LIQUID GRAFTING WAX-A QUERY. 



BY A. H., MEADVILLE, PA. 



The journals tell the story of an African who, on 

 being asked how much he had earned the last year, 

 replied, ''I agreed to work for a seventh of the crop, 

 but master only grew a Jifth, so, you see, I got no- 

 thing." 



This story is recalled on referring to an article on 

 "Liquid Grafting Wax," by Horticola, in the Ilor- 

 ticiiUurist of 1862, p. 115, where a recipe is given 

 as follows, viz: — 1 lb. rosin, 1 oz. beef tallow, one 

 table-spoonful of spirits of turpentine, and seven oz. 

 alcohol. In the Horticulturist of 1863, page 

 123, Plorticola renews his recommendation of 

 the article, (a French invention,) but says the quan- 

 tity must be increased, and gives Jive oz. as the true 

 proportion. The Editor says he shall note the va- 

 riation in quantity when he tries it; but, so far as I 

 have seen, makes no report on it. 



The writer has tried this winter cutting some com- 

 mon grafting wax, by adding the turpentine as 

 above, and using benzole (a cheaper article) in place 

 . of the alcohol. The wax made in this way has 

 stood the eiffects of the cold weather in a satisfac- 

 tory manner. The effect of summer heat remains 

 to be tested. 



GOOD GERANIUMS AND HOW TO GROW 

 THEM.-NO. 2. 



BY J. C. J, 



[Continued from page 37.) 

 DONALD BEATON. 

 This Geranium is happily named after its illus- 

 trious raiser, and, like the man, ought not to be soon 

 forgotten. I have flowered it under glass only, 

 where it entirely eclipses every other high colored 

 self. In habit and shade of color it somewhat re- 

 sembles Paul L'Abbe ; but I have never seen a truss 

 of bloom on any Zonale Geranium that, in size or 

 quality, would compare with Donald Beaton. The 

 « individual blooms are very large and circular, each 

 petal fitting, with perfect accuracy and closeness, to 

 its neighbor, and of great substance. A truss now 

 before me has been the object ot unqualified admi- 

 ration during four weeks, and is still perfect. Such 

 duration of bloom under glass, is much to be com- 

 mended. The shade of color is what I call a vivid 

 cherry, but it will pass under a variety of descrip- 

 tions. It is a lusty grower, and ought to be first- 

 rate out-of-doors. But young plants propagated 

 during summer, and headed back in the fall, will 

 be a great addition to the greenhouse, from Decem- 

 ber till May. 



W5 — 



^3 — 



INDIAN YELLOW, [Beaton.) 

 Watching the devel./pment of Yellow, when this 

 sort first expanded, and seeking it in vain, occa- 

 sioned some disappointment. But, on better ac- 

 quaintance, I exonerated the plant and laid the 

 blame on the sponsor. When fully expanded, there 

 is a perceptible glitter on the high-colored red, as 

 if a golden hue lay beneath and would fain come to 

 the surface. This effect is novel and pleasing. My 

 plants are stocky and low grown, imparting, on the 

 front row of a well-filled stage, a very gay appear- 

 ance to the whole house. The color is intensely 

 vivid, contrasted alongside of White Tom Thumb, 

 and with snow-white Tree Carnations njdding over- 

 head. By all means, provide Indian Yellow for 

 next winter. It ought to do well out of doors. We 

 shall see. 



MRS. WHITTY. ' 

 Pink, the base of two upper petals white. If 

 this would bloom as freely as Christine it would be 

 a fine thing in the house. But even a couple of 

 trusses attract attention, the shade of pink is so pure 

 and good. If this sort competes with Christine out 

 of doors, we shall esteem it highly. I think it will 

 not bloom so freely as that most generous of all the 

 Pink Zonales. 



Errata in February No., page 36 : — 

 "Unique, (Robinson's,) should be (Rollinson's,) 

 and, at close of same sentence, for ''more general 

 treatment," read " more generous treatment." 



THE BLACK CAP RASPBERRY IN SCUTH- 

 . ERN ILLINOIS, 



BY "EGYPT," COBDEN, ILLS. 



The fruit of the Black Cap Raspberry is largely 

 grown for market here. There are several varieties 

 of the Black Cap. The native wildlings are largely 

 dug up in the woods, and planted by some of our 

 fruit growers. It is claimed to ripen its fruit a few 

 days earlier, and the high price it sells for compen- 

 sating for its deficient yield. 



The Doolittle Improved Black Cap'x^ very pro- 

 ductive ; also the Miami, that was obtained near 

 Cincinnati. It is a few days later than DooHttle 

 Improved. 



A neighbor firm here has a plantation of 20 acres. 

 Part of the plants they set out were|bought from Mr. 

 Knox, Pittsbnrg. They are a few days later, and 

 do not root as freely from the tops as Doolittle, but 

 are claimed to be better bearers. 



