194 Hints on Nkirserymen and Tree Buying. 



friend of the discovery ; and thus the name is perpetuated and 

 received by the coming generation, in whose mind it becomes a 

 portion of their education, as a fixed fact, like all early prejudices. 

 In this manner is much unintentional deception practiced ; origi- 

 nating, however, in benevolent motive. Hence the necessity of 

 the highest intelligence in those who grow trees for market. 

 Education is as necessary for the nurseryman as the lawyer. He 

 requires the utmost discrimination, in order that he may be able 

 to name almost any variety of fruit tree from its peculiar char- 

 acteristics. He should possess discretion that he may properly 

 estimate a new fruit before puopagating thousands, which he is 

 obliged to sell or lose money. He should be a skillful mechanic 

 of nature, so as to fashion a tree after a becoming model : — " As 

 the twig is bent the tree is inclined." Lastly, he should be an 

 honest man, the most essential ingredient of all. If he possess 

 this qualification, he will never dispose of a tree that has even a 

 suspicion of ungenuineness lurking in its countenance. 



The reader will naturally infer that nurserymen are not gener- 

 ally blessed with all of these enumerated traits, which is certain- 

 ly the case ; but we anticipate that the day of regeneration 

 is approaching, which is even now symptoming its advent. 

 Gentlemen of rare ability, attracted by the beauty of the occupation 

 and the golden harvest that will fall to their gardening, are enga- 

 ging in the tree growing business, with all the zeal of the ama- 

 teur and the skill of the professional. We hail the approach of 

 this millenium with eager expectancy, for the good it will effect to 

 the suburban folks in this Eden-like land, equally blessed with 

 genial suns, refreshing rains, and nourishing soils. 



Stephaxotis Floribuxda. — There is no stove plant more easily 

 propagated. Choose cuttings that are short, trim off the lower 

 leaves, and insert the cjittings in sand ; place them under a hand- 

 light, on a heated surface ; pot them off as soon as roots are form- 

 ed ; replace under the hand-light for a week, shading from sun. 

 In a fortnight they may be fully exposed. This plant will endure 

 a temperature of 45^^ ; in winter it should never exceed 55°, un- 

 less the sun shines, when it may be allowed to rise to 60°, and as- 

 the days increase in length the licat may be allowed to rise to 65°, 

 when the plant begins to put forth short, stubby shoots, and fine, 

 broad, healthy leaves. — Cottage Gardener. 



