iste.] 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



2n 



than if we said " hybrid." How far we should 

 carry this term " cross," and where we should 

 drop it and take up " hybrid," would depend on 

 the idea we formed of " species." What is a j;ood 

 species to one botanist is simply a variety to an- 

 other, and while there is this room for doubt 

 there can be no rule that shall be infallible in 

 the use of the terms. 



HooPEs' Book of Evergreens. — A Mississippi 

 correspondent writes : " I do not see Cerasus 

 lauro-cerasus among the evergreens in Hoopes' 

 book. It is a grand thing for these parts." Mr. 

 Hoopes confines himself to the resinous plants 

 — coniferae. 



The Grape Phylloxera. — Those grape grow- 

 ers about Kelley's Island, who were for so long a 

 time sure Mr. Riley must be mistaken about the 

 ravages of the Phylloxera, seem to have recon- 

 sidered the matter more favorably. One gentle- 

 man now Avrites to the Ohio Farmer : 



" Some twelve years ago I set cut a vineyard of 

 ten acres, mostly Catawbas, with Cincinnati vines. 

 These vines had some knots on the roots, but I 

 then did not know any better than to set them; 

 now these Catawbas have all failed. From per- 

 sonal observation and experience I am forced to 

 believe in the theory of some grape-growers of 

 much experience, that the Phylloxera is the 

 cause of leaf mildew and grape rot ; for certainly, 

 if during the summer the new grape roots are 

 consumed, there is nothing to sustain and ma- 

 ture the leaf and fruit. It is very natural to 

 suppose that this insect, like many others, after 

 a certain period will disappear, but experience 

 is against this theory." 



But our friend must not go too far in the 

 other direction, for there is often mildew and 

 grape rot independent of Phylloxera. 



Sale of the Eosedale Nurseries. — We have 

 only a line or so at command as we go to press, 

 to say that the sale of Mr. Buist's plants is now 

 going on. We note among the buyei's friends 

 from Milwaukee, Cleveland, New York and other 

 places. The larger plants appear to us to go 

 much below their real value, while the smaller 

 ones bring fair prices. We conclude from the 

 experience here, that the love for rare plants is 

 by no means declining. 



Test of a Good Gardener. — Mr. J. Paget, 

 gardener to J. Donald Cameron, Esq., of Harris- 

 burg, Pa., sends us a brace of cucumbei's that 

 reminds us of the good old times of England's 



gardeners, when skill was measured by what a 

 gardener could do in the way of forcing fruits 

 and vegetables at any season of the year. These 

 were 22 inches long, slender and as delicate and 

 crisp as a cucumber could be. Many people 

 cannot eat cucumbers, and no wonder when the 

 strong, seedy things so often used are set before 

 them. Such as these — and the first week in May 

 — the most delicate would not refuse. 



Geological Survey of Texas. — Texas is wise 

 in prosecuting her geological survey. It fur- 

 nishes just the kind of knowledge people want 

 who are disposed to emigrate, — and Texas, be- 

 yond many States, has room for thousands. This 

 is the second annual report of the State Geolo- 

 gist, Prof. S. B. Buckley, and besides the usual 

 scientific matter, has much in relation to the 

 agricultural and horticultural features and capa- 

 bilities of the State. Prof. Buckley describes a 

 "cactus-looking" shrub as Forsythia splendens, 

 which we do not recognize. The old Forsythia of 

 American authors, Decumaria sarmentosa, has not 

 " trumpet-shaped" flowers like this, nor is there 

 any accordance with the genus Forsythia of Japan, 

 of which the common Golden Bell of our gardens 

 is a well-known representative. Mr. B. describes 

 it as a good fence plant, known as " Ocotea " to 

 the Mexicans. Perhaps it is a rhisprint for 

 Foquiera ? 



Transactions of the Massachusetts Horti- 

 cultural Society for 1876. Through the kind- 

 ness of Mr. Robert Manning, we have part first 

 of this always interesting serial. It is made up 

 of the essays and discussions of the monthly 

 meetings. Among the papers which will particu- 

 larly attract general attention, are that on grape 

 culture, by Mr. W. N. Barnett, of West Haven, 

 Conn., and that on Herbariums, by Professor 

 Robinson. 



Mr. Barnett has been very successful in the cul- 

 ture of the grape, and these are the men who can 

 give good advice. It is not always clear that the 

 reasons for certain practices as given are correct, 

 and hence those who attempt another's practice 

 often fail. It is here that discussions arise, and 

 Mr. Barnett's paper appears to have been warmly 

 debated. 



The conclusion of Mr. Robinson in regard to 

 the proposition to establish a Herbarium by the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society, commends 

 itself to our judgment. One or two Herbariums is 

 enough in a large city. Every citizen interested 

 in botany should do his utmost to make these 



