274 Domestic J^otices. 



feet, and there is seldom any necessity for a renewal of fuel. After the 

 burning is completed the heap is thrown down, and scattered over the 

 surface. 



The rationale of burning soils, according to Sir Humphrey Davy, is 

 founded in well known chemical laws. Nearly all soils are composed 

 in their bases of primitive earths and oxide of iron. Certain propor- 

 tions of these earths have so strong an attraction for each other as to 

 form a single homogeneous compound, which resists, in a great meas- 

 ure, the action of the air and water. Calcination, or burning, by changing 

 these proportions, breaks up that chemical attractiou, prevents so inti- 

 mate a combination, and produces a light porous soil, capable of ab- 

 sorbing water readily, and admitting the air with facility to the roots of 

 vegetation. When the clay contains a superabundance of calcareous 

 matter the latter is converted into an active fertilizer of plants. Peat 

 soils, containing too much inert vegetable substances, are also much 

 improved by burning. — A. J. D., Botanic Garden and Nurseries, New- 

 burgh, N. Y. 



VFisturia conseqtiuna. — What has been the fate of the plant you left 

 out (vol. II. p. 236,) of this elegant climber? So much has been said 

 about it that I am determined to try a plant. If it will flower in a pot, 

 and with the protection of an ordinary cold room, in winter, I shall be 

 satisfied with it, but I am in hopes it may be acclimated. — Yours, J., 

 Jlpril 23d, 1837. 



Schizopetalon Walkeri. — This sweet little plant is now blooming in 

 our garden, raised from seeds sent from the Imperial Botanic Garden, at 

 St. Petersburg, to the Massachusetts Horticultur;ii Society, by Dr. Fisch- 

 er. The plants are yet small, but they are each terminated with three 

 or four pure white, fragrant flowers, the petals (five in number,) most 

 exquisitely cut, so as to resemble cut ])aper. Its habit is very delicate, 

 and it only opens its flowers towards the cool of evening, the rays of 

 the hot sun seeming too powerful for its graceful petals. It flowered 

 in the Botanic Garden, at Cambridge, six or seven years ago, since which 

 time we do not think it has been seen in this country, until now. It cer- 

 tainly merits all the care that can be given it. — Cond. 



Bone dust for Rye, Wheat and Grass crops, S^c. — I have been try- 

 ing about twenty acres of rye, wheat and grass lands with bone dust, 

 and have planted four acres of potatoes in horn shavings, procured 

 from the comb makers, of which I may give you an account when I 

 gather my crops, in the fall. — Yours, C., New York, June 23, 1837. 

 [We shall be extremely happy to learn the results of both the wheat 

 and other grain and grass crops, and also of the potatoes. We have 

 ourself a great opinion of the fertilizing properties of bone dust, and 

 have, in another page, copied the observations of Dr. Humphrey, 

 which he has communicated to the Neiv York Observer, in the hope of 

 directing the attention of farmers and gardeners to its valuable proper- 

 ties. We are acquainted with a gentleman who has tried the bone 

 dust upon dahlias, the present season; the result of the experiment, 

 which may be important to florists, we shall give in the ensuing fall or 

 winter. — Cotid.] 



Large specimens of the Cyclamen persicum. — I have a Cyclamen 

 parsicum, on which I counted three hundred and seventy-five flowers; 

 and, on another, three hundred flowers, in the month of February last. 

 The bulbs are now dormant, and measure five inches in diameter. — 

 Yotirs, C, New York, June 23, 1837. 



Wisttir'm Consequiina. — In the garden of Mr. Panton, of New York, 

 there is a ])lant of Wistaria Consequana, with a stem at least an inch 

 and a half through. It has now been planted about seven years, and 

 has not been protected in the least since it was put into the ground. It 



