1880.J 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



a45 



ASCLEPIADACE/E. 



BY W., 

 VIRGINIA 



I note with pleasure reference to this most in- 

 teresting family by your correspondent (page 

 245), and it has often occurred to me that its 

 several members have been too little known and 

 appreciated by lovers of flowers. 



In addition to the species mentioned by her, I 

 would call attention to two or three others 

 equally beautiful, and perfectly hardy in the 

 same latitude (Virginia). 



First, I find a variety of a variegata, described 

 by Wood as nivea, pure white, blooms in the 

 early summer, exceedingly beautiful, and worthy 

 a place in your " Wild Flowers of America.' 

 Then later in the season comes A. amplexicau- 

 lis, distinct in color and style of growth frojn the 

 former, but about the same height, two feet. 

 Both of these are indigenous to seaboard Vir- 

 ginia. 



A third, far surpassing these, is the delicate 

 A. perennis (A. parvifolia), not wild, but cul- 

 tivated in borders here, a perfect little gem, 

 half shrubbj% a good grower, perpetual bloomer, 

 perfectly hardy and covered the whole season 

 with a succession of dainty clusters of pearly 

 white flowers ; both flowers and foliage so light 

 and fairy-like, one would not imagine it belonged 

 to the usually clunisy milk-weed family. When 

 given sufficient space it branches freely, and the 

 bushy shrub is soon covered at the extremity of 

 each shoot with the delicate white clusters. It 

 readily grows from cuttings. 



The old A. curassavica, a native of Florida, is 

 also seen in gardens. It is not hardy with us nor 

 of as compact growth as A. tuberosa, but more 

 brilliant. In leaf and growth it much resembles 

 the oleander, and is worthy more general culti- 

 vation. 



When opportunity oflers, I wish to say a word 

 about two other valuable plants for summer 

 blooming in this section. Plumbago capensis 

 and Jasminum grandiflora. 



— . — •«-•»- — - 



EDITORIAL NOTES. 



Convolvulus arvensis.— Cultivators will do 

 well to look after this pernicious weed, which is 

 fast taking the country for its own. It is so very 

 pretty that it is likely to appeal to sympathy to 

 let it stand a while. A recent issue of the Mont- 

 gomery County, O.. Horticultural Society says it 

 has appeared at Dayton. 



"The most attractive of the strangers among us 

 is the Convolvulus arvensis found growing on 

 Mr. J. Peirce's place. This delicate little morn- 

 ing glory was never before in this part of the 

 country, and it is not known how it came here, 

 as it was supposed to be corlfined to the sea 

 coasi, from Maine to Carolina, where it had been 

 introduced from Europe, I exhibit to the 

 society, a study made from this plant by Miss 

 Mary Forrer, showing how beautiful the whole 

 vine is, with its tender twining stem, small, some- 

 what sagittate leaves, and flowers about an inch 

 in diameter, that are white, delicately tinged 

 with pink. But pleasing as this plant is to the 

 ej'e, it is said to be a pernicious weed, and far- 

 mers and horticulturists must guard against its 

 dissemination, as it spreads rapidly and has the 

 name of being an exterminator of all plants in 

 its neighborhood." 



Climate and Grape Culture. — Some years 

 ago the writer of this purchased an old property 

 on which was an arbor covered by the Catawba 

 grape. For the sake of the shade the vines were 

 permitted to remain. This season, for the first 

 time in ten years, t he fruit was perfect and de- 

 licious. There has been nothing more done this 

 year than others, and the fact goes to show that 

 the secret agencies of nature as affecting fruit 

 culture, are of a very active kind. 



Eetrogression. — Mr. Berckmans has found 

 that seedlings of the wild goose plum go back to 

 a poor variety. Late peaches generally repro- 

 duce their kind with some exactness ; but judg- 

 ing from his remarks as we find them given in 

 the Southern Enterprise, he has not had as good 

 success with early ones. 



A Neav Varnish Plant. — It is said that an 

 iron tool that had been found in Africa neglec- 

 ted after cutting down one of the large Euphor- 

 biaceous plants of that country, was found years 

 afterwards as bright and free from rust as when 

 used. On this hint experiments were made, and 

 the euphorbia gum is found a perfect preserva- 

 tive of iron from corrosion. The species of Eu- 

 phorbia is not named So says L' Horticulture 

 Beige. 



Peculiarities of Seasons. — There seems to be 

 no accounting for peculiarities of seasons. For 

 years the Belgian honeysuckle, near Philadel- 

 phia, has been mildewed and aphid-covered that 

 no one cared for it. This season it has been in 

 perfection, and its large clusters of rich colored 



