an increased supply of oxygen. Chlorine, in a diluted state, has been used with advantage. 

 It may bo obtained by mixing a tablespoonful of muriatic acid with a like proportion of 

 black oxide of manganese, and a pint of water. The seeds are steeped for two or three 

 hours, and then sown. A better way would be, to introduce a weak stream of chlorine gas 

 into the so\\, after the seeds are sown ; this you may obtain by mixing the above ingredients 

 in a retort, and applying a gentle heat. 



Oxalic acid has also been used as a steep, and found to be very effective, removing the 

 seeds as soon as vegetation commences. 



Seeds moistened with water, and then rolled in newly slacked lime, are said to vegetate 

 more readily, but experiments on this subject have not been much extended, and you have, 

 therefore, an ample field for indulging, as you say, your " fancy for horticultural experi- 

 ments." It may be well to remember, that seeds will not germinate unless in contact with 

 atmospheric air. And we have the authority of Saussure, that light forms no impediment 

 to this process, and that the development of the plant is more rapid than when the seeds 

 vegetate in darkness. Light has been considered injurious, but this may proceed from the 

 difficulty of keeping seeds uniformly moist when placed on the surface. 



New axd Valuable Trees and Fruits. — One of the most remarkable catalogues ever pub- 

 lished has just appeared in Leyden ; it contains a priced list of the Japanese plants actually 

 cultivated in the nursery of Siebold & Co., of that place. As is well known, the Dutch 

 monopolize the intercourse of Europeans with Japan, the country most in climate like the 

 British Isles, but resplendent with a vegetation infinitely richer and more varied. Camellia, 

 Cephalotaxus, Cryi)tomeria, Aucuba, Chimonanthus, Clematis, and Pyrus Japonica, suffi- 

 ciently indicate how beautiful and hardy is the Flora of Japan, to say nothing of Weigela, 

 Forsythia, and the whole race of Moutans. Availing themselves of their commercial privi- 

 leges, the Dutch have sedulously occupied themselves with the acquisition of everything 

 most worthy of introduction to Europe, and the result is already a total number of 3 or 400 

 species and varieties offered for sale by the firm above mentioned. Of so curious an assem- 

 blage we are sure that a brief account will be interesting to all lovers of gardens. We shall, 

 however, confine our remarks to what are represented to be hardy races. 



In the first rank stand Conifers, among which we find four species of Cephalotaxus, Ju7ii- 

 perus japonica and procumbens, Pinus densiflora and "the true" P. Massoniana, Podocarpus 

 Coraiana, Retinospora srjuarrosa, and that famous Thuja dolahrata. The last has no price 

 attached. 



Among forest-trees are mentioned two Sycamores, Acer japonicum and polymorphum, the 

 stock of which is held by Van Houtte, and Ulmus Kejaki, which, we are assured, furnishes 

 the most valuable timber known in Japan. 



Fruit-trees comprehend a very early Apricot called Armeniaca Mume, whose early rose- 

 colored flowers are extremely ornamental, while the fruit, owing to the firmness of the flesh, 

 is particularly well adapted for preserving. There is also a plant allied to Pyrus japonica, 

 named Chcenomeles umhilicata, thus described : " The fruit of this variety is perfumed like 

 Violets, and, in the hands of the confectioner, surpasses in flavor all the fruit in our gar- 

 dens." Mention, moreover, is made of a Japanese variety of Peach. 



Small flowering trees and shrubs form a considerable part of the catalogue. The follow- 

 ing appear to be the most remarkable : Acacia Nemu ; a weeping Apricot named Armeniaca 

 pendula, whose branches are described as falling almost perpendicularly ; a new variety or 

 two oi Aucuba japonica ; Catalpa Kcempferi ; a Judas tree, C'ercis chinensis ; Corylopsis spicata, 

 a small bush resembling the Hazel ; Weiyela hortensis ; Indiyofera Iwafusi ; a variety of 

 It euteria japonica ; a new Privet ; Litsoea glauca, a yellow -berried Laurel ; Malus Torinyo 

 unda, and Rinzo, three dwarf Apples, abundant flowerers, well adapted for forcing ; 



