of our winters; even the last winter did not affect them, and it is rarely the case 

 that they are cut off by late vernal frosts. Two years since, a snow storm occurred 

 after thev had fully expanded, and of course impaired their beauty. Such an 

 event is rare. The blasting impression of a cold and dry northeasterly wind, is 

 more to be dreaded. 



As their ])loom ajipcars before their leaves, and at a period when nature gene- 

 rally presents a wintry aspect, it is important to group them with evergreens. 



At the time when their blossoms are fully opened, the heads of the trees appear, 

 at a distance, as though they were invested in a mantle of pure white, and attract 

 the attention of the public universally. 



The inscription — "Alas! poor Yorick !" — could not have been reiterated oftener, 

 and with more varied accents, by wayfarers, in passing his grave, than we hear 

 the notes of admiration uttered daily during the flowering season of the Magno- 

 lias. " How beautiful ! how charming ! what can those be ?" are the varied ex- 

 clamations of the travelling portions of the community. 



In our next article, we shall treat on the modes of propagating and engrafting 



the acuminata. 



< « • » » 



BICTON PINE STRAWBERRY.* 



This very showy berry is a desirable acquisition where a variety are culti- 

 vated ; either by itself, or interspersed with the scarlets, it is highly ornamental, 

 and deserves, also, for its other merits and size, to be in every collection. It is a 

 foreign variety, received at first as not hardy, but time has shown that, with mode- 

 rate protection, it maybe wintered anywhere, and bear a fair crop of large, handsome 

 berries, having an agreeable, musky aroma. 



Large, roundish, pale flesh color, with a reddish tinge on the sunny side ; fra- 

 grant, and tolerably high flavored. A moderate bearer. It is the largest and 

 finest white Strawberry yet known. Flowers, hermaphrodite. 



EVERGREENS. 



BY JOHN SAUL, WASHINGTON, D. C. 



The lovers of fine Evergreens will long remember the severe tests their favorites 

 were put through the past winter (1855-6), which, for severity, was without a 

 parallel. It may be safely said, that the plant or tree — whichever it may be — 

 that passed safely through such a degree of cold, in any given latitude, may there 

 be considered hardy ; but I would not say that every plant destroyed was tender 

 where that destruction took place. Many rare evergreens, when first introduced, 

 are grown rapidly and tenderly, in pits or greenhouses, and, when planted out 

 permanently, the ground is well prepared as regards trenching, adding good com- 

 posts, &c. As a consequence, the plants grow rapidly, and, late in the season, 

 the wood is soft, watery, and immature ; and, when winter's icy hand is upon them, 

 can we wonder if they wither within his grasp and die ? Yes, thousands of com- 

 paratively hardy plants are lost annually in this way, and, had we not known better, 

 they would be pronounced tender. If people will grow those things vigorously 

 and rapidly, they must protect them until they are of good size, and well estab- 

 lished. Still, it is well, occasionally, to have such a winter as the last, as it tests 

 what aspires to be hardy. 



Gryptomeria japonica. — Well may this be called the prince of Evergreens, such 



* See Frontispiece. 



