236 Domestic JS'otices. 



not the vigorous appearance they have in England, still they are suffi- 

 ciently so to produce bloom. We shall try some experiments in its 

 culture the present season, and, if possible, solve the reason of its gen- 

 erally puny growth and sickly character. — Id. 



Yiicca fdamentbsa. — The same plant of this species, mentioned, in 

 cur II, p. 419, as having stood out, during several winters, in the gar- 

 den of Mr. Walker, has lived through the past one without the loss of 

 a single leaf; it will probably throw up a fine spike of flowers. 



After living through such a severe winter, which has killed many of 

 our most common, and, generally considered, hardiest plants, not injured 

 in tlie least for many years previous, there can be no danger of leaving 

 it out hereafter. — Id. 



fhe Neio Zealand Flax, (Vhormium tmax.) — A few seeds of this 

 valuable plant have l^een kindly sent us by our friend, Wm. P. Jenny. 

 Esq., of Fairhaven. The seeds were also accompanied with a specimen 

 of the raw material. Some notice of this plant will be found in our vol. 

 II. p. 192, and in the current one at p. 8. We have no doubt ourselves 

 but it may be grown without any protection, during winter, in the Middle 

 and Southern States; whether, however, it will endure the cold of the 

 42'' of latitude, and north of that, we are in doubt. It is a native of 

 New Zealand, a group of islands lying between the parallels of the 35^ 

 and 45*^ of south latitude. The French have succeeded in introducing 

 it into their colony at Algiers; and the English government, aware of 

 the value of this plant, the superiority of its Jlbre to the common flax, 

 and its importance to her agriculture, have, by acts of the legislature, 

 encouraged its cultivation in Britain as well as in her colonies. It is 

 perfectly hardy in Cork, Ireland, in the 52° and 53° of latitude. Prob- 

 ably our readers recollect, in the notice of the plant, in vol. II. p. 192, 

 that our correspondent was authorized to say that he would place a few 

 plants in the hands of any gentleman who would give them a fair trial, 

 and make known the result. We will also cheerfully distribute our 

 seeds to any gentlemen who wall do the same. It is certainly important 

 to know whether it will stand our winters or not. The superiority of 

 its fibre is already acknowledged. Perhaps by protecting the plants, 

 which are herbaceous, tlie first and second years that they are set out, 

 with a slight covering of straw or leaves, they would acquire such a 

 size as afterwards to stand the severity of the winters. It is worth 

 trial. Together with the JTforus multicaulis, it will form an important 

 article in our agriculture. — Id. 



Sowing large Patches of Mignonette. — There is one thing you ought 

 to suggest to your readers, viz., the sowing of large patches or beds of 

 mignonette: generally so little is sown as to be almost useless. I intend 

 to sow it profusely this sj)ring in my garden. In the little front and 

 back yards of a city dwelling there should be beds of it. In general 

 fragrant plants are not as much cultivated as they should be. — Yours, 

 J., April <20, 1837. 



Seven Years' Pumpkin. — A correspondent writes us under a late date, 

 thtit this famous pumpkin is decidedly superior, for making pics, to the 

 common kind, or the cocoanut squash. A gentleman planted last spring 

 about a dozen seeds, or less, and, although the season was so unfavor- 

 able to all kinds of vines, particularly squashes and pumpkins, the pro- 

 duct was astonishingly great and well ripened. It keeps remarkably 

 well, though not as long as some may suppose, from its name; but there 

 is no doubt it can be preserved a great \vhile longer than any other, 

 and in a perfectly sound state, W^e have been presented with a few 

 seeds, which we shall try the present season. — Cond. 



Origin of the Hermitage Vineyards. — The origin of these celebrated 

 vineyards is quite remarkable. " It is related that an inhabitant of Con- 



