270 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 2, U9T, 
beds or benches. If by nny reason the leaf is taken off, a Rose cutting 
in this condition will never make a satisfactory plant, or if from any 
cause the leaf drops off while the cutting is in process of rooting, very 
few, if any, will make satisfactory plants. 
Some years ago, especially so in the old country, a popular error 
existed that a joint should be retained on the extreme end of the 
cutting; this would necessitate two joints on the cutting, one on the 
top and one on the bottom, which is a great waste of cutting wood, a 
serious objection where new kinds are being propagated and cutting 
wood scarce, as with the two-joint system it takes as much wood to 
make one cutting as Avould make two with the one-eye system. The 
joint at the end of the cutting has nothing to do with its rooting; of 
course it will root with the joint on the end, but it will root just as well 
without the joint being there at all. 
The best plan is to cut them all of a uniform size regardless of the 
eyes. AVith some varieties good sized cuttings can be made with one 
eye, while with other close-jointed varieties two or more joints will be 
necessary to get a cutting of fair size. After the proper selection of 
cuttings they are inserted in clean pure sand. No vegetable matter of 
any kind, or soil of any description, is allowed among the sand. Clean 
gritty sharp sand is best. With close attention as to sprinkling and 
keeping up a proper degree of atmospheric moisture, Roses will, under 
these circumstances, root in about twenty or twenty-five days, when 
they should be potted in 2-inch pots, using a compost of fibrous loam 
with a little sand added. Shading will be necessary for some time after 
potting, and the same close attention as to moisture and sprinkling 
should be maintained as when in the cutting bed. Use fresh sand for 
each batch of cirttings, and keep the temperature of the sand at from 
60° to 65°, with the temperature of the house a few degrees less.— 
Jas. Mokton, (in American Florist), 
Pruning Roses, 
The time of pruning Roses affords a good opportunity of seeing how 
they have stood the severe w'eather of the past winter. The frosts have 
played sad havoc in many collections, and it would be interesting to 
have the experience of different correspondents, with the names of 
varieties that have suffered most. Although much damage has been 
done in some parts, it Avill be found in others that the injury is not so 
serious as expected; for, although many plants appear to be killed, it 
will be found on examination that they are alive at the base, especially 
where they have been well mulched, and will shoot from the ground 
line. This was my own experience. I had expected to find many dead, 
especially amongst the Teas, and some that overe only planted from 
pots of new varieties in the autumn, but I only found one killed 
(Niphetos) in the whole collection. Although many of the Teas were cut 
down to the level of the mulching, the Hybrid Perpetuals appear to 
have stood the winter very well. I give the names of a few of those 
that have suffered most here :—Star of AValtham, Mrs. H. Turner, Marie 
Verdier, Lord Macaulay, Le Havre, La France, Due de Rohan, and 
Ulrich Brunner; Teas, Niphetos, Climbing Niphetos, Sunset, Ye Prim¬ 
rose Dame, Safrano, and Madame Falcot. Moss Roses seem to have 
stood very well, whilst amongst climbers the only ones that appear to 
be much hurt are the Climbing Niphetos, Cloth of Gold, Solfaterre, and 
Narcisse. Although some of these are c’assed as weak varieties, ethers 
Avill be found amongst those that have stood the best in other parts 
of the country, and extra care will be required when pruning.— 
R. C. Williams, Crosswood Park, Ahcrystwijth. 
HORTICULTUEE IN AMERICA. 
[A paper by Mr. J.vmes H. Laing, F.R.H.S., read at the Birmingham Gardeners’ 
Association, March 9th, 1891.] 
( Continued from page 249. ) 
Leaving Mr. Allen I visited Messrs. Hallock & Son, Queens, who take 
nearly the front rank in the States for floriculture, having produced 
many floral gems. Gladioli appear to be a leading specialty here, and 
the many excellent varieties seen was a proof of the firm having a grand 
strain. Snow White, sent out by them, I saw in fine condition, certainly 
much superior to Avhat we have seen in England. What impressed me 
most Avere seedling Gladioli in bloom, shoAAung a great advance in size, 
form, and colour of the floAvers; the spikes AA^ere also more erect and 
stout, and floAvers more brilliantly coloured than are usually seen. 
Gannas AA'ere a great feature, all the latest and best sorts being grown ; 
they formed a splendid sight AA-hen seen last August. This elegant 
flowering plant is easily cultivated, and only requires a good rich soil, 
and if planted out in May or June they aaIII floAA'er profusely until cut 
down by frost—late in the autumn. American gardens especially 
would be shorn of much of their beauty Avithout them, the climate 
suiting them admirably. Carnations receive great attention, large 
collections of the best sorts being groAvn ; also a large house or tAvo Avere 
filled with plants for cut-flower AA’ork in the Avinter. These are planted 
early in September in raised benches, covered Avith 4 inches of soil made 
moderately rich with Avell-decayei manure. Many think solid benches 
preferable, as the flowering season continues longer. The chief varieties 
cultivated Avere : Alexander, Andalusia, Anna Webb, Buttercup, B. G. 
Hill, Geneva, Grace Wilder, Harrison’s, Hinze’s White, Lady Emma, 
Lambton, Lizzie McGowan, Louise Posch, Mrs. Fisher, Portia, Silver 
Spray, and Tidal Wave—sorts not groAvn and hardly knoAvn in Ensland. 
The Americans say that English varieties, Avith feAv exceptions, Avill not 
grow Avitli them, and we can say the same. 
I next called upon that very energetic and enterprising florist, Mr. 
John Lewis Child. Situated in an excellent position in the richest and 
most fertile part of Long Island, Avhich may be called the garden spot 
of NeAV York State, Mr. Child has selected his home Avell. He Avas busy 
superintending the building of a neAv and large seed Avarehouse, and 
other alterations, and at once gave me an audience. He has a great 
many softwooded and other kinds of plants, all grown to meet the 
demands of a large mail trade. Chrysanthemum Mrs. John LeAvis Child 
(John Laing & Sons are the European agents for it) v,-as strongly recom¬ 
mended as a noteAAmrthy variety. Cacti, Sansevieras, and Stapelias are 
grown in quantity too. Gannas Childsi, Ehemann', and several othera 
Avere floAvering splendidly. I also called on Mr. John H. Taylor of 
Bayside, where I saw housefuls of Roses in admirable order, Avhich fully 
justified his excellent repute as one of the best cultivators. 
Leaving Ncav York for Boston, U.S.A., I joined the magnificent 
steamer “ Puritan,” a real floating palace, of which our American friends 
may well be proud. It is 403 feet in length, 52 feet in breadth, and 
21 feet in denth of hull, steered by steam, and Pghtei throughout by 
electricity. The party which I accompanied on board the “ Puritan 
numbered 193, including the Nesv York and Philadelphia delegations, 
and young Mr. Hugh Dickson from Ireland, in addition to a large 
number from adjacent cities. A surprise Avas in store for us, for we 
AA^ere invited to dine Avi'h the New Yo''k Florist Club. The dinner was 
held in the large dining saloon, which w«s brilliantly lighted by 
electricity and magnificently decorated. In the centre of each table 
AA^as a large plateau of choice flowers, AA'hile the many sideboards on- 
each side of the saloon contained beautiful placques and plateaus of 
Carnations, Roses, &c. ; the air was heavy Avith their perfume, and that, 
together AA’ith the hearty goodAvill of our hosts and their bounteoua 
spread, made an occasion that aaHI long be remembered as most pleasant, 
especially by the “ Londoner.” Passing up the East River to the Fall 
River vA^e go under the Brooklyn Bridge. This is the largest suspension 
bridge in the world. Its height is 135 feet, length 5989 feet, width 
85 feet, which includes a promenade for foot passengers, two railway 
lines on AAdiich are run passenger carriages, propelled by a stationary 
engine from the Brooklyn side, and tAvo roadways for vehicles. It Avas 
thirteen years constructing, and cost about three millions sterling. From, 
it you have fine views of the river, bay, and the tAvo cities of Ncav Y^'ork 
and Boston. 
The Long Island route of the Fall River is attractive beyond 
description. The natural beauties must be seen to be appreciated. 
From the head of Mount Hope Bay at one end of the route until the 
Battery is passed and the North River pier reached at the other, a 
constant succession of scenic perfections alternate. All the deck 
arrangements of the boat Avere such that these natural beauties could 
be fully Avitnc.ssed by passengers. AYe all arrived in Boston in capital 
spirits. We Avere met at the depot by a contingent of the Boston Florist 
Club, headed by the noble Mr. W. J. SteAA’art, the Secretary. I could 
not help remarking PM route the fine plants of Ampelopsis Veitchi (or' 
Boston Ivy) as the Bostonians call it. 1 quote a feAV words on the 
matter :—“ One needs to see the great Avails covered with its bright 
leaA'Gs, AAdiich overlap each other like the tiles on a roof ; to see the. 
turrets wrapped in its green folds, and the Aviodows AAweathed in its 
shining foliage, to be able to appreciate its beauty. Unfortunately the. 
Ivy of England can but poorly battle Avith the extremes of the American 
rude winters, but the Japan Ivy, with the .same poAver of clinging to the 
surface as its Old AVorld cousin, by dropping its foliage Avhen severe 
Avinter frosts set in, passes safvly through our colder Avinters. Not 
suddenly, on the first approach of frost, do the leaves fall, but the dying 
foliage puts on fresh hues and glorious tints every day. One can 
scarcely realise the charm AA'hich this little climber giAms to the home^ 
and hoAv it relieves the monotony of bare AA'alls.” 
Boston is a fine old city. The older portions of the streets are narroAv 
and irregular, though something has been done toward straightening 
and Avidening them since the fire in 1872. Those in the nevv section 
built on the made land of Back Bay are Avide, Avell paved, regularly la'd 
out, and present a handsome appearance. The boot and shoe markets 
here are considered to be the largest in the AA'orhl. Boston is the aristo¬ 
cratic city in the U.S A. It is a splendid idea of the Avell-managed 
Society of Americin Florists to hohl its annual meetings and cni- 
ferenc-S or convention in the chief provincial toAAms, thus adding^ 
strength and notoriety to its holy. It Avas a happy choice, the selection 
of Boston, and I doubt if the experience and pleasure Ave had there Avill 
ever be surpassed, though, perhaps the Canadians of Toronto, whe'e the 
convention goes in 1891, may try to equal it. Try and imagine nearly a 
thousand florists and their Avives from all parts of the States and 
Canada (Mrs. and Miss Berger, of the AAvli-knoAvn house of H. H. Berger 
and Co., San Francisco; Mr. HoAvyt from Flor'da, and many others 
attended), c dlecting once a year at these social and instructive 
gatherings ! AVhat a friendly intercourse and impetus it must give tO' 
the Yankee horticu'tural Avorld 1 
The Horticultural Hall, Tremont Stive*', and the home of the 
Massachusetts Horticultural Society, incorporated in 1829, is a fine 
building. Tbe front is of dign’fied and monumental character, and is 
embellished Avith costly statues of Ceres, Flora, and Pomona. After 
ascending the broad flight of stairs you reach the hall, where the weekly 
exhibitions are held. On the .same floor are the offices of the Secretary 
and Treasurer, also the valuable library of the Society. 
The large hall, used in addition to the louder ball at the annual and 
other important exhibitions, occupies the upper floor. The Convention, 
opened on Tuesday, August 19th, 1890, the Hon. Wm. H. Haile, the 
