PARK AND CCAETCRY 
427 
The Evergreen Magnolia, 
Many a visitor to the South returns to his home 
in the North enraptured with the beautiful Magno- 
lia grandiflora, the royal evergreen of the South. 
And not only is this tree seen in its glory in the 
south, in many part of Europe it is greatly prized. 
When visiting England two years ago, I saw it in 
many parts of that country. I faund it grown con- 
siderably north of I.ondon. In almost every case it 
was grown fan shaped to a wall or dwelling, just 
asfruittrees are trained there, and as vines are here. 
I saw it in this shape at Hampton Court Palace, 
the Royal Gardens, Kew, and at Queen Victoria’s 
residence, Osborne. I am tempted to write of this 
tree at the present time because I am sure it can 
be grown much further north than is generally sup- 
posed. In a general way it is often said this tree 
cannot be grown north of Richmond. To prove to 
the contrary, readers are asked to look at the pic- 
ture of the flowers presented herewith. These 
flowers were gathered from a tree grov ing almost 
on the brow of a hill at Roxborough, nearly 
the highest point in Philadelphia. The tree is 
thirty feet high, and it flowers and ripens seeds 
every year. It is not the only one by any means, 
to be found in this city. There is a very fine tree 
standing near the superintendent’s house at Wood- 
land Cemetery. I have never happened there at 
the flowering season, so cannot say that it blooms, 
but without a doubt it does. In Fairmount Park, 
near Horticultural Hall, there is a tree which has 
been flowering and seeding for many years. I 
could name a dozen trees thriving very well here- 
about, several of them of flowering age. I would 
without hesitation lift the line of its hardiness from 
Richmond, Virginia, and set it at Philadelphia. As 
a matter of fact, Mr. Falconer told me some years 
ago, that it lived out with him at Long Island. 
What it wants is a little sheltered place, shelter 
from the afternoon sun in winter being of impor- 
tance for the sake of preserving its lovely green 
leaves. If given a place of this kind and a good 
mulching of forest leaves be placed about it, 
to keep the frost from penetrating to the roots, its 
leaves will be preserved all winter. In cases under 
my observation where no protection shade is af- 
forded the foliage, it will be ‘ Scorched” badly on 
the southern side, but not on the northern, such as 
is often the case with rhododendrons. The ideal 
place for it would be where other evergreens or a 
large dwelling would keep the sunlight from it after 
mid-day in winter. 
There is many a spot would exactly suit it in al- 
most every park and public garden in the country. 
I have never known its wood to be hurt by iro.'-t 
but some years ago, in conversation with William 
Saunders, of the Agricultural Department, Wash- 
ington, he told me that in the early 6o’s in an un- 
usually severe winter, there were many large trees 
of it there killed to near the ground, but they grew 
again, forming a bush shape. 
When the tree flowers, it is a rich treat to see 
it. On strong trees the blossoms are sometimes flin- 
ches in diameter and they are nice scented. At the 
base of the column of stamens there is a tinge of 
crimson, and the whole is beautifully set off by the 
luxuriant looking large green foliage. 
I would recommend that plants be obtained 
from as far north as possible for northern planting, or 
from the mountain region of the south. 
Philadelphia. Joseph Meehan. 
Nelumbium Album Qrandiflorum, Japan Lotus. 
It was our good pleasure the past season as 
never before to critically test the Japan Lotus, N. 
album grandiflorum and do not hesitate to say that 
it fully comes up to, if not surpasses our expecta- 
tion both in freedom of bloom and impunity to stand 
rough usage. It is truly one of the floral aristocrats 
and whoever is fortunate enough to possess it, in- 
deed has a treasure. We know of but one reason 
why this flower is not in general cultivation and that 
is because its extreme scarcity in this country has 
kept it from being known. 
This grand flower being the largest, most pro- 
lific, most elastic to differences of temperature and 
the most chaste in color of all the lotuses, emi- 
nently deserves the highest rank among them, and 
this distinction is invariably made by all who are 
familiar with the different varieties. Both plant and 
foliage are stronger and more bulky than the Itgyp- 
tian or American lotus; the flowers open out wider 
