Editors' Letter -Box. 383 



L. B., Exeter, N.H. — Dipping verbenas in water of 130° to destroy rust 

 would be rather perilous, but may be done if the plant is not allowed to remain 

 too long in the water : it must be literally only a dip. Plants will bear water of 

 a very high temperature; but the period of immersion must be regulated by the 

 nature of the plant. 



Idem. — " Grafting a tea-rose on an oak-tree to produce a black rose " is an 

 absurdity. The graft or bud would probably take quite as well if put upon a 

 bottle of blacking ; and, in this latter case, there would be some consistency in 

 the result. This is like the experiment so often tried in country gardens, — of 

 producing a blue dahlia by planting the tuber of a white variety wound round 

 with blue sewing-silk. 



W. G., Cambridge, Mass. — We do not think you can purchase magnolias 

 budded on acuminata stock in the immediate vicinity of Boston ; but Parsons & 

 Co. of Flushing, L.I., or EUwanger & Barry of Rochester, N.Y., can probably 

 supply you. Do not, however, attempt autumn planting of magnolias : they 

 succeed best if transplanted when in young leaf. 



Lilacs grafted as you describe cannot be obtained here. Why not experiment 

 yourself in that direction ? 



We never knew of C/(3?i9«/.'zyd;/(?«/^« being grafted on quince or pear ; but 

 there is no reason why it should not succeed. If, however, you wish standards, 

 why not proceed as Mr. Parkman recommends for weigelias in our October num- 

 ber? The Japan quince grows freely when once established, and old plants will 

 make shoots four to five feet long in a season. 



Idem. — We do not know of any one having seeds of the Japanese persim- 

 mon {Diospyros). Can any of our readers inform us ? 



M. J. B., Boston. — The work you ask information about is probably " Hum- 

 boldt and Bonplandt's Monagraphia Melastomacearum." It was published in 

 Paris, — Melastomace(Z, colored plates with letter-press, 1-60, in 18 16; Rhcexce, 

 colored plates with letter-press, 1-60, in 1823. 



The work is an immense folio, and very valuable ; the plates being beauti- 

 fully executed. There, are, however, many imperfect copies in the market, of 

 which you describe one, as yours has only forty-five plates of Melasto/na, and 

 thirty of Rhcsxia; thus wanting fifteen of the former, and thirty of the latter. 



M M. M., Worcester, Mass. — Aralia japonica and A. Sieboldii are two 

 very different plants, some nursery-men's catalogues notwithstanding. The 

 former is much in the way of our native A. spinosa ; but is a magnificent thing, 

 worth a hundred of it ; but, like it, is a deciduous species. The latter is ever- 

 green, and is wholly distinct in growth and foliage. Both, however, are splendid 

 lawn-plants. A. japonica is hardy with slight protection : A. Sieboldii requires 

 greenhouse-protection in winter. 



