276 



THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 



[May 4, 



internally, except at the base, with very fine and longish 

 hairs; tarsi five-jointed; claws slender, curved, and 

 pointed, excepting the anterior, which are cut off abruptly, 

 and look as if broken ; the pulvilli are very large and 

 bilobed (figs. 1, 2, the natural dimensions). The female 

 is rather smaller, the lip and palpi are shorter, the eyes 

 are farther apart, the apex of the abdomen is less bristly, 

 and not incurved, the hinder tibiae are not internally 

 hairy, and the claws are alike, being all pointed, and the 

 pulvilli are much smaller. 



It may be observed that the economy of this fly was 

 partly known to Scaliger, and has ofcen been investigated 

 on account of the viviparous properties of the females ; 

 and, according to Reaumur, an individual of that sex has 

 been ascertained to contain 20,000 of these little maggots. 

 I see by my journal that the flies were very abundant on 

 the flowers of the Sea-holly, on the coast of Kent, the first 

 week in August, and they are met with till the end of 

 that month, as well as during the whole of June and July. 

 —Ruricola. 



PLAN OF AN ORANGE-HOUSE. 

 The following is a section of a stove at Lee Hall, the 

 seat of W. Dakill, Esq. There are many persons, 

 amateurs especially, who cannot devote a separate house 

 to the culture of the Orange tribe, that would be glad to 

 be made acquainted with some plan by which they might 

 be enabled to grow a few Oranges without their mate- 

 rially interfering with other things. Mr. Dakill has 

 adopted an excellent plan, by which he can grow Oranges, 

 Pines, and Vines all in one house ; and in this he succeeds 

 extremely well. In the centre of the house stands a 



common Pine pit (o) eight feet in breadth.^ At the*back 

 of the pit a narrow border (6) is made by running a 

 partition, a brick in thickness, along the whole length of 

 the pit, and of the same height as the back retaining wall. 

 The'border is 12 inches in breadth, and of the same depth 

 (six feet) as the Pine-pit, with plenty of drainage in the 

 bottom ; c is the front path, d the back path, e the flue; 

 f is a light wire trellis, supported by iron rods ; it is 

 arched over the back path, and the Oranges, &c. are 

 trained over it. There is a trifling inconvenience attend- 

 ing the mode of having the Oranges planted at the back 

 of the bark-bed, for the back rows of Pines cannot be so 

 readily examined ; but this inconvenience is in a great 

 measure obviated by leaving openings here and there in 

 the trellis, so that the Pines may be better looked over. 

 The trellis offers no impediment in letting down the 

 sashes for air, nor does it materially interfere with the 

 Vines which are trained up the rafters. It would cer- 

 tainly be better to have the Oranges, Pines, and Vines 

 each in a separate house ; but the fact that they can be 

 grown together in one house is worthy of attention. The 

 Oranges in Mr. Dakill's pit are subjected, winter and 

 summer, to a little bottom-heat from the tan ; and it 

 appears to agree with them. With the above exception, 

 the management is much the same as at Hurst House. 



The back wall of one of Mr. Dakill's houses is covered 

 with Psidium Cattleyanum, which, though much shaded, 

 bears tolerably good fruit. It is probable, however, that 

 some of the Citrus tribe would suit this place better than 

 any of the Guavas. The Oranges, &c, being trained, the 

 path must necessarily intercept a large portion of the 

 sun's rays from the plants against the back wall, and, 

 consequently, the fruit would not be so good ; but if 

 these latter plants served no other purpose than that of 

 covering the wall with fine green foliage, they would be 

 well worth their room ; possibly they might produce such 

 fruit as can be used in an unripe state. In a wild state 

 the Orange tribe are frequently found growing as under- 

 wood in large shady forests, which is a proof that if not their 

 proper habitat, they can accommodate themselves to such 

 situations. 



I am afraid any attempt to grow fine Oranges in pots 



or tubs will never be attended with success. However 



large the pots or tubs may be, it is very difficult to keep 



the plants in health for any length of time. The only 



argument in favour of growing Oranges in tubs, is their 



portability, so that they can be carried to any part of the 



garden to decorate terraces, &c. The uniform supply of 



moisture, and the uniform temperature to which the roots 



are subjected when in pits, doubtless tend greatly towards 



keeping the plants in uninterrupted health. There are, 



however, two or three varieties which may be grown in 



pots ; the Myrtle-leaved (two varieties), the Mandarin, 



and indeed any of the dwarf-growing kinds ; but even 



these are grown much better in pits. Mr. Durden has 



found that the fruit of the Myrtle-leaved varieties makes 



a better marmalade than any other kind. — J. W. Jones, 



Knowtley. 



NOTES ON AMERICAN PLANTS. 



[from pbrsoxal observation.] 

 Hemlock Spruce.— On steep declivities and in ravines 

 crowded with various timber-trees, the Hemlock Spruce is 

 seen in the U. States towering up from 60 to 100 feet, as 

 straight and symmetrical in form as is the finest specimens 

 of common Spruce or Silver Fir in this country, and ap- 

 parently growing equally as fast as they. In the same 

 localities, where it grows so fine, but in open exposed 

 situations outside the woods, it constantly assumes the 

 bushy habit, seldom rising higher than six or eight feet, 

 and having a stunted sickly appearance. I never found a 

 single plant looking healthy, or having a straight trunk in 

 open places, but always being low spreading bushes, with 

 every appearance of old age, many of them with their 

 branches loaded with cones, and nearly touching the ground. 

 From this it would appear that without good shelter and 

 partial shade, this noble tree never grows to anything more 

 than a mere bush, or at best a dwarf stunted tiee. Ihis, 

 in some measure, accounts for the rarity of fine specimens 

 being seen in this country. Although quite as hardy as 

 any of its tribe, even when planted in an open situation 

 with the best of soil, it will never rise to a tree. I have 

 frequently seen single specimens planted on lawns, where 

 they dwindle on for years in a stunted and unsightly state. 

 In some situations, from being accidentally planted m a 

 sheltered spot, we see a thriving tree, when it is much 

 admired for its graceful habit. Any kind of soil that suits 

 the Larch will answer for this, and in old pleasure-grounds 

 there are always to be found situations suitable to it. In 

 young plantations, or in making new ones, if it is planted 

 amongst Larch and other fast-growing trees, it will grow 

 nearly as fast as they, gradually thinning to give it room. 

 Cornus Florida.— Of all our flowering trees and shrubs 

 few are more beautiful than this. Having small foliage 

 and large flowers, resembling in shape the bloom of a large 

 single white Clematis, and the involucres being of the purest 

 white, it has a striking resemblance to Magnolia conspicua 

 in miniature. I am not aware that it has ever flowered in 

 England, and I cannot conceive any reason why it should 

 not, unless, as in the case of the Hemlock Spruce, it 

 requires a peculiar situation. I have always found it grow- 

 ing on the skirts of woods in the most sheltered and sunny 

 places, frequently with the head projecting from other trees, 

 and having the stem hid by their branches. I never saw 

 it growing out singly in exposed places. It appears to be 

 of very slow growth, reaching the height of from 15 to 20 

 feet. The young shoots are as flexible and small as those 

 of the common Birch, and, consequently, ought to ripen 

 well in our climate. As flowering plants could be easily 

 had from almost any part of the Northern States, (on the 

 banks of the Skuylkill, near Philadelphia, it is plentiful,) 

 would it not be worth the trouble, by way of experiment, 

 to import a few large flowering plants, which would soon 

 prove whether it would thrive and flower in this country ? 

 Cercis Canadensis. — Having seen this beautiful tree 

 thrive and flower well, in the south of England, I am 

 surprised it is not planted more generally than it is, as a 

 more beautiful tree, both in flower and foliage, we do not 

 possess ; it is well adapted for clumps in park scenery, 

 and when loaded with dark-purple pea flowers, it would 

 form a fine contrast with the white Hawthorn. In its 

 native localities it grows in thinly-scattered masses in open 

 situations, and has a beautiful appearance when in flower. 

 Acer rubrum, or Scarlet Maple. — This tree, with num- 

 berless small scarlet flowers, has a very pretty appearance. 

 In the month of April it is in flower, when not a leaf of 

 any other tree is expanded, rendering its minute flowers 

 much, more conspicuous at that time than they would 

 otherwise be. It seems to delight in swampy ground, 

 exactly that in which our common Alder thrives, and if it 

 was planted in such situations in this country, it would 

 have a fine effect in spring, where few ornamental trees 

 will grow. 



Arbor Vita, or Thuja Occidentalis. — On the rocky 

 shores of the Hudson, about a hundred miles above New 

 York, are fine masses of this tree, each mass occupying 

 more than an acre of ground. The trees were growing in 

 the crevices of the bare rock, where there was not soil on 

 the surface sufficient for a blade of grass to grow. So 

 situated they are very luxuriant, being from 15 to 30 feet 

 high, and feathered with branches down to their roots, 

 which being wiry and matted, take firm hold in the rocks, 

 and enable them to resist the fiercest storms. The 

 dense foliage and branches prevent the sun from penetrat- 

 ing to their roots in summer, and preserves a sufficient 

 quantity of moisture for their growth, even during the 

 dryest and hottest seasons. Masses of Arbor Vitae grow- 

 ing amid rocks and woody scenery, with here and there a 

 neat white-walled cottage showing itself amongst them, 

 had a very pleasing effect. This very ornamental section 

 of Coniferse^naraely the Thuja, Cupressus, Juniperus, &c.) 

 and Taxus, might be introduced with advantage on a 

 large scale in ornamental gardening. The various species 

 having such distinct forms and habits, might easily be 

 so arranged and grouped in distinct masses on rockwork, as 

 to have an admirable effect as a whole. Old exhausted 

 stone quarries might be turned to account by planting 

 them with this tribe, as they grow with little soil. Mounds 

 of stone, or rubbish of any kind, might be raised and 

 planted with them, either for the purpose of blocking out 

 unsightly objects, or to give a pleasing variety to the 

 landscape. Near the edge of ornamental pieces of water, 

 mounds of the prostrate, and clumps of the upright spe- 

 cies, would look well ; in short, this group might be 

 planted in different ways, and with good effect, botfel in 

 public and private gardens. — Ii. Reid, Noble Thorp. 



of success, must be made early in the 

 than the end of March. I have reason to° think H 

 nothing is lost, if there is not a positive advantage gained, 

 by deferring it to a much later period. I n the spring ' 



— r , „, surface one foot 



with turfy loam, burnt clay, farm-yard manure, a Q( j $.' 

 refuse of charcoal-pits. The beds were then formed three 

 feet and a half wide, with the same s;»ace between then, 

 allowing for two rows of plants on each bed. The pljojl 

 were got up.and planted with the greatest care about the 

 middle of March ; but, as I have frequently seen in other 

 gardens, a great many of the roots perished. Now, there 

 is nothing I dislike more to see than gaps in a bed of 

 vegetables of any kind ; and in the case of so valuable a 

 vegetable as Asparagus, it is not only an eye-sore, but alio 

 a serious loss. It was, however, June before I could take 

 any decided step to remedy the evil. I then procured 

 several thousands of two-year-old plants, took up those 

 that had not died, and, beginning entirely anew, had tht 

 ground dug over again, and re-planted with the freih 

 plants ; and although they had tops eight or ten inch* 

 high, scarcely one failed. Many of the tops, indeed, 

 withered and turned brown, but were in all cases iuc* 

 ceeded by a fresh growth. The plants were taken up care- 

 fully, the roots were immediately covered with moss, and 

 were kept moist until the moment before planting. In the 

 course of the season the beds received several copiom 

 waterings with salt water. In the spring of 1843, before 

 the shoots made their appearance, the beds were sprinkled 

 with salt sufficiently thick to make them appear white, 

 and the waterings with salt water were repeated several 

 times through the summer season, and by September the 

 shoots were five feet high. Since the 15th of this month 

 (April, 1844) we have gathered daily a good supply of fine 

 Asparagus from these beds. I should mention, that when 

 the beds were planted the second time, the plants which 

 were taken out (the remnant of the first planting) were 

 put into two beds by themselves, where they grew very 

 well, but not so strong as the others. It may appearthat 

 Asparagus planted in March, and having the whole season 

 to grow in, must have a better chance of doing well thin 

 that which is transplanted in the middle of its growth; 

 but I conceive Chat whatever advantages may arise from 

 early planting, are counterbalanced by the ground being 

 cold and wet, and the roots of the plants being so tender 

 that many of them perish before the vegetative principle 

 is excited ; while at a latter period the case is different, ai 

 the juices of the plant are in motion at the time, and tbt 

 soil being in a warm and genial state, is prepared to en- 

 courage immediate growth. I planted six more beds last 

 year, also in the beginning of June, which, under the 

 same treatment as the others, seem likely to do as well— 

 G. Fleming, Trentham Gardens. 



Mustard Tree of Scripture.— To the very interesting 



naper on this subject, lately given in the " Chr ™ lcl <: 

 permit me to add the following remarks :-lst. lnattne 

 << Salvadora Persica » is mentioned by Sir A. Burnei™ hii 

 « Travels in Bokhara," vol. Hi. p. 122: he adds that he 

 thinks it is mentioned by Arrian. Having looked into Ar- 

 rian for the passage to which Sir A. B. alludes, I can tod 

 only one that is applicable to the subject. In Lib. vi. cap. 

 22, Exp. Alexandri, he is describing the country oft* 

 Gadrosi, a country lying between the mouth of the i»« 

 and the entrance to the Persian Gulf; and l after •** 

 tioning the Myrrh and Nard trees growing there, lie a 

 mentions another tree, to which no name * a ffi xed ™ 



has a leaf like a Bay (b**<p'v V )> a bloss ° m '' • u of » 

 Violet but sweeter, which grows to the height o 

 cubits, is covered with strong thorns, and grows in i 

 washed by the sea. The account of this tree is ueusisj 

 long, and full, for a writer who does not abound in m 

 or florid descriptions ; and I presume that it w ^ 

 sage which attracted Sir A. Burnes's attention, -n^ 

 would observe that the language of Scripture, w 

 ployed on subjects like the present, is not 10 ^ 



preted with scientific accuracy; for it is wnwe 

 use, and adapted to the capacity of nnlearnep^. 

 and further, its manner of expression is orieu ^ 



out. Now, keeping these cautions in mind, , tree - 

 that it is not necessary to suppose the J» ^ /an . 

 to be a large tree, or even a tree of second si* . ^ 

 guage of the three Evangelists who mention ^ ^ 

 identical :-« It is the largest of all garden-here ^ ^ ^ 

 comes a tree."— Matthew, c. xm. v. M- he9 .'»- 

 largest of all garden-herbs, and forms great ^ 



Mark, c. iv, v. 32. - It increased and grew F ^ ^ 

 tree.»-Luke, c. xiii. v. 19. O? ^ffi**£ 



Home Correspondence. 



Asparagus. — It appears to be a general opinion that 

 new plantations of Asparagus, to hare a reasonable chance 



lowing observations may be made. That F ; -. 

 is described as a \d x *>>os, or " Olus, wni p0 i,«S 



herb;" that our translators of St. Luke bare i _,. ^ 

 the passage by adding, and « w«ed . F» rf &* 

 lastly, that the expression ot trie erro neoW 



lodged in the branches thereof," also end* (Ite 



to add to the impression of the •»«*»"*£ bird** 

 as to our minds it conveys the idea or J atat 

 eagles, vultures, storks, Sec, whereas .it « ^ ,„ , 

 only birds, and, as this tree is descr.bed »s P t ^ 

 garden (k),™), such small birds as would J^j. 

 vicinity of man and his dwelling i but to^ ^ 

 heaven," for such are the words, is tnep ^^ 

 of the East. I would also observe, that „ ^ » 

 sary to suppose that the ,"?«•«££ inl)K *A 



smallest of all seeds of any ff'^'lnt tb.< *$ 



for such is not the case; but of any p ^ tj 



grow to the size of a tree ; and those #r 



parable would thus far admit «»"*.-* ^Mg 

 lected that the other trees of Judea or o ^ ^m 



ing districts, such as the Cedar, th. W , oB «» 

 Oak, grow from seeds or fruits larger m 



