May 24, 1893.] 



Garden and Forest. 



227 



probably the best protection is a covering of a few leaves with 

 some soil on top. Direct covering with soil seems more liable 

 to cause injury to the buds, especially if the uncovering is de- 

 layed too long in spring. It is important that the soil should 

 be so ridged up that it will shed all surplus moisture and keep 

 comparatively dry. A covering of straw or leaves alone is ex- 

 tremely likely to afford shelter for mice, which gnaw the plants 

 and so do them greater injury than would be inflicted by the 

 cold or exposure. Heaths covered with leaves here have been 

 almost destroyed by the rodents which found a winter shelter 

 among them. Where there is any danger from these animals 

 it is an excellent plan to place a barrel or box, with both ends 

 out, over the shrub, and then pack the leaves around the 

 stems. The mice will be kept out, and the open end will give 

 plenty of light and air to the plant. It may be instructive to 

 note how these various forms of protection have affected certain 

 plants. There was more snow last winter than there has been for 

 several seasons ; the cold was more severe, and occurred at 

 times when there was comparatively little snow on the ground. 



The Frankhnia or Gordonia Altamaha (G. pubescens), a 

 native of Georgia, though in its home a small tree, may be 

 grown here as a shrub and made to produce some of its beau- 

 tiful single Camellia-like flowers every autumn. Bent to the 

 ground and well covered with leaves and soil, it has come out 

 in perfect condition this spring. Of two plants of the Japanese 

 Ilex Sieboldi growing side by side, one covered with soil and 

 the other left uncovered, the exposed plant seems in even bet- 

 ter condition than the protected one, showing the perfect har- 

 diness of the species, as there is not a sign ot injury. Caragana 

 Chamlagu is perfectly hardy in this latitude. Of two plants 

 side by side, one exposed all winter and the other covered with 

 earth, the protected specimen actually seemed to have suffered 

 from the process, and looked as though it had been somewhat 

 smothered. 



In spite of protection, the Indigoferas are destroyed to the 

 surface of the ground every winter. The leguminous twiner, 

 Pueraria Thunbergiana, has not yet shown itself adapted to 

 our climate, although considerable lengths of the stem 

 sometimes survive. This is a rampant-growing plant with 

 soft, supple, spongy, woody stems, and, where perfectly 

 hardy, will cover very high walls. Even here it makes great 

 growths in a single summer, but a longer growing season is 

 required for its full development. 



The European Broom (Cytisus Scoparius) and the Gorse 

 need some kind of protection here, and even when protected 

 portions of them may be brown and dry in spring. A large 

 plant of the western Spiraea discolor arisefolia had half 

 of its branches and stems exposed and the other side cov- 

 ered with soil during the past winter. The protected half 

 is in fine condition, while many of the unprotected branches 

 are dead, and those which survive will probably produce few, if 

 any, fiowers. The same experiment was tried with a large 

 plant of the pretty Corylopsis pauciflora, the northern half of 

 the bush being bent over and covered with soil and the other 

 half exposed. The result was tiiat the soil-covered branches 

 bore a great profusion of their early pale yellow flowers, while 

 only a few belated blossoms appeared on the other half, and 

 many of the buds and twigs were dead. 



The Diervillas or Weigelas are usually perfectly hardy here 

 without protection, but they should be in a well-drained 

 soil or on a slope. Even covering, if in a wet soil, will 

 not always save them. The common Laurel (Prunus Lauro- 

 cerasus) of English gardens cannot be considered hardy in 

 this climate, but a plant of it in the Arboretum has come out 

 fresh and green every spring for several seasons, owing to the 

 fact that its branches have been covered with a little mound 

 of soil in winter. Evergreens of this kind and most other 

 plants should have the covering removed before warm weather 

 comes and vigorous growth begins, otherwise the foliage and 

 smaller branches are liable to suffer. - ry — 



Arnold Arboretum. / • G. Jack, 



Vegetable Notes. 



TN every good private garden Okra should have a place. The 

 ■'■ varieties known as Density and White \'elvet are great im- 

 provements over the old-time southern Okra, and should be 

 more generally grown. With a little care in the season of 

 planting, success with this vegetable may be had as far north 

 as this latitude. A succession should be provided for, as the 

 pods soon become too tough for use if allowed to ripen their 

 seeds. If it is not desirable to make more than one sowing, 

 the pods may be picked at the proper time, sliced and evap- 

 orated, when they will keep into the winter, retaining their 

 flavor almost perfectly. This vegetable is a prime favorite in 

 the south, where it is more generally known as Gumbo. 



Globe Artichoke is a vegetable which is too rarely seen in 

 our gardens. Few persons who have once tried it would care 

 to do without it, and almost every one relishes its delicate fla- 

 vor. It is of easy culture, a quick forced growth of the flower- 

 head, the part eaten, being the only requirement. 



The New Zealand Spinach is a variety which remains ingood 

 condition for a long time. In favored localities it may be 

 grown the year round. This variety is not as good in flavor 

 as the older kinds, but its ability to endure heat and drought, 

 and the fact that it does not go to seed as quickly as the older 

 sorts, will make it a prime favorite. 



The Sandwich Island Salsify is a new-comer of value. It 

 grows more evenly, and is not so apt to branch and fork as the 

 old variety. In my experience it is better for lifting and storing 

 for winter use, and will remain dormant longer in an ordinary 

 cellar. 



Many varieties of Lettuce have been introduced in the last 

 few years. Except for forcing, the demand is for a close- 

 heading Cabbage-lettuce. The Deacon, Onondaga, Boston 

 Cabbage and others of that strain are preferred to the Cos or 

 other non-heading varieties. It is surprising that the Cos Let- 

 tuce finds so little favor among gardeners ; but this may be 

 explained by the fact that it is usually grown in the same man- 

 ner as the other varieties, instead of being blanched as it 

 should be to obtain its perfection. 



Many quick-growing varieties of Radishes are offered by 

 seedsmen, but of them all the Ne Plus Ultra will, in my 

 opinion, give the best satisfaction, both for forcing and open 

 planting. This variety may be forced to good edible size 

 in three weeks. The foliage is small ; in full sunligfit, the 

 root is round and blunt, of a fine attractive color. This variety 

 originated, I believe, in Iowa several years ago. 



Geneva, N. Y. C. E. HuHll. 



Plants in Bloom. 



"T^HIS week the flowering shrubs and trees and the tender 

 ^ foliage, which as yet does not hide the brown branches of 

 the trees, distract attention from the flower-garden. The glory 

 of nature, fairly awakened, is about us on every side, and if 

 requires an effort to consider restricted views or details such 

 as make up the garden. However, this is daily gainino- in 

 color and foliage, though as yet nothing in the way of tender 

 plants has been added. The Lihes-of-the-\"alley are showing their 

 dainty bells under the trees in contrast to the gold-lacecfPoly- 

 anthus. The first Paeonies and Columbines are showing color, 

 and the dwarf Irises are in full flower. A very pleasino- acci- 

 dental effect in the border is a mass of yellow Iris Chamjeiris 

 behind a mat of Rock Cress, with a foilof Rose-bushes at the 

 rear. This perfectly hardy, bearded Iris is effective in masses; 

 it is slightly deeper in color than I. lutescens and of similar- 

 character. The variety Olbiensis has a purple flower, rather 

 richer than thedwarferl. pumila, and very similar in eftect to I. 

 aphylla. I. pumila alba also flowers at this time. Another 

 dwarf species, I. Cengialti, has a distinct character, beino- 

 of a bright purple color, with yellow beard. But none o^f 

 these are as pretty as our little I. cristata, with its light lilac 

 flowers. 



These are red-letter days in the garden, when some perfect 

 or patiently waited-for flower appears, and one carries away a 

 pleasant vision to attend him through the routine of the busy 

 hours. I. Iberica is a flower usually patientlv awaited, and is of 

 quaint and striking beauty. The falls are reticulated like those of 

 I. Susiana, and have a large dark brown blotch. The standards 

 vary somewhat in color ; in those now open thev are nearlv 

 white, with a pinkish reflection. This seems the' easiest On- 

 cocyclus Iris to establish in the garden, possibly from the fact 

 that the leaves are hard and not injured in the severest 

 weather. It precedes I. Susiana in flower and is certainly as 

 attractive. 



Of the small flowers now in bloom, Fritillaria biflora is one 

 of quiet beauty, with the coloring of a green Cypripedium, 

 reddish spots and markings on a green base. It has ex- 

 panded, bell-shaped flowers and is a Californian species. F. 

 tristis, bell-shaped, produces deep maroon, almost black, 

 flowers velvety on the inside, with a glaucous sheen outside^ 

 and delicately perfumed. These, with F. aurea and a num- 

 ber of others, are well worth the attention of growers of choice 

 small plants, especially if there is a rockery available. 



I have stated before that in my garden f have experimented 

 with some success with a raised border instead of a rockery ; 

 this furnishes good drainage and keeps the crown of plants 

 froiTi excessive wet. It is such a handy place to plant things 

 that it is apt to be very much crowded, 'but from year to vear 

 it becomes more attractive as the small, slow-growing plants 

 cover more space, and the mat plants encroach on the path and 



