416 JYotes on Gardens and J^urseries. 



are put in, let them be arranged properly, as it can then be done 

 without confusion. 



We found several kinds of passion flowers here, the roots of 

 which were planted in a small border under the front stage, and 

 the shoots trained to the roof-sashes, viz: P. alata, racemosa cae- 

 rulea, edulis, cserulea, and a species unknown: the latter was 

 in flower, and was somewhat similar to the racemosa cserulea 

 in its habit. P. edulis was full of fruit, one of which we tast- 

 ed, and we were much pleased with the flavor. The fruit is 

 about the size of a plum, wiih a thick rind, and filled with 

 seeds, each one imbedded in a sharp acid pulp. The fruit has 

 a pretty appearance suspended from the plants. We observed 

 but few things in bloom, of any beauty. Messrs. Winship's col- 

 lection of cactuses has become considerably reduced, which we 

 were glad to learn was from an increasing demand for the plants. 

 Echinocactus Eyriesii has flowered here at three different periods 

 the past summer. The ericas are much reduced; we noticed 

 but few specimens of any size. The whole, however, were in 

 good order, and the plants vigorous. 



In the nursery we saw some specimens of hedges which we 

 should not pass over: — one of these specimens was the Shepherdirt 

 argentia — one the buckthorn, and one the three-thorned acacia. 

 The Shepherdia we think will make a good hedge; the foliage we 

 do not admire, and it will not compare with the buckthorn :^still 

 the appearance of the plants in winter, covered with numerous 

 clusters of eatable berries, will, in part, make up for its seeming 

 dullness, and render it valued. Another year will decide how far 

 the Shepherdia is adapted to hedging. The acacia is too rapid a 

 grower to ever make a suitable plant for hedges. The buck- 

 thorn appears to be the best, though the specimen here would not 

 begin to compare with Mr. Lowell's. Every nurseryman should 

 have a specimen hedge of such plants as he sells for that object, 

 that purchasers may see how well adapted to the purpose each 

 kind may be. The collection of ornamental forest trees and 

 shrubs is excellent. 



We were much pleased with our short visit, and it is a gratify- 

 ing circumstance to see our nurserymen paying more regard to 

 the arrangement and neatness of their grounds. There is no need 

 that the nursery should be a place of utter confusion — a tree here, 

 and a tree there, the soil thrown into numerous heaps where trees 

 have been removed, and the dead stumps and branches of others 

 still remaining. Order and neatness can be preserved with less 

 expense, as has been fairly demonstrated, than confusion and slov- 

 enliness. Last year, with its concomitants of suspensions and 

 stagnation of business, was an unfortunate one for the nurse- 

 ryman, but we have been happy to learn that things have begun 



