24 



Garden and Forest. 



[March 7, 18S8, 



floral district." The hope that the author expresses that tliis 

 publication will lead to similar studies in other parts of the 

 country will be shared l)v all students of geographical botany. 



Shade and Ornamental Trees Suitable far Cultivation in 

 Queens Co., N. Y., by William Falconer. Reprinted from the 

 Annual Report of the Queens County Agricultural Society, 

 1887 ; pp. 21. 



This is not, as ijiiglit have been expected from the title, a 

 mere list of trees hardy on Long Island, liut a carefully pre- 

 pared essay on ornamental and street planting, with suggestions 

 of the best trees to be used in different situations and for 

 different ]iurposes and with many sensible cultural direc- 

 tions which planters will find useful. It is pleasant to note 

 that Mr, Falconer is a firm believer in the ornamental value of 

 our native trees. 



Trees of I^cadin^', Jl/ass. Part I. ; bv F. H. Gilson ; Read- 

 ing, 1 888.' 



Mr. Gilson has had the happy idea of photographing and 

 collecting historical information and valuable statistics in 

 regard to the most remarkable trees growing near his home, 

 and the still happier idea of allowing the pul:)!ic to share in the 

 results of these studies. Part I. of this work now published 

 contains beautiful heliotype portraits of five trees with 

 accompanying letter-press. The Sassafras No. 2, with a trunk 

 girth at the ground of loft. 3in., will probably prove to be the 

 finestspecimen in the NorthernStates, and No. 4, the "Nehemiah 

 Bancroft Elm," is as noble a specimen of the American 

 Elm as is often seen. Very fine, too, are a second Elm and 

 a wide-branching White Oak. The cultivated cut leaved weep- 

 ing European Birch, which completes this first series, seems 

 out of place in this company, and such a work might more 

 wisely be devoted to native trees. Of these there are still many 

 noble specimens left in different parts of New England, and 

 Mr. Gilson will confer a real benefit upon all tree lovers if he 

 will extend the field of his studies to other parts of the 

 country. 



Public Works. 



Tree Planting on Boston Harbor. — An interesting report has 

 lately been made by Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted to tlie Com- 

 missioners of the Boston Department of Parks on the subject 

 of planting the islands and headlands of the Harbor. The 

 shores and islands are characterized by great variety of form, 

 and they are picturescjuely disposed, making intricate straits 

 and vistas opening towards the ocean. One drawback to 

 the attractions of the Harbor is the bleak aspect of the bluffs 

 and islands, and it is plain that if tliey were wooded or clothed 

 with foliage or verdure of any kind the scenery would be 

 much more agreeable. On even the most exposed and rocky 

 of these islands stumps remain to prove that they were once 

 tree-clad, but since they have been cleared, a second growth 

 has been prevented by pasturing animals. Deprived of forest 

 protection the land has been losing fertility, as it has been 

 exposed to the winds and salt spray, and the Harlior is 

 every year being despoiled more and more of its original 

 beauty. It is thought that if trees of the species which for- 

 merly flourished here were planted with suital>le undergrowth 

 they might help each other to endure the hardships of the 

 place. In a very few years these young plantations would 

 give a pleasing softness to the elements of the scenery which 

 do not contribute to its picturesque ruggedness. When the 

 plantations have attained a full-grown forest character the 

 broad masses of foliage will lift the skylines of shores and 

 islands, add to their variety of tint, antl deepen their shadows. 

 Of course such trees as are usually planted in lawns, parks and 

 cemeteries could not be used successfully, Ijut Mr. Robert 

 Douglas, who has had a wide experience in planting trees 

 under trying conditions, and who has studied tlie Massachu- 

 setts coast plantations made by Mr. Joseph S. Fay and others, 

 has faith in the project and offers to take a contract to carry it 

 out. Mr. Douglas will engage to plant the entire area, 

 some 400 acres in extent; to care for the trees until they are 

 well established, in thrifty condition and shading the ground 

 completely, so that they will need no further cultivation. Pay- 

 mentis to be made in installments, the lastone, sixteen percent, 

 of the whole amount, due only when 800,000 trees are certified 

 by qualified agents appointed liy the Park Department to have 

 been found on the ground well rooted and thrifty. By the 

 terms of such a contract the young trees would have the care 

 of one of the most successful ]ilanters in the country during 

 the most critical period of their history, and the risk to the city 

 would be reduced to its lowest terms. It is diought that $5,000 



a year, for six years, to be used at the discretion of the Park 

 Department, wciuld be sufficient to insure a substantial success. 



Flower Market. 



New Yokk, /Uai-Ji 2d, iSSS. 



There is a decline in the price of flowers, excepting in a few sorts 

 which appear unusually well grown. Weigela is the novelty of the 

 week, it having been forced by a New Jersey plantsnian. It sells for 

 25 cts. alongs])ike, and is highly esteemed by decorators. IIyl>rid 

 Roses are plentiful, but their average quality is not satisfactory. The 

 choicest are soldfor$l each. Baroness Rothschild and Maijelilorrison 

 have appeared. Selected American Beauties are also $1. The favorite 

 Gloire de Dijon Rose arrives in limited quantity and sells for i;o cts. a 

 flower. Puritan Roses sell for 50 and 75 cts., and La France from 25 

 to 50 cts., according to quality. Perle des Jardins, Niphetos and Sou- 

 venir d'un Ami are down (o 81.25 a dozen, and Brides bring 20 and 

 25 cts. a flower. Marechal Niel Roses are to be had for from 25 to 

 50 cts., the latter priced ones including a bud. Acacia has never been 

 so plentiful and low-priced. It brings one-third less than it did last 

 season. A good-sized branch may be had for Si, and 25 cts. will buy 

 what is termed "a spray." Carnations are selling for 50 cts. a dozen, 

 excepting such varieties as Grace Wilder, Buttercup, Dawn and Harri- 

 son, which, when long-stemmed, sell for 75 cts. a dozen. Spikes of 

 Mignonette, very large and beautiful, bring 35 cts. each, and smaller 

 spikes cost from 10 to 25 ct.s. Callas are 30 cts. each, and Longiflorum 

 Lilies from 40 to 50 cts. Liliiini Candidiim has just appeared, and sells 

 for $2. 50 and S3. 50 a dozen. A single stalk with two flowers and a bud 

 sells for 50 cts. Vf )lets cost from 75 cts. to $2 a hundred. The latter 

 is the fancy price for tliose fresh-picked and brought in at certain 

 hours daily. French Marguerites are of two qualities, those small, 

 with fragile stems, which cost 25 cts. a dt)zen, and those of twice the 

 size, on Arm long stems, which bring 50 cts. a dozen. Double Tulips 

 are in more active demand than other varieties. Tulips remain as 

 last quoted, as do other flowers not mentioned above. Asparagus 

 plitinosits is used more freely than e\'er bi^fore because in greater sup- 

 ply. A. teniiissinins has somewhat given way to the former variety 

 in popularity. For yard lengths A. pluinosus costs $1, and A. tcmnssi- 

 tniis from 60 to 70 cts. Smilax brings 40 cts. a string. The cut flower 

 trade has been active since the second wc^k in Lent, Jev/ish weddings, 

 dinners and luncheons having kept busi,iess stirring. Orchids are in 

 steady request for table decoration. They do not fluctuate in price. 

 They are to be ordered from all the first-class florists, but a variety is 

 only kept on hand by those who have growing collections. Prices 

 range from 50 cts. to %\ a flower, and for sprays from §2 to $5, 



Pitii.ADELrHiA, Mlarch 2d. 



The demand for flowers the past week has been fair, for the 

 Lenten seas(jn. Jacqueminot Roses are more plentiful, prices ranging 

 from $3 to $5 per doz. Mrs. John Laing is becoming more abundant, 

 selling at the same price as Jacqueminots. Anna de Diesbach and 

 Magna Charta may be had in limited quantities at from $4 to $6 per 

 doz., but these darker shades of pink are not so popular in this city as 

 the more delicate tints, like those of Madame Gabriel Luizet or Sirs. 

 John Laing. American Beauty is preferred, when the darker colored 

 sorts are reqm'red. Asparagus taiuissiutus is not jjopular here. This 

 is difficult to understand, because it is so delicate and lasts so long for 

 room decoration. For festooning about mirrors few plants are more 

 effective. Gardenias may be had in limited quantities at 25c. each. 

 Marguerites and English Daisies are in fair demand at 25c. per doz. 

 Perles have been overdone this season. Sunsets are more popular. 



Boston, Manli 2d. 



The weather has been wintry during the week and while it continues 

 cold there will be little change in the prices of cut flowers. Some 

 varieties of Roses, especially La France and Catheiine Mermef, have 

 been really scarce, an unusual feature of the market at this season. 

 Vi<jlets are abundant and consequently cheap. Pansies are also be- 

 coming more plenty and the ipiality was never better. Long stem- 

 med Carnations have seldom been seen here in such perfection and 

 variety as at the present time. They are gaining rapidly in popularity, 

 for buyers are beginning to appreciate them and are learning that there 

 are few varieties of flowers which will keep so long in a warm room. 

 Its own foliage is of course the best setting for the Carnation. Daf- 

 fodils, Tulips and Lilies-of-the-Valley arc still offered in large quan- 

 tities. Great vases of Callas and Li'lium Harrisii make a grand dis- 

 play in all the florists' windows and are a reminder that Easter will 

 soon be upon us. Spiraea and Deutzia, which are always grown largely 

 for Easter, are also beginning to come in in moderate quantities. The 

 best Jacqueminots and Hybrids can be had now at from $4 to $6 per 

 doz. La France, Catherine Mcrniets and Marechal Niels at Sj. Perles 

 des Jardins and Niphetos at $1.50 and the small Teas at 75c. per doz. 

 Hyacinths and Tulips cost75e-, and Lily-of-the-Valley and Trumpet 

 Narcissus $1 per doz. For tuiest long-stemmed Carnations 75c. per 

 doz. is asked, while Pansies, Mignonette, Calendulas, etc., can be had 

 at 50c. per doz. Callas bring 15c. to 2e;c. and Harris's Lilies 35c. each. 

 A flue l)OX of choice Orchids with a slight sprinkling of Maiden-hair 

 Ferns, Asparagus and a few dainty sprays of Heath, makes a superb 

 gift and costs from $25.00 to $50.00. 



