360 §mkntx'& ^oni^l^. 



is the Magnolia grandiflora, whicli grows to great 

 perfection. Raised from seed, the characters of the 

 leaves and flowers differ ; some varieties produce 

 flowers scarcely four inches in diameter, where others 

 have produced flowers measuring fourteen inches in 

 diameter, and with twelve petals. 



The Cork Oak is perfectly acclimatized, as also 

 several species of Evergreen Oaks from Japan, 

 among which the finest is Quercus Ilex latifoUa. 

 They can all be inarched upon our native evergreen 

 oak (Quercus virens), and make another addition 

 to our valuable trees. The Tea plant is being much 

 cultivated in some sections as an article of com- 

 merce. The plants are very effective ; their white 

 flowers resemble single Camellias. They seed freely 

 at 4 years old, and plants are now susceptible of be- 

 ing produced in large quantities. 



The woods abound with many fine; Evergreen 

 trees, such as the Holly, the Magnolia glauca, the 

 Andromeda arborea, the Illicium Floridanum — so 

 effective with its red flowers — and many shrubs and 

 climbers of great beauty ; many that could, doubt- 

 less, be cultivated several degrees further North. 

 All the Deciduous Shrubs cultivated in the latitude 

 of Philadelphia thrive here, with few exceptions ; 

 such tender plants as Deeringia, Leicesteria, etc. are 

 injured by the warm weather, and are therefore not 

 desirable. Still, their loss is compensated by the 

 hardiness of such plants as Clerodendron Bungei, 

 Nandina, Poinciana Gillini, etc. 



The double-flowering Pomegranates are very ef- 

 fective. We are also rich in climbers. Besides the 

 hardy varieties cultivated North, we have several 

 acclimated exotics. The Wisterias of the Chinese 

 class seed freely, and are extremely vigorous, the 

 white as well as the dark colored. The W. frutes- 

 cens magnifica is still more prolific, and different 

 colored varieties cou]dJ)e produced by experiment- 

 ing with its seedlings, 



Lonicera auvea reticulata stands the sun remark- 

 ably well The Japanese and Chinese varieties are 

 exquisitely fragrant. Solanum jasminoides is much 

 used as a climber, and is constantly covered with 

 flowerfj. The Bignonia grandiflora seeds freely, but 

 its offspring seldom produces flowers equalling the 

 parent. Some years ago, the late Dr. Ward, of 

 Athens, raised a Bignonia from seeds received from 

 South America. It produced golden yellow flowers 

 of great effect. It is perfectly hardy, and resembles, 

 or is similar to, B. Tvveediana. 



The Hose is at home here, and nowhere have I 

 seen it succeed better. All classes are hardy, no 

 protection whatever being required for the most 

 tender varieties. The middle of March opens the 



flowering season. In April the whole tribe is in its 

 glory. The Banksias open the display. The white 

 variety is miich esteemed for its odor, resembling 

 the violet. The last in bloom are the China, some 

 varieties often giving us flowers at Christmas. 



The Climbing Noisettes grow to extraordinary 

 size. There are specimens of Cloth of Cold, trained 

 against the wall of a factory, that cover several hun- 

 dred square feet, and extend to the fifth story. The 

 Bourbon, Tea and China roses, with the short- 

 jointed Hj'brids, are the general favorites. The 

 long-wooded Hybrids do not bloom well during the 

 summer months. Where the climate is so favora- 

 ble to this beautiful flower, it is appreciated freely, 

 and no flower is more universally cultivated. 



Their propagation is quite simple, except a few 

 very dwarf varieties, or some of the Hybrids devoid 

 of thorns. We set the cuttings in open ground in 

 November. Whole acres are thus planted, and 

 when carefully attended to, the loss in cuttings fail- 

 ing to strike is very small. Some varieties will, 

 however, not stand this mode, and they require 

 somewhat different manipulation. The vigor of 

 some varieties is asconishing, and hundreds of Hy- 

 brids will average five feet the fall after the cutting 

 is planted. 



As the Marechal Niel has attracted much notice, 

 I should remark that where the flowers first open in 

 the summer months, the variety is apt to disappoint 

 the purchaser, as its color is nearly pure white. It 

 is only in the spring and, especially, in the fall that 

 its full rich color is at its height. 



Our Bedding plants are not so varied as where 

 the climate is less fiery in the summer. Still we are 

 enabled to cultivate a large quantity. Q-eraniums 

 will stand any degree of warm weather, and bloom 

 profusely. The Zonale Greraniums, and some of 

 the scented sections especially ; but the Silver and 

 Gold-leaved, Mrs. Pollock, &c., are worthless as 

 bedders. 



Some winters are so mild as to allow Geraniums 

 to remain out-doors uncovered ; but by covering 

 them in November they can be kept flourishing for 

 several years. Lantanas are admirably adapted to 

 this climate. They form constant masses of blooms, 

 and no warm weather affects them. Heliotropes, 

 Cupheas, Pentstemons, Tritoraas, etc., succeed ad- 

 mirably ; but such plants as Fuchsias, Dielytra, 

 Cinerarias, Calceolarias, Carnations, are no value 

 out- doors. 



Verbsiias are seldom without flowers winter or 

 summer; but the finest imported varieties melt 

 away as soon as June appears. It is preferable to 

 raise them from seed. We cannot, it is true, pos- 



