DOMESTIC NOTICES. 



295 



pruning is necessary, and most of the top may be 

 saved, as the greater part of the roots may be pre- 

 served. 



The weight of an Elm tree a foot in diameter, 

 with a ball of earth 6 feet across and 18 inches in 

 thickness would be probably five or six tons, in or- 

 der to execute the work properly, a set of ropes 

 and pulleys would be found convenient. Trees of 

 6 inches in diameter, may be readily removed with 

 a yoke of oxen, and the implements commonly at 

 hand. 



In conclusion, we would say to all, plant trees, 

 let every young man plant trees that he may have 

 something ever near to bring back pleasing recol- 

 lections of his youth — something when lie is an old 

 man that will seem of his own age. and sympa- 

 thise with him, and look on him with a familiar 

 face — that he may not feel quite alone among a 

 new generation. Let the old man plant trees. 

 They will perhaps be beautiful in his own time, 

 and entice him to remain longer where there is 

 still something left to interest him, and where he 

 may still be useful — and at least they will keep 

 alive in the minds of men the memory of one who 

 lived not for himself alone. For the Committee, 

 H. F. French, Chairman. Exeter. N. H., April 

 4, 1849. 



Tree Violet. — I am told by every one that 

 this plant is herbaceous, and differs little from the 

 Double Dark Blue Violet. Now, I have always 

 been of a dilferent opinion; to support which, per- 

 mit me to give you the following extract from 

 Mrs. Loudon's " Flower Garden:" 



" The Shrubby or Tree Violet (V. palmaensis,) 

 a native of the Canary Isles, is a very handsome 

 plant, growing about two feet high, with a shrub- 

 by stem and large purplish flowers. It is usually 

 kept in a green-house in England, where it flow- 

 ers from May to July." 



And in Loudon's Encyclopaedia of Plants, (page 

 1186,) it is similarly described; but with an ad- 

 dition, that it was discovered in 183^, by P. B. 

 Webb, a traveller in the Canaries, &c. 



Have any of your correspondents seen, or do 

 they possess a plant answering to the above de- 

 scription? M. Columbia, Houth Carolina. 



ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 

 Covering Half-hardy plants. — A Tyro, 

 (Pittsburgh.) Always remember that what is 

 most needful is to guard the plants against sudden 

 changes of temperature, and above all, sudden 

 thawing after frost. Therefore, shade them from 

 tie- sun, either by covering them with a barrel or 

 box (raised a few inches on the north side to ad- 

 mit air) or with branches of evergreens or litter. 

 Cedar tops or branches of evergreen trees are the 

 best ami simplest covering when they are to be 

 had, and when they are not. corn-stalks, salt hay. 

 straw, or litter, will do instead. Bend down the 

 tboots of roses before covering them — and if 



they an 1 climbers, have them on the trellis, but 

 bind them tightly with straw or any other 

 oovering, lest they should be smothered. Carna- 

 tions and Tea-roses may lie kept in the open bor- 

 der, where they i_ r row, by covering the beds with 

 a common board frame, partly rooted with L'la-s, 

 and partly with boards. Over the top throw some 

 straw, which should be removed and the plants 

 aired two or three times in the winter, when there 

 is no frost. The canes of Antwerp Raspberries, 

 in localities where they are not quite hardy, should 

 be bent down and covered with two or three inch- 

 es of soil. 



Plants for Rooms. — A Novice. The follow- 

 ing half dozen plants will succeed well in your 

 window-, and bloom freely, Chinese Primrose, 

 white and purple, Chinese Azaleas, fragrant 

 Daphne, Laurustinus, Striped Abutilon. If you 

 wish them to thrive well, choose a mild day once in 

 a week or ten days, turn the pots on their sides, 

 and thoroughly syringe the foliage, so as to cleanse 

 the pores of the leaves. Hyacinths, in pots, give 

 a great deal of^ileasure with little trouble in win- 

 ter. 



Celery.—/. F., (Rochester.) We suppose 

 the great value of salt to eelery, is to enable the 

 soil to attract and hold moisture, which this plant 

 especiallv requires. (Your letter was mislaid, or 

 you would have had an earlier answer.) 



Grapes in Frames — Ibid. We doubt your suc- 

 cess with Black Haniburghs in common hot-bed 

 frames. There would not be atmosphere enough 

 for the vines. But by raising up rough frames, 

 (say 6 feet high at the back) and using the hot- 

 bed lights after they were no longer wanted, you 

 may succeed at little cost in growing good grapes. 

 See account of a frame of this kind, with cut, vol. 

 1, p. 270. 



Ventilating Houses. — A Subscriber . (Water- 

 loo, N. Y.) Emerson"s Ventilator is the best yet 

 invented, you can see this excellent means of 

 warming in operation at 351 Broadway. N Y. 



Green-houses. — 0. P. Q., (Bennimiton, Yt.) 

 The best angle for the roof is 45° (exactly half 

 way between a perpendicular and a horizontal 

 line.) It should never In' less than 34°, or it will 

 both be leaky, and defective in catching the rays 

 of the sun. 



Pear Trees — B. Johnson, (Boston.) Your 

 trees do not thrive because the soil is unsuitable — 

 it has been exhausted by long cultivation. Dig in 

 5 or 6 shovel-fulls of pulverized bones, and a good 

 dressing of rich manure or compost to each tree, 

 immediately, and in the spring give a supply of 

 ashes. Cover the soil next spring with a mulch- 

 ing of straw or salt hay. and keep the trunks of 

 the trees sheathed all the year with straw, if you 

 wish to prevent the blight. 



Transplanting. — Querist, (Roxbury, Mass.) 

 Freezing does not hurt roots of hardy trees, if 

 they are covered closely from the air, and kept so 



