6o 



Editors' Letter- Box. 



safe mode of increase, but can only be practised witli large plants. You may 

 grow it well in a compost of equal parts of turfy light loam and sandy peat, and 

 a third part of charcoal in pieces from the size of a pea up to that of a hazel-nut, 

 with pieces of grit or sandstone of like size (or crocks will do), and silver sand, 

 the whole well mixed. Let the drainage be good. Manure is of no advantage ; 

 though a little old dry cow-dung will give increased vigor. 



M. P., Concord, Mass. — You will probably get fruit from the hornet-rasp- 

 berry canes next year ; but our experience with the variety has not been such 

 as to lead us to recommend it. From hundreds of plants we get but little fruit. 

 Many thanks for the seeds of fringed gentians sent. 



Inquirer, Boston. — The European strawberry called " President Wilder," in 

 honor of Mr. Wilder's visit to Europe in 1867, is of Continental origin, and is 

 very different from and much inferior to the berry which we advertise as Presi- 

 dent Wilder. 



The American variety is a seedling raised by Mr. Wilder, and named for him 

 by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



In order that our readers may see the difference between the two berries, we 

 subjoin wood-cuts of both. The superiority of tlie American seedling is very 

 evident. 



I i , f If / ^ -' '' .vT#M 



/ * f f , ^ ' -> :\'"^ ^-^^^ 



The President Wilder (American). 



The President Wilder (European). 



J. C, Havana, 111. — Grow the laurustinus in a greenhouse, in good soil, 

 with good drainage, and place it out of doors in the pot in summer. There is 

 no difBculty in its cultivation. 



The justicias are all properly stove-plants, and, if grown in a greenhouse, need 

 the warmest part. Propagate by cuttings. Soil, — rich loam and leaf-mould. 

 Pinch in the plants freely to keep them in shape. 



The habrothamnus is a greenhouse-shrub. To be seen to advantage, it should 

 be planted out in the border, and trained to a pillar. If well grown, it blooms 

 all the year. Soil, — loam and peat. Easily increased by cuttings. 



The mahernias are greenhouse-shrubs. Raise them from cuttings, and grow 

 in a soil of loam, peat, leaf-mould, and sand, with good drainage. 



