EDITOR'S TABLE. 



Rhus OsbecJcii, " on whose leaves galls are formed of better quality than those of Aleppo ;" 

 Ligustrum Ibota, the true wax Privet, on which the wax insect (Asiraca cerifera) naturally 

 feeds ; two Roses, called Iwara and Camellia ; Spiraea rupestris ; Tamarix chinensis ; and a 

 great may sorts of Tree Pseony. 



Climbing shrubs include Tecotna Thunbergii, the true Bignonia gratidljlora of Thunberg ; 

 some new Wistarias ; Aristolochia Kcempferi, and Ampelopsis heterophylla. 



Finally, there is a considerable number of herbaceous plants, among which are included 

 several new kinds of Funkia and Lillian, a Burdock called Lappa edulis, the roots of which 

 are eaten like Scorzonera ; a couple of Irises ; Polygonatum japonicum, whose roots are a 

 substitute for Asparagus ; a Polygonum called Sieboldi, recommended as a green crop for 

 cattle food, as an excellent bee plant, &c. &c. ; and the Chinese Yam, which M. Siebold calls 

 Dioscorea opposita, and to the hardiness of which he fully testifies. He also offers seeds of 

 the Soja japonica, the real plant from which the sauce called Soy is prepared. 



Some of these novelties have been already introduced into England, and are offered for 

 sale by E. Gr. Henderson. Who will be the first to advertise these interesting articles in 

 America ? 



Washington City, D. C, June 3, 1856. 



J. Jay Smith, Esq. Dear Sir: I have just sent to your address a box of Strawberries, a 

 new French variety — Vicomtesse Hericast de Thury (one which I received under the name 

 of Duchesse de Travese proves to be the same). I have grown this strawberry two seasons, 

 and have no hesitation in pronouncing it first rate in every respect — its foliage is large and 

 firm, and not subject to scorch or bum under the fierce rays of our summer's sun. And 

 through the last intense cold winter it passed unhurt without the slightest protection — 

 here then are the two first and most essential qualities for a strawberry to possess, namely, 

 hardiness and capability of withstanding brilliant sun. The fruit you will perceive is of 

 good size, bright color, firm flesh, and exquisite flavor — in addition it is a most abundant 

 bearer, swelling off a fine crop of fruit of uniform size. 



I have now fruiting Omar Pacha, Nimrod, Comtesse de Mame, Princess Royal, with many 

 other new French and English kinds. Respectfully yours, 



John Saul. 



[The box was received and the berries were in the finest condition. We pronounce the 

 Vicomtesse a valuable fruit, with the qualities given above. It will be an excellent market 

 variety, some of the berries having kept perfectly, after their journey, for five days, without 

 the least decay. — Ed.] 



Training and Pruning. — Training and pruning are two important operations in horticul- 

 ture, and closely connected together. In a previous page, we gave some examples of the former, 

 and shall here present additional modes. The principles upon which both are founded vary 

 according to the object in view. Training depends more or less on these facts — namely, that 

 as the sap in all trees has a natural tendency to flow in an upward direction, it follows that 

 the buds at the highest points above the roots will be the strongest and most disposed to 

 produce leaves and shoots ; and, therefore, when the formation of wood is desired, the 

 nearer to the perpendicular a tree is trained the better ; whereas, if the formation of blos- 

 som buds be the object in view, the very opposite direction should be given them. In fact, 

 training is the power which governs the flow of sap in trees and plants. Hence, nursery- 

 men train weakly growing young plants nearly in a vertical direction, while they place the 

 strong growing kinds nearly horizontally, and even, in some cases, nearly pendulous. 

 During the growing season they have an eye to the progress each is making, and elevate or 

 depress the shoots according to circumstances. 



