close by a lawn mower, or it may die out under a very hot sun; but it comes into "green" so very early in Spring, and has such a cheerful shining tint, that we are very partial to it. Green grass stands the vicissitudes of our climate better than any grass, and makes a capital bed for a lawn mower. A mixture of the two would not be unobjectionable, for if the close mowing did injure the rye grass, the green would creep in and take its place. It may save mistakes to add that what we call green grass is Poa campestris, and Lolium perenne the Rye grass.] WATERING TREES IN DRY WEATHER.-B., Pittsburg, Pa., says: "I find a difference of opinion among some who know more than I about gardening, as to whether some trees I planted this Spring should be watered or not. Most say water, but a few whom I regard as knowing something say not. Which is the "approved" practice ?" [A difficult question to answer in a general way. There are times when water is almost essential, but it is best to avoid it if possible. In many cases trees are injured far more by the kind hand which holds a water pot than they would by full exposure to dry weather. If a newly planted tree shows sign of withering its leaves on the least warm weather, we should most likely cut off a few of its branches, which would lessen the evaporating surface. If it still seemed to suffer, choose a dry day to loosen the earth on the surface about it,-loosen say half an inch, and then with a rammer give it an "unmerciful" punching and pounding. This will so thoroughly pulverize the soil that it will attract moisture from the surrounding ground. If after all the leaves do not wear a cheerful aspect, make a shallow basin about the roots, and pour in a bucket full or two of water, and a day or so following fill in again with the dry earth, pressing it in closely. This will do for the whole season.] NAME OF PLANT.-B., Fairfield County, O.: “I send you three bulbs, attached in a triangular position, one of them with a leaf like a Tigridia, the others without leaves, and seeming to be respectively one and two years older than the first. They were growing in the woods in rich ground, on a north hillside, and not far below the surface. It is new to me. Will you be kind enough to tell us its name and something about it in the Monthly." [This appears to be an orchid-probably a Cypripedium, but the species can scarcely be made out from a bulb. It is planted, and when it grows we may be able to say more about it.] SEEDS OF PRIMULA SINENSIS." One of the Under Current" writes: "Oblige by informing me, (and I presume the information would be acceptable to others) how I may obtain seed from Primula Sinensis. I have now many years, sought in vain for seeds, but find only an inflated capsule devoid of seed. The Eastern continental seedsmen must find them more readily or they could not afford us fifty or a hundred seeds of their choicest varieties for a dollar. But the question is how is it done. While the ink is moist, let me make my record as being one of those who would commend the plant to the cultivation of all flower lovers, as being one which will not disappoint their expectations. Now-a-days, especially when there are so many lovely varieties, both in foliage and flower, and if I cannot raise seed, I can buy enough for a dollar or two to raise a hundred plants, which yield me pleasure for a whole year. They trouble me a little before coming into rough leaf by damping off, but as soon as they obtain their rough leaf, no more difficulty, but all gratification until they bloom, when it is intensified, and continues throughout the winter a source of pleasure by their continued bloom. Endorse this if you can consistently." [It has been discovered by Mr. Darwin, that many plants have a horror of self fertilization, and though stamens and pistils may seem perfect in the same flower, it is often difficult to get seed from those which rely on their own pollen. They will have the pollen from other flowers or none at all. This resulted in the discovery of the wonderful part performed by insects in cross fertilization. The genus Primula is especially one of those which generally refuses to be self fertilized. In the common English Primrose and Polyanthus, there are two classes known to florists as the "pin eyed " and the "thrum " eyed. In the former case the pistil is above the anthers, filling the centre of the flower; the apex protruding like the head of a pin. This one will never take its own pollen. It seems as if it pushed beyond the anthers expressly to avoid being fertilized by them; but with the pollen from another flower it generally sets very well. In what are called the "thrum" eyed forms, the anthers have pushed beyond the pistil, and close up the throat. They rarely, though sometimes, succeed in fertilizing their own flower; but when the pollen from these get to the "pin" eyed forms, the result is almost always in favor of a full seed vessel. These facts may serve our correspondent in becoming more successful next time with the Chinese kind. With our correspondent's estimate of the Chinese primrose we quite agree. There is no plant which will usually furnish more varied gratification than this.] BOOKS, CATALOGUES, REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE ON THE FORESTS AND FOREST CULTURE OF SWEDEN. By C. C. Andrews, United States Minister: This is a pamphlet published by the Department of State, at Washington, and is a very valuable document, especially just now when timber planting is one of the greatest of present American questions. The Government of Sweden takes an immense interest in the growth of its forests, and the whole subject is treated by Minister Andrews in the most exhaustive manner. ETC. en with profit-and preserved with respect. Th present issue is equal in value to any of its predecessors. Besides the dry record of who takes the premiums, there is generally an intelligent essay by the chairman of each committee, deavoring to sum up the nett results, and a sort of record of progress made. Here we have excellent reading in the report of W. T. Harlow, of the fruit committee. He takes up the threadbare theory of Knight as to the wearing out of varieties, and puts new floss on it. He shows that the theory may not be, as we all know it is not, true in the narrow way in which it has been TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OF presented to us; but yet that it is a general philoTHE WOMENS' MEDICAL COLLEGE OF PENN-sophical principle, and must be true in some SYLVANIA. Whether any practical good to Society will ever result from the exercise of the ballot by women, or by the triumph of what is known politically as 66 womens' rights," is a question which does not concern the Gardener's Monthly in the least; but it does believe that the interests of horticulture are served greatly by every effort for women's higher education. One of the best institutions for this purpose that we know of is the one represented by the little pamphlet before us. It is gratifying to find it flourishing. The list of matriculants numbers seventy, and are from nineteen different States. Among the professors are Miss Rachel Bodley, Dr. Henry Hartshorne, and Dr. J. G. Hunt, all eminent as botanists, besides in the chairs they fill in the college. sense; and we cordially agree with him. Not so cordially can we agree with him in the proposition that "every winter, doubtless," all trees in this latitude are completely frozen, root, body and branch. It has been stated in the Gardener's Monthly, that grape vines with their roots out in ground, may have the earth frozen solid about them, and yet when the canes in the house have been forced they have grown and flowered while these roots were out in the solid frost. And that Hyacinth roots put four inches or six inches deep in the ground in November, and frost immediately set in on and around them, will yet have their crowns at the surface when the first spring thaw comes, though the whole mass has been frozen solid all that time. We know these facts are true as represented, but how can "things frozen solid" make several inches PROCEEDINGS OF THE WORCESTER COUNTY of growth while in that condition? It is aston(MASS.) HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, FOR 1873. ishing to us that this "frozen solid" theory ever As a general rule the proceedings of societies had any place in an intelligent mind. If we are dry reading, and we are sorry to say that saw any living thing "frozen through," and yet some of them are worth but three cents per live, we should doubt the evidence of our own pound. Not of this class is the annual volume eyes. Certainly they may appear frozen somefrom this Society. It is carefully read-always times, as a drowned man sometimes appears dead; but when the drowned man recovers we are bound to believe that the man was not really dead, in spite of all appearances. TRANSACTIONS OF THE PLYMOUTH COUNTY (MASS.) AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, is another serial we always welcome to our table. The editor or supervisor," has some sensible re marks on the relation of labor to the value of manures. He also deals extensively in figures in regard to the profitableness of the various modes of culture of various crops; and there is a capital chapter on tree culture for timber in the county. The progress of agriculture there is shown in no better way than by the statement that though the area under farm culture has decreased in the county, the sum of the products is as great as ever it was, and profitably so. The oyster shell bark louse is figured and described under the name of Mytilaspis pomicorticis, Riley; and its history and character fully given. He gives reasons for changing from the old name of Aspidiotus conchiformis. Another chapter is that relating to a very common nuisance-the Pine Scale insect-which so often completely cover the leaves of pine trees with minute white specks, and which is so destructive to the trees on which it feeds. Mr. Riley has found a certain remedy. Pines, as a general thing, will not make a new set of "needles" if the old ones are destroyed; but if taken off just as they are expanding new ones will then appear, and by thus taking off the leaves, eggs and all are involved in one common ruin, and A new species of Hickory borer, Scolytus the new growth comes forth insect free. careya, of Riley, is described, and its bad deeds fully told. The Rose bug has a chapter devoted to it, as also has "a new enemy to the grape vine and others," named nysius destructor by Mr. Riley then there is a chapter devoted to “insects injurious to the grape vines." FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF PROF. C. V. RILEY, STATE ENTOMOLOGIST OF MISSOURI,The State of Missouri deserves the thanks of, not only her own citizens, but also of the people". of other States, whose legislatures have not yet been able to see the importance of aiding science, especially those branches which imme. diately affect the wealth and prosperity of a people as do entomology and those of a kindred character. In the preface, Mr. Riley expresses his gratification to find his work more and more appreciated, but we think that not he himself has a faint idea of the high degree of estimation in which his labors are really held. The present volume has a timely chapter on the relation of the science to agricultural prosperity, and gives brief instructions for collecting, studying, and preserving insects. A chapter on the Codling Moth, brings down knowledge of it to the present time. In regard to traps, Wier's shingle trap was found to be of some use; but paper bandages, rags, or some similar matter, tacked on and around the trunk, and when full of larvæ taken off and burnt, were found better ones. The Colorado Potato Beetle receives some attention. The Apple twig borer has reached the Atlantic States, and there are many other brief notes of insect advances during the past year. There has been much of importance dis. covered in regard to the Phylloxera, all tending to sustain Mr. Riley's previous position that this minute root insect is one of the leading causes of grape failure in America. In this volume also appears a full history of the new discovery, Pronuba yuccasella, the insect by the aid of which the yucca is supposed to be alone fertilized. This discovery is remark. able in this that for the fifty or more years the Yucca has been in cultivation about Philadelphia and other places abounding in Entomologists. and who must or might have seen thousands of capsules bored by this insect (for the writer doubts whether he ever saw one that was not), no one seems to have thought of looking for the insect which did it, aud should leave it to Mr. Riley's industry to let us know all about it. THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST.-This beautiful English publication is not as well known in the United States as it deserves to be. It is a monthly, in small octavo form, and every number beautifully illustrated. A set now before us has colored plates of a new variety of the English Primrose, Early Ascot Peach, Lilium tigrinum, Lishmanni, Iris ibirica Perryana, Maranta makayana, Young's Weeping Birch, Ricotees, Gladiolus Alice Wilson, Geonoma Seemanni, and other plain cuts and lithographs. This will show that a wide range is taken. The articles on Horticultural subjects are numerous and varied, embracing matters of science as well as plain cultural details. THE SOUTHERN PLANTER AND FARMER OF RICHMOND, VA., has always maintained a high character among Southern Agricultural magazines. It has changed hands frequently of late years Now it is edited by T. L. Payne, and published by L. R. Dickinson. PRIZE ESSAY ON FOREST TREE GROWING IN NEBRASKA--by J. T. Allan. This is full of facts as to what has actually been done in Nebraska in tree raising, and will be a valuable guide to those who are settling in that region, as well as to tree plante's generally in the West. THE MYSTERY OF METROPOLISVILLE. By Edward Eggleston. Published by Orange Judd & Co. It is generally believed that for some NEW AND RARE PLANTS. NEW GOLDEN ARBORVITZ.-Burrow & Wood Fishkill, N Y., write: "We think we have a very fine Seedling Golden Arborvitae of dwarf habit, which originated with us about the year 1858. We hand you a young plant by to-day's mail for a sample, and in return would like your opinion.” [There are now many of these golden American Arborvitas under cultivation, and the merit of any new one will depend on how the plants look after they acquire a little age. That is on their mature habit. The one sent us has a different habit from any other golden Arborvitae we have seen, and we are inclined to think it will be a desirable addition. This, however, only a large plant can definitely decide] Dr. Kellogg had ten years previously named and described this lily in the proceedings of the Ca'ifornia Academy of Sciences for 1858, and the remarkable part of Prof. Wood's remarks is rather that he should have been ignorant of what other botanists had done. Through the unusual circumstance of two authors employing the same name, the confusion and trouble which loose and careless habits in describers bring to scientific students, the inconvenience in the present case will not be great, but it is but justice to Dr. Kellogg that this correction should be made in the records of the Academy. "At NEW VARIEGATED LOBELIA.-Messrs. Claggett & Munger, St. Joseph, Mo., write: a time when baskets filled with plants are so LILIUM WASHINGTONIANUM.-At the meet- much in use, and especially variegated plants ing of the Philadelphia Academy Natural so much admired for that purpose, we take pleaSciences, on May 20th, Mr. Thos. Meehan resure in sending you a Lobelia which originated ferred to a paper entitled a sketch of the Liliaceo in our establishment last season, and as we have of the Pacific Coast, read by Prof. Alphonso not noticed any such plant advertised in any Wood, and published in the volume of proceed-catalogue, we thought it might be of interest for ings for 1868, in which he describes a new your readers to know that such a plant will be - species " of Lilium as L. Washingtonianum, giv- | offered for sale at an early day. We leave you ing as a reason for the name that it was gener-to pass an opinion whether such a plant would ally known as "the Lady Washington" by the be welcome to lovers of flowers at large. This miners. Prof. W. said in his paper that it was Lobelia appeared in a lot of seedlings last year. remarkable that so fine a plant had been over- At first we thought it to be caused by sickly looked by other botanists. It so happens tha growth, but by close examination we found it to 66 be in a perfectly healthy condition, but still was not cared for as much as ought to have been. This season we find it to be one of our finest growing plants of that class. It has white flowers edged and dotted with rich blue and has by us received the name of Lobelia Paxtonia Variegata." [This is a valuable addition to our garden plants. The white is clear and the green is lively, while the plant itself is in vigorous health We are sorry for its long name. Why not call it at once Claggett's Variegated or the "Claggett." Latin names are bad enough for species, although we cannot do without them there, but they serve no useful purpose whatever in a garden variety. ED.] NEW BOUVARDIAS.-Attention is being given in England to the improvement of these beautiful winter blooming flowers. The following are some that have just been introduced: Alba Odorata.-This is a valuable addition to the group, differing from B. longiflora in its more compact and vigorous, yet dwarf, habit, also in its greater profusion and longer continuance of bloom. The flower trusses are large, with pure white petals of great substance, and very richly fragrant, the snowy whiteness of the lobes forming an elegant contrast with the rose-tinted trumpet like flower tubes. mediate between B. longiflora and B. jasminflora. The bloom is produced freely in large cymose clusters of snow-white flower-lobes, broader than any other in its section; delightfully fragrant, and fading off with a delicate carmine tint. The greater width of its petals and large racemes of bloom, render it a very effective plant for late autumn and winter flower groups. Queen of Roses.-A very beautiful variety in the colored group of Bouvardias, and the first known with fragrant colored flowers, producing large terminal branching clusters of pure bright rosy-pink trumpet-like blossoms, on crimson tinted flower tubes. Its neat, vigorous, and freely branched growth yields a long succession of bloom during the late summer and autumn months, forming a very distinct and desirable plant for pot culture in the greenhouse, conservatory, or open front border in the summer flower garden. PAULLINIA THALICTRIFOLIA.--A very beautiful semi-scandent stove foliage plant, which will be most useful for all kinds of decorative purposes. It is of slender growth, producing very freely its beautifully cut leaves, which resemble the fronds of a highly-divided Maidenhair Fern. The matured leaves are of a striking bright green, the young shoots and foliage being of a beautiful rosy tint. Bridal Wreath.-This fine hybrid Bouvardia The plant may be grown either on a trellis or is recognized from its allied forms by the pecu- in the bush form, and as such is a very great liar greyish, or white-tinted stems, and obscure-acquisition, both as a plant for table decoration ly hairy or pilose leaf margins; in other features or to cut from. This plant was introduced from it is free, vigorous and compact in growth, inter- the Brazils through the late Mr. Bowman.— DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. APPLES FOR CENTRAL ILLINOIS.-RURAL, of the Chicago Tribune, says :-"We must not have all regard for high prices; for, while the Lady apple may sell readily at $2.50 per bushel, it is less profitable than the willow twig at 50 cents. We must, therefore, take all things into consideration, if we would make a wise selection. Then, again, the farmer who grows apples for market should confine himself to a few varieties, for his customers will desire the same kinds, that is, if they are good ones. For summer and fall apples, Saps of Wine, Red Astrachan, Lovel, |