1H79.I 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



135 



ting it downward an inch or more according to 

 its nature and growth, leaving it in that condi- 

 tion for a day or two. Then commence at the 

 point of these two halves, and split them down 

 also into quarters. Leave them from two to ten 

 days to callous, when each quarter will make a 

 cutting almost certain to grow, even if cut into 

 single eyes. As soon as the cuttings have rooted, 

 been potted and well established, split them also 

 half their length, and in a few days more con- 

 tinue ih^ split down to, and through the roots, 

 making two or more plants instead of one. I 

 find it advantageous with tricolored geraniums, 

 double primulas, etc. It does not endanger the 

 life of the parent plant, for they can be taken 

 off a few at a time, thereby lessening the shock 

 that would occur to some plants if the whole 

 top were taken at one sweep. The parent plant 

 goes right on growing without the necessity for 

 repotting. The young growth of most hard 

 wooded plants might be facilitated in the same 

 way. There is no rotting in the cutting bench 

 as is often the case with whole cuttings of tricolor 

 geraniums, poinsettas, etc. 



NOTES FROM 1878. 



BY REV. E. P. P., CLINTON, N. Y. 



Those who fail in the cultivation of ordinary 

 window plants, should make use of their com- 

 mon garden shrubs for winter bloom. I have 

 from Christmas till Spring, a fine show of Lilacs, 

 Daphne, Deutzia gracilis, by simply prying out 

 the offsets or suckers of the larger lawn bushes 

 in October, leaving them in the cellar until 

 wanted; then potting them, and placing in the 

 conservatory or bay window. They come into 

 rapid growth and abundant bloom. In the 

 Spring they will serve to plant out if desired. 

 All these shrubs if allowed to develop their 

 flowers in the shade will produce white blossoms, 

 although mucti less perfect than when granted 

 plenty of air and sunshine ; light is absolutely 

 essential to develop their normal colors. This 

 is not an absolute fiat in reference to color, as 

 is sometimes stated, for the best will not only 

 grow in the dark, but will display the most ex- 

 quisite shadings imaginable. It is possible 

 that some vegetables have a power of gathering 

 light, as the eyes of some animals gather in the 

 feeblest ray, where others are blind. As we 

 say cats see in the dark, so there is a power, pos- 

 sibly or probably, in some vegetable tissues to 



respond to the different rays that do not touch 

 our optic nerves. The shrubs at all events re- 

 quire light in abundance. 



For northern latitudes we cannot too strongly 

 favor the Geranium. It is so easily propagated 

 in quantity, so easily preserved through the 

 winter, so hardy against light frosts, so persist- 

 ent and profuse of bloom that it is certainly un- 

 rivalled as a bedder. It is however of little use 

 to endeavor to keep them through hung up 

 by the roots, or in a damp cellar. Let them 

 be cut back to a few leaves, potted or crowded 

 together in a box and then kept in a dry room 

 with but little water. Much pleasure can be 

 secured by raising seedlings of the newest va- 

 rieties, such as Sir John Moore, Mercy Grogan, 

 Napoleon, Attraction. I have a fine collection, 

 quite equal to any that I have procured by pur- 

 chase. It is astonishing what advance has been 

 made in developing this family within the past 

 ten years. Among the noblest I reckon Pa- 

 bellon, John Moore, Santley, Princess of Wales, 

 Startler, Dr. Torrey, Martins, Diego Podda. 

 But the list of new and superb varieties is so 

 long that any collection soon needs revision. I 

 have only recently learned to secure superior 

 and profuse bloom from the double sorts ; they 

 must not be cut back as we are accustomed to 

 cut the single varieties. 



Among rare trees for this section I am suc- 

 ceeding perfectly in growing the native Persim- 

 mon. My tree is now from the pip six years old. 

 It stands the severest winters, when there has 

 been no protection of snow, without losing an 

 inch of wood. Hydrangea paniculata stands at 

 the head of all summer-blooming shrubs, and 

 needs no protection. I am going back among 

 vines to the dear and home-like honeysuckles. 

 They have such a healthy welcome, and are 

 withal so careless of growth, provided only that 

 they can have the humming bh-ds and moths. 



I wanUto put in a plea for more native trees 

 in planting lawns and streets, especially the Lin- 

 den. No one neglects the Maple and the Elm ; 

 but a Beech with elbow-room, or a grove which 

 is still better is seldom seen. Yet there is not a 

 more comfortable home-like tree in existence. 

 It is unique, sheltering, rich in foliage, and ex- 

 quisite in leaf. Not the least attraction is its 

 hospitality in Autumn. It loves the squirrels 

 and the boys. The Linden is for grand foliage, 

 stately trunk, and honey-making purposes un- 

 equaled. 1 have a grove of lii^dens for my boe- 

 house shelter. 



