152 



THE GEKESEE FARMER. 



be about five feet apart for the Early Christina 

 mnsk melon, six feet for the water melons and the 

 summer crook-necked squash, and eight feet for 

 the Boston or winter squash. 



Egg plants can be sown on a warm light soil, 

 either where they are intended to remain or on a 

 warm border, transplanting them during showery 

 weather in June. Set the plants two feet apart. 



Salsify, or the so-called vegetable oyster, re- 

 quires similar culture to the carrot. Sow in rows 

 one foot apart, and thin out to six inches in the 

 rows. 



THE COBS OAE:. 



The Cork tree (Quercits suber) bears a general 

 resemblance to the broad-leaved kinds of Q. iUx ; 

 but when full grown it forms a much handsomer 

 tree, though perhaps not quite so hardy. The nuts 

 are sweeter, and have been eaten as human food in 

 cases of necessity. Pigs eat them greedily, and get 

 rapidly fat on them, producing a firm and very 

 savory lard. The Spaniards eat the acorns roasted. 

 The outer bark, the great thickness and elasticity 

 of which is owing to an extraordinary development 

 of the cellular tissue, forms the cork ; which, after 

 the tree is full grown, cracks and separates from it 

 of its own accord. The inner bark remains at- 

 tached to the tree ; and when removed in its young 

 state, is only fit for tanning. 



The cork tree is found wild in dry, hilly places, 

 in the south of France, in Italy, in a great part of 

 Spain, and in the north of Africa. Its bark forms 

 the cork of commerce, and appears to have been ap- 

 plied to useful pTirposes in the time of the Romans. 



The acorns of the cork tree have been distribu- 

 ted throughout the United States, this spring, by 

 the Patent OflBce. We see no reason why the cork 

 tree may not succeed, especially in the more temper- 



ate sections of the country. Michatjx strongl; 

 recommended its introduction into the Southen 

 States, observing that it could not fail to thrivi 

 wherever Q. virens exists. It is readily propags 

 ted from acorns. There is nothing peculiar in it 

 culture, except that the young trees should b« 

 pruned so as to have a clear stem of 10 or 12 fee 

 in height, on which the cork is to be afterwards 



produced. 



^ •■^— 



SPrR.EAS. 



No family of ornamental plants has increased sc 

 rapidly in favor, in this country, for a few year, 

 past, or been more entitled to the attention thej 

 have received, than the the Spirisas. With few 

 exceptions, they are quite hardy, even throughoui 

 Canada, and adapt themselves to a great variety ol 

 soils and situations. The different sorts vary muct 

 in their foliage and flowers. Many of them are of 

 rare beauty and elegance, and all are highly orna 

 mental and worthy of much attention at the hands 

 of amateur planters. They are of the easiest cul 

 ture, and are readily propagated either by layers or 

 cuttings. To give even a brief description of the 

 many sorts that are well deserving attention, would 

 require more space than we have at present at 

 command. 



Annexed we give engravings of a few of the 

 more prominent sorts. 



BPIR^A CALLOSA. 



SpiHiBA OALLOSA. — Dr. LrNDiET pronounces this 

 "the handsomest flowering hardy shrub of July. 



