138 JN'oies on Gardens and Nurseries. 



seed last summer, and a very handsome variety, made a fine ap- 

 pearance. Passiflora phoenicea, which was received from Liv- 

 erpool about two years since, has not yet flowered; the plant 

 has made a very vigorous growth, and Mr. Haggerston hopes to 

 see its blossoms the coming summer, which are said to be the 

 most elegant of all the species. P. Kermeslna is so weak a 

 growing species, that notwithstanding the individual beauty of the 

 blossoms it will not, we fear, become a very great favorite in 

 collections. It probably requires a somewhat dilierent treatment 

 from the quadrangularis and its allies. 



Combretum purpureum was just putting out its new wood, 

 and, in a few instances, its flower buds. Astrapse^a Wallichu 

 has flowered the present season. The cactuses are looking well 

 and showing flower buds. Cereus phyllanthoides flowered here 

 not long since, and the tube of the blossom was upwards of ten 

 inches in length; Mr. Haggerston informs us, however, that it is 

 not worth growing, and the plant, which is large, will be grafted 

 in a few weeks. On a plant of C. speciosisslmus Mr. Haggers- 

 ton has been trying an experiment; this is to give it a sunny and 

 warm situation, so as to harden and ripen wood, when, it is 

 stated, it will produce flowers as freely as the Epiphyllum spe- 

 cidsum. Mr. Haggerston has, as well as ourselves, much doubt 

 respecting its utility: it is wholly artificial, and will not answer 

 any good purpose. Cereus grandiflorus has ripened seed. 



The pines are doing well, and are preparing to throw up fine 

 buds. On the rafters the vines had pushed several inches, and 

 were showing many fine clusters of buds, and a good crop may 

 be anticipated very early. We shall endeavor to note Mr. Hag- 

 gerston's practice, in order to see what success will attend the 

 raising of grapes in pineries. 



From the stoves we visited the graperies, at the opposite end 

 of the range. Here we found the experiment about being put 

 into operation for the retarding of the grape crop. The mode 

 is that communicated by Dr. Torrey, at page 12 of the present 

 volume, translated from the German. It is gratifying in a high 

 degree to see this system about to be tested here, and we are 

 glad that Mr. Gushing is the first one to make the attempt; if it 

 succeeds, as we have no doubt it will, (and whether it does or 

 not we shall inform our readers,) we shall feel gratified in know- 

 ing that through our Magazine the method was given to Ameri- 

 can cultivators. Mr. Haggerston will pursue a somewhat differ- 

 ent course from that of the system alluded to; it is this: the 

 vines are already buried in the earth, and as soon as warm weath- 

 er advances he intends to cover the border, as well as the plants, 

 with ice; on this leaves, and on the whole boards. 



It will be recollected, that, last year, the crop was considera- 

 bly retarded by simply covering the house and border with 



