184, 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[Mat, 
cuttings I would use it in preference to our reg¬ 
ular propagating beds, though of course it could 
not he applicable by florists on a large scale. 
Almost every one is acquainted with the 
Sweet Flag or Calamus of our swamps, and 
which is prized by many for the pungent aroma 
of its creeping root-stocks. The Grassy Cala¬ 
mus from China, is very much like a miniature 
reproduction of the one with which we are 
familiar. It has similar long and narrow, 
two-edged leaves. The flowers, as in the com¬ 
mon one, are minute and densely crowded into 
a spike (or spadix) which issues from the edge 
of a flattened stem that is quite like the leaves 
in appearance. The species in its natural state 
has the leaves entirely green; but a striped vari¬ 
ety has been introduced from Japan within a 
few years, and is now not rare. The engraving 
represents the plant somewhat under the real 
size, and shows the manner the clusters of 
leaves are given off. The clumps all have a 
tendency to assume a curved or cresent-like 
form. The plant is generally grown in green¬ 
houses, and is a useful one to place in rustic 
baskets and vases, as it endures the dry atmos¬ 
phere of the dwelling. It is, however, quite 
hardy, as we have had it in the open ground 
for several winters without any protection. 
Experience with a Willow Hedge.— Mr. 
Geo. M. Chase, Freeborn, Minn., writes: “In 
the spring of 18G8 I built a few rods of willow 
fence, which has succeeded so well, I think oth¬ 
ers should-try it. First I dug a ditch 18 inches 
deep, and 1 foot wide at the bottom. Then I cut 
the willow into pieces 5 feet long, taking care 
not to wound them more than was necessary. 
They were placed in the ditch 4 inches apart, 
and nailed to a 
board 4 inches 
from the top, using 
clinch nails. The 
soil was thrown 
back and pressed 
gently against each 
piece. Digging a 
ditch to set the 
fence in, has two 
advantages: first 
it gives you a 
chance to build a 
straight fence out 
of material more 
or less crooked, 
and secondly it 
loosens the soil, 
giving the roots a 
better chance to 
start and furnish 
the nourishment 
now so much need¬ 
ed. It was quite 
dry for nearly 
three weeks after 
the fence was built, 
but I saved the life 
of nearly every 
piece by mulching 
with coarse ma¬ 
nure. This makes 
a picket fence 3 1 1 2 
feet high, which 
nothing has ever 
attempted to pass^ 
and it grows better 
every year. In 
this soil a man can 
dig the ditch, pre¬ 
pare his trees, and 
put up 5 rods per day. The necessity of resort¬ 
ing to some plan to secure cheap and durable 
fencing, is almost imperative in this sparsely 
timbered country. I ought to have said that the 
willow (White Holland is the kind I used) never 
sprouts from the roots, no matter how close you 
plow or how many roots you may cut off.” 
Sills’ Hybrid Melon. — Mr. Gregory, of 
Marblehead, Mass., exhibited this variety at 
Boston last fall. It is small, white, and netted. 
The flesh is of a deep salmon color, of fine 
texture, rich, sweet, and good flavored. Mr. G. 
thinks it too sweet to suit some tastes. The 
one we tested was certainly sweet enough. 
- —«®B--- --■ 
Laying out a Vineyard or Orchard.—• 
Mr. W. W. Smith, of Napa Co., California, gives 
the following method of laying out a plot for 
planting with vines or trees which would seem 
to be easy of execution: “ Set two flag stakes as 
if about to lay out the ground with a horse and 
plow. Then take a -wheel-barrow and fasten a 
slake of the proper bight to the center of the 
box or bed, and just behind the wheel. Get 
the three stakes exactly in a line and start across 
the field, pushing the wheel-harrow before you 
and keeping your eyes steadily upon the stakes. 
After a little practice one can, in this way, strike 
out a row almost as ‘straight as a line,’ and the 
wheel makes a mark sufficiently plain. By run¬ 
ning across in both directions, the intersections 
of the marks, or ‘checks,’ will indicate the proper 
stations for the vines or trees. By putting stakes 
iu the ‘ checks ’ before commencing to dig the 
holes, a person can, with a little care, set his 
vineyard or orchard in perfectly straight rows.” 
VALLOTA PURPUREA. 
An Easily Grown Bulb—The Vallota. 
The Vallota is a plant so easily managed, 
and withal, so showy, that we wonder we so 
seldom see it employed as a garden ornament. 
There seems no reason why it should not be as 
common among the spring bulbs as the Gladio¬ 
lus. Perhaps it is because the books put it 
down as a green-house plant that so few are to 
be found in gardens. Seeing some bulbs in the 
collection of B. K. Bliss & Son, we were re¬ 
minded to say a word in behalf of the Vallota. 
It is from the Cape of Good Hope, and has 
been in cultivation for a century. Its leaves 
do not die down, as do those of many bulhs, 
hence, after the flowering season, it cannot be 
packed away like a Gladiolus, but must be kept 
at rest in earth, though dry. The leaves, which 
are nearly flat, spread in a fan-like manner, 
and are of a dark, rich green. The flower-stalk 
is a foot or 18 inches high, and bears iu August 
a'cluster of brilliant, scarlet lily-like flowers, 
of the shape shown in the engraving. The 
plant may be turned out in the open ground 
after frosts are over, and in autumn be taken 
up and potted, and kept in a green-house or dry 
cellar. The bulbs produce an abundance of 
offsets by means of which the plant may be 
readily multiplied. Recently, botanists have 
placed this in the genus Amaryllis, and it is 
found in some works as Amaryllis speciosa. It 
is, however, best known by the florists and deal¬ 
ers as Vallota purpurea —though purpurea is a 
misnomer, as the flowers are scarlet. At all 
events, Vallota will serve for the popular name. 
TnE variegated grassy calamus.— (Acorus gramineus.) 
The Grassy Calamus. 
