January 25, 1893.'] 



Garden and Forest. 



45 



keep after the first year. In fact, we have yet to learn how to 

 cultivate L. auratum successfully. What becomes of the many 

 thousands of imported bulbs every year ? In some localities 

 from sixty to seventy per cent, of imported bulbs will live and 

 grow for a number of years, while in other localities they sel- 

 dom survive beyond the second year, evidently neither soil 

 nor climate being suitable. The kind of soil, though not the 

 same, but approaching that of its native habitat, would be 

 neither too heavy nor too light or dry, and then this bulb likes 

 plenty of moisture, though not stagnant moisture, and shelter 

 from wind or sun. I remember a bed in a Continental 

 garden containing bulbs of the first importation that ever 

 reached Europe. The soil was sandy, containing much 

 humus deposited by a river, and though not actually damp it 

 could not be called dry. This bed was not disturbed for more 

 than eight years, except that now and then a bulb was lifted. 

 Unfortunately, the severe winter of 1890 annihilated this bed 

 completely, as it was left uncovered, although sheltered 

 by conifers against the north and east. — G. Reuthe, in Garden- 

 ers' Magazine. 



Hardy Perennials for Sub-tropical Effect. 



IT is a matter of surprise to me that so little attempt is gen- 

 erally made to produce sub-tropical effects with hardy 

 plants, for variety of material is not wanting. Situations where 

 such effects can be used to advantage are in every large estate 

 and public park, while in private places of small extent a spot 

 for the purpose can often be found. 



One cannot reasonably expect the highly colored and richly 

 varied foliage, often of gigantic size, which can be attained 

 with purely tropical foliage and which requires the peculiar 

 soils and conditions of a warm climate; and yet a showy effect, 

 quite distinct from that usually produced with hardy material, 

 can often be had by an appropriate grouping of certain hardy 

 species which show marked difference from the prevailing 

 characteristics of the vegetation of a temperate climate. 



In places of large extent and to produce broad effects, the 

 list of suitable hardy plants is by no means limited ; the large 

 broad-foliaged and tall-growing sorts can be used in quantity, 

 while medium-sized sorts can often be well grouped with 

 them. Bocconias, Aralias, Arundo donax and varieties. Poly- 

 gonums, Inulas, Helianthuses, Silphiums, Rheums, Acan- 

 thuses, Heracleums, Centaureas, Eryngiums and other coarse- 

 growing sorts that can have room to develop, can be made 

 most effective. Groupings of this sort are possibly best made 

 where there are heavy backgrounds of trees, especially when 

 placed in the deep bays and recesses that are so commonly 

 found in places where large ornamental plantings have ma- 

 tured. The plants named are, from the nature of their grovyth, 

 gross feeders, and, to give the best effect, must each year re- 

 ceive good cultural treatment, and they should be set so that they 

 will not suffer from the shade of the trees. These coarser- 

 growing sorts should be mainly used apart from less vigorous 

 varieties, which might otherwise be crowded and overrun. 



Where it is desirable to extend the varieties, Bambusa 

 Metake, Echinops in variety, Eulalias, Gyneriums, Erianthus 

 ravennje and Verbascums can be used as plants of medium 

 size to extend the variety of color and form of foliage and give 

 contrast in habit. Among the plants named are several which 

 can be used as single lawn specimens, such as the Eulalias, 

 Acanthuses, Rheums, Erianthus and Gyneriums, and here the 

 cultural skill of the gardener will be well repaid. Wherever 

 dwarfer kinds than those mentioned are desirable, selections 

 can be made from the Tritonias, Megaseas, Artemesias, Di- 

 centras, Epimediums, Funkias, Hemerocallis, Yuccas, and 

 the like, and where Ferns are suitable, the Osmundas, Struthi- 

 opteris, Woodwardias and Dicksonias make a good list to 

 choose from. 



The effect of large groups is enhanced by a foreground of 

 lawn, and, except where the smaller sorts are used, the view 

 from a moderate distance is best. I find that too much va- 

 riety is likely to be attempted ; this mars the general effect by 

 lessening the individual attractions of each. 



Where there is water for aquatics, the deeper portion can be 

 occupied with the Nymphaeas and Nelumbiums, the shallows 

 with Pontederias, Sagittarias, Calla palustris, Nuphars, Typhas, 

 and the banks with Scirpus, Juncus, Acorus, Eulalias, Carex, 

 Equisetums, Eryngium aquaticum, Bamboos, Elymus glaucus 

 and Japanese Iris. Here also can be used to advantage the 

 Gunnera, Saxafraga cordata, Funkias, Hemerocallis and Ophio- 

 pogon in their various forms, taking care, of course, to pre- 

 vent the submergence of these plants at any time. 



These notes are but hints as to the use of plants to produce 

 sub-tropical effects ; the study is capable of great elaboration 



in grouping for effect or in selecting single specimens for the 

 lawn. There is a great variety of color among the sorts 

 noted ; the bright glossy greens of the Acanthuses, Megaseas 

 and Morinas ; the light greens of the Hemerocallis, Rheums, 

 Polygonums and Centaureas ; the glaucous hues of the Bocco- 

 nias, Elymus glaucus and Yuccas, and the bright silver and 

 golden variegated foliaged forms of Eulalias, Arundos and 

 Sweet Flag. Of course, the flowers in their season are items 

 of importance, though the general acceptance of the term sub- 

 tropical relates more especially to effects of foliage. 

 Reading, Mass. J- Woockvard Manning. 



The Shrubbery in Winter. 



nPHE value of shrubbery to relieve the monotony of the win- 

 -'- ter landscape deserves more consideration than planters 

 have usually given. Heretofore the evergreens have been the 

 main reliance for winter effect ; but we have three or four 

 shrubs, which, if used judiciously, will produce a marked in- 

 fluence in relieving the chilly and dead-white effect of mid- 

 winter. For early winter nothing compares with our Ameri. 

 can Evonymus. The European variety is very pretty, with_ 

 yellowish red berries ; but our native sort is a brilliant scarlet 

 The wholebush, after the leaves fall, is a flame of fire and would 

 appropriately be named by the people the Burning Bush. The 

 European Evonymus may be grown even thirty feet high, as 

 a small compact tree ; but I have not found it as hardy as the 

 native, which rarely rises more than ten feet, and is prettiest 

 when grown as a bush. For bordering a group of evergreens 

 the nurserymen offer dwarf varieties. 



The Barberry, for some reason, is neglected as a lawn shrub. 

 I rarely find it, even in somewhat extensive grounds, if we 

 except the inferior purple-leaved sort. By all odds the most 

 useful Barberry is the European Berberis vulgaris. This has 

 become quite at home in our country and can be found all 

 along the Atlantic states in pasture lands. Among the best 

 five shrubs for general planting, I should certainly name this 

 one. The Evonymus is spoiled by severe freezing, but the 

 fruit of the Barberry endures until spring. These two shrubs 

 for upland planting, and the red-barked Cornus for lower 

 grounds, create a rich diversion of color that we should not 

 lose. The Dogwood can easily be grown in large masses of 

 twenty or thirty feet diameter. The fruit is white and appears 

 in the summer; but the bark is exceedingly rich from the time 

 leaves fall until they put out again in spring. 



Clinton, N. Y. E. P. PoWcll. 



The Forest. 



Tree-planting on Mount Hamilton. 



THE University of California has a tract of 2,600 acres of 

 wild land upon Mount Hamilton, including the site of Lick 

 Observatory. I went there last December to study the place 

 with a view to some tree-planting. My visit proved extremely 

 interesting and suggested further possibilities in the direction 

 of a forestry station, that could not but prove of value to the 

 entire Pacific slope. 



Previous attempts to plant trees, at an elevation of more than 

 4,000 feet, on the crest of Mount Hamilton, have been some- 

 what disastrous. In 1889 about fifty trees were sent from the 

 University gardens to the mountain, and again, in 1890, but too 

 late in the season, a large number of trees were planted, few 

 of which remain. Cork-bark Elms and California Soft Maples 

 are the most promising deciduous trees. Sequoia gigantea, Li- 

 bocedrus decurrens. Thuya gigantea, Austrian Pine and a few 

 other conifers, such as the Monterey Cypress and the Monterey 

 Pine, have done fairly well. The most promising tree of all is 

 the Sequoia. The Redwoods died ; they are entirely unsuited 

 to the locality. The total coniferous tree-planting of 1890 con- 

 sisted of three hundred and sixty trees of six species, all but 

 one natives of the Pacific coast. About fifty fairly heaUhy 

 trees, and perhaps as many more that may live, now remain 

 from the plantings of both 1889 and 1890. In every case it was 

 necessary to blast out a hole in the rock and fill it witli earth 

 hauled from the gulches. The winds are very strong on the 

 summit and the summers are dry and hot. The water-supply 

 is sufficient to give trees a start, but of course they must be 

 species that are well adapted to extremes of heat and cold, 

 moisture and drought, for irrigation can only be upon a small 

 scale and for a short time. 



The nature of the horticultural problems offere<l by the more 

 rocky and arid portions of the mountains can be understood 

 better from the following notes taken from the publications of 



