218 
SOUTHEEN CULTIVATOR. 
The Horticulturist, for May, is an excellent number, 
and the work, in all respects continues to sustain its high 
reputation. The May number contains, among others, 
the following articles A few words on Evergreens,” 
by the Editor; “ Remedy for Girdled Fruit Trees 
••Climatology;” “Pear Culture, No. 3;” “Notes* on the 
Cultivation of the Apricot ;” “ Which are the best Roses ;” 
&c., &c. The engravings are beautiful figures of two 
new Fuchsias; portrait of Dr. John Lindley, the Bo- 
tanist; Gutta Percha; the Lawton Blackberry, &c., &c. 
Terms, Sniper year, plain edition — $5 per year, colored 
edition — the latter, exceedingly beautiful ! Address Rob- 
ert Pe.4lRsall Smith, Philadelphia, Pa. 
REPLY TO “W. R.”--DEEP PLOWING-MANTTEING. 
In reply to the queries of “W. R.”(May number, page 
146) we would say that however flattering it may be to 
us to be by our friend considered Professors in Agricul- 
ture, always prepared to give rules and explanations in 
agricultural controversies, it would quite be very pre- 
sumptuous on our part should we attempt to do so. Our 
periodical is a medium through which our most promi- 
nent, scientific and practical planters give their opinions 
and experience for the benefit of the community. Our own 
practical experience is too limited to bear comparison with 
that of such veterans in Agriculture. We would, how- 
ever, recommend “ VV. R.” to read carefully the back volumes 
of the Cultivator, and feel confident that they contain 
practical experience enough suitable to any soil, crop and 
circumstance, to satisfy any of our readers. 
It is almost impossible to give rules which would an- 
swer under all ciicumstances ; it appears to us just as ab- 
surd as if a doctor would apply one remedy for all kinds 
of sickness. 
There is, however, a great art in managing the soil 
properly, we mean to say, in working and treating the 
soil in the very best way, and at that very time when this 
or that tillage will be most beneficial to the crop. This 
is an art that cannot be fully learned from books, as it de- 
pends upon a great many circumstances, but any close 
observing and practical man, when he tlioroughly knows 
his soil, will soon find it out by his own practical experi- 
ence, particularly when guided by the directions given 
so plentifully in oar agricultural journals. 
We have seen so many and great advantages of trench- 
ing the ground (turning the subsoil on the top) and the 
reasons given before are so plain to us that we are at a 
loss to understand how any man can dispute a process, 
which among our best agriculturists is admitted to be 
highly beneficial to the crops. 
“W. R.” complains of the scarcity of manure. We 
think that fertilizers have never been more plentiful than 
now. Besides, an immense deal of valuable manure is 
constantly wasted around us. We wonder how lor.o- a 
time it will yet take before our planters will make com- 
post. Begin at it and you will be astonished at the ra- 
pidity with which a large pile of compost can be pro- 
cured. 
^ We firmly believe in working the soil deep and prepar- 
ing it well previous to planting; but here is the great 
stumbling block, for in most instances the soil is not pre- 
pared half enough. Where it, however, has been done, 
there is no necessity for deep cultivation between the 
rows. 
We could write a great deal about this and kindred sub- 
jects, but our time is so crowded that, in order to do jus- 
tice to our other friends, we must close for the present. — 
Eds. So. Cult. 
UntticEltmal lejiflitmtnt. 
EVERGREENS FOR THE SOUTH-NO. 3. 
Gardenia jlorida (Cape Jasmin), is too well known to 
need any description. Formerly the single species was 
cultivated, but it is now superceded by the double variety. 
It thrives best in rich clay, though it will grow almost 
anywhere. It is easiest and surest propagated by layers 
in April and in July; also by cutting of the young wood 
in July, immediately after blooming. A new, and highly 
puffed variety, G. Foriunei, has recently been introduced, 
but it is too tender for our winters, and its flowers are but 
very little larger than those of our common double variety. 
Gardenia, radicans (D warf Cape Jasmin), though gene- 
rally considered a pot plant, is perfectly hardy. It is a 
low spreading bush, never growing more than one foot in 
height. Resembles the common Cape Jasmin, but is 
smaller in every respect. Propagated the same. 
Hedera Helix (Irish Ivy). A beautiful evergreen 
climber for covering walls, particularly brick walls. It 
thrives best on the north side of buildings, where it is not 
exposed to the sun. There are varieties with silvery, as 
well as with golden edged leaves. Propagates itself spon- 
taneously by layers. 
Hypericum (St. Johnswort). — A family of indigenous 
plants, several of which are shrubs, and deserving of cul- 
tivation. H. o.moenum produces magnificent flowers of 
the richest golden yellow color, hardly surpassed by any 
exotic, and deserves a place in even the smallest garden. 
Best propagated by seed. 3 feet high. 
Ilex aquifoiium (European Holly), with its golden and 
silver-edged varieties, is unquestionably the most beautiful, 
its foliage being of a dark green glossy hue, and looks as 
if varnished. 15 feet high. 
/fe.rnpnca (American Holly),abundant in swamps where 
it grows up to a middling sized tree, often 40 feet higii. 
The foliage is of a radier dull green color. The female 
trees, when covered with their scarlet berries in autumn 
and winter, are fine-looking objects. There are several 
other species of the Holly, as : 1. Cassin, I. Dahoo?i Sind 
I. Vomitoria (Yopon)-, but the above two species are the 
finest ones. 
All Hollies are of slow growth, and this, together with 
the difficulties in propagating and transplanting them, is 
the reason for their being so scarce in our gardens. They 
are propagated from seed, which should be sown as soon 
as ripe, in a very moist spot and covered up with brush 
to keep the place moist and dark. Some of the seeds may 
sprout the first spring, but most of them will, like the 
Haw, not appear before the second spring. As soon as 
the young plants have four leaves, they should be pricked 
out in another shady bed. They will then form much 
better latteral roots, which will facilitate their final trans- 
planting. The whole Holly tribe is fond of a rich clay, 
but the American species will also succeed on sandy soil. 
The varigated varieties must be grafted. 
Illicium Jioridannm (Aniseed tree), from the swamps 
of Florida, has purple flowers, and acuminate, leathery 
