332 THE FLORIST. 



CHINESE YAM. 

 Messrs. Ivery & Son, Dorking, exhibited to the Horticultural Society, 

 last year, som^ fine tubers of the Dioscorea Batatas, accompanied by 

 the following letter : — 



" We have sent nine roots of Dioscorea Batatas. The three largest 

 were obtained from whole roots planted the first week in April, 

 and then weighed about 1 lb. each. The other six roots were obtained 

 from cut sets planted at the same time, and side by side. The ground 

 was trenched to the depth of 3 feet, and had a good coat of hot-bed 

 manure ; they were planted 1 foot apart in the row, and 2| feet 

 between the rows (there being only two roots). When they began to 

 grow we had them sticked with pea-sticks, but for these the plants soon 

 got too strong, and we then had placed between the two rows some fir- 

 poles, to which the plants soon clung, as the points of the shoots twist 

 round the pole, in the same manner as those of the hop. The foliage 

 of the plant is very ornamental ; and the bloom, though small, is very 

 fragrant." 



The largest of the tubers weighed 4 lb., and when taken up 4 lb. 6 oz. 

 The above mode of cultivation may therefore be recommended. It is 

 reasonable to suppose, that, as the plant is adapted for twining, its 

 foliage will be in a more natural position, and better exposed to light, 

 when elevated, than if left to trail on the damp soil, and that it will 

 consequently the better elaborate the sap for the production of roots of 

 large size, and superior quality. 



PLANTING AND PLANTATIONS. 



{Continued from page 302.) 



The result of mixing deciduous and evergreen trees in the same planting 

 is to mar the effect of the whole, more especially in winter; for, when 

 viewed from a distance, the naked stems of the deciduous plants give the 

 appearance of so many blanks between the evergreens, and destroy the 

 massiveness which groups of evergreens should present at that season ; 

 and which, viewing them as component parts of landscape scenery, 

 should by all means be kept unbroken. The great beauty and utility 

 of evergreens is best studied and appreciated in winter ; not only do 

 they afford shelter and retreats from the cold winds of our climate at 

 that season, but they enliven the scenery by their cheerful expression, 

 and on bright sunny days give animation to the landscape by the play 

 of light on their foliage, caused by the reflection of the sun's rays from 

 the surface of their leaves, and which, when put in motion by a breeze, 

 afford a striking contrast to the general torpor of vegetation around. 

 What is more beautiful in the depth of winter and early spring than to 

 view large masses of evergreens, even of the commonest kinds, such as we 

 now and then see surrounding some old-fashioned residence, bestowing 

 a warmth and tone about the place which no other kind of embellish- 

 ment can give, and forcing the idea upon us of the agreeable shelter 



