392 



PENNSYLVANIA HORT. SOCIETY. 



soil will answer for the Privet ; or, if the hedge is 

 to be grown on ground in a rough state, dig it 18 

 inches deep, and intermix a dressing of stable ma- 

 nure before setting the plant.- or cuttings. The 

 latter should be set six inches apart. The hedge 

 may be sheared into any shape after the second 

 year, and needs very little else, except to keep 

 the weeds from growing about it. 



Manures. — J. R., (Lowell, Mass.) The skim- 

 mings, or refuse of woolen factories, is a very 

 powerful manure, and is usually wasted, as it 

 heats and takes fire if thrown in heaps. Carried 

 away daily and mixed with muck or common soil, 

 a small quantity of it would render the whole 

 mass excellent manure. M. S., (Poughkeepsie.) 

 We have used the sweepings of blacksmith shops, 

 and agree with you that they are excellent, espe- 

 cially for pear trees. 



Pnuning Hardy Grapes. — You may prune 

 your vines during any suitable weather in Februa- 

 ry. If the trellises are properly covered with 

 main stems, all you have to do is to cut back the 

 side shoots (of last year's growth,) to a single 

 bud or eye at the base of the shoot. This eye 

 will form the bearing shoot of the coming sea- 

 son. 



Grape Arbors. — M. S. The semi-circular ar- 

 bor you refer to, has only the transverse strips 

 across the top, — and finer fruit is grown in this 

 way when fruit alone is the object; but there is 



no objection to strips upon one or both sides also, 

 when a shelter or screen is also desired. The 

 posts are eight feet above ground, and three and 

 a half below it, and are set six feet apart. 



Cottage Furniture. — R. L., (Indiana.) Cot- 

 tage furniture, of simple and very tasteful forms, 

 may be had at Hene.sy's warehouse, 25 Brattle- 

 st., Boston, the largest establishment of the kind 

 in the Union. There are also various dealers in 

 New- York and Philadelphia, who have cottage 

 furniture, though not in such variety. 



Culture of Exotics. — A. M. D., (North 

 Carolina.) Begonia fuchsioides likes rich, sandy 

 soil, and a rather warm green-house in winter. 

 While it is growing and blooming give it as much 

 water as it likes; but when at rest, give it very 

 little. Sparmannia africana is a strong grower, 

 requiring the least possible care, — only pot-room 

 and plenty of water. It will bear any amount of 

 pruning, or may be allowed to grow into quite a 

 tree. Clerodendrum speciossissimum and Pentas 

 carnea prefer a rich soil, composed of loam, rot- 

 ten dung, and sandy peat, and a moist atmosphere. 

 Columnea crassifolia likes a dry part of the house, 

 and must not be overwatered. Habrothamnus 

 elegans is easily grown in the green-house, in a 

 mixture of rich loam and sand. Weigcla rosea is 

 a hardy deciduous shrub, and, of course, loses its 

 leaves in winter. It grows as easily from cut- 

 tings as a currant bush. 



PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The stated meeting of this society was held on Tuesday eve- 

 ning, January 15, 1850. The President in the chair. 



The display of plants on the occasion was very creditable for 

 mid- winter. Among the President's collection were the So- 

 bralea macrantha, a new plant of a new genus, and the Bego- 

 nia manicuta, of recent introduction, and shown for the first 

 time, with others possessing- interest; the Pitcarnia coccinea, 

 Cypripedium venustum, Centradenia rosea, etc. And in 

 Robert Buist's display were Camellia japonica variety, Field- 

 er's Queen of England, Clerodendron viscosum, Spirea pru- 

 nifolia fl. pi., Correa multiflora rubra, Franeiscea latifolia, 

 with many others. By John Lambert's gardender, fine speci- 

 mens of Strelitzia regina, Azalea alba, Franeiscea latifolia, 

 Gongora maculata, Camellia variegata, Begonia alba, Daphne 

 indica odora, D. variegata, etc. Of fruits. Thomas Hancock 

 and John Perkins exhibited fine apples; and II. N. Johnson 

 l'Echasserie pears; and in the President's collection of vege- 

 tables were new potatoes, asparagus, mushrooms, sea-kale, 

 radishes, lettuce, endive, &c; and by Anthony Felten, a rich 

 display of vegetables. 



Premiums were awarded as follows: 



By the committee on plants and flowers; for the best hot- 

 house plants, three specimens, to Ben Daniels, gardener to C. 

 Cope; for the second best, to Maurice Finn, gardener to John 

 Lambert. For the best green-house plants, three specimens, 

 to Ben Daniels; for the second best, to Maurice Finn. For 

 the best and most interesting collection of plants in pots, to 

 Ben Daniels; for the second best, to Maurice Finn; for the 

 third best, to Robert Scott, foreman to Robert Buisl. For the 

 best design of cut flowers, to Ben Daniels ; for the second best 

 design, to Peter Raabe. For the best basket bouquets, to 

 Maurice Finn ; for the second best, to Ben Daniels. 



By the committee on fruits; for the best apples, half peck 

 Newtown Pippins, to Thomas Hancock ; for the second best, 

 Romah Stem, to John Perkins. For the best pears, l'Echas- 

 serie, to H. N. Johnson. 



By the committee on vegetables; for the best and most inte- 

 resting display of vegetables, by a market gardener, to Antho- 

 ny Felten : for the best display by an amateur, to Ben Daniels. 

 And a special premium of one dollar for a fine display of cau- 

 liflowers, to Anthony Felten. 



The committee for establishing premiums reported a sche- 

 dule for the year 1850, which was adopted. 



The library committee submitted their annual report, on the 

 condition of the library, and stale "that under the fostering 

 care of the society, it has increased in size until it now num- 

 bers eight hundred and fifty volumes, which must be consider- 

 ed a very respectable library, when the branches of literature 

 within which the committee. confine its limits, the costliness, 

 value and rarity of many of the works are taken into view ; 

 and embracing a number of works of great utility, not acces- 

 sible in any other institution." 



" During the past year forty-seven volumes have been ad- 

 ded, of which six were gifts." 



The President announced the appointment of committees for 

 the ensuing year. 



Messrs. Lippincott, Grambo & Co. presented a neat copying 

 press to the society, for the use of the secretary ; when, on 

 motion, 



Resolved, That a vote of thanks be tendered for the accepta- 

 ble gift. 



A communication from the secretary of the Massachusetts 

 Horticultural Society, in relation to the time of holding autum- 

 nal exhibitions, was read; and the corresponding secretary 

 requested to reply, acknowledging its receipt. 



The Annual Meeting was held after the adjournment of the 

 stated meeting, when Elhanan W. Keyser was called to the 

 chair, and George Zantziuger appointed secretary. 



A communication from David Landreth was read, declining 

 a re-election as a vice-president, on account of his remote re- 

 sidence. 



The following gentlemen were duly elected officers, to serve 

 for the ensuing year : 



President— CALEB COPE. 



Vice-Presidents — General R. Patterson, James Dundas, 

 Joshua Longstreth, and Elhanan W. Keyser. 



Treasurer — John* Thomas. 



Corresponding Secretary — Thomas C. Percival. 



Recording Secretary — Thomas P. James. 



Adjourned. Tho. P. James, 



Recording Secretary. 



