87 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
erate breeze, and 150 in a high wind.” We 
can form but a faint conception of the 
amount of moisture carried off by ourscorch- 
ing summer breezes, although its continued 
effect upon vegetation is well known, and its 
results but too apparent in stunted and ar¬ 
rested growth during summer. The humid¬ 
ity that is constantly arising by evaporation 
from the surface soil during hot weather is 
very congenial to vegetation. To prevent 
its rapid exhalation is therefore a desidera¬ 
tum, and this is most effectually accom¬ 
plished by sheltering and checking the force 
of sultry winds. A deficiency of moisture 
in the soil is frequently productive of failure 
in dry seasons. The only effectual means 
of counteracting this, is deep cultivation; 
and, in clayey soils, underground-draining 
may be considered a valuable auxiliary. 
Draining, combined with deep cultivation, 
will secure a regular and lasting supply of 
moisture during the driest weather. At first 
sight this fact does not seem very apparent, 
and many are afraid to drain, under the im¬ 
pression that the soil would be rendered too 
dry. Deep cultivation, by loosening the soil, 
increases its capacity for moisture. Soil, 
like sponge, can only absorb a certain por¬ 
tion of water; if more falls upon it than it 
can retain, it becomes injurious unless car¬ 
ried away through drains. The increased 
depth of soil forms a reservoir for suspended 
moisture, which in dry weather is conducted 
to the surface by capillary attraction, where 
it is available for the purpose of vegetation. 
Another important advantage consequent 
upon the removal of superflous water from 
soils, is their increased temperature. Wet 
soil must always be cold, comparatively, be¬ 
cause the heat of the sun is expended in 
etaporating moisture instead of warming the 
soil. 
Having in a previous paper given my 
views respecting soil, in reference to its 
chemical constituents, I need not again recur 
to that part of the subject. In the paper re- 
ferredjo, 1 urged the importance of an an¬ 
nual application of decaying vegetable mat¬ 
ter on the surface to represent the periodi¬ 
cal layer of leaves and decaying grasses in 
n Rural woods. A moment’s reflection will 
convince us of the importance of this con¬ 
sideration, especially as many—indeed most 
—evergreen shrubs are furnished with small 
fibery roots which run near ihe surface, and 
are consequently dependent upon jthis 
surface stratum for their ramification and 
growth. 
The list of evergreens suitab'e for shrub¬ 
beries is by no means so limited as might be 
inferred, judging from the appearance of our 
pleasure grounds. In order to render these 
remarks of some practical use, I will give a 
brief descriptive list of those that I have 
seen growing in this neighborhood, of a size 
sufficient to warrant their hardiness and 
availability for decorative purposes, when 
properly planted in a suitable aspect and 
locality. > 
Magnolia grandiflora. —This most mag¬ 
nificent of all flowering evergreens is per¬ 
fectly hardy. There are many specimens 
from four to ten feet in height. I lately had 
the pleasure of seeing one twenty feet in 
height, with a stem two feet in circumfer¬ 
ence, which produces many hundreds of its 
fragrant flowers annually. It is sheltered 
on the north by buildings, but has no protec¬ 
tion from the morning sun, which, in winter, 
slightly injures young plants. There are 
several varieties, as Proecox, Exmouthii, &c., 
equally hardy, notwithstanding they are 
rarely seen in shrubberies. 
Crataegus pyracantha— Evergreen Thorn 
—is one of the most beautiful irregular 
growing shrubs that we possess. Its beau¬ 
tiful, shining, deep-colored foliage, covered 
with white flowers in the latter part of sum¬ 
mer, and followed with a profusion of scarlet 
berries which are retained throughout the 
winter, are additional recommendations for 
its general introduction. 
Buxus sempervirens. —The varieties of 
Tree Box are in the highest degree eligible. 
The variegated-leaved has a pleasing effect 
in a winter landscape, when properly intro¬ 
duced. 
COTONEASTER BUXIFOLIA, and C. MICROPHYL" 
la are beautiful evergreens of humble 
growth. They are admirably adapted for 
covering rockeries, or planting on the north 
side of walls. They will turn brown in win¬ 
ter under full exposure to the sun. Their 
fruit is also ornamental. 
Euonymus Japonicus. —This is a splendid 
evergreen when planted on well drained soil, 
otherwise the points of the young shoots 
will be destroyed during winter. The gold¬ 
en and silver variegated are equally hardy, 
and may be rendered very effective in com¬ 
position. 
Genista scoparium— Common Broom —is a 
very useful undergrowth. It is perfectly 
hardy. As an evergreen, its close habit 
renders it effective. It blooms profusely 
and is a valuable addition to our flowering 
shrubs. 
Ilex aquifolium— English Holly —There is 
a specimen here fifteen feet in height, a per¬ 
fect pyramid of foliage. There are many 
single specimens about. The varieties are 
also well represented and seem equally at 
home. I have seen a plant of I. latifoha 
that stood one winter, but doubt its ability to 
get over the present one. The native holly 
is equally ornamental. It likes shade when 
young. 
Acuba Japonica. —There are many indi¬ 
vidual specimens in gardens. It requires 
continual shade. The summer seems more 
hurtful than the frosts of winter Its beauti¬ 
ful foliage affords a pleasing feature, and 
might be more frequently introduced in 
shady places. 
Cerasus lusitanica— Portugal Laurel —is 
not plentiful, but there are several plants 
which have stood out for some years. They 
are shaded on the south, and give hopes of 
proving perfectly hardy in such a position. 
The plants alluded to are in luxuriant 
health. 
Cerasus lauro-cerasus — Cherry , or Eng¬ 
lish Laurel. —This plant is also rather scarce; 
but from what I have seen, there seems no 
reason to doubt of its success, if properly 
situated. Much depends on aspect. Let it 
be introduced under the shade and shelter of 
trees, and plenty of leaves thrown around it 
during winter, and my present impression is 
that it will be as perfectly at home in such 
situations as our common sheep laurel. 
There are plants here, five and six feet high, 
in perfect health. 
Kalmia latifolia — Common Laurel. —It 
would be difficult to point out a more beauti¬ 
ful shrub than this. I can not refer to any 
cultivated specimens. We have them in the 
woods in all their magnificence, but they are 
“ born to blush unseen, and waste their 
sweetness on the desert air.” 
Mahonia aquifolia— Holly-leaved Berberry. 
—This is an indispensable plant for the fore¬ 
ground of a winter landscape, but requires 
to be shaded from the sun and planted on dry 
soil. It is very ornamental when in flower. 
B. fasicularis is also admirably adapted for 
undergrowth in ornamental plantations. 
Phillyreas. —These are beautiful small- 
foliaged evergreens, perfectly hardy. Speck- 
mens here are small, but stand without any 
protection. 
Cyrilla racemiflora. — This desirable 
evergreen is rather scarce. It is worthy of 
more extensive cultivation. Its racemes of 
flower are plentifully produced—an addition¬ 
al recommendation as an ornamental plant. 
Taxus baccata — English Yew. —This fine 
evergreen is well known, and succeeds well. 
Small plants are sometimes injured by win¬ 
ter sun. T. Canadensis is similar to the 
above, and forms a fine spreading mass of 
evergreen. It is also plentiful in the woods, 
and is readily transplanted. The Upright or 
Irish Yew is very effective in some situations. 
There are plants here ten feet in height, and 
of proportionate thickness. It succeeds well 
in all situations. 
Rhododendron maximum— Mountain Laurel. 
—This and R. Punctatum, R. ponticum, and 
R. Catawbiense, are under cultivation. Sev¬ 
eral magnificent specimens could be referred 
to. Imported hybrids also stand, under the 
shade of trees. The great secret in grow¬ 
ing these plants, is to keep the roots near 
the surface, by top-dressings of leaf-mold, 
or similar vegetable matter, and plant on 
trenched soil, that they may have abundance 
of moisture without being actually wet. 
Yucca gloriosa — Adam's Needle. —The 
Yuccas are very distinct in their habits, and 
give quite a tropical expression when intro¬ 
duced in small clumps. When in flower, 
they command admiration. No pleasure 
grounds can be complete without them. 
Juniperus Sabina — Savin. — This beautiful 
dwarf shrub is well adapted for undergrowth, 
and adds one more to the list of suitable 
plants for covering the “nakedness of the 
land ” during winter. 
Juniperus communis— Common Juniper .— 
No plant that I am familiar with, presents 
so beautiful a play of light and shade in its 
foliage as this. It is a fine contrast to some 
of the deeper-foliag;d evergreens. 
Cupressus thuyoides — White Cedar. —A 
very beautiful native evergreen. Small, flat, 
impricated foliage, resembling at a distance 
the common Arbor Vitae. 
Thuyas — Arbor Vitces. — The Siberian is 
the most beautiful when young. T. JiliJormis 
(weeping) is a desirable plant, and T. aurea, 
for its variegated foliage. 
Torreya taxifolia proves hardy. I have 
seen a small plant that has been out unpro¬ 
tected for several years. It is very pretty in 
its rough state. 
Pwus pumilis, from its slow growth, may 
be ranked as a shrub. It is well adapted for 
rounding off plantations, or merging them 
into low shrubbery, planting at angles and 
bends of walks. Set out by itself in a lawn, 
it forms a superb rounded mass of close, 
stiff shoots and foliage. 
Children. —No man can tell but he that 
loves his children, how many delicious ac¬ 
cents make a man’s heart dance in the pret¬ 
ty conversation of those dear pledges ; their 
childishness, their stammering, their little 
angers, their innocence, their imperfections, 
their necessities, are so many little emana¬ 
tions of joy and comfort to him that de¬ 
lights in their persons and society ; but he 
that loves not his wife and children, feeds a 
lioness at home, and broods a nest of sor¬ 
rows ; and blessing itself can not make him 
happy. 
Libelous. —The following paragraph, says 
an exchange, is from the regular report of 
the proceedings of the Connecticut Legisla¬ 
ture : 
“ Bill to tax geese, cats and bachelors.— 
Mr. Marrison was opposed to the bill taxing 
bachelors. There was a tax already laid 
upon a goose, and any man who had lived 
twenty-five years without getting married, 
could be taxed under that section.” 
Many people drop a tear at the sight of 
distress, who would do far better to drop a 
sixpence. 
