Editors' Letter- Box. 63 



Mr. Editor, — Your pleasant and interesting correspondent Francis Park- 

 man wishes information and experience concerning the cultivation of the Liliutn 

 auratiiin. It is not difficult to grow in many soils, but is easily injured by hot 

 suns. 



I have seen it growing and blooming on the rich vegetable prairie soil of 

 Kansas. The soil best adapted for its successful growth is a deep, well-pulver- 

 ized, well-drained soil of vegetable mould and sand. It does not bear extreme: 

 of damp or heat well. To prevent the sun from injuring it, plant a screen of 

 cypress {Ipomea Quamoclii) vine on its south side in such a way as to protect it 

 from the direct rays of the noonday sun. The foliage of this beautiful vine will 

 furnish a rich, harmonious background lor the lily, at the same time giving it the 

 needful protection. Do not disturb its roots in the least by cultivation. Keep 

 the ground moist, but not too damp. Crude manures are not acceptable to it, 

 but on tlie other hand repulsive, and frequently obnoxious. It has not strong 

 assimilating power, and requires its food well prepared for absorption and diges- 

 tion. Give it proper health conditions, and it will richly repay the care and 

 trouble bestowed upon it. T/ios. IV. Organ. 



" Edkn Home," Cable, O. 



Mr. Editor, — In my fiither's door-yard, a branch of a common snowball- 

 tree had become entangled in the grass, and, creeping along the ground, had 

 taken root at its tip. 



About eighteen months ago, I layered some branches of Magnolia purpurea. 

 To-day I examined one of these, and found no roots, save at the free end of the 

 branch. Here was a finely-rooted little plant. Until I found these plants to day, 

 I had not known that any woody plants propagated in this manner, except the 

 bow-cane raspberries, the dewberry, and Wilson's Early Blackberry. 



If these facts are of any use to you or your readers, you are welcome to 

 them. D. M. 



Hamilton, O. 



Mr. Editor, — Your correspondent A. J. Caywood, in the December num- 

 ber of the Journal, speaking of the saccharine test at Hammonsport, N.Y., Oct. 

 20, says, " Next morning, the same parties tested seventeen ounces of the same 

 Jonas. The Walter beat it by eight degrees." What happened the next morn- 

 ing, I do not know ; but the committee appointed to make the test report Dela- 

 ware 103, lona 1 01, and Walter 99. I do not know that Mr. Caywood intended 

 to make a false statement : but one would naturally infer that tJie committee made 

 the " Walter " beat the lona ; which was not the case. 6". Willis. 



Boston, Dec. 7, 1S6S. 



[We have investigated the above, and find our correspondent " S. Willis " is 

 correct. The committee appointed to make the test know nothing of the 

 " Walter's " next-morning test. Dr. Grant will also reply to Mr. Caywood's 

 article in our February number ; the early day at which the January number 

 went to press preventing an earlier publication of his article. — Eds.'\ 



