48 Notes and Gleanings. 



the geologist terms loess. I saw one tree near Cobden, in Union County, of the 

 Eltons, nearly ripe, May 24 ; but the tree is tender. 



The grape crop has not been so fortunate in all parts of the State. In son-.e 

 localities, the frost of the 12th inst. killed the fruit-blossom ; but, on the whole, 

 the vines have wintered well, and the crop promises to be a good one. Vine- 

 yard-planting in the south part of the State, and north along the Mississippi 

 River, is largely attended to. Concord is the leading sort. In some localities, 

 the Delaware is healthy and productive, but, for general planting, is worthless. 

 The Clinton is coming into favor for wine ; and I should not be surprised to see 

 it take the lead for this purpose. When fully ripened with us, it is a very good 

 table-grape. Trial is being made of several of Rogers's Hybrids ; but Adiron- 

 dack, lona, Israella, and Allen are already thrown out. 



The apricot and nectarine are little grown in any part of the State. 



Among the small fruits, the Doolittle and Miami Black-cap Raspberry do 

 well in all parts of the State, and are being largely planted. They are usually cut 

 back instead of tying up to stakes. None of the English raspberries are planted 

 for market. No extensive trial has been made with the Lawton Blackberry ; but it 

 gives promise of value. At Cobden, it was just coming into bloom. The native 

 blackberry is so abundant is the chief reason for the want of attention to the im- 

 proved sorts. I should have said that the Wilson is the only strawberry sent 

 to market from any part of the State. All the new kinds are put on trial ; but, 

 thus far, none have succeeded. M. L. Dtinlop. 



Champaign, III., May 27, 1867. 



Sedum carneum variegatum {Variegated flesh -colored stove -crop). — 

 Permit me to draw the attention of those of your readers who are interested in 

 the cultivation of basket-plants to a very charming plant of this family, well 

 suited for cool greenhouse or conservatory decoration ; namely, Sedum carnettm 

 variegatum., which, as a foliage-plant, has no equal for such a situation. It was 

 introduced from Japan not very long ago. It is a very free-grower, though it does 

 not impoverish the soil in any perceptible degree ; and, besides, it is densely 

 clothed with neat and perpetual foliage. The leaves, which are more or less 

 narrow and elongated, are so deeply variegated as to have at least two-thirds of 

 their surface of a light cream-color, the main stalks being tinted throughout 

 with a bright, pleasing tint of rose-color. 



The habit of this plant, when grown in a basket, is peculiar; as, when once in 

 process of elongation it has grown over the outer edges of the basket, it falls 

 abruptly down, as if inert, and, with its increasing length, produces a plentiful 

 supply of side-shoots, which push forth from the drooping main stalks, and, in 

 seeming antagonism, grow as abruptly, and perpendicularly upright, as the 

 others grow directly downward : this gives to the plant a most peculiar and 

 elegant appearance. The variety, which has yellow flowers, not very freely 

 produced, is perfectly hardy, and propagates with extraordinary facility. Its 

 complete hardihood recommends it as being well adapted to decorate the 

 humblest form of structure in the possession of any amateur. — IVilliam Barley, 

 in Florist. 



