224 
leaf ; and tlie organ which has been and is called a radicle, is 
certainly a caudex, and not a root. It is capable of being 
made to extend, in some cases, to more than two hundred 
times its first length, between two articulations; a power which 
is not possessed in any degree by the roots of trees. Whether 
the caudex of the cuttings of camellia, above mentioned, have 
emitted or will, or will not, emit roots, I am not yet prepared 
to decide; but I entertain very confident hopes of success.” 
238 Half-hardy Plants, preservation of. Most cultivators 
of half-hardy or frame plants sometimes meet disappointment; 
and, as America suffers more the extremes of climate than 
England, we here give the observations of one of America’s 
best Horticulturists — Mr. Downing, of the Botanic Garden 
and Nurseries, Newburgh, New York, as they appear in Hovey’s 
Magazine of Horticulture, vol. 5; conceiving that any practice 
which is useful in the United States for the preservation of 
plants, will be an exceedingly safe guide in England. He 
says, “The amateur of fine flowering shrubs or plants will often 
find himself thwarted in his attempts to cultivate, in the open 
air, many beautiful ligneous and herbaceous species, which 
thrive, perhaps with all their wonted vigour and luxuriance, 
during the warm and cloudless days of our almost tropical 
summer, but which the severe and protracted cold of our 
winters either partially or wholly destroy. Such trees and shrubs 
as are not originally from the tropical regions (which latter 
require the aid of the greenhouse or stove) will, many of them, 
bear our winters in the Middle States with but a slight pro- 
tection afforded, either by situation or actual covering, during 
the most inclement season. How in the best manner to apply 
this protection, so as to insure success, is a question of some 
importance to the novice in such matters. 
It is a very common practice, even with many who consider 
themselves somewhat experienced horticulturists, when they 
wish to place a tender or half-hardy shrub in a very favourable 
location, to choose some warm sheltered nook, fully open to 
the sun’s rays during winter. Here, they flatter themselves, the 
concentrated warmth of the aspect and the many genial thaws 
which will take place in so comfortable a position, cannot but 
ensure the preservation of the individual shrub or plant. In 
the spring it is with much surprise they behold their favourite 
