i68 



Garden and Forest. 



[Number 479 



have wider petals than those of I. Assyriaca. They are frilled 

 on the falls and have a very pleasing slaty blue color. 



Iris Caucasica and its variety major are dwarf kinds of the 

 same section, with few narrow leaves with horny margins. 

 The flowers are of that degenerate yellow euphoniously de- 

 scribed by the plant dealer as "light lemon-yellow." As it is 

 improbable that any one's color sense can be gratified by such 

 a futile attempt at yellow, I hesitate to commend this species 

 as a garden plant. 



Iris fumosa is another yellow-flowered Juno which I have 

 not yet seen in flower, though it is in bud in the border. This 

 Syrian species is said to show a smoky hue of yellow which is 

 not promising, as smoky-hued Irises usually are more curious 

 than brilliant. These plants flower at that unhappy season 

 when the weather is never twice alike. The flowers are indif- 

 ferent to changes of temperature, like most early flowers, but 

 they do suffer severely from the great enemy of us all — the 

 high drying winds — so that if a sheltered spot can be given 

 them it will be appreciated. 



Elizabeth, N.J. J.N.Gerard. 



Correspondence. 



The Red Cedar. 

 To the Editor of Garden and Forest : 



Sir, — I was very glad to see this tree recommended in your 

 paper for more general planting in our parks and private 

 grounds. It certainly seems strange that a tree of so much 

 beauty should be neglected, especially in these days when our 

 native trees and shrubs are coming so rapidly into favor. I 

 have found it an unusually easy tree to transplant, and have 

 moved many from ten to fifteen feet in height, with but slight 

 loss ; they should, however, be very heavily cut back when 

 moved. In fact, I know of no tree that stands the pruning- 

 knife so well ; trees that have become badly misshapen from 

 overcrowding can be readily made into fair specimens by the 

 use of the knife. 



Although usually we find these trees growing in rough, stony 

 places, they respond quickly to a more generous treatment, 

 and their annual growth is greatly improved when planted in 

 rich soil. I had on my land some large clumps of poor Cedars, 

 crowded together and choked by a growth of White Birches. 

 After removing the greater part of the Birches, I thinned out 

 the Cedars, subjecting the remaining ones to a vigorous prun- 

 ing. The soil was then enriched as far as possible, and the 

 result is that the Cedars are greatly improved, and in many 

 cases have become good bushy specimens. The effect pro- 

 duced by so radical a treatment was at first undoubtedly dis- 

 couraging, but after one season the Cedars had shot out beyond 

 their amputated limbs, and the loss of picturesqueness proved 

 to be but a temporary one. On many country places such 

 clumps are common, and I would advise the owners to experi- 

 ment on a small scale if they are fearful of the treatment 

 being too radical, and judge for themselves. 



This power of enduring the pruning-knife or shears makes 

 the Cedar especially valuable for formal gardening, as you 

 mention, but the true place for its use seems to be the one 

 indicated by nature — that is, for covering the tops of rocky 

 knolls and pastures. Almost all our large parks have appro- 

 priate places for such trees ; in Franklin Park, near Boston, 

 we have a piece of land to which they would seem to be espe- 

 cially well adapted. In fact, many of the hills were partly 

 covered with old Cedars. Unfortunately, as a facing for these 

 rough, picturesque knolls, thousands of Japanese Retinosporas 

 have been planted, looking sadly out of place, and mostly in 

 poor condition. 



The peculiar bronze color which they assume in winter has 

 always seemed to me to be a very beautiful one, especially 

 when seen in connection with the bluish green of the White 

 Pine, or when an occasional White Birch is allowed to remain 

 to relieve the soberness of their winter hue. There seems to 

 be, moreover, a great variety of color in the different speci- 

 mens, some of them being so glaucous as to closely resemble 

 the Retinospora squarrosa. 



Farther south, in Virginia and Florida, they seem to have a 

 looser and more feathery habit, and the tree loses the rigid 

 upright character so common in New England. At Washing- 

 ton there are many fine specimens, especially at Arlington, 

 where the steep bank of the Potomac in front of the house is 

 covered by some splendid trees that greatly enhance the 

 beauty of the view. In Massachusetts, however, good speci- 

 mens are rare, and only occur when some tree has had the 

 good fortune to grow undisturbed and alone in some rich 

 pasture. 



Wellesley Mass. n. .>. fi. 



Horticultural Education. 

 To the Editor of Garden and Forest : 



Sir, — I have been much interested in the discussions in your 

 columns respecting the best methods of giving instruction in 

 horticulture. I do not care to comment upon the various arti- 

 cles, nor upon the subject in general at present ; but, in order 

 to add an incidental interest to the subject, I wish to make a 

 brief historical excursion. It seems to be true of any subject 

 that we can never be sure of getting back to the very begin- 

 nings of it, and it is none the less true of agricultural educa- 

 tion ; in proof whereof I now append some statements and 

 propositions made hy Samuel Hartlib as early as 1651. The 

 source from which I quote is a little book styled, " An Essay 

 for Advancement of Husbandry-Learning : or Propositions for 

 the Erecting a Colledge of Husbandry: and in order there- 

 unto, for the taking in of Pupills or Apprentices. And also 

 Friends or Fellowesof the Same Colledge or Society. London, 

 Printed by Henry Hills. 1651." This quaint little book was 

 placed in my hands by Hon. Andrew D. White, who recently 

 bought it in London. The copy contains the book plate of the 

 illustrious Arthur Young. The book is a small affair, num- 

 bering altogether only seventeen pages, and four of most 

 entertaining introduction. This introduction is the only part 

 of the writing which bears Hartlib's name, but the whole book 

 and scheme are his. He asserts that it is the " Narrowness 

 of our Spirits " which makes us miserable, and that if we were 

 properly awakened to the advantages which lie about us " we 

 could not be without Lucriferous Employments." Wherefore 

 he proposes a school of husbandry. " Why may we not con- 

 clude that in the Science and Trade of Husbandry, which is 

 the Mother of all other Trades and Scientificall Industries, a 

 Collegiall way of Teaching the Art thereof will be of infinite 

 Usefulness." 



The things which Hartlib would teach are set down as 

 follows : 



(1 ) Tillage, or setting or sowing of several sorts of Corne 

 or Graine, for the reliefe and sustenance of man and beast. 

 (2.) The breeding of Cattel (in which the breeding of Sheepe 

 mav seem particular). (3.) The feeding of Cattel. (4.) The Use 

 of the Dairie. (5.) The planting of Orchards. (6.) The planting 

 of Gardens. (7.) The breeding and feeding of Swine. (8.) 

 The breeding and feeding of the several sorts of tame Poultry. 

 (9.) The planting of Hops. (10 ) The sowing of Hempe, Flax, 

 or Rape. (11.) The breeding, preserving and taking of wilde 

 Beasts, as Conies, etc. (12.) The breeding, preserving or tak- 

 ing of wilde fowle, particularly of Duckes in and bv a Decoy. 

 (13.) The making and managing of Rivers, Moats, Ponds, etc., 

 for the preserving and taking Fish of all sorts for the use and 

 sustenance of man. (14.) The planting of Woad, and all out- 

 landish rare or extraordinary Roots, fruits or plants. (15.) 

 The dreining, fencing, mowing and making of Grasse in Mea- 

 dowes into Hey. (16.) The making of Malt. (17.) And (that 

 now so exceeding necessary endeavour) the planting all sorts 

 of Wood for Timber or fire. . . . 



" As these are encouraged and enabled : so is a Nation more 

 or lesse prosperous, or outwardly happy ; both these in their 

 distinct natures or uses are most excellent ; and are also (at 

 least ought to be) inseparable companions : ot which if either 

 precede it is Ingenuity ; for that Industry as it is distinct from 

 Ingenuity, can do nothing till the other have contrived what 

 and how." 



The means of securing the establishment of the institution 

 are these : 



" That whereas it is manifest, that such a Colledge or Society 

 cannot be erected without the building or buying (at least a 

 long lease at an easie rent, if not the inheritance) of some 

 large and convenient House, with some good quantity of Land 

 adjoyning and belonging to it ; and it is as manifest that such 

 a purchase cannot be made without good Sums of Money. 



" It is therefore desired, that all such Well-wishers to their 

 Countrey's wealth and prosperity; be pleased to contribute 

 such sums to this good and laudable Worke, as in their own 

 Wisdomes and bounties appear necessary, and deliver the 

 same into the hands of Mr. Samuel Hartlib, whose abundant 

 Zeale for the Publique Good, renders him most worthy to be 

 entrusted therewith, till there shall be a competent Stock ob- 

 tained for the setting forward of this great and good Worke 

 before mentioned : And to subscribe their Names and Sums ; 

 that so the whole Society (when erected) and the whole Nation 

 (when in due time they shall have tasted the sweet effects from 

 hence proceeding) may know to whome to render all due 

 thanks through all Ages, as to the bountiful Promoters of ; by 

 contributing to a Uesigne so much conducing to the good of 

 the present and Prosperity of all Ages to come: a Plentifull 

 Reward to every Noble Spirit. 



