PEACH TREES AT THE SOUTH. 



much branched, and every one of the branches produces from the axils of the leaves to 

 wards its apex, one blossom, which assumes a nearly horizontal position, is about an inch 

 and a half in length, and is of a bright scarlet color. The calyx is tubular, with a four- 

 cleft apex, the sepals being rather narrow and sharp pointed, and the tube itself marked 

 with four stout ribs; the corolla consists of four petals, which are universally heart-shap- 

 ed, and spread out nearly or quite flat; the stamens, which are eight in number, and the 

 stigma which is four lobed, are all red, and project considerably beyond the corolla. It 

 will thus be seen, that although in many respects approaching near to a Fuchsia in ap- 

 pearance, it is, in fact, very distinct from that, and all other flowers at present cultivated 

 in our gardens, and will probably become highly prized as an ornamental species. 



Mr. Hartweg found it "in fields about Santa Cruz, in California," from whence seeds 

 were sent, and received in England, in May, 1847. Sown in May, the seeds produced 

 plants which, though of perennial duration, blossomed by the month of September. Pro- 

 bably when established, it will be found to produce its blossoms throughout the summer sea- 

 son. 



The cultivation of this plant is state.d in the Journal of the Horticultural Society, to 

 be extremely simple. " The plant grows freely in good garden soil, and is easily increas- 

 ed by cuttings or seeds." A warm dry situation would be the most likely to ensure 

 success in its cultivation. 



[This pretty plant is quite hardy in our garden. Ed. Hort.] 



NORTHERN PEACH TREES AT THE SOUTH. 



BY EDWIN J. SCOTT, COLUMBIA, S. C. 



The following remarks on northern fruit trees, from a correspondent in South Carolina, 

 deserve an insertion as a rejoinder to contrary statements from other experienced south- 

 ern cultivators. The question is an interesting one, and can only be settled by more tes- 

 timony, which we hope our southern readers will furnish. Ed. 



Dear Sir — You have published one or two communications in the Horticulturist, from 

 Mr., Harwell, of Mobile, stating that northern peach trees had entirely failed to bear in 

 that vicinity for some years, and giving as the supposed reason, the strange fact that they 

 bloomed a month or six weeks after the native trees, and that, consequently, the fruit 

 was killed by late frosts in the spring. This writer seems to conclude that we ought 

 to depend entirely on southern trees for fruit. 



Now, my experience has brought me to a different conclusion, and as there is beginning 

 to be considerable interest lelt among us in relation to the culture of fruit, it ma^^ not be 

 amiss to give that experience, and thus prevent others from being misled by those, and 

 similar publications. 



The wise remark of a wise man, that " a great deal may be said on both sides," seems 

 particularly applicable in this case. 



I shall confine myself strictly to what has occurred within my own knowledge — deem- 

 ing abstract reasoning on this point as worse than useless — it being always easy enough to 

 find reasons for any fact when once it has been established. Long and learned disquisi- 

 lave been published, to show that, according to scientific principles, northern 

 fitted by nature for a southern climate. That they will succeed in Columbia ( 



