DENWOOD. 



It is a system peculiarly adapted to this country, where trees must be grown cheap 

 and on a very extensive scale. 



Top-graftivg, in the propagation of young trees, is genorally avoided by all good 

 practical nurserymen, and for good and sufficient reasons. It very often happens that 

 there is an inequality of growth between the stock and graft that becomes at once 

 unsightly and injurious to the prosperity of the tree. Besides, it often provokes 

 unnatural precocity that hastens the tree to a premature death. In certain cases, 

 however, it becomes necessary, as in a climate like that of the West, with certain 

 varieties, as in the case of very slender and straggling growers, of pendulous varieties, 

 &c. Aside from such exceptions, it may be regarded as an axiom in propagation, 

 that the earlier aiid the nearer to the root the union is formed between the stock and 

 graft, the more perfect the union will be and the more healthy and durable the tree. 



Budding is, of all other modes, the most extensively practiced, if we except the 

 propagation of American apple trees. It is a complete and beautiful system when 

 well done ; but, unless in such cases as we have excepted for grafting, it should be 

 done as near the ground as possible. The younger and more vigorous the stocks be, 

 the more desirable will be the tree. Much depends upon the selection of scions, and 

 we fear that some of the worst results we hear 6f in the West arise from using i^ithy, 

 ill-matured scions. We have just received a parcel of scions from Illinois, of four or 

 five different varieties, and we find them so spongy and pithy that we should never 

 use them with a view to obtain sound, hardy trees. Even the base of the shoots are 

 unfit for use, and we suspect that a very large number of the scions used in the West 

 are of a similar character. It may be well for Western tree growers to look into this, 

 and it deserves consideration everywhere. 



DENWOOD,* 



THE RESIDENCE OF JOHN JAY SMITII, ESQ., GEKirANTOWN, PA., NEAR rniLADELTHIA. 



The private residence of which we give a drawing in the present number, presents 

 some peculiarities of construction and interior division, which we have thought might 

 prove a useful study to those who are about to build. 



It is a complete rus in urbe ; the kitchen being in the village, and the opposite or 

 piazza side, facmg the northeast, for summer afternoon shade, overlooks the country, 

 with a fine belt of trees within a suitable distance. The amount of ground attached 

 is two acres, but we observed that it is filled with the most valuable hardy trees and 

 shrubs, imported and domestic. Among the former will be found a fine collection of 

 Hollies and Rhododendrons — two important but much neglected families of plants. 



The first thing that strikes tlie eye in looking at this house, is the circular hoods in 

 the attic story — a contrivance which gives height to a considerable portion of the 

 rooms, and has externally a good effect. The attics are in fact as good rooms as need 



* See Frontispiece. Explakatiok. — 1, Entrance Ilall. 2, F.utler'g Pantry. 3, Dining-Room. 4, Liljrary 

 5, Private OtHce. 6, Piazza. T, Kitchen, with summer do. attached. 8, Drawing-Room. 9, Pantry. 10, Closet. 



