J^otes on Gardens and JVurseries. 343 



ders this year, from the circumstances which we just named. A 

 little patch of Ferbena nuiltifida, which had spread its recumbent 

 branches over a yard square, was very showy from the profusion 

 of its neat, pale purple blossoms. It is the first time we have 

 ever seen it in perfection. 



The strawberries, the raspberries, and the fruit trees general- 

 ly, have suffered much from the dry summer. 



Mr. S. R. Johnson''s garden. — Mr. Johnson is too well known 

 among both horticulturists and florists, to need an introduction 

 from us at this time. The great crops of plums which he has 

 produced in his garden, for some years, have made his name fa- 

 miliar to the former; and the choice collection of green-house 

 plants which he once possessed, and the neat mode in which they 

 were cultivated, made him acquainted with the latter. We can 

 recollect when we first visited Mr. Johnson's garden, at least ten 

 years ago, since which time we have not had the pleasure of see- 

 ing it, when he cultivated the largest amateur collection of ca- 

 mellias that was known about Boston. A short time after this, 

 we believe he sold out his green-house plants, and, being away 

 from home a greater portion of the time, the collection has never 

 been renewed. His garden contains, however, at this time, 

 among other things, a choice collection of China and Noisette 

 roses, and a fine variety of carnations. 



The greatest treat we have enjoyed for some time, was the in- 

 spection of a Bolmar Washington plum tree in full bearing. This 

 most superb variety has been hesitatingly planted by some culti- 

 vators, on account of its shy bearing; but a look at IMr. Johnson's 

 tree would banish all such ideas forever. It is literally loaded 

 with fruit, no less than seventeen or eighteen plums being clus- 

 tered together on a terminal branch, not more than fifteen or eigh- 

 teen inches in length, each plum larger than an egg. Mr. John- 

 son was unfortunately from home when we called, or we should 

 have asked him the precise age of this tree; it is, however, up- 

 wards of twelve years old. The trees do not bear young, or at 

 least they do not in the vicinity of Boston. But as soon as they 

 acquire some size, they are undoubtedly, if this can be consider- 

 ed a fair specimen, the most abundant bearer in the whole cata- 

 logue of this delicious fruit. The white gage, standing close by, 

 has produced above fifty dollars' worth of plums, for several suc- 

 cessive seasons. The sweetvvater grapes in the open air here, 

 are ripening a heavy crop; and in the house formerly devoted to 

 plants, the vines were loaded. 



Our readers have probably noticed that Mr. Johnson gained 

 the prize for the best China roses, at a late exhibition of the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. He has a fine collection, 

 and well grown. We noticed only eight or ten dahlias in the 

 garden. Mr. Johnson preserves every thing in the nicest order. 



