1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 



K} There are doubtless a great many seedlings from this grape or sports W\ 

 Vfrom vines in peculiar^ soils and situations. These have had names ^ 

 bestowed on them to please the fancy, and sometimes the vanity of 

 embryo cultivators or enthusiastic amateurs, but so near the present 

 that they do not merit the distinction. Such are the Red Hamburg, 

 Hampton Court Victoria, Frankenthal, or Frankendale, &c, 



&.C. 



1 , — Black F e r r a r — Young wood dark green, smooth, foliage, 

 light green lobes not deep, irregular serrated ; foot stalks short and 

 rough. Bunch loose, berries large, oval, black, thick skin, sweet 

 flavor, very similar to Black Morocco, No. 1. 



^0, 4 — Bishop — Young wood reddish, foliage dark green with 

 fine deep lobes, (botanically quinquefid or pentifid) deeply serrated ; 

 pubescent, (dark crimson) foot stalks. A very strong grower, (which 

 I consider not worth cultivating,) bunch large loose j berries reddish, 

 purple, large, oval, thick skinned, flesh fine, sweet, differs little from 

 Black Morocco, No. 1. 



James Powell. 



Philadelphia, April \0th, 1852. 



The importance to amateurs and even practical gardeners of a 

 useful descriptive list of Foreign Grapes is so generally conceded, 

 that we cordially write observations upon Mr. Powell's list as it 

 appears. It will be continued in future numbers. — Ed. 



The Patriarchs of Horticulture and Botany. 



The tomb of Old Flanders' family of the Tradescants is dilapidated, 

 and the admirers of ancient Botanical spirit and enterprise intend re- 

 storing it. Who does not know Tradescantia, or spider plant, discolor 

 and T. Zebrina? Why the latter is all about. I saw a plant of it 

 luxuriating in a window in Poplar street a few days ago, in the north- 

 east portion of the city. But more, the Tradescants introduced many 

 North American novelties to Britain before Bartram's day; even one 

 of the Hacamatai or Tacamahae, (Populus alba,) and the Fox Grape 

 and Marvel of Peru, (4 o'clock.) Will not gardeners perpetuate 

 even in Britain, the glory of their order. Subscriptions will be re- 

 ceived by Sir W. Hooker, at Kew, for the above purpose. Alas, gar- 

 deners are poor men. Of John Bartram's memory we shall speak 

 again. 



[£7=* The Botanical name, Hactshish, about which there is some- 

 thing in the papers, is not properly spelled ; 'tis Cannabis Indica, not 

 Cannabris. The common Hemp of commerce is Cannabis sativa, a 

 plant of the natural ord. Urticacea of Linde, and of course partaking 

 Q of the strong diuretic properties of the common nettle, Urtica dioica, c^ J 

 1 ^ so much used as a vegetable in Ireland, and very medicinal. ^? ) 



r 



