Retrospective Criticism. Tl 



rest, so far as my testimony will go. In the spring of 1S34, I received 

 by mail one or two grafts of this variety, taken from the parent vine, 

 sent to me hy a gentleman residing in the State of New York, who had 

 published a ftattering description of its merits, derived from those who 

 had seen the fruit in perfection. I succeeded in raising one plant, which, 

 during the past autunui, matured several fine clusters ; and I have no 

 hesitation in saying that the fruit is identical with the Catawba. 1 com- 

 pared them in various stages, and could never discover the slightest dift'er- 

 ence, either in flavor or appearance. They are precisely alike in the 

 oblate form of the berry, the color of the fruit, the period of ripening, 

 and in the peculiar disease which afl'ects a portion of the berries when 

 they are nearly grown. It has been said, and I find the same thing repeat- 

 ed by you, that Dr. Spallbrd raised the To Kalon from the seed, prob- 

 ably, of a foreign variety. On examination, the most superficial botanist 

 will readily perceive that the plant bears no aflinity to the foreign species. 

 It is, beyond doubt, a variety of Vitis labrusca in which species so many 

 valuable native varieties are found. If the To Kalon be a seedling, its 

 parentage is purely American. We have already two grapes, namely, the 

 Catawba and Muncey (and this may perhaps make the third), which, on 

 the authority of Maj. Adlum, were dicovered in different and remote 

 parts of the country ; and between them, every point which can consti- 

 tute identity is complete. — Yours, T. S. P. — Beaverdam, Va., Istvio. 12, 

 1836. 



jyiaclhra. aurantiaca. — Gentlemen, — I have no apology to offer for in- 

 truding upon the pages of your valuable Magazine, except to elicit facts, 

 and more especially upon a subject that has been so often (faintly) 

 handled, not only in this country, but in almost every horticultural peri- 

 odical in Europe. The Maclilrrt aurantiaca is a dioecious plant, and 

 (although it has been contradicted) Mr. Nuttall is perfectly correct in 

 placing it in DeoeVia letrandria. In McMahon's nursery, near this 

 city, there are four trees that were among the first introduced. These 

 trees are planted two and two, each pair being about 400 feet apart. 

 While that nursery was in the possession of the late firm of Hibbert & 

 Buist, in 1831 — 2, the proprietors were astonished at discovering that 

 one of the trees produced larger fruit than the others, which fruit con- 

 tained perfect seeds. Two of the other trees produced fruit nearly as 

 large, that were abortive, while one of the trees was entirely barren. 

 The next year, the trees were closely observed; and, in June, 1832, the 

 barren tree proved to be the male plant, and the tree that produced 

 seeds stood by its side. The flower of the male tree is very diminutive, 

 and of a green color, so that the tree may be passed, by a common ob- 

 server, while in full bloom, unnoticed. Perhaps the reason that the 

 true character of the plant has been generally obscure, is, that the fe- 

 male tree seemingly produces perfect fruit. 



The Madura is not only very ornamental, but it retains its foliage 

 longer than any other deciduous tree. It will prove to be useful for or- 

 namental fences, if properly attended to; but, for general fencing or 

 hedging, doubtful. The wood contains a beautiful yellow dye, and I doubt 

 not but it may prove as fine a dyeing material as Broussonetia tinctoria, 

 properly Movus tinctoria, or fustic-wood. — Yours truly, R. Buist.— 

 Philadelphia, Jan. 9, 1836. 



Exhibitions of Horticultural Societies. — Do you not occupy too many 

 of your valuable pages with voluminous matter, and names of plants, 

 &c. exhibited at meetings of Horticultural Societies.'' for instance, 150 

 names of dahlias from one place, many of them as old as our memory; 

 why not give us only a few names of the most select sorts. — Yours, B, 



