Domestic Mtices. 27 



cal field have dnne much toward cleariiii? up what yet remained obscure 

 in the botany of the Southern states. We have before us a catalogue or 

 flora of the plants of Newl)ern, N. C, the proof sheets of which were 

 left in the hands of Prof. Torrey, of New York, who has added a pre- 

 face, bearing honorable testimony to the scientific zeal and moral worth 

 of Mr. Croom, He was contemplating the publication of a continuation 

 of Michaux's splendid work on North American forest trees, and mak- 

 ing preparations for it just before his death. The catalogue of North 

 Carolina plants is a full and interesting one, with remarks on many 

 Southern species. We extract the following, which shows the great im- 

 portance of a North American forest tree, little estimated by many. 



" Pinus austrdlis Michaux. — This is the pitch-pine of the Southern 

 states, so important in its uses and products to the inhabitants of those 

 regions, and indeed of the whole country; for, besides furnishing the 

 large quantities of turpentine and tar, annually exported from North 

 Carolina, its timber, plank, &c. are of the greatest importance through- 

 out the whole South, in the construction of houses, fences, ships. Sec; 

 insomuch that it may be doubted if there is another tree in America, or 

 perhaps in the world, of greater utility and importance. " In the year 

 1804," says Michaux, " the exports of turpentine from North Carolina 

 amounted to 77,827 barrels. In 1836, the amount exported from that 

 State was not less than 350,000 barrels of turpentine, besides 50,000 bar- 

 rels of tar, 50,000 barrels of pitch and rosin, and 20,000 barrels of spirits 

 of turpentine. Of the pitch-pine lumber large quantities are exported 

 to the West Indies and other parts. The port of Wilmington alone has 

 for some years exported annually not less than 60,000,000 of feet. This 

 tree extends from Virginia into the peninsula of Florida, in such abun- 

 dance that the world, perhaps, might be supplied from its forests for 

 several ages." — ,M. J. JD. 



Lobelia gracilis. — Have you seen a large patch of Lobeh'a gracilis, 

 sown very thickly, in height of flower, with the sun on it.'' Nothing can 

 be more beautiful. — J., JVou. 2d, 1837. 



Neio annuals, treated as hardy. — jUimulus Smithu does well as a 

 hardy annual; also M. cardinalis, sown in the open ground, will flower 

 late. Salpigldssis hybrida, sown in the open ground quite late, is now 

 flowering profusely; the plants strong and two feet high. Calendrini.is, 

 the C. grandiflora and discolor, I treat as hardy annuals; the seed of the 

 latter is apt to jjerish, and should therefore be sown very thickly. The 

 seed of Nemophila phaceloides is long in vegetating; I have as yet for- 

 warded it: it is exceedingly beautiful, and seeds freely. Nemophila aii- 

 rita, the seed of which I received this year, is pretty, though very inferi- 

 or to N. insignis or phaceloides. Both the purple and white peutnias 

 came up in abundance, the last spring, in my garden, from seed self sown. 

 They and the scarlet zinnia are my favorites. — Id. 



Verbena Tweediekna.. — This is a splendid new species. I think it 

 equal to the V. Mel'mdres [cliamajdrifolia Swt.'\ though not so dark or 

 brilliant a scarlet: the corymb is larger and more compact, and the plant 

 of more upright ffrowth. — Id. 



Berbcris Aquifbliuin. — It is said there are two varieties of Berberis 

 ^Squifolium. 1 have observed a striking difference in two plants which I 

 possess, one of which was received from the vicinity of Boston, and the 

 other from Albany; the latter being far more beautiful in foliage than 

 the former, and of a more upright growth than that. — Id. 



Mignonette. — My mignonette beds have filled the garden with odor 

 all sunnner. I shall sow it yet more extensively next season. Remind 

 your readers of it at the proper season; and by the way, that is just now 

 as well as in the spring. I intend to sow a bed to-morrow. — J., Nov. 2, 

 1837. 



