Notes and Gleaiiings. 303 



tions apply to those who are desirous of obtaining a well-grown plant with a 

 proportion of bloom corresponding to their size. 



July is the best period for commencing their propagation, especially for such 

 plants as you are anxious to flower early in the ensuing year. As soon as they 

 are rooted, pot them into small pots singly ; grow them on as fast as you can 

 without weakening their wood : endeavor to keep the wood short-jointed ; and 

 do not stop the leading shoots, only the side-branches, commencing with the 

 lower ones first. Do not allow them to bloom in autumn. As soon as you find 

 they have no longer a disposition to grow, and that the wood is getting hard and 

 ripe, gradually withhold the supply of water ; after which, for the winter, they 

 may be stored away under the stage of the greenhouse. If you have the con- 

 venience of an early force-vinery, you may commence to grow them as soon as 

 you begin to force the vines. Use the syringe freely ; but they must be removed 

 from there as soon as the foliage becomes thick, as then it will be too shady for 

 them, although they must have shade during bright sunny days. In potting 

 them, do not give them too great a shift at one time. If you have any warm 

 plunging materials for their pots, so much the better, as it will increase their 

 root-action. 



When they have done flowering, they may be stood out of doors in a sheltered 

 position. With a little care they will commence growing again, and thus give 

 you a second crop of flowers, perhaps more abundant than the first, as the wood 

 will be more sturdy and robust. The fuchsia will thrive in a soil, half turfy 

 loam ; that is, the top spit of a pasture which has been gathered into a heap for 

 at least twelve months. This and a fourth of fibry peat, the remainder being 

 decayed manure and silver sand well incorporated, adding plenty of drainage. 



The fuchsia requires to be watered with care. If the soil is allowed to be- 

 come saturated, the flowers are sure to drop prematurely ; that is, before they 

 expand. On the other hand, the evil will be the same if suffering from drought. 

 Other minor details connected with their culture will be unfolded to you by 

 observation as you delight in their cultivation. 



The following are among the best grown ; viz. : — 



Name. Color. 



Arabella Pure white, rose corolla. 



Catharine Parr .... White, corolla red. 



Alexandrina Red, white corolla. 



Harry George .... Scarlet, corolla plum-color, very fine. 



Lady Diimbello . . . Carmine, lavender-blue corolla. 



Conquest Briglh scarlet, corolla rich dark violet, free bloomer. 



Country Life. 



Mr. E. H. Skinner of Marengo, 111., has been very successful in raising pear- 

 trees from root-grafts. He has raised several thousands which have made a 

 fine growth, with the loss of but very few, although some of them had been sent 

 to New Jersey and back before planting. Mr. Skinner says the secret of his 

 success lies in the fact, that, when grafting, he does not allow many scions and 

 roots to be cut at a time : by so doing, the point of junction does not become 

 dry ; and they will grow as readily as ajDple-grafts. C. C. M. 



