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7^ THE

California Horticulturist

AND nrr-M*

FLORAL MAGAZINE.

C. STEPHENS, Editor.

VOLUME III. 1873

PUBLISHED BY JOHN H. CARMANY & CO.,

No. 409 Washington Street, opposite the Post Office, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.

rl

INDEX.

PAGE.

A

Absorption of Moisture by Leaves 167

Adiantums '. 365

Agapanthus 201

Agreements, Put them in Writing 264

Agricultural Show 356

Ailanthus, Perfume of 338

Alfalfa as Hog-feed 257

Alfalfa for Cattle 234

Alfalfa Hay, How to Cure it 305

Algre, Plain Directions for Collection of . . . 14

Althsea frutex 162

Amaryllis 300, 361

American Pomological Society 179

American Pomological Society 212

American Plants in Great Britain 85

American Steam-plows 206

Ammonia for Verbenas 270

Ancient Farms 106

Ancient Timber 161

Announcement for 1874 375

Annuals 72

Ants' Nests in Gardens 260

Aphides, or Green Fly 196

Aplectum, Flowering of 364

Apocynum as a Fibre-plant 282

Apples in Plaster 224

Apple-worm in California 100

Acpiarium 247

Arbutus, or Strawberry-tree 75

Arranging Flowers in Beds 207

Asparagus and Manure 371

Asparagus, Medical Value of 158

Auricula, (Primula auricula) 136

Australian Method of Cooling Water 296

Azaleas and Bhododendrons 153

Balloon Vine 301

Banana Culture 146

Banana, The 36

Barn-yard Manure, Value of. 195

Bay District Horticultural Society, Export

of Secretary . . 376

Bay District Horticultural Society, Spring

Exhibition ". 180

Bay District Horticultural Society, Third

Annual Exhibition 340

Begonia 347

Benzoin 239

Boracic Acid, Pieserving Action of 100

PAGE.

Botanical and Zoological Farms 77

Blood Globules 191

Books, Notices of 25, 60, 122

Boucpiet, John Muir's Idea of 2-48

Bouquets in Paris 238

Bulb Culture in Holland 100

Cabbage-worms 159

California Chestnuts 187, 209

California Ferns 359

California Flower Season 235

Calif ornia Pears, a Bunch of 338

California Seedling Pears 277

California Shad 31

California Wild Flowers, (Illustrated) 167

Camellia Culture; Use of Lime Water 100

Camellia Japonica, Cultivation of 175

Campanula turbinata elegans 355

Camphor 274

Camphor-wood 86

Caoutchouc, or India-rabber 239

Carnations, Eooting Cuttings of 355

Catalogues, etc. 25, 60, 90, 123, 155, 249, 317 378 Centennial Commission U. S., Address by. 22

Charcoal as a Purifier 36

Charcoal on Flowers ; - . . . 220

Cherry-trees 185

Chiccory 221

Choice Grapes; Cultivation of under Glass, 153

Cinchona Cultivation 138

Cinchona in Bengal 76

Cinchona Tree 185

Cinchona Tree 340

Cinnamon 163

Cissus discolor 292

Cockspur Thorn 268

Coffee 225

Coffee-making 224

Colletia Bictonensis 23

Colorado Desert as an Laland Sea 45

Compost Heaps 222

Cork Oak 96

Corn, Prolific Joint 337

Correspondence 30,|66, 99, 128, 286

Cranberry Culture 226

Crops 38

Cut-flowers, Arrangement of 44, 67

Cucumber, Hints about Growing 309

Cultivating Flowers 74

Cure for Eheumatism 189

Cut-flowers, to Freshen 332

INDEX.

PAGE.

Cuttings, How I Strike them 256

Cuttings, to Manage 159

Deciduous Flowering Shrubs, Pruning of. . 10

Deodorizer, a Simple 195

Desirable Plants of Eecent Introduction . . 230

Diadem Pinks 67

Discoveries, Eecent French, in Horticulture 49 Dried Fruit, The Alden Process 283

Eastern Quail 19

Editorial Gleanings, 31, 66, 99, 129, 159, 189

220, 256, 288, 323, 352.

Editorial Portfolio, 21, 55, 87, 119, 151, 178, 215

El Espiritu Santo 298

Ericas, Cultivation of 112

Eyes in Deep-sea Creatures 290

Exchange Table, Our. .24, 59, 90, 122, 318, 379

247, 280, 309, 340.

F

Faded Flowers, To Eestore 13

Fairs and Exhibitions. ..59, 89, 121, 154, 250

282, 309, 340.

Farm, the Largest in England 258

Favors Eeceived, 25, 61, 91, 154, 186, 249, 317

344, 379.

Fecundity of Fishes 323

Female Flowers, Double Fertilization of. . . 288

Ferns and Fern Culture 17

Fern Culture , 165

Fern-pressing 279

Ficus repens 290

Filberts 225

Filters and Filtering 286

Fish, Cultivation of in Ditches and Ponds, 337

Fish Culture 177

Fishes, Cross-breeding of 68

Fishing, Influence of on Character. 114

Flavoring with Leaves 174

Flax, Antiquity of 324

Flax-seed, New Use for 211

Flora of California 124

Floral and Vegetable Essences for Perfume, 195

Floral Curiosity 67

Floral Prizes for the Poor 354

Flowering Bulbs, Our Favorite. 1

Flowers in Beds, Arrangement of 20

Flower Borders, Preparation of 107

Flowers, Preserving in Alcohol 124

Flowers, Season of 129

Floriculture 131, 292

Flower Talk 105

Flower-talk — Honeysuckles, (Poetry) 149

Flowers and the Flower-trade 161

Flowering Plants, Old 53

Flowering Shrubs, Choice, for the Garden, 37

Flowering Shrubs 368

Flowers, Odors of 269

Foliage Plants 372

Forest Planting a Source of Wealth 50

Forests, The Way they Go 132

PAGE.

Forest Trees 221

Forest Extermination, Eesult of 223

Forest Leaves, Value of 225

Forest-tree Culture 235

Forests and Eain-fall 240

Forests and Freshets 306

Forests, Indian and German 369

French Idea, a Good one 292

Fruit, Eules for Preserving of 34

Fruit, Thinning of 35

Fruits, Drying of 79

Fruit-growing, Alden Process 199

Fruit in our Booms 242

Fruit-drying Process, a New One 271

Fruit Trees" at Planting Time 328

Fruit, Eotting of 339

Funeral Flowers in New York 35

Fuchsia, How it Acquired Celebrity 66

Fuchsias from Seed 163

Gamboge 239

Garden, The Parlor, (Illustrated) 374

Garden, How to Make 149

Garden Adornments 279

Garden Stakes, To Preserve 260

Garrya elliptica 346

Geraniums 105

Gladiolus, How to Grow It 295

Glass Houses, Shade for 204

Glass, Substitute for 260

Golden Morning Glory, (Illustrated) 229

Grass, When to Cut It 323

Grafting Geraniums 65

Grafting Wax 226

Grain of Mustard, A, (Poetry) 46

Greenhouses, Simple Method of Warming, 130

Greenhouse Plants, Cultivation of 141

Green Fly, Snuff for 196

Grouping of Plants 283

Grouping Trees, etc 301

Guano Islands 224

Gum Plants 239

Gunpowder for Tent Caterpillars 22

Gutta Percha 239

Gutta Percha Cement 299

Hanging Baskets 293, 331

Hard and Soft Water 230

Hard Lime Floors 290

Hardhack 256

Hazel, (Illustrated) 237

Heaths, Cultivation of 112

Hedges 172, 267

Hedges, Native 7

Honey-locust Hedge, How to Plant It, etc. 367

Horse-radish, To Get Tender 232

Horticulturist 21

Horticultural Meeting 33

Horticultural Spring Exhibition 151

Horticulture as a Profession for Ladies. . . 170

Horticulture, Discovery in 194

Hoteia (Spiraea) Japonica 348

House Plants, Culture of 16, 197

How to Make a Garden 112

INDEX.

Hyacinths, Treament of, after Flowering . 130 Hyacinths in Sponge 11

I

Indian Wine 330

India-rnbber 226

Influence of Forests on Climate 88

Insects on House Plants 116

Insects in Gardens, to Exterminate 239

Insects in Orchards 246

Interesting News for Ladies 322

Irish Bogs 36

Irrigation 55, 272

Irrigation in the Great San Joaquin Valley,

(Illustrated) 180

Ivy for Drawing-rooms 46

Jerseys, The 258

K

Kangaroo Vine of Australia 331

Knots on Plum-trees 199

Landscape, Upon the Term "Natural "as

Applied to 373

Landscape Gardening 278

Laughing Plant 190

Leaf, The, What it Does 146

Leaves, Importance of. . -. 132

Leguminous Crops 131

Lilium Washingtonianum 124, 153

Lily of the Valley, ( Convallaria) 262

Lime, The 364

Ml

Madrona Tree, (Illustrated) 47

Magnolia grandiflora 282

Manure and Water 344

Medical Botany of California 33

Mesquite Gum 223

Meteorological Kecord, 164, 196, 228, 260, 324 356, 384.

Mildew on Vines, Eemedy for 259

Milk under the Microscope 291

Millet as a Forage Plant 242

Monarch of the West Strawberry 322

Moss, Clearing of from Fruit Trees 158

Mulching 246

Mushrooms, How to Cook 86

Mushrooms, Cultivation of 210, 244

N

Native Hedges " 7

Neglected Flowers 41

Neglected Source of Food 162

Neglected Plants 189

PAGE.

New Fodder 260

New and Bare Plants, 25, 61, 91, 123, 148, 155

251, 345. New Fruits and Vegetables, 27, 62, 93, 123, 346

Notice of Books 25, 60, 122, 154

Nudibranchiates, Bemarks on (Illustrated) 208

o

Obnoxious Postal Law, Eepeal of 22

Olive Oil, Testing of 291

Olives, Old Avenue of, (Illustrated) 335

Olive Culture 117

Oranges, Collection of 291

Orchid, The Best 291

Orchard Grass, Permanence of 252

Ornamental and Forest Trees for Farms . . . 336

Osage Orange 194, 228

Ostrich Feathers, 307

Outline and Form of Certain Old Trees. . . 265 Oxalic Acid, Effect on Seed 228

P

Pampas Grass 131

Pansy, New Style of 252

Peach Fungus 271

Pears, Bipening of. ... . 324

Peppermint, (Mentha Piperita) 365

Perfumes 227

Petunias, Training of 328

Pine Leaves 291

Phosphorescent Light of Several Plants . . 12

Plant Trees 204, 226

Plants, Odors of 104

Plants, How to Water 252

Plants for Vases 43

Plants for Parlor or Conservatory 33

Plants for Hanging Baskets 334

Plants as Doctors 353

Plants in the Sleeping Boom 353

Plantain, The 355

Planting Slips 384

Poison Oak 36

Poisonous Plant 162

Pond Lily, The, (Poetry) 105

Pond Lilies, How to Grow 262

Potentilla fruticosa 256

Primula Japonica, Germination of. 100

Progressive Agriculture 43

Pruning Boses 300

R

Bain-fall in San Francisco, 1849 to 1873,

(Illustrated) 164

Bain-fall of San Francisco 205, 248

Bamie and Jute 32

Beport of Fruit Market, 29, 64, 97, 136, 157

187, 218, 254, 284, 319, 349, 381.

Eeports of Societies, 24, 58, 89, 121, 154, 179

Eef'use of Tanneries 191

Bose Hedge, English 140

Boots as Manure 289

Boots, Mode of Life of 372

Bose Insects 292

Bose, The, and its Legends 308

INDEX.

PAGE.

Koses in England 196

Roses, Good List of 238

Roses, Among the 275

Rural Adornment 160

Rural Homes of California, (Illustrated), 39 69, 101, 147.

Rough Cork for Rustic Work 99

Rust, To Prevent 177

Russian River, Changes in 35

s

Sea Kale 308

Select Plants, 8, 83

Shade Trees for Nothing 131

Sheep in Orchards 356

Sheep in Vineyards 192

Shellac 207

Siam, Fruits of , . . . 327

Silica and the Vegetable Kingdom 118

Simple Floral Ornament 186

Siphon, Facts about 304

Skeleton Leaves, Preparation of 20

Sowing Seeds 233

Sponge on the San Diego Coast 166

Sponge Fishing 75

Sponges on Coast of Florida 171

State Agricultural Society's Fair 313

Straw for Feed, Value of 12

Struggle for Life among Plants 323

Sulphur to Kill Vermin 222

Summer-flowering Bulbs 133

Sumac, Venetian, (Rhus Cotinus) 136

Sumac, and How it is Cured 333

Surface Soil, Management of 240

T

Tamarind Tree, . 151

Tea 345

Tea of Great Value 192

Thermometer, The 258

Timber Lands around Lake Tahoe 245

Timely Hint 68

Tomatoes Growing from Cuttings 194

Torrey, Dr. John, Botanist, Obituary of . . 110

Transportation of Milk. 356

Tree Lemon Verbena 283

Tree Transplantation 160

Tree Seeds, Sowing of 214

Trees and Rain 214

Trees in Home Grounds 273

Trees, Make them Branch Low 195

Trees, to Protect 227

Trenching 245

Trout-breeding on Long Island 354

u

United States Centennial Commission, Ad- dress by 22

PAGE.

V

Variety in Our Flower Gardens, More of it, 325

Vase of Flowers for the Shah 339

Vases and Vase Plants 104

Vegetables and Salads, English View of. . . 52

Vegetable Perfumes, Effect on Health 250

Vegetable Instincts 289

Verbenas, Culture of 94

Victorian Trees 109

Viola, Perpetual Yellow 211

Vine-disease Spreading in Portugal 244

Virtues of Borax. 193

w

Warm Water for Plants 32

Waste Places, Restoring of 132

Watering 42

Water Rights 129

Watermelon Vinegar 270

Water Cress 202

Weeds 203, 236, 263, 303

Weeds in Lawns 228

Weigela Rosea 120

Wheat Yield 248

Wild Rice in Minnesota 258

Wilder, Marshall Pinckney, (Illustrated) . . 296

Wines and Brandies, How to Age 223

Wisteria versus Flies 100

Wood, Durability of 153

Wood, Hardness of 34

Woods, Hard and Ornamental of Pacific

Coast 81, 115

Woodward's Gardens, 24, 58, 120, 154, 185, 215

249, 317, 344, 378. Work for the Month, 27, 62, 95, 125, 155, 186.

216, 253, 318, 347, 379.

Xylophagous Marine Animals, Remarks on,

(Illustrated) 142

Y

Yew, Flowering in Winter 352

Young Trees, Butchering of 68

Yuccas as Ornamental Plants 305

z

Zanthoxylon frceineum for Hedges 94

Zinc Labels 193

THE

h v wgw

AND FLORAL MAGAZINE.

Vol. TIL

JANUARY, 1873.

No. 1.

OUR FAVORITE FLO WEEING BULBS.

BY F. A. MILLEE.

Year by year our people show a grow- ing appreciation of flowering bulbs; and although, the simple treatment needed •by many of these favorites is as yet a mystery to some, it is gratifying to see that others have met with marked suc- cess. I have seen in some collections (particularly in those of our lady ama- teur-gardeners), magnificent spikes of Hyacinths, beautiful clusters of Narcis- sus, Cyclamens covered with their nod- ding gems of white or purple, and Lilies, Amaryllis, Tulips, Ranunculus, Anemones, Gladiolus, Diclytras, Glox- inias, Tigriclias, etc., all grown with re- markable success, and worthy objects for the admiration of their lady friends, who doubtless determine to follow the example by adding some of these gems to their own collections of plants, which without some of the varieties above named, are certainly very incomplete.

But a few years since, our florists and seedsmen imported flowering bulbs in large quantities, but could not find a ready sale for them, and the business of importing bulbs proved very un- profitable. Tjhis could not be expected to be otherwise, when it is taken into

Vol. Ill— 2.

consideration that in a new and really undeveloped country, floriculture, as with all industries and pursuits, must go through the various stages of devel- opment. Flowers, although dearly loved by both old and young, as our surroundings will now testify, are yet considered by many of our wealthy men as very unnecessary luxuries, and are planted and paid for in many instances merely for appearance sake. It is not surprising that to such men a pine, a sunflower or a poppy seems more valu- able than a hyacinth, a snowdrop or a lily of the valley. It is the size of the thing, the show that it makes, the quan- tity for the small amount of money in- vested, that has hitherto been the prin- cipal consideration with our moneyed men. Thanks, however, to the ladies, who have gradually inaugurated a new order of things, and who have them- selves begun to realize the pleasures and delights to be derived from the care of plants, which offer new and varied delights through the different seasons of the year — in the garden, the con- servatory or in the window.

Bulbous-rooted plants vary as much as all other plants in their time of flowering ; while some may be had in bloom during the winter months in the

0

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

conservatory or in the window, others will not flower until late in the autumn.

The bulbs which maybe planted now, in order to have them in bloom during the early part of the coming year, are :

Hyacinths, very full instructions for treatment of which were published in the Horticulturist in the January num- ber of 1871. Hyacinths may now be planted in the open ground, and may be expected to flower in March and April. Before planting, the soil should be manured and well worked over ; plant one and a half to two inches be- low the surface, and keep clean from weeds. Hyacinths are perfectly hardy. If planted in pots, for the purpose of having them flower early, the bulbs should be planted so as to be just covered by the soil. After planting, the pots should be set in a dark but moderately warm place, where roots will be formed before the leaves develop themselves. Under ordinary circum- stances, from three to four weeks in a dark room will be sufficient. When bringing them into the light, place them in a warm situation, and give a liberal supply of water, and in thirty days after removing them into the light, they may be expected to flower. I pre- fer covering the pots, containing the bulbs, to the depth of at least six inches in sand or leaf-mould, for about thirty days, in order to bring foliage and the flowerstocks to perfection at the same time.

If Hyacinths are grown in glasses, good strong bulbs should be selected, the water should be changed at least once a week, and it. will prove advan- tageous to keep them in a dark and moderately warm room for at least two weeks.

I prefer single Hyacinths to the double varieties ; their flowers will gen- erally come out more perfect, and the

spikes fuller and more compact; the single varieties are also more fragrant.

Tolips come into flower later than Hyacinths, and require more warmth and less moisture. They are not so well adapted for pot culture, although I have seen very fine specimens grown in pots, under ordinary treatment ; the pots for Tulips should be of greater depth, and the bulb should be planted deeper, say, from three to four inches below the surface. They should be planted in a warm situation. Tulips do not require much manure, but the soil should be worked to greater depth even than for Hyacinths.

The Cyclamen is one of my favorite bulbs, but it is only adapted for the conservatory or the window, where it will always be found blooming from November until May, and even later, after which time it should be allowed to rest, receiving only sufficient moisture to keep it from shrinking. During the time of flowering a liberal supply of water should be given, and partial shade is beneficial. One-third of the bulb should be within the soil, and two-thirds of it above. I have a good number of varieties in bloom now, the best of which I have raised from seed, which was planted a year ago. The young bulbs are now producing an abundance of charming blossoms of various colors, highly valuable for fine bouquets and baskets of flowers.

The Narcissus family is grown here without any difficulty, to great perfec- tion, both in the house and in the open ground ; some of them are highly per- fumed and are particularly attractive. If planted now, we may have them in bloom in February in the house, and in March in the open ground. Some of the varieties are popularly known as Jonquils ; others as Daffo- dils; double and single, white and yel-

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

low, some having white flowers with a red cup-like centre; they present a great diversity, and are both effective and pleasing in groups and as single plants, wherever they grow.

Anemones are not as frequently met with as cpuld be desired, yet they are a most interesting and valuable class of plants, and as easily cultivated in pots as in the ground. We may have them in flower here from March until July. The flowers are showy, and among the various colors we find blue, white, red, violet, rose, yellow and striped, both double and single. The bulbs should now be planted two inches deep in well prepared soil.

The Ranunculus, also, is another valuable bulbous-rooted plant, which should be planted now, in order to have it bloom early. The treatment is the same as that required for the Anemone.

There are many other bulbs which should not be withheld from our gar- dens and conservatories as early and charming flowerers, but I shall postpone their description to some future time.

NATIVE HEDGES.

BY DR. A. KELLOGG.

I) uring the twenty-four hours last past, two gentlemen of the press — no wise in communication — have inquired, ' ' What ^aative shrub would be most suitable for a hedge ? " Taking this timely query as -perhaps indicative of a public desire for information, we pen our answer, given on the spur of the moment. The most feasible for general purposes ap- pears to be the White Thokn, (Gea- nothus incanus), for the following reas- ons: It is a stout, robust and rapid grower, very tough and of rigid resist- ance, somewhat thorny, as the popular name indicates ; bears cutting back to

thicken, half hacking and weaving, and trims well ; is not apt to die out, singly or in patches, its vitality being most remarkable — cut even with the ground, it springs up speedily, and repairs it- self in two or three years, having such firm hold of roots upon the ground, as to require bonfires to exterminate them. Managed with ordinary care, it can be relied upon to turn both large and small cattle. In its native state, it grows from five to ten feet, and in some localities fifteen. This shrub has a wide range, from the coast, in this vicinity, south, to 7,000 or 8,000 feet on the Sierra Nevada Mountains ; hence, well suited for very general use.

For many years we have collected the seed for culture, as an ornamental shrub. A word or so of detailed de- scription may be allowed in addition : The stem or trunk is pale white, with greenish tinge; smooth bark; twigs numerous, almost as white as snow; leaves crowded, egg-shaped, blunt, and slightly heart-shaped at the base, light green above, with a soft velvety bloom most pleasing to the eye; whiter be- neath, thick and leathery; flowers white, in clustered bolls or heads, from thick spurs, lateral or terminal, but not re- markable for fragrance. The seed is somewhat triangular, minutely worty and sub-three-horned ; ripens from first to last of September. It has also a desir- able disposition to spread its branches, and naturally arches off and interlaces. This species, unlike ..many Geanothi, is never browsed on by cattle, and, there- fore, needs no protection in its incipient growth. Found on dry mountain knolls and in alluvial lands of creeks, etc. It would seem to suit well the river and valley lands. Should any choose a trim, erect grower, this evergreen might give place to others equally ornamental, but less useful.

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

SELECT PLANTS

(Exclusive of Timber Trees) readily eligible for Victorian Industrial Culture, loith Indications of their Native Countries and some of their Uses — an Enumeration offered

BY BABON FEED. VON MTJELLEE.

[Continued from page 354 of November number.]

Boehmeria nivea, Gaudiehaud.* — The Rarn.ee or Rheea. Southern Asia, as far east as Japan. This bush furnishes the strong and beautiful fibre woven in- to the fabric which inappropriately is called grass-cloth. The bark is soft- ened by hot water or steam, and then separated into its tender fibres. The best is obtained from the young shoots; it is glossy, tough and lasting, combin- ing to some extent the appearance of silk with the strength of flax. The ordinary market value of the fibre is about £40 per ton; but Dr. Royle men- tions that it has realized, at times, £120. The seeds are sown on manured or otherwise rich and friable soil. In the third year, or under very favorable cir- cumstances even earlier, it yields its crops, as many as three annually. The produce of an acre has been estimated at two tons of fibre. This latter, since Kaempfer's time, has been known to be extensively used for ropes and cordage in Japan. Our rich and warmest forest valleys seem best adapted for the Ramee, as occasional irrigation can be also there applied. In the open grounds of Victoria it suffers from the night frosts, although this does not material- ly injure the plant, which sends up fresh shoots, fit for fibre, during the hot season. The plant has been culti- vated and distributed since 1854, in the Botanic Garden of Melbourne, where it is readily propagated from cuttings, the seeds ripening rarely there. Cordage of this Boehmeria is three times as strong as that of hemp. Other species require to be tested, among them the

one which was recently discovered in Lord Home's Island, namely, Boehmeria calophleba.

Boronla. megastigma, Nees. — In West Australia on margins of swamps. This remarkable bush is recorded here as an emblem of mourning, its external black- ish flowers rendering it especially eligi- ble for graves. Industrially it interests us on account of its powerfully fragrant blossoms, for the sake of which this bush will deserve to be cultivated. The scent might be extracted by Mr. Bo- sisto's process.

Borrago officinalis, L. — South Eu- rope, Orient. An annual herb, occa- sionally used for medicinal purposes or as an admixture to salad.

Brabejum stellatifolium, L. — South Africa. The nuts of this shrub are edible, resembling those of our Maca- damia ternifolia, to which also in foliage and flowers Brabejum is closely allied. The nuts are also similar to those of the Chilian Gruevina Avellana.

Brassica alba, Visiani. — (Sinapis alba, L.) — White Mustard. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia. An annual. The seeds are less pungent than those of the Black Mustard, but used in a similar manner. The young leaves of both are useful as a culinary and antiscorbutic salad. Dr. Masters enumerates Brassica Chinensis, B. cli- chotoma, B. Pekinensis, B. rarnosa and B. glauca among the Mustards, which, undergo cultivation in various parts of Asia, either for the fixed oil of their seeds or for their herbage. From 15 lbs. to 20 lbs. of seeds of the White Mustard are required for an acre. In the climate of California, similar to ours, 1,400 lbs. of seeds have been gathered from an acre.

Brassica nigra, Koch. (Sinapis nigra, L. ) — The Black Mustard. Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia. An annual.

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

9

The seeds, simply crushed and then sifted, constitute the Mustard of com- merce. For medicinal purposes seeds of this species are preferable for sina- pisms and other purposes. In rich soil this plant is very prolific; and' in our forest-valleys it is likely to remain free from the attack of aphis. Chemical constituents: A peculiar fixed oil, crys- talline sinapin, the fatty sinapisin, nry- ron-acid and myrosin.

Beassica oleeacea, L. — An annual or biennial coast plant, indigenous to vari- ous parts of Europe. It is mentioned here, with a view of showing that it might be naturalized on our rocky and sandy sea-shores. From the wild plant of the coast originated various kinds of Cabbages, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brus- sels SiDrouts, Kail, Kohlrabi, etc. Other races of this species are collectively represented by Brassica Rapa, L. (B. campestris, L.), the WildNavew, yield- ing most of the varieties of Turnips, same with other cultivated forms trans- ferred to us from ancient times. Again, other varieties are comprehended with- in Brassica Napus, L., such as the Swedish and Teltower Turnips, while the Rape seed, so important for its oil (Colza), is also derived from a form of B. Napus. The Rape should be pro- duced here as an agrarian produce, giving a rapid return, whenever it should remain free of aphis. The hardier turnips could be produced on our highest Alps, as they are grown still within the Arctic circle, and, according to Dr. J. Hooker, at a height of 15,000 feet in the Himalaya Mountains.

Betomes embellatus, L.— The Flower- ing Rush. Europe, North and Middle Asia. This elegant perennial water- plant is mentioned here more for its value in embellishing our lakes and watercourses than for the sake of its roots. The latter, when roasted, are

edible. The plant would live in our subalpine rivulets.

Beomes exioeoides, Humboldt* (B. Schraderi, Kunth. ) — Here called the Prairie Grass. From Central America it has spread over many parts of the globe. The writer saw it disseminated in the mountains of St. Vincent's Gulf as early as 1847. It is one of the rich- est of all grasses, grows continuously and spreads readily from seeds, partic- ularly on fertile and somewhat humid soil, and has proved as a lasting and nutritious fodder-grass or pasture-grass one of our best acquisitions.

Beoessonetia papyeieeea, Ventenat. — The Paper Mulbery. Islands of the Pacific Ocean, China, Japan, perhaps only truly indigenous in the last- named country. The bast of this tree or shrub can be converted into very strong paper. It can also be used as a textile fabric ; furthermore, the fabrics made from it can be dressed with lin- seed oil for waterproof coverings. In cultivation the plant is kept like an osier. The leaves can not be used for silkworms. European fabrics have largely superseded the clothing made of this j)lant in the South Sea Islands.

Caesaepenta GiLEiEsn, Wallich. (Poin- ciana Gilliesii, Hooker. ) — La Plata States. This beautiful hardy bush can be utilized for hedges.

Cajanes Ixdices, Candolle. — The Cat- jang; in Assam, called Gelooa-mah. A shrubby plant of India, probably avail- able for profitable culture and naturali- zation in the warmer parts of our Colony. It sustains itself on dry ground, and yields the pulse known as Dhal, Urhur and Congo-pea. The plant lasts for about three years. Several species of Cajanus of the Atylosia section, indi- genous to the warmer parts of Australia, might be tested here for the sake of the economic value of their seeds. The in-

10

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

sect, active in the formation of lac, lives extensively on the Cajanus, accord- ing to Mr. T. D. Brewster, of Assam. Silkworms live also on it.

PEUNING DECIDUOUS FLOWEEING SHEUBS.

BY E. L. KEIMEE.

From time to time we are with grievous complaints from persons possessing residences and private gar- dens in San Francisco and the vicinity, that deciduous shrubs will not flower ; and they are now very generally looked upon as so much rubbish by those of our community who are in the habit of purchasing ornamental trees, shrubs and plants.

If a nurseryman offers for sale to his customers such shrubs as Lilacs, Snow- balls, Philadelphus, Deutzias, etc., they will tell him that they are of no earthly use, as they will never produce any flow- ers in this country; and nothing will induce them to purchase one of these shrubs, unless they see it in bloom in the nursery, and even then, in a year or so after, they will return, grumbling to the seller that they have been de- ceived, because they have not again seen it in bloom.

Years since I used to sell a quantity of deciduous flowering shrubs, but the sale of them has gradually diminished from year to year; and I believe that every nurseryman will say the same.

I must here remark that this family of very interesting plants or shrubs will bloom in this country just as profusely as in any other. It is not the fault of the climate that our friends are disap- pointed, but of the jobbing gardeners who pretend to attend to private places. I will not say that all are equally ig- norant and pretentious; on the contrary,

we have some really well experienced and reliable men amongst them; but the great majority know but very little about gardening, and previously to their intruding themselves on the public in this part of the world as horticultural exrjerts, have occupied no higher grade in the profession than experience in the use of the broom, the manure-fork and the wheelbarrow would entitle them to; indeed, to this work would they be rigidly restricted in the East and in Europe, if we except that in very busy times they might be permitted to dig a few potatoes, etc.

Some time since, I made it an especial point to make tours of observation around the city and suburbs, for the purpose of ascertaining for myself the cause of the before - mentioned com- plaints. To my great astonishment, I found that in every garden wherever there were Lilacs, Snowballs, and sim- ilar deciduous shrubs, they had all been trimmed down to a uniform shape% and that too in the months of January and February! Here, then, was the reason why the Lilacs and Snowballs did not bloom, and a most substantial one, too.

One of these men gets a job to clean up and bring the garden into good trim. He sets to work, hacking away at every tree and shrub which he sees in the place, little thinking and never caring that he is doing a vast deal more dam- age than good; his aim is to reduce every tree, plant and shrub to his idea of beauty of form. He shows no mercy to the Lilac-bush, profusely loaded on the ends of its last year's shoots, with its purple buds of promise, each preg- nant with a glorious thyrsus of flowers, and which, if only. let alone for a few more months, would have presented a magnificent appearance, with its profu- sion of bloom, and have equally de- lighted with its exquisite fragrance.

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

11

Alas! this tree, with others of like char- acter, which would have been the pride for a time of the neatly-kept garden, until other beauties could follow, is rudely trimmed into sugar-loaf form, and when May arrives is freshly clothed in new green foliage; but the lady of the house looks in vain for the flowers, although the gardener has confidently assured her that her shrubs would cer- tainly bear flowers in the spring; he really not knowing that he. had merci- lessly shorn the shrubs of all their flow- ering buds, and cast them on the rub- bish-heap, and that renewal was entirely out of the question until the next season. Thus, the proprietor becomes disgusted with the shrubbery, and it is cast out of the premises, discarded as worse than useless.

However, this state of affairs is rapid- ly passing away. "We have some very good jobbing gardeners around San Francisco, and any one needing the services of one, can hear of such of any of our reliable nurserymen, who certain- ly will not recommend one of the in- competents, although I will admit that there are very many of them about the city who are unfit even to do farm work.

Snowballs, Lilacs, Spireas, etc., should neither be pruned in the spring nor in the winter season. They make their new wood in June, and after that growth they set their flower -buds on the ends of nearly every young shoot. In the fall, they shed their foliage, and the buds then commence gradually to. swell in our mild climate ; they remain longer dormant in a country where there is snow and frost. An experienced eye will always discern the difference between a leaf and a flower-bud. What- ever trimming is needed should be done immediately after the flowering, and they should only be thinned out during the winter months. If this rule is fol-

lowed out, the reward to the cultivator will be a rich crop of beautiful flowers.

HYACINTHS IN SPONGE.

Charles Reese, of Enderby, Mary- land, gives the Country Gentleman the results of an experiment which he made last December, in growing Hyacinths in sponge. Remembering the slow growth of the bulbs in glasses, often not coming into bloom until near spring, he pondered whether there is not some substance in the great labora- tory of nature more closely resembling the soft, warm bosom of the earth, than the hard, cold glass. The sponge suggested itself to his mind as possess- ing just the qualities required — "Soft, warm, and yielding; power of capillary attraction perfect ; porous, admitting freely the fruitful atmosphere through a thousand tiny apertures; a powerful absorbent and evaporator of moisture; and besides all this, an animal sub- stance, and doubtless filled with nitro- genous matters, which, after dissolving in water, will act as fertilizers to plants, or if they be not there in sufficient quantities, they may be placed in the water with the same result as liquid manure."

He took a large sponge, made incis- ions about an inch deep, and two long, inserted bulbs in them, put the sponge filled with bulbs in the top of a large vase, and filled the vase by pouring water through the sponge until about one-half the sponge is below the water. The water was slightly warmed, and being kept in a warm room, was not allowed to become cold.

"In two or three days the bulbs began to shoot their bright green spires upward, giving promises of success, and in two or three weeks they were five or six inches high. About this

12

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTUEIST.

time, in order to hide the -unsightly ap- pearance of the sponge, I scattered a few thimblesful of rape seed over the surface, between the bulbs, which sprang up almost immediately, and cov- ered it entirely with a fine moss-like mantle, adding greatly to the beauty of the experiment.

" Desiring to give the knowledge and usefulness of the discovery and the en- joyment of its beauty, I now had it taken to my store in town, where it soon became an object of interest to great numbers of ladies, who watched its progress almost daily, until the bright flowers, more radiant than ' Solomon in all his glory/ unfolded their shining petals, filling the air with fragrance, and astonishing every one with their unusually large size and perfect form.

"The experiment was pronounced a complete success."

Mr. Eeese does not say just how long after planting they first began to bloom, but probably within a few weeks. "We would advise every lady reader to try this cheap and simple experiment.

Value of Straw foe Feed. — It has been calculated by actual analysis that twenty pounds of straw and four pounds of wheat bran contain as much nutri- ment as twenty pounds of good hay. The only difference, if there is any, is in the digestion of the food, which is about equal when the straw is chopped and wetted for a short time and the bran mixed with it. When hay is very cheap, straw can be saved by carefully stacking through a series of years. It is most valuable, of course, when hay is high and grain is cheap ; then, by feeding grain, which is richer than hay, with straw, which is poorer, we can supply a food which combines all the requisites to animal heat and growth.

ON THE PHOSPHORESCENT LIGHT OB- SEEYED ON SEVERAL PLANTS.

BX DB. H. BEHB.

For several years past, on various oc- casions, some friends and myself have observed a sheen of white phosphor- escent light on the cy moid-inflorescence of Osothamnus sp. , an Australian ever- lasting of arborescent growth. In day- time, the cymoid-inflorescence is of a rather dull milky-white ; on dark still nights, not on every night, the same in- florescence emits a peculiar pale light, that makes it distinctly visible when everything else is enveloped in darkness. This light very much resembles that emitted by decaying wood, but is of a different origin; evidently being pro- duced by some vital or physiological, not by a chemical process of decompo- sition.

Only once I have witnessed a similar phosphorescence in a living plant. It was on a patch of the Schistostega os- mundacea, a little moss well known by this peculiarity to the guides in the Hartz Mountain. It was in a wild re- cess of the Bodethal, that even in day- time looks more like a Mexican barranca than a tame German valley, where it was shown to me on a dark night, shedding its pale spectral light in isolated patches on the rocky wall which towered to our right.

If the light exhibited by some Muce- dines and Boleti is of the same origin, or if it is a product of a peculiar decom- position, I am not able to discuss. It may be that all these processes are of the same nature as the light of Scolo- pendia electrica, and many marine ani- mals.

The phenomena which I am about to mention, I have not witnessed myself. I enumerate them as they are reported, but think that one part of them is of a

THE CALIFOKNIA HORTICULTURIST.

13

different origin; another merely based on optical illusion.

1. Dictamnus albus. — Several observ- ers coincide in the description of this light, comparing it to electric sparks, under favorable circumstances envel- oping the whole inflorescence of the plant. The Himalaya species of Dic- tamnus is said to possess this peculiarity in a considerably higher degree, so that on dark nights the bases of forest trees are lighted up by the shining sparks of an apparently burning bush.

In these cases it is evidently the sether- ic oil contained in the glands that cover the whole spike of the inflorescence. The exhalation of this inflammable sub- stance surrounds the plant, gets lighted by unknown causes, and burns away without in the least injuring the flower- ing stem whence it was produced. The authors who describe the phenomena state, at the same time, that by ap- proaching a light to the flowers, the j)henomenamay be sometimes produced on nights when nature herself did not light up the flowers.

Professor Schlechbendal, at Halle, described to me the sparks as resembling those produced by approaching a piece of orange peel, bent between the fingers so that the setheric oil squirts out, to the flame of a burning candle.

2. Calendula officinalis (Transactions of the British Association, etc., 1843), which, however, has not been observed again. The light produced by the ra- dial flowers of this syngenesist seems to be analogous to that of the Prothamnus and Schistostega.

3. Tropceolum major, the light being first observed by Linne's daughter.

4. Papaver orientate, observed by Goethe. Gcethe describes the phenom- enon as a bluish reflection irradiating from the flower, and reproducing the

Vol. III.— 3.

form of the same. He considers it an optical illusion — the nerve of the eye, irritated by the intense scarlet of the flower, producing the same form in the supplementary color, a greenish blue. He mentions the analogous optical illu- sion produced by looking at the sun, when a number of circles of the supple- mentary color will immediately appear, even when the eye is shut.

I have here enumerated all the cases of light produced by living plants. I have also stated my own observations, and have collected as much as I can those of others. It is evident the ma- terial is very scarce, and a collection of facts in regard to such an interesting subject is most desirable. So I invite everybody who has the good fortune to witness a phenomenon of this kind to study it carefully; and, most of all, to communicate to other horticulturists, so that no observation that may tend to throw light on the subject may be lost to science.

Restoring Faded Fxowees. — Place the flower in a small empty tea-cup or scent-bottle. Half fill a saucer with water, in the centre of which place the cup or bottle containing the flower, over which invert a tumbler the top of which rests in the water, covering the flower in the cup and excluding the air. The effect is surprising ; in a short time the faded flower will revive, the color return into the petals, which quickly expand, and the scent returns as power- fully as when the flower is first plucked. Care should be taken that the flower does not come in contact with the sides or bottom of the inverted tumbler. I have supplied a method, the surprising efficacy of which any one can prove. A wiser head than mine can perhaps sup- ply me with the cause of this effect. — Flora, in London Field.

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THE CALIFOKNIA HOETICULTUKIST.

PLAIN DIKECTIONS FOE COLLECTING ALGE.

BY DANIEL C. EATON, ■ Professor of Botany in Tale College.

The following notes are printed for the use of those persons in any part of the American continent who are willing to help the cause of natural history by making collections of sea-weeds and sea- mosses, but are as yet uninformed as to the modes of collecting and preparing their specimens.

Of Where, When, axd How to Col- lect.— After a heavy gale blowing on the coast, almost any beach of sea, gulf or bay, will be covered with algae, often in great quantities, coarse and fine, black, red and green, in entangled mass- es. Such heaps should be carefully examined as soon as possible after their formation, or else the more delicate kinds will be quickly destroyed by de- cay.

At extreme low water, the sea will leave tide-pools among rocks, or some- times in the sand, and by wading in these pools many sortsrnaybe obtained. The rock-pools with clear water and some shade from the rocks will generally yield the finest specimens. Old buoys, piles, wrecks, etc. , afford good resting- places for sea-weeds. In quiet weather, , a small dredge worked from a boat, in water from one to fifteen fathoms deep, will often bring up varieties not to be obtained in any other way. A strong fishing-line with coarse hooks will bring them iq> from the bottom also. A seine left a day or two in the sea, as a pound- net, for instance, will catch many algae which were floating in the water.

The collector ought always to have a light hand-net — a bag of mosquito-net- ting stretched on a brass-hoop of 8 or 10 inches diameter, and secured to a good six-foot staff, is very convenient — a

light basket containing several quart or pint preserve-jars, a few smaller wide- mouth jars, and perhaps a pair of brass forceps and a pocket magnifier.

The coarser sorts may be put in the basket, and the finer ones in the jars, keejfing the latter filled with clear sea- water. It is well to wash each speci- men clean when first obtained, so that the collection taken home may be in good order. Very rare or delicate spec- imens should be put separately into the smaller bottles. Care should be taken to get the whole plant, if not too large ; and if it be very large, to cut out for preservation the root or "holdfast," and portions of the stem and other parts of the plant.

The most careful collectors will note also the kind of place where the plant was obtained, whether on rocks, piles, floating, or growing on coarser varieties.

Of Preserving the Coarser Sorts. — These should be shaken a little, loos- ened or spread out a little, but never washed in fresh water, and then dried in the air. The best way is to stretch a cord in some windy, and if convenient shady, place, and to hang the specimens on the cord. The flat -leaved forms, however, diy to best advantage if spread out on coarse papers and laid on a board. They should be protected from the dew at night, or brought under cover. In this way, a day or two will dry almost any sea-weeds, and, as the salt remains in them, they will keep for years, and may be easily soaked out and mounted on paper at any time. This rough- dried collection should be packed in boxes, and if the specimens pack too closely, twigs may be placed among them ; if not closely enough, a slight sprinkling will make them so pliable as to pack nicely. Such sea-weeds, how- ever unsightly they may be in this con- dition, may eventually be made into

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excellent specimens. Corallines and other stony algae may be wrapped up in paper, and will keep so indefinitely.

Of MotnsaaKG the Moke Delicate Sorts on Paper. — Dr. Harvey lias so well described this process, that the following description of it is taken from one of his works on alga?. "The col- lector should have at hand a couple of large flat white dishes, filled with [fresh] water, in one of which the specimens may be washed, pruned and freed from parasites, and singly introduced into the other when sufficiently cleaned. When the specimen is floated in the second dish, a piece of white paper of proportionate size is to be introduced under it, the branches finely displayed with a pointed instrument, a porcupine's quill or a small forceps, and the super- fluous parts removed. The paper, with the specimen so displayed upon it, is then to be carefully withdrawn from the water, placed between two sheets of soft paper, and subjected to pressure, like other plants. Thin calico [white muslin] rags are useful to lay immedi- ately over the specimens, between them and the soaking paper, as the cloth is less likely to adhere to their surface than paper, and if it does adhere, is more readily removed without injury. After the first six hours, and again once every day till the specimens are fully dry, the wet paper must be changed, and then it will be found, in most cases, that the specimen has adhered to the white pa- per on which it was displayed. The smaller kinds will be sufficiently dry in forty-eight hoiirs. A very little prac- tice will make the process easy, and the trouble will be repaid by the beauty and interest of the collections which will soon be formed." To the above it may be added, that the firmer red varie- ties will improve in color for several hours steeping in fresh water, but many

of the most delicate must be mounted from salt water only, else the color, and sometimes even the structure of the plant will be destroyed. The best as well as the cheapest kind of press is two good pine boards, about twelve by eighteen inches, and half a dozen bricks separately tied up in wrapping paper. Too great a pressure leaves a print of the cloth on the specimen, and renders it also more difficult to revive a frag- ment for microscopic examination.

For ladies' albums, algae are often mounted on fine Bristol board or large wedding cards, and some beautiful spec- imens are pressed between layers of white flannel — half cotton is best — with- out the use of either muslin rags or soaking paper.

A solution of One part crystalized carbolic acid, ten parts pure glycerine, and forty parts water, will preserve algae a long time, and such specimens are even better for study with the micro- scope than specimens on paper.

It remains only to add that the writer of these notes will receive with thanks any collections, large or small, from all parts of the world, and will endeavor to name all American specimens sent to him, if so desired.

New Haven, Conn., Nov., 1872.

A report comes from Cuba that a sugar-planter there has doubled the value of his estate by the use of a steam- plow introduced in 1868. What was formerly almost an impervious tract, the effect partly of nature and partly of inefficient cultivation, has been reduced to a porous soil. Two thousand acres of strong clay intermixed with stones of all sizes, and resting for the most part on a stone bottom, are now in fine tilth to an average depth of eighteen inches. — Exchange.

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THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

CULTUEE OF HOUSE -PLANTS. BY F. A. MILLER.

' ' "What plants can I cultivate in the house/' is a question which I have had to answer very frequently, and scarcely have I completed my suggestions, when I am told that this or that plant has been treated with a great deal of care, but has failed to thrive.

There are only a certain class of plants which can be expected to thrive well in the house, and there are certain rules which necessarily must be ob- served in cultivating them, or disap- pointment must follow. In many cases I have found, also, that too much is ex- pected of a plant, in the way of growing and flowering.

From my own observations and ex- perience, I can strongly recommend the following flowering plants, as the best adapted for the house, or to use a more fashionable term, window gardening:

Primula sinensis (Chinese Primrose), of which very excellent varieties can now be obtained in our floral establish- ments, is one of the most charming flowering plants under cultivation. It will flower spontaneously from six to nine months in the year, and, if trans- planted in good time, will flower well all the year round. Its foliage is always very ornamental. The colors are pure white, delicate pink, red, violet and striped; siDgle and double. During the winter months, when they flower most profusely, they should be placed in a warm and sunny position ; and watered, perhaps, once a week mod- erately. The soil should be porous and always moist, but never wet. When the flowers begin to fade, they should be removed, in order to throw all the strength of the plant into the new flowers, which will make their appear- ance every day or two. After the plant

has produced flowers in profusion for two or three months, a little nourish- ment may be given, in the form of liquid guano once a week, or by liquid horse-manure at intervals, or, indeed, any other fertilizing material. How- ever, I have seen Primroses doing well for one year without any of these stim- ulants. Under very ordinary treat- ment, they will do exceedingly well. I would recommend for a small collection one red, one white and one fern-leaved variety. The double Primrose is of the most pleasing character, the flowers lasting a long time, and they are pro- duced well above the foliage ; the habit of the plant leaves nothing to wish for. The double variety, however, is as yet exceedingly rare with us, in California, and is not offered for sale by our florists ; another year or two, however, will make plants of it more plentiful.

The Cyclamen is another of the charming house -plants, which hardly ever fails to produce graceful little nod- ding flowers upon each stalk, which it sends forth in profusion. The Cycla- men is one of my favorites. From seed sown in the spring of 1872, I had fine flowering plants in the month of De- cember. The flowers are of various shades, from pure white to a rich purple, some being white with purple centre, others white-blotched and dotted with purple. Under ordinary treatment, Cyclamens will flower here very pro- fusely from December to May. The Cyclamen is a bulbous plant, and, like other bulbs, should have a season of rest, when its leaves should be allowed to drop off for want of water, which should be given only just enough to keep the bulb from shriveling. This resting -time may be extended from June to November, when, by a more liberal supply of water, it will again be- gin to assume its activity. During the

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time of rest its place may be supplied by some other plant. The Cyclamen should be kept moderately moist, a lit- tle less so than the Primrose ; it prefers partial shade, and maybe overshadowed, to some extent, by other plants. For a small collection I would recommend one white and one purple flowering- Cyclamen. Our florists have a limited supply of them on hand.

Before enumerating any more plants for the house, I would like to say a few words in regard to the room in which it is intended to cultivate these plants. There are three conditions necessary for the successful growing of plants : warmth, air and moisture; of these, some plants require more, others less, but to some degree they must have a liberal supply of all these agents. There seems to be less difficulty in supplying warmth and air, than in affording the requisite amount of moisture; which, in some cases, is supplied insufficiently, but in most cases too abundantly, and particularly so during our winter months. While some plants are satisfied with moisture applied to their roots, we find that others can not exist with- out a certain amount of moisture in the atmosphere. In the rooms of our cot- tages or residences, we can not supply a moist atmosphere, and, therefore, we can not cultivate plants there which are in need of this peculiar agent. Yet we may take plants once a week out of the room, and give them a good shower- ing with the watering-pot, which washes off the dust, and supplies to a small degree that moisture, which the at- mosphere of the room lacks.

[To be continued.]

Loreto oranges have made their ap- pearance in our market, and are sold at one dollar per dozen.

FERNS, AND FERN CULTURE.

A correspondent writes us for some information concerning ferns, and says, " Mention a few of the best from Fiji." We must inform our respected corre- spondent that to mention anything like a list of the best varieties found in the Fijis would take not only some time, but considerable space. When we state that the collectors for the Royal Society investigated and collected over 500 species in those numerous islands, he will at once see that it is a somewhat formidable task. However, amongst others that struck ourselves as particu- larly charming were Todea Wilkesiana; this was named by Mr. Brackenbridge in compliment to Commodore Wilkes. It usually grows not more than three feet or four feet high, and hence has been de- scribed as the "little-tree fern ;" at the same time specimens of it have been known to attain seven feet, and exhibit a number of crowns. The stem is slender, and the fronds bijDinnate, some two ft. in length, havingthe ultimate pinnules thin; it is not, however, so finely cut as Todea Hymenophylloides. Another very dis- tinct and handsome Fijian fern of sin- gular appearance is Diclidoj)teris august- issima; this usually grows upon the Tahitian chesnut epiphytically. It has narrow thin, grass-like fronds, varying from one ft. to six inches in length, very handsome. Davallia Fejensis is a spe- cies with highly decompound fronds, one ft. in height, and having extremely narrow segments. A species of Hemo- nites, H. lanceolata, and Syngramme pinnata are very handsome, particularly when seen as old plants. Three fine species of Cibotium, one of which has the stipes densely clothed with beauti- ful golden silken moniliform hairs; in fact, these hairs are so abundant that they have been collected as an article

18

THE CALIFORNIA HOETICULTUEIST.

of commerce, and used for stuffing cushions, etc. A handsome creeping- species is Polypodium pellucidum.

Amongst New Zealand ferns worthy of particular notice is the beautiful Lox- soma Cunninghamii, which was dis- covered on the Keri-Keri River, Bay of Islands. This fern has broad, triangu- lar decompound fronds, two ft. to three ft. high, glaucous, with sori intermediate, in character between Trichomanes and Davallia; also the very beautiful and distinct Todea superba.

To cultivate ferns successfully a knowl- edge of the conditions under which they grow in their native haunts is real- ly necessary, and by imitating those conditions as far as practicable, the greater will be the success eventually attained. Irregular surfaces are, as a rule, the best adapted, whether natural or artificially formed, many ferns being truly rock plants, and therefore highly suitable for rockery cultivation. By judicious arrangements from ordinary level positions, their delicate hue and elegant form of outline can be seen to much greater advantage, the upper surface of their fronds being generally presented to the eye more fully. In planting ferns great consideration should be given to secure a site having a suffi- cient amount of shade and moisture. A south aspect, if possible, should be secured. In this climate we have found a sunk and shady tea-tree house highly suitable, erected sufficiently high for tree ferns; in such situations the plants are less exposed to the action of cli- matic vicissitude. Considerable taste may be displayed in arranging such rustic houses for fern culture, such as miniature valleys, with undulating sur- faces gradually rising on either side. The soil best suited to the whole group is good fibrous peat, rough and full of vegetable matter, which should not, on

any account, be sifted; abundance of sand can, however, be well mixed with it.

The style of arrangement having been decided upon, the next question is to place the plants in their permanent positions satisfactorily, for it is very essential to provide positions for each individual plant so that there is no injuri- ous interference with its neighbor either by root or foliage. Different species of Lycopodium should be freely used for filling up, being, as they are, terrestrial and epiphytal, hanging from boughs like various cords. The magnificent Selaginella laevigata quickly climbs and becomes a lovely object; numbers of others are also very charming, having extremely delicate tissues, and delight- ing in deep shade.

In forming rock -work, or similar material for a rustic mass, over which ferns are intended to grow, it is always advisable to select, if possible, rock or stone of a porous consistence, and with rough and ragged surfaces. It is quite unnecessary to be particular in the selection of stone of handsome appear- ance or fine color, because if the ferns are intended to flourish and properly thrive, the material, of what nature soever, will become speedily obscured by luxuriant growth; therefore, even old brick work, or conglomerated burnt glass bottles, answer well, the glass for the bottom, and the old brick work for the upper part, which is valuable in affording a moist surface for their ten- der rhizomes to cling to. After the plants have once become established, as few changes should take place as pos- sible, every encouragement being given to their growth, so that a decorative effect may be secured as quickly as possible.

It is advisable, and at the same time adds considerably to the effect, to plant

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19

along the edges and on the stone pro- jections such plants as sedums, saxi- fragas, sempervivuins, iberis, Alysum saxatile, Arabis alpina, and others of similar nature and habit. It is always beneficial to choose the vicinity of water if any exists, and. if not, an artificial piece of some kind should be improvised if possible; this being secured, a num- ber of subaquatic and bog plants, also water lilies, etc., may be grown to per- fection. If the space at command is extensive, interesting clumps, or a glen, may be formed by the judicious intro- duction of plants conspicuous for their large and beautifully-marked foliage.

The adaptability and suitability of ferns as hanging basket plants must not be overlooked. Nothing imparts more grace and elegance to rooms and fern- eries than well-managed hanging-baske.ts of ferns. During hot weather they im- part a delightfully cool appearance, the greatest drawback being that they re- quire frequent changes; the species hav- ing arching feathery fronds, make the best effect, and among suitable kinds, we name Aspidium exaltatum, Poly- podium aureum, and Woodwardia ra- dicans. The lower part of the basket should be covered with Lycopodiums. We do not recommend many of the handsome wire baskets in vogue, for this simple reason, that if the plants are well done, that is, successfully grown, the whole of the wire-work is covered, and hence of necessity hid, so that hand- some wire-work is lost, and the ex- pense quite unnecessary. Then again elaborate wire baskets are generally much more difficult to fill than plain ones. The bottom of the baskets should be lined with green moss, and two or three ferns planted therein according to size, Lycopodiums or some creeping or trailing plants round the edges to hang down carelessly, is all that is re-

quired for forming elegant and tasteful hanging baskets. A supjDly of these should be kept in the fernery, so that there are always some ready to change when required. With regard to water- ing : it is somewhat difficult to lay down any distinct rule regarding this opera- tion; neither too dry nor too wet must be the standard. If kept too wet, the roots soon sodden, and if too dry, the plants quickly speak out by becoming rapidly a bad color. Their successful culture simply depends on proper soil, careful watering, placing in a quiet, moist atmosphere, keeping down the temperature in summer by shading, and avoiding as much as possible currents of dry, hot winds. Ferns are at times attacked with insect pests, the soft membraneous kinds being the most subject. As a rule, fumigation with tobacco is the best preventative and cur- ative, for an occasional fumigation de- stroys the winged male insect of all the Coccos family. Syringing must be re- sorted to for mealy bug, and scale must be loosened by the use of a soft brush, and afterwards receive a syringing. With care and attention ferns may be grown very successfully in Victoria, and without any very great expense they will ever be a source of enjoyment, and. the more attention and care are devoted, to them, the greater will be the success and enjoyment derived therefrom.— Melbourne Times.

Eastern quail, which were turned loose on a farm near Cloverdale, have so multiplied that their notes are heard over the adjacent foothills. It is sup- posed there are 200 or 300 of them.

The corn crop this year is the largest ever gathered — a billion and a half of bushels.

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THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

PREPARING SKELETON LEAVES.

A correspondent of Science Gossip, re- ferring to the tediousness of the ordi- nary way of preparing skeleton leaves, which taxes patience, and which most experimenters give up in despair before getting through with it, describes a new method, which is easy, cleanly, and takes but little time. It is as follows:

* ' First dissolve four ounces of com- mon washing-soda in a quart of boiling water, then add two ounces of slacked quicklime, and boil for about fifteen minutes. Allow this solution to cool ; afterward pour off all the liquor into a clean saucepan. When the solution is at boiling point, place the leaves carefully in the pan, and boil the whole together for an hour. Boiling water ought to be added occasionally, but sufficient only to replace that lost by evaporation. The epidermis and parenchyma of some leaves will more readily separate than others. A good test is to try the leaves after they have been gently boiling for about an hour,, and if the cellular matter does not easily rub off betwixt the finger and thumb beneath cold water, boil them again for a short time. When the fleshy matter is found to be suf- ficiently softened, rub them separately but very gently beneath cold water, until the perfect skeleton is exposed. The skeletons at first are of a dirty white color; to make them of a pure white, and, therefore, more beautiful, all that is necessary is to bleach them in a weak solution of chloride of lime. I have found the best is a large tea- spoonful of chloride of lime to a quart of water; if a few drops of vinegar are added to the bleaching solution, it is all the better, for then the free chloride is liberated. Do not allow them to re- main too long in the bleaching liquor, or they will become too brittle, and can

not afterward be handled without in- jury. About fifteen minutes is suffi- cient to make them white and clean- looking. Dry the specimens in white blotting paper, beneath a gentle pres- sure, after they are bleached.

' ' Simple leaves are the best for young beginners to experiment upon; the vine, poplar, beech, and ivy leaves make ex- cellent skeletons. Care must be exer- cised in the selection of leaves, as well as the period of the year and the state of the atmosphere when the specimens are collected, otherwise failure will be the result. The best months to gather the specimens are July and August. Never collect specimens in damp weath- er; and none but perfectly matured leaves ought to be selected."

Arranging Flowers in Beds. — In arranging flowers in beds, the principal things to be avoided are : The placing of rose-colored or red flowers next to scarlet or orange, or orange next to yellow, blue next to violet, or rose next to violet. On the contrary, the follow- ing colors harmonize : white will relieve any color (but should not be placed next to yellow), orange with light blue, yel- low with violet, dark blue with orange yellow, white with pink or rose, and lilac with yellow. By observing these rules the amateur may have his flower borders vie in beauty and arrangement with those of greater pretensions, and even surpass many of them. Nothing adds more to beautify home than a well arranged flower-bed of rare flowers. — Southern Agriculturist.

The man who produces the largest area, cultivated with the least expense, and increases the fertility of his soil, is the most scientific farmer, however ig- norant he may be of the fact.

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

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(tutorial gorffolw.

THE HOETTCULTUEIST.

In commencing a new volume, it ap- pears consistent that we should address a few lines to our subscribers, intimating to them the course we shall endeavor to pursue, in providing material for our Magazine.

From our observations during several years of previous intercourse with many of the florists of the Pacific Coast, we have felt the necessity for collecting and condensing the experience of those who have made the occupations of Horticul- ture and Floriculture their specialties, and the more fully has this necessity been impressed upon us by the assur- ances of these experts, that so different are the habits of familiar plants to them, in the climates and soils of California, from their experience with them in other parts of the world, that only by careful observation have they recovered their control in the management of them.

To new arrivals, whether amateur or professional, these peculiarities are very embarrassing, and, if our labors shall result in the dissemination of useful in- ' formation in the above delightful pur- suits, we shall attain all we seek. Some of the most experienced and successful among our florists are cheerful contri- butors to this section.

Kindred to Floriculture is the science of Botany, and we have the cordial as- surance of aid, in this department, from several of the most eminent botanists in the Pacific States— while in the de- partments of Arboriculture and Pom- ology, other able pens are associated with us.

Much interest is at the present time felt, both in the East and in Europe, regarding the Marine Botany of this

Vol. in.— i.

coast, and we may here remark that our Marine Flora are so widely different from those of other coasts, that they add peculiar interest to the subject. And here, again, we are assured of ef- ficient aid — and we anticipate making our Magazine the medium of exchange of observation on this very interesting study. We have also received the most cordial co-operation from several emi- nent Entomologists, whose observations, in connection with Horticulture, are esteemed of very great importance among practical men.

"We have made arrangements for a series of descriptive chapters on the "Rural Homes of California," from the very able pen of Mrs. Professor Carr, illustrated by photographic pictures by Mr. C. E. "Watkins; and had intended that the first essay, having for its sub- ject the princely mansion, farm and ornamental grounds of the Hon. Thomas H. Selby, in San Mateo County, should have made its appearance in this, our first number of the third volume of our Magazine; but the unpropitious state of the weather, at the time when the artist should have operated, has necessitated us to withhold it until next month.

In the Popular Science Ifonthly, for the present month, we find a highly in- teresting article on " The Spontaneous Movements of Plants" by Alfred W. Bennett, M. A., well worthy of careful perusal, very scientific, curious and in- structive. And also a more practical article on "the Cultivation of Wild Flowers," by Professor Samuel Lock- wood, containing many useful sugges- tions. This is indeed a subject demand- ing especial attention from our Califor- nia botanists, who are too frequently content with dej^ositing dried specimens in their hortus siccus, instead of seeking to civilize their acquisitions, many of which are entirely new to the rest of the

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THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

world, and are eagerly sought after by European florists. We earnestly call the attention of our California friends to this study — and to all we say, help us with your observations; write to us to our P. 0. box 2275, San Francisco, and, if any letter calls for an answer, we will do our best to give a satisfactory one.

REPEAL OF THE LATE OBNOXIOUS POSTAL LAW.

We are glad to announce that the late obnoxious ruling, relating to seed- packages, etc., has been abrogated, to take effect immediately, so that farmers and others, living remote from cities, can now once more obtain direct, by mail, such seeds as they may need, cut- tings and small plants from nurserymen ; and also seedlings, of those who make a specialty of growing deciduous and evergreen trees.

Gunpowder foe Tent Caterpillars. — A correspondent at New Hamburgh, Duchess County, writes us that he keeps his apple-orchard clear of tent caterpillars by shooting into their nests with loose powder. The gun— any sort of smooth-bore will do — is to be held within a foot of the nest, and the charge of powder to be used without a wad or any ramming down. He claims that it is better than burning with a swab and kerosene, because it does not injure the tree, and is most expeditious and more effectual. In most cases not a trace of worms or nest is left. He goes over his trees each spring and fall, and a couple of hours are sufficient for several hundred trees. Boys enjoy work of this kind, but to catch worms by hand, or to burn, or twist them out, and then stamp them, is disagreeable labor. — Country Gentleman.

AN ADDRESS BY THE UNITED STATES CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.

To the People or the United States: The Congress of the United States has enacted that the completion of the One Hundredth Year of American In- dependence shall be celebrated by an International Exhibition of the Arts, Manufactures, and Products of the Soil and Mine, to be held at Philadelphia, in 1876, and has appointed a Commis- sion, consisting of representatives from each State and Territory, to conduct the celebration.

Originating under the auspices of the National Legislature, controlled by a National Commission, and designed as it is to " Commemorate the first cen- tury of our existence, by an Exhibition of the Natural Resources of the Coun- try and their development, and of our progress in those Arts which benefit mankind, in comparison with those of older nations," it is to the people at large that the Commission look for the aid which is necessary to make the Centennial Celebration the grandest an- niversary the world has ever seen.

That the completion of the first cen- tury of our existence should be marked by some imposing demonstration is, we believe, the patriotic wish of the people of the whole country. The Congress of the United States has wisely decided that .the Birth-day of the Great Repub- lic can be most fittingly celebrated by the universal collection and display of all the trophies of its progress. It is de- signed to bring together, within a build- ing covering fifty acres, not only the varied productions of our mines and soil, but types of all the intellectual triumphs of our citizens, specimens of everything that America can furnish, whether from the brains or the hands of her children, and thus make evident

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

to the world the advancement of -which a self-governed people is capable.

In this " Celebration" all nations will be invited to participate ; its character being International. Europe will dis- play her arts and manufactures, India her curious fabrics, while the newly opened China and Japan will lay bare the treasures which for centuries their ingenious people have been perfecting. Each land will compete in generous rivalry for the palm of superior excel- lence.

To this grand gathering every zone will contribute its fruits and cereals. No mineral shall be wanting ; for what the East lacks the "West will supply. Under one roof will the South display in rich luxuriance her growing cotton, and the North in miniature the cease- less machinery of her mills converting that cotton into cloth. Each section of the globe will send its best offerings to this exhibition, and each State of the Union, as a member of one united body politic, will show to her sister States and to the world how much she can add to the greatness of the nation of which she is a harmonious part.

To make the Centennial Celebration such a success as the patriotism and the pride of every American demands, will require the co-operation of the people of the whole country. The United States Centennial Commission has re- ceived no Government aid, such as Eng- land extended to her "World's Fair, and France to her Universal Exposition, yet the labor and responsibility imposed upon the Commission is as great as in either of those undertakings. It is estimated that ten millions of dollars will be required, and this sum Cougress has provided shall be raised by stock subscription, and that the people shall have the opportunity of subscribing in proportion to the population of

their respective States and Territories.

The Commission looks to the unfail- ing patriotism of the people of every section, to see that each contributes its share to the expenses, and receives its share of the benefits of an enterprise in which all are so deeply interested. It would further earnestly urge the form- ation in each State and Territory of a centennial organization, which shall in time see that county associations are formed, so that when the nations are gathered together in 1876, each Com- monwealth can view with pride the contributions she has made to the na- tional glory.

Confidently relying on the zeal and patriotism ever displayed by our people in every national undertaking, we pledge and prophesy, that the Centennial Celebration will worthily show how greatness, wealth and intelligence, can be fostered by such institutions as those which have for one hundred years blessed the people of the United States. Joseph R. Hawmw,

President. Lewis Waln Smith,

Temporary Secretary.

Colletia Bictonexsis. — This plant is highly commended in England as a hedge plant. It is said to have origi- nated in the arboretum of the Baroness Rolle. Sir Wm. Hooker named it, and considered it a distinct species of a very useful and interesting order of plant. It is easily propagated by cuttings. It is proper to say, however, that the ed- itor of the Cottage Gardener doubts if it can be used for hedge-making, if the statement of Sir William Hooker that it is not a hardy plant, be a true one. It is asserted that its leaves are very fleeting, and only to be seen on the very young branches and spires. The branch-

24

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

es are of j)ea-green color, arranged in a peculiar decussate manner, with sharp, hard, brownish-red spines at their ends; the petaloid floral covering is waxy- white, with a greenish, substantial look- ing base formed by the fleshy ring found at the bottom of the tube, and which is peculiar to the Colletias.— Jibore's Paired New Yorker.

WOODWARD'S GARDENS.

"We are pleased to notice that the Conservatories are receiving considera- ble accessions of valuable plants, and that a thorough renovation is in prog- ress. The Marine Aquarium requires time and much skillful attention to get it into working order, but its ultimate success is undoubted, notwithstanding some delay. It will very shortly be thrown open for public inspection. Many curious specimens have already been obtained.

REPORTS OF SOCIETIES.

State Agricultural Society. — The Directors of the State Agricultural So- ciety held a meeting at the office of the Secretary on Saturday evening, Decem- ber 14th. It was resolved that the an- nual election for officers of the society should take place January 22d. Five proposals for the renting of Agricult- ural Park for three years were received, as follows: Dana Perkins offered $5,100 per year; D. D. Whitbeck, $4,200; Robert Allen, $4,800; H. Eldred, $3,- 300; A. A. Wood, $5,500. The lease was awarded to Wood. Sundry bills were audited, and the meeting ad- journed.

It is said that a spoonful of sulphur to a ton of hay will prevent it from be- coming musty in the stack or bale .

OUR EXCHANGE TABLE.

We have many excellent periodicals from time to time laid on our table, full of valuable information, and of far more general service than the majority of the trashy literature of the day. We will notice them as they present them- selves, and will recommend them to the perusal of our readers. We have only space at the present time for the few following :

The Gardener's Monthly, edited by Thomas Meehan, published by Brinkloe & Marot, Philadelphia, Pa. , $2 per an- num; specially Horticultural and Flori- cultural.

The Horticulturist, a Journal of Rural Life, etc. — a monthly magazine — pub- lished by Henry S. Williams, New York. $2,50 per annum.

The Overland Monthly, published on the first of each month, by John H. Carmany & Co., 409 Washington Street, San Francisco, Cal. This is the Cali- fornia magazine.

The Ladies' Floral Cabinet, monthly, published by Henry S. Williams, of •New York. 75 cents per annum — as good as it is cheap.

The Gardener's Chronicle, an excellent weekly journal, published by William Richards, 41 Wellington Street, W. C, London, England. $6 per annum.

The California Farmer, published by Warren & Co., San Francisco, Cal. $4 per annum.

Pacific Rural Press, by Dewey & Co., San Francisco. $4 per annum — an ex- cellent publication.

Orange culture is extending in Louis- iana, and it may and should be extended over all the low valleys and hills of California.

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

25

NOTICE OF BOOKS, ETC.

The Overland Monthly, for January, 1873. Thanks to the publishers, the first monthly part of the Tenth Volume of this ever-welcome periodical now lies before us. "We have been tempted to devote more time than we at first in- tended, to look through it, and we have been well entertained. This number fully keejDS up the prestige already es- tablished. The "Journey in a Junk," and the "Colorado Desert," are inter- esting. The "Etc." are piquant, and the items on ' ' Current Literature " are liberal and enlightened. This is a mag- azine well worthy of support. Pub- lished by John H. Carmany & Co., 409 Washington Street, San Francisco.

The Mitral Alabamian, a Southern magazine of Progressive Agriculture and Improved Industry; published by C. C. Langdon & Co., Mobile, Alabama, at $2 per annum. This appears to be an excellent agricultural work, and should be well patronized. It is not only replete with valuable information for the farmer and horticulturist, but also contains abundant useful instruc- tion of a general character.

Colt's Illustrated and Family Magazine: Published by the Colt Publishing Com- pany, New York and Albany. $2.50 per annum — a very readable magazine.

CATALOGUES, ETC.

It will give us great pleasure to notice the Catalogues of our friends, the nurs- ery and seedsmen, if they will favor us by forwarding them to our P. O. box, 2275, San Francisco.

"We were much pleased with the set of Catalogues from the nurseries of Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Sons, Wel- lington Road, St. John's Wood, Lon-

don, N. W., England. They are very full and exhaustive, and contain many varieties which we should like to see particularized in the catalogues of our own nurserymen.

Also, from O. Barras, North Fairfield, Ohio, a useful general Catalogue.

FAVOES BECEIVED.

We have received the monthly report of the Commissioners of Agriculture, for November and December ; it con- tains many valuable statistics and much other instructive and interesting matter.

From C. H. Green, Esq., Secretary National Agricultural Congress. The very able address of M. F. Maury, LL. D., on the Objects of, and the Benefits to be derived from, an Interna- tional Conference to be held among the leading agriculturists and meteorologists of different countries.

NEW AND BARE PLANTS.

Callicarpa purpurea.- a shrub asyet

but little known. It grows into a thick bush, about two or three feet high; the flowers are borne in the axils of the leaves; they are small and of a delicate pink color, numerous enough to be quite attractive; small berries about the size of small red currents appear after flowering, then change in September to a pearly violet color, and continue to attract attention through the winter. — Gardeners' Monthly.

Salvia Taraxacifolia is a native of

the lower slopes of the Greater Atlas, and was discovered there by Mr. Ba- lans in 1867.

It has been seen by Dr. Hooker growing in broad patches, along the base of the Great Atlas, Africa, presenting a

26

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

very beautiful appearance. The flower is of a pale pink. — Botanical Magazine.

LaCheiialia tricolor.— £• tricolor, ac- cording to Mr. Baker's determination, is a very variable plant, including the following forms, L. quadricolor, L. lute- ola, Jacq. ; and L. aurea, Lindl. , of which the last is by far the most elegant, and is further remarkable for its bright color and the waxy texture of its flower.

It flowered in the Royal Gardens, Kew, England, in March of 1872, from bulbs. — Botanical Magazine.

New Ornamental Cherry.— a re- markable sport of the May Duke Cherry, has been produced in the grounds of M. Ferdinand Messunge, of Baillonville. The leaves become narrow at the end, so as to resemble those of the peach, or even the willow. Some are eight inches in length and one inch in width ; others are four inches in length, and about the third of an inch in breadth. — Belgique Horticole.

Roman Hyacinths are among the newly imported plants, displayed in greenhouses. They are natives of France, are both white and blue, and very fragrant.

Homorphopnallus papillosus. —

The French gardeners are noticing a new bulbous plant thus named, which serves as an ornament in the greenhouses from April to September. The peculiarity of this plant is, that, after its brown spathe-like flower is blown, a leaf rises up and bends over it like a helmet, and seems to protect and cover it like an umbrella, which divides into bunches with numerous pinnated leaflets of a fine green color.— Ladies' Floral Cabinet.

CrOCilS CiliCiWS is a native of Asia Minor, and is called one of the prettiest of autumnal crocuses. In color it re- sembles Speciosus, with smaller flowers and narrower petals.

Walking Fern (Camptosorus ryzophyl- lus.) — This singular and interesting little Fern is found in rocky woods. It grows in the almost soilless niches of rocks, or gets a sufficient foothold on their naked inequalities. It is quite rare, and dur- ing several years my searches in the woods were unrewarded with a sight of its odd little leaves, till one day, as- cending a low mountain in this town, in a quiet, mossy slope of gray rock, far above my head, a company of these lit- tle ""Walkers" was discovered, though it was not till sometime after any leaves were found.

The frond is simple, reticulate veined in the midst, and forked only at the margin. It is undivided, lance-shaped, with heart-shaped lobes at the base, and the apex attenuated into a long, slender acumination, that often bends over backward and takes root, giving rise to a new plant. Thus, the fern takes one step a year. I never have seen one that had stepped twice.

The faint dots are variously shaped, and scattered without order on the transverse veins, slanting, and at various angles, often in pairs and facing each other, looking something "like writ- ing;" hence its Greek name — Antigram- ma rliysophylea of Presl. It can be cultivated in the same manner as other wild ferns, always taking care to give it a soil and atmosphere as near like its native own as possible, remembering it needs little light, much water, and to be let alone. — Vermont Cor., in Moore's Rural New Yorker.

CllllOUS OrcMdS.— Alfred Smee, in his interesting work, entitled "My Gar- den," describes and figures some cu- rious species of orchis, among which is the Orchis mascula, or man orchis, so called, because the flower has a resem- blance to a little man dangling from the plant, and is cultivated more as a

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

27

curiosity than for it=; beauty. The Bee Orchids are very beautiful, and grow with great luxuriance under proper management. A third less showy is the Fly Orchis. The best soil for these plants is a light turfy loam.

XCW ClllycailthHS.— A writer in the Farmer and Gardener states that he has a white flowering variety of the Calycan- tkus florida, or common Sweet Scented Shrub. He says: "I have had these plants under cultivation several years. They are decidedly more vigorous grow- ers than the dark variety. The flowers, which are straw-colored, are also larger and more fragrant, and bloomed through the past dry summer until frost. I do not know that they will produce the same flowers from the seed, but why should they not do so when they have preserved their original characteristics, through surrounded by the dark flower- ing varieties, ever since they were first known here, more than thirty years ago." If the above is true, and we have no reason to doubt it, this new variety of an old and very popular shrub will certainly be a valuable accpaisition to our gardens.

New Bedding Plant.— We have re- ceived from Henry E. Chitty, Superin- tendent of the Bellevue Nurseries, Pat- terson, N. J. , a specimen of a new bed- ding plant known as Salvia splendens alba compacta — or, in plainer language, a white variety of the common Scarlet Sage. The plant is similar in habit to this species, the principal difference be- ing in the color of the flowers. "We think the lovers of choice bedding plants will hail this novelty as a great accpiisition. — Moore's Rural Neio Yorker.

Carbolic soap and water is recom- mended to destroy mildew on roses, to be applied by sprinkling.

NEW FEUITS AND VEGETABLES.

White Apple Tomato. — In the "Rural Southland " we find a tomato mentioned as new, with this name. This is its first year of fruiting, and it is declared promising. Dr. Swaseysaysof it: "The plant is a hardy, vigorous, drought-defy- ing grower, and a prolific and continu- ous bearer — equaling in all these re- spects the common red and yellow plum- tomato. The fruit is of a beautiful cream-white color, medium in size, of a regular, slightly oblate, apple-shape, with a smooth, tender skin, and a flesh at once so almost melting in texture, so deliciously fruity in flavor, so devoid of that rank tomato twang that most people are not particularly partial to, so solid and so rich, that one will have to look long and wide before finding another variety that will so completely come up to the highest standard of a first-class table tomato. As a South- erner we are proud of it, because it is said to be a Southern variety — and were it not, we should esteem it as we do now, the best salad tomato in cultiva- tion. " — California Farmer.

WORK FOE THE MOXTH.

BY F. A. MILLER.

Rain has been plentiful all over the State, and the work of sowing, plant- ing, and preparing the fields and gar- dens, should not now be delayed.

Our nurserymen and florists are pre- pared to furnish a fine assortment of trees and shrubs, both useful and orna- mental ; prices are moderate, and there is abundance of room for every tree and plant, which is offered for sale. The rains having commenced rather late this season, the best time for planting is rapidly passing away, and I would urge all -who wish to make improve-

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THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

merits in their grounds, to do so prompt- ly. The California climate requires early planting.

To those who have gardens, I would suggest a general overhauling. In the first place, have all your trees and shrubs properly trimmed and pruned. Your evergreen- trees and shrubs need it, to give them a good form ; your roses need it, to produce new wood and an abundance of fine flowers ; after trimming, secure them well to their stakes, to protect them against our heavy winds ; when all this is done, I would further suggest the application of some good old horse-manure, by spreading it over the ground, and then your gardener may go to work and trench the ground well with a spade, taking care that all weeds and the manure is well worked in below the surface.

For lawns, I would recommend a top- dressing of fresh or old manure, which should be allowed to remain upon the surface for a few weeks, in order that the rain may carry the nutritive part- icles into the sod, after which the re- mainder may be raked- off. Most of our city lawns consists of made ground, which is soon exhausted, and, unless a fertilizing process is adopted, the grass can not be exjDected to grow uniform and thrifty.

The planting of Hyacinths, Tulips, Pseonies, Lilies, Crown Imperials, Lilies of the Valley, Amaryllis, Anemoues, Ranunculus, etc., should now be com- menced. Plant, (after thoroughly pre- paring the soil,) in a warm and mod- erately dry situation ; a well manured sandy loam suits them best. Pseonies may be planted in heavier soil, and they require less sun, and will bear more moisture.

The planting of seeds in the open ground should be delayed, although in this mild climate Mignonette, Pansies,

Candytuft and the like, will germinate readily; but I have found that the planting of such seeds in February and March, is quite as good, and frequently much better. The ground at this time is cold and wet, and the seed is apt to lie dormant for many days, which often result in decay.

During the month of December, we had some unusually cold weather, which, in many localities, seriously injured Heliotropes, Fuchsias, Geraniums, and other soft-wooded plants. These, how- ever, will come up again from the ground. Notwithstanding the cold weather, we notice in the northern part of the city Heliotropes, Fuchsias and Geraniums, and even Cinerarias, in full bloom in the open air.

In my garden, the following plants are now in bloom in the open ground : Verbenas, Ageratums, Stevia, Fuchsias, Heliotropes, Cinerarias, Ericas, Pansies, Pinks, Pentsiemon, Cestrum, Gerani- ums,Polygala, Laurustinus, Myrtle, Can- terbury Bell, Sollya, Roses (of which I would mention, Safrano, Daily White, Lyoniase, Hermosa, Model of Perfec- tion, Pauline Lancezeur, Eliza Sauvage, La Sylphide, Mad. Bosanquet, etc.), Calceolaria (the shrubby variety), So- lanum jasminoides, Veronica, Brug- mansia, Diosma, and many others.

Greenhouses and conservatories, which are not artificially heated, have been affected by the cold and the following rainy weather. I do not provide for artificial heat, yet I have the following plants in bloom : Cyclamen, Camellia, Azalea, Primula sinensis, Torrenga, Daphne, Salvia, Jasmine, Cactus, Cin- eraria, Begonia, Hyacinths, Tuberoses, Hoyacarnosa, etc.

Plants in greenhouses should now be watered very moderately, and no shift- ing into larger pots should take place at this time. I find, that plants in com-

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

29

paratively small pots do best in winter. Give fresh air plentifully ; during clear weather it maybe given from nine o'clock in the morning until three o'clock in the afternoon, unless heavy winds prevail.

If your Coleus or Bigonias show rot- ten leaves, remove them at once.

Seeds of greenhouse plants should not be sown yet, unless bottom -heat can be given. All that should be done now is, to preserve the plants which are on hand ; the propagating of any kind should be delayed until a more favor- able time.

If it should be desirable to have early vegetables, Lettuce, Cabbage and Cauli- flower seeds, may be sown in a frame. Peas may be planted now.

REPORT ON THE FRUIT MARKET.

BY E. J. HOOPEK.

That most excellent, healthy, and useful fruit — the Apple — is usually found in great abundance in our mar- kets throughout the year. "We obtain the early or summer apples from such warm situations as Pleasant Valley, Yolo County, sometimes as early as the months of April and May ; one month later we have them from less warm localities around us, within twenty miles of the city; and, still later they are brought to us from further north, Oregon, etc. The same remarks will apply to our supplies of apples of the fall and winter varieties — though of the latter our warm, pushing climate allows but few compared with those of the eastern parts of the United States. The varieties which last with us the longest in winter are the Newtown Pippins, Spitzenbergs, Putnams, Golden Rus- sets, Lacly Apples, etc. The Newtown Pippin, no doubt, ranks highest for all

Vol. III.— 5.

general purposes on this coast, as it does in New York. When apples are required for preserves, they should be used before growing mealy — the most common fault of apples, if not of most other fruits, in this rapidly forcing clime. Among the largest apples is the kind called Gloria Mundi, but it is rather coarse, and insipid in flavor; they have been known to weigh three and a half pounds.

Of Pears : there are many varieties of this excellent fruit all the year, except in early spring and late in the winter. Among the choicest of winter pears are the Winter Nelis, Glout Morceau, Easter Beurre, Vicar of Winkfield (not Wakefield), Lawrence, and Beurre Clairgeau. They are now becoming pretty scarce in the markets, but are at the present time more abundant than usual at this season.

Oranges are fast becoming more plentiful, and lemons also. That de- licious, wholesome, and nourishing Southern fruit — the Banana — refreshes the sight (it is rather too dear for the ordinary palate), in large, beautiful bunches, half yellow, and perhaps most frequently half green. They grow sep- arately on a very stout twig or branch, in a spiral form, to the number of from twenty to sixty in a bunch. The red varieties are considered the best, though they seem to be much scarcer here. The Plantain is used for cooking only.

Grapes have nearly, if not altogether, disappeared. In the East, they seem to preserve the Catawba longer than we do ours; owing, probably, to their sea- son being later. We have a great ad- vantage over the East, in being able to grow all the luscious foreign grapes in perfection in the open air. There they have to use hot and cold graperies for these.

It seems to be of little or no avail to

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THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

suggest to our fruit-sellers to label every variety of fruit they have for sale. We have done so several times to no purpose. If they would take our hint, it would speedily educate the public as to the best kinds of all the fruits. It is worthy of remark that, notwithstand- ing the lavish liberality of many of our housekeepers, and their willingness to pay the largest prices for the best pro- ductions of our market, we find more fruits than ought to be offered for sale of an inferior quality. Surely, the 50 to 100 per cent, higher prices paid for the few superior cultivated and perfect fruits which are found and sold in our markets, should be an all-sufficient pre- mium to induce the fruit-grower to de- vote his attention to procure the choicest varieties of the different sorts of fruit. We would instance among summer fruits that most delicious plum, "The genuine Green-gage," which is so little cultivated. And so with many other of the choicest and first-rate fruits.

The numerous varieties, both culti- vated and wild, foreign and domestic, which are received here and sold in the markets, demonstrate the necessity, as well as the importance, of their being perfectly cultivated. We observe that the farmers of this State have lately formed a union for the better and fairer atten- tion to their interests, as between buyers and sellers. Certainly, the fruit cult- urists should do the same thing, for they are too much in the power of the mid- dle-men, or salesmen, in the cities and towns.

Fruit, in perfection, should be full sized, sound, ripe, fresh, and of the best kind; and when most plentiful, possess the best and highest flavor. They should be kept in cooler places than those in which they are usually stored, as this best preserves their high- ly valued juiciness.

®m$$\w\u\nm.

To the Editor of the California Horticulturist.

Sir : — I have just received from my friend, the Professor of Botany in the Sheffield Scientific School, Mr. D. C. Eaton, a copy of some notes which he has prepared for the guidance of those who wish to collect sea-weeds or alg83. Before leaving New Haven, Professor Eaton gave me a very beautiful series of the sea-weeds, which he has collected within the past few years, on the sea- board of New England. The collection includes fifty -five specimens, all of which are determined and marked with printed labels, indicating the localities. He will be glad to exchange specimens with collectors, if any there be, in this vicinity, and with the hope of promot- ing such exchanges, I intend to exhibit his collection in the Academy of Sciences, and deposit it in the University. It will give me pleasure to be the medium of exchange between any California collector and Professor Eaton.

Yours, respectfully,

D. C. GlLMAN.

University of California, |

Oakland, Cal., Dec. 26, 1872. (

This collection has been inspected with much interest by an experienced collector of marine algae, residing in this city. He will be pleased, at an early date, to exchange with Professor Eaton.

The notes, alluded to by Professor Gilman, will be found in another column of the present number of the Magazine.

We append a letter from our friend, Dr. C. A. Stivers, relating to the collec- tion of algse sent by Mr. Eaton. — Ed.

To the Editor of the California Horticulturist.

Dear Sir: — As a student of algse- ology, I have derived great pleasure from the examination of a small col-

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

31

lection of marine algge, from the New England coast, prepared by Professor Eaton, of New Haven, and by him pre- sented to Prof. D. C. Oilman, President of the University of California. It was through the kindness of the above- named gentleman, and of Mr. Carmany, that I was enabled to examine the col- lection, and compare it with my own of the Pacific Coast. Although not strict- ly in the line of your articles, I have still thought that a few words, re- specting them, would not be out of place.

The collection embraces specimens from the three great classes of marine vegetation, and comprises some, which have not, as yet, been found on this coast. It is particularly rich in the Ehodospermce (red weeds), such as the Callithamnions, whose tracery is more delicate than the finest lace, and with a color extremely brilliant. One speci- men in particular, the Daysa elegcms, is remarkable for its rich coloring. This weed has, I believe, never been found on this coast, though I have every reason to think that it has a habitat here.

The series is t$b small to make a comparison with those found here ; but as a general thing, I think their colors are more brilliant, while their growth is less robust.

This collection is, I understand, to be deposited in the State University, and it is to be hoped that it will form the nucleus of a collection which shall em- brace both the east and west coasts of North America.

The study of algseology may seem, to practical minds, of little value, and as having but little bearing upon the eco- nomic matters of life. Such is not the case. They plaj^ a most important part in the machinery of Nature; and, aside from their great beauty and interesting

formation, are worthy objects for our consideration. Yours truly,

C. A. Stivers, M. D.

We hope to hear more of this in- teresting subject. — Ed.

California Shad. — Those interested in the subject of fish culture will be pleased to know that the effort to stock our rivers with shad has attained the gratifying beginning of success. In June, 1871, the State Commissioner placed in the Upper Sacramento a large number of shad procured of Seth Green, of New York. It was well known that these fish would migrate to the sea in the autumn, and also known that when old enough to spawn they would return to fresh water, but it was not known as to whether they would return prior to that time, or whether the migratory instinct was founded solely on the necessities of spawning. The fish were placed in the river with but slight expectation of see- ing any result of the effort for three years at least, at which age they first spawn. Australia planted her waters seven consecutive years before a single shad was caught therein, but the effort in California was destined to bear early fruit. Seth Green, who under the direc- tion of the Commission imported the fish, offered a reward of $50 for the first shad caught in the river. It now appears that the reward has been earn- ed, though not yet claimed. Last sum- mer two Indians caught in their traps two fish of a species wholly new to them. They were caught in the upper Sacramento, about four miles from its confluence with Pit River. The Indians, not a little surprised at the capture of the finny strangers, and having never met their kind before, took them to

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THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

Mr. Elmore, who resides on the river at that point. Mr. Elmore, suspecting the truth, took them to his neighbor Hovey, who, having resided on shad streams at the East, was competent to expert the case, and who at once pronounced them genuine shad. The Commissioners re- gard the story of this capture as wholly reliable, and feel safe in declaring the effort to stock the river with this valua- ble species of the finny tribe as success- ful. Apropos of this, it may be stated that the Commissioners . have recently placed ten thousand trout in the South Yuba, near the head-waters of that stream ; also, a number of speckled trout in the north fork of the American. Somebody claiming to be authority in the matter, has declared that an acre of water is equal to an acre of land in pro- ducing food to sustain human life. If this be true, fish- culture is worthy the attention it is receiving. — Sacramento Record.

Ramie and Jute. — In the Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture for 1872, just received, we find an interest- ing allusion to the value and growth of two of the more recently introduced textile plants, Ramie and Jute, and speaking of them as likely to prove of importance, particularly to the southern States; and as we have the climate of those States and some advantages they have not, for the growing of the plants alluded to, we extract from the report as follows:

"Ramie and jute, fibrous plants which promise great value, have recent- ly been introduced into the United States, and to some extent have been distributed by the Department in the southern States, the climate of which is alone adapted to their successful pro- duction. Of the former, little progress has been made in its use, because ma-

chinery has not been invented by which its fibre may be separated; but its value, in view of its fineness, strength, and beauty, will yet command an exercise of ingenuity which will make its cult- ure a profitable industry.

' ' The latter has already taken its place in the manufacture of carpets and other fabrics as a substitute for cotton, wool, flax, and hair. Each of these, I may safely predict, is destined to occupy an important place in the products and manufactures of this country; and it is not the least important consideration that they may serve largely to diversify the crops of our southern States, a sub- ject which has commanded much of my attention, because of my conviction of the many benefits which will result therefrom.'' — Pacific Rural Press.

Warm Water for Plants. — The tem- perature of the water used in watering house plants, .or even those in the open border, is a matter that should receive more attention than is given it. It is too often the case that the temperature is wholly unknown, and great injury is often the consequence. There is no mistaking the effect of warm spring rains upon young grass and plants, and its influence upon the germination of seeds; whilst autumn rains — unless they too are warm — produce no such sudden and vivifying effects.

Water should be tempered, should be made temperate, and never applied to plants when below 60 deg., and had better be ten degrees higher than one lower. Experiments have shown that cucumbers in a hot bed will stand water at 90 degrees without injury; but, as a standing rule for all plants and shrubs, from 60 to 75 degrees is the right tem- perature.

Water used in watering plants should

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

33

be free from sediment. It is not essen- tial that it "be pure water; but for show- ering the leaves and branches should be as near pure as ordinary spring or river water. In watering the earth of pot or border plants, even liquid ma- nure, or water containing fertilized salts can be used : but it should not be turbid or muddy. Such water soon fills up all the pores of the soil, preventing the in- gress of air to the roots of the plant.

Extended Irrigation. — The foregoing, which refers more particularly to the application of water to pot plants, may veiy reasonably suggest the propriety of understanding well the properties and condition of water used for pur- poses of more extended irrigation. We not unfrequently hear of injury done to plants and trees by watering; and the charge is laid to irrigation; and at once a sweeping denunciation goes forth, condemning the practice as "worse than useless."

But find out the real truth, and the fault would lie, not so much in the application or use of water, as its nature, condition, or temperature. It is not spring water that injures vegetation when applied, but it is cold spring water; nor is it the excess of water, half as much as it is the mode or time of application. The subject of irriga- tion is one of growing importance to the interests of our agriculture, and our columns are always open to its reason- able discussion. — Pacific Rural Press.

Horticultural Meeting. — The annual meeting of the "Wisconsin State Horti- cultural Society will be held at Madi- son, commencing February 3, 1873. These sessions are usually well attended by prominent horticulturists of Illinois, Michigan, and Iowa, who are always welcomed.

Plants for Parlor or Coxservatort. — Of the many plants used to beautify the house, few equal the palms. There is a great variety of form, most of them having rather long, pendent, or curved plumose fronds. Many are delicate, and must be kept at an even genial tem- perature, protected from drafts, to in- sure any degree of success in their cul- ture; but there are some quite hardy, that will do very well and give an attrac- tion to any group of plants, and in any room kept a little above freezing. Among the most hardy we will name a few:

Chamaerops, fortunei, andtomentosa, very hardy; cabbage palms, chamsedorea elegans, corypha australis, (fan palm), thrinax parviflora, are extremely beauti- ful; Latania borbonica; livistonia sub- globosus is one of the prettiest fan palms we ever saw. All of the above are cheap, and can be had of most large floral establishments. — Southern Agri- culturist.

The Medical Botany of California. — Dr. W. P. Gibbons, of Alameda, has been devoting considerable time and labor to the investigation of the medi- cal properties of the plants peculiar to this Coast, and solicits the aid of his professional brethren in different quar- ters. In a paper, lately read before the State Medical Association, he describes a number of cases showing marked benefit from the Grindelia in Asthma, and thinks it will prove a valuable rem- edy, if employed with proper discrimi- nation. There are two species which appear equally active, the robusta grow- ing in low places, and the hirsutula on dry fields and hills. The infusion he regards as the best preparation.

Peru proposes to pay off her public debt in guano.

34

THE CALIFOENIA HOBTICTJLTUBIST.

Haedness of Wood. — It is a great convenience to know the comparative value of different kinds of wood for fuel. Taking shellbark hickory as the highest standard of our forest trees, and calling that one hundred, other trees will compare with it for value as follows :

Shellbark hickory 100

Pignut hickory 95

White oak 84

White ash 77

Dogwood 75

Scrub oak 73

White hazel 72

Apple tree 70

Red oak 69

White beach 65

Black walnut 65

Black birch 62

Yellow oak 60

Hard maple 59

White elm 58

Bed cedar 56

Wild cherry 55

Yellow pine 54

Chestnuts 52

Yellow poplar 51

Butternut 43

White birch 43

White pine 30

But it is worth bearing in mind that there is a very considerable difference in woods of the same species, according to the manner and soil on which they grow. A maple that grows slowly on an upland pasture, standing alone or apart from other trees, will last much longer and give out a greater degree of heat than one that grows in a swamp or in the midst of a dense forest. On wet, rich ground, it will be less solid and less durable for fuel, and conse- quently less valuable than a tree of the same kind that grows on a dryer and poorer soil. For sale, to be sure, one would be just as good as the other. To the purchaser oak is oak, and pine is pine, but for home, the tree grown on dry upland and standing apart from

others, is worth a great deal more.— Exchange.

Bules foe Peeservino Feuit. — -The London Garden gives the following as the rules of the Royal Horticultural Society, for the preservation of choice fruit :

1. As the flavor of fruit is so easily affected by heterogeneous odors, it is highly desirable that apple and pear rooms should be distinct.

2. The walls and the floor should be annually washed with a solution of quick- lime.

3. The room should be perfectly dry, with as uniform a temperature as prac- ticable, and be well ventilated ; but there should not be a through draft.

4. Use the utmost care in gathering fruit, handling as little as possible.

5. For present use, fruit shotdd be well ripened, but for long keeping it is better, especially with pears, that it should not have arrived at complete maturity. This point, however, requires considerable judgment.

6. No imperfect fruit should be stored with that which is sound, and all more or less decayed specimens should be removed.

7 . If placed on shelves the fruit should not be more than two days gathered, and no straw should be used.

8. Where specially clear and beauti- ful specimens are wanted, they may be packed carefully in dry bran, or in lay- ers of perfectly dry cotton-wool, either in closed boxes or in large garden pots. Scentless sawdust will answer the same purpose, but pine sawdust is apt to com- municate an unpleasant taste.

9 . With care, early apples may be kept until Christmas ; while many kinds may be preserved in perfection to a second year.

The rules given by American fruit- growers agree very well with the above, but make especial mention that fruit rooms for slow ripening should be near- ly dark, and the temperature low. Light and heat hasten maturity, and next, of course, decomposition.

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

35

Thinning Fruit. — This is* a lesson which we have learned, and the necessi- ty of which we have often endeavored to impress upon cultivators, and which every successive season teaches "with stronger emphasis : It is absolutely nec- essary for all who send fruit to market, to send large fruit — and the markets are constantly and progressively requir- ing large and fine fruit. Even the Seckel-pear, which once commanded in the Boston market the highest price, will not now, unless of extra size, sell for any more, if as much, as common varieties of larger size. A medium- sized fruit, or even one of smaller size, may be more economical for use, but unless some decided change in the pre- ferences of the majority of purchasers shall take place, large fruit will sell better than small. To produce this, the fruit must not only have good culti- vation, but must be thinned. One-half the trees which bear fruit every year, would be benefited by having one-half of the fruit taken off as soon as it is well set. The over -bearing of a tree will, in a few years, destroy it. We may lay it down as a certain rule, that excessive production is always at the expense of both quality and quantity ; if not in the same season, then in the succeeding one : for when branch is contending with branch, leaf with leaf, and fruit with fruit, for its supply of light and food, it would, indeed, be an anomaly in Nature, if this should not result in permanent injury to the trees as well as to the annual crop. — Marshal P. Wilder.

The corn crop the last season in the United States is thought to be the larg- est ever produced. Oats, barley and rye are about average. Potatoes less than average.

Changes in Russian River. — A cor- respondent of the Cloverdale Bee notes several remarkable changes that have taken place in Russian River in the past few years. Its banks were heavily wooded, and when it overflowed it de- posited a sediment, raised its banks, and returned to its channel without doing any injury. But now, since the land has been cleared and cultivated, when the river overflows its banks, the swollen waters having full sweep carry off the deposits of light soil of former years ; and as it returns to its bed, the banks are cut down at a destructive rate, changing the course of the stream and swallowing hundreds of acres of land worth from $50 to $150 an acre, and at the same time increasing the width of the river from an eighth to a quarter of a mile. The Russian riv- er bottom will produce 100 bushels of corn and 125 sacks of potatoes to an acre.

Funeral Flowers, in New York. — In all our larger cities flowers form a large source of revenue to florists who make bouquets, etc., a specialty. In New York, the aggregate sum sjDent yearly on flowers is immense. Upon funeral flowers, especially, large sums are expended. The following will show the prices paid for leading sorts in Win- ter: The price of a handsome basket is from five to fifty dollars. Bouquets can be made at from three to twenty-five dol- lars. Single rosebuds costs twenty- five cents, and carnations twenty cents. Smilax is sold at one dollar a yard, and violets by the dozen at twelve cents. One spray of lilies of the valley costs twenty-five cents.

Autumn leaves — when winter comes

36

THE CALIEOBNIA HORTICULTUBIST.

Poison Oak.— TExperiruents with ani- mals go to prove that Poison Oak (rhus toxicodendron) may be eaten with im- punity. Indeed, we have frequently heard it asserted by persons in Califor- nia that they have seen it eaten by men, with a view of its acting as an antidote to its j)oison externally, or from mere braggadocio. All Calif ornians are aware of the violence with which its juice acts when applied to the skin of most per- sons, many being severely poisoned by its slightest touch. It is also claimed that some people are so sensitive to its action as to be seriously poisoned by its exhalations, without any contact what- ever with either its juice or foliage. — Pacific Rural Press.

Charcoal as a Purifier. — The Coun- try Gentleman says: All kinds of uten- sils can be purified from disagreeable odors by rinsing them out with charcoal wet into a soft paste. Putrid water is immediately deprived of its bad smell by its use. When meat, fish, etc., are liable to become spoiled from long keeping, charcoal dust will keep them sweet; and if there is a single taint to meat, it can be taken out by putting three or four pieces of coal as large as an egg into the water in which it is boiled. This will effectually purify what seems too far gone for use.

Irish Bogs. — They have been cele- brated for ages as simply immense basins of liquid mud of no value, and the land they occupy has always been considered as lost, till within a few years.

Out of bog mud there are manufact- ured splendid candles, quite equal to wax. In fact, they are formed of a ma- terial held in solution in the mass of

matter, vJhich is a rosin that is believed to be the product of trees or vegetable products of a vastly remote epoch in the world's history.

Bogwood is simply trunks of ancient trees that have been saturated in bogs for undefined periods till they are charged with various elements that not only give them a very hard texture, but an exceedingly black color susceptible of a beautiful polish. Ornaments for ladies, hubs for wheels, and various articles for the toilette, are formed from the ancient productions of primitive forests. — Alia.

The Banana.— This jolant is an article of primary importance for the subsist- ence of man wherever the temperature reaches a sufficient degree of heat for its growth. An acre planted with it will support more than fifty persons, whereas the same amount of land sown with wheat will at best only support two j>ersons. As to the exuberance of its growth, it is calculated that, other circumstances remaining the same, its produce is forty-four times greater than that of the potato, and one hundred and thirty-three times greater than that of wheat. The banana, however, does not thrive outside the tropics, — Western Rural.

The California Farmer thinks the fact that this State has only four per cent, of woodland — the lowest average in the Union- — and that the forests she has are being very rapidly consumed, and that her coal-beds are at best not extensive, ought to incite immediate action on the part of her public men.

The camphor-tree grows extensively in Florida.

THE

AND FLORAL MAGAZINE.

Vol. III.

FEBRUARY, 1873.

No. 2.

CHOICE FLOWERING SHRUBS FOR THE GARDEN.

BY F. A. MILLER.

Our mild climate admits of the culti- vation of so many desirable flowering shrubs in the open air, that it is difficult to make a selection of the very best. I could name fifty species at least, which might be recommended with safety, and which would give general satisfaction to our cultivators; but my purpose at this time is to confine myself to a very few, which appear to me the most exquisite. I will omit the Laurustinus, the Lilac, the Snowball, and many others, more popularly known among us, and name first :

The Poly gala (I believe its specific name is Dalmaisin). This, I believe, has no superior as a hardy evergreen flowering shrub. It has many excellent qualities: it is evergreen; grows almost in any kind of soil; it stands close pruning; may be grown into any desir- able form ; flowers throughout nine months of the year; and is literally covered with flowers in midwinter, when other flowers are scarce. It is a strong grower, and yet it may be kept in a neat and compact form ; its flowers are of a beautiful purple color, pleasing

Vol. in.— 6.

and effective. This shrub should be in every garden, and it will give general satisfaction. The Polygala may be ob- tained of any florist at a very reasonable price. Although its cultivation is at- tended with no difficulty, it is not easily propagated, which must be done under glass ; it is also difficult to trans- plant, and is therefore always cultivated in pots, from which it may be planted out in the open ground, without dis- turbing the roots. The closer it is trimmed, the compacter and neater it will grow. I think, also, it would make a beautiful ornamental hedge. I am glad to say that the Polygala, so far, has been received with popular favor as an evergreen flowering shrub. To the best of my knowledge, it has not yet been introduced in the East.

I will next name the Erica family, of which there are many excellent varieties, which have been cultivated successfully by some of our florists. The Ericas are not so well known here as the Polyg*ala, but I am quite certain that they will prove even more popular than that shrub, when once generally known. The Ericas are a class of plants which have been cultivated very extensively in Eu- rope for years past, and the florists there offer hundreds of varieties ; large

38

THE CALIFOKNIA HOKTICULTUEIST.

greenhouses are entirely filled with them. I do not say that all of these would do well in California; but, from experience, I can say that some of the best are doing remarkably well in the open air. When first introduced here, our florists were in the habit of treating them as greenhouse plants ; this was all wrong, and since they have been culti- vated in the open air, they are fast be- coming the favorites of every florist, and, at the same time, of our amateur gardeners. They find their way slowly into our gardens, because most of our so- called job-gardeners do not even know the plant, much less its fine qualities. The Ericas are evergreen; the foliage is graceful and dense, and mostly of a dark green color ; the flowers are small and bell -shaped, extremely del- icate and pleasing, and of red, white, pink, purple, rose and other shades, and they almost cover the plant in time of flowering, which commences in De- cember with some varieties, and con- tinues throughout winter and spring. From a plant two or three years old, hundreds of little branches, full of flowers, may be cut for bouquets and vases, for which purpose they are well adapted. I hope, before long, to see as many Ericas in our gardens, as we now see of Fuchsias. The propagation of Ericas must be left to our profes- sional gardeners, unless there are ample preparations made. The ends of the young shoots are used for the purpose; they are planted in sand, closely cov- ered with glass, and must be carefully watched until well rooted. There is no flowering shrub which I could more strongly recommend for general culti- vation!

To those already described, I will now add the Bouvardia, a splendid flowering shrub, which has heretofore been treated exclusively as a greenhouse plant, and

which, in my opinion, is incorrect. Although this shrub has given satisfac- tion to florists as a greenhouse plant, it will more generally please if cultivated in the open air ; our climate is well adapted for it. However, I would ad- vise to set out strong plants of at least one year old. Under glass, the Bou- vardias are much infested by insects, which is not the case if cultivated out of doors. It is also an evergreen shrub, producing waxy, tubular flowers, in bunches, of rich pink, red, and white colors. I believe it will flower continu- ously, the whole year around, in the open air. All the varieties may not be equally well adapted for out of doors, but B. elegans, Hogarth, splendens, and Vrelandii, will do well. For bouquets and vases, the flowers are exceedingly well adapted, and will last for a long time. A more general cultivation of this shrub ought to be encouraged. Plants may be obtained cheaply of all responsible florists. The proper time to plant them out is from this time until May.

Our amateur gardeners are constant- ly asking for choice plants for the garden. If they will make diligent in- quiries, our florists of good standing will supply their wants, and if they are encouraged, they will continue to in- troduce desirable plants ; but so long as people are satisfied with Cypress, Pine, and Gum trees to fill up their gardens, nurserymen and florists will suffer loss by cultivating- those which they know to be far superior and more ornamental.

Crops. — The California wheat crop of 1872 is 75 per cent, greater than that of 1871, and will approximate 30,000,- 000 bushels. The quality is excellent. In Oregon the crop is very good, and also larffe.-

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39

THE BUBAL HOMES OF CALIEOENIA.

BY MRS. E. 8. CAEB.

Of all the external signs of progress shown in any country, none are so sig- nificant as the homes which represent the standards of comfort and culture to which the masses of the people as- pire.

California has so often been described as the Land of Gold, of Natural "Won- ders, of Corn, and of "Wine, that this phase of its development seems almost the only one with which the public are not familiar. Tourists who flit hurriedly over the highways of travel rarely get more than a glimpse of the rural resi- dences, for which Nature seems to have been prejDaring when she rounded the hills and fringed the canons with living tapestries of varied green; and few of our own citizens are aware how fast these are multiplying at all the points within easy access of the business cen- tres of our population.

Until very recently the eastern idea of country life among us has corres- ponded to the character which the Cali- fornian Pindar recently gave to the "Argonauts of '49," and not even the princely hospitalities at Belmont and other places have removed the impres- sion that our homes are the creations of sudden wealth, rather than the growths pf a deliberate purpose and love of rural life.

"While we believe the great want of California is more of the sentiment which attaches to the hearth-stone, it is true that from the earliest days there have been home-makers among us ca- pable of a high enjoyment of natural beauty in its development as well as its results — planters rather than purchasers of homes. In making the work better known which would do credit to the rural taste of the oldest portion of the

country, and in showing the unexam- ined facilities for it afforded here, in the diversity of surface, climates, and productions, we hope to do a needed service. '

Fair Oaks, the Home of Ron. T. R. Selby. (See frontispiece.)

The name of this lovely region indi- cates its chief characteristic.

The missionary fathers, who always found the right places to build in, pitched upon the Santa Clara Yalley as one of their centres, planting there the Olive, Vine, and Palm. On the right, as you enter it from San Francisco, the Coast Range rises in picturescpie ridges, clothed at the top with the giant Red- wood; and on the left, above the blue waters of the Bay, and above many lesser peaks, the cone of Mt. Diablo stands clear cut against the horizon.

One regrets not to have seen this valley when deer and antelope browsed its herb- age, and the procession of the seasons was over a flower-carpet more gorgeously colored than even Mr. Buskin's wrord- painting could describe. Not to see it now in the tender green of spring, or later in the golden prime of harvest, is a sin for which there can be no excuse.

If we can imagine Mr. James' "soli- tary horseman" set down at any point on the county road between Millbrae and Menlo Park, he would fancy him- self in the oldest and best cultivated portions of the United States. The ex- cellent roads, high tillage and ample conveniences of the farms, the sleek cattle in the pastures, and, above all, the frequent glimpses of stately residences peeping from among the trees, give an expression of finish and repose to this district not exceeded by that of the Connecticut Biver Yalley. It would be difficult for him to believe all this the work of less than twentv years.

40

THE CALIFORNIA HOKTICULTUKIST.

The Pulgas Rancho, — which, begin- ning at San Mateo Creek, included Menlo Park on its southern boundary — twelve miles long by three in width, was the first land for which a United States patent was issued. Upon it we find Belmont, the country homes of Messrs. Hayward, Parrott, Atherton, Latham, and other citizens of San Francisco, with many of more moderate cost and pretensions, which are occu- pied throughout the year.

The Selby homestead, four hundred and fifty acres in extent, is one of the oldest improvements upon the natural park which once occupied the level floor of the valley. Two species of Oak — Quercus agrifolia, and Q. Sonomensis — show here some of the most admirable forms and groupings of this family of trees, and are the frame-work of the ornamental plantations. A magnificent specimen guards the entrance from the county road. Thence by grandly sweeping curves we approach the house through close avenues of Pinus insig- nia, Monterey Cypress and Gum trees; but so many of the native Oaks remain as to give these avenues a dignity far be- yond their years. At Christmas they were bright with the scarlet berries of the Holly, a native also, and of unusual size and luxuriance. Bordering the avenues are many fine young conifers, Pines, Spruces, Sequoias, etc., which have received no water since the first year after planting.

The crowning beauty of the place is The Lawn, whereon the fairest of fair Oaks, draped with Ivy, cast their soft shadows upon the velvet turf. Art could not heighten the effect of their grouping — close enough for shelter, open enough for cheer. A single jet of water, which falls into a wide circu- lar basin — a mirror framed in flowers, reflecting the spiny tops of the Pines

and the feathery plumes of tropical grasses — is almost the only atttempt at ornament. The suggestions of Nature have been respected here, and the views from the windows are all characterized by simplicity and breadth. Choice trees and shrubs are found, but not obtr.uding upon the lawn, and there has been no attempt to change the nat- ural surface. No ugly cairn, misnamed a "rockery," suggests an Irishman and a cart. You get a glimpse here and there of an orchard, just where an or- chard should be placed to be daily enjoyed by a family.

With these surroundings, the house and outbuildings are all in keeping. A roomy and commodious go,thic cottage, with a wide veranda over which Roses and flowering Vines are trained, ex- presses comfort, ease, and refinement without ostentation. Large estates and establishments are sure to make slaves of their owners, and unless one be wise the cost and care of living is greatly increased in the country.

Of Mr. Selby's four hundred and fifty acres, less than ten are in the home grounds, and eight in the orch- ard. AjDples, Pears, Cherries, Plums of the best varieties, Apricots and Nec- tarines, Figs and Almonds, produce not less than fifteen hundred bushels an- nually. The small fruits have a place also.

All the rest of the land is either under the plow, or used for pasturage of thirty horses and twenty cows with which the farm is stocked. The sales of wheat have amounted to $20,000, not counting the present crop of some $3,000 worth on hand. The stock, though not fancy, is of the best.

The whole is surrounded with a squir- rel-tight fence, and an excellent road leads from the house entirely around the property. There is a driving-course

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

41

for the training of horses raised upon the farm. The barn, poultry -house, etc., are models of convenience, and no expense has been spared to secure the best results by the best methods.

There is a Eucalyptus-tree near the house, which has been planted nine years, fifty feet high and two feet in diameter. Pine trees send up leaders three and four feet in a single season. The Fig trees have borne almost since their first planting, and were the ad- miration of the horticultural experts, Messrs. Wilder and Downing, who vis- ited the State three years ago. The Almond orchard is one of the sights to be remembered when covered with its blooming promise of fruit. All this proves thoroughness of cultivation.

The experiments of the rich are often costly failures, which discourage similar attempts even upon a small scale. Here is a home kept for pleasure, and not profit, which would be an ample fortune to one less favored than its owner, and upon which he might depend for an ample support were all other resources to fail. Taking it for all-in-all, it is a representative home, and its Argonaut, who found the Golden Fleece, has proved over again "that it is the soli- tude and freedom of the family home in the country which constantly pre- serves the purity of the nation and invigorates its intellectual powers. "

NEGLECTED FLOWEKS.

There are several beautiful garden- flowers, though easy of culture, that re- ceive but little attention at the hands of our chief colonial cultivators. Among these may be mentioned the Balsam, which is one of the gayest and most charming flowering - plants, either for border or pot culture. We rarely see it

in our gardens, and more rarely still at our horticultural exhibitions. When well grown, the Balsam is graceful in outline, perfectly pyramidal in shape, clothed with delicate and elegant foli- age, and bearing a profusion of richly- tinted blossoms. They can, moreover, be grown as small window-plants, or as good- sized, handsome bushes for the borders; they also look remarkably well when grown in six-inch pots, and bloom- ed for decorative dinner - table plants, being particularly beautiful by gas- light. The mode of culture we have ourselves pursued, with success, is as follows : First of all, choosing a good, rich, leaf -mold soil, to which sand should be added, and the whole well mixed to- gether ; it is then advisable to sow in pots, which must be plunged in a cu- cumber-frame with slight bottom - heat, being careful not to cover the seed too deeply — not more than a quarter of an inch at most. Care must be used not to over -water; and when the plants have made their second leaves, they should be potted off into rich compost, using five -inch pots, which are sufficiently large. They will need care in potting- off, the Balsam being very susceptible of injury ; and they should never re- ceive a check, for if they do, they will not attain to large size. After potting- off, plunge them again into the frame or pit, and allow them plenty of light. The bottom -heat necessary is from seventy to eighty degrees. Judicious shading will, of course, be required, and constant at- tention as regards watering. The young plants will then grow very rapidly, and commence to branch out freely. Di- rectly the pots become filled with roots, they must be shifted at once into eight or ten-inch pots, using good rich loam. Some of them will, by this time, need training, the lower branches being brought down to cover the top of the

42

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

pots ; this will require to be carefully performed. "When very large specimens are wished for, a still further potting will have to be resorted to, two sizes larger pots being chosen ; or they can be planted out in rich and somewhat protected beds. The first blossoms should be picked off, to allow the plants to make size ; for the Balsam is a rapid grower, and well -furnished plants can be obtained in a short space of time, if due care and attention be given. To se- cure a successional display, it is abso- lutely necessary to sow three times, at intervals of six weeks or so, when a con- tinuous bloom may be secured for six months of the year. Plants cultivated in pots are much the best, plunged while growing, and until they are wanted for decorating windows, rooms, green- houses, &c. Almost everyone can grow the Balsam, if he should be so minded ; and they will repay any cultivator for the care and attention he may devote to them. One well grown and bloomed plant set between two ferns, in the drawing-room window, has a delight- fully cool and elegant effect. — Melbourne Times.

ON WATEEING.

BY E. J. HOOPEK.

People are apt to think that when the garden looks dry it wants water, and they are doing good in administering that element; but, self-evident as this may seem to be, the benefit is not quite so positive as it may appear. On the other hand, there is a very great risk of doing serious injury.

How can this be ? will be the ready inquiry. Plants require that the soil should be moist; when it is dry, the use of water moistens it ; therefore, watering must be beneficial, and the

oftener we water, the more benefit we confer. This seems plausible enough; but is just these so often repeated water- ings that do so much mischief.

The climate of California is a very un- certain one as to rains, even in the rainy season, and particularly in either its commencement or- ending. There- fore watering is necessary, not only during the hot, dry weather in our spring, summer and fall months, but sometimes even when verging upon winter, or tapering off into summer. But we are now speaking of the hottest weather in summer. We will suppose that a garden gets a tolerable sprink- ling every evening — enough, in fact, to saturate the surface, which then looks cool and comfortable. Next day, the sun causes the evaporation of this moisture, and the ground at the surface, being as it were made into a pudding by the drip-drip of the water, becomes baked into pie when the sun has drawn off the fluid. In fact, the surface be- comes what is familiarly called caked. Now, this is repeated night after night, by these dribbling waterings ; and the consequence is, that the whole mass of earth gets caked or baked hard; it be- comes thoroughly dry just below the surface, and, if drought continues (which it does of course in our summer), as far down as the roots grow — a very natural result — the plants languish if they do not die, their decadence in or exit from this "changing scene" being certainly chiefly caused by the heat of the sun, acting on their languid, droop- ing frames.

What should be done in such a case? Why, first, and above "all, give up the practice of watering every evening. Break up the surface with a short dig- ging-fork; give a thorough soaking, which, of course, must be done toward night — a cloudy sky (which, however,

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

43

occurs but seldom and only in some part of our year) favors the operation during the day ; next morning hoe the surface lightly with a small, or Dutch hoe ; do this as often as you can after- ward for some time, instead of water- ing. Repeat the soaking after a week, or more, but continue, if possible, by all means, the hoeing. Thus will the whole garden be invigorated, and what was before tending toward a desert will "blossom as the Rose."

Besides caking and eventually dry- ing the soil, slight surface waterings, if continued, encourage surface roots. This is encouraging them to place themselves in the worst possible condi- tion under the circumstances. They may drink in a little of the water ap- plied at night, it is true, but the mid- day sun scorches and paralyzes them, and the efforts of the plant to produce them is thrown away.

It is of some importance what kind of water is applied. Soft water is to be preferred to hard — and by common consent it is adjudged to be the best. It will always be better, too, if the chill, supposing it to be very cold from the hydrant, should be taken off, by allow- ing it to stand some time in tubs in the air. In some cases, in very small lots or gardens, the benefit will be increased greatly, by watering with diluted liquid manure. Real guano is good, also, for the purpose here referred to.

. Plants for Vases. — When cottage grounds are of sufficient size, a hand- some vase of fair proportions, mounted on an appropriate pedestal, is always a pleasing object, especially when filled with healthy, suitable plants ; and I have seen rustic vases formed of twigs and branches, with the base surrounded by Ivy, when the idea of fitness to the

place was unquestioned. The hand- somest vase I ever saw was of medium size, with a vigorous specimen of Rus- sellia juncea in the centre, and trailing over the edge was Gnaphalium lanatum, intermingled with the delicate stems of Ampclopris Veitchi. The slender, thread-like stems of the main plant were covered with a profusion of scarlet tubular flowers, hanging over, partly covering a few Alternantheras with richly colored leaves. I recollect a pair of broad, yet very shallow, vases situated on either side of one of our finest resi- dences near Philadelphia, and, although many months have passed since I last saw it, yet the picture is as fresh in my mental vision as if but yesterday. The ornaments were not two feet high, and were placed upon the ground without pedestals. The surface of one was completely covered with the metallic leaves of an Echeveria — the other with a very dwarf Alternanthera. Around the base of each was a bed of some large-leaved Ivy, encircled with a ring of the choice variegated variety.— Josiah

Hoopes.

<.

PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE.

BY WILLIAM H. YEOMANS.

There is a great necessity for a recon- structed agriculture in many sections of our country. It makes but little differ- ence what the latitude is, there are cer- tain general conditions that are always the same, and the result of particular farming operations will always be the same. Thus continued cropping, with but little or no return of fertilizing ma- terial to the soil, will sooner or later produce a state of infertility, and there- fore necessitate an amendment of the soil before successful farming opera- tions can be pursued. In this consists the somewhat deplorable condition of

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THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

the southern agriculture. Too little re- gard has been had to the manufacture, accumulation and application of fertiliz- ing material to the soil, so that it is in many places so reduced as to produce only minimum crops. This ought not so to be, as it is an evidence of retro- gressive rather than progressive agricul- ture. The man who attempts to culti- vate extensive fields wanting in fertility is laboring in vain; he can hardly expect even a return for his labor, saying noth- ing of any profits that he ought to re- ceive ; and yet, notwithstanding a full knowledge of this fact, men will labor on year after year, and perhaps attri- bute their want of success to some peculiarity of the season, or some at- mospheric changes which they can not control.

Does not this state of things, then, prove the necessity of a change in practical agriculture ? And, if so, what change is required ?

For one thing, it may be said that no man should undertake the cultivation of any crop until he is prepared to give the ground upon which the same is to be cultivated a sufficient dressing of some sort of manure to warrant a crop that will not only repay for all the labor expended, but will also furnish a good profit on the investment. It requires no argument to satisfy any person that no more labor is required to produce a maximum than a minimum crop ; the only difference consists in additional labor at harvesting time, which, under such conditions, most persons are will- ing to give. Now, although commercial fertilizers are very valuable to the farmer, years of experience have proven the fact that for all crops, and for keep- ing a soil in excellent condition, there is nothing better than animal manure, mixed perhaps with organic matter; the tendency of this is to render the

soil more porous, and so capable of ad- mitting a free passage of the air, which not only tends to assist fertilization by means of the gases which it contains, but also to keep the soil in dry seasons more moist, by means of insensible de- posits ; while, on the contrary, the tend- ency of mineral and inorganic manures is to compact the soil, rendering the same more difficult of penetration by the roots, as well as difficult of cultiva* tion. One of the first requirements, then, in the line of progressive agriculture, is, that each and every tiller of the soil should inaugurate some system by which the fertility of his fields may be restor- ed, and not only that, but that it be raised to such a degree as to be able to produce maximum crops. This, of ne- cessity, will require some time and patience, and may be accomplished in different ways, one of which is by the saving of everything that possesses fer- tilizing elements, and which frequently is allowed to go to waste, and applying the same to the land. But the ways and means must be reserved for other articles. — TJie Rural Alabamian.

Arrangement of Cut Flowers. — The London Gardener says that of all the various mistakes made by persons in ar- ranging flowers, the commonest is that of putting too many into a vase; and next to that, is the mistake of putting too great variety of colors into one bouquet. Every flower in a group should be clearly distinguishable and determinable without pulling the nose- gay to pieces; the calyx of a clove Pink should never be hid by being plunged into the head of the white Phlox, how- ever well the colors may look. Sweet Peas never look so well in the hands as they do upon the boughs over which they climb, because they can not be

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carried without crowding them; but put them lightly into a vase with an equal number of Mignonette; or rather, ornament a vase half full of Mignonette, with a few blossoms of sweet Peas, and you get a charming effect, because you follow the natural arrangement by avoiding crowding of the blooms, and putting them with the green foliage which they want to set them off. Few people are aware, until they try it, how easy it is to spoil such a pleasing com- bination as this; a piece of Calceolaria, scarlet Geranium, or blue Salvia, would ruin it effectually. Such decided colors as these require to be grouped in an- other vase, and should not even be placed on the table with sweet Peas. They also require a much larger pre- ponderance of foliage than is wanted by flowers of more delicate colors. It is unquestionably difficult to resist the temptation of "just putting in" this or that flower, because "it is such a beau- ty;" a beauty it may be — and so may be an Apricot — but it would be out of place in a basin of green-pea soup ! There is at least one proper place for every flower; then let every flower be in its proper place.

THE COLORADO DESEET AS AN IN- LAND SEA.

Could the Colorado Desert be again filled with water? It is an interesting question. From the Gulf of California, it is probably an impossibility. The gradual silting up of the old gulf -bed at the mouth of the river, and the drift of sand by the wind, have interposed a barrier too extensive to be easily re- moved. By turning the Colorado River into the desert it might be accomplished. The project has for years been discuss- ed, of taking enough water from the river to irrigate a stretch of fertile land,

Vol. III.— 7.

alluvial deposit, found at the southern end of the desert ; but the idea of going further than this, of diverting the river into the desert, and forming a large fresh-water lake, seems never to have been broached. Nature, unassisted, is now attempting this. The drift of sand, through the prevailing western wind, is from the desert toward the east. This drift has kept the river walled in upon the east side of the valley, and has ap- parently constantly forced it further in that direction.

Could that desert be refilled with water — converted from dry, hot sand to an inland lake — the very heat which is reflected from the barren mountain- sides around would be a power of good instead of evil. The constant evapora- tion would render heat latent which is now active, thus lowering the annual temperature very perceptibly. This lowering of temperature alone, even if unaccompanied by an increase of moist- ure in the air, would give a greater rain- fall by the more perfect condensation which it would cause. But the evapor- ation from the surface of the lake would materially augment the supply of rain- currents, thus acting in a double man- ner— a decrease of temperature and an increase of moisture from precipitation. These rain - currents would also meet with less difficulty in making their way against the ocean winds — as these winds, caused largely by the heat of the de- sert, would be less violent — and would, therefore, with more certainty and reg- ularity, deposit their supply of moist- ure over the plains of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and San Diego. "When it is considered that every additional inch of rain is worth millions of dollars to these southern counties, the value of such a change in quantity and certainty of fall may be readily appreciated. — Overland Monthly for January.

46

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

"A GEAIN OF MUSTAED."

I was one of the least of the small, small things Which from our Father's footstool springs — But a little seed, that was wafted away By the frosty winds of an autumn day, Till I sank at last in a narrow cell, "Where withered leaves above me fell. It was dark and drear in that little spot, And I felt myself a thing of nought, As through each long, long winter day Alone, inanimate, I lay.

The sighing winds swept wailing near, And through their plaint I seemed to hear These words: "A sparrow can not fall, Unnoticed by the Lord of all." Then why should I, a little seed, Sleep in the ground without His heed ? For One, who likened such as me To "Faith," while in his ministry, Inspired the vital germ within,

Till the genial spring, with dewy wing,

And warm, bright, sunny hours, Awoke again, o'er hill and plain,

The dormant leaves and flowers.

I felt unfold my shroud of mold,

My tiny leaves expand To stalk of green with foliage sheen,

Among that flowering band; A golden crown then bow'd me down,

And for this blessing given I waft above, with breath of love,

Sweet fragrance unto heaven. Beta. San Fbancisoo, January 27th, 1873.

IVY FOE DEAWING-EOOMS.

A writer in Hearth and Home says : The trailing Ivy is certainly among the most beautiful drawing-room decora- tions. Its dark green leaves harmon- ize well with all other colors likely to surround it, and its graceful branches render even square windows and frames beautiful.

Six years ago a sprig of Ivy was brought from Abbotsford to Mrs. Chas. Palmer, of Brooklyn, and it now graces the arch of the folding doors between the parlor and third room of her lovely home. When first brought, this prec-

ious sprig was rooted in water, and then planted in the garden, where it re- mained till it had grown large enough to be brought into the house. Every spring, the shoots grown during the winter are carefully cut off, and the branches tied loosely together. The whole vine, so tied, is planted in good soil, and fastened to the garden fence, there to remain, through the summer months.

Mrs. Palmer has now two vines of about equal length, which are trans- planted into large pots every fall. Each leaf is then rubbed on both sides with sweet oil, and after the pots are put in place, one on each side of the folding doors, the vines are carefully trained, and secured by strings and tacks to the wood-work. The branches of the vines on the opposite sides of the arch are in- terlaced as they meet, so that no divis- ion is apparent. The earth in the pots is watered daily.

Mrs. Palmer oils the leaves of both her large vines in three or four hours, by simply moistening her fingers in oil, and lightly rubbing each leaf on both sides at the same time. She is amply repaid by the entire absence of mould or whiteness from the leaves, and the fresh, vigorous appearance of the plant.

Trained over windows, doors, or pic- tures, the Ivy always produces aTfine effect. For decorations on a small scale, vines may be grown by simply immers- ing the stems in small vials of water carefully secured to the frame to be or- namented. Indeed, by a judicious placing of a number of these, so that each root may have its own vial, a fine effect of luxuriance may be produced. The tops of long champagne -glasses, which have lost their stands, may be substituted for vials, and the effect greatly improved by placing either in suitable spruce-wood holders.

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The Madbona Tree.— Branch •with leaves and fruit of the Madrona (Arbutus Menziesii), half natural size. Also

flowers of A. Menziesii, half natural size.

THE MADRONA TREE*

BY DB. A. KELLOGG.

Ant. " Before thee stands this fair Hesperides With golden fruit."

— Pericles, Act 1st, Scene 1st.

Who will solve for us that most mar- velous sylvan mystery of the Pacific Coast? — we allude to the almost uni- versal neglect of the magnificent ever- green Madrona, an ornamental forest tree, unsurpassed for grandeur or varied beauty.

* Arbutus Menziesii.

Let us consider its just claims for a moment. We have at our bidding a lofty tree, fifty to one hundred feet in height; as seen in native haunts on the alluvial lands of the coast, or amid other forest trees, we behold it straight and trim as the most fastidious could wish — when young, easily domesticated, trimmed and trained to any form desir- able ; at home on foggy coasts with fierce winds, dry hillsides, or barren and burning peaks; ever clad in foliage of living green, equal to the most ma- jestic Magnolia. Other trees may sleep

48

THE CALIFORNIA HOETICULTUKIST.

in quiet, waiting the return of the wild song-bird, and the renewing breath of spring; but love's highest emblems never sleep; ever on the alert, she is awake with the new year,, bringing gifts to the dear ones, and good to all living. Laden with shagreened orange and red berries, the most beautiful the eye ever beheld — surpassing the choicest strawberries — sweet, nutty, and delicious to the taste, she sub- tropically overlaps the rolling year with, ceaseless glory. Anon the sweet breath of her flowers — now in bloom — greet the sense, fragrant and exhilarating as odors wafted from the Happy Isles; the busy bee and the but- terfly sip their nectar, but no noisome insect infests this charmed tree. The white and blushing blooms peep over the dark green background, crowding their clusters into view, or bashful and half concealed, the whiter and purer bells hide beneath the shade. It is thus she modestly droops her pretty heath- like clusters, cheering the winter months. How neat at all seasons ! Changing her dress as custom requires — yet al- ways elegant, caressing the eye, ever suing for admirers — exfoliating bark, or laying off a few superfluous leaves in the hot months of July and August — the most strikingly picturesque tree of all the groves — limbs now out fresh, .smooth, and soft, with exquisitely fresh- ened green, tender and delicate as a maiden's skin — fair tablets to carve "Ro- salind" upon; the very sight of which is like inspiring a sweet zephyr just astir, breezing from out some cool, shady grove, when the traveler is faint and weary. Even the fading foliage falls un- obtrusively down as comes "still even- ing on" in twilight dews. "Fading foliage!" did I say? Nay; the beautiful leaves brighten, like celestial hojDes above, into every shade — to hallowed gold and royal purple, in exchange for

the natural green of earth. So, also, the sea-green surface beneath yields to a softened, mellow white, no artist could cease to admire. With such a sheen, the enlivened shade is by far the' most cheerful that ever bore that name be- fore; myriads of bright and gay re- flectors spiriting it away — meanwhile, shedding their "sweetness on the de- sert air." Our feet never pressed her half-dismantled robe without a feeling akin to entering the neatest ladies' j>ar- lor in the land. Instinct with the feelings of the Great Chief, we are fain to echo the eloquent apostrojohe * * * " The earth is my mother— I will re- pose on her bosom." With uncovered head, and due reverence in the pres- ence of orderly Nature, we are oft prone to tarry beneath the beautiful boughs ; and, may we say it? always leave with the lingering regrets of a lover. Re- turning anon, behold the sky -green bark changed to deep orange, burning red, or sober cinnamon brown, out of due respect to autumn, and the fashion of the season. How strange the view! What marvel of moods ! Fascinating by every art that could please, with ever-varying beauty. Could imagina- tion, fiction, or fancy, portray to itself a sylvan object more wonderful, more chaste, or more charming ! Consider again, that it sink deep into thy soul — its broad magnanimous canopy of large, thick, rich, shining green, and tropical foliage — vivid semblance of the Grand Magnolia {Magnolia grandiflora) of the South — laden, as it were, with a mass of burning berries, as we have seen it this season — its smooth, red, naked limbs, like the native red man, giant of the woods, stalking the forest with majestic tread — and you have before you the handsomest tree of the West.

Spare us, dear reader, the merited allusion to its timber. Ghosts of de-

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49

parted saw- mills, and vandal skeletons with axe in hand, loom up from the other place to haunt the evening of our da}7s. "We would rather sit on Mad- rofia's knees — that often resemble those of the deciduous Cypress of the East — and teach your children the wisdom that shall reverence sylvan use and beau- ty, that they may offer betimes some acceptable incense of affection for the native forest trees of the land. True, this tree, like others we could name, does not bear transplanting from the wild state well, from lack of the usual number of fibrous roots of many other trees; but it germinates easily and grows freely from the seed. "Why, then, is it not more cultivated?" The nurserymen reply, "Because, there is no demand." These and other trees and seeds should be put in the ground as soon as possible after the first rains. For those not familiar with this tree, a very inadequate sketch, made by the writer many years ago, may be seen in the 6th volume of the Pacific Railroad Reports, page 23d.

RECENT FRENCH DISCOVERIES IN HORTICULTURE, ETC.

A correspondent sends us the follow- ing translation from " Le Bien Public," of Dijon in Burgundy, of the 21st of April :

" An agriculturist has discovered, it is said, the means of preserving the grape- vines from their most dangerous enemy, the Phyloxera, a sort of vine-fretter or vine-grub. It seems by mixing soot with the earth around the roots of the vine, the insect is paralyzed and is killed.

Secondly, a discovery curious enough has been made recently.

An agriculturist has obseiwed that by watering vegetables and fruit trees with a solution of sulphate of iron, the most astonishing- results are obtained.

Beans have gained 60 per cent, on their ordinary size, and what is better their taste is much more savory. Among fruit trees, the pear-tree is most benefited by that process of watering.

Third, the Revue d' Economic Eurale announces that a new process of early vegetation has been tried with the greatest success by a horticulturist of Chatillon, France, who, besides the heating of the interior air in the green- house (hot-house) heat also the earth itself, the hot-bed on which the plants grow.

For this, he establishes at a certain depth pipes through which steam circu- lates constantly. The steam penetrates the interior of the earth by means of valves opening from place to place.

Such pipes are from five to ten centi- metres (from two to four inches) depth by the side of the plant beds of straw- berries, flowers and "graminces;" from fifteen to twenty centimetres (about six to eight inches), for fruit trees.

The earth thus artificially heated pro- duces vegetables and fruit with an econ- omy of half the time necessary when the interior of the greenhouse only is heated.

Thus, every one could see at this ag- riculturist's, early in April, strawberries that had blossomed, formed their fruits and ripened in fifteen days ; violets that had developed their flowers in ten days; asparagus and artichokes which have grown and been gathered in thirty -five days.

Finally, within only forty-five days, dwarf cherry-trees have budded, blos- somed, and brought forth fruits in a perfect state of ripeness."

This wonderful process of early vege- tation is new as to its application to gardening. But it is taken from nature. It is well known that in several thermal stations, and especially at Aix, in France, the gardens which are near or above the thermal fountains, produce early fruit and vegetables (primem\s) in winter ; the earth being heated by wa- ter-steam, the heat of which raises to eighty degrees centigrade. — Maryland Farmer.

50

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

FOREST -PLANTING, A SOURCE OF WEALTH.

BV PROFESSOR EZRA S. CARR.

In the November number of this journal, the rapidity with which our country is being disforested was shown from departmental statistics ; in this I desire to call public attention, and particularly that of owners of large bodies of land in California, to the im- portance of forest-planting, as a source of future wealth. The value which the crowned heads of Europe have put upon their forests is well known ; the strin- gent, and, as it might seem, almost in- human laws made for their protection, are the result of a wise and far-reaching policy, far more creditable than our national indifference. In this, as in so many other things, with us, the neces- sary legislation will follow enlightened public opinion, itself the effect of indi- vidual examples and successes.

The first laws made in England for the preservation of forests (not to be confounded with laws for the preserva- tion of game), were made by Queen Elizabeth, in consequence of orders given to the commanders of the Spanish Armada : viz., in the event of conquest, to destroy the English forests, and especially that of Dean.

Now Dean was, like Windsor and Sherwood, an appanage of the crown, filled with noble Oaks of such excellent quality for ship -building, that its de- struction was equivalent to cutting off the right arm of the nation. Luckily for England and for us, the Spanish axes did not accomplish the mischief they intended ; the great Oaks grew on unharmed until the time of Charles I. , who reduced their numbers from 105,- 537 to some 30,000 ; one of the crimes against the English people for which a sad reckoning-day was to come. One

of the first movements of the Restoration was the re-planting of 11,000 acres ; and the forest of Dean, sixty-four square miles in extent, is now fully recovered.

Windsor Forest, once 120 miles in circuit, has dwindled to about fifty -six, of which the Little Park, immediately connected with the castle, containing 500 acres, and the Great Park contain- ing 4,000, are the most important. It is well stocked with game, and contains choice plantations of exotic trees and shrubs.

The glory of Sherwood, once so famous in the legendary history of England, has departed, but it still con- tains 1,500 acres of very old oak timber, and within its ancient limits are found many interesting trees. The New Forest in Hampshire, originally ninety miles in circumference, also contains timber of great value.

The history of Arboriculture in Eng- land, both in the Royal Forests and the seats of the nobility, is of great prac- tical interest to us, because the kind of trees there found of most value for timber, fuel, and the various purposes of the arts, will all flourish in a large part of the United States, and some of the best of them are indigenous here. In the case of the Royal Forests, the records have been carefully kept for a long period, while the local traditions of some historic trees extend back to a remoter time than that of Robin Hood or Heme the Hunter.

They are under the general con- trol of the Crown Commissioner of Woods and Forests, and employ a small army of officials of graded rank ; Lord Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Verderers, Woodwards, etc., who, it is said, de- plete the royal revenue, and contract the ancient limits. It is comforting to know that they are subject to some of the evils incident to public domains

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elsewhere; that squatters thrive where poachers perish without anybody being to blame. But notwithstanding these drawbacks, the Royal Forests contribute no inconsiderable part in the revenues of the crown.

The grandest tree of these forests is the Oak, the tree which, living or dead, contributes so much to the beauty of the Englishman's home, and which may be said to have given him the suprem- acy of the sea. It is believed that an Oak after reaching a circumference of four feet, gains a solid foot every year, and it is on this basis that the profits of the plantations, as timber, are estimated. But the thinnings are also very valuable for poles, posts, hurdles, etc. Evelyn estimated the total profits of 1,000 acres of well matured oak timber, at £670,000. The relative value of the Oak has changed somewhat by the in- troduction of foreign trees of a more "rapid growth. Immense plantations of the Norway Pine, Scotch Fir and Larch, have superseded them in the north of England and Scotland.

Forest -planting, in Great Britain, commenced about the year 1664, through the instrumentality of John Evelyn and the Royal Society.

The wide popularity of Evelyn's writings, and his own zeal and enthusi- asm, gave an immense impulse to tree planting in England. Let us see what came of it in a hundred years. One or two instances must suffice. In the year 1783, the Duke of Gordon sold his plantation of Scotch Fir to Mr. Osborne, of Hull, for ten thousand pounds ster- ling. Mr. Osborne made of it forty- one ships, at a cost of seventy thousand pounds. At the castle a specimen plank is shown from this first harvest, six feet long by five feet five inches in width. The ground was not then cleared, but left to produce successive crops of timber.

At Holkham, the seat of the Earl of Leicester, there is a park of 3,200 acres, ' 'farmed in an admirable manner." The first earl planted one thousand acres of it with acorns of the Quercus sessifolia, and lived to witness, with his family, the launching of a noble ship, built from some of the trees, and to see the forest "worth a prince's ransom."

The Scotch Pine attains perfection, as timber, at from 150 to 200 years old. It is planted close, and the trees, like those of the great natural forests of Oregon, reach from fifty to sixty feet without a branch, and are from eight to ten feet in circumference. The thin- nings alone are regarded as giving a fair profit on the investment.

The relative growth of the different trees used in English plantations, may be seen from a record of actual growth kept by the Marquis of Lansdowne. The trees were planted in the year 1675, on a swampy meadow with a gravelly sub-soil; the measurement was taken in July, 1785:

Height Circumference. Name of tree. in feet. ft. and in.

Lombardy Poplar.. 60 to 80 4 8

Abele 50 "70 4 0

Plane 50 " 60 3 6

Acacia (Locust) ... . 50 " 60 24

Elm 40 " 60 3 6

Chestnut 30 "50 2 9

Weymouth Pine .. . 30 " 50 2 5

Cluster " ... 30 " 50 25

Scotch Fir 30 " 50 2 10

Spruce " 30 " 50 2 2

Larch 50 " 60 3 10

I will not dwell upon the various uses of this timber, or of the calorific value of the different species. But from the

" Close grained chestnut wood, of sovereign use For casking up the vine's most potent juice,"

to the tree which only Americans des- pise, Lombardy Poplar, there is not one which we shall not require in California within fifty years, because each is as

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THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

admirably fitted to some special want of the artist or manufacturer, as the Lime is for the most delicate carving, or the Willow for gunpowder.

The indigenous trees of the Pacific Coast are the most highly prized, and among the most profitable in Eu- ropean plantations. The nurseries of France, Germany and Italy, are well stocked with our giant Sequoias, our Firs and Pines. Noble avenues of American Plane, and the Liriodendron or Tulip-tree of the Middle States, adorn the cities of central and southern Eu- rope. A few poor specimens of these trees may be seen in private collections in California, but the nurserymen do not propagate them. As yet, there is little demand for anything but quick- growing, showy trees — Monterey Cy- press, Blue Gum and Acacia. All our forest-planting seems tending towards Eucalyptus culture on a large scale. This seems the greater pity, because so large a part of the arboreal world is at our command from which to choose. The Cinchona, of South America, would doubtless flourish in some localities in our State ; and China, and Japan have many useful trees which could be easily acclimated here.

It is only by observing and respect- ing the methods of Nature that men succeed in gaining mastery over her hidden resources. Now, Nature never plants a field or forest with a single species ; she loves an infinite diversity. A plantation of Blue Gum would be an abomination in her sight, and, we may be sure, she has some chosen parasite in reserve with which to destroy it. In Scotland, because Larches were most immediately profitable, they planted more and more Larches, until a fungus came which devoured first their hearts, and then all their ligneous fibres, until nothing was left of them but bark and

roots. Then a cry went forth that the Larches were a humbug and a failure, until De Balfour suggested that they had become diseased from overcrowd- ing and overstocking the land. Then it was found that, when the Larch was as- sociated with other trees, the Ash, and the Oak especially, in equal proportion, it was as healthy as ever.

Diversified planting, like diversified farming, will prove the only profitable mode, for California, in the end. A thousand acres planted with a variety of evergreen and deciduous trees with due regard to their habits and economic uses, we believe, would be one of the safest and most permanently profitable investments that could be made upon the land. Nor need we wait even a quarter of a century for returns.

The Eucalypti, intrinsically valuable in so many respects, make admirable nurses for slower growing and more tender species, and maybe used as soon as this object is accomplished. The rate of their growth and importance in our forestry, and of some other exotic trees, will be treated in a subsequent paper.

ENGLISH VIEW OF VEGETABLES AND SALADS.

The Gardeners' Chronicle, speaking of vegetables for culinary use, truly says : Neither one nor the other should be washed until they are about to be cooked or eaten. Even Potatoes lose flavor quickly after being washed ; so do Carrots and Turnips ; while water will quickly become tainted in summer in contact with Cauliflowers and Cab- bages, and thus destroy their freshness and flavor. The case is still worse with Salads. If washed at all, it should be only jiTst before they are dressed, and they should be dried and dressed im-

THE CALIFOKNIA HOKTICULTUKIST.

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mediately. Nothing ruins the flavor of vegetables, and renders good salading uneatable, sooner than water hanging about them. If Lettuces are quite clean, they make the best salad unwashed ; but, if washed, the operation should be done quickly, the water instantly shaken out, and leaves dried with a clean cloth. But alas! how often are they cut and washed in the garden in the morning, and pitched into water in the scullery sink until wanted. Then we are grave- ly asssured that our gardeners can not grow salading like the French ! But what French "artiste" would be mad enough to rinse out his salad juice, then recharge his lettuces and his endives with semi-putrid water? The best prac- tice is simply to remove all superfluous earth by scraping or rubbing, and all rough tops of leaves by cutting. Enough tender leaves may be still left on Cauli- flowers and Broccoli to overlap the flowers. Salad should be sent in from the garden with most of the outside leaves and main root- on. The tender leaves are easily .tainted and injured by exposure, and if the chief root is cut off short, much of the juice oozes out at the wound. Where vegetables and salading have to be bought from a town green-grocer, the conditions are alto- gether different. Not only washing, but soaking often becomes requisite to restore something like pristine crisp-

ness.

•

OLD FLOWEEING PLANTS.

BY F. A. MXLLEK.

An impression seems to prevail among those who cultivate flowers here, that flowering plants should last forever, and do well. This is unreasonable, and demonstrates that the nature and wants of many plants are not really under- stood. Plants of the garden as well as Vol. in.- 8.

those of "the greenhouse, conservatory, and window, have their time.

It is true that, by proper cultivation, all plants will do well for a much longer period than if neglected; but the time will come when they should be re- placed by new stock.

No one would attempt to cultivate the Grape-vine by leaving it entirely to its own chances ; in truth, it is a well- known fact, that it requires a certain amount of skill and experience to culti- vate Grape-vines properly. The same may be said of Currants, Raspberries, Strawberries, and all other useful and ornamental trees and shrubs.

People hereabouts expect entirely too much for their money. When applica- tions are made to a florist for a plant, the following queries are made: -'Is it evergreen ? will it flower all the time ? are the flowers fragrant? will it grow up to a big bush?" etc. Now, it is not very often that in any one plant all these qualities are combined. If flowers are desired continually, plants must be selected which will produce flowers at different seasons. Some of the most desirable flowering shrubs are not ever- green, and, therefore, they are not looked upon with much favor. All this is wrong, and should be corrected at once. I have often endeavored to. convince people, that it is far better to go to the nurseries, and select Boses, for instance, from the open ground for planting during the rainy season; these will do much better than Boses forced into bloom under glass ; but from my own experience, I can say, that Roses so forced meet with a much better sale, than if taken up from the ground. Some say that they want to see the flowers when they purchase; I would say to them, go to a responsible florist, and you will not be deceived in the varieties you select. I would trust a

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THE CALIFOBNIA HOETICULTUEIST.

respectable florist just as far as I would a respectable druggist.

But to the point. You purchase a Chinese Primrose, say, in a four-inch pot, full of flowers, and in a healthy condition at this time; you may reason- ably expect that it will continue to flower well for about three months longer, when it should be shifted into a five-inch pot. In doing so, only a por- tion of the soil should be removed, and replaced by light sandy loam, mixed with one -quarter old rotten manure. After shifting, water well, and place in a shady place for a week. You may then give it its former sunny position again, and new foliage and new flowers will make their appearance, and con- tinue to do so for three or four months. At the beginning of next winter, shift again into a six-inch pot, in the same manner as indicated before, and your Primrose will continue to flower during the winter months of 1873 to '74. By this same treatment you may keep it another year, butl advise you to procure, after this second year, young plants again; in fact, I throw away these old plants always, to make room for the more vigorous young plants. .Double Chinese Primroses I retain for a num- ber of j'ears, because they produce a .greater abundance of flowers when several years old. Primroses, of course, should only be cultivated under glass, in greenhouses, conservatories, or win- dows, where they will thrive admirably.

The Cineraria is a beautiful flowering plant for winter decoration, but is of still shorter life than the former; yet, under very simple treatment, I have seen these do well for two years. A Cineraria in bloom now, will continue so for four or five months, after which time it may be set aside in some shady place in the open ground. In autumn, take the plant out of the pot, shake off

all the soil, and replant in a smaller- sized pot, and for further treatment the same as for the Chinese Primroses, only keeping a little more shaded. How- ever, I would say, that the Cineraria will not do so well in the window as the Primrose, the dry air of the room being rather injurious to it.

I have mentioned these plants as ex- amples; but this rule may be applied, to some extent, to most plants cultivated for flowers or foliage.

Take, for instance, the Eose, which is known to everybody. In this climate the Eose makes a wonderful growth of wood, most of which, and sometimes all of it, is permitted to remain. The strength of the plant is exhausted in useless wood and foliage, and a very few, if any, good flowers are produced. If this is allowed to go on for several years, the plant becomes actually worth- less. If I plant a Eose-bush, I plant it about one inch deeper than it has been growing previously. I cut the main stalk back to within twelve or eighteen inches (according to its strength), of. the ground ; and, if a very weak plant, to within six inches, or even less ; the side branches I cut back to two or three sound buds. If planted during the winter months, some very good flowers will be produced in spring following. After the first flowering, and when the new wood is hardened, which is about the month of June, I cut back the new wood to about four or six buds on the main branches, and to two or three strong buds on the side shoots; then stir up the soil, and give a good water- ing. The plant will shoot out again, and good flowers will be produced in abundance during the latter part of summer and autumn. This treatment applies more particularly to hybrid perpetual Eoses, such as Geant de Batail- les, Madame Laffay, etc.

THE CALIFORNIA HORTICULTURIST.

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Tea Roses, by proper pruning, a little at a time, so as to keep proper shape and form, will bloom continually.

In order to always keep a fine selec-