PARK AND CC/AETCRY. 
275 
handsome variegated and other forms are cultivated 
in greenhouses, and these should be tried in partial 
shade south, more particularly E. Japonica, E. 
augnstifolia, and E. multiflora. There is no rea- 
son why these should not thrive as well as the 
Camellia, and in similar situations. 
Actinidia is a genus of Asiatic climbers and 
creepers in 8 species, some of which bear edible 
fruit. A. arguta is in our gardens, (advertised as 
polygama) and hardy to the lakes. It has leaves 
somewhat like the Camellia. Others of the species 
have handsome autumn foliage, especially one called 
A. Kolomicta. They have white flowers of no 
especial beauty, but as the plants are hardy, they 
are worth gathering together for a group which is 
not very lavishly represented in northern gardens. 
StacJiyurtis is a little genus of 2 species from 
Japan and the Himalayas. S. prmcox has racemes 
of flowers appearing before the leaves in spring. 
Stuartia is a genus of 6 species confined to 
North America and Japan. Our native species are 
supposed to be two, S. pentagyna, and S. Vir- 
ginica; they are handsome summer flowering small 
trees or shrubs, not very reliably hardy in the young 
state north of central New Jersey. S. pseudo-Camellia 
the Japanese species is also in cultivation, itis sum- 
mer flowering, handsome and perhaps a trifle more 
hardy than its American congeners. 
Gordonia is also a beautiful genus of 25 species, 
the tropical and sub-tropical species being ever- 
green. They are largely from Asia. There are 
Mexican and United States species however, and 
the natives are hardy as far north as Delaware, 
where they become deciduous. G. Pubescens is 
the hardier; G. lasiantha is found along the south 
Atlantic coast, and is known as the “loblolly bay.” 
Camellia includes the tea plant and 15 other 
species, all natives of tropical and sub-tropical 
Asia. They inhabit regions having a considerable 
rainfall and humidity 
in the season of 
growth; the triangle 
embraced within lines 
from Baton Rouge La., 
to Montgomery Ala., 
to Tallahassie Fla., 
will be found most 
suitable to many of 
them. I pointed this 
out often years since 
in relation to the tea 
plant, but the clever 
Washington farmers 
knew better, and spent many thousands of dollars 
in repeating experimental failures tested and tried 
nearly two centeuries ago! 
CAMELLIA THEA. 
The Commercial Tea Plant. 
The Diptcrocarpcce are mostly large trees scarcely 
at all represented in our gardens. In large park 
conservatories some of them might be well worth 
growing. They are often grand and symmetrical in 
proportion, with handsome large foliage, and 
DIPTEROCARPUS 'I'RINERVIS. 
(After Lindley.) 
although the flowers rarely make a great show on 
the trees, they are often in handsome clusters, suc- 
ceeded by highly colored winged seeds. Many 
yield oils and unguents, which are fine illuminants. 
Shorea robusta is the famous “Sal” timber of the 
lower Himalayas. There is no reason why it 
should not prove hardy far south. 
Dryobalonops is another genus of large trees in 
three species and of the same affinity, all natives of 
the Indian Archipelago. D. aromatica yields the 
Borneo hard camphor and oil of commerce, a much 
superior article to the product of Cinnamomum 
camphora, or, than the spurious kind obtained from 
turpentine. Most of the trees of this tribe produce 
some kind of gum, resin or varnish, and these are 
extensively used in India for a variety of purposes. 
The resin of Dipterocarpus trinervis is used for 
torches, plasters and other uses, and in burning 
smells agreeably. 
Chlcenacece is a small tribe composed exclusive- 
ly of plants from Madagascar. I do not remember 
ever to have seen one of them, but they are said to 
be often quite handsome. With a single excep- 
tion the genera are named with uniform termino- 
logy — such as Sarcoa, Schizolcena Leptolcena 
&c.; a sufficiently unusual circumstance with the 
inventors of plant names. Janies MacPherson. 
The olive tree in Tuscany is propagated either 
from seed or from “ovoli” — those protuberances 
provided with “eyes,” which grow on the main 
roots and at the base of the trunk of this ancient of 
trees. 
