J 



rOEEIGN NOTICES. 



does not differ from Wliite Deal in appearance, and is not harder. The specific gravity of Deodar 

 wood is reported to be 680, while that of Cedar of Lebanon is 613 (Madden). 



If we look to the fructification, another striking difference is apparent. In form the cones are 

 no doubt similar; but those of the Cedar of Lebanon never separate the scales spontaneously, as 

 far as we have observed, while the cones of the Deodar as constantly fall to pieces. 



Such differences then, existing between these ti-ees, we are unable to acquiesce in their union 

 under one specific name. That they are extremely unlike is admitted on all hands. The precise 

 value of their differences is just as indeterminable as the word species is undefinable, and that 

 point will probably be settled about the time when the circle shall have been squared. 



On Atlas is found a third Cedar, now called in our gardens the Silver Cedar, by some botanists 

 Cedrus Atlantica. That plants indeed, differs from the Cedar of Lebanon in little except color, 

 in which particular it resembles the Deodar. All that can be ascertained from an examination of 

 detached fragments is, that its cones are not above half the size of a Cedar of Lebanon. Never- 

 theless, M. Decaisne, one of the most experienced and judicious of French botanist, has just 

 pronounced in favor of its being also a distinct species. We quote his words : 



"M. P. Jamtn, director of the nursery at Biskara, to whom I had applied for information con- 

 cerning the Atlas Cedars, writes, under date of December 17, 1852, that he has just returned from 

 a journey of eighteen days to Batna, Lambessa, and the Peak of Tougour, taken for the express 

 purpose of obtaining information concerning the tree, and that he visited carefully the latter 

 locality in company with the keeper of the forests. He there found two species of Cedar. The 

 peak on which they grow is about 1800 yards above the sandy soil which borders it; the more 

 remarkable plants found at the foot of the mountain by M. Jamin were, as might have been 

 anticipated, Mediterranean species. 



"Cedars began to appear at three-quarters up the slope of Tougour, where they produce a 

 magnificent effect, and form a thick forest up to the very summit of the peak. It is not uncom- 

 mon to find specimens forty yards high and one and a half yard in diameter at the butt. The 

 two species live together, but they are distinguished at first sigiit. The Silver Cedar was covered 

 v/ith ripe cones; on that of Lebanon they were more behind, and flowers were still visible on 

 some of the branches. The habit of the Silver Cedar is that of the Silver Fir — it is pyramidal, 

 and its foliage is silvery ; while that of the Cedar of Lebanon is dark green, and its branches 

 horizontal, as we all know. The number of trees is estimated at 20,000 ; the finest are on tlie 

 northern face of the peak. M. Jamin saw many dead of old age, or struck by lightning. While 

 he was writing the ground was covered two yards deep with snow; nevertheless ^spAocfc/i^^a/ius 

 and luteus, Ranunculus Jlabdlatus, Violets, and a Iletama {Spartium monospermum), were already in 

 flower in sheltered places." 



Thiis, adds M. Decaisxe, horticulture is finally proved to have gained a new species, notwith- 

 standing the doubts that have been expressed concerning it. — Gardeners^ Chronicle. 



Dlsease of the Geape IX Europe. — The accompanying accounts are translations from 

 the French, which describe a new disease of the Vine in Europe, and gives the remedies 

 which have been successfully employed in arresting its progress. I take pleasure in sending 

 you these translations, "which will, I hope, prepare our vine growers to meet this disease, 

 in case it should cross the ocean, Tnos. W. Ludlow, Jr. — Yonl-ers^ JV. Y. 



" We read in the Observer, of Athens: An epidemic of a peculiar character has attacked all the 

 vineyards of Corinth Grape throughout Greece. This disease, entirely unknown until now in 

 this country (Greece), consists in a kind of glutinous matter, which covers all the bunches by 

 degrees, giving them, at first, the color of ashes; but at the end of ten days, it dries them up, 

 causing the berry, and sometimes even the bunch itself, to fall. From the latest accounts, the 

 disease lias, in many places, attacked other vines, and even trees. 

 /V "According to the best estimates, there is danger that two-thirds of the ordinary crop 



Corinth Grape, is destroyed. In several localities, the whole of the crop is lost. 



