Editors Letter- Box. 319 



Anxiety, Ithica, N.Y. — No : you have not beea -'cheated " in the bulbs of 

 Hyacinth Laurens Costar sent you. The bulbs of this species are always light 

 and rough ; but you will find they will give good bloom if planted in earth. This 

 variety does not succeed in water. 



Idem. — A white hyacinth bulb will not always give you a white flower. 

 Many of the white varieties have bluish bulbs. Color is no criterion. 



O. J. Reed, Taunton. — You should have pruned your Pyrtcs japonica 

 hedge about the first of August : it would then have set bloom for next year. If 

 too straggling, cut it in a little now ; but delay your chief pruning until next 

 summer. 



H. T. M., Rutland, Vt. — No. i is Aloe ferox : the blossom is fine : the plant 

 does not bloom until large. No. 2 is also an aloe ; species undeterminable from 

 the leaf. No. 3 is probably Passiflora race7nosa ; but send flower. 



J. S. McC, Galesburg, 111. — The yellow flower is probably Sanvitalia ; but 

 send foliage. The leaf mentioned as No. 2 was not enclosed. No. 3 is German 

 Ivy ; not a true ivy, but botanically Senecio scandens. 



H. A. B., Aliddlebury, N.Y. — No. i is probably Cynthia Virginica. The 

 difference between this species and C. dandelion can readily be seen in the field, 

 as the former has a leafy scape and fibrous roots ; while the latter has a naked 

 scape and tuberous roots. No. 2 is totally indistinguishable from the leaf sent. 



Does anybody know any thing about the Weehawken Grape, in addition to 

 the originator's statement in regard to it ? I\I. 



Old Fogy, Hudson, N.Y. — Are dahlias worth growing.^ — Certainly, for 

 those who like the flower. You must be your own judge. The dahlia is not as 

 popular in this country as formerly ; but it is very beautiful in spite of its some- 

 what artificial appearance, and large plants well grown are very eff"cctive. 



A. V. G. Archibald, Luzerne County, Penn. — The specimens were received 

 in good order. No. i, which you had for White Doyenne, is Flemish Beauty. 

 No. 2, which came to you as Beurre Robin, is correct ; but it is more properly 

 called Doyenne Robin, Beurre Robin being a synonyme. Both the pears are un- 

 der size. The grape received as Union Village is also probably true. 



H. L. Stewart, Middle Haddam, Conn. — ist. The Nouveau Poiteau Pear is 

 not thorny. 2d, Among good pears, the Dix is always thorny, but few others 

 are. New varieties are apt to be thorny, but generally become less rather than 

 more so. 3d, We think it probable that your trees are natural, and, unless they 

 promise to bear very soon, would advise grafting at least a part of them. 



