Garden Topics. 195 



generally used for this purpose, and among them we have always preferred for color 

 the Achyranthes Vei'schajfeltii. The Agriculturist in a recent notice of it says : 



" The Achyranthes Verschaffeltii, in its varieties, is a useful plant, and as it does 

 not seem to have become very popular, the florists are quite likely to have a stock of 

 it left over. The probable reason for its lack of popularity is that if not cut now and 

 then it gets a ragged and " leggy " look, which is not attractive ; but, if properly 

 treated, it makes a good show. The original plant is of a dull purplish-red ; the 

 variety Gilsoui^ which originated in this country, is much brighter, the stems and 

 the veinings of the leaves being of a finie crimson. Still another variety is the 

 Golden-veined — Aureo-reticulata of the catalogues — in which there is no trace of red, 

 the leaf being a bright green, handsomely variegated by yellow veins and blotches. 

 This, with either of the other two, will make an excellent contrast. The plants may 

 be set eight or twelve inches apart, and, if necessary, be cut back at the time of 

 planting. The different lines of color must be kept distinct by cutting, and the out- 

 line kept in proper form by the knife. Frequent cutting back makes the plants grow 

 bushy, as a branch soon starts from the axil of each leaf. The young growth is much 

 more fresh and brilliant than the older leaves." 



The Dwarf tTiine-berry. 



The Agriculturist commends to better notice this interesting shrub : 

 The Dwarf June-berry is a shrub that ought to be better known. Almost every 

 one knows the common June-berry or Shad-flower, a shrub or small tree conspicuous 

 all over the country in April and May, with its racemes of white, long-petalled 

 flowers. One dwarf specimen that I have had for five years is only eighteen inches 

 high, while others in better soil are between two and three feet. They flower so 

 profusely each spring that they are completely clothed in a sheet of white. The 

 fruit, which is about the size of a large huckleberry, is said to be pleasant, and in 

 some parts of the west is grown for market. I speak guardedly about the fruit, for 

 the birds keep such a close watch of it that I do not get a chance to taste it when 

 fully ripe. The shrub increases, with moderate rapidity by suckers, and, when it is 

 desirable to cultivate it for its fruit, it could no doubt be propagated more rapidly. 

 But without regard to its fruit, I set a high value upon it as an ornamental shrub. 



Ornnniental Trees — Ttouble J<'lou'erinff I'eticfirs, 



A correspondent of the Tribune is heartily enthusiastic in encouraging the growth 

 of Double Flowering Peaches in our American orchards. He says : 



" We have seen groups composed of some six difi'erent colors, when the effect pro- 

 duced was really grand. The white is indeed perfectly charming in its simple purity, 

 and the shades of crimson are unusually brilliant ; then again the striped varieties 

 please by their novelty. We now have another claimant for public notice in the 

 " Blood-leaved Peach," which is a decided acquisition, especially when planted in a 

 group, so that its peculiar purple foliage contrasts well with the green of other trees. 

 We have personally tested its merits in this way, and know whereof we speak. An- 

 other new variety, of a tall columnar habit, comes from the South, in the way of the 

 Irish juniper, or as a miniature Lombardy poplar. It would relieve the stifi"ness of 

 a group by having a place assigned it in the centre. Other closely-allied varieties 



