316 
SOUTHEEN CULTIVATOR. 
meet all makers of Wine in the South or else- 
%vhere, at Augusta^ Ga., on Wednesdo.y the bth of Novem- 
ber, 1856, with samples of my Wine of present year’s vint- 
age, to compete with any Wine of similar age that may be 
produced — a committee of disinterested gentleman to judge 
of the quality of each sample by mimhers affixed to the 
bottles, and with no knowledge of the maker’s name, until 
iheir judgments are recorded, 
I throw out this invitation to my brother Vintners in 
the most friendly spirit ; and hope all Southern Grape 
Growers v/ill respond to it in your next number. Let us 
judge each “tree by its fruits,” and give liberal and gener- 
ous encouragement to'every enterprise which is calculated 
to develope the many dormant resources of the South, in- 
stead of clamorously vociferating humbug ! humbnigH’^ 
and striving (in vain) to clog the wheels of progress, 
I am, very respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
Charles Axt. 
Craxvfordville, Ga,, Sept. 8, 1856. 
Editors friendly to Vine Culture in the South are 
respectfully requested to copy the above. C. A, 
EVERGREENS FOR THE SOUTH.-NO. 4. 
Qiiercu.s (Oak). — Though 20 evergreen species of oak 
are known, two kinds only are as yet used for ornamental 
purposes in America, both of them are growing spontane- 
ously in the Southern States. 
Quercus virens (Live-Oak,) a tree of middling size, with 
a very dense, symmetrical head, and 
Quercus acquatica (Water Oak), a lofty tree with a 
very graceful habit ; both species are very suitable for 
avenues. 
Another evergreen, the Cork-Oak : , 
Quercus Saber, a native of the South of Europe has 
recently been introduced, and as it is not only highly or- 
namental, but also profitable on acconnt of the well known 
“Cork” which it yields, it is to be hoped that it soon will 
be largely planted. It is is but a small tree, not growing 
more than 20 feet high. 
All oaks, in order to grow thriftily, require rich soil. 
They are best propagated from acorns, which should be 
planted immediately when ripe. Should this, however, 
be impracticable, they must be kept in dry sand until 
they can be planted. They can also be grafted on the 
common White-Oak. 
Rhododend.ron — This shrub has, and deservedly, been 
called the “queen of evergreens.” The gorgeous flowers 
of the most brilliant colors in great variety, form a most 
beautiful contrast to the dark green foliage. Unfortunate- 
ly they all a little hard to cultivate, although several 
species grow wild in the mountains of the South. Rko- 
dodend.ron puncf alum , with rose-colored flowers, is the 
easiest though the least beautiful ; it is quite common on 
the banks of the Savannah river. Rhododendron maxi- 
mum is found almndantly at the “Tallulah” falls. A very 
line variety, called “McDowell’s Rhododendron,” has 
recently been described in the Southern CultivoXor . By 
far the most magnificent species, however, are the '■'■Sik- 
kim Rhododendrons,^^ from Himalaya mountains in the 
interior of Asia. The botanical name of the “Sikkim” 
•species is Rhododendsron arboreum, and in their native 
country they attain a height of 20 feet. Varieties, com- 
prising an endless variety of colors, have been raised from 
the seed All Rhododendrons require a cool, damp and 
shady situation and where the location does not afford 
these qualities naturally, an artificial shade-bed must be 
made, where the ground as well as the atmosphere can be 
kept raoi't by frequent waterings and syringings. The 
fine varieties of thU tribe are best propagated by inarching 
on the stems of Rhododend.ron puctatum, which is raised 
from seed. They can also be multiplied by layers, but it 
is a slow way. Such soil, in which the common Honey- 
suckle of our woods (A. 2 raZe«) will luxuriate, isAvell adapt- 
ed to the Rhododendrons, particularly when some coarse 
white sand (so called silver sand) is added to it. 
Serissa fcetida (Star Myrtle), from Japan. This beauti- 
ful little shrub with numerous, pure white, star-shaped 
little flowers which are produced abundantly in the spring 
and afterwards repeatedly through the summer, has hither- 
to always been considered a green-house plant. It has, 
however, with me withstood not only the last very severe 
winter, but also the exceedingly hot and dry summer with- 
out the slightest protection. Propagated from cuttings ; 3 
feet high. 
Solanum,. — This tribe, which furnishes us some of the 
best vegetables, as Irish Potatoes, Tomatoes and Egg- 
plants, has also added a beautiful climber to our ornamen- 
tal department; it is the Solanum Jasminoides, which 
stands our climate well, and is generally admired for its 
beautiful clusters of white flowers, incessantly produced, 
from the earliest spring until arrested by frost. Propa- 
gated from cutting and layers ; 10 to 12 feet high. 
Spartium scoparium (Scotch Broom), a very common 
and troublesome weed in the northern part of Europe, 
particularly on account of its exceedingly strong and 
tough roots. It stands our climate well, and its bright 
yellow flowers render it quite ornamental; 6 feet high. 
Spartium junceum (Spanish Broom), with slender, rush- 
like twigs and a rather drooping aspect, resembles the 
former, but grows stronger, more like a small tree, and 
produces larger flowers ; 8 to 10 feet high. 
Spartium monasparmum, also called Genista monasper- 
ma, with white and very fragrant flowers, is perhaps the 
finest of all the Spartiums; 4 feet high. 
Though the Spartiunu will thrive well in good land, 
still they are remarkable for being satisfied with the poor- 
est sand, where nothing else will grow. Propagated 
from seed and cuttings. 
° • 
Thea Bohea and Thea viridis (Tea plant), belong to 
the Camellia tribe, to which it bears a great resemblance. 
It forms a nice little bush, not exceeding four feet. The 
white, single flowers are produced in January and Febru- 
ary. 
Viburnum 'Finns . also called La.urus Finns, from 
Spain, is a well known winter blooming shrub, always 
forming a neat little bush. The flowers, at first pink, and 
when fully open, pure white, are produced abundantly and 
in clusters very early in the Spring. Requires rich soil. 
Propagated by cuttings and layers; 4 feet high. 
Viburnum japonicum. — This very fine evergreen shrub 
lately introduced from Japan, is, as yet, quite rare. Leaves 
large, leathery, ovate, very glossy green, shining as if 
over-brushed with varnish. The pure white and fragrant 
flowers are produced in clusters Requires rich soil, mois- 
ture, and a little shading while young. Propagated by 
cuttings and layers 
Before concluding the article on Evergreens, 1 think it 
proper to explain an expression so often made use of in 
this communication, viz : “Shade-bed.” It is frequentlj^ 
said that the shade of trees is injurious to the growth of 
all plants. This is in most cases a mistaken noiion. But 
large trees have also large roots, which draw all the sub- 
stance from the ground, frequently for a distance of fifty 
feet from the stem and this is unquestionably the “root 
of the evil.” Horticulturists who are compelled by pro- 
per means, to shelter their tender plants against severe 
frost, are equally obliged to protect their favorite plants 
from the scorching sun in a hot climate like ours. Arti- 
ficial shade-beds must, therefore, be resorted to, and such 
