350 Domestic Notices. 



iMISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



Art. I. Domestic Notices. 



Achimenes longiflbra. — In your No. of the Magazine for this month, I 

 notice a few remarks on page 268, respecting that beautiful plant, the 

 Achimenes longiflora. You speak of its having llowcred in " two or three 

 collections in Cincinnati," and was exhibited tlirrc by Mr. Jackson. 



It is, indeed, a perfect gem, and in the collection of my brother at 

 " Carolina Hall," is now flowering most beautifully. To those who have 

 not seen it, there is in store much gratification, and the lovers of singular 

 as well as elegant flowers, may see many such by making a visit to the 

 above mentioned place. A fine plant of the Bouvardia triphylla is now 

 covered with its brilliant scarlet flowers, and many of that splendid tribe 

 of plants, the Ericas, are blooming superbly. 



The whole collection is in charge of Mr. Howard, who will be pleased 

 to shew it to all admirers of floral beauties. — Respectfully yours, William 

 W. Valk, Flushing, L. I., July 31, 1843. 



Sempervivum arachnoidcum. — I have succeeded in flowering this inter- 

 esting Alpine species after subjecting it to rather a dry treatment during 

 the past winter. The flower stems arose from the sides of the plant, and 

 seemed to be the stolones or suckers, converted from leaves into flower 

 branches. In this respect it diflers from the Sempervivum ticterum, 

 which blossoms from the axil of the main plant. The flowers are small, 

 but pretty, of a dark rose color : and a new set springs from the axils of 

 the bractes after the first inflorescence. The main plant dies away com- 

 pletely, while its existence is continued by a few barren suckers. From 

 a thick and very brittle substance, the leaf becomes completely desiccated, 

 and then exhibiting, in that condition, several dashes of dark brown spots 

 at the base, which are not visible in the healthy and living foliage. — R- 

 South Hingham, July and Aug. 1813. 



Long Rod or Spur System, of Pruning Vines. — Sir : Will you favor 

 me with your opinion on the best and most productive mode of grape vine 

 training, for in-door culture, through the medium of your Magazine of 

 Horticulture. My practice in grape forcing has convinced me the spur 

 mode is the best, the neatest, and quite as productive as any. I have an 

 extensive range of glass, covering vines under my management ; if my 

 employer would be advised by me, he will use the spur system and no 

 other. It will be more satisfactory for him to hear your opinion through 

 your ably edited Magazine. — Your most obedient servant, Charles J. Ryan, 

 Oat land Villa, L. /., Aug. 1813. 



[So far as our experience goes, we are in favor of the spur system of 

 pruning. It is now generally adopted by the best and most experienced 

 amateurs and gardeners. Mr. Haggerston, gardener to Mr. Cushing,who 

 is considered one of the best cultivators, prunes on this plan altogether, 

 having several hundred feet of grapery under his charge. Mr. Allen, of 

 Salem, and other amateurs, also adopt it. We should advise Mr. Ryan's 

 employer to have his vines pruned on the spur system ; but that the ques- 

 tion may be more satisfactory, let one half the vines be pruned on the long 

 rod and the other on the spur method. This experiment, if there is any 

 doubt, will decide the question. — Ed.] 



