AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
311 
ble time in endeavoring to have an inter¬ 
change of views with many of our most in¬ 
telligent citizens in relation to this subject, 
and we are happy to find that there does not 
exist any diversity of opinion as to the im¬ 
portance of establishing such a Garden com¬ 
mensurate to the wants of science, and that 
it would become one of our city’s greatest 
adornments, both from its utility and refresh¬ 
ing influences. 
The study of Botany is one of the most 
fruitful sources of instruction that can En¬ 
gage the attention of the student in search of 
science, and for the want of a garden, pre¬ 
senting all the varieties of the vegetable 
kingdom, his researches are retarded, and 
his genius can not reach its desired devel¬ 
opment. Thus far public attention to the 
interests of this science has been very limi¬ 
ted, and the efforts in its advancement are 
scarcely perceptible. All the encourage¬ 
ment it has received has been from a few 
organized societies scattered at remote dis¬ 
tances over our extended country. We have 
immense tracts of wild and unexplored lands, 
abounding with almost every variety of in¬ 
digenous plants; the plow passes over them, 
and they are thrown from their mossy beds 
to perish alike with worthless weeds. Es¬ 
tablish this garden, and it will soon be filled 
with the rich treasures that the God of Na¬ 
ture has spread before us with a most lavish 
hand, and which it is required of us to appro¬ 
priate to their proper use. Yield a liberal 
encouragement to this science, and the rarest 
specimens will soon present their rich dis¬ 
play in our midst. It will be sought for, not 
only by the distinguished men in search of 
science in our own country, but by foreign¬ 
ers from every clime. Botany will no long¬ 
er exist with us as a mere theory, but will 
awaken us to the most deep and absorbing 
practical results in our researches. Your 
committee consider this subject of such vast 
interest and magnitude, and in the absence 
of more general information, they prefer, at 
this time, not to present any plan for perma¬ 
nent adoption, but simply suggest the pro- 
prietyof continuing the present committee, 
and recommend that the following gentlemen 
be added to their number : 
Henry A. Kent, 
W. C. Langley, 
Thomas Hunt, 
John N. Taylor, 
Noel J. Becar, 
Steph. Knowlton, 
Wm. S. Herriman 
John H. Prentice, 
Roll in Sand ford, 
Chas. R. Marvin, 
Wm. Lottimer, 
,T. A. Perry, 
Smith J. Eastman, 
William Spencer, 
Alonzo Crittenden, 
W. W. Crane, 
E. B. Litchfield, 
Ira Smith, 
Jas. T. Stranahan, 
J. J.Van Nostrand, 
A. B. Baylis, 
M. Megrath, 
Charles Christmas, 
Alfred Large, 
J C. Brevoort, 
Dr. A. C. Hull, 
Henry Murphy, 
Edw. A. Lambert, 
Thomas Hogg, Jr., 
John Skillman, 
Alfred Greenleaf, 
E. S. Mills, 
Jas. Haselhurst. 
All of which is respectfully submitted, 
JOHN W. DEGRAUW, 
W. S. DUNHAM, 
JOHN MAXWELL, 
J. E. RAUCH, 
JOHN W. TOWT. 
NEW-HAVEN (CONN.)HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
We are indebted to the corresponding sec¬ 
retary, J. C. Hollister Esq., for a copy of 
the Report of the Transactions of this flour¬ 
ishing society during the past year. There 
is one noteworthy feature of this society, 
in which we think they excel any other of 
similar character in our acquaintance. We 
refer to the fact that the members not only 
hold but sustain a weekly exhibition during 
the entire summer season, from about May 
1st, to sometime in October. From our own 
frequent observations, we can testify that 
these oft-recurring exhibitions—which, by 
the way, are open free to the public—are 
supported with much spirit, and a large show 
of plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables, in 
their appropriate season, is the general rule> 
instead of the exception. The secret of this 
is, that there are more than one or two 
working gentlemen—aye, and of ladies too— 
connected with the society. 
The report before us gives the names of the 
exhibitors, the articles on exhibition, and pre¬ 
miums at each weekly exhibition, and also of 
the annual exhibition held in connection with 
the State Agricultural Society, an account of 
which we gave on page 86 of this volume 
(No. 58, Oct. 18). We append a list of the 
officers for 1855. 
President—S. D. Pardee, Esq., 
Vice Presidents —0. F. Winchester, Esq., 
and N. A Bacon, Esq. 
Recording Secretary —T. H. Totten. 
Corresponding Secretary —J. C. Hollister. 
Treasurer —C. B. Whittlesey. 
Directors —Charles Dickerman, James 
Harrison, E. E. Clarke, Solomon Mead, 
Carleton White, John E. Wylie, Jonathan 
Stoddard, C. B. Lines, Charles Beers. 
CULTURE OF THE POLYANTHUS. 
Some prefer growing this plant in pits, a 
system I never adopt; as they require much 
greater attention, are far more delicate' in 
habit, and never increase so well under this 
mode of treatment. Others separate and 
replant in the beginning of August, and too 
frequently lose a great many plants by so 
doing, which, in my opinion, is one reason 
why Polyanthuses are so scarce ; but they 
quietly content themselves that some few are 
spared, and directly attribute the loss to hot 
weather, which is a mistake ; for at this sea¬ 
son the plants are almost, I may say, in a 
dormant stale ; in fact the old foliage is fad¬ 
ing, the new is not advanced, and if removed, 
however suitable the weather, a great many 
will most assuredly die. The situation most 
suitable for them is a well raised border on 
the north side of a Quick or Hawthorn fence ; 
this serves as a shade during the hot months 
of summer, and also allows sufficient sun to 
reach the plants in spring. About this time 
(middle of September) or as soon as the new 
foliage is advanced 2 or 3 inches (not before), 
take up your plants, separate the increase, 
and plant them in the border, prepared of 
loamy turf, leaf-soil, and rotten sheep dung. 
Give them sufficient water to settle the soil 
at the roots, and should the weather prove 
dry, repeat the watering accordingly. The 
plants may then be left without any further 
care. I never give mine any protection 
whatever through the winter, and although 
the season may be severe, I do not lose a 
single plant. In the first week in April I se¬ 
lect such as have made the best trusses, for 
exhibition, and taking them from the border, 
with as much soil as possible, I place them 
in 6-inch pots, give a gentle watering, and 
rempve them to a more shady situation. I 
guard against snails by scattering a little 
barley chaff or common salt about the pots, 
or they would destroy the blooms, and my 
labor would be in vain. The careful remov¬ 
ing of the plants rather improves the quality 
of the flowers than otherwise ; but as soon 
as the day of exhibition is over, I replace 
them in the border, in their former situation. 
During the months ol May, June, July, and 
August, a few branches stuck on the border 
will be of great service, and effectually pre¬ 
vent the sun from scorching the plant s, which 
would injure them to a serious extent. Plen¬ 
ty of water must be supplied daily ; should 
the weather prove dry and hot, regularly 
soak them, or they will probably be attacked 
by red spider, which undoubtedly destroys . 
numbers of plants every season. Should 
you be troubled with this pest, syringe the 
foliage without delay on the under side with 
some strong soapsuds. This will drive it 
away, if not destroy it, and there is no fear 
of being troubled a second time, as it will 
never return to the plants any more that 
season. I have always found one applica¬ 
tion effectual, and the plants have not suf¬ 
fered in the slightest degree. By the above 
treatment I have always had a. fine bloom, 
S 
For the American Agriculturist. 
CUCUMBERS FORCED. 
Where the forcing of this vegetable is 
carried on, no time should be lost in making 
a hot-bed in which to sow the seed. For this 
purpose light vegetable mould is best, placed 
in small pots, into which drop three seeds 
and cover Avith half an inch of mould. A 
frame with one light will suffice. The bed 
may be made three f« j et and a half deep at 
the back, and three feet in front, of the best 
and hottest stable manure that can be ob¬ 
tained. It should be made a foot wider than 
the frame all round. Great care should be 
taken in the selection of the seed, as it is 
quite as easy to grow a good cucumber as a 
bad one. The reason why I say this is, that 
it is very seldom we see a good grown cu¬ 
cumber ; they are generally very small, and 
as thick as they are long. In fact, the great¬ 
er part are nothing more than ridge cucum¬ 
bers ; and it is nothing unusual to purchase 
three kinds of seed, and to have all turn out 
the kind I have described. They very rare¬ 
ly exceed ten inches in length, and it is truly 
annoying, after growing and taking so much 
trouble with them, to have them a disgrace 
instead of adding credit to the gardener. 
The best kinds for forcing are the Victory 
of Bath, and Hunter’s Prolific, which, if pro¬ 
cured true to name, will give perfect satis¬ 
faction ; and as under tolerably good culti¬ 
vation, they Avill grow from sixteen to twen¬ 
ty-one inches in length, they form a marked 
contrast to the diminutive specimens Ave are 
in the habit of seeing. A heat from 70° to 
75° should be maintained, never using water 
lower than this temperature. They may be 
sprinkled morning and evening in fine 
weather. Care must be taken that no foul 
steam be allowed in the frame. After the 
seed is up, further directions as to their man¬ 
agement Avill be forwarded at the proper 
time. The seed bed may be used for a crop 
of asparagus or seakale after the plants are 
removed, as there Avill be enough heat left 
for that purpose. W. S. 
The Goose and Colt. —A poor goose had 
been cruelly plucked alive of all her feathers, 
that she might satisfy the avarice of her 
master, who could get money for them. A 
young colt seeing the goose in this state, 
laughed heartily at her, and derided her. A 
little while after the goose met the colt again, 
Avhen he had been deprived by his master of 
his ears and tail. “ Oh,” said the goose, 
“whose turn is it to laugh now ? My feath¬ 
ers are growing again, but you Avill never 
more have your ears and your tail.” 
Some children will laugh if they see a poor 
deformed person ; but we never should 
laugh at Jhe misfortunes of others, for we 
know not how soon far rvorse may befall 
ourselves. 
Let us, then, be kind to the lame, the deaf, 
the dumb, and the blind; and if it should 
please God to permit us, at any time, to en¬ 
dure the like misfortunes, we may hope that 
Ave shall not be mocked at, but receive the 
same compassion that we have shown to 
others. 
