466 



Garden and Forest. 



[Number 404. 



do best in a cool, slightly shaded position and moderately rich 

 soil. This plant is found in rich woodlands and along streams 

 from northern Pennsylvania to Iowa and Florida. 



Kotanic Garden, Harvard University. Robert Cameron. 



[Phlox maculata is easily established and often escapes 

 from cultivation. See also Garden and Forest, vol. v., 

 p. 156. — Ed.] 



Chrysanthemums at Cornell University. 



THE test of new varieties of Chrysanthemums now pro- 

 gressing at the forcing-houses vmder tlie direction of Pro- 

 fessor Bailey, seems to show that the new varieties of 1895 

 are, on the whole, not equal to tliose of 1894. The most 

 conspicuous exception is the pure white Mrs. Henry Robinson 

 (Pitcher & IVIanda), which is so much better than all the rest 

 that it deserves the highest mention. It is early, very large 

 and full, and very striking in general effect. It is the unmis- 

 takable hit of the season among the many visitors. Of the 

 manyotlier pure white varieties, Crystalina (Vaughan) should 

 be singled out for its individuality. It is of medium size, but 

 very distinct in shape and color, and agreeably suggests some 

 old-fashioned Poppies. 



Of the pink sorts, the much discussed Mrs. M. R. Parker, Jr. 

 (Spaulding), is an early dwarf variety, which, unfortunately, 

 shows too much centre to become popular, unless florists cut 

 the blossom.s before the centre becomes visilile. The florets 

 are quite tubular, and the plant is a distinct gain in uniformity 

 of color in its class, although it cannot compare with Mrs. 

 E. G. Hill for size of blossom or delicacy of shade. Witli the 

 exception of Mrs. Higginbotham (Spaulding), an enormous 

 hairy Japanese, with wide incurving and cupping florets, the 

 new pink kinds are all disappointing. 



Among the many yellow-flowered sorts there are no types 

 sufficiently distinct to be classed among what are called sensa- 

 tional plants, though there are some welcome additions to 

 well-known types of this highly specialized division. Of the 

 pure yellow kinds, Mrs. W. H. Rand (Vaughan) is, perhaps, 

 the best. The head is wide, flat and sprawling ; the florets 

 narrow, quilled and irregularly twisted. The prize-winning 

 Pfiiladelphia (Graham), which has done well in England, is an 

 addition to the type of lemon-colored, globular-shaped, blos- 

 soms in which the florets are wide and incurving. One of our 

 two specimens is doing poorly. Other successful pure yel- 

 lows are Miss M. M. Johnson (E.G. Hill & Co.), an early dwarf, 

 deep in color, like that of W. H. Lincoln ; florets wide, but not 

 coarse ; Dr. Callendreau, tall, and of that creamy color tliat 

 one associates willi a successful "candy-pull." The stem is 

 forty-eight inches high. That of Miss Georgiana Pitcher 

 (Pitcher & Manda) is forty inches, although advertised as a 

 dwarf variety. These two are similar in size and form, both 

 having wide and gracefully incurving florets, but tlie latter has 

 a deep rich color. The mixtures of yellow and rose are all 

 unsuccessful. The new bronzes are also disappointing. There 

 are slight gains, but no marked improvements, in the dark red 

 or cardinal colors, of which G. W. Childs and CuUingfordii are 

 well-known examples. 



The season is characterized by a large proportion of freaks 

 and oddities. Of this class the English importation. Rider 

 Haggard, a pink Anemone with a stem sixty-two inches high 

 and a flower nine inclies across, is the most striking example. 

 Less conspicuous, but even more eccentric, is the French 

 novelty. Monsieur Georges Biron (Calvat). Our single speci- 

 men is strangely whorled to the left, counter clockwise, 

 reminding one in its general effect of Vedder's illustrations of 

 Omar Khayam. The tightly whorled portion shows the re- 

 verse side of the florets, of an anomalous old-gold hue, which 

 contrasts curiously with the maroon of the lower florets. 

 These lower florets radiate from the lower surface of the flat- 

 tened sphere, as if slrot out tangentially into space by a revolv- 

 ing body. The sense of motion is very strong. Equally 

 noticeable is the indescribable color of Miss Helyett, a unique 

 effort, which has at any rate the qualities of intensity and uni- 

 formity of color. Few will pass it by without comment, and 

 everybody may be expected to take sides. W. W. Aslor 

 attracts comment from its singularity. It has many merits, 

 and is a valuable contribution to tlie somewhat neglected 

 Anemone-flowered type. Sunrise (May) is boldly and happily 

 named. Among the many absurd names of Chrysanthemums 

 this is a refreshing effort of imagination. It is a towering 

 plant and striking flower, and emerges into even greater 

 prominence under the white electric light. It is too early yet 

 to formulate the results of the electric light upon the growing 

 of this year's Chrysanthemums. 



Iihaca, N. Y. Willielm Miller. 



Notes on Palms. 



Phcenix Rcebe'.enii. — This rare and beautiful Palm (see GAR- 

 DEN AND FORESr, vol. iii., p. 273) is the smallest known species 

 of the genus, with very fine and graceful foliage almost as 

 narrow as that of Cocos Weddelliana, but more graceful. The 

 long, spreading leaves are soft in texture and absolutely free 

 from spines. The pinnae measure about six inches in length, 

 and are linear-lanceolate in outline, of a bright shining green 

 color, and slightly puberulent. The stem is only two or three 

 inches in diameter, very rough, seldom straight. The habit 

 is Ijusliy ; side shoots form freely at the base of the stem, 

 making wide-spreading plants, generally more broad than 

 high. This handsome Palm will probably remain very rare 

 as long as no seeds can be obtained. At present the only pos- 

 sible way of propagation is by means of division, which will 

 never give a large supply of salaljle plants. If seeds could be 

 had this Palm would undoubtedly become very popular, as it 

 is easier of culture than Cocos Weddelliana, and of an alto- 

 gether different habit. It keeps free from insects and thrives 

 well in moderate heat. 



Bactris major. — Nature has rarely provided a more formida- 

 ble protection for any plant than the exceedingly fine and 

 sharp spines that cover the leaf-stalks and stems of some of 

 our most beautiful Palms. This species is one of this kind, a 

 graceful and beautiful Palm, with irregularly pinnate leaves, 

 from three to six feet in length, with linear-lanceolate pinnse, 

 of which tliose at the apex of tlie leaf are the broadest and 

 largest. The rliachis is slender, with long black nudel-shaped 

 spines, wliich cover the plant from the base of the stem to the 

 end of the midribs. This Palm is one of the semi-scandent 

 kinds and will thrive well in a soil composed of equal parts of 

 fibrous loam, leaf-mold, decayed manure and sand. It requires 

 considerable heat and moisture for rapid development and 

 should be kept in the warmest available place. Side-shoots 

 are produced freely, and this is the only means of propagation 

 in a greenhouse, as seeds cannot be easily obtained. 



Geonoma acaulis.— This pretty dwarf Palm is very sturdy and 

 compact in habit, forming suckers from the base of the short 

 flesliy stems, making large masses of handsome foliage. The 

 leaves are of the pinnate type, but they are hardly ever divided 

 except at the apex, where the blade is split open down to the 

 end of the midrib. The petiole is considerably shorter than 

 the blade, which is almost horizontally spreading and of a yel- 

 lowish green color and faintly tinted red when young. The 

 stem throws out fleshy roots lielow the leaves and numerous 

 side-shoots by which the plant is propagated. The Geonomas 

 are tropical woodland plants, growing in deep shade in loose 

 and rich vegetable soil. Lender cultivation they thrive in a 

 compost of equal parts rich fibrous loam, leaf-mold and sand. 

 A shady position, moderate watering and about seventy de- 

 grees of heat is sufficient during the winter months. 



Licuala grandis.— This is the most popular of the newer 

 Palms, and it bids fair to supplant Livistona Sinensis itself to a 

 certain degree. It undoubtedly possesses many good quali- 

 ties as an ornamental plant — a neat habit, convenient size, 

 pleasing form and color. In young specimens the leaves are 

 almost orbicular and undivided, with exception of a few slight 

 indentations at the edges. The petiole is slender, as long or 

 longer than the blade. The color is a very fine dark green. 

 Seeds for propagation are almost as easy to obtain as those of 

 Livistona or Areca, and they germinate quite as freely. The 

 only drawback to its general cultivation is the fact that it is 

 very liable to the attack of thrips and red spider, especially 

 while it is small. Frequent sprayings with well-diluted insecti- 

 cides and a moist and warm atmosphere will, however, 

 effectually prevent these pests from doing any serious injury. 

 Large plants are less subject to them ; a healthy condition 

 and a rapid growth are the best safeguards against their 

 attacks. 



Martinezia caryotaefoha. — In general appearance this fine 

 Palm somewhat resembles the Fish-tail Palm (Caryota). It is 

 a very spiny plant with almost erect leaves from three to six 

 feet in length, pinnate, with the pinnae disposed in clusters of 

 two or three at irregular intervals. The rhachis is very slen- 

 der, protected with long black spines. The leaves are sheath- 

 ing at the base and very spiny ; pinnas cuneate, eight to twelve 

 inches long and about half as broad, prse morse ; bright green 

 above, grayish beneath, with an occasional spine here and 

 there on the lower surface. This is a strong healthy species 

 well worthy of culture. It is not subject to insects or diseases, 

 but will do well with very moderate care. The soil should be 

 rich and the pots must be carefully drained. It enjoys a half- 

 shady position. ,7 ~ r> 



Newark, N.J. N. J. hoSC. 



