96 Further Experiences with Magnolias. 



Angiers in France, in the grounds of M. Le Breton, several years ago ; and I find, 

 even there, it is little disseminated, and hardly known outside of a few gardens. 

 I secured a specimen of it in 1858. It produced an immense flower the same 

 season, and has continued blooming most profusely every year since then. Last 

 summer, the tree, which is now fifteen feet high, produced upwards of a hundred 

 and fifty flowers during the flowering season. 



The flowers are immense ; the largest measuring fourteen and a half inches 

 in diameter ; and the smallest, twelve inches. The petals number from twelve 

 to fourteen ; are of a pure white inside, and veined with green on the base. 



The difference between the size of the flowers of this variety, as compared 

 with \\\& grandtjlora, is about as a flower of the M. glaiica would be compared 

 with \\-\& grandijlora. The foliage is large and heavy, with the under side of the 

 young leaves ferruginous. I have a large number of seedlings from this splen- 

 did variety, and all show a beautiful foliage. 



Magnolia Oxojiiensis, pracox, rotundifolia, femigiuece, &c., are only trifling 

 sports from the type ; some diff"ering from it by the size and shape of the leaves, 

 except prcEcox, which is claimed to blow very early, but this not owing to the 

 variety, but simply by being propagated by inarching limbs of a flowering age 

 upon the \x\xq grandifiora. 



Mas,nolia grandijiora La Galiisojiiere is distinct in being hardy much farther 

 north than the other sub-varieties ; and no doubt, by taking this variety as a 

 starting-point, and raising seedlings from it, a variety may be produced that 

 could withstand your climate. A trial would not be amiss, as one would be 

 amply repaid if such a result should be accomplished. 



I enclose some flowers of our great spring favorite. Magnolia fiescata, which 

 here brings forth its deliciously perfumed flowers by the end of May, and lasts 

 two months. It never grows tall, seldom exceeding twenty feet ; and assumes 

 the form of a bush. It here bears the name of the Banana Shrub, the odor of 

 which fruit it strongly resembles. 



If these notes can be of any use to you in aiding to complete yours on the 

 Magnoliacea;, I trust you will use them ; and, if you will try a plant of our mag- 

 nolias in your section, I shall be pleased to send you one of each kind next fall. 

 I am, dear sir, very respectfully your obedient servant, 



/. H. Berkma?i. 



