246 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [Dec'r. 



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W) In this mild and rich climate, very many of the fine half tender nJ 

 ~ shrubs, such as Fuchsia, Ceanothus, Clianthus, Fabiana, Mitraria, ^U 

 Escalloma, &c, stand out and flower with the greatest magnificence. \ 

 We could not pass without noting a plant about 4 feet high, of 

 Mitraria, covering a wall, and loaded with its large inflated scarlet 

 flowers, really magnificent j and close by it was a large bush of 

 Escallonia macrantha, a fine shrub with very shining foliage, of sym- 

 metrical habit and profusely covered with its rosy red blossoms. I 

 noted at once, "if it proves hardy in Philadelphia it will stand A. 1," 

 as the insurance brokers have it. I could not but chide the inert 

 perceptions of many ot our shrub planters who do not purchase (and 

 in fact they will not be persuaded to do it) the very interesting family 

 of Berberis; they are all lovely, and the evergreen sorts are beautiful 

 at all times. Berberis fascicularis, illicifolia arid Darwinii are indis- 

 pensible low evergreens, covered in early spring with a profusion of 

 yellow flowers, succeeded by a load of bright purple fruit. The 

 Araucarias and Deodar Cedar grow in wild luxuriance and form very 

 beautiful objects amongst the dwarfer evergreens, which are at present 

 in such demand, and will continue to be. How spring like will it be 

 to see our surburban residences clothed in perpetual verdure ; it will 

 give a life and expression of cheerfulness to our cheerless, tame and 

 forlorn looking country seats. A country residence without ever- 

 greens appears to me like a half clothed man, with the thermometer 

 at zero 5 give the same situation a liberal supply of the evergreen 

 tribe, and you at once make it appear as if prepared for the storm. 



Our attention was also arrested by several new fruits: The Kaisha 

 Apricot and the magnum bonurn Raspberry were well worth note. 

 The kernel of the former is as palatable as a sweet almond, and the 

 latter has all the qualities its name implies — a very rare character in 

 new things. 1 have no doubt but some of your choice Philadelphia 

 amateurs may fruit both of these next season, when we hope to have 

 your opinion on their merits. In small fruits and large fruits, in 

 taste and garden ornament, we are in Philadelphia, behind the age. 

 In decorative painting, furniture, carpets, mirrors, equipage and dress 

 we are up to the mark; but they are mere visionary objects, soon get 

 out of fashion, out of favour, are readily soiled, and require constantly 

 to be renewed. With good fruits, fine trees and gorgeous evergreens, 

 they grow every year finer, we become more attached to them, and 

 their fruits yearly increase ; if they are more than our household de- 

 mand, our friends are near us, or the market is at hand. We opine 

 that in the county of Philadelphia, there will be more fruit trees 

 planted within 12 months from this date than there have been in any 

 two preceding years of her history. The pinaster and Black Austrian 



£ Spruce are much used in belting and shelter; they are very prominent 



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