148 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[May, 
Beautiful Leaved Plants. 
All over the world, the lovers of flowers and 
those who cultivate beautiful plants for the sake 
of their beauty alone, are now bestowing es¬ 
pecial attention upon that large number of 
plants whose beauty consists in the various tints 
upon then- foliage. Especial value being attach¬ 
ed to brilliantly variegated leaves, plants exliib 
iting a tendency to sport in this way are en¬ 
couraged in various ways to do so, and thus the 
number is rapidly multiplying. But these un¬ 
naturally variegated plants have generally a 
sickly look, and in fact many are really diseased, 
while those painted by Nature’s hand exhibit a 
boldness and variety of coloring really startling. 
Our engraving shows as well as it 
can be done in black and white, the 
figuring of the Sonerilamargaritacea-, 
but beautiful as the cut is, it gives 
but a poor idea of the real beauty of 
the plant. The leaves are brilliant 
green, shading off in stripes into 
’ight yellowish green at the points 
and edges, and covered with 
silvery Avhite dots arranged in 
The under part of the leaf is light 
colored, with the veins of a hr 
red, as are also the 
the stalk. It is a i 
was introduced into England i 
1848, and requires hot-house cultur 
Winter aud Summer. It is propa¬ 
gated by cuttings, and has 
rose-colored flowers. This 
ful little plant is only one of the 
multitude of beautiful leafed plants 
of which we often have 
to say in the Agriculturist, but we 
know of none which so well 
mits of being represented in a wood 
cuts. The beautiful begonias, 
nos, calladiums i crotons, Cissus discolor, 
and others, which are of easy cul¬ 
ture, are becoming very common, 
and are among the most striking 
green-house ornaments, 
we have some native plants of great 
beauty of foliage which may well 
claim a place with these rare exotics. 
What is prettier than the ribbon- 
grass ? A variety of the lily of the 
valley is beautifully striped, and 
not only do some kinds of ivy show 
light-colored veins, but some are variegated 
white blotches. very peculiarly. The horse¬ 
shoe geraniums are very brilliantly and regu¬ 
larly colored, as are also many other geraniums. 
the white pine, yet more symmetrical, bears re¬ 
moval better, and is more suited to the moder¬ 
ate extent of ordinary pleasure-grounds. It is 
hardy, more hardy, most hardy. Take it all in 
all, it is the tree for the people. So I think. 
Gardener.— The multitudes raised from seed, 
and sold every year in all parts of the country, 
prove its popularity. It makes a strong, coarse 
hedge, and a good wind barrier for a garden, if 
it be trimmed a little every year to thicken it. 
II. Hemlock Spruce. (Abies Canadensis.)— Put 
second, only because it is somewhat hard to 
transplant, except when quite small. As to its 
intrinsic beauty, there can be no question; it 
ranks first among evergreens, native or foreign. 
Hardy, of course, since it grows wild on the 
May-Day Talk About Evergreens. 
Neighbor. —Good morning, my friend. True 
to my word, I have called for a chat about those 
conifers. Have you selected your evergreens ? 
Gardener. —Havn’t found tini^o write out 
a list, but have got one in my head. You are 
prepared to read off one, I see, by the paper in 
your hand. Please sit down, and proceed now. 
Neighbor. —I will do so, if you promise to 
give me your notes and comments, as I go on. 
I have given my trees in the order of merit, and 
have added’ some reasons for my preferences. 
I. Norway Spruce, j (Abies excelsa.) —Placed first 
on the list, because of its great general excel¬ 
lence. Not so neat, feathery, and graceful as 
the hemlock, yet easier transplanted, and more 
rapid in growth. Not so grand and flowing as 
fers,. is this liome-born beauty. I like it none 
the less for its shyness in transplanting. It is 
too good a tree to be had without any painstak¬ 
ing. Right glad am I that it won’t grow if 
set out like a fence-post. You didn’t mention 
what a neat emerald hedge' it makes. Begin 
with plants a foot high, cut them back well for 
several years, and the hedge or screen will be 
come as impervious almost as the box-tree. 
III. The 'Pines.:— And first, the Weymouth 
Pine, (Pinus sfrobus.) ' An excellent tree for parks 
or large ornamental grounds—it may, also, 
stand near the margin of small yards. The pine 
foliage is heavier, more plume-like and silky 
than the spruce. The soft, silvery tinge of the 
white pine is one of its attractions.—The Bliotan 
Phie, (Pinus Excelsa,) resembles the Weymouth 
somewhat; but in many quarters it is rather 
sickly, and can not be highly commended. 
The Austrian, (Pinus Austriaca,) is a noble tree, 
with dark, sea-green foliage, holds its color 
fresh and vivid through the entire Winter, is 
hardy as the hardiest, and is to be recommended. 
The Oregon Pine, (Pinus ponderosa,) resembles 
the last, but is built on a larger pattern. It throws 
out its ponderous arms on every side, grandly, 
almost defiantly. In its very long leaves, it re¬ 
sembles some of those California pines which 
can not be successfully grown at the far north. 
The Scotch pine, (Pinus sylvestris,) is worth 
a place in every collection of this family. It 
seems to be less pyramidal than most of the 
pines, and inclines rather to an irregular pear- 
form, with the stem down. As it becomes large, 
it strikes out into very picturesque shapes. 
Gardener.— You have left out the Corsican 
not unwisely, for it proves slightly 
tender at the far north. The Cum¬ 
brian pine ought to be in every list, 
however small. It grows slowly, 
but is very dense in habit, has a 
fine, glossy green color, and per¬ 
fectly hardy. There are others, 
but you have included the best. 
IV. The Silver Firs, (Picea.) —South 
I 42°, the European Fir, ( Picea 
ectinata,) is generally hardy, and 
ery desirable. It has a striking 
atuesque symmetry. The Siberian, 
(Piceapichta,) has nearly or quite all 
the excellences of the foregoing, and 
is hardy further north. Fraser’s 
Silver Fir seems to be a variety of 
the common Balsam Fir, which 
most surely will be planted widely. 
The Arbor Vitae .—The Siberian 
is confessedly the best member of 
this family. As hardy as the native; 
denser than that, of a darker and 
richer tint, and holds its color bet- 
in Winter. The common Amer- 
Arbor Vitae is one of the most 
serviceable of known trees. By a 
little pains in choosing specimens,' 
one can get trees handsome enough 
for the finest lawn. Then, for 
and hedges, nothing is bet- 
er. It will grow anywhere, any¬ 
body can transplant it, and it can 
be sheared into any shape. The 
Siberian Arbor Vitae grows very com¬ 
pact, a beautiful cone, and is every 
way adapted for single specimens, 
or to be set in rows as a screen. 
VI. The Junipers. —Of these there 
are many varieties. The Swedish is perhaps the 
best, for a wide range of latitude. The Irish is 
neater in style of foliage, but slightly tender at 
the north. The American is hardy, but coarser. 
Gardener. —I wonder the Junipers are not 
more generally planted. They are particularly 
well suited to small grounds and to cemetery 
lots. Their spiry, conical shapes throw them 
out in strong relief among other trees. But 
you have forgotten the American Black and. 
White Spruce, and the Red Cedar. 
VII. Neighbor.— I intended to speak of 
them, and of several of the newer conifers 
which promise well. There is the T7tuiopsis bore¬ 
alis, which is hardy through Central New-York, 
and very beautiful: Then, there is Pinus Lamber- 
tiana, and Pinus Beardsleyii and Picea amabilis, 
and Picea Nordmaniana, and others which will 
erelong find a place among standard trees. 
Gardener. —A good list, sir, fof an amateur 
to make out. The latter part of this month' Is 
the best time to plant. Good morning; our 
May-day talk has been pleasant and profitable. 
