loS MONARDA DIDVMA. OSWEGO TEA. 



to him, dated London, June 2d, 1747, Dr. John Mitchell mentions 

 the fact that Peter Collinson had sent to Bartram for a number 

 of American species, and among these was the Oswego Tea. 

 The plant was no doubt sent In obedience to this reminder, for 

 we find it recorded In Alton's " Hortus Kewensis" as introduced 

 "before 1752 by Peter Collinson, Esquire." It has always been 

 very highly appreciated by garden cultivators, as it well deserves 

 to be, — not only on account of its gay and brilliant color, but also 

 because it produces a succession of flowers In the autumn, last- 

 ing nearly a month. Mr. Robinson, of London, In his work on 

 " Hardy Flowers," speaks of it as a valuable plant to allow to 

 run wild and take care of Itself in the woods, when making a 

 "wild garden." For this purpose it is exceedingly well adapted, 

 as it increases rapidly by sending out thready under-ground run- 

 ners, from which young plants shoot up ; and as It Is not difficult 

 to keep when once thoroughly establislied. In Its native places 

 it seems to prefer low moist ground, but it does very well in any 

 common garden soil. 



Monarda didyma is the most northern species of Its genus, 

 being found in Maine. As It progresses south. It seems to leave 

 the seaboard, for it Is not common In eastern New York, and in 

 New Jersey occurs only in the northwestern counties. It ex- 

 tends down the mountains to Virginia, and Dr. Chapman says 

 that It reaches North Carolina. According to Prof. Wood, how- 

 ever, its range from north to south would seem to be even more 

 extensive, as he locates It from " Canada to the mountains of 

 Georgia." In the west, It appears in southern Michigan, but Is 

 rare in Ohio. It is occasionally found in Indiana, but is believed 

 not to be Indigenous there. Its true home seems to be along 

 the Alleghany Mountains. 



Explanations of thk Plate. — i. Branchlet with a single head. 2. Eranchlet with pro- 

 hferous head. 3. Individual flower in outline. 



