554 



/I O R T I C U L T U R £ 



November 24, 1906 



by Dr. K. M. Wiegand in Botanical Gazette, June, 1906. 

 Dr. Wiegand speaks of these records as follows: 



"Little accurate work has been done towards deter- 

 mining the characteristics of the growth of the buds 

 of trees, but that of W. M. Morgan at Cornell in 1901 

 shows that in the case of certain fruit trees the growth 

 is very uniform and gradual up to about November 15, 

 when the increase ceased quite abruptly. There was 

 no growth in peach from this date until March 1, but 

 growth was rapid from March 23 to the flowering time 

 a month later, April 23. 



"In apple and apricot growth almost ceased Novem- 

 ber 15. From this date until March 1 the increase was 

 apparent but exceedingly slight, amounting to only 

 1-2 to 1 per cent. Renewal of activities began Llarch 1 

 and from then until April 23, when the apricots 

 bloomed, and April 30, when the apples bloomed, the 

 growth was very rapid. The curve after growtli began 

 was not so gradual as in the peach, but became mucli 

 accelerated just before flowering time. 



"At intervals of one week apart through the fall, 

 winter and spring buds were taken from the same tree 

 and as nearly as possible from shoots of the same vigor ; 

 a large number were measured and the average taken 

 as representing the size at that time. A Zeiss cover 

 glass scale was found most convenient for making the 

 measurements. From these careful observations, there- 

 fore, contrary to the general belief, it seems that fruit 

 buds at least do not grow to any extent in winter. Their 



swelling period is confined in the north to a few weeks 

 previous to the opening of the bud." 



In his summary Dr. Wiegand states the matter as 

 follows: "The bud fundament in most trees is laid 

 down early in the summer, grows gradually till late in 

 the autumn, remains dormant until early in the spring, 

 then passes through a period of swelling preparatory 

 to unfolding." 



In regard to how early buds begin to form in tpring 

 Dr. Wiegand notes the following observations: "July 

 15, peach buds well formed ; June 1, small buds evident 

 in the axils of the leaves of forest trees; as early as 

 May the first leaf bud observed in Betula alba. In 

 some cases, as elaeagnus and cornus, the bud funda- 

 ment is present as early as the unfolding of the previ- 

 ous winter's bud." This means that if last spring the 

 opening buds of dogwoods were examined the buds now 

 on the bushes would be present in miniature. 



It would seem that in such cases as these last men- 

 tioned some growth would be made before the leaves are 

 expanded, at least before early in the summer. How- 

 ever, we cannot tell until actual observations have been 

 made. This is a rich field for investigation and will 

 well repay work carefully done. 



A Group of New Plants at the Chicago Show 



Of late years but few really meritorious new plants 

 have been seen at exhibitions and it is with pleasure 

 we refer to the group shown by the Eden Nursery Co., 

 Eden, Erie Co., N. Y., and it is still more interesting 

 that Prof. Cowell either personally collected them or 

 was the means of their introduction. A description of 

 those most impressive follows; it is not a scientific 

 description by any means, but may be sufficient to 

 afford identification. 



Aglaonema costata — Differing entirely from either A. 

 commuta or A. pictum in its smaller, denser stature, 

 and its positively pure white markings on the deepest 

 olive green ground, its compact and free growth and its 

 impressiveness. The leaves are 3 1-2 by 2 1-2 inches, 

 heart shaped and pointed, midribs white. Among 

 plants of which pcperomias are so useful and decorative 

 it looks like displacing many of them. In this manner 

 it may be safely compared to the regales type of the 

 Anoectochilus in its distinctness. The flowers of this 

 genus are not showy. This new species must become 

 popular. 



Carludovica Jamaieense — Differing from all other 

 species in its tough leathery texture in its positively 

 circular rigid iron-like stems, and its livistona-like ex- 

 pressions, the central portion of widest leaf having 



twenty points, two side portions pointed each ten times 

 on stems seven feet high. The next-sized leaves had 

 been with from thirty to thirty-six points; number 

 of leaves thirteen, differently disposed than those of 

 any other carludovica. Wlien belter established its 

 distinctness will be even more apparent. 



Dracaena Americana — The first and as yet the only 

 .\merican species; full of much interest owing to its 

 distinct form and general expression. It is different 

 from all other dracaenas and no cordyline resembles it. 

 The loaves are arched, recurved, and recurving from the 

 perpendicular; widest part two inches, pointed acutely, 

 eleven to thirteen inches long, deepest green and 

 sinuous — looks to be of great value for breeding pur- 

 poses. 



Dracaena Cantleyi — A very bold yucca-like plant with 

 broad sea green polished leaves spotted with dull yellow, 

 resembling some forms of aueuba. 



i\.nthurium caribbeae — Looks like a giant calla. 

 Leaves large, thick, leathery — tough enough to make 

 shoes or shingle houses — two feet long, fifteen inches 

 wide on stems three feet high ; flowers white. Seems to 

 be a good decorative plant and should be useful as a 

 breeder. 



Pandanus iimaryllifoliuni — Without any spines, this 



