1882.1 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



281 



elevated, asking for grace upon his undertaking. 

 In high ecstacy he was favored with a glance of 

 heaven, and he from this copied the same hea- 

 venly figures on the walls which he saw up 

 there. 



After some time, leaving this charming view 

 with regret, we went to the left (east side), which 

 was planted with asters, gladiolas, Japan lilies, 

 tuberoses, dahlias, malvas, etc., according to their 

 height, the highest-growing plants on the out- 

 side, thus accomplishing the intention of the 

 artist as near as plants will grow. The whole 

 length of this border and beyond is a range of 

 newly-erected, roomy plant houses in one line 

 but in four divisions, in which we found by a 

 visit last winter : First, smilax of rare perfection 

 forming elegant festoons four yards in length — 

 an exquisite green trailing. Second, a complete 

 assortment of agaves, selected specimens of all 

 sizes and known varieties, which are used for 

 adornment for summer plantation. Third di- 

 vision, all roses, healthy growing plants full of 

 buds. Fourth, camellias and azaleas, a superb 

 variety, and well grown, together with large 

 orange and lemon trees. Then we came to 

 vegetable houses where we saw the finest speci- 

 mens of cucumbers, even to two feet long, in 

 large quantities. Bush-beans, lettuce, asparagus, 

 radishes and champignons were furnished in 

 abundance, and added, no doubt, considerably 

 to the delicacies of Mr. Dinsmore's table. From 

 here we came to a long "lean-to" house facing 

 south, where grapes of the finest varieties and 

 large size are grown in quantities in the season. 

 Out of the end of this a span-roof house, facing 

 north and south is exclusively devoted to or- 

 chids. A collection of the rarest and handsomest 

 epiphytes, with their many diflerent formed 

 flowers. They are amongst flowers what a 

 mocking-bird is amongst birds. Grand speci- 

 mens of Phalsanopsis Schilleriana, with large 

 spikes of beautiful flowers. Sacolabiums, Dendro- 

 biums, Phajus were then in bloom, and attracted 

 much attention from the visitors. On the north 

 side is a large department attached, for the pur- 

 pose of keeping plants back to enjoy their blooms 

 at a late time. Then we came to another house 

 hi continuation of the graperies, used as a pro- 

 pagating house to raise the vast number of 

 plants used for bedding out. This has lately 

 been changed into three elegant stylish span- 

 roof houses for the purpose of cultivating or 

 chids. Mr Dinsmore has already one of the 

 most extensive collections of this class of plants 



in the United States; valuable and rarest speci- 

 mens of plants in bloom at all times, of which 

 an assortment of Catllyeas, Papillios, Cipripe- 

 diums, are now displaying their magic blooms. 

 Mr. D. intends to use one of these three houses as 

 a show house to exhibit only blooming speci- 

 mens, and the other two houses to grow them. 

 At the end of this we came out at that stylish 

 glass palace with two wings where we first ar- 

 rived. On entering one feels transferred to an- 

 other part of the world. The fashionable tiling 

 of the walks, and the colored glass whose reflec- 

 tion plays so charmingly on ferns, palms and 

 mosses, and although not natural, gives them a 

 fantastic appearance, and renders a natural 

 representation of a tropical climate. It makes 

 a remarkable impression to behold this choice 

 selection of tropicals; they are so tastefully 

 placed and are in such a thriving, vigorous con- 

 dition, that they are true representatives, and 

 some, I think, better than I have seen in 

 their native country. It looks as if there were 

 all sorts of palms, some large enough to walk 

 under, ferns and crotons. Also a large number 

 of different store plants, all in all, an artistic 

 composition showing the refined taste and talent 

 of the superintendent. Every time we went 

 around we found new objects of admiration. 

 We only found, by coming out, that we had been 

 relieved from an uncomfortable southerly tem- 

 perature, enjoying the fresh air again. Mr. 

 Emerson called our attention to the reflection in 

 the blue glass inserted in this palace, of his fancy 

 flower garden, of which I spoke before, and is 

 located in front, and looks like a dream inex- 

 pressibly beautiful. No one should leave with- 

 out enjoying and admiring this selected spot in 



miniature again. 



(To be concluded.) 



EDITORIAL NOTES. 



The Philadelphia Academy of Natural 

 Sciences.— The Amencan Naturalist for August 

 has its annual chapter on this institution. Those 

 who do not quite agree with Professor Cope are 

 styled '' antiscientifics," and the estimable Presi- 

 dent, Dr. Joseph Leidy, is a " reputable figure- 

 head." The " residuary legatees of re-action" 

 have recently elected as curators two men of 

 " no scientific reputation or position." A scien- 

 tific man was elected to fill the Vice-Presidency, 

 but in the eyes of Professor Cope "it is unfor- 

 tunate that the gentleman so honored should be 



