J^iofdt A'btes. 59 



rural embellishment. By pinching off the ends of those runners, which hang out 

 from the main stem in half circles, they became more stout, and the entire structure 

 appeared more like a tall shrub, than a vine on an artificial frame. Few know how 

 really elegant such a contrivance is until they have tried it. Among the various 

 plans which gardeners occasionally give us about training vines, is the following : 

 Train the Wisteria to a stake six feet high, and when the main stem has reached the 

 top, head it off. The second year, or the third, will find it able to support itself, and 

 forming an umbrella-shaped head, with hanging flowers. The more we can encourage 

 such little contrivances as these, the greater the pleasure in gardening. 



Tlie Neiv I'ostnl Ltiir Coiicefuhuj Seetls. 



More good news ! The new Postal Law, passed by Congress, is even more favor- 

 able than we supposed ; instead of fixing the rates, as formerly, at four cents for four 

 ounces, the rates are now one cent for two ounces, or fractions thereof, and the old 

 limit of four pounds is restored. The following official letter, issued from the office of 

 the P. M. General, sufficiently explains and decides the matter. The credit for the 

 prompt engineering of this new revision, through Congress, is due to Gen. Benj. F. 

 Butler, of Mass., although the measure originated through Mr. Hill, M. C, from New 

 Jersey : 



PostOfpice Department, 



Appointment Office, 

 Washington, D. C, Jan. 10, 1873. 

 Hon. A. C. Harmer, H. of R. : 



Sir — Please inform your correspondent that this Department, though not officially 

 notified, is advised that the President has now signed the bill recently passed by 

 Congress, whereby seeds, bulbs, roots, and scions are classed with printed matter in 

 regard to postage and weight of packages, that is, one cent for each two ounces, or 

 fraction thereof, limited to four-pound packages, and the same is now the law. 



Postmasters will be advised as soon as possible after the official notice from the 

 Department of State is received. 



The same law provides that all third-class matter must be prepaid in full by stamps 

 affixed at the office of mailing, otherwise the same shall not be forwarded. 



Very respectfully, &c., 



J, W. Marshall, 

 First Assistant P. M. General. 



Floral Notes. 



l<'lon'(:riug Stinibs. 



W. D. Brackenridge, a Baltimore florist, recommends the following fiowerino- 

 shrubs for a family garden : 



As shrubs we have first the Clethra ^ilnifolia, whose flowers are white and fra- 

 grant ; height of bush four to six feet. Then there is the free growing Vitiz Agnus 

 Casfus, better known as the Chaste Tree, and of which there are two varieties, one 

 of them blue and the other pale lilac, both of which should be in every collection of 

 any pretension. Hydrangea quercifolia has large branches of greenish-white flowers, 

 and lobed leaves like those of an oak, and is a conspicuous and well-marked article, 

 and so is its congener H. 7iivea, with white flowers and entire leaves, which are green 

 on the upper and snow white on the under surface — both attain a height of three to 

 five feet. Buddha Lindleyana which grows from six to eight feet heigh, is a very 

 desirable bush, and should be more planted, producing as it does, during most of the 

 summer months, its long pendent spikes of blue flowers, which come admirably into 

 play when making up a table bouquet; to this we would add another beauty, viz: 



