
not  wanting,  and  could  be  furnished  "  in  any  quantity  and 


*  "Day-lece  Dar-dahn-pone,"  (Downing,  Appendix,  563,)  will  hardly  pass  muster 
at  Paris,  any  more  than,  eech  cawn  dich  nicht  faerch-taen,  will  at  Heidelburg. 


I 


Uniform  Nomenclature  of  Fruits.  57 

to  order."  No  loss,  it  is  apprehended,  will  be  felt  from  their 
omission,  since  the  experience  of  every  cultivator  must  sup- 
ply him  with  enough. 

Coshocton^  Ohio^  Jan.  6,  1846. 

We  feel  much  gratified  in  presenting  the  above  article,  by 
our  correspondent,  Mr.  Humrickhouse,  as  the  subject  is  one 
of  importance,  and  worthy  of  much  reflection,  by  every  cul- 
tivator of  fruits.  The  principles  which  he  has  laid  down  for 
the  arrival  at  a  uniform  nomenclature  of  fruits  are  self-evi- 
dent, and  must  commend  themselves  to  the  Pomologist  as  a 
near  approximation  to  some  general  or  established  standard. 
Until  some  such  principles  are  acted  upon,  it  will  be  in  vain 
to  expect  correctness  in  the  names  of  fruits. 

Our  correspondent  takes  the  same  ground  that  we  ourselves 
have  taken  and  acted  upon,  in  regard  to  authority,  for  names, 
viz:  the  authority  of  the  London  Horticultural  Society.  It 
is,  as  he  says,  necessary  to  have  some  conventional  standard, 
and  the  Society's  Catalogue^  though  not  free  from  error,  is 
yet  that  upon  which  we  can  place  the  greatest  confidence. 
A  personal  inspection  of  the  means  of  information,  which 
the  Society  possesses  for  the  detection  of  synonyms,  induced 
us  to  adopt  this  course.  The  great  importance  of  correct 
orthography  is  particularly  alluded  to,  and  we  must  add  our 
testimony  to  the  necessity  of  this.  It  is  not  to  be  expected 
that  that  class  of  names,  derived  from  the  French,  should  be 
properly  pronounced  by  every  cultivator,  but  there  is  no  rea- 
son why  the  name  when  written  should  not  be  correctly 
spelled.  Too  many  instances  occur,  however,  which  show 
that  not  one  in  twenty  of  those  who  cultivate  fruit,  can,  or  do, 
write  the  names  correctly,  and  we  regret  to  say  that  too  many 
catalogues  have  not  contributed  much  to  remedy  the  error. 

We  have  in  our  Review  of  Mr.  Downing's  work,  in  our 
last  volume,  (XI.  p.  297,)  spoken  of  the  merits,  as  well  as 
some  of  the  deficiencies  of  the  volume,  and  we  intended  to 
have  referred  to  it  again,  as  soon  as  leisure  permitted ;  but  in 
the  expectation  of  a  corrected  edition,  we  deferred  the  subject 
for  the  present.  We  have  the  same  fault  to  find  with  the 
author,  which  has  been  commented  upon  by  Mr.  Humrick- 
house, viz  :  the  proper  acknowledgment  to  authorities,  and 

VOL.  XII. — NO.  II.  8 


38  The  Arboretum. 

previous  co-laborers  in  the  wide  field  of  Pomological  literature. 
Seven  editions  of  Kenrick's  OrcJiardtst^  besides  those  of  Coxe, 
Thatcher,  Prince,  and  Manning,  and  ten  volumes  of  our  Mag- 
azine, with  numerous  communications  from  Mr.  Manning, 
have  certainly  done  something  towards  supplying  a  fund 
of  information  for  the  cultivator,  and  rendering  him  conver- 
sant with  nearly  or  quite  all  the  fruits  introduced  into  our 
gardens.  It  would  have  been  no  more  than  a  just  tribute 
to  those  who  had  garnered  up  before  him,  and  done  so 
much  towards  restoring  something  hke  "  real  order  "  out  of 
chaos,  to  have  admitted  the  value  of  their  labors,  and 
acknowledged  an  indebtedness  to  them,  as  well  as  the 
"  heavy  debt  of  gratitude  "  due  to  the  London  Horticultural 
Society.  But  ]io  allusion  is  even  made  in  the  preface  to  any 
previous  work  on  fruits,  except  the  Catalogue  of  the  London 
Horticultural  Society.  We  doubt  not,  with  Mr.  Humrick- 
house,  that  this  was  an  inadvertence,  rather  than  an  inten- 
tional error,  and  we  shall  look  to  a  future  edition  to  see  it 
corrected.  When  this  shall  appear,  Ave  trust  that  some  of  our 
many  able  correspondents  will  undertake  the  task  of  a 
thorough  review,  and  point  out  the  errors,  as  well  as  the  many 
excellencies  of  the  work. — Ed. 


Art.  HL  The  Arboretum  ;  or  a  selection  of  the  most  orna- 
ifiental  and  desirable  trees  and  shrubs^  native  and  foreign, 
adapted  to  the  clim,ate  of  the  United  States  ;  with  descrip- 
tions and  engravings,  a?id  their  mode  of  cultivation,  propa- 
gation and  treatTnent.     By  the  Editor. 

The  increasing  taste  for  ornamental  trees  and  shrubs,  and 
the  desire  to  possess  information  in  relation  to  those  which 
may  be  regarded  as  the  most  beautiful  and  desirable,  in  garden 
scenery,  has  induced  us  to  commence  a  series  of  articles  upon 
this  subject.  Public  opinion  has  undergone  a  great  change 
within  a  few  years ;  that  spirit  of  destruction,  which  has 
laid  waste  our  forests,  and  which  might  be  considered  as 
belonging  to  some  Vandal  age,  is  giving  away  to  the  progress 
of  civilization  and  improvement,  and  we  now  find  that  it  is 


The  Arboretum.  o9 

the  first  effort  to  protect  an  old  and  beautiful  tree,  rather 
than  lay  the  axe  at  the  root ;  and  the  next,  to  plant  out 
where  before  no  trace  of  vegetation  existed.  It  was  not  to 
be  expected  of  the  earlier  settlers  of  the  country,  that  they 
should  regard  their  hasty  destruction  of  woods  and  forests, 
as  of  any  importance :  a  wild  and  picturesque  country, 
abounding  in  noble  specimens  of  vegetation,  spread  out  before 
them ;  but  self-preservation  and  the  necessities  of  life,  com- 
pelled them  to  view  with  little  interest  a  stately  tree  or  a 
beautiful  shrub.  These  are  objects  which  come  later,  when 
the  increase  of  wealth  and  the  cultivation  of  taste  shall 
demand,  not  only  plantations  of  our  native  trees,  but  seek 
among  those  of  other  climes  for  such  as  possess  either  gran- 
deur, or  beauty. 

A  tree  is  a  noble  object,  whether  we  view  it  in  spring, 
when  it  puts  forth  its  buds — in  summer,  when  in  its  full 
vigor  of  foliage — in  autumn,  with  its  varied  hues — or  in 
winter,  when  it  spreads  out  its  leafless  arms — each  and  all 
of  these  seasons  have  their  charms.  The  earliest  knowledge 
we  have  of  trees  is  derived  from  the  Bible,  where  we  learn 
that  Solomon  planted  orchards  of  fruit  trees, — of  trees  bear- 
ing spices,  and  of  the  cedar  and  other  trees.  The  Romans 
carried  their  love  of  trees  so  far  as  to  make  them  "  the  very 
temples  of  their  gods,"  and  Pliny  observes,  that  "  we  our- 
selves adore,  not  with  mere  reverence  and  devotion,  the 
stately  images  of  gods  within  our  temples,  (though  made  of 
glittering  gold  and  beautiful  ivory,)  than  the  very  groves 
and  tufts  of  trees  where  we  worship  the  same  gods  in  reli- 
gious silence."  The  oak  was  consecrated  to  Jupiter,  the 
laurel  to  Apollo,  the  olive  to  Minerva,  the  myrtle  to  Venus, 
and  the  poplar  to  Hercules.     {Ai'b.  Brit.  p.  19.) 

The  importance  of  trees  and  shrubs,  both  to  comfort  and 
civilization,  is  too  often  overlooked.  Without  them,  we  could 
neither  have  houses  nor  build  ships — neither  furniture  nor 
machines  of  commerce.  They  offer  the  material  for  almost 
every  art  and  manufacture ;  and  in  tropical  countries  the 
fruits  are  as  essential  to  the  natives,  as  wheat  and  roots  are 
to  those  of  temperate  regions.  They  are  useful  for  their 
influence  upon  climate ;  for  the  protection  they  afford  from 
winds,  and  for  the  preservation  and  improvement  of  soils. 


60  The  Arboretum. 

But  it  is  the  value  of  trees  in  ornamental  scenery,  that  we 
now  intend  to  view  them ;  to  show  how  far  they  are  impor- 
tant in  artificial  plantations,  of  greater  or  less  extent,  and  to 
give  such  information  as  will  lead  to  the  selection  of  those 
which  possess  grandeur,  stateliness,  singularity,  picturesque 
beauty,  symmetry,  elegance  and  gracefulness  of  form — tex- 
ture, verdure  and  variety  of  foliage — brilliancy  in  their  au- 
tumnal tints — beauty  or  fragrance  of  their  flowers — color  or 
showiness  of  their  fruit,  and  varied  shades  of  their  branches 
or  bark.  These,  pointed  out  to  the  planter,  with  engravings 
representing  the  general  form  and  character  of  the  tree,  can- 
not fail  to  be  a  useful  guide  to  all  who  wish  to  ornament 
their  grounds. 

In  this  object  we  shall  be  much  indebted  to  the  splendid 
work  of  the  late  Mr.  Loudon,  which  occupied  many  years  of 
his  life,  and  to  the  completion  of  which  he  sacrificed  his 
health — the  Arboretum  Britannicum ;  indeed  so  fully  has  he 
searched  out  all  the  information  which  could  be  obtained, 
that  he  has  left  little  or  nothing  to  add,  even  of  those  trees 
which  are  indigenous  to  our  own  soil.  But  the  great  ex- 
pense of  that  work  (fiifty  dollars)  does  not  place  it  within 
the  reach  of  every  individual,  and  we  have  thought  that  we 
could  not  do  a  better  service,  than  to  give  descriptions  of 
such  as  we  know  to  be  the  most  desirable,  and  such  as  may 
be  recommended  for  their  many  beauties,  either  of  form, 
foliage,  flower  or  fruit. 

Our  drawings  will,  in  many  instances,  be  copied  from  the 
Arboretum. ;  but  where  we  have  finer  specimens  growing 
of  our  indigenous  trees,  they  will  be  made  from  living  speci- 
mens. The  engravings  in  the  Arboretum^  are  the  most  truth- 
ful reprosentations,  and  were  made  by  skilful  artists,  who 
had  studied  the  aspects  of  trees,  so  as  to  give  them  that 
peculiar  touch  which  characterizes  one  species  or  variety  of 
the  same  family  from  another.  This  is,  indeed,  one  of  the 
principal  features  of  that  valuable  work :  no  less  than  forty 
different  species  and  varieties  of  the  hawthorn  being  figured, 
showing  the  distinctive  appearance  of  each. 

The  engravings  will  be  made  of  trees  ten  or  twelve  years 
old,  and  drawn  to  a  scale  of  a  quarter  or  half  an  inch  to  a 
foot. 


The  Arboretum. 


61 


1  MAGNOLia  trip'etala  L. 
The  three-petaled  Magnolia,  or  Umbrella  tree. 


Fig.  I.     The  Three-Petaled  Magnolia. 
Synonymes.     M.  umbr611a  Lamb.     M.  frondosa  Salisb. 
Engravings.     Michaux  Arb.,  vol.  3,  pi.   5.     Arboretum  Brit.,  vol.  5, 
pi.  6,  and  our  fig.  1. 

Geography. — The  Magnolia  tripetala,  is  a  native  of  the 
United  States,  growing,  according  to  Michaux,  from  the  nor- 
thern part  of  New  York  State  to  Georgia,  but  found  only, 
over  this  great  extent  of  country,  in  somewhat  shady  places 
and  in  strong,  deep  and  fertile  soils.  In  some  parts  of  North 
Carolina  and  Georgia,  it  is  only  found  on  deep  soils  near  the 
banks  of  rivers,  and  in  company  with  the  M.  grandiflora. 

Description. — This  species,  though  one  of  the  most  gener- 
ally cultivated,  is  yet  rare  in  plantations  of  trees.  It  is  per- 
fectly hardy  in  the  climate  of  New  England,  and  is  of  mod- 
erately rapid  growth,  making  shoots  three  or  four  feet  long 
in  a  season ;  when  quite  young,  the  ends  of  the  shoots  are 
sometimes  slightly  injured  by  early  frosts  when  the  wood  is 
not  ripe,  but  the  roots  soon  throw  up  strong  shoots,  which 
take  the  place  of   those  destroyed.     The   tree   attains   the 


62  The  Arboretum. 

height  of  about  thirty  feet,  seldom  exceeding  thirty-six,  with 
a  trunk  five  or  six  inches  in  diameter.  The  leaves  are 
large  and  long,  often  measuring  eighteen  inches  in  length 
and  eight  broad,  and  they  are  produced  in  large  tufts  at  the 
ends  of  the  branches,  as  shown  in  the  engraving,  which  have 
given  it  the  appellation  of  the  Umbrella  tree,  or  in  French, 
the  Parasol  Magnolia.  The  flowers  are  large,  seven  or  eight 
inches  in  diameter,  with  from  nine  to  twelve  petals,  appear- 
ing in  May  and  June,  on  the  extremities  of  last  year's  shoots, 
and  possessing  a  sweet  but  heavy  perfume.  They  are  fol- 
lowed by  a  conical  fruit,  which  changes  to  a  deep  rosy  tint, 
rendering  the  tree  very  showy  until  they  drop  in  the  autumn. 

The  Magnolia  tripetala  is  a  very  beautiful  tree,  and  no 
ornamental  plantation  or  pleasure  ground  should  be  without 
it.  A  tree,  in  good  soil  and  with  proper  treatment,  will 
attain  the  height  of  ten  to  fifteen  feet  in  ten  years,  when  it 
will  assume  the  shape  and  appearance  of  our  engraving, 
which  is  of  a  tree  ten  years  planted,  and  twelve  feet  high, 
(drawn  to  a  scale  of  one  quarter  of  an  inch  to  a  foot.) 

/S'oiZ,  Situation,  Propagation  and  Cult%ire. — The  best  soil 
for  this  species  is  a  deep  rich,  sandy  loam,  on  a  subsoil  not 
too  retentive  of  moisture,  when  it  will  fully  ripen  its  wood. 
The  situation  should  be  partially  shaded  and  sheltered,  and 
it  should  be  set  at  such  a  distance  from  other  trees  or 
shrubs,  that  it  may  have  room  to  extend  its  branches  and 
display  its  flowers ;  the  border  of  a  lawn  would  be  a  most 
appropriate  place.  The  trees  are  sometimes  raised  from 
layers,  but  they  are  generally  propagated  by  seeds,  and  they 
should  be  transplanted  where  they  are  to  remain,  before  they 
attain  a  large  size  ;  three  to  six  feet  high  is  the  best  size  for 
removing  with  safety. 

History  and  Statistics. — This  umbrella  tree  was  first  intro- 
duced into  England  about  1752,  and  it  has  now  become  one 
of  the  most  common  kinds  ;  and  in  the  neighborhood  of  Lon- 
don are  numerous  plants  thirty  feet  high.  In  France,  and 
on  the  continent,  it  is  also  common  ;  but  in  the  north  of  Ger- 
many and  Denmark,  according  to  the  Arboretum  Britannicum 
it  is  a  greenhouse  plant.  The  finest  cultivated  plants  in  our 
gardens  are  in  the  Bartram  Botanic  Garden,  near  Philadel- 
phia.    The  price  of  trees  is  from  50  cents  to  $1  each. 


Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History  63 


REVIEWS. 

Art.  I.  Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History^  containing  Pa- 
pers and  Communications  read  before  the  Boston  Society  of 
Natural  History^  and  published  by  their  direction.  Vol.  V. 
No.  11. ,  (fcc.     Boston.     1845. 

We  gave  some  account  of  the  botanical  contributions  to  this 
number  of  a  scientific  journal  issued  in  this  city  ;  and  would 
resume  our  notes  on  the  same,  by  taking  into  present  con- 
sideration, in  a  very  brief  and  succinct  way,  the  Art.  XV. 
entitled  "Plantse  Lindheimerianse  :  an  enumeration  of  the 
plants  collected  in  Texas,  and  distributed  to  subscribers  by 
F.  Lindheimer,  with  remarks  and  descriptions  of  new  species, 
&c.     By  George  Engelman  and  Asa  Gray." 

In  Silliman^s  Joiirnal,  for  July,  1843,  was  announced  a 
plan  of  Mr.  Lindheimer's  for  exploring  the  botany  of  Texas, 
and  collecting  specimens  for  distribution.  Two  distinct  col- 
lections were  accordingly  made,  of  which  a  part  of  the  sec- 
ond was  unfortunately  lost,  abridging  the  number  of  speci- 
mens for  distribution  to  318.  Of  these,  there  follows  a  com- 
plete list,  with  authorities  of  nomenclature,  and  other  impor- 
tant data  appended.  We  shall  select  such  of  the  many  as 
we  deem  of  sufficient  importance,  in  a  publication  such  as 
ours,  dedicated  particularly  to  Horticultural  Botany,  than  to 
that  of  a  more  precise  scientific  character.  We  give  the 
numbers  of  the  specimens  described,  viz  : — 

"13.  Krameria  lanceolata  Toj-rey,  in  Amials  of  Lyceum 
of  New  York.  11.  p.  168.  The  root  of  Krameria  lanceolata 
is  ligneous,  two  or  three  lines  thick,  and  very  long,  of  a  dark 
red  color,  and  has  the  same  chemical  and  medicinal  proper- 
ties as  the  S.  American  Ratanha.  As  the  plant  appears  to 
be  common  in  some  parts  of  Texas,  it  might  be  valuable  for 
collection  and  export." — p.  212. 

The  true  Ratanhia,  Rattany,  or  Rhatany  is  the  Krameria 
tridndra  of  botanists ;  a  half  shrubby  plant,  growing  in  Peru, 
on  dry  gravelly  soil ;  its  stem  two  or  three  feet  long,  prostrate, 
with  oblong,  sharp-pointed,  undivided,  hairy  leaves  ;  solitary 
dull  brown  flowers,  and  a  bur-like  fruit.     Its  root  is  valua- 


64  Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History. 

ble  for  its  extreme  astringency ;  and  on  that  account  is  ex- 
ported to  Europe.  It  is  used  as  an  astringent  medicine.  The 
extract  of  the  root  is  a  powerful  styptic  and  tonic. 

"25.  Malvaviscus  Drummondii  T.  cj-  G.  Fl.  I.  p.  230. 
This  proves  to  be  a  very  ornamental  plant  in  cultivation." 
p.  204. 

"56.  ffinothera  rhombipetata  Nutiall,  in  Tor rey  &:.  Gray, 
Flora  I.  p.  493.  This  handsome  species,  so  remarkable  for  its 
acute  or  acuminate  petals,  has  been  cultivated  in  the  Botanic 
Garden  of  Harvard  University,  from  seeds  received  from  Mr. 
Lindheimer."     p.  216. 

"61.  Gaura  Lindheimeri/,  (n.  sp.)  Prairies  from  Houston 
to  the  Brazos;  flowering  from  April  to  May,  and  through  the 
summer.  In  the  Botanic  Garden  of  Harvard  University, 
where  it  is  cultivated  from  seeds  collected  by  Mr.  Lindheimer, 
it  also  flowers  through  the  whole  summer,  and  proves  to  be  a 
very  showy  and  elegant  species.  It  attains  the  height  of 
from  three  to  six  feet,  and  its  copious,  racemose  branches  pro- 
duce a  long  succession  of  blossoms,  which  are  of  a  large  size 
for  this  genus.  The  petals,  which  are  often  three-fourths  of 
an  inch  long,  are  pure  white,  changing  to  rose-color;  the 
calyx  is  reddish.  Flowers  always  tetramerous  and  octan- 
drous.  This  is  probably  the  same  as  the  Texan  plant  referred 
to  by  Spach  to  G.  tripetala  Cav.,  but  it  does  not  agree  with 
the  figure  of  Cavanilles,  nor  exhibit  any  trinervous  flowers." 
p.  21S. 

"111.  Egletes  arkansana  Niiit.  T.  &  G.  Fl.  II.  411. 
After  flowering,  the  tube  of  the  corolla  of  the  outer  disk 
flowers,  as  well  as  those  of  the  ray,  become  enlarged  and 
corky  at  the  base ;  and  the  inner  part  of  the  disk  is  sterile. 
It  is  quite  a  handsome  plant  in  cultivation.  The  numerous 
rays  are  pure  white  above,  and  usually  marked  with  pink 
underneath."     p.  222. 

"244.  Opuntia  fragihs  Niitt.  var  frutescens.  (O.  frutes- 
cens  Engel.  MSS.)  On  the  Colorado,  often  acquiring  the 
height  of  four  or  five  feet,  with  a  branching,  ligneous  stem, 
covered  with  light  gray  bark,  and  sometimes  with  lichens.  It 
bears  bunches  of  small  capillary  spines  with  the  larger  ones 
(4  or  5  lines  long)  ;  these  disappear  from  the  older  stems.  The 
wood  is  close  grained.     The  younger  branches  are  green  and 


Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History.  65 

tender,  and  bear  the  ultimate  articulations,  which  are  about 
an  inch  long,  and  very  easily  break  off.  What  is  remarka- 
ble, the  fruits  are  often  proliferous,  and  bear  from  one  to  four 
or  five  new  branches  from  the  upper  bunches  of  spines."  p.445. 

This  new  variety.  Dr.  Gray,  in  a  note  appended,  states  that 
he  has  little  doubt  is  the  O.  fragilis  of  Nuttall,  attaining  a 
fuller  growth  in  that  warm  region,  than  on  the  Missouri.  As 
a  species  of  Cactus,  it  is  rather  remarkable  for  its  singular 
habits,  than  for  its  flowers,  which  are  small,  solitary,  and  at 
the  point  of  the  articulations.  So  brittle  is  the  plant  that 
the  articulations  or  joints  of  the  stem  easily  come  off  and 
attach  themselves  to  every  thing  which  they  happen  to  touch. 
Mr.  Nuttall  first  discovered  it  in  Missouri  growing  from  the 
Mandaas  to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

Mr.  Lindheimer  forwarded  seven  other  Cacti,  mostly  in 
hving  species,  which  have  been  revised  by  Dr.  Engelman. 
They  are  : — 

"  1.  Opuntia  sp.  without  flower  or  fruit;  probably  O.  vul- 
garis. It  attains  the  height  of  several  feet,  with  large  obo- 
vate  joints  and  a  few  spines. 

"2.   O.  Nissouriensis?  Perhaps  O.  vulgaris,  but  very  spiny. 

''3.  Mammillaria  sinuhs,  (n.  sp.)  "  Nearly  related  to  M. 
Simplex,  of  Nuttall^  but  forming  tufts  of  a  foot  diameter. 
Flowers  not  seen,"  &c. 

4.  "  M.  Sulcata  (n.  sp.) — with  the  preceding.  Flowers 
opening  two  or  three  days  in  direct  sunshine,  two  inches  or 
more  in  diameter.  [This  pretty  species  has  also  flowered  in 
the  Cambridge  Botanic  Garden."]     Gray. 

".5.  Echinocactus  setispinus,  (n.  sp )  Flowers  about 
five  lines  long." 

"6.  E.  Lindheimerw,  (n.  sp.)  Flowers  about  two  inches  in 
length,  twelve  or  more  aggregated  in  the  woolly  centre.  The 
petals  at  the  base  are  scarlet,  verging  to  orange,  from  which 
a  pale  purple  or  violet  midrib  extends  to  the  apex,  and  is  pro- 
longed into  a  delicate  bristle  of  the  same  color,  while  the  up- 
per part  of  the  petal  is  pearly  white,  with  feathery  margins. 
The  flowers  remain  for  three  days,  expanding  only  in  bright 
sunshine. 

7.  Cereus  caespitosus,  (n.  sp.)  Gravelly  soil,  near  Cat 
Spring,  west  of  San  Filipe.     A  singular  reduced  cereus,  quite 

VOL.  xn. — NO.  n.  9 


66  General  Notices. 

csespitose,  and  even  proliferous  occasionally,  in  the  manner  of 
opimtia,  beginning  to  flower  when  only  two  inches  high, 
and  scarcely  taller  than  broad,  but  attaining  the  height  of  at 
least  six  inches;  the  ribs  from  12  to  17.  It  is  in  flower  for 
two  days  :  the  flowers  about  two  inches  broad,  when  fully 
expanded :  petals  rose-purple :  filaments  reddish  at  the 
base,  yellow  at  the  summit."     Engel.     Note  on  pp.  245 — 247. 

The  Pentstemons  are  well  known  to  amateur  florists,  and 
justly  admired.  We  are  presented,  at  No.  282,  with  "  Pent- 
stemon  Murraydm^m,  Hooker  :  Botanical  Magazine,  t.  3472. 
Dry,  sandy  soil,  in  open  woods,  west  of  the  Brazos — May, 
June.  The  splendid  flame-colored  flowers,  with  a  scarlet 
border,  form  a  pleasing  contrast  with  the  bluish  glaucous 
leaves.     Pedicels  erect ;  the  flowers  horizontal."  p.  254. 

A  valuable  note  on  the  Chara  polyphylla,  from  notices 
communicated  by  Prof.  Braun,  who  distinguishes  seven  sub- 
species of  this  very  polymorphous  plant,  which  occurs  in 
many  diverse  forms  in  America,  Asia,  and  the  Sandwich  Isl- 
ands, closes  this  interesting  article. 


MISCELLANEOUS  INTELLIGENCE. 

Art.  I.      General  Notices. 

General  Treatment  of  Greenhouse  Plants. — The  practice  of  removing 
greenhouse  plants  into  a  higher  temperature  during  the  period  of  their 
growth,  so  well  explained  by  Mr.  Wood  in  his  various  communications, 
cannot  be  too  earnestly  recommended.  When  it  is  considered,  that  in  all 
the  countries  where  they  naturally  grow,  the  summers  are  intensely  hot, 
with  clear  sunny  days,  and  heavy  dews  at  night,  how  much  quicker  the 
growth  of  the  plants  and  ripening  of  the  young  wood  must  be  than  can 
possibly  happen  in  our  dull  cloudy  climate,  even  with  the  aid  of  glass,  the 
universal  custom  of  turning  greenhouse  plants  out  of  doors  indiscriminately 
in  the  month  of  May,  is  doubtless  one  of  the  very  worst  modes  of  treat- 
ment that  can  possibly  be  adopted,  especially  when,  as  is  often  the  case, 
they  are  placed  in  some  shady  situation;  at  this  period  many  are  just  be- 
ginning to  grow,  others  have  made  some  progress,  but  few  or  none  are 
within  many  weeks  of  terminating  their  growth  and  ripening  their  young 
shoots,  and  it  is  very  uncertain  whether  any  of  them,  under  such  circum- 
stances, even  in  the  most  favorable  seasons,  will  accomplish  their  growth, 
consequently,  when  the  tinje  arrives  for  housing,  it  will  be  found  that  three 
fourths  of  them  are  still  in  a  growing  state,  and  now,  when  the  short  cold, 


General  Notices.  67 

cloudy  days  have  set  in,  they  will  continue  to  grow  for  weeks,  and  even 
months,  after  being  brought  into  the  greenhouse. 

This  mode  of  treatment  can  only  end  in  disappointment ;  at  the  time  they 
ought  to  be  loaded  with  flowers  there  may  certainly  be  a  few  solitary  blos- 
soms, but  any  thing  like  a  full  crop  is  entirely  out  of  the  question.  It  is 
remarkable,  that  camellias  appear  to  be  the  only  family  of  plants  that  are 
rightly  treated  in  this  respect ;  it  does  not  seem  to  occur  to  many  gardeners 
that  all  other  hardwooded  greenhouse  plants  require  exactly  the  same  treat- 
ment as  camellias  ;  but  instead  of  so  doing,  at  the  very  time  the  latter  are 
carefully  shut  up  in  a  higher  temperature,  to  encourage  the  growth  and 
ripening  of  the  yoiing  shoots,  as  the  means  of  insuring  a  fine  display  of 
flowers,  all,  or  nearly  all,  the  others  are  turned  out  of  doors  to  take  their 
chance  of  a  hot  or  a  cold  summer,  as  the  case  may  be. 

When  greenhouse  plants  are  housed  for  the  winter,  then  is  the  time  to 
judge  whether  they  have  been  rightly  treated.  If  such  is  the  case,  they 
will  mostly  have  finished  their  growth  ;  the  young  shoots  will  have  changed 
from  a  green  to  a  red  or  brown  color,  and  of  a  hard  firm  texture,  and  the 
flower-buds  of  many  swelling  out  prominently,  ready  to  start  into  flower 
with  the  slightest  excitement,  rendering  the  forcing  them  into  flower,  at 
any  time  when  required,  an  easy  and  simple  matter.  Not  only  camellias, 
but  acacias,  boronias,  azaleas,  epacris,  corrseas,  and  in  fact  almost  every 
kind  of  greenhouse  hard-wooded  plant,  should  be  at  rest,  and  ready  to 
start  into  flower  when  the  proper  period  arrives.  On  reading  the  reports 
of  the  London  Horticultural  Exhibitions  we  are  often  surprised  at  the  large 
dimensions  of  many  of  the  plants  therein  mentioned,  especially  when  we 
read  that  many  of  them  are  only  two  or  three  years  old  !  There  cannot 
be  a  doubt  that  this  is  accomplished  by  placing  them  in  strong  genial  heat, 
at  certain  periods,  and  will  serve  to  show  what  can  be  effected  in  a  short 
time  under  proper  management. 

Although  the  treatment  recommended  above  is  applicable  to  all  hard- 
wooded  plants,  there  are  some  beautiful  things  that  will  not  thrive  at  all 
unless  they  are  annually  placed  in  a  higher  temperature  to  make  their 
growth,  and  for  want  of  such  treatment  are  rarely  seen  in  good  health. 
Crowea  saligna  is  a  striking  instance  of  this  neglect,  as  it  is  generally  seen 
starving  in  greenhouses  all  the  year  round  ;  instead  of  which  it  should  be 
removed  to  the  plant  or  Pine-stove  in  January,  and  allowed  to  remain  till 
May  or  June,  when  it  will  grow  like  a  willow,  making  shoots  from  eight 
to  sixteen  inches  in  length  ;  and  when  removed  to  the  greenhouse  it  will 
continue  to  flower  all  through  the  summer,  a  perfect  gem,  with  flowers 
twice  the  size  we  generally  see  it  produce  under  the  ordinary  treatment  it 
receives. 

As  early  as  the  month  of  January,  attention  should  be  directed  to  such 
plants  as  have  done  flowering  and  are  beginning  to  grow  ;  these  should  be 
removed  to  a  higher  temperature  without  delay,  and,  if  necessary,  it  is  the 
best  time  to  shift  them  into  larger  pots,  and  when  the  young  shoots  have 
grown  two  or  three  inches  in  length  and  taken  off  with  a  heel,  they  will  strike 
root  better  than  at  any  other  time.     By  attending  to  the  gradual  removal  of 


68  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

the  plants  all  through  the  spring  months,  and  when  having  completed  their 
growth,  gradually  to  harden  them  for  a  week  or  two,  and  when  ready  to  be 
placed  out  of  doors  for  the  summer,  they  may  then,  with  perfect  safety,  be 
placed  in  a  shady  situation,  and  remain  out  as  long  in  the  autumn  as  they 
may  be  safe  from  severe  frost.  In  large  establishments,  a  house  entirely 
devoted  to  this  purpose  would  be  very  useful ;  where  this  is  not  the  case 
vineries,  pine  stoves,  pits,  &c.,  may  all  be  made  available,  and  without 
much  inconvenience,  for  this  purpose,  and  even  a  brick  pit  without  artificial 
heat,  if  kept  pretty  close,  would  be  very  useful  in  forwarding  the  growth 
of  plants.  I  have  been  induced  to  dwell  at  some  length  on  the  above  sub- 
ject, from  a  firm  conviction  that  it  is  not  so  generally  or  extensively  put  in 
practice  as  it  deserves  to  be. — ( Gard.  Chron.,  1845,  p.  800.) 


Art.  II.     Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Saturday,  Jan.  3d,  1846. — The  quarterly  stated  meeting  of  the  Society 
was  held  to-day, — the  President  in  the  chair. 

The  President  read  a  statement  of  the  probable  receipts  and  expenditures 
for  the  year  1846. — Total  receipts  from  members,  exhibitions  and  rent  of 
Hall,  $2,400.     Expenditures  for  premiums,  exhibitions  and  salaries,  ^2,400. 

The  Committee,  in  conjunction  with  the  special  committee  chosen  for  that 
purpose  at  the  last  meeting,  reported  the  following  appropriations  for  pre- 
miums for  1846.  Flower  (Committee,  $500,  including  5flC0  for  weekly  ex- 
hibitions. Fruit  Committee,  $400.  Vegetable  Committee,  §150.  De- 
signs and  Decorations  for  the  Annual  Exhibition,  $200. 

Adjourned  one  week,  to  Jan.  10th. 

Jan.  lOih. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day, — the 
President  in  the  chair. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  settle  with  the  Mount  Auburn  Cemetery, 
reported  that  they  have  attended  to  that  duty,  and  have  received  the  sum  of 
$2,733  71,  as  the  Society's  proportion  of  the  receipts  for  the  year  1845. 

The  Flower,  Fruit,  and  Vegetable  Committees  were  requested  to  hand 
in  the  lists  of  premiums  for  1846. 

Messrs.  C.  M.  Hovey,  S.  Walker,  J.  Breck,  W.  B.  Kingsbury,  and  D. 
Haggerston,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  fix  upon  the  days  for  the  An- 
nual Exhibition  in  September  next. 

Messrs.  S.  Walker,  Richards,  Lovett,  Breck,  and  Barnes,  were  appoint- 
ed a  committee  to  nominate  a  list  of  thirteen  members  as  a  General  Com- 
mittee of  Arrangements  for  the  Annual  Exhibition. 

The  Recording  Secretary,  and  C.  K  Dillaway,  were  added  to  the  Pub- 
lishing Committee. 

Adjourned  two  weeks,  to  Jan.  24th. 

Jan.  2ith. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day, — the 
President  in  the  chair. 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  69 

The  committee  appointed  at  the  last  meeting  reported  a  list  of  names  for 
the  Committee  of  Arrangements  for  the  next  Annual  Exhibition,  and  they 
were  duly  chosen,  viz.  :  H.  W.  Button,  Chairman,  J.  Breck,  E.  M.  Rich- 
ards, D.  Haggerston,  P.  B.  Hovey,  Jr.,  J.  Lovett,  F.  W.  Macondry,  E. 
Wight,  0.  Johnson,  A.  McLennan,  W.  Quant,  A.  D,  Williams,  Jr.,  and 
P.  Barnes. 

Mr.  C.  M.  Hovey,  from  the  committee  appointed  for  the  object,  reported 
that  the  Annual  Exhibition  for  1846,  be  held  on  Wednesday,  Thursday, 
and  Friday,  the  16th,  17th,  and  18th  of  September  next. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements  were  requested  to  prepare  a  schedule 
of  premiums  for  Designs  and  Decorations,  for  the  Annual  Exhibition,  and 
report  in  two  weeks. 

Voted,  that  various  reports  of  the  Committees  offering  premiums  for  1846, 
be  published  in  a  pamphlet  form,  under  the  direction  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee. 

And  on  motion  of  C.  M.  Hovey,  it  was  voted  that  they  be  requested  to 
add  thereto  a  resolution  offering  the  substitution  of  medals  in  the  place  of 
money,  should  the  Society's  medals,  which  are  now  in  the  hands  of  a  com- 
mittee, be  prepared  for  distribution. 

The  reports  of  the  committees  awarding  premiums  for  1845,  having  been 
approved  by  the  Executive  Committee,  they  were  ordered  to  be  published. 

Adjourned  two  weeks,  to  Feb.  7th. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  FLOWERS, 

AWARDING    PREMIUMS   FOR    1845. 

The  Flower  Committee  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society  beg 
leave  to  submit  the  following  report.     They  have  awarded  the  followino- 
premiums  and  gratuities  for  the  year  1845  : — 

Camellias. — To  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  1st  premium,  .         .  $5  00 

Hyacinths. — For  the  best  display,  a  premium  to  Messrs.  Hovey 

&  Co.,  of  ,  .  .  .  .  .  .     4  00 

For  the  second  best  display,  a  premium  to  Joseph  Breck  & 

Co.,  of        ,  .  .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

Tulips. — For  the  best  30  varieties,  a  premium  to  Joseph  Breck 

&  Co.,  of   .  .  .  .  .  .  .     8  00 

For  the  second  best  30  varieties,  a  premium  to  Samuel  Walk- 
er, of  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     6  00 

A  fine  display,  the  third  best,  a  premium  to  S.  R.  Johnson,  of    3  00 
Hawthorns. — For  the  best  display,  first  premium  to  Messrs.  Win- 
ships,  of      .  .  .  .  ,  .  .     3  00 

For  the  second  best  display,  a  premium  to  John  A.  Kenrick, 

of   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2  00 

Hardy  Azaleas. — For  the  best  display,  first  premium  to  J.   A. 

Kenrick,  of  .  .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

For  the  second  best  display,  a  premium  to  Messrs.  Winships, 

of  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2  00 


70  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Magnolias. — For  the   best  display,  a  premium  to  W.  E.  Car- 
ter, of         ,  .  .  .  .  .  .  $  3  00 

For  the  second  best  display,  a  premium  to  J.  A.  Kenrick,  of    2  00 
Herbaceous  P^eonies. — For  the  best  12  varieties,  a  premium  to 

Joseph  Breck  &  Co.,  of     .  .  .  .  .     5  00 

For  the  second  best  12  varieties,  a  premium  to  W.  E.  Carter, 

of  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

For  the  best  display,  a  premium  to  William  Kenrick,  of        .     3  00 

Division  A. —  Class  1. 

Hardy  Roses. — For  the  best  30  varieties,  a  premium  to  Hovey 

&  Co.,  of   .  .  .  .  .  .  .     8  00 

For  the  second  best  30  varieties,  a  premium  to  A.  Aspinwall, 

of  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     6  00 

For  the  third  best  30  varieties,  a   premium  to  Joseph  Breck 

&  Co.,  of    .  .  .  .  .  .  .     4  00 

For  the  best  display,  a  premium  to  Hovey  &  Co.,  of  .     3  00 

Division  B. —  Class  1. 

Noisette,  Bourbon,  Perpetual,  and  other  Roses. — To  Jo- 
seph Breck  &  Co.,  a  premium  of    .  .  .  .     5  00 
To  Hovey  &  Co.,  a  premium  of         .             .             .             .     3  00 
For  the  best  display,  a  premium  to  S.  R.  Johnson,  of  .     2  00 
Carnations  and   Picotee  Pinks. — For  the  best   8  varieties,  a 

premium  to  Joseph  Breck  &  Co.,  of  .  .  .     5  00 

For  the  second  best  8  varieties,   a  premium  to  Hovey  &  Co., 

of 

For  the  best  display,  a  premium  to  Joseph  Breck  &  Co.,  of 
Phloxes. — For  the  best  6  varieties,  a  premium  to  Hovey  &  Co., 
of  . 
For  the  second  best  6  varieties,  a  premium  to  S.  Walker,  of 
For  the  third  best  6  varieties,  a  premium  to  J.  Breck  &  Co., 

of 

Balsams. — For  the  best  display,  a  premium  to  A.  Bowditch,  of 
For  the  second  best  display,  a  premium  to  Joseph   Breck  & 
Co.,  of        ......  . 

German  Asters. — For  the  best  display,  a  premium  to  Hovey  & 

Co.,  of 

For  the  second  best  display,  a  premium  to  Edward  Allen,  of    3  00 
For  the  third  best  display,  a  premium  to  Thomas  Mason,  of      2  00 

Dahlias. — In  the  following  divisions  and  classes  : — 
Division  A. 
For  the  best  specimen  bloom,  a  premium  to  Edward  Allen,  of    4  00 
Division  B. 
Class  I. — For  the  best  18  dissimilar  blooms,  a  premium  to  James 

Nugent,   of  .  .  .  .  .  ,     8  00 


4 

00 

3 

00 

5 

00 

4 

00 

3 

00 

3 

00' 

2 

00 

4 

00 

Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  71 

Class  n. — For  the  best  12  dissimilar  blooms,  a  premium  to  James 

Nugent,  of  .  .  .  .  .  .$5  00 

For  the  second  best  12   dissimilar  blooms,   a  premium  to 

Thomas  Mason,  of  .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

Class  III. — For  the  best  6  dissimilar  blooms,  a  premium  to  Hovey 

&  Co.,  of  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

For  the  second  best  6  dissimilar  blooms,  a  premium  to  John 

Hovey,  of .     2  00 

Division   C. 
Class  II. — For  the  best  12  dissimilar  blooms,  a  premium  to  Wm. 

Meller,  of 5  00 

For  the  second  best  12  dissimilar  blooms,  a  premium  to  S.  A. 

Walker,  of  .  .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

Class  III. — For  the  best  6  dissimilar  blooms,  a  premium  to  W.  B. 

Richards,  of  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

For  the  second  best  6  dissimilar  blooms,  a  premium  to  S.  A. 

Walker,  of  .  ,  .  .  .  .     2  00 

Chrysanthemums. — For  the  best  12  varieties  in  pots,  a  premium 

to  Hovey  &  Co.,  of  .  .  .  .  .     5  00 

Herbaceous  Plants. — For  the  best  display  through  the  season, 

a  premium  to  J.  Breck  &  Co.,  of  .  .  .  .     5  00 

For  the  second  best  display  through  the  season,  a  premium  to 

Messrs.  Winships,  of         .  .  .  .  .     4  00 

For  the  third  best  display  through  the  season,  a  premium  to 

W.  E.  Carter,  of    .  .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

Annuals. — For  the  best  display  through  the  season,  a  premium 

to  Breck  &  Co.,  of    .        '.  .  .  .  .5  00 

For  the  second  best  display  through  the  season,  a  premium  to 

Parker  Barnes,  of  .  .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

Bouquets. — For  the  best  display  through  the  season,  a  premium 

to  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  of.  .  .  .  .     5  00 

For  the  second  best  display  through  the  season,  a  premium 

to  Miss  Russell,  of  .  .  .  .  .     4  00 

For  the  third  best  display  through  the  season,  a  premium  to 

W.  E.  Carter,  of  .  .  .  .  ,  .     3  00 

Premiums  and  Gratuities 

Awarded  for  Bouquets  and  Pot  Plants  at  the  Weekly  Exhibitions. 

To  A.  Bowditch,  for  tvi'o  splendid  bouquets,  at  the  opening  of  the  Hall,  10  00 
For  bouquet,  .  .  .  .  .  ,  .     1  00 

To  Miss  Russell,  for  bouquet,  $2,  do  $2,  do  #2,  do  $1,  do  $1,  do  #1, 

do$l,  do.fl,  do?^l,do#l, 13  00 

To  Thomas  Motley,  Jr.,  bouquet,  $1,  do  $2,  .  ,  .3  00 

To  Hovey  &  Co.,  for  pot  plants,  $2,  do  $2,  do  $2,  .  .     6  00 

To  Salisbury  &  Willot,  for  pot  plants,  .  .  .  .     1  00 

To  Wm.  Quant,  bouquets,  $2,  do  $2,  do  ^2,  do  $2,  do  $2,  do  $2,      12  00 


72  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

To  Parker  Barnes,  for  pot  plants,  $2,  do  $  1,           .  .            .  $  3  00 

To  Wm.  E.  Carter,  for  bouquet,        .             .             .  .             .     1  CO 

To  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  for  bouquets,  $  1,  do  $2,  do  $  1,  do  $1,  do 

$l,do$2,             .             .             .             .             .  .             .8  00 

To  Edward  Allen,  for  pot  plants,      .             ,             .  .             .     2  00 

To  S.  A.  Walker,  for  design,            .             .             .  .             .     1  00 

To  Wm.  Meller,  for  pot  plants,         .             .             .  .             .     2  00 

To  David  Haggerston,  for  superb  bouquets,  composed  of  rare  green- 
house flowers,        .             .             .             .             .  .             .     5  00 

To  Thomas  Needham,  for  pot  plants,            ,             .  .             .     2  00 

Gratuities. 

To  Marshall  P.  Wilder,  President  of  the  Society,  (not  a  competitor 
for  premiums,)  the  following  gratuities,  viz.  : — 
For  a  fine  display  of  Camellias,    .  .  .  .  .     5  00 

For  a  fine  display  of  Tree  Paeonies,  100  blooms,  embracing  15  va- 
rieties,   .  .  .  .  .  .  ,  .     5  00 

For  fine  grown  azaleas  in  pots,      .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

For  fine  displays  of  Roses,  .  .  .  .  .     5  00 

For  repeated  exhibitions  of  superb  seedling  Japan  Lilies,  .     5  00 

For  magnificent  specimens  of  well  grown  fuchsias  in  pots,  .     5  00 

For  fine  specimens  of  well  grown  Erica  ventricosa,  tricolor,  &c.,      3  00 

To  J.  E.  Teschemacher,  for  fine  specimens  of  Echinocactus  Eryiesii,     3  GO 

To  Hovey  &  Co.,  for  magnificent  specimens   of  well  grown  Japan 

Lilies  in  pots,     .  .  .  .  .  .  .     5  00 

For  repeated  exhibitions   of  fine  new  gloxinias,  achimenes,  and 

gladioluses  in  pots,         .  .  .  .  .  .     5  00 

For  repeated  displays  of  choice  China,  Tea,  and  other  roses,        .     5  00 
For  the  introduction  and  exhibition  of  a  great  variety  of  new 

phloxes,  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     5  00 

For  a  continued  display  of  bouquets,  rare  cut  flowers,  and  pot 

plants,  through  the  season,         .  .  .  .  .     8  00 

To  Orr  N.  Towne,  for  magnificent  specimens  of  fuchsias  in  pots,     .     3  00 
To  Wm.  Doyle,  for  a  fine  collection  of  large,  well  grown  plants,  at 

the  Annual  Exhibition,      .  .  .  .  .         .     5  00 

To  Samuel  Sweetser,  for  a  large  rose-bush  covered  with  a  profusion 

of  flowers,  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

To  David  Haggerston,  for  a  magnificent  specimen  of  Crinum  Ama- 

bile,        .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

To  Alexander  McLennan,  for  fine  ranunculus,  .  .  .     3  00 

To  John  Arnold,  for  repeated  displays  of  China  and  other  roses,  5  00 

To  Capt.  Macondry,  for  fine  displays  of  German  asters   and  other 

flowers,  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2  00 

To  Josiah  Lovett,  3d,  for  fine  displays  of  seedling  pinks  and  pansies,     2  00 
To  Messrs.  Winships,  for  repeated  displays  of  fine   shrubby  plants,     5  00 
For  fine  displays  of  choice  cut  flowers,  pot  plants  and  bouquets 
through  the  season,        .  .  ,  .  .  .     5  00 


Massachuseils  Horticultural  Society.  73 

To  Parker  Barnes,  for  fine  fuchsias  in  pots,  .  .  .  $  3  00 

For  fine  grown  azaleas  in  pots,       .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

For  fine  displays  of  cut  flowers,  pot  plants,  &c.,  through  the  sea- 
son,       .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     8  00 

To  John  A.  Kenrick,  for  repeated  displays  of  cut  flowers,  .     3  00 

To  J.  S.  Cabot,  for  exhibitions  of  new  perennials,  pseonies,  &c.,     .     5  00 

To  Wm.  Carter,  for  fine  displays  of  polyanthus,       .  .  .     2  00 

For  well  grown  azaleas,    .  .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

For  repeated  exhibitions  of  choice  greenhouse  and  hardy  plants,     8  00 
To  Joseph  Breck  &  Co.,  for  a  fine  specimen  of  Wistaria  sinensis,         3  00 
For  a  fine  specimen  of  Cloth  of  Gold  rose,  .  .  .     3  00 

For  rich  displays  through  the  season,  of  choice  cut  flowers,  .  20  00 

To  Wm.  Meller,  for  fine  displays  of  geraniums,         .  .  .     5  00 

For  fine  displays  of  bouquets,  pot  plants,  and  cut  flowers  through 

the  season,  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     5  00 

To  Samuel  Walker,  for  displays  of  cut  flowers  and  bouquets  through 

the  season,         .  .  .  .  .  .     5  00 

To  J.  L.    L.  F.   Warren,   for  fine  displays  of  cut  flowers,    &c., 

through  the  season,        .  .  .  .  .  .     5  00 

To  S.  R.  Johnson,  for  fine  displays  of  roses  and  other  cut  flowers,        6  00 
To  Edward  Allen,  for  seedling  calceolarias,  .  .  .     2  00 

To  Wm.  Kenrick,  for  displays  of  cut  flowers  through  the  season,         3  00 
To  Azel  Bowditch,  for  bouquets  and  cutflowers  through  the  season,     3  00 
To  Samuel  Walker,  for   a  beautiful  seedling  pansy,  (the  finest  ever 

exhibited  here,)  .  .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

To  Miss  Russell,  for  continued  displays  of  flowers  tastefully  arrang- 
ed in  baskets  and  bouquets,  through  the  season. 
To  Thomas  Motley,  Jr.,  for  designs,  bouquets  and  cut  flowers. 
To  Wm.  Quant,  for  fine  grown  geraniums,   . 

For  fine  grown  plants,  bouquets,  &c., 
To  John  H.  Richardson,  for  seedling  paeonies, 
To  John  Hovey,  for  displays  of  bouquets,  &c., 


.     3 

00 

.     2 

00 

.     5 

00 

.     3 

00 

.     3 

00 

.     2 

00 

$214  00 


RECAPITULATION. 


Awarded  for  premiums,  ....  199  00 

Awarded  for  gratuities,      .  .  ,  .  214  00 

Awarded  for  pot  plants  and  bouquets  at  weekly  exhibitions,  .  "0  00 

Amount  unappropriated  and  reserved  for  premiums  and  gratuities 

on  camellias  and  azaleas  in  February  and  March,  .  .  35  50 

#518  50 

In  consequence  of  the  necessity  occasioned  by  the  issue  of  season  tickets, 
to  keep  up  successive  shows  from  week  to  week,  to  meet  the  expectations 
of  the  public,  many  of  the  contributors  of  flowers  have  been  obliged  to 
make  strenuous  eiforts  to  make  the  exhibitions  interesting  ;  as  the  sale  of 

VOL.  xn. — NO.  II.  10 


74 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 


flowers  was  prohibited  in  the  Hall,  by  the  vote  of  the  Society,  the  commit- 
tee have  taken  a  little  more  than  usual  I'liitude  in  awarding  gratuities,  that 
some  compensation  might  be  made  in  consideration  of  the  great  sacrifice  by 
a  few  of  the  members,  in  their  free  offerings  of  choice  specimens  of  flow- 
ers in  great  profusion  from  week  to  week,  during  the  season. 

The  Committee  have  taken  unwearied  pains  to  do  justice  to  the  numerous 
contributors  of  flowers,  and  make  such  disposition  of  the  munificent  sums 
appropriated  by  the  Society  to  the  flower  committee,  as  should  give  satis- 
faction to  all  concerned,  and  best  promote  the  great  interests  for  which  it 
was  designed.     All  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

Jos.  Breck,   Chairman. 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  FRUITS, 

AWARDING    PREMIUMS    FOR    1845. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Fruit  Committee,  held  on  Saturday,  January  3d, 
1846,  they  awarded  the  following  premiums  for  the  year  1845,  viz.  : — 

At  the  Annual  Exhibition  in  September. 
Apples. — For  the  greatest  number  of  kinds  and  the  best  grown,  to 

B.  V.  French,  .  .  •  .  •  $  10  00 

For  the   next  best  greatest   number  of  kinds  and   the  best 
grown,  to  C.  Newhall,        .  .  .  •  .     5  00 

Pears. — For  the  greatest  number  of  kinds  and  the  best  grown,  to 

M.  P.  Wilder,         .  .  .  .  .  .   10  00 

For  the  next  best  greatest  number  of  kinds   and   the   best 

grown,  to  Capt.  Lovett,       .  .  .  .  .     5  00 

For  the  next  best  greatest  number  of  kinds  and  the  best 
grown,  to  J.  S.  Cabot,        .... 

Grapes. — For  the  best  exhibited,  to  Wm.  Quant, 
For  the  second  best  exhibited,  to  O.  Johnson, 
For  the  third  best  exhibited,  to  B.  D.  Emerson, 
For  the  greatest  number  of  varieties  and  the  best  grown ,  to  J. 
F.  Allen,  ...... 

For  the  next  best  greatest  number  of  varieties  and  the  best 

grown,  to  Hovey  &  Co.,     .  .  .  •  .     5  00 

Assorted  Fruit. — For  the  best  basket  of  fruit,  of  various  kinds,  to 
D.  Haggerston,       .  .  .  .  • 

For  the  best  dish  of  apples,  to  E.  Vose, 

For  the  second  best  dish  of  apples,  to  Messrs.  Winship, 

For  the  best  dish  of  pears,  to  Capt.  Lovett,   . 

For  the  second  best  dish  of  pears,  to  J.  F.  Allen, 


Premiums  during  the  Season. 
Apples. — For  the  best  summer  apples,  to  A.  D.  Williams, 

For  the  second  best  summer  apples,  to  E.  M.  Richards, 
For  the  best  fall  apples,  to  0.  Johnson,  .  •    . 


3 

00 

.  10 

00 

.  7 

00 

.  5 

00 

.  10 

00 

10 

00 

5 

00 

3 

00 

5 

00 

3 

00 

$96  00 

.  6 

00 

.  4 

00 

.  6 

00 

Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 


75 


For  the  second  best  fall, apples,  to  Capt.  Lovett, 
Pears. — For  the  best  summer  pears,  to  A.  D.  Williams, 

For  the  next  best  summer  pears,  to  J.  F.  Allen, 

For  the  best  fall  pears  to  Capt.  Lovett, 

For  the  next  best  fall  pears,  to  S.  Walker,    . 

For  the  best  winter  pears,  to  Capt,  Fjovett,     . 
Cherries. — For  the  best  specimen,  to  0.  Johnson,  . 

For  the  second  best  specimens,  to  A.  D.  Williams, 
Peaches. — For  the  best  grown  under  glass,  to  J,  F.  Allen, 

For  the  second  best  grown  under  glass,  to  Josiah  Richardson, 

For  the  best  grown  in  open  culture,  to  Galen  Merriam, 

For  the  second  best  grown  in  open  culture,  to  John  Hill, 
Apricots. — For  the  best  specimen,  to  Hovey  &  Co., 

For  the  second  best  specimen,  to  E.  E.  Bradshaw, 
Nectarines. — For  the  best  specimen,  to  J.  F.  Allen, 

For  the  second  best  specimen,  to  Wm.  Quant, 
Quinces. — For  the  best  quality,  to  Wm.  Kenrick, 

For  the  second  best  quality,  to  S.  Pond, 
Plums. — For  the  best  in  quality,  to  Capt.  Lovett,     . 

For  the  second  best  in  quality,  to  S.  R.  Johnson, 
Gooseberries. — For  the  best  flavored,  to  O.  Johnson, 

For  the  second  best  flavored,  to  John  Hovey, 
Currants. — For  the  best,  to  A.  D.  Williams, 

For  the  second  best,  to  A.  D.  Weld, 
Raspberries. — For  the  best  specimens,  to  C.  Newhall, 

For  the  second  best  specimens,  to  J.  F.  Allen, 
Strawberries. — For  the  best  specimen,  to  A.  Aspinwall 

For  the  next  best  specimen,  to  Hovey  &  Co., 

For  the  next  best  specimen,  to  J.  Richardson, 
Muskmelons. — For  the  best  specimens,  to  Wm.  Quant, 

For  the  second  best  specimens,  to  Capt.  Lovett, 
Figs. — For  the  best  specimen,  to  J.  F.  Allen, 

Grapes. — For  the  best   specimen  and  the  best  varieties  of  grapes 
grown  under  glass,  previous  to  July  1st,  to  D.  Haggerston, 

For  the  second  best  specimens,  and  the  best  varieties  of  grapes 
grown  under  glass,  previous  to  July  1st,  to  J.  Nugent, 

For  the  best  grown  under  glass,  subsequently  to  July  1st,  to 
J,  F.  Allen,  .... 

For  the  second  best  grown  under   glass  subsequently  to  July 
1st,  to  Wm..  Quant, 
Native  Grapes. — For  the  best,  to  K.  Bailey, 

For  the  second  best,  to  S.  R.  Johnson, 


Gratuities. 
To  Edward  Humphries  for  a  seedling  nectarine. 
To  E.  M   Richards,  for  seedling  apple,  "  Walpole  Seedling,' 


.$4 

00 

.  6 

00 

.  4 

00 

.  6 

00 

.  4 

00 

.  6 

00 

.  6  00 

.  4 

00 

.  6 

00 

,  4 

CO 

.  6 

00 

.  4 

00 

.  5 

00 

.  3 

00 

.  6 

00 

.  4 

00 

.  5 

00 

.  3 

00 

.  6 

00 

.  4  00 

.  5 

00 

.  3 

00 

.  5 

00 

.  3 

00 

.  5 

00 

.  3 

00 

.  8 

00 

6 

00 

4 

00 

.  5 

00 

3 

00 

5 

00 

> 
10 

00 

7 

00 

10  00 

7 

00 

5 

00 

3 

00 

305 

00 

5 

00 

5  OQ 

76  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

To  W.  Newhall,  Lynn,  for  seedling  apricot,  .  .  .  $5  00 

To  Samuel  Walker,  for  Figue  Pears,  .  .  .     3  00 

To  Mrs.  Sheldon,  for  fine  lemons,     .  .  .  .  .     3  00 


Total,  .  $326  00 

For  the  Committee,  S,  Walker,  Chairman. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  VEGETABLES, 

AWARDING    PREMIUMS    FOR    1S45. 

The  Committee  on  vegetables  for  1845,  make  the  following  report. 

The  amount  appropriated  by  the  Society  and  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the 
Committee,  was  S  150,  and  they  have  awarded  the  following  sums  in  pre- 
miums and  o-ratuities  as  follows  : — 

Asparagus. — To  A.  D.  Williams,  for  the  earliest  and  best  3  bunch- 
es, a  premium  of      .  .  .  .  .  $  5  00 

To  Geo.  Walsh,  for  very  fine,  a  gratuity  of  .  .     5  00 

Beets. — To  James  Nugent,  for  the  best  12  roots,  a  gratuity  of        .     3  00 

Brocoli. — To  Josiah  Lovett,  2d,  for  the  best  3  heads,  a  premium  of    5  00 

To  John  Hooper,  a  gratuity  of  .  .  .  .     2  00 

Beans. — To  J.  F.  Macondry,  for  fine  Chili  string,  a  gratuity  of      .     2  00 
Lima  Beans. — To  J.  F.  Macondry,  for  the  earliest  and  best,  a  pre- 
mium of      .  .  .  .  .  .  .     3  00 

To  A.  Bowditch,  for  the  second  best,  a  gratuity  of  .  .     2  00 

Shell  Beans. — To  J.  F.  Macondry,  for  the  earliest  and  best,  a  pre- 
mium of      .  .  .  .  .  .  .     4  00 

Cucumbers. — For  the  best  pair  under  glass,    to  James  Nugent,   a 

premium  of  .  .  .  .     4  00 

To  Orr  N.  Towne,  for  the  second  best  pair  under  glass,  a 
premium  of  ...... 

To  John  Bumstead,  a  gratuity  of        . 

To  Thomas  Need  ham,  a  gratuity  of  ... 

Open  culture,  to  John  Hovey,  a  premium  of      . 
Cauliflowers. — To  Josiah  Lovett,  2d,  a  premium  of 

To  A.  D.  Williams,  a  premium  of      . 
Cabbage. — To  A.  D.  Williams,  for  the  best  drumhead  cabbage,  a 
premium  of  ...... 

Celery. — To  James  Nugent,  a  premium  of  .  .  . 

To  A.  D.  Williams,  a  premium  of    . 

Egg  Plants. — For  the  best  display  during  the  season,  to  Orr  N. 

Towne,  a  premium  of         . 

To  Thomas  IMotley,  a  gratuity  of      . 

To  W.  Quant,  a  gratuity  of     .  . 

Lettuce. — To  Josiah  Lovett,  2d,  a  premium  of       . 

To  A.  D.  Williams,  a  gratuity  of      . 


3 

00 

2 

00 

2 

00 

3 

00 

5 

00 

3 

00 

5 

00 

5 

00 

3 

00 

5 

00 

3 

00 

3 

00 

3 

00 

2 

00 

Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  77 

Potatoes. — To  A.  D.  Williams,  for  the  best  and  earliest  peck,  a 
premium  of  . 

To  James  Nugent,  a  gratuity  of         . 
Rhubarb. — To  Josiah  Lovett,  2d,  a  premium  of 

To  M.  P.  Wilder,  a  gratuity  of  .  .  . 

To  A.  D.  Williams,  a  gratuity  of       . 
To  Messrs.  Winships,  a  gratuity  of 
Squashes. — For  the   greatest   variety   during  the  season,  to  Josiah 

Lovett,  a  premium  of         .  .  . 

Tomatoes. — To  A.  D.  Williams,  a  premium  of 

To  Wm.  Seaver,  a  gratuity  of  .  .  . 

Vegetables. — To  Josiah  Lovett,  for  the  best  display  during  the 

season,         .  .  .  .  .  .  .   10  00 

To  A.  D.  Williams,  for   the   second  best  display  during  the 

season,         .  .  .  .  .  .  .     5  00 

Pdmpkins. — To  John  Marland,  for  a  mammoth  pumpkin,  a  gratuity 

of    .  .  .  .  .  .  .     2  00 


.     2 

00 

.     5 

00 

.     2 

00 

.      2 

00 

.      2 

00 

tl 
.      5 

00 

.      3 

00 

.     2 

00 

$125  00 
Leaving  unappropriated,  .  .  .  .  25  00 


S 150  00 


Your  committee  very  much  regret  that  the  display  of  vegetables  has  not 
been  greater  for  the  past  season,  but  are  much  gratified  with  the  very  fine 
specimens  exhibited,  though  few.  Quality  in  some  measure  has  made  up 
for  quantity. 

For  the  Committee,  Wm.  B.  Kingsbury. 

The  Chairman  of  the  Flower  Committee,  in  his  very  excellent  report,  has 
appended  thereto  some  statistics  in  regard  to  the  exhibitions  of  the  Society, 
which  may  be  interesting  to  many. 

It  appears  from  the  report  that  there  were  sixty-two  contributors  during 
the  year  1845.  Nineteen  of  them  exhibited  but  once  each  ;  four  but  twice 
each  ;  eleven  but  three  times  each  ;  two  but  four  times  each  ;  four  but  five 
times  each  ;  leaving  tioenty-tivo  individuals  who  made  the  principal  exhibi- 
tions during  the  season.  The  names  of  these  members,  and  the  number  of 
limes  they  exhibited  are  as  follows  : — Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  twenty-six  ; 
J.  Breck  &  Co.,  twenty-one  ;  Messrs.  Winships,  twenty  ;  P.  Barnes,  eight- 
een ;  M.  P.  Wilder,  eighteen  ;  S.  Walker,  eighteen  ;  W.  Ivenrick,  seven- 
teen ;  Mr.  Warren,  fifteen  ;  W.  E.  Carter,  fourteen  ;  J.  Hovey,  thirteen  ; 
W.  Meller,  twelve  ;  A.Bowditch,  twelve  ;  W.  Quant,  eleven  ;  J.  A.  Ken- 
rick,  eleven  ;  Jas.  Nugent,  eleven  ;  S.  R.  Johnson,  ten  ;  S.  A.  Walker, 
seven;  J.  Arnold,  seven  ;  E.Allen,  seven;  T.Mason,  six;  F.  W.Macon- 
dry,  six  ;  T.  Needham,  six. 

The  Reports  of  the  Committees  offering  premiums  for  1846,  will  appear 
in  our  next. 


78 


Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Art.  III.     Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Roots,  Tubers,  d^c. 

Potatoes,  new : 

r>>  S  per  barrel, 

Ohenanffoes,  \  '^     i      v,  i 

=   '  I  per  bushel 

^  S  psr  barrel, 
Common,....  J  Jig,  bushel 
c  .  t  S  per  barrel, 
Ea^tport, ^^er  bushel 

Long  Reds,..  ^J^;];^;'^^^! 

Sweet,  per  bushel    .     .     . 
Turnips  :  per  bushel,  . 

Common, 

Ruta  Baga,     .     .     . 
Onions  : 

Red,  per  bunch,  .     . 

While,  per  bunch,    . 

White,  per  bushel, 

Yellow,  per  bushel, 
Beets,  per  Dushei, 
Carrots,  per  bushel,  . 
Parsnips,  per  bushel,  . 
Salsily,  per  doz.  roots. 
Horseradish,  per  lb.  . 
Garlic,  per  bunch,  .     . 


Cabbages,  Salads,  d^c. 

Cabbages,  per  doz.  : 

Savoy, 

Drumhead,     .     .     . 
Red  Dutch,     .     . 
Brocolis,  each,   .     . 
Cauliflowers,  each. 
Lettuce,  per  head,  .     , 
Spinach,  per  peck. 
Celery,  per  root,     .     , 
Cucumbers,(pickled)  pr.  gal 
Peppers,  (pickled)  per  gal. 


Pot  and  Sicect  Herbs. 

Parsley,  per  half  peck, 
Sage,  per  pound,     .     . 
Marjorum,  per  bunch, 
Savory,  per  bunch, 
Spenrmint,  per  bunch, 


From    To 
^  cts.  $  cts. 


2  25 
75 

1    50 
50 

3  00 

1  25 

2  00 

1  00 

2  00 

50 

3 

3 
1  00 
50 
62 
50 
75 
25 
10 


50 
75 
75  ' 

20   I 

6 
25   I 

8  1 
25  I 
37^! 


3  25 


l2  50 


62 
50 


62a 

75 

62i 


10 


75 
00 
00 

25 
10 
37^ 

I2k 


75 
20 
12i 
12 


Squashes  and  Pumpkins. 


Squashes,  per  cwt. : 
Canada  Crookneck, 
Winter  Crookneck, 
Autumnal  Marrow, 

Pumpkins,  each,     .     . 


Fruits. 


Apples,  dessert  and  cooking 

Fall  Greening,  per  bbl 

Baldwiu,  per  bbl.     . 

Russets   per  bbl. 

Blue  Peaiinain,  per  bbl 

Greenings,  per  bbl. 

N.  Y.  Pippins,  per  bbl 

Common,  per  bbl.    . 

Danvers  Winter  Sweet,  per 
bbl 

Nonsuch,  per  bbl.     . 

Spilzemberg,  per  bbl. 

Golden  Russei,  per  bbl 

Hub.  Nonsuch,  per  bbl 

Dried  Apples,  per  lb.     , 
Pears,  per  doz.  or  half  peck 

St.  Germain,  per  half  pk 

Baking,  per  bushel, 
Cranberries,  per  bushel, 
Tomatoes,  per  peck,  . 
Grapes,  (foiced,)  per  lb. 

Black  Hamburg, 

White  Sweetwater, . 

Isabella,     .... 

Malaga,      .... 
Oranges,  per  doz. 

St. "Michael's,       .     . 

Havana,    .... 

Sicily,  

Lemons,  per  doz.    .     . 
Pine  Apples,  each, 
Chestnuts,  per  bushel. 
Walnuts,  per  bushel,   . 
Cocoanuts,  per  hundred. 
Almonds,  per  lb.      .     . 


From  I    To 
S  cts.  S  cts. 


2  50 
00 

3  50 
12i 


3  00 
2  25 

4  00 
17 


il  75 


20 
25 
20 
17 
12i 


2  50 
4  25 


30 
37 
25 
20 
25 


00   [2  25 

50   1 1   75 


Remarks. — Since  our  last  report,  there  has  been  a  succession  of  very 
mild  weather  for  January.  With  the  exception  of  two  mornings,  u hen 
the  mercury  indicated  3°  or  4°  below  zero,  it  has,  a  greater  part  of  the 
month,  averaged  20^  or  25°  above ;  a  drifting  snow  fell  on  the  17th,  but 
very  little  of  it  remains  at  this  date. 

Vegetables. — Potatoes  have  considerably  advanced  since  our  last,  but  they 
are  now  again  tending  downward  ;  the  ultimatum  in  price  has  probably 
been  reached,  and  it  is  doubtful  whether  they  will  again  command  so  good 
rates  during  the  spring  ;  there  has  been  a  good  many  arrivals,  and  as  they 


^  HorlicuUural  Memoranda.  79 

are  dearer  to  feed  out  to  stock,  at  the  present  rates,  than  grain,  a  great 
quantity  will  be  reserved  for  spring  sales  in  this  way  ;  some  excellent  long 
reds  have  been  brought  in.  Sweet  potatoes  are  yet  tolerably  well  supplied. 
Turnips  of  the  best  quality  have  advanced  considerably.  Onions  continue 
very  abundant,  and  without  change  of  price.  Garlics  are  now  furnished  by 
the  bunch,  and  some  finely  grown  ones  have  been  received  from  Connecti- 
cut ;  their  sale  is  upon  the  increase.  Cabbages  continue  rather  scarce, 
particularly  reds.  Brocolis  are  all  gone.  Cauliflowers  are  quite  scarce, 
and  good  heads  command  our  highest  rates.  Lettuce  good  for  the  season. 
Sphiach  not  quite  so  abundant ;  the  last  few  days  of  snow  and  frost  have 
prevented  the  usual  supply.  Parsley  continues  in  demand,  and  prices  have 
improved.  Squashes  continue  to  advance,  and  marrows  of  prime  quality 
sell  quick  at  the  highest  prices. 

Fruit. — Apples  remain  without  alteration ;  there  has  been  a  steady  de- 
mand, but  without  improvement  in  price.  Russets  and  Baldwins  constitute 
the  principal  stock ;  but  we  continue  our  quotations  as  in  our  last,  though 
only  a  few  barrels,  or  perhaps  bushels,  are  to  be  found  of  some  of  the 
kinds.  Pears  are  about  gone,  with  the  exception  of  baking ;  the  warm 
season  of  1845  ripened  them  off  at  least  a  month  earlier  than  usual.  Prime 
cranberries  are  a  shade  higher.  Grapes  are  abundant.  Oranges  and  lem- 
ons remain  the  same.  In  nuts,  there  has  been  considerable  doing,  and  we 
quote  chestnuts  25  cts.  higher  than  in  our  last.  The  stock  of  walnuts  is 
good  and  demand  steady. — Yours,  M.  T.,  Boston,  Jan.  30,  1846. 


HORTICULTURAL  MExMORANDA 

FOR  FEBRUARY. 


FRUIT  DEPARTMENT. 

Grape  Vines  will  commence  swelling  their  buds  m  greenhouses  during 
February  ;  and  they  will  soon  need  some  attention  preparatory  to  their 
breaking  ;  if  the  shoots  are  long,  the  tops  may  be  bent  down  towards  the 
front  of  the  house  ;  this  will  check  the  flow  of  sap  to  the  top,  and  when 
the  eyes  are  all  slightly  broken,  the  vines  may  be  brought  up  to  the  trellis 
and  properly  tied.     Keep  the  the  temperature  from  45°  to  50°  at  nicrht. 

Peach  trees  in  pots  may  be  still  brought  into  the  greenhouse  for  a  succes- 
sion ;  those  now  coming  into  bloom  should  be  watered  with  a  weak  solution 
of  guano. 

Grafting  apple  and  pear  trees  on  the  roots  may  be  commenced  now  and 
continued  till  spring,  the  roots  having  previously  been  laid  in. 

Pruning  orchards  may  be  done  this  month,  when  there  is  more  leisure 
than  there  will  be  in  March. 

Scions  wanted  in  April  or  May  should  be  cut  soon  and  placed  away  in  a 
box  in  a  cool  place,  with  the  lower  ends  in  earth. 


80  Tlorthmltural  Memoranda. 


FLOWER    DEPARTMENT. 

Camellias  will  be  in  full  bloom  this  month  ;  continue  to  keep  them  well 
supplied  with  water.  Any  straggling  plants  should  be  tied  up  to  neatly 
painted  stakes,  and  the  soil  top  dressed,  if  mossy.  If  seeds  are  wanted,  at- 
tend to  the  fertilization  of  the  flowers,  which  should  always  be  done  about 
noon.     Water  fortnightly  with  guano. 

Roses  now  coming  into  full  bloom  will  require  attention  ;  look  out  care- 
fully for  the  aphis,  which  is  exceedingly  troublesome  at  this  season,  and  fu- 
migate often  with  tobacco,  to  prevent  their  increase.  Young  plants  growing 
freely  may  be  re-potted.     Water  with  guano. 

Fuchsias  will  require  attention  ;  re-pot  all  growing  plants,  and  continue 
to  propagate,  if  young  plants  are  wanted. 

Japan  Lilies  will  now  be  throwing  up  their  shoots,  and  should  be  placed 
in  a  cool  and  half  shady  part  of  the  greenhouse.  Water  sparingly  till  they 
are  well  up. 

Dahlias  should  be  potted,  if  not  already  done,  if  plants  are  wanted  for 
flowering  early ;  or  if  it  is  intended  to  raise  young  plants.  Put  the  cuttings 
in  sand  and  loam,  under  a  bell  glass. 

Mignonette  and  10  loeek  stock  seed,  for  flowering  early  in  the  open  border, 
should  be  planted  soon. 

Schizanthuses  will  require  another  potting,  if  fine  specimen  plants  are 
wanted. 

Calceolarias  will  require  re-potting  this  month. 

Gladiolus  gandavensis,  and  ftoribundus,  cf-c,  should  now  be  potted. 

Pelargoniums  may  be  shifted  again,  and  if  young  plants  are  wanted,  now 
is  a  good  time  to  put  in  cuttings. 

Verbena  cuttings  should  now  be  put  in  for  making  healthy  young  plants 
for  turning  out  into  the  border  in  May. 

Oxalis  Bowiei  and  Hirta  done  blooming,  should  be  more  sparingly  wa- 
tered. 

Cactuses  should  now  be  more  liberally  watered. 

Ranunculuses  may  be  planted  the  latter  part  of  this  month,  if  the  weather 
is  mild. 

Plants  in  frames  should  be  aired  in  all  good  weather. 

VEGETABLE    DEPARTMENT. 

Sow  all  kinds  of  vegetable  seeds  if  the  hot-beds  made  up  last  month,  are 
in  good  order.  Cucumbers  already  up  will  be  ready  for  hilling  out  by  the 
middle  of  the  month.  Make  a  second  sowing  of  lettuce,  radishes,  egg 
plants,  tomatoes,  cabbages,  cauliflowers,  cucumbers,  &c. 

Peas  may  be  forwarded  two  or  three  weeks,  by  sowing  them  on  an  in- 
verted sod,  and  in  April  transplanting  them  to  the  open  ground. 

Rhubarb  routs  covered  with  a  barrel,  and  the  barrel  covered  with  hot  ma- 
nure, will  come  forward  very  early,  and  produce  a  good  crop. 


THE  MAGAZINE 


O  F 


HORTICULTURE. 


MARCH,  1846. 

ORIGINAL   COMMUNICATIONS. 

Art.  I.  Notes  and  Recollectio7is  of  a  Tour  through  part  of 
Englarid,  Scotland  and  France^  m  the  autumn  of  1844. 
By  the  Editor. 

(^Contimied  from  page  57.) 

Windsor,  Oct.  4. — We  reached  Windsor,  after  a  very 
pleasant  afternoon  ride,  about  an  hour  before  sunset,  rather 
later  than  we  intended  to  arrive  here,  when  we  left  Knap 
Hill ;  but  the  many  objects  to  be  seen  at  the  places  we  have 
noticed,  detained  us,  and  we  now  had  but  little  time  to  spend 
here.  The  queen  and  Prince  Albert  had  just  arrived  at  the 
castle,  from  their  tour  in  Scotland,  and  the  town  was  thronged 
with  visiters,  who  had  come  to  witness  the  event.  Windsor 
Castle  is  a  picturesque  looking  building,  in  the  oldest  castel- 
lated style:  the  gardens  have  been  lately  considerably  im- 
proved, but  we  arrived  too  late  to  see  only  the  Frogmore 
Gardens,  which  are  part  of  the  royal  demesne,  and  have  re- 
cently been  so  much  enlarged  and  improved,  that  they  are 
said  to  be  the  finest  in  England. 

Frogmore  Gardens. — The  whole  quantity  of  land  im- 
proved, is  upwards  of  twenty- three  acres ;  twelve  of  which 
are  enclosed  by  a  brick  wall,  and  intersected  by  other  walls, 
for  the  purpose  of  training  quantities  of  fruit  trees,  which 
will  not  do  well  in  any  other  situation  in  this  climate.  The 
gardens  are  about  half  a  mile  from  Windsor  Castle  ;  they  are 
under  the  care  of  Mr.  Ingram,  a  skilful  and  excellent  gardener, 
as  every  thing  attested.  We  did  not,  however,  owing  to  the 
lateness  of  the  hour,  find  him  at  home ;  but  his  son  pointed 
out  to  us,  very  politely,  all  that  was  worthy  of  note.     The 

VOL.  XII. — NO.  in.  11 


82  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour. 

gardens  had   very  recently  been   laid  out,  and   the  whole 
grounds  had  not  yet  been  planted. 

The  principal  feature  of  attraction,  is  the  splendid  range  of 
houses,  upwards  of  nine  hundred  feet  long,  built  in  the  most 
thorough  and  substantial  manner,  without  regard  to  expense. 
In  the  centre  of  the  range  is  a  beautiful  dwelling  for  the  gar- 
dener, erected  in  the  Elizabethan  style,  with  one  room  fitted 
up  for  the  queen,  when  visiting  the  garden.  The  frame  work 
is  of  iron,  and  the  sashes  are  glazed  with  panes  of  Dutch 
glass,  each  pane  being  about  eight  by  forty  or  fifty  inch- 
es ;  with  only  one  lap  in  each  row  of  glass  in  each  sash. 

There  are,  we  believe,  five  compartments  in  each  wing  of 
the  range,  the  outer  one  of  each  being  occupied  as  greenhouses, 
and  the  others  as  graperies,  peacheries,  &/C.  &c.  The  grape 
vines  had  only  been  planted  fourteen  months,  and  they  were 
now  producing  from  two  to  four  bunches  each,  of  as  fine 
grapes  as  we  ever  saw.  The  Hamburghs  were  unusually  well 
colored.  We  saw  here  the  new  grape,  called  Prince  Albert, 
which  was  said  to  excel  the  Hamburgh.  It  certainly  was  a 
fine  looking  grape,  whatever  its  qualities  might  be;  the 
bunches  very  large  and  handsome.  Mr.  Ingram  had  exhib- 
ited a  vine  in  a  pot,  a  week  or  two  previous,  at  a  meeting  of 
the  London  Horticultural  Society,  one  of  the  bunches  of 
which  weighed  upwards  of  three  pounds.  It  was  yet  so  new, 
that  only  two  vines  were  growing  in  the  grapery.  The  va- 
riety originated  in  Jersey.  We  have  never  had  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  finer  specimens  of  vines,  for  their  age;  they  were 
planted  in  July,  1843,  and  in  October,  1844,  were  producing 
six  or  eight  pounds  weight  of  fruit  each,  with  as  strong  a 
growth  of  new  wood  as  the  best  cultivator  could  desire.  It 
is  true,  no  expense  was  spared  in  the  preparation  of  the  bor- 
der, which  is  the  principal  thing  in  growing  grapes. 

In  the  enclosure  in  the  rear  of  the  range  of  houses,  are 
several  ranges  of  pits,  small  green-houses,  hot-houses,  &c., 
which  contained  a  variety  of  plants  for  replenishing  the 
green-houses  in  the  long  range,  but  we  saw  nothing  particu- 
larly new,  or  worthy  of  record.  Indeed,  the  place  was  quite 
too  recently  built  up,  to  expect  much  in  this  way.  The 
splendid  range  of  houses,  their  superior  construction  and  ar- 
rangement, are  the  only  objects  of  special  notice. 


Bayswater — Residence  of  Mrs.  Loudon.  83 

It  was  quite  dark  before  we  left  the  grounds,  and  after 
passing  a  pleasant  evening  with  Mr.  Godfrey,  to  whom  we  were 
so  much  indebted  for  our  day's  ride,  and  to  whom  we  again 
return  our  warmest  thanks,  we  took  the  train  of  cars,  at  the 
Slough  station,  and  arrived  in  London  about  half  past  nine 
o'clock. 

Bayswater,  Residence  of  Mrs.  Lov.don. — It  would  scarcely 
be  expected  that  we  should  leave  London  without  giving 
some  account  of  Bayswater,  the  residence  of  the  late  Mr. 
Loudon.  Some  years  previous  to  his  death,  he  stated  that  it 
was  his  desire  to  visit  this  country,  and  we  had  confidently 
hoped,  in  common  with  many  of  his  friends,  that  he  would 
have  been  able  to  gratify  his  wish  ;  but  from  subsequent  lan- 
guage, incidentally  used,  in  an  article  in  the  Gardener^ s  Mag- 
azine, the  "  subject  of  slave  population  filled  his  mind  with 
horror,  and  diminished,  in  a  considerable  degree,  the  ardent 
desire  he  once  had  to  visit  the  United  States."  So  great  an 
admirer  of  one  who  had  done  so  much  for  gardening,  in  this 
country,  as  well  as  in  Europe,  we  still  anticipated  the  pleas- 
ure of  seeing  him  at  some  future  day.  Deeply  regretted  by 
all,  however,  he  fell  a  victim  to  his  own  incessant  and  her- 
culean labors,  but  a  short  time  previous  to  our  visit. 

In  company  with  Mr.  Charlwood,  who  was  an  intimate 
friend  of  Mr.  Loudon,  we  called  on  Mrs.  Loudon,  but  she 
was  absent  from  home,  and  we  had  not  the  pleasure  of  an 
acquaintance.  Another  opportunity  did  not  again  offer  to 
renew  our  visit.  Fearing  this,  we  took  a  brief  survey  of  the 
library,  filled  to  overflowing  with  most  of  the  works  on  hor- 
ticulture, botany,  &c.,  of  the  present  century.  Allowing  the 
imagination  a  little  sway,  it  became  the  same  busy  scene, — 
the  same  literary  workshop, — of  a  few  months  before.  At 
one  table  sat  an  amanuensis,  at  a  second  another,  and  at  a 
third  a  draftsman.  To  and  fro,  in  busy  thought,  walked  a 
crippled  man,  now  dictating  to  one,  now  to  the  other,  and 
anon  giving  directions  to  the  third.  Daily,  weekly,  yearly, 
the  same  unceasing  toil  went  on ;  until,  worn  by  care,  and 
wasted  in  health,  the  master  hand  sunk  beneath  the  comple- 
tion of  a  work,  which  few  would  have  had  the  courage  to 
have  undertaken,  and  fewer  to  carry  out. 

The  garden  was  a  source  of  interest;  it  had  been  the  scene 


84  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour. 

of  many  changes  in  the  hands  of  the  proprietor,  and  must 
essentially  have  been  an  experimental  garden,  in  the  true 
sense  of  the  vrord.  The  garden  contains  about  quarter  of  an 
acre,  and  was  laid  out  in  1823.  The  whole  ground  was  well 
trenched,  and  before  trenching  the  surface  was  limed  and  thick- 
ly coated  with  the  best  London  stable  manure.  The  trenching 
was  done  in  the  autumn,  and  in  the  spring  the  whole  was 
planted.  In  the  Suburban  Garden.,  the  author  has  detailed  all 
his  experim.ents  in  this  garden  from  1823  to  1837,  and  if  we 
had  room  we  should  copy  the  entire  article  here,  but  as  it  is 
quite  too  long,  (filling  several  pages,)  we  shall  notice  some  of 
the  principal  changes  which  were  made,  to  show  how  much 
can  be  accomplished  on  so  small  a  spot  of  ground. 

In  1823,  the  garden  was  planted  with  a  specimen  of  all  the 
trees  and  shrubs  which  could  be  procured  in  London,  for  the 
purpose  of  studying  their  character,  and  also  with  "fifty  pear 
trees,  nearly  as  many  of  apples,  and  a  corresponding  number  of 
plums,  cherries,  and  other  fruits."  Many  of  these,  as  soon  as 
they  began  to  bear,  were  cut  down  to  make  room  for  others, 
and  in  1837  only  about  tiventy-seven  were  remaining. 

In  the  hot-house,  the  first  year,  he  grew  melons ;  the  next 
two  years,  pines.  In  1830,  it  was  wholly  devoted  to  a  repre- 
sentative system  of  tropical  plants,  in  pots ;  and  in  1837  was 
only  filled  with  grapes  and  figs.  This  house  has  been  succes- 
sively heated  with  flues  and  tan,  flues  without  tan,  and  by 
hot  water  in  various  modes.  The  greenhouse  was  first  plant- 
ed with  peaches  and  nectarines ;  subsequently  with  vines, 
which  bore  enormous  crops  in  1829.  In  1830,  all  were  re- 
moved, and  a  representative  system  of  greenhouse  plants 
succeeded.  In  a  pit,  melons  and  cucumbers  were  first  grown  • 
in  1826  it  was  filled  with  greenhouse  plants,  chiefly  from  Au- 
stralia and  the  Cape :  but  in  1835  the  sashes  were  given  to  a 
friend,  and  the  pit  filled  up  with  a  collection  of  hyacinths  and 
pgeonies. 

In  a  small  bed,  culinary  vegetables  were  grown  the  first 
year ;  then  an  arrangement  of  herbaceous  plants  was  made 
in  it,  so  as  to  have  an  equal  number  in  flower  every  month  in 
the  year,  except  December  and  January.  In  1830,  the  trees 
overshadowed  it,  and  the  plants  were  removed.  In  a  tank  of 
salt  water  a  small  collection  of  fuci  were  grown  ;  this  tank 


Bnyswater — Residence  of  Mrs.  London.  85 

was  cleared  away,  and  a  collection  of  American  peat  earth- 
plants  received  from  Col.  Carr,  of  the  Burtram  Botanic  Gar- 
den cultivated.  In  another  small  compartment,  "  150  sorts  of 
tulipSj  nearly  that  number  of  ranunculuses,  anemonies,  pinks, 
carnations,  primroses,  (fee,"  and  some  dahlias  were  grown ; 
and  in  1831  these  gave  way  to  another  representative  system 
of  herbaceous  plants.  In  a  small  border  a  complete  collection 
of  strawberries,  named  agreeably  to  the  Horticultural  Socie- 
ty's Catalogue  of  Fruits,  was  planted;  but  in  1826  these 
were  removed,  and  the  border  divided  into  464  small  divi- 
sions, (by  flints  and  vitrified  bricks,)  to  contain  that  number 
of  orders  and  tribes,  and  consequently  representing  the  whole 
vegetable  kingdom,  hardy  or  tender,  indigenous  or  exotic,  in 
Great  Britain.  In  1830,  these  were  all  removed,  together  with 
the  flints  and  bricks,  and  a  universal  representative  system 
substituted,  limited  to  the  representatives  of  the  hardy  trees 
and  shrubs  cultivated  in  Britain,  amounting  to  58  species. 
The  stronger-growing  trees  and  shrubs  in  this  miniature  arbo- 
retum were  taken  up  every  other  year,  and  their  roots  redu- 
ced, to  keep  them  of  moderate  dimensions.  A  stone  shelf  for 
Alpines  contained  at  one  time  600  species  in  small  pots,  all 
named.  These  are,  however,  but  a  very  small  portion  of  the 
experiments,  all  of  which  are  minutely  detailed  in  the  work 
before  alluded  to. 

In  closing  his  description  of  the  garden,  Mr.  Loudon  says, 
"  we  might  say  a  great  deal  more  on  the  subject  of  the  numer- 
ous experiments  we  have  tried  in  this  small  piece  of  ground, 
in  the  course  of  twelve  years ;  one  great  object  being,  as  far 
as  we  could,  to  try  every  thing  that  could  be  tried  in  so  small 
a  space.  Owing  to  the  liberal  preparation  we  gave  the  soil, 
and  the  liberal  supply  of  water  during  the  growing  months, 
(May,  June,  and  July,)  the  growth  of  the  trees  and  shrubs 
was  so  rapid,  that  it  would  hardly  be  credited  were  we  to 
detail  it ;  and  as  we  procured  the  trees  in  the  London  nurse- 
ries, and  planted  them  in  the  autumn,  they  produced  some 
fruit  the  first  year,  a  tolerable  crop  the  second  and  third,  and 
in  1828,  '29,  and  '30,  many  bushels  of  apples  and  pears.  So 
large  had  these  trees  become,  that  there  is  scarcely  one  of  them 
now  remaining  (in  1S37)."  After  reading  this,  the  most  impa- 
tient must  perceive  that  six  years  are  ample  to  give  a  good  crop 


86  FremonVs  Expedition 

of  fruit,  and  that,  in  twelve  years,  in  a  small  garden,  trees  will 
grow  to  such  a  size  as  to  require  to  be  wholly  removed,  if 
flowers  or  vegetables  are  cultivated. 

The  house  stands  about  thirty  feet  from  the  street,  and  is 
planted  in  front  with  groups  of  trees,  viz  :  Cedar  of  Lebanon, 
Morbus  hybrida,  Cerasus  Padus,  C.  semperflorens,  Prunus 
myrobalana,  Amelanchier  Botryapium,  Symphoria  racemo- 
sa,  Persian  lilac,  rose  acacia  and  Althsea.  The  Myrobalan 
plum  comes  first  into  bloom,  then  the  Amelanchier ;  next  the 
bird-cherry,  then  the  Sorbus,  and  last  the  Robinia ;  the  pur- 
ple berries  of  the  cherry,  tht  red  of  the  Sorbus,  and  the  snow 
white  of  the  snowberry,  have  a  fine  eflect.  At  the  time  of 
our  visit  this  group  was  highly  picturesque.  Other  planta- 
tions were  all  made  with  the  same  view  to  efiect,  and  from 
the  street  the  masses  of  foliage  give  the  house  the  appearance 
of  standing  in  the  country,  rather  than  in  the  crowded  city. 

(To  be  Continued.^ 


Art.  II.  Notice  of  the  "  Report  of  the  Exploring  Expedition 
to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  in  the  year  1842 — and  to  Oregon, 
and  North  California,  in  the  years  1843 — 1844.  By  Bre- 
vet Captain  J.  C.  Fremont,  of  the  Topographical  Engineers, 
&c.  &c.  Printed  by  order  of  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States.     Washington.     1845."     By  X. 

The  Botany  of  North  America  is  being  yearly  developed, 
in  new  and  striking  points  of  view.  The  vast  plains,  deserts, 
prairies,  and  mountain  ranges,  which  lie  in  the  regions  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  have  been  but  partially  explored,  and  their 
natural  productions  are  scarcely  known.  During  the  expe- 
ditions made  by  Captain  Fremont,  a  great  range  of  country 
was  passed  over,  and  even  particular  sections  visited,  where, 
probably,  the  foot  of  civilized  man  never  before  trod.  The 
collections  of  specimens  of  the  Natural  History  of  these  re- 
gions, were  but  an  incidental  circumstance  of  his  attention ; 
and  these,  repeatedly  subjected  to  accidents  of  a  most  serious 
nature,  were  likely  to  have  been  ruined,  were   it  not  for  the 


to   Oregon  and  California.  87" 

perseverance  and  industry,  which  only  saved  them  from  utter 
loss.  From  the  remains  of  the  dried  plants,  recovered  from 
such  sad  mishaps.  Dr.  Torrey,  to  whom  they  were  submitted, 
has  published,  in  an  Appendix  to  the  Report,  a  list  of  species, 
and  has  been  enabled  to  determine  and  describe  some  new 
species.  The  specimens  of  Compositce^  collected  in  the  first 
expedition,  were  confided  to  Dr.  Gray,  from  which  he  has 
enumerated  and  described  several  species,  and  some  new  ge- 
nera, which  have  been  published  in  the  Boston  Journal  of 
Natural  History,  Vol.  V.  No.  1,  accompanied  by  figures  of 
two,  viz  :  Mondptllon  bellidifonnis,  and  Amsbcoma  acaulis  ; 
the  latter,  an  annual  plant,  belonging  to  the  order  Compositse- 
cichoracese,  with  yellowish  flowers,  on  simple  naked  scapes, 
and  with  linear-pinnatified  leaves.  The  Monoptilonbellidifor- 
mis,  (^Torrey  c^*  Gray,  ined.)  is  described  as  a  "highly  cu- 
rious plant,  and  probably  gathered  in  the  southern  ranges  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains.  The  generic  name  is  expressive  of  its 
most  striking  peculiarity,  that  of  a  pappus,  composed  of  a 
solitary  plumose  bristle."  Plant  annual,  small,  depressed 
villose  pubescent ;  leaves  few,  oblong,  or  linear-spathulate,  en- 
tire :  heads  of  flowers,  {capiiula,)  subsessile  or  bracteate. 
Flowers ;  disc  yellow,  ligules  seemingly  white,  tinted  with 
blue  or  lilac.  The  resemblance,  judging  from  the  accompa- 
nying figure,  is  somewhat  that  of  a  daisy,  and  of  which  the 
flowers  are  particularly  conspicuous. 

Besides  these,  mention  is  made  of  an  addition  to  Hooker's 
Genus  of  Townsendia,  in  T.  Fremontu,  Torrey  ^*  Gray, 
ined.; — of  specimens  belonging  to  the  "group  of  biennial 
asters,  which  form  Mr.  Nuttall's  genus  Dieteria,  and  which 
are  characteristic  productions  of  the  wide  arid  tracts,  which 
occupy  so  large  a  space  on  this  side  and  beyond  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  Also,  a  new  genus,  in  the  yellow  or  homochrous 
series  of  asteroid  plants,"  viz:  Amphip^ppus  ;  bearing  in  its 
specific,  the  name  of  the  discoverer,  viz :  A.  Frem6nta. 

This  article,  to  which  we  have  thus  alluded,  in  connection 
with  the  Report,  under  notice,  makes  mention,  also,  of  Pyrroc 
oma  foliosa,  T.  iSf*  G.  a  new  species.  Aplepdppus  torti- 
folius,  T.  6^.  G.  n.  sp.  "  Several  novel  plants,  of  the  tribe 
Senecionideae,  which  are  not  in  sufficient  good  state  for  satis- 
factory determination — a  new  Balsamorhiza,  probably.     "Ac- 


88  Premonfs  Expedition 

tinella  grandiflora,  T.  6^  G.  ;  which  is,  perhaps,  a  variety 
of  A.  Torreydna,  with  the  heads  immersed  among  the 
leaves."  "Calhachyris  Fremontn,  T.  &  G.. — gathered  in 
the  mountains  of  CaUfornia,  in  March;"  probably  distinct, 
as  a  genus  and  species.  For  particulars,  and  detailed  de- 
scriptions, the  reader  is  referred,  in  the  number  of  the  Boston 
Journal^  cited  above,     pp.  104 — 111. 

Returning  to  the  subject  matter  of  this  notice,  we  find  Dr. 
Torrey's  list  of  plants,  collected  in  the  first  expedition,  pre- 
faced by  some  very  interesting  remarks.  From  this,  we 
gather,  that  the  "  expedition  left  the  mouth  of  the  Kansas, 
on  the  10th  of  June,  1842,  and.  proceeding  up  that  river, 
about  one  hundred  miles,  they  continued  its  course,  generally 
along  the  "  bottoms'''  of  the  Kansas'  tributaries,  but  sometimes 
passing  over  the  upper  prairies.  The  soil  of  the  river  bot- 
toms is  always  rich,  but  generally  well  timbered  ;  though  the 
whole  region  is  what  is  called  a  prairie  country.  The  upper 
prairies  are  an  immense  deposit  of  sand  and  gravel,  covered 
with  a  good,  and,  very  generally,  a  rich  soil.  Along  the 
road,  on  reaching  the  little  stream,  called  Sandy  Creek,  (a 
tributary  of  the  Kansas,)  the  soil  becomes  more  sandy.  The 
rock  formations  of  this  region,  are  limestone  and  sandstone. 
The  Amorpha  canescens  was  the  characteristic  plant ;  it  be- 
ing, in  many  places,  as  abundant  as  grass. 

Crossing  over  from  the  waters  of  the  Kansas,  Lieutenant 
Fremont  arrived  at  the  Great  Platte,  210  miles  from  its  junc- 
tion with  the  Missouri.  The  valley  of  this  river,  from  its 
mouth  to  the  Great  Forks,  is  about  four  miles  broad,  and 
three  hundred  and  fifteen  miles  long.  It  is  rich,  well-timbered, 
and  covered  with  luxuriant  grasses.  The  purple  Z/iatris 
scariosa,  and  several  asters  were  here  conspicuous  features  of 
the  vegetation.  On  the  Lower  Platte,  and  all  the  way  to  the 
Sweet  Water,  the  showy  Cleome  integrifolia  occurred  in 
abundance.  From  the  Forks  to  the  Laramie  River,  a  dis- 
tance of  about  200  miles,  the  country  may  be  called  a  sandy 
one.  The  valley  of  the  North  Fork  is  without  timber ;  but 
the  grasses  are  fine,  and  the  herbaceous  plants  abundant. 
On  the  return  of  the  expedition,  in  September,  Lieutenant 
Fremont  says,  the  whole  country  resembled  a  vast  garden : 
but  the  prevailing  plants  were  two  or  three  species  of  the 
heliantlius  (sun-flower.)      ***** 


to   Oregon  and  California.  89 

The  route  along  the  North  Fork  of  the  Platte  afforded 
some  of  the  best  plants  in  the  collection.  The  /S'enecio  rapi- 
folia  (Nuttall)  occurred  in  many  places  quite  to  the  Sweet 
Water.  Lippia  (Zapant'a)  cuneifolia,  (Torrey,  in  James's 
Plants,  only  known  here  from  Dr.  James's  collection,) — Cerco- 
carpus  parvifolius  Nvtt.  Eriogonum  parvifolium,  and  E. 
csespitosum  Niitt.  Shepherdid  argentea  Nutt.  ;  and  Ge- 
ranium Fremontii  a  new  species,  (near  the  Red  Buttes,) 
were  found  in  this  part  of  the  journey.  In  saline  soils,  on  the 
Upper  Platte,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Sweet  Water,  were  col- 
lected several  interesting  Chenopodiace^,  one  of  which  was 
first  discovered  by  Dr.  James,  in  Long's  Expedition ;  and  al- 
though it  was  considered  a  new  genus,  I  did  not  describe  it, 
owing  to  the  want  of  the  ripe  fruit.  It  is  the  plant,  doubt- 
fully referred,  by  Hooker,  in  his  Florea  Boreali  Americana, 
to  Batis.  He  had  seen  the  male  tlowers  only.  As  it  is  cer- 
tainly a  new  genus,  I  have  dedicated  it  to  ihe  excellent  com- 
mander of  the  expedition,  as  a  well  merited  compliment,  for 
the  services  he  has  rendered  North  American  Botany.     *     * 

*  *  *  Along  the  Sweet  Water,  many  interesting  plants 
were  collected,  as  may  be  seen  by  an  examination  of  the 
Catalogue.  I  would,  however,  mention  the  curious  ffi'nothe- 
ra  Nuttallii  (Tor.  &  Gr.)  Eurotia  Janata  Mocq  :  (Di 
Otis  lanata  Ph.)  which  seems  to  be  distinct  from  E.  ceratoi- 
des;  Thermopsis  montana  Nuit.  Gilia  pulchella  Doiigl. 
iSenecio  spartioides  Tor.  c5*  Gr..,  a  new  species ;  and  four 
or  five  species  of  wild  currants,  (i2i6e5  irriguum,  Dougl.&Lc.) 
Near  the  mouth  of  the  Sweet  Water,  was  found  the  Plan- 
tago  eirophora  7 or.,  a  species  first  described  in  Dr. 
James's  Rocky  Mountain  Plants.  On  the  upper  part,  and 
near  the  dividing  ridge,  were  collected  several  species  of  Cas- 
tilleja;  Pentstemon  micrantha  Nvtt.;  several  Gentianr ;  the 
pretty  little  Androsace  occidentalis  Nvtt.  ;  Solidago  i;:cana 
Tor.  <^*  Gr. — and  two  species  of  Eriogonum;  one  of  which 
was  new. 

On  the  eighth  of  August,  the  exploring  party  crossed  the 
dividing  ridge  or  pass;  and  found  the  soil  of  the  plains,  at 
the  foot  of  the  mountains,  on  the  western  side,  to  be  sandy. 
From  Laramie's  Fork  to  this  point,  different  species  of  Arte- 
mesia  were  the  characteristic  and  prevailing  plants;  occupy- 

VOL.   XII. NO.   III.  12 


90  Fremonfs  Expedition. 

ing  the  place  of  the  grasses,  and  jfilling  the  air  with  the  odor 
of  camphor  and  turpentine.  Along  Little  Sandy,  a  tributary 
of  the  Colorado  of  the  West,  were  collected  a  new  species  of 
Phaca  (P.  digitate)  and  Parnassia  fimbriata. 

On  the  morning  of  the  10th  August,  they  entered  the  defiles 
of  the  Wind  River  Mountains,  a  spur  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, or  Northern  Andes,  and  among  which  they  spent  about 
eight  days.  On  the  borders  of  a  lake,  Grubos,  in  one 
of  these  defiles,  were  collected  ^S'^dum  rhodiola,  D.  C.  (which 
had  been  found  before  south  of  Kotzebue's  Sound,  only  by 
Dr.  James,)  >S'enecio  hydrophilus  Nittt.  ;  Faccinium  uligino- 
sum;  ^etula  glandulosa,  and  JS.  occidentalis  Hook:  E\ekg~ 
nus  argentea  and  Shepherdia  canadensis.  Some  of  the 
higher  peaks  of  the  Wind  River  Mountains  rise  one  thousand 
feet  above  the  limits  of  perpetual  snow.  Lieut.  Fremont, 
attended  by  four  of  his  men,  ascended  one  of  the  loftiest 
peaks,  on  the  15th  August.  On  this,  he  found  the  snow  line 
twelve  thousand  five  hundred  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea. 
The  vegetation  of  the  mountains  is  truly  Alpine,  embracing 
a  considerable  number  of  species  common  to  both  hemi- 
spheres, as  well  as  some  that  are  peculiar  to  North  America. 
Of  the  former.  Lieut.  Fremont  collected  Phleum  alpinum  ; 
Oxyria  reniformis,  Veroiiica  alpina;  several  species  of  ASalix; 
Carex  atrata,  C.  panicea  :  and,  immediately  below  the  line 
of  perpetual  congelation,  iS'ilene  acaulis,  and  Polemonium 
caeruleum,  var.  Hook.  Among  the  Alpine  plants,  peculiar  to 
the  Western  hemisphere,  there  were  found  Oreophila  myrti- 
folia  Niitt.^  Aquilegia  cserulea  Ton-..,  Pedicularis  surrecta 
Benth ;  Pulmonaria  ciliata  James;  ^Silene  Drummondii 
Hook ;  Menzies/a  i^^mpetrce  formis,  Potentilla  gracilis  Dougl. 
Several  species  of  Pinus  Frasera  speciosa  Hook ;  Dodeca- 
theon  dentatum  Hook;  Phlox  muscoides  Nutt.,  <S'enecio 
Fremoiitij,  n.  sp.  Torr.,  ^*  Gr..,  four  or  five  asters  and  Facci- 
nium myrtillioides,  Arnica  angnstifolia  Vafd;  iS'enecio  trian- 
gularis Hook;  S.  subnudus,  D.  C,  Macrorynchus  troximoi- 
des  Torr.  (^  Gr.  Helianthilla  unifloia  Torr.  ^'  Gr.;  and 
Linadgris  viscidiflora  Hook. 

The  expedition  left  the  Wind  River  Mountains,  about  the 
18th  August,  returning  by  the  same  route  as  that  by  which 
it  had  ascended,  except  that  it  continued  its  course  through 


to   Oregon  and  California.  91 

the  whole  length  of  the  Lower  Platte,  arriving  at  its  junction 
with  the  Missouri  on  the  1st  of  October,  &c.  &c. 

On  the  29th  May,  1843,  Lieutenant  Fremont  set  out  from 
the  Kansas  Village,  near  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  with  a  select  com- 
pany of  voyageurs,  hunters,  and  proper  persons  for  such  a 
corps,  and,  after  an  absence  of  fourteen  months,  in  which 
he  traversed  an  immense  breadth  of  country,  including  a 
great  range  of  mountain  district,  returned,  laden  with  most 
valuable  matter,  both  of  a  scientific  and  economical  charac- 
ter, which  is  fully  detailed  in  the  Report.  This  document  is 
replete  with  most  interesting  details  of  mingled  hardships, 
perils,  anticipations,  results,  and  such  "moving  accidents  of 
field  and  flood."  The  scenery  of  tracts  over  which  he  passed, 
the  gorgeous  sun-risings,  and  brilliant  atmospheric  conditions 
of  the  sky,  are  most  happily  dehneated.  Sketches  of  Indian 
life,  as  seen  in  remote  tribes,  and  in  scattered  families,  of  the 
warlike,  predatory,  or  almost  inane  character  of  different 
tribes,  living  contiguous  to  each  other ;  of  the  agricultural 
capabilities  of  the  soil;  its  mineral  treasures;  its  commercial 
advantages,  are  full  of  instruction.  In  this  expedition,  Lieut. 
Fremont  made  collections  of  specimens  of  natural  history, 
and  many  geological  facts  are  brought  to  light  in  consequence 
of  microscopical  examination  of  marls,  chalk.  &c.,  submitted 
to  the  inspection  of  Prof.  Bailey,  of  West  Point,  and  also 
through  fossil  shells  and  fossil  plants,  as  examined  by  Prof. 
James  Hall,  Palgeontologist  to  the  State  of  New  York. 

With  the  botanical  interest  of  this  portion  of  the  Report 
we  have  particularly  to  do;  and  hasten  to  lay  before  our 
readers  Dr.  Torrey's  note  concerning  the  plants  collected  in 
the  second  expedition  of  Captain  Fremont. 

"  When  Captain  Fremont  set  out  on  his  second  expedition, 
he  was  well  provided  with  paper  and  other  means  for  making 
extensive  botanical  collections;  and  it  was  understood  that  on 
his  return  we  should,  conjointly,  prepare  a  full  account  of  his 
plants,  to  be  appended  to  his  report.  About  1400  species 
were  collected,  many  of  them  in  regions  not  before  explored 
by  any  botanist.  In  consequence,  however,  of  the  great 
length  of  journey,  and  the  numerous  accidents  to  which 
the  party  were  exposed,  but  especially  owing  to  the  dreadful 
flood  of  the  Kansas,  which  deluged   the  borders  of  the  Mis- 


92  Fremont's  Expedition 

souri  and  Mississippi  Rivers,  more  than  half  of  his  speci- 
mens were  ruined  before  he  reached  the  borders  of  civihza- 
tion.  Even  the  portion  saved  was  greatly  damaged ;  so 
that,  in  many  instances,  it  has  been  extremely  difficult  to  de- 
termine the  plants.  As  there  was  not  sufficient  time  before 
the  publication  of  Captain  Fremont's  Report,  for  the  proper 
study  of  the  remains  of  his  collection,  it  has  been  deemed 
advisable  to  reserve  the  greater  part  of  them,  to  incorporate 
with  the  plants,  which  we  expect  he  will  bring  with  him,  on 
returning  from  his  third  expedition,  upon  which  he  has  just 
set  out. 

"  The  loss  sustained  by  Captain  Fremont,  and,  I  may  say, 
by  the  botanical  world,  will,  we  trust,  be  partly  made  up  by 
the  present  and  next  seasons,  as  much  of  the  same  country 
will  be  passed  over  again,  and  some  new  regions  explored. 
Arrangements  have  also  been  made,  by  which  the  botanical 
collections  will  be  preserved,  at  least  from  the  destructive  ef- 
fects of  water,  and  a  person  accompanies  the  expedition,  who 
is  to  make  drawings  of  all  the  most  interesting  plants.  Par- 
ticular attention  will  be  given  to  the  forest  trees,  and  the  veg- 
etable productions,  that  are  useful  in  the  arts,  or  that  are  em- 
ployed for  food  or  medicine."     Appendix.  C.  p.  311. 

Descriptions  of  some  new  genera  and  species  are  given,  of 
which  we  mention  Arctomecon  californicum  Torr.  6f  F?'em., 
"  found  in  only  a  single  station  in  the  California  mountains, 
on  the  banks  of  a  creek,  flowering  early  in  May."'  A  peren- 
nial herb,  with  a  woody,  thick  root :  leaves  numerous,  mostly 
radical :  stem  scapelike :  flowers  in  a  loose  panicle :  pedun- 
cles elongated,  erect:  petals  about  an  inch  long,  yellow.  A 
remarkable  plant,  very  near  to  Papaver,  but  distinct  enough 
in  habit,  seed,  and  other  characters,  to  form  a  new  genus,  p. 
312,  plate  2. 

Prosopis  odorata  Torr.  6^  Frem.  ''A  tree  about  20  feet 
high,  with  a  very  broad  full  head,  and  the  lower  branches 
declining  to  ihc  ground  ;  the  thorns  sometimes  more  than  an 
inch  long.  Leaves  smooth ;  leaflets  from  half  an  inch  to  an 
inch  long,  and  1 — 2  lines  broad:  spikes  2 — 4  inches  long, 
and  about  a  third  of  an  inch  in  diameter.  Flowers  yellow, 
very  fragrant,  nearly  sessile  on  the  ractis  *         *  A 

characteristic  tree,  in  the  mountainous  parts  of  iNorthern  Cal- 
ifornia; flowering  the  latter  part  of  April.'"     Plate  1. 


to  Oregon  and  California.  93 

A  new  genus  in  the  Compositse  has  been  dedicated  to  the 
memory  of  I.  N.  Nicollet,  Esq.,  "who  spent  several  years 
exploring  the  country  watered  by  the  Mississippi  and  Mis- 
souri Rivers,  and  who  was  employed  by  the  United  States 
government  in  a  survey  of  the  region  lying  between  the 
sources  of  those  rivers," — is  to  be  found  among  these  descrip- 
tions made  out  by  Dr.  Gray,  under  the  name  of  Nicollet/a 
occidentalis.  It  belongs  to  the  tribe  SenecionidejE,  and  the 
sub  tribe  Tagetine^.  The  plant  is  agreeable  on  account  of 
its  odor,  and  grows  in  naked  sands,  on  the  banks  of  the  Mo- 
hatve  River,  flowering  in  April. 

A  notice  of  the  Fremontia.  already  spoken  of,  gives  some 
further  details  concerning  this  curious  and  interesting  plant, 
and  is  accompanied  with  a  plate  of  several  figures  of  its 
flowers,  seed,  «fcc. 

In  the  collection,  were  numerous  specimens  of  the  Conifera, 
which  suff'ered  less  than  those  of  other  plants,  and  most  of 
which,  it  is  thought,  have  been  already  described.  Exten- 
sively diffused  over  the  mountains  of  Northern  California, 
from  longitude  111°  to  128°,  and  through  a  considerable 
range  of  latitude,  was,  however,  a  new  and  singular  species 
of  pine,  which  from  its  general  use  among  the  Indians  of  that 
region,  as  an  article  of  food,  and,  from  its  flavor,  w^as  called 
the  nut  pine  (Pinus  monophyllus  Tojt.  4*  Frem.)  It  is 
chiefly  remarkable  among  the  true  pines  for  its  soUfanj 
leaves,  which  are  from  an  inch  to  two  and  a  half  inches  long: 
often  more  or  less  curved,  scattered,  very  stout.  The  seeds 
are  oblong,  about  half  an  inch  long,  without  a  wing :  the 
kernel  of  a  pleasant  flavor,  resembling  that  of  Pinus  Cembra. 
Plate  4. 

In  perusing  the  pleasant  pages  of  this  portion  of  the  Re- 
port, we  frequently  meet  with  names  of  plants  familiar  to  us, 
from  their  agreeable  associations,  as  connected  with  our 
flower-gardens,  or  with  the  weeds  which  grow  around  our 
houses.  Along  the  banks  of  the  Roseaux,  or  Red  River,  in 
latitude  41°  59'  31'',  and  on  an  elevation  of  4670  feet  above 
the  sea,  were  "fields  of  Malva  rotundifolia."  On  the  6th  of 
March,  1844,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Sacramento  River,  they 
came  to  a  valley  "  gay  with  flowers — some  of  the  banks  be- 
ing  absolutely  golden    with  the  Californian   poppy,    (Esch- 


94  Observaiiofis  07i  Horticulture 

scholtzia  crocea.")  On  the  25th  March,  on  the  "bottoms" 
and  on  the  banks  of  a  stream,  was  a  showy  Lvjmie,  of  ex- 
traordinary beauty,  growing  four  to  five  feet  high,  and  cov- 
ered with  spikes  in  bloom,  filUng  the  air  with  delightful  per- 
fume. Convallaria  stellata,  familiar  to  us,  was  considered  the 
best  remedial  plant  among  the  Snake  Indians.  In  other  re- 
mote spots  were  Aquilegia  cserulea,  violets,  larkspur,  straw- 
berries, &c. 

The  astronomical  and  meteorological  observations  are,  in 
themselves,  voluminous,  and  must  indicate  great  labor  and 
vast  enlerprise.  From  explorations  like  these,  even  under 
such  disadvantages,  in  the  science  of  Botany  alone,  we  can 
anticipate  most  interesting  and  valuable  results  ;  and  to  our 
floricultural  or  more  useful  horticultural  pursuits  and  avoca- 
tions, many  and  signal  advantages  must  accrue.  X. 

January^  1846. 


Art.   III.     Some   observations  on  the  progress  and  present 
state  of  Horticultwe  in  tJie  neighborhood  of  Cincinnati. 

By  Messrs.  Sayer  &  Heaver. 

Observing  that  none  of  your  able  correspondents,  from  this 
region,  have  informed  you  of  the  state  of  horticultural  mat- 
ters in  the  queen  city,  we  have  reluctantly  taken  up  our  pen 
in  the  cause ;  being  unwilling  that  our  fair  city  should  re- 
main unrepresented  in  the  horticultural  assemblage,  knowing 
that  in  horticulture,  as  in  commerce  and  manufactures,  she 
is  emphatically  the  queen  city  of  the  west. 

We  have  now  six  established  nurseries  in  this  vicinity, 
viz : — Mr.  A.  II.  Ernst's,  on  the  Harrison  Road,  who  has  a 
large  stock  of  fruit  and  ornamental  trees ;  west  of  the  city, 
on  the  river  road,  is  Mr.  S.  S.  Jackson's  establishment,  who 
has  a  fine  collection  of  roses  and  greenhouse  plants,  &.c. 
Near  the  last  named  gentleman's,  is  the  establishment  of  Mr. 
James  Howarth,  who  has  also  a  general  collection  of  green- 
house plants  and  shrubbery.  Northeast  of  the  city,  on  the 
Reading  and  Lebanon  turnpike,  is  the  nursery  of  the  sub- 
scribers, consisting  of  a  general  assortment  of  fruit  and  orna- 


m  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati,  95 

mental  trees,  greenhouse  plants,  &c.  ;  the  proprietors  intend 
paying  particular  attention  to  the  culture  of  the  rose,  the 
queen  of  flowers,  being  as  ardently  admired  by  the  votaries 
of  Flora  here,  as  in  any  other  place  where  her  beauties  are 
known.  To  the  east,  on  the  Madison  Road,  is  the  nursery 
of  Mr.  C.  W.  Elliott,  who  has  a  good  collection  of  fruit  trees, 
&c.  ;  Mr,  Elliott  has,  the  past  season,  erected  a  greenhouse 
with  span  roof,  forty-two  feet  by  twenty  in  width,  with  an 
octangular  stage  in  the  centre.  On  the  Kentucky  side  of  the 
river,  Messrs.  Hooper  &  Ferris  have  lately  started  a  nursery 
with  a  good  selection  of  fruit  frees,  &c.  In  the  city,  is  the 
plant  establishment  of  Mr.  M.  Schnetz,  who  has  a  good  col- 
lection of  camellias  and  other  greenhouse  plants;  and,  in 
addition  to  the  above  mentioned  establishments,  there  are 
numerous  others  who  cultivate  trees  and  plants  for  sale. 

It  is  gratifying  to  see  the  number  of  greenhouses  increas- 
ing every  year — a  sure  harbinger  of  an  increasing  interest  in, 
and  an  improved  taste  for,  one  of  the  most  pleasing  and 
beautiful  of  the  Creator's  works.  Seven  years  ago  there 
were  but  two  private  greenhouses  in  this  vicinity,  one  be- 
longing to  Mr.  Longworth,  the  other  to  Mr.  Gano ;  these  two 
gentlemen  may  be  considered  as  the  pioneers  of  horticulture 
in  this  part  of  Ohio. 

The  cultivation  of  the  grape  vine  for  the  making  of  wine, 
has  received  great  attention  for  some  years  past,  and  many 
new  vineyards  are  yearly  formed  for  that  purpose,  as  it  is 
found  to  yield  a  handsome  profit  for  the  investment.  We 
expect  in  a  few  years  to  see  the  cultivation  of  the  grape 
under  glass  extensively  carried  on.  as  we  have  no  doubt  our 
fine  climate  and  clear  sunny  weather,  in  the  months  of  Feb- 
ruary and  March,  will  prove  highly  favorable  to  that  object. 
We  have  heard  of  several  gentlemen  who  intend  putting  up 
grape  houses,  in  this  vicinity,  the  coming  summer,  to  try  the 
experiment,  and  we  have  no  doubt  of  their  success  if  prop- 
erly managed. 

The  year  IS  15  was  very  hard  on  all  kinds  of  nursery  and 
garden  stock  in  this  region;  the  late  frosts  in  the  Sprmg 
being  followed  by  long  continued  drought,  and  that  by  tre- 
mendous storms  of  rain,  causing  the  corn  to  grow  remarka- 
bly luxuriant,  but  all  the  more  delicate  vegetable  productions 


96  Transplantation  of  Trees. 

to  damp  off.  The  month  of  September  and  October  was 
deUghtfuUy  pleasant,  keeping  trees  and  shrubs  of  most  kinds 
in  a  succulent,  growing  state,  leaving  them  ill  prepared  to 
withstand  the  severe  frost  of  the  following  month,  which 
came  upon  us  with  almost  unexampled  severity,  killing 
things  to  the  ground  which  had  stood  unprotected  several 
years.  Mr.  Jackson  and  ourselves  had  several  hundred 
plants,  of  the  Bengal,  Bourbon,  and  Noisette  kinds  of  roses, 
which,  from  having  stood  two  winters  without  protection, 
we  considered  able  to  endure  any  degree  of  frost  they  were 
likely  to  be  exposed  to  here  ;  but  the  severe  frosts  of  the  last 
of  November  cut  them  down  to  the  ground;  in  most  of  those 
that  we  have  examined,  the  roots  appear  to  be  fresh,  and  we 
have  taken  the  precaution  of  throwing  a  few  inches  of  light 
litter  over  the  crowns.  We  find  on  examination  that  a  large 
portion  of  our  cherry  trees,  of  one  year's  growth,  are  killed 
back  to  the  stock,  and  in  some  cases  a  portion  of  the  two 
year  old  wood  is  also  destroyed.  We  find  also,  upon  ex- 
amination, that  in  a  very  large  proportion  of  the  peach  blos- 
soms the  germ  of  the  fruit  is  killed. 

If  you  think  the  above  desultory  observations  worthy  a 
place  m  your  useful  periodical,  you  may  perhaps  hear  again 
from  your  subscribers. 

Reading  Road  Nw^sery,  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Feb.  1846. 


Art.  IV.      Transplantation   of  Trees.     By  Wm.  R.   Prince, 
Linnajan  Botanic  Garden  and  Nurseries. 

There  is  a  degree  of  misconception  on  this  subject  that  is 
truly  astonishing,  when  the  exerci!='e  of  a  moderate  portion 
of  common  sense  is  all  that  is  requisite  to  form  a  correct 
judgment.  In  the  first  place,  all  trees,  and  even  the  most 
delicate  plants  of  the  temperate  zone,  can  be  sent  from  our 
country  to  Europe  with  perfect  safety,  and  even  to  cities  in 
the  interior,  such  as  Warsaw,  Vienna,  &c.,  to  which  there 
are  several  hundred  miles  of  land  carriage  after  arrival  in 
Europe,  and  yet  ihere  are  frequent  inquiries  made,  whether 
trees  and  plants  will  bear  transportation  to  the  different  states 


Cultivation  of  the  Phlox.  97 

of  our  Union.  All  that  any  applicant  for  trees,  &c.j  has  to 
do,  is  to  inform  the  nursery  proprietor  the  best  route  for 
transmission,  and  what  portion  is  land  carriage,  and  he  will 
manage  the  details  accordingly.  Many  persons,  residing  in 
states  south  of  us,  have  also  very  erroneous  notions  as  to  the 
suitable  seasons  for  transmitting  trees  and  plants  to  them. 
The  months  of  January  and  February  are  perfectly  safe  for 
forwarding  trees  and  shrubbery  as  far  south  as  Charleston, 
and  November  to  January,  to  New  Orleans.  The  period  for 
transplantation  commences  here  the  1st  October,  and  extends 
to  the  1st  May,  for  the  different  sections  of  our  country. 
Trees  do  not  advance  materially  in  vegetation  here  until  the 
middle  of  April,  and  it  matters  not  how  far  advanced  they 
may  be  at  the  places  where  they  are  planted,  even  if  it  were 
mid-summer,  provided  they  are  sent  from  a  place  where 
vegetation  is  dormant,  and  the  voyage  not  so  long  as  to  start 
their  growth  on  the  passage.  Grape  vines  being  very  late 
in  vegetating,  may  be  safely  transported  a  month  later  than 
the  period  named  for  trees.  Roses  are  very  retentive  of  life, 
and  may  be  transported  in  safety  during  the  whole  period 
that  they  are  in  a  dormant  state ;  and  potted  plants  may  be 
transported  in  the  pots,  or  turned  out  and  well  mossed  around 
the  roots,  at  all  seasons  of  the  year.  Greenhouse  plants  can 
be  sent  safely  throughout  the  year.  Dahlias,  bulbous  roots, 
and  herbaceous  plants,  from  October  to  May,  inclusive. 
Flushing,  Feb.  6th,  1846. 

[Around  Boston,  vegetation  does  not  commence  until  nearly 
a  fortnight  later  than  around  New  York,  and  in  many  sea- 
sons, trees  and  plants  may  be  safely  transplanted  till  the 
middle  of  May— -Ed.] 


Art,  V,  Some  remarks  on  the  cultivation  of  the  Phlox.,  with 
descriptions  of  twenty-four  new  and  beautiful  varieties. 
By  the  Editor. 

The  Phlox  is  exclusively  an  American  family ;  not  a  single 
species,  we  believe,  having  been  found  in  any  other  part  of 

VOL.  XII. — NO.  Ill  13 


98  Cultivatimi  of  the  Phlox. 

the  globe.  It  is  also  one  of  the  most  brilliant  herbaceous 
plants  we  possess.  About  fifty  species  have  already  been 
introduced  into  England ;  upwards  of  thirty  of  them  since 
the  year  1800,  and  until  about  the  year  1824  these  species 
were  only  cultivated,  no  attempts  having  been  made  to  raise 
seedlings.  At  that  time  some  few  fine  varieties  were  pro- 
duced in  England,  and  since  then  scarcely  a  year  has  passed 
without  adding  some  new  variety  to  the  list.  Within  a  few 
years,  the  French  and  Belgians  have  attempted  the  cultiva- 
tion of  seedlings,  and,  with  their  skill  and  perseverance,  have 
brought  about  greater  results  than  had  previously  been 
achieved  by  English  florists ;  entirely  new  and  unique  varie- 
ties have  been  produced,  so  superior  to  the  older  ones,  as 
well  as  the  different  species,  that  few  of  the  latter  are  now 
considered  worthy  of  cultivation.  Our  own  cultivators  have 
lately  given  much  attention  to  this  elegant  tribe,  and,  with 
a  few  exceptions,  their  seedlings  have  equalled,  if  not  sur- 
passed many  of  the  foreign  varieties. 

There  are  few  hardy  plants  which  combine  so  many  merits 
as  the  phlox;  perfectly  hardy,  of  the  easiest  cultivation, 
and  flowering  from  May  to  November,  no  garden  can  be 
considered  complete  without  them.  Some  are  of  dwarf  habit, 
creeping  upon  and  covering  the  ground  ;  while  others  are  of 
stately  appearance,  rising  to  the  height  of  five  or  six  feet. 
Some  bloom  in  long  and  dense  panicles,  while  others  present 
a  broad  and  showy  corymb  of  flowers.  In  color,  they  pre- 
sent every  shade,  from  the  purest  white  to  the  deepest  crim- 
son ;  and  a  few  are  striped,  edged,  or  delicately  shaded  and 
tinted.  In  a  well  selected  collection,  there  is  scarcely  a  day, 
from  the  early  blooming  of  ihe  snowy  nivalis,  in  April  or 
May,  to  the  very  verge  of  winter,  but  what  some  of  them  will 
be  found  in  flower. 

We  have  said  that  they  are  of  the  easiest  cultivation. 
This  is  true.  With  little  or  no  care  they  will  flower  well ; 
but,  like  all  other  plants,  their  beauty  may  be  greatly  en- 
hanced by  skilful  cultivation.  The  reason  why  they  are  not 
often  seen  in  greater  perfection,  is  owing  to  the  very  reason, 
that  they  ordinarily  grow  so  freely,  no  efl"orts  are  made  to 
improve  them.  Generally  they  are  allowed  to  stand  in  the 
same  place,  in   the  border,  year  after  year,  until  they  have 


Cultivation  of  the  Phlox  99 

spread  over  a  large  space  of  ground,  when  a  greater  portion 
of  the  roots  are  dug  up,  and  the  remainder  allowed  to  stand 
until  they  have  again  become  the  same  encumberers  of  the 
soil.  But  why  should  we  not  allow  all  our  plants  to 
grow  in  the  same  way  ?  Why  make  the  beautiful  phlox  an 
exception  1  If  we  would  have  a  fine  chrysanthemum,  we 
take  off  a  single  sucker  or  cutting,  and  putting  that  in  a  rich 
soil,  and  training  up  one  stem,  we  obtain  large  and  beautiful 
heads  of  fiowers.  In.  the  same  way  we  cultivate  the  double 
rocket,  and  other  herbaceous  plants.  Why,  then,  we  repeat, 
should  we  except  the  phlox  ? 

Phloxes  spread  rapidly,  and  if  the  mass  of  suckers  are 
allowed  to  remain,  they  choke  up  and  destroy  the  vigor  of 
the  plant :  first,  by  not  allowing  room  for  the  extension  of 
the  roots  in  search  of  food,  and  second,  by  crowding  the 
branches,  which  become  drawn  up  and  weak,  and  unable  to 
support  a  good  head  of  flowers.  This  can  only  be  obviated 
by  wholly  disrooting  them  and  replanting  a  few  of  the  vig- 
orous shoots  in  a  good  rich  soil  ;  the  branches  will  then  shoot 
up  strong,  the  roots  will  find  room  to  extend  themselves, 
and  the  result  will  be  a  vigor  and  redundancy  of  bloom  never 
seen  in  the  old  way  of  treating  the  plants.  Even  a  single 
sucker  of  the  strong  growing  kinds  is  preferable  to  an  old 
overgrown  root.  We  have  had  them  in  this  way  in  the 
greatest  perfection ;  from  small  plants  turned  out  of  pots  last 
year,  as  late  as  June,  with  only  two  shoots,  we  had  some 
most  beautiful  flowers.  Beside  the  gratification  they  afford, 
cultivated  in  this  manner,  at  least  two  or  three  varieties  may 
be  grown  in  the  space  usually  occupied  by  one  old  root.  In 
small  gardens  this  is  a  desideratum. 

The  first  step  to  success  is,  to  have  the  courage  to  entirely 
dig  up  all  old  roots,  no  matter  how  beautiful  the  kind. 
Those  who  have  had  but  little  experience  in  gardening  will 
perhaps  think  it  unnecessary,  and  only  cut  away  a  part  of 
the  root;  but  tiiis  is  the  great  error;  the  whole  root  should 
be  taken  up,  and,  after  selecting  a  few  healthy  young  suck- 
ers, not  more  than  fom-,  reset  them,  throwing  away  the  re- 
mainder, unless  several  plants  are  wanted.  A  neat  stake 
should  be  put  down  to  the  plants,  and  the  shoots  tied  as  they 
advance   in   srowth.   to  prevetit  their  being  broken  by  the 


100  Cultivation  of  the  Phlox. 

wind ;  no  other  care  is  requisite  to  success,  but  to  keep  the 
ground  well  stirred  and  free  from  weeds. 

When  phloxes  are  cultivated  from  seed,  they  do  best  when 
sown  in  the  autumn.  A  small  bed  may  be  made,  and  the 
seeds  sown  in  drills  about  a  foot  apart,  covering  them  about 
an  inch  thick,  as  the  seeds  are  large.  In  the  Spring  they 
will  grow  up  freely,  when  they  should  be  thinned  out.  Keep 
them  free  from  weeds,  and  the  second  year  they  will  come 
into  bloom.  Such  as  give  the  promise  of  good  kinds  should 
be  marked,  and  the  others  dug  up  and  destroyed.  The  third 
year  those  selected  may  be  divided,  as  we  have  directed, 
when  they  will  show  the  full  beauty  of  their  flowers. 

We  have  cultivated  a  great  number  of  phloxes,  and  raised 
hundreds  from  seeds  :  but  as  the  seeds  were  mostly  self-sown, 
they  presented,  with  one  or  two  exceptions,  nothing  new  in 
color  to  merit  preservation.  But  having,  in  the  autumn  of 
1844,  selected  in  Paris  thirty  or  forty  of  the  finest  new  varie- 
ties to  be  purchased,  several  of  which  we  there  saw  in 
bloom,  and  nearly  all  of  which  flowered  finely  in  our  garden 
the  last  autumn,  we  have  thought  a  brief  description  of 
twenty-four  of  the  best  would  afford  amateurs  an  opportu- 
nity to  make  a  selection  of  choice  kinds,  to  take  the  place  of 
such  of  the  older  varieties  as  are  unworthy  of  cultivation. 

Phloxes  vary  much  in  their  foliage,  several  of  the  species 
having  long,  broad,  and  rugose  leaves,  while  others  have 
narrow,  smooth  and  glossy  ones ;  the  former  are  also  gener- 
ally of  stronger  and  taller  grou  th,  and  mostly  later  flower- 
ers ;  decussata  and  pyramidalis,  are  of  the  first  named  habit, 
and  suff"rutic6sa  and  maculata,  of  the  second.  In  our  de- 
scriptions we  have  noticed  the  habit  of  each  variety. 

1.  Vhlox  decussata  amcemsslma. — Dark  rose,  with  crimson 
eye;  flowers  good  form;  corymb  large  ;  foliage  broad;  flow- 
ering in  September  and  October ;  height  2  to  3  feet. 

2.  Almerene. — Rich  lilac  pink,  with  large  white  eye ;  co- 
rymbs large  ;  foliage  broad  ;  flowering  in  September  and  Oc- 
tober ;  height  2  to  3  feet.     Beautiful. 

3.  Apollo. — Purplish  pink,  with  liglit  crimson  eye  ;  flowers 
large;  foliage  broad ;  flowering  in  September  and  October; 
height  2  feet. 

4.  Artahanes. — Rich   rosy  purple,   with    light    eye :    flow- 


Cultivation  of  the  Phlox.  101 

ers   fine  form ;  foliage  broad ;  flowering  in  September  and 
October  ;  height  2  feet. 

5.  Blanc  de  Neuilly. — Pare  white  ;  flowers  fine  form,  large 
and  nearly  circular ;  corymb  large ;  foliage  broad :  flower- 
ing in  September  and  October ;  height  2  to  3  feet.     Superb. 

6.  Charles. — Blush  with  lilac  eye ;  flowers  fine  form;  foli- 
age broad;  flowering  from  July  to  October;  height  1  to  2 
feet.     Beautiful. 

7.  Mazeppa. — Bright  purplish  rose,  with  deep  crimson  eye ; 
flowers  fine  form ;  foliage  broad ;  flowering  in  September  and 
October ;  height  1  to  2  feet.     Beautiful. 

8.  Princess  Mai'ia7ine. — White,  distinctly  striped  with  lilac 
through  the  centre  of  each  petal ;  corymb  large ;  foliage 
broad ;  flowering  from  June  to  October ;  height  1  to  2  feet. 
Superb. 

9.  Pyrame. — Rosy  pink  with  large  white  eye;  foliage 
broad ;  flowering  in  August  and  September ;  height  1  to  2 
feet. 

10.  Reevesn. — Deep  rosy  purple,  with  light  edge;  corymb 
compact ;  foliage  broad;  flowering  in  August  and  September; 
height  2  feet.     Superb. 

11.  Rosea  super ba. — Large  pale  rose;  flowers  fine  form; 
foliage  broad;  flowering  from  July  to  October;  height  1  to  2 
feet.     Superb, 

12.  Nymphcea  alba. — Pure  white,  with  petals  of  great  sub- 
stance; flowers  fine  form;  corymb  broad  and  rather  flat; 
foliage  broad;  flowering  from  July  to  October;  height  1  to 
2  feet.     Superb. 

13.  Macropkylla  siiperba. — Large  pale  rose  ;  flowers  fine 
form;  foliage  broad;  flowering  in  August  and  September; 
height  1  to  2  feet. 

14.  La  Nymphe. — Rosy  purple;  dwarf  habit;  foliage 
broad  ;  flowering  in  August  and  September  ;  height  1  foot. 

15.  Alphonsine. — Fine  lilac  ;  flowers  good  form ;  panicles 
long  and  pyramidal;  foliage  narrow;  flowering  in  August 
and  September  ;  height  2  feet.     Beautiful. 

16.  Altaclermsis. — Fine  white,  with  yellow  eye;  panicles 
long;  foliage  narrow ;  flowering  in  August  aud  September; 
height  1  to  2  feet.     Beautiful. 


102  Cultivation  of  the  Phlox. 

17.  DodoncBi. — Large  rich  purple ;  fine  formed  circular 
flowers  ;  panicles  long ;  foliage  narrow,  shining ;  flowering 
from  July  to  October ;  height  1  foot.     Superb. 

18.  Humbbldtn. — Very  bright  rose,  with  crimson  eye ; 
flowers  fine  form  ;  foliage  narrow  ;  flowering  from  August  to 
November  ;  height  1  to  2  feet. 

19.  (Eil  de  Lynx. — Bright  pink,  with  very  distinct  crim- 
son eye;  flower  finely  formed  ;  panicle  long;  foliage  narrow ; 
flowering  in  August  and  September ;  height  1  foot.    Beautiful. 

20.  Long'iracetnosa. — Dark  rose  ;  flowers  good  form  ;  pan- 
icles long;  foliage  narrow;  flowering  from  July  to  October ; 
height  1  to  2  feet. 

21.  Marchantia  speciosa. — Very  fine  purplish  rose ;  flowers 
large  and  finely  formed  ;  foliage  narrow  ;  flowering  from  Jitly 
to  October  ;  height  1  to  2  feet. 

22.  NeiD  bhisli. — Pale  pink  or  blush  ;  finely  formed  flowers ; 
panicles  long ;  foliage  narrow ;  flowering  from  July  to  No- 
vember ;  height  1  to  2  feet. 

23.  Superbisslma. — Rich  deep  crimson ;  flowers  finely 
formed ;  corymb  large ;  foliage  narrow  :  flowering  in  August 
and  September ;  height  1  to  2  feet. 

24.  Van  HoutteW. — Pure  white,  with  a  broad  and  very  dis- 
tinct stripe  of  crimson  through  the  centre  of  each  petal;  co- 
rymb large  ;  foliage  narrow;  flowering  in  September  and  Oc- 
tober; height  2  to  3  feet.  Superb.  This  variety  is  more 
fully  described  in  our  Vol.  IX.  p.  184.  It  was  the  first  dist'mctly 
striped  phlox  which  has  been  raised.  Princess  Marianne  is 
another  of  equal  beauty  ;  it  is  of  the  decussata  habit,  but 
commences  flowering  in  June  and  continues  to  October. 

Upwards  of  sixty  varieties  are  cultivated  in  our  collection, 
many  of  which  are  kinds  tolerably  well  known  :  at  another 
opportunity,  we  may  describe  several  of  the  new  ones  which 
have  not  yet  flowered,  and  also  more  particularly  notice  some 
of  the  American  seedlings  which  have  recenth^  been  raised. 
For  the  present,  we  have  only  room  to  make  an  enumeration 
of  36  kinds,  including  several  of  the  new  ones  above  de- 
scribed, suitable  for  an  amateur  collection,  which  will  afford 
a  constant  succession  of  flowers,  of  all  the  principal  colors, 
from  May  to  November: — 


Notes  on  Gardens  and  Nurseries. 


103 


subulata, 

reptans, 

nivalis, 

divaricata, 

JUNE. 

suaveolens, 

Princess  Marianne. 

Charles, 
picta, 

JULY. 

rosea  superba, 
Coldrydwa, 

Nymphaea  alba, 
marchantia  speciosa 

Reevesw, 
(Eil  de  Lynx, 

AUGUST. 

Bridgesii, 
longiracemosa. 

superbissima. 
,  Pyrame. 

Blanc  de  Neuilly, 
decussata  alba, 

SEPTEMBER. 

Mazeppa, 
Dodonsei, 

La  Nymphe. 
speciosa. 

Van  Houttew, 
decussata  amgenissima, 

OCTOBER. 

Almerene, 
Apollo, 

tarditiora, 
Artabanes. 

For  large  collections,  others  may  be  added  to  the  number 
of  sixty  or  more  beautiful  varieties,  and  if  properly  arranged 
in  the  border,  so  as  to  have  the  later  flowering  ones  succeed 
the  earlier,  a  fine  display  of  flowers  may  be  kept  up  through 
its  whole  extent. 


Art.  VL     Notes  on  Gardens  and  Nurseries. 


Belmont  Place^  Mr.  Cushing's,  Feb.  hth^  1846. — Two  years 
have  elapsed  since  our  last  notice  of  this  fine  place,  since 
which  time  we  were  pleased  to  see  that  the  proprietor  has 
added  many  new  things  to  the  collection,  and  is  still  adding 
such  as  are  really  deserving  of  cultivation.  A  new  lot  of 
camellias,  comprising  all  the  old  and  established  favorites,  has 
been  received,  and  many  of  the  choicest  new  roses,  such  as 
Comtesse  Duchatel,  perpetual  indigo,  ponctue.  La  Reiue, 
&c..  Noisette  Ophirie,  Solfaterre,  and  Cloth  of  gold,  &c. 

Some  of  the  plants  in  the  large  conservatory  were  making 
a  great  display,  particularly  the  azaleas,  of  which  the  speci- 
mens of  the  old  phoBuicea  and  41ba  were  superb,  with  hun- 


104  Notes  on  Gardens  and  Nurseries. 

dreds  of  flowers :  the  azalea  is,  indeed,  the  only  flower  that 
will  vie  with  the  camellia,  in  the  green-house,  during  winter, 
and  as  a  parlor  plant  it  ranks  even  higher,  as  it  always  blooms 
freely.  The  Wistaria  and  roses  on  the  roof  have  attained  an 
immense  size,  with  stems  ihree  inches  through ;  the  former  was 
not  yet  in  flower,  and  the  latter  had  just  begun  to  open  its 
clusters  of  buds.  Mr.  Haggerston  has  raised  some  fine  seed- 
ling cinerarias,  and  we  saw  one,  a  pure  white,  exceedingly 
pretty ;  the  English  amateurs  are  giving  much  attention  to 
this  flower,  and  we  trust  our  cultivators  will  try  their  skill 
in  producing  new  varieties.  Some  finely  grown  schizanthu- 
ses  were  just  coming  into  bloom.  Siphocampylos  bicolor 
was  gay  with  its  scarlet  and  yellow  flowers ;  but  it  is  rather 
coarse  in  its  foliage,  and  not  quite  so  desirable  as  lantangefolius, 
Nem6phi!a  insignis,  with  its  deep  blue  flowers,  and  depend- 
ing stems,  is  always  doubly  beautiful  in  winter. 

The  stove  was  one  blaze  of  brilliant  flowers,  ♦S'alvia  splen- 
dens,  Euphorhia  Jacquin^^ora,  Poinsettia  pulcherrima,  and 
Combretum  purpureum,  all  combining  their  scarlet  hues,  to 
dazzle  the  eye.  In  beautiful  contrast  the  Bletia  Tanker- 
villffi  reared  its  white  and  purplish  panicles  of  blossoms, 
and,  on  the  back  wall,  rambling  in  almost  unchecked  luxuri- 
ance, Passiflora  quadrangularis,  and  Ipomae^a  Horsfallcc  were 
displaying  their  flowers.  That  old.  but  yet  most  desirable 
shrub,  Solandra  grandiflora,  was  expanding  a  dozen  of  its  im- 
mense trumpet-shaped  blossoms.  Numerous  other  well 
known  plants  contributed  to  make  up  the  display.  We  really 
wish  there  were  more  of  such  structures  for  plants  in  our  vi- 
cinity :  a  green-house  will  keep  plants  until  the  advancing 
warmth  of  the  season  brings  them  into  bloom;  but  in  mid- 
winter, it  is  to  the  stove  that  we  must  look  for  a  fine  display, 
when  thoir  scarcity  renders  them  doubly  attractive. 

The  vines  in  the  stove  are  not  producing  good  crops;  this 
Mr.  Haggerston  cannot  account  for.  It  appears  that  it  must 
be  attributed  to  the  season,  the  imperfect  ripening  of  the  wood, 
or  some  other  cause.  The  vineries  are  coming  on  well,  and 
breaking  with  great  regularity. 

Oakley  Place,  Mrs.  Praties. — A  new  house  has  just  been 
completed  here  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  McLennan,  the 
gardener.     It  is  a  well  constructed  building,  about  sixty^ight 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  105 

feet  long,  and  eighteen  wide.  It  was  not  finished  until  late 
in  the  season,  and  all  the  interior  carpentry  had  not  yet 
been  put  up.  The  plants,  however,  have  been  removed  from 
the  old  house,  and  partially  arranged,  and  show  to  good  ad- 
vantage, the  whole  being  in  excellent  health.  The  house  is 
heated  with  hot  water,  circulating  in  cast  iron  pipes,  and  a 
square  wrought  iron  boiler ;  it  has  also  an  extra  furnace  and 
flue,  to  be  used,  if  needed,  in  very  severe  weather. 

We  are  happy  to  record  these  improvements,  as  they  tend 
to  show  the  increasing  taste  for  horticulture  in  our  vicinity; 
and  we  are  gratified  to  see  such  thorough  and  substantial 
green- houses  erected,  instead  of  the  mere  shells  which  are  too 
often  considered  as  sufficiently  well  adapted  to  all  the  pur- 
poses of  cultivation,  setting  aside  their  entire  want  of  neat- 
ness and  general  appearance. 


MISCELLANEOUS  INTELLIGENCE. 

Art.  I.     Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Saturday,  Feb.  1th,  1846. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was 
held  fo-day, — the  President  in  the  chair. 

The  President  stated  to  the  Society,  that  through  the  liberality  of  an  in- 
dividual, deeply  interested  in  horticulture,  the  sum  of  three  hundred  dollars 
has  been  placed  at  their  disposal,  to  be  awarded  as  premiums  for  choice 
varieties  of  fruit.  The  thanks  of  the  Society  were  voted  for  this  very 
liberal  donation,  and  the  subject  referred  to  the  Fruit  committee,  to  report  a 
schedule  of  premiums,  with  a  view  to  carry  out  the  object  of  the  donation. 

A  letter  was  read  from  Edward  Pitkin,  East  Hartford,  Ct.,  communicat- 
ing a  remedy  for  the  disease  known  as  the  excrescence  on  the  plum  tree  ;  it 
was  referred  to  the  Fruit  committee  to  report  upon  the  same. 

Adjourned  one  week,  to  February  14th. 

Feb.  lith. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day, — the 
President  in  the  chair. 

Mr.  Walker,  chairman  of  the  Fruit  Committee,  made  the  following  report 
in  relation  to  the  donation  given  to  the  Society  : — 

Whereas,  a  liberal  individual,  interested  in  the  science  of  horticulture, 
has  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  the 
sum  of  three  hundred  dollars,  to  be  awarded  in  premiums  for  fruits,  at  such 
times  and  in  such  a  manner  as  the  Society  may  deem  expedient,  with  the 
understanding  that  a  condensed  list,  to  be  called  "  the  Special  Prize  List  of 
VOL.  XII. — NO.  III.  14 


106  Massachvsetis  Horticultural  Society. 

Frvits"  consisting  of  such  varieties  of  apples,  pears,  plums,  cherries  and 
peaches,  which  shall  have  been  exhibited  at  the  hall  of  the  Society,  and 
that  the  sanae  shall  be  published  yearly  under  the  signature  of  the  chairman 
of  the  Committee  of  Fruits,  therefore. 

Voted,  That  the  Committee  on  Fruits  be  instructed  to  offer  twenty  special 
premiums,  of  five  dollars  each,  for  three  successive  years,  viz.  1846,  1847, 
1848,  in  addition  to  the  Society's  prizes,  and  that  said  Committee  make 
up,  at  the  end  of  the  present  season,  and  each  season,  a  "  Special  Prize 
List  of  Fruits,"  consisting  of  the  best 

12  varieties  of  apples.  6  varieties  of  plums, 

12  varieties  of  pears,  6  varieties  of  peaches. 

6  varieties  of  cherries. 
And  the  Committee  are  further  requested  to  place  the  name  and  residence 
of  the  cultivator  of  each  variety  placed  on  said  prize  list,  with  such  other 
notice  or  remarks  as  the  Committee  may  deem  proper,  and  lay  the  same 
before  the  Society  on  the  1st  Saturday  of  January  of  each  year. 

In  accordance  with  the  above  vote,  the  Committee  on  Fruits  respectfully 
submit  the  following 

Special  Prize  List  of  Fruits, 
To  be  awarded  in  the  year  1846,  viz : 

Twenty  prizes  of  five  dollars  each. 
2  prizes  for  the  two  best  varieties  and  specimens  of  summer  apples. 
2  prizes  for  the  two  best  varieties  and  specimens  of  autumn  apples. 
2  prizes  for  the  two  best  varieties  and  specimens  of  winter  apples. 
2  prizes  for  the  two  best  varieties  and  specimens  of  summer  pears. 
2  prizes  for  the  two  best  varieties  and  specimens  of  autumn  pears. 

2  prizes  for  the  two  best  varieties  and  specinoens  of  winter  pears. 

3  prizes  for  the  three  best  varieties  of  cherries. 
3  prizes  for  the  three  best  varieties  of  plums. 

2  prizes  for  the  two  best  varieties  of  peaches. 

20  prizes  at  $  5  each  =  $  100. 

The  specimens  presented  for  the  above  prizes  shall  consist  of  not  less 
than  three  specimens  of  each  variety  of  apples,  pears  and  peaches,  not  less 
than  one  dozen  plums,  and  two  dozen  cherries,  all  of  which  shall  be  at  the 
disposal  of  the  Committee  of  Fruits.     Per  order,  S.  Walker,  Chairman. 

Mr.  Walker  also  made  a  report  in  regard  to  the  letter  of  Mr.  Pitkin. 

Mr.  Pitkin  states  that  he  has  a  mercurial  preparation,  which,  rubbed  upon 
the  body  of  plums  and  other  trees,  renders  them  obnoxious  to  the  attacks  of 
the  curculio  ;  he  states  that  the  excrescences  on  the  plum  tree  have  been 
destroyed  by  its  application.  Mr.  Walker  has  requested  a  small  quantity  of 
the  preparation  for  distribution  among  the  members,  who,  after  trial,  will 
report  upon  its  efficacy. 

The  President,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  for  a  revision  of  the  By- 
laws, presented  a  copy  of  the  same,  which  was  ordered  to  be  printed  for  the 
use  of  the  members. 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  107 

The  Committee  on  Flowers  were  requested  to  take  special  notice  of  the 
seedling  camellias  exhibited  this  day.     Adjourned  one  week,  to  Feb.  21. 

Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  the  President,  twenty  varieties  of  camellias, 
without  foliage,  among  which  were  Palmer's  Perfection,  Duchess  of  Or- 
leans, Fordw',  Hume's  blush,  Floyn,  imbricata,  ^legans,  &c.  &c.,  and  six 
fine  seedlings,  including  Wilder/',  oneof  them  a  remarkably  beautiful  flower, 
very  much  like  Feastw.  We  shall  notice  them  again.  From  Messrs. 
Hovey  &  Co.,  cut  flowers,  with  foliage,  of  fourteen  varieties  of  camellias, 
viz  :  <^legans,  imbricata,  rubra  plena,  conspicua,  (of  the  French,)  Floyn,  im- 
bricata, alba  plena,  myrtifolia,  Landrdthn,  Chandlen',  Goussonta,  eclipse, 
Fordw,  and  C.  reticulata.  From  Mr.  Quant,  a  variety  of  double  whites, 
Hume's  blush,  and  other  kinds  of  camellias  ;  also  very  fine  white  and  purple 
Chinese  primroses.  From  W.  E.  Carter,  a  variety  of  camellias,  including 
some  seedlings,  and  flowers  of  Acacia  dealbata. 

Camellias. — The  exhibition  for  premium  took  place  to-day,  and  the  fol- 
lowing is  the  report  of  the  judges  : — 

To  Messrs.  Hovey,  for  the  best  display  of  fine  flowers,  a  gratuity  of  $5. 

To  Mr.  Quant,  for  the  second  best,  a  gratuity  of  $4. 

To  Mr.  Carter,  for  the  third  best,  a  gratuity  of  $3. 

The  premiums  offered,  were  for  plants  in  pots,  but  this  regulation  not 
having  been  complied  with,  gratuities  only  could  be  given. 

Feb.  2\st. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day. — The 
President  in  the  chair. 

Printed  copies  of  the  by-laws  were  laid  upon  the  table  for  the  use  of 
members  ;  it  was  voted  that  they  be  taken  up  for  discussion  on  Saturday, 
March  7th. 

The  President  stated,  that  the  family  of  the  late  Robert  Manning,  had 
fulfilled  their  part  of  the  agreement  made  in  1843,  and  it  was  voted,  that  the 
Society  pay  over  to  the  heirs  of  Mr.  Manning,  the  sum  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars,  agreeably  to  a  vote  of  the  Society,  at  that  time. 

Mr.  Walker,  Chairman  of  the  Fruit  Committee,  made  the  following 
report : — 

The  Committee  on  Fruits,  in  accordance  with  a  vote  of  the  Society,  re- 
ferring to  them  the  expediency  of  awarding  a  Special  Premium  to  the 
Messrs.  Hovey,  of  Boston,  for  their  superior  strawberry,  well  known  as 
"  Hovey^s  Seedling,"  beg  leave  to  report,  that  they  have  attended  to  the 
duty  assigned  to  them,  and,  after  due  deliberation, 

Voted,  unanimously,  To  recommend  to  the  Society,  that  a  Silver  Pitch 
ER,  or  other  piece  of  plate,  with  a  suitable  inscription,  of  the  value  of  Fifty 
Dollars,  be  awarded  to  the  Messrs.  Hovey,  as  a  Special  Premium,  for  their 
seedling  strawberry,  called  ^^  Hovey'' s  Seedling." 

Here  it  would  be  the  duty  of  your  Committee  to  close  their  report,  but  in 
the  present  instance  they  feel  they  may  be  pardoned,  if  not  justified,  in  fur- 
ther stating,   THAT   AFTER   A    TRIAL   OF   TWELVE   YEARS,    they    kuOW    of  nO 

Strawberry  of  superior  merit,  and  where  it  is  cultivated  near  other  varieties, 
it  will  prove  one  of  the  best  where  all  are  good.     For  the  Committee, 
Boston.  Feb.  Slst,  1846  Sam'l  Walkeb,  Chairman. 


108  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Mr.  Breck,  Chairman  of  the  Flower  Committee,  made  a  report : 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  on  Saturday, 
Feb.  14th,  184b,  a  vote  was  passed,  directing  the  Committee  on  Flowers 
to  take  special  notice  of  the  fine  seedling  camellias,  exhibited  at  that  time  by 
Marshall  P.  Wilder,  President  of  the  Society. 

Agreeably  to  this  vote,  the  Flower  Committee  submit  the  following 
report : — 

The  number  of  seedling  camellias  exhibited  was  five.  Two  of  them 
were  of  surpassing  beauty  and  perfection.  As  the  Committee  have  had 
the  pleasure  of  often  examining  the  extensive  collection  of  the  President, 
as  well  as  those  of  other  gentlemen  in  the  vicinity,  embracing  the  most 
perfect  varieties  known  among  amateurs,  they  feel  themselves  sufficiently  ac- 
quainted with  this  beautiful  class  of  flowers,  to  judge  the  comparative  merits 
of  the  seedlings  under  consideration,  and  they  have  no  hesitation  in  pro- 
nouncing them  as  varieties  of  the  very  first  order,  and  such  as  will  be  diffi- 
cult to  surpass  in  this  or  any  other  country.  The  production  of  two  such 
remarkable  varieties,  by  one  person,  we  believe  unprecedented,  and  will  re- 
flect much  honor  upon  our  President  abroad,  as  well  as  upon  the  Society  of 
which  he  is  the  head. 

We,  therefore,  recommend  that  a  Gratuity  be  awarded  to  the  President, 
for  these  two  superb  American  Camellias,  and  that  it  consist  of  a  Piece  of 
Plate  of  the  value  of  Fifty  Dollar s,2inA  of  such  form  and  design  as  he  may 
elect.  Jos.  Breck,  Chairman. 

DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    SEEDLINGS. 

No.  1.    CameHia.  japdnica  \3ir.  Wilderi. 

Leaves  one  and  a  half  inches  broad,  and  three  long,  oval,  accuminate, 
slightly  dentated,  a  very  dark  green,  with  prominent  midrib  ;  petioles  short ; 
a  shrub  of  free,  upright,  but  rather  slender  growth  ;  buds  quite  round,  with 
pale  green  scales  ;  flower  medium  size,  three  and  a  half  to  four  inches  in  di- 
ameter. Color  delicate  clear  rose  ;  petals  75  to  80  in  number,  imbricated, 
of  the  most  perfect  rose  leaf  shape,  and  arranged  with  most  exquisite  reg- 
ularity, from  the  circumference  to  the  centre  ;  corolla  very  round,  persistent, 
free  in  its  inflorescence,  every  flower  expanding  perfectly,  retaining  its 
beauty  for  a  long  time. 

The  superiority  of  this  variety,  when  compared  with  those  established 
favorites,  the  old  double  White,  Lady  Hume,  imbricata,  and  others,  is  its 
beautiful  round  petal,  with  scarcely  a  serrature  or  indentation  on  the  edge. 
Raised  from  the  seed  of  the  single  red  camellia,  fertilized  by  Camell/a  ja- 
ponica  var.  punctata.  The  mother  plant  and  all  the  stock,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  a  single  graft,  having  been  destroyed  by  fire,  in  the  year  1841. 

No.  2.    Camilhd.  japonica  var.  Mrs.  Abby  Wilder. 

The  name  was  given  by  the  Committee,  in  honor  of  the  lady  of  the  Pres- 
ident. This  variety  is  a  very  beautiful  one — a  vigorous  shrub  of  upright 
growth  and  strong  branches ;  foliage  large  and  handsome ;  leaves  four 
inches  long  by  two  and  a  half  broad,  roundish  oval  a  little  reflexed  ;  coarsely 
dentated,  accuminate,  with  pale  prominent  midrib  and  nerves ;  yellowish 
green,  resembling  in   color  those  of  Camelh'fl  jap6nica  Lady  Hume  ;  bud 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  109 

round  with  pale  green  scales  ;  flower  large,  four  inches  or  moie  in  diameter, 
thick,  full  and  perfect;  petals  beautiful  form,  very  numerous,  90  to  100  in 
number  ;  the  exterior  rows  broad,  circular,  gradually  diminishing  in  size  to 
the  centre,  and  arranged  with  great  regularity  ;  color  white,  with  an  occa- 
sional stripe  of  light  rose,  after  the  manner  of  Cam^ll/a  japonica  Duchesse 
d'  Orleans  ;  corolla  very  round  and  of  great  depth. 

Produced  from  seed  of  Cam61ha  japonica  var.  Middlemist.. 

The  other  varieties  were  not  so  remarkable  as  those  described,  but  still 
worthy  of  notice  and  equal  in  beauty  to  many  varieties  highly  esteemed. 
As  they  have  now  bloomed  for  the  first  time,  their  character  cannot  be  justly 
determined. 

No.  3.  Is  a  flower  above  medium  size ;  color  purplish  crimson  ;  fine 
shape,  large  petals,  rose  leaved,  perfectly  arranged,  compact  with  a  full 
centre. 

No.  4.  A  beautiful  flower  of  medium  size  ;  color  of  the  outer  petals  car- 
mine fading  out  to  the  centre  to  a  fine  deep  rose  color  ;  petals  spirally 
arranged. 

No.  5.  Color  bright  rose,  blotched  with  white  ;  similar  to  Camellia  ja- 
ponica imbricata,  but  the  color  not  quite  so  brilliant,  and  about  the  same 
size. 

Having  seen  only  the  flowers  of  the  three  last  varieties  without  the  foli- 
age, we  are  not  able  to  give  a  full  description  ;  but  it  is  not  these  varieties 
that  the  Committee  would  point  out  to  the  Society,  as  worthy  of  the  gratu- 
ity, but  those  first  described  Camellias  japonica  Wilder/  and  Mrs.  Abby 
Wilder.     All  which  is  respectluliy  submitted.  Joseph  Breck, 

Boston,  Feb.  21,  1846.  Chairman  of  the  Floiver  Committee. 

It  was  voted,  that  the  above  reports  be  entered  upon  the  records,  and  pub- 
lished in  the  transactions  of  the  Society. 

It  was  voted,  that  in  the  absence  of  any  information  in  regard  to  medals, 
from  the  Society's  correspondent  in  London,  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
having  the  subject  under  consideration,  be  requested  to  make  an  early  report, 
to  be  published  in  the  transactions  of  the  Society. 

Voted,  That  the  subject  of  awarding  premiums  for  fruits  and  vegetables, 
as  soon  as  the  season  of  exhibition  may  be  over,  be  referred  to  the  Commit- 
tees for  their  consideration,  to  report  upon  the  same. 

Adjourned  one  week,  to  Feb.  28th. 

Exhibited. — Flowers  :  from  P.  Barnes,  a  cut  flower  of  rose  Caroline  Mie- 
nonne,  very  handsome.     From  A.  Bowditch,  four  pots  of  cyclamens. 

Fruit:  from  S.  Walker,  good  specimens  of  Easter  beurr6  pears.  From 
J.  Owen,  Newton  pippin  apples.  From  E.  M.  Richards,  very  fine  speci- 
mens of  the  Echasserie  pear,  in  good  preservation.  From  W.  E.  Carter 
a  fine  specimen  of  the  Hubbardston  Nonsuch  apple. 

The  schedule  of  Premiums  of  the  Flower,  Fruit  and  Vegetable  Commit- 
tees, and  the  Committee  of  Arrangements  for  1846,  having  been  approved 
by  the  Executive  Committee,  tliey  were  ordered  to  be  published. 


110  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  OF  ARRANGEMENTS. 

OFFERING  PREMIUMS  FOR  DESIGNS  AND  DECORATIONS  FOR  1846. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements  submit  to  the  Executive  Committee,  for 
approval,  a  schedule  of  Premiums  for  Designs  and  Decokations,  to  be  awarded 
at  the  Annual  Exhibition  in  September  next.     The  amount  appropriated  being 

TWO  HUNDRED  DOLLARS. 

For  the  best  design,  composed  of  cut  flowers,  and  set  up  in  the  Hall 

of  Exhibition  at  the  time  assigned,  a  premium  of $40  00 

For  the  second  best  do.  do.  do 30  GO 

For  the  third  best  do.  do.  do 20  00 

For  the  fourth  best  do.  do.  do 10  00 

For  the  fifth  best  do.  do.  do 5  00 

(No  design  to  occupy  more  than  six  feet  in  diameter.) 
For  the  best  round  pyramidal  bouquet,  for  the  Society's  Vases,  a 

premium  of 8  00 

For  the  second  best  do.  do.  do 5  00 

For  the  best  pair  of  large  flat  bouquets,  for  the  walls,  a  premium  of  10  00 

For  the  second  best  do.  do.  do 5  00 

For  the  best  pair  of  mantel  or  table  bouquets,  a  premium  of  .     .     .     5  00 

For  the  second  best  do.  do.  do 3  00 

For  the  best  pair  of  round  hand  bouquets 3  00 

For  the  second  best  do.  do.  do 2  00 

For  the  best  design  composed  of  mosses,  or  native  grasses     .     .     .  10  00 

For  the  second  best  do.  do.  do 5  00 

Reserving  in  the  hands  of  the  Committee,  to  be  awarded  for  any  de- 
sign, not  enumerated  above,  that  may  be  offered,  composed  of  cut 
flowers,  shrubs,  leaves,  grasses,  or  mosses,  in  the  shape  of  any 
work  of  art,  or  object  in  nature,  worthy  a  premium,  according  to 
their  respective  merits $39  00 

$200  00 

It  being  understood  that  any,  or  all,  of  the  above  named  premiums,  may  be 
withheld  in  case  the  objects  presented  are,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Committee,  un- 
worthy of  the  award  otfered,  and  that  gratuities  to  the  full  amount  of  the  ap- 
propriation will  be  dispensed,  should  they  be  presented  for  competition.  For 
the  Committee,  HENRY  W.  DUTTON,   Chairman. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  FLOWERS  AND  PLANTS, 

OFFERING    PREMIUMS   FOR    1846. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Flower  Committee  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural 
Society,  on  the  10th  of  January,  \Si&— Voted,  That  the  following  schedule  of 
Premiums  be  submitted  to  the  Executive  Committee  for  their  approval  for  the 
present  year,  viz  : — 
Hyacinths. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  May  9th. 

For  the  best  display  of  not  less  than  twenty  varieties,  a  premium 

of  $5  00 

For  the  ?d  best  do 4  00 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  Ill 

Polyanthus. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  May  9th. 

For  the  best  six  varieties,  in  pots,  a  premium  of $3  00 

For  the  2d  best  six  do 2  00 

Tulips. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  May  23d. 

For  the  best  thirty  varieties,  a  premium  of 8  00 

For  the  2d  best  do 6  00 

For  the  3d  do.  do 4  00 

Pansies. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  May  30th. 

For  the  best  twelve  distinct  varieties,  a  premium  of 3  00 

For  the  2d  best  do 2  00 

GREEN  HOUSE  PLANTS  IN  POTS. 
A  general  display  to  take  place  June  6th,  when  premiums  for  the  following 
plants  will  be  awarded  : 
Geraniums. — For  the  best  six  distinct  varieties,  a  premium  of        ...  $6  00 

For  the  2d  best  six  do 4  00 

Roses. — For  the  best  six  varieties,  a  premium  of 6  00 

For  the  2d  best  do •     .  4  00 

Fuchsias. — For  the  best  six  varieties,  a  premium  of 6  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.  do 4  00 

Gladiolus. — For  the  best  six  varieties,  a  premium  of 3  00 

For  the  2d  best  do 2  00 

Calceolarias. — For  the  best  four  varieties,  a  premium  of 3  00 

For  the  2d  best  do 2  00 

Cactus. — For  the  best  six  plants,  different  varieties,  a  premium  of    .     .  3  00 

For  the  2d  best  do 2  00 

Heaths. — For  the  best  six  varieties,  a  piemium  of 3  00 

For  the  2d  best  do 2  00 

Various  Sorts. — For  the  best  display  of  Green  House  Plants,  of  different 

sorts  and  varieties,  not  less  than  twelve  pots,  a  premium  of     .     .  8  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.  do 5  00 

Hawthorns. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  May  30th. 

For  the  best  display,  a  premium  of 3  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.  do 2  00 

Hardy  Azaleas. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  May  30th. 

For  the  best  display,  a  premium  of 3  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.  do 2  00 

Shrubby  Peonies — Premiums  to  be  awarded  May  30th. 

For  the  best  six  varieties  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.  do 4  00 

For  best  display       3  00 

Herbaceous  Peonies. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  June  13th. 

For  the  best  twelve  flowers,  having  regard  to  number  of  varieties 

and  perfection  of  flowers,  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  2d  best,  a  premium  of 4  00 

Best  display,  a  premium  of 3  00 


112  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Pinks. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  June  20th. 

For  the  best  six  distinct  varieties $4  00 

For  the  2d  best  do 3  0(? 

For  the  best  display 2  00 

Ranunculus. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  June  2d. 

For  the  best  display,  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  dj.  do 3  00 

Anemones. — For  the  best  display,  during  the  season,  of  not  less  than 

twelve  varieties,  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.  do 2  00 

Roses. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  June  20th. 

DIVISION    A. CLASS    I. 

Hardy  Roses. 

For  the  best  thirty  distinct  varieties,  a  premium  of 8  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.  do 6  00 

For  the  3d  best  do.  do 4  00 

For  the  best  display,  a  premium  of 3  00 

CLASS    II. 

For  the  best  twelve  distinct  varieties,  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.  do.  do 3  00 

For  the  3d  do.  do.  do 2  00 

DIVISION    B. CLASS    I. 

Noisette,  Bourbon,  Tea,  China,  ^c„  cut  Flowers. 

For  the  best  twelve  distinct  varieties,  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.  do 4  00 

For  the  best  display  do 3  00 

CLASS    II. 

Hardy  Perpetuals. 

For  the  best  six  distinct  varieties 4  00 

For  the  2d  best  do 3  00 

Carnation  and  Picotee  Pinks. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  July  18th. 

For  the  best  eight  distinct  varieties,  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.  do 4  00 

For  the  best  display  do 4  00 

Ma&nolias. — For  the  best  display  of  the  various  sorts  during  the  months 

of  June  or  July,  a  premium  of 3  00 

For  the  2d  best  do 2  00 

Hardy  Rhododendrons. — For  the  best  display  during  the  months  of  June 

and  July,  a  premium  of 3  00 

For  the  2d  best  do 2  00 

Phloxes. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  Aug.  22d. 

For  the  best  ten  varieties,  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.  do 4  00 

For  the  3d  best  do.  do 3  00 

Double  Hollyhocks. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  July  18th. 

For  the  best  display,  not  less  than  eight  varieties 3  00 

For  the  2d  best  do 2  00 

For  the  3d  do.  do 1  00 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  113 

Double  Balsams. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  August  15th. 

For  the  best  display,  a  premium  of $3  00 

2d  best  do 2  00 

3d  do.  do 1  00 

German  Asters. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  Sept.  12th. 

For  the  best  display,  a  premium  of 4  00 

2d  best  do.  do 3  00 

3d  do.  do 2  00 

Herbaceous  Perennials. — For  the  best  display  through  the  season,  a 

premium  of 6  00 

2d  best  do 4  00 

3d  do.  do 3  00 

Annuals. — Best  display  through  the  season 5  00 

2d  best  do 4  00 

3d  best  do 3  00 

Indigenous  Plants. — For  the  most  interesting  display  during  the  season,  3  00 

2d  best  do 2  00 

Dahlias. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  Sept.  26. 

DIVISION    A. 

Open  to  all  cultivators. 

Premier  Prize. — For  the  best  twelve  dissimilar  blooms 8  00 

Specimen  Bloom, — For  the  best  flower 4  00 

Specimen  Blooms  of  Various  Colors. — For  the  best   yellow,    buff",    or 

orange  ;  purple  or  maroon  ;  crimson  or  claret ;  very  dark ;  white  ; 

edged  or  tipped  j  scarlet ;  pink  or  rose, — a  premium  of  f  1  each     .  8  00 

DIVISION    B. 

Open  to  all  cultivators  over  200  plants. 

Class  I. — For  the  best  eighteen  dissimilar  blooms,  a  premium  of    .     .  8  00 

2d  best  do 4  00 

Class  II. — For  the  best  twelve  do.  do.  do 5  00 

2d  best  do 3  00 

Class  III. — For  the  best  six  do.  do.  do 3  00 

2d  best  do.  do.  do 2  00 

DIVISION   c. 

Open  to  all  cultivators  of  less  than  200  plants. 

Class  I. — For  the  best  eighteen  dissimilar  blooms,  a  premium  of    .     .  8  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.  do.  do 4  00 

Class  II. — For  the  best  twelve  dissimilar  blooms,  a  premium  of     .     .  5  00 

For  2d  best  do 3  00 

Class  III. — For  the  best  six  dissimilar  blooms 3  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.  do 2  00 

Chrvsanthemums. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  Nov.  7th. 

For  the  best  twelve  varieties,  cut  flowers 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do 4  00 

For  the  3d  do 2  00 

VOL.  XII. — NO.  III.  15 


114  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Camellias,  in  pots. — Premiums  to  be  awarded  2d  Saturday,  Feb.,  1847. 

For  the  best  twelve  varieties,  a  premium  of $8  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.  do 6  00 

Greenhouse  Azaleas,  in  pots Premiums  to  be  awarded  2d  Saturday 

in  March. 

For  the  best  six  varieties       $6  00 

2d  best  do 5  00 

$400  00 

The  Society  has  also  placed  at  the  discretion  of  the  Committee  on 

Flowers  and  Plants  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars,  which,  with  such 

amounts  as  may  not  be  appropriated  for  premiums  designated  in  the 

schedule,  will  be  disposed  of  in  gratuities  in  the  following  manner,  viz. : 

At  the  weekly  exhibitions  during  the  season — 

For  the  best  six  pots  of  well  grown  plants  of  different  varieties,  a 

premium  of $2  00 

For  the  2d  best  six  pots,  a  premium  of 1  00 

For  the  best  bouquet,  a  premium  of 2  00 

For  the  second  best  do.  do 1  00 

100  00 

$500  00 
It  is  to  be  understood  that  flowers  attached  to  a  plain  surface  by  any  method, 
will  not  be  considered  bouquets,  but  will  be  specified  as  designs. 

QIT'  Gratuities  will  be  awarded,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Committee,  for  Seed- 
ling Camellias,  Azaleas,  Roses,  Pinks,  Carnations,  Picotees,  Phloxes,  Gerani- 
ums, Dahlias,  Fuchsias,  Chrysanthemums,  or  any  other  beautiful  flower  of 
American  growth  ;  also,  for  any  rare  or  beautiful  plants  or  display  of  flowers 
that  may  be  exhibited  during  the  season,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Committee. 

In  awarding  the  above  premiums,  and  on  all  plants  in  pots,  special  reference 
will  be  had  to  the  beauty  of  the  specimens,  profusion  of  bloom,  and  evidence 
of  superior  cultivation.  It  is  to  be  understood  that  inferior  specimens  will  be 
excluded  by  the  judges  from  competition  for  premiums. 

JOSEPH   BRECK,   Chairman. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  FRUITS, 

OFFERING    PREMIUMS    FOR    1846. 

The  Fruit  Committee  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society  respectfully 
submit  to  the  Executive  Committee,  for  their  approval,  the  following  List  of 
Premiums,  to  be  awarded  the  ensuing  year,  amounting  to  the  sum  of  four  hun- 
dred dollars  : — 

TO  BE  AWARDED  AT  THE  ANNUAL  EXHIBITION  IN  SEPTEMBER. 
Apples. — For  the  greatest  number  of  kinds,  and  the  best  grown,  a  pre- 
mium of f  10  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  3d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 3  00 

Pears.— For  the  greatest  number  of  kinds,  and  the  best  grown,  a  premi- 
um of     10  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of       5  00 

For  the  3d  best  do.,  a  premium  of       3  00 

Grapes. — For  the  best  exhibited,  1st  premium 10  00 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  115 

For  the  next  best  exhibited,  2d  premium $7  00 

For  the  next  best  exhibited,  3d  premium 5  00 

For  the  greatest  number  of  varieties,  and  the  best  grown,  a  premi- 
um of     10  00 

For  the  next  best  do.,  a  premium  of 5  00 

Assorted  Fruit. — For  the  best  basket  of  Fruit,  of  various  kinds,  a  pre- 
mium of 10  00 

For  the  next  best  do.,  2d  premium  of 7  00 

For  the  next  best  do.,  3d  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  best  dish  of  Apples,  not  less  than  12  specimens  of  one  vari- 
ety, a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 3  00 

For  the  best  dish  of  Pears,  not  less  than  12  specimens  of  one  va- 
riety, a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  next  best  do.,  a  premium  of 3  00 

Assorted  Fruits  in  baskets  shall  not  be  entitled  to  any  other  than  the 

premium  for  such. 
[ET^The  above  premiums  to  be  awarded  on  the  first  day  of  the  Ex- 
hibition. 

PREMIUMS  DURING   THE   SEASON. 
Apples. — For  the  best   summer  Apples,  on   or   before   the  1st   Septem- 
ber, a  premium  of 6  00 

For  the  next  best  do.,  a  premium  of 4  00 

For  the  best  fall  Apples,  on  or  before  the  1st  December,  a  premium  of  6  00 

For  the  next  best  do.,  a  premium  of 4  00 

For  the  best  winter  Apples,  on  or  before  the  1st  March,  a  premium  of  6  00 

For  the  next  best  do.,  a  premium  of 4  00 

Pears. — For  the  best  summer  Pears,  on  or  before  the  1st  September,  a 

premium  of 6  00 

For  the  next  best  do.,  a  premium  of 4  00 

For  the  best  fall  Pears,  on  or  before  the  1st  December,  a  premium  of  6  00 

For  the  next  best  do.,  a  premium  of 4  00 

For  the  best  winter  Pears,  on  or  before   the  1st  March,  1847,  a  pre- 
mium of 10  00 

For  the  next  best  do.,  a  premium  of 6  00 

Cherries. — For  the  best  specimen,  not  less  than  two  quarts,  a  premium  of  6  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 4  00 

Peaches. — For  the  best  specimens  grown  under  glass,  a  premium  of       .  6  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 4  00 

For  the  best  specimen,  grown  in  open  culture,  a  premium  of      .     .  6  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 4  00 

Apricots. —For  the  best  specimen  of  Apricols,  a  premium  of    ....  6  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 3  00 

Nectarines. — For  the  best  specimen  of  Nectarines,  a  premium  of    .     .  6  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 4  00 

Quinces. — For  the  best  specimens  of  the  best  kind  of  Quinces,  a  premi- 
um of    5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 3  00 

Plums. — For  the  best  Plums  of  the  best  flavor,  not  less  than  two  quarts,  a 

premium  of 5  00 

For  the  next  best  do 3  00 


116  Massachusetts  Horticv.ltwal  Society. 

Gooseberries. — For  the  best  flavored  and  finest  specimens,  two  boxes,  a 

premium  of $5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 3  00 

Currants. — For  the  best  flavored  and  finest  specimens,  two  boxes,  a 

premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of       3  00 

Raspberries. — For  the  best  specimens  of  Raspberries,  not  less  than  two 

boxes,  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 3  00 

Strawberries. — For  the  best  specimens  of  Strawberries,  not  less  than 

two  boxes,  a  premium  of 6  00 

For  the  next  best  do.,  2d  premium  of 4  00 

Water  Melon. — For  the  best  specimen  of  Water  Melon,  a  premium  of  5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of       3  00 

MusKMELON. — For  the  best  Muskmelon,  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of •     ....  3  00 

Figs. — For  the  best  specimen  of  Figs,  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 3  00 

Grapes. — For  the  best  specimens  and  the  best  variety  of  Grapes,  grown 

under  glass  previous  to  July  1st,  a  premium  of 10  00 

For  the  second  best  do.,  a  premium  of 7  00 

For  the  best  specimen  and  variety  of  Grapes,  grown  under  glass 

subsequently  to  July  1st, 10  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 7  00 

Grapes,  (Native.) — For  the  best  specimen  and  variety  of  Native  Grapes, 

a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of       3  00 

For  the  best  new  Seedling  Grape,  superior  to  any  now  extant,  a  pre- 
mium of 20  00 

$362  00 
Reserved  for  Gratuities 38  00 

S400  00 

1X7^  The  Committee  on  Fruit  will  hold  a  session  to  award  the  premiums  on 
Summer  Apples  and  Pears,  on  the  1st  Saturday  in  September. 

On  Fall  Apples  and  Pears,  on  the  first  Saturday  in  December. 

On  Winter  Apples  and  Pears,  on  the  1st  Saturday  in  March. 

All  gratuities  for  seedling  will  be  equal  to  the  highest  prize  awarded  to  that 
variety  of  Fruit.     For  the  Committee,  S.  WALKER,  C/<aiV??;aH. 

REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  VEGETABLES, 

OFFERING    PREMIUMS    FOR    1846. 

The  Committee  on  Vegetables  submit  to  the  Executive  Committee,  for  their 
approval,  the  following  List  of  Premiums,  to  be  offered  the  ensuing  year.   The 
annual  appropriation  being  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  :— 
Asparagus. — For  the  earliest  and   best,  not  less  than  3  bunches,  a  pre- 
mium of $5  00 


Massachusetts  Horticultwal  Society.  117 

Beets. — For  the  best,  (pure  blood  beet,)  during  the  season,  not  less  than 

12  roots,  a  premium  of $5  00 

Brocoli. — For  the  best  3  heads,  a  premium  of 5  00 

Beans. — For  the  best  and  earliest  peck  of  string  beans,  a  premium  of    .  3  00 
For  the  best  and  earliest  Lima  beans,  not  less  than  2  quarts,  a  pre- 
mium of 3  00 

For  the  best  and  earliest  variety  of  shell  beans,  a  premium  of    .     .  4  00 
CucuMBEKs, — For  the  best  pair  under  glass,  previous  to  the  first  Satur- 
day of  June,  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of       3  00 

For  the  best  and  earliest,  of  open  culture,  a  premium  of    ....  3  00 
Cauliflowers. — For  the  best  and  largest,  during  the  season,  not  less 

than  3  heads,  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 3  00 

Corn. — For  the  best  and  earliest  sweet  corn,  not  less  than  12  ears,  a  pre- 
mium of      .     .  3  00 

Cabbage. — For  the  best  drumhead  cabbage,  during  the  season,  not  less 

3  heads,  a  premium  of       5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of       3  00 

For  the  best   Savoy  cabbage,  during   the  season,  not  less  than  3 

heads,  a  premium  of 3  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of       2  00 

Egg  Plants. — The  best  display,  during  the  season,  a  premium  of      .     .  5  00 
Lettdce. — For  the  best  6  heads,  before  1st  Saturday  in  July,  a  premium  of  3  00 
Potatoes. — For  the  best  and  earliest  peck,  previous  to  August  1,  a  pre- 
mium of 3  00 

Peas. — For  the  best  and  earliest  peck  in  June,  a  premium  of    ....  3  00 
Potatoes. — For  the  best  new  seedling,  of  superior  quality,  for  the  table, 

a  premium  of       10  00 

Rhubarb. — For  the  largest  and  best,  previous  to  the  first  Saturday  in 

July,  not  less  than  12  stalks,  a  premium  of 5  00 

Squashes. — For  the  best  pure  Canada  squashes,  not  less  than  6  in  num- 
ber, a  premium  of        5  00 

For  the  greatest  variety  exhibited  during  the  season,  a  premium  of  5  00 

Tomatoes. — For  the  best  and  earliest,  not  less  than  1  dozen      ....  5  00 
Vegetables. — For  the  best  display  and  greatest  variety,  at  the  weekly 

exhibitions,  during  the  season,  a  premium  of 10  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 5  00 

For  the  best  display  and  greatest  variety,  at   the  annual  exhibition, 

a  premium  of 10  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 7  00 

For  any  new  variety  of  vegetables,  suitable  for  the  table  and  worthy 

of  cultivation,  other  than  seedling  potatoes,  a  premium  of       .     .  (j  00 
Celery. — For  the  best  and  largest  blanched,  not  less  than  6  roots,  a  pre- 
mium of 5  00 

For  the  2d  best  do.,  a  premium  of 3  00 

A.  D.  WILLIAMS,  Jr.,   Chairman. 

The  regulations  are  the  same  as  those  of  1845.  (See  Vol.  XI.  p.  155.)  The 
following  vote  was  also  passed  : — 

Any  person,  to  whom  a  Premium  or  Gratuity  has  been  awarded,  may  receive, 
mstead  of  money,  the  Societv's  Medals  of  a  like  value,  (now  in  progress  of 
execution.) 


118 


Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Art.  II.     Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Roots,  Thtbers,  df'c. 
Potatoes, 
Chenangoes,  JPerbushil, 
/-<      ™  S  per  barrel, 

Common,....  J  Jg,  bushel, 

r.     .       .  S  per  barrel, 

E'^s^POTt, J  Jer  bushel, 

LongReds,..|P-J-4 

Sweet,  per  bushel    .     .     . 
Turnips  :  per  bushel,  . 

Common,        .     .     . 

Ruta  Baga,     .     .     . 
Onions  : 

Red,  per  bunch,  .     . 

White,  per  bunch,    . 

White,  per  bushel. 

Yellow,  per  bushel, 
Beets,  per  bushel. 
Carrots,  per  bushel,  . 
Parsnips,  per  bushel,  . 
Salsify,  per  doz.  roots, 
Horseradish,  per  lb.  . 
Garlic,  per  bunch,  .     . 

Cabbages,  Salads,  i^c. 

Cabbages,  per  doz.  : 

Savoy, 

Drumhead,     .     . 
Red  Dutch,     .     . 
Brocolis,  each,    .     . 
Cauliflowers,  each, 
Lettuce,  per  head,  .     , 
Spinach,  per  peck. 
Celery,  per  root,     .     , 
Cucumbers,(pickled)  pr.  gal 
Peppers,  (piclded)  per  gal. 


Pot  and  Siceet  Herbs. 

Parsley,  per  half  peck. 
Sage,  per  pound,     .     . 
Marjorum,  per  bunch, 
Savory,  per  bunch, 
Spearmint,  per  bunch. 


From 

§cts 

2  25 
75 

1   75 
50 

3  00 

1  25 

2  00 
1   00 


50 
50 

3 

3 

1   00 

50 

62 

50 


To 
$cts. 


2  25 


62 
62J 


Squashes  and  Pumpkins. 


From 
S  cts. 


62^ 

75 
62.^ 
75    1   00 

25  !     — 

10  '      12^ 

8   ,     10 


75 
75 
75 


6 
25 

8 
25 
37i 


50 

17 

6 

6 

3 


1  00 
1  00 
1   00 


10 

37^ 
I2i 


75 
20 

12 


Squashes,  per  cwt. : 
Canada  Crookneck,      .     .  3  50 
Winter  Crookneck,      .     .  3  00 
Autumnal  Marrow,      .     .  4  50 

Pumpkins,  each,     ....      12^ 


Fruits. 


Apples,  dessert  and  cooking  : 
Fall  Greening,  per  bbl 
Baldwin,  per  bbl.  ...  3 
Russets^  per  bbl.  ...  2 
Dlue  Pearmain,  per  bbl.  .  2 
Greenings,  per  bbl.  .  .  2 
N.  Y.  Pippins,  per  bbl.  .  2 
Common,  per  bbl.  .  .  .2 
Danvers  Winter  Sweet,  per 

bbl 3 

Nonsuch,  per  bbl.  ...  3 
Spitzemberg,  per  bbl.  .  3 
Golden  Russet,  per  bbl.  .  2 
Hub.  Nonsuch,  per  bbl. 
Dried  Apples,  per  lb.     . 

Pears,  per  doz.  or  half  peck 
St.  Germain,  per  half  pk 
Baking,  per  Ijushel,       .     .  2 

Cranberries,  per  bushel,  .     .  4 

Tomatoes,  per  peck,  . 

Grapes,  (forced,)  per  lb. 
Black  Hamburg, 
White  Sweetwater, . 
Isabella,     .... 
Malaga 

Oranges,  per  doz. 
St.  Michael's,       .     . 
Havana,     .... 

Sicily, 

Sicily,  per  box,  .     . 

Lemons,  per  doz.    . 

Pine  Apples,  each, 

Chestnuts,  per  bushel.     .     .  2 

Walnuts,  per  bushel,   .     .     .1 

Cocoanuls,  per  hundred, 

.\lmonds,  per  lb.      .     . 


25 

20 

25 

20 

00 

17 

12i 

25 

50 

00 


To 
$  cts. 


3  00 

3  50 

5  00 

17 


3  00 
5  00 


30 

37 

25 

25 

20 

25 

2  50 

1   75 

4  50 


Remarks. — February  has  been  a  cold  and  stormy  month ;  two  heavy 
drifting  snows  have  fallen,  and  there  has  not  been  any  succeeding 
weather  sufficiently  mild  to  destroy  the  sleighing,  though  in  some  exposed 
places  the  snow  is  scarcely  an  inch  deep.  The  day  we  now  write  has  been 
the  coldest  of  the  season,  the  thermometer  indicating  at  sunrise  6°  below 
zero.  Last  year,  during  the  closing  ten  days  of  February,  the  temperature 
did  not  fall  below  29°. 

Vegetables. — Owing  to  the  intensity  of  the  cold,  and  the  frequent  storms, 
there  have  been  but  few  arrivals  of  potatoes  from   the  eastward,  and  the 


Horticultural  Memoranda.  119 

rather  accumulated  stock  at  the  time  of  our  last  report  has  now  become 
nearly  exhausted,  and  in  consequence  prices  have  become  firmer, with  a  slight 
advance  in  some  kinds ;  we  anticipate,  however,  this  will  only  continue 
until  milder  weather.  Eastports  are  very  scarce,  and,  of  first  quality, 
scarcely  a  barrel  in  market.  To  take  their  place,  dealers  are  offering  the 
Carter,  certainly  a  most  excellent  variety.  Sweet  are  quite  out.  Turnips 
continue  in  good  demand,  with  an  improvement  in  prices.  Onions  remain 
the  same,  with  the  exception  of  whites,  of  which  there  are  few  remaining. 
Parsnips  are  in  more  demand,  and  prices  have  reached  more  than  the  aver- 
age of  several  seasons.  Cabbages  remain  the  same,  with  the  exception  of 
Savoys  which  have  improved.  Cauliflowers  are  entirely  done.  Lettuce 
improves  in  quality  with  the  advancing  season.  Spinach  is  not  very 
abundant,  owing  to  the  cold  weather.  Celery  is  tolerably  well  supplied, 
but  well  blanched  and  handsome  roots  command  even  more  than  our  highest 
quotations.  Parsley  remains  the  same.  Squashes  are  higher,  with  a 
decreasing  stock:  of  autumnal  marrows  very  few  now  remain. 

Fruit. — The  market  for  fruit  has  improved.  There  has  been  a  good  de- 
mand, and  some  shipments  have  been  made  to  New  York,  Philadelphia  and 
Baltimore,  with  some  small  lots  of  Baldwins  for  special  orders,  to  Europe. 
Baldwins  and  russets  now  comprise  nearly  the  whole  stock,  but  there  are  yet 
small  lots  offering  of  most  of  the  kinds  quoted.  Pears  are  all  gone,  with 
the  exception  of  baking.  Cranberries  are  considerably  higher,  but  sales  are 
now  quite  limited.  Malaga  grapes  remain  the  same.  Oranges  are  tolerably 
abundant,  recent  arrivals  having  kept  up  a  good  stock.  Pines  have 
been  received  in  small  lots.  Chestnuts  have  improved  a  little,  with  a  better 
demand.  Walnuts  remain  without  alteration. — Yours,  M.  T.,  Boston,  Feb. 
27,  1846. 


HORTICULTURAL  MEMORANDA 

FOR    MARCH. 


FRUIT    DEPARTMENT. 

Grape  Vines,  in  graperies,  with  fire  heat,  or  in  green-houses,  will  now  be 
breaking  their  eyes,  and  should  have  much  attention.  If  the  shoots  are  long 
and  inclined  only  to  break  at  the  top,  they  should  be  bent  down,  and  the  top 
made  fast  in  that  position,  loosening  it  only  so  fast  as  the  eyes  continue 
to  break  well :  if  the  house  is  dry,  an  occasional  syringing,  on  mild  nights 
aids  them.  Be  careful  not  to  put  on  too  much  heat.  A  temperature  of  45° 
to  50°,  at  night,  is  ample,  until  the  eyes  are  well  out,  when  it  may  be  in- 
creased to  55°.     Vines  in  pots  may  now  be  brought  into  the  house. 

Peach  Trees,  in  pots,  already  in  the  house,  will  now  be  swelling  their 
fruit,  and  should  be  liberally  watered. 

Grafting  Apples  and  Pcar.t  on  the  Roots  may  still  be  successfully  per- 
formed, according  to  the  advice  in  our  last. 

Pruning  Orchards  may  soon  be  continued,  and,  if  the  weather  is  mild,  all 
this  kind  of  work  may  be  completed  before  the  busy  season  commences. 


120  Horticultural  Memoranda. 

Scions  may  yet  be  cut,  but  all  that  are  needed  should  not,  if  possible,  be 
allowed  to  go  over  March. 

Raspberry  and  Strawberry  Beds  should  be  uncovered  as  soon  as  the  weather 
becomes  mild,  without  frost. 

Trees  intended  to  be  removed  should  be  taken  up  as  soon  as  the  frost  is 
out  of  the  ground,  and  laid  in,  till  such  time  as  can  be  obtained  to  set 
them  out. 

Salt  is  best  applied  around  plum  trees  in  March,  at  least  one  dressing 
should  be  given  now,  and  perhaps  another  light  one  in  May. 

Pear,  Apple  and  Quince  Seeds  should  be  sown  as  soon  as  the  frost  is  out 
of  the  ground. 

FLOWER    DEPARTMENT. 

Dahlias  will  now  occupy  attention ;  if  early  flowers  are  wanted,  a  few 
roots  should  now  be  placed  in  the  green-house,  or  in  the  hot-bed,  to  push 
them  on.  If  seedlings  are  wanted,  March  is  the  best  time  to  sow  them,  to 
bloom  well  this  year. 

Camellias  will  soon  begin  to  make  their  new  wood  ;  when  the  flowers  are 
all  open,  the  plants  should  be  liberally  syringed,  and  well  supplied  with 
water  at  the  roots,  not  omitting  to  use  some  liquid  guano.  Inarching 
should  now  be  performed.     Young  seedlings  should  be  carefully  watered. 

Japan  Lilies  will  now  be  advancing  rapidly  ;  such  as  require  it  should  be 
re-potted  ;  water  now  more  freely,  and  keep  in  a  cool  part  of  the  house. 

Gloxinias  and  Achimines  of  all  sorts  should  now  be  started  in  a  hot-bed  or 
other  warm  place. 

Gesnera  zebrina  should  now  be  potted  or  placed  in  a  hot-bed. 

Pelargoniums,  for  show  specimens  should  be  again  shifted  into  larger 
pots. 

Azaleas  will  now  be  coming  into  flower,  and  should  be  freely  watered. 

Roses  will  now  be  in  full  bloom  ;  continue  to  water  liberally,  and  make 
free  use  of  the  syringe  :  fumigate  as  often  as  the  green  fly  appears.  Plants 
of  choice  kinds,  in  too  small  pots,  had  better  be  shifted  into  a  larger  size. 
Grafting  may  he  performed  this  month,  or  as  soon  as  the  frost  is  out  of  the 
ground. 

Cinerarias  should  now  be  shifted  into  large  size  pots. 

Hyacinth  and  Tulip  Beds  will  require  looking  after  towards  the  close  of 
the  month  ;  if  the  weather  is  mild,  part  of  the  covering  should  be  removed. 

Plants  in  frames.  Do  not  forget  to  give  them  a  fine  airing  as  soon  as  the 
weather  is  milder. 

Migno7i,ette,  10  week  stocks,  Globe  amaranthus,  Brachycome,  Thunbergias, 
and  many  other  choice  annuals,  should  be  sown  in  pots  in  hot-beds,  to  ad- 
vance them  so  as  to  bloom  early. 

Fuchsias  will  be  particular  objects  of  care  ;  re-pot  them  as  fast  as  they 
require  it,  and  keep  them  well  exposed  to  light  and  air,  to  prevent  them 
from  drawing  up  weak. 

Verbenas  and  Heliotropes  should  now  be  propagated  for  procuring  a  stock 
for  turning  out  into  the  border  in  summer. 

Tuberoses  and  Amaryllises  may  be  potted  this  month  for  early  flowering. 


THE  MAGAZINE 


O  F 


HORTICULTURE. 


APRIL,  1846. 

ORIGINAL   COMMUNICATIONS. 

Art.  I.     Notes  and  Recollectiotis  of  a  Tour  through  part  of 

England,   Scotland  and  France,  in  the  autumn  of  1844. 

By  the  Editor. 

{JJontinued  from  page  86.) 

Chester,  October  Wi. — We  took  our  seat  in  the  mail  train 
for  Liverpool  at  9|  o'clock,  on  the  8th.  The  night  was  cold 
and  raw,  with  a  chilling  N.  W.  wind,  bnt  as  we  had  secured 
a  good  place  in  the  first  class  cars,  we  had  a  comfortable  ride, 
and  arrived  in  Chester  about  an  hour  before  sunrise.  The 
N.  \V.  wind  had  blown  up  a  cold  and  drizzling  rain,  but  as 
we  had  taken  the  Chester  route,  in  order  to  visit  the  extensive 
nurseries  of  Messrs.  Dickson,  near  the  town,  we  were  left  no 
alternative  but  to  proceed  at  once  on  our  business.  It  was  the 
first  really  disagreeable  weather  we  had  experienced  since  we 
left  Manchester,  nearly  two  months  previous.  We  had  but 
little  time  to  spare,  as  we  intended  to  be  in  Liverpool  at  noon, 
in  order  to  leave  for  Glasgow  in  the  evening. 

Chester  Nurseries,  Messrs  F.  ^  J.  Dickson.  — The  nurse- 
ries are  situated  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  town,  but 
the  proprietors  have  an  extensive  warehouse  in  the  village, 
where  they  supply  large  quantities  of  seeds  of  every  descrip- 
tion. The  grounds  contain  upwards  of  seventy  acres,  on  a 
level  situation,  with  a  good  soil.  It  is  laid  off  in  squares, 
bordered  with  hedges  of  beech,  holly,  yew,  birch,  &c.,  with 
a  view  to  give  shelter  and  shade,  and  afford  protection  from 
winds.  Messrs.  Dickson  have  a  large  and  fine  dwelling,  sit- 
uated nearly  in  the  centre  of  the  nurseries,  and  approached 
by  a  long  avenue,  hedged  with  privet  and  holly.     Around  the 

VOL,  XII. NO.  IV.  16  "  ^ 


122  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour. 

house,  the  grounds  are  judiciously  planted,  with  some  of  the 
more  choice  trees  and  shrubs,  which  we  could  not  specially 
note  down.  Our  haste  requiring  us  to  give  the  Messrs.  Dick- 
sons  an  early  call,  we  were  politely  invited  to  take  breakfast, 
after  which,  we,  incompany  with  Mr.  Francis  Dickson,  walked 
through  nearly  every  part  of  the  premises,  notwithstanding  the 
cold  and  heavy  rain,  which  made  the  travelling  any  thing 
but  agreeable. 

Messrs.  Dickson  have  devoted  great  attention  to  hardy  her- 
baceous plants,  and  have  gathered  together,  after  a  series  of 
years,  one  of  the  best  collections  in  the  country.  Some  years 
since,  their  Catalogue  contained  an  unusual  number  of  cam- 
panulas, phloxes,  &c.  Mr.  F.  Dickson  being  a  good  botanist, 
he  has  devoted  much  time  to  a  selection  of  the  most  orna- 
mental kinds.  The  beds  had  many  of  them  just  been  reset. 
The  American  plant  department  contains  two  or  three  acres, 
especially  prepared  for  the  purpose ;  the  ground  selected  is  in 
the  form  of  a  parallelogram,  hedged  in  on  all  sides,  and  de- 
scending to  the  centre,  in  order  to  retain  the  moistnre  ;  liere, 
planted  out  in  beds,  were  thousands  of  fine  rhododendrons, 
kalmias,  azaleas,  andromedas,  &c.  A  splendid  plant  of 
/Rhododendron  campanulatum,  which  has  stood  out  upwards 
of  seventeen  years,  was  seven  feet  Jiigh^  and  nearly  the  same 
broad,  and  we  counted  upon  it  upwards  oi  four  hundred  buds. 
What  a  superb  display,  with  its  four  or  five  thousand  snowy 
corols,  when  in  full  bloom  !  Near  this,  was  another  small 
piece,  also  hedged  in,  where  large  quantities  of  the  new  and 
rare  kinds  of  pines  are  grown.  We  here  saw  Deodar  cedars, 
of  all  sizes,  fiom  six  inches  high,  to  upwards  of  six  feet,  all 
in  pots,  and  suitable  for  transplanting  at  any  time  and  season 
with  safety.  The  cedar  of  Lebanon  is  also  grown  here  in 
large  quantities. 

In  the  ornamental  tree  department,  Messrs.  Dickson  have 
many  fine  things,  and  especially  a  good  stock  of  the  rarer 
weeping  trees,  which  are  now  so  much  sought  after  as  stand- 
ards for  planting  on  lawns  and  in  pleasure  grounds.  We 
noted  down  here,  fine  weeping  ashes,  elms,  oaks,  laburnums, 
hornbeams,  beeches,  limes,  poplars,  &c.  Also,  the  7"ilia  ma- 
crophylla,  or  large-leaved  lime,  very  showy  from  its  broad 
and  ample  foliage ;  tlie  cut-leaved  lime;  the  Trish  cut- leaved 


Visit  to  Glassrori).  123 

oak,  and  other  new  trees;  all  hardy,  and  so  highly  deserving 
of  introduction,  that  we  made  a  selection  of  all  that  was  new. 
Immense  quantities  of  larch,  Norway  spruce,  &c.,  are  raised, 
and  sold  every  year.  ' 

The  collection  of  fruit  trees  includes  a  very  good  variety 
of  kinds,  and  very  well-grown,  the  soil  being  well  adapted 
to  them ;  of  currants,  a  great  stock  is  cultivated,  and  mostly 
after  the  tree  mode;  that  is,  of  training  the  branches  to  one 
single  stem,  in  the  form  of  a  miniature  tree ;  no  suckers  will 
ever  spring  up,  and  the  plants  always  have  a  neat  and 
pretty  appearance.  This  mode  is  attained  by  cutting  out 
all  the  eyes  from  the  cuttings,  when  put  out,  except  the  three 
top  ones  ;  no  dormant  buds  are  then  left  to  shoot  up  and  take 
away  the  strength  of  the  plant,  and  the  branches  are  not  thus 
continually  robbed  of  their  nourishment.  Plants  well  man- 
aged in  this  way,  produce  superb  fruit.  Messrs.  Dickson 
possess  a  white  fruited  variety  of  the  English  black  currant. 

Messrs.  Dickson's  establishment  is  judiciously  laid  out,  and 
is  kept  in  the  very  best  order  :  the  ground  free  from  weeds, 
the  beds  arranged  in  systematic  order,  and  every  thing  de- 
noting the  most  orderly  management.  A  quantity  of  the 
ground  is  devoted  to  greenhouses  and  frames,  and  we  noticed 
many  fine  plants,  though  nothing  particularly  rare.  The 
out-door  department  receives  the  greatest  share  of  attention. 
The  proximity  of  Messrs.  Dickson's  nursery  to  Liverpool, 
and  the  great  Rail-road  thoroughfare  from  thence  to  London, 
has  given  them  many  advantages,  which  they  have  improved, 
and  their  stock  is  in  the  best  order,  and  offered  at  reasonable 
rates. 

Two  hours  walking,  through  a  heavy  soil,  in  a  cold  rain, 
being  quite  enough  for  one  day,  we  left  for  the  village,  and 
taking  the  first  train  of  cars,  arrived  in  Liverpool  about  noon. 

Glasgow,  October  lOlh. — The  weather  continued  cold,  raw, 
windy,  and  rainy,  when  we  left  Liverpool,  for  Glasgow,  in 
the  steamer  Commodore,  one  of  the  fine  ships  which  ply 
regularly  between  the  two  cities.  We  left  the  pier  about  10 
o'clock,  on  the  evening  of  the  9th,  and  at  daylight,  after  a 
rough  night,  we  were  oft'  the  coast  of  Scotland.  As  the  sun  rose, 
the  weather  became  more  calm,  and  a  beautiful  day  succeed- 
ed.    We  arrived  at  Greenock  at  5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 


124  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour. 

and  taking  a  smaller  boat  here,  to  pass  up  the  beautiful 
Clyde,  we  reached  Glasgow  before  9  in  the  evening. 

Our  letters  here  were  to  Messrs.  Austin  &  Son,  nurserymen, 
who  have  a  warehouse  in  the  city,  and  a  nursery  just  at  the 
outskirts  of  the  town.  We  were  fortunate  to  meet  with  Mr. 
Austin,  Jr.,  who,  with  the  greatest  kindness,  offered  to  ac- 
company us  in  our  visit,  during  the  day,  to  some  of  the  gar- 
dens in  the  neighborhood,  and  early  we  were  on  our  route  to 
the 

Glasgow  Botanic  Garderi. — This  garden  is  pleasantl^r  sit- 
uated about  three  miles  from  the  city.  It  covers  several 
acres,  and,  though  but  recently  laid  out  and  planted,  the  trees 
and  shrubs,  &c.,  had  attained  considerable  size.  The  house 
of  the  curator,  Mr.  Murray,  with  whom  we  walked  through 
the  grounds  and  whose  hospitality  we  shall  not  soon  forget, 
and  the  range  of  houses  for  plants,  have  an  imposing  aspect, 
being  placed  on  a  terrace  somewhat  elevated  from  the  entrance 
gate.  From  thence,  the  ground  still  ascends,  and,  on  the 
highest  point,  a  magnificent  view  is  obtained  of  the  country 
around.  To  the  north,  the  Trossacks  stretch  out ;  on  the 
west,  towers  up  Dumbarton  Castle ;  to  the  south,  we  overlook 
the  County  of  Ayrshire,  and  Lanarkshire  lies  on  the  East ; 
and,  at  the  base  of  the  hill,  on  the  other  side,  flows  the  beau- 
tiful river  Kelvin. 

The  first  house  of  the  long  range  is  devoted  to  Ericas,  of 
which  there  exist  so  many  fine  collections  in  Scotland.  Here 
we  saw  the  pretty  taxiflora,  and  triceps,  in  fine  bloom,  with 
some  others  less  noticeable.  Passing  into  the  main  house,  we 
saw  a  fine  i2hododendrum  arboreum,  ten  feet  high,  and  well 
branched,  full  of  buds.  Here,  too,  were  some  fine  acacias, 
and  other  New  Holland  plants.  The  next  compartment  was 
devoted  to  fuchsias,  of  which  E'ppsw  and  fulgens  were  su- 
perb, particularly  the  latter,  which  we  have  before  noticed.  A 
Palm  house  was  filled  with  good  specimens,  among  others, 
a  fine  Chamse^ops  humilis,  Zamia  h6rrida,  Stretilzia  augus- 
ta.  Bananas  in  fruit,  and  other  tropical  trees.  Another  com- 
partment was  filled  with  an  excellent  collection  of  Cacti ;  and 
in  another  large  house,  corresponding  with  the  main  one,  be- 
fore noticed,  were  Astrapae  a  Wallichti,  cofiee  tree,  hibiscuses, 
&c.    A  house  of  camellias;  one  of  AmaryUises^  crinums,  &c.j 


Garscube,  Sir  Archibald  Campbell.  125 

and  one  of  orchids,  Oncidium  flexuosum,  Miltonia  Candida, 
Odontoglossum  gr4ndis,  being  beautifully  in  bloom.  Suspend- 
ed from  the  roof,  we  noticed  a  plant  of  Gloxinia,  enveloped 
with  moss ;  it  had  grown  well,  and  appeared  as  flourishing 
as  if  in  a  pot  in  the  usual  way- 

In  a  long  range  of  pits,  in  the  rear  of  the  large  range,  Mr. 
Murray  cultivates  a  large  collection  of  Alpine  plants,  of  which 
he  is  a  most  enthusiastic  lover.  We  here  saw  all  our  Ameri- 
can violets,  several  of  which  spring  up  in  our  grounds,  culti- 
vated with  the  greatest  care,  in  small  pots.  We  only 
wished  that  Mr.  Murray  could  see  a  field  of  our  superb  V. 
pedata,  which  grows  so  abundantly  in  some  soils  and  situa- 
tions, and  spangles  the  ground  with  its  cserulean  corols.  Al- 
pine plants,  however,  succeed  very  well  around  Glasgow, 
where  the  smoke  of  furnaces,  and  exhalations  from  numerous 
chemical  works,  fill  the  atmosphere.  The  garden  is  kept  in 
excellent  order. 

Garsciibe,  Sir  Archibald  Campbell — Garscube  is  probably 
one  of  the  finest  places  in  Scotland ;  at  least,  it  appeared  to 
us,  that  nature  or  art  could  do  but  little  to  excel  it.  It  is  sit- 
uated in  a  broad  and  undulated  valley,  apparently  surrounded 
on  all  sides  by  high  and  irregular  banks  of  richly  wooded 
scenery,  with  a  beautiful  river  winding  through  it.  An  ele- 
gant house,  in  what  is  termed  the  domestic  Gothic  style,  is 
approached  by  a  handsome  bridge,  and  an  avenue  which 
sweeps  down  the  steep  banks,  suddenly  affording  a  full  view 
of  the  lawn  and  liouse,  as  we  emerge  from  the  densely  wood- 
ed grounds  which  form  its  boundary. 

By  the  kindness  of  the  proprietor,  to  whom  we  here  return 
our  thanks,  we  were  invited  to  view  the  interior  of  the  house, 
as  well  as  the  grounds,  in  every  part, — an  opportunity  so 
generously  offered,  that  we  did  not  omit  to  improve  it.  The 
internal  arrangements  equalled  the  beauty  of  the  exterior, 
and  the  business  room,  library,  dining-room,  boudoir,  and 
dressing-room  were  most  elegantly  and  tastefully  furnished  ; 
the  latter  containing  some  exquisite  paintings  by  the  best 
masters.  From  the  dining-room  a  lovely  view  is  obtained  of 
the  lawn  front,  with  the  beautiful  Kelvin,  which  runs  into 
the  Clyde :  by  the  side  of  this  stream,  was  one  of  the  most 
magnificent  beeches  we  had  ever  seen  ;  throwing  its  branches 


126  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour. 

completely  across  the  river,  and  its  umbrageous  foliage  form- 
ing a  perfect  arbor  beneath.  The  conservatory,  which  is 
span-roofed,  is  attached  to  the  drawing-room,  and  is  entered 
by  a  glass  door,  reaching  to  the  floor.  In  it  are  some  very 
fine  specimens  of  plants.  AVe  gathered  seed  from  an  Acacia 
armata,  upwcirds  of  ^ew/ee/high,  and  the  seedlings  are  now 
upwards  of  a  foot  high  ;  fuchsias,  ten  feet ;  white  and  double 
striped  camellias,  eight  feet ;  SkXvla  patens,  and  numerous 
other  plants.  The  back  wall  is  trellised  over,  and  covered 
with  climbing  plants,  which,  running  on  arches,  overhang  the 
walk,  in  wreaths  of  foliage  and  flowers. 

The  kitchen  garden  next  attracted  our  attention.  Sir  Ar- 
chibald is  deeply  interested  in  agricultural  improvements,  and 
by  the  Scottish  system  of  draining  and  subsoil  ploughing,  has 
greatly  increased  the  value  of  the  lands  which  form  part  of 
his  demesne.  The  kitchen  garden  is  walled  in,  and  contains 
four  or  five  acres  of  ground.  On  the  wall  were  various  kinds 
of  fruit  trees,  and  we  found  a  tree  of  Coe's  golden  drop  plum, 
in  greater  perfection,  even  in  this  climate,  than  we  had  ever 
seen  it  previously.  One  tree  was  entirely  covered  with  a  fine 
crop;  though  the  gardener  informed  us  he  had  taken  from 
it  several  dozens  of  fruit:  it  was  matted  over  to  keep  off" 
wasps  and  other  insects.  We  tasted  several  of  the  speci- 
mens, and  found  them  nearly  or  quite  equal  to  the  green  gage, 
and  this,  too,  on  the  11th  of  October.  This  variety  cannot 
be  too  highly  recommended  :  its  size,  beauty,  long  keeping, 
and  its  superior  flavor,  all  entitle  it  to  a  place  in  every  good 
collection  of  plums.  Perhaps,  if  a  iew  trees  were  to  be 
placed  on  an  east  or  west  wall  or  fence,  where  a  netting 
could  easily  be  stretched  over  the  branches,  the  fruit  might 
be  kept  much  longer  than  when  grown  as  a  standard  :  the 
experiment  is  worth  trial  in  our  climate. 

There  is  a  range  of  houses  in  the  garden  for  grapes,  peaches, 
and  plants  :  some  fine  gloxinias,  achimenes,  and  other  plants, 
which  we  have  before  noticed,  were  in  bloom.  The  garden 
was  in  good  keeping,  and  the  plants  in  the  houses  well  grown. 
Having  passed  four  or  five  hours  in  our  visit  here,  we  started 
on  our  return  to  the  city,  which  we  reached  about  dark,  de- 
lighted with  our  day's  tour. 

(To  be  Continued.^ 


Wit'e  Fences.  127 


Art.  II.  On  the  use  of  wire  fences  for  the  enclosure  of  lawns .^ 
pleasure  grotuids^  gardens,  <^c. ;  their  ornamental  charac- 
ter, durability,  strength,  and  economy.  By  Robert  Ar- 
thur, Esq.,  Edinburgh,  Scotland. 

Dear  Str  : — I  much  regretted  that,  on  account  of  my  ab- 
sence on  ray  commercial  journey,  I  had  not  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  you  when  you  were  in  this  country.  On  my  return, 
however,  1  had  the  satisfaction  to  receive  your  letter  of  17th 
October.  In  it  you  have  done  me  the  honor  to  request  my 
occasional  correspondence  for  the  purposes  of  your  valuable 
and  talented  magazine.  Were  I  alone  to  consult  the  fears 
and  apprehensions  I  entertain,  in  appearing  before  your  coun- 
trymen, as  your  correspondent  from  our  Scottish  capital,  I 
should  at  once  decline  the  otherwise  pleasing  task ;  but,  as  I 
am  satisfied  that  you  will  overlook  all  short-comings,  make 
large  allowance  for  my  want  of  personal  knowledge  of  your 
systems  of  agriculture  and  horticulture,  and  as  I  am  quite 
convinced  that  a  mutual  interchange  of  opinions  and  experi- 
ence on  all  matters  connected  therewith,  will  greatly  conduce 
to  the  improvement  of  this  most  fascinating  of  professions, 
I  at  once  divest  myself  of  diffidence,  and  will  endeavor  to 
lay  before  j^our  readers  some  of  the  results  of  my  observa- 
tion and  practical  experience  in  the  profession. 

In  the  first  of  my  letters,  which  1  shall  address  to  you,  \ 
shall  confine  myself  to  some  important  features  in  the  sub- 
ject of  landscape  gardening,  and,  in  this,  my  tirst  communi- 
cation, I  would  draw  your  attention  to  what  must  always  be 
the  primary  object  to  be  obtained,  viz.,  the  enclosure  and 
preservation  of  the  grounds  intended  to  bo  laid  ofi"  or  im- 
proved. In  this  the  utmost  care  must  be  taken  that  mere 
use  and  effectiveness  shall  not  interfere  with  taste  or  decora- 
tion; and,  on  the  other  hand,  we  must  never  allow  simple 
ornament  to  come  in  the  place  of  the  proper  protection  of 
what  we  intend  to  preserve 

In  mansions,  of  a  particular  style  and  class,  and  where 
the  nature  of  the  ground  admits  of  it,  there  is  nothing  more 
imposing  than  the  commanding  terrace  and  the  richly  worked 
balustrade.      In  this  we   have   protection   and   ornament  to 


128  Wire  Fences. 

satisfy  the  most  refined  taste.     But  as  it  more  frequently 
happens,  that  both  the  position  of  the  grounds  and  the  re- 
sources of  proprietors  are  unsuited  and  unequal  to  such  em- 
bellishment, fences  and  enclosures,  of  a  sufficiently  strong, 
ornamental  and  protective  character,  must  be  sought  for,  and 
we  therefore!  find  that,  where  natural  or  live  fences  did  not 
previously  exist,   rough    wood  or  stone  were  the  materials 
generally  employed.     In  many  cases,  however,  it  was  neces- 
sary to  attempt  something  in  a  decorative  style ;  stone  could 
not  be  applied  in  this  way,  and  sawn  and  dressed  wood  has 
therefore  been  pleasingly  formed  into  a   variety  of  elegant 
railings  and  trellises.     This,  however,  in  our  humid  and  ex- 
jjansive  hemisphere,  is,  in  the  first  place,  very  costly,  and  in 
the  next,  most  provokingly  short-lived.     Till  within  the  last 
few  years,   our  landed   proprietors   and   country  gentlemen 
could  only  enclose  their  grounds  and  domains  in  this  expen- 
sive and  most  unsatisfactory  way.     I    am   now,   however, 
happy  to  say,  that,  in  this  country,  England  and  Ireland,  and, 
I  may  also  add,  lately,  in  the  East  Indies,  a  new,  strong,  and 
elegant  substitute,  for  the  old,  heavy,  and  costly  fences,  has 
been  introduced,  and  within  the  above  period  most  exten- 
sively used.     About  ten  or  twelve  years  ago,  it  occurred  to 
Messrs.  W.  &-  C.  Young,  the  extensive  manufacturers  in  iron, 
in  this  city  and  in   Glasgow,  that  by  a  combination  of  wire 
(of  a  particular  description)  and  iron,  a  sufficiently  strong 
and  ornamental  fence  might  be  obtained  suitable  for  all  the 
requirements  of  protection  and  enclosure,  and  at  such  prices 
as   would  ultimately  supersede  the  use  of  both  stone  and 
wood  for  these  purposes  ;  and  that  they  have  been  eminently 
successful  in  realizing  their  plan,  is  perhaps  best  indicated 
by  the  great  demand  for  this  description  of  their  work.     In 
the  course  of  that  journey,  on  which  I  was  absent  at  the 
time  of  your  visit  here,  I   had  ample  occasion  to  admire  and 
hear  them  appreciated  ;  and  I  am  glad  to  have  this  opportu- 
nity of  drawing  the  notice  of  your  countrymen  to  what  must, 
in  fences,  be  to  them — as  it  was  to  us,  not  long  gone  by — a 
very  great  desideratum  indeed.     I  shall  now  proceed  to  des- 
cribe them,  enumerate  their  various  applications,  quote  the 
prices  (a  most  important  point)   at  which   they  can  be  fur- 


Wire  Fences.  129 

nished,  and  then   refer  to  the  advantages  arising  from  this 
method  of  enclosing  and  subdividing  grounds. 

An  "invisible  wire"  fence  consists  of  three  principal  parts: 
the  wire,  the  straining  pillars,  and  the  intermediate  stand- 
ards. The  chief  use  of  the  standards,  besides  considerably 
strengthening  the  fence,  is  to  prevent  the  separation  of  the 
wires  when  any  animal  attempts  to  press  through,  and  they 
are  placed,  according  to  circumstances,  from  six  to  eight  feet 
apart.  The  straining  pillars  are  designed  to  keep  the  wires 
at  full  stretch,  and  are  placed,  when  the  lines  are  straight,  at 
the  distance  of  seventy  or  eighty  yards  from  each  other. 
These  pillars  are  formed  of  wrought  iron,  with  the  necessary 
number  of  holes  drilled  through  them  at  the  required  dis- 
tances. They  are  formed  with  a  strong  cross  tail,  having 
the  two  ends  turned  down  in  order  that  they  may  be  fastened 
into  a  block  of  stone.  The  extreme  pillars  have  a  double 
spur  or  stay  fixed  to  them,  placed  in  a  line  with  the  fence 
and  opposite  to  the  strain  applied  to  the  wires.  The  inter- 
mediate standards  are  also  of  iron,  but  of  smaller  dimensions 
than  the  pillars,  and  are  likewise  fixed  in  stones,  or  blocks  of 
wood,  where  stones  cannot  readily  be  got.  They,  too,  have 
holes  drilled  through  them  for  the  wires  to  correspond  with 
those  in  the  pillars. 

The  wires  having  been  strained  to  the  requisite  tension  by 
means  of  a  powerful  screw  and  secured  to  the  straining  pil- 
lars, the  fence  is  then  complete. 

It  will  thus  be  seen,  that  the  superior  inherent  property  of 
the  fence  is  its  elasticity,  by  which  it  yields  to  the  charge  of 
the  horse  or  the  pressure  of  cattle,  and  resumes  its  former 
position  the  instant  the  shock  is  past  or  the  pressure  removed, 
and  without  sustaining  injury  or  the  least  derangement. 

The  purposes  to  which  the  fence  has  been  applied  are  nu- 
merous, some  of  which  are,  as  a  fence  against  horses,  sheep 
and  cattle;  not  only  as  ring  fences,  but  for  dividing  fields, 
domains,  and  high  pasture  grounds ;  for  forming  parks  for 
red,  roe,  and  fallow  deer ;  as  a  fence  along  turnpike  roads 
and  railways ;  for  enclosing  flower  gardens,  shrubberies  and 
pleasure  grounds :  and  for  these  latter  purposes  it  can  be,  at 
a  small  additional  cost,  made  quite  impervious  to  those  pests 

VOL.  XII. NO.  IV.  17 


130  Wire  Fences. 

of  the  floriculturist,  hares  and  rabbits,  at  the  same  time  add- 
ing greatly  to  their  ornamental  appearance. 

I  have  just  been  favored  by  the  Messrs.  Young  with  their 
list  of  prices,  at  which  the  different  descriptions  of  fences 
can  be  furnished,  ready  for  exportation,  and  subjoin  for  your 
satisfaction  a  general  quotation. 

Strong  iron  and  wire  fence  for  deer,  six  feet,  six  inches 
high,  with  ten  horizontal  rods  of  wire :  strong  wrought  iron, 
uprights,  every  six  feet,  and  straining  pillars,  every  seventy 
or  eighty  yards — complete,  with  the  necessary  apparatus  for 
straining  the  wires — at  from  two  shillings  to  two  shillings  six 
pence  per  lineal  yard,  according  to  strength. 

Do.  do.  for  sheep  from  ten  pence  to  one  shilling  two  pence. 

Making  any  of  the  above  hare  and  rabbit  proof,  in  the 
most  ornamental  manner,  one  shilling  six  pence  to  two  shil- 
lings per  yard  extra.  If  in  situations  where  appearance  is 
no  great  object,  at  from  nine  pence  to  one  shilling  three  pence 
extra. 

Delivered  free  in  London,  Liverpool,  Glasgow  or  Hull. 
When  Messrs.  Young  export  these  fences,  they  send,  with 
every  order,  printed  instructions,  illustrated  with  wood  cuts, 
by  which  any  intelligent  laborer  can  easily  erect  them. 

I  shall  now  speak  as  to  the  principal  advantages  of  wire 
fences.  The  first  is  their  economy,  which  has  now  been 
fully  tested.  Next  their  strength,  being  quite  sufficient  to 
resist  any  ordinary  force  or  accident ;  then  their  durability, 
combined  with  the  ease  and  little  cost  with  which  they  can 
be  kept  in  repair  for  any  length  of  time.  And  lastly,  and  a 
most  important  one  to  those  abroad,  they  are  so  prepared  for 
exportation,  that  any  intelligent  workman  can,  with  the  in- 
structions that  accompany  them,  easily  fix  them  in  their 
position.  Amongst  many  other  advantages,  is  their  light 
and  elegant  appearance,  adapting  them  peculiarly  for  orna- 
mental fencing,  where  it  is  with  you,  as  it  is  with  us,  an 
object  to  maintain  the  expanse  of  your  lawns  and  domains 
unbroken,  the  outlines  of  your  gardens,  shrubberies  and 
ornamental  plantations,  undisturbed,  and  the  general  beauty 
of  the  landscape  unimpaired,  and  still  all  sufficiently  fenced 
and  protected. 

I  have  now,  as  concisely  as  possible,  introduced  to  you  in 


Wire  Fences.  131 

this  letter,  a  subject  which  I  have  little  doubt  will,  as  soon 
as  known,  be  fully  appreciated  in  your  quarter  of  the  world. 
My  next  communication  will  possibly  be  a  more  interesting, 
though  certainly  not  a  more  useful,  one. 
I  am.  dear  sir. 

Yours,  most  sincerely, 

Robert  Arthue. 
Edinburgh,  January  29,  1846. 

It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  we  lay  before  our  readers  the 
first  of  a  series  of  communications  from  our  correspondent  in 
Edinburgh,  which  speaks  for  itself  in  regard  to  the  ability 
and  judgment  of  the  writer.  Our  friends  will,  with  us, 
thank  Mr.  Arthur  for  his  Scottish  generosity,  in  responding 
to  our  request,  though  unknown  to  him  only  through  an 
introductory  letter  kindly  given  us  by  a  friend  in  London, 
who  has  also  promised  us  his  assistance  in  telling  us  of  the 
horticultural  improvements  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  me- 
tropolis; but,  from  his  numerous  avocations,  want  of  time 
has  so  far  prevented  him  from  fulfilling  his  kind  otfer.  We 
exceedingly  regretted,  at  the  time  of  our  visit,  that  we  did 
not  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  Mr.  Arthur,  and  the  more 
deeply  now  that  we  see  the  hearty  interest  he  takes  in  the 
advancement  and  improvement  of  horticulture  in  this  coun- 
try. It  is  true,  indeed,  that  we  sought  his  acquaintance  from 
the  liberal  feeling  with  which  our  friend  assured  us  he 
viewed  every  thing  American,  and  is  no  less  gratifying  to  us, 
than  just  to  his  countrymen,  to  record  the  obligations  which 
we  feel  due  to  Mr.  Arthur,  for  the  generous  spirit  displayed 
in  his  communication.  He  need  not  fear  that  he  will  not 
have  the  indulgence  of  every  reader ;  and  his  articles  will 
be  read  with  increased  attention,  after  the  frank  and  open- 
hearted  manner  in  which  he  comes  before  us. 

The  subject  upon  which  he  has  touched,  is  one  of  great 
interest.  In  this  country,  even,  where  wood  is  so  very  cheap, 
wire  fences  may  be  introduced,  taking  into  consideration 
durability,  much  cheaper  than  wood.  Two  shillings  sterling 
or  forty  four  cents  per  running  yard,  is  less  than  the  most 
ordinary  fence  can  be  constructed  for,  The  duty  will  add 
something  to  the  expense ;  but  when  their  ornamental  char- 


132  A  Leaf  in  the  History 

acter  is  taken  into  consideration,  as  well  as  their  strength 
and  durability,  we  think  we  may  say  that  their  introduction 
may  be  looked  upon  as  a  great  desideratum.  For  pleasure 
grounds  and  enclosures  near  dwellings,  their  superiority  must 
at  once  commend  them  to  every  gentleman  at  all  anxious  to 
remove  unsightly  fences  from  his  premises.  In  conclusion, 
we  may  hope  that  some  of  our  wealthy  proprietors  may  at 
once  be  induced  to  order  a  few  hundred  feet  of  Messrs. 
Young's  wire  fence  as  an  experiment. — Ed. 


Art.  III.     A  Leaf  in  the  History  of  Pomology  at  the  West. 
By  T.  S.  H.,  Coshocton,  Ohio. 

Two  theories  have  obtained,  for  the  production  of  new  va- 
rieties of  fruits — the  one,  that  of  Van  Mons  and  the  Bel- 
gians; the  other,  that  of  designed  and  carefully  managed 
"  cross  fertilization,"  pursued  so  successfully  by  Thomas 
Andrew  Knight,  and  other  distinguished  pomologists  in  Eu- 
rope and  in  America.  The  reader,  curious  upon  this  subject, 
will  find  the  various  processes  employed  treated  of  suffi- 
ciently and  at  large  in  the  publications  of  Manning,  Kenrick, 
Downing,  and  others,  in  this  country,  as  well  as  in  most  if 
not  all  the  recent  European  works. 

It  has  been  usual  to  regard  these  two  theories  as,  in  some 
sort,  opposed  to  and  at  variance  with  each  other.  Both  have 
had  their  especial  advocates ;  but,  in  the  case  of  the  Van 
Mons  theory,  the  rationale  has  been  but  little  dwelt  upon, 
and  is  as  yet  but  imperfectly  understood.  It  may  be  doubted, 
indeed,  if  Van  Mons  has  not,  for  the  most  part,  failed  in 
deducing  the  true  principles  upon  which  amelioration  by  his 
method  proceeds ;  whilst,  beyond  all  doubt  and  controversy, 
he  has  established  the  fact,  that  new  and  highly  ameliorated 
kinds  are  obtained  by  it. 

There  is  certainly  room  for  the  inquiry,  whether  there  is 
any  just  ground  for  the  supposition,  that  a  radical  difierence 
exists  between  the  two  systems ;  and  if  there  does,  wherein 
it  is  that  they  conflict.  Both  have  been  attended  with  as- 
tonishing success.     In  what  then  do  they  diflfer  7     Certain  it 


of  Pomology  at  the  West.  133 

is,  that  they  differ  widely  in  the  modus  operandi  employed, 
so  far  as  man's  agency  is  concerned,  in  carrying  them  on  ; 
but  is  it  not  an  anomaly  in  nature,  if  the  fact  be  so,  that  she 
should  go  to  work  by  more  than  one  law  to  accomplish  the 
same  end  ?  And,  after  all,  may  not  the  results  obtained  by 
the  two  modes  be  really  attributable  to  the  same  causes,  only 
exerted  in  different  ways  7  Or,  in  other  words,  are  they  not 
brought  about  by  the  same  natural  law;  in  the  one  case 
left  to  operate  as  chance  or  accident  may  determine,  in  the 
other  guided  and  aided  by  the  mind  and  by  the  hand  of 
man? 

These  remarks,  by  way  of  introduction,  lead  us,  fitly 
enough,  to  what  is  the  main  purpose  of  this  communication  : 

THE 

HISTORY 

OF  THE  LIFE  OP 

JOHNNY   APPLESEED. 

About  the  time  of  the  survey  of  the  lands  in  the  United 
States  military  district,  northwest  of  the  river  Ohio,  prepara- 
tory to  their  location  by  those  holding  the  warrants  which 
had  been  issued  by  the  government  to  the  soldiers  of  the 
revolutionary  war,  for  services  during  that  war,  there  came 
to  the  valley  of  the  Muskingum  and  its  tributaries,  the  Tus- 
carawas, Walhouding,  Mohican,  &c.,  a  man,  whose  real 
name,  if  ever  known,  is  not  now  remembered  by  the  oldest 
inhabitants  here,  but  who  was  commonly  known  and  called 
all  over  the  country  by  the  name  of  Johnny  Appleseed. 

This  man  had  imbibed  so  remarkable  a  passion  for  the 
rearing  and  cultivation  of  apple  trees  from  the  seed,  and  pur- 
sued it  with  so  much  zeal  and  perseverance,  as  to  cause  him 
to  be  regarded  by  the  few  settlers,  just  then  beginning  to 
make  their  appearance  in  the  country,  with  a  degree  of 
almost  superstitious  admiration. 

Immediately  upon  his  advent  he  commenced  the  raising  of 
apple  trees  from  the  seed,  at  a  time  when  there  were  not  per- 
haps fifty  white  men  v/ithin  the  forty  miles  square.  He 
would  clear  a  few  rods  of  ground  in  some  open  part  of  the 
forest,  girdle  the  trees  standing  upon  it,  surround  it  with  a 
brush  fence,  and  plant  his  apple  seed.  This  done,  he  would 
go  off  some  twenty  miles  or  so,  select  another  favorable  spot, 


134  Pomology  at  the  West. 

and  again  go  through  the  same  operation.  In  this  way, 
without  family  and  without  connection,  he  rambled  from 
place  to  place,  and  employed  his  time,  I  may  say  his  life. 

When  the  settlers  began  to  flock  in,  and  open  their  "  clear- 
ings," old  Appleseed  was  ready  for  them  with  his  young 
trees ;  and  it  was  not  his  fault  if  every  one  of  them  had  not 
an  orchard  planted  out  and  growing  without  delay. 

Thus  he  proceeded  for  many  years,  deriving  a  self-satisfac- 
tion amounting  to  delight,  from  the  indulgence  of  his  engross- 
ing passion. 

Such  were  the  labors  and  such  the  life  of  Johnny  Apple- 
seed  among  us,  and  such  his  unmingled  enjoyments,  till 
about  fifteen  years  ago,  when,  probably  feeling  the  encroach- 
ments of  others  upon  his  sphere,  and  desiring  a  new  and  more 
extended  field  of  operations,  he  removed  to  the  far  West, 
there  to  enact  over  again  the  same  career  of  humble  but 
sublime  usefulness. 

This  man,  obscure  and  illiterate  though  he  was,  was  yet, 
in  some  respects,  another  Dr.  Van  Mons,  and  must  have 
been  endued  with  the  instinct  of  his  theory.  His  usual  prac- 
tice was  to  gather  his  seeds  from  seedHng  trees,  and  to  take 
them  from  as  many  different  seedling  trees  as  were  to  be 
found  within  the  range  of  his  yearly  autumnal  rambles,  and 
from  those  particular  seedling  trees  affording  the  highest  evi- 
dence in  their  fruit  that  the  process  of  amelioration  was 
begun  and  was  going  on  in  them.  At  first,  his  visits  necessa- 
rily extended  to  the  seedling  orchards  upon  the  Ohio  and 
Monongahela  Rivers  in  what  were  called  the  "  settlements;" 
but  when  the  orchards  of  his  own  planting  began  to  bear, 
his  wanderings,  for  the  purpose  of  collecting  seed,  became 
more  and  more  narrowed  in  their  extent,  till  the  time  of  his 
departure  further  westward. 

Still  true,  however,  to  the  instinct  which  first  drew  him  to 
the  Van  Mons  theory  for  the  production  of  new  ameliorated 
varieties  of  the  apple,  he  has  continued  occasionally  to  re- 
turn in  the  autumn  to  his  beloved  orchards  hereabouts,  for 
the  double  purpose  of  contemplating  and  ruminating  upon 
the  results  of  his  labors,  and  of  gathering  seeds  from  his  own 
seedling  trees,  to  take  with  him  and  carry  on  by  their  means 
reproduction  at  the  West.    Recently,  his  visits  have  been  alto- 


Western  Seedling  Fruits.  135 

gether  intermitted.  Our  hope  is  that  he  may  yet  live  in  the 
enjoyment  of  a  green  old  age— happy  in  the  multitude  of  its 
pleasing  reminiscences, 

Coshocton,  February  24,  1846. 


Art.  IV.  Remarks  on  Western  Seedling  Fruits ;  with  ob- 
servations upon  the  Fire  Blight  of  the  West.  By  A.  H. 
Ernst,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Dear  Sir  : — In  yonr  January  number,  in  the  article  en- 
titled a  "Retrospective  View  of  the  Progress  of  Horticul- 
ture," page  2  and  3,  you  remark,  "  the  seedling  varieties  of 
apples  in  the  West  are  exceedingly  numerous,"  &c.,  and  say, 
"  already  some  of  these  supposed  native  fruits  have  proved 
to  be  Eastern  varieties,"  then  conclude  your  remarks  on  that 
subject  by  saying,  "  the  Detroit,  Putnam  Russet,  and  other 
apples,  have  so  proved,  and  we  suspect  the  Stone  pear  to  be 
only  a  well  known  eastern  variety."  It  is  doubtless  gratify- 
ing to  your  numerous  pomological  readers,  that  the  vexed 
question  of  identity  and  origin  of  the  above  referred  to  ap- 
ples, is  settled ;  but  they  will,  with  myself,  regret  that  you 
have  not  been  more  particular  in  stating  your  authority.  I 
did  not  know  that  the  Detroit  apple  was  ever  claimed  as  a 
"Western  seedling;"  in  my  efforts  to  discover  its  origin,  I 
had  been  led  to  believe  that  it  had  been  brought  to  Detroit 
by  the  French  emigrants,  at  an  early  day,  from  which  grafts 
were  brought  to  this  region  by  a  Major  Armstrong  of  Gen. 
Wayne's  army,  who  visited  Detroit.  In  my  visits  East,  I 
have  not  met  with  the  fruit.  It  is  true  Mr.  Downing,  in  his 
excellent  book,  calls  it  the  "  white  Bellflower,"  and  says,  "  it 
is  a  native,  and  was  originally  carried  to  the  West  by  Mr, 
Brunson  ;"  but  he  has  evidently  got  hold  of  a  different  fruit. 
The  outline  of  his  white  bellflower,  shows  a  short  and  thick 
stem,  whereas  that  of  the  Detroit  apple  is  long  and  slender. 
So  of  the  wood,  he  says,  "  it  grows  pretty  strongly ;"  this  is 
quite  the  reverse  in  the  Detroit,  it  grows  long  and  slender, 
and  of  a  reddish  cast,  and  disposed  to  mildew  at  the  ends  of 


136 


Western  Seedling  Fruits. 


the  new  growth  in  the  nursery.  If  you  will  have  the  good- 
ness to  publish  with  this  an  outline  of  the  drawing  I  enclose, 
ifiS"-  2)  you  will  much  aid  the  inquirer.* 


Fig.  2.    Detroit  apple,  of  the  West. 


The  origin  of  the  supposed  Putnam  Russet  appears  to  be 
placed  beyond  dispute  by  Mr.  Schuyler  Putnam,  in  a  letter  to 
the  editor  of  the  Wesier7i  Reserve  Magazi?ie,  to  be  "War- 
ren, Litchfield  County,  Conn.,"  and  not  identical  with  the 
Roxbury  russet,  as  believed  by  many. 

As  to  the  Stone  pear,  it  may  be  that  it  is  "only  a  well 
known  eastern  variety."  The  circumstances,  however,  are 
against  such  an  assumption.  I  had  hoped  that  last  fall 
would  have  decided  that  point,  as  a  friend  in  writing  to  me, 
in  the  summer,  from  Beverly,  informed  me  that  a  neighbor 
had  some  fruit  on  a  tree  which  then  looked  fine. 

Undoubtedly,  "  cultivators  cannot  be  too  careful  in  regard 

*  The  dark,  smutty  appearance  is  peculiar  to  the  fruit,  but  readily  yields  to  the  cloth 
or  brush,  when  a  light  yellow  is  exposed. 


Western  Seedling  Fruits.  137 

to  calling  every  new  variety  a  seedling,"  or  to  its  real  merits. 
A  mortifying  instance  of  which  occurred  in  the  case  of 
"  Gest's  large  free  stone  peach,"  which  I  bore  no  small  part 
in  disseminating.  My  attention,  with  others,  was  called  to 
the  original  tree ;  and  certainly  there  could  be  but  one  opin- 
ion as  to  its  worthiness  for  extensive  propagation.  Buds 
were  afterwards  cut  by  myself  from  what  was  pointed  out 
as  the  same  tree,  and  put  in  stocks,  and  confidently  sent  out 
as  genuine.  You  will  readily  imagine  my  mortification  to 
find,  on  fruiting,  a  poor,  harsh  fruit,  unfit  for  use.  Those  who 
have  had  most  experience  in  making  collections  of  fruits, 
will  know  best  how  to  apologize  for  this  blunder.  I  had 
desired  to  state  this  error  in  your  magazine,  with  a  view  to 
prevent,  so  far  as  possible,  a  further  spread  of  the  mischief. 

The  truly  discouraging  and  mysterious  operations  of  the 
fire  blight  continues  its  desolating  work  on  the  pear  tree. 
It  comes  like  the  angel  of  death,  when  and  where  its  attacks 
are  least  expected.  To  my  mind,  the  real  cause  exists  still 
in  the  lap  of  obscurity.  Although  much  able  matter  has 
been  written,  by  scientific  minds,  their  attention  has  not  been 
directed  to  the  real  disease,  but  mostly  confined  to  the  eflects 
of  winter  freezing,  or  that  of  supposed  poisonous  insects.  It 
is  not  my  design  to  take  up  the  different  theories  and  show 
their  inapplicability  to  the  real  disease,  but  simply  to  confine 
myself  to  its  operations  with  me.  The  disease  is  not  new  or 
unknown  in  the  West,  but  its  ravages,  till  within  the  two 
last  years,  have  comparatively,  in  this  region,  been  so  limited 
as  to  attract  no  serious  alarm.  It  is,  however,  true,  that  in 
parts  of  Indiana,  especially  in  the  neighborhood  of  Rich- 
mond, an  old  Quaker  settlement,  its  destruction  was  most 
complete,  entire  orchards  of  pear  trees  having  been  cut  off" 
years  ago;  there  also  much  difficulty  is  experienced  from 
winter  freezing.  Nurserymen  not  unfrequently  sustain  great 
loss  among  their  young  pear  trees  from  this  cause,  hence 
their  improper  blending. 

My  practical  attention  has  been  directed  to  the  culture  of 
tl:e  pear  some  seventeen  or  eighteen  years.  When  I  pur- 
chased my  present  residence,  the  first  thing  was  to  make  a 
selection  of  pears ;  my  first  plantation  consisted  of  about 
fifty  trees,  to   which  a  constant  yearly  addition  has  been 

VOL.   XII. NO.   IV.  18 


138  Western  Seedling  Fruits. 

made,  of  which,  up  to  the  summer  of  1844,  (ahhough  at 
intervals  it  made  a  slight  visible  appearance,)  I  lost  but  one 
tree  from  it,  (a  Julienne,)  which  was  supposed  to  be  more 
subject  to  it  than  most  other  sorts.  I  had,  from  this  partial 
exemption,  flattered  myself  that  there  was  in  my  soil  and 
aspect,  a  peculiar  adaptation  to  the  health  and  growth 
of  this  delicious  fruit;  but,  alas  !  the  fell  destroyer  came  like 
a  thief  in  the  night  and  cut  off  my  fondly  cherished  hope, 
since  which  I  have  lost  not  less  than  one  hundred  trees,  small 
and  large.  And  where  I  am  to  look  for  its  stopping  is  truly 
gloomy.  Its  attacks  are  not  confined  to  the  luxuriant  grow- 
ing trees,  but  all  are  subject  to  it,  fruiting  and  unfruiting, 
the  old  and  stunted,  those  budded  on  the  quince,  on  the  apple, 
thorn,  and  their  own  stock,  all  share  alike.  Nor  is  its  appear- 
ance confined  to  the  branches  of  the  tree ;  these  very  fre- 
quently remain,  to  all  appearance,  vigorous  and  green,  when 
parts  of  the  body  are  as  dry  as  a  post.  I  have  had  some 
trees  destroyed  by  simply  inserting  a  bud  or  a  graft,  which 
seemed  to  open  a  wound  for  the  reception  of  the  poisonous 
influence.  My  attention  was  drawn  to  a  fine,  vigorous, 
healthy  looking  tree,  some  six  inches  through,  with  all  the 
parts  unaffected,  except  about  two  feet  from  the  fork  of  the 
head,  where  the  bark  was  completely  dry;  it  remained  so 
without  change,  from  June  to  the  shedding  of  the  leaves  in 
the  fall,  which  dropped  from  the  tree  at  the  usual  time  with 
other  trees.  When  I  removed  the  tree,  in  the  spring,  I  found 
nothing  indicating  disease  in  the  root.  The  Bartlett  pear 
trees,  three  inches  through,  were  attacked — one  in  the 
branches,  the  other  in  the  body  just  at  the  heading.  The 
last  I  cut  off  below  the  appearance  of  the  disease,  and  in- 
serted grafts  in  the  amputation  ;  they  grew  and  have  made  a 
fine  head.  In  the  other,  I  checked  its  progress  by  lopping  off 
the  branches  below  the  diseased  parts,  but,  to  my  astonish- 
ment, I  found  the  disease  had  encircled  the  body  just  above 
the  ground,  leaving  the  intermediate  space  to  all  appearance 
unaffected;  so  also  the  roots.  I  immediately  planted  three 
small  pear  stocks  near  the  trunk,  cut  off  their  tops,  and 
inserted  them  under  the  bark  of  the  affected  tree,  some  dis- 
tance above;  they  united  freely,  supplying  the  stem  with 
nourishment  from  the  new  roots ;  the  consequence  was,  the 


Fire  Blight  of  the  Pear  Tree.  139 

tree  put  out  new  bloom  and  ripened  fruit  of  a  small  size,  but 
the  disease  has  finally  got  the  better  of  me  by  its  progress 
up  the  trunk  above  the  inarching. 

In  two  or  three  instances,  where  I  discovered  its  existence 
on  the  trunk,  I  carefully  cut  off  the  affected  bark  to  the 
wood,  and  I  am  induced  to  believe  saved  my  trees,  for  I  find 
the  parts  healing  over.  The  only  remedy,  so  far  as  my  ob- 
servations go,  is  amputation  below  the  affected  parts.  The 
first  appearance  of  the  disease  on  the  tree  is  various,  I  presume 
owing  to  the  quantity  of  sap  in  the  vessels,  and  the  activity 
of  its  motion.  In  dwarf  or  stunted  trees,  it  is  frequently 
observed  in  blotches  on  the  body,  which  continue  to  spread 
and  dry  until  the  whole  is  encircled  ;  these  blotches  fre- 
quently appear  in  different  parts  of  the  body,  and,  to  out- 
ward appearance,  not  at  all  resembling  the  disease  on  the 
more  luxuriant  growing  trees.  Here  its  attacks  are  not  con- 
fined to  the  body,  but  all  parts  are  subject  alike  to  it,  and, 
instead  of  drying  up,  it  assumes  a  corrupt  and  angry  appear- 
ance, not  unfrequently  exuding  the  corrupted  sap  through 
the  bark,  which  finally  turns  black,  cracks,  and  becomes  the 
nursery  of  minute  insects,  which  are  not  unfrequently  doomed 
to  the  slanderous  charge  of  being  the  authors  of  the  mis- 
chief I  do  not  perceive  that  the  time  of  attack  is  confined 
especially  to  any  portion  of,  but  extending  equally  through, 
the  summer.  My  soil  is  a  dark  vegetable  mould,  on  a  lime- 
stone and  clay  bottom,  with  an  eastern  slope,  inclining  to 
the  north,  not  subject  to  excessive  moisture  or  greatly  affected 
by  drought. 

Your  readers  will  judge  how  far  the  above  facts  sustain 
the  theory  of  this  blight  being  the  effect  of  freezing,  which 
supposes  it  to  be  confined  to  a  late  luxuriant  growth,  or  the 
supposed  effects  of  a  minute  poisonous  insect  or  aphis,  snugly 
lodged  at  the  footstalk  of  the  leaf 

The  disease,  or  its  cause,  has  no  affinity  to  what  is  termed 
in  Professor  Harris's  Treatise  on  Insects,  the  "  American 
blight,"  but  very  distinct  in  every  respect.  My  desire  to 
draw  the  attention  of  the  scientific  inquirer  to  the  subject,  I 
hope  will  be  deemed  a  sufficient  apology  for  thus  particular- 
izing and  saying  some  things  which  have  been  said  before. 

Spring  Garden,  Cincinnati,  Feb.  16^/j,  1846. 


140  Western  Seedling  Fruits. 

We  are  right  glad  to  hear  from  our  correspondent,  Mr. 
Ernst.  We  had  begun  to  think  that  our  friends  in  the  Queen 
City  had  quite  forgotten  us.  The  Farmer  and  Gardener, 
the  former  organ  of  communication,  has  been  allowed  to  drop 
away,  and  as  we  had  heard  nothing  of  the  progress  of  the 
Horticultural  Society  for  some  time,  we  began  to  fear  that 
the  taste  for  Horticulture  had  met  witli  a  reaction  ;  and  that 
the  spirited  beginning  which  was  made  two  years  ago,  had 
resulted  in  an  injury  to  the  onward  progress  of  the  science. 

When  we  penned  the  remarks  in  regard  to  Western  seed- 
ling fruits,  which  our  correspondent  has  quoted,  viz  :  that 
the  "  Detroit,  Putnam  Russet,  and  other  apples,  had  proved 
to  be  Eastern  varieties,"  we  supposed  we  were  stating  only 
what  was  generally  known  and  acknowledged  by  every  Po- 
mologist.  certainly  by  every  one  who  has  been  a  reader  of  our 
magazine.  Such  a  remark  would  not  have  been  made  on  our 
own  authority.  There  had  formerly  been  some  doubts  about 
the  synonymous  character  of  these  kinds,  but  they  had  recently 
been  cleared  up,  and  their  identity  generally  admitted  by  cul- 
tivators. Cut  as  Mr.  Ernst  has  regretted  that  we  were  not 
more  "  particular  in  stating  our  authority."'  we  will,  as  briefly 
as  possible,  show  on  what  authority  our  remarks  were  made. 

First,  in  regard  to  the  Detroit  apple,  a  figure  of  which  we 
have  given  in  the  preceding  page.  In  the  month  of  Feb. 
1844,  Mr.  Ernst  sent  specimens  of  two  varieties  of  apples  to 
the  Mass.  Hort.  Soc,  with  a  communication  in  relation  to  the 
same,  which  will  be  found  in  our  Vol.  X,  p.  166.  One  of 
these  he  called  the  Detroit,  and  the  other  the  Cannahan  ;  of 
the  latter,  we  annexed  an  engraving  to  his  letter,  made  by  us 
from  the  specimens  forwarded,  and  also  a  description  of  the 
apple.  We  also  made  a  drawing  of  the  Detroit  at  the  same 
time,  from  which  the  engraving  in  the  above  article  is  now 
made,  and  a  description  we  also  gave  at  the  page  referred  to: 
the  drawing  which  Mr.  Ernst  forwarded  to  us  now,  would 
only  enable  us  to  give  a  representation  of  the  fruit,  and  not 
a  correct  section. 

We  had  often  seen  the  Detroit  apple,  mentioned  in  the 
Western  periodicals,  and  doubts  expressed  as  to  its  being  a 
new  fruit,  previous  to  our  seeing  the  specimens  sent  for  ex- 
hibition, and  we  felt  somewhat  anxious  to  know  more  in  re- 


Western  Seedling  Fruits.  141 

lation  to  it,  as  it  was  pronounced  so  fine  a  variety.  When, 
however,  we  had  tasted  the  fruit,  and  made  our  description, 
we  became  more  confident  that  it  was  what  it  had  been  stated 
to  be  in  the  West,  tlie  Bell-flower  ;  and  this,  too,  by  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  Cincinnati  Horticultural  Society,  of  which  our 
correspondent  ivas  Chairman  !  We  quote  the  words  of  this 
Committee :  "  The  splendid  apple,  under  the  name  of  Bell- 
flower,  presented  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Beecher,  of  Indianapolis, 
proves  identical  with  the  Detroit  apple."  Now  Mr.  Ernst 
will  not  deny  that  Mr.  Beecher,  who  went  from  the  East, 
where  the  Bell-flower  is  as  well  known  as  the  Baldwin,  did 
not  send  the  true  Bell-flower  !  It  is,  therefore,  more  upon 
Mr,  Ernst's  own  authority^  than  upon  any  other,  that  we  say 
the  Detroit  is  an  Eastern  variety. 

And  before  we  refer  to  the  other  varieties  named,  we  must 
not  omit  to  call  the  attention  of  cultivators  to  the  engraving 
of  the  fruit.  How  much  does  it  resemble  a  drawing  in  the 
Fruit  and  Fruit  Trees  of  America,  p.  101,  j^^.  41,  of  an  ap- 
ple called  the  white  Bell-flower?  And  yet  Mr.  Downing  does 
not  hesitate  to  call  that  the  Detroit.  Now,  either  Mr.  Ernst 
did  not  send  the  true  Detroit  apple  to  the  Mass.  Hort.  Soc,  or 
else  Mr.  Downing  has  represented  some  other  fruit;  for  they 
have  no  similarity  whatever :  the  Detroit  having  a  long  slen- 
der stem,  in  our  figure,  and  a  short  thick  one  in  Mr.  Down- 
mg's,  though  we  do  not  rely  too  much  on  the  stem,  which  is 
variable ;  but  the  form  is  wholly  dissimilar,  as  will  be  seen 
by  comparing  the  two  engravings. 

We  have  never  stated  that  the  Detroit  and  Bell-flower  were 
identical,  though  we  have  supposed  the  former  was  synony- 
mous either  with  the  yellow  Bell-flower,  of  Coxe,  or  the 
monstrous  Bell-flower  of  the  same  author.  {Coxe^s  View, 
&c.,  p.  118,  fig.  29.)  The  drawing  sent  us  by  Mr.  Ernst 
corresponds  very  nearly  with  the  figure  of  the  latter ;  much 
nearer  than  with  that  of  the  yellow  :  this  question,  however, 
we  leave  to  be  decided  ;  in  our  mind,  there  can  be  no  doubt 
the  Detroit  is  identical  with  one  of  these  two  varieties,  if, 
indeed,  there  is  any  other  dilference  between  them  than 
what  cultivation  may  effect. 

Second,  the  Putnam  Russet.  We  have  noticed  that  this 
is  made  a  Western  seedling,  by  Mr.  Downing,  on  the  au- 


142  Western  Seedling  Fruits. 

thority  of  some  cultivator  in  the  West,  and  we  have  also 
read  the  statement  in  the  Western  Reserve  Magazine,  that 
it  is  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  was  carried  West  fifty  years 
ago.  'I'he  letter  of  Mr.  Putnam,  which  we  confess  we  are 
so  dull  as  not  to  wholly  comprehend,  proves,  so  far  as  it 
proves  any  thing,  that  Mr.  Downing  was  in  error,  and  to  our 
mind  it  proves  nothing  else.  What  the  writer  has  "often 
heard"  for  fifty  years,  took  place  fifty  years  previous,  or 
"  quite  a  century  ago,"  when  Gen.  Israel  Putnam  found  it 
while  crossing  the  country  in  Connecticut,  will  have  hut 
little  weight  in  establishing  a  name.  It  is  to  us  far  more 
probable  that  Gen.  Putnam  carried  this  variety  to  Connecti- 
cut from  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  at  the  time  he  resided  in 
Cambridge,  attached  to  the  army.  The  fact,  that  the  Put- 
nam russet,  so  called,  is  found  in  the  West  in  company  with 
the  Rhode  Island  greening,  and  other  New  England  apples, 
as  stated  by  our  correspondent,  Mr.  Humrickhouse,  (XI. 
p.  444,)  and  the  still  more  important  fact,  that  no  fruit  is 
knovni  in  Connecticut  under  such  a  name,  where  it  was  so 
long  cultivated  on  the  farm  of  Gen.  Putnam,  are  enough  to 
convince  all  that  it  is  no  other  than  the  Roxbury  russet ;  and, 
further,  the  additional  fact  that  the  name  cannot  be  found  in 
one  of  the  catalogues  of  the  most  intelligent  nurserymen  in 
the  county,  east  or  west,  shows  how  well  satisfied  they  have 
been  of  its  true  name.  Mr.  Ernst,  and  other  cultivators  are 
well  aware,  that  many  of  our  Eastern  apples,  cultivated  in 
the  fertile  soils  of  the  West,  assume  a  larger  size  and  fairer 
appearance,  quite  sufficient  to  give  them  the  character  of 
difierent  varieties. 

And,  lastly,  of  the  origin  of  the  Stone  pear.  When  Mr. 
Ernst  had  the  kindness  to  send  us  a  tree  of  this  variety  in 
1844,  we  were  so  pleased  with  the  description  he  gave  of  it, 
that,  in  the  autumn  of  that  year,  we  inserted  all  the  buds  we 
could  get  from  a  small  tree,  in  order  to  disseminate  so  good 
an  American  seedling;  last  autumn  one  fruit  of  the  Stone 
pear  was  presented  for  exhibition  before  the  Massachu- 
setts Horticultural  Society,  from  a  gentleman  in  Beverly, 
Mass.,  to  whom  our  correspondent  sent  the  original  tree. 
The  committee  were  unanimous  in  the  opinion  that  it  would 
prove  to  be  the  Old  Chelmsford  pear,  well  known  and  gen- 


Pomological  Notices.  143 

erally  cultivated  around  Boston  and  described  in  our  maga- 
zine by  the  late  Mr.  Manning,  (VI.  p.  18.)  As  it  did  not 
appear  quite  ripe,  the  fruit  was  not  eaten,  but  was  taken 
back  to  Beverly ;  and  we  had  the  promise  of  our  friend, 
Capt.  Lovelt,  that  he  would  endeavor  to  get  a  taste  of  it, 
and  settle  all  doubts  about  its  identity.  Subsequently,  how- 
ever, he  informed  us  that  he  did  not  have  an  opportunity 
to  taste  it,  and  for  another  year  the  question  will  remain  in 
doubt.  This  is  our  authority  for  saying  it  would  "probably 
prove  only  a  well  known  Eastern  variety;"  we  did  not  state 
it  had  so  proved.  Such  are  the  authorities  we  advance  in 
our  support,  and  we  believe  a  year  or  two  will  prove  them 
to  be  correct  beyond  all  doubt ;  if  we  are  in  error,  we  shall 
take  the  first  opportunity  to  undeceive  ourselves  and  the 
public. 

We  have  not  room  left  to  discuss  the  theories  in  regard 
to  the  fire  blight  of  the  West ;  we  had  supposed  it  might  be 
caused  by  the  same  insect  which  at  one  time  destroyed  many 
trees  in  the  East ;  but,  from  Mr.  Ernst's  full  account,  it  does 
appear  to  be  different.  We  trust  soon  to  hear  again  from  our 
friend  Mr.  Beecher  on  the  subject,  when  we  hope  to  have 
the  space  to  make  further  remarks. 


Art.  V.  Pomological  Notices :  or  notices  respectiiig  new  and 
superior  varieties  of  fruits  worthy  of  general  cidtivation. 
Notices  of  New  Pears.     By  the  Editor. 

Our  absence  abroad,  in  the  autumn  of  1844,  prevented  us 
from  taking  any  notes  in  relation  to  the  new  varieties  of 
fruit  of  that  season.  To  make  up,  however,  for  this,  we 
have  added  a  great  deal  upon  this  subject,  which  we  gath- 
ered in  our  tour  in  England  and  France,  and  which  we  . 
believe  has  been  found  equally,  if  not  more  useful,  than  if 
made  at  home. 

The  introduction  of  new  varieties  of  fruit  is  constantly 
increasing,  and  a  greater  number  of  new  sorts  are  annu- 
ally coming  into  bearing.     The  last  year  was  a  favorable 


144  Pomological  Notices. 

one  for  pears ;  and,  as  many  new  ones  were  for  the  first  time 
exliibited,  we  did  not  allow  the  opportunity  of  noting  down 
their  qualities  to  pass  by.  We  made  upwards  oi  fifty  draw- 
ings and  outlines  of  various  kinds,  several  of  which  we  shall 
soon  introduce  in  our  pages. 

In  addition  to  our  own  notes,  our  young  friend,  Mr.  Man- 
ning, of  the  Pomological  Garden,  Salem,  has  kindly  offered  to 
give  us  an  account  of  every  thing  new  which  may  fruit  in  his 
excellent  collection,  and  which  may  be  considered  a  continu- 
ation of  the  valuable  notes  furnished  us  by  his  father,  during 
the  last  years  of  his  life.  We  have  the  pleasure  of  adding 
to  this  article,  Mr.  Manning's  notes  on  several  pears  of  re- 
cent introduction. 

Pears. — The  season  of  1845  was  unusually  warm,  and  all 
kinds  of  winter  fruit  ripened  much  earlier  than  usual,  and 
many  sorts  prematurely.  Beurre  d'  Aremberg  pears,  which 
usually  are  in  perfection  about  the  first  of  January,  were 
fully  ripe  on  the  first  of  December,  and  most  other  winter 
varieties  equally  early.  Where  the  season,  therefore,  is 
given,  of  those  specimens  tried  in  1845,  it  may  be  inferred 
that  they  will  keep,  usually,  one  month  later. 

Beurre  Spence. — A  variety  under  this  name  was  sent  to  us 
last  fall,  the  original  tree  which  produced  it  having  been 
bought  with  other  French  trees,  at  an  auction  about  eight 
years  ago.  It  appears  to  answer  Dr.  Van  Mons's  description 
of  the  Beurre  Spence,  which  he  considered  so  fine  a  pear. 
The  specimen  was  rather  too  ripe  to  ascertain  its  true  merits, 
but  it  appeared  to  be  a  most  excellent  variety,  certainly  new, 
if  not  the  true  Spence,  and  worthy  of  cultivation  Flavor 
rich,  saccharine,  vinous  and  perfumed.     Ripening  in  October. 

Van  Mons  Leon  le  Clerc. — The  reputation  of  this  pear  is 
so  well  established,  after  two  years'  trial  in  our  climate,  that 
it  is  unnecessary  to  praise  it;  we  shall  soon  give  a  full  de- 
scription with  an  engraving.  It  has  already  been  received 
in  this  country  under /oz/r  different  names. 

Sien.lle. — A  very  excellent  pear,  of  large  size  and  fair  ap- 
pearance. Flesh  melting,  with  a  rich,  sugary,  perfumed 
and  delicious  flavor.  It  is  well  worthy  of  general  cultivation. 
Ripe  in  October. 

Comtesse  de  Lunay. — A  new  and   fine  pear,  of  medium 


Notes  on  New  Pears.  145 

size ;  with  a  melting  flesh,  and  a  rich  perfumed  and  delicious 
flavor.  The  fruit  is  very  handsome,  having  a  smooth,  waxen 
and  beautiful  appearance.     Ripe  in  October. 

Plumb gastel. — Both  Mr.  Lee  and  Mr.  Manning  of  Salem, 
presented  us  specimens  of  this  pear,  which  we  do  not  find  in 
any  catalogue,  but  which  appears  to  be  a  very  excellent 
variety,  and  worthy  of  cultivation.  The  size  is  large,  flesh 
melting,  and  the  flavor  rich,  with  a  peculiar  aroma.  Ripe 
in  October.     The  tree  was  received  from  France. 

Fondanie  Yan  Mans. — This  variety  has  proved,  after  two 
seasons,  to  be  a  good  bearer,  handsome,  and  of  fine  quality, 
and  it  may  be  recommended  for  all  good  collections.  Size 
large,  flesh  melting,  flavor  pleasant  and  perfumed.  It  ripens 
in  September  and  October. 

St.  Andre. — A  new  and  fine  pear  received  in  Salem  from 
Dr.  Van  Mons.  It  proves  to  be  first  rate,  having  a  rich, 
sprightly  flavor,  and  melting  flesh.     Ripens  in  September. 

Beurre  d'Anjo7i. — Excellent,  as  well  as  handsome,  having 
a  fine  red  cheek.  The  flesh  is  melting  and  juicy,  with  a 
sprightly,  vinous,  and  perfumed  flavor,  somewhat  resembling 
the  brown  Beurre.     Ripe  in  October. 

Vicomjjte  de  Spoilberg. — Though  long  since  described  by 
Dr.  Van  Mons,  this  variety  has  never  fruited  in  this  country 
until  last  season.  It  fully  maintains  the  reputation  he  gave 
it.  The  flesh  is  very  melting,  and  the  flavor  sugary  and  de- 
licious. It  ripened  last  year  in  December,  but  Dr.  Van  Mons 
states  it  will  sometimes  keep  till  spring.  Only  four  speci- 
mens were  produced  on  a  small  tree  in  our  collection. 

Beun-i  Paternoster. — A  new  variety,  under  this  name,  was 
sent  to  us  last  fall  by  Mr.  Lee  of  Salem.  Size  large  and 
pyramidal,  with  a  half-melting  flesh,  and  agreeable,  slightly 
perfumed  flavor.  It  cannot  be  called  a  first  rate  fruit,  if  our 
specimen  was  a  fair  one.     Ripe  in  November. 

Doyenne  d' Ete. — This  is  a  very  fine  summer  pear,  which 
has  been  cultivated  several  years  in  some  parts  of  France, 
but  has  not  found  its  way  into  our  gardens  till  recently.  It 
is  of  medium  size,  handsomely  shaded  with  bright  red,  and 
possesses  a  melting  flesh  and  rich  flavor.  As  only  three  or 
four  pears  were  produced  on  a  small  tree,  another  year  will 

VOL.  XIl. NO.  IV.  19 


146  Pomological  Notices. 

test  its  qualities,  which  appear  first  rate,  better.  It  ripens 
early  in  August.     It  should  be  picked  before  too  ripe. 

Bezi  Veteran. — Another  summer  pear,  nearly  resembling 
Dearborn's  seedHng,  both  in  appearance  and  quality,  but  the 
skin  is  regularly  covered  with  small  russet  specks.  Ripe  the 
last  of  August. 

Elizabeth  {Edivards^s.) — This  variety  is,  we  think,  one 
of  the  best  of  Ex-Gov.  Edwards's  seedlings.  It  is  peculiarly 
beautiful,  having  a  clear,  waxen  skin,  and  the  flesh  is  melt- 
ing and  excellent.     Ripens  in  October. 

Dallas. — Another  of  Ex-Gov.  Edwards's  seedlings,  and 
very  good.  Flesh,  melting;  flavor,  agreeable  and  slightly 
perfumed.     Ripe  in  October. 

Calhoun. — A  third  variety  of  the  same  origin,  and  we 
think  ranks  next  to  the  Elizabeth.     It  ripens  in  November. 

Citron. — A  fourth  seedling,  of  medium  size,  and  good 
quality;  having  a  melting  flesh,  and  rich,  sugary  flavor. 
But  as  it  ripens  in  September,  when  there  are  a  great  many 
larger  pears,  equally  fine,  it  is  rendered  less  desirable.  Fif- 
teen or  sixteen  varieties  were  sent  to  tlie  Massachusetts  Hor- 
ticultural Society  for  exhibition,  but  after  a  fair  trial  of  the 
whole,  we  consider  these  four  as  all  that  can  be  recommend- 
ed for  table  pears. 

The  following  notices  of  eleven  varieties  have  been  fur- 
nished us  by  our  correspondent,  Mr.  Manning,  with  the  out- 
lines of  the  two  kinds,  which  are  figured: — 

Citron  des  Carmes  Panache. — Resembles  the  Citron  des 
Carmes  or  Madeleine  in  size,  period  of  maturity,  quality  and 
abundant  bearing;  but  the  green  skin  is  striped  with  light 
yellow.     The  wood  is  also  striped. 

Tyson. — Medium  size ;  pyriform,  sometimes  calabash- 
shaped  ;  color,  brownish  yellow  and  russet ;  sweet,  melting 
and  juicy.  This  and  the  Rostiezer  we  consider  the  two  high- 
est flavored  pears  of  their  season,  which  is  from  the  middle 
to  the  last  of  August.  The  tree  is  of  vigorous  and  upright 
growth,  a  good  bearer,  but  does  not  bear  young. 

Las  Canos. — Received  from  M.  Emilien  de  Wael.  Me- 
dium size ;  pyriform,  pale  yellow,  sometimes  sprinkled  with 
very  thin  russet ;  flesh  well  flavored,  sweet  and  juicy.     Tree 


Notes  on  New  Pears.  147 

of  vigorous,  upright  growth,  with  dark  colored  shoots.  Bears 
young  and  well.     Ripe  the  first  part  of  October. 

Eyewood. — Medium  size  ;  roundish,  flattened  ;  light  green, 
sprinkled  with  russet;  very  juicy  and  melting;  flavor  vinous 
and  very  sprightly.  The  5hape  and  color  of  this  pear  very 
much  resemble  the  Bezi  de  la  Motte.  At  maturity  from  the 
middle  to  the  last  of  October. 

Diichesse  (V  Orleans. — Medium  size ;  pyriform ;  light  yel- 
low, with  a  red  cheek,  spotted  with  yellow  on  the  sunny 
side.  Flesh  juicy,  buttery  and  excellent.  Very  handsome. 
Tree  rather  spreading,  with  yellow  shoots.  A  good  bearer. 
The  fruit  ripens  in  October. 

No.  135  Van  Mons. — Medium  size;  irregular  pyriform; 
pale  yellow.     Excellent.     Ripe  in  September. 

No.  1482  Va7i  Mons. — {Fig.Z.) — Fruit  rather  small,  round- 
ish turbinate;  skin,  light  yellow  with  russet   spots;    calyx 


Fig.  3.    No.  1432  {Van  Mons) pear. 

small,  in  a  narrow  basin ;  stalk  one  inch  long ;  flesh,  sweet, 
juicy,  perfumed.  The  description  and  outline  were  made 
February  14th,  1846. 


148 


Pomological  Notices. 


Caen  du  France. — {Fig.  4.)     Received  some  years  since, 
from  Dr.  Van  Mons.     Fruit  obovafe :    medium  size ;    stem 


Fig.  4.     Caen  du  France  pear. 


about  one  inch  long,  inserted  in  a  slight  depression ;  calyx 
open,  in  a  shallow  basin ;  skin  rough,  russet,  sprinkled  with 
darker  russet  spots,  with  patches  of  light  yellow,  also 
sprinkled  with  reddish  dots,  occasionally  appearing  under 
the  russet ;  flesh  tender,  juicy  and  sweet,  with  a  flavor  like 
that  of  the  Winter  Nelis,  but  the  flesh  of  the  Nelis  is  more 
melting. 

The  whole  pear  considerably  resembles,  in  outward  ap- 
pearance, the  Gray  Doyenne,  but  the  russet  of  the  skin  is 
rougher.  In  perfection  in  January,  but  will  keep  till  the  end 
of  February. 

Dunmore. — Although  the  specimens  produced  the  last  sea- 
son leave  no  doubt  of  its  correctness,  they  did  not  come  to 
such  perfection  as  to  enable  us  to  judge  of  their  quality. 


Notes  on  New  Pears.  149 

Form,  roundish,  obovate,  or  oval ;  skin,  brownish  red.    Ripe 
the  latter  part  of  September. 

Paradise  (£ Automne. — AUhough,  in  its  general  appearance 
and  flavor,  this  very  much  resembles  the  Beurre  Bosc,  it  is 
nevertheless  quite  distinct  It  is  of  more  irregular  shape, 
and  the  flesh  is  more  melting  than  that  of  the  Bosc,  but  per- 
haps it  will  not  keep  quite  so  long.  The  russet  of  the  skin 
is  also  much  rougher  than  that  of  the  Bosc.  The  tree  is 
very  vigorous,  much  more  so  than  that  of  the  Bosc,  with 
stout  shoots,  at  first  taking  an  upright  direction,  but  after- 
wards becoming  straggling  and  almost  pendulous.  Annexed 
are  two  outlines  of  this  pear : — No.  1,  from  a  specimen  of 
1844,  when  the  tree  bore  about  half  a  dozen.  No.  2,  the 
same  enlarged  and  altered,  so  that,  if  my  memory  serves  me, 
(and  I  believe  it  does  exactly,)  it  more  nearly  represents  those 
of  the  last  season,  when  two  or  three  dozen  were  produced. 
[We  have  an  outline  of  this  fine  pear,  made  the  last  season, 
from  one  of  Mr.  Manning's  specimens,  and  as  it  is  a  variety, 
we  intend  to  describe  and  figure  in  our  series  of  articles  on 
the  pear,  we  omit  it  now. — JEld.\ 

Coter. — Medium  size ;  obovate ;  light  green  ;  flesh  tender 
and  juicy;  excellent.  This  variety  was  received  from  Dr. 
Van  Mons ;  it  ripens  in  October. 

Mr.  Manning  has  also  sent  us  a  number  of  synonyms 
which  have  been  detected  in  the  Pomological  Garden,  several 
of  them  the  past  season;  and,  he  adds,  that  "of  these  he 
could  have  sent  more,  especially  of  Dr.  Van  Mons's  Num- 
bered varieties,  which  have  proved  to  be  the  same  as  named 
kinds,  but  these  he  deems  it  unnecessary  to  publish,  and  others 
may  prove  only  misnomers. 

Pears. — Belle  de  Flanders,  Syn.  Reveilet. 

Monsieur  le  Cure,  (Vicar  of  Winkfield.)  Sijn.  Beurre  d' 
Angers. 

Beurre  Ranee,  Syn.  Louise  Bonne  Real. 

Turkish  Bon  Chretien,  Syii.  Constantinople. 

Urbaniste,  Syn.  Beurre  Picquery.  This  synonyme  is  also 
noted  in  a  Catalogue  received  from  France. 

Napoleon,  Syji.  Chas.  X.,  Captif  St.  Helene,  Bon  Chretien 
Napoleon.  [The  latter  we  have  detected  the  last  season ; 
but  Mr.  Rivers  states,  in  his  catalogue,  that  the  Captif  St. 


150  Calls  at  Gardens  and  Nurseries. 

Helene,  "  is  a  most  excellent  high  flowered  pear.  3d  size, 
1st  quality.     Pupe  in  December." — Ed.^ 

Uvedale's  St.  Germain,  Syn.  Bolivard,  Belle  Angevine, 
Pound,  of  America. 

Citron  des  Carmes,  (or  Madeleine.)     Syn.  d'Bondy. 

Passe  Colmar,  Syn.  Passe  Colmar  dore,  Passe  Colmar 
gris. 

Mr.  Manning  also  makes  the  tiannas  a  synonyme  of  the 
Gushing.  This  we  think  must  be  an  error,  as  the  trees  in 
Mr.  Manning's  collection,  and  from  which  this  variety  has 
been  widely  disseminated,  were  from  scions  obtained  for  Mr. 
Manning  from  the  original  tree,  in  Boston,  by  Mr.  P.  B. 
Hovey,  Jr.,  and  that  tree  was  imported  from  France  nearly 
thirty  years  ago.  The  true  Hannas,  so  named  by  Mr.  Man- 
ning, must  be  a  different  fruit  from  the  Gushing. 

Deasnas. — This  variety  is  mis-spelled  in  your  report  of 
fruits  from  us  at  the  annual  exhibition  of  the  Massachusetts 
Horticultural  Society.  You  have  it  Dumas  ;  it  is  a  synonyme 
of  Plumbgastel.  [Our  report  was  made  from  the  record 
books  of  the  committee. — Ed.]^ 

Apples. — Mr.  Manning  has  also  proved  the  following  syn- 
onymes  of  apples.  Mr.  Downing,  in  his  Fruit  and  Fruit 
Trees^  has  made  Wolmans  Harvest  as  a  synonyme  of  the  Sum- 
mer Rose.  We  have  proved  the  same  synonyme ;  and  the 
Lippincott  apple  of  Kenrick's  Orchardist^  we  have  found  to 
be  identical  with  the  Summer  Rose. 

My  father  suspected  the  identity  of  the  English  Sweeting, 
an  apple  received  from  Mr.  Lyman,  and  the  Ramsdel's  Red 
Pumpkin  Sweet,  of  Kenrick  and  Downing,  and,  during  the 
past  season,  I  have  found  his  surmise  correct. — R.  M. 


Art.  VI.     Calls  at  Gardens  and  Nurseries. 

Brooklitie,  Residence  of  Col.  Perkins^  Feb.  13th — It  is 
some  years  since  our  last  notice  of  this  place.  Since  then, 
there  has  been  a  change  in  the  management  of  the  garden, 
and  for  two  years  it  has  been  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Quant. 


Residence  of  Col.  Perkitis.  151 

Many  improvements  have  been  lately  made  in  the  houses 
and  forcing  department.  A  new  pit  has  been  built  the  last 
year  for  the  production  of  melons,  cucumbers,  &c.  It  is 
eighty  feet  long,  and  twelve  wide,  divided  by  a  partition  in 
the  centre,  and  heated  by  hot  water,  with  two  flow  and 
return  pipes  from  one  boiler,  similar  to  the  plan  of  Mr.  Glen- 
denning,  in  our  last  volume,  (XI.  p.  19.)  The  boiler  is  cast 
iron,  of  novel  form,  resembling  what  is  termed  a  saddle 
boiler,  with  several  hollow  projecting  legs,  thus  presenting  a 
greater  surface  to  the  action  of  the  fire.  The  pipes  are  also 
of  cast  iron,  and  the  whole  apparatus  was  put  up  by  Mr. 
Whately  of  Boston,  at  an  expense  of  about  four  hundred  dol- 
lars.   It  works  well,  and  the  consumption  of  coal  is  moderate. 

There  is  a  bed  in  the  centre  of  each  compartment,  but, 
unlike  Mr.  Glendenning's  plan,  there  are  no  gutters  or  pipes 
for  bottom  heat — the  pipes  now  only  running  round  the  pit 
and  warming  the  air,  the  heat  being  supplied  by  leaves  or 
manure.  For  a  forcing  pit  for  which  this  was  erected,  this 
we  think  was  an  error,  as  bottom  heat  may  be  much  better 
supplied  by  pipes  running  through  a  hollow  chamber,  than 
either  by  leaves  or  manure.  We  believe  Mr.  Quant  is  now 
satisfied  of  this ;  otherwise,  the  pit  is  a  capital  arrangement. 

In  the  greenhouse,  in  the  centre  of  the  long  range,  the 
plants  were  making  a  grand  show,  though  the  camellias 
were  rather  past  their  best  bloom.  On  the  front  shelf  we  no- 
ticed some  very  fine  white  primulas,  with  the  largest  trusses 
of  flowers  we  had  ever  seen ;  the  seeds  were  sown  in  July, 
the  young  plants  shifted  twice,  and  they  had  flov/ered  abund- 
antly all  winter.  The  Victoria  stocks  were  also  finely  grown  ; 
these  were  sown  in  July,  which  is  the  proper  season  to  have 
handsome  plants  in  February  and  March.  In  the  vinery 
adjoining,  which  Mr.  Quant  has  now  converted  into  a  plant 
house,  the  azaleas  were  coming  into  full  bloom;  and  as  the 
specimens  were  large  and  numerous,  they  presented  a  most 
superb  show.  The  grapes  on  the  rafters  were  just  swelling 
their  buds,  and  gave  promise  of  a  healthy  growth  and  abund- 
ance of  fruit. 

In  the  vinery,  erected  at  the  time  of  our  last  visit,  for  early 
grapes,  Mr.  Quant  is  growing  his  pelargoniums,  after  the 
English  style,  which  he  manages  so  well  as  we  have  had  occa- 


152  Calls  at  Gardens  and  Nurseries. 

sion  heretofore  to  notice,  when  he  has  exhibited  plants.  The 
system  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  London  growers,  of  which 
we  copied  an  account  by  one  of  the  most  successful  exhibi- 
tors at  the  London  HorticuUural  Society,  (Vol.  VII.  p.  302.) 
Plants  for  next  year  must  be  prepared  the  present  spring,  by 
pinching  off  the  leading  shoots,  as  soon  as  they  are  an  inch 
or  two  long ;  these  are  tied  down  while  in  a  succulent  state, 
and  next  winter  they  are  in  readiness  for  bringing  forward 
for  show.  Mr.  Russell  has  also  given  his  method  of  treat- 
ment, (X.  pp.  328,  373  ;)  but  we  hope  soon  to  give  an  ac- 
count of  Mr.  Quant's  successful  management  from  his  own 
pen.  We  think  we  may  recommend  all  amateurs  to  adopt 
this  plan,  and  to  commence  at  once,  as  the  Massachusetts 
Horticultural  Society  will  probably  offer  one  of  their  gold 
medals  for  the  best  six  or  twelve  plants,  to  be  exhibited  in 
1847.  The  pelargonium,  in  its  present  improved  state,  is  a 
SLiperb  plant,  and  holds  one  of  the  most  prominent  places  in 
the  exhibitions  of  the  London  Horticultural  Society. 

Mr.  Quant  has  a  large  number  of  seedling  cinerarias,  and 
some  fine  varieties  may  be  exhibited  out  of  so  large  a  quan- 
tity; this  beautiful  flower  ranks  high  from  its  improved  va- 
rieties ;  judiciously  cultivated,  it  is  one  of  the  prettiest  plants 
for  the  greenhouse.  Every  thing  appeared  in  good  health, 
and  the  inspection  of  the  houses  afforded  us  much  gratifica- 
tion. 

Residence  of  J.  L.  Gardner^  Esq. — Mr.  Gardner  has  re- 
cently erected,  at  his  residence  near  Col.  Perkins's,. a  vinery 
on  the  plan  adopted  by  Mr.  Gray,  viz.,  a  cuvilinear  roof  with 
stationary  sashes,  and  ventilators,  at  front,  and  top.  One 
end  of  this  has  been  partitioned  off  for  a  greenhouse,  and  we 
found  the  large  stage,  which  occupies  the  centre,  filled  with 
plants.  It  is  heated  with  one  of  Wallworth  &  Nason's  cylin- 
drical boilers,  and  also  with  a  flue ;  but  the  peculiar  form  of 
the  roof  not  admitting  of  shutters,  the  house  cannot  be  kept 
at  a  proper  temperature  only  by  the  loss  of  an  immense  quan- 
tity of  heat ;  for  graperies,  or  cold  houses,  as  they  are  gener- 
ally called,  without  heat,  this  style  is  admirably  adapted; 
but,  for  plants  or  forcing,  the  span  roof,  of  the  curvilinear  form, 
cannot  be  recommended  in  our  climate,  especially  where 
economy  of  fuel  is  an  object. 


Calls  at  Gardens  and  Nurseries.  153 

The  house  being  new,  and  the  collection  of  plants  recently 
made,  it  could  not  be  expected  to  find  many  things  in  bloom. 
Some  fine  camellias  and  roses  have  been  added,  and  another 
year  Mr.  Gardner  may  expect  to  make  a  fine  display.  The 
plants  looked  very  well  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Crowly, 
the  gardener. 

Residence  of  T.  Lee,  Esq. — Mr.  Lee's  greenhouse,  though 
not  built  with  much  regard  to  form  or  appearance,  contains 
some  well  grown  plants,  particularly  roses;  these  are  set  into 
the  ground,  and  trained  up  the  columns  or  rafters.  The 
kinds  are  teas,  bourbons  and  noisettes,  and  the  former  are 
generally  budded  into  strong  growing  noisettes,  v/hich,  from 
their  natural  constitution  of  being  perpetual  growers,  do  not 
require  that  rest,  so  natural  to  annual  blooming  or  hardy 
roses,  such  as  the  Boursault,  and  hence  continue  to  grow 
more  rapidly  and  flower  more  abundantly.  Mr.  Lee  is  fond 
of  experimenting,  and  we  believe  his  views,  as  regards  the 
rose,  are  correct:  there  is  a  vast  difi^erence  in  the  growth  of 
roses,  as  respects  the  stock  on  which  they  are  worked,  and  it 
remains  to  be  ascertained  what  sorts  are  best  suited  to  the 
diflferent  kinds.  It  is  well  known  that  some  varieties  of 
pears  will  not  grow  upon  the  quince,  and  undoubtedly  the 
same  cause  may  act  with  roses;  when,  therefore,  a  budded 
rose  does  not  grow  kindly,  it  may  be  inferred  that  the  stock 
does  not  suit  it,  and  it  should  be  tried  on  another  sort ;  these 
are  things  which  experience  will  only  teach,  but  which  an 
observing  amateur  or  gardener  should  not  overlook. 

Eu\)h6xhia  jacquince^ora,  planted  out  in  the  border,  was 
blooming  most  superbly,  with  a  spike  Jif teen  inches  long,  and 
the  flowers  crowded  into  dense  clusters  all  around  it ;  this  is 
probably  the  true  way  to  see  it  in  its  fullest  splendor:  cramped 
in  a  small  pot,  it  will  bloom  well,  but  very  far  inferior  in  the 
size  and  number  of  its  blossoms,  when  the  roots  have  room 
to  extend.  Tecoma  jasminoides  had  rambled  over  half  of 
the  roof,  and  if  it  flowers  freely,  it  will  make  a  show  well 
worth  seeing.  Several  plants  were  in  bloom,  but  we  saw 
nothing  especially  new. 

Brighton^  Residence  of  H.  Gray^  Esq. — Many  improve- 
ments are  going  on  here,  not  the  least  of  which,  is  the  erec- 
tion of  a  new  greenhouse,  on  the  curvilinear  plan,  adopted 

VOL.  XII. NO.  IV.  20 


154  Calls  at  Gardens  and  Ntirseines, 

for  the  graperies,  but  with  only  a  roof  facing  the  south  and  a 
back  wall.  The  new  house  is  upwards  of  120  feet  long, 
curving  round  at  each  end,  and  about  15  feet  wide  ;  the  ven- 
tilators are  in  the  front  and  back  walls;  pushing  outward  on 
hinges  in  front,  and  sliding  down  in  a  grove  on  the  back. 
The  roof  is  low,  so  as  to  bring  the  plants  as  near  the  glass 
as  possible ;  there  is  a  front  shelf,  three  feet  wide,  a  walk,  and 
a  stage,  the  shelves  of  which  are  only  three  or  four  in  num- 
ber, and  about  eighteen  or  twenty  inches  wide  ;  this  last,  we 
believe,  was  Mr.  Russell's  suggestion,  and  a  good  one  it  is. 
We  have  always  wondered  why  people  wish  to  hoist  their 
plants  up  so  high  that  scarcely  any  thing  can  be  seen  but 
the  bottom  of  the  pots  :  the  whole  beauty  of  a  plant  is  to 
look  down  upon  it ;  but  in  the  way  in  which  nearly  all  green- 
houses are  built,  it  is  rare  to  find  the  stages  so  constructed 
that  the  plants  can  be  so  arranged.  The  house  is  heated  by 
one  of  the  cylindrical  boilers  just  alluded  to,  and  copper 
pipe,  and  the  apparatus  works  very  well,  so  far  as  it  has  been 
tried. 

The  plants  looked  finely,  though  they  had  been  in  the 
house  but  a  few  weeks,  and  had  scarcely  been  arranged  in 
their  places;  the  verbenas  were  in  full  bloom,  stocky,  and 
pruned  into  good  shape ;  the  pelargoniums  also  looked  well, 
considering  their  treatment  in  the  early  part  of  the  season. 
It  will  not  be  until  another  year,  however,  before  Mr.  Russell 
can  have  every  thing  in  good  condition.     A  small  house  for 
camellias  is,  we  believe,  to  be  added,  just  in  the  centre  of  the 
range,  extending  north,  with  a  span  roof     It  will  be  entered 
at  one  end,  through  a  door  in  the  back  wall,  in  the  centre  of 
the  house  now  erected.     When  all  is  completed,  we  hope 
Mr.  Russell  will  give  us  an  account  of  it,  with  his  opinion 
of  the  comparative  merits  of  houses  of  this  construction,  and 
those  of  the  ordinary  plan.     The  cheaper  all  structures  for 
plants  can   be  erected,  provided  architectural   fitness  is  not 
wholly  sacrificed  to  economy,  the  greater  will  be  the  induce- 
ment to  build.    Let  it  be  understood  that  they  can  be  erected 
for  a  moderate  sum,  and  hundreds  of  individuals  Avould  at 
once  add  them  to  their  gardens  or  dwellings. 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  155 

MISCELLANEOUS  INTELLIGENCE. 

Art.  I.     Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Saturday,  Feb.  28th,  1846. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was 
held  to-day, — the  President  in  the  chair. 

The  President,  from  the  executive  committee,  reported  that  the  sum 
agreed  upon  had  been  paid  to  the  estate  of  Mr.  Manning,  and  an  endorse- 
ment made  upon  agreement,  signed  by  Mrs.  Manning  and  lier  son,  R. 
Manning. 

The  President  announced,  that  a  most  liberal  donation  of  one  thousand 
dollars  had  been  made  to  the  Society  by  John  A.  Lowell,  Esq.,  of  Boston, 
for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  interests  of  the  Society.  A  letter  was 
read  from  Mr.  Lowell,  accompanying  the  donation,  and  the  warmest  thanks 
of  the  Society  were  presented  to  him. 

It  was  voted,  that  the  amount  be  deposited  in  the  Massachusetts  Hospital 
Life  Insurance  Company,  and  that  the  interest,  annually  accruing  thereon, 
be  appropriated  in  medals,  to  be  known  as  the  "  Lowell  medals." 

It  was  voted,  that  the  preparation  of  the  Lowell  medals  be  referred  to  the 
medal  committee. 

Mr.  Breck,  chairman  of  the  committee  on  flowers,  made  the  following 
report : — 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  on  flowers,  held  this  day,  the  subject  of 
the  new  class  of  roses  produced  by  Mr.  Samuel  Feast,  of  Baltimore,  was 
discussed. 

The  committee  were  unanimous  in  the  opinion,  that  some  token  of  grate- 
ful remembrance  is  due  to  Mr.  Feast,  from  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural 
Society,  for  the  valuable  varieties  of  roses  he  has  produced  by  cross  impreg- 
nation, particularly  the  "Queen  of  the  Prairies,"  which  has  given  so  gen- 
eral satisfaction  to  florists  and  others,  and  for  which  they  feel  under  great 
obligations  to  this  enterprising  cultivator. 

Mr.  Feast  has  given  the  type  of  a  new  class  of  roses,  in  his  new  variety, 
Rosa  rubifolia,  var.  Queen  of  the  Prairies.  It  is  of  the  most  hardy  char- 
acter ;  enduring  the  most  severe  New  England  winter,  without  injury,  even 
to  its  tender  extremities  ;  of  most  luxuriant  growth,  making,  in  good  soils, 
15  to  20  feet  of  wood  in  a  season.  The  flowers  very  double  ;  color,  light 
crimson,  inclining  to  rosy  lilac  ;  produced  in  large  clusters,  on  lateral 
branches  ;  in  bloom  the  beginning  of  July,  after  common  hardy  roses  are 
out  of  flower. 

This  rose  is  without  a  rival,  in  our  climate,  for  pillars,  arbors,  &c.  Its 
only  deficiency  appears  to  be  a  want  of  fragrance. 

We  trust,  by  the  further  efforts  of  Mr.  Feast,  we  shall  yet  be  in  posses- 
sion of  a  variety  having  this  desirable  quality. 

It  was  voted,  that  the  committee  recommend  that  the  Society's  large  gold 
medal  be  presented  to  Samuel  Feast,  of  Baltimore,  for  the  production  of 
his  seedling  Rosa  rubifolia  var.  Queen  of  the  Prairies.  (Signed)  Joseph 
Brece,  Chairman. 


156  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

The  report  was  accepted,  and  Messrs.  Breck,  Haggerston,  and  Barnes, 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  procure  the  several  pieces  of  plate  awarded 
to  the  President,  Messrs.  Hovey,  and  S.  Feast. 

J.  A.  Lowell,  Esq.,  was  elected  an  Honorary  Member. 

Adjourned  one  week  to  March  7th. 

March  1th. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day, — the 
President  in  the  chair. 

The  President,  chairman  of  the  Building  committee,  made  their  report  of 
the  construction  and  completion  of  the  new  Hall : — 

Dr. 

Cost  of  the  site  of  land  for  building,          ...  $  18,000  00 

Building,  (about,)               .             .             .             .             .  16,000  00 

Gas  fixtures,  chandelier,  &c.,         ....  654  50 
Interest  on  loan,  sundry  bills,  including  all  the  fixtures  of 

the  Hall  and  library  room,  (less  old  materials  sold,)        .  3,028  23 

Total,  ......         $37,682  73 


Cr. 

By  sale  of  stocks,  .....$  17,569  60 

"  mortgage,         ......  15,000  00 

^  "  receipts  from  Mt.  Aub.  Cemetery  for  years  1844 — '45,  5,084  52 


Total,  ......  $37,654  12 


The  report  was  accepted. 

The  thanks  of  '.he  Society  were  voted  to  the  committee,  for  the  success- 
ful manner  in  w'iich  they  had  attended  to  the  duties  assigned  them. 

N.  Stetson,  Bridgewater,  and  Samuel  Batchelder,  Cambridge,  were 
elected  members. 

Adjourned  one  week,  to  March  14th. 

Eahibited. — Flowers  :  From  Hovey  &  Co.,  a  variety  of  new  roses,  viz., 
Noisette  Chromatella,  and  Philomele  ;  Hybrid  Perpetual,  Yolande  d'Arra- 
gon  and  Duke  de  Chalres  ;  also  Azalea  Copen,  dark  cherry,  ledifolia  and 
phoenicea.  From  J.  Hovey,  La  Reine  rose.  From  O.  N.  Towne,  a  fine 
bloom  of  Lamarque  rose. 

Vegetables  :  From  O.  N.  Towne,  a  brace  of  cucumbers. 

March  14tA. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day. — 
the  President  in  the  chair. 

The  discussion  of  the  new  code  of  by-laws  took  place,  and  not  being 
completed,  an  adjournment  was  made  one  week,  to  March  21. 

Exhibited. — Flowers:  From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  specimens  of  the 
following  roses  : — Bourbon  Souchet,  (superb)  Madame  Souchet,Dumont  du 
Courset,  Crimson  Madame  Desprez,  Hermosa,  and  Bouquet  of  Flora  ;  Hy- 
brid perpetual.  La  Reine,  Pr'ncesse  Helene,  Mrs.  Cripps  ;  Hybrid  Moss, 
Princesse  Adelaide,  very  beautiful,  with  many  others. 

March  2\st. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day, — 
the  President  in  the  chair. 

The  discussion  of  the   By-laws  was  continued  to-day,  and  finally  brought 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  157 

to  a  close,  after  various  amendments.  It  was  then  voted,  that  the  commit- 
tee cause  the  same  to  be  printed  as  amended,  and  laid  upon  the  table  at  the 
next  meeting.     Adjourned  one  week  to  March  28th. 

Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  the  President,  fine  specimens  of  Chromatella 
or  Cloth  of  Gold,  and  Solfitarie  roses;  also,  specimens  of  Camellias  Wil- 
der?', Abby  Wilder,  conspicua,  (very  large,  and  beautifully  spotted,)  and 
seedlings.  From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  a  variety  of  new  and  splendid 
roses,  as  follows  : — Bourbon  Marianne,  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison,  Dumcnt 
du  Courset,  Souchet,  Madame  Souchet,  Bouquet  of  Flora,  Hermosa,  &c. 
Hybrid  perpetual,  La  Reine,  Marquis  of  Ailsa,  Mrs.  Cripps,  Due  de  Cha- 
tres,  &c. ;  Hybrid  moss  Princesse  Adelaide  ;  Tea  SafFrano,  La  Sylphide  ; 
Noisette  Philomele  and  others.  From  D.  Crowley,  six  pots  of  fine  Queen 
stocks. 

Mr.  Newhall,  chairman  of  the  committee  on  Medals,  made  a  report. 
The  committee  recommend  that  dies  be  procured  for  two  medals,  as  follows  : 

Society's  Medal. 

Large  gold,      value,    .             .             .             .  .  .  $50  00 

Second  size  gold,  "      .             .             .             .  .  .  30  00 

Silver  gilt,             "      .             .             .             .  .  .  15  00 

Silver,                    "       .             .             .             .  .  .  5  00 

Appleton  Medals. 

Gold  medal,  value,        .             .             .             .             .             .  #40  00 

Gilt  medal,         " 10  00 

Silver  medal,      "......  3  00 

The  report  was  accepted,  and  $400  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  committee 
to  procure  suitable  dies. 

The  President  laid  before  the  Society  letters  written  in  answer  to  the 
Hon.  Samuel  Appleton,  and  J.  A.  Lowell,  Esq. 

G.  G.  Hubbard,  West  Needham,  was  elected  a  subscription  member. 

March  28th. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day, — 
the  President  in  the  chair 

Some  slight  amendments  were  made  to  the  By-laws,  which  were  ordered 
to  be  added  to  the  corrected  copy. 

Meeting  dissolved. 

Exhibited.— Flowers  :  From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  Roses,  viz  :  Bourbon 
Souchet,  Dumont  du  Courset,  Glorie  de  Paris,  Marianne,  &c.  ;  Hybrid 
perpetual,  La  Reine,  Mrs.  Cripps,  Mrs.  Elliott,  Due  de  Chatres,  &c.  ;  Noi- 
sette, Philomele  and  Ophirie,  and  many  other  varieties  ;  also,  fine  blooms  of 
WistAna  Consequavia,  and  several  varieties  of  Sparaxis  and  Ixias.  From  W. 
Quant,  a  superb  cluster  of  Azalea  sin6nsis,  three  seedling  Cinerarias,  seed- 
ling pansies,  and  Azalea  Smithn,  also  a  fine  bouquet.  From  W.  E.  Carter, 
Azalea  Smithti,  Sirelltz;a  regina,  and  Camellia  Donckelaern.  From  D. 
Crowley,  roses  and  pelargoniums.  From  T.  Willot,  a  fine  plant  of  Azalea 
Phoenicia.     From  Walker  &  Co.,  La  Reine  rose  and  bouquets. 

Fruit :  From  Mr.  Beers,  New  Jersey,  Hubbardston  Nonsuch,  Monmouth 
Pippin  (excellent)  and  Bellflower  (')  apples. 


158 


Faneull  Hall  Market. 


Art.  II.     Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Roots,  Tubers,  if-c. 

Potatoes, 

Chenangoes.JP-S| 
per  barrel, 
per  bushel. 


Common,. 

E-^P-^> {^"Sei 

LongReds,..JP:[.J-£i 

Sweet,  per  bushel    . 
Turnips  :  per  bushel,  . 

Common,        .     .     . 

Rula  Baga,     .     .     . 
Onions  : 

Red,  per  bunch,  .     . 

While,  per  bunch,    . 

White,  per  bushel, 

Yellow,  per  bushel, 
Beets,  per  bushel. 
Carrots,  per  bushel,  . 
Parsnips,  per  bushel,  . 
Salsify,  per  doz.  roots. 
Horseradish,  per  lb.  . 
Radishes,  per  bunch,  . 
Garlic,  per  bunch,  .     . 

Cabbages,  Salads,  cj-c 
Cabbages,  per  doz.  : 

Savoy,  .... 

Drumhead,     .     . 

Red  Dutch,     .     . 
Brocolis,  each,    .     . 
Cauliflowers,  each. 
Lettuce,  per  head,  . 
Rhubarb,  per  pound. 
Water  Cresses,  pr.  half'pk. 
Dandelions,  per  half  peck, 
Spinncli,  per  peck. 
Celery,  per  root,     .     .     . 
Cucumbers, (pickled)  pr.  gal 
Peppers,  (pickled)  per  gal 


Pot  and  Siseet  Herbs 
Parsley,  per  half  peck. 
Sage,  per  pound,     . 
Marjorum,  per  bunch, 
Savory,  per  Imnch, 
Spearmint,  per  bunch, 


From 

^  cts 

2  25 

7o 

1   75 

50 

3  00 

1  25 

2  00 
I   00 


To 

$cts. 

2  50 

1  00 

2  00 

75 
[3  50 

'2  25 


50 
60 

3 
3 
1  00 
62i 
62 
50 
75 
25 
10 
12i 


62 
62i 


75 
75 
62^ 
1   00 

12J 

10 


73     1   00 

75   il   00 
75    1   00 


6 
17 
25 
37i 
25 

8 
25 
37^ 


50 
17 

6 

6 
12.^ 


10 
20 


12^ 


20 

12i 

I2I 


Squashes  and  Pumpkins. 


Squashes,  per  cwt. : 
Canada  Orookneck, 
Winter  Crookneck, 
Autumnal  Marrow, 
West  Indies,  .     .     . 

Pumpkins,  each,     .     . 


Pruits. 

Apples,  dessert  and  cookin 

P^'all  Greening,  per  bbl 

Baldwin,  per  bbl.     . 

RussetS;  i^er  bbl. 

Blue  Pearmain,  per  bbl 

Greenings,  per  bbl. 

N.  Y.  Pippins,  per  bbl 

Common,  per  bbl.    . 

Danvers  Winter  Sweet,  per 
bbl 

Nonsuch,  per  bbl.     . 

Spitzemberg,  per  bbl. 

Golden  Russet,  per  bbl 

Hub.  Nonsuch,  per  bbl 

Dried  Apples,  per  lb.  . 
Pears,  per  doz.  or  half  peck 

St.  Germain,  per  half  pk 

Baking,  per  bushel, 
Cranberries,  per  bushel,  . 
Cucumbers,  each,  ... 
Tomatoes,  per  peck,  . 
Grapes,  (forced,)  per  lb. : 

Black  Hamburg,      .     . 

While  Svveetwater, .     . 

Isabella, 

Malaga, 

Oranges,  per  doz. 

St.  Michael's,       .     .     . 

Havana, 

Sicily,        

Sicily,  per  box,  ... 
Lemons,  per  doz.  ... 
Pine  Apples,  each,  •  . 
Chestnuts,  per  bushel.  . 
Walnuts,  per  bushel,  .  . 
Cocoanuts,  per  hundred,  . 
Almonds,  per  lb.      ... 


From 
$  els. 


50 
00 
00 
00 
12ii 


To 

3  cts. 


20 

20 

25 

20 

50 

17 

12i 

25 

50 

00 


3  00 
5  00 
37J 


25 

30 

37 

25 

3  00 

20 

25 

2  50 

1   75 

■1  50 


Remarks. — If  February  was  an  unusually  cold,  stormy,  and  disagreeable 
month,  March  has  been,  on  the  contrary,  more  than  ordinarily  mild,  fair  and 
pleasant.  The  snow  disappeared  gradually  during  several  fine  sunny  days, 
and  a  warm  rain  succeeded,  which  took  off  the  remainder,  and  left  the 
ground  with  little  or  no  frost.     Appearances  now  indicate  an  early  spring. 

Vegetables. — The  bad  condition  of  the  roads  has  been  adverse  to  a  good 
supply  of  potatoes  from  the  country,  and  the  stock  has  been  mostly  of 
Eastern  growth,  consequently  prices  have  been  well  sustained  ;  it  is  antici- 
pated that  when  the  travelling  is  better,  so  large  a  stock  will  be  brought  in 


Horticultural  Memoranda.  159 

that  a  reduction  "will  take  place.  Radishes  are  now  well  supplied,  and  of 
very  fine  quality,  the  weather  having  been  favorable  to  forcing.  Horse- 
radish is  abundant  and  good.  The  stock  of  cabbages  is  low,  with  but  few 
of  fine  quality,  the  larger  part  being  small  and  ordinary.  No  new  Broco- 
lis  or  Cauliflowers  have  yet  come  in.  Lettuce  abundant  and  excellent. 
Rhubarb  has  come  to  hand  the  past  week  and  of  fine  quality,  brought  for- 
ward by  forcing.  Dandelions  have  also  come  to  hand  and  sold  at  our  quota- 
tions. Water-cresses  are  tolerably  plentiful,  and  Spinach  abundant  and 
good.  The  stock  of  Celery  is  rather  low,  but  as  lettuce  comes  in,  it  is  in 
less  demand.  Parsley  more  plentiful.  Fresh  mint  is  brought  in,  in  small 
lots.  Some  late  arrivals  from  the  West  Indies  have  brought  a  supply  of 
squashes,  but  the  quality  is  ordinary. 

Fruit. — Apples  have  been  in  good  request,  and  the  stock  is  pretty  well 
reduced  ;  good  Baldwins  sell  readily  at  our  prices  ;  Russets  are  also  much 
called  for,  and  these  two  sorts  constitute  the  principal  stock  ;  a  few  barrels 
of  other  sorts  yet  remain.  Baking  pears  are  nearly  gone.  Spring  cran- 
berries have  been  brought  in,  and  of  very  good  quality.  Cucumbers  have 
come  to  hand  since  our  last,  but  only  in  very  small  lots  ;  the  late  favorable 
weather,  however,  will  soon  bring  forward  a  better  supply  ;  prices  take  a 
wide  range  according  to  size.  Oranges  are  a  shade  higher  ;  they  are  of 
much  better  quality  than  usual,  and  in  consequence  sell  quicker.  Lemons 
remain  the  same.  Little  doing  in  Chestnuts  or  Walnuts.  Arrivals  of 
Cocoanuts  have  furnished  a  fine  supply. —  Yours,  M.  T.,  Boston,  March 
28th,  1846. 


HORTICULTURAL  MEMORANDA 

FOR    APRIL. 


FRUIT    DEPARTMENT. 

Grape  Vines. — In  greenhouses :  They  will  now  be  advancing  rapidly 
after  the  late  pleasant  weather,  and  the  fruit  buds  will  soon  be  very  promi- 
nent;  continue  to  syringe  freely  every  afternoon,  and  tie  up  the  shoots  to 
the  trellis  if  all  the  eyes  are  broken.  In  cold  houses  :  The  vines  should 
now  be  uncovered,  if  they  have  not  been  before,  and  tied  looselv  to  the 
trellis,  allowing  the  ends  of  the  shoots  to  droop  down  till  the  eyes  are  well 
broken  ;  syringe  every  day  in  dry  weather.  Vines  in  pots  :  These  will 
now  be  coming  forward,  and  will  require  occasional  supplies  of  guano.  In 
the  open  air:  Isabellas,  and  other  native  kinds,  may  now  be  pruned,  if  not 
yet  done  ;  they  will  bleed  some,  but  it  will  not  hurt  the  vines  so  much  as 
to  go  wholly  unpruued.  Foreign  grapes  should  now  be  uncovered  and  tied 
up  to  the  trellis. 

Grafting  trees,  of  all  kinds,  may  be  performed  this  month. 

Pruning  orchards  and  trees,  of  all  kinds,  should  be  continued  during 
April. 


160  Horticultural  Memoranda. 

Raspberry  bsds  should  now  be  uncovered ;  this  month  is  the  time  to  make 
new  plantations. 

Currant  and  Gooseberry  bushes  should  be  set  out  now. 

Strawberry  beds  should  be  uncovered  ;  rake  the  beds  carefully  and  apply 
guano,  if  the  soil  is  not  rich,  (two  pounds  to  the  square  rod.)  New  beds 
may  be  made  this  month. 

Fruii  trees,  of  all  kinds,  should  be  transplanted  in  April. 

Peach  trees,  for  forcing  in  pots,  should  be  potted  this  month,  selecting 
young  trees  branched  low. 

FLOWER    DEPARTMENT. 

Dahlias,  which  have  been  potted,  will  now  be  six  inches  high.  If  early 
flowers  are  wanted,  continue  to  shift  them  into  larger  pots.  Tubers  may 
now  be  divided,  and  started  by  placing  in  a  hot-bed  or  frame.  Seedlings 
should  be  potted  off  singly  in  small  pots. 

Camellias  will  now  be  making  their  new  wood,  and  should  be  freely 
syringed,  and  the  soil  kept  well  watered.     Inarching  may  be  performed  yet. 

Gloxinias  and  Achimines  should  now  be  put  into  small  pots,  and  kept  in 
a  warm  place. 

Roses  in  small  pots  may  now  have  a  shift  into  a  larger  size. 

Chrysanthemums  will  now  be  coming  forward,  and  cuttings  may  be  put 
in,  or  the  roots  divided,  and  potted  off. 

Calceolarias,  Cinerarias,  and  Fuchsias,  will  need  potting  off  again,  if  fine 
specimens  are  wanted  in  June. 

Cactuses,  now  showing  their  flower  beds,  should  be  freely  watered. 

Pansy  seeds,  may  be  sown  now  in  a  good  prepared  bed,  in  a  cool  situ- 
ation. 

Carnations  should  be  repotted  this  month. 

Hydrangeas  may  be  propagated  from  cuttings  now. 

Hyacinth  and  Tiilip  Beds  should  have  the  soil  carefully  stirred,  as  soon 
as  it  is  in  a  good  condition. 

Dwarf  Rocket  Lockspur  Seed  may  be  sown  immediately,  in  beds. 

Ealsams,  Amaranthuses,  Brachycome,  German  Asters,  Schizanthuses, 
Coxcombs,  and  all  such  annuals,  may  be  sown  now  in  pots  in  hot  beds,  for 
turning  out  into  the  open  ground,  the  latter  part  of  May. 

Herbaceous  Plants  may  be  removed  this  month. 

PcEonies,  both  tree  and  herbaceous,  should  be  transplanted  in  April. 

Coreopsis,  Clarkias,  Gilias,  Petunias,  SfC,  may  be  sown  this  month,  and 
a  succession  in  May. 

Gladiolus  and  Tiger  Flowers  may  be  set  out  in  the  border  the  latter  part 
of  April. 

Heaths,  Diosma,  cj-c,  may  be  propagated  from  cuttings  at  this  season. 

Plants  in  frames  should  now  be  well  aired,  and  such  as  need  it,  repotted. 

Oxalises  done  blooming,  should  now  receive  only  occasional  waterings. 

Japan  lilies  may  be  shifted  again,  if  the  roots  have  fitted  the  pots. 


THE  MAGAZINE 


O  F 


HORTICULTURE. 


MAY,  1846. 

ORIGINAL   COMMUNICATIONS. 

Art.  1.  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour  through  part  of 
England^  Scotland  and  France^  in  the  autumn  of  1844. 
By  the  Editor. 

{Continued  frontpage  126.) 

Bothwell  Castle,  October  11th,  1846. — Bothwell  Castle  is  so 
familiar  to  all  readers  of  Scottish  History,  as  the  place  where 
the  unfortunate  Mary  Q,ueen  of  Scots  was  for  some  time  con- 
fined, that  we  need  but  mention  it  to  recall  the  events  so 
graphically  recorded  by  historical  writers.  Whatever  it  might 
have  been  at  the  time  it  was  in  the  possession  of  Lord  Both- 
well,  it  is  now  one  of  the  most  beautiful  places  we  visited. 
The  grounds  cover  many  acres  of  high  and  level  surface,  but 
on  one  side  descend  precipitously  to  River  Clyde  :  on  the  edge  of 
the  bank,  surrounded  by  groups  of  trees,  stands  the  ruins  of 
the  once  strong  and  noble  castle,  now  overgrown  with  ivy, 
and  forming  a  picturesque  and  romantic  object.  As  we  stood 
within  its  walls,  amid  the  stillness  of  the  place,  only  disturbed 
by  the  occasional  cries  of  the  rooks,  which  rear  their  young 
in  the  crevices  of  the  walls,  and  the  murmuring  of  the  wa- 
ters below,  our  imagination  wandered  back  to  the  time  when 
it  was  the  scene  of  the  stirring  events,  which  occupy  so  prom- 
inent a  place  in  the  history  of  Scotland's  beautiful  Queen. 

The  house  of  the  present  proprietor  is  situated  at  some  dis- 
tance from  the  castle,  and  is  a  building  of  no  pretensions  to 
style.  Near  it  is  situated  the  kitchen  garden,  flower  garden, 
&c.,  and  a  beautiful  Gothic  cottage,  in  which  the  intelligent 
gardener,  Mr.  Turnbull,  resides.  The  entrance  is  through  a 
large  arched  gateway,  and  a  long  curved  avenue,  hedged  with 

VOL.  XII NO.  V.  21 


162  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour. 

thorn ;  a  great  portion  of  the  land,  on  either  side,  being  under 
cultivation.  Fortunately,  we  found  Mr.  Turnbull  at  home, 
and  had  the  gratification  of  a  pleasant  walk  through  the  prem- 
ises. The  proprietor  deserves  great  credit  for  his  liberality  in 
keeping  up  the  appearance  of  the  place,  as  he  does  not  reside 
upon  it,  and  the  products  of  the  garden,  beside  much  that  is 
distributed  in  the  neighborhood,  are  sent  away  to  some  dis- 
tance. Bothwell  castle  is  about  three  or  four  miles  from  Glas- 
gow, on  the  mail  route  to  Edinburgh. 

The  grounds  near  the  entrance  to  the  walled  garden,  are 
beautifully  laid  out  and  planted,  just  to  our  ideas  as  they 
should  be:  varied  walks  bordered  with  laurels,  rhododen- 
drons, and  other  evergreens,  turf  green  and  smooth,  without  a 
raw  edge,  and  the  gravel  even  and  well  rolled.  The  garden 
contains  three  or  four  acres,  with  a  range  of  houses  on  the 
south,  devoted  to  miscellaneous  plants,  &c.  ;  there  is  also  a 
pinery,  and  a  house  for  Orchids.  Mr.  Turnbull  is  a  great 
lover  of  flowers,  and  also  one  of  the  best  cultivators  of  heaths 
in  Scotland,  excelled  perhaps  by  no  one  unless  Mr.  McNab. 
Among  the  great  number  of  herbaceous  plants  which  fill  the 
border,  but  which  were  now  nearly  out  of  bloom,  we  noticed 
Xythrum  alatum,  Z/ychnis  vespertina  pleno,  and  Achillea  ro- 
sea, each  very  desirable.  The  calceolarias  were  very  beauti- 
ful, and  planted  out  in  beds  had  a  superb  appearance.  Clarkia 
pulchella  and  pulchella  alba,  were  among  the  most  attractive 
objects  of  the  border :  these  two  beautiful  annuals  are  sadly 
neglected  by  lovers  of  flowers;  properly  grown,  they  are 
truly  the  greatest  acquisitions  to  the  flower  garden.  The 
neatness,  order,  and  systematic  arrangement  of  this  depart- 
ment, pleased  us  as  much  as  any  place  we  had  seen. 

The  Heath  house  is  a  small  span-roofed  building,  and  was 
filled  with  superb  specimens,  of  which  the  following  are  the 
dimensions  of  some  of  the  best : — vestita,  4 J  feet  in  diameter ; 
elegans,  3  feet ;  Ait6n^^,  2  feet ;  rupestris,  2  feet ;  retorta  ma- 
jor, 2  feet ;  declinata,  triceps,  Svailed^ia  and  others,  2  feet : 
Mr.  Turnbull  does  not  approve  of  the  plan  of  raising  the  un- 
sightly ball  in  the  centre  of  the  pot ;  and  the  appearance 
and  health  of  his  plants  is  conclusive  evidence  that  it  is  objec- 
tionable in  every  respect.  These  plants  are  all  clothed  with 
foliage  or  foliage  and  flowers  to  the  edge  of  the  pots ;  this  is 


Bothwell  Castle.  163 

done,  as  we  have  before  remarked,  by  continually  pinching 
off  the  shoots  as  soon  as  they  are  an  inch  or  more  long.  Mr. 
Turnbull  has  been  very  successful  in  raising  heaths  from  seed, 
and  his  last  fine  variety  is  figured  in  Paxton's  Magazine. 
It  is  called  Murraydww^/z^,  in  honor  of  Mr.  Murray,  curator 
of  the  Glasgow  Botanic  Garden.  It  is  a  fine  scarlet  flower, 
free  bloomer,  and  beautiful  habit.  Numerous  yoimg  seedlings 
were  coming  on,  and  some  other  fine  ones,  we  presume,  have 
bloomed  since  we  saw  the  young  plants.  It  was  a  source  of 
great  pleasure  to  see  the  specimens  of  heaths  produced  by 
Mr.  Turnbull ;  and  his  success  assured  us,  that  there  is  no 
obstacle  in  the  way  of  entire  success  in  their  cultivation,  if 
proper  attention  is  given  to  the  plants. 

Mr.  Turnbull  has  a  brother  residing  near  Boston,  who  for- 
merly was  in  our  employ ;  and  our  visit  afforded  him  much 
gratification.  He  had  always  felt  a  great  desire  to  visit 
America,  but  he  had  advanced  in  years  too  far  to  make  the 
attempt,  especially  so  well  situated  as  he  is  at  this  fine  place. 

Nurseries  of  Messrs.  Aiisiin  4*  ^on. — Messrs.  Austin  have 
an  extensive  warehouse  in  Glasgow,  and  a  nursery  connected 
with  their  business,  in  the  suburbs  of  the  city.  Though  not 
so  extensive  as  some  of  the  Edinburgh  establishments,  they 
have  a  very  good  stock  of  plants,  and  a  fine  supply  of  trees 
and  shrubs.  The  necessity,  however,  of  a  short  visit,  in  con- 
sequence of  our  departure  for  Edinburgh,  by  the  rail-road,  in 
season  to  reach  that  city  by  night,  only  enabled  us  to  take 
a  hasty  ramble  through  the  houses,  without  a  chance  of  giv- 
ing much  attention  to  the  nursery  grounds. 

Messrs.  Austin  &  Son  have  a  good  stock  of  rhododendrons 
and  azaleas,  and  also  a  variety  of  camellias.  But  the  plants 
were  being  taken  into  the  houses  ;  and  the  confusion  always 
attendant  on  such  an  occasion  prevented  our  particularizing 
many  plants.  In  the  frames  were  great  numbers  of  seed- 
lings, particularly  of  pinuses,  which  are  so  much  in  demand. 
Mr.  Austin  pointed  out  to  us  a  cedar  of  Lebanon,  which  is 
perfectly  hardy ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  he  showed  us  some 
of  our  hemlock  spruce,  which  had  suffered  from  the  winter, 
and  indeed  is  considered  as  scarcely  hardy  around  Glasgow. 
The  Chinese  arbor  vitge  is  also  often  injured  by  the  winter, 
and  does  not  stand  the  winter  better  than  it  does  in  the  lati- 


164  Duration  of  Races  of  Plants. 

tude  of  Boston,  where  it  is  nearly  or  quite  killed  to  the  ground, 
unless  in  very  high  and  dry  situations.  This  shows  that  we 
cannot  always  judge  of  the  hardiness  of  a  tree  from  its  native 
climate ;  and  actual  experiments  only  afford  the  test  in  many 
instances.  Thus,  for  many  years,  the  tree  pseony,  a  native  of 
China,  was  cultivated  as  a  greenhouse  plant,  and  considered 
quite  tender,  until  plants  accidentally  left  exposed,  were  found 
to  be  quite  hardy.  This  should  lead  every  nurseryman  to 
attempt  the  acclimization  of  various  trees,  shrubs  and  plants, 
judging  more  by  their  growth,  habit,  and  other  appearances, 
than  by  the  climate  from  whence  they  may  have  been  intro- 
duced. 

Messrs.  Austin  cultivate  a  good  collection  of  herbaceous 
plants.  And  we  here  saw  in  fine  bloom,  Anemone  vitifolia, 
Pentstemon  Murrayd/mm  and  Scabiosa  canariensis,  all  showy 
and  desirable.  We  here  saw  also,  one  of  the  finest  stocks  of 
calceolarias,  planted  out  in  the  open  gromid ;  many  of  them 
being  superbly  banded,  spotted  and  clouded,  with  purple  and 
maroon,  on  cream  and  yellow  grounds. 
(  To  be  cotitinued.) 


Art.  II.     SoTne  Remarks  on  the  Duration  of  Races  of  Plants. 
By  A.  H.  Ernst,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Do  races  of  plants  wear  out? 

This  is  a  subject  attracting  just  now  much  attention  and 
discussion  among  horticulturalists,  and  which  it  is  to  be  re- 
gretted, is  not  always  conducted  in  a  becoming  spirit.  A 
subject  on  which  some  of  the  most  intelligent  seem  to  differ 
widely^  should  secure  at  least,  common  courtesy ;  ostentation 
and  haughty  bearing  are  but  feeble  arguments,  and  will  not 
weigh  much  with  the  well  informed,  however  high  or  scien- 
tifikc  the  source  from  whence  they  emanate. 

To  my  mind,  there  is  rather  a  misapplication  of  terms,  than 
a  difference  on  matter  of  fact.  On  the  one  hand,  it  is  held, 
with  no  small  amount  of  plausibility,  that  "  varieties  of  fruit 
do  run  out,"  on  the  other  hand,  it  is  insisted  that  it  is  con- 


Duration  of  Races  of  Plants.  165 

trary  to  the  "  laws  of  vegetable  life  for  races  of  plants  to  run 
out,"  and  can,  therefore,  not  be  true.  I  will  not  presume  to 
enter  the  lists  with  that  talented  and  learned  horticulturalist, 
Lindley,  or  to  enter  on  the  defence  of  the  opinions  of  the  late 
Mr.  Knight,  to  whose  observing  and  practical  knowledge  and 
experience,  the  world  is  largely  indebted  for  the  present  ele- 
vated position  of  pomology,  though  I  would  not  pass  them 
by  without  due  "  respect."  The  truth  is  readily  admitted,  that 
in  the  original  state,  "  races  of  plants  are  constantly  repro- 
ducing their  kind  without  change  or  wearing  out."  But  does 
the  subject  not  assume  a  different  aspect  by  the  application  of 
science  and  art,  in  changing  the  original  condition  and  char- 
acter of  the  oflFspring  of  a  race  or  variety  ?  May  we  not, 
with  as  much  propriety,  expect  the  Williams's  Bonchretien 
pear  to  reproduce  its  sort  from  seed,  as  to  argue  that  there 
can  be  no  such  thing  as  a  sort  becoming  worthless  or  run 
out,  from  the  admitted  fact,  that  in  an  original  condition  veg- 
etation proceeds  on  without  degenerating  ?  Why  not  7  it  is 
an  offspring  of  the  original  pear,  which  does  continue  to  re- 
produce from  seed,  its  kind,  as  it  always  has  when  unmo- 
lested by  foreign  agents.  Is  the  answer  not  plain  7  it  no  longer 
possesses  the  entire  properties  of  the  original  parent.  It  has 
undergone  a  radical  change. 

The  botanist  finds  no  difficulty  in  classing  or  understand- 
ing the  order,  to  which  plants  belong  in  the  natural  or  origi- 
nal condition,  but  when  he  comes  in  contact  with  the  perver- 
sion the  ingenuity  of  man  has  given  the  subject,  his  beau- 
tiful system  of  application  ceases  to  apply,  and  he  calls  it  a 
"  monster,"  of  which  he  finds  man  has  produced  an  endless 
variety,  of  as  many  hues  and  character,  which  can  only  be 
propagated  or  continued  in  existence  by  an  unnatural  pro- 
cess ;  or,  in  other  words,  by  a  process  not  known  to  the  origi- 
nal law  of  propagation.  We  cannot  go  back  to  the  original 
parent  to  renew  a  vitiated  health,  by  the  natural  process  of 
generation  from  seed,  hence  the  analogy  does  not  hold  good. 
To  prove  this,  it  is  only  necessary  to  attempt  the  continua- 
tion or  reproduction  of  the  Williams's  Bonchretien,  or  any 
other  individual  sort  of  our  fine  pear,  by  what  is  termed  the 
natural  process,  that  is,  from  the  seed.  If  this  cannot  be 
done,  are  we  then  not  called  on  to  consider  a  new  creation. 


166  Duration  of  Races  of  Plants. 

subject  to  none  of  the  laws  for  its  continuation  in  existence, 
beyond  the  individual  that  controls  the  original  parent  7  If, 
then,  this  position  is  sound,  does  it  not  clearly  follow  that  a 
variety  of  fruit  may,  from  constitutional  defect,  or  other 
cause,  become  partially  or  generally  diseased,  and  run  out, 
without  infringing  or  doing  violence  to  the  laws  which  govern 
the  natural  order  of  vegetation  ?  Let  me  be  fully  understood : 
although  it  is  unhesitatingly  admitted  that  originally  there 
can  be  no  such  thing  as  a  race  of  plants  wearing,  or  running 
out,  it  by  no  means  follows  that  all  the  descendants  of  a 
race,  however  operated  on  by  artificial  means,  remain  in  per- 
fect health,  but,  on  the  contrary,  it  is  more  than  probable 
that  every  innovation  on  the  original  law  of  generation,  is 
but  a  step  to  undermine  and  impair  the  constitution  of  the 
product. 

If,  then,  after  having  produced,  by  the  application  of  science 
and  art,  a  variety  of  fruit  deemed  worthy  of  propagation,  and 
having  lost,  by  the  application  of  science  and  art,  the  power 
of  propagation  or  continuing  this  variety  or  sort  by  the  natu- 
ral process,  and  being  able  to  do  so  only  by  engrafting  or 
budding  on  other  trees,  or  by  layering  it,  what  do  we  more 
than  continue  that  identical  tree  in  existence,  no  difference  to 
what  part  of  the  world,  or  how  extensively  it  is  spread? 
And  do  we  not  as  much  spread  with  it  any  constitutional 
disease  which  it  may  have  inherited,  as  the  color  of  the  fruit 
it  bears?  And  although,  like  a  family  of  children  who  have 
inherited  the  consumption,  under  various  treatment  and  in 
different  climes,  a  portion  may  survive  for  a  brief  period  the 
rest,  the  whole  and  entire  variety  in  all  parts  of  the  world, 
must  become  subject  to  the  effects  of  the  same  inherent  cause. 
I  think,  then,  the  plain  and  irresistible  conclusion  to  which 
every  practical  inquirer  must  come,  is,  that  varieties  of  fruit 
may,  and  do,  wear  or  run  out. 

The  health  and  vigor  of  the  stock  on  which  the  variety  is 
grafted,  undoubtedly  has  a  partial  effect  as  the  soil  in  which 
it  grows,  to  retard  or  promote  to  its  final  termination  the  con- 
stitutional tendency  of  the  variety,  but  can  no  more  prevent 
the  result  than  to  change  the  color  of  the  fruit.  In  fact,  the 
stock  has  but  little  to  do  with  what  is  put  on  it,  more  than 


Duration  of  Races  of  Plants.  167 

to  act  as  a  medium  of  communication  between  the  earth  and 
the  extremities  above.  This  is  proven  from  the  fact  that  the 
pecuharities  of  growth  with  other  characteristics  of  varieties, 
remain  unchanged  in  their  habits,  on  these  new  sorts.  The 
vigor  of  a  feeble  growing  eort,  is  not  materially  effected  to 
promote  its  growth,  if  any,  by  being  grafted  on  a  vigorous 
stock.  If  it  were  otherwise,  we  should  have  nothing  to  de- 
pend on  as  landmarks  to  guide  to  satisfactory  conclusions, 
except  the  fruit,  as  to  what  the  variety  is.  It  is,  therefore, 
fallacious  to  look  to  this  source  for  the  permanent  continuance 
of  a  variety  in  health  or  existence ;  but  each  sort  must  wholly 
depend  for  duration  on  its  own  constitution,  and  this  will  dif- 
fer very  widely  in  different  sorts. 

That  many  valuable  fruits  once  perfectly  and  generally 
healthy,  and  free  from  blemish,  are  no  more  so,  will  hardly 
be  disputed,  among  which  may  be  named,  in  our  own  country, 
the  White  Doyenne  Pear,  once  the  pride  and  boast  of  that  deli- 
cious family  of  fruit,  and  the  Pennock  Apple,  once  an  universal 
favorite.  This  has  become  so  generally  affected  in  the  west, 
with  spots  or  flakes  of  dry  decay  throughout  the  flesh,  that 
it  is  rare  to  meet  with  a  perfect  specimen.  This  disease  is 
not  identical  with  the  bitter  rot,  but  very  distinct,  having  none 
of  the  bitter  taste  predominant  in  that  disease.  Many  other 
parallel  cases  might  be  named,  but  they  are  not  deemed  im- 
portant to  establish  the  fact  that  varieties  may,  and  do,  wear 
or  run  out. 

Is  there,  then,  not  a  want  of  candor,  after  science  has  pro- 
duced an  illegitimate  offspring  with  a  defective  constitution, 
to  throw  itself  back  on  the  lata  governing  the  original  race, 
and  argue,  from  that  law,  that  there  can  be  no  such  thing  as 
a  sort  running  out "? 

The  above  reflections  were  induced  by  the  reading  of  an 
article  from  The  London  Gardener'' s  Chronicle,  and  repub- 
lished in  the  New  England  Parmer,  by  Prof.  Lindley,  in 
which  the  writer  in  fact  admits  the  position  contended  for, 
but  most  strenuously  endeavors  to  avoid  the  conclusion,  and 
treats  those  who  differ  with  him,  with  a  degree  of  asperity 
unbecoming  one  occupying,  in  the  scientific  world,  the  exalted 
position  he  does.     They  are  not  offered  as  advancing  new  or 


168  Guano,  its  Use  and  Application. 

original  views  on  matter  of  fact,  but  to  place  them  in  an  un* 
varnished  garb  before  your  readers. 
Spring  Garden,  Feb.  2^th,  1846. 

We  had  marked  Dr.  Lindley's  article,  when  we  first  re- 
ceived it,  for  insertion  in  our  Magazine,  intending  to  offer 
some  remarks  thereon.  But  the  crowded  state  of  our  pages 
has  prevented  us  from  yet  finding  an  opportunity  to  insert  it. 
We  hope,  however,  to  do  so  soon,  and  in  the  mean  time  we 
commend  the  remarks  of  Mr.  Ernst,  to  the  attention  of  our 
readers. — Ed. 


Art.   III.     Guano :    its   use   and  application.     By   Charles 
Robinson,  Esq.,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

With  us,  much  injury  was  done  to  gardens  last  season,  by 
the  use  of  this  most  powerful  manure.  For  this  result  there 
were  three  obvious  reasons,  either  of  which  alone  would  have 
been  sufficient. 

First. — It  was  applied  too  freely.  From  a  vast  number  of 
experiments  carefully  made  in  England,  it  is  found  that  three 
hundred  pounds  of  the  Peruvian  is  equivalent  to  twenty  cords 
of  stable  manure,  and  is  abundantly  sufficient  for  an  acre. 
It  is  undoubtedly  true,  however,  that  on  strong  and  deep  soils, 
thoroughly  tilled,  the  quantity  may  be  greatly  increased.  In- 
deed, it  is  safe  to  use  it  in  moderate  quantities  as  a  top  dress- 
ing on  such  soils,  even  where  the  ordinary  amount  has  been 
previously  worked  into  the  soil.  Two  pounds,  therefore,  to 
the  square  rod,  or  one  ounce  to  the  square  yard,  is  a  full 
allowance  on  ordinary  soils. 

With  us  it  has  been  tried  generally  as  an  experiment,  and 
has  been  applied,  either  as  a  top  dressing,  on  a  small  space  or 
with  the  seed.  In  such  case,  who  would  think  of  using  so 
small  a  quantity  as  one  ounce  to  the  square  yard  ? 

In  the  April  number  of  the  Monthly  Journal  of  Ag?'iculfure, 
I  notice  that  "  Alexander  Jones,  Esq.,  used  eight  pounds  with 
half  a  bushel  of  ashes,  on  a  patch  of  tobacco  plants,  ten  feet 
by  sixteen.     It  killed  them  outright ;"  and  so  it  ought  to  have 


Guano:  its  Use  and  Application.  169 

done,  since  he  put  on  more  than  seven  times  the  proper  quan- 
tity, beside  the  ashes,  or  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
cords  of  stable  manure  and  two  hundred  and  seventy  bushels 
of  ashes  to  the  acre.  He  should  have  used,  at  the  utmost, 
only  eighteen  ounces  of  guano. 

Second. — It  was  applied  to  the  surface,  or  worked  into  an 
mSh.  or  so  of  the  surface.  No  one,  without  careful  reflection 
upon  the  manner  in  which  manures  are  reached  by  the  roots 
of  plants,  would  think  of  digging  so  small  a  quantity  as  one 
ounce  to  the  square  yard  into  the  whole  depth  of  his  soil. 
He  might  well  fear  that  it  would  all  be  lost. 

Experience  in  the  use  of  plaister  of  Paris,  however,  proves 
that  a  less  quantity  even,  is  not  lost  in  the  soil.  The  ordi- 
nary amount  of  that  substance,  applied  to  lands  away  from 
the  sea,  is  one  bushel,  or  seventy  pounds,  to  the  acre.  That 
quantity  is  found  to  be  as  efficacious,  for  the  season,  as  a 
larger  amount.  On  corn  and  potatoes,  it  is  ordinarily  used  in 
and  around  the  hills ;  but  careful  and  repeated  experiments 
have  established  the  fact,  that  even  this  small  quantity  is 
fully  as  effective,  if  sown  broadcast  over  the  entire  surface, 
and  worked  into  the  ground.  The  truth  is,  the  roots  of  plants 
pervade  the  whole  soil,  and  their  spongisles  find  in  it  all 
which  is  valuable  for  their  sustenance. 

There  is  this  special  advantage  in  mixing  manures  with 
the  whole  soil,  that,  as  the  season  advances,  and  the  surface 
soil  becomes  dry,  the  roots  of  plants  descend  in  search  of 
moisture,  and  thus  they  then  find  abundant  nutriment  when 
most  needed.  If,  however,  the  manure  is  upon  or  near  the 
surface,  the  roots,  in  moist  weather,  are  attracted  upward  by 
it,  and  where  drought  ensues,  either  perish  or  are  so  parched 
and  impoverished,  that  the  whole  plant  suffers. 

Who  would  be  so  inconsiderate  as  to  mix  stable  manure, 
equivalent  to  even  so  small  a  quantity  of  guano  as  one  ounce 
to  the  square  yard,  into  some  one  or  two  inches  of  the  sur- 
face, or  into  and  among  his  seed  ?  Why  then  need  we  be 
surprised  that  our  crops,  instead  of  being  invigorated  and 
increased,  as  they  would  have  been  by  its  judicious  applica- 
tion, are  all  burnt  up  '? 

Third. — All  manures,  to  exert  their  full  influence,  need 
moisture  in  proportion  to  their  power.     It  is  an  old  maxim, 

VOL.    XII. NO.    V.  22 


170  Guano  ;  its  Use  and  Application. 

that  "  "with  manure  and  leate)'  you  can  raise  any  thing."  In 
fact,  with  an  abundance  of  water,  the  quantity  of  maniure 
may  be  greatly  increased.  Last  summer  we  had  no  water, 
and  of  course  comparatively  no  crops.  Indeed,  it  is  doubtful 
whether,  in  oiu:  hght  soil,  we  might  not  have  recourse  to 
regular  irrigation,  to  great  advantage ;  and  whether,  too,  as 
our  climate  becomes  more  and  more  dry,  we  shall  not  %e 
compelled  to  resort  to  it,  in  order  to  insiire  the  results  at  which 
we  aim. 

Is  it  therefore  surprismg  that  with  us  the  experience  of  last 
summer,  with  this  concentrated  essence  of  manure,  should 
have  been  somewhat  discouraging  ?  Too  much  on  the  sur- 
face, in  a  drought,  could  scarcely  fail  to  ruin  crops. 

That  guano  is  a  cheap  manure  is  obvious,  since,  for  an 
ordinary  garden  of  a  quarter  of  an  acre,  seventy-five  pounds 
only  are  required.  Last  year  I  purchased  a  ton  of  prime 
Peruvian  for  forty-five  dollars,  or  one  dollar  and  seventy  cents 
for  that  quantity. 

For  use.  mine  was  carefully  broken  and  sifted,  mixed  thor- 
oughly with  an  equal  quantity  of  gypsum  finely  ground ; 
and  to  these  two  parts,  four  parts  of  fine  loam  were  added, 
and  the  whole,  carefully  mixed  by  riddling  and  siftmg,  was 
pressed  into  barrels  to  prevent  loss  by  evaporation.  When 
used,  it  was  sown  upon  the  soil  and  thoroughly  incorporated 
with  it.  When  I  applied  it  in  excess  on  corn,  last  summer, 
as  a  top  dressmg,  the  crop  was  injured  by  it,  and  the  injury 
was  just  in  proportion  to  such  excess.  That  was  my  only 
unsuccessful  experiment. 

On  the  whole,  therefore,  if  a  proper  quantity  is  thoroughly 
incorporated  with  the  whole  soil,  as  all  enriching  matter 
ought  to  be,  in  the  spring,  this  will  be  found  to  be  the  cheap- 
est and  most  satisfactory  of  all  manures.  Such  is  the  result 
to  which  I  have  arrived,  after  a  full  and  careful  trial  of  it  for 
the  last  two  seasons. 

New  Haven,  April  1.5,  1S46. 

The  remarks  of  Mr.  Robmson  are  particularly  valuable  at 
this  time.  We  have  used  guano  two  years,  and,  judiciously 
apphed,  the  results  are  truly  surprising. — Ed. 


Pomological  Notices. 


171 


Art.  IV.  Pomological  Notices  :  or  notices  respecting  new  and 
superior  fruits,  worthy  of  general  cultivation.  Descriptions 
and  engravings  of  six  varieties  of  pears.     By  the  Editor. 

We  have  the  pleasure  of  now  offering  a  continuation  of 
our  descriptions  of  new  pears.  The  favors  of  our  corres- 
pondents have  not  allowed  us  this  opportunity  sooner ;  and  at 
the  present  time  we  are  compelled  to  omit  some  prefatory  re- 
marks which  we  had  intended  to  offer,  in  regard  to  some  of 
our  engravings,  until  our  next  article. 

37.     Beurre'  Diel.     Hort.  Soc.  CcU. 

Diel, 

Diels  Butterbirne, 

Dorothee  Royal, 

Grosse  Dorothee, 

Beurr6  Royal, 

Des  Trois  Tours, 

Beurre  d'Yelle,  (of  some,) 

Gros  Dillen, 

Dillen, 

De  Melon, 

Melon  de  Kops. 

Beurr6  Spence,  (of  some) 

Beurre  Magnifique, 

Beurre  Incomparable, 

Sylvange  verte  d'hiver, 

Mabille, 

Fourcroy  Bouvier,  Thompson,  in  Gard,  CAron.,  1845. 


According 
to 
Hort.  Soc.  Cat, 
3d.  Ed. 


I  or 


some  collections. 


It  would  be  of  much  service  to  cultivators,  if  pomological 
writers  could  agree  upon  some  system  for  classing  the  season 
of  fruits.  Some  pomological  writers  call  the  Beurre  Diel  a 
winter,  while  others  consider  it  an  autumn,  pear.  That  accu- 
rate writer,  George  Lindley,  in  his  Guide  to  the  Orchard, 
classes  it  as  a  winter  fruit,  and  Mr.  Kenrick,  in  his  Orchard- 
ist,  so  classes  it :  while  Mr.  Downing,  in  his  Fruits  and  Fruit 
Trees,  places  it  among  the  autumn  pears.  This  fine  variety 
generally  ripens  the  latter  part  of  November  and  the  begin- 
ning of  December,  coming  between  what  may  be  truly  classed 
as  fall  pears  and  those  denominated  winter ;  perhaps,  there- 
fore, it  should  be  classed  among  the  former,  keepmg,  as  it 


172  Pomological  Notices. 

does,  only  a  week  or  two  after  the  commencement  of  the  sea- 
son of  winter  pears. 

This  truly  valuable  pear  was  originally  sent  to  the  London 
Horticultural  Society,  by  Dr.  Van  Mons,  in  1817,  under  the 


Fig.  5.    Beurrd  Die!. 

name  of  Dillen,  and  it  is  described  under  this  synonyme  in 
Lindley's  work ;  it  first  came  to  this  country  through  the 
medium  of  the  late  Mr.  Knight,  in  his  most  liberal  donation 
of  fruits  to  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  Society,  through 
the  Hon.  John  Lowell,  in  1825,  under  another  synonyme  of 
Sylvange  verte  d'  hiver,  and  subsequently  it  has  been  received 
under  many  of  the  above  names,  the  most  common  of  which 
are  Beurre  Incomparable,  Beurre  Magnifique,  Beurre  Royal, 


Desa'iptions  of  Six  varieties  of  Pears.  173 

Des  Trois  Tours — we  ourselves  having  received  it  under  these 
and  three  other  names  during  the  last  three  years.  It  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  raised  by  Dr.  Van  Mons,  and  named  by 
him  in  honor  of  Dr.  Augustus  Frederick  Adrien  Diel,  a  Ger- 
man pomologist,  of  great  celebrity. 

The  Beurre  Diel  is  of  a  somewhat  variable  character,  both 
as  regards  form  and  quality,  according  to  the  soil  or  situation 
in  which  it  is  placed;  and,  from  this  circumstance,  has  arisen 
its  many  synonymes,  when  in  its  best  condition  being  truly 
"  magnifique,"  as  the  French  nurserymen  have  denominated 
it.  The  tree  is  a  most  vigorous  grower,  often  making  annual 
shoots  an  inch  in  diameter ;  and  the  foliage  is  large,  broad 
and  handsome.  The  wood  is  of  an  olive  brown  shade,  sprinkled 
with  grayish  specks ;  the  young  growth,  light  brown  and 
slightly  downy ;  the  flowers  are  also  large,  with  strong  an- 
thers.    It  bears  most  abundantly. 

Size,  large,  three  and  a  half  inches  long  and  three  in  diame- 
ter :  Form,  obovate,  slightly  irregular,  little  contracted  below 
the  middle,  tapering  to  an  obtuse  point  at  the  stem :  Skifi, 
rough,  uneven,  dull  green,  becoming  bright  yellow  when  ma- 
ture, regularly  sprinkled  with  russet  specks,  with  some  few 
scattered  russet  and  greenish  brown  patches  :  Stem,  rather 
long,  about  one  and  a  half  inches,  stout,  curved,  brown,  deeply 
inserted  in  a  contracted  cavity  :  Eye,  medium  size,  open,  con- 
siderably depressed,  in  a  ridged  basin  ;  segments  of  the  calyx, 
long,  narrow  and  projecting :  Flesh,  yellowish  white,  coarse, 
buttery,  melting  and  juicy  :  Flavor  rich,  sugary,  perfumed  and 
delicious :  Core,  large :  Seeds,  medium  size,  dark  brown.  Ripe 
in  November  and  December. 

The  Beurre  Diel  succeeds  admirably  on  the  quince,  and 
the  fruit  is  much  less  liable  to  injury  from  high  winds,  which 
often  blow  off  a  great  portion  of  it  in  consequence  of  its 
size  and  weight.  Our  specimen  was  from  a  tree  on  the  quince, 
which  had  been  planted  out  only  two  years. 

38.     Henri  Quatre.     Hort.  Soc.  Cat. 

Jacquin,  Hort.  Soc.  Cal.  3d.  Ed. 

Henry  the  Fourth,  Fruits  and  Fruit  Trees,  cj-c. 

Among  the  autumn  pears,  which  should  find  a  place  in 
every  good  collection,  may  be  named  Henry  IV.,   {fg:  6,) 


174  Pomological  Notices. 

as  it  is  termed  in  catalogues,  and  which,  from  the  brevity  of 
the  title,  and  the  general  desire  to  abolish  long  names,  it  is 
likely  it  will  continue  to  be  known.  We  follow  the  London 
Horticultural  Society  in  the  authority  of  Henri  Quatre. 


FHg.  6.    Henri  Quatre. 

This  pear,  though  of  only  moderate  size  and  far  from  being 
beautiful,  is,  notAvithstanding,  a  delicious  fruit,  and,  when 
better  known,  will  be  more  sought  after.  It  is  also  a  great 
and  certain  bearer.  The  tree  is  tolerably  vigorous,  the  branches 
slightly  straggling.  It  is  stated  to  have  been  raised  by  M. 
Whitzumb,  of  Flanders. 

Size,  medium,  two  and  a  half  inches  long  and  two  and  a 
quarter  in  diameter  :  Form,  obovately  pyramidal,  very  full 
at  the  crown,  which  is  often  oblique,  and  tapering  regularly 
into  the  stem  :  Skin,  smooth,  pale  yellow,  mixed  with  some 
green  near  the  stem,  clouded  and  spotted  with  light  red  on 
the  sunny  side,  and  covered  with  pale  russet  specks  :  Stem^ 
medium  length,  about  one  inch  long,  slightly  curved,  smooth, 


Desct^iptions  of  Six  varieties  of  Pears.  175 

light  brown,  fleshy  at  the  base,  and  forced  into  an  obUque 
direction  by  a  small  protuberance  or  lip  on  one  side  :  Eye, 
small,  closed,  moderately  sunk  in  a  shallow,  rather  furrowed 
basin  ;  segments  of  the  calyx  slender,  pointed  :  Flesh,  yellow- 
ish white,  with  a  slight  grit  at  the  core,  but  melting  and  very 
juicy ;  Flavor,  rich  and  sugary,  with  a  pleasant,  musky  per- 
fume :  Core,  large :  Seeds,  medium  size,  dark  brown.  Ripe 
the  latter  part  of  September  and  beginning  of  October. 

39.     Doyenne'  Sieulle.     Hort.  Soc.  Cat.  3d  Ed. 

Beurr6  SieuUe,    )  j,^ -^^  ^^^  ^^^.^  ^^^^^  ^y  America. 
Sieulle,  > 

This  is  a  new  and  recently  proved  fruit.  The  name  is  in- 
serted in  the  last  edition  of  the  London  Horticultural  Socie- 
ty's Catalogue,  but  its  qualities  had  not  been  ascertained,  at 
the  time  of  publication,  in  1842.  Last  year  we  had  the 
pleasure  of  receiving  two  very  fine  specimens  from  two  differ- 
ent cultivators,  our  own  trees  not  yet  having  produced  fruit, 
though  now  full  of  buds ;  and  we  were  highly  gratified  to 
find  it  so  excellent  a  pear,  nearly  or  quite  equalling  the  old 
white  Doyenne,  and  equally  if  not  more  beautiful,  having  a 
brilliant  red  cheek  and  fair  skin.  It  is  of  large  size  and 
rather  peculiar  form,  quite  distinguishable  from  most  other 
varieties.  Of  its  origin,  we  have  no  information,  as  we  do 
not  find  it  described  in  any  work  except  Mr.  Downing' s 
Fruits  and  Fruit  Trees,  and  very  briefly  there.  It  is,  how- 
ever, a  first  rate  fruit,  and  well  worthy  a  place  in  every 
collection.  The  tree,  in  the  color  of  the  wood  and  habit  of 
growth,  resembles  the  white  Doyenne,  but  the  fruit  is  char- 
acterized by  its  nearly  round  form,  with  a  slight  suture  on 
one  side,  and  its  very  stout,  swoollen  stem,  as  in  the  engrav- 
ing, {Jig.  7.)     It  succeeds  well  on  the  quince. 

Size,  large,  two  and  a  quarter  inches  long,  and  two  and 
a  quarter  in  diameter :  Form,  roundish,  little  irregular,  some- 
times depressed :  Skin,  fair,  smooth,  dull  yellow  and  pale 
green,  very  broadly  shaded  and  marbled  with  brilliant  red  on 
the  sunny  side,  and  regularly  covered  with  large  reddish  rus- 
set specks,  thickest  where  exposed :  Stem,  medium  length, 
about  one  inch,  very  stout,  smooth,  and  deeply  sunk  in  a  cavity 


176 


Pomological  Notices. 


formed  by  a  large  projection  on  one  side  :  Eye,  medium  size, 
open,  slightly  depressed  in  a  broad  shallow  basin ;  segments 
of  the  calyx  broad,  reflexed :  Flesh,  white,  fine,  melting  and 


Fiff.  7.    Doyenne  Sieulle. 

very  juicy  :  Flavor,  rich  saccharine,  vinous,  and  slightly  per- 
fumed :  Core,  large :  Seeds,  large  dark  brown.  Ripe  in  Oc- 
tober and  NoA'ember. 

40.     Marie  Louise.     Hort.  Soc.  Cat. 


Forme  de  Marie  Louise, 

Marie  Chretienne, 

Princesse  de  Parm6, 

Braddick's  Field  Marshall,  -' 

Maria,  Thomp.  in  Gard.  Chronicle,  1846. 


Hort.  Soc.  Cat. 
3d  Ed. 


One  of  the  most  common  pears  which  we  observed  in  Cov- 
ent  Garden  Market,  was  the  Marie  Louise.  The  high 
recommendation  which  has  been  bestowed  upon  it  by  the 


Descriptions  of  Six  varieties  of  Pears. 


177 


London  Horticultural  Society,  together  with  the  reputation 
which  it  had  acquired  when  first  introduced  in  the  collection 
of  the  late  Mr.  Braddick,  has  caused  its  wide  dissemination 
among  amateur  and  market  cultivators.  Its  qualities  have 
not  been  overrated.  We  esteem  it  equal  to  any  variety  in 
cultivation,  and  united  to  the  excellent  quality  of  the  fruit, 
the  tree  is  a  vigorous  grower,  hardy,  and  an  abundant  bearer. 
The  Marie  Louise  {fig.  8)  was  raised  by  the  Abbe  Du- 
quesne  in  1809,  and  named  by  him  in  honor  of  the  Empress 


Fl^.  8.    Marie  Louise. 


Marie  Louise,  wife  of  Napoleon.  Specimens  of  the  fruit  were 
first  sent  to  the  London  Horticultural  Society  by  Dr.  Van 
Mons,  in  1816,  and  the  variety  was  soon  after  introduced. 
It  was  first  sent  to  this  country  in  1823,  by  Mr.  Knight,  in 
his  donation,  before  referred  to,  through  Mr.  Lowell ;  and 
though  upwards  of  twenty  years  ago,  it  has  not  yet  become 

VOL.  XII. NO.  V.  23 


178  Pomological  Notices. 

a  generally  cultivated  fruit.  Our  notice  of  it,  we  hope,  will 
make  it  better  known. 

The  tree  is  of  a  rather  straggling  and  declining  habit,  and 
does  not  make  a  handsome  standard,  unless  tied  up  to  a  stake 
until  it  forms  a  good  head.  The  wood  is  stout,  of  an  olive 
gray  color,  with  brown  spots,  and  the  leaves  are  smooth  and 
oval,  with  very  long,  slender  petioles,  by  which  it  is  readily 
distinguished  in  summer.  It  is  stated  by  Mr.  Thompson  to 
succeed  well  on  the  quince. 

Size,  large,  three  and  a  half  inches  long,  and  two  and  a 
half  in  diameter  :  Form,  oblong,  largest  in  the  middle,  taper- 
ing towards  the  stem  and  crown,  the  latter  of  which  is  ob- 
lique :  Skin,  fair,  smooth,  pale  green,  becoming  of  a  bright 
lemon  yellow  at  maturity,  marbled  and  slightly  streaked  with 
red  on  the  sunny  side,  exhibiting  slight  traces  of  russet  at  the 
base  of  the  stem  and  around  the  eye  :  Stem,  long,  about  one 
and  a  half  inches,  curved,  smooth,  obliquely  inserted,  without 
any  cavity,  under  a  swollen  lip  :  Eye,  medium  size,  closed, 
and  rather  deeply  inserted  in  a  crumpled  or  furrowed  basin  ; 
segments  of  the  calyx  short :  Flesh,  yellowish  white,  fine,  but- 
tery, melting  and  very  juicy  :  Flavor,  rich,  saccharine,  vinous 
and  delicious  :  Core,  large  :  Seeds,  medium  size,  dark  brown. 
Ripe  in  October  and  will  keep  into  November. 

It  is  somewhat  singular  that  this  variety  is  scarcely  known 
in  the  nursery  collections  around  Paris.  And  orders  for  the 
Marie  Louise  have  always  been  filled  with  another  pear, 
whose  qualities  we  have  not  yet  ascertained.  The  Marie 
Louise  Delcourt,  of  some  French  collections,  is  said  to  be  the 
same  as  the  Marie  Louise. 

40.     Van  Mons  Leon  le  Clerc.     Gard.  Mag.     Vol.  XIV. 


J 


Poire  de  Boulogne, 

Celestin,  \   Of  some  French  collections. 

Louis  Bonne  de  Boulogne, 


No  pear  of  recent  introduction  to  notice,  has  been  heralded 
with  so  much  praise  as  the  true  Van  Mons  Leon  le  Clerc. 
Throwing  aside  the  usual  adjective  terms,  it  has  been  called 
"  the  best  pear  in  the  world."  We  have  already  alluded  to 
it  so  many  times  in  our  previous  volumes,  (VI.  p.  47,  VII.  p. 


Descripiiotis  of  Six  varieties  of  Pears. 


179 


285,)  and  given  so  full  an  account  of  its  origin,  6ic.,  that  it 
seems  superfluous  to  repeat  the  same.  It  does  appear  to  us, 
however,  that  there  must  be  some  error  in  regard  to  the  origin 


Fiff.  9.     Van  Mons  L^on  Le  Clerc. 


of  this  pear.  It  has  already  been  stated  that  it  was  raised  by 
Mons.  Le  Clerc,  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  M.  R.  Langlier,  of 
Jersey,  for  sale,  and  the  trees  disposed  of  at  one  guinea  each  ; 
this  was  in  1838  and  '39.  Some  time  previous  to  that  date, 
however,  Mr.  Manning  of  the  Pomological  Garden,  received 
scions  from  Dr.  Van  Mons,  under  the  name  of  Celestin,  which 
have  proved  the  last  season,  to  be  the  true  Leon  le  Clerc ; 
and  in  the  spring  of  1842  we  received  a  collection  of  pears 
from  France,  having  expressly  ordered  the  true  Leon  le  Clerc 
among  them.     After  waiting  three  years,  we  had  the  satisfac- 


180  Pomological  Notices. 

tion  of  seeing  the  fruit,  last  season,  and  it  proved  to  be  the 
old  Leon  le  Clerc  of  Van  Mons.  But  what  appeared  remark- 
able, was  the  fact,  that  a  tree  received  at  the  same  time,  in 
the  same  invoice,  and  from  the  same  nursery,  under  the 
name  of  Poire  de  Boulogne,  proved  to  be  the  true  Leon  le 
Clerc.  Now  if,  as  has  been  stated,  (VI.  p.  47,)  the  whole 
stock  was  put  into  the  hands  of  M.  Langlier  for  sale,  in  1838 
and  '39,  before  it  was  known  to  the  trade  in  France,  how 
could  Mr.  Mamiing  receive  it  from  Van  Mons  as  the  Celes- 
tin  ?  and  how  should  we  receive  a  two-year  grafted  tree 
imder  -the  name  of  Poire  de  Boulogne,  when  the  true  Leon 
le  Clerc  was  not  known?  Unless  M.  le  Clerc  gave  away 
scions  long  before  he  offered  it  for  sale,  it  would  seem  that 
this  pear  could  not  have  originated  with  him,  but  might  have 
been  one  of  Dr.  Van  Mons's  seedlings,  scions  of  which  were 
so  freely  distributed  to  his  friends,  of  whom  M.  le  Clerc  was 
one,  before  the  fruit  was  named.  The  third  synonyme  above 
quoted,  was  discovered  in  the  collection  of  our  correspondent, 
Mr.  Wilder,  last  season.  The  tree  was  received  from  France 
in  1839  or  '40. 

The  experience  of  two  seasons,  in  our  climate,  has  sus- 
tained its  previous  reputation,  and  proved  it  a  first  rate  fruit, 
ripening  freely,  bearing  quite  early  and  very  abundantly,  of 
the  largest  size,  and  coming  in  just  after  the  early  autumn 
sorts,  between  the  Marie  Louise  and  the  Beurre  Diel.  The 
tree  is  of  moderately  vigorous,  nearly  upright  growth,  with 
yellowish  olive  wood,  speckled  with  round,  grayish  white 
spots,  and  very  smooth,  rather  narrow  leaves.  The  bark  of 
the  old  wood  has  a  rough  and  crackled  appearance,  similar  to 
the  t7nie  Burgomaster.     It  succeeds  very  well  on  the  quince. 

Size,  large,  about  four  and  a  half  inches  long,  and  three  in 
diameter  :  Form,  obtuse  pyramidal,  nearly  regular,  largest  in 
the  middle,  tapering  to  a  slightly  obtuse  point  at  the  stem  : 
Skin,  fair,  smooth,  pale  yellow,  becoming  orange  when  ma- 
ture, little  russeted  at  the  base  of  the  stem,  slightly  browned 
on  the  smmy  side,  and  regularly  sprinkled  with  russet  specks  : 
Stem,  medium  length,  about  one  inch,  curved,  and  obliquely 
inserted,  little  on  one  side,  in  a  very  shallow  cavity  :  Bt/e, 
large,  open,  rather  deeply  inserted  in  an  open  and  slightly 
ridged  basin :  segments  of  the  calyx  long,  pointed,  and  so 


Descriptions  of  Six  varieties  of  Pears. 


181 


much  reflexed  as  to  lie  quite  back  upon  the  skin  :  Fleshy  yel- 
lowish, fine,  buttery,  melting  and  juicy  :  Flavor,  rich,  vinous, 
little  perfumed  and  delicious  :  Core,  medium  size  :  Seeds,  large, 
very  long  and  pointed.     Ripe  in  November. 

41.     Dix.     N.  E.  Farmer,  Vol.  VIII. 

The  Dix  pear  {fig-  10)  has  been  briefly  described  in  our 
Magazine,  (Yol.  I.  p.  88,)  with  several  other  native  varieties, 


Fig.  10.     Dix. 

by  Mr.  Downer,  who  was  one  of  the  most  zealous  amateurs, 
in  the  introduction  of  native  fruits,  about  the  time  of  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.     The 


182  Pomological  Notices. 

Fulton,  Lewis,  Andrews,  Gushing,  Harvard,  and  some  others, 
were  fully  described  by  him,  and  the  history  of  their  origin 
communicated  to  the  public  through  the  New  England  Far" 
mer  ;  and  the  thanks  of  cultivators  are  due  to  him  for  his 
continued  endeavors  to  bring  them  to  notice,  and  make  known 
their  merits,  at  a  period  when  it  was  supposed  the  native  fruits 
of  our  woods  and  pastures,  could  by  no  means  compare  with 
foreign  varieties,  possessing  a  high  somiding  title  and  a  repu- 
tation obtained  abroad. 

That  the  Dix  is  in  reality  one  of  the  very  finest  pears 
we  now  possess,  is,  we  believe,  admitted  by  all  cultivators. 
Of  the  largest  size,  beautiful  in  appearance,  ripening  at  a  sea- 
son when  there  are  but  few  fine  pears,  a  hardy  tree,  and  a 
good  bearer, — all  these  qualities  give  it  a  rank  second  to  no 
other.  It  does  not  come  into  bearing  at  an  early  age,  but 
when  the  tree  has  acquired  a  good  size  it  produces  freely. 
The  history  of  its  origin,  as  communicated  by  Mr.  Downer, 
is  as  follows  : — It  sprung  from  seed  in  the  garden  of  Madame 
Dix  in  Boston ;  contiguous  to  the  house,  at  the  time  the  ac- 
count was  written,  was  a  large  garden,  containing  many  fruit 
trees,  and  among  the  number,  a  St.  Germain,  a  Bon  Chretien, 
which  stood  near  together,  and  within  a  short  space  of  the 
place  where  the  Dix  sprung  up  from  seed,  about  the  year 
1814  or  1815.  In  1829,  the  tree  was  twenty-three  feet  high 
and  ten  inches  in  diameter,  four  feet  from  the  ground.  With 
the  exception  of  some  of  the  lower  limbs,  it  had  never  been 
pruned  since  it  sprung  from  seed,  and  the  quantity  of  small 
limbs  rendered  it  difficult  to  ascend  the  tree.  It  first  began 
to  bear  in  1825  or  '26,  and  in  1828  produced  a  full  crop 
of  very  large  and  fine  fruit.  The  tree  was  some  years  ago 
cut  down  or  removed,  and  the  place  where  it  stood  is  now 
covered  with  dwellings. 

The  general  resemblance  of  the  Dix  to  the  St.  Germain 
has  led  to  the  supposition,  that  the  latter  was  one  of  its  pa- 
rents. The  branches  are  rather  slender,  often  thorny,  and  of 
a  pale  yellowish  hue  ;  the  leaves  are  rather  small,  finely  ser- 
rated, and  of  a  light,  shining  green. 

Size^  large,  four  inches  long,  and  three  and  a  half  inches 
in  diameter ;  Form,  oblong,  inclining  to  pyramidal,  regular, 
largest  in  the  middle,  tapering  to  an  obtuse  point  at  the  stem : 


The  Tulip.  183 

Skin^  slightly  rough,  greenish  yellow,  becoming  pale  yellow 
when  mature,  broadly  marked  with  bright  red,  and  mottled 
with  dots  of  a  deeper  shade,  often  russeted  around  the  crown, 
and  regularly  and  thickly  covered  with  large,  distinct,  russet 
specks  :  Stem,  medium  length,  about  an  inch  long,  rather 
stout,  curved,  inserted  in  a  shallow  cavity,  formed  by  swell- 
ings and  projections  of  the  fruit,  highest  on  one  side  :  Bye, 
medium  size,  open,  and  slightly  sunk  in  a  very  shallow,  plaited 
or  furrowed  basin ;  segments  of  the  calyx  short,  stiff,  project- 
ing :  Flesh,  yellowish  white,  coarse,  melting  and  juicy :  Flavor, 
rich,  slightly  vinous,  perfumed  and  excellent :  Core,  rather 
large  :  Seeds,  small.     Ripe  in  November. 

Our  drawing  was  made  from  fruit  selected  from  a  dozen 
specimens  sent  us  by  a  friend,  who  possesses  one  of  the  finest 
trees  any  where  to  be  found ;  it  is  upwards  of  twenty  feet 
high,  and  bore  several  bushels  last  season.  It  stands  in  a 
garden  within  a  few  rods  of  our  residence  at  Cambridge,  and 
was  grafted  when  the  Dix  was  first  brought  into  notice.  We 
make  this  remark,  as  the  figure  of  the  Dix  in  Mr.  Downing's 
book  is  so  unlike  any  thing  we  have  ever  seen,  that  we  should 
suppose  it  was  taken  for  almost  any  other  pear  than  that. 
Our  drawing  is  an  exact  outline  of  more  than  two  thirds  of 
the  twelve  pears  which  were  sent  to  us  last  autumn. 


Art.  IV.     A  Chapter  on  Tulips.     By  E.  W. 

We  have  regretted  to  notice,  of  late  years,  a  great  indiffer- 
ence to  the  cultivation  of  the  Tulip,  and  the  few  beds  that 
have  been  formed  in  this  vicinity,  were  soon  discontinued, 
the  names  lost,  and  they  have,  we  believe,  been  finally  broken 
up  and  disposed  of.  This  is  much  to  be  regretted — for,  in  the 
whole  range  of  the  attractions  of  a  well  cultivated  garden, 
the  effect  of  a  bed  of  tulips,  when  in  full  bloom,  is  one  of  the 
most  striking ;  whether  it  is  owing  to  the  representations  of 
the  beautiful  varieties  depicted  by  the  old  masters  in  their 
paintings,  and  probably  painted  from  nature — though  formerly 
so  different  from  any  thing  we  had  ever  seen,  that  we  believ- 
ed them  to  be  only  the  productions  of  the  imagination,  or 


184  The  Tulip. 

whether  it  is  from  a  natural  taste  for  the  blending  of  colors, 
we  have  always  enjoyed  the  view  of  a  good  tulip  bed,  though 
the  opportunities  have  been  few — and,  indeed  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  bed  formed  by  our  friend,  Mr.  Walker,  and  that 
displayed  in  the  gardens  some  years  since ;  but  little  opportunity 
has  been  given  for  the  encouragement  of  a  taste  for  the  tulip. 
Even  now  we  well  recollect  the  satisfaction  we  first  experi- 
enced in  the  view  of  the  bed  formed  by  Mr.  Walker,  and  the 
delight  we  found  in  the  discovery,  or  the  supposed  discovery, 
of  some  of  our  old  pictured  favorites,  especially  the  dark  sorts 
almost  black  and  gold. 

We  should  hardly  know  at  present  where  to  enjoy  the  treat 
of  a  good  tulip  bed,  (provided  we  are  unsuccessful  in  its  cul- 
tivation,) unless  our  neighbors,  the  Messrs  Breck,  have  been 
enabled  to  form  one  out  of  the  wreck  of  that  of  the  public 
garden.  Indeed,  we  fear  that  few  of  our  best  florists  know 
what  constitutes  a  good  flower,  and  in  what  manner  the  best 
effect  can  be  produced  in  planting  out  a  bed  of  tulips. 

The  best  form  for  a  perfect  tulip,  is  perhaps  more  generally 
known,  which  is  that  of  from  one  third  to  one  half  of  a  hol- 
low ball ;  but  as  to  its  compactness,  the  cleanness  of  its  stripes, 
the  still  better  quality  of  opening  well  without  quartering, 
many  of  us  are,  doubtless,  ignorant. 

There  is  another  important  point  which,  perhaps,  has  been 
overlooked  in  the  few  beds  formed  in  this  city  and  vicinity, 
and  that  is  in  the  disposition  of  the  flowers  in  the  beds,  in  or- 
der to  produce  the  best  eflect.  A  very  common  bed,  well  ar- 
ranged, will  appear  to  better  advantage  than  a  superior  one 
ill  arranged.  In  order  to  do  this,  a  large  variety  of  flowers  is, 
by  no  means,  necessary,  but  only  duplicates  of  good  clean 
sorts.  Then  suppose  a  bed  of  seven  rows,  and  the  middle 
row  to  be  of  the  tallest  and  most  grand  varieties ;  then  on 
each  side  of  this  row,  the  varieties  in  both  rows  are  to  be  the 
same  as  regards  each,  but  entirely  different  from  the  centre 
one.  The  next  two  rows  also,  each  side  of  the  three  rows  are 
to  be  the  same,  but  different  again  from  the  three  centre  rows, 
and  so  on,  so  that  the  outer  rows  of  the  bed  will  be  just  alike, 
unless  there  are  some  odd  flowers  which  may  be  placed  on  the 
outside,  provided  they  have  short  stems — but  if  long,  they 
may  be  placed  in  the  centre.    In  this  way,  the  arrangement  of 


A  Chapter  on   Tulips. 


185 


heights  and  their  colours  are  uniformly  contrasted.  If  this 
plan  is  disregarded,  or  the  names  of  the  flowers  be  lost,  all 
kinds,  bizares  roses  and  bybloemens  may  be  jumbled  together, 
so  that  the  bed  may  exhibit  only  white,  yellow  and  red  patches, 
and  no  regard  to  uniformity  of  appearance. 

Where  a  tulip  is  of  a  conspicuous  kind,  or  liable  to  come 
badly,  it  is  best,  perhaps,  to  plant  them  double,  or  two  in  one 
hole,  which  gives  a  double  chance  to  conform  to  the  general 
plan,  both  as  to  the  height  and  colour.  Polyphemus,  for  in- 
stance, should  be  grown  double,  for  the  first  reason,  and  Claud- 
iana  for  the  second,  as  this  is  apt  to  be  treacherous ;  Char- 
bonneir  is  uncertain,  again,  as  to  colour,  and  should  be 
grown  double ;  Rosa  Blanca,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the 
roses,  should  also  be  grown  double,  being  so  apt  to  fail ;  Mad- 
ame Vestris,  showy,  but  also  of  this  character  ;  Duke  of  Clar- 
ence hardly  ever  comes  twice  alike ;  also,  Siam  is  similar  as 
to  its  uncertainty,  but  never  comes  so  coarse  as  does  the  for- 
mer. I  close  these  few  hasty  remarks  by  sending  you  a  list 
of  the  best  sorts  for  a  small  bed,  which  may  help  a  florist  in 
his  selection  of  a  few  bulbs,  and  turn  the  attention  of  the  am- 
ateur to  a  flower  which  has  again  come  into  favor  in  England. 


Cerese  Blanche, 
Salvator  Rosa, 
Solon, 
Wallace, 
Gloria  Mundi, 
Came  use  de  Croix, 
Hamlet, 
Polyphemus, 
Reubens, 
Aglaia, 
Ambassador, 
Compte  de  Vergennes, 
William  4th, 
Magnificent, 
King  (Holmes,) 
Emily  Rose, 
Ulysses, 

Madame  Vestris, 
David, 
Julia, 
Roxbwy,  March,  1846. 

VOL.   XII. NO.  V. 


Dutch  Ponceau, 

Jutio  Romans, 

Selim, 

Cerese  Bellforme, 

Rose  Catharine, 

Queen  of  Sheba, 

King,  (Strongs,) 

Cameuse, 

Washington, 

Sylvia, 

Brulante, 

Rosa  Blanca, 

Titian, 

Duke  of  York, 

Charbonneier, 

Alexander, 

Fabens, 

Hamlet, 

Claudiana, 

Princess  Charlotte. 


24 


186  Browne^s  Forest  Trees  of  America. 


REVIEWS. 

Art.  I.  The  Trees  of  America.,  Plctorially^  Botanically,  and 
Entom.ologically  delineated  ;  embracing  a  conijylete  Descrip- 
tion  of  the  Forest  Trees  of  North  America,  their  Cidture, 
Managenie7it  and  Propagation ;  Uses,  Ecojiomy  in  the 
Arts ;  introduction  into  Commerce,  and  their  application 
in  Useful  and  Ornam,ental  Plantation  and  in  Landscape 
Gardening.  By  D,  J.  Browne,  author  of  the  Sylvia  Ameri- 
cana, 1  vol.  8vo.,  with  many  engravings. 

Nearly  two  years  since  we  announced  the  preparation  of  a 
volume  under  this  title.  Circumstances  have,  however,  pre- 
vented its  publication,  and  we  are  glad  now,  not  only  to  state 
that  the  stereotype  plates  are  nearly  all  completed,  but,  by 
the  kindness  of  Mr.  Browne,  the  author,  we  are  enabled  to  lay 
before  our  readers  a  specimen  of  the  manner  in  which  he  has 
accomplished  his  part  of  the  task.  When  the  work  is  ready 
for  distribution  to  subscribers,  which  will  be  in  the  course  of 
a  few  weeks,  we  shall  notice  it  at  length.  We,  therefore,  omit 
any  further  remarks,  only  calling  the  attention  of  every  one 
interested  ui  arboriculture,  to  this  specimen  of  the  volume. 

Ailantus  glandulosa, 
THE   GLANDULOUS-LEAVED  AILANTUS. 

Synonymes. 

r  Desfontaines,  Actes,  etc.,  Paris,  1786. 
Ailantus  glandvlosa,  <  De  Candolle,  Prodromus. 

'  Loudon,  Arboretum  Britannicum. 
Ailantus  procera,  Salisbury,  Prodromus. 

Aylante  glanduleux,  Tilou,  France. 

Drusiger  Gotterhaum,  Germany. 

Ailanlo,  Albero  di  Paradiso,         Italy. 
Ailantus,  Tree  of  Heaven,  Britain  and  Anglo  America. 

Engravings.    L'H^ritier,  Stirpes,  pi.  84  ;  Du  Hamel,  Traite  des  Arbres  et  Arbustes,  i.,  pi.  35  ; 
Loudon,  Arboretum  Britannicum,  i.,  figure  159,  et  v.,  pi.  60  ;  and  the  figures  below. 

Specific  Characters.     Leaves  impari  pinnate ;    the   leaflets  coarsely  toothed  at  the 
base  ;  the  teeth  glandulous  on  the  under  side. — De  Candolle,  Prodromus. 

Description. 

The  ailantus  glandulosa  is  a  deciduous  tree  of  the  first  rank,  growing  to 
a  height  of  sixty  feet  and  upwards.     Its  straight,  erect,  column-like  trunk, 


Brown^s  Forest  Trees  of  America. 


187 


Fig.  11.  The  Ailan- 
tus  glandulosa  :  a  full 
grown  tree. 


from  two  to  three  feet  in  diameter,  its  gigantic  boughs  and  shoots,  clothed 
with  large,  pendulous  leaves,  give  it  a  noble  appearance,  and  seem  to  jus- 
tify the  original  appellation,  "  Tree  of  Heaven." 
The  leaves  are  from  one  and  a  half  to  six  feet  in 
length,  pinnated,  with  an  odd  one,  and  having  leaf- 
lets with  coarse,  glandular  teeth  near  the  base.  On 
the  first  approach  of  frost,  the  leaflets  begin  to  fall, 
without  having  previously  shown  much  change  of 
color,  displaying,  in  this  respect,  a  striking  difference 
from  the  leaves  of  most  species  of  rhus,  to  which 
those  of  this  tree  bear  a  general  resemblance.  The 
flowers,  which  appear  in  June  and  Jul)',  occur  in 
rather  large,  compact  panicles,  of  a  whitish-green 
color,  and  exhale  a  disagreeable  odor.  The  keys,  or  fruit,  resemble  those 
of  the  ash,  but  are  much  smaller  and  more  numerous.  In  some  years,  the 
tree  is  said  to  bear  only  male  flowers;  and  L'Heritier  states  that  only  twice 
in  ten  years  it  bore  both  male  and  female  blossoms  at  the  same  time,  in 
France.  In  his  time,  it  had  produced  fruit  in  the  Jardin  des  Plantes,  at 
Paris,  and  in  the  botanic  garden  at 
Leyden  ;  but  in  both  cases,  it  was 
immature.  It  has  since,  however, 
produced  perfect  fruit,  from  which 
plants  have  been  raised.  It  has  also 
ripened  seeds  at  White  Knight's, 
near  Reading,  in  England.  At 
Philadelphia  and  New  York,  the 
seeds  of  this  tree  ripen  freely  in 
October,  and  plants  are  raised  from 
them  in  abundance. 

Geography  and  History. — The 
Ailantus  glandulosa  is  a  native  of 
the  northern  provinces  of  China, 
more  particularly  in  the  neigbbor- 
borhood  of  Pekin.  Mr.  Loudon 
states  that  seeds  were  first  sent  to 
England,  to  the  Royal  Society  of 
London,  by  the  Jesuit  missionary, 

D'Incarville,  in  1751  ;  and  that  they  were  sown  by  Miller,  in  the  Chelsea 
botanic  garden,  and  by  Philip  Cartaret  Webb,  at  Bushbridge,  in  Surry,  the 
same  year.  As  the  tree  produced  suckers  freely,  it  was  soon  generally 
propagated,  and  there  are  many  fine  specimens  of  it  growing  in  different 
parts  of  that  country. 

The  largest  tree  of  this  species  in  Britain,  is  at  Syon,  near  London.  In 
1835,  it  had  attained  the  height  of  seventy  feet,  with  a  trunk  three  feet,  ten 
inches  in  diameter,  and  an  ambitus,  or  spread  of  branches,  of  forty  feet. 
Its  trunk  formed  an  erect  column  about  thirty  feet  high,  before  it  ramified, 


Ttie  leaflet  andjlower  of  the 
Ailantus, 


188  Brmime^s  Forest  Trees  of  America. 

and  its  head  was  hemispherical.  This  tree  is  said  to  flower,  and  occasion- 
ally to  produce  fruit. 

The  Ailantus  glandulosa  was  introduced  into  France  in  1780,  by  M. 
Blaikie,  and  the  oldest  specimens  are  at  St.  Leu,  and  at  Paris.  At  St. 
Leu,  there  is  a  tree,  planted  by  M.  Blaikie,  in  1794,  which  attained  the 
height  of  eighty  feet  in  forty  years,  with  a  trunk  from  three  to  three  and  a 
half  feet  in  diameter.  In  the  Jarden  des  Plantes,  at  Paris,  there  is  another 
tree,  which,  in  1835,  had  attained  the  height  of  sixty-eight  feet,  with  a 
head  forty-four  feet  in  diameter,  flowering  most  years,  and  occasionally 
ripening  seeds. 

At  Geneva,  in  Switzerland,  at  the  entrance  of  the  botanic  garden,  there 
is  a  tree  of  this  species,  fifty  or  sixty  feet  in  height,  which,  when  in  flower, 
emits  so  powerful  an  odor  that  it  may  be  perceived  at  a  distance  of  nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  mile,  (cinq  minutes  de  distance.)  The  suckers  from  this  tree 
shoot  from  the  ground  in  every  direction,  for  forty  or  fifty  feet. 

Many  other  interesting  specimens  are  to  be  met  with  in  the  chief  gardens 
and  collections  in  Britain,  Ireland,  and  continental  Europe,  and  the  tree  is 
generally  cultivated  for  ornament  in  all  the  temperate  countries  of  the  civi- 
lized world.  It  is  not  destined  to  thrive,  however,  in  a  very  rigorous  cli- 
mate, for  it  dwindles  down  to  a  mere  shrub,  no  farther  north  than  Montreal, 
in  Lower  Canada. 

The  Ailantus  glandulosa  found  its  way  into  the  United  States  from  two 
distinct  sources-  It  was  first  introduced  from  Europe,  in  1784,  by  Mr. 
William  Hamilton,  at  the  Woodlands,  near  Philadelphia,  and  a  sucker, 
planted  from  the  original  tree,  in  1809,  is  at  present  standing  in  the  Bar- 
tram  botanic  garden,  which  is  sixty  feet  in  height,  with  a  trunk  nearly  two 
feet  in  diameter. 

On  the  authority  of  Governor  Charles  Collins,  of  Newport,  this  species 
was  brought  from  South  America,  in  about  the  year  1804,  and  was  pre- 
sented to  General  Andrew  McCorrie,  of  Portsmouth,  in  Rhode  Island,  by  a 
master  of  a  vessel.  From  this  tree  there  were  numerous  others  produced 
by  cuttings,  and  six  or  eight  of  them  were  planted  in  1807,  by  Governor 
Collins,  at  Bristol,  several  of  which  were  felled  and  sawn  into  boards  about 
twenty  years  after.  In  about  the  year  1810,  Rev.  Henry  Wight,  of  the 
last  named  place,  procured  a  young  shoot,  and  planted  near  his  house, 
which  has  grown  to  a  magnificent  tree,  fifty-five  feet  in  height,  with  a 
trunk  seven  feet  in  circumference,  at  a  yard  above  the  ground,  and  an  am- 
bitus or  spread  of  branches  of  fifty  feet.  In  Portsmouth,  Bristol,  and 
Providence,  there  are  numerous  other  trees  of  this  species  with  trunks 
nearly  two  feet  in  diameter. 

In  about  the  year  1820,  Mr.  William  Prince,  of  Flushing,  Long  Island, 
imported  the  ailantus  from  Europe,  and  from  this  source,  most  of  the  plants 
of  this  species  in  New  York  and  vicinity,  have  been  supplied.  It  may  here 
be  remarked,  that  both  male  and  female  trees  grow  in  abundance  in  the 
last-named  places,  and  that  the  male  may  generally  be  distinguished  by  its 
more  graceful  leaves  and  handsome  form. 

Propagation,   Culture,  <fc. — The  Ailantus    glandulosa  may  readily  be 


Browne^ s  Forest  Trees  of  America. 


189 


propagated  from  seeds,  or  by  cuttings  of  the  roots  ;  but  the  former  mode  is 
far  more  preferable,  as  the  tree  is  not  so  liable  to  throw  up  suckers  as  when 
produced  by  cuttings.  The  seeds  should  be  sown,  if  possible,  as  soon  as 
they  are  gathered  ;  and  if  they  are  to  be  transported  any  great  distance, 
they  may  be  sown  in  boxes  of  light  earth,  or  sand  and  peat,  protected  under 
glass.  It  will  grow  in  any  soil,  though  one  that  is  light  and  somewhat 
humid,  and  in  a  sheltered  situation,  is  considered  the  best.  In  France,  it  is 
said  to  thrive  on  chalky  soils,  and  attain  a  larger  size,  where  scarcely  any 
other  tree  will  prosper.  It  grows  with  great  rapidity  for  the  first  ten  or 
twelve  years,  producing  annual  shoots  from  three  to  six  feet  in  length,  and, 
under  favorable  circumstances,  it  often  attains  a  height  of  fifteen  or  twenty 
feet  in  five  or  six  years.  Afterwards,  its  growth  is  much  slower,  which 
renders  it  very  valuable  as  a  shade-tree,  in  situations  of  limited  space  ; 
although  there  is  the  disadvantage  of  the  unpleasant  ordor  of  its  flowers. 
The  leaves  are  not  liable  to  be  attacked  by  insects,  which  is  a  very  great 
desideratum,  and,  as  we  before  remarked,  they  continue  on  the  tree,  and 
retain  their  verdure  till  the  coming  of  the  autumnal  frosts,  when  the  leaflets 
drop  suddenly  off  and  often  leave  the  petioles  on  the  tree  some  weeks 
longer. 

Properties  and  Uses. — The  wood  of  this  species  is  very  hard,  compact, 
of  a  deep  red  color,  when  old,  resembling  newly-wrought  mahogany,  and 
is  often  beautifully  veined  with  deep  gold 
color  and  red.  It  is  susceptible  of  the  finest 
polish,  and  has  a  fine,  satin-like  lustre,  which 
renders  it  well  suited  for  the  purposes  of  cabi- 
net-making. From  its  capability  of  being 
raised  on  meagre  and  worn-out  soils,  and  the 
rapidity  of  its  growth,  it  is  thought  that  this 
tree  might  be  profitably  cultivated  for  cabi- 
net-wood, or  to  be  treated  as  a  coppice,  to  be 
cut  every  third  year  for  fuel.  In  France  and 
Italy,  it  is  much  valued  for  shading  public 
walks,  and  is  planted  for  that  purpose  along 
with  the  American  tulip-tree,  (Liriodendron,) 
the  horse-chestnut,  the  oriental  plane,  and  Fig.  12. 
other  large-leaved  exotic  trees.  It  also  graces 
lawns  and  avenues  in  various  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  succeeds 
equally  well  as  in  its  native  country. 


Flowers  of  the  Allan- 
tus. 


The  ailantus  is  a  fine  shade  tree,  and  is  planted  very  ex- 
tensively in  New  York  and  Brooklyn;  we  hope  to  see  it 
oftener  planted  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston.  It  is  far  preferable 
to  the  horse  chestnut,  abele,  and  some  other  trees. 


190  Dai-ling's  Address  upon  Injurious  Insects. 


Art.  II.  An  Address  upon  injurious  Insects  ;  delivered  before 
the  Neio  Haven  Horticultural  Society,  and  the  New  Haven 
Agricultural  Society ;  at  their  Animal  Fair,  October  Isi, 
1845.  By  NoYEs  Darling  :  with  the  Transactions  of  the 
Society,  for  the  year  1845.  Pamphlet  Svo.  pp.  52.  New- 
Haven.     1845. 

The  importance  of  a  knowledge  of  the  insect  world  is  too 
little  heeded  by  those  who  cultivate  the  soil ;  and  while  we 
sow  or  plant,  guard  against  heat  or  cold,  and  carefully  gather 
the  increase,  we  do  little  towards  staying  the  ravages  of  the 
herds  of  insects  which  cut  short,  and,  too  often,  render  almost 
worthless,  or  destroy,  the  fruits  of  our  labors.  Appreciating 
the  necessity  of  a  better  acquaintance  with  the  liabits  of  in- 
sects, in  order  to  guard  against  their  depredations,  the  author 
of  the  address  before  us  has  endeavored,  within  its  brief  lim- 
its, to  contribute  his  aid  towards  this  great  object,  and  to  add 
such  information  as  will  render  us  all  more  familiar  with  a 
few  of  those  tribes,  whose  constant  attacks  are  most  injurious 
and  destructive. 

He  thus  illustrates  the  evils  which  every  cultivator  has  to 
contend  with,  in  his  opening  remarks : — 

"  The  Author  of  our  being,  when  he  created  our  race,  was  pleased  to  give 
us  '  dominion  over  the  fish  of  the  sea,  and  over  the  fowl  of  the  air,  and  over 
the  cattle,  and  over  all  the  earth,  and  over  every  creeping  thing  that 
creepeth  upon  the  earth.'  We  have  been  in  a  great  degree  successful  in 
asserting  our  rightful  dominion  over  all  except  those  '  creeping  things,^  the 
insect  world.  They  as  yet  are  in  many  respects  our  masters.  We  must 
have  leave  from  them  to  enjoy  even  our  persons,  sleeping  or  waking,  in 
comfort.  Fighting  for  it  from  'seed-time  to  harvest,'  we  may  get  'food  to 
eat  and  raiment  to  put  on,'  but  we  must  feed  and  wear  in  all  haste,  or  some 
insect  will  expose  us  to  starvation  and  rags.  We  sow  and  insects  reap ; 
and  we  content  ourselves  as  well  as  we  can  with  gleaning.  Take  for  illus- 
tration the  case  of  one  of  our  most  valuable  fruits.  We  plant  the  seed  of 
an  apple.  If  some  insect  has  not  eaten  out  its  substance,  it  springs  up  ;  but 
before  it  reaches  the  surface,  a  srrub  gnaws  off  its  root.  If  it  comes  to  the 
air,  the  cut-worm  is  ready  to  mow  it  down.  If  suffered  to  grow,  the  plant- 
louse  sucks  out  its  juices.  As  it  increases  in  size,  countless  caterpillars, 
with  names  unknown  to  most  of  us,  besides  the  bag  worm  and  canker  worm, 
names  unhappily  too  well  known,  devour  its  leaves  ;  thus  depriving  it  at 
once  of  food  and  breath.     While  the  tree  is  thus  devoured  without,  other 


Darling's  Address  upon  Injurious  Insects.  191 

insects  bore  out  the  wood  within.  But  the  tree  blossoms,  if  an  insect  has 
not  eaten  the  flower  buds,  and  the  fruit  sets.  The  plum-weevil  puts  its 
new-moon  mark  upon  the  young  apple,  and  it  drops  from  the  tree.  What 
escapes  the  weevil,  the  apple-moth  takes  possession  of  for  its  offspring. 
We  may  have  the  apple,  but  we  must  take  it  with  its  disgusting  inhabitant. 
Fortunate  the  farmer  of  this  vicinity  may  be,  the  present  season,  if  he  ob- 
tains from  a  tree  that  should  yield  him  ten  barrels  of  fruit,  ten  fair  apples. 
This  is  one  sample  of  insect  depredation.  Time  is  not  allowed  me  for 
particular  reference  to  other  cases.  Your  own  sorrowful  recollections  of 
ruined  crops,  of  fruits  lost  or  made  disgusting,  of  flowers  despoiled  of 
beauty,  will  supply  ample  reasons  for  regret,  that  we  have  failed  so  lament- 
ably to  obtain  dominion  over  these  '  creeping  things.'  " 

The  truth  of  this  must  be  apparent  to  all ;  but  how  to  guard 
against  such  vile  depredators  is  the  question.  This  is  the 
information  we  want,  and,  so  far  as  the  limits  of  an  address 
will  permit,  the  author  has  endeavored  to  offer  brief  sugges- 
tions to  "doctor  off"  many  of  those  which  most  annoy  the 
cultivator.  Some  kinds  are  quite  mider  the  control  of  all,  if 
the  means  already  known  are  persevered  in;  while  there  are 
others,  whose  habits  being  yet  little  known,  pursue  their  de- 
structive course  without  check. 

The  first  object  must  be  to  learn  their  habits  ;  knowing  this, 
we  may  then  turn  our  attention  to  the  best  means  of  arresting 
their  ravages.  The  former  is  no  inconsiderable  task,  and  not 
often  likely  to  be  within  the  means  of  cultivators.  To  the 
naturalist  whose  investigating  studies  have  taught  most  that 
is  known  in  this  respect,  we  must  look  for  additional  aid ;  yet 
all  should  not  be  left  to  him' — the  practical  man  may  assist 
and  do  much  to  aid  him — and  when  the  changes  which  in- 
sects undergo,  are  made  known,  remedial  means  may  be  sug- 
gested, and  carried  into  effect. 

The  aphides  are  most  annoying  insects,  and  easily  de- 
stroyed ;  yet,  because  they  do  not  actually  devour  the  plants, 
they  are  too  often  neglected,  until  their  numbers  greatly  in- 
crease the  labor  of  their  destruction.  The  necessity  of  im- 
mediate attention  to  their  first  appearance,  will  be  seen  from 
the  following  extract : — 

"Next  to  be  considered  is  an  insect  that  does  not  devour  the  leaves  of 
trees,  but  sucks  out  their  juices.  It  is  the  Plant-louse,  (Aphis.)  It  is  to 
be  seen  on  the  underside  of  the  leaves  of  almost  every  species  of  plant. 
And  there  is  appropriated  to  almost  every  species  of  plant  its  distinct  species 


192  Darling's  Address  upon  Injurious  Insects. 

of  aphis.  Thus  the  cabbage-louse  is  wholly  unlike  that  of  the  peach ; 
which  again  is  quite  different  from  that  of  the  plum.  They  exist  of  every 
color,  green,  black,  blue,  brown,  brick-red  and  crimson — of  all  sizes  from 
that  of  a  pea-bug  to  that  of  a  mite  just  visible — naked,  or  covered  with  meal 
or  wool.  Trees  are  not  often  killed  by  it,  but  they  are  checked  in  their 
growth,  and  made  to  become  crooked  and  deformed.  When  the  plant-lice 
fasten  themselves  upon  the  roots  of  herbaceous  plants,  as  some  species  do, 
they  prove  fatal.  The  ladies  may  have  observed  their  China  Asters  in  par- 
ticular, to  turn  yellow,  stop  growing  and  finally  perish,  without  any  visible 
cause.  The  grower  of  watermelons,  too,  sees  the  leaves  of  his  vines  be- 
come smooth  and  glassy,  and  after  a  few  days  die.  This  is  caused  by  the 
aphis  on  the  roots  of  the  Aster  and  Melon.  The  powers  of  increase,  given 
to  this  insect,  cannot  be  contemplated  without  amazement.  Reaumur,  from 
the  most  careful  observation,  estimated  that  a  single  aphis  might  be  the 
progenitor  of  near  six  thousand  millions  in  one  summer.  Well  might  Dr. 
Darwin  fear  that  '  their  countless  numbers  might,  in  process  of  time, 
destroy  the  vegetable  world.'  And  yet,  perhaps,  there  is  no  insect  so  com- 
pletely in  our  power  as  this.  We  have  only  to  put  in  practice  the  great 
rule  of  farmers,  to  do  every  thing  at  the  proper  time,  and  we  protect  our  plants 
wholly  from  this  insect  with  little  labor.  You  see,  to-day,  a  plant-louse 
upon  the  leaf  of  a  cherry  tree.  You  neglect  to  destroy  it,  and  to-morrow 
there  are  25 — in  22  days  more,  there  are  50,000,  and  in  one  day  after  that, 
there  are  more  than  100,000.  A  touch  of  your  finger,  on  the  first  day  of 
the  month,  may  save  you,  therefore,  the  labor  of  a  week,  with  soap-suds 
and  syringes,  at  the  end  of  the  month.  Destroy  the  first  that  come  in  spring, 
and  the  business  of  killing  plant-lice  is  finished  for  the  season.  We  are  in- 
formed by  Huber,  that  the  ants  of  Switzerland  take  into  their  keeping  sev- 
eral species  of  plant-louse,  which  they  tend  with  the  utmost  care  for  the 
sake  of  their  honey,  as  a  dairyman  tends  his  cows  for  their  milk.  We  have 
evidence  that  the  small  brown  ants  which  you  see  coursing  up  and  down  the 
stems  of  cherry  and  peach  trees,  with  great  animation,  take  charge  of  some 
of  our  plant-lice,  in  a  similar  manner,  particularly  those  of  the  cherry  tree, 
and  those  on  roots — that  the  ants  house  them  in  winter,  and  place  them  on 
leaves  at  the  opening  of  spring.  Accordingly,  the  aphis  generally  is  first 
to  be  found  very  near  the  ground.  There  search  them  out  and  destroy  them. 
If  unfortunately  they  escape  your  attention  till  they  have  multiplied  to  a  con- 
siderable extent,  you  may  still  master  them  with  proper  applications.  One  of 
the  best  of  these  applications  for  trees,  is  a  strong  solution  of  ivhale-oil  soap. 
The  ends  of  the  branches  may  be  bent  over,  and  held  in  the  soap-icater  about 
a  fourth  of  a  minute.  A  small  paint  brush,  dipped  in  the  wash,  may  be  used 
in  some  cases,  especially  on  cabbages,  and  on  the  branches  of  pear  trees, 
infested  with  that  species,  which  collects  about  the  buds,  and  produces  a 
black  rust.  Common  soap-suds,  warm  and  strong,  will  serve  to  kill  the 
aphis,  but  it  is  apt  to  kill  leaves  also.  A  decoction  of  tobacco  is  a  sure 
destroyer  of  the  aphis.  It  cannot  be  used  upon  leaves  ;  but  nothing,  per- 
haps, is  better  to  pour  around  the  roots  of  plants,  when  those  parts  are  in- 
fested by  the  insect.     President  Dwight  preserved  his  watermelons  'by 


Darling's  Address  upon  Injurious  Insects.  193 

frequently  drenching  the  earth  immediately  round  the  roots,  with  a  strong 
decoction  of  burdock  leaves  and  elder  twigs.'  Ladies  may  call  upon  their 
friends  who  use  cigars,  to  puff  the  smoke  upon  their  rose-bushes,  and  thus  '  do 
the  state  some  service.'  Several  insects  are  appointed  by  Providence  to  as- 
sist us  in  keeping  the  aphis  in  check.  Two  only  will  be  noticed  at  present. 
One  is  the  speckled  bug,  about  the  size  and  shape  of  a  half-pea,  called  by 
children  Lady-bird,  (Coccinella.)  The  other  is  a  beautiful  green  fly, 
(Chrvsopa  perla,)  with  eyes  of  gold  and  wings  of  lace,  but  fetid  almost  as 
the  squash-bug.  The  eggs  of  this  fly  are  hung  by  threads,  about  a  quarter 
of  an  inch  long,  to  the  underside  of  leaves.  You  will  be  careful  not  to 
harm  those  useful  insects." 

That  beautiful  and  valuable  tree,  the  Scotch  larch,  has  re- 
cently been  attacked,  in  New  Haven,  by  a  beetle,  which, 
should  it  increase,  will  be  likely  to  make  sad  havoc  with 
plantations  of  it.  By  the  kindness  of  Dr.  Monson,  in  whose 
garden  the  insects  were  found  upon  the  tree,  we  have  been 
favored  with  a  few  of  these  beetles,  some  account  of  which 
we  hope  soon  to  give,  by  our  correspondent,  Dr.  Harris,  with 
an  engraving  of  the  insect,  and  some  observations  upon  it  by 
Dr.  Monson.     In  the  mean  time,  we  quote  the  following : — 

"  We  entertain  the  hope  of  finding  a  substitute  for  the  locust-tree  in  the 
Scotch  Larch,  not  much  inferior  either  in  beauty  or  utility.  Brought  from 
a  foreign  climate,  and  planted  out  in  a  region  where  but  few  of  that  class 
of  trees  existed,  it  was  expected  to  grow  unmolested  by  the  ravagers.  We 
were  not  fully  aware  how  true  it  is,  that  there  is  an  insect  for  every  thing 
in  every  place.  No  sooner  is  a  plant  imported  to  our  shores,  from  countries 
hot  or  countries  cold,  it  matters  not  which,  but  the  devourers  seize  it  with 
as  little  regard  to  hospitality  as  the  sharpers  show  to  the  emigrants  of  our 
own  race.  So  with  the  Larch.  A  beautiful  tree,  in  the  garden  of  Dr.  A. 
S.  Monson,  of  this  city,  15  or  20  feet  high,  was  recently  turned  brown  in 
the  midst  of  its  luxuriance  and  perished.  On  examination,  it  was  found 
that  a  small  harh-beetle,  (ToMicus  Pini,)  had  carried  its  zig-zag  and  winding 
burroughs  all  about  the  inside  of  the  bark,  devouring  a  portion  both  of  that 
and  the  soft  wood.  We  have  been  told  the  story  of  80,000  beetles  of  a 
similar  kind  being  found  upon  a  single  pine  in  Germany.  This  seemed  in- 
credible ;  but  it  will  not  be  deemed  so  by  any  one  who  has  seen  Dr.  Mon- 
son's  larch.  The  color  of  this  beetle  is  a  dark  brown  ;  its  length  a  trifle 
more  than  the  tenth  of  an  inch.  From  the  fact  that  a  large  number  of  the 
beetles  presented  the  appearance  of  having  bedded  themselves  in  their  bur- 
rows for  the  winter,  it  is  probable  that  their  eggs  are  laid  in  spring  or  the 
early  part  of  summer  ;  and  that  the  larves  prey  upon  the  trees  from  that 
time  to  August  or  September.  Unfortunately  for  the  tree,  the  only  remedy 
which  promises  to  be  effectual,  is  that  applied  in  the  case  spoken  of,  and  that 
is  fire." 

VOL.   XII. NO,   V.  25 


194  Dailing^s  Address  upon  Ivjitrioiis  Insects. 

Much  has  recently  heen  written,  in  our  pages,  upon  the 
Curculio,  but  there  is  another  insect,  scarcely  less  destructive, 
though  its  depredations  are  confined  to  that  valuable  fruit  the 
apple,  of  which  too  little  is  known  ;  at  least,  about  tico-thirds 
of  the  apple  crop,  is  yearly  cut  off  by  this  insect,  and  scarcely 
any  thing  is  done  to  stop  its  ravages.  After  reading  the  fol- 
lowing, we  hope  every  owner  of  a  garden  or  orchard  will  have 
his  apples  picked  up  as  fast  as  they  drop  from  the  tree  : — 

"  After  the  plum-ueevil  has  done  its  work,  comes  the  Apple-moth  (Car- 
pocAPSA  Pomonella,)  by  which  I  mean  the  flesh-colored  worm,  found  in  ap- 
ples, and  pears,  and  sometimes  in  peaches.  The  moth  flies  by  night ;  of 
course  it  is  not  often  seen.  You  may  know  it,  if  you  happen  to  see  it,  by 
this  description  :  a  grayish-looking  moth,  about  half  an  inch  long,  with  an 
oval,  brown  spot,  edged  with  copper,  on  the  hind  part  of  its  wings.  The 
injury  done  by  this  insect  appears  to  be  increasing  from  year  to  year.  If  we 
estimate  the  proportion  of  apples  and  pears  grown  in  the  neighborhood  of 
this  city,  which  have  been  injured  the  present  season  by  this  worm,  at  nine- 
tenths  of  the  whole  number  left  by  the  plum-weevil,  we  shall  probably  be 
very  nearly  correct.  For  three  years  past,  very  few  fair  apples  of  Connec- 
ticut growth,  have  been  brought  to  the  New  Haven  market.  The  increase 
of  this  insect  is  owing,  in  part,  to  a  cause  which  seems  almost  to  justify  the 
remark,  that  there  is  no  good  without  an  evil.  Formerly,  when  the  whole 
country  drank  cider  and  cider-brandy,  the  early-fallen  apples,  worms  and  all, 
were  picked  up  and  ground  into  pomace.  In  this  manner  we  wrought  a  vast 
destruction  of  the  apple-worms.  These  apples  are  now,  in  many  cases,  un- 
touched, and  the  worms  multiply  unmolested.  Our  best  course  is  to  let  the 
swine  have  that  disgusting  food — more  appropriate  surely  to  their  use  than 
ours.  If  they  cannot  be  allowed  to  run  in  the  orchard,  the  apples  should  be 
picked  up  and  fed  to  them  every  day.  The  worm,  after  it  leaves  the  ap- 
ples, crawls  into  some  crevice  or  under  the  rough  bark  of  the  trees,  where 
it  makes  a  cocoon,  and  changes  to  a  chrysalis.  The  benefit  to  be  derived 
from  hunting  out  the  cocoons,  and  from  scraping  off  the  rough  bark  of  the 
trees,  will  be  abundant  compensation  for  the  labor.  This  may  be  done  any 
time  from  October  to  May." 

We  might  follow  the  author  farther  in  his  address,  but  our 
space  would  fail  us ;  and  we  close  with  the  concluding  re- 
marks of  the  author,  commending  them  to  the  earnest  atten- 
tion of  our  readers  : — 

"  I  took  occasion  to  observe,  in  a  former  part  of  this  address,  that  a  prin- 
cipal reason  for  our  failure  to  obtain  dominion  over  the  insect  tribes,  was  our 
ignorance  of  their  history  and  habits.  At  present  we  know  not  how  to  at- 
tack many  of  our  enemies  to  advantage.  Our  guards  against  their  inroads 
are  often  misplaced ;  we   fight  friends  instead  of  enemies.     The  retreats 


Doinestic  Notices.  195 

of  the  foe  are  unknown  to  us,  and  we  cannot  find  them.  Why  should  we 
not  make  the  history  of  this  devouring  host  a  study — a  part  of  our  educa- 
tion ?  Why  should  we  sow  crops,  plant  trees,  gather  harvests,  and  then  let 
insects  take  the  whole,  for  want  of  knowledge  on  our  part,  how  to  protect 
the  products  of  our  industry  from  their  depredations  ?  We  study  chemistry, 
that  we  may  prepare  soils  suitable  to  the  plants  we  cultivate  ;  we  study 
physiohjgy,  that  we  may  cultivate  plants  suitable  to  their  various  natures  ; 
we  study  meteorology,  that  we  may  give  to  plants  proper  warmth,  moisture, 
and  climate.  Who  studies  entomology — the  history  of  those  beings  which  take 
from  us  all  that  we  have  thus  studied  to  produce  in  perfection  ?  A  thorough 
acquaintance  with  the  insect  world  would  open  to  our  ingenuity  a  thousand 
devices  for  their  destruction,  now  unthought  of.  We  should  know  how  to 
direct  one  tribe  of  insects  to  prey  upon  another.  We  should  know  what 
other  animals  devour  insects  injurious  to  man,  and  foster  them — what  ani- 
mals devour  insects  beneficial  to  man,  and  destroy  them.  Beyond  all,  we 
should  know  the  value  of  birds.  In  a  single  hour,  a  pair  o{  Blue-birds,  do- 
mesticated in  a  box  of  your  providing,  will  prevent  the  existence  of  a  thou- 
sand caterpillars  in  your  orchard.  Now,  who  takes  the  trouble  to  provide 
that  box  ?  Who  would  not  provide  it,  if  the  value  of  that  bird's  services 
was  known  and  duly  appreciated?  Unlike  other  labor,  that  of  birds  is  per- 
formed cheerfully,  and,  for  the  most  part,  without  pay.  Occasionally  they 
exact  a  portion  of  our  fruit  or  seeds.  Let  them  take  what  they  desire,  and 
yet  their  service  is  cheap.  No  man,  void  though  he  may  be  of  all  gentle 
and  kindly  feelings  towards  these  beautiful  inhabitants  of  the  grove,  if  he 
knows  how  closely  his  interest  and  theirs  are  linked  together,  but  will  re- 
gard the  sportsman  with  his  gun,  as  the  enemy  of  the  human  race. 

"  If  the  time  ever  comes,  as  it  may  come,  when  the  interference  of  gov- 
ernment shall  be  required  to  stay  the  ravages  of  insects,  a  thorough  knowl- 
edge of  them  will  be  indispensable  to  enlightened  and  well-directed  legis- 
lation. Why  should  not  government  make  war  upon  cut-worms  and  plum- 
loeevils,  as  well  as  upon  berberry -bushes  and  Canada  thistles?  Can  they  do 
this  wisely  if  they  do  it  ignorantly'?" 


MISCELLANEOUS    INTELLIGENCE. 

Art.  1.     Domestic  Notices. 

Horticulture  in  the  vicinity  of  Rochester,  NY. — Your  last  number  appear- 
ing to  invite  communications  respecting  the  success  of  commercial  nurseries, 
in  various  parts  of  the  country,  this  account  of  those  in  Monroe  County  is 
sent  in  the  hope  that  it  may  not  prove  entirely  uninteresting  to  your  readers. 
The  soil  and  climate  of  the  northern  part  of  the  valley  of  the  Genesee  is  re- 
markably adapted  to  the  growth  of  trees  and  fruit,  and  their  production  is  not 
neglected.     The  method  of  cultivation  practised  by  our  nurserymen  is  very 


196  Domestic  Notices. 

much  like  that  of  their  brethren  at  the  east,  except  with  apple  trees  ;  these 
are  almost  invariably  grafted  on  the  root,  in  the  winter  and  spring,  upon 
seedlings  two  years  old,  and  in  good  locations  attain  to  about  the  height  of 
six  feet  in  three  years.  With  perhaps  one  exception,  the  nurseries  are  kept 
in  good  order  and  furnish  us  good  trees  as  can  be  found  in  the  United 
States. 

The  Mount  Hope  Botanic  Garden  and  Nursery,  of  Ellwanger  &  Barry, 
is  situated  near  Mount  Hope,  about  two  miles  south  of  the  centre  of  the 
city,  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  and  comprises  sixteen  acres,  to  which  it 
is  the  intention  of  the  proprietors  to  add  five  acres  the  present  season. 
These  gentlemen  have  a  large  greenhouse,  and  cultivate  in  it  and  their 
grounds  an  extensive  assortment  of  ornamental  and  fruit  trees,  plants  and 
shrubs. 

The  Rochester  Commercial  Nursery  of  Bissell  &  Hooker  covers  sixteen 
acres,  on  Maine  Street,  near  the  city  line,  and  is  devoted  almost  exclusively 
to  the  cultivation  of  fruit  trees. 

The  Monroe  Gardens  of  Goodsell  &  Powis,  better  known  as  "  Rowe's," 
is  the  oldest  establishment  of  the  kind  in  this  vicinity,  embracing  every 
kind  of  tree  and  plant  that  is  saleable,  together  with  a  vast  number  that  are 
not.  The  former  proprietor  and  founder,  Mr.  Rowe,  failed  in  consequence 
of  severe  losses  in  the  cultivation  and  sale  of  morus  multicaulis. 

Mr.  Samuel  Moulsen  established  the  Rochester  Nursery  several  years 
since,  and  now  occupies  about  sixteen  acres,  with  fruit  and  ornamental 
trees. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  there  are  several  small  nurseries  in  the  adjoining 
towns,  in  which  apple  trees  are  raised  as  the  leading  article. 

In  all  these  nurseries,  fruit  trees  are  the  staples,  ornamental  trees  and 
plants  being  considered  as  collaterals,  and  hardly  enough  are  sold  to  pay 
the  expense  of  raising.  As  the  city  and  country  around  grow  older,  the 
taste  for  the  latter  and  their  cultivation  will  increase  ;  perhaps  so  much  so 
that  some  of  our  nurserymen  will  show  their  acre  of  roses,  as  do  Messrs. 
Hovey  &  Co. 

I  believe  that  our  nurserymen  are  generally  to  be  trusted  both  in  their 
tastes  and  recommendations.  It  is  certainly  for  their  interest  to  earn  that 
reputation,  though  I  hope  they  are  influenced  by  higher  motives  than  mere 
interest,  and  that  they  will  ever  be  guided  by  those  principles  of  rectitude 
which  do  not  allow  a  lie  even  to  make  a  large  sale. — B.  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
Feb.  1846. 

Seedling  Strawberries. — We  learn  that  Dr.  Brinkle,  of  Philadelphia,  has 
raised  a  variety  of  seedling  strawberries.  Can  any  of  our  readers  give  us 
any  account  of  their  merits  1 — Ed. 


Massachusetts  Horticultual  Society.  197 


Art.  II.     Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Saturday,  March  28th,  1846. — In  our  last,  want  of  room  prevented  our 
giving  the  whole  proceedings  of  this  meeting. 

The  by-laws  were  further  discussed  and  amended,  and  the  committee 
were  authorized  to  have  corrected  copies  laid  upon  the  table,  at  the  stated 
meeting,  when  they  would  be  taken  up  for  final  adoption. 

William  Doyle,  Roxbury,  and  James  G.  Foster,  Charlestown,  were  ad- 
mitted members.     Meeting  dissolved. 

April  5th. — The  stated  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day, — the 
President  in  the  chair. 

The  new  code  of  by-laws  was  adopted,  and  500  copies  ordered  to  be 
printed  in  pamphlet  form,  for  distribution,  and  500  copies  to  be  bound  up 
with  the  Transactions  of  the  Society. 

The  Finance  committee  made  their  semi-annual  report,  which  was  or- 
dered to  be  entered  on  file. 

E.  A.  Story,  Brighton,  and  John  Houston,  Charlestown,  were  admitted 
members.     Adjourned  two  weeks,  to  April  18th. 

Onion  seeds  received  from  C.  W.  Dabney,  Fayal,  were  laid  upon  the 
table  for  distribution. 

Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  the  President  of  the  Society,  a  beautiful 
plant  of  Azalea  variegata,  in  full  bloom.  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  exhibited 
a  variety  of  splendid  roses,  among  which  were  Comtesse  Duchatel,  Com- 
tesse  Mole,  La  Reine,  Duchesse  of  Montmorency,  New  Blush  Moss,  Per- 
petual Indigo,  Souchet,  Louis  Bonaparte,  and  many  others.  From  W. 
Quant,  a  very  beautiful  bouquet,  a  fine  specimen  of  Agapanthus  umbella- 
tus.  From  T.  Willott,  handsome  plants  of  Erica  cafTra.  From  Walker 
&  Co.,  two  pretty  bouquets. 

Vegetables :  From  W.  Quant,  a  dish  of  handsome  Tomatoes,  well  col- 
ored and  ripened. 

April  I8th. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day, — 
the  President  in  the  chair. 

There  being  no  business  of  importance,  the  meeting  was  adjourned  two 
weeks,  to  May  2d. 

Exhibited. — Flowers :  From  D.  Crowley,  six  pots  of  Victoria  stocks, 
very  handsome  ;  also  Lamarque,  Caroline,  Aurora,  Lady  Fordwich,  and 
other  roses.  From  W.  E.  Carter,  a  variety  of  cut  flowers.  Bouquets 
from  Walker  &  Co.,  and  Baltimore  Belle  rose,  in  a  pot. 

Fruit :  From  John  Bachelder,  Beverly,  an  apple  called  Finis,  which  the 
committee  state  to  have  "  a  deep  red  skin,  with  faint,  indistinct  streaks  of 
yellow ;  flesh,  remarkably  white,  very  tender,  with  an  agreeable  acidulous 
flavor."  From  W.  Clapp,  Dorchester  Sheank  apples,  "a  fruit  of  third 
size,  skin  thin  and  most  bright  yellow,  stained  and  striped  with  scarlet  in 
the  sun;  flesh,  yellow,  with  a  peculiar  flavor." 


198 


Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Art.  III.     Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Roots,  Tubers,  <^c. 


Potatoes, 
Chenangoes, 


Common,... 


per  barrel, 
per  bushel, 
per  barrel, 
per  bushel, 
„     .       ,  ( per  barrel, 

^^stport, I  ^er  bushel, 

T         o«j        ^  per  barrel, 
Lon§:Reds,..|},g^^^^^gi^ 

Sweet,  per  bushel 
Turnips  :  per  bushel. 

Common,        .     . 

Ruta  Baga,    .     .     , 
Onions  : 

Red,  per  bunch,  . 

White,  per  bunch,    . 

New  While,  per  bunch 

White,  per  bushel. 

Yellow,  per  bushel. 
Beets,  per  bushel. 
Carrots,  per  bushel,  , 
Parsnips,  per  bushel,  , 
Salsify,  per  doz.  roots 
Horseradish,  per  lb.  . 
Radishes,  per  bunch,  , 
Garlic,  per  bunch,  .     , 


Cabbages,  Salads,  if'c. 

Cabbages,  per  doz.  : 

Savoy,  .... 

Drumhead,     .     . 

Red  Dutch,     .     . 
Brocolis,  each,    . 
Cauliflowers,  each. 
Lettuce,  per  head,  . 
Rhubarb,  per  pound 
Asparagus,  per  bunch,     . 
Water  Cresses,  pr.  halipk. 
Dandelions,  per  half  pecK, 
Spinach,  per  peck. 
Celery,  per  root,     .     .     . 
Cucumbers, (pickled)  pr.  gal 
Peppers,  (pickled)  per  gal. 


From  To 
«  cts.  S  cts. 


2  25 
75 

1  75 
50 

3  00 

1  25 

2  00 
1  00 


62 
62.^ 


2  50 

1  00 

2  00 

75 

3  50 

2  25 


75 
62j 
1  00 

10 
10 


75  1  00 
75  1  00 
75  1  00 


25 
17 
20 
8 
25 
37i 


12i 


Pot  and  Sweet  Herbs. 

Parsley,  per  half  peck. 
Sage,  per  pound,     .     . 
Marjorum,  per  bunch. 
Savory,  per  hunch, 
Spearmint,  per  bunch. 


Squashes  and  Pumpkins. 


Squashes,  per  cwt. : 
Canada  Crookneck, 
Winter  Crookneck, 
Autumnal  Marrow, 
West  Indies,  .     .     . 

Pumpkins,  each,     .     . 


From 

$  cts. 

50 

17 

6 

6 

6 


F'ruits. 

Apples,  dessert  and  cookin 

Baldwin,  per  bhl.     .     . 

Russets  per  bbl.      .     . 

N.  Y.  Pippins,  per  bbl. 

Common,  per  bbl.    .     . 

Danvers  Winter  Sweet,  per 
bhl 

Nonsuch,  per  bbl.     .    . 

Spitzemberg,  per  bbl. 

Golden  Russet,  per  bbl. 

Dried  Apples,  per  lb.  . 
Pears : 

Baking,  per  bushel. 
Cranberries,  per  bushel,  . 
Cucumbers,  each,  .     .     . 
Tomatoes,  per  peck,  . 
Grapes,  (forced,)  per  lb. : 

Black  Hamburg,      .     . 

Malaga., 

Fresh  Figs,  per  dozen,     . 
Oranges,  per  doz. 

St. 'Michael's,       ,     .    . 

Havana, 

Sicily,        

Sicily,  per  box,  .  .  . 
Lemons,  per  doz.  .  .  . 
Pine  Apples,  each,  •  . 
Chestnuts,  per  bushel,  . 
Walnuts,  per  bushel,  .  . 
Cocoanuts,  per  hundred,  . 
Almonds,  per  lb.      ... 


2  00 
12i 


50 
20 
50 

20 

25 

20 

00 

17 

12i 

25 

50 

00 


To 

$  cts. 

20 

12i 

12i 


4  00 
3  50 
6  00 
2  50 
17 


4  00 
25 


2  00 
25 

75 

30 
37 
25 

3  50 
20 
25 

2  50 
1   75 

4  50 


Remarks. — The  month  has  been  exceedingly  pleasant  and  mild,  but 
unusually  dry,  unless  we  except  April  of  last  year,  which  was  also  so  dry 
that  vegetation  had  begun  to  suffer  in  some  places  at  the  close  of  the  month. 
There  has  been  only  one  rain  in  which  any  great  quantity  fell,  up  to  this 
period.  The  weather  has,  however,  been  favorable  to  planting,  and  the 
ground  in  good  condition.  The  season  is  quite  early,  and  at  the  time  we 
now  write,  the  peach,  cherry  and  plum  trees  are  in  bloom.  Should  no 
heavy  frosts  occur  in  May,  a  fine  crop  of  fruit  may  be  anticipated. 

Vegetafes. — Since  our  last  there  has  been  a  liberal  supply  of  Potatoes 


Horticultural  Memoranda.  199 

and  prices  have  barely  been  maintained,  especially  for  those  of  inferior 
quality,  a  first  rate  article  commands  good  prices  and  ready  sale,  but  of  this 
description  the  stock  is  small.  Turnips  are  higher ;  no  new  ones  have  yet 
come  to  hand.  Onions  are  nearly  gone  except  bunched  ones  ;  the  first  new 
ones  of  the  season  came  to  hand  this  week,  and  of  fair  size.  Radishes 
plentiful  and  good.  But  few  old  Cabbages  now  remain,  and  new  ones  have 
not  yet  come  to  hand.  Asparagus  has  been  received  from  New  York,  but 
it  now  comes  in  freely  from  the  vicinity.  Lettuce  very  abundant  and  good, 
and  the  demand  is  equivalent  to  the  supply.  Rhubarb  now  comes  in  from 
the  open  ground  and  of  very  fine  quality.  Dandelions  and  Spinach  plentiful. 
Celery  is  about  done  for  the  season.  Parsley  is  very  scarce.  Mint,  plen- 
tiful. 

Fruit. — The  demand  for  apples  has  not  been  very  great  except  for  Bald- 
wins, of  which  some  few  barrels,  of  very  nice  quality,  readily  commanded 
six  dollars  per  barrel.  Some  of  the  sorts  being  quite  gone,  we  have  taken 
them  from  our  quotations  :  only  a  few  winter  sweets  now  remain.  Pears 
are  about  done  ;  the  stock  of  baking  is  about  gone.  Cranberries  are  in 
less  demand  as  the  season  advances,  and  rhubard  takes  their  place.  No 
Tomatoes  have  yet  been  received.  Malaga  grapes  remain  the  same ;  but, 
since  our  last.  Black  Hamburgs,  of  the  new  crop,  have  come  to  hand. 
Oranges  are  scarce  and  high  ;  there  have  been  several  arrivals,  but  the  bad 
order  in  which  they  have  arrived  has  diminished  the  stock.  Figs  in  small 
quantities  now  being  received,  we  insert  them  in  our  quotations.  In  Wal- 
nuts and  Chestnuts,  there  is  but  little  doing  at  this  season. — Yours,  M.  T., 
Boston,  April  29th,  1846. 


HORTICULTURAL    MEMORANDA 

FOR    MAY. 


FRUIT    DEPARTMENT. 

Grape  Vines. — These  will  now  be  coming  on  well ;  the  weather  during 
April  has  been  favorable  to  forcing,  and  the  vines  will  now  be  opening  their 
blossoms.  Syringing  should,  therefore,  now  be  discontinued  until  the  fruit 
is  all  set,  when  it  may  be  resumed  again  ;  increase  the  temperature  during 
the  day,  and  shut  up  the  house  earlier  than  usual ;  attend  to  the  stopping 
of  all  laterals  one  or  two  eyes  beyond  the  fruit,  and  keep  them  well  tied  up 
to  the  trellis.  Grapes  in  cold  houses  will  still  require  syringing,  and  the 
same  attention  directed  for  vines  in  the  greenhouse  last  month.  Young 
vines  in  pots  should  be  shifted  if  strong  plants  are  wanted  :  the  latter  part 
of  the  month  is  a  favorable  time  to  plant  out  vines  in  borders  to  new  houses. 
Vines  in  the  open  ground  will  soon  be  pushing  rapidly,  and  all  superfluous 
eyes  should  be  rubbed  off.  Carefully  tie  up  all  shoots  to  the  trellis  and  cut 
out  any  dead  wood. 


200  Horticultural  Memoranda. 

Grafting  may  yet  be  performed. 

Pruning  should  still  be  continued.  May  is  a  favorable  month  for  this 
object. 

Strawberry  beds  may  be  made  this  month.  We  consider  May  a  most 
favorable  time,  as  the  best  crop  can  be  had  next  year.  Old  beds  should  be 
kept  clean  of  all  weeds  ;  and  as  soon  as  the  fruit  begins  to  form,  straw  or 
short  grass  should  be  covered  over  the  surface  to  keep  the  fruit  from  the 
dirt. 

Raspberries  should  be  carefully  staked,  and  the  shoots  neatly  tied  up. 

FLOWER    DEPARTMENT. 

Dahlias  maybe  planted  out  the  latter  part  of  this  month  ;  divide  the  bulbs, 
and  set  a  tuber  with  one  or  two  good  eyes  in  each  place.  Plants  in  pots 
should  be  turned  out  carefully  into  the  soil,  first  enriching  with  good  old 
manure. 

Gloxinias,  Achimenes  and  Gesneras  should  now  have  another  shift,  and 
be  placed  in  the  very  warmest  part  of  the  house. 

Eoses  should  be  removed  this  month  from  the  greenhouse  to  the  open  air, 
preparatory  to  their  being  set  out  in  the  open  ground.  Hardy  roses  should 
now  be  well  pruned. 

Fuchsias  will  now  need  another  shift  into  their  blooming  pots. 

Calceolarias  should  soon  be  repotted  again. 

Heaths  should  be  attended  to,  and  carefully  watered  and  syringed. 

JErythrina  crista  galli  roots  should  now  be  set  out  in  the  open  ground. 

Annual  Flower  seeds  of  all  the  hardy  kinds  may  now  be  planted  out ;  some 
where  they  are  to  grow,  and  others  in  beds  for  removal. 

Victoria  slock  seeds  and  Chinese  Primroses,  may  be  planted  now  for  a 
stock  next  autumn. 

Amaryllises  and  Tuberoses  may  now  be  planted  in  the  open  border. 

Primelea  spectabilis  should  now  be  re-potted,  agreeably  to  the  directions 
in  our  last  volume. 

Herbaceous  plants  of  many  kinds  may  yet  be  transplanted  with  safety. 

Ixias  and  Spiraxis,  done  flowering,  will  need  but  little  water. 

Japan  Lilies  will  need  liberal  supplies  of  water,  and  perhaps  another 
shift,  if  they  have  grown  well. 

Orange  and  Lemon  trees  may  be  grafted  now. 

Campamila  grandis  and  pyramidalis  should  now  have  a  shift  into  a  large 
size,  for  blooming. 

Verbenas  may  be  turned  out  into  the  border  the  latter  part  of  the  month. 

Cyclamens  should  now  be  set  out  in  the  ground  or  placed  in  frames  ;  the 
former  is  the  best  way  to  make  large  plants. 

Greenhouse  plants  of  many  kinds  may  be  taken  out  of  the  house  this 
month,  and  several  kinds  may  now  be  propagated  with  success. 

Camellias  should  be  liberally  supplied  with  water,  until  they  have  com- 
pleted their  growth.     They  should  also  be  very  freely  syringed. 

Azaleas  may  now  be  successfully  propagated:  take  the  young  wood,  just 
beginning  to  harden. 


THE  MAGAZINE 


O  F 


HORTICULTURE. 


JUNE,  1846. 


ORIGINAL   COMiMUNICATIONS. 

Art.  I.  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour  through  part  of 
England,  Scotland  and  France,  in  the  autumn  of  1844. 
By  the  Editor. 

{(Concluded  from  page  164.) 

Edinburgh,  October  12th. — We  arrived  in  the  city  from 
Glasgow,  about  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  by  rail-road, 
having  left  there  about  five  o'clock.  It  was  so  late  we  had 
no  opportunity  of  seeing  the  town.  Sunday  intervening,  be- 
fore we  could  renew  our  visits  to  the  gardens  around  the  city, 
we  had  an  opportunity  to  visit  several  of  the  beautiful 
churches,  for  which  Edinburgh  is  noted. 

Nurseries  of  Messrs.  Lawson  ^'  Soti,  October  X^th. — The 
nurseries  of  Messrs.  Lawson  are  about  two  miles  from  the 
city,  on  the  Inverleith  road,  and  occupy  several  acres,  of  nearly 
level  land,  well  situated  for  nursery  cultivation.  They  are 
kept  in  most  excellent  order,  and  the  arrangement  of  the 
ground,  the  vigor  of  the  trees,  and  cleanliness  of  the  whole 
premises,  excelled  any  thing  we  saw,  of  the  same  extent. 
They  were  indeed  a  model  for  imitation,  and  we  wish  that 
some  of  our  nurserymen  could  have  one  day's  inspection  of 
them,  and  take  a  lesson,  wliich  it  would  be  to  their  credit  to 
recollect,  in  the  laying  out  and  management  of  their  estab- 
lishments. 

The  ground  is  laid  off  into  squares,  with  mam  walks,  eight 
or  ten  feet  wide,  and  well  gravelled.  These  squares  are  again 
subdivided  by  numerous  alleys,  and  the  intervening  beds  are 
planted  out  Avith  all  kinds  of  trees,  shrubs,  plants,  &c.  Im- 
mense quantities  of  seedlings  are  grown,  such  as  larch,  Nor- 

VOL.  XII NO.  VI.  26 


202  Notes  and  Recollectiotis  of  a   Tour. 

way  spruce,  arbor  vitoe,  beech,  birch,  elm,  ash,  &c.  The 
seeds  are  sown  in  beds,  broadcast  or  in  drills,  and  the  plants  at 
one  or  two  years  old  are  bedded  out,  as  it  is  termed,  until  they 
are  ready  for  sale,  which  is  usually  in  two  or  three  years.  None 
of  them  are  allowed  to  stand  until  they  attain  a  large  size,  for 
they  would  then  be  quite  worthless, — all  the  planting  in  Eng- 
land being  done,  as  it  all  should  be,  when  the  trees  are  young. 
It  is  a  grievous  fault  which  our  countrymen  labor  imder,  of 
selecting  large  trees  ;  the  loss  is  greatly  increased,  and  little 
or  no  time  is  saved  in  the  end.  A  yovmg  and  vigorous  tree 
will  at  once  take  hold  of  the  ground,  and  before  one  of  large 
size  has  made  good  the  loss  of  its  large  roots,  the  smaller  one 
has  made  such  headway  as  rarely  to  be  overtaken.  Expe- 
rience will  show  that  the  practice  of  selecting  large  trees  is 
injudicious,  and  attended  with  very  uncertain  results. 

Messrs.  Lawson  &  Son  have  a  fine  stock  of  all  kinds  of 
ornamental  trees  and  shrubs,  evergreens,  &c.  The  cultiva- 
tion of  the  pine  tribe  forms  an  especial  object  of  attention, 
and  at  least  a  hundred  species  and  varieties  are  a?  nually 
offered  for  sale :  these  include  all  the  rare  as  well  as  the 
more  common  kinds ;  and  we  saw  great  quantities  of  the 
scarce  sorts,  in  pits  or  frames,  raised  either  by  cuttings,  seeds, 
or  grafting.  The  sale  of  these  trees,  at  the  present  time,  is 
very  extensive,  and  much  labor  is  required  to  keep  a  stock 
equivalent  to  the  demand.  The  Cedrus  Deodara  is  here 
grafted  in  large  quantities  on  the  Scotch  larch  ;  but  since  our 
visit  we  have  seen  a  notice  in  the  Gardener's  Chronicle  that 
the  larch  was  a  poor  stock,  and  that  the  only  one  to  be  de- 
pended upon  was  the  cedar  of  Lebanon.  In  our  climate, 
trees  raised  from  seeds  or  cuttings,  will  be  much  safer  than 
grafted  ones. 

The  greenhouse  department  is  extensive,  and  contained  a 
good  assortment.  We  noticed  a  fine  specimen  of  iStatice 
macrophylla.  Some  most  beautiful  calceolarias  were  in  fine 
bloom ;  a  fuchsia,  called  Stormentf/,  from  France,  was  very 
handsome.  In  the  stove,  a  new  Clerodendron,  called  Kaemp- 
ferw,  was  blooming  superbly ;  all  the  clerodendrons  are  ex- 
ceedingly showy,  but  they  need  the  heat  of  the  stove  to  flower 
them  well ;  perhaps  in  our  warm  sun,  they  would  flower 
freely  turned  out  of  doors  in  summer ;  the  experiment  is 
worth  trial. 


Caledonian  Hort.  Society's  Garden.  203 

Messrs.  Lawson's  seed  warehouse,  connected  with  the  nur- 
series is  in  Edinburgh,  near  George  the  Fourth's  bridge, 
where  they  have  a  most  extensive  assortment  of  agricultural 
implements,  seeds,  &c.  They  are  seedsmen  to  the  Highland 
Agricultural  Society  of  Scotland,  and  have  given  particular 
attention  to  the  selection  of  all  the  most  valuable  grasses, 
grains,  roots,  (fee.  The  inspection  of  both  their  nurseries  and 
warehouse  gave  us  great  pleasure. 

Caledonian  Horticidhiral  Society's  Garden. — The  experi- 
mental garden  of  the  Caledonian  Horticultural  Society  is 
situated  but  a  few  rods  from  the  nurseries  of  Messrs.  Law- 
son  &  Son,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road,  and  contains 
about  ten  acres  of  land,  beautifully  located,  commanding, 
from  the  highest  part,  a  grand  view  of  the  city,  with  its 
castle  towering  up,  seemingly  to  the  clouds.  The  garden  has 
long  been  under  the  care  of  Mr.  McNab,  Jr.,  and  we  unfortu- 
nately called  when  he  was  not  at  home.  Waiting  his  return, 
we  leisurely  looked  through  the  premises  ;  but  the  absence  of 
Mr.  McNab  prevented  our  noting  down  many  things  which 
we  have  no  doubt  would  have  been  interesting  to  our  readers. 

The  garden  is  similar  in  its  character  and  objects  to  the 
London  Horticultural  Society's  garden.  It  contains  an  im- 
mense number  of  fruit  trees  of  all  kinds,  planted  out  as  speci- 
mens, in  order  to  ascertain  their  merits  and  prove  the  identity 
of  the  kinds.  We  noticed  a  plantation  of  all  the  kinds  of 
strawberries  in  cultivation.  There  is  also  a  piece  of  ground 
devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  vegetables,  with  a  view  to  test 
their  qualities.  The  arboretum  is  extensive,  and  extends 
round  three  sides  of  the  garden,  and  contains  some  very  fine 
specimens  of  trees  and  shrubs.  On  the  lawn  near  the  green- 
house, we  noticed  some  beautiful  trees  of  J.'bies  Douglasii, 
Cedrus  Deodara.,  and  Pinus  excelsa. 

The  greenhouse  and  hothouse  department  contained  many 
good  specimens  of  plants,  and  among  them  some  exceedingly 
beautiful  calceolarias ;  but  few  things  were  in  bloom  at  this 
season,  and  the  plants  were,  just  at  the  period  of  our  visit, 
being  taken  in  doors  for  the  winter. 

The  whole  is  kept  in  the  most  perfect  order  :  not  a  weed  to 
be  seen,  the  turf  smooth,  and  the  walks  clean  and  well  rolled; 
no  improvement  could  be  made  in  this  respect. 


204  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour. 

Edinburgh  Botanic  Garden. — But  a  few  rods  from  the  Cale- 
donian Horticultural  Society's  Garden,  and  upon  the  same 
side  of  the  road,  is  the  entrance  to  this  extensive  place.  A 
walk  about  six  feet  wide,  with  a  belt  of  beautiful  trees  and 
shrubs,  conducts  to  the  rear  of  the  handsome  dwellings  which 
border  the  road,  where  the  gardens  cover  an  extent  of  eight 
or  ten  acres  of  ground.  Mr.  McNab,  senior,  is  the  curator, 
and  has  long  filled  the  duties  of  this  office,  fully,  we  doubt 
not,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  members,  if  we  were  to  judge 
from  the  appearance  of  every  thing  under  his  charge.  Mr. 
McNab  has  long  been  consideired  the  most  successful  heath 
cultivator  in  Scotland ;  and  when  this  is  admitted,  it  will 
readily  be  conceded,  that  few  other  plants  require  the  same 
skill.  We  were  indeed  surprised  at  the  high  state  of  health 
in  which  we  found  all  the  plants,  in  every  department — hot 
house,  palm  house,  heath  house,  greenhouse,  &c. ;  and  the 
open  ground  was  no  less  remarkable  for  the  neatness  and 
order  of  every  part. 

The  range  of  houses  for  plants  is  upwards  of  two  hundred 
feet  long,  and  divided  into  several  compartments.  There  is 
also  a  very  handsome  octangular  palm  house,  thirty  feet  high 
and  fifty  feet  wide.  This  was  the  first  place  we  entered.  It 
is  filled  with  immense  specimens  of  various  species,  which 
had  now  so  completely  filled  the  house  that  the  plants  were 
suffering  for  room.  Two  specimens  of  Pandanus  odoratissi- 
mus  were  each  thirty  to  forty  feet  high,  and  proportionally 
spreading ;  Corypha  umbracaulifera,  thirty  feet ;  the  Ma- 
hogany tree,  (Swietenia  Mahago/ii,)  thirty  feet ;  Latania 
borbonica,  twenty  feet ;  with  very  large  plants  of  Strelitzm 
augusta,  &c.  :  these  were  all  in  most  excellent  health,  not- 
withstanding their  crowded  state. 

From  the  palm  house,  we  entered  the  first  compartment  of 
the  large  range,  which  is  the  heathery.  Here  we  saw  what 
we  had  not  yet,  during  our  entire  visit,  seen  before — heaths 
eight  to  ten  feet  high  !  indeed,  quite  trees,  and  some  of  them 
so  full  of  bloom  as  scarcely  to  see  their  foliage :  these  were 
growing  in  pots,  Jive  feet  in  diameter  and  four  feet  deep. 
The  finest  one  in  bloom  was  the  ^rica  hyemalis.  Till  now, 
we  had  formed  no  conception  of  the  real  beauty  of  this  tribe. 
Like  the  magnificent  fuchsias  we  saw  at  Sheffield,  they  ex- 


Edinburgh  Botanic  Garden.  205 

ceeded  any  thing  we  had  supposed  could  be  made  from  the 
diminutive  specimens  usually  cultivated.  The  plant  we  have 
named  was  branched  from  the  pot  to  the  top,  and  measured 
eight  feet  broad  and  eight  feet  high  !  with  hundreds  of  lateral 
branches;  and  at  the  least  enumeration,  which  we  made 
from  counting  one  branch,  more  than  a  hundred  thousand 
blossoms,  gathered  into  compact  spikes,  so  dense  as  to  form 
clusters  a  foot  in  diameter !  and  this  plant  was  only  four 
years  old.  Truly,  Mr.  McNab  has  well  earned  the  reputation 
of  being  the  best  heath  cultivator  in  Scotland.  But  this  was 
only  one  of  the  many  plants  which  filled  the  house  ;  a  greater 
portion,  however,  were  spring  flowering  sorts,  and  of  course 
not  in  bloom ;  smaller  plants  of  E.  Macnabidwa,  retorta  and 
retorta  major,  were  splendid.  These  fine  specimens  are  only 
obtained  by  constant  shifting  from  one  pot  to  another,  until 
they  are  at  last  placed  in  tubs  made  especially  for  the 
purpose.  Most  cultivators  have  a  dread  of  giving  a  heath 
a  large  pot ;  but,  like  other  plants,  it  will  only  thrive  well 
where  its  roots  can  extend  themselves  in  search  of  food: 
these  large  shifts  must  be  cautiously  and  judiciously  made, 
and  with  good  drainage,  the  results  will  be  as  great  as  with 
other  plants.  Luculia  gratissima,  a  plant  which  is  scarcely 
known  in  our  collections,  but  which  is  remarkable  for  the 
odor  of  its  blossoms,  was  upwards  of  six  feet  high.  Tacson/a 
pinnatistipula,  was  here  rambling  in  profusion  over  a  trellis 
on  the  roof;  and  from  a  pod  of  seed,  which  Mr.  McNab  gave 
us,  we  have  now  plants  two  feet  high  ;  it  is  a  most  beautiful 
species. 

In  the  hothouse,  iVepenthes  distillatoria  was  displaying  a 
quantity  of  its  pitcher-like  appendages,  and  Musa  Caven- 
disliij  was  ripening  its  fruit.  A  small  house  for  cactuses  and 
another  for  young  heaths,  were  full  of  healthy  plants. 

The  grounds  are  most  admirably  arranged  and  planted, 
and  kept  with  a  neatness  nowhere  surpassed.  On  the  lawn, 
in  front  of  the  range  of  houses,  are  two  fine  specimens  of 
Araucaria,  a  Cedrus  Deodara^  and  Pinus  Lambertid;ia,  ten 
feet  high.  Groups  of  i?rica  Banksea  purpurea,  and  rupes- 
tris  were  planted  out  in  the  open  ground,  and  finely  in  bloom. 
Rhododendrons  and  kalmias  were  planted  in  masses  on  turf, 
and  the  effect   of   the  whole  was  highly  beautiful.     Other 


206  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour. 

specimens  of  trees,  in  various  parts  of  the  ground,  were  wor- 
thy of  more  particular  attention  than  the  lateness  of  the 
afternoon  would  allow  us  to  give  them,  but  we  recorded  a 
handsome  weeping  birch,  sixty  feet  high.  This  fine  garden, 
and  the  Kew  gardens,  are  two  places  which  we  regret  we  did 
not  allow  ourselves  more  time  to  examine  ;  somewhat  similar 
in  character,  and  equally  instructing,  from  the  rare  and  beau- 
tiful specimens  of  plants  and  the  high  keeping  of  the  grounds, 
a  day  or  two  might  be  agreeably  passed  in  each. 

To  the  kindness  of  Mr.  McNab  we  are  deeply  indebted,  for 
pointing  out  to  us  the  most  interesting  objects,  and  we  are 
glad  to  renew  our  thanks  for  his  politeness  and  attention. 

Dalkeith  Park,  the  Duke  of  Biiccleugh,  October  15th. — At 
an  early  hour,  we  took  the  coach  for  Dalkeith,  situated  to  the 
south  of  Edinburgh,  distant  about  six  miles.  On  our  arrival 
here,  we  called  on  Mr.  Mcintosh,  the  Duke's  gardener,  and 
were  most  kindly  received.  Dalkeith  is  a  place  of  great  ex- 
tent ;  and  the  kitchen  garden,  which  had  recently  been  laid 
out  by  Mr.  Mcintosh,  contains  twelve  acres,  enclosed  by  a 
brick  Avail  twelve  feet  high,  and  divided  by  other  walls  in 
order  to  obtain  space  for  training  fruit  trees,  especially  peaches, 
nectarines,  &c. 

The  Duchess  of  Buccleugh  is  very  fond  of  gardening,  and 
her  wishes  are  most  admirably  carried  out  by  Mr.  Mcintosh, 
one  of  the  most  intelligent  gardeners  in  Scotland.  He  was 
formerly  gardener  to  the  present  King  of  Belgium,  when  he 
resided  at  Claremont,  near  London ;  and,  on  his  removal  to 
Belgium,  he  laid  out  and  carried  on  the  extensive  gardens  at 
Brussels.  About  four  years  since,  he  was  employed  by  the 
Duke  of  Buccleugh  to  lay  out  the  gardens  at  Dalkeith,  and 
had  now  just  completed  one  department.  The  flower  garden, 
which  is  to  be  several  acres  in  extent,  was  not  yet  laid  out ; 
the  place  intended  for  it  was  yet  covered  with  a  dense  wood ; 
but  the  trees  were  to  be  felled  the  following  winter,  in  order 
to  commence  operations  in  the  spring. 

Dalkeith  is  one  of  the  noblest  residences  in  Scotland ;  the 
park  is  of  very  great  extent.  The  palace  is  large,  but  with- 
out much  architectural  beauty,  and  stands  immediately  on 
the  steep  bank  of  the  beautiful  stream  called  the  North  Esk. 
The  lawn  is  extensive,  on  a  nearly  level  surface,  and  is  finely 


Dalkeith  Park.  207 

broken  by  plantations  of  trees  and  shrubs.  Mr.  Mcintosh 
has  greatly  improved  the  grounds  by  new  plantations  of  trees, 
and  we  found  every  thing  in  the  highest  condition. 

The  kitchen  garden  was  formed  at  great  expense  ;  the  soil 
was  all  filled  in  to  the  depth  of  three  feet,  and  we  forgot  to 
note  down  the  number  of  loads  of  loam  which  it  required  to 
do  this,  but  the  quantity  was  immense.  It  forms  a  square ; 
on  the  south  wall  is  a  range  of  houses  the  whole  length ;  in 
front  of  this,  the  other  side  of  a  walk,  is  a  long  row  of  pits ; 
at  a  short  distance  runs  another  wall,  parallel  with  the  first ; 
and,  on  the  south  side  of  this,  another  range  of  houses  the 
whole  length.  The  first  range  is  principally  occupied  for 
pineries,  vineries,  peach  houses,  ifcc.  &c.,  the  Avhole  of  which 
were  filled  with  fruit  in  fine  condition,  though  the  trees 
were  yet  young ;  the  next  range  is  divided  into  compartments, 
the  centre  being  a  palm  house,  and  on  either  side  the  heath 
house,  house  for  New  Holland  plants,  camellia  house,  orchi- 
daceous house,  greenhouse,  &c.  In  the  palm  house,  Musa 
Cavendishi'i  was  producing  a  cluster  of  fruit  which  weighed 
about  fifty  pomids.  /hibiscus  Cameronz,  a  beautiful  species, 
was  in  bloom  ;  we  here  also  saw  the  fine  Inga  Harrisii.  In 
the  heath  house  but  few  plants  were  in  flower,  but  we  noticed 
a  fine  specimen  of  Lambertia.  In  the  greenhouse  were  some 
seedling  fuchsias  from  fulgens,  among  which  some  new  kinds 
were  expected.  A  new  seedling  veronica ;  Corraja  Grevillii; 
Alstrcemer/rt  acutifolia,  and  three  pretty  campanulas,  fragilis, 
hirsuta  and  Barrelerii. 

In  the  frames  were  quantities  of  seedling  rhododendrons, 
and  spiraeas  from  Kamoon,  among  which  something  new  was 
expected ;  New  Zealand,  New  Holland,  and  other  plants,  also 
raised  from  seeds,  as  the  object  was  now  to  fill  the  houses, 
until  choicer  plants  could  be  purchased,  or  increased  to  fill 
up  the  room. 

From  the  kitchen  garden  we  entered  the  pleasure  ground, 
where  we  found  a  large  circular  conservatory,  erected  many 
years  ago,  and  which  was  soon  to  be  taken  down.  It  was 
filled  with  large  specimens  of  lemons,  oranges,  and  other 
common  plants.  Near  this  we  saw  a  magnificent  specimen 
of  the  weeping  ash,  grafted  forty  feet  high,  the  pendent 
branches  descending  to  the  ground.     We  cannot  too  highly 


208  Notes  and  Recollections  of  a  Tour. 

recommend  both  this  and  the  weeping  beech,  for  all  conspicu- 
ous places  on  the  lawn  or  near  the  house,  where  their  grace- 
fully drooping  branches  are  at  all  times  highly  ornamental. 

After  a  hurried  and  rather  tiresome  walk  of  three  or  four 
hours,  an  invitation  to  partake  of  the  hospitalities  of  Mr. 
Mcintosh's  house  could  not  be  refused.  He  informed  us  that 
he  had  formerly  been  a  constant  reader  of  our  magazine, 
until  his  removal  to  Belgium,  where  he  had  not  the  opportu- 
nity to  obtain  it,  and  he  was  now  desirous  to  see  it  again. 
We  passed  a  pleasant  hour  in  conversing  on  various  subjects, 
connected  with  the  gardening  of  England  and  America ;  and 
the  interest  which  Mr.  Mcintosh  felt  in  every  thing  relating 
to  this  country  was  highly  gratifying  to  us.  Our  visit  to 
Dalkeith  will  be  among  the  most  pleasant  reminiscences  of 
our  tour. 

We  returned  to  Edinburgh  by  rail-road,  and  arrived  just  in 
season  to  take  the  mail  coach  for  Galashiels,  where  we  in- 
tended to  stop  for  the  night,  in  order  to  pay  a  visit  to  Melrose 
Abbey  and  Abbotsford. 

Melrose  Abbey,  October  16th. — At  day-light  we  left  Galas- 
hiels, a  manufacturing  village  of  some  extent,  for  Melrose 
Abbey,  and  had  a  delightful  morning  ride,  the  road  passing 
through  an  undulating  and  well  wooded  country.  The  ruins 
are  said  to  be  the  best  peserved  in  Scotland ;  but  the  grounds 
adjoining  are  in  a  rough  state,  without  a  single  tree  or  shrub. 
If  they  were  planted  with  a  few  trees,  and  laid  out  with 
one  or  two  walks,  to  prevent  walking  on  the  long  damp 
grass,  over  the  grave  mounds,  they  would  not  possess  less 
interest  nor  be  less  inviting  to  the  many  strangers  who  visit 
the  ruins. 

Abbotsford. — Beyond  the  interest  which  attaches  to  this 
place  as  the  residence  of  Sir  Walter  Scott,  we  felt  some 
desire  to  see  the  grounds  which  he  occupied  much  of  his  time 
in  planting.  The  situation  is  highly  picturesque,  being  im- 
mediately upon  the  banks  of  the  Tweed,  the  plantations  of 
trees  extending  on  one  side  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  and  on  the 
other  to  the  edge  of  the  river. 

A  garden  is  attached  to  the  house,  but,  at  the  time  of  our 
visit,  it  contained  nothing  of  any  interest.  Some  fine  trees 
border  the  avenue  which  leads  to  the  entrance  gate,  but  there 


Management  of  Horticultural  Societies.  209 

was  little  we  could  note  down  of  importance.  Great  quanti- 
ties of  trees  were  planted  by  Sir  Walter,  but  they  form  only 
dense  masses  and  groups,  without  much  picturesque  beauty. 

The  house  is  a  curious  combination  of  parts,  and  was  built 
at  great  expense  without  a  corresponding  effect.  The  late  Mr. 
Loudon  has  stated  that  Sir  Walter's  taste  was  "antiquarian, 
rather  than  artistic,"  and  this  is  apparent  both  in  the  interior 
and  exterior  of  the  house.  An  inspection  of  the  whole,  how- 
ever, impressed  us  with  deep  admiration  of  its  gifted  author. 

Returning  to  Galashiels,  we  only  had  a  few  moments  to 
spare  before  the  mail  coach  came  up,  and  at  eleven  o'clock 
we  were  on  our  way  to  Carlisle,  which  we  reached  about  sun- 
down ;  taking  dinner  here,  we  set  out  again  for  Liverpool,  by 
coach  and  rail-road,  and  at  eight  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the 
17th,  arrived  in  the  city  after  a  rapid  but  most  delightful  trip. 

Thus  have  we,  as  briefly  as  we  thought  the  subject  would 
allow,  given  our  readers  an  account  of  our  journey.  If  they 
have  been  gratified  or  instructed,  we  shall  feel  that  we  have 
not  labored  in  vain.  Our  tour  was  undertaken  partly  for  their 
interest  as  well  as  our  own.  Much  more  time  would  have  been 
required  than  was  at  our  command,  to  describe  minutely,  all 
that  we  saw  ;  but  our  object  has  been  not  to  give  mere  descrip- 
tions, but  to  point  out  wherein  our  own  practice  of  gardening 
differs  from  that  of  our  transatlantic  friends,  and  if  possible 
to  show  how  it  may  be  improved.  This  we  have  kept  in 
view,  and  we  trust  we  have  accomplished,  at  least  in  part, 
our  object;  if  so  we  shall  not  feel  that  we  have  occupied 
room  which  could  have  been  used  to  more  advantage. 


Art.  II.      On   the   Management  of  Horticultural  Societies. 

By.  E.  W. 

In  treating  of  the  management  of  horticultural  societies,  it 
may  be  presumed  that  some  practical  experience  is  necessary, 
and  doubtless  it  is  ;  tUferefore  the  few  remarks  we  propose  to 
make,  are  rather  to  be  considered  in  the  light  of  suggestions  : 
for  not  being  interested  in  any  particular  society,  but  in  the 

VOL.  XII. NO.  VI.  27 


210  Management  of  Horticultural  Societies. 

progress  and  prosperity  of  all  of  them,  and  in  the  true  en- 
couragement of  the  rational  and  beautiful  art  of  horticulture, 
and  a  diffusion  of  the  taste  for  it  throughout  all  classes  of 
society,  we  have  only  to  leave  a  few  suggestions  with  those 
who  have  the  necessary  practical  experience  in  such  matters. 
It  seems  to  us,  that  the  difficulties  under  which  societies,  in 
this  country,  at  present  labor,  arise  more  from  a  deficiency  of 
interest  in  the  public,  and  the  comparatively  few  gardeners 
and  amateurs  among  us,  than  from  any  defects  in  the  man- 
agement. This  cause  is,  however,  rapidly  diminishing,  and 
it  may  be  well  to  inquire,  occasionally,  whether  something 
may  not  be  done  to  increase  the  number  of  amateurs  and  of 
those  who  will  take  an  interest  in  such  societies,  and  thereby 
give  them  the  best  encouragement ;  for  it  is  manifest  that  the 
more  extended  a  correct  taste  becomes,  the  greater  the  number 
of  good  judges  of  either  fruits  or  flowers,  the  more  choice 
will  be  the  specimens  exhibited,  and  more  stimulus  will  be 
given  to  further  exertion ;  whereas,  if  the  action  of  any  so- 
ciety is  confined  to  a  few  members  only,  and  the  benefits 
divided  among  themselves,  it  must  necessarily  fall  away  and 
come  to  naught.  Our  notion  is,  and  we  presume  we  are  right 
in  it,  for  it  underlies  and  is  the  foundation  of  all  horticultural 
societies,  that  their  object  is  to  encourage  the  procurement,  the 
production  and  the  cultivation  of  useful  and  ornamental 
fruits,  plants  and  flowers,  and  for  the  attainment  of  this  object 
there  are  some  points  to  be  attended  to. 

First. — There  should  be  some  merit  in  the  mode  of  culti- 
vation, or  in  the  quality  of  the  subject  intended  for  a  prize,  or 
even  for  exhibition. 

Second. — There  should  be  some  object  to  be  attained  in 
encouraging  the  cultivation  of  any  thing  intended  for  a  prize 
or  for  exhibition. 

Third. — Any  production,  to  entitle  the  grower  to  a  prize, 
should  be  above  an  average  quality,  owing  to  his  attention 
and  skill  in  procuring  and  growing  the  best  varieties. 

The  first  of  these  propositions  would  shut  out,  perhaps, 
some  quantity  of  fruit  with  which  the  tables  are  often  loaded, 
to  the  exclusion  of  those  varieties  which  are  desirable  to  bring 
into  general  notice  and  cultivation,  there  being  no  particular 
merit  in  showing  fruit  which  happens  to  grow  upon  a  farm 


Management  of  Horticultural  Societies.  211 

or  in  a  garden,  and  which  the  exhibiter  had  no  agency  in 
producing  or  improving ;  and  no  possible  good  can  arise  either 
to  science  or  to  society,  from  a  lavish  distribution  of  prizes 
for  such  produce.  We  think  it  also  somewhat  questionable 
in  floriculture,  whether  science  can  be  advanced  by  the  dis- 
tribution of  prizes  for  particular  designs,  however  fanciful  or 
beautiful,  if  composed  of  ordinary  flowers ;  and  may  not  the 
attention  of  florists  be  diverted  thereby  from  the  growing  of 
the  more  superior  varieties?  and  would  not  the  rule  be  a 
good  one,  that  an  ordinary  flower  should  not  be  admitted  at 
all,  under  any  circumstances  7 

The  second  proposition  is,  that  there  should  be  an  object  in 
encouraging  the  cultivation  of  any  thing  intended  for  a  prize, 
and  herein  consists  the  value  of  horticultural  societies.  Now 
the  object  may  be  the  improvement  of  the  subject  itself,  or  it 
may  be  that  it  is  desirable  to  extend  the  public  taste  and  con- 
sequent cultivation,  by  making  the  subject  a  grand  feature  in 
some  particular  show.  The  improved  culture  of  plants  in 
collections  is  an  object  which  interests  every  one  ;  and  it  is  an 
object  which  is  always  foremost  in  the  minds  of  those  inter- 
ested in  a  show,  and  liberal  prizes  for  collections  of  plants 
should  invariably  be  the  first  to  be  granted,  because  this  holds 
out  an  encouragement  for  the  procurement  and  care  of  fine 
plants,  and  brings  a  number  of  interesting  subjects  to  the 
exhibitions.  But  it  may  be  desirable  to  encourage  the  growth 
of  some  things  not  equally  inviting  to  the  company  who  usu- 
ally attend  exhibitions,  though  nevertheless  interesting  to 
horticulturists, — say  vegetables,  for  instance.  Now  we  would 
suggest  whether  this  may  not  be  better  accomplished  by  hav- 
ing prizes  awarded  to  the  quantity  raised,  of  which  a  speci- 
men may  be  shown,  or  for  the  best  collection  of  vegetables  fit 
for  the  table,  rather  than  by  distributing  prizes  for  the  best 
cabbage,  the  largest  peas,  a  huge  beet,  or  a  monstrous  squash  ; 
so  also  for  collections  of  fruit,  and  in  cases  where  art  and 
skill  have  prevailed  and  encouragement  may  be  wanted. 
Whoever  first  introduced  the  large  Dutch  currant,  so  much 
superior  to  the  old  sorts,  which  occupied  more  space  than 
they  were  worth  in  the  old  gardens,  or  those  who  have  or 
can  produce  the  best  gooseberry  or  plum  the  least  liable  to 
mildew  or  the  worm,  should  be  judged  worthy  of  a  prize ; 


212  Management  of  Horticultural  Societies. 

but  surely  it  is  money  thrown  away  to  award  prizes  to  dishes 
of  fruit  or  vegetables,  when  better  can  be  purchased  in  the 
market  by  the  bushel. 

The  third  proposition  is,  that  any  production,  to  entitle  the 
grower  to  a  prize,  or  even  to  exhibition,  must  be  either  a  new 
variety  or  above  the  average  quality  of  known  sorts.  It  is 
one  of  the  evils  of  horticultural  shows,  that  the  majority  of 
productions  are  neither  new  nor  above  the  average  quality-', 
and  consequently  have  no  business  there.  It  is  difficult,  to 
be  sure,  to  prevent  this.  The  best  mode  is,  perhaps,  to  throw 
open  the  shows  and  prizes  as  much  as  possible  to  the  public, 
and  not  confine  them  to  the  members,  or  perhaps  distribute 
prizes,  in  money  or  medals,  at  the  option  of  the  successful 
competitors,  to  all  comers ;  while,  for  lesser  prizes,  or  for  con- 
tributions, the  simple  issue  of  cards,  of  free  admission,  for  one 
or  more  seasons,  to  those  parties  not  members,  whose  contri- 
butions may  be  judged  worthy  of  this  acknowledgment, 
would  have  a  good  effect,  for  it  is  not  the  amount  or  intrinsic 
value  of  the  prize,  as  it  is  the  correct  judgment  in  the  distri- 
bution. This  is  shown  in  the  London  Metropolitan  Society, 
which  hardly  professes  to  give  prizes  of  value,  but  whose 
awards  carry  more  weight  and  are  more  regarded  than  any 
society  in  England.  The  prizes,  we  understand,  in  this  so- 
ciety, are  small,  and  the  difference  between  each  class  of 
flowers  trifling,  so  that  the  effect  is  to  draw  growers  of  all 
pretensions  into  the  same  class,  and  not  to  dispourage  them 
by  hopeless  prospects  ;  few  are  therefore  disappointed,  and  all 
are  encouraged  to  compete.  The  money  is  a  secondary  con- 
sideration with  almost  every  shewer ;  the  only  improvement 
to  be  made  upon  this  plan  is  to  substitute  medals  for  money. 

One  other  obstacle  we  shall  glance  at,  which  has  perhaps 
prevented  so  active  an  interest  being  taken  by  the  public  in 
horticultural  societies  in  this  country,  and  it  is  the  difficulty 
in  procuring  a  sufficient  number  of  competent  judges  in  the 
various  departments,  who  shall  have  solely  the  progress  and 
encouragement  of  the  science  in  view,  in  their  decisions. 

In  order  to  increase  the  number  of  these,  we  would  suggest 
the  appointment,  each  year,  of  different  individuals,  of  influ- 
ence and  taste,  who,  under  the  instruction  or  advice  of  the 
members  of  the  society,  would  soon  acquire  the  necessary 


New   Varieties  of  Chrysantherrnvms.  213 

knowledge ;  and  though,  at  first,  a  few  misjudgments  might 
be  made,  yet  the  advantages  would,  we  think,  soon  be  made 
manifest  in  the  increased  interest  of  all  parties  in  the  deci- 
sions and  in  the  spread  of  a  correct  knowledge  throughout 
the  community  ; — for  it  may  be  safely  asserted,  that  the  more 
the  number  of  good  judges  and  amateurs  are  increased  the 
higher  will  be  the  character  of  the  exhibitions,  and  the  more 
popular  will  horticultural  societies  become.  We  hope  soon  to 
see  them  established,  in  all  our  larger  towns,  on  those  liberal 
principles,  and  trust  that  all,  who  have  the  disposition  and 
taste,  will  commence  at  once,  even  though  upon  an  humble 
scale. 

Boston,  May,  1846. 

We  fully  endorse  the  greater  portion  of  the  views  of  our 
correspondent,  in  relation  to  the  management  of  horticultural 
exhibitions,  and  trust  soon  to  see  his  propositions  carried  into 
effect.  We  have  long  since  incidentally  thrown  out  hints, 
with  the  hope  of  seeing  many  improvements  in  this  way, 
and  we  are  glad  to  find  there  is  a  tendency  towards  their 
accomplishment.  Much,  however,  remains  to  be  done,  before 
they  arrive  at  that  condition  which  will  enable  them  to  give 
the  greatest  encouragement  to  the  growth  of  beautiful  flowers 
and  fine  fruits,  and  superior  vegetables. 

We  might  comment  upon  several  of  our  correspondent's 
remarks,  but  in  doing  so  should  occupy  too  much  space  at 
the  present  time.  We  propose  to  carry  them  out  hereafter,  in 
a  separate  article.  In  the  mean  time,  we  commend  them  to 
the  attention  of  all  who  are  interested  in  the  welfare  of  our 
horticultural  associations,  and  we  shall  be  happy  to  receive 
the  suggestions  of  any  of  our  friends,  upon  the  same  sub- 
ject.— Ed. 


Art.  III.  Descriptive  account  of  twenty-four  new  varieties  of 
Chrysanthemums,  with  some  observations  on  their  cultiva- 
tion.    By  the  Editor. 

In  an  early  volume    of   our  Magazine,    (I.    p.    138,)    we 
gave  an  account  of  all  the  principal  varieties  of  Chrysanthe- 


214  Descriptive  Account  of  Twenty-four 

mums  then  in  cultivation ;  they  were  nearly  or  quite  all  na- 
tives of  China,  from  whence  they  had  been  received,  from 
time  to  time,  principally  through  the  exertions  of  the  London 
Horticultural  Society. 

About  that  period,  the  French  and  Belgian  cultivators  be- 
gan the  production  of  seedlings,  and,  following  up  their  efforts, 
they  have  succeeded  in  producing  so  many  superior  kinds, 
that  many  of  the  old  Chinese  sorts  are  now  scarcely  consid- 
ered as  worthy  a  place  in  a  good  collection. 

The  chrysanthemum  has  always  been  a  favorite  flower  of 
ours,  and  we  have  always  made  exertions  to  procure  the 
finest  of  the  new  varieties  for  our  collection ;  and  having 
flowered  a  great  number  of  kinds  the  last  autumn,  which  we 
had  imported  the  year  or  two  previous,  we  took  brief  descrip- 
tions of  twenty-four  of  them  when  in  bloom,  in  the  hope  that 
they  might  aid  amateurs  in  the  choice  of  a  small  collection. 
We  have  arranged  the  list  alphabetically,  as  follows  : — 

1.  Ahelard. — Beautiful  bright  pink,  petals  perfectly  quilled. 

2.  Achmet  Bey. — Rich  royal  purple,  petals  incurved  and 
superb. 

3.  Bijou. — Small  delicate  blush,  tinted  with  rose,  and  bloom- 
ing in  large  compact  clusters. 

4.  Bertram. — Beautiful  purple. 

5.  Bethulia.* — Pink,  with  long  slender  petals,  slightly  tas- 
seled. 

6.  Comte  dPEu. — Fine  buff,  with  petals  half  quilled. 

7.  Campestroni. — Deep  rich  purple,  flowers  large,  and  pe- 
tals incurved. 

8.  David.* — Fine  bright  yellow. 

9.  Demosthenes. — Dark  salmon,  tipped  with  buff. 

10.  De  Creqire. — Lilac  pink,  with  large,  expanded  petals, 
blooming  in  compact  clusters. 

11.  Due  de  Calineau.* — Dark  reddish  crimson. 

12.  Gen.  Laborde. — Pink,  with  light  centre. 

13.  Horatio. — Rosy  purple,  with  large,  expanded  petal. 

14.  Incomparable. — Very  fine,  large,  buff. 

15.  Isabella. — Beautiful,  compact,  white. 

16.  Letitia  Bonaparte. — Pink,  slightly  tasseled. 

17.  Leontine. — Dark  red,  with  flat,  expanded  petal. 

18.  Marie  Antoinette. — Bright  pink,  with  expanded  petal. 


% 


New  Varieties  of  Chrysanthefmums.  215 

19.  Malvina. — Rich  deep  purple. 

20.  Orion, — Pink,  changing  to  blush,  full,  large  and  fine. 

21.  Phidias. — Purplish  pink,  ranunculus  flowered,  in  clus- 
ters. 

22.  Princess  Maria.* — Beautiful  pale  blush. 

23.  Solon. — Deep  rich  yellow,  beautiful. 

24.  Tedgini. — Pale  pink  and  buff. 

Those  marked  with  a  star  (*)  are  the  earliest  bloomers. 

In  the  article  alluded  to  above  we  detailed  our  mode  of  cul- 
tivation, which  was  usually  by  cuttings;  several  years'  expe- 
rience has  convinced  us  this  is  the  best  mode  to  obtain  the 
greatest  results,  but  those  who  do  not  wish  to  bestow  such 
pains  on  the  plants,  may  practise  a  mode  of  cultivation  much 
followed  by  us  when  we  are  not  in  want  of  a  yoimg  stock. 

About  the  first  of  June,  the  old  stools,  which  are  sup- 
posed to  have  been  wmtered  in  pits,  or  a  frame,  are  carefully 
turned  out  into  the  open  gromid,  previously  selecting  a  good 
soil,  which  has  been  well  manured.  The  plants  will  soon 
commence  throwing  up  strong  shoots,  which  are  to  form  the 
future  plants. 

About  the  middle  of  July,  or  between  that  period  and  the 
first  of  August,  the  strong  shoots  are  to  be  layered  into  small 
pots;  these  pots  should  be  previously  filled  with  good  rich 
soil,  in  which  there  is  an  admixture  of  sand.  The  pots  are 
then  sunk  level  with  the  ground  in  just  such  a  position  as  will 
admit  of  one  shoot  being  layered  in  each.  A  quantity  of  small 
pegs  should  be  at  hand,  about  six  inches  long ;  and  when  the 
shoot  is  bent  into  the  pot,  it  should  be  made  fast  by  one  of  the 
pegs,  thrusting  it  through  the  hole  in  the  bottom ;  the  bend 
should  be  made  about  six  inches  from  the  top  of  the  shoot, 
giving  it  a  slight  twist  when  performing  the  operation.  In 
this  way,  the  shoots  continue  to  advance  rapidly ;  and  if  the 
tops  of  them  are  pinched  off"  the  latter  part  of  August,  they 
soon  throw  out  many  lateral  shoots,  three  or  four  only  of 
which  should  be  selected  for  blooming,  and  the  others  pruned 
off.  Early  in  September,  all  the  layers  will  be  sufficiently 
rooted  to  be  cut  off",  when  the  plants  should  be  removed  to  a 
half  shady  place  for  a  few  days.  Preparations  should  now 
be  made  to  re-pot  them  in  seven-inch  pots,  in  a  compost  of 
three  quarters  good  turfy  loam  and  one  quarter  rotten  ma- 


216  Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices. 

nure,  adding  a  little  sand  to  keep  the  whole  in  free  condition. 
Stake  the  plants  carefully,  and  as  soon  as  well  established  in 
the  pots,  they  should  have  a  watering  with  liquid  guano  once 
a  week,  rather  weak  at  first,  but  increasing  the  strength  as 
the  plants  show  their  buds.  Managed  in  this  way,  and  re- 
moved to  the  greenhouse  or  parlor  on  the  approach  of  frost, 
they  form  fine  compact  heads,  covered  with  flowers,  and  at 
very  little  trouble  or  expense.  Few  plants  aflbrd  more  grati- 
fication than  a  good  collection  of  chrysanthemums. 


Art.  IV.  Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices  of  New  Plants, 
figured  in  foreign  periodicals  ;  ivith  Remarks  on  those  re- 
cently introduced  to,  or  originated  iti,  American  gardens,  and 
additional  information  upon  jilants  already  in  cultivation. 

Edwards^s  Botanical  Register,  or  Ornamental  Flower  Garden  and  Shrub- 
bery. Each  number  containhig  from  six  to  eight  plates  ;  with  additional 
miscellaneous  information  relative  to  new  plants.  In  monthly  numbers ; 
3s.  plain,  2s.  6d.  colored. 

Paxton's  Magazine  of  Botany,  and  Register  of  Flowering  Plants.  Each 
number  containing  four  colored  plates.  Monthly,  2s.  Qd.  each.  Edited 
by  J.  Paxton,  Gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Devonshire. 

The  Gardners^  Chronicle,  a  stamped  newspaper  of  Rural  Economy  and 
General  News.     Edited  by  Prof.  Lindley.     Weekly.     Price  %d.  each. 

Curlis^s  Botanical  Magazine,  in  monthly  numbers.  By  Sir  Wm.  Jackson 
Hooker,  K.  H.,  &c.,  3d  series,  vol.  1,  1845.     Nos.  1,  2,  3  and  5. 

Floricultural  Intelligence.  Fine  Calceolarias. — Our  corres- 
pondent. Col.  Wilder,  and  Mr.  Becar,  of  New  York,  whose 
fine  collection  of  plaiits  we  have  frequently  noticed,  have  suc- 
ceeding in  raising  some  very  superior  seedling  calceolarias. 
The  seeds  were  the  produce  of  a  few  imported  plants,  which 
have  since  died.  Some  of  the  flowers  are  most  superbly 
marked  with  a  large  blotch  of  deep  purple  or  maroon,  on 
white  or  yellow  grounds.  We  are  glad  that  so  good  a  stock 
has  been  produced,  as  the  plants  are  so  diflicult  of  importation 
that  it  is  quite  impossible  to  look  to  this  source  for  fine  kinds ; 
the  only  hope  is  by  seeds,  and  if  once  a  good  stock  is  obtain- 


Floricultural  mid  Botanical  Notices.  217 

ed,  seedlings  will  soon  be  raised  which  will  equal  any  that 
have  been  produced. 

Veronica  specibsa. — -This  very  beautiful  new  shrubby  spe- 
cies of  Veronica  will  soon  be  in  flower,  in  our  collection,  for 
the  first  time  we  think  in  this  country ;  the  buds  are  well  ad- 
vanced, and  will  probably  be  in  bloom  the  latter  part  of  June. 

Azalea  Gledstanesii. — We  have  had  this  variety  most  su- 
perbly in  bloom ;  a  small  plant  about  fifteen  inches  high  hav- 
ing been  one  sheet  of  flowers.  It  is  similar  to  variegata,  but 
the  flowers  are  nearly  white,  with  the  most  delicate  touches, 
and  pencillings  of  deep  vermilion.  In  habit,  it  is  also  like 
the  variegata,  and  forms  a  handsome  compact  bush.  Several 
other  new  sorts  have  flowered  in  our  collection,  among  which, 
we  may  name,  triumphans.  Smith's  fulgens,  and  leucomeges- 
tre,  as  splendid  acquisitions  to  this  fine  tribe;  a  seedling  white, 
of  the  habit  of  variegata,  will,  we  think,  prove  a  valuable  va- 
riety. 

Neic  Fuchsias. — A  great  variety  of  new  Fuchsias  have 
been  raised  the  past  year  in  England,  and  large  numbers  are 
advertised  as  possessing  very  superior  qualities.  The  varie- 
ties which  possess  the  most  interest,  are  those  in  the  way  of 
Venus  victrix,  but  with  larger  flowers,  and  better  habit ;  at 
least  eight  or  ten  of  this  description  are  offered  for  sale,  and 
a  challenge  of  £5  has  been  made  and  accepted  between  some 
of  the  nurserymen,  who  have  raised  rival  varieties.  We  shall 
endeavor  to  give  the  result  as  soon  as  we  see  it  announced. — 
Ed. 

Mr.  Fortune^  s  arrival  in  England. — Just  as  this  sheet  goes 
to  press,  we  have  the  pleasure  of  learning  that  Mr.  Fortune 
has  reached  England,  from  China,  in  good  health.  His  col- 
lections, in  18  glazed  cases,  have  arrived  in  beautiful  condi- 
tion ;  and  we  .  have  no  doubt  that  the  final  result  of  his  great 
exertions  will  be  among  the  most  important  of  the  important 
measures  which  have  been  brought  about  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Council  of  the  Horticultural  Society. 

Mr.  Hartweg. — Letters  have  been  received  from  this  col- 
lector, who  was  just  about  to  leave  Tepic  for  San  Bias,  en 
route  to  Mazatlan.  Some  new  seeds  and  plants  are  on  their 
way, 

28 


218  Colman^s  European  Agriculture, 


REVIEWS. 

Art.  I.  European  Agriculture  and  Rural  Economy,  from 
personal  observation.  By  Henry  Colman.  Yol.  I.,  Part  5. 
pp.  385  to  492.     Boston.     1846. 

The  present  number  of  Mr.  Colman' s  work  has  been  issued 
some  time,  and  we  believe  Part  VI.  is  announced  as  in  press. 
Want  of  space  has,  however,  prevented  our  noticing  it  before. 
The  contents  are  as  follows : — 

LXII.  General  Remarks ;  LXIII.  General  Remarks  and 
division  of  the  subject  of  Farming  ;  LXIV.  The  Soil ;  LXV. 
Theories  of  the  operation  of  the  Soil ;  LXVI.  A  modern  Dis- 
covery ;  LXVII.  Soils  of  Great  Britain ;  LXVIIl.  Classifica- 
tion of  Soils  :  LXIX.  Physical  Properties  of  the  Soil ;  LXX. 
Peaty  Soil ;  LXXI.  Loamy  Soils  ;  LXXII.  Humus,  or  Vege- 
table Mould ;  LXXIII.  Peculiarities  of  Soil ;  LXXIV.  Appli- 
cation of  Chemistry  to  Agriculture ;  LXXV,  Theory  of  Ag- 
riculture ;  LXXVI.  Actual  Improvements ;  LXXVII.  Plough- 
ing; LXXVIII.  The  English  Character;  LXXIX.  The 
Perfection  of  Ploughing ;  LXXX.  Ploughing  Match  at  Saf- 
fron Walden ;  LXXXI.  General  Rules  for  Ploughing ; 
LXXXII.  A  Digression ;  LXXXIII.  Improved  Machinery ; 
LXXXIV.  Moral  Considerations;  LXXXV.  Harrowing; 
LXXXVI.  Scarifying,  or  Grubbing;  LXXXVII.  General 
Remarks  on  the  use  of  Agricultural  Machinery ;  LXXXVIII. 
Particular  Examples  of  Improvement ;  LXXXIX.  Cornwall 
and  the  Land's  End.     Table  of  Calculations  on  Ploughing. 

This  number  we  think  one  of  the  most  valuable  which  has 
been  issued,  being  of  a  more  practical  character,  and  convey- 
ing useful  hints  and  suggestions  which  cannot  fail  to  be  of 
great  service  to  intelligent  farmers.  The  observations  on 
ploughing  are  of  great  importance,  and  should  be  well  re- 
membered. The  English  and  Scotch,  so  far  as  we  had  an 
opportunity  of  observing  during  our  recent  tour,  plough  far 
superior  to  any  thing  we  find  among  our  own  workmen,  and 
we  were  peculiarly  struck  with  the  regularity  in  which  the 
work  was  done.     Mr.  Colman  devotes  a  long  chapter  to  the 


and  Rural  Econonvy.  219 

various  modes  of  ploughing,  detailing  the  manner  in  which 
the  work  is  accomplished. 

Having  recently  subsoiled  a  quantity  of  land  for  trees,  and 
being  well  convinced  of  its  very  great  importance,  we  extract 
the  following  Experiment,  which  we  hope  is  sufficient  to  show 
the  advantages  of  the  subsoil  plough  : — 

Experiment  in  Subsoiling  Heath  Land. — An  example  of  success  in  the 
application  of  the  subsoil  to  heath  land,  which  is  within  my  knowledge,  is 
so  remarkable,  that  I  will  give  it  to  my  readers  at  large.  The  gentleman 
to  whom  I  shall  refer,  Sir  Edward  Stracey,  is  himself  the  inventor  of  a  sub- 
soil-plough, known  as  theRackheath  plough,  after  the  name  of  the  property 
which  he  occupies,  and  which  is  much  lighter  of  draught  than  the  Deanston 
plough. 

"  On  my  coming  to  reside  on  my  estate  at  Rackheath,  about  six  years 
since,  I  found  500  acres  of  heath  land,  composing  two  farms,  without  ten- 
ants,— the  gorse,  heather,  and  fern  shooting  up  in  all  parts.  In  short,  the 
land  was  in  such  a  condition  that  the  crops  did  not  return  the  seed  sown. 
The  soil  was  a  loose,  loamy  soil,  and  had  been  broken  up  by  the  plough  to 
a  depth  not  exceeding  four  inches,  beneath  which  was  a  substratum  (provin- 
cially  called  an  iron-pan)  so  hard,  that  with  difficulty  could  a  pickaxe  be 
made  to  enter  in  many  places  ;  and  my  bailitT,  who  had  looked  after  the  lands 
for  35  years,  told  me  that  the  lands  were  not  worth  cultivating  ;  that  all  the 
neighboring  farmers  said  the  same  thing  ;  and  that  there  was  but  one  thing 
to  be  done,  viz.,  to  plant  with  fir  and  forest  trees.  To  this  I  paid  little  at- 
tention, as  I  had  the  year  preceding  allotted  some  parcels  of  ground,  taken 
out  of  the  adjoining  lands,  to  some  cottagers,  to  each  cottage  about  one 
third  of  an  acre.  The  crops  on  all  these  allotments  looked  fine,  healthy, 
and  good,  producing  excellent  wheat,  carrots,  peas,  cabbages,  potatoes  and 
other  vegetables  in  abundance.  The  question  then  was,  How  was  this  to 
be  done?  On  the  outside  of  the  cottage  allotments,  all  was  barren.  It 
could  not  be  by  the  manure  that  had  been  laid  on,  for  the  cottagers  had 
none  but  that  which  they  had  scraped  from  the  roads.  The  magic  of  all 
this  I  could  ascribe  to  nothing  else  but  the  spade  ;  they  had  broken  up  the 
land  eighteen  inches  deep.  As  to  digging  up  500  acres  with  the  spade,  to 
the  depth  of  eighteen  inches,  at  an  expense  of  six  pounds  an  acre,  I  would 
not  attempt  it.  I  considered  that  a  plough  might  be  constructed  so  as  to 
loosen  the  soil  to  the  depth  of  eighteen  inches,  keeping  the  best  soil  to  the 
depth  of  four  inches,  and  near  the  surface,  thus  admitting  air  and  moisture 
to  the  roots  of  the  plants,  and  enabling  them  to  extend  their  spongioles  in 
search  of  food, — for  air,  moisture,  and  extent  of  pasture,  are  as  necessary 
to  the  thriving  and  increase  of  vegetables,  as  of  animals.  In  this  attempt 
I  succeeded,  as  the  result  will  show.  I  have  now  broken  up  all  these  500 
acres  eighteen  inches  deep.  The  process  was  by  sending  a  common  plough 
drawn  by  two  horses  to  precede,  which  turned  over  the  ground  to  the  depth 
of  four   inches.     My  subsoil-plough  immediately  followed  in  the  furrow 


220  ColmarCs  European  Agriculture. 

made,  drawn  by  four  horses,  stirring  and  breaking  the  soil  twelve  or  four- 
teen inches  deeper,  but  not  turning  it  over.  Sometimes  the  iron-pan  was 
so  hard,  that  the  horses  were  set  fast,  and  it  became  necessary  to  use  the  - 
pickaxe  to  release  them,  before  they  could  proceed.  After  the  first  year, 
the  land  produced  double  the  former  crops,  many  of  the  carrots  being  16 
inches  in  length,  and  of  proportionate  thickness.  This  amendment  could 
have  arisen  only  from  the  deep  ploughing.  Manure  I  had  scarcely  any, 
the  land  not  producing  then  stover  sufficient  to  keep  any  stock  worth  men- 
tioning, and  it  was  not  possible  to  procure  sufficient  quantity  from  the  town. 
The  plough  tore  up  by  the  roots  all  the  old  gorse,  heather,  and  fern,  so  that 
the  land  lost  all  the  distinctive  character  of  heath  land,  the  first  year  after 
the  deep  ploughing,  which  it  had  retained,  notwithstanding  the  ploughing 
with  the  common  ploughs  for  35  years.  Immediately  after  this  subsoil- 
ploughing,  the  crop  of  wheat  was  strong  and  long  in  the  straw,  and  the 
grain  close-bosomed  and  heavy,  weighing  64  pounds  to  the  bushel ;  the 
quantity,  as  might  be  expected,  not  large,  (about  26  bushels  to  the  acre,) 
but  great  in  comparison  to  what  it  produced  before.  The  millers  were  de- 
sirous of  purchasing  it,  and  could  scarcely  believe  it  was  grown  upon  the 
heath  land,  as  in  former  years  it  was  difficult  to  get  a  miller  to  look  at  a 
sample.  Let  this  be  borne  in  mind,  that  this  land  then  had  had  no  manure 
for  years,  was  run  out,  and  could  only  have  been  meliorated  by  the  admis- 
sion of  air  and  moisture,  from  deep  ploughing.  This  year  the  wheat  on  this 
land  has  looked  most  promising  ;  the  ears  large  and  heavy,  the  straw  long, 
and  I  expect  the  produce  will  be  from  34  to  36  bushels  per  acre.  My 
Swedish  turnips  on  this  land  this  year  are  very  good ;  my  pudding  and 
sugar-loaf  turnips  failing  in  many  parts,  sharing  the  fate  of  those  of  my 
meighbors,  having  been  greatly  injured  by  the  torrents  of  rain  which  fell 
after  they  had  shown  themselves  above  the  ground.  Turnips  must  have  a 
deep  and  well-pulverized  soil,  in  order  to  enable  them  to  swell,  and  the  tap- 
roots to  penetrate  in  search  of  food.  The  tap-root  of  a  Swedish  turnip  has 
been  known  to  penetrate  39  inches  into  the  ground.  T  will  add  only  two  or 
three  general  observations. 

"  1st.  The  work  done  by  the  plough  far  exceeds  trenching  with  the 
spade,  as  the  plough  only  breaks  and  loosens  the  land  all  around,  without 
turning  the  subsoil  to  the  top,  which,  in  some  cases,  (where  the  subsoil  is 
bad,)  would  be  injurious  to  the  early  and  tender  plants;  and  if  the  subsoil 
is  good,  it  would  be  rendered  more  fit  for  vegetation  after  the  air  and  mois- 
ture had  been  permitted  to  enter.  The  ploughing  is  also  far  preferable  to 
trenching  by  the  spade,  even  for  planting,  (i.  e.  trees,)  as  it  may  be  done 
at  one  fourth  the  expense. 

"  2dly.  It  were  very  preferable,  if  possible,  to  work  the  horses  abreast, 
pair  and  pair;  but,  in  using  this  plough,  the  horses  must  work  in  a  line,  for, 
if  abreast,  the  horse  on  the  land  ploughed  would  soon  be  fatigued,  by  sink- 
ing up  to  his  hocks  ;  and,  to  render  the  draught  more  easy,  the  second  horse 
from  the  plough  should  not  be  fastened  to  the  chains  of  the  horse  next  the 
plough  ;  but  the  chains  of  the  second  horse  should  be  made  long  enough  to 
be  hooked  about  two  feet  behind  the  back-band  of  the  chains  of  the  horse 


Gardner's  Farmer's  Dictionary.  221 

next  the  plough,  so  that  the  second  horse  will  draw  at  an  angle  of  about  33 
degrees  ;  otherwise,  were  the  chains  of  the  second  horse  hooked  in  front  of 
the  back-chain,  he  would  pull  the  whole  weight  of  his  draught,  together 
with  that  of  the  horses  preceding  him,  on  the  back  of  the  horse  next  the 
plough  ;  and  the  strength  of  the  horse  would  be  lost  in  the  draught,  as  his 
whole  powers  would  be  exerted  in  his  endeavors  to  prevent  being  brought 
down  upon  his  knees.  By  so  arranging  the  chains,  the  power  of  three 
horses  would  be  equal  to  that  of  four." 

Such  were  the  favorable  results  of  this  bold  experiment.  In  many  other 
cases,  however,  the  result  has  not  been  so  successful ;  and  when  the  state 
or  character  of  the  land  is  such  as  to  retain  the  water,  as  (to  use  the  expres- 
sion of  one  highly  intelligent  farmer,  who  subsoiled  his  land  without  first 
draining  it,)  "  it  sometimes  does  like  a  sponge,"  the  subsoiling  is  as  likely, 
and  perhaps  more  likely,  to  be  injurious  than  beneficial.  The  Deanston 
system,  as  it  is  here  called,  of  subsoil-ploughing  and  furrow-draining,  will 
presently  be  fully  stated  to  my  readers. 


Art  II.  The  Farmer's  Dictioriary :  a  Vocabulary  of  the 
Technical  Terins  recently  introduced  into  Agriculture  and 
Horticulture  from  various  sciences,  and  also  a  Compendium 
of  Practical  Farnii?ig  ;  the  latter  chiefly  from  the  ivorks  of 
the  Rev.  TV.  L.  Rham,  Loudon,  Low,  and  Youatt,  and  the 
most  eminent  American  authors.  Edited  by  D.  P.  Gardner, 
M.  D.,  Honorary  member  of  several  Agricultural  Societies, 
with  numerous  Illustrations.  1  thick  vol.,  12mo.,  pp.  876. 
New  York.     1846. 

The  title  of  this  new  work  is  sufficiently  plain  to  express 
its  character ;  we  quote,  however,  from  the  preface,  the  design 
of  the  editor  in  the  preparation  of  the  volume  : 

The  Farmer's  Dictionary  was  undertaken  originally  for  the  purpose  of 
supplying  a  want  long  felt  by  the  editor,  in  common  with  the  agricultural 
community,  of  a  short  explanation  of  the  many  technical  terms  introduced 
into  the  works  written  on  farming.  Much  opposition  has  arisen  to  the  use 
of  technical  words  in  these  productions,  and  our  journals  are  full  of  com- 
plaints, from  respectable  men,  against  the  innovation.  If,  however,  words 
having  so  precise  a  meaning,  and,  in  many  instances,  conveying  so  much 
information,  be  discarded,  what  shall  be  substituted  in  their  j)]ace?  It  is 
obviously  impossible  for  every  writer  who  has  occasion  to  use  the  terms 
hybrid,  hydrogen,  or  eremacausis,  to  explain  in  detail  what  these  mean  ; 
and  if  the  attempt  were  made,  our  treatises  would  present  the  most  tiresome 


222  Gardner's  Farmer's  Dictionary. 

examples  of  tautology.  Each  farmer  may  satisfy  himself  with  a  set  of  ar- 
bitrary terms,  which  convey  all  the  information  he  desires  ;  but  they  will 
not  answer  if  he  wishes  to  impart  that  information  to  others.  There  is, 
perhaps,  no  greater  drawback  to  the  advancement  oi  our  art,  than  the  indef- 
inite words  used  among  us, — words  which  are  often  peculiar  to  a  small  dis- 
trict, and  which  are  used  to  designate  a  variety  of  objects  in  different  parts 
of  the  country.    , 

The  friends  of  agricultural  improvement,  and  especially  our  journalists, 
should  use  all  exertions  to  establish  a  suitable  nomenclature.  The  art  has 
arrived  at  that  stage  that  this  is  the  greatest  object  to  be  accomplished.  It 
will  open  to  the  practical  man  the  extensive  information  of  the  scientific 
world,  and  will  enable  the  theorist  to  study  his  generalizations  by  consulting 
the  works  of  the  true  farmer.  I  have  not,  in  attempting  to  carry  out  my 
original  design  of  preparing  a  vocabulary,  thought  it  advisable  to  insert 
every  provincial  phrase,  but  have  taken  only  those  words  in  common  use 
among  farmers,  and  which  have  become  somewhat  fixed  by  being  frequently 
introduced  into  essays.  I  have  thought  it  useful,  when  words  were  occa- 
sionally met  with  a  strange  signification,  to  omit  them  as  an  error  in  lan- 
guage ;  nor  has  it  appeared  conformable  with  my  object  to  introduce  the 
well-known  words  of  our  language  which  have  a  place  in  the  common  dic- 
tionaries. In  this  compilation,  I  am  necessarily  under  infinite  obligations  to 
others,  especially  to  Loudon,  Rham,  Youatt,  Stephens,  Johnson,  Deane, 
Young,  Buel,  Armstrong,  Ellsworth,  Colman,  Low,  Brande,  Clater,  &c., 
&c.,  and  our  journahsts.  ISIy  task  has  not  been,  however,  without  labor  ; 
for  I  could  find  no  vocabulary  such  as  that  1  desired  to  produce  already  in 
existence,  to  serve  me  as  a  model ;  and  if  any  merit  should  be  awarded  me 
for  this  undertaking,  it  may  be  claimed  on  the  ground  tliat  the  Farmer's 
Dictionary  is  the  first  book  of  its  kind.  This  will  also,  I  trust,  avert  much 
of  the  criticism  to  which  I  know  the  work  is  obnoxious.  So  much  for  my 
design,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  has  been  accomplished. 

The  Dictionary  is  not  a  mere  book  of  terms,  but  under 
the  head  of  the  diU'eient  grasses,  roots,  plants,  fruit,  vegeta- 
bles, &c.,  the  history  of  its  origin  is  given,  and  mode  of  culti- 
vation detailed.  The  following  on  the  straAvberry.  will  show 
the  maimer  in  which  the  editor  has  executed  his  task : — 

Straichcrry. — This  admirable  fruit  is  yielded  by  several  species  of  the  ge- 
nns  Fragaria.  The  European  wood  is  F.vesca;  the  scarlets  are  from  2^. 
Virginiana ;  the  Alpines  from  F.  colUna ;  and  the  jp.  Carolinensis,  elatior, 
Chilicnsis,  also  furnish  some  of  the  best  kinds. 

"  The  best  soil  is  a  strong,  rich  loam,  and  one  that  is  tolerably  adhesive 
and  retentive  of  moisture  ;  for,  as  strawberries  are  generally  injured  in  this 
country  by  excessive  drought,  it  is  best  to  provide  against  this  calamity  by 
planting  ihem  in  a  rather  wet  soil.     A  rich  soil,  however,  is  not  indispensa- 


Gardner'' s  Farmer's  Dictionary.  223 

ble,  as  almost  any  mould  that  is  not  too  dry  will  produce  a  greater  or  less 
quantity  of  fruit. 

"  Trenching  the  ground  a  foot  and  a  half  deep,  and  mixing  plenty  of 
well-rotted  dung  with  the  soil  that  is  brought  to  ihe  surface,  is  the  best 
preparation. 

"  The  time  of  planting  is  the  first  week  in  August  for  the  offsets  of  the 
first  spring  runners,  always  choosing  those  that  are  large,  and  rejecting 
small  ones.  During  the  first  year  cut  off  all  runners  as  they  appear.  Any 
time  from  October  to  May,  will  do  for  planting  out  old  stools  which  have 
borne  fruit  once.  Those  which  have  borne  twice  are  good  for  nothing,  and 
should  be  thrown  away. 

"  The  offsets  may  be  planted  in  a  single  row  along  the  borders  of  the 
walks,  at  ten  or  fifteen  inches  apart :  if  another  row  be  made,  it  ought  to 
be  fifteen  inches  from  the  other ;  they  may  also  be  planted  in  clumps  of 
three  or  more  together,  six  inches  or  less  apart,  and  three  feet  between  the 
clumps.  Beds  with  four  rows  each,  and  two  feet  between  the  beds  for  cab- 
bages, answer  well.  But  the  best  situation  for  planting  strawberries,  is 
where  a  row  of  dwarf  apple,  pear,  or  other  trees  is  grown  on  either  or  both 
sides  of  a  walk,  to  have  a  bed  of  strawberries,  four  or  five  feet  wide,  be- 
neath them  ;  for  in  this  situation  they  will  be  afforded  that  degree  of  shade 
which  is  necessary  for  them  in  dry  weather,  without  injuring  the  trees,  or 
being  injured  by  them.  In  these  beds  they  should  first  be  planted  in  four 
rows,  two  on  each  side  of  the  trees,  and  the  offsets  from  these  should  be  al- 
lowed to  spread  so  as  to  extend  themselves  over  the  whole  of  the  bed,  only 
cutting  off  annually  those  that  are  disposed  to  wander  from  the  prescribed 
bounds  of  the  bed.  A  strawberry  bed  of  this  description,  would  produce 
a  far  greater  crop  than  if  planted  out  in  single  rows,  and  will  continue  bear- 
ing for  a  greater  number  of  years,  as  well  as  be  less  liable  to  injury  from 
drought. 

"It  is  important  to  fix  the  roots  well  in  the  ground,  otherwise  they  may 
be  drawn  out  by  earth  worms,  or  pushed  out  of  the  ground  on  a  thaw  suc- 
ceeding a  hard  frost. 

"  The  best  sorts  are  Keen's  seedling,  Hovey's  seedling,  Myatt's  British 
Queen,  Swainstone's  seedling,  old  pine,  red  wood,  ihe  roseberry,  and  the 
hautbois.  The  scarlet  is  the  earliest,  and  the  small  red  Alpine,  which  some 
say  is  best  when  raised  from  seed,  others  say  best  from  runners,  planted  in 
August  or  September,  at  six  inches  distance,  will  produce  fruit  from  the 
end  of  May  till  the  frost  sets  in.  For  a  late  crop,  all  the  flower  stems 
should  be  cut  off  as  they  show,  up  to  the  end  of  June. 

"  Strawberries  are  much  injured  by  hot,  dry  weather,  and  therefore  they 
must  be  abundantly  supplied  with  water  when  this  occurs,  particularly  just 
as  the  blossom  falls ;  but  the  blossom  must  not  be  wetted.  Weeds  must  be 
cleared  off,  but  in  stirring  the  earth  with  a  fork,  not  with  a  spade,  care  must 
be  taken  not  to  go  too  near  the  roots,  as  recommended  by  some.  Birds  must 
be  guarded  against,  as  well  as  snails  and  slugs,  which  would  eat  the  blooms 
and  spoil  the  fruit.  Pieces  of  slate,  tiles,  tin,  boards,  or,  what  is  preferable, 
hay,  straw,  or  dry  moss,  should  be  laid  three  or  four  inches  thick  under  the 


224  Thomases  Fruit  Culturist. 

fruit  as  it  becomes  ripe,  to  keep  it  clean  from  sand  :  but  this  precaution  is 
seldom  necessary.  The  superfluous  runners  and  dead  leaves  should  be  re- 
moved in  September.  What  are  termed  male  or  barren  plants  should  al- 
ways be  grubbed  up." 

The  work  is  exceedingly  well  got  up ;  it  is  printed  on  good 
paper,  in  a  neat  clear  type,  in  double  columns,  and  is  embel- 
lished with  a  great  number  of  finely  executed  engravings. 
We  can  recommend  the  work  to  the  attention  of  all  who  are 
interested  in  gardening  or  farming,  and  especially  to  those 
who  have  not  already  a  good  library  for  reference. 


Art.  III.  The  Fruit  Culturist,  adapted  to  the  Climate  of  the 
Northern  States  ;  contairmig  Directions  for  raising  Young 
Ti'ees  in  the  Nursery,  and  for  the  Managetnetit  of  the  Or- 
chard and  Fruit  Garden.  By  John  J.  Thomas.  Illustrated 
with  Engravings.  I  vol.,  16mo.    pp.  220.    New  York.   1846. 

This  is  the  title  of  a  little  volume,  recently  issued  from  the 
press,  but  which  we  have  not  found  an  opportunity  to  notice 
before.  The  author,  Mr.  Thomas,  is  favorably  known  as  a 
writer  in  various  agricultural  papers,  and  more  recently  as  an 
associate  editor  of  the  Albany  Cultivator.  The  work  is  only 
intended,  as  the  author  states  in  the  preface,  ''to  furnish  use- 
ful directions  to  those  who  may  be  little  acquainted  with  the 
management  of  fruit  trees,"  and  those  who  need  more  ex- 
tended information  are  referred  to  Mr.  Downing' s  Fruits  and 
Fruit  Trees  of  America. 

The  volume  will  answer  very  well  the  purposes  intended, 
and  the  directions  for  raising  young  stocks,  planting  out, 
grafting,  budding,  pruning,  «fcc.,  are  plain,  practical,  and  use- 
ful to  new  beginners.  In  a  hasty  perusal  of  the  work,  we 
have  been  well  pleased  with  it,  and  only  regret  that  Mr. 
Thomas  should  have  detracted  from  its  excellence  by  making 
any  statements  upon  subjects  of  which  he  had  no  experience. 
It  would  have  been  better  to  have  omitted  altogether  any  re- 
marks, unless  they  could  have  been  made  with  correctness. 

We  are  led  to  these  remarks  upon  reading  the  chapter  on 


Thomas's  Fruit  Culturist.  225 

the  strawberry,  in  which,  under  the  head  of  "selection  of 
varieties,"  we  find  the  following  : — 

The  Duke  of  Kent  and  Early  Scarlet  are  among  the  best  very  early 
varieties ;  and  the  Roseberry,  Bishop's  Orange,  Keene's  Seedling,  and 
Hovey's  Seedling,  are  known  for  good  quality,  large  size  and  productive- 
ness. The  two  latter  being  tender  need  a  covering  of  straw  or  chaff,  in 
winter.  Hovey's  seedling  is  regarded  by  many  who  have  cultivated  it,  as 
the  most  desirable  of  all  varieties  ;  but,  as  with  other  new  fruits,  it  should 
not  be  exclusively  nor  very  extensively  cultivated,  till  years  of  trial  have 
thoroughly  proved  its  character  and  freedom  from  unforeseen  defects, 
—pp.  171,  172. 

Now  here  are  three  errors  in  this  short  paragraph  : — First, 
the  Duke  of  Kent  scarlet  is  quite  worthless,  and  has  so  been 
marked  in  the  London  Horticultural  Society's  catalogue, 
where  it  is  set  down  "third  size  and  second  quality,"  and  we 
discarded  it  from  our  collection  twelve  or  fifteen  years  ago. 
Second,  the  Bishop's  Orange  is  not  "  good  quality  and  large 
size,"  being  merely  "second  quality  and  second  size,"  accord- 
ing to  the  same  authority ;  and  we  consider  it  very  inferior,  as 
the  trusses  of  fruit  have  such  short  stems  that  the  berries  can 
only  be  found  by  searching  on  the  ground  under  the  leaves  ; 
but  the  third  and  gross  error  is,  that  "  Hovey's  seedling  is 
tender''^  !  It  is  evident  from  this  that  Mr.  Thomas  never  cul- 
tivated the  true  variety,  or  he  would  not  have  made  such  a 
statement,  for  one  of  its  greatest  qualities  is  its  hardiness — 
twelve  years'  experience  having  never  yet  enabled  us  to  find 
a  bed  of  ^'■oung  and  healthy  plants  any  more  injured  than  the 
early  scarlet  or  Virginia. 

But  why  does  Mr.  Thomas  say  that  "  it  should  not  be 
very  extensively  cultivated  till  years  of  trial  have  thoroughly 
proved  its  character  and  freedom  from  unforeseen  defects"  7 
Is  he  afraid  cultivators  will  find  out  its  merits  too  soon,  and 
thus  have  a  fine  fruit  in  place  of  a  poor  one  ?  Mr.  Thomas 
does  not  describe  only  three  or  four  new  and  lately  intro- 
duced fruits,  of  superior  quality,  throughout  the  whole  book ; 
but  even  to  these  we  do  not  see  that  he  has  taken  the  pains 
to  caution  his  readers  not  to  cultivate  them  "  till  years  of 
trial,"  &c.  We  do  not  know  what  term  of  years  he  would 
have  a  fruit  like  the  strawberry  under  trial ;  but  for  his  in- 

VOL.  XII. NO.  VI.  29 


226  General  Notices. 

struction  we  quote  the  following  extract  from  the  report  of 
the  chairman  of  the  Fruit  committee  of  the  Massachusetts 
Horticultural  Society,  (p.  107,)  awarding  Messrs.  Hovey  a 
silver  pitcher  of  the  value  of  f  50  : — 

"  Voted,  unanimovsly,  To  recommend  to  the  Society,  that  a  Silver 
Pitcher,  or  other  piece  of  plate,  with  a  suitable  inscription,  of  the  value 
of  Fifty  Dollars,  be  awarded  to  the  Messrs.  Hovey,  as  a  Special  Pre- 
mium, for  their  seedling  strawberry,  called  '  Hovey's  Seedling.'' 

"  Here  it  would  be  the  duty  of  your  Committee  to  close  their  report,  but  in 
the  present  instance  they  feel  they  may  be  pardoned,  if  not  justified,  in  fur- 
ther stating,  THAT,  AFTER  A  TRIAL  OF  TWELVE  YEARS,  they  know  of  no 
strawberry  of  superior  merit,  and  where  it  is  cultivated  near  other  varieties, 
it  will  prove  one  of  the  best  where  all  are  good.'" 

We  beg  the  indulgence  of  our  readers  for  occupying  so 
much  room  in  self-defence,  but  we  feel,  in  due  justice  to  our- 
selves, as  well  as  to  the  good  judgment  of  the  committee  of 
the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  that  we  should  point 
out  the  great  error  which  the  writer  has  committed  in  re- 
lation to  this  variety.  We  trust  Mr.  Thomas,  if  another 
edition  should  be  called  for,  will  correct  this  mistake,  which 
he  may  have  inadvertently  committed.  The  work  concludes 
with  several  pages  of  tabular  descriptions  of  fruits. 


MISCELLANEOUS    INTELLIGENCE. 

Art.  I.     General  Notices. 

Cultivation  of  the  Chinese  Primrose. — Although  this  may  be  easily  and 
successfully  cultivated  in  pots,  yet  it  is  more  easily  and  advantageously 
cultivated  in  general  by  planting  it  out  in  some  shady  situation  during  the 
summer  months.  For  autumn  flowering  specimens,  the  seed  should  be 
sown  about  the  middle  of  March,  in  pots  or  pans,  and  placed  in  a  little  heat 
until  the  young  plants  appear,  when  they  should  be  removed  to  the  green- 
house. As  soon  as  they  are  large  enough  let  them  be  pricked  out  into  pots 
or  pans,  keeping  them  in  a  shady  part  of  the  house.  They  will  thus,  with 
a  little  attention,  be  strong  plants,  ready  for  planting  out  by  the  end  of 
May.  Prepare  a  frame  under  a  north  wall,  (the  most  suitable  situation  for 
them,)  with  a  compost  of  three  parts  leaf  mould  and  a  little  turly  loam  or 
sand.     Let  the  plants  be  placed  about  six  or  eight  inches  apart ;  keep  them 


General  Notices.  227 

close  for  a  few  days,  after  which  the  covering  should  be  removed  entirely, 
to  allow  the  dews  and  rains  to  fall  on  them.  They  will  require  no  more 
attention  until  the  time  arrives  for  potting ;  but  they  should  have  a  liberal 
supply  of  water,  and  liquid  manure  occasionally.  About  the  middle  of 
September  they  should  be  taken  up  and  potted  in  six  or  seven-inch  pots,  in 
a  compost.  Afterwards  replace  them  in  the  frame,  keeping  them  close  for 
a  few  days,  and  constantly  wetting  the  foliage  three  or  four  times  a  day  to 
keep  them  from  flagging.  In  about  a  fortnight,  they  may  be  removed  to  the 
greenhouse,  and  watered  more  sparingly  as  they  come  into  flower.  You 
win  then  insure  a  good  succession  of  bloom  throughout  the  autumn.  Seed 
for  specimens  to  flower  in  spring  should  be  sown  in  April,  and  treated  as 
above,  keeping  them  free  from  damp  and  frost  during  the  winter  months, 
and  giving  them  more  water,  as  the  spring  advances,  which  is  all  that  is 
required  to  make  them  flower  abundantly.  After  the  plants  have  done 
blooming,  plant  them  out  as  before,  and  they  will  make  fine  specimens  for 
flowering  in  the  following  autumn.     [Gard.  Chron.  1846,  p.  4.) 

Destruction  of  the  Red  Spider. — A  writer  reminds  the  readers  of  the 
Chronicle  that  sulphur,  rightly  applied,  in  conjunction  with  atmospheric 
moisture,  is  perfectly  efficient  to  destroy  the  spider.  -Apply  it  three  times 
a  year,  on  an  under  pipe,  and  on  the  least  heated  portion  of  the  flue,  thick 
as  paint,  and  worked  up  with  soft-soap  water  to  make  it  adhere  for  some 
time.  Do  this  in  February,  in  May,  and  again  in  August,  and  maintain  a 
wholsesome  amount  of  atmospheric  moisture — not  a  sudden  steam,  but  a 
slow  yet  permanent  supply — and  I  will  engage  that  the  spider  will  be  ren- 
dered perfectly  harmless.  Do  not,  however,  apply  it  on  any  surface  that  is 
so  warm  at  times  as  to  produce  inconvenience  to  the  hand  when  grasping 
it;  this  is  a  simple  rule.     [Gard.  Chron.,  1846,  p.  87.) 

Winter  F  owers. — A  series  of  articles  is  published  in  the  Chronicle  on 
the  cultivation  of  winter  flowers.  As  it  contains  some  excellent  hints,  we 
shall  occasionally  extract  such  as  are  interesting  to  our  readers  : — 

Euphorbia  jacquiniflora. — This  most  beautiful  winter  flower  is,  indeed, 
indispensable  to  every  collection  ;  its  cultivation  is  not  difficult,  although  it 
is  somewhat  difficult  to  get  the  plants  into  a  bushy  state.  The  two  or 
three  year  old  plants  make  the  best  bushes,  and  cuttings  struck  from  these, 
when  they  "  break"  in  February,  will  make  nice  plants  for  a  small  shelf 
by  the  ensuing  autumn.  Mr.  Beaton  has  recommended  turning  them  on 
their  sides  in  the  course  of  their  cultivation,  to  encourage  the  emission  of 
shoots  from  the  lower  part  of  the  stem,  and  a  good  plan  it  is.  However,  if 
a  lively  and  powerful  action  of  root,  through  well  constituted  and  porous 
soil  and  bottom  heat,  be  ensured,  they  will,  with  "stopping,"  break  many 
shoots.  If  there  are  plenty  of  cuttings  to  be  had,  I  should  recommend  put- 
ting three  in  a  small  pot,  which  should  receive  only  one  shift  afterwards  ; 
they  will  thus  make  more  effect  than  single  plants.  Soil  should  be  sandy 
heath,  leaf  soil,  and  loam,  all  in  a  lumpy  state,  to  which  add  plenty  of 
small  charcoal,  pounded  crocks,  and  sharp  sand,  with  the  pot  one  third 
filled  with  drainage. 

Mignonette. — Every  body's  favorite,  and  is  easily  grown,  provided  good 


228  Genet'al  Notices. 

frame  or  pit  room  can  be  secured  for  it.  Two  sowings,  the  one  about  the 
first  week  in  August,  and  the  other  three  weeks  later,  will  furnish  plants 
for  both  autumn  and  spring.  They  may  be  sown  in  a  small  bed,  and,  when 
compact  plants,  may  be  transferred  to  five-inch  pots,  putting  five  or  six  in 
each  pot.  They  require  much  care  on  their  removal,  and  must  be  placed 
in  a  close  and  moist  atmosphere  for  a  week  ;  in  fact  they  should  receive 
cutting  treatment.  They  enjoy  abundance  of  light ;  no  soil  or  plan  will 
flower  them  in  perfection  unless  they  are  near  the  glass.  A  back  shelf  in 
a  pit,  or  a  frame  made  up  specially  for  them,  with  the  glass  thoroughly 
washed,  and  the  pots  placed  on,  or  rather  plunged  in,  ashes,  is  the  best 
situation  for  them. 

It  is  necessary,  in  order  to  make  the  plants  thick  and  stout,  to  pinch  the 
terminal  bud  of  each  off  when  they  are  thoroughly  rooted  in  the  pots,  and 
not  before.  Air  must  be  given  abundantly  at  all  times  possible.  They 
must  be  well  secured  against  severe  frosts  by  plenty  of  covering,  and  kept 
somewhat  dry  at  the  root  during  the  dark  months  of  November  and  Decem- 
ber. The  soil  may  be  two  parts  of  turfy  loam,  and  the  third  equal  parts 
manure  and  leaf  soil,  to  which  I  add  coarse  sand  and  charcoal  siftings. 
{Gard.  Chron.  1846,  p.  117.) 

Fine  specimen  of  Erica  hyemalis. — In  a  previous  page,  we  have  mentioned 
a  fine  specimen  of  this  plant  which  we  saw  in  Scotland  ;  the  following  is 
an  account  of  one  exhibited  at  the  London  Horticultural  Society's  exhibi- 
tion in  Regent  Street : — 

From  Mr.  W.  P.  Ayres,  gr.  to  J.  Cook,  Esq.,  of  Brooklands,  was  the 
finest  specimen  of  ^rica  hiemalis,  for  its  age,  possibly  ever  exhibited.  It 
was  about  three  feet  in  height  and  nearly  the  same  in  diameter,  and  thickly 
studded  with  blossoms  down  to  the  pot.  It  was  mentioned  to  have  been 
two  years  ago  a  plant  only  about  six  inches  in  height  growing  in  a  five-inch 
pot.  In  February,  1844,  it  was  potted  into  an  eleven-inch  pot  in  a  mixture 
of  Shirley  and  Wimbledon  peat,  with  a  liberal  admixture  of  Reigate  sand 
and  charcoal  in  large  pieces,  intermixed  with  small  pebbles.  Until  it  started 
into  free  growth  it  was  kept  in  a  moist  and  rather  warm  atmosphere  ;  but 
during  the  summer  it  was  grown  in  a  pit  having  free  ventilation,  and  occa- 
sional shading  in  bright  sunshine.  On  dull  days  and  dewy  evenings  the 
lights  were  removed  entirely,  and  during  September  and  October  it  was 
fully  exposed  to  the  sun.  Having  grown  very  freely,  it  showed  but  little 
disposition  to  bloom,  and  the  few  flowers  that  were  produced  were  removed 
as  soon  as  they  appeared.  In  February,  1845,  it  was  removed  into  an 
eighteen-inch  pot,  in  which  it  was  exhibited,  and  during  that  season  was 
grown  in  the  green-house ;  placing  it  in  the  open  air,  however,  on  all  favor- 
able occasions,  and  watering  it  occasionally  with  a  weak  solution  of  soot 
and  guano  in  a  clear  state.  A  Banksian  medal  was  awarded.  [Gard. 
Chron.  1846,  p    119.) 

Cultivation  of  Fuchsias. — The  following  capital  directions  should  be 
carefully  read  by  every  cultivator  of  this  fine  tribe  : — 

We  will  now  suppose  it  to  be  the  middle  of  February,  at  which  time  the 
young  plants  should  be  well  established  in  3  or  5  inch  pots,  and  the  old  ones 


General  Notices.  229 

ready  to  receive  their  second  shift.  At  this  time,  the  plants  should  be  stout, 
thrifty  fellows,  with  clean  bright  transparent  stems  and  foliage,  and  young, 
lively  roots  protruding  all  over  the  surface  of  the  soil  ;  and  if  in  this  state, 
they  may,  by  proper  treatment,  be  grown  to  any  size.  A  good  single-stem 
specimen  of  Exoniensis,  when  well  grown,  should  be  six  feet  in  height, 
with  branches  drooping  in  regular  succession  from  the  pot  upwards,  and  it 
should  be  a  perfect  mass  of  foliage  and  flowers ;  and  other  kinds,  according 
to  their  habit  of  growth,  ought  to  be  equally  perfect.  To  return,  however, 
to  the  plants,  we  must  now  prepare  for  the  second  shift,  and  for  this  pur- 
pose a  compost  consisting  of  two  parts  turfy  loam,  one  part  sandy  peat,  one 
part  half-decomposed  leaf-mould,  with  a  handful  of  small  charcoal,  and  a 
liberal  supply  of  coarse  sand,  must  be  thrown  together  and  thoroughly  in- 
corporated, taking  care  to  break  it  as  little  as  possible.  At  each  subsequent 
shifting  of  the  plants,  excepting  the  last,  the  same  compost  must  be  used, 
but  at  the  final  potting  it  will  be  as  well  to  substitute  equal  portions  of  strong 
loam,  and  three-years-old  cow  dung,  for  the  one  part  of  peat  before  used ; 
as  this  will  make  the  compost  of  a  more  adhesive  character,  the  plants  will 
consequently  not  require  so  much  water  during  the  hot  weather. 

In  shifting  the  plants,  take  care  to  drain  the  pots  properly,  by  using  five 
or  six  oyster  shells,  and  some  rough  charcoal,  placing  some  of  the  roughest 
of  the  compost  over  the  drainage.  Remove  the  plants  at  each  shift  into  pots 
at  least  three  sizes  larger,  for,  though  it  may  not  at  all  times  be  convenient 
to  adopt  the  one-shift  system,  I  believe  there  are  now  no  good  cultivators 
who  think  of  practising  the  old  small-shift  system.  It  is  impossible  to  say 
how  frequently  the  plants  will  require  shifting,  but  if  they  are  growing  vig- 
orously, they  will  never  go  more  than  six  weeks  from  the  time  they  are  first 
potted  until  they  show  bloom,  without  requiring  a  larger  pot.  The  best 
situation  for  the  plants  during  the  first  part  of  their  growth  will  be  a  low  hot- 
water  pit,  where  they  can  be  kept  near  the  glass,  giving  them  plenty  of 
air  both  night  and  day,  and  abundance  of  atmospheric  moisture,  but  taking 
care  to  shade  them  thinly  during  bright  sunshine,  as  the  foliage  is  very  lia- 
ble to  burn.  As  the  plants  progress  in  growth  and  get  too  tall  for  the  pit, 
remove  them  to  a  house  kept  at  a  temperature  of  from  55°  to  65°  or  70° ; 
place  them  near  the  glass,  give  plenty  of  air  and  moisture,  occasionally 
moistening  the  paths,  walls,  and  stages,  with  clean  manure  water,  and  dew 
the  plants  over  both  morning  and  evening  with  clean  tepid  water. 

If  these  directions  are  attended  to  and  carried  out,  there  need  be  no  fear 
of  the  red  spider  attacking  the  plants  ;  but  should  that  pest  make  its  appear- 
ance, lay  the  plant  dawn  on  its  side  and  syringe  with  clean  soot  water  until 
every  insect  is  washed  clean  way.  Throughout  the  whole  season  it  will  be 
advisable  to  water  the  plants  twice  or  thrice  a  week  with  manure  water, 
formed  by  mixing  one  bushel  of  sheep's  dung,  one  peck  of  soot,  half  a  peck 
of  guano,  and  half  a  peck  of  lime  ;  put  the  soot  and  manures  together  and 
mix  them  into  a  puddle  with  boiling  water,  and  then  throw  in  fifty  or  sixty 
gallons  of  soft  water  and  tiie  lime  ;  stir  the  water  frequently,  and  after  it  is 
quite  clear,  add  two  gallons  of  clean  water  to  every  gallon  of  the  manure 
used,  and  apply  it  in  a  tepid  state.     It  is  astonishing  what  vigor  this  water 


230  General  Notices. 

imparts  to  the  plants  ;  indeed,  all  other  things  being  suitable,  they  seem  to 
revel  in  it  with  that  luxuriance  that  makes  them  really  delightful  to  look 
upon. 

So  far  my  directions  have  been  addressed  to  the  productions  of  fine  exhi- 
bition specimens,  but  now  we  will  consider  the  management  of  the  tribe 
where  there  is  only  a  greenhouse  to  grow  them  in.  Here,  then,  if  very 
large  plants  are  required,  it  will  only  be  necessary  to  spur  the  young  shoots 
in,  retaining  the  old  wood  or  stem  ;  but  if  dwarf  plants  are  preferred,  cut 
the  old  plants  down  to  the  pot  in  autumn,  reduce  the  roots,  and  re-pot  in 
smaller  sized  pots,  using  the  same  compost  as  before.  These  plants  may  be 
placed  under  the  greenhouse  stage  during  the  winter,  and  be  kept  tolerably 
dry,  and  by  this  time  in  the  new  year  they  will  be  pushing  young  shoots. 
Remove  them  to  the  warmest  corner  of  ihe  greenhouse,  and  expose  them  to 
light,  and  as  they  progress  in  growth,  re-pot  them  as  frequently  as  they 
seem  to  require  room.  They  will  not  be  in  bloom  so  early  as  better  grown 
ones,  but  will  make  very  nice  plants  for  the  autumn  decoration  of  the  green- 
house. Young  plants  struck  in  March  and  April,  if  properly  encouraged 
by  the  necessary  pot  room  and  liquid  manure,  will  also  make  very  useful 
stuff;  for  the  autumn  plants,  so  managed,  are  generally  the  best  for  setting 
about  in  the  flower  garden  or  vases,  as,  being  less  brittle,  they  are  not  so 
liable  to  be  broken  by  the  wind  as  more  luxuriantly  grown  specimens. — 
{Gard.    Cliron.  1846.,  p.  180.) 

Cultivation  of  Asparagus. — As  it  is  true  in  gardening  as  well  as  in  phi- 
losophy, that  ex  nihili  nihil  fit,  you  must  take  caie  that  your  asparagus  bed 
is  well  supplied  with  plants,  before  you  proceed  to  a  treatment  which  will 
make  the  plants  robust  and  productive.  Sometimes  there  are  gaps  of  sev- 
eral square  feet,  or  the  plants  are  thinly  spread  over  the  whole  bed.  Rec- 
tify this  as  soon  as  you  can,  by  marking,  in  the  growing  season,  all  such 
vacancies,  and  filling  them  up  in  the  autumn  or  the  spring.  About  9  inches 
apart  is  a  good  average  distance,  although  probably  a  foot  would  secure  a 
larger  product.  Having  secured  a  good  plant,  as  agriculturists  express  it, 
the  next  thing  is  to  make  it  vigorous.  Lay  down  this  rule  as  having  no  ex- 
ception— that  if  your  beds  have  not  a  vigorous  growth  in  the  summer,  you 
will  look  in  vain  for  fine  asparagus  m  spring.  As  the  succulent  shoots 
proceed  from  the  buried  root,  their  size  must  be  in  direct  proportion  to  the 
healthfulness  of  that  root,  or  to  the  quantity  of  organizable  matter  that  root 
has  stored  up.  How,  then,  can  the  root  be  brought  into  a  proper  state  for 
producing  large  shoots  ?  By  giving  every  advantage  to  the  plant  during 
the  summer  and  autumn  ;  so  that  if  your  beds  this  summer  are  covered 
with  a  tall  and  strong  vegetation,  the  abundance  of  solar  light,  &c.,  will 
convey  a  proper  supply  of  matter  to  the  root  for  next  season,  and  you  will 
cut  fine  asparagus ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  if  there  appears  only  a  stunted 
and  weak  growth,  your  produce  will  be  small. 

If  the  principle  just  laid  down  is  correct,  the  mode  of  treatment  must 
consist  in  judicious  cutting,  and  the  application  of  proper  manure.  I  know 
many  beds  which  have  been  ruined  almost  by  an  unsparing  cropping,  and 
in  cases  where  there  has  been  no  deficiency  of  manure.    If  the  bed  has  been 


General  Notices.  231 

injured  in  this  way,  or  if,  from  any  cause,  the  shoots  appear  thin  and  spind- 
ling, do  not  cut  them  at  all,  but  let  the  bed  have  a  rest  during  the  whole 
season.  The  next  spring  the  advantage  will  be  manifest.  Nothing  would 
tend  more  to  bring  exhausted  beds  round  than  this  generous  treatment,  and 
by  the  sacrifice  of  a  few  dishes  now,  you  will  secure  an  abundance  next 
year.  What  is  true  of  a  whole  bed  applies  also  to  individual  plants.  I  al- 
ways leave  the  weak  shoots  in  the  beds,  on  the  presumption  that  by  cutting 
them  they  will  become  weaker,  but  that  they  will  make  robust  shoots  by  be- 
ing allowed  to  grow  and  bask  in  the  air  and  the  sun.  My  remarks  also  lead 
to  another  practical  conclusion — to  leave  off  cutting  in  time.  Fine  shoots 
must  not  be  looked  at  with  a  longing  eye,  as  though  it  were  waste  to  let 
them  run  to  branches  and  flowers.  They  are  the  parents  of  a  future  race, 
and  ought  to  be  kindly  and  respectfully  treated. 

Manure  must  be  plentifully  given  in  conjunction  with  the  above  mode  of 
treatment.  It  should  be  applied  at  such  times  that  the  growing  plant  may 
receive  the  benefit.  It  is  possible  for  a  top-dressing  put  on  in  autumn  to 
have  all  its  valuable  properties  washed  below  the  reach  of  the  roots,  before 
they  begin  to  exercise  their  vital  powers.  However,  cover  the  beds  with 
good  dung  in  autumn,  but  do  not  neglect  to  furnish  a  fresh  supply  in  spring. 
Salt  and  liquid  manure  should  be  used  at  the  latter  period,  as  they  become 
immediately  available.  I  have  just  dressed  my  beds  in  tlie  following  man- 
ner, and  it  is  not  too  late  for  others  to  adopt  the  plan.  I  covered  them 
with  salt,  so  that  on  a  dry  day  the  whole  surface  looked  as  though  it  had 
been  snowing ;  they  were  then  watered  with  about  sixty  gallons  of  liquid 
manure  saved  from  a  stable  during  the  winter.  When  this  had  sunk  in,  the 
beds  were  raked,  stones  picked  off,  and  a  neat  appearance  given  them.  If 
you  have  no  liquid  manure,  make  some  by  diluting  good  stable  dung  with 
soapsuds,  &c.  As  the  roots  will  soon  begin  to  move,  the  soil  will  be  fur- 
nished with  those  materials  which  will  ensure  a  quick  and  strong  growth, 
and  if  the  beds  were  healthy  last  year,  you  may  depend  on  a  crop.  [Gard. 
Chron.   1846.,  p.  204.) 

Cultivation  of  Annuals. — From  the  numerous  advertisements  of  annual 
flower  seeds,  we  may  presume  there  are  vast  numbers  of  buyers,  and  when 
the  beauty  of  this  extensive  tribe  is  considered,  we  cannot  wonder  this 
should  be  the  case.  To  depreciate  annuals,  would,  indeed,  be  a  tasteless 
and  a  hopeless  task,  since  they  are  worthy  the  best  treatment,  and  are  of 
such  essensial  service  in  most  gardens.  My  object  will  rather  be  to  direct 
and  regulate,  and  not  to  discourage  the  growth  of  annuals.  I  shall  there- 
fore make  some  general  remarks  of  annual  flowers  themselves,  and  then 
lay  down  a  iew  rules  for  their  successful  culture. 

In  gardens  of  great  extent,  there  is  a  capacity  for  growing  almost  every 
thing  to  advantage.  Some  plants  are  attractive  any  where  ;  others  make 
the  best  appearance  in  situations  where  a  close  inspection  is  possible  ;  but 
many  are  not  fit  for  confined  situations,  and  when  they  are  admired  it  is 
confessed  that  "  distance  gives  enchantment  to  the  view."  The  common 
sunflower  is  iingainly  and  awkward  in  a  little  suburban  garden,  but  it  tells 
well  in  a  plantation,  or  when  it  can  be  seen  afar  off.     The  same  may  be 


232  General  Notices. 

said  of  the  orange  erysimum  ;  its  color  renders  it  invaluable  when  grown  in 
clumps  for  general  effect,  but  how  miserable  it  looks  when  found  in  a  small 
mixed  flower-bed  !  In  growing  annuals,  therefore,  their  size  and  habits 
should  be  diligently  studied,  as  well  as  the  extent  of  the  garden  which  they 
are  intended  to  adorn.  If  this  rule  is  neglected,  amateurs  will  be  disap- 
pointed when  they  purchase  seeds  which  may  have  been  justly  commended. 
When  grown  and  in  flower,  it  may  be  true  they  are  individually  beautiful, 
but  they  may  not  be  in  keeping  with  objects  around  them.  Great  care 
should,  therefore,  be  used  in  selection,  if  the  time  and  money  of  the  ama- 
teur are  not  to  be  wasted. 

For  small  gardens,  shrubby  and  compact  greenhouse  plants  which  do  well 
in  the  open  ground  in  our  summers,  are  much  to  be  preferred  to  many  annu- 
als. Pelargoniums,  fuchsias,  calceolarias,  verbenas,  petunias,  &c.,  may 
be  preserved  with  ease  through  the  winter,  and  by  careful  management  may 
be  turned  out  in  May  and  June  in  a  blooming  condition.  Every  observer  of 
gardens  must  see  the  vast  superiority  in  point  of  beauty  and  finish  which 
these  exotics  possess  over  most  annuals.  If,  then,  you  are  limited  for  room, 
select  only  those  annual  flowers  which  grow  compactly,  and  which  continue 
long  in  bloom.  The  mesembryanthemums  are  admirable  in  these  respects, 
but  they  require  more  sun  than  we  generally  get  in  England.  However, 
I  cannot  recommend  the  sorts  to  be  preferred,  since  tastes  so  much  differ. 
Some  seedsmen  send  out  catalogues,  which  give  the  heights,  times  of  flow- 
ering, colors,  &c.,  of  all  the  seeds  they  sell ;  and  the  amateur  will  do  well 
to  use  one.  That  published  by  Carter,  of  Holborn,  is  admirably  arranged, 
and  I  only  discharge  a  debt  of  gratitude  when  I  confess  how  serviceable  it 
has  often  been  to  myself. 

Annuals  should  have  plenty  of  room  for  the  development  of  their  peculi- 
arities. They  are  generally  planted  too  closely,  and  thus  their  beauty  is 
not  seen.  As  to  the  method  of  raising  them,  I  would  decidedly  recommend 
a  seed-bed  for  most  varieties,  in  preference  to  sowing  them  where  they  are 
to  remain.  Many  sorts  are  too  tender  for  early  sowing.  Then  insects  tor- 
ment you  ;  for  if  your  stock  is  dispersed  through  the  borders,  you  cannot 
keep  your  eye  on  the  scattered  portions  as  you  can  when  it  is  together  in  a 
bed.  Besides,  transplanting  is,  in  most  cases,  an  advantage,  and  secures 
greater  vigor  to  the  plant,  provided  it  is  properly  done.  Raise  your  seeds, 
then,  on  a  gentle  hot-bed,  and  when  they  are  developed  in  strong  plants, 
remove  them  to  their  destined  quarters.  When  you  are  anxious  to  have 
them  flower  early,  or  where  the  seedlings  are  impatient  of  removal,  it  is  a 
good  plan  to  pot  them  when  only  half  an  inch  high  into  small  pots,  two  or 
three  in  a  pot.  You  can  then  get  them  forward  in  a  frame,  and  turn  them 
out  when  frosts  are  over,  without  the  plants  receiving  the  slightest  check. 

There  is  an  annual,  the  beauty  of  which  cannot  be  too  highly  spoken  of, 
I  mean  the  phlox  drummondi.  Its  habit  of  growth  makes  it  very  desirable 
for  small  gardens,  as  it  is  compact,  and  may  be  pegged  down  with  advan- 
tage. Its  varied  shades  of  crimson  are  truly  gorgeous  when  seen  in  masses. 
It  continues  in  flower  very  late,  and  a  slight  frost  will  not  much  injure  it. 
Sow  the  seed  now.  Six-penny-worth  will  stock  alarge  garden.  By  adopting 


Foreign  Notices.  233 

the  plan  of  potting  the  seedlings,  by  June  you  will  have  a  supply  of  bushy 
plants,  which  will  immediately  flower  and  continue  gay  till  October  or  No- 
vember.    [Gard.  Chron.  IM&.,    ;?.  219.) 


Art.  II.     Foreign  Notices. 
FRANCE. 


Paris  Camellia  Show,  1846. — It  is  to  the  lady  patronesses  of  the  Soci6t6 
Royale  and  Cercle  General  d'Horticulture  that  we  are  indebted  for  an  exhi- 
bition of  these  splendid  plants,  which,  moreover,  they  propose  to  continue 
every  spring.  It  certainly  is  a  fortunate  thing  that  ladies,  moving  in  the 
highest  circles  of  rank  and  fashion,  should  take  so  great  an  interest  in  hor- 
ticulture, otherwise  we  must  have  been  content  with  one  annual  show  from 
each  society,  as  heretofore.  It  is  incomprehensible  how  the  directors  of 
these  societies  (which,  by  the  by,  are  most  liberally  patronized  by  the  pub- 
lic) can  rest  satisfied  with  remaining  stationary  while  all  the  world  beside 
is  progressing  at  rail-road  pace  ;  but  such  is  the  fact.  It  must  be  obvious 
that  exhibitions,  when  honorably  conducted,  conduce  perhaps  more  than  any 
thing  else  to  the  prosperity  of  horticulture  ;  this  has  been  the  case  both  in 
England  and  Belgium,  and  would  be  the  same  here  were  the  status  quo  got 
rid  of.  Let  us  hope  the  spirited  conduct  of  the  ladies  may  be  the  dawn  of 
a  new  era.  Upon  the  present  occasion,  they  offered  a  gold  medal  for  the 
finest  and  most  numerous  collection  of  seedling  or  new  camellias  in  flower, 
and  another  gold  medal  for  the  finest  and  most  numerous  general  collection  ; 
also  a  silver  medal  for  the  finest  and  most  numerous  collection  of  rhododen- 
drons, and  another  for  azaleas  ;  beside  other  prizes  for  the  second  best  in 
each  class.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  programme  was  indefinite  as  to 
the  number  of  plants  ;  because  it  has  too  frequently  happened  that  the  most 
numerous  collection  has  been  rewarded,  and  a  smaller  one,  every  way 
superior,  altogether  passed  over.  The  show  was  held  in  the  grand  gallery 
of  the  Palais  du  Luxembourg,  from  the  18th  to  the  22d  of  this  month 
(March) ;  unfortunately,  intimation  was  only  given  to  growers  within  the 
last  three  weeks,  and  the  collections  were  not  so  numerous  as  might  have 
been  wished.  No  doubt,  camellias  would  have  been  better  ten  days  or  a 
fortnight  ago,  but  that  would  have  been  too  early  for  azaleas ;  perhaps 
there  may  have  been  other  reasons,  otherwise  how  shall  we  account  for  the 
fact,  tnat  only  ten  exhibitors  could  be  found  among  the  multitude  of  public 
and  private  growers  round  Paris?  It  is  but  too  notorious  that  a  spirited 
collector,  with  a  long  purse,  is  in  a  far  better  position  to  gain  a  prize  than 
the  most  skilful  cultivator  of  a  moderate-sized  collection ;  this  system 
would  not  be  tolerated  in  England  ;  here  it  is  openly  practised,  and  plants 
gain  a  prize  which  have  been  purchased  but  a  few  days  previously.  On  the 
whole,  considering  the  shortness  of  the  notice,  both  the  public  and  exhibi- 
tors have  reason  to  be  satisfied  ;  there  were  some  fine  specimens,  and  not  a 
VOL.   XII NO.   VI.  30 


234  Foreign  Notices. 

few  beautiful  new  things;  the  wards  were,  moreover,  strictly  just.  The 
competitors  of  camellias  were  Messieurs  Cels,  Courtois,  Durand,  Gontiers, 
Hardy,  Margottin,  Paillet,  and  Souchet ;  for  rhododendrons,  Messieurs. 
Durand,  Gu^rin,  and  the  Barons  James  and  Salomon  de  Rothschild;  for 
azaleas,  Durand  and  Margottin.  It  was  expected  that  the  Ahb6  Berl^ze, 
so  well  known  by  his  splendid  "  Monographic  dn  genre  Camellia,"  would 
have  been  among  the  exhibitors  ;  his  collection  was  considered  the  finest 
private  one  in  Paris  ;  it  appears,  however,  that  he  has,  within  the  last 
week,  disposed  of  it  to  the  proprietors  of  the  new  winter-garden  of  the 
Champs  Elysees  for  the  sum  of  1200/.  The  gold  medal  for  the  finest  gen- 
eral collection  of  camellias  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Paillet,  who  is  one  of  the 
best  Parisian  growers.  In  his  collection  were  some  fine  large  plants  from 
six  to  eight  feet  high,  especially  delicatissima,  alba  fenestrata,  Clowesiana, 
Chandleri,  Henri  Favre,  picturala,  imbricata  alba,  and  Wardii  de  Floy  ; 
among  the  smaller  plants :  Cockii,  imbricata  rubra,  Gousonia,  Lineata, 
Queen  Victoria,  magniflora  plena,  Reevesii,  eximia,  and  Chandleri  elegans, 
were  conspicuous  for  their  perfection  of  form  or  color ;  but  the  gem  of  this 
collection  was  Preniland,  a  most  beautiful  cupped  flower,  large,  very  dou- 
ble, and  the  color  a  delicate  pink  ;  to  which  may  be  added  Marguerite  de 
Gouillon  and  Pirzio,  two  pencilled  flowers  of  great  beauty.  Mr.  Souchet 
gained  the  gold  medal  for  the  finest  collection  of  new  varieties ;  among 
them  I  noticed  two  or  three  of  extraordinary  beauty,  and  perfectly  distinct 
from  any  thing  yet  out.  1  regret  not  being  able  to  give  the  names  or  num- 
bers ;  they  were  almost  entirely  without  either.  The  flower  which  was 
most  admired  was  of  a  pale  pink,  rather  veined  and  regularly  bordered 
white  ;  it  was  large,  of  good  substance,  and  double,  and  no  camellia  grower 
will  be  without  it ;  another  was  in  the  way  of  miniata,  but  far  better  ;  an- 
other like  Lord  Ker,  but  the  stripe  more  distinct.  He  also  gained  the 
second  prize  for  a  general  collection.  The  plants  were  not  large,  but  well 
blown,  particularly  imbricata  rubra,  Marguerite  Gouillon,  Henri  Favre, 
Juliana,  Augustina  superba,  Colvilli,  King,  Decus  Italicum,  picturata, 
Lord  Ker,  Chandleri,  Duchesse  d'Orl^ans,  and  Queen  Victoria.  Prizes 
were  also  awarded  to  Messrs.  Courtois  and  Goutier.  The  silver  medal  for 
rhododendrons  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Grison,  gr.  to  Baron  Salomon  de  Roths- 
child, for  a  large  collection  of  well  grown  plants,  among  which  I  noticed 
Smithii  elegans.  Lady  Warrender,  Duchess  of  Wurtemberg,  speciosum, 
&c.  ;  the  only  thing  wanting  was  a  greater  diversity  of  color.  The  second 
prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Gu^rin,  for  a  smaller  collection  ;  his  plants  of 
Smithii  roseum,  Lady  Warrender,  formosissimum,  and  superbum,  were 
every  thing  that  could  be  wished.  It  was  evidently  too  early  for  azaleas. 
The  silver  medal  was  gained  by  Mr.  Margottin  ;  his  best  flowers  were 
Smithii  coccinea,  variegata,  liliflora,  Youngii,  and  lilacina  triumphans. 
The  second  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Durand,  for  a  small  collection,  con- 
sisting of  coccinea  grandiflora,  variegata.  Orange  pink,  liliflora  alba,  Ma- 
zeppa,  phoenicea,  Danielsii,  and  two  or  three  others  ;  to  which  he  added 
about  twenty  varieties  of  A.  pontica,  of  no  particular  merit.  ( Gard.  Chron. 
1846,  p.  206.) 


Massachusetts  Horticultual  Society.  235 


Art.  III.     Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Saturday,  May  2d. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to- 
day,— the  President  in  the  chair. 

No  business  coming  before  the  meeting,  it  was  adjourned  one  week,  to 
May  9. 

Exhibited — Flowers  :  From  W.  Quant,  six  very  superbly  grown  Pelar- 
goniums, covered  with  very  fine  flowers.  From  P.  Barnes,  two  seedling 
Cinerarias.  From  R.  M.  Copeland,  twenty  kinds  of  Hyacinths.  From  J. 
Breck  &  Co.,  fifty  varieties  of  Hyacinths.  Sweet  peas  in  variety,  from 
D.  Crowley. 

Hyacinths. — The  premiums  on  these  were  awarded  as  follows  : — 

To  Joseph  Breck  &  Co.,  for  the  best  display,  a  premium  of  $  5. 

To  R.  M.  Copeland,  for  the  second  best  display,  a  premium  of  $4. 

Messrs.  Haggerston,  Quant  and  Barnes,  judges. 

Vegetables  :  From  Messrs.  Winship,  five  bunches  of  Asparagus,  cut 
from  five  rows,  each  row  differently  manured  with  guano,  nitrate  of  soda, 
salt,  ashes,  and  horse  manure  ;  that  treated  with  guano  at  the  rate  of  two 
thirds  of  a  peck  to  a  row,  ninety  feet  long,  was  the  best.  Fine  Asparagus, 
from  John  Hill.  Tomatoes,  from  W.  Quant.  Six  brace  of  Cucumbers, 
from  D.  Crowley. 

Fruit :  Grapes,  from  J.  F.  Allen. 

Saturday,  May  9th. — An  adjourned  meeting  was  held  to-day, — the  Presi- 
dent in  the  chair. 

It  was  voted,  that  the  hall  be  opened  for  exhibition  on  Saturday,  16th  inst. 

Mr.  H.  Bacon  resigned  his  duties  as  porter,  and  the  committee  having 
charge  of  this  subject  were  authorized  to  procure  one  in  his  place. 

Adjourned  one  week  to  May  16th. 

Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  a  superb  plant  of  the 
new  Azalea  Gledsianes«,  covered  with  its  beautiful  white  flowers,  slightly 
pencilled  with  vermilion  ;  also  roses  in  variety.  From  W.  Quant,  six  fine 
pelargoniums.  From  W.  E.  Carter,  Pentst^mon  Murrayanwwi,  and 
(Spiraea  japonica.  From  J.  A.  Kenrick,  magnolias.  Clematis  Siebdldn, 
from  P.  Barnes. 

Fruit :  From  J.  F.  Allen,  grapes  and  figs. 

Vegetables :  Ripe  tomatoes  of  fine  size,  and  three  bunches  extra  as- 
paragus from  W.  Quant. 

May  I6th. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day.  The 
President  in  the  chair. 

The  committee  reported  that  they  had  secured  the  services  of  Mr.  Joy  as 
porter. 

Charles  M.  Reed,  Boston,  John  Preston,  Dorchester,  Daniel  Bingham, 
Dedham,  were  elected  members. 

Adjourned  two  weeks,  to  May  28th. 

Exhibited. — The  first  public  exhibition  of  the  year  was  held  in  the  new 
hall  to-day,  and  the  display  was  remarkably  good  for  the  season.     Every 


236  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

member  appeared  to  exert  himself,  and  some  fine  specimens  were  upon  the 
tables.  As  usual,  since  the  opening  of  the  new  hall,  we  shall  only  give  a 
report  of  the  most  interesting  new  plants,  omitting  all  bouquets,  common 
plants,  &c.,  unless  some  superior  specimens  should  be  exhibited. 

From  the  President  of  the  Society,  twelve  fine  varieties  of  calceolarias 
raised  from  seed,  some  of  them  remarkably  fine  and  distinct,  one  or  two  in 
particular  having  very  dark  blotches  on  a  cream  or  yellow  ground  ;  also, 
£rica  ventricosa  superba,  v.  alba,  and  curviflora  rubra,  Azalea  variegata, 
and  three  new  petunias.  Lady  Alice  Peel,  Beaute  parfait,  and  Beaute  de 
jour.  From  N.  J.  Becar,  Esq.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  cut  flowers  of  calceola- 
rias, raised  from  the  same  lot  of  seed  as  those  from  the  President ;  also, 
Lady  Sale,  and  Sarah  pelargoniums,  petunias,  &c.  From  D.  Haggerston, 
Combr^tum  purpureum,  Ipomzea  Learn,  and  other  flowers,  &c.  From  A. 
McLennan,  four  fine  pelargoniums,  in  pots.  From  W.  E.  Carter,  Aqui- 
l^gia  secunda,  new  and  fine,  magnolias,  &c.  From  W.  Quant,  Xilium 
eximium,  and  other  plants. 

From  Hovey  &  Co.  a  new  lilac,  called  sanguinea,  very  handsome. 
Hydrangea  japonica,  new  and  beautiful,  pelargonium  Queen  Phillippi, 
four  new  cereuses,  hawthorns,  &c.  From  Messrs.  Winship,  hawthorns, 
spiraeas,  and  other  flowers.  From  Joseph  Breck  &  Co.,  a  superb  speci- 
men of  Wistana  Consequana.  From  A.  Aspinwall,  a  very  fine  display  of 
Perpetual,  Bourbon,  and  Noisette  roses.  From  T.  Needham,  £rica  rubida, 
Kenn^dz'a  racemosa,  &c.  From  D.  Crowley,  a  very  superior  specimen  of  a 
Moss  Rose,  in  a  pot,  showing  extra  cultivation. 

Premiums  were  awarded  as  follows  : 

To  the  President,  a  gratuity  of  ^5  for  seedling  calceolarias. 

To  N.  J.  Becar,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  a  gratuity  of  $3  for  seedling  cal- 
ceolarias. 

To  D.  Crowley,  a  gratuity  of  #1  for  Moss  Rose. 

To  W.  Quant,  a  premium  of  $'2  for  best  6  pot  plants. 

To  A.  McLennan,  a  premium  of  $\  for  second  best  6  pot  plants. 

To  Miss  Russell,  a  premium  of  $2  for  best  bouquet. 

To  Messrs.  Winship  a  premium  of  ^1  for  second  best  bouquet. 

Vegetables  :  From  T.  Needham,  one  dish  China  dwarf  beans.  From 
W.  Quant,  one  dozen  tomatoes,  and  3  bunches  asparagus.  From  O.  N. 
Towne,  two  brace  of  cucumbers.  From  S.  Walker,  water  cresses,  finely 
grown,  and  raised  from  seed  received  from  the  river  Isis ;  also,  very  fine 
Victoria  Rhubarb. 

May  2'id.  Exhibited. — Flowers  ;  From  the  President  of  the  Society, 
Prince  Notger,  Charles  X.,  Dark  blue.  Dark  red  and  a  curious  double 
lilac,  all  fine  ;  also.  Double  hawthorns,  hardy  seedling  azaleas,  &c.,  and 
a  fine  plant  of  the  Persian  yellow  rose,  in  bloom.  From  Messrs.  Hovey 
&  Co.,  eight  varieties  of  hawthorns,  a  fine  new  Gladiolus  from  Germany, 
Jenny  Lind  pelargonium  and  roses.  From  D.  Haggerston,  fine  hardy 
Azaleas.  From  J.  A.  Kenrick,  azaleas,  Scotch  Laburnum,  and  Wistana 
Consequ^na.  From  S.  Walker,  tulips  in  variety,  and  some  very  good 
ranunculuses.     From  Joseph  Breck  &  Co.,  Tulips  in  variety,  and  other 


Massachnsetts  Horticultural  Society.  237 

flowers.  A  very  finely  grown  plant  of  Leschenaultia  formosa,  about  two 
feet  high,  was  sent  by  Messrs.  Salisbury  &  Willott.  From  Messrs.  Win- 
ship,  hawthorns  in  variety,  hardy  azaleas,  &c.  From  W.  Quant,  six 
fuchsias  in  pots,  and  other  flowers.  From  A.  Aspinwall,  a  fine  display 
of  roses.  Bouquets,  &c.,  from  Walker  &  Co.,  Mr.  Warren,  A.  McLen- 
nan, Miss  Russell,  E.  M.  Richards. 

The  following  premiums  were  awarded  : — 

Tree  Peonies. — To  Joseph  Break  &  Co.,  for  the  best  display  of  tree 
paeonies,  a  premium  of  $b. 

Hawthorns. — To  Messrs.  Winship,  for  the  best  display,  a  premium 
of  $3. 

To  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  for  the  second  best  display,  a  premium  of  $2. 

Hardy  Azaleas. — To  D.  Haggerston,  for  the  best  display,  a  premium 
of  $3. 

To  Messrs.  Winship,  for  the  second  best  display,  a  premium  of  ^2. 

Tulips. — To  Messrs.  Breck  &  Co.,  for  the  best  thirty  varieties,  a  pre- 
mium of  $8. 

To  S.  Walker,  for  the  second  best  thirty  varieties,  a  premium  of  ^6. 

To  W.  Quant,  for  the  third  best  display,  a  premium  of  ^4. 

Fruit :  From  J.  F.  Allen,  grapes,  peaches  and  figs.  From  W.  J.  Niles, 
West  Cambridge,  wild  strawberries. 

Vegetables  :  From  W.  Quant,  a  brace  of  Windsor  prize  cucumbers. 
From  T.  Needham,  a  brace  of  cucumbers. 

May  2Sth. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day, — 
the  President  in  the  chair. 

The  President  read  a  communication  from  N.  Longworth  of  Cincinnati, 
on  the  strawberry,  and  also  announcing  that  he  had  sent  to  the  Society  a 
package  of  the  various  kinds  of  wine,  made  from  native  grapes  in  his 
vineyards  near  Cincinnati. 

A  committee  of  five,  consisting  of  S.  Walker,  P.  B.  Hovey,  Jr.,  J. 
Breck,  E.  Wright,  and  E.  M.  Richards,  were  chosen  to  test  the  quality  of 
the  above  when  received. 

Mr.  Walker,  chairman  of  the  Fruit  committee,  read  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Pitkin,  of  Hartford,  on  the  curculio ;  it  was  referred  back  to  the  same  com- 
mittee to  report  upon  the  same. 

Adjourned  two  weeks,  to  June  13th. 

Exhibited. — Flowers:  From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  very  fine  seedling 
pansies.  From  Hon.  J.  S.  Cabot,  fine  pansies,  and  superb  blooms  of 
PiBonia  Moutan,  var.  rosea  and  Hissi'ana — the  latter  a  white  one,  very 
splendid  and  distinct.  From  W.  Quant,  six  pots  of  fuchsias,  Staphylea 
punctata.  Begonia  obliqua,  and  a  superb  bouquet.  From  D.  Crowley,  a 
very  fine  plant  of  La  Reine  rose.  From  T.  Needham,  four  fine  fuchsias 
and  two  pelargoniums  in  pots.  A  great  display  of  flowers  from  Messrs. 
Winship.  Bouquets,  &c.,  from  W.  Kenrick,  J.  A.  Kenrick,  Miss  Rus- 
sell, A.  Aspinwall,  Mr.  Warren,  E.  Wight,  Walker  &  Co.,  &c. 

[Want  of  room  compels  us  to  omit  the  premiums  awarded  to-day.] 


238 


Fa7ieuil  Hall  Market. 


Art.  IV.     Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Roots,  Tubers,  ff*c. 


Potatoes, 


barrel 


Chenangoes,  J  p' bushel, 

r,  \  per  barrel,   1 

Common,...  J  Jer  bushel 


barrel,  3 
bushel,  1 
barrel,  2 
"     ihel,  1 


^per 
Carter's. ^  P^J 

Long  Reds,..  ij^J^-j 

Turnips :  per  bushel, 
Common,        .     .     .     . 
Ruta  Baga,     .     . 

Onions  : 
Red, per  bunch,  . 
White,  per  bunch,    .     , 
New  White, per  bunch. 
Yellow,  per  bushel, 

Beets,   per  bushel. 

Carrots,  per  bushel,     . 

Parsnips,  per  bushel,  . 

Salsily,  per  doz.  roots, 

Horsei-ddish,  per  lb.    . 

Radishes,  per  bunch,  . 

Garlic,  per  bunch,  .     . 


Cabbages,  Salads,  if-c. 

Cabbages,  per  doz.  : 

Drumhead,     .     . 

Red  Dutch,  .  . 
Brocolis,  each,  .  . 
Cauliflowers,  each. 
Lettuce,  per  head,  . 
Rhubarb,  per  pound. 
Asparagus,  per  bunch. 
Dandelions,  per  half  peck, 
Spinach,  per  peck. 
Beet  tops,  per  peck. 
Cabbage  sprouts,  per  peck 
Peas  :  per  peck, 

Best  quaiitj', 

Second  quality,    .     .     . 
Cucumbers, (pickled)  pr.  gal 
Peppers,  (pickled)  per  gal. 


From    To 
%  cts.  $  cts. 


3 

2 
10 

6 
12^ 
12.^ 
16 

62^ 
50 
25 
37i 


50 
00 
00 
75 
50 

2  25 


00 
87.^ 


1   00 


12i 

6 
10 


12 


75 
62i 


Pot  and  Sweet  Herbs. 

Parsley,  per  half  peck. 
Sage,  per  pound,     . 
Marjorum,  per  bunch, 
Savory,  per  bunch, 
Spearmint,  per  bunch, 


Squashes  and  Pumpkins. 

Squashes,  per  cwt. : 
Winter  Crookneck, 
West  Indies,  .... 

Pumpkins,  each,     .     .     . 


F^ruits. 

Apples,  dessert  and  cooking 

Baldwin,  per  bbl.     .     . 

Russets   per  bbl.      .     . 

Common,  per  bbl.    .     . 

Spitzemberg,  per  bbl. 

Dried  Apples,  per  lb.    . 
Pears : 

Baking,  per  bushel. 
Cranberries,  per  bushel,  . 
Strawberries,  per  box. 

Early  Virginia,         .     . 

Second  quality,     .    .     . 
Gooseberries,  (green)  per  qt 
Peaches,  per  doz. 

Forced, 

Watermelons,  each,  . 
Cucumbers,  each,  .  . 
Tomatoes,  per  peck,  . 
Grapes,  (forced,)  per  lb. 

Black  Hamburg, 

Sweet  water,        .     . 

Malaga,  .... 
Fresh  Figs,  per  dozen, 
Oranges,  per  doz. 

St.  Michael's,       .     . 

Havana,    .... 

Sicily,        .... 

Sicily,  per  box 


Lemons,  per  doz.    .     . 
Pine  Apples,  each, 
Chestnuts,  per  bushel. 
Walnuts,  per  bushel,   . 
Cocoanuts,  per  hundred, 


From 

$  cts 

50 

17 

6 

6 

6 


3  00 
2  00 


4  00 


5  00 


3  00 
25 
12i 


1    50 

I   00 

20 

50 


25 
00 
17 
12i 

1   50 
4  00 


To 

3  cts. 

20 

124 

12i 


3  50 
2  50 


5  00 


5  50 


62 
31 


00 
75 
25 


2  00 
1   50 

25 

75 

37 

37 

3  50 
20 
25 

1   75 

4  50 


Remarks. — May  has  been  a  very  favorable  month.  It  was  feared,  from 
the  earliness  of  the  season,  that  frosts  in  May  might  cut  off  all  tender  fruits. 
Some  cool  drying  winds  and  frosty  nights  have  occurred,  but  not  severe 
enough  to  injure  any  kinds  of  fruit;  and  the  peaches,  nectarines,  apricots, 
&c.,  are  swelling  very  rapidly,  and  bearing  a  full  crop.  The  present  week 
has  been  cool  with  cloudy,  misty  and  rainy  weather  since  the  23d  ;  the 
moisture  will  be  highly  beneficial,  as  but  little  rain  has  yet  fallen  this  spring. 

Vegetables. — Potatoes  have  continued  to  arrive  freely,  and  prices  are 
scarcely  maintained.     In  the  place  of  Eastports,  we  have  quoted  the  Car- 


Horticultural  Memoranda.  239 

ters,  a  very  excellent  variety,  and  finding  a  ready  sale :  common  sorts  are 
quite  plentiful.  Turnips  are  scarce ;  no  new  ones  have  yet  come  to  hand, 
and  the  old  stock  being  about  exhausted,  prices  have  advanced.  Onions  are 
tolerably  plentiful  for  the  season.  Beets  and  carrots  are  higher,  and  of 
parsnips  none  now  remain.  Horseradish  is  rather  scarce,  and  prices  main- 
tained. Radishes  abundant  and  good.  Cabbages  are  about  gone,  and  no 
new  ones  have  yet  appeared.  Lettuce  plentiful  and  good.  Rhubarb  abun- 
dant. Asparagus,  owing  to  the  last  week  of  cool  weather,  has  been  scarce, 
and  in  good  demand  at  high  prices.  Greens  of  all  sorts  plentiful.  Peas 
from  New  York  have  been  well  supplied,  and  of  fair  quality ;  a  few  days 
of  good  warm  weather  will  bring  in  a  good  supply  from  our  market  gardens. 
Squashes  are  nearly  all  gone  except  West  Indias.     Parsley  rather  scarce. 

Fruit. — Apples  are  nearly  done  for  the  season  ;  a  very  few  Baldwins 
may  be  found,  but  the  principal  stock  is  confined  to  Russets  and  a  kind  from 
New  York  called  the  New  York  Pearmain.  Russets  are  in  brisk  demand 
at  our  current  rates.  Cranberries  have  advanced  considerably  ;  but  the 
stock  is  now  quite  low.  Cucumbers  plentiful  for  the  season.  Forced 
peaches  have  been  brought  in  in  small  lots,  and  sold  readily.  Grapes  are 
yet  scarce  ;  a  week  or  two  will  give  a  better  supply  and  at  lower  rates. 
Malagas,  of  good  quality,  are  about  gone.  A  small  lot  of  watermelons 
have  been  received,  and  prices  take  a  wide  range  according  to  size.  Straw- 
berries from  New  York  have  been  well  supplied  for  several  days,  and  the 
first  of  the  season,  from  this  vicinity,  have  been  brought  in  this  week. 
Green  Gooseberries  abundant  from  New  York.  Oranges  are  rather  scarce, 
and  prices  have  slightly  advanced  since  our  last.  Pine  apples  are  more 
plentiful ;  some  late  arrivals  have  brought  in  a  good  supply.  In  nuts  scarce- 
ly any  thing  is  now  doing. —  Yours,  M.  T.,  Boston,  May  30,  1846. 


HORTICULTURAL    MEMORANDA 

FOR    JUNE. 


FRUIT    DEPARTMENT. 

Grape  Vines — A  continuation  of  good  weather  has  been  favorable  to 
early  vines,  in  the  greenhouse  or  grapery.  The  first  thinning  having  all 
been  done,  the  berries  will  now  be  so  much  swelled,  that  the  bunches  should 
be  shouldered  ;  and  where  the  berries  have  the  appearance  of  filling  up  the 
bunch  t  )o  much,  a  few  of  the  centre  ones  should  be  cut  out.  Syringe  now, 
and  keep  the  house  damp,  shutting  up  early.  Vines  in  cold  houses  will 
now  be  setting  their  fruit,  and  the  house  should  be  closed  earlier  than  usual, 
and  the  same  directions  followed  as  recommended  last  month  for  green- 
houses. Vines  in  the  open  air  will  soon  be  in  flower,  and  the  only  care 
they  now  require  will  be  to  pull  off  all  superfluous  and  crowded  shoots. 


240  Horticultural  Memoranda. 

Guano  may  be  applied  once  a  month,  either  liquid  or  dry  :  in  the  latter 
case,  stirring  into  the  soil,  about  four  ounces  to  a  good  strong  vine. 

Strawberry  beds  should  be  carefully  weeded  now  before  the  fruit  begins 
to  color.  Water,  if  the  weather  proves  dry.  Newly  planted  beds  should 
be  frequently  hoed. 

Prunijig  Fruit  Trees. — Summer  pruning,  by  nipping  off  the  ends  of  the 
new  wood,  should  be  attended  to  this  month  ;  for  full  directions  we  refer  to 
our  last  volume  (XI.) 

ISewly  planted  trees  should  be  staked  ;  and  if  very  dry  weather,  the  soil 
mulched  with  coarse  manure.  Attend  to  the  destruction  of  all  kinds  of 
insects. 

FLOWER    DEPARTMENT. 

Dahlias  should  now  be  planted  out ;  from  the  first  to  the  middle  of  the 
month  is  the  most  favorable  period.  Dig  a  good  sized  hole,  and  mix  in  two 
shovels  full  of  manure  ;  then  fill  it  up  and  set  out  the  plants,  about  two 
inches  deeper  than  they  stood  in  the  pots.  Stake  very  carefully,  and  water 
if  very  dry  weather. 

Achimenes,  Gloxinias,  cf-c.  should  now  be  shifted  into  the  pots  in  which 
they  are  to  flower. 

Tulips  and  Hyacinths,  should  be  taken  up  this  month,  or  as  soon  as  the 
tops  begin  to  turn  yellow. 

Pelargoniums  should  be  headed  down  the  latter  part  of  the  month,  and 
cuttings  put  in  if  young  plants  are  wanted. 

Roses  of  all  the  tender  kinds  should  now  be  propagated  from  cuttings. 

Azaltas  should  now  be  re-potted,  and  placed  in  the  open  air,  in  a  half 
shady  place  ;  cuttings  may  be  put  in  now. 

Annual  flowers  which  have  been  raised  in  hot  beds  should  now  be  turned 
out  into  the  open  border. 

Pansy  seed  should  be  sown  this  month,  to  make  strong  flowering  plants 
for  next  spring. 

Chinese  Primrose  seeds  should  be  planted  now,  if  young  plants  are 
wanted  for  flowering  next  winter. 

Ipomcea  Learii,  turned  out  into  the  border,  will  flower  abundantly  all 
summer. 

Ericas  should  be  removed  to  frames  facing  the  north  in  a  cool  airy  situa- 
tion. 

Bulbs  of  all  kinds  done  blooming  should  not  be  watered. 

Calceolarias  now  in  bloom  should  be  carefully  watered. 

Cactuses  should  be  rather  freely  watered,  and  old  plants  should  be  headed 
in,  in  order  to  have  a  good  growth  of  young  wood. 

Greenhouse  plants  of  all  kinds  should  now  be  removed  to  the  open  air  ; 
and  all  young  stock,  recently  potted,  protected  in  frames  facing  the  north. 

Japan  lilies  should  be  shifted  again,  if  the  roots  have  filled  the  pots. 

Camellias  may  be  shifted  this  month,  as  soon  as  the  new  wood  is  well 
hardened. 


THE  MAGAZINE 


O  F 


HORTICULTURE. 


JULY,  1846. 


ORIGINAL   COMMUNICATIONS. 

Art.  I.  Notes  of  a  Visit  to  several  Gardens  in  the  Vicinity 
of  Washington^  Baltimore^  Philadelphia,  and  New  York, 
in  October,  1845.     By  the  Editor. 

In  our  volume  for  1844,  (X.)  we  gave  a  few  hasty  notes, 
taken  during  a  visit  to  several  gardens  in  the  cities  above- 
named,  in  the  fall  of  1843.  Having  had  occasion,  the  past 
autumn,  to  make  a  trip  to  Washington,  we  embraced  the 
opportunity  to  call  upon  our  friends,  and  to  note  down  the 
improvements  which  had  taken  place  since  our  last  visit — a 
period  of  two  years, 

Washington,  October  \7th,  184.5.  Experiment  Garden  of 
the  National  histitute. — Our  first  call  in  Washington  was  upon 
our  friend,  Mr.  Breckenridge,  who  has  the  charge  of  the  col- 
lection of  plants  connected  with  the  National  Institute.  In 
the  volume  above  referred  to,  (X.  p.  81,)  we  gave  an  account 
of  the  plants  which  then  filled  the  house,  and  which  had 
principally  been  brought  home  by  the  Exploring  Expedition, 
or  had  been  raised  from  seeds  received  from  the  same  source. 

Since  then,  however,  a  great  accession  has  been  made  to 
the  collection,  through  the  untiring  exertions  of  Mr.  Brecken- 
ridge; and,  in  order  to  do  justice  to  the  plants,  an  additional 
wing  has  been  added  to  the  house,  so  that  it  now  extends  up- 
wards of  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  built  in  the  most  thor- 
ough and  substantial  manner.  The  entrance  is  in  the  centre 
of  the  range,  where  there  is  a  kind  of  lobby,  in  which  a 
quantity  of  large  plants  are  kept ;  one  half  is  partitioned  off 
for  hot-house,  and  the  other  for  greenhouse,  plants.  In  the 
latter  we  noticed  some  new  Cactae,  viz,  Cereus  csespitosa  Dr. 

VOL.  XI] NO.  VII.  31 


242  Notes  of  a  Visit  to  several  Gardens. 

King,  with  coppery  yellow  flowers,  said  by  Mr.  Breckenridge 
to  be  very  fine ;  Mammillaria  sulcata  Dr.  King,  and  a  new 
species  from  Texas.  Nerine  corusca  was  superbly  in  bloom, 
and  also  venusta,  very  beautiful.  A  species  of  O'xalis,  with 
bright  rose-colored  flowers,  neat  foliage,  reddish  underneath, 
and  of  dwarf  habit,  was  among  the  plants  collected  by  the 
Expedition,  and  is  a  pretty  addition  to  this  elegant  little  group 
of  winter  flowers. 

In  the  hot-house  a  fine  specimen  of  Gyrtanthus  obliqua 
was  in  full  flower.  Mr.  Breckenridge  showed  us  a  plant  of 
Rochea  falcata,  from  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  which  is  quite 
different  from  the  plant  known  about  Philadelphia  as  the 
same  species  ;  the  leaves  of  the  former  are  broader.  Cereus 
glaucescens,  said  to  be  a  free  flowering  species,  opening  in  the 
evening.  Rondeletm  speciosa,  splendid,  with  its  umbels  of 
deep  orange  colored  flowers.  The  true  sensitive  plant  (Mi- 
mosa sensitiva)  is  in  this  collection,  and  forms  a  bush  several 
feet  high.  The  little  annual,  (M.  pudica,)  usually  called 
such,  is  not  the  true  species.  There  are  some  fine  large  plants 
here  of  Acacia  pubescens,  linearis,  and  others,  all  grown  from 
seeds. 

We  have  before  spoken  of  the  vigor  of  the  tea  roses  in  the 
climate  of  Washington ;  the  Luxembourg,  Hymenee,  Elize 
Sauvage,  and  others,  four  to  five  feet  high,  and  profusely 
laden  with  large  and  handsome  blossoms.  Notwithstanding 
the  thermometer  occasionally  falls  as  low  as  zero,  they  are 
scarcely  at  all  injured.  We  are  inclined  to  believe  that  if  the 
hardiest  of  the  teas — for  there  is  a  great  difference  in  the  con- 
stitutional vigor  of  the  varieties — were  planted  out  in  a  good 
soil,  on  a  dry  sub-soil,  and  protected  until  they  have  become 
strongly  rooted,  they  would  then  stand  even  the  climate  of 
our  own  winters,  particularly  with  the  usual  covering  of  a 
few  inches  of  straw,  by  bending  down  the  tops.  The  multi- 
floras  and  other  kinds,  which  have  heretofore  been  considered 
tender,  we  now  grow  in  this  way  ;  and  we  believe  the  experi- 
ment well  worthy  of  trial  with  many  of  the  most  robust  and 
free  growing  teas,  noisettes  and  bengals. 

Mr.  Breckenridge  has  raised  a  great  variety  of  roses  from 
seed,  mostly  teas  and  prairies  ;  a  few  of  them  had  flowered, 
but  none  had  yet  shown  suflicient  merit   to   bear  a  name. 


Washington,  D.  C.  243 

The  present  year  will  afford  a  good  opportunity  to  give  them 
a  better  trial.  If  any  remarkable  varieties  are  produced,  Mr. 
Breckenridge  will  give  us  a  good  description  of  each. 

The  plants  were  in  fine  condition,  and  had  just  been  taken 
into  the  houses  and  arranged  for  the  winter.  We  are  gratified 
to  record  the  improvements  which  have  been  made  in  this 
department  of  the  Institute;  for  they  cannot  fail  to  be  of 
much  benefit  to  the  spread  of  a  taste  for  plants,  placed,  as  the 
collection  is,  where  the  representatives,  who  assemble  at  the 
capitol  a  large  portion  of  every  year,  will  be  occasionally 
induced  to  visit  the  gardens,  and  become  better  acquainted 
with  the  floral  productions  of  the  globe. 

Garden  of  Dr.  J.  S.  Gunnell. — The  cultivation  of  the  ca- 
mellia now  occupies  the  leisure  time  of  Dr.  Gunnell,  to  the 
exclusion  of  other  plants.  We  found  his  house  full  of  seed- 
lings and  recently  imported  varieties  ;  and  already  the  young 
plants  of  the  crop  of  seeds  of  1845  had  begun  to  appear  above 
the  ground. 

Since  our  last  visit.  Dr.  Gunnell  has  produced  a  very  beauti- 
ful crimson  variety,  equal  in  form  to  the  old  double-white ; 
he  has  named  it  Van  Buren,  after  his  friend  the  Ex-president ; 
it  is  the  produce  of  a  seedling  of  his  own.  A  very  superior 
white  has  been  produced  from  the  single  white.  Great  quan- 
tities of  seedlings  were  set  with  flower  buds,  but  we  have  not 
yet  learned  whether  any  of  those  which  flowered  the  past 
winter  were  of  sufficient  merit  to  deserve  a  name. 

Dr.  Gunnell  practises  the  plan  of  pinching  off  the  growing 
shoots  of  such  seedling  camellias  as  have  terminal  buds, 
which  almost  invariably  induces  the  buds  to  open.  Cultiva- 
tors are  often  doomed  to  much  disappointment,  after  looking 
forward  five  or  six  months,  to  see  a  bud  of  promising  appear- 
'ance  open,  by  having  it  suddenly,  as  the  first  spring  growth 
commences,  drop ;  this  arises  from  the  sap  being  directed  into 
a  new  channel,  and  consequently  no  longer  strengthening  the 
bud  just  as  it  needs  it  most.  By  sacrificing  the  young  shoot, 
which  is  of  no  value  whatever,  unless  the  variety  proves  a 
fine  one,  at  least  one  year  of  time  is  saved  by  this  operation. 
Having  many  hundred  seedlings  in  our  collection,  we  have 
often  experienced  the  loss  of  a  year ;  one  of  the  very  choicest 
seedlings  we  have  ever  flowered  cast  its  bud  when  it  was 


244  Notes  of  a   Visit  to  several  Gardens. 

about  half  open,  from  the  growth  of  the  new  wood.  By  the 
plan  of  Dr.  Gunnell  cultivators  can  obviate  similar  disappoint- 
ment, 

Linncean  Hill,  Nurse?'!/  of  J.  Pierce. — Since  our  last  visit 
to  Mr.  Pierce's  nursery,  he  has  reduced  his  collection  of  green- 
house plants ;  and  as  the  nursery  department  requires  so 
much  of  his  attention,  he  is  desirous  of  sellmg  his  entire  stock, 
which  consists  of  several  large  camellias,  oranges,  lemons, 
&c.,  besides  a  great  quantity  of  smaller  plants.  Camellia, 
var.  Pierceii,  has  proved  to  be  a  most  superb  white,  and  we 
believe  the  stock  has  been  placed  in  the  hands  of  Messrs. 
Ritchie  &  Dick,  of  Philadelphia,  for  propagation  and  sale. 
We  shall  give  a  full  description  of  it  the  next  blooming  sea- 
son. Mr.  Pierce  has  several  seedlings  which  promise  well, 
but  another  year  will  be  required  to  test  them  fully. 

Mr.  Pierce  has  been  very  successful  in  raising  several  new 
prairie  roses,  of  which  we  shall  give  a  full  description  in  our 
next  number,  from  specimen  plants  now  coming  into  bloom 
in  our  collection.  We  are  mdebted  to  Mr.  Pierce  for  the 
honor  of  having  some  of  the  most  beautiful  varieties  named 
after  our  friends ;  and  it  gives  us  additional  satisfaction  to 
state  that  the  varieties  are  truly  great  additions  to  this  most 
valuable  tribe  of  hardy  climbmg  roses. 

Some  fine  specimens  of  trees  and  shrubs  are  growing  on 
Mr.  Pierce's  premises  at  Limiaean  Hill;  for  his  nurseries  not 
only  embrace  many  acres  here,  but  he  has  several  large 
squares  in  the  city  proper,  situated  on  a  contemplated  street 
which  leads  directly  to  the  front  of  the  President's  house.  The 
latter  grounds  are  well  stocked  with  a  good  collection  of  fruit 
and  forest  trees.  His  specimens,  are  a  holly,  fifteen  feet  high 
and  proportionably  broad,  which  has  been  planted  twenty-one 
years ;  a  broad-leaved  tree  box,  and  a  variety  slightly  dif- 
ferent, each  eight  feet  high  and  of  the  same  age  as  the  holly. 
A  Swedish  juniper,  fifteen  feet,  also  of  the  same  age.  These 
were  all  planted  by  Mr.  Pierce. 

In  the  nursery,  our  attention  was  directed  to  several  trees 
of  the  Seckel  pear,  which  had  been  grafted  on  the  Washmg- 
ton  thorn  the  previous  spring.  Many  of  them  had  made 
shoots  six  feet  long,  and  some  of  them  had  three  or  four 
branches,  forming  quite  a  pretty  head  for  a  young  tree ;  in- 


Baltimore.  245 

deed,  we  have  rarely  seen  the  Seckel  on  the  pear  stock  make 
so  vigorous  a  growth,  and  we  think  the  experiment  well 
worth  trial.  By  grafting  close  to  the  ground,  and,  when 
transplanting,  placing  the  graft  below  or  even  with  the  soil, 
we  doubt  not  the  trees  will  live  to  a  good  age  and  produce 
abundant  crops.  Having  secured  several  of  the  trees,  we 
shall  watch  their  progress  and  report  hereafter.  Mr.  Pierce's 
whole  stock  is  well  grown. 

Garden  of  W.  H.  Corcora7i,  Esq. — Mr.  Corcoran  has  a  very 
beautiful  garden,  situated  opposite  the  large  open  square  in 
front  of  the  President's  house.  It  occupies  only  about  half 
an  acre,  but  it  is  judiciously,  as  w-ell  as  fancifully,  laid  out, 
and  possesses  more  attractions  than  many  places  of  greater 
extent.  The  garden  is  partially  turfed  over,  with  gravelled 
walks,  and  beds  of  roses  and  other  -flowers  in  figures  upon 
the  turf  At  one  end  of  the  garden,  is  a  very  neatly  con- 
structed rock  work,  with  a  basin  in  the  centre,  supplied  with 
water  from  a  cistern  placed  at  some  distance,  but  which  is 
only  a  few  feet  higher  than  the  water.  Small  tubes  project 
through  the  rock  work,  and,  by  turning  a  cock,  the  water  is 
thrown  up  in  several  small  jets  and  falls  into  the  basin.  Such 
fountains  are  constructed  at  very  little  expense,  and  in  small 
gardens  they  afford  much  gratification.  Four  of  the  beds  on 
the  turf  were  edged  with  basket  work,  and  had  the  appear- 
ance of  being  filled  with  a  profusion  of  flowers.  The  gard- 
ener, Mr.  Watts,  appears  to  have  a  very  good  taste,  and  has 
carried  out  his  plans  with  good  effect. 

Baltimore,  October  20th. — We  arrived  here  from  Washing- 
ton early  in  the  morning ;  and  we  noticed  that  on  all  the  low 
land  throughout  the  route,  a  hoar  frost  covered  the  groimd. 
The  dahlias  were  all  cut  off"  in  Washington  on  the  17th,  and 
in  Baltimore  at  the  same  time.  We  afterwards  found,  on  our 
arrival  home,  that  the  dahlias  were  uninjured  even  to  a  later 
period  than  in  the  former  places. 

Garden  of  John  Feast. — Since  the  fall  of  1843,  Mr.  Feast 
has  added  an  acre  of  ground  to  his  premises,  directly  in  the 
rear  of  his  old  garden,  and  also  erected  a  range  of  houses 
upwards  of  100  feet  long.  This  we  fomid  well  filled  Avith 
plants,  and  principally  with  a  collection  of  roses,  including  a 
very  large  number  of  seedlings  which  had  not  yet  flowered, 


246  Notes  of  a   Visit  to  several  Gardens. 

but  among  which  some  good  sorts  were  expected.  The 
camelhas  were  in  fine  condition  and  all  neatly  arranged.  Mr. 
Feast  has  a  large  number  of  seedlings,  and  also  a  good  stock 
of  some  new  varieties,  produced  by  Baltimore  amateur  culti- 
vators. 

Among  the  new  things  we  noticed  a  new  sempervirum  from 
Rio,  and  a  Salvia  (aS.  Rhodenwaldu)  from  Texas,  very  hand- 
some, of  a  neat  habit,  and  an  abundance  of  slender,  bright 
scarlet  flowers.  Mr.  Feast  has  also  a  wliite  cactus,  but  it 
was  not  in  flower. 

In  the  open  ground  we  saw  a  fine  seedling  macrophylla 
rose.  Paulownia  imperialis  is  perfectly  hardy  here,  even  very 
small  plants.  Mr.  Feast  uses  the  yellow  Banksia  rose,  for  a 
stock  for  the  yellow  tea,  and  the  plants  form  fine  heads  in 
half  the  time  that  they  do  on  the  Boursault,  sweet  briar  or 
dog  rose.  Since  our  visit,  we  have  noticed,  in  the  Gardener'' s 
Chronicle.,  that  some  cultivators  in  England  have  recom- 
mended the  same  stock,  in  preference  to  any  other,  for  the 
yellow  tea. 

Nursery  of  Samuel  Feast. — Many  improvements  have  been 
made  in  the  premises  since  1843.  Two  new  span-roofed 
greenhouses  have  been  erected,  which  were  now  filled  with 
camellias,  including  a  great  quantity  of  seedlings,  and  from 
which — from  Mr.  Feast's  well  known  success  in  the  produc- 
tion of  seedlings  of  all  kinds — many  superb  varieties  may  be 
hereafter  expected.  Great  quantities  of  seedling  azaleas  com- 
pletely filled  one  large  house  :  grafting  seedlings  on  the  rho- 
dodendron, has  not  been  a  successful  experiment  with  Mr. 
Feast ;  the  plants  do  not  grow  freely. 

The  lateness  of  the  season  prevented  our  finding  any  thing 
very  interesting  in  the  open  ground ;  the  frost  had  already  cut 
off"  the  dahlias  and  all  tender  plants.  We  saw  considerable 
quantities  of  rhododendrons,  and  also  a  good  stock  of  that 
pretty  variegated  shrub,  £^u6nymus  variegatus,  which  is  per- 
fectly hardy  around  Baltimore,  and  we  have  no  doubt  would 
stand  the  cold  much  further  north,  if  planted  on  a  dry  sub- 
soil, and  in  a  sheltered  place.  We  have  a  plant  which  has 
stood  out  two  winters,  with  scarcely  any  injury  the  last  one, 
though  quite  unprotected. 

Mr.  Feast  has  lately  raised  one  or  two  fine  running  roses, 


Baltimore.  247 

one  of  which,  a  cream-colored  flower,  he  has  named  Mrs. 
Henry  Clay.  Mr.  Feast  is  now  assisted,  in  the  management 
of  the  nursery,  by  his  son,  who  was  formerly  gardener  to 
Dr.  Edmonson. 

Claremont  Nursery^  Messrs.  Sinclair  ^  Corse. — An  invi- 
tation was  long  since  extended  to  us,  and  often  repeated,  by 
our  correspondent,  R.  Sinclair,  of  the  Claremont  nursery, 
near  the  city,  to  visit  his  establishment;  but,  during  two 
visits,  we  have  not  found  time  to  avail  ourselves  of  his  polite 
invitation.  We  were,  however,  determined  to  see  the  nurser- 
ies, and  early  in  the  morning  we  took  a  coach  at  the  Ex- 
change, and  we  reached  Claremont  after  a  pleasant  half  hour's 
ride.  It  is  situated  to  the  north  of  the  city,  on  the  Philadelphia 
road,  distant  three  or  four  miles.  The  nurseries  contain  about 
seventy-five  acres  of  land,  covering  a  level  surface,  and  sur- 
rounded on  all  sides  by  hills,  densely  clothed  with  a  fine 
growth  of  trees.  The  entrance  is  from  the  north  side,  and 
the  residences  of  the  proprietors  are  on  the  slope  of  the  hill  to 
the  south,  overlooking  every  part  of  the  premises. 

Mr.  Sinclair  has  been  engaged  in  the  nursery  business  a 
great  number  of  years,  and  has  now  become  so  much  ad- 
vanced in  life  that  he  has  given  up  the  charge  of  the  grounds 
to  his  partner  and  son-in-law,  Mr.  Corse,  who  conducted  us 
through  the  nursery.  We  found  every  thing  in  very  good 
order,  and  a  good  collection  of  fruit  and  ornamental  trees. 
In  the  greenhouse  department,  less  attention  has  been  given 
than  will  hereafter  be  devoted  to  it.  A  small  greenhouse  we 
found  stocked  with  plants ;  and  in  the  open  ground  the  tea 
and  Bengal  roses,  which  stand  the  winter  here,  were  in  full 
bloom. 

Mr.  Corse  showed  us  a  weeping  ash  ten  feet  high,  which 
had  been  budded  close  to  the  ground,  and  had  made  that 
growth  in  one  season.  It  is  the  usual  plan  with  English  cul- 
tivators to  bud  or  graft  standard  high,  but  there  is  one  objec- 
tion to  this,  the  grafts  are  likely  to  be  broken  ofi",  and  the  tree 
is  then  ruined ;  on  the  contrary,  if  they  are  grafted  at  the 
ground,  trained  up  ten  feet  to  a  straight  stem  and  then  al- 
lowed to  branch,  there  is  no  danger  of  the  loss  of  a  tree  by 
violent  winds.  The  Fringe  tree  is  cultivated  here  in  large 
quantities,  as  the  young  seedling  can  be  had  in  abundance 


248  Mode  of  Transplanting  Large  Trees. 

from  the  woods  in  the  vicinity,  and,  when  they  have  stood  in 
the  nursery  two  years,  they  are  ready  for  sale.  Every  garden 
should  have  at  least  one  tree.  We  here  saw  one  of  the  finest 
weeping  ashes ;  the  tree  is  ten  years  old,  and  is  twelve  feet 
across,  and  twelve  feet  high,  drooping  on  all  sides  to  the 
ground. 

The  collection  of  fruit  trees  is  very  large,  and  Mir.  Sinclair 
has  spared  no  expense  to  procure  all  the  new  kinds,  having 
received  them  from  Messrs.  Prince,  Kenrick,  Manning  and 
others ;  but  many  gross  errors  and  synonymes  have  been  de- 
tected. Among  the  fruits  cultivated,  Mr.  Corse  mentioned 
the  Gen.  Hand  plum  as  being  new,  large  and  fine ;  he  showed 
us  a  drawing  of  it,  which  represents  it  as  a  large  yellow 
plum,  nearly  round,  with  a  suture  on  one  side ;  three  others 
cultivated  as  new,  were  Taylor's  large  blue,  Cohen's  No.  1 
and  No.  2 ;  these  were  all  found  growing  in  and  around  Bal- 
timore, and  may  prove  kinds  already  introduced  into  the  vi- 
cinity of  Boston.  Among  the  pears,  Mr.  Corse  showed  us 
one  which  he  calls  Moor's  Pound,  ripening  here  the  middle  of 
August,  and  measuring  three  inches  long  and  three  inches 
broad,  with  a  yellow  skin,  flesh  tender  and  good. 

Having  passed  some  time  in  hurrying  through  the  nursery, 
we  spent  an  hour  in  pleasant  conversation  with  the  senior 
proprietor,  during  which  time  he  related  to  us  some  reminis- 
cences connected  with  the  early  establishment  of  the  place, 
and  the  difficulties  of  getting  up  a  good  collection  of  fruit. 
Our  visit  gave  us  great  gratification,  and  we  are  happy  to 
record  a  notice  of  the  Claremont  nurseries  and  our  admiration 
of  its  respected  proprietor,  in  our  pages. 
(To  be  continued.^ 


Art.  II.  Details  of  a  Mode  of  Transplanting  Large  Trees^ 
with  entire  Ball  of  Roots,  with  some  remarks  on  the  ntilitij 
of  the  plan.  By  Peter  Henderson,  gardener  to  C.  F. 
Spang,  Esq.,  Pittsburg,  Pa. 

Perhaps  there  is  no  matter  connected  with  horticulture  that 
has  been  subjected  to  such  division  of  opinion  as  the  trans- 


wUh  entire  Balls  of  Roots.  249 

planting  of  large  trees — some  contending  for  the  general  utility 
of  the  practice,  others  denying  it  as  being  little  less  than  chi- 
merical, unless  here  and  there  in  particular  cases.  In  the 
late  edition  of  Downing's  Laridscape  Gardening,  in  treating 
of  this  subject,  he  seems  to  doubt  its  practicability,  generally, 
in  the  climate  of  the  United  States.  This  opinion  from  such 
an  authority  will,  unquestionably,  tend  greatly  to  dissuade 
from  the  attempt  many  who  were  otherwise  disposed  to  try. 
Yet,  with  all  deference  to  the  opinion  of  the  writer  of  that 
admirable  work,  I  beg  decidedly  to  differ  from  him  in  this 
instance ;  and  the  reason  I  give  for  this,  perhaps  seemingly 
presumption,  is,  that  I  have  recently  had  extensive  practical 
evidence  that  trees  from  40  to  50  feet  high  may  be  trans- 
planted with  perfect  facility,  and  grow  as  readily  as  those 
from  15  to  20.  This  assertion  may  seem  to  some  rather  in- 
credible, but  I  will  proceed  briefly  to  detail  the  process  and 
its  results.  My  employer  being  anxious  to  plant  trees  of  a 
large  size  near  his  residence,  resolved,  upon  a  perusal  of 
"Stewart's  Planter^ s  Guide,''^  to  try  the  plan  there  recom- 
mended ;  accordingly,  a  "  machine"  was  procured  and  the 
work  commenced.  Not,  however,  altogether  in  the  manner 
described  by  Stewart,  for,  as  the  operations  were  conducted 
principally  in  winter,  the  "balls"  were  all  in  a  frozen  state. 

Previous  to  the  commencement  of  winter,  the  trees  intended 
to  be  removed  were  dug  around,  below  all  roots,  (at  a  dis- 
tance from  the  trunk  proportioned  to  the  size  of  the  tree,) 
cleared  from  leaves,  grass,  &c.,  and  left  exposed  to  the  action 
of  the  frost.  When  thoroughly  frozen,  the  "  machine" — 
which  is  simply  a  pair  of  strong  wheels  and  axle,  with  a 
stout  pole  attached — is  then  backed  close  to  the  trunk  of  the 
tree ;  the  pole  is  next  raised  to  and  firmly  fastened  to  the 
stem,  and  by  means  of  blocks  and  tackle  attached  to  a  ring, 
near  the  extremity  of  the  pole,  the  tree  is  drawn  down  to  a 
horizontal  position ;  a  third  wheel,  constructed  on  the  princi- 
ple of  a  castor,  is  inserted  into  a  socket  near  the  end  of  the 
pole,  which  prevents,  to  a  great  extent,  the  branches  from 
rubbing  on  the  ground.  The  third  wheel  is  deemed  unne- 
cessary by  the  author  of  the  Planter'' s  Guide,  and  no  doubt 
is,  in  the  system  he  describes ;  but  in  removing  trees  with 
frozen  balls  we  have  found  it  almost  indispensable.     Oxen 

VOL.    XII. — NO.    VII.  32 


250  Mode  of  Transplanting  Large  Trees^ 

are  much  more  useful  in  conveying  the  trees  than  horses,  as 
they  pull  steadier ;  one  pair  is  generally  sufficient  for  trees  of 
a  medium  size,  say  35  feet,  but  for  those  of  the  largest  size 
we  have  planted,  (50  feet,)  three  pairs  have  been  found 
necessary.  The  planting  is  performed  in  the  usual  manner, 
particular  care  being  taken  to  have  all  the  cavities  under  and 
around  the  ball  properly  filled  up. 

The  trees  transplanted  were  of  various  kinds;  of  ever- 
greens, there  were  seven  or  eight  handsome  specimens  of  hem- 
lock spruce^  varying  from  25  to  45  feet  in  height,  and  from  6 
to  12  inches  in  diameter  at  the  base  of  the  trunk.  The  de- 
ciduous kinds  embraced  greater  variety,  including  sugar  and 
silver-leaved  maples,  elms,  oaks,  beeches,  persimmons,  &c., 
rimning  from  20  to  50  feet  in  height.  Of  upwards  of  sixty 
trees,  which  were  planted  during  last  winter,  only  five  have 
failed  to  start,  and  many  of  them  are  growing,  apparently, 
with  as  much  vigor  as  if  they  had  never  been  disturbed. 
Still  the  circumstances,  under  which  they  were  removed,  were 
far  from  being  favorable.  The  greater  part  of  them  were 
conveyed  nearly  a  mile  through  12  inches  of  snow  over  a 
bad  road.  And  what  by  many  would  have  been  considered 
a  serious  objection,  the  deciduous  kinds  were  almost  in  every 
instance  destitute  of  what  Sir  H.  Stewart  calls  the  "protect- 
ing properties,"  being  selected  principally  from  shady  woods, 
as  no  suitable  trees  could  be  procured  from  exposed  parts. 

Perhaps  some  of  your  readers,  who  feel  interested  in  this 
matter,  may  wish  to  know  with  what  expedi  tion  our  opera- 
tions proceeded  ;  for  the  information  of  such  I  will  state,  that, 
on  our  first  commencement,  three  men,  with  a  pair  of  oxen, 
were  unable  to  remove  more  than  one  or  two  medium-sized 
(35  feet)  trees  a  day,  but  soon  becoming  accustomed  to  the 
work,  they  were  enabled  to  bring  home  and  plant  three  or 
four  a  day ;  and  this,  as  I  have  before  stated,  under  circum- 
stances which  in  few  places  could  be  more  unfavorable.  Of 
course,  the  larger  sized  ones  were  less  speedily  removed,  and 
also  requiring  additional  hands. 

From  a  view  of  these  operations  and  their  gratifying  results, 
it  would  appear  that  the  transplanting  of  large  trees,  for  use- 
ful or  ornamental  purposes,  can  be  successfully  practised  in 
the  climate  of  the  United  States.     The  subject  is  certainly 


with  entire  Balls  of  Roots.  251 

more  deserving  of  attention  than  has  heretofore  been  paid  to 
it.  Tlie  advantage  derived  from  the  severity  of  our  winters, 
in  enabhng  us  to  remove  a  tree,  with  its  roots  embedded  in 
a  mass  of  frozen  earth,  makes  success  scarcely  a  matter  of 
doubt.  I  am  not  aware  that  the  "  transplanting  machine" 
has  ever  been  applied  before  to  remove  trees  with  frozen  balls 
of  earth.  Mr.  Downing  mentions  that  they  may  be  removed 
when  in  a  frozen  state  by  "rolling  them  on  a  sled;"  this  we 
have  found  to  be  a  troublesome  method  at  best,  and  quite 
impracticable  on  an  undulating  surface,  such  as  we  have  here, 
as  our  repeated  failures  previous  to  using  the  "machine"  too 
well  proved. 

I  cannot  at  all  concur  with  the  reasoning  of  Mr.  Downing, 
in  maintaining  that  trees  of  "  extra  size"  cannot  be  as  safely 
removed  in  this  climate  as  in  that  of  Scotland.  He  says, 
"  the  climate  of  Scotland,  during  four  fifths  of  the  year,  is  in 
some  respects  the  exact  opposite  of  the  United  States.  An 
atmosphere  which,  for  full  nine  months  of  the  twelve,  is  co- 
piously charged  with  fogs,  mist  and  dampness,  may  undoubt- 
edly be  considered  as  the  most  favorable  in  the  world  for 
restoring  the  weakened  or  impaired  vital  action  of  large  trans- 
planted trees."  It  would  seem  that  Mr.  D.,  in  allowing  his 
imagination  to  dwell  so  much  on  the  humidity  of  the  Scottish 
climate,  (which  by  the  way  he  rather  exaggerates,)  has  alto- 
gether lost  sight  of  its  temperature,  which  I  am  certain,  dur- 
ing the  spring  months  is,  at  the  lowest  figure,  15  degrees 
lower  than  that  of  the  same  months  in  the  northern  states  of 
this  country.  Now  every  one  who  has  had  any  experience 
in  gardening  operations  knows,  that  the  dormant  or  weak- 
ened energies  of  trees  or  plants,  of  almost  every  kind,  are 
more  quickly  called  into  action,  and  more  fully  and  healthily 
developed  in  a  moderately  high  temperature  than  in  a  low 
one ;  and  also  that  a  cold  damp  atmosphere  is  ever  accom- 
panied with  a  languid  vegetation. 

Now  if  this  is  admitted  to  be  a  general  law  of  the  vegeta- 
ble^ kingdom,  why  should  large  transplanted  trees  prove  an 
anomaly  ?  but  certainly  they  do  not.  I  have  had  considera- 
ble experience  in  planting,  in  Scotland  and  in  the  United 
States,  and  have  invariably  found  my  operations  to  be  more 
successful  here  than  there,  and  have  ever  believed  the  cause 


262  Descriptive  account  of  Veronica  Speciosa: 

to  be,  that  the  wet  chilly  spring  months  of  Scotland,  are  more 
unfavorable  for  "restoring  the  weakened  or  impaired  vital 
action  of  large"  (or  small)  "  transplanted  trees"  than  the 
drier  but  warmer  season  in  this  country.  And  the  success  of 
the  extensive  removals  before  alluded  to,  has  done  much  to 
confirm  me  in  the  opinion. 

If  you  deem  this  worthy  of  a  place  in  your  valuable  mag- 
azine you  will  oblige  me  by  its  insertion.  Excuse  all  imper- 
fections, as  I  am  not  much  given  to  studying  the  niceties  of 
composition,  and  my  hand  is  more  practised  to  the  use  of 
bulkier  instruments  than  a  pen. 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  May  26th,  1846. 


Art.  III.     Descriptive  account  of  Veronica  Speciosa  :  its  cul- 
tivation and  treatment.     By  the  Editor. 

Among  the  great  number  of  plants  which  are  annually 
introduced  and  figured  in  the  periodicals  of  the  day,  few 
possess  that  striking  beauty  which  soon  render  them  universal 
favorites,  and  found  in  every  collection  of  plants.  Of  this 
character,  of  recent  addition,  we  may  name  the  Japan  lilies, 
the  different  species  of  Achimenes,  Thunbergia.  chrysops,  &c. 
Veronica  speciosa  is  not  less  brilliant  than  either  of  those. 
The  handsome  tribe  of  hardy  herbaceous  veronicas  is  well 
known,  and  the  different  kinds  have  long  been  favorites  of 
every  garden.  V.  speciosa  is  quite  different  in  appearance, 
and  until  it  flowers  no  one  would  suppose  it  could  belong  to 
this  family,  so  unlike  is  it  in  habit  and  fohage. 

The  annexed  engraving  {Fig.  13)  will  convey  some  idea 
of  this  new  species,  when  in  bloom ;  but  as  only  one  single 
spike  of  its  brilliant  blossoms  could  be  well  figured,  it  must 
be  left  to  the  imagination  to  picture  a  large  plant,  with  broad, 
deep  green,  fleshy,  shining  leaves,  clothed,  at  every  axil,  with 
a  spike  of  its  rich  deep  purple  blossoms  changing  to  white, 
and  thus  having  the  appearance  of  two  colored  flowers  on  the 
same  plant.  It  forms  an  evergreen  shrub,  growing  to  the 
height  of  eighteen  inches  or  two  feet,  with  obovate,  sessile 


its  Cultivation  and  Treatment.  253 

leaves,  slightly  curved  inwards  at  the  edges.  The  blos- 
soms appear  in  very  dense  spikes,  three  inches  long,  and  are 
thrown  out  at  the  axil  of  nearly  every  leaf;  they  are  of  the 


Fig.  13,  Veronica  ^peeiosa. 

richest  and  deepest  purple,  and  eight  or  ten  days  after  expan- 
sion fade  away  nearly  to  white,  in  which  state  they  remain 
some  time,  and  contrast  prettily  with  the  freshly  opened  blos- 
soms. 

The  Veronica  speciosa  was  introduced  into  England  in 
1841.  It  is  a  native  of  New  Zealand,  and  was  first  received 
by  Mr.  Knight,  of  the  King's  road,  Chelsea,  who  first  flow- 
ered it  in  August,  1843.  We  saw  it  in  bloom,  for  the  first 
time,  in  Mr.  Groom's  collection,  in  October,  1844,  during  our 
visit  to  England,  and  were  struck  with  the  appearance  of  the 
plant,  whose  beauty  we  had  previously  noticed  (X.  p.  64)  and 
which  we  again  alluded  to  in  our  notes  on  new  plants  (p.  412.) 
We  selected  two  plants  from  Mr.  Groom,  which  we  brought 


254  Descriptive  account  of  Veronica  Speciosa : 

home  in  the  autumn  of  1844 ;  and  one  of  these  specimens,  as 
well  as  a  younger  one  produced  from  it,  we  have  now  bloom- 
ing in  profusion,  and  with  the  appearance  of  remaining  so 
until  winter. 

Some  remarks  on  the  cultivation  of  this  plant  have  already 
been  given  in  our  last  volume  (XI.  p.  262)  from  the  Garden- 
er^ s  Chronicle  ;  but  having  been  successful  in  bringing  a  very 
beautiful  specimen  superbly  in  bloom,  we  are  induced  to 
throw  out  a  few  hints  upon  its  treatment  in  our  climate. 

Most  of  the  New  Zealand  plants  are  of  rather  delicate 
management,  requiring,  like  the  ^rica,  E'pacris,  «S6c.,  a  heath 
soil,  cautious  watering,  and  continued  attention,  to  keep  them 
in  good  condition.  Ver6?iica  speciosa,  on  the  contrary,  has 
none  of  these  peculiarities ;  as  it  flourishes  well  under  the 
ordinary  treatment  of  common  greenhouse  plants,  and  is 
neither  liable  to  die  ofl"  from  neglect  of  watering,  or  from  hav- 
ing an  over  supply  of  the  same  element.  So,  too,  in  regard  to 
soil ;  for  while  it  does  best  in  one  properly  chosen,  it  will 
succeed  even  in  the  usual  compost  for  mixed  collections  of 
plants.  Its  thick  fleshy  leaves  are  sometimes  injured  by  the 
sun  in  the  same  manner  as  camellias,  but  this  may  easily  be 
avoided  by  shading  or  coating  the  glass  with  whiting. 

Supposing  the  plants  to  be  six  inches  high,  and  in  four- 
inch  pots,  the  first  work  will  be  to  shift  them  into  six-inch 
pots,  in  a  compost  made  of  one  third  turfy  loam,  one  third 
leaf  mould,  and  one  third  heath  soil,  adding  a  little  sand  to 
make  the  whole  more  free.  Give  a  good  drainage,  and  after 
shifting,  place  the  plants  in  a  frame  or  greenhouse,  keeping 
them  rather  damp  for  ten  days,  until  they  begin  to  throw  out 
fresh  roots,  when  they  may  be  removed  to  a  more  airy  situa- 
tion. In  five  or  six  weeks,  the  plants  will  require  shifting 
again,  into  a  large  size,  or  nine-inch  pots,  using  the  same  com- 
post as  before,  and  giving  the  same  treatment ;  the  plants,  if 
well  grown,  will  now  have  attained  the  height  of  twelve  or 
fifteen  inches. 

This  was  the  treatment  given  to  our  plants  in  the  spring  of 
1845,  and  under  which  they  acquired  a  good  size  and  vigor- 
ous appearance  ;  the  plants  were  kept  in  the  greenhouse  dur- 
ing the  summer,  but  they  did  not  form  any  flower  buds, 
though  constantly  looked  for  on  the  imported  specimen.   Some 


its  Cultivation  and  Treatment.  255 

of  the  shoots  had  been  stopped,  with  the  hope  of  throwing 
them  into  bloom,  while  others  were  retained  at  full  length, 
but  neither  showed  signs  of  blooming.  The  plants  continued 
to  grow  freely  under  ordinary  treatment,  and  were  wintered 
in  the  greenhouse  with  other  plants.  They  were,  however, 
kept  rather  dry,  in  order  to  fully  ripen  the  young  wood. 

In  the  month  of  May.  the  house  having  been  kept  rather 
warmer  than  usual,  to  forward  the  grape  vines  on  the  roof,  it 
was  perceived  that  the  veronicas  had  commenced  a  fresh 
growth,  and  as  the  temperature  was  slightly  raised,  after  a 
quantity  of  plants  had  been  removed  to  the  open  air,  the 
flower  buds  made  their  appearance  in  long  spikes  at  the  axil 
of  every  leaf,  near  the  ends  of  the  shoots,  and  in  three  weeks, 
(at  the  time  we  write  this,)  we  had  the  gratification  of  see- 
ing the  plants  covered  with  two  spikes  of  flowers  on  each 
branch,  forming  truly  an  object  of  great  splendor  ;  and  as  the 
buds  continue  to  appear,  it  will  probably  remain  in  bloom  all 
summer. 

In  PaxtoiibS  Magazine^  it  is  said  to  require  a  temperature 
rather  higher  than  that  of  the  greenhouse ;  and  to  this  fact, 
with  the  well  ripened  state  of  the  wood,  and  careful  watering 
in  winter,  we  attribute  the  free  flowering  of  our  plants.  An 
increase  of  10°  above  the  average  heat  is  sufficient  to  excite 
the  plants  and  throw  them  into  flower. 

Treated  in  this  way,  the  veronica  will  give  an  abundant 
display  of  its  brilliant  purple  flowers ;  and  at  this  season  of 
the  year,  when  the  greenhouse  or  conservatory  is  deficient  in 
showy  objects,  it  will  form  one  of  its  most  attractive  features. 
It  is  unquestionably  one  of  the  most  valuable  plants  of  late 
introduction  to  our  gardens. 

The  veronica  is  readily  propagated  from  cuttings;  these 
may  be  put  in  at  any  season  of  the  year,  when  the  new  wood 
has  just  begun  to  harden,  but  the  best  period  is  in  February 
and  March  ;  they  Avill  then  root  more  freely  and  with  greater 
certainty  than  later.  If  a  slight  bottom  heat  is  at  hand,  it 
may  be  used,  but  if  not,  they  may  be  placed  in  the  green- 
house, in  a  shady  place.  The  cuttings  should  be  put  into 
sand  and  the  pots  well  drained ;  as  soon  as  rooted,  Avhich  will 
be  in  five  or  six  weeks,  they  should  be  potted  oft'  and  treated 
as  above  mentioned.     The  branches  on  the  young  plants,  the 


256         Descriptions  of  three  varieties  of  Verbenas. 

first  season,  should  be  shortened,  as  they  proceed  in  growth, 
in  order  to  make  them  compact  and  bushy,  but  the  second 
spring  they  must  not  be  pruned  in,  or  the  flower  buds,  which 
appear  at  the  ends  of  the  branches,  will  all  be  destroyed. 


Art.  IV.     Descriptions  of  three  varieties  of  Verbenas. 
By  the  Editor. 

In  our  several  volumes  have  been  given  full  descriptions  of 
all  the  fine  verbenas  which  have  been  produced  from  seed  by 
our  amateur  cultivators,  as  well  as  some  of  the  best  which 
have  been  introduced  from  England ;  they  number  in  all  forty- 
eight  kinds,  upwards  of  twenty-five  of  which  are  now  among 
the  finest  varieties  cultivated,  while  the  others  have  given 
way  to  new  and  more  beautiful  seedlings.  In  our  volume  for 
1843,  (X.  p.  226,)  we  described  thirteen  new  varieties,  since 
which  period  several  kinds  have  been  raised ;  but  we  have 
added  only  four  to  our  collection  which  possess  sufiicient 
merit  to  be  recommended  for  general  cultivation.  These  four 
are  already  tolerably  well  known  among  amateurs,  but  as  we 
wish  our  magazine  to  be  a  complete  record  of  every  new  pro- 
duction, we  add  full  descriptions  of  each. 

Royal  Purple. — Flowers,  rich,  dark  purple,  with  distinct, 
light  purple  eye ;  petals,  smooth  and  flat ;  umbels,  large, 
compact,  and  of  good  form ;  habit,  moderately  strong ;  foliage 
rather  large.  This  variety  is  the  nearest  approach  to  a  blue 
verbena,  and  is  decidedly  the  best  which  has  been  raised ;  the 
color  is  not  so  rich  as  Gazelle  or  Purple  perfection,  but  its  blue 
shade  and  lighter  eye  form  a  beautiful  contrast,  and  render  it 
a  most  desirable  variety.  It  was  raised  by  Mr.  Samuel  Feast, 
of  Baltimore,  who  has  been  very  successful  in  producing  new 
sorts. 

Feasfs  Crimso7i. — Flowers,  rich,  bright  crimson ;  petals, 
slightly  undulated  and  little  starry;  umbels,  large,  rather 
loose,  and  nearly  flat ;  habit,  vigorous  and  nearly  erect ;  foli- 
age deeply  serrated,  abundant  and  good.  This  variety  was 
also  produced  by  Mr.  Feast,  and  is  the  best  crimson  variety 


IpomcBa  Learii  in  the   Open  Ground.  257 

we  have  seen.  If  the  petals  were  smooth  and  flat,  and  the 
umbels  more  circular  it  would  be  difficult  to  surpass  it. 

Feasfs  White. — Flowers,  white,  slightly  tinged  with  pearl ; 
petals,  large,  broad,  nearly  smooth,  and  slightly  cupped ;  um- 
bels, very  large  but  rather  flat;  habit,  tolerably  vigorous, 
similar  to  delicatissima ;  foliage,  light  green  and  pubescent. 
It  is  slightly  fragrant.  This  is  the  best  white  variety  that 
has  been  produced ;  it  has  no  pink  or  yellow  tinge,  as  is  the 
case  with  most  of  the  white  varieties,  but  inclines  to  a  pearly 
shade,  which  always  gives  the  flowers  a  clear  appearance.  A 
pure  white,  of  good  properties  is  yet  a  desideratum.  This 
variety  was  also  raised  by  Mr.  Feast. 

Julia. — Flowers,  bright  rosy  pink  ;  petals,  very  large,  good 
form,  nearly  smooth,  and  little  cupped ;  umbels,  very  large, 
loose,  and  rather  long ;  habit,  moderately  vigorous  and  nearly 
erect ;  foliage  rather  narrow,  slightly  pubescent.  Raised  by 
Mr.  Buist  of  Philadelphia,  and  is  one  of  the  best  pink  varie- 
ties we  have  seen;  the  color  is  very  lively,  and  the  large 
flowers,  as  well  as  large  umbels,  render  it  exceedingly  showy. 
It  a  great  improvement  over  other  varieties  of  similar  color. 


Art.  V.     Ipomma  Learii  as  a  summer  jioioering  cU/mber  in 
the  open  ground.     By  the  Editor. 

Nothing  can  exceed  the  beauty  of  this  species,  the  most 
brilliant  of  the  Convolvulus  tribe,  when  planted  out  in  the 
ground  and  trained  up  in  a  pyramidal  form.  Its  bright  blue 
flowers  are  produced  in  the  greatest  profusion,  hundreds  bemg 
open  at  once,  on  a  moderate-sized  plant.  No  garden  with  a  foot 
of  spare  ground  should  be  without  this  most  elegant  climber. 

The  plants  may  be  turned  out  at  any  time  in  June  or  July, 
and  as  soon  as  they  begin  to  run,  three  stakes  may  be  put  up 
to  each,  in  a  triangular  form,  about  a  foot  apart,  and  tied  to- 
gether at  the  top.  On  this  the  shoots  should  be  carefully 
trained  up ;  and  so  rapid  is  its  growth  that  in  a  few  weeks  it 
will  run  to  the  top,  and  form  a  pyramid  of  foliage  studded 
with  azure  blossoms,  forming  the  most  beautiful,  as  well  as 
the  most  conspicuous,  object  of  the  garden. 

VOL.    XII. — NO.    VII.  33 


258  ColmarHs  European  Agriculture. 


REVIEWS. 

Art.  1.  European  Agriculture  and  Rural  Economy^  from 
personal  observation.  By  Henry  Colman.  Vol.  II.,  Part 
6,  pp.  104.     Boston.     1846. 

The  first  number  of  the  second  volume  of  this  work  is  be- 
fore us,  and  is  devoted  to  a  continuation  of  the  subjects  com- 
menced in  the  last.     They  are  as  follows : — 

XC.  Paring  and  Burning;  XCI.  Burning  Land;  XCII. 
Admixture  of  Soils ;  XCIII.  Improvement  of  Peat  Lands ; 
XCIV.  Warping ;  XCV.  An  Experiment ;  XCVI.  Straighten- 
ing a  River ;  XCVII.  Work  in  Ireland ;  XCVIII.  Drainage ; 
XCIX.  The  Drainage  of  Farms;  C.  National  Characteris- 
tics— a  Digression  ;  CI.  Tile  and  Pipe  Draining. 

The  subjects  are  subdivided  under  numerous  heads,  and 
fully  illustrate  the  practice  of  each.  The  improvement  of 
peat  lands  has  already  been  much  discussed  in  our  agricultu- 
ral periodicals,  and  the  subject  is  well  understood  by  our  far- 
mers, and  numerous  very  successful  experiments  have  been 
already  published  ;  a  knowledge  of  the  mode  in  which  opera- 
tions for  the  same  purpose  are  carried  on  by  skilful  English 
agriculturists  cannot,  however,  but  prove  of  great  advantage. 
The  subject  of  drainage  is  not  so  well  understood,  though  not 
less  important,  and  but  little  attention  has  been  devoted  to 
the  improvement  of  lands  by  this  system,  which  has  recently 
attracted  so  much  attention  in  Scotland.  Mr.  Colman's  re- 
marks, therefore,  are  highly  useful,  as  he  discusses  the  matter 
in  full,  accompanying  his  observations  with  plans  and  sec- 
tions of  all  kinds  of  drains,  as  well  as  engravings  of  the  tools 
with  which  the  operations  are  performed.  We  have  had 
occasion  to  lay  some  thousands  of  feet  of  drains,  in  a  stiff 
clay  sub-soil,  and  can  appreciate  the  importance  of  drainage, 
which  has  so  essentially  changed  the  aspect  of  thousands  of 
acres  of  land  in  England  and  Scotland;  and  we  commend  the 
observations  of  Mr.  Colman  to  all  who  wish  to  follow  the 
example  of  eminent  agriculturists  abroad ;  it  will  be  the 
means,  if  properly  carried  out,  of  bringing  into  cultivation 
large  quantities  of  land,  in  the  vicinities  of  our  large  cities 


Abstract  of  a  Meteorological  Journal.  259 

which  are  now  completely  worthless.  We  have  but  little 
space  to  devote  to  this  number,  but  we  cannot  omit  one  ex- 
tract, which  Mr.  Colman  denominates  the  "  Important  points 
in  Draining :" — 

"  Some  most  important  points  in  draining  seem  to  have  been  but  recently 
established.  The  first  is,  that  water  enters  the  drain  from  the  bottom,  rather 
than  from  the  top  ;  that  is,  its  tendency  is  always  to  seek  the  lowest  level. 
The  second  point,  which  seems  well  determined,  is,  that  pipes  of  an  inch 
bore  are  sufficient,  when  laid  down  at  proper  distances,  for  the  rapid  and 
effectual  removal  of  any  quantity  of  water  from  the  land,  which  is  the 
effect  of  rain  upon  the  land.  The  third  point  is,  that  deep  draining,  though 
the  drains  be  less  frequent,  is  much  more  effectual  than  shallow  draining, 
and  that  where  drains  of  two  feet  deep  have  failed  to  run,  or  even  drains  of 
three  feet  have  been  ineffectual,  drains  of  four  feet  on  the  same  land  have 
shown  the  presence  of  large  quantities  of  water  in  the  land,  which  other- 
wise would  not  have  been  removed.  I  have  seen  this  completely  demon- 
strated ;  and  the  testimonies  on  this  subject  are  so  multiplied  within  my 
own  knowledge,  that  it  may  almost  be  affirmed  that  a  single  drain  of  four 
feet  in  depth  will  be  more  effectual  in  the  drainage  of  a  soil,  than  two  drains 
of  the  same  size  laid  at  any  depth  less  than  three  feet.  The  Duke  of  Port- 
land, when  I  had  the  pleasure  of  examining  his  magnificent  improvements 
at  Welbeck  Abbey,  pointed  out  to  me  some  land,  which  had  been  deemed 
sufficiently  drained,  and  indeed  much  more  deeply  than  was  usual,  bu 
which,  notwithstanding,  continued  to  occasion  rot  to  the  sheep  which  were 
fed  upon  it ;  and  the  evil  was  not  effectually  removed  until  the  drains  were 
sunk  to  the  depth  of  eight  feet. 

"  Several  respectable  and  intelligent  farmers  in  Kent,  who  have  laid 
drains  very  deeply  in  clays  and  stiff  soils,  assert  that  the  flow  from  the 
deepest  drains  invariably  commences  and  ceases  sooner  than  from  shallower 
drains  after  rain,''  This  is  a  curious  fact.  That  it  should  flow  more  copi- 
ously in  such  deep  drains  is  to  be  expected,  from  the  fact  of  a  deep  drain's 
affecting  a  larger  extent  of  land  than  a  shallow  drain  ;  but,  as  the  gentle- 
man who  states  this  fact  suggests,  it  is  not  so  easy  to  account  for  the  water 
falling  upon  the  surface  appearing  in  a  drain  four  feel  deep  sooner  than  in 
one  two  feet  deep.     The  fact,  however,  seems  well  established."    (p.  101.) 


Art.  II.  Abstract  of  a  Meteorological  Journal  for  the  year 
1845,  kept  at  Marietta,  Ohio.  Lat.  39°  25'  N.  long.  4°  28' 
W.  of  Washington  City.     By  S.  P.  Hildreth,  M.  D. 

We  have  received  from  our  correspondent,  Dr.  Hildreth,  of 
Marietta,  a  copy  of  an  article,  under  the  above  title,  which 


260  Abstract  of  a  Meteorological  Journal. 

appeared  in  the  May  number  of  Silliman'' s  Journal.  It  con- 
tains a  table  of  the  temperature ;  the  quantity  of  rain ;  the 
number  of  fair  and  cloudy  days ;  a  barometrical  record,  and 
the  course  of  the  prevailing  winds.  This  is  followed  by  six 
or  eight  pages  of  interesting  remarks  relative  to  the  weather, 
the  crops,  &c.  for  the  year. 

Comparing  the  temperature,  as  given  by  Dr.  Hildreth,  Avith 
our  own  tables,  recorded  in  our  first  and  second  volumes,  it 
'appears  that  the  mean  temperature  of  the  climate  in  southern 
Ohio,  is  about  10°  above  that  of  Massachusetts,  in  the  vicinity 
of  Boston.  The  mean  of  Boston  being  41°  to  43°,  while  that 
of  Ohio  is  52°  73'.  The  greatest  fall  of  the  thermometer  in 
Marietta,  the  last  winter,  was  2°  below  0,  in  December,  and 
the  highest  temperature  was  90°  in  June,  July,  and  August. 

The  year  of  1845  was  one  which  "will  long  be  remem- 
bered in  the  annals  of  Ohio,"  for  the  cold  drying  winds  and 
late  frosts  which  attended  the  spring  months  and  the  exces- 
sive drought  of  the  summer.  Owing  to  the  warm  weather  of 
February  and  March,  vegetation  commenced  rapidly ;  but  in 
April  frosts  set  in,  and  on  the  9th  of  that  month  the  ther- 
mometer fell  as  low  as  15°.  Consequently  apples,  pears, 
peaches,  plums  and  cherries,  were  an  entire  failure,  and  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  Marietta  even  grapes,  gooseberries 
and  strawberries,  were  nearly  or  quite  destroyed. 

We  quote  the  conclusion  of  Dr.  Hildreth' s  remarks  upon 
the  year : — 

'"  The  mean  temperature  of  the  year  1845  was  52-73°,  which  is  about  the 
average  for  a  series  of  years.  The  Author  of  nature  has  so  arranged  the  sea- 
sons that  the  amount  of  heat  in  any  one  year  does  not  materially  differ  from 
that  of  another,  although  to  a  careless  observer  it  may  seem  not  to  be  so. 
It  is  oftentimes  distributed  in  a  different  manner  ;  one  spring  being  warmer 
than  another,  and  one  summer  much  cooler,  thus  causing  an  exceeding 
great  variety  in  the  seasons,  for  all  wise  and  beneficent  purposes.  Yet 
amidst  all  this  diversity,  the  wisdom  of  God  is  displayed  in  the  exceeding 
regularity  and  certainty  of  the  laws  which  govern  the  temperature  of  the 
year,  not  only  in  the  same,  but  in  different  climates.  '  Summer  and  winter, 
seed-time  and  harvest,'  we  are  assured,  shall  regularly  return  so  long  as 
the  earth  continuelh. 

"  The  amount  of  rain  and  melted  snow  was  33-90  inches,  being  about  6 
inches  less  than  the  mean  annual  average  for  this  climate.  Here  also  the 
same  beautiful  laws  which  regulate  the  heat,  govern  the  quantity  of  rain 
which   is  needed  to  supply  the  necessities  of  plants  and  animals,  being 


Abstract  of  a  Meteorological  Journal.  261 

nicely  adapted  to  the  moderate  or  rapid  manner  in  which  it  is  evaporated  by 
the  heat  of  the  climate.  In  the  cold  regions  of  the  north,  a  few  inches 
supply  all  the  wants  of  the  vegetable  kingdom  ;  while  in  the  tropics  it  is 
poured  down  in  torrents,  amounting  in  some  places  to  twelve  or  fourteen 
feet  annually.  Who  but  an  atheist  could  fail,  in  this  law,  to  see  the  guid- 
ing and  directing  hand  of  the  great  Architect  of  the  heavens." 

The  seasons  of  winter,  spring,  summer,  and  autumn  of  the 
year,  are  particularized,  and  some  comparison  may  be  made 
between  those  of  the  East  and  the  West. 

"  Winter. — The  mean  temperature  of  the  winter  months  was  36"60°, 
which  is  more  than  two  degrees  warmer  than  in  1844.  The  mercury  was 
at  no  time  down  to  0  ;  the  coldest  day  being  the  7th  of  February,  when  it 
fell  to  8"  above.  The  Ohio  river  was  not  frozen  over,  and  steamboats  con- 
tinued to  run  all  winter,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  days  about  the  20th  of 
December.  No  ice  was  formed  of  sufficient  thickness  for  laying  up  in  ice- 
houses, and  only  a  scanty  supply  was  procured  from  floating  fragments  in 
the  Ohio,  at  the  breaking  up  of  the  Alleghany,  in  February.  The  amount 
of  snow  was  small,  the  greatest  quantity  at  any  one  time  being  three 
inches,  which  was  in  December — it  being  remembered  that  in  making  up 
the  temperature  of  a  winter,  this  month  is  always  attached  to  that  of  the 
following  year,  where  it  properly  belongs. 

"  Spring. — The  mean  temperature  for  the  spring  months  was  53  89°, 
which  is  2°  less  than  that  of  1844,  and  nearly  five  less  than  that  of  1842. 
The  months  of  February  and  March  were  each  nearly  a  degree  warmer 
than  those  of  1844,  and  brought  forth  vegetation  at  a  rapid  rate,  so  that  the 
garden  crocus  was  in  bloom  by  the  20lh  of  the  former  month,  and  until  the 
20th  of  the  latter,  there  was  every  prospect  of  an  early  and  favorable 
spring,  but  after  that  time,  the  frequent  frosts  of  April  and  May  destroyed 
all  the  flattering  prospects  of  the  flower  garden  and  orchard. 

"  Summer. — The  mean  temperature  of  the  summer  months  was  71  "16°, 
which  is  a  little  higher  than  that  of  1844,  and  was  favorable  in  this  part  of 
Ohio  to  vegetation.  In  June  and  July,  there  fell  nearly  as  much  rain  as  in 
the  five  preceding  months,  and  produced  a  rapid  growth  in  Indian  corn, 
potatoes  and  oats.  The  wheat  crop  was  a  tolerable  one,  and  the  grain 
generally  ripened  well.  Nearly  all  our  summer  fruits  were  destroyed,  such 
as  strawberries,  gooseberries,  currants,  peaches  and  grapes.  Melons,  of 
both  varieties,  planted  after  the  first  of  June,  produced  fine  crops,  and 
partly  compensated  for  the  loss  of  the  fruit.  Apples  and  pears  were  very 
scarce,  and  what  few  there  were  generally  proved  defective  and  rotted  soon. 
For  winter  use,  there  were  very  few  orchards  that  produced  any,  which 
was  a  serious  loss  to  many  farmers  near  Marietta,  who  put  up  annually  for 
market  from  five  hundred  to  two  thousand  barrels  of  the  choicest  varieties. 

"  Autumn. — The  mean  temperature  of  the  autumnal  months  was  52-25°. 
This  season  was  very  pleasant  while  it  continued,  but  terminated  rather 
abruptly  the  latter  part  of  November  ;  the  last  nine  days  were  quite  cold, 


262  General  Notices. 

and  the  ground  was  covered  with  snow  on  the  30th.  December  commenced 
with  great  severity ;  on  the  morning  of  the  first  day,  the  snow  which  fell 
on  the  last  night  of  November,  was  nine  inches  deep  ;  and  the  morning  of 
the  2d,  the  mercury  sunk  to  0.  The  rivers  were  filled  with  floating  ice, 
and  on  the  5th  of  December  the  Ohio  was  frozen  over,  and  the  navigation 
of  boats  remained  obstructed  into  January,  1846.  The  thermometer  has 
been  below  0  on  several  mornings,  and  the  season  is  thus  far  the  coldest  we 
have  had  for  several  years." 

The  article,  which  is  highly  interesting,  closes  with  some 
account  of  the  severe  drought  of  the  northern  part  of  Ohio  in 
the  summer  and  autumn. 


MISCELLANEOUS    INTELLIGENCE. 

Art.  I.      General  Notices. 

Watering  out  of  Doors. — Some  persons  are  for  morning  watering  and 
others  for  evening  ;  all,  however,  will  agree  in  the  propriety  or  even  neces- 
sity of  a  timely  application  of  this  most  important  element.  For  my  own 
part,  I  like  the  morning  as  a  general  rule  ;  more  especially  for  such  things 
as  have  been  recently  planted  out,  such  as  bedded  plants  in  the  flower  gar- 
den, and  young  vegetables  transplanted  from  the  seed  beds  in  the  kitchen 
garden.  To  saturate  the  soil  in  such  cases  is,  in  my  opinion,  highly  im- 
proper, as  leading  to  a  considerable  waste  of  the  accumulated  ground  heat, 
and  also  as  tending  to  exclude  the  genial  influence  of  the  atmosphere. 
With  regard  to  young  stock  of  this  kind,  frequent  sprinklings  are  all  that  is 
required  ;  in  fact,  a  kind  of  cutting  treatment,  chiefly  in  order  to  prevent 
undue  perspiration  in  the  leaf.  If  this  waste  is  prevented  through  the  day 
by  early  morning  watering,  the  plants  may  safely  be  left  to  the  dews  during 
the  night.  Fine  rosed  pots  should  at  all  times  be  used,  and  light  sprink- 
lings repeated  will  prevent  the  soil  from  becoming  puddled.  [Gard.  Chron. 
1846,  p.  343.) 

Palaver  bractcatum. — Those  who  wish  to  produce  a  gorgeous  feature  in 
the  flower  garden  will  find  this  plant  perfectly  adapted  to  their  purpose.  It 
is  biennial  in  its  duration,  blooming  perfectly  but  once  from  plants  of  the 
previous  season's  growth,  and  for  which  purpose  it  should  be  sown  in  May 
or  June,  and  transplanted  in  summer  or  autumn  to  its  intended  position.  In 
habit  it  assumes  the  form  of  a  large  crown  of  leaves  sitting  upon  the 
ground,  from  vvliich  the  flower  stems  arise,  attaining  from  3  to  5  feet  in 
height,  having  on  llieir  summits  immensely  large,  deep  scarlet,  cup-shaped 
blossoms,  expanding  by  sunlight  from  9  to  14  inches  in  diameter.  The 
succession  of  bloom  is  limited,  but  the  efllect  (compared  with  any  other 
plant)  is  magnificent.     I  remember  seeing  a  large  flower  bed  occupied  by 


General  Notices.  •  263 

this  plant  solely,  about  15  years  ago,  in  the  then  richly  adorned  flower 
garden  at  Bretton  Hall,  Yorkshire.  The  impression  of  that  gorgeous 
pyramid,  as  it  then  appeared,  is  not  forgotten.  Where  such  an  object  is 
desired,  it  should  be  placed  towards  the  back-ground.  P.  bracteatum  thrives 
in  any  garden  soil.  The  strongest  plants  should  be  placed  in  the  centre  of 
the  bed,  adding  a  quantity  of  rich  leaf-mould  to  each,  which  will  heighten 
the  effect  by  insuring  a  pyramidal  outline,  or  progressive  elevation  of  growth 
from  the  margin  to  the  centre.     (Gard,  Chron.,  1846,  p.  356.) 

Results  obtained  in  the  Jardin  des  Plantes  from  seeds  prepared  by  Mr. 
Biches. — Many  landowners  and  farmers  in  the  neighborhood  of  Cassell,  in 
Belgium,  and  Franckfort-on-the-Maine,  according  to  Mr.  Bickes's  prospec- 
tus, appear  to  have  obtained  extraordinary  results  from  seeds  prepared  by 
him,  even  when  sown  on  sandy,  bad  soils  of  the  w^orst  description  in  those 
countries.  In  order  to  afford  Mr.  Bickes  an  opportunity  of  submitting  his 
experiments  to  the  test  of  public  inspection,  some  borders  were  employed 
in  the  Jardin  des  Plantes,  in  which  the  prepared  seeds  were  sown  by  Mr. 
Bickes  himself,  in  April,  1845;  and  adjoining,  in  the  same  kind  of  soil, 
similar  portions  of  ground  were  sown  with  seeds  which  had  undergone  no 
preparation.  The  seeds  were  sown  in  garden  soil,  and  also  in  an  artificial 
sandy  soil.  They  consisted  chiefly  of  the  cereals — maize,  wheat,  rye, 
oats  ;  and  some  clover,  lucerne,  turnip,  beet,  flax,  hemp,  haricot ;  in  short 
all  kinds  which,  under  the  procedure,  are  stated  to  yield  four  times  the 
produce  derived  from  sowings  made  in  the  usual  way.  The  result  of  the 
experiment  was,  that  all  the  plants  came  up  and  grew  as  in  ordinary  cases  ; 
no  difference  having  been  observed  between  those  from  prepared  seeds  and 
those  from  seeds  not  prepared.  The  havicots,  having  been  sown  in  the 
beginning  of  April,  were  partly  decomposed  in  the  ground,  perished  by  the 
wet  and  cold,  and  consequently  no  result  was  obtained  from  them.  The 
other  plants  exhibited  their  ordinary  degree  of  development ;  they  flowered 
and  ripened  their  seeds  at  the  usual  periods,  without  realizing  any  of  the 
advantages  announced  in  Bickes's  prospectus.  (M.  Pepin,  in  Revue  Horti- 
cole,  translated  in  Gard.  Chron.,  1846,  p.  359.) 

Stopping  Vines, — Although  much  stress  is  continually  laid  on  the  stopping 
of  vines  during  the  growing  season,  yet  this  important  process  has  its 
limits,  the  passing  of  which  will  lead  to  weakness  in  the  constitution  of  the 
vine.  Two  reasons  seem  to  exist  in  favor  of  the  process ;  the  one,  concen- 
tration of  the  powers  of  the  vine  for  a  period  in  the  immediate  neighbor- 
hood of  the  fruit,  thereby  increasing  its  size  ;  and  the  other  the  prevention 
of  the  secondary  shoots  of  the  vine  from  overlapping  and  smothering  the 
principal  leaves.  After  these  points  are  duly  accomplished,  vines,  espe- 
cially young  ones,  may  be  allowed  to  ramble  freely,  more  especially  in  the 
period  between  the  first  and  last  swelling,  or  during  what  is  termed  the 
stoning  process.  It  is  by  no  means  uncommon  to  see  young  vines  nearly 
destroyed  by  overbearing,  especially  the  Muscats.  Tliese  "  show"  in  an 
extraordinary  way,  on  strong  young  canes  in  newly-made  borders;  but  if 
the  fruit  be  allowed  to  remain,  and  close  stopping  be  resorted  to,  the  consti- 
tution of  the  Muscat  will  be  completely  broken  up.     Let  such,  however,  be 


264  General  Notices. 

allowed  to  make  as  much  wood  as  they  please,  and  I  will  venture  to  predict 
a  very  different  result.     {Gard.  Chron.,  1846,  p.  359.) 

[We  commend  these  remarks  to  the  attention  of  grape  growers;  for  we 
believe  that  the  lateral  shoots  of  vines  are  often  stopped  too  soon  and  too 
short.  Much  judgment  is  necessary  to  do  this  judiciously,  but  it  is  best  to 
leave  too  much  wood  rather  than  too  little. — Ed.] 

Syringing  Grapes. — The  preservation  of  a  fine  bloom  on  grapes  is  in 
general  deemed  of  the  highest  importance  ,  in  fact,  they  cannot  be  consid- 
ered first  rate,  however  large  or  well  colored,  unless  they  possess  an  untar- 
nished bloom.  The  constant  use  of  the  syringe  will  be  sure  to  destroy  it ; 
but  some  people  have  an  impression  that  this  cannot  be  dispensed  with,  on 
account  of  that  destructive  insect,  the  red  spider.  Such,  however,  is  not 
the  case,  as  I  have  proved  for  years.  Those  who  persist  in  the  use  of  sul- 
phur on  the  pipes  or  flues  according  to  directions  in  the  Calendar  a  few 
weeks  since,  and  add  to  that  a  cleanly  system  of  cultivation,  accompanied 
by  an  abundant  use  of  water  on  all  walls,  floors,  or  other  cool  surfaces, 
will  seldom  or  never  be  troubled  with  red  spider.  The  syringe,  however, 
ought  in  my  opinion  to  be  most  liberally  applied  during  the  budding  of  the 
vines,  and  up  to  the  period  of  flowering,  after  which  it  should  be  entirely 
dispensed  with.      {Gard.  Chron.,  1846,  p.  287.) 

O' xalis floribimda. — This  beautiful  plant  which  is  generally  grown  in  the 
greenhouse,  forms  a  beautiful  object  in  the  open  ground,  and  the  following 
on  its  treatment  vvill,  we  hope,  induce  cultivators  to  make  a  trial  of  it  as  a 
border  plant  in  summer. 

Were  I  desired  to  select  the  most  picturesque  plant,  yielding  a  long  con- 
tinued and  profuse  crop  of  flowers  without  artificial  attention  to  its  after- 
growth, I  should  without  hesitation  fix  upon  this.  It  is  a  dwarf,  tuberous, 
herbaceous  plant,  rising  from  two  to  four  inches  in  height,  each  plant  form- 
ing a  terminal  crown  of  leaves  (similar  to  a  small-growing  clover,)  from  the 
centre  of  which  arises  a  profusion  of  bright  rose-colored  flowers,  continuing 
in  succession  from  June  until  September. 

The  principal  precaution  required  for  its  successful  management  consists 
in  adapting  the  soil  to  the  tuberous  structure  of  its  roots,  which  differ  from 
most  others  in  their  thick,  fleshy,  unbranched  form,  capable  of  absorbing 
an  excessive  amount  of  fluid,  beyond  what  is  required  for  the  support  of 
the  simple  crown  of  leaves  upon  their  summit.  Stiif  and  retentive  soils 
(when  not  absolutely  cold)  are  generally  favorable  to  an  excess  of  growth^ 
and  vice  versa.  A  diminished  circulation  of  fluid,  by  a  restricted  supply  of 
nutritive  stimulants,  or  by  a  lower  temperature,  less  favorable  to  growth, 
are  necessary  means  to  be  taken  where  great  fertility  is  sought,  especially 
in  those  plants  whose  organs  (whether  roots  or  otherwise,)  are  remarkably 
adapted  for  assimilating  an  excess  of  food  under  ordinary  means  of  culture. 

As  a  general  rule,  the  amount  of  soil,  and  the  nutritive  properties  which 
it  contains  (when  applied  to  plants)  should  always  bear  a  strict  relation  to 
the  extent  of  growth  which  they  are  capable  of  maturing  during  the  current 
year.  Every  degree  beyond  this  is  an  evil,  which  lessens  the  vital  energy 
of  their  organs. 


General  Notices.  265 

To  induce  greater  fertility  in  the  plant  to  which  these  remarks  refer,  aa 
artificial  soil  should  be  prepared  in  equal  portions  of  old  light  garden  loam, 
heath  mould,  and  well  washed  river  or  silver  sand,  and  well  incorporated  with 
finely  broken  brick  refuse,  equal  to  one  third  of  the  whole  amount.  Thus 
treated,  it  forms  a  very  beautiful  object,  either  for  edging  or  in  the  parterre, 
and  when  seen  expanding  its  bright  blossoms  for  successive  weeks,  it  ap- 
pears as  one  of  the  few  objects  of  which  it  may  be  remarked,  that  it  has 
"  few  equals  and  no  superiors."  In  common  with  some  others,  this  inter- 
esting plant  is  much  degenerated  by  the  inferior  varieties  from  seed  which 
have  almost  supplanted  the  original  species,  the  former  being  much  less 
compact  in  their  growth,  and  less  brilliant  in  their  flowers.  The  latter  is 
known  by  its  leaves,  being  not  more  than  from  two  to  three  inches  in 
length,  and  by  its  flowers  being  uniformly  circular,  and  firm  in  their  texture, 
varying  from  bright  to  darker  shades  of  rose  color,  and,  when  found  in 
favorable  situations,  the  profusion  of  bloom  almost  covers  the  foliage. 
(  Gard.  Chron,  1846,  p.  284  ) 

Drainage  of  Pots. — Almost  every  body  who  writes  on  growing  plants  in 
pots  recommends  good  drainage  ;  but  how  this  is  to  be  effected,  and  of 
what  sized  materials  the  drainage  is  to  be  composed,  is  seldom  mentioned. 
Now,  as  the  health  of  the  plant  in  a  great  measure  depends  on  the  free 
circulation  of  water  through  the  soil,  it  is  essential  that  the  strictest  atten- 
tion be  observed  in  the  formation  of  drainage.  The  materials  for  this  pur- 
pose should  be  perfectly  dry  and  free  from  dust,  whether  these  be  crocks, 
charcoal,  or  sandstone  ;  they  should  be  broken  into  different  sizes,  each  size 
being  placed  separately  by  itself ;  thus,  if  I  were  using  three-inch  pots,  1 
should  first  clean  the  pot  well  inside,  if  required,  then  place  a  piece  of 
crock  at  the  bottom,  nearly  as  large  as  will  cover  it,  but  concave  so  as  to 
allow  the  water  free  egress  ;  on  this  I  would  place  a  layer  of  broken  crocks, 
or  other  material,  about  the  size  of  beans,  and  on  this  again  a  slight  layer 
about  the  size  of  peas.  And  when  I  used  pots  of  a  larger  size,  I  would 
use  larger  pieces,  always  keeping  the  coarsest  at  the  bottom  and  the  small- 
est at  the  top,  and,  with  few  exceptions,  the  plants  will  be  benefited  by 
placing  a  thin  layer  of  turfy  loam  or  peat  over  the  drainage,  as  this  keeps 
the  smaller  particles  of  earth  from  being  carried  down  among  the  drainage. 
Although  there  is  no  fear  of  the  drainage  being  impaired,  if  properly  con- 
structed, yet,  to  make  doubly  sure,  let  each  pot  be  crocked  as  regularly  as 
possible,  one  having  no  more  drainage  than  another,  so  that  in  the  next 
shift  each  may  get  the  same  proportion  of  soil  as  well  as  drainage.  Pieces 
of  sandstone  mixed  with  the  soil  are  very  useful  in  drainage  for  hard-wood- 
ed plants,  as  are  also  pieces  of  charcoal  and  bone-dust  for  soft-wooded 
ones  ;  in  either  case,  the  roots  will  be  found  closely  adhering  to  these 
lumps.  There  are  many  gardeners  who  say,  "  I  have  no  time  to  attend  to 
such  a  routine  of  breaking  and  layering  ;"  but  crocks  do  not  spoil  by  being 
broken  and  sorted  in  the  coldest  day  in  winter,  nor  yet  if  done  in  wet 
weather,  when  nothing  can  be  done  out  of  doors.  The  different  sizes  may 
be  placed  in  large  pots,  and  put  somewhere  out  of  the  way,  where  they 
will  be  dry  until  the  crocks  are  wanted  for  use,  which  is  generally  in  spring 
VOL.  XII. NO.  VII.  34 


266  General  Notices. 

and  summer  seasons,  when  work  is  pressing  ;  thus  time  is  saved  by  having 
crocks  previously  prepared,  and  plants  are  benefited  by  judiciously  arranged 
drainage,  which  is  sure  to  be  effectual.     (Gard.  Chron.,  1846,  p.  389.) 

Destruction  of  Aphides  with  Carbonate  of  Ammonia. — Elsewhere  will  be 
found  various  receipts  for  the  destruction  of  the  aphides  which  are  swarm- 
ing in  our  gardens.  The  efficacy  of  each  receipt  is  vouched  for  by  its 
advocate,  and,  we  doubt  not,  in  all  cases  truly.  Tobacco-water,  tobacco- 
dust,  soap-suds,  and  gas-water,  all  have  their  admirers.  We  patronize 
smelling-salts. 

We  doubt  not,  however,  that  complaints  may  and  will  come  of  the  inu- 
tility of  all  these  applications.  People  fancy  that  it  is  enough  to  throw  or 
trundle  the  fluid  over  the  infested  bushes,  once  for  all,  and  the  thing  is 
done.  They  forget  that  no  application  whatever  can  reach  the  insects  that 
lurk  in  the  folds  of  the  leaves  ;  that  others  will  be  missed  even  on  the  sur- 
face ;  and  that  these  creatures  multiply  at  a  rate  somewhat  greater  than 
even  the  population  of  London.  Thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  may  be 
destroyed  to-night,  and  to-morrow  others  fall  into  the  ranks  and  recruit  the 
legions. 

One  or  two  applications  of  any  sort  can  be  productive  of  little  relief. 
They  must  be  frequently  repeated,  and  skilfully,  by  sharp  and  quick  expul- 
sions in  small  quantity  from  a  fine-rosed  syringe.  If  that  is  done,  we 
guarantee  the  riddance  of  the  pest  by  means  of  carbonate  of  ammonia  ;  for 
we  have  removed  it  ourselves  within  the  week. 

As  to  the  proportion  of  carbonate  of  ammonia  (smelling-salts)  which  it 
is  expedient  to  use,  that  depends  upon  its  quality.  If  bought  fresh  of  the 
wholesale  chemists,  half  an  ounce  to  a  quart  of  water  is  enough  ;  but  it  is 
often  much  weaker. 

It  has  the  great  merit  of  being  clean  and  effectual;  besides  which  it  im- 
proves the  health  of  the  foliage  very  much.  All  the  other  washes,  although 
they  be  as  powerful,  are  dirty,  and  therefore  objectionable  in  flower  gar- 
dens.    {Gard.  Chron.,  1846,  p.  371.) 

Starch  a  remedy  for  Scale  Insect. — T.  G.  sends  a  bit  of  bark  cut  from  the 
branch  of  a  Brown  Beurr6  pear,  to  show  how  eflScacious  a  remedy  for  the 
muscle  scale  is  a  little  thin  starch  applied  to  the  tree  by  the  garden  engine  ; 
but  it  will  also  be  observed  from  the  accompanying  twig  that  all  the  scale 
insects  do  not  come  out  at  the  same  time,  and  therefore  it  is  desirable  to 
repeat  the  operation  every  day  or  two  for  a  week  at  least.  [Nothing  can 
be  more  satisfactory.]     (Gard.  Chron.,  1846,  p.  372.) 

Management  of  Neiv  Holland  Plants. — Now  is  the  time  to  encourage  a 
rapid  and  sturdy  growth  in  corrseas,  epacrises,  pimeleas,chorozemas,lesche- 
naultias,  polygalas,  Ericas,  &c.  &c.  A  constant  stopping  of  gross  shoots 
will  be  necessary,  in  order  to  equalize  the  sap  and  encourage  the  lower  parts 
of  the  plant.  Let  liberal  shifts  be  given  betimes  in  the  season,  in  order  that 
the  pots  may  be  tolerably  filled  with  roots  before  the  approach  of  winter  ; 
thereby  guarding  against  stagnation  in  the  soil.  As  a  general  compost  for 
most  of  these  tribes,  I  would  recommend  three  parts  of  a  fibrous  heath  soil 
in  a  lumpy  state,  and  abounding  in  sharp  grit,  to  one  part  of  a  free  turfy 


Domestic  Notices.  267 

oam ;  a  good  sprinkling  of  charcoal  from  the  size  of  a  pea  to  that  of  a 
broad  bean,  with  a  portion  of  pounded  crocks  of  similar  size,  should  be 
added  to  the  mass.  I  need  hardly  urge  the  necessity  of  thorough  drainage  ; 
let  it,  however,  be  thorough.  Crocks  carefully  placed  to  provide  various 
outlets  for  the  water — these  protected  in  return  by  a  smaller  size  of  pounded 
crocks  and  charcoal  ;  and,  finally,  the  rough  of  the  compost  to  place  the 
ball  on,  will  be  found,  although  apparently  troublesome  at  first,  to  be  by  far 
the  least  trouble  in  the  end.  This  mode  of  arranging  the  parts  of  a  com- 
post, as  also  the  drainage,  will  be  found  most  essential,  if  not  absolutely 
necessary,  where  liquid  manure  is  constantly  used.  (Gard.  Chron.,  1846, 
p.  392.) 


Art.  II.     Domestic  Notices. 


Buffalo  Horticultural  Society. — The  first  exhibition  of  this  Society  for 
184G,  took  place  on  the  iSth  of  June,  and,  according  to  the  report  which 
has  been  sent  us,  was  highly  creditable  to  the  taste  and  skill  of  the  culti- 
vators of  the  city  and  vicinity.  According  to  the  report  of  the  committee, 
over  "one  hundred  and  fifty  bouquets,  of  exceeding  beauty  and  richness, 
were  presented"  by  fifty  ladies  and  gentlemen,  whose  names  are  given. 
Our  correspondents,  Messrs.  EUwanger  &  Barry,  of  Rochester,  contributed 
fifty  choice  roses,  including  the  Persian  yellow.  Among  the  new  plants 
which  have  already  found  their  way  to  BuflJalo,  and  which  were  exhibited, 
we  notice  Achimenes  picta  from  the  garden  of  Mr.  W.  Webb. 

The  show  of  strawberries  was  very  large  and  fine,  Hovey's  seedling 
being  the  most  prominent.  Every  exhibiter — eleven  in  number — but  one, 
having  it  in  their  collection,  and,  according  to  the  report,  "  very  large, 
fine,  and  rich  flavor." 

We  congratulate  our  friends  in  Buffalo  upon  the  success  which  has  at- 
tended their  eflJbrts  in  establishing  a  society,  and  enlisting  the  aid  of  ama- 
teur and  practical  cultivators  in  contributing  to  its  exhibitions.  If  the  same 
zeal  should  continue  to  manifest  itself,  the  best  results  will  follow  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  society. — Ed. 

Flowering  of  the  A'gave  amcricana,  or  Century  Plant. — We  learn  that 
a  large  specimen  of  the  Agave,  brought  from  the  West  Indies,  will  soon  be 
in  flower  in  Boston,  and  will  be  exhibited  at  the  old  conservatory  belonging 
to  the  Public  Garden,  as  it  was  formerly  called.  We  have  not  seen  the 
plant,  but  understand  the  flower  stem  is  about  twenty-five  feet  high.  The 
plant  was  taken  up  carefully  after  the  flower  stem  appeared,  and  brought  to 
Boston,  by  Mr.  Whitmarsh,  who  has  been  for  some  time  a  resident  of  the 
West  Indies,  where  he  cultivated  to  considerable  extent  the  iliorus  mul- 
ticaulis  and  established  the  manufacture  of  silk. — Ed. 

Magnificent  specimen  of  Prairie  Rose. — We  have  now  in  flower  a  splen- 
did specimen  of  the  Baltimore  Belle  rose,  which  in  our  opinion  more  than 
rivals  the  Queen.     It  has  only  been  planted  two  years,  and  has  now  upon  it 


268  Domestic  Notices. 

more  than  a  hundred  clusters  of  buds,  each  cluster  containing  from  ten  to 
forty  buds  and  flowers.     It  is  the  most  beautiful  object  we  ever  saw. — Ed. 

The  Means  Grass. — I  send  you  a  package  of  seed  of  what  is  known  here 
as  the  "  Means  grass,"  and  is  celebrated  for  its  extraordinary  productive- 
ness and  nutritive  qualities,  when  used  for  "soi/mo-,"  especially  milch 
cows.  As  it  is  nearly  allied,  botanically,  to  the  sugar  cane,  it  may  have  a 
very  large  amount  of  saccharine  material  in  it.  I  received  this  seed  from 
Dr.  Bachmann  of  Charleston,  who  is  much  interested  in  it.  He  says  it  is 
Sorghum  Halepenn  of  modern  botanists,  Hb\c\xs  of  the  elder.  It  is  peren- 
nial and  spreads  in  the  ground  very  fast  by  its  stolones  or  rattoons,  and  if 
too  tender  to  endure  your  winters,  may  be  taken  up  and  kept  in  the  cellar  ; 
ma}'  be  planted  four  or  five  feet  apart.  It  grows  four  or  five  feet  high,  as 
strong  as  the  Gama  grass,  and  may  be  cut  in  Carolina  four  or  five  times  a 
year.  Pray  distribute  it  among  any  members  of  the  Horticultural  Society 
who  may  wish  it.  Mr.  Camak  has  got  at  last  a  few  live  roots  of  the  true 
muskeet  grass  from  Texas — very  curious.  I  may  be  able  to  send  you  some 
next  season. — Yours,  resfectfully ,  M.  A.  Ward,  Athens,  Ga.,  May,  1846. 

The  Hog  Artichoke  of  Tennessee. — I  intended  to  have  sent  you  some 
tubers  of  the  true  hog  artichoke  of  Tennessee,  with  remarks,  but  they  are 
too  much  grown.  Suffice  it  at  present,  that  I  am  astonished  that  no  one 
has  yet  corrected  the  mistake  which  has  gone  and  is  going  the  rounds  of 
agricultural  periodicals,  calling  it  the  Jerusalem  artichoke — the  Solanum 
tuberosum.  It  is  a  solanum,  certainly,  and  very  closely  allied  to  the  tu- 
berosum but  specifically  distinct,  as  a  single  glance  at  the  tubers  would  con- 
vince any  one — they  being  long  and  shaped  more  like  an  inverted  parsnip 
than  any  thing  else ;  there  are  other  distinctive  characters,  but  I  had  better 
send  you  the  thing  than  attempt  to  describe  it.  What  the  species  is,  per- 
haps nobody  but  Dr.  Gray  or  Torrey  can  tell,  but  it  is  certainly  not  the  old 
tuberosum.  It  was,  as  far  as  I  can  learn,  brought  first  from  the  Red  River 
country  into  Mississippi,  then  to  Tennessee,  and  probably  is  a  native  of 
Texas  or  Mexico. —  Very  respectfully,  yours,  M.  A.  Ward,  Athens,  Ga., 
May,  1846. 

[We  trust  Dr.  Ward  will  not  omit,  at  the  first  opportunity,  to  give  us  a 
more  full  account  of  this  artichoke.  We  shall  also  be  pleased  to  receive  a 
few  of  the  tubers  the  coming  autumn. — Ed.] 

Hovcy''s  Seedling  Straioberry. — The  character  of  your  Seedling  straw- 
berry has  been  long  established  at  the  North  and  at  the  West.  I  can  now 
safely  report  that,  so  far  south  as  this,  it  withstands  our  summer  droughts 
and  (what  is  perhaps  a  severer  trial)  our  winter's  sun,  at  least  as  well  as 
any  other  variety  now  in  cultivation.  I  have  now  a  plant  with  one  scape, 
having  nine  perfect  berries  on  it — four  of  which  already  exceed  three  inches 
in  circumference,  and  two  measuring  three  and  three  quarter  inches. — 
Yours,  M.  A.  Ward,  Athens,  Ga.,  May,  1846. 

Whyte's  New  Deep  Red  Blood  Beet. — This  superb  variety  of  the  beet 
should  be  introduced  into  every  vegetable  garden.  A  correspondent  who 
tried  it  last  year,  states  that  nothing  can  be  finer  than  this  variety,  being 
sweet  and  of  the  deepest  blood  red. — /.  W.  J. 


Retrospective  Criticism.  .  269 

Ckreus  coeruUscens,  cylindricus,  extinsis,  and  some  other  new  kinds,  will 
be  in  flower  in  July,  in  our  collection.  The  two  former  are  about  eight  feet 
high  ;  the  flowers  are  white,  very  large,  and  beautiful.  C.  caerul^scens  has 
a  very  handsome  bluish  stem,  set  with  jet  black  spines,  from  whence  its 
name. — Ed. 

Spurry  or  Spurry  Grass. — You  will  perhaps  recollect  that  I  had  some 
conversation  with  you  when  in  Boston  respecting  spurry  seed.  It  has 
awakened  some  considerable  attention  among  farmers  in  this  vicinity,  who 
have  used  it  very  successfully  in  reclaiming  sandy  lands.  It  was  introduced 
here  about  a  year  since  by  Dr.  Flint,  a  physician  of  some  eminence,  who 
also  takes  great  interest  in  agriculture.  He  had  read  of  spurry  in  some 
foreign  works,  and  was  anxious  to  try  the  experiment  on  some  sandy  land 
which  he  owned,  but  could  find  none  in  the  country.  As  he  was  acquainted 
with  Mr.  Thorburn,  of  New  York,  he  got  him  to  send  to  Germany  for  a 
small  lot,  which  was  sowed  last  summer,  and  the  result  far  exceeded  his 
expectations.  From  four  pounds  of  seed  he  raised  one  hundred  pounds, 
part  of  which  I  sold  for  him  this  spring,  and  from  what  I  learn,  all  who 
tried  are  delighted  with  it.  This  spring  he  sowed  another  lot,  the  seed  of 
which  is  now  ripe  and  ready  for  sowing.  I  enclose  you  a  communication 
from  a  gentleman  respecting  its  cultivation,  &c. — Yours,  B.  K.  B.,  Spring- 
field, Mass.,  June,  1846. 

[The  communication  came  to  hand  too  late  for  insertion  in  this  number, 
but  will  appear  in  our  next.  In  the  mean  time,  we  would  advise  a  trial  of  it, 
and  the  seeds  may  be  successfully  sown  now,  and  a  good  crop  raised  this 
year.     Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  have  the  seeds  for  sale. — Ed.] 


Art.  III.     Retrospectwe  Criticism. 

Errata. — In  our  May  number,  in  preparing  our  article  on  new  pears,  we 
inadvertently  overlooked  a  brief  description  of  the  Sieulle  pear  in  Prince's 
Pomological  Manual,  although  we  had  the  book  before  us.  Judge  Hoad- 
ley  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  to  whom  we  are  indebted,  has  reminded  us  of  this 
error,  which  we  hasten  to  correct : — 

The  Sieulle  Pear. — Your  May  number,  I  read  last  evening,  and  I  noticed 
your  observations  concerning  the  Sieulle  pear.  There  is  some  account  of  it- 
in  Prince's  Pomology,  1st  vol.  156th  page.  I  received  a  tree  from  Flushing 
in  November,  1835.  It  bore  fruit  in  1837,  corresponding  with  your  descrip- 
tion. In  1840  or  '41,  I  gave  the  tree  to  a  friend,  who  thinks  it  a»first  rate 
fruit. —  Yours,  Geo.  Hoadley,  May,  1846. 

The  Dix  Pear,  {p.  181.) — I  see  in  your  magazine  it  is  stated  "  the  Dix 
pear  tree  was  some  years  ago  cut  down  or  removed,  and  the  place  where  it 
stood  is  now  covered  with  dwellings.'"  This  I  take  to  be  an  error.  I  was 
led  to  a  tree  on  the  late  Dix  estate  this  spring,  and  informed  it  was  ihe 
original  Dix  pear  tree  ;  from  it  I  took  grafts  and  have  inserted  them  exten- 
sively.    I   understood  the  present  owner  of  the  estate  intended  to  let  the 


270  .  Retrospective  Criticism. 

tree  remain,  and  it  is  tolerably  well  situated  for  continued  production  of  its 
fine  fruit.— Fojfr-  obt.  St.,  S.  Tudor,  May  I5th,  1846. 

[Our  mistake  arose  from  our  having  been  informed,  by  a  near  relative  of 
Madame  Dix,  at  the  time  the  estate  vi^as  sold,  that  the  tree  would  be  de- 
stroyed. Since  the  receipt  of  Mr.  Tudor 's  note,  we  have  made  inquiry 
respecting  it,  and  find  the  purchaser  of  the  estate,  on  being  made  aware  of 
its  excellence,  so  arranged  the  new  buildings  as  to  leave  the  tree  standing. 
We  are  glad  to  correct  our  error. — Ed.] 

The  Ortley  Apple. — Some  of  your  correspondents,  I  perceive,  seem  to 
think  that  Mr.  Downing's  Fruits  and  Fruit  Trees  of  America  is  not  the 
most  correct  book  of  fruit  that  was  ever  published.  There  are  scarce  any 
of  our  good  old  sorts  that  we  used  to  know  to  be  found  in  the  book  ;  plenty 
of  new  names,  which  few  know  any  thing  about,  or  old  kinds  of  fruit 
dressed  out  with  new  names — even  these  are  scarce  intelligible.  The 
Ortley  apple — a  box  of  the  vapples  I  sent  to  the  Horticultural  Society  of 
London  in  the  year  1825,  description  of  the  fruit  made  by  the  society  and 
appears  in  the  Horticultural  Transactions,  vol.  6,  p.  415,  and  for  which  I 
had  the  honor  to  receive  their  silver  medal,  undoubtedly  an  American  ap- 
ple— Mr.  Downing,  on  the  authority  of  Thompson,  (as  he  says,)  makes  it 
a  mere  synonyme  of  some  English  apple  which  he  calls  Woolman's  long. 
His  description  is  curious  enough.  My  description  of  this  apple.  Guide  to 
the  Orchard,  p.  57,  No.  151,  "  Fruit  very  much  resembling  the  yellow  New- 
town pippin,  but  a  little  7nore  oval.^'  Downing  says,  p.  142,  No.  171, 
"  Fruit  of  medium  size,  oblong  or  oval,"  so  that  it  may  square  up  with  his 
Woolman's  long — an  apple  which  I  presume  he  has  never  seen. —  Yours, 
M.  Floy,  Haarlem,  New  York,  March,  1846. 

The  New  York  Virgalieu  Pear  and  the  White  DoyennL — Our  New  York 
Virgalieu  pear,  which  we  have  cultivated  over  forty  vears,  and  still  have 
correct,  Mr.  Downing  has  converted  into  a  synonyme  of  the  white  Doy- 
ennL. 

I  have  written  to  Mr.  Downing  concerning  our  Virgalieu,  claiming  it  to 
be  perfectly  distinct  from  the  white  Doyenn6.  He  has  replied  to  my  letter, 
"  that  he  can  prove,  beyond  the  shadow  of  doubt,  that  the  New  York  Vir- 
galieu pear  and  White  Doyenn6  are  synonymous."  His  strongest  proof  is 
this:  he  says,  "While  on  a  visit  the  past  summer  at  Montgomery  place, 
the  country  seat  of  the  late  Edward  Livingston,  Esq.,  I  saw  a  row  of  half 
a  dozen  of  pear  trees,  planted  fifteen  or  more  years  since,  brought  from 
France,  as  the  genuine  White  Doyenni ;  it  was  September,  and  they  were 
full  of  fruit,  and  while  some  of  them  bore  fruit  precisely  the  shape  of  the 
genuine  French  Doyenne,  others  were  most  entirely  the  Virgalieu,  so  well 
known  on  this  river,  &c." 

Now  the  truth  of  the  whole  matter  is,  that  we  sold  Mr.  Livingston  these 
very  identical  pears — they  were  four  New  York  Virgalieu  and  two  Seckel 
pears — nineteen  years  ago  last  November,  as  our  books  will  show.  We 
should  be  glad  to  know  which  of  these  has  changed  to  White  Doyenni, 
which  into  French  Doyenne,  and  which  of  them  to  the  New  York  Virga- 
lieu; hoping,  however,  that  the  two  Seckel  pears  did  not  change  to  French 
Doyenni.     There  is  not   a    Wh?te  Doyenni   among   them  :   is  this  proofs 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  271 

I  am  now  getting  out  a  new  edition  of  my  Guide  to  the  Orchard,  with  a 
supplement.  The  Cydonia  sinensis  having  bore  fine  and  beautiful  fruit  last 
fall,  T  have  procured  a  lithograph  of  it,  which  will  accompany  the  book. 
The  fruit  is  large,  5  inches  long  and  J^|  inches  across,  smooth,  perfectly 
oval,  of  a  deep  lemon  color,  it 'weighed  1  lb.  3  oz.  avoirdupois.  The  tree 
when  in  full  fruit  appears  like  a  large  lemon  tree,  and  is  very  beautiful. 

I  have  also  procured  a  copy  of  the  Bolmer's  Washington  plum,  from  the 
original  drawing,  made  in  1818,  when  we  first  brought  this  plum  into  no- 
tice. This  will  also  accompany  the  book  ;  it  is  now  ready  for  binding  and 
will  soon  be  published.  I  shall  send  you  a  copy. — /  am  sir,  very  respect- 
fully, your  obt.  St.,  Michael  Floy,  Haarlem  Nursery,  March  9th,  1846. 


Art.  IV.     Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Saturday,  May  30th,  1846. — Want  of  room  in  our  last,  rendered  it  ne- 
cessary for  us  to  omit  the  premiums  awarded  at  the  exhibition  of  this  day. 
They  were  as  follows  . — 

Pansies. — For  the  best  twelve  varieties,  a  premium  to  Messrs.  Hovey  & 
Co.  of  $3. 

A  gratuity  of  $2  to  the  Hon.  J.  S.  Cabot,  for  several  fine  seedlings. 
Plants. — First  premium  for  six  pots  in  plants,  to  W.  Quant,  of   S2. 

Second  premium  for  the  same  to  Messrs.  Walker  &  Co.,  of  $  1. 

A  gratuity  of  S  1  to  Thomas  Needham,  for  six  fine  fuchsias. 
Bouquets. — Best  bouquet,  a  premium  of  $2  to  W.  Quant. 

Second  best  bouquet,  a  premium  of  $  1  to  Messrs.  Winship. 

[The  following  report  of  fruit  and  vegetables  was  omitted.] 

Fruit  :  Grapes  and  peaches,  from  J.  F.  Allen. 

A^'egetables  :  Three  brace  of  cucumbers  from  O.  N.  Towne.  Two  brace 
of  Windsor  Prize  cucumbers,  very  fine,  from  W.  Quant.  One  brace  of 
cucumbers  and  six  very  superior  heads  of  lettuce,  from  T.  Needham. 

June  6th.  Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  the  President  of  the  Society, 
eight  pots  of  seedling  calceolarias,  six  pots  of  fuchsias,  viz  :  Vesta,  Queen 
Victoria  (Smith's),  Colossus,  Britannia,  Baudoin,  the  two  first  very  pretty 
light  colored  varieties;  also,  .Erica  tricolor  and  ampullcicea,  and  Azalea, 
var.  Daniels/ana.  From  W.  Meller,  some  very  fine  seedling  pelargoniums. 
From  S  Walker,  some  very  beautiful  varieties  of  ranunculus.  From  C. 
Newhall,  handsome  specimens  of  the  Fringe  tree  and  tulip  tree.  From 
Messrs.  Winship,  fine  specimens  of  the  Fringe  tree,  and  a  great  variety  of 
azaleas,  loniceras,  &c.  From  W.  Quant,  six  pots  of  fine  fuchias,  but  we 
did  not  receive  the  names. 

Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  exhibited  twelve  greenhouse  plants,  as  follows  : — 
Achimenes  picta  and  longiflora,  Gardenm  florida,  Enca,  SavWeana  (elegant), 
Babingtonm  camphorosrnas,  Polygala  latifolia,  Cytisus  sp.,  Nutta]/«  sp., 
from  Texas,  Diplacus  puniceus,  Mahern/a  odorata,  seedling  Crassula  and 
Boronia  viminea  ;  six  fuchsias,  viz,  formosa  elegans,  Chauvieren,  Defiance, 


272  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

New  globe,  Britannia  and  magestica  ;  six  new  cereuses,  and  a  variety  of 
cut  flowers.  From  William  Doyle,  gardener  to  J.  A.  Lowell,  Esq.,  twelve 
greenhouse  plants,  six  good  pelargoniums,  six  cactuses,  &c.  Bouquets 
and  cut  flowers,  from  P.  Barnes,  J.  Breck  &  Co.,  W.  B.  Richards,  A. 
Aspinwall,  S.  Walker,  Walker  &  Co.,  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  Miss  Rus- 
sell, &c. 

Premiums  were  awarded  as  follows  : — 
Greenhouse  Plants. — For  the  best  display  of  twelve  greenhouse  plants, 
a  premium  to  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  of  $8. 

For  the  second  best  twelve  greenhouse  plants,  a  premium  to  W.  Doyle 
of  $5. 

A  gratuity  of  $  5  to  the  President  of  the  Society  for  a  flne  display  of 
plants. 
Cactuses. — For  the  best  six  varieties  of  cactus,  a  premium  to  Messrs. 
Hovey  &  Co.  of  $  3. 

For  the  second  best  six  cactuses,  a  premium  to  W.  Doyle  of  $2. 
Pelargoniums. — For  the  best  six,  (having  reference  to  previous  exhibi- 
tions,) to  W.  Quant  a  premium  of  $6. 

For  the  second  best  six  pelargoniums,  to  W.  Doyle,  a  premium  of  $4. 
Calceolari.4s. — For   the   best  four  varieties,  to  W.  Quant,  a  premium 

of   $3. 
Fuchsias. — For  the  best  six  varieties,  to  W.  Quant,  a  premium  of  $6. 

For  the  second  best  six  varieties,  to  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  a  premium 
of  $4. 
Bouquets. — For  the  best,  to  Messrs.  Winship,  a  premium  of  $2. 

For  the  second  best,  to  Miss  Russell,  a  premium  of  $  1. 

Fruits  :  J.  F.  Allen  exhibited  ten  varieties  of  grapes,  all  well  grown, 
and  in  fine  condition,  viz.  Black  Prince,  Black  July,  Black  Hamburg, 
Macready's  Early  white,  Chasselas  Bar  sur  aube,  Grizzly  Frontignan, 
Miller's  Burgundy,  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Pitmaston  white  cluster  ;  also  the 
Tawny  nectarine,  Coolidge's  Favorite  and  Royal  George  (Cling)  peaches, 
and  Green  Gage  plums.  From  T.  Motley,  Jr.,  Black  Hamburg  and  White 
Chasselas  grapes,  and  Early  Virginia  strawberries.  From  J.  L.  L.  F. 
Warren,  Willey's  seedling,  Mottier's  Seedling,  Hudson  (1),  and  Early  Vir- 
ginia strawberries  ;  also.  Black  Hamburg  grapes. 

Vegetables:  From  Joseph  Lovett  twelve  stalks  of  Victoria  rhubarb, 
weighing  twenty-three  pounds,  very  finely  grown  specimens.  A  brace  of 
cucumbers  from  John  Galvin.  From  T.  Galvin,  Newport,  R.  I.,  two  brace 
of  Roman  Emperor  cucumbers. 

June  I3th. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day, — the 
President  in  the  chair. 

Mr.  Walker  read  a  copy  of  a  letter  forwarded  to  N.  Longworth,  Esq., 
Cincinnati. 

Adjourned  two  weeks,  to  June  27th. 

Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  the  President  of  the  Society,  four  new  and 
beautiful  pelargoniums,  viz,  Sophia  Matilda,  Grand  Monarque,  Excelsa, 
and  Duchess  of  Sutherland  ;    also,  Fuchsia  Miller's  Queen  Victoria,  and 


Massachv^eits  Horticultural  Society.  273 

Venus  Victrix.  From  Hon.  J.  S.  Cabot,  fifteen  new  and  fine  varieties  of 
herbaceous  paeonies,  among  which  were  formosa,  amemonefl6ra  striclta, 
61egans,  claptoniensis,  speciosa  striata,  Victoire  modeste,  Reevesn,  Pottsu 
bicolor  plena,  grandiflora  carnea  plena,  &c.  We  have  descriptions  of  these 
and  several  others,  which  we  shall  soon  give  to  our  readers.  From  A. 
Aspinwall  a  large  and  fine  collection  of  roses.  From  P.  Barnes,  a  fine 
plant  of  Xilium  japonica,  and  other  flowers.  From  S.  Walker,  beautiful 
ranunculus  and  other  flowers.  From  J.  A.  Kenrick,  a  superb  flower  of  the 
noble  Magnolza  macrophylla,  together  with  roses  and  other  plants. 

From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  a  large  and  fine  collection  of  roses,  includ- 
ing several  moss,  hybrid  perpetual,  Bourbon  and  other  kinds.  From  J. 
Breck  &  Co.,  fine  roses  in  variety,  beautiful  ranunculus  and  anemonies, 
and  numerous  cut  flowers.  From  Messrs.  Winship  a  pyramid  of  cut  flow- 
ers, roses,  azaleas,  and  other  flowers,  in  great  variety.  From  W.  Meller, 
six  plants  in  pots.  Bouquets  and  flowers  from  W.  Kenrick,  Mr.  Warren, 
S.  R.  Johnson,  Walker  &  Co.,  F.  W.  Macondry,  W.  Doyle,  John  Hovey, 
W.  Quant,  O.  N.  Towne,  John  Dunklee,  E.  M.  Richards. 

The  following  is  the  award  of  premiums  : — 
Plants  in  Pots. — For  the  best   six   plants,    a   premium  to    W.    Meller 
of  $2. 

For  the  second  best  six  plants,  a  premium  to  P.  Barnes  of  $  1. 
Bouquets  and  Designs. — For  the  best  bouquet,  a  premium  to  J.  L.  L.  F. 
Warren  of  $2. 

For  the  second  best  bouquet,  a  premium  to  P.  Barnes  of  $'  1. 

For  a  handsome  design,  a  premium  to  Messrs.  Winship  of  $  3. 

Fruit  :  From  J.  F.  Allen,  fine  specimens  of  the  following  grapes  : — Pit- 
maston  white  cluster.  Black  Hamburg,  Black  July,  Muscat  of  Alexandria, 
Chasselas  Bar  sur  Aube,  Grizzly  Frontignan,  White  Frontignan,  Black 
Portugal, — some  of  them  exceedingly  handsome  and  well  ripened.  From 
Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  Boston  Pine  and  Hovey 's  seedling  strawberries. 
From  A.  Aspinwall,  extra  fine  Hovey's  seedling  strawberries.  From 
Josiah  Richardson,  Hovey's  seedling  and  seedling  strawberries  of  his  own 
production.  From  Isaac  Fay,  seedling  strawberries  of  fair  size.  From 
John  Gordon,  Brighton,  Hovey's  seedling  and  Early  Virginia  strawberries. 
From  Mr.  Warren,  Bishop's  Orange,  Early  Virginia,  Hudson  (?)  Jenney's 
seedling,  Willey's  seedling,  Mottier's  seedling  and  Hovey's  seedling  straw- 
berries. Erora  F.  W.  Macondry,  a  dwarf  apple  tree  in  a  pot,  containing 
twenty-eight  apples.     From  P.  Barnes,  Royal  Scarlet  strawberries. 

Vegetables :  Prince  Albert  peas,  very  fine,  from  F.  W.  Macondry. 
From  John  Gordon,  a  fine  cucumber. 

June  20th.  Exhibited. — The  display  of  roses  to-day  was  remarkably 
beautiful  ;  we  even  doubt  whether  a  greater  number  of  cut  flowers,  of  new 
and  splendid  kinds,  was  ever  seen  together.  Among  them  the  La  Reine 
stood  conspicuous,  as  also  Chen6dol6,  a  rose  surpassingly  fine.  As  it  was 
the  day  appointed  for  premiums  on  roses,  paeonies  and  pinks,  a  greater 
number  of  these  flowers  were  brought  together  than  usual,  and  it  was 
gratifying  to  see  so  many  competitors  for  the  liberal  prizes. 

VOL.   XII NO.   VII.  35 


274  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

From  the  President  of  the  Society  a  very  beautiful  display  of  roses,  in 
great  variety,  including  a  dozen  kinds  of  moss,  many  hybrid  perpetuals,  and 
new  hardy  kinds,  numbering  a  thousand  blooms ;  also  cut  flowers  of  new 
and  fine  pelargoniums,  including  Sophia  Matilda,  Lady  Sale,  Constellation, 
Beauty  Supreme,  Symmetry,  Nestor,  &c.,  and  seven  pots  of  fuchsias. 
From  John  Hovey,  three  pots  of  Lilium  japonicum,  well  grown.  From 
Hon.  J.  S.  Cabot,  new  pagonies,  viz,  Hericartiana,  f^stiva,  elegantissima, 
Hiimei,  &c.,  and  a  fine  seedling.  From  Joseph  Breck  &  Co.,  a  great 
variety  of  hardy  roses,  including  six  varieties  of  moss,  hardy  perpetuals, 
and  many  other  superb  kinds ;  fifty  varieties  of  anemonies,  fine  ranuncu- 
luses and  pinks ;  also,  Phlox  Van  Houttew,  and  numerous  perennials  and 
annual  flowers. 

Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  exhibited  upward  of  five  hundred  varieties  of  hardy 
roses,  including  twenty  kinds  of  moss,  thirty  of  hybrid  perpetual,  several  new 
spotted  and  striped  roses,  five  kinds  of  Prairie,  and  many  others, — in  all 
nearly  two  thousand  blooms.  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  thirty  prize 
flowers  ; — Gallica — Boula  de  Nanteuil,  Mazeppa,  Jean  d'Albret,  Franklin, 
Neron,  Bizarre  Marbree,Duc  de  Bassano,  La  Ville  de  Gand,  Letitia,  Phare- 
ricus,  Pergolese,  De  Laage,  Czar,  Mari6  Antoinette  :  Hybrid  Province — 
Latour  L'Auvergne,  Louise  Leker,  Mad.  Henfiette,  La  Ville  de  Londres  : 
Provence — Cabbage,  Pauline  Garcia,  Princess  Clementine,  La  Ville  de 
Bruxelles  :  Hybrid  -China — Chenedole,  Vandael,  Grilony,  d'Audigne  de  la 
Blanchaire  :  Hybrid  Bourbon — Chas.  Duval,  Paul  Perras,  Ernest  Ferray, 
Elize  Mercosur ;  among  the  mosses,  Catharine  of  Wurtemberg,  Celni'a, 
Ponctu6,  Princess  Koyal,  Charlotte  du  Sor,  and  Asepala,  and  among  the 
spotted  and  striped  roses,  Euralie  la  Brun,  Mecene,  Donna  Sol,  CEillet 
Parfait,  Jean  Bart,  Antiope,  &c.  ;  also,  the  following  plants: — Veronica 
speciosa,  a  large  specimen,  two  feet  high,  with  ten  of  its  spikes  of  brilliant 
flowers — some  blue  and  others  nearly  white,  fully  expanded,  £rica  Savile- 
ana,  profusely  covered  with  blossoms,  Achimenes  picta  and  longiflora,  a 
seedling  Crassula,  Maid  of  Orleans  Jasmine,  and  Gloxinia  macrophylla 
variegata. 

From  Messrs.  Winship,  a  large  trisulc  (three  pointed)  bouquet,  of  sin- 
gular appearance,  containing  an  immense  quantity  of  flowers ;  also  a  fine 
display  of  Queen  of  the  Prairie,  Perpetual  pink,  Baltimore  Belle  and  Su- 
perba  roses,  with  numerous  other  roses  and  cut  flowers  of  various  kinds. 
From  Messrs.  Walker  &  Co.  one  handsome  tree  rose  in  a  pot,  four  cac- 
tuses and  one  crassula.  From  R.  West,  Salem,  a  handsome  bouquet. 
From  T.  Needham,  beautiful  specimens  of  Phlox  Van  Houtteu  and  other 
flowers.  From  Mr.  Warren,  roses  in  variety,  bouquet  composed  of  pan- 
sies  and  numerous  cut  flowers.  Bouquets  and  cut  flowers,  from  W.  Mel- 
ler,  Mrs.  EUery,  P.  Barnes,  D.  Crowley,  W.  Quant,  W.  Kenrick,  W.  E. 
Carter,  J.  Dunklee,  Capt.  Macondry,  and  S.  Walker. 

The  award  of  premiums  was  as  follows  : — 
Roses. — For  the  best  thirty  varieties,  a  premium  to  Messrs.   Hovey  «& 
Co.  of  $8. 

For  the  second  best  thirty  varieties,  a  premium  to  J.  Breck  &  Co.  of  $6. 


Massachusetts  Horticultual  Society.  275 

For  the  best  twelve  varieties,  a  premium  to  D.  Crowley  of  $  5. 

For  the  best  six  perpetual  roses,  a  premium  to  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co. 
of  $4. 

For  the  second  best  six  perpetual  roses,  a  premium  to  J.  Breck  &  Co. 
of  $3. 

For  the  best  display  of  roses,  a  premium  to  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  of  $3. 

To  the  President  a  gratuity  of  $  5  for  his  display  of  roses. 

To  Messrs.  Winship  a  gratuity  of  $  4  for  a  display  of  Prairie  roses. 
Ranunculuses. — For  the  best  display,  a  premium  to  S.  Walker  of  $5. 

For  the  second  best  display,  a  premium  to  J.  Breck  &  Co.  of  $  3. 
Anemonies.— rFor  the  best  display,  a  premium  to  J.  Breck  &  Co.  of  $  5. 

For  the  second  best  display,  a  premium  to  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  of  $2. 
PjEonies. — For  the  best  six  varieties,  a  premium  to  Hon.  J.  S.  Cabot 
of  $5. 

For  the  second  best  six  varieties,  a  premium  to  J.  Breck  &  Co.  of  $4. 

For  the  best  display  of  flowers,  a  premium  to  W.  Kenrick  of  $3. 
Pinks. — For  the  best  six  varieties,  a  premium  to  W.  Meller  of  $4. 

For  the  second  best  six  varieties,  a  premium  to  J.  Breck  &  Co.  of  $  3. 

For  the  best  display,  a  premium  to  W.  Meller  of  $2. 
Plants. — For  the  best  six  plants,  a  premium  to  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co. 
of  $2. 

For  the  second  best  six  plants,  a  premium  to  Walker  &  Co.  of  $  1. 

A  gratuity  of  $5  to  Messrs.  Hovey  &   (>o.,  for  a  superb  specimen  of 
Veronica  speciosa. 
Bouquets  and  Designs. — For  the  best  bouquet,  a  premium  to  W.  Ken- 
rick of  $2. 

For  the  second  best,  a  premium,  to  Mr.  Warren  of  $  1. 

A  gratuity  of  $2  to  Messrs.  Winship,  for  their  trisulc  design  or  bouquet. 

Fruit  :  The  show  of  strawberries  was  by  far  the  best  ever  exhibited  in 
the  hall,  and  we  think  we  may  venture  to  say  the  best  ever  seen  anywhere. 
And  as  our  own  seedlings  occupied  a  prominent  place  on  the  tables,  we 
depart  from  our  usual  plan,  and  give  the  entire  report  of  Mr.  Walker,  the 
chairman,  which  has  been  drawn  up  with  care,  after  a  trial  of  all  the  varie- 
ties exhibited,  by  the  whole  of  the  Committee  on  Fruits.  The  report  is  as 
follows  :  — 

The  Messrs.  Hovey  presented  four  large  baskets  of  strawberries,  two  of 
Hovey's  seedling  and  two  of  Boston  pine.  The  berries  were  very  large 
and  the  flavor  delicious.  Hovey's  SeedUng  is  well  known  to  cultivators 
through  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land,  and  we  shall  be  greatly  mis- 
taken if  the  Boston  Pine  is  not  found,  in  a  ievf  years,  in  every  good  col- 
lection. It  is  perfect  in  its  organs,  and  when  grown  within  twenty  feet  of 
Hovey's  Seedling,  will  ensure  a  certain  and  large  crop.  We  recommend 
both  the  varieties  as  deserving  of  extensive  cultivation. 

William  Gordon,  of  New  Bedford,  by  the  politeness  of  Benjamin  Rod- 
man, Esq.,  a  box  of  Gordon's  SeeJling,  color  and  size  fine,  flavor  only 
second  rate. 

Otis  Johnson,  of  Lynn,  three  boxes  of  Hovey's  Seedling  strawberries. 


276  Massachusetts  Hortictiltural  Society. 

Joseph  Richardson,  Cambridgeport,  three  boxes  Hovey's  Seedling,  and 
two  boxes  of  Seedling  strawberries.  We  think  somewhat  favorable  of 
these  seedlings,  but  wish  further  specimens  before  we  give  an  opinion. 

Fine  specimens  of  Hovey's  Seedling,  and  also  a  large  dark  colored  Seed- 
ling by  Mr.  Fay. 

William  Meller,  of  Roxbury,  Seedling  Wood  strawberries. 

J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  of  Brighton,  Jenney's  Seedling,  Mottier's  do., 
Hovey's  do.,  Willey's  do,,  also  Red  and  White  Wood  strawberries.  The 
specimens  of  the  White  Wood  were  the  best  we  ever  saw.  The  Jenney's 
and  Mottier's  Seedling  are  very  acid  and  are  not  worthy  of  cultivation. 
These  two  varieties,  as  also  the  Willey's,  we  think  are  better  adapted  to  a 
southern  climate.  Mr.  Warren  also  presented  specimens  of  the  May  Duke 
and  Early  Bigarreau  cherries. 

J.  Fisk  Allen,  of  Salem,  again  graced  our  tables  with  a  choice  collection 
of  his  early  greenhouse  grapes.  The  color  and  bloom  of  his  specimens  of 
Black  Hamburg  was  very  fine.  The  Grizzly  Frontignan  is  one  of  the 
highest  flavor  and  quality  ;  to  the  lovers  of  fine  and  high  flavored  fruit,  this 
variety  will  commend  itself  when  compared  with  the  Black  Hamburg.  We 
will  only  add  it  is  one  of  the  best. 

Mr.  Allen  also  exhibited  specimens  of  the  Zinfindal  grapes.  Two  varie- 
ties of  peaches,  also,  fine  nectarines  and  figs. 

Vegetables  :  From  Thomas  Motley,  Jr.,  cucumber  of  extra  size.  From 
J.  A.  Kenrick,  Victoria  rhubarb.  From  J.  Hovey,  six  heads  of  cabbage 
lettuce. 

June  27th. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day, — the 
President  in  the  chair. 

No  business  of  importance  was  transacted,  and  the  meeting  was  dis- 
solved. 

[The  stated  quarterly  meeting  will  be  held  on  Saturday,  July  4] 

Exhibited  — Flowers  :  From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  a  large  variety  of 
new  and  fine  roses,  among  which  were,  Moss  Celina,  Catharine  of  Wur- 
temberg.  Princess  Royal,  French  crimson,  Ponctu6,  Precoce  and  others  ; 
Prairie  roses.  Queen,  Superba,  Baltimore  Belle,  Pallida,  Anne  Maria,  and 
Milledgeville  ;  also,  Euralie  la  Brun,  Marceau,  Pauline  Garcia,  Jean  Bart, 
Duboys  Dessauzais,  Donna  Sol,  Zhera,  Pergolese,  Marie  Antoinnette, 
Jeanne  d'Albret,  and  many  others;  also  one  superb  bouquet.  From  Messrs. 
Winship,  Prairie  and  other  roses  in  variety,  with  a  quantity  of  perennial 
plants.     From  J.  A.  Kenrick,  a  superb  flower  of  Magnoha  maorophylja. 

From  W.  Quant,  very  fine  cut  flowers  of  Stephanotus  floribundus,  Ticoma 
^asminoides,  and  Mandevillea  suaveolens — the  former  a  great  addition  to 
hothouse  climbers  ;  also,  a  seedling  cereus,  very  beautiful,  the  flower  hav- 
ing the  deep  tinge  of  speciosissimus,  and  the  foliage  robust  and  good. 
From  Joseph  Breck  &  Co.,  fifty  anemonies,  several  of  them  very  fine, 
Martagon  and  other  lilies,  and  a  variety  of  perennial  and  annual  flowers. 
From  R.  West,  Salem,  a  fine  seedling  pelargonium  and  a  handsome  bou- 
quet. Bouquets  and  cut  flowers  from  P.  Barnes,  D.  Crowley,  Mr.  War- 
ren, Walker  &  Co.,  W.  Kenrick  and  W.  Meller. 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  277 

The  premiums  were  awarded  as  follows  : — 
Bouquet  and  Designs. — For  the  best  design,  a  premium  to  Walker  & 
Co.  of  S2. 

For  the  best  bouquet,  a  premium  to  Miss  Russell  of  $  2. 

A  gratuity  of  $  2  to  R.  West  for  a  handsome  design. 

A  gratuity  of  ^3  to  W.  Quant,  for  superb  specimens  of  Stephanotus  flori- 
bundus. 

The  pot  plants  were  not  considered  by  the  judges  worthy  of  a  premium. 

Fruit :  The  display  of  grapes  was  one  of  the  best  ever  made  so  early  in 
the  season.  Messrs.  Haggerston  and  Quant  exhibited  most  superb  speci- 
mens, excellently  colored  and  well  grown :  the  Muscat  of  Alexandria  of 
Mr.  Haggerston  having  unusually  large  and  fully  ripened  berries,  and  the 
St.  Peters  of  Mr.  Quant  being  perfectly  black  and  covered  with  bloom. 
Mr.  Johnson  and  Mr.  Allen  also  showed  some  very  fine  grapes,  not  so 
large  clusters  as  the  above,  but  well  colored  and  ripe.  From  J.  P.  Gush- 
ing, Esq.,  Black  Hamburg,  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Poonah,  white  Frontig- 
nan.  Grizzly  Froniignan,  and  white  Chasselas  grapes;  the  committee  pro- 
nounced them  delicious.  From  Hon.  T.  H.  Perkins,  Golden  Chasselas, 
Grizzly  Frontignan,  White  Frontignan,  Black  Froniignan,  St.  Peters  and 
Frankindale  grapes.  From  S.  Motley,  Jr.,  Black  Hamburg,  White  Chas- 
selas, and  Muscat  of  Alexandria  grapes.  From  J.  F.  Allen,  twelve  varie- 
ties of  grapes,  the  same  as  exhibited  at  a  previous  meeting,  also  Washing- 
ton peaches.  From  O.Johnson,  Zinfindal  and  Black  Hamburg  grapes; 
also,  four  boxes  of  large  and  fine  Hovey  Seedling  strawberries,  and  one 
box  of  Black  Tartarian  cheiries,  not  quite  ripe.  From  J.  T.  Buckingham, 
White  Wood  and  Hovey "s  seedling  strawberries. 

Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  exhibited  five  large  baskets  of  strawberries — two 
of  Hovey's  seedling,  two  of  Boston  pine,  and  one  of  Deptford  pine,  all 
extra  large  and  fine  ;  also,  a  small  box  of  Princess  Alice  Maud  ;  the  Dept- 
ford pine  will  prove  a  valuable  late  variety.  The  committee  state  that  the 
"  Boston  pine  fully  sustains  its  good  character."  From  Messrs.  Winship, 
White  Bigaireau  cherries,  and  a  seedling  raised  by  Mr.  T.  Munroe  of 
Brighton.  From  George  Walsh,  four  boxes  of  the  New  Black  Bigarreau 
cherry,  very  handsome.  From  Isaac  Fay,  specimens  of  his  strawberry, 
supposed  to  be  a  seedling,  as  it  was  found  growing  in  his  grounds  among 
other  kinds  ;  it  is  of  good  size,  but  second  quality.  From  Josiah  Richard- 
son, one  basket  and  three  boxes  of  Hovey's  Seedling,  very  handsome. 
From  Mr.  Warren,  Red  and  White  Wood,  Methven,  Jenney's  seedling, 
Willey's  Seedling,  and  Bishop's  Orange  strawberries.  Fjom  G.  Merriam, 
Black  Tartarian  cherries.  From  J.  A.  Kenrick,  fine  Black  Tartarian  cher- 
ries.    From  J.  G.  Thurston,  Lancaster,  large  white  gooseberries. 

Vegetables  :  A  peck  of  early  potatoes  from  A.  D.  Williams.  From  F. 
W.  Macondry,  a  basket  of  early  potatoes.  From  A.  D.  Williams,  three 
heads  of  cabbage,  two  bunches  of  carrots,  and  three  heads  of  lettuce. 
From  J.  Hovey,  Roxbury,  six  heads  of  lettuce.  From  W.  Quant,  one 
dish  of  tomatoes. 


278 


Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Art.  V.     Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Roots,  Tubers,  (|'c. 


,....[ 


Common 


Potatoes,  old : 
ni-u  S  per  barrel, 

Cheiian^oes,  ^  Jgr  bushel, 

per  barrel, 

per  bushel, 

/-«     .     ,  S  per  barrel, 

^^■^t"^' ^?er  bushel, 

T  T>  1  ^  per  barrel, 
L«°?R^^lS'- J  per  bushel, 
New,  per  bushel,      .     .     . 

Turnips  :  new,  per  bushel, 

Onions  : 

White,  per  bunch,    .     .     . 
New  White,  per  Imnch. 
Yellow,  per  bushel, 

Beets,  per  bunch,    . 

Carrots,  per  bunch. 

Parsnips,  per  bushel,  . 

Salsif}',  per  doz.  roots, 

Horseiddish,  per  lb.    . 

Radishes,  per  bunch,  . 

Garlic,  per  bunch,  .     . 

Cabbages,  Salads,  if-c. 

Cabbages,  per  doz.  : 

Early  York 

Early  Dutch,  .... 
Brocolis,  each,    .... 
Cauliflowers,  each,      .     . 
Lettuce,  per  head,  .     . 
Rhubarb,  per  jxiund,  .     . 
Beet  lops,  per  peck,    . 
Calibage  sprouts,  per  peck, 
Peas  :  per  bushel. 

Marrowfat,  extra,     .     . 

Marrowfat,  common,    . 
String  beans,  per  peck,     . 
Cucumbers,  (pickled)  pr.  gal 
Peppers,  (pickled)  per  gal. 


Pol  and  Sxoeet  Herbs. 

Parsley,  per  half  peck, 
Sage,  per  pound,     . 
Marjorum,  per  bunch. 
Savory,  per  bunch. 
Spearmint,  per  bunch, 


From 
%  cts. 

25 

75 

75 

50 

3  00 

1  25 

2  25 

1  00 

2  00 


To 

«cts. 


3 

2 
12.J 
16 

00 
75 
50 
25 
37^ 


6 
10 


20 

\2h 

12i 


Squashes  and  Pumpkins. 

Squashes,  per  cwt. : 
West  Indies,  .... 
Summer  bush,  per  doz. 

Pumpkins,  each,     .     .     . 

Pruits. 
Apples, dessert  ami  cooking 

Haldwir.,  per  bbl. 

Russets   per  bbl. 

Common,  per  bbl 

New,  per  bushel, 

Dried  Apples,  per  lb 
Cherries,  per  quart, 

Downer's,  red,     . 

Common,  .     .     . 
Strawberries,  per  quart 

Hovey's  Seedling, 

Early  Virginia,   . 

Wood,  .... 
Currants,  per  quart : 

Red 

White,   .... 
Blueberries,  .     .     . 
Raspberries,  per  quart,     . 
Gooseberries,  (green)  per  qt 
Peaches,  per  doz. 

Forced,       .... 
Watermelons,  each, 
Cucumbers,  each,  .     . 

Small,  per  dozen,     . 
Tomatoes,  per  doz. 
Cranberries,  per  bushel, 
Grapes,  (forced,)  per  lb. 

Black  Hamburg, 

Sweet  water,        .     . 

Muscats,     .... 

Other  sorts,    . 
Fresh  Figs,  per  dozen, 
Oranges,  per  doz. 

St. "Michael's,      .     . 

Havana,     .... 

Sicily,         .... 

Sicily,  per  box,   .     . 
Lemons,  per  doz.    . 
Pine  Apples,  each, 
(Chestnuts,  per  bushel. 
Walnuts,  p^r  bushel,   . 
Cocoanuts,  per  hundred. 


From 
$  cts. 


3 
37d 


5  00 

2  50 
5 

12 
10 

31 

20 
25 

6 

6 

17 

37  i 

12^ 

2  00 
25 
10 
37.i 
374 

5  00 

I   00 

75 

1   50 

1   00 

50 


25 
50 
17 


To 

$  cts. 


4 
50 


5  50 


3  00 
6 


17 
12.-i 


37 
25 


20 
50 


3  00 
75 
12 
50 
50 

5  50 

1   25 
1   00 


75 

37 

37 
00 
20 


RemarivS. — The  warm  and  favorable  weather  of  April  and  May  has 
beea  succeeded,  as  all  very  early  springs  usu.illy  are,  by  a  cooler  summer. 
A  greater  part  of  June  has  been  cool,  cloudy,  misty,  and  rainy,  and  at 
this  period  vegetation  is  probably  but  little  in  advance  of  last  year,  though 
at  least  ten  days  earlier  by  the  middle  of  May.  Not  a  large  quantity  of  rain 
has  fallen,  but  in  consequence  of  the  damp,  cool  temperature,  crops  have 
been  highly  benefited  and  now  promise  a  good  harvest. 

Vegetables. — Since  our  last,  new  potatoes  have  appeared,  and  now  there 
is   a  very  good  supply  of  early  whites  as   well  as  some   chenangoes  ;  the 


Horticultural  Memoranda.  279 

stock  of  old  ones  remains  about  the  same  ;  good  long  reds  have  advanced 
a  shade  in  price,  but  in  other  sorts  there  is  no  alteration  ;  crops  look  ex- 
ceedingly well,  no  appearance  of  the  rot  having  yet  been  seen  ;  it  is  hoped 
that  later  crops  will  be  equally  free  from  the  disease.  Old  turnips  are  gone, 
but  to  supply  their  place  there  is  a  plentiful  supply  of  very  finely  grown  ones 
of  the  new  crop.  Last  year's  crop  of  onions  is  all  gone.  Beets  and  Car- 
rots of  the  new  crop  are  now  tolerably  abundant  by  the  bunch.  Radishes 
plentiful  for  the  season.  Cabbages  of  the  new  crop  have  come  to  hand, 
and  of  very  good  size  and  quality  ;  they  are  chiefly  early  York  and  early 
Dutch.  Lettuce  plentiful  and  very  fine;  indeed  the  market  has  rarely 
been  stocked  with  heads  of  so  fine  growth.  Rhubarb  well  supplied  and  in 
good  demand.  Greens  are  all  gone,  with  the  exception  of  cabbage  sprouts. 
Peas  are  now  plentiful,  and  marrowfats  of  the  finest  quality  are  brought  in. 
String  beans  are  also  abundant.  Parsley  is  more  freely  brought  in.  Some 
new  squashes  have  been  received  from  New  York  and  sold  at  our  quota- 
tions ;   West  Indies  yet  remain  on  hand. 

Fruit. — The  demand  for  fruit  has  been  good  and  the  supply  only  moder- 
ate. Some  fine  russet  apples  yet  remain,  and  in  excellent  order.  Cran- 
berries in  less  demand,  and  the  stock  nearly  exhausted.  Strawberries  tol- 
erably abundant,  though  prices  have  been  very  well  sustained.  Hovey's 
Seedling  has  been  in  great  demand,  at  an  advanced  price  over  others  ;  this 
variety,  the  Early  Virginia,  and  the  Wood,  are  the  only  three  kinds  which 
are  raised  to  supply  the  market ;  the  Boston  Pine  will  soon  be  added  to 
these.  Gooseberries  scarce  and  in  demand.  Currents  very  abundant. 
Tomatoes  have  come  to  hand  from  the  south  and  sell  quickly  at  our  quota- 
tions. Grapes  are  more  abundant,  and  prices  have  fallen  off;  Malagas  are 
about  gone.  Cherries  are  rather  poor  in  consequence  of  so  much  damp 
weather  ;  what  few  there  are,  of  good  quality,  are  quickly  taken.  Oranges 
are  little  higher.  Arrivals  of  Pine  apples  have  kept  the  market  well  filled. 
In  lemons  no  alteration. — Yours,  M.  T.,  Boston,  June  29ih,  1846. 


HORTICULTURAL    MEMORANDA 

FOR  JULY. 


FRUIT  DEPARTMENT. 

Grape  Vines. — Early  vineries  will  now  need  but  little  attention;  the 
grapes  being  well  swelled  from  the  late  timely  rains,  the  shouldering  having 
all  been  done,  the  superfluous  laterals  pruned,  and  danger  of  mildew  being 
about  over,  attention  will  be  only  required  to  the  proper  airing  of  the  house ; 
this,  it  is  true,  will  require  constant  care,  on  account  of  sudden  changes, 
yet  the  critical  period  is  over,  and  the  latter  part  of  the  month  the  berries 
will  begin  to  color  ;  keep  the  house  well  damped  night  and  morning.  In  later 
houses  attention   will   be  more  necessary,  as  the  vines  will   be  in  the  same 


280  Horticultural  Memoranda. 

state  as  those  in  earlier  houses  were  last  month,  and  the  directions  then 
given  by  us  must  be  followed.  Vines  in  pots  for  fruiting  next  year  must  be 
kept  tied  up  and  well  watered,  occasionally  using  liquid  guano.  Vines  in 
the  open  air  will  now  need  much  pruning  ;  nip  off  all  bearing  wood  not 
wanted  for  next  year's  crop  to  within  one  or  two  eyes  of  the  fruit,  and 
when  too  crowded,  entirely  cut  out  all  weak  laterals. 

Strawberry  beds  must  be  looked  after  ;  weed  and  clean  new  beds,  and  lay 
in  the  first  strong  runners,  clipping  off  the  others  as  they  appear.  Old  beds 
may  be  renovated  by  digging  in  part  of  the  last  year's  roots,  and  allowing 
the  remainder  to  make  new  roots  where  the  others  were  turned  under. 

Budding  cherry  and  plum  trees  may  be  commenced  about  the  middle  of 
the  month. 

Fruit  trees  of  all  kinds  may  be  summer-pruned  now — that  is,  pinching  off 
the  tips  of  the  young  growing  wood  ;  this  will  soon  throw  them  into  fruit. 

Attend  to  the  destruction  of  insects,  particularly  the  aphis  and  the  pear 
slug  ;  two  or  three  good  syringings  with  oil  soap,  will  effectually  stop  their 
ravages  if  begun  in  time. 

FLOWER    DEPARTMENT. 

Dahlias  will  now  require  some  attention  ;  the  late  favorable  rains  have 
given  them  a  good  start,  and  the  prospect  now  is  of  a  good  bloom.  See 
that  they  are  properly  staked  and  tied  up  at  least  once  a  week,  at  the  same 
time  pruning  off  all  laterals  but  two. 

Pelargoniums  may  still  be  propagated  from  cuttings. 

Chorizemas  may  now  have  another  shift  into  larger  pots. 

Azaleas  may  yet  be  shifted,  if  not  already  done. 

Cinerarias  may  be  turned  out  into  a  rather  dry  border,  where  they  will 
make  fine  suckers  for  potting. 

Verbenas  for  flowering  in  pots,  in  the  autumn,  should  now  be  shifted  into 
larger  size. 

Roses  for  flowering  early  in  pots,  next  winter,  should  now  be  plunged  in 
the  open  border,  and  mulched  with  some  strong  manure. 

\Q-xoeek  and  Victoria  stocks  should  now  be  sown  for  flowering  in  winter. 

Mignonette  should  now  be  sown  in  pots  for  flowering  in  November  and 
December. 

Camrllias  may  now  be  potted  ;  grafting  may  also  be  commenced  soon. 

Tree  PcFonies  should  be  grafted  this  month. 

Hardy  Roses  of  all  kinds  should  now  be  layered,  either  in  pots  or  in  the 
ground. 

Fuchsias  should  be  kept  cool  and  shaded  from  the  hot  sun,  and  occasion- 
ally watered  with  liquid  guano. 

Carnations  and  Picotees  should  be  layered  this  month. 

Chrysanthemums  should  be  topped  this  month  to  make  the  plants  bushy 
and  compact. 

Pansy  seed  may  be  sown  this  month  for  flowering  in  the  spring. 

O. Talis  hirta  should  be  potted  this  month. 

Heliotropes  may  now  be  propagated  from  cuttings  tor  next  winter  stock. 

Orange  and  lemon  trees  should  be  budded  soon. 


THE  MAGAZINE 


O  F 


HORTICULTURE. 


AUGUST,  1846. 


ORIGINAL   COMMUNICATIONS. 

Art.  I.  Notes  of  a  Visit  to  several  Gardens  in  the  Vicinity 
of  Washington,  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  and  New  York, 
in  October,  1845.     By  the  Editor. 

(  Continued  from  page  2  48 . ) 

Philadelphia,  October  21st,  1845. — We  arrived  here  early 
in  the  morning,  from  Baltimore,  and  had  but  a  short  time  to 
remain  in  the  city ;  this  we  improved  by  a  visit  to  the  princi- 
pal nurseries  and  gardens. 

City  Garden  of  G.  Pepper,  Esq. — The  limited  space  of 
Mr.  Pepper's  garden  prevents  the  erection  of  additional  houses, 
or  "we  presume,  he  would  soon  have  better  accommodations 
for  many  of  the  fine  specimens  which  now  make  up  the  col- 
lection ;  many  of  them  are  suffering  for  room,  particularly 
the  large  palms.  Considering,  however,  the.  crowded  state  of 
the  plants,  they  looked  remarkably  clean  and  healthy. 

The  camellias  were  remarkably  vigorous  and  healthy.  Mr. 
Chahners,  the  gardener,  fully  understands  the  management  of 
this  splendid  family,  for  we  have  rarely  seen  more  luxuriant 
growth  and  well  colored  foliage,  at  the  same  time  abundantly 
covered  with  buds.  They  are  kept  in  the  house  the  year 
round,  being  shaded  by  a  light  curtain  of  grass  cloth.  They 
are  potted  in  July  and  August,  and  receive  a  top  dressing  in 
autumn  when  arranged  for  the  winter. 

Mr.  Chalmers  has  raised  several  seedlings,  one  or  two  of 
which  are  said  to  be  very  fine ;  he  has  also  become  part 
owner  of  a  fine  seedling  raised  by  an  amateur  in  the  city ; 
the  two  former  are  named  Emily  and  Pepperi,  and  the  latter, 
Chalmerii  perfecta,  which  has  already  been  offered  for  sale. 

VOL.  XII NO.  VIII.  36 


282  Notes  of  a  Visit  to  several  Gardens. 

Emily,  if  our  memory  serves  us,  being  a  striped  variety,  of 
good  shape.  Chalmerii  perfecta  is  a  well  formed,  deep  red 
flower,  of  good  habit  and  desirable  in  every  fine  collection. 

The  cactuses,  which  embrace  some  large  specimens,  were 
in  fine  order ;  every  thing  showed  the  unwearied  attention  of 
Mr.  Chalmers,  the  excellent  gardener. 

Exotic  Nursery  of  R.  Buist. — Since  1843,  Mr.  Buist  has 
made  several  additions  to  his  ranges  of  glass,  which  now  cover 
many  thousand  square  feet.  A  small  house,  heated  on  the 
gutter  system,  has  been  erected,  which  Mr.  Buist  informed 
us  had  worked  exceedingly  well.  One  of  the  greenhouses  is 
heated  with  a  boiler  on  the  plan  of  Messrs.  Burbidge  60 
Healy,  which  we  shall  soon  describe,  with  engravings.  To 
show  the  economy  of  the  plan,  we  need  only  state,  that  the 
house  is  122  feet  long,  and  is  heated  from  one  boiler,  during 
the  winter,  with  a  consumption  of  only  about  four  tons  of 
coal.  The  heat  can  be  got  up  in  twenty  minutes  ;  the  pipes 
are  four  inch  and  of  cast  iron. 

In  the  Moyamensing  grounds,  Mr.  Buist  has  added  a  new 
rose  house  since  our  last  visit ;  this  is  a  most  convenient 
structure  for  blooming  tender  roses  in  perfection  in  our  cli- 
mate, and  as  they  can  be  erected  at  a  moderate  expense,  we 
hope  to  see  them  in  the  gardens  of  amateur  rose  fanciers. 
The  house  is  about  fifty  feet  long,  fifteen  wide,  and  six  feet 
high  in  the  centre,  with  a  span  roof,  and  a  single  flue,  side  of 
the  path,  which  runs  through  the  middle  from  end  to  end 
under  the  ridge.  The  roses  are  planted  out  in  the  ground, 
and  during  the  summer  season  the  sashes  are  taken  off";  as 
soon  as  frosts  set  in,  in  October,  they  are  put  on  again,  and, 
with  occasional  fires  when  cold  weather  occurs,  the  plants 
are  kept  in  full  bloom  until  January ;  after  this,  shutters  are 
put  on,  and  the  plants  allowed  to  rest,  no  fires  being  required 
only  in  extreme  cold  and  then  not  sufficient  to  raise  the  ther- 
mometer above  32°.  By  the  first  of  March  the  shutters  are 
taken  off,  the  plants  pruned,  and  in  May  they  commence 
blooming  again,  and  continue  until  the  succeeding  January, 
when  they  are  again  allowed  to  rest.  In  this  way  the  China, 
tea.  Noisette,  and  Bourbon  roses,  are  flowered  in  the  greatest 
perfection.  We  should  not  omit  to  say  the  house  is  only 
about  two  feet  high  on  the  sides,  and  consists  merely  of  posts 


Philadelphia.  283 

set  into  the  ground,  and  planked  or  boarded  up.  In  the 
months  of  November  and  December,  Mr.  Buist  is  enabled  to 
cut  hundreds  of  roses  every  day. 

Many  additions  have  been  made  to  the  collection  of  plants, 
especially  camellias ;  but  at  this  season  but  few  were  in 
bloom.  A  bed  of  Phlox  Van  Houttei/,  now  showing  its  last 
flowers,  had  been  very  brilliant.  Noisette  rose  Ophire  stands 
the  winter  here,  and  a  plant  three  feet  high  had  several  of  its 
fawn  colored  flowers  fully  expanded.  It  will  undoubtedly 
prove  hardy  in  the  latitude  of  Boston,  with  a  light  covering 
of  leaves  or  strawy  manure. 

Mr.  P.  Mackenzie^ s  Garden. — A  new  camellia  house,  120 
feet  long,  had  just  been  erected,  completing  d.  full  square  of 
houses,  with  Mr.  Mackenzie's  dwelling  in  the  rear.  This 
house  we  found  well  filled  with  fine  large  specimens,  a  portion 
of  them  part  of  the  importation  the  previous  year,  which  we 
have  already  noticed.  Among  the  new  ones  were  Lowii 
Alexina,  liady  Henrietta,  Napoleon,  &c. ;  we  noticed  some 
remarkably  fine  specimens  of  Donckelaerij,  candidissima,  tri- 
color, &c.     The  camellia  house  is  heated  with  a  flue. 

The  Philadelphia  potters  now  manufacture  the  largest  sizes 
that  are  needed  for  plants.  We  saw  here  several  two  feet  in 
diameter  and  of  good  proportion ;  they  are  far  better  than  the 
unsightly  looking  boxes  which  are  every  where  used,  and  we 
hope  to  see  these  pots  introduced  in  their  place  ;  they  can  be 
obtained  for  about  two  and  a  half  to  three  dollars  each,  and 
they  are  so  well  made  that,  with  careful  handling,  they  will 
last  any  length  of  time  ;  besides  being  far  more  beneficial  to 
the  plants  than  pots,  their  neat  and  appropriate  appearance 
must  commend  them  to  the  attention  of  all  amateiu's. 

The  stock  of  young  camelhas  here  is  very  large  and  well 
grown ;  the  stock  of  azaleas  is  also  large  and  contains  a 
quantity  of  seedlings.  The  miscellaneous  plants  were  in  fine 
order,  and  arrangements  were  making  to  remove  the  whole  to 
their  winter  quarters. 

Nursery  of  Ritchie  c^^*  Dick. — The  proprietors  of  this  es- 
tablishment are  extending  their  nursery  department,  and  in 
walking  through  the  grounds  we  saw  quantities  of  young 
trees  coming  on.  The  camellia  receives  the  usual  attention, 
and  we  saw  large  quantities  of  young  plants,  many  just  in- 


284  Notes  of  a  Visit  to  several  Gardens. 

arched,  and  others  covered  with  flower  buds.  The  plants  are 
well  grown,  and  in  fine  vigor.  Great  quantities  of  all  the  dou- 
ble varieties  are  grown  from  single  eyes  or  cuttings  on  their 
own  roots,  and  in  two  years  they  are  ready  for  sale ;  one  long 
pit  was  filled  with  plants  raised  in  this  way.  One  value  these 
plants  possess  is.  that  in  case  the  top  is  accidentally  broken 
or  dies,  a  sucker  is  immediately  thrown  up  from  the  roots. 

The  roses  were  yet  flowering  in  the  open  ground,  but  with  a 
fading  beauty,  owing  to  late  severe  frosts.  Many  new  kinds 
have  been  recently  added,  but  from  their  rarity  we  did  not 
note  any  strong  enough  to  bloom  well. 

Lmidreth  and  Fulton^  s  Nurseries^  Federal  Street. — Our  first 
and  only  visit  to  these  nurseries,  previous  to  last  autumn,  was 
in  the  fall  of  1831,  then  well  known  as  the  establishment  of 
Messrs.  D.  &  C.  Landreth,  who  for  many  years  had  obtained 
the  reputation  of  the  most  extensive  nurserymen  in  the  coun- 
try. A  few  brief  notes  taken  at  that  time,  appeared  in  the 
first  volume  of  our  magazine  (p.  201)  in  the  spring  of  1835. 
A  great  change  has  been  made  in  the  premises  since  that 
period ;  then  we  only  found  one  or  two  small  greenhouses,  but 
now  they  number  five  or  six,  and  all  well  stocked  with  a 
very  fine  collection  of  plants,  more  particularly  camellias  and 
cactae.  The  neighborhood  of  the  nurseries  has  also  greatly 
improved.  We  now  found  it  hemmed  in  on  all  sides  with 
dwellings,  where  in  1831  only  extensive  fields  and  pastures 
spread  out,  nearly  two  miles  from  the  thickly  populated  part 
of  the  city. 

Referring  to  our  account  above  mentioned,  we  particularly 
alluded  to  the  fine  hedges  of  the  arbor  vitse  which  existed 
here,  and  recommended  this  fine  tree  as  peculiarly  well 
adapted  for  screens  or  hedges  to  shut  out  one  part  of  the  gar- 
den from  another,  or  hide  disagreeable  objects.  Twelve  years' 
experience  has  convinced  us  of  the  correctness  of  our  remarks, 
and  we  may  still  urge  them  upon  the  attention  of  our  readers. 
The  arbor  vitse  is  unquestionably  one  of  the  finest  of  ever- 
green trees,  and  far  superior  to  any  other  for  forming  hedges 
or  screens. 

The  same  old  tree  of  the  Madura  aurantiaca,  which  we 
then  saw  in  fruit,  produced  the  last  year  upwards  of  twenty- 
six  bushels  of  fruit.     It  is  now  an  unusually  large  tree  and 


Spurrey — an  Annual  Grass.  285 

has  lost  none  of  its  beauty  by  age ;  male  blossoms  to  fertilize 
the  flowers  were  brought  two  miles.  We  saw  some  fine 
specimens  of  the  Thuja  plicata,  a  very  desirable  species  or 
variety,  with  fine  foliage,  and  forming  a  handsome  tree.  It 
is  raised  in  quantities  from  seeds.  Magnolia  conspicua  stands 
fifteen  feet  high.  There  is  a  good  stock  of  M.  macrophylla, 
grandiflora,  and  purpurea ;  and  fine  specimens  of  many  trees 
and  shrubs,  among  which  we  noted  Virgilia  lutea,  Chimon4n- 
thus  virginica,  &.c. 

Immense  quantities  of  camellias  are  raised  here,  and  one  or 
two  houses  are  entirely  devoted  to  their  cultivation.  A  small 
house  is  wholly  devoted  to  cactuses,  and  we  do  not  recollect  of 
seeing  so  large  a  collection  in  so  good  order;  among  the  num- 
ber were  several  quite  new  to  us.  Mr.  Fulton  informed  us  that 
he  had  found  the  old  heptagonus  to  be  the  very  best  stock  for 
all  the  Echinocdctuses ;  its  stout  stem  fully  supports  the  larg- 
est top.  Cereus  serpentinus  is,  he  has  also  found,  the  best  for 
the  mamillarias.  One  plant  of  Echinocactus  Eyriesu  was 
more  than  thirty  inches  in  circumference.  Grafting  the  Echi- 
nocactus is  done  by  simply  cutting  off  the  stock  to  a  smooth 
surface,  the  globular  head  is  also  smoothed  on  the  under  side ; 
it  is  then  placed  on  the  stock,  and  after  turning  it  round  re- 
peatedly in  one  direction,  to  unite  the  sap  vessels  of  each,  it 
is  tied  down  by  means  of  matting  or  strings ;  in  this  way 
it  becomes  firmly  attached. 

The  collection  of  miscellaneous  plants  is  large,  but  we  had 
not  time  to  take  down  the  names  of  particular  specimens. 
The  neat  and  systematic  arrangement  of  both  the  houses  and 
nurseries  highly  pleased  us. 

(T(9  be  continued.^ 


Art.  II.     ^purrey^  (^Spergel) — an  annual  g}^ass,   adapted  to 
light  soils  J  with  remarks  07i  its  mdiivation.     By  F. 

An  annual  grass,  extensively  cultivated  in  some  parts  of 
Germany,  Belgium  and  France,  as  a  soiler  to  reclaim  their 
sandy,  sterile  lands,  also  as  a  green  fodder  for  their  dairies. 


286  Spurrey — an  Annual  Grass. 

It  grows  luxuriantly  on  exhausted,  worn  out  sandy  soils, 
where  no  other  grass  will  vegetate.  It  ripens  in  two  months 
from  sowing,  of  course  will  grow  three  successive  crops  in  a 
season.  When  the  ground  is  prepared  it  should  be  sown  like 
clover — ten  or  twelve  pounds  of  seed  to  an  acre. 

It  is  very  succulent,  and  all  grazing  animals  are  exceed- 
ingly fond  of  it  and  eat  it  with  avidity.  Cows  fed  on  spurrey 
are  said  to  yield  one  third  more  milk  and  make  one  third 
more  butter,  and  of  very  superior  quality.  For  soiling,  spurrey 
may  be  sown,  we  think,  early  in  May,  and  turned  under 
when  the  seeds  begin  to  fall  from  the  lower  tendrils  in  July; 
again  in  September ;  and  the  third  turning  as  late  as  possible 
before  frost,  if  a  good  crop  is  looked  for  in  the  spring.  For 
seed  it  should  be  cut  just  before  or  as  soon  as  the  seeds  begin 
to  drop ;  and  when  carefully  and  sufficiently  dried  it  should 
be  thoroughly  thrashed  and  will  yield  from  ten  to  twenty- 
five  pounds  of  seed  per  acre.  It  is  said  to  be  superior  to  clover 
for  soiling  and  unsurpassed  as  green  fodder  for  the  dairy, 
especially  the  latter  part  of  the  season  when  other  feed  fails. 

Though  spurrey  is  an  annual  grass,  its  seeds  will  survive 
the  winter  if  turned  under  late  in  the  fall.  Spurrey  grows 
about  ten  or  twelve  inches  in  height,  and  when  fully  grown, 
it  covers  the  ground  like  a  mat. 

Little  or  nothing  is  known  of  this  extraordinary  grass  in 
this  coimtry,  and  the  remarks  above  are  given  from  some 
experiments  of  the  last  year  and  this  only. 

Springfield^  Mass.,  June,  1846. 

Spurrey  is  the  Spergula  arvensis  L.  of  botanists,  a  native 
of  Britain  and  northern  parts  of  Europe,  where  it  is  consid- 
ered as  a  weed,  unless  especially  cultivated.  As  a  forage 
plant,  it  is  highly  valued  on  the  continent,  and  Von  Thaer, 
the  celebrated  writer  on  agriculture,  considers  it  a  most  nutri- 
tive herb.  In  the  Farmer^ s  Dictionary,  reviewed  in  a  late 
number  (p.  221,)  is  a  short  account  of  this  plant;  it  is  there 
stated,  that  "its  growth  is  so  rapid  that  in  five  or  six  weeks 
it  acquires  its  full  height,  which  seldom  exceeds  twelve  or 
fourteen  inches.  The  crop  is  of  course  a  light  one,  but  is 
considered  of  great  value,  both  as  supplying  a  certain  quan- 
tity of  provender,  at  very  little  cost,   and  as  being  the  best 


Pomological  Notices.  287 

food  for  milch  cows  to  improve  the  qiiahty  of  butter."  We 
should  like  to  see  it  more  extensively  tried  in  our  climate,  and 
on  very  light  soils  its  introduction  must  be  of  much  benefit. — 
Ed. 


Art.  III.  Pomological  Notices;  or  notices  respecting  new 
and  superior  fruits  worthy  of  general  cultivation.  Descrip- 
tions and  engravings  of  six  varieties  of  pears.  By  the 
Editor. 

Descriptions  and  engravings  of  forty-eight  varieties  of 
pears  have  been  given  in  our  series  of  articles  under  the  above 
head,  in  the  last  three  voliniies  of  the  magazine,  and  ten  other 
engravings  have  accompanied  the  notices  and  descriptions  of 
new  varieties  by  Mr.  Manning  and  other  correspondents.  A 
larger  portion  of  them  have  been  new  and  rare  kinds,  of 
recent  introduction,  and  first  presented  to  pomologists  in  our 
pages.  It  will  be  our  aim  to  continue  to  offer  descriptions 
and  engravings  of  every  new  pear,  as  soon  as  its  merits  shall 
be  fully  established,  and  what,  with  the  aid  of  Mr.  Manning, 
Col.  Wilder,  and  other  amateurs  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston, 
and  our  own  collection,  we  shall  possess  facilities  which  will 
enable  us  to  do  so  at  the  earliest  opportunity.  We  are  now 
gratified  in  offering  the  descriptions  and  engravings  of  six 
pears,  which,  with  one  exception,  have  never  before  appeared 
in  any  periodical  or  pomological  work  :  and  as  rapidly  as  our 
space  will  permit,  we  shall  describe  other  valuable  kinds  of 
which  we  have  a  large  number  of  drawings. 

49.*     Paradise  d'Automne.     Lon.  Hort.  Soc.  Cat.  3d  Ed. 

Very  few  of  the  more  recently  introduced  pears  combine 
so  much  merit  as  the  Paradise  d'Automne,  {fig.  14.)  To  say 
that  it  is  superior  to  the  Beurre  Bosc,  which  it  greatly  resem- 
bles, is  sufficient  to  convey  to  all  lovers  of  fruit  the  best  idea 
of  its  excellence.     It  first  fruited  in  this  country  in  the  pomo- 

*  Owing  to  a  typographical  error  in  the  enumeration  of  the  varieties  of  pears  de- 
scribed in  our  last  article,  (p.  171,)  numbers  37  to  42  v/exe  duplicated ;  they  should 
have  numbered  43  to  48. 


288 


PoTTwlogical  Notices. 


logical  collection  of  Mr.  Manning,  of  Salem,  in  1844,  to  whom 
the  public  are  already  so  highly  indebted  for  the  first  intro- 
duction of  our  choicest  pears,  and  a  brief  account  of  it  was 


F^ff.  14.     Paradise  d'Automne. 

given  in  a  late  number  (p.  149)  by  Mr.  Manning,  who  sent 
us  two  outline  drawings,  one  from  the  fruit  produced  in  1844, 
and  another — from  recollection — of  the  fruit  of  1845,  when 
the  tree  bore  a  large  quantity,  and  which  Mr.  Manning 
thought  the  more  general  form  of  the  variety ;  we  fortunately 
had  made  a  drawing  from  one  of  the  very  handsome  speci- 
mens exhibited  last  September,  and  given  us  by  Mr.  Manning, 
an  engraving  of  which  is  amiexed. 


Descriptions  of  /Six  varieties  of  Pears.  289 

The  Paradise  d'Automne  is  supposed  to  be  of  French  ori- 
gin, and  was  received,  we  believe,  from  England,  through  Mr. 
Kenrick,  who  brought  scions  with  him  on  his  return  from 
Europe  in  1840  and  '41.  The  very  correct  account  he  has 
given  of  it  in  the  Orchardlst,  we  presume  he  received  from 
Mr.  Thompson.  We  esteem  it  very  highly.  Mr.  Manning 
states  that  it  is  "much  more"  vigorous  than  the  Beurre  Bosc, 
and  Mr.  Kenrick,  that  it  produces  "great  crops;"  and  we 
can  add  that  it  is  of  more  delicious  flavor  than  the  Bosc — 
qualities  which  will  render  it  a  most  desirable  pear  in  the 
most  limited  collection  of  fruit. 

The  tree  is  of  very  vigorous  growth,  with  upright  shoots, 
which  afterwards  become  straggling  and  pendulous  ;  the  wood 
is  of  a  deep  reddish  brown  shade,  distinctly  covered  with 
very  large  whitish  gray  specks. 

Size,  large,  about  three  and  a  half  inches  long  and  two 
and  a  half  in  diameter :  Form,  pyriform,  slightly  irregular 
and  uneven,  large  and  full  in  the  middle,  above  which  it  is 
little  contracted,  tapering  to,  and  ending  obtusely  at  the  stem : 
Skin,  shghtly  rough,  dull  yellow,  profusely  covered  with 
bright  russet,  thickest  on  the  exposed  side :  Stem,  long,  about 
one  and  a  half  inches,  moderately  slender,  uneven,  brown, 
with  pale  russet  specks,  and  obliquely  attached  to  the  fruit 
by  a  fleshy,  and  oftentimes  wrinkled,  base :  Eye,  rather  large, 
open,  moderately  inserted  in  a  much  furrowed  basin ;  seg- 
ments of  the  calyx  long,  reflexed  :  Flesh,  yellowish  white, 
coarse,  buttery,  melting  and  juicy  :  Flavor,  rich,  sprightly, 
perfumed  and  delicious  :  Co)-e,  small :  Seeds,  medium  size, 
very  long  and  pointed.  Ripe  in  September,  and  will  keep 
two  or  three  weeks. 

The  great  resemblance  of  this  variety  to  the  Beurre  Bosc 
has  induced  some  cultivators  to  think  they  are  synonymous ; 
they  are,  however,  quite  distinct  in  shape,  as  well  as  in  leaf 
and  wood.  The  form  of  the  Beurre  Bosc  is  more  regular 
than  the  Paradise  d'Automne,  the  latter  often  having  the 
knobby  appearance  peculiar  to  some  of  the  Bon  Chretiens. 

50.     FoNDANTE  Van  Mons.     Hort.  Soc.  Cat.  3d  Ed. 

This  fine  pear  is  well  known  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston, 
from  the  very  handsome  specimens  which  have  annually  been 
VOL.  XII. — NO.  Tin.  37 


290  Pomological  Notices. 

exhibited  the  last  three  or  four  years,  by'  Mr.  S.  Walker  of 
Roxbury;  and  from  a  specimen  selected  last  autumn  from 
upwards  of  a  barrel  of  pears,  produced  on  the  tree  in  Mr. 


Fig.  15.     Fondante  Van  Mons. 

Walker's  garden,  our  drawing  {Jig.  15)  was  made.  Wish- 
ing to  ascertain  the  period  of  the  introduction  of  this  variety, 
and  other  particulars  respecting  it,  we  addressed  a  note  to 
Mr.  Walker,  who  kindly  sent  us  the  following  account — so 
full,  as  to  render  any  remarks  of  our  own  unnecessary  : — 

"  The  first  specimens  I  ever  saw  of  this  pear,  were  from 
a  tree  on  the  estate  of  the  late  William  B.  Sweet,  Esq.,  about 
twelve  years  ago.  I  understood  Mr.  Sweet  to  say  that  he 
obtained  the  tree  from  Messrs.  Prince  &  Co.  of  Flushing, 
L.  I.  I  afterwards  purchased  a  part  of  said  estate,  with  the 
tree  thereon,  and  exhibited  specimens  of  the  fruit,  at  the 
rooms  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  some  two 
or  three  years ;  and  it  was  not  until  the  late  Mr.  R.  Manning, 
of  Salem,  fruited  and  presented  specimens  of  it,  that  I  could 
obtain  its  name. 

"The  tree  is  a  free  grower,  a  good  bearer,  and  every  other 


Descriptions  of  Six  varieties  of  Pears.  291 

year  produces  a  very  large  crop.  The  fruit  is  roundish,  second 
in  size ;  color  of  the  skin,  pale  yellow.  When  fully  ripe  it  is 
the  most  buttery  fleshed  pear  I  ever  tasted ;  yet  it  does  not  rot 
at  the  core,  and  will  keep,  in  its  ripe  state,  for  several  days. 
The  skin  can,  (when  the  pear  is  fully  ripe,)  be  taken  off  like 
the  skin  of  an  orange,  leaving  a  mouthful  of  delicious,  juicy, 
buttery,  sweet  flesh.  It  has  a  peculiar  perfume  and  flavor, 
to  some  persons  very  grateful.  It  ripens  in  October,  and  were 
it  not  that  we  have  so  many  delicious  pears,  in  eating,  in  that 
season,  the  Fondante  Van  Mons  would  be  classed  among  the 
best.  I  place  it  as  a  good  second  rate  pear ;  but  by  those 
who  love  a  sweet  pear,  with  its  peculiar  flavor,  it  will  be 
esteemed  and  cultivated." 

Mr.  Thompson  ranks  it  first  quality,  m  the  last  edition  of 
the  Horticultural  Society's  Catalogue ;  and  from  repeated 
trials  of  several  specimens,  in  successive  years,  we  should  not 
hesitate  thus  to  class  it,  though  we  must  admit  that  it  is  not 
quite  equal  to  the  Marie  liOuise  and  some  other  first  rate 
pears.  Mr.  Downing  states  that  it  was  first  introduced  by 
Mr.  Manning,  but  this  is  an  error,  as  will  be  seen  by  Mr. 
Walker's  communication. 

Size,  medium,  about  two  and  a  half  inches  long  and  two 
and  a  half  in  diameter :  Form,  roundish,  very  regular  and 
slightly  depressed :  Skin,  fair,  smooth,  thick,  greenish  yellow 
at  maturity,  marbled  with  red  on  the  sunny  side,  and  very 
regularly  covered  with  large  pale  russet  specks :  Stem,  me- 
dium length,  about  one  inch,  stout,  curved,  smooth,  light 
brown,  with  russet  specks,  and  deeply  inserted  in  a  round 
open  cavity:  Eye,  large,  open,  little  depressed,  in  a  round 
shallow  basin ;  segments  of  the  calyx  long,  pointed,  reflexed : 
Flesh,  yellowish  white,  coarse,  melting,  buttery,  and  juicy  : 
Flavor,  sweet  and  pleasant,  with  a  slight,  musky  perfume : 
Core,  large  :  Seeds,  large,  dark  brown.  Ripe  in  October  and 
keeps  to  November. 

51.       COMTESSE    DE    LuNAY. 

One  of  the  best  pears  which  we  tasted  last  season  was  the 
Comtesse  de  Lunay,  {fig-  16.)  This  beautiful  variety  we 
received  from  our  correspondent.  Col.  Wilder ;  and  it  was  one 
of  several  fine  specimens  exhibited  by  him  at  the  annual 


292 


Pomological  Notices. 


exhibition  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticuhural  Society  in  the 
autumn  of  1845.  It  is  entirely  new,  and  does  not  appear  to 
have  been  known  to  any  pomological  writer,  neither  do  we 


Fig.  16.     Comtesse  de  Lunay. 


find  the  name  in  any  catalogue  in  our  possession.  We  learn 
from  Mr.  Wilder  that  he  received  it  from  Orleans,  in  France, 
with  other  new  sorts,  in  1841  or  '42,  and  the  tree  produced  a 
few  fruit,  for  the  first  time,  in  1843;  and  last  year  it  bore  in 
sufficient  quantity  for  exhibition. 

Few  pears  possess  the  beauty,  combined  with  great  excel- 
lence, of  this  variety;  too  often  the  fairest  looking  pears  are 
of  very  inferior  quality ;  and,  as  a  general  rule,  indifferent 
looking  sorts  are  among  the  finest  fruit, — such,  for  instance, 
as  the  Fondante  d'Automne,  Glout  Morceau,  Beurre  d'  Arem- 
berg,  Ne  Plus  Meuris,  &c.  &c.  The  Comtesse  de  Lunay  will 
compare  with  the  most  beautiful  pears, — even  with  the  Forelle 


Descriptimis  of  Six  varieties  of  Pears.  293 

in  its  best  condition, — possessing  a  remarkably  waxen  skin, 
delicately  marked  with  crimson  on  the  sunny  side. 

This  variety  is  not  to  be  confounded  with  the  Compte  de 
Lamy — a  most  excellent  pear,  and  ripening  at  nearly  the 
same  season.  When  the  former  fruit  came  under  our  notice 
we  supposed  there  was  an  error  in  the  name ;  both  varieties, 
however,  were  exhibited  together  by  Col.  Wilder  last  fall,  so 
as  to  leave  no  doubt  of  their  distinctness.  The  Compte  de 
Lamy  is  of  rounder  form,  with  a  shorter  stem,  and  does  not 
possess  the  beauty  of  the  present  variety. 

Size,  medium,  about  two  and  a  half  inches  long,  and  two 
and  a  quarter  in  diameter :  Form,  obovate,  regular,  full  around 
the  eye,  and  tapering  to  an  obtuse  point  at  the  stem  :  Skin, 
fair,  waxen,  smooth,  pale  yellow,  thinly  washed  with  red  on 
the  sunny  side,  little  russeted  at  the  base  of  the  stem,  and 
covered  with  reddish  russet  specks,  thickest  where  exposed : 
Stem,  long,  about  one  and  a  quarter  inches,  wrinkled,  slightly 
curved,  much  enlarged  where  it  joins  the  branch,  and  very 
slightly  inserted  in  a  cavity,  little  swollen  on  one  side ;  Eye, 
large,  open,  sunk  in  a  round  smooth  basin ;  segments  of  the 
calyx,  long,  reflexed :  Flesh,  white,  coarse,  exceedingly  melt- 
ing and  juicy  :  Flavor,  rich,  sugary,  perfumed  and  very  deli- 
cious :  Core,  medium  size  :  Seeds,  rather  large,  brown.  Ripe 
in  October. 

52.     VicoMPTE  DE  Spoelberch.     N.  E.  Farmer,  Vol.  X. 
Despoilberg,  of  some  French  collections. 

Among  the  numerous  varieties  of  pears  produced  by  Dr. 
Van  Mons,  perhaps  few  have  received  a  higher  commenda- 
tion, from  his  own  pen,  than  the  Vicompte  de  Spoelberch,  {fig. 
17.)  It  was  among  the  scions  of  seventy  varieties  which  he 
first  sent  to  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society  in  1831, 
and  which  selection  he  stated  "  to  possess  the  greatest  merit 
and  of  recent  introduction."  None  of  those  scions,  however, 
lived ;  and  though  scions  were  subsequently  forwarded,  with 
numerous  other  varieties,  to  Messrs.  Manning  and  Kenrick, 
we  are  not  aware  that  this  variety  ever  survived.  It  ap- 
pears to  be  quite  unknown  to  English  cultivators,  and  the 
name  is  only  found  in  two  or  three  catalogues  which  have 
ever  come  into  our  possession. 


294 


Pomological  Notices. 


The  tree  which  we  have  in  our  collection,  was  received  in 
the  spring  of  1843  from  Jersey,  under  the  synonyme  above 
quoted,  of  Despoilberg,  and  last  season  it  produced  four  or 


Fig.  1 7.     Vicompte  de  Spoelberch. 

five  pears,  from  one  of  which  our  drawing  was  made;  the 
present  season  the  tree  also  has  upon  it  about  the  same  num- 
ber ;  it  is  a  dwarf  upon  the  quince,  and  has  not  yet  attained 
a  sufficient  size  to  allow  it  to  produce  any  quantity,  as  it 
would  prevent  the  growth  of  wood  for  the  increase  of  so 
desirable  a  sort. 

In  the  New  England  Farmer.,  above  quoted,  is  a  full  de- 
scription of  this  variety,  translated  by  Gen.  Dearborn ;  this 
description  corresponds  with  the  fruit,  but  probably  owing  to 
the  age  of  the  tree  they  have  not  acquired  the  size  they  will 
hereafter,  which  Van  Mons  states  is  "very  large,"  though 


Descriptions  of  Six  varieties  of  Pears.  295 

"varying  in  size  according  to  the  quantity  produced,"  and 
intermediate  in  form  between  the  Beurre  gris  and  Bezi  de 
Chaumontelle  ;  and  its  resemblance  to  the  latter  induced  him 
to  call  it  the  Bezi  de  Spoelberch.  He  named  it  in  honor 
of  the  Vicompte  de  Spoelberch,  one  of  the  trustees  of  the 
University  of  Lou  vain.  An  engraving  of  this  pear,  with  sev- 
eral others,  was  presented  with  the  scions,  and  is  in  the  library 
of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

The  tree  is  moderately  vigorous,  with  upright  branches, 
inclining  towards  the  stock;  the  wood  is  yellowish  brown, 
and  finely  speckled  with  whitish  gray  specks ;  the  leaves  are 
rather  large,  irregularly  dentated  and  folded,  with  a  slender 
petiole. 

Size,  large,  about  three  inches  long  and  two  and  a  half  in 
diameter :  Form,  obovate,  full  and  slightly  flattened  around 
the  eye,  swollen  in  the  middle,  and  contracted  near  the  stem, 
where  it  is  also  little  flattened :  Skin,  fair,  slightly  rough, 
greenish  yellow,  becoming  lemon  yellow  when  mature,  washed 
and  marbled,  or  blotched,  with  purplish  red  on  the  sunny  side, 
somewhat  russeted  in  patches  extending  from  the  stem,  and 
covered  with  small  greenish  brown  specks :  Stem,  rather  long, 
about  one  and  a  half  inches,  stout,  curved,  and  obliquely 
attached  to  the  fruit  by  a  slightly  fleshy  junction  :  Eye,  me- 
dium size,  moderately  sunk  in  a  shallow  round  basin ;  seg- 
ments of  the  calyx  short  and  stiff,  projecting :  Flesh,  white, 
fine,  buttery,  melting  and  juicy  :  Flavor,  rich,  sprightly,  sac- 
charine, and  delicious,  with  a  very  high  perfume  :  Core,  me- 
dium size  :  Seeds,  medium  size,  dark,  nearly  round.  Ripe  in 
December  and  January. 

Dr.  Van  Mons  states  it  to  be  decidedly  a  winter  fruit,  some- 
times keeping  till  spring ;  probably  this  is  true,  as  all  pears 
were  very  premature,  owing  to  the  warm  and  dry  summer  of 
1845.     Even  the  d'Aremberg  scarcely  kept  till  January. 

53.     Plombgastel. 

Dusnas,  of  some  French  collections. 

Last  autumn  we  received  from  J.  C,  Lee,  Esq.,  of  Salem,  a 
very  handsome  and  excellent  pear,  called  the  Plombgastel, 
^fiS-  1^>)  ai^d  subsequently  another  specimen  was  sent  us 


296 


Pomological  Notices. 


from  the  Pomological  Garden;  both  the  name  and  the  variety- 
were  new  to  us,  and  we  could  not  find  any  description  of 
such  a  pear,  or  even  the  name  mentioned  in  any  of  our  nu- 


i^ifi-.  18.     Plombsrastel. 


merous  catalogues.  We  were  informed  the  tree  was  received 
from  Vilmorin,  of  Paris ;  though  we  had  sent  to  him  for  every 
new  pear,  in  the  spring  of  1842,  but  did  not  have  this  among 
the  number.  Wishing  to  know  the  source  from  whence  it 
was  obtained,  as  well  as  the  proper  orthography  of  the  name, 
having  seen  it  reported  in  several  ways,  we  addressed  a  note 
to  Mr.  Manning,  who  sent  us  the  following  reply : — 

The  Plombgastel  was  imported  from  Vilmorin  about  1840, 
by  Mr.  Lee,  from  whom  my  father  received  scions.  The  tree 
is  vigorous  and  of  very  upright  growth.  Mr.  Lee,  in  copying 
it  from  the  French   invoice,  wrote  it  Plumbgartel ;  but  the 


Descriptions  of  Six  varieties  of  Pears.  297 

writing  of  French  nurserymen  is  often  so  hard  to  read,  that  I 
place  more  dependence  upon  the  printed  catalogues,  and  Mr. 
Lee  does  the  same.  I  find  it  in  the  Catalogue  of  Jamin,  for 
1838,  Plombgastel,  1st  size,  September  and  October.  Oudin 
Aine,  1841,  has  it  Plombgastel.  In  his  Catalogue  for  the  au- 
tumn of  1845  and  spring  of  1846,  he  has  it  Plougastel.  This 
last  is  different  from  all  others,  and  so  different  that  I  think 
it  must  be  a  misprint.  Plombgastel  appears  to  me  to  be  the 
most  used,  and  it  is  that  which  I  have  myself  adopted." 

The  Catalogue  of  Jamin  for  1843  does  not  include  this 
name,  though  Mr.  Manning  finds  it  in  that  of  1838. 

Under  the  name  of  Dusnas  it  has  been  received  by  Mr. 
Manning,  as  he  has  stated  at  page  1.50,  where,  by  some  error, 
we  have  it  "  Deasnas."  A  pear  is  described  and  figured  in 
the  Pomological  Report  of  the  Horticultural  Society  of  Rouen 
under  the  name  Juzils,  which  answers  perfectly  to  the  Plomb- 
gastel. 

This  variety  is  a  large  and  excellent  pear :  not  first  rate, 
but  possessing  a  peculiar  spicy  perfume,  which  will  rank  it 
high  among  those  of  second  quality. 

Slze^  large,  about  three  inches  long  and  two  and  a  half  in 
diameter :  Form,  pyriform,  regular,  large  in  the  middle, 
slightly  contracted  near  the  stem  and  tapering  to  a  point : 
Skin,  fair,  smooth,  greenish  yellow,  faintly  tinged  with  red  on 
the  sunny  side,  regularly  covered  with  greenish  russet  specks, 
and  peculiarly  marked  with  an  irregular  circle  of  russet,  ex- 
tending one  fourth  the  length  of  the  fruit  from  the  base  of  the 
stem  :  Stem,  medium  length,  about  an  inch,  stout,  smooth, 
inserted  without  any  cavity,  but  having  some  slight  projec- 
tions around  the  base :  Eye,  large,  open,  deeply  inserted  in  a 
moderate  sized  basin  ;  segments  of  the  calyx,  long,  reflexed  : 
Flesh,  white,  rather  coarse,  half  melting  and  juicy  :  Flavor, 
rich,  with  a  highly  perfumed  peculiar  aroma :  Core,  large : 
Seeds,  large,  brown.     Ripe  in  September  and  October. 

54.     Saint  Andre'. 

The  late  Mr.  Manning,  in  his  notes  on  new  pears,  in  our 
magazine,  (Vol.  VIII,  p.  57,)  enumerates  the  St.  Andre  among 
the  names  of  thirty-nine  varieties,  which  first  fruited  in  his 

VOL.    XII. NO.    VIII.  38 


298 


Pomological  Notices. 


collection  in  1841 — a  large  portion  of  which  were  the  un- 
named sorts  received  from  Dr.  Van  Mons. 

The  St.  Andre,  Mr.  Manning  informs  us,  was  received  by 


Fig.\9.     Saint  Andri. 

his  father  from  Messrs.  Baumann,  of  Bolwiller,  in  the  spring 
of  1836,  at  the  same  time  with  the  Rostiezer ;  and  it  stands 
on  their  Catalogue  for  the  autumn  of  1838  and  spring  of  1839 
as  the  Poire  St,  Andre. 

The  specimen  from  which  our  drawing  was  made,  i^Jig. 
19,)  was  received  from  the  very  large  and  extensive  collection 
of  the  Hon.  J.  S.  Cabot,  of  Salem,  and  was  one  of  several 
fine  specimens  exhibited  by  him  at  the  annual  exhibition  of 
the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  last  September.  It 
is  a  very  excellent  pear,  of  good  size  and  fine  appearance. 

Size,  large,  three  inches  long  and  two  and  a  half  in  diame- 
ter :  Form,  turbinate,  slightly  irregular,  and  tapering  to  the 


The  Fastolff  Raspberry.  299 

stem  :  Skin,  fair,  smooth,  yellowish  green,  regularly  covered 
with  dark  green  specks,  and  finely  spotted  or  rather  marbled 
with  dull  red  on  the  sunny  side :  Stem,  medium  length,  about 
one  inch,  green,  with  a  swollen  and  fleshy  protuberance  where 
it  adjoins  the  fruit,  which  is  slightly  upon  one  side  :  Eye, 
medium  size,  open,  little  depressed,  in  a  very  shallow  ba- 
sin ;  segments  of  the  calyx  short  and  round :  Flesh,  greenish 
white,  fine,  buttery,  melting  and  juicy :  Flavor,  sprightly, 
with  a  peculiar  delicious  perfume :  Core,  small :  Seeds,  me- 
dium size,  very  pointed,  light  brown.  Ripe  in  September  and 
October. 

Mr.  Manning  states  that  it  ripened  September  17th,  in  1841 ; 
last  year,  which  was  remarkably  early  for  pears,  our  draw- 
ing and  description  was  made  the  last  week  in  that  month. 


Art.  IV.  The  Fastolff  Raspberry  :  an  account  of  its  origin, 
qualities,  S^c,  with  an  engraving  of  the  fruit.  By  the 
Editor. 

The  first  information  we  have  of  this  very  superior  rasp- 
berry, is  an  advertisement  by  Messrs.  Youell  &  Co.  in  the 
Gardeners'  Chronicle,  oflering  the  plants  for  sale ;  this  was 
in  the  autumn  of  1842.  In  the  summer  of  1843,  specimens 
of  the  fruit  were  exhibited  before  the  London  Horticultural 
Society,  for  which  a  premium  was  awarded ;  specimens  were 
also  sent  to  Mr.  Robert  Thompson,  who  stated  that  it  was 
"  very  large,  obtusely  conical,  and  of  rich  flavor,  far  exceed- 
ing, in  this  respect,  some  other  new  and  large  varieties." 

In  the  fall  of  1844,  when  in  England,  we  made  many  in- 
quiries concerning  this  new  variety,  and  of  those  too  who 
had  seen  the  fruit ;  and  we  every  where  heard  it  so  highly 
spoken  of  that  we  immediately  wrote  to  Messrs.  Youell  & 
Co.,  and  engaged  a  quantity  of  fine  plants.  With  their  an- 
swer to  our  letter,  they  also  sent  us  a  beautiful  drawing  of 
the  fruit,  a  copy  of  which  (^fig-  20)  we  now  annex. 

This  variety  is  said  to  have  originated,  long  since,  in  a 
garden  in  the  neighborhood  of  Yarmouth,  on  the  eastern  coast 


300 


The  Fastolff  Raspberry. 


of  England,  where  it  was  found  growing  in  an  old  laurel 
hedge ;  from  the  size  and  appearance  of  the  fruit,  as  well  as 
its  excellent  quality,  young  plants  were  removed  to  a  favora- 


Fig.  20.     The  Fastolf  Raspberry. 

ble  place,  where  they  produced  abundantly  and  showed  the 
very  valuable  properties  which  have  given  it  so  high  a  reputa- 
tion. The  place  where  it  was  found  growing  was  a  garden 
attached  to  an  old  castle,  which  was  formerly  the  residence 
of  Sir  John  Fastolff,  from  whence  its  name. 

In  the  season  of  1844  and  1845,  the  Fastolff  raspberry  was 
again  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Youell  &  Co.,  and  again  received 
the  prize  ;  thus  testing  its  merits  before  such  a  tribunal  three 
successive  years. 

The  vines  in  our  garden  were  set  out  last  year,  and  but 


Floricultural  and  Botiuiical  Notices.  301 

little  can  be  expected  from  them  until  they  get  well  rooted, 
and  throw  up  strong  shoots  6  to  8  feet  high ;  then  will  be  the 
opportunity  to  see  how  valuable  it  will  prove  in  comparison 
with  the  Franconia — a  variety  which  does  not  appear  to  be 
known  in  England.  They  have,  however,  borne  a  sufficient 
quantity  to  show  that  its  merits  have  not  been  overrated,  and 
to  warrant  us  m  recommending  its  extensive  cultivation. 

The  Fastolff  is  very  large,  nearly  the  form  of  the  Franco- 
nia, with  very  large  grains,  and  of  a  bright  and  rich  color : 
the  flesh  is  tender,  high  flavored  and  excellent,  and  will 
compare  in  this  respect  with  the  Antwerp.  It  is  not  so  solid 
a  fleshed  fruit  as  the  Franconia  and  does  not  carry jso  well, 
and  for  the  market,  perhaps,  it  may  not  be  quite  so  valuable 
as  that  variety ;.  but  all  who  wish  for  a  most  delicious  fruit, 
and  at  the  same  time  an  abundant  crop,  will  prefer  the  Fas- 
tolff. It  ripens  about  ten  days  earlier  than  the  Franconia, 
and  has  the  merit  of  bearing  in  long  succession. 

To  ensure  good  crops,  high  cultivation  is  necessary;  the 
ground  should  be  sufficiently  good  to  induce  the  plants  to 
throw  up  shoots  to  the  height  of  6  or  8  feet.  These  should 
be  headed  partially  down  in  the  spring,  when  they  will  throw 
out  very  large  clusters  of  fruit.  Plantations  may  be  made  in 
October  or  April ;  but  if  at  the  former  season,  they  had  better 
be  covered  with  a  little  coarse  manure,  and  a  small  crop  will 
then  be  produced  the  first  year.  For  further  directions  on 
the  cultivation  of  the  raspberry,  we  would  refer  to  our  previ- 
ous article,  (Vol.  VIII.  p.  364.) 


Art.  V.  Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices  of  New  Plants^ 
figured  in  foreign  jjeriodicals ;  with  remarks  on  those  re- 
cently introduced  to^  or  originated  ifi,  American  gardens, 
and  additional  information  upon  plants  already  in  cultiva- 
tion. 

Edwards's  Botanical  Register,  or  Ornamental  Flower  Garden  and  Shrub- 
bery. Each  number  containing  from  six  to  eight  plates  ;  with  additional 
miscellaneous  information  relative  to  new  plants.  In  monthly  numbers  : 
3s.  plain,  35.  6<f.  colored. 


302  Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices 

Paxton^s  Magazine  of  Botany,  and  Register  of  Flowering  Plants.  Each 
number  containing  four  colored  plates.  Monthly,  2s.  6d.  each.  Edited 
by  J.  Paxton,  Gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Devonshire. 

The  Gardeners''  Chronicle,  a  stamped  newspaper  of  Rural  Economy  and 
General  News.     Edited  by  Prof.  Lindley,     Weekly.     Price  Qd.  each. 

Ckirtis^s  Botanical  Magazine,  in  monthly  numbers.  By  Sir  Wm.  Jackson 
Hooker,  K.  H.,  «Sic.,  3d  series,  vol.  1,  1845.     Nos.  1,  2,  3  and  5. 

The  Journal  of  the  London  Horticultural  Society.  In  quarterly  numbers, 
octavo,  5s.  each. 

Botanical  and  Floricultural  Intelligence.  New  Botanical 
work  by  Prof.  Gray. — We  learn  that  Prof.  Gray  is  about  to 
publish  the  Genera  of  the  U?iited  States  Flora  illustrated.  It 
will  form  a  large  octavo  work  with  two  pages  of  letter  press 
to  each  genus,  and  the  descriptions  in  English.  The  draw- 
ings will  embrace  analyses  of  all  the  parts  of  the  flower  and 
fruit,  made  under  the  microscope,  and  the  engravings  will  be 
executed  upon  stone.  The  work  will  appear  in  entire  vol- 
umes of  about  100  plates  each  and  200  pages  of  text,  all 
arranged  according  to  the  Natural  System,  as  in  Torrey  and 
Gray's  Flora.  When  complete,  it  will  form  8  or  10  volumes. 
Two  volumes  will  appear  each  year  until  the  whole  is  fin- 
ished.    The  price  to  subscribers  will  be  $6  per  volume. 

New  Fuchsia^  from  Peru. — Messrs.  Veitch  &  Sons,  of  Exe- 
ter, have  recently  introduced  a  new  species  of  Fuchsia,  found 
by  their  collector  in  Peru.  It  is  called  macr^ntha.  It  is 
described  as  perfectly  distinct  from  any  other  introduced  spe- 
cies, having  flowers  of  a  cylindrical  form,  from  4  to  6  inches 
in  length,  of  a  delicate  rosy  red  color,  produced  in  profuse 
clusters.  It  is  of  dwarf  habit  and  a  most  abundant  bloomer. 
At  a  late  exhibition  of  the  London  Horticultural  Society,  it 
was  awarded  the  large  silver  medal. 

Cuphea  cordata. — A  new  and  beautiful  greenhouse,  also 
introduced  by  Messrs.  Veitch  from  the  hills  of  Peru.  It  is 
figured  in  Curtis's  Botanical  3Iagazine,  and  is  stated  to  be  a 
profuse  bloomer,  with  crimson  panicles,  of  from  6  to  8  inches 
long  at  the  termination  of  every  shoot ;  it  will  probably  prove 
a  valuable  plant  for  turning  out  into  the  border  in  summer. 

Achimenes  jmtens. — A  new  and  most  beaiitiful  species  of 
this  fine  tribe  has  recently  flowered  in  the  garden  of  the  Lon- 


of  New  Pla7its.  303 

don  Horticultural  Society ;  it  is  called  A.  patens.  It  proves 
to  be  one  of  the  loveliest  of  the  genus ;  the  color  of  the  flowers 
somewhat  resembles  A.  longiflora,  but  is  much  deeper  and 
brighter,  and  the  flowers  themselves  are  smaller  ;  it  will  proba- 
bly be  much  better,  as  the  bulbs  were  only  sent  home,  by 
post,  a  few  weeks  previous.  It  was  found  by  Mr.  Hartweg, 
since  his  return  to  California. 

Campanula  grandis^  which  we  shall  give  an  engraving  of 
in  an  early  number,  has  proved  quite  hardy  in  our  garden, 
and  flowered  splendidly,  producing  several  of  its  spikes  of 
large  deep  blue  bells.     It  is  a  great  acquisition. 

Yelloio  Tree  Paony. — Owing  to  the  non  receipt  of  some  of 
the  numbers  of  our  foreign  periodicals,  we  have  deferred  no- 
ticing this  great  acquisition  until  we  could  give  a  full  descrip- 
tion of  such  a  novelty.  In  our  next  number,  we  hope  to  be 
able  to  do  so.  A  true  yellow  pgeony  has  been  at  last  discov- 
ered. It  was  introduced  to  England  in  1842  from  the  Crimea, 
and  such  a  rarity  is  it  that  25  guineas  have  been  offered  for  a 
single  plant  in  some  of  the  continental  nurseries.  It  is  figured 
in  the  Botanical  Register. 

Aqnilegia  Skinneri  and  glandidbsa  var.  are  both  in  flower 
in  our  collection  ;  the  former  we  have  already  noticed,  (Vol. 
IX.  p.  418.)  It  is  a  very  fine  species,  quite  distinct ;  growing 
to  the  height  of  three  feet,  with  strong  spreading  stems,  much 
branched  and  rather  pendulous,  and  terminated  with  very 
large  flowers,  having  long  spurs,  which  are  of  a  brilliant 
scarlet.  It  is  quite  hardy,  having  been  planted  out  last  year 
when  just  received  from  England,  and  was  slightly  protected 
with  a  covering  of  two  inches  of  strawy  manure. 

A.  glandulosa  var.,  plants  of  which  we  raised  from  seeds 
procured  in  the  autumn  of  1844,  in  London,  is  just  showing 
a  few  flowers ;  the  plants  are  still  in  pots,  and  are  not  three 
inches  high ;  supposing  it  might  not  be  perfectly  hardy,  and 
being  very  rare  and  beautiful,  we  kept  the  plants  in  thumb 
pots,  in  a  frame,  during  the  last  winter.  They  will  not  flower 
strong  till  another  season.  The  flowers  are  blue  and  white, 
and  when  of  full  size,  nearly  as  large  and  spreading  as  the 
passion  flower ;  it  grows  to  the  height  of  twelve  inches.  If 
hardy,  of  which  we  have  no  doubt,  it  will  be  a  great  acquisi- 
tion to  our  hardy  perennials. 


304  Cincinnati  Horticultural  Society. 


REVIEWS. 

Art.  I.  The  Charter,  Constitution  and  By-laivs  of  the  Cin- 
cinnati Horticultural  Society,  with  a  Report  of  its  Trans- 
actions, for  1843,  '44,  '45,  List  of  Members,  ^c.  Part  I. 
Pamphlet,  8vo.,  68  pages.     Cincinnati.     1846. 

The  Cincinnati  Horticultural  Society  has  only  been  or- 
ganized three  years,  yet  we  have  here  a  very  interesting 
pamphlet  of  its  transactions  during  this  period,  of  upwards  of 
60  pages.  Even  some  of  our  older  associations  would  fmd  it 
difficult  to  compile  a  greater  amount  of  really  useful  intelli- 
gence, separate  from  the  long  and  wordy  reports  of  exhibi- 
tions. A.  great  deal  of  the  information  we  have  already 
anticipated,  and  many  of  the  new  or  supposed  western  fruits, 
which  are  described,  will  be  found  noticed  in  a  previous  vol- 
ume, (X.  p.  205.)  Enough,  however,  of  interesting  intelli- 
gence remains  to  devote  a  few  pages  to  a  brief  review  of  its 
contents.  Such  varieties  of  apples,  pears,  peaches,  cherries, 
grapes,  or  other  fruits,  as  appear  to  be  quite  new  or  little 
known,  not  before  mentioned,  v/e  shall,  as  usual,  hereafter  no- 
tice in  our  pomological  report,  where  they  may  be  easier  re- 
ferred to. 

The  first  meeting  for  the  formation  of  the  society  was  held 
on  the  17th  of  February,  1843.  It  was  soon  organized,  and 
a  constitution  and  by-laws  established.  During  the  spring, 
summer,  and  autumn  of  1843,  meetings  were  held  every 
Saturday;  the  members  increased  rapidly,  a  correspondence 
was  opened  with  distinguished  horticulturists  in  various  parts 
of  the  Union,  and  many  superior  varieties  of  seeds,  scions, 
&c.,  exchanged  and  disseminated. 

The  first  report  is  a  notice  of  a  variety  of  fruits  cultivated 
in  the  west ;  all  but  five  or  six  of  them  have  been  noticed  in 
our  last  three  volumes.  The  committee  preface  their  report 
with  the  following  remarks  : — 

"  The  soil  and  climate  of  the  Ohio  valley  seem  to  be  peculiarly  well 
adapted  to  the  culture  of  this  fruit.  Eastern  fruits,  when  cultivated  here, 
grow  so  much  larger  and  fairer,  as  scarcely  to  be  recognized  as  the  same 
varieties.    With  so  fine  a  climate,  and  the  production  of  so  many  valuable 


Report  of  its   Transactions^  4*c.  305 

seedlings,  it  is  not  strange,  that  large  quantities  are  raised  and  shipped,  of 
a  quality  that  cannot  be  rivalled  in  any  part  of  the  Union.  The  early  set- 
tlers of  Ohio,  then  without  any  of  the  facilities  of  communication  of  the 
present  day,  and  unable  to  bring  trees  hundreds  of  miles  over  rough  roads 
and  through  an  uninhabited  wilderness,  provided  themselves  with  large 
quantities  of  seeds  which  were  promiscuously  sown.  This  accounts  for 
the  large  number  of  excellent  seedlings  found  at  the  present  day.  It  is 
well  known  that  American  apples,  generally,  are  so  much  superior  to  those 
grown  in  Europe,  that  they  are  now  a  regular  article  of  export." 

Among  the  extracts  from  correspondents  is  a  list  of  cher- 
ries which  have  been  tested  in  Ohio  by  Dr.  Kirtland,  and  a 
list  of  pears  tested  by  our  correspondent,  George  Hoadly, 
Esq.,  of  Cleaveland.  The  varieties  which  Mr.  Hoadly  has 
fomid,  after  long  experience  and  observation,  to  succeed  well, 
are  the  Madeline,  Bloodgood,  Dearborn's  Seedling,  Williams's 
Bon  Chretien,  Napoleon,  Marie  Louise,  Seckel,  iSurpasse  Vir- 
goulouse,  Stevens's  Genesee,  Duchesse  d'  Angouleme,  Hunt's 
Connecticut,  (for  baking,)  Winter  Nelis,  Easter  Beurre,  and 
Uvedale's  St.  Germain,  or  Pound,  (for  baking.)  These  he 
recommends  to  gentlemen  wishing  for  a  small  and  choice 
collection. 

The  report  for  the  season  continues  with  an  account  of  the 
public  exhibitions — one  in  June  and  one  in  September. 

In  1844  weekly  exhibitions  were  held,  and  also  one  public 
spring  show  in  May,  and  another  in  September.  At  the  May 
exhibition  Mr.  S.  S.  Jackson,  who  was  one  of  the  first  to 
introduce  Hovey's  Seedling  strawberry  into  Cincinnati,  ex- 
hibited "  several  baskets  of  berries,  ranging  four  to  five 
indies  in  circumference.''^ 

After  the  report  of  the  Fruit  committee  for  1844,  follow 
communications  to  the  society.  The  principal  of  these  relate 
to  the  fire  blight,  and  the  entire  article  of  our  correspondent, 
Mr.  Beecher,  is  included.  Nothing  new,  however,  is  elicited 
but  what  has  been  noticed  by  Mr.  Beecher,  whose  communi- 
cation is  of  a  subsequent  date. 

In  the  report  for  1845  is  an  interesting  article  on  the  vine- 
yard of  Mr.  Resor,  showing  the  actual  produce  of  the  crop, 
and  the  profit  to  be  derived  from  the  growth  of  the  grape : 
we  copy  the  article  entire  : — 

"  Upon  referring  to  some  memoranda  of  my  father,  I  find  amongst  others, 
the  following  account  kept  of  the  produce  of  his  vineyard  since  1837.     As 
VOL.  XII NO.  VIII.  39 


327  galls, 

440      " 

240 

65- 

305      " 

306  Cincintiati  Horticultural  Society. 

several  of  our  members  are  cultivating  the  vine,  I  thought  it  would  be  in- 
teresting, as  it  is  difficult  to  obtain  a  statement  of  the  kind,  kept  minutely 
for  a  series  of  years. 

"  It  shows  the  actual  produce  and  the  certainty  of  the  crop  before  any 
other  fruit  in  this  latitude,  and  the  difference  between  the  Catawba  and  Isa- 
bella, as  to  the  yield  and  certainty.  The  Isabella  having  borne  a  first  rate 
crop  for  nine  successive  years,  the  Catawba  failing  occasionally  from  rot  and 
the  effects  of  insects. 

"  The  vineyard  has  a  southern  exposure,  fronting  on  the  Ohio  river ;  it 
was  planted  with  rooted  plants  in  1834,  and  contained  at  that  time,  1775 
vines,  placed  in  rows  4  feet  apart  and  3  feet  distance  in  the  row — the  ground 
being  previously  trenched  and  the  stones  taken  out  to  the  depth  of  2  feet. 

"  In  the  fall  of  1837,  the  first  Crop  was  picked  as  follows  : — 163  bushels 
grapes,  from  which  was  made  667  gallons  wine.  At  this  time  there  were 
1,125  Isabella  and  Cape  vines,  yielding  113  bushels,  making  469  gallons, 
and  630  Catawba,  yielding  51  bushels,  making  198  gallons. 

1838,  Vintage,  September  10,  produce 

1839,  "  "  5,         "     .  .  . 

1840,  "  "  20,  Isabella, 

Catawba, 

"  This  year,  (1840,)  most  of  the  Catawba  rotted  on  the  vines.  From 
this  time  there  were  2300  vines,  about  one  half  of  each  kind. 

1841,  Vintage,  September  15,  produce     .        .         237  gallons,  Catawba. 
"  «  "  «        "  .        .        275       "        Isabella. 

512       " 

1842,  Vintage,  September  12,  produce     .         .         166  gallons,  Catawba. 
"  "  "  "        «  .         .         319       "        Isabella. 

485       " 

1843,  Vintage,  September  15,  produce     .        .        250  gallons,  Catawba. 
"  "  "  ci         It  ^         ,         238        "         Isabella. 

533       " 

1844,  Vintage,  September  15,  produce      .        .        103  gallons,  Catawba. 
"  "  "  «        <i  ,        .        306       "        Isabella. 

414       " 

1845,  Vintage,  September  9,  produce       .         .        283  gallons,  Isabella. 
"  "  "  UK  ^         .        349       "        Catawba. 

632  gallons. 

"  About  one  eighth  of  the  Catawba  grapes  were  destroyed  by  bees  and 
other  insects  after  ripening. 

"  The  quantity  eaten  by  three  families  is  not  taken  into  this  account. 

"  The  ground  has  always  been  thoroughly  hoed  in  the  spring,  and  kept 
free  from  weeds,  and  never  manured  until  last  winter,  when  the  ground  was 


Report  of  its   Transactions,  &^c.  307 

covered  and  in  the  spring  dug  in.  From  the  result  this  season,  manuring 
would  seem  to  pay  well,  as  the  vines  are  in  better  condition  than  they  ever 
were  after  yielding  a  heavy  crop. 

"  The  vines  have  been  trained  to  stakes  and  the  bearing  wood  cut  out, 
after  having  borne  one  season,  leaving  two  shoots,  trained  the  same  season — 
one  to  form  the  bearing  hoop  or  bow  and  the  other  cut  to  two  eyes — to 
propagate  wood  for  the  next  year  ;  the  vine  never  having  but  the  hoop  and 
the  two  eyes  left  for  fruit  each  year  growing  at  the  same  time. 

"This  year  the  ends  of  the  vines  have  been  nipped,  and  the  suckers 
taken  out  four  different  times. 

"The  following  estimate  I  have  made  from  what  it  has  cost  this  year, 
and  it  is  not  far  from  the  actual  expense,  although  the  labor  has  been  done 
by  the  hands  doing  the  other  work  on  the  farm  ;  and  in  making  wine,  extra 
hands  were  always  employed.  By  planting  cuttings,  and  preparing  the 
ground  by  subsoil  plowing,  when  it  can  be  done,  the  expense  would  be  les- 
sened. The  price  is  what  the  wine  was  sold  at  from  the  press  this  season, 
and  is  a  low  estimate  : — 

ESTIMATE. 

2,300  vines,  at  6c., $138  00 

2,300  poles,  at  2c., 46  00 

1,000     "        replaced, 20  00 

TrenchiriJ  ground  and  planting, 80  00 

Manuring  last  fall, SO'  00 

Two  months'  work,  each  year,  9  years,         ....  225  00 

Extra  work  in  making  wine,         ......  150  00 

Interest  on  investments  before  crop,     .         .         .         .         .  15  00 

704  00 
Cr.  by  4,300  gallons  wine,  at  75c.,      ....        3,229  50 

$2,525  50 

"  The  expense  of  cultivation,  previous  to  the  first  crop,  is  not  accounted 
for,  nor  are  the  press,  casks,  &c. ;  but  the  actual  expense  of  cultivating  an 
acre  of  grapes,  where  persons  are  hired  to  attend  to  other  work,  would 
amount  to  but  very  little,  as  but  a  short  time  is  required  to  attend  to  clear- 
ing the  vines  during  the  season." 

The  spring  exhibition  for  1846  was  held  on  the  28th  of 
May,  and  was  crowded  with  visiters ;  the  only  articles  par- 
ticularly specified,  are  '-several  dishes  of  Hovey's  Seedling 
strawberries,  3^  to  4  inches  in  circumference,  exhibited  by 
the  President  of  the  Society,  George  Graham,  Esq.,  and  Phlox 
Van  Houttei?*,  by  Thomas  Winter.  A  long  report  succeeds 
on  the  vineyards  of  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  from  which  it 
appears  that  there  is  an  aggregate  of  83  vineyards,  containing 
about  250  acres — 114  being  in  bearing,  and  producing  23,219 
gallons  of  wine  last  year. 


308  Cincinnati  Horticulhiral  Society. 

Perhaps  the  most  important,  is  the  conchiding  "  report  on 
the  cuhivation  of  the  strawberry,"  made  June  13th,  which  is 
as  follows : — 

"  The  committee  appointed  two  years  ago,  at  the  request  of  N.  Long- 
WOTH,  Esq.,  to  investigate  the  character  and  habits  of  the  strawberry,  hav- 
ing had  the  subject  under  consideration,  beg  leave  to  report: — 

"  That  after  numerous  experiments  made  by  the  members  of  the  commit- 
tee, relative  to  the  character  of  the  plant,  and  its  productive  qualities,  they 
have  unanimously  arrived  at  the  following  conclusions  : — 

"1.  That  strawberry  plants  raised  from  seed,  like  many  other  plants,  are 
liable  to  run  into  diversified  varieties,  and  a  peculiarity  in  these  varieties,  is 
the  irregularity  of  the  reproductive  or  sexual  organs. 

"  2.  That  a  few  varieties  have  the  flowers  perfect  in  the  sexual  organs,  and 
present  the  stamens  and  pistils  both  fully  developed  in  each  flower.  Such 
flowers  may  produce  a  good  crop  of  medium  sized  fruit,  as  we  have  wit- 
nessed this  season,  in  the  cultivation  of  the  La  Grange,  (a  variety  of  the 
Haut  Bois,)  in  the  White  Pine,  and  in  the  Monthly  Alpine. 

"  3.  Another  class,  which  is  numerous  and  embraces  the  best  varieties 
cultivated  in  this  neighborhood,  has  the  female  or  pistillate  organs  fully 
developed,  and  the  male  or  staminate  organs  so  imperfect,  that  at  first 
glance  they  appear  to  be  wanting  ;  but  a  critical  examination  and  dissection 
of  the  flower  will  disclose  them,  few  in  number,  and  so  imperfect  in  anthers 
and  pollen,  that  they  appear  incapable  of  fertilizing  the  stigmas  ;  conse- 
quently, they  are  termed  pistillate  or  female  plants,  and  require  a  staminate 
plant  near  them  to  furnish  the  fertilizing  powers  ;  for  without  staminate 
plants  the  crop  will  be  small  and  the  berries  imperfect.  Hovey's  seedling 
plant  will  illustrate  this  class. 

"  4.  Other  varieties  are  perfect  in  the  male  or  staminate  organs,  with  the 
pistils  imperfect.  Such  plants  will  produce  an  imperfect  crop,  although 
some  flowers  may  have  perfect  pistils,  and  produce  the  berries  of  large 
size ;  but  under  the  most  favorable  circumstances  they  will  fail  to  mature  an 
abundant  crop  of  fruit. 

"  It  may  be  proper  here  to  state,  that  these  varieties  have  a  strong  growth, 
producing  vigorous  runners,  and  when  planted  with  pistillate  plants,  within 
two  or  three  years,  they  occupy  all  the  ground,  and  the  cultivator,  who  is 
ignorant  of  their  habits,  generally  concludes  that  his  productive  plants  have 
become  barren  ;  when,  after  proper  examination,  he  would  see  thai  the  pis- 
tillate plants  had  been  displaced  by  the  rapid  growth  of  the  staminates,  and 
the  quantity  of  fruit  proportionately  diminished. 

"  There  are  other  varieties  so  defective  in  the  pistils  or  female  organs,  as 
to  be  completely  sterile,  and  fail  to  produce  fruit,  either  in  their  native  state 
or  under  the  most  careful  cultivation. 

"  A  majority  of  the  committee  also  express  the  opinion,  that  the  varieties 
mentioned  never  change  their  character,  so  as  to  be  transferred  from  one 
class  to  another,  but  continue  their  original  distinction  in  the  runners  and 
remain  the  same  under  all  circumstances  of  cultivation. 


Report  of  its   Transactions^  ^'C.  309 

"  The  minority  of  the  committee  think  that  sufficient  experiments  have 
not  yet  been  made,  to  demonstrate  fully  the  truth  of  this  opinion. 

"  Your  committee,  therefore,  relying  upon  their  own  experiments,  and 
those  made  by  other  cultivators,  freely  state,  that  to  insure  an  abundant  pro- 
duct of  large  fruit,  the  principle  of  hybridizing  must  be  adopted,  and  such 
varieties  selected  to  bear  fruit  as  exhibit  the  female  organs  or  pistils  largely 
developed,  with  the  male  organs  or  stamens,  defective  or  undeveloped.  To 
fertilize  the  female  plant  with  the  necessary  pollen,  the  pistillate  plants 
must  be  accompanied  in  the  same  bed,  or  near  to  it,  with  male  or  staminate 
plants. 

"This  rule  being  strictly  observed,  in  all  favorable  seasons  abundant 
crops  will  reward  the  careful  cultivator. 

"  As  further  evidence  that  this  is  the  most  successful  mode  for  the  culti- 
vation of  the  strawberry,  your  committee  beg  leave  to  refer  to  the  quantity 
of  strawberries  sold  in  the  Cincinnati  market  this  season,  which  were  fur- 
nished principally  by  those  who  have  adopted  the  system  of  planting  female 
or  pistillate  plants,  with  a  proportion  of  about  one  tenth  male  or  staminate 
plants  for  fertilizing. 

"  The  amount  sold  has  been  ascertained  by  a  committee  appointed  by  the 
Horticultural  Society.  The  committee  reported  the  quantity  in  market 
each  day  during  the  most  productive  portion  of  the  strawberry  season,  com- 
mencing on  the  19th  of  May  and  ending  on  the  l2th  of  June — a  period  of 
22  days — in  which  time  they  state  the  aggregate  amount  at  4,150  bushels, 
being  an  average  of  nearly  200  bushels  per  day.  Other  estimates  make 
the  quantity  much  greater. 

"This  product  of  fruit,  compared  with  other  markets,  and  the  quantity 
of  ground  cultivated,  furnishes  conclusive  evidence  of  the  success  in  attend- 
ing to  the  cultivation  of  staminate  and  pistillate  varieties." 

The  report  is  signed  by  Jacob  Hoflher,  W.  Smith,  R.  Bu- 
chanan, George  Graham,  A.  H.  Ewing,  A.  H.  Ernst,  J.  G. 
Anthony,  S.  Mosher,  S.  S.  Jackson. 

We  entirely  agree  with  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  with 
one  exception,  and  that  the  last  paragraph  of  the  4th  proposi- 
tion, in  which  they  state  that  those  "  varieties  (the  male  or 
staminate  with  the  pistils  imperfect)  have  a  strong  growth, 
producing  vigorous  runners,  and  when  planted  with  pistil- 
late plants,  within  two  or  three  years,  they  occupy  all  the 
ground,"  &c.  &c. 

Now,  we  do  not  know  what  varieties  the  committee  allude 
to ;  we  have  tried  every  sort  introduced  into  the  country,  and 
never  have  yet  seen  any  varieties  which  would  displace  either 
Hovey's  Seedling  or  the  Boston  Pine ;  and  we  venture  to 
assert,  notwithstanding  the  views  of  the  committee,  that,  if 


310  Foreigfi  Notices. 

they  will  make  a  bed,  of  07ie  plant  of  each,  of  all  the  kinds  of 
strawberries  known,  and  leave  it  to  itself,  merely  keeping 
down  weeds,  at  the  end  of  five  years,  the  predominating  sorts 
will  be  those  we  have  already  named.  We  are  inclined  to 
think  the  committee  jmiiped  at  the  conchision  of  the  4th 
proposition ;  we  certainly  wish  they  had  stated  whether  their 
opinions  were  founded  on  actual  experience. 

Accompanying  the  pamphlet  is  a  paper,  read  before  the 
Society,  by  Mr.  Longworth,  on  the  grape  and  the  strawberry, 
and  published  by  order  of  the  Society.  This  we  shall  par- 
ticularly notice  in  another  number. 


MISCELLANEOUS    INTELLIGENCE. 

Art.  I.     Foreign  Notices. 

ENGLAND. 

June  exhibition  of  the  London  Horlirultural  Society. — The  second  exhibi- 
tion of  the  society  for  the  present  year  was  held  on  the  11th  of  June.  The 
show  was  one  of  the  finest  ever  held,  and  the  whole  report  would  fill  10  or 
15  pages.  We  cannot,  however,  omit  recording  that  part  of  it  which  must 
be  interesting  to  every  reader,  particularly  as  showing  to  what  perfection 
the  science  of  gardening  has  attained.  The  editor  of  the  Chronicle  has  the 
following  remarks  on  the  exhibition  : — 

With  respect  to  the  exhibition  itself,  we  may  state  that  although  the  gay 
azaleas  of  May  were  missed  by  every  body,  yet  that  the  general  effect 
was  as  good  at  ever.  The  pelargoniums  were  in  their  glory.  Orchids 
were  magnificent ;  who,  for  instance,  ever  beheld  such  a  bank  of  these 
plants  as  was  at  that  this  time  brought  from  Mr.  Rucker's  garden,  among 
which  was  an  Aerides  odoratum,  to  have  produced  which  alone  would  have 
made  the  reputation  of  any  gardener.  Then  the  fruit,  which  was  so  mea- 
gre in  May,  did  honor  to  the  skill  of  English  gardeners,  and  so  the  Pacha 
seemed  to  think,  although,  from  the  remarks  of  a  correspondent  in  another 
column,  it  appears  that  the  judges  were  of  a  different  opinion.  The  heaths 
were  better  than  before,  and  a  single  plant  of  Erica  ventricosa  purpurea, 
from  the  garden  of  Sir  George  Stanton,  was  as  fine  a  thing  in  its  way  as 
the  Cyrtopod  of  the  previous  exhibition.  Of  such  things  as  these  we  can 
only  say  that  high  gardening  can  go  no  further. 

More  novelties  were  present  than  before.  The  Royal  Botanic  Garden  at 
Kew  sent  the  charming  Torenia  asiatica,  whose  indigo  stained  flowers 
every  body  stopped  to  admire,  although  by  some  oversight  it  had  not  been 


Foreig^i  Notices.  311 

properly  marked.  Mr.  Veitch  furnished  a  beautiful  little  long-spurred  bal- 
sam from  Java,  with  the  ^schynanthus  pulcher,  a  good  and  new  form  of 
that  fine  genus. 

Considering  that  the  thermometer  had  stood  near  82°  for  the  previous 
fortnight,  that  it  ranged  as  high  as  86°  in  the  shade  and  97°  in  the  sun, 
during  the  exhibition,  and  that  the  plants  can  hardly  be  said  to  have  felt  it, 
so  fresh  and  unflagging  was  their  appearance,  we  should  wish  to  ask  how 
we  are  to  measure  the  skill  of  the  exhibitors  who  had  successfully  con- 
tended with  such  adverse  circumstances  ? 

There  were  no  accidents  among  the  ocean  of  carriages,  but  it  took  a  long 
time  to  find  the  latter,  so  that  either  from  that  circumstance,  or  an  unwil- 
lingness to  leave  the  coolness  of  the  garden  for  the  heat  of  London,  many 
visitors  lingered  till  the  evening  had  nearly  closed  in.  The  exact  number 
of  visitors  was  13,421,  exclusive  of  supernumeraries  : 

The  second  great  exhibition  of  the  season  took  place  in  the  garden  at 
Chiswick  on  Saturday  last ;  and  was  scarcely  inferior  to  the  grand  display 
in  May.  The  day  was  all  that  could  be  desired,  although  the  garden  was 
somewhat  parched  by  the  late  dry  weather.  The  exhibition  was  inspected 
by  Ibrahim  Pacha,  who  appeared  to  be  highly  gratified  with  the  scene.  In 
large  collections  of  40  stove  and  greenhouse  plants  there  was  no  competi- 
tion ;  Mr.  Robertson,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Lawrence,  being  the  only  exhibitor. 
In  this  group  were  several  matchless  specimens  of  first  rate  cultivation  ; 
indeed,  nothing  inferior  to  those  produced  by  the  same  exhibitor  in  May. 
At  the  back  stood  a  Clerodendron  fallax,  with  7  large  spikes  of  scarlet 
flowers,  and  on  either  side  noble  plants  of  Stephanotis  floribunda,  especially 
one  neatly  6  feet  in  height,  loaded  with  bloom.  Supporting  these  again 
were  Erica  metulseflora  bicolor,  a  splendid  plant,  covered  with  a  profusion 
of  red  and  white  tubes ;  Clerodendrons  paniculatum  and  fallax,  and  a  fine 
Statice  macrophylla.  In  the  same  collection  were  also  Phaenocoma  prolife- 
rum,  4  feet  through  and  as  much  in  height,  exceedingly  well  grown,  but 
scarce  of  flowers  ;  and  near  it  another  of  the  same  species,  equally  good. 
Associated  with  these  were  Epacris  grandiflora,  and  large  bushes  of  Coleo- 
nema  pulchrum,  and  Pimelea  decussata.  In  front  were  Manettia  cordifoJia, 
4i  feet  high  and  as  much  through,  profusely  covered  with  red  blossoms, 
which  contrasted  well  with  the  deep  green  foliage ;  the  well  known  and 
generally  well  grown  Leschenaultia  formosa,  18  inches  in  height  and  2  feet 
in  diameter ;  a  small  Erica  gemmifera ;  Pimelea  decussata,  a  depressed 
bush  finely  in  flower  ;  Clerodendron  Ksempferi,  with  one  strong  spike  rising 
about  18  inches  above  the  ample  dark  green  leaves ;  Statice  arborea,  with 
seven  spikes  of  bloom,  together  with  a  rather  bare  Leschenaultia  Baxteri ; 
and  a  small  Ixora  coccinea,  with  eight  gaudy  clusters  of  scarlet  flowers. 
Along  with  these  were  two  plants  of  venlricosa  coccinea  minor ;  Azalea 
Danielsiana,  in  good  condition,  considering  the  season  ;  Cyrtoceras  reflex- 
urn,  with  numerous  bunches  of  pale  green  and  lemon-colored  flowers  ;  two 
tolerably  good  plants  of  Rondeletia  speciosa  ;  a  neat  Eriostemon  buxifolium  ; 
Erica  Cavendishii,  measuring  2^  feet  in  hieght  and  as  much  through  ;  and 
TaberniBmonta  coronaria,  a  plant  not  often  seen  in  collections,  remarkable 


312  Foreign  Notices. 

for  its  glossy  deep  green  leaves  and  handsome  yellow  eyed  snow  white 
flowers.  In  the  same  group  with  these  were  Ixora  coccinea ;  Epacris 
grandiflora,  5  feet  in  height  and  4  feet  in  diameter  ;  a  fine  bush  of  Erica 
tricolor  elegans  ;  Clerodendron  fallax  ;  a  small  Azalea  variegata,  pretty 
well  bloomed  ;  E.  perspicua  nana  ;  a  badly  bloomed  blue  Leschenaultia ; 
Boronia  denticulata,  in  fine  condition,  measuring  3  feet  in  height  and  as 
much  in  diameter  ;  and  a  famous  Leschenaultia  formosa,  2  feet  through 
and  as  much  in  height,  with  its  branches  hanging  gracefully  over  the  pot. 

Collections  of  20  plants  were  contributed  by  Messrs.  Frazer  of  Lea- 
bridge  Road  ;  Mr.  Ayres,  gardener  to  J.  Cook,  Esq.,  of  Brooklands,  Black- 
heath,  and  by  Mr.  Hunt,  gardener  to  Miss  Traill,  of  Bromley.  The  Lea- 
bridge  group  contained  as  uaual  superb  specimens  of  cultivation.  Arranged 
along  the  back  was  Clerodendron  splendens  which  has  been  formerly  no- 
ticed ;  an  exceedingly  neat  Aphelexis  humiiis,  2^  feet  in  height  and  as 
much  in  width  ;  a  very  handsome  Sollya  linearis,  5  feet  in  height,  quite  a 
thicket  of  pale  blue  flowers  and  deep  green  leaves  ;  and  Crowea  saligna  in 
the  most  robust  health,  but  hardly  sufficiently  in  bloom ;  and  not  less  re- 
markable were  handsome  specimens  of  Ixora  coccinea  in  most  luxuriant 
growth,  producing  nearly  40  gorgeous  scarlet  heads  of  flowers ;  and  a  large 
mass  of  Coleonema  pulchrum,  5  feet  in  height  and  as  much  in  diameter, 
covered  with  little  pink  stars.  In  the  same  collection  were  also  Statice 
arborea,  with  7  flower  spikes  ;  and  a  splendid  Erica  Bergiana,  literally  a 
mass  of  small  round  deep  purple  blossoms.  In  front  were  Clerodendron 
squamatum,  a  noble  plant  of  that  showy  genus ;  a  splendidly  grown  Phae- 
nocoma  proliferum,  3  feet  in  height  and  as  much  in  width,  but  scarce  of 
bloom  ;  Pimelea  hispida,  a  mass  of  white  flowers  ;  a  large  and  fine  Poly- 
gala  acuminata,  about  5  feet  in  height  and  as  much  in  diameter,  a  mass  of 
purple  flowers;  the  same  Pavetta  caffra  formerly  mentioned,  a  plant  we 
should  like  to  see  oftener  in  collections ,  and  a  small  specimen  of  the  lilac- 
flowered  Franciscea  acuminata.  Along  wilh  these  were  Aphelexis  spe- 
ciosa,  a  paler  flowered  and  perhaps  less  handsome  species  than  humilis  ;  a 
small  plant  of  the  yellow  blossomed  Gompholobium  splendens,  and  several 
Heaths,  including  tricolor  elegans,  a  handsomer  variety  than  tricolor,  which 
likewise  formed  part  of  the  group,  as  did  also  a  pretty  E.  ventricosa.  Mr. 
Ayres's  set,  which  was  next  in  point  of  merit,  comprised  two  noble  Clero- 
dendrons  ;  the  same  Allamanda  cathartica,  formerly  described,  again  pro- 
duced in  first  rate  order  ;  as  was  also  the  noble  Gloriosa  superba,  alluded  to 
on  a  former  occasion.  Along  with  these  were  Crowea  saligna,  finely  in 
bloom,  and  promising  to  become  still  better;  the  larger  and  best  variety  of 
Aphelexis  spectabilis ;  a  small  plant  of  the  comparatively  new  Cyrtoceras 
reflexum  ;  Leschenaultia  formosa,  forming  a  low  spreading  bush,  18  inches 
in  height  and  about  2  feet  across,  together  with  a  very  handsomely  grown 
and  finely  bloomed  Pulygala  oppositifolia.  In  the  "same  collection  were, 
morever,  a  small  plant  of  the  pale  flowered  Aphelexis  sesamoides  ;  a  very 
fine  Phffinocoma  proliferum,  3  feet  in  height  and  nearly  as  much  in  diame- 
ter, well  flowered  ;  and  a  fine  bush  of  Pimelea  decussata,  3  feet  in  height 
and  as  much  in  width,  together  with  Erica  Bergiana ;  tricolor,  with  its 


Foreign  Notices.  313 

variety  elegans,  and  a  pretty  E.  ventricosa.  In  Mr.  Hunt's  collection  we 
remarked  a  small  but  finely  bloomed  Aphelexis  humilis  ;  DiJhvynia  splen- 
dens,  3  feet  in  height  and  nearly  as  much  in  width,  finely  bloomed  ;  a  small 
Erica  ventricosa  superba  ;  Boronia  serrulata,  2^  feet  in  height  and  2  feet  la 
width  ;  Clerodendron  squamatum  in  luxuriant  health,  but  not  well  bloomed  ; 
Crowea  saligna,  2  feet  by  2,  in  robust  health,  just  coming  into  blossom,  and 
a  large  rather  thin  bush  of  Pimelea  decussata.  Associated  with  these  were 
Erica  ventricosa  purpurea,  a  famous  plant  about  3  feet  in  ht;ight  and  2  in 
width;  a  small  but  fine  Pimelea  hispida  ;  Phaenocoma  proliferum;  a  small 
Leschenaultia  Baxteri,  in  fine  health  and  bloom  ;  and  a  small  but  finely 
grown  Pimelea  decussata.  At  the  back,  stood  Clerodendron  paniculatum,  a 
single  stemmed  plant,  6  feet  in  height,  having  a  noble  panicle  of  flowers  ; 
a  very  neat  Pimelea  spectabilis,  2^  feet  in  height,  and  3  feet  in  width  ;  the 
same  fine  Leschenaultia  formosa  formerly  mentioned  ;  a  small  Erica  de- 
pressa ;  Polygala  cordifolia,  2  feet  in  height,  and  as  much  in  diameter, 
rather  "leggy;"  a  splendid  Ixora  coccinea,  5  feet  in  height,  producing  17 
heads  of  bloom,  and  several  Heaths,  including  perspicua  nana,  and  a  very 
large  plant  of  tricolor  elegans. 

[The  collections  of  Orchids  we  pass  over,  as  they  are  less  interesting  to 
our  cultivators  than  other  plants. — Ed.'] 

Collections  of  Cape  Heaths  were  numerous,  and  made  a  fine  display  ;  but 
with  one  or  two  exceptions  there  was  nothing  particularly  striking  among 
them.  A  noble  single  specimen  of  ventricosa  purpurea  was  produced  from 
the  garden  of  Sir  George  Staunton,  Bart.,  and,  occupying  the  place  of  the 
noble  spotted  Cyrtopod,  (Cyrtopodium  punctatum,)  produced  at  the  previous 
exhibition,  was  a  worthy  rival  of  that  fine  plant,  as  far  as  good  cultivation 
is  concerned.  Another  particularly  handsome  plant  was  a  metulaeflora 
bicolor,  in  Mr.  Fairbairn's  collection  from  Clapham.  This  variety  is  gen- 
erally loose  and  straggling ;  but  the  specimen  in  question — a  plant  about  3^ 
feet  high,  and  as  much  in  width — was  very  compact,  and  a  mass  of  long 
rosy  pink  blossoms  passing  into  pure  white  at  the  tips,  the  two  colors  form- 
ing a  striking  and  agreeable  contrast.  Collections  of  20  plants  were  shown 
by  Mr.  Hunt,  Mr.  Robertson,  Mr.  Ayres,  and  by  Messrs.  Fairbairn  and 
Rollison,  of  Tooling.  In  Mr.  Hunt's  group  were  observed  a  good  Caven- 
dishii,  a  large  plant  of  tricolor,  and  a  red  variety  of  that  species,  a  good 
depressa,  the  useful  ventricosa,  the  pretty  white  flowered  odore  rosae,  the 
larger  variety  of  retorta,  a  fine  Massoni,  perspicua  nana,  nearly  4  feet  in 
height,  and  as  much  through,  a  mass  of  bloom,  which  was  beginning  to 
fade,  and  a  good  plant  of  Halicacaba,  with  curious  drooping  pale  green 
flowers.  In  Mr.  Robertson's  collection  were  inflata,  a  very  large  plant, 
rather  bare  of  flowers  ;  a  very  fine  gemmifera,  3  feet  in  height  and  about 
4^  feet  in  width,  covered  with  blossoms  down  to  the  pot ;  a  fine  ventricosa 
carnea,  rather  thin,  but  a  mass  of  flowers  ;  a  famous  Cavendishii,  finely 
bloomed  plants  of  ventricosa  superba,  and  a  coccine  minor,  the  latter  a 
lovely  object.  In  the  same  group  were  tricolor  elegans,  hardly  sufficiently 
in  bloom,  which  was  also  the  case  with  a  good  metulajflora  bicolor.  In 
addition  to  these,  the  collection  contained  a  large  splendens,  densa,  and  sev- 
VOL.  XII. — NO.  VIII.  40 


314  Foreign  Notices. 

eral  others.  Mr.  Ayres's  group  was  composed  wholly  of  small  plants, 
which  were  all  in  excellent  health  and  finely  bloomed.  Among  them  were 
jasminiflora,  a  handsome  species ;  gemmifera  ;  tricolor  elegans,  with  flesh 
colored  green  tipped  flowers  ;  ventricosa  alba,  metulseflora,  and  its  more 
striking  variety  bicolor,  a  very  pretty  Westphalingia,  and  a  neat  Bergiana. 
In  the  group  from  Clapham  were  a  Massoni  in  excellent  condition  ;  the 
comparatively  new  Vernoni  superba,  impulsa,  covered  with  long  delicate 
pink  tubes  ;  various  varieties  of  tricolor  ;  the  fine  metulsflora  bicolor  above 
alluded  to  ;  Bothwelliana,  a  mass  of  bloom  ;  the  curious  little  sanguinolenta, 
with  deep  red  flowers,  shaded  with  violet ;  varieties  of  inflata  and  of  ven- 
tricosa, and  a  large  jasminiflora.  In  the  group  from  Messrs.  RoUisson  we 
observed  a  pretty  little  Massoni,  a  dense  bush  of  Daphnasflora,  and  several 
other  well  grown  plants  ;  all  of  them  were,  however,  somewhat  deficient 
in  regard  to  bloom. 

Collections  of  12  Heaths  were  shown  by  Mr.  Green,  Mr.  May,  and  Mr. 
Barnes,  and  among  nurserymen  by  Mr.  Dawson,  of  Brixton  Hill,  Messrs. 
Veitch  &  Son,  of  Exeter,  and  Messrs.  Frazer,  of  Lea-bridge.  Mr.  Green's 
plants,  which  were  large  and  well  grown,  contained  Westphalingia,  cov- 
ered with  a  profusion  of  richly  colored  red  tubes,  a  fine  inflata,  a  beautiful 
plant  of  elegans,  Cavendishii,  in  good  condition,  and  a  pretty  ventricosa 
superba.  Mr.  May  also  sent  excellent  plants,  among  which  were  West- 
phalingia; a  fine  tricolor,  loaded  with  blossoms;  a  small  elegans  ;  ventri- 
cosa alba,  a  mass  of  white  flowers  ;  a  very  fine  Massoni,  2  feet  in  height 
and  quite  as  much  in  diameter,  covered  with  blossoms  ;  and  an  excellent 
plant  of  odorata. — Mr,  Barnes's  plants  were  large  and  finely  grown  ;  among 
them  were  odore  rosae  ;  the  singular  looking  Piukenetiana  ;  a  large  ventri- 
cosa, tricolor,  the  pretty  pink  flowered  infundibuliformis ;  and  a  large  ven- 
tricosa superba. — Mr.  Dawson's  group  was  composed  of  neat,  small  plants, 
which  were,  however,  not  differenifrom  what  has  been  already  mentioned. — 
The  Exeter  group  came  in  excellent  order  ;  it  contained  a  large  tricolor  ; 
gnaphaloides  ;  several  varieties  of  ventricosa  ;  and  small  plants  of  gemmi- 
fera and  Coventryana,  the  latter  covered  with  little  pink  stars.  In  the 
Messrs.  Frazers'  group  was  a  fine  plant  of  tricolor  elegans  ;  several  varie- 
ties of  ventricosa  ;  and  a  fine  daphnoides. — Groups  of  six  plants  were  pro- 
duced by  Mr.  Bruce,  Mr.  Jack,  and  Mr.  Malyon  Mr.  Bruce  sent  Bergiana, 
in  capital  condition,  as  also  a  fine  tricolor  ;  and  a  pretty  depressa,  together 
with  tricolor  elegans,  and  a  variety  of  ventricosa.  Mr.  Jack  sent  six  well 
managed  plants  ;  and  so  did  Mr.  Malyon  ;  in  the  latter  group  was  a  neat 
depressa,  Cavendishii,  and  three  varieties  of  ventricosa. 

Of  Roses,  both  cut  and  in  pots,  there  was  a  fine  display.  Those  in  pots 
were  even  superior  to  what  was  produced  at  the  May  exhibition  ;  and  this 
is  the  more  remarkable  when  we  consider  the  fleeting  character  of  the 
"  Queen  of  Flowers,"  under  the  bright  sunlight  and  excessive  heat  we  have 
experienced  for  the  last  fortnight  or  three  weeks.  In  the  amateur's  class 
for  12,  there  were  two  exhibitors:  Mr.  Terry,  gardener  to  Lady  Puller, 
Youngsbury ;  and  Mr.  Slovve,  gardener  to  W.  R.  Baker,  Esq.,  of  Bay- 
fordbury.     Mr.    Terry  sent  the  following: — Tea:   Napoleon,  pale  pink; 


Foreign  Notices.  315 

Nina,  pink;  Madame  Breon,  pale  rose;  Cointe  de  Paris,  pale  blush; 
Cels  Multiflora,  blush.  Gallica :  Boule  de  Nanteuil,  shaded  crimson; 
Henri  Barbot,  bright  rose ;  La  Moskowa,  shaded  crimson.  Bourbon : 
Paul  Perras,  rose  ;  Queen,  blush.  Hybrid  perpetual :  Duchess  of  Suther- 
land, pale  rose.  Noisette:  Laraarque,  white. — Among  Mr.  Slowe's  plants 
were  : — Bourbon  :  Edouard  Desfosses,  bright  rose  ;  Gloire  de  Paris,  crim- 
son, shaded  with  purple;  Armosa,  purple.  Tea:  Safrano,  bright  fawn  ; 
Elise  Sauvage,  pale  yellow,  orange  centre  ;  Nina,  pink.  Hybrid  per- 
petual:  Fulgorie,  deep  rose,  tinged  with  purple;  Pauline  Plantier  ;  Prin- 
cesse  Helene,  deep  purplish  red  ;  Queen  Victoria.  China :  Mrs.  Bosan- 
quet,  pale  flesh.  In  the  nurseryman's  class,  for  18  varieties,  there  were 
four  exhibitors,  viz.,  Messrs.  Lane  &l  ^ox\s,  of  Great  Berkhamstead  ;  Mr. 
Dobson,  foreman  to  Mr.  Beck,  of  Isleworth  ;  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  of 
Cheshunt ;  and  Mr.  Francis,  of  Hertford. — Mr.  Lane  sent: — Tea:  Adam, 
rose,  very  large;  Diana  Vernon;  Moire,  rose,  shaded  with  fawn;  Le 
Pactole,  lemon,  with  bright  yellow  centre  ;  Abricote,  rosy  fawn.  Bour- 
bon :  Madame  Nerard,  blush  ;  Armosa,  purple  ;  Celimene  ;  Phoenix,  red- 
dish purple;  Theresita  ;  Souvenir  de  la  Malmaison,  pale  flesh.  China: 
Abbe  Moiland  ;  Fabvier  ;  Eugene  Beauharnais,  bright  amaranth  ;  Madame 
Bureau,  white.  Gallica:  Boule  de  Nanteuil,  large,  crimson  purple.  Prov- 
ence: Illustre  Beaute.  Hybrid  CAna  :  Comtesse  de  Lac6pede,  silvery  pale 
blush. — In  Messrs.  Paul's  group  were — Tea:  Roussel ;  Pauline  Plantier  ; 
JuHe  Mansais,  white  with  lemon  centre.  Hybrid  China:  Madame  Plantier, 
white  ;  Dombrouski  ;  Velours  Episcopal ;  General  Kleber  ;  Belle  Marie. 
Hybrid  Perpetual:  Madame  Laffiiy,  rosy  crimson  ;  Louis  Bonaparte,  crim- 
son. Gallica:  Reine  des  Francais.  Hybrid  Sweetbrier :  Madeline,  white, 
shaded  with  pink.  Alba  :  Felicit6  Parmentier.  Bourbon  :  Augustine  Mar- 
got  ;  Paul  Perras,  shaded  rose  ;  and  Chenedole,  large  crimson. — Mr.  Fran- 
cis produced  Hybrid  Perpetual :  La  Reine,  brilliant  rose  ;  Madame  Laffay, 
rosy  crimson  ;  Madame  Damene,  lilac  rose;  William  Jesse,  light  crimson, 
tinged  with  lilac.  Hybrid  China;  Madame  Rameau,  bright  crimson  ;  Reine 
des  Ilybrides  ;  General  Allard,  rosy  red;  Velours  Episcopal;  Blairii, 
No.  2;  General  Weber.  Noisette:  Smith's  Yellow.  Gallica:  Laura. 
Bourbon:  Charles  Duval,  bright  rose;  Augustine  Margot ;  Armosa,  pur- 
ple. Tea:  Niphetos,  la-ge  white.  Moss:  De  Metz,  bright  rose.  As  a 
single  specimen  Mr.  Slowe  sent  Pactolus,  a  fine  plant  with  upwards  of  30 
pale  yellow  blossoms,  and  Mr.  Dobson  sent  a  pretty  standard  plant  of  Belle 
Marie.  Famous  boxes  of  cut  flowers  were  exhibited  by  Mr.  Betteridge,  Mr. 
Terry,  Messrs.  Lane,  Paul,  and  Cobbett ;  also  by  Mr.  Bunney,  gardener 
to  J.  H.  Slater,  Esq.,  Mr.  Milton,  gardener  to  C.  S.  Chauncey,  Esq.,  Mr. 
Mitchell  and  Mr.  Cole  of  Bath.  The  blooms  preserved  their  freshness 
well,  and  engaged  that  share  of  attention  which  the  beauty  and  fragrance 
of  this  fine  flower  deserves. 

Collections  of  tall  Cacti  were  produced  in  fine  condition,  considering  the 
season,  by  Mr.  Green  and  Mr.  Falconer,  gardener  to  A.  Palmer,  Esq.,  of 
Cheam.  Mr.  Green  sent  a  large  Cereus  speciosissimus,  a  remarkably  fine 
specimen  of  Epiphyllum  speciosum,  at  least  7  feet  in  height  and  a  mass  of 


316  Fo7'eigti  Notices. 

blossoms,  the  larger  variety  of  E.  Ackermanni,  E.  aurantiaciim,  and  Jenk- 
insoni,  the  latter  in  lovely  condition.  Mr.  Falconer's  plants  were  little  in- 
ferior to  these  ;  they  were  for  the  most  part  finely  in  bloom,  and  altogether 
the  two  collections  made  a  most  brilliant  display.  Mr.  Green  sent  a  group 
of  azaleas;  but  the  glory  of  these,  with  the  advance  of  the  season,  had 
almost  departed  ;  they,  however,  had  their  admirers,  and  were  wonderful 
when  we  recollect  that  the  thermometer  has  stood  at  about  84°  in  the  shade 
for  the  last  fortnight. 

Of  single  specimens,  of  superior  cultivation,  Messrs.  Veitch  &  Son  sent 
the  purple  blossomed  Mirbelia  illicifolia,  and  a  noble  plant  of  the  compara- 
tively new  Siphocampylus  coccinens.  Mr.  Mylam,  the  fine  Aerides  odora- 
tum  already  mentioned.  Mr.  Jackson,  of  Kingston,  two  specimens  of 
Erica  Massoni,  and  a  fine  plant  of  the  well  known  Pelargonium  tricolor. 
Mr.  W.  P.  Ayres,  an  enormous  overgrown  Clerodendron  paniculatum,  7 
feet  in  height,  in  the  most  luxuriant  health.  Mr.  Pobertson,  gardener  to 
Mrs.  Lawrence,  sent  a  fine  Clerodendron  fallax.  Messrs.  Fairbairn,  a  very 
handsome  Erica  tricolor.  Mr.  Pamplin,  Campylia  (Pelargonium)  holose- 
riceum.  Mr.  Wells,  of  Walthamstow,  Vinca  alba.  Mr.  Green,  a  noble 
Ixora  coccinea.  Mr.  Wiltshire,  Gloxinia  Cartoni.  Mr.  Jack,  a  fine  plant 
of  Achimenes  longiflora  ;  also  Clivia  nobilis,  and  Crinum  amabile.  And 
Mr.  Barnes,  Cypripedium  spectabile,  and  Ardisia  hymenandra.  From  Mr. 
Epps  was  a  beautiful  specimen  of  the  red  variety  of  Erica  tricolor,  and 
Mr.  Hunt  sent  a  fine  E.  Massoni.  Mr.  May,  of  Woodford,  sent  Draco- 
phyllum  gracile.  Mr.  Wells,  Vinca  rosea  alba  ;  and  Mr.  Pope,  of  Wan- 
stead,  Pimelea  decussata. 

Of  new  plants,  more  were  present  than  at  the  previous  exhibition.  Mr. 
Robertson's  deep  violet  flowered  Telratheca  verticillata  was  a  beautiful  object; 
and  so  was  a  fine  rosy  lilac  long  spurred  Balsam  from  Messrs.  Veitch  &  Son, 
who  likewise  sent  the  beautiful  deep  purple  flowered  Calandrinia  umbellata, 
a  useful  plant  for  rockwork  ;  also  Chirita  zeylanica,  and  .zEschynanthus 
pulchor,  the  latter  a  new  and  striking  addition  to  that  handsome  genus ;  and, 
finally,  the  same  nurseryman  sent  a  small  plant  of  the  neat  white  flowered 
Ligustrum  japonicum,  and  a  tall  plant  of  Dichorizandra  ovalifolia,  having  a 
terminal  spike  of  violet  flowers  just  beginning  to  expand,  much  resembling 
D.  thyrsiflora.  Mr.  Glendinning,  of  Turnham  Green,  sent  Cryptomeria 
japonica,  the  scarlet-flowered  Ruellia  macrophylla,  which  had  been  over- 
forced,  and  was  consequently  seen  to  disadvantage.  And  from  Mr.  Mylam 
was  a  new  form  of  Nepenthes,  an  interesting  plant  of  its  kind.  Mr.  Car- 
son sent  the  rare  (^attleya  granulosa  ;  and  Mr.  Green,  a  large  coarse  pale 
green  flowered  Tropaeolum  polyphyllum,  more  curious  than  beautiful. — 
Mr.  W.  P.  Ayres  sent  Aotus  gracillinnus,  a  Swan  river  species,  having 
small  yellow  flowers. — Mr.  Dods,  gardener  to  Sir  G.  Warrender,  Bart., 
Goodenia  grandiflora,  with  pale  yellow  blossoms  of  little  beauty  ;  and  a 
small  plant  of  a  pendulous  Thuja  was  shown  by  Mr.  Scott,  of  Poole.  We 
also  observed  a  Barkeria,  something  like  B.  Lindleyana  ;  and  hist,  but  not 
least,  was  Torenia  asiatica,  a  charming  species,  from  the  Royal  Botanic 
Garden,  Kew.     This  lovely  object  was  the  admiration  of  every  body.     It 


Foreign  Notices.  317 

forms  a  branching  plant,  with  opposite  sessile  ovate  leaves,  from  whose 
axils  are  produced  two-lipped  flowers,  the  ground  color  of  which  is  bluish 
lilac  ;  the  corolla  is  divided  into  four  segments,  the  two  lateral  and  the 
lower  one  being  stained  by  a  deep  velvety  porcelain  blue  blotch,  which, 
with  the  deep  blue  stained  throat,  gives  the  flower  a  very  striking  appear- 
ance. 

For  collections  of  hardy  evergreens  in  pots,  a  large  silver  medal  was 
awarded  to  Mr.  H.  Waterer,  of  Knap  Hill,  near  Bagshot.  In  this  group  we 
remarked  Ilex  speciosa,  ciliata,  Maderensis,  and  latifolia  ;  Arbutus  macro- 
phylla  and  Bakeri ;  a  very  handsome  broad  leaved  Box  ;  Pinus  strobus,  var. 
pumila;  a  silver  striped  Ivy;  Quercus  insignis  ;  Q.  Ilex,  var.  latifolia; 
Q.  Ballota,  and  Q.  virens  ;  together  with  Andromeda  tetragona,  Cryptome- 
ria  japonica,  and  a  Silver  Cedar.  In  the  same  group  were  also  Euonymus 
fimbriatus,  Juniperus  pendula,  J.  squamata,  Daphne  Aucklandi,  Pernettya 
pilosa,  Thuja  filiformis,  Taxodium  sempervirens,  Taxus  elegantissima, 
Berberis  cuneata,  a  variegated  Vaccinium  and  Podocarpus  elongatus.  An- 
other collection  came  from  Messrs.  Lane  &  Son,  the  chief  features  of  which 
were  small  plants  of  a  silver  and  gold  striped  Yew  ;  Juniperus  excelsa  ;  J. 
Daurica  ;  Cupressus  torulosa  viridis  ;  Quercus  glauca  ;  a  variety  of  Aucuba 
japonica,  with  large  yellow  blotches  in  the  centres  of  the  leaves ;  and  vari- 
ous others.  In  the  group  by  Mr.  Francis,  of  Hertford,  were  Abies  Smith- 
iana  ;  Cupressus  thurifera  ;  Juniperus  alpina  ;  Arbutus  procera  ;  Ilex  pla- 
typhylla;  Taxus  adpressa  ;  Quercus  glabra;  and  various  others.  Mr. 
Scott,  of  Poole,  sent,  among  others,  Abies  religiosa  ;  Pinus  nobilis  ;  Cu- 
pressus Lamberti  ;  and  Juniperus  pendula.  Another  group  was  also  shown 
by  Mr.  Cutter,  of  Sloush. 

Of  miscellaneous  objects  were  a  pretty  plant  of  Cereus  flagelliformis, 
from  Mr.  Bruce  ;  and  a  small  white  flowered  Cape  Heath,  from  Mr.  Barnes. 
Mr.  Carson  sent  an  Aerides  odoratum ;  Mr.  Scott,  of  Bury-hill,  a  pan  of 
hybrid  Alsirosmerias  ;  Mr.  Groom,  of  Clapham  Rise,  deep  orange  Lilies, 
named  Voltaire,  Emperor  Alexander,  Talisman,  Prince  Albert,  Rubens, 
and  Ibrahim  Pacha,  and  a  white  Pteony  ;  Mr.  Wiltshire,  a  group  of  Achi- 
menes ;  Mr.  Beaton,  flowers  of  Beaumontia  grandiflora  ;  and  Mr.  Street, 
large  specimens  of  Champion  Cucumber. 

On  no  former  occasion  has  there  been  brought  together  so  large  and  so 
splendid  a  collection  of  Pelargoniums — considerably  more  than  the  accus- 
tomed space  was  allotted  to  these  favorites.  The  general  appearance  was 
enlivening  and  attractive,  and  throughout  the  day  the  tents  were  crowded 
with  ardent  admirers,  who  to  the  last  lingered  over  their  beauties.  For  12 
new  and  first  rate  varieties  the  gold  Banksian  medal  was  awarded  to  Mr. 
Cock,  whose  collection  contained  Mars,  Ate,  Margaret,  Lucifer,  Pearl, 
Orion,  Hector,  President,  Rosy  Circle,  Zenobia,  Desdemona,  and  Negress. 
The  second  collection  in  this  class  was  not  considered  by  the  judges  to 
contain  sufficient  new  and  first  rate  flowers;  it  was  in  consequence  awarded 
the  third  prize.  The  best  of  the  new  flowers  were  Nameless,  Titus,  Ma- 
gog, and  La  Polka.  First  in  this  class  among  nurserymen  was  Mr.  Dob- 
son,  foreman  to  Mr.  Beck,  of  Isleworth,  who  received  the  gold  Banksian 


318  Domestic  Notices. 

medal  for  the  following  new  varieties  : — Rosy  Circle,  Orion,  Hebe's  Lip, 
Othello,  Adolphus,  Hindoo,  Gigantic,  Queen  Pomare,  Arabella,  Isabella, 
Margaret,  and  Competitor. — Mr.  Gaines  obtained  the  silver  gilt  medal,  and 
among  the  best  and  newest  of  his  flowers  were  Hector,  Medusa,  Duchess 
of  Leinster,  Pamela,  Arabica,  and  Pompey. — Mr.  Catleugh  received  the 
large  silver;  Hector,  Rosetta  Superb,  Pearl,  Orion,  Aggripina,  and  Ma- 
gog, were  the  most  conspicuous  for  novelty  and  beauty.  This  class,  which 
is  the  most  interesting  of  any,  merits  much  better  support  than  it  has 
hitherto  received  from  the  nurserymen  ;  Mr.  Beck  is  the  only  grower  who 
has  supported  it  in  the  true  spirit  in  which  it  originated  ;  his  collection  con- 
sisted entirely  of  new  flowers,  either  of  his  own  raising,  or  with  one  or 
two  superior  sorts  selected  from  the  new  and  successful  seedlings  of  others. 
A  mutual  advantage  between  amateurs  and  nurserymen  promised  to  arise 
from  the  establishment  of  this  class  ;  the  purchaser  would  see  what  was 
coming  out,  and  the  seller  afforded  an  opportunity  of  exhibiting  that  which 
he  had  to  dispose  of.  We  are  borne  out  in  these  remarks  by  the  catalogues 
annually  published,  containing  long  lists  of  new  varieties,  and  it  is  from 
these  lists  we  expect  to  see  Class  A  suplied.  For  pelargoniums,  in  collec- 
tions of  12  varieties  in  8-inch  pots,  Mr.  Cock,  in  the  amateur's  class,  re- 
ceived the  gold  Banksian  medal  for  the  following  fine  and  well-grown 
varieties  : — Duchess  of  Leinster,  Orion,  Repeal,  Queen  Aggripina,  Rosy 
Circle,  Hector,  Shield  of  Achilles,  Sir  R.  Peel,  Katinka,  Emma,  Rosetta, 
and  Duke  of  Cornwall.  To  Mr.  Robinson,  gardener  to  J.  Simpson,  Esq., 
was  awarded  the  silver  gilt,  in  whose  collection  Duke  of  Cornwall,  Erec- 
tum,  Aurora,  and  Priory  Queen  were  the  best.  Mr.  Coysh,  gardener  to 
R.  Hudson,  Esq.,  received  the  large  silver  medal ;  these  plants  were  grown 
short  with  abundance  of  bloom.  Mr.  Staines  received  the  silver  Knightian, 
and  the  silver  Banksian  medal  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Moseley.  In  the  nur- 
serymen's class,  Mr.  Dobson  received  the  gold  Banksian  for  Marcus,  Mus- 
tee,  Rosy  Circle,  Pulchellum,  Isabella,  Ragged  Robin,  Mark  Antony,  Pau- 
line, Zenobia,  Orion,  Matilda,  and  Margaret.  To  Mr.  Catleugh  was  awarded 
the  silver  gilt,  and  to  Mr.  Gaines  the  large  silver  for  their  respective  collec- 
tions.— For  pelargoniums,  in  collections  of  6  varieties,  in  l2-inch  pots,  Mr. 
Cock  received  the  large  silver  medal,  and  to  Mr.  Slowe  the  silver  Knightian 
was  awarded  ;  and  Mr.  Gaines  received  the  large  silver  for  his  collection  in 
the  nurserymen's  class.     [Gard.  Chron.  1846,  pp.  407  to  409.) 

[Owing  to  the  extreme  length  of  the  report,  we  are  compelled  to  omit 
the  exhibition  of  fruit  till  our  next. — EJ.] 


Art.  II.     Domestic  Notices. 


Veronica  specibsa. — This  new  species  will  flower  beautifully  turned  out 
into  the  flower  bed,  and  grow  robust.  Try  one  so. —  Yours,  G.  C.  T., 
Astoria,  N.  Y.,  June,  1846. 


Domestic  Notices.  319 

Ipomcea  Learn. — This  is  running  up  tlic  frame  like  JotA's  icon ;  this  is 
the  ornament  of  the  convolvulus,  which  every  one  should  have.  It  grows 
out  of  doors  as  freely  as  scarlet  runners,  and  flowers  in  thousands,  well 
repaying  early  risers. — Yours,  T.,  Neio  York,  June,  1846. 

The  English  SIct/  Lark. — Do  you  know  that  the  English  sky  lark  has 
become  acclimated  to  Long  Island  ?  I  am  credibly  informed  that  they  have 
been  hr>ard  and  seen  in  goodly  numbers,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Williams- 
burg, (L.  I.,)  this  season,  and  numbers  have  come  over  from  New  York,  in 
the  mornings,  to  hear  their  sweet  song.  The  American  Jnslilute  has  sent 
word  all  over  King's  county  not  to  shoot  them  through  ignorance,  and  in 
the  neighborhood  where  they  are,  watchers  are  employed  to  protect  them. 
If  all  this  is  true,  what  an  acquisition  !  They  were,  it  is  said,  introduced 
by  a  cage  full  escaping  accidentally,  a  year  ago,  from  the  deck  of  the  Great 
Western  steamship — the  birds  betaking  themselves  to  Long  Island,  as  the 
western  dock  is  just  opposite  (or  nearly)  Williamsburg. —  G.  C.  T.,  Asto- 
ria, L.  I.,  N.  Y.,  June,  1846. 

The  Gushing  Raspberry. — At  the  exhibition  of  the  Pennsylvania  Horti- 
cultural Society,  of  June  2d,  Dr.  W.  D.  Brinkle  presented  specimens  of  a 
seedling  raspberry  which  he  has  called  the  "  Gushing."  Nothing  is  said 
respecting  its  merits. 

Hovey^s  Seedling  Strawberry. — We  see  by  the  reports  of  exhibitions, 
which  have  reached  us,  that  our  seedling  has,  as  usual,  everywhere  taken 
the  premium.  Even  in  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Engleman  carried  off  the  prize 
for  the  best  strawberries,  which  were  Hovey's  Seedling.  At  the  semi- 
annual exhibition  of  Long  Island  Horticultural  Society,  on  the  11th  and 
12th  of  June,  Mr.  Huntsman  was  awarded  ihe  premium  for  three  dishes  of 
Hovey's  Seedling. — Ed. 

Rochester  Horticultural  Society. — This  new  society  held  its  first  exhibition 
last  month,  and  the  display  was  as  good  as  its  most  sanguine  friends  could 
anticipate.  Messrs.  Ellwanger  «Si  Barry  exhibited  upwards  of  80  va- 
rieties of  roses  and  70  pots  of  plants.  The  show  of  strawberries  was  not 
large. 

Semi-annual  Exhibition  of  the  Long  Island  Horlicuhurnl  Society. — This 
new  society  held  its  exhibition  on  the  11th  and  12th  of  June.  The  princi- 
pal exhibitors  were  Messrs.  Valk  &  Co.,  Parsons  &  Co.,  and  Prince  & 
Co.  Messrs.  Valk  were  awarded  the  premium  of  $6  for  the  best  50  cut 
roses,  and  $  8  for  the  best  32  roses  in  pots.  Messrs.  Parsons  &  Co.  $  3, 
for  the  best  12  roses  in  pots,  and  Messrs.  Prince  and  C'o.  $3,  for  the  best 
24  summer  roses,  also  a  premium  of  $  3  for  upwards  of  20  varieties  of 
moss  roses.  Mr.  Huntsman  received  a  premium  of  $  2  for  Princess  Alice 
Maud  strawberry,  and  W.  R.  Prince  &  Co.  $2,  for  the  best  six  varieties 
of  strawberries,  which  were  Hovey's  Seedling,  Crimson  cone.  Prince's  Early 
Seedling,  Prince's  Prince  Albert  Seedling,  Royal  Scarlet  and  Hudson's 
Bay.  G.  W.  Huntsman,  $3,  for  the  best  strawberries,  Hovey's  Seed- 
ling. 

Stoddard^s  Alpine  Strawberry  we  perceive  will  turn  out.  as  we  supposed 
it  would,  to  be  only  the  common  Wood  strawberry  under  high  cultivation. 


320  Domestic  Notices. 

We  had  learnt  from  Col.  Wilder,  who  had  plants  in  bearing,  that  it  showed 
no  evidence  of  the  superiority  attributed  to  it  in  the  account  which  went  the 
rounds  of  the  papers  last  autunnn,  and  we  now  perceive  that  Mr.  Carry,  in 
the  Genessee  Farmer,  states  that  it  has  no  ^'■Jixcd  superiority,"  being  merely 
a  seedling,  "  that  will  retain  its  astonishing  productiveness  only  so  long  as 
it  receives  Col.  Stoddard's  superior  management."  If  amateur  cultivators 
will  believe  all  the  accounts  of  remarkable  fruits  which  they  read  in  the 
newspapers,  they  must  make  up  their  minds  to  frequent  disappointment  as 
well  as  loss  of  time  and  money.  We  see  some  cultivator  in  Ohio  has 
raised  and  exhibited  50  varieties  of  seedling  strawberries  this  year,  several 
of  which  are  larger  and  belter  than  Hovey's  Seedling.  How  much  of  this 
statement  do  intelligent  cultivators  believe  1 — Ed. 

Marchioness  of  Ormonde,  and  other  new  Dahlias. — Marchioness  of  Or- 
monde is  coming  fine  this  year  ;  so  is  Marc  Antony,  (this  was  wretched 
last  season,)  and  will  I  trust,  as  also  Emp.  of  the  Whites,  (which  has  lately 
given  me  a  superb  specimen,)  redeem  the  high  name  and  flourish  of  John 
Bull's  trumpeters  last  season,  on  their  being  ushered  into  the  new  world. 
Marchioness  of  Ormonde  is  superb.  I  have  a  specimen  just  now  out,  that 
assures  me  it  is  all  you  and  your  friends  abroad  have  said  of  it.  I  hope 
Sir  E.  Antrobus  will  have  on  his  "  Sunday  suit"  next  month.  I  have 
three  fine  looking  specimens  out,  which  appear  very  promising.  Alphonse 
is  fine.  Brown's  Arelhusa  is  in  flower  and  is  excellent,  and  of  unsurpassed 
thrifty  habit.  I  have  received  Orlando,  and  will  give  it  a  good  place  in  my 
show  ground,  which  consists,  in  front  of  the  house, -of  over  1800  select 
plants,  and  as  many  more  in  another  place — season  so  far,  A.  1. —  Yours, 
G.  C.  Thorburn,  Astoria,  L.  I.,  July,  1846. 

The  Blight  of  the  Pear  Tree,  its  Remedy,  (SfC. — The  pear  does  remarka- 
bly well  with  us,  barring  the  blight,  which,  however,  has  only  shown  itself 
within  the  last  two  years.  One  of  my  neighbors,  who  has  a  very  large  tree, 
some  two  feet  through,  generally  supposed  to  be  the  Bartlett,  (Williams's 
Bon  Chretien,)  discovered  it  to  be  attacked,  and  was  not  aware  for  some  time 
what  was  the  matter.  It  was  so  far  gone  that  he  had  to  cut  it  in,  to  a  mere 
skeleton.  He  then  bored  holes  in  the  stem,  filled  with  sulphur,  and  plugged 
up  last  winter.  It  is  now  growing  vigorously  and  without  a  speck.  He  has 
thus  saved  several  ;  whether  or  no  they  will  stay  saved  is  a  query.  Mine, 
as  yet,  show  no  symptoms,  as  I  keep  them  growing  very  vigorously  ;  I 
think  this  is  the  true  secret  of  prevention.  Many  of  my  new  Flemish  and 
French  pears,  grafted  on  12  year  old  apple  trees,  (the  only  ones  I  had,  gave 
them  a  full  head,)  have  fruit  on  them  this  season.  They  were  grafted  two 
years  ago  ;  the  Seckel,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  and  Julienne,  are  loaded. 

We  have  an  abundant  supply  of  fruit  this  year.  There  will  be  vast 
quantities  of  peaches  sent  to  New  Orleans. —  Yours,  tru'y,  Thomas  Affleck, 
Washington,  Miss.,  May,  1846.  [We  hope  our  correspondent  will  keep 
us  informed  of  the  health,  product,  and  growth  of  the  pears  grafted  on  the 
apple. — Ed.] 


Massachusetts  Horticultual  Society.  321 


Art.  111.     Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Saturday,  July  4:th,  1846. — The  quarterly  stated  meeting  of  the  Society 
was  held  to-day, — the  President  in  the  chair. 

Voted,  That  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution  which  conflict  with  the 
code  of  By-Laws,  adopted  at  the  stated  meeting  in  April,  be,  and  hereby 
are,  repealed. 

Adjourned  one  week,  to  July  11th. 

Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  Jos.  Breck  &  Co.,  a  variety  of  herbaceous 
plants,  double  anemonies,  &c.  From  W.  Quant,  six  plants  in  pots,  includ- 
ing Achimenes  and  Vinca  alba.  From  D.  Crowley,  two  plants  of  Veronica 
speciosa.     Bouquets  and  cut  flowers,  from  P.  Barnes,  W.  Meller,  and  W. 

B.  Richards. 

Fruit:  From  W.  Quant,  two  very  superior  green-fleshed  Persian  melons, 
exceedingly  rich  and  delicious.  From  Josiah  Richardson,  Hovey's  Seed- 
ling strawberries.  From  O.  Johnson,  four  boxes  of  extra  fine.  Black  Tar- 
tarian cherries.  From  F.  Tudor,  Nahant,  a  large  basket  of  Hovey's  Seed- 
ling strawberries.  From  C.  Newhall,  a  large  basket  of  very  fine  Knevet's 
Giant  raspberries.  From  Messrs.  Winship,  Fastolft'  raspberries.  From  I. 
Fay,  two  baskets  of  his  strawberry,  which,  the  committee  state,  "were 
large,  but  lacked  in  flavor."  From  George  Walsh,  New  large  black  Bi- 
garreau  cherries.  From  W.  Jenney,  two  boxes  and  a  large  dish  of  Jen- 
ney's  Seedling  strawberry,  which  the  committee  pronounce  "  extremely 
rich."  In  a  former  report  they  considered  them  very  inferior,  but  the  spec- 
imens came  to  hand  in  poor  order,  having  been  gathered  when  the  fruit  was  wet. 

July  nth. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day, — the 
President  in  the  chair. 

Several  copies  of  a  treatise  on  the  Grape  and  Strawberry,  by  Mr.  Long- 
worth,  were  presented  by  Mr.  Ernst,  and  the  thanks  of  the  Society  were 
voted  for  the  same. 

The  following  members  wars  admitted  : — 

Thomas  Groom,  Franklin  King,  and  D.  S.  Greenough,  Dorchester;  S. 
H.  Cleaveland,  Freeman  Fisher,  Lewis  Bullard,  J.  W.  Mandell,  H.  S. 
Waldo,  Dorrance  Davis,  John  Fassell,  and  William  Seaver,  Roxbury  ; 
Lewis  Davenport,  Henry  Liversedge,  and  Thomas  Liversedge,  Milton  ;  D. 

C.  Baker,  Lynn ;  B.  G.  Loring,  Kimball  Gibson,  Harvey  D.  Parker,  Hen- 
ry Robins,  Theodore  N.  Hall,  J.  M.  Blaney,  Cyrus  W.  Jones,  B.  C. 
White,  S.  A.  Elliott,  and  George  H.  Gray,  Boston. 

J.  A.  Wight,  Chicago,  111.,  and  Louis  Van  Houtte,  Ghent,  Belgium, 
were  elected  corresponding  members. 

Adjourned  four  weeks,  to  August  1st. 

Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  six  plants  of  Gloxin- 
ias, viz. : — rilbra,  macrophylla  variegata,  two  seedlings,  and  the  rare  Car- 
tint  and  tubiflora  ;  also,  Aquil^gia  Skinneri,  Potentilla  Murrayana  and  Bar- 
ratu,  and  other  flowers.  From  Messrs.  Winship,  a  fine  cluster  of  Perpetu- 
al pink  rose,  having  twenty-six  full  blown  flowers  ;  also,  Yucca  filamentosa, 
and  other  flowers.     From  W.  Meller,  a  fine  display  of  seedling  Picotees, 

Vol.  XII. — NO.  V.  41 


322  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

some  of  them  very  fine  ;  also,  dahlias  and  other  flowers.  From  Messrs. 
Walker  &  Co.,  several  very  good  dahlias,  and  a  variety  of  perennial  and 
other  flovi^ers.  Bouquets  and  cut  flowers,  from  J.  Breck  &  Co.,Wm.  Ken- 
rick,  Mr.  Warren,  W.  B.  Richards,  T.  Needham,  John  llovey,  James 
Nugent,  and  R.  West. 

The  following  premiums  were  awarded  : — 

Plants  in  Pots. — To  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  for  six  fine  Gloxinias,  a 
premium  of  $2. 

Bouquets  and  Designs. — To  R.  West,  for  a  design,  a  gratuity  of  $  1. 
To  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  for  a  bouquet,  a  gratuity  of  $  1. 

Fruit:  From  O.  Johnson,  very  fine  specimens  of  Black  Tartarian,  and 
Bigarreau  Napoleon  cherries.  From  J.  F.  Allen,  Black  Hamburgh,  Wil- 
mot's  New  Black  Hamburgh,  (fine,)  Zinfindal,  Black  Portugal,  and  Bar  Sur 
Aube  grapes.  From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  fine  FastolfF  raspberries. 
From  E.  E.  Bradshaw,  five  boxes  of  Franconia  raspberries,  and  two  of 
gooseberries.  From  C.  Newhall,  two  boxes  of  Knevet's  Giant,  and 
branches  of  Nottingham  Scarlet  raspberries.  From  A.  McLennan,  two 
boxes  of  fine  gooseberries.  From  S.  and  G.  Hyde,  two  boxes  Seedling 
cherries,  and  a  variety,  supposed  the  Black  Tartarian.  From  Jonathan 
French,  Roxbury,  gooseberries.  From  Messrs.  Winship,  Franconia  rasp- 
berries. From  John  Gordon,  Brighton,  four  boxes  of  fine  gooseberries. 
From  John  Hovey,  gooseberries.  From  Mr.  Warren,  Fastolfl^  and  Fran- 
conia raspberries,  and  Honey  heart  and  Transparent  cherries.  From  J. 
Stickney,  Seedling  cherries.  From  George  Walsh,  Seedling  cherries. 
From  A.  D.  Williams,  Red  and  White  Dutch  currants,  Elkhorn  and  Down- 
er's late  Red  cherries,  and  Franconia  raspberries. 

Vegetables  :  From  A.  D.  Williams,  very  fine  Blood  beets.  Turnip-rooted 
do.,  cabbages,  carrots  and  potatoes.  From  W.  Quant,  six  fine  heads  of 
Royal  Cape  lettuce,  and  twelve  tomatoes.  From  A.  McLennan,  six  heads 
of  Royal  Cape  lettuce. 

July  I8lh.  Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  the  President  of  the  Society, 
two  good  specimens  of  JLilium  lancifolium  album,  and  three  seedlings,  similar 
to  speciosum  ;  also,  six  pots  of  Gloxinias,  including  the  fine  Cartoni,  Gladi- 
olus Christianus,  a  very  splendid  variety,  with  white  stripe  in  the  upper 
petals,  and  six  pots  of  Achimenes.  From  Messrs.  Winship,  magnificent 
specimens  of  Yucca  filamenlosa  and  gloriosa,  with  other  flowers.  From  J. 
Breck  &  Co.,  several  new  and  fine  phloxes,  among  which  were  picta.  Van 
Houtten,  Charles,  nympheea  alba,  Artabanes,  alba  Kermesina,  &c.,  with  a 
variety  of  liliums,  cut  flowers,  picotee  pinks  and  bouquets.  From  D.  Crow- 
ley, a  fine  display  of  double  hollyhocks.  From  A.  McLennan,  a  fine  bou- 
quet of  double  balsams. 

From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  a  fine  specimen  of  the  Passiflora  fragrans, 
new,  beautiful,  and  highly  fragrant ;  Thunbergza  chrysops,  and  Ipomeea 
Learw  ;  also,  carnations  and  picotee  pinks,  in  great  variety.  From  Hon.  J. 
S.  Cabot,  several  fine  herbaceous  plants,  among  which  were  Gaillardm  pic- 
ta coccinea,  coronata  and  sanguiuea.  Clematis  Sieboldn'  and  HendersoniV, 
Phlox  bicolor,  Donckelaerii,  alba  Kermesina,  Nimrod  and  Charles,  with  sev- 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  323 

eral  other  new  and  fine  perennial  flowers.  From  Dr.  T.  M.  Harris,  Phlox 
picta.  From  T.  Needham,  a  fine  Phlox  Van  Houtteti,  and  other  flowers. 
From  Mr.  Warren,  carnations  and  picotees,  bouquets,  water  lilies,  Gladio- 
lus gandav6nsis,  and  other  flowers.  A  fine  seedling  white  verbena,  from 
Capt.  Geo.  Lee.  From  Walker  «.V.  Co.,  carnations  and  picotees,  and  a  va- 
riety of  other  flowers.  From  P.  Barnes,  two  fine  specimens  of  Agapan- 
thus  urabellatus,  dahlias,  and  a  variety  of  other  flowers.  From  W.  Meller, 
a  fine  show  of  carnations,  seedling  picotees,  and  other  flowers.  Cut  flow- 
ers, bouquets,  dahlias,  &c.,  from  W.  B.  Richards,  John  Hovey,  R.  West, 
W.  Kenrick,  and  Edward  Lewis. 

The  following  premiums  were  awarded  : — 

Plants  i.Nf  Pots. — To  the  President  of  the  Society,  for  Japan  lilies, 
Gladiolus  Christianus,  &c.,  a  gratuity  of  $3. 

Bouquets. — To  R.  West,  for  the  best  bouquet,  a  premium  of  $2. 
To  Wm.  Kenrick,  for  the  second  best  bouquet,  a  premium  of  $  1. 

Hollyhocks. — To  D.  Crowley,  for  the  best  display,  a  premium  of  $3. 

Carnations  and  Picotees. — To  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  for  the  best  eight 
flowers,  a  premium  of  $5. 
To  Jos.  Breck  &  Co.,  for  the  second  best,  a  premium  of  $4. 
To  W.  Meller,  for  the  best  display,  a  premium  of  $  3. 
To  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  for  seedling  picotees,  a  gratuity  of  $2. 

Fruits  :  From  J.  F.  Allen,  of  Salem,  four  boxes  of  Sweet  Montmorency 
cherries,  fine  and  delicious ;  also,  Franconia  raspberries  ;  six  varieties  of 
peaches,  viz. :  Early  Crawford,  Kenrick's  Orange,  Grosse  Mignonne,  New 
Jersey  Grosse  MignonneC?),  Tippecanoe(')  and  Noblesse.  Nectarine,  Vio- 
lette  Hative ;  also,  six  varieties  of  grapes,  viz.  :  Wilmot's  New  Black 
Hamburg,  berries  large,  highly  colored,  and  fine  flavor  ;  White  Frontignan, 
Black  Hamburg,  Zinfindal,  Black  Prolific,  and  Chasselas  Bar  Sur  Aube. 
From  Hon.  J.  S.  Cabot,  good  specimens  of  Amire  Joannet  pears.  From 
Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  Chapman's  Early  pear,  a  new  variety,  similar  to  the 
Amire  Joannet,  but  higher  flavored.  From  F.  W.  Macondry,  Sharp's 
Seedling  peaches,  and  a  variety  without  name  ;  also,  Brown  Turkey  figs. 

From  O.  Johnson,  four  boxes  of  very  fine  White  Dutch  currants.  From 
A.  McLennan,  fine  gooseberries,  and  a  Persian  melon.  From  E.  E.  Brad- 
shaw,  Franconia  raspberries.  From  A.  D.  Williams,  four  boxes  of  fine 
White  Dutch  currants.  From.  Mr.  Warren,  Franconia  raspberries,  and 
Seedling  cherries,  called  Honeyheart  and  Transparent, 

Vegetables  :  From  A.  D.  Williams,  tomatoes,  carrots,  and  potatoes. 
From  Thomas  Needham,  cucumbers,  extra  size.  From  Jeremiah  Macarty, 
three  heads  of  cauliflowers. 

July  25th.  Exhibited. — Flowers :  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  exhibited  six 
pots  of  Japan  lilies,  four  of  L.  lancifolium  album,  and  two  of  L.  lancifoli- 
um  rubrum  ;  the  tallest  of  the  white  ones  mensured  seven  feet,  and  one  of 
the  plants  had  four  stems,  with  upwards  of  thirty  buds  and  flowers  ;  the 
crimson  ones  had  six  flowers  open  on  one,  and  four  on  the  other;  also,  a 
cut  flower  of  roseum,  very  new  and  rare,  and  four  pans  of  achimenes,  viz.  : 
longiflora,  rosea,  grandiflora,  and  picta,  the  latter  two  feet  high.     From 


324  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Messrs.  Winship,  a  very  pretty  bouquet,  composed,  mostly,  of  white  and 
purple  phloxes.  From  Messrs.  Walker  &  Co.,  dahlias  in  variety,  and 
other  flowers. 

From  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  sixteen  bouquets,  and  a  variety  of  other  flow- 
ers. From  R.  West,  Salem,  a  design  of  flowers.  From  P.  Barnes,  two 
pans  of  well  grown  achimenes, — longiflora,  and  grandiflora  ;  also,  fine  hol- 
lyhocks, and  other  flowers.  From  R.  M.  Copeland,  a  plant  of  Eugen/a 
australis.  From  Brack  &  Co.,  double  hollyhocks,  a  fine  specimen  of  Mili- 
um sup6rbum,  and  other  cut  flowers.  Bouquets  and  cut  flowers,  from  S. 
Crosby,  Jas.  Nugent,  T.  Motley,  Jr.,  Wm.  Doyle,  W.  Kenrick,  W.  Man- 
dell,  W.  Meller,  John  Hovey,  W.  B.  Richards,  and  others. 

Premiums  were  awarded  as  follows  : — 

Plants  in  Pots. — To  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  for  fine  specimens  of  Japan 
lilies,  a  gratuity  of  $  3. 

Bouquets  and  Designs. — To  R.  West,  for  a  design  of  flowers,  a  gra- 
tuity of  $1. 
To  Messrs.  Winship,  for  a  fine  bouquet,  a  premium  of  $  2. 
To  W.  Kenrick,  for  the  second  best  bouquet,  a  premium  of  $  1. 

Fruit :  From  John  F.  Allen,  Citron  des  Carmes  pears,  four  boxes  of  ex- 
tra fine  raspberries,  two  dishes  of  very  fine  peaches,  viz.  :  Crawford's  Early 
and  Yellow  Rareripe  ;  superb  specimens  of  Elruge  nectarines  ;  also,  a  dish 
of  Violette  Hative  ;  ripe  Black  figs  ;  Black  Prolific,  Ferral,  Red  Chasselas, 
Grizzly  Frontignan,  Black  Hamburg,  (fine,)  Golden  Chasselas,  (very  fine 
berries,)  Red  Traminer,  Esperione,  Chasselas  Bar  Sur  Aube,  Zinfindal, 
Verdelho,  Aleppo,  and  White  Frontignan  grapes. 

From  O.  Johnson,  Black  Hamburg  and  Zinfindal  grapes.  From  Cheever 
Newhall,  a  box  of  very  fine  blackberries,  and  a  box  of  Knevet's  Giant  rasp- 
berries. From  E.  E.  Bradshaw,  four  boxes  of  Franconia  raspberries. 
From  Capt.  F.  W.  Macondry,  a  dish  of  fine  peaches,  variety  Sharp's  Seed- 
ling ;  also,  a  dish  of  large  figs,  not  quite  ripe. 

Fastolfl"  raspberries,  by  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  From  J.  L.  L.  F.  War- 
ren, six  boxes  of  Franconia  raspberries.  From  Aaron  D.  Williams,  two 
boxes  of  Red,  and  two  boxes  of  White  Dutch  currants.  From  D.  S. 
Greenough,  Roxbury,  Citron  des  Carmes  pears.  Seedling  gooseberries, 
and  early  Harvest  apples,  by  John  Hovey.  From  Mr.  Wheildon,  Concord, 
Persian  melon.  From  A..  McLennan,  two  Persian  melons.  From  Wm. 
Quant,  two  Persian  melons. 

Vegetables:  From  W.  B.Williams,  endive.  From  A.  D.  Williams, 
cabbages  and  carrots.  From  Henry  Poor,  specimens  of  White  Winter 
wheat,  of  an  extra  fine  quality, — grain  very  plump  and  full ;  straw  five  and 
a  half  feet  high. 


Answers  to  Correspondents.  325 


Art.  IV.     Ansioers  to  Correspondents. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  present  volume,  it  was  our  intention  to  give 
notice  to  our  correspondents  and  subscribers,  of  the  introduction  of  an  article 
in  every  number,  under  this  head  This  was  intended  for  various  reasons  ; 
one  of  the  greatest  of  which  was,  that  hundreds  of  letters  are  constantly  re- 
ceived, making  all  kinds  of  inquiries  relative  to  Horticultural  operations. 
To  devote  a  letter  to  each  required  more  time  than  we  had  to  spare,  and  the 
answer  would  only  benefit  the  one  who  proposed  the  question.  To  aid  our 
friends,  and  at  the  same  time  confer  the  greatest  benefit  on  all,  as  one  an- 
swer may  suit  a  hundred  individuals,  this  mode  of  reply  occurred  to  us,  and  we 
now  have  the  pleasure  of  offering  our  first  article.  Notwithstanding  this 
number  contains  an  extra  sheet,  we  find  ourselves  so  short  of  room,  that 
several  questions  must  remain  unanswered  till  our  next. 

Dahlias. — XX. — No  remedy,  that  we  are  aware  of,  has  been  discovered 
for  the  fly  which  destroys  the  dahlia.  We  have  ourselves  tried  various 
things,  such  as  tobacco  water,  snuff,  and  oil  soap,  but  we  could  not  see  that 
they  had  any  effect.  We  now  intend  to  try  a  little  guano,  dusted  over  the 
ends  of  the  shoots.  Its  effect  we  will  give  an  account  of,  after  the  experi- 
ment has  been  fully  tried. 

Fuchsias. — A  Subscriber. — It  is  difficult  to  designate  the  best  six  fuchsias, 
but,  taking  into  consideration  all  the  qualities,  such  as  broad  and  handsome 
foliage,  a  free,  blooming  habit,  and  easy  culture,  we  can  recommend  Defi- 
ance, Chauviern,  Miller's  Queen  Victoria,  exoni6nsis,  majestica,  and  ex- 
pansa. 

Guano. — /.  W.  W. — The  best  mode  of  applying  guano  to  plants  in  the 
open  ground,  is  in  the  dry  state,  just  before  a  shower  ;  the  earth  should  then 
be  drawn  away  to  the  depth  of  an  mch,  and  the  guano  dusted  on  ;  the  earth 
should  thea  be  covered  over  the  guano,  and  in  this  way  the  ammonia  is  pre- 
vented from  immediate  evaporation.  An  Amateur. — The  proper  quantity 
for  a  prairie  rose,  which  has  been  set  out  the  present  year,  is  about  a  table 
spoonful,  once  a  month,  or  half  that  quantity  every  fortnight,  according  to 
the  weather, — its  application  being  of  no  benefit  unless  succeeded  by  rain, 
or  a  liberal  watering. 

Strawberries. — L. — We  know  nothing  more  about  the  Black  Prince, 
than  that  the  London  Horticultural  Society  class  it  in  the  last  edition  of 
their  catalogue,  as  loorthless.  As  the  other  varieties  which  are  so  desig- 
nated are  not  improved  by  our  climate,  we  presume  there  is  no  exception. 
Some  persons  call  the  Methven  first  rate.  The  Swainston  has  been  grown 
about  Boston  these  four  years,  and  has  been  proved  to  be  wholly  unworthy 
of  general  cultivation.     A  notice  of  it  is  postponed  to  our  next. 

Some  queries  remain  unanswered  until  our  next.  In  the  mean  time  we 
invite  our  readers  to  send  us  any  questions  upon  subjects  on  which  they 
need  information.      V.  Alwood,  is  received,  and  will  be  replied  to. 


326 


Paneuil  Hall  Market. 


Art.  V.     Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Roots,  Tubers,  tf-c 
Potatoes,  new 
Chenangoes 


per  barrel, 
per  bushel, 


/-•      ™  's  per  barrel, 

Common,....  J  j^g^  bushel, 

Turnirs  :  new,  per  bunch,    . 

Onions  : 
New  While, per  bunch, 
Rareripes,  per  bunch,   . 

Beets,  per  bunch,    .     .     . 

Carrots,  per  bunch,     .     . 

Garlic,  per  bunch,  .     .     . 

Cabbages,  Salads,  <|'c. 

Cabbages,  per  doz.  : 

Early  York, 

Early  Dutch, 

Drumhead, 

Green  Globe  Savoy,      .     . 
Cauliflowers,  each,      .     . 
Lettuce,  per  head,  .... 
Rhuliarb,  per  jiound,  .     .     . 
Peas  :  per  bushel, 

Marrowfat,  extra,     .     .     . 

Marrowfat,  common,    . 
String  Beans,  per  peck  : 

Cranberry  dwarf,     .     .     . 

Common, 

Shell  beans,  per  quart : 

China  dwarf, 

Corn,  per  dozen  ears  : 

Early  while, 

Sweet,  . 

Cucumbers,  (pickled)  pr.  gal 
Peppers,  (picided)  per  gal.  . 

Pot  and  Sweet  Herbs. 

Parsley,  per  half  peck,     . 
Sage,  per  pound,     .     .     . 
Marjorum,  per  hunch, 
Savory,  per  hunch,      .     . 
Spearmirit,  per  bunch. 

Squashes  and  Pumpkins. 

Squashes: 

Summer  bush,  per  doz. 
Summer  crookneck,  pr.  dz. 


From 
S$  cts. 

2  00 

1   00 

1   50 

50 

4 

3 

4 


50 
50 
75 
75 
25 
3 
2 

I  00 


25 
20 

12 
25 
37* 


12i 

17 


To 
Sots. 

2  25 

1   75 

75 

6 

6 
6 
6 
6 
10 


75 

75 

1  00 

I   GO 


33 


20 

12^ 

12i 


17 
25 


Pruits. 

Apples, dessert  and  cooking 

Early  harvest,  per  bushel 

Early  bough,  per  bu.^hel, 

Early  sour,  per  bushel. 

Common,  per  barrel,    . 

Dried  Apples,  per  pound. 
Pears,  per  half  peck  : 

Citron  des  Cannes, 

Jargonelle,      .... 

Windsor  or  Bell,      .     . 

Sugar  top, 

Common, 

Plums,  per  quart : 

Early, 

Peaches  : 

Forced,  per  dozen,   .     . 

Common,  per  half  peck. 
Nectarines,  per  dozen, 
Whortleberries,  per  quart. 
Blackberries,  per  quart,    . 
Black  Mulberries   ))er  box. 
Currants,  per  quart : 

Red, 

White, 

Black, 

Rnspberries,  per  quart. 
Gooseberries,  (ripe,)  per 
Watermelons,  each,     . 
Mnskmelons,  each, 
Cucumbers: 

Small,  per  dozen,     . 
Tomatoes,  per  half  peck 
Grapes,  (forced,)  per  lb. 

Black  Hamburg, 

Sweet  water,        .     . 

Muscats,     .... 

Other  sorts,  .  .  . 
Fresh  Figs,  per  dozen, 
Oranijes,  per  doz. 

St. "Michael's,      .     . 

Havana,    .... 

Sicily,        .... 

Sicily,  per  !iox,  .  . 
Lemons,  per  doz.  .  . 
Pine  Apples,  each, 
(jhestnuls,  per  bushel, 
Wabuits,  per  bushel,  . 
Cocoanuts,  per  hundred, 


qt. 


From 
S  cts. 


To 
$  cts. 


1  50 
1  50 
1  00  !l  25 
3  00  3  50 
10 

75 

50 

50 

37-i!     — 

37|j     — 

37^1     50 


2  00 

1  00  i 

2  00  : 
10  i 
17  ! 
25   j 

6 

6 
10   I 
37^ 
12^1 
20 
»2i 

12^1 
50   I 

75 
50 
I  00 
75 
50 

25 

37 

3  50 
17 
25 

1   50 

4  00 


:2  00 


25 


50 


75 
25 


25 


1  00 

75 

1  25 

1  00 

75 

37 

50 

4  00 

20 

37i 

1  75 

4  50 

Remarks. — July,  though  quite  warm  in  the  early  part,  has,  on  the 
whole,  been  a  cool  and  partially  cloudy  month,  with  more  East  winds  than 
are  often  experienced  so  late  in  the  season  ;  considerable  rain  has  also 
fallen,  and  probably  vegetation  has  never  been  in  a  more  vigorous  and  ex- 
cellent condition.  Fruit  promises  well,  and  early  sorts  are  already  abund- 
ant. Nothing  has  yet  been  seen  of  the  potato  rot,  and  early  crops  have 
been  gathered  perfectly  clean  ;  it  remains  to  be  seen  whether  later  ones  will 
suffer  or  not. 

Vegetables. — Potatoes  have  come  in  plentifully  since  our  last,  and  prices 


Horticultural  Memoranda.  327 

have  now  receded  considerably  ;  old  are  entirely  gone.  Turnips  are  abund- 
ant, and  a  variety,  probably  the  red-top  flat,  appears  to  be  in  good  request, 
and  marketers  are  introducing  it  into  their  grounds.  Onions  are  plentiful 
for  the  season,  and  the  fall  crop  look  finely.  Horseradish  is  now  out  of 
season.  Radishes  are  done.  Cabbages  are  abundant  and  good,  of  both  the 
early  and  late  sorts  ;  very  handsome  and  well  filled  drumheads  and  Savoys 
have  come  to  hand.  Scarcely  any  Brocolis  or  Cauliflowers  have  yet  come 
to  hand.  Lettuce  plentiful  and  fine.  Rhubarb  abundant,  but  the  demand  is 
nearly  over  now  that  fruit  has  come  in.  Peas  are  on  the  decline,  but  some 
good  lots  occasionally  come  in.  Beans  are  abundant,  and  good  shelled 
Cranberries  are  in  request.  Corn  is  brought  in,  but  the  stock  is  yet  limited. 
Squashes  are  more  plentiful,  and  the  supply  from  the  vicinity.  West 
Indies  are  now  all  gone. 

Fruit. — The  fruit  market  has  been  well  supplied  for  the  season  ;  at  least 
300  barrels  of  apples  are  daily  received  from  New  York,  of  the  various 
early  sorts  common  to  that  market ;  from  the  vicinity  a  few  fine  Early  har- 
vests have  come  to  hand,  and  a  few  Juneeatings ;  Dried  apples  have  ad- 
vanced to  a  high  rate.  Pears  very  abundant ;  from  New  York  large  quan- 
tities of  the  Sugar  top.  Jargonelle  and  Bell  pear  (Windsor)  are  daily  re- 
ceived. A  few  plums  from  the  vicinity  have  just  come  to  hand.  Peaciies 
from  New  Jersey  have  also  made  their  appearance,  but  they  are  yet  small 
and  rather  inferior  ;  good  forced  ones  yet  sell  freely.  Currants  are  plenti- 
ful ;  but  the  greater  portion  being  reds,  the  price  of  whites  has  slightly 
advanced.  Raspberries  are  nearly  gone  ;  but  there  has  been  a  good  supply. 
Whurltleberries  and  Blackberries  are  abundant  and  excellent.  Water- 
melons and  Muskmelons,  the  former  from  A'irginia,  are  now  received  in  con- 
siderable quantities,  and  prices  take  a  great  range  according  to  size.  Toma- 
toes are  now  received  from  New  York  in  abundance.  Grapes  are  now 
quite  plentiful,  and  the  best  Black  Hamburgs  scarcely  command  our  highest 
quotations;  there  has  also  been  a  good  supply  of  Muscats  and  other  sorts. 
Oranges  are  scarce  and  prices  high.  Pine  apples  are  rather  short,  and,  in 
the  absence  of  new  arrivals,  prices  have  reached  a  high  rale  for  the  sea- 
son.—  Yours,  M.  T.,  Boston,  July  29th,  1846. 


HORTICULTURAL    MEMORANDA 

FOR    AUGUST. 


FRUIT    DEPARTMENT. 

Grape  Vines. — In  early  vineries  and  greenhouses  the  grapes  will  now 
begin  to  color,  and  by  the  latter  part  of  the  month  will  be  nearly  ripe  ;  give 
an  abundance  of  air  now,  and  keep  a  dryer  temperature ;  as  soon  as  the 
berries  are  all  evenly  colored,  leave  on  some  air  during  the  night,  and  dis- 
continue wetting  the  walks.     The  wood  must  now  be  attended  to,  in  order 


328  Horticultural  Memoranda. 

that  it  may  be  well  ripened  ;  continue  to  nip  off  all  laterals  to  the  first  bud 
from  whence  it  starts.  In  cold  houses  now  is  a  critical  time  ;  be  on  the 
look  out  for  mildew,  and  if  any  appears  immediately  syringe  with  sulphur 
water  ;  give  air  betimes  and  close  up  early  in  the  afternoon  ;  avoid  sudden 
changes  of  temperature,  and  there  will  be  but  little  danger.  Keep  the 
floors  well  damped  in  good  weather,  as  it  will  aid  in  swelling  up  the  fruit. 
Vines  in  pots  should  be  watered  freely,  and  if  of  a  proper  height,  topped,  in 
order  to  swell  up  the  wood  plump  and  round,  and  strengthen  the  buds. 
Vines  in  the  open  air  will  continue  to  need  topping  as  the  new  buds  break 
out.     Keep  the  bearing  wood  tied  in. 

Strawberry  beds  may  be  made  this  month,  commencing  about  the  20th. 
Prepare  the  ground  at  least  two  weeks  beforehand,  and  it  will  be  all  the 
better  for  the  plants.     Select  the  strongest  runners. 

Budding  cherry,  plum  and  pear  trees  should  be  continued  and  finished  as 
soon  as  possible. 

Raspberries  should  have  all  the  old  wood  cut  out  as  soon  as  done  bearing. 

Pruning  and  slaking  all  kinds  of  young  fruit  trees  should  now  be  at- 
tended to. 

FLOWER    DEPARTMENT. 

Dahlias  should  now  be  pruned  about  once  a  week,  cutting  out  all  the 
small  laterals,  and  tying  up  only  one  main  stem  ;  the  weather  has  continued 
favorable,  and  the  fall  bloom  promises  well. 

Pelargoniums  should  now  be  repotted,  shaking  off  the  old  soil  and  placing 
them  in  the  same  sized  pots. 

Tree  pcronies  should  be  grafted  in  the  early  part  of  the  month. 

Camellias  should  be  grafted  this  month.  The  old  plants  should  also  be 
repotted  if  not  done  before.     Inarchings  in  May  should  now  be  cut  off. 

Chrysanthemums  may  be  repotted  and  watered  with  liquid  guano  occa- 
sionally- 

Orange  and  lemons  should  be  budded  this  month. 

O'xahs  Bowiei  may  be  potted  now  and  the  plants  will  bloom  in  September. 

Chinese  primroses  may  now  be  shifted  into  larger  pots. 

Salvia  splendens  should  now  be  propagated  from  cuttings  for  next  winter's 
stock. 

Heliotropes  for  a  winter's  stock  should  be  propagated  now. 

Roses  may  yet  be  layered  ;  budding  may  also  yet  be  done. 

Fuchsias,  if  large  specimens  are  wanted,  should  be  repotted  again. 

Nemophila  insignis,  schizanthuses ,  and  other  annuals  for  blooming  in  the 
greenhouse  should  now  be  sown. 

Perpetual  violets  should  now  be  shifted  in  order  to  have  strong  plants  for 
blooming  in  winter. 

Pansy  seed  may  yet  be  sown  in  beds. 

Scarlet  geraniums  should  now  be  propagated  for  next  year's  stock. 

Aloysia  citriodora  should  now  be  shifted  so  as  to  have  the  plants  strong 
before  winter. 

Petunias  for  flowering  in  winter  should  now  be  propagated  from  cuttings 

Gloxinias  should  now  be  propagated  from  the  leaves. 


THE  MAGAZINE 


OF 


HORTICULTURE. 


SEPTEMBER,  1846. 


ORIGINAL   COMMUNICATIONS. 

Art.  I.  Notes  of  a  Visit  to  several  Gardens  in  the  Vicinity 
of  Washingtoti,  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  and  New  York, 
in  October,  1845.     By  the  Editor. 

(  Concluded  from  page  285 . ) 

New  York,  October  2Ath. — We  presented  some  notes  on  the 
gardens  in  the  city,  at  the  time  of  our  last  tour,  in  1843,  and 
in  consequence  of  the  lateness  of  the  month,  we  found  it  im- 
possible to  give  many  of  our  amateur  friends  another  visit. 
We  had,  principally,  to  confine  ourselves  to  a  hurried  trip 
among  the  Flushing  nurserymen. 

Murray  Hill  Nursery. — We  found  Mr.  Reid's  excellent 
establishment  undergoing  quite  a  demolition.  The  city  cor- 
poration, in  the  rapid  strides  of  improvement,  had  laid  out 
several  streets  through  the  grounds,  and  our  egress  to  the  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  nursery  was  over  fences,  and  newly 
ploughed-up  roads,  among  rocks,  and  through  sand  and  grav- 
el. Whole  squares  of  trees  had  been  moved  off  the  ground, 
and  Mr.  Reid  was  preparing  to  remove  others,  in  anticipation 
of  more  new  streets  to  be  graded  and  opened.  It  reminded  us 
of  the  appearance  of  Mr,  Hogg's  premises,  before  his  removal 
to  Yorkville.  Mr.  Reid  has  a  fine  nursery  in  New  Jersey, 
Avhich  he  has  already  well  filled  with  trees,  and  from  whence 
he  expects  to  receive  his  stock  to  fill  his  orders. 

Since  our  last  visit,  in  the  autumn  of  18-12,  Mr.  Reid  has 
built  a  handsome  dwelling-house,  and  we  were  gratified  to 
find  that  the  industry  and  energy  of  the  proprietor  has  been 
so  well  repaid  by  his  many  customers,  as  to  enable  him  to 
erect  such  a  commodious  and  handsome  dwelling. 

VOL.  XII. — NO.  IX.  42 


330  Notes  of  a   Visit  to  several  Gardens. 

Mr.  Reid's  stock  had  been  tolerably  well  reduced  by  a  good 
demand  for  trees,  and  especially  of  fruit.  The  collection  of 
pears  embraces  most  of  the  good  sorts,  and  Mr.  Reid  is  con- 
stantly making  additions  of  all  such  as  have  proved  really 
fine. 

The  prominent  object  we  found  here  was  the  weeping  peach, 
of  which  we  gave  an  account  at  the  period  of  our  last  visit, 
(Vol.  IX.  p.  45.)  At  that  time,  Mr.  Reid  had  not  propagated 
the  plants  for  sale;  he  subsequently  sent  plants  to  England, 
where  it  is  now  offered  for  sale  in  some  of  the  principal  col- 
lections. It  is  a  great  novelty,— possessing  a  handsome  broad 
leaf,  and  a  drooping  habit,  equal  to  tliat  of  the  ash ;  we  are 
not  aware  whether  it  has  produced  fruit,  or  what  may  be  the 
quality,  but  as  an  ornamental  tree,  only,  it  is  a  great  acquisi- 
tion. 

Of  ornamental  trees,  the  Murray  Hill  Nursery  possesses  a 
good  stock ;  the  deciduous  cypress  stands  here  very  well,  but  in 
some  severe  winters  the  branches  are  more  or  less  killed. 
Chinese  Arbor  Vitaes  are  raised  in  quantities,  from  seeds, 
which  are  sown  in  boxes,  where  they  are  allowed  to  stand  till 
they  get  three  or  four  inches  high,  when  they  are  transplanted 
into  beds.  Magnolia  glauca,  and  other  trees,  are  also  raised 
from  seeds. 

With  the  exception  of  the  disorder,  consequent  upon  the 
work  of  the  city  corporation,  the  nursery  Avas  in  very  excel- 
lent condition. 

Garden  of  Mr.  Monck. — The  demand  for  many  kinds  of 
plants  in  New  York,  such  as  heliotropes,  roses,  rose  gerani- 
ums, salvias,  begonias,  &c.,  is  very  great,  and  no  one  contri- 
butes a  greater  supply  than  Mr.  Monck.  His  houses  are  erected 
with  a  view  to  growing  strong  and  stocky  plants,  and,  com- 
bined with  his  good  knowledge  of  cultivation,  he  succeeds 
most  admirably.  Another  object  is  to  supply  fine  bouquets  of 
flowers  throughout  the  year,  particularly  in  the  winter  season, 
and  we  were  struck,  at  the  time  of  our  visit,  with  a  display  of 
roses  in  such  a  flowering  condition ;  we  particularly  allude  to 
those  in  pots,  of  which  one  low  house  was  nearly  filled  with  fine 
specimens  of  the  Cramoisie  superieure,  or  Agrippina,  as  it  is 
often  erroneously  called.  The  rose  geraniums,  too,  were  in 
great  vigor,  with  very  large  leaves,  and  of  deep  color;    in 


NeiD  York.  331 

many  collections,  the  old  rose  geranium  is  often  seen  in  a 
weak  and  spindling  condition,  with  leaves  hardly  large  enough 
to  identify  the  kind.  To  grow  it  handsomely,  continued  shift- 
ing we  believe  to  be  injurious ;  one  good  potting  is  enough, 
and  then  disrooting  should  be  sparingly  done. 

In  the  rose  house,  the  roses  were  in  fine  bloom,  and  among 
the  new  ones,  Opliire  was  a  prominent  object.  Noticing  some 
very  fine  specimens  of  the  old  yellow  tea,  Mr.  Monck  informed 
us  that  he  had  succeeded  in  producing  these  fine  specimens 
by  budding  on  the  yellow  Banksian  rose,  which  we  some 
time  since  alluded  to.  No  other  stock  seems  to  suit  it; 
on  its  own  roots  it  is  always  a  weak  growing  plant,  and  on 
the  Boursault,  Indica  major,  or  Dog  rose,  it  does  not  grow 
freely ;  but  when  worked  upon  the  yellow  Banksian,  it  push- 
es up  shoots  with  the  kindness  and  vigor  of  the  strongest 
growing  Bengals.  The  same  remark  may  be  made  with  the 
Tea  Compte  de  Paris ;  though  a  most  superb  variety,  it  is 
rarely  seen  in  collections ;  this  is  owing  to  its  constitutional 
weakness,  which  it  retains  until  worked  on  the  Banksian. 
We  doubt  not  there  are  many  others  which  might  be  greatly 
improved  in  the  same  wa3^  Tea  Elize  Sauvage,  Belle  Alle- 
mande,  Safi'rano,  and  others,  are  well  worth  the  trial.  These  are 
the  important  objects  of  the  gardening  art ;  we  all  know  that 
there  are  many  kinds  of  pears  which  will  not  grow  on  the 
quince,  or,  at  least,  so  as  to  produce  any  good  results.  No 
doubt  the  same  causes  which  produce  this,  are  equally  appli- 
cable to  the  rose,  as  Avell  as  all  other  tribes  of  plants.  To  as- 
certain these  results  is  one  of  the  triumphs  of  the  gardener's 
art, — to  make  them  known  should  be  his  pride  and  aim. 

In  the  stove  we  found  a  few  new  and  pretty  plants ;  one  of 
them  was  Cestrum  diurniun,  an  evergreen  shrub,  Avith  camel- 
lia-like foliage,  and  terminal  umbels  of  the  most  delicate  tu- 
bular corols,  with  the  edges  quite  curled  over ;  it  is  slightly 
fragrant,  and  is  a  very  pretty  fiower  for  a  bouquet ;  it  needs 
a  good  heat  to  bloom  freely.  A  very  handsome  fuchsia,  called 
afFinis,  but  which  we  believe  to  be  the  F.  rddicans,  of  the  Bot. 
Reg-1  and  of  which  we  have  before  given  a  full  account,  (Vol. 
VIII.  p.  138,)  was  finely  in  bloom ;  the  foliage  is  quite  differ- 
ent from  others  of  the  family,  and  the  plant  has  a  very  strong 
and  rambling  growth,  throwing  up  shoots,  in  a  short  time,  six 


332  Notes  of  a   Visit  to  several  Gardens. 

or  eight  feet  high.  It  is  particularly  adapted  to  our  climate, 
as  its  thick,  almost  fleshy  foliage,  stands  the  sun  well,  and 
planted  out  in  the  border,  it  blooms  very  freely  all  summer. 
In  its  native  country  it  grows  rapidly,  and  climbs  up  trees, 
hanging  in  festoons  from  limb  to  limb,  forming  a  truly  beauti- 
ful object. 

In  our  first  visit  to  Mr.  Monck's,  we  noticed  some  Isabella 
vines,  which  he  was  then  inarching  with  the  best  foreign 
kinds ;  the  Isabellas  were  planted  outside  of  the  house,  and  as 
the  stems  could  not  be  easily  protected,  this  experiment  was 
tried.  It  has  succeeded  exceedingly  well;  the  vines  had  pro- 
duced good  crops,  and  they  were  now  taken  out  of  the  house, 
and  trained  along  the  front  wall. 

Dunlap  and  Thompson's  Seed  Store,  Broadioay. — The  large 
and  extensive  greenhouse,  in  the  rear  of  Messrs.  Dunlap  and 
Thompson's  store,  we  found  filled  with  large  plants,  principally 
camellias,  of  which  a  great  quantity  is  required  to  furnish  cut 
flowers,  particularly  of  the  old  double  white.  The  main 
stock  of  flowers,  especially  roses,  is  raised  at  the  garden  in 
Harlaem,  where  the  proprietors  have  several  ranges  of  pits, 
particularly  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  such  plants  as  are 
best  adapted  for  furnishing  fragrant,  as  well  as  beautiful,  flow- 
ers, for  bouquets.  Mr.  Dunlap,  in  a  recent  visit  to  Boston, 
informed  us  that  they  were  extending  their  arrangements  for 
this  object,  and  had  jusi  completed  a  new  rose  house,  to  be 
wholly  planted  with  the  very  choicest  kinds.  The  next  op- 
portunity which  oflers,  we  shall  endeavor  to  give  an  accomit 
of  the  structures  erected  at  Harlaem,  for  tliis  object,  with 
plans  of  their  construction,  &c. 

Flushing,  L.  I. — A  full  day  would  be  as  little  time  as  any 
individual  should  allot  to  himself,  to  visit  all  the  nurseries 
here,  which  now  number  six  or  eight.  Some  years  since,  the 
only  establishments  were  those  of  Messrs.  Prince  and  Blood- 
good,  but,  with  the  demand  for  trees,  others  have  sprung  up, 
and  now  six  or  more  appear  to  be  doing  a  good  business.  A 
society  has  been  organized  in  the  town,  and  the  exhibitions 
which  have  been  held,  have  been  highly  creditable  to  the 
members. 

Commercial  Gar-den  of  Messrs.  Parsons  t5*  Co. — Since  the 
autumn  of  1843,  the  proprietors  have  added  a  large  stock  to 


Flushing,  L.  I.  333 

their  establishment.  We  now  found  a  good  quantity  of  fruit 
trees,  more  particularly  of  the  peach,  cherry,  and  apple ;  pears 
being  slower  in  their  growth,  have  not  yet  been  brought  for- 
ward in  similar  quantities.  The  stock  of  ornamental  trees  is 
also  large,  and  of  good  variety.  Magnolias  raised  from  seed, 
particularly  M.  glauca,  grow  freely  and  rapidly  in  the  soil 
here,  which  is  a  good  stiff  loam.  The  Cedrus  Deodara,  Arau- 
caria  imbricata,  Paulo wma,  &c.,  have  been  planted  out,  and 
the  former,  as  well  as  the  Paulownia,  found  to  stand  the  win- 
ter of  Long  Island  without  protection.  Messrs.  Parsons  pos- 
sess a  capital  stock  of  the  Norway  spruce. 

Since  our  last  visit,  a  greenhouse  and  grapery,  one  hundred 
feet  long,  has  been  added,  and  a  span  roofed  building  for 
grapes  was  in  the  course  of  completion.  In  the  grapery,  twice 
the  number  of  vines  have  been  planted  which  will  finally  be 
allowed  to  remain,  in  order  to  test  the  correctness  of  the  kinds. 
The  building  is  heated  with  hot  water. 

The  collection  of  greenhouse  plants  is  small,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  tender  varieties  of  the  rose,  of  which  Messrs. 
Parsons  possess  an  excellent  collection,  and  they  are  constantly 
adding  the  new  kinds. 

Nursery  of  Messrs.  Valk  ^  Co. — This  establishment  is  of 
recent  commencement :  a  short  account  of  it  was  given  by  a 
correspondent,  in  a  previous  volume,  (X.  p.  19,)  and  since  that 
time,  the  proprietors  have  added  many  new  and  rare  plants  to 
the  exotic  department,  and  made  arrangements  for  the  growth 
of  trees  and  shrubs. 

The  greenhouse  is  about  two  hundred  feet  long,  and  twenty 
wide,  span  roofed,  and  built  in  the  best  manner ;  the  internal 
arrangements  consist  of  a  two  feet  shelf  against  the  front  and 
back,  with  a  walk  corresponding,  and  a  bed  in  the  centre, 
which  is  used  partly  for  peach  trees,  and  large  plants,  such  as 
camellias,  &c.  Grape  vines  are  trained  under  the  rafters,  and 
they  were  now  just  beginning  to  produce  a  small  crop.  The 
gardener  is  Mr.  Jones,  formerly  of  the  Kew  Gardens,  near 
London,  and  he  brought  with  him,  in  the  spring  of  1845, 
a  great  assortment  of  new  plants,  bat  many  of  them  did  not 
survive  the  importation. 

In  the  stove,  which  is  a  small  building  about  twenty-five 
feet  long,  we  found  a  greater  portion  of  the  new  plants,  among 


334  Notes  of  a   Visit  to  several  Gardens. 

them  the  following:  Gardenia  Stanleydwa,  Clerodendron 
splendens,  Napole6n^a  imperialis,  Achimenes  argyrostigma, 
curious,  with  leaves  spotted  with  white;  Whitfieldia  lateritia, 
Ruelha  fioribunda,  Turnera  elegans,  Gesnera  splendens,  and 
Schenedia,  Justicm  carnea,  and  MacDonnellii,  and  several 
other  rare  things.  Some  of  these  could  scarcely  be  considered 
alive,  but  with  the  good  treatment  of  Mr.  Jones,  we  hope 
they  have  all  been  saved,  and  that  we  may  soon  see  them  dis- 
tributed among  amateurs. 

The  greenhouse  was  gay  with  a  variety  of  fuchsias  and 
other  plants,  all  of  which  were  well  grown  and  in  excellent 
condition.     Messrs.  Valk  &  Co.  have  a  fine  collection  of  roses. 

The  grounds  around  the  house  are  neatly  laid  out,  and 
were  planted  with  the  most  showy  annuals,  roses,  &c.  The 
dwelling  of  the  proprietors,  which  is  an  old  mansion,  stands 
back  from  the  road,  and  the  situation  is  pleasant,  and  less 
than  a  mile  from  the  steamboat  landing.  We  hope,  at  a  fu- 
ture opportunity,  to  visit  this  place,  when  we  shall  be  less 
hurried  than  on  the  present  occasion. 

Ltinnman  Gardens  and  Nurseries,  Messrs.  W.  R.  Prince 
<^"  Co. — It  is  some  years  since  we  have  noticed  this  place; 
since  then  the  establishment  has  been  increased  by  the  occu- 
pation of  a  piece  of  ground  of  several  acres,  about  half  a  mile 
from  the  old  premises.  On  this,  a  new  greenhouse  has  been 
erected,  and  preparations  were  making  for  extending  the  nur- 
sery department. 

The  old  grounds,  near  the  residence  of  W.  R.  Prince,  were 
filled  with  trees  and  plants.  Here  v/e  saw  a  large  quantity 
of  the  Paulownia,  very  strong  and  vigorous,  some  of  them 
having  thrown  up  stems  8  feet  liigli ;  the  leaves  had  already 
fallen  from  the  effects  of  an  early  and  rather  severe  frost. 
Messrs.  Prince  have  raised  several  seedling  tree  pa3onies, 
which  have  already  been  described  in  our  pages  (X.  p.  333.) 
The  stock  has  uoav  been  sufficiently  increased  to  be  ofiered 
for  sale. 

Walking  through  the  grounds,  we  noticed  a  variety  of 
shrubs  and  trees,  of  recent  addition,  and  among  tlie  number 
the  pretty  Lonicera  Brownw,  and  Ledebouri.  The  collection 
of  roses  has  received  especial  attention,  and  the  new  varieties 
have  all  been  added.     The  collection  of  strawberries  comprises 


Flushing,  L.  I.  335 

a  great  number  of  kinds,  but  we  doubt  the  propriety  of  culti- 
vating twenty  or  thirty  sorts,  when  the  merits  of  the  whole 
are  embraced  in  two  or  three ;  strawberries  are  raised  with 
the  greatest  facility  from  seeds,  and  if  every  seedling  produced 
is  to  be  named,  our  catalogues  would  soon  be  filled  to  an  ex- 
tent exceeding  even  the  immense  varieties  of  pears.  Dr. 
Brinkle,  of  Philadelphia,  has  raised  254  kinds,  of  which  he 
has  named  and  described  upwards  of  forty !  The  London 
Horticultural  Society  have  retained  only  thirty-one  kinds  out 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty-one,  and  we  believe  that  this  num- 
ber might  be  judiciously  reduced  to  ten  in  England,  and  to 
five  in  our  climate  ;  and  we  believe  the  time  has  arrived  when 
our  cultivators  should  discard  all  seedlings  which  do  not  pos- 
sess some  'particular  merit  over  old  kinds.  Our  remarks  are 
not  intended  to  apply  to  the  collection  of  Messrs.  Prince  alone, 
but  to  all  cultivators  who  seem  to  think  that  a  strawberry, 
because  a  seedling,  should  have  a  name  and  reputation. 

In  the  spring  of  1834,  we  raised  one  thousand  seedlings. 
These  all  fruited  in  the  summer  of  1S3G,  and  at  that  time  we 
looked  over  the  bed  and  selected  more  than  foi'ty  varieties 
which  were  superior  to  the  kinds  then  generally  cultivated ; 
but  of  this  great  number  we  thought  it  quite  useless  to  save 
only  four  or  five,  which  were  particularly  remarkable,  and 
after  cultivating  these  some  time,  to  test  their  qualities,  we 
reserved  but  two,  viz :  Hovey's  Seedling,  and  the  Boston  Pine. 
It  would  only  have  made  confusion  to  have  named  about  forty 
kinds,  all  of  them  inferior  to  these. 

LinncBan  Garden  of  Messrs.  Winter  ^'  Co. — This  estab- 
lishment contains  a  portion  of  the  old  nursery  of  Messrs. 
Prince  &  Co.  The  old  greenhouses  yet  remain,  but  they  have 
been  refitted,  and  put  into  a  good  condition  for  the  plants. 
As  we  did  not  find  Mr.  Winter  at  home,  and  the  hour  of  de- 
parture for  the  boat  at  hand,  we  regretted  that  it  was  impossi- 
ble for  us  to  look  through  the  premises.  Messrs.  Winter  have 
made  great  exertions  to  extend  the  collection  of  fruit  trees,  and 
have  procured  from  Mr.  Manning,  and  other  good  sources,  the 
newest  and  best  varieties  of  fruits.  The  stock  of  ornamental 
trees  embraces  a  good  variety,  and  of  large  specimens.  The 
grounds  appeared  clean  and  well  kept. 


336  Pom.ological  Notices. 


Art.  II.  Pomological  Notices :  or  notices  respecting  new 
and  superior  fruits,  worthy  of  general  cultivation.  By  the 
Editor. 

During  the  last  year,  owing  to  the  space  devoted  to  our 
notes  of  European  gardens,  and  gardening,  we  did  not  find 
room  to  offer  our  usual  notices  of  miscellaneous  fruits.  A 
variety  of  information  has  consequently  accumulated  on  our 
hands,  and  we  now  proceed  to  continue  our  account  of  a  por- 
tion of  the  new  varieties,  both  native  and  foreign,  which  have 
recently  been  introduced  to  notice. 

Pears. — Several  new  varieties,  which  have  already  been 
fully  proved,  have  been  described  or  noticed  in  a  previous  ar- 
ticle, (p.  143.)  The  following  bear  a  high  recommendation 
abroad,  and  will,  undoubtedl}^,  prove  valuable ;  of  this,  how- 
ever, we  shall  not  omit  to  keep  our  readers  informed. 

Langelier' s  Beurre. — M.  Langelier  was  the  first  to  intro- 
duce the  Van  Mons  Leon  le  Clerc,  to  the  notice  of  cultivators ; 
the  whole  stock  was  placed  in  his  hands  for  sale,  and  it  has 
proved  equal  to  the  character  he  gave  it.  M.  Langelier  has 
now  offered  a  new  variety,  which  he  calls  Langelier's  Beurre. 
Very  sm.all  trees  sold  rapidly  last  year,  at  a  high  price,  and 
from  the  following  description,  which  we  copy  from  a  circular 
forwarded  to  us  by  M.  Langelier,  it  appears  to  possess  great 
merit.  As  our  trees  have  the  appearance  of  showing  fruit 
another  year,  we  hope  soon  to  be  able  to  test  its  excellence. 

"  M.  Langelier  begs  leave  to  draw  the  attention  of  pear 
growers  to  his  new  Pear,  named  Langelier's  Beurre,  of  first 
rate  merit ;  perfectly  melting,  ripe  in  January,  of  a  fine  Beurre 
shape,  larger  than  Napoleon,  bears  well  as  a  standard,  trees 
very  vigorous,  and  one  of  the  best  flavor  in  cultivation,  other- 
wise it  would  not  be  recommended  by  R.  L.,  as  his  motive  for 
advertising  it  is  not  for  the  sake  of  publishing,  but  for  the 
good  of  the  public  in  general,  to  whom  he  is  happy  to  have 
an  opportunity  of  rendering  himself  useful,  and  of  which  Yan 
Mons  Leon  le  Clerc  will  be  a  sufficient  guarantee,  having 
proved  itself  as  it  was  represented,  and  given  universal  satis- 
faction." 


New  Varieties  of  Pears.  337 

Such  is  M.  Langelier's  account,  and  we  doubt  not  it  will 
prove  excellent.  The  trees  are  among  the  handsomest  in  our 
collection  ;  having  very  large,  almost  round,  leaves,  of  a  deep, 
shining  green,  somewhat  resembling  the  Napoleon,  but  with 
dark,  reddish  brown  wood,  with  large,  whitish  grey  spots.  It 
is  a  very  free  grower,  either  upon  the  pear  or  quince  ;  young 
trees  have  attained  the  height  of  five  feet,  and  well  branched 
upon  the  latter  stock,  the  present  season.  Our  original  trees 
cost  one  guinea  each. 

Jersey  Gratioli. — This  is  the  name  of  a  new  pear,  recently 
brought  into  notice,  and  as  yet  but  very  little  disseminated.  It 
is  supposed  to  have  originated  in  Jersey,  where,  in  1843,  only 
one  tree  was  known  to  be  in  existence.  In  the  autumn  of 
1844,  Mr.  Thompson  received  several  specimens  of  the  fruit 
from  Mr.  Bucknall,  of  Jersey,  and  from  these  he  gave  a  de- 
scription and  figure  of  the  variety,  in  the  Gardener's  Chroni- 
cle.^ for  1844,  p.  868.  and  from  this  account  we  gather  the  fol- 
lowing information  in  respect  to  this  pear  : — 

Half  a  dozen  pears  were  forwarded  to  Mr.  Thompson,  Oc- 
tober 12th,  by  Mr.  Bucknall.  As  a  pear  cultivator,  he  does  not 
hesitate  to  pronounce  it,  according  to  his  taste,  the  finest  pear, 
in  flavor,  and  all  its  qualities,  he  ever  met  with.  The  fruits 
he  selected  were  of  average  size,  from  a  fine  old  standard  of 
40  or  50  years,  and  a  free  and  constant  bearer.  "  Fully 
agreeing  with  these  remarks,"  says  Mr.  Thompson,  "it  is  pre- 
sumed the  notice  here  given  will  prove  acceptable,  although 
the  origin  of  the  variety  cannot  be  satisfactorily  traced ;  nei- 
ther can  the  application  of  the  name  Gratioli  be  accounted 
for,  as  this  name  has  been,  for  centuries,  the  acknowledged 
synonym  of  the  summer  Bon  Chretien,  a  very  different  fruit 
from  the  one  in  question.  The  Gratioli,  or  Gracioli,  being 
held  synonymous,  as  above,  by  Duhamel,  Dr.  Diel,  and  many 
other  French  and  German  authors,  was  sufficient  cause  for 
demurring,  in  naming  the  fruit,  in  1843,  when  specimens  were 
first  forwarded  by  Mr.  Bucknall :  and,  more  especially,  as  the 
name  of  Gratioli  had  only  been  heard  indistinctly,  and  casu- 
ally applied  to  the  present  variety.  But  according  to  Mr. 
Langelier,  who  is  acquainted  with  this  fact,  it  is  cultivated  in 
Jersey,  under  the  name  of  Gratioli.  This  being  the  case,  it 
has  been  considered  proper  to  designate  it  as  the  Jersey  Gra- 

VOL.  XII NO.  IX.  43 


338  Pomological  Notices. 

tioli,  in  order  to  prevent  its  being  confused  with  the  summer 
Bon  Chretien,  which  of  course  it  otherwise  would.  The  fruit 
is  regularly  formed,  color,  pale  brown,  somewhat  rough,  with 
russet  specks ;  the  eye  is  in  a  very  even  depression,  open,  the 
segments  of  the  calyx  standing  outright ;  flesh  melting,  like 
honey,  exceedingly  rich.  It,  however,  continues  but  a  short 
time  in  perfection,  as  is  generally  the  case  with  early  pears. 
In  its  decay  it  does  not  become  mealy,  or  insipid,  but  still  re- 
tains its  honied  nature.  The  season  is  October.  The  tree 
grows  vigorous,  with  erect,  dark  brown  shoots.  The  buds  are 
rather  obtuse  and  hoary,  leaves  ovate  oblong,  shortly  acumi- 
nate." 

The  trees  grow  freely  on  the  quince,  as  well  as  the  pear 
stock. 

Episcopal. — This  is  stated  to  be  a  very  superior  late  pear, 
of  medium  size,  and  in  eating  from  April  to  June.  It  was 
raised  by  Mr.  Bougere,  of  Lyons,  and  was,  he  believed,  intro- 
duced into  England  by  Mr.  Rivers,  of  the  Sawbridgeworth 
nursery. 

Captif  St.  Helens.- — Under  this  name  a  variety  has  been 
sent  to  this  country,  which  Mr.  Manning  has  proved  to  be  the 
Napoleon,  (p.  149.)  The  true  variety  is  quite  a  different 
pear,  and  can  at  once  be  distinguished  from  its  foliage.  It  is 
stated  to  be  a  most  excellent,  high  flavored  pear,  but  of  rather 
small  size,  and  ripening  in  December. 

O.sborne. — First  introduced  to  notice,  and  described  by  Mr. 
Ernst,  in  the  Western  Farmer  and  Gardener^  (Vol.  V,)  who 
states  that  it  originated  on  the  farm  of  John  Osborne,  at  Econ- 
omy, Indiana.  It  has  a  richness  and  delicacy  of  flavor  that 
entitle  it  to  rank  as  a  first  class  pear.  Fruit  small,  regularly 
diminishing  to  the  stem,  which  is  an  inch  long,  and  planted 
on  one  side  ;  skin  thin,  and  of  a  greenish  yellow  color ;  flesh 
white,  tender,  juicy  and  sweet,  with  a  slight  astringency,  and 
a  lively,  highly  perfumed  flavor ;  ripens  beginning  of  August. 
It  fruited  in  Mr.  Ernst's  nursery,  in  1844,  from  which  speci- 
mens this  description  was  made. 

Many  new  varieties  of  pears  have  recently  been  introduced 
into  the  collections  of  the  Belgium  nurserymen,  and  we  enu- 
merate a  few  of  those  which  appear  to  possess  the  greatest 
merit : — 


New  Varieties  of  Pears.  339 

Calebasse  c?'  Ete. — Half  melting,  first  quality,  ripening  the 
end  of  August. 

Fondante  de  Maliries. — Melting,  first  quality,  ripening  in 
December  and  January. 

Grand  SoUel. — Breaking,  first  quality,  ripening  in  Decem- 
ber or  January. 

JosepJiine  dcs  Malines. — Melting,  first  quality,  and  ripening 
from  February  to  April.  Stated  to  be  one  of  the  best  of 
pears. 

Seigneur  cZ'  Esperin. — Melting,  first  quality,  and  ripening 
in  October  and  November. 

Soldat  Lahorour. — Half  melting,  first  quality,  ripening  in 
December  and  January.     This  has  a  high  reputation. 

These  six,  with  several  others,  have  been  lately  produced 
from  seed  by  Mr.  Esperin,  of  Malines. 

Louise  d'  Orleans. — Melting,  first  quality,  medium  size, 
ripening  in  November. 

Lucien  Le  Clerc. — Melting,  first  quality,  large  size,  ripening 
in  November. 

Nouveau  Poiteau. — Melting,  first  quality,  very  large  size, 
ripening  in  November. 

Nouveau  Simon  Bouvier. — Melting,  first  quality,  large  size, 
ripening  in  February  and  March. 

Pergamotte  de  Louvain. — Half  melting,  second  quality, 
medium  size,  ripening  in  November. 

Princess  Marie. — Melting,  first  quality,  large  size,  ripening 
in  November. 

These  six,  and  many  more,  have  been  recently  produced 
from  seed,  by  M.  Bouvier. 

Beurre  Dufour. — First  quality,  first  size,  melting,  ripening 
in  January  and  February.     Large  and  excellent. 

Colmar  c?'  Are7nberg. — First  quality,  first  size,  melting, 
ripening  in  December.  A  very  fine  new  variety,  large  and 
handsome. 

De  Pepene. — First  quality,  second  size,  melting,  ripening 
in  January.     A  good  late  pear. 

Jalvie. — Second  quality,  first  size,  melting,  ripening  in 
April.     A  very  good  late  pear  on  the  quince. 

Saint  Denis. — First  quality,  first  size,  melting,  ripening  in 
the  middle  of  August.  Handsome  and  juicy,  with  slight 
noyau  flavor. 


340  Ponwlogical  Notices. 

Rondelet. — First  quality,  second  size,  melting,  ripening  in 
October.     Excellent. 

The  latter  are  from  the  collection  of  Mr.  Rivers  of  Saw- 
bridge  worth,  and  merit  a  fair  trial.  Many  more  varieties  might 
be  enmnerated,  but  these  are  such  as  will  probably  prove  valua- 
ble acquisitions  to  our  collections.  As  fast  as  they  are  fruit- 
ed, we  shall  give  a  full  accomit  of  their  qualities. 

Plois. — Within  a  few  years,  nearly  all  the  really  good  ad- 
ditions to  our  list  of  plums  have  been  American  seedlings ;  and 
it  is  even  doubtful,  whether  many  of  the  foreign  kmds  will 
equal  the  Jefferson.  Columbia,  Lawrence" s  Favorite,  &c.,  &,c. 
A  few,  however,  have  obtained  so  high  a  reputation,  that  cul- 
tivators may  wish  to  make  a  trial  of  the  best.  Some  new  na- 
tive sorts  have  also  been  recently  produced,  which  promise  to 
rival  those  we  have  already  named. 

Heine  Claude  de  Bavay. — A  rival  to  the  old  Green  Gage  is 
at  last  said  to  have  been  found  in  this  new  variety,  which  is 
thus  spoken  of  m  the  Annales  of  Flora  and  Pomona,  for  1843. 

This  beautiful  and  excellent  plum  appears  destined  to  be 
placed  beside  the  old  Green  Gage,  possessing  all  the  good 
qualities  of  that  variety,  and  considerably  surpassing  it  in 
size,  some  of  the  plums  having  measured  15  centimetres  (six 
to  seven  inches.)  in  circumference.  The  form  is  less  regularly 
spherical  towards  the  summit,  which  is  often  termmated  in  a 
very  obtuse  point ;  it  is  also  a  little  compressed,  and  is  more 
swollen  on  one  side  than  the  other.  The  color  is  the  same  as 
the  Green  Gage,  more  or  less  green,  (according  to  the  degree 
of  maturity.)  less  spotted,  but  very  strongly  marked  with  red 
on  the  sunny  side.  It  ripens  later  than  the  Green  Gage,  and 
keeps  until  the  end  of  September. 

This  most  excellent  variety  was  raised  by  M.  Esperin,  for- 
merly attached  to  the  army,  and  who,  after  much  service,  has 
settled  down  on  his  patrimonial  estate  in  Malines,  where  he 
devotes  his  time  to  the  production  of  new  fruits.  It  was 
raised  about  five  years  ago,  and  is  named  in  honor  of  his 
friend,  M.  De  Bavay. 

Prince  of  Wales. — A  new  seedling  from  the  old  Orleans, 
and  raised  at  Brentford  End,  near  London,  in  1S3U,  by 
Messrs.  Chapman.  It  is  quite  distinct  from  the  Orleans.  It 
is  larger,  of  a  different  shape,  being  inclined  to  be  oval,  differ- 


New  Varieties  of  Plums.  341 

ent  in  color,  which  is  a  bright  purphsh  pink,  with  much  more 
bloom,  and  the  flavor  is  superior.  The  flesh  is  yellowish,  or 
pale  amber,  and  parts  from  the  stone.  Unlike  the  Orleans,  it 
never  cracks,  and  the  shoots  differ  from  those  of  that  variety 
in  being  smooth,  whereas  m  the  Orleans  they  are  downy. 
The  leaves  are  broad,  roundish,  and  easily  distinguishable 
from  those  of  any  other  plum.  The  trees  are  of  vigorous 
growth.  Upon  stocks  planted  in  the  spring  of  1844,  and 
budded  in  August  followmg.  shoots  were  produced  in  1845, 
measuring  upwards  of  eight  feet.  The  flowers  are  protected 
by  the  foliage  in  a  most  remarkable  manner,  and  it  has  a  pe- 
culiar habit  of  spm-ring  all  up  the  branches.  Trees  three 
years  old  have  been  covered  with  plums,  as  thickly  as  they 
could  be  placed  at  three  feet  up  the  stem,  and  the  trees  were 
obliged  to  be  staked,  to  prevent  them  from  breaking  down. 
It  was  exhibited  before  the  London  Horticultural  Society,  in 
September,  1845,  and  awarded  a  prize. 

Bradshaic^s. — For  the  want  of  a  name  to  distinguish  a  very 
large  and  excellent  plum,  exhibited  for  three  or  four  years  in 
succession,  by  E.  E.  Bradshaw,  Esq.,  Charlestown,  we  have 
called  it  the  Bradshaw  plum.  No  variety  has  yet  fruited  in 
our  collection,  which  answers  to  this  variety ;  the  nearest  ap- 
proach to  it,  appears  to  be  the  Minims,  as  described  by  Lind- 
ley,  in  his  Guide  to  the  Orchard.  It  is  a  very  large  and  de- 
sirable plum,  ripening  from  the  middle  of  August  to  Septem- 
ber, with  a  rich  reddish  purple  skm,  covered  with  an  azure 
bloom ;  flesh,  juicy  and  rich.  We  shall  soon  give  a  further 
account  of  it,  with  an  engraving  of  the  fruit. 

Gutherie^s  Topaz. — First  quality,  first  size,  color  yellow, 
ripening  the  end  of  September. 

Gutherie's  Taybank. — First  quality,,  first  size,  green,  ripen- 
ing in  September.  Much  larger  than  the  Green  Gage,  later, 
and  excellent. 

Gutheries  Ajjricot. — First  quality,  first  size,  yellow,  ripen- 
ing the  end  of  September.  Flavor  of  the  Apricot.  These 
three  are  all  very  hardy,  and  excellent  bearers.  They  orig- 
inated in  Scotland. 

De  Montfort. — First  quality,  first  size,  purple,  ripening  in 
August.     Large  and  excellent. 

Fellemberg. — First  quality,  first  size,  purple,  ripening  in 
October.     A  first  rate  plum,  large,  late,  and  delicious. 


3 12  Pomological  Notices. 

How's  Amber. — This  is  the  name  we  have  given  to  a  very 
fine  seedhng  phim.  produced  in  the  garden  of  Hall  J.  How, 
Esq.,  of  South  Boston,  about  eight  years  ago.  It  produced 
for  the  first  time  in  1844,  and  last  season,  specimens  of  the 
fruit  were  exhibited,  which  Avere  very  beautiful,  and  of  ex- 
cellent quality.  It  is  a  clingstone,  of  large  size,  with  a  yel- 
lowish, or  amber  colored  skin,  and  a  light  red  cheek.  We 
shall  give  a  more  particular  account  of  it  in  a  future  number. 

Denniston' s  Superb,  Hudson  Gage,  Mulberry,  Denniston's 
Albany  Beauty,  Denniston's  Red,  Orange,  and  Howell's  Early, 
are  American  seedlings  of  recent  origin,  which  are  described 
in  Mr.  Downing"  s  Frit  its  and  Fruit  Trees,  as  Avell  worthy  of 
cultivation. 

Cherries. — The  additions  to  our  catalogue  of  cherries  have 
been  rather  limited;  within  a  year  or  two,  however,  several 
new  kinds  have  been  brought  to  notice,  which  appear  to  be 
deserving  of  extensive  cultivation.  We  believe  the  cherry  is 
susceptible  of  great  improvement,  and  the  same  attention  be- 
stowed on  this  fruit,  would  be  attended  with  as  good  results, 
as  with  the  pear,  apple,  or  plum.  The  late  Mr.  Knight,  by 
his  experiments,  in  which  he  made  some  of  the  greatest  addi- 
tions, showed  how  much  cultivators  might  expect  from  seed- 
lings produced  by  careful  cross  impregnation.  The  French 
seem  to  have  attained  the  greatest  results,  and  the  recent  pro- 
ductions, which  we  are  about  to  notice,  have  been  originated 
by  their  skilful  cultivators. 

Reiue  Hortense. — A  new  and  beautiful  variety,  of  the 
largest  size,  and  first  quality:  ripening  in  the  beginning  of 
July.     Originated  in  France. 

De  Spa. — Another  large  and  fine  variety,  ripening  the  end  of 
July.  The  editor  of  the  Jardin  et  la  Ferme,  in  a  notice  of 
the  new  varieties,  states  that  "  the  size  and  flavor  of  these 
two  varieties  place  them  m  the  first  rank  of  this  fine  class  of 
fruits." 

Donna    Maria. — Large    and    fine,   ripening    the    end    of 

July. 

Monstreuse  de  Bavaij. — Large  and  excellent,  ripening  in  the 
early  part  of  July.     Originated  in  Belgium. 

Bigarreau  d'  Esperin. — Larger  than  the  Monstreuse  de 
Bavay,  of  superior  quahty,  and  ripening  the  nnddle  of  July. 


New  Varieties  of  Cherries.  343 

Tardive  de  Mons. — Large,  and  late,  and  stated  to  be  good, 
even  as  late  as  November. 

Lemercier. — This  new  and  fine  variety  fruited  in  our  col- 
lection this  year,  producing  however,  only  a  dozen  or  two 
cherries;  owing,  however,  to  the  lateness  of  the  season, 
when  all  others  were  gone,  the  birds  destroyed  our  best 
specimens.  They  were  ripe  about  the  5th  of  August.  In  the 
Annals  of  the  Horticultural  Society  of  Paris,  as  long  ago  as 
1S3.5,  is  an  account  of  this  variety. 

It  was  found  by  M.  Lemercier,  in  Brabant,  and  is  the  largest 
cherry  seen  around  Paris.  The  fruit  is  nearly  true  heart 
shaped;  rather  compressed,  with  a  very  shining,  transparent 
skin,  marbled  with  red.  which  is  also  visible  in  the  fle.sh.  as 
may  be  seen  through  the  transparent  skin :  it  is  netted  "with  a 
greyish  red  on  one  side,  and  a  dark  brown  red  on  the  other  ; 
some  of  the  stems  are  quadrangular  near  the  fruit,  and  glan- 
dular at  the  other  end.  Before  the  cherry  is  ripe,  the  flesh  is 
yellowish;  at  maturity  this  is  pretty  firm,  but  melting,  is  easily 
cut  with  a  knife,  and  contains  a  large  quantity  of  sugary 
juice,  slightly  acidulated,  but  with  a  peculiar  fragrance ;  the 
stone  adheres  but  slightly  to  the  flesh,  and  although  large  for 
a  cherry  stone,  is  small  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  fruit. 

This  description  corresponds  with  our  specimens,  and  we 
believe  the  variety  will  prove  one  of  the  most  valuable  which 
has  been  introduced.  The  tree  is  a  vigorous  grower,  with 
spreading  shoots  of  the  habit  of  the  Duke  cherry,  and  with 
moderate  sized,  deep,  shining  green  leaves. 

Apricots. — Neivhall's  Early. — A  very  excellent  apricot  was 
exhibited  last  year  before  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural 
Society,  from  Mr.  Newhall,  of  Lynn.  Its  good  qualities  in- 
duced the  committee  to  give  it  the  above  name.  This  season, 
just  as  we  were  preparing  this  article,  it  has  been  exhibited 
again,  and  fully  sustains  its  reputation.  It  is  only  of  medium 
size,  but  from  its  bright  orange  skin,  sufi"used  with  deep  red 
on  the  sunny  side,  possesses  much  beaut}".  It  is  a  clingstone, 
but  full  of  a  rich;  sweet,  delicious  juice. 

"Want  of  room  compels  us  to  omit  our  notices  of  a  variety 
of  new  apples,  grapes,  and  strawberries,  mitil  another  num- 
ber. 


344 


The  ^wcet  Moyitmorency  Cherry. 


Art.  JIl.  The  Sweet  Montmorency  Cherry :  an  account  of 
its  origin  and  qualities.,  with  an  engraving  of  the  fruit. 
By  the  Editor. 

In  our  volume  for  1842,  (VIII.  p.  281,)  the  late  Mr.  Man- 
ning gave  a  descriptive  account  of  fo7^ty-four  varieties  of 
cherries,  which,  during  a  series  of  years,  he  had  gathered  to- 
gether from  various  sources,  and  proved  in  his  Pomological 
Garden,  in  Salem.  Eight  or  ten  of  the  varieties  had  never 
been  previously  described,  and  of  this  number  the  Sweet 
Montmorency  was  one.  Mr.  Downing,  in  his  Fruits  and 
Fruit  Trees,  gives  as  his  authority  Mr.  Manning,  which  is 
perfectly  correct ;  but  he  omits  to  add,  as  he  has  done  in  nu- 
merous instances,  that  his  description  was  taken  from  our 
Magazine,  thus  leaving  Pomologists  to  believe,  who  might  be 
desirous  of  seeing  the  original  description,  that  it  appeared  in 
Mr.  Manning's  Book  of  Fruits. 

Some  time  since,  we  requested  our  correspondent,  Mr.  Allen, 
to  give  us  some  account  of  the  origin  of  the  Sweet  Montmo- 
rency, which  has  proved  so 
valuable  a  variety,  and  we 
now  have  the  pleasure  of  pre- 
senting the  same  to  our  read- 
ers, with  an  engraving  of  the 
fruit.,  {fg.  21.) 

"  The  Sweet  Montmorency 
cherry  is  an  accidental  seed- 
hng,  and  was  so  named  by  the 
late  Mr.  Manning,  from  its  sup- 
posed parent,  the  Montmorency 
of  the  French,  an  early,  acid 
fruit.  Several  small  seedling 
trees  were  planted  out,  in  the 

The  Sxceet  Montmorency  .  ^   i  r^n  a  t   xi 

Cherry.  sprmg  of  1834.  and  they  came 

into  bearing  about  1836.  This  tree  was  the  only  one  thought 
worthy  of  cultivation,  and  it  has  every  year  since  ripened  a 
crop,  with  very  little,  if  any,  injury  from  the  weather.  In 
1841.  the  fruit  was  first  exhibited  at  the  rooms  of  the  Horti- 


The  Sweet  Montmorency  Cherry.  345 

cultural  Society,  in  Boston,  and  has  been  every  succeeding 
year,  as  may  be  seen  by  a  reference  to  the  records  in 
"  Hovey's  Magazine."  The  fruit  is  small,  and  when  ripe, 
a  light  x'ed  color ;  it  hangs  long  on  the  tree,  is  in  eating 
from  15th  July  to  5th  August.  Dm-ing  its  growth  the 
fruit  is  very  small  and  ordinary,  and  when  ripening  is  very 
bitter,  which,  however,  all  passes  away  when  fully  ripe ;  the 
stone  is  very  small." 

We  may  add  to  this  that  it  possesses  many  of  those  excel- 
lent qualities  which  few  other  cherries  have  ;  it  is  one  of  the 
latest  sweet  cherries,  and,  as  Mr.  Allen  has  stated,  produces 
good  crops  every  year ;  it  is  also  scarcely  ever  injured  by  the 
weather,  which  often  cracks  other  varieties.  One  thing  must 
be  peculiarly  observed,  that  it  should  be  allowed  to  hang  on 
the  tree  till  fully  colored  and  ripe,  otherwise  it  has  the  bit- 
ter quality  mentioned  by  Mr.  Allen.  We  annex  the  following 
description  : — 

Size,  rather  small,  nearly  round,  slightly  flattened  at  the 
base,  with  a  shallow  suture  on  one  side,  and  a  distinctly  in- 
dented point  at  the  end  :  Skin,  deeply  colored,  at  maturity,  on 
the  sunny  side,  somewhat  mottled  and  clouded,  and  of  a  pale 
amber  in  the  shade  :  Stem,  rather  slender,  about  three  quar- 
ters of  an  inch  long,  inserted  in  a  small,  shallow,  ronnd  hol- 
low :  Flesh,  yellowish,  rich,  melting,  sweet,  and  vinous : 
Stone,  small.  The  fruit  is  borne  in  pairs,  as  represented  in 
the  engraving. 

In  1841,  when  Mr.  Allen  first  exhibited  this  cherry,  we  had 
the  pleasure,  by  his  invitation,  of  tasting  the  fruit.  We  im- 
mediately saw  its  very  superior  quality,  and  applied  to  Mr. 
Allen  for  a  few  buds,  which  he  kindly  gave  us,  and  which, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  given  to  Mr.  Manning,  were  the 
first  cut  from  the  original  tree.  From  the  produce  of  these 
few  buds  other  trees  have  been  propagated,  and  during  the 
last  three  years  we  have  highly  recommended  this  variety,  and 
disseminated  many  trees,  and  it  is  now  to  be  found  in  many 
of  the  good  collections  of  fruit  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston. 

The  tree  has  a  very  handsome,  rather  upright,  habit,  with 
strong  shoots,  a  smooth,  clean  stem,  and  medium  sized  dull 
green  wavy  foliage. 

VOL.  XII. NO.  IX.  44 


346 


Campanula  Grandis. 


Art.  IV.     Campanula  Grandis,  its  cultivation  and  treatment, 
with  an  engravi77g  of  the  plant.     By  the  Editor. 

Few  additions  to  our  hardy  herbaceous  plants  have  been 
recently  made,  than  the  fine  Campanula  grandis.  Its  flowers 
are  of  the  largest  dimensions  among  this  showy  tribe,  and 
they  are  produced  in  great  profusion  on  stems  from  one  to  four 
feet  long.     In  our  Vol.  IX.  p.  306,  is  a  brief  account  of  it 

among  our  Floricultural  Notices, 
from  Pax.  Mag.,  where  it  was  fig- 
ured, and  from  which  we  copy  the 
vignette  {Jig.  22,)  now  annexed, 
which  gives  a  beautiful  representa- 
tion of  it  when  well  grown. 

In  the  spring  of  1845,  we  received 
from  England,  with  many  other 
new  things,  two  fine  plants  of  the 
grandis.  They  came  in  good  con- 
dition, but  as  it  had  been  repre- 
sented a  half-hardy  plant,  we  took 
the  precaution  to  put  one  in  a  pot, 
and  the  other  in  the  open  ground. 
They  both  grew  well,  the  latter, 
however,  attaining  the  largest  size. 
In  the  autumn,  it  was  covered  with 
a  few  inches  of  strawy  manure,  and 
left  to  take  its  chance  with  other 
perennials ;  this  spring,  we  were 
very  agreeably  surprised  to  find  it 
had  stood  the  winter  well,  only  suf- 
fering in  the  loss  of  its  centre  shoot, 
which  appeared  to  have  damped 
ofi".  From  the  base  of  the  plant, 
;  however,  numerous  stems  soon 
sprang  up,  and  in  June,  at  least 
six  of  them  were  clothed  with  its 
very  large  deep  purplish  bluebells,  nearly  three  inches  in  diam- 
eter, thus  proving  it  to  be,  in  our  climate,  a  hardy  border  plant. 


Fi"-.  22.     Campanula  grandis. 


Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices.  347 

Under  pot  cultivation;  it  is  a  fine  object,  excelling  even  the 
old  and  beautiful  C.  pyramidalis,  a  plant  too  seldom  seen  in 
collections.  Its  treatment  is  precisely  the  same  as  for  that 
species,  of  which  we  have  given  some  good  directions  from 
the  Gardener'' s  Chronicle,  (Vol.  XI.  p.  230.)  The  plants, 
however,  grow  much  more  freely  than  that  species,  and  they 
have  the  very  valuable  habit  not  possessed  by  that,  of  blooming 
freely  when  in  very  small  sized  pots,  with  stems  not  ex- 
ceeding a  foot  in  height.  Plants  raised  from  otfsets  in  the 
spring,  and  properly  treated,  will  bloom  finely  in  the  autumn. 

If  grown  in  the  open  ground,  no  other  care  is  required  than 
to  occasionally  renew  the  plants  from  offsets,  giving  it  the 
same  soil  as  other  species,  and  protecting  it  in  the  winter  with 
a  light  covering  of  leaves,  old  haulm,  or  strawy  manure.  If 
cultivated  in  pots,  the  old  plants  may  be  wintered  in  frames, 
or  the  greenhouse,  and  towards  the  spring,  the  offsets  which 
spring  abundantly  from  the  old  stem  should  be  taken  off  and 
potted  in  four  inch  pots,  in  a  good  compost  of  loam  and  leaf 
mould ;  in  a  few  weeks,  they  should  be  shifted  into  six  inch 
pots,  and  again,  in  a  few  weeks  more,  to  ten  inch  pots,  in 
which  they  may  remain  to  flower.  They  should  be  freely 
watered  during  summer,  and  probably  a  weak  solution  of 
guano  would  be  beneficial.  In  August,  they  will  begin  to 
bloom,  and  will  continue  in  flower  until  October,  during  which 
period,  they  will  form  the  finest  ornament  for  the  balcony,  the 
verandah,  or  even  the  lawn. 


Art.  V.  Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices  of  New  Plants, 
figured  in  foreign  periodicals  ;  tvith  Remarks  on  those  re- 
cently introduced  to,  or  originated  in,  American  gardens,  and 
additional  inform,ation  upon  plants  already  in  cultivation. 

Edwards's  Botanical  Register,  or  Ornamental  Flower  Garden  and  Shrubbery. 
Each  number  containing  from  six  to  eight  plates  ;  with  additional  miscel- 
laneous information  relative  to  new  plants.  In  monthly  numbers  ;  3*. 
plain,  35.  Gd.  colored. 

Paxton's  Magazine  of  Botany,  and  Register  of  Flowering  Plants.  Each 
number  containing  four  colored  plates.  Monthly,  25.  &d.  each.  Edited 
by  J.  Paxton,  Gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Devonshire. 


348  Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices 

The  Gardeners''  Chronicle,  a  stamped  newspaper  of  Rural  Economy  and 
General  News.     Edited  by  Prof.  Lindley.     Weekly.     Price  Qd.  each. 

Curtis''s  Botanical  Magazine,  in  monthly  numbers.     By  Sir  Wm.  Jackson 
Hooker,  K.  H.,  &c.,  3d  series,  vol.  1,  1845.     Nos.  1,  2,  3  and  5. 

The  Journal  of  the  London  Horticultural  Society.     In  quarterly  numbers, 
octavo,  5s.  each. 

^anunculacecB. 

VJEONIA 

Wittniaiudvfa  Hartwiss  The  yellow  Pfeony.  A  hardy  shrub;  growing  two  feet  high;  with 
yellow  (lowers;  appearing  in  June;  a  native  of  Crimea ;  cultivated  in  loam,  peat  and  manure; 
increased  by  cuttings.    Bot.  Reg.  1846,  pi.  9. 

"  A  more  remarkable  acquisition  than  a  yellow  pseony,  not 
a  pale,  straw  colored  species,  which  is  only  a  spoiled  white,  hut 
a  true,  yellow  flowered  plant  does  not  occur,"  consequently,  it 
might  have  been  expected  it  would  have  been  put  on  record 
by  the  first  botanist  who  saw  it ;  it  appears,  however,  accord- 
ing to  Dr.  Lindley,  no  mention  of  it  is  made  in  any  work,  not 
even  in  the  "last  index  of  the  St.  Petersburg  Garden,  a  place 
so  rich  in  hardy  plants." 

All  that  is  known  of  its  history  is,  that  it  was  received  in 
October,  1842,  in  the  garden  of  the  London  Horticultural  So- 
ciety, from  Mr.  Hartwiss,  director  of  the  Nikita  Garden,  in 
the  Crimea,  and  is  just  mentioned  in  the  London  Journal  of 
Botany,  for  April,  1842,  in  a  letter  to  Sir  W.  J.  Hooker,  from 
Dr.  Fischer,  who  states  that  it  was  sent  from  Abcharia,  by 
Count  M.  Worontzoff,  with  many  other  interesting  plants.  It 
is  named  in  honor  of  Mr.  Wittman,  a  traveller  in  the  Taurian 
Caucasus,  and  afterwards  gardener  at  Odessa. 

In  the  Garden  of  the  Horticultural  Society  it  is  quite  hardy, 
growing  where  any  other  pa^ony  will  grow,  and  flowers  in 
May.  It  was  nearly  dead  when  received  in  1842,  and  has 
only  been  recovered  by  the  good  management  of  Mr.  Gordon, 
who  has  charge  of  the  hardy  department.  The  flowers  re- 
semble the  common  form  of  the  single  pseonies.  diftering, 
principally,  in  color,  which  is  a  bright  yellow ;  the  leaves  are 
triternate.  Its  greatest  value  will  be  as  a  stock  for  the  pro- 
duction of  double  varieties,  and,  probably,  a  race  of  yellow, 
or  various  shades  of  that  colored  flowers.  It  will  undoubted- 
ly continue  scarce  for  some  years.     (^Bot.  Reg.,  February.) 


of  New  Plants.  349 


Malvacew. 


WIBI'SCUS 

Jenold/anus  Paxton  Mr.  Jerrold's  Hibiscus.  A  stove  plant ;  growing  eight  feet  liigh ;  with 
crimson  flowers  ;  appearing  in  summer;  a  native  of  Brazil ;  cultivated  in  loam  and  leat  mould  ; 
increased  by  cuttings.    Pax.  Mag.  lS4fi.  p.  1. 

A  handsome  species,  "varying  from  four  to  nine  feet  high, 
composed  of  numerous  shoots,  well  clothed  from  the  bottom 
upwards  with  their  fme  palmate  foliage,  and  freely  developing 
for  a  long  time  their  splendid  crimson  flowers."  It  was  rais- 
ed, in  1843,  in  the  Duke  of  Devonshire's  collection,  from  seed 
sent  by  Dr.  Lippold,  from  Brazil.  In  the  great  conservatory 
at  Chatsworth,  it  is  planted  out  in  the  border  with  several  of 
the  hibiscus,  and  a  splendid  show  of  flowers  is  produced 
throughout  the  season.  The  flowers  are  single,  but  quite 
large,  and  of  the  deepest  and  most  brilliant  crimson.  It  re- 
quires a  good  heat  in  England,  but  Avould  probably  thrive  in 
the  open  air  in  summer  in  our  climate,  and  a  rich  soil  com- 
posed of  loam,  leaf  mould,  and  manure.  It  is  increased  by 
division  of  the  roots  and  also  by  cuttings,  which,  however,  do 
not  root  easily  :  the  best  mode  is  division  of  the  roots.  It  is 
named  in  compliment  to  Douglas  Jerrold.  the  well  known  wri- 
ter and  author.     {Pax.  Mag.,  February.) 

CampanidacecE. 

PLATYCO'DON 

grandiflorum  Lindl.  Great-flowered  Platycodon.  A  hall  liardy  herbaceous  plant ;  growing  four 
feet  hi:^h  -,  with  blue  (lowers  ;  appearing  in  summer  ;  a  native  of  China;  cultivated  in  loam,  leaf 
mould  and  sand;  increased  by  cuttings.    Pax.  Mag.  1S46.  p.  7. 

This  is  one  of  the  acquisitions  of  Mr.  Fortune  in  his  China 
expedition;  it  was  originally  received  as  a  " beautiful  cam- 
panulacesB."  Upon  coming  into  flower,  it  was  said  to  be  the 
old  Campanula  grandiflora  ;  but  in  respect  to  the  name,  culti- 
vators do  not  agree,  some  thinking  it  quite  new.  It  proves  to 
be  a  half  hardy  herbaceous  plant,  with  ovate  lanceolate  leaves, 
and  large  funnel-shaped  flowers,  of  a  rich  deep  blue,  produced 
in  terminal  clusters.  The  same  treatment  given  to  the  C. 
pyramidalis  and  grandis  will  probably  suit  this  species,  of 
which  it  is  a  fit  companion  from  its  very  showy  flowers. 
{Pax.  Mag.  Bot.,  February.) 

PortulacecB. 

CALANDRl'NIA 

umbellita  Paxton  Umbel-flowered  Culandrinc.  A  greenhouse  shrub  ;  growing  six  inches  high  ; 
with  violet  purple  flowers ;  appearing  in  summer;  a  native  of  Cliili ;  niltivated  in  a  light  soil ;  in- 
creased by  cuttings  and  seeds.    Pax.  Mag.  1845.  p.  271. 

.  A  very  pretty  suflruticosc  plant,  of  a  rather  prostrate  habit. 


350  Floricultmal  and  Botanical  Notices 

with  numerous  linear  leaves,  and  corymbs  of  rich  violet  pur- 
ple flowers,  which,  however,  like  the  other  Calandrinias,  ex- 
pand only  when  the  sun  shines  upon  them.  It  was  introduced 
from  Chili,  by  Messrs.  Yeitch  and  Son  of  Exeter,  where  it  in- 
habits dry  rocky  places.  It  proves  to  be  a  greenhouse  or  frame 
plant,  requiring  protection  in  winter,  but  in  summer,  it  may 
be  planted  on  rock  work,  or  set  in  a  rather  dry  soil,  where  it 
will  display  its  brilliant  flowers  freely  all  the  summer.  It  is 
propagated  from  cuttings,  or  from  seeds  which  are  abundantly 
produced.  (Pax.  Mag.  Bot.^  January.) 
PassiJiordcecE. 

TACSO'NIA 

luollissima  Hooker  Soft-leaved  Tacsonia.  A  greenhouse  climber ;  growing  ten  feet  high ;  with 
rose-colored  flinvers  ;  appearing  in  summer;  a  native  of  Quito;  cultivated  in  light  sandy  loam! 
increased  by  cuttings.    Bot.  Reg.  ISio,  pi.  U. 

The  Tacsonia  pinnatistipula,  though  introduced  into  Eng- 
lish gardens  some  years  ago,  is  yet  a  rare  plant  in  American 
collections.  It  is  a  really  beautiful  climber,  and  should  find 
a  place  in  every  greenhouse.  T.  mollissima  is  a  new  species, 
equally  beautiful  with  the  former. 

The  flowers  are  pendant,  with  a  tube  four  inches  long,  and 
petals  of  a  bright  and  vivid  rose,  and  they  require  to  be  above 
the  eye  to  be  seen  with  effect.  It  was  found  in  Quito  by  Mr. 
Hartweg,  and  bloomed  in  the  Garden  of  the  Horticultural  So- 
ciety in  August  last. 

It  is  a  greenhouse  plant,  and  may  be  grown  in  a  pot  and 
trained  to  a  trellis,  or  planted  out  in  the  ground  and  trained 
to  a  column  or  the  rafter  of  the  house.  If  potted,  the  soil 
should  be  rather  poor,  or  it  will  only  make  an  abundance  of 
shoots  without  flowers.  An  ample  supply  of  water  is  at  all 
times  necessary.  It  is  readily  multiplied  by  cuttings.  {Bat. 
Reg..,  February.)     Oar  plants  have  not  yet  produced  flowers. 

CaprifoliacecB. 

ABE'LIA 

rupestrisL/nri/.  Rock  Abelia.  A  greenhouse  shrub  ;  growing  three  feet  high;  with  white  flow- 
ers ;  appearing  in  autumn  ;  a  native  of  China;  cultivated  in  sandy  loam  and  peat ;  increased  by 
cuttings.    Bot.  Reg.  1816,  pi.  8. 

A  rather  pretty,  honeysuckle  looking  plant,  of  free  growth, 
with  terminal  clusters  of  white  flowers,  which  remain  in  bloom 
a  long  time,  and  are  very  sweet-scented.  It  was  found  by 
Mr.  Fortune  amongst  rocks  on  the  Chamoo  Hills,  and  was 
received  by  the  Horticultural  Society  in  1844.  It  requires 
only  the  ordinary  treatment  of  greenhouse  plants,  and  is  prop- 


of  Neiv  Plants.  351 

agated  from  cuttings  of  tlie  young  wood.     (^Bot.  Reg.  Feb- 
ruary.) 

AcanthacecE.. 

RUE'LL/.4 

macrophylla  Vahl.  Large-leaved  Ruellia.  A  stove  plant  ;  growing  2  feet  high;  with  scarlet 
flowers  ;  appearing  in  autumn  ;  a  native  of  South  America;  cultivated  in  any  good  soil ;  increased 
by  cuttings.    Bot.  Reg.  1846.  pi.  7. 

Those  who  are  famihar  with  the  old  R.  formosa  will  appre- 
ciate the  beauty  of  this  species,  which  produces  "  large,  branch- 
ing, forked  panicles,  loaded  with  flowers  of  a  glowing  scarlet, 
and  nearly  three  inches  long  ;"  the  leaves  are  also  large  and 
handsome,  and  set  off  to  advantage  its  abundant  display  of 
flowers.  It  was  raised  from  seeds  in  the  garden  of  the  Duke 
of  Northumberland,  and  a  fine  specimen  was  exhibited  last 
October  from  Mr.  Carton  the  gardener.  It  requires  the  same 
treatment  as  the  R.  formosa,  growing  freely  in  any  good  soil, 
and  flourishing  well  in  a  moist  heat.  During  summer,  it  likes 
a  good  supply  of  water,  and  after  it  is  done  flowering,  the  old 
plants  should  be  cut  back  in  the  same  way  as  a  pelargonium  ; 
but  when  too  old,  it  would  be  better  to  throw  them  entirely 
away,  and  have  a  set  of  young  plants  to  take  their  place.  It 
is  readily  propagated  by  cuttings.  {^Bot.  Reg.,  February.) 
Sci^ophulariacece. 

VERO'NICA 

salicifolia  Forst.  Willow-leaved  Speedwell.  A  greenhouse  shrub;  growing  three  feel  high; 
with  white  Howers  ;  appearing  in  summer;  a  native  of  New  Zealand;  cultivated  in  light  sandy 
soil ;  increased  by  cuttings.    Bot.  Reg.  1846,  pi.  5. 

The  beauty  of  F.  speciosa  is  now  well  known  :  V.  salicifo- 
lia is  a  fit  companion  to  it.  The  leaves  are  narrower  and 
longer  than  the  former,  and  the  racemes  of  flowers,  which  are 
produced  in  the  same  manner,  are  much  larger,  more  slender, 
and  of  a  pale  blush  or  white.  It  was  found  in  New  Zealand, 
and  first  flowered  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  Glendenning,  in  whose 
garden  the  drawing  was  made  last  August.  It  requires  the 
same  treatment  as  F.  speciosa  ;  that  is,  a  light  sandy  soil,  plen- 
ty of  water  during  summer,  and  abundance  of  air.  As  the 
flowers  appear  on  the  young  wood,  the  old  plants  will  make 
neater  objects  if  headed  down  after  they  have  done  blowing  : 
but  the  best  mode  is  to  bring  on  a  succession  of  young  plants. 
It  is  well  worthy  of  introduction  to  our  collections.  {Bot. 
Reg.,  June.) 

A  red  variety  of  F.  speciosa  has  been  raised  from  seed, 
which  is  said  to  be  very  beautiful. 


352  Notes  on  Gardens  and  Nurseries. 


Art.  VI.     Notes  on  Gardens  and  Nurseries. 

Residence  of  Horace  Gray.,  Esq..,  Neirton.  Ang.  1th. — The 
great  objects  of  interest  here  are  the  graperies,  of  which  there 
are  two  large  houses,  each  two  hundred  and  ten  feet  long,  and 
twenty-four  wide,  built  on  what  is  called  the  curvilinear  prin- 
ciple, without  moveable  sashes,  but  only  ventilators  at  the 
top  and  front.  One  of  these  houses  was  erected  in  1840,  and 
the  other  in  1845.  The  vines  in  the  former  are  now  in  their 
fifth  year,  and  are  producing  as  fine  a  crop  as  could  be  de- 
sired ;  the  estimated  product  being  not  less  than  2000  pounds. 
Mr.  Russel,  the  excellent  gardener,  whose  communications 
have  so  often  appeared  in  our  pages,  fully  understands  the 
treatment  of  the  grape  vine,  and  it  is  with  much  gratification 
that  we  state  our  intention  of  giving  an  engraving  of  Mr. 
Gray's  vinery  in  our  next  number,  with  plans  and  sections, 
showing  the  mode  of  construction,  and  accompanying  the 
same  with  the  entire  treatment  of  the  vines  from  Mr.  Russel's 
pen.  We  have  long  promised  our  readers  an  article  on  the 
growth  of  grapes  in  what  are  termed  cold  houses,  that  is, 
houses  without  artificial  heat,  and  we  shall  soon  be  able  to 
fulfil  our  engagements.  This  will  be  followed  by  one  by  our- 
selves on  the  management  of  the  vine  in  greenhouses,  so  that 
with  Mr.  Johnson's  article  (Vol.  VIII.  p.  201,)  the  culture  of  the 
grape  in  these  three  modes  will  be  fully  detailed  in  every  par- 
ticular. 

Mr.  Gray's  vines  are  producing  about  thirty  bunches  to 
each,  and  one  bunch  on  a  spur;  Mr.  Riissel  prunes  on  the  dor- 
mant eye  system,  viz.,  cutting  the  spur  entirely  back,  and  tak- 
ing up  a  new  spur  from  the  buds  at  the  base;  he  not  only 
succeeds  in  producing  very  large  bunches,  some  of  the  com- 
mon Muscadine  weighing  two  pounds.^  but  the  vines  have  a 
much  neater  appearance  than  on  the  usual  plan  of  heading 
back  to  one  or  two  eyes.  We  siiall  endeavour  to  illustrate 
his  article  with  the  system  of  pruning. 

In  the  new  house,  Mr.  Gray  has  a  great  number  of  new 
varieties  planted  which  were  imported  from  England ;  we 
may  soon  hope,  therefore,  to  see  them  all  in  fruit  here,  and  at 
other  establishments,  and  some  facilities  afforded  for  clearing 
up  the  confusion  in  regard  to  the  nomenclature  of  some  sorts. 


Notes  on  Gardens  and  Nurseries.  353 

Within  a  year  or  two,  the  kinds  of  grapes  cultivated  have  been 
almost  confined  to  four  or  five  kinds,  without  any  eftbrt  being 
made  to  add  some  of  the  recent  additions  to  this  delicious 
fruit. 

A  peach  house,  the  same  length  of  the  vineries,  has  been 
erected,  and  the  trees  planted  out ;  it  is,  however,  only  ten 
feet  wide  with  a  span  roof  at  an  angle  of  more  than  forty-five 
degrees.  The  sashes  are  to  be  moveable,  and  have  not  yet 
been  put  on.  It  is  intended  to  start  the  trees  as  early  as  possi- 
ble without  fire  heat,  and,  in  summer,  to  entirely  remove  the 
sashes,  that  they  may  have  all  the  benefit  of  out-door  culti- 
vation. 

The  premises  are  in  very  good  order,  and  Ave  were  partic- 
ularly pleased  with  several  hundred  yards  of  buckthorn  hedges 
planted  by  Mr.  Russell  two  years  ago ;  they  are  now  about  two 
feet  high,  and  one  dense  thicket  from  the  ground  up.  They 
are  pruned,  as  all  good  hedges  should  be,  in  the  form  of  an 
inverted  V,  and  have  a  far  handsomer  appearance  than  the 
usually  clumpy  square  form  given  to  most  hedges  :  the  buck- 
thorn is,  j>(ir  excellence^  the  hedge  plant  for  our  climate,  and 
perfectly  impenetrable  by  an^^  animal  when  properly  pruned 
and  managed. 

Around  the  mansion,  we  noticed  some  superb  specimens  of 
fuchsias,  one  of  which,  globosa  splendens,  was  six  feet  high, 
and  one  mass  of  brilliant  flowers.  Several  others  were  also 
fine  objects,  and  showed  the  care  and  skill  of  Mr.  Russel  in 
producing  handsomely  grown  specimens  of  this  fine  tribe. 

Garden  of  Mr.  Mather.,  Brighton. — We  have  been  much 
pleased  with  an  inspection  of  the  grapery  under  the  charge  of 
Mr.  Needham  at  this  place.  The  house  is  about  60  feet  long, 
divided  by  a  partition,  and  is  heated  Avith  one  furnace  and 
flue,  and,  by  means  of  a  damper,  one  part  can  be  forced  into 
growth  several  weeks  before  the  other. 

In  the  spring  of  1844,  the  grapes  were  planted,  and,  during 
the  year,  made  a  free  growth  :  in  the  winter,  however,  the 
mice  destroyed  nearly  all  the  vines.  In  the  spring  of  1845, 
the  vacant  spaces  were  renewed  with  young  vines,  which 
commenced  growing  vigorously,  but,  in  the  early  part  of  the 
summer,  Mr.  Needham,  having  occasion  to  be  absent  a  week 
or  two,  during  this  period,  nearly  all  the  newly  planted  vines 

VOL.    XII. — NO.    IX.  45 


354  Notes  on  Gai'dens  and  Nurseries. 

were  again  eaten  off.  Disappointed  thus  a  second  time,  Mr. 
Needham  found  he  must  lose  no  time  in  his  endeavor  to  make 
up  the  loss  :  having  a  quantity  of  young  vines  on  hand,  which 
had  mostly  been  raised  from  eyes  in  the  spring,  he  selected 
the  strongest,  and  planted  them  out.  The  border  being  rich 
and  well  made,  they  advanced  rapidly,  though  it  was  August 
when  set  out ;  and,  in  October,  some  of  them  had  reached 
quite  to  the  top  of  the  rafters  :  they  were  then  nipped  off  to 
swell  up  the  wood,  and,  in  the  winter  succeeding,  were  most 
of  them  left  with  three  or  four  feet  of  bearing  wood.  These 
very  vines  we  now  found  producmg  from  six  to  twelve  bunches 
of  grapes  each,  some  of  them — the  white  Portugal — weighing 
2  lbs.  to  the  bunch. 

Mr.  Needliam  is  an  excellent  grape  cultivator  to  produce 
these  results  :  the  bearing  wood  for  another  year  is  as  strong 
as  could  be  wished,  and  the  vines  are  in  no  way  injured  by 
the  crop :  to  the  excellently  prepared  border,  of  course,  this 
growth  must  be  attributed,  though  strong  wood,  unless  prop- 
erly ripened,  will  produce  but  little  fruit.  One  of  the  main 
points  of  grape  treatment  is  the  production  of  solid,  short  joint- 
ed, thoroughly  ripened  wood:  without  this,  the  utmost  care 
will  fail  to  give  good  results. 

We  saw  here  m  fruit  the  Cannon  Hall  muscat,  which  has 
been  so  highly  recommended  for  its  size  and  beauty.  Mr. 
Needham" s  plant  is  only  a  year  old  ;  but  it  has  one  bunch  of 
noble  berries  upon  it,  which  at  once  attest  its  good  qualities. 
This,  and  Wilmot's  Black  Hamburgh,  will  be  indispensable  in 
every  good  collection,  as  the  appearance  of  their  immense  ber- 
ries contribute  more  to  set  off  a  dish  of  fruit  than  any  other 
varieties:  the  berries  of  each  are  nearly  as  large  as  good-sized 
plums.  The  Chasselas  Musque  is  also  bearing  here  :  it  is  a 
fine  early  muscat  flavored  fruit,  but  subject  to  crack  when 
forced :  for  cold  houses,  it  is  one  of  the  best.  We  hope  to  be 
able  to  offer  cultivators  of  the  grape  an  article  by  Mr.  Need- 
ham in  a  futia-e  number. 

In  the  greenhouse,  the  achimenes  and  fuchsias  were  bril- 
liant objects,  and  some  remarkably  fine  specimens  were  in 
bloom,  particularly  of  Achimenes  picta  and  longiflora  :  a  vari- 
ety of  seedling  calceolarias  were  also  flowering  freely.  Every 
thing  indicated  the  clever  management  of  Mr.  Needham. 


Character  and  Habits  of  the  Strawberry  Plant.        355 


REVIEWS. 

Art.  1.  The  Cultivation  of  the  Grape  and  Manufacture  of 

Wine.  Also,  Character  and  Habits  of  the  Stj^aivberry  Plant. 

By  N.  LoNGwoRTH.     Pamphlet.  8vo.,  pp.   19.     Cincinnati. 
1846. 

This  pamphlet  was  sent  to  us  by  Mr.  Longworth  early  in 
the  season,  immediately  on  its  publication.  We  should  have 
noticed  it  at  the  time,  but,  as  we  were  desirous,  after  the  vari- 
ous articles  which  have  appeared  in  our  magazine  during  the 
last  three  years,  to  arrive  at  some  satisfactory  conclusions  upon 
this  vexed  question,  we  laid  it  aside  in  order  to  have  the  ex- 
perience of  the  present  season.  We  shall  endeavor  now  to 
fully  discuss  the  matter,  and  if  we  differ  in  many  points  from 
Mr.  Longworth,  we  hope  our  results  will  be  satisfactory,  and 
of  some  practical  value  to  all  cultivators. 

Mr.  Longworth  has  combated  the  subject  with  great  earnest- 
ness, and,  if  he  obtains  no  other  credit,  he  certainly  can  claim 
the  merit  of  having  drawn  attention  to  the  question,  and  of 
seeing  his  views  practically  confirmed.  We  say  practically, 
for  although  our  opinion  has  changed,  as  facts  have  pre- 
sented themselves,  we  have  for  two  years  always  advised  the 
planting  of  perfect  and  imperfect  blooming  kinds  in  near  prox- 
imity, in  order  to  msure  abundant  crops.  To  give  Mr.  Long- 
worth's  views  as  summed  up  in  his  pamphlet,  we  quote  the 
following : — 

"  I  regret  that  the  Committee  on  the  character  of  the  Strawberry  plant 
have  not  yet  been  able  to  make  up  an  unanimous  report.  It  arises  from  a 
failure  of  the  crop  with  some  members  of  the  committee,  and  from  a  convic- 
tion with  our  European  gardeners,  that  all  varieties  were  perfect  in  both 
organs  in  Europe;  and  they  are  slow  to  believe  the  contrary.  This  I  am 
positive  is  not  the  fact  in  England.  In  some  soils  and  some  climates,  and 
in  favorable  seasons,  such  staminate  plants  as  are  partially  perfect  in 
the  female  organs,  yield  a  larger  crop  than  usual ;  but  can  never  be  made  to 
bear  a  full  crop.  But  in  raising  from  seed,  fully  one  half  will  in  general  be 
staminate  plants,  and  not  one  in  fifty  of  ihem  bear  even  a  single  fruit. 
Those  that  do  bear  produce  many  defective  berries.  I  do  not  believe  that 
any  soil,  climate  or  season  can  make  the  pistillate  plant  bear  singly;  and  it 
is  the  only  one  worthy  of  cultivation  for  a  crop.     Of  this,  and  of  the  stami- 


356  LongwortK s  Pamphlet  on  the 

nate  and  pistillate  character  of  the  plant  in  England,  we  have  positive  evi- 
dence from  their  great  horticulturist,  Keen  himself.  In  the  year  1809,  (if 
my  memory  serves  me  as  to  dale,)  Keen  discovered  that  a  new  seedling  of 
his  planted  by  itself,  did  not  swell  the  fruit.  On  a  careful  examination  of 
the  blossom,  it  struck  him  that  it  might  be  owing  to  a  defect  in  the  male 
organs.  He  then  placed  some  staminate  blossoms  in  a  phial  of  water,  and 
suspended  them  in  the  bed.  He  found  the  fruit  in  the  vicinity  to  swell  im- 
mediately, and  he  placed  more  phials  of  staminate  blossoms  in  different, 
parts  of  the  bed,  and  had  a  fine  crop.  His  letter  will  be  found  in  the  Trans- 
actions of  the  London  Horticultural  Society  for  that  year.  What  was  true 
m  1809,  will  be  found  still  to  be  true.  1  have  further  evidence  of  the  char- 
acter of  the  plant  in  England.  Fifteen  years  since,  I  imported  several  vari- 
eties of  strawberries  from  London,  and  among  them  I  had  both  staminate 
and  pistillate  plants,  but  not  one  variety  in  which  both  organs  were  perfect 
in  all  the  blossoms.  The  staminate  varieties  bore  from  one-tenth  to  one- 
third  of  a  crop.  Under  the  name  of  Keen's  seedling,  I  got  a  pistillate  plant, 
that  impregnated,  produces  abundantly,  and  the  fruit  is  large  and  fine.  By 
themselves,  an  acre  would  not  produce  a  perfect  berry.  It  is  not  what  in 
England  is  generally  known  by  the  name  of  Keen's  seedling. — Mr.  Keen 
raised  many  varieties.  The  true  Keen  is  a  staminate  plant,  and  is  more 
perfect  in  both  organs  than  is  usual,  and  produces  a  partial  crop  of  large 
fruit.  I  incline  to  the  belief,  that  for  market,  their  gardeners  cultivate  the 
same  seedling  of  his  as  the  one  sent  me,  and  probably  the  same  kind  he  im- 
pregnated by  hand.  It  is  truly  a  valuable  kind,  and  worth  twenty  of  the 
staminate  seedlings.  The  staminate  Keen  is  cultivated  for  forcing,  and  as 
the  object  is  large  fruit,  all  the  blossoms  are  picked  off,  except  three  or  four 
that  set  first. 

But  it  will  be  asked,  if  true,  why  is  not  this  known  to  botanists,  and  to 
all  our  nurserymen  who  raise  the  plant  for  sale.  The  reasons  are  obvious. 
The  strawberry  belongs  to  a  class  of  plants  that  have  both  the  male  and 
female  organs  in  the  same  blossom.  In  all  the  white  varieties  I  have  seen, 
and  in  the  Alpines,  both  organs  are  always  perfect  in  the  same  blossom. 
Both  organs  existing  in  all  other  varieties,  though  not  both  perfect  in  all  the 
blossoms,  the  attention  of  botanists  is  not  directed  to  it,  or,  where  noticed, 
is  supposed  to  be  an  accidental  defect.  In  all  the  other  species  and  varie- 
ties I  have  seen,  both  wild  and  cultivated,  I  have  met  with  one  only  where 
the  defect  in  the  one  organ  or  the  other  was  not  apparent,  and  in  that  the 
fruit  was  very  small.  I  have  never  seen  a  pistillate  plant,  (one  in  which 
the  female  organs  predominate,)  that  would  by  itself  produce  any  perfect 
fruit.  Staminate  plants  (those  in  which  the  male  organs  predominate) 
where  partially  productive,  generally  produce  the  sweetest  and  most  highly 
flavored  fruit.  In  certain  soils  and  certain  seasons.  Keen's  seedling,  Wil- 
mot's,  the  Iowa,  and  some  other  staminate  varieties,  will  produce  half  a 
crop. 

Where  our  horticulturists  raise  from  seed,  all  the  stammate  plants  that 
are  entirely  barren  are  of  course  thrown  away,  and  the  few  staminates  that 
produce  a  partial  crop  of  large  fruit,  retained.     A   pistillate  plant,  that. 


Character  and  Habits  of  the  Straioberry  Plant.       357 

mixed  with  others,  bears  a  full  crop  of  large  berries,  is  transplanted  as  a 
treasure  into  a  bed  by  itself,  for  increase.  The  gardener  is  the  next  season 
surprised  to  find  it  wholly  barren,  and,  after  one  or  two  trials,  throws  it 
away. 

The  nurseryman,  within  a  space  of  100  feet  square,  cultivates  twenty  or 
more  varieties,  and  a  large  portion  of  them  are  always  staminate,  and  im- 
pregnate the  pistillate  varieties.  Fruit  not  being  their  object,  their  atten- 
tion is  not  directed  to  their  bearing,  and  the  failure  of  a  full  crop  in  any  vari- 
ety is  attributed  to  frost,  or  accident,  or  its  being  a  bad  bearer.  Of  this, 
we  have  a  strong  instance  in  Hovey's  seedling.  It  is  eleven  years  since  he 
raised  this  plant;  he  has  increased  it  extensively  for  sale.  Six  years  since, 
I  made  known  the  defect  in  the  male  organs  of  the  plant,  and  drew  his  atten- 
tion to  it ;  and  asserted  that  an  acre  of  them  separated  from  all  others  would 
not  produce  a  perfect  berry.  Till  1842,  he  continued  to  contend,  and  was 
positive  that  his  plant  was  perfect  in  both  organs.  In  1842,  he  admitted, 
in  his  Magazine,  its  defect  in  the  male  organs.  In  1844,  he  went  back  to 
his  old  doctrine,  as  will  be  seen  by  his  Magazine  ;  and  it  was  not  till  the 
August  No.  of  his  Magazine  of  the  present  year  that  his  mind  was  again 
mystified  on  the  subject.  How  are  the  mere  tvorkies  to  gain  information, 
when  the  editor  of  a  Horticultural  Magazine,  and  a  nurseryman,  who  under- 
takes to  enlighten  others,  has  not,  in  eleven  years,  ascertained  the  charac- 
ter of  his  own  seedling]  lam  the  less  surprised  at  this,  and  acquit  Mr. 
Hovey  of  blame,  as  Mr.  Downing,  in  a  recent  letter,  assures  me,  that  last 
season,  he  raised  a  fine  crop  of  Hovey's  seedlings,  on  a  bed  far  separated 
from  all  others  ;  and  for  a  still  stronger  reason — that  even  the  London  Hor- 
ticultural Society  holds  the  same  doctrine.  But  the  question  is  now  under 
investigation,  and  light  is  thrown  on  it  yearly  by  cultivators,  and  even  the 
London  Horticultural  Society  will  soon  acknowledge  their  error  ;  but  not 
till  Mr.  Hovey  has  satisfied  his  own  mind,  when  he  will  doubtless  draw 
public  attention  to  it.  Yet  Mr.  Hovey,  in  his  August  No.  of  the  present 
year,  states,  a  person  had  cultivated  an  acre  of  his  seedlings,  where  they 
were  mixed  with  staminate  plants,  and  raised  two  thousand  quarts,  and  that 
his  new  seedling  is  valuable  for  impregnating  his  old  one.  Here  is  a  tacit 
admission,  that  his  old  seedling  is  defective  in  the  male  organs.  The  yield 
was  not  a  large  one.  Mr.  Jackson  raised  at  the  rate  of  five  thousand  quarts 
to  the  acre,  near  Cincinnati,  as  he  informed  the  public  in  a  late  publication. 
Mr.  Downing,  I  am  positive,  had  not  Hovey's  seedling  unmixed  Aviih  oth- 
ers. 

To  keep  varieties  separate  is  next  lo  an  impossibility,  and  the  more  so,  as 
new  ones  are  often  produced  in  the  bed  from  chance  seed.  I  was  absent 
from  home  two  months  this  summer,  and  left  it  in  charge  with  my  gardener 
to  watch  the  beds,  and  keep  down  runners.  On  my  return,  I  found  the  pis- 
tillate beds  had  become  mixed,  and  the  staminate  Iowa  had  run  on  the  ad- 
joining pistillate  beds,  on  each  side,  a  distance  of  nine  feet.  But  though 
Mr.  Hovey  appears  to  admit  that  his  old  seedling  requires  staminate  plants 
near,  on  the  same  page,  he  remarks,  "  It  is  time  and  labor  thrown  away  to 
cultivate  sterile  plants,  as  has  been  recommended  by  some  individuals,  when 


358  hongwortK  s  Pamphlet  on  the 

varieties  unusually  productive,  and  of  large  size,  can  be  planted  out  for  that 
purpose."  He  here  of  course  refers  to  his  own  seedlings.  To  put  this 
question  at  rest,  1  make  the  following  proposition — He  shall  send  a  plant  of 
each  of  his  seedlings  to  Mr.  Wilder  of  Boston,  and  Mr.  Jackson  of  this 
city  ;  and  if,  after  a  fair  trial,  they  report  them  "  unusually  productive,"  I 
will  present  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society  with  $500.  1  will  do 
this,  if  they  report  them  as  producing  as  large  a  crop  as  the  old  seedling 
will  do,  where  one-tenth  of  the  ground  is  lost,  by  barren  plants  being  in- 
serted. I  will  go  further.  If  they  report  his  old  seedling  as  producing  half 
a  crop  of  perfect  fruit,  I  will  do  the  same  thing.  If  they  report  the  con- 
trary, he  must  present  the  like  sum  to  the  Cincinnati  Horticultural  Society. 
Mr.  Hovey  now  states,  that  among  all  the  species  and  varieties  of  straw- 
berries there  are  only  four  worthy  of  cultivation — the  Virginia  Scarlet,  Al- 
pine, his  old  seedling,  and  a  new  seedling  of  his,  which  he  calls  the  Boston  ; 
and,  though  raised  in  1834,  he  has  never  before  discovered  its  fine  qualities. 
This  he  pronounces  "  perfect  in  both  organs,  a  great  bearer,  and  fine  fruit  ; 
and  also  suitable  to  impregnate  his  old  seedling.''''  He  is  here  wide  of  the 
mark.  The  Scarlet  is  an  old  native  fruit  of  Virginia,  and  its  greatest  merit 
is  its  early  maturity.  The  fruit  is  of  good  quality,  but  not  large.  The 
Alpine  was  introduced  into  Cincinnati  fifty  years  since  from  the  Alpine 
Mountains,  by  Governor  Sargeant.  Itis  deemed  of  little  value.  The  flavor 
is  not  good.  Its  size  is  small,  and  it  is  only  cultivated  in  a  few  of  our  gar- 
dens as  a  curiosity,  and  not  a  quart  of  them  is  ever  found  in  our  markets. 
What  will  English  cultivators,  who  have  raised  so  many  new  seedlings, 
say  to  this?  What  will  they  think  of  their  wisdom,  in  having  enriched 
some  of  their  Horticulturists,  by  paying  high  for  new  varieties?  By  the 
time  Mr.  Hovey  has  cultivated  his  new  seedling  eleven  years  more,  he  will 
discover  that  it  has  not  one-tenth  the  value  of  his  old  seedling,  and  its  only 
value  to  impregnate  it ;  and,  for  that  purpose,  we  now  have  as  good  bear- 
ers, as  fine  flavored,  and  larger  fruited  seedlings.  His  old  seedling  stands 
unrivalled  with  us  for  size,  where  impregnated.  But  we  have  other  varie- 
ties, that  are  as  good  bearers,  of  nearly  equal  size,  and  of  finer  flavor.  But 
I  would  highly  recommend  his  old  seedling  to  all  cultivators,  whether  for 
family  use,  or  for  sale.  His  new  seedling,  I  have  not  seen.  The  new  doc- 
trine of  Mr.  Downing,  "  that  all  plants  in  their  natural  state  are  perfect  in 
both  organs,  and  staminate  and  pistillate  ones,  chance  monsters  produced  by 
high  cultivation,"  surprises  me,  for  he  deservedly  stands  high  as  a  Horti- 
culturist. In  a  late  number  of  the  American  Agriculturist,  I  discover  V\^m. 
R.  Prince  disputes  his  theory,  and  contends  for  the  true  character  of  the 
plant.  Mr.  Prince  is  an  experienced  Horticulturist,  and  the  discussion  will 
call  out  other  experienced  Gardeners  ;  and  I  hope,  in  a  few  years,  to  see 
strawberries  in  as  great  abundance,  and  sold  as  cheap,  in  the  Eastern  cities, 
as  in  our  own.  The  plant,  be  it  staminate  or  pistillate,  never  changes  its 
character  in  running."  pp.  11,  14. 

The  substance  of  these  remarks  has  already  appeared  in 
our  pages  in  Mr.  Long  worth's  communications  upon  the  straw- 


Character  and  Habits  of  the  Strawberry  Plant.        359 

berry  (VITI.  pp.  257,  404,)  and  commented  upon  by  us  at 
various  times.  They  have  also  been  ably  discussed  by  our 
correspondents  in  the  last  four  volumes.  We  shall,  therefore, 
only  correct  Mr.  Longworth  in  some  of  his  statements,  and 
sum  up  the  whole  in  three  questions,  viz : — 

1st.  Are  there  male  and  female  plants'? 

2d.  Can  what  are  termed  (erroneously)  pistillate  plants,  be 
made  what  are  termed  (erroneously)  staminate  ?  and 

3d.  Are  perfect  flowering  plants  necessary  to  fertilize  im- 
perfect flowering  ones  7 

Mr.  Longworth's  remarks  abound  in  so  many  errors  and 
inconsistencies  that  we  shall  scarcely  expect  to  notice  all.  In 
the  first  place,  he  states,  that  Mr.  Keen  discovered  the  evi- 
dence of  the  male  and  female  flowers  in  1809  in  a  bed  of  his 
^^  new  seedlmg.^''  Our  correspondent,  Mr.  James,  has  shown, 
(X.  p.  110,)  that  this  experiment  was  with  the  common  Haut- 
bois,  and  not  with  any  seedling  of  Mr.  Keen.  In  the  next 
place,  he  asserts  that  we  have  denied  that  our  seedling  had 
defective  blossoms  :  we  should  be  pleased  to  have  him  point 
out  the  time :  we  did  assert  that  it  was  owing  much  to  culti- 
vation whether  they  were  defective  or  not,  from  reasons  which 
we  have  before  given  (IX.  p.  415,)  which  we  would  commend 
to  the  notice  of  our  readers ;  for,  although  we  have  changed 
our  views,  from  more  recent  experiments  in  regard  to  the  ne- 
cessity of  perfectly  developed  blossoms  to  impregnate  imper- 
fect ones,  those  remarks  form  the  groundwork  of  our  opinion 
in  regard  to  the  true  nature  of  the  strawberry  blossom. 

Another  gross  assertion  Mr.  Longworth  makes  in  regard  to 
our  new  seedling,  the  Boston  Pine.  He  states  that  "  although 
raised  in  1834,  we  have  never  before  discovered  its  fine  qual- 
ities." We  never  made  any  such  remark  ;  the  Avords  are  his 
own  coining.  Not  only  did  we  discover  its  qualities  at  the 
same  time  of  Hovey's  seedling,  in  common  with  five  or  six 
others  ;  but  we  have  devoted  time  and  patience  ever  since  that 
time,  to  the  selection  of  the  best  of  these,  all  of  which  were 
finer  thari  two  thirds  of  the  commonly  cultivated  kinds,  till  at 
last  we  were  assured  the  Boston  Pine  had  no  superior  in  all 
its  qualities  combined. 

It  is  Jive  years  since  the  fruit  was  first  exhibited,  but  we 
were  not  desirous  to  dispose  of  the  plants  till  the  autumn  of 


360  LongwortK s  Pamphlet  on  the 

1845.     His  statement  about  the  Wood  Strawberry  is  equally 
incorrect.     We  now  take  up  the  questions  we  have  proposed. 

1st.  Are  there  innle  and  female  strcnrberry  'plants  ? 

We  say  Avithout  hesitation — no, — so  far  as  the  strawberry 
has  yet  been  seen.  It  is  necessary,  in  discussing  subjects  of 
this  nature,  that  we  call  things  by  their  right  names.  There 
are  perfect  and  imperfect  flowering  kinds ;  the  committee  of 
the  Cincinnati  Horticultural  Society,  chosen  to  look  into  this 
matter,  admit,  that  a  "critical  examination  of  the  flowers  will 
disclose  the  stamens,  few  in  number,  and  so  imperfect  in  an- 
thers and  pollen,  that  they  appear  incapable  of  fertilizing  the 
stigmas."  (See  p.  308.)  On  this  head.  Mr.  Thomas  has  made 
some  sensible  remarks  in  the  Cultivator,  which  fully  coincide 
with  our  views,  (IX.  p.  415.)  He  has  accompanied  his  re- 
marks with  engravings,  in  which  the  stamens  are  shown,  but 
so  few  and  short  as  to  be  deficient  for  impregnating  the  pistils, 
and  he  also  states  that  they  "are  evidently  imperfect  and 
flattened,  partaking  thus,  in  a  slight  degree,  the  character  of 
the  petals  of  a  double  flower  :"  and  further,  that  after  many 
careful  observations  of  Hovey's  Seedling  with  a  compound 
achromatic  microscope,  on  "  some  of  the  anthers  no  pollen  was 
obtained;  they,  however,  usually  aflbrded  a  small  quantity; 
and  their  fertilizing  power  appears  to  be  slowly  developed  as 
they  burst  and  discharge  the  minute  portions  tbey  contain  in 
most  cases,  about  the  time  or  after  the  petals  open."  This  is 
the  true  character  of  our  seedling,  and  all  the  large  kinds  usu- 
ally denominated  pistillate.  Can  any  further  facts  be  re- 
quired to  establish  the  correct  name  of  the  blossoms  ?  If  so, 
Ave  stand  ready  to  become  convinced  when  they  are  equally 
as  well  substantiated. 

2d.  Can  what  are  termed  {erroneonsly^  pistillate  plants  be 
onade  what  are  termed  (^crroneoiis/y)  staminate  ones  7 

i\gain.  we  answer — no.  The  instance  has  never  yet  been 
shown,  notwithstanding  the  luminous  views  of  Mr.  Downing 
and  his  offer  to  make  tbem  to  order.  Our  seedling  has  an  im- 
perfect flower,  and  no  cultivation,  or  "  allowing  it  to  exhaust 
itself  by  overbearing,"  will  produce  that  result.  Every  culti- 
vator who  has  found  staminate  flowers,  so  called,  in  his  beds 
of  Hovey's  Seedling  has  found  either  accidental  seedlings  (as 
we  have  often  done,  and  recorded  the  fact,   VIII.  p.  261,)  or 


Mr.  hongwortK  s  Pamphlet^  ^c.  361 

other  varieties.  If  strawberries  are  allowed  to  decay  on  the 
vines,  seedlings  will  be  seen  to  spring  up  if  the  beds  are  not 
disturbed.  A  large  majority  of  the  Cincinnati  committee  state 
that  plants  "  never  change  their  character."  This  question  we 
therefore  consider  as  satisfactorily  settled,  without  discuss- 
ing Mr.  Longworth's  conflicting  views,  about  "male  and  female 
Keen's,"  "male  and  female  Hudson,"  &c. 

3d.  Are  perfect  flowering  plants  necessary  to  fertilize  the 
imperfect  floivering  ones  ? 

Here  we  say  unreservedly, — yes.  Without  them  a  good 
crop  can  never  be  produced  ;  and  this  we  have  advised  for  up- 
wards oftu-o  years,  after  testing  the  fact.  Out  of  the  great 
number  of  English  strawberries  which  have  been  introduced, 
only  five  or  six  have  been  found  with  imperfect  flowers  :  that 
which  will  afford  the  best  example  is  the  Methven  scarlet.  It 
is  not  very  surprising,  then,  that  English  cultivators  should 
say  but  little  on  the  subject,  as  the  Methven  was  so  inferior  a 
variety  that  it  soon  went  out  of  cultivation.  Our  strawberry 
was,  we  believe,  the  first  seedling  raised  in  this  country,  not- 
withstanding so  many  have  been  produced  since  ;  and  it  has 
been  a  source  of  great  satisfaction  to  know  that  our  example 
has  produced  such  good  results.  Its  immense  size  and  excel- 
lence induced  many  cultivators  to  root  out  all  other  sorts,  and 
cultivate  this  alone,  justly  thinking  it  useless  to  grow  inferior 
ones  :  their  haste,  however,  ended  in  disappointment.  In  the 
place  of  the  abundant  crop  anticipated,  in  many  instances  the 
beds  were  entirely  barren,  and  the  variety  was  at  once  con- 
demned. Hence  arose  the  controversy  on  this  subject ;  but  we 
have  at  last,  by  the  repeated  discussion  of  the  subject,  arrived 
at  certain  results.  No  longer  need  there  be  any  doubt.  We 
repeat,  as  the  one  essential  thing  to  produce  Hovey's  Seedling, 
in  its  fullest  abundance  and  excellence,  the  planting  of  perfect 
flowering  kinds  in  near  proximity,  say  loithin  six,  ten  or  twelve 
feet,  and  for  extensive  cultivation,  alternate  beds,  in  the  jiropor- 
tion  of  three  or  four  rows  of  the  latter  to  ten  or  twelve  of  the 
former.  The  best  sorts  which  we  have  found  for  this  pur- 
pose are  the  Early  Virginia  or  Old  Scarlet,  and  the  Boston 
Pine,  the  latter  having  the  largest  flowers  and  the  strongest 
stamens,  with  a  profusion  of  pollen. 

We  have  extended  our  remarks  beyond  the  limits  of  a  Re- 

VOL.  XII NO.  IX.  46 


362  Foreign  Notices. 

view  :  but  the  importance  of  the  subject,  and  the  hope  that 
further  discussion  will  be  unnecessary,  have  induced  us  to 
give  our  views  at  length. 


MISCELLANEOUS    INTELLIGENCE. 

Art.  I.     Foreign  Notices. 
ENGLAND. 

July  Exhibition  of  the  London  Horticultural  Society. — In  our  last  number, 
we  gave  an  account  of  the  June  exhibition  of  the  Society,  but  owing  to 
want  of  room,  were  compelled  to  omit  that  portion  which  related  to  the 
fruit.  To  make  up  for  this,  we  now  give  the  account  of  the  exhibition  of 
Fruit  alone  at  the  July  show,  when  it  was  not  only  more  abundant,  but  the 
specimens  much  finer  : — 

The  exhibition  itself  was  an  excellent  one  for  July,  more  especially  when 
we  consider  the  very  unfavorable  weather  we  have  had.  The  Heaths,  of 
which  we  had  lately  to  complain,  were  here  brought,  as  a  whole,  in  first-rate 
condition  ;  the  Orchids  were  a  decided  improvement  on  the  June  show,  both 
as  regards  quantity  and  quality  ;  and  there  was  a  large  and  magnificent  ex- 
hibition of  Fruit,  which  in  July  generally  forms  a  prominent  feature  of  attrac- 
tion ;  we  shall  therefore  commence  our  report  with  it.  The  display  on  this 
occasion  was  not  only  extensive,  but  contained  many  productions  of  very 
superior  merit.  The  Pine-apples,  of  which  there  were  60  in  all,  were  gen- 
erally large  and  handsomely  grown.  Some  of  the  32  Melons  produced  also 
were  large  and  fine  ;  the  Grapes,  too,  were  admirable  on  the  whole,  although 
there  were  some  exceptions  as  regards  colouring ;  we  allude  more  partic- 
ularly to  the  fine  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh  from  the  garden  of  the  Duke 
of  Marlborough,  at  Blenheim,  which  were  fine  specimens  of  growth,  but 
not  being  well  coloured,  were  on  that  account  disqualified.  To  proceed  to 
a  more  detailed  account,  we  shall  first  advert  to  the  collections  of  Miscella- 
neous Fruit,  of  which  there  were  three.  That  to  which  the  first  prize  was 
awarded  was  produced  by  Mr.  Spencer,  gr.  to  the  Marquis  of  Lansdowne, 
at  Bowood.  It  contained  fine  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes,  whose  bloom  was, 
however,  somewhat  rubbed  off  by  travelling;  good  Violet  Hative  and  New- 
ington  Nectarines,  together  with  Royal  George  Peaches,  finely  swelled  ; 
Circassian  and  Bigarreau  Cherries,  Elton  and  British  Queen  Strawberries, 
Hybrid  Green-fleshed,  Terry's  prize,  and  Beechwood  Melons,  and  two  Prov- 
idence Pine-apples,  the  heaviest  weighing  7  lbs.  6  oz.  ;  also  two  Queens, 
and  a  well-grown  Black  Jamaica,  the  latter  weighing  4  lbs.  1  oz.  The 
next  collection  in  point  of  merit  was  shown  by  Mr.  Fleming,  gr.  to  the  Duke 
of  Sutherland  at  Trentham.     It  comprised  three  Queen  Pines,  two  Melons 


Foreign  Notices.  363 

— one  a  hybrid,  the  other  the  Sweet  Ispahan ;  good  Elton  Strawberries, 
and  Antwerp  Raspberries  ;  also  fine  Royal  George  Peaches,  and  Murray 
and  Scarlet  Newington  Nectarines,  together  with  Cannon-hall  Muscat 
Grapes,  and  fine  bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Chasselas  Musqu6  and 
Black  Hamburgh.  The  third  collection  was  communicated  by  Mr.  Dods, 
gr.  to  Sir  George  Warrender,  Bart.  It  contained  good  Muscat  and  Black 
Hamburgh  Grapes,  two  Hoosainee  Melons,  fine-looking  Violet  Hative  Nec- 
tarines, and  four  handsomely-grown  Pine-apples.  Of  Grapes,  some  fine 
fruit  was  present ;  more  especially  famous  bunches  of  Black  Hamburgh 
from  Mr.  Hunt,  gr.  to  Miss  Traill,  of  Bromley  ;  and  admirable  Cannon-hall 
Muscats  from  Mr.  Hamp,  gr.  to  J.  Thorne,  Esq.,  South  Lambeth.  Excel- 
lent bunches  of  Muscat  of  Alexandria  were  communicated  by  Mr.  Frost,  gr. 
to  Lady  Grenville,  Dropmore ;  and  fine  bunches  of  the  same  variety,  to- 
gether with  Black  Hamburgh,  were  shown  by  Mr.  Davey,  gr.  to  G.  Smith, 
Esq.  Mr.  Tillery,  gr.  to  the  Duke  of  Portland,  at  Welbeck,  sent  very  good 
bunches  of  Black  Frontignan,  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria  ;  and  good  bunches 
of  Black  Hamburgh  were  produced  by  Mr.  Dodemeade,  gr.  to  W.  Leaf, 
Esq.,  of  Streatham.  From  Mr.  Urapleby,  of  Leeds,  were  well-coloured 
Black  Hamburgh  ;  and  good  bunches  of  the  same  variety,  together 
with  Sweetwater,  came  from  Mr.  Bray,  gr.  to  E.  Lousada,  Esq.,  Sid- 
mouth.  Mr.  Boyce,  gr.  to  Sir  L.  Shadwell,  Bart.,  Barn  Elms,  Surrey, 
sent  Black  Hamburgh  ;  and  Mr.  Elliott,  gr.  to  J.  B.  Boothby,  Esq.,  Mus- 
cats, Black  Hamburgh,  and  Sweetwater ;  Mr.  Elphinstone,  gr.  Heckfield 
House,  Hants,  Black  Hamburgh,  hardly  sufficiently  ripened  ;  and  bunches 
of  the  same  variety  were  also  sent  by  Mr.  Blackburn,  gi.  to  C  T.  Whit- 
tingstall,  Esq.  It  was  stated  concerning  these  that  they  had  been  raised 
from  eyes  planted  in  pots  on  the  13th  February,  1845,  and  placed  in  a  pit 
in  May  of  the  same  year  ;  that  each  Vine  was  now  producing  five  bunches 
of  fruit,  each  bunch  weighing,  on  an  average,  2  lbs.  Finally,  from  Mr. 
Hewitt,  gr.  to  G.  Purday,  Esq.,  were  fair  bunches  of  Sweetwater. — In  the 
Market  Gardeners'  Class,  the  first  prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Mitchell,  of 
Kemptown,  Brighton,  for  exceedingly  fine,  well  coloured  bunches  of  Black 
Hamburgh,  and  Cannon-hall  Muscats.  Mr.  Wilmot,  of  Isleworth,  also  sent 
Cannon-hall  Muscats,  equal  to  the  above  in  point  of  merit,  together  with 
specimens  of  his  new  Black  Hamburgh,  and  a  Muscat  from  Portugal ;  Mr. 
Gadd,  of  Betchworth  Castle,  Dorking,  good  bunches  of  white  Frontignan 
and  Black  Hamburgh,  the  latter,  however,  hardly  sufficiently  coloured  ;  and 
finally,  Mr.  Chapman,  of  South  Lambeth,  produced  Black  Hamburgh,  in 
fine  condition,  both  as  regards  colour  and  bloom. — Of  Vines  producing 
Grapes  in  pots,  we  must  not  forget  to  mention  three  plants  of  Black  Ham- 
burgh, exhibited  by  Mr.  Wright,  gr.  to  the  Hon.  Mrs.  Rushout,  of  Wan- 
stead  Grove.  These  were  beautifully  laden  with  fruit ;  we  counted  on  one 
plant  nine  fine  bunches,  with  well  swelled  berries. — Of  Pine-apples,  the  first 
prize  was  awarded  to  Mr.  Dods,  for  three  fine  specimens  of  Providence.  A 
handsomely  grown  Queen  was  shown  by  Mr.  Fleming,  gr.  to  the  Duke  of 
Sutherland.  Mr.  Collinson,  gr.  to  the  Marquess  of  Westminster,  Eaton 
Hall,  sent  two  Providences,  both  fine  specimens  of  cultivation  ;  and  another 


364  Foreign  Notices. 

Providence,  not  well  formed,  and  hardly  ripe,  was  produced  by  Mr-  Brown, 
gr.  to  C.  W.  Packe,  Esq.,  M.  P.  Mr.  Fraser,  gr.  to  E.  D.  Davenport, 
Esq.,  sent  two  handsome  Queens.  A  well-formed  Providence  was  shown 
by  Mr.  Belton,  gr.  to  C.  Winn,  Esq.,  of  Nostell  Priory  ;  and  six  specimens 
of  the  same  variety  were  produced  by  Mr.  Christie,  gr.  to  Viscount  Folke- 
stone, Langford  Castle,  Salisbury  ;  the  largest  of  which  was  a  handsome 
well  grown  fruit.  Mr.  Bray  sent  a  Queen,  having  no  crown  ;  and  a  Provi- 
dence, small,  but  well  formed ;  Mr.  Hewitt,  five  Queens  ;  Mr.  McEwen,  gr. 
to  Col.  Wyndham,  a  Providence;  Mr.  Thompson,  gr.  to  G.  Byng,  Esq., 
Wrotham  Park,  Barnet,  a  Providence  ;  Mr.  Braid,  Hanworth  Park,  a  tol- 
erably well-grown  Queen  ;  Mr.  Brewin,  gr.  to  R.  Gunter,  Esq.,  five  Queens  ; 
and  Mr.  Elphinstone,  a  Ripley  Queen.  From  Mr.  Baggs,  Southgate,  was 
an  Enville  ;  and  Mr.  Ayres,  gr.  to  J.  Cook,  Esq  ,  sent  three  small  but  well 
formed  Queens;  Mr.  Bennett,  gr.  to  J.  Smith,  Esq.,  two  Ripley  Queens 
with  small  crowns ;  Mr.  W.  Death,  Netteswell,  two  Queens  ;  and  Mr.  Da- 
vis, gr.  to  Lady  Braidfoot,  four  Queens,  the  heaviest  weighing  2  lbs.  15  oz. 
In  the  Market  Gardeners'  Class,  only  one  exhibitor  came  forward,  viz.,  Mr. 
Wilmot,  of  Isleworth,  who  showed  four  good  Moscow  Queens,  which  were, 
however,  barely  ripe.  A  Table,  showing  the  comparative  weights,  together 
with  the  total  weight  of  all  the  Pines  exhibited,  will  be  found  in  another 
column. — Of  Melons,  Mr.  Fleming  showed  a  hybrid  between  the  Ispahan 
and  Hoosainee,  which  was  small,  ovate,  but  said  to  be  excellent.  Mr. 
McEwen,  good  specimens  of  Beechwood  and  Benares  ;  Mr.  Parker,  gr.  to 
J.  H.  Oughton,  Esq.,  Roehampton,  Hill's  green-fleshed  ;  Mr.  Braid,  the 
Ispahan,  named  a  Cabul  green-fleshed  ;  Mr.  Elliott,  three  specimens  of  Hill's 
gr-^en-fleshed  ;  Mr.  Bray,  three  Persian  varieties  ;  Mr.  Barton,  gr.  to  J. 
Thorp,  Esq.,  Chippenham  Park,  two  unnamed  Melons;  Mr.  Slowe,  gr.  to 
W.  R.  Baker,  Esq.,  a  hybrid  green-fleshed  ;  Mr.  Carson,  gr.  to  W.  F.  G. 
Farmer,  Esq.,  of  Nonsuch  Park,  a  hybrid  from  the  Beechwood  ;  Mr.  Davey, 
a  scarlet  Egyptian  ;  Mr.  Sullivan,  gr.  to  W.  Paynter,  Esq.,  a  Cantaloupe  ; 
and  the  same  variety  was  also  sent  by  Mr.  Allen,  gr.  to  J.  Davis,  Esq., 
Walthamstow,  and  by  Mr.  Gadd,  Betchworth  Castle,  Dorking ;  a  green- 
fleshed  Melon  also  came  from  Mr.  Martin,  of  Camberwell.  Of  Cherries, 
excellent  samples  of  Bigarreau  were  shown  by  Mr.  Elliott ;  and  not  less 
handsome  specimens  of  the  same  variety,  together  with  Black  Tartarian, 
were  produced  by  Mr.  Whiting,  gr.  to  H.  T.  Hope,  Esq.,  of  theDeepdene, 
near  Dorkiug  ;  a  beautiful  dish  of  Black  Eagle  was  contributed  by  Mr.  Bray  ; 
and  good  Black  Tartarian  by  Mr.  Hewitt ;  Mr.  Meyer,  of  Brentford,  com- 
municated dishes  of  Bigarreau  and  May  Duke,  and  Mr.  Martin,  of  Camber- 
well,  Morellos.  Of  Plums,  a  dish  of  Black  Morocco  was  exhibited  by  Mr. 
Bruce,  gr.  to  B.  Miller,  Esq.,  of  Tooting,  who  also  sent  specimens  in  good 
condition  of  Stone  Pippin  Apple  of  last  year's  growth.  Madras  Citrons 
were  shown  by  Mr.  Kendall,  gr.,  Anthony  House,  Davenport.  Of  Peaches 
and  Nectarines,  some  fine  fruit  was  placed  on  the  table,  and  foremost 
amongst  them  may  be  mentioned  famous  specimens  of  Violet  Hative  Necta- 
rines from  Mr.  Wright,  who  also  sent  very  fine  Royal  George  Peaches. 
Mr.  Parker  produced  excellent  Elruge  and  Violet  Hative  Nectarines,  and 


Domestic  Notices.  365 

finely  swelled  Galande  Peaches.  Handsome  Violet  Hative  Nectarines 
were  likewise  shown  by  Mr.  Collinson,  and  very  fine  specimens  of  the  same 
variety,  together  with  the  Elruge,  were  contributed  by  Mr.  Mason,  gr.  to 
Sir  J.  Kenaway,  Bart.,  of  Escot  House,  Devon.  Mr.  Collins,  gr.  to  E.  H. 
Chapman,  Esq.,  Hornsey,  sent  fine  Royal  George  Peaches  ;  and  good  No- 
blesse and  Royal  George  Peaches  and  Violet  Hative  Nectarines  were  com- 
municated by  Mr.  Fleming.  Mr.  Wilson,  gr.  to  J.  Tucker,  Esq.,  of  Wood- 
ford, produced  Violet  Hative  Nectarines  ;  and  inferior  specimens  of  Elruge 
Nectarines  were  exhibited  by  Mr.  Slowe  ;  and  finally  Mr.  Dods  sent  Royal 
George  Peaches.  British  Queen  and  Elton  Pine  Strawberries  were  pro- 
duced by  Mr.  Cole,  of  Bath  ;  and  a  dish  of  Raspberries  by  Mr.  Cornwall, 
of  Barnet. —  Gard.  Chron.,  pp.  480,  481. 


Art.  H.     Domestic  Notices. 


Another  liberal  Donation  to  the  Mass.  Hort.  Soc. — We  are  happy  to  learn 
that  another  liberal  donation  of  $  1000  has  been  made  to  the  Mass.  Hort. 
Society,  by  the  Hon.  Theodore  Lyman.  It  is  to  be  invested  as  a  perma- 
nent fund,  the  income  from  which  is  to  be  annually  appropriated  as  pre- 
miums either  in  medals  or  plate,   for  the  choicest  specimens  of  fruits. — Ed. 

Exhibitions  of  Horticultural  Societies. — The  Eighteenth  Annual  Exhibi- 
tion of  the  Mass.  Hort.  Society  will  be  held  on  Wednesday,  TJmrsday  and 
Friday,  the  17th,  18th  and  19th  of  September. 

The  Annual  Exhibition  of  the  Long  Island  Hort.  Society  will  be  held  in 
the  village  of  Flushing,  L.  I.,  on  the  same  days,  viz.,  the  17th,  18th  and 
19th  of  September. 

The  New  Haven  County  Hort.  Society  will  hold  its  Sixteenth  Annual 
Exhibition  at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  on  Tuesday,  Wednesday  cind  Thursday, 
Sept.  22d,  23d  and  24th.  We  have  not  room  to  enumerate  the  articles  for 
which  premiums  will  be  awarded. 

The  Pennsylvania  Hort.  Society  will  hold  its  next  Annual  Exhibition  in 
Philadelphia,  on  Tuesday,  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  the  16th,  17th  and 
18th  of  September. 

The  Horticultural  Exhibition  of  the  American  Institute  will  be  held  at 
Niblo's,  in  New  York,  commencing  Tuesday,  October  6lh,  and  will  con- 
tinue several  days.  The  horticultural  address  will  be  delivered  at  noon,  on 
the  6lh..— Ed. 

IpomcE^a  Learn. — I  perceive  you  publicly  recommend  Ipomas^a  Learn  for 
an  o.ut-door  runner,  which  is  wise,  for  I  know  of  none  so  beautiful  as  this 
fine  plant.  I  have  two  pyramids  of  it  in  the  garden  twelve  feet  high,  al- 
ready clothed  to  the  top,  and  have  commenced  flowering  ;  nor  are  these  the 
most  select  year-old  plants,  but  the  common  run  of  plants,  that  we  sold  ev- 
ery body, — indeed,  with  the  exception  of  one  plant,  they  are  the  refuse  of 
the  selling  stock,  and  yet  are  so  strong  and  fine  as  to  be  already  flowering. 
I  have  not  the  least  doubt  that  four  plants  of  a  year  old,  kept  over  in  the 


366  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

store  and  in  growing  vigor,  turned  out  about  the  middle  of  May,  in  a  warm 
aspect,  would,  by  the  middle  of  July,  cover  a  frame  or  pyramid  of  stout 
hickory  poles  fifteen  feet  high,  and  be  a  dense  mass  of  foliage  and  flowers 
till  the  middle  of  October,  or  longer.  It  is  folly  to  sow  convolvulus  seed 
now  that  this  "  azure  zone"  has  come  over  to  us  from  the  golden  clime  of 
Ceylon.  I  have  sold  a  large  quantity  the  last  two  years,  and  have  one  cus- 
tomer who  is  such  an  admirer  of  it  that  he  ordered  and  planted  in  his  gar- 
den, on  Staten  Island,  no  less  than  a  dozen  and  a  half.  I  have  seen  repeat- 
edly eight  and  even  ten  blooms  out  at  a  time  on  one  spur,  forming  of  itself 
a  beautiful  bouquet,  for  you  know  they  are  very  large.  Hard  by  my  Ip. 
Learu  I  have  a  bed  of  some  hundreds  Tigridia  conchiflora  ;  it  is  very  pleasing, 
(as you  know  they  are  both  early  risers,)  to  fill  two  tall  champagne  glasses, 
one  with  Ip.  L.  the  other  with  Tig.  con.,  and  place  them  on  the  breakfast 
table  :  properly  viewed,  they  aid  morning  worship  ;  such  divine  productions 
cannot  but  elevate  the  mind,  and  give  a  zest  both  to  it  and — the  Hyson. 
Yours  truly,   G.  C.  T.,  Astoria,  N.  Y.,  July,  1846. 


Art.  111.     Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Saturday,  August  \st,  1846. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was 
held  to-day, — the  President  in  the  chair. 

The  President  read  a  letter  from  Rev.  H.  Colman  in  relation  to  medals, 
which  he  had  procured  and  forwarded  to  the  Society.  The  thanks  of  the 
Society  were  voted  to  Mr.  ('olman,  for  attention  to  the  subject. 

The  Librarian  was  requested  to  procure  duplicate  keys  for  the  Library,  to 
be  kept  in  the  Room,  in  the  Chairman  of  the  Fruit  Committee's  hands. 

The  Recording  Secretary  was  requested  to  procure  a  Book,  in  which  the 
names  of  all  persons  proposed  for  membership  should  be  registered  with  the 
name  of  the  member  proposing  the  same. 

Voted  to  subscribe  for  the  Horticulturist. 

Gideon  F.  Thayer,  A.  S.  Lewis,  and  J.  E.  Tcschemacher,  Boston  ;  A. 
Allen,  Newton  ;  J.  G.  Morton,  West  Needham  ;  and  Jeremiah  Sheehan, 
Salem,  were  admitted  members. 

Adjourned  2  weeks,  to  August  15th. 

Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  the  President  of  the  Society,  Phlox  QCuil  de 
Lynx  and  Princesse  Marianne.  From  Jos.  Breck  &  Co.,  several  new  phloxes, 
among  which  were  Princesse  Marianne,  Nymphae^a  alba,  Blanc  de  Neuiljy, 
LawrencJa,  picta,  marchantia  speciosa,  &c.  ;  also  Gladiolus  gandavensis 
floribiindus  and  natalensis,  and  a  variety  of  annuals  and  bouquets.  From 
Mr.  Warren,  Gladiolus  belviderus,  a  new  and  beautiful  striped  variety  ;  also 
dahlias  in  variety  and  bouquets.  From  P.  Barnes,  a  fine  specimen  of  Ipo- 
mopsis  elegans. 

Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  exhibited  a  variety  of  new  phloxes,  among  which 
were  Charles,  Blanc  de  Neuilly,  ffiuil  de  Lynx,  Apollo,  alba  Kermesina, 
&c.  ;  also  Gladiolus  gandavensis,  and  other  flowers.     From  T.  Needham, 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  367 

fine  phloxes,  dahlias,  and  other  flowers.  From  Walker  &  Co.,  Gladiolus 
floribiindus,  dahlias  and  other  flowers.  From  G.  Gilbert,  Plymouth,  a 
fine  display  of  native  plants,  among  which  were  Sabbatic  chloroides,  and 
chloroides  alba,  Orchis  fimbriata  and  blephariglottis,  Lobeha  caidinalis,  &c. 
Bouquets,  Designs,  and  cut  Flowers  were  also  presented  by  W.  Keniick, 
Messrs.  Winship,  W.  B.  Richards,  W.  Meller,  John  Hovey,  James  Nu- 
gent, J.  Sheehan,  W.  Doyle  and  P.  Barnes. 

The  following  is  the  award  of  premiums  : — 

Bouquets  and  Designs. — To  J.  Sheehan,  for  the  best  bouquet,  a  premi- 
um of  $2. 

To  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  for  the  second  best  bouquet,  a  premium  of  $  1. 

To  Miss  Russell,  for  baskets  of  flowers,  a  gratuity  of  $  1. 

To  W.  Doyle,  for  a  design,  a  gratuity  of  $  1. 

Fruit :  From  the  President  of  the  Society,  Doyenn6  d'Ete,  Golconda 
nova,  and  Jolemont  pears,  also,  Augou-mois  hatif  apricots  ;  the  Jolemont 
pears  were  not  in  eating.  From  O.  Johnson,  fine  specimens  of  Zinfindal 
and  Black  Hamburgh  grapes,  and  Citron  des  Carmes  pears.  From  E.  M. 
Richards,  Red  Astrachan  apples.  From  John  Hovey,  Early  Harvest  apples. 
From  F.  W.  Macondry,  fine  Sharp's  Seedling  peaches.  From  Major 
Brown,  Cambridgeport,  Jaune  Hative  plums;  this  old  variety  has  taken 
some  cultivators  quite  by  surprise,  who  supposed  it  to  be  a  new  and  rare 
sort,  as  the  tree  from  whence  they  were  taken  had  lost  its  name.  From  W. 
Quant,  fine  Heath  peaches,  and  Persian  melons. 

Hovey  and  Co.  exhibited  fine  specimens  of  the  Doyenne  d'Ete  pears, 
which  the  Committee  do  not  think  quite  equal  to  the  Citron  des  Carmes  ; 
we  think  another  year's  trial  will  be  necessary  before  its  qualities  can  be 
well  ascertained.  From  J.  F.  Allen,  Grizzly  Frontignan,  Red  Traminer, 
Black  Portugal,  White  Chasselas,  While  Nice,  Black  Hamburgh,  Verdelho, 
Esperione,  Chasselas,  Bar  Sur  Aubel  Zinfindal,  Black  Prolific,  and  White 
Frontignan  grapes  ;  also,  Franconia  raspberries,  and  Yellow  Rareripe, 
Early  (Crawford,  Noblesse,  and  Kenrick's  Orange  peaches:  Violette,  Ha- 
tive, and  Elruge  nectarines.  From  A.  D.  Williams,  Early  Bough  and 
Sopsavine  apples,  and  Citron  des  Carmes  pears.  From  A.  McLennan,  a 
fine  Persian  green-fleshed  melon  From  Mr.  Warren,  St.  Peters  and  Black 
Hamburgh  grapes.  Wood  strawberries,  and  Franconia  raspberries.  From 
George  Walsh,  apples. 

Vegetables  ;  From  A.  D.  Williams,  12  very  fine  tomatoes. 

August  8th.  Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  the  President  of  the  Society, 
fine  phloxes,  among  which  were  Henry  Clay,  CEuil  de  Lynx,  Richardsonw 
speciosa,  &c.  ;  also.  Lady  Alice  Peel,  Hebe,  Beaute  Parfaite,  Beaute  de 
Jour,  lucidum  and  one  seedling  petunia,  all  new  and  handsome  ;  and  Combr6- 
tum  purpureum,  verbenas,  &c.  From  W.  Quant,  a  very  fine  display  of 
annual  flowers,  including  fine  varieties  of  sweet  peas,  zmnias,  balsams, 
&c.  &c.  From  P.  Barnes,  Ipomopsis  61egans,  fine  double  balsams,  and 
other  flowers.  W.  E.  Carter  exhibited  a  fine  lot  of  phloxes,  including 
some  new  seedlings  ;  one  called  Russelha/ia,  finely  variegated,  and  another 
without  name  with  white  flowers,  delicately  pencilled  with  pink  ;  also  -S'cilla 


368  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

marilima,  a  fine  bulb,  gloxinias,  cut  flowers,  and  bouquets.     From  Dr.  E. 
Wight,  Montjoy  Prairie  rose,  very  handsome. 

From  S.  Gilbert,  Plymouth,  fine  specimens  of  indigenous  plants.  Messrs. 
Hovey  and  Co.  exhibited  a  variety  of  Roses  and  new  Phloxes,  the  same  as 
those  shown  at  the  last  meeting.  From  Mr.  Warren,  several  Dahlias,  Gla- 
diolus belviderus,  and  other  flowers  and  bouquets.  From  Jos.  Breck  & 
Co.,  Gladiolus  gandavensis,  and  new  phloxes,  the  same  as  exhibited  at  the 
last  meeting  ;  also  a  variety  of  annuals.  Bouquets  and  cut  flowers  from  W. 
Meller,  James  Nugent,  Messrs.  Winship,  D.  Crawley,  S.  A.  Walker, 
W.  Kenrick,  W.  B.  Richards,  Walker  &  Co.,  S.  H.  Hay  ward,  J.  W. 
Mandell,  and  W.  Doyle. 

The  following  premiums  were  awarded  : — 

Bouquets  and  Designs. — To  W.  Doyle,  a  premium  of  $2  for  the  best 
bouquet. 

To  Miss  Russell,  a  premium  of  $  1,  for  the  second  best  bouquet. 

Plants. — To.  W.  E.  Carter,  a  gratuity  of  $  1  for  a  fine  plant  of  Scilla 
maritima. 

Fruit :  From  John  Fisk  Allen,  twenty  varieties  of  greenhouse  Grapes, 
viz.,  Aleppo,  Red  Chasselas,  Golden  do.  White  do.  Black  Hamburgh,  Black 
Hamburgh,  (Wilmot's  New,)  Black  Hamburgh  (Wilmot's  No.  16,)  the  lat- 
ter very  sprightly  and  fine.  Grizzly  Frontignan,  White  do.,  White  Nice,  Red 
Traminer,  White  Gascoigne,  Zinfindal,  Esperione,  Tottenham  Park  Muscat, 
]51ack  Prolific,  Yerdelho,  Black  St.  Peters,  Black  Portugal,  Black  Tripoli 
(new,)  being  a  larger  number  of  varieties  than  has  ever  been  exhibited  at 
any  of  our  luetkly  shows.  Mr.  Allen  made  a  display  of  some  of  his  handsome 
peaches,  nectarines  and  apricots.  W^e  omitted  to  state,  in  our  report  of 
the  first,  that  some  of  Mr.  Allen's  peaches,  then  on  the  table,  weighed  up- 
wards of  half  a  pound  each.  Also,  Jargonelle  Pears  and  Franconia  rasp- 
berries. 

O.  Johnson  exhibited  very  fine  specimens  of  the  Red  Astrachan  Apple, 
also  specimens  of  the  "  Newhall  Apricot,"  from  the  garden  of  Paul  New- 
hall  Esq.,  of  Lynn,  who  raised  this  variety,  and  which,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
Committee,  may  be  classed  among  the  best.  It  is  not  quite  number  one  in 
size,  but  is  very  delicious  in  flavor.  Ispahan  Melon,  by  Thomas  Needham. 
John  A.  Kenrick,  Peach  Plums.  Samuel  Walker,  seedling  and  Red  Dutch 
Currants ;  also  Green  Chisel  Pears.  T.  H.  Perkins,  by  William  Quant, 
Black  Hamburgh,  Grizzly  Frontignan,  White  do.,  Black  do..  White  Nice, 
and  Muscat  of  Alexandria  Grapes.  The  Grizzly  Frontignan,  Black  Fron- 
tignan and  Black  Hamburgh  were  of  fine  flavor. 

Cheever  Newhall,  Benoni,  Summer  Rose,  Williams's  Favorite,  and  Cur- 
tis's  Early  Apples.  From  Josiah  Lovitt,  fine  specimens  of  Blackberries. 
From  Samuel  Pond,  Duane's  Purple,  Peach,  Apricot,  and  other  Plums. 
Sumner  Crosby,  Peach  Plums.  This  variety  was  exhibited  under  three 
names  viz.,  the  Wheeler,  Red  Orleans  Damask,  and  Louis  Philippe — they 
all  prove  to  be  the  true  Peach  Plum  of  the  French.  Parker  Barnes,  five 
boxes  of  Apricot  Plums,  and  two  dishes  of  Jargonelle  Pears.  From  Sam- 
uel A.  Walker,  Moorpark  Apricots.  Wm.  Meller,  Early  Bough  and  other 
Apples.    James  Eustis,  Early  Harvest  Apples.     Capt.  Macondry,  Peaches, 


Massachusetts  Horticultual  Society.  369 

var.  Sharp's  Seedling,  and  Apricots.     Charles  E.  Grant,  Moorpark  (?)  Ap- 
ricots.    From  Hovey  &  Co.,  Peach  Apricots. 

Vegetables  :  Ornithogalum,  or  California  Soap  Onion,  brought  from  the 
coast  in  the  ship  California,  five  and  a  half  weeks  since,  is  used  for  washing 
clothes,  and  equal  to  any  soap  for  that  purpose.  Presented  by  Geo.  Web- 
ster Mecum,  Boston. 

August  15th. — An  adjourned  meeting  was  held  to-day, — the  President  in 
the  chair. 

The  President  announced  that  the  medals  sent  by  Mr.  Colman  had  been 
received,  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Medal  Committee. 

Adjourned  two  weeks,  to  August  29th. 

Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  Hon.  J.  S.  Cabot,  a  variety  of  very  fine 
Phloxes,  viz.,  Blanc  de  Neuilly,  Princesse  Marianne,  Rosea  Superba,  CEuil 
de  Lynx,  New  Blush,  Mazeppa,  Nymphae^a  alba,  Pottsn,  &c.  ;  also  several 
fine  herbaceous  plants,  among  which  were^conitum  Halleri,  ^4.  speciosum, 
pyrenaicum,  Z/ythr;im  roseum,  &c.  From  W.  Doyle,  a  fine  plant  of  Catt- 
leya  Harrisonz  in  flower  :  also  a  pyramidal  bouquet.  From  Messrs.  Hovey 
&  Co.,  ten  varieties  of  phloxes,  which  came  too  late  to  compete  for  the 
prize  ;  they  were,  Chai'.es,  Nymphae^a  alba,  Blanc  de  Neuilly,  alba  Kerme- 
sino,  Almerine,  La  Nymphe,  Mazeppa,  New  Blush,  &c. ;  also  roses  in  vari- 
ety. From  D.  Crowley,  four  plants  of  Achimenes,  and  two  of  Fuchsias. 
Dahlias,  Bouquets  and  cut  flowers  from  the  President,  J.  G.  Sprague,  J. 
Parker,  Messrs.  Winship,  T.  Needham,  W.  E.  Carter,  E.  Winslow,  W. 
Kenrick,  S.  A.  Walker,  J.  Hovey,  W.  Quant,  J.  Breck  &  Co.,  Mr.  War- 
ren, Walker  &  Co.,  P.  Barnes,  Jas.  Nugent,  G.  Gilbert. 

The  following  premiums  were  awarded  : — 

Plants. — For  a  specimen  of  CaltleyaHarris6n«,  to  W.  Doyle,  a  premium 
of  $2. 

Phloxes, — For  the  best  ten  varieties,  to  Hon.  J.  S.  Cabot,  a  premium 
of  $5. 

For  the  second  best  ten  varieties,  to  Walker  &  Co.,  a  premium  of  $4. 

For  the  third  best  ten  varieties,  to  Breck  &  Co.,  a  premium  of  $3. 

For  fine  seedling  varieties,  to  W.  E.  Carter,  a  gratuity  of  $  3. 

Bouquets  and  Designs. — For  the  best  bouquet,  to  Miss  Russell,  a  pre- 
mium of  $2. 

For  the  second  best  bouquet,  to  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  a  premium  of  $  1. 

Balsams. — For  the  best  display,  to  W.  Quant,  a  premium  of  $3. 

For  the  second  best  display,  to  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  a  premium  of  $2. 

For  the  third  best  display,  to  Walker  &  Co.,  a  premium  of  $  1. 

Fruit :  From  E.  E.  Bradshaw,  fine  Moorpark  Apricots ;  also,  Bradshaw 
plums,  a  very  large  and  good  variety.  The  Committee  state  that  they  "  have 
eaten  and  seen  this  plum  for  two  or  three  seasons,  and  as  they  cannot  find 
the  true  name  for  the  present  call  it  the  Bradshaw."  This  is  the  same 
name  we  have  adopted  for  this  variety  in  a  preceding  page.  From  Josiah 
Lovitt,  2nd,  Blackberries,  very  large.  From  H.  K.  Moore,  fine  Moorpark 
Apricots.  From  B.  D.  Emerson,  Grapes,  White  Chasselas.  From  Parker 
Barnes,  Apricot  Plums.  From  Andrew  Wellington,  River  Apples.  From 
VOL.  XII. — NO.  IX.  47 


370  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Samuel  Pond,  Washington,  Pond's  Seedling,  Duane's  Purple,  Bingham 
Royal  de  Tours  Plums.  From  F.  Tudor,  Esq.,  Nahant,  very  large  Figs, 
open  culture.  From  J.  L,  L.  F.  Warren,  pears  ;  also  Dearborn's  Seed- 
ling, Black  Hamburgh  Grapes,  and  River  Apples. 

From  John  F.  Allen,  Hunt's  Taw^ny,  Elruge,  and  Golden  Nectarines 
and  the  Nivette  Peach,  the  latter  very  beautiful ;  also,  August  Muscat 
Pears  ;  White  Fig  of  St.  Michael's  ;  Zinfindal,  White  Nice,  Black  Ham- 
burgh, Wilmot's  New,  Wilmot's  No.  16,  White  Gascoigne,  White  Chas- 
selas,  Esperione,  and  Ferral  Grapes.  From  George  Walsh,  Sopsavine  Ap- 
ples. From  John  J.  Stimpson,  Providence,  Dearborn's  Seedling  Pears. 
From  Mr.  Haven,  Cuisse  Madame  Pears.  From  the  President,  Bloodgood 
Pears.  From  S.  Walker,  Chelsea,  Peach  Plums,  fine.  From  Hovey  & 
Co.,  Turkey  Apricots.  From  Wm.  B.  Richards,  Black  Hamburgh  and 
Chasselas  Grapes. 

From  R.  Manning,  Pomological  Garden,  Mabile  Apples,  and  Hastings 
Pears.  From  W.  H.  S.  Cleaveland,  Burlington,  N.  J.,  Black  Hamburgh 
Grapes.  From  Samuel  Hildreth,  Seedling  Plums.  From  S.  A.  Walker, 
Dearborn's  Seedling  Pears,  Italian  Damask  Plums,  Moorpark  (?)  Apricots, 
and  a  variety  without  name.  From  Otis  Johnson,  Jargonelle  and  Apple 
Pears  of  Essex  County  ;  Fotheringham  plums,  very  fine  ;  Red  Astrachan 
and  Early  Bough  Apples,  extra  fine,  and  others  without  name.  From  A. 
D.  Williams,  Williams's  Favorite  Apples,  fine  ;  and  Jargonelle  Pears. 
From  Wm.  Quant,  Royal  George  Peaches,  fine,  and  Persian  green-fleshed 
Melons.     From  Anson  Dexter,  Summer  Rose  Apples. 

AuguU  22d.  Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  ihe  President  of  the  Society, 
new  dahlias,  among  which  were  Salter's  Isis,  Cleopatra,  Du  Petit  Thouars, 
«&c.  From  T.  Needham,  five  pots  of  Achimenes  longiflora  and  grandiflora, 
two  pots  of  gloxinias,  and  a  pretty  specimen  of  Buddlea  Lindleyana;  also 
eight  varieties  of  phloxes,  including  Princesse  Marianne,  and  Van  HouttezJ. 
From  Geo.  B.  Richardson,  a  plant  of  Yiicca  serrulata  in  bloom.  From  W. 
Quant,  eight  plants  in  pots  of  Superb  Cockscombs  ;  also  a  fine  specimen  of 
Cypripedium  insignis,  and  cut  specimens  of  double  Balsams.  Bouquets, 
Cut  Flowers,  and  Dahlias,  from  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  P.  Barnes,  J.  Breck 
&  Co.,  W.  B.  Richards,  J.  M.  Fessenden,  O.  N.  Towne,  W.  Meller, 
Messrs.  Winship,  Mr.  Warren,  S.  A.  Walker,  James  Nugent,  John  Hovey, 
F.  W.  Macondry,  Walker  &  Co.,  R.  West,  W.  Doyle,  John  Arnold,  Geo. 
Walsh,  Geo.  Parker,  and  W.  Kenrick. 

The  premiums  were  awarded  as  follows : — 

Plants  in  Pots. — For  fine  coxcombs  and  Cypripedium  insignis,  to  W. 
Quant,  a  gratuity  of  $  5. 

For  six  plants,  to  T.  Needham,  a  gratuity  of  $  1. 

For  Yivcca  serrulata,  to  George  B.  Richardson,  a  gratuity  of  $2. 

Bouquets  and  Designs. — To  Mr,  Doyle,  for  the  best  design,  a  premium 
of  $2. 

To.  J.  Sheehan,  for  the  second  best  design,  a  premium  of  $  1. 

To  Miss  Russell,  for  the  best  bouquet,  a  premium  of  $2. 

To  Messrs.  Winship,  for  the  second  best  bouquet,  a  premium  of  $  1. 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  371 

Fruit :  From  O.  Johnson,  Summer  Franc  Real,  Julienne,  English  Jar- 
gonelle, fine,  do.  French,  Dearborn's  Seedling,  and  Bloodgood  pears; 
Early  Bough  and  Red  Astrachan  apples ;  also,  Frothingham  plums. 
From  E.  M.  Richards,  a  fine  flavored  pear,  name  unknown.  From  A.  D. 
Williams,  apples,  viz  :  Williams's  Favorite,  Bartlett,  and  a  variety  name 
unknown.  From  Samuel  Walker,  Colmar  d'Ete,  and  Summer  Franc  Real 
pears.  From  Capt.  Lovitt,  fine  blackberries.  From  W.  Whitney,  Orleans 
plums.  From  Wm.  Quant,  very  fine  specimens  of  Eiruge  nectarines. 
From  Orr  N.  Towne,  White  Chasselas  and  Black  Hamburgh  grapes. 
From  the  President  of  the  Society,  Coq  and  Fondante  Van  Mons  (?)  pears. 
By  the  Messrs.  Winship,  several  baskets  of  the  Washington  and  Winship 
seedling  pears  ;  the  latter  a  good  second  rate  variety,  and  worthy  of  cultiva- 
tion ;   also,  Tomlinson's  Charlotte  plums. 

Hovey  &  Co.  exhibited  White  Frontignan,  Macready's  Early  White, 
Muscat  Blanc  Hatif,  new  and  superior,  Wilmot's  Black  Hamburgh,  fine. 
Black  Hamburgh,  and  Royal  Muscadine  grapes  ;  also,  Black  figs.  From 
S.  Pond,  plums,  viz:  Bingham,  Washington,  Duane's  Purple,  Royal  de 
Tours,  Kirke's,  and  Pond's  seedling.  From  J.  F.  Allen,  fine  peaches, 
viz:  Bellegarde,  Royal,  Violet  Hatif,  Crawford's  Early  and  Lafayette; 
E'ruge  and  Hunt's  new  Tawny  nectarines ;  White  Gascoigne,  Black 
Hamburgh,  and  Grizzly  Frontignan  grapes  ;  also,  figs,  and  Summer  Franc 
Real  and  Passans  du  Portugal  pears.  From  E.  E.  Bradshaw,  very  fine 
plums,  and  Muorpark  apricots.  From  the  Pomological  Garden,  Winslow 
pears.  From  Isaac  Parker,  Waltham,  seedling  pear,  worthless.  From 
George  Walsh,  apples  (?) 

Vegetables  :    From  F.  W.  Macondry,  Lima  beans. 

Aug.  29tk. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day,  the 
President  in  the  chair. 

The  President  announced  that  he  had  the  pleasure  of  informing  the  meet- 
ing, that  the  Hon.  Theodore  Lyman  had  made  the  Society  a  donation  of 
$  1000,  the  interest  of  which  was  to  be  appropriated  in  premiums.  Where- 
upon it  was  unanimously 

Voted,  That  the  thanks  of  this  institution  be  tendered  to  the  Hon.  Theo- 
dore Lyman,  for  his  munificent  donation  of  $  1000 

Voted,  That  the  Society  entertain  the  highest  respect  for  the  liberality 
that  prompted  so  substantial  a  token  of  interest  in  its  welfare. 

Voted,  That  the  donation  be  permanently  invested  by  the  Finance  Com- 
mittee,— that  it  take  the  name  of  the  Lyman  Fund, — and  that  the  annual 
income  be  distributed  in  medals  or  plate,  as  the  Society  may  hereafter  direct. 

The  Hon.  Theodore  Lyman  was  unanimously  elected  an  honorary  mem- 
ber. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements  were  voted  the  privilege  of  adding  to 
their  number,  if  necessary. 

Adjourned  one  week  to  Sept.  5th. 

Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  Messrs.  Winship,  a  fine  specimen  of  A']oe 
sp.  in  bloom,  and  a  variety  of  cut  flowers.  From  W.  E.  Carter,  i/edychium 
GardnertawMm,  superbly  in  bloom  ;    also,  cut  flowers.     From  Walker  & 


372  Answers  to  Correspondents. 

Co.,  four  pots  of  fuchsias  and  other  plants  and  cut  flowers.  From  T. 
Needham,  a  superb  cut  specimen  of  /Salvia  patens.  From  W.  Doyle,  Cat- 
tleya  intermedia,  Funkia  jap6nica,  and  one  large  bouquet.  Cut  flowers, 
dahlias  and  bouquets  from  P.  Barnes,  J.  W.  Mandell,  W.  Kenrick,  W.  B. 
Richards,  H.  W.  Button,  W.  Meller,  J.  Breck  &  Co.,  W.  Quant,  J.  Ar- 
nold, Hovey  &  Co.,  D.  Crowley,  Jas.  Nugent,  Mr.  Warren,  and  D.  T. 
Curtis.  Mr.  Gilbert,  of  Plymouth,  sent  a  fine  lot  of  indigenous  flowers,  in- 
cluding a  new  variety  of  Liatris  scariosa,  with  pink  flowers. 

The  premiums  were  awarded  as  follows  : — 

Plants  in  Pots. — To  W.  E.  Carter,  for  Hedychium  Gardneriawwrn ,  a 
gratuity  of  $2. 

To  Messrs.  Winship,  for  A'\ob  sp.,  a  gratuity  of  $2. 

Bouquets  and  Designs. — To  W.  Doyle,  for  the  best  design  of  flowers, 
a  premium  of  $2. 

To  Miss  Russell,  for  the  best  bouquet,  a  premium  of  $2. 

To  P.  Barnes,  for  the  second  best  bouquet,  a  premium  of  $  1. 

Fruit :  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  exhibited  the  following  grapes  :  Grizzly 
Frontignan,  White  Frontignan,  Macready's  Early  White,  Black  Hamburgh, 
Wilmot's  Black  Hamburgh,  Black  Prince,  Chasselas  de  Fontainbleau,  and 
Esperione  ;  Washington  and  Cruger's  seedling  plums,  the  latter  a  fine  va- 
riety. From  S.  C.  Mann,  Prince's  Yellow  Gage  and  Green  Gage  plums. 
From  Otis  Johnson,  Bloodgood,  Julienne,  St.  Ghislain  and  Dearborn's  Seed- 
ling pears  ;  also,  Early  Bough  apples.  From  J.  F.  Allen,  White  Gas- 
coigne,  Zinfindal,  Black  Hamburgh  and  Whortly  Hall  Seedling  (?)  grapes  ; 
Manning's  Elizabeth,  Passans  du  Portugal,  Summer  Franc  Real,  Julienne, 
Dearborn's  Seedling  and  Williams's  Bon  Chretien  (fine)  pears ;  also, 
peaches.  From  Josiah  Lovitt,  fine  Early  Bough  apples,  and  Christiana 
melon.  From  George  Walsh,  Green  Gage,  Washington.,  and  Prince's  Im- 
perial plums  ;   also,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien  pears. 

From  the  Pomological  Garden,  Sucree  de  Hoyerswerda,  Bloodgood,  Eli- 
zabeth, Double  Amanda,  Tyson  and  Rostiezer  pears  ;  also  Benoni,  Duchess 
d'Oldenburg,  Charlomoski(?)  and  Putnam's  Harvey  apples.  From  J.  L. 
L.  F.  Warren,  Duane's  Purple  Plums  ;  Diamond  Seedling  Peach  ;  Julienne, 
Dearborn's  Seedling,  Summer  Bergamot  Pears,  and  Pitmaston  Nectarine. 
From  B.  V.  French,  Devonshire  Quarrenden  Apples.  From  Messrs.  Win- 
ship,  Seedling  Orleans,  Washington  and  other  plums,  and  Belle  et  Bonne 
pears.  From  J.  W.  Cole,  Sutton  pear  (?)  worthless.  From  J.  S.  Cabot, 
Sucree  de  Hoyerswerda  pears. 

From  Josiah  Richardson,  Bradshaw  and  Bingham  plums  and  Native 
grapes.  From  Samuel  Pond,  Washington  (fine)  Diamond,  French  Long 
Blue,  Prince's  Imperial  Gage,  Bingham,  Duane's  Purple,  Kirkes,  Dana, 
Pond's  Seedling,  Corse's  Nota  Bene,  and  Isabella  plums. 


Art.  IV.     Answers  to  Correspondenls. 

Budding  the  Peach. — <S.  states,  that  "  not  having  enough  budded  trees 
fit  to  put  into  an  orchard,  a  year  ago  last  spring  I  purchased  forty  unbudded 


Answers  to  Correspondents.  373 

peach  trees,  one  year  old.  In  August  following,  I  budded  them,  putting 
buds  in  all  the  principal  branches,  intending  to  make  a  top  of  the  coming 
year's  growth.  This  spring,  hardly  half  the  inoculations  grew,  having 
been  overrun  by  the  luxuriant  fall  growth.  I  am  budding  the  same  over 
again,  putting  five  or  six  buds  in  the  main  branches  of  the  tree,  high  up.  I 
head  down  about  half  of  them  at  once,  in  order  to  make  them  start  this 
year.  Is  this  a  good  plan  ?  Will  you  let  me  know  your  modus  operandi  of 
budding  peach  trees  when  they  are  as  old  as  three  years  V 

We  cannot  aid  our  correspondent  much,  as  in  no  case  should  we  recom- 
mend this  practice  or  approve  of  it.  We  should  much  prefer  to  wait  and 
secure  young,  thrifty,  budded  trees  of  the  first  year,  the  only  age  a  peach 
tree  should  ever  be  planted.  But  if  <S.  wishes  to  carry  out  his  experiment, 
we  would  not  advise  heading  down  after  budding,  but  would  rather  prefer 
to  let  the  buds  take  their  usual  course  of  growing  the  following  year.  No 
tree  will  make  a  handsome  head  in  this  way. 

Grafting  the  White  Thorn. — S.  We  should  certainly  graft  under  the 
ground  in  forming  a  pear  orchard.  The  thorn  does  not  grow  so  rapidly  as 
the  pear;  and  the  trees  would  be  likely  to  be  broken  oft'  where  grafted. — 
The  thorn  is  also  liable  to  be  attacked  by  the  borer  if  above  ground. 

Pears  on  the  Quince. —  V.  Atwood.  We  do  not  know  that  we  can  an- 
swer the  question  satisfactorily,  whether  the  pear  will  succeed  on  the  quince 
in  Vermont.  Actual  experiments  are  needed  to  test  this.  We  know  that 
the  northern  limit  of  the  quince  is  Massachusetts ;  yet  we  are  inclined  to 
believe  that  it  will  succeed  in  Vermont,  with  due  care.  We  would  advise 
a  trial  by  all  means,  and,  as  precautions,  we  would  advise  that,  1st.  The 
stock  of  the  quince  should  be  set  entirely  under  ground,  so  that  the  pear 
will  also  be  at  least  two  inches  below.  2d.  On  the  approach  of  winter, 
place  a  barrel  full  of  manure  around  each  tree.  3d.  Cultivate  highly, — that 
is,  manure  annually.  If  these  directions  are  followed,  we  believe  the  quince 
will  succeed  ;  or,  at  least,  until  the  pear  will,  perhaps,  be  induced  to  throw 
out  roots,  as  we  have  known  them  to  do  in  our  own  practice. 

Strawberries. — G.  of  Auburn.  The  original  plant  of  Hovey's  Seed- 
ling was  what  is  called  by  Mr.  Longworth  a  pistillate  plant,  and  what  we 
denominate  an  imperfect  blossom.  Mr.  Downing's  ideas  on  this  head  would 
lead  one  to  believe  that  he  knows  very  little  of  the  subject ;  his  promise  to 
manufacture  plants  of  Hovey's  Seedling  with  plenty  of  stamens,  must  claim 
for  him  an  inventive  genius.  The  modus  operandi  would,  no  doubt,  be  pretty 
interesting  to  all  cultivators.  In  a  previous  page,  (355,)  we  have  discussed 
this  subject  at  length,  and  would  refer  G.  to  the  article. 

Trellisesfor  Fruit  Trees. — S.  Undoubtedly  the  cheapest  plan  of  a  trel- 
lis is  simply  posts,  set  about  two  feet  apart.  Our  experience  has  not  been 
much  in  this  way ;  yet  we  think,  where  lumber  is  not  expensive,  that  posts 
eight  feet  apart,  and  two  rails,  one  at  top  and  one  at  bottom,  with  slats 
nailed  on  vertically,  one  foot  apart,  would  be  the  best  as  regards  the  pro- 
duct and  vigor  of  the  trees.  This  system  we  have  seen  adopted,  and  it  has 
answered  every  purpose.  The  whole  may  be  made  out  of  rough  boards  at 
little  cost. 


374 


Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Art.  V.     Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Roots,  Tubers,  <^'c. 

Potatoes,  new  : 

f-,-,  ^  per  barrel, 

Chenangoes,  J  J^^  ^^^^^[ 

T-i     .       .  S  per  barrel, 

Eastporls ^{,er  bushel' 

„  S  per  barrel, 

Common,....  ^j^er  bushel 
Sweet  Potatoes,  per  bushel, 
Turnips  :  new,  per  bushel,  . 
Onions  : 

White,  per  bunch,    . 

White,  peV  bushel,  . 

Yellow,  per  bunch,  . 

Yellow,  per  bushel, 

Rareripes,  per  bunch. 
Beets,  per  bunch,    .     . 
Carrots,  per  bunch, 
Horseradish,  per  lb.    . 

Cabbages,  Salads,  t^-c 
Cabbages,  per  doz.  : 

Early  York,    .     .     . 

Drumhead,     .     .     . 

Green  Globe  Savoy, 
Cauliflowers,  each, 
Lettuce,  per  head,  .     . 
Brocolis,  each,   . 
Celery,  per  root,     .     . 
Shell  Beans,  per  quart : 

Cranberry,      .     .     . 

Sieva  and  L.ima, 
Sweet  Corn,  per  dozen  ears 
Cucumbers,  pickling,  prlOO 
Mangoes,  for  pickl'g,  pr  doz 

Peppers,  per  Ih 

Cucumbers,  (pickled)  pr.  gal 
Peppers,  (pickled)  per  gal. 

Pot  and  Sweet  Herbs 
Parsley,  per  iialCpeck, 
Sage,  per  pound,     . 
Marjorum,  per  bunch. 
Savory,  per  bunch, 
Spearmint,  per  bunch. 

Squashes  and  Pumpkins 
Squashes: 

Summer  kinds,  per  dozen, 
Autumnal  ]Marro\v,  per  lb 


From 

To 

a?  cts. 

$  cts. 

1  50 

— 

75 

— 

2  00 

— 

1  00 

— 

1  25 

— 

50 

75 

2  00 

2  50 

75 

— 

3 

6 

75 

3 

4 

62  i 

— 

3 

— 

4 

6 

4 

6 

10 

50 

75 

75 

1  00 

75 

1  00 

in. 

— 

4 

6 

8 

12 

6 

12 

6 

8 

10 

12 

8 

10 

12^ 

20 

25 

— 

3 

— 

25 

— 

37^ 

-~ 

25 



17 

20 

6 

12i 

6 

12k 

3 

6 

10 

2 

2i 

Pruits. 
Apples,  dessert  anil  cooking 

Early  Harvest,  per  bushel 

Porter,  per  bushel,  .     . 

River,  per  bushel,    . 

Williams's  Favorite,  prbu 

Early  sour,  per  bushel. 

Common  sweet,  per  bush. 

Common,  per  barrel,    . 

Dried,  per  pound,     .     . 
Pears,  per  half  peck  : 

Williams's  Bon  Chretien, 

Julienne, 

Gushing, 

Harvard, 

Dearborn's  Seedling,     . 

Common, 

Baking,  per  bushel, 
Plums,  per  quart : 

Washington,  .... 

Green  Gage,   .     .     .     .     , 

Imperial  Gage,    .     .     .     , 

Duane's  Purple,  .     .     .     . 

Common  sorts,    .     .     .     , 
Peaches,  per  half  peck  : 

Best  quality,  .     .     .     .     , 

Second  quality,    .     .     .     . 
Nectarines,  per  dozen. 
Whortleberries,  per  quart 
Blackberries,  per  quart,    .     . 
Watermelons,  each,     . 
Muskmelons,  each: 

Cantelopes,  or  green  flesh 

Large  yellow  fleshed. 
Purple  Eggs,  each. 
Cucumbers,  per  dozen, 
Tomatoes,  per  half  peck 
Grapes,  (forced,)  per  lb. 

Black  Hamburg, 

Sweet  water,        .     . 

Muscats,     .... 

Other  sorts,  .  .  . 
Fresh  Figs,  per  dozen. 
Oranges,  per  doz. 

St. 'Michael's,      .     . 

Havana,    .... 

Sicily,        .... 

Sicily,  per  box,  .  . 
Lemons,  per  doz.  .  . 
Pine  Apples,  each. 


From 

$  cts. 


1  50 
1  00 
1  00 
1  25 
1  00 
1  00 
1  50 
10 

50 
37.J 
37| 
37^ 
37i 
25 
I   25 

25 
25 
20 
20 
10 

50 
25 
25 
10 
17 
20 

10 
20 

6 

50 

37k 

50 

50 

50 

25 

37 

3  50 

17 

17 


To 
$  cts. 

1  25 
I  25 
1  50 
1   25 

1   75 


50 

37 

1   50 


25 
25 
12.i 


37i 
50 

25 
25 

12^ 

25 

20 

8 


75 
50 
75 

75 

37 

50 

4  00 

20 

25 


Remarks.— Since  our  last,  the  season  has  been  more  than  usually  warm, 
with  the  thermometer  as  high  as  97°  to  100°,  and  during  this  time  there  has 
but  little  rain  fallen,  with  the  exception  of  the  rain  of  yesterday,  (26th.) 
But  for  a  majority  of  hazy  and  cloudy  days,  which  prevented  rapid  evapo- 
ration, the  earth  would  be  well  parched  in  many  places.  Vegetation  has 
advanced  with  continued  vigor,  and  crops,  as  a  whole,  have  never  looked 
better  ;  the  potato  rot  has  appeared  in  a  few  places,  but  so  lightly  that  prob- 
ably not  five  per  cent,  of  the  crop  is  injured ;  scarcely  a  poor  potato  has 
been  brought  in. 


Horticultural  Memoranda.  375 

Vegetables. — Potatoes  come  in  abundantly,  and  of  fine  quality :  Eastports 
have  come  to  hand  in  excellent  order,  perfectly  free  from  all  signs  of  rot. — 
Sweet  have  also  been  received  in  small  lots,  and  sold  at  our  quotations. 
Turnips  now  come  in  by  the  quantity.  Onions  abundant  and  good.  Beets 
are  more  abundant,  though  our  quotations  are  by  the  bunch.  Cabbages  are 
plentiful,  and  of  fine  size  and  appearance.  Cauliflowers  and  Brocolis  are 
better  supplied  than  usual,  as  our  quotations  show.  Lettuce  continues  of 
fine  quality.  String  beans  are  done,  but  of  shelled  there  is  a  fair  supply, 
both  of  Sievas  and  Limas.  Celery  has  come  to  hand  and  of  good  size.  Cu- 
cumbers for  pickling  tolerably  plentiful.  Peppers  abundant  and  good.  For 
early  Squashes  there  is  little  demand,  as  good  Autumnal  Marrows  have 
come  in  plentifully. 

Fruit. — An  abundant  stock  of  apples  has  kept  the  market  well  supplied ; 
great  quantities  of  them,  as  well  as  peaches  and  pears,  have  been  received 
from  New  York,  but  the  stock  is  now  mostly  of  home  growth  ;  good  Early 
Harvests,  Porters,  Williams's  Favorite,  &c.,  are  in  request:  of  common 
sorts,  many  without  name,  there  is  an  abundance.  Pears  are  not  so  plenti- 
ful as  in  the  early  part  of  the  month,  but  there  has  been  a  good  quantity 
brought  in  of  the  Bartlett,  Julienne,  Harvard,  &c.,  and  smaller  lots  of  Dear- 
born's Seedling,  Bloodgood,  &c.  Plums  are  unusually  well  supplied, 
though  the  rain  somewhat  injured  them  ;  fine  Washington,  Green  Gage, 
&c.  sell  readily  at  our  quotations.  Peaches  very  plentiful  from  New  Jer- 
sey. Watermelons  belter  supplied  and  of  fine  quality  from  the  vicinity. 
Tomatoes  abundant,  and  demand  great ;  it  is  astonishing  to  see  the  rapid 
increase  in  the  sale  of  this  excellent  fruit ;  the  quantity  brought  in  daily  is 
very  large.  Purple  Eggs  are  received  from  New  York.  Grapes  are  tole- 
rably plentiful,  with  a  fair  demand.  Oranges  remain  without  alteration.  In 
Lemons,  no  change,  with  a  good  stock  from  recent  arrivals. —  Yours,  M.T., 
Boston,  Aug.  27th,  1846. 


HORTICULTURAL    MEMORANDA 

FOR  SEPTEMBER. 


FRUIT  DEPARTMENT. 

Grape  Vines,  in  vineries,  will  now  be  so  far  advanced  that  the  only  atten- 
tion necessary  will  be  to  the  ripening  of  the  wood,  as  the  grapes  will  be 
sufficiently  mature  to  cut,  if  not  already  done.  Throw  the  house  open 
early,  and  let  it  remain  open  all  night ;  cut  away  the  laterals  where  the 
wood  is  ripe,  as  there  is  now  no  danger  of  breaking  the  eyes,  except  on  the 
leading  shoot.  In  cold  houses,  the  temperature  should  yet  be  kept  up,  and 
the  house  closed  early,  unless  very  warm.  Discontinue  damping  the  floors,  and 
attend  to  early  airing.  Vines  in  pots  should  be  kept  topped  to  swell  up  the 
wood  round  and  plump.  Isabellas  and  other  sorts  in  the  open  air  should  be 
kept  divested  of  superfluous  wood,  being  careful,  however,  not  to  expose 
the  fruit  to  the  full  sun. 


376  Horticultural  Memoranda. 

Strawberry  beds  may  now  be  made  with  success.  Attend  to  the  weeding 
and  clearing  of  old  beds,  and,  if  large  fruit  is  wanted,  clip  off  all  young  run- 
ners. 

Gooseberry  and  Currant  bushes  may  be  planted  this  month,  if  desired. 

Raspberry  beds  may  also  be  planted  now,  trimming  off  a  portion  of  the 
leaves. 

Fruit  trees  may  be  safely  removed  now,  if  the  leaves  are  all  cut  off  with 
a  pair  of  scissors  or  knife.     (See  Capt.  Lovitt's  Article,  in  Vol.  X.) 

Budding  Peach  trees  should  be  done  this  month. 

Grafting  Fruit  trees  of  all  kinds  with  fruit  spurs  may  be  done  this  month . 
It  is  performed  in  the  same  way  as  budding,  only  claying  over  the  graft. 

FLOWER    DEPARTMENT. 

Dahlias  will  now  be  in  their  full  season  :  such  plants  as  are  intended  to 
produce  flowers  for  show  the  latter  part  of  the  month  should  be  liberally 
watered,  and  all  small  superfluous  shoots  cut  off.  See  that  they  are  well 
staked,  as  one  strong  wind  would  otherwise  destroy  the  whole. 

Azaleas  should  be  housed  early,  or  the  foliage  will  get  so  much  browned 
as  to  injure  them  for  the  winter.     Water  sparingly. 

Chrysanthemums  layered  last  month  should  be  cut  from  the  old  plant  and 
repotted,  keeping  them  in  a  shady  place  for  a  few  days. 

Verbenas  for  a  winter  stock  should  be  layered  now  into  small  pots. 

Ixias,  sparaxis  and  other  Cape  bulbs  may  now  be  potted. 

Hardy  lilies  of  all  kinds  may  now  be  safely  transplanted. 

Paonies  may  now  be  transplanted. 

Heaths  should  be  carefully  watered,  and,  before  heavy  rains  set  in,  re- 
moved to  the  house. 

Oxalises  of  all  kinds  may  be  potted  this  month. 

Cyclamenes  should  be  repotted,  and  removed  to  the  house,  or  placed  in  a 
frame. 

Pelargoniums  should  be  sparingly  watered,  and  placed  in  the  sunniest 
place  to  swell  off  the  wood. 

Nemophilus  and  Schizanthuses ,  10  week  and  victoria  stocks,  and  similar 
plants  raised  from  seeds  should  be  potted  in  small  pots. 

Poses  in  the  open  ground  should  be  potted  this  month.  Early  flowering 
plants  should  now  be  pruned  in,  placed  in  the  house,  and  liberally  watered. 
Cuttings  may  now  be  successfully  put  in  if  a  stock  is  wanted. 

Lilium  lanafolium  and  its  varieties  should  now  be  sparingly  watered,  al- 
lowing the  bulbs  to  dry  off  gradually. 

Camellias  should  be  prepared  for  housing  the  latter  part  of  the  month. 

Herbaceous  plants  may  be  safely  transplanted  in  September. 

Heliotropes  for  winter  flowering  should  now  be  repotted,  and  placed  in  the 
house. 

Greenhouse  plants  of  all  kinds  should  now  be  put  in  good  order  ;  the  soil 
top-dressed  ;  shoots  tied  up,  pruned  into  shape,  and  every  thing  done  to  prevent 
haste,  when  frosty  nights  set  in. 


THE  MAGAZINE 


OF 


OCTOBER,  1846. 


ORIGINAL    COMMUNICATIONS. 

Art.  I  A  Descriptive  Account  of  the  Curvilinear  Graperies 
of  Horace  Gray^  Esq.,  Neivton,  accompanied  with  Engrav- 
ings, illustrating  the  Mode  of  Construction,  t^'c.  By  the 
Editor.  With  the  Entire  Treatment  and  Management  of 
the  Yines  from  the  Form,atio7i  of  the  Border  to  the  present 
time,  during  a  period  of  five  years.  By  J.  W.  Russel,  Gar- 
dener to  Mr.  Gray. 

The  curvilinear  system  of  constructing  houses  for  plants 
was  the  discovery  of  Sir  George  Mackenzie  about  the  year 
1815,  and,  at  that  time,  attracted  great  attention.  It  was 
considered  the  greatest  improvement  which  had  taken  place 
since  the  earliest  erection  of  structures  for  plants.  A  long 
paper  was  read  before  the  London  Horticultural  Society  by 
Mr.  Mackenzie,  and  appears  in  their  Transactions,  (Vol.  IT, 
p.  175).  Immediately  upon  the  introduction  of  this  plan, 
numerous  beautiful  buildings  were  erected,  many  of  them  of 
iron,  and  the  lightness  of  the  roof — its  greater  power  of  ad- 
mitting more  light — as  well  as  the  cheapness  of  construction 
when  made  of  wood,  at  once  recommended  the  curvilinear 
house  to  the  attention  of  amateur  and  professional  cultiva- 
tors in  all  parts  of  England. 

The  original  plan  of  Mr.  Mackenzie,  which  forms  the  basis 
of  the  curvilinear  structure,  was  a  semi-globe ;  but  this  was 
afterwards  improved  upon  by  Mr.  Knight,  who  suggested  the 
parallelogram  with  spherical  ends.  Mr.  Gray,  in  the  erection 
of  his  graperies,  has  further  simplified  and  modified  this  form, 
with  a  view  to  economy  in  construction,  and  adaptation  to  the 

VOL.  xri. — NO.  X.  48 


378  Description  of  the  Graperies 

cultivation  of  the  grape,  without  heat,  in  our  sunny  dimate. 
The  curve  of  the  roof  is  much  less  than  that  generally  adopt- 
ed in  England,  which  was  nearly  the  quarter  of  a  circle ; 
but  this  has  been  found  advisable  in  order  to  construct  the 
rafters  or  ribs  of  one  piece  of  timber,  thus  saving  much  ex- 
pense. The  double  or  span  roof  is  also  an  improvement  when 
the  object  is  grape  cultivation,  as  the  quantity  of  light  ad- 
mitted on  the  north  side  is  ample  for  the  growth  and  matu- 
rity of  the  fruit,  equally  as  well  as  when  only  one  side  is  ex- 
posed, with  a  back  wall. 

The  great  benefit  of  the  curvilinear  plan  is  the  cheapness  of 
construction,  though  there  are  other  advantages  which  might  be 
named.  -  A  grapery  of  moderate  extent,  sufficient  to  supply 
any  family  with  an  abundance  of  the  choicest  grapes,  may  be 
erected  for  about  half  the  cost  of  a  house  constructed  in  the 
ordinary  way  with  movable  sashes.  This  is  the  main  object, 
where,  in  a  climate  like  ours,  the  foreign  grape  cannot  be  cul- 
tivated in  the  open  air  with  any  hope  of  success,  except  in  the 
enclosed  gardens  of  cities ;  and  if  gentlemen  can  be  assured 
that  this  delicious  fruit  can  be  so  cheaply  and  easily  produced, 
they  will  be  induced  to  commence  its  cultivation  at  once.  Mr. 
Gray  deserves  much  praise  for  the  zeal  which  has  urged  him 
through  with  experiments  which  have  produced  such  good 
results,  for  we  can  point  tc^at  least  a  dozen  graperies,  mod- 
elled after  his  structures,  which  have  all  been  erected  within 
a  year  or  two,  and  some  of  which  we  hope  hereafter  to  give 
a  good  account  of. 

Having  thus  stated  the  advantages  of  the  curvilinear  prin- 
ciple of  building,  we  shall  proceed  to  an  illustration  of  the  de- 
tails of  construction,  with  a  view  to  render  them  so  plain  that 
any  person,  with  the  aid  of  a  carpenter,  may  erect  a  house  which 
shall  answer  all  the  purposes  of  cultivating  the  grape  to  per- 
fection. Having  done  this,  we  shall  conclude  with  Mr.  Rus- 
sel's  elaborate  article,  giving  the  entire  routine  of  cultivation 
of  the  grape  without  fire  heat  from  the  formation  of  the  border 
during  a  period  of  five  years,  up  to  the  present  date,  when  the 
vines  are  maturing  nearly  as  good  a  crop  as  they  will  here- 
after do. 

There  are  two  graperies  of  the  same  size,  one  erected  in 
1840  and  the  other  in  1845. 


of  Horace  Gray^  Esq. 


379 


"p- 


■P 


-1^ 


^- 


+  K9 


P 


We  commence  with  the  ground  plan,  {Jig.  23.) 

a  a,  Stone  posts, 
about  six  feet  long 
and  ten  inches 
square  ;  these  are 
set  into  the  ground 
about  three  feet 
three  inches,  leav- 
ing them  two  feet 
nine  inches  above. 
They  are  eight  feet 
apart  from  centre 
to  centre.  On  these 
are  placed  the  sill, 
b,  as  shown  in  fig. 
24,  and  the  sides 
are  planked  to  the 
ground,  with  the 
exception  of  the 
ventilators,  as  seen 
in  the  same  plan,g'. 
The  sills  for  sup- 
porting the  ends 
are  formed  of  six 
inch  timbers,  and 
fastened  at  each 
end  by  irons  drill- 
ed into  the  stone 
posts. 

b,  Posts  for  sup- 
porting the  cen- 
tre of  the  house ; 
these  are  fourteen 
feet  high,  (placed 
upon  a  large  flat 
stone, just  beneath 
the  ground,)  and 
are  made  of  plank 
two  inches  thick 
and  four  inches 
wide,  rounded   on 

the  edges,  and  are  placed  just  eight  feet  apart :  on  the  sides  of  these  are 
nailed  strips  of  plank,  also  rounded  on  the  edges,  so  as  to  form  handsome 
columns,  as  well  as  to  afford  additional  strength, 
c  c.    Ventilators,  which  will  be  fully  described  in^^.  24, 


-k. 


Fig.  23.     Ground  plan  of  the  Chapery. 


380 


Description  of  the  Graperies 


d.  Doors,  three  feet  wide  each,  and  eight  feet  high.  They  are  made 
of  two-inch  plank,  and  the  top  and  side  rails  are  about  four  inches  wide, 
the  bottom  about  one  foot,  so  as  to  prevent  any  danger  of  breaking  the  glass 
with  the  feet.  They  are  glazed  with  three  rows  of  7  by  9  glass,  and  open 
by  sliding  in  a  groove  at  top  and  bottom. 

A  reference  to  the  plan  will  explain  all  these  details.  The 
house  is  two  hundred  feet  long  and  twenty-five  wide,  and  on 
a  scale,  large  enough  to  render  it  plain,  only  a  portion  of 
it  could  be  given. 

We  now  come  to  the  arrangement  of  the  walls,  and  the 
manner  of  fixing  the  rafters,  sash  bars,  «fec.,  and  annex  a  part 
of  a  section  of  the  house,  {Jig.  24.) 

a,  Stone  posts. 

b,  Sill,  six  inches  wide 
and  two  thick ;  the  front 
edge  bevelled  off,  to  admit 
the  top  plate,  d. 

c,  Rafters,  four  inches 
wide  and  two  inches  thick, 
and  about  seventeen  feet 
long.  They  are  sawed  out  of 
planks  about  fifteen  inches 
wide,  in  such  a  manner  that 
two  rafters  are  made  out  of 
one  plank,  without  a  waste 
of  timber ;  the  curve  in 
each  rafter,  from  a  straight 
line,  being  about  three  in- 
ches. The  rafters  are  three 
feet  apart,  from  centre  to 
centre. 

d,  Front  plate,  six  inches 
wide  and  two  inches  thick, 
and  nailed  on  top  of  the 
rafters  ;  this  plate  is  to  sup- 
port the  lower  ends  of  the 
sash  bars,   which  are  one 

and  a  half  inches  deep,  and  one  inch  wide,  and  are  rabbeted  half  an  inch 
deep  to  receive  the  glass.  These  bars  are  let  into  the  plate  one  inch,  so  as 
to  bring  the  rabbet  on  a  level  with  it. 

e,  Horizontal  bars  for  supporting  the  sash  bars.  These  are  made  of 
plank,  and  are  just  two  inches  square.  They  extend  the  whole  length  of 
the  house,  and  are  about  three  and  a  half  feet  apart,  as  shown  in  the  Eleva- 
tion, fig.  27.  These  bars  are  let  into  the  rafters  about  an  inch,  as  shown  in 
the  plan,  with  the  exception  of  the  top  one,  as  will  be  explained  in^^.  25. 


Fig,  24.     Section  of  the  outer  walls,  showing  the  ar- 
rangement of  the  rafters,  front  ventilators,  SfC. 


of  Horace  Gray^  Esq. 


381 


/,  Sash  bars,  one  and  a  half  inches  deep,  and  about  one  inch  wide, 
sawed  out  of  boards.  The  rabbet  for  the  glass  is  half  an  inch  deep  and  a 
quarter  of  an  inch  wide. 

g,  Ventilators  ;  these  are  made  of  boards,  eight  feet  long  and  ten  inches 
wide  ;  they  are  hung  on  the  top  with  strong  hinges,  and  open  outwards  by 
a  thin  iron  bar  (Ji)  about  three  feet  long,  pierced  with  holes  two  inches 
apart,  which  falls  into  a  staple  or  pin,  when  opened  at  the  proper  distance. 
The  ventilators  shut  against  a  narrow  clete  at  top  and  bottom,  as  shown,  to 
prevent  the  ingress  of  cold  air.  It  is  also  skirted  on  the  outside  with  a  three- 
inch  strip  of  board,  to  bring  it  flush  with  the  plank. 

h,  Iron  bar,  for  opening  and  shutting  the  ventilators. 

i,  Gutters,  made  of  boards  and  nailed  together  in  the  form  of  a  V  ;  they 
are  about  four  inches  deep. 

k,  Ground  level. 

These  details  we  have  endeavored  to  render  plain.  The 
work  is  simple  after  the  rafters  are  prepared. 

Our  next  plan,  {fig.  2.5,)  requires  a  careful  examination, 
and  the  details  are  more  important ;  but  we  have  endeavored 
to  make  them  understood.    This  is  also  a  section  of  the  house. 


Fig.  25.     Section,  showing  the  arrangement  of  the  ventilating  sashes  at  the  top  of  the 

Grapery. 

a,  Centre  posts. 

b  b,  Rafters. 

c  c,  Ventilating  sashes,  two  feet  long  and  nearly  three  feet  wide.  They 
slide  down  in  a  frame,  as  shown.  This  frame  rests  upon  the  horizontal  bar 
c  ;  it  is  made  of  a  central  piece  of  plank  two  inches  wide,  on  to  the  upper 
and  lower  sides  of  which  are  nailed  strips  of  board  four  inches  wide,  forming 
a  groove  an  inch  deep  for  the  sashes  to  slide  in. 

d,  Weather  boards. 

e  e,  Horizontal  bars.  In  Jig.2i,  we  have  explained  how  they  are  all  put 
on  but  the  top  one.     The  latter  is  nailed  on  top  of  the  rafter,  and  the  sash 


382 


Description  of  the  Graperies 


bars,  (the  upper  ends  being  halved,)  are  nailed  on  to  the  under  side ;  a  small 
groove,  a  quarter  of  an  inch  deep,  being  made  in  the  horizontal  bar  to  ad- 
mit the  glass.  Where  the  bars  come  directly  over  a  rafter  they  are  bevelled 
off  on  the  under  side  and  nailed  to  the  rafter. 

ff.  Sash  bars  and  glass. 

g.  Box  for  holding  weights,  as  shown  in  fig.  26.  This  box  is  made  by 
simply  nailing  strips  of  board  four  inches  wide  on  each  side  of  the  centre 
posts,  and  nailing  another  piece  underneath  them  to  make  the  bottom. 

The  only  difficult  part  of  this  plan  is  to  adjust  the  venti- 
lating apparatus  tightly,  so  that  the  sash  may  slide  upon  the 
upper  side  of  the  horizontal  bar.  The  groove  in  the  horizon- 
tal bar  to  admit  the  glass,  should  be  about  quarter  of  an  inch 
deep,  and  filled  with  putty  before  the  glass  is  put  in. 

Having  thus  shown  how  the  work  should  be  executed,  and 
presuming  that  all  is  sufficiently  plain,  we  proceed  to  show 
how  the  ventilating  sashes  are  hung,  so  as  to  be  easily  opened 
or  closed,  {Jig.  26.) 

a,  Ventilating  sash,  with  a  sta- 
ple in  the  top  bar,  for  fastening 
the  ropes. 

b,  Pulley,  over  which  the  rope 
d  passes,  for  closing  up  the  sashes 
when  open  ;  this  pulley  is  set  into 
the  ridge  plank,  and  the  rope, 
passing  through  it  and  through 
the  weight  c,  drops  down  through 
the  box  e,  and,  when  shut,  the 
weight  rests  on  the  bottom  of  the 
box,  which  is  just  two  feet  six 
inches  from  the  rafters. 

c,  Weight,  three  inches  broad 
and  six  inches  long,  with  the 
rope  passing  through  the  centre, 
and  a  knot  beneath  to  keep  it  in 
place.  It  weighs  about  four 
pounds,  and  is  sufficiently  heavy 
to  keep  the  sash  closed  when 
once  shut. 


Fig.  26.    Section  of  one  of  the  ventilating  sashes, 
showing  the  manner  iri  which  they  are  hung. 


d,  Rope  for  closing  the  sashes. 

e,  Box,  as  described  in  fig.  25,  to  which  a  pulley  is  attached. 

/,  horizontal  bar,  to  the  under  side  of  which  is  attached  a  pulley,  over 
which  the  rope  g  passes,  and  also  over  the  pulley  at  e,  for  opening  the 
sashes. 

g,  Rope  for  opening  the  sashes. 


of  Horace  Gray^  Esq. 


383 


"^ 


There  are  various  ways  of  hanging  sashes  of  this  kind,  but 
Mr.  Gray's  arrangements  appear  to  be  so  complete,  that  we 
have  deemed  it  important  to 
illustrate  the  plan.  We  had 
occasion  to  witness  the  ease 
and  rapidity  with  which  they 
work,  at  one  of  our  visits, 
when  a  sudden  gust  of  wind, 
accompanied  with  rain,  came 
up.  In  less  than  five  min- 
utes every  sash  open,  from 
one  end  of  the  house  to  the 
other,  was  closed.  Mr.  Rus- 
sel,  whose  experience  is  ex- 
tensive, thinks  no  better 
mode  could  be  devised. 

Our  last  engraving,  (^fig- 
27,)  represents  the  Elevation 
of  part  of  the  grapery  com- 
plete, showing  its  general 
appearance.  The  scale  to 
which  it  is  drawn  is  too 
large  to  admit  its  entire 
length  in  our  page;  and  in 
order  to  show  how  the  hori- 
zontal bars,  which  support 
the  sash  bars,  are  arranged, 
we  have  represented  them  in 
the  plan  as  before  described, 
in  fig.  25.  The  doors,  ven- 
tilators, (fcc.  are  all  so  plain, 
as  to  render  particular  details 
unnecessary.  The  scale  is 
ten  feet  to  the  inch. 

The  appearance  of  the 
grapery,  with  its  smooth, 
luibroken,  curved  roof,  is 
much  more  ornamental  than 
the  ordinary  structures  for  this  purpose.     Ther(i  is  a  lightness 


•&5 
^ 


384  Treatment  and  Management  of  the  Vines. 

about  it  which  is  pleasing,  and  the  general  effect  is  more  in 
harmony  with  architectural  beauty  than  the  usual  flat  roofs 
with  sliding  sashes. 

We  now  close  our  remarks,  which  have  necessarily  become 
rather  extended,  with  Mr.  Russel's  article  on  the  Manage- 
ment of  the  Vines. 

TREATMENT  OF  THE  VINES  FROM  1841  TO  1846. 

The  Grapery  at  Nonantum  Hill  was  built  in  the  year  1840, 
and  the  Vines  planted  the  spring  following.  In  order  to  give 
as  accurate  an  idea  as  possible  of  their  treatment  and  man- 
agement, from  the  commencement  to  the  present  time,  I 
shall  begin  with  the  making  of  the  Vine  border,  as  it  is  un- 
doubtedly of  the  greatest  importance ;  for  it  matters  not,  how- 
ever well  the  House  may  be  constructed,  if  the  pasturage  for 
the  roots  does  not  supply  them  with  an  abundance  of  whole- 
some food,  the  result,  most  assuredly,  will  be  a  failure,  for  the 
skill  of  the  cultivator  cannot  make  up  for  this  deficiency. 

Prcj)aration  of  the  Border. — The  border,  in  the  present  in- 
stance, I  cannot  speak  positively  about,  as  it  was  made  before 
I  took  charge  of  the  grapery ;  but,  from  its  appearance,  and 
what  I  can  learn,  I  should  say  that  the  compost  consists  of 
good  soil,  bones  and  oyster  shells.  The  grape  border  that  I 
should  prefer,  and  which  is  all  that  need  be  desired  for  this 
purpose,  is  the  surface  sod  of  an  old  pasture  that  has  been 
stocked  with  sheep  and  neat  cattle  for  years  :  this  should  be 
dug  up  six  inches  in  thickness,  six  months  before  making  the 
border,  and  piled  up,  grass  side  down,  into  a  long  ridge,  or 
any  other  shape,  so  as  only  to  exclude  the  air  from  the  grass  as 
much  as  possible.  Before  it  is  wanted  for  die  vines,  let  the 
whole  be  well  turned  over  and  broken  up  with  a  spade,  and 
it  will  be  in  the  very  best  condition  for  the  roots  to  take  hold 
of.  Bones  may  be  mixed  with  tlie  compost  if  easily  to  be  pro- 
cured. If  the  subsoil  is  moist  or  springy,  eight  or  ten  inches 
of  rubbish  from  old  buildings,  or  of  stone,  with  a  layer  of 
brush  wood  on  the  top,  with  a  drain  in  front  to  carry  off  any 
superabundance  of  water,  would  be  a  suitable  preparation  at 
the  bottom  of  wet  borders. 

Dimensions  of  the  Border. — The  border  of  the  grapery  is 
about  eighteen  feet  wide,  and  three  feet  deep ;  fifteen  feet  of 


Treatment  and  Management  of  the  Vines.  385 

the  width  is  outside  of  the  house  on  each  side,  and  about  six 
feet  inside,  as  the  grapes  are  all  planted  inside  about  six  inches 
from  the  walls,  under  each  rafter.  When  completed,  an  al- 
lowance should  always  be  made  for  the  settling  of  the  com- 
post, which  generally  subsides  nearly  six  inches.  Slaughter- 
house and  other  strong  manures,  mixed  with  loam,  bones,  &c.; 
and  laid  one  year  together,  and  occasionally  turned  over,  will 
answer  a  good  purpose  for  a  border  :  but  the  compost  I  have 
alluded  to,  composed  of  the  top  spit  of  a  pasture,  is  much  to 
be  preferred,  having  within  itself  all  the  richness  necessary 
for  the  growth  of  the  vine,  with  the  annual  applications  of  ma- 
nure to  the  surface. 

1841.  Planting  of  the  Vines. — The  vines  were  planted  in 
May,  and  I  venture  to  say  that  the  method  taken  Avas  as  fol- 
lows. In  the  first  place,  the  earth  was  dug  out  six  inches 
deep,  and  from  five  to  six  feet  in  width,  leaving  the  bottom  of 
one  level  grade  the  whole  length  of  the  border :  this  is  giving 
all  the  roots  an  equal  chance,  and  they  should  be  spread  out 
carefully,  covering  the  lowest  roots  only  six  inches  deep,  and 
some  of  them  not  more  than  three  inches,  finishing  with  a 
slight  mulching  over  them  of  leaves  or  strawy  manure ;  this, 
with  occasional  waterings  through  the  summer,  is  all  that  is 
requisite. 

Summer  Treatment. — On  the  second  of  August,  Mr.  Thom- 
as Needham  took  the  charge  and  management  of  the  Grapery, 
at  which  time  the  vines  had  made  a  growth  of  three  or  four 
feet.  Keeping  a  moist  atmosphere  in  the  house,  stopping  the 
lateral  growths  at  the  first  joint,  tying  up  the  leading  shoot  of 
each  vine,  with  proper  airing  of  the  house  every  fine  day,  is 
the  routine  of  labour  the  first  season. 

Pruning  the  Vines. — November  1st,  the  average  growths  of 
the  vines  were  from  fifteen  to  seventeen  feet ;  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  month,  they  were  taken  from  the  trellis  and  pruned, 
leaving  the  canes  from  six  to  eight  feet  in  length.  The  vines 
were  then  placed  along  the  front  of  the  house  (inside)  and 
covered  with  straw  in  order  to  protect  them  from  the  sun,  and 
sudden  changes  through  the  winter  :  this  finishes  the  labour 
of  the  Grapery  for  this  season. 

1842.  Uncovering  the  Vines. — The  vines'were  uncovered 
the  third  week  in  April,  and  probably  washed  over  with  a 

VOL.  XII NO.  X.  49 


386  Treatment  and  Management  of  the  Viiies. 

mixture  of  soap  suds,  sulphur,  and  tobacco  water ;  at  any  rate, 
this  is  a  wash  that  is  frequently  used  by  gardeners.  It  is 
generally  used  on  peaches  and  nectarines,  or  any  other  trees 
cultivated  under  glass,  early  in  the  spring,  before  vegetation 
commences.  Trees,  (fee,  receiving  this  treatment,  are  found 
not  to  be  so  liable  to  disease  or  mildew,  or  the  attacks  of  in- 
sects, and  it  is  therefore  not  altogether  unworthy  of  notice. 

Breaking  the  Buds. — On  the  first  of  May,  the  vines  begin 
to  swell  their  buds,  and  the  canes,  as  before  stated,  being  six 
or  eight  feet  in  length,  something  must  be  done  to  ensure  the 
breaking  of  all  the  eyes.  This  may  be  done  by  simply  tying 
up  the  shoot  at  the  front  of  the  house,  letting  the  remainder 
bend  to  the  ground ;  the  bud  will  very  soon  put  forth  at  the 
ligature,  and  then  another  tie  may  be  made  a  little  higher  up 
— bearing  in  mind  to  keep  the  end  of  the  vine  in  a  pendent 
position,  and  so  proceed  until  every  bud  has  grown  an  inch 
or  more,  at  which  time  the  vines  must  be  carefully  tied  up  to 
the  trellis.  At  this  time,  when  the  weather  is  fine,  syringe 
the  vines  every  morning,  and  keep  a  moist  heat  in  the 
house  by  closing  early,  and  watering  the  floor,  &c.  By  the 
20th  of  May,  it  will  be  necessary  to  stop  the  lateral  growths 
at  the  first  joint  above  the  fruit,  and  those  shoots  that  have 
no  fruit  must  be  stopped  in  the  same  manner  :  a  free  circula- 
tion of  air  every  fine  day  is  indispensably  necessary  for  the 
health  and  strength  of  the  vines,  closing  the  house  half  an 
hour  before  the  sun  leaves  the  glass  at  night,  and  give  a  little 
air  in  the  morning,  as  soon  as  the  sun  shines  on  the  house, 
increasing  the  quantity  as  the  heat  increases.  This  mode  of 
treatment  will  be  found  to  be  decidedly  of  more  advantage  to 
the  grapes  than  keeping  the  house  closed  up  until  the  whole 
is  ventilated  at  once.  In  rainy  or  dull  weather,  discontinue 
the  watering  until  it  is  fine  again,  and  when  the  grapes  are  in 
flower,  a  drier  heat  is  necessary. 

Smnmer  Treatment. — June  10th  The  vines  by  this  time 
will  need  stopping  again  at  the  first  joint  above  where  they 
were  stopped  the  first  time,  also  the  laterals  must  be  stopped 
on  each  leading  shoot,  and  kept  so  through  the  season.  June 
25th. — Thinning  the  fruit  should  now  be  commenced.  This 
should  be  done  by  a  practised  hand.  When  the  fruit  begins 
to  ripen,  a  drier  atmosphere  should  be  maintained.     All  that 


Treatment  and  Management  of  the  Vines.  387 

will  be  really  necessary  at  this  time  is  to  sprinkle  the  house 
rather  sparingly  at  midday. 

Pruning  the  Vines. — November  1st.  The  grapes  by  this 
time  will  be  all  cut  from  the  vines,  and  the  stopping  process  given 
up.  About  the  20th  of  this  month,  the  vines  should  be  taken 
from  the  trellis,  and  pruned  :  the  rod  that  has  borne  the  crop 
of  fruit  this  year  is  cut  out  altogether,  leaving  a  succession 
cane,  which  was  taken  up  nearly  to  the  top  of  the  house  from 
the  first  or  second  bud  heloiv  the  fruit  bearing  one  :  this  suc- 
cession growth  received  the  same  treatment,  viz.,  in  stopping 
the  lateral  growths,  occasionally,  and  the  frequent  tying  or 
training  of  the  shoot,  that  the  fruiting  one  received  the  first 
season,  with  this  exception,  that  it  was  stopped  within  two  or 
three  feet  of  the  top  of  the  house,  and  pruned  to  the  length  of 
eight  or  ten  feet,  taken  down  and  protected  in  a  similar  man- 
ner as  in  the  previous  season. 

1843.  General  Treatment. — I  shall  suppose  that  similar 
treatment  with  the  like  favorable  results  was  practised  through 
this  season,  therefore  I  consider  it  to  be  altogether  superfluous 
for  me  to  repeat  my  observations.  The  management  in  all 
the  leading  points  is  the  same,  only  that  the  vines  have  not 
to  support  this  year  an  extra  growth  to  bear  the  next  crop  of 
fruit.  In  November  of  this  year,  the  vines  were  pruned  on 
the  close  spurring  system  the  first  time,  and  secured  by  a  cov- 
ering of  straw,  as  before  stated,  through  the  winter,  and  thus 
end  the  first  three  seasons  in  the  management  of  the  vines. 
Mr.  Thomas  Needham  proved  himself  to  be  a  master  of  his 
profession,  having  grown  very  superior  fruit. 

1844.  Uticovering  the  Vines. — April  1st  was  the  com- 
mencement of  my  services  with  Horace  Gray,  Esq.  As  the 
previous  winter  had  been  very  severe,  I  took  the  earliest  op- 
portunity I  had  to  examine  the  vines,  then  under  their  winter 
covering,  which  I  found  to  be  in  number,  ninety-eight.  After 
a  careful  supervision  of  each  vine,  I  found  seven  of  them  dead 
to  within  a  few  inches  of  the  roots.  The  whole  were  uncov- 
ered the  third  week  in  April :  owing  to  this  being  a  cold  house, 
the  exposiu'e  of  the  vines  could  not  be  done  with  safety  before 
this  time, — having  no  means  of  counteracting  the  frosts  which 
we  occasionally  have  at  this  season  of  the  year.  The  injured 
vines  were  forthwith  cut  down  to  the  ground ;  they  soon  put 


388  Treatmmit  and  Management  of  the  Vines. 

forth  their  buds  and  grew  vigorously  and  with  great  strength 
during  the  season,  and  they  are  at  the  present  time  heavily 
laden  with  fruit.  The  other  ninety-one  vines  were  in  fine 
condition.  They  were  at  once  tied  up  to  the  trellis  at  the 
front  of  the  house,  and  secured  in  a  pendent  position,  there 
to  remain  until  the  eyes  had  grown  about  an  inch,  more  or 
less.  During  this  time  the  whole  of  the  vines  were  syringed 
with  water  in  the  most  thorough  manner  every  fine  morning, 
and  a  humid  atmosphere  kept  up,  at  the  same  time  well  ven- 
tilating the  grapery  every  fine  day.  The  reason  why  the 
vines  were  not  immediately  tied  closely  up  to  the  trellis,  at 
the  time  of  being  uncovered  from  their  winter  quarters,  was 
to  insure  the  more  regular  breaking  and  growth  of  the  buds ; 
and  although  it  is  not  always  necessary  to  use  this  precau- 
tion on  a  vine  that  is  fruited  from  spurs,  I  still  would  recom- 
mend this  practice  to  be  generally  followed.  But  in  the  present 
instance,  there  was  three  or  four  feet  of  a  cane  of  the  previous 
year's  growth  at  the  extremity  of  each  spurred  vine,  which 
would  not  have  broken  its  buds  so  even  and  regularly  if  the 
placing  of  the  vine  in  a  pendent  position  had  notbeen  adhered  to. 
A  strong  rod  or  cane  cannot  be  managed  with  any  certainty  of 
success,  or  the  breaking  of  the  buds  accomplished,  without 
being  placed  in  such  a  position. 

Disbudding  the  shoots. — May  6th.  The  buds  were  now 
pushing  rapidly  with  a  strong  and  healthy  appearance,  and 
the  house  was  thoroughly  cleansed  of  all  unsightly  matter, 
the  ground  raked,  &c. :  airing  was  also  strictly  attended  to. 
On  the  12th  day  we  began  to  tie  up  the  vines  to  the  trellis  on 
which  they  are  trained,  within  twelve  or  fourteen  inches  of 
the  glass.  This  is  a  part  of  the  business  that  must  be  done 
by  a  careful  hand,  for  the  slightest  touch  imaginable  would 
break  ofi"  the  now  succulent  shoots,  and  not  unlikely  just 
where  they  happen  to  be  the  most  needed.  A  free  circulation 
of  air  at  this  time,  when  the  weather  will  allow  of  it,  is  indis- 
pensably necessary,  for  if  this  is  neglected  it  will  be  seen  at 
once,  from  the  feeble  growths  and  weak  show  of  fruit.  As 
this  is  a  cold  house,  having  no  artificial  heat,  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  guard  against  the  sudden  changes  of  the  weather;  if 
it  be  dull  or  rainy,  the  waterings  must  be  diminished ;  but  on 
bright  sunny  days,  they  should  be  given  unsparingly, — the 


Treatment  and  Management  of  the  Vines.  389 

medium,  between  very  wet  and  dry,  is  the  course  to  follow. 
Disbudding,  or  the  thinning  out  of  the  shoots  from  the  spurred 
vines,  will  now  have  to  be  attended  to.  I  prefer  leaving  the 
whole  to  grow  to  the  length  of  from  four  to  six  inches,  before 
they  are  taken  off,  in  order  to  stimulate  the  roots  and  to  put 
them  into  action ;  this  is  giving  the  roots,  if  I  may  be  allowed 
the  expression,  their  jir^st  meal.  From  each  spur,  there  will 
spring  from  three  to  six  shoots ;  this  gives  the  operator  some 
choice  in  his  selection  of  the  one  to  leave.  In  my  practice  I 
only  leave  one  to  bear  the  fruit,  and  on  young  vines  that  are 
short  jointed,  only  one  bunch  on  every  other  shoot ;  and  I  am 
certain  that  experience  will  amply  satisfy  all,  who  will  not 
be  taught  by  any  other  means,  that  over-cropping  the  vine  is 
the  bane  of  grape-growing.  The  fruit  does  not  arrive  to  per- 
fection either  in  size  or  flavor,  and  therefore,  instead  of  hav- 
ing fruit  of  the  best  quality,  very  little  short  of  sour  grapes 
will  be  the  result  of  all  the  anxiety  and  labor  in  producing 
them. 

Stopping  the  shoots. — This  must  now  be  attended  to,  at  the 
first  joint  above  the  fruit,  on  the  bearing  spurs,  and  also  on  all 
the  other  lateral  shoots  which  have  no  fruit  on  them ;  stop  at 
about  the  same  length  from  the  main  stem ;  if  this  is  not  done 
the  fruit-bearing  ones  would  be  impoverished.  The  leading 
shoot  must  not  be  stopped  until  it  reaches  the  top  of  the  house. 
The  training  of  the  vines  may  now  be  commenced ;  this  con- 
sists in  tying  each  shoot  to  the  trellis,  in  regular  order ;  those 
growths  that  are  strong  and  not  pliable  must  be  handled  with 
care,  or  they  will  be  broken  off;  therefore  bringing  them  into 
the  desired  position  must  be  done  by  degrees,  and  as  the  wood 
becomes  tougher,  the  end  will  generally  be  accomplished.  On 
the  nice  adjustment  of  the  shoots,  and  in  the  arrangement  of 
the  bunches  of  fruit,  some  practical  skill  is  wanted ;  the  good 
effect  it  gives  amply  pays  for  the  time  taken  to  do  it.  As  the 
vines  grow  rapidly  at  this  time,  say  May  16th,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  go  over  the  vines  again,  in  order  to  stop  the  lat- 
erals, which  have  pushed  at  the  extremities  of  the  fruit-bear- 
ing shoot,  (as  well  as  those  without  fruit,)  at  the  first  joint 
above,  where  they  were  stopped  the  first  time ;  the  laterals 
below  the  fruit  must  be  kept  stopped  at  the  first  joint  through 
the  season. 


390  Treatment  and  Management  of  the  Vines. 

There  are  various  opinions  in  regard  to  the  utility  of  this 
course  of  practice.  A  superabundance  of  foliage  is  by  some 
advocated ;  others  maintain  that  it  should  be  taken  off,  to  let 
in  the  sun's  rays  to  act  on  the  fruit.  Whatever  theory  may 
advance  in  favor  of  these  extremes,  practice  will  and  must 
condemn.  In  a  grapery,  sufficient  foliage  is  necessary  to  feed 
the  grapes  as  well  as  to  shade  them  from  the  direct  rays  of  the 
sun ;  a  dense  shade,  which  neither  the  sun  or  light  can  pene- 
trate through,  cannot  be  too  much  deprecated ;  the  fact  is, 
the  leaves  would  soon  become  thin  and  languid,  and  a  dozen 
of  such  would  not  return  as  much  wholesome  food  to  the 
grapes,  or  to  the  wood  or  roots,  as  one  fine  healthy  leaf  would 
do.  I  have  seen  grapes  that  have  been  grown  under  such  a 
thicket  of  laterals  and  foliage,  that  had  lost  all  the  appear- 
ance of  what  they  really  were,  from  their  meagre  growth. 
The  sun  ought  to  shine  on  every  leaf,  more  or  less,  or  they 
cannot  perform  the  work  assigned  them  to  do. 

Temperature  of  the  Grapery. — When  the  grapes  are  in 
flower,  the  temperature  should  be  kept  as  even  as  possible, 
and  the  waterings  more  moderate.  The  thermometer  will 
indicate  the  heat  to  be  at  mid-day,  from  85°  to  95°,  and  fall 
at  night  to  55°  or  60°,  and  some  times  much  lower,  if  the 
nights  be  cold,  without  any  apparent  injury  to  the  vines.  I 
do  not  syringe  the  vines  after  they  are  finally  trained  up  to 
the  trellis  at  any  time  through  the  season,  unless  it  is  to  coun- 
teract the  mildew.  The  vine  fritter,  that  pest  in  some  situa- 
tions, can  be  completely  eradicated  by  strong  fumigations  of 
tobacco,  which  should  always  be  done  when  it  rains,  or  when 
the  atmosphere  is  thick  and  heavy. 

Thinning  of  the  Grapes. — When  the  grapes  are  as  large  as 
a  marrowfat  pea,  thinning  should  be  commenced.  A  prac- 
tised hand  is  necessary  to  do  this  thoroughly,  for  on  its  being 
well  or  ill  done  rests,  in  a  great  measure,  the  good  or  bad  qual- 
ity of  the  fruit.  The  large  grapes  such  as  Black  Hamburghs 
should  be  cut  out  freely  at  this  time.  If  the  border  should  be 
dry,  give  two  or  three  inches  of  water  to  the  roots  if  a  suffi- 
cient supply  of  it  be  at  hand.  Mulching  the  border  with  leaves 
or  coarse  manure  should  also  be  attended  to. 

When  the  grapes  are  stoning,  the  laterals  may  be  allowed 
to  ramble  more  at  length,  but  as  soon  as  the  second  swelling 


Treatment  mid  Management  of  the  Vines.  391 

of  the  fruit  commences,  the  stopping  process  must  be  renewed, 
and  strictly  adhered  to  until  the  fruit  is  ripe. 

Preventioti  of  Mildew. — In  cold  houses,  there  is  often  dan- 
ger from  mildew,  especially  during  a  continuance  of  cold 
damp  weather.  The  following  wash,  applied  as  directed, 
will  immediately  stop  it  when  it  makes  its  appearance: — 
To  one  peck  of  quick  lime,  add  half  a  pound  of  sulphur  ;  put 
them  into  a  tight  barrel,  and  pour  boiling  hot  water  over  them 
sufficient  to  slake  all  the  lime,  and  it  will  be  foimd  that  the 
sulphur  is  mixed  with  it  in  the  best  possible  manner  :  then 
pour  on  to  the  top  of  it  three  gallons  of  soft  water,  and  stir  it 
well  together,  leaving  it  to  settle ;  in  about  twenty-four  hours, 
the  water  on  the  top  will  be  perfectly  clear.  This  should  be 
taken  off  as  clear  as  possible,  and  put  into  a  stotie  jar,  there 
to  remain  until  wanted.  Half  a  pint  of  this  mixture  will  be 
sufficient  for  three  gallons  of  water.  This  wash  will  not  in- 
jure either  the  fruit  or  leaves ;  and  no  person  could  tell  that 
any  thing  but  clean  water  had  been  used,  only  that  it  leaves 
a  stain  on  white  paint,  which  will  wear  off  in  a  little  time. 
This  is  a  sure  remedy  for  the  mildew,  and  therefore  worth 
knowing  to  every  grape  cultivator. 

General  Management. — When  the  grapes  begin  to  ripen, 
gradually  lessen  the  humidity  of  the  atmosphere  in  the  house, 
as  all  that  will  be  needed  now  is  occasional  slight  waterings 
at  midday,  over  the  ground,  when  the  weather  is  fine.  A  care- 
ful examination  of  the  grapes  is  frequently  necessary,  in  order 
to  destroy  vermin  that  may  be  attacking  the  fruit.  By  the 
first  of  November,  the  fruit  was  all  cut,  and  from  that  time, 
all  further  labor  upon  the  vines  ceases,  until  pruning  com- 
mences, which  is  generally  about  the  middle  of  the  month. 
The  ventilation  of  the  house  every  fine  day,  however,  is  not 
neglected,  in  order  to  fully  ripen  the  wood. 

Priming  the  Vines. — The  mode  which  I  have  adopted  in 
my  practice,  is  that  which  is  called  close  pruning ;  that  is  the 
fruit-bearing  spurs  of  the  present  year  are  cut  quite  out  at 
the  fall  pruning,  and  the  spurs  of  the  coming  year  are  obtain- 
ed from  the  dormant  buds  at  the  base,  from  which  several 
will  spring  up,  as  I  have  before  remarked.  I  have  produced 
the  finest  bunches  of  grapes  in  this  way,  although  some  cul- 
tivators argue  that  a  good  cluster  cannot  be  obtained  if  the 
spur  is  cut  back  beyond  the  first  good  eye.     The  vines  have 


392  Treatment  and  Management  of  the  Vines. 

a  neater  appearance  by  this  mode,  and  I  have  always  obtain- 
ed the  best  results. 

A  fortnight  or  more,  according  to  the  weather,  after  the 
grapes  are  pruned,  they  should  be  secured  in  their  winter 
quarters,  before  severe  frosts  set  in.  This  is  done  by  covering 
them  entirely  with  straw,  taking  them  from  the  trellis  and 
laying  them  along  the  grapery  against  the  wall  and  near  to 
the  ground.  This  completes  the  labor  of  the  vineries  for  the 
year.  I  may  remark,  however,  that  occasionally  in  very  hot 
days  in  February  or  March,  the  ventilating  sashes  are  some- 
times opened  to  prevent  any  danger  of  exciting  the  vines. 
The  crop  for  1844  was  about  fourteen  hundred  bunches. 

1845.  The  vines  were  uncovered  about  the  usual  time, 
and  received  precisely  the  same  management  as  in  1844.  I 
have  not  thought  it  necessary,  therefore,  to  repeat  what  I  have 
already  said.  The  vines  grew  rapidly  and  strong,  and  the 
product  this  year  was  about  two  thousand  bunches. 

1846.  During  the  present  year,  the  vines  have  succeeded 
admirably,  and  are  now  loaded  with  a  very  heavy  crop, 
which  look  in  fine  condition.  Generally,  each  vine  has  thirty 
bunches  or  thereabouts,  some  of  them  weighing  nearly  two 
pounds,  and  the  entire  crop  is  about  three  thousand  bunches. 
The  season  has  been  sometimes  rather  favorable  to  mildew, 
but  it  has  been  kept  off  without  much  trouble.  During  the 
months  of  July  and  August,  the  thermometer  frequently 
ranged  from  95°  to  105°  through  the  day,  with  all  the  venti- 
lation we  could  give,  and  has  often  stood  at  75'^  to  85°  through 
the  night. 

The  vines  now  occupy  all  the  space,  and  are  in  their  prime ; 
all  the  pruning  annually  required  will  be  to  cut  the  spurs 
clear  back,  and  take  up  others  from  the  dormant  buds  in  their 
places ;  and  if  the  rules  1  have  laid  down  in  the  growth  of  the 
vines  for  1844  are  followed,  there  need  be  no  fear  of  a  fine 
crop  in  the  grapery  without  fire  heat. 

The  varieties  of  grape  cultivated  are  nine,  and  they  are 
generally  set  out  so  that  three  of  a  kind  succeed  each  other 
alternately.  The  names  are  as  follows :  Black  Hamburgh, 
Black  Frontignan,  White  Frontignan,  Chasselas  of  Fontain- 
bleau.  Golden  Chasselas,  White  Portugal,  Muscat  of  Alexan- 
dria, Black  Prince,  and  Black  Constantia. 


Experimerds  loith  the  Pear  upon  the  Apple.  393 


Art.  II.     Experiments  ivith  the  Pear  tipon  the  Apple.     By 

T.  S.  HuMRicKHOusE,  EsQ.,  Coshockton,  Ohio. 

1  HAviNGiioticed  a  hope  expressed,  at  foot  of  page  320,  (Vol.  XII.) 
of  your  Magazine,  that  your  correspondent,  Mr.  Thomas  Aflieck 
of  Washington,  Miss,  "would  keep  you  informed  of  the  health, 
product,  and  growth  of  his  pears  grafted  on  the  apple,"  I  am 
induced  to  join  you  in  that  hope,  and,  in  the  mean  time,  to 
offer  you  some  notes  of  my  experience  upon  the  same  subject. 

In  the  spring  of  1838,  I  commenced  a  series  of  trials  of  the 
pear  upon  the  apple,  in  the  nursery,  by  the  method  of  root 
grafting,  which  were  continued  up  to  1844.  The  roots  em- 
ployed by  me  were  of  thrifty  seedlings  two  years  old ;  and 
were  from  half  an  inch  to  three  quarters  of  an  inch,  or,  per- 
haps, one  inch  in  diameter.  They  were  pulled  up  from  the 
seedling  bed  shortly  before  they  were  wanted ;  and,  at  the 
time  of  grafting,  were  cut  into  suitable  lengths  of  from  four  to 
six  inches,  with  more  or  less  side  and  fibrous  roots  as  might 
happen.  The  scions  generally  contained  three  buds  or  eyes, 
and  might  be  two  to  four  inches  in  length,  depending  upon 
the  distance  asunder  of  the  buds  or  eyes.  After  the  operation 
was  performed,  and  they  were  planted  in  the  nursery  rows, 
the  top  of  the  stock  would  be  three  quarters  of  an  inch  to  one 
inch  and  a  half  below  the  surface.  The  soil  in  which  they 
were  set  was  a  rich  sandy  loam.  I  am  thus  particular,  in 
order  that  the  means  may  be  afforded,  if  desirable,  of  forming 
an  estimate  of  the  probable  influence  the  attendant  circum- 
stances may  have  had  upon  the  results. 

The  number  grafted  and  set  out,  at  the  first  trial  in  1838, 
was  eight  grafts,  about  one  half  of  which  grew  the  first  sea- 
son, but  died  the  second  and  third. 

The  number  grafted  and  set  out  at  the  second  trial  in  1839 
was  seventy-six,  of  which  nine  were  a  seedling  variety,  twen- 
ty Pound,  one  Catharine,  seven  Green  Chissel,  two  Seckel, 
three  Easter  Bergamot,  eight  Doyenne  Blanc,  nine  St.  Ger- 
main. Of  the  whole  number,  about  one  half  grew  the  first 
season.  The  Doyenne  Blanc  and  St.  Germain  failed  entirely. 
One  graft  of  Easter  Bergamot  grew,  appeared  thrifty,  but  died 
suddenly  the  latter  part  of  the  second  summer.     Two  of  the 

VOL.  XII. NO.  X.  50 


394  Mr.  Humrickhouse^  s  Experiments 

Green  Chissel  grew — one  blossomed  from  top  to  bottom,  in 
the  nm'sery,  the  third  spring  and  died  the  same  season ;  the 
other  died  in   transplanting.     The  two  Seckel  grew ;  one  I 
have  lost  sight  of;  the  other  1  gave  to  Mr.  William  K.  John- 
son of  this  place,  who  planted  it  in  1842  against  the  south 
wall  of  his  house,  which  is  of  brick,  and  trained  it  by  the  fan 
method.     The  situation  did  not  suit  it.     It  blossomed  every 
year,  but  the  heat  from  the  wall  always  forced  it  into  bloom 
so  early  in  the  season  as  to  be  always  killed  by  frosts.     In 
November  last,  Mr.  Johnson  removed  it  to  the  garden.     In  the 
spring,  it  blossomed  at  the  usual  time,  and  has  perfected  two 
pears  this  season.     The  fruits  thus  produced  were  more  than 
double  the  usual  size  of  the  Seckel,  of  a  pale  green  color,  hav- 
ing the  appearance  of  bemg  covered  with  a  faint  whitish  bloom, 
and  were  perfectly  melting,  exceedingly  sweet,  juicy,  and  fine 
grained,  without  any  grittiness  whatever.     Their  greatly  in- 
creased size  and  altered  appearance,  from  what  the  Seckel 
usually  is,  induced  the  Hon.  James  Mathews,  who  is  an  ama- 
teur, and  who  saw  the  fruit  while  yet  upon  the  tree,  to  doubt 
their  being  that  variety ;  and  it  is  proper  to  state,  that  the  tree, 
from  which  the  scion  was  taken,  was  procured  from  a  nurse- 
ry at  Wooster,  and  died  before  fruiting.     Having  seen,  how- 
ever, what  Mr.  Ernst  has  somewhere  stated  of  the  increased 
size,  &c.,  of  the  Seckel  when  grafted  on  the  apple,  I  do  not 
doubt,  in  this  instance,  its  being  true  to  name.     The  tree  at 
Mr.    Johnson's  stands   in  a  somewhat  shaded   situation,   is 
healthy,  retains  the  fan  shape  given  it  by  him,  is  a  dwarf  in 
habit,  being  now  about  five  feet  high  and  as  many  wide,  and 
remains  upon  the  apple  root  without  having  thrown  out  any 
of  its  own.     Of  the  other  trees  grafted  at  this  time,  some,  the 
second  and  third  seasons  of  their  growth,  became  so  dwarfed 
and  stunted  as  finally  to  die.     Four  or  five  of  the  residue 
were,  in  1842,  transferred  to  the  orchard,  and  are  still  alive  in 
different  states  of  thriftiness.     I  have  not  noticed  that  any  of 
them  have  made  roots  of  their  own,  and  think  they  have  not. 
The  orchard  to  which  they  were  taken  is  some  miles  from 
town,  and  hence  they  have  not  received  from  me  the  atten- 
tion they  otherwise  would.     How  they  may  eventually  suc- 
ceed remains  to  be  seen. 

In  1840, 1  tried  some  scions  sent  me  by  Mr.  William  Kenrick. 


with  the  Pear  ujton  the  Apjde.  395 

The  number  set  was  forty-eight,  as  follows : — five  Beurre 
d'Aremberg,  four  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  six  Pound,  four 
Beurre  Diel,  four  Capiaumont  of  Boston,  five  Bezi  Yaet,  four  Eas- 
ter Beurre,  four  Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  four  Napoleon,  three 
Urbaniste,  five  Passe  Colmar.  Of  these,  Beurre  d'Aremberg, 
Beurre  Diel,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme  and  Napoleon  failed  en- 
tirely. Two  of  the  Passe  Colmar  grew,  and,  after  remaining 
stationary,  or  nearly  so,  during  their  second  and  third  sea- 
sons, at  length  threw  out  roots  of  their  own,  on  which  they 
have  now  become  established,  the  apple  root  having  entirely 
rotted  away  and  disappeared  from  them.  They  are  now 
thrifty  trees.  One  only  of  the  Capiaumont  grew.  It  made 
about  the  usual  growth  the  first  season,  and  afterwards  re- 
mained stationary  until  the  present  season.  It  now  appears 
to  be  establishing  itself  upon  its  own  roots,  and  has  this  year 
thrown  up  a  thrifty  shoot.  One  only  of  the  Urbaniste  grew. 
It  also  remained  stationary  until  last  season,  when  it  formed 
roots  of  its  own,  upon  which  it  is  now  established  and  doing 
well.  Four  Easter  Beurres  grew.  The  two  largest  then  ap- 
parently thrifty,  were  removed  last  spring  a  year  ago  to  the 
orchard  and  died.  The  two  left  in  tlie  nursery  are  low — not 
more  than  two  feet  high — scraggy,  and  have  made  no  new 
wood  the  last  three  years,  but  have  blossomed  each  of  those 
years.  They  all  remained  upon  the  apple  roots.  Two  Bezi 
Vaets  grew.  One,  remaining  in  the  nursery,  has  established 
itself  upon  its  own  roots,  and  is  a  fine  thrifty  tree.  It,  too, 
did  not  grow  much  till  the  two  past  seasons,  but,  both  the 
past  seasons,  it  has  grown  as  rapidly  as  any  tree  that  has  ever 
fallen  under  my  observation.  The  other  Bezi  Vaet  was  re- 
moved, last  spring  a  year  ago,  to  a  grass  plat  in  front  of  my 
house.  The  top  died  down  to  within  two  feet  of  the  ground, 
and  it  has  made  no  new  growth  of  wood  since  transplanted, 
though  it  has  now  two  pears  upon  it  which  appear  to  be  swel- 
ling out  finely.  It  remains  upon  the  apple  root.  Two  of  the 
Williams's  Bon  Chretien  grew,  and  have  done  the  best  of  any 
remaining  upon  the  apple,  as  they  still  appear  to  do.  One  of 
them  was  removed,  a  year  ago,  to  the  yard,  and  this  year 
fruited.  But  one  pear  remained  to  ripen  upon  the  tree,  which 
was  much  smaller  than  it  should  be,  and  deficient  in  flavor. 
The  other  tree,  still  in   the  nursery,  is  thrifty,  and  produced 


396  Mr.  Humrickhouse^ s  Experiments 

this  season  a  dozen  or  more  pears  of  fine  appearance,  which 
were  stolen  by  the  boys  about  the  last  of  July.  Neither  of 
these  two  trees  have  ever  exhibited  any  appearance  of  being 
dwarfed  by  the  stocks,  but,  on  the  contrary,  promise  to  make 
standard  trees. 

In  1841,  I  grafted  and  set  out,  in  the  same  way,  fifty-nine 
trees,  of  which  eight  were  Green  Chissel,  fourteen  Easter 
Beurre,  and  thirty-seven  Seckel.  The  Green  Chissel  all  failed. 
Five  or  six  of  the  Easter  Beurre  grew,  but  have  done  nothing 
since  the  first  and  second  seasons.  They  are,  to  all  appear- 
ance, of  no  use  whatever.  About  three  fourths  of  the  Seckel 
grew,  and  of  these,  about  one  half  are  thrifty,  and  give  prom- 
ise of  doing  well.  Some  of  them  have  been  given  away  by 
me,  and  others  transplanted. 

In  1842,  I  grafted  and  set  out  in  the  same  way,  one  hun- 
dred and  seventeen,  of  seven  varieties,  about  one  third  of 
which  grew.  Some  varieties  failed  entirely.  Of  those  that 
grew,  the  Pound,  Easter  Beurre,  and  Williams's  Bon  Chre- 
tien appear  to  do  the  best,  and  about  one  third  of  them  are 
doing  tolerably  well.  I  have  not  ascertained  that  any  of  these 
have  as  yet  made  roots  of  their  own,  but  think  they  have  not. 
Last  year,  I  removed  one,  a  Salviati,  to  the  yard.  It  grew 
the  first  season  after  transplanting.  This  year,  it  again  leaved 
out,  but  is  now  dead.     It  remained  upon  the  apple  root. 

The  number  grafted  and  set  out  in  1843  was  seventy-two, 
of  which  thirty-seven  were  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  and 
thirty-five  Easter  Beurre.  About  one  half  of  them  grew. 
They  appear  to  have  done  better,  upon  the  whole,  than  any 
former  trial,  and  a  number  of  them  are  now  of  fine  size  for 
transplanting  to  the  orchard.  I  cannot  say  that  any  of  them 
have  made  roots  of  their  own.  Since  1843,  I  have  not  graft- 
ed any  pears  upon  the  apple. 

You  have  now  before  you  my  experiments  and  their  results, 
as  far  as  they  are  yet  apparent.  Each  one  is  left  to  draw  his 
own  conclusions  from  them.  For  myself,  I  do  not  regard 
them  as  complete  enough  to  lay  down  any  thing  as  absolutely 
determined  by  them.  It  will  not,  however,  be  going  too  far 
to  say  that  their  tendency  is  strongly  to  shew,  that  root-graft- 
ing the  pear  upon  the  apple  cannot  be  relied  upon  by  nursery- 
men for  propagating  the  pear ;   unless  some  means  be  found 


with  the  Pear  upon  the  Ajyjde..  397 

by  which  a  much  greater  proportion,  in  any  given  number, 
can  be  made  to  grow  and  estabUsh  themselves  upon  their  own 
roots  than  the  foregoing  experiments  indicate.  Whether  this 
is  attainable  or  not,  future  trials  must  determine.  I  would 
suggest,  in  order  thereto,  that  the  scions  to  be  used  should  be 
six  to  seven  inches  in  length,  and  that,  when  planted  in  the 
nursery,  the  top  of  the  stock  should  be  three  to  five  inches 
under  the  surface  of  the  soil. 

Coshocton^  Ohio^  September^  1846. 

Practical  men  will  know  how  to  appreciate  the  importance  of 
such  real  facts  as  are  here  communicated  by  Mr.  Humrickhouse. 
Such  papers  have  a  sterling  value  which  commend  them  to 
the  attention  of  every  intelligent  cultivator.  Of  such  a  char- 
acter should  be  more  of  the  articles  which  are  intended  to  con- 
vey real  information — facts — which  form  the  basis  of  all  sci- 
ence. Mere  theoretical  essays  and  suggestions  have  their  merit, 
but  they  must  often  give  way  to  the  details  of  experience.  We 
are  most  happy  to  know  that  our  few  remarks  have  called 
out  the  article  of  Mr.  Humrickhouse.  For,  since  the  notice 
of  the  splendid  Seckel  pears  which  have  been  produced  on  the 
apple,  has  received  the  attention  of  cultivators,  many  have 
been  induced  to  try  the  experiment,  and  also  to  try  the  effect 
of  the  apple  stock  upon  other  sorts  of  pears.  The  article  of 
our  correspondent  may  be  the  means  of  preventing  many  from 
entering  largely  into  such  practices,  attended,  as  we  think 
they  must  be  in  the  end,  with  decided  failures. 

We  need  the  same  experience  in  relation  to  the  pear  upon 
the  quince ;  for  it  is  well  known  that  many  kinds  succeed  ad- 
mirably, while  others  fail  to  grow.  We  ourselves  have  some 
kinds  of  pears  on  the  quince  which  are  three  years  old,  and 
yet  not  twenty  inches  high.  There  are  over  four  hundred  va- 
rieties of  pears,  and  perhaps  one  half  of  them  will  not  grow 
freely  on  the  quince.  The  experiments  are  therefore  needed  to 
show  what  kinds  these  are.  European  authors  have  given 
us  much  information  on  the  subject ;  but  the  vast  number  of 
new  sorts,  of  recent  introduction,  as  well  as  the  great  and 
constantly  increasing  number  of  superior  American  pears,  ren- 
der their  information  only  of  comparative  value.  Wc  have 
yet  much  to  learn.     We  may  soon  add  something  to  the  stock 


398  Neiv  Seedling  Plum. 

of  information,  and,  in  the  mean  time,  we  would  urge  ama- 
teurs, as  well  as  practical  men,  to  give  us  the  results  of  ex- 
periments with  the  pear  on  the  quince,  in  the  manner  Mr. 
Humrickhouse  has  done  with  the  apple. — Ed. 


Art.  III.  Notice  of  a  New  Seedling  Plum.,  called  How^s  Am- 
ber, loith  an  engraving  and  description  of  the  fruit.  By 
the  Editor. 

In  our  last  number,  (p.  342,)  we  gave  a  brief  account  of 
this  new  plum.  Our  attention  was  first  called  to  it,  in  the 
fall  of  1845,  when  Mr.  How  first  exhibited  a  few  very  fine 
specimens  before  the  Mass.  Horticultural  Society.  The  ap- 
pearance of  the  plum  was  very  prepossessing,  having  a  rich 
amber-colored  skin,  beautifully  mottled  with  pale  rose.  Mr. 
How  gave  us  a  few  specimens,  and  upon  trial  we  found  its 
eating  qualities  of  sufficient  merit  to  recommend  the  variety 
for  cultivation.  Wishing,  however,  to  give  it  the  full  trial  of 
two  seasons,  we  reserved  our  notice  of  it  till  the  present  year, 
when,  by  invitation  of  Mr.  How,  we  visited  his  garden,  and 
examined  the  tree  when  in  fruit,  but  not  quite  ripe ;  subse- 
quently we  received  several  fine  specimens,  and  we  hesitate 
not  to  class  it  among  our  best  plums. 

The  tree  is  nearly  the  only  one,  out  of  three  or  four  hun- 
dred seedlings  raised  about  eight  years  ago,  from  trees 
brought  by  Mrs.  How.  from  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  and  collected 
while  on  a  visit  there,  that  possesses  any  particular  merit,  so 
far  as  yet  ascertained  ;  two  other  trees  have  produced  one  or 
two  good  sized  plums  each,  but  they  dropped  off  before  ripe. 
The  greater  portion  of  the  trees  have  produced  a  small, 
round,  blue  plum,  quite  worthless.  The  trees  all  stand 
crowded  together  just  as  they  were  planted,  in  rows  about 
two  feet  apart. 

The  tree  of  How's  Amber  is  about  twelve  feet  high,  and 
two  inches  through  at  the  stem  ;  of  vigorous  and  liandsome 
growth.  It  first  produced  two  or  three  plums,  in  1843: 
about  twice  the  number  in  1844,  when  its  good  qualities  were 
first  noticed,  and  in   1S4.5,  it  bore  three  or  four  dozen  speci- 


Cultivatio7i  of  Bulbous  Roots. 


399 


mens.  This  year  it  had  a  full  crop,  and  we  counted  our- 
selves, on  a  single  shoot  about  one  foot  long,  upwards  of  thirty- 
five  plums,  thus  showing  it  to  be  a  great,  as  well  as  constant 
bearer;  and  this,  too,  under  the  very  unfavorable  circum- 
stances of  being  crowded  in  among  other  trees,  and  without 
even  ordinary  cultivation.  We  annex  the  following  descrip- 
tion and  outline  of  the  fruit,  {fig-  28.) 

Wood,  nearly  smooth  when  full  grown;  young  shoots 
slightly  downy  :  Leaves,  medium  size,  roundish  :  Size,  me- 
dium, about  one  and  a  half  inch 
wide,  and  one  and  a  half  deep  : 
Form,  roundish,  very  regular,  with 
a  marked  but  very  shallow  su- 
ture :  Skin,  amber-colored  in  the 
shade,  but  very  evenly  spotted  and 
mottled  with  rose,  and  thinly  cov- 
ered with  a  pale  violet  bloom : 
Stem,  medium  length,  about  half 
an  inch,  moderately  stout,  and 
slightly  inserted,  with  scarcely  a 
perceptible  hollow :  Flesh,  rather 
coarsely  veined,  yellow,  but  melt- 
ing and  juicy,  adhering  to  the 
stone,  with  a  rich,  refreshing  and  delicious  flavor:  Stone, 
small,  rather  smooth,  and  much  pointed.  Ripe  about  the 
first  of  September. 

There  is  some  prejudice  against  clingstone  plums  as  well  as 
peaches,  and  How's  Amber  being  one  of  this  class,  may  not 
become  so  popular  as  some  poorer  variety.  To  all  cultiva- 
tors, however,  who  like  a  sprightly  fruit,  not  too  rich  and 
cloying,  this  variety  will  always  be  a  favorite. 


Fig.  28.     Hmv's  Amber  Plum. 


Art.  IV.      On  the  Cultivation  of  Bulbotis  Roots  in  Pots  and 
Glasses.     By  James  Hogg,  New  York. 

As  the  season  for  planting  bulbous  roots  in  pots  and  glasses 
is  now  approaching,  perhaps  some  hints  on  their  culture  in 
rooms  might  not  be  unacceptable,  especially  to  your  lady 
readers. 


400  Cultivation  of  Bidbons  Roots. 

The  bulbs  which  are  most  easily  and  most  commonly  cul- 
tivated in  rooms  are  hyacinths,  tulips,  narcissuses,  jonquils,  cro- 
cuses, snowdrops,  Persian  cyclamen,  and  Winter  aconite ;  to 
these  may  be  added  many  species  of  oxalis,  sparaxis,  ixia, 
amaryllis,  lachenalia,  and  other  bulbs ;  but  as  these  latter  are 
not  so  generally  grown  as  the  first  mentioned,  and  also  require 
a  different  treatment,  I  shall  not  now  enter  into  the  details  of 
their  cultivation. 

When  it  is  desired  to  grow  hyacinths  in  glasses  with  water, 
good  sound  large  roots  should  be  selected ;  the  glasses  should 
be  of  some  dark  color,  such  as  blue,  purple,  or  green,  or  else 
opaque,  as  the  roots  shun  light,  and,  therefore,  do  not  thrive 
well  in  clear  glasses.  The  glasses  should  be  filled  with  rain, 
or  river  water,  up  to  the  neck,  or  so  far  as,  that  the  ring  at 
the  bottom  of  the  bulb  only  should  touch  the  water.  They 
should  then  be  put  into  a  dark,  warm  closet  until  the  bulb  has 
emitted  roots,  and  the  shoot  from  the  crown  has  grown  about 
half  an  inch  in  height ;  it  should  then  be  placed  in  a  shady 
part  of  the  room  for  four  or  five  days,  but  not  over  a  mantel 
piece,  or  near  a  fire,  or  in  a  strong  draught  of  air ;  and  after- 
wards be  removed  to  a  window  with  a  sunny  exposure,  giv- 
ing air  by  raising  the  sash  for  two  or  three  hours  during  the 
middle  of  the  day,  when  the  sun  shines.  On  no  account 
should  they  be  placed  outside  the  window,  as  the  cold  harsh 
winds  which  prevail  at  this  season  efiectually  check  their 
growth.  The  water  should  be  changed  about  once  in  two  or 
three  weeks ;  the  glasses  should  be  turned  on  one  side,  and 
the  roots  partially  withdrawn  to  let  the  water  flow  out  freely, 
as,  when  the  roots  are  wholly  withdrawn,  it  is  difficult  to  re- 
place them  without  seriously  injuring  them. 

The  single  hyacinths  are  generally  the  best  for  blooming  in 
water :  subjoined  is  a  list  of  twelve  single  and  twelve  double 
varieties,  suitable  for  this  purpose,  viz. : — 

Single  Hyacinths. 

Amicus,  dark  blue  Lord  Wellington,  rose  color 

L'Ami  de  Coeur,  purple  Le  Vainqueur,  white 

Orondatus,  porcelain  blue  Le  Candour,  white 

Emilias,  porcelain  blue  Pyramide  Superbe,  white 

Princess  Esterhazy,  crimson  Isabella,  yellow 

Bouquet  Rouge,  crimson  Crossus,  yellow 


Cultivation  of  Bulbous  Roots.  401 

Double  Hyacinths. 

L'Amiti6,  dark  blue  Triomphe  Blandina,  white 
Datamus,  purple  Sceptre  d'Or,  white  with  yellow  edge 
Activity,  porcelain  blue  Due  de  Berri,  white  with  red  edge 
Bouquet  Tendre,  red  Bijou  des  Amateurs,  white  with  pur- 
Hugo  Grotius,  rose  Louis  d'Or,  yellow  [pie  edge 
Groot  Voorst,  red  Due  de  Berri  d'Or,  yellow 

When  hyacinths  are  grown  in  mould,  they  should  be  plant- 
ed in  pots  containing  about  a  quart  (six-inch.)  The  soil 
should  be  two  thirds  fresh  loam,  and  one  third  well  rotted 
horse  or  cow  manure :  the  latter  is  preferable  when  it  can  be 
obtained,  with  enough  of  coarse  sand  added  to  make  it  feel 
gritty  in  the  hand.  The  bulb  should  be  planted  so  that  the 
soil  will  cover  the  crown  about  half  an  inch,  and  under  the 
bulb  should  be  placed,  about  half  an  inch  in  thickness,  some 
coarse  sand,  as  it  prevents  the  water  from  rotting  the  young 
roots.  They  should  be  kept  in  a  warm  shady  place  until  the 
shoot  appears  above  the  soil ;  and  should  be  moderately  and 
regularly  watered,  being  careful  not  to  let  them  get  dry,  as  it 
checks  their  growth.  After  the  shoot  has  appeared,  they  may 
be  removed  to  a  window  exposed  to  the  sun,  observing  the 
same  directions  as  to  air,  &c.,  as  are  given  concerning  those 
in  glasses.  In  addition  to  those  suitable  for  glasses,  which 
will  also  do  well  in  pots,  the  following  varieties  may  be-  add- 
ed, viz. : — 

Single  Hyacinths.  Double  Hyacinths. 

Lord  Duncan,  porcelain  blue  Due  de  Normandie,  dark  blue 

Mad'lle  de  Valliere,  purple  A  la  Mode,  porcelain  blue 

Appius,  dark  blue  Waterloo,  crimson 

Mars,  red  La  De6se,  pure  white 

Blanche  Imperiale,  white  Don  Gratuit,  white  with  yellow  eye 

Fortunatus,  white  Passe  Virgo,  white  with  purple  eye 

A  very  pretty  effect  is  produced  b3'"  growing  hyacinths  in 
moss.  For  this  purpose,  an  open-worked  French  basket  may 
be  procured,  and  a  lining  of  moss  placed  inside ;  a  glass  or  oth- 
er dish  is  also  to  be  placed  in  it,  and  this  dish  is  to  be  filled 
up  with  moss  in  which  the  bulbs  are  to  be  placed  ;  the  moss 
is  then  to  be  well  moistened  with  water,  and  the  bulbs  treat- 
ed as  directed  for  those  grown  in  glasses,  only  that  an  excess 

VOL.   XIT. NO.  X.  51 


402  Cultivation  of  Bulbous  Roots. 

of  water  is  to  be  avoided,  as,  if  the  water  covers  the  bulbs, 
they  will  decay.  A  rather  singular  effect  is  also  produced  by 
taking  a  rather  large-sized  turnip,  and  scooping  it  out  from 
the  root  end,  until  it  is  about  half  ^an  inch  in  thickness,  filling 
up  the  body  of  the  turnip  with  mould,  and  planting  a  hya- 
cinth in  it,  and  then  suspending  the  turnip  by  three  ribbons 
or  otherwise.  The  leaves  of  the  turnip  will  shoot  out  and 
turn  upwards,  completely  hiding  the  roots,  and  making  a 
very  pretty  vegetable  flower  pot. 

Tulips,  Narcissuses,  Jonquils,  Winter  Aconite,  Snowdrops 
and  Crocuses,  require  the  same  treatment  and  soil  as  Hya- 
cinths ;  but  the  sand  at  the  root  of  the  bulb  may  be  omitted. 
Of  Tulips,  three  may  be  planted  at  equal  distances  from  each 
other  in  a  pot  containing  about  two  quarts  (seven-inch)  ;  Jon- 
quils, from  three  to  five;  Snowdrops  and  Crocuses,  five  to 
seven,  in  the  same  sized  pots.  But  Narcissuses  require  more 
room,  and  of  these  but  one  root  should  be  placed  in  a  six- 
inch  pot.  Subjoined  is  a  list  of  some  of  the  best  varieties  of 
the  above  bulbs  ;  but  many  varieties,  of  probably  equal  merit, 
may  be  found  in  the  seed  stores,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of 
the  Hyacinths  : — 

TULIPS. 

Early  Single.  Early  Double. 

Due  Van  Thol  Tournsol 

Due  d'Holstein  Marriage  de  Ma  Fille 

Pottebakker  Le  Candeur 

Miltiades  Due  Van  Thol 

Waterloo  Rex  Rubroruin 

Lac  Bon  Flos  La  Belle  Alliance 

Parrot  Tulips. 
Perfecta  Luteo  Major 

Rubra  Major  Marcgrave  of  Baden 

Polyanthus  Narcissus. 

Grande  Monarque  de  France  Morgenster 

Double  Roman  Bouquet  Triumphant 

Luna  Bazelman  Major 

Double  Narcissus. 
Double  White  Orange  Phoenix 

Tratus  Cantus 


Cultivation  of  Bulbous  Roots.  403 

To  these  may  be  added  Narcissus  bulbicodium,  and  Na?'- 
cissus  poeticus  with  its  numerous  varieties. 

Of  Jonquils,  Snowdrops,  and  Snowflakes,  there  are  but 
the  single  and  double  varieties  of  each,  and  of  the  Winter 
Aconite,  but  the  one  sort.  Of  this,  but  one  root  should  be 
put  into  a  six-inch  pot,  and  it  should  then  be  placed  in  a  sun- 
ny exposure. 

The  Persian  Cyclamen  and  its  varieties  requires  a  compost 
composed  of  equal  parts  of  fresh  loam,  leaf  mould,  or  black 
earth,  and  well  rotted  dung,  to  which  should  also  be  added  a 
little  sand.  The  corm,  or  bulb,  should  be  planted  on  the  top 
of  the  mould,  and  not  in  it :  the  pot  should  not  be  larger  than 
twice  the  diameter  of  the  bulb  ;  (a  good  sized  root  will  require 
a  six-inch  pot ;)  after  it  is  planted,  it  should  be  kept  in  a  shady, 
airy  situation,  with  very  little  water,  till  the  leaves  unfold, 
when  it  may  be  removed  to  a  warmer  situation,  and  more 
abundantly  watered. 

All  bulbs  should  be  but  moderately  watered  until  the  leaves 
form,  when  the  quantity  may  be  increased,  care  being  taken 
that  the  soil  is  neither  sodden  by  over-much  water,  or  dry  for 
the  lack  of  it.  After  the  bulb  has  done  blooming,  water  should 
be  somewhat  more  sparingly  given,  and  the  plant  removed  to 
a  colder,  and  more  airy  situation,  until  the  leaves  begin  to 
turn  yellow,  when  the  supply  of  water  should  be  almost  en- 
tirely withheld ;  and  when  the  leaves  are  decayed,  the  bulb 
may  be  taken  from  the  earth,  and  put  by  for  planting  in  the 
following  autumn ;  but  hyacinths  and  tulips,  after  being  grown 
in  pots,  are  scarcely  ever  fit  to  be  grown  in  them  two  seasons 
in  succession.  In  the  ensuing  autumn,  they  should  be  plant- 
ed in  the  open  ground,  and,  if  they  show  flower,  the  flower 
stem  should  be  pinched  oft';  and,  properly  attended  to,  they 
may  be  fit  for  room  culture  in  one  or  two  seasons  afterwards. 

When  hyacinths  are  grown  in  glasses,  and  it  is  desirable  to 
save  the  root,  they  should  be  put  into  pots  with  the  compost 
used  for  those  grown  in  earth,  and  they  should  be  treated  ex- 
actly in  the  same  way  as  those  are  after  they  have  done 
blooming. 

These  remarks  are  very  seasonable  and  so  much  in  detail, 
that  no  one  can  fail  of  having  good  flowers. — Ed. 


404  The  Pansy  or  Heartsease. 


Art.  V.      The  Pansy  or  Heartsease.     By  E.  W. 

The  pansy,  so  celebrated  in  sentiment  and  song,  and  to 
whicli  so  many  pleasant  associations  are  attached,  and  which, 
in  England,  is  one  of  the  most  favored  of  florists'  flowers, 
seems  hardly  to  have  received  in  this  country  the  attention 
due  to  its  merits.  Perhaps  one  cause  of  this  is  the  warmer 
and  drier  nature  of  our  climate,  which  prevents  its  arriving  to 
as  great  a  degree  of  perfection  as  in  the  more  humid  atmo- 
sphere of  England;  and  another  cause  is  the  neglect  and 
want  of  attention  to  its  cultivation  and  management;  for 
there  is  no  flower  which  is  so  capable  of  improvement,  or  one 
which  by  neglect  degenerates  so  rapidly  as  the  pansy,  and  we 
hope  to  hear  of  sufiicient  premiums  proposed,  or  inducements 
held  out  by  our  Horticultural  Societies,  in  order  to  bring  this 
humble,  but  beautiful  flower  again  into  favor ;  for  the  public 
have  but  little  idea  to  what  a  degree  of  perfection  this  flower 
has  been  brought  by  cultivation,  and  there  is  no  more  attract- 
ive sight,  or  one  which  gives  the  garden  a  more  bright  and 
lively  appearance  than  a  bed  of  well-grown  pansies.  We 
propose  to  consider  briefly  the  properties  of  a  good  flower, — 
the  manner  of  growing  and  propagating  it, — and  the  soil  best 
adapted  to  its  growth. 

In  the  first  place,  the  pansy  should  be  round  or  as  nearly 
round  as  possible  in  its  outline,  a  flat  surface,  and  with  smooth, 
even  edges;  every  notch  or  indentation  being,  of  course,  a 
blemish.  The  petals  should  be  thick,  and  of  a  velvety  tex- 
ture, for  however  good  in  other  respects,  a  dull  color  and  a 
thin,  paper-like  texture  of  the  petal,  makes  a  poor  and  un- 
sightly flower  and  one  not  worth  preserving,  though  of  large 
size.  In  regard  to  color,  or  rather  arrangement  of  colors,  there 
is  much  to  be  considered,  in  order  to  decide  upon  the  merits  of 
a  show  flower ;  for  whatever  may  be  the  variety,  the  ground 
color  of  the  three  lower  petals  should  be  alike ;  they  may  be 
white,  yellow,  straw,  plain,  pencilled,  or  blotched,  but  they 
should  be  alike  as  regards  the  ground  color,  and  the  marks, 
spots,  or  dark  pencillings  upon  the  ground  should  be  bright, 
distinct,  and  without  running  or  mixing  with  the  ground  color. 
The  two  upper  petals  should  also  be  perfectly  uniform,  whether 


The  Pansy  or  Heartsease.  405 

dark,  light,  fringed,  or  blotched,  as  also  the  two  petals  im- 
mediately mider  them ;  that  is,  each  pair  should  be  uniform 
in  shape  and  color.  In  regard  to  size  of  the  flower,  the  larger 
the  better,  provided  it  be  not  coarse  or  thin  in  texture,  but  un- 
less it  is  at  least  an  inch  and  a  half  across,  it  is  under  size  and 
is  not  deemed  worthy  of  exhibition ;  and  as  to  shape  or  out- 
line, as  previously  stated,  it  should  be  as  nearly  circular  as 
possible. 

As  to  the  growing  and  management  of  the  pansy,  it  will  have 
been  observed  that  it  never  blooms  so  well  as  when  the  plant 
is  rather  small  and  well  rooted,  or  when  it  first  comes  into 
bloom ;  for  as  the  plant  grows  larger,  and  the  shoots  longer, 
the  blooms,  though  more  abundant,  become  smaller,  and  if 
left  to  itself,  it  will  degenerate  rapidly  ;  the  beds  are  therefore 
to  be  kept  up  by  a  constant  succession  of  good  seedlings  or 
cuttings ;  the  latter  are  easily  struck  under  a  hand  glass,  and 
the  side  shoots  are  preferable  for  this  purpose.  This  operation 
may  be  performed  at  nearly  all  seasons,  and  as  old  roots  are 
thrown  out  of  the  beds,  new  plants  must  be  in  a  sufficient 
state  of  forwardness  to  take  their  places.  A  bed  of  pansies 
may  be  formed  in  October  from  young  plants  or  cuttings  plant- 
ed or  struck  during  the  summer,  and  left  out  during  the  win- 
ter, if  they  are  in  some  measure  protected  from  its  severity  by 
a  covering  of  straw,  leaves,  or  dry  garden  rubbish ;  or  they 
may  be  propagated  in  pots  and  turned  out  early  in  spring,  and 
a  bed  formed  at  once.  The  plants  should,  however,  be  some- 
what hardened  in  covered  frames  for  the  purpose,  and  should 
the  season  prove  to  be  backward  and  cold,  they  will  need  pro- 
tection, especially  during  the  nights,  for  some  weeks.  Should 
the  season,  however,  be  warm  and  early  flowers  be  produced, 
they  should  be  removed  and  not  be  allowed  to  complete  their 
bloom  until  later  in  the  season,  or  until  they  are  wanted  for  a 
brilliant  appearance  in  the  garden  or  for  exhibition ;  for  the 
early  flowers  are  generally  injured  and  dwarfed  by  the  cold, 
and  the  seed  pods,  if  allowed  to  swell,  distress  and  injure  the 
plants  materially.  If  due  care  is  taken  to  remove  these  when 
the  season  arrives  for  the  blooming  of  the  flower,  the  beds 
may  be  kept  in  good  condition  and  the  flowers  of  good  size  for  a 
long  time ;  where  this,  however,  has  been  neglected,  and  the 
shoots  have  become  elongated  and  the  flowers  small,  we  have 


406  The  Pansy  or  Heartsease. 

known  a  bed  restored  in  some  measure  by  close  clipping  the 
whole,  and  putting  on  an  inch  or  two  of  good  loam  and  leaf 
manure,  and  watering  freely  until  the  new  shoots  become 
strong  and  healthy. 

In  planting  out  beds  with  large  and  strong  plants,  they 
should  be  placed  in  rows,  nine  inches  asunder,  and  six  inch- 
es between  each  plant ;  this,  in  a  bed  four  feet  wide,  will  give 
seven  rows.  For  seedlings,  however,  less  space  is  required, 
and  it  is  recommended  to  plant  them  but  three  inches  apart, 
and  the  rows  but  six  inches  asunder.  The  best  soil  for  the 
pansy  is  perhaps  good  well  rotted  turf,  with  one  third  manure 
thoroughly  decomposed ;  or  one  third  good  loam,  one  third  leaf 
mould,  and  one  third  manure  well  mixed  and  worked  together. 
Should  the  soil,  however,  be  already  good,  two  or  three  inches 
of  good  leaf  manure  well  forked  into  the  bed  will  be  fomid 
sufficient.  There  is  little  to  be  added,  except  that  the  pansy, 
being  a  succulent  plant,  will  require  to  be  freely  supplied  with 
water  which  has  been  exposed  to  the  air  for  some  hours,  and 
to  be  somewhat  shaded,  if  possible,  diiring  our  hot  and  dry 
weather.  The  watering  should  be  done  after  sunset,  and  not 
with  cold  water  directly  from  the  well ;  injury  is  done  to  ten- 
der plants  besides  the  pansy  for  want  of  attention  to  this.  It 
is  also  desirable,  if  possible,  to  protect  tliem  in  heavy  rains, 
for  if  violent,  they  splash  the  flower  with  the  soil,  which  de- 
stroys its  beauty  and  from  which  it  does  not  recover. 

These  few  remarks  have  been  hastily  thrown  together,  and 
I  am  indebted  as  much  or  more  to  the  study  and  experience 
of  others,  as  to  the  little  experience  acquired  in  amateur  gar- 
dening; but  the  end  will  be  attained  if  the  attention  of  others 
is  called  to  this,  the  least,  but  not  by  any  means  the  least  at- 
tractive; of  Florist  flowers. 

The  following  are  the  names  and  description  of  a  few  of  the 
best  English  pansies  : — 

GoUah. — The  best  dark  purple. 

iVe  Plus  Ultra. — Best  of  those  with  yellow  ground. 

Dulcifer. — Bright  blue,  white  ground. 

Marginata. — White  ground,  beautifully  edged  with  lilac. 

White  Sergeant. — A  good  white  self  and  of  large  size. 

Isabella. — White  ground  bordered  with  purple,  large  showy 
eye. 


Massachusetts  Horticultual  Society.  407 

Dido. — Bronzy  puce  on  yellow  ground. 

Tom  Pinch. — Beautiful  white  ground  and  dark  blue  border. 

Venus  Victrix. — A  good  white  self,  with  blue  eye. 

Victory. — Light  yellow  ground  and  bronzy  purple  edge. 

Sulphurea  Elegans. — A  pale  yellow  self  and  fine  dark  eye. 

Regulator. — Yellow  ground,  broad  colored  border. 

Princess  Royal. — A  good  white  self. 

Pizarro. — A  fine  bold  yellow  ground,  with  fine  marked  eye. 

Mulberry  Superb. — A  fine  self,  with  dark  eye. 

Arethusa. — A  fine  white  ground,  with  light  purple  markings. 

Hannibal. — Pale  yellow  ground,  with  broad  mulberry 
border. 

Black  Prince. — Very  dark,  and  sought  for  its  color. 

E.vquisite. — Fine  white  ground. 

Eclipse. — A  fine  brown  purple. 

Jeber. — Upper  petals  purple  and  the  lower  yellow. 

Venus. — A  pure  white  ground  edged  with  violet. 

Bridegroom. — A  rich  purple. 

Coronation. — Upper  petals  a  rich  puce,  and  good  show 
flower. 

Our  Floral  friends  must  feel  deeply  indebted  to  our  excellent 
correspondent  for  his  timely  suggestions  in  relation  to  this 
neglected  and  elegant  flower.  We  hope  his  good  advice  will 
not  be  lost  upon  our  amateur  cultivators. — Ed. 


MISCELLANEOUS    INTELLIGENCE. 

Art.  1.     Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

August  29. — [Owing  to  want  of  room  we  were  compelled  to  omit  part  of 
this  day's  report ;  it  is  now  added.] 

From  S.  R.  Johnson,  Washington  plums,  (beautiful.)  From  T.  H.  Per- 
kins, by  William  Quant,  Vanguard  peaches  (extra  fine.)  From  E.  E. 
Bradshaw,  Washington  plums.  From  S.  Walker,  Colmar  d'Ete  and  Belle 
de  Brussels  pears;  Mr.  Walker  presented  a  pear  from  A.  Smith,  Esq., 
Hartford,  large  and  fine  for  the  season.  From  Anson  Dexter,  Blue  Pear- 
main  apples.  From  J.  S.  Sleeper,  Smith's  Orleans  and  Duane's  Purple 
plums.  From  A.  D.  Williams,  Alexander,  Porter  and  Golden  Pippin  ap- 
ples ;  also  Dearborn's  Seedling  and  Harvard  pears  ;   Corse's  Field  Marshal, 


408  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Red  Gage,  Orleans  and  Green  Gag^e  plums,  and  Williams's  apple.  From 
Eben  Wight,  Julienne  pears  ;  and  from  Oliver  Pierce,  a  specimen  of  the 
Early  Bough  apple. 

Vegetables  :  From  James  Nugent,  four  kinds  of  tomatoes. 
Sept.  5th. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day,  the 
President  in  the  chair. 

A  letter  was  read  from  the  Pennsylvania  Horticultural  Society,  inviting 
delegates  to  attend  their  Annual  Exhibition,  and  the  Hon.  B.  V.  French  and 
Hon.  J.  S.  Cabot  were  appointed. 

Messrs.  S.  Walker  and  C.  M.  Hovey  were  appointed  delegates  to  attend 
the  Exhibition  of  the  New  Haven  Horticultural  Society. 

It  was  voted  to  invite  delegates  to  attend  the  Annual  Exhibition  from  the 
Pennsylvania  Hort.  Soc,  New  Haven  Hort.  Soc,  Am.  Institute,  the  Wor- 
cester Hort.  Soc,  Essex  Co.  Nat.  Hist.  Soc.  Salem,  Middlesex  Hort.  Soc. 
Lowell,  and  Old  Colony  Hort.  Soc.  Plymouth. 

Adjourned  one  week,  to  Sept.  12th. 

Exhibited. — Flowers :  From  the  President  of  the  Society,  Dahlias, 
among  which  were  fine  specimens  of  Cleopatra,  Arethusa  and  Isis.  From 
W.  Quant,  a  fine  cut  specimen  of  Melastoma  malabafrica  and  Ticoma  jas- 
minoides,  a  variety  of  annuals  and  dahlias.  From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co., 
roses  in  great  variety,  fine  Althssas  and  bouquets.  From  H.  W.  Dutton, 
dahlias,  including  a  fine  specimen  of  A^iscount  Resseguer.  From  J.  Breck 
&  Co.,  a  variety  of  phloxes,  among  which  were  Br^ckw,  Wilderi,  Carter's 
Seedling  White,  &c.;  also  a  variety  of  annuals  and  dahlias.  From  P. 
Barnes,  a  fine  specimen  of  Erythrina  crista  galli,  a  variety  of  verbenas, 
sweet  peas,  and  dahlias.  From  T.  Needham,  a  beautifully  grown  plant  of 
Buddlea  Lindleyanrt,  in  full  bloom;  also  bouquets.  From  W.  Kenrick,  a 
basket  of  flowers  and  bouquets.  From  W.  Doyle,  gardener  to  J.  A.  Low- 
ell, Esq.,  two  plants  of  Stanhopea  occulata  and  Zygop<!^talon  maxillare, 
splendidly  in  flower  and  well  grown  ;  also  one  large  bouquet.  From  J.  L. 
L.  F.  Warren,  three  plants  of  Amaryllis  Belladonna,  and  other  flowers  and 
dahlias.  From  R.  West,  a  cut  flower  of  Cereus  triangularis,  and  a  large 
bouquet.  Dahlias,  bouquets  and  flowers  from  G.  C.  Crowninshield,  J. 
Hovey,  W.  Meller,  S.  Mason,  W.  B.  Richards,  J.  W.  Mandell,  Jas.  Nu- 
gent and  John  Parker. 

The  award  of  premiums  and  gratuities  was  as  follows  : — 

Plants  in  Pots. — To  W.  Doyle,  a  gratuity  of  $2  for  a  fine  plant  of 
Stanhopea  occulata, 

Bouquets. — To  Miss  Russell,  a  premium  of  $2  for  the  best  bouquet. 

To  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  a  premium  of  $  1  for  the  next  best  bouquet. 

To  W.  Doyle,  a  gratuity  of  $  1  for  design  and  bouquet. 

To  J.  W.  Mandell,  a  gratuity  of  $  1  for  design  or  bouquet. 

To  R.  West,  a  premium  of  .$  1  for  design  or  bouquet. 

Fruits:  From  the  President  of  the  Society,  Fondante  d'Ete  (poor), 
Golden  Beurre  of  Bilboa,  Julienne,  Fondante  d'Automne,  very  fine,  and 
Beurre  d'Amalis.  From  Hon.  J.  C.  Cabot,  Passans  du  Portugal,  Summer 
Franc  Real,  Hessel,  Honey,  and  Dearborn's  Seedling  pears,  all  fine.    From 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  409 

J.  F.  Allen,  Passans  du  Portugal,  Cabot,  Dearborn's  Seedling  and  Summer 
Franc  Real  pears,  fine  ;  peaches — Crawford's  Early,  Noblesse,  Cooledge's 
Favorite;  plums — Green  Gages,  fine;  grapes — Zinfindal,  Ferral,  White 
Frontignan,  Black  Hamburgh  Wilmot's  No.  16,  Syrian,  Esperione.  From 
Josiah  Lovitt,  melons — Christiana,  Green-fleshed,  Green  and  Yellow  and 
other  varieties;  Musk  Bon  Chretien  d'Ete  pears.  From  Samuel  Pond, 
pears — Jargonelle  of  the  French,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  Fondante  d'Au- 
tomne,  St.  Ghislain,  Grosse  de  Bruxelles,  Surpasse  Virgouleuse  ;  Long 
Blue  French,  Isabella,  and  Diamond  plums.  From  G.  Merriam,  Jacques 
Rareripe,  Hastings's,  Cooledge's  Favorite,  and  a  variety  of  peach  without 
name. 

Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  exhibited  Black  Prince,  Alicant,  White  Frontig- 
nan, Chasselas  of  Fontainbleau,  Wilmot's  Black  Hamburgh,  fine,  Black 
Hamburgh,  Black  Hamburgh  (1),  Macready's  Early  White,  Grizzly  Fron- 
tignan, and  Pitmaston  White  Cluster  grapes  ;  also  Jalousie  de  Fontenay 
Vendee  pears  of  fine  quality,  and  Bezi  Veteran  ;  Seedling  peach.  From  J. 
L.  L.  F.  Warren,  Julienne  and  Dearborn's  Seedling  pears;  Nectarines  and 
Spanish  watermelon.  From  Parker  Barnes,  peaches.  From  William 
Bebee,  Springfield,  peaches.  From  Alexander  Clark,  South  Framingham, 
Nonsuch  (?)  peaches,  two  specimens  weighing  10^  ounces  each.  From 
Thomas  Needham,  grapes — Black  Hamburgh,  Chasselas  Musqu6,  Black 
Frankindale,  White  Chasselas,  White  Constantia,  C?)  Black  Lombardy  (?)  ; 
Red  Apple.  From  Messrs.  Winship,  Downton  Imperatrice,  Duane's  Pur- 
ple, Smith's  Orleans,  Long  Blue  French,  two  kinds  without  name,  Italian 
Prune,  Yellow  Magnum  Bonum,  Belle  de  Reom,  Lombard,  Nectarine, 
Diamond,  Cloth  of  Gold,  Bingham  (?),  Huling's  Superb,  and  Coe's  Golden 
Drop  plums.     From  E.  M.  Richards,  Cushing   pears  and  Seedling  peaches. 

From  S.  Walker,  Fondante  d'Automne,  Marie  Louise,  Bu6rre  de  Capi- 
aumont,  and  Golden  Bu^rre  of  Bilboa  pears.  From  Henry  Little,  Bangor, 
plums — McLaughlin  and  Penobscot  Seedlings,  both  good.  From  Otis 
Johnson,  Julienne,  Rousselet  Panache,  Hericart,  Epine  d'Ete,  and  St. 
Ghislain  pears  ;  Black  Hamburgh  grapes ;  and  a  pear  unknown.  From 
William  R.  Austin,  Dorchester,  Summer  Franc  Real  pears;  Early  Ann 
peach.  From  A.  W.  Withington,  apples,  unknown.  From  H.  C.  Merri- 
am, North  Tewksbury,  21  varieties  peaches.  From  J.  S.  Sleeper,  Harvard 
pears,  fine.  From  A.  D,  Williams,  Porter  apples,  fine,  Russett  Sweet, 
Fall  Sopsavine  and  Red  Apple  ;  Harrison  Fall  Baking,  Julienne,  Williams's 
Seedling,  Cushing,  Dryanna(?)  pears.  Wood  apples,  anew  seedling  variety, 
from  F.  Glazier,  Hallowell,  presented  by  Hovey  &  Co.,  a  good  apple,  for 
the  season.  From  R.  Manning,  Tyson  pears,  very  fine  flavor.  From  Geo. 
Walsh,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien  pears.  Lady  Blush  apples,  Green  Gage 
plums.     From  James  Nugent,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien  pears. 

Sept.  \2th. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day,  the 
President  in  the  chair. 

No  business  of  importance  was  transacted,  and  the  meeting  was  adjourned 
for  one  week,  to  Sept.  19th. 

VOL.  XTl NO.  X.  52 


410  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Exhibiled. — Flowers  :  The  exhibition  of  German  Asters  was  very  fine, 
and  they  were  contributed  by  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  W.  Quant,  0.  John- 
son, D.  Crowley,  J.  W.  Mandell,  T  Mason  and  James  Nugent.  Dahlias 
were  also  shown  by  P.  Barnes,  J.  Nugent,  and  Mr.  Mason,  but  they  were 
very  poor. 

Agreeably  to  a  previous  notice,  the  premiums  on  Asters  were  awarded  to- 
day, as  follows : — 

German  Asters. — For  the  best  display,  to  William  Quant,  a  premium 
of  $4. 

For  the  next  best  display,  to  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  a  premium  of  $  3. 

For  the  third  best  display,  to  J.  W.  Mandell,  a  premium  of  $2. 

Fruit :  Although  notice  was  given  that  no  public  exhibition  would  be 
made  to-day,  yet  several  fine  specimens,  especially  of  peaches,  were  placed 
upon  the  table  of  the  Fruit  Committee,  for  trial.     They  were  as  follows  : — 

From  the  President  of  the  Society,  specimens  of  the  Dunmore  pear  ;  but 
upon  trial  they  did  not  fully  answer  the  expectation  of  the  committee  ;  we 
apprehend  they  were  over-ripe ;  the  specimens  somewhat  resembled  Mr. 
Thompson's  figure,  but  it  is  possible  that  they  may  not  be  the  true  Dun- 
more  ;  one  single  specimen  on  our  tree  last  year  was  a  much  better  pear. 
From  J.  B.  Chapin  and  J.  J.  Stimpson,  Providence,  R.  I.,  Knight's  Seed- 
ling pear  of  large  size,  very  sweet,  melting  and  good  ;  also  specimens 
of  a  pear,  resembling  in  general  appearance  the  Duchess  of  Angouleme, 
but  which  did  not  appear  to  be  that  variety.  It  was  rather  over-ripe,  but  it 
had  a  soft  and  melting  flesh  and  a  pleasant  sub-acid  juice,  without  much 
flavor.  The  committee  were  in  doubt  as  to  the  identity  of  kind.  From  N. 
Stetson,  Bridgewater,  a  handsome  Seedling  peach,  but  too  ripe  to  judge  of 
its  merits.  Seedling  peaches  were  sent  by  F.  W.  Lincoln,  Canton,  W.E. 
Lewis,  E.  Winslow,  and  E.  Hale,  Stow ;  but  none  of  them  were  remark- 
able. 

From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  specimens  of  a  Seedling  peach,  called  the 
Cambridge  Belle,  which  the  committee  state  to  be  "  of  good  flavor  and 
worthy  of  cultivation."  We  shall  notice  it  hereafter.  From  Alexander 
Clark,  Framingham,  very  large  and  handsome  peaches.  From  L.  Cheney, 
Southbridge,  Seedling  peaches  of  fine  flavor.  From  George  Merriam,  Royal 
Cling  peaches.  From  J.  W.  Sever,  peaches  supposed  to  be  Crawford's 
Early.  From  B.  Guild,  Early  Robinson  Crusoe  peaches,  and  Beurre  de 
Beaumont  pears.  From  J.  Cushman,  Plymouth,  Isabella  grapes.  Seedling 
plums  and  peaches  and  nectarines.  From  S.  Pond,  a  pear  called  the  Grosse 
de  Bruxelles  (?)  From  C.  Harris,  Worcester,  a  Seedling  pear,  but  rather 
below  second  rate.     From  J.  Nugent,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien  pears. 

EIGHTEENTH  ANNUAL  EXHIBITION. 

The  Annual  Exhibition  of  the  Society  was  held  on  Wednesday,  Thurs- 
day and  Friday,  the  16th,  17th,  and  18th  of  Sept.,  at  the  Society's  Hall. 

Owing  to  the  dry  and  warm  weather  of  August,  a  large  display  of  flowers 
could  hardly  have  been  expected  ;  but  the  quantity  contributed  was  greater 
than  anticipated  :  dahlias  alone  were  a  failure  ;  so  poor  a  show  of  this  gor- 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  411 

geous  flower  has  not  been  made  at  the  Annual  Exhibition  for  some  years. 
To  take  the  place  of  these,  there  was  a  large  number  of  designs,  containing 
thousands  of  fine  asters.  The  quantity  of  pot  plants  was  exceedingly  lim- 
ited, and  less  in  number  than  would  have  been  exhibited,  had  the  committee 
supposed  there  would  have  been  ary  room  to  spare. 

The  Floral  designs  were  the  prominent  objects  of  the  exhibition.  These 
were  arranged  in  somewhat  the  same  manner  as  last  year.  At  the  further 
end  of  the  hall,  opposite  the  entrance,  stood  the  handsome  Chinese  Pagoda 
of  Walker  &  Co . ,  and  by  its  side  the  Gothic  Monument  of  Mr.  West ;  near  by, 
at  the  private  door  which  leads  to  the  library  room,  stood  the  arched  bower  of 
Mr.  Motley.  These,  with  the  clock  in  the  rear,  ornamented  by  its  wreath  of 
dried  grasses,  and  the  magnificent  design  of  Mr.  S.  A.  Walker,  beneath, 
displayed  that  part  of  the  hall  with  the  best  effect.  At  the  other  end,  stood 
the  pretty  Swiss  Cottage  of  Mr.  Warren,  and  immediately  in  the  rear,  the 
splendid  Grecian  Temple  of  Mr.  Quant.  Miss  Russell's  Vase,  and  Mr. 
Kenrick's  Harp,  with  several  designs,  enriched  the  tables  next  the  wall ; 
and  on  the  left  the  evergreen  bower  over  the  entrance,  surmounted  with  the 
truly  elegant  grass  bouquet  of  Miss  Bowker,  and  the  neat  vase  and  bouquet 
of  Mr.  Needham,  made  an  imposing  appearance.  Other  designs,  of  which 
we  shall  give  a  full  account,  decorated  the  walls,  and  a  lovely  wreath  from 
Mr.  S.  A.  Walker,  hung  gracefully  from  the  ceiling  between  the  chandeliers. 
The  centre  tables  were  two  in  number  this  year,  with  a  walk  on  each  side 
and  between  them.  On  these  tables  were  two  beautiful  marble  vases  recently 
purchased  by  the  Society.  A  brilliant  pyramidal  bouquet,  five  feet  high, 
from  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  filled  one,  and,  on  the  second  day  of  the  exhibi- 
tion, a  vegetable  bouquet  from  Mr.  Warren,  filled  the  other. 

The  collection  of  fruit  was  remarkably  good.  The  pears  were  not  so  nu- 
merous or  fine  as  last  year,  but  this  was  more  than  doubly  made  up  in  the 
truly  splendid  show  of  peaches,  and  still  more  magnificent  display  of  grapes  ; 
so  fine  a  show  of  the  latter  fruit  was  never  made  by  the  Society.  The 
finest  specimen  was  a  noble  bunch  of  Wilmot's  New  Black  Hamburgh,  with 
berries  nearly  four  inches  in  circumference,  jet  black  and  finely  covered  with 
bloom,  weighing  2  lbs.,  from  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  The  Cannon  Hall 
Muscat  was  exhibited  by  Mr.  Needham,  in  fine  condition,  the  bunch  only  of 
moderate  size,  but  the  berries  very  large.  Mr.  Russell's  Muscats  of  Alex- 
andria were  most  excellent;  and  the  new  Black  Hamburgh  No.  16,  by  Mr. 
Allen,  exceedingly  fine.  Mr.  Young,  of  New  Bedford,  brought  a  small 
collection,  including  fine  clusters  of  the  Victoria  (?)  and  Royal  Muscadine, 
the  latter  weighing  about  4  lbs.  Messrs.  Haggerston  and  Quant's  grapes 
were,  as  usual,  excellent. 

We  have  but  little  room  to  enumerate  the  choice  things  in  the  several 
collections ;  but  a  few  which  struck  us  as  being  superior  specimens  of  cul- 
tivation, were  the  Beurre  d'Aremberg  pears  of  the  President,  the  Andrews 
pears  of  Mr.  S.  Walker,  the  Williams's  Bon  Chretien  pears  of  Mr.  Allen, 
the  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey  pears  of  Mr.  Lovitt,  the  Reine  des  Pays  Bas 
pears  of  Capt.  Macondry,  and  the  Columbia  pears  of  Mr.  Bartlett.  Mr.Vose's 
Hawthorndean  apples  put  the  peaches  to  the  blush,  and  a  dish  of  Beauty 


412  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

of  Kent  apples  from  Mr.  Denning,  of  the  North  River,  attracted  great  at- 
tention from  their  immense  size  and  beauty.  Mr.  Stetson,  of  Bridgewater, 
had  a  dish  of  splendid  Seedling  peaches,  and  Mr.  Merriam  made  a  rich  show 
of  various  kinds.  Mr.  Ives  contributed  a  dish  of  the  Reine  Claude  Violetle 
plums  in  excellent  order,  Mr.  O.  Johnson's  basket  of  fruit  at  the  further 
end  of  one  of  the  tables,  and  Mr.  Haggerston's  basket  of  peaches  and  grapes 
at  the  further  end  of  the  other,  were  objects  of  particular  attention.  Mr. 
French's  apples  were  well  grown  and  selected  specimens  such  as  we  like  to 
see.  Some  very  large  and  fine  peaches,  called  the  Nonsuch,  were  sent  by 
Mr.  E.  Wheeler,  of  Framingham.  Mr.  Manning's  collection  was  exten- 
sive, but  the  number  of  pears  not  near  so  large  as  last  year. 

Plants. — From  W.  Kenrick,  two  tall  plants  oi  Ahutilon  striatum.  From 
W.  Quant,  gardener  to  Hon.  T.  H.  Perkins,  twelve  pots  of  very  splendid 
cockscombs,  one  fine  plant  of  Ardisia  crenulata,  five  feet  high,  and  covered 
with  its  showy  scarlet  berries  ;  one  large  orange  tree  and  one  Jerusalem 
cherry.     From  Walker  &  Co.,  several  very  handsomely  grown  fuchsias. 

Designs. — From  W.  Quant,  a  Grecian  Floral  Temple,  about  six  feet  at 
the  base,  twelve  feet  high,  with  eight  Corinthian  columns,  supporting  a  hand- 
somely worked  entablature.  The  columns  were  composed  of  asters  and 
evergreens,  and  the  entablature  of  mosses  set  with  asters  and  other  flowers ; 
four  pots  of  fine  cockscombs,  placed  in  vases  worked  with  moss  and  flowers, 
decorated  the  base.  The  work  was  elaborate,  but  the  design  rather  too 
heavy  to  our  taste. 

From  Walker  &  Co.,  a  Chinese  Pagoda,  five  feet  broad  at  the  base  and 
fifteen  feet  high.  The  lower  part  was  worked  with  asters  and  other  flow- 
ers, and  the  top  composed  mostly  of  moss.  Four  fine  fuchsias  ornamented 
the  base.  The  design  was  pretty,  but  a  want  of  floral  ornaments  gave  it 
too  dull  an  appearance. 

From  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  a  kind  of  Swiss  Cottage,  circular,  and  about 
eight  feet  high.  The  roof  was  prettily  worked  with  asters  and  evergreen. 
The  absence  of  a  base  destroyed  its  architectural  beauty. 

From  R.  West,  Salem,  a  Gothic  monument  fourteen  feet  high,  composed 
of  mosses  and  flowers.     The  design  rather  heavy. 

From  T.  Motley,  Jr.,  an  arbor  composed  of  mosses  and  flowers.  From 
W.  Kenrick,  a  design  representing  an  ancient  five-stringed  lyre,  beautifully 
and  tastefully  made  ;  also  a  harp,  executed  the  same  as  last  year.  From 
Miss  Russell,  an  elegant  Moss  Vase,  upon  which  was  inscribed  "  Flora's 
Gift,"  with  letters  composed  of  everlasting  flowers  ;  the  vase  was  filled  with 
a  very  neat  and  choice  bouquet.  From  Mrs.  E.  A.  Story,  a  design  in  the 
form  of  a  circular  shield,  composed  of  asters,  prettily  arranged.  From  T. 
Needham,  a  handsome  Moss  Vase,  decorated  with  immortal  flowers  and 
filled  with  a  bouquet  composed  of  fuchsias  and  other  rare  flowers,  finely  ar- 
ranged. From  S.  A.  Walker,  a  splendid  flat  design,  about  three  feet  wide 
and  six  feet  high  ;  the  ground  work  was  gold  tissue,  upon  which  was  worked 
asters,  globe  amaranths,  and  other  flowers,  and  inscribed  at  the  base,  in  golden 
letters  of  everlasting,  "  Horticultural  Exhibition,  1816."  On  the  top  was 
perched  an  eagle,  holding  in  its  bill  a  cord  descending  to  the  base  of  the 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  413 

design,  and  to  which  was  attached  a  card,  with  the  name  of  the  exhibitor  ; 
Mr.  Walker  also  contributed  100  feet  of  elegant  wreathing,  composed  of 
fine  flowers,  well  arranged.  From  Miss  R.  Bowker,  a  unique  wreath  of 
dried  grasses,  ornamenting  the  clock  at  the  end  of  the  Hall.  From  Mrs.  P. 
Barnes,  a  pretty  Flower  Basket  and  miniature  Arbor  of  Flowers. 

Bouquets  of  Various  Kinds. — From  MissR.  Bowker,  a  magnificent  py- 
ramidal bouquet,  composed  of  sixty  varieties  of  dried  grasses  and  grains  and 
more  tastefully  arranged  than  any  thing  of  the  kind  we  ever  saw.     From  J. 

D.  W.Williams,  a  flat  design  or  bouquet,  representing  a  vase  with  a  bouquet ; 
it  was  composed  of  dahlias,  marygolds,  asters,  &c.  From  E.  Allen,  Low- 
ell, a  large  flat  design  or  bouquet,  seven  feet  by  five,  composed  of  very 
showy  flowers  with  evergreen  round  the  edge.  From  James  Nugent,  two 
large  shield-like  designs  or  bouquets,  composed  mostly  of  fine  asters.  From 
O.  N.  Towne,  a  shield-like  bouquet  of  dahlias.  From  D.  Crowley,  two  oval 
vflat  bouquets,  exceedingly  tasteful,  composed  of  dahlias,  asters,  &c.,  inter- 
mingled with  privet  leaves  and  berries ;  these  deservedly  obtained  the  prize. 

From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  one  large  pyramidal  bouquet  for  the  Socie- 
ty's vase,  composed  of  choice  as  well  as  showy  flowers ;  also  two  round 
table  bouquets,  two  round  hand  bouquets,  and  two  flat  bouquets.  From  S. 
Walker,  one  very  large  flat  bouquet.  From  W.  Carter,  five  fine  bouquets. 
From  W.  Quant,  a  handsome  pyramidal  bouquet,  (brought  in  the  second 
day.)  From  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  a  bouquet  o{ vegetables,  so  well  arranged 
as  to  produce  a  good  effect.  From  Messrs.  Winship,  a  pyramidal  bouquet. 
From  S.  A.  Walker,  a  pyramidal  bouquet. 

Cut  Flowers,  Dahlias,  Asters,  &c. — The  cut  flowers  were  few  and 
rather  poor.  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  exhibited  a  superb  specimen  of  Phlox 
Princesse  Marianne  and  some  other  sorts.  Dahlias,  asters,  &c.,  were  con- 
tributed by  the  President  of  the  Society,  P.  Barnes,  W.  B.  Richards,  John 
Parker,  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  W.  E.  Carter,  Messrs.  Winship,  Hovey  & 
Co.,  T.  Mason,  W.  Meller,  J.  Breck  &  Co.,  John  Arnold,  O.  N.  Towne, 

E.  Winslow,  H.  W.  Dutton,  J.  Hovey,  W.  Kenrick  and  others. 

Fruit. — From  the  President  of  the  Society,  Alpha,  Angelique  de  Rome, 
Ananas  (of  France),  Ambrette,  Andrews,  Autumn  Superb,  Beurr6  d'Arem- 
berg,  B.  Diel,  B.  d'Amalis,  B.  d'Anjou,  B.  de  Capiaumont,  B.  Bronze, 
(from  Liseaux,  France),  B.  Kenrick  (?)  B.  Ranee,  B.  Cutter  [Qy.  Curtet], 
B.  Bronze  (from Orleans,  France),  B.  d'Hiver,  B.  Thouin,  B.  Bosc,  B.  Pic- 
query,  B.  brown,  B.  Easter,  Belle  et  Bonne,  Belle  Angevine,  [a  small 
pear,]  Bergamotte  de  Paques,  B.  Cadette,  B.  d'Automne,  B.  Suisse,  Bezi 
Montigny,  B.  de  la  Motte,  B.  Vaet,  Belmont,  Bleeker's  Meadow,  Black 
Worcester,  Bon  Chretien  Spanish,  B.  C.  Winter,  Belle  Henriette,  Buffum, 
Brougham,  Charles  X.,  Caillot  Rosat,  (from  France),  Chaumontelle  An- 
glais, Cushing,  Comtesse  de  Lunay,  Columbia,  Chaumontelle,  Crassiine,  C. 
Winter,  Catillac,  Cuvelier,  Calebasse  Bosc,  d'Angleterre,  Dunmore,  Duch- 
esse  d'Angouleme,  D.  de  Mars,  Dix,  Doyenne  gris,  D.  gris  d'hiver  Nou- 
veau,  D.  Blanc,  d'CEuf  de  Cygne,  Epine  Dumas,  E.  d'hiver,  Eyewood, 
Figue  de  Naples,  Frederic  of  Wurtemberg,  Fondante  de  Louvain,  F.  de 
Lisle,  F.  d'Automne,  Flemish  Beauty,  Fulton,  La  Fortunee,  Figue  d'Ete, 


414  Massachiisetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Franc  Real  d'hivcr,  Gilogil,  Graccioli,  Golden  Beurr6  of  Bilboa,  Glout 
Morceau,  Green  Sugar,  Gross  Romain  Carmelite,  Hericart,  Heathcote, 
Imperiale,  Julienne,  Jaminette,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey,  Lansac,  Long 
Green,  Monarch  (?),  Mari^  Louise,  Le  Cur6,  Madotte  d'hiver,  Messire 
Jean,  Milan  blanc,  March  Bergamot,  Ah!  Mon  Dieu,  Miel  de  Waterloo, 
Martin  Sec,  Napoleon,  Naigly,  Nouvelle  Boussock,  Naumkeag  (?),  Ne 
plus  Meuris,  No.  65  Van  Mons,  Passe  Colmar,  Parfum  d'hiver,  Poire  de 
Livre,  P.  de  Suisse,  P.  de  Tonneau,  P.  de  Glace,  Payency,  Petre,  Rousse- 
let  de  Rheims,  R.  Gross,  Reine  d'hiver,  Ridelle,  Raymond,  Ira,  Tressor 
d'Amour,  TJrbaniste,  and  nine  unnamed  sorts, — 128  varieties  ;  also.  Semi- 
ana,  and  Corse's  (])  plums,  Early  Crawford  peaches,  and  a  large  bunch 
(4  lbs.)  of  Syrian  grapes. 

From  R.  Manning,  Ronville,  Figue  Extra,  Reine  des  Poires,  Beurr^  de 
Capiaumont,  B.  Easter,  B.  d'Aremberg,  B.  Golden  of  Bilboa,  B.  d'Amalis, 
B.  Ranee,  B.  Beauchamps,  B.  Brown,  B.  Diel,  B.  Bosc,  B.  Preble,  Hu- 
guenot, Winter  Nelis,  Comprette,  King  Edward's,  Gushing,  Dix,  Compte  de 
Lamy,  Bleeker's  Meadow,  Pennsylvania,  Duraortier,  Fondante  d'Automne, 
Hays,  Stevens's  Genesee,  French  Autumn  Bergamot,  Turkish  Bon  Chre- 
tien, Croft  Castle,  Bezi  Montigny,  Andrews,  Capsheaf,  Napoleon,  Verte 
lougue  d'Automne,  Passe  Colmar,  Marie  Louise,  Surpasse  Virgouleuse, 
Jalousie,  Hampden's  Bergamot,  Washington,  Whitfield,  Flemish  Beauty, 
Endicott,  Double  Emploi,  Columbs  d'hiver,  Eyewood,  Forme  Urbaniste, 
Muscadine,  Beauty  of  Winter,  Jaminette  d'hiver,  Lincoln,  Doyenne  Bous- 
sock Nouvelle,  D.  dor6,  D.  d'hiver,  D.  gris,  D.  blanc,  Colmar  Epine, 
Dingier,  Plombgastel,  Van  Mons  Leon  le  Clerc,  Cross,  Pitts  Marie 
Louise,  Quetelet,  Las  Canas,  Pitfour,  St.  Ghislain,  Paradise  d'Automne, 
Wilkinson,  Bezi  de  la  Motte,  Belle  et  Bonne,  Glout  Morceau,  Urbaniste, 
Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  Petre,  Harvard,  Rousselet  de  Meester,  Hericart, 
Augeries,  Foster's  St.  Michael,  Wilbur,  Henry  IV.,  Downton,  Ne  Plus 
Meuris,  Surreine,  Reines  des  Pays  Bas,  Catillac,  Marie  Louise  Nova,  Seckel, 
Styrian,  Pound,  Columbia,  Princesse  d'Orange,  French  Orange,  Bergamotte 
de  Parthenay,  Sovereign  du  Princein,  Heathcote,  Rousselet  de  Rheims, 
Beaumont,  Bergamot  Neil,  Van  Assene,Dundas,  Fulton,  Sullivan,  Figue  de 
Naples,  Girardin,  Bon  Chretien  de  Bruxelles,  La  Fortunee,  Jaminette, 
Henkil,  WiUiams's  Bon  Chretien,  Le  Cur^,  Seedling,  Alpha,  Berga- 
mot Sylvange,  Chaumontelle,  Hacon's  Incomparable,  Alexander  of  Rus- 
sia, Ambrosia,  Boucquia,  Cabot,  Caen  du  France,  Lewis,  Epine  d'Ete, 
J  ohonnot,  Lammas,  Striped  Suisse  Bergamot,  Enfant  Prodige,  Great  Citron 
Pear  of  Bohemia,  Lederberne,  Hathorne's  Seedling,  Fondante  Van  Mons, 
Thompson's,  Duchesse  de  Mars,  Pope's  Quaker,  Juvardel,  Rousselet  St. 
Vincent,  Long  Green,  Late  Deschamps,  Echasseri^,  St.  Herblain  d'hiver, 
Trubschardy  Dulle,  Colmar  d'Ete,  Dunmore,  Shakespeare,  Schaching 
Vierry,  Bishop's  Thumb,  Coter,  John  Dean,  Bonne  Louise,  Leon  le  Clerc, 
Charles  of  Austria,  Clara,  Ramilies,  Brando's  St.  Germain,  Locke,  Delices 
d'Hardenpont,  Bon  Chretien  Fondante,  St.  Bruno,  Buffum,  and  No.  1036, 
1454,  546,  858,  135,  1253,  969,  173,  1590,  1258, 1028,  1602  Van  Mons— 176 
varieties  ;  also,  one  hundred  and  eight  varieties  of  apples,  the  largest  number 


Massachusetts  Hortimdtural  Society.  415 

ever  exhibited  by  one  cultivator,  but  we  have  not  room  to  give  the  names. 
Thirty  varieties  of  peaclies,  and  nine  varieties  of  plums. 

From  Hon.  J.  S.  Cabot,  Winter  Nelis,  Beurre  Easter,  B.  Brown,  B.  de 
Noirchain,  B.  d'Aremberg,  B.  Diel,  B.  de  Beaumont,  B.  Golden  of  Bilboa, 
B.  de  Capiaumont,  Coffin's  Virgouleuse,  Reine  des  Pays  Bas,  Enfant  Prodig^, 
Capucin  Van  Mons,  Louis  of  Bologna,  Thompson's,  Compte  de  Michaux, 
Catillac,  Seckel,  Surpasse  Virgouleuse,  Long  Green  of  Europe,  Columbia, 
Compte  de  Lamy,  Croft  Castle,  Wilkinson,  Fulton,  Chapman's  Early,  (?) 
Burgomestre,  Princesse  d'Orange,  Napoleon,  Henry  IV.,  Figue  of  Naples, 
Doyenn^  blanc.  Muscadine,  Alpha,  Winter  Orange,  Green  Pear  of  Yair, 
Frederic  of  Wurtemberg,  Capsheaf,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey,  Bezi  de  la 
Motte,  Autumn  Bergamot,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  St.  Ghislain,  Bon 
Chretien  d'Ete,  B.  Fondante,  Urbaniste,  Pennsylvania,  Figue  Extra,  (Van 
Mons,)  Washington,  Hericart,  Marie  Louise  nova,  Chaumontelle,  Jalousie, 
Hannas,  LaFortunee,  Belle  et  Bonne,  Plombgastel,  Surpasse  St.  Germain, 
Andrews,  Gendesheim,  Flemish  Beauty,  Van  Assene,  Pitt's  Prolific,  Lew- 
is, Brande's  St.  Germain,  Great  Citron  of  Bohemia,  St.  Andr6,  Dundas, 
Boucquia,  Seedling  No.  2,  Cabot,  Passans  du  Portugal,  one  kind  un- 
known— 74  varieties  pears. 

From  S.  Walker,  Andrews,  Flemish  Beauty,  Catillac,  Williams's  Bon 
Chretien,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  D.  de  Mars,  Van  Mons  Leon  le  Clerc, 
Caillot  Rosat,  Urbaniste,  Seckel,  Jjc  Cure,  Belle  et  Bonne,  Epine  Du- 
mas, MacLaughlan,  Doyenn6  dore,  D.  blanc,  Williams's  Early,  Figue, 
Beurre  Easter,  B.  d'Aremberg,  B.  Diel,  B.  Duval,  B.  de  Capiaumont,  B. 
Golden  of  Bilboa,  B.  Brown,  Jargonelle,  Messire  Jean,  (?)  Figue  de  Naples, 
Iron,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey,  Johonnot,  Fondante  Van  Mons,  F.  d'Au- 
tomne,  St.  Ghislain,  Josephine,  (?)  Fourcroy,  Glout  Morceau,  Compte  de 
Lamy,  Princesse  d'Orange,  Eyewood,  Verte  Longue  d'Automne,  Marie 
Louise,  (?)  Payency,  Passe  Colmar,  and  three  unnamed  sorts, — 45  varieties  ; 
also,  Gravenstein  and  Hawthornden  apples. 

From  J.  F.  Allen,  Summer  Franc  Real,  Chaumontelle,  Marie  Louise, 
Gansell's  Bergamot,  Seckel,  Ronville,  Cushing,  Bezi  de  la  Motte,  Lewis, 
Quetelet,  Beurr6  Easter,  Glout  Morceau,  Frederic  of  Wurtemberg,  Verte 
Longue,  Verte  Longue  d'Automne,  Napoleon,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey, 
Fondante  Van  Mons,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  and  two  kinds  of  pears  with 
doubtful  names ;  also,  Bellegarde,  Late  Admirable,  Morris  Red  Rareripe, 
and  a  Seedhng  peach  ;  and  the  following  grapes, — Red  Chasselas,  Con- 
stantia,  Wilmot's  Black  Hamburgh,  Black  Hamburgh,  Black  Hamburgh 
No.  16,  (new,)  White  Frontignan,  Zinfindal,  Wortley  Hall  Seedling,  (?) 
Ferral,  Gharlesworth  Tokay,  (?)  Chasselas  de  Fontainbleau,  Tottenham 
Park  Muscat,  Golden  Chasselas,  Syrian,  Esperione,  Grizzly  Frontignan, 
Muscat  of  Alexandria,  White  Gascoigne,  and  Isabella. 

From  Messrs  Hovey  &  Co.,  Madotte,  Van  Mons  Leon  le  Clerc,  Leon  le 
Clerc,  (old,)  Doyenne  blanc,  D.  gris,  Bergamotte  de  Parthenay,  Jalousie 
deFontenay  Vendee,  Limon,  (ofLouvain,)  Muscat  Lallemand,  New  Swan's 
Egg,  Beurr6  Diel,  B.  Moir6,  Belle  Henriette,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme, 
Figue  de  Naples,  Epine  de  Toulouse,  (?)  Belle  et  Bonne  de  Hee,  and  Du- 


416  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

quesne  d'Ete(?)  pears  ;  also,  Wilmot's  Black  Hamburgh,  Black  Hamburgh, 
Frankenthal,  (?)  White  Frontignan,  Grizzly  Frontignan,  Esperione,  Ali- 
cant,  (?)  Chasselas  of  Fontainbleau,  Macready's  Early  White,  Black  Prince, 
Pitmaston  White  Cluster,  and  St.  Peter's  grapes,  and  the  following  peaches  : 
White  Ball,  and  Cambridge  Belle,  (new  seedlings,)  George  IV.,  Bellegarde, 
Old  Mixton  Free,  Early  Crawford,  Cutter's  Yellow,  Early  Robinson  Cru- 
soe, and  four  other  sorts  ;  and  Cruger's  Seedling  and  Semiana  plums. 

From  0.  Johnson,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  Pound,  Beurr6  d'Amalis, 
B.  Easter,  B.  d'Aremberg,  B.  Diel,  Pope's  Russet,  Belle  et  Bonne,  Prin- 
cesse  d'Orange,  Henry  IV,  Epined'Ete,  Washington,  RousseletdeRheims, 
Buffum,  Calebasse,  Rousselet  Panache,  Urbaniste,  Harvard,  Gushing,  Val- 
lee  Franche,  Napoleon,  Passe  Colmar,  St.  Ghislain,  Duchesse  d'Angou- 
leme,  Hericart,  Gilogil,  Franc  Real  d'hiver,  Jalousie,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jer- 
sey, Dix,  Prince's  St.  Germain,  Doyenn6  blanc,  Le  Cur6,  Verte  Longue 
d'Automne,  Blocker's  Meadow,  Julienne,  Messire  Jean,  Winter  Nelis,  Jo- 
honnot,  Fondante  d'Automne,  and  Hacon's  Incomparable  pears  ;  also,  sev- 
eral varieties  of  apples,  peaches.  Black  Hamburgh  grapes,  and  melons. 

From  Josiah  Lovitt,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  Beurre  de  Capiaumont, 
B.  Bosc,  B.  d'Amalis,  B.  Diel,  St.  Ghislain,  Harvard,  Marie  Louise  nova, 
Hessel,  Marie  Louise,  Andrews,  Julienne,  Figuede  Naples,  Belle  et  Bonne, 
Lewis,  King  Edward's,  Surpasse  Virgouleuse,  Winter  Orange,  Louise 
Bonne  de  Jersey,  Seckel,  Petre,  Wilkinson,  and  Stone,  (of  Ohio,)  pears  ; 
also,  four  varieties  of  plums,  several  of  peaches,  and  six  of  melons.  From 
F.  W.  Macondry,  Doyenn6  gris,  Passe  Colmar,  Le  Cure,  Catillac,  Reine 
des  Pays  Bas,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey,  Epine  d'Ete,  Gushing,  Calebasse 
Bosc,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  Bon  Chretien  d'hiver,  Beurre  Easter,  B. 
Noirchair,  B.  Diel,  Belle  et  Bonne,  Napoleon,  Winter  Nelis,  Andrews, 
Urbaniste,  Washington,  Long  Green,  Seedling,  and  three  unknown  kinds ; 
also,  eight  varieties  of  apples,  three  varieties  of  peaches,  and  Brunswick  (?) 
figs. 

From  Hon.  B.  V.  French,  the  following  kinds  of  apples  : — Murphy,  Fa- 
meuse,  Blenheim,  Pomme  d'Api,  Hawthorndean,  Gloria  Mundi,  Canada 
Reinette,  Sweet  Greening,  Yellow  Newton  Pippin,  Lyscom,  Danvers  Win- 
ter Sweet,  Red  Winter,  Large  Striped  Red,  Beer,  Holland  Pippin,  Porter, 
Pumpkin  Sweet,  and  Nonsuch,  with  fifty-seven  other  sorts, not  placed  upon 
the  tables ;  also,  Beurr6  Bosc  pears,  and  Crawford's  Early  peaches.  From 
Messrs.  Winship,  Delbecq,  Belle  de  Bruxelles,  Passans  du  Portugal,  Beurr6 
Easter,  B.  d'Aremberg,  B.  Golden  of  Bilboa,  St.  Ghislain,  Seckel,  Rous- 
selet d'hiver,  Glout  Morceau,  Fulton,  Passe  Colmar,  Duchesse  d'Angou- 
leme, Andrews,  Ambrette,  La  Fortuned,  Gansell's  Bergamot,  Dearborn, 
(of  Van  Mons,)  Rushmore's  Bon  Chretien,  Bezi  Vaet,  Poire  d'Amour, 
Frederic  of  Wurtemberg,  Kenrick,  (of  V.  Mons,)  Williams's  Bon  Chre- 
tien, Winter  Nelis,  Fondante  d'Automne,  Muscadine,  Moorfowl  Egg,  and 
several  sorts  of  pears  with  doubtful  names ;  also.  Grand  Sachem  apples, 
and  six  kinds  of  plums. 

From  J.  M.  Ives,  Fulton,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  Dix,  Bezi  de  la 
Motte,  B.  Montigny,  Wilkinson,  Fondante  d'Automne,  Long  Green,  Beurr^ 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  417 

Diel,  B.  Golden  of  Bilboa,  B.  Bosc,  B.  de  Capiaumont,  Napoleon,  Andrews, 
Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  Lewis,  Bleeker's  Meadow,  Washington,  Gushing, 
Passe  Colmar,  Cabot  &  Jalousie  pears ;  also  Reine  Claude  Violette  and 
three  other  sorts  of  plums,  eleven  kinds  of  apples,  and  nine  kinds  of  peaches. 
From  J.  Breck  &  Co.,  Beurr6  d'Amalis,  B.  Ranee,  Bergamotte  dePaques, 
Summer  Bon  Chretien,  Messire  Jean,  Bergamotte  Suisse,  Duchesse  d'An- 
gouleme, Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey,  Doyenn6  blanc,  St.  Germain,  Augeries? 
and  three  other  sorts  with  doubtful  names.  From  A.  J.  Downing,  New- 
burgh,  N.  Y.  Doyenne  blanc,  Fulton,  Bezi  de  la  Motte,  Beurre  Diel,  B. 
brown,  B.  de  Capiaumont,  and  Urbaniste. 

From  D.  Haggerston,  gardener  to  J.  P.  Gushing,  Black  Hamburgh, 
Poonah,  Syrian,  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  White  Nice,  White  Frontignan, 
Black  Prince,  White  Portugal  and  other  sorts ;  also  splendid  nectarines 
and  eight  or  ten  kinds  of  peaches.  From  J.  W.  Russel,  gr.  to  Horace 
Gray,  Esq.,  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  White  and  Black  Frontignan,  Black 
Gonstantia,  Black  Prince,  Black  Hamburgh,  and  Chasselas  of  Fontain- 
bleau.  From  W.  Quant,  gr.  to  Hon.  T.  H.  Perkins,  Reigne  de  Nice, 
Black  Raisin,  Black  Hambu»gh,  White  Frontignan,  Muscat  of  Alexan- 
dria, Black  Prince,  Frankindale,  and  Syrian  Grapes;  also  George  IV., 
Bellegardo  &  HilFs  Madeira  peaches.  From  T.  Needham,  gr.  to  O.  H. 
Mather,  Black  Hamburgh,  Cannon  Hall  Muscat,  Frankindale,  Black  Pro- 
lific, Black  Lombardy  (!)  White  Frontignan,  White  Portugal  and  Muscat 
of  Alexandria  Grapes  ;  also  a  vine  in  fruit  in  a  pot,  and  two  kinds  of  pears. 
From  W.  Young,  gr.  to  J.  Arnold,  Esq.,  New  Bedford,  Syrian,  Royal  Mus- 
cadine, Victoria,  (?)  White  Frontignan  &  Black  Hamburgh  Grapes. 

From  A.  D.  Williams  &  Son,  Rousselet  de.Rheims,  Verte  Longue  d'Au- 
tomne,  Doyenne  blanc,  Beurr6  brown,  B.  d'Amalis,  B.  Easter,  Flemish 
Beauty,  Autumn  Bergamot,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey,  Seckel,  Messire  Jean, 
Dix,  Andrews,  Harrison's  Fall  Baking,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  Wil- 
liams's Early,  Sylvange,  Fondante  d'Automne,  Passe  Colmar,  Columbia, 
Epine  d'Ele,  Le  Cure,  Quince,  and  eighteen  sorts  unnamed  ;  also  thirty 
varieties  of  apples,  several  of  ipeaches  and  grapes.  From  S.  Phipps,  Wil- 
liams's Bon  Chretien,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  Seckel,  Marie  Louise,  Gan- 
sell's  Bergamot,  Beurre  Knox,  B.  Easter,  Winter  Nelis,  Urbaniste,  Heath- 
cote,  Moorfowl  Egg,  Columbia,  Prince's  St.  Germain,  Doyenn6  blanc, 
and  Autumn  Sugar  pears.  From  Geo.  Newhall,  Dix,  Williams's  Bon 
Chretien,  Catillac,  Seckel,  Fulton,  Cumberland,  Black  Pear  of  Worcester, 
Frederic  of  Wurtemberg,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey,  and  Beurre  Bosc  Pears. 
From  E.  Wight,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  Buffum,  Winter  Nelis,  Napo- 
leon, Gansell's  Bergamot,  and  Verte  Longue  d'Automne  pears. 

From  S.  &  G.  Hyde,  Gravenstein,  Porter,  Hubbardston  Nonsuch,  Yel- 
low Bellflower,  Codhn,  and  Fall  Sops  of  Wine  apples  ;  also,  Ohio  Ever- 
bearing raspberries.  From  S.  A.  Walker,  Seckel,  WiUiams's  Bon  Ch6- 
tien,  Heathcote,  Andrews,  Golden  Bcurr6  of  Bilboa,  and  Frederic  of  Wur- 
temberg pears;  also  two  kinds  of  peaches.  From  N.  Stetson,  Esq.,  Bridge- 
water,  two  kinds  of  peaches,  fine.  From  J.  Owen,  four  kinds  of  peaches, 
Beurre  Diel  Pears,  Green  Gage  plums,  apples  and  grapes.     From  E.  M. 

VOL.    XII. — NO.    X.  .53 


418  Massachusetts  Horticultwal  Society. 

Richards,  Beurr6  Bosc,  and  Williams's  Bon  Chretien  pears  ;  four  kinds  of 
apples  and  Seedling  peaches.  Froni  J.  A.  Kenrick,  Le  Cure  and  Seckel 
pears,  Rogers,  Semiana  &  Duane's  purple  plums,  and  apples.  From  J.  L. 
L.  F.  Warren,  thirty-four  kinds  of  pears,  twenty-nine  of  apples,  four  of 
plums;  and  two  of  quince,  but  no  list  of  names  has  been  handed  to  the  com- 
mittee. 

From  A.  Philbrick,  Brookline,  Dix  pears.  From  A.  Stevens,  Jr.,  Me- 
thuen,  several  kinds  of  handsome  peaches.  From  D.  W.  Chandler,  South 
Natick,  Early  Crawford  peaches.  From  J.  C  West,  Seedling  peaches. 
From  N.  Abbott,  Doyenn6  blanc  pears.  From  W.  Prescott,  Concord, 
Seedling  apples.  From  T.  Sinclair,  Brighton,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien 
pears.  From  I.  Fay,  Cambridge,  five  kinds  of  Seedling  peaclies,  and  Dia- 
mond and  Lombard  plums.  From  P.  Cook,  Roxbury,  Black  Hamburgh 
and  one  other  kind  of  grape.  From  J.  Arnold  Jr.  Milton,  five  bunches  of  Black 
Hamburgh  grapes,  one  bunch  weighing  31bs.  From  W.  G.  Lewis,  two 
kinds  of  Seedling  peaches.  From  J.  W.  Sever,  three  sorts  of  peaches  and 
one  of  plums.  From  Geo.  P.  Foster,  Plymouth,  splendid  Sieulle  pears. 
From  Geo.  Walsh,  seven  kinds  of  pears,  six  of  apples,  five  of  peaches, 
white  nectarines,  and  grapes.  From  W.  H.  Hayes,  South  Berwick,  twelve 
large  apples.  From  C.  Newman,  Reading,  two  sorts  of  seedling  peaches. 
From  Jos.  Baich,  Golden  Beurr6  of  Bilboa,  Toyenne  blanc,  Brown  Beurr6 
and  Williams's  Bon  Chretien  pears.  From  K.  Bailey,  Sweet  Water  grapes, 
open  culture.  From  E.  Bartlett,  Napoleon,  Gansell's  Bergamot,  Frederic 
of  Wurtemberg,  and  Williams's  Bon  Chretien  pears.  From  P.  P  Spauld- 
ing,  Lowell,  Porter,  and  Chelmsford  Seedling  apples,  and  three  kinds  of 
peaches.  From  B.  Harrington,  Lexington,  Porter  apples,  and  Early  Craw- 
ford and  Crawford  late  peaches.  From  S.  W.  Holbrook,  Brighton,  Blue 
pearmains.  From  T.  Mason,  Black  Hamburgh  &  St.  Peter's  grapes, 
peaches  and  plums.  From  E.  Tufts,  Cambridge,  an  apple  called  Tufts' 
Baldwin,  said  to  be  a  seedling,  and  four  other  kinds  of  apples.  From  O. 
N.  Towne,  Black  Hamburgh  and  Sweetwater  grapes.  Red  Roman  necta- 
rines and  peaches.  From  S.  R.  Johnson,  Urbaniste,  Dix,  Andrews,  Beurre 
Diel,  and  Williams's  Bon  Chretien  pears,  and  Sweet  Water  grapes.  From 
A.  Clark,  South  Framingham,  Nonsuch  (?)  peaches.  From  E.  Wheeler, 
Framingham,  Nonsuch  (?)  and  very  handsome  Seedling  Cling,  peaches. 
From  G.  Merriam,  five  kinds  of  peaches.  From  E.  Vose,  Esq.,  Hawthorn- 
dean  apples.  From  H.  Dutch,  Seedling  reaches.  From  Jos.  Richardson, 
Early  Crawford  peaches.  From  the  Endicott  Family,  Danvers,  Endicott 
pears  from  the  old  tree  planted  in  1630. 

VEGET.'i.BLES  :  From  F.  W.  Macondry,  Blood  Beet,  Celery,  Parsnips,  Car- 
rots, Purple  eggs,  and  six  varieties  of  tomatoes.  From.  A.  D.  Williams 
&  Son,  Carrots,  Brocoli,  Savoy,  Drumhead  and  Red  Cabbage,  Celery, 
Tomatoes,  Marrow  and  Canada  Squashes,  Sweet  Corn,  Turnip  Beets,  &c. 
From  E.  Wight,  four  squashes  from  one  vine  their  respective  weight,  87, 
79,  78,  &  68  lbs.  From  T.  Motley,  Jr.,  purple  eggs  and  Lima  beans. 
From  E.  Bartlett,  club  gourd.  From  O.  N.  Towne,  purj^le  eggs,  two 
kinds.     From  J.  F.   Allen,  tomatoes.     From  N.  Stetson,  Esq.,  tomatoes. 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  41 9 

From  E.  Allen,  celery.  From  S.  Walker,  two  varieties  of  tomatoes. 
From  P.  Cook,  tomatoes.  FromW.  Quant,  purple  eggs.  From  J.  L.  L.  F. 
Warren,  squashes  of  growth  of  1845,  and  a  string  of  twelve  varieties  of 
corn. 

The  following   is  the  report  of  the  committees  awarding  premiums  for 

flowers,  fruits  and  vegetables,  at  the  Annual  Exhibition  : — 
Flowers,  Designs,  Bouquets,  &c. — To  Wm.  Quant,  gardener  to  T. 

H.  Perkins,  for  his  beautiful  Grecian  Floral  Temple,  the  first  premium 

of  $40 
To  Walker  &  Co.,  for  their  much  admired  Chinese  Pagoda,  the  second 

premium  of  $30. 
To  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  for  his  neat  Swiss  Cottage,  the  third  premium 

of  $20. 
To  W.  Sheehan,  gardener  to  R.   West,  of  Salem,  for  his  fine  Gothic 

Monument,  the  fourth  premium  of  $10. 
To  John  Galvin,  gardener  to  Thomas  Motley,  Jr.,  for  his  Gothic  Bower, 

the  fifth  premium  of  $5. 
To  Daniel  Crowley,  gardener  to  J.  L.  Gardner,  for  the  best  pair  of  large 

flat  bouquets  for  the  walls,  the  first  premium  of  $10. 
To  James  Nugent,  for  the  second  best  do.,  a  premium  of  $  5. 
To  Hovey  &  Co.,  for  the  best  round  pyramidal  bouquet  for  the  Society's 

vases,  the  first  premium  of  $8. 
To  S.  A.  Walker,  for  the  second  best  do.,  a  premium  of  $5. 
To  Hovey  &  Co.,  for  the  best  pair  of  Mantel  or  Table  bouquets,  the  first 

premium  of  $5. 
To  W.  E.  Carter,  for  the  second  best  do.,  a  premium  of  $3. 
To  Hovey  Si,  Co.,  for  the  best  pair  of  hand  bouquets,  the  first  premium  of 

$3. 
No  claimant  for  the  second  premium. 
To  Miss  R.  Bowker,  for  the  best  design  of  Native  Grasses  or  Mosses, 

the  first  premium  of  $10. 
To  Mrs.  E.  A.  Story,  for  do.,  the  second  premium  of  $  5. 
Gratuities. — To  Miss  R.  Bowker,  for  a  very  tasteful  wreath  of  grasses 

for  the  clock,  a  gratuity  of  $  5. 
To  S.  A.  Walker,  for  a  beautiful  flat  design,  a  gratuity  of  $10. 
To  S.  A.  Walker,  for  100  feet  of  beautiful  wreathing,  a  gratuity  of  $8. 
To  Mr.  McNeil,  gardener  to  J.  D.  W.  Williams,  for  a  flat  design,  a  gra- 
tuity of  $5. 
To  Miss  Barnes,  Dorchester,  for  basket  and  bower  of  flowers  and  ever- 
greens, a  gratuity  of   $2. 
To  Orr  N.  Towne,  for  a  flat  design,  a  gratuity  of  S2, 
To  William  Kenrick,  for  an  ancient  lyre,  a  gratuity  of  $5. 
To  Edward  Allen,  for  a  large  flat  design,  a  gratuity  of  $3. 
To   Miss   Russell,  for  a  large  bouquet  and  moss  vase,  a  gratuity   of 

$8. 

To  Samuel  Walker,  for  a  large  flat  bouquet,  a  gratuity  of  $3. 


420  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

To  Thomas  Needham,  gardener  to  O.  H.  Mather,  for  a  beautiful  vase  and 
bouquet,  a  gratuity  of  $6. 

To  Mrs.  E.  A.  Story,  for  a  beautiful  circular  design,  a  gratuity  of  $3. 

To  Hovey  &  Co.,  for  a  pair  of  flat  bouquets,  a  gratuity  of  S2. 

To  Charles  Mayert,  for  designs  for  landscape  gardening,  a  gratuity  of  $4. 

To  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  for  a  unique  pyramidal  bouquet,  composed  of 
vegetables,  a  gratuity  of  $5. 

To  William  Quant,  for  a  pyramidal  bouquet,  a  gratuity  of  §-2. 

To  the  Messrs.  Winship,  for  a  pyramidal  bouquet,  a  gratuity  of  $2. 

To  William  Quant,  for  12  plants  of  fine  dwarf  coxcombs,  and  other  pot 
plants,  a  gratuity  of  $5. 

Messrs.  Breck,  Haggerston,  C.  M.  Hovey,  H.  W.  Button  and  McLen- 
nan, judges. 

Fruit. — Apples.  To  B.  V.  French,  for  the  greatest  number  of  kinds, 
and  the  best  grown,  a  premium  of  $10. 

To  Messrs.  Hyde,  for  the  second  do.,  a  premium  of  $5. 

To  Capt.  Macondry,  for  the  third  do.,  a  premium  of  $3. 

Pears.  To  M.  P.  Wilder,  for  the  greatest  number  of  kinds,  and  the 
best  grown,  a  premium  of  $10. 

To  S.  Walker,  for  the  second  best  do.,  a  premium  of  $5. 

To  J.  S.  Cabot,  for  the  third  do.,  a  premium  of  S3. 

Grapes.     To  D.  Haggerston,  for  the  best  exhibited,  first  premium  of  $10. 

To  Thomas  Needham,  for  the  next  best,  a  premium  of  $7. 

To  Hovey  and  Co.,  for  the  next  best,  a  premium  of  $5. 

To  J.  F.  Allen,  for  the  greatest  number  of  varieties,  and  the  best  grown, 
a  premium  of  $10. 

To  William  Quant,  for  the  next  best,  a  premium  of  $5. 

To  O.  Johnson,  for  the  best  basket  of  assorted  fruit,  a  premium  of  $10. 

To  Messrs.  Hyde,  for  the  best  dish  of  apples,  (Gravenstein,)  a  premium 
of  $5. 

To  O.  Johnson,  for  the  next  best,  (Porter,)  a  premium  of  $3. 

To  I\lr.  J.  F.  Allen,  for  the  best  dish  of  pears,  (Williams's  Bon  Chre- 
tien,) a  premium  of  $5. 

To  S.  Walker,  for  the  second  best  do.,  (Andrews,)  a  premium  of  $3. 

Gratuities. — To  James  Arnold,  of  New  Bedford,  for  fine  specimens  of 
grapes,  a  gratuity  of  $5. 

ToW.  H.  Deming,  of  Presque  Isle,  N.  Y.,  for  superior  specimens  of 
Beauty  of  Kent  apples,  a  gratuity  of  05. 

To  Horace  Gray,  of  Brighton,  for  fine  specimens  of  grapes,  a  gratuity 
of  $5. 

Messrs.  S.  Walker,  Haggerston,  Macondry,  Lovitt  and  Otis  Johnson, 
judges. 

Vegetables. — The  Committee  appointed  to  award  premiums  on  Vegeta- 
bles, report  as  follows  : — 

To  Aaron  D.  WUhams  &  Son,  of  Roxbury,  for  the  best  display  and 
greatest  variety  at  the  Annual  Exhibition,  a  premium  of  $10. 


Retrospective  Criticism.  421 

To  F.  W.  Macondry,  of  Dorchester,  for  the  second  best  do.,  a  premium 
of  $7. 

The  Committee  recommend  a  gratuity  for  a  wreath  of  corn  of  12  varieties, 
to  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  of  $3. 

Also,  a  gratuity  to  E.  Wight,  of  Dedham,  for  a  variety  of  squashes,  $2. 

Messrs.  Breck,  A.  D.  Williams,  Jr.  and  Kingsbury,  judges. 

Sept.  19ih. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day, — the 
President  in  the  chair.     Adjourned  one  week  to  Sept.  26th. 

Sept.  2Qth. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day, — the 
President  in  the  chair. 

The  thanks  of  the  Society  were  voted  to  the  Committee  of  Arrangements 
for  the  Annual  Exhibition,  for  the  very  acceptable  manner  in  which  they 
attended  to  their  duty. 

Messrs.  Wight,  Breck,  S.  Walker,  Haggerston  and  O.  Johnson,  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  nominate  a  list  of  officers  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Meeting  dissolved. 

[Owing  to  the  length  of  the  report  of  the  Annual  Exhibition,  we  are 
compelled  to  omit  a  report  of  the  Dahlia  Show  which  took  place  to-day  for 
premiums,  until  our  next.] 


Art.  II.     Retrospective  Criticism. 

Errata. — Page  342,  three  lines  from  the  top,  for  "  produced,"  read 
"  fruited."  In  our  article.  Calls  at  Gardens  and  Nurseries,  there  is  a  typo- 
graphical error  which  destroys  the  sense  of  a  sentence.  At  the  bottom  of 
page  352  there  is  a  full  period,  which  should  have  been  a  comma.  The 
sentence  should  read  "  and  some  facilities  afTorded  for  clearing  up  the  con- 
fusion in  the  nomenclature  of  some  sorts  within  a  year  or  two.  The  kinds 
of  grapes,"  &c.  In  this  number,  we  have  accidentally  omitted  to  give  the 
scale  of  the  engravings,  ^'o^s.  24,  25,  and  26,  pp.  380,  381,  and  382.  It  is 
half  an  inch  to  the  foot. 

Jerusalem  Artichoke. — Your  correspondent,  M.  A.  Ward,  in  the  last  num- 
ber of  your  valuable  Magazine,  in  his  remarks  on  the  Hog  Artichoke  of 
Tenn.,  has  evidently  fallen  into  an  error  in  calling  the  Jerusalem  Artichoke 
the  Solanum  tuberosum, — it  is  the  Helianthus  tuberosus,  tuberous  sun- 
flower, Nat.  Ord.  Composite, — a  class  of  plants  entirely  distinct  from  the 
Solanaceae.  Doubtless  he  is  correct  as  to  the  vegetable  alluded  to,  being  a 
Solanum,  different,  however,  from  the  tuberosum  (common  potato)  of  what 
species  of  Solanum  it  would  be  desirable  to  know,  as  its  cultivation  is  extend- 
ing. I  would  suggest  that  he  describe  it  now,  in  its  growing  state,  that  it 
may  be  determined. —  Yours  respectfully,  P.  T.,  Phila.,  July,  1846. 

Another  correspondent  writes, — after  calling  our  attention  to  the  over- 
sight of  Dr.  Ward, — that  the  Hog  Artichoke  is  the  Helianthus  tuberosum, 
Solanum  tuberosum  being  the  potato. —  W.  S.  R.,  Milled geville,  Ga.,  July, 
1846. 


422 


Faneiiil  Hall  Market. 


Art.  hi.     Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Roots,  Tubers,  <^c. 
Potatoes,  new : 

Chenangoes,  JPerbusheV 
t],     .       .  S  per  barrel, 

Eastpo^s ?  per  bushel 

per  barrel 


Common,. 


per  bushel 


Sweet  Potatoes,  per  bushel, 
Turnips  :  new,  per  bushel, 
Onions  : 

White,  per  bunch,    . 

White,  per  bushel,  . 

Yellow,  per  bunch,  . 

Yellow,  per  bushel. 

Rareripes,  per  bunch 
Beets,  per  bushel,  .  . 
Carrots,  per  bushel,  . 
Horseradish,  per  lb.  . 
Garlic,  per  lb.      ... 

Cabbages,  Salads,  tf-c. 

Cabbages,  per  doz.  : 
Drumhead,     .     .     . 
Green  Globe  Savoy, 
Red  Dutch,     .     .     . 
Cauliflowers,  each, 
Lettuce,  per  head,  .     . 
Brocolis,  each,  .     .     . 
Celery,  per  root,     .     . 
Shell  Beans,  per  quart 
Cranberry,      .     .     . 
Sieva  and  Lima, 
Sweet  Corn,  per  dozen  ears. 
Cucumbers,  pickling,  prlOO 
Mangoes,  forpickl'g,  pr  doz 
Peppers,  per  lb. 
Marlynias,  half  peck, 
Cucumbers,  (pickled)  pr.  gal 
Peppers,  (pickled)  per  gal. 

Pot  and  Sioect  Herbs. 

Parslej',  per  half  peek,     . 
Sage,  per  pound,     .     .     . 
Marjorum,  per  bunch, 
Savory,  per  bunch,      .     . 
Spearmint,  per  bunch. 


From 

To 

$cts. 

Sets. 

1  75 



75 

— 

2  00 

2  25 

1  00 

— 

I  25 

1  50 

50 

75 

1  00 

— 

62i 

— 

3 

6 

75 

— 

3 

4 

62^ 

— 

3 

— 

75 

— 

62.^ 

— 

10 

— 

8 

10 

62i 

75 

50 

62i 

75 

— 

12* 

17 

4 

6 

8 

12 

6 

12 

6 

8 

10 

12 

8 

10 

25 

374 

25 

2 

— 

12.^ 

— 

25 

— 

37| 

25 

17 

20 

G 

12i 

6 

12i 

3 

— 

Squashes  and  Pumpkins. 

Squashes : 
Autumnal  Marrow,  per  lb, 
Canada  Crookneck, .     .    . 
Winter  Crookneck,  .    . 

I^uits. 

Apples, dessert  and  cooking 

Baldwin,  per  barrel,     .     , 

Greenings,  per  barrel,  .     . 

Russets,  per  barrel, .     . 

Pumpkm  Sweet,  per  bbl.. 

Blue  Pearmain,  per  barrel 

Common,  per  barrel,    .     . 

Porter,  per  bushel,  .     .     . 

Lyscom,  per  bushel. 

Sweet,  per  bushel,.  .  .  . 
Pears,  per  half  peck  : 

Williams's  Bon  Chretien, 

Seckel, 

Andrews, 

Urbaniste, 

Long  Green, 

Gansell's  Bergamot,     .     . 

Common, 

Baking,  per  bushel,  .  . 
Peaches,  per  half  peck  : 

Best  quality, 

Second  quality,  .  .  .  . 
Cranberries,  per  bushel,  .  . 
Quinces,  per  bushel,  .  .  . 
Citron  Melons,  each,  .  .  . 
Watermelons,  each,  .  .  . 
Muskmelons,  each : 

Cantelopes,  or  green  flesh, 

Large  yellow  fleshed,  . 
Purple  Eggs,  each,  .  . 
Cucumbers,  per  dozen,  . 
Tomatoes,  per  half  peck, 
Grapes,  (forced,)  per  lb. : 

Black  Hamburgh,    .     . 

Sweet  water,  .  .  . 
Oranges,  per  doz. 

St.  Michael's,      .     .    . 

Sicily,        

Sicily,  per  box,  .  .  . 
Lemons,  per  doz.  .  .  . 
Pine  Apples,  each,       .     . 


From 

Sets. 

H 
1 


To 

$cts. 


li 


50    1   75 

50 

50 

50 

50 

25 

50 

75 

00 


75 
50 
50 
50 
50 
50 
37 
50 

50 
25 
25 
50 
10 
20 

10 
20 
12i 

C 
121 

50 
25 

25 
37 
50 
17 


1   75 
1  50 


1   00 


1   00 
75 


62 

2  00 

62.i 
37| 

1  50 

2  00 
12^ 
25 

12| 
25 

20 


37 
50 
4  00 
20 
37h 


Remarks. — The  weather  has  been  remarkably  fine  for  the  season,  and  no 
frosts  have  yet  occured  to  do  injury.  It  still  remains  very  dry,  however, 
and  late  crops  have  suifered  somewhat  from  the  drought ;  but  one  heavy 
rain  has  fallen  during  the  month. 

Vegetables. — Since  our  last,  there  has  been  a  more  general  complaint  of 
the  potato  rot,  and  late  crops  have  suffered  much  more  than  early  ones. 
Many  have  been  brought  in,  in  poor  condition,  and  at  one  time  the  market 
was  rather  glutted  ;  just  now,  however,  there  is  a  limited  supply  of  prime 
ones,  and  in  consequence  prices  have  advanced  to  our  quotations  ;  the  prob- 


Horticultural  Memoranda.  423 

ability  is,  that  many  persons  were  anxious  to  sell  their  crop,  without  the 
trouble  of  storing,  for  fear  of  loss  by  the  rot,  and  that  prices  will  continue 
to  range  higher  than  they  did  during  last  month  ;  Sweet  are  abundant  and 
good.  Turnips  are  more  plentiful  and  cheap.  A  good  crop  of  onions  from 
the  late  fine  weather  has  slightly  reduced  prices.  Beets  and  carrots  are  now 
plentiful  by  the  bushel.  Cabbages  are  tolerably  well  supplied  ;  but  they  are 
not  of  so  large  size  as  in  some  seasons  ;  Red  are  now  brought  in.  Sieva 
and  Lima  beans  are  nearly  gone.  Sweet  corn  well  supplied.  Cucumbers 
for  pickling  have  been  rather  scarce,  and  prices  have  advanced  considerably 
for  those  of  good  quality.  Peppers  are  remarkably  plentiful  and  good. 
Autumnal  Marrow  squashes  are  quite  abundant  and  of  very  fine  quality, 
having  ripened  off  unusually  well  ;  other  sorts  are  also  plentiful. 

Fruit. — Apples  come  in  freely  now,  and  the  market  has  been  tolerably 
well  supplied  with  Porter,  and  other  early  fall  kinds.  The  dry  weather  has 
undoubtedly  affected  the  crop,  as  they  appear  to  be  much  smaller  and  not  so 
fair  as  usual  ;  Baldwins  in  particular,  are  not  an  average  size  :  several 
kinds  not  enumerated  are  found  in  the  market,  but  in  rather  limited  quanti- 
ties. Pears  are  rather  scarce  for  the  season  ;  Bartlett's  are  yet  plentiful, 
and  Seckels  are  abundant,  though  rather  small ;  some  premature  Beurr6 
Diels,  Urbaniste,  &c.,  have  been  brought  in,  but  there  is  a  want  of  choice 
sorts.  Plums  are  all  gone,  with  the  exception  of  the  Semiana,  and  some 
small  sorts.  Peaches  are  only  moderately  supplied,  though  considerable 
quantities  have  been  received  from  New  York  ;  very  choice  ones,  raised  in 
this  vicinity,  command  from  25  to  50  cents  per  dozen.  Those  who  have 
planted  peach  orchards  are  now  reaping  the  benefit  of  their  good  judgment. 
Cranberries  are  abundant  and  good.  Quinces  have  been  received  of  very 
fine  quality.  Melons  plentiful.  Tomatoes  have  been  remarkably  abundant 
and  cheap  ;  but,  as  cooler  weather  approaches,  they  decrease,  and  good  ones 
now  command  advanced  rates.  Grapes  are  tolerably  abundant,  especially 
those  of  ordinary  qualities ;  Sweetwater,  of  out  door  culture,  are  also  now 
supplied.     Pine  apples  are  scarce. —  Yours,  M.    T.,  Boston,  Sept.  29lh. 


HORTICULTURAL    MEMORANDA 

FOR    OCTOBER. 


FRUIT    DEPARTMENT. 

Grape  Vines  will  now  require  but  little  attention.  When  the  grapes  are 
all  cut,  the  house  should  be  thrown  open  night  and  day,  unless  wet  and  very 
cold,  in  order  to  ripen  and  harden  the  wood.  All  the  laterals  which  were 
stopped  at  the  first  joint  through  the  season  may  now  be  pruned  clear  back 
to  the  bearing  wood.  In  greenhouses,  the  yellow  and  decaying  leaves 
should  be  picked  off,  as  the  plants  will  now  be  required  to  be  got  in,  and 
neatness  should  be  always  attended  to.  Vines  in  pots  which  have  made  a 
good  growth,  and  the  wood  begun  to  ripen,  may  be  set  out  of  doors  in  an 


424  Horticultural  Memoranda. 

open  airy  place,  where  they  will  ripen  the  wood  rapidly.  Out  door  grapes 
will  need  no  further  care  till  the  pruning  season  next  month. 

Strawberry  beds  should  be  attended  to.  Keep  them  clear  of  weeds  and 
the  ground  occasionally  stirred  until  cold  weather. 

Gooseberry  and  Currant  bushes  may  be  planted  at  this  season  with  the 
best  success. 

Raspberry  plantations  may  be  made  now,  and  they  will  produce  some 
fruit  next  season. 

Grape  Vines  may  be  transplanted  with  safety. 

Peach  trees  budded  last  month  will  require  looking  over  to  see  if  the  liga- 
tures are  not  injuring  the  buds. 

Fruit  trees  of  all  kinds  may  be  planted  this  month.  If  the  work  is  well 
and  carefully  done,  we  believe  fall  planting  is  preferable  to  spring. 

Peach,  Plum,  Cherry,  Apple  and  other  fruit  tree  seeds  may  be  planted 
this  month. 

FLOWER    DEPARTMENT. 

Dahlias  are  now  in  full  bloom,  and,  since  the  last  rains,  they  have  very 
rapidly  improved.  If  frost  holds  off  as  late  as  last  year,  there  will  be  a  fine 
opportunity  to  see  perfect  blooms  of  some  of  the  new  sorts.  We  think  it 
best  to  take  up  the  roots  immediately  after  the  first  light  frost,  and  before  a 
hard  one  ;  we  are  certain  the  roots  keep  better. 

Carnations  and  Picotees  of  choice  kinds  should  be  potted,  if  not  already 
done,  and  placed  in  frames. 

Chrysanthemums  will  now  require  an  abundant  supply  of  water,  and  occa- 
sionally liquid  manure  or  guano. 

Pelargoniums  should  now  be  removed  to  the  house,  and  plu  -nl  on  an  airy 
shelf,  near  the  glass.     Scarlet  kinds,  in  the  border,  should  be  p^  ^ced  now. 

Lilium  lancifolium  and  its  varieties  should  now  have  their  dead  tops  cut 
off,  and  the  pots  placed  away  under  the  stage,  till  the  season  for  potting,  i. 
December. 

Oxalises  should  now  be  brought  into  the  house,  and  freely  watered 

Achimenes,  done  blooming,  should  have  the  dry  tops  cut  off  and  tb  pots 
placed  away  in  a  dry  place,  and  laid  on  their  sides. 

Roses  in  the  open  border,  of  tender  kinds,  should  be  potted  now  it  it 
done  last  month.  Cuttings  put  in  in  August  should  now  be  potted  ^u. 
Budded  roses,  of  tender  sorts,  as  well  as  layered  ones,  should  be  taken  up 
and  potted,  and  the  latter  placed  in  a  close  frame. 

Mignonette  in  pots  shoujd  be  kept  on  an  airy  shelf  near  the  glass,  and 
sparingly  watered. 

Ixias,  Sparaxis  and  other  Cape  bulbs  should  be  removed  to  frames  before 
heavy  frosts,  preparatory  to  their  removal  to  the  house.      > 

Tulips,  Hyacinths  and  other  hardy  bulbs,  may  be. planted,  out  in  all  this 
month. 

Azaleas,  and  other  young  stock  raised  from  cuttings,  will  now  require  to 
be  potted  off. 

Greenhouse  plants,  of  all  sorts,  should  be  prepared  for  the  winter;  and, 
if  needed,  repotted,  pruned  and  tied  up.  In  case  of  early  frost,  they  may 
be  removed  to  frames,  from  whence  they  can  be  taken  in  at  leisure. 


THE  MAGAZINE 


OF 


HORTICULTURE. 


NOVEMBER,  1846. 


ORIGINAL   COMMUNICATIONS. 

Art.  I.  Horticulture  in  Mississippi  ;  Budding  Fruit  Trees  ; 
Labels  for  Trees  ;  Soaking  Cucumber  and  Melon  Seeds,  Sfc. 
By  M.  W.  Phillips,  Esq.,  Log  Hall,  Edwards,  Miss. 

The  improvement  in  fruits  is  rapidly  progressing  in  this 
State :  quite  a  rage  has  sprung  up  to  market  fruit  to  New  Or- 
leans. One  gentleman  within  some  ten  or  fifteen  miles  of 
me  has  an  orchard  of  pear  trees  of  several  hundred,  and  will, 
in  1847,  have  over  one  thousand  trees.  Another  this  fall  will 
have  some  three  hundred.  I  can  point  to  one  orchard  of 
peach  trees  that  number  over  one  thousand ; — to  an  apple 
orchard  of  eight  hundred  that  was  planted  this  year  within 
four  miles  of  me :  my  peach  orchard  numbers  over  one  hun- 
dred trees,  with  over  three  hundred  large  enough  to  place  in 
orchard,  and  over  four  hundred  budded  this  spring  ; — and,  by 
the  by,  I  can  show  a  bud  that  was  put  in  about  the  7th  of 
June,  that  is  now  near  three  inches  long ;  it  will  be  large 
enough  to  remove  by  fall. 

Our  cotton  crops,  so  far  as  I  can  see  and  hear,  are  fully 
three  weeks  behind  last  year,  and  are  more  dependent  on  a 
favorable  fall  than  any  I  have  ever  seen.  Such  a  wet  and 
grassy  year,  I  never  before  saw.  I  cannot  get  my  crop  clean 
under  ten  days.  I  never  worked  in  my  crop  in  August  before, 
and  have  often  laid  by.  clean,  before  July  4,^ — too  soon  to 
form  any  certain  calculation  of  the  crop,  but  as  we  are,  nine 
years  out  of  ten,  picking  before  this  date,  we  can  of  course 
say,  our  crops  are  very  backward,  when  there  is  no  probabil- 
ity of  picking  before  September  1.  Those  who  know  how 
much  depends  on  the  number  of  days  to  pick,  and  the  ear- 

VOL.    XII. NO.    XL  .54 


426  Horticulture  in  Mississippi. 

liness  or  lateness  of  frost,  can  form  a  notion  what  we  think, 
when  we  know  we  must  lose  at  least  fifteen  to  twenty  days 
in  August,  which  time  always  gives  us  the  pretty,  clean,  cot- 
ton and  good  weights.  A  crop  under  two  millions  will  give 
an  impetus  to  business  that  will  be  felt  from  the  Lake  Grand 
to  the  Rio  Grande.     Look  for  it. 

I  am  desirous  of  adding  to  my  selection  of  trees,  and  though 
I  have  received  my  trees  mostly  from  New  York,  yet  Hovey's 
Magazine — the  spirit  that  impels  the  Boston  folks — the  great 
society  there — and  a  desire  to  test  trees  from  that  mart,  in- 
fluence me  in  selecting  from  your  nurseries. 

I  have  here  a  very  large  variety  of  fruits,  indeed,  far  more 
than  I  want, but  I  am  determined  to  test  the  relative  qualities 
on  this  farm,  when  I  will  be  able  to  give  to  the  South  and 
South  West  some  good  news,  and  very  valuable  information. 
I  crave  at  your  hands,  (and  really  of  every  lover  of  fruit  in 
our  land)  all  the  aid  you  can  give,  without  detriment.  Un- 
less I  succeed  in  budding  peach  trees,  and  then  in  selling 
some,  there  must  fall  on  me  an  expense  and  a  labor  that  would 
be  onerous  on  a  private  citizen,  and  one  that  I  think  should 
not  be  borne  without  some  help.  I  have  now,  I  assure  you, 
more  varieties  of  peach,  apple,  pear,  plum,  apricot,  cherry, 
fig  and  grape,  than  I  would  accept  as  a  present,  but  for  the 
desire  to  test. 

I  have  carried  out  many  experiments  within  the  past  fif- 
teen years,  and  have  lost  very  largely,  often  going  to  too  much 
expense  in  the  outset;  this  induces  me  to  be  more  econom- 
ical, and  to  endeavour  to  sell  enough  young  trees  to  pay 
my  way.  I  may  err,  but  I  think  I  will  prove  conclusive- 
ly that  we  have  the  peach,  nectarine,  apricot  and  pear 
country ;  if  I  can,  I  will  aid  my  country,  and  of  course  aid 
nurserymen  ;  for  I  have  no  sort  of  idea  that  I  will  ever  quit 
the  cotton  crop,  as  my  rule  of  action. 

Aid  your  magazine  ?  Why,  dear  sirs,  I  have  never  dared 
to  do  more  than  to  write  for  ploughmen  in  an  agricultural,  or 
in  a  political  paper.  Yet  I  assure  you.  if  I  could  be  found 
worthy,  I  would  be  greatly  pleased. 

I  presume  I  have  picked  up  something  in  the  horticultural 
department  that  would  be  interesting,  but  I  am  at  a  loss  to 
place  my  hands  on  the  matter.     I  have  occasionally  planted 


Horticulture  in  Mississippi.  427 

a  tree  since  1832,  have  had  something  to  do  with  fruits  since 
I  was  a  mere  boy  :  the  first  tree  I  ever  saw  budded  was  in 
1822  or  '23,  and  the  first  tree  I  ever  succeeded  in  raising  was 
from  a  cutting  of  an  apple  tree  in  1818;  since  which  time,  I 
have  propagated  sundry  shrubs  and  trees  by  all  the  various 
methods  in  common  use. 

In  1844,  I  thought  I  had  made  a  "  grande"  discovery,  by 
budding  without  taking  out  the  wood,  cutting  a  thin  scalp  of 
bark  with  very  little  of  the  wood  ;  but  not  long  after  making 
my  method  known,  a  friend  gave  me  a  great  secret  how  to 
bud,  and,  unfortunate  for  both  of  us.  Downing  told  everybody 
of  it,  as  being  practised  north.  It  was  new  to  me,  and  learnt 
somewhat  accidentally,  which  teaches  me  for  the  fortieth  time, 
not  to  make  known  any  discovery  I  make — as  smarter  folks 
than  I  am  have  lived  and  died.  But  for  all  this,  there  are  many 
old  and  expert  budders  who  will  not  try  the  American  mode. 

It  seems  to  be  a  mooted  point  among  horticulturists  wheth- 
er fruit  trees  should  be  cultivated  or  not,  and  the  great  difii- 
culty  is  to  decide.  On  many  subjects,  there  would  be  no  dif- 
ficulty, but  as  this,  like  many  others,  has  warm  advocates 
for  the  negative  and  affirmative,  in  proportion  as  the  individ- 
ual has  strong  passions, — that  is,  one  who  is  very  positive,  or 
forms  an  opinion  frequently  to  be  in  opposition  will  almost 
certainly  warp  his  experience  to  coincide  with  his  opinion, 
then,  were  we  to  examine  any  orchard,  and  listen  to  the  ex- 
perience of  each,  we  would  be  about  as  wise  as  when  we 
started  forth. 

As  an  evidence,  a  neighbor  of  mine,  who  is  certainly  a 
clever  man,  and  an  excellent  planter,  asserted  very  broadly, 
that  the  reason  my  fruit  rotted  so  very  badly  this  season  was, 
I  cultivated  my  orchard.  I  denied  the  inference,  because  I 
have  always  cultivated  my  trees,  and  they  never  rotted  so 
much  before,  though  it  "  might  be  that  culture  caused  too  rapid 
growth"  ;  but,  upon  being  asked  how  his  trees  were  attended 
to,  his  reply,  "  I  plough  the  ground  thoroughly  in  the  spring, 
and  thus  leave  it.  I  never  cut  the  roots  after  putting  forth 
leaf"  I  then  told  him  that  my  land  was  ploughed  as  his  was, 
and  that  I  kept  clean  with  hoes  and  implements  that  did  little 
more  than  merely  clean  the  surface :  this  staggered  him.  But 
again,  in  conversation  with  a  gentleman  of  much  practical 


428  Horticulture  in  Mississippi. 

skill,  though  a  merchant,  he  assured  me  that  his  fruit  trees  in 
his  garden  rotted  their  fruit  this  season  more  than  he  had  seen, 
all,  whether  they  had  been  cultivated  or  not.  Others  have 
had  no  rotten  fruit,  whether  cultivated  or  not,  and  others  have 
had  all  to  rot  whether  cultivated  or  not.  If  the  fact  could  be 
known,  as  to  the  growth  of  the  trees,  we  might  probably  ar- 
rive at  some  conclusion.  For  instance,  I  have  a  seedling  that 
has  never  borne  any  fruit ;  it  is  now  five  years  old ;  that  is, 
seed  placed  in  the  earth  in  February  or  March  1841,  and 
planted  into  orchard  in  the  spring  of  1842.  There  is  a  large 
limb  broken  down,  by  weight  of  foliage  I  verily  believe :  the 
trunk  is  some  twenty  to  twenty-two  inches  in  circumference, 
as  many  others  are  adjoining.  The  foliage  is  so  remarkable, 
that  though  it  has  not  borne  fruit,  I  could  not  cut  it  down  and 
cast  into  the  fire.  My  trees  that  were  budded  last  August, 
about  six  to  twelve  inches  from  the  earth,  on  stocks  that  grew 
from  the  seed  in  spring  of  1845,  are  this  day  ten  feet  high,  and 
five  inches  in  circumference  above  the  budded  point, — I  am 
positive,  having  placed  the  seed  in  the  earth  in  the  fall  of  1844, 
taken  up  the  plant  in  the  spring  of  1845,  had  it  replanted  in 
nursery  row,  budded  myself,  and  headed  down  this  spring., 
after  the  budded  had  put  forth.  Such  luxuriant  vegetation 
will  destroy  all  fruit,  and  Mr.  Lambert  of  Vicksburg  pursues 
the  correct  practice — spade  in  vegetable  manure,  and  cut  otf 
roots  about  five  feet  distant  all  round  the  tree,  then  prune 
freely.  I  have  a  tree,  from  the  seed  planted  in  1841,  that  will 
measure  twenty-five  inches  in  diameter,  and  the  fruit  will 
continue  to  rot  while  so  luxuriant ;  its  parent  did  so  until  I 
removed  it.  How  now  shall  I  remedy  the  evil  with  1200 
peach  trees  ?  I  will  scatter  manure  round  trees,  run  a  furrow 
lengthwise  of  rows  four  feet  from  each  young  tree,  and  follow 
with  a  subsoil  plough,  then  place  as  near  as  I  can,  and  sub- 
soil between  rows.  I  told  several,  in  the  spring,  that  my  crop 
of  fruit  on  young  trees  would  be  a  loss,  because  there  was  too 
much  thrift ;  cotton  will  cast  its  forms  in  like  circumstances, 
and  I  presumed  that  vegetable  economy  was  alike  in  all  in- 
stances. 

Can  you  inform  me  what  will  prevent  rabbits  from  girdling 
peach,  apples,  pears,  &xj.  7  I  have  seen  coal  tar  recommend- 
ed,— and  a  warning — I  have  used  whitewash ;  and  the  best 


Horticulture  in  Mississippi.  429 

whitewash  with  cow  dung  mixed.     Will  not  tar  and  grease 
destroy  a  fruit  tree  1    I  had  some  killed  by  it. 

The  best  labels  for  five  or  twenty  years  ?  What  kind  is 
best  1  I  find  paint  on  white  pine  or  cedar  is  gone  in  this  cli- 
mate in  three  years.  I  am  now  trying  zinc,  with  an  ink  made 
with  verdigris,  sal  ammoniac  of  each  one  part ;  lampblack, 
one  half,  and  water  ten,  parts.  Mix  and  write  on  zinc  brightened 
with  pumice  stone  :  this  latter  is  my  addition — the  balance — 
see  page  382  Cultivator,  new  series.  The  question  is,  how 
long  will  such  labels  last  1  I  am  also  trying  zinc  labels  with 
black  lead  pencil. 

Have  you  ever  tried  soaking  cucumber  and  melon  seeds  in 
any  steep  to  prevent  the  striped  bug  ?  If  not,  try  saltpetre  and 
soot,  a  teaspoon  even  full  of  the  first  to  a  teacup  nearly  full  of 
water,  then  pour  in  seed  and  soot  in  any  quantity,  stir  Avell, 
and  let  soak  about  eighteen  to  twenty  hours.  I  have  not  had 
a  leaf  eaten  in  three  years,  and  I  defy  any  one  to  have  shewn 
me  a  bug  on  my  vines  last  or  this  year. 

Are  there  not  some  pears  which  seem  to  be  too  late  for  your 
climate  7  The  difficulty  here  is  late  winter  pears  and  apples. 
We  can  grow  early  summer  and  fall  pears,  but,  so  far,  we 
have  none  for  the  winter.  I  ate,  on  St.  John's  day,  (24th  of 
June,)  the  Amire  Joamiet,  and  saw  a  friend,  on  the  21st,  who 
had  seen  ripe  pears  before  the  15th.  If  we  can  succeed  in 
procuring  winter  pears,  we  are  very  certain  of  a  constant  sup- 
ply of  fruit.  Our  season  is  six  weeks  to  two  months  in  ad- 
vance of  yours;  as  some  evidence,  I  plucked  yesterday  an  ear- 
ly York  peach,  fully  ripe :  I  saw  one,  on  the  21st,  that  was 
fully  ripe,  and  the  last  on  the  tree,  growing  on  hilly  land  : 
mine  is  on  flat  land,  and  this  season  has  been  a  constant  del- 
uge of  rain. 

What  do  you  think  of  a  pear  graft  making  six  measured 
feet  before  the  22d  day  of  June  ?  I  measured  it  myself  I 
saw,  a  week  since,  the  stump  of  a  peach  tree,  that  (I)  meas- 
ured sixty-two  inches  in  circumference :  the  spot  on  which  it 
grew  was  covered  with  cane  in  December,  1830,  for  I  camped 
within  a  few  yards  of  it,  for  several  weeks ;  I  think  the  land 
was  cleared  in  1832  or  '33  ;  the  tree  was  cut  down  winter  of 
1844  and  '45,  being  in  the  way. 

Is  budding  the  pear  admissible  I    Wliy  not  as  good  as  graft- 


430  Horticulture  in  Mississippi. 

ing  1    Is  the  apple  stock  admissible  ?    Would  you  advise  bud- 
ding apricot  and  plum  on  the  peach  ? 

Log  Hall,  Edwards,  Miss.,  June  30^^,  1846. 

We  are  happy  to  know  that  our  western  friends  have  one 
among  them  who  is  so  enthusiastic  an  amateur  as  our  corre- 
spondent, and  whose  labors  are  likely  to  produce  such  good 
results.  We  are  sure  nurserymen  must  feel  deeply  indebted 
to  one  who  is  doing  so  much  to  test  new  fruits,  and  dissem- 
inate only  such  as  are  really  valuable :  a  few  cultivators  with 
such  noble  aims  would  do  much  towards  spreading  through- 
out the  west,  as  well  as  the  south  and  east,  only  those  varie- 
ties— the  wheat  among  the  chaff — which  really  possess  qual- 
ities that  entitle  them  to  general  cultivation. 

The  queries  of  our  correspondent  we  will  endeavour  to  an- 
swer. A  good  label  for  trees  seems  yet  to  be  wanted.  We 
have  tried,  and  use  quite  extensively,  white  pine  or  cedar 
labels,  coated  with  white  paint,  and  written  upon  with  a  good 
lead  pencil ;  if  the  writing  is  made  when  the  label  is  painted, 
they  will  generally  last  three  or  four  years,  and  sometimes 
longer  :  they  are  then  renewed.  Zinc  written  upon  with  a 
prepared  ink  [A^ol.III,  p.  312,]  will  last  much  longer,  but  it  does 
not  appear  to  be  so  ready  a  mode.  A  friend  of  ours  assures 
us  that  zinc,  coated  with  a  thin  surface  of  paint  made  of  white 
lead,  oil,  spirits  and  copal  varnish,  rather  thin,  so  as  just  to 
cover  it,  slightly  sandpapered  when  dry,  and  then  written 
upon  with  a  lead  pencil,  will  last  for  years.  This  mode  ap- 
pears to  be  the  best  yet  discovered,  as  a  whole  sheet  of  zinc 
can  be  painted,  and  then  cut  up  into  labels  which  will  be 
ready  to  use  when  wanted.  We  intend  to  try  it  and  report 
the  result. 

Budding  pear  trees,  and,  indeed,  fruit  trees  of  all  kinds,  is 
not  only  admissible,  but  we  think  far  better  than  grafting. 
We  practise  it  almost  exclusively  on  both  the  pear  and  apple. 
In  regard  to  the  use  of  the  apple  stock  for  the  pear,  our  corre- 
spondent has  probably  already  read  the  capital  article  of  Mr. 
Humrickhouse  (p.  393.)  which  gives  more  information  than  we 
have  in  our  possession.  We  do  not,  by  any  means,  advise 
budding  the  apricot  and  plum  on  the  peach ;  the  latter  is  a 
poor  stock,  as  we  know  it  is  so  subject  to  the  borer  which 


Pomological  Notices.  431 

quite  destroys  the  trees  ;  it  is  often  done  by  nurserymen,  but 
we  must  condemn  the  practice. 

We  have  seen,  in  agricultural  papers,  various  modes  of  pre- 
venting damage  to  trees  by  rabbits,  but  cannot,  at  this  mo- 
ment, place  our  hands  upon  any  of  them.  We  should  think 
coal  tar  might  answer.  Tar  and  grease  might  be  applied 
safely  to  a  tree,  by  first  covering  the  stem  with  a  strip  of  tar- 
red cloth  or  paper,  in  the  same  way  that  we  apply  it  when 
trees  are  tarred  for  the  destruction  of  the  canker  worm.  Oil 
soap  may  answer  a  good  purpose.  If  any  of  our  correspond- 
ents know  of  a  good  mode,  we  hope  they  will  communicate  it 
for  the  benefit  of  Mr.  Phillips, 

We  shall  try  soaking  cucumber  and  melon  seeds,  and  re- 
port the  result :  and  we  would  advise  our  friends  to  try  the  same 
experiment :  Mr.  Phillips  will  have  conferred  a  great  benefit  if 
his  discovery  should  prove  effectual. — Ed. 


Art.  II.  Pomological  Notices :  or  notices  respecting  new 
and  superior  fruits^  luorthy  of  general  cnltivatio7i.  Descri])- 
tions  and  Engravings  of  Six  Varieties  of  Pears.  By  the 
Editor. 

We  now  have  the  pleasure  of  presenting  our  Pomological 
friends  with  engravings  and  descriptions  of  six  of  our  native 
pears  of  fine  quality  ;  which  have  never  yet  been  figured  in 
any  other  periodical :  among  these,  we  may  particularly  men- 
tion the  Tyson,  which  appears  to  be  quite  unknown,  and  un- 
described,  with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Manning's  brief  notice  at 
p.  146.  It  will  be  our  endeavour,  if  possible,  to  present  our  na- 
tive fruits  together,  hereafter,  that  their  comparatii^e  merits 
may  be  more  readily  determined.  Every  year  is  bringing  to 
notice  very  superior  native  kinds,  and  it  would  not  surprise 
us  if,  in  a  few  years,  we  shall  be  as  dependent  upon  our  own 
pears  for  general  cultivation  as  we  are  now  upon  our  own 
apples.  We  have  drawings  of  many  new  seedlings,  and  only 
await  another  season's  trial,  when  we  shall  speedily  give  a 
full  description  of  their  qualities. 


432  Pomological  Notices  ; 

55.     Lawrence. 

The  first  published  account  of  this  new  pear  will  be  found 
in  our  Vol.  X.,  p.  36,  in  our  Report  of  the  Exhibitions  of  the 


Fiff.  29.     Lawrence  Pear. 

Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  where  a  copy  of  a  letter 
appears  from  Messrs  Wilcomb  and  King,  of  Flushing,  L.  I,, 
who  sent  some  very  large  and  fine  specimens  for  exhibition, 
which  we  had  the  pleasure  of  tasting  with  the  Committee,  and 
from  one  of  which  our  drawing  {fig.  29)  was  made.  Messrs. 
Wilcomb  &  King  state  "  that  it  is  a  native  of  Flushing ;  that  it 
produces  abundant  crops  every  year,  and  is  in  eating  over 
four  months,  from  October  to  February.  It  is  not  inclined  to 
rot  or  shrivel,  as  is  the  case  with  some  of  our  winter  pears. 
The  tree  is  of  fair  growth,  and  very  full  of  thorns,  and  ap- 
pears to  be  a  cross  between  the  old  St.  Germain  and  St.  Mi- 


Descriptions  of  Six  Varieties  of  Pears.  433 

chael  (Doyenne  blanc)  as  it  resembles  both  of  them  in  wood, 
foliage  and  fruit ;  and  there  is  no  other  variety  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  the  tree."  The  specimens  were  received  on  the 
25th  of  November,  1843,  and  the  committee  were  of  the  opin- 
ion that  it  should  be  classed  with  our  best  pears. 

This  variety  has  been  introduced  into  our  gardens  from 
scions  liberally  forwarded  to  the  Society,  by  Messrs.  Wilcomb 
&  King,  and  distributed  among  the  members.  These  scions 
have  not  yet  produced  fruit,  but  will  probably  do  so  another 
year.  The  tree  is  of  moderate  growth,  wood  rather  small  and 
thorny,  and  of  a  light  yellowish  brown.  We  understand  the 
pears  from  the  original  tree  are  much  sought  after,  and  com- 
mand a  high  price  in  the  vicinity  of  Flushing.  Our  descrip- 
tion is  as  follows  : — 

Size^  large,  about  three  inches  long,  and  two  and  a  half  in 
diameter  :  Form,  obovate,  full  at  the  crown,  tapering  but  lit- 
tle to  the  stem,  where  it  ends  very  obtusely  :  Skin,  fair,  nearly 
smooth,  pale  lemon  yellow  when  mature,  much  freckled  with 
dull  green  above  the  middle,  with  a  circle  of  russet  around  both 
the  eye  and  stem,  and  regularly  covered  with  small,  blackish 
gray,  specks  :  Stem,  medium  length,  about  one  inch,  stout, 
straight,  nearly  smooth,  dull  brown,  swollen  at  its  junction 
with  the  tree,  and  rather  deeply  inserted  in  a  large  round  cav- 
ity, with  a  projection  on  one  side :  Eye,  large,  closed,  and 
deeply  sunk  in  a  large,  open,  furrowed,  angular  basin ;  seg- 
ments of  the  calyx  medium  length,  projecting  :  Flesh,  yellow- 
ish white,  very  melting  and  juicy,  and  slightly  gritty  at  the 
core :  Flavor,  rich,  sugary  and  excellent,  without  much  per- 
fume :  Core,  medium  size  :  Seeds,  small,  dark  brown.  Ripe 
from  November  to  February. 

56.     Tyson. 

The  Tyson  pear  {fig.  30,)  is  of  recent  introduction,  and 
is  but  little  kno\vn.  It  has  only  fruited  the  last  three  or  four 
years  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  and  we  first  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  tasting  it  in  the  fall  of  1845,  when  it  appeared  to  be  so 
fine  a  variety  that  we  requested  our  correspondent,  Mr.  Man- 
ning, who  has  exhibited  some  superior  specimens,  to  send  us  a 
few  fruits  the  present  season.     We  were  kindly  favored  with 

VOL.  XII. NO.  XI.  55 


434 


Pomological  Notices  ; 


several,  from  one  of  which  our  drawing  was  made.     It  is  de- 
cidedly one  of  the  most  luscious  pears,  fully  as  high  flavored 


Piff.  30.     Th/son  Pear. 

as  the  Seckel,  and,  in  our  opinion,  holding  the  highest  rank 
among  our  native,  or  foreign,  fruits. 

The  precise  origin  of  the  Tyson  is,  we  believe,  unknown  ; 
it  was  introduced  into  this  vicinity  by  the  Hon.  B.  V.  French, 
of  Braintree,  who  informs  us  that  he  received  a  few  scions 
from  the  late  Dr.  Mease  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  year  1837  or 
'38.  These  he  distributed  among  his  friends,  and  the  trees 
first  fruited  in  1841  or  '42,  when  only  one  or  two  specimens  were 
exhibited  before  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  Dr. 
Mease,  in  a  note  to  Mr.  French,  stated,  that  it  was  considered 
equal  to  the  Seckel ;  that  it  was  believed  to  have  originated  in 
Jenkenstown,  near  Philadelphia,  and  named  after  Mr.  Tyson, 
a  Q,uaker  gentleman  of  that  vicinity. 

Mr.  Manning  has  already  noticed  the  Tyson,  (p.  146,) 
where  he  has  stated  that  the  tree  is  "of  vigorous  and  upright 


Descriptions  of  Six  Varieties  of  Pears.  435 

growth,  a  good  bearer,  but  does  not  bear  young,"  Since  then, 
Mr  Manning  informs  us  that  he  is  not  certain  that  this  is  al- 
ways the  case  ;  the  tree  in  his  collection  was  grafted  in  1838, 
and  did  not  bear  until  last  year,  (1845,)  when  it  had  acquired 
a  good  size ;  but,  the  present  season,  he  saw  scions  in  Mr. 
Lee's  garden,  which  had  been  set  only  four  years,  full  of 
fruit.  From  the  fact  that  W.  Oliver,  Esq.,  of  Dorchester,  ex- 
hibited the  fruit  in  1842,  from  the  same  lot  of  scions  as  those 
sent  Mr.  Manning,  we  suspect  it  comes  into  bearing  at  the 
usual  period  of  most  pears.      Wood  reddish  brown. 

Size  medium,  about  two  and  a  half  inches  long,  and  two 
in  diameter :  Form,  pyramidal,  but  rather  variable,  rounded 
at  the  crown,  and  tapering  into  the  stem  :  Skin,  fair,  slightly 
rough,  dull  yellow,  brightly  shaded  with  red  on  the  sunny 
side,  somewhat  russeted,  and  irregularly  covered  with  black 
specks :  Stem,  rather  long,  about  one  and  a  quarter  inches, 
moderately  stout,  curved,  and  obliquely  attached  to  the  fruit 
by  a  fleshy  junction,  much  swollen  on  one  side  :  Eye,  medium 
size,  open,  sHghtly  sunk  in  a  round,  very  shallow  basin ;  seg- 
ments of  the  calyx  short.  Flesh,  white,  fine,  melting,  and 
very  juicy :  Flavor,  rich,  very  sugary  and  delicious,  with  a 
high  aromatic  perfume,  to  which  we  are  at  a  loss  to  give  a 
name  :  Core,  small :  Seeds,  small,  plump,  brown.  Ripe  in 
August  and  September. 

67.     Hull. 

The  Hull  pear  {^fig.  31,)  was  first  introduced  to  notice  by 
Mr.  D.  Wilbur,  Jr.,  of  Somerset,  Mass.,  in  which  town  it  orig- 
inated, and  where  the  original  tree  is  now  growing :  speci- 
mens were  sent  for  exhibition  in  the  autumn  of  1843,  and  the 
committee  pronounced  it  nearly  or  quite  first  rate.  Our 
drawing  is  from  one  of  the  handsomest  of  the  specimens 
then  exhibited.  To  the  politeness  of  Mr.  Wilbur,  we  are  in- 
debted for  scions  from  the  parent  tree,  and  next  season 
we  hope  to  see  them  in  fruit.  We  esteem  it  one  of  the  best 
native  varieties  which  has  yet  been  introduced.  It  is  a  free 
and  vigorous  grower,  making  upright,  reddish  brown  shoots, 
with  rather  large  gray  spots ;  leaves  broad,  coarsely  serrated, 


436 


of  a  dark,  dull  green 
bearing  rather  early. 


Pomological  Notices  ; 

it  has  the  appearance  of  coming  into 


Fig.Zl.    Hull  Pear. 

Size,  medium,  about  three  inches  long,  and  two  and  three 
quarters  in  diameter :  Form^  obovate,  tapering  towards,  and 
ending  obtusely  at,  the  stem  :  Skin^  rather  rough,  pale  yellow- 
ish green,  tinged  with  dull  red  on  the  sunny  side,  regularly 
covered  with  brownish  red  specks,  and  interlaced  with  cinna- 
mon russet,  with  a  russety  blotch  at  the  base  of  the  stem : 
Stem,  long,  about  one  and  a  half  inches,  smooth,  rather  slen- 
der, dark  brown,  with  a  few  whitish  specks,  and  inserted  with- 
out depression  on  an  obtuse  point :  Eye,  medium  size,  open, 
and  sunk  in  an  uneven,  shallow  basin  ;  segments  of  the  calyx 
short,  round :  Flesh,  yellowish  white,  coarse,  buttery,  melt- 
ing and  juicy,  slightly  gritty  at  the  core  :  Flavor,  rich,  and 
sugary,  with  a  spicy  delicious  aroma :   Core,  large  :   Seeds, 


Descriptions  of  Six  Varieties  of  Pears.  437 

medium  size,  mostly  abortive,  long  and  pointed,  dark  brown. 
Ripe  in  October. 

58.     Wilbur. 

The  Wilbur  pear  {fig.  32,)  originated  in  the  same  town  as 
the  Hull,  and  upon  the  farm  of  Mr.  Wilbur,  after  whom  it  has 


I^g.  32.      Wilbur  Pear. 

been  named.  Its  merits  appear  either  to  have  been  underrated 
or  overlooked  :  specimens  presented  for  exhibition  at  the  Eigh- 
teenth annual  Exhibition  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural 
Society  last  September,  from  the  President  and  other  gentle- 
men, were  pronounced  by  the  committee  of  sufficient  merit  to 
rank  among  first  rate  fruits.  Like  the  Buffum  and  many 
other  pears,  it  is  probably  affected  by  the  season,  and  some 
years  inferior  to  others  :  our  drawing  was  made  in  the  autumn 
of  1843,  from  specimens  received  from  Mr.  Wilbur,  and  we 
did  not  then  consider  it  first  rate,  or  we  should  have  given  an 
accoimt  of  it  before  ;  another  trial  of  it  this  season,  however, 
we  think,  fully  gives  it  a  claim  at  least  among  the  best  pears. 


438  Pomological  Notices  ; 

Tree  moderately  vigorous,  shoots,  reddish  brown,  with  whitish 
gray  spots ;  leaves  roundish. 

Size^  medium,  about  two  and  a  half  inches  long,  and  two 
inches  in  diameter :  Form,  nearly  oval,  regular,  largest  about 
one  third  the  distance  from  the  eye,  and  tapering,  in  a  swollen 
manner,  to  the  stem:  Skin,  dull  yellowish  green,  very  regu- 
larly interlaced  and  speckled  with  russet,  and  much  russeted 
at  the  base  of  the  stem  :  Stem,  medium  length,  about  one  inch, 
smooth,  brown,  and  inserted  in  a  shallow  cavity  :  Eye,  me- 
dium si^re,  open,  prominent,  set  even  with  the  surface  of  the 
crown  ;  segments  of  the  calyx  medium  length,  round,  reflexed : 
Flesh,  yellowish  white,  coarse,  melting,  and  juicy :  Flavor, 
rich,  sprightly,  and  excellent,  with  a  pleasant  perfume :  Core, 
large :  Seeds,  medium  size,  dark  brown.     Ripe  in  September. 

59.     Heathcot.     N.  E.  Farmer,  Vol.  VII. 

One  of  the  principal  objects  to  be  attained  in  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society  was  the  in- 
troduction of  new  and  superior  varieties  of  fruit,  either  of  for- 
eign or  native  origin.  Native  seedlings  were  yearly  being 
brought  forward,  and  some  of  them  of  such  excellent  qualities 
as  to  induce  some  eminent  cultivators  to  deny  their  origin,  and 
to  assert  that  they  would  probably  prove  foreign  sorts,  as  if 
our  own  climate  could  not  produce  a  fine  pear.  Even  the  late 
Hon.  Mr.  Lowell,  with  all  the  enthusiasm  and  energy  with 
which  he  labored,  for  many  years,  in  the  cause  of  Horticultu- 
ral improvement,  and  whose  talents  and  zeal  will  ever  have  our 
admiration  and  respect,  was  slow  to  admit,  as  late  as  1828, 
that  our  climate  had  produced  but  two  really  fine  pears.  In 
the  N.  E.  Fo.rm.er  of  that  date  is  an  article  under  the  signa- 
ture of  a  "  Roxbury  Farmer,"  upon  new  varieties  of  fruits, 
from  which  we  extract  the  following: — "It  is  thirty-three 
years  this  season,  since  I  turned  my  attention  to  Horticulture, 
and  I  am  not  able  to  recollect  any  valuable  table  pear,  the 
evidence  of  whose  origin  in  this  country  is  to  be  deemed  un- 
questionable, except  the  Seckel,  and  a  pear  raised  by  Mr.  Jo- 
honnot  at  Salem  [the  Johonnot,]  not  to  be  elevated  to  the  first 
rank,  though  very  desirable :  a  small  winter  pear,  probably 
native,  and  said  to  be  good,  on  the  estate  of  Mr.  Lewis,  at 
Roxbury,  [the  Lewis] ;  a  very  pleasant  summer  pear,  said  to 


Desc7'iptio7is  of  Six  Varieties  of  Pears. 


439 


be  the  produce  of  a  Jnneating,  sent  to  me  by  Dr.  Alfred  Bay- 
lies of  Taunton  ;  and  a  fine  pear  raised  on  the  estate  of  the 


Fig.  33.     Hcathcot  Pear. 

late  Hon.  Mr.  Gore,  [the  Heathcot,]  and  which  seems  to  be 
between  the  Doyenne  blanc  and  Doyenne  gris.  These  are  all 
that  have  come  to  my  knowledge."  Thus  it  will  be  seen  how 
tardy  were  the  admissions  of  our  fine  native  fruits.  But 
we  have  copied  the  above  extract  for  other  purposes:  first, 
to  show  the  rapid  strides  which  Pomology  has  made  since 
1828 ;  and,  second,  to  give  Mr.  Lowell's  opinion  of  the  pear 
we  are  about  to  describe,  which,  it  will  be  observed,  he  states 
was  the  only  fine  native  pear,  except  the  Seckel,  then  known. 
Eighteen  years  have  passed  away,  and  yet  the  Heathcot  is 
comparatively  a  new  fruit,  Avhose  merits  we  have  heard  cul- 
tivators extol  the  present  season  as  of  the  very  highest  charac- 
ter. We  have  not  space  to  make  an  enumeration  of  our  na- 
tive fruits  now  cultivated  and  considered  of  the  first  class,  as 
compared  with  1828  ;  but  every  cultivator  will  supply  the  in- 
formation himself,  and  he  must  feel  that  we  have  done  more. 


440  Pomological  Notices  ; 

in  this  short  space  of  time,  towards  adding  to  the  list  of  fine 
pears,  than  all  the  cultivators  of  Europe,  excepting  Yan  Mons, 
during  the  present  century. 

The  Heathcot  {Jig-  33,)  was  raised  in  1812,  on  the  estate 
of  the  late  Gov.  Gore  in  Waltham,  and  was  so  named  after 
the  old  gardener  who  planted  the  seed.  It  first  bore  fruit  in 
1824,  and  up  to  1828,  when  it  was  first  brought  into  no- 
tice by  Messrs.  Winships,  it  had  uniformly  produced  good 
crops.  In  1830,  Mr.  Toohey,  the  gardener,  exhibited  fine 
specimens  which  weighed  eight  and  a  quarter,  and  seven 
oimces  each,  and  the  committee  pronounced  this  variety  as 
deserving  of  extensive  cultivation,  resembling,  in  its  qual- 
ities, a  sprightly  St.  Michael,  and  of  equally  fine  appearance. 
We  write  our  description  with  six  specimens  before  us,  three 
from  J.  B.  Thomas,  Esq.,  of  Plymouth,  whose  garden  we  had 
the  pleasure  of  visiting,  a  few  days  since,  and  three  from  Col . 
Wilder  :  our  drawing  is  from  one  of  the  latter,  but  the  former, 
being  rather  more  mature,  from  a  warmer  locality,  were  of 
superior  flavor  and  excellence.  The  Heathcot  is  often  varia- 
ble in  form,  but  that  now  figured  is  the  general  shape  of  the 
fruit.  Tree  moderately  vigorous,  having  much  the  appear- 
ance of  the  Dix,  with  rather  slender,  brownish  gray  wood,  and 
small,  rather  narrow,  wavy  leaves. 

Size,  medium,  about  three  inches  long,  and  nearly  three  in 
diameter :  Fonii,  obovate,  tapering  to  an  obtuse  point  at  the 
stem;  Skin,  greenish  yellow,  becoming  lemon  yellow  when 
mature,  more  or  less  clouded,  and  interlaced  with  russet,  par- 
ticularly around  the  eye  and  stem,  and  slightly  browned  on 
the  sunny  side :  Stem,  medium  length,  about  three  quarters 
of  an  inch,  rather  stout,  somewhat  knobby,  dull  brown,  curv- 
ed, and  obliquely  inserted  in  a  small,  round,  moderately  deep 
cavity,  highest  on  one  side :  Eye,  small,  closed,  slightly  de- 
pressed in  a  small,  uneven,  ridged  basin ;  segments  of  the  ca- 
lyx short,  thick,  and  fleshy :  Flesh,  yellowish  white,  fine, 
very  melting,  buttery  and  juicy :  Flavor,  rich,  sprightly,  vi- 
nous and  excellent,  with  little  perfume :  Core,  rather  large  : 
Seeds,  large,  peculiarly  pointed  at  the  obtuse  end,  dark  brown. 
Ripe  in  October. 


Descriptions  of  Six  Varieties  of  Pears.  441 

60.     Edwards's  Elizabeth. 

Probably  no  individual  has  raised  a  larger  number  of  seed- 
ling pears,  in  this  country,  than  Ex-Governor  Edwards  of  New 


Fig.  34.     Edwards's  Elizabeth. 

Haven.  We  believe  upwards  of  twenty-five  varieties  have 
been  reserved,  out  of  his  numerous  seedlings,  which  have  been 
named,  and  considered  as  possessing  qualities  worthy  of  cul- 
tivation. In  our  last  volume,  (XI.,  p.  251,)  we  gave  brief  de- 
scriptions of  several  of  the  best  from  Mr.  Edwards's  own  pen, 
and,  among  the  number,  the  Elizabeth.  Since  then,  we  have 
had  the  opportunity  of  making  drawings  and  descriptions  of 
eight  or  ten  from  specimens  sent,  in  October,  1845,  to  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Horticultural  Society  for  exhibition.  The  speci- 
mens were,  many  of  them,  premature,  and  thequality  of  some 
of  the  late  varieties  could  not  be  well  ascertained,  but,  among 
those  then  about  in  season,  was  the  Elizabeth,  which  proved 
to  be  a  fine  fruit.     It  is  certainly  one  of  the  handsomest  pears 

VOL.  XTI. NO.  XI.  56 


442  Van  Zandfs  Superb  Peach. 

we  have  ever  seen,  having  a  clear,  smooth,  and  very  waxen 
skin,  and,  with  its  fine  quahties,  is  well  deserving  of  exten- 
sive cultivation. 

Size,  medium,  about  two  and  a  half  inches  long,  and  two 
and  a  half  in  diameter :  Form,  roundish  obovate,  slightly  an- 
gular, little  swollen  about  the  middle  on  one  side,  tapering  to 
an  obtuse  point  at  the  stem,  and  slightly  narrowing  to  the 
crown,  which  is  oblique :  Skin,  fair,  smooth,  waxen,  uniform 
pale  lemon  yellow,  profusely  sprinkled  with  very  minute,  pale 
russet,  specks,  considerably  russeted  around  the  eye,  and  a  few 
grayish  patches  on  the  shady  side  :  Stem,  short,  about  half  an 
inch  in  length,  moderately  stout,  smooth,  brown,  inserted  with- 
out any  cavity  on  a  slightly  depressed  base :  Eye,  large, 
open,  sunk  in  a  rather  large  basin ;  segments  of  the  calyx 
broad,  long,  reflexed,  lying  back  upon  the  surface  of  the  fruit : 
Flesh,  white,  rather  coarse,  melting,  very  juicy  :  Flavor,  rich, 
and  vinous,  without  much  perfume :  Core,  large  :  Seeds,  small, 
pale  brown.     Ripe  in  October. 


Art.  III.     Descriptive  Account  of  Vaii  Zandfs  Superb  Peach, 
By  Wm.  R.  Prince,  Flushing,  L.  I. 

Van  Zanut's  Superb  Peach. 

Waxen  Rareripe  of  some  Catalogues. 

This  admirable  variety  originated  from  seed  in  the  garden 
of  R.  B.  Van  Zandt,  of  Long  Island,  who  presented  the  fruit 
and  scions  to  my  father  and  self,  and  from  us  it  received  its 
title.  It  was  also  called,  by  some  of  Mr.  Van Zandt's neighbors, 
the  "  Waxen  Rareripe,"  on  account  of  its  beautiful  waxen  ap- 
pearance. Some  persons  have,  for  several  years,  been  vend- 
ing another  variety,  or  varieties,  under  this  name,  the  fruit  of 
the  spurious  kind  being  round,  and  bearing  no  resemblance  to 
the  genuine  kind,  and  there  does  not,  perhaps,  exist  at  pres- 
ent a  single  tree  of  the  true  variety,  except  in  our  specimen 
orchard  and  nursery  grounds.  Mr.  Downing  has  described 
a  spurious  variety  in  his  work,  totally  different  from  the  gen- 
uine one.     The  following  description  will  serve  as  a  guide  to 


Seedling  Fruits  of  the  West.  443 

distinguish  the  true  variety,  and  is  taken  from  Prince's  Trea- 
tise on  Fruits : — 

The  form  inclines  to  oval ;  the  flesh  melting,  juicy,  and  of 
fine  flavor  :  but  the  greatest  peculiarity  is  the  color  of  the  skin, 
which  is  considerably  mottled,  and  of  a  beautiful  waxen  ap- 
pearance. In  point  of  beauty,  in  this  respect,  there  is,  per- 
haps, no  peach  which  surpasses  it. 

I  shall,  in  my  next,  give  a  description  of  "  Prince's  Para- 
gon peach,"  a  most  admirable  fruit,  large,  oval,  and  of  deli- 
cious flavor,  a  free  stone,  as  I  perceive  it  is  enumerated  in 
two  other  catalogues,  whereas  there  is  not  a  tree  of  the  gen- 
uine kind  in  any  other  collection  in  the  Union  except  our 
own. 

Princess  Linncean  Garden  and  Nurseries, 

Flushing,  October,  1846. 


Art.  IV.  Some  Remarks  on  the  Seedling  Fiiiits  of  the  West. 
The  Court  of  Wyke  Pippin — New  Seedling  Nectarine. 
By  T.  S.  HuMRicKHousE,  Esq.,  Coshocton,  Ohio.  With  De- 
scriptions of  Four  Neic  Varieties  of  Apjiles.  By  R.  Seevers, 
Pike  Township,  Coshocton  Co.,  Ohio,  in  a  Letter  to  Mr. 
Humrickhouse. 

I  am  endeavoring,  and  have  been,  for  a  feAv  years  past,  to 
collect,  from  the  numerous  seedling  orchards  hereabouts,  all 
the  kinds  thought  by  their  owners  to  be  fine  and  deserving  of 
cultivation,  first  also  myself  examining  the  fruits  where  it  is 
possible,  and  v/here  not,  requiring  the  concurrent  testimony  of 
neighbors  who  have  had  an  opportunity  of  judging.  In  this 
way,  I  have  already  brought  together  about  sixty  or  seventy 
sorts.  I  raise  from  four  to  six  trees  of  each  kind,  by  the  meth- 
od of  root  grafting,  intending  to  plant  two  of  each  in  an  or- 
chard where  their  merits  may  be  hereafter  fully  seen,  tested, 
and  compared  ;  until  which  time  I  do  not  think  it  advisable  to 
extend  the  cultivation  of  any  of  them. 

Among  the  kinds  thus  on  trial  with  me  are  four  sorts,  the 
scions  of  which  were  furnished  me  by  Mr.  Robert  Seevers  of 
Pike  Township,  who,  with  them,  at  my  request,  sent  me  the 


444  Seedling  Fruits  of  the  West. 

enclosed  descriptions,  which,  though  not  intended  for  pub- 
hcation,  you  may  yet  insert  in  your  Magazine,  if  you  see 
proper. 

I  transcribe,  for  your  use,  an  account  of  the  "  Court  De 
Wyck,"  apple  furnished  me  by  Mr.  Robert  Coxe,  son  of  Stephen 
Cox,  the  present  proprietor  and  occupant  of  the  estate  or  man- 
or of  Court  De  Wyck. 

"  Court  De  Wyke,  pippin :  originated  and  first  propagated 
by  John  Warrell,  of  the  Parish  of  Yatton,  in  the  County  of 
Somerset,  England.  It  was  raised  from  the  seed  of  the  old 
golden  pippin,  on  the  estate  or  manor  of  Court  de  Wyck.  The 
original  tree  was  standing  in  the  year  1817.  It  is  a  favorite 
and  much  valued  apple"  (in  England,)  "  for  its  beauty  of 
appearance,  fine  flavor,  and  quality  of  long  keeping.  The 
cider  made  from  it  is  very  fine,  and  held  in  high  estimation. 
The  present  proprietor  of  the  manor,  Stephen  Cox,  has  taken 
infinite  pains  in  the  cultivation  and  dissemination  of  this  va- 
riety." 

In  both  the  instances,  where  the  name  occurs,  I  have  followed 
the  orthography  of  Mr.  Robert  Cox,  who  assured  me  that 
"Court  de  Wyke"  is  the  more  ancient  spelling. 

We  have  in  town  a  very  fine  seedling  nectarine  which  fruit- 
ed this  year  for  the  first  time.  It  is  ripe  the  beginning  of  Au- 
gust, has  a  red  cheek  marbled  and  shaded  into  yellow  and 
green.  The  size  is  that  of  a  small  peach.  The  flesh  is  yel- 
lowish green,  juicy  and  rich. 

Coshocton.,  Ohio.,  August  28,  1846. 

Patton's  Winter  Sweet. — The  original  tree  stands  in  the 
orchard  of  Mr.  James  Patton  in  this  Township.  Size,  about 
medium :  Skin.,  greenish,  with  a  dull  red  blush  on  one  side : 
Form.,  oblong  or  conical :  Flesh,  light,  tender,  juicy  and  sweet. 
Keeps  till  spring. 

Uncle  Archy. — I  received  this  kind  from  my  neighbor, 
Archibald  Gardner.  Fruit,  rather  above  middle  size  :  Skin, 
dull  green,  covered  with  a  brownish  russet :  Form,  roundish, 
flattened  at  the  base,  narrowing  to  the  eye :  Flesh,  yellow- 
ish, tender,  juicy,  with  excellent  flavor.     It  keeps  till  spring. 

Smith's  Seedling. — This  tree  stands  on  the  farm  of  Mr. 
George  Smith,  in   Bedford  Township.     Fruit,  large :   Skin, 


Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices.  445 

yellow,  with  (I  think)  a  faint  blush  on  one  side.  Form^ 
roundish,  flattened  at  the  base,  narrowing  considerably  to  the 
eye.  Flesh.,  tender,  and  very  fine.  Mrs.  Smith  informed  me 
that  they  are  good  for  cooking  in  harvest,  and  they  will  keep 
till  the  middle  of  winter. 

Botts's  Beauty. — This  kind  I  obtained  from  the  orchard  of 
Mr.  Wm.  Botts  in  this  Township.  Fruit.,  above  medium 
size :  ^kin.,  yellow,  striped  with  red :  It  presents  a  rich  and 
beautiful  appearance  :  Form.,  oblong :  Flesh.,  juicy  and  tender, 
with  a  very  pieasant,  subacid  flavor ;  the  stalk  is  very  small.  It 
is  good  in  the  fall,  and  will  keep  till  about  the  middle  of  winter. 

These  descriptions  may  not  be  exactly  correct,  as  I  describe 
from  recollection,  not  having  any  of  the  apples  at  this  time. 
But  I  think  I  have  given  you  something  near  the  size,  shape, 
color,  &c.,  of  each  kind.  If  the  trees  produce  fruit  this  sea- 
son, I  will  try  and  let  you  see  the  apples.  R.  Seevers. 


Art.  V.  Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices  of  Neia  Plants^ 
figured  in  foreign  periodicals  ;  loith  Remarks  on  those  re- 
cently introduced  to.,  or  originated  in^  American  gardens,  and 
additional  inform,ation  upon  plants  already  in  cultivation. 

Edwards's  Botanical  Register,  or  Ornamental  Flower  Garden  and  Shrubbery. 
Each  number  containing  from  six  to  eight  plates  ;  with  additional  miscel- 
laneous information  relative  to  new  plants.  In  monthly  numbers  ;  3s. 
plain,  3s.  6d.  colored. 

Paxton's  Magazine  of  Botany,  and  Register  of  Flowering  Plants.  Each 
number  containing  four  colored  plates.  Monthly,  2s.  66?,  each.  Edited 
by  J.  Paxton,  Gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Devonshire. 

The  Gardeners''  Chronicle,  a  stamped  newspaper  of  Rural  Economy  and 
General  News.     Edited  by  Prof.  Lindley.     Weekly.     Price  Gd.  each. 

Curtis's  Botanical  Magazine,  in  monthly  numbers.  By  Sir  Wm.  Jackson 
Hooker,  K.  H.,  &c.,  3d  series,  vol.  1,  1845.     Nos.  1,  2,  3  and  5. 

The  .Journal  of  the  London  Horticultural  Society.  In  quarterly  numbers, 
octavo,  5s.  each. 

Neio  Plants  from  China. — We  some  time  since  announced 
the  arrival  of  Mr.  Fortune  in  England,  last  May,  with  an  im- 


446  Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices 

mense  collection  of  plants,  after  an  absence  of  three  years. 
Several  of  the  new  plants  which  he  sent  home  have  been  fig- 
ured in  the  botanical  periodicals,  and  some  few  others  have 
been  mentioned  in  the  Gardener'' s  Chronicle.  In  the  July 
number,  however,  of  the  Journal  of  the  Hortictdtural  Society^ 
is  a  full  account  of  Mr.  Fortune's  visit  to  China  in  search  of 
new  plants,  from  his  own  pen  ;  it  is  very  interesting,  and  we 
wish  we  had  room  to  transfer  it  all  to  our  pages  :  but  this  we 
cannot  do,  and  must  content  ourselves  with  merely  naming  a 
few  of  the  fine  things  which  he  sent  home,  and  which  must 
be  most  valuable  additions  to  our  hardy,  as  well  as  Green- 
house, collections,  of  plants. 

The  most  important  in  the  collection  appear  to  be  a  new 
double  yellow  climbing  rose^  which  Mr.  Fortune  first  saw  in 
one  of  the  Mandarin's  gardens  one  fine  morning  in  May, 
when  he  was  "struck  with  a  mass  of  flowers  which  com- 
pletely covered  a  distant  part  of  the  wall ;  the  color  was  not  a 
yellow,  but  had  something  of  a  bufi"  in  it,  which  gave  the 
flowers  a  striking  and  uncommon  appearance.  He  imme- 
diately ran  up  to  the  place,  and,  to  his  surprise  and  delight, 
found  he  had  discovered  a  most  beautiful  new  yellow  climb- 
ing rose."  He  afterwards  learned  that  it  came  from  the  North, 
and  will  probably  prove  hardy  in  England.  A  rose^  called 
\he  Jive-colored^  was  also  discovered;  it  belongs  to  the  Chinese 
or  Bengals,  but  sports  in  a  very  strange  and  beautiful  manner, 
sometimes  having  self-colored  blooms,  "  either  red  or  French 
white,  and  frequently  flowers  of  both  on  one  plant  at  the  same 
time,  while,  at  other  times,  the  flowers  are  striped."  It  is  as 
hardy  as  the  common  China  rose.  A  white  Glycitie  (Wista- 
ria) sinensis^  with  very  large  racemes  of  white  flowers. 

Twelve  or  fourteen  varieties  of  7ieio  i7-ee  jiceonies,  "  having 
flowers  of  various  shades  oi  purple,  lilac,  dark  red  and  white." 
Many  of  these  varieties  Mr.  Fortune  saw  in  flower,  and  we 
quote  his  account  of  the  manner  in  which  he  obtained  them 
in  order  to  show  the  obstacles  he  had  to  contend  with  in  ob- 
taining new  plants,  and  the  duplicity  of  the  natives.  Mr. 
Fortune  had  drawings  with  him  of  the  kinds  which  were  said 
to  exist  in  the  country.  He  showed  them  to  a  nurseryman 
at  Shanghae,  who  said  he  could  get  them  at  Sou-Chou,  dis- 
tant nearly  a  hundred  miles,  and,  as  the  expense  was  great, 


of  New  Plants.  447 

he  agreed  to  get  them  at  one  dollar  a  plant.  This  was  agreed 
to,  and  the  plants  delivered  in  good  order  and  sent  to  England. 
This  was  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  when  the  plants  were  out  of 
flower.  When  he  again  visited  Shanghae,  in  April,  he  intend- 
ed to  send  his  old  friend  to  tSou-Chou  again  for  another  lot, 
with  an  agreement  that  they  should  be  in  flower,  in  order  that 
he  might  see  the  colors.  "One  morning,  however,  as  I  was 
going  out  into  the  country,  a  short  distance  from  Shanghae, 
I  was  surprised  by  meeting  a  countryman  with  a  load  of 
Moutans  in  full  bloom.  The  flowers  were  very  large  and  fine, 
and  the  colors  were  dark  pwyle,  lilac,  and  deep  rec/,  kinds  of 
which  the  very  existence  had  been  doubted  in  England,  and 
which  are  never  seen  at  Canton."  Mr.  Fortune  further  states, 
that,  with  the  aid  of  Dr.  Lockhart,  a  Chinese  scholar,  they 
soon  found  out  the  name  of  the  moutan  district,  and,  as  the 
state  of  the  roots  of  the  plants  showed  that  they  had  L  "^en  out 
of  the  ground  only  an  hour  or  two,  they  thought  the  distance 
could  only  be  a  few  miles,  a  surmise  which  they  afterwards 
found  to  be  correct.  This  was  the  place  where  the  nursery- 
man procured  his  plants,  for  Mr.  Fortune  ascertained  there  were 
none  in  the  vicinity  of  Sou-Chou.  He  therefore  visited  the 
' '  moutan  district  daily  during  the  time  the  different  plants 
were  in  bloom,  and  secured  some  most  striking  and  beautiful 
kinds  for  the  Horticultural  Society." 

A  beautiful  7iew  shrub  called  Wegelia  rosea,  with  rose-col- 
ored flowers,  from  Northern  China,  where  the  thermometer 
falls  within  a  few  degrees  of  zero,  and  where  the  ground  is 
covered  with  snow. 

A  drawing  of  it  is  appended  to  this  number  which  we  shall 
notice.  It  will  probably  prove  a  fine  hardy  shrub  in  our  cli- 
mate. Many  other  fine  things  were  introduced,  of  which  the 
following  are  named,  besides  many  already  noticed  in  our 
pages : — 

Azalea  obtiisa,  Rose,  double  white  climbing, 
ovata  dark  red  climbing, 

squamata,  Scutellaria,  sp.  a  fine  herbaceous  plant 
4  sp.  from  north  with  blue  flowers, 

of  China.  Dielytra  spectabilis, 

Daphne  Fortun?,  Camelh'a  hexangularis,  (true), 

Forsythia  viridissima,  Mandarin  orange,  (true,) 

Gardenia  florida,  var.  Fortum,  Quam-quat,  a  curious  small  orange. 


448  Ploricultural  and  Botanical  Notices 

yiburnum,  sp.,  fine  shrubs  with  A'cersp.  from  Japan, 

large,  round  heads,  like  the  Pinus  sp.  from  Japan, 

Guelder  rose,  Oak  from  Chusan, 

Edgeworthia  chrysantha,  Juniperus,  sp.  north  of  China, 

iSpirae^a  prunif61ia  fl.  pleno,  i?6sa,  sp.  (a  curious  anemone  flowered 

Hydrangea,  sp.,  from  the  woods,  kind,) 

Shanghae  peach,  a  fine  large  var.,  130  plants  of  tree  pasonies  in  twelve 

Prunus  sinensis,  fl.  alba  pleno,  or  fourteen  varieties. 

Birberis  (Mahonia)  Fortun?',  Seeds  of  the  true  Shantung  Cabbage, 

Spirae'a  sp.  a  very  valuable  northern  kind. 

The  whole  number  of  plant  cases  sent  home  was  69.  As  all 
the,  fine  plants  were  duplicated,  only  two  are  lost  to  the  coun- 
try. The  others  are  growing  well,  and  will  soon  be  distrib- 
uted from  the  Garden  of  the  Society. 

Neiv  Species  of  Salvia. — I  have  a  new  Salvia  now  in  bloom 
raised  from  seed  gathered  in  the  Rio  Grande,  by  Dr.  Conrad, 
a  surgeon  in  the  United  States  Army.  The  seed  was  sent  in 
a  letter  last  April :  the  plant  is  now  four  feet  high,  and  in  full 
bloom :  the  leaves  resemble  the  /Salvia  fulgens,  but  somewhat 
larger :  the  flowers  lighter  than  the  fulgens  but  darker  than 
the  splendens.  The  plant  blooms  much  better  than  the  ful- 
gens at  the  lateral  shoots,  and  it  is  quite  showy. —  Yours,  T. 
Allen,  Winchester  Gardens,  Va.  [We  suspect  this  is  the  same 
species  which  we  have  already  noticed,  (p.  246)  as  in  bloom 
in  the  collection  of  Mr.  John  Feast  of  Baltimore,  and  which 
'  he  calls  S.  Rhodenwaldii,  from  the  seed  having  been  received 
from  Texas,  and  given  him  by  Mr.  Rhodenwald  of  New  Or- 
leans. Mr.  Feast  gave  us  a  few  seeds,  from  which  we  raised 
plants  last  spring,  which  were  planted  out  in  the  border, 
and  made  a  most  brilliant  show  till  frost.  It  seeds  free- 
ly, and,  treated  as  an  annual,  it  must  be  ranked  as  one  of  the 
finest  things  of  late  introduction.  Young  plants  raised  from 
cuttings  are  now  coming  into  bloom  in  the  stove,  and  we 
suspect  it  will  prove  a  valuable  winter  plant,  blooming  as  it 
does  more  freely  than  either  ^S*.  fulgens  or  splendens,  and,  in 
our  opinion,  more  delicate  and  beautiful  than  either  of  those 
old  kinds. — Ed.] 

Scrophulariacece . 

liUDDLE'A  L. 

LmWeydna  Fortune  The  purple  Chinese  Buddlea.  A  half  hdrdy  shrub •,  growing  three  feet 
hish;  with  purple  flowers;  appearing  in  summer;  a  native  of  China;  increased  by  cuttings.  Hot. 
Reg.  1846.  pi.  4. 


of  New  Plants.  449 

This  was  "  one  of  the  earUest  plants  found  by  Mr.  Fortune  on 
his  arrival  at  Chusan."  Seeds  were  sent  home  by  mail,  and 
from  them  plants  were  raised  which  flowered  in  the  Garden 
of  the  Society  where  the  drawing  was  made.  It  is  a  small 
shrub,  with  ovate,  acuminate,  leaves,  and  terminal  spikes  of 
rich  purple  or  violet  colored  flowers,  somewhat  resembling 
in  habit  of  growth  and  flowering,  a  lilac.  It  grows  easily,  but 
does  not  seem  to  bloom  freely,  running,  as  it  is  termed,  to 
wood.  We  introduced  the  plant  in  the  fall  of  1844,  and  have 
not  ourselves  succeeded  in  flowering  it  well :  but  a  plant  ex- 
hibited by  Mr.  Needham,  of  Brighton,  was  full  of  bloom,  and 
he  has  promised  us  an  account  of  his  mode  of  treatment.  It 
requires  a  rather  sandy  soil,  not  too  rich.     (^Bot.  Reg.  Jan.) 

FRANCI'S£^ 

acuminata  Pax.  Acuniinate  leaved  Francisea.  An  evergreen  stove  shrub ;  growing  two  feet 
hi?h  -,  with  bluish  violet  colored  flowers  ;  appearing  in  August ;  a  native  of  Rio  Janeiro ;  increased 
by  cutiings ;  cultivated  in  loam,  peat  and  leaf  mould.    Pax.  Mag.  Bot.  1846,  p.  27. 

A  beautiful  stove  plant,  with  "bunches  of  violet  blue  flow- 
ers," rather  freely  produced  on  plants  of  very  small  dimen- 
sions, and  well  adapted  for  a  small  collection  of  plants. 
It  is  grown  in  two  thirds  fibrous  loam  with  peat  and  leaf 
mould,  and  cuttings  root  freely  in  bottom  heat.  {Pax.  Mag. 
Bot.  March.) 

CH.ENO'STOMA 

polyinthum  Pax.  Many-flowered  Chaenostoma.  An  herbaceous  plant ;  grovring  about  a  foot 
high;  with  bluish  lilac  flowers;  appearing  in  summer  ;  a  native  of  South  Africa;  increased  by  seeds 
or  cuttings  ;  cultivated  in  any  good  soil.    Pax.  Mag.  Bot.  p.  31. 

A  dwarf  and  bushy  plant,  producing  a  great  profusion  of 
large  loose  racemes  of  small  bluish  lilac  flowers.  "Treated 
as  an  aiuiual,  it  may  be  had  in  flower  a  greater  part  of  the 
year,"  and  may  be  "either  employed  to  decorate  the  border 
in  the  open  air,  or  ornament  the  greenhouse."  It  is  stated  to 
be  highly  useful  to  cultivators  for  producing  flowers  for  the 
market,  and,  by  making  successive  sowings  of  the  seed,  may 
be  had  in  bloom  all  the  year.  It  also  grows  freely  from  cut- 
tings.    {Pax.  Mag.  Bot.  March.) 

PTEROSTI'GMA 

graiidi.ldruni  licnlk.  Large-flowered  Wiug  Point.  A  half  hardy  herbaceous  plant;  growing  eigh- 
teen inches  high  ;  with  blue  flowers ;  appearing  iu  spring  ;  a  native  of  China ;  increased  by  divis- 
ion of  Uie  root ;  ciUtivatcd  in  any  good  soil.    Bot.  Reg.  ISJl.  pi.  16. 

Found  by  Mr.  Fortune,  who  sent  it  home  as  a  "  blue-flowered 
herbaceous  plant."  It  has  flowered  in  the  Society's  Garden, 
and  is  described  as  having  flowers  "  as  large  as  those  of  a 
digitalis,  and  of  the  deep  color  of  Gloxinia  violacea"  growing 

VOL.  XII. NO.   XI.  57 


450  Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices 

singly  at  the  axils  of  the  leaves.     It  has  been  treated  as  a 
greenhouse  plant,  shading  it  in  summer,  and  keeping  it  rather 
dry  in  winter ;  it  should  also  be  grown  in  small  pots,  or  the 
plants  make  too  much  foliage.     {Bot.  Reg.  March.) 
Acanthdcem. 

LANKESTE^RM 

parvifldra  Lindl.  Small  flowered  Lankesteria.  A  stove  plant ;  with  yellow  flowers ;  appearing 
in  winter;  a  native  of  South  Africa;  increased  by  cuttings;  cultivated  in  sandy  peat  and  loam. 
Bot.  Reg.  1846.  pi.  12. 

A  rather  interesting  plant,  requiring,  in  England,  the  warmth 
of  the  stove,  where  it  blooms  freely,  producing  heads  of  pretty 
bright  yellow  flowers.  It  may  be  grown  in  the  greenhouse  in 
summer,  and  removed  to  the  stove  in  autumn,  where  it  will 
continue  to  flower  for  some  months :  increased  freely  from  cut- 
tings.    (^Bot.  Reg.  January.) 

RUE'LLIJ 

lilacina  i/ooA-cr  Lilac-flowered  Ruellia.  A  stove  shrub  ;  growing  three  feet  high;  with  lilac 
flowers;  appearing  in  summer;  a  native  of  Guiana;  increased  by  cuttings;  cultivated  in  loam, 
peat  and  sar.d.    Bot.  Reg.  1S46,  pi.  13. 

"  A  charming  shrub,"  with  panicled  spikes  of  handsome  hlac 
flowers,  which  are  abundantly  produced  during  summer.  It 
requires  the  same  temperature  as  the  R.  formosa,  and  some- 
what similar  treatment ;  keep  them  in  a  warm  and  humid  at- 
mosphere during  spring,  and  then  remove  them  to  the  green- 
house, when  they  will  flower  for  a  long  time  ;  afterwards,  they 
should  receive  less  supplies  of  water,  and  be  kept  in  a  dormant 
state  till  spring.  (^Bot.  Reg.  March.) 
CompositcB. 

MULGE'DIUM 

machorizon  Roijlo  Large-rooted  Mulgede.  A  hardy  perennial  plant ;  growing  a  few  inches  high.; 
with  blue  flowers;  appearing  in  September  and  October ;  a  nalive  of  Cashmere;  increased  by  seeds  ; 
cultivated  in  any  good  soil.    Bot.  Reg.  184ti,  pi.  7. 

"A  charming  perennial,  with  numerous  branching  stems 
two  feet  long,  and  scarcely  rising  more  than  a  few  inches  high. 
For  decorating  rock  work,  it  is  misurpassed  among  autumn 
perennials."  The  flowers  have  very  much  the  appearance  of 
the  common  succory,  but  the  dwarf  habit  of  the  plant  and 
the  profusion  of  bloom  render  it  a  fine  object.  It  should  be 
planted  in  a  dry  situation,  and  protected  in  winter  by  a  cov- 
ering of  leaves.  Readily  increased  by  seeds.  {^Bot.  Reg. 
March.) 

Lythj'dcecB. 

CirPIIEA 

strigilWsaiJfn^A.  Coarse  haired  Cuphca.  A  greenhouse  shrub ;  growing  two  feet  high;  with 
yellow  and  scarlet  flowers;  appearing  in  October  ;  a  native  of  Mexico;  increased  by  cuttings  ;  cul- 
tivated in  sandy  peat  and  loam.    Cot.  Reg.  lS4t),  pi.  14. 

A  pretty  greenhouse  shrub,  with  ovate  lanceolate  leaves, 


of  New  Plants.  451 

and  axillary  clusters  of  gay,  orange  and  scarlet  flowers,  much 
of  the  form  of  a  Tropaeohim.  The  plant  grows  freely  in  san- 
dy peat  and  loam,  requiring  an  ample  supply  of  water  during 
summer,  and  kept  in  an  airy  greenhouse  in  winter.  It  should 
be  repotted  early  in  spring,  in  order  to  encourage  wood  for 
flowering  in  summer.  {^Bot.  Reg.  March.) 
\  erbenacecB. 

MASTACA'NTHUS 

sinensis  ^nii.  Chinese  Beard  nut.  A  greenhouse  plant ;  growing  two  feet  high;  with  violet 
flowers;  appeiiring  in  autumn;  a  native  of  Cliina;  increased  by  cuttings;  cultivated  in  sandy  loam 
and  peat.    Bot.  Reg.  1846,  p.  2. 

Found  by  Mr.  Fortune  in  Chusan.  It  is  a  rather  pretty 
herbaceous  plant,  furnishing  "an  abundance  of  rich  violet 
blossoms  at  a  season  when  that  color,  never  abundant,  is  pe- 
culiarly rare  in  gardens."  The  flowers  appear  in  bushy  tufts 
at  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  It  requires  greenhouse  culture  and 
plenty  of  pot  room,  with  plenty  of  water  in  summer  ;  after  it 
has  done  flowering,  the  plants  should  be  kept  rather  dry  in  a 
cool  greenhouse.  {Bot.  Reg.  January.) 
Gesnej-^Aceve,. 

GE'SNER^ 

Gerard  JaHrt  Pax.  Gerard's  Gesnera.  A  stove  plant;  growing  two  feet  high  ;  with  scarlet  and 
yellow  flowers  ;  appearing  in  autumn  ;  a  native  of  South  America;  increased  by  cuttings  ;  grown 
ill  leaf  mould,  peat  and  sand.    Pax.  Mag.  Bot.,  1846,  p.  35. 

A  very  splendid  species  of  this  showy  genus,  somewhat 
resembling  G.  zebrina,  but,  "in  its  habit,  is  combined  all  the 
freedom  of  character  of  the  most  graceful  Achimenes,  with  the 
sterling  nature  and  substantial  worth  of  the  gesneras.  Dwarf 
growing,  its  leaves  heart  shaped,  and,  under  favorable  cir- 
cumstances, fine,  large,  glossy  green — the  flower  spikes  ter- 
minally borne,  of  great  size  in  proportion  to  the  plant,  with 
large  flowers  that  strongly  remind  us,  by  their  color  and  mark- 
ing, of  Achimenes  picta,  and  supported  by  long,  slender  pe- 
duncles, in  a  peculiarly  fine  and  graceful  manner,  constitute 
it  when  flowering,  in  the  most  extended  sense,  a  most  beauti- 
ful object ;  added  to  the  excellent  traits  just  described,  the  free- 
dom with  which  plants  not  six  inches  high,  produce  fine  spikes 
of  flowers."  The  foliage  is  not  so  remarkably  shaded  as  G. 
zebrina,  but  the  flowers  are  larger,  more  brilliant,  and  pro- 
duced more  freely  than  on  that  species  It  may  well  be  com- 
pared to  Achimenes  picta  in  beauty.  It  will  thrive  freely 
under  the  same  treatment  given  to  G.  zebrina,  and  is  readily 
increased  by  cuttings  of  the  leaves,  or  by  offsets  from  the  root. 
{Pax.  Mag.  Bot.  April.) 


452  Notes  on  Gardens  and  Nurseries. 


Art.  VI.     Notes  on  Gardens  and  Nurseries. 

Residence  of  G.  R.  Russell,  Esq. ,  West  Roxbury,  Septem- 
ber 25th,  1846. — We  have  been  highly  gratified  with  a  visit  to 
this  place.  It  is  situated  on  the  old  road  to  Dedham,  and 
occupies  some  sixty  or  seventy  acres,  several  of  which,  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  the  house,  are  being  improved  as  a 
flower  garden,  orchard,  kitchen  garden.  &c.  The  house  is  a 
large  and  commodious  cottage,  having  had  a  large  addition, 
and  otherwise  been  much  improved  since  the  place  was  pur- 
chased by  Mr.  Russell. 

The  flower  garden  is  immediately  in  front  of  the  house, 
occupying  a  piece  of  ground  considerably  elevated.  It  has 
been  wholly  trenched  over,  and  newly  laid  out  the  past  spring, 
and  the  plants  were  now  thriving  with  unchecked  luxuriance, 
the  dahlias  being  one  sheet  of  flowers.  From  the  garden,  the 
walk  conducts  to  the  grapery,  which  was  completed  last  spring ; 
it  is  constructed  upon  the  plan  of  Mr.  Gray,  as  described  in 
our  last  number  (p.  377,)  and,  with  the  exception  that  the  work 
has  been  rather  more  thoroughly  finished  without  regard 
to  expense,  it  is  precisely  the  same.  Mr.  Russell,  how- 
ever, has  had  every  thing  done  with  a  view  to  permanency, 
as  well  as  perfect  neatness,  and  spared  no  labor  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  border,  drains,  cistern,  &c.  The  Grapery  is 
one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  long,  and  twenty-four  wide,  and, 
with  every  thing  complete,  the  making  of  the  border,  &c.,  cost 
upwards  of  twenty-five  hundred  dollars. 

The  vines  Avere  planted  out  on  the  17th  of  last  May,  and 
were  young  plants,  one  year  old,  furnished  by  Messrs.  Hovey 
&  Co.  ;  they  were  in  pots,  and,  when  planted,  headed  down 
to  three  eyes ;  at  the  present  time,  they  have  reached  the  top 
of  the  house,  (about  twenty  feet)  and  have  been  stopped,  the 
shoots  on  many  of  them  measuring  th?'ee  quarters  of  an  inch 
in  diameter.  Indeed,  we  never  saw  a  more  thrifty  growth. 
This  was,  of  course,  owing  to  the  well  prepared  border,  which 
had  wholly  been  made  in  the  spring,  just  before  the  vines  were 
planted,  and  in  the  following  manner.  The  whole  earth  was 
excavated  three  feet  deep,  on  each  side  of  the  house,  to  the  dis- 


Notes  on  Gardens  and  Nurseries.  453 

tance  of  twelve  feet,  and  six  feet  inside,  making  the  border 
eighteen  feet  wide.  At  the  outer  edge  of  this  excavation, 
which  formed  the  bottom  of  the  border,  a  thorough  drain  was 
made  of  brick,  so  as  to  conduct  off  all  superfluous  moisture. 
On  this  bottom  was  thrown  ten  inches  of  small  stones ;  then 
six  inches  of  good  turf,  the  top  spit  of  an  old  pasture ;  then 
six  inches  of  manure,  mostly  street  scrapings  ;  then  six  inches 
of  good  loam ;  then  two  inches  of  oyster  shells,  on  that  part  of 
the  border  iniide,  and  two  inches  of  bones  on  the  border  out- 
side ;  and  six  inches  more  of  loam  to  finish.  Three  loads  of  ref- 
use bones,  containing  meat  and  gelatinous  matter,  were  also 
mixed  in  as  the  border  was  made.  When  these  had  laid  to- 
gether a  week  or  two,  the  whole  was  trenched  over  down  to 
the  stones,  thoroughly  mixed,  and  completed  ready  for  plant- 
ing out  the  vines,  after  allowing  the  soil  to  settle.  In  a  border 
so  well  made,  the  vines  cannot  fail  to  make  a  fine  growth, 
and  rapidly  become  strong  enough  to  bear  a  good  crop.  A 
large  part  of  the  vines  are  Black  Hamburgh,  with  several  of 
the  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  white  Malvasie,  Wilmot's  Black 
Hamburgh,  (fcc.  Mr.  Burns,  the  gardener,  has  managed  them 
well,  and  kept  them  free  from  mildew,  with  plump  wood, 
ripening  off  finely.  Much  work  was  yet  to  be  completed 
around  the  grapery,  such  as  finishing  the  walks,  &c. 

From  the  grapery,  we  passed  into  the  kitchen  garden 
which,  together  with  the  fruit  garden,  is  separated  from  the 
other  part  of  the  grounds  by  a  public  lane.  The  kitchen  garden 
is  laid  out  in  a  square,  with  a  neat  substantial  wall.  The 
ground  had  been  subsoiled,  and  was  now  in  fine  condition.  ' 
The  fruit  garden  is  partly  filled  with  trees,  set  out  before  Mr. 
Russell  took  possession  of  the  place,  and  many  of  the  peaches 
are  nothing  but  natural  fruit.  Mr.  Russell  is  rapidly  intro- 
ducing the  finest  kinds,  and,  in  a  short  time,  will  have  none 
but  the  best  varieties  upon  his  grounds.  There  is  much  sat- 
isfaction in  noting  down  such  improvements  as  have  been 
made  here.  Mr.  Russell  does  every  thing  with  a  vieAV  to  neat- 
ness as  well  as  utility :  and  the  grounds  throughout  are  kept 
in  the  best  manner. 


454  Retrospective  Criticism. 

MISCELLANEOUS    INTELLIGENCE. 

Art.  I.     Retrospective  Criticism. 

Hovey's  Seedling  Strawberry,  with  staminate  flowers,  p.  360. — In  your 
notice  of  Mr.  Longworth's  pamphlet  on  the  Character  and  Habits  of  the 
Strawberry  Plant,  in  the  September  number  of  your  magazine,  I  observe 
the  following  passage  at  the  bottom  of  page  360  : — "  Every  cultivator  who 
has  found  staminate  flowers,  so  called,  in  his  beds  of  Hovey's  Seedling,  has 
found  either  accidental  seedlings,  or  other  varieties."  If  it  is  to  be  inferred, 
from  the  passage  above  quoted,  that  the  true  Hovey's  Seedlings  are  all  fis- 
tillate  plants,  so  called,  then  I  beg  leave  to  dissent  from  the  proposition  laid 
down,  for  the  following  reasons,  viz  :— In  1845,  when  the  strawberries  were  in 
blossom,  I  examined  a  bed  of  Hovey's  Seedling  at  this  place  several  times,  in 
company  with  Mr.  Downing,  and  others,  as  well  as  by  myself;  and  a  large  ma- 
jority of  the  flowers  which  stood  up  in  trusses,  several  to  a  plant,  were  perfect 
in  their  organs  of  fructification,  having  both  their  stamens  and  pistils  fully 
developed,  and  produced  one  of  the  most  uniform  and  handsome  crops  of 
fruit  I  ever  saw  ;  and  that,  too,  at  the  distance  of  one  hundred  yards  from 
the  regular  strawberry  plantation,  or  a  strawberry  plant  of  any  kind ;  and  I 
am  certain  there  were  no  accidental  seedlings  among  them,  for  they  were 
two  years  old  plants  ;  the  ground  between  the  plants  having  been  dug  and 
kept  clean  from  weeds,  and  nothing  permitted  to  grow  but  the  plants  which 
were  taken  from  runners  of  as  pure  stock  of  Hovey's  Seedling  as  there  is  in 
the  country,  entirely  free  of  mixtures  of  any  kind  whatever.  Having  no 
desire  to  become  a  partisan  on  either  side  of  the  strawberry  controversy, 
believing  it  to  be  the  result  of  circumstances  rather  than  fixed  laws  or  prin- 
ciples, and  having  no  other  interest  than  a  desire  to  contribute  any  facts 
that  may  come  under  my  observation, — the  above  remarks  are  submitted 
in  a  spirit  of  candor  and  good  will. — A.  Saul,  Foreman.  Highland  Nurse- 
ries, Newburgh,  September  22d,  1846. 

We  are  certainly  willing  to  receive  the  above  in  a  spirit  of  candor  and 
good  will,  as  our  sole  object  is  to  bring  forward  every  fact  which  may  bear 
upon  this  question  ;  still  we  are  so  uncharitable  as  to  believe  Mr.  Downing 
has  endeavored  to  throw  the  responsibility  of  his  own  views  upon  his  fore- 
man. If  Mr.  Saul  or  Mr.  Downing  intend  to  say  that  they  know  more 
about  the  true  character  of  Hovey's  Seedling  than  we  do,  it  would  be  very 
little  use  for  us  to  discuss  the  question  further.  We  unhesitatingly  say, 
that  every  plant,  which  Mr.  Saul  or  Mr.  Downing  has  found  in  their  beds  of 
Hovey's  Seedling  ivith  stamens,  is  not  the  true  kind;  or,  if  originally  true, 
they  have  been  allowed  to  become  intermixed  with  some  other  varieties, 
until  the  original  seedlings  have  been  mostly  displaced. 

In  1339  or  '40,  we  had  the  pleasure  of  presenting  Mr.  Downing  with  a 
dozen  plants  of  our  seedling,  which  had  then  just  been  offered  for  sale,  and 


Retrospective  Criticism.  455 

with  the  remark  that  they  had  proved  so  fine,  we  wished  him  to  give  them 
atrial.  Three  years  afterwards,  when  on  a  visit  to  Newburgh,  we  were 
desirous  of  learning  Mr.  D.'s  opinion  of  the  variety :  he  then  stated  it  had  not 
done  well  with  him.  Now  was  not  this  to  be  attributed  to  its  true  charac- 
ter ?  and  that  the  plants  had  probably  been  set  out  by  themselves,  and  had 
failed  to  produce  fruit  from  the  want  of  some  fertilizing  kind  in  near  prox- 
imity %  We  apprehend  this  to  be  the  case,  for  two  or  three  years  is  ample  time 
to  bring  any  variety  of  the  strawberry  into  fruit ;  and  if  strawberries  could 
not  be  produced  from  1839  to  '42,  what  nev/  system  of  cultivation  has  Mr. 
Downing  discovered,  which  has  enabled  him  to  produce  "  one  of  the  most 
uniform  and  handsome  crops,"  ever  seen,  from  1842  to  1845?  The  pre- 
sumption is,  that,  owing  to  the  failure  of  the  plants  to  bear,  the  beds  had 
been  neglected,  as  it  is  well  known  they  often  are  in  nurseries,  and  neigh- 
boring kinds  allowed  to  overrun  and  take  possession  of  the  ground ;  and 
hence  the  discovery  of  staminate  plants  in  1845. 

It  will  be  taxing  the  patience  of  our  readers  who  have  already  heard  so 
much  of  the  strawberry  question,  to  extend  our  remarks.  Our  views  have 
been  given  in  the  page  referred  to  by  Mr.  Saul,  and  remain  unchantred.  If 
tivelve  years  have  failed  to  produce  a  single  perfect  flower  on  plai.  is  under 
every  aspect  of  cultivation,  under  our  own  eye,  from  the  very  highest  to  the 
most  neglected  state,  we  certainly  think  that  no  other  cultivator  has  done  so 
in  the  less  period  of  seven  years,  since  they  have  been  disseminated.  "  No 
result  of  circumstances"  will  ever  change  pistillate  to  staminate  flowers,  as 
they  are  generally  termed  ;  and  every  cultivator  may  rkst  assured  that, 

IF  HIS  plants    are    STAMINATE,  HE    DOES    NOT    POSSESS  THE   TRUE  HoVEY'S 

Seedling  Strawberry. — Ed. 

Mr.  Longworlh'' s  Ideas  upon  the  Strawberry ,  and  the  Editor'' s  Remarks,  p. 
360. — I  see,  in  the  September  number  of  the  Magazine,  that  Mr.  Longworth 
of  Cincinnati  is  still  impressed  with  the  idea  that  Hovey's  seedling  strawberry, 
when  left  to  itself,  will  not  bear  a  crop,  and  Mr.  Hovey  himself,  to  some 
extent,  endorses  his  opinion,  by  recommending  that  other  kinds  be  planted 
in  near  proximity,  in  order  to  ensure  a  good  crop.  So  far  as  our  practical 
experience  goes,  (not  theory,)  we  beg  leave  to  differ  from  both,  and  to  main- 
tain that  Hovey's  Seedling  will  bear  as  good,  and,  we  think,  a  better  crop 
by  itself  than  any  of  the  larger  kinds  of  strawberries,  no  matter  whether 
they  be  planted  a  distance  apart  from  the  fertilizing  ones,  or  side  by  side  \ 
neither  do  we  think  that  any  of  the  smaller  kinds,  although  ])roducmg  a  lar- 
ger number  of  berries,  will  bear  more  weight  of  strawberries  on  the  ground 

than  Hovey's  seedling  when  it  is  properly  managed. When  Hovey's 

Seedling  was  first  advertised  for  sale,  we  did  not  send  to  Boston  for  a  sup- 
ply ;  the  distance  was  great  ;  and  so  many  different  lines  of  commanication 
to  pass  through  deterred  us.  The  spring  following,  some  of  the  plants  hav- 
ing found  their  way  to  Baltimore,  a  friend,  as  a  special  favor,  procured  a 
single  plant  from  Mr.  John  Feast,  now  being  for  sale.  This  plant  he  gave 
to  me  on  his  return.  Wiiether  it  was  possessed  of  too  many  or  too  few 
male  or  female  organs,  or  whether  it  belonged  altogether  to  the  one  de- 
scription or  the  other,  we  cannot  now  determine ;  for,  at  that  time,  our  atten- 


456  Retrospective  Criticism. 

tion  was  not  devoted  with  so  much  interest,  neither  were  we  so  well  enlight- 
ened on  the  subject  as  we  have  been  since  :  however,  we  planted  this  plant  on 
a  border  seventy  yards  distant  from  the  nearest  strawberry  plant,  and  we  are 
pretty  sure  that  there  was  not,  nor  had  ever  been,  any  strawberry  plant  in 
any  portion  of  the  ground  nearer  from  the  time  the  Shawnee  Indians  held 
undisturbed  possession  of  this  part  of  the  valley  of  Virginia.  We  are,  there- 
fore, firmly  inclined  to  believe  that  the  plant  had  all  the  fertilizing  and  pro- 
ductive powers  necessary  within  itself.  We  paid  a  liitle  attention  to  the 
plant  during  the  summer,  and,  by  fall,  found  there  were  between  sixty  and 
seventy  young  plants  :  most  of  them,  the  spring  following,  were  taken  up 
and  planted  elsewhere,  leaving  the  old  plant  with  some  ten  or  twelve  round  it, 
in  order  to  test  the  variety  as  soon  as  possible  :  they  bore  as  many  strawberries 
as  could  be  expected  from  any  kind  of  strawberry  in  the  same  state,  and 
proved  to  be  the  true  Hovey's  Seedling.  A  few  were  again  left  the  second 
year,  and  still  bore  a  good  crop.  In  the  summer  of  1844,  we  planted  out  a 
bed  by  itself  (our  attention  having  been  called  to  the  subject)  not  at  so  great 
a  distance,  it  is  true,  as  the  original  plant  was  from  some  beds  of  the  Hud- 
son strawberry,  but,  as  we  thought,  quite  sufficient  to  keep  them  apart,  the 
intermediate  space  being  filled  up  with  vegetable  crops.  This  piece  of 
ground  is  seventy  yards  in  length,  and  six  yards  wide  ;  the  strawberries 
planted  in  rows  two  feet  from  centre  to  centre,  leaving  a  path  between  each 
row,  the  ground,  in  our  opinion,  not  the  best  suited  for  strawberries,  being 
a  deep  alluvial  bottom  soil,  and  too  light,  bat  it  was  most  convenient  to 
put  them  there.  The  summer  of  1845,  a  light  crop  was  produced,  and 
from  the  demand  for  young  plants,  the  runners  were  allowed  to  grow  out, 
so  that  the  paths  between  the  rows  were  nearly  covered.  This  prevented 
us  from  working  the  ground  in  the  fall  of  1845,  and,  in  my  opinion,  sacri- 
ficed one  third  of  the  crop  for  the  present  year.  We  continued  to  take  up 
the  young  plants  from  the  paths,  and  sometimes  encroaching  on  the  rows 
until  late  in  the  spring  of  the  present  year,  when  it  was  considered  too  late 
to  cultivate  the  ground,  only  to  clean  the  strawberries  off,  and  let  them  go 
into  bearing.  The  weather,  too,  the  last  week  of  May,  and  first  week  of 
June,  was  too  damp  to  bring  the  strawberry  to  perfection,  and  yet,  from  this 
piece  of  ground,  a  little  over  four  hundred  square  yards,  we  picked  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  quarts  of  strawberries,  a  good  many  measuring  from  three  to 
four  inches  round. —  Yours,  Thomas  Allen.  Winchester  Gardens,  Va., 
September  2G,  184G. 

We  have  ah-eady  been  indebted  to  Mr.  Allen  for  some  remarks  on  the 
same  subject,  (Vol.  VIII,  p.  353)  His  experience  is  similar  to  many  others 
that  we  have  before  noticed,  but  it  does  not  touch  the  question  at  issue,  for 
Mr.  Allen  admits  he  did  not  notice  the  character  of  the  flowers  oi  the  first 
plant  he  had,  whether  perfect  or  imperfect;  nor  does  he  state  whether  his 
beds  which  produced  fruit  were  so  or  not.  It  is  well  known  that  plants 
many  yards  distant  may  be  fertilized  and  produce  a  good  crop.  Mr.  Allen's 
was  by  no  means  an  average  one,  as  he  only  produced  one  hundred  and  twenty 
(quarts  from  four  hundred  square  yards  :  this  is  only  about  twelve  hundred 
iniurts  to  the  acre  ;  and  Mr.  Aspinwall  and  many  other  cultivators  have  pro- 


Retrospective  Criticism.  457 

duced  from  two  thousand  to  two  thousand  five  hundred,  without  any  extra 
culture  m(Jre  than  is  necessary  for  ordinary  sorts.  But  their  success  has 
been  so  great  from  the  intermediate  planting  of  fertilizing  varieties.  Our 
views  are  unchanged.  Such  instances  as  Mr.  Allen's  may  be  attributed  to 
many  unknown  and  unseen  causes,  such  as  a  few  perfect  flowering  kinds 
intermixed,  accidental  seedlings,  oic.  Hovey's  seedling  was  an  imperfect 
flowering  variety,  is  so,  and  ever  will  remain  so. — Ed. 

The  New  York  Virgalieu  Pear. — Mr.  Downing,  in  the  first  number  of  the 
Horticulturist,  has  kindly  noticed  my  second  edition  of  the  Guide  to  the  Or- 
chard. With  some  exceptions,  his  principal  objection  to  the  work  appears  to  be 
that  we  have  not  made  out  more  new  sorts,  and  followed  modern  improve- 
ments by  multiplying  names  and  synonyms,  already  too  numerous  ;  by  the 
by,  we  felt  more  inclined  to  take  the  pruning  knife  and  cut  away,  leaving 
only  superior  fine  sorts.  The  principal  improvement  in  the  London  Horti- 
cultural Society's  new  catalogues,  as  far  as  we  can  understand,  has  been  to 
prune  away  pretty  largely,  and  they  have  yet  much  more  to  do  in  that  way ; 
some  new  and  good  sorts  have  been  added,  but  we  are  not  prepared  to  stand 
sponsor  for  all  their  new  names,  without  further  investigation.  We  have 
received  all  the  acknowledged  and  proved  sorts,  and  have  them  under  culti- 
vation. Our  principal  design,  in  this  communication  at  present,  is  to  notice 
what  Mr.  D.  calls  the  ''  droll  part  of  the  aflair."  Mr.  F.  quotes,  as  syno- 
nyms to  this  sort,  (New  York  Virgalieu  Pear)  the  following  names,  viz., 
(page  45)  :— 

Virgalieu,  Nursery  Cat.  1807. 

Surpasse  Virgoulouse,  Parmcntier. 

Columbian  Virgoulouse,  Bloodgood. 

Columbia,  Doivnmg. 

St.  Michael,  of  Boston  Cultivators. 
For  several  years,  we  had  supposed  that  the  original  tree  of  the  Virga- 
lieu Pear  grew  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Andrew  Cursor,  Fordham,  West  Ches- 
ter. In  order  to  ascertain  if  this  was  the  fact,  I  visited  Mr.  Cursor's  Farm, 
and  inquired  for  the  old  Virgalieu  Pear  Tree.  He  shewed  me  two  sorts 
said  to  be  originals,  and  had  sprung  up  accidentally,  and,  indeed,  as  far  as 
I  could  perceive,  they  were  seedlings;  one  of  these  he  called  Columbian  Vir- 
galieu. There  was  fruit  on  the  tree  about  half  grown  when  I  saw  it.  On  ex- 
amining the  fruit,  habit,  and  appearance  of  the  tree,  I  could  not  discover 
any  difference  between  this  and  the  New  Vork  Virgalieu  ;  however,  as  it 
seems  to  be  an  original  seedling  tree,  and  as  I  expect  to  examine  the  fruit 
more  attentively  this  fall,  it  may  turn  out  to  be  a  diflferent  variety.  Mr. 
Cursor  informed  me  that  he  got  a  great  price  for  the  fruit,  which  were  very 
uelicious  and  of  superior  quality  :  now  if  this  is  the  Columbian  Virgoulouse 
of  Bloodgood,  as  a  matter  of  course,  it  would  be  the  Columbia  of  Downing, 
else  his  synonyms  would  be  incorrect.  The  other  original  Pear  of  Mr.  Cur- 
sor he  called  Columbus,  in  honor  of  Christopher  Columbus,  the  first  discov- 
erer of  this  country,  as  he  informed  me.  This  is  a  very  diiFerent  Pear,  and 
not  a  Virgalieu  ;  it  appears  to  be  a  very  handsome  pear,  and  he  speaks  high- 
ly of  it.  I  have  had  no  opportunity  to  test  its  qualities  fully,  but  hope  to 
VOT-.    XIT. NO.    XI.  .58 


458  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

be  able  to  do  so  this  fall.  I  procured  scions  of  both  sorts,  and  have  them 
under  cultivation.  No  doubt  but  this  is  the  Pear  Mr.  D.  alludes  to,  and  if 
so,  it  ought  to  be  called  Cursor'' s  Columbus,  not  Columbia ;  but  yet  we  are 
in  the  dark  about  the  synonym  "  St.  Michael  of  Boston  Cultivators.''''  This 
"  medium"  Pear — is  it  a  distinct  sort  or  a  synonym?  Certainly  the  Boston 
folks  ought  to  know  the  White  Doyenne,  or  white  Butter  Pear  of  Philadel- 
phia, and,  if  they  do,  they  would  call  it  so,  and  not  St.  Michael,  which  is  a 
synonym  of  that  sort.  These  synonyms  are  confusing  things — these  mod- 
ern improvements  of  the  last  fifteen  years — and  while  Mr.  D.  seems  to  ad- 
mit that  the  Surpasse  Vimoulouse  of  Parmentier  is  the  same  as  the  one  we 
claim  for  Williamson's  Tirgalieu,  we  should  be  glad  to  have  this  St.  Michael 
disposed  of  one  way  or  other.  Is  it  a  distinct  sort,  or  a  synonym  of  some- 
thing else?  I  must  observe  further  that  the  Columbian  Yirgalieu  of  Mr. 
Cursor  cannot  be  the  original  New^  York  Yirgalieu.  The  tree  is  not  old 
enough,  probably  not  more  than  thirty  years,  but  it  is  very  likely  to  be  a 
seedling  of  that  sort,  and  may  be  very  desirable. — Respectfully,  your  obe- 
dient servant,  Michael  Floy,  Harlem  Nursery,  August  2ith,  1846. 

We  apprehend  there  is  a  misunderstanding  in  relation  to  this  subject. 
The  Boston  cultivators  are  well  aware,  that  the  St.  Michael,  so  called,  is 
the  same  as  the  White  Doyenn6  of  Europe,  and  the  Butter  pear  of  Phil- 
adelphia, and  also  supposed  to  be  the  A'irgalieu  (we  doubt  the  propriety  of 
this  mode  of  spelling,  and  do  not  adopt  it  ourself,)  of  New  York.  But 
long  usage  has  rendered  the  name  of  St.  Michael  so  familiar,  that,  like  the 
Bartlett  pear,  it  is  difficult  to  change  it  among  the  mass  of  the  people. 
With  this  explanation  in  relation  to  this  variety,  we  leave  the  other  ques- 
tions in  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Floy  and  Downing.  We  would  hope,  how- 
ever, that  Mr.  Floy  has  not  forgotten  his  intention  to  test  Mr.  Cursor's 
pears  this  fall,  and  that  he  will  send  us  an  account  of  them,  particularly  of 
the  one  called  Columbus,  which  appears  io  be  an  entirely  new  variety.  Cox 
describes  a  pear  which  he  calls  Williamson's  Virgoulouse.  Is  it  the  same 
as  the  Surpasse  Virgoulouse  ?  If  so,  the  latter  name  should  give  way  to  the 
former. — Ed. 


Art.  II.     Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Saturday,  September  26,  1846. — The  Annual  Exhibition  of  Dahlias  for 
premiums  took  place  to-day,  and,  considering  the  very  unfavorable  sea- 
son, there  was  a  fair  display  of  flowers.  Not  a  sufficient  number  of 
stands,  however,  were  put  up  to  obtain  all  the  prizes,  some  of  them  having 
been  disqualified,  for  their  very  large  number  of  inferior  flowers  of  inferior 
varieties.  We  are  glad  to  see  the  judges  have  set  up  some  standard,  for  if 
the  mere  putting  up  twenty-four  flowers  will  obtain  a  premium,  why  hun- 
dreds of  cultivators  might  be  competitors. 

From  the  President  of  the  Society  about  one  hundred  flowers,  some  of 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  459 

tliein  very  fine,  particularly  Cinderella,  glowing  crimson  tipped  with  white  ; 
Queen  of  Perpetuals,  good,  but  scarcely  equal  to  Orlando,  which  it  resem- 
bles in  color;  Cleopatra,  very  fine  pale  yellow  ;  Cheltenham  Queen,  white, 
but  not  superior  to  Antagonist ;  Arethusa,  beautiful,  fine  formed,  rich  pur- 
ple ;  Isis,  sulphur,  tipped  with  orange,  &c.  &c.  From  Messrs.  Hovey  & 
Co.,  about  fifty  blooms,  among  which  were  Punch,  a  superb  flower,  deep, 
dark,  velvety  crimson,  striped  with  white  on  the  outer  edges  of  the  petals  ; 
Columbine,  a  novel  fancy  flower,  buff  shaded  with  sulphur,  and  tipped  with 
white  ;  Viscount  Ressegeur,  rich  purple,  tipped  with  white  ;  Orlando,  fine 
formed  delicate  peach  ;  also,  a  variety  of  roses,  Salvia  Rhodenwaldw  ;  new 
scarlet  Pelargoniums,  Tom  Thumb,  and  Nimrod,  and  bouquets. 

From  J.  M.  Thorburn  &  Co.,  New  York,  a  box  of  fine  dahlias,  among 
which.  Ultimatum,  a  rich  scarlet,  Beeswing,  Marc  Antony,  fine  yellow, 
Cleopatra,  Harlequin,  scarlet,  tipped  with  white,  Asmodeus,  and  others 
were  fine.  From  P.  Barnes,  a  variety  of  azaleas,  cut  flowers,  and  bouquets 
of  amaranth  flowers.  Fine  Dahlias  were  also  shown  by  J.  Breck  &  Co., 
W.  B.  Richards,  (nearly  one  hundred,)  J.  Hovey,  (about  one  hundred  and 
twenty,)  N.  Stetson,  J.  W.  Mandell,  J.  Nugent,  Jolm  Parker,  and  J.  L.  L. 
F.  Warren  ;  Bouquets,  &c.,  by  W.  Kenrick,  R.  West,  and  Mr.  Warren. 

The  following  is  the  award  of  premiums  on  Dahlias,  Messrs.  Haggerston, 
P.  B.  Hovey,  Jr.,  and  W.  Mellen,  judges  in  Division  B,  and  Messrs. 
Barnes,  E.  Allen,  and  A.  Bowditch,  judges  in  Division  A  and  C  : — 

DIVISION  A. 

Premier  Prize. — For  the  best  twelve  dissimilar  blooms,  a  premium 

to  W.  Quant,  of P  00 

The  names  as  follows  : — Widnall's  Queen,  Harlequin,  Lady  St. 
Maur,  Essex  Triumph,  Admiral  Stopford,  Fairy  Queen,  Lady 
Antrobus,  Antagonist,  Victory  of  Sussex,  Cleopatra,  Bees- 
wing, Mrs.  Shelly.     No  competitor. 

Specimen  Bloom. — For  the  best  flower,  Widnall's  Queen,  to  J. 

Nugent,  a  premium  of    .  .         .         .         .         .         .         .     4  00 

Specimen  Blooms  of  Various  Colors. — To  Wm.  Quant,  a  pre- 
mium of  $  1  each,  for  Antagonist,  white  ;  Widnall's  Queen, 
rose ;  Miss  Shelly,  crimson ;  Essex  Triumph,  dark  ;  Cleo- 
patra, yellow  ;  Madame  Chauviere,  tipped,  .  .  .  .  6  00 
To  W.  Meller,  $  1  each  for  Pet  Rival,  maroon  ;  Nonpareil,  scar- 
let,   2  00 

division  b. 

Class  L — Disqualified. 

Class  H. — For  the  best  twelve  dissimilar  blooms,  viz.,  Silvia, 
Cleopatra,  Harlequin,  Great  Mogul,  Paul  Pry,  Unique,  Oddity, 
Hero  of  Stonehenge,  Preceptor,  Viscount  Ressegeur,  Latour 
I'Avergne,  and  Cheltenham  Queen,  to  J.   L.  L.  F.  Warren  a 

premium  of .         •         .     5  00 

For  the  second  best  twelve  dissimilar  blooms,  viz.,  Orlando,  Stand- 
ard of  Perfection,  Viscount  Ressegeur,  Nutwich,  Lady  Harland, 


460  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Miranda,  Striata  formosissima,  Constantia,   Nonpareil,  Cinde- 
rella, Antler  and  Arethusa,  a  premium  to  Messrs  Hovey  &  Co., 

of $3  00 

Class  III. — The  judges  were  also  of  opinion  that  Hovey  &  Co.,  and 
J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren  exhibited  flowers  worthy  of  premium  in 
Class  No.  3  ;  but  as  it  is  not  considered  in  accordance  with  the 
design  of  the  Society  to  award  two  premiums  in  the  same  divis- 
ion, they  are  necessarily  withheld.  Hovey  &  Co.'s  flowers 
were  as  follows : — Orlando,  Viscount  Ressegeur,  Primrose, 
Standard  of  Perfection,  Lady  Harland,  Victory  of  Sussex.  J. 
L.  L.  F.  Warren's  were  : — Antagonist,  Competitor,  Viscount 
Ressegeur,  Harlequin,  Ultimatum,  Unique. 

DIVISION  c. 

Class  I. — Disqualified. 

Class  n. — For  the  best  twelve  dissimilar  blooms,  viz.,  Cleopatra, 
Lady  Antrobus,  Ad.    Stopford,  Antagonist,  Lady  St.   Maur, 
Widnall's  Queen,  Unique,  Fairy  Queen,  Essex  Triumph,  Essex 
Champion,  Mrs.  Shelly,  Nonpareil,  to  W.  Quant,  a  premium  of    5  00 
For  the  second  best  twelve  dissimilar  blooms,  viz..  Antagonist, 
Marchioness  of  Ormonde,  Duke  of  York,  (Keyne's,)  Cleopatra, 
Primrose,  Beauty  of  Sussex,  Lady  Harland,  Essex  Bride,  Miss 
Watson,  Unique,  Beauty  of  Birmingham ,  and  Pickwick,  to  W. 
Meller,  a  premium  of      .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .     3  00 

Class  HL — For  the  best  six  dissimilar  blooms,  viz.,   Sir  E.  An- 
trobus, Admiral  Stopford,  Arethusa,  Great  Mogul,  Argo,  and 
Viscount  Ressegeur,  (No  Competitor,)  to  Henry  Reed,  gardener 
to  N.  Stetson,  a  premium  of  .         .         .         .         .         .         .     3  00 

To  the  President  of  the  Society,  for  fine  dahlias,  a  gratuity  of       .     5  00 
Bouquets. — For  the  best  bouquet,  to  Miss  Russell,  a  premium  of  $2. 
For  the  second  best,  to  R.  West,  a  premium  of  $\. 
Fruit :    From   Nahum   Stetson,   fine   peaches  and   Beurr6  Diel  pears. 
From  Wm.  Stickney,  melon.     From  Josiah  Lovitt,  2d,  White  Sweetwater 
grapes,  and  two  dishes  of  fine  peaches.     From  Robert  M.  Morse,  two  Wil- 
liams's Bon  Chretien  pears,  very  fine.     From  J.  F.  Allen,  White  Fron- 
tignan,  Syrian  and  Black  Hamburgh  grapes  ;  Belle  de  Vitry  peaches  ;  Gan- 
sel's  Bergamot,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey  and 
Seckel  pears.     From  Otis  Johnson,  Crawford's  late  Melacaton  peach,  very 
fine.     From  George  Newhall,  two  kinds  seedling  peaches  and  Newington  ; 
Isabella  grapes  ;  pears,  Fulton,  Bon  Chretien,  Seckel,  Doyenn6  blanc,  Roi 
de  Wurtemberg,  Catillac;  apples,  kind  unknown,  Tippecanoe. 

From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co..  Tippecanoe  and  Clinton  peaches;  also, 
Wilmot's  new  Black  Hamburgh  grapes,  firm  fleshed,  rich  and  fine  flavored. 
From  G.  Merriam,  Yellow  Alberge,  Morris  White,  and  Blood  jieaches. 
From  Isaac  Fay,  peaches,  Owen's  Lemon  Rareripe,  Jacques,  Old  Mixon 
free  stone,  Lemon  Rareripe,  and  fifteen  kinds  of  seedlings.  From  J.  S. 
Sleeper,  Beurre  d'Amalis  and  Dix  pears,  fine.     From  F.  Tudor,  Esq.,  Na- 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  461 

hant,  Richmoncl(?)  peach.  From  William  Quant,  large  quinces.  From 
Clieever  Newhall,  Cumberland  pears.  From  George  Walsh,  peaches, 
White  Magdalen  ;  apple,  large  seedling  ;  pears,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien, 
Julienne  ;  grapes,  Red  Chasselas,  White  Sweetwater. 

Oct.  3. — The  annual  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day,  for  the 
choice  of  officers  and  other  business,  the  President  in  the  chair. 

The  polls  were  immediately  opened,  and  remained  open  thirty  minutes, 
when  the  President  announced  the  names  of  the  officers  elected. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  officers  elected  for  the  ensuing  year,  from 
Jan.  1,  1847,  to  Jan.  1,  1848:— 

President — Marshall  P.  Wilder. 

Vice  Presidents. — B.  V.  French,  Jona.  Winship,  Cheever  Newhall,  E. 
M.  Richards. 

Treasurer. — Samuel  Walker. 

Corresponding  Secretary. — J.  E.  Teschemacher. 

Recording  Secretary. — E.  C.  R.  Walker. 

Professor  of  Botany  and  Vegetable  Physiology. — John  Lewis  Russell, 
A.  M. 

Professor  of  Entomology. — T.  W.  Harris,  M.  D. 

Professor  of  Horticultural  Chemistry. — S.  L.  Dana,  M.  D. 
Standing  Committees. 

Committee  on  Fruits. — Samuel  Walker,  Chairman:  P.  B.  Hovey,  Jr., 
Otis  Johnson,  Josiah  Lovitt,  David  Haggerston,  J.  F.  Allen,  Eben.  Wight. 

Committee  on  Plants  and  Flowers. — Joseph  Breck,  Chairman:  H.  W. 
Dutton,  W.  E.  Carter,  Parker  Barnes,  Alex.  McLellan,  E.  A.  Story, 
William  Quant. 

Committee  on  Vegetables. — A.  D.  Williams,  Jr.,  Chairman:  W.  B. 
Kingsbury,  A.  D.  Williams,  Josiah  Newhall,  James  Nugent,  Azell  Bow- 
ditch,  E.  C.  R.  Walker. 

Committee  o?i  Library. — C.  M.  Hovey,  Chairman  :  C.  K.  Dillaway,  R. 
M.  Copeland,  Joseph  Breck,  W.  B.  Richards. 

Committee  on  Synonyms  of  Fruit. — M.  P.  Wilder,  Chairman:  B.  V. 
French,  C.  M.  Hovey,  J.  S.  Cab(>t,  the  Chairman  of  the  Fruit  Committee. 

Executive  Committee. — The  President,  Chairman :  the  Treasurer,  A. 
Aspinwall,  E.  M.  Richards,  Otis  Johnson. 

Committee  for  establishing  Premiums. — The  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
on  Fruits,  Chairman  :  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Flowers,  the 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Vegetables. 

Finance  Committee. — Josiah  Stickney,  Chairman  :  Joseph  Balch,  F.  W. 
Macondry. 

Committee  of  Publication. — J.  E.  Teschemacher,  Chairman:  C.  K.  Dil- 
laway, Eben.  Wight,  Recording  .Secretary,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Fruits,  Chairman  of  the  Conmiittee  on  Flowers,  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
on  Vegetables. 

Messrs.  S.  Walker,  C.  M.  Hovey,  and  D.  Haggersion,  were  chosen 
delegates  to  attend  the  Exhibition  of  the  American  Institute,  New 
York. 


462  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Jas.  Kelt,  Jr  ,  and  S.  W.  Cole,  Boston  ;  A.  A.  Andrews,  and  S.  Pay- 
son,  Roxbury,  were  elected  members. 

Adjourned  one  month,  to  November  7th. 

Exhibited. — Flowers ;  Owing  to  the  lateness  of  the  season,  bat  few  flow- 
ers were  exhibited.  A  few  Dahlias,  Bouquets,  &c.  were  contributed  by  the 
President,  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  P.  Barnes,  W.  B.  Richards,  O.  N. 
Towne,  J.  Hovey,  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  J.  Nugent,  and  D.  Crowley. 

Premiums  were  awarded  as  follows  : — • 

Bouquets. — For  the  best  bouquet,  a  premium  to  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren  of  $  2. 

For  the  next  best,  a  premium  to  J.  Nugent  of  $  1. 

Fruit:  From  S.  Walker,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme  pears,  very  fine  spec- 
imens ;  the  largest  weighing  17  ounces.  From  T.  W.  Mead,  Gloria  Mun- 
di  apples.  From  John  Hovey,  a  dish  of  English  walnuts,  of  his  own 
growth.  From  Anson  Dexter,  Seckel  pears,  fine.  From  H.  Vandine, 
peaches,  seedling ;  plums,  Coe's  Golden  Drop.  From  Amory  Bemis, 
Cambridgeport,  Beurre  d'Amalis,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey,  and  Passe  Col- 
mar  pears.  From  S.  W.  Cole,  apples,  White  Sweet,  Garden  Royal, 
Quince,  Richardson;  the  last  named,  proved  juicy,  with  a  pleasant  aromatic 
flavor.  From  John  Washburn,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  Wilkinson,  Pitt's 
Prolific,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey,  and  Flemish  Beauty  pears.  From  J.  A. 
Kenrick,  quinces.  From  C.  E.  Grant,  peaches,  two  dishes,  var.  Me- 
lacaton(?);  grapes,  Isabella,  fine.  From  G.  Merriam,  Blood,  Heath,  and 
Bergen's  Yellow  peaches.  FromK.  Bailey,  Catawba,  White  Sweetwater, 
and  Red  Chasselas  grapes.  From  Geo.  Walsh,  grapes,  a  seedling,  raised 
from  the  Isabella,  Red  Chasselas,  White  Chasselas  ;  pears,  Doyenne  blanc, 
Chelmsford,  Julienne,  and  two  kinds  without  a  name.  From  Mr.  Sander- 
son, pears,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  and  one  dish  of  grapes.  From  Hovey 
&  Co.,  Beurre  d'Amalis  pears,  and  Wilmot's  new  Black  Hamburgh  grapes. 
From  J.  F.  Allen,  pears,  Williams's  Bon  Chretien,  Ronville,  Seckel,  (large 
and  well  colored,)  Gansel's  Bergamot;  peaches,  Belle  de  Vetry  ;  grapes, 
Black  Hamburgh,  fine. 

Oct.  lOth.  Exiubited. — Flowers :  Dahlias,  and  other  flowers  were  ex- 
hibited by  the  President,  W.  B.  Richards,  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  J.  Hovey, 
Miss  Russell,  L.  Davenport,  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren,  J.  Nugent,  and  D. 
Crowley. 

The  following  is  the  award  of  premiums : — 

Bouquets. — To  Miss  Russell,  for  a  beautiful  pyramidal  bouquet,  a  pre- 
mium of  $2. 

Fruit :  From  the  President  of  the  Society,  Buffum,  Gore's  Heathcot,  and 
Fulton  pears,  very  fine  :  The  Committee  tasted  of  Gore's  Heathcot,  and 
found  it  first  rate.  From  S.  G.  Perkins,  Esq.,  the  following  remarkably 
fine  specimens  of  pears  :  Easter  Beurre,  Beurr6  Diel,  Duchesse  d'Angou- 
leme, Great  Unknown,  (?)  Le  Cure,  Dix,  Josephine,  Chaumontel,  Winter 
Nelis,  Napoleon,  Doyenn6  blanc.  Winter  Doyenn6,  Louise  Bonne,  Jalousie, 
Seckel,  Isambert,  Vanillons,  (?)  Van  Mons  Leon  le  Clerc,  Marie  Louise, 
St.  Germain.  From  E.  Browii,  pears,  Roi  de  Wurtemberg,  very  fine, 
Wilhama's  Bon  Chretien.     From  Charles  Hadwiu,  Worcester,  Strawberry 


Horticultural  Memoranda.  463 

apples.  From  Otis  Johnson,  peaches,  Smock's  Freestone,  Kenrick's 
Heath,  both  fine.  From  James  Eustis,  South  Reading,  two  kinds  of  ap- 
ples for  a  name.  From  R.  Manning,  Columbia  peach,  very  handsome ; 
Las  Canas,  Beurr^  Bosc,  and  Paradise  d'Automne  pears.  From  T.  Need- 
ham,  White  Portugal,  White  Frontignan,  Black  Frankindale,  and  Black 
Hamburgh  grapes. 

From  Z.  Hosmer,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme  pears,  very  fine  and  large, 
(vi^eighingl9oz.,)Beurr6Diel,  fine.  From  J.  F.  Allen,  pears,  Gansel's  Ber- 
gamot,  Beurre  Diel,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey,  Seckel;  grapes,  Black  Ham- 
burgh, and  Syrian  ;  peaches.  Late  Admirable.  From  G.  Merriam,  Seedling, 
Cravpford's  Late  Melacaton,  Bergen's  Yellow,  and  Old  Mixon  peaches. 
From  J.  W.  Sever,  Crawford's  Late  Melacaton,  fine.  From  Geo.  Walsh, 
pears,  Easter  Beurr6,  Beurre  d'Aremberg,  Doyenne  blanc,  Buffum,  Ju- 
lienne, Winter  Nehs  ;  grapes,  open  culture,  White  Sweetwater,  Isabella, 
Seedling,  and  Red  Chasselas.  From  John  Duncklee,  Fameuse  apples. 
From  G.  A.  Crocker,  Taunton,  peaches,  unknown,  large  and  handsome. 

Vegetables  :  From  J.  F.  Hall,  a  cucumber  weighing  four  pounds.  From 
A.  D.  Williams  &  Son,  fine  celery. 

[In  our  report  of  the  Annual  Exhibition,  in  our  last  number,  there  was 
an  error  in  the  Record  Books  of  the  Committee,  in  omitting  the  names  of 
26  varieties  of  pears,  exhibited  by  the  President, — making  the  number  154 
instead  of  128,  as  stated  in  our  report.] 


HORTICULTURAL    MEMORANDA 

FOR  NOVEMBER. 


FRUIT  DEPARTMENT. 

Grape  vines  will  soon  require  pruning  ;  some  grapes  may  yet  remain, 
and  if  the  house  is  kept  dry,  they  will  hang  until  December  ;  Black  Ham- 
burghs  in  our  collection,  ripe  last  August,  yet  hang  in  fine  order,  and  the 
Black  Prince,  a  fine  grape,  will  probably  hang  till  Christmas.  In  the 
greenhouse,  as  fast  as  the  leaves  turn  yellow,  they  may  be  carefully  swept 
off,  without  injury  to  the  vines.  Keep  the  house  still  well  aired,  in  good 
weather,  in  order  to  harden  the  wood.  On  the  approach  of  severe  frost,  a 
few  inches  of  manure  should  be  thrown  over  the  border,  to  prevent  it  from 
penetrating  too  deep,  and  thus  retard  the  starting  of  the  vines  in  the  spring. 
Isabella,  and  other  native  grapes  in  the  open  air,  should  be  pruned  now,  and 
foreign  kinds  laid  down  and  protected  from  severe  frost. 

Strawberry  beds  will  be  benefited,  if  they  have  a  light  covering  of  old 
haulm,  coarse  manure,  leaves,  seaweed,  or  even  tan. 

Raspberry  plants  will  produce  a  more  certain  crop,  if  they  are  protected, 
unless  they  are  in  a  very  sheltered  situation. 

Frutt  trees  of  all  kinds,  Grape  vines,  <SfC. ,  may  be   planted  this  month 


464  Horticultural  Memoranda. 

with  the  best  success.     There  is  now  more  time  to  attend  to  the  operation 

carefully. 

Pear,  Apple,  Quince,  and  Cherry  seeds  may  be  planted  this  month. 

FLOWER    DEPARTMENT. 

Dahlias,  which  have  been  allowed  to  remain  in  the  ground,  should  now  be 
dug  as  speedily  as  possible,  and  stored  in  a  good  dry  cellar,  or  under  the 
stage  in  the  greenhouse. 

Chrysanthemums  will  now  be  coming  into  bloom,  and  will  need  little  atten- 
tion to  improve  their  beauty:  thin  out  all  the  small  and  imperfect  buds,  and 
water  once  a  week  with  rather  weak  liquid  guano  :  tie  up  the  stems  to  small 
neat  stakes. 

Camellias  will  now  begin  to  open  their  buds,  and  they  should  now  be  put 
into  good  order ;  stake  up  all  the  crooked  or  straggling  plants,  and  wash  all 
the  loaves  carefully  with  a  sponge  to  remove  dust  and  insects ;  take  off  the 
small  buds  when  the  plants  have  too  many,  and  syringe  occasionally  with 
clean  soft  water.     Seed  saved  this  year  may  be  sown  now. 

Roses  of  tender  kinds  in  the  border  not  yet  taken  up,  should  be  attended  to 
immediately  :  the  latter  part  of  the  month  they  may  be  pruned  ;  and  if  young 
plants  are  wanted,  cuttings  put  in.  Hardy  roses  in  the  border  may  be  re- 
moved now  ;  and  the  Bourbons  and  perpetuals  slighly  protected  with  a  few 
leaves  or  coarse  manure. 

Pelargoniums  intended  for  blooming  finely  should  now  be  shifted  into 
larger  pots. 

Tulips,  hyacinths,  and  other  hardy  bulbs,  should  all  be  got  into  the  ground 
this  month. 

Heaths  should  now  be  top-dressed  ;  the  shoots  neatly  tied  up,  and  topped 
to  make  the  plants  dwarf  and  bushy. 

Chinese  'primroses  may  now  be  repotted,  and  rather  freely  watered. 

Azaleas  s\wi\\A  be  sparingly  watered  at  this  season. 

Mignonette  in  small  pots  may  now  have  a  shilt  into  the  next  size. 

Ixia%.  sparaxis,  and  other  Cape  bulbs  should  now  be  removed  to  the  green- 
house or  parlor. 

Carnations  and  picoiees  should  be  protected  during  the  winter  in 
frames. 

Tree ;>ffio?u'es  in  pots  should  be  shifted  into  a  larger  size,  if  not  done  be- 
fore. 

Verbenas  in  pots  should  be  sparingly  watered,  and  kept  in  the  warmest 
part  of  the  greenhouse. 

Victoria  stocks  should  now  be  repotted. 

Herbaceous  plants  of  all  kinds  may  be  safely  transplanted  this  month. 

Cactuses,  with  the  exception  of  Epiphyllum  truncatum,  should  now  be 
sparingly  watered,  and  kepi  in  a  cool,  dry  part  of  the  house. 

Greenhouse  plants  of  many  kinds  may  now  be  safely  propagated  from  cut- 
tings ;  such  as  heaths,  camellias,  azaleas,  and  other  hard  wooded  kinds. 
They  will  root  more  readily  now  than  earlier  in  the  season,  if  placed  in  a 
good  warm  situation. 


THE  MAGAZINE 


O  F 


HORTICULTURE, 


DECEMBER,  1846. 


ORIGINAL    COMMUNICATIONS. 

Art.  I.     Horticulture  in  the  Old  Colony :  with  a  few  Notes  on 
several  Gardens  in  Plymouth^  Mass.     By  the  Editor. 

The  great  facilities  of  communication  which  Rail-roads 
have  effected,  have  been  of  great  importance  in  the  dissemi- 
nation of  horticultural  taste  and  information.  Distant  towns 
have  now  become  the  mere  suburbs  of  the  metropolis ;  and 
the  results  of  frequent  communication  are  the  introduction  of 
the  advantages  which  the  neighborhood  of  large  cities  afford, 
particularly  in  the  examples  of  the  neat  suburban  villas,  and 
highly  cultivated  gardens,  which  spring  up  every  where 
around  them.  The  new  and  rare  fruits  and  flowers  are  a 
long  time  in  finding  their  way  into  the  gardens  in  the  coun- 
try, but  no  sooner  does  the  town  become  connected  by  rail- 
road communication,  than  they  are  at  once  sought  after  and 
obtained.  Indeed,  in  no  one  thing  is  there  a  more  percepti- 
ble change  than  in  their  gardens  and  grounds.  This  increase 
of  taste  gives  rise  to  the  formation  of  horticultural  associa- 
tions, and,  subsequently,  to  the  dissemination  of  information 
upon  every  branch  of  gardening.  The  Societies  of  Worces- 
ter, Lowell,  Providence,  and  lastly  that  of  the  Old  Colony, 
have  been  the  resultsof  bringing  together  both  town  and  coun- 
try by  rail-road  communication. 

The  earliest  Agricultural,  and,  perhaps,  we  should  also  add, 
Horticultural,  operations  of  the  country  were  commenced  in 
Plymouth  aijd  its  vicinity,  extending  to  and  around  Boston ; 
for  we  learn,  by  early  Historical  writers,  that,  as  early  as 
1633,    '••  Dorchester  \ididi  YQYj   good  arable   ground,   and  hay 

VOL.    XII. NO.    XII.  59 


466  Horticulture  in  the  Old  Colony. 

grounds,  fair  cornfields,  and  pleasant  gardens,  with  kitchen 
gardens,"  and  that  Roxbury  had  "  impaled  cornfields  and 
fruitful  gardens."  And  later,' in  1663,  that  "  fruit  trees  pros- 
per abundantly,  apple  trees,  pear  trees,  quince  trees,  cherry 
trees,  plum  trees,  barberry  bushes."  Below  Plymouth,  and 
on  the  Cape,  the  quince  has  long  been  cultivated  to  great  ex- 
tent, and  in  Sandwich  and  Eastham,  there  are  specimens  of 
the  old  Bon  Chretien  pear,  one  or  two  hundred  years  old. 
Thus  we  see  how  early  were  the  Horticultural  operations, 
and  can  contrast  them  with  their  condition  after  a  lapse  of 
two  centuries.  The  same  zeal  which  caused  the  plantation 
of  the  gardens  around  Boston  and  Salem  has  been  continued 
by  the  descendants  of  the  Pilgrims,  and,  while  their  example 
has  been  imitated  every  where  throughout  the  Union,  still  we 
believe  it  has  continued  here  far  in  advance  of  other  portions 
of  the  country. 

The  soil  of  Plymouth,  though  considered  generally  poor 
and  sandy,  has  many  localities  of  good  land,  as  will  be  seen 
from  our  review  of  the  gardens  here.  On  the  slopes  of  the 
hills,  whose  tops  scarcely  bear  a  verdant  spear,  may  be  seen 
some  of  the  best  specimens  of  cultivation,  and  where  once 
stood  "  nothing  but  a  few  canvass  booths  and  old  houses," 
now  spread  the  verdant  boughs,  loaded  Avith  the  choicest 
fruits,  the  results  of  science  applied  to  Horticultural  Art. 

Since  the  formation  of  the  Horticultural  Society,  a  great  deal 
of  enthusiasm  has  been  infused  into  the  amateur  cultivators. 
Proud,  as  they  should  be,  of  their  superior  specimens,  which 
have  been  already  produced  in  their  gardens,  they  are  zealous 
to  continue  their  good  work ;  and  hence  we  find  that  the  new- 
est pears  already  have  found  a  place  in  many  gardens.  One 
exhibition  has  been  held,  which  would  have  been  a  credit  to 
much  older  associations.  The  specimens  Avere  not,  of  course, 
as  numerous  as  near  large  cities,  but,  for  size  and  beauty, 
have  hardly  been  surpassed.  They  are  determined  to  main- 
tain this  distinction,  and  they  have  our  heartiest  wishes  for 
their  success. 

Garden  of  J.  B.  Thomas^  Esq. — Mr.  Thomas  is  an  enthu- 
siastic amateur  cultivator,  and  has  crowded  into  his  small 
garden  in  the  town  a  great  number  of  fruit  trees ;  he  has  also 
a  garden  of  an  acre  in  extent,  about  half  a  mile  distant,  in 


Notes  on  Gardens  in  Plymouth.  467 

which  there  are  a  number  of  trees,  particularly  peaches,  and 
he  is  yearly  adding  the  newest  and  best  kinds.  This  spot  is 
finely  located,  on  the  westerly  slope  of  a  hill,  skirted  by  a 
small  pond  at  the  base,  and  protected  from  northerly  winds 
by  a  range  of  hills  on  the  opposite  side :  indeed,  no  better 
place  could  have  been  chosen  :  the  soil  is  a  rich  sandy  loam 
well  adapted  to  the  peach,  as  the  trees  already  planted,  and 
now  beginning  to  bear,  attested.  In  order  to  get  rid  of  the 
borer,  so  troublesome  to  the  peach,  a  number  of  hens  are  al- 
lowed to  have  the  range  of  the  garden  ;  and  as  no  crops  are 
cultivated  between  the  trees,  they  can  do  no  injury,  and  are 
constantly  scratching  and  destroying  all  kinds  of  grubs,  work- 
ing under  or  around  the  trees.  The  plan,  where  it  can  be  put 
in  practice,  appears  to  be  a  good  one. 

The  town  garden  is  an  elevated  spot,  and  is  laid  out  in  three 
terraces,  one  above  the  other,  receding  from  the  street,  and 
commanding  a  fine  view  of  Pl3/"mouth  bay  ;  each  terrace  forms 
a  small  garden,  the  front  one  of  which  is  chiefly  occupied  with 
flowers  and  shrubs,  and  the  remainder  fruit  trees,  the  pears 
mostly  dwarfs  upon  the  quince,  which  were  just  beginning  to 
bear.  The  older  trees  are  the  Heathcot,  Marie  Louise,  Wil- 
liams's Bon  Chretien,  Lewis,  &c.  :  some  specimens  of  the 
Heathcot,  which,  were  given  to  us  by  Col.  Thomas,  were  re- 
markably high-flavored  and  excellent. 

The  flies  have  been  exceedingly  troublesome  to  the  peaches, 
and,  to  stop  their  ravages,  Col.  Thomas  adopted  the  plan  of 
hanging  wide-mouthed  bottles,  half  filled  with  molasses  and 
water,  among  the  branches :  it  worked  exceedingly  well,  and 
he  informed  us  that  the  bottles  were  found  nearly  full  every 
day  ! 

The  great  quantity  of  fine  fruit  procured  from  so  small  a 
garden  would  surprise  many,  especially  in  the  light  soils  of 
Plymouth  ;  but  it  shows  how  much  may  be  accomplished  with 
industry  and  perseverance  by  the  enthusiastic  cultivator. 

Garden  of  Mr.  J.  Washhiirn. — The  Garden  of  Mr.  J.  Wash- 
burn is  a  narrow  strip  about  sixty  feet  broad,  and  four  or  five 
hundred  feet  long,  occupying  the  slope  on  the  westerly  side  of 
the  burial  ground,  and  sheltered  from  the  northerly  and  easter- 
ly winds.     The  soil  is  a  good  rich  deep  loam,  on  a  gravelly 


468  Horticulture  in  the  Old  Colony. 

subsoil,  and,  with  a  moderate  quantity  of  manure,  trees  make 
a  vigorous  and  handsome  growth. 

Mr.  Washburn's  time  does  not  allow  but  little  attention  to 
his  garden,  and  that  at  leisure  moments  snatched  from  his  en- 
gagements at  his  store  :  but,  enthusiastically  fond  of  the  pur- 
suits of  gardening,  he  has  not  neglected  such  opportunities  as 
he  could  find,  to  introduce  and  cultivate  many  of  the  finest 
varieties  of  fruits,  especially  of  pears.  The  garden  is  laid  out 
with  a  central  walk  through  its  entire  length,  and  on  each  side 
of  this  are  planted  dwarf  pears,  some  trained  as  pyramidal 
trees,  some  as  quenouilles,  and  some  as  espaliers :  and  with 
these  Mr.  Washburn  has  tried  various  experiments,  such  as 
inarching  the  terminal  branches  of  the  two  trees  together,  ty- 
ing down,  ringing,  &c.,  in  order  to  hasten  the  formation 
of  fruit  buds.  The  kinds  which  we  saw  in  fruit  were  the 
Easter  Beurre,  very  large  and  superior  specimens,  Le  Cure, 
Fulton,  and  a  few  others.  Mr.  Washburn  has  a  tree  which 
he  purchased  at  auction  a  few  years  ago,  in  Boston,  for  the 
Beurre  Spence  ;  it  did  not  bear  this  year,  but,  from  specimens 
which  he  gave  us  last  season,  and  of  which  we  have  a  draw- 
ing, we  suspect  it  will  prove  the  trme  variety.  As  soon  as  we 
ascertain  this,  which  we  hope  to  do  when  the  tree  fruits  again, 
we  shall  give  a  full  description,  and  an  outline  of  this  pear, 
in  regard  to  which  there  has  been  so  much  confusion. 

Mr.  Washburn  has  made  use  of  guano  in  his  Garden,  and 
with  the  best  effect :  a  pound  or  so  applied  to  a  good  sized 
tree,  has  produced  the  best  results  :  to  pears  upon  the  quince 
its  effects  have  been  excellent,  imparting  vigor  to  the  growth 
of  the  wood,  and  swelling  off  the  fruit  to  a  fine  size.  All  the 
trees  were  in  a  flourishing  condition,  and,  in  a  year  or  two, 
Mr.  Washburn  will  be  able  to  procure  fruit  from  a  great  por- 
tion of  his  trees,  which  embrace  all  the  new  and  choice  sorts. 

Mr.  J.  B.  Fowler'' s  Garden^  near  the  Bay,  is  a  small  place, 
fifty  feet  wide,  and  about  two  hundred  long,  but  we  found 
every  inch  of  room  occupied.  On  the  fence  on  the  south  side 
are  planted  grape  vines,  which  are  trained  up  to  a  trellis,  and 
for  size,  we  never  saw  any  which  could  surpass  them  :  some 
of  the  clusters  of  Isabellas  weighed  thirteen  ounces  each.  Mr. 
Fowler  has  them  trained  on  a  neat  and  regular  system,  taking 
a  horizontal  shoot  along  the  bottom  of  the  trellis,  and  training 


Notes  on  Gardens  in  Plymouth.  469 

upright  ones  from  that,  which  are  alternately  cut  down  to 
produce  new  wood:  few  cultivators  pay  any  attention  to  the 
form  in  training  a  vine,  but,  to  our  eye,  we  think  nothing 
shows  the  skill  of  a  good  gardener  quicker  than  the  handsome 
shape  in  which  a  vine  or  tree  is  trained. 

But  the  most  remarkable  specimen  in  Mr.  Fowler's  garden 
is  a  tree  of  the  Doyenne  SieuUe  pear,  which  has  been  plant- 
ed about  six  years,  is  trained  in  the  quenouille  form,  and  now 
full  of  fruit,  some  of  the  specimens,  (especially  one  now  before 
us,  sent  us  by  Mr.  Fowler,  November  7,)  weighing  over  twelve 
ounces.  Last  year  it  produced  upwards  of  a  bushel.  The 
tree  fully  equalled  any  thing  we  saw  in  the  French  nur- 
series, and  it  has  been  wholly  brought  into  its  present 
handsome  shape  by  Mr.  Fowler  from  a  very  small  tree ; 
a  work,  however,  of  considerable  labor.  The  specimens  of 
this  variety,  which  is  one  of  the  very  finest  pears,  usually  seen  in 
the  vicinity  of  Boston,  are  quite  small  and  inferior,  but  as  pro- 
duced by  Mr.  Fowler,  it  is  one  of  the  very  largest  and  best 
kinds.  The  tree  is  upon  the  quince,  and  continues  to  grow 
with  much  vigor  :  we  are,  therefore,  under  the  impression 
that,  like  many  other  pears,  it  needs  a  rich  soil  to  be  produced 
in  perfection.  Mr.  Fowler  also  grows  the  Easter  Beurre  to  the 
weight  of  twelve  or  fourteen  ounces  !  and  upon  the  pear  stock. 

Finer  specimens  of  cultivation,  and  such  superior  fruit,  raised 
"  along  the  seacoast,  where  the  climate  is  rude,  mid  the  soil 
rather  sandy, ''^  cannot  be  produced  even  "in  the  apparently  cold 
and  clayey  soil"  on  the  Hudson  River;  and  it  sets  at  rest  the 
dogmatic  idea  that  the  decline  of  varieties  is  only  "  along  the 
seaboard,  on  Long  Island,  in  New  Jersey,  near  Hartford,  and 
around  Boston."  Mr.  Fowler  had  a  tree  full  of  fruit,  which 
was  purchased  at  auction  five  or  six  years  ago  as  the  Charles 
d' Autriche ;  but  it  is  not  that  variety.  It  is  a  medium  sized, 
and  very  good  pear,  which  we  believe  to  be  the  Autumn  Colmar 
of  Lindley  :  it  is  a  most  abundant  bearer,  and  well  worthy  of 
cultivation.  Mr.  Fowler  has  several  varieties  of  pears  in  his  lim- 
ited garden,  every  part  of  which  is  made  use  of  to  a  good  purpose. 

Garden  of  N.  M.  Davis,  Esq. — On  the  main  street,  near 
the  old  Pilgrim  Hall,  is  situated  the  Garden  of  Mr.  Davis, 
occupying  about  an  acre  of  ground,  which  slopes  otf  to  the 
south,  and  full  half  of  which  is  occupied  as  an  apple  orchard. 


470  Horticulture  in  the  Old  Colony. 

being  filled  with  thrifty  specimens  of  old  trees,  among  them  a 
variety  which  Mr.  Davis  calls  the  Holmes  apple,  a  great 
bearer,  and  an  excellent  variety,  which  originated  in  this  coun- 
ty. The  apple  trees  in  Plymouth,  and  also  further  south, 
have  been  greatly  injured  by  the  green  fly,  which  appeared 
in  such  quantities,  that  the  entire  crop  was,  in  many  places, 
destroyed,  as  well  as  the  growth  of  the  trees  for  the  year :  on 
some  of  the  trees  in  Mr.  Davis's  orchard,  there  were  great 
quantities  of  fruit  not  larger  than  a  crab  apple.  Mr.  Davis 
stated  to  us,  that  the  insects  were  so  numerous  that  ordinary 
modes  of  destroying  them  seemed  to  be  of  no  use :  we  apprehend, 
however,  that  if,  on  a  still,  cloudy  evening,  large  quantities  of 
tobacco  had  been  burnt  underneath  each  tree,  their  ravages, 
if  not  wholly  prevented,  would  have  been  greatly  lessened. 

In  the  garden,  we  found  several  pear  trees  full  of  fruit;  Mr. 
Davis  also  pointed  out  to  us  one  tree,  the  pears  of  which  had 
been  gathered,  which  was  purchased  at  auction  in  Boston,  five 
or  six  years  ago,  and  which  produced  several  remarkably 
large  and  fine  pears,  nearly  the  size  of  the  Duchesse  d'An- 
gouleme ;  this,  Mr,  Davis  stated  he  had  been  unable  to  find  a 
name  for,  as  the  variety  appeared  to  be  quite  unknown.  Upon 
inquiry,  however,  and  an  examination  of  the  wood  and  habit 
of  the  tree,  we  are  satisfied  it  is  the  Doyenne  Boussock  of 
the  French  gardens,  a  variety  we  had  in  fruit  this  season,  and 
a  drawing  and  description  of  which  will  soon  appear  in  our 
pages  :  it  is  a  large,  handsome,  and  most  excellent  pear.  It  is 
somewhat  singular  that  specimens  of  this  variety  have  been 
brought  to  Boston  from  Plymouth  County  and  Rhode  Island, 
produced  from  trees  which  had  been  purchased  at  auction  in 
Boston,  and  yet  that  it  should  not  have  been  produced  in  any  of 
the  gardens  of  cultivators  in  the  vicinity,  who  have  been  annual- 
ly receiving  trees  from  France,  with  two  exceptions,  and  that  am- 
ateurs should  not  have  been  able  to  recognize  the  variety.  The 
Doyenne  Sieulle  here,  as  well  as  at  Mr.  Fowler's,  was  full  of 
handsome  fruit.  The  Beurre  Diel  and  Beurre  Incomparable, 
Mr.  Davis  thinks,  are  different  kinds ;  one  tree  being  exceed- 
ingly full,  of  only  moderate  size,  and  very  much  russeted ;  the 
other  bearing  but  a  few  pears,  very  large,  and  nearly  green  ; 
this,  however,  may  be  attributed  to  numerous  causes ;  we 
have  had  trees  which  were  identically  the  same. 


Notes  on  Gardens  in  Plymouth.  471 

Nursery  of  Mr.  B.  M.  Watson. — There  are  one  or  two 
small  nurseries  in  Plymouth,  but  we  only  had  time  to  visit 
that  of  Mr.  Watson.  The  quantity  of  ground  was  less  than 
half  an  acre,  but  we  found  it  filled  with  rows  of  well  grown 
trees,  embracing  some  of  the  leading  varieties,  and  also  in- 
cluding a  new  seedling,  which  we  have  before  noticed,  (Vol. 
X.,  p.  212),  called  after  the  father  of  the  proprietor,  on  whose 
grounds,  we  believe,  it  originated  near  Plymouth.  Mr.  Wat- 
son not  residing  in  town,  we  did  not  have  an  opportunity  to 
see  him,  but  we  are  glad  to  add  our  testimony  to  the  hand- 
some and  vigorous  growth  of  the  trees,  and  the  skill  evinced 
in  their  cultivation. 

The  Nursery  of  Mr.  Weston  is  situated  on  the  main  road 
from  Boston,  near  the  present  rail-road  depot  and  Samoset 
House.  At  another  time  we  shall  endeavor  to  give  some  ac- 
count of  it. 

The  Samoset  House,  erected  by  the  Rail-road  Corporation, 
is  a  very  large  and  commodious  building  kept  in  the  best  man- 
ner by  Mr.  Stetson,  and  we  commend  it  to  our  friends  who 
may  take  a  trip  to  Plymouth,  either  to  see  the  interesting 
things  which  pertain  to  this  ancient  town, — its  gardens, — or, 
in  summer,  to  inhale  its  pure  and  invigorating  breezes.  Mr. 
Stetson  is  laying  out  about  an  acre  of  ground  as  a  fruit  and 
kitchen  garden,  directly  in  front  of  the  house,  and  as  he  is 
somewhat  zealous  in  such  pursuits,  he  will  undoubtedly  be 
able  to  load  his  tables  with  the  good  things  from  his  own 
premises.  One  good  thing  he  has  done,  viz.,  to  subsoil  the 
ground  :  by  this  means,  the  soil  is  deepened  at  least  ten  inches^ 
thus  forming  a  reservoir  of  moisture,  which,  in  a  soil  with 
sandy  bottom,  is  of  great  importance.  The  ground  is  laid  off 
into  six  squares,  with  a  slip  around  the  whole, — one  centre 
walk  lengthwise,  and  two  crosswise.  On  the  edges  of  the 
squares  Mr.  Stetson  will  plant  fruit  trees,  leaving  the  other 
part  for  vegetables.  On  the  north  slip  he  will  plant  a  variety 
of  ornamental  trees,  together  with  evergreens,  especially  the 
white  pine ;  and  these,  when  grown  up,  will  shelter  the  gar- 
den, and  protect  it  from  cold  winds.  It  is  a  good  arrange- 
ment, and  well  carried  out, 


472 


Mr.  Humrickhouse'' s  Description 


Art.  II.  A  Descriptive  Account  of  Two  New  VaiHeties  of  Ap- 
ples, with  Engravings  of  the  Fruit.  By  T.  S.  Humrick- 
house, Esq.,  Coshocton,  Ohio, 

No  more  of  the  origin  of  this  fine  apple  is  known  to  me 
than  that  it  has  been  widely  disseminated  through  Ohio 
and  the  West  from  the  nurseries  in  Harrison,  Jefferson,  and 
Belmont  Counties  in  this  State.  The  form  varies.  The  above 
outline  is  drawn  from  a  specimen  given  me  on  the  10th  Au- 
gust inst.,  by  Mr.  Henry  Seevers  of  West  Carlisle,  and  is  an 


Fiff.  35.     Early  Pennock  Apple. 

accurate  representation  of  its  size  and  shape.  I  saw  one  pre- 
sented by  Mr.  Seevers  at  the  same  time  to  Alexander  Hay, 
Esq.,  of  this  place,  which  is  one  third  larger  and  slightly  con- 
ical in  shape.  They  are  generally  slightly  oblong  or  conical, 
and  a  trifle  smaller  than  the  above.     The  color  is  red,  some- 


of  Two  New  Varieties  of  Apples. 


473 


what  flecked,  and  shaded  off  to  a  pale  yellow  on  the  side  least 
exposed  to  the  sun.  The  flesh  is  yellow,  moderately  juicy, 
with  a  fine,  subacid  flavor.  Its  season  is  from  the  first  to  the 
middle  of  August.  The  specimen  above  referred  to  was  rath- 
er over-ripe  when  I  received  it.  It  was  also  more  highly  col- 
ored than  usual  with  the  variety.  The  tree  is  thrifty  and 
fruitful. 

Above  I  send  you  an  outline  and  description  of  the  Early 
Pennock,  or  at  least  an  apple  cultivated  by  that  name  in 
Ohio. 

Mr.  Belzer  has  this  moment  brought  me  in  another  early 
apple,  an  undoubted  seedling. 


Fig.  36.     Belzer  Apple. 

A  seedling  of  Coshocton  County,  Ohio.  Red  striped  on  a 
greenish  yellow  ground :  flesh,  white,  fine  grained,  tender, 
juicy,  subacid  and  good.     First  to  middle  of  August. 

Coshocton,  Ohio,  August  17th,  1846. 


VOL.  XII. — NO.  XII. 


60 


474  Pomological  Notices  ; 


Art.  III.  Pomological  Notices ;  or  Notices  respecting  Neio 
and  Superior  Varieties  of  Fruits,  worthy  of  General  Cul- 
tivation. Notices  of  Several  Varieties  of  Apples.  By  the 
Editor. 

In  our  volume  for  1844,  (X.,)  we  gave  an  account  of  a 
great  variety  of  new  apples,  several  of  which  were  supposed 
to  be  natives  of  the  West.  Since  then,  other  new  kinds  have  been 
introduced  to  the  notice  of  cultivators,  and  our  correspondents 
in  various  places  have  furnished  us  with  specimens  of  the 
fruit  of  some  new  varieties,  and  with  descriptive  notices  of 
others  which  we  now  present  to  our  readers. 

Early  Joe. — This  is  a  very  handsome  and  excellent  variety 
cultivated  to  some  extent  in  western  New  York,  where  it  is 
stated  to  have  originated  in  an  orchard  in  Bloomfield,  Onta- 
rio Co.,  the  parent  tree  of  which  is,  we  believe,  still  alive.  It 
is  said  to  have  received  its  name  from  an  individual  called 
Joe,  who  for  "  some  time  stole  the  apples,  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, before  the  family  were  up,  and  only  desisted  after  the 
hired  man  had  cut  '  Early  Joe'  on  the  bark  of  every  tree." 
This  account  we  have  from  our  correspondent,  J.  W.  Bis- 
sell,  of  Rochester,  who  sent  us  some  fine  specimens  of  the  ap- 
ples. The  fruit  is  of  medium  size,  oblate  form,  with  a  yel- 
lowish skin,  beautifully  and  distinctly  striped  with  purplish 
red :  Flesh,  white,  fine,  very  tender  and  juicy,  with  an  ex- 
ceedingly pleasant  flavor.  Mr.  Bissell  states  that  the  speci- 
mens sent  us  were  from  trees  in  a  rather  neglected  state,  but, 
when  properly  cultivated,  they  attain  double  the  size ;  the 
tree  grows  slowly ;  the  wood  slim ;  the  bark  dark  colored  ;  and 
the  hue  of  the  foliage  dark  green  and  rich. 

Fall  Jermeting. — This  is  the  name  of  an  apple  cultivated 
in  the  vicinity  of  Rochester,  when  it  was  originally  brought 
from  the  Hudson  River,  about  twenty  years  ago ;  but  it  does 
not  appear  to  be  described  by  either  Kenrick  or  Downing. 
The  trees  grow  very  rapidly,  and  bear  every  alternate  year. 
In  form  and  appearance,  it  greatly  resembles  the  R.  I.  Green- 
ing, but  is  in  eating  a  month  before  that  variety,  and  is  a  less 
acid,  but  equally  excellent  variety. 


Descriptions  of  Several  Varieties  of  Apples.  475 

English  Sweeting. — A  most  beautiful  apple,  received  with 
the  two  above  sorts,  from  Mr.  J.  W.  Bissell.  It  is  nearly  round, 
very  regular  in  form,  with  a  yellowish  skin  distinctly  striped 
and  dashed  with  brilliant  red.  Flesh,  white,  exceedingly 
tender,  juicy  and  sweet ;  indeed,  it  is  the  handsomest  sweet 
apple  of  the  season  we  have  seen.  It  is  in  eating  in  October, 
and  keeps  a  few  weeks.  Its  origin  is  not  known,  and  why 
it  should  have  the  name  of  English  sweeting,  is  not  ascer- 
tained, as  it  is  evidently  an  American  variety. 

Walpole. — A  new  native  fruit  from  Walpole,  Mass.,  introduc- 
ed by  our  correspondent,  E.  M.  Richards,  Esq.,  of  Dedham,  who 
furnished  us  with  scions  and  specimens  of  the  fruit.  It  is  an 
early  fall  apple,  in  eating  the  early  part  of  September,  and 
appears  to  be  well  worthy  of  cultivation.  It  is  of  medium 
size,  oblong  form,  with  a  red  skin,  yellowish  in  the  shade. 

Liincoln. — A  native  fruit  from  Hallowell,  Me.,  where  the 
original  tree  stands  on  the  grounds  of  Mr.  R.  G.  Lincoln,  and 
is  supposed  to  be  about  fifty  years  old.  Specimens  of  the 
fruit  sent  us  last  year,  and  again  the  present  season,  show  it 
to  be  a  handsome  as  well  as  most  desirable  fruit,  ripe  the  lat- 
ter part  of  September,  and  keeping  three  or  four  weeks.  Form, 
roundish,  slightly  flattened  at  the  base  :  skin,  smooth,  deep 
yellow,  with  a  broad  tinge  of  red  on  the  sunny  side. 

Moses  Wood. — Another  seedling  from  Winthrop,  Maine, 
sent  to  us  by  Mr.  Glazier  of  Hallowell.  It  was  first  exhib- 
ited as  long  ago  as  1833  or  '34,  when  specimens  were  sent  to 
the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  who  pronounced  it 
a  good  summer  apple.  It  ripens  in  August,  is  of  medium  size, 
roundish  form,  with  a  yellowish  skin,  nearly  covered  with 
distinct  pale  and  bright  red  stripes.  It  is  a  constant  and  great 
bearer,  ripening  in  Maine  about  the  15th  of  August,  but  does 
not  keep  long. 

Marston^s  Red  Winter — Mr.  Kenrick,  in  his  last  edition  of 
the  Orchardlst^  gives  a  brief  description  of  this  apple.  Speci- 
mens sent  us  last  year  were  remarkably  beautiful,  as  large,  or 
larger  than,  the  Baldwin,  similar  in  form,  nearly  covered  with 
bright  red,  in  darker  and  lighter  stripes,  with  a  tender  and 
juicy  flesh,  and  a  rich,  subacid  flavor.     It  keeps  till  spring. 

Leicester  Sweet. — A  handsome  and  excellent  sweet  apple, 
rem  Leicester,  Mass.,  sent  to  us  by  our  correspondent,  J.  M. 


476  Pomological  Notices. 

Earle,  Esq.,  of  Worcester.  It  is  a  fruit  of  good  size,  of  round- 
ish form,  with  a  handsome  golden  skin,  and  keeps  till  spring. 

Loring  Sweet. — Supposed  to  be  a  native  of  Hingham, 
where  it  is  considerably  cultivated,  and  highly  esteemed.  It 
is  of  medium  size,  with  a  yellow  skin,  and  keeps  till  spring. 

Or7ie. — A  fine  early  apple,  which  we  received  from  Mar- 
blehead,  where  the  original  tree  is  said  to  be  still  growing. 
It  is  a  good  sized  fruit,  of  a  slightly  conical  form,  with  a  yel- 
lowish green  skin,  and  slight  blush  on  the  sunny  side  :  Flesh, 
tender,  juice  abundant  and  excellent.  It  ripens  in  August 
and  September,  just  after  Williams's  Favorite,  and  before  the 
Porter,  filling  up  the  season  with  a  variety  equal  in  excel- 
lence to  these  fine  kinds. 

The  following  are  varieties  described  in  the  Transactions 
of  the  Cincinnati  Horticultural  Society,  which  we  referred  to 
at  p.  304,  and  which  we  then  stated  we  should  notice  again. 
They  are  supposed  to  be  natives  of  the  West : — 

Home  Beauty^  called  also  Gillett's  seedling  from  its  having 
been  raised  by  Mr.  Gillett  of  Lawrence  Co.,  Ohio.  Fruit, 
above  medium  size,  oblong  form,  bright  red  on  a  yellow 
ground :  flesh,  white,  subacid.  The  fruit  holds  on  the  tree 
well,  and  it  keeps  till  spring.  A  vigorous  growing  tree,  and 
prolific  bearer. 

Keller^ s  Seedling. — Originated  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Ferris, 
Montgomery,  Ohio.  A  small  fruit,  of  a  dull  red  color,  defect- 
ive in  flavor,  and  only  valuable  for  its  keeping  qualities. 

Helenas  Favorite. — Raised  by  Mr.  S.  Widney,  Troy,  Ohio, 
and  figured  in  the  Western  Farmer  and  Gardener^  Vol.  V. 
It  is  of  medium  size,  roundish  form,  slightly  depressed  at  the 
ends,  with  a  dark  red  skin,  approaching  black,  and  a  remark- 
ably tender  buttery  and  juicy  flesh,  very  delicately  flavored. 
It  keeps  till  mid-winter.  The  description  answers  very  well 
for  the  Fameuse, — perhaps  it  may  prove  that  variety. 

Dana. — A  beautiful  summer  variety,  raised  by  Mr.  J.  Knoop 
of  Troy,  Ohio,  and  also  figured  in  the  volume  just  alluded  to. 
It  is  of  medium  size,  nearly  round,  with  a  fair  and  smooth 
skin  striped  with  red  :  Flesh,  tender,  juicy,  and  of  a  pleasant 
flavor.     Ripe  in  July. 

Winter  Orickson. — A  handsome  and  fine  apple  from  Car- 
lisle, Ky.,  of  medium  size,  flat  at  the  base,  tapering  to  the 


Some  Account  of  the  Hog  Artichoke.  477 

crown,  with  a  greenish  yellow  skin,  streaked  with  bright  red, 
and  mottled  with  dark  blotches.  Flesh,  yellow,  breaking, 
juicy  and  fine  flavored.     It  keeps  till  mid-winter. 

Milan. — Probably  a  native  of  Virginia  or  Kentucky,  where 
it  is  extensively  cultivated  and  prized.  Fruit,  small,  round, 
light  red  on  a  yellow  ground  :  flesh,  white,  tender,  juicy, 
subacid  and  fine  flavored.  It  keeps  till  spring,  and  the  tree 
is  a  great  and  constant  bearer. 

King. — From  Mason  Co.,  Ky.  Fruit,  medium  size,  dull 
red  mixed  with  yellow,  and  obscured  with  dark  clouds  over 
the  surface  :  form,  oblong,  flattened  at  the  base  :  flesh,  white, 
tender,  juicy  and  pleasant.     It  keeps  till  January. 

Stump. — A  seedling,  from  an  old  stump  in  the  garden  of  the 
Shakers  of  Union  Village,  Ohio.  It  is  in  eating  in  the  au- 
tumn, and  in  point  of  flavor,  cooking  qualities,  and  its  re- 
markable adaptation  to  drying  for  sauce,  one  of  the  best  win- 
ter fruits.  The  tree  is  remarkably  productive,  and  the  fruit 
of  large  size. 

Our  next  Pomological  notice,  in  an  early  number  of  the 
next  volume,  will  contain  a  review  of  the  new  fruits  which 
have  been  introduced  and  tested  the  present  year. 


Art.  IV,     Som,e  Account  of  the  Hog  Artichoke.     By  W.  S. 
Rockwell,  Esq.,  Milledgeville,  Ga. 

How  the  Hog  Artichoke  came  to  be  referred  to  Solanecc,  I 
am  at  a  loss  to  conjecture.  The  plant  which  was  sold  in  this 
vicinity  as  the  Hog  Artichoke,  is  certainly  a  Helianthus,  al- 
though I  am  not  prepared  to  assert  that  it  is  H.  tuberosus, 
(Jerusalem  artichoke.)  It  differs  materially  in  habit.  The 
two  agree  in  the  fringed  linear  lanceolate  leaves  of  the  invo- 
lucrum,  the  three-cleft  concave  palese,  the  two-awned  com- 
pressed quadrangular  seeds,  though  in  the  Hog  artichoke, 
they  (the  awns)  are  rather  persistent,  and,  perhaps,  in  the 
alternate  ovate-lanceolate  leaves  with  the  petioles  ciliated 
at  the  base.  H.  tuberosus  rises  with  an  erect,  rarely 
branched  stem  to  the  height  of  eight  to  ten  feet,  bearing  a  few 


478  Some  Account  of  the  Hog  Artichoke. 

scattered  flowers  at  the  summit,  on  long  peduncles.  The  Hog 
Artichoke  rises  to  the  height  of  ten  to  twelve  feet ;  stem  much 
branched,  few  flowered.  I  would  suggest  with  some  hesita- 
tion, however,  that  it  may  be  the  plant  described  by  Michaux, 
Pursh,  Nuttall,  and  Elliott,  and  perhaps  Walter,  as  H.  divar- 
icdtiis,  and  perhaps  the  variety  ferugmeus  of  Elliott,  which, 
after  all,  may  be  but  an  accidental  variety  of  H.  giganteiis. 
I  subjoin  Mr.  Elliott's  minute  description  of  H.  divaricatus  : 

"  Root,  perennial :  Stem,  five  to  six  feet  high,  glabrous  di- 
and  tri-  chotomously  divided  ;  the  branches  much  more  nu- 
merous than  usual  in  this  genus :  Leaves,  ovate  lanceolate, 
serrulate,  with  a  long,  tapering,  somewhat  acuminate  point, 
scabrous  on  the  upper  surface,  pubescent,  and  sprinkled  with 
glandular  dots  underneath,  the  loAver  ones  opposite,  the  upper 
generally  alternate,  on  petioles  three  to  six  inches  long :  Floio- 
ers,  very  small,  numerous,  in  terminal  panicles  :  Involucrum, 
imbricate,  the  leaves  ovate  lanceolate,  very  acute,  fringed : 
Florets  of  the  ray  five  to  ten,  (?)  yellow,  slightly  three-tooth- 
ed ;  of  the  disk,  yellowish,  tubular,  not  very  numerous :  Ari- 
thers,  larger  than  the  florets :  Seed,  compressed :  Pajjpus, 
two  very  slender  awns,  hairy :  Chaff  of  the  receptacle,  con- 
cave; as  long  as  the  florets  of  the  disk,  hairy,  and  slightly 
angled  at  the  summit." 

Considering  the  Hog  and  Jerusalem  Artichoke  as  the  same 
plant,  I  have  never  cultivated  the  first,  the  other  growing  too 
abundantly  in  the  garden.  But  when  the  Hog  Artichoke  was 
referred  to  y^olanecB,  I  felt  some  curiosity  to  examine  it.  I 
am  not  aware  that  its  roots,  cultivated  in  this  vicinity,  pre- 
serve their  tuberous  character :  although  the  tubes,  as  they 
were  called,  were  planted,  the  products  were  mere  strings,  no 
tubes  being  found  among  them,  as  far  as  examined  :  their  val- 
ue as  food,  in  this  particular,  is  thus  rendered  somewhat  prob- 
lematical. Indeed,  the  roots,  as  I  remember,  which  were 
ofiered  for  sale,  were  rather  fusiform  than  tuberous. 

Milledgeville,  Ga.,  November,  1846. 

[In  justice  to  Dr.  Ward,  we  should  state  that  the  paragraph 
we  inserted,  in  relation  to  the  artichoke,  was  written  in  haste, 
and  not  intended  for  publication. — Ed.] 


Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices.  479 


Art.  V.  Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices  of  New  Plants, 
figured  in  foreign  periodicals  ;  with  Remarks  on  those  re- 
cently introduced  to,  or  originated  in,  American  gardens,  and 
additional  inform,atio7i  upon  plants  already  in  cultivation. 

Edwards'' s  Botanical  Register,  or  Ornamental  Flower  Garden  and  Shrubbery. 
Each  number  containing  from  six  to  eight  plates  ;  with  additional  miscel- 
laneous information  relative  to  new  plants.  In  monthly  numbers  ;  'is. 
plain,  35.  %d.  colored. 

Paxton^s  Magazine  of  Botany,  and  Register  of  Flowering  Plants.  Each 
number  containing  four  colored  plates.  Monthly,  2s.  6^.  each.  Edited 
by  J.  Paxton,  Gardener  to  the  Duke  of  Devonshire. 

The  Gardeners''  Chronicle,  a  stamped  newspaper  of  Rural  Economy  and 
General  News.     Edited  by  Prof.  Lindley.     Weekly.     Price  ^d.  each. 

Curtis'' s  Botanical  Magazine,  in  monthly  numbers.  By  Sir  Wm.  Jackson 
Hooker,  K.  H.,  &c.,  3d  series,  vol.  1,  1845.     Nos.  1,  2,  3  and  5. 

The  Journal  of  the  London  Horticultural  Society.  In  quarterly  numbers, 
octavo,  5s.  each. 

Horticidtural  Intelligence — Mr.  For  tunics  Mission  to  Cal- 
ifornia.— The  last  number  of  the  Journal  of  the  Horticultural 
Society  has  an  article  from  Mr.  Fortune,  giving  an  account  of 
his  visit  to  California.  So  far  as  he  had  then  proceeded,  he 
had  not  met  with  many  plants ;  but  as  his  journal  will  be  con- 
tinued, we  shall  endeavour  to  give  an  account  of  all  the  new- 
things  worthy  of  notice. 

Camellidi  japonica  Wilderi,  and  Abby  Wilder. — We  learn 
that  our  correspondent.  Col.  Wilder,  has  disposed  of  the  whole 
stock  of  his  two  seedling  camellias,  Wilder*  and  Abby  Wild- 
er, for  the  very  large  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars.  We  have 
often  spoken  of  these  two  varieties,  which  are  equal  to  any 
that  have  been  raised,  but  we  were  not  aware  that  the  ca- 
mellia had  become  so  favorite  a  flower  as  to  command  such  a 
high  price.  In  Europe,  where  the  demand  for  new  things  is 
immense,  compared  with  this  country,  it  is  rare  such  a  high 
price  is  paid  for  the  stock  of  any  new  plant.  We  are  glad, 
however,  to  find  the  camellia  in  such  good  demand  by  our 
cultivators.     The  purchaser  was  Mr.  J.  L.  L.  F.  Warren. 


480  Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices. 

FabdcecB. 

INDIGO'FERA  L. 

decdra  Lindl.  The  comely  Indi?o.  A  half-hardy  (or  hardy)  shrub  ;  growing  four  or  five  feet 
high;  with  pink  flowers  ;  appearing  in  spring;  anativeof  China  ;  cultivated  in  good  soil;  increased 
by  cuttings-    Bot.  Reg.  1846,  pi.  22. 

One  of  Mr.  Fortune's  acquisitions,  found  in  the  nurs- 
eries at  Shanghai,  where  the  winter  is  so  cold  it  will  probably 
prove  hardy.  It  has  dark  green  pinnate  leaves,  and  axillary 
horizontal  racemes  of  light,  rose-colored  flowers,  which  are 
"  very  handsome."  It  has  so  far  been  treated  as  a  green- 
house plant,  growing  freely  in  any  good  soil,  with  an  ample 
supply  of  water  in  summer,  and  a  slight  shading  from  the 
sun.  Keep  rather  dry  in  winter.  It  roots  freely  from  cut- 
tings.    {Bot.  Reg.  April.) 

OXYRAIMPHIS  fVall. 

niacr6styla  De  Cand.  Long-styled  Oxyi'amph.  A  greenhouse  shrub  ;  growing  five  'feet.high  ; 
with  crimson  and  rose-colored  flowers  ;  appearing  in  October;  a  native  of  India;  cultivated  in 
sandy  loam  and  peat ;  increased  by  cuttings.    Bot.  Reg.  1846,  pi.  28. 

"  A  very  pretty  greenhouse  shrub,"  with  trefoil  leaves  and 
axillary  dense  racemes  of  deep  crimson  and  rose-colored  flow- 
ers, Avhich  appear  abundantly  in  October  and  November.  It 
loses  its  leaves  in  winter,  when  it  should  be  allowed  to  rest. 
In  summer,  it  grows  freely.  It  was  received  from  the  Botanic 
Garden  of  Saharunpar.  {Bot.  Reg.  April.) 
CaryophylldcecB. 

SIL&NE  L. 

schafta  Gmelin.  The  Schafta.  A  hardy  iierbaceous  plant ;  growing  six  inches  high ;  with 
purple  flowers ;  appearing  from  June  to  October ;  a  native  of  Russia  ;  cultivated  in  any  light  soil ; 
increased  by  seeds.    Bot.  Reg.  1S43,  pi.  20. 

"One  of  the  prettiest  of  all  border  and  rock  plants,"  pro- 
ducing a  great  number  of  spreading,  slender,  downy  stems, 
which  form  compact  tufts,  and  terminated  by  four  or  five 
bright  purple  flowers,  more  than  an  inch  long — the  topmost 
opening  first,  and  the  others  in  succession,  so  as  to  cover  the 
branches  with  flowers.  For  rock  work,  it  is  a  beautiful  plant. 
It  is  a  hardy  perennial,  and  is  readily  increased  from  seeds. 
It  flowers  till  frost.     {Bot.  Reg.  April.) 

Ascle^ididdcece. 

SCHUBE'RT/^ 

"rav^olens  Lindl.  Sirong-scented  Schubertia.  A  stove  plant ;  growing  ten  feet  high ;  with  white 
flowers;  appearing  in  winter;  a  native  ofBrazil;  cultivated  in  peat,  loam,  and  sand;  increased  by 
cuttings.    Bot.  Reg.  lS4ti,  pi.  21. 

A  fine  climbing  plant,  producing  clusters  of  large,  white, 
fragrant  flowers,  resembling  the  Stephanotus,  and  not  infe- 
rior to  that  in  beauty  ;  they  are  also  produced  in  great  profu- 


of  New  Plants.  481 

sion,  and  continue  in  bloom  four  months.  Mr.  Glendenning, 
who  first  exhibited  it,  received  the  Banksian  medal  for  a 
specimen.  It  grows  freely  in  the  stove,  and,  when  done  flow- 
ering in  winter,  it  should  be  allowed  to  rest  till  started  into 
growth  again  in  spring.  It  should  have  plenty  of  pot  room, 
and  a  coarse  peat  and  turfy  soil.  {Bot.  Reg.  April.) 
VlumhaginacecE. 

PLUMBAGO  L. 

zeyliiiica  L.  Ceylon  Leadwort.  A  greenhouse  plant ;  growing  six  feet  high ;  with  white  flow- 
ers ;  appearing  in  spring  ;  a  native  of  Afghanistan  ;  increased  by  cuttings;  cultivated  in  loam  and 
heath  soil.    Bot.  Reg.  1S46,  p.  23. 

A  very  pretty  acquisition  among  greenhouse  climbers,  and  a 
good  companion  to  the  well  known  P.  capensis  ;  having  pure 
white  flowers,  produced  in  dense,  branched  spikes,  and  desira- 
ble, especially  for  bouquets.  It  is  one  of  the  few  plants  which 
have  been  received  from  Afghanistan,  by  the  London  Horti- 
cultural Society,  in  whose  garden  it  first  flowered,  September, 
1845.  The  roots  possess  medicinal  qualities,  and,  when 
bruised,  act  as  severe  blistering  applications.  {^Bot.  Reg. 
April.) 

^olanacece. 

SOLA'NUM 

lycioides  L.  Lycium-like  Solanum.  A  greenhouse  shrub  -,  growing  four  feet  high ;  with  purple 
and  yellow  flowers  ;  appearing  in  November  ;  a  native  of  Peru;  increased  by  cuttings  ;  cultivated 
in  any  good  soil.    Bot.  Reg.  1846,  pi.  25. 

"  A  charming  shrub,"  having  a  neat  and  erect  habit,  and 
clothed  with  an  abundance  of  flowers  "  of  the  richest  sapphire 
and  purple,  enlivened  by  a  bright  yellow  eye."  It  is  also  of 
easy  cultivation,  succeeding  in  any  good  soil,  but  preferring  a 
sandy  loam  and  rough  peat.  It  should  be  kept  out  of  doors 
during  summer,  when  it  will  form  its  flower  buds ;  and  in 
October  brought  into  the  house,  where  it  will  display  its  bril- 
liant flowers  so  desirable  at  this  season.  It  succeeds  freely 
from  cuttings.  (^Bot.  Reg.  May.) 
VolygonacecB. 

FAGOTYRUM 

cymdsum  Trevirantis  Loose-flowered  Buckwheat.  A  hardy  perennial ;  growing  two  feet 
high  ;  with  white  flowers ;  appearing  all  summer ;  a  native  of  Tartary  ;  increased  by  seeds ;  culti- 
vated in  auy  good  soil.    Bot.  Reg.  1846,  pi.  26. 

"  A  hardy  perennial  of  the  easiest  culture"  growing  either 
by  seeds  or  division  of  the  roots,  and  producing  large,  loose, 
spreading  panicles  of  small  white  flowers.  As  an  annual,  it 
is  well  worth  cultivating,  flowering  freely  as  it  does  the  first 
season,  from  July  to  September.  It  forms  a  spreading  bush. 
VOL.  xn. — NO.  xn.  61 


482  Floricultural  and  Botanical  Notices. 

Like  other  buckwheats,  bees  are  extremely  fond  of  it,  and  to 
bee  amateurs,  it  will  be  an  ornamental  as  well  as  useful  plant. 
{Bot.  Reg.  May.) 
Lamiacem. 

CEDRONELLA 

pdllida  Lindl.  The  Pale  Cedronel.  A  greenhouse  plant  -,  growing  two  feet  high  ;  with  pale  red 
flowers ;  appearing  in  summer ;  a  native  of  Mexico ;  increased  by  seeds  and  cuttings  ;  cultivated  in 
any  light  rich  soil.    Bot.  Reg.  1S46,  pi.  29. 

A  very  pretty  plant,  with  the  habit  and  general  appearance 
of  a  salvia,  but  with  more  slender  and  delicate  flowers,  pro- 
duced in  spikes  in  great  profusion  on  the  laterals  and  main 
branches.  There  is  another  species  called  C.  mexicana,  of 
which  we  have  not  seen  the  figure,  but  we  suspect  that  the 
plant  which  we  have  noticed  (p.  448,)  as  /Salvia  Rhodenwaldw 
is  a  Cedronella,  and  the  mexicana,  as  this  was  introduced 
from  the  north  of  Mexico,  and  figured  in  the  Bot.  Mag.  t. 
3860.  C.  pallida  is  less  beautiful  than  mexicana,  but  is  suf- 
ficiently handsome  to  merit  a  place  in  a  collection.  In  our  cli- 
mate, it  may  be  treated  as  an  annual.     {Bot.  Reg.  May.) 

DRACOCE'PHALUM 

grandiflormn  Great-flowered  Dragon's  Head.  A  hardy  herbaceous  plant ;  growing  a  foot  high; 
with  blue  flowers ;  appearing  in  summer ;  a  native  of  Silesia ;  increased  by  division  of  the  roots  ; 
cultivated  in  any  good  soil.    Pax.  Mag.  Bot.  1846,  p.  52. 

An  old  and  beautiful  herbaceous  plant  rarely  seen  in  our 
collections,  though  first  introduced  to  England  as  long  ago  as 
1769.  It  is  a  hardy  plant,  although  sometimes  likely  to  be 
killed  from  the  succulent  nature  of  its  roots.  It  is  a  splendid 
object  when  grown  in  pots,  and  well  repays  the  care  bestowed 
upon  it.  Its  treatment  in  pots  is  similar  to  that  of  campan- 
ula and  other  herbaceous  plants  ;  wintering  in  a  cold  frame, 
and  repotting  once  or  twice  in  the  spring  into  good  sized  pots. 
Any  good  soil  will  suit  it.  (Pax.  Mag.  Bot.  April.) 
^remnndracecB . 

TETRATHE'CA 

hirsiita  Hairy  Tetratheca.  A  greenhouse  plant ;  growing  one  foot  high;  with  purple  flowers  ; 
appearing  in  spring;  a  native  of  Swan  River;  increased  by  cuttings;  cultivated  in  sandy  loam  and 
peat.    Pax.  Mag.  Bot.  184G,  p.  54. 

"A  pretty  greenhouse  plant,  producing  profusely,  for  along 
period,  its  light  purple,  somewhat  star-like  flowers,  on  rather 
long  peduncles  at  the  axils  of  the  leaves."  It  is  of  a  slender 
habit,  and  should  be  managed  similar  to  other  New  Holland 
plants,  giving  it  an  airy,  half-shaded  place  in  summer,  and  a 
cool  greenhouse  in  the  winter.  It  is  propagated  from  cuttings. 
{Pax.  Mag.  Bot.,  April.) 


Browne^  s  Forest  Trees  of  America.  483 

REVIEWS. 

Art.  I.  The  Trees  of  America^  Pictorially^  Botanically^  and 
Entomologically  delineated ;  embracing  a  complete  Descrip- 
tion of  the  Forest  Trees  of  North  Am,erica,  their  Ctdture, 
Manageinent  and  Propagation  ;  Uses,  Economy  in  the  Arts; 
Introduction  into  Com,m,erce,  and  their  Application  in  Useful 
and  Ornamental  Plantation  and  in  Landscape  Gardening. 
By  D.  J.  Browne,  Author  of  the  Sylva  Americana.  1  vol. 
8vo.  pp.  520  ;   with  many  Engravings.     New  York.     1846. 

The  vokime  of  Mr.  Brown  has  been  before  us  longer  than 
is  usual,  with  a  work  of  its  importance,  without  a  notice ;  our 
apology,  however,  for  the  delay,  is  a  want  of  room  ;  and  also 
because  we  have  already  given  some  account  of  its  preparation, 
and  furnished  our  readers,  in  advance  of  publication,  with  a 
specimen  of  the  style  in  which  the  work  is  executed,  (p.  186.) 

The  Trees  of  North  America  is  a  subject  of  sufficient  scope, 
in  its  nature  and  importance,  to  furnish  a  most  interesting  and 
useful  volume — surpassed  by  no  country  in  the  grandeur,  state- 
liness,  and  beauty  of  its  woodlands  and  forests — to  a  mind  im- 
bued with  a  love  of  scenery,  and  open  to  the  impressions  of 
the  picturesque,  what  a  grand  theme  does  the  subject  present ! 
Michaux  and  Loudon,  though  they  have  already  revealed  to 
the  world  the  riches  of  our  forest  scenery,  have  yet  left  much 
of  local  interest  which  an  industrious  gleaner  might  garner 
up  and  present  in  a  most  interesting  and  entertaining  volume. 

To  say  that  the  author  of  The  Trees  of  America  has  ac- 
complished  this  would  be  more  than  we  are  willing  to  admit. 
The  volume,  however,  presents  us  with  a  great  deal  of  valu- 
able information  in  a  convenient  form  and  at  a  reasonable 
rate,  and  accessible  to  many  who  cannot  afford  to  purchase 
the  expensive  volumes  of  Michaux,  or  the  still  more  costly 
and  complete  work  of  Loudon. 

The  principal  faults  of  the  volume  are,  that  the  author  has 
occupied  too  much  space  with  the  orange,  almond,  peach, 
cherry,  pomegranate,  apple,  pear,  plum,  grape,  &c.,  giving 
details  which  rather  belong  to  a  treatise  upon  the  cultivation 
of  these  various  fruits,  than  to  a  work  describing  the  Trees  of 
America.     It  would  have  been  better  to  have  comprehended 


484  Colman's  European  Agricultttre,  S^c. 

all  the  strictly  American  trees  agreeably  to  the  title,  and  to 
have  left  out  many  of  the  numerous  European  varieties  which 
have  never  been  introduced,  and  some  of  which  are  scarcely 
worthy  of  a  place  in  our  gardens.  Take,  for  instance,  the 
holly,  in  which  upwards  of  twenty-three  varieties  are  enume- 
rated, and  not  more  than  five  or  six  of  which  are  really  dis- 
tinct, and  when  it  is  considered  that  none  of  these  will  stand 
our  winters  north  of  Washington,  of  what  value  are  these  de- 
scriptions 1  So  too  with  the  rather  long  account  of  the  mahog- 
any tree,  Paraguay  tea,  camphor  tree,  &c. :  of  what  use  are 
they  unless  to  some  cultivators  who  may  attempt  their  growth 
and  acclimazation  in  some  parts  of  Florida  7  Mr.  Browne,  we 
know,  has  not  spared  exertions  to  render  the  volume  accept- 
able, but  he  has  erred  in  not  confining  himself  strictly  to  an 
enumeration  of  at  least  every  American  tree  :  thus  several  im- 
portant and  very  common  kinds  are  omitted  altogether. 

The  Coniferous  plants,  as  well  as  the  oaks,  &c.,  are  wholly 
omitted  !  but  the  author  states,  in  the  preface,  that,  should  an 
extension  of  the  work  be  called  for,  these  will  be  included  in 
the  supplement ;  this  we  regret,  for  it  would  have  been  more 
satisfactory  to  have  comprised  all  in  one  volume.  In  the  page 
we  have  already  referred  to,  we  have  given  a  specimen  of  the 
work,  and,  in  conclusion,  we  only  need  say,  that,  although 
the  volume  is  not  exactly  what  we  could  wish,  it  is  a  very  good 
contribution  to  our  arboricultural  literature,  and  will,  we  trust, 
by  a  general  circulation,  be  the  means  of  making  individuals 
better  acquainted  with  our  native  trees  and  shrubs,  and  extend 
their  introduction  into  our  gardens,  and  around  our  dwellings. 

The  volume  is  from  the  press  of  the  Harpers,  and  is  a  neat 
and  beautiful  specimen  of  typography.  It  is  also  illustrated 
with  many  well  executed  vignettes,  and  engravings  of  trees. 


Art.  II.  Eiircypean  Agriculture  and  Rural  Economy^  from 
Personal  Observation.  By  Henry  Colman,  Vol.  II.  Part  VII. 
pp.  105  to  222.     Boston.     1846. 

Another  part  of  Mr.  Colman' s  Tour  has  been  upon  our 
table,  awaiting  a  notice.     The  subjects  which  are  treated  of 


American  Floiver  Garden  Companion.  485 

are  few,  but  they  are  important  and  discussed  in  detail :  they 
are  a  continuation  of  the  last  number,  and  named  as  follows  : — 

CI.  Tile  and  Pipe  Drawing :  CII.  Subsoil-Ploughing  con- 
nected with  Thorough  Draining :  CIII.  Irrigation  :  CIV.  The 
Rotation  of  Crops  :  CV.  Soiling  or  House  Feeding  :  CVI.  Crops. 

This  is  a  practical  and  excellent  number.  The  drainage  of 
soils  is  yearly  attracting  more  attention  among  our  farmers, 
and  any  information  on  the  mode  in  which  these  operations 
are  performed  in  England  must  be  highly  desirable  to  our  agri- 
culturists. The  rotation  of  crops,  too,  is  a  subject  worthy  of 
all  consideration,  and  the  system  adopted  in  Britain  must  be 
equally  applicable  to  our  own  husbandry.  It  is  the  main  point 
in  high  and  successful  cultivation  to  follow  up  a  proper  suc- 
cession of  crops ;  for,  under  any  other  course,  the  land  must 
gradually  lose  its  invigorating  qualities,  and  finally  become 
what  is  termed  wo/m  out.  Our  space  will  not  permit  us  to 
offer  any  extracts  at  this  time,  but  we  may  commend  the  work 
to  the  favorable  attention  of  agriculturists. 


Art.  III.  The  American  Floicrer  Garden  Companion.  Re- 
vised and  Enlarged.  By  Edward  Savers,  Landscape  and 
Ornamental  Gardener,  &c.  1  vol.  12mo.  pp.  207.  Cincin- 
nati.    1846. 

In  the  present  edition,  Mr.  Sayers  has  added  much  useful 
information,  and  we  may  commend 'it  as  a  great  improve- 
ment upon  the  first  edition,  which  has  been  noticed  by  us. 
Mr.  Sayers' s  Avorks  are  wholly  practical,  and  he  enters  into 
those  minute  details  which  many  authors  take  it  for  granted 
every  body  knows,  but  which  contain  the  very  information 
many  readers  are  particularly  in  search  of  In  the  present 
edition,  the  selected  lists  of  plants  are  brought  down  to  a  late 
date,  and  additional  information  is  also  given  in  relation  to 
the  propagation  of  various  kinds  of  plants,  both  hardy  and 
tender.  The  volume  closes  with  a  glossary  of  the  gene- 
ral terms  used  in  describing  plants.  We  commend  it  as  a 
cheap  and  useful  book  to  new  beginners  in  the  art  of  cultivation. 


486  Culture  of  the  Grape,  6^0. 

Art.  IV.  NormarCs  Southern  Agricultural  Almanac  for  1847, 
Edited  by  T.  Affleck,  Esq.,  devoted  exclusively  to  the  Ag- 
ricultural Interests  of  the  South,  Pamphlet,  12mo.  pp.  44. 
New  Orleans.     1846. 

That  the  South  is  awaking  to  the  importance  of  agricultu- 
ral information,  is  attested  by  the  call  for  an  agricultural  al- 
manac, a  copy  of  which  we  have  now  before  us,  edited  by  our 
correspondent,  Mr.  Affleck  of  Mississippi,  formerly  of  the  Cin- 
cinnati Farmer  and  Gardener.  It  is  the  first  of  a  series  which 
the  Editor  states,  in  the  preface,  will  be  published  annually, 
and  hereafter,  will  consist  of  about  one  hundred  pages,  the  size 
originally  intended  for  the  volume ;  but  the  matter  could  not 
be  prepared  in  time,  and  consequently  it  had  to  be  reduced 
and  sold  at  a  proportionally  low  price  to  introduce  the  work. 
Mr.  Affleck  is  able  to  make  it  a  most  acceptable  yearly  ofier- 
ing  upon  the  Farmer's  table. 


Art.  V.  Remarks  on  the  Cidture  of  the  Grape  and  Manu-- 
facture  of  Wiiie  in  the  Western  States:  comprising  a  Re- 
port made  by  Direction  of  the  Cincinnati  Horticultural  So- 
ciety, May  2cZ,  1846.  By  Melzer  Flagg,  M.  D.  Pamph- 
let. 8vo.  pp.  18.     Cincinnati.     1846. 

We  are  indebted  to  the  author  for  this  very  interesting 
pamphlet  on  the  progress  of  the  vineyard  culture  of  the  vine 
in  the  West.  The  substance  of  it  is  embodied  in  the  Trans- 
actions of  the  Cincinnati  Horticultural  Society,  reviewed  at 
page  304,  and,  had  Ave  room,  we  should  be  glad  to  notice 
it  at  length.  Dr.  Flagg  shows  conclusively  the  profit  to  be 
derived  from  the  manufacture  of  wine,  and  states  that  but 
little  of  last  year's  vintage  remains  unsold,  the  price  varying 
from  ^1  to  |1  50  per  gallon. 

The  advocates  of  total  abstinence,  we  fear,  will  not  agree 
with  the  doctor  in  his  views  of  the  use  of  wine ;  especially 
that  the  cultivation  of  the  vine  to  supply  a  wholesome  drink 
will  "improve  our  moral  condition  as  a  nation."  We,  how- 
ever, must  side  with  him  when  he  states  that  the  "idea  that 


Allen's  Compend  of  American  Agriculture.  487 

the  American  people  will  ever  become  a  nation  of  entire  wa- 
ter drinkers,  is  founded  upon  neither  common  sense,  nor  a 
correct  knowledge  of  the  people,  and,  like  all  ultra  notions, 
will  have  its  reaction."  And,  as  we  must  have  some  kind  of 
drink,  he  thinks  it  is  far  better  to  have  such  a  wholesome  bev- 
erage as  light  wines  than  malt  and  alcoholic  liquors.  And 
the  introduction  of  pure  light  wines,  "he  is  confident,  will 
produce  a  great  natural  and  moral  reform — one  that  will  be 
received  by  our  temperance  brethren,  ere  long,  as  a  national 
blessing." 


Art.  VI.     A  Brief  Compend  of  Atnerican  Agriculture.     By 
R.  L.  Allen.     1  vol.  12mo.  pp.  437.     New  York.  1846. 

Among  the  several  agricultural  Treatises  which  have  been 
issued  within  a  few  years,  scarcely  one  has  come  up  to  our 
idea  of  what  they  should  be.  It  is  therefore  gratifying  to  be 
able  to  announce  the  appearance  of  one  which  is,  as  its  title 
indicates,  a  full  compend  of  American  Husbandry. 

Mr.  Allen  comes  to  the  task  with  many  years  of  practical 
experience,  and  with  varied  and  extensive  reading,  and  the 
volume  abundantly  shows  that  he  has  not  been  idle  while 
pursuing  the  duties  of  his  profession.  The  author  states,  in 
his  preface,  that  much  of  the  volume  "  has  been  tested  by  the 
writer's  own  experience  and  observation.  For  the  remain- 
der, he  is  indebted  to  various  oral  and  written  information, 
derived  from  the  best  agriculturists,  and  especially  from  the 
valuable  foreign  and  domestic  agricultural  productions  of  the 
day."  The  volume  is  dedicated  to  the  young  farmers  of  the 
United  States. 

The  book  is  divided  into  twenty-one  chapters  ;  but  it  is  to 
be  regretted  that  the  author  did  not  add  a  table  of  contents, 
as  well  as  a  copious  index,  as  the  former  greatly  facilitates 
the  finding  of  any  particular  subject.  Chapters  1  to  3,  are 
devoted  to  soils  and  manures,  and  occupy  upwards  of  sixty 
pages.  That  upon  manures  is  a  complete  digest  of  all  that 
has  been  written  upon  the  subject  since  the  publication  of 


488  Foreign  Notices. 

Liebig's  Chemistry.  Chapter  10  is  devoted  to  fruits,  and  we 
notice  the  author  states,  that  all  the  raspberries  are  hardy  in 
latitude  43°  north :  this,  we  apprehend,  must  be  an  error,  as 
in  most  situations  in  Massachusetts,  except  in  and  around 
large  cities,  the  shoots  are  liable  to  be  killed  quite  to  the 
ground.  In  light  soils  and  mild  winters  they  are  not  injured, 
but  there  is  danger  of  losing  the  whole  crop  unless  the  vines 
are  covered.  Grasses,  Wheat,  Roots,  Woodlands,  Farm 
buildings,  the  Dairy,  Stock  of  all  kinds,  &c.  make  up  the  re- 
maining chapters ;  and  we  commend  the  volume  to  the  at- 
tention of  every  farmer,  knowing  that  it  will  greatly  assist 
him  "  in  carrying  forward  the  great  agricultural  improvements 
of  the  present  day."     {Preface.^ 


MISCELLANEOUS    INTELLIGENCE. 

Art.  I.     Foreign  Notices. 
ENGLAND. 

Dahlias  and  Dahlia  Exhibitions  for  1846. — Our  summary  of  new  Dahlias, 
for  1846,  does  not  contain  a  great  deal  of  interest.  The  perfection  to  which 
the  dahlia  has  been  cultivated  renders  it  yearly  more  difficult  to  produce  vari- 
eties which  surpass  those  that  already  fill  our  catalogues.  And  the  severe 
test  which  all  really  good  flowers  have  to  undergo,  renders  it  difficult  to 
pass  off  upon  the  public  inferior  flowers,  provided  amateurs  will  read,  and 
purchase  only  those  which  have  stood  the  ordeal  of  an  exhibition  at  some  of 
the  principal  shows  around  London.  We  therefore  proceed  to  give  the 
names  of  the  flowers  which  have  taken  prizes  at  some  of  the  principal  soci- 
eties, adding  a  list  of  the  new  seedlings  which  our  correspondents  assure  us 
are  the  leading  kinds  to  come  out  next  year. 

Caledonian  Horticultural  Society. — Best  twenty  blooms. — Capt. 
Walner,  Mrs.  Anderson,  Sir  J.  S.  Richardson,  Isabel,  Beeswing,  Sir  E. 
Antrobus,  Princess  Radziwell,  Marchioness  Cornwallis,  Caractacus,  Cleo- 
patra, Emperor  of  Scarlets,  Cloth  of  Gold,  Marchioness  of  Aylesbury,  Al- 
ice Hawthorne,  Mrs.  Shelly,  Cream  of  Jest,  Standard  of  Perfection,  Van- 
guard, Beauty  of  Hants,  and  Lady  Featherstone. — To  Messrs.  Dicksons 
&  Co.,  Edinburgh. 

Royal  South  London  Floricultural  Society. — Best  twenty-four 
blooms  : — Cleopatra,  Consolation,  Victory  of  Sussex,  Athlete,  Essex  Tri- 
umph, Duchess  of  Richmond,  Gloria  Mundi,  Princess  Royal,  Alice  Haw- 
thorn, Mrs.  Shelly,  Blue  Bonnet,  Marquis  of  Exeter,  Antagonist,  Lady  St 


Foreign  Notices.  489 

Maur,  Essex  Triumph,  Admiral  Stopford,  Lady  Leicester,  Rose  d'Amour, 
Biondetla,  Compacta,  Bathonia,  Beauty  of  Sussex,  Nonpareil,  Essex  Bride, 
— To  Mr.  Weedon  of  Hillingdon. 

Royal  Horticultural  Society  of  Cornwall. — Best  twelve  flowers  : 
Bathonia,  Mrs.  Shelly,  Cleopatra,  Alice  Hawthorn,  Orlando,  Princess  Royal, 
Lady  Antrobus,  Sir  E.  Antrobus,  Marquis  of  Bath,  Beeswing,  Antagonist 
and  Orange  Superb. 

Metropolitan  Society's  Dahlia  Show. — Best  twenty-four  blooms  : — 
Beauty  of  Sussex,  Mrs.  Shelly,  Nonpareil,  Prometheus,  Cleopatra,  Bees- 
wing, Eximia,  Marquis  of  Aylesbury,  Indispensable,  Essex  Triumph,  Queen 
of  Roses,  Springfield  Rival,  Lady  St.  Maur,  Raphael,  Mrs.  Anderson, 
Victory  of  Sussex,  Duchess  of  Richmond,  Capt.  Warner,  Biondetta,  Prin- 
cess Radziwell,  Cloth  of  Gold,  Sir  J.  S.  Richardson,  Princess  Royal,  and 
Admiral  Stopford — To  Mr.  Turner,  of  Chalrey,  near  London. 

These  are  four  of  the  principal  societies,  and  they  afford  the  best  index 
of  the  true  merit  of  the  different  varieties. 

The  seedlings  exhibited  before  the  Metropolitan  Society  are  reported  upon 
as  follows  : — Among  the  seedlings  were  some  of  great  merit,  especially 
Keynes's  Yellow  Standard,  and  Turner's  Scarlet  Gem,  to  both  of  which 
first  class  certificates  were  awarded  :  the  former  is  a  large  flower,  of  fine 
form  and  clear  bright  color ;  the  latter  is  also  large  and  brilliant,  and  finely 
formed.  First  class  certificates  were  also  given  to  Turner's  Berryer,  a 
large  dark  maroon  flower,  to  Bragg's  Master  Geo.  Clayton,  a  good  formed 
fancy  flower,  with  white  edged  purple  petals,  and  to  Turner's  Miss  Nye, 
a  large  flower,  white,  with  rosy  tips — all  of  fine  properties.  A  first  class 
certificate  was  also  given  to  a  light  rose-colored  flower  named  Mount  fitchet, 
not  marked  with  the  Exhibitor's  name.  Louis  Philippe,  also  from  Mr. 
Turner,  is  likewise  a  very  fine  flower  of  a  deep  claret  color.  Mr.  Bragg  had 
several  beautiful  fancy  varieties — Fancy  Boy,  Star,  and  Mrs.  Edwards. 

Our  correspondent,  who  keeps  us  informed  of  all  the  "crack"  flowers, 
writes  us  that  the  following  are  all  he  can  recommend  as  first  rate  : — 

Andromeda,  Collinson's,  Primrose,  tipt  with  carmine,  very  fine.  Received 
five  prizes. 

Scarlet  Gem,  Turner's,  very  first  rate,  six  prizes. 

Lady  of  the  Lake,  white,  with  carmine  tip,  very  beautiful, _/o«r  prizes. 

Victoria,  Bushell's,  Hght  rose,  very  fine. 

Hon.  Mr.  Herbert,  Brown's,  salmon  color,  first  rate. 

Queen  of  Sheba,  Wilkinson's, — the  finest  white  in  the  world. 

Captivation,  Brown's,  chocolate,  mottled  with  puce. 

Louis  Philippe,  Turner's,  dark  puce. 

Golden  Fleece,  Union,  fine  light  orange. 

Yellow  Standard,  Keynes's.     The  most  beautiful  yellow  ever  yet  seen. 

Berryer,  Turner's,  darkest  flower,  very  beautiful. 

The  "  cream"  of  ihe  fancy  flowers  of  this  year,  he  informs  us,  are  Essex 
Goldfinch,  Mimosa,  Narcissus,  Prince  de  Joinville,  Punch,  Gaiety,  Her- 
mione,  and  Multicator  Admirabilis.  From  this  list,  the  amateur  may  gather 
all  the  desirable  information  to  be  obtained  in  regard  to  the  dahlia. — Ed. 

VOL.    XII, NO.    XII.  62 


490  Foreign  Notices. 


FRANCE. 

The  Cercle  Generale  d'Horticulture,  of  Paris,  has  again  taken  the  lead  of 
the  Royal  Society,  by  holding  an  extra  show  for  fruit  and  dahlias,  at  the 
Grand  Gallery  of  the  Luxembourg  Palace,  on  the  25th  September  and  three 
following  days.  The  exhibition  was  well  attended,  considering  that  Paris, 
like  London,  is  at  this  moment  half  empty.  The  fruit  consisted  principally 
of  grapes,  pears,  and  pines ;  many  of  the  specimens  were  equal  to  any  thing 
ever  produced  here.  The  great  fault  in  Paris,  and  indeed  throughout 
France,  is,  that  societies  offer  prizes  for  too  much,  namely,  for  the  largest 
collections  ;  on  the  contrary,  were  they  to  define  the  exact  number  of  fruits 
or  flowers,  the  collections,  although  less  numerous,  would  appear  to  much 
greater  advantage,  and  be  more  fairly  judged  upon  their  intrinsic  merits. 
At  present  it  is  evident  that  a  small  collection,  however  fine,  stands  no 
chance  against  a  cart-load  of  rubbish,  and,  as  a  consequence,  very  many 
amateurs  are  deterred  from  sending  at  all.  The  experimental  gardens  of 
the  Luxembourg  have  been  long  celebrated  for  a  collection  of  vines,  the 
most  complete  and  extensive  in  the  kingdom  ;  and  on  this  occasion  Mr. 
Hardy,  the  chief  gardener,  exhibited  somewhere  about  one  hundred  varie- 
ties, all  of  which  were  grown  in  the  open  air.  Among  them  were  natives 
of  France,  Spain,  Portugal,  Italy,  Greece,  Hungary,  Persia,  Syria,  &c., 
and  all,  or  nearly  so,  at  maturity,  without  any  artificial  appliances.  The 
berries  of  some  were  enormous,  especially  Damas  Blanc,  Muscat  real,  Mal- 
aga, Romanza,  Ribier,  Ribier  de  Calabre,  Balkin,  Gros  Guillaume,  Corni- 
chon,  and  Syrian.  The  Frankenthal  (Black  Hamburgh)  were  very  nearly 
if  not  quite  as  large  as  those  usually  grown  under  glass  in  Holland  or  Eng- 
land. The  most  handsome  specimens  were  Raisin  Prune  de  Herault,  a 
round,  black  grape  ;  Rouge  de  Rolle,  larger  than  Black  Hamburgh  ;  Mira- 
cle, black,  very  large  bunches ;  Raisin  Prune  blanc  de  Naples,  like  the 
Fontainebleau  but  more  yellow  ;  Muscat  de  Sardaigne,  large  white  ;  Ro- 
manza, much  larger  than  Black  Hamburgh  ;  Sideritas  de  Smyrne,  large 
rose  color  ;  Chasselas  Napoleon,  finer  than  C.  de  Fontainebleau  ;  Cabral,  a 
large  sea-green  colored  kind  ;  and  Rosse  Panse,  a  long  white.  In  M.  Bar- 
bot's  collection  there  were  splendid  specimens  of  Gros  Guillaume,  Gromier 
du  Cantal,  Gros  Ribier  de  Maroc,  Superbe  de  Decandolle,  Trousseau,  Gros 
Damas,  Muscat  d'Alexandrie,  Chasselas  Dore,  Frankaenthal,  Cornichon, 
and  Chasselas  Violet.  There  was  also  a  large  basket  of  Chasselas  de  Fon- 
tainebleau from  M.  Berger,  of  that  golden  waxy  color  for  which  they  are  so 
renowned,  and  which  alone  was  worth  going  far  to  see.  M.  Dupuy  Jamin 
had  a  large  collection  of  pears  ;  among  the  finest  were  the  following : — 
Passe  Tardive,  Beurre  Gris  d'Hiver  Nouveau,  Belle  Angevine,  Bon  Chre- 
tien d'Espagne,  Beurre  Aurore,  Gros  Givet,  Belle  de  Berry,  Duchesse 
d'Angouleme,  Beurre  de  Lombardy,  Bergamotte  de  Pentecote,  Saint  An- 
dre, Doyenn6  d'Estrekemann,  Souvenir  de  Boulogne,  Beurre  d'Aremberg, 
Bon  Chretien  Turc,  Napoleon  d'Hiver,  Bergamotte  d'Austrasie,  Belle  de 
Flandres,  St.  Francois,  Calabasse  Royale,  Bergamotte  de  Bruxelles,  Bon 


Domestic  Notices.  491 

Chretien  Napoleon,  Catillac,  and  Leon  le  Clerc.  Messrs.  Jamin  and  Du- 
rand  exhibited  100  varieties,  and  among  them  noble  specimens  of  Duchesse 
d'Angouleme,  Beurr6  Incomparable,  Belle  Angtvine,  Bon  Chretien  Napo- 
leon, Leon  le  Clerc,  Bon  Chretien  d'Hiver,  Beurr6  Gris  Dor6,  Colmar 
d'Aremberg,  Catillac,  Colmar  Van  Mons,  Belle  Alliance,  Beurr^  Bosc, 
Limon,  Beurr6  de  Sterkmann,  Rosaline,  Triomphe  de  Jodoigne,  Philippe 
de  France,  and  Josephine.  M.  Goutier  contributed  six  finely  grown  pines. 
{Gard.  Chron.,  184Q,  p.  694.) 


Art.  IL     Domestic  Notices. 


Van  ZandVs  Superb  Peach. — Mr.  Prince,  in  speaking  of  Van  Zandt's 
Superb  Peach,  says,  "there  does  not  perhaps  exist,  at  present,  a  single 
tree  of  the  true  variety,  except  in  our  specimen  orchard  and  nursery 
grounds." 

I  should  like  to  inquire  of  Mr.  Prince  if  he  seriously  believes  all  the 
"  Van  Zandt's  Superb  Peach"  sold  by  himself  and  the  other  nurserymen  of 
Flushing  for  the  last  ten  years  or  more,  to  be  "spurious;" — unless  they 
have  been,  I  can  assure  him  there  are  hundreds  and  perhaps  thousands  of 
the  true  variety,  besides  those  in  his  nursery.  This  is  a  Flushing  Peach, 
and  the  nurserymen  there  have  cultivated  it  and  sold  it  extensively,  and  if 
they  have  been  deceiving  the  public,  as  Mr.  P.  intimates,  it  should  be 
known. —  Yours  respectfully,  P.  B.,  Rochester,  November,  1846. 

Fancy  Dahlias. — Have  you  seen  any  Fancy  Dahlias  superior  to  Harle- 
quin, Viscount  Ressegeur,  and  Oddity?  These,  I  think,  are  unsurpassed. 
Harlequin  stands  first  for  form.  I  have  never  seen  any  thing  to  beat  it. 
Yours,  P.  B. 

[Punch,  Columbine,  and  Isis,  in  their  way,  are  superior  to  either  of  the 
above,  though  they  are  certainly  very  fine. — Ed-I 

The  Dix  Pear. — A  profitable  Tree. — A  neighbor  of  ours,  who  resides  but  a 
few  rods  from  us,  and  in  whose  garden  stands  the  Dix  pear,  which  we  have 
already  noticed,  in  our  description  of  this  variety,  (p.  181,)  has  recently 
harvested  the  crop.  After  the  high  winds  of  autumn,  and  more  particular- 
ly the  gale  of  the  13th  of  September,  he  gathered,  about  the  1st  of  Novem- 
ber, two  barrels  of  pears.  These  were  intended  for  his  own  use  ;  but  a 
dealer,  who  had  seen  the  pears  upon  the  tree,  and  knew  something  of  their 
value,  made  him  the  tempting  offer  oi fourteen  dollars  for  one  barrel.  Hav- 
ing so  large  a  quantity,  he  reluctantly  consented  to  let  them  go.  Some 
weeks  subsequent  to  this,  in  conversation  with  the  person  who  purchased 
them,  we  inquired  how  much  he  gained  by  his  purchase  ;  he  stated  that  he 
had  sold  tiventy-five  dozen  at  five  shillings  per  dozen,  and  eight  dozen  at 
about  seventy-five  cents  per  dozen,  the  latter  being  of  the  smallest  size,  the 
barrel  netting  upwards  of  twenty-three  dollars ;  the  whole  having  been  sold 
to  retail  dealers  in  Boston,  <o  se/Z  ag-am.     Thus  the  two  barrels,  had  they 


492  Exhibitions  of  Horticultural  Societies. 

both  been  sold,  would  have  brought  the  very  great  sum  of  $46.  The  tree 
was  not  so  full,  nor  the  pears  so  large  and  handsonne,  as  in  1845,  when  our 
drawing  was  made.     It  will  be  difficult  to  find  a  more  profitable  tree — Ed. 

Cnnum  Amabile  in  the  open  ground. — I  have  now  a  fine  bloom  of  the 
Crinum  amabile  in  the  open  ground.  We  received  a  very  fine  bulb  of  it 
from  a  quantity  that  came  to  Boston,  (I  believe  with  the  Agaves  now  exhib- 
iting in  New  York,)  and  remember  hearing  old  Mr.  Prince  describe  a 
successful  blooming  of  it  in  the  open  air,  I  was  induced  to  try  it,  and  have 
found  it  to  succeed  admirably.  But  perhaps  in-door  flowering  is  more 
proper,  as  it  can  be  better  protected  from  the  sun.  Its  large  bulb,  luxuriant 
foliage,  stately  stem,  and  delicate,  fragrant  flowers,  are  striking  objects  out 
of  doors. —  Yours,  G.  C.  T.,  Astoria,  N.  Y.,  August,  1846. 

Swan''s  Orange,  or  Onondaga  Pear. — These  are  the  names  under  which 
a  very  large  and  fine  variety  of  the  pear  is  cultivated  in  the  vicinity  of 
Rochester,  New  York,  where  it  is  said  the  tree  originated.  Our  correspon- 
dent, Mr.  Bissell,  sent  us  some  specimens  of  the  fruit,  which  were  large, 
handsome,  and  excellent,  and  as  we  have  an  outline  and  description  taken 
from  these,  we  shall  give  a  further  account  of  it  in  our  next  volume. — Ed. 

Knighfs  Seedling  Pear  is  another  fine  variety,  which  we  shall  soon  no- 
tice. Some  specimens  exhibited  before  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  So- 
ciety the  present  season,  show  it  to  be  a  variety  well  worth  cultivation.  It 
is  said  to  be  a  native  of  Rhode  Island. — Id. 

The  Charges  Henling  Grape,  a  new  variety,  with  very  large  berries  and 
bunches,  has  lately  been  exhibited  by  Mr.  Buist,  of  Philadelphia.  It  is 
said  to  be  a  fine  addition  to  the  list  of  superior  grapes. — Id. 


Art.  III.     Exhibitions  of  Horticultural  Societies. 

Wb  depart  somewhat  from  our  usual  plan  of  giving  the  Reports  in  de- 
tail of  the  various  Horticultural  Societies:  they  have  now  become  so  nume- 
rous, that  it  would  require  more  room  than  we  have  at -our  disposal  to  give 
them  entire  ;  and,  if  we  were  to  find  space,  they  are  so  much  a  repetition  of 
those  of  previous  years,  that  they  lose  most  of  their  interest.  The  Reports 
of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  we  have  been  compelled  to 
shorten,  giving  only  the  details  of  new  and  very  superior  specimens,  and 
we  believe  our  course  has  been  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  our  many 
readers.  We  shall,  therefore,  hereafter,  only  give  very  brief  reports  in  our 
summary  at  the  close  of  the  year,  being  careful,  however,  not  to  omit  any 
thing,  in  regard  to  new,  rare,  or  fine  specimens  which  may  have  been  ex- 
hibited. 

New  York  State  Agricultural  Fair. — We  have  a  long  and  very  particular 
account  of  this  exhibition  held  at  Auburn,  September  16th,  17th,  18th, 
1846,  prepared  by  our  correspondent.  Dr.  Wendell  of  Albany,  and  we  give 
as  much  of  it  as  we  can  spare  the  room.     The  committee  report,  "  that  they 


Exhibitions  of  Horticultural  Societies.  493 

take  pleasure  in  congratulating  the  Society  on  the  increased  interest  which 
the  annual  fairs  are  exciting  in  the  minds  of  professional  and  amateur  florists," 
evinced  by  the  greatly  increased  display  of  choice  flowers  from  remote  parts 
of  the  State  at  this  over  all  previous  exhibitions.  The  following  are  the 
exhibitors :  — 

By  E.  Tyler,  Buffalo,  fine  rofes  and  verbenas.  From  Col.  Hodges, 
Buflalo,  nineteen  varieties  of  Roses,  fifteen  of  Verbenas,  twelve  of  Dahlias, 
&c.  By  Professor  Coppock,  of  Buffalo,  a  Floral  Design  composed  of 
choice  Dahlias,  German  Asters,  and  Globe  Amaranths,  on  a  ground  of 
green  moss,  representing  a  spread  Eagle,  with  the  name  of  The  Buffalo 
Horticultural  Society  in  its  beak,  all  beautifully  arranged  by  the  pupils  of 
his  Musical  Academy  at  Buffalo. 

From  Wm.  Webb,  Buffalo,  sixteen  varieties  of  Roses,  twelve  of  Verbe- 
nas and  other  flowers,  with  two  pots  of  very  lai'ge  Coxcombs,  one  measur- 
ing twenty  inches  over  the  crest  of  the  flower.  By  L.  Menard,  Albany, 
two  beautiful  bouquets,  arranged  with  exquisite  taste,  and  composed  of 
thirty-one  varieties  of  flowers,  including  six  varieties  of  Heaths.  By  Dr. 
A.  Thompson,  of  Aurora,  Cayuga  Co.,  Asters,  Verbenas,  &c.  By  S.  S. 
Graves,  and  P.  B.  Eaton,  of  Auburn,  Dahlias,  Asters,  &c.  By  H.  Mor- 
gan, Esq.,  of  Aurora,  a  variety  of  flowers  all  beautifully  arranged  as  floral 
ornaments. 

By  Prof.  I.  W.  Jackson,  Schenectady,  twenty-seven  different  varieties  of 
flowers,  beautifully  arranged  in  fifteen  floral  ornaments  for  vases,  comprising 
twenty-four  varieties  of  dahlias,  twenty  of  asters,  verbenas,  fuchsias,  &c. 
By  Mrs.  E.  T.  Throop  Martin,  of  Willow  Brook,  Owasco  Lake,  a  very 
beautifully  arranged  floral  ornament,  composed  of  different  varieties  of 
choice  flowers.  By  Hon.  J.  Porter,  M.  H.  Ervin,  J.  J.  Seymour,  Mrs. 
Leland,  Mrs.  Watrous,  and  Mrs.  Credell,  of  Auburn,  a  variety  of  fine,  cut 
flowers.  By  Miss  Holley,  a  fine  Bignonm  grandiflora.  By  Mrs.  Milton,  of 
Auburn,  orange,  lemon,  and  shaddock  trees,  in  full  fruit. 

By  Messrs.  Elwanger  &  Barry,  Mount  Hope  Nurseries,  Rochester, 
twenty-five  varieties  of  hybrid,  perpetual,  tea,  and  other  roses,  twenty-six 
of  dahlias,  twelve  of  verbenas,  including  four  good  seedlings,  Barryz,  Gen- 
esee, Odorata,  and  Rochester ;  also,  two  floral  ornaments,  beautifully  ar- 
ranged. By  James  Wilson,  Albany,  one  hundred  and  thirty-one  varieties 
of  flowers,  including  twenty-six  of  dahlias,  fourteen  of  verbenas,  thirty-two 
of  hybrid,  perpetual,  and  other  roses,  with  phloxes,  &;c.,  &c.,  and  an  ex- 
quisitely arranged  bouquet,  composed  of  thirty-six  different  varieties  of 
choice  and  rare  green-house  flowers,  and  also  a  very  beautifully  arranged 
floral  design,  composed  of  more  than  one  hundred  rare  dahlias,  roses,  glad- 
ioluses, German  asters,  rose  geranium  leaves,  heliotropiums,  globe  ama- 
ranths,  «&c.,  &c. 

By  Edward  Thomas,  of  Geneva,  three  new  seedling  dahlias,  viz.  :  Mrs. 
Hemans,  a  white,  finely  tipped  with  vermilion,  well  formed,  with  a  full  cen- 
tre and  petals  finely  cupped,  flower  about  the  size  of  Striata  Formosissima, 
a  good  flower.  Thomas's  Perfection,  a  dark  maroon,  of  globular  form,  pe- 
tals finely  cupped  with  full  centre,  about  the  size  of  the  last,  and  a  very  good 


494  Exhibitions  of  Horticultural  Societies. 

flower.  New  Globe  Crimson,  a  small  flower  of  globular  form,  petals  finely 
quilled,  not  equal  to  No.  2  ;  also,  twenty-seven  different  varieties  of  cut  flow- 
ers, including  roses,  verbenas,  asters,  dahlias,  &c.  Mr.  Thomas  was  un- 
fortunately detained,  by  the  non-arrival  of  the  Western  cars,  until  after  the 
premiums  had  been  awarded  on  articles  entered  for  competition. 

The  Committee  have  awarded  the  premiums  as  follows  : — 

For  the  greatest  variety  and  quantity  of  flowers,  1st  premium,  to  James 
Wilson,  of  Albany,  a  Silver  Medal. 

2d  premium,  to  Professor  Jackson,  of  Schenectady,  a  Diploma. 

3d  premium,  to  Elwanger  &  Barry,  of  Rochester,  a  volume  of  Transactions 
of  the  Society. 

For  Seedling  dahlias  there  appeared  but  one  competitor,  Edward  Thomas, 
of  Geneva  ;  his  dahlias  being  of  great  merit  and  beauty,  the  commit- 
tee have  awarded  the  1st  premium,  to  his  seedling,  "  Mrs.  Hemans," 
particularly  noticed  above,  a  Diploma. 

2d  premium,  to  his  seedling,  Thomas's  Perfection,  also  noticed  above,  a 
Diploma. 

For  the  best  floral  ornament,  to  James  Wilson,  of  Albany,  a  Silver 
Medal. 

For  the  best  twenty-five  varieties  of  dahlias,  1st  premium,  to  James  Wil- 
son, of  Albany,  a  Silver  Medal. 

2d  premium,  to  Elwanger  &  Barry,  of  Rochester,  a  Diploma. 

3d  premium,  to  Isaac  W.  Jackson,  of  Schenectady,  a  volume  of  Trans- 
actions. 

For  the  most  beautiful  bouquet,  composed  of  not  less  than  twelve  differ- 
ent varieties  of  flowers,  1st  premium,  to  James  Wilson,  of  Albany, 
Colman's  Tour. 

2d  premium,  to  L.  Menand,  of  Albany,  a  Diploma. 

3d  premium,  to  L.  Menand,  of  Albany,  a  volume  of  Transactions. 

For  the  best  twenty  German  asters,  to  Professor  I.  W.  Jackson,  of  Sche- 
nectady, a  volume  of  Transactions. 

For  the  greatest  variety  of  green-house  plants  owned  by  one  individual, 
1st  premium,  to  Mrs.  M.  Miller,  of  Auburn,  a  Diploma. 

2d  premium,  to  Miss  H.  C.  Morse,  of  Skeneatlas,  a  volume  of  Transac- 
tions. 

For  the  best  twelve  varieties  of  roses  in  bloom,  1st  premium,  to  James 
Wilson,  of  Albany,  a  Diploma. 

2d  premium,  to  Elwanger  &  Barry,  of  Rochester,  a  volume  of  Transactions. 

The  committee  have  awarded  the  following  discretionary  premiums  : — 

To  Mrs.  E.  T.  Throop  Martin,  of  Willow-brook,  Owasco  Lake,  for  a 
beautiful  floral  ornament,  composed  of  choice  flowers,  and  exquisitely 
arranged  by  herself,  a  Diploma. 

To  Elihu  Tyler,  of  Buffalo,  for  a  beautifully  arranged  basket  of  choice 
flowers,  a  Diploma. 

To  Elwanger  &  Barry,  of  Rochester,  for  a  tastefully  arranged  floral  orna- 
ment, composed  of  rare  flowers,  a  Diploma. 

To  Professor  Coppock,  of  Bufl'alo,  for  an  elaborately  wrought  floral  de- 
sign, arranged  with  great  skill  and  good  taste,  a  Diploma. 


Exhibitions  of  Horticultural  Societies.  495 

To  William  Webb,  of  Buffalo,  for  a  fine  display  of  choice  roses,  verbe- 
nas, and  other  flowers,  a  Diploma. 

To  Henry  Morgan,  Esq.,  of  Aurora,  for  a  beautiful  floral  ornament,  com- 
posed of  choice  flowers,  and  arranged  with  good  taste,  a  Diploma. 

To  Col.  Hodges,  of  Buffalo,  for  a  choice  collection  of  roses,  verbenas, 
and  other  flowers,  a  Diploma. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted,  Herman  Wendell,  M.  D.,  of  Alba- 
ny, William  R.  Randall,  of  Cortland,  James  Tracy,  of  Syracuse,  Commit- 
tee on  Flowers. — Auburn,  September  19th,  1846. 

Pennsylvania  Horticultural  Society. — The  Eighteenth  Annual  Exhibition 
of  this  society  was  held  on  the  16th,  17th,  and  18th  of  September,  and  the 
report  of  all  the  committees,  making  a  pamphlet  of  upwards  of  thirty  pages, 
is  before  us. 

The  report  of  the  recording  secretary  is  as  follows  : — 

The  plants  were  shown  on  tables  of  like  construction  to  the  last  autumnal 
display  ;  the  designs  were  placed  in  various  positions  through  the  saloon 
with  good  effect,  and  consisted  of  fanciful  temples,  ornamental  cottages,  ar- 
bors, pagoda,  triumphal  arch,  centre  tables,  settees,  urns,  vases,  and  other 
devices  in  increased  numbers,  in  all  of  which  there  was  a  marked  improve- 
ment in  design  and  embellishment,  and  received  due  encomiums  from  the 
throng  of  discerning  visiters  which  constantly  graced  the  saloon. 

The  arrangement  of  the  display  and  the  embellishment  of  the  upper 
grand  saloon,  in  which  were  arrayed  the  fruits  and  vegetables,  were  entirely 
different  from  those  of  former  occasions,  being  in  decidedly  better  taste,  and 
reflected  great  credit  on  the  originator  of  the  plan.  The  great  number  of 
columns  ranging  from  the  galleries  to  the  lofty  ceiling,  around  the  entire  sa- 
loon, were  beautifully  entwined  with  evergreen  wreaths  of  laurel  and  spruce, 
each  wreath  rising  from  the  spruce-covered  base  in  admirable  taste  ;  fringing 
the  gallery,  below  the  columns,  were  the  wreaths  of  Lycopodium,  and  un- 
der each  pair  of  columns,  on  the  first  floor,  were  suspended  circular  wreaths, 
thus  flnishing  the  embellishment  with  effect. 

The  tables,  which  were  laden  with  the  weight  of  delicious  fruits,  etc., 
were  constructed  in  the  most  admirable  manner  for  displaying  to  the  great- 
est advantage  this  portion  of  the  exhibition,  and  were  disposed  at  equal  dis- 
tances from  the  sides  of  the  saloon  through  the  centre.  The  first  in  order 
upon  entering  at  the  west  end,  was  of  circular  form,  twelve  feet  in  diame- 
ter, rising  by  five  terraces  to  an  attitude  of  nearly  six  feet,  on  which  were 
seen  the  splendid  contributions  of  peaches,  in  baskets  and  glass  dishes,  the 
top  crowned  with  a  very  handsome  stand  of  delicious  foreign  grapes,  taste- 
fully festooned.  The  table  next  in  order  was  one  hundred  feet  in  length, 
and  eight  feet  in  width,  with  prominent  circular  ends  of  twelve  feet  diame- 
ter, rising  by  four  grades  on  the  south,  and  three  on  the  north  range,  to  the 
height  of  six  feet ;  on  the  south  were  the  various  kinds  of  fruits,  the  pears, 
nectarines,  plums,  quinces,  figs,  lemons,  etc.,  interspersed  in  glass  dishes  ; 
and  suspended  against  a  light  ground  at  the  topmost  elevation,  along  the 
entire  length,  were  shown  the  great  abundance  of  grapes,  presenting  this 
luscious  fruit  in  the  best  light ;  on  the  north  range  were  displayed  great  va- 


496  Exhibitions  of  Hortimltural  Societies. 

rieties  of  fine  vegetables;  on  the  top  were  the  contributions  of  honey,  pre 
served  fruits,  grapes  in  pots,  bouquets,  and  arches  of  growing,  climbing 
plants  ;  crowning  the  circular  ends  of  this  great  table,  resting  on  the  second 
elevation,  were  two  splendid  evergreen  cornucopias,  twelve  feet  in  height, 
and  thirty  inches  in  diameter  at  the  opening,  encircled  with  wreaths  of 
beautiful  flowers,  the  one  on  the  west  end  pouring  forth,  in  the  greatest  pro- 
fusion, various  kinds  of  fruits,- — the  other,  at  the  opposite  extremity,  an  im- 
mense amount  of  vegetables,  an  appropriate  and  most  beautiful  device. 
The  next  table  in  order  was  of  similar  dimensions  and  form  with  the  first 
mentioned,  covered  with  apples,  exhibiting  a  great  pyramid  of  that  impor- 
tant fruit.  The  last  table  to  be  described  was  one  of  immense  size,  and 
semi-circular  form,  jutting  out  from  the  east  end  of  the  saloon,  embracmg 
its  entire  width  between  the  columns,  and  ascending  by  grades  almost  to  the 
gallery,  on  which  were  seen  one  contributor's  collection,  a  rich  display  of 
esculents,  containing  in  profusion  almost  every  culinary  vegetable  in  culti- 
vation, and  presenting  a  miniature  mountain.  A  small,  beautiful  cornuco- 
pia, from  a  neighboring  county,  pouring  out  its  treasures  of  fruits  and  veg- 
etables, was  placed  on  the  table  containing  the  apples  ;  and  between  this 
table  and  the  large  one,  was  a  small,  chaste  grape  arbor,  bearing  most  deli- 
cious foreign  grapes  ;  a  very  pretty  flower-stand,  with  handsome  evergreen 
urn,  interwoven  with  fine  flowers  and  topped  with  a  vase  of  choice  roses, 
stood  between  the  large  table  and  the  one  containing  the  peaches.  In  other 
parts  of  the  saloon'  were  tables  containing  vegetables,  as  those  originally 
prepared  proved  insufficient. 

For  the  detail  of  objects,  reference  may  be  had  to  the  particulars  which 
follow  : — A  few  seem  to  require  a  more  especial  notice,  among  which  might 
be  mentioned  a  splendid  contribution  of  foreign  grapes,  grown  in  the  open 
ground,  with  the  slight  protection  temporarily  afforded  by  cauliflower  sash- 
es, during  the  sudden  changes  of  the  summer  season,  as  represented  by  the 
contributor  at  the  last  autumnal  exhibition.  A  splendid  contribution  of 
white  Syrian  grapes  was  shown,  one  bunch  of  which  weighed  eight  pounds  ; 
another,  a  bunch  of  black  Hamburg  from  New  Bedford,  which,  for  size  and 
perfection  of  berry,  has  been  unsurpassed  ;  one  contribution  from  Andalusia, 
and  another  from  Germantown,  were  each  creditable  for  variety  and  fineness 
of  fruit.  A  beautiful  peach,  the  red-cheeked  Melecoton,  from  Chester 
county,  was  remarkably  fine.  A  contribution  of  apples,  consisting  of  sev- 
eral varieties,  from  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  was  the  admiration  of  visiters,  for 
beauty  of  appearance  both  in  regard  to  size  and  freedom  from  imperfections  ; 
one  variety,  called  Emperor  jMexander,  was  a  splendid  specimen  ;  another 
contribution  from  Bucks  county,  contained  numerous  varieties,  remarkable 
on  that  account.  Seedling  plums  from  Spring  Garden,  and  seedling  apples 
from  Burlington,  New  Jersey,  were  exhibited." 

The  largest  collection  of  pears  was  from  Mr.  J.  Rutter,  West  Chester, 
and  comprised  twenty-three  varieties.  The  largest  collection  of  grapes  was 
from  John  Sherwood,  who  exhibited  eighteen  varieties.  Mr.  T.  Hancock, 
of  Burlington,  N.  J.,  exhibited  thirty-six  seedling  apples. 


Exhibitions  of  Horticultural  Societies.  497 

The  premiums  for  dahlias  were  all  awarded  to  Mr.  G.  Schmidt,  viz.  : — 
For  the  best  twenty  varieties,  $3.  For  the  next  best,  $2.  For  the  best 
parti-colored  seedling,  $3,  and  for  the  best  deep  colored  seedling,  ^3. 

The  following,  on  Designs,  may  be  found  interesting.  Among  a  num- 
ber, by  Archibald  Henderson,  gardener  to  Wharton  Chancellor,  was  a 
Gothic  Temple,  or  Cottage  summer  house,  of  handsome  form,  with  ever- 
green envelope,  embellished  appropriately  with  flowers  rising  to  the  height 
of  sixteen  feet.  A  large  pair  of  Wreaths,  representing  a  pair  of  cornuco- 
pias pouring  out  a  variety  of  fruit,  a  handsome  design.  Two  pairs  of  rus- 
tic tubs,  from  which  were  growing  climbers,  each  pair  with  long  poles 
arched  together,  around  which  twined  Ipomea  sellowii,  I.  quamoclit,  Cobea 
scandens,  Thunbergia  alata,  etc. 

By  Samuel  Maupay,  an  Oriental  Temple,  about  fourteen  feet  in  height, 
of  square  and  fanciful  form,  highly  adorned  with  various  flowers.  A  design, 
representing  an  ornamented  cottage,  of  handsome  construction,  and  nearly 
of  the  same  height,  covered  with  moss,  and  embellished  with  flowers.  A 
third,  the  plan  of  a  Chinese  Pagoda,  of  upwards  of  twenty  feet  altitude, 
covered  with  moss,  interspersed  with  flowers.  And  a  fourth,  a  triumphal 
arch,  of  about  nine  feet  in  height,  and  finished  with  a  spire  to  the  altitude 
of  fifteeen  feet ;  suspended  in  the  arch  was  a  beautiful  laurel  wreath. 
These  contributions  were  produced  with  much  labor  and  expense,  and  were 
creditable  to  the  contributor. 

By  Joseph  Cook,  a  beautiful  rustic  arbor  of  evergreen,  about  eight  feet  in 
height,  ornamented  appropriately  with  flowers,  carpeted  with  moss,  a  very 
neat  device. 

By  Patrick  Gallagher,  gardener  to  Miss  Gratz,  a  rustic  temple,  of  eigh- 
teen feet  altitude,  in  good  proportions,  and  appropriately  embellished  with 
flowers. 

The  whole  concludes  with  the  reports  of  the  delegates  appomted  to  at- 
tend the  exhibitions  of  other  associations. 

Horticultural  Exhibition  of  the  American  Institute. — The  19th  Annual 
Fair  of  the  Institute  was  held  in  New  York,  at  Castle  Garden,  on  the  6th 
of  October,  and  continued  for  a  fortnight.  The  Report  of  the  Horticultural 
department  fills  a  pamphlet  of  16  pages,  and  is  a  very  interesting  document, 
drawn  up  by  that  veteran  gardener,  Mr.  Bridgeman,  who  has  always 
evinced  so  much  interest  in  this  department  of  the  Institute.  Besides  the 
mere  report  of  the  flowers,  fruits,  &c.,  exhibited,  the  Report  is  prefaced  by 
an  interesting  retrospect  of  the  progress  of  gardening  in  the  "American 
Metropolis,"  which  we  may  refer  to  at  another  opportunity. 

Flowers  :  The  principal  flowers  exhibited,  were  dahlias  and  roses,  con- 
tributed by  upwards  of  thirty  individuals,  the  principal  of  whom  were  as 
follows  : — 

From  J.  M.  Thorburn  &  Co.,  No.  15  John  street,  a  display  of  about  450 
dahlia  blooms,  frequently  renewed  during  the  Fair.  Messrs.  Dunlap  & 
Thompson,  635  Broadway,  a  display  of  about  300  dahlia  blooms,  renewed 
during  the  Fair;  also,  two  beautiful  ornamental  designs,  24  of  the  choicest 
varieties  of  dahlias,  and  other  ornamental  plants.  William  Kent,  Brook- 
VOL.    XII. — NO.    XII.  63 


498  Exhibitioiis  of  Horticultural  Societies. 

lyn,  L.  I.,  a  large  assortment  of  superior  dahlias,  frequently  renewed,  in- 
cluding some  extra  fine  American  seedlings.  Charles  More,  98th  street, 
Third  Avenue,  a  large  assortment  of  splendid  roses  and  dahlias ;  also,  sev- 
eral fine  plants  and  bouquets.  Messrs  Mantel  &  Lenoir,  46th  street, 
Bloomingdale  Road,  a  display  of  about  600  fine  fragrant  roses,  in  about  200 
varieties  ;  also,  three  splendid  bouquets.  Messrs.  Boll  &  Hauser,  50th 
street,  Bloomingdale  Road,  a  choice  assortment  of  perpetual  roses,  includ- 
ing about  30  seedlings ;  also,  an  ornamental  design,  and  several  choice  vari- 
eties of  dahlias.  Isaac  Buchanan,  17th  street,  near  Fifth  Avenue,  a  splen- 
did assortment  of  roses  and  dahlias,  frequently  renewed.  Messrs.  Marc  & 
Co.,  44th  street,  Bloomingdale  Road,  a  fine  display  of  roses  and  dahlias. 
L.  Prevost,  Astoria,  L.  I.,  a  large  supply  of  dahlias  and  other  flowers,  fre- 
quently renewed.  Thomas  Hogg  &  Sons,  71st  street.  West  of  Third  Av- 
enue, several  choice  varieties  of  dahlias  and  other  flowers. 

Fruits  :  A  larger  quantity  of  fruits  was  contributed  than  in  former  years. 
The  principal  show  of  pears  was  from  Mr.  S.  Walker,  Roxbury,  who,  in 
addition  to  fifty-four  kinds  from  his  own  collection,  exhibited  forty-three  va- 
rieties from  various  amateurs  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston  and  Salem.  A  fine 
show  of  grapes  came  from  Roswell  Colt,  Esq.,  Patterson,  N.  J.  ;  some 
were  produced  under  glass,  and  others  in  the  open  air,  against  a  board 
fence,  in  a  Southern  aspect.  The  varieties  were  Black  Hamburgh,  Black 
Damascus,  Royal  Muscat,  Black  Muscadine,  West's  St.  Peter's,  White 
Muscadine,  Victoria  Black  Hamburgh,  Black  St.  Peter's,  Black  Prince, 
White  Syrian,  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  White  Muscat  of  Lunel,  Miller's 
Burgundy,  White  Hamburgh,  White  Frontignan,  White  Sweetwater,  and 
some  others  not  named.  One  bunch  of  the  Muscadine,  represented  as 
growing  against  a  board  fence,  weighed  two  pounds,  and  some  of  the  Vic- 
toria Black  Hamburgh,  grown  in  the  same  manner,  were  very  fine.  Ex- 
Gov.  Edwards,  of  New  Haven,  sent  fourteen  varieties  of  seedling  pears, 
but  no  names  are  given.  Messrs.  Parsons  &  Co.,  Flushing,  sent  four  vari- 
eties of  grapes,  and  three  vines  in  pots.  Dr.Wendall,  of  Albany,  Beurr6  Diel, 
White  Doyenne,  Marie  Louise,  Easter  Beurr^,  and  four  other  varieties  of  pears. 

Mr.  Bridgeman  concludes  the'  Report  as  follows  :  "  When  viewing  the 
animated  and  beautiful  scene  presented  at  our  late  Annual  Fair,  held  in  a 
place  where  '  armed  men  once  prepared  to  do  battle,'  I  was  cheered  by  the 
hope  that  the  day  was  not  far  distant,  when  every  Fort  would  be  disman- 
tled, and  the  fruits  of  peace  and  good  will  spread  their  benign  influence 
through  the  world,  raising  the  great  human  family  to  the  highest  standard 
of  excellence ;  when  every  man,  reposing  under  the  branches  of  his  own 
vine,  would  experience  all  the  felicity  which  this  earth  is  destined  to  afford." 

Chester  County  Horticultural  Society,  Chester,  Pa. — The  first  Annual  Ex- 
hibition of  this  Society  was  held  on  the  10th  and  llth  of  September  last, 
and  from  a  Report  which  has  been  sent  us  by  our  friends,  it  was  every  way 
worthy  of  the  skill  and  intelligence  of  the  amateurs  and  professional  men  in 
that  vicinity.  On  the  second  day  of  the  exhibition,  an  interesting  address 
was  delivered  by  Dr.  Wm.  Darlington,  and  in  the  evening  an  admired  essay 
waa  delivered  on  that  gem  of  Pomona's  realm, — the  peach. —  Village  Record. 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  499 


Art.  rV.     Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

October  I7fh.  Exhibited. — Flowers  :  The  late  gale  having  prostrated 
most  of  the  dahlias,  there  were  hut  few  flowers  exhibited.  The  principal 
were  from  J.  Nugent,  J.  Hovey,  and  D.  T.  Curtis.  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co. 
exhibited  six  choice  bouquets,  and  L.  Davenport  a  variety  of  beautiful 
roses.  John  Henshaw  exhibited  a  dish  of  the  true  Senna  of  commerce, 
produced  in  his  garden,  in  the  open  air,  at  Cambridge. 

Fruits  :  From  the  President  of  the  Society,  Dix,  Fulton,  Urbaniste,  and 
Glout  Morceau  pears.  From  Cheever  Newhall,  Napoleon,  Urbaniste,  and 
White  Doyenne  pears ;  Seedling  peaches  ;  Syrian,  Muscat  of  Alexan- 
dria, Black  Hamburgh,  Zinfindal,  Frontignan,  and  Ohio  grapes,  the  latter 
extremely  small  in  this  climate.  From  John  Gordon,  Passe  Colmar,  Du- 
chesse  d'Angouleme,  Napoleon,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey,  and  Graven- 
stein  (?)  apples.  From  James  Eustis,  Spice  apples,  without  a  name, 
Bough  Harvest,  and  Eustis  apples.  From  Hovey  &  Co.,  several  large 
clusters  of  the  Boston  Pine  strawberry,  of  the  second  growth.  From  Mrs. 
John  Heard,  Seckel,  and  Forelle  pears,  (fine).  From  J.  F.  Allen,  Gansel's 
Bergamot,  and  Seckel  pears,  very  fine,  the  largest  weighing  five  to  six 
ounces;  Isabella,  fine,  and  Black  Hamburgh  grapes;  peaches — Late  Ad- 
mirable. From  George  Walsh,  Buffum,  White  Doyenne,  Brown  Beurr6, 
Winter  Nelis,  for  a  name,  Easter  Beurre  pears  ;  apples  for  a  name  ; 
grapes — Sweetwater,  Seedling,  Red  Chasselas. 

From  Charles  S.  Hunt,  Sweetwater  grapes.  From  John  S.  Ballard, 
quince,  weighing  23  ounces.  From  Josiah  Lovitt,  Gendesheim,  Flemish 
Beauty,  the  largest  girthing  12  inches,  Seckel,  fine,  and  Louise  Bonne  de 
Jersey  pears.  From  Henry  J.  Oliver,  R.  I.  Greening  apples,  very  large. 
From  J.  M.  Ives,  Wilkinson,  Winter  Nelis,  Fulton,  Napoleon,  Lewis, 
Capiaumont,  Passe  Colmar,  and  Fondante  Van  Mons  pears  ;  Golden  Rus- 
set, Reinette  of  Canada,  Swaar,  Red  Doctor,  Minister,  Lyscom,  Baldwin, 
spurious,  and  Seaver's  Sweet  apples.  From  Henry  Vandine,  Glout  Mor- 
ceau, Prince's  St.  Germain,  Passe  Colmar,  Maria  Louise,  White  Doyenne, 
Spanish  Bon  Chretien,  Turkish  Bon  Chretien,  and  Tresor  d'Amour  pears. 

Vegetables  :  From  Josiah  Lovitt,  Beverly,  six  remarkably  large  and  fine 
heads  of  brocoli.    From  A.  D.  Williams  and  Son,  three  fine  heads  of  celery. 

October  2ith.  Exhibited. — Fruit :  From  the  President  of  the  Society, 
Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  fine,  and  Maria  Louise  pears.  From  Cheever 
Newhall,  Syrian,  Black  Hamburgh,  and  Muscat  of  Alexandria  grapes. 
From  Samuel  Downer,  Jr.,  Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey,  and  White  Doyenn6 
pears.  From  Joseph  Breck  &  Co.,  Gratioli  d'Hiver  (1)  pears.  From  S, 
L.  Goodale,  Saco,  Me.,  MacLaughlin  pears.  From  G.  P.  Fowler,  Plym- 
outh, Sieulle  pears,  very  large  and  fine  ;  also,  a  variety  received  as  the 
Charles  d'Autriche.  From  John  Henshaw,  Quinces,  and  Pyrus  Japonica. 
From  Jos.  Harrington,  White  Doyenn6,  and  Duchesse  d'Angouleme  pears. 
From  J.  F.  Allen,  Verte  Longue  d'Automne,  Seckel,  fine,  and  Chaumon- 
telle  pears  :  figs,  four  varieties;  also,  Syrian,  Black  Hamburgh,  Muscat  of 


500  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 

Alexandria,  Charlesworth  Tokay,  Black  Prince,  Zinfindal,  Red  Chasselas, 
White  and  Purple  Frontignan,  and  Whortly  Hall  Seedling  grapes.  From 
George  Walsh,  pears — Buffum,  Dix,  White  Doyenn6,  Brown  Beurre, 
Winter  Nelis  ;  grapes — two  varieties  of  Seedlings,  Sweetwater.  From 
Alfred  A.  Andrews,  Uvedale's  St.  Germain  pears.  From  J.  Gordon,  pears, 
for  a  name. 

Vegetables:  From  A.  D.  Williams,  cauliflowers  and  broccoli.  From 
Alfred  A.  Andrews,  very  large  carrots. 

October  2\st.  Exhibited. — Fruit:  From  the  President  of  the  Society, 
Beurr6  d'Anjou,  Bezi  de  la  Motte,  and  Duchesse  d'Angouleme  pears.  From 
S.  Walker,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  fine,  Urbaniste,  and  other  pears  without 
name.  From  F.  W.  Macondry,  a  Pippin  apple.  From  George  Walsh, 
Charlestown,  Messire  Jean,  Beurr6  Diel,  Bon  Chretien  Fondante,  Urban- 
iste, and  other  pears.  From  Daniel  Putnam,  Danvers,  President's  apple. 
From  Thomas  Needham,  Black  Hamburgh,  Syrian,  white  Chasselas,  white 
Frontignan,  Chasselas  Musque,  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  Black  Portugal, 
Black  Lombardy,  and  Black  Frankendale  grapes,  all  fine.  From  J.  F. 
Allen,  Napoleon,  Verte  Longue  d'Automne,  Seckel,  Duchesse  d'Angou- 
leme, and  other  pears  for  name  ;  also,  Black  Prince,  Zinfindal,  and  Whort- 
ly Hall  seedling  grapes.  From  J.  Dudley,  pears.  A  Seedling  pear  from 
Salem,  was  exhibited,  which  the  Committee  have  named  the  Ropes  pear. 
The  specimens  tasted  were  very  good,  but  the  Committee  wish  to  see  them 
another  season  before  giving  a  decided  opinion  of  their  merits.  We  have  a 
drawing  and  description  of  this  pear,  which  we  shall  notice  in  our  next  vol- 
ume. 

November  7. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  to-day — 
the  President  in  the  Chair. 

A  letter  was  received  from  Messrs.  Wiley  and  Putnam,  requesting  cop- 
ies of  any  works  or  Transactions  of  the  Society  since  its  origin,  for  the 
British  Museum.     Laid  over  till  an  adjourned  meeting. 

The  following  members  were  elected  : — Kev.  C.  F.  Barnard,  R.  G. 
Shaw,  D.  Jarves,  G.  Howe,  and  B.  Davis,  Boston  ;  W.  Parsons,  Rox- 
bury ;  Jonas  Weyth,  and  J.  E.  Worcester,  Cambridge  ;  Wellwood  Young, 
New  Bedford. 

Adjourned  one  month  to  first  Saturday  in  December. 

Exhibited. — Flowers  :  From  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  twelve  pots  of 
chrysanthemums,  of  twelve  varieties.  From  James  Nugent,  twelve  va- 
rieties of  chrysauthemums.  From  D,  Crowley,  a  fine  display  of  chry- 
santhemums. 

The  premiums  on  chrysanthemums  were  awarded  to-day,  as  follows  : — 

Chrysanthemums. — To  D.  Crowley,  for  the  best  twelve  varieties,  a  pre- 
mium of  $5. 

To  James  Nugent,  for  the  second  best  twelve  varieties,  a  premium  of  $  4. 

The  fine  display  from  Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.,  came  too  late  for  competi- 
tion. 

Fruits  :  From  E.  Vose,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme  pears,  very  fine.  From 
Josiah  Levitt,  Seckel,  fine,  Louise    Bonne  de  Jersey,  and  Petre  pears. 


Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  501 

From  S.  R.  Johnson,  Beurr6  Diel,  and  Dix  pears,  the  latter  very  handsome. 
From  S.  R.  Walker,  Figue,  fine,  and  Beurr6  Diel  pears.  From  J.  M. 
Earle,  Winter  Spice,  (?)  Red  Bough,  which  we  think  will  prove  fine,  and 
Patterson  Harvey  apples.  From  the  President  of  the  Society,  Dix,  fine, 
Urbaniste,  and  Bezi  de  la  Motte  pears.  From  Cheever  Newhall,  Syrian, 
very  fine,  and  Black  Hamburgh  grapes.  From  J.  F.  Allen,  Verte  Longue 
d'Automne  pears.  From  A.  D.  Williams  and  Son,  apples  and  pears. 
From  S.  D.  Partridge,  apples  of  fine  flavor  for  a  name.  From  Alexander 
McLennan,  Urbaniste,  Martin  Sec,  Beurr6  Diel,  Leon  Le  Clerc,  Verte 
Longue  d'Automne,  Messire  Jean,  and  White  Doyenn6  (?)  pears.  From 
J.  M.  Ives,  Bezi  de  la  Motte,  Winter  Nelis,  and  Bleeker's  Meadow  pears ; 
Minister  apples.  From  O.  Johnson,  fine  specimens  of  Duchesse  d'Angou- 
leme  pears. 

November  lUh.  Exhibited. — Fruits  ;  From  Samuel  Downer,  Jr. ,  Beurr6 
Diel  pears,  fine.  From  Portland,  for  a  name,  by  Samuel  Walker,  Doy- 
enne Gris  (■?)  pears.  From  S.  Walker,  Figue,  fine.  Winter  Nelis,  Mc- 
Laughlin, Beurre  Duval,  Verte  Longue  d'Automne,  Josephine,  [])  Chau- 
montelle,  Figue  de  Naples,  Queen  of  the  Low  Countries,  Beurre  d'Arem- 
berg,  and  Fourcroy  pears.  From  J.  F.  Allen,  Chaumontelle,  fine,  and 
Lewis  pears.  From  Samuel  Pond,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  and  Dix  pears ; 
Musk  quinces ;  the  specimens  of  pears  and  quinces  were  all  fine.  From  J. 
M.  Ives,  Aunt  Hannah  apples,  which  the  committee  pronounced  of  the  first 
quality  ;  also,  Swaar,  and  Rambo  or  Romanite.  From  Dr.  Joshua  B. 
Flint,  Louisville,  Ky.,  apples  found  growing  in  the  forest;  the  committee 
on  testing  pronounced  the  fruit  entirely  worthless  From  John  Washburn, 
Orange,  or  Apple,  Musk,  Pear,  and  Portugal  quinces,  and  a  fine  specimen 
without  a  name  ;  the  specimens  were  all  extra  in  size. 

Nov.  21,  Exhibited. — Fruit :  From  the  President  of  the  Society,  Le  Cure, 
Beurr6  d'Aremberg  and  Beurre  gris  d'  Hiver  nouveau  pears,  the  latter  a 
new  variety  with  a  very  high  flavor,  and  promises  to  be  a  valuable  late 
pear.  From  S.  Walker,  fine  specimens  of  Le  Cure  pears.  From  F.  W. 
Macondry,  Soldat  Labourer,  pears,  which  the  Committee,  on  tasting,  decid- 
ed to  be,  without  doubt,  the  Beurr6  d'Aremberg.  From  J.  WiJcomb, 
Flushing,  N.  Y.,  handsome  specimens  of  the  Lawrence  pear,  which  prove 
it  to  be  a  first  rate  variety  ;  also  specimens  of  another  native  pear,  growing 
near  the  original  tree  of  the  Lawrence,  of  fair  quality. 

Messrs.  Hovey  &  Co.  presented  a  specimen  of  the  Vicompte  de  Spoil- 
berch  pear,  which  was  pronounced  first  rate,  though  rather  too  ripe.  From 
A.  Aspinwall,  some  of  the  most  splendid  specimens  of  the  Beurre  Diel  pear, 
ever  exhibited  at  the  room,  some  of  them  (twelve  in  number)  weighing  nearly 
a  jJOMTirf  each.  From  C.  Newhall,  pears  received  as  the  Colraar  du  Prin- 
temps,  but  which  appeared  to  be  the  Urbaniste.  From  James  Eustis,  Trun- 
nel  Apples,  and  a  variety  without  name  ;  also  the  Ben  Apple  ;  the  latter 
fine.  S.  C.  Ferry,  of  Geauga  County,  Ohio,  presented  handsome  Apples 
found  upon  his  land  when  a  wilderness  ;  the  specimens  were  of  pleasant 
flavor,  but  dry.  From  B.  V.  French,  Conway,  White  Seek-no-Farther, 
and  Nonsuch  Apples. 


502 


Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Art.  V.     Faneuil  Hall  Market. 


Roots,  Tubers,  (f»c. 

Potatoes,  new : 
riu  ^  per  barrel, 

Chenaugoes,  jf^er  bushel 
^     .       .  i  per  barrel, 

Eastports J  fer  bushel 

^  ^  per  barrel 

Common,....  j|;er bushel 

Sweet  Potatoes,  per  bushel, 

Turnips :  per  bushel,  .     .     . 

Onions  : 
White,  per  bunch,  . 
White,  per  bushel,  . 
Yellow,  per  bunch,  . 
Yellow,  per  bushel. 
Rareripes,  per  bunch. 

Beets,  per  bushel,  . 

Carrots,  per  bushel,    . 

Horseradish,  per  lb.    . 

Garlic,  per  lb.     ... 


Cabbages,  Salads,  (|'c. 

Cabbages,  per  doz.  : 
Drumhead,     .     .     . 
Green  Globe  Savoy, 
Red  Dutch,     .     .     . 
Cauliflowers,  each, 
Lettuce,  per  head,  .     . 
Broccolis,  each, 
Celery,  per  root,     .     . 
Spinach,  per  bushel,     . 
Shell  Beans,  per  quart  : 
White  Pea  13eans,  per  bush 
Sweet  Corn,  per  dozen  ears 
Peppers,  per  lb.      ... 
Martynias,  half  peck, 
Cucumbers,  (pickled)  pr.  gal 
Peppers,  (pickled)  per  gal 


Pot  and  Sweet  Herbs. 

Parsley,  per  half  peck. 
Sage,  per  pound,     .     . 
Marjorum,  per  bunch. 
Savory,  per  bunch, 
Spearmint,  per  bunch. 


From 

$cts 

1  75 
75 

2  50 
1  00 
1   25 

50 

1   00 

50 

3 
75 

3 
62.^ 

75 

62^ 

10 


62^ 

50 

75 

12^ 

6 

8 

6 

75 

I   62^ 


25 
37i 


37^ 
17 

6 

6 

3 


To 

Sets. 

2  00 
I   00 

3  00 
1  25 
1  50 

75 
1  25 


10 


75 
62^ 

17 

8 

12 

12 

I  00 

1   75 


20 
12i 


Squashes  and  Pumpkins. 

Squashes : 
Autumnal  Marrow,  per  lb. 
Canada  Crookneck, .     .    , 
Winter  Crookneck,  .     . 

Pumpkins,  each,     .     .     .     . 

Fruits. 

Apples,  dessert  and  cooking 

Baldwin,  per  barrel. 

Greenings,  per  barrel, 

Russets,  per  barrel, . 

Sweet,  per  bbl,  .     . 

Blue  Pearmain,  per  barrel 

Gilliflower,  per  barrel, . 

Wine  Apple,  per  barrel, 

Lady,  per  barrel,      .     . 

Spitzcmberg,  per  barrel, 

Bellflower,  per  barrel,  . 

Sweet,  per  bushel,.  .     . 
Pears,  per  half  peck  : 

Le  Cure, 

Winter  St.  Michael,     . 

Beurre  Diel,  .... 

Lewis, 

Messire  Jean,      .     .     . 

Glout  Morceau,  .     .     . 

Common, 

Baking,  per  bushel. 
Cranberries,  per  bushel,  . 
Quinces,  per  bushel,  .  . 
Citron  Melons,  each,  .  . 
Watermelons,  each,  .  . 
Muskmelons,  each : 

Cantelopes,  or  green  flesh 

Large  yellow  fleshed,  . 
Grapes,  per  lb. : 

Black  Hamburgh,    . 

Malaga,  .... 
Oranges,  per  doz. 

St.  Domingo,  .     •     , 

Sicily,        .... 

Sicily,  per  box,  .  . 
Lemons,  per  doz.    .     . 

Sicily,  per  box,  .  . 
Shellharks,  per  bushel 
Chestnuts,  per  bushel, 
Pine  Apples,  each, 


From 
$  cts. 

2 

Id 
1 


50 


17 
3  25 
1  50 
5  00 


To 
Sets. 


1^ 


1  00 
1  00 

1  00 

2  50 
2  00 


20 
3  50 
1  75 
6  00 


Remarks. — Owing  to  want  of  roono,  both  the  Price  Current  and  Re- 
marks of  the  Market  were  omitted  in  the  last  number.  Since  then, 
there  has  been  considerable  change  in  the  supply  of  produce,  many  sorts  of 
fruit  being  now  out  of  season,  and  others  coming  in  to  take  their  place. 
But  in  prices  there  has  been  no  very  great  variation. 

The  weather,  since  the  date  of  our  last,  (September  28th,)  has  been  re- 
markably good  for  the  season  :  there  has  been  a  want  of  rain,  but  yet,  for 
the  harvesting  of  crops,  we  believe  no  more  favorable  autumn  has  of  late 
occurred.     November  up  to  the  25th  was  unusually  mild,  with  but  one  or 


Horticultural  Memoranda.  503 

two  frosts,  and  those  not  severe.  Dahlias  flowered  late  into  October.  A 
gale  of  some  severity  occurred  about  the  middle  of  October,  which  some- 
what injured  fruit  that  was  not  then  picked.  Late  potatoes,  from  the  ab- 
sence of  wet  weather,  proved  very  free  from  rot,  and  we  learn  that  in  Maine, 
the  crop  has  been  fully  an  average  one  of  sound  and  good  potatoes.  Since 
the  25th,  the  weather  has  been  cold  with  snow,  and  very  high  westerly 
breezes,  but  the  ground  is  not  yet  frozen  to  the  depth  of  an  inch. 

Winter  apples  have  improved  in  price,  and  the  stock  is  much  lighter  than 
at  this  time  last  year.  Baldwins,  Russets,  and  Greenings  comprise  the 
principal  kinds  now  offered.  We  noticed  a  few  called  the  Gilliflower,  and 
Wine  apple,  the  former  a  handsome  oblong  fruit,  and  the  latter  a  medium 
sized  apple,  finely  striped  with  red,  a  late  autumn  variety  of  agreeable  fla- 
vor, but  now  nearly  past  its  season.  Winter  pears  are  very  scarce,  and 
command  high  prices  ;  notwithstanding  so  many  new  varieties  have  been 
introduced  within  the  past  ten  years,  very  few  are  yet  to  be  found  in  our 
markets — the  only  Grapes  now  to  be  found  are  the  foreign,  of  which  there 
is  a  good  stock.  Oranges  are  extremely  scarce  and  sell  high.  Lemons 
are  not  plenty.  Chesnuts  are  unusually  scarce  this  year,  and  command  a 
very  high  price.  Shellbarks  plenty,  and  of  good  quality  ;  of  vegetables,  the 
market  is  abundantly  supplied  with  all  the  kinds  usually  found  at  this  sea- 
son. Winter  spinach  is  now  brought  in  plentifully.  Lettuce  begins  to 
come  in,  but  is  scarce. —  Yours,  M.  T.,  Nov.  28lh,  1846. 


HORTICULTURAL    MEMORANDA 

FOR   DECEMBER. 


FRUIT   DEPARTMENT. 

Grape  Vines,  if  they  have  been  pruned,  will  require  no  further  care  till 
February,  except  in  hothouses  or  vineries  where  forcing  is  intended.  If 
they  have  not  been  pruned,  this  should  be  attended  to  immediately.  When 
this  is  done,  the  shoots  should  be  loosened  from  the  trellis,  and  laid  horizon- 
tally against  the  front  wall  of  the  house,  where  they  will  be  prevented  from 
starting  so  early  as  they  would  if  remaining  on  the  trellis,  and  will  also 
break  more  evenly. 

Fruil  trees,  planted  the  past  autumn,  will  be  benefited  by  placing  over  the 
roots  about  a  barrel  full  of  manure  of  any  kind,  the  strength  of  which  will 
be  carried  into  the  ground  by  the  winter  rains  ;  and  it  will,  at  the  same  time, 
prevent  the  frost  from  penetrating  too  deep  :  trees  longer  planted  will  also 
be  improved  by  having  the  same  quantity  placed  around  them. 

Scions  of  fruit  trees  may  be  cut  now,  when  it  is  desirable  to  send  them 
away  any  distance. 

Labels  of  trees  should  be  looked  to  before  winter  sets  in,  that  they  may 
be  made  secure  against  winds,  and  renewed,  if  the  marks  are  likely  to  be 
obliterated  before  spring. 


504  Horticultural  Memoranda. 

FLOWER    DEPARTMENT. 

Camellias  will  now  be  opening  their  flowers  freely,  and  will  need  more 
liberal  supplies  of  water,  with  repeated  syringings  with  ferfectly  dean  water, 
otherwise  the  flowers  will  be  disfigured.  If  the  leaves  have  not  been  washed, 
now  is  a  good  time  to  attend  to  it.  Ill  shaped  plants  should  also  now  be 
tied  up  to  neat  stakes,  and,  if  straggling,  pruned  in  moderately.  Water 
once  a  month  with  liquid  guano.  If  it  is  intended  to  raise  seedlings,  atten- 
tion should  be  given  to  the  proper  fertilization  of  the  blossoms  as  they  open. 

Chrysanthemums  done  flowering  may  have  their  tops  cut  off  and  the  pots 
placed  in  a  frame  for  the  winter. 

Dahlia  roots  should  be  occasionally  looked  to,  to  see  that  none  of  the  best 
sorts  are  decaying. 

Roses  should  now  be  well  pruned  if  not  done  before,  and  young  plants 
potted  off  in  August  should  now  be  shifted  into  the  next  size. 

Japan  lilies  may  be  repotted  this  month,  shaking  oft' the  loose  earth,  but 
being  careful  not  to  injure  any  of  the  fleshy  roots.  After  potting,  set  them 
in  a  cool  place  under  the  greenhouse  stage  for  a  few  weeks. 

Heliotropes  may  now  be  shifted  into  larger  sized  pots,  if  plenty  of  flowers 
are  wanted. 

Schizanthus  s  should  have  another  shift  this  month. 

Victoria  Stocks  will  also  now  require  repotting. 

Cyclamens  will  now  begin  to  bloom,  and  will  require  liberal  supplies  of 
water. 

Oxalises  done  blooming  should  be  sparingly  watered. 

Calceolarias  will  require  repotting. 

Heaths  should  be  kept  properly  watered,  and  the  shoots  frequently  topped 
so  as  to  form  dwarf  bushy  plants. 

Pelargoniums  intended  for  fine  flowering  specimens  should  have  all  the 
vigorous  shoots  stopped  at  the  third  joint. 

Tree  paonies,  brought  into  the  house  now,  will  bloom  finely  in  February 
and  March. 

Cinerarias  should  be  repotted. 

Corroeas,  now  coming  into  flower,  should  be  neatly  tied  up,  and  liberally 
watered. 

Leschenaultia  formosa  should  now  have  a  small  shift,  giving  a  very  lib- 
eral drainage  of  charcoal  and  potsherd. 

Mignonette  should  now  be  rather  sparingly  and  carefully  watered. 

Ixias,  Sparaxis,  and  other  Cape  bulbs,  now  coming  into  bloom,  should  be 
more  abundanrly  watered. 

Gladioluses,  if  crowded,  may  have  a  shift  into  a  larger  pot. 

Carnations,  if  strong  layers,  may  have  a  shift,  and  be  brought  into  the 
house,  where  they  will  flower. 

Nemophila  insignia  should  now  be  shifted  into  seven  inch  pots. 


INDEX 


PLANTS  ENUMERATED  IN  VOLUME  XII. 

(VOLUME  II.,  NEW  SERIES.) 


In  the  body  of  the  Magazine,  a  few  errors  occur  in  the  spelling  of  the  botanical  names,  the 
capitalizing  of  generic  and  specific  names,  their  derivation  and  accentuation:  these  are  all 
corrected  in  the  following  list  of  plants.  The  synonymes,  in  several  instances,  have  also 
been  given,  where  plants  have  been  incorrectly  indicated. 


List  of  new  and  beautiful  Fuchsias,  .     25 

List  of  36  varieties  of  Phlox,  and  other 

fine  new  sorts,   .         .        .         100.  103.  369 

List  of  new  and  beautiful  Roses,  6.  103. 

157.  271.  315.  331 

List  of  fine  varieties  of  the  Camellia,      .  107. 

234 
List  of  tine  varieties  of  the  Tulip,     .        .  185 
Twenty-four  fine  varieties  of  the  Chry- 
santhemum described,  ....  214 


Ab^l/a  rup^stris 

350 

yj'ndrosace  occidentalis 

89 

J'bies  Dougldssii           46 

203 

Jneni6iie  vitifblia 

164 

religidsa 

317 

Adtus  gracillimus 

316 

Smithiii/ia 

317 

Aplepappas  tortltdlius 

87 

AbiUilon  striatum 

412 

Aphelexis  hiimilis 

312 

Jcacia  armdta 

126 

sesamoides 

312 

dealbdta 

107 

specidsa 

312 

linearis 

242 

spectdbilis 

312 

pubescens 

242 

Aquiliigia  c-Erulea 

90 

Achillea  r6sea 

162 

glandul6sa 

303 

Achimenes  argyrostlgma 

334 

var. 

303 

grandiH6ra 

323 

secunda 

236 

longiflora       271.  303. 

323. 

Skinner/                 303 

321 

354 

Araucdria  imbricdta      46 

333 

pitens 

302 

^'rbutus  macropliylla 

317 

plcta       271.  323.  354 

451 

pr6cera 

317 

r6sea 

323 

Ardlsia  hyrnenandra 

316 

Achrosticum  alic6rne 

34 

Arctomdcon  calilornicum 

92 

>Jconituni  Hdllerj 

369 

A'rnica  angustifolia 

90 

pyrenaicum 

369 

^s|)l^nitim 

34 

speciosum 

369 

Astrapse'a  Wallichi* 

124 

Actiiiella  grandifldra 

88 

Azdlea  Indica  Copeij 

156 

Torreyrijia 

88 

Daniels/nria    234 

271 

j^^^schyiidiitliusi  piilcher 

311 

dark  cherry 

156 

A^ridts  odordnim 

310 

Gledstan^su'   217 

235 

Agapamhus  umbellEttus 

197 

Leucomegestre 

217 

Agdve  americAna 

267 

lilacina  triumplians 

Ai/dntus  ghinduldsa 

186 

234 

AlaiiiAiida  cathirtica 

312 

lili(16ra 

234 

Alstromae'ria  acutildlia 

207 

ledifolia 

156 

Amaryllis  Helladonaa 

410 

Mazeppa 

234 

Jme/anchier  Botrydpium 

86 

orange  pink 

234 

Ain6rpha  canescens 

88 

pha-nicea        103. 

156 

Anisocina  acaulis 

87 

41ba 

103 

AmphipAppus  rremuntu 

87 

seedling  white 

217 

Jnagiillis  Marryattj'i 

45 

Smith's  lulgens 

217 

Andromeda  Cutesba;j 

42 

Smlthn' 

157 

spenidsa 

42 

triumphans 

217 

tttragona 

317 

variegdta  197.  217 

234 

Several  new  and  fine  Pelargoniums  enu- 
merated,        .        .        .     236.  272.  317.  318 
Several  fine  varieties  of  Lilacs,        .        .  236 
List  of  fine  Heaths,  ....   313.  314 
List  of  the  best  Hyacinths,  Tulips,  and 

Narcissuses,  for  forcing,  .  .  400.  402 
List  of  the  finest  Tansies,  .  .  .  407 
List  of  new  and  rare  plants  found  by  Mr. 

Fortune,  in  China,  ....  447 
List  of  the  finest  Dahlias  for  1846,     459.  488. 

493 


Azdlea  indica  Youngi  234 

Letitias  27 

Ludovlcre  28 

pontica,  20  var.  234 

Taylor's  nosegay  42 

red  42 

several  hardy  varieties  15 
sinensis  157 

Babingtdni'a  camphorismas 

271 

Balsamhorlza  87 

Bark^rm  Lindleydwa  316 

Beauin6nt(«  grandifldra       317 

Begonm  obliqua  237 

Berberis  actinicdntha  26 

cuneAta  317 

purpurea  42 

Bitula  grandifldra  90 

occidenlAlis  90 

Bignon/a  fiaxinifolia  24 

grandifldra  493 

B61dort  frdgrans  27 

Bordn/adenticulita  312 

vimindlis  271 

Biiddlea  Lindleyona     370.  448 

Cdctus  heptdsonus  285 

Calandiinm  umbelldta  316.349 

Calceolarias,  12  var.  236 

Callidchyris  Frcm6ntu         88 

Cani6Iliajap6nicavar.  Al- 

exina  283 

Abby  Wilder         108. 

157.  479 

candidissima  283 

Chalni6r(j  perftcta 

281 
Donckela^riz  157.  283 
Duchess  of  Orleans 
109 


506 


LIST  OF  PLANTS. 


Camellia  japonica  Emily 

281 

Lady  Henrietta 

283 

Lady  Hume 

108 

Lord  Ker 

234 

Ldvfii 

283 

Marguerette  deGuil- 

loii 

234 

mtiii&ta 

234 

Napoleon 

283 

P^pperj 

281 

Perzio 

234 

Pi6rcei 

244 

Preniland 

234 

tricolor 

283 

Van  Buren 

243 

Wilderi   108.  157 

479 

new  seedlings  109.234 

new  varieties 

243 

Camp4nula  Barrallifirj 

207 

fr^gills 

207 

griiidis            303.  346 

349 

grandiflira 

349 

hirsuta 

207 

pyramidilis            347 

349 

C4rex  atrita 

90 

p&nica 

90 

Cattlfiya  granulosa 

316 

Harris6nn 

369 

intermedia 

372 

C6drus  Deoddra       15.  45. 

202. 

333 

Lib^ni 

47 

Cedronilla  mexic^na 

482 

pallida 

482 

C'6rasus  padus 

86 

semperrt6ren3 

86 

Cerbera  Tlieveta 

23 

Cercoceirpus  parvifolius 

89 

Cireus  caespitdsus 

65 

cisruleacens 

269 

cyllndricus 

269 

extinsis 

269 

glaucescens 

242 

grandiflora 

24 

serpentlnus 

285 

specioslssimus 

315 

triangularis 

24 

new  seedlings 

276 

Cistrum  diiirnum 

331 

Chfenustonia  polydnthum 

449 

CliamffiVops  humilis 

124 

Chara  polym6rpha 

66 

Chimon^ntlius  virglnica 

285 

Chirlta  zeylinica 

316 

Chlorse'a  vir6scens 

30 

Clarki'a  pulcUella 

162 

ilba 

162 

Clematis  Hendersdnti 

322 

Siebilda"                 235 

.  322 

Cle6me  iniegrifdlia 

88 

Clerod^ndron  fillax 

311 

Kteniprerj               202.  311 

paniculitum 

311 

spl6ndens               312 

.  334 

squam^tum 

312 

Olivia  nAbilis 

316 

Coleoniiiia  pulclirum 

311 

Combritum  purpiireum 

104. 

236 

(;onvalUria  stellita 

94 

Corrse'a  GrevlUii 

207 

Corypha  umbracaullfera 

204 

CrAssiila,  seedling 

274 

Crinum  amibile            316.  492 

Crdwea  sallgna 

312 

Cryptoniiria  japonica  316 


Cilphea  cordAta 

302 

Fraiiclsia  acumindta 

312. 

449 

strigilldsa 

450 

Fremonti'a 

93 

Cupressus  Lambertii 

317 

Fuchs/a  affinis 

331 

thurll'era 

317 

E'ppsj'i 

124 

tortul6sa  vlridis 

317 

formosa  ^legans 

42 

Cyprip^diuin  inslgnis 

370 

fiilgens 

124 

specldbile 

316 

micrAntha 

302 

Cyrtdnthus  obUqua 

212 

radicans 

331 

Cyrtoceras  refl6xum 

311 

Stormintii 

202 

Cyrtopodium  punctitum 

313 

6  var. 

271 

Z>apline  Auklaiidu 

317 

Fiinkj'a  japonica 

372 

Datura  arbdrea 

22 

Gaillird/a  corondta 

322 

Dichoriz4ri(lra  ovatifdlia 

316 

plcla  cocclnea 

322 

tliyrsil'dlia 

316 

sangulnea 

322 

Dlcranum  sp. 

34 

Gardenia  llorida 

28 

271 

I>i(itis  laiidta 

89 

Stanleynna        25 

28 

334 

Dlplacns  punlceus 

271 

Whitfi'eidm 

29 

7)odec4theon  denrdtiim 

90 

Gaiira  Lindheiniirtj 

64 

Dracocephalum  gracile 

316 

tripitala 

64 

grandifl(irum 

482 

Geranium  Freniontu' 

89 

Echinocactus  Eyriisit 

285 

G6snera  elegans 

334 

Lindheimiru' 

65 

Gerardjdna 

25 

451 

sespitlnus 

65 

schenWia 

334 

i;'gletes  arkansAna 

64 

zebrina                25 

.45 

451 

£le4gnus  arg^ntea 

90 

Gllia  pulch^lla 

89 

E'pacris  granditldra 

311 

Gladiolus  belvidirus 

366 

Epipliyllum  Ackermanjt 

316 

Christianus 

322 

aurantiacuni 

316 

floribundus 

366 

specidsa 

315 

gandavensis 

323 

Eremostdchys  lascinidta 

30 

natal^nsis 

366 

jErlca  Ail6n/a 

162 

several  sp.  and  var. 

6 

ampulldcea 

271 

Gloxinia  Cartdnt 

316 

.321 

Bergidna 

312 

I'ormdsa 

24 

cifTra 

197 

macrophylla  variegata 

Cavendishn 

311 

34 

274 

curvifldra  rubra 

236 

rubra 

321 

declindta 

162 

tubifldra 

321 

eiegans 

162 

violacea 

449 

gemmif'era 

311 

two  seedlings 

321 

hyemdlis                 204 

228 

Gomplirena  globosa 

23 

Lambirtu 

207 

Goodin/a  granditlAra 

316 

Macnabiftjia 

204 

i/edychium  Gardnerjdnu/n 

metuliefldra  blGolor 

311 

371 

Murrayrinum 

163 

HelianthlUa  unilldra 

90 

purpurea 

205 

Ilelidntluis  divaricdtus 

478 

retorta 

205 

ferruglneus 

478 

major              162 

.  205 

gigdnteus 

478 

riibida 

236 

tuberosa 

421 

477 

rup^stris                 162 

.  205 

fl'iblscus  Canieront 

207 

Saviledna               162 

.  271 

Jerrold/djiMS 

349 

taxifldra 

124 

Rosa  sinensis 

22 

triceps                     124 

.  162 

sinensis 

24 

tricolor 

271 

Hoya  carndsa 

24 

ventric6sa  alba 

236 

Hydrangea  jap6nica 

236 

purpurea 

310 

/'lex  ciliata 

317 

supirba 

286 

latifdlia 

317 

vestita 

162 

madev^nsis 

317 

vulgaris  alba  plena 

42 

specidsa 

317 

variegdla 

42 

Indigotera  decdra 

480 

Eriogonum,  2  sp. 

89 

I'n^a  HarrUit 

207 

sssspitdsum 

89 

Iponiae'a  Horsf411/ffi 

104 

parvifldrum 

89 

Ledru      236.  257 

318 

.  365 

EriostSmon  buxifi&Iiiim 

311 

Ipomupsis  elegans 

366 

Erythrhia  Crista  gilli  23 

.  408 

Ix6ra  cocclnea 

312 

Eschscholtzia  cricea 

94 

odordta 

25 

£u6nymus  fimbriitus 

317 

yasniinum  azoricum 

23 

variegitus 

246 

granditl6rum 

22 

£uph6rbja  jacquinip/fdra 

24. 

niultifloruni 

22 

104.  153 

.  227 

revolutum 

22 

splindens 

24 

Sumbac  fl.  pi. 

22 

Eurdta  ceratoides 

89 

Jdtropha  muliifida 

23 

landta 

89 

yunlperus  alp'ina 

317 

Fagopyrum  cymdsum 

481 

daiirica 

317 

Flcus  elAsticus 

24 

excilsa 

317 

Fissedens  hynliua 

32 

pendula 

317 

obtusit'61ia 

32 

squamita 

317 

LIST  OF  PLANTS. 


507 


Justlr/a  caniea  334 

Mac  Uonii^ll/j  334 

Kklmin  angiistifdlia  ri!ibra     42 

glauca  15.  42 

stricta  15  \ 

superba  15  I 

latifdliii  14.  42  I 

Kenn^d/a  raceiii<isa  23fi  I 

Kraiiierfn  lanceoldta  63  | 

triiindra  63 

Labisia  poth6nia  29 

Lankast^n'fT  parvifldra  450 
Lantaiia  odnrata  23 

purpurea  23 

Latftnia  borlionica  204 

Leschenaiilti'a  liaxtArt         311 

fornidsa  237.311 

LiAam  tliyinif(iliuiu  42 

Liiiitris  scari6sa  88.  372 

iisiistriim  jap6nicum  316 

iyiiium  e\liniuin  236 

japoiiicuin  273 

laucit(ilium  dlbum  322.  323 
punctdtuni  317 

roseuin  323 

rubrum         5.  28.  323 
seedlings  322 

several  new  seedlings  317 
Linddgris  visr.ldiJWra  90 

Linpia  cuneifolia  89 

l.ob^l/a  cardliidlis  367 

Lonicera  Biiwnii  334 

Ledeboiir/  334 

Liiculia  gratissima  205 

Lychms,  vespertina  pl^no  162 
LycopoJiuin  helveticutn  34 
//ytliruni  alAtum  162 

rdseum  369 

Maclilra  aurrintlaca  284 

Macrorynchus  troximoldes  90 
Magndlf'a  consplcua  285 

glauca  330 

graridifWra  61.  285 

niacropliylla 

purpurea 

Soulangedna 

tripetala 
Maliduta  aquif^lium 
Maliernta  odorata 
Mdlva  rotundit6lia 
Malvavisrus  Drummondji    64 
Mamiuillaria  senilis  65 

simplex  65 

sulcata  65. 242 

Mandevilleoi  suaviolens  276 
yi&wdiun  cordifdlia 
Mastaciuthiis  sinensis 
Melociclus  virid^scens 
Melaleuca  alba 
Melastoina  malabdfrica 
Menzi^i/a  empetrceformis  90 
MesembryAnlliemum  tricolor 
45 
.Ifespiliis  japonica 
Metrosid^ros  lanceoldta 
Miltdnia  Candida 
JUimdsa  piidica 

sensitiva 
Mirb^lw  illicilolia 
Menoptilon  bellidilurniis 
MulgWrum  machorizon 
Milsa  Cavcndishii  35.  205 

NapoleoU'i  imperiAlis  25.  834 
Nein6pliila  ins-iunis  104 

Nerine  coriisca  242 

veniista  242 


i\Mrium  coronArium 
jVepeiithes  distillatdria 
NiccoUet/a  occidenlAlis 
Niereinb^rgja  filicnulis 
Odontoulossum  grindis 
(JGnolhfira  niacrocarpa 

Nuttdll/f 

rhombipitala 
Oncidium  fle\u6sum 
Opiintia  fi&gilis 

va.'.  frut^scens 

missouriensis 

vulgdris 

sp. 
O'rcliis  blephariglottis 

fiinbriata 
Oreophila  niyrtirdlia 
O'xalis  Uowiej 

floribiiuda 


285 
285 
16 
61 
14 
271 
94 


311 

451 

31 

23 

408 


24 
23 
125 
242 
242 
316 
87 
450 


sp, 


23 

205 

93 

45 

125 

45 

89 

64 

125 

65 

64 

65 

65 

65 

367 

367 

90 

45 

264 

212 

480 

90 

274 

274 

274 

274 

273 

237 

237 

348 

3U3 


Phlox  seedlings 
Picea  Webbi«na 
Piniel^a  decussdla 

liispida 

spectAbilis 
Pinus  c^rnbra 

excilsa 

Fraserj  specidsa 

insignis 

Lanibertj'oria 

monopliylla 

nubills 
Pittosporum  tobira 


367 
46 

311 

312 

313 
93 

203 
90 
46 

205 
93 

317 
23 


Oxyiamphis  macrostyla 
Oxyria  renitorinis 
Ps:6nia  iisXwa. 

eleganllssimum 
lliimei 

Ilericart/dnMOT 
fifteen  new  varieties 
Moutan  Hisstdna 
r6sea 

Wittmanid/n/ni 

new  yellow  var. 

new    sorts    from 

China  446 

Pandantm  odoratissinius     204 

PApaver  bractedluni  262 

ParnAssia  fimbri&ta  90 

Passitlora  quadranguldris    104 

Paul6wn»«  333 

iniperlAlis  246 

Pavetta  cdlfra  312 

Pedicularis  surrecta  90 

Pelargonium  Jenny  Lind    236 

Ladv  t^ale  236 

Queen  Phillippi     236 

Sarah  236 

tricolor  316 

Pentst^mon  Murrayrinuin  164 

micrAntha  89 

Pernittyn  pil6sa  317 

Petimia  Miller's  punctata    42 

three  fine  vars.      246.  367 


Plidca  digildta 
Phascum 
Phlium  alpiiium 
Phlox  ilba  Kermesina 

Artabanes 

Blanc  de  Neuilly 

hlcolor 

Breckit 

Carter's  white 

Charles 

Donckela^rii 

Henry  (.-'lay 

Lawrenc?a 

La  Nymphe 

muscdides 

Niinrnd 

(Eil  de  Lynx 

picta 

Princesse  Marianne 


90 
34 
90 
322 
322 
366 
322 
408 
408 
322 
322 
367 
866 
869 
90 
322 
402.  366 
322 


r6ttS7j 
Russelli'ina 
Van  Houttcji 

Wilderj 


101. 
366 
369 
367 
102.  283. 
322 
408 


I'latycddon  grand iflorum     349 

Plantdgo  en6|)hora  89 

Plunil.dgo  cap^nsis        23.  481 

zeylAnica  481 

Podocarpus  elongdtus         317 

Poinsettia  pnlch^rrima        104 

Poincid?io  pulcherrinia  23 

Polenidnum  cafruleum  90 

Polygala  cordifolia  313 

Potenlilla  Barrdtia  321 

bicolor  23 

gi4cilis  90 

Murrayd»n/7rt  321 

nepal^nsis  26 

Prosopis  odorata  92 

Pri'inns  myrobalana  86 

Pteroslignia  grandiflora      449 

Pulmondria  cilidta  90 

Pyn'iccoma  foliosa  87 

Pyrus  japonioa  42 

Qnercns  ball6ta  317 

glabra  317 

glauca  317 

/'lex  var.  latifilia  317 

insignis  317 

fihodod6ndron  arboreum    124 

campan\ildtum        15.  122 

catawbienss  15 

aucubffifolia  15 

bicolor  15 

spltndens  15 

Duchess  of  Wurtem- 

burg  234 

forniosissimum  2.34 

(ilennydnum  15 

Lady  Warrender  234 

mdxiniuni  15 

nivAticum  15 

Noblednu/n  15 

pontica  15.  26 

Smlth/z  fulgens  234 

speciosum  2.34 

sup^rbum  234 

Ribrs  irrlguum  89 

Rdcliea  faicata  242 

Rondel6tjV(  speci6sa       34.  242 

i<6sa  rubilftlia  155 

var.     Uueen    of    the 

Prairies  155 

Ruilha  floribiinda  334 

lornidsa  351.  450 

macrophylla  351 

var.  316 

lilacina  450 

SabbAti'a  chloroldes  367 

alba  367 

Aalix,  several  species  90 

.Sdlvia  riilgens  448 

pitens  126. 372 

Rhodenwildij       246.  448. 

482 

spltndens  104. 448 

Scabi<isa  canari^nsis  164 


508 


LIST  OF  PLANTS. 


Schub^rt/a  graviiolens 
^cilla  niaritiina 
Scirpus 

O'lneyi 

pungens 
Sidiini  rhodidla 
A'eii^cio  Frem6ntu 

hydrophilus 

rapilftlia 

sparlioides 

subnudiis 

triangularis 
Shephirdfo  argtntea 

canadensis 
5il6ne  acaulis 

Drummondji 

schafta 
Siphoc4mpjios  bicolor 

coccineus 

laiitanaelolius 
Sol^num  lycoldes 

tuber6siini  26 

Solindra  grandifldra 
Solidigo  incAna 
?611ya  linearis 
iSorbus  hybrida 
S6r<(um  halepenne 
Sp^rgula  arvensis 
Spirte'a  jauonica 
Spl&chnum  anipiilldcea 
Siaiih6pea  occulAla 
Staphylea  punciEkta 
^'t&tice  arbdrea 


480 

Stitice  Forluni 

28 

Facciniuni  iiligindsum 

90 

368 

niacrophylla    25.  202 

311 

J^erbiua  var.  Bdrryj 

493 

35 

Stephandtus  jfloribiindus 

276. 

Feast's  crimson 

256 

35 

311 

white 

257 

35 

Strelitzia  augusta         124 

204 

Gazelle 

256 

90 

regina                       24 

157 

Genesee 

493 

90 

Swiet^n/a  Maha^oni 

204 

Julia 

257 

90 

Symphdria  racemdsa 

86 

odorita 

493 

89 

Taburniemontdna  coronAi 

ia 

Purple  Perfeclion  256 

89 

311 

Rochester 

493 

90 

Tacsonia  mollissima     26 

350 

Royal  Purple 

256 

90 

pinnatislipula        205 

350 

Ver6nica  alphia 

90 

89 

Taxddium  sempervlrens 

317 

salicifolia 

351 

90 

2'axiis  adpressa 

317 

specidsa         217. 252. 

318. 

90 

eleganilsbima 

317 

351 

90 

Ticoma  cap6nsis 

22 

var. 

354  ^ 
207^ 

480 

jasniinoides    153.  276 

408 

new  seedling 

104 

Tetrath^ca  Uirsiita 

482 

Tinea  rdsea 

23 

316 

verticillAta 

316 

alba 

23 

104 

Therniopsis  montana 

89 

Fiola  ped4ta 

125 

481 

Thunbergm  alata 

23 

Virgil/a  liiiea 

285 

421 

chrysops                 322 

252 

Wegdlia  riisea 

447 

104 

Thuja  aurea 

15 

WeissejB 

34 

89 

tililurniis 

317 

Whitfieldia  lateritia      25 

.334 

312 

plicata 

285 

Wisldr/a  ("onseqina     36 

.  157 

86 

Tigridia  concliifldra 

366 

Yucca  glori(\sa 

321 

268 

7'ilia  niacrophylla 

122 

tilanicntd^a 

322 

Tor^iiia  asiitica           310 

316 

serruldta 

370 

235 

Townsend/a  Fremont/i 

87 

Zdmia  horrida 

124 

34 

Tropa''oluni  Lobbia/uim 

25 

Zeylinica  r6sca 

23 

408 

peniaphylliim 

316 

Zygopetalon  maxilldre 

418 

237 

Tiirnera  elegans 

334 

311 

f-acciuium  myrtilloides 

SO 

END  OF  VOL.  XII. 


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