Domestic Notices. 155 



spinach. Dombey, the botanical ti'aveller, mentions that the grains are 

 in universal use throughout Peru. They are much more easily prepared 

 for food than rice, and, judging from a few experiments lately made in 

 Europe, can be grown in a much shorter time than rye, wheat or barley. 

 There can be no i-eason why this plant should not succeed admirably in 

 the Middle States. 



Tlie Bread-root of the ivestem Indians (Psoralea escidhita). Pursh, who 

 gave the first description of this plant, furnished also the often quoted 

 information m relation to it, that it was " a staple article of diet among 

 the western Lidians." The plant does not appear to be known to bota- 

 nists east of the Alleghanies, except as a dried specimen in their herbaria. 

 Some of your correspondents in the west, would confer a favor by send- 

 ing seeds or roots to the Atlantic States, where they could receive a fair 

 trial in om* gardens.* — A. J. Dooming, Botanic Garden and JVursery, JVew- 

 burgh, M Y.—Feb. 1836. 



Monograph of the JVorth Ameiican CtfperacetB. — We have been gratified 

 with a sight of the proof sheets of a monograph of this extensive order 

 of plants, by Dr. Torrey, now publishing in the 3d volume of the Annals 

 of the Lyceum of Natural History, N. Y. It is remarkably complete ; 

 Professor Torrey (with Dr. Gray, whose monograph of Rhyncospora has 

 recently been published in the Annals,) having devoted a great deal of 

 study and research to this extensive group of vegetation. The generic 

 and specific descriptions, in many instances entirely new, and in all 

 cases thoroughly revised, evince the quantity of labor which has been 

 bestowed upon it ; and the observations which follow tlie copious list of 

 localities in almost every species, are characterized by that acuteness of 

 investigation which has contributed to give to Dr. Torrey so distinguished 

 a botanical reputation both in Em-ope and America. — A. J. D. 



Transplanting Evergreen Trees. — There is but one period,in this climate, 

 when the removing of evergreens from their native sitimtions can be 

 attended with certain success. It is that season when the buds are dis- 

 tinctly swollen, and the whole tree is full of nourishing juices. This 

 may happen at various times in diflTerent localities, and with different 

 species, but generally takes place in the Middle and Eastern States, from 

 the 1st of April to the 10th May. The spongioles and small fibres of 

 evergreen trees are much more susceptible to injury from the action of 

 di-ought than those of deciduous trees, and they should by all means, if 

 possible, be preserved moist until replanted. Many persons err, by fol- 

 lowing the rules laid down in European puljlications, laudatory of late 

 summer and even winter planting, and find, to their mortification, that 

 they|are not adapted to our seasons. The early and copious autumn 

 rams, which make August a favorite month for this operation in many 

 parts of England, are often protracted to too late a period here, to be of 

 any service in the production of fresh i-oots, and the hot sun, and dry 

 soil extinguish the last remnant of life in the withering trunk. Winter 

 transplanting, though useless if practised in the ordinary way, may be 

 carried on with great success if the trees are taken iqj with balls of 

 frozen earth. With holes previously prepared, and a strong drag-sled 

 for transportation, evergreen trees of very large size may be removed 

 with astonishing success : and a beautiful effect may be produced almost 

 immediately. The success of all experiments in transplanting, and more 

 especially with large individuals, is wonderfully insured by dejjositing 

 upon the surface of the soil which covers the roots, a layer of a few 

 inches in depth, of any old litter, mulch or coarse vegetable substance, 

 which will preserve a moisture in the soil, and prevent the injurious 



* Prof. Short, of Lexington, Kentucky, will, if this note should meet bis eye, oblige us by any 

 information, respecting it, which may be in his possession. — A. J. D. ' 



