18.53.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 357 



*}is quite a peculiar one in its entire structure, and it has been a master r©/ 

 of difficulty to systematic botanists to assign it a proper place in na- c \p 

 tural systems. K. Brown, perhaps the best authority, biings it into ^ 

 association with Jlrisio.lochiss, (the Dutchman's Pipe order, if we must 

 anglicise terms,) the structure of the wood warrants him in this view 

 of its affinities. Brogniart, however, differs with him, and is joined 

 by Endlicher — both good authorities. It is not a matter of much mo- 

 ment to us, at present, how the question should be decided ; we may 

 rest satisfied in knowing that the tribe is a peculiar one, and demands 

 care also in cultivation. The genus is bisexual, the stamens and pis- 

 tils being borne on separate plants; perfect fertilisation, however, has 

 been procured, as Mr. Bisset's seedlings of N. distillatoria testify. -We 

 regret that we could not induce him to put on paper for the benefit 

 of our readers his experience in the cultivation of this interesting fa- 

 mily ; but while he imparts his knowledge freely, though orally, he 

 refuses to enter the lists as a horticultural writer. He grows his pitcher 

 plants in a warm and moist Orchid house, strikingly adapted to both 

 tribes of plants, and pots them in peal mixed with chopped sphagnum. 

 The atmosphere of the house is the great point to be attended to, as in 

 other respects there is not much peculiarity in their management. N. 

 distillatoria is of a twining habit, its stems being slender, and is sup- 

 ported by twining the tendril of the pitcher around some support, such 

 as a wire trellis. It seems to be supported in its native habitat, the 

 swamps of China and East Indies, by seizing on those reed-like plants 

 generally found in such situations ; and thus the pitcher, when filled 

 with water, is supported erect, N. Rafflesiana is more erect and ro- 

 bust in habit, and is by far the handsomer species. The other pitcher 

 plants, such as Sarracenia, are well known in America, and flourish 

 in the swamps of New Jersey, Carolina, Florida, and other States. — 

 S. purpurea is the most familiar species to northern botanists. The 

 New Holland Pitcher Plant (Cephalotus follicularis) has not yet been 

 introduced to American collections, as far as we can learn ; it is an 

 extremely pretty little plant, of the habit of Sarracenia or Dionaea, 

 and referred to that portion of the natural system. It bears crowds 

 of perfect little pitchers close to the ground. The first plant was, we 

 believe, introduced to Kew Gardens in 1847 or 1848, and has not as 

 yet been widely diffused. Its culture is much the same as that of Di- 

 onaa muscipula, or Fly trap of the Southern States. r.r.s. 



The Cultivation of the Vegetable Garden. 



I Trenching, Manuring, &c. In the proper cultivation of the soil, J 

 0-_, draining is unquestionably the foundation for future improvement, J) 

 (•^but it is not by any means the only requisite. Proper tillage orG\ 



*£9bv ^C£CM 



