356 



THE GARDENER'S 3I0NTHLY 



[December, 



tacks the verj' tips of the leaves, which should be 

 disposed of before the leaf is disfigured." 



Hardiness of the Silver Thorn.— There is a 

 hedge of this on Meehan avenue in German- 

 town, formerly a part of Meehan's nurseries, 

 that has been fifteen years entirely uninjured. 

 Mr. Carew Sanders says, that wherever the Wei- 

 gela and similar shrubs get killed back in winter, 

 the Silver Thorn does also. In other respects 

 Mr. Sanders thinks it a good hedge plant, " stiff, 

 stocky and hedgy." 



The Gladiolus Disease.— When this was first 

 brought to the attention of the Gardener's 

 Monthly, now many years ago, we expressed the 

 opinion that it was of fungoid origin. Of course 

 we had to make the guess from analogy, as it 

 requires great knowledge and skill in microscopi- 

 cal studies to be able to work these matters up 

 positively. Mr. Worthington G. Smith has re- 

 cently done this, and finds it is a fungus— a new 

 one — and he names it Urocystis.GUdioli. 



NEW PLANTS. 



TuLiPA Greigi is the subject of a colored plate 

 in the October number of the London Florist and 

 Pomologist. It is a dwarf grower with flowers 

 about four inches over, reflexed scarlet petals, 

 and a yellow base with four oblong black spots. 

 The leaves are rather large, thickly, covered with 

 black spots. It has been recently discovered in 

 Turkistan and will be hardy in America. 



Pentstemon heterophylluS. — J'orms neat, 

 close tufts a foot or more in diameter, from.which 

 arise numerous slender stems eighteen inches 

 high, bearing a profusion of flowers of a beauti- 

 ful sky-blue. It is a native of California, and 

 perfectly hardy. — C. M. Hovey. 



Pentstemon Palmeri. — A remarkably distinct 

 and handsome species. Grows from three to five 

 feet in height, with panicles of peach-colored 

 flowers. It is perfectly hardy, and succeeds in 

 any well-drained soil. — C. M. Hovey. 



Alonsoa linifolia. — This new and handsome 

 species grows from a foot to a foot and a half in 

 height, with dark green, flax-like foliage. The 

 centre branches, as well as the surrounding ones, 

 are so disposed as to form a symmetrical and 

 graceful specimen, covered from almost the base 

 to the summit, with innumerable glowing light- 



scarlet blossoms. It is easily grown, and sus- 

 ceptible of both pot and open-ground culture. — 

 C. M. Hovey. 



Alonsoa myrtifolia. — This is another new 

 species ; grows from two to two and a half feet ; 

 is of very robust growth, and exceedingly florife- 

 rous. The individual flowers are larger by far 

 than in any other species of this genus, and of a 

 fine scarlet. It makes a very good pot-plant, but, 

 by reason of its strong growth, is principally 

 adapted for the open ground. — C. M. Hovey. 



QUERIES. 



The Centennial Eock-work. — S. 0. K., Jack- 

 son, Mich., writes: — "Since noticing your re- 

 marks on the display of " Rock-work " on the 

 horticultural grounds at the Centennial, the query 

 with me has been why an untutored eye like 

 mine should have been so much attracted by the 

 striking effect produced. May it not be that the 

 perfect harmony and fitness of the plants used in 

 ornamenting the same, made it somehow befit- 

 ting in placing it in such strong contrast with ita 

 surroundings? The Yuccas, Agavea, Aloes and 

 various plants of this class all seemed in such 

 harmony with the design that I queried whether 

 it all had not a right to be there in that promi- 

 nent and beautiful spot. I noticed also in some 

 greenhouses in Philadelphia, .slate placed upon 

 the benches before the covering of sand. I sup- 

 pose to protect from decay, &c. I think I have 

 discovered a better plan. I put a liberal sprink- 

 ling of broken rosin on the benches, then apply 

 a hot flat-iron, forming a perfect coating, which 

 is quickly done, and it is all right for all time 

 to come, so far as I know." 



[Yes, the choice of plants for the Rock-work 

 was admirable. The whole work meritorious. 

 Slate is used not only because of its endurance — 

 but it is a better conductor and plants on it are 

 warmer than on boards. Ed. G. M.] 



Pyracantha Hedges. — C. C, Decherd, Tenn., 

 writes: — "Canyon, through the Monthly, give 

 me any information about the Pyracantha hedge 

 plant? Is it the same as the Virginia White 

 Thorn? Is there any difference as to hardiness 

 between the white and red varieties? How far 

 north can it be grown as a hedge ? What is its 

 true botanical name; and how should the seed 

 be managed to sprout it?" 



