Taxodinm senipervirens appears to be extremely capricious in its taste as re- 

 gards the formation on wliich it throws ; but 1 linve in several eases remarked that 

 it thrives, and even appears to luxuriate, in a shade whieh proves deleterious, and 

 often fatal, to Pinus insignis. 



There are many other Oonifene wliieli aj)pear to manifest habits or tastes pecu- 

 liar to themselves; but which are eitlier too young, or in numijcrs insnlhcient to 

 justify me in attempting; to treneralize upon them. Indeed, all tlic remarks which 

 I venture to offer in this short i)aper, are not made with a view to dogmatize upon 

 the subject, but in order to call the attention of persons cultivating this tribe of 

 ))lants, to the importance of selecting the position of such Conifcrai as show any 

 decided tastes. With some reference to geological position, it is true that many 

 formations are not often met witli u])on one estate, more especially in one jjark — 

 the locality in which the more valual)le Conifera' are generally planted ; but where 

 such conditions do occur, a knowledge of the formation in which each species 

 appears to thrive best cannot fail to ])rove important. Before such knowledge can 

 be attained, more extended and more accurate observations will be necessary ; and 

 should this ]iaper prove the means of calling the attention of more competent 

 persons to this study, I shall feel that I have not recorded my brief experience in 

 vain. — From Transactions of the Scottish Arboricultural Society. 



EXPERIMENTAL GARDEN. 



BY A MEMBER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



I WAS pleased to read the address of "Viator" to the various Horticultural 

 Societies in your last numl)er, and trust the different successful associations will 

 move in the matter of experimental gardens. Horticultural magazines and horti- 

 cultural societies have done a vast deal towards the present advanced stage of 

 American gardening; but to me it seems that both of these combined are not 

 able to effect so much good as the example of a well conducted garden would. 

 So far as our society is concerned, I do not think there is one who has taken the 

 least interest in its success, who is not of the same opinion ; indeed, it is a subject 

 which, as a body, they have often had under consideration, and which they have 

 long looked forward to as a cherished object. I have not been connected with 

 the management or business affairs of the society sufficiently to understand the 

 reasons why something of the kind has not been attempted ere this ; but I judge 

 I am not far wrong in the impression that it is either from a fear that their 

 resources are inade(iuate to its establishment, or that they have a doubt as to its 

 power to sustain it afterwards. Should I prove correct in my surmises, and it 

 turn out that there are really no other objections, I shall begin to hope that, with 

 the assistance of a few such friends as "Viator," the day is not far distant when 

 I shall enjoy a ramble through " The Society's Garden." If the resources are 

 limited, we have only to keep within their bounds. It is not prudent, even with 

 large resources, to begin too largely at first. An establishment of say five or ten 

 acres, thoroughly well kept, and in a prosperous state, would draw around it 

 more support than a princely affair that, with difficulty, eked out a beggarly ex- 

 istence. Though everything should not be attempted at once, whatever was 

 begun should Ijc completed in the most perfect manner, and sustained with libe- 

 rality and judgment. So far as it went, it should be a model of its kind. If our 

 society will only attempt it, there need be no fear of the result. If their finances 

 too low, an appeal to the citizens judiciously made would be liberally 

 ded to. Once started, and on a proper basis, it would, I am sure, flo 



