64 Editors' Letter- Box. 



Are grape-vines raised from layers as good as those raised from single eyes 

 or cuttings ? — The general belief among nursery-men is, that layers are not so 

 good as plants raised from eyes. It is claimed that a plant raised from a single 

 eye comes the nearest to a seedling, and is consequently better. Practice shows 

 no perceptible difference. The roots seem to be better on a single eye-plant 

 than on a layer. 



The Editors would apologize for the lack of illustration in the present num- 

 ber, which is necessarily the result of the articles presented. 



These are not capable of illustration : but their value is such, that no illustra- 

 tration could add to it ; and the reader, we are sure, will recognize this fact. 



Several illustrated articles intended for July were not ready at the early day 

 we were compelled to go to press. 



A. M., New Bedford. — The native azalea, called wild honeysuckle and swamp- 

 pink, is Azalea viscosa. These names may also be applied to the early-bloom- 

 ing azalea, A. nudijloraj but not to our knowledge. 



There are two other species found in the United States, — A. arborescens, a 

 tall shrub, with fragrant, rosy flowers ; and A. calendulacea^ the flame-colored 

 azalea of the Southern States. All these are very ornamental. 



The garden hardy azaleas are hybrid varieties of A. viscosa, calendulacea, 

 nudijlora, and Pontica. Many of them are very fragrant and showy, and there 

 are double varieties which are very handsome. 



They require the same treatment as rhododendrons ; similar soil ; and, like 

 them, are impatient of drought. 



I. A. A., Newburyport. — Kalmia glauca, the pale laurel, is hardy; being found 

 indigenous very far north. 



The trouble is to keep it ; for, even in the soil of a rhododendron-bed, it often 

 dies out. The flowers are very beautiful, resembling a miniature parasol ; and 

 come out in early May. 



Kalmia hirsuta, the hairy laurel, is a native of the Southern States, and 

 would probably be winter-killed in New England. 



Novice. — Transplanting annuals does not injure them if the operation is 

 carefully performed in cloudy weather, or the plants are allowed to become used to 

 their new quarters before they are exposed to the sun. This is the general rule ; 

 but lupines, larkspur, and many such plants, should be sown where they are to 

 stand, or else in pots, and carefully turned into the border without breaking the 

 ball of earth. 



