130 



THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY 



IMay, 



middle into two. These pieces arc then hent in 

 the middle hke hair-iuns. I'ieees so split seldom 

 break in dotihlinjj. 

 The first week in Miiv is usuallv tlie time to 



No. /. 



set out Dahlias. They do best in a trenched 

 soil, say eighteen inches deep at least, and pre- 

 fer cow manure to any other, when it can be 

 obtained. If planted on tliin or dry soils, they 



Xo. 2. 



will not bloom till near the approach of frost. 

 when the chief enjoyment of the Dahlia i^ 

 lost. It is best, where possible, to plant a dupli- 



cate of each kind. The Dahlia has not been as 

 popular of late years as it used to be, but there 

 are signs that its value in making a very gay 

 scene in ihc llower-garden in Kail will l)e again 

 recognized as it used to be. 



Tuberoses should also be planted this month, 

 but they like a warm, rich, sandy soil ; though, 

 like the Dahlia, they do not like dry soil. As a 

 rule. Tuberoses that flowered last Fall will not 

 do so this, but the offsets will the year 

 after. Even apparently good bulbs will not 

 flower unless the " hearts " have been well 

 ripened. Afany years ago, Wr. Bridgeman 

 pointed out how good flowering bulbs might be 

 detected from those that would not flower. As 

 the secret is still unknown to many, we give 

 illustrations here. No. 1, is the bulb that will 

 not flower; No. 2, the one that will. 



COMMUNICA TIONS. 



NOTES ON TREES, iC. 



BY WALTER ELDER. 



The Paper Mulberry, or paper-bearing Mul- 

 berrj' tree, botanicallj' called Broussonetia pa- 

 pyrifcra, is a native of Japan, and was introduced 

 into British arboretums in 1751. Like all other 

 plants with white milky sap, it is said to be 

 deleterious to animal life, hence, itshould never 

 be planted as a shade tree, near dwelling houses 

 or stables. Insects seem to avoid this tree, and 

 do not eat its leaves as they do that of others. 

 Many know of the evil effects of the Paper Mul- 

 berry near dwelling houses. And in cities it has 

 been generally cut down, and other trees set out 

 in its stead. Allan thus is also undesirable as a 

 shade tree, as an offensive odor arises from its 

 blooms. 



Trees with large leaves and of rapid growth 

 are the best to set near dwellings; such as 

 Maples, Lindens, Sycamores, Horse Chestnuts, 

 Oaks, (fcc, also fruit trees. The Eucalyptus 

 globulus, (Australian blue gum tree,) is now 

 highly applauded as a health imparting tree; 

 and it is a valuable timber tree. Being an Aus- 

 tralian tree it can only be grown in our green- 

 houses, except in a small portion of the Southern 

 States where it does not freeze. 



Evergreen trees are as beneficial in Winter as 

 deciduous ones are in Summer, on account of 

 their beauty and shelter. The odor of coniferous 



