498 



FIRST FR UITS. 



The frontispiece in this issue is an interesting view 

 of a palm garden in the place of Dr. T. J. Richardson, 

 New Orleans, from a photograph kindly sent us by J. 

 Roedder, gardener to Dr. Richardson, who is said to 

 have first introduced palms into that city some 25 years 

 ago. CJiamcerops e.xcelsa, shown in the picture, sur- 

 rounded by crotons, stands 26 feet high ; on either side 

 is a Washingtonia robusta, and a Pha-nix reclinata at the 

 rear stands 20 feet high and boasts a trunk eight feet in 

 circumference. These are among the best species for 

 that climate, as determined by Dr. Richardson's long ex- 

 perience. 



Some fine Botan Plums have been sent us by Mr. S. 

 L. Bishop, of H. W. Reid & Co., Waycross, Ga. Suc- 

 cessful fruit growers believe that the Botan and the 

 Chabot (which is very like the Botan, but not quite so 

 sweet) will revolutionize plum culture in the south and 

 the middle states. The flesh is of a greenish orange 

 color, being tender, very juicy, sweet and of a pleasing 

 odor. The skin is tough and acid, and its thickness un- 

 doubtedly has some resisting power against the curculio. 

 The trees bear while young and are highly productive. 

 It is claimed by good authority that the Abundance is 

 the same as the Botan. 



Apples from Tasmania. — New York draws its supplies 

 from the ends of the earth. Last month a new source 

 of fruit supply contributed its quota. Apples from 

 Tasmania were offered in our markets. They much re- 

 sembled Newtown Pippins, and were called Pippins by 

 the dealers. They were packed in boxes holding about 

 a bushel each, each apple being wrapped in paper and 

 the boxes being paper lined. These boxes have a divis- 

 ion through the center like lemon boxes, but are flatter, 

 being but a few inches high. The material is solid oak, 

 riven out instead of sawed, and they present a curious 

 appearance. The apples bring $2 to $2.50 per box. 



Delaware Peach Crop. — In the July Garden I am 

 quoted as saying there will be one-third of a crop of 

 peaches in southern Delaware this season. While I 

 thought so at that writing, I feel sure now that there will 

 be only a few carloads marketed, and some growers will 

 not even ship a peach. In Kent and New Castle coun- 

 ties, Delaware, also in Talbot, Coroline, Queen Anne 

 and Kent counties, Maryland, there are immense crops, 

 but here they are so near a failure it is too close for 

 comfort. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries 

 though a short crop have paid well, much better than 

 for years past. It may be that our time will come here- 

 after to assist in supplying Delaware's famous peaches. 

 Our orchards are in splendid condition and ready for a 

 big crop ; bank account likewise. 



Sussex Co., Del. Chas. Wright. 



Division of Premiums. — The method employed in an 

 exhibition at St. Louis last year, and described by J. M. 

 Jordan to The American Florist, is worthy of careful at- 



tention at all exhibitions. The amount of prize money 

 for any particular class or group was offered in a lump. 

 The exhibits were then judged by points, and the amount 

 divided among the competitors in proportion to the 

 number of points given to each by the judges. At the 

 exhibition in question, it is stated that a magnificent 

 display was made, and the credit is given to this system 

 of awards, as each exhibitor was assured of receiving 

 something. The men who ordinarily feel that competi- 

 tion with large growers would be useless, were not dis- 

 couraged under this plan, and contributed each his 

 quota. If there is any reason why this is not a good 

 system, we would like to have it pointed out, as we fail 

 to see it. 



What Is Hardy with You ? — Allow me to make a 

 suggestion for the consideration of editors and readers. 

 Let the readers of The American Garden send you a 

 list of trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials that 

 are hardy in their vicinities. Where flowering trees 

 or shrubs survive the winter but do not flower, state the 

 fact. The replies need not come from south of the 

 Ohio river, but should include Canada. A summary 

 of this information would be of great value. Many 

 trees and shrubs will not stand our climate here, that 

 are hardy in the same latitude east. Your eastern 

 nurserymen often recommend plants in good faith as 

 hardy in this climate which will not stand the test. A 

 great deal of money is annually lost in plants that will 

 not stand the climate of their new home ; and at the 

 same time there are those who fear to plant some good 

 things because a neighbor lost one and attributed it to 

 the lack of hardiness, yet in a few years find them 

 thriving in a garden within a few miles of home. 

 When you get the returns, you can eliminate ordinary 

 oaks, hickories, etc., if you desire. Then condense. A 

 list of this kind would be of great benefit to many of 

 your readers. W. C. E., Highlatid Park, III. 



[The suggestion has our hearty approval. The box 

 is open to receive the responses. — Ed. Am. G.] 



Japanese Plants. — Louis Boehmer, Yokohama, 

 Japan writes, in response to a request in the May Gar- 

 den for the address of a firm exporting plants from 

 Japan, that we should not forget him. That was an 

 oversight indeed, as Mr. Boehmer is an "old sub- 

 scriber" and occasional advertiser with us, and our rela- 

 tions with him have always been of the pleasantest. 

 No complaint against him of any description has ever 

 reached us, which is much to say of any man in any 

 trade. His catalogue is deliciously Japanese, being 

 printed on curious soft cloth like paper used for some 

 Japanese books, in a cover exquisitely painted and bound 

 in Japanese style. Mr. Boehmer also writes, "Messrs. 

 H. H. Berger & Co., in San Francisco, have been for 

 many years in connection with me, and they are always 

 willing to give information about fruits, etc., from here 

 to every body who wants to have plants or seeds. Prof. 

 Georgeson's articles are very nicely written, but some 



