Mditorial JVoles. 347 



not hold its sessions ; and we believe it would call in the attendance of hundreds of 

 gentlemen, florists and gardeners, who now are in no way connected with The Ameri' 

 can Pomolo^icnl Society, which seems to be wholly devoted to fruit. 



The National Horticultural Society would have complete possession of a field to 

 itself. And as our people need now more practical information upon lawn and 

 garden planting, it will be doing a work of necessity and sympathetic appreciation. 

 XVho seconds ? 



Irrlijation. 



It seems to be an inevitable conclusion forced upon strawberry growers, that they 

 must begin irrigatio7i. The seasons are now becoming so treacherous, and periodically 

 or entirely dry about the time of ripening of the strawberry, that the crop is either 

 cut short from one-third to one-half, or else is totally lost. One of our best growers 

 whose crops usually bring $2,000 to $3,000, lost his entire crop this year, from the 

 excessively dry weather ; and in our own experience we have lost for three success- 

 ive seasons, on both strawberry and blackberry crops, from 25 to 40 per cent, for the 

 want of rain or moisture. We think it will pay any one, whose fruit crops reach 

 $1,000 per annum, to make preparations to irrigate in dry seasons. Will any one 

 tell us how this may be cheaply and etfectively done ? 



Wntertnelotis. 



In Richmond county, Ga., this year, there were planted over 1,200 acres of land 

 in Watermelons, the produce from which i-eached over $185,000. 



A I'retty Kosc Garden. 



A contributor of The Tribune describes a Rose Garden which, in his opinion, is 

 admirably adapted to meet the wants of many flower growers. " Beds of various 

 shapes were cut in the turf and planted according to the modern style, i. e., massed 

 and ribboned. Only kinds of acknowledged superiority were used. Ribbons of 

 White Daily, Louis Philippe, Hermosa, Agrippina, Leels, etc., were placed side by 

 side, affording a rich contrast in color and a perfect wealth of bloom. When we 

 add that the fragrance was delightful, what more could be desired. Entire beds of 

 one color were not the least attractive feature of the collection. 



Mr. UnnnctvelVs E.itnte. 



With beautiful Italian gardens, a very picturesque lake and fountains, lawn, garden, 

 and fruit houses, there is nothing left forgotten or untried in landscape decoration 

 here. In a small portion of the ground is a little series of flower gardens surrounded 

 by a fine hedge. VVithin the space, two very fine flower beds attracted our notice. 

 The first was a very large Ribbon Bed, or Border, planted as follows : 



1. Pyrethrum, 4. Achyranthus, 



2. Lobelia, 5. General Grant Geranium, 



3. Mountain of Snow Geranium, 6. Centaurea. 



The contrast of colors, white, blue, scarlet, green and red, make a brilliant picture. 



The second bed was, perhaps, ten by fifteen, slightly raised, and planted entirely with 

 " succulents" — Echeveria Metallica, with space occasionally interspersed containing 

 agaves and yuccas. 



We may at another occasion say something of the other departments of ornamental 

 gardening, as practiced near "The Hub." 



Spirten falninfa' 



This increases in beauty and usefulness, says The Gardener''s Chronicle^ as we 

 become better acquainted with it. In the open border it is grandly efi'ective, and 

 should be in every collection of perennials. 



J\>»r ShritU, 



One of the finest and most remarkable hardy shrubs recently introduced into 

 England is Elteagnus longipes. It comes from Japan. It is of medium size; the 

 flowers are produced in great profusion, and are succeeded by berries, orange in 

 color, oblong in form, speckled with brownish scales. 



