450 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 
electricity to the growth of vegetation, that no benefit whatever has ac- 
crued from the different processes followed. He does not assert, how- 
ever, that electricity can be of no avail in promoting vegetation, though 
doubting strongly its use. The further prosecution of the subject by 
trials on an extended scale is recommended. 
3. On the death and disappearance of some trees and shrubs; ina 
letter from W. Jones, dated Riceboro, Georgia.—The present remarks 
are particularly directed to the death and disappearance of some of 
our trees and shrubs. The first that I will mention is the Castanea 
pumila, which is a tree from 10 to 30 feet in height. In the year 1825, 
during the months from June to September, I observed this tree dying 
when in full leaf and with fruit half matured. I examined numerous 
individuals and could find no internal cause of their dying. I at first 
attributed it to the great fall of rain which took place in the year 1823; 
for during the month of July of that year, a considerable quantity of 
land not subjéct to overflow was covered with water for some time, and 
the highest lands were completely saturated. The latter part of 1824 
was also very rainy. Knowing that this tree belonged in our highest 
and driest soils, I concluded that it was owing to a too moist state of the 
ground. But since that time I am convinced there must be some other 
cause ; forthe tree continues still to die, up to the year 1845, and if the 
disease is not arrested, in a few years I fear it will be entirely ex- 
terminated. 
In the year 1826 I discovered also that the Laurus geniculata showed 
the same signs of dying, and many died in the course of that year. 
The Laurus geniculata in the southern part of Georgia formed beauti- 
ful round groves in the pine barrens. From one spot I have viewed 
three or four of these round ponds (as they are called by the inhabi- 
tants) through the tall Pinus palustris, which tree forms the forest of 
these barrens ; and contrasts with the Laurus in its deep green foliage as 
well as size. At this time, these once beautiful spots amid the pine 
forest are all exterminated; and I have not seen a single individual alive 
within the last five years. The Gordonia liseanthus, a very beautiful 
tree which once abounded in this region, has almost entirely disappear 
ed from some localities. I have known whole forests of these trees, 
for miles in extent, (where they formed bays or branches,) to die in the 
course of two or three years, leaving not a single individual to mark the 
spot where they once grew. The Quercus rubra also for the last six 
years has been going in the same way. I have noticed this tree in sit- 
uations favorable to its growth, to put out its leaves in the spring, grow 
very little and appear sickly during the summer months, and the next 
spring put out again and then suddenly die. I have observed a few in- 
Fe eae ee a ED 
