338 
AMEEIOAl^^^ AGEICULTUIUST. 
Variation in the Leaves of Trees. 
The number of our ornamental trees is largely 
increased by the fact that individual trees some¬ 
times vary from the usual or normal form of the 
species. This variation occurs in the branches, 
which may be pendulous, and produce “weeping 
trees,” or erect and fan-like. The leaves vary 
greatly, both in their form and colors, and the 
flowers and fruit may strikingly depart from those 
proper to the species. The Weeping Beech, the 
Fern-leaved and Purple Beeches, are three striking 
Fig. 1.— OBDINAHT I.EAF OP SILVER MAPLE. 
and valuable ornamental trees, produced by as 
many different kinds of variation, affecting the 
branches, and the form and color of the leaves. 
Some variations are produced from the seed, the 
young seedling trees showing their peculiarities 
from the start. Variations of this kind are to some 
extent continued by seed. When the seeds of the 
Purple Beech are sown, the nurserymen expect 
that a large percentage of the seedlings will have 
purple foliage. Variations are produced in another 
manner. A branch appears upon a tree of the nor¬ 
mal kind, having a different habit of growth, or 
bearing leaves, flowers, etc., quite unlike those up¬ 
on the rest of the tree. The term “ sport ” was 
long ago applied to variations occurring in this 
manner; Darwin called them “ bud variations.” 
Such forms are propagated by cuttings, layering, 
grafting, etc. They often differ from the usual 
form of the tree in the readiness with which they 
may be propagated, and sometimes as to their 
hardiness. The variations in the form of the ieaves 
often give to the tree a very different expression 
from that peculiar to the species, and the foliage, 
instead of being dense and massive, is light and 
feathery. Deciduous trees with simple leaves, 
may be divided into two groups; one with feather- 
veined, and the other with radiate-veined leaves. 
In the first, like the beech, the apple and many 
others, a strong mid-rib runs lengthwise of the 
leaf, from its base to its tip, and smaller ribs or 
veins run from the mid-rib to the margin of the 
leaf, somewhat like the plume upon a feather. In 
the other group, the radiate-veined, three, five or 
more equally strong ribs, start from the base of 
the leaf, and diverge towards the circumference, 
as in the maples, the buttonwood tree, etc. Such 
leaves are also called palmately-veined. We may 
look upon a leaf as a frame-work of ribs or veins ; 
these are woody and firm, and give strength to the 
leaf. The spaces between these are filled with a 
soft, green, pulpy material, in w'liich the work of 
the leaf is carried on. In leaves of the normal 
form, there is a great difference as to the complete¬ 
ness with which the margin is filled out. Some¬ 
times there is no break in the margin, not even the 
slight notches so common; such leaves are called 
• entire. The margins of other leaves are variously 
indented, and this varies from fine notches, to de¬ 
pressions half way or more to the mid-rib, produc¬ 
ing that great variety in outline, so noticeable in 
leaves. These forms of leaves are cliaracteristic of 
species. Leaves ordinarily entire, or with slight 
indentatipus on tjie margin, tnaj vary by having 
[August, 
unusually deep divisions ; such trees are popularly- 
known as cut-leaved. The feather-veined leaves 
have the divisions run from the margin towards, 
the mid-rib, and when these are deep, the trees are 
often called “ fern-leaved.” The unusual indenta¬ 
tion or cutting of the margin of radiately-veined 
leaves, produces a very different set of forms. The. 
native Silver Maple, or White Maple (Ace?’ dasy~ 
carpum), is one of our most valued trees for shade 
or for fuel. Among the many thousands of seed¬ 
lings that have been raised, a number have shown 
marked variations in their leaves, and several have 
been multiplied in the nurseries. The engravings, 
figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, of the leaves of some of the 
varieties of Silver Maple, will show how widely they 
differ from the usual form, which is shown in figure I. 
“Summer Pruning'” The Grape Vine. 
Each shoot, upon a bearing vine, will have near 
its base, two or three clusters of grapes. If left to 
Itself, the growth will continue beyond these clus¬ 
ters, and the shoot be prolonged for several feet, 
ceasing only late in the season. Each shoot will 
have a few bunches, and beyond them a long 
lesson, which Husmann, and other Missouri vine- 
yardists, were wise enough to heed. This cater- 
piller was found in the unfolding leaves of the 
shoot. It cut off the tender stem a short distance 
above the uppermost cluster of flower-buds. The 
appearance of the caterpillar caused alarm, but 
when it was found that the fniit upon the shoots 
which this caterpiller had pruned, was larger and 
finer than upon the shoots that had escaped, the 
hint was at once taken, and shortening the shoots 
by early pinching, was a great step foi'ward in 
grape culture. If through neglect, or want of 
knowledge, the shoots have grown far beyond the 
fruit clusters, do not cut them back, but stop 
their growth. Pinch out the growing point of 
every such shoot, and stop its extending in length. 
The proper treatment of the laterals is, to pinch 
back each shoot to its lower leaf. Do not remove 
them altogether, but always leave the lowest leaf. 
Should Farmers Grow Celery? 
Formerly the cultivation of celery was attended 
with so much useless labor in the way of making 
trenches, and then filling them again, that it was 
supposed to be a crop only suited to the skilled 
gardener. The method of treating celery is now so 
greatly simplified, that it requires but little more 
skill to cultivate it, than must be bestowed upon a 
crop of cabbages. There is no reason why the table 
of the farmer should not be provided with all the 
luxuries that the garden can supply, and if he has 
not acquired a taste for celery, he will find ready 
purchasers for his crop. Farmers hear cities and 
villages, are gradually turning their farms into 
farm-gardens, and raising crops that bring better 
returns than corn and wheat. Farmers who sup¬ 
ply near markets, will do well to try a crop of 
celery. Mr. Joseph Harris, in his “ Walks and 
Talks ” for the present number, gives about all the 
directions that a beginner needs, save that we 
would add one point. In setting out the celery 
plants, be careful that they are placed no deeper in 
the ground than they were in the seed-bed. No 
portion of “the heart,” or base of the leaf-stalks, 
should be covered with soil, as it will interfere with 
the future growth. Another point is, to have the 
soil packed firmly against the roots. If the one 
Fig. 3. —CUT-LEAVED SILVER MAPLE. 
Fig. 4.— THREE-PARTED SILVER MAPLE. 
stretch of vine to be removed at the autumn prun¬ 
ing. In the earlier days of grape culture, and be¬ 
fore the vine was as well understood as it is at 
present, it was advised to “Summer-prune,” 
After the vine had expended its energies in pro¬ 
ducing this long shoot, it was advised to cut it 
away in summer, just above the fruit, thus causing 
a severe check to the vine, and resulting in the 
ruin of many of the best vineyards in Ohio and 
elsewhere, A little leaf-folding caterpillar taught a 
who plants gives,a. firm downward pressure with 
both hands, as a finishing touch, this wdll accom¬ 
plish the proper setting. Gardeners usually go 
over the row, and by pressing upon the soil close to 
the plant with the feet, give the needed firming. 
If plants cannot be had nearer home, they can be 
obtained of the seedsmen in the large cities. Try 
celery, if only on a small scale, as preparatory to 
planting more largely another year. The final, treat¬ 
ment, etc., will be given at the proper season. 
