144 



Garden and Forest. 



[May i6, 



The radius is uninjured, Iieing too green to take fire, and lie- 

 cause the flame runs along almost as quick as lightning, be- 

 coming extinguished at the top, and diffusing a powerful 

 incense-like smell." At the close of a hot, dry day the oil is, 

 of course, drawn from these glands in larger quantities than at 

 other times, and then we may count upon the possiliility of 

 igniting it in the atmosphere, even though the match be held 

 at some distance above the plant. 



Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information. Royal Gardens, Kew. 

 No. 15. Mai'ch, 1888. Eyre & Spottiswoode, London, Two- 

 pence a Number. 



The object of this useful publication is to firing within reach 

 of every one interested in plants, in a cheap and accessible 

 form, the mass of valuable information which is always accu- 

 mulating in the Kew establishment. 



The last number contains an article on Forsteronia Rubber, 

 the product of Forsteronia gracilis of British Guiana, " a large 

 twining plant, the stem of which trails on the floor of the forest, 

 snake-like, and the head spreads over the tops of the highest 

 trees above." The good quality of the samples of rubber 

 yielded by this plant indicates that it would be a promising 

 commercial undertaking to collect it if the plant is found in 

 sufficient cjuantities. Anotlier article is on Patchouli, a well- 

 known Eastern scent distilled from the leaves of Pagasfeinon 

 Patchouli, and familiar as the odor connected with India 

 shawls. The Patchouli plant is a native of the East Indian 

 Islands, where the leaves form a considerable article of com- 

 merce. The present number contains also articles on west 

 African Indigo plants ; on the Vanilla, and the advantages of 

 undertaking- its extensive cultivation in the West Indies and 

 other tropical countries where this Orchid is not indigenous. 

 Directions for its cultivation and minute instructions lor arti- 

 ficial fertilization of the flowers (illustrated), an operation which 

 will always be necessary in countries where the peculiar insect 

 which deposits the pollen upon the stigma of the Vanilla flower 

 is not found, add to the value of this article. There are articles 

 on Streblus paper, made in Siam from the bark of Streblus 

 asper, a tree widely distributed tlirough India, Ceylon and trop- 

 ical Asia, and closely related to the well-known Paper Mul- 

 berry ; and on Usera Fibre, the product of a Natal plant 

 ( Usera fenax), and, finally, on various samples of tea grown 

 in Jamaica, in Madagascar, and in Natal, where exyjeriments 

 in tea-growing on a considerable scale are now being made. 



were presented with unusual aliility. The objects of the new 

 Association commend themselves to the sympathy and active 

 support of all public-spirited men and women. 



Public Works. 



Historic trees and shrubs for Central Park. — More than twenty 

 years ago Mr. James Hogg began to plant in his grounds at 

 Eighty-fourth Street and the East River the novelties which 

 his brother Thomas Hogg was then sending from Japan. At 

 one time there were coUected here more than 300 species 

 and varieties of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, mostly 

 from Japan and China. Most of these were the first specimens 

 of their kind to reach this country and many of them were re- 

 ceived here some time before their introduction into Europe. 

 Some years ago Mr. Hogg disposed of the place, and the trees 

 and shrubs have been somewhat neglected, and yet the collection 

 has continued to be a most interesting one. But the time has 

 come when the space must be covered with buildings and 

 through the efforts of Mr. Hogg the trees and shrubs were pre- 

 sented to the New York Park Department and most of them 

 have Ijeen carefully removed to the north-eastern part of Cen- 

 tral Park, where extensive improvements are in progress. 

 Among the trees are fifteen varieties of the Japanese Maple 

 which are specially interesting as first importations. 

 The lirst Magnolia hypoleuca was too large for removal and 

 efforts will be made to protect it where it stands. A Japanese 

 Styra.x of extraordinary size and a remarkal)le Tree I'eony with 

 large single purple flowers are among the other treasures. 



Small Parks for Philadelphia. — A noteworthy meeting was 

 held on Wednesday evening of last week at Association Hall, 

 Philadelphia, under the auspices of the City Parks Association, 

 to aid the movement in favor of creating at once seven small 

 parks in various parts of the city, and ultimately to increase 

 this number to a score at least. Ex-Governor Hoyt presided, 

 and Mr. Herbert Welsh, as Secretary, read a strong memorial, 

 which is to be presented to the Councils. SfliTing addresses 

 were made by President Smith, of the Common Council ; 

 Charles Emory Smith, of The Press ; Col. A. K. McClure, of 

 The Times ; Professor Rothrock, Rev. Dr. M. Connell, Drs. 

 White and Ashhurst, so that all the phases of the question — 

 political, economic, sanitary, social, scientific and moral — 



Retail Flower Markets. 



New York, May 12th. 



The supply of cut flowers is very heavy and the quality is generally 

 poor, particularly that of Hybrid I-ioses. Paul Neyrons sell at from 

 40 to 75 cts., and Baroness Rothschilds from 35 to 75 els. each. It is' 

 only in fashionable localities that 75 cts. is charged for a selected Hy- 

 brid Rose. On Broadway and Filth Avenue florists struggle to keep 

 up prices to a reasonable figure, but on side streets good flowers may 

 be bought for nearly half price. The average run of General Jacque- 

 minot Roses may be had for 15 cts. each, but selected ones cost 

 40 cts. American Beauties range from 20 to 50 cts. They are not as 

 much in favor as General Jacqueminots. Puritans cost from 35 to 

 40 cts. Moss Roses sell for 50 cts. a spray on Broadway and for 25 cts. 

 a spray on Sixth Avenue. Bride and Catherine Mermet Roses cost 

 $2 a dozen, ba France brings fnim $2 to §4 a dozen. Papa Gontier 

 and Souvenir d'Un Ami cost $1 a dozen. Perles des Jardin and' 

 Niphetos the same, and Bon Silenes from 60 to 75 cts. a dozen, while 

 Mde. Cuisins bring $1.25 a dozen. Tulips are becoming scarce. The)' 

 are from out-of-door beds, and the majority of them are spotted — the 

 effects of the blizzard. They cost 75 cts. a dozen, the same as good 

 Lilies-of-the-Valley. Roman Hyacinths have disappeared. Pansies 

 are 25 cts. a dozen, and are extremely handsome. Southern Lilacs 

 are selling for 15 and 20 cts. a spray. Carnations cost 35 cts. a dozen, 

 excepting the Buttercup variety, which brings 50 cts. There are a 

 few Dutch Hyacinths to be had for $1 a dozen. Gladioluses are 25 cts. 

 a spike. Daffodils cost 75 cts. a dozen, fine Forget-me-nots are 35 cts. 

 a dozen, and Mignonette ranges from 35 to 75 cts. a dozen. There is 

 considerable of the white variety in market, but it does not sell as 

 readily as other sorts. Callas bring $2, and blooms tjf Liliiivi longijioruin 

 $2.50. a dozen. Sweet Alyssum and Auricula are appearing in floral 

 shojjs. Small clusters of each cost 10 cts. Violets are from 75 cts. to 

 $1 a hundred, and poor. Smilax is 40 cts. a string, or from 25 to 30 cts. 

 a yard. Asparagus te/iuissi///us brings y^ cts. a string. 



Philadelphia, May isih. 



"Spring flowers," which are called for Very frequenfly— more so, 

 perhaps, than anything else, excepting, perhaps, Roses — are nearly 

 all cut from cold-frames or out-of-doors now. Their season will soon 

 be past. The prices-keep up surprisingly. Choice Tulips bring Si a 

 dozen readily; these are varieties which are too expensive for forcing. 

 The rarer kinds of Trumpet Narcissus, such as Horsefield's, Empress, 

 and occasionally a few flowers of "Grandis,"are eagerly bought at 

 $1 a dozen. They are very beautiful. Tea Roses are not of as good 

 quality as they were ten days or two weeks ago, nor are Jacqueminots 

 and other Hybrid Remonlants. American Beauty is the best Rose 

 now offered, and it appears to be the favorite, bringing the highest price 

 — $5 per dozen. Baroness Rothschild, Magna Charta, Paul Neyron, 

 Mde. Gabriel Luizet and Mrs. John Laing sell at from S3 to $5 a 

 dozen. Jacqueminots, Si-Soto S3. 00 ; Mermets, Brides and La France, 

 $2 ; Perles, Sunsets, Niphetos and Madame Cuisin, Si to Si. 50. This 

 last variety is very fine just now, being an exception to the general 

 rule, as it impro\'es with the advancing season, brighter sunshine and 

 warmer weather. Papa Gontiers sell at Si ; Bon Silenes, 75 cts.; 

 Lilies-ot-the-Valley, 75 cts. to Si \ Carnations, 35 cts. ; Pansies, Mar- 

 guerites, Forget-me-Nots and Heliotropes, 25 cts. a dozen ; Mignonette 

 from 25 cts. to 75 cts. Many conservative Philadelpliians do not take 

 kindly to Asparagus, preferring Smilax, while others are becoming 

 tired of the older kind of green for large decorations. A new 

 \'ine, differing in appearance from either of those named, which 

 could be grown satisfactorily and cheaply, and that would stand well 

 in heated rooms, would be an acquisition at this time. Something 

 of the kind indicated is on trial at Baltimore, which will be watched 

 with great interest. 



Boston, May 12th. 



There is little change in the cut flower market. Trade in this line is 

 quiet just now, owing possibly to the charnrs of out-door flowers and 

 shrubbery which the pleasant weather has brought suddenly forward. 

 The auction sales of bedding plants have commenced in earnest, and 

 many people are devoting tlieir attention to the beautifying of their 

 out-door surroundings. Still there is no great over-stock of good 

 flowers in the market, as the crop is light at present on everything, 

 and those who buy the best Roses find that they must pay full prices. 

 There are but few Hybrids now, and the price remains at about $6 

 per doz., for selected blooms. Jacqueminots are more abundant and 

 of extra quality ; they sell for $4 per doz. Smilax is still scarce at 50 

 cts. a string and demand is light. Violets are poor in quality ; these 

 and Pansies bring $1 per hundred; the latter are of extra quality, in 

 fact there is no doubt that Boston takes the lead in Pansy flowers. 

 Pansies and Mignonette have recei\'ed increased attention for two 

 or three years past and in their greatly improved quality are becom- 

 ing deservedly popular. Long stemmed Carnations are 50 cts. a 

 dozen for the ordinary kinds. Grace Wilder and Buttercup Carna- 

 tions always command higlier prices than any other ; selected blooms 

 of these varieties are worth Si per doz. Callas and Lilies are in good 

 supply at S2 per dozen. 



