SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
129 
of the pole and a downward twist will bi ui^ the nest and 
its inmates to his feet, when they can easily be crushed 
and prevented from spreading. Budded trees of last year, 
should now be headed down to the bud, and all shoots 
below the latter removed, so that it may have the full 
strength of the stock. Cuttings the Quince, Fig, Pome- 
granate, &c,, should be treated in a similar manner, viz; 
all buds but the strongest, or leading one rubbed off with 
the fingers — the ground kept loose and mellow, and 
mulched with straw or leaves, during the summer 
months, 
THE FLOWER GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY. 
Sow seeds ofhardy Annuals in borders, and tliin out to 
proper distances, when sufficiently grown. Dahlias that 
have been started in pots, may now be set out in the open 
ground; 'and tender annuals may now be pricked out 
from the hot-bed, the latter part of this month. Evergreens 
of all kinds, may now be transplanted; in doing which 
lift a good ball of earth with the roots, apply water copi- 
ously when planting, and keep the ground around their 
stems well mulched with pine straw or other leaves. 
Water frequently afterwards. * 
THE DI0300SEA JAPOMCA, OR JAPANESE YAM. 
The introduction of this excellent vegetable into France 
and the United States, and the cultivation of it as far as 
known, is worthy the attention of all. The Dioscorea is 
destined by its delicious taste and great productiveness, to 
replace, in a great measure, the potato. It is a native of 
Japan, and is cultivated there and in the north of China, 
in great quantities, and feasted upon by rich and poor, all 
the year round. This i*emarkable vegetable was intro- 
duced into France in the year 1849, by M. Mautreprey, 
then Consul of France in China. It was given him by a 
missionary. Mr. M. sent it to the Jardin des Plantes, 
where it remained unnoticed (as it did not flower,) until 
his return to France in 1853, when he was perfectly as- 
tonished to find so invaluable an article still uncultivated 
and in all the markets of France. 
A friend of mine, M. Palliet, (whoby the way is a regu- 
lar wide-awake horticulturist,) being acquainted with Mr. 
M., and hearing him describe its great merit, set to work 
in earnest, and propagated between 50,000, and 60,000 
the first year; and is preparing to cultivate it in all the 
different departments of France. Some of the roots were 
sent, last June to the great Horticultural Exhibition in 
Paris, and gained for Mr. P. the award for the introduc 
tion of the most useful plant, beside which, the “Ministre 
de Agriculture,” presented him with 3000 francs. Some 
of the roots weighing two and a half pounds a piece, were 
presented to his Majesty, the Emperor ; they were eaten 
by the Emperor and Court, and pronounced excellent; 
after which Mr. P. received an order for 40,000 to be distri- 
buted throughout France. 
The cultivation of the Dioscorea is very simple, not re- 
quiring as much labor as the potato. Itiwill do well in 
any soil, but light or sandy is preferred, as they will be 
more mealy than when raised in heavy bottomed land. 
The roots are cut about 2 inches long, and planted 10 or 
12 inches apart — in rows, and kept clear of weeds until 
ready to dig, which will be in October and November. If 
left in the ground two years, it will go on increasing, and 
the root .will improve in quality. If kept dry, they will 
keep 8 and 10 months out of the ground, which will be a 
great advantage, especially for shipping purposes. It is 
estimated that the Dioscorea will exceed any other pro- 
duce. 
It may be remarked here that the inner part of the root 
is a fine white, very mealy — very agreeable to the taste, 
resembling the arrow-root, and can becookedinlO min- 
utes. Its growth and outward appearance, resemble the 
sweet potato, and there is no doubt it will be cukivitted 
more extensively than that excellent vegetable, as it pos- 
sess the advantage of being ha'dy, and of being kc f't a 
much longer time. 1 have a drawing, and will have a few 
plants, which can be seen at my establishment. It is un- 
necessary to say any more at present, as M. Palhel is 
about publishing a treatise upon the subject, for the Oficn- 
ing of the Paris Industrial fxhibition in May next, wliich 
any person can obtain a copy of, by applying tome. 
When in Paris last summer, 1 had the pleasure of see- 
the Dioscorea under cuHivation. D Boi.r,, 
Broadway and 50th street. New York. 
[ Corniry GeuLlcman. 
NEW ROCHELLE MAMMOTH BLACKBERRY. 
F. Trowbridge thus speaks of this valuable new 
Blackberry, in the March number of the New England 
Farmer : 
I noticed some remarks in the January number of the 
N. E. Farmer, in regard to the price of the New Rochelle 
Blackberry. The price at which they are sold is by no 
means extravagant, as they are only propagatad by shoots 
from the roots, which, ail must be aware, is a slow pro- 
cess. The only two persons who raise them for sale — Mr. 
Lawton, of New Rochelle, and George Seymour & Co., 
of Norwalk, Ct. — are trying to raise for their own trans- 
planting; for, after the first or second years’ transplanting, 
each plant will raise more than a dollars’ worth of fruit, 
and the demand for the fruit is greater than the supply, 
and will be for years to come. 
I exhibited last season, in New Haven, from Messrs. Geo. 
Seymour & Co , at our Florticultural Exhibition, very fine 
specimens. One of the berries measured four by three 
and a half inches in circumference, the size of a pullet’s 
egg. Some of the specimens were taken from a plant in 
a Mr. Smith’s private garden in Norwalk. I think it had 
been planted out three or four years, and should judge it 
had on it nearer one-half a bushel than a peck of berries ; 
so that a dollar a plant cannot be a very great price under 
these circumstances. 
Mr. Wm. Lawton also gives us the following account ot 
this Blackberry : 
“ This variety of the Blackberry is entirely new, dif- 
fering in shape, size and quality, from any of which we 
have any account. As far as my experience extends, it 
will endure our severest wintei's without protection, and 
requires no particular care in the cultivation. The fruit is 
delicious, having few seeds in proporiion to its size; — and 
in any locality, in good soil, the flower, leaf, stalk and 
fruit, will grow of mammoth proportions; and in addition 
to all, is an abundant bearer 
Nature of the Plant. — It delights in moist soil and 
shade, and in such situations will continue longest in 
bearing. Like the raspberry, it produces from the roots, 
during the summer, a plentiful supply of shoots forbear- 
ing the ensuing season ; while the old sho 
son advances, gradually cease to elaborat 
frequently before all the fruit upon them ha 
fruiting season continues from five to eight 
Management in the spring.— y\govous 
with numerous laterals will be found ming. 
dead — remove the latter as early as possible, and shorten 
the leading shoots one-quarter or one third their length, 
and where the latter are loo long, clip them also. If judici- 
ously pruned, they will require no support, and not being 
entangled they can be better approached to gather the 
fruit. 
Making Plantations.— They may be planted in the 
spring or fall — in all cases let the plants he four or five 
feel apart; if in rows, separate the rows twice that dis- 
tance. 
