editor's table. 



rate carnation. It is very sweet, the scent resembling that of a rich stock. It will prove 

 a great acquisition for bouquet making, and room decoration, vases, &c. The habit in pots 

 is dwarf and good, flowering early, and it has every appearance of continuing in blossom 

 for a length of time." — Mr. Fortune, the introducer of Weigela rosea, Dicentra spectabilis, 

 and so many of our other valuable new plants, is still collecting in China. — Our transatlantic 

 friends are not often found guilty of honoring our cultivators or celebrities and their pro- 

 ductions, by naming them accordingly. In a French catalogue, however, we find amongst 

 the new roses, " Madame Knorr," " Capitaine Ingraam," and "Frederic Soulie." — The new 

 Japan Lettuce seems likely to be a favorite. The heat of summer has little effect ou its 

 hard, compact heads, when even the Drum-Head " runs" to seed. 



Answers to Cokrespondents. — Lois-Weedon Culture. — I see in the agricultural papers 

 from abroad, frequent notices of the success of the " Lois-Weedon" mode of culture. Can 

 you oblige your readers witk a brief account of it ? W. P. S. 



The Lois-Weedon plan consists in thorough drainage, deep culture, and the aeration of 

 the soil and crops ; to which is added, in j^ractice, the absence of much or any manure, 

 which is procured from that " second farm" which lies below the old cultivated ground. 

 They are beginning to promulgate the doctrine that thorough stirring of the soil, on old 

 Jethro TuU's plan, admits so much ammonia, that other fertilizers may, in many soils, be 

 almost entirely dispensed with. An old farmer, named Moore, was so convinced of having 

 solved the golden problem of steam ploughing, that he sold his farm horses ! 



Tlie whole story of cultivation may be condensed into a few words, thus : The roots of 

 delicate plants will not travel through earth that has never seen daylight. Dr. Clark once 

 said : " The frost is God's plough, which he drives through every inch of ground," pulverizing 

 and fructifying all. 



(Calla.) Thanks; appreciation is reward ; we have no other aim or compensation, and, 

 of course, her beaiitiful thoughts are deeply impressed. If we were obliged to choose, 

 preference would be given to young ladies like her for critics, even over her favorite 

 "Jefl'reys." We are sorry to inform her, "Jeffreys" «s en r/a^ec/.' 



Philadelphia, June 13, 1856. 

 Dear Sir : The silver maples which line our streets in diiferent parts of the city, have 

 been, for two years past, nearly destroyed by caterpillars. These trees have been much 

 recommended for their beauty and rapid growth, and, at the same time, said to be free from 

 attacks of insects. You would confer a favor on many of your friends, if you would give 

 us some light as to the manner of preserving these trees, in theHorticulticrist. 



Respectfully, yours, P- S. P. 



The idea that there is any tree free from the attacks of some kind of insect or another, is 

 a pleasant fiction. In this respect, every tree has its natural enemy, not excepting even the 

 notorious ailanthus. When these trees are in their native localities, the abundance of them, 

 and of their protectors, the birds, keeps the "enemy" from making much show. When 

 cultivated, circumstances are just reversed, till, year by year, insects so increase, that we 

 first observe, then wonder where they come from. In the tovrns, we must take the places of 

 the birds. In the case of the maple, this can very readily be done. The caterpillars you 

 speak of are the larvae of the dropworm. They hang like tassels on the trees before the 

 leaves expand. A half hour to each tree, with a pole and pruning shears, would rid you of 

 your share ; but they will come from your neighbors \ Induce them, if possible, to go and do 

 likewise. If they be too negligent, use your influence with the City Councils to make 

 them. No man should be subjected to a nuisance, by the neglect of his neighbor. 



