'88s.] 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



323 



"work forthe month "' do. For instance, we might 

 say it is now so well understood th.-it we may have 

 an immense addition to our list of hardy ever- 

 greens, if we will only shelter them, that we expect 

 all those who love these varied winter favorites 

 will take measures this season to plant shelter 

 belts in exposed places, or else to set the common 

 hardy trees like Norway and Hemlock Spruce, 

 and Scotch, Austrian and White Pines thickly 

 about, so that the rarer ones can be put between 

 them. Almost all young trees are tenderer than 

 they are when older. It is therefore no test of the 

 hardiness of some rare thing, that a small plant is 

 killed in the winter. Silver Firs almost always 

 get killed back for a few years in this section, un- 

 less protected, but yet gain a little in strength. 

 After they are ten years old they will endure our 

 hardest weather. So Spanish Chestnuts, English 

 Walnuts, and many others will die back consider- 

 ably, until they get strength. Therefore, protect 

 any valued young plant, if possible, no matter 

 how hardy its reputation may be. We have said 

 this before, but it is well to repeat accasionally 

 general practical advice given in former chapters. 



Nice smooth lawns are great attractions. If not 

 level and smooth, earth may be filled in the 

 hollow places at this season, and raked smooth 

 and level. If not over two or three inches deep, 

 the grass beneath will come through and make a 

 sod before next summer ; but, if deeper, a little 

 grass seed may be sown. 



In treating hedges of Osage, Honey Locust, or 

 other deciduous plants, we like the plan of letting 

 them grow as they will for two or three years, and 

 then, when the stems are a couple of inches thick, 

 saw to the ground. A mass of strong sprouts 

 then pushes up, which can be pruned into shape 

 the next summer. Where hedges are to be thus 

 made, or older ones have been neglected, they 

 can be cut down to the ground any time in the 

 fall or winter season. It seems that in spite of all 

 that has been said, Osage Orange and Honey 

 Locust are the best plants for farm fences, or 

 where any very strong fence is desired. Berberry, 

 Silver Thorn, and Pyrus japonica are the next 

 best — indeed, except that it takes rather longer to 

 make a good fence, the last-named would be as 

 good as the two first in all except cheapness. An 

 extensive travel, however, teaches us that even 

 Osage and Honey Locust are seldom successful as 

 a protective fence, without great care, knowledge, 

 and considerable expense. But the combination 

 of wire and Osage, or Honey Locust, is all that 

 can be desired. It need not be expensive barbed- 



wire. Any light posts, with two or three strands 

 of wire — the posts simply strong enough to hold 

 the wire two or three years, till the hedge grows 

 up — is all that is required. When the posts rot 

 away the growing hedge keeps the wires in place. 

 Any sort of hacking of the hedge once a year, so 

 as to keep it in bounds, will then make a thor- 

 oughly hog proof, or thief-proof fence. 



COMMUNICATIONS. 



TOBACCO STEMS AND ASHES. 

 BY ERNEST WALKER. 



I find tobacco stems placed about the root of a 

 peach tree answer three important purposes, viz : 

 that of a good mulch, destroy the borer, and answer 

 the object of a splendid fertilizer. 



Wood ashes also destroys the borer, and is an 

 excellent fertilizer, supplying that important prin- 

 ciple in plant growth — potash — of which the peach 

 requires a considerable quantity. 



The unusual thrift and health of our currant 

 bushes and their exemption from the currant 

 worm, prove wood and coal ashes to be also a 

 useful fertilizer for them as well as the peach. 



New Albany, Ind., July 3jd, iSSs- 



[When our correspondent writes that wood 

 ashes destroys the borer, we understand him to 

 mean that the borer dislikes to work where wood 

 ashes are. — Ed. G. M.J 



NICOTIANA AFFINIS— A NEW ANNUAL. 



BY N. ROBERTSON. 



Nicotiana affinis is certainly one of the grand 

 novelties amongst new introductions. I always 

 speak of things as I find them. I made a bed of 

 it with some fears of what it might turn out, judg- 

 ing from the nature of the species that it would 

 make rather a »ough one, and its appearance in 

 its early stages surely indicated that. But when 

 it comes into flower all such notions get dispelled, 

 for I know no other plant that makes a more 

 unique and beautiful display of white than this 

 does ; and the sweet perfume that impregnates 

 the air for a long distance is most refreshing. Its 

 appearance in the day time, when the sun is 

 i strong, is rather dilapidated. It closes its flowers 

 in such a manner as no one could ever think re- 

 vivable again ; but when the evening comes it 

 shines forth in all its glory. In dull days it does 



