u ; 2 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
or Himalayan kind, such as Richardsiana, Beddo- 
mei or Wallichiana, would break into varieties, and 
unless it be different to most Begonias there is little 
doubt but they would prove useful, and perhaps 
fairly hardy garden forms. 
The last tribe of this very interesting and beau- 
tiful group is Datiscea in three genera and four 
species, including Datisca glomerata from Califor- 
nia and a Himalayan species, and singularly also 
the “Bendy tree” (Tetramelia) of South India and 
Ceylon. 
This reminds me how few trees or shrubs of the 
group are at all known in cultivation, and as they 
are better and more natural supports for the climb- 
ers than bare posts or wire netting, I may perhaps 
conclude with a mention of a few of the genera in 
which they are found for the benefit of those in 
charge of grounds at the extreme south, who may 
have friends in the tropics who can send them seeds 
to try. Casearm is a large genus of trees and 
shrubs, mainly from the West Indies, and South 
America. Samyda is also West Indian. Gerar- 
dina is from Natal, Southeast Africa. Homalium is 
also a considerable and widely diffused genus, and 
H. Cochin-Chinensis, a shrubby kind, extends, I 
think, up to the sub-tropics. 
Trenton, N. J. James Mac Pher son. 
Perhaps the most splendidly decorated church in 
England is that of Whitley Court, Worcestershire. It is 
entirely constructed of white marble, the pews are 
chastely carved, and the pulpit is of genuine Carrara 
marble, richly paneled with precious stones. 
A HALF HOUR WITH INSECTS, INJURIOUS AND 
BENEFICIAL* 
Insects play a very important part in the affairs of 
men. Few persons realize the vast consequence of the 
doings of these small creatures. The study of the life 
history of insects is fascinating and wonderful. The 
value of such observation is very great from either an 
economic or scientific point of view. The more com- 
plete this knowledge, the more successful will be the ef- 
forts to destroy the injurious species and encourage 
the beneficial ones. Any one can 
make observations of importance if 
they will devote themselves to it. Think 
of Francois Huber, who became blind 
in early life, yet most of his observa- 
tions(which have never been surpassed) 
were made after he lost his sight. He 
was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and 
died at the age of 84. When an at- 
tempt is made to study up the life his- 
tory of an insect it will be soon appar- 
ent that much remains to be done with 
many of even the most common species. 
It is well known to naturalists that cem- 
eteries are excellent preserving places 
for insect and other animal l.fe, as they 
are also the resting places for the dead. 
In our beautiful Spring Grove I have 
observed an abundancy that I have 
never been able to find elsewhere. 
Every one who cultivates should know 
insects and be able to distinguish friend 
from foe, because they have much to 
do with failure or success, some as de- 
structive pests, others in the important 
part they play as parasites in ridding 
us of pests, and yet others in the cross 
fertilization of plants. The destruction 
of trees and foliage plants by insects is 
a very perplexing problem, and a knowledge of the best 
methods of combating their work in this direction is of 
great importance. 
Much has been done by the very able corps of 
entomologists employed by the Agricultural Depart- 
ment at Washington, D. C., and by the various States at 
their experiment stations. The results of this work have 
been published in a series of papers called “Insect Life,” 
and in the reports and bulletins issued by these various 
departments. It may be of interest to know that the 
oaks have 214 different species of insects that prey on 
either roots, trunks or leaves; the hickory, 87; the black 
walnut, it; the elm, 43; the maples, 37; the pine, 102; 
the juniper, 9; the spruce, 24, etc. With the multitude 
of devastating pests one would suppose that the beauti- 
ful shade trees would have a precarious existence, but 
friendly parasites and climatic influences generally oc- 
cur and keep the destroyers in check. Though when 
conditions are favorable a very destructive species will 
increase in numbers and valuable trees be destroyed. 
Every large cemetery should be provided with a good 
working library, so species can be studied and the rem- 
edy, if there be one, known and applied. Do not think 
that such a library would be very costly, for such is not 
*l J aper read at the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Asso- 
ciation of American Cemetery Superintendents, Cincinnati, O., 
September, 1897. By Mr. Charles Dury. 
GOURD-LINED GRASS WALKS IN THE HERBACEOUS GARDENS AT KEW.— 
Gardener' s Chronicle. 
