A Day among the Rhododendrons. 69 



by Mr. Barry in the May number of this Journal. The two species are 

 undoubtedly distinct, the latter branching more irregularly than the former. 

 We may here remark, that, in our illustration of Pinus ponderosa, the leaves 

 should be spread more ; the specimens sent us by Mr. Barry not having re- 

 gained their natural form after packing. Both species had suffered some- 

 what from the winter, though well sheltered. Abies monstrosa is a new 

 species with foliage strongly resembling the Araucaria, though the curves 

 of the limbs and general habit of the tree are less pleasing. Finns cembra, 

 with its peculiar sea-green foliage, was entirely uninjured by the winter. 

 Several fine specimens of Magnolia Sonlangcana had been literally covered 

 with their fragrant blossoms: fine specimens also of Magnolia i>ipetala, 

 cordaia, and macrophylla, were in bloom. 



The arborvitae hedge on each side of the walk leading to the fruit-gar- 

 den and greenhouses was so fresh and thriving, that we inquired how it had 

 escaped the injury which so many have suffered the past winter ; to which 

 Mr. Harris replied, that he attributed its exemption, as well as that of other 

 trees, to the fact that they never suffered from drought. One circumstance 

 showing forcibly the importance of shelter is, that while, in a few very 

 exposed situations, even the white pines and hemlock were browned, 

 much tenderer species stand year after year without injury when sufficiently 

 sheltered. 



The Italian garden, of course, did not escape our attention. The para- 

 pet at the top crowned with its vases of Agaves, as the balustrade at the 

 bottom on the border of the lake is with Araucarias, alternating with Yucca 

 gloriosa ; the numerous specimens of Scotch, Austrian, and white pines, ar- 

 borvitaes, silver and balsam firs, Norway and hemlock spruces, and Jimi- 

 perus chinensis, the hardiest and best of all for this climate, clipped into 

 curious forms ; a row of Irish yews in tubs, with vases of curious plants 

 scattered throughout, — render this one of the most prominent and unique 

 features of the place. The variety of deciduous trees clipped is not large, 

 although there is scarcely any but bears the shears admirably. Among 

 these, Mr. Harris mentioned particularly the native beech, which he thinks 

 one of the most attractive trees we possess, and is surprised that it is not 

 more cultivated for ornamental hedges ; its bright, light-green foliage mak- 

 ing it an object of conspicuous bes^uty. A hedge of hemlock around a 



