NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



109 



that I prefer to use seed of full medium size to that 

 of small potatoes, thinking that the crop will average 

 of better size by so doing. I will say, contidently, 

 that four or five stalks in a hiU are better than more, 

 and I adapt my seeding accordingly. I never use more 

 than one half of a large potato in a hill for seed. 



F. HOLBROOK. 

 BuATTLEBOKo', Vt., March 11, 1850. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 NATIVE TREES, SHRUBS, AND PLANTS. 



CULTIVATION OF NATIVE SHRUBS. 



[Continued from p. 60.] 



The Moose Wood is a beautiful small tree, and 

 found in abundance on the high and rocky land 

 adjoining the Magnolia Swamp in Gloucester. It is 

 distinguished for its striped bark, tlie beauty of its 

 opening buds in spring, its large, handsome leaves, 

 and pendent fruit, and is of the easiest cultivation 

 in any good soil. 



The Swamp Tyrus, or June Berry, is a small tree 

 or large shi-ub, found in low grounds, and blooming 

 early in May. When in flower it possesses consid- 

 erable beauty, and produces, in June, a small, pear- 

 shaped fruit, of a sweet and pleasant taste, and is 

 somewliat improved by cultivation. The June Berry 

 belongs to the Apple family of trees and shrubs, and 

 to which it is so nearly allied, that scions of the pear 

 inserted into the stock of this shrub will grow and 

 bear fruit. We have seen a Bartlett pear, of good 

 size and quality, grown upon the stock of the June 

 Berry. But we are inclined to tliink that pear-trees 

 thus grown are short lived. From the early ripen- 

 ing of the fruit of the June Berry, and its sweet 

 flavor, it is a favorite with birds and insects, and they 

 generally appropriate all of it to their own use, 

 some time before it is fully ripe. It is easily culti- 

 vated in any common garden soil. 



The Witch Hazel is a large shrub, and very re- 

 m.arkable for putting forth its yellow flowers in No- 

 vember or December. Its forked branches were once 

 much used for divining rods, in the discovery of the 

 precious metals. Found on the borders of woods. 



The Clothra is found on the margin of ponds, and 

 exliibits its raceme of white fragrant flowers in Au- 

 gust. It is a beautiful shrub, and will grow readily 

 in a garden. 



The Water Andromeda is a low evergreen shrub, 

 found in this vicinity, on the borders of Cedar Pond, 

 in Wenham. Linnx'us has thrown a charm around 

 this delicate and beautiful shrub, in his description 

 of it, published in his tour in Lapland, where he 

 there compares its flesh-colored corolla to the beauty 

 of a fine female complexion. We have had it under 

 cultivation for some time, and find that it requu'cs 

 protection in winter. 



The Dwarf Cassandi-ia is a low, evergreen shrub, 

 distinguished for its copper- colored leaves, and showy 

 vernal flowers. Found more common than the An- 

 dromeda, and requires the same protection in culti- 

 vation. 



The Ink Berry is another low, evergreen shrub, of 

 a handsome appearance, with flowers in the axils of 

 the leaves, succeeded by black berries. It is usually 

 found in wet swamps, but it may be seen on the mar- 

 gin of the Magnolia Swamp, in a comparatively dry 

 and rocky soil. Under cultivation, it is well to give 

 it protection in winter. 



The Mountain Laurel, or Calico Bush, is a fine 

 evergreen slirub, found in Gloucester, in the neigh- 

 borhood of the Magnolia Swamp ; it is rather dilU- 

 cult to cultivate in the garden ; it probably requires 

 a sandy, peat soil. 



The Rhodora is a showy, early flowering shrub, 

 found in low, wet grounds ; the flowers, which are 

 purple, appear before the leaves. 



The Swamp Pink is another of those shrubs, whose 

 flowers are conspicuous in low grounds. It is a fine, 

 sweet-scented shrub, and is remarkable for tlic ex- 

 crescences found growing on its leaves ; these arc 

 sometimes sought after by boys, and eaten, under 

 the name of swamp apples. 



The Climbing Staft" Tree is a twining shrub, and 

 should be cultivated for its fine effect upon a lawn, 

 when permitted to climb a tree. When cultivated in 

 a rich garden soil, its great luxuriance prevents its 

 showing many of its bright orange-colored berries. 



The Sea Groundsel Tree is a rare shrub here, and 

 nowhere discovered as yet in this state, except those 

 plants found last year at Nantucket, by Prof. John 

 L. Russell. It attains with us, under cultivation, 

 a height of four feet in a season, and with all the 

 protection we have as yet been able to aft'ord it, it 

 dies down to the ground every winter ; but it appears 

 again in the spring, like a pcit-nnial plant, brings 

 forth its flowcra ill September, which are succeeded 

 Dy its silky seeds late in autumn. 



The Magnolia Glauca is found in a sw-amp, near 

 the road leading from Manchester to Gloucester 

 Harbor. We have been informed that it was first 

 discovered, many years since, by Judge Parsons, 

 who showed it to Dr. Cutler, of Hamilton, with a 

 request that he would give him the name of the 

 plant. The doctor informed his friend that he had 

 seen it at the south, and it was tlicre called the 

 Beaver-Tree, or Magnolia Glauca, and expressed 

 great pleasure, as well as surprise, that so rare and 

 beautiful a plant was found in his neighborhood. 



It is well known, in this vicinity, as an elegant 

 shrub, of difficult cultivation when taken from the 

 swamp where it grows. It is said to succeed better 

 when obtained from seed sown in a sandy, peat soil. 

 The plants should be sheltered from high winds, and 

 the roots well mulched. 



The Cow Berry, a very rare woody plant, is found 

 in North Danvers, and is distinguished for its fine 

 evergreen leaves, its pretty pink flowers, and small 

 red acid fruit. It is found in a dry soil, of easy cul- 

 ture, and may prove worthy of cultivation for its 

 fruit, as it can be used like the cranberry, which it 

 much resembles. 



The Twin Flower is a small, creeping plant, with a 

 woody stem, and is to be found in the greatest abun- 

 dance in Gloucester woods. The flowers of this plant 

 are white, and growing in pairs, with a drooping 

 habit, of a singularly modest appearance, and pos- 

 sessing some fragrance. This plant possesses consid- 

 erable interest, from its being discovered by Linmeus, 

 more than one hundred years ago, in Lapland ; and 

 he was pleased to name it Linnai Borealis, in honor 

 of himself. It ha.s, lilce the Cow Berry, a delicate 

 fibrous root, that requires protection in winter. 



There are several other native shrubs worthy of 

 notice, that we must omit, for wo have not yet for- 

 gotten that you require your correspondents to be 

 brief. Our next article wUl be upon the cultivation 

 of native trees. S. P. FOWLER. 



Danyeus New Mills, Feb. 4, 1850. 



For the Knr England Farmer. 



CULTIVATION OF THE GOOSEBERRY. 



Mit. Cole. Sir : Much has been said and written 

 concerning the Gooseberry, the cause of its disease, 

 the mildew, and its cure. Strong soai)-su<ls, and lye 

 made of potash, have been recommended, both of 

 which are useful in keeping the moss from the trees, 

 and giving them a healthy appearance ; but tlie only 



