154 £^dUo7'ial JVoies. 



Our thoughts for a long time past have often turned toward one who we believe 

 would receive the unanimous support of the horticultural world ; others have lately 

 mentioned the same name to us, and wc now break the long-kept silence we have 

 maintained for the past four years, by propoi-ing the nomination for the next Secre- 

 taryship in the well known name of Hon. W. C. Flagg, of Illinois, Horticultural 

 Editor of The Prarie Farmer. Who seconds ? 



Death of tT, S, Downer^ 



The death of Mr. Downer, of Fairview, Kentucky, came to us with startling 

 suddenness. We had enjoyed the pleasure of frequent correspondence with him 

 during years past, both often, and in the most agreeable familiar manner, that we 

 felt an apostle of horticulture had verily gone, when we heard he was no more. 



Mr. Downer's life was eminently successful, both in hortir-ultural endeavors, and 

 as a private citizen ; one of that band of old pomologists who have done so much 

 good for the world, without thought of great compensation. He was one we were 

 always glad to meet, and upon Avhom everybody took delight in bestowing honor 

 and appreciation. 



Truly his days were full of wisdom, and his paths those of peace. 



Ji V III urU able Growth of J'lmtts in Califortiia. 



Think of a fig tree set out when 6 inches high, and two years afterwards measur- 

 ing 12 feet high, with a head 7 feet across, and trunk {)\ inches in circumference. 

 Yet this is vouched for by a correspondent of the Rural Home. 



And now comes another bigger story : A California gardener has in his garden 

 two plants of the Ricinus, planted 13th of May, and grown in one season to 17 feet. 

 One of them had six stalks, each 11 feet high, and all 12 feet across, the trunk 

 measuring IS^ inches in circumference, and bearing 16 spikes of seeds, each 12 to 

 28 inches in length. The whole appearance of the plant is described as very showy 

 and highly ornamental. The stalks and stems are a blood-red, the spikes a most 

 brilliant scarlet, and the broad magnificent foliage, a beautiful metallic green, made 

 altogether a very attractive appearance. 



The Tallest Trees. 



Recent discoveries near Victoria, Australia, seem to indicate that the Eucalyptus 

 is the tallest tree on the Grlobe. Several there growing were measured, and found 

 to exceed 150 feet in height, and over 40 feet in circumference. 



YoitMff's Weeping Hircli. 



A new variety with this name has been originated in England, and is said to be 

 very distinct from the standard variety, and much more valuable. The ordinary 

 Weeping Birch has an erect habit, although its branchlets are pendent; but this 

 new variety partakes more of the character of the Weeping Birch or Weeping 

 Mountain Elm. 



A Weepinij I^oplar, 



A new Weeping Poplar has been accidentally discovered upon the grounds of a 

 suburban English estate. It is pendulous to the utmost twig, a distinct looping tree 

 49 feet high, leaf smaller than the Fopulus Iremula Pendula. 



The J'roper Titne to I'mne Trees. 



In a recent visit to the East Pennsylvania Experimental Farm, among other ex- 

 periments, we were shown one where limbs on an apple tree of considerable size had 

 been sawed off at different months of the year, with the view to demonstrate the 

 comparative healing of the stump. The edges of the wound were found to heal most 

 thoroughly and quickly where the pruning had been done in the sixth month, 

 (June). This corresponds with sound theory, as the tree is then in its greater vigor, 

 and the sap circulation most active. — Practical Fanner. 



