K1HT<IH S TAHLK. 



CosTKABTS OH CoLous. — Allow me to suggest to those of your readers who coiitempliitc- 

 Lining out, planting, or altering, their ornamental or pleasure grounds, the importiincc of j^n 

 ill ranging and classifying the I'liints and Shrubs in clumps or beds as to have each to show ii 

 mass of bloom at the same season. For uistance, a clump for early bloom might be composed of 

 liogwood, White and Rose colored Judns trei'.s in the centre, AVhite and I'urple Magnolia, Wliite 

 and lied I'yrus Japonicn, Kibes Sanginneum, Double Flowering Almond, Forsythia Viridissima 

 Spirea I'runifolia, Calycanthus, &c. For later bloom, say White Fringe tree and Snowball in 

 the centre, Common, ^Vhite and Persian Lilac, Syringa, Spirea lleevesii, Wiegela Rosea, 

 diilerent varieties of Cractcgus or Hawthorn, Brown, Mahonia Aguifolium, A/alias, Roses, &c. 

 and so on throughout the season. The effect of such a variety and mass of bloom has a nui>^t 

 charming effect, far exceeding that of the same number of plants in isolated positions. 



I have heard such frequent complaints of the want of hardy evergreen Shrubs for planting; 

 ih shrubberies and clumps, as to induce me to call the attention of your readers to that much 

 neglected, but very beautiful and hardy plant, the tree variety of the box. Many persons are 

 prejudiced against this plant in consequence of the formal appearance of most of the speci- 

 mens in this neighborhood. But if it is allowed to grow unmolested by the shears or knife, its 

 shape is as graceful as any other evergreen. It is easily propagated and at the same time so 

 perfectly hardy that I am surprised to find that it is not more popular. Put in cuttings very 

 e.irly iu the spring in rather a shady situation and by fall they will be well rooted, Yours, B. 

 R. K. 



The eflfects alluded to are worthy of study ; the Forsythia viridissima (yellovr) contras- 

 ted with the Pyrus Japonica (two varieties), and the Spirea pru/t{/"Z.j?Z. (white), which 

 flower at the same time in early May, form a group which the smallest garden might 

 easily possess. The White Wistaria, if it blooms at the same time with the Blue, should 

 be planted with it. We have not yet been so fortunate as to see the former, which appears 

 to be still very scarce. — Ed. 



Budding. — The period of innoculating having arrived, a hint to ameteurs and others 

 on the selection and preparation of buds for the operation will be seasonable. Rules for 

 securing a successful union with the stock are abundant; but how to prepare a bud so as to 

 make it shoot strongly the next season, is not so often noticed, and the consequence is that of 

 many buds which the operator succeeds in getting to "take," many of them either remain en- 

 tirely dormant, or shoot very weakly the next season. Whenever practicable the shoot selected 

 to supply the buds, should have its point taken out by the finger and thumb, a week or so be- 

 fore required for use ; this gives the buds a plumpness and imbibes them with a latent principle 

 of activity which aids them in starting into growth. To stop them too long a time — several 

 weeks before use — would induce them to break soon after budding, which is frequently an 

 injury, as the shoots so made are apt to get winter killed; besides, in the case of fruit trees 

 wliere a clear straight stem is desirable, the shoot is apt to grow crooked. In budding, the 

 liranch or stock should be headed back immediately after the operation, in proportion to the 

 fulness of the bud inserted. A full or plump bud requiring scarcely any ; one scarcely visible, 

 on the contrary, may be cut well back. 



A New Oil Pl.\nt. — The small plant {Castiglionia lobala,) known in Peru under the name of 

 "Pionncello," and cultivated about Surco, Iluacho, and Sambageque, also growing wild in con- 

 siderable abundance in those regions, it has been ascertained, yields a valuable oil, well adapted 

 to the purposes of illumination. Its bean like fruit, or seeds, when roasted, have an agreeable 

 flavor, preferable to that of the olive. When eaten raw, the etherial oil generated between the 

 and the outer skin is a strong cathartic, the effects of which can only be counteracted 

 king cold water. It has been ascertained that the seeds will grow in Baltimore; and. 



