104 Clje §mkmt& Pontljlg. 



is not only apparently contradictory, but which is at 

 variance with both Nature and Art. There is some 

 plausibility in the theory to prune for wood ; but it 

 is beyond our imagination to suppose we can "prune 

 to make them grow vigorously." 



It is no wonder that " nurservmen and orchard- 

 ists, men who have had opportunities for extended 

 observations, and those, too, who are considered 

 successful cultivators, advocate the idea that trees 

 should not be pruned at all." We absolutely deny 

 plants can be pruned to give them more vigor, that 

 they can be cut back and made to grow more stocky, 

 or that shortening-in, when transplanting, is ne- 

 cessary. 



It would be much more interesting and satisfac- 

 tory if such persons on pruning, as A. S. Fuller, in 

 his article, read before this Society Nov. 6th, and 

 published in the December No. of the Gardener s 

 Monthly^ 1866, would give us examples, 'm America 

 of healthy and productive vines "not two feet high 

 and not occupying more than three feet square of 

 soil," even one-fourth of a " hundred years old," 

 than to recommend the Sequoia gigantea of Cali- 

 fornia as suitable trellis-posts" for tho^e who differ 

 on pruning. If they, in their lofty flights, can in- 

 dulge in no higher themes, they would better con- 

 template the works of Nature, and ask themselves 

 the question, why this strong, rapid, running pro- 

 pensity, endowed upon them by nature, should be 

 curtailed within two or even ten feet ? 



They might as well endeavor to confine their mam- 

 moth tree to two feet, and place it in their conser- 

 vatory, and then say it was vigorous and healthy, 

 and it had fulfilled its destiny. If we, in our im- 

 agination, can only contemplate a Grape vine on a 

 tree, because we often find them there, others 

 might, with equal propriety, consider them on 

 brambles and bushes, because they are more fre- 

 quently found there. If our experience has not 

 convinced us, by the general failure of our vineyards, 

 that our planting, pruning nd training are wrong, 

 we should, at least,be willing to hear of a natural rem- 

 edy to overcome this diseased tendency, instead of 

 comparing the results of our practice to the " eggs 

 of an imaginary bird." 



Nature has never endowed plants with vigorous 

 constitutions, and remain healthy, curtailed within 

 such undue limits. In conclusion, we would ask 

 Why mutilate them so much ? have they not been 

 dutiful to their instincts? Have they not assumed 

 their beautiful forms to preserve their identity? 

 Have they not their peculiarities impressed upon 

 them by nature? They have been inspired with 

 handsome forms and clothed in mantles of living 



green, and the gentle breeze wafts them to and fro 

 for our gratification. Why be so cruel to them ? what 

 have they done to deserve such unmerited punish- 

 ment? Have they not arrived at maturity soon 

 enough? Has your anger kindled because of their 

 youth ? Will you still harass them more because of 

 their nature? Have patience : they hi faithful to 

 their trusts and fulfil their destiny. They will give 

 you, in due time, their beautiful flowers, sweet 

 fragrance and handsome fruits. Be not hasty but 

 wait a while: they will amply compensate you for 

 your indulgence, with good forms, healthy constitu- 

 tions, and yield those rich productions you have so 

 vainly sou,j;(ht in the wrong direction. They will fill 

 your store-houses with the abundance of their luxu- 

 riant fruit, and fill your casks with pure wine, and 

 transmit their good qualities to your posterity. Na- 

 ture never prunes as we do ; she never mars «ir mu- 

 tilates her form by a hasty, foul stroke. If a branch 

 is deprived of air and light it grows ess vigorous 

 year by year, and gradually gives place to those 

 around it. If fully exposed to air and light it grows 

 with vigor, and is arrested, in due time, gradually, 

 by sending forth numerous laterals. In whatever 

 condition of life we find them, protected or exposed, 

 they gradually accommodate themselves. Nature's 

 process is slow, imperceptible, but absolutely cer- 

 tain. 



VARIEGATED OR ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE 

 PLANTS AS BEDDERS. 



BY J. M. 



The additions that are constantly being made to 

 the above class of plants now enable us to use them 

 for purposes not before much thought of ; their bril- 

 liant, stately leaves and varied forms taking the 

 place, in a great measure, of our old bedding plants 

 as a substitute for flowers. We find, in European 

 countries, their admirable bedding qualities are 

 brought into requisition to a great extent, both in 

 their public and private gardens. We are told by 

 them, that they answer admirably all the purposes 

 required of bedders; that with their nameless 

 shades of color, they equal, if not excel, the bedding 

 plants of earlier times. They also tell us that their 

 Summer heat is four.d all sufficient for many sub- 

 tropical plants. If this be so, that they can, with 

 out fear, bed cut such plants, what may we not do 

 with our Summers far warmer than the most of 

 theirs? What a fine effect could be made by us 

 with such an advantage in our favor? 



Why should not the bedding out of such plants 

 as Marantas, Dracaenas, Caladiums, Cissus, Palms, 

 and other ornamental \ lants of this class become 



