CULTURE OE SUCCOOY AS A WINTER SALAD. 



feet from the ground is ten feet nine inches in circumference, and its large round 

 head every year produces a mass of gorgeous flowers equalled by few things of its 

 season, except the Paulownia. It is unfortunately a very late tree to put forth its 

 leaves in spring, and loses them again very early in the fall. Its beautiful flowers 

 and tortuous branches are its chief claims to the arboriculturist's notice. 



There are many other very interesting trees on these grounds, well repaying a 

 visit from a lover of them, but not calling for special notice here ; except, perhaps, 

 a magnificent White Fringe tree {Chionanthus virginicd), and a large gold va- 

 riegated leaved Box tree. The former at the base, where its numerous branches 

 diverge, is four feet and a half in circumference, and the branches themselves have 

 a radius of fifteen feet. It is of the variety that never perfects its seeds, but is 

 most profuse in the expansion of its floral ti'easures. M. 



[We are greatly indebted to M. for taking up the subject he has chosen ; he is 

 particularly well qualified for the task. The European Silver Fir has long been a 

 pet with us ; in general appearance, to an uneducated eye, it resembles most the 

 Balm of Grilead — now generally abandoned by those who know its worthlessness 

 after a few years of beauty. The Silver Fir retains its lower branches perfectly, is 

 one of nature's most glorious productions, and especially beautiful in May and June 

 with its new and superbly bright green growth. After it is established the leader 

 is uninjured, and it grows quite rapidly, though slow in the first two or three years 

 after transplanting. Were we compelled to choose but one evergreen, it is more 

 than probable the Picea pectinata would be our selection. 



M. has scarcely done full justice to the grou^nds where this tree is found ; they 

 were planted with great judgment and taste, and are maintained in their delightful 

 repose with piou;s care sud elegance. — Ed.] 



CULTURE OF SUCCORY AS A WINTER SALAD. 



While we see around us abundant evidence of the fostering care of Horticultural 

 Societies in the improved appearance of our grounds, and the increasing attention 

 to the cultivation of the finest kinds of fruits, we regret that so little has been done 

 to improve culinary vegetables. Our zealous amateurs and enterprising commercial 

 gardeners keep us well posted up in the novelties suitable for the pleasure ground 

 and flower garden. We have select lists of fruits adapted to every section of coun- 

 try, presented to us in the valuable reports of the Pomological Society. Greenhouse 

 plants and their culture, have prominent positions in our gardening periodicals. 

 But we look in vain for an essay on Cabbage culture, or even for a reliable and res- 

 pectable list of the best varieties of vegetables. We think that one of the princi- 

 pal objects of Horticultural Societies ought to be the improvement of edible vegeta- 

 bles, and although this department of Horticulture is by no means neglected, still it 

 occupies a subordinate position in the schedules of most societies. Many of our 

 cultivated vegetables have run iiito numerous varieties, some of them quite inferior 



