editor's table. 



adapted to the growth of the air plants of the tropics, hanging, apparently from threads, to 

 the branches of ti-ees, or seemingly springing from dried blocks, trunks, and old roots, as 

 described in the narratives of tropical travellers, is one of the sights often heard of, but 

 seldom seen in this country as yet. In this house may generally be seen some of these 

 wonderful productions of Flora in flower — now resembling some bird, now some moth, and 

 at other times butterflies, or other insects. The celebrated Espiritu santo, or "Dove Plant" 

 of the Isthmus, seems to grow and flower here as perfectly, if not better, than in its native 

 localities. 



No. 8. Vinery — 31 feet in length by 12 feet in width, on the "lean-to" principle. This 

 house has an ordinary furnace and brick flue, by which grapes may be forwarded a little 

 earlier, when desired, than in those in the " cold vinery." 



No. 9. Vinery — same dimensions as the last, and heated in the same manner. 



No. 10. Nectarine-House — 62 feet long and 12 feet wide, on the same principle, and in 

 range with the two last. The nectarines are trained to trellises against the wall, on the 

 highest side. Black Hamburg Grapes principally occupying the rafters in front. There is 

 no artificial heat in this house, it being employed as a cold vinery as well as a Nectarine- 

 House. 



No. 11. Vinery — called the " White House," because there are no others than White Grapes, 

 " Muscat of Alexandria," growing in it. It is 31 feet by 16. 



No. 12. Vinery — comprising a miscellaneous collection of grapes. Dimensions same as 

 the preceding. Both these houses are heated by hot water from one large boiler, with the 

 circulation capable of being so regulated to any required temperature without interfering 

 with that of the other. The vines on the rafters are taken down during the winter, and 

 boxed up, so that the warmth inside the house has no efl'ect on them, while the process of 

 forcing Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Figs, Strawberries, Grapes, <^-c., in tubs and pots, is 

 being carried on. Straivberries are ripened in these houses in February, Figs in March, 

 Grapes in April, Apricots, Peaches, ^c, in May. Both houses are neatly paved with pressed 

 brick, as most convenient and agreeable, where so many trees cover the floor, and requiring 

 the frequent attendance of the gardener. 



No. 13. Forcing-House — 50 feet by 10. Used for forcing vegetables and propagating cer- 

 tain kinds of plants. It is heated by hot water. It is divided into two compartments, in 

 the warmest of which Cucumbers and Tomatoes may be had nearly all through the winter 

 season ; and, in the other. Asparagus, Caulijlowers, Potatoes, (f-c, very early. A small tank 

 is placed in the house, which possesses considerable interest as being the birth-place of the 

 renowned Victoria in this country. Seedlings of this plant, and other aquatics, are still 

 flourishing in it, the machinery for warming which is perfect, as it is in all the houses thus 

 heated. 



No. 14. Camellia House — 62 feet in length by 15 feet in width. It is filled exclusively 

 with Camellias, numbering several hundred specimens, many of which are of large size. 

 This house is heated by hot water. 



The waste water from all the houses passes into a basin, in the kitchen garden, where 

 many of the Lily tribe are growing, including the " Lotus," which stood there without pro- 

 tection one winter, and flowered the succeeding summer and fall profusely. It also abounds 

 in gold and silver fish. In addition to the enumerated structures, others belonging to the 

 horticultural grounds are worthy of note, as the Tool House, where the imijlements are 

 arranged with the regularity of an armory, the Carpenter's Shop, the Compost House, Mush- 

 room House, ^c. 



The premises may be viewed at any time after the 1st of May, between the hours of 10 

 and 12, and 3 and 5, upon an order of the Auctioneers, M. Thomas & Sons, Philadelphia, 

 to whom, for further particulars, inquiries must be addressed. 



Dear Horticulturist : If I might be permitted to intrude for a moment among the young 

 people who partake of the savory scraps at the " Editor's Table," I would remind those of 

 them who have a taste for the beautiful in nature, that the season is at hand when her 

 vegetable beauties are most profusely displayed ; and would say to all who desire to have 

 a national acquaintance with those charming objects, that a work has been recently prepared 

 Professor A. Gray, of Harvard University, entitled First Lessons in Botany, ■which is most 

 rably adapted to the wants of beginners in the " amiable science." In my opinion, i 



