PARK AND CC/nCTCR\ 
45 
The ancient Egyptian considered the pine as an 
emblem of the soul. The Roman poets also men- 
tion the pine frequently. Virgil alludes to the 
mournful sounds produced among the branches by 
the wind, and calls them singing pines. 
“The pines of Moenalus were heard to mourn, 
And sound of woe along the groves were borne.” 
Statius says: '‘sylvanum gloria pinus," “the pine 
the glory of the woods.” And again: “hinc, au- 
dax abies, et odor o vainer e , pimis “the pine that 
breathes forth fragrance from each wound.” In the 
Dendrographia of Johnston, groves of pine are said 
to be particularly wholesome to walk in; and every 
one must have felt the refreshing influence of such 
a walk in the beginning of summer, when the pines 
are producing their shoots, the resin at that time 
being in a comparatively volatilized state, and 
floating in the atmosphere. 
This interesting family of plants now engages 
much of the attention of the most zealous and en- 
terprising lovers of arboriculture. The introduc- 
tion of numerous species of conifers from all parts 
of the world, into this vicinity of late years, and 
many extensive plantations, comprising some of 
the rarest species of arborean vegetation, may be 
seen upon the adjoining heights of Clifton, as well 
as in our own grounds. 
The varieties of situations and soil at Spring 
Grove, in which it may be desirable to plant the 
various kinds of trees and shrubs, are very numer- 
ous, and no treatise, however elaborate in detail, 
could bring the whole under review. From the 
practice of indiscriminate and capricious planting 
by those who own lots, a large number have had 
cause to regret some untoward results. Choice 
specimens of trees are often seen to injure each oth- 
er by too close planting, and, in many instances, 
proprietors of lots obstinately refuse to permit the 
removal of some in order to save others, until it is 
too late. Rare and beautiful specimens are found 
hidden and distroyed by others of an inferior de- 
scription, which should be removed. 
The largest and best grown specimens of ever- 
greens on these grounds are the following: 
Pinus Austriaca, Cembra, excelsa, larici. Mu- 
ghus, pumilio, ponderosa, rubra, rigida, Strobus, 
and synvestris. Abies alba, nigra, rubra. Cana- 
densis, excelsa, orientalis, and Douglassii. Picea 
balsamea, nobilis, Nordmanniana, Pichta, pectina- 
ta, and Pinsapo. Juniperus oblonga pendula, Sue- 
cica, Hibernica, Virginiana glauca, and Sabina. 
Thuja occidentalis, orientalis, tartarica, flliformis, 
aurea, Taxus baccata, Canadensis, and others. 
A large number of other rare evergreen trees 
and shrubs have been planted, but are yet small 
plants. A. Strauch. 
The Stags Horn Fern. 
In the Fern House, Horticultural Hall, P'air- 
mount Park, Philadelphia, there is such a fine 
Stag’s Horn fern, Platycerum Grande, that an il- 
lustration has been made of it for this paper from 
a photograph direct from the original. This very 
singular looking fern is one of the attractions of 
the house. It is planted on a decayed tree fern 
stump, and the way it has flourished shows how well 
it is suited. How well its common name fits it will 
be instantly recognized. The vine which embraces 
the stump to such good advantage is the creeping 
fig, Ficus Repens, and it certainly assists in mak- 
ing a pretty picture. A few of the fern, Nephrole- 
pis Exallata, have found a home with the fig, and 
other ferns spring out spontaneously from among 
the fig branches at times. 
The use of the vine to cover the decayed trunk 
illustrates what can be done in this way both in- 
doors and out. What would be an unsightly object 
is made beautiful when covered with vines. In this 
case, the stump, vine and fern combined, make a 
very pretty object. 
Germantown, Pa. Joseph Meehan, 
Greenhouses. — How to Build. V. 
The posts must be carefully peeled; if round must 
be flattened and trued on the side which receives 
the sheathing. The lower ends are sometimes 
charred, and sometimes tarred up to a few inches 
above ground in order to preserve them. A much 
better way is to soak the whole post in crude pe- 
