Tilings Nciv and Old. 37 



Thus, from eighteen plants, we should obtain a magnificent mass of 

 foliage. The cobea is a rank-growing vine, with large, purple, bell-shaped 

 flowers. The flowers of the cannas, or Indian shot, are showy, but 

 fugitive ; and both they and the Ricinus, or castor-oil bean, are ornamental 

 in fruit. 



We propose, in future articles, to show how the same garden may be 

 made effective for spring flowers. 



Glen Ridge, November, 1866. Edward S. Rand, Jun. 



(To be continued.) 1(^ 



THINGS NEW AND OLD. 



This age is not reverent. It gl<5ries in recent accomplishments, and is 

 dazzled with bright visions in the future. It looks upon past generations 

 with a feeling akin to pity, as it recounts the many discoveries and improve- 

 ments which belong distinctly to the present age. In making comparisons, 

 it is natural and excusable that we indulge a complacent satisfaction as 

 we note our advance. 



Watching the swift revolutions of the steam printing-press, we recall the 

 old lever-press with a compassionate smile. Is it possible that people 

 once travelled in canal-boats and upon corduroy roads ? In the mechanic 

 arts, we do not for a moment tolerate a comparison between the past and 

 present. Hand-work in spinning, weaving, sewing, knitting, in all direc- 

 tions, is giving way to mechanism. Even in the fine arts, the hand of genius 

 finds a rival in some newly-constructed machine at every turn. And so in 

 husbandry : the changes are equally significant, and comforting to our self- 

 esteem. We like to put on exhibition the rude plough, the hand-rake, and 

 sickle, by the side of modern seed-sowers, mowers, and reapers. At our 

 State fairs, that ox is under weight that does not come up to two tons ; that 

 sheep is second-rate that is not worth a thousand dollars ; that horse is 

 slow that does not come to the stand at 2.40. Within a score of years, 

 the language of the turf has changed from the " forties " to " low down in the 

 twenties." And, in fruits, who can count the new varieties, or estimate 

 the superior excellence, of these latter-day gifts of Pomona ? By the refin- 



