New Haven Horticultural Society. 349 



shrub, having showy spikes of white flowers of uncommon fine fragrance, 

 and although it prefers damp soils, it endures that of our gardens. Our 

 limits forbid noticing many others perhaps equally interesting. 



Evergreens. The Norway Pine, Pinus abies, Cluster pine, Pinus pinas- 

 ter, and the American Cypress, Thuja occidentalis,* are three of the 

 most desirable evergreens, adapted to the soil of this vicinity. This spe- 

 cies of thucia is cultivated here ; but we have often noticed those growing 

 on the banks of the North River, which did not appear as the same, being 

 far more compact and beautiful. Mr. Downing, of Newburg, cultivates 

 this variety, and informs me it is far more beautiful than the one com- 

 monly cultivated, but the same species. Of the genus Pinus there are 

 many other species commonly cultivated. 



The Taxus canadensis is a pretty evergreen, appropriate to church- 

 yards ; grows in dense shaded woods. But both the American and 

 English species will grow in open exposures in a damp soil.f The genus 

 Kalmia, or Laurel, of our woods, and its congener, the Pennsylvania 

 Mountain Laurel Rhododendron maximum, present a great profusion of 

 floral beauty. Some of the exotic and Southern Rhododendra have been 

 made the sport of florists in cross-fertilization, thereby producing varieties, 

 some of which are exceedingly beautiful. 



{Pinus Cedrus,) Cedar of Lebanon. This tree, being a native of the 

 coldest parts of Mount Libanus, is successfully cultivated in the State of 

 New York, and perhaps it might withstand our climate. It is much ad- 

 mired and cultivated in England. The wood of this celebrated tree is of 

 a reddish color, having an aromatic quality, and said to be indestructible 

 from decay. It is called, in the sacred v/ritings of Isaiah, the Glory of 

 Lebanon. According to history, much of Solomon's temple, and of the 

 temple of Diana at Ephesus, were built of it, — likewise the Ark of the 

 Covenant. One of the largest trees now remaining in its native locality, 

 is said to measure thirty-six and a half feet girth, and in spread of its 

 branches one hundred and eleven feet. At twelve feet from the ground, 

 it sends out large shoots distant from each other. It is described as a 

 tree of most majestic, wild, and picturesque appearance. I had the 

 pleasure this spring of seeing a young nursery of these trees, at the beau- 

 tiful place of Mr. A. J. Downing, at Newburg, raised from seed grown 

 on a large tree on the grounds of Mr. Ash, in Westchester, N. Y. 



The English have introduced successfully several other magnificent 

 species of the pine genus, one from the coast of California, bearing cones 

 fifteen inches in length, and others from the Hymalaya Mountains." 



Thirty pages of the pamphlet are filled with reports of 

 the exhibitions of the Society for the past year ; and a 

 large number of premiums were awarded. 



* This grows in great abundance on the banks of the Hudson River, and each 

 tree, from the largest to the smallest, presents a close compact growth, as if trim- 

 med to its symmetrical form. 



t The Taxus canadensis forms almost the only undergrowth of the woods near 

 Trenton Falls, in the State of New York. 



