VITIS HETEROPHYLLA. T. SII/CtAI* < sen, LITM, PHlLA. The Gardeners Monthly AND Horticulturist^ DEVOTED TO MORTIGULTURE, ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS. EDITED BY THOMAS MEEHAJy, Formerly Head Gardener to Caleb Cope, Esq., at Springbrook, and at the Bartram Botanic Gardens near Philadelphia; Graduate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, [London,) England. Member of the Academy of Natural Sciences. Author of "American ♦ Hand-Book of Ornamental Trees," &c. VOLUME XIX. 1877. UBRARY NSW YOltK BOTANICAL GARDEN PHLLADELPHIA : CHARLES H. MAROT, Publisher, No. 8I4. Chestnut Street. 1877. ILLUSTRATIONS. Frontispiece— Chnmio ► ViTis iikterophyli^. A AmnrvUis Fornmsissimii 295 Vi(l:itt:i Iliirrisonip 265 Aiioliylopem fra.;^iiri;e— Strawberry Leaf-roller 143 B Be' chaste and pleasing." NEW PLANTS. DiANELLA aspera. — By the following from the Gardener's Chronicle this plant must be very or- namental : " One of the finest blue-berried plants with which we are acquainted is Dianella aspera, and a good example we have recently seen in the temperate-house at Kew. The panicles are very compact, in one case 9 inches long with forty-eight berries, closely arranged on short branches. The berries equal in size a small Solanum Capsieastrum. Several of this genus would be highly ornamental in fruit, but for their excessively lax habit." Double Geranium — Bishop Wood. — Mr. Har- ris sends us a specimen of his new geranium, " Bishop Wood," and it proves to be an excel- lent addition to this beautiful class of plants. The shade of color, which perhaps the ladies would call cherry rose, is novel in double gera- niums. The flowers are very large, one in the truss measuring two inches across. The truss is rather small, measuring four inches over, but Mr. Harris says it comes much larger in season. Sweet-scented Rhododendrons. — A corres- pondent recently referred to the house culture of Rhododendrons — an excellent idea. The new sweet-scented class of hybrids are worth attend- ing to in this connection. The following new varieties of this class have recently appeared in England : Countess of Derby. — This is the most beautiful of all half-hardy kinds, being of a compact,bushy habit, and bearing on even the smallest plants, trusses of large pure white deliciously fragrant flowers, a single flower being sufficient to give a delightful scent to a bouquet. A number of plants were exhibited at Manchester last year, and were awarded a First-class Certificate of Merit. 1877.] AND HOBTIGULTUBIST. 13 Countess of Sefton.— This was raised from the same parent as the above. The plant is not so dwarf-growing ; the flower is white, with a band of rosy-purple on each side of the corolla, which is beautifully fringed on the margin. white, with beautifully fringed flower pure margin. Mrs. James Shawe.—A pure white cup-shaped flower, of great substance; the plant of very bushy habit and profuse bloomer. PTERODISCUS SPECIOSUS Lady Skelmersdale diff"ers from the former in the flower being pure white and more trumpet- shaped, with beautiful even edge ; the form is very handsome, the plant bushy and free bloom- ing. Duchess of Sutherland— Vlnut of robust habit; PTERODISCUS SPECIOSUS.— The Gardener's Chrorv- icle recently gave the following figure and de- scription of a greenhouse plant with flowers of a somewhat novel color, introduced by Mr. William Bull, which will most likely prove of value to our greenhouse cultivators, and we reproduce it 14 THE QARDENER'H MONTHLY \_Jamiary , liere because we have an idea that it will be fouiul a very useful out-door ]ilant in our sum- mer pardenin?. "A handsome greenhouse perennial, requiring full exposure to sunlight. It has large globose tuberous roots, the upper part of which is ele- vated above the earth, producing from its sum- mit a stemwhirh divides into several erect thick branches, reaching 2 feet high, furnished with opposite sinuate dentate leaves, and bearing showy flowers in the axils of the leaves. These fiowers are large, with a funnel-shaped lube, and a sjircading Hve-lobed limb of a beautiftil lilac or reddish purple color, rendering the plant well worthy of cultivation for its ornamental qualities. It flowers during the early part of the summer. This Sjtecies has been collected and sent from South Africa by Mr. Xaylor, an amateur much interested in horticultural pursuits." ,RUiT AND Vegetable gardening. SEASONABLE HINTS. Cabbages and lettuces in frames for protection through the winter,should have all the air possible whenever the thermometer is above the freezing point ; when it is below, they need not be uncov- ered. They require no light when there is not heat enough to make them grow. Examine for mice occasionally. If noticed, soak peas in water till they swell, then roll in arsenic, and bury in the soil. They prefer these to lettuce when so prepared. The preparing of manure ready for Spring operations, at every favorable opportunity, should not be forgotten. Next to draining and subsoil- ing, nothing is of more importance than this. Much has been said of guano, phosphates, &c. — all very well in certain cases— but nothing is so well adapted to the permanent improvement of soil as manure composed in the main of de- composing vegetable matter. It is always light and porous, thereby allowing air to circulate freely through the soil ; it absorbs moisture, which in dry weather is given off to the drier soil slowly, to the advantage of the plants near by ; and, what is not a small point in its favor, it aids in giving a dark black color to the soil, which renders it so much warmer in early Spring; and, by so much, better adapted to the early raising of vegetables. It is also a good rule to have the manure well decomposed before using it. There are a few things which do not object to fresh manure, and a still fewer number that might, perhaps, prefer it; but the major part do best in thoroughly fermented material. Leaves, litter, and refuse vegetable matter of all kinds, should be got together at every favorable oppor- tunity, and well mixed in with manure. In the fruit garden, pruning may be advanced where needed. We say, where needed, because much unnecessary, or even injurious work is done. All weak or imi)erfect shoots may be cut out, as also all that are likely to interfere by crossing the paths of others. In weak or stunted trees pruning may be severe. Top dressing is best done in the earlj' Fall, but where neglected may be done now. If orchard trees have not been indoxed and mai)ped out in a book, it should be done to secure against loss of labels. A large wooden pine label, with a notch in the upper end for stout copper wire, well painted and the name written while the white paint is dry, is the best label, and should be attached to each tree. The stout copper wire can be made with a large loop so that in ten years or more it will not need untwisting for the branch to grow. Use large labels, and write the name full and dis- tinct so as to be easily seen. Wash the trunks and branches with linseed oil where insects are troublesome, and with colored lime-wash if the bark is scaly and does not seem to fall freely from the tree. Grape vines may be pruned when the weather seems Spring-like. If left late they bleed. "Whether this is much of an injury, or not, is dis- puted, but it certainly does no good, and it is as well to avoid it. Of course this advice is not for northern vines, which, for some time yet, w'ill be buried under the earth. Those who plant orchards this Spring, will needs be inquiring what kinds to plant. If for market or profit, it is best to find out what kinds are popular in the neighborhood. If for one's 187Y.] AND HOBTIGULTURIST. 15 own pleasure chiefly, a good variety will interest. Even if we were going to plant for profit Ave should have some variety. If we wanted to set out. a thousand trees, we might divide, say nine hundred and fifty between a half dozen of the well-known kinds in the district, but we should set out the other fifty trees in fifty kinds, for the chance that some might be an improvement on the better known kinds, which could then be top grafted with them if found desirable. COMMUNICA TIONS. SOUTHERN THORNLESS RASPBERRY. BY MR. W^ FOSTER, LOUISIANA, MO. I notice under the head of notes on " new fruits," by Wm. F. Bassett, that he regards the Southern Thornless as a distinct sort. I have tried it side by side with Turner's Seedling, and they are identical — my Southern Thornless from Indiana, Turner's Seedling from Illinois. They both prove to be well-flavored, good-sized ber- ries, too soft for the market, and canes too tender to stand hard winters here. The Turner is an old variety here, and the Southern Thornless was supposed to be new till tested. The Turner seems to have strayed away, and come back under a new name. THE TOMATO SEASON PROLONGED. BY GEN. W. H. NOBLE, BRIDGEPORT, CONN. The supply of this most healthful and pal- atable fruit can be extended easily several months after the frost has cut down the vines. I find so many ignorant of this fact that I propose to tell my method. At the first approach of frost I gather all my well-grown tomatoes of every variety, in fact all, which if ripe would be of use. These I place singly on boards, covering the bottom of any cold frame, or the frame of a hot-bed, put into the earth anywhere. Then put over your sash. Your tomatoes, according to their maturity, will commence ripening, and with care will keep you in supply till well into December. Of course, if one only has sash, he can easily make a frame in which to ])ut his tomatoes under the glass. Any one who has not glass can cover such a frame with an old sheet. Glass is better, because more translucent and defensive against frost. Should the thermometer point to a thorough. deep freeze, cover at night with any old carpet, weeds, straw, or such like protection. Any vacant space in a cold grapery or a room or attic, with good Southern exposure, will work much in the same way. I have no doubt that if one would but take the trouble to cut off" all the leaves from a tomato vine, and then transplant it into the well-moistened earth, of a glass-cov- ered space of any kind, that these fruits would grow and mature long after those out of doors were ruined by the frost. But the tomatoes picked from the vines are just as good, more can be crowded into the same space, and they can be better gathered for the table. « Now, I have made this statement so lengthy because I find so few who at once take up the idea of this extended season, with all its proper appliances, on the mere mention of this help in the gar:len. If any body has got a better way, let him give it in the Monthly. If every one only told the new things he observes, we should all, by and by, get a good deal wiser in the methods and products of our gardens. A GOOD GRAPE MANUAL. BY W. H. W., READING, AU.SS. I have just been looking over the " Bushberg Catalogue " of grapes, and I cannot but think you may be doing a kindness to some, of your readers by calling their attention to it. It is not a mere dry catalogue as its modest name might lead one to suppose. It is a large pamphlet of about eighty pages, containing a clear and sim- ple treatise on the best modes of growing, graft- ing, pruning the vine, accompanied by de- scriptions (many of them finely illustrated) of almost every variety of hardy grape of any value now in cultivation. It seems to me, considering the amount and value of its information (es- pecially about the most recent varieties) and the exceeding moderateness of its cost, to be the best treatise for beginners and amateurs with which I am acquainted. And if any such one wishes for an admirable guide or for reliable information con- cerning an)' of the varieties now before the public, let me advise him to send twenty -five cents to Messrs. Bush & Son and Meissner, Busliberg, Missouri, and ask for a copy of their Illustrated Grape Catalogue. [We endorse the remarks of our correspondent. The Bushberg Catlaogue is more than a cata- logue — it is a valuable contribution to the litera- ture of the grape. — Ed. G. M.] 16 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [^January, THE BLENHEIM PIPPIN. ] BY \V., TYKONK, I'A. I This apple supplies !i nntable proof of the base- 1 leasnessoftheeoininon idea.that an apple orij^ina- ting in a certain locality, jnust, of course, possess a constitution specially suited to that locality or latitude. A second thought ought to disprove such a notion, for if it had any foundation we could soon acclimatize Southern grains, &c., by merely planting; their seeds in Northern soil. The Blenheim is an English ai)itle. Now, the sorts of apples grown in England, like the kinds of wheat, (fee, grown there, are such as will suc- ceed well in humid, cool air, and with slowly m^Dving growth. They mostly fail in our climate, some one or other, or all, of the new conditions being unfavorable. But the Blenheim is a sort of such remarkable vigor— so stout in branch and bark and leaf— that it endures all the trials that our climate imposes. Mr. Downing says that Canadian correspondents write to him that it is most successful there, while here in the Middle States and through the West, and as far south P.S Virginia at least, it is constantly re- ported as admirably fine and fruitful. All this relates to the true sort, which in Eng- land brings eleven shillings a bushel when com- mon apples only bring four. Yet it is most vig- orous and productive there, as well as here. There it keeps all winter; here it ripens in the autumn and keeps till January. The description of the Blenheim Pippin given in Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees was taken from some spurious source. The true sort is partially described as the Blooming Orange in the large edition of 1869. Mr. Downing has since identified this as the true Blenheim. It is a high-class example of the type of fine English dessert apples, having the wide-open, eye, the richly-stained — almost mahogany color, and the crisp, pungent flesh, which mark their table-apple. When in perfection, towards holi- day time, it has an aroma or bouquet which re- minds one of the subtle flavor which connoiseurs in wine will smack lips and tongue over, while they seem to concentrate all powers of sensation in the palate in order to secure and enjoy it. This sort is a great bearer, but not an early one. Like other strong growers, it first makes a good deal of wood. But when it sets into bearing it is profuse and unfailing — wonderfully so, considering the size, weight and perfection of the fruit. It is now pretty widely distributed through the States. EDITORIAL NOTES. Bananas in California. — A correspondent of the London Gardener's Chronicle says the Banana hiis been found very profitable in the vicinity of Santa Barbara, and that acres of them will soon be growing tliere. It takes four hundred plants to the acre. ViCOMTESSE HERICART DE THURY. — With all the new introductions this continues the most popu- lar strawberry in England. Raspberry Culture.— F. M., Cecil Co., Md., writes : — " I send you the enclosed extract from an ' authority.' It does not agree with my ideas; what do you say? " "They should never be set in an orchard beneath the trees. An open, sun- ny situation ought always to be selected. The ground, which should be deep and rich, will be highly benefited by a mulching of long, strawy manure, both summer and winter; and cleanli- ness and order must prevail in all their surround- ings. Raspberries should not be planted deep. Many a plantation has been lost from this error, notwithstanding the soil has been in good condi- tion and the plants entirely sound and healthy. Give the crown at the apex of the roots a very slight covering with soil." [It may be very good advice for a high north- ern region, but for yours and other central States, we agree with you, it is very bad advice. — Ed. G. M.] A Large Bunch of Grapes. — The Dublin Gar- dener's Record says :— "At Latimers, Chesham, the seat of Lord Chesham, Mr. A. Donaldson, the gardener, has produced, according to the Buck- inghamshire Advertiser, a monster bunch of Treb- biano Grapes, measuring two feet across the top, and about the same measurement from stalk to point. It is calculated to weigh twenty-four pounds." Such a statement as this is worth verifying. Fall Strawberries. — A strawberry grower in England is making a fortune by taking plants that have been used for winter forcing, and en- couraging them to go on and bear again. They flower freely in the Fall, and bear full and very profitable crops. There is the germ of a good idea here, well worth looking after by our own market men. The Ben Davis Apple. — This variety, as we judged by the frequency of its appearance at the Centennial, holds its own as a popular western apple. 1811] AND HORTICULTURIST. IT RiHSTON Pippin Apple. — We have been under the impi'ession that this popular Enghsh apple was not adaiited to America, and believed it was now seldom grown, and yet we noticed it in no less than fifteen different exhibits from the north- west, and from Canada, and in splendid condition. Its frequent and superior appearance in this way must have bothered those who believe in old varieties wearing out. The Alexander Apple. — This large, very showy, and yet comi^aratively poor apple, ap- peared in many collections at the Centennial. It goes to show that size and appearance after all go a good way in the selection of varieties, in spite of the warning to "plant only the best." Three Perfect Crops of Pears in One Season. — A California paper tells us that, " The most astonishing prolificness of fruit ever witnessed in this or any other climate, came to our notice this morning. It is that of a pear tree in the yard of Hon. Mr. Suverkrup, of this place, just in front of the Court House. This tree is about twelve years in bearing. It has as a very com- mon thing, put in its second fully matured crop of delicious pears every season, and has done so this year, and now on this 14th day of October has on it the third crop, fully one-third grown ; the season continuing favorable will doubtless mature the fruit hanging in clusters upon the tree. We have eaten from the first and second crops and we shall apply for a share of the third. This wonderful production will of course be de- nounced as false and incredulous, but we vouch for the truth of it, and doubters can have all their scruples removed by examining for themselves. Whether it is peculiar to the tree or climate or both is a question to be determined. Most likely both. We do not believe the like could be produced in the northern or eastern States, or anywhere else." We saw this year in Germantown two full crops on a Smoke-house apple., both ripening per- fectly. The last lot from fiowei's that opened in June were not as large as those from the early ones, but still they were perfectly ripened. Cal- ifornia must look out or her fame will go down. Hale's Early Peach. — An Editorial note in the Country Gentleman says: — "We have adopted the practice of allowing the trees of this peach to grow in grass, a cultivated strip at one side, at a distance of seven feet, imparting more vigor to the trees than they would have if the roots were wholly in grass, and giving shoots about ten inches long. This practice of seeding to grass, which has proved more or less successful with other cultivators, together with the precaution of gathering the peaches when well colored, and before soft, has saved them generally from the rot (the season being unusually wet), only a few partly decayed specimens being found, and these, so far as exarpined always decayed at a curculio mark." We refer to the matter to caution people who grow peaches in grass not to neglect them, or they will soon get yellow and bear small and poor fruit. The trees should be top dressed with some sort of enriching material at least each al- ternate year. It must be remembered that the only merit of growing trees in grass, is that such trees are healthier because the feeding fibres are kept nearer the surface. The Hale's Early rots when by "clean surface culture" the fibres are injured— but keeps sound where among the grass the little roots are let alone. But they must have food; indeed it is the more necessary to look to this when in grass, because grass and trees are both looking for something to eat. Hale's Early Peach in England. — It is a re- markable fact that while we took in the Early Beatrice, Early Louise, and such other kinds, to replace the Early Hale, in England they are taking up with Hale's Early to supplant the Dther two. Correspondents of the Gardener's Chronicle say, that in England Hale's Early is two weeks ripe before Early Louise. This is forcing- house experience; perhaps, in the open ground they behave different. Peach Plum in Oregon. — We notice in a circu- lar of Mr. V/alling that he exhibited the Peach Plum at the Centennial, and that they were so large and fine that "the committee claimed the right to alter the name to the G. W. Walling, be- cause they were so superior in size and quality to the same variety from other States." We do not know who may be meant by " the committee." The writer of this was secretary to the Group of Judges, and he is sure no such a joke was perpetrated by him in his weekly re- ports, and this is all the "Committee" is official- ly responsible for. There are fruit synonyms enough now, without adding G. W. Walling to- the Peach Plum. The Phylloxera in California. — It was once an argument against the idea of injury by Phyl- loxera, why the foreign grape resisted Phylloxera 18 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY \^Januariff in California, and the answer was, because the insect was not there. The Pacific Rural Press Bays it has appeared there at last. TnK CiiAMrioN Wind Engine.— To have water, when nature docs not favor us, is one of the roads to fortune. It is surprising that more people do not guard themselves from injury by contrivances to secure water, wlien nature is in a wayward mood. We are thinking of this just now as we read the circular of the " Champion " engine for pumping water by wind power. It seems by the descrip- tion to have many good points. Pruning for Wood and Pruning for Fruit. There is a good deal of art in being a good fruit grower; and we give the following extract from Karl Koch's lectures to illustrate it. We have adopted as the heading of our paragraph a well- known expression of Mr. William Saunders, who used to dwell so much on the difference in his earlier writings. " Nothing is so well suited to give us an insight into the ways and means of the nutrition of the fruit tree, and vegetable nutrition generally, as the practical treatment of the more delicate kinds of fruit trees in pruning. The double task of every individual organic being, animal or vegetable, to take up nourishment, not alone for its own development, but also for the production of fruit to propagate its species, assertsitself as of primary importance in relation to pruning. The fruit gardener distinguishes these processes as the formation of wood and the formation of fruit. He makes it his aim to maintain the equilibrium of those two forces. But this view of the condition of things is neither natural nor right. In our fruit trees — I am speaking now of the North, for even in the South of France they behave quite differently — there is, for reasons which I shall afterwards explain, a preponderating tendencj' to the formation of wood. Trees in North Germany grow, on an average, four times as fast as those in the warmer, and more particularly those in tropical regions, and consequently produce four times as much wood in the same period. Therefore the fruit gardener in the North has, in respect to this increased production of wood, a more form- idable difficulty to encounter than in the South. In his treatment of a fruit tree his endeavor is to prevent it from making more wood than is abso- lutel)' necessary to assimilate in its leaves the food required, on the one hand for the immediate growth of new wood— that is to say for just so much new wood as it wants, and on the other hand for the next crop of fruit. From the differ- ence in the growth of trees in diverse climates — taking, for examjile, the North of Ciermany and the South of France— it is clear that the treat- ment of fruit trees in these two regions should not be the same. Whereas the Frenchman prunes for wood, we are often obliged to prune for fruit. Therefore all translations of even the best French treatises on pruning, with a view of carrying into practice here the precepts they contain, do not possess the slightest value for us. Indeed, I would warn our gardeners against fol- lowing out these directions in the North. The German fruit grower not only carefully watches growth, even where there is a super- abundance of nutritive substances present, so as to limit the production of wood to a certain quantity, but he also knows how to interrupt the growth of the young shoots by shortening them to a given length, thereby diverting the food stored up to the fruit, and increasing its volume. But a good fruit gardener does not stop here ; he likewise reduces the number of fruits in order to obtain a larger size and better quality; and by this means he has about the same weight in liner fruit that he would have gathered from the more numerous smaller fruit." NIJW FRUITS. New Apples. — The list of apples is so long that for years past we have been able to note but few new ones that have any claims to introduction. Unless there is a point of merit not yet reached by some other, it is rather an injury to fruit-culture than a benefit to in- troduce new kinds. We feel this more than ever since our centennial experience, where nearly everything of all this great multitude came be- fore us in one shape or another, and we shall feel more embarrassed than ever in deciding that a new seedling is worthy of naming and dissemi- nation. We have now three excellent kinds be- fore us from Canada. One is Bradt's Seedling Russett. It is medium .sized, and as good to say the least, as any average Russett known, and ap- pears to have good keeping qualities. We made a Christmas offering of it, and it then was in such good trim, that it looked as if it might have been 18T7.] AND HORTIGULTURIST. 19 kept a year longer. Then there is the Swazie Pomme Gris, quite as good as its original, and this is surely saying a good deal. And lastly there is a seedling from the Spitzenburg, rather round- er, a little darker and firmer fleshed than its parent, and may prove superior on the whole. This is raised by Mr. Ed. Blogdon, East Flam- boro, Canada, but the specimens were kindly sent to us by Mr. John Freed, of Hamilton. St. Augustine Grape. — At the Centennial Ex- position were some bunches of this variety,about which the following appears in the Semi-tropical. There is no doubt about its being a native grape, in many respects approaching the old Elsinburg, if the specimens were accurately labeled : " From Dr. Davis' article on the St. Augustine Grape, Messrs. Bush, Son & Meissner, of Bush- berg, Missouri, were led to inquire whether it might not be identical with the Black Spanish, which is now in demand for exportation. We referred the inquiry to Mr. Atwood, of St. Au- giastine, whose knowledge and experience in grape culture qualify him to determine, and we received the following reply : " 'The St. Augustine and Black Spanish grape are not identical ; the former is nearly a month later than the latter and a vastly superior grape; indeed T doubt if there ever was a finer grape grown than the St. Augustine; they are truly bags of wine — the seeds so small and the pulp so melting that it seems almost like a seedless grape ; while with the Black Spanish the first thing one notices in eating it is its preponderance of seeds in proportion to its pulp. I doubt if the true origin of either of these grapes is known, only that tradition says the St. Augustine ' was brought from Madeira in old Spanish times.' I have repeatedly thought that I had eaten these grapes in the island of Madeira and still think so, though I dare not trust a very positive ex- pression on this subject, as it was more than twenty-six years since I was there, and then I knew very little comparatively about the quality of the different varieties of what would be called fine grapes. Since then, however, I have propa- gated a great many varieties of grapes, and to the extent of perhaps ten acres, but among all these and all the grapes produced by others that have come under my observation, none have equalled in quality those of the St. Augustine grape.' " The James Veitch Strawberry. — A Yorkshire Cf rrespondent of the Garden, Mr. Lovel, Wea- ^orthorpe, says that among forty varieties of strawberries which he grew last year, the largest was James Veitch, eight fruits of w'hich weighed 1 ft). This season it took from seventeen to eigh- teen to weigh 1 lb., a result partly owing to the cold, frosty weather which we had in May and June ; so severe, indeed, was the frost in June, that all the earliest bloom was destroyed. The large fruits gathered in 1875 were Cockscomb- shaped, not those of a globular or conical form, which is the normal shape of this variety. He noticed also in these large strawberries a great tendency to decay if in contact with the damp soil. He has gathered during the past season very fine and large fruit from Dr. Hogg, Presi- dent, and Sir Joseph Paxton, all first season plants. Many of the finest fruit of these kinds- weighed nearly 1 oz. each. He considers these three varieties superior in many respects to James Veitch, especially as regards quantity and quality of fruit. Stump Apple. — At the Horticultural Meeting held in Rochester, January, 187G, President Barry said that there is an apple known as the Stump Apple, that is attracting much attention — an oblong, brilliantly colored fruit, like the Chenango Strawberry, very attractive, and sells- high in market; has been sold as high as $8.00' per barrel the past season. It ripens in October. J. S. Stone, of Charlotte, N. Y., in describing the- tree which he visited says : "The fruit hung in ropes, and was uniform in size and apparently free from imperfections. Ten barrels were picked from the tree which was not a large one." " Olivet " Cherry.— S. P. W., Dansville, N. Y., says : "The 'Olivet' takes a place not occupied up to the present time among the list of early cher- ries in central New York. Nearly all of the early sorts, that we possess, are sweet, amber, or red varieties with a limited fruiting season. The 'Olivet' Cherry is a large, globular and very shi- ning deep red sort. The flesh is red, with a rose colored juice, tender, rich and vinous, with a sweet sub-acidous flavor. It ripens in the begin- ning of June and continues till July without losing its quality. It possesses the fertility of the best of the ' Duke ' tribe and is perha})S the larg- est of the class." QUERIES. Butter from the Cvponia japonica.— Some nice fruit of the Japan Quince sent to us from Tennessee, we handed to Mr. J. O. Schimmel, THE QABDENER'S MONTHLY [January, the well-known nian»ifactnrer of this and siinilnr articles in rhihulelpliia, and wehave the following about it : "I have made ' Cydonia ' into butter, and will forward you a sample. Its quality for jellies, &c., is in my opinion, equal to the bitter orange. For butter I do not think it could be used to advantage over orange or lemon. You will find the .seeds inclosed, perhaps they are of Bome value to you." Pear Bi.igiit.— A New Jersey correspondent Bays: "What do you think of syringing the pear trees that blight, with carbolic acid or other pre- paration, and how strong would it do to use it? Would chloride of lime in water injure trees? Did any one ever try salt around the trees, and with what result?" [Better ])aint the trees with oil— or wash with lime and sulphiu- in the winter season. — Ed. G. M.] HifiiiLANi) IIardv RAsrnKRRY. — A. O. W., St. Jose])h, Mich., says : "Is the Highland Hardy Raspberry one of the old varieties re-named, or is it something new ? It is being largely dissemi- nated as a new kind, and if it is not, it should be known." [The Raspberry has been extensively and very cheaply advertised; beyond these advertisement* we know nothing of it. — Ed. G. M.] lORESTRY. COMMUNICA TIONS. LIGNEOUS MARVELS, Or, The Three Big Trees of Uppa- Sandusky. BY WM. T. HARDING, C0LUMBU.S, O. There are no objects more generally useful, beautiful, or interesting, in the physical geogra- phy of our country, than the grand indigenous old trees. "The forest trees .... So mossy, vast, yet green in their old age," ■will never fail to attract the attention of every intelligent being, who finds a companionship in Nature. In the neighborhood of Upper Sandusky, Wy- andot County, Ohio, where I was engaged in lay- ing out a cemetery, during the Spring and Sum- mer of 76; and while in search of the beautiful, under the guidance of a genial friend, I was in- duced to follow a romantic pathway,which pleas- antly led us from the bluff above, down easy verdant slopes, to the river side, where the sil- very Sanduskj' gently glides on. And oh ! what a striking picture was there. Prolific scenes of matchless beauty, spread around us. The native roses and hawthorns were profusely scattering their odorous blossoms over the sunny landscape, so beautifully varied with all the charms which pretty wild flowers, and irregular low spreading bushes, springing through luxuriant gra.ss, could give. Even the sleek looking cattle seemed as happy as any well-favored kine could possibly be, as they quietly cropped the rich verdure around. All nature seemed to equally share in the pas- toral scene, so picturesquely unique. The poetic limning of Burns was only wanting to invest it with such sylvan charms as " Ye banks and braes o' bonny Doon." But, from a lack of fitting language to fully describe its many pleas- ant features, I am constrained to stop ; and in lieu, say something about the big button-wood, near by, and in whose shadow I musingly sat. The subject under notice is botanically known as Platanus occidentalis — the western plane-tree — or more generally called the button-wood — and often, erroneously, sycamore. That it is no ordi- nary specimen, the reader will admit, when its gigantic dimensions are known. Its altitude is about one hundi-ed and sixty feet. At four feet from the ground the colossal trunk measures forty-eight feet in circumference. At the height of fifteen feet from the base, the mas- sive trunk ramifies into eight large column-like shafts, the round measurement of which, is 1877.] AND HORTIGULTURIST. 21 from ten to fifteen feet, and above which the heavy branches spread over an area of seven hundred feet. I have seen in my travels many strange trees, historical, beautiful, magnificent, venerable, gi- gantic, ancient, and remarkable, to which I have frequently alluded in the Monthly. Much larger specimens have often amazed me in other lands, but, nowhere else in this country have I ever met with such a ligneous immensity as this. I will quote from Lovidon, on Recorded Trees, and than whom, there is no better authority. " On a little island in the Ohio, fifteen miles from the mouth of the Muskingum, the elder Michaux measured a button-wood tree which at five feet from the ground was forty feet in cir- cumference. Twenty years before. General Washington had measured the same tree and found it to be nearly the same size. In 1802, the younger Michaux found on the right bank of the same river, (the Ohio,) about thirty-six miles from Marietta, a plane-tree, the base of which was swollen in an extraordinary manner ; at four feet from the ground, it measured forty-seven feet in circumference." Other writers give instances of large planes, but much less in size than the above mentioned tree. So I think I am safe in pronouncing the arboreal Upper Sanduskian, the biggest tree of its kind on record. Not far from the huge Platanus, stands an un- usually fine Robinia pseud-acacia, or locust-tree. This exceedingly handsome specimen, (which is not the general character of ihem when aged,) is a hale, green tree, of about one hundred and twenty-five feet high. At four feet from the base the girth of the bole measures sixteen feet ; and up to thirty feet above, where it first branches off, maintains nearly the same calibre as below. A more porth', vigorous, or stately locust-tree is seldom, if ever, seen. The rich, deep alluvium in which they are growing, has evidently nourished them well ; for in truth, they are " burly and big." As I looked at the noble old trees, thinking of the past, a past, so fraught with the history of the aboriginal race, in the days when the once pow- erful nation of Wyandot Indians, occupied the primeval forests around ; I thought on how much the affairs of life have changed since then. It is not improbable in the events which then occurred, that the great Chief Farhee, (the good Indian,) better known as the "Crane," may many times have met in solemn council, or noisy pow-wow. with his swarthy braves, beneath the shady boughs of the ancient plane. It was while in the immediate neighborhood of Upper Sandusky, in the year of grace, 1816, after seventy-four summers and winters had come and gone, since the face of the forest child was first warmed by the western sun, when the " Great Spirit " called the old Sachem away. If the long suffering reader is not already wearied with the tiresome tale of a tree, I will venture to tax his patience a little longer, while describing a noted " Indian apple tree." This famous, and in many respects remark- able tree, grows on the opposite side of the river, and about a mile from where stands the locust and plane. Inasmuch as the circumference of this " sour apple tree " is considerably more than my tape-line ever girdled before,namely, at three feet from the ground, twelve feet six inches ; I trust I may be pardoned for having mentioned it. At five feet above the ground, the trunk branches off into a number of good sized boughs, and which attain to a height of some sixty feet above, and spread over a circle of seventy feet. Undoubtedly, the tree is a very old one, and has been at some past time, at least, fourteen feet in circumference. A part of it having been riven off", branch and stem, some years ago. The late Mr. Downing thus describes three enormous sized apple trees: "Among others, we recollect two in the grounds of Mr. Hall, of Raynham, Rhode Island, which ten years ago, were 130 years old ; the trunk of one of these trees then measured at one foot from the ground thirteen feet two inches, and the other, twelve feet two inches. The trees bore that season thirty or forty bushels; but in the year 1780, they together bore one hundred and one bushels of apples. In Duxbury, Plymouth County, Mass., is a tree which in its girth measures twelve feet five inches, and which has yielded in a single season one hundred and twenty-one and a half bushels. Unquestionably, they were three good old trees, and were no doubt as much valued by the own- ers, as the aforementioned trees are prized by the cultivated and intelligent citizens of Upper Sandusky. VALUE OF A TREE. BY W. Bagot's Park, Staffordshire, is very large and contains some grand oaks, some of which have 22 THE QARDENER'S MONTHLY [^January, been noted trees for 6("H") yeai-s nnd are sujiposed to be 1,(XH) years oKl. Tlie climate of England favors slow, firm growth, and trees are seldom injured there by climatic influences. The King Oak was valued at 2'.)8 pounds; (a Mr. Bullock ofiered iJOO pounds for the first length ;) and the Squitch Oak, the largest tree in the park, hut not quite sound, was valued at 240 pounds 12 shil- lings, (ahout $1,200). These trees are still increas- ing in circumference. The Squitch has increased 17 inches in 50 vears. EDITORIAL NOTES. TRf:E rL.VNTiNG IN CANADA. — We are glad to note the encouragement to individual eflbrt, which we see given in every direction. The Toronto Globe says: — "The importance of re- placing by fresh efforts extinct forests, or those which are in process of gradual removal, is re- ceiving official consideration. The Act of the Dominion parliament passed last session, grants an additional quarter section, on payment of a trifling fee, to every settler on ])oniinion lands who plants thirty-two acres in successive annual instalments." Address of Burnet Landreth. — The admi- rable address of Mr. Burnet Landreth, before the American Foresty Association, has been issued in pamphlet form. PiNUS Lambertiana. — The Sugar Pine of Cali- fornia is said to be equal to the Yellow Pine of the East for flooring and similar purposes. The Pitch Pine. — Common names are so mixed that we hardly know what the person is talking about who uses them. In pines, for in- stance, we never know what any writer means when he sa5's "Yellow Pine." An English writer says that in America " vessels have been made for a considerable time past, wholly of Pitch Pine." We understand by Pitch Pine, Pinus rigida, and would l)e glad to know whether vessels are made wholly of it, and if so where? TORREYA TAXIFOLIA AS DURABLE TiMBER. — The Semi-Tropical tells us that, "Judge P. W. White, of Quincy, Florida, is having a fence built, the posts of which are of (he celebrated Torreya tax- ifolia trees, and the rest of cypress. Some of the posts were gotten out of ti-ees blown down in the terrible storm of 1833, and are perfectly sound after having lain on the ground 43 years. The wood while green is very heavy, but when per- fectly dry is very light. It has a very fine grain, and is a little more of a dark yellow color than the white pine." Commissioner of Forestry. — We have always ojiposed the effort made in some societies, and in some quarters, to engage the government in the Forestry business, because we know, as our government is constituted, the less it interferes in what people can do themselves, the better it is for the people. There is really nothing for a national forester to do that we know of, but to sit in Washington and address circular letters to A, B, C, and D, asking them to give the government their experience for nothing, and their time in telling it at the same price ; or in asking news- papers to advertise for the government free of all cost, that the government has now a forester, and the people can now send their contributions to him instead of to the newspapers. This, we be- lieve, is all it can do — for it is well-known that it would not appoint any practical person, or to undertake to teach practical forestry from the seed to the saw log. We have always felt, in short, that a " Bureau of Forestry " simply meant comfortable quarters at Washington, with com- fortable clerks at comfortable salaries ; and with calls on the newspapers or individuals to do all the practical work. It seems, however that other people differ from us, and the efforts of these fellow-citizens have already been so far successful as to have the office started. We do not know what the official title is, but the salary is two thousand dollars a year, and Dr. Franklin Hough is appointed to fill the place. We can only say that we oppose the office on principle, believing it is money thrown away, and increasing unnecessarily the deplorable army of office-holders, but if it is to be as it is, no better person than Dr. Hough could have been found to fill the place. Large Oak Trees. — We should like to know what is the largest American oak, Quorcus alba, known. So far as the writer's experience goes, he has seen the largest in the woods of Southern Ohio, but has no exact figures. We can, perhaps, hardly hope to equal the following which we find in an English paper, but should like to know how near we approach it. "The most magnificent oak ever known to have grown in England was that dug out of Hatfield bog; it was 120 feet in length, 12 feet in diameter at the base, 10 in the 1877.] AND HORTIGULTURIST. 23 middle, and 5 at the smaller end, where broken ofF; so that the butt for 60 feet squared 7 feet of timber, and 4 for its entire length. £20 were offered for this tree. Forests in Europe. — If there is any change in the climate of Europe, it can hardly be from the disappearance of foresto. Recent statistics say that about twenty per cent, of the whole area of Europe is covered with forest, aggregating 500,- 000,000 acres. We do not, however, regard these floating figures as always reliable, but give them as they come to us. There is a great deal of loose calculation going on in the world. Alder and Sweet Fern in Tanning. — When forestry becomes a business, all the minor prod- ucts will be incidents of profit. The Alnus and Comptonia seem to have good points about them. The Ellsworth American says that Captain Eaton made another shipment of two hundred barrels of sweet fern extract to the Boston leather market and with it his first consignment of extract of alder. This alder extract, like sweet fern ex- tract, is new to the leather trade of this country. The tanning properties of these new agents have been thoroughly tested by practical tanners of Ellsworth, and found to be equal to, if not superior to the best tannin material in use in this country. Calf skins tanned with both the fern and the alder are as mellow and firm as the best tanned French calf skins, and much more beautiful in color. The Profits of Oak Timber.— We give the following as we find it in a foreign paper, be- cause it shows the incidental profits that may be made in growing oak. We doubt, however, whether for paper pulp anything will be found so profitable as poplar. Though nothing can be made from the bark, it grows into profit so soon : — " Dr. Mitscherlich, of Darmstadt, has devised a method of making paper stock (cellulose) from wood by a chemical process, which differs somewhat from those previously in use. The chief peculiarity of this process, which is in use already in Prussia and Saxony, says the Hesse GewerheblaU, consists in this, that the incrusting substance of the wood is not destroyed, but only separated from the cellulose, and eventually rendered soluble. " In this process, it is not necessary to cut the wood up very fine, as in the Sinclair process, but only to split it up like ordinary firewood for a parlor stove. A chemically prepared solution of lime is boiled for six hours with the wood under a pressure of three atmospheres. After the boiling, a portion of the incrusting material is found dissolved in the liquor, and part of it in the pores of the wood, from which it is extracted by a suitable squeezing apparatus. " If it is desired to make a very valuable paper stock, which shall be as white as possible without bleaching, they only employ white wood as free from rosin as possible, like poplar, linden, etc. These kinds of wood are not decolorized any farther in this process, and the albuminoid and gummy substances are mostly dissolved. The success of this process depends less on the pres- sure during boiling than on the temperature, which must not exceed 248° Fah. " The use of oak wood for paper stock offers one advantage, namely, that the tannin con- tained in it is obtained as a by-product, and the solution thus obtained can be very profitably employed for tanning, as experiments in this direction have abundantly proved. The solution which runs off from the wood, or expressed from it, in this new process, is already so concentrated that evaporation seems superfluous, and is only undertaken when a very concentrated solution of tannic acid is required either for transporta- tion or for keeping. The other chemicals con- tained in the lye are in no way a hindrance to the tanning process, but rather aid it. Experi- ments show that hides prepared in the usual man- ner, when simply laid in this liquor, were per- fectly tanned in ten days." QUERIES. Eucalyptus globulus in Vermont.— H. N. R., Brandon, Vermont, writes:— "A friend in Italy has secured for me a few hundred plants of this wonderful tree, and of which I propose to make ^ a plantation on a piece of land I have. I am quite elated at the prospect of being the first in this part of the world to introduce it— at least I suppose I am, for I can learn of no one who has planted it hereabouts ; though in the papers I see they have it growing in California. As I wish it to do well I wish you to assist me with advice, as I am informed you are liberal with question- ers through the Gardener's Monthly. If you are kind enough to reply to my questions please send me a copy of the paper containing your S4 TEE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [January, answer. Wliat I want to know is, — when I eaw it in Rome it was growing in 8waini»y ground ; my land is rather dry. It is protected on the northeast hy a high ridge of hills. 1 was told by an Italian gardener it might want a little of such protcctioi\ in the United States. Is it necessary to bring some mud to put in the holes in such a situation as this? I am so anxious to be the first to liave a plantation of tViese wonderful trees in this part of the world, that I would not mind the expense of a few barrels of dirt by railroad to add to the natural soil, if necessary to success. Should the trees be set deep? How about prun- ing the roots? " [Wc hardly knew what to do with this letter. We are " liberal " on questions when it concerns our regular readers, which it seems this gentle- man is not. We may say that in the soil and climate of Vermont he need not get any " mud " or other soil, and it does not matter how deep they are set. The location, also, is good enough, and when the "forest" grows up, he will no doubt get thousands from all parts of the world to come to look at it, and he himself will go down to posterity as one of the greatest benefac- tors of his race. Tlie conditions are all right, but instead of bring- ing mud, wc should prefer to lay in a big stock of cord-wood to keep up a good fire all around the plantation during the winter season. We think this is essential. But why does our correspon- dent want to be so distinguished in the matter of Eucalyptus? Why not try the cocoa nut? They grow fast, and then there is the fruit too, which the Eucalyptus has not; fruit with milk in it, which will illustrate his human kindness much better than he can ever hope from the Eucalyp- tus tree.— Ed. G. IVLJ Natural Wistory and FfciENCE. PRAIRIE FLOWERS. BY EEV. L. J. TICMPLIX, HUTCHINSON, KAN. iOpunfia Rafinesqii.) In traveling over the plains about here, it is not unusual to meet with large specimens of this thorny cactus. Some places considerable space, even at times several acres, will be almost com- pletely covered with them, branching and spread- ing over the ground in all directions. They are propagated both by seeds and by the broad, flat- tened stems coming in contact with the soil and taking root. And, though I have not tried it, I believe that cuttings of the stems will take root and grow if planted in the soil. It is very much inclined to branch, and it is not unusual to see a bunch, or a cluster of bunches, four feet in diameter, all of which have proceeded from the same root. The stems are from three and one- half to five inches in length, and from two to three in width, and from one-fourth to one-third inch in thickness. The stems are dotted over with tufts of fine, sharp bristles that are ready to let go their hold on the plant and adhere to the hand on the slightest touch. From the base of these tufts issue a number of sharp, slender spines, from one-half to one inch in length. The number of these varies from three to five or more; the central one is usually the longest. The general color of the stem is rather a dark green. The flower-buds grow on the edge of the stems, and appear to be distributed without regard to any law of regularitj'. The flower expands from three to four inches, and has a very silky texture and appearance. Tlie color is a beauti- ful pinkish yellow, running into a dark, velvety maroon, or jnu-ple, toward the base of the petals. They bloom quite profusely; a plant that I transplanted from the town commons to my yard last April, though only about eighteen inches across, produced some forty of these showy flowers. They remain open two or three days, when they wilt and fall away. The flower 187T.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 25 stem, which is about an inch in length, becomes the seed pod or berry. This generally attains a length of about two inches and, when full grown, is three-quarters of an inch in diameter, at the largest place. It is pyriform in shape, the small end being at the base. These, when ripe, are of a dark purple color, and are filled with small bony seeds. The contents of one pod of which, I enclose to your address. One of the most remarkable things that I have observed in connection with this plant is its change of habit on the approach of cold weather. During the summer the joints of the stems gene- rally occupy a vertical position, but on the ap- pearance of cold weather, all of them that are not hindered by some obstruction, assume a hor- izontal position, each apparently striving to get as near to the earth as possible. Another pecu- liar change that takes place in the stems is in their form. During the warm season they are emooth and free from wrinkles on the surflice ; but when the cold season begins, they shrink up from one-fourth to one-half their normal size, becoming very wrinkly or ridgy. This contrac- tion takes place almost, if not entirely, in the length of the joint, often reducing it to less than the width. This change is probably the result of the larger portion of the sap withdrawing from the plant. These changes are probably a provision of na- ture to enable the plant the more readily, to endure the rigors of winter — a kind of vegetable hybernation. Possibly Mr. Darwin might see in this the prophecy, if not the remote origin, of the hybernating animal. But be that as it may, it is worthy of the attention of the curious. ISEW PLANTS. LiLiUM HuMBOLDTiANUM. — This splendid spe- cies is a native of Humboldt County, California. It is quite hardy and produces large golden yellow flowers, which are s^Dottcd with puri:)le. — William Bull. See cut, page 26. EDITORIAL NOTES. Pritchardia filifera. — Just as we go to press, a botanical friend calls our attention to the fact that the Californian Palm, which Mr. Watson referred to in our pages as Pritchardia filamen- tosa, has rigid teeth, and not filaments on the petiole, and that probably the one we have fig- ured is another and distinct species. Under the circumstances it is proper to say that the copy given to our engraver consisted of a frond furnished by one of our prominent flor- ists, and a sketch made from the catalogue of J. Linden, of Ghent. The frond was not seen by us, being mailed direct to the office, and the engrav- ing shows that in the outlines Linden was fol- lowed. It may therefore still bear the name of Pritchardia filifera of Linden, leaving it more than probable that Pritchardia filamentosa of California, is another thing. It is too late, as we go to press, to find out which kind is the one in the hands of our cultivators. Since writing the above we have from Mr. John Rock a stereoscope of one growing in Santa Clara street, San Jose, which is fifteen feet high. This has no filaments on the peteoles, and those few on the blades, are simple extensions of the divisions. The leaf stalks are thickly stvidded with spring teeth. Linden's plant is either not accurately drawn, or it is another thing, and may bear the name of P. filifera, while the true Cali- fornian will be P. filamentosa. Variations in Conifers. — How our American coniferse vary is now well known. It appears that the Norway Spruce varies in the same way, and no doubt other species of the order do the same. The Gardener's Chronicle says : — "At a late meeting of the Berlin Botanical Society, Mr. Braun exhibited and described a series of cones of wild forms or states of the Spruce found in Germany. Just below the upper tree limit on the Brocken a dwarf variety, 8^ to 10 feet high, grows and bears cones IJ to 2 inches long, not unlike those of Picea nigra. The longest, on the other hand, in this collection are from 7^ to 8 inches. There is also an equal diversity in the length of the leaves, but this exists in no definite relation to the length of the cones. The seeds vary from about .40 to .58, in the smallest cones, to about .75 of an inch in the largest cones." Wearing out of Varieties. — That a tree is but an individual, that the grafts and cuttings are but extending the individual, and that an indi- vidual must be short-lived, is one of the so-called scientific "theories " which are often built, and then facts looked up to sustain them. For this particular theory facts do not come out very fast. The Golden Pippin apple, the Ribstone Pippin 26 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [^January, apple, the Rod Dutch Currnnt, and many other j " Takin- a broader view of the sul.ject. it must " individuals," still hold their own, thouj,'h a cen- 1 he patent to those who go about the world with Lii lUM HUMBOLTIANUM. F"ee page 25. tury is approaching since they were doomed. A j their eyes open, that all those varieties of the ap- rs hy Ioakaj:;e of ^ms in this way. The wliole report shows tho advantage of hav- ing practical men of known character at the head of a public work of this charai-ter. Notwith- staiuhng the idea that everything done by public bodies, and especially the Government of Wash- ington, costs much more than it costs individuals, the shade trees of Washington under the direc- tion of these gentlemen, have costalmost nothing in comparison to some others ; and in any com- parison, we think is the cheapest and best city planting in the Union. TnK Pkriwisklks. — The hardy Periwinkles are invaluable in American gardening, on ac- count of their growing in deep shady places, where few other things will. We have three species under culture. Vinca herbacea, which flowers very prettily every Spring — but as the long trailing branches do not root, they all die back in the Fall, and the plant is really a peren- nial. Vinca minor, the " Myrtle" of the ceme- tery people. It i.s a popular plant for covering graves, and is invaluable for growing under the shade of Pine trees, or in other shady places. It makes a thick evergreen mass. Scarcely a " car- l)et," but the next best thing to it. Then we have Vinca major — the greater Periwinkle. It is hirdly as hardy with us as the other two — is more rampant, and makes less show in out-door gardening. It is best known by its variegated and golden veined varieties, which are so useful in various forms of greenhouse and parlor gar- dening. There is a fourth species that we ought to introduce, if not already. The Garden thus refers to it : " The Mauve Periwinkle (Vinca acutiloba). — This distinct and elegant Periwinkle is now in flower in the herbaceous border in Messrs. Back- house's Nurseries at York. It is valuable from flowering late in the autumn and in winter, and also from the delicate mauve color of the blos- soms. It is not a variety of either of the old and long-cultivated Vincas, but a newly-introduced species from the South of Europe. It is particu- larly suitable for the embellishment of sunny banks and slopes, and for warm borders." ^EW PLANTS. PoLEMOXiUM coNFERTUM.— This One of the most beautiful of the Alpine flowers of the Rocky Mountains, has been made the subject of a col- ored plate in a recent number of iho (iardnu It grows about si.x inches high, and ha.s rather large blue flowers. Si>iR.ic.\ PALMATA. — A beautiful colored plate of this appears in the lirhjian HorticuUural Review. It is a native of Japan, and very nearly ap- proaches our Spirioa lobata, which is alsf) worth more notice than it receives from cultivators. S. lobata is of a pale rose — by the plate this is a deep rich rose — and the heads seem larger and more dense. PuRi'LE-LEAVED GuAPE ViXE. — The Gardener's Chronicle says : — " We may here mention another very beautiful vine, seldom seen in gardens, but one deserving our strongest recommendation. It is the form known in gardens as the Purple Vine, which has the advantage that its leaves are throughout the whole summer (and not in late autumn merely) of a rioh claret color. The plant is admirably adapted for walls, rockwork, or rookeries." Is this a grape vine, and does any reader know whether it is in America? By the way, if any one has a cutting of the old sweet scented (male) grape we should be obliged. We fancy it has gone out of cultivation. The California^ Chestnut. — This beautiful tree— the Castanopsis chrysophylla — will need a little protection north of the Potomac. A cor- respondent of the Rural Press thus speaks of its appearance in its native haunts: — " The title of golden-leaved chestnut — as the suggestive name implies— is derived from the ob- servation that when stirred by the breeze, the otherwise dark, glossy-green, laurel-like leaves turn their under siu-face to the sun, reflecting a softened sheen of gold, lighting up its face with a cheerful smile against the somewhat somber background of green ; also the young and tender twigs, with their vernal foliage clad in yellow velvet, hold the attention effectually and steadily to its true ideal characteristic feature. This latter quality, seen from a distance in the Spring sea- son of the year, awakens a charming illusion as if the beholder were viewing a magnificent ever- green tree clad in golden bloom. AcoNiTUM jAPONicuM. — Most of our Monks- hoods flower in early Spring or Summer. A Ja- pan species has been recently introduced into Engli.sh gardens, of which the Gai-dener gives the following account: — "This Monkshood ranks as one of our very best late-blooming, herbaceous I plants, and it should be extensively grown in all 187T.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 39 gardens where autumn tlowers are wanted, for it comes into bloom about tiie middle of Septem- ber in Scotland— it may be earlier, of course, in theSoutli — and continues to blossom till near the end of October. As a Monkshood, it is most distinct from others. When well cultivated it grows to the height of 4 ft. Its habit is stiff and erect, so much so that it scarcely requires stak- ing. It throws up bold stiff spikes of large, very deep blue flowers of great substance, which with- stand autumn damp and rains well, and last in perfection a long time. Its leaves are thick and palmate, of a dark shining green. For alternat- ing in rows with Tritoma uvaria, to which in color and style it forms a complete contrast, it will be most effective." j QUERIES. Names of Plants. — C. E. P., Queens, Long Island, N. Y. Both ferns though so different in appearance, are varieties of Aspidium spinulo- sum. It is possible the proliferous one has a garden name; but if so, we have not met with it. It is worth}' of one. Injuky to a Linden Tree. — Mj-stic says : — '• In the Spring of 1875, I tied two thicknesses of heavj' cotton cloth closely around two lindens, (set out the Spring before for shade trees in the street), to pi-otect them against the bites of horses. In the Fall of 1876, I took off the cloths and found three spots of dead bark on one tree, and one on the other. The spots were from three to six inches long, about two inches wide, and all on the south-west side of the trees. Three spots had evidently died the first season. Trees from two to three inches in diameter and not thrifty; soil and seasons dry, and hose applied several evenings during the Summer, soaking the cloths as well as the ground with water. Would the dry cloth kill the bark, or the cloth wet by the hose or rain, followed by a hot sun ? [The cloths had probably nothing to do with the death of the bark, but exactly what caused the death, could not be given without seeing the trees, as there are many causes at such work. It may be remembered that the cells in trees are the individuals, and that often whole masses of them will be weakened by various causes. Some cells and masses of cells get stronger, and some become weaker just as in ordinary communities. When the time of trial comes — as in transplant- ing — and there is a "struggle for life" the weaker ones die first. It is some such law as this which most likely operated to produce the dead spots, and the cloth had nothing to do with it. The cloth more likely would be an advan- tage.— Ed. G. M.] Antigonon leptopus.— C. E. p., Queens, L. I., N. Y., saj^s :— " Can you or any of your corres- pondents tell me to what natural order Antigonon leptopus belongs ? Is it a free flowering plant ? " [It is one of the Buckwheat fiimily, (Polygon- acete). Properly grown it must be free flowering, as plants with a profusion of bloom have fre- quently been exhibited before the Pennsylvania Horticultural -Society .—Ed. G M.] The best Sciadopitys verticillata. — A cor- respondent writes that in Mr. Sargent's grounds, at Brookline, near Boston, there are several spe- cimens of the umbrella pine, Sciadopitys verti- cillata, the largest of which is three feet nine inches high, the growth of the past season having been over seven inches. The same correspon- dent confirms our opinion of the hardiness of this tree in our northern Atlantic States, in com- mon with nearly all the other conifers of the Eastern Asiatic seaboard. Now, that it is pretty well settled that the California and Oregon coni- fers will not stand the climate of those States, planters there will do well to bear this fact in mind ? If any have a better, let us know. Variegated Elder. — A New York correspon- dent asks: — "Can you inform me whether Sam- bucus nigra foliis luteiis, is the golden blotched variety or Sambucus racemosa variegata." [We believe this to be a variety of the com- mon English Elder— Sambucus nigra. At least we know that there is one variety variegated of this under culture. There may be one of the S. racemosa also under culture. — Ed. G. M.] Grafting Magnolias.— G. W. T., New Bruns- wick, N. J., a«ks :— " What would be the eftect of grafting M. glauca on the M. acuminata? Is there sufficient specific affinity to render success probable? Would not the free growing stock affect 4he graft so as to give to the glauca, pur- purea and other slow growing subjects a more stately habit." [We know of no cases of M. glauca, being grafted on the acuminata, but think it would do well. The purpurea, no doubt would, as that is closely allied to the conspicua, which does so well on it.— Ed. G. M.] 40 THE UAiiDENElVS AlUJ^TULY [ February, ■REEN Mouse and Mouse &rdening. SEA SO A'.-l II L E II I A 7 X This is tht' jscasoii when ninny things will re- quire re-potting. Many have a set time and season to do this; hut some things require re- potting at various seasons. The best time is just before they are about to make a new growth. Camellias, Azaleas, and many plants, for in- stance, start at this season. It is not necessary to re-pot so often as some think, especially if bloom, and not very large specimens, is chiefly wanted. If the pot is very full of roots, and the plant growing weak, it may need re-potting. In potting, see that some provision is made for allowing the water readily to escape, by put- ting broken crocks over the hole. Use soil rather dry, and ram it firmly about the old ball. Prefer pots only a little larger, to very large shifts, as less liable to accidents. Trim the plants in a little, if unshapely, to encourage the new growth where wanted. Many who have but small houses and wish to have a variety, are troubled with valued plants becoming too large. To keep them low, as soon as the plant has matured its growth, cut it down as low as may be desired. As soon as it shows signs of breaking forth into a new growth, turn it out of the pot; shake or tear away the old ball of roots, and put it into as small a pot as it can be got into; and when it grows again, and fills the pot with roots, re-pot again as before. Sometimes the plants get "sick," which is known by luihealthy, yellow leaves. This is usually by over-watering, generating a gas, or. as gardeners term it, a "sourness," destructive to the roots. The remedy is to cut the plant back a little, shake out the soil, and put? the plant in a small pot with new soil, and place the plant in a house only moderately warm, and which is naturally moist — so that the plant can live for a while without requiring much water. It will generally recover. Every one interested in plant growing must be continually on the watch for small insects, which destroy more })lants than manj' are aware of. The little Black Thrip is very troublesome to Azaleas; the green fly to all scjft-wooded plants; the scale to Camellias, Oleanders, Cactuses ; and the mealy hug to almost all hot house plants. Continual syringings with warm, greasy water, in which sulphur has been mixed, is the best rem- edy. Tobacco smoke is still the most ajiproved mode of destroying green fiy and thrip. In window culture tobacco smoke cainiot very well be used in rooms, but plants may be put under a tub few at at^e, and by the help of fumigators, now common in most florists' stores, the smoke may be injected. Some plants are injured by too heavy doses of smoke. It is better to give a light dose on two successive niglits. Whenever fine, warm days occur, the plants, if insect-cov- ered, may be taken out of the windows, laid on their sides on the grass, and thoroughly syringed. Plants in hanging baskets often suffer from too much water if in glazed or earthen ware, or from too little, if the basket be of wire, or some other open material. There is nothing more difficult than to tell to another how or when to water plants. It is a matter that can only be well learned by experience. We are often asked for a list of good basket plants. In this part of the world almost anything that will grow in a greenhouse is made to do service in baskets. Those we most commonly meet with now-a-days are Othonna crassifolia, Ivy-leaf Geranium, vari- ous varieties of evergreen Ivy, Begonias in nu- merous varieties; Ice-plants, especially Mesem- bryanthemum crystallinum, M. cordifolium, and M. spectabile, Abutilon vexillarium pictum, Acorns gramineus, Duranta Baumgartneri, Cuphea platycentra. Cineraria maritima, Cen- taurea gymnocarpa and ragusina; various dwarf Palms, such as Palmettos, Cereus speciosissimus, C. fiagelliformis and C. Jenkinsonii, Ficus stipu- lata, Gelsemium nitidum (advertised in our last by Mr. Barker), Muhlenbeckia complanata and platyphylla, Mahernia odorata, Kcnilworth Ivy, Money-wort, Wandering saxifrage, Sweet Alyssum, Mignonette, Petunias, Lobelia, Helio- trope, Reineckia carnea, Rondoletia anomale, Peristrophe angustifolia, Pilea muscosa, Pepero- mia maculosa, Nierembergia gracilis, Oxalis 1877.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 41 floribunda and multillora, Chinese Primrose, Tradescantias, Santolina incana, Artemisia stellaris, Torenia Asiatics, Lophospermum scan- dens. This last is one of the oldest plants we have under culture, remarkably easy to take care of, usually very free from insects, and is in flower almost at any time, when growing, throughout the year. Yet it is very seldom seen. In the hope of making it more popular, we give a representation of it. POT DRAINAGE. Probably experience has long since satisfied most of your readers in regard to this question which has again been raised in the Monthly. It cannot be said that all pots must be drained, though the rule to do so is correct. In many florists' establishments where such plants as Verbenas and Geraniums are grown largely, the pots are not drained, as the growth is rapid from from cuttings to plants, and the pots will often fill with roots in a few weeks. If such pots were drained, the benefits though still attained, would perhiips be unperceived in such a short time. But what plants like, is to have the water drain off" as quickly as possible, and this is what the crocks in pots are for. Quick drainage is an essential in plant culture. In the Spring or Summer time when the sun is hot, plants in small pots will take up the water in the soil very quickly, and at such times the crocking may be omitted. But in regard to collections of plants, no worse system could be adopted. So liable are such plants as Camellias and Oranges to be injured by under drainage, that at all times they require care to keep them healthy. There is positive injury to plants whenever water cannot freely pass away. Drainage enables us to water with less discrimination, which is quite an object wheie many thousands have to be done. With pot-drainage our plants are healthier and safer, under ordinary circumstances, just as the farmer's crops are when he drains his land on which water is apt to lie. [Sound doctrine. — Ed. G. M.] "FORCING TENDER ROSES." BY BENJAMIN GREY, DEDHAM, MA5S. Under the above heading your corres- pondent, "W. J.," in the December number of the Gardener's Monthly, criticises an article which I had in the August number of that magazine ; and without wishing to occupy too much space, I should like to take exception to some of his remarks. He seems to think that Roses would be grown not forced, by the method given ; but well-grown Roses may be forced at pleasure ; and the method, which he is pleased to call my method, is also that of several of the best growers of first-class Roses around Boston and New York — this I know from personal observation. The days being short in December, it requires double the time to make a given amount of growth that it does in Spring, and the "commer- cial men " who wait until a week before Christ- mas, to produce their Christmas Roses, will surely have " troubled faces," and I find that their facial contortions usually result from a knowledge of the fact that they will have to burn more coal. The wood intended to produce the Christmas crop should be grown in October and November, when a house placed in almost any position would get sun enough, and the buds should be set on the bushes by the fore part of December; the application of a little extra fuel would then make success reasonably certain, and give a fine crop of well colored buds. It is well known that the Safrano, which is the variety most extensively grown for market, delights in a temperature of 50 to 55°, rather than one much higher; and that the Bon Silene, wnich comes next, loses much of its deep color under the hot sun of the advancing season, and it then becomes questionable whether a house built at "an angle of 55° or more," to catch the sun rays when there are no sun rays to catch, and which, construct it as you will must be high and contain much space difficult to heat, is an advantage after all. I would recommend 40 or 42 THE OAIWENEM'S MONTHLY \_Ftbruary, 45°, not more, and this would be ns ^rciit an angle as that at which most houses are built. " W.J." says, " a forcing-house for Roses should always face south." It would be better to have it face a little east of south ; getting the morning sun, which is generally conceded to be mo.st beneficial. Antl this is why I consider a house facing east and we^t belter; pref<^ring to have the sun early and moderate for eight hours ; avoiding airing, and dispensing the delightful growing temperature which such a situation would give, rather than four or five hours strong, and necessitating the use of the ventilators. '■ W. J." must not suppose that the writer allows his bushes to get into bad condition, merely for the pleasure of tying them down ; hut as a prac- ticing gardener it has been my fortune to take one or two situations where through neglect the bushes had got into a bad state ; and, at a season, November, when to cut them to break the lower buds, would have been a ruinous proceeding; and by pegging them down I secured a fine crop for the Winter, which my employers informed me excelled any crop the houses had ever given. It is for such cases, or where bushes get too high for the low houses in which they are sometimes planted, that the practice^ becomes particularly useful, and for such cases the idea was given. After the buds break, the old parts may be cut out and tlie pegs removed. To cut the head of a rose bush— divest it of all its leaves, and expect it to break strone shoots from half ripened stumps of canes, is a species of vandalism that would never be practiced, and an expectation that would never be entertained by any sound practical gardener. Plants grown in pots may have well-ripened wood, and will stand more severe pruning than those in the border. The varieties recommended in the former ai-ticle " may '" and should " be kept in shape by skillful pruning." As I did not intend giving any full " method " for " Forcing Roses," but only to offer a few suggestions, vide opening paragraph of article in question, I did not particularize on the treatment suited to the different sorts named. Marechal Xiel is a strong growing climber, and does well, tiained near the glass, on a back wall, or to stakes or trellises across the border, if not placed so as to give much shade. Safrano, Bon Silene and Isabella Sprunt may be grown in the same house ; but as Bon Silene likes more heat, it should be placed at the warm end. Yellow- Tea and Niphitos require more heat than the above named sorts ; and as they do not grow so strong, may bo grown on the shelf over the pipes. Souvenir de la Malmaison, I think gives better colored buds in Winter when grown in pots, although it does well when planted as the others. The buds are im])aticnt of excessive moisture, which spoils the outer petals in dull weather. I liave drawn my conclusions after years of close observation and practice as a Rose Grower for the Boston and New York markets, where I have disposed of thousands of buds grown on my own account, and also as manager for other commercial e.stal)lisliments. All due deferencie for the opinions of" W. J.," which he has a perfect right to hold and advo- cate ; and I believe that equally desirable results may be obtained by different methods, under proper management. CULTIVATION OF THE ZONALE GERANIUM FOR EXHIBITION. BY H. COKBEXT. The few remarks I have to set before your readers concerning the cultivation of this old favorite plant, may seem simple to some, but may be of interest to younger readers. Having grown plants for exhibition in England, and set the ball rolling on the same style in this country in the far west of Kansas, I will do my best in giving my system. The Geranium is one of our finest bedding plants, and makes as good a show for Fall in- door decoration ; so I think a few plants (grown as plants) some four feet in diameter, are well worth having. A cutting struck in Fall, can by the next Fall be grown into a plant, three to four feet through. Some people may say it is an easy matter to grow a Geranium ; but to grow even a Geranium for exhibition, and bring it to perfection, needs skill and practice. I prefer one year old, strong, bushy plants. Take them in February or beginning of March, and shake off all the old soil, removing a part of the roots; then pot in good soil, and into as small a pot as possible, giving no water until all the soil becomes dry. Then cut your plants close in, so as to leave about two buds on a shoot. Give them a good soaking of water, and they will all break regularlj'. Keep them now in a small greenhouse, as close to the glass and as cool as possible, so as not to let them suffer, and by Spring you may re-pot them to a seven-inch pot, using equal parts of loam, leaf mould and cow 1877.J AND HOETIGULTURIST. 43 manure, with a small portion of sand worked through. The seven inch pots will be large enough to grow a fine specimen some four feet through. Then you can commence to arrange a trellis by placing a piece of wire around under the rim of the pots. Then take three sticks, keeping them trained around. Do not let the shoots run straight out, as they break so much better by training them around. Shut up early of an afternoon, throwing liquid manure water between the plants, to give the foliage a healthy appearance. After the pots get full of roots, placing them at equal distances, laying them flat across the top of the pot, and then fasten them to the wire around under the rim to hold them into position. You may now place them out in give them liquid manure water every other watering, and your plants will break regularly at every eye. Do not stop them while there is room on the trellis, as I find stopping a bad a cold frame on the north side of the building, practice. Bring them out gradually to the sun 44 THE GAHDENER'8 MONTHLY [^February, about pix wcoks before they are needed, and then allow the flowci-s to come on, and you will by 8ix weeks have a line show of tJeraninm flowers and plants some three feet throuj^h. Should you think this worthy of a place in your Monthly, I may give you more of my expericni'o in stove and greenhouse plants, graperies, &,('. [We value this article very highly, and should be much pleased with more of such. Skill in plant growing, at least the evidences of it has been very rare of late, and yet there is nothing which gives so much pleasure as well grown plants.— Ed. G. M.] EDITORIAL NOTES. Orchid Culture. — In our country the culture of these plants has nc^t extended very much be- cause of an idea that they require costly houses and great care. In our experience in various parts of the country, we have noted that the most expensive arrangements have generally been the greatest failures, and in many places a large number of kinds seem to do with less care than ordinary greenhouse plants. The flowers are not merely odd, but generally beautiful, and mostly emit a delightful fragrance. In a good collection there are always more or less in flower, so that an orchid house is always a source of great delight. Another interesting point is that in many parts of Europe when an orchid grower dies his plants always bring more than he paid for them. They grow in value with age. We suppose it is not so here yet, because orchid growers hardly know where to find one another ; but it will be so one of these days. In the hope of encouraging their growth we give an engrav- ing of a beautiful one, for which we are indebted to Mr. Wm. Bull. See cut p. 43. Maiden Hair Ferns.— Notwithstanding their seemingly delicate structure, we have noted lately that they seem among the most successful of ferns as window plants. There is a vast variety among the genus (Adiantum) to choose from. Gas and Oil Light.— The papers tell us that sor>ie towns have rebelled against heavy gas bills and other gas annoyances, and have taken to using coal oil. Those who think this a misfortune have at Iciist this consolation, that they can have flowers of all kinds in oil-lit rooms, when they can have none, except by special contrivances, in rooms where coal gas is burned. And then it is healthier, for if a plant die in a certain atmos- phere it cannot be good for mankind either. NEW PLANTS. Double Poinsetta. — We have from H. A. Dreer, Phihulcliihia. a head of the Double Poin- setta, showing how very great is the improve- ment over the old kind. The " doubleness " con- sists in a greatly increased number of the scar- let bracts which, as most of our readers know, are not the real flowers. Golden Maiden Hair Fern. — Everybody knows the beautiful Gymnogrammas, or Golden Ferns. It is said that a Golden Maiden Hair Fern has appeared in England, but we suppose it is with yellowish leaves, and not colored scales, as in ordinary Golden Ferns. Winter Flowering Carnations.— It ought not be forgotten by those who want these fqr flowering next winter, that the cuttings ought to be put in now. The plants are grown in the ground all summer, and have to be lifted in the Fall carefully to be put into pots. Fuchsia procumbens. — We were pleased to note this plant offered by one of our advertisers last month. We did not know it was in the country. It is said to be remarkable in having the flowers erect, wliich is peculiar in a Fuchsia. Azalea Indica,Empereur du Bresil. — A splen- did novelty, flowers very large, very double, quite a perfection of form. The color of the finest pure rose, each petal bordered with a broad pure white band, whilst the whole of the petals are striped lavishly with bright rose and white. The upper lobe is elegantly blotched with brownish red. adding a good deal to the distinction of this really fine new flower. It is no doubt the finest and most distinct variety ever sent out since the introduction of the Azalea Souvenir du Prince Albert, and like that variety it will be duly appreciated by all lovers of this splendid tribe of plants. Azalea Empe- reur du Bresil is a sport of the i\ne double white Azalea Reine du Portugal, so favorably known now as a first-rate variety. — Verschaffelt. Triomphe des Doubles Blancs Azalea. — This is undoubtedlj' the finest and best double white Azalea ever sent out. The flowers are much larger, much finer, more double, and of a purer white than even in the fine variety Reine 18t7.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 45 du Portugal. The petals are large, round to perfection, slightly undulated, crisped ; the cen- tre is occupied by a tuft of pseudo-petals of the purest white. A very free flowering double white variet}'-, which will be grown by thousands for the trade, and become a general favorite. — Verschaffelt. QUERIES. Starting Cyclamens. — C. S. W., Hartford, Connecticut, writes : — " I should be glad if Mr. Meehan, or some one equally competent, would contribute to the Monthly a short ar- ticle setting forth the best way of starting Cyclamens outside of a greenhouse. It is a plant that I am quite attached to, but I have always had to give my bulbs to a florist to start for me, never having been able to do it myself, and this I should be very glad to avoid if possible." [We are always glad to get inquiries like these, as w^e can help many others who may be under similar difficulties. There is no more beautiful window plant than the Cyclamen, and it is well worthy of any trouble one maj^ take to have it in perfection. The annexed illustration shows one fairly grown, and window cultivators may expect to reach this excellence. As to starting it, the trouble comes from dry- ing off too much. There is no reason why they should be dried at all in window culture. Keep watering a little all through the season, and they will start at the proper time. They require some little warmth, and this can be helped by i>lacing the bulbs with the pots in a warm [)art of the room. It does not make much difference if the part is not very light, so that it is warm ; but as soon as the young leaves are visible, it must then be removed to a light place. — Ed. G. M.] Trees for Protecting Greenhouses. — G. G. S., Boston, Mass., writes: — "Please oblige by letting me know which kind of fruit trees would be best to plant to protect my greenhouses from the cold northwest wind, as I would like them better than pine, spruce, larch, &c." [You cannot have the trees too near the green- houses, or icicles will blow from them in winter and break the glass. The cherry is one of the most rapid growing fruit trees, and would soon make a screen ; but the pear does so well about Boston that we would be disposed to try them. The Bartlett would, on the whole, be the beat variety, as it grows moderately fast in compari- son with some others. The Clapp's Favorite and Flemish Beauty are also rapid growers. — Ed. G. M.] Red Spider. — " Florist," Des Moines, Iowa, says:— "In the December Gardener's Monthly, speaking of when the red spider becomes an army with bannei's, more scientific approaches must be made to give any show of success." Now, would you please state some of those 'scientific approaches?' It is a subject ia which I am somewhat interested, and probably others are, for in early Spring, when the sun gets hot, and the greenhouse very warm, it is impossible to subdue the little insect by any means of ventila- tion, or sprinkling, showering or squirting of water through the hose. By all means give us a chapter on the red spider and how to destroy him." [Sulphur used freely is one of the best reme- dies against red spider. Many good gardeners wash their flues with sulphur, and the vapor is quite sufficient to keep the red spider down. This vapor does not injure the plants. If, how- ever, the sulphur take fire, sulphuric acid is formed, which will destroy both animal and veg- etable life. In some houses it is customary to have sulphur strewn on sheet iron or tin plates, exposing it to the full sun, and this makes vapor enough to keep the red spider down. In the early stages of their appearance sulphur in the water used in syringing does good. For, although the sulphur is not of course dissolved in the water, yet some of the particles of sulphur get distributed Avith the water. Linseed oil may be dissolved in chalk or dry clay and then dissolved in water. After it has settled it will be found that oil mixes with water enough to be disa- greeable, and this water used in syringing provea very disgusting to the red spider. — Ed. G. M.] 46 THE GARDENEirS MoSTIILY \_Eihrxiary, :rUIT and MEGl' table EARDI'NING. SEASONABJJ'J 77/xV7'6'. There is no lon<;er any doubt tliiit one of the worst foes to gnipc rulturc in tins country has been the rhylloxera, a minute insect which feeds on the roots, and thus seriously impairs the nutritive power of the plant. With its vital resources obstructed, it falls an easy prey to fungi and other destructive agencies, whidi are ever on the look-out for something to prey on that is weaker than themselves. It is well known that some seasons are not so favorable for insect life as others. Either the natural ene- mies of the insect abound, and keep them down, or some climatic interference is against them, and in those seasons the plants get along better. This seems to have been the case with the grape the past few years. In spite of the Phylloxera, and all other enemies, the grape has done re- markably well the past few years, and we are coming to look on it as, ascertain a crop, on the whole, as the average of fruits. A few 5'ears since, we had to say to our readers that it was useless to rely on many other kinds but Concord and Clinton. These grapes have very branching, fibrous roots, and there are generally enough es- cape the Phylloxera to keep up a tolerable healthi- ness. But we can now rely on others tolerably well, and such well-proved kinds as Delaware, Diana, Salem, Martha, and others of about the same historic age, find frequent planters. The new kinds, such as Brighton, Lady, Elmira, and other candidates for popular favor, find purchasers in goodly numbers, and the whole prospect of grape improvement and progress is encouraging. It is well to remember that the grape likes a dryish soil, rich earth, and likes to send its roots out into cool places when the summer is warm. The rule, in pruning grape vines, is to shorten the shoots in proportion to their strength ; but if the advice we have given in former summer hints has been attended to, there will be little disproportion in this matter, as summer pinch- ing of the strong shoots has equalized the strength of the vine. Those who are following any par- ticular system, will, of course, prune according to the rules comprising such system. As a gen- eral rule, we can only say, excellent grapes can j be had by any system of pruning ; for the only object of pruning in :iny case is to get strong shoots to push where they may be desired, or to increase, with the increased vigor of the shoot, which pruning sujjposes will follow the act, in- ('roasod size in the fruit it bears. Of the Fruit Garden for February we may say in a general way — Raspberries and Blackberries may be planted towards the end of the month ; they should be cut down to within a foot of the groimd at i)lanting; they will of course, not then bear the next season after plantmg. But this is a benefit; no fruit tree should be allowed to bear the same season. In planting these have a care of deep planting. Even two inches lower than the roots are, is often fatal. Plant on a dry day, barely cover the roots ; but beat or press the soil very hard and firm. As to the best varieties of fruits to plant, that is a question which a work, intended as ours is for the whole United States, cannot answer. We are continually publishing fruit lists adapted to the diflerent sections in the body of our work, and to them we refer. One of the mo.st interesting parts of a vege- table garden is a hot-bed for starting seeds early. The end of the month will be time enough for those who have not command of a large supply of stable manure, as the very low temperature we often get at the end of the month, soon ab- sorbs all the heat the hot-bed possessed. It is in any event best to put up the beds in the warmest and most sheltered spots we can find, and to keep cold winds from the manure, by covering it with branches of trees, or mats ; and the glass should always be covered with mats at night. Tomatoes, egg-plants, peppers and cu- cumbers, are the first seeds to be sown this way. Cooler frames can be got ready for cauliflower, lettuce, beets, celery and Early York cabbage, a little of which may be sown about the end of the month for the earliest crops. The Cauliflower is a particularly valued vegetable, and no expense spared to get them in perfection will be regretted when one's efforts are successful. Those who have hot-beds will now sow toma- toes, egg-plants, peppers, and other vegetables that can be forwarded by this means ; and those who have not, will sow them in boxes or pans, and forward them in windows. Every garden 1877.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 47 ought to have at least a few hot-bed sashes to forward early vegetables ; for if they have no means of applying artificial heat to them, the sash will of itself forward some things consider- ably. About the middle or end of the month, or still later at the North— say the middle of March- celery and late cabbage may be sown. Here we usually sow the second week in March. In the anxiety to have early crops, people often work the ground while it is wet. But nothing is gained, not until it will powder when it is dug, is it fit for turning up. COMMUNICA TIONS. PLAN FOR A SMALL VEGETABLE HOUSE. m BY W. T. BELL, FRANKLIN, PA. Thinking that my reply to the following letter, might be of interest to some of your readers, I send you a copy for publication : "Dear Sir: — Seeing your article on Green- house Furnaces, in August nuinber of Recorder, I take the liberty to ask you a few questions on the subject. "I have grown plants for sale, for the last two or three years, under glass, with good success. I started tomato plants in the house last season, and had them quite early for market; but the little hands are growing, and I am afraid to risk them there again. " I purpose to put uid a small greenhouse, and am ignorant of the best plan to build one; and would like to ask you if the following plan is a good one. "I think about 21 feet by 10 feet, would be large enough. T purpose to dig it out the above size, and wall up with boards, about two feet above the ground; and have the middle of the roof about two feet higher tlian the sides; with a cistern for water, about eight feet square, and three feet deep. " Now, should the cellar for the furnace be five or six feet below the floor of the house, or that depth from the top of the ground? What size glass is best for the sash ? Is one foot fall enough for the roof, or would more be better? Would it do to have a coal-stove in the house, instead of a furnace? As I wish to grow only vegetables for early marketing; commencing to fire about February 1st. Will you give me your idea on the above, or give me your plan for the purpose? Yours, etc., , , Md." If I wished to build a vegetable house of the size you mention, I would make it on the surface of the ground; boarding up the sides with rough, cheap lumber, nailed to posts set into the ground, and bank up with earth nearly to the eaves. This would make a warm house, and it would be drier than if excavated. If you have no shed at the end of your building, and do not need a cellar in connection with your greenhouse, dig a pit at one corner of the house, outside, large enough to give room to work your fire, put a roof over the pit, and proceed to make your fur- nace and flue, as mentioned in the article you refer to. If you expect to use a fuel that will not choke the flue, build the flue along one side of the house, across the end, and return along the other side, to the chimney. Have door to greenhouse, in end, directly under the comb of roof; and benches along each side, with a narrow space at back of bench, to allow the warm air to pass up behind the bench. The sash should be made, not less than IJ inches thick, without cross bars, ex- cept at top and bottom, and should be painted before being glazed. Double-strength glass is the cheapest to use ; which should be bedded in putty, and securely fastened with large glazier's tacks. Glass 8x10 inches, is a good size to use, placing the long way of the glass with the long way of the sash. The slope of the roof, should be not less than what carpenters call a quarter pitch, to carry off the water properly. If you are well supplied with water, on your premises, I would not make a cistern in green- house, as a barrel of water' standing under one of your benches would last you two or three days. A coal-stove in your greenhouse would not prove satisfactory. I hope the hints I have given above, may be of service to you, for the sake of the little hands you mention, if for nothing else. DECAYING PEAR AND APPLE TREES. BY GEN. W. H. NOBLE, BRIDGEPORT, CONN. Let no one cut down such, as " cumberers of the ground ;" there is yet wonderful vigor in their bark and limbs. But they w^ant your " help to their infirmities." Thereby good kinds will yield 48 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [February, us lusfious crops fov years, before the younptrec | in ita stead, matures into bearing. If tlie fruit of the old tree is not clioire, graft good kinds into ita sound shoots and Hnibs. Tliey give return on such, much sooner than on young trees. Tlic pear and apple, especially, reward our kindly help to their waning powei^s. But do yt)ur work with thoughtful care. A good deal of chisel and mallet surgery must be used. The horse-.shoers foot-knife is therefore in parts a very useful tool. But all your cutting and saw- ing and cleansing must be followed by the very choicest culture and tree food, top dressed. The right method and scope of the work can best be shown by e.xamidcj. Twenty-five yrars ago, I came to live on an ancient homestead, full of old fruit trees. Among them was a venerable Harvest Pear, Annie Jo- hannot, going to the bad. Its limbs were de- cayed and tumbling. One side of its trunk was gone. The whole heart wood worm-eaten and rotten. The half shell left of its body had only about three inches of bark and sound wood. Yet it was still making vigorous growth of stout young shoots. With gouge-chisel and mallet, I dug out all the worm-eaten and decayed wood, covered the sound wood beneath with thick paint, and stopped all the holes of ants or borers. All unthrifty and rotten limbs I lopped ofl'. Then wide around the tree, with lavish hand, I spread on the top surface rich manure. The sound limbs I grafted with choice pears. Under this thorough surgery, food and nur- ture, the old thing about to be turned into the wood pile, has grown and flourished with abun- dant return for my care. Thus for twenty-five years, it has been a comfort and most useful test- place to get quick returns for good fruits, old or new. The same regimen will win for the apple trees like rewards. I never had one quite as bad off as that old Harvest Pear. But lots of them with hollow trunks, and great rotted and worm- eaten limb-holes. The way to serve such, is to dig and scoup out all the decay. Somehow, get down to the solid wood ; then fill the holes with good hydraulic cement, and where very large, mix and pack into the cement, with an iron rod, a lot of sharp small st«nes. Fill plump to the surface. Let the edges of the cavity be brought close to the bark. It will then gradually curl in and heal over the edge, and sometimes the whole wound. You thus shut out moisture, air, and Jill the nameless things that live and fatten on decay. An old tree so saved, is worth a half dozen young fellows, for whose show of fruit you must wait for years. You will find the process of waste and rot to stop, and your tree start ahead with the vigor almost of a renewed youth. Still "il/atit la jeunesae — a little of that youth you recall by your care. DISEASE IN PEARS. HY lUCUKRK, LOUISIANA, MO. The writer has been mucVi interested in the perusal of Prof. Brainard's views on Pear blight, but more so in examining your comments upon his theory. If not out of place, you will plcjise answer the following questions, viz. : Is the disease called blight, in your section the same tliat proves so destructive to our trees in the West? Does- not starvation have something to do with the disease in the East, as well as in the West? Every season shows us here that sound trees of hardy sorts, planted in well-drained soil, properly cultivated for three years and the sur- face supplied with proper plant food, do not blight, or more properly starve. Pear trees die here, and they usually commence dying at the extremities, turning black, as death proceeds downwards. An occasional spot is discovered on the trunk of a tree which seems to be other- wise sound. This spot if examined with a lens when not more than one-quarter of an inch in diameter, will be found to have a puncture in the centre, probably made by some misguided insect which oviposits in a tree that does not furnish proper food for its young, as no larvse have been discovered in the aff'ected part in this section. The poisonous egg dissolves very soon, and ex- tends rapidly until it becomes too much diluted to decompose more sap. The dead bark remains stationary, while the living bark around the poi- soned spot swells out, leaving a depression. If the dead portion extends half around the limb or trunk, it usually kills, with us. It will probably be objected, that the instinct of injurious insects is perfect, and that the provident mother never oviposits in tlic bark of trees that do not furnish food for the young larva?. To this objection it may be safely said that instinct in insects, in many in- stances,-prove3 to be imperfect. The snout beetle called curculio, will not climb a plum tree, the limbs of which rub against the side of a build- ing, or where vibratory sounds are produced by wires stretched from tree to tree. The sounds will not injure him, but his imperfect instinct isn.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 49 admonishes him to keep a safe distance from such trees. By scarring the sound edges of the bark around the sunken portion in the month of June, the diseased spot will soon grow over and the tree is not apparently injured. When the limbs of recent growth qommence to turn black with us, and we remove portions of bark, th» whole shoot is found to be drying up, and no slimy, decomposed sap can be found, while all eastern writers claim that by breaking the bark a slime or mucilaginous substance will at once ooze out, and string down to the ground. These two opposite symptoms would seem to indicate a different cause of death. Out of several thousand Pear trees in my own bearing orchard but one has been killed by spot blight within the last five years, while seven have starved to death. Those trees that were sound when planted, and supplied with plant food in abun- dance are sound, and even the intense freezing of 1872, which congealed the mercury here, did not break down the tissues of the sap vessels of certain hardy sorts. Forest trees were worse crippled that winter than Pear trees, so that in this section the " frozen sap blight " theory won't do ; particularly when it is remembered that the Autumn was warm till quite late, and the freeze came upon us suddenly. It seems to the writer not difficult to prove that the main cause of the destruction of this noble tree in the West is starvation. The same cause may operate to some extent in the East. But to handle this much vexed question with comfort to the reader, the earthy matter contained in the wood, bark and fruit, as well as the peculiar appetite of the tree must be placed before him. [The Fire Blight in the East, is just the same as that in the West. Situation makes no difference — soil makes no difference — system of culture makes no difference. It comes to any and all trees, once in a while wholly unexpected, and leaves the locality often as suddenly as it came. Trees which die gradually from the tips down- wards, are not suffering from " Fire blight," but from some other disease. There are many sourcei? of disease — many symptoms. Under some cir- cumstances the sap does freeze, and then "frozen sap blight " is a reality.— Ed. G. M.] TWO GOaD PEARS. BY J. M. H., DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE. It is often with fruit growers as with those ol other occupations, the things that have proved good, and are really valuable are often overlooked or crowded aside to make room for some new claimant for public attention. Often the new article or fruit takes the lead for a while, but soon disappears and is wholly lost sight of. Pear cultivators in this vicinity are apt to set too many new varieties for profit — those that have not been fully proved. And I wish to com- mend to the cultivators of the northern portions of our country, through the Gardener's Monthly, two Pears which have been tested and are suited to the North. These are the Buffum and the Sheldon, both of them pears of American origin, and two as good varieties as have been produced in America. The Buffum, if it were a little larger, would certainly rank with the bet't of pears. The tree is a fine grower, forms a regular head, and is highly ornamental in any orchard. The Sheldon is a fruit that cannot be surpassed amongst pears. The tree does not make so regular and symmetrical a head, yet it is as hardy as th« Buffum. These two Pears are worthy the atten- tion of fruit growers, and if more attention were paid to these, we should not hear so much of the failure of pears on account of the severe winter. EDITORIAL ISOTES. Fruit Synonyms. — It is time Europe had an association similar to our American Pomological Society. For want of such, Europe is bothered with synonyms. A recent writer tells us that there the May Duke Cherry has^ sixty-two different appellations, and Queen Hortense has thirty-two; Peaches, Grosse Mignonne, fifty- one; of the Pears, Doyenn6 d'Hiver, fifty-six, and Catillac, sixty-eight. The two familiar va- rieties of Grapes, Frankenthal (Black Ham- burgh), and Chasselas de Fontainebleau (Royal Muscadine ), have fifty-five and forty-one syn- onyms respectively. Thinning Fruit.— We have always contended that a man w*ho makes fruit growing a business, and allows his trees to be injured by overbearing ought to suffer. It has been objected against us that thinning does not pay,— but A. % Dyck- man, who has extensive Peach orchards at South Haven, Mich., gives the Horticultural Society of that place the following account, in substance, of his mode of thinning the crop : A part of the thinning is effected by pruning, when this is needed. The cost is about five cents per bushel, 50 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [ February, and the mnrket price i-s often doubled by the operation. The rule is to leave one peach on a shoot six inches long, and two on a limb a foot long. Make the .spaces between them a.s even a.s practicable. For thi.s jnirpose it is often neces- sary to remove nine-tenths. Finish one branch at a time ; work from the centre of the tree. It saves labor at the regular picking, assorting and packing. Another important advantage is, in preventing the exhaustion of the trees. The work is done soon after the fruit seta. Vegetable E.^tixg. — We often fancy foreign- ers misrepresent us, but if so, it is no more than the fate of all nations. We have been reading recently a report on English Gardening, by Dr. Mertens to the Belgian Government, in which he says the English grow "hardly any vegetables but Rhubarb and Seakale, and these they greedily devour." Peach Dlsbase in California. — The yellows do not appear to be troublesome to a Californian Peach orchard, but the curl is a fearful pest. Peach Disease in the South. — A correspon- dent of Oar Home Journal, writes of a mysterious disease which attacks the Peach trees down there. As the lowest temperature is seldom more than 5" bolow freezing point, it cannot be from cold. He B.ays : — " Many of the trees are dead, root and branch. Some are dead down to the roots, from which a few suckers are springing up, from each of which I mean to train up one to see what it will do. The trees that are not dead have a sickly and wilted look — scarcely any leaves, and perhaps half a dozen peaches to the tree. My orchard is on the warm, southern slope of a sandy ridge or tongue of high land, projecting into the salt marsh, with water on both sides, and sheltered on the north by a heavy growth of live oak and magnolia. The sap flows earl}% but I have never known the fruit germs killed by frost. And this season, as I have said, two-thirds of my trees have exhibited no signs of life at any time, and now stand leafless and sapless." American Blackberries in England. — With their knowledge limited to the wild fruit of the hedges, it is no surprise that the Engli.sh, wonder at the popularity here of our improved sorts. But one who has tried the Lawton in England, writes to the London Journal of Horti- culture, that it is really " delicious." The Cornish Gilliflower. — Early in December we saw a barrel of this variety on sale in Phila- delphia, the first time we had seen it in many years, and were really surprised to find how superior was its excellence. The vendor could give no guess as to the locality it originally started from. We are reminded of this sort now by a beauti- ful engraving in the Garden, which gives the following accountof its history : — "As far as I can remember (says Mr. Boscawen), a certificate was given to Sir C. Hawkins, of Trewithan, Cornwall, in the year 1822 or 1823 by the Horticultural Society of London for fruits of this apple. Sir C. Hawkins found it in a cottage garden near Truro. It is my opinion that it is a seedling from a very old Cornish variety called the Spice Apple. There are two, if not three seedlings from it in Cornwall — one at Mr Richard Boli- tho's, in Penzance, which is earlier than the one I sent you, but not so good. I have heard of an- other, but can't say anything about it. The apples I sent were from a graft of the original apple at Trewithan, and therefore is the true Gilliflower, or July Flower, as it is sometimes called. The name, I believe, was given in conse- quence of its scent being like that of a Gilli- flower Carnation. I have found the apple easily cultivated, not only in Cornwall, but in the Mid- land Counties. One year when the crop failed in Cornwall, apples were sent down here from Berkshire quite as fine, if not finer than those usually grown in Cornwall. This apple likes an eastern aspect, and must be pruned carefully, as the blossom buds are at the ends of the shoots. It keeps well, and is ripe about the end of November. The Baldwin Apple. — The American Cultiva- tor, says : "The original tree found in a wood, is still standing on the Baldwin farm, at Woburn, Mass. Loammi Baldwin was then the proprietor. Cultivated Pine Apples.— People accustomed to the miserable stuff sold in the markets for Pine Apples, have no idea of the delicious char- acter of cultivated fruit, as grown by gardeners. And yet because " Pines " can be bought cheaply, they are seldom grown. At a recent meeting of the London Horticultural Society there was an award to Mr. Ross, Welford Park, Newbury, for four smooth-leaved Cayenne Pine Apples, weigh- ing respectively 7 lbs. 4J ozs., 8 lbs. 5 ozs., 9 ft»s. 22 ozs., and 10 lbs. 5^ ozs. The suckers which produced these fruits were potted in 6-inch pots in June, 1875, and shifted into 11-inch pota in April, 1876. 1877.T AND HORTICULTURIST. 51 Exquisite Peach. — Mr. Tillery in the FU)rist\ and Pomologist, says : — " This American'Pea.ch is a very noble one." Do any of our readers know anything about it ? It is described as yellow fleshed. Fall Fruiting Strawberries. — How the forced Strawberries to which we recently re- ferred, were made to produce in the Fall so freely, is thus told by the London Journal of Horticulture .•— " We have to-day, (November 14th) seen a further supply of Strawberries from Eabley. The fruit was perfectly ripe, medium- sized, and well colored. The plants producing this fruit were forced last year, and afterwards planted in the open ground : on showing trusses in the autumn the plants were again potted, and two hundred of tiiem are now in full bearing, and very valuable." Hardiness of Wilson's Early Blackberry. — The Country Gentleman says that this variety is not hardy much farther north than Philadelphia. We had no suspicion of this fact before, and would like to know if it is the universal experi- ence. Had we been asked, we should have said it was as hardy as Lawton or any other kind. The Maine Grape. — This, which some years ago correspondents of the Gardener's Monthly showed was not different from Concord, is being pushed again. The English Walttot. — It would be interest- ing to know how far north the English Walnut matures. A correspondent of the Country Gen- tleman, speaks of its doing verj^ well in Essex County, New Jersey, ten miles west of New York City. Jerusalem Artichokes.— A correspondent of a London paper wonders that " a plant so pro- lific as the Jerusalem Artichoke, should receive 80 little attention." We fancy the reason is, that they who try them find they can do very well without them. With port wine, drawn butter, or some addition they make passable eating, but are but poor at best. NEW PLANTS. The Japan Persimmon. — The Diospyros Kaki has fruited the two past seasons in California. The James Veitch Stawberry. — A Yorkshire' correspondent of the Garden, Mr. Lovel, Weaver- thorpe, saj's, " that among forty varieties of strawberries which he grew last year, the largest was James Veitch, eight fruits of which weighed one pound. This season it took from seventeen to eighteen to weigh one pound, a result partly owing to the cold, frosty weather which we had in May and June ; so severe, indeed, was the frost in June, that all the earliest bloom was de- stroyed. The large fruits gathered in 1875 were Cockscomb-shaped, not those of a globular or conical form, which is the normal shape of this variety. He noticed also in these large straw- berries a great tendency to decay, if in contact with the damp soil. He has gathered during the past season very fine and large fruit from Dr. Hogg, President, and Sir Joseph Paxton, all first season plants. Many of the finest fruit of these kinds weighed nearly one ounce each. He considers these three varieties superior in many respects to James Veitch, especially as regards quantity and quality of fruit." Captain Jack Strawberry. — This variety, in- troduced by Mr. Samuel Miller, of Bluff"ton, Mo., proves of value East. Mr. Parry says it com- pares favorably with Wilson's Albany in most respects, and is of better quality. French Pippin Apple — Under the name of French Pippin, Mr. Youngken sends us fruit remarkable for the great weight in proportion to its size. It is but ten inches round, yet weighs half a pound. With the exception of its stem, which is rather longer than the apple and some- what slender, it has very much the character of the Fallowater, and Mr. Y. says that it has very mucli of the wood and growth of that apple. He thinks it in every way a superior kind to Fallow^ater. An orchardist obtained a large number of Fallowaters from a nurseryman named Lukenbach, and this one appeared among the number and is supposed to have " come from France," " whence its name," and to have got with the others by accident. It is too much like Fallowater to sustain this view. It is most likely one of these curious instances with which or- chardists are now becoming familiar, of sudden departures from the original type, independent of seed agency ; but whether in consequence of some hybrid influence between graft and stock, or some other law of change, is not well deter- mined. We should like to know whether any body lias a ten inch apple that will weigh this much. It seems to us that if such an apple as this had 52 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [ February, fallen on old Newton's head, ho would never have been able to tell us of gravitation. The Swen'ker Apple. — We have from Mr. J. G. Younken, of Quakertown, Pa., specimens of this apple. He represents that it is a secdlini,' of some forty years ago, which appeared naturally on the farm of Geo. Swenker, of Richlandtown. As a rule we are opposed to any more new ap- ples, unless thoy seem to have csiiecial points of merit, which this one ajjpears to have. It is a hand- somer looking apple than Baldwin,and has a more crisp and pleasant flavor. Mr. Y. reports that it will bear bad usage well, and this is one of the points supposed to belong to Baldwin especially. The specimen before us is ten inches round, a little depressed (Di inches), tapering sharply to- wards the apex, medium slender stem, small closed calyx in a rather wide, shallow basin, and of a deep red color, with splashes and stripes. This is December 12, and it appears as if it would keep for months yet. QUERIES. Grease for Pear Trees. — Mystic asks : — " Some say fat will injure pear trees. Will fat, or grease or dish-water from the sink, incorpor- ated with the soil, injure trees or vines? If beneficial in moderate quantities, is there dan- ger in large quantities?" [It is no doubt only the salt in the dish-water that injures the trees. — Ed. G. M.] The Sicilian Hazelnut. — J. C, Chelsea, Mass., writes : — " In the December number of the monthly I hud a communication from E. S. Ma- son, Detroit, Mich., stating his experience with the Sicilian nut. Having had an opportunity of teeing them growing for some years past, in a garden in this city, I may state that I have had the general charge of the grounds for many yeai-s past. The gentlenian purchased one dozen plants, it may be eight years ago; every one lived, have grown vigorously, and for several years back have borne a quantity of fruit, and we think here that it is a superior nut, many of them of extra size and quality; many of the trees are also now of good size. We have pro- pagated many by suckers, some of them make wood five feet long in one season." Strawberries i'OR Market. — J. S., Allegheny City, Pa.: — " I am desirous of planting three acres of strawberries this Spring for market pur- poses. I have plants of Wilson's Albany, Mon- arch of the West and Kentucky. Can I get any better sorts? I propose to plant three feet by one. How much bone dust per acre, putting a little to each plant? Your advice will be prized by many readers of your valuable magazine." [You would do better with the rows two feet apart than three. The best varieties for market depends very much on the method of culture. Your old-time neighbor, Knox, found Jucunda and Triomphe de Gand more profitable than Wilson's by his system of culture. You might add Chas. Downing to yov.rgood list. It is a good "standby." — Ed. G. M.] Name of Apples. — W. J. E., Indianapolis, sends some very fine apples for name, the tree supposed to have been brought from Ireland originally. Some good judges, to whom we sub- mitted them, pron it ounce "Ortley," but there seems to us some points of difference. It is a better apple than Ortley, as we generally see it. FORESTRY. EDITORIAL NOTES. The Beech in Indiana. — S. M. Coulter says in the Botanical Gazette that over one-third of all the forest vegetation of Jefferson County, Ind., is of Fagus ferruginea. Walnut for Timber. — Californians seem in- terested in timber culture, like the rest of the world. The Pacific Rural Press says: — "It has been discovered by the farmers on the plains in Solano and Yolo counties, says the Colusa Sun, that the black walnut, although a native in this State of the low lands, is better adapted to the plains tlian any other tree. All residents of the districts of country at the Earst where the walnut grows, will remember that a walnut stump is the very hardest to get rid ctf. It sends down a 1871] AND HORTICULTURIST. 53 longer tap root than any other tree, and hence its perfect adaptability to our dry plains. The walnut should be planted first where it is in- tended to grow, as any transplanting is apt to interfere with the proper growth of the tap root. A large number of these trees have been planted around Dixon, and from a conversation about it with a gentleman fully posted, we concluded that it was the very best thing our farmers could do. The cost of the trees is almost nothing." . Foreign Trees. — Mr. Sargent writes to the Massachusetts Ploughman, that after an experi- ence in the foreign larches and American raised, he finds that the home nurseries can supply them 60 per cent, cheaper. If only our people would show a disposition to encourage home nurseries, this experience would be much more common. PREMiUArs FOR FoRESTS. — A correspondent of the Massachusetts Ploughman recommends that premiums should be given for the " best forests on the poorest lands, within a specified time from planting," as a means of finding out the best trees for such situations. Wild Cherry Timber. — A Massachusetts cor- respondent of the P^ow^Aman, referring to Cera- sus serotina, says : -" You cannot have for many purposes a better tree than the wild cherry, and it is a rapid grower. It is found in all our for- ests. And what is better or handsomer for the interior work of houses and for cabinet work than the wood of the butternut tree, and this, a rapid grower on rocky soil as well as good, in any part of our State ? " Native Trees for Timber. — A correspondent of the Massachusetts Ploughman, writing from Wood's Hole, Mass., says: — "Now while there is a great value in the Scotch larch, and it is a very desirable tree to introduce, yet we have many native trees that for all or most purposes, are quite as valuable, and some more so. I have planted some chestnuts (seedlings) and have been astonished at their rapid growth. Yet this tree is probably as good for railway cross-ties as the larch, and for cabinet and some other pur- poses better. Why not then encourage its re- production ?" Sweet Gum as Tan Bark. — One of the most useless trees of the South, and yet one of the most abundant, is the beautiful Sweet Gum, Liquidambar styraciflua. In the last number of the Monthly, reports of the Department of Agri- culture, Mr. McMurtrie, the chemist of the de- partment, says that the bark contains 8.36 per cent, of tannic acid, which is more than any of the oaks give, as per the same table which we give below. The "Quercitron" we suppose is Quercus tinctona, and not "nigra," as therein stated : Per cent. Ground sumac, (mixtd,) Winchester, Va 24.18 Sumac. (Rhus cotinus,) Hallsborough, Va 24.08 -uiuac, [Rhus glabra,) Georgetown, J). C 26.1 Leaves of sweet fern, ( Comptonia aspleni folia,) near Boston, Mass 9.42 Leaves of Polygonum amphihium, Nebraska 11.6 Ephedra antUyphilitica. table-lands of Arizona and Utah.... 11.9 Bark of sweet gum, {Liquidamhar styraciflua,) District of Columbia 8.36 Bark of red oak, (Quercus rubra.) Canton, 111 5..5.5 Bark of white oak, (Quercus alba,) Canton, III 7.85 Crushed quercitron bark, (Qitercus nigra,) Winchester, Va. 6.47 Bark ot Quercus coccinea, Canton, III 7.78 Bark of Quercns marcrocarjM, Canton, 111 ... 7.85 Bark of hemlock, (Abies canadensis,) Van Ettenville, N. Y 9.5 QUERIES. Range of the Tulip Tree. — An Ohio corres- pondent inquires how far north this tree is found. We believe that both it and its neighbor, the Magnolia acuminata cross the lakes, and are found sparingly in Southern Canada. Eucalyptus in Ohio. — We have now an in- quiry from a correspondent about making a plantation of this in Ohio. Is it possible that after all we have said about this in the Garden- er's Monthly, there should be any reader of our magazine who does not know that this tree will endure no frost ? Forests and Eain-fall. — " Bois," Wolmrn, Mass., writes : — " I do not want to meddle much with the controversy on this subject, but every feather has its weight, and I will throw mine in. I think there is no doubt that there are many instances where streams have become dry of late years — and there seems no reason to doubt that the seasons are drier — that the rain is not so well distributed, and that there is less snow. But I regard it as due to an increase of forests instead of a clearing ofi" of land. In our State large tracts have been left to grow up to timber that was under culture 50 years ago. I am sure from my own observations that while the forest area of the State has increased at least twenty per cent, in a half century, the rain-fall has gradually diminished — or at least the rain does not fall as regularly through the season as it used to do." [Is this a fact that the forest area of Massachu- setts is greater than it was? What says Prof. Sargent?— Ed. G. M.] 54 THE GARDENERS MONTHLY [ February, MTURAL MiSTORY AND r&CIENCE. COMMUNICA TIONS. FACTS RELATIVE TO "RAIN FALL AND THE LAKES." BY MR. E. lU'FTKLKN, I.E ROY, GENESEE CO., N. Y. In the November number of the Gardener's Monthly, three copies of which have been sent to me, in two of the same, I find the article " Rain-fall and the Lakes," marked. It calls for facts, of which I present a few that are quite prominent. Western New York is watered by several large streams, but they are gradually drying aivay. Many small streams that once helped to swell them, are not now to be found. A dry stream-bed which crosses this farm, once furnished power for a grist-mill. That was about sixty years ago, when this section of coun- try was nearly covered with timber. Now the mill is in ruins and the stream is dry. For thirty years I have lived by the side of it, and have seen it diminish in exact proportion as the timber was cut away around its source. A few miles west of us is another dry mill, on what used to be another stream. From a weather journal I find that the summer showers from June 1st to September 1st, have fallen off in number Hi per cent, in thirty years. " The Falls of Niagara have not decreased in volume, neither have the waters of the Missis- sippi diminished in any material degree," though many of the smaller streams that once fell into it near its mouth, have disappeared; and al- though the waters of the upper lakes have not gone down to a perceptible extent, Ontario, which receives them all, has in fifty-six years uncovered 18 7-12 feet of beach, and is still going down, showing that its own tributaries are con- stantly diminishing. When the country by which the upper lakes are surrounded, becomes as destitute of timber as that by which Ontario is surrounded, their waters will diminish and also those of the Mississippi. Six thousand miles in the saddle, demoKStra- ted to me that the timber belts were the factories wherein were made the summer showers. The Indians understand it, for I said to one of them that I would not like to live in that country, because it was so dry ; and his response was, " Much dry, no big bush, no rain big." This was in the " far West and South-west," and the same rule is being developed here. [We hope peoi)le will plant trees. There is profit in tree planting, and will be more. So far as these meteorological matters are concerned, it is well to remember that not one man in a million is competent to decide where the " source" of a stream is. We can tell where the water issues from the ground — but it often runs hun- dreds of miles beneath thesurl'ace before we see it. Cutting away the trees along the banks of a stream, can therefore have no possible influence on the water at the " source." Geological rea- sons have often much to do with a diminished water supply. — Ed. G. M.] EDITORIAL NOTES. Fertilization of Flowers through Insect Agency. — There are signs that what we have re- garded as extreme views about this matter, are weakening. Some two years ago, the general one was, substantially that of Sprengcl, who nearly three-quarters of ;i century ago, declared that nature does not intend any plant to be fer- tilized by its own pollen. This view has been held by many of our distinguished botanists. In the Fall of 1875, Prof. Asa Gray spoke on the subject at the sixth semi-annual meeting of the Holyoke Seminary, and is reported by the Scientific Farmer to have said : — "All plants with showy, fragrant, honey-bearing flowers, are arranged for cross fertilization. Nature abhors in-and-in breeding, and like a wise teacher shuns the practice." So widely had the idea taken root, that in aU plants, nature shunned the practice of in-and- in breeding, that failure to produce seed became generally attributed to a lack of certain insects; and, because the first crop of clover in this coun- try, and all crops of clover in New Zealand were thought not to produce seed, it was supposed the lack of insects was to blame. Last year humble- bees were shipped to New Zealand, because the tongues of the honey-bees were thought not long enough to penetrate to the bottom of the red clover corolla tubes. The writer of this, so far as 1877.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 55 he knows, stood alone in pointing out that many of the supposed facts were erroneous, and that the interpretation of the others was doubtful. In the January number of the American Agri- culturist, Prof Asa Gray has another paper on this topic, from which we take the following : — " Cross fertilization we may well believe, is the best thing, but it is risky. Cross fertilization, tempered with self fertilization — which is the commoner case — is practically the best under ordinary cases ; is the compromise between the two risks, via. : failure of vigorous and fertile posterity on one hand, and failure of immediate offspring on the other. Get fertilized, cross-fer- tilized if you can, close fertilized if you must — is nature's golden rule for flowers." We see that Dr. Gray no longer believes that nature "shuns the practice of self-fertilization," but practices it (and practices it extensively), when cross- fertilization fails. Evolution in Plants. — Evolution, in some form, is generally accepted by scientific men. Dr. Hubert Airy, in Proc. Koyal Society for January, 1873, believes that in phyllotaxis, or the leaf arrangement of plants, the one-two ar- rangement (the second leaf being opposite to the first), is the earliestin point of time, and thatall the other forms are subsequent to this. Roots, he Bays are always two ranked, and monocoty- ledons have the first leaves one-two. In dicoty- ledons the first leaves have the simplest order of the whorled type. Vegetation of Bermuda. — Five hundred spe- cies of plants have been found on the island. The Burmuda Red Cedar is the principal tree. The seeds are supposed to have been originally brought from America by the Cedar Wax-wing, % a bird which makes the trip in twenty-four hours. The island is twenty-five miles long, and six hundred miles from Cape Hattaras. There is no brook or stream on the island, and no part is over two hundred and fifty feet above the level of the sea. The temperature is about 75° from May to November. Ihe cool season is in Febru- ary and March, when the temperature is about 50°, when the flowers are mostly found. There are no clouds, no rain, from July to September, and all is parched and bare. Part of the island has subsided far below the level of the sea. The trunks of old cedars are found in the marsh lands. It is during the cool season that the fine Potatoes are raised that find their way to Phila- delphia markets in April. Our Native Lilies. — In another place we give a note from a correspondent from Califor- nia in regard to the varieties of the Lilies in that section. Our own eastern kinds vary also, and the varieties are well worth looking after. We have not had the chance of observing how much the Lilium Philadelphicum, or L. Catesbaei vary, but L. superbum and L. Canadense have numbers of beautiful forms. We give an illug- tration of the Canadian Lily. Fertilization in Beans. — At the October 3d meeting of the Philadelphia Academy of Natu- ral Sciences last Summer, Mr. Meehan observed that in all the discussions on the injurious effects of close breeding in flowers, and the consequent theories of cross-fertilization, nearly all the ar- guments were drawn from structure. We are asked to note certain arrangements, and then to believe that certain results must follow. He preferred to watch the plants in their actions, and in the result of their actions, when excluded from external agencies, believingitthemore prac- tical way preferable to the theoretical one. One of his friends who thought he was wrong in lim- iting insect agency to a few plants, and in ques- tioning the injury from vegetable close breeding, had been giving for some months past a series of articles in proof of his side— the more uni- versal view. Of course the position of his friend was entitled to all the benefit to he derived from structural arrangement, but when he referred to actual behavior in plants, it came within the province he had marked out for himself. In the last paper there was an instance of this kind. After noting how the flowers of Phaseolus— the common bean— were formed, and the supposed impossibility of fertilization by its own pollen, the paragraph concludes as follows: — "The machinery tells its own story plainly. The con- 56 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [^Fehrnnry, firniation is familiar to all who know beans and their facility of mixinjj, whon (HfTorciit varieties lire grown together." Mr. M. said he claimed to " know hcans " for thirty years jjast; had grown large luimhers of varieties side hy side, saving seed from them and re sowing, and had never known a single case of admixture from this close prox- imity. The various kinds of both Beans and Peas in cultivation were in all cases evolutions or as would be commonly said, "sports or acci- dents," or were the results of actual manipula- tions by skillful seed raisers. He had no liesitation in saying that his friend was utterly wrong in his impression of the fact — that he did not " know beans." — and the fact that Beans would not intermix though so close together and so freely visited by bees, was an excellent argu- ment against, instead of for, the universal insect cro8.s-fertilization theory. Evolution. — Now that it is generally accepted that plants (and animals) have been not all formed at once, but that new forms appear in 6u<-cossive periods according to law, there is the usual search for the author of the theory. Some go back to the time of Adam and show that even he was not made directly from nothing, but was evolved from clay— dust of the earth. But the more moderate do not go so far. The Scien- Hji-c American thinks Goethe should have the cr(<(lit : "Goethe also proved that certain differences between the osseous sj'stems of man and the lower mammalia, which had been insisted on before his time, did not exist in the embryos, and only appeared during and after growth. " It is evident that what Goethe called mata- morphosis, is identical with what we call evolu- tion. Witness the following expression :—' The triumph of metamorj)hosis is .shown when this theory teaches how simple organization begets families, how families split into races, an^ races into various types, with an infinity of individu- alities. Nature cannot rest, nor preserve what she produces, but her actions go on adinfinilum.' " The Arxoi.d Arboretum, of which Prof. Sar- gent is director, makes its annual report on the condition of the garden : "One hundred and twenty-eight species of hardy trees and .shrul)s and many thousand specimens have been added to the Arnold Arboretum during the year. To relieve the over crowded nurseries, 3,181 young forest trees have been planted out on yarious portions of the Bussey Estate. The cost of planting these trees, including digging them from the niirsery rows, and transporting them on an average half a mile, was $35.1l>, or one cent and one tenth for each tree. " The unprecedented heat and drougth of the past iSunmier, have been most unfavorable to these plantations, and barely fifty per cent, of all the trees planted survive. As an experiment in sylviculture, the one and two year-old seed- ling trees, or about two-thirds of the Avhole were planted by what is known in Europe as the ' notch ' system, that is, they were inserted in the intersection of two cuts made at right angles in the sod with a common garden spade, the ground having received no previous prei)aration. However successful and economical such a sys- tem may be in a humid climate like that of Scotland, it cannot be recommended for the United States, where a more careful preparation of the soil seems essential, that the young plant* may resist the severe ordeal of our usually dry summers. For the larger specimens of these plantations, small holes requiring but a few moments' labor were made ; and, as far as I have observed, not a single one of the trees so planted has yet suffered. Various experiments in forest culture will be continued on a small scale in the future, as plants accumulate, with a view of arriving at the best method for New England planters to ado])t. "The Trustees of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture (the original founders of the Botanic Garden) have made me for the third time a generous annual grant of $1,500, for the improvement and development of the Garden ; and it is my duty to call attention to the fact that their sustained liberality has alone made possible the increased activity and usefulness of this department of the University." PoTATOE Moth. — This insect continues to be fearfully destructive in Algeria. The larvae bore into the tubers, and the excrements are so nause ous that no animal will touch a tuber containing them. Boisduval calls it Bryotropha solanella. ' — *.»• QUERIES. Singular Analogy in Darlingtonia and Sar- RACENiA. — At p. 293, Vol. 16 of the Gardener's Monthly. Mr. Canby gives an interesting account of Darlingtonia in connection with its insect 1877 J AND HORTICULTURIST. 57 catching habits. We have now the following additional note on the subject: " Since this article was written I have had an opportunity to examine some leaves of Sarra- cenift Psittacina, Michx. In their structure we may notice a near approach to Darlingtonia, the upper part of the pitcher being almost as in that plant. There is the same ventricose expanded summit, which, if the leaves were erect, would bring the orifice underneath, and the fold within the orifice is not only present, but proportionally many times larger. To be sure, the " fishtail " appendage of Darlingtonia is not found here. But that admirable arrangement for attracting flying insects is not necessary in this plant, which has its leaves reclining in a rosulate clus- ter in such fashion that the orifices are in a ver- tical instead of a horizontal position ; thus pre- senting an open doorfor ambulatory insects, easy of entrance, but extremely difficult of exit. As a consequence, the prey corresponds to the structure, being composed principally of ants, with a proportion of the smaller spiders, beetles, &c. The hunter or fisher has often occasion to construct and use traps made on modifications of the same principle ; but the arrangements of their mechanisms are poor and inethcient com- pared with those of these humble plants. W. M. C." The Purpose of HoxVeyed Secretions. — We have the following from a botanical friend: " • Honeyed secretions appear to be given to plants for the purpose of furnishing a nourishing liquid to pollen.' p. 27. May a correspondent ask what kind of proof there is for this? Also, how the pollen gets at this secretion in the spurs of Aquilegia, or of an Orchis, or in a Crown Impe- rial, or, indeed, in any other flower? "Also, why should the moisture of the stigma be called 'a honeyed secretion,' and so be likened to the nectar of flowers? And how does the remark that the pollen-tube is emitted only when there is a honeyed secretion in the stigma, apply in Asclepias, and in those cleistogamous flowers in which the pollen emits its tube before touching the stigma?" [The quotation from our last numl^er given above, is in answer to a question of a correspon- dent who wants to experiment on horticultural topics in matters not fully proved. When we suggested this subject as one of them, therefore, we regarded it as a matter not fully proved, but only " appears " to be so. Our ground for this suggestion is the experi- ments of Dr. Hooibreuk, of the Imperial Botan- ical Garden of Vienna, published in 1873. He shows that flowers which could not be fertilized by their own pollen, or foreign pollen, were suc- cessfully impregnated when nectar was applied to the stigma before the application of the pollen. Our correspondent is one of those who endorse Sir John Lubbock's statement, that " the honey of flowers has been developed by the uncon- scious agency of insects," in other words, that sweet secretions were made expressly to entice insects, which, while visiting, should bring pol- len at the same time to cross-fertilize, and he will naturally feel a reluctance to accept the sug- gestion that possibly the nectar may in some way directly minister to the plant's own good ; but those who differ with him may be pardoned for seeking another use for these secretions. As to the objections made, we can only say they are no greater than surround every similar question ; no greater in this than is the fact of the existence of cleistogamous flowers from his own point of view ; for if nature abhors self-fer- tilization, why should she make such flowers which, "blooming in secret," must fertilize themselves! The sweet Hquid in the spurs of Aquilegia may be waste, as millions on millions of pollen grains themselves are waste. Again, the honeyed matter is generally formed in close vicinity to the gynceicum, and there may be cases where the pollen-tubes can get along for awhile without it ; but all this is speculation, and we can only say that there seems enough in Hooibreuk's observations to warrant further experiments in that direction.— Ed. G. M.J Climate of California.— A San Francisco cor- respondent, under date of December 28th, says :— " I see by the papers that you have had very cold weather in the Eastern States. Here it has been very delightful. Yesterday, for in- stance, the thermometer at noon stood at 72°, and for many weeks it has ranged between 65° and 74°— occasionally with a light frost at night, but not strong enough to ' nip ' tomato vines, or interfere with the out-door growth of flowers. The day but one before Christmas I took my children down to see the sights, and the display of flowers and fruits in the markets was very fi-ne— all of out-door growth. Strawberries, grapes, oranges and lemons lay side by side with apples, pears, &c., &c.. in great variety. On Christmas day the floral, as well as the evergreen display in the churches, was a pleas- ing sight for such a season of the year. We are all longing, however, for rain ; and that is the commencement of winter here. Two months 58 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [ February, ago we had a good general rain throughout the State, and that gave vegetation an excellent start, so that all the hills around our city have a look like Spring. Indeed, we have two Spring eeiisons in San Francisco — that which conies after the first good rain, and tliat which follows the close of the rainy season. Looking upon the brown hills around us he- fore the rain, and then after it, the change is like magic. Sometimes the range of hills on the eastern side of our beautiful bay becomes swept by flame, and as the lurid glare leaps and climbs, one would think tliat desolation, utter and irre- deemable, would be the result. But no ! These hills have a fine growth of wild oats, which are perpetuated most singularly, in this way : The surface of the earth, after the summer's drouth, becomes cracked by the sun (being of a clayey loam), and as the wild oat has two ' legs,' the moisture of the night contracts, or raises, rather, these legs, and the warmth of the day straightens them; the sharp point to each sticks into the ground, and the straightening process naturally, then, forces the body of the oat forward. This is repeated night by night, and day by day, until it creeps to one of the sun-cracks, and falls mto it. These, after the first rain, ' stool ' out, and a beautifully patterned carpet, the shape of the cracks, becomes at once visible. As the growth continues, the hills become covered with green. This is our first Spring. Mushrooms will soon be come abundant on the grassy slopes west of the bay." Aruxdo coxspicua.— H. M. N., Chattanooga, Tenn., asks: — "What is the Arundo conspicua, referred to in the February number of the Gar- dener's Monthly, 1874? Is it known by any other name?" [The extract was credited to the Gardener's Chronicle, and the plant said to have merits su- perior to Pampas Grass. It ought to be in this country by this time, but we see it in no lists. All we can say in addition to what the Chronicle said, is that it is more correctly Calamagrostia conspicua, and is a native of New Zealand.— Ed. G. M.| California Lilies. — A correspondent justly complains of "the outrage being deliberately committed by the collectors of our native lilies; they are sending them all over the East and Europe, with half a dozen difierent names for one lily. There are only half a dozen varieties of lilies on this coast, but there are lilies sent out with over twenty names. A collector will write a wonderful description to a dealer about a new lily, and to another about another, giving any name he may chance to come across, and sup- ply both out of the same case. If asked why they do this, they will answer you, 'That it is no difference; the lilies are new, and people would as soon have them under one name as another.'" Name of Plant.— L. H. C, Buffalo, N. Y. The thorny plant is Pereskia aculeata, a plant of the cactus family, though apparently so difTer- ent — and the kind used by English florists to graft Epiphyllum truncatum on. Another spe- cies, with much more fleshy stems, in cultiva- tion, is Pereskia Bleo. Like Producing Like. — M. B. S., Bloomfield, Iowa, writes : — " In the pictures of beautiful Pan- sies in Mr. Henderson's advertisement, I see he speaks of varieties by numbers. I always sup- posed that when you sowed a package of seeds, you had all sorts of colors. Is it customary for these varieties to reproduce in this way ?" [Careful selection and care will enable a vari- ety to reproduce with tolerable certainty. The old idea that a species would reproduce itself with tolerable accuracy, and a variety would not, is proved now to be erroneous. Any gar- den variety reproduces nearly as well as a species.— Ed. G. M.] ?* LITERATURE, Ui.RAVELS & aP'ERSONAL COMMUNTCA TIONS. HORTICULTURAL PROTECTION. BY W. H. W., READING, MASS. In the editorial comments appended to the article on "Grapes at Boston," in the Gardener's Monthly for December last. I am asked to "give the points of novelty claimed for the Sec- retary grape in such language that a Patent- office clerk could tell at once whether any other grapist was infringing on the rights of the Sec- retary." I am not sufficiently familiar with this 1877.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 59 grape to attempt to comply. I have seen, eaten and greatly admired it, but I have never studied it. i have not even fruited it, though I hope to do so the coming season. I have no interest in it whatever, save as I am interested in every new fruit that promises to be an improvement upon what we have hitherto had, and so a promoter of the public welfare and enjoyment. Dropping, therefore, all farther reference to this or any other particular variety, I will, with your permission, give some reasons for the view expressed in the article referred to, on the sub- ject of "Horticultural Protection." By this phrase I mean the protection by law of the originator's right to a new fruit, as our patent laws now protect an inventor's right to a new implement. What is the design of the whole system of patent laws f — It is to secure to inventors such a com- pensation for their time, labor and expense in making valuable improvements in machinery, S MONTHLY [^February, many species of ferns, lofty and lowly, which flourished then a3 now. EDITORIAL NOTES. Horticulture at the Centennial. — In sum- ming up the events of the year, the Gardener's Chroniclf has the following appreciative notice of the horticulture at the Centennial : " America has scored a veritable triumph in the Philadelphia E.Khibition, though horticulture was, as might have been anticipated, not so well represented as it is generally in older countries. Fairmount Park, the locality in which the Exhi- bition was held, is, like most American things, large, and though it owes comparatively little to art, yet in its glades and dells many a wild flower, such as the pretty Houstonia ccerulea, was destined not to blush unseen or waste its sweetness on the desert air, for nearly 10,000,000 of visitors attended the Exhibition. " The Horticultural Hall, of which we gave illustrations, was, like most other structures for plants designed by architects, ill-suited to its purpose. But it is intended as a permanent structure, and by a little remodelling, as we are informed, it can be converted from a place wherein to kill plants to one wherein they will grow, provided the remodelling be done by some one who knows and appreciates the fact that plants need light and air. Some of the leading American nurserymen, among whom we may mention Henderson, Such, Meehan, Hoopes, Parsons, and Miller of San Francisco, made displays which would have done credit to any exhibition ; while the pomological exhibition wai on a scale not yet attempted here, and car- ried out in a more instructive manner than we have yet attained to. The pluck and enter- prise of our own nurserymen was equal to the occasion. Mr. Waterer did not shrink from shipping 'American plants ' to America, to show the good use which Britons have made of the talents entrusted to their care. Mr. Williams heeded not the risks of the long journey and the trying climate, but boldly sent a large and select set of stove and greenhouse plants. Messrs. Veitch likewise contributed their quota, so that Great Britain was as well represented as the distance would allow. Among Continental nurserymen, Vcrdier, of Paris, showed Gladioli and roses ; Sisley, of Lyons, double Pelargoni- ums; Leroy, fruit trees ; Krelage, of Haarlem, bulbous plants. On all sides we hear acknowl- edgements of the courtesy and hospitality shown to 'Britishers' by their American cou- sins, and if the Exhibition has the result of mak- ing the peoples of two of the great Anglo-Saxon nations more appreciative of one another's good qualities, and less disposed to pick holes in what is amiss, great good will have been done. To the Americans themselves great benefits will, we be- lieve, accrue, as tens of thousands saw, says an American friend, for the first time in their lives anything like effective gardening." Loss OF A Subscriber. — A lady from South Carolina sends the publisher a letter, asking to have her subscription to the magazine discon- tinued. She speaks kindly of the work, and expresses regret at parting with it, but feels " that as politics are now, they will soon want all their money for other purposes than horti- cultural magazines." We were sorry to see such a letter, especially from a lady, as we look on gardening as the bestfpossible relief from politi- cal excitement, whether at the North or South. During the rebellion the writer of this was on one of the heaviest battle fields of the war, not many days after the action. In one part of the field retreat had been hasty, and the dead but imperfectly buried. A hastily written line on a small stick indicated the resting place of" Ser- geant Ragan, 8rd South Carolina Volunteers." In the haste the soldier's body from the breast downwards only had been covered. The eyeless skull, the fiesh under the great heat almost disappearing, looked up as if for pity ; but even in the short time that had elapsed, nature in mercy had made a flower to grow from out of the newly filled-in earth, and had nearly hidden the skull from sight. The little incident made a deep impression at the time. We gathered a few of the specimens— they were oi Acetates viri- diflora — to keep us in mind that there was noth- ing like fiowers to cover up and to hide the hor- rors of war. As for politics we would not give up our love for fiowers for a bushel of them. The Woes of an Editor. — Nothing worries an editor more than to have errors appear in his work; but it is the lot of all. Even after the most careful " book " reading there is often a whole page of" errata " at the end. Still, it is to the credit of magazine and newspaper work that 1877.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 6S though necessariljr hurried, errors are compara- tively so few. We left a note with the printer about Pritchardia in our last, with no time for even the regular proof-reader to see it, supposing that one little paragraph might go unwatched, and it appears with "peteoles" and "spring teeth." Of course the reader knows what was really written and it is not worth while to make correction. But it was "maddening" for all. Then we took up the American Naturalist, and was told by the " printer " that Thomasia is a " Buttuereaceous plant; the Bulletin of the Tor- rey Botanical Club, where we read about " cam- brinum," and a locality for "Asplenium pinnati- fidim ; " then there was the Botanical Gazette, with its reference to " Tritelia," and finally tak- ing up Silliman's Journal, we found Prof. Gray made to say that Aster undulatus meant " many " leaved aster. We never felt before the sound- ness of the assertion, that "misery loves com- pany." Rambling Widow. — A correspondent of one of our English contemporaries pokes this conun- drum at the Editor : " What is the Rambling Widow ? " It is hard to solve these deep botani- cal problems, but as evolution is now a recog- nized law, and as a rambling widow has a good chance of turning up as a " Mourning Bride," we will venture to guess it is the gar- den Scabious. Tea in Georgia. — The " Chinese Tea," said to be so successfully raised in Georgia, proves to be dried leaves of Sida spinosa, a sort of mallow. The way in which new "teas" are discovered, is to fish out a perfect leaf from the teapot of gen- uine Chinese tea, and then look about you for some wild leaf of the same size and shape, and you have American "Chinese '' Tea ! A Large Plane Tree. — Perhaps the largest tree in Europe is a Plane tree near Cannosa, in Dalmatia. It is over thirty feet in circumfer- ence, three feet from the ground, and covers an area of 250 square feet. Jonah's Gourd. — Mr. Leo Grindon is contrib- uting a series of articles to the London Garden- er's Chronicle on the classical history of certain plants. In a recent one of the series he shows that the Hebrew writer of the account of Jonah intended the castor oil plant — Ricinus communis — and not a gourd, as the plant that shaded Jonah. Origin of the Leek.— Mr. J. G. Baker and Mr. Bentham, two distinguished English bot- anists, regard the Leek — Allium Porrum — aa a cultivated form of Allium Ampeloprasum, a native of Switzerland and Eastern Europe. The Eucalyptus in Mexico. — From the city of Mexico to Chapultepec, a distance of three miles, is a beautiful drive, lined on each side with old Eucalyptus trees. It is no new idea that the odor of the Eucalyptus is a febrifuge. The Latin races have always thought this of all odoriferous plants. The ancient Romans used to make plantations of the Sweet Bay — Laurua nobilis — for the same purpose. And indeed trees of any kind in swampy places have al- ways been found advantageous to human health. The Dismal Swamp in Virginia is said to be free from the fevers which abound in open j^laces. The Woods' Vineyard at Camden.— This tract of one hwndred and twelve acres, perhaps the largest vineyard in this part of the world, and planted in the "best" manner by Mr. Thos. Woods a few years ago, at the enormous cost of $55,000, has recently been sold by the sheriff, and brought $17,000. The Horse Chestnut. — The native country of the Horse Chestnut (^sculus Hippocasta- num) has long been an enigma to botanists. The enigma has, however, been solved by Professor Orphanides, of Athens, who, according to a note in the French translation of Grisebach's Vegetation du Globe, made by M. de Tchihatchef, has discovered the tree in a wild state in the mainland of Greece, thus confirming an opinion long ago expressed by Decaisne. — Gardener's Chronicle. Memorial Trees.— The practice of planting memorial trees, is very common in England. A writer in the Gardener's Chronicle refers to trees planted at Inverary Castle to signalize vis- its of the owner's friends. Here are trees planted by the Marquis of Lansdowne, Earls Russell, Livingstone, Gladstone, Guthrie, Mr. John Bright, Dean Stanley, and others. Last year Queen Victoria planted a tree on the Lane estate, on the occasion of her visit there. Building up Attractive Country Places. — The Boston, Lowell and Nashua R. R. has given free passes to seven rich citizens of Wilmington, Mass., because they built expensive houses. Those who built houses from $1,000 to $2,000 get a two-year pass, and those of over $2,500, a three-year pass, and will give similar passes to all who do likewise. Would it not be as well to 64 THE GAliDENElVH IWNTHLY [Fihruartj, do a little in the same way for those who beau- tify grouiuls as well as build houses? Nothing b more an indicator of a num's prosperity than his exhibition of his love of art and taste. People do not want to live where other people are merely, but near prosperous people. Beauti- ful, well-kept gardens and grounds show that people are all right in this respect. Hox. Marsh.uj. p. Wilder. — By a Boston paper we note that this good friend of every American horticulturist, for whose health we have all been so anxious, presided at the annual meeting of the Xew England Genealogical So- ciety on the 3rd of January, and there made one of his usual eloquent addresses. This indi- cates that he is much more fully restored to health than his friends hoped for a little while ago. Mr. Parker Earle. — We see it stated in the papers that this gentleman is eneaged in straw- berry planting in Southern Mississippi, in addi- tion to his orcharding at Cobden, 111. MissiS' sippi is to be congratulated on having so intelli- gent and experienced a gentleman as Mr. Earle taking an active interest in her industries. Report of the U. S. Department of Agri- cultl'RE for 1875.— This strikes us as one of the best issues of the Department. It is one of great value, and if Mr. Watts had never done anything since his term of office than issue this volume, it would be w^orth all his Department has cost. The " Forest aspects " of the United States is particularly exhaustive, and proves what we have always contended, that the De- partment is quite competent to take care of this subject, without a " Department of Forest- ry " being independently created. The Illustrated Annual Register of Rural Affairs for 1877. Albany : Luther Tucker & Son ; price 30 cents, — For some years past " an- nuals " by newspapers have not been a success; but Tucker's is now in its twenty-third year, and prospers. It success is no wonder, for it is a marvel of interest for the price. The chapter on ventilation, alone, is worth more than the cost. It is the most complete and easily under- standible pajjer on the subject that we ever read. The Country Gentleman is a good paper, and this "tender" to it does it credit. Vick's Flower and Vegetable Garden. — This is primarily, of course, an assistant to the firm of "J. Vick, Rochester, N. Y.," but it is, in addi- tion to this, an extremely useful and beauti- ful volume, very nuich more so, indeed, than numy "regular" books on flowers issued by regular publishing houses. The American Naturallst.-Now in its eleventh year, has always done much for science, and in the hands of the Houghtons, of Boston, is as actively useful as ever. The January number is now before us. The Canada Farmer. — One of the very best members of the agricultural press, has been merged with the Toronto Globe. It has taken all its editors with it, and this is a guaran- tee that agriculture in Canada will not lose by the act. The Raisers of the best Roses. — Mr. H. B, EUwanger contributes to the Journal of Horti- culture a list, with the names of raisers and dates of the introduction of .some of the most popu- lar. All but three English are French growers. No American seems distinguished in Roses. The list is as follows: Rose. Age. Raiser. 1 Alfred Colomb, n. p 1865 .. . Lacharme 2 Catlieriue Meriuet, t 1869 .. . Guillot, fils 3 Charles Lefebvre, H p 1861 .. Lacharme 4 Comtcsse de Chabrillaiit, h. p.. 1859 .. . Marest 5 Countess of Oxford, h. p 1869 .. Guillot, pere 6 Ferdinand de Lesseps, h. p . 1869 . . E. Verdier 7 Francois Michelon, h. p 1871 .. . Lovet 8 Gloirede Dijon, t 1853 .. . Jacotot 9 John Hopper, H P . 1862 . . Ward 1868 .. . Guillot, fils 11 Louis Van Houtte. h. p . 1869 . . Lacharme 12 Madame Victor Verdier, h. p.... . 1863 . . E. Verdier . 186.5 . 14 Mdlle. Eugenie Verdier, H. P.... . 1869 . . Guillot, fils 15 Marechal Niel, T . 1864 . . Pradel 16 Marie BaumaniJ, h. p . 1863 . . Bauman 17 Marie Duchcr.T . 1868 . . Ducher 18 Marie Van Houtte. t . 1871 . . Ducher 19 Marquise de t;astellane. h. p.... . 1869 . . Fernet 21 AbelGrand.ii P . 1865 . . Damaizin 22 Anna de Diesbach, H. P . 1859 . . Lacharme 23 Baron de Bon^letten, h. p . 1871 . . Liabaud 24 Baronne de Rothschild, H. P.... . 1867 . . Pernet 25 Belle Lyonnaise.T . 1869 . . Level 26 Caroline de Sansal, h. p . 1849 . . HippolyteJamainT 27 Cloth of Gold, N 1843 28 Duke of Edinburgh, h. p . 1868 . . Paul 4 Son 29 Edoiiard Morren, H. p . 1869 . . Granger 30 General Jacqueminot, h. P . 1853 . . Rousselet 31 ' eneral Washington, h. p . 1861 . . Granger . Guillot, pere .. Guillot, flls 34 Madame Canaille, t .. 1871 . . 1869 . .. Levet 36 Madame Lacharni^ h. P . 1873 . . Lacharme 37 Madame Marie Finger, H. P . 1873 . . Raiubaud 38 Madame Noman, il. P . 1867 . . Guillot iiere . 1869 . . 1864 . .. Levet 40 Ma.rguerite de St. Amand, h. p. . Sansal 41 Marechal Vaillant, H. P . 1861 . Lecomte . 1861 . . Granger . Levet 43 Paul Neron, h. p . 1869 . . 1873 . . 1861 . . Lacharme 45 Prince Caraiile de Rohan, h. p. . E. Verdier 46 S. Reyno ds Hole. n. p . 1873 . . Paul & Son . 1859 . '. 1843 .' . Guillot, fils . Robert & Moreau 49 Souvenir de la Malmaiion, b.... . Beluge 50 Victor Verdier. H. P .. 1859 . . Lacharme THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY AND HORTICULTURIST. DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE. ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS. Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN. Vol. XIX. MARCH, 1877. Number 219. .LOWER ^ARDEN AND ^LEASURE ^ROUND. SEASONABLE HINTS. There is nothing of more importance to be continuallj' remembered than that lavish ex- penditure on one's grounds or gardens by no means signifies beauty and taste. There may be true art in the gardening on a lot of but a hun- dred feet, and none on a pretentious place of as many acres. We would particularly recommend at this season of the year a consultation of works on taste in landscape gardening with a view to improvement in this respect. Of these there are Downing, Kemp, and Scott, within the reach of every one. A study of these works will not necessarily lead to expense; indeed, rather the reverse, for most likely the result will be to show how expensive has been bad taste, and the good economy of true beauty. As for expenditure, and the idea that garden- ing as an art induces waste, nothing is further from the fact. True art consists in the knowl- edge of harmonies, and this knowledge leads us to do the right thing at the right time. Out-door gardening especially is cheap, — nature does so much for us, and asks only the means to do it with, that costly gardening is rather a burlesque on her abilities. There is scarcely a garden of any pretension that we know of, that could not be cut down in size, one-half, to great advantage. We know of some quite large gardens where several men are kept, as well as many where the owner does all his own garden work, in which everything is a drag. There is too much to do. No excellence can be achieved in anything. Everything is done out of season and hurriedly. No one can take any pride in anything. The owner worries at the cost, and instead of cutting down the work cuts down the hands, and the remaining worry and chafe, and things are still more cheerless than before. There is nothing in gardening like this, and the Baconian quotation that a "Garden is the purest of all human pleasure?," never was intended to apply to such gardens. How cheap beauty is we have before referred to in connection with the groimds around the Centen- nial last year, to be repeated though with some diversity, on the same grounds, by the same hands this year ; and we hope the good lesson will not be lost. So far as the general hints applicable to the every year management of the flower garden department is concerned, the annual pruning must be got through with as soon as possible. Many delay pruning shrubbery until after se- vere weather passes, so as to see what injury may be done, but with March all should be fin- ished, taking care not to trim severely such shrubs as flower out of last year's wood, as for instance the Wiegelia ; while such as flower from the Spring growth, as the Althaea, Mock Orange, &c., are benefitted by cutting back vigorously. Do not transplant extensively till the ground is warm and the buds are about to push. Many things die by exposure to winds for a few weeks before they have warmth to push roots and leaves into growth. The rule for pruning at transplanting is to cut 66 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [ March, in proportion to i\pp:iront injury to roots. If not much the worse for removal, cut but little o the top away. Properly pruned, a good g.'irden- er will not have the worst case of a badly dug tree to die under his liands. In a nursery, where these matters are well understood, trees 'never die." Box edgings lay well now. Make the ground firm and level, plant deep, with tops not more than two inches above ground. If flowers have been growing in the ground many years, new soil does wonders. Rich ma- nure makes flowers grow, but they do not always flower well with vigorous growth. If new soil cannot be had, a wheelbarrow of manure to about every fifty square feet will be enough. If the garden earth looks gray or yellow, rotten leaves — quite rotten leaves— will improve it. If heavy, add sand. If very sandy, add salt — about half a pint to fifty square feet. If very black or rich from previous years' manurings use a little lime, about a pint, slacked, to fifty square feet. If the garden be full of hardy perennial flow- ers, do not dig it, but use a fork, and that not deeply. COMMUNICA TIONS. MOSAICULTURE. BY G., NEW YOKK. In a recent number, you published some notes made lately by Monsieur Nardy on his route through France. They were very interesting in more senses than one. They show, the translation being evidently rather literal, with what native delicacy and also precision the French handle their language in talking about flowers; and they show how universal this style of gardening has become in France. In the regular course of things we may now expect Mosaiculture to grow epidemic hi this country. It is the case with all fashions and dis eases, they must have their run. Take Eastlake furniture, take Japan and Chinese ware. What if the former looks as though hewn with a hatchet by a clever hatchetist, angular, and clum- sy, and void of embellishment ; what if the latter is positively ugly, according to all rules of ugliness, and an utter pervei-sion of the teachings of Mo- ther Nature ; they are "the go" and the style. and the grumbling nunority may grumble on until the fever has died out. Here Mosaiculture has the advantage over Eastlake and Satsuma. It does not cost anything near as much, and the platebandcs and arabes- ques will one day have disappeared, and the place where they stood will not know them any mure, and no great damage done to the purse of the garden owners either. Meantime let them come on, these alhambric designs, these architectonic figures, ribbons, scrolls, devices ; let art teach nature how to bring about stupendous eflccts until she own Vierself beaten in her principles of simplicity, graceful- ness, sparing contrasts, gentleness, delicacy and fitness which have heretofore distinguished her. To the lovers of these effects I would suggest that there yet remains one great feature, which tickles mankind and has not yet been used — it is surprise. For instance, Mr. Nardy found be- for the City Hall of Havre on the lawn, the words " City of Havre " in mosaics. Now why not improve upon it? \^niy not before the door of your country place have a live green mat with the name of the owner in mosaics? say, "Mon- tague B. Smith." After all, even that is not new, as we have wool mats with " cave canem " or " welcome " on them. But it would be a sur- prise, nevertheless, such a rustic doorplate. It may, however, take several years to bring out the highest degree of mosaiculture, viz., vege- table portraits. Human vanity though, may ac- celerate this otherwise slow and difficult evolu- tion. To explain this art, let me state that from the massing of mosaics we may step down to mere lines, and from these violent contrasts to delicate shading. Take green — rather an appro- priate color, this we possess in innumerable shades, from the glaucescent willow to the atres- cent yew. The reader will excuse Latin, as there really would be no spice in our teachings with- out it; using common nam'fes would really not do ; the reader would know the thing just as well as I do. Not only have we the green in its various shades, but we have every shade in its gradations from light to dark. And when we look close, we shall find we possess them all even in low growing plants. There, take the Ivies and just nothing else. I would undertake to find all the kinds of ivies necessary for a vegetable photo- graph. These found, find your subject. As I don't want to be personal, say the lately success- ful candidate for the Presidency. First we want an oval frame, spaded out of the lawn. Next we 1817.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 67 sketch his profile, for we are not yet bold enough to attempt full faces. Little pegs we want to stake it out. Then we plant the dark kinds for the hair; the less dark for the skin ; the lightest for the spots where we want the light to strike. Now we let them grow, thickly too. And now, in the charming month of May we come, carry- ing the shears like unto the pencil, and begin to cut the sketch. There ! the worthy face gradually appears from under the biting shears, as the por- trait does under the artist's brush. Our nice eye (or two of them) calculates growth and waits a week, and lo ! and behold — it has grown into tlie very similitude of His Excellency, the head of our Government, and will please republicans and democrats alike, if it were done at the time I write. Here, the inferior specimens of readers would think, ends our art, whilst the better ones know at once that here it but commences, for it is compai-atively easy to make any figure out of vegetable material, but difficult to prevent growth to obliterate it. Hence the daily process of shaving, in this instance the President, every other morning and keeping up the likeness. If the portrait is that of the proprietor, the intelli- gent gardener has an easier task because he has the original and can pinch and shave to a nicety, — I mean not the original, but the counterfeit presentment in ivy — on daily comparisons. For shirt collars we suggest Centaurea candi- dissima ; for stiff whiskers, Pinus pumilio ; for curly hair, Maidenhair ferns, or perhaps curled Parsley ; for ladies' diamond broach, a head of dwarf Chicory salad ; for why, as we go it, ex- clude from our vegetable workshops the salads, the cabbages and the vegetables, one and all, some of them more picturesque in their forms and shadings than their more aristocratic brethren in the shrub and flower line. The reader will from these materials justly conclude that we work on a large scale; larger than life, say twice as large, and consequently twice as natural. The larger the scale, in fact, the easier the work. It may take a century be- fore a gardening Mei.ssonnier may appear. But we must not stumble on this work of art, or perchance tread, though with unwilling foot, on the cherished face. How to avoid it ? Why, let it be at the bottom of a hill, so that we can look down on it, and fenced in by a frame of Mosaics. Or, if your^lace is flat and offers no elevated point whatever, sink this picture a couple of feet or more, and look down upon it in that way. The larger it is, in the same ratio must it be sunk deeper, so that you stand higher above it, high enough to take it in. And now let us from the unsteady waves of nonsense step once more on the firm shore of sense. The mosaics came to us from the land of Mr. Nardy, whose artists, in every branch of art, excel by their talent to invention and novelties, and consequently, also excel by running into ex- tremes. The grotesque, the sensational, the in- decent in French literature and art are but weeds in their fair garden of general good taste. So with floriculture. They have along with their fine inventions in the gardening line, invented mosaics. Now good taste abhors massing, ab- hors violent contrasts. No lady wants to dress loudly; to be loud is to be brassy, impudent, vulgar. Our mosaic gardens will reflect the souls of their conceited owners, male or female. So let fashion progress, give her a lift as she passes, that she pass all the quicker, that the fol- ly may fly faster and that we may all the sooner return to gardens of — American ladies and gen- tlemen. NOTES ON RHODODENDRONS AND SOME EVERGREENS. BY REV. HENRY WARD BEECHER, BROOKLYN, N. Y. RHODODENDRONS. It would be good news if we could confirm Mr. Parsons' statements, that the Rhododendron can be cultivated successfully in any good loamy soil. My experience has not confirmed his state- ments. For ten years past I have bought of the Messrs. Parsons fine plants of rhododendrons and planted them out at Peekskill. For a year or two they did well, then languished and died oflF- Several years ago I brought out from England several hundred, and set them in nursery rows without peat. They bloomed for two summers, but were fast failing. Two years ago, I prepared ground for them with abundant peat. They soon revived, and this summer they stood forth in perfect health and luxuriance. I now treat all my azaleas, rhododendrons, andromedas, &c., to a full soil of peat. Mr. Waterer last sum- mer, on inspecting them, declared that nothing better could be done in England. I am satisfied that a full peat .soil and mulching, both in Winter and Summer, but especially in Summer, is the true plan for satisfactory results in rearing rho- dodendrons. It is better to have a few fine and 68 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [^ March, flourishiiij:;, hy tiikiii-j; iiecessftry lroul)le and ex- pense for peat, than to have cheaper culture and poorer plants. RKTINOSPORA. I hnve proved all the kinds of retinosporas cont.ained in the catalogues, in exposed position and without special protection, I have never lost one. With me they are as hardy as any plant out of doors, and are of all evergreens the finest for planting near the dwelling, and in small grounds. The filifera and the obtusa seem des- tined to rapid and large growth. The obtusa when well grown resembles Lawson's cypress and excels it, with the advantage of being per- fectly hardy, which Lawson's is not. THE PIN us EXCELSA. Very beautiful, shrinks before our fierce sum- mer 8un, and after a few years, becomes dilapi- dated. But a comparatively new kind, P. aya- cahuite, seems likely to equal it in its own line of beauty, and to be perfectly hardy, aa well. It deserves to be extensively tried. LILIUM PARVUM. BY W. C. L. DREW, EL DORADO, CAL. Lilium parvum was discovered by Kellogg some years ago, and has been offered to the flower loving public for several years. • It is a small lily, of upright growth, the stem growing from two to three feet high, and bearing from two to eight flowers. The flowers are of a clear yellow color, spotted with dark red spots, the leaves are borne in whorls around the stem like those of Humboltii. The parvum is of very easy culture, any good garden soil suiting it; the bulbs, though small should not be planted less than six inches deep; fresh manure should not be placed in contact with the bulb. THE LARGEST UMBRELLA PINE. BY F. W. KELSEY, ROCHESTER, N. Y. Regarding the urging of the Editor of the Gardener's Monthly in December number as to the largest specimen of the rare evergreen Scia- dopytis verticillata, would say that having made some inquiries for the plant in diflferent sections of the country, the largest I have been able to find are two specimens formerly owned by Mr. C. M. Hovey, of Boston. One of them hav- I ing been sold to Mr. Charles .\. Dann, of New York, quite recently. The other I believe is still retained by Mr. Hovey, who can give you a more complete description of the plant. I be- lieve the one sold to Mr. Dana was about 3 feet. The price was $25, which was not considered unrea.sonabie. I am in correspondence now with more par- ties, in Europe, in regard to sr)ecimen plants of this fine tree, and in the event of my getting any information of general interest will advise. [We give thanks to our correspondent, and should be glad to know' where the largest specie mens of any rare trees are to be found.— Ed. G. M.l EDUORIAL NOTES.. Frost and Hardiness. — We have all in Amer- ica learned the lesson that it is not the degree of temperature merely that kills plants. Conditions alter the figures. Some of these are given in the following paragraph which we find in the Gar- dener's Chronicle : "A writer in the Wiener Gartenfreund, on ' The Importance of Gardens for Acclimatization,' gives some interesting particulars respecting the hardiness of certain plants in Austria, especially in the neighborhood of Vienna. Pinus Cembra, which thrives in the botanic garden at Vienna, is killed by frost at the Imperial villa at Ischl, unless grafted upon P. Laricio, when it with- stands the winter without injury. In the same place, on the other hand, such subjects as P. Nordmanniana, P. cilicica, P. cephalonica, Bam- busa nigra and B. argenteo-striata are quite hardy. Quercus rubra and coccinea are very fine in the celebrated gardens of Duke Francis, of Anhalt-Dessau, at Worlitz. Some of them have trunks from 5 to 6 feet in diameter, and rise to a height of 60 to 70 feet. Wellingtonia gi- gantea is said to flourish in the vicinity of War- saw, where there is often 45° of frost. Acer stri- atum will not succeed in Vienna on its own roots, but if grafted on A. Pseudo-Platanus it does very well. Cupressus Lawsoniana, Pinus Khutrow, and P. Pinsapo ripen seed in Bohemia. At Erlacstein, in Syria, in a loamy soil 800 feet above the sea, Paulownia imperialis, Aralia spi- nosa, Lagerstroemia indica. Wistaria sinensis, Li- quidambar styraciflua, and many others flourish under 30° — 34° of frost, whgreas Koelreuteria and Cercis siliquastrum perish." isn.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 69 The Gold- veined Honeysuckle. — This, known to the Englisti catalogues under the terrible name of Lonicera (caprifolium) brachybotrya aurea reticulata ! is one of the most useful plants we have. It is well-known now, and is common in nurseries. It is not only a beautiful climber for delicate lattice work, but good use can be made of its color for bedding combina- tions. It makes a capital bordering for bed work. For vases and trellis work it is also ad- mirable. General Washington Rose. — Mr. H. B. Ell- wanger, of Rochester, regards this as one of the best Hybrid Perpetual Roses for that region. An Early Flowering Catalpa. — Mr. Suel Fos- ter says there is a catalj^a from Richmond, Indi- ana, perhaps the Teas' variety alluded to in our columns, heretofore, which is much hardier in Iowa than the common variety, and blooms ten to fourteen days before the other one. Gaillardia Ambly'odon — Nat. Ord Compositse — Linn., Syngenesia Frustranea. — Flowers crim- son. "A very handsome October-flowering an- nual, a native of sandy plains in Texas and New Mexico, where it blossoms from the beginning of Summer until the Winter's frost cuts it off. The genus to which it belongs inhabits both temper- ate North America and extra-tropical South America, and consists of about eight species. The present species was discovered by Berlan- dier in 1827, and collected subsequently by Lind- heimer in 1844, and by Drummond in 1845." La France Rose — Last year we noted the fact, that the leading English Rose-growers regarded La France as their best Hybrid Perpetual Rose. Another year has passed, and new ones have made their assault on the old favorite which, however, still " holds the fort." Tritomas.— These beautiful half-hardy herba- ceous plants — botanically perhaps more correct as Kniphofias — have had many new species added to the cultivated list, the past few years, but the oldest, T. uvaria, is still one of the most useful. It is planted in the Spring, but flowers from early Summer till frost. The Common Silk Weed— Asclepias Cornuti. — In old times we used to know this as Asclepias syriaca, but we believe they are regarded now as distinct. They are alike enough however to make what is said of one concern the other, and this is what the Journal of Horticulture says : "Asclepias syriaca appears to have been im- ported in 1629, but has not found much favor amongst us. In its native home it is said to be very odoriferous, charming the traveler when passing through the. woods at eventide; it is also said that it is eaten as a vegetable by the inhabi- tants. The pods afford cotton, which the na- tives collect to till their beds with. Parkinson says, on account of the silkiness of this cotton it bgars the name of Virginian silk. Asclepias tuberosa is the most frequently met with in cul- tivation, but it is by no means a common plant. There are other kinds enumerated, and which are worthy of being added to collections of ' old and rare ' plants." We all recognize our old friend of our fields and fences by the above, but there is one point to Americans not noted in the above. To them the creeping roots in the Middle and Southern States are a worse nuisance than the Canada thistle in the North. Ivy. — In the garden, Ivy is more extensively used than formerly — the green free-growing kinds as edgings to walks ; the closer growing kinds as coverings for banks, rockeries, and rooteries ; and the choicer sorts for staircase, hall, corridor, and even conservatory decoration. For all these purposes Iv^' is particularly worthy of being em- ployed, while for covering low walls in almost all sorts of positions and with all aspects, a col- lection of the choice variegated kinds are ex- treniely ornamental. As pot plants for associating with groups of flowering plants, well-trained specimens of Ivy are not only amongst the finest, but are the most easily preserved and permanent of plants. How effective are pyramids of Ivy was strikingly ex- emplified at the great Show at South Kensing- ton last year, when the nurserymen made the grand and spontaneous offering of the best of their collections, producing an exhibition which has not been equalled in London for many yeai's. Fine as were all the collections then exhibited — rich, valuable, and rare as were many of the plants composing the groups — yet no bank was more strikingly ornamental and won higher en- comiums of praise than the group of specimen Ivies associated with Lilium auratum from Mr. Turner of Slough. Ivies in a small state are also admirable for the furnishing of window boxes, balconies, hanging baskets for indoors and out, and the variegated kinds for lively edgings of flower beds in Winter. The uses of this plant in its several varieties are so manifold that there is no wonder that the de- mand for plants is increasing year by year, and 70 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY \_ March, very large supplies have to be jirovided to meet the ovci^growing requirements for this now pop- ular plant. I was ao struck with the efVect of the fine plants noted above that T obtained a few, and nothing in my garden has afVorded me more pleasure than my collection of Ivies, and few plants are more admired by my friends and visit- ors. I have the satisfaction, too, of feeling that they are so safely established that no weather will injure them, but that they will improve year by year with a minimum share of attention being bestowed on them. Some sorts are slow grow- ers, but that is an advantage for many purposes of decoration, admitting the plants to places where luxuriant growers would be quite unsuit- able. — Jounxtl of norticulturc. L.vURENTi.v cAHXosi'i..\. — Under this name the Botanical Maijazine figures a pretty Californian annual, and gives the following account of it: "A very elegant little annual, native of muddy places in Sierra and Indian valleys in California, and thence, north-eastward, to Wyoming Territory (A. Gray). It is remarkable as being the only American example of the genus Laurentia, of which ten species are known, the rest being na- tives of South Africa and the Mediterranean re- gion. The cultivated specimens differ widely from the native in habit and appearance, the native ones being shorter, with very succulent and indeed thickened stems, and having flowers not one-quarter the size of the cultivated ones. L. carnosula was raised from Californian seed by Mr. Thompson of Ipswich, who flowered the spe- cimen here figured in July, 1875." QUERIES. Planting Pykacantha.— M. N., Asheville, N. C. We suppose the Dwarf Pyracantha, or " White berried " Pyracantha, would live in your district, though we have no direct knowl- edge of that fact. It is hard to transplant unlesa set deeper than before. Then it is very easy. Orkjin of the Weepin(; Yem.ow, or "Slip- pery "Ei,m. — F N., Pittsburg, Pa., writes:— Is this an English variety? Where did it originate? This is a variety of the American Ulnius fulva. Our impression is that the grafts were first dis- tributed by Captain E. Beebe, formerly of Ga- lena, 111. We are not quite sure, but think we are indebted to that gentleman for our first knowledge of it. ExocHORDA GRANDiFLORA. — W. F., Newark, N. Y., says : — " I would like to ascertain what is Exochorda grandiflora, but I can find no descrip- tion of it in the Gardener'' a Monthly, nor Loudon, nor any work I have." [It is described in the first volume of the Gar- dener's Monthly, page 55. It was introduced by Fortune, from China, and was first thought to be a Spira?a and went sometimes as S. Fortuni and S. grandiflora. But Hooker saw distinctions in the fruit, and made a new genus— Exochorda — of it. It is one of the most beautiful white flowered shrubs of early Spring. — Ed. G. M.] A Beautiful Specimen of Euonymus. — A cor- respondent from Amherst, Va., says : — " In the XA&innmher oiihe Gardener's Monthly is a note from the Gardener's Chronwle, where is men- tioned the Euonymus bearing fruit. I have a large one, 9 or 10 feet high, that has borne seed profusely, and from which I have succeeded in raising some new varieties, one especially with a holly shaped leaf, which is very attractive." [This is evidently Euonymus Japonica, the common evergreen Japan Burning Bush — but still a very good specimen and one of the choice little items that we like to read. — Ed. G. M.] KEEN laOUSE AND OUSE GARDENING. SEASONABLE HINTS. We must remember that gardening is not merely the growing of a pretty flower. We cannot have gardening without flowers, true, but the taste displayed in the arrangements and sur- roundings is what constitutes the fine art. A room or window full of flowers is a beautiful sight ; but the pleasure is heightened tenfold when some taste is displayed in the arrangement. 1877.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 71 Of late years this has been more fully recognized than it once was, and therefore plants with noth- ing but leaves to recommend them, are often as popular as those which bear flowers. We refer to this, here, because when any lists are sunlight than other plants; and for mak- ing tasteful masses they are almost indispensa- ble. The usually graceful forms set off other heavier things to great advantage. Let any one take, for instance,the heavier leaved Begoniag BEGONIA HKX. given of plants for window culture, leaf plants merely are seldom seen therein. Palms and ferns deserve recognition as particularly use- ful for room work, as they will thrive in less of the old "Rex" type as in the above illustra- tion, and no matter how they may be massed or arranged.they will not look well unless some very artificial pieces of furniture are arranged or 72 THE GARDENERS MONTHLY [March, grouped around them. But if a few palms or | from Mr. William Bull's excellent catalogue, and ferns be introduced into the company, the re- 1 which will make our meaning plain, suit is very diilercnt, as the beauty of the Be- 1 There was a time when these plants were^very gonias is heightened, and the foliage plants are I expensive, especially to Americans, and few CHAMJEDOREA FORMOSA. still more brightened. For the purpose of com- parison, as the reader goes along, we give an illustration of one of the pinnated South Ameri- can Palms, Chameedorea foimosa, which we take would think of them for window or room deco- ration ; but thanks to the efforts of the many ex- cellent florists of Boston, New York, Philadel- phia and Baltimore principally, and of Mr. Geo. 1877." AND HORTICULTURIST. 73 Such, of South Amboy, particularly, many kinds have been brought within the reach of almost all. Setting mere taste aside for the present, how- ever, and returning to practical matters of de- tail, we may note the following as among some of the most pressing duties of the season among flowers. Geraniums, Pelargoniums, Cinerarias and Chi- nese Primroses must be kept as near the glass and light as possible; they do little good in shady places. Keep off" the green Aphis— for this on a small scale there is nothing like hot water; on a large scale, tobacco smoke in several succes- sive light doses is still the best remedy. Fuchsias may now be readily struck from the young growth from the old plants, which will make excellent blooming plants for the next summer season. Chrj'santhemums should now be raised from cuttings for Fall flowering. They make better blooming plants than ofF-sets. Auriculas, Carnations, Pinks and Polyanthus — the prettiest of florists' flowers — must be kept cool, just free from frost, with plenty of air if the best results are desired. Pansies are coming now into flower. They like an airy frame, where they will not be roasted at mid-day, nor exposed to drying winds, and yet have a free circulation of air and plenty of light. Planted out in such a frame, and the old shoots cut away as soon as the plant has done flowering, the plants will keep healthy over till the next season. Superior varieties can be raised from seed. Choose those with the roundest petals, best colors, and the first flowers that open, to raise seed from. New Holland and Cape plants, such as Epacris, Acacia, Heaths, etc., are now the glory of the greenhouse ; hot bursts of sun on them should be avoided, as it lays in them the seeds of " con- sumption," which frequently carries them off" the following summer. Azaleas succeed well by grafting with the half ripe shoots of the present season's growth on plants raised either by seeds or cuttings. Old wood does not take readily. Camellias will require rather more water while growing than at other times. Just before they grow, is a good season to graft. Cut down the stock, cleft graft in the crown, wax, and plunge in a bottom heat of 70°. A great many kinds may be had on one plant by the bottle sys- tem, practiced by the writer's father, thirty years ago. A shoot about to grow is ob- tained and attached to the stock as in inarching, the end of the shoot being put in a small phial of water suspended beneath it. This plan does best, however, with the young wood in July. Look out for a good stock of bedding plants in time ; by sti-iking cuttings of such things as grow rapidly and speedily, and sowing seeds of such annuals as may be advanced to advantage. Dahlias should now be brought forward. A good plan is to shorten the extremity of the roots, put them in six inch pots and place in a warm greenhouse. In a few weeks they will sprout, when they should be shaken out, divided with a piece of root to each sprout and sepa- rately potted in 4-inch pots. COMMUNICA TIONS. LA BELLE CARNATION. BY E. LOXDSDALK, GERMANTOWN, PA. When looking over an old Monthly (January, 1875,) recently, I fell across the following, which is from the pen of Mr. Chitty, of the Bellevue Nursery Company : — " I am delighted with La Belle; it produces more than twice as many flowers as Degraw in a given space. I am try- ing to get up a stock of about 20,000 for my own planting indoors for next Winter's flowering. It requires more head room than Degraw, but I intend building a house specially for it. I am perfectly satisfied it is the best thing in the way of a white winter flowering Carnation in the market." As a difference of opinion exists about La Belle for the purpose claimed for it by Mr. C, it would doubtless interest numerous readers of the Monthly — myself among the number— to know what special treatment it requires to pro- duce such results. Most of the florists I come in contact with are dissatisfied with it, the com- plaint being that it fails to flower freely. The flower itself is the best white we have; large and well filled up in the centre. For this reason it will never be entirely discarded ; but to grow it to the exclusion of all other whites, I fear will never be, unless Mr, Chitty will favor us with the experience on which he based his judgment. My own experience is that it requires to be rooted earlier, and not stopped or pinched back so late as is recommended for other varieties; but even then, when growing side by side with 74 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY \^March, Degraw, Edwardsii, La Purite, and reerlcss, it fails to produce so many flowers jis any of them. Does it retiuire more heat? A prominent Car- nation grower declares there is no diflbrence be- tween it and Degraw, hut no two Carnations could be more distinct. THE VERBENA. in" .1. W., TOLKDO, OHIO. In the last number of the Gardencr'x Monthly I noticed several articles on Verbena culture, and the rust that affects it. Now, I think " the rust " is not a rust at all, but is the work of an in- sect, which can be seen with a good pocket lens; but in order to make it out clearly it needs a compound microscope of considerable power. The said insect is of an oval shape, a little more tapering towards the head end. It is of a uniform glossy brown color, and about a hundred and fiftieth of an inch long. It has four pairs of legs, the two front pairs stand forward on the body close on each side of the snout or sucker, the snout being a little shorter than the front pair. The front legs are three or four jointed, with bristles at the joints, and terminate in four sharp claws, with a sucking disk, which enables the insect to run quite easily on the under side of a piece of clean glass. The two pairs behind, are inserted a little under the end of the body and pretty close together. They are longer and more slender than the fore legs ; the last pair are quite slender and bristle-like, though they are jointed and terminate in a long bristle, in- stead of the claws and sucking disk. The eggs can be seen glued to the leaf; they open like a clam to let the young escape, and remain adhering, looking very clear and silvery. The young insect is light colored at first, and appears to undergo some slight change in form. It has no eyes that I can discover, and I think is a true mite; and may add, mighty also in its numbers. It seems there is hardly any plant exempt from its attack. I believe it to be the cause of the dropping of Camellia flower buds; it ean always be found in the loose petals and scales of that flower, when it drops. Then, when the flower buds are all gone, the in- sect falls back on the leaf buds, till they are all destroyed, and the plant dies. What florist is there who has not watched his handsome plantsof Camellia or Azalias commence in that way, and gradually die, in spite of all his care, from no apparent cause but the blackening, harden- ing process going on in the buds? As long as a plant is growing rapidly we do not see much eff'eet; Itut let anything occur to check the growth of the plant (j)<)t bound oi drouth) and we soon see how quickly the disease gains upon it. No, I do not think the insect waits for sickly plants; on the contrary, the healthiest afford it the most nourishment, but the less vig- orous soon become sickly when the insect once gains a footing. There is in my greenhouse a large jjlant of Begonia Weltoniensis that has lost all its leaves except at the ends of the main branches, the strongest growing points. There it contiimes to produce leaves, and even flowers, but the lateral leaves all fall off, and the buds in the axils turn black. The plant is just able to sustain its life and growth at the strongest points. It illus- trates well the struggle for life between the plants and its foes. This insect has dif- ferent effects on different plants; those with leaves of a thin texture soon lose all their juices and become black and shrivelled, as in the He- liotrope and Verbena. Leaves of a thick, fleshy substance, as the Cyclamen, become twisted, distorted, and partially develoi)ed, perhaps only one lobe. The flowers, too, suffer in the same way, and show any form but the right one. A year ago my Cyclamens w^ere so badly infested with this pest that there was not a perfect leaf on them. The plants were large, some of the roots three inches across ; but I was in a mind once to throw the whole lot away. Towards Spring, however, I trimmed off every leaf and gave the roots a good washing with strong to- bacco water. After a while the young leaves began to appear, when I frequently applied the same wash. Now, at the present time, they are looking pretty well and sending up plenty of bloom; but still there are traces of the insect in the deformity of some leaves. This insect seems to get so deep within the young buds, or buries itself in the soft pulp, and is further protected by the fine hairs to beset many kinds of leaves, that it is difficult to reach it with any kind of liquid intended to kill it. It is a low type of insect, perhaps with no regular breathing apparatus, or a very rudimentary one. It is not near so highly developed a creature as the green fly, or perhaps tobacco smoke would check it some. Red spider being some such thing as a mite, is able to resist any fumigation that it is safe to apply. The best 1877.] AND HORTIGULTUBIST. 75 instrument for applying any kind of wash is the Bellows Syringe, sold by B. K. Bliss & Sons. It drives the liquid in such fine spray, and with force enough to penetrate the fine hairs and thoroughly wet the plant. I guess the best way to get rid of the insect is to discard every plant that shows signs of it. It is worth some sacri- fice to be rid of this scourge. IMPROVED SASH FOR THE HOT-BED. BY B. F. LEEDS, PHILADA. The improvement consists not in the sash it- self, but in the attachments to it and the case below, the intention of which is to hold the sash tightly over the case, or in an oblique position at its back. The illustrations accompanying this article will help to show the manner in which this is accomplished. FIc.l. Fig. 1. is a complete view of case or hot-bed, with grooved bars at either end and sliding boards, the angular tongue of latter fitting into the grooves mentioned, and to back of boards is attached the sash. These details are shown more clearly in Fig. 2, which is an upper corner of the case broken away. An outer view of the side of the case is Been at a, and an inner view of its back at 6 ; c, c, grooved l)ars crossing said end of case from front to back, andrf is the sliding board tongued into, and moving freely between the bars c, c. The sash e (glass seen at/) is attached to this board by hinge shown, and can be kept at anj angle desired by a block at back of the case. The distance it would be necessary to move the sash back from the front before it tipped up to an oblique position would depend upon the extent to which it was weighted. A heavy weight on the rear or upper cross bar of the sash would raise it when projected back a distance of six or nine inches, or it could be left to tip up of its own weight. The reader will easily see how the sliding board will act as a fastening to the sash in pre- venting it being blown off by the wind. Fig. 3 shows the application of the idea to two adjoining cases. The ends of the two cases with glazing are seen, and two sets of grooves and sliding boards. In this instance I have placed the bars over a board, running in the same direction, and have made them fast to it. This would stiffen the bars and would lessen the necessary thickness of the outer ones. 76 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY \^ March, Fig. 4 shows a protector from direct sun's rays and extreme cold, in the shape of a douhle frame covered with muslin or muttinj^ and at- t^iched to the siish. This frame is furnished witli a spring; hinge (cost 20 cents per jtair, of hrass,) which would i-ausc it, when the pressure of the thumb screw, shown enlarged in Fi;/. ri, was re- moved, to assume the i^osition seen in draw- ing, or a still more acute-angular one. 01 course, when the sash is tipped up it would be requisite to fasten the frame down upon the sash with the thumb screw, the slit for the passage of which is seen at a, Fig. 4. There is nothing to prevent the sash being moved frontwards as well as backwards, so as to admit of ventilation at the extreme back and upper part of the case. An opening could be made at that point equal to a third of the widtli of the sash. EDITORIAL NOTES. Double Zonale "Wonderfuj.." — Mr. Chitty, Bellevue Nursery, writes :— " I send by this mail a truss of double Zonale Pelargonium 'Wonder- ful' (Geo. Smith). The truss was cut from a plant in a five-inch pot, which has now nine other trusses remaining, equally as large and fine. The color is magnificent." [We were glad to see specimens of this beau- tiful variety.— Ed. G. M.] Double Cineraries. — The old Cineraria, al- ways a favorite, has been produced in a double condition by European florists, and of this we are reminded now by beautiful colored plates from Haage & Schmidt, of Erfurt. Waban Conservatories, Boston, Mass. — En- terprising florists at this time particularly, deserve all the encouragement the public can give them. We are pleased to learn that the firm whose name heads this paragraph is prospering. They deserve all the success they are achieving. The Victorfa Re(;ia. — We do not know of any plant of this in the Union now, unless the one at Nashville is still alive; but by the follow- ing from the California Jlorliculturist, it may yet soon be seen in the " Golden StatQ : " — " The pub- lic are commencing to show a lively taste for ponds and aquariums, and there are now found among our chief florists no less than twenty-live aquatic plants suitable as accessories to the or- namentation of grounds and rooms. We hope in a short time to see the Victoria Regia — the largest Water Lily in the world— a native of the river Amazon/grown here successfully in a suit- able tank. One floral firm has already made the attempt, l)ut the seeds were found defective. More, however, have been ordered." QUERIES. Ferneries.— F. M., Peterboro, Ontario, says: — " Aside from ferns, what other plants can be successfully grown in ferneries?" [Begonias usually do well in ferneries, if there is some light. Indeed, the whole is a question of light. If there be little light we can have nothing but palms and ferns ; but in proportion as there is light we can grow almost any of the soft wooded stove plants in them. — Ed. G. M.] Roses.— Mr. Ottaway, Middleburg, Summit County, Ohio, says : — " I am pleased to see the rose question again. Our friend last month don't quite agree with Mr. Grey. After twenty years experience, I find the common span roof the best for amateur and novice. As for a practi- cal man, he will adjust himself to either span roof or lean-to. The lean-to requires more at- tention than a span roof." Sulphur for Red Spider.— G. M. R., Auburn, Maine, writes :—" Will you please state in the February number of the Gardener's Monthly the safest and most effectual way to use sulphur for the red spider, and also turpentine for scale in greenhouses, where a general collection of flow ering plants are grown ?" [Put sulphur on tin or iron plates and set it in the sun under the plants.. Turpentine is not as popular for scale as whale oil soap, or indeed, 187t.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 77 any oily substance. This can be syringed. Tur- pentine has to be applied with a brush. Ed. G. M.] Name of Plant.— J. S., Wilmington, Del.— This is Iris Chinensis, or as recently stated in the Gardener's Monthly, now Moraea fimbriata. Names of Plants.— H. L., Danville, Va.— No. 1. Not an orchid, but Bryophyllum calycinum. No. 2. Heterocentron roseum. No. 3. Probably a Cistus, but should have a flower to decide. Flowering of Chinese Primrose. — H. L., Danville, Va., says: — " I should be glad to know if it is usual for the Cliinese Primrose to flower in the same manner as the Japan Primrose, that is in whorls, one truss of flowers above anotlier. I have a lot of the above raised trom seed sown last Spring now in full bloom, pyramidally ar- ranged, from deep rose to pure white. Foliage from natural green to very dark color, with flower stems nearly black. Not having seen the like before, hence my troubling j'ou." [It is not common, but they sometimes do. The double Chinese Primrose always does. There is a tendency in the whole family in this direction. The common yellow English Prim- rose generally has but single flowers on stems springing from the root; but occasional ones are seen with flowers from one common stem as the common form of Chinese Primrose, and there is no reason why under some peculiar cir- cumstances even another whorl might not be produced.— Ed. G. M. RUIT AND MEGETABLE GARDENING. SEASONABLE HINTS. This is a busy season south of Pennsylvania in this department ; here, we must wait till the end of the month, and northward, still later. The crops noted will, of course, be dependent on the arrival of the season, which is rather indi- cated by the ground becoming warm and dry, than by the almanac. It is very important to have crops early ; as soon as the ground is there- fore in good condition put in the seed. Possibly a cold rain might come and injure them, and you may lose and have to make a new sowing. Even so, it is but the loss of the seed and labor, while, if the seed do not die, the early crop will more than repay that risk. In the hot-bed, Pepper, Egg plant. Tomato and Cucumbers may be sown, anrt in a cooler hot-bed frame Early York Cabbage, Cauliflowers and Celery. Those who have not got a hot-bed can sow a few pots or boxes, and keep them near the light in a warm room. In the open air, peas and potatoes are about the first crop to be attended to ; of the former, the varieties have now become so numerous that even " new grapes " will soon have to give way in that respect. Of new early Potatoes, we think Goodrich's Seedling is the best; the best older variety is perhaps, the Early White Sprout. Beets, the Early Six Week Turnip-rooted, is per- haps the earliest. Carrot, the Early Horn Cu- cumber, the Early White Spine or Early Cluster, Lettuce, the Silesian, or Early Curled — to cut before heading; and the Early Butter left to head, are the first in season. Among the Ra- dishes, the Old Shor.t-top, and the Red and White Turnip are still ahead. Spinach, the Old Round-leaved ; so that on the whole there has been little advance made on all early kinds of vegetables. In addition to sowing of the above. Onions Leeks, Parsnips and Parsley must be sown at this season — not for the main crop, but to have a few in advance of the rest. To keep over the Winter almost all kinds of root crops become tough or coarse if sown too soon. In the open ground Peas and Potatoes receive the first attention. Then Beets and Carrots. Then Lettuce, Radish, Spinach, Onions, Leeks and Parsley. Beyond this, unless in more fav- ored latitudes than Pennsylvania, little can be done until the first week in April. There is noth- ing gained in working soil until it has become warm and dry. In regard to fruits, our remarks last month will be generally in order. 78 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [March, COMMUNTCA TIONS. NATURAL PEACH STONES. HY K. S. XIXON, CHAITANOOOA, TENN. I feel disposed to reply to B. F. Traiisou's arti- cle in November number, on the Wild Goose Plum ; but as you have so frequently requested your correspondents to let the subject drop, I feel that it would be out of i)lace; consequently I will pass it oyer unnoticed. He calls your at- tention to my answer to your inquiry for informa- tion as to the uniformity of size of the seeds of seedling peatlies, as follows: — "We would also call your attention to the fjict that it is not al- ways the case that the largest peaches have the largest seed ; for instance, the Heath Cling is a very large peach and has a very small seed — less than many peaches of not half the size." That is all very true and undisputed ; but it does not follow that all large peaches have small seed, or that seeds of all seedling peaches are of a uni- form size. And I repeat the statement, that the seeds of some seedlings are large and some small. In fact, I have seen seeds of some seed- lings that were larger than the entire fruit of some others. But enough on that subject. [The reason we were not disposed to continue the controversy about the " Wild Goose " Plum was, that there is no true Wild Goose Plum. There are many good wild plums under culture and many poor ones. We want to see a selection made over again of the bpst, with new names and new descriptions. Some of those under culture are about as fit to associate with Wild Goose as cranberry sauce ; while kinds such as are grown by Hoopes, Bro. & Thomas ; Hance & Son ; and others, can well stand without any goose at all.— Ed. G. M.] ON SOME OLD FRUITS. BY T. T. LYON, PRESIDENT OP THE MICHIGAN STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. In your remarks, on page 17 of the January number of the Gardener's Monthly, you speak of an impression that the Ribston Pippin is not adapted to America; and seem surprised at its appearance in fine condition at the Centennial. I take occasion from this to say that I have grown it in Michigan since 1850, and have found it uniformly fine and the tree highly satisfactory. It cannot, however, be set down as a heary bearer ; and it is my conviction that it is more at home at the extreme North. Its high, brisk llavor, also, is against its general popular- ity among Americans. On the same page you also speak of the ap- pearance of the Alexander, in many collections, at the Centennial ; and characterize it as a " com- paratively poor apple," planted rather for show. Please allow me to suggest that, while there may well be a doubt as to it*» relative profitableness, I know of no equal to it as a culinary sort, es- pecially for pies or other similar purposes, for which it suffices without preliminary cooking, as its fiesh will become sufficiently cooked in the process of baking the pies; while it is so acid that the requisite proportion of sugar will ren- der it abundantly rich and sprightly. At a ses- sion of the American Pomological Society, held in your city, I think in 1862, I proposed that it be placed upon the rejected list; but I have since seen occasion to amend my views respect- ing it. I may also indulge the statement respecting Hale's Early Peach, that it stands second to but fe\v varieties here at the lake shore, where it is seldom seriously affected by " rot," and every- thing considered, is esteemed one of our most profitable sorts. The new early sorts — Amsden, Alexander, Louise, Rivers, &c., have not yet fruited here, although expected to do so the coming season. PRUNING FULL GROWN FRUIT TREES. BY (tEN. W. H. noble, BRIDGEPORT, CONN. The portraits of such, both well and ill pruned, are found in our fruit books. Yet I do not re- member any which details the right way and starting place in doing such work. You may fix in your eye the ideal picture laid down of a well pruned tree. But without sound sense and practice, you will find it no easy job to fashion a neglected, scraggy, tangled-up tree into that clean cut, shapely comeliness, fit for companion- ship in a perfect orchard. Yet that right method follows logically the need of sunlight, showers and air, to the best estate of both fruit and foli- age. The French say "cV.?/ le premier pas qui coute" which means in pruning, that to have such work well done, you must begin right. First, then, never start your job from the ground, or cut 1877 AND EOBTIGULTURIST. 79 first the lower limbs. Do not puzzle or torment your wits by gazing up into that maze of smoth- ering, cross-riding, gnarled and tangled growths, but climb up through the centre of the tree to its top, stopping to cut out only those inward tending branches that block your way. As you go up, look studiously out on the work to follow. When you have reached the top, overlook its very scalp locks. Begin and cut away around the circuit of the head every limb that chafes and smothers its better neighbor beside or below. To give pathway to the sun and air, take out any under limb that crow^ding upward or starting from the same foothold, worries its fellow with the clutter of dense shade or rubbing in the wind. As you thus, step by step, make the cir- cuit of its crowai, a keener and larger sense will come to you of just what is to be done on your tree to leaf and bough, to insure you healthy and useful growth, and perfect fruit. Next, go down to the second plot of limbs from top — not that they grow like pines in regular tiers, but for the purpose of your work you may so regard them. Thus you will finish as you go downward the whole circuit of each grade. In each you will perhaps find limbs which your work above has opened to the sunshine and the breeze, or which you found so placed and des- tined to remain. Don't worry over such, more than to rid them of anything molesting their inde- pendent growth ; but every wheje cut away tan- gles, cross-riders, and all such limbs as disturb the vigorous outward stretch of others, or shut out light, or smother with heavy shade. Strive to leave each branch chosen to stay, in some sense, like a miniature tree, bending toward the open space by itself, and independently. Thus treated, your fruit trees will become a pride and pleasure, and most richly repay a work ofttimes seemingly harsh and puzzling. But if we began right pruning in the youth of our trees, and fol- lowed it up year by year, striving for a clean limbed, open head, we should never need to face the job which a long neglected tree presents. Pruning is needed, because a fruit tree is not grown for fuel or timber, but simply for the healthful luscious product of its fruit. THE TOMATO SEASON PROLONGED. BY H. W. RAVENEL, AIKEN, S. C. T see an article in your January number from Gen. \V. H. Noble, of Bridgeport, Conn., giving his method of keeping tomatoes after frost. I have been practicing the same method almost identically for twelve or fifteen years past, and always successfully, keeping them sometimes aa- late as February. Our tomatoes begin to ripen here about the beginning of July ; so we have a six months season, by laying in a good supply in November. In order to insure a good Fall crop, I always sow a second crop of seed about the end of June. These will come into bearing (ripening) about the end of September or early in October. By frost (say first of November) the vines are full of fruit in all stages of growth. When a killing frost is expected, I pick in all the fruit, even those that are half grown, spread them out care- fully in some dry place, where they can be used as they ripen. In our latitude almost any room in the house will answ'er the purpose. It is only necessary that the fruit should not freeze. I kept them many years on the floor of a base- ment room, where the temperature was always above the freezing point. Last year I had them in a cold pit covered with glass, but found that was too warm, as the fruit ripened too rapidly, and w-as all done before Christmas. The full grown fruit will ripen perfectly, of fine color and good flavor; those only half- grown will also ripen, but of course are not as well flavored, nor as richly colored. Whilst on th.e subject, I will state that the po- tato fungus (Peronospora infestans) almost in- variably attacks the leaves of the second crop of tomatoes, not, however, to injure, materially the production ; but I have never seen any trace of the fungus on the first crop of tomatoes or on the potato leaves in this region. EDITORIAL NOTES. Fruit of the Black Hills. — A correspondent of the Louisville Courier-Journal, says, The wild Strawberries, Kaspberries, Gooseberries and Cur- rants, are very fine there. The Choke cherry is the only wild cherry, and though the grape-vine grows very large, nothing is said of their excel- lence. RossiGNOLD — A Good French Apple. — M. Paul Belleste of Rouen, France, while writing to the publisher in reference to his subscription to the Gardener's Monthly, speaks in high praise of the "Rossignold" apple. He says, "It is magnifi- 80 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY \^ March, cent, excollcJit, larjjje, brillijint yt^ll.iw, riixMis in February." Apples kok Noktm-kastkkn Nkw .iKKriKV.— In answer to a correspondent lor a selection of six best apples for this part of the country, he may take Red Astrachan, Gravenstein, Baldwin, King of Tompkins County, Rhode Island Greening and Golden Ru.sset. New Peaches. — A number of peaches that Jiave been on probation the past year or two, ought to be able to give a good account of them- selves this year or never. Among these may be named Alexander, Brandy wine, Leatherbury's late, Bilyeu's late, Jarrell, Tuckahoe, Amsden, Wilkins', Steadley, and Nanticoke. Apricots i\ Boston. — Among other fruits named by Mr. Rand, in a letter to the Editor of the Garden, as being abundant on " our street stands," Apricots and Nectarii\cs are included. In Philadelphia last Spring a few apricots ap- peared from California in one fruiterer's win- dow ; but the (juality was poor through the fruit having of necessity to be gathered before ripening. But the experiment is not likely to be repeated. The nectarine has not been seen on a Philadelphia stand for many years, and we congratulate our Boston friends on their good fortune in securing so full a supply of these de- licious fruits. The Secretary Grape. — This seedling of Mr. Ricketts, and an excellent kind, has been pur- chased by Mr. Underbill. It is a hybrid between the Clinton and some foreign variety, a large bunch, black, and is a very promising variety in every way. Messrs. Hance & Son have, also, some under propagation, but we do not know which ones. The Japan Persimmon. — This is said to make an excellent orchard-house fruit. We ate some recently, preserved in Japan like figs and sent here, and they were far superior, in our esti- mation, to the best figs. QUERIES. Mulched Peach Trees. — Medford, Mass., writes; — "Late this Fall, I mulched my peach trees with straw, in order to retard the growth, and prevent injury by early frost next Spring. What will l>e the proper time to remove the mulching? Not the time with reference to the calendar, but to the budding or blo.s3oming." [It is generally atmospheric heat and not the warmth of the soil, tliat starts peach trees into l)loom. No rule, tliercfore, can be drawn from their flowering. We should be disposed to leave the mulch on till all probability of another freeze was over — but taking it off as early as possible consistent with this chance. — Ed. G. M.] Borers in Peach Trees. — M. says: — "The l)orers trouble my peach trees. I cut them out with a pointed knife ; but that produces wounds and bleeding. What prevention can I apply? Will a coat of whitewash (lime) prove effica- cious? One writer recommends making a mound of wood ashes several inches high around the trunk of the tree in the Spring, and spreading them under the tree in June, if my memory serves me. But my experience shows that the borers will enter two feet high, and apparently late in the Summer and in the Fall. Many per- sons, intelligent in other respects, do not know that the escape of sap and unsightly bunches of gum are caused by borers. One of my neigh- bors bandaged his bleeding tree with cloth as a remedy; I recommended the knife instead." [A thick coat of whitewash is a capital thing, and where the whole stem is so done, right down to the roots, we doubt whether anything else would be required. If there be, grease the stem well down whefe the grubs work. None of these insects like oily matters. — Ed. G. M.] Layered Grape Vines. — Mystic, Mass., asks : — " I layered some Concord grape vines last Spring,"three or four inches deep, where I wish for new vines. Would it be better to let them remain, or to lift and set them deeper next Spring? The soil and sub-soil are dry. In that soil, I have dug large holes a foot deep, planted vines in the holes in the Spring, covering the roots about five inches, the next Spring filling the holes, thereby obtaining another tier of roots above ; and the vines have done well." [If the vines are well rooted they need not be removed, but if they have not made many fibres, it would be as well to leave them another year without separating from the parent. — Ed. G. M.] Pruning Grape Roots. — Mystic writes : — " In setting out grape vines having long roots, is it best to shorten the roots — the vines, of course, 187T.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 81 being cut down to within one bud of the ground? Is root pruning of old grape vines beneficial ?" [We should not prune the roots, but leave them lie along a few inches under the surface, as far as they will go. There is no good from pruning roots directly, but some vines may have diseased roots, and the cutting these away, and the new soil which the operation involves, is often the occasion for a new and advantageous start— Ed. G. M.] Rotting of Grapes in a Grapery. — J. H. McH. asks : — " Can the premature rotting of the fruit in a cold grapery be properly attributed to dampness from leakage of rain-water through an imperfect roof? [This is one of a class of questions difficult to answer so as to apply to your special case. From that point of view it may or may not. A close, moist atmosphere, brought about by drip, when at the temperature of the dew point, will often favor fungoid growths that will end in rot. The Western grape-growers in the open air, know how often dew or fog under some circumstances produces mildews and moulds. But this again depends for its virulence on the vital powers of the subject. A cutting of any soft wooded plant often moulds at the dew point, when a similar shoot on a growing plant escapes, and from this we can see that if the vital powers of a grape vine be already low, the rot producing fungus, in a dewy atmosphere, would be more active than if the plant were in a high condition. Then there are many causes which will produce rot in grapes besides those arising from the state of the atmosphere, so that though the dampness you refer to-viay have caused rot, only an examina- tion of the vines themselves by one accustomed to note these things closely, could say whether it had much to do with your case or not. — Ed. G. M.] lORESTRY. COMMUNICA TIONS. THE EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS A FAILURE. BY E. S. NIXON, CHATTANOOGA, TENN. It will be remembered that in the last few years considerable interest has been manifested by a number of people to grow the "Fever Tree " in this country, and that articles innumerable have been written by various parties, in which they thought it would be hardy in the Carolinas, &c. The Department of Agriculture at Wash- ington sent out the seed. Enthusiastic gentle- men sent to California and Australia for it, and the result is that a great many specimens of from ten to twenty feet high, and from two to four inches in diameter, have sprung up in various places in the South. In the month of December, before the coldest weather of the season had set in, I was traveling in Mississippi and Louisiana. I took particular pains to notice the effect of the cold weather on them and found that in every instance, with one exception, they were liilled outright. The one referred to was at Port Hudson, La., it being planted in the shelter of a high stable. It was a fine specimen, about twenty feet high and four inches in diameter, had braved one Winter with the loss of a few feet of its top. (It will be remembered that last Winter was the mildest for years.) The time I saw it, was two or three days after the cold snap of the 1st and 2d of December. I have no idea that it is living now. Judging from my observations I do not think it will prove hardy in anj' part of Louisi- ana, much less the Carolinas. [Mr. Berckmans has alreadj'- reported that it will not live in Georgia, much less in the Caro- linas. It is barely possible that a few Australian trees may live in Florida, but every intelligent gardener could tell any newspaper reporter if he wanted to know, that no Australian tree will do in the other Atlantic States. — Ed. G. M.] EDITOBIAL NOTES. Cork Trees in California. — The cork tree in- terest seems gaining ground in California. We learn from the Santa Barbara Press: — "A tree is now standing on the lot at the corner of Monte- 82 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [ March, cito ftnd Castillo streets. It is an evergreen oak about 20 feet high and covers about as much »rea. At the foot it is 40 inches in circumfer- ence, and at 6 feet from the ground, where it begins to branch, it is 30 indies in circumfer- ence. The leaf is very similar to the California live-oak, except that the underside is whitish. The tree, though carefully watched, has never been known to fruit. As Capt. Trussel does not permit specimens to be cut, wc had to be satis- fied with sticking a knife into the bark ; it pen- etrated readily through a smooth, good quality of cork bark to a depth of an inch and a half." A Large White Oak.— A newspaper para- graph tells us that, "a white oak tree recently felled in Michigan, measured twenty feet in cir- cumference, and revealed three hundred and eighty rings in the grain ; soit must have started about the time America was discovered." Tree Planting in Minnesota. — A Western paper tells us that over a quarter of a million timber trees were planted out in the prairie dis- tricts of Minnesota last year. The Profit of Timber Planting. — We like to give both sides of every question. Here is the black side of timber planting from the Chicago Journal : "Now it is very likely that the supply of lum- ber will be much diminished during the next twenty-five years, though it is not true that for- ests are diminishing as rapidly as many state. In some sections of the country, forests are in- creasing very rapidly. To show that it is not ordinarily profitable to set out and tend trees for half a life time in order to have some lumber and wood, we have only to point to the portions of land in this and other Western States that are covered with trees, where land can be bought at a less price than on an open prairie in the vicin- ity. If there was a prospective speculative value in forest timber, aside from pine and a few other varieties, we should see capitalists compe- ting to buy up all the forests in the countrj'. The fact is, however, that investments are rarely ever made in this kind of property. At present, ■wood is little used for fuel in the West, and as improvements are made in the manner of con- suming soft coal, it will be used less than now. As the country increases in age and wealth.more durable material than wood will be used in the construction of buildings." Without wishing to prejudice the argument we might say to this, that if one carries coals to Newcastle, he would not exi)ect to make much profit. To plant trees where they arc now an incumbrance, and likely to be for some years, would be folly ; but to plant them where their products would certainly be in demand, is an- other thing. Preserving Oak Tim her. — It is said that oak ties for railroads are made very durable by being steeped in chloride of zinc or creosote oil. The Value of Catalpa Timber. — Positive facts in regard to the durability of Catalpa timber are scarce. The following is from the Railway Age: "In the Sf»ring of 1S71, in conversation with Wm. R. Arthur, formerly .superintendent of the Illinois Central Railroad, he stated that Catalpa ties would last forever ; that it wa.s easily culti- vated, was of rapid growth, and when planted in groves grew straight and tall as any forest tree ; that he had several groves then growing on his farm that had been planted but four years and were 20 to 30 feet high ; that he had planted them for fence posts, but had subsequently learned that they would hold a spike as well as oak and would not split. Hence their value for cross-ties. " Three years ago I cut from a Catalpa tree, that had been cut down after growing 30 years as a shade tree, two railroad cros.s-ties, and placed them in a track over which trains pass every hour, one under a rail joint. The spikes show no signs of loosening- The Catalpa does not hold a spike as well as oak, but sufficiently well for all practical purposes. It does not split easily- While not as tough as some woods, it should not be termed brittle, as stated in Millikin's essay. I subjected pieces of Catalpa, oak and ash, one inch square, to a breaking pressure twelve inches between supports. The Catalpa broke under a pressure of 703 pounds; ash 890 pounds ; one piece of oak at 577, one at 709, and one at 1,141 pounds. The Catalpa deflected three times as much as the oak or ash before breaking." COMMERCTAL CLASSES OF FOREST TrEES. — At a recent meeting of a Farmer's association in Con- necticut, Prof. Brewer of Yale College, gave a lecture in the evening on " Woods and Wood- lands" of Connecticut. Great Britain, he said, has twenty-nine species of indigenous trees, growing over fifty feet in height; France thirty- three, and Europe only fifty species. Connecti- cut has sixty species indigenous to the soil, grow- 187*7.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 83 ing to the height of fifty feet and upwards. Humboldt called America the " leafy continent." Our government collected and exhibited four hundred and nineteen species of wood at the Centennial. He arranged woods in five classes, as follows : first, woods for fuel and charcoal ; second, for buildings and ships ; third, for furni- ture and joiners' work; fourth, for various man- ufacturers, such as spools, lasts, etc.; fifth, forest products, such as maple sugar and tan-bark. The lecture was full of instruction and was at- tentively listened to. Sweet Ferx for Tanning. — The paragraph in our magazine some months ago in regard to this article, attracted considerable attention. Here is an additional item about it : — "The Ellsworth American says that Capt. Eaton made another shipment of two hundred barrels of sweet fern extract to the Boston leather mar- ket and with it his first consignment of extract of alder. This alder extract, like sweet fern ex- tract, is new to the leather trade of this country. The tanning properties of these new agents have been thoroughly tested by practical tanners of Ellsworth, and found to be equal to, if not supe- rior to the best tannin material in use in this country. Calfskins tanned with both the fern and the alder are as mellow and firm as the best tanned French calfskins, and much more beau- tiful in color." Wood Pavements. — These have proved less durable than their friends imagined. It was thought at one time that a demand for blocks would have an influence on forestry, but the signs of the times, both in this country and Eu- rope are, that this system of paving will never come into general use. With all the objection to stone, its comparative durability gives it an ad- vantage which will always outweigh numbers of good points in the wood. SaTURAL SiSTORY and &IENCE. COMMUNICA TIONS. BRODI/EA CALIFORNICA. W. C. L. DREW, EL DORADO, CAL. Of the many strange and wonderful growths found in California, the botanist finds few of a more peculiar habit, and none that I know of deserves more attention. No other plant in the vegetable world acts as does this one. The Brodifea Californica belongs to the na- tural order Liliacese, and is known among the mass of floral. people as the Twining Hyacinth, a name which it well deserves, as will be seen by the description given below. It has two near relations, both natives of California, but of a dif- ferent habit; they are — B. coccinea, bearing crimson flowers, and B. grandiflora, bearing blue flowers, both of which I shall describe at another time. The B. Californica starts to grow early in the Spring, it sends up from two to four leaves, the latter very seldom, these are of various shades of green, being very dark where exposed to the sunlight, and light in the shade; they vary from one-half to one inch in diameter, and from one to three feet in length. I have often gathered them of over a yard in length, but they were al- ways of plants in the shade, they have a deep channel running the entire length, and nearly always lie prostrate on the ground. The flower- stem starts to grow about the mid- dle of May ; as soon as it gets to be five or six inches long, it commences to twine, and twines itself over any shrub or plant in its vicinity, whether five or ten feet high, it keeps on twining until it reaches the top of its support. It takes it from two to four weeks to reach the top of its support, and all this time the flower-bud remains dormant. After reaching the greatest height it can get, it stops to take a rest for a week or two. Then occurs the most singular phenom- enon of all. The stem breaks off" close to the ground, and keeps no connection whatever with mother earth, which until this time has given it nourishment; now the flower-bud begins to ex- pand, and grows for about two weeks, when lof the bud opens and exposes to view from six to sixty other flower-buds, which up to this time have been safely hidden from view. In about a 84 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY \^March, week, or the first to the middle of July, the How- ers open, and remain from two to six weeks, and this without any connectiiin with tlie earth what- ever. ^^'hcthcr it derives nourisliniont from the shrub supporting it, or the air, 1 am not prepared to say. The flowers are of various shades of pink and pinkish purple; as before stated they are borne in clusters of from twelve to sixty; they are from one-half to one inch inch in diameter, and the clusters from one to six inches in diameter. The bulbs are of a medium size, and very deep in the ground, and so entangled with roots of underbrush that it is almost impossible to get them. CULTURE. To any one who can get them, I would say get them. Plant about four inches deep, in rather good rich soil, near some bush or shrub, so as to afford some support. It will not injure it any way. Cover in cold climate with suitable covering. Give no water except what it gets naturally. By following the above directions, I think you will have success. EDITORIAL NOTES. Interpretation of Varying Forms. — At a -recent meeting of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, Mr. Thos. Meehan said that William Bartram, in the last century, had found forms of Liriodendron tulipifera on the Schuyl- kill River, as he had been informed by his son- in-law, with entire leaves; but only this year had he succeeded in re-discovering them. Some of these leaves he exhibited. He observed that years ago such discoveries had an interest in themselves. Now the botanist expected to find entire leaved forms among kinds usually lobed, or lobed ones among the entire class. The only value now in these discoveries was in any lesson they might teach. As a rule he hesitated to re- fer to the unpublished observations of others, preferring that the discoverers should in their own good time and way, report what they had found, but hoped to be pardoned on this occa- sion, for saying that on a recent visit to the Academy, the distinguished botanist, Dr. Engel- mann, had pointed out that some oaks had lobed leaves even in early infancy, while others had entire leaves ; but that those which had early lobed leaves assumed more entire leaves when mature, and those which had entire leaves when young, had lobed leaves when fully grown. In many oaks which he had examined, he found Dr. En- gelmann's observations correct, and that it ex- tended fo many other plants. The mulberries generally, had lobed leaves in their younger years, but when mature, the leaves were uni- formly entire, and this was especially well known in the case of the Broussonettia. In young Ja- pan honeysuckles, the leaves were querciform or variously lobed, while at maturity the ten- dency to union was often remarkable. In the common ivy, the halbert shaped leaves of youth, always gave place to lobeless forms when of fruit- ing age. But it was in cruciferous plants that the differences were best seen. Here lyrate or pinnatilicd leaves in infancy, often gave place to entire ones as the plant grew ; while there were numberless instances in which entire juvenes- cent leaves gave place to pinna tified ones. However, the point for the present even- ing was, that there was often a vast difference between the leaves of a plant's early life, and their form in advanced age. In Conif- erae, he said, this was well known. During the first few months from seed, many different species in their several sub-divisions, were so nearly alike that it was almost impossible to tell any one apart till a little age had brought divergence from the original type. He exhibited some young Thujas to illustrate this. The early Thujas all had cricoid leaves. In the forms which we knew as arborvita;s, the conditions with which we were familiar was the secondary form. In these the leaves which in juvenescense were free and heath-like, had become almost wholly uni- ted with the branches. But there were cases where the young arborvitses had never had pow- er to leave their early condition. They were the analogoucs of what we know in human nature as imbeciles or feeble-minded ; and of this class were many so called " Retino-sporas," Biota Meldensis, and many Junipers and Thujas. He had known the Thuja ericoides of gardens to re- main fifteen years in this infantile state, and then only one of thousands to regain the pure adolescent or fan-like arborvitas form. In all these cases it is important to notice that a comparative feebleness of growth, and an ab- sence, more or less total, of all disposition to pro- duce flowers, go with these continuously juvenescent characters. With the appearance of sexual characters, there is change of form; and, in proportion as this change is the more 187T.] AND HOBTIGULTURIST. 85 marked, is the relative productiveness. The white oak (Quercus alba) which, during its first year has entire leaves, has them lobed at matur- ity; and those which have them the most deeply lobed are the most productive in acorns. He found these observations to hold .good in the entire leaved Liriodendron. During the first year all tulip trees, had entire leaves, or at at least more or less so in comparison with those which they afterwards assume. These large trees with entire leaves had merely retained their ju- venescent form. The other attendant characters of juvenescence were also present. The tree from which the large, entire leaf exhibited was taken, had no signs of ever having borne seeds. In one place he found two trees which, from surround- ing circumstances he should judge, were prob- ably about the same age, and in every circum- stance relating to nutrition, equally favored ; one with very deeply cut leaves, even to the most feeble branch, was covered with seed cones, and was thirteen feet in circumference. The other had leaves almost entire, with but few fruit, and a trunk of only eight feet round. The danger was, that in discussing laws of variation in connection with the origin of species, we may overlook these sexual and physical changes. If one never having seen a Baltimore oriole, should notice particularly the brilliant plumage of the male bird, and without noticing the sex, compare it with the very different look- ing female bird, he would be very apt to think he had found a " missing link " in a grand evolu- tionary chain. There were many diflferences in animals which were recognized as having their origin in obscure sexual laws, as well as many more unrecognized, but probable. And he be- lieved these cases were far more numerous in vegetation, and which would have to be carefully eliminated from consideration in any study on the origin of species or the evolution of form in relation thereto. Botanical Garden in Fairmount Park. — For many years past there has been a desire in Philadelphia to establish a botanic garden, but the exact way to bring this about has never been clear. In a general way the most endur- ing establishments of this kind grow, and are not made. As a rule, the majority of the peo- ple who pay taxes prefer horticulture to mere botanical science, and therefore, the one should grow out of the other, if at all. The Kew Gar- den plan is the best yet worked out, and the Horticultural Department of the Centennial may lead to such a garden as Kew. The gardening about the Hall was so very beautiful, that there was a general desire by the people to "have it over again." The City Councils have made an appropriation for the purpose, and some intelli- gent citizens, in order to get a good start for an arboretum, moved in the purchase of the exhi- itors' collections as a nucleus to start from, Mr. Eli K. Price has recently made a report to the American Philosophical Society, from which we extract as follows : "Some planting out of the various trees in the nurser}' had been made in the Park along the few avenues opened, and 1639 trees have been planted over the space occupied for the Centen- nial International Exhibition. The formation of the grounds within that space by the Board of Finance of the Exhibition and the planting therein, are an invaluable acquisition to Fair- mount Park, as open waste fields have thereby been converted into beautiful gardens, with ave- nues, walks and fountains. It is true, that the garden of the Horticultural Hall was, to a large extent, planted with trees and flowei's by For- eign and American exhibitors. James Veitch & Sons, of Kitjg's Koad, Chelsea, S. W., near London, presented to the Park Commissioners their valuable collection of trees and plants, consisting chiefly of Rhododendrons. The American exhibitors who bad collected and planted in the garden of Horticultural Hall a rare variety of trees and ligneous plants were Thomes Meehan, of Germantown; Hoopes, Brother & Thomas, of West Chester, Pa.; S. B. Parsons & Sons, and R. B. Parsons ct Co., of Flush- ing, N. Y.; Miller & Hayes, of Mount Airy, Philadelphia; Mahlon Moon, of Morrisville, Pa.; and Robert Buist, of Philadelphia. They were actuated by a liberal desire that their collections should remain in the Park, and off"ered them at prices which they esteemed little over half the cost to them. It was an object to the Commis- sioners to secure these permanently for our Park, to be transplanted as thinning out shall be required for their healthy growth, and they have been secured by purchase. The resources for this purchase should be here stated. They were as follows : The city's appropriation, by the Park Commission ap- plied for Nurseries in 1876 81,500 00 Accumulatedlnterest on Elliott Cresson's Legacy 3,000 00 " " Andre F. Michaux's Legacy... 414 60 "Contributions by the following persons of $100 each, to-wit : Wm. L. Schaffer, George C. Thomas, Chas. H. Rogers, Samuel Jeanes, Joseph Jeanes, Joshua T. Jeanes, Isaac F.Baker, Eli K. Price 800 00 Moses Brown and J. C. Sirawbridge, each $50 KM) 00 Total 85,814 60 "As the legacies of Elliott Cresson and Andr6 F. Michaux are enduring funds for planting in the Fairmouut Park and elsewhere, it is proper here to show what are the trusts of those wills, 86 THE GARDE NEIVS MONTHLY [March, and wlijit are tho ohli^iitimis to tho puMic in- cuitimI l>y tho Park Clominissioii in executing the agonc-y coniinitteii to tliem." After sli()\ving tlio tree planting resources of the oity as derived from the legacy of Elliott Cressou, who left $."),C)00, the interest annually to go to planting shade trees for the citizens, and of Andr^ F. Afichaux, who left $12,(X)0 to the Philosophical Society, for "especially the en- couraireinent of syivaculture," Mr. l*rice says: "Within the Park the landscape gardener will exert his skill to hlend in heauty tlie self-sown forests there growing, with artistic ])lanting, as the formation of new avenues and fresh grading will demand; where the new trees will he of kinds not native to our environs, and show in contrast the liand of Art ; hut at the same time greatly add to the variety and novelty of trees and jilants; so that the trees of the Park shall become a great Arboretum, and its flower beds become Botanic Gardens. Thus the landscape formed to please the taste, and the gardens to delight the eye, will become schools of science for all scholars and citizens. For this end, each section of the Park will be planted with the largest practicable variety of trees and plants. " That the variety of these may be greatly in- creased, we have purchased the trees exhibited in Horticultural Garden, and the gathering and planting of acorns and tree seeds have had in view mainly to increase the number of species, ■while providing the necessary stock whence to transplant trees over our Park of nearly three thousand acres in extent." The Eucalyptus in our Climate. — American nurserymen are " pestered to death " with in- quiries about Eucalyptus plants for forest grow- ing, from all sorts of places, from Labrador to the Potomac. Any man of common sense knows that one might nearly as well plant the pine apple or banana as the Eucalyptus ; but the common newspapers that know little about these things, or anything but "Democrat" or " Republican," keep the people in such a state of excitement over it, that the agricultural press is a poor off"set to this great power. It is bad enough to have to be continually on the strain to counteract the mischief these regu- lar papers do ; but what shall we say when men of science join with the newspapers in promul- gating this nonsense. In the proceedings of the American Philosophical Society now before us, a Mr. Davenport is reported as saying at one of the meetings that "some of the Eucalyptus of Australia will probably grow in Philadelphia, and he will be happy to assist in their introduc- tion." No doubt they will "grow in Philadelphia" during the Summer, but what is to become of them in the Winter, when they don't grow? It is too bad to have such stulT go out under the stamj) of this time-honored Society. RincNiNG OK THE Perbimmon. — A correspondent of the London Journal of IlorlicuUure says : — " In your journal of November 30th in an article on Diospyros Kaki you repeat the popular opinion that the Diospyros virginiana's fniit ' is not palatable until frozen.' Allow me to say that this is a fallacy. The Persimmon, as it is known through the southern half of the United States, is quite variable in the size, season and quality of its fruit, and I have no doubt will be ulti- mately developed by selection into a valuable species of fruit. I have seen ripe specimens in this latitude (39° N., about St. Louis) as early as the end of August, whilst the fruit of some trees hardly ripens at all, or if so, imperfectly, by the time cold weather begins. But the ripening and sweetness seem to depend entirely on the length and heat of the Summer, and not at all on the subduing powers of early frosts. Hot Summers produce early-ripened delicious fruit, cold sea- sons and high latitudes produce poor fruit. Arthur Bryant (a brother of the poet Bryant), living at Princeton, Illinois, about latitude 41 J N., tells me that in some seasons the Persimmon with him does not ripen, and he thinks the frost has nothing to do with its maturing. He has trees nearly forty years old of his own planting, and has observed them closely." We refer to this in order to say that we thought intelligent persons everywhere now knew that it was not frost that gave sweetness to the Persim- mon, though it often helps the cause which does. The ripening of fruits is a chemical process. After growtli ceases, decay or chemical action commences, and what we call "ripening" is really the first stage of decomposition. Early ripening kinds will commence this decay with- out frost ; a late kind will decay if there is no frost. Frost simply hastens decay. Of course nature must have done her part before this par- ticular ripening begins. Frost nor any agent would give sweetTiess to a half-ripe Persimmon. The ripening of a Persimmon is just the same process as the ripening of a medlar, about which all our foreign friends know. New United States Plants. — As Western ex- plorations are pushed, new plants are discovered. In the Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, just issued, Prof. Gray de- isn.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 8t scribes fifty-three new species — a very large num- ber for one year. Most of these are due to the indefatigable labors of Dr. C. C. Parry. Many of these will as usual be of little horticultural interest; but we think from the descriptions, there will be many more useful or ornamental plants than common with new discoveries. Canbya CANDIDA. — Under this name Prof. Asa Gray describes a new plant from Southeast Cali- fornia, in the proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. It was discov- ered by Dr. Parry, and is dedicated to Mr. W. M. Canby of Wilmington, Del. The plant is of the poppy family, but very minute, and will not perhaps be of much value to florists, but as com- memorating one of the most worthy of American botanists, the adoption of the name by Dr. Gray will be received with pleasure by Mr. Canby's rpany friends. Graft Hybrids. — A newspaper paragraph says that Dr. Hooibreuk has succeeded in producing new varieties by " crossing the sap," which we suppose is a form of expressing graft hybrids. The Drop or Bag Worm. — We have but one very bad pest of this family in the Eastern States, but they appear to have others in California. Dr. Edwards, in a communication to the Acad- emy of Natural Sciences recently, says : " The species at present described as natives of the United States are very few, not more than five, belonging to perhaps as many genera, being distinctly known to entomologists. The most common of these is a species called Thyri- dopteryx ephemeriformis, which, according to Dr. Harris, is occasionally abundant in Phila- delphia and its vicinity, and there popularly known in its larval state as the drop-worm, or basket-worm. It is at times very destructive to the arbor-vita}, larch and hemlock trees. In California, though none as yet have been de- scribed, three species are known to me, two of which belong to the typical genus. Psyche ; the third, and by far the most interesting, which has just been discovered by our President, Prof. Davidson, representing the genus Qi^ceticus. It is, however, a matter of regret that the cater- pillar cases of these three species are alone known, tlie perfect insects as yet evading our discovery." GiLiA Parry.,e. — Mr. Lemmon, the enthusias- tic California botanical discoverer thus tells the Rural Press how Mrs. Parry received the honor of having this beautiful new plant named after Tier : "Besides making a large collection of the Icnown flora of the South, Dr. Parry and I picked up, it appears, several plants new to science ; the Doctor a dozen and I half as many. Among the latter a beautiful little Gilia from the Mo- have river, with large pink and white blossoms, very desirable for cultivation. Upon its discov- ery I studied it and found it different from any species yet published, so sent the specimens to Dr. Gray, with the request that he would name it Gilia Parry se, to honor the noble wife of Dr. Parry, whose many years of botanical service entitle her to recognition. A month or so after. Dr. Palmer, an indefati- gable collector of that region, also picked up the plant and forwarded with his collection. When Dr. Gray came to examine the accumu- lations of the season, he described the new- plant and named it Gilia Palmeri. As soon as I learned the fact I stoutly protested, arguing at length my priority of discovery, also my deter- mination, citing Dr. Parry for witness, where- upon Dr. Gray has just revoked his former ac- tion and now the beautiful little gem is named for all time Gilia Parryse, ' dedicated to Mrs. Dr. Parry,' Dr. Gray adds, ' whose services to botany well merit this recognition." Music and Plants. — Some fancyist has written about the benefits of music on the health of plants. Of course it is but a seasonable joke; but many of " the papers " are passing it around as the best of sense. The use of Honeyed Secretions. — An es- teemed correspondent says: — "Your botanical friend has still an inquiry or two to make on honeyed secretions This appears, you now tell us, because Dr. H., of Vienna, 'shows that flow- ers which could not be fertilized by their own pollen, or foreign pollen, were successfully impregnated when nectar was apphed to the stigma before the application of the pollen.' "First, will you give a reference so that one may see what Dr. H. was driving at, and what he made out? As he appears to have been working on some stigma that Avould not act on the pollen, either of its own or any other flower, we suspect that he was trying pollen on imma- ture stigmas, and then finding that if he put on nectar the pollen tubes would start. So they might ; for it is well known that they will pro- trude a little way (and that is all) in any sugary solution, of a certain density, without any stig- ma in the case. What your proposition needs is to bring forward at least one case in which the secretion of the nectary of a flower gets ap- plied to a stigma. Can you refer to such a case ? " [We are sorry not to have at hand the details of Dr. H.'s experiments. All we know is given 88 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [March, in our last. We had no idea of sufificstinp; that the "secretion of the nect^iry of a llowi-r gets applied to a stigma." Wliat is sec-rcted hy the nectaries we regard as waste, and so expressed it. But Boussingault shows that sweet matter per- vades the whole tissue — of the pistil, as well as of other parts — and it occurred to us in view of this possibility that the sweet matter might be of some direct use to the plant in the i)erformance of its functions, and not merely nothing but a bait to allure insects. Granting that it may be of some use directly to the plant, it may be in relation to pollenization ; and, when deficient in the pistil, an application to the stigma may supply it. All this is of course hypothetical, but it is a hypo- thesis suggested by Dr. Hooibreuk's experiments, quite independently of any thing which he may have been trying to prove. Honey was no doubt made for insects, but in the same sense as cane sugar and molasses were made for man. The cane sugar plant has "an advantage " by man's use of the sweet secretion ; for it has been petted and fostered so that it has gained immensely in "the struggle for life." Thousands' of sugar plants exist that never would, but for the saccharine element. As far as it goes it is a fair argument, but who would in- sist that the sugar was developed for this purpose and is of no direct use to the plant itself? It is these considerations which make us hesitate to believe that before insects Avcre created, sweet secretions did not exist ; and nothwithstanding the doubts of our correspondent, we think no harm will result from the investigations we pro- posed.— Ed. G. M ] QUERIES. Fertilization by Insect Agency. — Prof. Asa Gray writes: — "We are not all of us as careful and exact in our statements as Mr. Darwin is, and so our language is sometimes misappre- hended and sometimes needs correction. Dar- win's summing up in the first edition of his Or- chid-book, is : ' Nature thus tells us in the most emphatic manner, that she abhors perpetual self-fertilization.' In the new edition, issued this year, we read : ' It is hardly an exaggeration to say that Nature tells us in the most emphatic manner, that she abhors perpetual self-fertiliza- tion. This manifests carefulness to be within bounds, but does not look like giving up the jirinciple. Some of us have been less careful to keep the word ' j)erpotual ' perpetually in view; but it has generally been implied in the whole course of statement, which has recognized the fact that most flowers have a chance, and majiy a predominant chance, for self-fertilization. Ikit this does not at all falsify the declaration that 'showy, fragrant, honey-hearing flowers are ar- ranged for cross-fertilization.' If anybody wants to see a good demonstration of that, let him read the second chapter of Darwin's new book on the effects of close and cross-fertilization in plants, or a summar}' of it in the March number of the American A(/ricuUuris(. Here is a plant aljun- dantly capable of self-fertilization, which close- fertilizes when covered, but is, in fact, freely cross-fertilized in nature. Mr. Darwin proves, by a course of experiments, that the crossing is a benefit, and a great benefit ; and the inference is almost unavoidable that these plants could not go on indefinitely without it. " It is now clear, however, that there is more self-fertilization than was at first supposed. H. Miller has largely shown this, while at the same time contending for the absolute need of cross- fertilization ; just as you yourself, Mr. Editor, have largely shown it, while contending that cross-fertilization is of no account. But I think you will soon agree that cross-fertilization is of account, and that showy, odorous, nectariferous flowers are adapted for it, notwithstanding ever so much self-fertilization." [In the "Detroit" paper the text taken was this, "All plants with conspicuously colored flowers, or powerful odors, or honeyed secretions are fertilized by insects; therefore, before honey- feeding insects existed, the vegetation of our globe could not have been ornamented with bright colored flowers." This is the point we ventured to differ from. If the proposition now made that these flowers are so arranged that cross-fertilization is possible, and that it occa- sionally does occur, is not inconsistent with the point we ventured to question in the above quo- tation, we have of course nothing further to say. We have never said cross-fertilization was of no account, but that we do not regard it as proved, —Ed. G. M.} The Verbena Rust. — We have always felt that the Verbena Rust must be of fungoid origin, because all the attendant phenomena are fun- goidal, and there is no character whatever that 1877.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 89 classes it with insect work. Still we know how easy it is to be mistaken, and have therefore suggested to those who have faith in the nisect origin of the disease, to send the specimens to compelent Entomologists for the insect's identi- fication. Mr. Chas. Henderson has generously undertaken this good work, and from two of the recipients of specimens — Prof. Riley and Mr. J. StaufFer — we have replies. Mr. StaufFer's views were directly opposite to Prof. Riley's, so Ave thought best to send it to Prof. Riley, that he might review his own if necessary. As thus far, Mr. Stauffer is the only naturalist that we know of who takes the insect view, we have thought it but fair to give him the first hearing, and below appears Prof. Riley's comment: " After a close inspection of the diseased leaves left with me, I obtained fresh ones from my neigh- bor, Mr. Hensel, as in getting rid of the frag- ments of moss in which the leaves were packed, I had to disturb the surface more or less of the leaves. I have also made a close inspection of the fly — an Aphidian, belonging to Mr. Walsh's genus, Callipterus. Honey tubes short, subulate, Antennae long, seven-jointed, discoidals of the front wings equally thick, carries the wings hori- zontally folded ; in this latter respect it agrees with the winged of the Phylloxera (vastatrix, vitifoliee). These in their larvsel state infest the root in Winter, and it seems it is proved that they also infest the leaves in the Summer season. The Callipterus is certainty the small black- fly noticed around the Verbenas, and deposits its eggs, as I captured them from the leaf, Janu- ary 15, 1877. " Now, as to the rust. Their larvae when hatched, (the minute mites mentioned,) deplete the leaf and empoverish the juices, and cause the leaf to bliglit, unless the plants are in such good soil and healthy vigor, as to be able to bear this depletion, and then no fungus will follow, and the plant may escape. But when the sto- mata or bi-eathing pores of the leaf are inter- fered with and the juices abstracted, the leaf be- comes depauperated and forms a fit nidus for the fungus. So Mr. Henderson is wrong to say that, ' the insect is the consequence, and not the cause, of the disease.' Mr. Brinton's views are more accurate. I have found well defined fun- gus and made accurate drawings of them from the mildew in its white powdery form, or first stage, when the leaf is yet green. By compari- son with quite a number of forms illustrated, it approaches the mycelium and sporadic branches of the Cistopus candidus. Figured by Smee, in his Garden, p. 366, he says many plants are at- tacked with spots of white rust, on the leaves, arranged in a circular manner. The mycelium creeps through the cellular tissue of the plants, and after a time gives rise to zoospores or moving bodies to perpetuate the species, adding, ' I be- lieve that in all these cases the plant is previously pierced by an Aphis.' One word as to zoospores : so long as they are free they have indeed a great likeness to infusoria, but as soon as they have found a fit resting place all trace of motion ceases, and their oftspring comforts itself as a vegetable; this is scientifically demonstrated, but zoospores never turn to Aphids or the like. The disease on the Heliotrope differs ; here the root of the hair becomes enlarged, and a yel- lowish matter is secreted; this turns dark, and then the bulb-like base cracks open and dis- charges sporules. I first considered the whole as a fungus, but if mycelium is formed under the epidermis and enters into the base of the tubu- lar hairs, and produces its sporules, then, this is- a fungus of a totally new kind to me, but its cause may arise from the same source— poverty or depletion." Prof. Riley says :— " I have not time now to further investigate the Verbena rust, but feel morally sure that it is a fungus disease. The "black-fly" referred to in my answer to Mr. Henderson is a Diplosis. There are several Aphids affecting both leaves and roots of Verbe- nas, but they have nothing to do with the rust." Since the above was in type, a note from Prof. Farlow tells us that the Verbena rust is a fungus, and that its name is Erysiphe Verbena? of Schweinitz. It will therefore be an old acquaint- ance to mycologists. Zelkova " Crensta."— Prof. Sargent writes :— "My authority. for Zelkova crenata is Planchon, in DecandoUes Prodromus, the last botanist who has worked Ulmacese comprehensively. He does not even allow Abelicea as a genus, so I suppose we must retain Zelkova at least until another volume of the Genera Plantarum appears. "But what a pity we cannot retain Michaux's Planera Richardi ; a much pleasanter and more easily remembered name ; but this does not make much difference so long as the tree is planted, so. I hope you will get some of the grafts Mr. Price so kindly offers, and see what can be done with them. " Typographical errors are not very pleasant for the editor, I will allow, but how about his DO THE GAIWEJ^EIVS MONTHLY I March, unfortunntc contrihiitors? Notico Crenstii twire in Mr. rrice's communication, for crcnata, and one of tliese in hir^^^o IcKcrsivs a heading at that." [Having boon told that the siihjcct had been " worked up at Camhrid.u;c," no pains wore talvcn to hiok up the mutter beyond notieinj; tlie rehi- tion of the genus to Abohi-ea. "Crensta" wa.s our correspondent's orthography, and not the ty[)Ographer'8, and what witii the capital and j)e- culiar spelling, we took it for an aboriginal pro- per name. We did not know ui' had our old friend Tlanera Rii-hardi, to deal with. The Ger- niantown Nurseries in time i)ast have distributed this tree i)retty freely, and so we supjtose have those of Flushing anil elsewhere, and we suspei't that though the Woodland's tree may be the finest, it is not by a long way the oidy specimen in the country. All this trouble comes from so many synonyms. — Ed. CJ. M.] Chemic.vl Hygroscope.— F. INI., Ontario, Can- ada, asks : — " What shade of color or number should the Hygroscoi)e represent in a green- house or conservatory to keep the plants in best health, say when thermometer runs from 60° to 05°. " [The Hygroscope is such a recent invention in its cheaper forms, that we can say little of its application to plant culture, especially :is expe- rienced gardeners do not find much dilliculty in regard to the atmospheric moisture. In the use of the Hygroscope, however, all we can say is that the bluer the tint the drier the air, while the deeper the pink the more moisture. — Ed. G. M.l Nam>: OK Pi,ANT.— N. says:— "In June Inst y(>ar, near Mauch Clmnk, Pa., by tlie rail side, and peeping out of the woods, I came upon a very pretty shrub. It wjus not (lowers that pleased, for it was out of bloom ; but iUs berries, of every shade, from deep red to crimson, seemed to speak for it a place in the shrubbery. lam puzzled to identify tlic plant in nursery cata- logues or books. It was a favorite with all the pleasure parties which I met. All bore it com- l)anion to the other woodland flowers of the sea- son. If I have recalled the plant by the above traits, you will oblige ni;iny n-aders by giving us its name." [Not much to identify a plant by; but proba- bly the Canadian Holly, Nemopanthes canaden- sis, and well worthy ol cultivation. — Pxl. G. M.] Insect on the Grape. — Some time since, a Wilmington, Del., correspondent wrote about a peculiar trouble with his grape vines, and which we suspected was caused by an insect unknown to us, and advised the sending to Prof. Riley, which it api)ears he has done, and Prof. 11. kindly sends us the following response : — " From specimens just sent me, the insect in grapery (G. M., Nov.) at Wilmington, Del, is the grape leaf-folder (Desmia maculalis). See my Third Rep., p. Ol. Since that was written, I have found it worst on Catawba, Goethe, lona, Isa- bella, Croton,Diana and Creveling — least on Con- cord, Cynthiana, Louisiana and Martha. Bring hands quick together and crush worm in fold. Destroy chrysalides in Fall." J^ 6^ Literature, '<^^nRavels & Personal S^tes. COMMUNICA TIONS. HORTENSIA OR HORTENSIS. HV T. In the Monthly for January last, I endeavored to show that the correct name for the common Hydrangea is H. llortensia, and ni support of my view, cited authorities and gave reasons that would convince most persons of its accuracy. The Rural New Yorker, however, still maintains that the plant should be called H. hortensis, and on February 17th reproduces my note — which is very fair — that it may repl}' to it in a manner which can hardly be characterized as fair. I cannot ask you to reprint the Rural's remarks, as it occupies over one and a half of its ample columns in its attempt to show that others, be- sides itself, have used an incorrect name ; in- deed, that journal finds such evident satisfaction in re-asserting its own way to be the right one, that I would not disturb it, did it not singularly misrepresent one of the authorities I cited, and 187Y.] AND HOB TIG UL TUB IS T. 91 go quite out of its way to ascribe unworthy mo- tives to an eminent botanist not cited, or in any manner alluded to in my article. As silence with rej^ard to these may be construed as an admis.sion on my part of the truth of the Rural's representations, I ask space for a brief reply, with which I drop the subject. In my former note I quoted what Loudon says (in his "Trees and Shrubs of Britain," Vol. 2, p. 986), in reference to the name Hortensia. Respecting this the Rural says : " Now for what Loudon says in the work quoted. He gives seven names or synonyms of this plant, and then tells the story which ' T ' repeats, about how the name Hortensia came to be one of the num- ber, and its bec^iiiing common in France; but he is very careful not to decide which in the correct one." The italics are mine ; for so remarkable a statement defeerves the distinction. The asser- tion is here distinctly made, tiiat in giving seven different names for the plant, Loudon does not indicate which of the seven he prefers, and adopts as the correct name, but is very careful not to do so. Those familiar with botanical de- scriptions know that the author, when there are several names, places the one he approves and adopts Hrst, and the others follow as synonyms ; and that it is further the custom to make the approved name more conspicuous by putting it in a different type from the others. Loudon was a " very careful " man, and in this case he was not only " very careful " to " decide " which among several names is the " correct one " by placing it Jirst, but he further emphasises this decision by placing H. Hortensia in italics, while all the dis- carded names are in Roman, or in ordinary type. The Rural refers me to another work by Loudon, his "Encyclopaedia of Plants," where it says " he gives the correct name as hortensis." I admit that in the " Encyclopaedia," publislied in 1829, he does give the name as " hortensis," but Loudon's labors extended over many years, and as he was a man who grew wiser as he grew older, he did not continue the errors of his ear- lier works in his later ones. Tiie fact that he did, in his " Trees and Shrubs," in 1838, discard " hortensis " and adopt Hortensia, at the same time giving his reasons for accepting the latter, indicates a desire to be right, which may be commended as an example worthy of imitation. The Rural cites Donn, who, it tells us, "strangely enough, quotes for liis authority in retaniing the name hortensis, Augustin Pyramus De Candolle, who wa.H a celebrated Swiss botan- ist, and the father of the present Alphonse De Candolle, referred to above as the man who tickles French vanity by restoring the name of Hortensia." This reference " above " to Al- phonse De Candolle, is perhaps the most re- markable thing in the Rural's remarkable arti- cle. It says : " Prof. De Candolle, the younger, doubtless in consideration of this universal sen- timent [admiration for Hortense] of his country- men, retains this name [Hortensia] in his work, and Dr. Gray, from a similar consideration for his friend, De C, follows this great botanical au- thority: thus an error is perpetuated by these two authorities, and backed up by ' T ' in the Gar- dener's Monthly." Our wonder that Alphonse De Candolle should be charged with being influ- enced by unworthy motives in adopting a scien- tific name, is only equalled by that at seeing Prof. Gray charged with following any one — his position being usually that of a leader. This is probably the first time that the scientific integrity of Ali»h. De. Candolle or Asa Gray was ever called in question, and the /Jura/, in making these charges, assumes a position more conspic- uous than enviable. If any one thing relating to this charge can be more strange than another, it is the perfectly gratuitous character of the attack, for I am quite unable to see why Alph. De Candolle is cited at all, as I made no refer- ence to him whatever in my article. It is true that I did, in support of my position, refer the Rural to " any botanical work of acknowledged authority, as De Candolle's for Europe, and Gray's for America;" had I intended Alph. De Candolle, I should have said so. The Rural does not seem to be aware that it is the custom among botanists to speak of the father simply as De Candolle, and to abbreviate it as DC; while they call the son A. or Alph. De Candolle, and abbreviate his name as A. DC. The work of De Candolle's I referred to was the " Prodromus," which consists of 21 vols., running through half a century, and which the Rural assumes is all by the younger De Candolle. If it will turn to the fourth volume, it will find on the title page, "Anctore Aug. Pyramo De Candolle," and that the date is 1830. By turning to p. 15, it will find H. Hortensia, which, being the work of the father, leaves the charges against the son with- out any foundation worth speaking of, and the Rural's indignation at the desire of the son to "tickle French vanity," seems like a waste of powder. If Donn quoted De Candolle as author- 92 THE GAlWENEli'S ilONTULY [^ March, ity for "liortensis," he evidently ilid not quote corrertly. In such cases the elianieter and weight of the aiitliorities are of quite as much importance as their number, and with most per- sons the authority of De Candolle and Asa CJray will outweigh that of Donn, Curtis, and — if I may be allowed to say it — even that of i\\Q Rural itself. EDITORIAL NOTES. Thk Plant Life of Norway. — This is the title of a beautiful work just issued in German by the distinguished Danish Botanist, Dr. F. C. Schu- beler, of Christiana. The many odd shapes which trees take in that peculiar climate, are beauti- fully illustrated. For instance, the Norway spruce in lieavy snow will have its branches pressed to the ground by tlic weight and then earth will wash down with some thaw and cover the lowermost. In such cases, the point of the branch will grow up, and roots push down, just as in layering, and in after years a very pretty clump come into existence as if it were a mother with all her young children about her. The peculiar climate and conditions of Norway make these curious ap- pearances in trees not uncommon. Norway spruces blow down, and get covered by snow, and moisture hangs about the prostrate trunk long enough to encourage sprouts which become in time trees, and there will often be a half a dozen good sized trees which have grown out of a prostrate trunk in this way. The whole book is full of such interesting information. How slow trees sometimes grow is well illustrated in the case of a common Juniper. When sawed off it was found to have made 297 aimual layers of wood, and yet was but twelve and a half inches in diameter. In regard to the varied character of the growths of trees in differing circumstances, there is, for in- stance, a sketch of the Juniper (Juniperus com- munis). ^Vs we generally see it, it is at best but a conical, usually a rather cylindrical growing tree. He figures one which has a head like an old oak or a chestnut, and describes it as being twenty-five feet high, with a straight trunk for six feet up to the branches. This trunk is seven feet one inch in circumference, and the great round head of branches, about twenty-five feet wide — completely round. Americans would give a good deal to have a specimen of a Juniper like that. Dr. Schubeler does not forget the points of in- terest attractive to the scientific as well as the mere intelligent reader. He gives a plate of the variations in the scales of Norway spruce cones, all taken from the vicinity of Cliristiana, which those wlio are making so many new species out of our Californian Conifenc may well profit by, I). Scliubeler pleasantly remarks, that there seems to be some priiiciiilcs in human nature of love ioT beauty antl nice things, in spite of some other principles which would seem to oppose them. He instances the use made by the Lap- landers of the sweet vernal gnxss, Anthoxan- thum odoratum. He describes them as an in- describably dirty race; seeming to rejoice and take pride in filthiness, and yet they make a sort of plaited collar of this grass, so as to enjoy its delicately delicious perfume. All who have a knowledge of the German lan- guage will enjoy a rich treat in the perusal of Dr. Schubeler's book. Burning of Lee's Greenhouses. — We are sorry to have to write the burning of Lee's Green- houses at Lake View, near Chicago, on the first of February. Proceedings of the Georgia State Hort. Society. — This is the first issue and contains the address of the first President, P. J. Berckmans, and a full list of fruits best adapted to the State. The Early Nurserymen of Illinois. — Mr. W. C. Flagg says — Joseph Curtis, John Smith and W. B. Archer established nurseries about 1818 in Illinois. "Before 1S30, nurseries of more or less importance had been begun in Adams county by John Wood (1820); in Edwards, by Sidney Spring (1825); in Jersey, by Robert Avery (1825); in Madison, by Masson (1820?); in Perry, by Joseph Bradshaw (1825?); in St. Clair, by ■ Wood (1820?), and in Vermillion, by John Canady (1826). This list is, no doubt, quite incomplete. Hand-Book of Practical Landscape Garden- ing, by F. R. Elliott. Published by D. M. Dewey, Rochester, N. Y. It is gratifying to note the tendency to an appreciation of beauty and taste among the farmers and fruit growers of the coun- try. Those we mean that are outside of the regular horticultural literature properly so called. Anything that will he!p*this good tendency is a great public blessing. For this class this little book of Mr. Elliott's is just the thing. The more elaborate works of Downing and Kemp can never be brought to them. They take too many bushels of corn to buy, and when bought cannot be understood. Cheap, and yet attractive volu- 187T.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 93 mes, like this little book, are capable of doing much better work. The critical reader might wish that the names of the plants had been more correctly given by the author in many cases, and that the proof-reader had been more closely looked after in others. But these defects will not in the least detract from the book's practical value to those for whom it is intended, and we heartily commend it. The Bulletin No. 1 of the Illinois Museum OF Natural History among other interesting matter has a paper on the Botanical features of "Trees in Winter," by Dr. Brendel; "Parasatic Fungi," by Prof. Burrill; and a list of Illinois Or- thoptera, by Dr. Cyrus Tkomas. Catalogue of A. M. C. Jongkindt Coninck, Dedemsvaart, Netherlands. — Mr. C, who has taken so excellent a part in introducing the Gar- dener's Monthly in the countries in the north of Europe, sends us his Catalogue of hardy her- baceous plants and other things, which we find very full. Mr. W. T. Harding. — We are pleased to be able to say that this gentleman, who is so well- known to our readers as an agreeable and highly intelligent correspondent, and whom we know as one of the best of the many practical gar- deners in this country, has been elected Super- intendent of the new Cemetery at Upper San- dusky, which the citizens were so fortunate as to engage him to lay out last year. The Gardener's Monthly. — The publisher asks us to make a note, thanking the many friends who have passed good words to him with their subscriptions, and he hands us the following as a sample of many. It is from J. C. A. of Henderson, Kentucky: "Enclosed is renewal for 1877. Your magazine is indispensable to me, and supplies valuable information which I could obtain from no other source. It frequently occurs that a single number contains Ain where my observations have been made. I next called attention to the remarks of Mr. Meehan, of the Gardener's Monthly, at the last meeting of the Am. Pom. Soc, (see report of proceedings,) "on Fungi and Fruit Diseases," in which he says, " That fire blight is of fungoid origin, is now clear, from the researches of Dr. J. Gibbons Hunt of Philadelphia. He finds that a very minute fungus germinates on the outer bark, enters the structure, destroying the cells as it goes, till it reaches the alburnum, and then it penetrates clear to the pith, by way of the me- dullary rays, totally destroying the branch, from the centre to the circumference. . . There is no other conclusion here than that reached by Dr. H., that, in the true fire blight, fungi are the cause of the disease." I remarked that, accepting this conclusion as we must, the honor of first demonstrating its cor- rectness belongs to a skilled mycologist of our own state. Dr. J. H. Salisbury, now of Cleve- land, whose researches on this subject, made in 1862, are published, with numerous illustrations, in the Ohio Agricultural Report for 1863. Un- fortunately the wood-cuts illustrating the essay of Dr. H., were accidentally burned some years since, or our Society would have the substance of it republished. In examining the blighted branches with a powerful microscope, Dr. S. found them filled through and through with the mycelium of a peculiar fungus; the threads wound around in every direction among the woody cells. For several inches beyond the outward appearance of disease, dead lines, the size of a knitting needle, extended in the soft cambium, and in these the moniliform threads could be traced making their way among the cells. This plant. Dr. S. saj^s, is strictly a para- sitic fungus that affects organic tissues. It pro- duces blight in twig of apple and quince, as well as pear, and often attacks the young fruit when about the size of a hazel-nut. This fungus belongs to the group Ascomycetes, to the order Perenosporiaceffi, and the genus Sphserotheca. The method of development of the fungus is fully illustrated by Dr. S. The fertile threads grow by pullulation (like bud-forming) ; the spores are produced on threads that rise above the sur- face. Sporidia and fertile threads were placed in a solution of sugar, and the next day numer- ous zoosporoid cells were moving about actively, and in a little time some of them voided other cells, all the while continuing a pvilsating or vibratory motion. Another and distinct form of fungus was ob- served and described by Dr. S., as found in the blighted branches after they had been dead some time, and along with the one causing the dis- ease ; but this second kind does not prey upon living tissue, and is a result, not a cause of dis- ease. Dr. S. supposes that the sporidia of the blight fungus are in the circulating juices or sap of the tree, and under favoring influences of the weather, and a suitable condition of the cam- bium, are started into growth. He sviggests, in the line of preventives, the use of sulphur in some of its soluble forms applied to the soil about the roots. But as some experiments of this kind have not been wholly satisfactory, and it is probable that the spores enter by the sto- mata of the leaves, or else vegetate on the out- side of the bark, and then pass inward, it is sug- gested that washes containing sulphur, carbolic acid, or copperas be applied to the trees by syringing, early in Summer. Let us hear Mr. Saunders, of Washington, 'and others who have tried such washes, as to the extent and manner of their doing it, and the results. It is my belief that a reliable and cheap preventive will be found only in this direction. PROF. BRAINERD ON SOLAR HEAT THEORY. We also had, at our meeting, the somewhat remarkable essay on pear blight, read before the Potomac Fruit Growers' Association last Sep- tember, by Prof. J. Brainerd, formerly of Cleve- land, and now of the Patent Office at Washing- ton, published, with illustrations, in the Ohio Agricultural Report for 1875-6. The Committee of our Society were of the same opinion respect- 96 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY y March, ing this essay as was exjirc^soil by Mr. Meehan in tlio Dci-embor nuniKor of the Gardener's Month!}/, and that it was not wortli while to oc- cupy the time of the nieetin<:j hy reatUng or dis- cussing it — for it was ovitU'nt to us that Prof. B. liad not specimens of real hlij^ht uiuler exami- nation at all. He says that uptju tlie closest scrutiny he could fnid no evidence that the dis- ease was caused by fun,e;us, or was of a fungoid nature; l)Ut he goes on to show that blight is a ruptured conilition of the cells of the alburnum, which he believes is caused by the extremes of heat or cold ; and farther on lie says, what is known as fire blight is "caused wholly by ex- cessive solar heat." Some of the alleged facts given in supi)ort of his theory liy Prof. B. are remarkably wide of the truth. He says : " In the Spring' of 1875, in Ohio, and along the lake shore fruit region, after the trees had put forth their leaves, a sudden fall of temijcrature from summer beat to 12 or 15 degrees below freezing, killed outright nearly every pear tree in that extensive district. (?) I examined many trees soon thereafter, and found the external appear- ances exactly similar to what is called fire blight." As a fruit grower in the lake shore district in Ohio, I feel called upon to state that no such general destruction of pear trees occurred in this region, in that season or any other. It is well known tiiat the Winter of 1874r-5 caused exten- sive destruction of peach trees and grape vines, also of some pear trees, by killing of the roots, supposed to have been in consequence of severe drouth after a full crop of fruit, more than by the severity of the Winter. Many of the trees thus root-killed in the Winter, leaved out in the Spring, and of course the tops died soon after- wards. But I did not see a single pear tree that died, or had its top killed l)y the late freeze in the Spring, and the number that were killed in the manner before stated did not amount to more than 5 to 10 per cent, in any of the orch- ards within my knowledge. This is true of my own orchard of several hundred trees, also the larger orchard of S. B. Marshall, near West Cleveland, and the still larger one of Mr. Fahne- stock, on the lal^e shore, near Toledo. In no one season has there been a loss of more than 5 to 10 per cent, of trees bj' blight, though a larger proportion have sometimes died from overbearing and winter-killing. Again, Prof. B. says in support of his solar heat theory, that pear trees standing on a southern exposure are much more liable to blight than those on a northern slope. This is also contrary to my ex- perience and observation, and my orchard slopes to the south, while several that I know of slope to the north ; but I do not believe this has any- thing to do with causing or preventing blight. Then, if hot weather is the cause, why is there not more blight in Kentucky and Southern Ohio than here in the North ; and why was there not a general visitation of blight last June, when we had the hottest weather ever known in all this region ? EDITORIAL NOTES. Tun A.MKKK'AN POMOI.OGK-Ar- SoriKTY. — The biennial meeting of this body, which is always looked forward to with so much interest by hor- ticulturists generally, will be held this year in Baltimore, on the invitation of the Maryland Horticultural Society. This will have its an- nual exhibition on the 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th of Sei)tember, and the Pomological Society will take the last three days. Col. Wildar has re- covered his health to a great extent, and will probabiy j)reside in person. We know the warmth of Maryland hospitality, and the intelli- gence of its horticulturists, and feel safe in pre- dicting the event will be one "long to be re- membered." Mr. Sands, of the Farmer, is a host in himself. Statk Horticultural and Pomological Soci- eties. — The Winter meetings of the various State Societies have been more than usually attract- ive, as we judge from a large number of reports in the newspapers of the various sections that have been sent to us, and which we hope to use as occasion offers. The meetings of the Western New York Horticultural Society, and Fruit Growers' Society of Pennsylvania, are particu- larly well spoken of by the papers, while those of the Western Societies are very fully reported in the excellent agricultural papers of that re- gion. In our present number Mr. Bateham gives an abstract of some points of particular interest to our readers, that grew out of the Ohio meeting. TheGermantown (Philadelphia) Hor- ticultural Society holds monthly meetings, at which premiums are awarded for good plants; remarks on the plants present are made; an essay is read, and discussions follow. At the February meeting, Mr. John Savage spoke on the effects of various temperatures on plants, in a pleasing and instructive manner, and consid- erable discussion ensued. Among the plants on exhibition wei-e several pretty specimens of Chorozcma varium. Australian plants, as a rule, are the best of Winter tlowerers, but do not get through our Summers well. This seems an ex- ception, and should be in every greenhouse. There were hundreds of orange and crimson "butterfly" flowers on these plants. One of the best grown Callas we ever saw was on exhibition ; that is to say, the leaves were not drawn up, but though strong, were as healthy as possible, and the numerous flowers were of a like character. There was also on exhibition a double variety of the "seed strain " of Chinese Primrose, almost as good as the old-fashioned Double white, which does not seed, and which no modern kind has exactly equalled, and the edges were beautifully fringed. The plants at these monthly exhibi- tions have no marks on them by which any one may know who they belong to. This is not any advantage. Instead of jjreventing dishonest judging, it favors it by making a cover for the unfair one. THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY AND HORTICULTURIST. DEVOTED TO HORTICULTURE. ARBORICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS. Edited by THOMAS MEEHAN. Vol. XIX. APRIL, 1877. Number 220. iLOWER g;ARDEN AND pLEASURE JROUND. SEASONABLE HINTS. April is a good planting month. There is not much art in planting trees, though it is often made a mystery. Not to let the roots dry for an instant between taking up and planting, every- body knows, but everybody does not do it; in fact Everybody deceives himself. We have seen this distinguished individual leave the tops of trees exposed to the sun, with a mat or straw thrown over the roots ; and think all was right, — or heel in for a day or two, by just throwing a little dirt over the roots. This is a little good; but Everybody's fault is, that although this may be ten minutes of good, he expects to get ten hours, or even ten days' value out of it, and thus he suffers more than if he had done noth- ing, because he forgets that the branches evapo- rate moisture from the roots in a dry wind, and the juices go from the roots through the branches very nearly as well as directly to the air from the roots themselves. So with heeling in. The soil is thrown in lightly, or at most just " kicked " down. " It is only temporary," very few of the roots come in contact with the soil. They can draw in no moisture to supply the waste of evaporation, and thus they stay day after day, — Everybody satisfied because he sees the roots covered, really worse than if they had been ex- posed. We have no doubt that more trees are lost from imperfect heeling in than from any other cause whatever. Of course, if the tops be cov- ered as well as the roots, there is less waste of moisture and more chance of success. This hint will help us in planting. That is, pound the soil in well about the fibres, so that they may be in close contact with it ; or they can- not draw in the necessary moisture. Should the trees appear a little dry, or the roots badly muti- lated in digging, or have few fibres, cut away the plant according to the severity of the injury. It is scarcely necessary to repeat that for this evaporation reason, it is best to plant trees when the ground is rather dry, because it then pow- ders best in pounding, and gets well in about the roots. Wet ground plasters, and leaves large hollows in which roots cannot work. We approve of thick planting. Trees grow faster for one another's company, and a place well filled at once, saves many years of time to see them grow. Those not wanted after the place has grown some, can be transplanted to other parts of the ground. How to remove large trees successfully, we have often explained. Where thick planting is to be adopted, of course care must be taken in locating those perma- nently to remain. COMMUNICA TIONS. DECORATION OF GROUNDS. ETC, BY WM. FLITTON, GAED. TO JNO. LEE CARROLL, ESQ., BALTIMORE, MD. The Salvia spoken of on page 373, December number of the Monthly, is Salvia splendens, pure and simple. It would seem hardly possible to intensify the scarlet of Salvia splendens when in 98 THE GARDENEWS MONTHLY [ April, good oonilition. Wliy should those imrtii-idar beds grow so dwarf? To be honest, it is necessary in this connection to record a faihire. The beds in cinestion were not intended for Salvia, and were filled in May with plants of a widely dirtVrent genus, which however grew so slowly and became such bald-headed looking spe- cimens that their presence amongst health and beauty could not be tolerated. Anticipating this failure, I propagated suHicient Salvia in April to replace them. The cuttings were taken from some large old plants wintered over, and were planted in the beds early in July. It was a struggle for life with them, but they held their own, however, and commenced flowering at the same time as did those which were well grown plants when put out. In this instance, that which was intended merely as a make-shift, hap- pened to prove a success. I have no desire to repeat the experiment, however, but " necessity knows no law," and one never knows how soon it may be necessary to devise some means of hiding that which would otherwise prove a failure. It is absolutely necessary to grow bedding plants. A tastefully arranged, well-kept garden, on what is generally understood as the bedding system, is most beautiful. We also need flowers to cut, and bedding plants generally produce bloom adapted for the purpose. But what valid reason can be given why this particular mode of decoration should be adopted to the exclusion of all others ! Is there no beauty except in masses of brilliant color ? True, we may arrange them with artistic taste, may tone down glaring colors, with neutral tints, so as not to offend the most fastidious ; but congruity, " the eternal fitness of things " should not be lost sight of. Few indeed would place a grand piano-forte in a room with bare walls and floor, nor a carpet of velvet pile in a kitchen. Yet it is a fact well known to most readers of this periodical, that inconsistencies almost as glaring, are often perpetrated in what is considered to be the embellishment of grounds. I would be understood here, not as seeking to depreciate the efforts of the owners of small country places to make their surroundings more home-like by planting a few flowers, flowering and evergreen shrubs, &c. This is as it should be, only more of it is needed by our rural popu- hition, and much more migVt be done in that line at trifling expense. A short time since, the writer was called to visit a place where considerable expense had he<'n incurred in imjjroving the landscape. There was, previous to the iwpmvnnnil, a (ino lot of old cedars, every vestige of which had been removed. The grove had been cleaned up "spic and span," not an Azalea nor a Kalmia dared show a spray. The lawn was sharply defined, the flower-beds far too numerous and too nar- row. The herbaceous border was entirely ig- nored, of course, as being too anticjuated for the " modern style of gardening, you know." Some Abies excelsa had been planted singly within six feet of the drive ; and a few other shrubs, &c-, were dotted about here and there, looking very much out of place. A great deal had been done, much of which, however, would have been far better let alo.ie. In fact, we shall be making rapid progress towards our next Centennial, be- fore some of the grand natural objects thus ruth- lessly torn away can be re-placed in as noble a form. Yet this estate contains within itself all the diversity of hill and dale, were it availed of, to make the scene most beautiful. At theproi^er distance from the front piazza, where the drive could have been carried in a bold sweep ai^ound the brow of a hill, could have been placed some grand clumps of Geranium argenteum, Erian- thus Ravenna^, Yucca filamentosa and Y. glori- osa, Canna, Caladium es-^ulentum. Hollyhock, &c., &c. In connection with the above, could be used with charnfing eflect Juniperus, Retino- spora, Cupressus, Biota, Thuiopsis, &c. Away beyond these again should have been planted specimens of fine foliaged, weeping trees, &c., carrying the eye over a fine undulating surface to a higher hill beyond, skirted by a wood on the northern side, where might have been planted some fine clumpj of Abies, Pinus, &c., perhaps fringed by European Larch; and all this beauty might have been had for very little more than it cost to destroy that which pre- viously existed. As a country, we have some- thing yet to learn in Landscaping and in For- estry. Could not the Granges do something to induce farmers and others to plant a few trees annually, both for ornament and utility? Suppose the members of a Grange club unite to- gether and buy a few tliousands of— say Norway Spruce, of smallish size, and divide them pro- portionately. Being of somewhat rapid growth, if properly planted and attended to, the present generation would reap the benefit, Avhile those to come would bless the memory of those who ha I beautified their surroundings, and at the same time the country. 1877.] AND HOBTIGULTURIST. 99 THE WHITE WATER LILY. (Nymphaea Odorata.) BY B. MANN, RANDOLPH, MASS. If lovers of flowers only knew how easily the fragrant White Water Lily could be cultivated, we are quite sure these Lilies would be grown far more than many other less fragrant and beautiful flowers that take more time and trouble to cultivate. These Lilies once planted in a pond or small stream (they will bloom more profusely in shallow water) that does not entirely dry up in Summer, will need no further care, and will increase from year to year. People that have not the facilities for growing them in ponds and streams, can have their Lily gardens in tubs and aquariums where they can admire and gather the most fragrant and beautiful flower that grows on land or water. CULTIVATION. In Tubs. — For a tub, take a strong barrel, free from tar oil or salt, saw it in two, fill this one- third full with fine black garden soil, or meadow mud if handy, plant the roots in this mixture, covering them two inches deep, add water gently so as not to disturb the roots until the tub is full. This is all thecareneeded— always keep the tub full of water. Set this on a- brick or board platform in any place you desire. The tubs with their contents should be placed in a cellar dur- ing the Winter, kept from frost, and not allowed to entirely dry up. For Ponds and Streams — Tie a stone close to the roots, large enough to sink it, drop this into the pond or stream where you wish them to grow. For Aquariums. — Put in five inches of fine black loam, cover the roots one inch deep in this, and sift on fine sand enough to entirely cover the loam. MAGNOLIA GLAUCA. BY SAMUEL PARSONS, KISSENA NURSERIES, ■FLUSHING, N. Y. In the February issue of the Gardener's Monthly, I notice a very clear and definite an- swer, in the affirmative, to a query concerning the possibility of grafting Magnolia glauca on M. acuminata stock. Your statement is un- questionably correct, but since you do not seem to rest your position on positive experience, I should like to add a testimony that comes from actual observation. For years, I have been accustomed to see M. glauca grafted successfully on both acumin- ata and tripetela, to the great advantage of stateliness and general symmetry. Nor is it un- natural that an alliance should be made with facility in the case of two American species, when Japanese and Chinese Magnolias do so well on the same stock. Allow me to enter a plea for a wider appreciation of this sweetest, and in some senses best, of American Magnolias. No planta- tion of shrubs can afl'ord to be without its fresh and charming attractions. MAGNOLIA GLAUCA. BY T. C. MAXWELL, GENEVA, N. Y.« In the February number of the Gardener's Monthly, G. W. T. asks in regard to the M. glauca worked on M. acuminata, and you answer that you " know of no cases," " but think it would do well." Eemembering an article in the American Journal of Horticulture by Dr. J. P. Kirtland, I immediately turned to it, volume fix-st, page 177, and found it so very interesting, I can but think you will be glad to give it to your readers. Dr. K. says: — "A glauca standing in my grounds, started from a seed in 1842, is now (1S67) seven feet high. The trunk eighteen inches above the ground, measures six inches in circumference; and its top extends into several lateral branches. A dozen or two of inferior flowers are annually produced. Its aspect is that of an old and de- crepit shrub, unworthy of attention. " In beautiful contrast and contiguous to it, may be seen another glauca, with a large and spreading top, more than twenty-one feet high, with a body thirty-seven inches in circumfer- ence at its largest expansion. Its leaves and flowers surpass the others in size, numbers and perfection. During a period of about six weeks, in the months of June and July, it puts forth daily a profusion of pure white blossoms, the neat and chaste appearance of which by day, and the agreeable odor at evening, excite ad- miration. At the approach of night, the per- fume mingling with the foiling dews, is dissemin- ated a great distance along a thronged public thoroughfare, and elicits many exclamations of wonder and surprise, uttered in as many varied accents as Avere heard from the readers of the epitaph of ' Poor Yorick.' This tree is probably the largest specimen of the glauca in the Union, certainly in the more northern States; and it 100 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [^ April, illustrates both the feasibility mid the advan- tages of employinjj; the acuminata for the stock in propagating this species. It originated from a bud, cut from the seedling glauca just de- scribed, when that was four years old. The l)ud was inserted into a yoiuig cucumber tree of a similar age, in the Summer of 1846, similar soil and cultivation have been afforded to each. The one is a mere shrub that has already passed its maturity ; the other a good-sized tree, vigorous and healthy, animal ly extending as large a growth as in its early years." VARIOUS TOPICS. BY JOSIAH HOOPES, WEST CHESTER, PA. I am pleased to hear the Sciadopitys verticil- lata is succeeding so well in the vicinity of Boston, thus giving us incontrovertible evidence of its hardiness at the North. A specimen in my own collection, some ten years planted, has never been injured in the least. The Thuja Standishi, formerly Thuiopsis, is also equally hardy, and I think will form a very beautiful tree when well grown. Whilst on the subject of conifers, allow me to call the attention of planters to three of the newer species of Abies or Spruce: — A. Alco- quiana, A. polita, and A. microsperma, all of which are from Japan, and appear perfectly adapted to our climate. In addition to their hardiness, they are all unexceptionally beautiful and distinct. Please say to G. W. T., who inquires about grafting Magnolia glauca, that it succeeds well upon the M. acuminata, but is somewhat more difficult to work than most other species. The growth is greatly accelerated, and the foliage increased in size, at least for a few years after grafting or budding. The Castanopsis chrysophylla, like almost every Californian tree or shrub that I have tested, posi- tively refuses to live here for any length of time. It literally burns up beneath our hot suns. Even in the shade, some fungus spreads over the foli- age, and the shrubs rapidly shrivel up. The "Winter, however, puts a quietus on all; so it does not much matter about the Summer ills. I re- gret that it is so, for a more beautiful foliage I scared}^ know among our American shrubs. We have had Fuchsia procumbens for eight- een months past, but have so far been unable to bloom it. Perhaps now we may succeed with the older plants. NOTES BY CHARLES DOWNING. A(.iUIl.i;(.IA CAI.IIOK.NICA. Your correspondent, W. C. L. Drew, says thia variety has not yet been introduced, but Wm. Thompson, seedsman, of Ipswidi, England, sent me seeds of it some twelve years since, which grew and flowered freely, and is the same as described by Mr. Drew. SPIR.EA PALMATA. I received this of Thomas Hogg, Sr., of New York, over twentj' years since as Spiraea Ameri- cana, but soon after when in bloom a botanical friend, in looking over my collection, pro- nounced it S. palmata; it grows afoot higher than S. lobata, the spikes of flowers larger, of a brighter color, easily cultivated, and worthy of a place in any collection. ACOXITUM JAPONICUM. This is not very new. I grew it many years since ; it grows to the height of four feet, stiflf and erect; has palmated shining foliage; blooms late, and although desirable in a large collection, is not as showy as some of the earlier varieties. MAGNOLIA GLAUCA. G. W. T. asks what would be the effect of grafting M glauca on M. acuminata. I believe Dr. Kirtland, of Cleveland, Ohio, was successful in grafting and budding this and other kinds on the acuminata stock, and gave an account of his mode of performing it in the Journal of Hor- ticulture a few years since. I would recommend G. W. T., and other planters to obtain M. glauca longifolia, a seedling of the glauca, but more vigorous in growth, larger and more glossy foli- age, and more desirable every way, and should be more extensively planted as an ornamental tree. A LITTLE ALPINE GARDEN. BY MRS. C. S. JONES, MONROE, MO. For many years past "rock-work " and "rock- eries" have become so popular as a means of embellishing pleasure-grounds, that persons de- ciding to improve their surroundings, invariably attempt some arrangement of this kind as an aid thereto. " Rock . work ! " — "Save the mark!" Why, almost every absurd conglom- eration of stones, shells, rocks, burrs, roots, and (shall we admit it?), masses of crockery, glass, and china, that we see exposing their dry, parched sides to view, is dignified by the term; 1877. J AND HORTICULTURIST. 101 whereas nine attempts out of ten are mere abor- tions, as may be clearly proven, if we will only examine the subject and ascertain what we really mean by attempting this class of work. The object of rock-work certainly is, or should be, an imitation of nature ; by obtaining with proper soil and situation, such growth and exhibition of certain interesting plants, which in their wild, natural state resort to extremely rocky and stony places, seeking a subsistence ; where strong, rampant vegetation would stand no chance; by cultivating those lovely mountain- eers, which grow in all their delicate green- ness and brightness far above the limit of shrub- by and herbaceous vegetation, in regions where blasts of cutting wind and intense cold prevent their tiny heads from rising more than an inch or two above the earth. Now, such are the Alpines; and though the situations in which the Alpine flora luxuriates can only be copied on a very lilliputian scale in our American gardens, still the conditions in which they delight may be imitated to perfec- tion here, and it is from the fact of succeeding with a number of this class of plants that I feel anxious to urge their culture upon our flower lovers; for never will they find a specialty better worthy a trial, nor a pet that will repay them with such constant returns of beauty. The beds I am about to describe are appropri- ate alike for the wide area of the country lawn or the contracted court-yard of the city or suburban home; in the one case being extended into wide planes and sheltered nooks, high peaks and sunny knolls, with here a little bit of water, and there a rocky pathway, winding in and out at ''the foot of the mountain." Alpine shrubs and bushes grouped here and there on the mountain-tops, the sides and peaks of which may be " snoiorcapped " with " Spar.," while tiny Swiss chalets dotted about on the sides, or grouped together as a hamlet in the valley, may serve as bee-hives or bird-houses. Here by mak- ing wide slabs of stone, to overhang some min- iature lakelet, with sunny banks and shaded, little valleys, every sort of aspect or nook that could be desired for a particular plant is at hand, and thus vegetation of the most diverse charac- ter is accommodated within a very narrow space by merely preparing soil adapted to the wants of special plants. In the other case, a little bed is dug out to the depth of two feet, with an out- let from the lowest point to insure perfect drainage in this cavity. Coarse stones, lime or rubbish must be placed to a depth of from six inches to one foot; upon this arrange large stones, old stumps and trunks of trees, planted firmly on beds of garden soil or stiff loam. Leave many hollow spaces for the plants, into which pack a mixture of leaf-mould, clean sand, coarse gravel (or crushed stones) and peat (or if this is not obtainable, cocoa-nut fibre or refuse will answer), and a little good garden loam, or soil from an old hot-bed, making a coarse, gritty mixture, in which Alpines delight to grow. The requisites of health to these plants are pure air, bright sun-shine (during a portion of the day at least), thorough drainage, loose gritty soil and constant moisture. With these, your plants will gro-w luxuriantly, excepting during cold Spring or open Winter weather, when, being de- prived of their natural covering of snow, with our thaws and severe frosts, they are greatly injured ; but this evil may be remedied by fas- tening a sort of open frame across the bed and covering with canvas tacked to the top, forming an artificial snow. Around the edge of the bed arrange rustic stones and roots of various sizes, making as much pleasing diversity as possible, so as to raise the bed about two feet above the surround- ing turf. The large stones, slabs, trunks, &c., in the centre should' crop out from the soil in true rustic fashion ; of course any regular arrange- ment would tend to ugliness, as no one spot should resemble another, and the dip and con- nection of the stones with the soil should be so arranged that the soil will not become washed out with rain or watering. Here Sedums and Sempervivums, such Saxifragas as coesia Ro- chelliana, such Dianthuses as alpinus and pe- trseus, mountain Forget-me-nots, Gentians, little Spring bulbs, Hepatica triloba and a good, wide clump of the Iberis. Pinks will thrive here and do wonderfully well, while the blue tint of the foliage will form charming contrasts with the deep green of the " mossy Saxifrage." The Aubrietias will run up and down the chinks and form lovely mantles for the jutting rocks over which they will climb and ramble; Alyssum saxatile will round into a dense, impenetrable clump, while Arabis lucida, A. procurrens var., and Festuca glauca, with all the Oxalis, silvery Artemisias, dwarf Gnaphalium, Silene alpestris, Dianthus petrseus, Achillea tomentosa, Campan- ulas (dwarf), Erica carnea, Linaria alpina. Phlox verna, frondosa and stolonifera, Alyssum spino- sum, Veronica Candida and saxatilis. Cerastium 102 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [^ April, tomenlosum, Prinmla veris (cowslip); Bollis per- eniiis (English Daisy); double white daisy, and B. Victoria. On dry spots use the Echeverias, which, being natives of arid countries, will thrive best if planted in some hot, parched places, where anything else would fail. E. re- tusa floribunda, inetallica, glauca, rosacea, se- cunda splendens, seounda glauca, splendens and atropurpurea; Koniga (var.) (variegated sweet Alyssuni), in shaded spots Lysiniachia nuniniu- laria, Linaria cyinbilaria; ^^yosotis palustris, p. alba, M. senipcrllorens, M. dissitofolia ; Nertera depressa, one of the most charming of Alpine plants. The creeping, thread-like stems are thrown out in great profusion until a tangled mat is formed, which is covered with tiny dark green leaves, forming a dense tuft, on which the brilliant orange-scarlet berries rest, the rich fruit forming a striking contra.st to the foliage. Nier- embergia rivularis, another creeping beauty with lovely white flowers; N. gracilis; Othon- na crassifolia, of Sedum-like appearance, has small, yellow, tassel-like flowers borne in great profusion. Mikania violacea has striking foli- age of a purplish-green color and velvet-like appearance, with lining like crimson satin; a charming plant, which roots freely. Micromeria Dou'^lasii, mule pinks of various kinds. Mes- ein! ryanthemums, which will endure the hottest sun.shine, and grow in very shallow soil. M. cor- difolium, M. cordifolium variegatum, M. glau- cum, M. blandum, M. deltoidum, M. niti- dum, are all valuable for such beds, and once obtained, may be easily preserved during the Winter for use the ensuing season. The Ana- gallis is one of the most attractive of Alpine plants, and both grandiflora, coerulea and san- guinea will form lovely clumps. Calandrina grandiflora and umbellata will cover hot places with brilliant pink and crimson carpets, while the Cerastiums and other silver-leaved plants will form charming contrasts with Scypanthus elegans, Tagetes signata pumila, Veronica Sy- riaca and Euphorbia variegata. Fenzlia, Gram- manthus gentianoides, Gysophila muralis and pan icu lata. Of the Se(luin.s and Sempervivums, our lead- ing florists have good selections, and the best way is to procure the entire set for a specified price. The plants I have named are many of them not strictly Alpines, but of such character as to mingle beautifully together, and by exam- ining such catalogues as are published by our most reliable florists and seedsmen, it will be discovered which nuiy be raised reathly from seed and of which it is best to obtain plants. With these points carefully considered, the most charming results will ensue from such beds as I have here descril)cd; and there are huniheds and hundreds of dwellings in and around our cities, from the windows of which such little Alpine Gardens would appear attract- ive^and refreshing to an eminent degree. NOTES ON LITTLE KNOWN PLANTS. I5Y WM. S. CARPENTER, RYE, N. Y. I noticed in the December number of your valuable magazine an inquiry in regard to that beautiful conifera, Sciadopitj's verticillata. I imported a specimen of it fifteen years ago, and regret to say, after a struggle of some three or four years with our uncongenial wintere, it died, notwithstanding I had given it some pro- tection. I have not htd the courage to try it again. (You might venture again. — Ed.) I do not think it should be recommended as hardy, although it may succeed in some favored locali- ties ; like many other beautiful evergreens that 1 have planted, which have been and are still recommended as hardy. I regret that I could not have saved some of the following, whifh were well cared for, giving the most of them some protection, but nearly all have dis- appeared ; some did not survive the first winter, others struggled on for a few years ; but all must be rejected for the locality of Eastern New York. Abies grandis, quite distinct from lasiocarpa, Parsonsiana, or Lewi — the latter proves hardy^ Abies bracteata, Abies canadensis compacta, Abies Douglasii, Abies Morinda, Abies Pinsapo. This last beautiful evergreen I have tried several times, but shall have to give itjiip. Cedrus At- lantica, Deodara, Africana and Libani, all tender. Cephalotaxus drupracea, Fortuni and robusta — all dead. Cryptomereas japonica, elegans, For- tunii and nana — all beautiful, but not hardy. I imported twelve varieties of Cupressus, not one of them now alive. I found that by screening this variety from the sun, through March, I could preserve them. It is to be regretted this elegant variety of conifera is not more reliable. C. McNa- biana is perhaps the most hardy of the Cu- pressus. Most of the pines that I have tried prove hardy — the exceptions are, Australis, Tor- ryana, maritima, insignis, and perhaps tubercu- lata. Pinus Fremontiana, I regard as the hand- 1877.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 103 somest hardy pine of North America. Next I would place muricata and Coulteri. We have now had an opportunity of testing some dozen varieties of the beautiful Retinospora for a num- ber of years, and it is most gratifying to be able to say, that with one or two exceptions, they are as hardy as an oak ; ericoides needs some pro- tection when young. Two varieties lately intro- troduced, Retinospora pisifera lutescens and R. squarrosa glauca, are the most beautiful I have yet seen. Another beautiful class of small evergreens should be planted with caution — the Taxus. But two, out of some twenty varieties, which I have tried, can be relied on, Taxus can- adensis and Washington! — the last named is tipped with gold, and with me as hardy as an oak. Several others that are very beautiful, Taxus baccata aurea, Taxus elegantissima and Taxus japonica, and we may add cuspidata, with slight protection ; may be preserved. The Biotas are so handsome that it pays to give some of them a slight protection, otherwise most of them will suffer when young. Elegantissimum, I think the handsomest of all, and perhaps the most tender. Biota semper aurescens and Zuccarin- iana are of recent introduction, and with me nearly hardy, both beautiful and worth try- ing. Nearly all the Thuya occidentalis, I think are hardy, if we except the gigantea, which needs protection when young. Thuiopsis borealis, variegata and dolabrata passed through several Winters, and I had great hopes of these beautiful trees, but had to give them up. Not one is now left ; the same state- ment will apply to Libocedrus decurrens. This, would seem to be the dark side in experimenting with evergreens ; but I wish to say that there aj e two sides to this question, and I propose at a suitable time to give the other side, which is a bright side, and fully compensates for all that would appear to be disappointment in experi- menting with the beautiful Conifera, now obtain- able. One woid in regard to Sequoia gigantea : it does not give satisfaction ; a beautiful tree where it does well, but will not flourish here. I am speaking for Eastern New York, latitude about 41°. I notice an enquiry in your last issue in regard to the Arundo conspicua. I imported this last year, and think it promises to be valuable — quite as handsome as the Gynerium argenteum. and I think much hardier. I hope to flower the new Gynerium carmineum Rendatleri, the com- ing season. This was sent out^ by Van Houtte two years ago, with a fine description. The pani- cles measure more than two feet in length, are of a bright carmine rose color. The flower stems attain the height often feet, and are described as making a magnificent show, quite as hardy as Gynerium argenteum. There is another variety which I have ordered, described with foliage completely bordered with gold color. I hope to report favorably at some future time on this new Gynerium. Erianthus Ravennse is a very orna- mental grass, and when well established will, I think, prove quite hardy. [Mr. Carpenter's notes of his experience are valuable and welcome. It shows that people cannot plant these things under ordinary cir- cumstances, and yet feel sure of their living. It must not be forgotten that in a state of nature, evergreens are gregarious; growing together, they shelter one another. In the highest north- ern regions the young of pines spring up under the protection of other things. If put out in the open, exposed on all sides to the wind, the sun, and the weather in general, the hardiest of even these hardy things have a hard time of it. When large they can take care of themselves— when young they cannot. There are scarcely any of the kinds which failed with Mr. Carpenter, but which we have seen doing well, not only in his latitude, but in latitudes much further north. It is a question not of latitude, nor of temperature, but of protection from wind when small. By protection we mean not merely the placing of a few branches around a weak plant, but the pro- tection of dense masses of trees and shrubs. — Ed. G. M.] EDITORIAL NOTES. Pruning Conifer^.— A discussion is going on in the Belgian journals, as to whether ornot it will do to prune coniferse. An affirmative answer would have been given by any American gar- dener since the establishment of the Gardener's Monthly. We remember that an article in regard to pruning evergreens, in our first number created marked attention. There is no evergreen but is freely pruned now. The Japan Maples.— Mr. S. Parsons speaks well of the Acer Jap. sanguineum and A Jap. atropurpureum. Of the last we can say of our own experience, that it is an excellent addition to our list of ornamental trees. 104 TUB GARDENER'S MONTHLY \^ April, New Rosk, Beauty of Gf^azenwood. — Mr. Saul has a beautiful rhroino in liis Catal<)jj;uo. It is a yellow bud striped with criiusou. The Hepatica. — A remarkably beautiful blue variety of our uative Hepatica or Liverwort, is figured iu the Belykin Horticullnral Revieiv. Our lovers of herbaceous |)hiuts should examine our woods for new forms, — for there are jjenerally as good varieties from seeds sown by nature, as by the gardener, but they get crowded out. There are under culture, rose colored and white varie- ties, and double ones of all, though the double white seem very scarce. QUERIES. Magxolias.— W. F. B. says : — " I notice in the Gardener's Monthly for February, an inquiry about grafting the Magnolia glauca on the M. acu- minata. If you refer to the Horticulturist for 1857, p. 218, you will find a very interesting arti- cle from J. P. Kirtland, of Cleveland, Ohio, on the acuminata as a stock. I believe the article promised to follow on the methods of grafting, never appeared." LiiA' Culture.— We have the following letter from Messrs. Krelage it Sons, of Haarlem, Hol- land. As we could not lay our hands on the lists they refer to, we publish with pleasure their letter instead. " In the Febni.uy luuiibcr of your Monthly, at l)age 37, you give a note on a Belgium Lily cata- logue (we suppose it is Mr. Fraelmen's) which contains 75 sorts and three of them ofTered by the 1()(M1. Allow us to observe that we have sent you this Autumn our special list of Lilies, con- taining about 250 species and varieties, also quoted per piece, per dozen, per lUO and per 1000,and among which there are about40 quoted by the 1000. Our collection of Lilies is cer- tainly the largest and best assorted nursery col- lection in Euroi)e if not in the world. We edited this Autunni in English (with special American edition), French and German, a pro- visiona,l descriptive list, and we find that our notes have already been copied in several other lists. We sent you a copy of this set of cata- logues ( 320 a, 321 a, 322 a, 323 a ); perhaps you will find it useful to give a note of them in your paper. To the trade we publish separate cata- logue. Trade prices of Lilies for America are to be found in 318 a." pREEN fMoUSE AND MOUSE GARDENING. COMMUNICA 7 JONS. RHODODENDRON HOUSE. BY S. B. PAKSOXS, FLUSHING, LONG ISLAND. Some months since I expressed in your columns my opinion based upon an experience of some thirty years, that scarcely a dozen sorts of Rho- dodendrons could be pronounced absolutely hardy under all circumstances, and that many of the high colors exhibited at Philadelphia were not among those sorts. To that opinion I still adhere, notwithstanding an occasional success with highly colored sorts in ravines and sheltered places. Exceptions do not prove the rule, and the rule is that those sorts are not in this country reliable under all circumstances. My assertion is strengthened by the utterances and correspondence of friends in different sections who coincide with me in this position, and whose history of Rhododen- dron importations is a history of disappointments. The few sorts Avhich are perfectly hardy give us a variety of color and many charms, but we can- not afford to lose the exquisite tints which belong to a class formed by Concessum, Album, Lady Cathcart and others. I am frequently asked, how then can these be enjoyed ? Simply by protection in some shape, and this can be given most satisfactorily by a cheap house. No artificial heat is required, and only a protection from exciting sun and cold wind. I will describe the cheapest form I know; isn.] AND EOBTIGULTURIST. 105 those who are willing to erect a more costly structure can readily do so. I would give such a house a span roof with a pitch of 30° and rafters twelve feet long. The sides of the house should be six feet high and the centre twelve feet. The ground surface should be twenty feet wide, outside measurement, and in length fifty feet or more as desired. The sides can be formed of locust or cedar posts, set not less than four feet in the ground and four feet apart. The centre can be sustained by a ridge pole of planks or wall strip resting upon jjosts six feet apart. The rafters can be simple joists four feet apart, nailed on the ridge pole and on a plate which is itself spiked into the tops of the side posts. We thus have the finished skeleton of a house. It must now be covered in some way which will enable it to be conveniently stripped. Tongued and grooved shutters, six by twelve feet, with battens, can be laid upon the rafters and kept in place by common hooks and staples. It would be better i the tops of the rafters could be ploughed out a little to carry off the water which would fall between the shutters. The roof being thus formed, the ends can be covered in after the same manner in sections. On the sides, every third space can be covered in with a glass sash and the remainder with wooden shutters, it being borne in mind that protection from the excitement of light is a great aid to protection from cold. A little salt hay or other litter could cover the small space between the shutters and the ground. Every fine, still day ventilation will be needed, and this can be given by a door in each end, guarding however against sudden changes. Through the coldest Winter a house of this kind will be found a sufficient protection for all those Rhododen- drons which so charmed every one by their colors. In April, when danger from late frosts is not to be apprehended, the house should be completely stripped of all shutters and sash and left a simple skeleton. The plants will thus be fully exposed to the pleasant sun, and air, and influences of Spring, and will acquire strength for their subsequent blooming. Abovit a month later, when the flower buds are fully developed and show signs of bursting, the roof should be covered with shades of lattice work. The cheapest mode of making these shades is with furring strips or shingling lathe joining a frame four by six feet and plastering lath nailed across an inch apart. Those who wish some- thing nicer which can be painted, can have simi- lar strips sawed out at the mill and planed. This partial shading prolongs the season of bloom, allows the air and sifted sunlight to enter freely, and protects equally against the burning rays of a Summer sun, or the dashing torrents of a Summer rain, either of which in the open air Avill destroy the finest bloom in a single day. It is better than a tent because it is not so close for the observer, while it affords that subdued light which in a tent develops flower tints so charm- ingly. A covering of this kind during bloom would greatly prolong- the season of even those sorts which are entirely proof against the se- verest cold. A day of intense heat or a pouring rain cannot then destroy the pleasure for which a whole year has been waiting. When the bloom has passed, this shading should be removed and the plant thrown open to the sun, wind and rain. Without the sun, flower buds would not form readily, and it is a great mistake to plant Rho- dodendrons in the shade. If ivy or other fine climbers have been planted inside the posts at the side, they can now be twined around them, and if sufficiently luxuriant can be carried around the rafters or festooned from them. The rich, glossy dark green foliage of the Rhododen- drons will give pleasure during the Summer by its contrast with other shrubs, and the covering can be renewed again late in November, after a few good frosts have matured the wood and hardened the plants for their Winter's rest. This house may be varied to suit the taste of the builder, bearing in mind the three essential elements : — darkness, and protection for the dormancy in Winter ; shade for the bloom in Summer ; and open air and sun for the growth. A house of this kind can be made available for other plants. There are many who are fond of the Lau- rustinus Portugal Laurel, Araucaria, Evergreen Magnolias, Holly, and many other broad-leaved evergreens, which are hardy in England but tender here, ai.d who keep such in a greenhouse or cellar, planting them out on the lawn every year. The subterranean dampness of a cellar is unnatural and the influence of a greenhouse exciting. These evils and the frequent trans- planting are adverse to the production of good specimens. In a house of this character they could be allowed to remain, could develop into luxuriant and beautiful forms, would make a delightful promenade for all the members of a family, and charm all beholders by the beauty of its bloom and the richness of its foliage. 106 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY [/lpn7, THE DUCHESS OF EDINBURG ROSE. 1!Y SAMI;KI, S.MIlll, NKWl-OKI', K. I. I a ball of eartli witliout a free circulation of air. I I have rellected a great deal on this subject of I late, and have come to this conclusion, that our I dry atmosphere is "argument enough " in favor That tliere is a false Duchess of Ediiiburg | of drainage. Plants can be watered freely ; the Rose in tlie market I have proof, and to show j water percolates freely through the soil, the air you tlie dilTerence in the buds, I enclose you j follows and keeps the moisture suspended in the the true rose, also the false one. Tliese plants ' mass. were importeil by me from England. I i The above, Mr. Editor, are my views, but if I got twenty-throe of these in one hundred I have made any misstatements, I .shall be glad P^*^"ts. and thankful to be set right; neither am I too I believe that the false rose is a sport, as I do ' jirejudiced, or adhere too zealously to an old not know it, Tior can I find any one who does principle or custom to be convinced when a know it. However this may be, I would advise all who have the wrong variety, if like mine, to better one is otfered. I have neither taste nor talent for recriminating controversies, being con- preserve it; for when well grown it is a beautiful j vinced that those who resort to such quibbles, rose, as you will see by the bud sent. The ; manifest a disposition for a controversial tri- habit and foliage of the plants are very like umph more than for the elucidation of truth, the true Duchess. It differs only in color. [Mr. Smith is right, evidently. The one is a sport of the other, and propagators will have to watch itjust as they have to watch ColeusCha-! "EATING SMALL VEGETABLE OR GREEN- meleon and other things.— Ed. G. M.J HOUSES. BY AN OHIO LADY. DRAINAGE. BY RA.MBLER. There has been of late some writing, and a great deal of talking in regard to drainage, and without attempting to condemn or uphold the same, permit me to ask— does nature justify drainage? We are all aware that it is most essential in artificial culture to follow the exam- ples of nature, and we are also aware that no farmer would for a moment think of putting drainage under the top soil of his fields before planting grain, though perhaps many a grain- field would be benefited by judicious drainage. But, on the other hand, in what conditions do we find the most luxurious tropical vegetation ? Is it on hard, parched and half baked earth under the full rays of the meridian sun of Summer? No ! In situations moist and shaded, where the plants spring up annually among the decayed herbage of the previous season, when the de- composed mass is free and porous, allowing the accumulated moisture to pass off in season of growth. How is it possible for the air to circu- late if the pores are blocked with water, or where the ball is as hard as a lump of clay ; be- sides, the w'ater itself will not circulate through In the January number of the Gardener's Monthly I saw a communication in reply to some one having asked the expediency of warming a small vegetable-house with a coal stove, in an- swer to which it was stated, "that it would not be satisfactory." I will give a little experience of my own. Like many others, I long wanted a greenhouse, or more properly, a conservatory; but the finst obstacle which always arises is, the difficulty of heating a small house. With a conservatory attached to the dwelling there is always more or less dan- ger from heating by flues, and besides, they are extremely unsightly things. Heating by steam is too expensive. More than three years ago I determined to try one heated by a coal stove. My conservatory opens bj' a glass door directly from the sitting-room. It is a lean-to, 12x20 ft., looking toward the south and protected by the house on the north and most of the west side. I have wooden shutters made of flooring-boards to use in extreme weather, and it is heated by a base-burning soft coal stove. With care, there is but little dust. I have a cistern in the house, with a force-pump, hose, and sprinkler, which is very convenient, and it can all be watered in two minutes. This has been almost indispensa- ble hitherto, as I was obliged to depend upon 1877.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 107 sprinkling the floors, &c., for moisture, for of course the heat would naturally be dry. Last Fall I tried an experiment of having a galvanized iron circular tank of about twelve gallons capacity, placed back of the stove, with f-inch gas pipe attached to the tank and run- ning through one of the doors into the fire-pot of the stove, and with an elbow returning through the same door and passing under my little propagating bench six feet, and then com- ing back and entering the tank above the first pipe about eight inches. I thus have a body of water always hot — many times, with a large fire, nearly reaching the boiling point — which gives out moisture sufficient to keep the plants in good health, entirely free from red spider ; and the circulation in the pipes gives additional heat. It has given entire satisfaction throughout these unusually extreme winter nights. At night when the mercury goes to zero, our man awakens and stirs out the ashes and re-fills with coal about one o'clock, but ordinarily it needs only to be at- tended to late at night and early in the morning, and it has kept my tenderest plants safely. The mercury perhaps twice only has gone below 40°, and usually ranges from 40° to 60°. I do not pretend to keep " stove " plants, but, for miscel- laneous plants, I have no hesitancy in recom- mending my plan. I have now blooming "Passiflora princeps," "Thunbergia Harrisi," " Clerodendron Balfouri," and others, and I should like a white winter- blooming vine. Would I succeed with " Stepha- notis floribunda?" Dreer does not give it as a "stove," but he does Clerodendron B. Another experiment I have tried successfully. I take my little machine oil can and treat the " mealy- bug" to a drop of coal oil, which is sure, and so far, harmless ; even the Rex Begonias are uninjured by it. [We have great pleasure in giving this letter to our readers. It is just the sort of practical experi- ence hundreds want to know about. The success with the coal stove is particularly encouraging, as so many can have flowers this way to whom expensive heating arrangements are out of the question. Our correspondent, in sending the article, modestly asks us not to "put her in the paper," whatever we do with her experience, and we have respected her wishes accordingly. Stephanotis floribunda would hardly flower in Winter in such a house. Rhyncospermum jas- minoides, as a white climber, would lie better. — Ed. G. M.] LA BELLE CARNATION. BY H. E. CHITTY, BELLEVUE NURSERIES, PATERSON, N. J. In reply to Mr. Lonsdale's reference to my remarks on this plant, which appeared in the Gardener s Monthly, January, 1875, I believe I can truly say that I have no cause to change or reverse my opinion as then expressed. But all depends upon the manner in which the plant is grown — if stopped and pinched back and otherwise treated as the ordinary American varieties are managed for Fall and Winter flowering, it will not flower, but if allowed to grow its own way with simple training, or pro- vided with necessary support and ordinary liberal treatment in regard to soil and pot room, it will flower early in the season and abundantly, and when so grown and flowered, I have no hesitation in saying that it is the most perfect, largest and purest white Carnation that we have, and I believe all these good qualities are freely conceded it in England where it originated, and where it has prominently figured at exhibitions during the last two or three years. During 1875 we grew lai-ge numbers of this plant in 3, 4; 5, and 6-inch pots, and the plants of sizes to suit all kinds of trade. The smaller sizes were freely stopped to keep them within bounds for shipping purposes, as were also many of the plants in 6-inch pots. These last named that were left over with us, flowered sparsely dur- ing the following Spring, but plants in 6-inch pots that were not stopped at all, nor had their growth interfered with in any way, but were sup- plied with sticks and tied up, commenced to flower early in September, and flowered through- out the Fall,Winter and Spring ; they were in fact in flower long before Degraw as ordinarily treated commences to flower, and continued to flower through a period quite as extended. There exists quite a diversity of opinion regarding this plant, and as is usual in such cases those are best pleased who have been most success- ful with it. Of course a carnation that will not flower is utterly worthless, but I am fully con- vinced that if florists will take cuttings of this variety any time during the Winter and grow the plants through Spring and Summer in pots, giving good soil and pots not less than six inches in diameter and not stop the plants, and during the Winter keep them in a low temperature, say 40° or 45° as a maximum, they will have but little cause for complaint. In a high tempera- 108 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY \^ April, ture this Carnation makes a small, weak, wiry growth, and jjroduccs small flowers, ami of those quite few; but iii a low lein|terature as stated above, the ^rowtii is exceoilingly robust and short joiuted, the foliaire laru;e, of a rieh glaucous blue, and the flowers lar^e, perfect, and of the richest clove fragrance. I have gathered hundreds of flowers of this variety, each one a jierfc'ct rosette two and a half or three inches in diameter, and this, notwithstanding its having been tlescribed in some catalogues as "a variety having rather small flowers." As far as my expe- rience goes I And a high temperature injurious to the Carnations generally, but more particu- larly is this the case with the true, or perpetual flowering varieties, to which class the La Belle belongs, and I find tVie old variety called "La Purite," produces flowers of a much richer color, double the size and double the quantity in a temperature during Winter of 45° or 50° than they do in a temperature of 65° or 70°. Carna- tion growers cannot have failed to observe the great change which takes place in their planted out Carnations as soon as the cool dewy nights of August and September occur; they seem all at once to assume new life, making vigorous shoots and in flowering plants the brilliancy and size of the flowers are greatly increased ; after a while the plants are lifted and cither potted or planted out in the houses, and subjected to a high tem- perature during the coldest part of the year, and if we find a variety that will not flower freely and give the very best results under this unnatural treatment, how ready we are to pronounce it worthless. OBSCURED GLASS IN GREENHOUSES. BY GORDON LEVER, IRVIKGTON'-ON-HUDSON, N. Y. It may be worth while to say a word or two about obscured or semi-opaque glass in green- houses, though there is hardly any wish to stir up such a controversy among writers as was raised by the " Wild Goose Plum." — (This in capital letters, Mr. Printer, as it is going to be a good year for wild geese, perhaps ! hardy Rho- dodendrons, and kindred subjects.) It is hard to tell at present what is hardy among this princely class of plants, and the man who has capital, would do a real benefit to horticulture by careful experiments for a couple years up in this lati- tude with so-called hardy Rhododendrons, and give us some day the result of the trial — situa- tioti and everything else considered. But I am wandering from the subject, and scribbling over space may cause the Editor's hair to stand on end, like plants that don't know what to do with head-room in a dark corner except to straggle up to the light. Speaking about obscurity, I dont know of anything that takes the gloss and greenness out of bedding stuft" in such an insidi- ous way as ground glass. Roses sufter a little too, and their leaves look as if the gardener's unwel- come pet, the lively red spider, was around and on the rampage, though the jirevailing moisture forbids his mischievous inroads. It does very well over Camellias and hard-leaved stuff", where they have plenty of air-space and bench-room, though the rosy tints of some Azalias are aflected in an unexplainable way by the hazy light admitted. They grow and flourish cer- tainly, are seldom drawn, but there is an absence of that pure, healthy coloring to be found in pure sun-light and more fiivorable circumstan- ces. Callas and most white flowering stuff are not visibly discolored by the light through ground glass ; on the contrary, their whiteness seems to be improved; but fine foliage plants, Crotons, &c., get somewhat seedy in appearance and the streaks and markings are not so distinct and vigorous as under clear glass. Ferns, Palms, Begonias, &c., grow very well under obscured glass, but there is something unmistakable in their general appearance which is not favorable to the use of this kind of glass overhead. If it could be replaced by transparent glass on dark days and during the Winter months, the greatest objection to its use might be overlooked, but as this is out of the question, I would suggest that only a couple feet each side of the ridge pole be glazed with ground glass, the rest to the edges of the benches clear. This will tone down the violent mid-day heat of the sun in Summer, and admit nearly all the sunlight in Winter and Spring, when it is most needed. CALLA /ETHIOPICA. This plant is probably as well known as any thing that could be mentioned. Though not belonging to the Lily family proper, it is yet al- most universally known as the Calla Lily. It is found in almost every one's house, and is one of the main things grown by florists for Winter blooming; its spotless white spatha, or flower as 187Y.] AND HORTICULTURIST. 109 commonly called, making it most desirable for much of the cut flower work. In many parts of England the Callas are grown in the basins of fountains, remaining there Winter and Sum- mer, the water not freezing to the roots. Under this " take care of themselves " plan the flowers are unusually fine, and their great beauty and attractiveness when in flower can readily be imagined. It is customary here, so far as ob- served, to force a rest on the plants, by drying them off after flowering. For those who want fine large flowers, we think this is wrong, as larger ones could be had by keeping up a con- tinuous growth. Florists argue, and correctly, that they do not want large flowers of it, but smaller ones rather, as being suited to a greater variety of work; and so, in their case, the dry- ing off" is reasonable. But to those who wish to grow it to perfection, I would advise that they keep it continually growing. VERBENA RUST. BY MR. CHAS. HENDERSON, JERSEY CITY HEIGHTS, N. J. I send you to-day specimens of Fuchsia leaves aff'ected by " Verbena rust." I would have sent you Verbenas also, but I am glad to say that I can't find a single plant so affected. If j'ou will place the leaves under a microscope of any average power, — say 200 or 300 diameters, you will see the " mite " or insect. We have exam- ined scores of different kinds of plants, with the leaves having this rusty appearance, and have rarely failed to find the insect. It requires but little experience to determine at a glance the difference in the ravages of the " Aphis" or the "red spider" on plants and the "Verbena rust," for neither of the former are nearly so fatal to healthy growth, and are both more under control ; tobacco in almost any form being fatal to the "Aphis," while a moist atmosphere charged with sulphur from the pipes will subdue the "spider"; but neither of these, or any other remedy we have yet tried, seems to check the " rust," if it once gets a foothold. The only salvation, as far as we know, is prevention by the means stated in my communication in the January number of the 3Ionthly. We observed also in the case of Fuchsias, Penstemons, Phlox, and plants of a more hardy nature, that they are more subject to rust when grown in a high temperature than in a low one. For ex- ample, in endeavoring to propagate rapidly the new Fuchsia " Racemosa," it was placed in a temperature of 65° at night, when it began to assume the rusted appearance, and an examina- tion by the microscope showed it to be covered as was to be expected, by the " mite," similar to that to be found on Verbenas when rusted ; but on removal to a cooler house, where the temperature was 45° at night, in two weeks they became comparatively free from the disease. Thus it would seem (though in no way resem- bling the red spider, either in appearance or in its ravages,) its ravages like that of the red spider is lessened when at a low temperature- This assuming that the mite or insect is the primary cause of the rust. But this matter seems not yet finally settled. [Examining Mr. Henderson's specimens, we fail to see any connection between the " mite " and the disease. The parenchymatous masses are in many cases blackened, apparently by fungoid action, without any puncture of the epiderm, which would have been the case if an insect had operated just there. The appearance in this Fuchsia case is scarcely the same as in the Verbena, and we should not be surprised if it was caused by. another fungus. Only those skilled in these matters can decide on this matter, however. Prof. Farlow, of Boston, is the best investigator we have in this country and it would be well to send fresh specimens to him. — Ed. G. M.] STREPTOCARPUS RHEXII, BY BENJ. GREY, DEDHAM, MASS. A beautiful little Gesneraceous plant from the Cape of Good Hope, and although not of late introduction, well deserves general cultivation. The leaves are radical, a few inches in length, rough, and of a fresh green color. The flowers, which are produced singly on stems four or five inches high, are of a light blue, with stripes of a deeper shade; each flower forms a twisted seed vessel, from whence the name, streptos, twisted, and karpos, fruit. The seed pods are four or five inches in length, of a brownish green color, and with the flowers and leaves the contrast is pretty, and the appearance of the whole decidedly neat. The plant is herbaceous, and therefore requires to be grown, and will flower all the year. It likes heat and moisture, and should h6 potted in a rich, sandy compost. Propagated from seed, which it produces in abundance. 110 THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY \^AprU, EDITORIAL NOTES. ipreenhouse. We suppose no one has seen it Kccd in Amorica. It is a very good late winter- Amkki.an AM. Italian T.HKRusKS.-A cones- bloon.i.ij; grocnl.ousc clin.l.Vr. Wo have few pondontoftho(?r.n/