Notes and Gleanings. 17 1 



had pushed, and three buds more formed and expanded before all the others had 

 faded ; and these, lasting an average of fifty-eight days, were succeeded by 

 six others (the same stem still serving), which at the present writing (the middle 

 of May) retain their incomparable purity and freshness, while the stem begins to 

 form other buds anew. The flowers have measured three inches and a half 

 across. What plant besides, for a period of six months, never without a flower, 

 with a still incomplete record, is offered us .'' 



In " The Gardener's Chronicle " for April of the present year is mentioned 

 a display, in a private orchid-house, of this plant, where, "though a hundred 

 flowers had been taken OiT for a ball, there were still, a few days ago, about a 

 thousand flowers open." 



The petals are of great purity of white, with a shallow throat beautifully 

 marked with purple, rose, ani yellow. It is a plant that deserves its rank, the 

 " Queen of Orchids." S. 



Troy, N.Y. 



A friend having a plant of this same variety had at one time eighty flowers 

 upon one stem and its lateral brandies. 



The Vax Buken Golden Dwarf Peach. — This distinct and remarkable 

 variety was discovered by Mr. J. Van Buren of Clai'ksville, Ga., in the year 1857. 

 Mr. Van Buren states that he discovered it growing in his nursery, and expresses 

 his opinion that " it is a sprout from some ordinary variety." Evidently it is a 

 chance seedling ; but its habit of growth and other characteristics are so marked, 

 tliat it is hard to understand how it could liave sprung from our common peach. 

 The wood is so short-jointed, and so thickly set with iVuit-buds, as to resemble the 

 wood and buds of the currant ; the buds not being more than a quarter of an inch 

 apart. I should judge that the tree would rarely exceed four feet in height ; and 

 it will bear full crops at half that height, as I have had experience the present 

 season. In its dwarf habit, it is probably exceeded by the Italian Uwarf, though 

 the latter is not equal to the Van Buren in other respects. This dwarf habit is 

 no stunted growth : on the contrary, the growth and foliage are most luxuriant, 

 the leaves being of the richest green. It is obvious that a fruit having this char- 

 acter will prove invaluable for many purposes, provided its quality is up to the 

 standard. Its habit is perfect for house culture, never requiring pinching, and 

 little pruning of any kind. Considering its productiveness, and the small space 

 required, we may say, that, in habit of growth, it is the ne plus icltra for forcing.^ 

 In the colder sections of the country, many cultivators are adopting the pi in of 

 keeping peaches in pots throughout the year ; removing them to the cellar during 

 the winter as a protection from frost, and plunging the pots in the open ground 

 during summer. Of course, a good dwarf would have manifest advantages for 

 this purpose. So also dwarf trees, when planted in the open ground, can be 

 much more easily protected from trost by means of boughs or barrels. Now as 

 to the quality of the fruit, and other characteristics of the variety. 



As one of the fruits of the late war, we have been deprived of tliis fruit up 

 to this date. Mr. Van Buren had just prepared to send out his stock of trees 



